Of this Edition of The Percy Folio of Old English Ballads
and Romances 320 Copies have been printed on Hand-made
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No. 136......
THE KINGS LIBRARY
EDITED BY PROFESSOR I. GOLLANCZ, LITT.D.
THE DE LA MORE PRESS FOLIOS
IV. THE PERCY FOLIO
FROM THE TEXT OF DR. F. J. FURNIVALL
AND PROFESSOR J. W. HALES VOLUME IV
The Publishers and General Editor of " The Kiyig s Library" desire
to express their thanks to Dr. F. J. Furnivall and Prof . J. W. Hales
for kindly allowing the use of their text for the present issue.
THE PERCY FOLIO
THE PERCY FOLIO
OF OLD ENGLISH
BALLADS AND
ROMANCES VOL. IV
LONDON
AT THE DE LA MORE PRESS
1910
vS
VA\
CONTENTS OF VOLUME IV.
PACK
Adam Bell, Clime of the Cloughe, and William
orf Cloudeslee - - - i
Younge Cloudeslee - 26
In Olde Times Paste - - - 42
Darkesome Cell- - - 45
Marke More ffoole - 47
Thomas of Potte - - 54
William the Conquerour - - - - 68
The Drowning of Henery the I. his Children - 72
Murthering of Edward the Fourth his Sonnes - 77
The Fall of Prinees - - 82
The Nutt Browne Mayd - - 86
The Rose of Englande - - 94
The Pore Man and the Kinge 99
Sir John Butler - 10
Will Stewart and John -
Now the Springe is Come - - 124
Bosworth ffeilde 126
Aceneas and Dido - 150
The Squier - 151
7
III
vn.
CONTENTS— continued
PAGE
O Noble Festus - - 156
Carle off Carlile - - - 159
Hero and Leander - - - - -174
Cressus -- ___ jy8
Songs of Shepardes - - 179
The Lavinian Shore - - - - -182
Come my Dainty Doxeys - 184
To Oxfforde - - - - -185
Ladye Bessiye - - - - -187
Are Women ffaire ?- - - - 226
A Cavilere
/
A Propecye - - - - - -229
Maudline -- - 231
Come Pretty Wanton - 240
Hee is a ffoole - - - - 241
Lulla: Lulla - 242
A Lover off Late - - - 243
Great or Proude - 244
The Spanish Ladies Love - - - - 245
Sir Andrew Bartton - - - 248
The Sillye Silvan 259
Patient Grissell - 260
viii.
CONTENTS — continued
PAGE
Scroope and Browne - 267
Kinge Humber - - 270
In the Days of Olde - - 273
Amintas - - - - - - -278
Wininge of Cales - - 280
Edward the Third - - - - -283
As Yee Came from the Holye - 288
Leoffricus _____ 2 go
Proude where the Spencers - - - 293
Kinge Edgar - 299
Christopher White 305
Queene Dido - 309
Alflonso and Ganselo - - 314
Balowe - - - - 320
Gentle Heardsman 322
I Am ... - - - - 325
Coridon - - - - - -326
Seege orl Roune - - 328
Such a Lover am I - ~ 334
Index 335
IX.
ADAM BELL, CLIME OF THE CLOUGHE,
AND WILLIAM OFF CLOUDESLEE
[First Part]
Merrye itt was in the greene fforrest
Amonge the leaves greene,
Wheras men hunt east and west
With bowes and arrowes keene,
To raise the deere out of their den ;
Such sights has oft beene seene,
As by three yeomen of the north countrye,
By them itt is I meane.
The one of them hight Adam Bell,
Another Clymm of the Cloughe, 10
The third was William of Clowdeslee,
An archer good enoughe.
They were outlawed for venison,
These yeomen everyeche one ;
They swore the[m] brethren on a day
To English wood for to gone.
Now lithe and listen, gentlemen,
That of mirth loveth to heare !
Two of them were single men,
The third had a weded ffere. 20
William was the weded man ;
Much more then was his care.
Hee sayd to his brethren upon a day,
To Carleile hee wold fare,
There to speake with faire Allice his wiffe
And his children three.
" By my truth," said Adam Bell,
" Not by the councell of mee ;
" For if wee goe to Carlile, brother,
And from this wylde wood wende, 30
If that the justice doe you take,
Your lifTe is att an end."
" If that I come not to morrow, brother,
By prime to you againe,
Trust you then that I am tane
Or else that I am slaine."
Hee tooke his leave of his brethren two,
And to Carlile hee is gone ;
There he knocked att his owne windowe
Shortlye and anon. 40
" Where be you, ffayre Allice ? " he sayd,
" My wiffe, and children three?
Lightlye lett in thy owne husband,
William of Clowdeslee."
" Alas ! " then sayd ffaire Allice,
And sighed verry sore.
" This place hath beene beset for you
This halfe a yeere and more."
" Now am I heere," said Clowdeslee,
" I wold that in I were; 50
Now ffeitch vs meate and drinke enoughe,
And lett us make good cheere."
Shee ffeitcht him meate and drinke plentye,
Like a true weded wiffe ;
And pleased him with that shee had,
Whom shee loved as her Hire.
There lay an old wiffe in the place,
A litle before the ffyer,
Which William had found of charytye
More then seaven yeere. 60
Up shee rose, and forth shee goes, —
Evill mote shee speede therfore ! —
For shee had sett no ffoote on ground
Not seven yeere before.
Shee went into the justice hall
As ffast as shee cold hye :
" This night," shee sayd, " is come to towne
William of Clowdeslee."
Therof the justice was full faine,
Soe was the sherriffe alsoe ; 70
" Thou shalt not travell hither, dame, for nought ;
Thy meede thou shalt have ere thou goe."
They gave to her a right good gowne, —
Of Scarlett itt was, as I heard saine, —
Shee tooke the gift, and home shee went,
And couched her downe againe.
They raysed the towne of merry Carlile
In all they hast they can,
And came thronging to Williams house
As fast as they might gone; 80
n
.5
There they besett the good yeaman
About on every syde.
William heard great noyse of the ffolkes
That thitherward fast hyed.
Alice opened a backe windowe,
And looked all about ;
Shee was ware of the justice and sherriffe both,
And with them a fFull great rout.
" All[as], treason!" then cryed Alike,
" Ever woe may thou bee ! go
Goe into my chamber, sweet husband," shee sayd,
" Sweete William of Clowdeslee."
He tooke his sword and his buckeler,
His bow, and his children three ;
He went into the strongest chamber,
Where he thought the surest to bee.
ffayre Allice, like a lover true,
Tooke a pollaxe in her hand ;
Said, " Hee shall dye that cometh in
This dore, while I may stand." ioo
Cloudeslye bent a right good bow
That was of a trustye tree ;
He smote the justice on the brest
That his arrowe burst in three.
" Gods curse on his heart," sayd William,
" This day thy cote did on!
If itt had beene no better then mine,
Itt had beene neere the bone."
" Yeelde thee, Cloudeslee," said the justice,
" And the bow and arrowes thee froe." no
" Gods cursse on his hart," sayd faire Allice,
" That my husband councelleth soe ! "
" Sett ffire on the house," said the shirriffe,
" Sith itt will noe better bee ;
And burne wee there William," he sayth,
" His wiffe and his children three."
They ffyred the house in many a place,
The ffyer ffledd on hye :
" Alas ! " then sayd ffayre Allice,
" I see here wee shall dye." 120
William opened a backe windowe
That was in his chamber hye ;
And there with sheetes he did let downe
His wiffe and children three.
" Have you here my treasure," said William,
" My wiffe and children three ;
For Gods love doe them noe hareme,
But wreake you all on mee ! "
William shott soe wonderous well
Till his arrowes were all agoe, 130
And ffire soe ffast about him ffell
That his bow string burnt in towe.
The sparkles brent and fell upon
Good William of Clowdeslee ;
But then was hee a wofull man, and sayd
" This is a cowards death to me !
" Leever had I," said William,
" With my sword in the rout to runn,
Then here amonge my enemyes wood
Soe cruellye to burne." 140
He tooke his sword and his buckeler then,
And amongst them all hee ran :
Where the people thickest were,
He smote downe many a man ;
There might no man abide his stroakes,
Soe ffeircleye on them hee rann.
Then they threw windowes and dores att him,
And then they tooke that yeoman.
There they bound him hand and ffoote,
And in a deepe dungeon him cast. 150
" Now Clowdeslee," sayd the justice,
" Thou shalt be hanged in hast."
" One vow shall I make," said the shirriffe,
" A paire of new gallowes shall I ffor thee make ;
And all the gates of Carlile shalbe shutt ;
There shall noe man come in thereatt.
" There shall not helpe yett Clym of the Cloughh,
Nor yett Adam Bell,
Tho they came with a hundred men,
Nor all the devills in hell." 160
Erlye in the morninge the justice arose;
To the gates fTast can hee gone,
And commanded to shutt close
Lightlye every-eche one.
Then went hee to the markett place
As ffast as hee cold hye ;
There he new a paire of gallowes he sett upp
Hard by the pillorye.
A litle boy stood them amonge,
And asked what meant that gallow tree. 170
They said, " To hang a good yeoman
Called William of Clowdeslee."
The litle boy was towne swinarde,
And kept rTaire Allice swine ;
Full oft hee had seene William in the wood,
And given him there to dine.
He went out att a crevis of the wall ;
Lightlye to the wood hee runn ;
There mett hee with these wightye yeomen
Shortly e and anon : 180
"jAlas ! " then said the litle boy,
" You tarry here all too longe ;
Cloudeslee is tane, and damned to death,
And readye to be h[o]nge."
" Alas," then sayd good Adam Bell,
" That ever wee saw this day !
He had better have tarryed with us,
Soe oft as wee did him pray.
" Hee might have dwelt in greene fforrest,
Under the shaddoowes greene, 190
And kept both him and us att rest,
Out of all trouble and teene."
Adam bent a right good bowe ;
A great hart soone hee had slaine ;
" Take that, child," hee said, " to thy dinner,
And bring me mine arrowe againe."
" Now goe wee hence," said these jollye yeomen,
" Tarry wee no longer here ;
Wee shall him borrow, by Gods grace,
Tho wee buy itt ffull deere." 200
To Carlile went these bold yeomen,
All in a morninge of May.
Here is a ffitt of Clowdeslee ;
Another is ffor to say.
Second Parte
And when they came to merry Carlile
All in a morning tyde,
They found the gates shutt them unto
Round about on everye syde.
" Alas," then said good Adam Bell,
" That ever wee were made men ! 210
These gates be shutt soe wonderous ffast
That we may not come therin."
Then spake Clim of the Cloughe :
" With a wile wee will us in bringe :
Lett us say we bee messengers
Straight come ffrom our Kinge."
8
Adam said, " I have a letter well written ;
Now lett us wiselye marke ;
Wee will say wee have the Kings seale ;
I hold the porter no clarke." 220
Then Adam Bell beate att the gates
With strokes hard and stronge.
The porter marveiled who was theratt,
And to the gates hee thronge.
" Who be there," said the porter,
" That makes all this knockinge? "
" We be two messengers," quoth Clim of the Cloughe,
" Be come right ffrom our Kinge."
" Wee have a letter," said Adam Bell,
" To the justice wee must itt bringe ; 230
Let us in our message to doe,
That wee were againe to the Kinge."
" Here cometh none in," said the porter,
" By Him that dyed on a tree,
Till that ffalse theefe be hanged,
Called William of Cloudeslee."
Then spake good Clim of the Clough,
And swore by Marye ffree,
" If that wee stand long without,
Like a theefe hanged thou shalt bee. 240
" Loe ! here wee have the Kings seale!
What, lurden, art thou woode ? "
The porter weend itt had beene soe,
And lightlye did off his hoode.
c
" Welcome is my lords seale! " he said ;
" For that you shall come in."
He opened the gates shortlye :
An evill opening ffor him !
" Now are wee in," said Adam Bell,
" WherofT wee are right ffaine ; 250
But Christ Hee knowes assuredlye
How wee shall gett out againe."
" Had wee the keyes," sayd Clim of the Cloughe,
" Right well then shold wee speede ;
Then might wee come out well enouge
When wee see time and neede."
They called the porter to councell,
And wrang his necke in towe ;
And cast him in a deepe dungeon,
And tooke his keyes him ffroe. 260
" Now am I porter," sayd Adam Bell ;
" See, brother, the keyes have wee here ;
The worst porter in merry Carlile
That came this hundred yeere.
" Now wee will our bowes bend,
Into the towne will wee goe,
ffor to deliver our deere brother
That lyeth in care and woe."
Then they bent their good ewe-bowes,
And looked their strings were round: 270
The markett place in merry Carlile
They besett in that stonde.
10
And as they looked them beside,
A paire of new gallowes there they see,
And the justice with a quest of squiers
That judged William hanged to bee.
And Clowdeslee lay ready there in a cart,
ffast bound both ffoote and hand ;
And a strong rope about his necke,
All readye ffor to hange. 280
The justice called to him a ladd :
Clowdeslee clothes hee shold have,
To take the measure of that yeoman,
Therafter to make his grave.
" I have seene as great marveill," said Cloudeslee,
"As betweene this and prime ;
He that maketh a grave ffor mee,
Himselfe may lye therin."
" Thou speakest proudlye," said the justice ;
" I will thee hang with my hand." 290
ffull well hard this his brethren towe
There still as they did stand.
Then Cloudeslee cast his eye aside,
And saw his tow brethren
Att a corner of the markett place
Ready the justice to slaine.
" I see comfort," said Cloudeslee,
" Yett hope I well to ffare ;
If I might have my hands att will,
Right litle wold I care." 300
11
Then spake good Adam Bell
To Clim of the Cloughe soe ffree,
" Brother, see you marke the justice well;
Loe, yonder you may him see ! "
" Att the shirrifFe shoote I will
Stronglye with an arrow keene ;
A better shoote in merry Carlile
This seven yeere was not seene."
They loosed their arrowes both att once ;
Of no man had they dread ; 310
The one hitt the shirriffe, the other the justice,
That both their sides can bleede.
All men voyded that them stoode nye
When the justice frell to the ground,
And the shirriffe nye him by :
Either had his deathes wound.
All they citizens ffast gan fflye,
They durst no longer abyde.
There lightlye they losed Clowdeslee,
Where hee with ropes lay tyde. 320
William start to an officer of the towne,
His axe out of his hand hee wrunge ;
On eche side he smote them downe,
Hee thought hee tarryed all to longe.
William said to his brethren towe,
" This day lett us live and dye ;
If ever you have need as I have now,
The same shall you ffind by mee."
12
They shott soe well that tyde,
For their stringes were of silke sure, 330
That they kept the streetes on every side ;
That battell long did endure.
They fought together like brethren true,
Like hardy men and bold ;
Many a man to the ground they threw,
And made many a hart cold.
But when their arrowes were all gone,
Men pressed to them ffull ffast ;
They drew their swords then anon,
And their bowes ffrora them cast. 340
They went lightly e on their way
With swords and buckelers round :
By that itt was midd of the day,
They made them many a wound.
There was many a nout-horne in Carlile was blowne,
And the bells backward did ringe ;
Many a woman said " Alas ! "
And many their hands did ringe.
The maior of Carleile fforth come was,
And with him a ffull great route; 350
These yeomen dread him ffull sore,
For of their lives they stoode in great doubt.
The maior came armed a ffull great pace,
With a pollaxe in his hande ;
Many a strong man with him was,
There in that stowre to stand.
13
They maior smote att Cloudeslee with his bill,
His buckeler brast in two ;
ffull many a yeaman with great evill,
" Alas, treason! " they cried ffull woe : 360
" Keepe well the gates," ffast they bade,
" That these trayters thereout not goe."
But all ffor naught was that they wrought,
ffor soe fast they were downe layd,
Till they all three that soe manffully ffought
Were gotten out att a brayde.
" Have here your keyes ! " said Adam Bell,
" Mine office here I fforsake ;
If you doe by my councell,
A new porter doe you make." 370
He threw their keyes att their heads,
And bad them evill to thrive,
And all that letteth any good yeoman
To come and comfort his wiffe.
Thus be the good yeomen gone to the wood :
As lightlye as leave on lynde,
They laugh and be merry in their wood ;
There enemy es were ffarr behind.
When they came to merry greenwood,
Under the trustye tree, 380
There they ffound bowes ffull good,
And arrowes great plentye.
" Soe God me help! " sayd Adam Bell
And Clim of the Cloughe soe frree,
" I wold wee were in merry Carlile
Before that ffaire meanye."
They sate downe and made goode cheere,
And eate and dranke ffull well.
A second ffitt of the wightye yeomen :
Another I will you tell. 390
Third Parte
As they sate in English woode
Under the greenwoode tree,
They thought they hard a woman weepe,
But her they cold not see.
Sore then sighed ffaire Allice,
And said, " Alas that ever I saw this day !
ffor nowe is my dere husband slaine ;
Alas, and wellaway !
" Might I have spoken with his deare brethren,
Or with either of them twaine, 400
To show them what him befell,
My hart were out of paine."
Cloudeslee walked a litle aside ;
Hee looked under the greenewood lynde ;
Hee was ware of his wiffe and children three
ffull woe in hart and minde.
" Welcome, wiffe," then said William,
" Under the trustye tree !
I had wend yesterday, by sweet St. John,
Thou sholdest me never had see." 4.10
15
" Now well is me," she said, " that yee be here!
My hart is out of woe."
" Dame," he said, " be merry and gladd,
And thanke my bretheren towe."
" Herof to speake," said Adam Bell,
" I-wis, itt is noe boote ;
The meate that wee must supp with-all,
Itt runeth yett ffast on ffoote."
Then went they downe into the lawnde,
These noblemen all three; 420
Eche of them slew a hart of greece,
They best that they cold see.
" Have here the best, Allice my wifTe,"
Saith William of Cloudeslee,
" Because yee soe boldlye stood by mee
When I was slaine flull nye."
Then they went to supper
With such meate as they hadd,
And thanked God ffor their ffortune :
They were both merry and glad. 430
And when they had supped well,
Certaine, without any lease,
Cloudeslee said, " Wee will to our King,
To gett us a charter of peace ;
" Allice shalbe att our sojourninge
Att a nunnerye heere besyde ;
My two sonnes shall with her goe,
And there they shall abyde.
16
" My eldest sonne shall goe with mee,
For him I have noe care, 4.40
And hee shall bring you word againe
How that wee doe flare."
Thus be these good yeomen to London gone
As ffast as they might hye,
Till they came to the Kings palace
Where they wold needs bee.
But when they came to the Kings court,
And to the pallace gate,
Of no man wold they aske leave,
But boldlye went in theratt. 450
They proceeded presentlye into the hall,
Of no man they had dread ;
The porter came after, and did them call,
And with them gan to chyde.
The usher said, " Yeomen, what wold you have?
I pray you tell to mee ;
You might make officers shent :
Good sirrs, fTrom whence bee yee ? "
" Sir, wee be outlawes of the fforrest,
Certes without any lease ; 460
And hither wee be come to the King,
To gett us a charter of peace."
And when they came before the Kinge,
As itt was the law of the land,
They kneeled downe without lettinge,
And eche held upp his hande.
D 17
They sayd : " Lord, wee beseeche yee sure
That yee will grant us grace !
For wee have slaine your ffatt fallow deere
In many a sundrye place." 470
" Whatt be your names? " then sayd the King;
" Anon that you tell mee."
They sayd, " Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough,
And William of Cloudeslee."
" Be yee those theeves," then said our King,
" That men have told to me ?
Here I make a vow to God,
You shall bee hanged all three.
" Yee shalbe dead without mercye,
As I am King of this land! " 480
He commanded his officers every one
ffast on them to lay hand.
There they tooke these good yeomen
And arrested them all three.
" Soe may I thrive," said Adam Bell,
" This game liketh not mee."
" But, good lord, wee beseeche you now
That yee will grant us grace,
In soe much as wee doe to you come,
Or else that wee may ffrom you passe 490
" With such weapons as wee have heere
Till wee be out of your place ;
And iff wee live this hundred yeere,
Of you wee will aske noe grace."
18
" Yee speake proudlye," said the King ;
" Yee shall be hanged all three."
" That were great pittye," sayd the Queene,
" If any grace might bee.
" My lord, when I came ffirst into this land
To be your weded wiffe, 500
You said the ffirst boone that I wold aske,
You wold grant me belyve.
" And I asked yee never none till now ;
Therefore, good lord, grant itt mee."
" Now aske itt, Madam," said the King,
" And granted itt shalbe."
" Then, good my lord, I you beseeche,
These yeomen grant yee mee."
" Maddam, yee might have asked a boone
That shold have beene worth them all three. 510
" You might have asked towers and townes,
Parkes and fforrests plentye."
" None soe pleasant to my pay," shee sayd,
" Nor none soe leefe to mee."
" Madam, sith itt is your desire,
Your askinge granted shalbe ;
But I had leever have given you
Good markett townes three."
The Queene was a glad woman,
And said, "Lord, God a mercye ! 520
I dare undertake ffor them
That true men they shalbee.
l 9
" But, good lord, speake some merrye word,
That some comfort they might see."
" I grant you grace," then said the King,
" Washe, ffellowes, and to meate goe yee.
They had not sitten but a while,
Certaine without leasinge,
There came two messengers out of the north
With letters to our Kinge. 530
And when they came before the King
They kneeled downe upon their knee,
And said, " Your officers greete you well
Of Carlile in the north cuntrye."
" How ffareth my justice ? " sayd the King,
" And my sherriffe alsoe? "
" Sir, they be slaine, without leasinge,
Ann many an officer moe."
" Who hath them slaine ? " then said the King ;
" Anon that you tell me." 540
" Adam Bell, Clim of the Cloughe,
And William of Cloudeslee."
u
Alas ! ffor wrath," then sayd our King,
My hart is wonderous sore ;
I had rather then a thousand pounds
I had knowen this before,
" ffor I have granted them grace,
And that fforthinketh mee ;
But had I knowen all this before,
They had beene hangd all three." 550
20
The King hee opened the letter anon,
Himselfe he read itt thoe,
And there found how these outlavves had slaine
Three hundred men and moe :
" ffirst the justice and the sheriffe,
And the maior of Carlile towne, —
Of all the constables and catcpoules,
Alive were left but one.
" The baliffes and the beadeles both,
And the sargeaunt of the law, 560
And forty fforresters of the ffee,
These outlawes have they slawe,
" And broke his parkes, and slaine his deere,
Of all they coice the best ;
Soe perillous outlawes as they were,
Walked not by east nor west."
When the King this letter had read,
In hart he sighed sore,
" Take up the tables," then sayd hee,
" ffor I can eate no more." 570
" The King then called his best archers,
To the butts with him to goe,
" To see these rTellowes shoot," said hee,
" That in the north have wrought this woe."
The Kings archers busket them blythe,
Soe did the Queenes alsoe,
Soe did these three weightye yeomen,
They thought with them to goe.
21
There twise or thrise they shott about
For to assay their hand; 580
There was no shoote these yeomen shott
That any pricke might stand.
Then spake William of Cloudeslee,
" By Him that ffor me dyed,
I hold him not a good archer
That shooteth att butts soe wyde."
" Wheratt ? " said the Kinge,
" I pray you tell to mee."
" Att such a butt, sir," hee said,
" As men use in my countrye." 590
William went into the ffeild,
And his two brethren with him ;
There they sett up two hassell rodds
Four hundred paces betweene.
" I hold him an archer," said Cloudeslee,
" That yonder wand cleeveth in towe."
" Heere is none such," said the King,
u For no man can soe doe."
" I shall assay," sayd Cloudeslee,
" Or that I ffurther goe." 600
Cloudeslee with a bearing arrow
Clave the wand in towe.
" Thou art the best archer," said our King,
" fforsooth that ever I see."
" And yett ffor your love," said William,
" I will doe more mastery e :
22
" I have a sonne is seven yeere old,
Hee is to mee ffull deere ;
I will tye him to a stake —
All shall see him that bee here, — 610
" And lay an apple upon his head,
And goe sixe score paces him ffroe,
And I my selfe with a broad arrowe
Shall cleave the apple in towe."
" Now hast thee," said the Kinge ;
" By Him that dyed on a tree,
But if thou dost not as thou has sayd,
Hanged shalt thou bee!
" And thou touch his head or gowne
In sight that men may see, 620
By all the saints that bee in heaven,
I shall you hang all three ! "
" That I have promised," said William,
" That I will never fforsake : "
And there even before the King,
In the earth he drove a stake,
And bound thereto his eldest sonne,
And bade him stand still thereatt,
And turned the childes fface him ftroe
Because hee shold not start. 630
An apple upon his head he sett,
And then his bow he bent ;
Sixe score paces they were meaten,
And thither Cloudeslee went.
23
There he drew out a ffaire broad arrow, —
His bowe was great and long, —
He sett that arrowe in his bowe
That was both stiffe and stronge ;
He prayed the people that were there
That they wold still stand, 640
" ffor hee that shooteth ffor such a wager
Had need of a steedye hand."
Much people prayed for Cloudeslee,
That his lifTe saved might bee ;
And when hee made him readye to shoote,
There was many a weepinge eye.
Thus Cloudeslye clave the aple in two,
As many a man might see :
" Now God fforfTbidd," then said the King,
" That thou sholdest shoote att mee ! 650
" I gave thee eight pence a day,
And my bow shalt thow beare,
And over all the north cuntrye
I make thee cheeffe ryder."
"And He give thee thirteen pence a day," said the Queene,
" By God and by my ffay !
Come ffeich thy payment when thou wilt,
No man shall say thee nay.
" William, I make thee a gentleman,
Of cloathinge and of ffee ; 660
And thy two bretheren, yeomen of my chamber,
For they are lovely to see.
24
" Your sonne, ffor hee is tendar of age,
Of my winesellar he shalbe ;
And when hee comes to mans estate,
Better prefferred shall hee bee.
" And William, bring me your wiffe," said the Queene,
" I long her sore to see ;
Shee shall bee my cheefe gentlewoman
To governe my nurserye." 670
The yeomen thanked them full curteouslye,
And sayd, " To some bishopp wee will wend ;
Of all the sinns that wee have done,
To be assoyled att his hand."
Soe forth be gone these good yeomen
As ffast as they can hye,
And after came and lived with the King,
And dyed good yeomen all three.
Thus endeth the liffe of these good yeomen,
God send them eternall blisse ! 680
And all that with a hand-bow shooteth,
That of heaven they may never misse !
ffi
nis
25
YOUNGE CLOUDESLEE
Liste northeren ladds, to blyther things
Then yett were brought to light,
Performed by our countrymen
In many a ffray and ffight,
Of Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough,
And William of Cloudeslee,
Who were in ffavor with the Kinge
ffor all their miserye.
Younge William of the wine-sellar,
When yeoman hee was made, 10
Gan ffollowe then his ffathers stepps,
Hee loved a bonny mayde.
" Gods Crosse! " quoth William, " if I misse,
And may not of her speede,
He make one thousand northerne hartes
ffor verry woe to bleede.
Gone is hee a wooinge now,
Our Ladye will him guide ;
To merry Mansfeild, [where], I trow,
A time hee will abyde. 20
" Soone dop the dore, ffaire Sislye bright,
I come with all the hast ;
I am come a wooinge to thee for love,
Heere am I come att last."
26
" I know you not," quoth Sisely tho,
" From whence that yee be come ;
My love you may not have, I trow,
I vow by this ffaire sonne.
" ffor why, my love is ffixt so sure
Upon another wight; 30
I sweare by sweet Ann, He never
Abuse him out of sight !
" This night I hope to see my love
In all his pryde and glee;
If there were thousands, none but him
My hart wold joye to see."
" Gods cursse uppon hi?n" younge William sayd,
" Before me that hath sped !
A ffoule ill on the carryon nursse
That ffirst did binde his head ! " 40
Gan William tho for to prepare
A medcine ffor the chaffe ;
" His liffe," quoth hee, " ffull hard may ffare ;
Hees best to keepe alaffe."
He drew then out his bright browne sword,
Which was soe bright and keene ;
A stouter man and hardyer
Neere handled sword, I weene.
" Browne tempered sword and worthye blade,
Unto thy master showe, 50
If th[at] to tryall thou be put,
How thou canst byde a blowe."
27
Younge William to an oke gan hye
Which was in compasse round
Well six and fifty inches nye,
And ffeld itt to the ground.
" Soe mote he flare," quoth William tho,
" That fFor her love hath layde
Which I have loved, and neere did know
Him sutor till that mayde. 60
" And now, deere ffather stout and stronge,
William of Cloudeslee,
How happy were thy troubled sonne
If here I might thee see,
" And thy two brethren Adam Bell
And Clim of the Cloughe ;
Against a thousand men and more
Wee four wold bee enoughe.
" Growne itt is ffull four a clocke,
And night will come belive ; 70
Come on, thou lorden, Sisley's love!
This night I must thee shrive.
" Prepare thee strong, thou fTowle black calfe !
What ere thou be, I weene
He give thy coxcombe sayke a girde
In Mansfeiild as was never seene."
William a young ffawne had slaine
In Sherwood merry fforrest ;
A ffairer ffawne ffbr mans meate
In Sherwood was never drest. 80
28
Hee hyed then till a northeren lasse
Not halfe a mile him ffroe,
He said, " Dop the dore, thou good ould nursse,
That in to thee I goe ;
" I ffaint with being in the woods ;
Loe, heere I have a kidd
Which I have slaine ffor thee and mee ;
Come, dresse itt then, I bidd ;
" ffeitch bread and other jolly ffare,
Whereof thou hast some store ; go
A blyther guest this hundred yeere
Came never heere before."
The good old naunt gan hye apace
To lett young William in ;
" A happy nursse," quoth William then,
" As can be lightlye seene.
" Wend till that house hard by," quoth hee,
" Thats made of lime and stone,
Where is a lasse, ffaire Cis," hey said,
" I love her as my owne. ioo
"Jf thou canst ffeitch her unto me
That wee may merry bee,
I make a vowe, in the fforrest
Of deere thou shalt have ffee."
" Rest then, ffaire sir," the woman said,
" I sweare by good St. John
I will bring to you that same maid
ffull quicklye and anon."
29
" Meane time, " quoth William, " He be cooke,
To see the ffawne well drest: " no
A stouter cooke did never come
Within the ffaire fforrest.
Thicke blyth old lasse had witt enoughe,
ffor to declare his mind ;
Soe ffast shee hyed, and neere did stay,
But left William behinde,
Where William like a nimble cooke
Is dressing of the ffare,
And fFor this damsell doth hee looke,
" I wold that shee weer heere! " 120
" God speed, blyth Cisley ! " quoth that old lasse.
" God dild yee," quoth Cisley, " againe ;
How doe yee, naunt Jone? " shee said,
" Tell me itt, I am ffaine."
The good old woman said, weele shee was,
" And comen an arrand to you ;
For you must to my cottage gone
ffull quickley, I tell you true,
" Where wee ffull merry meane to bee
All with my elder ladd." 130
When Cisley hard of itt, trulye
Shee was exceeding gladd.
" Gods cursse light on me," quoth Cisley tho,
" If with you that I doe not hye !
I never joyed more, fforsoothe,
Then in your companye."
30
Happy the good wiffe thought her selfe
That of her purpose shee had sped,
And home with Sisley shee is came,
Soe lightlye they did tread; 140
And coming in, here William soone
Had made readye his ffare ;
The good old wiffe did wonder much
Soe soone as shee came there.
Cisley to William now is gone,
God send her mickle glee,
Yett was shee in a maze, God wott,
When shee saw itt was hee.
" Had I beene ware, good sir," shee said,
" Of that itt had beene you, 150
I wold have stayd att home in sooth,
I tell you verry true."
" Faire Cisley," said then William kind,
" Misdeeme thee not of mee ;
I sent not ffor thee to that end
To doe the injurye.
" Sitt downe that wee may talke awhile,
And eate all of the best,
The flattest kidd that ever was slaine
In merry Sherwood fforrest." 160
His lovinge words wan Cisley then
With him to keepe a while ;
But in the meane time Cisleys love
Of her was tho beguile.
3i
A stout and sturdy man hee was
Of qualitye and kind,
And knowen through all the North cuntrye
To beare a noble minde.
" But," quoth William, " doe I care?
If that hee meane to weare, 170
First lett him winne, else never shall
He have the mayd, I sweare."
ffull softlye is her lover come,
And knocked att the dore ;
But tho he mist Cisleys companye,
Wher-att hee stampt and swore.
" A mischeeffe on his heart," quoth hee,
" That hath allured this mayd
To bee with him in company ! "
He cared not what hee sayd, 180
Hee was soe with anger moved,
He sware a well great othe,
" Deere shold hee pay if I him knew,
fforsooth and by my trothe ! "
Gone hee is to ffind her out,
Not knowing where shee is ;
Still wandering in the weary wood
His true love he doth misse.
William purchased hath the game
Which hee doth meane to hold, 190
" Come, rescew her and if you can,
And dare to be soe bold ! "
32
Att lenght when hee had wandred long
About the fforrest side,
A candle light a ffurlong of
ffull quickley hee espyed.
Then to the house hee hyed him ffast,
Where quicklye hee gan heare
The voice of his owne true love
A makinge bonny cheere. 200
Then gan he say to Cisley tho,
u O Cisley, come away!
I have beene wandring thee to ffind
Since shutting in of day."
"Who calls ffaire Cisley?" quoth William tho,
" What carle dares be soe bold,
Once to adventure to her to speake
Who 7" have in my hold ? "
" List thee, ffaire sir," quoth Cisleys love,
"Lett quickelye her ffrom you part: 210
ffor all your lordlye words, lie sweare
He have her, or He make you smart ! "
Young William to his bright browne sword
Gan quickelye then to take :
" Because thou soe doest challenge me,
He make thy kingdome quake.
" Betake thee to thy weapon stronge,
ffaire time I give to thee ;
And rfor my love as well as thine
A combatt ffight will I." 220
F 33
" Never lett sunn," quoth Cisleys love,
" Shine more upon my head,
If I doe fflye, by heaven above,
Wert thou a gyant bredd ! "
To Bilbo blade got William tho
That was both stiffe and stronge :
A stout battell then they ffought,
Weer neere two houres longe ;
Where many a greivous wound was given
To eerie on either part, 230
Till both the champyons then were drove
Almost quite out of hart.
Pittyous moane ffaire Cisley made,
That all the fforrest ronge ;
The greivous shrikes made such a noyse,
Shee had soe shrill a tounge.
Att last came in the keepers three
With bowes and arrowes keene,
Where they lett flye among these two,
A hundred as I weene. 240
William strong and stout in hart,
When he had them espyed,
Sett on courage f7or his part,
Among the thickest hee hyed.
The cheefe ranger of the woods
Att ffirst did William smite,
Where att one blow he smote his head
ffrom of his shoulders quite.
34
And being in soe ffuryous teene,
About him then hee laid, 250
He slew immedyatlye the wight
Was sutor to the mayde.
Great moane was then made ;
The like was never hard,
Which made the people all around
To crye, they were soe ffeard.
"Arme, arme ! " the cuntrye cryed,
" For Gods love quicklye hye ! "
Never was such a slaughter seene
In all the north countrye. 260
William still, tho wounded sore,
Continued still his fright
Till he had slaine them all four
That verry winters night.
All the contrye then was raysed,
The traitor ffor to take
That ffor the love of Cisley ffaire
Had all the slaughter make.
To the woods hyed William tho, —
Itt was the best of all his play, — 270
Where in a cave with Cisley ffaire
Hee lived many a day.
Proclamation then was sent
The cuntrye all arounde,
* The Lord of Mansfeild shold hee bee
That ffirst the traytor ffounde.'
35
To the court these tydings came,
Where all men doth bewayle
The young and lustye William
Which soe had made them quaile. 280
Hyed up William of Cloudeslee
And lustye Adam Bell,
And ffamous Clim of the Cloughe,
Which three did them excell :
To the King they hyed them ffast,
ffull quicklye and anon,
" Mercye, I pray," quoth old William,
" ffor William my sonne! "
" No mercye, traitors ! " quoth the King,
You shall be hanged all four! 290
Under my nose this plott yee have laid,
To bring to passe before."
"Insooth," bespake then Adam Bell,
" 111 signe your grace hath seene
Of any such commotyon
Since with you wee have beene.
" If then wee can no mercye have,
But leese both liffe and goods,
Of your good grace wee take our leave,
And hye us to the woods." 300
"Arme, arme," then quoth the King,
" My merry men ever-eche one,
ffull ffast againe these rebells nowe,
That unto the woods are gone ! "
36
"O, woe is us! what shall wee doe,
Or which way shall wee worke,
To hunt them rrorth out of the woods,
Soe traiterouslye there that lurke ?
" List you," quoth a counsellor grave,
A wise man he seemed, 310
" They craved the King his pardon ffree
Unto them to have deemed."
" Gods fforbott ! " quoth the King,
" I never itt will doe !
For they shall hang, eche mothers sonne,
I tell you verry true ! "
Fifty thousand men were charged
After them ffor to take ;
Some of them sett in sundrye townes,
In companyes did waite; 320
To the woods gan some to goe,
In hope to ffind them out ;
And them perforce they thaught to take,
If that they might ffind them out.
To they woods still they came,
Dispatched still they were,
Which made ffull many a trembling hart
And many a man in ffeare.
Still the outlawes Adam Bell
And Clim of the Cloughe 330
Made jolly cheere with venison,
Stronge drinke and wine enoughe.
37
" Crist mee blesse ! " then said our King,
" Such men were never knowne ;
They are they stoutest harted men
That manhood ever shone !
" Come, my secretary good,
And cause to be declared
A generall pardon to them all,
Which never shalbe discared. 340
" Livings plenty they shall have
Of gold and eke of ffee,
If they did as they did before,
Come live in court with mee"
Soddenlye went fforth the newes
Declared by trumpetts sound,
Wherof these three were well advised
In cave as they were in ground.
" But list you, sirs," quoth William younge,
" I dare not trust the King; 350
Itt is some ffeitch is in his head,
Wherby to bring us in.
" Nay, stay wee heere, or ffirst lett mee
A messenger bee sent
Unto the court, where I may know
His majestyes entent."
This pleased Adam Bell,
" Soe wee may live in peace,
Wee are att his most hye commande,
And never will we cease; 360
38
" But if that still wee shall be urged,
And called by traitors name,
And threated hanging for every thing,
His hignesse is too blame.
" Neare had his grace subjects more true
And sturdyer then wee,
Which are att his hignesse will,
God send him well to bee ! '
Soe to the court is young William gone
To parley with the Kinge, 370
Where all men to the Kings presence
Did strive for to him bringe.
When hee before the King was come,
He kneeled downe ffull lowe ;
He showed quicklye to the Kinge
What duty they did owe.
In such delightffull order blythe,
The King was quicklye woon
To comfort them in their request,
As hee before had done. 380
" ffeitch bread and drinke," then said his grace,
"And meate all of the best;
And stay all night heere att the court,
And soundlye take thy rest."
" Gramercy to your grace," said Will :
" For pardon granted, I see."
" For signe thereof, heere take my seale,
And for more certaintye."
39
" Gods cursse upon me," said William,
" For my part if I meane 390
Ever againe to stirr up striffe !
Itt never shalbe seene."
The nobles all to William came,
He were soe stout and trim,
And all the ladyes for verry joy
Did come to welcome him.
" ffaire Cisley now I have to wiffe,
In ffeild I have her woone."
" Bring her, for Gods love," said they all,
" Welcome shee shall bee soone." 400
Forth againe went William backe,
To woode that hee did hye,
And to his ffather there hee shewed
The King his pardon ffree.
" Health to his grace," said Adam Bell,
" I begg itt on my knee."
The like said Clim of the Cloughe
And William of Cloudeslee.
To the court they all prepare
As ffast as they can hye, 410
Where gracyouslye they were received
With mirth and merry glee.
Cisley ffaire is gone alone
Upon a gelding ffayre ;
A properer damsell never came
In any courtlye ayre.
40
" Welcome, Cisley ! " sayd the Queene,
"And lady I thee make,
To vvaite upon my owne person
In all my cheefe estate." 420
Soe quicklye was the matter done
Which was soe hardlye doubted,
That all contentions after that
From court were quicklye rooted.
Favorable was the Kinge,
For good they did him ffind ;
They never after ffought againe
To vex his royall minde.
Long time they lived in court
Soe neere unto the Kinge, 430
That never after attempt [there] was
Offred fTor any thinge.
God above, give all men grace,
In quiett fTor to live,
And not rebelliouslye abroad
Their princes fTor to greeve !
Let not the hope of pardon move
A subject to attempt
His soveraignes anger, or his love
ffrom him for to exempt ; 4.40
But that all men may readye bee
With all their maine and might
To serve the Lord, and love the Kinge,
In honor day and night.
ffinis.
G 4.I
IN OLDE TIMES PASTE
In : old times past when merry men
Did merry ma[tt]ers make,
No man did greater matters then
Then Lancelott of Dulake.
Good Robin Hood was livinge then,
Which now is quite rlorgott,
And soe was ffaire mayd Marry an,
A pretty wench, God wott.
William of Cloudeslee did dwell
Amongst the buckes and does, 10
Clim of the Cloughe and Adam Bell
Killed venison with their bowes.
Throughe the wood these jollye bowmen went,
Both over hill and dale, and dale and dale,
Up and downe, upp and downe,
Through many a parke and pale : || : || :
The maydens on the holydayes
Did countrey carrolls singe,
And some did passe the time away
With dancinge ffor the ringe. 20
Yea twenty groates was mony then
Wold make men make good cheere,
And twenty nobles gentlemen
Might live on all the yeere.
William of Cloudeslee did dwell, etc.
Then were there playes att Whitsontyde,
And sommer games about ;
Then ffreind with ffreind wold goe and ryde
To drive the sommer out ;
42
And after merry sommer time,
Then winter time came in; 30
Then were as merry matters done
When Christmas did beein.
William, etc.
Then did they chant itt merrilye
With hunting in the wood,
Wherin they hounds mad such a crye
As did the hearers good ;
The hunters with their hunting homes
Did cause the woods to ringe :
To see them pricke amongst the thornes,
Itt weere pastime ffor a kinge. 40
William, etc.
Sir Lancelott Dulake, a-dew !
Thou was a worthy knight ;
And eke maid Marryan sure and trew,
Good Robin Hoods delight.
William of Cloudeslee, ffarewell,
With thy companyons old,
Clim of the Clough, and Adam Bell,
Three bowemen brave and bold !
For now the world is altered quite,
As itt had never beene ; 50
For plesure now is turned to spite ;
The like was never seene.
More sparinge for a pennye nowe
Then then was for a pound ;
Rich men, alas, they know not how
To keepe ne hawke nor hound.
43
All merriments are quite fforgott,
And bowes are laid aside ;
All is to litle now, God wott,
To maintaine wordlye pryde, 60
Where I began, there will I end,
The old time sure was best ;
Unless that misers quicklye mend,
Old Mirth may take his rest.
Pray wee then good bowmen may rise,
As hath beene here to-ffore,
To-ffore, to-ffore,
To maintaine, to maintaine,
And make our mirth the more,
The more, the more. 7°
ffinis.
44
DARKESOME CELL
fforth : ffrom my sadd and darksome cell,
ffrom the deepe abisse of hell,
Madd Tom is come into the world againe
To see if hee can ease his distempered braine.
ffeare and dispayre pursue my soule !
Harke how the angry ffuryes howle !
Pluto laughes, Proserepine is gladd
To see poor naked Tom of Bedlam madd.
Through woods I wander night and day
To seeke my stragling sences ; i o
In an angrye mood I ffound out Time
With his pentarchye of tenses.
When mee he spyes, away hee fflyes ;
Time will stay ifor no man ;
In vaine with cryes hee rends the skyes,
Pitty is not common.
Cold and comfortlesse I lye.
Helpe, oh helpe ! or else I dye.
