THE SIEGE OF Leeth, more aptlie called the schole of warre, (the Lord Gray of Wiltton generall thereof) in the second yeare of the raigne of oure soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth. Anno. 1560.
AS Marche did ende, so
Mars began his raigne,
Whose mē I saw, to bluddy warres were bente
From
Barwick walls, they marched throw the plaine
With banner splaide, with carriage haell and tente,
All fitte for warres, to
Leeth this armye wente,
And as I know, the nomber was so small,
Sixe thousande and, fiue hundreth men were all.
And most of those, not trayned for the field
More rawe then rype, vnready out of vse:
And some men say, ech leader was not skild,
But what of that? I write not of abuse
If faultes there were, I ought to make excuse:
First do wee creepe and after learne to go,
All hitts not white, that shooteth in the bow.
Amonge these men, were souldiours of ech force
Both old & yonge, what should there more be said?
And some that sought, to get a good report
To haunt the warres, did holde them well apaid:
Of Cannon shotte, they seldome stoode afraid
They knew the cracke, and horling in the eare
Was halfe the harme, and most of all the feare.
Such men declarde, they had a det to pay,
And still they wisht, in countries cause to die,
They praysde that man, that serude his prince a day
They were a feare, vnto the enmyes eye,
They beautifyed, theyr bands with brauery:
They bare the blowes, and broughte the yonglings on.
And gaue the charge, when others lokt vppon▪
As erste I said, this campe so furnisht out
Lord
Gray the chiefe, Lord
Skrope the Marshall than
Of knightes and squires, if here I went about
To show their names, as if I list I can,
Time should I loose, and weary many a man
To read their stiles, wherefore your leaue I craue
To write such thinges, as in my head I haue.
The maner thus, before
Dumbar they paste
A Skirmishe at Dumbar.
Where issued out, the French a silly bande
On horse and foote, and not requyring faste
To take me thought, the skirmishing in hand:
And thus a while, both parties still did stand.
Till cankred hate, had kindled malice newe,
And badde our men, in field their foes pursewe.
But in the ende, a few were hurt or slaine
They driuen in, and none that skirmishe would,
The campe marcht throw, & did no while remaine
Before
Dumbar, the troth thereof is tould:
The rest my penne, shall soone to you vnfould
So that you do, my tale in order marke
And as you ought, giue credit to my warke.
At length in sight of
Leeth our army preast
I had forgot, how they the Scots Lords met
Who brought with them, two Thousand men at least
Few more I gesse, that were in order set
But still in hope, a greater power to get
They put vs in, So thus wee ioynde in on
I may not longe, this matter rest vppon.
But as I said, when sight of
Leeth we had
Like as the Bore, his brissels ginnes to shake
When he is chafte, and fares as he were mad:
Or as the Wolfe, that newly is awake
In fury runnes, the sillie sheepe to take
So did our men, the French full fast pursue
Where sone was seene, the warres began a new.
They had no minde, on peace proclaimde in Cheape
The leage was brooke, they thought in London made
Out goes the Pikes, the souldiours ranne in heape
The scabberds falls, and forth was drawen the blade
Some shotes apace, the others chardge and lade
But ere the heate, of this great skirmishe grew
The
Dowager, with trumpet toke a trew.
This staye of warre, made many men to muse
How be it was, deuised of theyr Queene
Some say by crafte, our Captaines to abuse
And so it proude, none other as I weene:
For here and there, the Frenchmen laye vnseene
As though were ment, no harme on either side
As fire lyes hid, vntill the smoke be spide.
Our Campe came on, and sought their tents to pitch
The Frenche drew neare, to view our maner throw
Whereat Lord
Gray, was discontented mitch
And sent them word, they should retyre them now:
Wherefore (ꝙ they,) we vnderstand not how
Wee should giue place, or any waye be bounde
To part from hence, and leaue our Maisters grounde.
Yees (ꝙ my Lord) were not for promise sake
Of truse a while, we should not reason longe:
Vnder the pretence of peace they shotte in o
[...] faces.
Full stoutly than, the French in braury spake
Do what you dare, we will not take a wronge
Wherewith in haste, they sange vs such a songe
With curriar shotte, that had not hap bin good,
They had soone shed, some of our worthist blood.
For as our chiefe, and leaders of the field
In daunger stoode, vnder the league we had,
They vsde such warres, as haue bin seen but
[...]ield
Full in our face, they shotte as they were mad:
A tricke of Fraunce, a bluddy parte to bad
But as God woulde, the skath they did was smale
One m
[...]laine at the
[...].
It was but one▪ on whom the harme did fale.
Our rage was great, our bloudes began to rise
Our stomackes storde, as we did this beholde
Throw out the Campe, the noyes ran to the skies
At brute whereof, the coward wa
[...]ed bold
The valiaunte man, had courage dubble fold:
So that a lowde, a chardge, a chardge, they cride
They caried not, and loked for a gide.
But as by chaunce, each one his marrow mette
They skirmished, as thicke as bees they swarme:
Some loste their liues, and paide the earth his dette,
Some were sore hurt, and had no further harme.
I you assure, this skirmishe was so warme
That as the haills, commes downe like rainy teares
The curriar shotte, did ringe about our eares.
If
Barwick bands, had absent bin that daye
A present plague, was like on vs to light,
Uppon our foes, they raune and ledde the way
And still they put, the French perforce to flight.
But yet I prayse some other men of right
That serud ful wel, whose names if I should show
Some here might say, the men we do not know.
A further cause, hath staide my penne herein,
All haue not fame,
All haue no
[...] same that do well.
that worthy are therefore:
Some gets great thanckes, that silde in warres hath bin:
Some serue so longe, their names are cleane out wore:
Some haue ill frends, ill ha
[...] and that is more:
So that their acts, lie dead and litle worth,
For that no man, their deedes dare well set forth.
I leaue this case, and to my matter cumine,
That day was hot, and hard for to indure,
The shot was such, there could no sound of drumme
Be easly heard, the t
[...]e I you assure
On both the sides, they put theyr force in vre:
And if I shal, not lye for fauours sake,
The French that while, serude well I vndertake.
Full wise and ware, thay were in all their wayes
And valiauntly, they did themselues defende.
But as I do, their skill and manhode praise,
So here I must, their boldnes discommende
For had wee seene, what hapned in the ende
Or knowen the ground, as reason did require
Wee had full soone, compeld them to retire.
Retire good Lord, So well it had not bin
They had bin slaine, or taken euery man:
But who can tell, who shal the victry win
When men do meete, no more we knew not than
Untill in deede, the heate of this began
Where laye their rewen, where our good Fortune was:
For battailes are, as brittle as the glas.
Now conquest seemes, than ouerthrowes appeares:
Now seemes it good, that after proues starke nought:
Now is he free, that hapneth in the breares:
Now men deuise, now all is out of thought:
Now much is spoke, and litle thinges are wrought,
This is the course, and custome of the warre
Where wisedome bids, no man to go to farre.
The soth to showe, if men before had knowen
What vauntage great, to vs that day was due
Wee had in deede, the Frenchmen ouerthrowen
With litle losse: and yet I say to you
It hapned well, as forth then matter grue:
Our horsemen came, and gaue a charge ful well,
In whom then laye, the seruice euery dell.
Their names that chardge, I thincke vnfit to wright
Who serueth well,
Sir Harry Kniuet hurte manfully at the charge.
at length must needes haue fame
Let no man thincke, their deedes are buryd quigh
[...]
All though not here, the persons do I name
I
[...]ill for that, my worke put out of frame.
To them I leaue, at large that to disclose
That after shall, this iourney wright in prose.
Right hot a while, the enmies shot enduerd
But sone was coeld, the terror of the same
The horsemens force, in fi
[...]e the French procuerd
For to retire, nay ru
[...]ne awaye with shame:
But yet I may, not much their doinges blame
In order still, their battel stoode mee semde
Fiue hundreth Pykes, they were as we estemde.
But what should more, be said they shronke aside
And to theyr towne,
Tvvelue men of good name slaine on the Frēch side, and v. gentlemen taken prisoners
they trotted as they might:
But euery band, had not with him his gyde
They bode the brunt, on them the bloes did light
And as I heard, and sawe there compted right
Twelue men of name, were slaine & prisners fiue,
Wee toke that day, and brought awaye aliue.
Of common sort, of souldiours good and bad
Full seuen skore, of them we put to sacke,
And some sore hurt, into their towne they lad:
Of ours in deede, a very fewe did lacke
Some hurt, some slaine, our enmies put a backe
And as in deede, the maner is of fortes
The towne seing this, against them shut their portes.
Wee hearde thearof, whan all this broile was donne
But who could say, he saw the same the while,
Each man can talke, whan that a thing is wonne
And with conceites, his fansie oft beguile,
Runne throw the hedge, and after leape the stile:
This should be done, our after witts can say,
But few at first, findes out the ready way.
Well let that passe, we drew vs to our reste
And euery man, made mirth as cause he founde,
This bickring duerd, foure houres and more at le
[...]t.
Men wilbe glad, when Trump retrait doth sound,
That weary are, in trauesing the ground:
So doubt I not, it did both parties please
When they had found, a time to take their ease.
In shot of
Leeth, within
Lastaricke than
We pitchtte our Campe, where Cannons cabons brake
And oft by chaunce, it kild a horse or man,
But no man would, the Campe therefore forsake:
Such tennis balles, did keepe our men awake,
And quickned those, that wear dull sprited soules
And made some ladds, to digge them deepe in holes.
To saue the warde from harme of enmies shot
Full many a trench, did
Pe
[...]lam cause be wrought,
Loke what was meete, there was fewe things forgot:
Our powre so small, by euery way we sought
To keepe the same: But that auailed nought.
Some were so rude, they ranne their death to seeke
So thus decreast, our nomber euery weeke.
A Bishop came, from Fraunce to treate a peace
Muche talke there was,
The
[...]ishop of Valence.
which time consumed still
But all this while, the wars did nothing seace
To hurte our foes, we neuer wanted will
At length vppon, a rocke a craggy hill
We plaest a pece, and in a trenche beloo
Was other store, of smaller shot also.
Forget not here, the weather on the Seas
Would not permitte, the Cannons for to lande
The longer here, we laye to our disease
For lacke thereof, which fewe doe vnderstande:
I would demaunde, howe we should take in hande
To laye a siege, or els our campe remoue
When moste thinges lackte, that was for our behoue.
Among our men, might Scottishe bitlers haunt
Who with the Frenche,
The vvoman vvas duckt in vvater.
a treason tooke in hande
A wife, a queane, did make the Frenche a graunte
Upon this rocke, in sight of
Leeth to stande:
And there to make, a signe to
Dozis bande
When that the warde, were careles and at reste
Which she did keape, her selfe the same confes
[...]e.
The Frenche came on,
The bloudy monday.
as they thus warned were
Like men of warre, they chose their time full well
Our men starte vp, amasde with sodaine fere
But what was beste, to doe they could not tell
Some louing fame, his life did dearly sell
Some hating death, did sone from daunger shonne
Some past all shame, full fast away did runne.
Some made defence, but still they stroue in vayne
Once order broke, fare well the fight that howre
So in this heate, was many a souldiour slayne
There was no helpe, they were orelaide with powre
Thus haue you heard, how fortune gan to lowre
Upon our men, the chaunce of warre is suche
A man may not, at no time trust it muche.
But at this tide, full many a one was there
Deserued praise, that are vntoucht for me
And moste of those, that did them stoutly here
Were mangled than, myne eies the same did see
But for they are, of meane and base degree
I leaue them out, it is sufficient here
If in the booke, of fame their names appere.
Ye knowe when that, the waspe within his ne
[...]e
Is sturde with stick, or any other thing
Assone as he, is troubled from his reste
He crepeth foorth, and sharpely vnder winge
He seketh place, for to bestowe his stinge:
So lo our campe, that erst in quiet laye
At noyes of this, began a fearfull fraye.
Sir Iames a Cro
[...]es led the soldiours on their enemies.
Now ran they foorth, and forward cryde they all
The drummes did soūde, the souldiours made great spede
Unto the tren
[...]h, the Larum was not small
But all to late, the helpe did come in dede
The captaines still, their men with hope did fede
And bad them ma
[...]che, the day is ours ꝙ they
At sight of whome, the Frenche retierd away.
Great terror made, the Curriars in our face
Some slaughter to,
The lord Gray that novve is vvas sore hurte at a valiaunt charge he gaue
by that to vs arose
But yet in spight, the foe forsoke the place
And straight to
Leeth, in haste the cumy gose
Abide ꝙ we, ye parte not without bloes
Upon them rose, the boldest men we had
All had not charge, that daye the way that lad.
Undouttedly, the souldiours semd they wolde
In sonder riue, the ramper with their handes
And pluck them by, the eares out of their holde
But as it was, they slewe vpon the sandes
And left soer hurt, and groning on the landes
I iudge at leste, as many men full oute
Or more then we, had lost haue ye no doute.
A bande of men, by this time to our aide
At
Musselbrough, were come vnarmd I gesse
Of which reliefe, we helde vs well apaide
The enmies store, therby became the lesse
This done all thinges, were put in readines
For to dismounte, such peces as we sawe
Upon a churche, that kept our campe in awe.
A battry small, against the same was set
In halfe a daye, downe fell therof the chiefe
Than for the siege, we found not so much let
Our skirmishers, retired with lesse griefe
Our men might come, more easely to reliefe
But marke this well, such skirmishing I saye
I neuer sawe, nor hard of er this daye.
The mounting larke, no soner in the skie
Then we were fourth: the Frenchemen were so braue
Ne night nor day, they would not let vs lye
In rest, for still, they did the skirmishe craue
And they in holes, them selues could finely saue
To cause great shot, to playe vpon their walles
As though that we, were made vnto their calles.
Rashnes of souldiou
[...]s running out veide of cond
[...] los
[...]th all many tymes.
And this they vsde, full ofte and to our harme
Vntill a staye, our leaders tooke therein
Before in fielde, rawe men so thicke would swarme
That long we seemd, more like to lose then wyn
By rashnes rude, of suche as had not byn
In warres before, but yet with exercise
A white cote did, become both ware and wise.
And serude as well, as any souldiour might
With bowe and bill, suche weapons as we vse
And oft therewith, they put the Frenche to flight
What marueile not, you knowe this is no newes?
The bowe hath ofte, made them the field refuse
The bowe is feard, as farre as flies our fame
And bowes I weene, wan Englishmen the name.
Our enemies still, to skirmishe vs procuerd
And gald our beste, and ouldest souldiours sore
I tell you trothe, the heate of this enduerd
Full long wherby, our men away we wore
But God be thankt, the Frenchmens losse was more
For still they spente, vpon the stock ye knoe
When we without, had meane to come by moe.
By depe foresight, a mounte there was deuisde
Which bare the name of
Pellam for the space
I had forgot, how Frenchmen cam disgisde
In womens wedes, like queanes with muffled face
They did no acte, but sone they tooke the chace
I
[...]ee that passe, and of the mounte I treate
Where to be playne, the seruice was full greate.
The Captaine there,
Sir Andrevve Corbet vvas here and other gentlemen.
one
Cutbert Vaughan was
And ioynd with him, there were a number mo
This mounte thus made, the campe away did passe
More nere the towne, how much I nede not shoo
This mounte to
Leeth, was still a daily foo
The peces there, a longe the rampere shott
Some harme they did, but what full fewe men wott.
Vpon the sandes, they could no cockells seeke
But that this forte, might easely them anoy
Some derely bought, their muskels eury weeke
Some sacrifisde, their horse to swete saint Loy
Some in their heads, did take so mad a toy
They neuer spake, a worde ne good nor ill
Some lernde to feele, the weight of our black
[...]ill.
A bande of horse, there were to warde that forte
Which eury day, did serue full worthely
With whom the French, some times for chaunge of sporte
Would mete and so, the matter would they trye
The Frenche full oft, I can not this denye,
Ma
[...]e Sallies forth, as
[...]ryme as men might do
And so went home, with blud and honor to.
But commonly, in dede, the worst they gate
Yet stil they brau'd, and bare their fortune out
Their warlike shiftes, they were of suche a traed
My penne shall but, ecclips them out of doute
To painte them right, but since I go aboute
To praise them thus, I will procede for shame
And let them haue, their owne deserued fame.
Policy
[...] of all gouernmentes.
First all they did, was drawen by orders skill
And seld they paste, the boundes of reasons lore
By pointe deuise, they skirmished at will:
That we perceiud, they practised no more
That we feard not, and had not seen before
They put in vse, thus still their heads they bende
To purchase prayse, and eke the towne defende.
Great neede they had, them selues to vse full well
For all their liues, vpon their doings laye
What should I more, vpon this matter dwell
To tier your eares, and waste the time away
There was no side, stode idell halfe the daye
But on both partes, for seruice driftes were founde
And euery howre, we draue them from their grounde.
Maister Pellam Lieutenaunt of
[...]he ordinaunce
At
Pellams mounte, by foote and horsemen both
This trade full long, did there the souldiours kepe
Whose payne was much, and sore I tell you trothe
For at no time, in quiet could they slepe
And specially, when day began to pep
[...]
The shot went of, then souldiours to their toyle
And as hap drewe, they did abide the spoyle.
I nowe returne, vnto our campe awhyle
That laye where shot, did daily them salute
And where the Frenche, with many a warlike wyle
Did showe our men, of warres what was the frute
And where some get, their death by littell suet
A skarre, a maime, and suche a rude rewarde
As moste men findes, that do that life regarde.
I spake afore of bickrings, by the Frenche
But here the heate, of seruing might be seen
They bearded vs, and made them trenche for trenche
And shewed them selues, trimme souldiours as I ween
But what of that, we came to serue the Queene
Though to our losse, our courage did we vse
We forst our foes, their trenche at lengthe refuse.
And to their milles, we wente and burnt them downe
Slew them we founde, where many hurte were than
In seruice great, right nere before the towne
Our hap was such, that we the honour wan:
Not onely here, but euer when began
A skirmishe, or a bickering any where
Which as we gesse, we wanted seldome there.
A thondring noies, they made when they came foorth
Their ratling shot, did perce the cloudes me thought
To show the truthe, their Corriars were more woorth
Then double tolde, the peces that we brought
And to be plaine, our shot they counted nought
Yet as it was, when that our men came nere
The Frenchmen bought, their comming forth full dere.
Yet would they not, be kept no tyme within
An hundreth tymes, they issued out I gesse
And sought for death, their honor for to wyn
What ere they loste, they braud no whit the lesse
If here I should, all skirmisshes expresse
What they haue done, what we haue wrought likewise
Of paper sure, a quere would not suffice.
Unto my tale, my penne I praye thee passe
What hum
[...]r brought? thy reason here so wyde
You knowe good folkes, in what discours I was
The campe thus plaste, we did reliefe abide
Muche losse eche daye, we had I will not hide
And greater harme, was likely to ensue
If some had not, made vp their bandes anewe.
Of watche and warde, our men so wery were
They carelesse stoode, of any hap at all
The nightes were fowle, the dayes not very fear
The countrie could, their garmentes thinne and small
And still vpon, their Captaines gan they call
A saute, a saute, we lye ore long in trenche
Let vs go spende, our liues vpon the Frenche.
It seemed good, the towne for to assaile
Men willing were, in Princes cause to fight
The battry shot, but that did not preuaile
Muche ponder spente, the charges was not light
Smale skathe it did, as semed to our sight
This dare I saye, so sharpe a pele so ronge
I neuer harde, but yet it durde not long.
For this assault, lewde ladders, viele and nought
The souldiours had, which were to shorte God wot
The profe thereof, with blud the poore men bought
Had they ben long, the towne we might haue got
But looke what God, assigned to our lot
We could not shonne, nedes must it come to passe
That he appointes, as there good triall was.
Let those thinges go,
Captaine Randall gaue vvarning vvhen thassault should beginne.
I kepe an other vaine
Of this assault, the manner show I shall
First were our men, in battaile rangid plaine
And gardid well, with horsemen were they all
The reste in trenche, did stand as did befall
Till warning made, of
Randall maior there
At which they past, to
Leeth withouten fere.
The drommes did sounde, the trumpettes blew alowde
The Cannons shot, the bowmen stode not still
The smoke was like, a fogge or mistie clowde
That poulder made, our souldiours lackt no will
To clyme the walles, where they receiud much ill
For when they laide, their ladders in the dike
They were to shorte, the lengthe of halfe a pike.
The flankers than, in murdring holes that laye
Went of and slew, God knowes stoute men enow
The harquebuz, afore hand made fowle playe
But it behoud our men, for to go throw
And so men sought, their deathes they knew not how
From such a fight, swete God my frendes defende
For out of frame, did diuers finde their ende.
To see poore soules, there wander in the dikes
The stones were flunge, the curriar bet them downe
The wounded men, let fall both bowes and pikes
The mangled heapes, that creped from the towne
The slaughter foule, and here the wofull sowne
That Souldiours cries, there made I thinke in dede
Would sure compell, a stony harte to blede.
The brute of this, abasht our bouldist men
And cut our combes, as all were cast away
The coward sorte, did steale them homewarde then
And some in campe, came neuer since that day
Some sought discharge, Some sawe so great a fray
They wisht they had, at home bin keaping Crooes
Suche is the warres, where men both wyn and looes.
I leue that case, and nowe returne I shalt
To those that daye, were leaders in the selde
And for in ryme, I cannot show it all
And well set forth, in ryme are Saultes but selde
And wordes I lack, and that I am vnskilde
To seke out termes, that apte are for that case
In prose I minde, therefore the same to place.
That shall I wright, when this I draw anew
Which in short time, I mynde at large to set
But for the first, it may suffice to you
This naked rime, out of my handes to get
Yet if I liue, I will be in your det
To paye you once a better sum I thinke
Then I haue yet, set forth with penne and ynke.
An other mounte, that
Somerset was cald
Deuised was,
The Earle of VVorceters brother, maister Frances Somerset.
where
Somers
[...]t was plast
This forte full ofte, the French both slew and gald
And many a time, their peces it defast
Here you must note, these mountes were not in waste
For if they had, not helde the towne in awe
We could not it, besege for ought I sawe.
If that the frenche, with frendes that were without
Had ventred all, and stode to fortunes hap
In daunger greate, we had bene out of doute
And likely sure, we were to fall in trap
But lo our chiefe, misdowting suche a clap
For wante of men, to sege the enmies rounde
Deuised fortes, vpon the metest grounde.
In this meane while,
Sir Frances Leake came to our reliefe.
there came
S. Fraunces LeakeTo our reliefe, whereof much nede we had
A greater lack, we had there than I speake
Of men and helpe, whiche made our ha
[...]tes full sad
But still with wordes, the councell did vs glad
And said the Duke, was comming haue no drede
Who muche desirde, for to supplie our nede.
The Frenche came forth, at midnight after this
As though they would, a Canuozado make
But as God wrought, their purpose did they misse
For though some men, the trenchis did forsake
An other sorte, defence did vndertake
And stode so sure, and shot so in their face
That there they slew, a Corprall in the place.
They seing that, full hastely retirde
And lokte not backe, their fellowes for to see
To tourne againe, was none that them desirde
Eache man is glad, to see his enmye flee
A bridge of gould, giue him that runnes from thee
The wyse man biddes, which councell they that maye
Will not refuse, in warres I dare well saye.
Now must you note, the Frenchemens hartes were hie
And of reliefe, they made a great auaunte
And for they serud, before their mistris eye
The feates of armes, the more they vsd to haunte
As though our campe, their courage could not daunte
Wherefore full late, at night when Sunne was set
They issued out, to take vs in a net.
Upon our trenche, and all along the sandes
They came amaine, farre past a marching pase
And brought abrode, their braue and chiefest bandes
But as God would, we met them in the face
Where lo the shot, enduerd a maruelous space
Some men of theirs, that while cride shirlly bowes
So nere the campe: that vp the souldiours goes.
A larom in our ovvn campe by the French policie.
A Larom long, among them there they had
And sundry sortes, of thinges they thought thereon
But at the trenche, was many a stubborne lad
Which still with shot, did prese the French vpon
And lefte them not, vntill that they were gon
Or sawe them flye, there whitcotes serud so well
I lack but time, their worthines to tell.
Our enmies now, became more circumspecte
And curtsie made, so nere our campe to come
They would not lose, their men to small effecte
Nor had no will, to hap in whytcoates thom
They sent them in, without the sounde of dromme
They kept such sturre, as neuer yet I sawe
And yet at first, they were but blunt and rawe.
Still did we hope, to haue from
Barvvick aide
It coms this day, ꝙ one, it will not faile
The fame wherof, did make the Frenche afraide
They knew they must, abide a newe assaile
This newes among, our men did much preuaile
But in the ende, they sawe small haste was made
Wherfore their mindes, were in an other trade.
The
Dovvager, the Queene of Scottes fell sicke
This while whereon, at length this lady dyed,
Whose death did touche, the Frenchemen to the quicke
For sure their frende, she was as well was tried
(And to her realme, it cannot be denied
She was full faste) a Princes of hye sprete
For Fraunce a perle, a member apt and
[...]ete.
I had almoste, left out a skirmishe here
Upon the sandes, where horsemen honor gate
And in despight, they rode the Frenche so nere
That diuers Frenche, were ouerthrowne therat
Although that here, I partly touched that
You must not thinke, but diuers dayes likewyse
The horsemen kept, this common course and guise.
As tyme consumd, so still our men did waste
And nedefull was▪ for aide or els for peace
And to be briefe, our country made no haste
From watche and warde, our Souldiours to releace
Great murmurs still, among vs did increace
But dewtie bad, eache Souldiour do his beste
Till swete reliefe, should bring poore soules some reste.
The byshop of Valence from Fraunce.
From Fraunce there came, Embasadours this to ende
And from our Queene, the like to vs was sente
About the same, they did muche labour spende
My Lorde of Burleighe that novve
[...], came to conclude th
[...]s peace.
And as you knowe, both parties were contente
The Frenche by Sea, vnto their country wente
Compeld with force, they did forsake the towne
To our great fame, and honor of the crowne.
First giue me leaue, our Souldiours to aduaunce
That with their blud, their countries rest haue brought
Next how they serud, against the flower of Fraunce
And last of all, did bring their bragges to noughte
And more then this, note here and kepe in thoughte
They being weake, did make the strong to bow
And to their h
[...]e, returne with conquest now.
Lord B
[...]rleigh ended these b
[...]oyle
[...].
But or I go, to farre in Souldiours praise
The instrumentes, that endid all this toyle
I must set foorth, whose graue and sober waies
And stoutnes both, did giue the Frenche a foyle
They forste the Frenche, to yeld to their own spoyle
They did perswade, nay rather them compell
To parte to Fraunce, as all men knowes full well.
Was this none acte, to worke them so like waxe
That were as harde, as flinte or stony steele
And quencht the fyre, that was so nere the flaxe
And seast the plage, that many one might feele
And brought vs peace and cast all warre at heele
And as a man, might saye mawgre their teethe
Drew out the Frenche, out of the towne of
Leeth.
Because the brute, and betill headed braines
Can not conceiue, the depenes of this peace
And that some thinke, that we haue loste our paines
Or that by this, may further warres encreace
For that I would, suche fonde conceiptes should seace
Here shall I showe, the sum of all the same
As nere as I, can put suche thinges in frame.
By this we haue, that many kinges did seek
A perfit peace, with Scotland suer for aye
By this the Frenche, that nestlid nere our cheek
Full many yeares, are now dispatcht away
By this small broyle, did seace a greater fray
By this our realme, was rid from further care
Our foes sent home, and we in quiet are.
By this our Queene, hath all her owen requestes
Unfit for you, to know therof the weight
By this great things, as yet in question restes
Till for our wealth, they shalbe framed streight
By this our fame, is lifted suche an height
That euery wight, that throwly wayes this chaunce
Shall saye we stroue, against the flower of Fraunce.
How happie are, the Subiectes hie and low
Rueld by the Prince, in whose time this was wrought
Whiche for the zeale, of her own realme you know
And Scotlandes loue, hath set expence at nought
And in her dayes, to passe suche thinges hath brought
As seldome could, be compast well with wit
Wherefore the fame, therof to her is fit.
Here haue you harde, of
Leeth the ordre throwe
As farre as ryme, will suffer me to wryte
In prose who liste, to make rehersall nowe
Thereof hath skope, to show in paper whyte
A better waye, that shall you more delighte
For this was done, as there I saw it then
And time but shorte, I had to vse my penne.
A FAREVVELL when I went to studie, written to the worlde.
FArewell thou world, that me betrayde to long
To dearely bought, I find thy follies all
Who shall the serue, is sure to suffer wrong:
Who skorns thy happs, may shunne they sodaine fall.
Who fawnes on thee, shall drincke thy bitter gall:
Who flyes thy toyes, thy painted face shall find
Who sooner slides, than those which at thy call
Liues like thy slaues, in body, soule, and mind.
First from a child, with fancies was I fedde
All at thy hands, till I to manhode grue:
Than in the darke, loe blindfeld was I ledde,
So that my God, my selfe, nor man I knue.
Wield wit, yong bloud, old vice, new bred in bones,
Made me forget, my dutie all at ones.
Faire things, foule thoughts, fond works & flattring eas,
Had moff
[...]ed mee, and hodwinckt so my wits,
That in the storms, I drad no
Sillas seas,
Nor in the calms, I feard no froward fits
Which were to come: things present pleasde me best
Those gone I made, no myrror to the rest.
Bed soft, full mouth, gay backe and foolish fame
Was all I sought, like Lord to liue at lust
At my nowne shape, and shadow had I game
A looking glasse, a plaiffeer trim at trust
To prie a po
[...], my life thus did I frame
Cleane out of time, I see it now full well
So that my life, was carelesse eurye dell.
Yet found I haue, a heape of other harms
[Page]Thereby: what than, I cannot them amende
When dead they seeme, than spring they vp by swarms
Such mischiefe riep, wil haue a rotten ende
Though at the full, the tied of them are now
The
[...]bb may come, when God a time shall sende
Leaue that to him, and I shall tell you how
I learnde to know, the course and kinde of man
His nature new, his fashion halfe disgiesde
And how for shame, at length lo I began
To follow that, which I afore dispiesde
Full welcome ought, that learning be to me
Which taught me wit, when wieldnes weaud the loem
[...]
Of wanton wayes: and blindnes gan to see
The path he miste, the way that ledde me home
Unto the Port, where I would harbred be
And rather dwel, with quiet settled minde
Than roue abrode, to seeke vncertaine luck
Or subiect be, to filthy worldly muck
I would not sure: be bound to such a clogg
That would me rob, of reason and good skill
And in the ende, but fishe and catch a frogg.
As some haue done, and some do vse it still
Which snatch the bone, before the hongry dogg
Who will not part, from that hee hath in hold
Although in deede, his maister would it haue
Unto this ende, this tale now haue I told
To show him wyse, that knoweth what to craue
And asks of those, that freely giues for nought
But he most wise, that hath no greedie thought
And can content, him with those litle skraps
That falls by lot, vnto him for his share
And finds no fault, at others worldly haps
But hath a head, as free from inward care
As babe new borne, yea such a one may smile
[Page 14]And laugh his fill, when some cryes wo the pye
He shall see much, that hath a simple eye
That man shal see, the strong the weake begile
The poore by rich, and mighty swallowd vpp
The harmles drincke out of the poisned cupp
The needie lacke, that greedy raueners gripe
The theues let goe, that robbs in skarlet weeds
And sitts on bentch, when troeth feeles many a stripe
How feare is dubd, a knight for coward deeds
How manhoode beggs, and none are helpt that needs
How creepe in hools, that did no hurt at all
Are valiaunt calde, such is the peoples bruite
The quiet man, these thinges behold he shall
And see them passe, and learne thereby some fruite
As I haue done, though farre from quiet minde
In any case, my selfe God wotte I finde
Saue that to toile, and burthens for to beare
I framed am, and letts the world alone
Amid my foes, that fawns and speaks full fear
I liue a louff, and will not be a knowne
There hate I haue, I must dissemble there
As doth those mates, that playes at Fortunes ball
Do not some halte, that well may go vpright
Who can denie, but we dissemble all
In some one pointe, and wisedome we it call
Thinges are not founde, as they do seeme to sight
Some laugh in hart, yet show a weeping eye
You haue hard say, the blind eates many a flie
How should the sadde,
Note.
with wantons myrth agre
The hole with sicke, the wise with foolishe dwell
The prowde with meeke, the meane with mighty be
If all these sorts, could not dissemble well
And euen so, it fareth now by me
I wincke at things, that I would not behold
[Page]And see those faule, that profites mee no whit
I heare likewise, that I can wishe vntold
I shoote with them, that neuer marke may hit,
But me beleue, yet winne the game I would
Among that sort, that giueth aem to sit
I like not sure: I rather wishe to bet
Than loke apon, and lay on near a sied.
Set doubts a part, it is good sport to get
But he that winns, must hazard needes abide.
(I leaue you there) I would so make my game
It wear halfe won, before the match wear tride
And make him thincke, that hits the marke is wide
And say himselfe, he roueth out of frame
I pray you now, who would not do the same
To gaine thereby, or els at least to saue:
Than graunt me this, dissemble sure he must
As I may do, or in time pas
[...]e I haue
And made some blind, that better saw than I
And sawe full oft, that I would not perceiue
When that thereon, did life or daunger lye
And yet I lookt, and leered by your leaue
What might befall, and sought to shun the shacke:
And as I fled, ill Fortune followd faste
Whan she would strike, I scaped many a knocke
By douking downe, I knew so well her cast
With cap and knee, her fauour sone I wan
So in a while, she toke me as her man.