Harke ! I heere Appolloes teeme,
The carman gins to whistle; 20
Chast Dyana bends her browe,
The bore begins to bristle.
Come, Vulcan, with tooles and with takells,
And knocke of my troublesome shakells !
Bid Charles make ready his waine
To ffeitch my ffive sences againe.
45
Last night I heard the Dogstar barke,
Mars mett Venus in the darke ;
Limping Vulcan heates an iron barr,
And ffuryouslye runs att the god of warr. 30
Mars with his weapons layd about,
But Vulcans temples had they gout,
ffor his broad homes did hang soe in his light
That hee cold not see to aime arright.
Mercurye, the nimble post of heaven,
Stayd to see this quarrell.
Gorreld-bellyed Bacchus, gyant-like
Bestryds a strong beere barrell :
To me he dranke, / did him thanke,
But I cold gett ?ioe cyder ; 4.0
Hee drcrnke whole butts till hee burst his gutts ;
But mine were neere the wyder.
Poore naked Tom is verry drye ;
A title drinke, ffor charitye !
Hearke ! I heare Acteons hounds.
The huntsmen woopp and hallowe ;
Ringwood, Royster, Bowman, Jowler,
All the chase doe ffollowe.
The man in the moone drinkes clarrett,
Eates pouthered beeffe, turnipp and carrett; 50
A cup of old maligo sacke
Will ffire the bush att his backe.
ffi
nis.
46
MARKE MORE FFOOLE
To : passe the time there as I went,
A history there I chanced to reede ;
When as Salamon raigned King,
He did many a worthie deede,
And many statutes hee caused to be made ;
And this was one amongst the rest plaine,
" Itt was ffelomy to any one that found ought was lost,
And wold not restore itt to the owner againe."
Soe then there was a rich merchant,
As he rode to a markett towne, 10
Itt was his chance to lose his pursse ;
He said there was in itt a hundred pound.
A proclamation he caused to be made,
" Whosoever cold find the same againe,
Shold give itt him againe without all doubt,
And hee shold have ffor twenty pounds his paine."
Soe then there was a silly poore man
Had two sheepes pells upon his backe to sell,
And going to the markett towne
Hee ffound the pursse, and liked itt well; 20
Hee tooke itt up into his hand,
And needs see what was in it hee wold ;
But the same he cold not understand ;
ffor why, there was nothing in it but gold.
The rich man hee pursued him soone,
" Thou horeson villaine," quoth he then,
" I thinke itt is thou that hast found my pursse,
And wilt thou not give itt me againe ? ' :
47
" Good sir," sayd hee, " I ffound such a pursse ;
The truth ffull soone itt shall be knowne ; 30
You shall have itt againe, its never the worse,
But pay me my safteye that is mine owne."
" Let me see whats in the pursse," said the merchant ;
" ffound thou a hundred pounds and no more ?
Thou horeson villaine ! thou hast paid thy-selfe ;
For in my pursse was ffull sixe score.
Itts best my pursse to me thou restore,
Or before the King thou shalt be brought."
"I warrant," quoth hee, "when I come the King before,
Heele not reward me againe with nought." 40
Then they ledd him towards the Kinge,
And as they led him on the way,
And there mett him a gallant knight,
And with him was his ladye gay.
With tugging and lugging this pore man,
His lether sckins began to cracke ;
The gelding was wanton they ladye rode on,
And threw her downe beside his backe.
Then to the earth shee gott a thawacke ;
No hurt in the world the pore man did meane ; 50
To the ground hee cast the ladye there ;
On a stubb shee dang out one of her eyen.
The knight wold needs upon him have beene.
" Nay," sayd the merchant, " I pray you, sir, stay;
I have a actyon against him alreadye ;
He shalbe brought to the King, and hangd this day."
Then they ledd him towards the King,
But the poreman liked not their leading well ;
And coming neere to the sea side,
He thought to be drowned or save him selfe. 60
48
And as hee lope into the sea,
No harme to no man he did wott,
But there hee light upon two ffisher-men ;
With the leape he broke one of their neckes in a
boate.
The other wold needs upon him have beene.
"Nay," said the merchant, "I pray thee now stay;
We have two actyons against him alreadye ;
He shalbe carryed to the King and hangd this day."
Then they led him bound before the King,
Where he sate in a gallerye gay. 70
" My leege," said the marchant, "wee have brought
such a villane
As came not before you this many a day.
" ffor itt was my chance to loose my pursse,
And in itt there was ffull sixe score ;
And now the villaine will not give itt me againe
Except that hee had twenty pounds more."
"I kut I have a worsse mache then that," sayd the knight,
" For I know not what the villaine did meane ;
He caused my gelding to cast my ladye ;
On a stubb shee hath dang out one of her
even." 80
" But I have the worst match of all," sayd the ffisher,
" ffor I may sighe and say God wott :
Hee lope att mee and my brother upon the seas ;
With the leape he hath broken my brothers neck in
a bote."
The King hee turned him round about,
Being well advised of every thinge :
Quoth he, " Never since I can remember,
Came three such matterrs since I was Kinge."
h 49
ti
u
Then Marke More, ffoole, beinge by,
"How now, brother Solomon?" then quoth hee, go
Give you will not give judgment of these three matters,
I pray you returne them ore to mee."
With all my hart, 1 ' quoth Salomon to him,
" Take you the judgment of them as yett ;
ffor never came matters me before,
That fFainer of I wold be quitt."
"Well," quoth Marke, "wee have these three men heere,
And every one hath put up a bill ;
But, pore man, come hither to me,
Lets heare what tale thou canst tell for thy selfe." ioo
"Why, my lord," quoth hee, "as touching this merchant,
As he rode to a markett towne
Itt was his chance to loose his pursse ;
He said there was in itt a hundred pound."
" A proclamatyon he caused to be made,
'Whosoever cold find the same againe plaine,
Shold give itt him againe without all doubt,
And hee shold have twenty pounds ffor his paine.'
And itt was my chance to ffind that pursse,
And gladlye to him I wold itt restore ; 1 1 o
But now hee wold reward mee with nothinge,
But challengheth in his pursse twenty pounds more."
" Hast thou any wittnesse of that ?" said my lord Marke;
" I pray thee, fellow, tell me round."
"Yes, my lord, heres his owne man
That carryed the message ffrom towne to towne."
The man was called before them all,
And said itt was a hundred pounds plaine,
And that his master wold give twenty pounds
To any wold give him his pursse againe. 120
50
" I had ffbrgotten twenty pounds," said the merchant,
" Give me leave ffor my selfe to say."
" Nay," said Marke, " thou chalengeth more then thine
ovvne ;
Therfore with the pore fellowe the pursse shall stay.
And this shall bee my judgment straight :
Thou shalt ffollow eche day by the heeles playne
Till thou have ffound such another pursse with him,
And then keepe itt thy selfe, and neere give itt him
againe."
" Marry, over Gods fforbott," said the merchant,
" That ever soe badd shold be my share! 130
How shold I ffind a hundred pounds of him
That hath not a hundred pence to [spare] ?
Rather He give him twenty pounds more,
And with that bee hath, lett him stay."
" Marry, render us downe the money," said Marke,
" Soe may thou chance goe quietlye away."
" ffellow ! how hinderedst thou the knight ?
Thou must make him amends here, I meane ;
Itts against law and right ;
His ladye, shee hath lost one of her even." 140
"Why, my lord, as they ledd me towards the King,
For ffeare lest I shold loose my trattle,
These lether skins you see mee bringe,
With tugging and lugging began to rattle."
" The gelding was wanton the lady rode upon, —
No hurt in the world, my lord, I did meane, —
To the ground he cast that ladye there,
And on a stub shee dang out one of her eyen."
" ffellow," quoth Marke, " hast thy wiffe two eyes?
I pray thee," quoth hee, " tell me then." 150
" Yes, my lord, a good honest pore woman,
That for her livinge takes great paine."
5i
" Why then, this shalbe my judgment straight,
Tho thou perhaps may thinke itt strange :
Thy wiffe with two eyes, his ladye hath but one,
As thou hast drest her, with him thoust change."
" Marry over Gods fforbott," then sayd the knight,
" That ever soe badd shold be my shame ;
I had rather give him a hundred pounds
Then to be trobled with his dunish dame." 160
" Marry ! tender us downe the mony," said Marke,
" Soe may thou be gone within a while."
But the ffisher ffor feare he shold have beene called,
He ran away a quarter of a mile.
" I pray you call him againe," quoth Marke,
u Gifte hee bee within sight;
For never came matter me before,
But everye man shold have his right."
They called the ffisher backe againe :
" How now, fellow? why didst not stay? ' 170
" My lord," quoth hee, " I have a great way home,
And ffaine I wold be gone my way."
" But, ffellow, how hinderedst thou this ffisher?
I pray thee," quoth Marke, " to us tell."
" My lord, as I came neere the sea syde,
I thought either to be drowned or save my selfe.
"And as I lope into the sea, —
No harme to no mann I did wott, —
There I light upon this ffishers brother ;
With a leape I broke his necke in a boate." 180
" ffisher," quoth Marke, " knowest thou where the
boate stood ?
Thoust sett her againe in the selfe same steade,
And thoust leape att him as he did att thy brother,
And soe thou may quitt thy brothers deede."
52
" Marry, Gods fforbott," then sayd the ffisher,
" That ever soe badd shold be my lucke !
If I leape att him as he did att my brother,
1st either be drowned or breake my necke ;
Rather He give him twenty pounds :
And I wold, my lord, I had neere come hither." i go
" Marry, tender us downe the money," said Marke,
"And you shalbe packinge all three together."
The pore man he was well content,
And verry well pleased of everye thinge ;
He sayd he wold neere take great care
How oft hee came before the Kinge.
These other three cold never agree,
But every one ffell out with other,
And sayd they wold neere come more to the King
While hee was in companye with Marke his
brother. 200
53
THOMAS OF POTTE
All : you lords of Scottland ffaire,
And ladyes alsoe bright of blee ;
There is a ladye amongst them all,
Of her report you shall heare of me.
Of her bewtye shee is soe bright,
And of her colour soe bright of blee ;
Shee is daughter to the Lord Arrndell,
His heyre apparrant ffor to bee.
" He see that bryde," Lord Phenix sayes,
" That is a ladye of hye degree, 10
And iff I like her countenance well,
The heyre of all my land sheest bee."
To that ladye ffayre Lord Phenix came,
And to that like-some dame said hee,
" Now God thee save, my ladye ffaire !
The heyre of all my land thost bee."
" Leave of your suite," the ladye sayd,
" You are a lord of honor ffiree,
You may gett ladyes enowe att home,
And I have a love in mine owne countrye. 20
" I have a lover true of mine owne,
A servinge man of a small degree ;
He is the ffirst love that ever I had,
And the last that hee shalbee :
Thomas a Pott, itt is his name."
5+
" Give Thomas a Pott then be his name,
I wott I ken him soe readilye ;
I can spend forty pounds by weeke,
And hee cannott spend pounds three."
u God give you good of your gold," said the ladye, 30
And alsoe, sir, of your ffee !
Hee was the ffirst love that ever I had,
And the last, sir, shall hee bee."
With that Lord Phenix was sore amoved ;
Unto her ffather then went hee;
Hee told her ffather how itt was proved,
How that his daughters mind was sett.
" Thou art my daughter," the Erie of Arrndell said,
" The heyre of all my land to bee;
Thoust be bryde to the Lord Phenix, 40
Daughter, give thoule be heyre to mee."
For lacke of her love this ladye must lose,
Her foolish wooing lay all aside ;
The day is appoynted, and ffreinds are agreede,
Shee is fforcte to be the Lord Phenix bryde.
With that the lady began to muse —
A greeved woman, God wott, was shee —
How shee might Lord Phenix beguile,
And scape unmarryed ffrom him that day.
Shee called to her her litle ffoote page; 50
To Jacke her boy, soe tenderlye
Sayes, " Come thou hither, thou litle ffoote page,
For indeed I dare trust none but thee.
55
" To Strawberry Castle, boy, thou must goe,
To Thomas Pott there as hee can bee,
And give him here this letter ffaire,
And on Guilford Greene bidd him meete me.
" Looke thou marke his countenance well,
And his colour tell to mee ;
And hye thee ffast, and come againe, 60
And forty shillings I will give thee.
" For if he blush in his fface,
Then in his hart heese sorry bee.
Then lett my ffather say what hee will,
For false to Potts He never bee.
" And give hee smile then with his mouth,
Then in his heart heele merry be,
Then may hee gett him a love where-ever he can,
For small of his companye my part shalbe."
Then one while that the boy hee went, 70
Another while, God wott, rann hee ;
And when hee came to Strawberry Castle,
There Thomas Potts hee see ;
Then he gave him this letter ffaire.
And when he began then for to reade,
They boy had told him by word of mouth
' His love must be the Lord Phenix bryde.'
With that, Thomas a Pott began to blushe ;
The teares trickeled in his eye :
" Indeed this letter I cannot reede, 80
Nor never a word to see or spye ;
56
" I pray thee, boy, to me thoule be trevv,
And heers five marke I will give thee ;
And all these words thou must pursue,
And tell thy lady this ffrom mee :
" Tell her by ffaith and troth shee is mine owne,
By some part of promise, and soe itts be found,
Lord Phenix shall never marry her by night nor day
Without he can winn her with his hand.
" On Gilford Greene I will her meete, 90
And bidd that ladye ffor mee pray ;
For there He loose my liffe soe sweete
Or else the wedding I will stay."
Then backe againe the boy he went
As ffast againe as he cold hye.
The ladye mett him five mile on the way:
" Why hast thou stayd soe long? " saies shee.
" Boy," said the ladye, " thou art but younge;
To please my mind thoule mocke and scorne ;
I will not beleeve thee on word of mouth 100
Unlesse on this Booke thou wilt be sworne."
" Marry, by this Booke," the boy can say,
"As Christ himselfe be true to mee,
Thomas Pott cold not his letter reade
For teares trickling in his eye."
" If this be true," the ladye sayd,
" Thou bonny boy, thou tells to mee,
Forty shillings I did thee promise,
But heeres ten pounds He give itt thee.
1 57
"All my maids," the lady sayd, no
" That this day doe waite on mee,
Wee will ffall downe upon our knees,
For Thomas Pott now pray will wee.
" If his ffortune be now ffor to winn,
Wee will pray to Christ in Trinytye ;
He make him the fflower of all his kinn,
ffor they Lord of Arrundale he shalbe."
Now lett us leave talking of this ladye faire,
In her prayer good where shee can bee ;
And He tell you hou Thomas Pott 120
For ayd to his lord and master came hee.
And when hee came Lord Jockye before,
He kneeled him low downe on his knee;
Saies, "Thou art welcome Thomas Pott!
Thou art allwayes full of thy curtesye.
" Has thou slaine any of thy ffellowes,
Or hast thou wrought me some villanye ? ''
" Sir, none of my ffellowes I have slaine,
Nor I have wrought you noe villanye ;
" But I have a love in Scottland ffaire, 130
I doubt I must lose her through povertye ;
If you will not beleeve me by word of mouth,
Behold the letter shee writt unto mee."
When Lord Jockye looked the letter upon,
The tender words in itt cold bee :
" Thomas Pott, take thou no care,
Thoust never loose her throughe povertye.
58
" Thou shalt have forty pounds a weeke,
In gold and silver thou shalt rowe,
And Harbye towne I will thee allowe 140
As longe as thou dost meane to vvooe ;
" Thou shalt have fortye of thy ffellovves ffaire,
And forty horsse to goe with thee,
And forty speares of the best I have,
And I my-selfe in thy companye."
" I thanke you, master," sayd Thomas Pott,
" Neither man nor boy shall goe with mee ;
I wold not ffor a thousand pounds
Take one man in my companye."
"Why then, God be with thee, Thomas Pott! 150
Thou art well knowen and proved for a man ;
Looke thou shedd no guiltlesse bloode,
Nor never confound no gentlman ;
" But looke thou take with him some truce,
Apoint a place of lybertye ;
Lett him provide as well as hee cann,
And as well provided thou shalt bee."
And when Thomas Pott came to Gilford Greene,
And walked there a litle beside,
Then was hee ware of the Lord Phenix, 160
And with him Ladye Rozamund his bryde.
Away by the bryde rode Thomas of Pott,
But noe word to her that he did say ;
But when he came Lord Phenix before,
He gave him the right time of the day.
59
" O thou art welcome, Thomas a Potts !
Thou serving man, welcome to mee !
How flares they lord and master att home,
And all the ladyes in thy cuntrye ? "
" Sir, my lord and my master is in verry good health ; 170
I wott I ken itt soe readylye.
I pray you, will you ryde to one outsyde,
A word or towe to talke with mee."
" You are a nobleman," sayd Thomas a Potts,
" Yee are a borne lord in Scottland ffree ;
You may gett ladyes enowe att home ;
You shall never take my love ffrom mee ! "
"Away, away, thou Thomas a Potts!
Thou serving man, stand thou a-side !
I wott there's not a serving man this day, 180
I know, can hinder mee of my bryde."
" If I be but a serving man," sayd Thomas,
And you are a lord of honor ffree,
A speare or two He with you runn,
Before He loose her thus cowardlye."
" On Gilford Greene," Lord Phenix saies, " He thee
meete ;
Neither man nor boy shall come hither with mee."
"And as I am a man," said Thomas a Pott,
" I have as ffew in my companye."
With that the wedding-day was stayd, 190
The bryde went unmarryed home againe ;
Then to her maydens ffast shee loughe,
And in her hart shee was ffull ffaine.
60
" But all my mayds," they ladye sayd,
" That this day doe waite on mee,
Wee will frail downe againe upon our knees,
For Thomas a Potts now pray will wee.
" If his ffortune be ffor to winn, —
Weele pray to Christ in Trynitye, —
He make him the fflower of all his kinn, 200
For the Lord of Arrundale he shalbe."
Second Parte
Now let us leave talking of this ladye fayre,
In her prayers good where shee can bee ;
He tell you the troth how Thomas a Potts
For aide to his lord againe came hee.
And when he came to Strawberry Castle,
To try ffor his ladye he had but one weeke;
Alacke, ffor sorrow hee cannott fforbeare,
For four dayes then he ffell sicke.
With that his lord and master to him came, 210
Sayes, " I pray thee, Thomas, tell mee without
all doubt,
Whether hast thou gotten the bonny ladye,
Or thou man gange the ladye withoute."
" Marry, master, yett that matter is untryde ;
Within two dayes tryed itt must bee.
He is a lord, and I am but a serving man :
I doubt I must loose her through povertye."
" Why, Thomas a Pott, take thou no care ;
Thoust never loose her through povertye ;
61
" Thoust shalt have halfe my land a yeere, 220
And that will raise thee many a pound ;
Before thou shalt loose thy bonny ladye,
Thou shalt drop angells with him to the ground.
" And thou shalt have forty of thy ffellowes ffaire,
And forty horsses to goe with thee,
And forty speres of the best I have,
And I my-selfe in thy companye."
" I thanke you, master, sayd Thomas a Potts,
" But of one thing, sir, I wold be ffaine ;
If I shold loose my bonny ladye, 230
How shall I increase your goods againe ? ''
" Why, if thou winn thy lady ffaire,
Thou maye well fforth for to pay mee ;
If thou loose thy lady, thou hast losse enoughe ;
Not one penny I will aske thee."
" Master, you have thirty horsses in one hold,
You keepe them ranke and royallye ;
Theres an old horsse, — for him you doe not care, —
This day wold sett my lady ffree,
" That is a white, with a cutt tayle, 240
ffull sixteen yeeres of age is hee ;
Giffe you wold lend me that old horsse,
Then I shold gett her easilye."
(t Thou takes a ffoolish part," the Lord Jockye sayd,
"And a ffoolish part thou takes on thee;
Thou shalt have a better then ever he was,
That forty pounds cost more nor hee."
62
" O master, those horsses beene wild and wicked,
And litle they can skill of the old traine ;
Gifre I be out of my saddle cast, 250
They beene soe wild theyle never be tane againe.
" Lett me have age sober and wise ;
Itt is a part of wisdome, you know itt plaine ;
If I be out of my sadle cast,
Heele either stand still or turne againe."
" Thou shalt have that horsse with all my hart,
And my cote plate of silver ffree,
And a hundred men att thy backe
For to fight if neede shalbee."
" I thanke you, master," said Thomas a Potts, 260
" Neither man nor boy shall goe with mee.
As you are a lord off honor borne,
Let none of my ffellowes know this of mee ;
" ffor if they wott of my goinge,
I wott behind me they will not bee ;
Without you keepe them under a locke,
Uppon that greene I shall them see."
And when Thomas came to Gilford Greene
And walked there some houres three ;
Then was he ware of the Lord Phenix, 270
And four men in his companye.
" You have broken your vow, 1 ' sayd Thomas a Pott,
" Your vowe that you made unto mee ;
You said you wold come your selfe alone,
And you have brought more then two or three."
63
" These are my waiting men," Lord Phenix sayd,
" That every day doe waite on mee ;
Giffe any of these shold att us stirr,
My speare shold runn throwe his bodye."
" He runn noe race," said Thomas Potts, 280
" Till that this othe heere made may bee :
' If the one of us be slaine,
The other fforgiven that hee may bee.' "
" He make a vow," Lord Phenix sayes,
" My men shall beare wittnesse with thee,
Giffe thou slay mee att this time,
Never the worsse beloved in Scottland thou shalt
bee."
Then they turned their horsses round about,
To run the race more egarlye.
Lord Phenix he was stifle and stout, 290
He has runn Thomas quite thorrow the thye,
And beere Thomas out of his saddle fTaire ;
Upon the ground there did hee lye.
He saies, " For my lifTe I doe not care,
But ffor the love of my ladye.
" But shall I lose my ladye ffaire?
I thought shee shold have beene my wiffe ;
I pray thee, Lord Phenix, ryde not away,
For with thee I will loose my liffe."
Then Thomas a Potts was a serving man, 300
He was alsoe a phisityan good ;
He clapt his hand upon his wound ;
With some kind of words he stauncht the blood.
64
Then into his sadle againe hee leepe,
The blood in his body began to warme ;
He mist Lord Phenix bodye there,
But he run him quite throw the brawne of the arme,
And he bore him quite out of his saddle ffaire,
Upon the ground there did he lye;
He said, " I pray thee, Lord Phenix, rise and ffight, 310
Or else yeeld this ladye sweete to mee."
"To ffight with thee," quoth Phenix, "I cannott stand;
Nor ffor to ffight, I cannott, sure ;
Thou hast run me through the brawne of the arme ;
Noe longer of thy spere I cannott endure.
" Thoust have that ladye with all my hart,
Sith itt was like never better to prove ;
Nor never a noble man this day
That will seeke to take a pore mans love."
"Why then, be of good cheere," saies Thomas Pott, 320
" Indeed, your bucher He never bee,
For He come and stanche your bloode,
Giff any thankes youle give to mee."
As he was stanching the Phenix blood,
These words Thomas a Pott cann to him prove,
" He never take a ladye of you thus,
But here He give you another choice :
" Heere is a lane of two miles longe ;
Att either end sett wee will bee ;
The ladye shall sitt us betwcene, 330
And soe will wee sett this ladye ffree."
k 65
" If thoule doe soe," Lord Phenix sayes,
" Thomas a Pott, as thou dost tell mee ;
Whether I gett her or goe without her,
Heeres forty pounds He give itt thee."
And when the ladye there can stand,
A womans mind that day to prove ;
" Now, by my ffaith," said this ladye ffaire,
"This day Thomas a Pott shall have his owne love."
Toward Thomas a Pott the lady shee went, 34.0
To leape behind him hastilye ;
" Nay, abyde a while," sayd Lord Phenix,
" fFor better yett proved thou shalt bee :
" Thou shalt stay heere with all thy maids, —
In number with thee thou hast but three, —
Thomas a Pott and He goe beyond yonder wall,
There the one of us shall dye."
And when they came beyond the wall,
The one wold not the other nye ;
Lord Phenix he had given his word 350
With Thomas a Pott never to fright.
" Give me a choice," Lord Phenix sayes,
" Thomas a Pott, I doe pray thee ;
Lett mee goe to yonder ladye ffaire
To see whether shee be true to thee."
And when hee came that ladye too,
Unto that likesome dame savd hee,
" Now God thee save, thou ladye ffaire,
The heyre of all my land thoust bee !
66
" ffor this Thomas a Potts I have slaine, 360
He hath more then deadlye wounds two or three ;
Thou art mine owne ladye," he sayd,
"And marryed together wee will bee."
The ladye said, " if Thomas a Potts this day thou have
slaine,
Thou hast slaine a better man than ever was thee ;
And He sell all the state of my lande,
But thoust be hanged on a gallow tree."
With that they ladye shee ffell in a soone,
A greeved woman, I wott, was shee :
Lord Phenix hee was readye there, 370
Tooke her in his armes most hastilye ;
" O lord, sweete, and stand on thy ffeete !
This day Thomas a Pott alive can bee ;
He send ffor thy father, the Lord of Arrundale,
And marryed together I will you see,
Gifle hee will [not] maintaine you well,
Both gold and land you shall have from me."
" He see that wedding," my Lord of Arrundale said,
" Of my daughters love that is soe ffaire ;
And sith itt will no better be, 380
Of all my land Thomas a Pott shall be my heyre."
" Now all my maids," the ladye said,
" And ladyes of England, faire and ffree,
Looke you never change your old love for no new,
Nor never change for no povertye ;
" ffor I had a lover true of mine owne,
A serving man of a small degree ;
ffrom Thomas a Pott He turne his name,
And the Lord of Arrundale hee shall bee."
ffinis.
67
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROUR
When William Duke of Normandye
With glitering speare and sheild
Had entered into ffaire England,
And told his ffoes in ffeild.
Upon Christmas Day, in soleme sort,
Then was hee crowned heere
By Albert, Archbishopp of Yorke,
And many a noble peere.
Which being done, he changed quite
The customes of England, 10
And punished such as daylye sought
His statutes to withstand.
And many cytyes hee subdued,
ffaire London with the rest.
But then Kent did still withstand his power,
And did his lawes detest.
To Dover then he tooke the way,
The castle downe for to flinge
Which Averagus had builded there,
The noble Brittaine Kinge. 20
But when the brave Archbishopp bold
Of Canterbury knew,
The Abbott of St. Austines eke,
With all their gallant crew,
68
They sett themselves in order bright,
These mischeefes to prevent,
With all the yeomen brave and bold
That were in ffruitfull Kent.
Att Canterbury they did meete
Upon one certaine day, 30
With sword, with sheild, with bill, with bow,
To stopp the Conquerours way.
" Let us not live like bondmen pore
To ffrenchmen in their pryde,
But lett us keepe our ancyent lybertyes,
What chance soever tyde !
"And rather lett us dye in bloody ffeild,
With manly courage prest,
Then to endure the servile yoke
Which wee thus much detest ! " 40
Thus did the Kentish commons crye
Unto their leaders still,
And then they marched in warlike sort,
And stood att Swansco Hill.
And under a wood they hidd themselves,
Under they shadow greene,
Wherby to gett them vantage good
Of all their ffoes unseene.
And when they spyed his approche
In place where they did stand, 50
They marched fforth to hemm him in ;
Eche man tooke a bow in his hande.
69
Before, behind, and on eche syde
As hee did cast his eyes,
He espyed these woods in sober pace
Approach to him ffull nye.
The shape of men he cold not see,
The bowes did hyde them soe ;
And how his hart did quake for feare
To see a fforrest goe ! 60
But when the Kentish men had thus
Enclosed the Conquerour round,
Then suddenly they drew their swords,
And threw their bouges to ground ;
Their banners they displayed in sight,
Their trumpetts sounded a charge,
The rattling drummes strike up alarme,
Their troopes streitch fforth to the large,
Wheratt this dreadfull Conquerour
Theratt was sore agazed, 70
And most in perill when he thought
All perills had beene past.
Therfore unto the Kentishmen
An embassadoure he sent,
To know they cause they tooke in hand
These warres, to what entent.
To whom they made this short reply,
" ffor liberty weele ffight,
And to enjoy King Edwards the Confessors lawes
Which wee doe hold arright." 80
70
"Why then," said the dreadfull Conquerour,
You shall have what you will ;
Your libertyes, your ancyent customes,
Soe that you wilbe still ;
"And eche thing else which you will crave
With reason att my hands,
Soe that you will acknowledge me
Cheefe King of ffaire England."
The Kentishmen thereupon agreed,
And layd all their amies asyde; 90
And by this meanes King Edwards lawes
Doe still in Kent abyde.
And in no place in England else
Such customes doe remaine,
As they by their manlike policye
Did of Duke William gaine.
ffi
nis.
THE DROWNING OF HENERY THE I. HIS
CHILDREN
When : as royall King Henery the ffirst
Had ffoyled his ffoes in ffrance,
And spent the pleasant springe
His honors to advance.
Then into England he returned
With ffame and victorye,
What time the subjects of this land
Received him joyfullye.
But att his home returne,
His children left hee still 10
In frrance, ffor to sojourne
To purchase learned skill.
Duke William with his brother dere
Lord Richard was his name,
Who was the Erie of Chester then,
Who thirsted after ffame ;
The Kings ffaire daughter eke,
The Lady Marry bright,
With divers noble peeres,
And many a hardy knight; 20
All these he left together there,
In pleasure and delight,
When that our King to England came
After the bloodye flight.
72
But when ffaire fflora had
Drawen fforth her treasure drye,
Then Winter sadd and cold
With hoary head drew niee.
Then these princes all with one assent
Prepared all things meete 30
To passe the seas into ffaire England,
Whose sight to them was sweete.
"To England lett us hye,"
This everye one did say,
" ffor Christamas draweth nye ;
No longer lett us stay,
But let us spend the merry Christamas time
In game and pleasant sort,
Where Lady Pleasure doth attend
With many a princely sport." 40
To seas these princes went,
Full ffraught with mirth and joy ;
But all their merryment
Returned to greet anoye.
For the saylors and the shipmen,
Throughe ffoule excesse of wine,
They were soe amazed that on the sea
They showed themselves like swine.
The sterne no man cold guide,
The master sleeping lay, 50
The saylors all besyde
Went reeling everye way,
L 73
Soe that the shipp att randome rode
Upon the ffominge ffioode,
Wherby in perill of their lives
These princes alway stoode,
Which caused distilling teares
From their faire eyes to ffall,
Their harts were filled with ffeare,
No joy they had att all, 60
They wished themselves upon the land
A thousand times and more ;
Then att they last they come in sight
Of Englands pleasant shore.
Then every one began
To turne these siges to smiles,
Their coulours pale and wan
A cheerful! looke exiles.
The princelye lords most lovinglye
Their ladyes doe embrace ; 70
" In England," quoth they, " wee shalbe
Within a litle space."
" Take comforts to your selves,"
Thus everye one did say,
"And be no more dismayd ;
Behold the land att last ! "
But as they did thus cheerfullye
Their comfort to attaine,
Then soddainlye upon a rocke
The shipp itt burst in twayne. 80
74
With that a greivous scrike
Among them there was made,
And every one did seeke
On something to be stayd.
But all in vaine ! such helpe they lacke.
The shipp soe soone did sinke
That in the seas they were constrained
To take their latest drinke.
There might you see the lords
And ladyes ffor to lye go
Amidst the salt sea ffome,
With many a greivous crye
Still laboured for their lives defence
With streched armes abroad,
And lifting upp their lilly hands
For helpe with one accordd.
But as good frortune wold,
The sweete young duke did gett
Into the cockebotte then,
Where safelye he did sitt. ioo
But when he heard his sister crye,
The Kings faire daughter deere,
He turned his boate to take her in
Whose death did draw soe neere ;
But while he turned his boate
To take his sister in,
The rest such shifft did make
In seas as they did swimn,
75
For to the boate a number gott,
Soe many att the last, no
That the boate and all that was therin
Was drowned and over cast.
Of lords and gentlemen,
And ladyes ffaire of fface,
Not one escaped then ;
This was a heavinesse !
Sixtye and ten were drowned in all,
Not one escaped death
But one pore bucher, who had swoome
Himselfe quite out of breath. 120
Which was most heavy newes
Unto our comlye Kinge ;
All mirth hee did refuse,
This word when he did bringe,
Where by this meanes no child wee had
His kingdome to succeede.
His sisters sonne was crowned Kinge,
As wee may plainly reede.
ffinis.
7 6
MURTHERING OF EDWARD THE FOURTH
HIS SONNES
When : as the King of England dyed,
Edward the Fourth by name,
He left two sonnes of tender yeeres
For to succeed the same.
Then Richard, Duke of Glouster,
Desiring kingly sway,
Desired by treason how to make
His brothers sonnes away.
Betwixt them they layd downe their plott,
And straight together went 10
To Stony Stratford, where they mett
The King incontinent.
The sweete young King did entertaine
His unckle lovinglye,
Not thinkinge of their vile intent,
Nor of their trecherye.
And then the Duke of Buckingham,
To sett abroach this thinge,
He began a quarrell for the noncte
With them that kept the Kinge. 20
And then they did arrest Lord Gray,
The brother to the Queene ;
Her other brother, the Lord Rivers,
In durance as they had beens.
11
Sir Thomas Vaughan then likewise
Did there and then arrest ;
Soe was the King of all his ffreinds
Suddenly dispossest.
In breeffe, these noblemen were sent
To Pontfracte Castle soone, 30
Where they, in short time afterwards,
To death was eche man doone.
Then forth they brought they King alone,
Towards London with great speed,
Using their perswasions full fFalselye
Not to mislike that deede.
And when to London that they came,
ffor him they had prepared
The bishopps pallace ffor the nonet,
But saflye under guard. 40
And then Duke Richard takes upon him
The keeping of the King,
Naming himselfe Lord Protectore,
His wished ends to bringe ;
Desiring how then in his mind
To sett the other brothers too,
The which the cardinall undertooke
ffull cuningly to doo.
And then the cardinall in great hast
Unto the Queene doth come; 50
Using his perswasions ffull ffalselye,
Then he gott her other sonne.
78
Then they both in ffull great hast
Unto the Tower were sent,
Where they lived but short space,
ffor death did them prevent.
Then Duke Richard, having ffound this meanes
To worke these two princes death,
Procured one of James Tirrells hired men
ffull soone to stopp their breath : 60
James Dighton and Miles fforrest both,
These two vile wicked men,
These two were made the instruments
To worke this murder then.
These princes being asleepe in bedd,
Lyinge arme in arme,
Not thinking of their vile entents
Nor thinking any harme,
These villaines, in the ffetherbedd
Did wrapp them up in hast, 70
And with the clothes soe smothered them
Till liffe and breath was past.
And then they both were buryed,
Where no man yett doth know.
But marke how God, in his judgment just,
Did his right revengment showe !
For betwixt those dukes within short space
Such a discord there was bredd,
As Buckingham to please the King
Was fforcet to loose his head. 80
79
And then Richard in his kinglye seate
No ease nor rest cold ffind,
The murthering of his nephews did
So sore molest his minde.
He never cold have quiett sleepe,
His liffe itt stood in ffeare,
His hand was on his dagger straight,
That no man might come him neere.
But att the last Erie Richmond came
With such a puissant band, 90
That this ffalse King he was inforced
In his defence to stande.
Then meeting him att Bosworth ffelld,
They fought with harts full faine ;
Yett ffor shedding of these princes blood,
God caused King Richard to be slaine.
And being dead, upon a horsse
All naked he was borne,
His fflesh all cutt and mangled,
His haire all rent and torne. 100
And then Erie Richmond worthelye,
ffor this his deede of ffame,
Of England hee was crowned King,
Henery the Seventh by name,
Of whom most royall lines did springe,
That ffamous King of might,
Henery the Eighth, [whose] noble deeds
Our chronicles doe well recyte.
80
When that hee dyed, hee left his land and crowne
To Edward his sweete sonne, no
Whose gracyous raigne all England may rue
His time soe soone is come.
And then his sister Marye came,
Next princesse of this land ;
But in her time blind ignorance
Against Gods truth did stand,
Which caused many a mans blood,
To be shedd in ruefull case ;
Then God did England once regard,
And turned all these stormes to grace. 120
ffor then the other sister came,
Elizabeth our late Queene,
And shee released her peoples harts
ffrom greeffe and eirrours cleane.
And then the mightye James did come,
Of King Henerys royall race ;
Whose happy dayes our Lord preserve,
Grant him long time and space!
ffi
nis.
M 8l
THE FALL OF PRINCES
The : hye God most gracyous, his goodenesse alone,
Thou hast made upon the earth, beast, bird and tree,
Angells in heaven, and ministers to Thy throne,
The sun and the moone, the element and skye.
Att last Thou made man of noblest degree,
After Thine owne likenesse, such was Thy grace.
Lawde wee Him therffore, for happy wee bee ;
But heere wee beene sure to live but a space.
Where is Adam our ffirst progenitor,
Of bewtye and of cuning,and never had no peere? 10
And Eve his companyon, that most oryent fBgure?
He King, and shee Queene, over all this world in
ffere ;
Yet through their great frails soone changed we all our
cheere,
That all their posterytye shold ffollow their trace ;
Death hath them devoured, this matter is clere ;
But heere wee beene sure to live but a space.
Where is King David the doughtye, that Golyas over-
came?
Or Duke Josua the gentle, of him what shold I tell ?
Or Samson that ruled the lyon like a lambe?
Or Hercules that quelled the porter of hell ? 20
Where is Duke Josua that ever bare the bell?
Their pompe and their glory is nowe very basse.
Lett this be a mirrour alwayes in our sight,
That heere we beene sure to live but a space.
Where is Alexander the mightye, that conquered this
world wide,
And governe att one day as himselfe did luste?
82
Or Nabuchondozer, that prince proud of price?
Or Augustus, with his power to them was full just?
Where is Haniball the hardy, threw all in the duste,
And brought all Roome into a sorry stay? 30
All these be dead and gone, and after them wee must,
And wee must all ffollow as fast as wee may.
Where is Hector of Troy, that one of the nine worthies
was?
And worthy sure he was soe for to bee ;
Or Rowland and Oliver, as itt came to passe,
In number they were doughtye men all three,
But yett with death they cold not agree
In this world to have no longer space.
Death, all their glory from them he did ring,
And wee must all follow them in a short space. 40
Where is Godfrey of Bullen, that Trojan soe stout?
Or Mithydrates, where is hee?
Or Julyus Machabeus that went not about?
Or Guy of Warwicke, as doughtye as hee ?
Where is Huon of Burdeaux, where is hee ?
These cold not refuse Death with his mace ;
Therfor marke my sayings all you that heere bee,
For heere wee beene sure to live but a space.
Where is Jason the doughtye that woone the fleece of
gold,
Or Acctollen that was called the scorge of God, 50
Or Phebus, the wisest man upon the mould ?
Or Acchilles that was called the Trojans rodd?
Where is King Herod the herlott, was worsse then madd,
For with his owne kinsmen himselfe he did deface ?
Loe ! heere you may see, ffor all this noble blood,
That here we beene sure to live but a space.
83
Where is the emperour that the bold clarke was called ?
The Sarasins doe remember him, and shall doe for
[aye] ;
Or Julyus Caesar, with head balde,
That brought Roome and the Romans to a sorry
stay ? 60
Where is Nero the cruell, that ruled soe many a day?
These cold not refuse Death with his mace ;
Therfore marke my saying, all you that heere bee,
For wee beene sure to live but a space.
Where is Pironius, the proud enemy to Roome?
Or Dulcina the terror, or Cicil the Kinge?
Or Sir Volen, was called the hardy Trojan ?
Or Troylus of Troy that loved well to springe ?
Where is Tamberlaine that overcame the Turke in fight,
That all the world did bring in dread and in doubt
of his devilish face ? 70
Lett this be a mirrour allwayes in our sight,
That heere wee beene sure to live but a space.
Where is King Arthur the venturer, with his knights
bold?
Or Sir Tristeram, that treasure of curtesye ?
Or Sir Gawaine the good, with his helmett made of gold ?
Or Sir Lancelott Dulake, a knight of chivalrye ?
Where is King Charlemaine of ffrance, from them wold
never fflee?
Yett these cold not refuse Death with his mace.
Heere you may see, ffor all the hye degree,
That here we beene sure to live but a litle space. 80
Where is King Richard, was called Cwer de Lyon?
Or Saladine the good Sarazen, where is hee?
Or Edward the Third that wan Gasconie and Gaines?
Or King Henery the Fifth, a prince of chivalrye?
84
Where is Duke Charles of Burgundye, from them did
never flee?
Yett these cold not refuse Death with his mace ;
Wherfor marke my saying, all you that here bee,
That here wee beene sure to live but a space.
ffor if wisdome or manhood by any meanes cold
Have saved a mans liffe to endure for ever, 90
Then King Henery the Eighth soe noble and soe bold,
Out of this wyde world he wold have passed never.
But death, where he comes, all things doth dissever ;
Where-ever he aproches, he will take place.
Good Lord ! bring us to Thy blisse, there to remaine for
ever;
ffor heere we be sure to live but a space.
ffinis
85
THE NUTT BROWNE MAYD
Right and noe wronge, these men amonge,
As on women doe complaine,
Affirming this, what a thing itt is
Of a labour spent in vaine
To love them well ; for never a dele
They love a ma?i agayne ;
For lett a man doe what he can
Their ffavor to obtaine,
And if a new to them persue,
The ffirst true lover then 10
He labours for nought, — fur from his thought, —
For he is a banished man.
And I say not nay, — but as you said,
Itt is both written and sayd, —
But womens fFaith, who soe sayth,
Is right utterly decayde ;
Yett nevertheles, right good witnesse
In this cause may be layd :
That they love true, and doe continue,
Reccords the nutt-browne maide : 20
ffor when her love came her to prove,
He come to make his moane ;
He sayd, "Alas! thus stands the case,
I am a banished raann.
" ffor itt stand eth soe that a deede is doe
W her by great harme may growe ;
My destynye is ffor to dye
A shameffull death, I trowe,
Or else ffor to fflee; the one must bee.
None other reed I know 30
86
But to withdraw my-selfe like an outlawe,
And betake me to my bowe.
And therfore, adew, my owne hart trew,
They best way that I can
Is that I to the greenwood goe,
My selfe a banished man."
"Alas! " shee said, "what is all this worlds blisse?
Itt changeth as doth the moone.
The summers day in the lusty May
Is darke before the noone. 4.0
I heare you say ffarwell. Nay! nay!
Wee will not depart soe soone.
But why say you soe, or whither will you goe?
Alas ! what have you done ?
For all my welfare into sorrow and care
Wold come if that you were gone ;
For in my mind, of all mankind
I love but you alone."
" I can but beleeve this wold you greeve,
And somewhatt you soe straine; 50
The thornye wayes, the deepe valleys,
The haile, ffrost, snow, and raine ;
ffor dry and weete, fFor cold and heate,
Wee must lye on the plaine ;
No other house be us above,
But a bush or a brake twaine.
My hart sweet, this ill dyett,
I know itt will make thee to looke wan,
Therfore will I to the greenwoode goe,
My selfe, a banished man." 60
Shee sayes, "With you I have been partener,
With you in joy and blisse ;
I will take alsoe part of your woe,
Endure, as reason itt is ;
87
But I shold be sure of one pleasure,
That is shortlye this,
Wheresoever you be, that I you see,
I cold not ffare amisse.
From home to depart will make my hart
As cold as any stone ; 70
ffor in my mind, of all mankind
I love but you alone."
" But you must consider, sweet hart, when you come
thither
And have list to dine,
There is no meate that wee can gett,
Neither ale, beere, nor wine,
Nor sheetes cleane to lye betweene,
Made neither of threed nor twinn,
Nor noe other house but leaves and brouse,
To cover your head and mine. 80
My hart sweet, this ill dyett,
I know will make thee to looke wan ;
Therfore will I to the greenwood goe
My selfe, a banished man."