But whan I thought, most hold of her to take
A way she wente, the whirle winde in her taile
Yet with her frends, fayre wether did I make
Whose helpe was good, whē world began to faile.
And if you aske, how I acquainted was
With such sure props, that holds vp house and all
And how that I, could bring such things to passe
[Page 15]To keepe me vp, whan diuers sought my fall:
(His fall not great, it cannot be I trow
Whose climinge vp, was neuer much you know)
This by the way, I speake yet aunsweare loe
To you I make, that this demaundes of mee
To Courte I came,
Note.
whear I could hear and see
As others did, and with the strong I stoode
As world did wag, I wound my barke about
And lea
[...]d me there, wher I could find most good
In deede this was, the way to beare it out
And there I founde, of eurye sort ynow:
Would I be braue, I knew wher mates were had
Would I be stout, I saw who would not bow,
Hie lookes was he, that stil I saw go throw:
That shippe made way, that all the sailes could beare.
Small sprite sate low, with finger in his eare
Great curtchie crept, full hie among the best
He made them laugh, that lokt as he would sweare
He carryed coales, that could abide no geast
Plaine life the lowt, was litle set by theare
Fine taunting tongues, brought many a foole in feare.
Make loue the meeke, was ready at a call
Faine would be seene, was fisking eurye where
Set forth to sale, was markt beyonde them all.
Uaine glorie smield, and loekt for much a doe
New fanglenes, shaekt off old frendship past
Fien faule at foote, could whine and bite you toe.
Proude blind consait, would not be placed last,
Small witte would laugh, at wiser than him selfe,
Disdaine that dwarfe, loekt like a piuishe elfe
Straunge nature fround, when homely folkes sate downe
Full purse found frendes, that came but late to towne.
Set by himselfe, would not salute but fewe
Small worth made boest, still mouth was all the shrewe.
[Page]Tell all that blabb, was cald a royster than
Fals semblaūce thriude, that could ii. faces beare
Happy was hee, that was a torncoets man
They sped not worst, that counterfaited wear
Do as world did, draue of the longest time
Hee had the lands, that was Dick shifters ear
He caughte the byrdes, that best could set the lime
Yet broken shins, some gate that vsde to clime
Spite spornde at those, that better sped than he
Note.
All busie heads, could not on shoulders bide
They met full oft, that seldome could agre
Who fell so sone, as witte
[...]ermatcht with pride?
Who rose but such, as roffled forth their yeares
Yet chaunge of suites, brought many in y
e breares
White Plumes cost pens, apparel pickt the porse
All worne in Courte, was not in City paide
Sharpe set said oft, backe cloutes made belly worse
Bare cloake he ware, whose credite was decaide
Catch nought poore knaue, could Courte and Courtiers corse
Spend all sate still, and loked like a maide
Hope well, made spoile, and waited for a day
Vnthrift would sweare, and dice it all away
Tosse blade would snuffe, and shake a Swinish head
Dare do loke bigge, as butcher in his shoppe
Saue groet smeld out, where honger might be sped
Proude would not speake, that sate not at the toppe
When Lortch was out, some knew not where to dyne
Who kepes the barre, was asked eury houre
Some spake full fayre, to get a cuppe of wyne
God saue you sir, wilt please ye take a floure
A sweete red Rose, he had that kept good cheare
And many a cappe, and curtchie to the ground
An of
[...]ar still, was made of all the yeare
Old stagers knew, where such a frend was found
[Page 16]Yong frie might fast, for any thing they gate
New commers walkt, abrode for taking cold
Full pauntch did martch, as he had bin a state
Who lookes like mee, thoughte he that chippings sold
When Christmas roobes, wear broesht and y
t day worne
Well was that man, mighte bid that saint good morne
Beare rule stoode stiffe, and kept his betters out
Bold face thrust in, throw thickest preace and thronge
Hoffe haue at all, full hye could hold the snout
Speake as he thought, was not in fauour longe
Finde fault the foole, would flier in echmans face
Ritch rueld the roste, lacke frends felt all the wrong
Bare life knew not, to whom to show his case
Wast all the wield, might sing a heauy song
Hoyst vp in hast, forgate from whence he came
Hie office skornde, to loke backe how he climde
Hogge Norton breede, disdainde to know their dame
Pried feard no fall, till foote full fast was liemde
Snatch skratched all, and gaue his fellowes none
Neede likt the plaets, and gnawed bare the bone
Mountch present crept, in corners all alone
Hauoke was made, where meate was litle seene
Vnworthie of breede, fardewel God saue the Queene
Spoile would not spare, his charges was but small
Make feast fild in, the king did pay for all
Seeke helpe, speake faire, yet sloely speede his suite
Giue bribs was hard, his money told his tale
Lacke nought had more, but want could finde no fruite
Neede blew his nailes, and looked very stale
Skill for a shift, was glad to teach for pens
Old hangars on, would not be beaten thens
Witte did inuent, but wealth bare all the bruite
Boldnes did speake, when bashnes was full muite
Cunning wrought much, but craft beyonde him crept
[Page]Poets made rymes, but roysters praises rept
UUisedome would waite, on many a wodcocke oft
Old broems were good, but new al cleane they swept,
Loue ease sate long, and loekt to lye full soft.
Eate much would boest, he sarude our suffraunt long,
Fat browes knightes, I tell you toke great paine
Some went full gaie, that was not worth a thong.
Some thrue at all, and nicked eurye maine.
He talkt of warres, that had small wit in peace
Skarce knew himselfe, would common wealthes debate,
He spake great thinges, that swelted in his greace.
UUitles well diende, would be a Lords checke mate.
Loe croetcht vnto, a sore discourse would make,
Make roume my frends, (ꝙ he) that kept the gate
Craft had a care, to all he did or spake
Unwelcomde geasts, stept in and askt no leaue
Some pleasde the Prince, yet had the peoples hate
Some sarud them both, and did them both deceaue.
He near sate still, that
[...]orrid fauour well
Some plaid the foxe, that like a goose could looke
Some askte what newes, and yet could wonders tell
Smal minde of God, would often beare a booke,
He went to masse, that would the challice fell.
Some loude the Church, for the sweete relickes thear
Some made of Saints, brought vp another whear:
Some neither saint, nor deuill fearde at all
Some liekt this world, more than the world to come
Some in their ruff
[...], would get about the haul.
Some spent such nights they drad no daye of Dome
Some watcht their time, and yet thear time they lost
Some bankets made, and wear bankrout at last
Some learnde to be, fine Courtiers to their cost
Some had small helpe, and yet spent all full fast
Some sought to spend, apon anothers charge
[Page]Some carelesse liude, and walkt abrode at large
Some craude a pace, and caught some croms by craft
Some could not aske, they thought desarts should craue
Some made faire sale, of blades louse in the haft
Some neuer wanne, nor could deuise to saue
Some waited hard, and gate small fruite therefore
Some had ill hap, and yet no vertue lackt
Some saude odde ends, and made of litle more
Some had their baggs, as full as could be thwakt
Some made cold myrth, yet faured for such vice
Who Fortune liekt, was euer most in price.
All this in Court, I sawe and kept in store
Full twentie yeares, as tryall good I haue
Not of Court now, as Courte hath bin of yore
I write I speake, and treate so God me saue
To show wherefore, from thence I me withdrew
What harme it did, vnto my betters farre
What good likewise, he gat that Courte wel knew
How some did make, and some therein did marre
But to be plaine, where I such chaunges found
I liste not dwell, let them that wil be bound
To that short raine, I chuse the quiet soile
The Countrie large, to haue free skope to walke
To be in Courte, I count it but a toile.
UUhere hart much thincks, and tongue dare litle talke
UUhere some must sit, and loke apon the walls
And beate their heeles, against formesides all day
And subiects are, to others beckes and calls
That life is weake, wherein there is no stay
A peece of breade, is better had with cas
Than bankets sweete, apon such bitter bords
Some say there is, no fishing to the Seas
Yet many Troutes, are caught on litle fords
That shallow seeme, with other pretie fishe
[Page]That at the length, will make an honest dishe
On litle brooks, men Angle safe and drie
In lether bootes, and dread no drowning there
On these rough Seas, the least winde in the skie
T
[...]eps vp the Barke, or brings a man in feare
Some haue no harts, with roring waues to striue
Full greene to sight, and vggly to the eye
Which on the rocks, the silly vessels driue
And knocks their Keels, and makes poore Pilots crie
Hael in the saile, let go the bowling mate
Now in good faith, such sodaine shocks I hate
Yet some will thincke, I am not settled soe
But I wil seeke, to trie the Sea againe
Why is the earth so narrow would I knoe
I cannot finde, where I may well remaine
The world is wide, and men must burthens bere
That ordainde are, vnto no better chaunce
That groes not here, takes roote another where
Some shooteth ill, yet hapneth by a glaunce
To hit their game, men ought to do their best
And seeke for lucke, and let God worke the rest
So for my part, I shal likewise proceede
And though I bid, the Court and world farewell
I meane to vse, them both as I haue neede
But for to say, in Court I wishe to dwell
[...]
I minde it not, as good me helpe and speede
And for the world, his yoke stil draw I must
But sure I serue, him all against my lust
For in the same, is neither hope nor trust
Wherefore my leaue, I take as powre I haue
From him and his, though course of life sayth noe
A worldling here, I must be to my graue
For this is but, a May game mixt with woe
A borrowd roulme, where wee our Pagents play
[Page 18]A skaffold plaine, where on we reuells make
A croked path, a parlous fals hie way
A toilsome soile, where we much trauel take
Good Reader now, do neither stinge nor hisse
At any thing, that in this Uerse is plaest
Where fault is found, for fauour mend the misse
This rouing rime, was slubberd vp in haest
And nought thereby the simple writer ment
But neither Court, nor world could him content.
A FAYNED FANcye betweene the Spider and the Gowte.
IF that ye list to giue me eare,
And with my matter for to beare:
Although a Fable tell I shall,
It is to make you meerie all.
Ye may some pleasure finde therein,
And yet my tale, not worth a pinne:
As I haue hard from thinges of nought,
Is wisedome and greate knowledge sought.
Yea goulde is gotten out of drosse,
And torues are made of mucke and mosse:
That beetes the poore a goodly fire,
Nowe to my tale I will retire.
Tenne Thousand yeare agoe at least,
I meane whan eurye birde and beast:
And eurye thing that we can name,
Could talke and reason in good frame.
It hapned than, make you no doute,
Betweene the Spider and the Goute:
There fell a strife full straunge to heare,
UUhich was ear ended was that yeare.
These two would know by chaunge of place,
UUho furthest stoode in Fortunes grace:
And which of them was best at ease,
So ech a part as he did please
A master chose, vnto his minde,
A day betweene them was assinde,
UUhan that the yeare was full runne out,
For talke twene Spider and the Gout.
And at which season meete they would,
The greuous griping goute should goe:
Unto a husband man I troe.
And dwell with him for that yeare than,
The Spider to a gentleman:
And so they parted seueral wayes,
But which of them had mirrist dayes.
Here after shall you here me tell,
The Spider was not welcomde well:
Into the Pallace where he dwelt,
Note.
But rather many a mischiefe felt.
For eury day there was a maide,
That made the Spider sore afraide:
With mirry Larke, this maiden roes,
And straight about the house she goes.
With swapping Besome in her hand,
And at her girdle in a band:
A iolly boutch of keyes she wore,
Her pecticoet fine laest before.
Her taile tockt vp in trimmest gies,
A Napkin hanging oer her eyes:
To keepe of duste and drosse of walles,
That often from the windowes falles.
Though she was smog, she toke small eas,
For thrifty girlls are glad to pleas:
She wanne the loue of all the house,
And pranckt it like a pretty mouse.
And sure at eury word she spake,
A goodly curtchie could shee make:
A stoering houswyfe eury where,
That bent both backe and boones to bere.
She neuer sleeped muche by night,
But roes sometimes by candell light
To card and spinne, or sowe her smocke:
[Page]There could no soner crow a cocke.
But she was vp, to sleek her cloes,
And would be sweete, as any roes:
Full cleanly still the girle would goe
And handsome in a house also▪
As euer sawe I countrie wentch,
She sweeped vnder eury bentch:
And shaekt the coshens in their kinde,
When out of order did she finde.
A rushe a straw or litle sticke,
She could it mend she was so quicke.
About her busnes eury houre,
This maide was calde her mistres floure.
She bare the keyes of Ale and Beare,
And had the rule of better cheare:
She was not nice, nor yet to kinde,
To proude nor of, to humble minde.
To fine nor yet, to braue I troe,
She had as fayre as I do knoe:
Two faire newe kirtles to her backe,
The one was blue, the other blacke.
For holy days she had a gowne,
And eurye yard did cost a crowne:
And more by xviii. pence I gesse,
She had thre smocks she had no lesse.
Foure raylls and eek fiue karchers fayre,
Of hose and shoes, she had a payre:
She needed not, no more to haue,
She would go barefoote for to saue.
Her shoes and hoose, for they were dere,
She went to towne, but ones a yere:
At Easter or some other day,
When she had licens for to play▪
I had forgotten for to tell,
That hanged at a ribende greene,
With tassails faire, and well beseene.
And as for gloues and kniues full bright,
She lacked not, nor trifles light:
As pins and laces of small cost,
I haue to you rehearsed most
Of all her goodes, Now to the forme,
And making of this creeping worme:
Her port was lowe, her face was fayre,
It came no sooner in the ayre,
But it woulde pill, her cheekes were thin,
God knowes she had, a tender skin.
The worst mischape this minion had,
Her leggs were sowllon very bad,
Some heauy humor downe did fall,
Her foote was narrow short and small:
Her body sklender as a snigg,
But sure her buttocks were full bigg.
That came I thincke by sitting mitch,
And in her side she had a stitch:
That made her oft short winded sure,
But her complexion was full pure.
She was well made from toppe to taile,
Yea all her lims withouten faile:
Were fine and feat, she had a hand
There was no fayrer in the land.
Saue that with toile, it chaunged hue,
Her fingers small, her vaines full blue:
Her naills a litle largly growen,
Her hear much like the Sunne it shoen.
Her eyes as blacke as Iet did seeme,
She did herselfe ful well exsteeme:
Her lipps were red but somewhat chapt.
[Page]Her tongue was still and seldome clapt.
She spake as she were in a cloude,
Neither to soft, nor yet to loude:
And tript apon the floer as trim,
[...]e would haue thought that she did swim.
As she did goe, such was her pace,
She minssed fine, like maistres Grace:
That at the daggar dwelled oens,
Who made good pies of Mari boens.
I dare depoes apon a booke,
Shee was as good a maiden cooke:
As euer drest a peece of meate,
And for a banket small or great.
And raysing Paest she passed still,
As soone as flowre came from the Mill:
She made the goodliest ka
[...]ks thereof,
And backt as faire a houshold lo
[...]f.
As ear was seene or set on bord,
What needes more talke? at one bare word
The greatest Lady in a sheer,
She might haue sarued seuen yeer,
This maide as you do vnderstande,
With swinging beesome in her hand:
About the windowes would she prie,
And where she might a Spider spie:
Downe went his webb and all his worke.
The Spider had no place to lorke:
Nor make his skaffold hie nor loe,
But that this maiden still would goe.
Unto a Forme or els a stoel,
And with some kinde of reatching toel:
She raught the silly Spiders neast,
The Spider found no other feast.
But eurye day foule serued was,
Somtime full oer his maisters hed,
Somtime befoer the maydens bed:
Behind the skreen, or on the wa
[...]ll,
Somtime in parlor or in hawll.
In priuey or at portall doer,
But still this mayde vpon the floer:
Would fling him flat and clap her foet,
(When that she sawe no other
[...]oet)
Upon the Spyder if she might,
But though he lakt, both sens and sight:
His skrawling legs did help him oft,
Full soen ye should him see aloft.
And thear he would a web begyn,
But all in vayn the foell did spyn:
For loek what all the night he wrought,
The maid at moern, brought clean to nought
This torment still the Spyder had,
Whan any flye, had maed him glad:
And fell in to the Spyders trap,
Then should thear faull, a fearfull clap.
A bro
[...]m or els, a littell poell,
Maco Spyder seek▪ an other hoell:
He lust his Fly, his house and all,
In wynd
[...] cloes, nor open wall.
He might not dwell, he felt such wrong,
The Spyder thought, this yeer full long:
And wisht that hit, wear all ron out,
That he might reason with the Gowt.
To heer which of them boeth had felt,
The better dayes, whear they had dwelt:
The Govvt had found, as ill an oest,
The vereist drudg in all the coest.
For if he might a penny wyn,
[Page]He labred throw boeth thick and thyn.
And yet he was an honest man,
So held in all the parish than:
A good housholder and a iust,
But suer he liued not by lust.
Nor sought his eas to lyg in bed,
To many a mouth yet gaue he bred.
And yet I ges nowe by my lyef:
Neither this man, nor yet his wyef.
Wear worth fiue pounds in reddy gold,
Though they an honest house did hold.
At plow and car
[...], his goods he gaet,
He lay not long, nor watched laet:
Nor with ill ruell, no surfet found,
He eat and drank, and slept full sound.
This gruntting grobbe was short & thick,
His face was red as any brick:
Whear in thear stoed a bottell noes,
A couple of corns vpon his toes.
He had which maed him cut his shue,
He neuer put on garment nue,
But whan that to the waeks he went,
He was drest vp, like Iack a Lent:
And coblar like, whan he did wortch.
But when this yoman went to chortch.
A sleueles iacket than he waer,
A veluet nightcap half threed baer:
A chamled dobled stockt with sylk,
His short fayer weysht as whit as milk.
[...]ut herein must be vnderstoed,
His wief was come of gentyll bloed:
Which would not haue him clad in clouts,
But whan he mo
[...]sd with other louts.
Than
[...]erd she not what he put on,
[Page 22]His house hit was not maed of stoen.
The wauls with lyem wear whitted well,
And thatcht oer hed, the troeth to tell:
The smo
[...]k cam forth the thatch somtime,
But who did on the rafters clyme.
Should finde fat bakon hanging thear,
The house could not be kept full fear:
For Hens and Capons, Dogs, and Cats,
About his bed wear many Gnats.
That hommed still vpon his face,
And full of myce was eury place:
Of children had he many a
[...]en,
But idell in the house was noen.
Except it wear an infant yong,
The maydens to their wheell they song▪
The Carddars myrry wear also,
The hyends about the fields did go.
The Oxen champped in the stawll,
The pygs lay groutting by the wawll:
The capuls fed vpon their hay,
The Hens full many an egge did lay.
The Gees weare gagglyng on the green,
And in good order as I ween:
Wear all things that this poore man had,
The Gowt therof was very glad.
And thought to trie him for a yeer,
And so to t
[...]est, cold countrey cheer:
And as the poore man soundly slept,
In to his ioynts the Gowt he crept.
Like theef that steals vpon a wyght,
That ryeds a loen in wynters night:
So stept the Gowt vnto this man,
And sought to vexe, his body than.
And hoept when poer man casd his grief,
[Page]That he should
[...]inde such great relief.
Such rest, such skoep, and tak such hold,
Of man to wander whear he wold:
Yea suer the Gowt had found a soyll,
He thought to bring to vtter spoyll.
But loe as leysy lobber laye,
A bed and groend, in break of daye:
His wyef so fowll a bawling kept,
And sayd fie husband you haue slept.
God knoes awaye boeth wyt and thrift
Be God ye must maek better shift:
To pay our rent our Landlord cries,
On plowe and cart our wealth must ries,
And not on stretching in the bed,
Ye kno your children must be fed:
Your seruants kept and wagis payd,
In deed good man I am afrayd.
That we shall forfeit leace and all,
And into shaem and beggry fall:
Ye kno your wyef doth go full baer,
And loeks so lean with cark and caer.
She changed hath her collor clean,
Unto a Peas, or partched Bean:
And wydthers lyek a cock of hey,
Yea glad to feed on crudds and whey.
And pintch her belly for your saek,
And though I chees and butter maek▪
I sell the saem to maek vs rytch,
Yet well ye wot we haue not mytch.
My goown is lyk to go to gaeg,
The Landlord is in such a raeg:
He will haue money out of hand,
He must redeem his morgaegd land
That youthfull frysks in hazard brought,
[Page 23]Tushe man your wife tacks all the thought.
Not only how to paye the rent,
But also howe to liue in Lent:
And get some herrings hoem ye knoe,
Our stoer is gon full long agoe.
When fleash and whytmeat waxeth deer.
A herring cobbe will wake good cheer.
Among our hynds and children toe,
Let neighbours witnes what I doe.
To maintaine houshold in good staet,
I washe, I wryng, I watch vp laet:
I fast, I spaer, I skrat, I skraep,
And after goods, and gayn I gaep.
Whyels husband
[...]acks his pleasuer still,
And hoeps to haue the world at will:
By sleep and crying out of payn,
Let ries a blyster or a blayn
Upon your littell fingers end,
Straight for a surgion must you send:
Your father could taek salt and sut
And lyuly lyek a lusly gut.
A medsin maek for eury soer,
And neuer would ly down therfor:
No though in deed the shyn wear broek,
Fy lie not smearing in the smoek.
For folysh smarts, and stitchis viell,
The husbandman, began to smyell:
To heer the babbling of his daem,
But nill he would he, world did fraem.
So awkward wyth this sylly soull,
That vp he roes, and toek a powll:
In feble hand, to stay vpon,
But busnes sayd he must begon.
And haeld him out of doer in haest,
[Page]This goodly grubbe with fagot waest.
Bestoers his ioynts about the feld,
In things whear on pooer men aer skild:
And seldome stayd in any place,
A shaemd in house to hyed his face.
Or vnder hedge or tree to rest,
This trobled much his new come gest:
The gowt I mean, but caerles loe,
Of gowt the poore man trodged thoe.
Oer hedge and styell, he skipt and flang.
And as the birds on boeshes sang,
He whistled all the way he went,
And hoemward for his brekfast sent.
Whyels hee the Oxen yoeked fast,
And clyemd the trees to beat down mast:
For swyen that must in haest be sold,
And put the skattred sheep in fold.
He did, for sheppard had he noen,
For loe the greatest flock was goen:
And needles seruants aer not fyt,
This man had need pluck vp his wyt.
To pleas his wyef, and pay his due,
What shuld I longer talk to youe:
Of his affayrs, about he flees,
As though his hed wear full of bees.
He ran lyk
[...]ound that hunts the haer,
(And of the gowt toek littell caer)
About his work, now heer, now thear,
Somtime with Brambuls would he tear.
His coet, his skin, and knock his knee,
Against a stubbe or croked tree:
And as he after horses ran,
Somtime fell down this honest man.
No soeuer vp, but troedgd abowt,
[Page 24]Theas iobs lyekt not the tender gowt.
He loekt for pylloes soft and sweet,
And oyntments for the swollon feet:
And plaesters warm to humors cold,
And in fayre clowts to be enrold.
And not to find such froward faer,
Well what of that, good husbands aer:
A labring to make vp their mowse,
(And wyn thear bred by sweat of browse)
As was this wyght wher on I wryt,
Abroed in field was his delyt.
In many a shuer and bitter blast,
And eury day till noen wold fast:
For wantton will he would not eat,
But honger sausyd still his meat.
And seldom roes with belly full,
His children from his mouth wold pull:
The bred, the chees, and other cheer,
He kept no houshold for a yeer.
And waested all in littell space,
But for his lief time in oen cace:
Ye should his order finde so well,
To much thear was not near a dell.
Nor yet to littell as he throue,
The tyme and world away he droue:
And maed of peas and bakon sod,
In eeuen house a banket od.
A feast that fylde the empty paunch,
A ioncket that will honger staunch:
As soen as costly martchpaen fien,
And Sydor in the steed of wien.
And that was dronk at hy myd meall,
A stroek of roest, of beef or veall:
On eury Sonday did he vse,
[Page]And all his hardnes would he skues.
With ma
[...]raeg of his doughter Kaet,
And still he sayd, twas better laet:
To thryue than neuer saue a groet,
He could on fingers ends by roet.
R
[...]hers the cours of all the yeer,
The chang of Mooen, and could goe neer:
To tell whan eury starre should ries,
And talke of planets in the skies.
But that he lernd by sheppards ruell,
At Whytsontyed, at Paece and Yuell:
He gaue his housholde leaue to play,
And than at stoelball all the day.
Ye might haue founde the mery gyrls,
Bedeckt with works and roefs of pyrls:
And fine froes pasts yee startcht full tryme,
And siluer pyns about
[...]atch bryme.
As pretty pearls wear shining thear,
They had no gymmols at the ear:
For that nue trick cam out of Spayn,
Yet though their garments were but playn,
They had as piuyshe paets I knoe,
As had in town the corstest shroe:
That goes in skarlet now and than,
In houshold with this hoemly man.
Wear wentchis worth the looking on,
Well yet the gowt would needes be gon:
His oest had near a lodging good,
To harbor such a heuy blood.
And yet he must his yeer abyed,
And throw the fier be better tryed:
This man had maed a bargaine nowe,
And shaept to sell boeth Bull and Cowe.
The Sheep and Oxen in the stawll,
And out of hand a iorney great,
He had to goe, in cold and heat:
And all a foet this must be don,
With butten cap and clowtted shon.
With wallet full of bread and chees,
And ragged russet coet of Frees:
And on his back he boer a bryeb,
And littell thought vpon the kyeb.
That hard behind the heell he had,
The bargayn maed the foell so glad:
That out he went as he wear wood,
And seldom suer in quiet stood.
Till clean dispatcht, theas things had byn,
The Gowt that lorked clos within:
At hand beheld theas outward woes,
Than straight vnto the Spyder goes.
And maeks a soer complaynt of this,
The Spyder that tormentid is:
A wors discours to him he told,
Thear maisters after chang they wold.
As they deuiesd, and brought to pas,
The Gowt and Spyder placed was:
At eas as we may find full well,
With hie degree the Gowt did dwell.
And propped vp with koshons gaye,
On bed or bentche, at will he laye:
If Gowt his maister did diseas,
Moest glad he was the Gowt to pleas.
With furrs and clowts to keep hit warm,
And to auoyd a further harm.
The Gowt was hapt and handled soft,
And with swet earbes well bathed oft:
[Page]And fed with dainty meats enowe,
The knee nor ioynt durst no man bowe.
That Gowt had gouernd this was true,
Yea eury owr, a pashon nue:
Hit brought and bred in maisters hart,
And shronk the vains in eury part.
But he that ons had lodgd this gest,
(And bent him self to geue him rest:)
Must needs whyels lief doth last take pain,
As loe th
[...]
[...]aister was full fain.
The
[...] had found so fien a traed,
That
[...] would his resdens maed:
From hand to foet, from knee to wryst,
And rueld his master as him lyst.
With yomen will I dwell no moer,
ꝙ he, for fear of handling soer:
Nor part I tro from gentill bloed,
The Spyder in liek case he stoed.
He maed his cobwebs whear he wold,
And in his lodging was as bold:
As any oen may be at hoem,
And further ment he not to roem.
He found no mayd his rest to let,
They wear to other labour set:
Thus Gowt and Spyder wear full glad,
That they their maisters changed had.
And so I leaue them for this tyme,
And heer knit vp this croked ryme.
This taell is written for your wealth,
Note.
To sho wherin consists your health:
I do but heer example maek,
Of things I trust ye not mistaek.
Therby declaring as I can,
That eury grief that coms to man:
The Gowt is soner with a king.
Note.
Than with a weary labring wyght,
Why is it rather with the might:
Than with the mean, but for in deed,
That honger maks the poer man feed.
So diuersly he fedeth not,
As doth the rich man well ye wot:
The rich haeth many a fyen deuice,
His mynd and diet is so nice.
He knoes not what to eat is best,
And maks full many a needles feast:
To stoer the lust and pleas the mouth,
With sondry sortes of things vncowth.
The belly is no soner full,
The bones must rest, and down he wull:
Vpon a bed, or in a chayre,
Syts stretching when to taek the ayre.
He should go walk the fields abowt,
The want wherof doth breed the Gowt:
I mean of to much eas doth ryes,
Great harm and grief in sondry wyes.
And most of those that fienly faer,
Without some sicknes neuer aer:
For eury meat must haue his kynd,
In Stories old I read and fynd.
That man by roots and erbs lyud long,
And so grue mighty larg and strong:
Boeth hoell and sound, and well dispoesd,
Untill our knoledge had discloesd.
That fleash was sweet and fish good meat,
But when therof we gan to eat:
A ranker bloed that foed did breed,
And causd moer humors than did need.
[Page]And altred so our lyuely vayns
With swellings strang with botch & blayns:
That eury yeer dissesis
[...]ue,
Within our bodies dayly grue.
And yet as our nue fedings change,
Diseases com which aer so strange:
We can not naem them in their fraem,
Nor seek remedy for the saem.
Som dye that neuer semeth sick,
Som liue and would be buried quick:
Their payns they are without redres,
We can not eury greef expres.
That riseth of our riots great,
And surfets that we
[...]a
[...]k of meat:
The Plowman haeth no fear of that,
Though that the Spyder and the Gnat.
Within his house chear pleasuer taek,
The Gowt doth seldom him awaek:
He lets the Spyder kyll the flye,
And from the Gowt full saef doth lye.
When that the Gentill man is fayn,
The corssed Gowt for to retayn.
A DOLLFVLL DIScours of two Straungers, a Lady and a Knight.
DRawe neer good mynds that sadly marks,
the sway of worldly broylls:
And heer what I at large can say,
of trublous tomling toylls.
Which did befall in forrayn land,
tween two of noble race:
To whose mishaps and haetfull faet,
a world hit self giues place.
Not long agoe the cace so stoed,
a knight of great estaet:
Note.
(In natiue soyll by deastnies lot)
a Ladies fauour gaet.
With whom he ioynd, a hazard great,
his lyking led him soe:
That neyther fear of frowning Gods,
nor dreed of earthly woe.
Could maek him stayn his plighted troeth,
such constant mynd he baer:
For which this second Phenix may,
with Turttell true compaer.
But well away, alas for woe,
his grief thearby began:
In prince displeasuer throw this prank,
[...]ell loe this faithfull man.
And Cesar frowning on the fact,
thear was no nothe
[...] boet:
But flye the realm or prostraet fall,
full flat at Cesars foet.
[Page]O stacts by this com lern to sloup,
Note.
no stoutnes can preuayll:
When from the heauens storms do bloe,
and striketh down your sayll.
From thonder cracks boeth man and beast.
yea Sun and Moen doth flye:
The earth and all that liues belowe,
doe fear the ratling skye.
Whē Gods aer moued, in louring clowds,
lyek dusky mantels black:
The troubled aire to mortall men,
doth threaten ruen and wrack.
I turne my talke from such discours,
and treat of that tormoyll:
Which long this Knight and Lady felt.
at hoem in countrey soyll.
And somewhat of the caers a broed,
that he perforce did taest:
I mean to wryt so that as troeth,
my verses be embraest.
For troeth and tyme that tries out gold,
hath tempred so my talk:
That pen nor mues no pleasuer ta
[...]ks,
on doutfull ground to walk.
Now whan these staets with links of loue,
wear tyde together fast:
And many a sad and heauy thought,
between them boeth had past,
Of Princes grace and fauour great,
(to which regard they to
[...]k:
As chiefest thing and only cause)
wheron they ought to lo
[...]k▪
They wayd in ballance of their brests,
what fittest serud their corus:
[Page 28]And lyek as wood taeks flaem of fier,
and so to synders borns.
So throw the heat of this mishap,
they felt such sorrowe thoe:
As though hard deastnye swoer they should,
consuem them selues with woe.
The Lady lost her fredom streight,
the Gods had so decreed:
Her knight by sodain flight a broad,
maed vertue of a need.
And liuing thear with lingring hoep,
in forrain contrey strange:
Whear absence might throw present toyes,
in some men worke a change.
He stoed as ferm as marble stoen,
and kept boeth troeth and tutch:
To her who found few friends at hoem,
and harts diseas was mutch.
Yea though this Knight with offers great,
and treasuer tempted was:
(As they full well can witnes bear,
who sawe those matters pas)
Yet small acount of Fortuen nue,
he maed for still in brest:
Was shryend the saynt, that stoeny wals,
and pryson had possest.
No feer nor frynd nor fellow maet,
this troylus mind might moue:
This Fawcon scornd to pray abrod,
at hoem he left his loue.
Full many a sigh and heuy loek.
he sent a long the Seas:
And wysht him self in fetters fast,
to doe his Lady eas.
[Page]What grief of mynd and torment strang,
she suffred all the whyell:
Is knowen to thoes that bondaeg feels,
whoes frynds aer in exiell.
Could mischief fawll on boeth the syeds,
moer harder than hit did:
The oen from ioye and worldly pomp,
in preson cloesly hid.
The other forst by fatall chance,
to seek his fortuen out:
And shonning danger found dispayre,
in wandring world about.
But wayeng well a subiects st
[...]et,
and what was dueties bounds:
He yeelded streight to open harms,
for fear of secret wounds.
And ventring lyef, yea lands and goods,
to keep his naem from blot:
(And to requit with hazards hard,
the loue that he had got.)
From Spayn with speed he did retorn,
and setting foet on land:
He put his cause in iustice doem,
and noble Princis hand.
Though in the yoek with fre consent,
the humble hart did fall:
The heauens stoed so out of
[...]uen,
he gaet no grace at all.
And clapped vp full fast in bold,
a prysnars part he playes:
Whear gryepping griefs and greuous groens,
consuemd his gladsom dayes.
Whyels he a loef full long remaynd,
and out of daunger crept:
his absence soore be wept.
Yet great regard to promise paste,
shee had as world well wist:
And therefore often wrong her hands,
when that her knight she mist.
But now beganne the boystrous blastes,
to blow in bloudy brest:
And now the golfe of sighes and sobbs,
burste out with great vnrest.
For loe, one house helde both these wights,
yet both a sonder were:
And both in like displeasure stoode.
yea ech of both in feare.
Of Princes wrath and worlds disgrace,
a heauy tale to tell,
A plague past hope of heauens blisse,
a torment and a hell:
That is without redemption sure,
but what should more be said:
Thus vnder locke and barred doores,
these Iuewels safely laid.
They must abide the happie houre,
that God appoints in skies:
And drincke vp water sweete or sowre,
or what shall hap to ries.
The prison than did pleade their case,
the walles both deaffe and dom:
Did showe by sines of freedome goone,
what sorrowes wear to come.
The skreeking Owle in silent night,
at window clapt his winges:
To threaten death or badde successe,
of sondrie doubtfull thinges.
[Page]No ioyfull sounde was heard with eare,
no newes of happie yeares:
No pleasure to the pinched harte,
in prison strong appeares.
Note.
Admit the Lute with toutch of hand
[...],
a heauie domp doth shoe:
A coelling comfort Musicke brings,
to wretches wrapt in woe.
No myrth with mourning moen may match,
for mischiefe measure lacks:
And care consuems the minde of man,
as fire melts Uirgin Waxe.
In silly Sell, and seurall place,
these two estates did sit:
Whose comming out did farre surmount,
the compasse of their wit.
As long they spent their tickle time,
in teen and terror great:
So oft God wot of matters hard.
in head did hammers beat.
Now hoping that the clouds would calme,
and storms would stand at stay:
Than looking whan the Planets tornde,
their course another way.
But shaken shipps in seas do sincke,
when surgis ries aloft:
And vnder waues (for want of ayde,)
weake vessels welter oft.
So that no hope of succour seemes,
to come when tempests rage:
Except the Gods draw backe the plagues,
and winde and weather swage.
The present panges and parlous thoughts,
that pearceth troubled minds:
that lacke of freedome finds.
A prisner beares a simple port,
Note.
most glad to pleas and
[...]lye:
As subiect to the keepers becke,
and iellouse Geillors eye.
Now trasing out a wearie walke,
now whisht and quiet stands:
Now downe on knees, now to the cloudes,
loeks vp with streatched hands.
Now listning after happie newes,
now nipt with sorrows old:
Now sore abasht and broughte in mu
[...]s.
now mirrie stout and bold.
Now riepe and reddie for to speake,
now dumme and dare not store:
Now fearefull of ech sodaine sounde,
and clap of eurye dore.
Now bent to beare and suffer wrong,
now full repoesd on right:
Now faine to fawne on feeble folke,
now setting all thinges light.
These pashons stil awakes their spreets,
that careful captiues are:
Such smart they taste, such breade they bite,
that feeds on loues of care.
Yea some are sarud with chaunge of meates,
yet touch they nere a dishe:
But sits like
Tantalus in hell,
and wants what moste they wishe.
These twaine I troe were not so vsde,
but yet when best they sped:
On heauy morssells mixt with mone,
their hongrie stomacks fed.
[Page]No daye stoode free from Fortunes foile,
no houre but norrisht fear:
No season serude to salue the soers,
of sooking sorrow thear.
No drincke could coole the furie hot,
of thraldoms thirsty throte:
No pleasaunt Uerse nor dittie fraemde,
to dollors dollfull note.
No booke nor storie might reuiue,
their drowping dead delite:
For from the thoughtes of thirled hartes,
are pleasures banisht quight.
To slowth, to sleepe and mirthlesse moods,
their dompishe dayes enclinde:
As from the clue of worldly cares,
should threed of life vntwiende.
Dispiesd the night, abbord the day,
and hated houre of birth:
Thought skorne of foode & cleane forsoke,
the pleasures of the earth.
Would faine haue loft both speach & breath▪
and loekt when hartes would burst:
Beleeude they were in mothers wombe,
or els in cradell curst.
Though drousie dreede, did death desire,
and griefe sought quick dispatch:
There was no parting from the place,
till daye dischargde the watch.
Wee cannot paye our borrowde breath,
before thappointed howre:
The ende of strife nor staye of state,
standes not in peoples powre.
The Gods that guides the heauens hie,
to secrete doth beholde:
[Page 31]The fine, and fleeting feeble course,
of earth and massie molde.
The hart may heaue the breast may bloe,
the body sighe and swelt:
The face by open sines may show,
of priuie pashons felt.
But all these stormes haue litle force,
to ridde mans wretched dayes:
As by these parties plaine I proue,
throw torment sondrie wayes.
Well those from whom y
e Gods restraine,
the skope and vse of will:
Must bende the backe and vowe the ioynts,
to beare the burthen still.
And yet no toile nor griefe so great▪
but finds at length some eas:
There followes after swelling flouds,
a quiet calmie Seas.
By meane of suite and labours long,
and gracious Prince in deede:
A sweeter soile these prisnars found,
that better bloud did breede.
But kept a part as Fortune shapt,
and so in silent shade:
(As place and time did licence graunt)
a fresh complaint they made.
Of croked chaunce and straung exstremes:
that sondred faithfull harts:
Whose sugred loue was euer mixt,
with baell and bitter smarts.
And neuer after like to meete,
nor set ne eye nor vewe:
The one apon the other Lord,
a matte: mitch to rewe.
[Page]Long in the broile of this conflict,
and battell of the minde:
They paste their time with bare beliefe,
of better hap behinde.
And wearing oute with waylings longe,
their weary life God wot,
And finding hauen choked vp,
where passage should be got.
At ancker vnder watch and warde,
in tossed barke they laye:
From whens there was no quiet means,
nor hope to scape awaye.
Note.
The Lady now for laste farewell,
betoke her selfe to teares:
And of dispaire in persed brest,
a double porshon beares.
Her hollow cheeks and daesled eyes,
declaerde her death was neere:
And bade her keepers to prepare,
both shrowding sheete and Beere.
For nature did denie her life,
her hart was tainted soe:
That cankred thought should comeful sone,
and make an ende of woe.
Her coulour changde her cheerefull lookes,
and countnaunce wanted spreet:
To sallow ashes turnde the hue,
of beauties blossoms sweete.
And dreery dulnes had bespred,
the wearishe body throw:
Ech vitall vaine did flat refuse,
to do their dutie now.
The bloud forsoke the wonted course,
and backward gan retyre:
[Page 31]And laft the lims as cold and swarfe,
as coells that wasts with fyre.
The moisture taken from the tree,
Note.
the leaues drops downe apace:
When sap dries vp and faills the roote,
the branches loes their grace.
Some bowes you see do flourish fayre,
and groes a goodly height:
And some by frost and cold ayre nipt,
and so are blasted streight.
As eury fruite and floure in field,
do yeld to sodaine claps:
So all that breathes with liuing soule,
are subiect to mishaps.
How should this dame desire to liue,
that hourely wore away:
Who would not shedde some teares to see,
this tender twig decay.
What stony hart could suffer more,
and bere with eeuen hand:
The weary weight of worldly woes,
and whiske of whipping wand?
And when she saw her houre aproch,
and death his dutie craue:
And she amid her chiefest prime,
must go to greedy graue.
She toke of worlde a noble leaue,
and calling for a frende:
(Who liueth yet and can report,
how she did make her ende)
She saide with loude and comely voice,
O world I thee forsake:
I haue bin here a pilgrime longe,
and now my leaue I take.
[Page]Of all thy Pompe and pleasures vaine,
that makes my sences blinde:
Whose glorie doth beginne with paine,
and ends with griefe of minde.
In dongon deepe of deinty thoughts,
thou holdest eurye wight:
And feeds their foolish fancies still,
with toyes and trifles light.
Thy prisnar was I borne to be,
and
Adams children all:
(Like captius here condemde to die)
must suffer for his fall.
But nowe the chains and lothsome lincks,
that lay on shoulders weake:
(And all the bands and cloggs of care)
in sheuers small shall breake.
And I from cage shall mount to skies,
more swift than bird with winge:
And flicker like a simple doue,
where shining Angels singe.
I bringe a badge and liurye both.
that my good maister
CHRIST:
Did leane for such as beares his Crosse,
through foggs of worldly miest.
Yea shaking of▪ this sinfull soile,
me thincke in Cloudes I see:
Amonge the perfite chosen Lambs,
a place preparde for mee.
Here is no home nor harbring house,
but cabbens built on sande:
That eurye pirrie puffeth downe,
or still on props doth stand.
Our Fathers spreetes posses in peace,
the countrie that wee craue:
that nothing certayn haue.
T
[...]ese wear her words and many moe,
which follows as she spoek:
I d
[...]d
[...]o she) by bryttell lyfe,
O Lord, thy wrath prouoke,
For which I now repent me soer,
and trusting to receaue,
F
[...]e pardon for my former fautes,
[...]ar sowll shall body leaue.
My
[...]aynt and feble vessayll frayll,
so fears thy Iustice great:
That hyt appealls from curs of law
vnto thy mercy Seat.
I am but worms meat wel I wot,
all Fleash is nought but gras:
To Earth and ashes out of hand,
must all my pleasures pas.
I want the force, thou hast the myght
to stryue with Death and Hell:
Thou art the Rock, the corner Stoen,
the Fountayne and the Well.
From whom the Springs of lyfe must
[...]
and vnto whom again
The thyrsty soulls, and hongry Harts:
for help do trodg a mayn.
Who hath byn washed in thy Blood,
is whiter than the Snoe:
O let the streams and floed of grace,
with fauour on me floe.
In Booke of lyfe, let wryt good Lord,
my name among the rest:
That ordaynd wear, ear world was made,
to sleepe in
Abrams brest.
[Page]Blot out the bleamish of my brow,
that at the latter day:
May strike the con
[...]hens with dispayre,
and cloked crimes bewray.
G
[...]ue boldnes to the bashfull sprite,
that fears from hens to flitte:
M
[...]ke hope and fayth now ferm to see,
great God in glory sitte.
Note.
With closed hand than brest she knockt,
so gaue a sighe and stayd:
And then conceiud some inward ioy,
with cherefull face she sayd.
Do mourne no more O trembling soule,
that knowes not wher to staye:
Come from the kaytiffe carrayue corps,
and cabben made of claye.
And looke vpon the Lamb of God,
whose death thy randsome payd:
That blessed babe the virgins Sonne,
that borne was of a mayd.
Come silly byrd out of the den,
where naught but darknesse is:
And looke on euerlasting light,
and louing Lord of blis.
The lusts of flesh and worldly pomp,
I hope are quentcht in me:
Throw faith a lone from sin and bond,
I haue escaped free.
And with that word in sine of ioye,
a Salme full loud she sange:
The sollemp noyes and sound therof,
thorowout the chamber range.
And end
[...]g that to prayer streight,
of her own mind she fell:
[Page 34]The slanders by whose teares burst out,
at this her last farwell.
Began to giue her
[...]omfort than,
of life and welfare both:
Yea liue I shall and do right wel,
qd
[...]he I know for troth.
But that is in a nother world,
the hope of this is gon:
And reason is it should be so,
for here there liueth none.
But sees the vainnes of our state,
and tastes such torments still:
That sondry tymes, they wish them selues,
from hence with right goodwill.
Heare is but toyle and sweate of browes▪
and endles labour found:
And nothing reapt but wretched wrak,
and broken sleepes vnsound.
Where I shall go I seace from payne,
and so such ioye posses:
As heart skarce thinks nor head conceiues,
nor tongue may well expres.
Than hold your peace, knit vp your talke,
and trouble not the spreet:
That drawes from hence and hopes it is,
for better place more meet.
A Lady thoe that vertue lykte,
and there some credit had:
Replyed and sayd O noble dame,
in deed you are to sad.
These panges shall passe, these fits shal fade,
and all these pashons dye,
As they haue done whan you full oft,
in such like sort d
[...]d lye.
[Page]O Madam speak no moer of that,
my tyme draws on (qd shee)
I shal not dye, but make exchange,
of breath and lyfe I s
[...]e.
The Glas is run, the clock wyll stryke,
Death doth aproch a pace:
My cours is don, the Iudge draws néer,
to syt apon my cace:
No longer heere I may abyde,
the packing day is come:
Death byds me now vnarm my selfe,
and heere the mortal drom.
That calls me hence, as naked suer,
as to the world I cam:
The cours of Nature shoes me to,
that earth and dust I am.
The Harrold of long home is sent,
to Sommon me in hast:
Than stay me not for in that poynt,
boeth tears and words ye wast:
Yet ear I part, good friends (qd shée)
behold what hoep I haue:
And note what fayth and badge of
Christ,
I cary to my graue.
And marke, how I confesse with mouth,
that
Christ hath shed his Blood
For me, and those that earst in sta
[...]t,
of deepe damnation stood.
And by his Pashon I am sau'd,
and not by my dezarts:
But by the help of him that knowes,
the thoughts of secret harts.
Now staying heere, she loekt about,
and to a Knight she spaek:
that he the paynes would take:
To show the prynce what past her mouth▪
O tell him syr quod she:
This is the sute and last request,
that must be made by me.
Unto his highnes whose estate,
our blessed Lord maintaine:
And pray him to forgeue me now,
for I confesse
[...]t playne.
I made a
[...]ault, and sore offence▪
when I against his will:
Estrang'd my self from his good grace,
for any hope or skill.
But from my byrth vnto this day,
my hart and thought was cleer:
From breach of subiectes duetie sure,
and I protest it heer.
I neuer ment nor purpoesd yet,
in worde in deede nor thoght:
No harm (nor lodgd one yll consayt,
nor spark of euell soght)
To hym as God may witnes bear▪
to that which nowe I speak:
Saue nowe alas by ouersight,
of foule fancies weak.
I feell and fynde the pryce therof,
and suffer for the saem:
An open check and priuey plaeg,
and pyn
[...]ching publik blaem.
I hoep his hyghnes haeth forgoet,
the fault I dyd commit:
And as he is a noble Prince,
in regall throen to sit▪
[Page]And iudge his subiects causis all,
so hoep I of his grace.
He wyll receyue my chyldren poer.
and help thear heauy cace.
O God forbyd for mothe
[...]s fault,
the children shuld a bye:
No grayn of grodg, nor ground of gyell,
in gyltles baebs doth lye.
I do bequeath them nowe ꝙ she,
vnto the Princis hands:
In hoep the fauour that they fynd,
shall eas the fathers bands,
My nature shoes a moorning chéer.
to part from them God knoes:
For chyldren fynd small comfort héer.
whan he
[...]s the mother goes.
If God moue not the Princes mind,
to pitie thear estate:
Note.
Now as this Lady dyd at large,
about her baebs debate.
Uppon her deer boght Iewel than.
she cast her only thoght.
Yea for whose sake and great good wyll.
she was in troble broght.
And pawsing on this matter throwe,
a heuy syghe she gaue.
O good sir knight sayd she to one,
a thyng of you I craue.
Commēd me to my worthy frend,
and byd hym comfort take:
And h
[...]ep in God and Princes grace▪
thogh I do world forsake.
He may do wel and fredom get▪
but me ye shall not meet:
[Page 36]Tyll from the caue of pampred fleashe,
departs his gronyng spreet.
Whyles lyfe I had I honord him,
and safly kept my vowe:
As lyfe dyd bynd me his in all,
so death doth lowse me nowe.
From hym and all my worldly ioye
[...],
but thogh my frend I leaue.
On hye whear dwels a greater frend,
(if hoep not me disseaue.)
I trust to se his baebs and hym,
and thogh much greef hit is:
To leaue them heer in bitter baell▪
yet noet I goe to blis.
Whear is no mind of combros caers,
nor cause of sorowes known:
O tell hym that aboue I hoep,
theas storms shalbe oer blown▪
And as a skrowll is lapped vp,
yea so shall all thyngs heer:
(When sowlt shalbe immortall maed)
vnto our vewe a peer.
No soener of the sowll she spoek,
but soddayn
[...]hang began:
In loeks and lyms of deadly shoe,
with collor paell and wan.
The eyes dyd staer the body streatch,
the strength and force dyd fayll:
The teeth they chattred in the cheeks,
A right figure of Death.
the hands dyd quaek and quayll.
The mouth dyd
[...]em the head dyd shaek,
the fleashe hyt quiured fast:
The feet war
[...] cold the face dyd sweat,
full swyft the pol
[...]s past.
[Page]The hart dyd heaue and beat in brest,
A pattern of death.
the breath lyk earth dyd sent:
At eares and nose the styeffled goest,
and vittall lyfe soght vent,
Thogh gasping breath broght pashons on,
and gript her hart full hard:
Yet showd she throw thoes sharp assaultes,
to frend a great regard.
And callyng for a boxe of ryngs,
among them choes she won:
In which was set by conning aert,
a ritch and preshoes ston.
Hold carry this ꝙ she good Syer,
to my deer noble Knight:
He can remember what that stoen,
presentes vnto his sight:
The other token that I send,
hit is a weyghty ryng:
Best lykt and derest boght God wot,
of any earthly thyng.
And when ye shall gyue hym this gyft,
de
[...]yer hym well to mynd:
The lyttell imps the pretty soules,
the b
[...]bs I leaue behynd.
And byd hym bryng them vp in fear,
of God and Prince I saye:
Loe that is al I do requier,
of hym my dyeing daye.
I haue no gold to send my baebs,
but blessing I them gyue:
Which God cōfyrm with grace good sto
[...]r,
As long as they shall lyue.
O yet thear is another ryng,
which loe my loue must
[...]e:
and tell my friend from me,
That I as cold and sensles toe,
shalbe in littell space:
As is that shado
[...] dom and deaff,
and spreetles shaep of face.
This don she tornd her hed a syed,
and bard them all faerwell.
Twear good quod she in syen of death▪
I hard the passyng bell,
For sutch as lyue may pray the whiel,
and knoe when bell doth towll.
Into the bowells of the earth,
the boddy partts from sowll.
Yet meet they shall when trumpet sownds▪
and that the dead aryes.
And boeth together shall assend,
I hoep to starry Skyes.
Wyth this began the battayl feers,
betwen her lyef and death.
Lyek g
[...]st she lay, whyells hart dyd groen▪
and mouth gaept wyed for breath.
Than sayd she Lord in to thy hands,
I doo commend my spreet.
And so her self cloes'd vp her eyes,
and hyd her head in sheet.
And went away lyk enfantt yong,
clean voyd of storm or raeg.
Or lyk a boddy fawlls a sleep,
that can not speak for aeg.
Thus breathles laye this Lady nowe,
lyk weyghty lomp of claye,
(That earst had lyef and feelyng force)
and past lyk slowre a waye.
[Page]But whan the nues of this was broght,
vnto her playffeers cares:
Wich roering voyce and blobbred eyes,
thear goeshed owt sutch teares,
That wytnest well with owtward syens,
what woe he felt within.
And truely told when she dyd end,
his doll
[...]r dyd begin.
Bereft of sleep, and ro
[...]bd of rest,
he roemed vp and down,
And cast of
[...]eds of worldly pomp
and clapt on moornyng gown.
No eas nor pleasures could posses,
nor feell the taest of meat.
Resolud to pyen and
[...]arue him self,
his gr
[...]ss they wear so great,
No councell could him comfort long,
and styll aloen he drue,
To morn and moen to howll and crye,
and make complaynt a nue.
And worn away with
[...]wofull syghes,
when sorrow helped not.
At l
[...]yngth the lyef must be sustaynd,
with som releef ye wot.
But howe he takes this mischeef yet,
and howe the matter goeth:
H
[...]t passeth farre my reatch and wyt,
to iou
[...] I tell you troeth,
His Lady g
[...]n as you haue hard,
wh
[...]n dayes and yeeres wear spent,
In thraldom long, yet after that,
was better for
[...]uen sent.
For
[...] to princes grace again▪
[...] cam by blessyd chance:
whear vertue may aduance:
Both him and many thousands moer,
that noble lyues doo lead,
And wyesly walk with vpright mynds,
and stepps of honour tread.
Loe heer you Daems of hy renown,
a Ladyes death set owt:
Whoes lyef for fayth full feaw shall fynd,
that seeks wyed world abowt.
To God and Prince repentant suer,
to world a myrrour bryght:
Whearfoer with tong and true report,
resownd her prays a ryght.
¶
FINIS.
The Roed made by Syr william Druery Knight, into Skotland, from the East Seas to the VVest (vvith sundry Gentlemen of good calling) for the reformation of such causes as the Queens Maiestie and her Councel thoght cōuenient. In the .xiii. year of the raign of our soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth.
The names of the Captaines and Gentlemen in his company.
-
Syr Thomas Manners.
-
Syr George Cary.
-
Syr Robert Constable.
-
S
[...]r Ierome Bovve
[...].
-
M. William Knovvls.
-
M. Henry C
[...]ry.
-
M. Robert Knovvll.
-
M. Michell Carye.
-
Captaine Carye.
-
Captaine Caruill.
-
Captaine Austell.
-
Captaine Edington.
-
M. Edmond Varney.
My Lord of Sussex
[...]or
[...]eys I set out in my secōd book.MY Lord of
Sussex, now lord Chamberlayne, hauing finished two famous and notable roeds into
Sko
[...]lande, which I haue written of (as chargeable as paynfull, & of no smal credit & pollicy) rested a season at
Ba
[...]wyck, by reason of a sicknesse taken by ouermuch trauell of body & minde in the seruice rehearsed, & reposing him self in that towne for y
e benefite of health thought necessary (in the present exploits & seruice expected) to institute another generall for the execution of such matters as he him self would gladly haue taken in hande, if sicknesse had permitted: and because eche gentleman souldiour & seuerall bandes should duetifully obey (in all points & warlyke order) the nue generall chosen for this purpose, my Lord of
Sussex made an oratiō in such forme
[...] manner as throughly explayned y
e whole substance of the seruice, the vnsuretie of the season, the difficult dealing of diuers aduersaries, and vttered the excellencys of an Oratour. At whoes elloquēce the heerars rather stoed astonyed than vnsatysfyed in any poynt or parssell, wherin he opened the bowells of rebellyon, the practies of enemies, and subborning of traytors, and earnestly perswaded euery
[...] mynd, to be myndfull of his Prince and countrey, in
[Page 39] the lybertie wherof, boeth lyfe and lyuing is alwayes to be offered, after which Oracion as custome is (for seruice past, and things to come) he made these knights that heere are mentioned,
Syr VVilliam Drury, Syr Thomas Manners, Syr George Care, and
Syr Robert Constable, and placing the Generall in full authoritie, he committed them to God and the good conduct of their Chieftaine: then presently with professed obedience each man desired to do a dayes seruice, to venter his lyfe, to shed his bloud, or shew his duetie. Whervpon, and as great & weighty cause moued, my Lord of
Sussex cōmaūded them to martch forward, & so they did, & made that night a greater martch than was looked for, & yet no lesse speede than was needeful: by which forwardnesse, sodain exercises of Armes (& a brute blowen abrode of a more sooner departure) the enemies wer discouraged & hindred of their ho
[...]p, & our men made masters of the fielde, and possest in a maner their wish & desired hap, at the least taking aduaūtage of the time, they preuented the pushe of a perillous & present pollicie, & auoyded the danger of a troublous time to come. For the enemie regarding our readinesse & desire of encounter with them, retyred so fast backwarde, that all their labour was lost which they tooke in hande before. And now wer they somwhat abashed that before vsed ouermuch boldnesse, yet in doubtfull ballance stoode the weight of this iorney, considering what followed by the fyennes or falshod of double meaning friends (beside the dangers insidēt to the hazards of Fortune) Our people being thoght at y
e first to be great in nomber,
Note. wear suffred to martch wher they pleased, but the enemy aduertised of our smal power, not only lyke chafed Boares began to pluck vp the bryssells, but also bruted abroad we were taken in a pitfold & had neede of a treble company to accōplish the exploit taken in hād. And after our power had passed
[...]denbrogh towards the force of y
• aduersaries, the secret practisiens of mischief in y
e town, set sodainly
[Page] on our Lackkeis: and such of y
• traine as could not cōueniently follow y
• Camp with expediciō,
Note. were in daūger to fall in y
e fury of those bloodsuckers y
e delighted in slaughter, who sought by suttletie to bring poore weaklings to the mercy of y
e sword. But this boldnes & audacious dealings, hindred no whit the hope of our generall, nor brake no peece of our purposed matter, for our Campe though it was but little, tooke great regard of their safetie & honour, & knew y
t the enemies espials slept no more thā their sleights, nor nothīg was kept more awaken than their cōmon cōsent, for our destruction, Which made vs so vigilāt & careful, y
t euery man was bent to
[...]eare of the brunt of this busines to the vttermost, with the pollecie of h
[...]d, perrell of body, or hazard of life: and kept them selues so fa
[...]t linkked to gether, that it seemed a thing impossible to break their order or daunt their corage, being resolued to trye by sword and seruice the worst or best, that fortune could doo. And so marched onward as boldly & with as great a show as nothing could haue bin a let and impediment to their purposed enterprises. At the vew wherof the enemies were not only amazed but likewise striken in such feare they wist not what was best to be don, & finding their deuices
[...]is
[...]iffred & ouer taken, (& their force & people, but weakly guided.) They inuēted to cast another compas and so to frame by falshood & treason a readier way for the execucion of their wyeles & wicked wils, as hereafter you shall perceiue whan I come to touch the perticulars. Our camp neither spared paynes, nor no exersies of armes all this season, and so approching many places on y
e sodaine, they made the enemy retyre & raysed the siege of sundry Townes as
Glasko & others which were to long to reherse,
The Duke chattilleroy wa
[...] at this
[...]ee
[...]e and
[...] away dis
[...]oraged. yet alwayes as mildly and quietly as was possible in their passage outward they behaued themselues: defferring the punishing of false brethren & deceiuable enemies, til y
e returne of y
e camp homeward agayn If god so shuld suffer. And being masters
[Page 40] of the field and emboldned to martch forwardes by the happy suckcesse of their labours, they made as great spéede as they might to be at
Dombrit
[...]ain there to finishe by fight or fauorable fortune, y
• greattest hazard & toyle of this dangerous iourney. And now was it come to y
• vtter extremitie y
• eyther y
• enemy must de
[...]ply dissemble & worke some treasonable train, or openly stand at defence & point of the sword. Wherupon they made a show & s
[...]yne of great amitie, & cloking pretensed mallice vnder a parle & communicacion of peace, they seemd to mislyke no matter y
• was ministred. As though they agreed to haue an vnitie & reformaciō for ciuell wars & disorder crept in the common wealth by caueling & quarrellous people, & offring in a maner all securitie & trust for the saffe m
[...]eting of the lord
Flemming & syr
VVilliam Drury, who should thorowly talke & debate of thinges than most necessary & conuenient (to be amended, or at the least wise spoken off) So our generall cōdessēded to see what fruit this florishīg frendship wold yeld. And geuing occasiō of good liking & no suspicious handling of this busines. Syr
VVilliam Drury prepared him self to go a part from his power, offring to be armed or vnarmed. Alwayes prouiding if any of y
e enemies had ishued out of y
e towne (for a trayne & false practies) he had a sufficiēt band ready, to resist al mischeeues y
t might follow So as y
e marshall manner is of meetings for such purpose, the Lord
Fleming and our generall preased in place, as al kinde of doubtes & dangers stood voyd & clere of suspicion & free from all feare. But y
• lord
Fleming cōtrary to our hope & against y
e law of armes, by cautel & suttle sort had closly layd abayte to betray Syr
VVilliam Drury or caused twain of his Soldiars at the very instant of meeting to shoote of their peeces, & thinking by y
e death of the general, a general disorder would follow to further y
• good fortune of y
• faithles flock & disceitful dealars. And in deed for truth, our generall was no sooner in daunger apon trust, but this treason
[Page] was put in proofe & present practise, for two seueral shot wear sodainly discharged ful in y
e face of
Syr vvilliam Druery & the enemies missed but a little, the only mark they shot at. Notwithstanding
Syr vvilliam Dreury (as one resolued to reuenge iniury & falshed) stoed so stoutly to his own businesse, that he shot of both his Dagges, to the discourage and infamye of this vnlordly enterpryse, and with a lowd voice made a vow, that this leawd fact should not long escape vnreueng
[...]d. The Lord
Flemming like a Fo
[...] to the hoel, withdrew him to his hold, & our general came orderly, & without harm from this hatefull hazard & vnacustomed entertaynement of wars And being retired in safety & the matter wel disgested, a maruelous mormour and furious talke arose in our Campe among the whole multitude, and euery honest heart hated this haerbrayne & hasty disorder, harbored and hatched
[...]n y
• bowels of a Crokadyll. And surely this powder made such a smodder & smoek,
Note. that sundry stowt stomacks were sturred to anger, & set on a very flame by the heat ther of And one of the cheefe (& best credit next the general) slept out & declared, that it was a dishonour to suffer a Generall to so worthy a band (& in the seruice of so mighty a Prince) so v
[...]ed & deryded, and for that no such filthy fact should sleep in silence nor passe vnponished, he would leaue to the posteritie an example therof for euer. Wheron he earnestly desyred the Generalls lycence, that he might send an Harrold of Armes to the Lord
Flemming, to know the cause of this vnwarlyke demenour, and further (qd he) it becommeth better m
[...]n
[...] estate (bicause I am now vnder this Generall) than the Generall himselfe, to try out this quarrell by combat and defiaunce of feyght. And more noble it was, that a gent
[...]lman Soldiour should stand in those questions, than a Generall, considering his calling and office. To the which offer good perswasion, the Generall gaue this answere. I haue my deere frynd Syr
Georg Care, great thanks to geue
[Page 41] you in this behalfe: Albeit for the greatnes of your minde my thankes is to small a recompence, but it standes me vppon to sea
[...]tch owt theas matters to the vttermoest, and so I w
[...]ld, wear not my Commission and charge as ye know otherwayes to be employed: yet sens your suet is so reasonable (and the hoel company and law of armes alows hit) I grant you your request, and thearin doo as best shall seem to your birth and exstimacion, Syr
George Cary (desirous of honour, and to see tretchery rebuked) straightwayes deuised a letter to be sent owt of hande whyles thinges wear freshe in memory, and wrote sutch matter as he mynded to stand vnto what euer shold happen: the effect of wohes letter folows word by word, as the writtar him selfe drue it owt and deliuered hyt to the Harrald in the presens of a nomber.
¶The letter of syr George Cary.
LOrd Fleming, if eyther your byrth or bringing vp had wrought in you a noble mynd or estimacion of credite, hardly would you haue so much forgotten and stayned your Honour, as in a parley of late with our Generall you dyd. At whom vildly and vnhonorably shoeting you falced that assuraunce of warre, which soldiers submit themselues vnto: And trayned him to your treason vnder trust, a thing heretofore not accustomed, nor presently to be allowed of. He assuredly pretending your owne and your freends good, commoditie to your country, and quietnes to the state, Twyse abased and submitted hym selfe, commyng to confer with you thereof: But your pryd, ioyned
[...] harmeful meanyng, to those that you professe best vnto, and selfewilful vaine glory, without cause why, refused that whiche reason and honour commaunded you to haue done? Therefore because his calling is presently with
[Page] his charge better then yours, and myne not inferior. I sommon you, reasonably to excuse that fault supposed to bee yours, or els to mayntayne that trayterous acte with your person against myne in fyght when, where, or how you dare. Otherwyse I wyll bas
[...]ull your good name sounde wyth the trūpet your dishonour, & paint your pictor with the heeles vpward, & beate it in despite of your selfe. In the meane time I attend your answere. From Glasco the xxii. of May. 1570.
Subscribed, George Carey.
¶ The copie of the Lord Flemings answer.
GEorge Cary, I haue receiued your brainlesse letter, making mention of my false & treasonable dealing against your General in sho
[...]ting vnder trust, so vildly against my Hono
[...] & trueth trayterously trayned him vnder my trust, which is altogether false & vntrew. And howbeit your Generall came by the howse of
Dunglas, by my appointment, which I suffered & I appointed one place of
[...],
[...]i
[...]e men of eyther partie, which he re
[...]used, and he departed and certen of his co
[...]panie came bragging vp the riuer syde towardes the howse, v
[...]w
[...]g the same, and the ground thereabouts,
[...] your
[...] against the same. I coulde doo no les but present you with su
[...] as I had. Whereas you write of your Genera
[...]s calling to be presently better then myne▪ and yours not inferiour, whē your General challengeth me therof, I shall geue answer: And as for you, I will not be inferiour to a better then you, or any soldiour vnder your Generals charge. Whereas you sommon me, as you call it, reasonably to excuse that fault supposed to be myne owne, or els to mayntayne that trayterous acte with my person against yours: you shall wit, I haue Gentilmen of Honor seruant soldier to me, as ye are to your Generall, which may be your fellowes, shall defend the same against you & your falce & vntrew inuented writing, & were not the charge I presēt, or how sone I can be releued of the same, I shuld lowly my person, to mete you six english myles fro any
[Page 42] other persō. How be it ye be but one Soldier, assure your self frō this day forth, I wil not receiue no such vain inuented message, for I haue littell to do with english mē, ye may ray
[...]e vpon my honorable name as ye please. You shall haue as honorable gentilmen as your selfe against you
[...]eighting. Take this for aunswere.