" But among wild deere," shee said, " such an archer
As men say that you bee,
You shold not ffaile fFor good vittaile
Where is such great plentye ;
The water cleere within the river
Shold be full sweete to me ; 90
I cold endure well, I am sure,
In health as you may see ;
And a bedd or two, before I goe,
I will provide anon ;
fFor in my minde, above all mankind
I love but you alone."
88
" Nay, love, thore you must doe more :
If you will goe with mee,
You must shorten your haire above your eare,
And your kirtle above your knee, ioo
ffor to withstand, with bow in hand,
Your enemyes, if neede bee ;
ffor this same night, before it be day-light,
To the woods that I will fflee ;
And if you will all this ffulflll,
Doe itt as shortlye as you can,
Or else I must to the greenwood goe
My selfe, a banished man."
" Even now," shee saies, " He doe more ffor you
Then belongs to woman-hood; i ro
He shorten my haire, a bow to beare,
To shoote in time of neede.
My owne deare mother! above all other
Of you I have much dread ;
But yett, adew! I must insue ;
Such ffortune does me lead.
Therefore make you ready now
As ffast as ever you can ;
ffor in my mind, of all mankind
I love but you alone." 120
" Noe, not soe, you shall not goe !
ffor He tell you now as why :
Your habitt itt is to be light,
My love, I will espye ;
For likwise as you say to me,
Likewise you shall ffind,
Itt is told of old, ' Soone hott, soone.cold,
And soe is a woman ; '
Therfore will I to the greenwood goe
My selfe, a banished man." 130
N 89
"Giff you take heed, you doe not need
Soe ffarr to speake by mee ;
ffor I have prayed, and long I have sayd,
Before I loved, pardye :
And though that you know of anceytrye
A barrons daughter I bee,
And you have proved how / have loved
A squier of a low degree,
And shall doe, whatsoever doth beffall,
To die with him anon; 140
And in my mind, of all mankind
I love but you alone."
"A barrons child to be beguiled!
That were a cursed deede.
And to become ffellow with an outlaw!
Alimightye God fforbidd!
Itt were better the pore squier
Himselfe to the fforrest yeede,
Then you shold say another day,
' By my accursed deede 150
You were betraid.' Therefore, good maide,
The best way that I can,
Is, lett me unto the fforrest goe
My selfe, a banished man."
" Let this out-ffall, I never shall
Of that thing you upbraid ;
But if you goe and leave me soe,
Then I am quite betraid.
Remember how that itt is,
You are not as you said : 160
You are unkind to leave behind
Your love, the nutt-browne maid.
90
Trust me, trulye I must dye
As soone as you are gone ;
For in my mind, of all mankind
I love but you alone."
"Why, but if you went, you wold repent;
For in the fforrest now
I have provided me of a maid
Whom I love better then you; 170
And ffairer then ever you were,
I dare this well avowe.
Betwixt you both I shold be wroth
With eche other, as I trowe ;
Itt is my ease to live in peace ;
Soe will I if I cann ;
ffor I will to the greenwood goe
My selfe, a banished man."
"Why, tho in the wood I understood
That you had a paramoure, 180
Yett all that right nought removes my thought,
For still I will be yours.
Shee shold me ffind both soft and kind,
And curteous every houre ;
Gladd your will for to ffuliill ;
Comand me to my power.
And if you have a hundred more,
Of them I wold be one ;
For in my mind, of all mankind
I love but you alone." 190
" My owne deere love ! I see and prove
That you be kind and true !
In maid and wiffe, in all mv liffe
The best that ever I knew!
9 1
Be merry and glad, be no more sad,
The case is altered now;
Be not dismaid at what I have said
To you since I begann.
Thus you have woone the Erie of Westmoreland sone,
And not a banished man." 200
" These tydings to me are gladder," shee saies,
" Then tho I were a queene,
If I were sure itt wold endure ;
But itt is often seene
Men will break promise tho they speake
Words upon the plaine.
You shape some wyle, me to beguile,
And steale ffrom me, I weene ;
Then were the case worsse then ever itt was,
And I were woe-begon ; 210
For in my mind, of all mankinde
I love but you alone."
" You shall not neede soe ffar to dreed,
ffor I will not disparishe
You ', {God defe?id 7) sith you descend
Of so gret a linage ;
For Westmoreland, as I understand,
Itt is my owne heritage ;
I will thee bring in with a ringe ;
In way of marry age 220
I will you take, and ladye make,
As shortlye as ever I cann.
Thus have you woone the Erie of Westmorelands sonne,
And not a banished man."
Heere you may see that women bee
Of love meeke, kind, and stable.
Lett never men reprove them then,
Nor call them varyable,
92
But rather pray to God that they
To men may be comfortable, 230
That have proved such as they loved,
Iff they be charitable.
But men wold that women shold
Be kind to them eche one,
Yett I had rather, God to obay
And serve but Him alone.
ffi
nis.
93
THE ROSE OF ENGLANDE
Throughout : a garden greene and gay,
A seemlye sight itt was to see
How fflowers did flourish fresh and gay,
And birds doe sing melodiouslye.
In the midst of a garden there sprange a tree
Which tree was a mickle price,
And there uppon sprang the rose soe redd,
The goodlyest that ever sprange on rise.
This rose was ffaire, ffresh to behold,
Springing with many a royall lance; 10
A crowned King, with a crowne of gold
Over England, Ireland, and of ffrance.
Then came in a beast men call a bore,
And he rooted this garden upp and downe,
By the seede of the rose he sett noe store,
But afterwards itt wore the crowne.
Hee took the branches of this rose away,
And all in sunder did them teare ;
And he buryed them under a clodd of clay,
Swore they shold never bloome nor beare. \ 20
Then came in an egle gleaming gay,
Of all ffaire birds well worth the best ;
He took the branche of the rose away,
And bore itt to Latham to his nest.
94
But now is this rose out of England exiled,
This certaine truth I will not laine ;
But if itt please you to sitt a while,
He tell you how the rose came in againe.
Att Milford Haven he entered in ;
To claime his right, was his delight; 30
He brought the blew bore in with him,
To encounter with the bore soe white.
Then a messenger the rose did send
To the egles nest, and bidd him hye ;
"To my ffather the old egle I doe me comend,
His aide and helpe I crave speedylye."
Saies, " I desire my father att my cominge
Of men and mony att my need,
And alsoe my mother of her deer blessing,
Then better then I hope to speede." 40
And when the messenger came before thold egle,
He kneeled him downe upon his knee,
Saith, " Well greeteth you my lord the rose,
He hath sent you greetings here by me.
" Safe frrom the seas Christ hath him sent,
Now he is entered England within."
" Let us thanke God," the old egle did say,
" He shall be the fflower of all his kine !
"Wend away, messenger, with might and maine ;
Itts hard to know who a man may trust; — 50
I hope the rose shall flourish againe,
And have all things att his cwne lust."
95
Then Sir Rice ap Thomas drawes Wales with him :
A worthy sight itt was to see,
How the Welchmen rose wholy with him,
And shogged him to Shrewsburye.
Att that time was baylye in Shrewsburye
One Master Mitton in the towne.
The gates were strong, and he mad them ffast,
And the portcullis he lett downe ; 60
And throug a garrett of the walls,
Over Severne these words said hee,
"Att these gates no man enter shall."
But he kept him out a night and a day.
These words Mitton did Erie Richmond tell ;
I am sure the chronicles of this will not lye ;
But when lettres came from Sir William Stanley of the
holt castle,
Then the gates were opened presentlye.
Then entred this towne the noble lord,
The Erie Richmond, the rose soe redd, 70
The Erie of Oxford with a sword
Wold have smitt of the bailiffes head.
" But hold your hand," saies Erie Richmond,
" ffor His love that dyed upon a tree !
fFor if wee begin to head soe soone,
In England wee shall beare no degree."
"What offence have I made thee," sayd Erie Richmonde,
" That thou kept me out of my towne? ' :
" I know no King," sayd Mitton then,
" But Richard now that weares the crowne." 80
96
"Why, what wilt thou say," said Erie Richmonde,
"When I have put King Richard downe? "
"Why, then He be as true to you, my lord,
After the time that I am sworne."
"Were itt not great pitty," sayd Erie Richmond,
" That such a man as this shold dye? "
Such loyall service by him done,
The cronickles of this will not lye.
Thou shalt not be harmed in any case."
He pardoned him presentlye. 90
They stayd not past a night and a day,
But towards Newport did they hye.
But at Attherston these lords did meete ;
A worthy sight itt was to see,
How Erie Richmond tooke his hatt in his hand,
And said, " Cheshire and Lancashire, welcome to
me.
But now is a bird of the egle taken ;
flrom the white bore he cannot fflee.
Therfore the old egle makes great moane,
And prayes to God most certainly: 100
" O stedfast God, verament," he did say —
"Three persons in one God in Trinytye !
Save my sonne, the young egle, this day
ffrom all fralse craft and trecherye ! "
Then the blew bore the vanward had :
He was both warry and wise of witt ;
The right hand of them he tooke,
The sunn and wind of them to gett.
o 97
Then the egle ffollowed fast upon his pray ;
With sore dints he did them smyte. 1 1 o
The Talbott he bitt wonderous sore,
Soe well the unicorne did him quite.
And then came in the harts head ;
A worthy sight itt was to see,
They jacketts that were of white and redd,
How they laid about them lustilye.
But now is the ffeirce ffeeld foughten and ended,
And the white bore there lyeth slaine ;
And the young egle is preserved,
And come to his nest againe. 120
But now this garden flourishes ffreshly and gay,
With ffragrant fHowers comely of hew ;
And gardners itt doth maintaine ;
I hope they will prove just and true.
Our King, he is the rose soe redd,
That now does flourish ffresh and gay.
Confound his ffoes, Lord, wee beseeche,
And love his grace both night and day !
ffinis.
9 8
THE PORE MAN AND THE KINGE
Itt : was a pore man, he dwelled in Kent,
He payd our King live pence of rent ;
And there is a lawyer dwelt him by,
A ffault in his lease, God wott ! he hath ffound,
"And all was for ffalling of five ashe trees
To build me a house of my owne good ground.
" I bidd him lett me and my ground alone;
To cease his selfe, if he was willinge,
And pike no vantages out of his lease ;
And hee seemed a good ffellow, I wold give him
forty shillinge." 10
"Forty shillinge 7ior forty pounde
Wold 11 ot agree this lawyer and nice,
Witliout I wold give hi?n of my far me ground \
A?id sta?id to his good curtesy e.
" He said, ' Nay, by his fay, that hee wold not doe,
ffor wiffe and children wold make madd warke,
But and he wold lett him and his ground alone,
He seemed a good ffellow, he wold give him five
marke.'
" He said, ' Nay by his ffay, that wold he not doe,
ffor five good ash trees that he ffell.' 20
Then He doe as neighbors have put me in head,
He make a submission to the King my-selfe."
11
By that he had gone a dayes journey,
One of his neighbors he did spye,
" Neibor! how frar have I to our King?
I am going towards him as ffast as I can hye."
99
"Alas! to-day," said his neighbour,
Itts ffor you I make all this mone.
You may talke of that time enoughe
By that tenn daies journey you have gone." 30
But when he came to London street,
For an host house he did call.
He lay soe longe othe tother morninge a-sleepe,
That the court was removed to Winsor Hall.
"Arrise, my guest, you have great neede;
You have lyen too long even by a great while ;
The court is removed to Winsor this morning ;
Hee is ffurther to seeke by twenty mile.
" Alacke to-day ! " quoth the poore man,
1 thinke your King att me gott witt ; 40
Had he knowen of my cominge,
I thinke he wold have tarryed yett."
" He ffoled not for you," then said his host,
" But hye you to Windsor as fast as you may ;
And all your costs and your charges,
Have you no doubt but the King will pay."
He hath gotten a gray russett gowne on his backe,
And a hood well buckeled under his chin,
And a longe staffe upon his necke,
And he is to Windsor to our Kinge. 50
Soe when hee came to Windsor Hall,
The gates were shutt as he there stood ;
He knocket and poled with a great long staffe :
The porter had thought hee had beene woode.
1 00
He knocket againe with might and maine,
Sais, " Hey hoe ! is our King within ? "
With that he proffered a great reward,
A single penny, to lett him come in.
" I thanke you, sir," quoth the porter then,
" The reward is soe great I cannott say nay ; 60
There is a noble-man standing by,
ffirst He goe heare what hee will say."
The nobleman then came to the gates,
And asked him what his busines might bee :
" Nay, soft," quoth the ffellow, " I tell thee not yett,
Before I doe the King himselfe see ;
Itt was told me ere I came ffrom home,
That gentlemens hounds eaten arrands by the way,
And pore curr doggs may eate mine ;
Therfore I meane my owne arrands to say." 70
" But and thou come in," saies the porter then,
" Thy bumble staffe behind wee must stay."
" Beshrow the, lyar," then said the pore man,
" Then may thou terme me a foole, or a worsse :
I know not what bankrouts bee about our King,
For lacke of mony wold take my pursse."
" Hold him backe," then said the noble-man,
"And more of his speech wee will have soone;
He see how hee can answer the matter
As soone as the match att bowles is done." 80
The porter tooke the pore man by the hand,
And ledd him before the noble-man :
He kneeled downe upon his knees,
And these words to him sayd then :
101
"And you be sir King," then said the pore man,
" You are the goodlyest flellow that ever I see ;
You have soe many jingles jangles about yee,
I never see man weare but yee."
" I am not the King," the nobleman said,
"Although I weare now a proud cote." 90
"And you be not King, and youle bring me to him,
ffor your reward lie give you a groat."
" I thanke you, sir," saith the noble-man,
" Your reward is soe great, I cannott say nay;
He ffirst goe know our Kings pleasure ;
Till I come againe, be sure that you stay."
" Here is such a staring," said the pore man,
" I thinke the King is better heere then in our
countrye ;
I cold have gone to ffarmost nooke in the house,
Neither ladd nor man to have troubled mee." 100
The noble-man went before our Kinge,
Soe well hee knew his curtesye,
" There is one of the rankest clownes att your gates
That ever Englishman did see.
" He calles them knaves your hignes keepe,
With-all hee calls them somewhatt worsse,
He dare not come in without a longe staffe,
Hees ffeard lest some bankrout shold pike his
pursse."
" Lett him come in," then said our King,
" Lett him come in, and his staffe too; no
Weele see how he can answer every matter
Now the match att bowles is done."
102
The noble-man tooke the pore man by the hand,
And led him through chambers and galleryes hye :
"What does our King with soe many empty houses,
And garres them not frilled with corne and hay ? "
And as they went through one alley,
The nobleman soone the King did spye ;
" Yond is the King," the noble-man sayd,
" Looke thee, good ffellow, yond hee goes by ! " 120
" Belike hee is some unthrifft," said the pore man,
"And he hath made some of his clothes away."
" Now hold thy tounge," said the nobleman,
"And take good heed what thou dost say."
The weather itt was exceeding hott,
And our King hath laid some of his clothes away ;
And when the noble-man came before our King,
Soe well hee knew his curtesie,
The pore man ffollowed after him,
Gave a nodd with his head, and a becke with
his knee : 130
"And if you be the King," then said the pore man,
"As I can hardly thinke you bee,
This goodly frellow that brought me hither,
Seems liker to bee a king then yee."
" I am the King, and the King indeede ;
Lett me thy matter understand."
Then the pore man fTell downe on his knees :
" I am your tennant on your owne good land,
" And there is a lawyer dwells me- by,
A ffault in my lease, God wott, hee hath found, 140
And all is for ffelling of five ashe trees
To build me a house in my owne good ground.
103
" I bade him lett me and my ground alone,
And cease himselfe, if that hee was willing,
And pike no vantage out of my lease ;
He seemed a good ffellow, I wold give him forty
shilling.
" Forty shilling nor forty pound
Wold not agree this lawyer and mee,
Without I wold give him of my farme ground,
And stand to his good curtesye. 150
" I said, ' Nay, by fay, that wold I not doe ;
ffor wiffe and children wold make madd warke ;
And hee wold lett me and my ground alone,
He seemed a good ffellow, I wold give him five
marke.' "
" But hast thou thy lease eene thee uppon,
Or canst thou shew to mee thy deede ? "
He pulled itt ftorth of his bosome,
And saies, " Heere my leege, if you cann reeade."
" What if I cannott? " then sayes our King,
14 Good ffellow, to mee what hast thou to say ? " 160
" I have a boy att home, but thirteen yeere old,
Will reede itt as ffale gast as young by the way."
" I can never gett these knotts loose, " then said our
King;
Hee gave itt a gentleman stood him hard by.
" Thats a proud horsse," then said the pore man,
"That will not carry his owne proventye ;
"And yee paid me five shillings rent as I doe yee,
I wold not be to proud to loose a knott ;
But givet me againe, and He loose itt for ye,
Soe that in my rent youle bate mee a groate." 170
104
An old man tooke this lease in his hande,
And the Kings majesty stoode soe,
" He warrant thee, pore man, and thy ground,
If thou had ffallen five ashes more."
" Alas to-day ! " then said the pore man,
" Now hold your tonge, and trouble not mee ;
Hee that troubles me this day with this matter,
Cares neither for your warrantts, you, nor mee."
" He make thee attachment, ffoole," hee sayes,
" That all that sees itt shall take thy part. 180
Untill hee have paid thee a hundred pounds
Thoust tye him to a tree that hee cannott start."
" I thanke you, sir," said the poreman then :
"About this matter, sith you have beeneiwillinge,
And seemed to doe the best you cann,
With all my heart He give you a shillinge."
"A plauge on thy knaves hart! " then said our King,
" This mony on my skin lyes soe cold."
He fflang itt into the Kings bosome,
Because in his hand he wold itt not hold. 190
The King called his tresurer,
Saies, " Count me downe a hundred pound —
Since he hath spent mony by the way, —
To bring him home to his owne good ground."
When the hundred pounds was counted,
To receive itt the pore man was willing :
" If I had thought you had had soe much silver and gold,
You shold not have had my good shilling."
p 105
The lawyer came to welcome him
When hee came home uppon a Sunday : 200
" Where have you beene, neihbor? " hee sayes,
" Methinkes you have beene long away."
" I have beene att the King," the poore man said.
"And what the devill didest thou doe there?
Cold not our neihbors have agreede us,
But thou must goe soe ffarr ffrom heere ? "
" There cold no neighbors have agreed thee and me,
Nor halfe soe well have pleased my hart ;
Untill thou have payd mee a hundred pound,
He tye thee to a tree, thou cannott start." 210
When the hundred pound was counted,
To receive itt the poreman was most willing ;
And for the paines in the law hee had taken,
Hee wold not give him againe one shilling."
God send all lawyers thus well served !
Then may pore ffarmers live in rest.
God blesse and save our noble Kinge,
And send us all to live in peace!
ffinis
106
SIR JOHN BUTLER
But word is come to Warrington,
And Busye Hall is laid about;
Sir John Butler and his merry men
Stand in ffull great doubt.
When they came to Busye Hall
Itt was the merke midnight,
And all the bridges were up drawen,
And never a candle light.
There they made them one good boate,
All of one good bull skinn ; 10
William Savage was one of the ffirst
That ever came itt within.
Hee sayled ore his merrymen
By two and two together,
And said itt was as good a bote
As ere was made of lether.
" Waken you, waken you, deare ffather !
God waken you within !
For heere is your unckle Standlye
Come your hall within." 20
" If that be true, Ellen Butler,
These tydings you tell mee,
A hundred pounds in good redd gold
This night will not borrow mee."
107
Then came downe Ellen Butler
And into her ffathers hall,
And then came downe Ellen Butler,
And shee was laced in pall.
" Where is thy ffather, Ellen Butler?
Have done, and tell itt mee." 30
" My ffather is now to London ridden,
As Christ shall have part of mee."
" Now nay, now nay, Ellen Butler,
ffor soe itt must not bee ;
ffor ere I goe fforth of this hall,
Your ffather I must see."
They sought that hall then up and downe
Theras John Butler lay ;
They sought that hall then up and downe
Theras John Butler lay ; 40
ffaire him ffall, litle Holcrofft !
Soe merrilye he kept the dore,
Till that his head ffrom his shoulders
Came tumbling downe the ffloore.
" Yeeld thee, yeelde thee, John Butler !
Yeelde thee now to mee ! "
" I will yeelde me to my unckle Stanlye,
And neere to ffalse Peeter Lee."
"A preist, a preist," saies Ellen Butler,
"To housle and to shrive! 50
A preist, a preist," sais Ellen Butler,
" While that my father is a man alive! "
108
Then bespake him William Savage, —
A shames death may hee dye ! —
Sayes, " He shall have no other preist
But my bright sword and mee."
The Ladye Butler is to London rydden,
Shee had better have beene att home,
Shee might have beggd her ovvne marryed lord
Att her good brother John. 60
And as shee lay in leeve London,
And as shee lay in her bedd,
Shee dreamed her ovvne marryed lord
Was swiminnge in blood soe red.
Shee called up her merry men all
Long ere itt was day,
Saies, " Wee must ryde to Busye Hall
With all speed that wee may."
Shee mett with three Kendall men
Were ryding by the way: 70
" Tydings, tydings, Kendall men,
I pray you tell itt mee ! "
" Heavy tydings, deare madam !
ffrom you wee will not leane,
The worthyest knight in merry England,
John Butler, Lord! hee is slaine!"
"ffarewell, ffarwell, John Butler!
ffor thee I must never see.
ffarewell, ffarwell, Busiye Hall !
For thee I will never come nye." 80
109
Now Ladye Butler is to London againe,
In all the speed might bee ;
And when shee came before her prince,
Shee kneeled low downe on her knee ;
U A boone, a boone, my Leege!" shee sayes,
" ffor Gods love grant itt mee ! "
"What is thy boone, Lady Butler?
Or what wold thou have of mee ? "
"What is thy boone, Lady Butler?
Or what wold thou have of mee ? " 90
" That ffalse Peeres of Lee, and my brother Stanley,
And William Savage, and all, may dye."
" Come you hither, Lady Butler,
Come you ower this stone ;
Wold you have three men ffor to dye,
All ffor the losse off one ?
" Come you hither, Lady Butler,
With all the speed you may ;
If thou wilt come to London, Lady Butler,
Thou shalt goe home Lady Gray." 100
ffi
nis
1 10
WILL STEWART AND JOHN
Adlatts parke is wyde and broad,
And grasse growes greene in our countrye ;
Eche man can gett the love of his ladye,
But alas, I can gett none of mine !
Itts by two men I sing my song,
Their names is William Stewart and John ;
William he is the elder brother,
But John hee is the wiser man.
But William he is in carebed layd,
And for the love of a ffaire ladye ; i o
If he have not the love of the Erie of Mars daughter,
In ffaith ffor love that he must dye.
Then John was sorry ffor his brother,
To see him lye and languish soe ;
"What doe you mourne for, brother? " he saies,
" I pray you tell to me your woe.
" Doe you mourne for gold, brother? " he saies,
" Or doe you mourne ffor ffee?
Or doe you mourne for a like-some ladye
You never saw her with your eye? ,: 20
" I doe not mourne for gold," he saies,
" Nor I doe not mourne for any ffee;
But I doe mourne for a likcsome ladye,
I neere blinke on her with mine eye."
1 1 1
" But when harvest is gotten, my deere brother, —
All this is true that I tell thee, —
Gentlemen, they love hunting well,
And give wight men their cloth and ffee ;
" Then He goe a wooing ffor thy sake
In all the speed that I can gone, 30
And for to see this likesome ladye,
And hope to send thee good tydings home."
John Stewart is gone a wooing for his brother
Soe ffarr into ffaire Scottland,
And left his brother in mikle ffeare
Untill he heard the good tydand.
And when he came to the Erie of Mars his house,
Soe well he could his curtesye,
And when he came before the erle,
He kneeled low downe upon his knee. 40
" O rise up, rise up, John Steward !
Rise up, now, I doe bidd thee ;
How doth thy ffather, John Stewart,
And all the lords in his countrye ? "
"And itt please you, my lord, my ffather is dead,
My brother and I cannott agree,
My brother and I am ffallen att discord,
And I am come to crave a service of thee."
" O welcome, welcome, John Stewart !
A welcome man thou art to me! 50
He make thee chamberlaine to my daughter,
And ffor to tend of that ladye soe ffree.
112
"And if thou wilt have a better office,
Aske, and thou shalt have itt of mee ;
And where I give other men a penny of wage,
Inffaith, John, thou shalt have three."
And then bespake him John Stewart,
And these were the words said hee,
u There is no office in your court
This dav that better pleaseth mee." 60
The ffryday is gone, the Sunday is come, —
All this is true that I doe say, —
And to the church that they be gone,
John Stewart and the lady gay ;
And as they did come home againe,
I-wis itt was a meeten mile,
John Stewart and the lady gay,
They thought itt but a little while.
" I am a messenger, ladye," he saies,
" I am a messenger to thee." 70
" O speake ffor thy selfe, John Stewart," shee saies,
"A welcome man that thou shalt bee! r
" Nay, by my ffaith," saies John Stewart,
"Which ever, alas, that may not bee!
He hath a higher degree in honour,
Alias, ladye, then ever I !
" He is a lord now borne by birth,
And an erle affter his ffather doth dye;
His haire is yellow, his eyes beene gray ;
All this is true that I tell yee. 80
Q 113
" He is ffine in the middle, and small in the wast,
And pleasant in a womans eye ;
And more nor this, he dyes for your love,
Therfore, lady, show some pittye."
" If this be soe," then saies the lady,
" If this be true that thou tells mee,
By my ffaith then, John Stewart,
I can love him hartilye.
" Bidd him meete me att St. Patrickes Church
On Sunday after St. Andrews Day ; 90
The fflower of Scottland will be there,
And then begins our summers play.
"And bidd him bring with him a hundred gunners,
And rawnke ryders lett them bee,
And lett them bee of the rankest ryders
That be to be ffound in that countrye.
" They best and worst, and all in like,
Bidd him cloth them in one liverye ;
And ffor his men, greene is the best,
And greene now lett their liveryes bee; 100
"And clothe himselfe in scarlett redd,
That is soe seemlye ffor to see ;
ffor scarlett is a ffaire coulour,
And pleasant allwayes in a womans eye.
" He must play sixteene games att ball
Against the men of this countrye,
And if he winn the greater part
Then I shall love him more tenderlye."
114
What the lady said, John Stewart writt,
And to Argyle Castle sent it hee ; no
And when Willie Steward saw the letter,
fforth of care-bed then lope hee.
Hee mustered together his merry men all,
Hee mustered them so lovelilye,
Hee thought hee had had scarson halfe a hundred
Then had hee eleven score and three.
He chose fforth a hundred of the best
That were to be ffound in that countrye,
He cladd them all in one coulour,
And greene I-wis their liveryes bee. 120
He cladd himselfe in scarlett redd,
That is soe seemelye ffor to see ; —
ffor scarlett is a ffaire coulor,
And seemlye in a womans eye ; —
And then towards Patricke Church he went
With all his men in brave array,
To gett a sight, if he might,
And speake with his lady gay.
When they came to Patrickes Churche,
Shee kneeled downe by her mother trulye : 130
"O mother, if itt please you to give me leave,
The Stewarts horsse ffaine wold I see."
" He give you leave, my deere daughter,
And I and my maide will goe with yee : "
The lady had rather have gone her selfe,
Then have had her mothers companye.
ii5
When they came before Willie Steward,
Soe well hee cold his curtesye,
" I wold kisse your daughter, ladye," he said,
"And if your will that soe itt bee." 140
The ladyes mother was content
To doe a straunger that curtesye ;
And when Willie had gotten a kisse,
I-wis shee might have teemed him three.
Sixteen games were plaid that day there, —
This is the truth as I doe say, —
Willie Stewart and his merry men,
They carryed twelve of them away.
And when they games that they were done,
And all they ffolkes away were gone 150
But the Erie of Marrs and William Stewart,
And the erle wold needs have William home.
And when they came unto the erles howse,
They walked to a garden greene ;
ffor to confferr of their bussines,
Into the garden they be gone.
" I love your daughter," saies William Stewart,
" But I cannott tell whether she loveth mee."
" Marry, God defend," saies the Erie of March,
"That ever soe that itt shold bee! 160
" I had rather a gallowes there was made,
And hange thee fTor my daughters sake ;
I had rather a ffyer were made att a stake,
And burne thee ffor my daughters sake !
1 16
" To chamber, to chamber, gay ladye," he saies,
u In the devills name now I bidd thee!
And thou gett thee not to the chamber soone
He beate thee before the Stewarts eye."
And then bespake William Stewart,
These were the words said hee, 170
" If thou beate thy daughter for my sake,
Thoust beate a hundred men and mee."
Then bespake John Stewart, —
Lord ! an angry man was hee, —
" O churle, if thou wouldest not have macht with my
brother,
Thou might have answerd him curteouslye."
" O hold thy peace, John Stewart,
And chamber thy words now, I bidd thee ;
If thou chamber not thy words soone,
Thoust loose a good service ; soe shalt thou doe
me." 180
" Marry ! hang them that cares," saies John Stewart,
" Either fror thy service or fFor thee !
Services can I have enoughe,
But brethren wee must ever bee."
William Stewart and his brother John,
To Argyle Castle gon they bee;
And when Willye came to Argyle Castle,
Into carebedd then lope hee.
A parlaiment att Edenborrow was made,
The King and his nobles all mett there; 190
They sent ffor William Stewart and John,
To come amongst the other peeres.
117
Their clothing was of scarlet* redd,
That was soe seemelye ffor to see ;
Blacke hatts, white ffeathers plewed with gold,
And sett all on their heads trulye.
Their stockings were of twisted silke,
With garters ffringed about with gold,
Their shoes were of the cordevine,
And all was comelye to behold. 200
And when they came to Edenborrowe,
They called ffor John Stewart and Willie :
I answer in a lords roome," saies Will Stewart,
" But an erle I hope to bee."
" Come downe, come downe," saies the Lord of Mars,
" I knew not what was thy degree."
"O churle, if I might not have macht with thy daughter,
Itt had not beene long of my degree.
" My ffather, hee is the King his brother,
And then the King is unckle to me; 210
O churle, if I might not have macht with thy daughter,
Itt had not beene long of my degree."
" O hold your peace," then sayd the King,
" Cozen William, I doe bidd thee;
Infaith, cozen William, he loves you the worsse
Because you are a-kinn to mee.
" He make thee an erle with a silver wande,
And adde more honors still to thee ;
Thy brother Jhon shall be a lord
Of the best att home in his countrye. 220
118
" Thy brother Kester shalbe a knight,
Lands and livings I will him give,
And still hee shall live in court with mee,
And He maintaine him whilest he doth live."
And when the parlaiment was done,
And all the ftolkes away were gone,
Willye Stewart and John his brother,
To Argyle Castle they be gone.
But when they came to Argyle Castle
That was soe ffarr in that countrye, 230
He thought soe much then of his love,
That into carebedd then lope hee.
John Stewart did see his brother soe ill :
Lord ! in his heart that hee was woe ;
" I will goe wooing for thy sake
Againe yonder gay ladye to.
" He cloth my selfe in strange array,
In a beggars habbitt I will goe,
That when I come before the Erie of March
My clothing strange he shall not knowe." 240
John hee gott on a clouted cloake,
Soe meete and low then by his knee,
With four garters upon one legg,
Two above, and towe below trulye.
" But if thou be a beggar, brother,
Thou art a beggar that is unknowne ;
fror thou art one of the stoutest beggars
That ever I saw since I was borne.
119
" Heere, geeve the lady this gay gold ringe,
A token to her that well is knowne ; 250
And if shee but advise itt well,
Sheele know some time itt was her owne."
" Stay, by my ffaith, I goe not yett,"
John Stewart, he can replye ;
" He have my bottle ffull of beere,
The best that is in thy butterye;
"He have my sachell ffilld full of meate,
I am sure, brother, will doe noe harme;
ffor, before I come to the Erie of Marrs his house,
My lipps, I am sure, they wilbe warme." 260
And when he came to the Erie of Marrs house,
By chance itt was of the dole day ;
But John cold ffind no place to stand
Untill he came to the ladye gaye.
But many a beggar he threw downe,
And made them all with weeping say,
" He is the devill, hee is no beggar,
That is come fforth of some strange countrye ! "
And now the dole that itt is delte,
And all the beggars be gon away 270
Saving John Stewart, that seemed a beggar,
And the ladye that was soe gay.
"Lady," sais John, "I am no beggar,
As by my clothes you may thinke that I bee ;
I am your servant, John Stewart,
And I am sent a messenger to thee."
120
" But if thou be John Stewart,
As I doe thinke that thou bee,
Avayle thy capp, avayle thy hoode,
And I will stand and speake to thee. 280
" How doth thy brother, John Stewart,
And all the lords in his countrye ? "
" O ffye upon thee, wicked woman !
My brother he doth the worsse ffor thee."
With that the teares stood in her eyes;
Lord ! shee wept soe tenderlye ;
Sais, " Ligg the blame unto my ffather ;
1 pray you, John Stewart, lay itt not to mee!
" Comend me to my owne true love
That lives soe farr in the north countrye, 290
And bidd him meete me att Martingsdale
ffullye within these dayes three.
" Hang them," sais the lady gay,
" That letts their ffather witting bee !
He prove a lady ffull of love,
And be there by the sunn be a quarter highe.
"And bidd him bring with him a hundred gunners,
And ranke riders lett them bee,
Lett them be of the rankest ryders
That be to be ffound in that countrye. 300
" The best and worse, and all in like,
Bidd him clothe them in one liverye ;
And for his men, greene is the best,
And greene now lett their liveryes bee ;
r 121
"And cloth himselfe in scarlett redd,
That is soe seemelye for to see ;
For scarlett is a ffaire coulor,
And pleasant in a womans eye."
What they lady sayd, John Steward writt,
To Argyle Castle sent itt hee; 310
His bagg and his dish, and showing home,
Unto three beggars he gave them all three.
And when Willie Stewart saw the letter,
fforth of carebed then lope hee ;
He thought himselfe as lustye and sound
As any man in that countrye.
He mustered together his merrymen all,
He mustered them soe lovinglye ;
He thought he had had scarce halfe a hundred,
Then had hee eleven score and three. 320
He chose fforth a hundred of the best
That were to be found in that companye,
And presentlye they tooke their horsse,
And to Martingsdale posted hee.
And when he came to Martingsdale,
He found his love staying there trulye,
For shee was a lady true of love,
And was there by sunn was a qwarter highe.
Shee kisst William Stewart and his brother John,
Soe did shee part of his merry men; 330
" If the churle, thy ffather, hee were here,
He shold not have thee backe againe."
122
They sent ffor preist, they sent ffor clarke,
And they were marryed there with speede ;
William tooke the lady home with him,
And they lived together long time indeed.
And in twelve monthe soe they wrought,
The lady shee was great with childe ;
They sent John Stewart to the Erie off Marre
To come and christen the barne soe milde. 340
"And if this be soe," sayes the Erie of Marre,
John Stewart, as thou tells mee ;
I hope in God you have marryed my daughter,
And put her bodye to honestye."
" Nay, by my ffaith," then saies John Stewart,
" ffor ever alas that shall not bee ;
ffor now wee have put her body to shame,
Thoust have her againe hame to thee."
" I had rather make thee Erie of Marre,
And marry my daughter unto thee; 350
ffor by my ffaith," sais the Erie of Marr,
" Her marryage is marrd in our countrye."
" If this be soe," then sais John Stewart,
"A marryage soone that thou shalt see;
ffor my brother William, my ffathers heyre,
Shall marry thy daughter before thine eye."
They sent ffor preist, they sent ffor clarke,
And marryed there they were with speed ;
And William Stewart is Erie of Marr,
And his frather-in-law dwells with him indeed. 360
ffinis
I2 3
NOW THE SPRINGE IS COME
Now the spring is come, turne to thy love, to thy love,
To thy love, to thy love, without delay !
Where the fflowers spring, and birds doe singe
Their sweete tunes : || : || : doe not stay !
Where I shall ffill thy lapp with fflowers,
And cover thee with shady bowers.
Come away, come awaye,
Come away, and doe not stay !
Shall I languish still for thy love,
Still ffor thy love : || : || : without releffe ? 10
Shall my ffaith soe well aproved
Now dispayre : || : | : with my greeffe?
Where shall vertue then be ffound
But where bewtye doth abound ? Come away ! etc.
fflora heere hath made a bedd ffor my love,
ffor my love : || : || : of roses redd.
Phebus beames to stay are bent,
ffor to yeeld : || : || : my love content,
And the pleasant eglantine
Mixt with a thousand fflowers fine. Come away ! etc. 20
Hearke ! the nightingale doth singe
ffor my love : etc. : the woods doe ringe.
Pan, to please my love, allwayes
Pipethe there : etc. : his roundelayes.
And the pleasant rushye brookes,
And every fflower, for my love lookes. Come away ! etc.
124
Bewtyes queen with all her traine
Doth attend : etc. : my love upon the plaine ;
Trippinge satyres dancinge move
Delight : etc. : my bewtyous love 30
The muses nine, with musicke sweete
Doe all attend, my love to meete. Come away ! etc.
ffairest ffaire ! then turne to thy love,
To thy love : etc. : that looves thee best!
Lett sweete pittye move ! grant love for love
Like the dove : etc. : let our love for ever rest !
Crowne my desires with a thousand joyes !
Thy love revives, thy hate destroyes. Come away ! etc.
ffinis
125
BOSWORTH FFEILDE
God that shope both sea and land,
And ffor all creatures dyed ont tree,
Save and keepe the realme of England
To live in peace and tranquillitye !
St. George, to us a sheild thou bee !
ffor we have cause to pray, both old and younge,
With a stedfast hart ffull devatlye,
And say, "Welcome Henery, right-wise King!"
Welcome, right-wise King, and joy-royall,
He that is grounded with grace! 10
Welcome the ffortune that hath befall,
Which hath beene seene in many a place !
Who wend that England as itt was,
Soe suddenlye changed shold have beene ?
Therfore lett us thanke God of His grace,
And say, " Welcome Henery, right-wise King ! "
How had wee need to remember, and to our minds call
How England is transported miraculouslye
To see the great mischeefe that hath befall
Sith the martyrdome of the holy King Henery! 20
How many lords have beene deemed to dye,
Young innocents that never did sinn !
Therfore lett us thanke God hartilye,
And say, " Welcome Henery, right-wise King ! '
126
Some time a king raigned in this land,
That was Edward of hye ffelicytye ;
He was dowted and dread, as I understand,
Through all the nations in Christentye ;
He served Jesus ffull heartilye :
These examples may be taken by him 30
Which hath prevailed him with royaltye
To weare the crowne and be our King.
For with tounge I have heard it told,
When Henery was in a ffar cuntrye,
That three times he was bought and sold
Throughe the might of gold and ffee.
He served Jesus ffull hartylye :
This example may be said by him
Which prevailed right royallye
To weare the crowne and be our King. 40
They banished him over the fflood,
Over the fflood and streames gray ;
Yett his right in England was good,
As herafter know you may.
There was hee banished over the fHoode,
And into a strange land they can him bring ;
That time raigned Richard with royaltye,
He ware the crowne and was our Kinge.
That was well seene att streames stray ;
Att Milford Haven, when he did appeare 50
With all his lords in royall array,
He said to them that with him weare :
127
" Into England I am entred heare,
My heritage is this land within ;
They shall me boldlye bring and beare,
And loose my liffe, but He be King.
"Jesus that dyed on Good ffryday,
And Marry mild thats ffull of might,
Send me the love of the Lord Stanley !
He marry ed my mother, a lady bright ; 60
" That is long sith I saw her with sight ;
I trust in Jesu wee shall meete with winne,
And I shall maintaine her honor right
Over all England when I am Kinge.
" Had I the love of that lord in rich array
That hath proved his manhood soe well att need,
And his brother Sir William, the good Stanley ; —
A better knight never umstrode steede !
" That hath beene seene in mickle dreed ;
Much was the worshipp that happened him ; 70
A more nobler knight att neede
Came never to maintaine Kinge."
Now leave wee Henery, this prince royall,
And talke of Richard in his dignitye,
Of the great misfortune did him befall :
The causer of his owne death was hee.
Wicked councell drew Richard neere,
Of them that had the prince in their guiding ;
ffor wicked councell doth mickle deere,
That bringeth downe both emperour and king. 80
128
The Lord Stanley both sterne and stout, —
He might be called fflower of fflowers, — man dye.
That was well seene without doubt
Att Barwicke walls with towers hye ;
When all the lords of England let itt bee,
That castle wightlye can hee winn.
Was there ever lord in England, ffare or nere,
That did such jorney to his Kinge ?
Then Richard bade a messenger to ffare
Soe ffare into the west countrye go
To comfort his knights, squiers lesse and more,
And to set good rule amongst his comintye.
Then wicked councell drew Richard neere :
These were they words they said to him,
"Wee thinke yee worke unwittylye
In England, and yee will continue King.
" ffor why, the Lord Stanley is lent in this land,
The Lord Strange, and the Chamberlaine ; these
three
They may show upon a day a band
Such as may noe lorde in Christentye. ioo
" Lett some of them under your bondage bee,
If any worshipp you thinke to winn ;
Or else short while continue shall yee
In Enojand to be our Kinge."
to to
Then they made out messengers with maine and might
Soe ffarr into the west countrye ;
To the Lord Stanley that noble knight
They kneeled downe upon their knee
s 129
And said, " Richard that raignes with royal tye,
Emperour of England this day within, no
Hee longeth you sore, my lord, to see ;
You must come and speake with our Kinge."
Then they lord busked him upon a day
To ryde to King Richard with royaltye,
And hee ffell sicke att Manchester by the way :
As the will of God is, all things must bee.
The Lord Strange then called he him nee ;
These were the words hee said to him :
" In goodlye hast now ryde must yee
To witt the will of Richard, our Kinge." 120
Then this lord bowned him frull right
To ryde to King Richard hastilye.
When hee came before his soverraigine in sight,
He kneeled downe upon his knee.
" Welcome Lord Strange, and kinsman nye ! "
These were the words he said to him :
" Was ther eever any baron in England of ancetrye
Shold be soe welcome to his Kinge ? "
Alas that ever he cold soe say,
Soe ffroward a hart as hee had under! 130
That was well seene after upon a day ;
Itt cast him and his crowne assunder,
And brought his body into bale and blunder,
These wicked words he cold begin ;
Thus ffalshood endeth in shame and wonder,
Whether itt be with emperour or king.
130
Of itt heere is no more to say,
But shortlye to ward comanded was hee.
New messengers were made without delay
Soe ffarr into the west countrye 14.0
To the Lord Stanley soe wise and wittye :
These were the words they sayd to him,
" You must raise those that under you bee,
And all the power that you may bringe ; '
" Yonder cometh Richmond over the fflood
With many allyants out of ffarr countrye,
Bold men of bone and blood ;
The crowne of England chalengeth hee.
" You must raise those that under you bee,
And all the power that yee may bringe, 150
Or else the Lord Strange you must never see,
Which is in danger of our King."
In a studye this lord can stand,
And said, " Deere Jesus ! how may this bee ?
I draw wittenes to Him that shope both sea and land,
That I never delt with noe trecherye.
" Richard is a man that hath no mercye ;
Hee wold mee and mine into bondage bringe ;
Therfore cleane against him will I bee,
Of all England though hee bee King." 160
Then another messenger he did appeare
To William Stanley, that noble knight,
And saith, " Richard that weareth the crowne soe cleare,
And in his empire raigneth right,
I3 1
" Willeth you to bring your power to helpe him to ffight;
ffor all his trust itt is you in."
Then answered that gentle knight,
" I have great marveill of your King;
" He keepeth there my nephew, my brothers heyre ; —
A truer knight is not in Christentye; — 170
That Richard shall repent ffull sore,
ffor any thing that I can see.
" Bidd him array him with royaltye
And all the power that hee may bringe ;
ffor hee shall either fright or fffee,
Or loose his liffe, if hee bee Kinge.
" I make mine avow to Marye, that may,
And to her sonne that dyed on tree,
I will make him such a breakefast upon a day
As never made knight any King in Cristentye ! 180
" Tell thou King Richard these words ffrom mee :
ffor all the power that he may bringe,
In the ffeild he shall either ffight, or fflee,
Or loose his liffe or hee be Kinge."
Then this messenger fforth hee went
To carry to King Richard with royaltye,
And saith, " In yonder countrye I have beene sent,
Soe greeved men are not in Christentye
" ffor love of the lord Strange that in bale doth bee."
These were the words hee sayd to him: 190
" You must either ffight or fflee,
Or loose your liffe, if you bee Kinge."
132
Att that King Richard smiled small,
And sware, " By Jesu flull of might,
When they are assembled with their powers all,
I wold I had the great Turke against me to flight,
" Or Prester John in his armor bright,
The Sowdan of Surrey with them to bringe !
Yett with manhood and with might
In England I shold continue King. 200
" I sweare by Jesu that dyed on a tree,
And by His mother that mayden blythe,
flrom the towne of Lancaster to Shrewsburye,
Knight nor squier lie leave none alive.
" I shall kindle their cares rifle,
And give their lands to my knights keene ;
Many a man shall repent the while
That ever they rose against their King.
" flrom the Holy-head to St. Davids land,
Where now be towers and castles hye, 210
I shall make parkes and plaine fleilds to stand,
flrythes ffaire, and ftorrests ffree.
" Ladyes c well-away ! ' shall crye ;
Widdowes shall weepe, and their hands wringe ;
Many a man shall repent that day
That ever they rose against their Kinge."
Then he made out messengers with maine and might
Throughout England ffarr and neere,
To duke, erle, barron, and knight,
And to every man in his degree. 220
T 1 O
l 6S
You never heard tell of such a companye
Att sowte, seege, nor noe gatheringe:
Parte of their names heere shall yee
That came that day to serve their King.
Thither came the Duke of Norffolke upon a day,
And the Erie of Surrey that was his heyre;
The Erie of Kent was not away,
The Erie of Shrewsbury breme as beare.
The Erie of Lincolne wold not spare,
The Erie of Northumberland ready bowne, 230
The Erie of Westmoreland great othes sware,
All they said Richard shold keepe his crowne.
Theres was my Lord Zouch, sad att assay,
My Lord Mattrevis, a noble knight ;
Young Arrundell dight him upon a day,
The Lord Wells, both wise and wight ;
The Lord Gray Cotner in his armour bright,
The Lord Bowes made him bowne,
The Lord Audley was ffeirce to ffight,
And all said Richard shold keepe his crowne. 240
There was my Lord Bartley, sterne on a steede,
The Lord fferryes of Chartlye, the Lord flerryes of
Strobe,
The Lord Bartlev noble att neede,
Chamberlaine of England that day was hee.
The Lord ffittz Hugh, and his cozen nye,
The Lord Scroope of Upsall, the Lord Scroope of
Bolton ;
The Lord Dacres raised all the north cuntrye ;
And all said Richard shold keepe his crowne.
*34
There was many nobles mustered to ffight :
The Lord Audley and the Lord Lumley, 25c
The Lord Gray-stocke in his armour bright,
He brought with him a noble companye,
He sware by Jesus that dyed on a tree,
"That his enemyes shold be beaten downe ;
He was not in England, ffarr nor neere,
That shold lett Richard to weare his crowne."
There was Sir John Spencer, a noble knight,
Sir Raph Hare-bottle in rich array,
Sir William Ward, alwayes that was wight,
Sir Archeobald, the good Rydley ; 260
Sir Nicholas Moberly was not away,
Nor yett Sir Robert of Clotten,
Alsoe Sir Oliver, the hend Horsley ;
All said Richard shold keepe his crowne.
There was Sir Henery Percy, sterne on steede,
Sir Roger Bowmer in his companye,
Sir Richard Manners, noble att neede,
Soe was Sir Henery the hend Hatteley ;
Sir Robert Conway in companye,
Sir Raphe Smyth and Sir Roger Akerston, 270
And Sir William, his cozen nye ;
And all sayd Richard shold keepe his crowne.
There was a noble knight, Sir John the Gray,
And Sir Thomas of Mountgomerye ;
Sir Rodger Sanfort was not away ;
ffrom London came Sir Robert Brakenburye ;
135
Sir Henery Bowdrye was not away,
Nor yett Sir Richard the good Chorlton ;
Sir Raphe Robbye made him yare ;
All said Richard wold keepe his crowne. 280
There was Sir Marmaduke Constable, a noble knight,
Of King Richards councell hee was nye ;
Sir William Conyous, allwayes that was wight,
Sir Robert Thribald with his meanye ;
Soe was Sir Martine of the Wardley,
And Sir Richard the good Hortton,
And Sir Richard Rosse sware smartlye
That King Richard shold keepe his crowne.
There was Sir Robert, the sterne Sturley;
Sir John of Melton, thither came hee, 290
Sir Garvis Clyfton in rich array,
Sir Henery Perpoint in his degree,
Sir Thomas North with royaltye,
And alsoe Sir John of Babington,
Sir Humphrey Stafford sware certainelye
That King Richard shold keepe his crowne.
There was Sir Robert Ryder, a man of might,
Sir Robert Utridge in his dignitye ;
Sir John Huntington was ffeirce to ffight,
Soe was Sir John Willmarley. 300
Sir Robert Swayley with royalltye,
And alsoe Sir Bryan of Stableton,
And Sir William his cozen nye,
And all said Richard shold keepe his crowne.
136
There was Sir Richard RatclifFe, a noble knight,
Of King Richards councell was hee ;
Sir William his brother was ffeirce to flight,
And Sir Thomas, they were brethren three.
And Sir Richard the Mallinere,
And Sir John the good Hortton, 310
And Sir Thomas the good Mallynere,
And all said Richard shold keepe his crowne.
There was Sir Raphe Dacres out of the north,
And Sir Christopher the Moresbye ;
Sir William Musgreave was stifle to stand,
Soe was Sir Alexander flawne in his dignitye.
Sir George Murkenffeild behind wold not bee,
Nor yett Sir Thomas the doughtye Broughton ;
Sir Christopher Owen made him readye,
And all sayd Richard shold weare his crowne. 320
There was Sir William Tempest out of the vale,
And Sir Richard his cozen nye ;
Sir Raph Ashton, hee made not ffaile,
Sir Thomas Maclefeild in companye.
Sir Richard Ward behind wold not bee,
Nor yett Sir Robert of Middleton ;
Sir John Coleburne sware certainelye
That King Richard shold keepe his crowne.
There was Sir John Nevill of bloud so hye,
Sir John Hurlstean in rich arraye, 330
Sir Rodger Heme behind wold not bee,
Sir James Harrington, sad att assay,
T 137
Sir Robert his brother was not away,
Nor yett Sir Thomas of Pilkinton ;
And all these, great othes sware they
That King Richard shold keepe his crowne.
Had wee not need to Jesu to pray,
That made the world, the day and night,
To keepe us out of bale and woe?
Two shires against all England to flight, 340
And maintaine Henery that came ffor his right,
And in the realme of England was ready bowne !
frreinds, and yee will hearken me right,
I shall tell you how Henery gott his crowne.
The Lord Stanley sterne and stout,
That ever hath beene wise and wittye,
ffrom Latham Castle withouten doubt
Uppon a Munday bowned hee
With knights and squiers in companye.
They had their banners in the sunn glitteringe 5350
They were as ffeirce as ffawcon to fflye,
To maintaine Henery that was their King.
Then this lord bowned him upon a day
With noble men in companye ;
Towards Newcastle under Line he tooke the way,
And told his men both gold and ffee.
Sir William Stanley wise and wight,
ffrom the castle of Holt with holts hye
To the Nantwich hee rydeth straight,
And tooke his men wages of gold and ffee. 360
138
All the north Wales ffor the most partye,
The fflower of Cheshire, with him hee did bringe ;
Better men were not in Christentye,
That ever came to maintaine their King.
Erly upon Twesday att morne
Sir William Stanley, that noble knight,
Removed ffrom Nantwiche to the towne of Stone, —
By them was Henery come to Stafford straight, —
He longed sore to see him in sight,
And straight to Stafford towne is gone, 370
And kneeled downe anon-right,
And by the hand he hath him tane :
Hee said, " I am ffull glad of thee; "
And these were the words he said to him :
" Through the helpe of my lord thy fFather, and thee,
I trust in England to continue Kinge."
o o
Then he hent that noble prince by the hand,
And said, "Welcome my soverraigne King Henery!
Chalenge thy herytage and thy land,
That thine owne is, and thine shall bee. 380
" Be eger to flight, and lothe to fflee !
Let manhood be bredd thy brest within !
And remember another day who doth flor thee,
Of all England when thou art Kinge."
After, there was noe more to say,
But leave of the prince he hath taken,
And came againe by light of the day
To the litle prettye towne of Stone.
J39
Early upon Saturday att morne,
To Lichffeild they remove, both old and
younge. 390
Att Woosley bridge them beforne,
There had they a sight of our Kinge.
And to Lichefeild they ridden right,
With answerable army came royallye :
To nomber the companye that was with the knight,
Itt was a goodlye sight to see.
Guns in Lichefeild they cracken on hye
To cheere the countye both more and min,
And glad was all the chivalrye
That was on Heneryes parte, our Kinge. 400
Throughout Lichefeild rydeth the knight,
On the other side there tarryed hee ;
A messenger came to him straight,
And kneeled downe upon his knee,
And saith, " The Lord Stanley is his enemy nye,
That are but a litle way ffrom him ;
They will ffight within these houres three
With Richard that is Englands Kinge."
" That wold I not," the knight can say,
" ffor all the gold in Christentye ! " 410
Towards Tamworth he tooke the way,
And came to Hattersey, and neighed nye
Where the Lord Stanley in a dale cold bee,
With trumpetts and tabours tempered with him :
Itt was a comelye sight to see
As ever was to maintaine Kinge.
140
All that night there tarry ed they,
And upon the Sunday Gods service did see.
Toward the ffeild they did them array ;
The vawward the Lord Stanley tooke hee 420
Sir William Stanley the rerward wold bee,
And his sonne Sir Edward with a winge.
They did remaine in their array
To waite the coming of Richard King.
Then they looked to a fforrest syde,
They hard trumpetts and tabours tempered on hye:
They thought King Richard had comen there,
And itt was the noble prince, King Henerye.
Over a river then rydeth hee ;
He brake the ray, and rode to him: 430
Itt was a comelye sight to see
The meeting of our Lord and Kinge. —
Then in their host there did flail affray
A litle time before the night ; —
You never saw men soe soone in their array
With ffell weapons ffeirce ffor to fright. —
Upon a keene courser that was wight,
Other lords with him hee cold bringe ;
Thus in array came ryding straight,
Henery of England, our noble Kinge. 440
He lowted low and tooke his hatt in his hand,
And thanked the states and cominaltye
" To quitt you all I understand ;
I trust in Jesu that day to see."
141
Many a cry in the host that night did bee ;
And anon the larke began to singe ;
Truth of the battell heere shall yee,
That ever was betweene King and King.
King Henery desired the vaward right
Of the Lord Stanley that was both wise and
witty e; 450
And hee hath granted him in sight,
And saith, " But small is your companye."
Four of the noble knights then called hee ;
Their names to you then shall I minge;
He bade array them with their chivalrye,
And goe to the vaward with our Kinge :
Sir Robert Tunsall, a noble knight,
And come of royall anceytree ;
Sir John Savage, wise and wight,
Sir Hugh Persall ; there was three : 460
Sir Humphrey Stanley the fourth did bee,
That proved noble in everye thinge ;
They did assay them with their chivalrye,
And went to the vaward with our Kinge.
The Lord Stanley both sterne and stout,
Two battells that day had hee
Of hardye men, withouten doubt
Better were not in Christentye.
Sir William, wise and worthye,
Was hindmust att the outsettinge ; 470
Men said that day that dyd him see,
Hee came betime unto our King.
142
Then he removed unto a mountaine full hye,
And looked into a dale ffull dread ;
Five miles compasse, no ground they see,
ffor armed men and trapped steeds.
Theyr armor glittered as any gleed ;
In four strong battells they cold fforth bring;
They seemed noble men att need
As ever came to maintaine a King. 480
The Duke of Norfolke avanted his banner bright,
Soe did the younge Erie of Shrevvsburye,
To the sun and wind right speedylye dight,
Soe did Oxfford, that erle, in companye.
To tell the array itt were hard ffor me,
And they noble power that they did bring,
And of the ordinance heere shall yee,
That had that day Richard our Kinge.
They had seven scores sarpendines without dout,
That were locked and chained uppon a row, 490
As many bombards that were stout ;
Like blasts of thunder they did blow.
Ten thousand morespikes with-all,
And harquebusyers, throwlye can they thringe
To make many a noble man to ffall
That was on Henerys part, our Kinge.
King Richard looked on the mountaines hye,
And sayd, "I see the banner of the Lord Stanley."
He said, " ffeitch hither the Lord Strange to mee,
ffor doubtlesse hee shall dye this day; 500
H3
" I make mine avow to Marye, that may,
That all the gold this land within
Shall not save his liffe this day,
In England iff I be Kinge ! "
Then they brought the Lord Strange into his sight;
He said, " ffbr thy death make thee readye."
Then answered that noble knight,
And said, "I crye God and the world mercye!
"And Jesus, I draw wittnesse to Thee
That all the world ffrom woe did winn, 510
Since the time that I borne did bee,
Was I never traitor to my Kinge."
A gentleman then called hee, —
Men said Latham was his name, —
"And ever thou come into my countrye,
Greete well my gentlemen eche one ;
" My yeomen large of blood and bone,
Sometimes we had mirth att our meetinge ;
They had a master, and now they have none,
ffbr heere I must be martyred with the Kinge." 520
There he tooke a ring of his fringar right,
And to that squier raught itt hee,
And said, " Beare this to my lady bright,
For shee may thinke itt longe or shee^may see;
" Yett att doomes day meete shall wee, —
I trust in Jesu that all this world shall winn —
In the celestyall heaven upon hye
In presence of a noble King.
144
"And the fTeild be lost upon our partye, —
As I trust in God itt shall not bee, — 530
Take my eldest sonne that is my heyre,
And fflee into some ffarr countrye.
" Yett the child a man may bee, —
Hee is comen of a lords kinn, —
Another day to revenge mee
Of Richard of England if he be King."
Then to King Richard there came a knight,
Saith, " I hold noe time about this to be.
See yee not the vavvards begining to flight ?
When yee have the frather, the unckle, all
three." 540
" Looke what death you will have them to dye ;
Att your will you may them deeme."
Through these ffortunate words eskaped hee
Out of the danger of Richard the Kinge.
Then the partyes countred together egerlye.
When the vawards began to fright,
King Henery ffought soe manffullye,
Soe did Oxford, that erle soe wight;
Sir John Savage, that hardy knight,
Deaths dints he delt that day 550
With many a white hood in fight,
That sad men were att assay.
Sir Gilbert Talbott was not away,
But stoutly stirred him in that fright ;
With noble men att assay
He caused his enemyes lowe to light.
u 145
Sir Hugh Persall, with sheild and speare
ffull doughtylye that day did hee ;
He bare him doughtye in this warr,
As a man of great degree. 560
King Richard did in his army stand,
He was numbered to forty thousand and three
Of hardy men of hart and hand,
That under his banner there did bee.
Sir William Stanley wise and worthie
Remembred the breakffast he hett to him ;
Downe att a backe then cometh hee,
And shortlye sett upon the Kinge.
Then they countred together sad and sore ;
Archers they lett sharpe arrowes fflee, 570
They shott guns both ffell and fFarr,
Bowes of vewe bended did bee,
Springalls spedd them speedylye,
Harquebusiers pelletts throughly did thringe ;
Soe many a banner began to swee
That v/as on Richards partye, their King.
Then our archers lett their shooting bee,
With joyned weapons were growden ffull right,
Brands rang on basenetts hye,
Battell-axes ffast on helmes did light. 580
There dyed many a doughtye knight,
There under ffoot can they thringe ;
Thus they frought with maine and might
That was on Heneryes part, our King.
146
Then to King Richard there came a knight,
And said, " I hold itt time ffor to fflee;
fror yonder Stanleys dints they be soe wight,
Against them no man may dree.
" Heere is thy horsse att thy hand readye ;
Another day thou may thy worshipp win, 590
And ffor to raigne with royaltye,
To weare the crowne, and be our King."
He said, " Give me my battell axe in my hand,
Sett the crowne of England on my head soe hye !
ffor by Him that shope both sea and land,
King of England this day I will dye !
" One ffoote will I never fflee
Whilest the breath is my brest within ! v
As he said, soe did itt bee;
If hee lost his liffe, if he were King. 600
About his standard can they light,
The crowne of gold they hewed him ffroe,
With dilfrull dints his death they dight,
The Duke of Norffolke that day they slowe.
The Lord fferrers and many other moe,
Boldlye on bere they can them bringe ;
Many a noble knight in his hart was throwe,
That lost his liffe with Richard the King.
There was slaine Sir Richard Ratcliffe, a noble knight,
Of King Richards councell was ffull nye; 610
Sir William Conyas, allwayes that- was wight,
And Sir Robert of Brakenburye.
H7
A knight there dyed that was ffull doughtye,
That was Sir Richard the good Chorlton ;
That day there dyed hee
With Richard of England that ware the crowne.
*£r
Amongst all other knights, remember
Which were hardy, and therto wight :
Sir William Brandon was one of those,
King Heneryes standard he kept on height, 620
And vanted itt with manhood and might
Untill with dints hee was driven downe,
And dyed like an ancyent knight,
With Henery of England that ware the crowne.
Sir Percivall Thriball, the other hight,
And noble knight, and in his hart was true ;
King Richards standard hee kept upright
Untill both his leggs were hewen him froe ;
To the ground he wold never lett itt goe,
Whilest the breath his brest was within; 630
Yett men pray ffor the knights two,
That ever was soe true to their King.
Then they moved to a mountaine on height,
With a lowde voice they cryed King Henery ;
The crowne of gold that was bright,
To the Lord Stanley delivered itt bee.
Anon to King Henery delivered itt hee,
The crowne that was soe delivered to him,
And said, " Methinke ye are best worthye
To weare the crowne and be our King." 640
148
Then they rode to Leister that night
With our noble prince King Henerye ;
They brought King Richard thither with might
As naked as he borne might bee,
And in Newarke laid was hee,
That many a one might looke on him.
Thus ffortunes raignes most marvelouslye
Both with Emperour and with King.
Now this doubtfull day is brought to an end,
Jesu now on their soules have mercye! 650
And Hee that dyed this world to amend,
Save Stanleys blood, where-soever they bee,
To remaine as lords with royaltye
When truth and conscyence shall spread and spring,
And that they bee of councell nye
To James of England that is our King !
ffi
nis
149
ACENEAS AND DIDO
Dido was a Carthage Queene,
And loved a Trojan knight,
That wandering, many a coste had seene,
And many a bloody ffight,
As they on hunting rocie^ a shower
Drove them in a loving hower,
Downe to a darkesome cave,
Wheras iEneas with his charmes
Locket Queene Didon in his amies,
And had what hee wold crave. 10
Dido Hymens rites fforg[o]tt,
Her love was winged with hast;
Her honor shee regarded not,
But in her brest him placet.
But when their loves were new begun,
Jove sent downe his winged sonne
To ffright Aeneas sleepe,
Who bade him by the breake of day
ffrom Queene Dido steale away,
Which made her wayle and weepe. 20
Dido wept, but what of this ?
The gods wold have itt soe ;
Aeneas nothing did amisse,
fFor he was fforcte to goe.
Learne, lordings, learne, no ftaith to keepe
With your loves, but lett them weepe ;
Itts ffolly to be true ;
And lett this story serve your turne,
And lett twenty Didoes burne,
Soe you gett dalye new. 30
ffinis
150
THE SQUIER
It : was a squier of England borne,
Fie wrought a fforffett against the crowne,
too t
Against the crowne and against the ffee :
In England tarry no longer durst hee,
fror hee was vexed beyond the ffome,
Into the Kings land of Hungarye.
He was no sooner beyond the ffome,
But into a service he was done ;
Such a service he cold him gett,
Fie served the Kings daughter in her seate ; 10
Such a service he was put in,
He served the Kings daughter with bread and wine ;
He served this lady at table and chesse
Till hee had woone her love to his.
He was made usher of the hall,
The setter of the lords both great and small.
The squier was soe curterous and kind,
Every man loved him and was his ffreind.
And alwaies when the squier was woe,
Into his arbour he would goe ; 20
The maple trees were ffaire and round,
The ffilbert hangs downe to the ground,
The jay jangles them amonge,
The marttin song both night and day,
The sparrow spread upon her spray,
The throstle song both night and day,
The swallow swooped too and ffroe :
The squiers hart was never soe woe,
He leaned his backe untill a thorne,
And said, "Alacke that ever I was borne! 30
That I had gold, soe had I ffee,
Marry I might yond ffaire ladye.
I5 1
O that I were borne of soe hye a kin,
The ladyes love that I might win ! "
The lady lay in her chamber hind,
And heard the squier still mourning ;
Shee pulled fforth a pin of ivorye,
Like the sun itt shone by and by ;
Shee opened the casement of a glasse,
Shee saw the squier well where hee was, 40
" Squier," shee sayes, " ffor whose sake
Is that mourning that thou dost make ? "
" Ladye," he sayes, " as I doe see,
Of my mourninge I dare not tell yee,
ffor you wold complaine unto our King,
And hinder me of my livinge."
" Squier," shee sais, " as I doe thrive,
Never while I am woman alive ! "
" Squier," shee saies, "if you will my love have,
Another ffashion you must itt crave, 50
ffor you must to the ffeild, and flight,
And dresse you like a[no]ther wise knight;
And ever the fformost I hold you ffirst,
And ever my ffather hold you next,
And hee will take such favor to yee,
Soone marryed together wee shalbee."
" Lady," he saies, " that is soone said:
How shold a man to the ffeild, was never arraid?
Lady," he said, " itt were great shame
A naked man shold ryde ffrom home." 60
" Thou shalt have gold, thou shalt have ffee,
Strenght of men and royaltye."
Shee went to a chest of ivorye,
And ffeitcht out a hundred pounds and three :
" Squier," shee saies, " put this in good lore;
When this is done, come ffeitch thee more."
Shee had no sooner these words all said,
But men about her chamber her ffather had laid :
!52
" Open your doore, my lady alone,
Heere is twenty, I am but one." 70
" I will never my dore undoe
ffor noe man that comes me to,
Nor I will never my dore unsteake
Untill I heare my ffather speake."
Then they tooke the squier alone,
And put him into a chamber of ffr[ane] ;
And to the gallow tree they be gone,
And ffeitched downe a hanged man.
They leaned him to her chamber dore,
The dead might frail upon the ffloore ; 80
They mangled him soe in the fface,
They lady might not know who he was.
Shee harde the swords ding and crye ;
The lady rose upp by and by
Naked as ever shee was borne,
Saving a mantle her beforne ;
Shee opened the chamber dore,
The dead man ffell upon the fflore.
"Alacke," shee saith, "and woe is aye!
Something to long that I have lay. 90
Alacke," shee sais, " that ever I was borne !
Squier, now thy liffe dayes are fforlorne !
I will take thy ffingars and thy fflax,
I will throwe them well in virgins wax ;
I will thy bowells outdrawe,
And bury them in Christyan grave ;
I will wrapp thee in a wrapp of lead,
And reare thee att my beds head.
Squier," shee sayes, "in powder thoust lye;
Longer kept thou cannott bee; 100
I will chest thee in a chest of stree,
And spice thee well with spicerye,
And bury thee under a marble stone,
And every day say my praiers thee upon,
x 153
And every day, whiles I am woman alive,
For thy sake gett masses ffive.
Through the praying of our Lady alone,
Saved may be the soule of the hanged man.
Squier," shee sais, " now ffor thy sake
I will never weare no clothing but blacke. no
Squier," shee sais, " He never looke att other thing,
Nor never weare mantle nor ringe."
Her ffather stood under an easing bore,
And heard his daughter mourning ever more ;
" Daughter," he sais, " ftor whose sake
Is that sorrow that still thou makes?"
" ffather," shee sais, " as I doe see,
Itt is ffor no man in Christentye.
ffather," shee sayes, " as I doe thrive,
Itt is ffor noe man this day alive; 120
ffor yesterday I lost my kniffe ;
Much rather had I have lost my liffe ! "
" My daughter," he sayes, " iff itt be but a blade,
I can gett another as good made."
" ffather," shee sais, " there is never a smith but one
That can smith you such a one."
"Daughter," hee sais, "to-morrow I will a hunting ffare,
And thou shalt ryde uppon thy chaire,
And thou shalt stand in such a place
And see thirty harts come all in a chase." 130
" ffather," shee sayes, " Godamercy,
But all this will not comfort mee."
" Daughter," he sais, " thou shalt sitt att thy meate,
And see the ffishes in the ffloud leape."
" ffather," shee sais, " Godamercy,
But all this will not comfort mee."
" Thy sheetes they shall be of they lawne,
Thy blanketts of the fffne ffustyan."
" ffather," shee sais, etc. - .
"And to thy bed I will thee bring, 140
154
Many torchers ffaire burninge."
" frather," shee sais, etc.
" If thou cannott sleepe, nor rest take,
Thou shalt have minstrells with thee to wake."
" frather," shee sais, etc.
" Peper and cloves shall be burninge,
That thou maist ffeele the sweet smellinge."
u frather," shee sais, etc.
"Daughter, thou had wont to have beene both white and
red ;
Now thou art as pale as beaten leade. 150
I have him in my keeping
That is both thy love and likinge."
He went to a chamber of ffrane,
And ffeitcht fforth the squier, a whales bone.
When shee looked the squier upon,
In a dead swoone shee ffell anon.
Throug kissing of that worthye wight,
Uprisse that lady bright.
" fFather," shee sayes, " how might you for sinn
Have kept us two lovers in twin? " 160
" Daughter," he said, " I did ffor no other thinge
But thought to have marryed thee to a king."
To her marriage came kings out of Spaine,
And kings out of Almaigne,
And kings out of Normandye,
Att this ladyes wedding fror to bee.
A long month and dayes three,
Soe long lasted this mangerye.
Thirty winters and some deale moe,
Soe longe lived these lovers too. 170
ffinis
*55
O NOBLE FESTUS
Am : I mad, O noble ffestus,
When zeale and godlye knowledge
Put me in hope to deale with the Pope
As well as the best in the colledge?
Boldlye I preacht "war and cross war a surplus,
Miters, copes, and rochetts !
Come heare me pray nine times a day,
And frill your head with crochetts."
In the house of pure Emanuell
I had my educatyon, 10
Till my ffreinds did surmise I dazled my eyes
With the light of revelation.
Boldlye I preacht etc.
They bound me like a bedlam,
And lasht my four poore quarters.
While this does endure, ffaith makes me sure
To be one of ffox his martyres.
Boldlye I preacht etc.
These injuryes I sufferd
With Antichrists perswasion.
Lett loose my chaine ! neither Roome nor Spaine
Can withstand my strong invasyon. 20
Boldlye I preacht etc.
I assailed the seaven-hild cittye
Where I mett the great redd dragon ;
I kept him alooffe with the armor proofte
Though e now I have never a ragg on.
Boldlye I preacht etc.
156
With a ffiery sword and targett,
Twice ffought I with this monster ;
But the sonnes of pryde my zeale doe deryde,
And all my deeds misconster.
Boldly I preacht etc.
I unhorset the hore of Babell
With the launce of inspiration ; 30
I made her stinke, and spill the drinke
In the cupp of abbominatyon.
Boldlye I preacht etc.
ffrom the beast with ten homes, Lord blesse us,
I have plucket of three allreadye ;
If theyle lett me alone, He leave him none ;
But they say I am too headye.
Boldlye I preacht etc.
I saw two in the visyon,
With a fflying booke betweene them.
I have beene in dispaire five times in a yeere,
And beene cured by reading Greenham. 40
Boldlye I preacht etc.
I have read in Perkins table
The blacke line of damnatyon ;
These crooked vaines long stucke in my braines,
That I ffeared my reprobacion.
Boldlye I preacht etc.
In the holy tounge of Cannan
I placed my cheefest treasure,
Till I hurt my ffoot with an Hebrew roote
That I bled beyond all measure.
Boldlye I preacht etc.
i$7
I was before the Archbishoppe
And all the hye Comissyon ; 5°
I gave him no grace, but told him to his fface
That he flavoured superstition.
Boldly e I preacht etc.
ffinis
i S 8
CARLE OFF CARLILE
■>
Listen : to me a litle stond,
Yee shall heare of one that was sober and sound
Hee was meeke as maid in bower,
Stiffe and strong in every stoure ;
Certes withouten ffable
He was one of the Round Table ;
The knights name was Sir Gawaine,
That much worshipp wan in Brittaine.
The ile of Brittaine called is
Both England and Scottland I-wis; 10
Wales is an angle to that ile,
Where King Arthur sojorned a while ;
With him twenty-four knights told,
Besids barrons and dukes bold.
The King to his bishopp gan say,
" We will have a masse to-day,
Bishopp Bodwim shall itt done :
After, to the ffairest wee will gone,
ffor now itts grass time of the yeere,
Barrons bold shall breake the deere. 20
ffaine theroff was Sir Marrocke,
Soe was Sir Kay, the knight stout ;
fraine was Sir Lancelott Dulake,
Soe was Sir Percivall, I undertake ;
ffaine was Sir Ewaine
And Sir Lott of Lothaine,
Soe was the knight of armes greene,
And alsoe Sir Gawaine the sheene.
Sir Gawaine was steward in Arthurs hall,
Hee was the curteous knight amongst them all. 30
King Arrhur and his cozen Mordred,
And other knights withouten lett,
159
Sir Lybius Disconyus was there
With proud archers lesse and more,
Blanch fraire and Sir Ironside,
And many knights that day can ryde.
And Ironside, as I weene,
Gate the knight of armour greene —
Certes as I understand —
Of a ffaire lady of Blaunch land. 40
Hee cold more of honor in warr
Then all the knights that with Arthur weare :
Burning dragons he slew in land,
And wilde beasts, as I understand ;
Wilde beares he slew that stond ;
A hardyer knight was never ffound ;
He was called in his dayes
One of King Arthurs ffellowes.
Why was hee called Ironsyde ?
ffor, ever armed wold he ryde; 50
Hee wold allwais arms beare,
ffor gyants and hee were ever att warr.
Dapple coulour was his steede,
His armour and his other weede,
Azure of gold he bare,
With a griffon lesse or more,
And a difference of a molatt
He bare in his crest allgate.
Where-soever he went, east nor west,
He never fforsooke men nor beast. 60
Beagles, keenely away they ran,
The King ffollowed affter with many a man.
They gray hounds out of the leashe,
They drew downe the deere of grasse.
ffine tents in the ffeild were sett,
A merry sort there were mett
Of comely knights of kind,
Uppon the bent there can they lead,
160
And by noone of the same day
A hundred harts on the ground they lay. 70
Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Kay,
And Bishopp Bodwin, as I heard say,
After a redd deere they rode
Into a fforrest wyde and brode.
A thicke mist ffell them among,
That caused them all to goe wronge :
Great moane then made Sir Kay
That they should loose the hart that day ;
That red hart wold not dwell.
Hearken what adventures them beffell : 80
ffull sore they were adread
Ere they any lodgings had ;
Then spake Sir Gawaine,
" This labour wee have had in vaine ;
This red hart is out of sight,
Wee meete with him no more this night.
I reede wee of our horsses do light,
And lodge wee heere all this night;
Truly itt is best, as thinketh mee,
To lodge low under this tree." 90
" Nay," said Kay, " goe wee hence anon,
ffor I will lodge whersoere I come ;
For there dare no man warne me,
Of whatt estate soever hee bee."
" Yes," said the bishopp, " that wott I well;
Here dwelleth a Carle in a castele,
The Carle of Carlile is his name,
I know itt well by St. Jame;
Was there never man yett soe bold
That durst lodge within his hold ! 100
But and if hee scape with his liffe away,
Hee ruleth him well, I you say."
Then said Kay, "All in ffere,
To goe thither is my desire ;
y 161
ffor and the Carle be never soe bolde,
I thinke to lodge within his hold.
ffor if he jangle and make itt stout,
I shall beate the Carle all about,
And I shall make his bigging bare,
And doe to him mickle care ; no
And I shall beate /i/'m, as I thinke,
Till he both sweate and stinke."
Then said the bishopp, u So mote I ffare,
Att his bidding I wilbe yare."
Gawaine said, " Lett be thy bostlye ffare,
ffor thou dost ever waken care.
If thou scape with thy liffe away,
Thou ruleth thee well, I dare say."
Then said Kay, " That pleaseth mee ;
Thither let us ryde all three. 120
Such as hee bakes, such shall hee brew;
Such as hee shapes, such shall hee sew;
Such as he breweth, such shall he drinke."
" That is contrary," said Gawaine, " as I thinke ;
But if any ffaire speeche will he gaine,
Wee shall make him lord within his owne ;
If noe ffaire speech will avayle,
Then to karp on Kay wee will not ffaile."
Then said the bishopp, " that senteth mee;
Thither lett us ryde all three." 130
When they came to the Carles gate,
A hammer they ffound hanging theratt :
Gawaine hent the hammer in his hand,
And curteouslye on the gates dange.
fforth came the porter with still ffare,
Saying, " Who is soe bold to knocke there? "
Gawaine answered him curteouslye
" Man," hee said, " that is I.
Wee be two knights of Arthurs inn,
And a bishopp, no moe to min ; 140
162
Wee have rydden all day in the fforrest still
Till horsse and man beene like to spill ;
ffor Arthurs sake, that is our Kinge,
Wee desire my lord of a nights lodginge,
And harbarrow till the day att morne,
That wee may scape away without scorne."
Then spake the crabbed knight Sir Kay :
" Porter, our errand I reede the say,
Or else the castle gate wee shall breake,
And the keyes thereof to Arthur take." 150
The porter sayd with words throe,
" Theres no man alive that dares doe soe !
[I]f a hundred such as thou his death had sworne,
Yett he wold ryde on hunting to morne."
Then answered Gawain that was curteous aye,
" Porter, our errand I pray thee say."
" Yes," said the porter, " withouten ffayle
I shall say your errand ffull well."
As soone as the porter the Carle see,
Hee kneeled downe upon his knee: 160
" Yonder beene two knights of Arthurs in,
And a bishopp, no more to myn ;
They have roden all day in the fforrest still,
That horsse and man is like to spill ;
They desire you ffor Arthirs sake, their King,
To grant them one nights lodginge,
And herberrrow till the day att morne
That they may scape away without scorne."
" Noe thing greeves me," sayd the Carle without doubt,
" But that they knights stand soe long without." J70
With that they porter opened the gates wyde,
And the knights rode in that tyde.
Their steeds into the stable are tane,
The knights into the hall are gone :
Heere the Carle sate in his chaire on hye,
With his legg caste over the other knee ;
163
His mouth was wyde, and his beard was gray,
His lockes on his shoulders lay ;
Betweene his browes, certaine
Itt was large there a spann, 180
With two great eyen brening as ffyer.
Lord ! hee was a lodlye syer !
Over his sholders he bare a bread
Three taylors yards, as clarkes doe reade ;
His ffingars were like to teddar stakes,
And his hands like breads that wives may bake ;
Fifty cubitts he was in height ;
Lord, he was a lothesome wight!
When Sir Gawaine that Carle see,
He halched him ffull curteouslye, 190
And saith, " Carle of Carlile, God save thee
As thou sitteth in thy prosperitye ! "
The Carle said, "As Christ me save,
Yee shall be welcome ffor Arthurs sake.
Yet is itt not my part to doe soe,
ffor Arthur hath beene ever my ffoe ;
He hath beaten my knights and done them bale,
And send them wounded to my owne hall.
Yett the truth to tell I will not leane,
I have quitt him the same againe." 200
" That is a kind of a knave," said Kay, " without
leasing,
Soe to revile a noble king."
Gawaine heard, and made answere,
" Kay, thou sayst more then meete weere."
W T ith that they went ffurther into the hall,
Where bords were spredd, and covered with pall ;
And four vvelpes of great ire
They ffound lying by the fEre.
There was a beare that did rome,
And a bore that did whett his tushes ffome, 210
Alsoe a bull that did rore.
104.
And a lyon that did both gape and rore ;
The lyon did both gape and gren.
" O peace, whelpes ! " said the Carle then :
ffor that word that they Carle did speake,
The four whelpes under they bord did creepe.
Downe came a ladye ffaire and ffree,
And sett her on the Carles knee ;
One whiles shee harped, another whiles song,
Both of paramours and lovinge amonge. 220
"Well were that man," said Gawaine, " that ere were
borne,
That might lye with that lady till day att morne."
" That were great shame," said the Carle ffree,
" That thou sholdest doe me such villanye."
" Sir," said Gawaine, " I sayd nought."
" No, man," said the Carle; " more thou thought."
Then start Kay to the fflore,
And said hee wold see how his palfrey ffore.
Both corne and hay he ffound lyand,
And the Carles palfrey by his steed did stand. 230
Kay tooke the Carles palfrey by the necke,
And soone hee thrust him out att the hecke ;
Thus Kay put the Carles ffole out,
And on his backe he sett a clout.
Then the Carle himselfe hee stood there by,
And sayd, " This buffett, man, thou shalt abuy."
The Carle raught Kay such a rapp
That backward he ffell matt ;
Had itt not beene ffor a ffeald of straw,
Kayes backe had gone in two. 240
Then said Kay, "And thow were without thy hold,
Man ! this buffett shold be deere sold."
"What," sayd the Carle, " dost thou menace me?
I swere by all soules sicerlye !
Man ! I swere ffurther thore,
If I heere any malice more,
165
ffor this one word that thou hast spoken
Itt is but ernest thou hast gotten."
Then went Kay into the hall,
And the Bishopp to him can call, 250
Saith : " Brother Kay, where you have beene? "
" To looke my palffrey, as I weene."
Then said the bishopp, " Itt ffalleth me
That my palfrey I must see."
Both corne and hay he ffound lyand,
And the Carles palffrey, as I understand.
The bishopp tooke the Carles horsse by the necke,
And soone hee thrust him out att the hecke ;
Thus he turned the Carles ffole out,
And on his backe he sett a clout; 260
Sais, "Wend forth, ffole, in the devills way!
Who made thee soe bold with my palfrey ? "
The Carle himselfe he stood there by :
" Man ! this buffett thou shalt abuy."
He hitt the bishopp upon the crowne,
That his miter and he ffell downe.
" Mercy ! " said the bishopp, " I am a clarke !
Somewhatt I can of Christs werke."
He saith, " By the clergy I sett nothing,
Nor yett by thy miter nor by thy ringe. 270
It ffitteth a clarke to be curteous and ffree,
By the conning of his clergy."
With that the bishopp went into the hall,
And Sir Gawaine to him can call,
Saith, " Brother bishopp, where have you beene? '
" To looke my palfrey as I weene."
Then sayd Sir Gawaine, " Itt ffalleth mee
That my palfreye I must needs see."
Corne and hay he ffound enoughe lyand,
And the Carles ffole by his did stand. 280
The Carles ffole had beene fforth in the raine ;
Therof Sir Gawaine was not ffaine ;
166
Hee tooke his mantle that was of greene,
And covered the ffole, as I weene ;
Sayth, " Stand up, ffole, and eate thy meate;
Thy master payeth ffor all that wee heere gett."
They Carle himselfe stood thereby,
And thanked him of his curtesye ;
They Carle tooke Gawaine by the hand,
And both together in they hall they wend. 290
The Carles called ffor a bowle of wine,
And soone they settled them to dine ;
Seventy bowles in that bowle were, —
He was not weake that did itt beare, —
Then they Carle sett itt to his chin,
And said, " To you I will begin! "
Fifteen gallons he dranke that tyde,
And raught to his men on every side.
Then they Carle said to them anon,
" Sirrs, to supper gett you gone ! " 300
Gawaine answered the Carle then,
" Sir, att your bidding we will be ben."
lc If you be bayne att my bidding,
You honor me without leasinge."
They washed all, and went to meate,
And dranke the wine that was soe sweete.
The Carle said to Gawaine anon,
"A long speare see thou take in thy hand,
Att the buttrye dore take thou thy race,
And marke me well in middest the face. 310
"A! " thought Sir Kay, " that that were I!
Then his buffett he shold deere abuy."
" Well," quoth the Carle, " when thou wilt, thou may,
When thou wilt thy strength assay." —
" Well, sir," said Kay, " I said nought."
" Noe," said the Carle, " but more thou thought."
Then Gawaine was ffull glad of that.
And a long spere in his hand he gatt ;
167
Att the buttery dore he tooke his race,
And marked the Carle in the middst the fface. 320
The Carle saw Sir Gawaine come in ire,
And cast his head under his speare,
Gawaine raught the wall such a rapp,
The ffyer fflew out, and the speare brake ;
He stroke a ffoote into the wall of stone,
A bolder barron was there never none.
" Soft," said the Carle, " thow was too radd."
" I did but, sir," as you me bade."
" If thou had hitt me as thou had ment,
Thou had raught mee a fFell dint." 330
They Carle tooke Gawaine by the hand,
And both into a chamber they wend ;
A ffull ffaire bed there was spred,
The Carles wiffe therin was laid :
The Carles said, " Gawaine, of curtesye
Gett into this bedd with this ffaire ladye.
Kisse thou her thrise before mine eye ;
Looke thou doe no other villanye."
The Carle opened the sheetes wyde;
Gawaine gott in by the ladyes syde ; 340
Gawaine over her put his arme ;
With that his fflesh began to warme :
Gawaine had thought to have made in flare,
" Hold," quoth the Carle, " man, stopp there!
Itt were great shame," quoth they Carle, " for me
That thou sholdest doe me such villanye ;
But arise up, Gawaine, and goe with me,
I shall bring thee to a ffairer lady then ever was
shee."
The Carle tooke Gawaine by the hand ;
Both into another chamber they wend; 350
A ffaire bedd there found they spred,
And the Carles daughter therin laid :
Saith, " Gawaine, now for thy curtesye
168
Gett thee to bedd to this ffaire lady."
The Carle opened the sheetes wyde,
Sir Gawaine gott in by the ladyes side.
Gawaine put his arme over that sweet thing;
" Sleepe, daughter," sais the Carle, " on my blessing."
The Carle turned his backe and went his way,
And lockt the dore with a silver kaye. 360
On the other morning when the Carles rose,
Unto his daughters chamber he goes :
" Rise up, Sir Gawaine, and goe with mee,
A marvelous sight I shall lett thee see."
They Carle tooke him by the hand,
And both into another chamber they wend,
And there they found many a bloody serke
Which were wrought with curyous werke :
Fifteen hundred dead mens bones
They found upon a rooke att once. 370
"Alacke! " quoth Sir Gawaine, "what have beene
here ? "
Saith, " I and my welpes have slaine all there."
Then Sir Gawaine curteous and kind,
He tooke his leave away to wend,
And thanked they Carle and the ladyes there,
Right as they worthy were.
" Nay," said the Carle, " wee will first dine,
And then thou shall goe with blessing mine."
After dinner, the sooth to say,
The Carle tooke Gawaine to a chamber gay 380
Where were hanginge swords towe ;
The Carle tooke one of tho,
And sayd to the knight then,
" Gawaine, as thou art a man,
Take this sword and stryke of my head."