LOrd Fleming oftē the Flemings after noon answers, smelleth more of wine then wit. But as to that cōmon cryme, the custom of their coūtry yeldeth thē part of pardō: so your cōmon acquaintāce, with the same cōditiō known to be very great, shal to me somwhat exscuse your witles writing, wherin first you disalow my right recital of your trayterous dealing, by terming it false & vntrew, for answer, know this, the truth my pen hath writtē, by the witnes of a nūber. And my hand I vow shall maintaine the same before the world at all times: but you in denyīg it, haue both falseli & vniusth lied in your throt, & dare neither defēd nor disproue, that in dedes, which in words you haue don, wheras you writ that our general passed Dunglas. By your appointmēt which you suffered. Therin you do manifestli say vnhonorabli & vntruly for that you had no knowlege of our first cōmīg, but saluted vs with your shot, & we likewise scirmeshed with your men, euen at their own strēgth, vntil we vewed the groūd about at our pleasure. And touching the appointment of six of eyther part, easly that may be known, to be a plaine lye, seing we had neyther parle nor cōference with you before, to appoint place or meting But wheras you say you could do no lesse, but presēt vs with such as you had, therin you cōfesse, and acknowlege the dishonor & treason that I charged you with al, taking vpon your self that fault which I supposed to haue ben of your seruāts, for our generall retired his cōpany far frō him. And his trūpet being with you, approched him self alone to haue parled whē vnder trust you discharged two Hargubusses against
[Page] him, an acte rather seemely for a cowardly traytour, then one that professeth to be a souldier, finally whereas you let me wit that you haue Gentlemen of honor, seruaunt souldiers to you that may be my felowes, which should defende the chalenge that toucheth so nere your selfe, as vvith honor you should not haue refused it. First I thinke skorne to be any wayes inferior to you, though but a souldier, to honorable a name for you beyng better in birth and vnstayned with reproche as you haue ben Secondly, I haue more and as good Gentlemen vnder my conducte, as you haue vnder your charge, whiche shall aunswere as many as you can bryng, yf with number ye meane to combat, and wyll put them to that which you dare not do your selfe. But assure you, my quarrel shal remayne euerlasting, except the proofe of your owne person agaynst myne may ende it, and when you shall dare, come out of your crowse nest, I wyl be redy to ryde an hundreth Skottish miles, to meete with you in any indifferent place, and vntyl that tyme I shal account you deuoyde of honestie, and honor vnworthy to marche vpon grounde or to keepe companie with men. From Hamelton the. 29. of May. 1570.
Subscribed George Car
[...]y.
THogh many wayes were wroght by message and threatnings to moue the Lord
Flemming to defēd with battayl the faute and folly committed, yet he put on such a vizard of rebuke & shameles countenance that he faced out the matter, & shifted of the combat, by su
[...]h silly sleights & sutteltie, that all the awdience might wonder at the weaknes of his corrage, & the enemies clapping them selues in sauegard, gaue an occasion to our men to lo
[...]s no further tyme about remediles matters. For ther could nothing gro on this busines at that season, but cold &
[...]aer skyrmishes, neyther honorable nor worthy the tarrieng
[Page 43] for, as by tryall fell out afterwardes. Theas things ended and order taken for our retorn from
Donbri
[...]taine the Camp martched homewards, & cōming to
Glas
[...]o wher our power reposed them selues a whiel, & either than or soen after they besieged
Hammulton Castell & tooke hit, whearin there was the bishop of saynt
Andros son,
Battred And randered. Lord
Daui, son to to the Duke
Shattilleroy, & sundry gentilmen of
Scotland, and this castell subdued and blown vp was a terrour to the rest, that as yet our camp had not viseted, and for the more
[...]en of victory the generall broght from this castell a dozen good bras peeces which now remain in Englād. Eatch thīg randered and put vnder the commandement and plesure of our generall at
Hammulton, from thens, the camp marched to many placis of importance, & ouerthrue housis and pallacis that belonged to any notorios enemie or falsefyer of promes & fidelitie. Amōg the rest was the Dueks house bornt a staetly and delicaet palace and thrée or foure myles about the saem, was ransaekt and spoyled with
[...]laem and fier. A pyell called
Netherrey, the Lord
Seactons house was by the enimies fortifyed and yet the lady of the castell was glad to make humble peticion on her knées for the Generals fauor, and after her suet and submission, she kissed the keyes of the aforesayd seat, and deliured them from her, by which humility she found fauor at the Generals hand, cōdicionally that a Baron shuld be bound with her that this castel shuld euer heerafter be at the deuotion of the Queenes Maiestie our mestres, and so the band was maed and order taken. Another place called Commernawd,
Chery. the Lord
Flemmings cheef house was yelded vpon great suet maed to the generall who took the lyk bande and order thearfore as was taken of
Netherrey, The Lady
Liddingtō, great with child mistrusting her self (or her husbands double dealings towards our countrey) in great fear began to flée. But
Syr VVilliam D
[...]ury
[Page] héering therof, sent her word he came not to make warres with women, but rather to sho pitie to the weake and comfortles, & thereupon she stayd & had no further harm, I haue kept this in stoer as a thing to be throwly con
[...]ithered, wi
[...]h is the comming to
L
[...]hoe, & the vsaeg therof don only for a speciall poynt of seuer
[...]e, & to terrefie y
e stobborn stomacks & inconstantnes of proud people. The Generall hauyng entred the towne called for the Prouost, and commanded him to prepare with all expedicion to receiue a iust plaege and correction thorowe the whole towne for treason, and vnpardonable offencis committed. And deeclaring that the inhabitantes thereof had suckored and supported traytors to our contrey contrary to the leags & quietnes of the realms of England and Skotland, and for that cawse he was fully resolued to ouerthroe that town and receptakul of traytors, and so commaunded eatch Captayn and souldiour what so euer they were vnder his charge to se due execution on that which he purposed,
Prouision
[...]as made for t
[...]e preseruation of sicke persōs, m
[...]n▪ vvomen, and children. and takyng good regarde that the goods thereof shold not be possest by Englishe souldiours, nor lost or cast away by vehemencie of fyer, he wylled the prouost to appoynt a place conuenient to bring the sayd goods vnto, whiche might be employed to the Skottes mens vse and commoditie. And the Generall grauntid vppon his owne cor
[...]tezy eury noble mans lodging and Captayns howse to be free from hornyng. The enemies all this season beholding a far of the suckses of theas matters. Thus as the day and owre approtched for this determined execution, caem the Earl
Mortton as intercessor, to entreat and sue for pardon yf fauour might be porchased, and the Earll
Mortton broght before the Generall a multitude of wayling people, whoes mourning and pitious cryes was perssing & importu
[...]aet. The Generall heering thear requestes answered For many cawses the town oght to be destroyed, consythering
[Page 44] howe diuers enemies (whoes prowd practises wear not to be suffree) had allwayes thear a common resort and conference, and further quod he the corttezy that is shewed to such placis of repaire haeth embol
[...]ned, the rest of
Skotlande to vse
[...]epen violence and secret villanies to the preiudice of Gods glory, hinderance of the weall publik and breach of good lawes and pollecies. Wherfore sayd he to the warnyng of thowsands, and example of many, hit w
[...]s fytt & moest meet (in that cace of exstremitie) to race ou
[...] sutch monumentes of mischiefes: and harbor of wicked conspiracies, and especially that towne hauyng crakked credit in a bloddy action before, deserued now doble afflicttion. Well yet notwithstanding for all theas earnest and threatnyng wordes of
Syr VVilliam Drury, the people of all sortes so preased about hym, and maed sutche pytefull cryes and noyes (with children lyeng on the ground sukking of theyr mothers breastes,) that he was inwardly moued to rue on thear wretched estaet, and albeit in sundry seruesis before diuers Skots men had naghtelly discharged sertayne shott at him (paraduenture by the practies of som thear in presence) yet was he content vppon sutch condicions as he thoght good to receiue the towne of
Lithco to mercie, And ordayned by suer bande and promes that the prouoest and cheefest of gouerment thear shuld followe the camp, and att all tymes apeer when they wear called for at
Barwyk, and thear to submit them selues their towne and goodes to the clemencie of the Queenes hyghnes, or sutch order as my Lord of
Sussex by her consent thoght necessary, to which bands and condicions they of
Lithco agreed, & for that thear regent was slayn and noen than instituted (to whom they had geuen fayth of alleagance) they cōfessed that noen might commaund them an
[...] way without licence of him that
[...]ound them in this seruitude to whom boeth thear promes
[Page] and obligation was passed, and at this day as by their app
[...] rancies haeth ben proued they are not discharged of this homage and duety,
[...]. A
[...]oet of iorney to
[...]e
[...]ell. to knit vp theas matters (and reuenge som iniuries y
• Duke
Chattilleroy had offred) A howse, of the Dukes howse in
[...], was blowen in the ayre with powlder.
[...]thco
[...]
[...]roght in obedience as you haue hard vnto some other parts of importance they martched, and casting the worst of mischeefes that might fortune (consytheryng heir small number, and the great practises were gon about to supplant their doynges,) they thoght not good to enter
Edenbroeghe without standing so sure on their garde that they needed not to doubt any double or crooked measure, Which sure handlyng of the matter dyd not onely shew the d
[...]u
[...]se
[...]s thereof to haue good conduyt and experience: but in deede also eschewed an inconueniēce, as yll as a mischeef. For the enemies had fynely by frawd and conning wroght sutch a feat (thorowe the deuice of a fray to be maed in the suburbes) that a great murther had burst out sodaynly, and no small blodshed had ben set a brotch by the saem, yf God and good gyding of the people had not auoyded these harms, and eminent danger, And to be playne som inward moshon moued the Generall so suspiciously,
Sir Thomas Manners & two nombers vnder oen A
[...]seent Of footmen was sent before to s
[...]ay the gates. that he sent to the gaets at their first arriuall and there preuented the porposed conspiracie, and no soenner entryng the towne, but our whole power kept them selues in order to cleer the streetes and commaund the inhabitantes the better, So consuming the nyght they stood on their garde as the ca
[...]e required. And when the morning was come
Syr VVilliam Drury, (smellyng out a pad in the straw, & a fowl flaem couertly hidden) demaunded iustice, and strayt ponishment for sutch thyngs as he would truely lay to the chargis of some of the townes men, and told them yf remedy were not soen prouided, and satisfaction maed for the follies and owtraeg committed, he
[Page 45] would be quickly reuenged to the displeasuer and shaem of all the mainteyners of this mad and mischeeuous presumsion, after which words & whan thyngs wear wayed to the weyght of the cawse, the towne deliuered the Generall sertayne malefactours to be executed and ordred by his discrecion, he seyng their submission, mercyfully and frankly sent them away to their Captaynes, and so these broylls were pacifyed and broght to a better fraem and vniformitie. Nowe heer is somwhat to be spoken of in the happy
[...]uckses of this littell bande, yf therin the disdaynfull misconstrued not my meanyng, and wresting troeth to flattery (by consayt of enuious glorious myndes) myght mormur at the vertue and valor of thoes who this matter toucheth, Wherfore I commit the iudgement of this iourney to sutch as haeth ben or would be in the lyke hazarde and seruice, yet mynde I not to leaue owt any poynt or péece that may redownd to these souldiours renowme and estimacion, becawse I would haue their prayeses equally distributed amōg the fauourers of vertue and deseruers of good fortuen, I haue a litt
[...]l seen and somwhat red, but seldome hard and known a companie so vni
[...]ed and knit together, so obedient to dissipline of warre, and so peasable in all respectes and porposes, yea suerly hit is to be proued that som of good byrth and calling refused no seruisable labour and toyll yf the Generall but onely maed a baer syen or showe of his determina
[...]t minde, And throw owt y
e camp with a mutual loue and inclinacion, they seemd to bear a general burthen, as euery member thear had ben a naturall framed instrument to the vse of one body, And to foster and norishe this
[...]r
[...]e of men in the marshall arte and rules of warre was thear prescribed good and quiet orders, and a proclamacion made that no man should take any thing by violence nor without pleasyng the people for the same. And further, if any
[Page] found him self greeued, he was cōmaūded to repayre for redres to the Generall and his officers: whose care and studdy was always redy to minister iustice,
Two fawlters punished. as thear whole doinges declared, and namely at
Lyt
[...]oe &
Glaskoe ▪ whear two English souldiours weare seueraly p
[...]nyshed: The one in deed by intercession of the Lordes and Gentilmen, was saued from hangyng, and the other was whypped, as the merites of the man dyd require. Nowe▪ hauing sheawed you the manner and order of this campe, and touched lightly in breefe the substance of such matter as I think woorthy y
e penning, I wyl shew you of their martching homwards. When they had rested a whyle in
[...]denborogh, they went towardes
Seatton, the Lorde
Seattons cheefe house, where the Lady of that soyle in lyke sorte (as before is mencioned) presented the keyes of that place to the Generall, who made not onely a redelyuerie thereof, but also gaue the Lady the howse and all that belonged therevnto, to her great contentation and his no little good report. A iorney after this was taken in hande to
Anderweeke, with intent to ouerthrowe the same also, yet on the suet and bondes of diuers Gentilmen, the place was spared from spoyle and ponishment, and the offenders receyued to remission. And than as occasion▪ sought to fynishe their trauayle, they dru
[...] neere the borders of Englande, spending about these things but xxiiii. dayes at the vttermost, a iorney to be noted, and worthy to be registred in perpetuall memorie.
[...]ere may you beholde what a wyllyng and valiant companie may do in little tyme, and what ouerthrowes and plagues are sent by Gods prouision, to such as breaketh the boundes of blessed orders, and forgettes the duetie to common wealthes and christianitie. Thus in simple
[...]roes I haue drawen out this seruice not myndyng therewith to eleuate or po
[...]ffe vp with ouerweening the myndes of any one person that
[Page 46] this geueth commendation vnto, nor meaning to disgrace no enimie, for that season agaynst whom this iorney was made. But this is written only to set foorth truely and playnely the actes and affayres of our tyme, that such as list to argue and reason thereof, shall be the better instructed of euery doubt or certaintie belonging to such a disputation. So fare you well.
FINIS.
Syr Symon Burleis Tragedie, who liued in the xi. yeer of King Richard the second.
[...]oke Frozard the last part. Fo. 108.
AM I of blud, or yet of byrih so base,
O
Baldwin now, that thou forgetst my name
Or doth thy pen, want cunning for that case.
Or is thy skill, or sensis fawllen lame,
Or dost thou feare, to blase abrode my fame:
O show sume cause, wherfore I sit in shade,
And why is thus, my Tragedy vnmade.
Who thinkes great skorne, in silence still to sléepe,
And one whose fall, a world may waile and weepe
Did
Bocace liue, or Lidgate wright again,
Same hope were left, my lantern shuld haue light
If any one, that had a Poettes vayne.
Knew halfe my life, or had my cace in sight,
In collors fyne, I should be painted right.
But gaping graue, and gnawing wormes below,
Snapt
Bocace vp, and Lidgate long ago
And Poettes sleepe▪ within
Parnassus mount,
Wher lo of me, they make but smale accounte.
O
Bawldwin yet, what blot was in my brow.
That made the blush, or feare to writ my fall:
With what offēce, can world cum charge me now
That I may not, for
Baldwins fauour call.
Yea durst I claime, the helpe of Poettes all,
I dought their skill, could skarcely show in dede,
In this behalfe, the cunning that doth nede.
Well
Baldwin well, if hedeles men might chide,
I know what check, & blame shuld
Balwin bide.
How couldst thou reade, in storyes any while,
And so skip
[...]er, my life and destney straunge:
Thou knowst, how hap, one me full long did smile.
And that my state, stood free from dout of chaunge,
I spronge not forth, of such a simple graunge:
That I should dwell, in dust from mynde of men,
Whilst others are, set out by arte of pen.
Thou dost me wrong, wherfore the wound to héele
(That sloth hath made,) To Churchyard I appeele
Let him be iudge, of all my doinges throw,
Let him vnfould,
Syr Simon Burley complaines to him that knows what sorow meanes.
my fortune swéete or sower:
Yea vnto him▪ I tell my sorowes now.
Whose resteles hande, is writing euery hower,
And so I leaue, the Baldwin in thy bower.
Of lawrell leaues, where thou maist sit and sée,
At open vew, what Churchyard writes of mee.
But erre he takes, in hand this worke of myne:
I tell my tale, with weping blubbring
[...]yeu.
Geue
[...]are good frind and here what I shall say,
Noet.
And for the while, set all affaires aside:
But suer I feare, to short I finde the day.
To show my gre
[...]e, that hardely can I
[...]ide,
Yet throw I go, and hope with happy iioe.
Though haples wind hath blowē my barke about,
And daungers deepe, did driue my dayes in dout.
Since calme is cum, and quiet
[...]ase I haue:
Heare his complaint y
e late crept out of graue.
How should I speake, that houlds my head in hand
Though dead men speak not there is a meane to vtter griefes by degrees.
(Which sēceles skalpe, both life & speach hath lost)
Yet out of brest, though hedles here I stand.
I may blase forth, y
e greues of groning goste:
As from the seas, that is with torments tos
[...]e.
Coms roring noyes, when calmes ful quiet are;
So breath I
[...], from brest my broyling care.
Though head be of, a smoking fume procedes,
From quaking neck, & gushing vaines that bl
[...]des.
Heare him I say, whose bowels speakes alone,
And wants in dede, both vse of tunge and wit:
Heare him that must, by arte cum make his mo
[...]e.
And lackes therfore, the members meete and fit,
Heare him that grones, & howles from hollow pit.
Here him whose voice, doth giue a fearfull sownd,
Heare him that long, lay rotten in the ground.
Here him whose plainte, may pearse y
e lofty skyes,
And for thy ayde, and english versis
[...]ryes.
As naked suer, as he was lapte in shete,
With deadly lookes, and gris
[...]ly staring hare:
Not like a man, but like a monstrus sprete.
Sent from the pit, to whisper in thyne eare,
And make the muse, of world an other where.
No freindes nor birth can bere of mischaunce
For here as tyme, doth softly steale away,
So life and lande, and all thinges doth decay.
No birth nor blud, nor flocks of frends preuayles,
Whē sturdy storms, strikes down our stately sails
The ship must sway, aside or sinck in seas,
That shaken is, with shocking surges still:
The grenest gras, y
t grows in goodliest leas.
To partching heat,
A man dayly assaulted with sorows, yeldes of force to distruction.
must yeld by reasōs skil,
What slene can stay, y
• rowlith down y
e hil.
What fote can stand, y
e fortune dayly trips, whips.
What liuing wight, can skape her skorging
No soner out of shell or mothers lap:
But subiect straight to sorow and mishap.
The life
[...] sume▪ most swéetly do embrace,
To trobled teares, doth turn or we be ware
We are in loue, with fond
Narcissus face.
And d
[...]ound our selues, in y
e wherō we stare
And fede the flesh, so long with daintie fare.
That belly swelles,
One plage ouerthrows many pleasures.
or stomack belchith vp,
The liquor swéet, y
t came from spiced cup.
One daies disgrace, doth brede an endles sore:
And payse vs
[...]ame, for all thinges past before.
Yet climing vp the trée of tickell trust,
We streache the arme, as far as reach may go:
Disguisd with pompe, and pampred vp with lust.
We gase aloft and neuer lokes belo,
Till hatchet cumes,
Till the falling blow be geuen, the tree on triumph standeth▪
and giues the fawling blo.
Then crack it cryes, and all in shiuers flyes,
That many a day, was mounting to the skyes.
One stroke throws downe, a thousand
[...]owes withall,
And such as clyme, are crusht by sodayne fall.
Was I not one, that in toppe Galland stode
And bare great sway, w
t him y
• ruld y
e roste:
Was not my house, sprong out of gētel blud
And was not I, long time in fauor most:
Syr Simon brought vp at skole vvith the price of vvales & Acquitaine.
Yes sure I was, and therof make I boste.
At skole broght vp, w
t prince of pereles race
A playfeere long, with him in euery place.
My childhode wan, such loue & liking great,
That in mine age, I sat in Senate seate.
Was not my sier, about a king estemde,
And highly plast (wherbi he purchast praise)
And nere the king, in fauour as it semde.
Into Galatia to cast
[...]et Don Pet
[...] king of Cast
[...]ll Syr Simon vvas
[...] of
[...]hese
[...] for that purpose.
Yea mutch made of, ful lōg before my daies
Was not I sent, Embaster sundry wayes.
And did not I, my dewtie euery hower,
With paine & purce, as far as stretcht my power.
The world wel knows, what seruice I haue done,
And by the same, what honor I haue wonne.
My manhode made, mine enemyes fly like shepe,
He appeased an vprore in the citie of London.
(Before the Wolfe that watcheth for his pray)
My wisdom did, in peace the commons kepe.
Whē
Iohn of Gaunt, they wold haue made away,
My presence oft, could quiet many a fray.
My councel coeld, the rage of retchles heades.
My stoutnes sarud, the state in sundry steades.
My noble mynd, could neuer take no rest,
For publike wealth, I had such burning brest.
In
Po
[...]teou long, agenst
[...]he
French I was,
Where frontier warre,
He wan victory in a valiant sight, & yet comming home vvas taken prisoner.
I hild and did full well:
And as I did throw many a perell passe:
At comming home, in enemyes hands I fell,
And when in dede, my prince therof hard tell.
He sory was, and spake of me much good,
But as these thinges in weight & ballaunce stood▪
Our Souldiers toke, a Duches of great fame,
Who at that tyme, of
Burbon bare the name.
The Souldiors swore,
The Duches of Burbon prisoner & did raunsom syr Symon Burley.
that she shuld neare be frée,
(Nor see her Sune, nor fynde a sparke of grace
Nor loke for hope) till she had raundsomd mee.
And set me safe, in good and quiet cace:
Lo what regard they had, in euery place.
Of me those dayes, lo how I was on height,
Lo how I was, employd in thinges of weight.
At home embrast, abrode wel likt with all,
Yea lou
[...]d and s
[...]a
[...]d, among both great and small.
When forraene frinds,
One Paskall vvas sent from the king of Nauar hether for succor, & king Richard made Syr Simon ansvvere the Embasdor, ther
[...]e of Salisbury & other in presence.
did send for succor here,
King
Richard baed, me aunswer make therin:
In presence then, there stode a greater peere.
But I was he, that did the fauor win:
To speake and thus, me creadit did begin.
And still increace, as one whose lampe in déede,
Cowld want no oyle, the blase and flame to féede.
My Candell blasde, so cleere, as star by night:
And where I came, the torche gaue littil light.
King Richar
[...] sent him to cō clude a mariage & the duke of Tasson vvas sent hether vvith Syr Simon from the King of Beam and Almine about this ma
[...]ter.
And when the king, for causes good & great,
D
[...]uisd to match with one beyond the seas:
Twas I was thoght, most
[...]it to work y
e feat
And in this case, the king I did so please.
Of marriage ther, y
e knot was knit w
t case,
And so frō thence, a Duke was sēt with me:
For this behalf, the state of thinges to sée.
Thus stil I was emploid in great affaires,
As hap her self, had hald me vp her staires.
An office here, I had of great renowne,
He was lord Chamberlayne.
A place nere prince, and stil in court to be:
That might cōmaund, the people vp & down
And thrust thē out, or cal them in to me.
Bad I thē run, one flocks then wold they fle
Bad I them stand, in dede they durst not sit:
I swayd them all, as horse is ruld by bit.
I bare in hand, the stafe y
t kept the sturr:
And knokt their pates, y
• prest to neer y
e dur.
Lord warden loe, of y
e sinck parts I was,
And captaine both, of Douer Castel tho:
Throw lordly roumes, & places I did passe,
As easely sure, as man can wish to go.
I knew no ebbe, my tide did dayly flo:
VVher fortune smiles, the world fawnes.
I kept the trayne, I had y
• liuely trope,
I held vp head, I neuer thought to drope.
I went no where, but I was wayted on,
And shone in pompe, like perle or precious stone.
Amonge the chiefe, yea chiefest was I helde
My Prince preferde, me so for vertues sake
And what he sawe,
Fauour gi
[...]es more preferments than mē can honestlye craue.
I able was to welde
I had, for which, I seldome sute did make
I stoode beneath, whilst he did appulls shake
Into my lap, when lest I lokt therefore
As somewhat came, so daily followed more
By heapes as though, great mounts of massie gould,
In my most neede, should aunsweare what I would.
The flodds of wealth, that doth refresh the minde
With gladsome thoughts,
Wealthe glads the greedie minde.
of threefold sweete delight
Came gusshing in, against both tide and winde
On which faire baites, eche fishe desires to bite
A carelesse eye, I cast, of worlds dispight
That spurnes at such, that fortune liftes alofte
A wicked worme, that waites on worship ofte
A swarme of wasps, that vseth nought but stinge
On those that ries, and rules about a kinge.
O hateful flyes,
Spitefull people are hateful flies.
ye hatcht of wretched brode
On eurye dishe, in haste ye blow and humme
O cankred men, of vile and noughtie mode
You do infeckt, all places where you cumme
You make small shoe, yet sounde as shrill as drumme
In peoples eares, and still your poison restes
On noble mindes, and tender harmeles brestes
Ye mallice much, the hie and mightie sort
To kill good name, by bruite of false report.
[...]
If poore men rise, in fauour any way
The ritche repines, to see howe they are plaest
The world rather doth vvō der at the vvel doings of many that deuise to get glory by vertue.
As hounds do barke, that houlds the Bucke at bay
The people prate, and spende much speache in wa
[...]st
Looke saith the lewde, on newe start vp in haest
Looke who rules now, loke what this man hath founde
Looke how in lappe, doth Fortunes ball rebounde
They looke not how, to clime for vertues sake
But how of world, they may a wonder make.
So loftie minds, with lothsome lowring lookes
Poore & riche ha
[...]e
[...] & poute and svvel at other m
[...] ̄ good fortune.
Saluts the good, that growes in Princes grace
And watcheth close, in corners and in nookes
How they by wiles, the worthy may deface
No marueile sure, it is a common case
To heare them snarre, whose natures are not like
What Gre
[...]und can rest, by currish countrie tike?
What Hawke can sit, in peace for carraine crow?
What tongue can scape, the skolding of a shrow.
The dolt disdaines, the deepe wise man ye wot
D
[...]s
[...]ine am
[...]g al s
[...]orts of people and crea
[...]tures.
The blunt abhorrs, the quicke sharpe witte in deede
The coward hates, the hande that conquest got
The Iade will wince, to stande by storing steede
The glotten gro
[...]ts, to see the hongrie feede
Thus thinges from kinde, so farre can neare agree
No more then can, the catte and dogge you see
As choise is greate, of wealth and worldly goods
Men differ much, in maners and in moods.
One Iewell staines, an other very farre
And strife there is,
Strife there is in mettalls, stones, flovvers, and Planets.
in mettalls grosse and fine
And sondrye luckes, belongs to euery starre
And Planets to, they saye that can deuine
One race and bloud, do seldome draw one line
A graine of grudge, is sowne so deepely heare
That nothing scarce, can scape from mallice cleare
Thus mallice makes, a murmure where it goes
And strikes out right, yet giues but secret blowes.
The greedie gnat, and priuie eating mothe
A monster small,
Disdainfull heads are mischeuous moths that eate vp good clothes.
that skarce is felt or seene
Lies lurking still, in plaits of finest clothe
And little wormes, whilst nutts are freshe and greene
Crepes in and cates, the kirnell as I weene
So vnto them, compare these peuishe pates
That on small cause, do enuie great estates
Yea enuie oft, is coutcht and clokt as cleane
In mightie folke, as found amonge the meane.
The flasshing flames, that from great fornayes flyes
Castes forth such heate,
Mightye men
[...] mali
[...] comparde to slashing flames.
as fewe men can abide
The rage whereof, doth dimme the daintie eyes
And breedes great griefe, before the harme be spide
Much mischiefe coms, by pranks of pow
[...]ing pride
Which puffes and blowes, as it woulde mountaines moue
And growes at first, on nought but lacke of loue
Whose spitefull sparks, doth spare no speach nor time
(Nor practize leude) to plucke them downe that clime.
This enuie is, a mightie monster greate
[...] is a mon
[...]ter amōg me.
That swims like Whale, amonge the litle frie
Whose gaping mouth, would soone consume and eate
The Gogions small, that in small corners lye
His thirstie throte, would drincke all places drye
And sucks vp all, and so of all leaues nought
Which should serue all, if all did bere one thought
O hungrie flye, that would be all in all
And maggots brings, when men for feeding call.
With
[...]osse & gra
[...]ll greate
[...] be
[...] vp.
As greatest flouds, most grauell do retaine
And strongest tides, runnes oer the weakest walles
So hiest states, do nourrishe most disdaine
And at rebounde, striks out the tennis balles
Yea they who thinckes, them furthest of from falles
Are watching still, in Court, in field or towne
Like stombling stockes, to trip their fellowes downe
And none do striue, and struggle for the gooles
But such as haue, their harts most full of hooles.
Yea heapes of them, are harbred here and theare
[...]
In golden haules, that shines like
Phebus bright
Where flattrers flocke, who tattles in the eare
A thousand lyes, that neuer coms to light
They worke the waxe, with fire both day and night
They spin the webbe, that takes the folishe flie
They baite the hoke, that bleres the simple eye
They shoue them out, that should be called in
They make the match, that doth the wager win.
And they breede strife, where all in quiet stode
They packe the cards,
Stife onelye is sovved by foysting f
[...]llovves that follovves fortune and playes on aduauntage.
and playe most filthy pranckes
They sharpe the sworde, that shedes the giltles bloud
Thy leest deserue, and alwayes gets most thankes
They feede the streame, that breakes the mightie bankes
They are the sheares, that marrs they garment quite
They haue the tongues, that spares no speach nor spite
They are the babes, still dandled on the knee
And those are they, that rottes the soundest tree.
If fawners fled, the house of mightie men
And mightie folke,
The giuinge coūtenance to favvners enfects vvith their dissimulation, the hartes of noble men.
would frowne on fawning currs
Deceit should shonne, the noble houses then
And veluet weedes, should shake of cleuing burrs
But storing stedes, are prickt that needs no spurrs
Thus palfry flings, and flounceth out of frame
That els of kinde, were curteous meeke and tame
A iomblinge iobb, doth strike the bowle awrye
Which of himselfe, would close on bias lye.
For noble bloud,
Noblenes abused vvith busy bablers.
must needs haue noble minde
And flie the gate, of fawcon gentle milde
And sure it is, against their noble kinde
To play the Kite, and cruell Coistrel wilde
Till tatlers come, with tongues full finely filde
And chaūge their modes, and marre their maners cleane
They skarce do know, what cankred hate doth meane
But when from best,
Noblenes in noble of it
[...]lie.
to worst the good are wrought
By busy braines, all sortes of sleightes are sought.
Then burnes the breste, as hot as
Eathna hill
Hatred hales men to vnhappie dealings.
And rage beres rule, where reason dwelt before
The hastie heade, is swift to slay and kill
The hautie hart, hurds vp much hate in store
The altred minde, doth make the mischiefe more
The kindled coles, doth crepe in straw so farre
That quarrels rise, and peace is turnde to warre
One haleth backe, an other drawes aside
And weakest bones, must needes the brunt abide.
As I aspierd, by vertue and desarte
Not one maye be aduanced but either rich or povver en
[...]ueth.
And was by Prince, cald vnto credite still
So some by sleight, did seeke to sucke my harte
And of my bloud, did thrist to drincke their fill
They sought to stoppe, the water from the mill
And turne the wheele, and all the ioynts awrye
Lo heare how close, the swelling Serpents lye
Loe how they caste, their venom as they maye
And marke what hate, they gaine that beareth sway
For that I grew, full great with
Robert Vear
A noble man, full wise and mightie both
The
[...]le of Oxforde called duke of Irelād fauored much
[...] Simon.
And had the guide, of good Prince
Edwards hear
To show therein, my dutie faith and trothe
Great mallice rose, as grudginge daily grothe
Twene many men that cannot rule their rage
A mightie-duke, there was well stept in age
That sought to reape, the corne that I had sowne
And could not rest, till I was quite oerthrowne.
My roulmes and rule, and things that I had goet
My gaine my wealth,
His office and dignitie made mightie men dispise him.
and glory as it grue
Was in his eye, so bigge a mightie moet
That loe this Duke, my plague did still pursue
With open mouth, he so the bellowes blue
That sparkes of fier, as thicke flew in my face
As in the Sunne, the gnatts do flie at chace
Or as the balle, rebounds at euery stroke
So loe his words, did smore me vp in smoke.
This dreadfull Duke,
The band that the duke made agaīst the king The Duke of Yorke, thearle of Salisburye, therle of Arū dell, therle of Northumberland, therle of Notingham & tharchbishop of Canterburye.
did driue a wondrous drift
To worke his will, with slipper sleight of hande
And sought to giue, king
Richards frends a lift
For whom he did, prepare a secrete bande
Whose bolde attempts did trouble all this lande
But few could finde, the darnell in the corne
Or iudge aright, the Roes from pricking thorne
So close in clowde, was clokte their cunning arte
That none could know, who plaide the Foxes parte.
This Duke did raise, a bruite the king would haue
A taxe most straunge,
A noble of eurie fier in England vvas the taxe that the noughtie duke said the
[...]ange did demaunde.
of all the realme throwe out
And to the Lords, and commons councell gaue
Against the king, to stand both stiffe and stout
This practise proude, was patcht with many a clout
Here did the Wolfe, leade silly lammes amis
(And suckt their bloud) as wol
[...]ishe maner is
Here traytrous tricks, and trebell trothles traynes
In subiects brestes, began to sprede theyr vaines.