" Nay," said Gawaine, " I had rather be dead ;
ffor I had rather suffer pine and woe
Or ever I wold that deede doe."
z 169
The Carle sayd to Sir Gawaine,
" Looke thou doe as I thee saine, 390
And therof be not adread ;
But shortly smite of my head,
ffor if thou wilt not doe itt tyte,
ffor-ssooth thy head I will of smyte."
To the Carle said Sir Gawaine,
" Sir, your bidding shall be done : "
He stroke the head the body ffroe,
And he stood up a man thoe
Of the height of Sir Gawaine,
The certaine soothe withouten laine. 400
The Carle sayd, " Gawaine, God blese thee,
fFor thou hast delivered mee!
ffrom all fFalse witchcrafft
I am deliverd att the last ;
By nigromance thus was I shapen
Till a Knight of the Round Table
Had with a sword smitten of my head,
If he had grace to doe that deede.
Itt is forty winters agoe
Since I was transformed soe; 410
Since then, none lodged within this wooun,
But I and my welpes driven them downe ;
And but if hee did my bidding soone,
I killed him and drew him downe,
Every one but only thee.
Christ grant thee of His mercye !
He that the world made, reward thee this !
fFor all my bale thou hast turned to blisse.
Now will I leave that lawe ;
There shall no man ffor me be slawe ; 420
And I purpose ffor their sake
A chantrey in this place to make,
And five preists to sing ffor aye
Untill itt be doomes day.
170
And Gawaine, for the love of thee
Every one shall bee welcome to me."
Sir Gawaine and the young lady clere,
The bishopp weded them in ffere ;
The Carle gave him for his wedding
A staffe, miter, and a ringe. 4.30
He gave Sir Kay, that angry knight,
A blood-red steede, and a wight.
He gave his daughter, the sooth to say,
An ambling white palfrey,
The ffairest hee was on the mold ;
Her palfrey was charged with gold ;
Shee was soe gorgeous and soe gay,
No man cold tell her array.
The Carle commanded Sir Gawaine to wend
And " Say unto Arthur our King, 440
And pray him that hee wold —
ffor His love that Judas sold,
And for His sake that in Bethelem was borne, —
That hee wold dine with him to morne."
Sir Gawaine sayd the Carle unto,
" fforssooth I shall your message doe."
Then they rode singing by the way
With the ladye that was gay ;
They were as glad of that lady bright
As ever was ffowle of the day-light. 450
They told King Arthur where they had beene,
And what adventures they had seene.
" I thanke God," sayd the King, " cozen Kay,
That thou didst on live part away."
" Marry," said Sir Kay againe,
" Of my liffe I may be ffaine.
ffor His love that was in Bethlem borne,
You must dine with the Carle to-morne."
In the dawning of the day they rode;
A merryer meeting was never made. 460
171
When they together were mett,
Itt was a good thing, I you hett ;
The trumpetts plaid att the gate,
With trumpetts of silver theratt ;
There was all manner of minstrelsye,
Harpe, gyttorne, and sowtrye.
Into the hall the King was ffett,
And royallye in seat was sett.
By then the dinner was readye dight,
Tables were covered all on height; 470
Then to wash they wold not blinn,
And the ffeast they can beginn.
There they were mached arright,
Every lady against a knight ;
And minstrells sate in windowes ffaire,
And playd on their instruments cleere ;
" Minstrells ffor worshipp att every messe
ffull lowd they cry largnesse ! "
The Carle bade the King " Doe gladlye,
ffor heere vee gett great curtesye." 480
The King said " By St. Michaell
This dinner liketh me ffull well."
He dubd the Carle a knight anon,
He gave him the county of Carlile soone,
And made him earle of all that land,
And after, knight of the Table Round.
The King said, " Knight, I tell thee,
Carlile shall thy name bee."
When the dinner was all done,
Every knight tooke his leave soone, 490
To wend forward soberlye
Home into their owne countrye.
He that made us all with His hand,
Both the sea and the land,
Grant us all ffor His sake
This ffalse world to fforsake,
172
And out of this world when we shall wend,
To heavens blisse our soules bringe !
God grant us grace itt may soe bee !
Amen, say all, ffor charitye! - Q
ffi
nis
I 73
HERO AND LEANDER
Tow : ffamous lovers once there was,
Whome fame hath quite fforgott,
Who lived long most constantlye
Without all envious blott.
Shee was most ffaire, and hee most true,
Which caused that that did ensue : ffa : la : la :
Whose story I doe meane to write,
And title itt trueloves delight : fa : la : la :
Leander was this young mans name,
Right noble by discent, 10
And Hero, shee, whose bewtyes rare
Might give love great content.
Hee att Abydos kept his court,
Shee att Cestos lived in sport, fa : la : la.
A river great did part these twaine, —
Which caused them oft, poore soules, complaine fa : la :
la:—
Even Hellespont, whose current streame
Like lightning swift did glyde ;
Accursed river that two harts
Soe ffaithfull must devyde ! 20
And more, which did augment their woe,
The parents were eche others ffoe, fa : la : la :
Soe that no shipp durst him convay
Unto the place where his Hero lay, ffa : la : la :
Long time these lovers did complaine
The misse of their desires,
Not knowing how they might obtaine
The thing they did require.
174
Though hee were parted with rough seas,
No watters cold loves fflame appease, fa : la : la : 30
Leander ventured for to swim
To Hero, who well welcomed him, fa : la : la :
Even in the midst of darkesome night
When all things silent were,
Wold young Leander take his frlight
Through Hellespont soe cleere ;
Wher att the shore Hero wold bee
To welcome him most lovinglye, fa : la :
And soe Leander wold convay
Unto the chamber where shee lay, fa : la : 40
Thus many dayes they did enjoye
The fruite of their delight,
For he oft to his Hero came,
And backe againe same night ;
And shee for to encourage him
Through Hellespont more boldlye swim, fa : la :
In her tap tower a lampe did place,
Wherby he might behold her fface, fa : la :
And by this lampe wold Hero sitt,'
Still praying for her love, 50
That the rough watters unto him
Might not offensive prove :
" Be mild," quoth shee, " while he doth swim,
And that I have well welcomed him, fa: la:
And then ever rage and rore amaine,
That he may never goe hence againe," fa : la :
Now boisterous winter hasted on,
When winds and watters rage ;
Yett cold itt not the lustffull hart
Of this younge youth aswage ; 60
175
Though winds and watters raged soe,
No shipp durst venter for to goe : fa : la :
Leander wold goe see his love,
His manly armes in ffloods to prove fa : la :
Then leapt hee into Hellespont,
Desirous for to goe
Unto the place of his delight,
Which hee affected soe ;
But winds and waves did him withstand
Soe that he cold attaine no land, fa : la : la : 70
ffor his loves lampe he looked about ;
ffaire Hero slept, and itt was out. Fa : la : la :
Then all in vaine Leander strove
Till armes cold doe no more ;
For naked, he, deprived of liffe,
Was cast upon the shore.
O had the lampe still stayed in,
Leander liveless had not beene : ia : la :
Which being gone, he knew no ground,
Because thick darknesse did abound. Fa: la: la: 80
When Hero ffaire awaket ffrom sleepe,
And saw her lampe was gone,
Her sences all benumed were,
And shee like to a stone.
O ! ffrom her eyes, then pedes more cleere, fa : la :
Proceeded many a dolefull teare,
Perswading that the angry flood
Had drunke Leanders guiltlesse bloode, fa : la :
Then to the topp of highest tower
Faire Hero did ascend, 90
To see how the winds did with the waves
For mastershipp contend,
176
And on the sand shee did espye
A naked bodye livelesse lye, fa : la :
And lookeing more upont, shee knew
Itt was Leanders bloudlye hew. Fa : la :
Then did shee teare her golden haire,
And in her greeve thus sayd,
" Aceursed river ! that art still
A foe to every maide 100
Since Hellen ffaire in thee was drowned,
Named Hellespont, that ever ffround, fa : la :
And now to see what thou canst doe,
Thou hast made me a mourner too ! fa : la : la :
" But though thou didst attach my love,
And tookest him ffor thy owne,
That hee was only es Heroes deere,
Hencforth itt shall be knowne."
Then ffrom the tower faire Hero fell,
Whose woefull death I sighe to tell, fa: la: no
And on his body there did dye
That loved her most tenderlye, fa : la :
Thus ended both they liffe and love
In prime of their young yeeres,
Since whose untimely ffuneralls
No such true love appeares.
Untill more constant love arise,
Their names I will im[mor]tel[i]ze, fa: la:
And heaven gra?it such as have true ffriends,
As ffaithffull harts, but better ends! 120
ffinis
2 A 177
CRESSUS
Cressus : was the ffairest of Troye,
Whom Troylus did love !
The knight was kind, and shee was coy,
No words nor worthes cold move,
Till Pindaurus soe playd his part
That the knight obtained her hart,
The ladyes rose destroyes :
They held sweet warr a winters night
Till the envyous day gave light ;
Which darkness lovers joyes. 10
Cresses love Loves-mother crost,
fforetold her in a dreame
How Grecyans won, how Trojans lost.
ffalse love ffleetes with the streame :
Shee sweete ffaces, vallyant frights,
Who put downe the Trojan knights,
Downe might their ladyes put.
Dio[m]ed thought her noe mayd,
Yett loves debt was richely paid,
The seas the poorest cutt. 20
Lasses, learne some witt by this !
Though ladyes truth proffesse,
No signe remaines of unseen kisse
Unlesse a ffoole confFesse.
What pleased to-day, to-morrow cloyes ;
Joy growes dull that still enjoyes ;
Change love, for loves sweet sake.
N[e]w hope [is] pleased with pleasure strange ;
Then chang love, with garments change,
And still the better take. 30
ffinis
178
SONGS OF SHEPARDES
Songs : of shepards, rusticall roundelayes
fframed on ffancyes, whistled on reeds,
Songs to solace young nimphes upon holydayes,
Are t[oo] unworthy ffor wonderffull deeds.
Phebus Aeminius or worthy Cylenius,
His lofty genius may seem to declare
In verse better coyned, or verse more refined,
How states divined once hunted the hare.
Starres inamoured with pastimes Olimpicall,
Stares and planetts that bewtiffull showne, 10
Wold noe longer that earthlye men only shall
Swim in pleasures, and they but looke on.
Round about horned Lucina they swarmed,
And her informed how minded they were,
Eche god and goddesse, to take humane bodyes,
As lords and ladyes, to ffollow the hare.
Chast Dyana aplauded the motyon,
With pale Proserpina sate in her place,
Lights the welkin and governes the ocean
Whilest shee conducted her nephews in chase, 20
And by her example her ffavour to trample
The cold [earth] and ample, leaveth the ayre,
Neptune the watter, the win[e] Liber Pater,
And Mars the slaughter, to ffollow the hare.
Light young Cupid, horsset upon Pegasus,
Borrowed of muses with kisses and prayers ;
Strong Alcydes upon cloudye Caucasus
Mounts a centaure that proudlye him beares ;
179
Postylyon of the skye, light heeld Mercurye,
Makes his courser ffly as fflight as the ayre; 30
Yellow Appollo the kenell doth ffollow,
With whoope and hallow after the hare.
Hymen ushers the ladyes : Astrea,
Th[at] just tooke hands with Minerva the bold,
Ceres the browne with the bright Cytherea,
Thetis the wanton, Bellona the old,
Shame-ffast Aurora, with suttle Pandora,
And May with fflora did company beare ;
Juno was stated too hye to be mated,
But, O shee hated not hunting the hare. 40
Drowned Narssissus ffrom his metamorphisis
Raised with Eccho, new manhoode did take ;
Snoring Somnus upstarted in Ci[mme]ris,
That this thousand yeeres was not awake,
To see clubffooted old Mulciber booted,
And Pan promoted on Aeolus mare ;
Proud iEolous pouted, proud Aeolus shouted ;
And Momus fflowted, but ffollowed the hare.
Deepe Melampus and cuning Ignobytes,
Nappy, and Tigre, and Harpye, the skyes 50
Rends with roring, whilest hunter like Hercules
Sounds they plentiffull home to their cryes.
Till with varieties to solace their pieties
The wary deities reposed them where
Wee shepards weare seated, the whilest wee repeated
What wee conceited of their hunting the hare.
't>
Yooung Amyntas supposed the gods came to breathe,
After some battell themselves on the ground ;
Thirsis thought they starres came to dwell here beneath,
And that heraftei they world wold goe round ; 60
180
Corydon aged, with Phillis engaged,
Was much inraged with jealous dispayre,
But ffeare rewarded, and he was perswaded,
When I thus aplauded their hunting the hare :
" Starres but shadowes where, states were but sorrow,
That noe motyon, nor that no delight ;
Joyes are jovyall, delight is the marrow
Of liffe, and action the apple of light ;
Pleasure depends upon no other ends,
But ffreely lends to eche vertue a share; 70
Only is mesure the Jewell of treasure ;
Of pleasure the treasure is hunting the hare."
ffowre broad bowles to the Olimpicall rector
That Troy borne egle does bring on his knee !
Jove to Pheobus carrouses in nector,
And he to Hermes, and Hermes to mee,
Where-with infused, I pipet and I mused
In verse unused, this sport to declare.
O that the rouse of Jove, round as his spheere may
move,
Helth to all that love hunting the hare! 80
ffin
is
181
THE LAVINIAN SHORE
ffrom the rich Lavinian shore
I your markett come to store.
Muse not you I soe farr dwell,
And hither come my warres to sell ;
Such is they sacred hunger of gold.
Come to my packe ! will you buy what you lacke :
What you lacke,
Heare shall you have to be sold.
You whose ffortune young denyes
Grace in your beloved eyes ; i o
Thou thy loves, vowes, or deserts
Nought prevaile in womans harts ;
Soe be your palmes anointed with gold
Come to me then! when, gentlemen, will you buy?
Love, love, is heere to be sold.
You, whose birth obscure and base
Rankes you with ignoble race ;
Hope, ambityon, hyer strives
ffor your selves and ffor your wives;
Well then, supply thy deflects with thy gold; 20
Come for thy race, care not thou for a place, for a place,
For a place is heare to be sold.
Though thy gentry be as younge
As the fflower that this day spronge,
Though thy ffather thee before
Never sheild nor scuchyon bore :
Canst ffind in thy heart for to part with thy gold ?
Come to me, lad, thou shalt have what thy dad never had:
Heeres heraldrye to be sold.
182
Hath blind ffortune hurt thy ffame,
Or unkind nature hurt thy fframe ? ' 3 °
Hart, nor mind, nor body, partes,
Strong proportion, or deserts ?
Well then supply thy defects with thy gold •
Come to me then! buy thy fame; come againe ! buy
thy frame ;
ffor both are heare to be sold.
But dull chapemen, they dispise
My rich ffairings to be wise ;
They whose humors still doth scorne
Truth, and trickes and toyes adorne ; 40
If you doe come with millyons of gold
Seeke ffurther yet in my stall ;
There is witt none att all,
Nor honesty, to be sold.
ffin
is
183
COME MY DAINTY DOXEYS
Come : my dainty doxeys, my dills, my deares !
We have neither house nor land,
Yet never want good cheere ;
Wee take no care far candle, rents;
Wee sleepe, we snort, we snore, in tents.
Then rouse betime, and steale our dinners ;
Our store is never taken without pigg or bacon,
And thats good meate ffor sinners.
Att wakes and ffaires we cozen
Poore cuntry folkes by the dozen; 10
If one have money, he disbursses,
While some tell fortune, some picke pursses.
Rather then live out of use,
Steale hose or garters, bootes or shooes,
Boots, guilded spurres with ingling rowells,
Shirts or smockes, napkins or towells.
Come live with us, come live with us,
All you that love your eases !
He thats a gipsey, may be drunke and tipsey
Att what houre he pleases! 20
Wee laugh, wee quaffe, wee rore, wee shuffle,
Wee filch, wee steale, wee drab, wee sckuffle !
ffi
nis
1 84
TO OXFFORDE
To : Oxford the King is gone
With all his pompous grace,
To vevv the sights and see the learning
Of that ffamous place,
Where clownes of the towne —
Clothed in their scarlett gownes —
Gave the King such a thing
As passes all imageninge ;
A paire of gloves, to testifye their loves
Which to the King they bore. 10
They gave him a payre of gloves
Of stifFe and strong staggs lether ;
I say, a payre of hunting gloves
To keepe out wind and wheather.
Some relate they gave him plate,
And a purse stufft full with gold :
" Sure," said I, " thats a lye! "
As soone as ere I heard itt told,
ffor why shold they give their gold away
To him that hath enough of his owne? 20
Next to Christs-church was he brought,
A place of mickle flame,
Where the Warden him received, —
I have forgott his name. —
Heere they all went to the hall,
Tag and rag, great and small ;
The bells did ring, the boyes did singe,
And all did crye, " God save the Kinge !
And grant him grace to run a race
With pleasure in Royston downes!" 30
2 b 185
The hall was honge with verses thicke,
A goodlye sight to see,
ffor every one was willed to make
Verses in his degree.
To their trade some had made
Verses called ascelpiade.
Here might you find, of everye kind,
Verses flitting to your minde :
Here an examiter, there a pentamiter,
Saphickes, and s[c]asens too. 4°
ffinis
86
LADYE BESSIYE
[First Part]
God : that is most of might,
And borne was of a maiden ffree,
Save and keepe our comelye Kinge
And all the pore cominaltye !
For wheras King Richard, I understand,
Had not raigned yeeres three,
But the best duke in all the land
He caused to be headed att Salsburye.
That time the Stanleys without doubt
Were dread over England ffarr and neere, 10
Next King Richard, that was soe stout,
Of any lord in England [e]re.
There was a lady faire on mold,
The name of her was litle Bessye ;
Shee was young, shee was not old,
But of the age of one and twentye ;
Shee cold write, and shee cold reede,
Well shee cold worke by prophesye ;
Shee sojorrned in the cittye of London
That time with the Erie of Darbye. 20
Upon a time, as I you tell,
There was noe more but the erle and shee ;
Shee made complaint of Richard the King,
That was her unckle of blood soe nye :
187
" Helpe, ffather Stanley, I doe you pray !
For of King Richard wroken I wold bee.
He did my brethren to the death on a day
In their bedd where they did lye ;
" He drowned them both in a pipe of wine ;
Itt was dole to heare and see! 30
And he wold have put away his Queene
For to have lyen by my bodye !
" Helpe that he were put away,
For the royall blood destroyed wilbee !
Bukingam, that duke of England,
Was as great with King Richard as now are yee.
" The crowne of England there tooke hee, —
Forsooth, lord, this is no lye, —
And crowned King Richard of England free,
That after beheaded him att Salsburye. 40
" Helpe, father Stanley, I you pray!
For on that traitor wroken wold I bee;
And helpe Erie Richmond, that prince soe gay,
That is exiled over the sea!
" For and he were King, I shold be Queene ;
I doe him love, and never him see.
Thinke on Edward, my father, that late was King,
Upon his deathe-bed where he did lye :
" Of a litle child he put me to thee,
For to governe and to guide; 50
Into your keeping hee put mee,
And left me a Booke of Prophecye ; —
188
" I have itt in keeping in this citye ; —
He knew that yee might make me a Queene,
Father, if thy will itt be ;
For Richard is no righteous Kinge,
" Nor upon no woman borne was hee ;
The royall blood of all this land,
Richard my unkle will destroye
As he did the Duke of Buckingham, 60
" Who was as great with King Richard as now are yee.
For when he was Duke of Gloster,
He slew good King Henerye
In the Tower of London as he lay there.
" Sir William Stanley, thy brother deere
In the hol/e where he doth lye,
He may make five hundred fightinge men
By the marryage of his faire ladye.
" Your sonne George, the Lord Strange,
In Latham where he doth lye, 70
He may make a thousand frighting men in ffere,
And give them wages for monthes three.
" Edward Stanley that is thy sonne,
Three hundred men may bring to thee.
Thy sonne James, that young preist,
Warden of Manchester was made latelye.
" Sir John Savage, thy sisters sonne, —
He is thy sisters sonne of blood soe nye —
Hee may make fifteen hundred fighting men,
And all his men white hoods to give; 80
189
" He giveth the pikes on his banner bright ;
Upon a feild backed was never hee.
Sir Gilbert Talbott, a man of might,
In Sheffeild castle where he doth lye,
" Hele make a thousand men of might,
And give them wages ffor monthes three.
And thy selfe a thousand eagle ff[ee]tt tojffight,
That is a goodlye sight to see ;
" For thou and thine withouten pine
May bring Richemond over the sea ; 90
For and he were King, I should be Queene ;
ffather Stanley, remember bee ! "
Then answered the earle againe ;
These were the words he sayd to Bessye :
" And King Richard doe know this thing,
Wee were undone, both thou andT ;
" In a ffire you must brenn,
My liffe and my lands are lost from mee ;
Therfore these words be in vaine :
Leave and doe away, good Bessye! " 100
" ffather Stanley! is there no grace?
Noe Queene of England that I must bee ? "
Then Bessye stoode studying in that place
With teares trickling ffrom her eyen :
" Now I know I must never be Queene!
All this, man, is longe of thee !
But thinke on the dread ffull day
When the great Doame itt shalbe,
190
" When Righteousnesse on the rainbowe shall sitt,
And deeme he shall both thee and mee, 1 10
And all ffalshood away shall fflitt
When all truth shall by him bee !
" I care not whether I hange or drowne,
Soe that my soule saved may bee ;
Make good answer as thou may,
ffor all this, man, is longe of thee."
With that shee tooke her head grace downe,
And threw itt downe upon the ground,
Both pearles and many a precyous stone
That were better then a thousand pound. 120
Her ffaxe that was as white as silke,
Shortly downe shee did itt rent ;
With her hands as white as any milke,
Her ffaire ffaxe thus hath shee shent;
Her hands together can shee wringe,
And with teares shee wipes her eye ;
" Welladay, Bessye ! " can shee sing,
And parted with the Erie of Darbye.
" ffare-well, man ! now am I gone !
Itt shall be long ere thou me see! ' 130
The erle stood still as any stone,
And all bla[n]ked was his blee.
When he heard Bessye make such mone,
The teares fell downe from his eye,
" Abyde, Bessye ! wee part not soe soone !
Heere is none now but thee and I ;
l 9
" ffeild hath even, and wood hath eares,
You cannott tell who standeth us by ;
But wend forth, Bessye, to thy bower,
And looke you doe as I bidd yee : 140
" Put away thy maydens bright,
That noe person doth us see ;
For att nine of the clocke within this night,
In thy bower will I be with thee ;
" Then of this matter wee will talke more,
When there is no moe but you and; I;
A charcoley^n? att my desire,
That no smoke come in our eye ;
" Peeces of wine many a one,
And divers spices be therbye, 150
Pen, inke, paper, looke thou want none,
But have all things fTiill readye."
Bessye made her busines, and forth is gone,
And tooke her leave att the Erie of Darbye,
And put away her maydens anon,
No man nor mayd was therby ;
A charcole fire was ready bowne, —
There ca[m]e no smoke within his eye, —
Peeces of wine many a one,
And divers spices lay therby, 160
Pen, inke, and paper, shee wanted none,
And hadd all things there ffull readye,
And sett her selfe upon a stone
Without any companye.
192
Shee tooke a Booke in her hande,
And did read of prophecye,
How shee shold bee Queene of England,
But many a guiltelesse man first must dye ;
And as shee read ffurther, shee wept.
With that came the Erie of Darbye ; 170
Att nine of the clocke att night
To Bessyes bovver cometh hee.
Shee barred the dore above and under,
That no man shold come them nye ;
Shee sett him on a seate soe rich,
And on another shee sett her by ;
Shee gave him wine, shee gave him spice,
Sais, " Blend in, ffather, and drinke to me."
The fire was hott, the spice itt bote,
The wine itt wrought wonderffullye. 180
Then kind in heat, God wott,
Then weeped the noble Erie of Darbye ;
"Aske now, Bessye then, what thou wilt,
And thy boone granted itt shalbee."
" Nothing," said Bessye, " I wold have,
Neither of gold nor yett of fTee,
But ffaire Erie Richmond, soe God me save,
That hath lyen soe long beyond the sea."
" Alas, Bessye ! that noble lord
And thy boone, fTorsooth, grant wold I thee; 190
But there is no clarke that I dare trust
This night to write fTor thee and mee,
2 c 193
" Because our matter is soe hye,
Lest any man wold us bewray."
Bessye said, " ffather, itt shall not neede ;
I am a clarke ffull good, I say."
Shee drew a paper upon her knee,
Pen and inke shee had full readye,
Hands white and ffingars long;
Shee dressed her to write speedylye. 200
" ffather Stanley, now let me see,
fror every word write shall I."
" Bessye, make a letter to the Holt
There my brother Sir William doth lye ;
" Bidd him bring seven sad yeomen,
All in greene clothes lett them bee,
And change his inn in every towne
Where before hee was wont to lye ;
" And lett his fface be towards the benche,
Lest any man shold him espye ; 210
And by the third day of May
That he come and speake with mee.
" Commend mee to my sonne George,
The Lord Strange, where he doth lye,
And bidd him bring seven sadd yeomen ;
All in greene clothes lett them bee,
" And lett himselfe be in the same suite,
And change his inn in every towne,
And lett his backe be ffroe the benche,
Lest any man shold him knowne ; 220
194
" And by the third day of May
Bidd him come and speake with mee.
Commend me to Edward my sonne,
The Warden and hee togetherr bee,
" And bidd them bring seven sadd yeomen,
And all in greene lett them bee,
Changing their inn in every towne
Where before they were wont to lye ;
" Lett their backes be ffrom the bench,
Lest any man shold them see; 230
And by the third day of May
Bidd them come and speake with mee.
Comend me to Sir John Savage
And Sir Gilbert Talbott in the north cuntrye,
And let either of them bring seven sadd yeomen,
And all in greene lett them bee,
" Changing their inn in every towne
Before where they were wont to bee ;
And by the third day of May
Lett them come and speake with mee." 240
Bessy e writeth, the lord he sealeth ;
" ffather Stanley, what will yee more? "
" Alas ! " sayd that royall lord,
" All our worke is fforlore !
" ffor there is noe messenger that wee may trust
To bring the tydings to the north cuntrye,
Lest any man shold us betraye,
Because our matter is soe hye."
x 95
" Humphrey Bretton," said litle Bessye,
" He hath beene true to my father and mee, 250
Hee shall have the writting in hand,
And bring them into the north cuntrye.
" Goe to thy bedd, fTather, aud sleepe,
And I shall worke ffor thee and mee,
To-morrow by rising of the sunn
Humphrey Bretton shall be with thee,"
Shee brought the lord to his bedd,
All that night where he shold lye ;
And Bessye worketh all the night;
There came no sleepe in her eye. 260
[Second Part]
In the morninge when the day can spring,
Up riseth Bessye in that stower,
To Humphrey Bretton gone is shee ;
But when shee came to Humphreys bower,
With a small voice called shee.
Humphrey answered that lady bright,
And saith, " Lady, who are yee
That calleth on me ere itt be light ? "
" I am King Edwards daughter,
The countess cleere, young Bessye: 270
In. all the hast thou can,
Thou must come speake with the Erie of Darbye."
196
Humphrey cast upon him a gowne,
A paire of slippers on his ffeete.
Forth of his chamber then he came,
And went with that lady sweet.
Shee brought him to the bed side
Where they lord lay in bed to sleepe.
When they erle did Humphrey see,
Full tenderlye can hee weepe, 280
And said, " My love, my trust, my liffe, my land,
All this, Humphrey, doth lye in thee !
Thou may make, and thou may marr,
Thou may undoe Bessye and mee !
" Take sixe letters in thy hand,
And bring them into the north countrye ;
They be written on they backside,
Where they letterrs delivered shold bee."
He received the letterrs sixe ;
Into the west wend wold hee. 290
Then meeteth him that ladye bright,
She said, "Abide, Humphray, and speake with mee.
" A poore reward I shall thee give,
Itt shall be but pounds three ;
If I be Queene, and may live,
Better rewarded shalt thou bee.
" A litle witt God hath sent mee :
When thou rydest into the west,
I pray thee take no companye
But such as shall be of the best, 300
197
" Sitt not too long drinking thy wine,
Lest in heat thou be too merrrye ;
Such words you may cast out then,
To-morrow fforthought itt may bee."
Humphray of Bessye received nobles nine ;
With a peece of wine shee cold him assay ;
Hee tooke leave of that ladye sheene,
And straight to the holt he took his way.
When Sir William Stanley did him see,
He said to him with words free, 310
" Humphrey Brettom, what maketh thee heere,
That hither dost ryde soe hastilye ?
" How fareth that lord, my brother deare,
That lately was made the Erie of Darby,
Is he dead without letting,
Or with King Richard his counsell is hee?
" Or he be suspected without lett,
Or taken into the Tower so hye,
London gates shall tremble and quake
But my brother borrowed shall bee! 320
(<
u
Tell me, Humphrey, withouten lett,
That rydest hither soe hastilye."
Breake that letter," said Humphrey then ;
" Behold then, and you shall see."
When the knight looked the letter on,
He stood still in a studdiinge :
Answer to Humphrey gave he none,
But still hee gnew on his staffe end.
198
He plucket the letter in peeces three,
Into the water he cold itt fflinge : 330
" Have heere, Humphrey," said the knight,
" I will give thee a hundred shillinge ;
" Thou shalt not tarry heere all night,
Straight to Latham ryd shall yee."
" Alas," sais Humphrey, " I may not ryde,
My horsse is tyred, as ye may see ;
" I came ffrom London in this tyde,
There came no sleepe within mine eye."
" Lay thee downe, Humphrey," he said, " and sleepe
Well the space of houres three; 340
" A ffresh horsse I thee behett,
Shall bring thee through the north countrye."
Humphray slept but howers two,
But on his journey well thought hee ;
A ffresh horsse was brought to him
To bring him through the west countrye.
He tooke his leave at the Knight,
And straight to Latham rydeth hee,
And att nine of clocke in the night,
Att Latham gates knocketh hee. 350
The porter ariseth anon-right,
And answerd Humphray with words ffree,
" In good ffaith, itt is too late
To call on mee this time of the night."
" I pray the, porter, open the gate,
" And lett me in anon-right ;
199
" With the Lord Strange I must speake,
From his ffather, the Erie of Darbye."
The porter opened up the gates,
And in came his horsse and hee. 360
The best wine that was therin,
To Humphrey Bretton fforth brought hee,
With torches burning in that tyde,
And other lights that he might see,
And brought him to the bed syde
Wheras the Lord Strange lay.
The lord he mused in that tyde,
And sayd, " Humphrey, what hast thou to say ?
" How ffareth my ffather, that noble lord ?
In all England he hath no peere." 370
Humphrey tooke a letter in his hand,
And said, " Behold and yee may see [heere]."
When they Lord Strange looked the letter upon,
The teares trickled downe his eye ;
He sayd, " Wee must under a cloude,
For wee may never trusted bee ;
Wee may sigh and make great moane ;
This world is not as itt shold bee.
" Comend me to my father deere,
His day lye blessing he wold give me; 380
For and I live another yeere,
This appontment keepe will I."
He received gold of my Lord Strange,
And straight to Manchester rydeth hee;
And when hee came to Manchester,
Itt was prime of the day ;
200
He was ware of the Warden and Edward Stanley,
Together their mattins ffor to say.
Then one brother said to the other,
" Behold, brother, and you may see, 390
Heere cometh Humphrey Bretton,
Some hastye tydings bringheth hee."
He betooke them either a letter,
And bidd them looke and behold;
And read they did these letters readylye,
And up they lope, and laught aloude,
And saith, " ffaire ffall our ffather that noble lord !
To stirre and rise beginneth hee ;
Buckinghams blood shall be wroken,
That was beheaded att Salsburye. 400
" ffaire ffall the countesse, the Kings j daughter,
That good councell give cold shee ;
Wee trust in God ftull of might
To bring her lord over the sea !
" Have heere, Humphray, of either forty shillings ;
Better rewarded shall thou bee."
He tooke the gold att their hand ;
To Sir John Savage rydeth hee,
And hee tooke him a letter in hand,
Bade him " Behold, read, and see." 410
And when the knight the letter hadd,
All blanked was his blee :
" Womens witt is wonder to heare!
My unckle is turned by your Bessye!
And wether itt turne to weale or woe,
Att my unckles biddinge will I bee.
2 d 201
" Have heere, Humphrey, forty shillings :
Better rewarded may thou bee !
To Sheffeld Castle looke thou ryde
In all the hast that may bee." 420
fforth then rydeth that gentle knight ;
Sir Gilbert Talbott ffindeth hee;
Hee tooke him a letter in his hand,
And bidd him, " Reade and yee may see."
When Sir Gilbert Talbott the lettre looked on,
A loude laughter laughed hee :
" ffaire flail that lord of hye renowne!
To rise and stirr beginneth hee !
" ffaire ffall Bessy e, that countesse cleere,
That such councell giveth trulye ! 430
Comend me to my nephew deare,
The young Erie of Shrewsbyrye,
" Bidd him never dread for no death,
In London Towre if hee bee ;
I shall make London tremble and quake
But my nephew borrowed shalbee !
" Comend me to that countesse cleere,
King Edwards daughter, young Bessye ;
Tell her, I trust in God that hath no peere
To bring her love over the sea. 440
" Comend me to that lord without dread
That latelye was made Erie of Darbye ;
And every haire of my head
For a man counted might bee,
202
" With that lord withouten dread,
With him will I live and dye !
Have heere, Humphray, pounds three ;
Better rewarded may thou bee !
" Straight to London looke thou ryde,
In all the hast that may bee ; 450
Comend mee to the Kings daughter, young Bessye,
King Edwards daughter forssooth is shee,
" In all this land shee hath no peere."
He taketh his leave att the knight,
And straight to London rydeth hee.
And when he came to London right
Itt was but a litle before eveninge,
There was he ware, walking in a garden greene,
(9/ both the erle and Richard our Kinge.
When the erle had Humphrey seene, 460
He gave him a privye twinke with his eye.
Then Humphrey came before the King soe ffree,
And downe he ffalleth upon his knee.
" Welcome, Humphray! " said the Erie of Darbye:
" Where hast thou beene, Humphray ? " said the erle,
" ffor I have mist thee weekes three.' 1
" I have beene in the west, my lord,
Where I was borne and bredd trulye,
" ffor to sport me and to play
Amonge my ffreinds ffarr and nye." 470
" Tell me, Humphrev," said the erle,
" How ffareth all that countrye?
Tell me, Humphray, I thee pray,
How ffareth King Richards comunaltye?'
203
" Of all countryes, I dare well say,
They beene the fflower of archerye,
ffor they will be trusty with their bowes,
For they will flight and never fflee."
When King Richard heard Humphray soe say,
In his hart hee was ffull merry e ; 480
Hee with his cappe that was soe deere
Thanked him ffull curteouslye,
And said, " ffather Stanley, thou art to mee neere,
You are cheeffe of your comynaltye,
" Halfe of England shalbe thine,
And equally devided betweene thee and mee ;
1 am thine, and thou art mine,
And for two ffellowes will wee bee.
U L I sweare by Marry, maid mild,
I know none such under the skye! 490
Whilest I am King and weare the crowne,
I will be cheeffe of the poore comynaltye.
" Tax nay mise I will make none,
In noe cuntry ffarr nor neare ;
ffor if by their goods I shold plucke them downe,
For me they will ffaight ffull ffainteouslye.
" There is no riches to me soe rich
As is the pore comynaltye."
When they had ended all their speeche,
They tooke their leave ffull gladlye, 500
And to his bower the King is gone.
Then the erle and Humphrey Bretton,
To Bessyes bower they went anon,
And ffound Bessye there alone.
204
When Bessye did see Humphrey anon,
Anon she kissed him three times three,
Saith, " Humphray Bretton, welcome home !
How hast thou spedd in the west cuntrye ? '
Into a parler they went anon,
There was no more but hee and shee : 510
" Humphray, tell mee or hence I gone,
Some tydings out of the west cuntrye !
" If I shold send fTor yonder prince
To come over ffor the love of mee,
And murthered amongst his ffoes to bee,
Alas, that were ffull great pittye!
" fForsooth, that sight I wold not see
For all the gold in Christentye !
Tell me, Humphray, I thee pray,
How hast thou done in the west countrye." 520
Unto Bessye anon he told
How hee had sped in the west countrye,
What was the answers of them hee had,
And what rewards hee had trulye :
" By the third day of May, Bessye," he sayd,
" In London there will they bee ;
Thou shalt in England be a Queene,
Or else doubtlesse they will dye."
[Third Part]
Thus they provided in the winter time
Their councell to keepe all three. 530
The erle wrought by prophecye,
He wold not abyde in London trulye,
205
But in the suburbs without the cittye
An old inn chosen hath hee,
And drew an eagle upon the entrye
That the westerne men might know where to lye.
Humphrey stood in a hye tower,
And looked into the west countrye ;
Sir William Stanley and seven in greene
Came straight ryding to the citye. 54.0
When he was ware of the eagle drawne,
He drew himselfe wonderous nye,
And bade his men goe into the towne,
And dranke the wine and make merrye.
Into the inn where the eagle did bee,
fforsooth shortlye is hee gone.
Humphray looked into the west,
And saw the Lord Strange and seven come
Ryding in greene into the cittye.
When hee was ware of the eagle drawen, 550
He drew himselfe wonderous nye,
And bade his men goe into the towne,
And spare no cost, and where they come
And drinke the wine and make good cheere ;
And hee himselfe drew ffull nye
Into the inn where his ffather lay.
Humphray looked more into the west ;
Six-teene in greene did hee see,
The Warden and Sir Edward Stanley
Came ryding both in companye. 560
206
There as the eagle was drawen,
The gentlemen drew itt nye,
And bade their men goe into the towne,
And drinke the wine and make merrye ;
And went into the same inn
There where their ffather lay.
Yett Humphray beholdeth into the west,
And looked towards the north countrye ;
He was ware of Sir John Savage and Sir Gylbert Talbott
Came ryding both in companye. 570
When they where ware of the eagle drawen,
Then they drew themselves ffull nye,
And bade their men goe into the towne,
And drinke the wine and make merry ;
And yode themselves into the inne
Where the erle and Bessye lay.
When all the lords together mett,
Among them all was litle Bessye ;
With goodlye words shee them grett,
And said, " Lords, will yee doe ffor mee? 580
" What, will yee releeve yonder Prince
That is exiled beyond the sea ? "
The Erie of Darby e came fforth then ;
These be they words he said to Bessye :
" ffourty pound will I send,
Bessye, ffor the love of thee ;
And twenty thousand eagle ffeetfe,
A Queene of England to make thee."
20J
Sir William Stanley came fTorth then ;
These were the words hee sayd to Bessy e : 590
" Remember, Bessye, another time,
Who doth the best now ffor thee.
" Ten thousand cotes that beene red,
In an howers warning ready shalbee.
In England thou shall be a Queene,
Or doubtelesse I will dye."
Sir John Savage came fTorth then ;
These were the words he said to Bessye :
" One thousand marke ffor thy sake
I will send thy love beyond the sea." 600
The Lord Strange came fforth then ;
These were the words he said to Bessye :
" A litle mony and fiew men
Will bring thy love over the sea ;
" Lett us keepe our gold att home
For to wage our companye.
If wee itt send over the sea,
Wee put our gold in jeopardye."
Edward Stanley came forth then ;
These were the words he sayd to Bessye: 610
" Remember, Bessye, another time, to
He that doth now best ffor thee ;
" ffor there is no power that I have,
Nor no gold to give thee ;
Under my ffathers banner will I bee
Either ffor to live or dye."
208
Bessye came fforth before the lords all,
And upon her knees then ffalleth shee ;
" Ten thousand pound I will send
To my love over the sea. 620
" Who shall be our messenger
To bring the gold over the sea ?
Humphrey Bretton," said Bessye ;
" I know none soe good as hee."
"Alas! " sayd Humphrey, " I dare not take in hand
To carry the gold over the sea ;
They galley shipps beene soe stronge,
They will me neigh wonderous nighe,
" They will me robb, they will me drowne,
They will take they gold ffrom mee." 630
" Hold thy peace, Humphrey," sayd litle Bessye,
" Thou shalt itt carry without jeopardye ;
" Thou shalt have no baskett nor no male ;
No buchett nor sacke-cloth shall goe with thee ;
Three mules that be stiffe and stronge,
Loded with gold shall they bee ;
With saddles side skirted, I doe thee tell,
Wherin the gold sowed shalbe.
" If any man sayes, ' Who is the shipp
That sayleth fforth upon the sea?' 640
Say itt is the Lord Liles ;
In England and ffraunce welbeloved is hee."
Then came fforthe the Erie of Darbye ;
These were the words he sayd to Bessye ;
He said : " Bessye, thou art to blame
To poynt any shipp upon the sea!
2 e 209
" I have a good shipp of my owne
Shall carry Humphrey and my mules three ;
An eagle shalbe drawen upon the top mast,
That the out-allyants may itt see. 650
" There is no ffreake in all ffrance
That shipp that dare come nye.
If any man aske whose is the shipp,
Say ' Itt is the Erie of Darbyes.' "
Humphrey tooke the mules three ;
Into the west wind taketh hee ;
Att Hippon withouten doubt
There shipping taketh hee ;
With a ffaire wind and a coole
Thus he sayleth upon the sea 660
Fourth Parte
To Bigeram Abbey, where the English prince was.
The porter was an Englishman,
Well he knew Humphrey Breitton,
And ffast to him can he gone.
Humphrey knocked att the gate privilye,
And these words he spake surelye,
" I pray thee, porter, open the gate
And receive me and my mules three,
I shall thee give withouten lett
Ready gold to thy meede." 670
" I will none of thy gold," the porter said,
" Nor yett, Humphrey, none of thy rree ;
But I will open the gates wyde,
And receive thy mules and thee,
2 TO
" ffor a Cheshire man borne am I,
rrrom the Malpas but miles three."
The porter opened the gates soone,
And received him and the mules three ;
The best wine readilye then
To Humphrey Bretton giveth hee. 680
"Alas! " sayd Humphrey, " how shall I doe?
For I am stead in a strange countrye ;
" The Prince of England I do not know ;
Before I did him never see."
" I shall thee teach," said the porter then,
The Prince of England to know trulye.
" Loe, where he shooteth att the butts,
And with him are lords three ;
He weareth a gowne of velvett blacke,
And itt is coted above his knee; 690
With long visage and pale ;
Therby the prince know may yee ;
"A privye wart, withouten lett,
A litle above the chin ;
His face his white, the wart is red,
Therby you may him ken."
Now ffrom the porter is he gone ;
With him hee tooke the mules three :
To Erie Richmand he went anon
Where the other lords bee. 700
When he came before the prince,
Lowlye hee kneeled upon his knee ;
He delivered the lettre that Bessye sent,
And soe he did the mules three,
21 1
And a rich ring with a stone.
There the prince glad was hee ;
He tooke the ring att Humphrey then,
And kissed itt times three.
Humphrey kneeled still as any stone,
Assuredlye as I tell to thee; 710
Humphrey of the prince word gatt none,
Therfore in his hart hee was not merrye.
Humphrey standeth upp then anon ;
To the prince these words said hee,
" Why standeth thou soe still in this stead,
And no answer does give mee?
" I am come ffrom the Stanleys bold,
King of England to make thee,
And a ffaire lady to thy ffere,
There is none such in Christentye ; 720
" Shee is countesse, a kings daughter,
The name of her is Bessye,
A lovelye lady to looke upon,
And well shee can worke by profecye.
" I may be called a lewd messenger,
For answer of thee I can gett none ;
I may sayle hence with a heavy heart ;
What shall I say when I come home ? ''
The prince tooke the Lord Lisle,
And the Erie of Oxford was him by; 730
They Lord fferres wold him not beguile ;
To councell they goeth all three.
212
When they had their councell tane,
To Humphrey Bretton turneth hee,
" Answer, Humphrey, I can give none
For the space of vveekes three.
" When three weekes are come and gone,
Then an answer I will give thee."
The mules into a stable are tane ;
The saddle skirtts then rippeth hee ; 740
Therin he ffindeth gold great plentye
For to wage a companye.
He caused the houshold to make him cheare ;
" In my stead lett him bee."
Erly in the morning, as soone as itt was day,
With him he tooke the lords three,
And straight to Paris he tooke the way,
There armes to make readye.
To the King of frrance wendeth hee,
Of men and mony he doth him pray, 750
That he wold please to lend him shipps,
And fFor to bring him over the sea:
" The Stanleys stout fror me have sent,
King of England fFor to make mee,
And if ever I weare the crowne,
Well quitt the King of frrance shalbe."
Then answereth the King of ffraunce,
And shortlye answereth, " By St. John,
No shipps to bring him over the seas,
Men nor money bringeth he none!' 760
2*3
Thus the prince his answer hath tane.
Both the prince and lords gay
To Biggeram Abbey rydeth hee,
Wheras Humphrey Bretton lay.
" Have heere Humphrey a hundred markes ;
Better rewarded shalt thou bee ;
Comend me to Bessye, that countesse cleere, —
And yett I did never her see, —
" I trust in God shee shall be my Queene,
For her I will travell the sea. 770
Comend me to my ffather Stanley, —
My owne mother marryed hath hee, —
" Bring him here a love lettre,
And another to litle Bessve ;
Tell her I trust in the Lord of might
That my Queene shee shalbee.
" Comend me to Sir William Stanley,
That noble knight in the west countrye ;
Tell him, about Micchallmasse
I trust in God in England to bee. 780
" Att Mylford Haven I will come in,
With all the power that I can bringe ;
The ffirst towne that I may win
Shalbe the towne of Shrewsburye.
" Pray Sir William, that noble knight,
That night that hee wold looke on mee.
Comend me to Sir Gilbert Talbott that is soe wight - y
He lyeth still in the north cuntrye."
214
" I will none of thy gold, sir Prince,
Nor yett none of thy ffee ; jgo
If every haire of my head were a man,
With you, sir Prince, that they shold bee."
Thus Humphrey his leave hath tane,
And fforth hee sayleth upon the seas ;
Straight to London can he ryde,
There as the erle and Bessye lyes.
He tooke them either a lettre in hand,
And bade them reade and see.
The erle tooke leave of Richard the King,
And into the west rydeth hee. 800
And leaveth Bessye att Leicecster,
And bade her lye there in privitye :
" ffor if King Richard knew thee there,
In a ffyer brent must thou bee."
Straight to Latham is he gone,
o fc> '
Where the Lord Strange he did lye,
And sent the Lord Strange to London
To keepe King Richard companye.
Then to Sir William Stanley, with ten thousand cotes
In an howers warning readye to bee; 810
They were all as red as blood,
There they harts head is sett full hye.
Sir Gilbert Talbott, ten thousand doggs
In an howers warning readye to be.
Sir John Savage fifteen hundred white hoods,
ffor they will flight and never fflee.
215
Sir Edward Stanley, three hundred men ;
There were no better in Christentye.
Rice ap Thomas, a knight of Wales,
Eight hundred spere-men brought hee. 820
Fifth Parte
Sir William Stanley, att the Holt hee lyes,
And looked over his head soe hye ;
" Which way standeth the wind ? " he sayes ;
" If there be any man can tell mee."
" The wind itt standeth south west,"
Soe sayd a knight that stood him by.
" This knight, yonder royall Prince,
Into England entreth hee."
He called that gentleman that stood him by,
His name was Rowland Warburton, 830
He bade him goe to Shrewsburye that night,
And bade them lett that prince in come.
By that Rowland came to Shrewsburye
The portcullis was letten downe ;
They called the Prince in ffull great scorn,
And said " In England he shold weare no crowne."
Rowland bethought him of a wile,
And tyed the writtings to a stone ;
He threw the writtings over the wall,
And bade the baliiTes looke them upon. 840
216
Then they opened the gates wyde,
And mett the Prince with processyon ;
He wold not abyde in Shrewsburye that night,
For King Richard heard of his cominge,
And called his lords of great renowne.
Lord Pearcye came to him then,
And on his knees he kneeled him downe
And sayd, " My leege, I have thirty thousand
flighting men."
The Duke of Norffolke came to the King,
And downe he kneeleth on his knee; 850
The Erie of Surrey came with him,
They were both in companye.
The Bishopp of Durham was not away,
Sir William Bavvmer stood him by,
The Lord Scroope and the Erie of Kent
They were both in companye :
" And wee have either twenty thousand men
ffor to keepe the crowne with thee."
The good Sir William Harrington
Said they wold ffight and never fflee. 860
King Richard made a messenger,
And send into the west countrye,
" Bidd the Erie of Derbye make him readye
And bring twenty thousand men unto mee,
" Or the Lord Stranges head I shall him send;
For doubtlesse hee shall dye.
Without hee come to me soone,
His owne sonne hee shall never see."
2 F 217
Then another herald can appeare :
" To Sir William Stanley that noble knight, 870
Bidd him bring ten thousand men,
Or to death he shalbe dight."
Then answered that doughtye knight,
And answered the herald without lettinge :
" Say, on Bosworthe feilde I wyll hym meete
On Munday earlye in the morninge.
" Such a breakeffast I him hett
As never subject did to kinge ! "
The messenger is home gone
To tell King Richard this tyd[inge]. 880
The King together his hands can ding,
And sayd, " The Lord Strange shall dye ! "
Hee bade, " Put him into the Tower,
ffor I will him never see."
Now leave wee Richard and his lords
That were prest all with pryde,
And talke wee of the Stanleys bold
That brought in the Prince of the other side.
Now is Richmond to Stafford come,
And Sir William Stanley to litle Stone. 890
The Prince had lever then any gold
Sir William Stanley to looke uppon.
A messenger was readye made,
That night to Stone rydeth hee;
Sir William rydeth to Stafford towne,
With him a small companye.
218
When the knight to Stafford came,
That Richmond might him see,
He tooke him in his armes then,
And kissed him times three: 900
" The welfare of [th]y body comforteth^me more
Then all the gold in Christentye ! "
Then answered that royall knight ;
To the Prince thus speaketh hee :
" In England thou shalt weare the crowne,
Or else doubtlesse I will dye.
A ffaire lady thou shalt ffind to thy ffere,
As any is in Christentye,
A kings daughter, a countesse clere ;
Yea, shee is both wise and wittye. 910
" I must goe to Stone, my Soveraigine,
ffor to comfort my men this night."
The Prince tooke him by the hand,
And sayd, " ffarwell, gentle knight! '
Now is word comen to Sir William Stanley
Early on the Sunday morninge,
That the Erie of Darby, his brother deere,
Had given battell to Richard the Kinge.
" That wold I not," said Sir William,
" For all the gold in Christentye, 920
Except I were with him there,
Att the battell ffor to bee."
Then straight to Lichefeild can he ryde
In all the hast that might bee.
And when they came to the towne,
They all cryed " King Henery ! "
219
Then straight to Bosworth wold he ryde
In all the hast that might bee.
When they came to Bosworth ffeild,
There they mett with a royall company e. 930
Sixth Parte
The Erie of Darbye he was there,
And twenty thousand stoode him by ;
Sir John Savage, his sisters sone,
He was his nephew of blood soe nye,
He had fifteen hundred frighting men ;
There was no better in Christentye.
Sir William Stanley, that noble knight,
Ten thousand red cotes had hee.
Sir Rice ap Thomas, he was there
With a thousand speres mightye of tree. 940
Erie Richmond came to the Erie of Darbye,
And downe he kneeleth upon his knee ;
He sayd, " ffather Stanley, I you pray,
The vawward you will give to me ;
" For I come for my right ;
ffull ffaine waged wold I bee."
" Stand up," hee sayd, " my sonne deere,
Thou hast thy mothers blessing by mee ;
" The vanward, sonne, I will thee give;
fTor why, by me thou wilt ordered be, 950
Sir William Stanley, my brother deere,
In that battell he shalbee ;
220
Sir John Savage, that hath no peere,
Hee shall be a winge to thee ;
Sir Rice ap Thomas shall breake the wray,
ffor he will flight and never fflee ;
And I my selfe will hover on this hill,
That ffaire battell ffor to see."
King Richard hovered on the mountaines,
And was ware of the banner of the Lord
Stanley. 960
He said, " ffeitch hither the Lord Strange to me
ffor doubtlesse hee shall dye this day."
" To the death, lord, make thee bowne !
ffor by Mary, that mild mayde,
Thou shalt dye ffor thy unckles sake !
His name is William Stanleye."
" If I shold dye," sayd the Lord Strange,
" As God fforbidd itt soe shold bee !
Alas ffor my lady att home,
Itt shold be long ere shee mee see! 970
" But wee shall meete att domesday,
When the great dome itt shalbee."
He called a gentleman of Lancashire,
His name was Latham trulve,
And a ring beside his ffingar he tooke,
And cast itt to the gentleman,
And bade him " Bring itt to Lancashire,
To my ladye that is att home ;
221
" Att her table shee may sitt ;
Ere shee see her lord, itt may be longe. 980
I have no ffoot to scutt or fflytt,
I must be martyred with tyrant stronge.
" If itt ffortune my unckle to lose the ffeild —
As God defend itt shold soe bee ! —
Pray her to take my eldest sonne
And exile him over the sea ;
" He may come in another time ;
By ffeild, ffrrith, tower or towne,
Wreake hee may his ffathers death
Upon King Richard that weares the crowne." 990
A knight to the King did appeare,
Good Sir William Harrington ;
Saies " Lett him have his liffe a while
Till wee have the ffather, the unckle, and the sonne.
" Wee shall have them soone on the ffeild,
The ffather, the unckle, the sonne, all three ;
Then may you deeme them with your mouth,
What kind of death that they shall dye."
But a blocke on the ground was cast,
Therupon the lords head was layde ; 1000
An axe over his head can stand,
And out of passyon itt was brayd.
He saith, " There is no other boote
But that the lord needs must dye."
Harrington heard itt, and was ffull woe
When itt wold no better bee :
222
He saith, " Our ray breaketh on every syde ;
Wee put our ffolke in jeopardye."
Then they tooke up the lord on live ;
King Richard did him never see. ioio
Then he blew up bewgles of brasse,
The shott of guns were soe flree
That ?nade many wives cry alas,
And many children ffatherlesse.
Rice ap Thomas with the blacke gowne,
Shortlye he brake the ray :
With thirty thousand flighting men
The Lord Percy went his way.
The Duke of Nortolke would have filed ;
With twenty thousand in his companye 1020
He went up to a wind-mill,
And stood upon a hill soe hye,
There he mett Sir John Savage, a valyant knight ;
With him a worthy companye :
To the death the duke was dight,
And his sonne, prisoner taken was hee.
Then they Lord Dakers began to fflee,
Soe did many others more.
When King Richard that sight did see,
The?i his heart was ffull woe : !C>30
" I pray you, my men, be not away,
ffor like a man ffree will I dye !
ffor I had lever dye this day,
Then with the Stanleys taken bee ! "
A knight to King Richard can say,
Good Sir William of Harrington,
He saith, " Wee are like all heere
To the death soone to be done ; —
" There may no man their strokes abyde,
The Stanleys dints they beene soe stronge ; — 1040
Yee may come in another time ;
Therfore methinke yee tarry too longe ;
" Your horsse is ready att your hand,
Another day you may your worshipp win,
And to raigne with royaltye,
And weare your crowne and be our King."
" Give me my battell axe in my hand,
And sett my crowne on my head soe hye !
ffor by Him that made both sunn and moone,
King of England this day I will dye!' 1050
Besides his head they hewed the crowne,
And dange on him as they were wood ;
They stroke his basnett to his head
Untill his braines came out with blood.
They carryed him naked unto Leicester,
And buckeled his haire under his chin.
Bessye mett him with merry cheere ;
These were they words shee sayd to him :
" How likest thou they slaying of my brethren
twain e ? "
Shee spake these words to him alowde : 1060
" Now are wee wroken uppon thee heere !
Welcome, gentle unckle, home ! "
224
Great solace itt was to see,
I tell you, masters, without lett,
When they Red Rose of mickle price
And our Bessye were mett.
A bishopp them marryed with a ringe,
They two bloods of hye renowne.
Bessye sayd, " Now may wee sing,
Wee tow bloods are made all one." 1070
The Erie of Darbye he was there,
And Sir William Stanley a man of might;
Upon their heads they sett the crowne
In presence of many a worthy wight.
Then came hee under a cloud,
That sometime in England was ffull high ;
The hart began to cast his head ;
After, noe man might itt see.
But God that is both bright and sheene,
And borne was of a May den ffree, 1080
Save and keepe our comelye King
And the poore cominaltye !
ffinis
2 G 225
ARE WOMEN FFAIRE?
"Are women ffaire? ,: I! wonderous ffaire to see too.
" Are women sweete ? " yea, passing sweete they be too ;
Most ffaire and sweete to them that only love them ;
Chast and discreet to all save those that prove them.
" Are women wise ? ' not wise ; but they be wittye.
" Are women wittye ? '' yea, the more the pittye ;
They are soe wittye, and in witt soe whylye,
That be you neare soe wise, they will beguile ye.
" Are women ffooles ? " not ffooles, but ffondlings
many.
" Can women ffound be ffathfull unto any? " 10
When snow-white swans doe turne to colour sable,
Then women ffond will both be ffirme and stable.
"Are women saints ? v no saints, nor yett no divells.
" Are women good? " not good, but needfull evills;
Soe angell-like, that divells I doe not doubt them ;
Soe needffull evills, that ffew can live with-out them.
" Are women proud ? " I ! passing proud, and praise
them.
"Are women kind?" I! wonderous kind, and please
them,
Or soe imperyous, no man can endure them,
Or soe kind-harted, any may procure them. 20
ffinis
226
A CAVILERE
Some in their traine, and some in their gaine,
Doe sett their whole delight ;
Theyr time some doe passe with a comb and a glasse,
To be loved in their mistresse sight ;
Some love the chace, and some love the race
Of the hare and of the ffearffull deere ;
But the bravest delight is the ffawcon in her fflight,
When shee stoopes with a cavileere.
ffor shee will move just like a dove ;
When once her game shee doth ffind, 10
Shee clipps itt amaine, shee strikes itt a plane
But seemes to outstripp the wind.
Shee fflyeth att once her marke jumpe upon,
And mounteth the welkin cleere ;
Then right shee stoopes, when the ffalkner hee whoopes,
Triumphing in her cavileere.
In a moments space shee will better place
As though shee did disdaine to carrye ;
The earth is soe neere, shee mounteth the sphere,
And maketh the clouds her quarrey, 20
Till the ffawkner quite now hath lost her sight,
And her bells no longer can heare ;
Then l[ess]ening to a starr, he espyes her affarr,
Come stooping with a cavileere.
Then comes he in, through thicke, through thin,
As nothing can his passage stay ;
His paines doth him please, his pleasure doth him ease,
Through studds, through woods, is his way.
227
He fforceth not to sweat, though breathles with heat,
But with a resounding cheare 30
He reacheth fforth his throte, and whoopeth fforth
his note,
Triumphing in her cavileere.
He is ffree ffrom court and cittyes resort,
And thus his houres doth imploye ;
The brooke and the ffeild him pleasure doth yeeld ;
Theres nothing interrupts his joye.
His paines doth him please when he sleepeth att ease ;
But his ffawcon, when day doth appeare,
Her bells are his chimes when he riseth betimes
Triumphing in her cavileere. 40
ffi
nis
228
A PROPECYE
A Prince out of the north shall come,
King borne, named babe; his brest upon,
A lyon rampant strong to see,
And J S icclippedd hee :
Borne in a country rude and stonye,
Yett hee couragyous, wise, and holy ;
Att best of strenght, his ffortunes best
He shall receive, and therin rest,
Coach as a lyon in the den,
And lye in peace soe long till men 10
Shall wonder, and all Christendome
Thinke the time long, both all and some.
Att last he calls a parlaiment,
And breakes itt straight in discontent;
And shortly then shall roused bee
By enemyes beyond the sea.
But when in wrath he drawes his sword,
Woe that the sleeping lyon stured !
ffor ere he sheath the same againe,
He puts his foes to mickle paine. 20
And vallyant actes he shall then doe,
Great Alexanders ffame outgoe :
He passeth seas, and ffame doth winn,
And many princes joyne with him,
And chuse him ffor their governor,
And crowne him Westerne Emperour ;
After a while he shal be-girt
That cittye ancyent and great
Which upon seven hills scituate,
Till hee her all have ruinate. 30
Then shall a ffoe ffrom east appeare,
The brinkes of one great river neere ;
229
This lyon rampant him shall meete ;
And iff on this side hee shall ffight,
The day is lost : but hee shall crosse
This river great, and being past,
Shall in the strenght of his great God,
Into his ffoes discouraging rode,
Causing him thence take his flight,
Of easterne kings succour to seekee ; 40
During which time he is in owne
Of east and west crowned Emperowne.
Then shall the ffoe in ffury burne,
And ffrom the east in hast returne —
With aid of kings and princes great —
To the valley of Jehosaphatt :
Then shall hee meete the lyon stronge,
Who in a battell ffeirce and longe
Shall ffoyle his ffoe. Then cruell death
Shall take away his aged breath. 5°
ffinis
230
MAUDLINE
[First Part]
Behold the touchstone of true love,
Maudlin, the merchants daughter of Bristow towne,
Whose ffirme affection nought cold move !
This ffavor beares the lovely browne.
A gallant youth was dwelling by,
Which long time had borne this lady great good
will ;
Shee loved him most ffaithffully,
But all her ffreinds withstoode itt still.
The young man now perceiving well
He cold not gett nor winn the favor of her
ffreinds, 10
The fforce of sorrow to expell,
To vew strange countryes hee intends ;
And now to take his last frarwell
Of his true love and constant Maudlin,
With sweet musicke, that did excell,
He playes under her windowe then :
" Farwell," quoth he, " my owne true love !
" ffarwell," quoth he, " the cheefest treasure of niy
heart,
Throughe ffortunes spite, that ffalse did prove,
I am inforcet ffrom thee to parte 20
Into the land of Italye ;
There will I waite and weary out my dayes in woe,
Seing my true love is kept frrom mee,
I hold my liffe a mortall ffoe.
Therfore, ffaire Bristow towne, now adew !
For Padua shalbe my habitation now
Although my love doth lodge in thee,
To welcome whom alone my heart I vow."
231
With trickling teares this did hee singe ;
With sighes and sobbs discendinge from his hart
full sore, 30
He said, when hee his hands did wringe,
" Harwell, sweet love, ffor ever-more ! '
ffaire Maudline from a window hye
Beholding her true love with musicke where he
stoode,
But not a word shee durst replye,
ffearing her parents angry moode.
In teares shee spends this woefull night,
Wishing her (though naked) with her ffaithfull
ffreind.
Shee blames her ffreinds and ffortunes spight
That wrought their love such luckless end : 40
And in her hart shee made a vowe,
Cleane to fforsake her country and her kinsfolkes all,
And ffor to ffollow her true love
To bide what chance that might beffall.
The night is gone and the day is come,
And in the morning verry early shee did rise ;
Shee getts her downe to the lower roome,
Where sundry seamen shee espyes,
A gallant master amongst them all, —
The master of a gallant shipp was hee, — 50
Which there stood waiting in the hall
To speake with her ffather, if itt might bee.
Shee kindly takes him by the hand ;
" Good sir," she said, " wold yee speake with any
heere?"
Quoth hee, " ffaire mayd, therfore I stand."
" Then, gentle sir, I pray you come neere
Into a pleasant parlour by."
With hand in hand shee brings the seaman all alone;
Sighing to him most pyteouslye,
Shee thus to him did make her moane ; 60
232
Shee falls upon her tender knee,
" Good sir," shee said, " now pitty yee a vvomans
case,
And prove a ftaithfrull freind to mee,
That I to you my greeffe may show ! '
" Sith you reprose your trust," hee sayd,
" To me that am unknowne, and eke a stranger
heere,
Be you assured, proper maid,
Most ffaithfull still I will appeare."
" I have a brother," then quoth shee,
" Whom as my liffe I ffavor tenderlye. 70
In Padua, alas ! is hee ;
fTull sicke, God wott, and like to dye ;
And ffaine I wold my brother see,
But that my father will not yeeld to let me goe.
Therfore, good sir, bee good to mee,
And unto me this ffavor show.
Some shippboyes garments bring to me,
That I disguised may goe away ffrom hence un-
knowne,
And unto sea He goe with thee
If thus much ffreindshipp may be shovvne." 80
" ffaire mayd," quoth hee, " take heere my hand;
I will fhilfill eche thing that you now doe desire,
And sett you saffe in that same land,
And in that place where you require ! '
Shee gave him then a tender kisse,
And saith, "Your servant, gallant master, will I
bee,
And prove your ffaith-full ffreind fror this.
Sweet master, fforgett not mee I"
This done, as they had both decreede,
Soone after, earlye before the breake of day, 90
He brings her garments then with speed,
Wherin shee doth her-selfe array.
h 233
And ere her ffather did arise,
Shee meetes her master walkeing in the hall ;
Shee did attend on him likwise
Even untill her ffather did him call.
But ere the marchant made an end
Of all the matter to the master he cold saye,
His wiffe came weeping in with speed,
Saying, " Our daughter is gone away! " ioo
The marchant, much amazed in minde,
" Yonder vile wretch inticed away my child! '
But well I wott I shall him ffind
Att Padua or in Italye."
With that bespake the master brave :
"Worshipprlull master, thither goes this pretty youth,
And any thing that you wold have,
He will perfForme itt, and write the truth."
" Sweete youth," quoth shee, " if itt be soe,
Beare me a lettre to the English marchants
there, i i o
And gold on thee I will bestowe ;
My daughters welfare I doe ffeare."
Her mother takes her by the hand :
" Faire youth," quoth shee, " if thou dost my
daughter see,
Leitt me therof soone understand,
And there is twenty crownes flor thee."
Thus, through the daughters strange disguise,
The mother knew not when shee spake unto her
child ;
And after her master straight shee hyes,
Taking her leave with countenance myld. 120
Thus to the sea ffaire Maudlin is gone
With her gentle master. God send them a merry
wind !
Where wee a while must leave them alone,
Till you the second fltt doe fHnd.
23 +
Second Parte
" Welcome, sweet Maudlin, ffrom the sea
Where bitter stormes and tempests doe rise !
The pleasant bankes of Italye
Wee may behold with morttall eyes."
" Thankes, gentle master," then quoth shee,
" A ffaithffull flreind in all sorrowes hast thou
beene ! 130
If ffortune once doe smile on mee,
My thankffull hart shall then be seene.
Blest be the hand that ffeeds my love,
Blest be the place wheras his person doth abyde !
Nor tryall will I sticke to prove
Wherby my good will may be tryde.
Now will I walke with joyffull hart
To vew the towne wheras my darling doth remaine,
And seeke him out in every part
Untill I doe his sight attaine." 140
" And I," quoth hee, " will not fforsake
Sweete Maudlin in her sorrowes up and downe ;
In wealth and woe, thy part He take,
And bring thee safte to Padua towne."
And after many weary stepps
In Padua they arrived saffely att the last :
For verry joy her harte itt ltapes,
Shee thinkes not on her perills past.
Condemned hee was to dye, alas,
Except he wold ffrom his religion turne ; 150
But rather then hee wold goe to Masse,
In ffiery fHames he vowed to burne.
Now doth Maudlin weepe and waile,
Her joy changed to weeping, sorrow, greeffe and
care;
But nothing can her plaints prevaile,
ffor death alone must be his share.
2 35
Shee walked under the prison walls
Where her true love doth lye and languish in dis-
tresse ;
Most woeffullye for flood hee calls
When hungar did his hart oppresse; 160
He sighes, and sobbs, and makes great moane ;
" Farwell," he said, " sweete England, now for
evermore !
And all my ffreinds that have me knowne
In Bristow towne with health and store !
But most of all, ffarwell," quoth hee,
" My owne true love, sweet Maudlin, whom I left
behind !
For never more I shall see thee.
Woe to thy ffather most unkind !
How well were I if thou were here,
With thy ffaire hands to close up both these
wretched eyes ! 170
My torments easye wold appeare ;
My soule with joy shall scale the skyes."
When Maudlin hard her lovers moane,
Her eyes with teares, her hart with sorrow, feild.
To speake with him noe meanes was knowne,
Such greevous doome on him did passe.
Then cast shee of her ladds attyre ;
A may dens weede upon her backe shee seemlye sett ;
To the judges house shee did enquire,
And there shee did a service gett. 180
Shee did her duty there soe well,
And eke soe prudently shee did her-selfe behave,
With her in love her master ffell,
His servants ffavor he doth crave :
" Maudlin," quoth hee, " my hearts delight,
To whome my hart in affectyon is tyed,
Breed not my death through thy despite !
A ffiiithffull ffreind I wilbe tryed ;
236
Grant me thy love, ffaire mayd," quoth hee,
" And att my hands desire what thou canst
devise, 190
And I will grant itt unto thee,
Wherby thy creditt may arrise."
" I have a brother, sir," shee sayd,
" rlor his religion is now condempned to dye ;
In lothesome prison is he laid,
Opprest with care and misery.
Grant you my brothers life" shee sayd,
" To you my liffe and liking I will give."
" That may not be," quoth hee, " faire mayd ;
Except he turne, he cannott live." 200
" An English ffryer there is," shee said,
" Of learning great, and of a passing pure liffe ;
Lett him to my brother be sent,
And hee will soone ffinish the striffe."
Her master granting her request,
The marriner in ffryers weed shee did array,
And to her love that lay distrest
Shee doth a letter straight convay.
When he had read those gentle lines,
His heavy hart was ravished with joye; 210
Where now shee was, ffull well hee knew.
The ffryer likewise was not coye,
But did declare to him att large
The enterprise his love had taken in hand.
The young man did the ffryer charge
His love shold straight depart the land ;
" Here is no place for her " hee sayd,
" But death and danger of her harmless liffe ;
And testing death I was betrayd,
But ffearlull fflames must end our striffe, 220
For ere I will my faith deny,
And sweare to ffollow my selte damned Anti-
Christ,
237
I will yeeld my body for to dye,
And live in Heaven with the hyest."
" O Sir," the gentle ffryer sayd,
" For your sweet love reccant, and save your
wicked liffe."
" A woeffull match," quoth hee, " is made,
Where Christ is left to win a wiffe."
When shee had wrought all meanes shee might
To save her ffreind, and that shee saw itt
wold not bee, 230
Then of the judge shee claimed her right
To dye the death as well as hee.
When no perswassyon wold prevaile,
Nor change her mind in any thing that shee had
sayd,
Shee was with him condemned to dye,
And for them both one fire was made,
And arme in arme most joyfrullye
These lovers twaine unto the fTyer they did goe.
The marriner most fTaith-ffullye
Was likwise partner of their woe: 240
But when the judges understood
The fTaith-ffull ffreindshipp that did in them
remaine,
They saved their lives, and afterward
To England sent them home againe.
Now was their sorrow turned to joy,
And ffaithffull lovers had now their harts desire \
Their paines soe well they did imploy,
God granted that they did require ;
And when they were to England come,
And in merry Bristowe arrived att the last, 250
Great joy there was to all and some
That heard the danger they had past.
Her fTather, hee was dead, God wott,
And eke her mother was joyfull of her sight ;
238
Their wishes shee denyed not,
But weded them with harts delight,
Her gentle Master shee desired
To be her ffather, and att church to give her then.
Itt was ffulfKlled as shee required,
Unto the joy of all good men. 2 6o
ffin
is
239
COME PRETTY WANTON
Come : pretty wanton, tell me why
Thou canst not love as well as I ?
Sett thee downne, sett thee downe, sett thee downe, and
thou shalt see
Why thus unkind thou art to me.
My dearest sweet, be not soe coy,
For thou alone art all my joy.
Sett thee downe &c.
That itt is hye time to pittye mee.
O gentle love ! be not yett gone ;
Leave me not heere distrest alone! 10
Sett thee downe &c.
That I delight in none but thee.
Lett me not crye to thee in vaine ;
Looke but upon me once againe !
If a looke, if a looke, if a looke thou wilt not lend,
Lett but thy gentle eares attend.
If thou doe stopp those gentle eares,
Looke but upon these cruell teares
Which doe fforce me still to crye
' Pittye me, sweet, or else I dye!' 20
ffinis
240
HEE IS A FFOOLLE
Hee : is a ffoole that baselye dallyes
Where eche peasant mates with him.
Shall I haunt the thronged valleys,
Havinge noble hills to climbe?
No ! no ! those clownes be scared with ffrownes
Shall never my affectyon gayne !
And such as you, ffond ffooles, adew,
That seeke to captive me in vaine !
I doe scorne to vow a dutye
Where eche lustfull ladd may woe. 10
Give me those whose seemlye bewtye,
Bussards dare not gazt unto.
Shee itt is affords my blisse
ffor whome I will reffuse no payne ;
And such as you, fond fooles, adew,
That seeke to captive me in vaine !
ffin
is
2 I 2+1
LULLA: LULLA
By : constraint if I depart, —
Sing lullabee, —
I leave with thee behind, my constant hart.
Placed with thine, there lett itt rest
Till itt by death be disposest,
Sing lulla lullabee! love, live loyall till I dye.
Doe not any wayes distrust —
Sing lullabye —
That I shall prove inconstant or unjust.
Though banishment a while I try, 10
Yett shall affectyon never dye.
Sine lulla &c
If by absence I be fforcet —
Sing lullabee —
A litle while to be devorcet
frrom thee whose brest can testifye
Where my subjects hart doth lye,
Lulla &c.
Constancye is all I crave —
Sing lullabee ; — 20
Performed by thee, my wish I have ;
If I to thee unconstant prove,
Lett death my liffe ffrom earth remove.
Lulla &c.
ffinis
242
A LOVER OFF LATE
A Lover of late was I,
ffor Cupid wold have itt soe,
The boy that hath never an eye,
As every man doth know.
I sighed, and sobbed, and cryed alas
ffor her that laught and called me asse, and called me
assee,
And called me asse .\ for her that &c.
Then knew not I what to doe
When I see itt was vaine
A lady soe coy to wooe, 10
And gave me the asse soe plaine.
Yett would / her asse that I should bee,
Soe shee would helpe and beare with mee, and beare &c.
Soe shee &c.
And I were as faine as shee,
And shee were as kind as I,
What payre cold have made as wee
Soe prettye a sumpathye ?
I was as kind as shee was fraire,
But for all this wee cold not paire ; we cold &c. 20
Wee cold not paire, but ffor all &c.
Paire with her that will, ffor mee !
With her I will never paire
That cuningly can be coy,
For being a litle ffaire.
The asse He leave to her disdane,
And now I am, my selfe againe, my selfe &c.
And now I am, my selfe againe.
ffinis.
2+3
GREAT OR PROUDE
Great or proud, if shee deryde mee,
Lett her goe ! I will not dispaire !
Ere to-morrow He provide mee
One as great, lesse proud, more ffaire.
He that seeks love to constraine,
Shall have but labor ffor his paine.
And yett strongly will I prove her
Whome I meane to have indeede.
If shee constant prove, He love her ;
And if ffalse, He not proceede. 10
Ought from mee, that may constraine
My mind and reason to be twaine !
Man by reason shold be guided,
And not love where hees disdaind ;
If that once he be deryded,
Others love may be obtained.
Hold you not one mayd soe rare;
Theres none that lives without compare.
ffi
nis.
244
THE SPANISH LADIES LOVE
If our ffoes you may be termed,
Gentle ffoes wee have you ffound ;
With our eittye you have woon our harts eche one ;
Then to your country beare away that is your owne."
"Rest you still, most gallant Ladye!
Rest you still, and weepe noe more!
Of ffaire lovers there is plenty ;
Spaine doth yeelde a wonderous store."
"Spanyards ffraught with jelousye wee often ffind,
But Englishmen through all the world are counted
kind. 10
"Leave me not unto a Spanyard,
You alone injoy my hart ;
I am lovely, young, and tender ;
Love likwise is my desert.
Still to serve thee day and night, my mind is prest ;
The wiffe of every Englishman is counted blest."
"Itt wold be a shame, ffaire Ladye,
ffor to beare a woman hence ;
English souldiers never carry
Any such without offence." 20
"I will quicklye change my selfe, if itt be soe,
And like a page He ffollow thee whersoere thou goe."
"I have neither gold nor silver
To maintaine thee in this case,
And to travell is great charges,
As you know, in every place."
"My chaines and Jewells every one shalbe thy owne,
And eke five hundred pounds in gold that lyes
nowne.
unki"
245
"On the seas are many dangers;
Many stormes doe there arrise, 30
Which wilbe to Ladyes dreadffull,
And fforce teares ffrom watterye eyes."
"Well in worth I will endure extremitye,
For I cold find my hart to lose my liffe for thee."
"Curteous Ladye, leave this ffancye.
Here comes all that breakes the striffe :
I in England have already
A sweet woman to my wiffe.
I will not ffalsifye my vow for gold nor gaine,
Nor yett ffor all the ffairest dames that live in
Spaine." 40
"O how happy is that woman
That enjoyes soe true a ffreind !
Many days of joy God send you!
Of my suite He make an end.
Upon my knees I pardon crave for this offence
Which love and true affectyon did ffirst commence.
" Comend me to thy lovely Ladye ;
Beare to her a chaine of gold
And these braceletts ffor a token,
Greeving that I was soe bold. 50
All my Jewells in like sort take with thee ;
These are fritting ffor thy wiffe, and not ffor mee.
" I will spend my days in prayer ;
Love and all her lawes deffye ;
In a nunery will I shrowd me,
ffar ffrom other companye;
But ere my prayers have an end, be sure of this,
To pray ffor thee and ffor thy love I will nott misse.
246
" Thus ffarwell, most gallant captaine,
And ffarwell my harts content! 60
Count not Spanish Ladyes wanton
Though to thee my love was bent.
Joy and true prosperitye be still with thee ! "
" The like ffall ever to thy share, most ffaire Ladye! "
247
SIR ANDREW BARTTON
[First Part]
As : itt beffell in Midsumer time
When burds singe sweetlye on every tree,
Our noble King, King Henery the Eighth,
Over the river of Thames past hee.
Hee was no sooner over the river,
Downe in a fforrest to take the ayre,
But eighty merchants of London cittye
Came kneeling before King Henery there
" O yee are welcome, rich merchants,
Good say /ers, we/come unto me!" 10
They swore by the rood they were saylers good,
But rich merchants they cold not bee ;
" To ffrance nor fflanders dare we nott passe,
Nor Burdeaux voyage wee dare not ffare,
And all ffor a ffalse robber that lyes on the seas,
And robb us of our merchants ware."
King Henery was stout, and he turned him about,
And swore by the Lord that was mickle of might,
" I thought he had not beene in the world through-
out,
That durst have wrought England such
unright." 20
But ever they sighed, and said — alas ! —
Unto King Harry this answere againe
"He is a proud Scott that will robb us all
If wee were twenty shipps and hee but one."
24.8
The King looket over his left shoulder,
Amongst his lords and barrons soe ffree :
" Have I never lord in all my realme
Will ffeitch yond traitor unto mee ?"
" Yes, that dare I ! " sayes my Lord Charles Howard,
Neere to the King wheras hee did stand; 30
" If that your Grace will give me leave,
My selfe willbe the only man."
" Thou shalt have six hundred men," saith our King,
" And chuse them out of my realme soe ffree ;
Besids marriners and boyes,
To guide the great shipp on the sea."
" He goe speake with Sir Andrew," sais Charles, my
Lord Haward ;
" Upon the sea, if hee be there,
I will bring him and his shipp to shore,
Or before my prince I will never come neere." 4.0
The ffirst of all my Lord did call,
A noble gunner hee was one ;
This man was sixty yeeres and ten,
And Peeter Simon was his name.
" Peeter," sais hee, " I must sayle to the sea
To seeke out an enemye ; God be my speed ! '
Before all others I have chosen thee ;
Of a hundred guners thoust be my head."
" My Lord," sais hee, "if you have chosen mee
Of a hundred gunners to be the head, 50
Hange me att your maine-mast tree
If I misse my marke past three pence bread."
The next of all my Lord he did call,
A noble bowman hee was one ;
In Yorekeshire was this gentleman borne,
And William Horsley was his name.
2 k 249
" Horsley," sayes hee, "I must sayle to the sea
To seeke out an enemye ; God be my speede !
Before all others I have chosen thee ;
Of a hundred bowemen thoust be my head." 60
" My Lord," sais hee, " if you have chosen mee
Of a hundred bowemen to be they head,
Hang me att your mainemast tree
If I misse my marke past twelve pence bread."
With pikes, and gunnes, and bowemen bold,
This noble Howard is gone to the sea
On the day before Midsummer even,
And out att Thames mouth sayled they.
They had not sayled dayes three
Upon their journey they tooke in hand, 70
But there they mett with a noble shipp,
And stoutely made itt both stay and stand.
" Thou must tell me thy name," sais Charles, my
Lord Haward,
" Or who thou art, or ffrom whence thou came,
Yea, and where thy dwelling is,
To whom and where thy shipp does belong."
" My name," sayes hee, " is Henery Hunt,
With a pure hart and a penitent mind ;
I and my shipp they doe belong
Unto the New Castle that stands upon Tine." 80
" Now thou must tell me, Harry Hunt,
As thou hast sayled by day and by night,
Hast thou not heard of a stout robber?
Men calls him Sir Andrew Bartton, Knight."
But ever he sighed, and sayd, "alas!
ffull well, my Lord, I know that wight !
He robd me of my merchants ware,
And I was his prisoner but yesternight.
250
" As I was sayling uppon the sea,
And Burdeaux voyage as I did ffare, 90
He clasped me to his archborde
And robd me of all my merchants ware ;
And I am a man both poore and bare,
And every man will have his owne of me,
And I am bound towards London to ffare,
To complaine to my Prinee Henerye."
" That shall not need," sais my Lord Haward ;
If thou canst lett me this robber see,
ffor every peny he hath taken thee ffroe,
Thou shalt be rewarded a shilling," quoth
hee. 100
" Now God ffore-fend," saies Henery Hunt,
" My Lord, you shold worke soe ffarr amisse!
God keepe you out of that traitors hands !
For you wott ffull litle what a man hee is.
" Hee is brasse within, and Steele without,
And beanes hee beares in his topcastle stronge ;
His shipp hath ordinance cleane round about ;
Besids, my Lord, hee is verry well mand ;
He hath a pinnace is deerlye dight,
Saint Andrews crosse, that is his guide; no
His pinnace beares nine score men and more,
Besids fifteen cannons on every side.
" If you were twenty shippes, and he but one,
Either in charke-bord or in hall,
He wold overcome you everye one,
And if his beanes they doe downe ffall."
"This is cold comfort," sais my Lord Haward,
" To wellcome a stranger thus to the sea ;
He bring him and his shipp to shore,
Or else into Scottland hee shall carrye mee." 120
251
" Then you must gett a noble gunner, my Lord,
That can sett well with his eye
And sinke his pinnace into the sea,
And soone then overcome will hee bee.
And when that you have done this,
If you chance Sir Andrew for to bord,
Lett no man to his topcastle goe ;
And I will give you a glasse, my Lord,
" And then you need to ffe[ar]e no Scott,
Whether you sayle by day or by night; 130
And to-morrow by seven of the clocke,
You shall meete with Sir Andrew Bartton, Knight.
I was his prisoner but yester night,
And he hath taken mee sworne ; " quoth hee,
" I trust my Lord God will me frorgive
And if that oath then broken bee.
" You must lend me sixe peeces, my Lord," quoth hee,
" Into my shipp to sayle the sea,
And to-morrow by nine of the clocke
Your honour againe then will I see. 140
And the hache-bord where Sir Andrew lay,
Is hached with gold deerlye dight:"
" Now by my ffaith," sais Charles, my Lord Haward,
" Then yonder Scott is a worthye wight !
Second Parte
" Take in your ancyents and your standards,
Yea that no man shall them see,
And put me fforth a white willow wand,
As merchants use to sayle the sea."
252
But they stirred neither top nor mast,
But Sir Andrew they passed by. 150
" Whatt English are yonder," said Sir Andrew,
"That can so little curtesye?
" I have beene admirall over the sea
More then these yeeres three ;
There is never an English dog, nor Portingall,
Can passe this way without leave of mee.
But now yonder pedlers, they are past,
Which is no litle greffe to me :
ffeich them backe," sayes Sir Andrew Barton,
" They shall all hang att my maine-mast
tree." 160
With that they pinnace itt shott of,
That my Lord Haward might itt well ken,
Itt strokes downe my lords fforemast,
And killed fourteen of my Lord his men.
" Come hither, Simon ! " sayes my Lord Haward,
" Looke that thy words be true thou sayd ;
He hang thee att my maine-mast tree
If thou misse thy marke past twelve pence bread."
Simon was old, but his hart itt was bold,
Hee tooke downe a peece, and layd itt ffull
lowe ; 170
He put in chaine yeards nine,
Besids other great shott lesse and more.
With that hee lett his gun shott goe ;
Soe well hee settled itt with his eye,
The ffirst sight that Sir Andrew sawe,
Hee see his pinnace sunke in the sea.
253
When hee saw his pinace sunke,
Lord ! in his hart hee was not well :
" Cutt my ropes ! itt is time to be gon !
He goe ffeitch yond pedlers backe my selfe ! " 180
When my Lord Haward saw Sir Andrew loose,
Lord ! in his hart that hee was ffaine :
" Strike on your drummes, spread out your ancyents !
Sound out your trumpetts ! sound out amaine ! '
" fright on, my men! " sais Sir Andrew Bartton ;
" Weate, howsoever this geere will sway,
Itt is my Lord Admirall of England
Is come to seeke mee on the sea."
Simon had a sonne, with shott of a gunn, —
Well Sir Andrew might itt ken, — 190
He shott itt in att a privye place,
And killed sixty more of Sir Andrews men.
Harry Hunt came in att the other syde,
And att Sir Andrew hee shott then,
He drove downe his fformost tree,
And killed eighty more of Sir Andirwes men.
" I have done a good turne," sayes Harry Hunt,
" Sir Andrew is not our Kings ffreind ;
He hoped to have undone me yesternight,
But I hope I have quitt him well in the end." 200
" Ever alas ! " sayd Sir Andrew Barton,
" What shold a man either thinke or say ?
Yonder ffalse theeffe is my strongest enemye,
Who was my prisoner but yesterday.
Come hither to me, thou Gourden good,
And be thou readye att my call,
And I will give thee three hundred pounds,
If thou wilt lett my beanes downe flail. "
254
With that hee swarned the maine-mast tree,
Soe did he itt with might and maine : 210
Horseley with a bearing arrow
Stroke the Gourden through the braine,
And he ffell into the haches againe,
And sore of this wound that he did bleed.
Then word went throug Sir Andrews men,
That they Gourden hee was dead.
" Come hither to me, James Hambliton, —
Thou art my sisters sonne, I have no more, —
I will give thee six hundred pounds
If thou will lett my beanes downe ffall." 220
With that hee swarned the maine-mast tree,
Soe did hee itt with might and maine :
Horseley with an-other broad arrow
Strake the yeaman through the braine,
That hee ffell downe to the haches againe :
Sore of his wound that hee did bleed.
Itt is verry true, as the Welchman sayd,
Covetousness getts no gaine.
But when hee saw his sisters sonne slaine,
Lord! in his heart hee was not well. 230
" Goe ffeitch me downe my armour of prove,
ffor I will to the topcastle my-selfe.
" Goe freitch me downe my armour of prooffe,
For itt is guilded with gold soe cleere.