[...]
[...]
The Duke of Yorke, and diuers noble peers
Forsoke the king, and held with this vprore
By which great strife, was sowne in sondry sheres
And corsies rose, that made a running sore
Bigge biles brust out, where fleshe was sounde before
And though some time, the Surgeon salue did finde
To heale the wound, (the skarre remaind behinde)
A common plague, doth creepe alonge the realme
As skulls of fishe, swimmes vp and downe the streame.
The greatest townes, and Cities of most name
The Duke caused all the greate tovvnes of England to exclaime on the king ād his councell.
As London, Yorke, and many mo beside
These Dukes did draw, with folly out of frame
And made some striue, against both streame and tide
Where bankes be brooke, the water cannot bide
Where flouds flee out, the fishe do follow fast
And than to late, to call againe is past
The Swallow flies, no swifter vnder winge
Then mens deuice, that do forsake a kinge.
For faith once stainde, seekes straight for starting holes
Where faith is broken all abuses enters & falles to
[...]onde attemptes.
As prisners doe, that hath their promise broke
The seames once ript, of shue farewell the soles
The Oxe set free, will seeke to shonne the Yoke
The chimney bruste, the house is full of smoke
The sleuce drawen vppe, downe driues the dregs and all
The strongest tript, the weakest needs must fall
There is no stay, to hold meane people in
When might with maine, the mischiefe doth begin.
The Lords alledgd, the king was gouerd still
By such as came,
A lordly rebellion and a rebels presumption to their Prince.
from base and poore estate
And sayd he should, no longer haue his will
By which bould speache, there grew so great debate
The lande was bent, on murther ruyne and hate
Now seuerall wayes, from hiue flew out the bees
Now tempests came, and tare vp mightie trees
Now traitours flockt, and fell to fackshions straunge
Whose fickill myndes, still gaped for a chaunge.
O vipars brode, and blody bosome snakes
O Butchers curres,
A rebuke for rebels.
that would your maister byte
O helhoundes rude, of Plutos lothesum lakes
O cursed crew, more crewell then the Kyte
O kankred hartes, so fraught with froward spite
O Tigers wilde, O monstrous men most vyle
Where was your loue, and dewtie all this whyle
How durst you speake, so stoutly to his face
To whom of right, the stoutest ought giue place.
Among brute bestes, that sauage ar and wilde
The Lion raignes,
Among beasts the Lion is obeyd. Among birdes the
[...]gle Among fishe the Dolphyn. And amōg the sm
[...]lest Bees a great Bee is their king.
and rules with regall powre
And so great birdes, stoupes downe like littill childe
(To fathers beck) if Eagle doth but lowre
Than to a king, dare people loke so sowre
That they will force, their suffraine paste their reatche
No scoller ought, his learned tewtor teache
No member dare, presume, to rule the hed
None raignes and rules, but kynges when all is sed.
Marke vvhat mischief they come vnto that same against the streame.
Note how they shrincke, that shapes to giue a shocke
Against a king, and marke how traitors spede
Note how their hedes, do tumble of the block
That with vaine hope, do peoples humors fede
And note from whence, doth Princes powre procede
And note withall, how farre doth stretche his fame
And faulters quake, that do but heere his name
For at the brunte, saye here a king doth cumme
Home runne poore knaues, & down they fling y
e drumme.
The Londiners being then euil disposed to their king, desired Thomas of VVodstock to take the charge of the citie vpō him.
Harke howe this Duke, whereof I spake before
By three estates, vnto a coumpt did call
Their king and Lorde, whose minde they troubled sore
And vexte thereby, his frendes and faures all
They fill in lashe, they felt the bluddy brale
They loste their goodes, they got a great disgrace
They fled the courte, they were pursewd in chace
They were full faine, for none offence or cawes
At open barre, to plede their cace by lawes.
Those that stode vvith right receiued most vvrong and traytors tormented the trevve mē that leste offended.
Suche are the happes, of those that hould with right
Suche cureles woundes, they haue that sores wold heale
Suche hate they heape, in hucksters handes that light
Suche harmes they finde, that standes with cōmon weale
And such know not, to whom they should appeale
When wrong will rule, and reuell faules to spoyle
The faithfull flocke, are forste to feele the foyle
Drede driues desartes, that daylie well hath dunne
To flie from foes, or els throw fier to runne.
Because these Lordes, who loekte to lede the daunce
Saw other step,
The Duke of Glocester and Duke of Yorke vvith others maligned those the king fauored.
one stage ere they could ryse
By playne fine force, they would them selues aduaunce
And for that feate, this drifte they did deuise
Desier of fame, doth so abuse the wise
They ende like fooles, that erste began full well
And sonest smarte,
Note.
that ringes the larom bell
For wheles and all,
Rebels alvvays beres the blovves.
faules downe about their eares
From rotten frames, who first stode voide of feares.
But we who were, besigd by fortune so
Betraied I meane, if trothe may tell the tale
Were skorgd and plagd,
King Richards best frindes vvere by traytors frovvardly handled.
and faine to fawne one foe
And sew to such, as set our liues to sale
We were shut vp, they had the bounsing gale
That blew their barke, beyonde our compasse cleane
With sailes aflaunte, and had no mery meane
They clapt on all, and wente throw streme and flud
When trew mens fete, stode faste in mier and mud.
I was the man, that moste of mischief had
I was accusde, and cald to counte in haste
I founde moste cause to sighe and sit full sad
I was laide vp, and thereby clene disgraste
Myn enmies said, I did the treasure waste
And held in hand, the Souldiours money to
I was so nipt, I knew not what to do
My frindes wext fainte, or ferd the like mischaunce
But I, was he, must leade the dolefull daunce.
A mitred head, a Bishop bolde and braue
The Bishop of Canterbury accusde him of sacrilege and cō ueying money over the Sea by night to the
[...]ng of B
[...]ame
Said I conueide, away
Saint Thomas shryne
And that I mente, the king of
Beame should haue
The same from me, by priuy practise fyne
To hoiste me vp, he laid boeth hooke and syne
And so by frindes, he framd so flat a feate
That I was cald, to strait accounte in heate
For this and more, a libell long and large
(Of forgid faultes) that he laide to my charge.
No clarke might come, to make my reckning right
No tale could serue, to show my matter throw
No depe discource, could bring the trothe to light
No man of law, could canues cases now
Strong hande did all, I must both bende and bow
The king knewe not, of halfe the wrongs I felte
Nor none could finde, how finely cardes were delte
A pack was made, and one had got the ace
Note.
And trimly robd, the trumps before my face.
No boote to bid, the players deale agayne
The game was won, and I had lost the stake
These foisters fyen, could nick both by and maine
And kog out right, when they the dice did shake
And of swete spoyle, a bitter banquet make
They cald me in, and I the only geste
Was bidden then, vnto this bluddy feeste
I was compeld, to taest what dishe they wolde
And in great heete, to drinke vp poison colde.
I meane my fate, and fortune was so harde
I could not scape, their handes that sought my life
Who wreackt their wrath, on me without regarde
Yet long in sheath, they kept the murthering knife
For on my hap, at first rose all this strife
And on the frinds, that I by hap had wonne
This end I had, and mischief was begonne
For taking parte, with such as likt me well
To ground full flat, from top of tree I fell.
When in the tower, my foes had clapt me faste
Few frendes I founde, the world began to winke
And so at length, in rerage was I caste
And poste alone, was lefte to swym or sinke
And iudgement was, as I was forste to thinke
That I should paie, twoo hundrith thousand frankes
For all my toile, lo here is all my thankes
I did posses, my chargis and my losse
And paines abrode, came home by weping crosse.
And wanting wealth, to paie this heauy summe
With billes and glaiues, from prison was I led
And so vnto, the Towre hill did I cumme
To suffer death, where sone I loste my hed
The king knew naught, of this til I was ded
Loo people here, how thinges about were brought
And what disdaine, and mightie mallice wrought
Lo here his ende, and sodaine sliding downe
That was both true, to God and to the crowne.
As littill twigges, oer toppes of houses grow
Whose braunches big, spredes out a mightie tree
Or as smale brokes, with seas do swell and flowe
Yet hath no powre, to passe their boundes you see
Or as faire flowers, that in gay gardins bee
Sprouts out a while, and when they are at height
They fade and fall, and then declineth streight
So man doth mounte, a whyle on stages hie
And at the beste, shottes downe like starre from skie.
When thinges are growen, as farre as course is set
And haue attaind▪ the fulnes of their state
They backewarde come, and can no further get
For cleane expierd, ye see is then their date
The life we beare, of force must yeld to fate
The sl
[...]ppes we crede, weares out by track of tyme
When ladder brekes, we can no higher clyme
Where Fortune sittes, so faste, doth grynde the mill
The whele turns rounde, and neuer standeth still.
Long is the toile, or man to triumphe cummes
Large is the plot, where we our pagantes play
Swete is the sap, and sower are all the plummes
That paine pluckes of, the pleasane planted spray
Shorte is the tyme, of all our glorie gaye
Uaine is the hope, of hazardes here in earth
Great are the greues, of life from day of bearth
No suerty growes, of all is here posseste
All comes to naught, when people feareth leste.
Loo what it is, to stande on tickell stayes
Where hatred heaues, the housholde out of square
And when it faules, the ioyntes fle seuerall wayes
And ioyfull weights, are cled with wo and care
The seruauntes howle, the wyfe and childe is bare
The frends wring hands, the foes do laugh and flyer
Suche chaunges chaunce, to those that do aspyre
The grounde but gaps, who first shall faule therein
And who sekes moste, at length the leste may wyn.
Loo
Churchyarde now, my mirthles tale is tould
A mourning verse, prepare thou straight for me
And in thy ryme, some stately order hould
For that I sprong not out of base degree
Let euery lyne, a liuely sentence bee
To wake the wittes, of such as world would knoe
And liste to marke, how worldly matters goe
And when thou comste, to touch the gauled back
Leape oer the horse, or vse a ryders knack.
Bear euen hande, and holde the bridell right
Yet whiske the wande, sometimes for pleasures sake
Yea spice thy speache, and tearmes with trifels light
That lokers on, may not thy mynde mistake
When store is gone, yet do thy budget shake
Among the best, and feede their fansies still
No matter though, a mouse crepe out of hill
Smale toyes may brede, great sporte in great estates
And in great groundes, men walke throw littill gates.
Do wisely warne, and warely vse thy pen
Speake Englishe plaine, and roue about the but
And shote at will, and slante by wicked men
Shale out the shell, and bid them crack the nut
Showe some delight, and so the sentence shut
And bid the world, behold me in a glas
That did to rewen, from pompe and pleasure passe
Now I am gone, I wyshe the rest behinde
(As they desier) may better fortune finde.
A TRAGICALL DIScourse of the vnhappy mans life.
COm courtiars all▪ draw neer my morning hers
Com heer my knell, ear cors to church shall go
Or at the least, come read this wofull vers
And last farewell, the haples penneth so
And such as doth, his lief and manners kno
Come shed some teares, and se him painted out
That restles heer, did wander world about.
O pilgrims poer, preace neer my pagent nowe
And note full well, the part that I haue playd
And wyesly waye, my thriftles fortune throwe
And print in brest, eache worde that heer is said
Shrinke not my frindes, step forth stand not afrayd
Though monstrous hap, I daily heer possest
Some sweater chaunce, may bring your hartes to rest.
For though the wreatch, in cold and honger lies
The happy wyght, in pompe and pleasure sittes
The weake fals down, whear mighty folk aries
The sound feels not, the feble ague fits
So world you wot, doth serue the finest wittes
Though dullards doe, in darknes daily run
The wyes at will, can walke whear shyens the Sunne.
And hap fals net, to eury man a like
Some sleeps full sound, yet hath the world at call
Some leaps the hedge, some lights a mid the dyke
Some sockes the sweat, and some the bitter gawll
The vse of things, blynd deastnie gius vs all
So though you see, ten thousand souls in hell
Yet may you hoep, in heauens blys to dwell.
Let my mishap, a worldly wonder be
For few can finde, the fruit that I did taest
Ne leaus nor bowes, I founde vpon the tree
And whear I plowd, the ground lay euer waest
A man would think, the child was borne in haest
Or out of time, that had such lucke as I
For loe I looke, for Larkes when fauls the skye.
No soyll nor seat, nor season serues my torn
Each plot is sowen, with sorrow whear I goe
On moūtayn top, they say wher torch shuld born
I find but smoek, and loethsom smothring woe
Neer fountayn hed, whear springs do daily floe
Cold Ise I get, that melts with warmth of hand
So that I starue, whear cock and condits stand.
I quench smal thirst, wher thousands drink &
[...]yb
An empty cup, I carry clean away
And though as lean, as raek is eury ryb
And hollow cheeks, doth hidden grief bewray
The ritche eates all, the poore may fast and pray
No butter cleaues, vpon my bred at need
When hongry mawe, thinks throet is cut in deed.
The shallow broeks, whear littell penks ar found
I shon, and seek, the seas to swymme thear on
Yet vessayll sinks, or bark is layd a ground
Whear leaking ships, in saefty still haue gon
They harber finde, when hauen haue I non
Hap cauls them in, when I am lodgd at large
Thus plaines creeps, in cold Cock lorels barge.
Full thirty yeers, both Court and warres I tryed
And still I sought, aquaintaunce with the best
And serud the staet, and did such hap abyed
As might befall, and Fortune sent the rest
When drom did sound, a Souldiour was I prest
To Sea or Lande, as princes quarrell stoed
And for the saem, full oft I lost my blod.
In Scotland long,
First at VVark vvith George Lavvson.
I lingred out my yeers
When
VVylford lyud, a worthy wight in deed
And thear at length, I fell so farre in breers
I taken was,
Taken vnder the Lorde Admi
[...]all at Saynt Myruns.
as deastny had decreed
Well yet with woords, I did my foes so feed
That thear I lyud, in pleasuer many a daye
And skaept so free, and did no randsom paye.
Some sayd I found, in Scotland fauour then,
I graunt my pomp, was more than reason wold
Yet on my band, I sent hoem sondry men
That els had pyend, in pryson pyncht with cold
To French and Scots, so fayr a taell I tolde
That they beleeud, whyt chalk and chees was oen
And it was pearll, that proued but pybbull stoen.
In
Lavvther fort,
Vnder Sir Hu
[...] VVyllovvbe.
I clapt my self by st
[...]ight
So fled from foes, and hoem to frynds I past
The French in haest, beseegd that Fortres streight
Then was I like,
Mounsoer de Terms, besi
[...] ged this fort.
to light in fetters fast
But loe a peace, broek vp theseeg at last
When weery wars, and wicked blodshed great
Maed both the sydes, to seek a quiet seat.
From thens I cam, to England as I might
Sir Anthony Sen
[...]lyger depa
[...] of Irelande.
And after that, to Irlande did I sayll
Whear
Sellenger, a wyes and noble knight
Gaue me such place, as was to myen aduayll
Than teasters walkt, as thick as doth the haill
About the world: For loe from thence I boer
For seruice doen, of money right good stoer▪
Meatts in Lorain vvon by treason.
In Fraunce serued vnder captayne Crayer.
Hoem cam I thoe, and so to Fraunce did faer
When that their kyng, wan
Meatts throw fatchis f
[...]en
So on the stock, I spent all voyd of caer
And what I gaet, by spoyll I held it myen
Than down I past, the pleasant floed of
Ryen
And so I sarud, in Flaunders note the saem
Whear
[...]oe at first, my hap fell out of fraem.
For I was clapt, in pryson without cawse
In Charles the fifts time, vnder Captain Matson.
And straightly held, for comming out of Fraunce
But God did work, throwe iustice of the lawse
And help of frindes, to me a better chaunce
And still I hoept, the warres wold me aduaunce
Got out of prison by helpe of the noble Madame Sell de embry.
So trayld the piek, and world began a nue
And loekt like hawk, that laetly cam from mue.
Three yeer at least, I sawe the Emprours warres
Than hoemward drue, as was my wonted traed
Whear Sunne and Moen▪ and all the seuen Starres
Stoed on my syed, and me great welcom maed
But wether fayre, and flowrs full soen will faed
So peoples loue, is like nue besoms oft
That sweeps all clean, whyels broem is green and soft.
Well oens again, to warrs I drue me fast
And with
Lord Grey,
Eight yeres vnder my Lorde Grey.
at
Giens I did remayn
Where he or his, in any serues past
I followed on, among the warlyk trayn
And sometime felt, my part of woe and payn
As others did, that Cannon well could like
And pleasuer took, in trayling of the pike.
At length the French, did
Giens besiege ye wot
And littell help, or succour found we tho
By whiche fowll want, it was my heauy lot
To
Parris streight, with good
Lord Grey to goe
As prisners boeth, the world to well doth knoe
By tract of tyme, and wonders charge in deed
He hoemward went, and took his leue with speed.
But poest aloen, I stoed alack the whyell
And contrey clean, forgot me this is true
And I might liue, in sorrowe and exyell
And pien away, for any thing I knue
As I had baekt, in deed so might I brue
Not one at hoem, did seek my greef to heall
Thus was I clean, cut of from common weall.
Yet loe a shift,
Oens agayne eskaped out of pryson.
to scaep away I founde
When to my fayth, my taker gane no trust
I did deuies, in wryting to be bounde
To come again, the time was set full iust
But to retorn, forsoeth I had no lust
Sens faith could get, no credit at his hand
I sent him word, to come and sue my band.
He came him selfe, to court as I did heer
And told his taell, as fienly as he might
At
Ragland than, was I in
Monmouth sheer
Yet whan in court, this matter cam to light
My friendes did say, that I had don him right
A Soldiour ought, vpon his faith to go
Which I had kept if he had sent me so.
Serued vnder my Lord Grey at Le
[...]th.
Well yet my minde, could neuer rest at hoem
My shues wear maed, of running leather suer
And boern I was, about the world to roem
To see the warres, and keep my hand in vre
The Frenche ye knoe, did Englishemen procuer
To come to
Leeth, at siedge wherof I was
Till Frenche did seeke, in ships away to pas.
A littell breath▪ I toek than after this
And shaept my self, about the Court to be
And eury daye, as right and reason is
To serue the Prince, in Court I fettled me
Some frends I found, as frends do go you se
That gaue me wordes, as sweet as hony still
Yet let me lyue, by hed and conning skill.
I croetcht, I kneeld, and many a cap could vayll
And watched laet, and early roes at moern
And with the throng, I follouwd hard at tayll
As braue as bull, or sheep but nuely shoern
The gladdest man, that euer yet was boern
To wayt and staer, among the staets full hye
Who feeds the poer, with many frendly eye.
But who can liue, with goodly lookes alo
[...]n
Or mirry wordes, that sounds like tabrers pyep
Say what they will, they loue to keep their own
And part with nought, that commeth in their griep
You shall haue nuts, they say when ploms aer riep
Thus all with shalls, or shaels ye shall be fed
And gaep for gold, and want both gold and led.
The proef therof, maed me to seke far hens
To
Anvverp than, I trudged on the spleen
And all in haest, to get some spending pens
To serue my torn, in seruice of the Queen
But God he knoes, my gayn was small I ween
For though I did, my credit still encreace
I got no welth, by warres ne yet by peace.
Yet harke and noet, I praye you if you pleas
In
Anvvarp town, what fortune me befell
My chaunce was such,
A Captaine of great charge vnder the Prince of Arrange.
whan I had past the Seas
(And taken land, and theron rested well)
The people Iard, and rang a larom bell
So that in aerms, the town was eury whear
And fewe or noen, of lief stoed certain thear.
A noble Prince, I sawe amyd that broyll
To whom I went, and swaer his part to taek
The commons caem, all set on raeg and spoyll
And gaue me charge, to keep my wyts a waek
The Prince for loue, of king and countreis saek
Bad me do well, and shed no gyltles bloed
And saue from spoyll, poer people and there Good.
I gaue my fayth, and hand to do the saem
He saued Religi
[...]s houses and most of the tovvne from
[...].
And wrought the best, that I could worke therefoer
And brought at length, the commons in such fraem
That some wear bent to blo the coell no moer
Yet some to rage, and robbry ran full soer
Whom I reformd, so that no harm did fall
To any wyght, among the commons all.
The streets we kept, and braek ne house nor doer
And for three dayes, made no mans finger bleed
I daer auoutch, that neither ryche nor poer
Could say they lost, the valcur of a threed
Well what of that, you kno an honest deed
Is soen forgoet, of such as thanckles be
For in the end, it fared so by me.
Note.
The town I kept, from cruell sword and fier
Did seek my lief, when peace and all was maed
And such they wear, that did my blud desier
As I had saude, from bloes and bluddy blaed
I crept away, and hid me in the shaed
But as the daye, and Sun began to shien
They followd fast, with force and practies f
[...]en.
[...]
In priests atyer, but not with shauen crown
I skaept their hands, that sought to haue my hed
A forckid cap, and pleytted corttall gown
Far from the church, stoed me in right good sted
In all this whyell, ne masse for quick nor ded
I durst not sing, a poesting priest I was
That did in haest, from post to pyller pas.
In
Brigges than, the parsons breetch did quake
For there a clarke,
Follovvde by the Marshall 8.
dayes.
came
[...]inging of a bell
(That in the towne did such a rombling make)
I could not walke, in vickars garments well
So there I wisht, my selfe in Cockell shell
Or Sea mans slopps, that smeld of pitch & tarre
Which roebs I found, ear I had traueld farre.
A Marshall came, & seartcht our woole fleet than
In boat I leapt,
At the Slue the Marshall and he vvere both in one ship together.
and so throw Sealand went
And many a day, a silly weary man
I traueilde there, and stoode with toile content
Till God by Grace, a better Fortune sent
And brought mee home, in safety, as you knoe
Great thancks to him, I giue that sarude me soe.
In Court where I, at rest and peace remainde
I thought apon,
A drift of the Duke of Al
[...]a to dispatch me.
the part that Flemings plaide
And for good will, since I was so retainde
I thought to make, those roisters once afraide
So hoiste vp saile, when I had anckar waide
And into Fraunce, I slipte with much a do,
Where lo a net, was making for mee to.
Yet paste I throwe, to
Paris without stoppe
When ciuill broils,
The Lord
[...]mbassador novv Lord N
[...]ui, did helpe mee avvay.
were likely to begin
And standing there, within a marchaunts shoppe
I heard one saye, the Prince was comming in
To Flaunders fast, with whom I laet had bin
Before you wotte, thus hauing mirrie nues
I stoole away, and so did Fraunce refues.
But by your leaue, I fell in daungers deepe
Before I could, in freedome go or ride
Deuouring wolues, had like to slaine the sheepe
And wiept their mouthes, apon the muttons hide
Nought goes amisse, where God wilbe the gide
So throw the place, where parrel most did seeme
I past at will, when daunger was exstreeme.
The Prince I found, from
Collen at his house
And there I saw, of Roitters right good store
Who welcomde mee, with many a mad carouse
Such is their gies, and hath bin euer more
To
Flaunders thus, we marcht and God before
And neare the
Rine, our Camp a season laye
Till money came, and had a genrall paye.
In
Flaunders longe, our Campe remayned still
And sweete with sowre, we tasted sondry wayes
Who goes to warrs, must feele both good and ill
Some likes it not, and some that life can prayes
Where nights are cold, and many hongrie dayes
Some will not be, yet such as loues the Drom
Takes in good parte, the chaunces as they com.
Perhaps my share, was not the sweetest thear
I make no boest, nor finde no fault therein
I sought my selfe, the burthen for to bear
Amonge the rest, that had
[...]er charged bin
If smart I felt it was a plague for sin
If ioy I founde, I knew it would not last
If wealth I had, lo waest came on as fast.
When Prince did passe, to Fraunce and Flaunders laft
I licence sought,
A Pesaunt betraide me and yet vvas God my deliuerer.
to see my natiue soile
He told me than, the French by some fine craft
On me at length, would make a pray and spoile
I toke my leaue, not fearing any foile
But ere the day, the skie had cleane forsoek
I fell in snare, as fishe on baited hoek.
A wofull tale, it is to tell in deede
Yet heare it out,
Note.
and how God wrought for mee
The case was such, that I a gide did neede
So in the field, full nere a willow tree
I founde a carle, that needs my gide must bee
His hand I had, his hart did halte the while
And treason did, throwe trust the true begile.
We held the waye, vnto
S. Quintayns right
As I did thincke, but long two leages I lost
To ease my horse, he bade me oft a light
But I thereat, seemde dumme and deaffe as post
Of stomacke stoute, the way oft times he crost
And soughte to take, my bridle by the raine
That sleight I found, and so he lost his paine.
Had I turnde backe, the peysants wear at hand
Who mounted were, on better horse than I
A village neare, there was within that land
Whear loe my gide, would haue me needs to lye
Not so my frend, I aunswearde very hye
Where at he knew the padde in straw was founde
So toke the ball, and stroke it at rebounde.
Thou canst not scape, (ꝙ he) then light a downe
A great treacherie.
Thou art but dead, thy life here shalt thou lose,
And therewithall, the carle began to frowne
And laide his hand, apon my Lether hose
Throw si
[...]es he made, the towne by this aroes,
And some by warres, that lately loste their good
Sought to reueng, the same apon my blood.
My gied leapt vp, apon the horse I roode
And flang away, as fast as he could driue
Downe was I haeld, and on my face they troode
And for my roebs, the tormenters did striue
My gide did crie, O leaue him not aliue
An English churle, he is his tongue doth shoe
And gold he hath, good store full well I knoe.
They stript me streighte, from doblet to my short
Yet hose they la
[...]te, vntoutcht as God it would
No powre they had, to do me further hort
For as the knife, to throte they gan to hold
To saue my life, an vpright tale I told
They hearing that, laid all their weapons downe
And askt me if, I knew saint
Quintains towne.
I past thereby whan to the
Spawe I went
(ꝙ I and there, my pasport well was veaud
If that be true, said one thou shalt be sent
From hens in hast, and so they did conclued
To towne I should, from sauage country rued
So in the hey, they laid me all that night
Yet sought my life, before the day was light.
But as with weedes, some suffrante flower groes
So in that soile,
A secret prou
[...]ion of God.
a blessed man was bred
Which vndertoke, to keepe me from my foes
And saue my life, by fine deuice of hed
He cald me vp, when they wear in their bed
And bade me go, with him whear he thought best
Lest in that place, full small should be my rest.
I followde on, as he did lead the trace
He brought me safe, where I in surety stood
Thus God throw him, did shoe his might & grace
Which ioyde me more, than all this worldly good
The other sort,
[...]wear butchers all for blood
And daily slue, such stragglars as they toek
For whom they laie, and watcht in many
[...]nock.
That hazard paste, I found more mischieues still
But none so great,
The Captaine of Pynoen hā dled me hardly.
nor none so much to fear
With to
[...]le & paine, with sleighte of head and skill
From Fraūce I came, (and laft al mischief thear)
Nowe here what fruite, my natiue soile doth bear
See what I reap, and marke what I haue sowne
And let my lucke, throwe all this land be knowne.
First let me tell, how Fortune did me call
To
Garnesey thoe,
Vnder Captaine
[...] after all th
[...]se
[...]o
[...]les.
to staye my troubled miend
Whear wel I was, althogh my wealth was smal
And long had dwelt, if destnie had assiend
But as the shippe, is subiect to the winde
So we must chaenge, as checking chaunces falls
Who tosseth men, about like tennis balls.
This chaunce is she, some say that leads men out
And brings them home, when least they looke therefore
A dalling dame, that breeds both hope and dout
And makes great wounds, yet seldom to salues the soer
Not suer on sea, nor certaine on the shoer
A worldly witch, that dealls with wanton charms
For one good turne, she doth ten thousand harms.
A figge for chaunce, this Fortune bears no shaep
The people fonde, a name to Fortune giue
Which sencelesse soules, do after shadoes gaep
Great GOD doth rule, and sure as God doth liue
He griends the corne, and sifts the meale throw siue
And leaues the bran, as reffues of the flowre
To worke his will, and shoe his mightie powre.
Note.
Promoshon coms, ne from the East nor West
Ne South nor North, it faulls from heauen hie
For God himselfe, sets vp who he thincks best
And casts them downe, whose harts would clime the skie
Thus earthly happs, in worldlings doth not lie
We trudge we runne, we ried and breake our braine
And backwarde come, the selfe same stepps againe.
Till time aprotche, that God will man prefarre
With labours long, in vaine we beat the ayre
Our destnies dwell, in neither moone nor starre
Nor comfort coms, from people foule nor fayre
Small hoep in those, that sits in Golden chayre
Their moods their minds, and all we go about
Takes light from him, that putts our candel out.
This argues now, all goodnes freely groes
From him that first,
Note.
made man of earthly mold
And flo
[...]ds of wealth, into their bosome floes
That cleerly can, his blessed will behold
As sheppards do, keepe safe their sheepe in fold
And Gardnar knoes, how flowrs shold watted be
So God giues ayde, ear man the want can se.
Helps coms not sure, by hap or heads deuice
Though wits of men, are means to worke y
e waxe
And cunning hands, do often cast the dice
All these are toyes, trust vp in tinkars packs
No flame wil ryes, till fier be thrust to flare
No brantch may bud, till he that made the plant
With dew of grace, in deede supplies the want.
Can earth yeild fruit, til Springtime sap do shoe?
Can ayre be cleer, till foggs and miests are fled?
Can seas and floeds, at eury season floe?
Can men giue life, to shapes and bodies dead?
Such secrets pas, the reatche of mans vaine head
So loke to reap, no corne for all our toile
Till Haruest come, and God hath blest the soile.
The pottar knoes, what vessail serues his turne
And therein still, he powreth liquor sweete
The cooke well notes, what wood is best to burne
And what conceites, is for the banket meete
The Captaine marks, what souldiour hath most spreete
And calls that man, to charge and office great
Whan he thincks good, and saruice is in heat.
Dare any wight, presume to take the place
Of worthy charge, till he therto be cald?
Dare subiect brag, before the Princes face?
Or striue wyth staets, that are in honour stauld?
Dare village boest, with Cittie stronglye wauld?
Dare children clime, till they good footing find?
No all thing yelds, to him that leads the minde.
He lifts aloft, he flingeth downe as faste
Note.
He giues men fame, and plucks renowne awaye
Hap doth not so, for chaunce is but a blaste
An idle word, where with weake people playe
Hap hangs and holds, on hazarde eury waye
And hazard leanes, on doubt and danger deepe
That glads but few, and maketh Milliōs weepe.
I vse this terme, of hap in all I write
As well to make, the matter large and long
As any cause, or dram of great delite
I take therein: But here I do yoe wrong
To leade your cares, with such a senceles song
From hearing that, I promesde haue to ende
The bare discourse, the haplesse man hath pende.
So comming home, and crept from toills abroed
(With charged brest, and heuy heauing hart)
I thought in Courte, my burthen to vnloed
And cast away, the cares of former smart
But there alas, my chaunce is so oerth wart
I sit and sighe, and fold mine armes with all
And in old griefes, a freshe begin to fall.
Yea thear where most, my hope and haunt hath bin
Where yeares and dayes, I spent apon the stocke
And diuers doe, good hap and frendship win
(And duetie makes, a world of people flocke)
And thousands Loe, drawes water from the cocke
I skarce may moist, my mouth when thirst is great
And hart is cleane, consuemde with skalding heat▪
A spring of kinde, doth floe aboue the brim
You cannot stoppe, a Fountaine if you would
For throw harde rockes, it runneth cleare and trim
And in some grounde, it casts vp graynes of gould
It bursts the earth, and deepely diggs the mould
It gusheth out, and goes in sondry vayns
From mountaines topp, and spredeth all the plains.
The Spring creeps vp, the highest hill that is
And many wells, thear on are easlye found
And this I wott, where you do water mis
Small fruite doth groe, it is but barraine grounde
The soile is sweete, where pleasaunt springs abounde
The Cowslop sproutes, where springs and fountaines bee
And floeds begin, from fountaine heads you see.
The labring man, thearat doth coell his heat
The byrds do haeth, their brests full brauely thear
The brutest beasts, there in finds pleasure great
And likes not halfe, so well another whear
What cause in mee, what dout what fault or feare?
[Page]That I maye not, in this so weak a plite
Go drinck my fyll, whear
[...]atch thing haeth delite.
The moer we draw, the waetter from the well
Note.
The better farre, we bring the spring in fraem
The seas themselues, of natuer ries and swell
The moer the winde, & weather works the saem
The fier borns best, when bellows bloes the flaem
Let things stande still, and stoer them not in time
They shall decaye, by meane of drosse and slime.
I see some streams, with sticks aer choked vp
And riuers large, are marde with beds of sand
I see some bring, from doells an empty cup
Yet craues an almes, and shoes a needye hand
I see baer boyes, befoer the banket stand
And no man sayth, loe poer man if thou wutt
Take heer a dishe, to fill thy hongry gutt.
Of cormrant kinde, some crammed capons aer
The moer they eat, the moer they may consuem
Some men likewise, the better that they faer
The worse they be, and sicker of the ruem
And some so chaef, so frowne so fret and fuem
When others feede, they cannot God he knoes
Spaer any time, the dropping of thear noes.
The bords aer spred, and feasts aer made thereon
And sutch sit downe, that haeth their bellies full
[Page 66]Whose greedy mouthes, from dogg would snatch y
e boen
VVhich snodges swell, and loke like greisie wull
They puffe they bloe, yea like a baited bull
And shoue them backe, that on small croems would feede
VVhose pashent harts, maks vertue of a neede.
The glotton thincks, his belly is to small
VVhen in his eye, a deintie morssell is
He grins and gaeps, as though no crom shold fall
From him: and loeks as al the world wear his
Thus sutch as want, aer suer the poest to kis
For powltting pried, doth preace so fast in place
That poer plain Tom, daer skarce come sho his face.
Catch one doth seeke, for to aspier and ries
Yet haet we those, that doth by vertue clime
The foole hee skorns, the worship of the wies
Yet dolts presuem, beyond the wyes sometime
And all this strief, is but for dros and slime
That out of earth, wee digg with daungers deepe
Full hard to winne, and much more wors to keepe.
This makes me mues, when some haue heaps in hord
They will not help, the neerest freinde they haue
And yet with smiels, and many a frendly word
They graunt to giue, before a man doth craue
Sut
[...]h harbors fine, can finely poul and shaue
And washe full cleane, till all away they washe
Than good sir Griem, like lobb they leaue in lashe.
What should men loes, when they enoughe haue had
If they did part, with things that might be sparde?
A litle peece, out of a golden gad
For seruice long, might be a great rewarde
No no as steele, and flinte is stiffe and harde
So world is waxt, and no good turne is founde
But whea
[...] in deede, do doble giftes rebounde.
Wee make a legge, and kisse the hand with all
(A French deuice, nay sure a Spanish tricke)
And speake in Print, and say loe at your call
I will remaine, your owne both dead and quicke
A Courtiar soe, can giue a lobbe a licke
And dresse a dolt, in Motley for a while
And so in sleeue, at sillye wodcocke smile.
If meaning went, with painted words and shoes
It mighte suffice, such cortteis cheer to taest
But with the same, disdaine and enuye goes
And trompry great, with words and winde in waest
Than arme in arme, coms flattry full of haest
And leads a way, the sences out of frame
That vpright witts, are thereby stricken lame.
This sowtting lowe, and bowing downe the knee
But groeps mens minds, to creepe in credits lapp
Like malte horse than, he holds vp head you see
That late before, could vaile hoth knee and capp
The Nurse a while, can feede the child with papp
And after beate, him on the breetch full baer
A swarme God wot, of these fine natuers aer,
There be that biets, yet gronts and whines withall
There be that winnes, yet sweare and say they loes
There be that stops, and stealls away the ball
There be that plantes, a weede & plucks a roes
There be pleads wante, to whom the fountaine floes
Such hieds there haps, to make the world to thincke
At fayre well head, they neede not for to drincke.
The Whales you see, eates vp the little fishe
The prettie Penk, with Sammon may not swim
The greatest heads, are fedde with finest dishe
To foulest pits, fayre water runneth trim
Hee gets the gaine, that standeth nere the brim
He bloes the cole, that hath cold fingers still
He starues for bread, that hath no corne at mill.
A world to see, the course and state of things
Some would get vp, y
t knoes not where to light
Some soer the skies, that neuer had no wings
Some wrastle well, by cunning not by might
Some seems to iudge, fayre coulours w
tout sight
And eury one, with some odde shift or grace
In world at will, runs out a goodly race.
But to be plaine, I lagg and come behinde
As I wear lame, and had a broken legg
Or els I cannot, lye within the winde
And harken still, what I might easlie begg
I neede not say, in mouth I haue a gegg
For I haue spoke, and sped in matters small
By helpe of him, that hath my Verses all.
But farre God wot, I am from that I seeke
And misse the marke, that many men do hit
Wherfore sal
[...] tears, do trickle downe the cheeke
And hart doth feele, full many a wofull fit
And so aside, in sollem sorrow sit
As one in deede, that is forsaken cleane
Wher most he doth, deserue and best doth meane.
No matter now, though ech man march & tread
On him that hates, the life he beares about
Yet such as shall, these heauy Verses read
Shall finde I blame, my fortune out of dout
But sens on hope, no better hap will sprout
I yeild to death, and vpward lift the minde
Where lothsome life, shall present comfort finde.
Sens hope can haue, no hony from the Hiue
And paines can plucke, no pleasure for his toile
It is but vaine, for weery life to striue
And streatch out time, with torment and tormoile
Get what we can, death triumphes oer the spoile
Than note this well, though we win neer so mitch
When death tacks al, we leaue a mizer ritch.
To liue and lacke, is doble death in deede
A presente death, exceeds a lingring woe
Sens no good hap, in youth did helpe my neede
In age why should, I striue for Fortune soe
Old years are come, and haests me hens to goe
The t
[...]me draws on, I hate the life I haue
When hart shall breake, my griefe shall ende in graue.
Should I seeke life, that finds no place of rest
Ne sotle nor seate, to shroude me from the ayre
When cramping colde, be clipps my carefull brest
And dollor driues, my hart in deepe dispayre
For such foule dayes, darke death is wondrous fayre
As good to make, the skrawlling worms a feast
As pleas y
• world, wher mischiefe maks her neast.
Hie time it is, to haest my carkas hens
Youth stoole awaye, and felt no kinde of ioye
And age he laft, in trauell euer sens
The wanton dayes, that made me nice and coye
Wear but a dreame, a shadoe and a toye
Sith slaurye heer, I finde and nothing els
My hoem is thear, wher soule in freedome dwels.
In warrs and woe, my yeers aer waested clean
What should I see, if lordly lief I led
I loek in glas, and finde my cheeks so lean
That eury owre, I do but wishe mee ded
Now back bends downe, & forwards faulls y
e hed
And hollow eyes, in wrinckled brow doth shrowd
As though two stars, wear creping vnder clowd.
The lipps waxe cold, and loeks both pael & thin
The teeth fawlls out, as nutts forsoek the shaell
The baer bald head, but shoes whear hear hath bin
The liuely ioynts, waxe weery stiffe and staell
The reddy tongue, now folters in his taell
The wearishe face, and tawny collour shoes
The corraeg quaills, as strength decayes and goes.
The sweete delites, are dround in dulled minde
The gladsome sports, to groning sighes are bent
The frisking lims, so farre from frame I finde
That I▪ forthincke, the time that youth hath spent
But when I way, that all these things wear lent
And I must pay, the earth her dutie throw
I shrincke no whit, to yeld these pleasures now.
Had I possest, the giftes of Fortune heer
A house a wyfe, and children therewithall
And had in store (to make my frendes good cheer)
Sutch commō things, as neighbours haue at call
In such dispayre, perchaunce I would not fall
But want of this, and other lackes a skore.
Bids me seeke death, and wishe to liue no more.
Yet for to beare, a peece of all my woes
(And to impart, the priuie pangs I felt)
From countrie soile, a sober wife I choes
In mine owne house, with whom I seldom dwelt
When thousandes slepte, I waekt I swet I swelt
To compas that, I neuer could attaine
And still from hoem, abroed I brack my braine.
The thatcher hath, a cottage poore you see
The sheppard knoes, where he shal sleepe at night
The daily drudge, from cares can quiet bee
Th
[...]s Fortune sends, some rest to eurye wight
So borne I was, to house and lande by right
But in a bagg, to Court I brought the same
From Shrews brye towne, a seate of auncient fame.
What thinkes my frindes, that thear behind I laft
What fault finds she, that gaue me lief and suck
O courting fien, thou art to cold a craft
The Carter haeth, at hoem much better luck
Well, well I saye, a due all worldly muck
Ne howse nor land, we bear away I knoe
I naked cam, and naked hence must goe.
The greatest kyng, must pas the self saem way
Our daye of byrth, and buriall are alike
Their ioye, their pompe, their wealth and rich araye
Shall soen consuem, like snow that lies in dieck
No bucklar serues, when sodayn death doth striek
As soen may coem, a poer mans soule to blys
As may the rich, or greatest Lord that is.
Well ear my breath, my body doe forsaek
My spreet I doe, bequeath to God aboue
My bookes, my skrowls, and songs that I did maek
I leaue with frindes, that freely did me loue
To flyring foes, whoes mallice did me moue
I wyshe in haest, amendment of their wayes
And to the Court, and courtiars happy dayes.
My fortuen straunge, to straungers doe I leaue
That strangly can, retain such straung mishap
To such as still, in world did me disseaue
I wyshe they may, bewaer of such lyk trap
To sclaundrous tongues, that kyld me with their clap
I wyshe moer rest, than they haue gyuen me
And bles thoes shreaws, that corst and crabbed be.
To such as yet, did neuer pleasuer man
I giue those ryems, that nyps the gawlled back
To such as would, do good and if they can
I wyshe good luck, long lief, and voyd of lack
To currysh karls, a whyp and collyars sack
And to the proud, that stands vpon their braus
A waynskot face, and twenty crabtree staues.
To surly syers, that scorns the meaner sort
A nightcap foord, with Foyns I them bequeath
To such as skowll, at others good report
(And sets much stoer, by their owne paynted sheath)
In sien of luck, I giue a willowe wreath
To such as aer, vnnaemd and merits mutch
The stoen I leaue, that tries the gold by tutch.
To gentill race, with good conditions ioynd
I wyshe moer ioy, than man imagin maye
And sens for pooer, I haue no money coynd
God graunt them all, a mery mariage daye
To such as doth, delyte in honest playe
I wyshe the gold, that I haue lost thearby
And all the wealth, I want befoer I dye.
Now frends shack hands, I must be gon my boyes
Our myrth taeks end, our triumph all is don
Our tykling talk, our sports and myrry toyes
Do flyed away, lyke shadow of the Son
Another coms, when I my race haue ron
Shall passe the tyme, with you in better plyt
And finde good cause, of greater things to wryt.
FINIS.
A DISCOVRSE HOVV vertue seames to sleape and Iustice is euer awaken.
WHen vertue layd her down to slepe,
and would no longer wake:
And wicked world did wanton waxe,
as vice would triumphe make.
I sat and mused all the while,
on thinges of wonders weight:
As though our latter iudgement daye
at hand were comming streight.
For loe eache land, and kingdom large,
In compas of my vewe:
Stode all bespred with wailing wightes,
and sodaine sorowes newe.
Some ran to rayse dame vertue vp,
but none durst stirre her thoe:
Disordred lief kept people back.
and said let vertue goe.
Dead sleape hath caught her for a space,
to plague proud haguhtie heads:
That wallowes in their wayward willes,
on pleasures wanton beddes.
The feble folke that liues in feare,
and feade in cottage colde:
Were halfe amasd to here the tale,
that lawles life had tolde.
Is vertue slombring nowe alas,
ꝙ one that felt much wrong:
Than shall the poore with pensyue mynde,
complayn of grief to long.
This was no sooner said but lo
[...],
in fieldes and forestes thick:
I harde a heape of wounded hartes,
that pincht were nere the quicke.
Crye out so loude they pers
[...] the cloudes,
and in their roaring tewne:
They did pronounce that wretched folke,
full sone should come to rewne.
If sacred Gods that guydes the Starres,
and rules both Sun and Moone:
Brought not a boxe of precious balme,
to salue the mischief soone.
In this discourse and dolefull brutes,
came reuell roughly clad:
And made wilde hauocke sound the drōme,
as all the world were mad.
And so was haerbraine broyles abroche,
and men embrued in blode:
Began to striue with stoute attempts,
For rule and worldly good.
The horse did see where lay his strength,
and would not rayned
[...]ee:
The Oxe forsooke the wonted plowe,
the Asse would neades go free.
And slang the burthen on the floore,
thus sauage grewe they all:
That had ben tame and meke as lambe,
and long at maisters call.
The common sorte beholding this,
laft labour care and toyle:
And sought throw sleights & snatching shifts
to thriue and liue by spoyle.
Nowe dullarde
[...]
[...]ere so quicke of sence,
they gan dispute the case:
And sifted finely flowre from Braune,
and had so trym a grace.
They could beguyle the Mylnar smoth,
and make the Baker smyle:
It was world to see the worlde,
And worldlings all the whyle.
When folly wrought by slipper meanes,
to reache beyonde the wys
[...]:
As though blynde Bayards boulnes rude,
could blere cleer
Argos eyes.
Yet diuelyshe braynes and depe deceite,
did driue such combrous drieftes:
That plain
[...]nes in a pilgrims wede,
was put vnto her shieftes.
True dealing was but cauld a doult,
or els Gods foole in deade:
Dame flattery claymed frindships place,
yet faild her frinde at neade.
And robbry was good purchace helde,
and lust was sollace sweete:
And they were calld the liuely laddes.
that had the quickest sprete.
Som said lords hestes were held for lawes,
but those were
Chavvsers woordes:
And faith did faile in old priestes sawes,
tushe all this was but boordes.
Yet in flat earnest this was trewe,
the gredy groppt for gaine:
And hungry guts might gnaw their gōmes
and still in grief complayne.
And priuate profitte prowlde for pence,
her purse laye open wyde:
Thus publike state with rufull noyse,
vnto the heauens cryed.
For helpe and succour to the harmes,
that fell on cursed earth:
That neuer yet was pure and free,
from plagues since
Abels birth.
O wytles wightes the Goddes said thoe,
that sittes aboue the skies:
O people
[...]ayne why do you pewle,
and make such wretched cries.
Thinke you we haue forgotten cleane,
the feble force of man:
Sawe we not what should come to passe,
[...]re first the world began.
Yees suer, and ordeind goodly lawes,
to stay your strougling states:
And alwayes helde vp Iustice still,
to ende your sharpe debates.
Are you so childishe to beleaue,
though vertue seame to dreame:
That we will suffre s
[...]aetly vice,
to striue against the streame.
No, no, our lawes shall linke you faste,
in leages of loue full long:
And learne eche man to know his owne,
and what is right and wrong.
The pyllars that holdes vp the house,
and props vnto the same:
Are knowen among good workemen all,
of such as buildings frame.
What comforts kinges & comon weales,
and keepes the lande in awe:
But noble rule and threatning sworde,
and worthy vpright lawe.
Though vertue doe not shine so bright,
as she was wonte of olde:
In iustice seate if you liste searche,
her beames you may beholde.
At times and termes as temperance tunes,
the stringes that are amisse:
So lawe reformes the wilfull worlde,
when out of square it is.
And Iustice suer shall neuer die,
whyle
S
[...]lons name is knowen:
And whiles that wytte and reason learnes,
eache man to know his owen.
These wordes thus spoke of fearful Gods,
the world shranke back for feare:
And I bele
[...]d myne adell bed,
these thinges had dreamed theare.
FINIS.
CHVRCHYARDES dream written to Master VVilliam Harbert Esquier, dwellinge at Sainct Gillians by Carlion in Walles.
SOm men affyrm Dreams are vntrue,
But what the iudgment is of you
I know not yet, but well I thinke
They may proceed, of meat or drinke
Receyud before the sleep we take
Compl
[...]cions often fancies make
And talke of thyngs oer night befoer
Breedes dreams in som mens heds great stoer.
But this you know, the powrs aboue
Our earthly vessels heer doth moue
By cowrs as they, are of thear kinde
And sets the moshons in our minde
As oen might say we nothyng do
But Planets pricks vs thearvnto.
Loek how the Heauens order is
The Earth must follow, grant me this,
Than we that of the Earth are maed
Must needs obay, the Heauens traed
Fowre Ellements of eatch ye kno
Or all we feell, the ruell is so:
Som won moer mirt thearwith we se
And subiect moer, than others be
To them among vs heer remayn
But what of that, to break my brayn
[Page]About disputing of sutch thing
Or yet my wits in erors bring
I need not seartch so deep a cace
I shuld but ron beyond my race.
Yet of som dreams that aer deuien
Let me a lytell heer defien
Noet.
For priuey warnings god doth giue
By sleeps to thoes that heer do liue.
Was not the dreams of kings sought owt
By danniell who, maed cleer eatch dowt
That by the saem might ries or spring
Takes god no caer but for aking
Is not the poer to him as deer
The meanest as the greatest peer
Thoght on of him, yeas than besuer
By dreams somtims he doth procuer
A man to think on, things to com
A dream may speak that seemeth dom.
A dream haeth lief though sleeps full ded
Breed fancies in, an Idell hed
Som when they waek do soen forget
What sweauons in the night they met
And driues the day to end with all
And at the length vnwaeres doth fall
In that great flo
[...]d or in that stream
That they aer warnd of by thear dre
[...]m.
But I that for to sh
[...]n is glad
The danger of a dream I had
Do tell the saem, loe this hit was
The dream
[...]
Me thought from hoem as I did pas
Unto your howse you said that tied
You had a iorney for to ried
Ahors you lent me for the saem
So forth we r
[...]ed and had good ga
[...]m
[Page 74]We lawght and checkled all the way
[...]
But as you kno that after playe
Coms caer and sorow so it fell
When I beleud that all was well
You frownd and flang from me for o
[...]
And as I vsed was to skoef
I gestid still and followed fast
But you oer roed me at the last
And for I would not tier my nag
I shaept my self behind to lag
A
[...]o
[...]n I p
[...]ickt and palfray spord
And mutch I thought yet spaek no word
Saue that I said with voyce full loe
Whats wil my f
[...]ind forsaek me soe?
What new told taell doth torn him thus
No taell a toy hit is ywus
No toy he is to wies therfore
Som thing hit is yea les or more
But what hit is I need not fear
For seartch my consience eury whear
And cleer it standeth in eatch traed
To him since he my freende I maed.
Thus muesing on mi giltles cace
I then began, to meand my pace
And as the deuell wold hit soe
That I ill hap shuld not forgo.
(When mischeeus com they fawl on heap)
My hors did start and gan to leap
The
[...]aed I think had seen a spriet
He maed the fier ries from his feet
Out of the stoens whear he did tramp
Lord than howe I did staer and stamp
And thrust the sporrs in to his sied
But girth and saddell baed abied
[Page]They fell from Hors full all to broek
And in the myer, flat like an oek
I lay a long, but what of that
Ear I roes vp, and found my hat
Which laye fast by, an Elders roet
My Hors was gon, and I on fo
[...]t.
My face with dirt, was so araid
Hit maed the hors, thear of afraid
For as I ran the Iaed to get
The po
[...]r plain people that I met
Thoght suer I had bin clean bestraught,
Oen gaue me way, a nother laught
The third said sir go washe your face
But still I had my beast in chace
And ran not swearing half a myel
But toek the Iaed agaynst a stiel
By that was Curttals bryedell lost
And I might ryed (but not in post)
On gawldid back and carrayn boens
The harneys, saddell all at oens
Was broek as sayd afoer I haue
No
[...].
Than could I call no oes
[...]lar knaue
Nor face him down my gear was gon
And piekt away by hangers on
That follow geasts to eury In
By shift som payre of
[...]oets to win
Sutch filtchars haue so great a lack
They steall the Saddell from the back
But I that brought a Saddell out
Might ried now like a gentil lout
Thear was no theef to shrowd my shaem
But plaen poer Tom, to bear the blaem
What needs moer words, of this to speake
Get vp I did on Hors full weake.
Thus rode I like a clean yong man.
A greater fier was in the straw,
As in the Dream me thought I saw,
A further mischeef after this.
I founde and felt loe this it is.
As I my iorney thought to take
The Horssis backe a two it brake
Note.
Out stept his bones, in fell my cors
Amid the belly of the Hors
I looked still, whan he would fall
He seemd to haue no harm at all:
And kept the way and boer it out,
With that I would haue tornd about
To see if all belongd him to
Would sarue as they wear wont to do.
His lims I mean, which wear so soer
That he had mind to turn no moer
But hoemward, held as fast a mayn,
As any Ienet could of Spayn.
Or Irysh hobby fayre and fat
I would not haue beleeued that.
If one had tolde it for no lie
But sure I saw it with mine eye
As well as in a dream I might
I lay no hed, on things by night
As in the day I had them séen
This was of troeth and this I ween
Hath diffrence far for troeth is sound
And weenyng dwels on doubtfull ground
But sens I com vnto this clause
Now will I talke and sho som cause
Of Dreams and let the matter rest
Of my deformed broke backt beast.
[Page]Yet shall my pen héer after playn
Unto my porp
[...]s turn agayn.
[...].
Thear was a man, my self might be
That in a Dream did think to se
A Sargant com with Maece in hand
Who sayd good sir I pray you stand
I you arest for Det you knowe
To whom the money you do owe
And if you haue forgot the som
Unto the cownter you must com
And to your accyon answer make
What knaue ꝙ he thou doest mistaek
The man I think that thou doest seek
I owe not all the world a leek
Whearfoer I list not the obaye
He drue his sword and maed a fray
Clobbs cried the sargant all in fear
Out cam the touns men eury whear
And from the wind mill this dreemd he
Whear hakney horsis hyred be
This man was driuen by plain strength
And ran in to a church at length
That at saint
[...]arance laen end stands
Yet cowld not skaep, the sargants hands,
Forth was he broght, and mann
[...]est s
[...]er
But frinds be fownd (to salue the soer)
Among the sargantts all on heap
So that vnto, the goet in cheap
He broght was than, and thear to send
For frinds to make, of this an end
Which was fownd owt, and had discharg
And whear he wold he went at larg
Loe thearwith did this man awaek
Yet of his dream discours did maek
Who baed him not go forth that day
Ihon Feeld by wa
[...]feeld
For by a figuer fownd he had
If he went forth he shuld be lad
Unto the countter, or skaep ha
[...]d
This man did littell that regard
Think you (ꝙ he) the planets may
Cause me to find ill luck this day
As though they had the ruell of man
Do what youe will said to him than
His bed fellowe, who straightway roes
And out of doer full fast he goes
The dreamaer followd as he might
When cloes wear on and day was light
But he no soenner in the street
[...]ut loe a sargant, did he meet
And as before you told, I haue
Hit cam to pas, so god me saue
This is no fable maed for mirth
For by that lord that maed the earth
The heauens toe, and all thear in
Beleeue me nowe, this thing haeth bin
Laet in the raing of mary queen
And then the proef of this,
No
[...].
was seen
All men haue not a gift a like
Som god doth warn, befoer he striek
Som haue grosswitts, som heds deuien
For diuers gracis god doth sien
To man as pleaseth him to shoe
Whear for let vs confes and knoe
He maed not man so viell a thing
And set him heer, as lord and king
Of all the works he did creat
But he taeks caer for mans estaet
[Page]And reasons with man eury owre
And in his vessails still doth powre
What lickor he thynks meet therfore
Note.
The pot can neuer boill no moer.
Than Coek doth list to put thear in
For Cock maks broth, boeth thick & thin:
The pottar likwies hath in choyce
In which pot he will moest reioyce.
Which vessaill is for honour maed,
And which must sa
[...]ue, a seruyell traed.
The pottar knoes, and fashons all
[...]lls blind and weak we might him call
If pot or any vesseill cleer
To other porpos sarued heer
Than he befoer haeth ordaynd plain
To whom the vse of potts pertain
As I might say a gardnar good
Yet neuer throwly vnder stood
What wéeds and flowrs wear méet to gro
With in his gardain, euen soe
Is that as true that god doth want
Foersyght of any earthly plant
That in his vienyard beareth graepps
You grant that god doth giue men shaepp
[...]
And doth he gyue, but form aloen
A picktuer wrought, of fleash and boen
And lets man think, what thought he will
Doth not he giue him wit and skyll
And sets sutch thoughts a mid mans hart
As can not com, by kind, nor aert
If god haue geuen lief and breath
And in his hand, haue lye
[...] and death
How should not he, nowe would I lern
The minds of men, befoer desern.
[Page 77]Eaer they or thought, what they shalbe
If god the cause, therof do se
Than must they needs, from him proceed
As ground and roet, of eatch good deed
For what weer fleash? that no lief had
And lief from feelyng wear as bad
And feelyng coms, by reasons loer
Than reason haue we not before
We do receiue of God that gift
Why than there is no other shift
But he that putteth in the same
Must needs be master of the game.
If nought be put into the pot
It cannot séeth full well ye wot.
Who boyls the pot and maks the fier
Puts things therin at his desier
A broken pot, ye call that still
That neither sarus, to good nor ill.
An needlesse pot, god doth not make
That will no kynd, of licour take.
What pitchard will for water go
Be it not born, than way this so
No man may thinke,
Note.
a thought say I
But it is ordaynd, from an hie
And powred in vs by his mean
That seith eury thyng full clean
And knoweth well to what entent
Catch vessayl at the first was ment
And to sutch vse as they were wrought
He letteth them be drawn and brought.
And boldly now, if I durst speake
I thynke the makars wit weare weake
To form a thyng, and doth not know
To what entent, he made it so.
[Page]Than this must follow if he knue
Of all his works what shuld ensue
Thear cowrs was set in his foer sight
[...]ar that he maed, the daie and might
So needs they must befall likwies
Than shuld we not no cause dispies
That lerns vs howe to kno his power
Which worketh in vs eueri owre
A waek a sleep at meat at rest
We must find lodging for that geast
He will com in and maek a stoer
And knock hard at thy consience doer
And threatten skorgis for thy sin
And speak and talk to the with in
And tell the things that aer amis
And say thow foell bewaer of this
Thow vsest oft? thy god I am
That for to warn the hether cam
To shon the plaegs for the prepaerd
But if this warning be not hard
And men in sin still sleep and snort
And of sutch visions maks a sport
Than shall they feel no dream hit was
When proef of this doth com to pas
[...]e that will not be warnd by sleep
Whan he awaeks, may chance to weep
In skriptuer haue I red som time
Howe Ihon sawe sowlls to heauen clyme
And Iacob dreamd he sawe the rams
Leaping this to the choesen lams
God doth a peer yea eury whear
And sleping rownds men in the ear
As Io
[...]b
[...]oth say, and I cowld tell
Howe diuers awcttors shoes full well
Great caers and trobulls for to com
And vnto other shoes likwies
Whan mirth and Ioy thear shall aries
I writ not this as for a creed
Let men trust dreams as they shall need
Som dreams spryng fro a feble brain
And som of sicknes and of pain
And other subiects mani a
[...]on
Of which I will deuies apon
In dreams aer dowts and doble freaks
Som sleeps yet in his dream he speaks
No
[...].
And riseth vp yet not a waek
And in the howse mutch noys doth maek
He torns the lock and goes his way
Owt of the doer as at noen day
And doth sutch thinges as fawlls in hed
By dream and after coms to bed
He barrs all fast whear he hath byn
And neuer faulls nor breaks his shin
Yet seems to sleep yea all the whyell
But he that seeth the saem may smyell
And wonder at that I dell brayn
That in the bed is layd a gain
Who laet in sleep a broed he sawe
A nother sort will seartch the strawe
And thrust a knief throwe bed and all
What may we nowe this dreamyng call
Of our complexshons coms this gear
No suer of som mad freak I fear
They ries they breed and norrishtt be
And groes in men by som degre
That costom maks to folowe kynd
Or els they spryng on trobled mind
[Page]For charged conshens borthend soer
Of som shrewd sact fowl don before
Which pricks the inward parts of man
That hed nor fancie rests not than
Though boddy as his cos
[...]om is
Must
[...]leep or natuer helds with this
Yet whear the conshens is not clean
Thear seeks the deuell for to lean
And
[...] no way that may be sought
[...] plant ther in dispaired thought
And maks the dreamar lowd to crie
He coms I se him with mine eie
And sweats for fear this known I haue
And hard howe som do vse to raue
And start vpright as they wear woed
Som saye hit cometh of a bloed
A bloed I fear as doctors saith
That springeth of defaut of fayth
Som aer of such a weak beleef
They thinke each mouse should be a théef
And euery Rat that runs about
Should be a Deuell out of dout
Sutch folke as well daer lye aloen
As I dare eat a lode of stoen
God neuer thought, was on that day
At night than how should any way
Sutch helhoundes sleep? of deulysh deeds,
Nothyng but fearfull dreams proseeds
Their minds on mischeef runs so fast
That feare of God or world is past
As long as they can finde a maet
To chat with all to lie or praet
In suertie than, ye
[...]all on hoef
They thank they stand, amid their roef
Thear conshens doth accues them soe
They may not syt ne sleep nor rest
But gnawing worms are in theyr brest
And trembling thoghts doth them confound
Theas men must needs now sleep vnsound
Of whoes mad dreams so God mee speed
I thinke wise folke, ought take good heed
And giue them counsell in this cace
And learn them for to feell the grace
That god doth promes to vs all
With faithfull hart, that to him call
Good prayer suer may salue this greef
This is a part of my beleef.
And for to proue that saieng true
I will rehers a thing to youe
Which hath bin trid and trid againe
Whearfore giue ear I lyst not fayn
I knue my selfe and of laet dayes
No
[...].
A father that was much to prayes
In bringing vp his babes catch on
He myght be calde a parragon
In teaching youth and vsing age
Would god catch man would wear his bage
And seek his lyurey for to haue
Than in thear harts they should engraue
The feare of God, his armor coet
And all the worship that he goet,
His aerms, his collors and his crest
His hoep, his curatts for his brest
His sheld, his sword, his enmies rod
And to be short, the fear of God
Was all or moest, of his delite
In sleashly tabuls God did write.
[Page]His law, his fear and blessed will
Far past the compasse of our skill
I mean within the humble mind
(Of this goodman well bent of kind)
With parfit stamp was printed fast
The law and fear I spake of last
As all his childern taught he well
To oen apart this did he tell
Moer of
[...]nar than vnto the rest
[...]oet.
Perhaps that boy, he loued best)
How if he would his blessyng win
Than with this ruell he must begin
First eury mornyng whan he roes
Before he had put on his cloes
He should a sollem praier say
To God to keep him all the day
That he did purpose well to spend
And whan the day, was brought to end
(And should repayre vnto his bed)
Another praier should be sed
Before he slept, if this he did
In eury point, as he was bid
The Father sayd, that God on hie
Would blesse the place, whear he did lie
And giue an Angell, charge he sed
To keep good watch, about the bed.
That neither feend, nor fearfull sight
Should vexe the silly soul that night,
His son that lesson kept full well
And neuer from that order fell
But most deuoutly that he vsd
Till wanton life, had him abuesd
And made him minde, sutch follies heer
As retchlesse youth, doth bye full deer.
[Page 80]Whose pleasuers whan the son had caught
The goodly ruell, his father taught
In very deed, forgotten was
And littell did, this yong man pas
How he the day, or night had spent
But heer what plaegs was aftter sent.
Note.
What restles sleeps and dreams he had
For som tims as he had bin mad
(When in the bed he down was laid)
He did sutch things as wold haue Fraid
The stowttest man, that treds in shue
And farther moer, I may tell youe
He was aferd him self ful oft
For nothing stoerd by him so soft
(Wythin the chaember that he sleept)
But thearwith vnder cloes be crept
And durst not speak, of any thing
To be of all the world a king.
Theas fancies did not chang him so
But he had torments many moe
Of other secret fears with in
When for to sleep, he did begin.
Which alttred him on sutch a sort
I can not make thearof report.
Sutch frights and startyng in the bed
And of his mowth, I haue hard sed
He thoght he sawe, and markt hit wel
A thowsand deuells owt of hel
Com ronning on him all at oens
Som toer his fleash som broek his boens
Som flang him down, as than he thoght
And was thearwith in slomber broght
But stil his fancies did him fraem
To crie alowd, on
Ihesus naem
[Page]Yea sutch as slept with him haue hard
That he the blessed naem prefard
Of
Ihesus suerly first of all
Noet.
And whan thear on this man did call
His raeg of storms began to slaek
And streight from sleep he did awaek
Than would he loek vnto the lord
And so the fathers ruell record
No soeuer was a prayer said
But
[...]ownd as ba
[...]b in cradell laid
He slept, and hath d
[...]n oftten sence
This prous that vnder gods defence
[...]an wa
[...]ks
[...] sleeps, and dreams somwhiels
And as he at our folly s
[...]els
A gent
[...]ill warning doth he giue
Because he would haue sinnars liue
And so conuert, for causis knoen
To him that sitts in sacred throen
He gieds and gouerns eury whear
And brings the hawty harts in fear
To mak men knoe from whence we haue
The quiet sleeps, and rest we craue.
I could of dreams mutch moer resit
But this suffiseth that I writ
To shoe that dreams of many men
Aer true, or moshons now and then
To mak vs way, in ballance right
That god with wonders works his might
And doth in sleep, a messaeg send
(Unto som purpose and som end)
To man whoes thoughts and doings boeth
He seeth and marks what path he goeth
Nowe to re
[...]orn (I think hit best)
Whear I did leaue, and sho the rest
[Page 81]How that, my hors that iomlyng i
[...]ed
To be at home sutch labour maed
Yet must I needs, now wonder how
This mo
[...]strous thyng could bear me throw
But things in Dreams ye kno may seem
That out of Dreams, no man will deem
As did this to, for who would think
(Or in his hed could let it sinke)
That in the bowels of a beast
Thus I could ried, or at the least
How Hors away so fast did trot
The dream would haue it so ye wot.
Now when to stable d
[...]er we cam
The ro
[...]ll stoed still as any Lam
Then did I light and went my wey
Thear at the hors began to ney
He maed so lowd and shrill a sownd
As though in sunder shaekt the grownd:
I neuer saw, in sutch a heat
(Whan on the earth his feet he beat.)
Ne beast nor man, nor lyuyng thyng
And as the bruit therof did ryng
Within your earrs you cam to se
What ruell and reuell this might be.
Wherwith the Hors agaynst his kind
In reason did declaer his mind
And spake in order like a man
But when to talk the Horse began
You muesd and all your howse eatch oen
That still stood wondryng thear apon:
But loe he told his taell so well
And so rehersid euery dell
How I within his belly roed
That you than without moer aboed
[Page]In his behalf sayd vnto me
Is this an honest pranke of the
First to offende me as thou knoest
Than further in thy solly goest
And breaks the back of my poer hors
And after ridest in his cors
And not content with that fowl part
But here agayn, returned art
To set my hart, on anger moer
Perchance thou maist repent it soer.