God be with my brother, John of Bartton !
Amongst the Portingalls hee did itt weare."
But when hee had his armour of prooffe,
And on his body hee had itt on,
Every man that looked att him
Sayd, "gunn nor arrow hee neede feare
none!" 240
255
" Come hither, Horsley !" sayes my Lord Haward,
" And looke your shaft that itt goe right;
Shoot a good shoote in the time of need,
And ffor thy shooting thoust be made a Knight."
" He doe my best," sayes Horslay then,
" Your honor shall see beffore I goe ;
If I shold be hanged att your mainemast,
I have in my shipp but arrowes tow."
But att Sir Andrew hee shott then ;
Hee made sure to hitt his marke ; 250
Under the spole of his right arme
Hee smote Sir Andrew quite throw the hart.
Yett ffrom the tree hee wold not start,
But hee clinged to itt with might and maine.
Under the coller then of his jacke,
He stroke Sir Andrew thorrow the braine.
" ffight on my men," sayes Sir Andrew Bartton,
" I am hurt, but I am not slaine ;
He lay mee downe and bleed a-while,
And then He rise and ffight againe. 260
ffight on my men," sayes Sir Andrew Bartton,
"These English doggs they bite soe lowe;
ffight on ffor Scottland and Saint Andrew
Till you heare my whistle blowe!"
But when they cold not heare his whistle blow,
Sayes Harry Hunt, " He lay my head
You may bord yonder noble shipp, my Lord,
For I know Sir Andrew hee is dead."
With that they borded this noble shipp,
Soe did they itt with might and maine; 270
They ffound eighteen score Scotts alive,
Besids the rest were maimed and slaine.
256
My Lord Haward tooke a sword in his hand,
And smote of Sir Andrews head.
The Scotts stood by, did weepe and mourne,
But never a word durst speake or say.
He caused his body to be taken downe,
And over the hatch-bord cast into the sea,
And about his middle three hundred crownes :
" Wheresoever thou lands, itt will bury thee." 2 Ho
With his head they sayled into England againe
With right good will, and fforce and meanye,
And the day beffore Newyeeres even
And into Thames mouth againe they came.
My Lord Haward wrote to King Heneryes grace,
With all the newes hee cold him bring:
" Such a newyeeres gifft I have brought to your grace,
As never did subject to any King.
" flor merchandyes and manhood,
The like is nott to be ffound ? 290
The sight of these wold doe you good,
ffor you have not the like in your English ground."
But when hee heard tell that they were come,
Full royally hee welcomed them home :
Sir Andrews shipp was the Kings newyeeres guifft ;
A braver shipp you never saw none.
Now hath our King Sir Andrews shipp
Besett with pearles and precyous stones ;
Now hath England two shipps of warr,
Two shipps of warr, before but one. 300
" Who holpe to this?" sayes King Henerye,
" That I may reward him ffor his paine."
" Harry Hunt and Peeter Simon,
William Horseleay, and I the same."
2 L 257
" Harry Hunt shall have his whistle and chain,
And all his Jewells, whatsoever they bee,
And other rich giffts that I will not name,
For his good service he hath done mee.
Horslay, right thoust be a Knight ;
Lands and livings thou shalt have store. 310
Howard shalbe Erie of Nottingham,
And soe was never Haward before.
" Now Peeter Simon, thou art old,
I will maintaine thee and thy sonne,
Thou shalt have five hundred pounds all in gold
ffor the good service that thou hast done."
Then King Henerye shiffted his roome ;
In came the Queene and ladyes bright ;
Other arrands they had none
But to see Sir Andrew Bartton, Knight. 320
But when they see his deadly fface,
His eyes were hollow in his head,
" I wold give a hundred pounds," sais King Henerye,
" The man were alive as hee is dead !
Yett ffor the manfull part that hee hath playd
Both heere and beyond the sea
His men shall have halfe a crowne a day
To bring them to my brother King Jamye."
ffi
nis
258
THE SILLYE SILVAN
Like to the sillye silvan
Burnt by the ffire he liked,
I scorched am with Cupidds ffyery fflame,
Wherin I became delighted.
Grant then, O grant, my desire to allay,
Lest that I ruined bee ;
And goddesse-like, save mee !
By love my liffe I maintaine ;
Death by hatred I gaine :
You the murthresse, if slaine I bee. 10
Then hand in hand lett Pittye
With Bevvtye march intwined ;
Harmonious paire, if soe linked they were,
How delightffull in thee combined !
ffairest of all that the sun doth survay,
Lett gracyousnesse take place ;
O be not to coye !
Thou art an angell, if a ffreind ;
If an enemye, a ffeend.
Then to pittye condiscend, I pray! 20
ftaine wold I that my desires
On her might have refflectyon.
Love loved againe ; itt is my only aime
To be answered with true affectyon.
Love is attended with many a plesure
To thee unknowene as yett.
Mee to those joyes admitte!
Crowne me with those loves rights,
With those precyous delights,
Whiles the time that us invites if itts ffitte. 30
ffinis
259
PATIENT GRISSELL
A : noble Marquesse, as hee did ryde on huntinge
Hard by a fforrest syde,
A proper maid, as shee did sitt a spinninge,
His gentle eye espyde.
Most ffaire and lovely, and of comely grace, was shee,
Although in simple attire ;
Shee sung frull sweet with pleasant voice melodyous-
lyee,
Which sett the Lords hart on ffire.
The more he looket, the more hee might ;
Bewtye bred his harts delight; 10
And to this dainty damsell then hee went.
" God speed," quoth hee, " thou ffamous fflower,
ffaire mistress of this homely bower
Where lovee and vertue lives with sweet content !'"
With comely jesture and modest fflne behaviour
Shee bade him welcome ; then
Shee entertaind him in ffaithffull ffrendly manner
And all his gentlemen.
The noble Marquesse in his hart felt such a fflame,
Which sett his sences att striffe ; 20
Quoth hee, "ffaire mayd, show me soone what is thine
name ;
I meane to make thee my wiffe."
" Grissell is my name," quoth shee,
" ffarr unffitt ffor your degree :
A silly mayden, and of parents poore."
" Nay, Grissell! thou art rich," he sayd ;
" A virtiuos, ffaire, and comelye mayde!
Grant me thy love, and I will aske no more."
260
Att lenght shee consented, and being both contented,
They marryed were with speed. 30
Her country russett was changed to silke and velvett,
As to her state agreed ;
And when that shee was trimly tyred in the same,
Her bewtye shined most bright,
fTarr stainninge every other brave and comelye dame
That did appeare in her sight.
Many envyed her therfore,
Because shee was of parents poore,
And twixt her Lord and shee great striffe did raise.
Some said this, and some said that, 40
And some did call her beggars bratt,
And to her Lord they wold her offt dispraise :
"O noble Marquesse" quoth they "why doe you
wrong us,
Thus baselye rlor to wedd,
That might have gotten an honourable ladye
Into your princely bed ?
Who will not now your noble issue still deryde,
Which heerafter shall be borne,
That are of blood soe base on the mothers syde,
The which will bring them in scorne. 50
Put her therfore quite away ;
Take to you a ladye gay,
Wherby your linage may renowned bee:"
Thus every day they seemed to prate
That malliced Grissells good estate,
Who tooke all this most mild and patyentlye.
When the Marquesse see that they were bent thus
Aaginst his ffaithffull wiffe,
Who most dearlye, tenderlye, and entirlye,
He loved as his liffe ; 60
261
Minding in secrett for to prove her patyent hart,
Therby her ffoes to disgrace,
Thinking to play a hard discurteous part
That men might pittye her case ; —
Great with child this ladye was ;
And att lenght itt came to passe,
Two goodlye children att one birth shee had,
A sonne and daughter God had sent,
Which did their ffather well content,
And which did make their mothers hart full
glad. 70
Great joy and ffeasting was att the childrens christ-
ening,
And princely triumph made.
Six weekes together all nobles that came thither
Were entertained, and stayd.
And when that all these plasant sporttings quite were
done,
The Marquesse a messenger sent
ffor his young daughter and his pretty smiling sone,
Declaring his ffull entent,
How that they babes must murdered be, —
For soe the Marquess did decree: 80
" Come, lett me have thy children," then hee
sayd.
With that, ffaire Grissell wept ffull sore,
Shee wrong her hands, and sayd no more :
" My gracyous Lord must have his will obayd."
Shee tooke the babyes fFrom the nursing ladyes
Betweene her tender amies ;
Shee often wishes with many sorrowfrull kisses
That shee might heipe their harmes :
262
" fFarwcll, ffarwell a thousand times, my children
deere !
Neere shall I see you againe! 90
Tis long of me, your sad and wofull mother heere,
For whose sake you must be slaine.
Had I beene borne of royall race,
You might have lived in happy case,
But you must dye for my unworthynesse!
Come, messenger of death," sayd shee,
" Take my despised babes ffrom mee,
And to their ffather my complaints expresse ! "
Hee tooke the children ; unto his noble master
He brought them both with speed, 100
Who secrett sent them unto a noble ladye
To bee brought up indeed.
Then to ffaire Grissell with a heavy hart hee goes
Where shee sate myldlye alone.
A pleasant gesture and a lovelye looke shee showes,
As if greeffe shee had never knone.
Quoth hee, " my children now are slaine :
What thinkes ffaire Grissell of the same ?
Sweet Grissell, now declare thy mind to mee,"
" Sith you, my Lord, are pleased with itt, no
Poore Grissell thinkes the actyon fltt.
Both I and mine att your comand wilbee."
" My nobles murmure, ffaire Girssell, at thy honour,
And I noe joy can have
Till thou be banisht both ffrom my court and presence,
As they unjustly crave.
Thou must be stript out of thy garments all,
And as thou earnest unto mee,
In homely gray, instead of bisse and purest pall,
Now all thy clothing must bee. 120
263
My lady thou shalt be no more,
Nor I thy Lord, which greeves me sore.
The poorest liffe must now content thy mind ;
A groate to thee I may not give
To maintaine thee while I live :
Against my Grissell such great ffoes I ffind."
When gentle Grissell had hard this wofull tydings,
The teares stood in her eyes.
She nothing answered, no words of discontent-
ment
Did rTrom her lipps arrise; 130
Her velvett gowne most pitteouslye shee slipped of,
Her kirtle of silke with the same.
Her russett gowne was browght againe with many a
scofle :
To bere them all, her selfe shee did fframe.
When shee was drest in this array,
And readye was to part away,
"God send long live unto my Lord!" quoth
shee,
" Let no offence be ffound in this,
To give my Lord a parting kisse."
With wattered eyes, " ffarwell, my deare ! " quoth
hee. 140
ffrom statelye pallace, unto her ffathers cottage
Poore Grissell now is gone,
ffull fifteen winters shee lived there contented ;
No wrong shee thought upon;
And att that time through all the land the speeches
went,
The Marquesse shold marryed bee
Unto a ladye great of hye discent ;
And to the same all partyes did agree.
264
The Marquesse sent ffor Grissell ffaire
The bryds bedchamber to prepare, 150
That nothing therm shold bee ffound avvrye.
The bryde was withe her brother come,
Which was great joy to all and some :
And Grissell tooke all this most patyentlye.
And in the morning when that they shold be
wedded,
Her patyence now was tryde :
Grissell was chargd, her-selfe in princely mannour
ffor to attyre the bryde.
Most willingly shee gave consent unto the same :
The bryde in her bravery was drest, 160
And presentlye the noble Marquesse thither came
With all his lords att his request :
" O Grissell, I wold aske of thee
If thou wold to this match agree ;
Methinkes thy lookes are waxen wonderous
coy.
With that they all began to smile,
And Grissell shee replyes the while,
" God send Lord Marquesse many yeeres of
joy!
The Marquesse was moved to see his best beloved
Thus patyent in distresse ; 170
He stept unto her, and by the hand he tooke her ;
The words he did expresse :
" Thou art the bryde, and all the brydes I meane
to have !
These two thine owne children bee!" —
The youthfull lady on her knees did blessing crave ;
Her brother as willing as shee ; —
2 m 265
" And you that envye her estate
Whom I have made my loving mate,
Now blush ffor shame, and honour vertuous liffe !
The chronicles of lasting ffame 180
Shall evermore extoll the name
Of patyent Grissel, my most patyent wiffe!"
ffi
nis
266
SCROOPE AND BROWNE
In Barwicke Low, as late beffell,
A great mishap happened therin
Wold peaine a stonye hart to tell :
The great discourse that did begin
Betwixt two youthes of gentle blood.
As they were walking all alone.
They wrought their wills as they thought good,
Which made their ffreinds to waile and mone.
The one hight Scroope, as I heard tell,
The other Browne, as I hard say: 10
Betwixt these two itt soe beffell,
That hand to hand they made affray.
Saith Scroope to Browne, "what dost thou meane
To come all naked thus to mee?
Itt meaneth sure, by thy comming,
Thou wilt not ffight, but rather fflee."
Quoth Browne, " my weapons are att hand,
As to thy paine shall soone bee seene ;
ffor while that I may goe or stand,
One ffoote to ffly I doe not meane." 20
They drew fforth their swords anon,
They ffought together manffullye,
They bright blades in the sun shone, —
O Lord, itt was great joy to see ! —
267
They laid on strokes that were soe strong,
The ffought together manffullye,
Att lenght Scroope pressed unto Browne,
And with his sword ffull egarlye
Hee hitt Browne on the legg, god wott,
Hee cutt him vaines two or three; 30
A man might have seene where that stroke bote ;
O Lord; itt pearced him cruelly!
They tooke their breath, and still they stoode :
Quoth Scroope, "thou Browne, yeelde thee to
mee !
On which, Browne waxing neere hand wood,
Together ffearfullye they cold fflee.
They lady came runinge apace :
Browne cast up his head and did her see ;
With that hee cut Scroope in the flace ;
The sword to the brai?i went through his ee. 4.0
"Out and alas!" quoth this gay ladye,
" Browne ! why wouldest thou doe this deede ?
I loved him better then I loved thee!"
Shee kist his wounds as they did bleede.
" Ladye," quoth Browne, " my owne thou art !
Our trothes together plighted they bee;
ffor shame lett this deede never be knowne,
Nor never show extremitye."
" As ffor our trothes plighting," shee saith,
" Is not the thing that greeveth mee; 50
But ffor his sake that heere is dead,
Taken soone that thou shalt bee."
268
"O no, no, no, ladye!" he sayes,
" If that thou wilt thy troth deniye,
Yett ffor his sake that heere lyes dead,
Taken will I never bee."
Hee tooke the sword then by the blade,
The heavye hilt on ground did lye ;
Quite through his body a wound hee made,
And there hee dyed beffore her eye. 60
The ffattall end of Scroope and Browne,
Of bothe their ffreinds lamented was ;
And eke the crye through Barwicke towne
Was " well away, and out alas!"
But of this ladye, marke the end,
That causer was of deadlye fuyde :
A swoning trance God did her send
That shee ffell dead upon the ground.
You ladyes all that heere my song,
And maidens all of eche degree, 70
See yee never speake word with your tongue,
But keepe itt till the day you dye.
And young men all that heere my song,
To seeke true love doe you not spare ;
Though Piramus be eft to find,
Yett Thisbye is a bird most rare.
ffinis
269
KINGE HUMBER
When Humber in his wrathe-frull rage
King Albanack in ffeild had slaine,
Those bloody broyles ffor to assvvage,
King Locrin then applyed his paine,
And with an host of Brittaines stout
Att lenght hee ffound King Humber out.
Att vantage great he mett him then,
And with his hoast besett him soe
That hee destroyed his warlike men,
And Humbers power did overthrowe ; 10
And Humber, which ffor ffeare did fflye,
Leapt into a river desperattlye.
And being drowned in the deepe,
And left a ladye there a-live,
[Who] sadlye did lament and weepe
For ffeare they shold her liffe deprive ;
But by her fface that was soe ffaire
The King was caught in Cupidds snare.
Hee tooke the ladye to his love,
And secrettlye did keepe her still ; 20
Soe that they Queene did quicklye prove
The King did beare her small good will ;
Although in wedlocke late begun,
Hee had by her a gallant sonne.
Queene Guendoline was greeved in minde
To see the King was altered soe ;
Att lenght the cause shee chanct to ffind,
Which brought her to much bitter woe.
270
ffor Estrilde was his joy, God wott,
By whom a daughter hee begott. 30
The Duke of Cornewall being dead,
The ffather of that gallant Queene ;
The King by lust being over-ledd,
His lawflull wiffe hee cast of cleane,
Who with her deare and tender sonne
For succour did to Cornewall turne.
Then Locrine crowned Estrild bright,
And made of her his lawf ull wiffe ;
With her which was his harts delight,
He thought to lead a pleasant liffe. 40
Thus Guendoline, as once fforlorne,
Was of her husband held in scorne.
Bnt when the Cornish men did know
The great abuse shee did endure,
With her a number great did goe,
Which shee by prayers did procure.
In battell then they marcht alonge
For to redresse this greevous wronge,
And neere a river called Store
The King with all his host shee mett, 50
Where both the armyes fought full sore,
But then the Queene the feild did gett ;
Yett ere they did the conquest gaine,
The King was with an arrow slaine.
Then Guendoline did take in hand —
Untill her sonne was come to age —
The government of all the land ;
And that great frury to aswage,
Shee did command her souldiers wild
To drowne both Estrill and her child. 60
271
Incontinent then did they bringe
ffaire Estrild to the rivers syde,
And Sabrine, daughter to a Kinge,
Whom Guendoline cold not abyde ;
Who, being bound together ffast,
Into the river they were cast.
And ever since that runing streame
Wherin these ladyes drowned were,
Is called Severne throughe the realme,
Because that Sabrine dyed there. 70
Thus they that did to lewdnesse bend,
Were brought unto a wofull end.
ffinis
272
IN THE DAYS OF OLDE
In the dayes of old, when faire ffrance did flourish,
Storyes plaine have told, lovers felt annoye.
The King a daughter had, bewtyous, bright, and
lovelye,
Which made her fFather glad, shee was his onlye
A Prince of England came, whose deeds did merit
fame;
He woed her long, and loe, att last,
Looke what he did require, shee granted his desire ;
Their harts in one were linked fFast :
Which when her fFather proved, Lord ! how he was
moved
And tormented in his minde! 10
He sought pro to prevent them, and to discontent them,
Fortune crossed lovers kind.
When these princes twaine, were thus debarred of
plesure
Through the Kings disdaine, which their joyes
withstoode,
The ladye gott up close, her Jewells and her treasure.
Having no remorse of state or royall bloode,
In homelye poore array shee went fFrom court away
To meete her joy and harts delight,
Who in a fforrest great, had taken up his seate
To wayt her cominge in the night. 20
But see what sudden danger, to this princly stranger
Chanced, as he sate alone :
By outlawes hee was robbed, and with ponyards
stabbedd,
Uttering many a dying grone.
2 N 273
The princesse armed by him, and by true desire,
Wandring all the night without dreat att all,
Still unknowne shee past, in her strange attyre
Coming att the last, in the ecohes call,
"You ffaire woods," quoth shee, "honored may you bee!
Harbouring my harts delight, 30
Which doth compasse heere, my joy and onlye deere,
My trustye ffreind and comelye knight.
Sweete, I come unto thee, sweete, I come to woo thee,
That thou maist not angrye bee.
For my long delaying, and thy curteous staying,
Amends ffor all He make to thee ! "
Passing thus alone through the silent forrest,
Many greevous grones, sounded in her eares,
Where shee heard a man to lament the sorest
That was ever seene, fforct by deadlye teares : 40
" ffarwell my deere," quoth hee, " whom I must
never see !
ffor why, my liffe is att an end !
Through villanes crueltye, lo ! heere for thee I dye !
To show I am a ffaithfull ffreind,
There I lye a bleeding, while my thoughts are feedinge
On thy rarest bewtye ffound.
O hard hap that may bee, litle knowes my ladye
My harts blood lyes on the ground!"
With that he gave a grone, which did burst in sunder
All the tender strings of his bleedinge hart. 50
Shee, which knew his voice, att his tale did wonder :
All her former joy, did to greeffe convert.
Straight shee ran to see, who this man shold be
That soe like her love did speake,
And found, when as shee came, her lovely lord lay
slaine,
All smeared in blood which liffe did breake.
274
When this deed shee spyed, Lord, how sore shee cryed !
Her sorrow cannott counted bee.
Her eyes like fountaines runinge, while shee cryed out,
" my darling!
Wold God that I had dyed for thee!" 60
His pale lipps, alas, twenty times shee kissed,
And his fface did washe, with her trickling teares,
Every bleeding wound, her faire eyes bedewed,
Wipinge of the blood, with her golden haires.
" Speake, faire love!" quoth shee, "speake, faire Prince,
to me !
One sweete word of comfort give !
Lifet up thy fayre eyes, listen to my cryes !
Thinke in what great greeffe I live ! "
All in vaine shee sewed, all in vaine shee vewed,
The princesse liffe was dead and gone. 70
There stood shee still mourning, until the sunns
approching,
And bright day was coming on.
" In this great distresse," quoth this royall ladye,
" Who can now expres, what will become of
me?
To my frathers court will I never wander,
But some service seeke where I may placed bee."
And thus shee made her mone, weeping all alone,
All in dread and deadlye ffeare.
A fforrester all in greene, most comely to be seene,
Ranging the woods, did ffind her there, 80
Round besett with sorrow, " maid," quoth he, " god
morrowe !
What hard hap hath brought you heere ? "
" Harder happ did never, chance unto maiden ever.
Heere lyes slaine my brother deere !
275
u Where might I be placed, gentle forster, tell mee,
Where shall I procure a service in my neede?
Paines I will not spare, but will doe my dutye ;
Ease mee of my care, helpe my extreme neede ! "
The fforrester all amazed, att her bewtye gazed
Till his hart was sett on ffire : go
" If, ffaire mayd," quoth hee, " you will goe with mee,
You shall have your harts desire."
He brought her to his mother, and above all other
He sett fforth this maydens praise.
Long was his hart inflamed, att last her love he gained :
Thus did fortune his glory raise ;
Thus unknowen he macht, with a Kings ffaire daughter ;
Children seven shee had ere shee told the same.
But when he understood, shee was a royall princesse,
By this meanes att last, hee shewed forth her
fame : i oo
He clothed his children then, not like to other men,
In partye coulors strange to see ;
The left side, cloth of gold ; the right side, now behold,
Of wollen cloth still fframed hee.
Men heratt did wonder, golden fame did thunder
This strange deede in every place.
The King of ffrance came thither, being pleasant
whether,
In the woods the harts to chase.
The children then did stand, as their father willed,
When the royall King must of force come by, no
Their mother richly clad, in faire crimson velvett,
Their ffather all in gray, comelye to the eye.
Then the famous King, noting every thinge,
Did aske " how hee durst be soe bold
To let his wiffe to weare, and decke his children there,
In costly robes of cloth, of gold."
276
The fforrester replyed, and the cause descryed ;
To the King thus did hee say :
" Well may they by their mother, weare rich gold with
other,
Being by birth a princesse gay." 120
The King upon these words, more heedfully beheld them,
Till a crimson blush his conceipt did crosse :
" The more," quoth hee, " I looke on thy wiffe and
children,
The more I call to mi?id the daughter whom I lost.''''
" I am that child," quoth shee, falling on her knee ;
" Pardon mee, my soveraine leege!"
The King perceiving this, did his daughter kisse,
And joyfull teares did stopp his speech.
With his traine he turned, and with them sojourned ;
Straight hee dubd her husband knight, 130
Then made him Erie of fflanders, one of his cheefe
commanders :
Thus was his sorrow put to fflight.
ffi
nis
277
AMINTAS
Amintas, on a summers day
To shunn Apolloes beames,
Went driving of his fflockes away
To tast some cooling streames.
And through a fforrest as hee went,
Neere to a river side,
A voice which from a grove was sent,
Invited him to abyde :
A voice well seeming to bewraye
A discontented mind. 10
ffor offtentimes I hard him say,
Ten thousand times, "unkinde!"
The remnant of this ragged mone
Wold not escape my eare
Till every sigh brought fforth a grone,
And every sobb a teare.
But leaving her unto her-selfe ; —
In sorrowes, sighes, and mone,
I heard a deadly discontent :
These two brake fforth att one: 20
" Amintas ! is my love to thee
Of such small account,
That thou disdainest to looke on mee,
And love as thou was wont ?
" How often didest thou protest to me,
' The heavens shold turne to naught,
The sunn shold ffirst obscured bee,
Ere thou wold change thy thought!'
278
But heavens, be you dissolved quite !
Sunn, show thy frace no more! 30
ffor my Amintas, hee is lost,
A ! woe is me therffore !
" How oft didst thou ingrave our names,
Neere to the rocke of bay ?
Still wishing that our love shold have
No worse successe then they.
But they in groves still happy prove,
Add fflourish doe they still,
Whiles I in sorrow doe remaine,
Still wanting of my will. 40
" O ffalse, forsworne, and ffathelesse man !
Disloyall in thy love !
Thou hast fforgott thy promises,
And dost unconstant prove.
And thou hast left me all alone
In this woefull distresse,
To end my dayes in heavinesse,
Which well thou might redresse."
And then shee sate upon the ground,
Her sorrowes to deplore; 50
But after this was never seene
To sigh nor sobb noe more.
And thus in love as shee did live,
Soe ffor love shee did dye \
A fFairer creature never man
Beheld with morttall eye.
ffi
nis.
279
WININGE OF CALES
Long : the proud Spamyareds had vanted to conquer us,
Threatning our country with fryer and sorde,
Often preparing their navy most sumptuos,
With as great plenty as Spaine cold afforde :
Duba-dub, dub-a-dub ! thus strikes their drummes.
Tanta-ra, ra-ra ! the Englishmen comes !
To the seas presentlye went our Lord Admirall,
With knights couragyous, and captaines ffull good ;
The Erie of Essex, a prosperous generall,
With him prepared to passe the salt ffloode. 10
Dub a dub &c.
Att Plimmouth speedilye, tooke they shipp valliantly
Braver shipps never weere seene under sayle,
With their ffayre colours spread, and streamers ore their
head.
Now, bragging Spanyards, take heede of your tayle !
Dub &c.
Unto Cales cuninglye came wee most speedylye,
Where the Kings navye securely did ryde ;
Being upon their backes, pearcing their butts of sackes,
Ere any Spanyards our coming descryde.
Dub &c. 20
Great was the crying, runing and rydinge,
Which att that season was made in that place ;
The beacons were ffyered, as need then required ;
To hyde their great treasure they had litle space.
280
There you might see their shipps, how they were ffired
ffast,
And how their men drowned themselves in the sea ;
There might they here them crye, wayle and weepe
piteouslye,
When they saw no shifft to scape thence away.
The great Saint Phillipp, the pryde of the Spanyards,
Was burnt to the bottom, and sunke in the sea. 30
But the Saint Andrew and eke the Saint Mathew,
Wee tooke in night manfullye, and brought them
away.
The Erie of Essex most vallyant and hardy,
With horsemen and ffootmen marched toward the
towne.
The Spanyards which saw them, were greatly affrighted,
Did fflye ffor their savegard, and durst not come
downe.
" Now," quoth the noble Erie, " courage, my souldiers
all!
fright and be vallyant! they spoyle you shall have,
And be well rewarded from they great to the small ;
But looke that women and children you save." 40
The Spanyards att that sight thought in vaine twas to
fight,
Hunge upp fflaggs of truce, yeelded the towne.
Wee marcht in presentlye, decking the walls on hye
With our English coulours, which purchast
renowne.
2 o 281
Entring the houses then of the most richest men,
ffor gold and treasure wee serched eche day :
In some places wee did ffind pyes bakeing in the oven,
Meate att the ffire rosting, and ffolkes ffled away.
ffull of rich merchandize every shop wee did see,
Damaskes, and sattins, and velvetts, ffull ffaire, 50
Which souldiers mesured out by the lenght of their
swords.
Of all comodytyes eche one had a share.
Thus Cales was taken, and our brave generall
Marcht to the markett-place where hee did stand ;
There many prisoners of good account were tooke,
Many craved mercy, and mercy they found.
When our brave generall saw they delayed time,
And wold not ransome their towne, as they said ;
With their faire wainescotts, their presses and bedsteeds,
Their joyned stooles and tables, a ffire were
made, 60
And when the towne burned all in a fflame,
With ta-ra, tan-ta-ra, away wee came !
ffi
nis.
282
EDWARD THE THIRD
When : as Edward the Third did live, that vallyant
King,
David of Scottland to rebell did then begin ;
The towne of Barwicke suddenlye ffrom us he vvoone,
And burnt Newcastle to the ground : thus strife begun.
To Rose-bury Castle marchet he then,
And by the force of warlicke men
Beseiged therin a gallant ffaire ladye
While that her husband was in ffrance,
His countryes honor to advance,
The noble and famous Earl of Salisba?~y. 10
Brave Sir William Montague rode then in post,
Who declared unto the King the Scottishmens hoast ;
Who like a lyon in a rage did straight-way prepare
ffor to deliver that woefull lady from wofull care.
But when the Scottishmen did heare say
Edward our King was comen that day,
They raised their seege, and ran away with speede,
Soe that when he did thither come
With warlike trumpett, ffiffe, and drum,
None but a gallant lady did him meete; 20
Who when hee did with greedy eyes behold and see,
Her peereles bewtye straight inthralld his Majestye ;
And ever the longer that he looked, the more hee might,
For in her only bewty was his harts delight.
And humbly then upon her knee
Shee thankett his royall Majestye
283
That he had driven danger ffrom her gate.
" Lady," quoth he, " stand up in peace,
Although my warr doe now increase."
" Lord, keepe," quoth shee, " all hurt ffrom your
estate!" 30
Now is the King ffull sad in soule ; and wott you why ;
All for the love of the faire Countesse Salsbury.
Shee, litle knowing his cause of greefe, did come to see
Wherefore his Highnesse sate alone soe heavilye :
" I have beene wronged, faire Dame, " quoth hee,
" Since I came hither unto thee."
" No, God forbid, my Soverainge!" shee sayd;
" If I were worthy for to know
The cause and ground of this your woe,
Itt shold be helpet if itt did lye in mee." 40
" Sweare to performe to me thy words, thou lady gay ;
To thee the sorrow of my hart I will bewray."
" I sweare by all the saints in heaven, I will," quoth
shee,
" And lett my Lord have no mistrust at all in me."
" Then take thy selfe asyde," he sayd ;
Quoth hee, " thy bewtye hath betrayd
And wounded a king with thy bright shining eye ;
If thou doe then some mercy show,
Thou shalt expell a princes woe ;
Soe shall I live, or else in sorrow dye." 50
" You have your wish, my soveraine Lord, effectuallye :
Pake all the love that I may give your Majestye."
" But in thy bewtye all my woes have their abode."
" Take then my bewtye from my face, my gracyous
Lord."
284
" Didst thou not sweare to grant my will?"
" All that I may, I will fulfill."
" Then for my love let thy true love be seene."
" My Lord, your speech I might reprove ;
You cannott give to me your love,
ffor that alone belongs unto your Queene : 60
" But I suppose your Grace did this onlye to try
Whether a wanton tale might tempt Dame Salsburye ;
Nor ffrom your selfe therfore, my Leege, my stepps doe
stray,
But from your tempting wanton tale I goe my way."
" O turne againe, thou lady bright !
Come unto me, my hartes delight !
Gone is the comfort of my pensive hart.
Heere comes the Erie of Warwicke, hee
The father of this faire ladye ;
My mind to him I meane for to impart." 70
" Why is my Lord and Soveraine soe greeved in mind?"
" Because that I have lost the thing I cannott find."
" What thing is that, my gracyous Lord, that you have
lost?"
" Itt is my heart, which is neare dead twixt ffire and
frost."
" Curst be the rfire, and fTrost too,
That causeth this your Hynesse woe!"
" O Warwicke ! thou dost wrong me wonderous sore.
It is thy daughter, noble Erie ;
That heaven-bright lampe, that peereles pearle,
Which kills my hart; yett I doe her adore." 80
" If that be all, my gracyous Lord, that workes your
greefe,
I will perswade the scornefull Dame to yeelde releefe.
285
Never shall shee my daughter be if shee refuse ;
The love and ffavor of a king may her excuse."
Thus whylye Warwicke went his way,
And quite contrary he did say
When as|hee did the bewtyous Countesse meete :
" Well mett, my daugheter deere, " quoth hee,
" A message I must doe to thee :
Our royall King most kindlye doth thee greete ; 90
The King will dye unlesse to him thou grant thy love."
" To love the King, my husbands love I shall remove."
" It is right charytye to love, my daughter deere."
" But not true love, soe charytable to appeare."
" His greatnesse may beare out the blame."
" But his kingdome cannott buy out the shame."
a He craves thy love that may bereave thy liffe ;
Itt is my duty to urge thee this ! "
" But not my honestye to yeeld, i-wis ;
I meane to dye a true unspotted wiffe." 100
" Now hast thou spoken, my daughter deere, as I wold
have;
Chastity beares a golden name unto her grave ;
And when unto thy wedded lord thou proves untrue,
Then lett my bitter cursses still thy soule pursue.
Then with a smiling cheere goe thou,
As right and reason doth allowe,
Yett show the King thou bearest no strumpetts minde."
" I goe, deere ffather, with a trice ;
And with a sleight of ffine device
He cause the Kine conffesse that I am kind." no
" Heere comes the lady of my liffe!" the King did say.
" My ffather bidds me, soveraigne Lord, your will obay,
286
And I consent if you will grant one boone to mee."
" I grant itt thee, my lady ffaire, what-ere itt bee!"
" My husband is alive, you know ;
ffirst lett mee kill him ere I goe,
And att your commande ffor ever will I bee ! "
" Thy husband now in ffrance doth rest."
" Noe, noe ! hee lyes within my brest ;
And being soe nye, hee will my ffalshoode see." 120
With that shee started ffrom the King, and tooke her
kniffe,
And desperattly shee thought to rydd her selfe of liffe.
The King upstarted ffrom his chayre her hand to stay :
" O noble King, you have broke your word with me
this day."
" Thou shalt not doe this deed," quoth hee.
" Then will I never lye with thee."
" Now live thou still, and lett me beare the blame ;
Live thou in honour and in high estate
With thy true Lord and wedded mate !
I will never attempt this suite againe." 130
ffi
nis.
287
AS YEE CAME FROM THE HOLYE
" As : yee came ffrom the holy land
Of Walsingham,
Mett you not with my true love
By the way as you came ? "
" How shold I know your true love,
That have mett many a one
As I came ffrom the holy land,
That have come, that have gone?"
" Shee is neither white nor browne,
But as the heavens ffaire ; i o
There is none hathe their fforme divine
On the earth or the ayre."
" Such a one did I meete, good sir,
With an angellike fface,
Who like a nimph, like a queene, did appeare
In her gate, in her grace."
" Shee hath left me heere alone,
All alone as unknowne,
Who sometime loved me as her liffe
And called me her owne." 20
" What is the cause shee hath left thee alone,
And a new way doth take,
That sometime did love thee as her selfe,
And her joy did thee make?"
" I have loved her all my youth,
But now am old, as you see.
Love liketh not the ffalling ffruite
Nor the whithered tree ;
288
For love is like a carlesse child,
And fforgetts promise past: 30
He is blind, he is deaffe when he list,
And infaith never ffast;
" His desire is ffickle, ffond,
And a trusties joye ;
He is won with a world of dispayre,
And lost with a toye.
Such is the fate of all ma?i kind,
Or the word love abused,
Under which many childish desires
And conceipts are excused." 40
" But love is a durabler ffyer
In the mind ever burninge,
Ever sicke, never dead, never cold,
ffrom itt selfe never turninge."
ffin
is
2 p 289
LEOFFRICUS :
Leoffricus the noble Erie
Of Chester, as I read,
Did ffor the cittye of Coventrye
Many a noble deede ;
Great priviledges for the towne
This noble-man did gett,
Of all things did make itt soe,
That they tole ffree did sitt,
Save onlye that for horsses still
They did some custome paie, i o
Which was great charges to the towne
ffull long and many a day.
Wherfore his wiffe, Godiva ffaire,
Did of the Erie request
That therfore he wold make itt ffree
As well as all the rest.
And when the lady long had sued,
Her purpose to obtaine,
Att last her noble lord shee tooke
Within a pleasant vaine, 20
And unto him with smiling cheere
Shee did fforthwith proceede,
Intreating greatly that hee wold
Performe that godlye deede.
290
" You move me much, ffaire Dame," quoth hee,
" Your suite I fFaine wold shunn ;
But what wold you performe and doe,
To have the matter done?"
" Why, any thing, my lord," quoth shee,
" You will with reason crave, 30
I will performe itt with good will
If I my wish may have."
" If thou wilt grant one thing," he said,
" Which I shall now require ;
Soe soone as itt is ffinished,
Thou shalt have thy desire."
" Command what you thinke good, my lord ;
I will ther-to agree
On that condityon, that this towne
In all things may bee ffree." 40
" If thou wilt stripp thy clothes off,
And heere wilt lay them downe,
And att noone-daye on horsbacke ryde,
Starke naked through the towne,
" They shalbe free for evermore.
If thou wilt not doe soe,
More lyberty then now they have
I never will bestowe."
The lady att this strange demand
Was much abashet in minde ; 50
And yett ffor to fulfill this thing
Shee never a whitt repinde.
291
Wherfore to all the officers
Of all the towne shee sent,
That they, perceiving her good will,
Which for their weale was bent,
That on the day that shee shold ryde,
All persons through the towne
Shold keepe their houses, and shutt their dore,
And clap their windowes downe, 60
Soe that no creature, younge nor old,
Shold in the streete bee seene
Till shee had ridden all about
Through all the cittye cleane.
And when the day of ryding came,
No person did her see,
Saving her lord, after which time
The towne was ever ffree.
ffinis
292
PROUDE WHERE THE SPENCERS
Proud : were the Spencers, and of condityons ill ;
All England and the King they ruled
Likwise att their will ;
And many lords and nobles of this land
Through their occassion lost ther lives,
And none durst them withstand.
And att the last they did increase great greeffe
Betweene the King and Isabel
His Queene and ffaithfull wiffe,
Soe that her liffe shee dreaded wonderous sore, 10
And cast within heer present thoughts
Some present helpe therfore.
Then shee requested, with countenance grave and sage,
That shee to Thomas Beccetts tombe
Might goe on pilgramage.
Then being joyfull to have that happy chance,
Her sonne and shee tooke shipp with speede,
A sayled into ffrance ;
And royally shee was received then
By the King and all the rest 20
Of the peeres and noblemen ;
And unto him att lenght shee did expresse
The cause of her arrivall there,
Her greeffe and heavinesse.
When as her brother her greefe did understand,
He gave her leave to gather men
Out of his ffamous land,
And made his promise to aide her evermore
As offt as shee shold stand in neede
Of gold and silver store. 30'
293
But when indeed he shold performe the same,
He was as ffarr ffrom doing itt
As when shee thither came,
And did proclaime, while matters yett were greene,
That none on paine of death shold goe
To aide the English Queene.
This alteration did greatly greeve the Queene,
That downe along her comely fface
They bitter teares were seene.
When shee percived her ffreinds forsooke her
soe, 40
Shee knew not, ffor her saftey,
Which way to turne or goe ;
But through good happ, att last shee thenn decreede
To seeke in ffruitfull Germany e
Some succour in this neede ;
And to Sir John Henault then went shee,
Who entertained this wofull Queene
With great solempnitye ;
And with great sorrow to him shee then complained
Of all the greefe and injuryes 50
Which shee of late sustained,
Soe that with weeping shee dimnd her princly sight.
The sunn therof did greatly greefe
That noble curteous knight,
Who made an othe he wold her champyon bee,
And in her quarrell spend his bloode,
From wrong to sett her ffree ;
" And all my freinds with whom I may prevaile,
Shall helpe for to advance your state,
Whose truth no time shall faile." 60
294
And in this promise, most faithfull he was found,
And many lords of great account
Was in this voyage bound.
Soe setting fforward with a goodlye traine,
Att lenght through Gods especiall grace
Into England they came.
Att Harwich then when they were come a-shore,
Of English lords and barrons bold
There came to her great store,
Which did rejoce the Queens afflicted hart, 70
That English nobles in such sort
Did come to take her part.
When as King Edward herof did understand,
How that the Queene with such a power
Was entered on his land,
And how his nobles were gone to take her part,
He fried from London presentlye ;
Then with a heavye hart,
And with the Spencers, did unto Bristowe goe,
To fortify that gallant town, 80
Greatt cost he did bestowe ;
Leaving behind, to governe London towne,
The stout Bishop of Exeter ;
Whose pride was soon pu/Fd down.
The Mayor of London, with citizens great store,
The Bishop a?id the Spencers both
In heart they did abhor ;
Therefore they took him without fear or dread,
And at the Standard in Cheapside
They soon smote off his hiead. 90
295
Unto the Queeit this message the?i they sent,
The City of Lo?idon was
At her commandement :
Wherefore the Queen, with all her co7npa?iy,
Did strait to Bristol march amain,
Wherein the King- did lie:
v>
Then she besiegd the City round about,
Threatning sharp and cruel death,
To those that were so stout ;
Wherefore the townsmen, their children, and their
wives, ioo
Did yield the city to the Queen
For safe-guard of their lives :
Where was took, the story plain doth teli,
Sir Hugh Spencer, and with him
The Earl of Arundel.
This Judgment just the nobles did set down,
They should be drawn and hanged both,
hi sight of Bristol town.
Then was King Edward in the Castle there,
And Hugh Spencer still with him, no
In dread and deadly fear ;
And being prepardfrom thence to sail away,
The winds were found contrary,
They were e?iforcd to stay :
But at last Sir jfohn Beaumont, knight,
Did bring his sailing ship to shore,
And so did stay their fight :
A?id so these 7nen were taken speedily,
And brought as prisoners to the Queen,
Which did in Bristol lie. 120
296
The Queen, by counsel of the lords and barons hold,
To Barkley sent the King,
There to he kept in hold :
And young Hugh Spencer, that did much. Ill procure,
Was to the Marshal of the host
Sent imto keeping sure.
And then the Queen to Hereford took her way
With all her warlike company,
Which late in Bristol lay :
A?id here behold how Spencer was r ^o
From town to town, even as the Queen
To Hereford did pass ;
Upon a jade, which they by chance had found,
Young Spencer mounted was,
With legs and hands fast bound :
A writing-paper along as he did go,
Upon his head he had to wear,
Which did his treason show :
And to deride this tray tor lewd and ill,
Certain men with reeden-pipes 140
Did blow before him still.
Thus was he led along in every place,
While many people did rejoice
To see his strange disgrace.
When ttnto Hereford our noble Queen was come,
She did assemble all the lords
A?id knights, both all and some ;
And in their presence young Spencer judgment had,
To be both hangd and quartered,
His treasons were so had. i 5 o
2 Q 297
Then was the King deposed of his crown;
From rule, a?id princely dignity,
The lords did cast him down :
And in his life, his son both wise and sage,
Was crowned King of fair England,
At fifteen years of age.
ffinis
298
KINGE EDGAR
When as King Edgar did governe this land,
And in the straight of his yeeres did stand,
Such praise was spread of a gallant Dame
Which did through England carry great fame,
And shee a ladaye of noble degree,
The Erie of Devonshires daughter was shee.
The King, which had latetly buryed the Queene,
And a long time a wydower had beene,
Hearing the praise of this gallant maid,
Upon her bewtye his love hee laid; ro
And in his sighes he wold often say,
" I will goe send for that lady gay ;
Yea, I will send for that lady bright
Which is my treasure and delight,
Whose bewty, like to Phebus beames,
Did glister through all Christen realmes."