This sayd▪ the Hors fell down star
[...] ded
And to another world you fled
And le
[...] your wife your childe and all
To that which after might befall.
My freend thus gon (ꝙ I) alas
Mans life is brittell as the glas
And with the greef that I did take
Out of my dream I did awake.
And when at full I had it s
[...]and
I tooke my pen and ynk in hand.
Yea ear I had put on my cloes
Or out of bed that day I roes,
This did I write, this did I pen,
In sutch a plyght my hed was then
And by my troeth with no more time,
I wrate to you this barrayn rime,
Wherfore a shamd, I am to send
A matter now, so basely pend,
To any freend or learned man
That iudgment hath as well ye can
[...]o the iudge and mend the fa
[...]tes here in,
Or when the like is to begin
A better make, yet take in worth
Sutch fruit as my, baer tree brings forth
Than with sowre wieldings of the feeld
And sutch dry crabs, new faln from tree
You shuld not thus presentyd bee.
But whear thear groes no goodly fig
[...]
And springs hard breers and robbishe twigs
Out of sutch brambuls seek you not
No moer than of hedg weeds are got.
Howe shuld I hit in
Chausers vayn
Or toutche the typ, of
Surries brayn
Or dip my pen, in
Pet
[...]arkes stiell
Sens conning lak I all the whiell
And baesly haue I byn brought vp
I neuer sipt on knoledg cup
Nor could com neer the troeth to tell
To drink a draught of that swete well
That springeth from
Pernasoes hil
Wear I oens there to drink my fil
Or that fair fowntaine might I keep
Among the Poets thear to sleep
I wold so make my belly swell
With bibbing of thys worthy well
That eury word out of my brest
Shuld be a sentence at the least.
And eury sentence from my hed
Shuld way in weight, a pownd of led.
And eury lyen with pen I wraet
Shuld wear garland Lawreaet.
I mean my stiell shuld be so hie
That it shuld sho I sucked drie
Pernasoes spring, and mak men think
If euer Poets pen and ynke
Or well cowtcht
[...]ens did praies attayn,
My vers shuld eury tong constrain
[Page]To giue me lawd but all a mis
And out of frame, the matter is
I neuer knue what muesis ment
No gift of pen, the gods me sent
But sutch as in, wied world I fownd
And digged vp, in stoony grownd
Whear I do tomble, vp but st
[...]ens
And if I hap a mong the boens
Whear any Poet hath bin layd
Lor
[...] god than am I well a pa
[...]d
[...] good reliks I them hold
[...], to speak of gold
[...] they
[...]
[...]ar at my call
And I could not at
[...] at all
No
[...] of
[...] secret skill
[...]
[...]
[...]bull forth I must needs nowe
For if I should let goe the plowe
And bakward loke how I haue don
Than all wear mard I had begon.
For as the fawts to mend I soght
I might in sutch dispair be broght
That I shuld fling the pen a syed
Shuld euery one that shoetteth wie
[...]
Giue o
[...]r the pastime god defend
An artchars hand, may daily mend
A writars skill, may
[...]pper be
[...] stombleth now, that wel may se
And fawll no whit, a nother daie
[...] poer soell, what do I say
[...]o help my self, as thogh
[...] thear might
[...] vnto me, a
[...]
[...], is
[...] I se
[...] and me
[...] the whit or mark
[...] hit, I r
[...]uelar of
And biet a p
[...]ce, but on that loef
Whear other cuts a can
[...]ell great
At knowledge doer I do but beat
And knock whan thousands steppeth in
God knoes I cannot finde the gin
Nor may set hand, apon the latch
Yet take they as great payn that watch
To enter thear, as those I say
Whom lernyng shoes, the reddy way
But they deserue, the prayses moest
That knowledge wins, in any
[...]d
[...]st
And for my luck was neuer sutch
Taquaynt my self with knoledge mutch
I seeke no prayse, but thank I craue
For my goodwill, and for I haue
In Uerse setforth this dream at full
In deed I did no Fethers pull
From other Byrds, to patch this pluem
But as in hed I had a ruem
Or fancie better might he naemd
So all this Dream, here haue I fraemd
Accordyng as in thought hit fell
Whearfore I pray you take it well.
Finis.
NOw noet you Redars of this Dream
And of the garment rip the se
[...]m
And se what lies in folds of cloeth
I mean marke how this matter goeth
[...]
[...]
[Page]And how my Dream, against my mynde,
Tooke force and vertue as I finde.
I dreamd I lost a freend in deed,
Yea sutch a freend, who now should néed:
Will say that I, a Iewell lost.
But now to speake, that sarueth most
Unto my dream, and purpose here
The same self day, the owre and yere
That I did dream, my freend was gon
(And he at layser lookt thear on)
The self same week, he bad faerwell
To all the worlde, when passing bell
A witnesse was, to that a due.
For xx. yeeres, the man I knue
But if to me (good God would giue)
The grace that I ten skore should liue
I wear right suer, in all these daies,
To meet with noen, so worthy prayse.
O
Harbert thou dost harber now
Whear I if I could compas how
Would haue a harbour for my barke
But thow in light, and I in darke
Are seured farre, the moer my doell
And suerrer harbred is thy soell.
In wicked world no harbor is,
The end of labor is owr blis
Whear
Harbe
[...]t hugs in Abrahams brest
And whear the choesen Lambs shall rest.
Finis.
A TAEL OF A FREER and a shoemakers wyef.
IN Waels thear is a borrow town,
Carmarden hight the same:
Whear dwelt somtimes a lusty Freer,
I néede not sho his name.
This Freer was fat and full of fleash,
a iolly myrry knaue:
Who with the gossips of the town,
him self could well behaue.
Thoes welthy wiues and thrifty daems,
could neuer mak good cheer:
Nor well dispuet of Peeters keis,
if absent wear this Freer.
He said his mattens in thear cares,
and gospell at thear bed.
And spaerd no sarues for the quick,
nor caerred for the dead.
With abbotts
[...]as and faering wel,
this Freer so wantton was:
That neither maid nor married wief,
his Dorttour doer might pas.
With out som stop sutch staells he laid,
to make them stomble in:
That by his lyef men g
[...]st he thought,
that letchr
[...] was no syn.
A l
[...]uing Freer good fellow like,
in thoes daies was he held:
In eury corner of the town,
good com
[...]cte owt he smeld.
[Page]And as ye kno in hauntyng longe,
all sortes of people thear:
He must finde out som baytyng place,
a Mistres fowl or fear.
A deyntie morsell for his toeth,
these Freers loud well to faer:
Though som were pleasd with chéesis stil,
som fownd a better shaer.
As did this honest brother in christ,
by gosseping about:
Who whan he wold a hakney ried,
had fownd a palfray out.
A nag mutch of a womans height,
that vsed for to bear:
Moer sacks perchance vnto the Myl,
than corn was griended thear.
I not declaer what trim consaits,
he gaue her all the whiell:
[...]ar he obtaind the thing he sought,
howe he his tong could fiell.
To talk and mince the matter well,
the better to disgeast:
And how full oft at morrow Masse,
his Mystres could he feast.
And after noen to gardens walk,
and gatherd Poesies gaie
And woer them cloesly in his cowll,
as he did sar
[...]s saie.
Nor can not shoe you half the seats,
he wroght to please his trull:
But those moest fit for you to read,
[...] put in riem I w
[...]ll
A
[...] that held a
[...]
farre from his dwelling place▪
[Page 85]A faire wife had a good brown weantch,
and com of no il race.
Som sai of waggtaills pretti fo
[...]lls,
a kindred great and good:
That knoes what shears wil sarue the torn,
when shroes will shaep a whood.
The cheef of this great lynnage leads,
thear liues like holly Nons:
That for releef in gadding time,
abowt the cloister rons.
A catter wawlling oens a week,
in breath to keep them well:
Least virgins shuld som surffet tack,
when they lead aeps in hell.
This woman went not out of kind,
and suer for Simons sake
She vsd great deeds of charitie,
and mutch a do did make.
Saint Simon was a goodly man,
the Freer might so be cald
I towtch no further least he kick,
for suer his backe is gald.
A liue the man was many yeer
[...]
sens abbaies wear suprest:
And dwelt not
[...]arre from cardief town,
when written was this Iest.
But to my taell let me retorn,
this woman seldom faild
The morowe masse at fowre aclok,
to see how Christ was naild.
Unto the cross to whom she kneeld,
with bo
[...]k and beads in fi
[...]t:
And for deuoshion many timee,
this gentill freer she
[...].
[Page]At eury Pater noster whiell,
which was a preshoes thyng.
And Iesus how hit did her good,
to heer her lubbor sing.
And whan he tornd about his face,
and loeked throwe the queer:
She skrat her hed, she sat on pricks,
and crept the awter neer.
This costom kept she many daies,
the freer thear of full glad:
Yet still refard his other sport,
till better time wear had.
You must conceyue this mirry man,
in Ieasts and lyght consaits:
His hed was set and for the saem
full oft he laid his baits.
To lawghe and pas the time away,
such toyes he would deuise:
That few men for the mirth therof,
the matter could dispise.
Note.
Upon a day apoynted was,
this wife as was her vse:
Should early come to morrow Masse,
there might be made no skuese.
She kept her owre and hard she kneeld.
without the Dorttour doer:
The Freer cam forth and haeld her in,
and slang her on the floer.
Fie, fie, sir Freer she cried a pace,
but what should more be sed?
She was content to take her case,
and leap into the bed.
And as myne aucthor doth declare.
the fownder for to sleepe:
than hath a sho
[...]ren sheep.
Syr
Sunkin had no poynts to lowse,
in Cowll and all he skips:
God send my Freer well forth agayne,
the Moen was in the clips.
How long he lay, or what he did,
in soeth I cannot tell:
But at the leyngth the Sexten went,
and range the Serues bell.
The Freer wisht Rope about his neck,
the Mattens was begun.
That he that moern would sing or say,
and all the Lessons dun.
Yet vp he must for fear of che
[...]k,
his course was com to ries:
The night before he tooke his rest,
to heale his bleared eyes.
A law there was within that howse,
who slept the saruis out:
In Fraettry should be hoyst full hie,
and whipt like bréetchlesse lout.
Whearfore to tinder boxe he slept,
and light a Sies in haest:
And as he gyrded knotted kord▪
full hard about his waest,
Lye s
[...]ill sayd he vnto his geast,
I must go take some payn:
And singe a Psalme within the queer,
but I will come agayne.
Out goes he then, that likte her not,
she durst not lie aloen:
For feare of buggs, thus leaue I now,
a bed this goodwise Ioen▪
[Page]And tell you howe in queer full lowd
this sh
[...]uen kock he kro
[...]s
And drownd his fellows eury choen,
he sange so in the nees.
But as he tornd the plain song book,
[...]ull smoethly cowld he smiell
Yet noen of all the couent could,
perceyue him all the whiell.
To mend his mirth & make him lawghe▪
a fancie fell in thought
[...]e sawe the owner of the beast,
that he had ryd for nought.
The housband of the wife in deed,
that he in bed had laft
Who walkt with in the churche beneath,
all carelesse of this craft.
Not
[...].
Be god thought he I wyll goe proue,
this man if he do knoe
His wife by measuring her foet,
or mark a pen her toe.
For if I so disceaue the foell,
and make the wyfe a s
[...]rd
He nor his wyef is near the wors,
a hear not of his berd.
And I shall mutch the better be,
and laughing haue at will
Thus eury way and be my luck,
I shall haue sport my fill.
Down went this good religeous man,
whear hornsby housband walkt
And cortchy made and dowkt
[...]ull lee.
and as he with him talkt.
In haue (ꝙ he) known thee right longe,
and still the troeth to say
[Page 87]I haue thee fownde a faithfull frend,
in euery kynde of way
A customar thou hast of me,
my Money I bestowe
On thee before all other men
that dwels within thy rowe.
And to be playn I loue thee well
and playner now I am
Than giue good
[...]are I shall declaer,
whearfore to thee I cam.
But wise and w
[...]erly vse my words,
and keep my councell boeth
Thy promis is sufficient band,
I will no further oeth.
This man full well he knue his good,
who cortched to the grownd
Sweet syr (ꝙ he) tell on your mind,
I am your headman bownd.
Thou knoest my neybor men must liue
and haue a wentch somtime,
And we poer Freers must keep it cloes,
for fear of open crime
It wear a spot vnto our house,
a sklandor to our name
When we haue sport if all the world,
shuld vnderstand the same.
For god himself doth giue vs leaue,
as thou hast hard ear nowe
Althoughe the world we do disseaue
in keping of our vowe.
I am to long in preaching thus,
and time I do abues,
I haue a wentch for whom thou must,
[...]o make a pair of shues.
[Page]Let them be good, when I thée pay,
a penny more to boet
I shal the giue, I lake (ꝙ) he,
the measuer of her foet
Than boldly spake this baer foet Freer,
by God that shalt thou haue:
If thou keep close and follow me,
els call the Freera knaue.
The streight playn path to Dortter than.
they tooke the way full right:
The Freer before, but you must note,
it was not full day light.
Wherfore the man cam farre behind,
the Freer went in a pace
And causd his wentch the others wife,
right cloes to hide her face.
When entred was this honest man,
put forth thy foet (ꝙ he)
The Freer I mean which at that time,
the bolder man might be.
She thrust her leg out of the bed,
but hed fast vnder cloes
She kept and curst the saus
[...]e Fréer,
a hundreth times god knoes.
The workeman tooke his measure well▪
and had no further caer
The Freer well laught within his sleeue,
thus pleased both they aer.
But how the wife contentid was,
let wyues be iudge here in:
That from their housbands beds somti
[...]
in sutch like cace hath bin.
Yet let me shoe how she did quake,
and tremble all the whiell
[Page 88]And wisht the roeprip hangd full hie,
that did her thus begiell
And how for feare her body was,
on water eury part
Here after shall you kno likewise,
what hate was in her hart
Which for the time she couerd wel,
and near a word she spake
Her husband haested to his shop,
and so his leaue did take
I haue a payre of shues (ꝙ he)
(which I shall bryng a non)
All reddy made for my wiues foet,
and hers I think both oen
Ye say the troeth good moem thought she,
the Freer hath playd the knaue
Make for your wife what shues ye list,
the measure twise you haue.
The Freer
[...]ons forth, y
e man went hoem
the woman lay a space
As she had bin in swadlyng clowts,
and durst not sho her face.
When she had found her self aloen,
she roes and speed did make
To be at home ear her goodman,
his breakefast cam to take.
As in her house she did ariue,
she bard the doer full fast
And burst a weepyng like a babe,
and this she sayd at last▪
O he shameles knaue, not pleasd to spoill
me of my wiuely fame
But a
[...] my fautes thy
[...]rantik hed,
must
[...] the
[...]of a game
[Page]Could not my bre
[...]tch of wedlockes band,
content thee but in spyt
Thou must deuise so leawd a fact,
my sayth wyth frawd to quyt,
Howe dydst thou knoe, I durst not sto
[...]r,
that towtched was so neer
I might haue skapt my housbands wrath,
but thou hadst bought it deer.
If I had spoek as oens I thoght,
to do my fear was sutch
Thy folly had bin tentimes moer,
though mien were very mutch.
He might haue toke his wife again,
and knockt full well thy pa
[...]t
And shaud thy crowne a nother sort,
than fawls for thien estaet.
Or els he might haue shaemd vs boeth,
and so refuesd his wief
I could haue liud, but whear woldst thou,
haue led a Frears lief?
O beastly wretch that of thy self,
hast had so small regard
As for the knauery shewd to me,
I will it well reward.
Not for the mallice due therfore,
but that I minde to leaue
E
[...]ample to thy fellows all,
how they their frinds disceaue.
Did I procuer thee to this deed,
did not thy Gospels sweet
And momblyng oft make me beleue,
a Deuill was no spreet?
Didst not thou seeke me euery owre.
to sho me thy good will,
[Page 89]And brought me grapes and goodly fruets.
among my gossips stil.
Thou caerst not if ten couple of hounds.
did follow me full fast:
And I a For wear in the field,
sins now thy geer is past.
Did not thy flyryng face full oft,
frame me thus to thy fist:
Than wast thou hot, now art thou cold,
or warms the whear thou list.
A warmyng place within the towne,
here after mayst thou lacke:
And mis perchance so meet a seat,
to drinke a cup of Sacke.
Thou keepst not sutch a diet still,
nor art not so presies:
But as the thirst doth com agayn.
thy appetite will ries.
I pray to God it be my lot.
to see thee at that stay:
So thus the woman held her peace,
and out she went her way.
Unto the market for to seeke,
sutch thinges as hozwiues doe
You know that haue more skil than I,
what doth belong theartoe.
The poer man brought the Fréer his shue
[...]
and thought no harm thearin:
And to his labour did return,
his liuing for to win.
His wief and he as they wear wont,
full quiet dayes did lead,
He near perceyued by her shue,
whear she awry did tread.
[Page]She went as vpright in the street,
and with as good a grace:
And set apon her follies past,
in deed as bold a face,
As she that neuer maed offence,
for custom breeds a law:
And maks them keep their countnance trim.
that ones haue bro
[...]k a straw.
Well, all the winter passed forth,
this couple at theyr will:
The wief her counsell kept full cloes,
the poer man ment noen ill.
But as the spryng cam on a pace,
the Freer waxt wanton toe:
And
[...]ayn would nag, but credit lost,
he knue not whear to wooe.
And so bethought him of the prank,
he playd in way of sport:
And sought to salue the soer agayn,
with words and medsons short.
So he deme so amends to make,
and turn hit to a gest:
And thought to laugh the matter out,
as it was meet and best.
Note.
And as by chance he met this wief,
god speed sweet hart (ꝙ he)
I maruell why th
[...]se many dayes,
you are so strange to me.
The Fowlers myrry whi
[...]ell now,
must needs betra
[...] the byrd:
The wielly wief now shaep
[...] her tong,
to giue the Freer a
[...]ird:
Not strang (ꝙ she but that in faith,
I did vnkindly take:
[Page 90]The part ye playd, and yet I thought,
it was for fauours sack
Or for som mirth, for if of spight,
it had byn wrought I kno:
I should haue had som shaem ear this,
but suer I finde not so.
I swear by good saynt Francis daem,
the troeth thou sayst in deed:
Whearfo
[...]r let pas sutch follies old,
that may nue quarrels breed.
And be my freend thou hast good wit,
thou knoest now what I mean:
Let all old
[...]ests long gon and past,
be now forgotten clean.
The wief thus findyng fortuen good,
to compas that she would:
A gentill lie in twig gan she mak,
to take the Freer in hold.
Yet shaept to saue them harmles boeth,
from blot and worldly shaem:
And quit the knack, so she might laughe,
and haue thear at som gaem.
Well sir (quoth she) I kno at full,
the meanyng of your mind:
And would to God som honest way,
for you now I might find.
My husband haply may me mis,
if I should com to you:
Than our old fatches will not sarue,
we must deuies a nue.
A collour must the paynter cast,
on poests and patched wawls:
Who ta
[...]ks away a stomblyng stock,
shall freely skaep from fawls.
[Page]A Iellows toye is taken soen,
a trifull breeds
[...]strust:
Great danger folows fowll delits
as sklander folows lust.
If will be won with worldly shaem.
the pleasuers torns to payn:
Whearfor we need a doble clock,
to keep vs from the rayn.
When that my husband is in shop,
if you the pains will taek:
To com vnto my howse betimes,
thear will myrry maek.
But com as soen and if youe may,
as any daie a peers:
The way ye knoe vnto my howse,
but standeth by the freers.
I wyll sayd he, and sight thear with▪
so wrong her by the hand:
But littell of the matter yet,
the foel did vnderstand.
As beettell brains are broght in breers,
before they se the snaer:
So this wise wodkok in a net,
was caught ea
[...] he was waer.
The time cam on, the Fr
[...]er was there,
and vp the stayers he went:
A cup of Malmsie ꝙ the wife,)
now would vs boeth content.
The littell bo
[...] that is beneath,
shal soen go fetch the same:
Take money with thee ꝙ the Freer,
so thus
[...]oes down the dame.
Unto the boy and bad him run,
vnto the shop aboue▪
if he his wyef did loue.
For sick she was, but boy ꝙ she,
than trodg thowe for the drink:
O boy I fear that I shall sownd,
befoer thow com I thinck.
Out
[...]lings the lad, vp goes the w
and at a windowe pride:
Untill at length fa
[...]re of ful wel,
her husband had she spyde.
Alas go
[...]ied the quickly freer,
sayd she if that thow can:
For
[...]er at
[...]and I do not fain,
thear commeth my good man.
[...]er
[...] is no corner to get owt,
ful
[...] is me ther foer:
Nowe shal we by our pastime deer,
and pa
[...] for pleasuers soer.
Now al
[...] the myscheef wilbe mien,
because I haue the heer:
Nowe shall my honest naem be broght,
in question by a Freer.
Wel nowe thear is no nother shift,
but heer the bront to bied:
Except that in th
[...]s littel cheast,
th
[...] self nowe canst thowe hied.
Nowe chues thow whether open blaem,
or secret prison sweet:
In theas e
[...]streams and
[...]aest is moest,
for present myscheef meet.
The Freer to find som reddy help,
was pleasd and well a payd:
So in the cheast this great wies man,
is crept ful soer afraid.
[Page]She lokt the same, and clapt the keys,
close vnder bolstor saer:
So layde her down apon the bed,
and
[...]d soer fits enduer.
Or faynd to feell about hir brest,
sutch grieps she sayd she felt:
The g
[...]oening of the same did make,
her h
[...]sbands hart to melt.
How now deer wife, what ayleth thée,
the simple soule sayd than:
Fie wief pluck vp a womans hart,
yea husband God knoes whan.
Quoth she if Aquauite now,
I drinke not out of hand:
I haue a
[...]itch so soer godwot,
I c
[...]n nor sit nor stand.
Thou hast a bottell in the house,
I daer well say ꝙ he:
Of aquauite laetly boght,
thear maye no better be.
Within thy cheast, where are thy keyes,
I kno not by my life:
Said she, you set moer by a lock,
than you do by your wief.
Ye w
[...]s and you wear sicke I should,
the locke right soen vp break:
That shalbe don (ꝙ he) you need,
therof no moer to speak.
A Hatchet to
[...]k he in his hand,
and stro
[...]k hit sutch a bl
[...]:
The Chaember sha
[...]kt, the Freer he qua
[...]kt,
and s
[...]onk for fear and woe.
The Cheast with Iron barrs was bound,
which made the goodman sweat:
[Page 92]The Freer like doctor Dolt lay still.
in dreed and danger great.
(And durst not s
[...]ur for all the world,)
[...]s
[...]orrage quite was gon:
The poer man
[...]ad a pig in po
[...]k,
had he lo
[...]kt well thear on.
The lo
[...]k was good that knue the wief,
who b
[...]d her husband strik:
[...] on loed the frer with in,
that sport did littell lie
[...].
At le
[...]th the bands began to lowse,
the wise had eye therto:
Sh
[...] s
[...]a
[...]d if he did strike agayn,
the lo
[...]k
[...] would suer vndo.
Than thought she on a womans wiell,
which neuer
[...]a
[...]les at need:
If Feer wear seen than was she shaemd
no, no, she toek mo
[...]r heed.
O hold your hand you kill my hed,
Note.
(ꝙ she
[...] to heer you knock:
Now am I ease, great harm it wear,
to spill so good a locke.
My sutch is gon, than let me sleep,
and rest my self a wh
[...]ell:
The goo
[...]man went vnto his shop,
the wief began to s
[...]eil.
When
[...]he had sent away the boy,
a
[...]l
[...]hu
[...]g
[...]s in quiet wear:
She roes and went to
[...]ase the Freer,
that lay half dead for fear.
[...] resurrection who had seen,
must
[...] haue laught at least:
[...] how
[...] lay, than how he lo
[...]kt,
and
[...] like a beast.
[Page]Nowe am I quit ꝙ she sir Freer,
and yet you aer not shaemd:
And throw a woman who youe skornd,
your folly nowe is taemd.
This tael so ends and by the saem,
you se what Freers haue byn:
And howe theyr outward holly liues,
was but a clo
[...]k for sin.
Heer
[...]ay youe se howe plain poer men,
that labors for thear foed:
Aer soen disseaud wyth sottel sna
[...]ks,
of wicked serpents broed.
Heer vnder clowd of matter light,
som words of weight may pas
[...]
To make the leawd abhoer fowl liet,
and se them selus in glas.
Heer is no terms to stoer vp vice,
the writtar ment not soe:
For by the foill that folly ta
[...]ks,
the wies may blotles goe.
The moer wee se the wicked plaegd,
and painted plain to sight
The moer we pace the paeth of grace,
and seek to walk vpright.
Finis.
THE SIEGE OF EDENbrough Castell in the .xv. yeer of the raigne of our soueraigne Lady Queen Elizabeth, at whiche seruice Sir VVilliam Druery Knight was generall, hauyng at that time vnder him, these Captaynes and gentlemen folowyng.
¶ The names of the Captaines that had chardge.
-
Sir Francis Russell.
-
Captayne Read.
-
Captayne Eryngton, maister of the ordināce and prouost marshall.
-
Captayne Pyckman.
-
Captayne Yaksley.
-
Captayne Ga
[...]ine.
-
Captayne Wood.
-
Captayne Case.
-
Captayne S
[...]ley.
¶ The Gentilmen: names.
-
Sir George Carye.
-
Sir Henrie Lee.
-
M. Thomas Cecyle.
-
M Mighell Cary.
-
M. Thomas Sutton.
-
M Cotton.
-
M K
[...]lway.
-
M Dier.
-
M. Tylney.
-
William Killigrue.
AS cause fell out and brought in matters new
(And bl
[...]ddy minds, set many a broyl a broetch)
So souldiers swarmd, and lowd they Trumpet blew
Wh
[...]se sounde did shoe, at hand warrs aproetch
Than marshall men, in coats of Iron and steell
With great regard, did waite on Cannon wheell
And in the feeld, a noble martch they maede
To practise shot and skowre the rusty blade
But whan the campes, set fo
[...]t on scottish ground
[...] the powre and
[...] was ver
[...] small
[...]
[...] them selues,
[...]t Drom and Trompet sownd
[...] push of Pyke, to giue the prowd a fall
The quar
[...]ll good, the force
[...]doubleth still
[...]
[...]old attempt, maks way with bo
[...] and bill
It is not strength, alone that wins the g
[...]ell
Whe
[...] c
[...]rage co
[...]s, the
[...]r
[...]ortune deals her doell
A wonder great, to se so small a band
In forrayn soyll, to seek for any t
[...]me
I seldom heer, sutch matter t
[...]n in hand
That conquest gets, and skapeth free from blame
Bewaer I saye the men whoes minds aer good
And mark the plage, of thoes which sucketh
[...]lo
[...]d
Gainst thorns they ki
[...]k, that ro
[...]s to wilfull spoyll
Thear consiens prick, that giue iust folk a
[...]oyll
O
Neroes broed, O blody butchare viell
That striketh down the
[...] vp
O wicke
[...] Snacks, O
[...]
That
[...] brings,
[...]
[...]
That spoyl
[...]
[...]o
[...] h
[...]rm.
[...] people vayn
[...] that
[...] downe
That stayes your
[...]act, and still mentayns your crowne.
[...] dealyngs rash, and wretched reuels ru
[...]d
[...] did steer from hiue the quiet
[...]es
Your gra
[...]es hands, i
[...] gil
[...]les
[...]e
[...]lood
[...]brued
Was in
[...]tch sort, disdaynd of all degrees
[Page 94]That néeds must com, som force with mayn and might
To take vp wrongs, and set your staet aright
The cut throet knief, in sheath could seldom rest
Sutch mischeef lorkt, and lodgd in lawlesse brest
Ye neyther spard, the hiest hed nor fo
[...]t
The cheefest branch,
Two Regents slayn by sed
[...]us parsons ea
[...] this broyll began.
nor yet the meanest
[...]pray
But in your rage, to ryue vp all by roet
At fullest prime, ye soght the reddiest waie
But he that holds, in hand the horsis rain
Whan steed bolts owt, cawls bayard back a gain
And so god sent, amid your retchles raeg
A quensching coel, your fury to a swaeg
Of zeall and loue, to knit your harts in peace
And stop the stream, that oer the banks did ron
A noble queen, whoes lief our lord encreace
A s
[...]klar was,
[...]ar greater greef begon
But stordi minds, sto
[...]d stifly in thear cace
Tyll feble force, gaue roering cannon place
Than fast in sort, they clapt them selus with speed
And maed defence, to saue the present need.
A castell strong, that neuer noen assayld
A strength that stoed, on mownt and mighti rock
A peerles plot, that all waies haeth preuayld
And able was, to sufer ani shock
The enmie choes, and suer the seat was Sutch
That might harm all, and feaw or noen cowld tutch
And thought to be, the only sort of fa
[...]m
Most meet and fit, to bear a maidens naem
Yea sondrie kynges, with sleight did seeke her spoyll
And threatned oft, to throe her in the dust
But non could boest, he gaue this mayde a foyll
With labour lost, she sarud their gredy lust
And still she stoed, like sun among the starrs
(Lyke pucell puer, a per
[...]l in peace and warrs)
Which would not suer, be bought for gold nor good
Nor yet well won, without great losse of blood▪
This lofty seat, and lantern of that land
Like Loed starre stood, and lockt oer eury street
[...]hea
[...]in thear was, a stout sufficient band
That furnisht wear, with corrage wit and spreet
And wanted nought, that sarud for their defence
Or could in fien, repulse their enmies thens
Well stoerd with shot, yea suer boeth good and great
That might far of,
[...]t will the cuntrey beat.
The Castell
[...]eed, so strongly, no
[...]t it well
Thear was no way, but one taprotche the same
And that sel
[...] thing, was s
[...]r a s
[...]cond h
[...]ll
For smothryng smoke for shot and fier
[...]
[...]lame
It
[...]owrd the streets, and bet the
[...]
And kept in awe, catch
[...] the town
[...] man nor child, could
[...]oer in oppen sight
But they wear suer, apon som shot to light.
[...]ith th
[...]ndr
[...]ng n
[...]es▪ was shot of roeryng
[...]
[...] throw the thick
[...] she thompt or
[...]thawrt the
[...]
And
[...] sh
[...]ld of act in or
[...]
[...] though
[...] an ar
[...], had cut down lyttell sprayes
[Page 95]The Bullets still cam whizzyng by their chéeks
That prowld about, and sodain danger seeks
Here groene doen, and there another lies
That went to farre, or whear blind bullet flies
The liuely flock, that daer do mutch in deed
Do catch a clap, ear cause requiers the saem
So som perhaps, for want of takyng heed
Did feell the lash, as flie that fauls in
[...]aem
But whan of force, they must the battrie plant
The Soldiar shoes, he doth no corrage want
Som beat the lowps, som ply the walls with shot
And som spy out, whear vantage may be got.
For saefties saek, of sutch as lay a broed
A trentch was maed, to hold the emnye short
With powlder still, thear peecis fast they loed
To skowre the place, whear soldiars did resort
Now might you se, the heds flie vp in ayre
Now clean defaest, the goodly buildyngs fayre,
Now stoens faull down, and fill the emptie dikes
And lusty ladds, auance the armed Pickes.
Nowe cannons roerd, and bullets bownst lyk bawls
Nowe throwe the throng, the tronks of wieldlier
[...]lue
Nowe totring tow
[...]s,
[...]yept down with rotten wavils
Nowe som pakt hens, that neuer said a due
Nowe men wear known, and corraeg plaid his part
Nowe cowards quaekt, and corst all soldyars aert
Nowe catch deuice, of death was dayly sought
And noble
[...]aem, and lief was deerly bought
Heer must you noet, how they with in that hold
In warlyk sort, a counter battry maed
And on thear brau
[...], began to be so bold
They thought to lern, our men a fy
[...]nner traed
(In vsing shot, and planting cannons thear)
So hoeping thus, to put our
[...]amp in fear
They plyed a pace, thear practies eury way
With yron b
[...]wls, to mak the soldyars play.
And gra
[...]ing oens, apon a peece we had
They droue a way som gonnars from thear place
A
[...] vow thear of, the enmies wart so glad
They s
[...]ll, s
[...]oed against vs face to face
Note.
What ruell is this, ꝙ than or generall streyght
Whear aer th
[...]s ladds, that slynks a way by sleyght
He skarce de
[...]a
[...]us, to wear a soldiors coat
That haeth in deed, his dueti thus forgoet
But loe the bro
[...]t, of mischeef was so great,
A feawe or noen, god wot did that they oght
He se
[...]g that, stept in a mid the heat
And in his hand, a smoking lyntstock broght
And so gaue fier▪ to
[...]hee howe coraeg must
His credit saue, whan he is put in trust
A part well plaid, a passing point of skill
That tries great mind, and blaesseth mutch good will
The go
[...]ars than shot of a ringing peall
Of
[...]ous great, and did sutch cunning shoe
[...] man, might se what l
[...]ue and zeall
And
[...], they had to contry shoe
[Page 96]For in smal time, so neer thear mark they weent
That streight as lien, in cannon mowth they sent
A shot of owrs, that
[...]all twelue intches bears
Wich all to toer▪ thear peece a bowt thear ears.
That cut the coms, of many a bragging kock
That broek the gawll, or gawld the hors to soer
That was the keye, or knak that piekt the lock
That maed som mues, that tryumpht mutch befoer
Yea that was hit, that mard thear market quit
And dawnted had, thear harts in great despit
For after this, they gan to step a back
And sawe at hand, cam on thear ruen and wrack
A littell harm, doth breed a great mistrust
A simple storme, maks som on seas full sick
A feeble poef, of wind doth raies vp dust
A littell salue, full suer can towtch the quick
A smal attempt, maks mighty matters shaek
A silly spark, a soddain fyer doth make
An easi proef, brings hard mishaps to pas
As this declaers, whear all theas myscheeues was
The happy shot, that braek their peece in twayn
Discorraegd clean, the boldnes of our foes
When battails Ioin, in feeld and open playn
Full soen is seen, whear that the con
[...]quest goes
For vnto sutch, that suer and stowtly stand
Good fortuen coms, in torning of a hand
Yea whan mans force, doth faint and feble waxe
Down weapons goe, and streight they torn thear backs.
And set the world, agoyng oens a due
It is mutch like, a stream that hath no stay
To late comes wit, to giue them corrage nue
That fear before, hath taught to run away
What would you more, the Skots did hast them then
[...]
Wheare first they stode, and sought to make defence
And cloesly kept, the Castell as they might
Not willyng o
[...]t, to come in open sight
Yet
[...]ar these things, could well be brought to pas
With baskets byg, and thinges to sarue the turne
A crosse the street, a trauers made there was
Whiels for a sh
[...]ft, wet straw and hey did borne
And for to plant, som playing peeces thear
A Mount was
[...]aysd, which kept the foe in fear
The Gunners suer, thear dueti throwly did
And at that tied was no mans saruyce hid
The enmies lo
[...]kt, for sucker out of france
Or help at hoem, if matter so fell out
For diuers thyngs, might drop to them by chance
That reason thought, wear hard to bryng a bout
For hoep denyes, that hap or hazard bryngs
Good
[...]uck is swift, as swallow vnder wings
And thoghe at first, hit coms not that we craue
At last som help, by fort
[...]en men may haue.
Thear frinds far of, and propps at hoem lykwies
With great afair
[...]s, soer gr
[...]ued wear the whiell
And
[...]ance ye knoe (whear blod for vengance cries)
Had mutch a doe, for wikked murthers vyell
[Page 97]A matter strange, that nowe I must skip oer
To wryte at full, of things I spaek befoer
Thus in exstrems, the Skots did stand with in
Moer lik to loes, than yet to saue or win
For eury day, our men did creep so neer
And b
[...]t the wawlls so
[...]lat vnto the grownd
Th
[...]t in short time, thear durst not one apeer
To ma
[...]k defence, or at the breatch be fownd
Yet stowtly long, and with mutch manhoed boeth
And
[...] great, they stoed I tell you troeth
[...] kept thear strength, as sa
[...]ly as they might
Though all in vain, they toyled day and night
In eury part, they wear so throwly plyed
With soldiars sleyghts, with shot and sharp asawt,
That in the end, they wear full fain to hied
Thear heds from bobs, in hollow caues and vawt
First did they loes,
The Sporre was a
[...]rōg peece of stony work.
the Sporre a place full strong
Which soer auoid, the town and soldiars longe
And driuen thens, they wear in fine right glad
To keep sutch skowp, as easly might be had.
A kind of shot, that we great bombards call
[...] thear wits, and brought mutch fear in deed
And whear that hueg, and mighty stoen did
[...]all
In weaklings brains, it did great wonders breed
A Princ
[...]s powre, doth many a practies shoe
Beyond the reatch, of common peoples boe:
And whan their harts, aer daunted with deuice
Their corrage
[...]hoe, is held of littell price.
And sondrie drifts, with out aer put in evr
Whan the
[...] with in, do dwell on dreedfull dowts
Who is betrapt, in penfold cloes is suer
At need to want, a broed boeth ayd and skowts
And subiect still, to mutins and reuolt
And willfull ladds, and youth as wield as colt
In whom whan toyes and sodain mischeef fawls
They threat to fling, thear captains oer the wawls
Thoghe wies and waer, the cheef and leadars be
Yet
[...]ued and raesh, the roeflinge roistarrs aer
And whan in fort, the bands can not agre
The soldiars ware, as mad as is martch haer
Now do they Iarr, than murmor mues and skowll
And fall from words, to brawls and quarrels fowl
And shonning death, do seek thear lius to saue
By any means, and way that they may haue
Whan sutch vproerrs, is raiesd and set a gog
Thear folows streight, a storm and flawe of wind
Than som perforce, must lern to leap the frog
And lyght full loe, for all thear lofty mind
The danger drius, sutch diulyshe na
[...]els in hed
That throw dispayr, mans hoep is streken dead
Thear might by chance, for any thing I kn
[...]w
Sutch byells borst out, among the skotish crue
Our mownts wear maed, so mutch to our a vaill
Our Gonnarrs cowld, dismownt what peece they wold
No maruell thoghe, thear harts with in did quaill
Who did at hand, thear own decay behold
[Page 98]Thear powlder faild, thear water wared skant
Thear hoep is small, that doth munishon want
When with warm bloed, the waeter cold is boght
Death maks dispatch, and sells the lief for noght,
In som great need, the castell stoed that time
When on the breatch, our shot and cannons plaid
And for thassault, we had no
[...] far to clinic
Nor mutch to doe, when things wear wie
[...]ly waid
Saue that
[...]atch wight, that led his felows on
[...]o
[...]kt all for faem, when breth and lief was gon
And frankly swoer, to die or win the seat
Or pas the pieks, by sword and dangers great
A fre consent, of faithfull soldiars than
A mong the cheef, was fownd by vewe of face
A sawlt asawlt, cried eury forward man
The day is owers, we will posses the place
Or leaue our boens, and bowells in the breatch
Tys time ꝙ they, to charge and not to preatch
Dispuet no moer, the greatest dowt is past
Lets win or loes, sens now the dice aer cast
With that cam in, the generall full of Ioye
And th
[...]nkt them all, that to the asawt wold goe
As you this daye, ꝙ he your lius employ
In sarues of, our noble queen ye knoe
So if I liue, my pors, my powr and all
To saue your torns shall reddy be at call
Th
[...]ies happy is, that captain suer in deed
That haeth in camp, sutch soldiars at his need
A showt full shrill, as lowd as Larum bell,
In Tren
[...]ch, in Tent, and Town throw out a roes,
The Skots encloesd, that sat like snayl in shell,
By bruet of this, their fatall deastny knoes,
And findyng voyd, theyr hoep and connyng clean
They thought it best, for lief to maek som mean
And rather yeld, (ear sword, the matter tried)
And suffer shaem, than so assaut to bied.
Yet diuers proues, wear maed the breatch to vew,
And som wear slayn, that did assayl the saem
And whan our men, therof the secrets knew
And found the way, to put eatch thing in fraem
A band or two, with som of right good race
(When Drom did sound, did forward martch apace
And fully bent, resolued lesse and moer
To win the Fort, or loes their liues thearfoer.
Now noble mynds, stept out in formost rank
And skornd to be, the last should giue a charge
His hap was best, that could desarue most thanke,
And might by death, his contreys faem enlarge
But he moest viell, that could no valuer shoe
And he embrast, that to the breatch would goe
A time was com, to trie who triumpht moest
Who toek moest payns, and who did brag and boest.
And in efect, the soldiars all wear glad,
To mak short work, and se what hap wold doe
But as I said, when that our enmies had
Well waid theas things, and pawsd apon hit toe
[Page 99]They wear content, in plain and simple sort
Unto our queen, to yeld and giue the fort
Loe heer how soen, the strong becoms full weak
And out of shraep, fly cocks and so crie creak
THE PRAYES of our Souldiars.
WOuld god my pen, might be your tromp of faem
To sownd the praies, that you desarued thear
O marshall men, that seeks but noble naem
[...]e oght of right, be honord eury whear
To you I speak, on whom the burthen lies
Of warrs and doth, by sword and saruice ries
Who spaers no charg, nor pain in princis right
When staet must stand, by stowt and manly fight
Your harts aer sutch, you haet at hoem to bied
Whan any bruet, or voyce of warrs is hard
A shaemd in street, on foet cloeth heer to ried
Whan forward minds, in feele shuld be prefard
And skorning pomp, and p
[...]she pleasurs vain
For true renowne, ye troedg and toyill a main
Whear danger dwels and heapps of hazards aer
And ha
[...]dnes great, you find with hongrie faer
You ward the day, and watch the winters night
In frost, in cold, in son and heat also
[...] aer so bent, that labor
[...]eemeth light
[...] the steed, of ioy, you welcom woe
[Page]For wealth you taek, sutch Want as doth be fall
No
[...] shonning gere of, but tasting sorrows all
Moer glad
[...]odie, tha
[...] liue with blaem or blot
Moest redy still, whear least is to be got
And least exsteemed of all the men that liues,
(Lik hackney hors, cast of when torn is sarud)
Yet aer you thoes, that greatest honor giues
(If world may iudg, what soldiars haue dezarud)
Unto your prince, for you aer paell and park
To keep the deer, and lanterns in the dark
To shoe them light, that ells at plain noon daye
Might stomble down, or sleely shrink a waye
Who b
[...]eds the bront, or who bears of the bloes
But you a loen, yea who doth sho his face
In time of need, a mong our forrain foes
Or boldly saith, let me suplye your place
Toeshe thats a taell, was neuer hard nor seen
That any one, to serue a king or quéen
Did striue with you, or ofred half so much
For faem as they, who now theas versys tutch
Whearfore step out, and bear a brantch of bayes
In sien of world, the victors suer you aer
For this I knoe, in right respect of praies
And worthy lawd, may noen with you compaer
You may be cal
[...]e, the aw
[...]ull marshall band
The iewels
[...]ye, and garlands of the land
The budds of faem, and blosoms of renowne
The contreys hoep, and beawty of the crown
Now must you mark, I mean not hierlings heer
Nor sommer birds,
Not
[...].
and swallows for the time
That wagis taeks, and sarus but oens a yeer
And sprowts a whiell, as flowrs do in the prime
But thoes whoes minds, and noble manners shoes
In peace and warr, loe thear a soldior goes
Of lief moest cleer, of deed and word full Iust
In triall still, a man of speshall trust
Finis.
THE VVHOLE ORder howe oure Soueraigne Ladye Queene Elizabeth, was receyued into the Citie of Bristow, and the speaches spoken before her presens, at her entry, with the residue of versis and matter that might not be spoken (for distance of the place) but sent in a boek ouer the Waetter.
At the hie Crosse in a disgised manner stoed Yaem, very orderly set forth, and spoke as followeth, by an excelent boy.
NO fleet of foet, nor swift of wyng,
nor skarce the thought in brest:
Nor yet the Arrowe out of Bee,
nor Wynde that s
[...]ld doth rest.
Compaers with me quick worlds report,
that som calls
Flying Faem:
A bruet of prayes, a blast of pomp,
a blazer of good naem.
The only lawd that kyngs do seek,
a Ioy to
[...]atch estaet:
A welcom freend that all men loues,
and noen a liue doth haet.
Saluets the Queen of raer renowne,
whose goodly gifts deuien:
Throw Earth and Ayre with glory great,
shall passe this tromp of mien.
And knowyng of thy commyng heer,
my duetty had me goe:
the nues therof to shoe.
No soenner was pronownst the name,
but Baebs in street gan leap:
The youth, the age, the ritch, the poer,
cam runnyng all on heap.
And clappyng hands, cried maynly out,
O blessed be the owre:
Our queen is comming to the town,
with princely trayn and powre.
Than collors cast they oer the wawls,
and deckt old howsis gaye:
Out flue the bags a bout afayrs
that long a hording laye.
A sid they set thear townishe trashe,
and works of gredy gayen:
And tornd thear toils to sports and mirth,
and warlike pastimes playn.
As shalbe seen to morn in feeld,
if that your highnes pleas:
Whear duelie haeth deuiesd by art,
a shoe on land and seas
To vtter matter yet vnknown,
that shall explayned be:
By sutch dom sights and shoes of war,
as thear your grace shall se.
Thus subiects means to honor prince,
whoes sight they haue enioyd
Moest glad hit is thear hap to haue,
thear saruice so employd.
¶Than FAEM flang vp a great Garland, to the reioysyng of the beholders.
[Page]
At the next Gaet, and neer her highnes lodgyng stoed .iij. other boyes, called Salutacion, Gratulacion, and Obedient goodwil, and .ij. of these boyes spake as follows, and all they three drue theyr swords whan it was named, the hoel staet is reddie to defend (agaynst all dissencions) a pesable Prynce.
Salutacion the first boy.
ALl hayll, O plant of grace,
and speshall sprout of faem:
Most welcom to this Western coest,
O Perll and princely daem.
As loe, a custom is,
whear humble subiects dwels:
When Prince aprocheth neer their vew,
for ioy to ryng their bels.
So all that beareth lief,
in
Bristow now this day:
Salutes the Queen from deepth of breast,
with welcom euery way.
And wee poer silly boyes,
that cam from skoell of laet:
Reioyce and clap our hands withall,
as members of thy staet.
Our dueties heer to shoe,
and further moer in déed:
Thear is a cause wh
[...]arfore we say,
thy helpyng hand we need,
[...] is O mightie Queen,
in wa
[...] of myrth and sport:
A master moud
[...]ween Peace and warre,
and therfore buylt a Fort.
and that is Pomp, and Pried:
The Fort on law and order stands,
and still in peace would bied.
The Warrs is wicked world,
as by his fruet is seen:
The Fortres representith peace,
and takes thy part O Queen.
It seems the Gods haue sent,
in this great quarell now:
A noble Iudge that shall with speed,
decied the matter throw.
Gratulation the second boy.
YEa suer this is a fien,
that all the gods aboue:
Taks part with vs and freely heer,
doth men and childern loue,
In sutch a sharp conflyet,
to send to suer a staye:
That shall surseace
Bellonas brags,
and end our fearfull fray.
A sottell Snack of laet,
with sopple sugred words
Haeth sleely crept in brestes of men,
and drawn out naked swords
And with his wrangling taells,
haeth sto
[...]rd vp strife ynoughe:
And drawn the marchant from his traed,
and plowman from the ploughe
Disenshon is his naem,
that all this mischeef breeds
[Page]Who still with drosse and roemish dregs,
blinde peoples humour feeds:
And maks them mortall sick,
and sway somtims a sied:
With wicked warrs, and wilfull brawls,
that should with peace abied.
But yet O pee
[...]les Prince,
a true and loyall flock:
Agaynst the prowd presomtuous minds,
are b
[...]nt to stand the shock.
And swears by sacred Gods,
not o
[...]n within this soyll:
But reddy a
[...]r with l
[...]sse of lief,
to giue thy foes a foyll.
For pr
[...]f the feble youth,
and ba
[...]bs of tender aeg:
Daer draw their swords, in this attempt,
to corb disorders raeg.
Sens Englands hoep is com,
to payse these things in brest:
We daer not stay her longer heer,
whose trauell craueth rest.
¶Obedient good will, the thyrd boy, who could not speak time was so far spent.
YEt if the Prince wold stay, or if men might make choice
Of oen no bigger than my self, to speak in Citties voice
I would declaer in deed, what deep desier they haue,
To spend their goods, their lands? lius, her staet in peace to s
[...]e
But sens the time is sh
[...]r
[...], & Prince to lodging goes
I say god bles our Qu
[...]en y
t gius, the whit
[...] fayr
[...]ed
[...]o
[...]s.
[Page 103]
¶After these speeches wear ended .iij. hondreth Soldiors well appoynted, wayted on her highnes to her lodgyng, and thear she beyng setled, they shot of thear peeces in passyng good order, at which warnyng the great Artillery went of, a hundred and .xxx. cast peecis, and so the watche charged, and a hundreth shot apoynted for her Gard, her highnes rested that night, whear she lay all the season in sir Iohn Yongs house.
¶ A Fort was made beyond the water in a ground fit for that purpose, and to the saem as a frind (called Feble Pollecie) ioyned a littell Bastillion, builded on a hil, which was not strong by reason of the weak mayntenance belonging ther vnto, to the which piel the Soldiours of the main fort did repayre, now must be vndersto
[...]d that dissension passyng between wars and peace (warrs beyng placed in sight) had sertayn speeches as follows, which speeches could not be sayd in the heeryng of the prince, wherfore they wear put into a boek, and presented as heer after you shall kno.
Dissencion to the Citie to moue them to arms, hath his speeches as these things wear don in action.
¶The Sonday next the Queen went to the Colledge, to heer a Sarmond, whear thear was a speetch to be sayd and an Imme to be songe, the speeche was left out by an occasion vnlooked for, but the Imme was songe by a very fien boye.
¶The Speech at the Colledge.
[Page]YOu subiects that desierd to se,
this gladsom preshos Ieam:
Behold lo heer the only Ioye,
and iuwell of the Ream.
A Prince in deed of princely minde,
that Princis loues and fears:
Whose passyng hed, yea all the staets,
of christen princis bears.
And throughly sees and lo
[...]ks into,
as though a man might say:
Heer
[...]s the toutchstoen for the Gold,
the Piller, Prop, and stay.
Of eury region far or neer,
that to vs neyghbors aer:
How mutch is this poer Colledg bound,
in naked buildyngs baer.
For to receyue so bright a Star,
as clouds can skarce contayn:
Who for to se so small a Sell,
hath taken so great payn.
The P
[...]ps and Organs of our harts,
shall yeld thee thank therfore:
By sound of Psalm, and sollemp Immes,
yea could poer Preests do moer.
The Musicke that thy Chapel maks,
should be so sweet and shrill.
Might
[...]ull a sleep the Musis all,
and sha
[...]k
Pernas
[...]es hill.
The Songe.
O Happy ower o
[...] blis,
O Colledg thou dost se:
Th
[...]ll
[...]do
[...]on, the substance com,
[...] doth sh
[...]en on thee.
that sowes dissenshon heer:
Go make your neasts, whear Serpents breed,
this soyll and coest is clear.
Enchant no man with charms,
ye shall receyue check maet:
If that you play with paltring pawns,
before so great a staet.
She hateth
H
[...]dras heds,
and lous the harmles mind
A foe to vice, a frend to grace,
and bent therto by kind
Which grace and grashos god,
now gied her whear she goes:
With treble grace throw troblous time,
to tread on all her foes.
¶A skafold the next day was set vp ful ouer agaynst the Fort, and the Prince beynge placed, the speeches shold haue bin spoken for the better vnderstanding of the deuised triumphe, so you must heer the speeches or els shal you be ingnorant of the hoel matter.
Dissension to peace (which was the mayn Fort) speaketh in a furie these words that follow.
O People vayn, that spends in peace your dayes
To prowl about, for pens and piuish pealf
And maks no count, of Faem and poblik prayes
So eatch man liues, like Prince within him self.
[Page]And so posses, the pleasuers on this mold,
The Iuwels braue, the gay and glittryng gold,
You cae
[...] not what, great glory elders won
Nor who at first, the worthy warres begon.
You sleep and snort, in sweet perfumed shéets,
And hug your heds, in harb
[...]r warm and gay,
Whearby in deed, ye haue sutch heauy spreets,
You can not se, the goodly sunny day,
[...] though the clouds, the Son, the Moen and al
Wear reddy now, apon your heds to fall,
You wold not, moue, nor seek your selus to saue
On drosse and dong, sutch deep desiers you haue.
You heer not how, the enmies at your noes,
Aer vp in aerms, and
[...]awls your cowards still
You caer not mutch, abroed how matters goes
Whan that at hoem, ye want no wealth nor will
Clap corrage on, and cast long gowns asied
Pluk vp your harts, and fling down pomp and pried
Make Idell hands, and heds in heels that lurk
For worthy lawd, com forth and learn to work.
A corslet fien, is worth ten skarlet goowns
A blast of faem, sormounts all things you wear
Call lusty ladds, to spend your spared crowns
The warrs aproetch, tis time the bo
[...]es wear thear
If you a bied▪ at hoem till Canno
[...]s roer
The plaester coms, to laet to salue the soer
Break downe the banks, that hol
[...]s the water in
First
[...]rik thy foe, and so the brawll begin
Put fyer to strawe, and make the fornayes hot:
And bid them crie, that borns thear fingers first
Yea cast on wod, to boyll the browes pot
And let them starue, that wants to coell thear thirst:
When world is wield, and all is set a gog
A mans a man, and than a doggs a dogg:
Aduise you now, my dwelling is not heer
I must pack hens,
[...]nother stern to steer.
¶Now dissension went to the warrs which was set out in open vew (with all orders of marshall manner) and spake as follows.
GIue ear good maets, and mark full well,
the tidings that I bring:
For I wilbe a larum bell,
that in your earres shall ring.
A pestlens peall of rumor slrang,
that flies throw many a land:
The plain report whearof remain
[...]
in me dissenshons hand
If I keep cloes that I do knoe,
and stoer no clapper now
The hargaboz, the bill and boe,
will seartch your corraeg throw
Trust this for troeth that peace is bent,
to trus vp soldiors all:
Wealth wil no warrs, peace is so prowd,
the people fears no fall.
They bragg and boest thear treasuer can,
to
[...]n eatch thing how they list:
For eury staet is wone with wealth,
as hawk stowps don to fi
[...]t.
[Page]A mas of gold will porchace peace,
and mak w
[...]eld wantons taem:
If warrs wear wod and waxed mad,
and hot as fiery flaem:
P
[...]ace ruells the ear
[...]h, and wrings thear thombs
th
[...] raging reuell maks:
Yea play what gaem ye list they saye,
that peace doth swep the staeks:
P
[...]ace is the prince that gouerns all,
and saith a fig for war:
Yea peace will put you all in pownd,
and mak you stand at bar.
Peace calls you roges, and swashing dicks,
that stand apon your braues:
A swarm of wasps, a flok of wolus,
a neast of theeus and knaues
That lius by spoyll and morthers viell,
and triumps still in bloed.
And haue sutch hot and greedy minds,
you thirst for neibors goed.
The Trompets lowd that slaughter sownds,
and drums with rombling noyes:
Was neuer maed for men of peace,
but rather fit for boyes.
They saye whoes childhoed liks fond bruets,
and lous sutch trifling toyes:
Will you that kingdoms conquerd haue,
be now subdued by peace
Shall seuill swams to loethsom gaiell,
lead men lik doggs in leace.
Shall p
[...]rsh peace and peple weak,
oer com the soldiour stout:
Shall
[...]ortrarrs lewd lik rebells raill,
and manhoed wax a lowt
in your behalf I bloeshe.
Bid trompet sownd aduance the piek,
and giue prowd peace a poesh.
¶ On thoes words was warres in sutch a stoer that you might se the feeld all ouer spred with soldiors, and so they martched down a hill and maed a goodly shoe full against the littell fort (cald Feble pollecie) and repolsing in al the soldiours of the same▪ wan it with great fury, and so rased it and ouerthrue hit down to the earth.
¶The mayn Fort in the meean whiel did send sutch suck or as they might, but preuaylyng not, they wear in like sort driuen back, and their Fort beseged, and mutch adoe about the saem, which droue out that day, and than by Tortchlight the Prince from her Skaffold, went to her lodgyng, and in the mean season som fier works wear seen, and so the watch was charged.
¶The second day was thear maed a nue aproetch to the mayn Fort, for a better order of warre & to the ayde of the Fort, cam diuers gentilmen of good callynge from the Court, which maed the shoe very gallant, and set out the matter mutch.
¶Now sarued the tied and vp the water from Kyngroed cam three braue Galleys, chasing a Ship that cam with Vittayls to the Fort, the Fort seyng that their exstremitie within was great, sent a Gentilman
[Page] to the Prince for aid, who brought her a boek couerd with green Veluet, which vttred the hoell substance of this deuice, the gentilmā had a spech of his own makyng, as follows, after he had swam ouer the water in som danger Cloes and all, he spaek his part to the Prince.
M. Iohn Robarts of the Temple.
ESkaept from waltryng waues,
from sword and fier, and enmies sleight:
From storms and sturdy flaws,
from roeryng shot and fearfull fight.
I com to quiet land,
whear noble Prince doth pastims vew:
And bryng a boek in hand,
of all the shoes, and matter trew.
That must by practies pas,
before your highnes as it fauls:
And suerly sent I was,
by those that keeps your warlike wauls.
To craue your curteys ayd,
in their defence that peace desiers:
Whoes staet is maed afrayd,
by fals dissenshons kindled fiers.
As your poer people haue,
throw peace possest great gayn and good:
So still sutch peace they craue,
as may avoyd the losse of blood.
As heer I cam a mayn,
so haue I promesd if I may:
For to retorn agayn,
throw salt sea foem the saem self way.
[Page 107]
¶So he departed, and all this while the businesse was greate aboute the fort, (whiche hazarded the gentilmans lief) and in a wō ders brauery the
[...]royll continued, with a shoe of fight on Land and Sea, till the very night approtched, at which time the Prince partted and stoed maruelously well contented with that she had seen.
¶Now must you conceyue that Warres (with blodsheds, mizeries, and other horly borlees) waxt a weery & that neither the Fort, nor the wickednes of the world (which Warres represented) was desirous of further trobuls, but rather glad to haue the matter taken vp in any resonable condicions, for the which purpose was deuised that Perswasion should go and tell his taell, and vnfold what follies and conflicts rises on Ciuill broyls, and what quietnesse coms by a mutual loue and agrement. This perswasion had a speech, as hereafter follows.
Perswasion to the Citie, called the
Mainfort.
NO greef so great, nor soer so mutch,
but finds at length som rest:
As Warrs begins by wrath of God,
so Peace is counted blest.
Yet Warres is suer, a needfull thyng,
for mans offence, A scorge:
A Salue to heale the sinfull soule,
and for the staet A porge.
That skowrs the body of the Realm,
and kyngdoms all t
[...]row out:
And leaues vnseartcht no member suer,
that walks this world about.
[Page]Wear not the woe that wars doth bring,
sweet peace should seem full sower
The net
[...]ls sharp and wiked weeds,
sets forthe a pleasant flower.
By si
[...]nes pangs we iudg what health,
and quiet rest is worth
And out of payn is pleasuer found,
as Gold from dros coms forth.
The harms, the haps, and cruell claps,
that warrs and Cannon bryngs:
Maks Princis seek the fear of god,
and subiects kno thear kings
Thogh peace in deed dispiseth warrs,
as plainnesse falshed haets:
Yet warlik people aer enbraest,
and liekt of all estaets.
The knief that cuts the finger soer,
in sheath about is born:
The sword that takes away the life,
makes peace whear it is worn▪
The are that heaweth down the tree,
is needfull for mans lief:
Thus proue I as mans help or harms,
remains in sword and knif?
So warrs whear they aer vsed well,
keeps world in fear and awe:
And shoes moer terror by his raeg,
than al your ruells of lawe.
Sens
Cayn slue
Abell warrs haeth bin,
Note.
twen bretheren as we reed
And soldiors hath bin wagid well,
as world of warrs sto
[...]d need:
Than sna
[...]r not for the faem they snatch,
nor b
[...]ll to her thear bru
[...]t.
[Page 118]When broyls haue sowne ill seedes of caer,
peace reapes from warres good fruet.
And learns a lesson worthy gold,
which Peace holds deer of price:
And maks therof a mirrour bright,
to vew and sift out vice.
The Battayll ends whear conquest coms,
and when great charge is spent:
For peace the post with Pakket goes,
Embastars els aer sent?
To knit the knot and make a Leag,
thus all the brawls that bee:
Do bend to peace, and Wisdoms boe,
how ear foels bolts do flee.
Whearfore agree with Warres in haest,
you se what quarels aer:
And how that Warres bryngs wo and waest,
and leaues a kyngdom baer.
The people spoyld, the howsis bornt,
the freends and neighbour slayn:
The giltles plaegd and eatch man wrongd,
whear rage and war doth rayn.
The Cities answer to Perswasion.
DIssention first that cald to mind,
our old foerfathers faem:
(And ript out seams of patched prayes,
skarce worth the noet or naem.)
Brought Peace and War in this vproer,
our ruels sutch brawle denies:
Our traed doth stand on Siuill lief,
and thear our glory lies.
[Page]And not on strief the ruen of staets,
a storm that all destroys
A heauy bondage to eatch hart,
that fredoms fruet enioyes.
Our orders maks the roister meek,
and plucks the prowd on knees
The l
[...]f and st
[...]bborne kno the yoek,
and roets vp rotten trees.
That may
[...]iect a fruetfull feeld,
what can be sweet or sownd:
But in that soyl whear for offence,
is due correction fownd.
Wee make the s
[...]uill lawes to shien,
and by example mield.
Reform the rued, rebuek the bold,
and tame the contrey wyeld
We venter goods and lius ye knoe,
and trauill seas and land.
To bring by trafick heaps of wealth,
and treasuer to your hand
We aer astay and stoer howse boeth,
to kingdoms farr and neer.
A cawse of plentie throw foersyght,
whan things war scarce and deer:
And thoghe our ioy, be moest in peace,
and peace we do maintain.
Whear on to prince and realm throw out,
doth ries great welth and gain:
Yet haue we soldyars as you see,
that stoers but whan we pleas
And sarus our torns in howshold things,
and sits in shop at eas.
And yet daer blaed hit with the best,
when cawse of contrey coms
by sound of warlike Droms.
We Marchants keep a mean vnmixt,
with any tarryng part
[...]:
And bryng boeth Treble and the Baess,
in order still by art.
A Souldiour shalbe liked well,
if his dezarts be sutch:
A noble mind for noble acts,
shall suer be honord mutch.
But if men glory all in warres,
and peace disdayns in deed:
We skorn with any Siroep sweet,
their humour sowre to feed:
And blest be God we haue a Prince,
by whom our peace is kept:
And vnder whom this Citie long,
and land hath safly slept.
From whom liekwyes a thousand gifts,
of grace enioy we do:
And feell from God in this her raygne,
ten thousand blessyngs to.
Behold but how all secrets f
[...]en,
of falshed coms to light:
In these her dayes, and God taks part,
with her in troeth and right.
And mark how mad Dissenshon thriues,
that would set warres abroetch:
Who sets to saell poer peoples liues,
and gets but viell reproetch.
And endles shaem for all their sleights:
O England ioy with vs:
And kis the steps whear she doth tread,
that keeps her countrey thus.
[Page]In peace and rest, and perfait stay,
whearfore the god of peace:
In peace by peace our peace presarue,
and her long lief encreace.
¶ This was to be don and put in exersies befoer the Queen cam to the knittyng vp of the matter but perswasion beyng dismist, the battry was planted befoer the FORT, and they within so straitly enclosed, that they must needs abied the mercy of the Sword and Cannon.
¶ At which instant, in the after noen that present day the Prince was in her Skaffold to beholde the sucksesse of these offers of warre, and so went the Battry of and the as
[...]aut was geuen in as mutch order as might be, the enemie was three times repolsed, and beholdyng nue suckors commyng from the Courte to the Forts great comfort, the enemye agred on a parley whearin was rehersyd that the cortain was beaten down, and the fort maed sawtable, and yet the enemie to saue the liues of good Citizens and Soldiors thearof, would giue them leaue to depart with bag and bagaeg, as order of wars required. To the which the Fort maed answer, that the Corttayns nor Bulwarks was not their defence, but the corrage of good peple, & the force of a mighty prince (who saet and beheld all these doyngs) was the thyng they trusted to, on which answer the enemie retired, and so condicions of peace wear drawn and agreed of, at which peace boeth the sides shot of their Arttillery, i
[...] sien of a triumphe, and so
[...]yinge God saue the Queen, these triumphes and wa
[...]l
[...]k pastimes finished, the Prince likyng the handlyng of these causes verie well, sent i
[...] hundreth crownes to make the Souldiors
[Page 110] a banket. Now heer is to be considered that the Prince went into the Gallees and so down to Kyngroed, aer these things wear brought to an end.
¶ At her highnes departuer a gentilman in the confiens of the Towns liberties spaek this speech that follows.
The dolfull a Due.
OUr Ioy is ioynd with greuous groens,
Our triumphe tornd to tears:
The brantch whoes blosoms gladnes broght,
a bitter berry bears.
In howse and street whear mirth was hard,
is moen and moorning noies:
The sommer day is dimd with clowds,
eclypsed aer our ioyes.
The loedstar leaus our wished cowrs,
and clims the heauens hie:
Our sofrant will no longer lord,
in walls of Brislow lye.
No maruell sins our barrain soyl,
and ground of groes deuyce:
Haeth yelded no thing that might pleas,
a prince of so great price.
Our deuties aer not half dischargd,
no thoghe we kist the grownd:
And prostraet fall full flat on face,
whear her foet steps aer fownd.
The
Persians daer not cast vp eies,
nor loek apon thear king
[Page]Shall Christians then presuem to preace,
on sutch a Sacred thyng.
And tho no part of duties bownds
[...] nod forbid I say:
But that the lords anointed should,
be honord eury way.
Long lo
[...]kt this C
[...]te for a prince,
lo
[...]g
[...]e
[...]s and many a yeer:
A
[...]ing or Que
[...]n beheld this town,
short time she ta
[...]yes heer.
Good fortuen folow thee O Queen,
god gieb thy doings all:
A world of threfold blessed happ,
apon thy kingdom fall.
As loeth to taek our heauy leaue,
as leaue our lius in deed:
A due dee
[...] lady of this land,
the liuing Lord thee speed.
¶ Som of these Speeches could not be spoken by means of a Schol
[...]maister, who enuied that any stranger should set forth these shoes.
FINIS.