Then to himselfe he wold replye,
Saing, " how fond a prince am I,
To cast my love soe base and lowe,
And on a girle I doe not know! 20
King Edgar will his fancy frame
To love some peereles princely Dame,
The daughter of some royall King,
That may a worthy dowry bringe,
Whose macheles bewty brought in place
May Estrilds coulor cleane disgrace.
But senceless man, what doe I meane,
Upon a broken reede to leane ?
And what fond fury doth me move
Thus to abuse my deerest love, 30
Whose visage, gracet with heavenlve hue,
Doth Hellens honor quite subdue?
299
The glory of her bewtyous pride
Sweet Estri/d's favour doth deride.
Then pardon my unseemely speech,
Deere love and lady, I beseech !
And I my thoughts hencforth will frame
To spread the honore of thy name."
Then unto him he called a knight
Which was most trusty in his sight, 4.0
And unto him thus did he say :
" To Erie Orgarus goe thy way,
And aske for Estrilds comely dame,
Whose bewty is soe for by fame ;
And if thou find her comely grace
As fame hath spread in every place,
Then tell her father shee shalbe
My crowned queene, if shee agree."
The knight in message did proceede,
And into Devonshire went with speede ; 50
But when he saw that ladye bright,
He was soe ravisht att her sight,
That nothing cold his passyon move
Except he might obtaine her love.
And day and night there while he stayde,
He courted still that peereles mayd ;
And in his suite hee showed such skill,
That att the lenght woon her good will,
fTorgetting quite the duty tho
Which hee unto the Kinge did owe. 60
Then coming home unto his Grace,
He told him with dissembling face
That those reporters were to blame
That soe advanced that maidens name ;
" For I assure your Grace," quoth hee,
" Shee is as other women bee;
Her bewtye of such great report,
No better then they common sort,
300
And far unmeet in every thing
To mach with such a noble Kinge. 70
But though her face be nothing ffaire,
Yett sith shee is her fTathers heyre,
Perhapps some lord of hye degree
Wold verry glad her husband bee;
And if your Grace wold give consent,
I cold my selle be well content
The damsell for my wife to take,
For her great lands and livings sake."
The King, whom thus he did deceive,
Incontinent did give him leave; So
For on that poynt he did not stand,
For why, he had no need of land.
Then being glad, he went his way,
And weded straight that lady gay ;
The ftairest creature bearing liffe,
Had this liaise knight to his wiffe ;
And by that mach of high degree,
An Erie soone after that was hee.
Ere hee long time had marryed beene,
Many had her bewtye seene ; 90
Her praise was spread both farr and neere,
Soe that they King therof did heare,
Who then in hart did plainly prove
He was betrayed of his love.
Though therof he was vexed sore,
Yett seemed he not to greeve therfore,
But kept his countenance good and kind,
As though hee bore no grudg in minde.
But on a day itt came to passe
When as the King full merry was, 100
To Ethelwold in sport hee said
" I muse what cheere there shold be made,
If to thy house I wold resort
A night or two for princely sport."
301
Heratt the Erie shewed contenance glad,
Though in his hart he was full sad ;
And said, " your Grace shall welcome be
If soe your Grace will honor mee."
When as the day apointed was,
Before the King shold thither passe, no
The Erie before-hand did prepare
The Kings coming to declare,
And with a countenance passing grim
He called his lady unto him,
Saing with sad and heavye cheere :
" I pray you, when the King comes heere,
Sweet lady, as you tender mee,
Lett your attire but homelye bee ;
And washe not thou thy angel Is face,
But doe thy bewtye quite disgrace; 120
Therto thy gesture soe apply,
Itt may seeme lothsome to his eye ;
For if the King shold heere behold
Thy gloiroous bewtye soe extold,
Then shold my liffe soone shortened bee
ffor my desartt and trecherye.
When to thy ffather ffirst I came,
Though I did not declare the same,
Yett was I put in trust to bring
The joyfull tydings of the Kinge, 130
Who for thy glouryous bewtye seene,
Did thinke of thee to make his queene.
But when I had thy person found,
Thy bewty gave me such a wound,
No rest nor comfort cold I take
Till your sweet love my greffe did slake ;
And thus, though duty charged me
Most ffaithfull to my lord to bee,
Yett love upon the other side
Bade for my selfe I shoid provide. 140
302
Then for my sute and service knowne,
Att lenthgt I woon you for my ovvne ;
And for your love and wedlocke spent,
Your choice you need no whitt repent.
And sith my greeffe I have exprest,
Sweet lady, grant me my request."
Good words shee gave with smiling cheere ;
Musing att that which shee did heeare ;
And casting many things in mind,
Great fault herwith shee seemed to find; i 50
And in her-selfe shee thought itt shame
To make that ffoule which God did fframe.
Most costly robes and rich, therfore,
In bravest sort that day shee wore,
And did all things that ere shee might
To sett her bewtye forth to sight,
And her best skill in every thing
Shee shewed, to entertaine the King,
Wherby the King soe snared was,
That reason quite ffrom him did passe; 160
His hart by her was sett on ffire,
He had to her a great desire ;
And for the lookes he gave her then,
For every looke shee gave him ten ;
Wherfor the King perceived plaine
His love and lookes were not in vaine.
Upon a time itt chanced soe,
The King hee wold a hunting goe,
And into Horswood did he ryde,
The Erie on horssbake by his side. 170
And there the story telleth plaine,
That with a shaft the Erie was slaine.
And when that hee had lost his lifTe,
He tooke the lady to his wiffe ;
He marryed her, all shame to shunn,
By whom he had begott a sonne.
303
Thus hee which did the King deceive,
Did by desart this death receive.
Then, to conclude and make an ende,
Be true and ffaithrriill to your ffreind! 180
ffinis
3°4
CHRISTOPHER WHITE
As I walked fforth one morninge
By one place that pleased mee,
Wherin I heard a wandering wight,
Sais, "Christopher White is good companye."
I drew me neere, and very neere,
Till I was as neere as neere cold bee ;
Loth I was her councell to discree[v]e,
Because I wanted companye.
"Say on, say on, thou well faire mayd,
Why makest thou moane soe heavilye?" 10
Sais, "all is fFor one wandering wight,
Is banished fiorth of his ovvne countrye."
"I am the burgesse of Edenburrow,
Soe am I more of townes three,
I have money and gold great store,
Come, sweet wench, and ligg thy love on mee."
The merchant pulled forth a bagg of gold
Which had hundreds two or three,
Sais, "every day throughout the weeke
He count as much downe on thy knee." 20
" O Merchant, take thy gold againe,
A good living twill purchase thee ;
If I be ffalse to Christopher White,
Merchant, I cannott be true to thee."
2 R 305
Sais "I have halls, soe have I bowers,"
Sais, "I have shipps sayling on the sea;
I ame the burgess of Edenburrowe ;
Come, sweete wench, Hgge thy love on mee.
"Come on, come, thou well faire mayde!
Of our matters lett us goe throughe, 30
For to-morrowe He marry thee,
And thy dwelling shalbe in Edenburrough. 1 '
The lady shee tooke this gold in her hand,
The teares they ffell ffast ffrom her eyes ;
Sais, "silver and gold makes my hart to turne,
And makes me leave good companye."
They had not beene marryed
Not over monthes two or three,
But tydings came to Edenburrowe
That all the merchants must to the sea. 40
Then as this lady sate in a deske,
Shee made a love letter ffull round ;
She mad a lettre to Christopher White,
And in itt shee put a hundred pound.
She lind the letter with gold soe red,
And mony good store in itt was found,
Shee sent itt to Christopher White
That was soe ffar in the Scotts ground.
Shee bade him then ffrankely spend,
And looke that hee shold merry bee, 50
Aud bid him come to Edenburrowe
Now all the merchants be to the sea.
306
But Christopher came to leeve London,
And there he kneeled lowly dovvne,
And there hee begd his pardon then,
Of our noble King that ware the crowne.
But when he came to his true loves house,
Which was made both of lime and stone,
Shee tooke him by the 1 illy white hand,
Sais, "true love, you are welcome home! 60
"Welcome, my honey! Welcome, my joy !
Welcome, my true love, home to mee!
rfor thou art hee that will lengthen my dayes,
And I know thou art good companye.
"Christopher, I am a merchants wiffe ;
Christopher, the more shall be your gaine ;
Silver and gold you shall have enough,
Of the merchants gold that is in Spaine."
"But if you be a merchants wirTe,
Symething too much you are to blame; 70
I will thee reade a love letter
Shall sture thy stumpes, thou noble dame."
"Althoug I be a marchants wiffe,
shall . . . mine
and go
Into England He goe with the."
They packet up both silver and plate,
Silver and gold soe great plentye ;
And they be gon into litle England,
And the marchant must them never see. 80
307
And when the merchants they came home,
Their wives to eche other can say,
" Heere hath beene good Christopher White,
And he hath tane thy wiffe away ;
"They have packett up spoone and plate,
Silver and gold great plenty,
And they be gon into litle England,
And them againe thow must never see."
"I care nott ffor my silver and gold,
Nor for my plate soe great plenty e, 90
But I mourne for that like-some ladye
That Christopher White hath tane ffrom mee.
" But one thing I must needs confesse,
This lady shee did say to me,
'If shee were ffalse to Christopher White,
Shee cold never be true to mee.'"
All young women, a warning take!
A warning, looke, you take by mee !
Looke that you love your old loves best,
For infaith they are best companye. 100
ffinis
308
QUEENE DIDO
When Troy towne for ten yeeres warr
Withstood the Greekes in manfull wise,
Yett did their foes encrease soe ffast,
That to resist none cold suffise ;
Wast ly those walls that were soe good,
And corne now growes where Troy towne stoode.
iEneas, wandring prince of Troy,
When he rror land long time had sought,
Att last arrived with great joy,
To mighty Carthage walls was brought, 10
Where Dido Queene with sumptuous feast
Did entertaine that wandering guest.
And as in hall att meate they sate,
The Queene, desirous newes to heare
Of thy unhappy ten yeeres warr,
" Declare to me, thou Trojan deere,
Thy heavy hap, and chance soe bad,
That thou, poore wandering prince, hast had. 1 '
And then anon this comelye knight,
With words demure, as he cold well, 20
Of his unhappy ten yeeres warr
Soe true a tall begun to tell,
With words sooe sweete and sighes soe deepe,
That oft he made them all to weepe ;
And then a thousand sighes he ffeiht,
And every sigh brought teares amaine,
That where he sate, the place was wett
As though he had seene those warrs againe ;
Soe that the Queene with ruth therfore
Said, "worthy Prince, enough! No more!" 30
309
And then the darkesome night drew on,
And twinkling starres on skye was spread,
And he his dolefull tale had told.
Every one were layd in bedd,
Where they full sweetly tooke their rest,
Save only Didos boyling brest.
This sillye woman never slept,
But in her chamber all alone,
As one unhappye, alwayes wept.
Unto the walls shee made her moane 40
That she shold still desire in vaine
The thing that shee cold not obtaine.
And thus in greeffe shee spent the night
Till twinkling starres in skye were ffledd,
And now bright Phebus morning beames
Amidst they clouds appeared redd.
Then tid'mgs came to her anon
How that the Trojan ships were gone.
And then the Queene with bloody kniffe
Did armee, her hart as hard as stone; 50
Yett something loth to loose her liffe,
In wofull wise shee made her mone ;
Then rowling on her carfull bed,
With sighes and sobbs these words shee sayd :
a O wretched Dido Queene!" shee said,
"I see thy end approcheth neere,
ffor hee is gone away ftrom thee
Whom thou didst love and hold soe dere.
What, is he gone, and passed by?
O hart, prepare thy selfe to dye! 60
310
"Though reason sais thou shouldest fforbeare,
To stay thy hand ffrom bloudy stroke,
Yett ffancy sais thou shalt not ffeare
Who ffetereth thee in Cupids yoke.
Come death!" quoth shee, "resolve my smart!"
And with those words she peerced her hart.
When death had peercet the tender hart
Of Dido, Carthiginian Queene,
And bloudy kniffe had ended the same,
Which shee sustained in mournfull teene, 70
^neas being shipt and gone,
Whose fflatery caused all her mone.
Her rlunerall most costly made,
And all things rHnisht mournemllye,
Her body ffine in mold was laid,
Where itt consumed speedilye :
Her sister teares her tombe bestrewde,
Her subjects greerre their kindnesse shewed.
Then was iEneas in an He
In Grecya, where he stayd long space, 80
Wheras her sister in short while
Writt to him in his vile disgrace ;
In speeches bitter to his mind
Shee told him plaine, he was unkind :
"ffalse harted wretch," quoth shee, "thou art!
And traiterously thou hast betraid
Unto thy lure a gentle hart
Which unto thee much welcome made,
My sister deere, and Carthage Joy,
Whose ffolly bred her deere annoy. 90
3"
"Yett on her deathbed when shee lay,
Shee prayd for thy prosperitye,
Beseeching God that every day
Might breed thy great ffelicitye.
Thus by thy meanes I lost a ffreind :
Heavens send thee such an untimely end!"
When he these lines, ffull ffraught with gall,
Perused had, and wayed them right,
His losty courage then did ffall ;
And straight appeared in his sight ioo
Queene Didoes ghost, both grim and pale,
Which made this vallyant souldier for to quaile.
"iEneas," quoth this gastly ghost,
" My whole delight when I did live !
Thee of all men I loved most,
My ffancy and my will did give ;
ffor entertainment I the gave ;
Unthankefully thou didst me grave ;
"Therfore prepare thy fflitting soule
To wander with me in the aire, i 10
Where deadly greeffe shall make itt howle
Because on me thou tookest no care.
Delay not time, thy glasse is run,
Thy date is past, and death is come ! "
u O stay a while, thou lovely sprite!
Be not soe hasty to convay
My soule into eternall night,
Where itt shall neere behold bright day !
O doe not ffrowne ! Thy angry looke
Hath made my breath rny liffe fforsooke. 120
312
" But woe is me ! All is in vaine,
And booteles is my dismall crye !
Time will not be recalled againe,
Nor thou surcease before I dye.
lett me live, and make amends
To some of thy most deerest ffreinds !
" But seeing thou obdurate art,
And will no pittye to me show
Because ffrom thee I did depart,
And lefft unpaid what I did owe, 130
1 must content my selfe to take
What lott to me thou wilt partake."
And thus, as one being in a trance,
A multitude of uglye fFeinds
About this woffull prince did dance : —
He had no helpe of any ffreinds ; —
His body then they tooke away,
And no man knew his dying day.
ffinis
2 s 313
ALFFONSO AND GANSELO
In stately Roome sometime did dwell
A man of worthy ffame,
Who had a sonne of ffeatures rare,
Alphonso called by name.
When hee was growne and come to age,
His fTather thought itt best
To send his sonnes to Athens ffaire,
Where Wisdomes Schoole did rest.
He sent him unto Athens towne,
Good letters for to learne; 10
A place to boord him with delight
His ffreinds did well discerne ;
A noble knight of Athens towne
Of him did take the charge,
Who had a sonne Ganselo cald,
Just of his pitch and age.
Its nature and in person both,
In ffavor, speech, and fface,
In quality and condityon eke,
They greed in every case; 20
Soe like they were in all respects,
The one unto the other,
They were not knowne, but by their names,
Of fTather nor of mother.
And as in ffavor they were found
Alike in all respects,
Even soe did they most deerly love,
As proved by good effects.
3H
Ganselo loved a lady faire
Which did in Athens dwell, 30
Who was in bewtye peereles found,
Soe ffar shee did excell.
Upon a time itt chanced soe,
As ffancy did him move,
That hee wold visitt for delight
His lady and his love ;
And to his true and ffaithfull ffreind
He did declare the same,
Asking of him if hee wold see
That ffaire and comely dame. 40
Alphonso did therto agree,
And with Ganselo went
To see the lady whom hee loved,
Which bred his discontent :
ffor when he cast his christall eyes
Upon her angells hue,
The bewty ot that lady bright
Did strait his hart subdue.
His gentle heart so wounded was
With that ffaire lady's face 50
That arlterward hee daylye lived
In sad and woefull case ;
And of his greeffe he knew not how
Therof to make an end,
ffor that hee knew the ladyes love
was yeelded to his ffreind.
Thus being sore perplext in mind,
Upon his bed hee lay
Like one which death and deepe dispaire
Had almost worne away. 60
3 J 5
His ffreind Ganselo, that did see
His greeffe and great distresse,
Att lenght requested ffor to know
His cause of heavinesse.
With much adoe att lenght he told
The truth unto his ffreind,
Who did release his inward woe
With comfort in the end :
"Take courage then, deere freind!" quoth hee ;
"Though shee through love be mine, 70
My right I will resigne to thee,
The lady shalbe thine.
"You know our ffavors are alike,
Our speech alike likwise ;
This day in mine apparrell then
You shall your selfe disguise,
And unto church then shall you goe
Directly in my stead ;
Soe though my ffreinds suppose tis I,
You shall the lady wedd." 80
Alphonso was ffull well apayd ;
And as they had decreed,
He went next day, and weded plaine
The ladye there indeed.
But when the nuptyall feast was done,
And Phebus light was filed,
The lady for Ganselo tooke
Alfonso to her bed.
That night they spent in pleasing sort,
And when the day was come, 90
A post ffor ffaire Alfonso came
To ffeitch him home to Roome.
316
Then was the matter plainly proved,
Alfonso weded was,
And not Ganselo, to that dame ;
Which brought great woe, alas !
Alfonso being gone to Roome
With this his lady gay,
Ganselos ffreinds and kinred all
In such a rage did staye ioo
That they deprived him of his welth
His land and rich attire,
And banisht him their country eke
In rage and wrathefull ire.
With sad and pensive thought, alas !
Ganselo wanderd then,
Who was contrained through want to begg
Releeffe of many men.
In this distresse oft wold he say
"To Roome I mean to goe, no
To seeke Alfonso, my deere fFreind,
Who will releeve my woe.
To Roome when pore Ganselo came,
And found Alfonsoes place,
Which was soe framous, huge and faire,
Himselfe in such poore case,
He was ashamed to shew himselfe
In that his poore array,
Saying, "Alfonso knowes me well
If he shold come this way;" 120
Wherfore he staid within the street.
Alfonso then came by,
But heeded no[t] Ganselo poore,
His fFreind that stood soe nye ;
Z l 7
Which greeved Ganselo to the hart :
Quoth hee, "and is itt soe?
Doth proud Alfonso now disdaine
His freind in need to know? 1 '
In desperatt sort away he went
Into a barne hard by, 130
And presently he drew his kniffe,
Thinking therby to dye ;
And bitterlye in sorrow there
He did lament and weepe ;
And being overwayed with greeffe,
He ffell full fast asleepe.
While soundly there he sweetly slept,
Came in a murthering theeffe,
Which saw a naked kniffe lye by
This man soe ffull of greeffe. 140
The kniffe soe bright he tooke up straight,
And went away amaine,
And thrust itt in a murthered man
Which hee before had slaine;
And affterward hee went with speede,
And put this bloody kniffe
Into his hand, that sleeping lay,
To save himselfe fffom striffe.
Which done, in hast away he ran ;
And when that serch was made, 150
Ganselo with his bloody kniffe
Was ffor the murther stayde,
And brought befor the magistrates,
Who did confesse most plaine
That hee indeed with that same kniffe
The murthered man had slaine.
3i8
Alfonso sitting there as judge,
And knowing Ganselos fface,
To save his ffreind, did say himselfe
Was guilty in that case. 160
"None," quoth Alfonso, "killed the man,
My lords, but only I ;
And therfore sett this poore man ffree,
And lett me justly dye."
Thus while for death these ffaith-ffull freinds
In striving did proceed,
The man before the Senate came
Which did the ffacte indeed,
Who being moved with remorse
Their ffaith-ffull harts to see, 170
Did prove before the judges plaine
None did the deed but hee.
Thus when the truth was plainly told,
Of all sids joy was seene ;
Alfonso did imbrace his freind
Which had soe wofull beene.
In rich array he clothed him,
As fitted his degree,
And helpt him to his lands againe
And fformer dignitye. 180
The murtherrer he ffor telling truth
Was pardoned att that time,
Who afterward lamented much
This foule and greivous crime.
ffini
is
319
BALOWE
Balow my babe, lye still and sleepe !
Itt greeves me sore to see thee weepe.
Balowe my boy, thy mothers joy,
Thy ffather breeds me great anoy.
Balow, la-low, la-la-la, ra-row, fa-la, la-la,
la-la, la-la-la, la-low!
When he began to court my love,
And with his sugred words me move,
His ffaynings false and flattering cheere
To me that time did not appeare ; 10
But now I see most cruellye
He cares neither for my babe nor mee.
Balow &c.
Lye still my darling, sleepe awhile,
And when thou wakest thoule sweetly smile
But smile not as thy father did,
To cozen maids : nay, God forbid !
But yett I ffeare thou wilt goe neere,
Thy fathers hart and fface to beare.
Ballow &c. 20
I cannot chuse, but ever will
Be loving to thy father still ;
Where-ere he goes, where-ere he ryd[e],
My love with him doth still abyde ;
In weale or woe, where-ere he goe,
My hart shall neere depart him frroe.
Ballow &c.
320
But doe not, doe not, pretty mine,
To ffaynings false thy hart incline.
Be loyall to thy lover true, 30
And never change her fror a new.
If good or faire, of her have care,
flor womens baninge is wonderous sare.
Ballow &c.
Bearne, by thy face I will be ware ;
Like sirens words He not come neere ;
My babe and I together will live ;
Heele comfort me when cares doe greeve ;
My babe and I right soft will lye,
And neere respect mans crueltye. 40
Ballow &c.
ffarwell, fFarwell, the falsest youth
That ever kist a womans mouth !
I wish all maids be warned by mee,
Neere to trust mans curtesye ;
For if wee doe but chance to bowe,
Theyle use us then, they care not how.
Ballow &c.
ffinis
321
GENTLE HEARDSMAN
"Gentle: heardsman, tell to me —
Of curtesy I thee pray, —
Unto the towne of Walsingham
Which is the right and ready way."
"Unto the towne of Walsingam
The way is hard ffor to be gon,
And verry crooked are those pathes
ffor you to ffind out all alone."
" Weere the miles doubled thrise,
And the way never soe ill, 10
Itt were not enough for mine offence,
Itt is soe grevious and soe ill."
"Thy yeeares are young, thy face is ffaire,
Thy witts are weake, thy thoughts are greene ;
Time hath not given thee leave as yett
For to committ soe great a sinne."
"Yes, heardsman, yes, soe woldest thou say
If thou knewest soe much as I ;
Mv witts, and thoughts, and all the rest,
Have well deserved for to dye. 20
"I am not what I seeme to bee;
My clothes and sexe doe differ ft arr ;
I am a woman, woe is me !
A prey to greeffe and irksome care,
322
"For my beloved and well beloved
My wayward cruelty could kill :
And though my teares will nought avail,
Most dearcly I bewail him still.
He was the flower of noble wights;
JVone ever more sincere colde bee ; 3 o
Of comelye mien a7id shape he was,
And tefiderlye he loved mee.
When thus I saw he loved me well,
I grewe so proude his paine to see,
That /, who did not know my-selfe,
Thought scorne of such a youth as hee,
"And grew soe coy, and nice to please,
As womens lookes are often soe ;
He might not kisse, nor hand fforsooth,
Unless I willed him soe to doe. 40
"Thus being vvearyed with delayes
To see I pittyed not his greeffe,
He gott him to a secrett place,
And there he dyed without releeffe.
"And for his sake these weeds I weare,
To sacrifice my tender age,
And every day He begg my bread
To undergoe this pilgrimage.
"Thus every day I ffast and pray,
And ever will doe till I dye, $0
And gett me to some secrett place •
ffor soe did hee, and soe will I.
^3
"Now gentle heardsman, aske no more,
But keepe my secretts, I thee pray ;
Unto the towne of Walsingam
Show me the right and readye way."
" Now goe thy wayes, and God before
For He must ever guide thee still :
Turne downe that dale, the righthand path,
And soe, ffaire pilgrim, ffare thee well ! 60
ffi
nis
3 2 4
I AM
Say : what is a womans hart
That calmes and .
Is itt light he
And or is itt
Out alas out.
My mother h
Lay I home
10
. what is a womans hart?
. has all, yet all has part ;
round or square, or soft or hard,
itt in the fforging marde
Out alas etc
Tell me, my love and are all women true ?
Some are no doubt, but they are very ffew.
Most think that if their ffaith and love last long,
Then must they doe all others wronge.
Out alas etc
2Q
Why do I love ? What are those ffemale sexe
That doth mankind soe much perplex ?
Is itt water, ffire, earth, or aire,
That makes these creatures seeme soe rare?
ffinis
325
CORIDON
ly shepard swaine
upon the storadyan plaine
ent to keepe his fflockes of sheepe
hts he did obtaine
his eye he did espye
wlyous traine to passe
after a deere which ffollowed neere
Which they had hard in chase.
After them came amaine a faire mayd,
Which did move Corydon through the sun for
to run, 10
Thinking to have stayd her : but he framed her
And still prayd her, but dismaid her,
And shee thought his sight to shunn.
Ere they ended had their race, they came unto a
place
Where Pann did sitt his ffitt in a garland made of
bayes ;
But when the godds perceived the maid,
They tooke her ffor Diana;
Both ffor bewty and attire the like was never any ;
Which did move him to love her to follow,
Att which sight, in a ffright backe againe rann the
swain, 20
Where his fflocks were grazing, Pann sate praising,
But still gazing and amazing,
ffearffull to behold the mayd.
ffrom his fface shee fled with feare lest the godds
shold find her there
With ffootmanshipp shee him out steppe, till she
came to river cleere . . .
326
But when shee see shee cold not fflee
Nor cold no further scape
But that shee might
o
To
ffin
is
3*7
SEEGE OFF ROUNE
God that dyde a-pon a tre
And bough te us with hys blode soe ffree,
To hys blys tham bringe
That lystenythe unto my talkinge !
Oftyn tymys we talke of diveres travells,
Of saute ■, sege, and of grete battel Is
Bothe in rotnans and in ryme,
What hathe ben done be-fore t/iys tytne ;
But y wylle telle you nowe present —
Unto my tale yfye take tent — 10
Howe the Vth Harry oure lege,
With hys ryalte he sette a sege
By-fore Rone, that ryche cytte,
And endyd hyt at hys ovvne to bee ;
A ?nore solempne sege was never sett ;
Syn "Jerusalem and Troy were gett,
So moche folke was nevyr seene
One kynge with soo many undyr hevyne:
Lyste?iythe unto me a lytylle space,
And I shalle telle you. howe hyt was ; 20
And the better telle I may,
ffor at that sage with the ky?ig I lay,
And there to I toke a-vyse
Lyk.e as my wyt wolde suffyce,
When fie Pountlarge with sege was wounne
And ovyr sayne, then enter was be-gunne.
The Duke of Exceter, that hende,
To Rovvne the king yn sothe Iiym sende,
And herrotts with him, to that citye
To looke if itt wold yeeleden bee, 30
And alsoe joy to looken the ground
All about the cittye round,
32S
And how they might best lay a seege ;
But they wold not obey their leege.
When the Duke of great renowne
Was come before that royall towne,
He displayd his banners great plentye,
And herotts into the cittye sent hee,
To warne them on paine of death
'That they our king shold not greeve, 4.0
Nor be with-standing of his might,
But deliver this cittye soone in his sight.
And soe hee told them withouten bad,
He wold no ffurther till hee that hadd ;
ffor ere hee went fFarr ffrom this place,
Hee wold itt winne by God's grace.'
But that thev ffrenchmen make no answer.
But bade them on their wayes to ffare,
And made assignment with their hand
That he shold there no longer stand, 50
And shotten out ordinance with great envye,
And maden ware dispitteouslye.
Then came fforth knights keene
On horsbace with armour sheene,
And there mustered the Duke againe.
On both partyes many were slaine,
And this was done without delay;
To Pont-large the Duke tooke the way,
And told the knight of that cittye
How itt stoode, and in what degree. 60
To my talking and you will take heede,
I shall tell you of accursed deede,
And how sinfully the ffrenchmen did thore
Or our king came them before,
ffor all the suburbs of that faire towne,
Both kirkes and houses, drove them downe,
And att Port Hillary the hend,
A parish church they all-to rend ;
2 U 329
Of St. Hillary was the same
That after the Port bare the name; 70
And att the same Port downe they drew
A church that was of St. Andrew,
And alsoe an abbey of St. Gervais,
For there the Duke of Clarence lodged was
Att the Port de Pounte downe they beate
A churche of Our e Lady swete,
And othyr of Synt Kate?yn, that maydyn meke y
A?id of Synt Savyoure a ?iothyr eke ;
And of Seynt Mathewe they drewne downe one y
And lefte there-of stondyng nevyr a stone ; 80
At Marty rvyle a-doune they mynde
Of Synt Mychelle a chyrche fynde,
And of Synt Pottle a 7iothyr thoo.
And ?nynede down a nothyr lytylle fro.
The hedges, gardens and streys y
They drewe hem in-to the cytte every pece,
Bushes and bryars both they brende^
And made them bare men as my ho?ide.
And yett there was a proude araye
Round about the cittye gay ; 90
Well was itt ordered ffor the warre
With all the defence that might darre ;
For the walls all were able,
And the diches deepe, defencable ;
The diches that were the walls a-boute,
All the lands sayd there about,
Hitt was deepe, and therto wyde,
With a strong trench on every syde,
A tre?iche hyt was with a depe dyssende,
That was made the diche to defende, 100
That no man shold come them nere
But in their danger hee were ;
ffor who soe come the trenche wtth-yn,
harmelesse they might not oute wynne.
330
And all the ditches through .
Pittffalls were then b
And every pittffall a spere hyghthe,
For therin shold stande noo jna?i to fyghte,
And all was for to tnake hem clere
That no gunnes aboute them were ; i 10
And ffrom the pyttefalle unto the walk
That was high a?id stowte with-alle,
Itt was as thy eke of ca /trappy s sette
As meyschys be yn a nette.
Within the cytte aftyr the walle
Morter .....
With carts .....
As a . . . . . ,
That ......
Of pry?icehode and noble the flowre 120
Thoughe alle pry?icys of honour are sett,
Nexte the beste he myghte be sett.
At the ?wrthe syde by-tweene,
There was loggyd Excetyr the kene,
And at the Porte Denys be lay,
Where Freynyscbe me7t yssuyn out overy day.
He bet hem in at every schamfTull brunnt,
A?td wanne worscbyppe as hee was woont
Of alle pry)icys 77ia7ihode to report,
Set hym for 071 of the best sort. 130
Bytwy?ie by 771 a7id Clarence then,
Erie Marchalle, a man-full man,
Loggyd hy77i next the castelle gate,
A7id kepythe hyt bothe erly and late.
A7id forthe in the same way,
The lorde Haryngton here he lay.
Talbot, fro77i Deii77ifrount when be C077ie,
He loggyd hy7n next that groome.
The Erie of Urmounde then lay hee
Next Clarence with a grete mea7iye, 140
33 1
And Cornewale, that comely knyghte,
He lay with Clarence bothe day and night,
A?id many knyghtys in a frount
That nowe come not in my mynde to counte.
• •••••
« • • • • k\/,\.
w en . w .
And he granted them compassyon,
Soe that then without lett
Our shipps might passe with out frette. 150
Then passed our shipps forth in fere,
And cast their anchor Rowne fulle nere,
As thicke in soyne as they never did stonde ;
Then were they beseeged by watter and by londe.
And when that Warwicke that end hadde made,
Then to the king againe hee rode,
Betwixt St. Katherins and the kynge
There he ordered his lodging.
Well entred the Abbey was,
And soone yeelded, by God's grace; 160
And after within a litle space
He lodged att the Port Martynvace,
There as spiteful 1 warre there was.
Ever they came forth owte in that place,
But then he drevethe hem yn a-gayne
Manfully with mighte and maytie ;
And Salsbury was fain to ryde,
And yett hee turned and dyd a-byde,
By Huntyngdon there lende
Till the seege was at an ende, 170
And the Gloster, that gracyus \^g\ome,
From the sege of Chirboroughe when he come
. warryour aght
. knight
t noble knight
he was full right
332
Mon senoure Pewnes, this was hee,
Captayne of the Port of St. Hillarye;
The Bastard of Teynosa, a warryour wight,
tive of much might, 180
And of alle the men that were without
Of alle the cytte round about ;
And every on of these captaines had
Five thousand men a?id moo in lade ;
And they nomberyd were within,
Whenn onre sege did begin,
To three himdred thousand and ten,
Of wymmen, chyldren^ and men ;
Of pepylle hyt was a great rowte,
A kynge to lay a sege about. 190
A?id there-to they fit lie hardy indeede
Bothe in foote and eke in steede
. erty men
. did know
. to come out
e Port
333
SUCH A LOVER AM 1
Such a lover am I :
'Tis too late to deny
That for a refusall I never can dye ;
Yet my temper is such,
And that's very much,
My passion re-kindles at every touch ;
But if once I doe find
My mistress unkind,
Why then her past favours are quite out of mind.
My courage Il'e keepe, 10
'Tis childish to weepe ;
Fie not be disordered, awake nor a-sleepe ;
ffor if like a fond swaine
I should pine and complaine,
She'l scornfully triumph, and laugh at my payne,
Or if I shold crave
In revenge the cold grave :
He that dyes for a woman, can nere be that brave.
Hang Cupid and Venus ! nere mencion them more !
Such pitifull powers I scorne to adore! 20
Since I by kind nature my libertye have,
'Twere base that such bugbares should make me
their slaves :
I manfully acknowledge my selfe farr above
That childish idoletry, miscalled love.
Mars, Baccus, Apollo, are much more divine,
Theire biusinesse farr nobler, much brisker their wine.
A wedded condicion contributes noe ease;
Wife, children, and servants disorder their peace.
When heartye ffreinds fayl, my true comforts of life,
I then may turne desperate, and thinke of a wife. 30
END OF FOURTH VOLUME
For this Edition of the " Percy Folio Manuscript," the Text of
the Edith Pri/iceps, by Dr. Furnivall and Professor Hales, has been
followed, except in the case ot words or letters enclosed by square
brackets. A list of the chief differences is appended. The changes
are for the most part in the direction of preserving the readings of
the Manuscript, but not so in all cases. Italic letters indicate that
the words or letters are conjectural, and are omitted or not legible
in the Folio.
Some of the changes in the text are due to the Foot Notes,
Notes, and Corrigenda of the First Edition ; the others are
suggested readings.
Vol. I.
First Edition.
Paoe & Line
6, 72
cacth thee in the
11
52
fate
'5
67
fayre
16
84
Gawiins
21
18
nor
24
85
mood
24
86
mood
3°
*54
hurt
3^
198
cold
38
25
mis[s]e
38
34
awa[y]
47
12
ca[m]e
53
l8o
nay
79
95
Browne sayes
100
Si
b[uilt]
117
167
next to the
120
271
stricken
l 35
230
breast
136
209
there
161
l 3°
Enjoying
184
2 93
marke
188
bo
for the want
198
343
commanded
200
401
him omitted
200
414
would
202
464
also
203
487
would
220
Third Part
222
611
beades
222
612
pounds
222
<>34
countess
225
Fourth Part
227
793
red
240
1247
att
244
1381
he
Present Edition.
ca[tc]h, th[e]
f[u]te
Fa[r]re
Gaw[a]ins
[noe]
mo[u]d
mo[u]d
h[a]rt
c[a]ld
miste
awaw
cane
[n]ay
Sayes, "Browne,
biilt
to omitted
striken
brest
their
Enjouing
mark[t]
the omitted
comanded
teach him his
wold
alsoe
wold
Third Parte
beads
pound
countesse
Fourth Parte
redd
at
hec
335
Vol. II.
Fikst Edition*.
PAGE & LINE
6 174
be
8,
277
fflecl
x 9
671
ever-more
25
833
law
26
904
law
44
J 533
as
66
23!5
by omitted
77
227
then
84
1
not omitted
93
M3
scorke
95
198
too full
103
2
fayryes lay
104
25
Wayting
104
28
evers races
109
5
laus
109
6
laus
109
22
soine
"3
3 2
witt
114
3
What? liffe!
115
1
her face
"5,
9
fortune
11 5
10
straid but
117
2
holly day
117,
3
obay I
117,
12
will you vair
118,
29
coyse
118,
54
Cynthius
124
126
thy
125,
168
sayd
127
235
couett
136
500
above
138
1
Low
140
68
them
14-'
144
last
J 43
1 60
byne
J 43
177
more
145
211
spending money
145
214
you
146
258
147
27I
hee
149
336
said
I5 1
404
Hugarye
1 5 1
410
trauncell
i55
534
bee
158
630
sett
160
6 93
wend
164
809
shimmer
165
844
blithe
167
887
more
168
921
crye
172
105 1
thy
J 73
1128
his heire
176
1168
came
178
. 1210
fyer
178
1217
game
184
1406
blithe
187
,1500
affrayd
188
i53i
they
196
r 1 7°
they
197
178
Will were
20O
, 186
Abots
Present Edition.
bee
ffledd
evermo
lay
lay
was
[by]
the
[not]
s[t]orke
;dole]-full
forester]
Wa [11] ting
[emb] races
la[w]s
[are] la[w]s
s[in]ne
w[oe]
lifte omitted
[thee]
[fault]
but omitted
holly-d[om]
I omitted
you[r] vai[nes]
coyle
Cynthi[a]'s
th[ee]
s[eele]
cou[r]tt
abonei
Lo[rd] o[f]
him]
>alte]
!p]y ne
moe
[for] spending
you[r]i
w]o
= they]i
>ad]
Hu[n]garye
trau[ve]ell
bee[ne]
"f]ett
[right]
shi[vv]er
bli[v]e
moe
[stowre]
th[ee]
is [n]eire
c[o]me
fyer[y]
g[r]ame
bli[v]e
[aghast]
[he]
the
Will omitted
A botts
336
Vol. II.
PAGE i
: LINE
211,
57
217.
50
2l8,
56
218,
1.1
218,
72
218,
76
219,
97
2I9,
105
222,
45
223,
53
230,
245
232,
37
232,
47
2 $3,
4
252,
214
2 53'
4
255,
62
257,
in
259.
180
260,
J95
260,
219
261,
232
263,
40
264,
63
267,
165
276,
50
281,
39
286,
54
297,
1 85
298,
213
3°3,
70
3°7-
7
3°7,
9
3 10 ,
in
3*2,
34
3i5.
136
318,
13
3*9,
47
325,
200
3 26 !
326,
12
3 2 9,
1
First Edition'.
and
deride
Bartlwew
wonne
they coblers
They
an ancyent
so sore
thy
famous
brothers
Scotts, to the Kiii!,
of ffrance
grave
mold
gone
land
sin«e
footee
the
And
[come hither,]
omitted
kniffee
runn
will
brest
the
says
sleepee
burst
geene
gengells
type
they
they
dy-deenee
bilcd
c lea re
sonne
joyned
gi usts
my
runn
nesled
Present Edition'.
Tat]
de[n]ide
Bartl[m]ew
[dwell]
the coblers
The
an omitted
sore omitted
th[ee]
[J]am[e]s
brother 1
to the King of!
ffrance omitted
[c]ave
[stone]
g[a]ne
[lord]
s[o]nge
foote
t[wo]
A[ll]
[come hither,]
kniffe
r[i]nn
shall
rest
th[y]
sayes
sleepe
b[ra]st
greene
gen[t]ells
ty[t]e
[s]he
the
by-deene
[hi]ed
clea[n]e
sonne[s]
in[j]oyned
giu[fjts
m[e]
r[i]nn
nes[t]ed
Vol. III.
1, 22
4. 95
10, 46
16, 239
17. 25b
21, 408
2 ^ 417
25< 522
27. 577
27, 594
28, 611
28, 628
29, 663
30, 684
lay
dear
saw
Maroccke
wee
squier
St.
camonded
sobbed
t hinge
me
Fyr
tell
we
[he] Iay[nes]
[good]"
sa[y]
Marroccke
[y]ee
sq[m]er
S.iint
camanded
so b[l]ed
thing
[him]
For
[say]
wee
2 X
337
Vol. III.
First Edition.
I'AGE & LINE
3 1 ! 7 11
behild
33, 7 66
yeelde
34, 826
CEgipt
35- 856
rose
47, !237
may
49, ^85
dwell
61, 106
young
66, 288
curteour
68, 335
Certer
7i, 439
Will
74, 524
is
77, 641
the
8s, 898
keicheys
88, 994
ffeley
89, 1037
Chaudas
116, 1897
note
120, 2036
evis
122, 2099
tormenrtye
125,2185
lord
155
ffins
164, 239
courtyes
165, 281
courtyes
168, 369
three
175, 574
harbor
181, 767
ffaley
185, 879
Went
188, 42
on
217, 774
say
221, 24
riches
221, 25
Land
222, 37
list
222, 45
vnulye
222, 49
1
223, 92
beames
224, IOI
yee
224, 119
praysed
225, 133
long
226, 171
and
227, 192
He
228, 225
her
228, 236
thy
229, 258
cease
230, 293
his
230, 306
provet
231, 322
thy
231, 33°
Samuell ffingers
23 1, 34°
Gal la way
^:^- 349
minned
233, 379
Tho
233, 393
shee
234, 4°7
beames on
235, 437
Ladye
Vol. IV.
1, J 5
then
2, 51
vis
4, 89
Allice
7, 184
hanged
13, 345
an outhorne
26, 19
will
27, 5i
thou
Present Edition.
beheld
y[o]de
^Egipt
r[a]se
ma[n]
[wend]
y[i]ng
curteou[s]
Certe[s]
Will[iam]
[h].s
th[y]
ke[r]cheys
ffe[r]ley
Chandas
[r]ote
evi[l]
tormen[tr]ye
[lady]
mnis
courtye[r]s
courtye[r]s
thee
harbor[ye]
ff[er]ley
Wen[d]
o[f]
sa[w]
riches[t]
La[y]d
h[f]t
winlye
[me]
[l]eames
[that]
prayed
l[e]ng
an
[S]he
h[is]
th[e]
[l]ea[v]e
[a]
prove[s]t
[m]y
Sauell [sl]ingers
Galla[had]
[nem]ned
Tho[u]
Hee
[l]eames o[f]
L[ord]
the[m]
vs
All[as]
h[o]nge
a nout-horne
[where]
th[at]
33*
Vol.
IV.
PAGE & LINE
V,
43i
4-'.
2
5 1 -
132
67,
376
80,
107
84,
58
99i
JO
99,
II
150,
1 1
152,
52
153.
76
163,
153
177-
tl8
178,
18
178,
28
179-
4
179,
22
179,
23
180,
34
180,
43
186,
40
[87,
12
190,
87
191,
i-'4
191.
l 3 2
i9 2 .
158
200,
372
218,
880
221,
959
227,
23
229,
4
252,
129
270,
15
3°Si
7
3 J 7,
123
320,
23
33 2 i
i f »5
332,
171
First Edition.
attempted
makers
loose
you
our
ever
shillings
shillings pounds
fforgett
and other
ffrom
Of
imupetelasze
Dioned
Now hopes
and ample earth
wind
The
Cinaiis
seasens
ire
ftitt
spilt
blarked
cane
heere ouiiltcd
tydand
hoved
listening
And 1 J S
fferae
And
discreeme
non
ryds
be
home
Present Edition.
attempt [there]
ma[tt]ers
[spare]
[not]
[whose]
[aye]
shillinge
shillinge pounde
fforg[o]tt
a[no]ther
ffr[ane]
im[mor]tel[i]ze
Dio[m]ed
N[e]w hope [is]
t[oo]
[earth] and ample
win r e]
Th[at]
Ci[mme]ris
s[c]asens
[e]re
ff[ee]tt
shent
bla[n]ked
ca[m]e
[heere]
tyd[inge]
hovered
l[ess]ening
And J S
ffe[ar]e
[Who]
discree[v]e
no[t]
ryd[e]
he
[g]ome
339
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