Iohn Spenser a Chesshire Gallant, his life and repentance, who for killing of one Randall Gem: was lately executed at Burford a mile from Nan [...]twich.
To the tune of in Slumbring Sleepe.
KInd hearted men, a while gaue eare
and plainely Ile vnsold
The saddest [...] that euer yet,
by mortall man was told.
Our Spenser braue, of Cheshire chiefe,
for men of braue [...]:
Yet hee vnto his Countries griefe,
did good with ill reward.
At Acton, neere Nantwich was borne
this man, so lampe of all;
Whose skill at each braue exercise,
was not accounted small:
For beating of the war-like Drumme,
no man could him surpasse:
For dauncing, leaping, and such like,
in Cheshire neuer was.
For shooting none durst him oppose,
bee would ayme so faire and right;
Yet long he shot in crooked Bowes,
and could not hit the white:
For striuing still more things to learne,
the more he grew beleued;
No Shomaker but Spenser braue,
by women was so prooued.
Those qualities did draw his minde,
from reason quite and cleane.
And vildly hee'd forsake his wife,
for the loue of euery Queane:
By Women he maintayned was
in parill fine and braue,
Iohn Spenser could no good thing want,
for he could but aske, and haue.
In Silkes and Sattins would he goe,
none might, with him compare;
No fashion might deuised be,
but his should be as faire;
When as (God knowes) his wife at home
should pine with hungry griefe,
And none w [...]uld pitty her hard case,
or lend her some reliefe.
Whilst had abroad did flaunt it out
amongst his lustfull Queanes,
Poore [...] of force she sits at home,
without either helpe or [...].
Thus long he [...],
[...] of all thats good,
Till at th [...] last [...],
he did shead [...].
One Randall [...] b [...]ing [...],
with Spenser [...]
And he being apt to Quareling,
would not be rul'd [...].
But about the [...] of a Glasse,
to which he would not [...]eeld,
He vowed he either would be Pledg'd
or answered fayre in [...].
This answer Randall Gam did deny,
which Spencer plainly [...],
And being [...],
[...] Rand [...]lgam [...] the g [...]ound.
S [...]uen [...] this he lay,
e [...]e life from him did pa [...]:
And at the last to earth and [...],
his Body did conuert.
Then Spenser was in prison cast
his [...] [...]s full farre did ly,
For frindship in them proued cold,
and none could come him me.
That man being kild, beloued was well
of all men farre and neare,
And some did follow Law so farre,
did cost poore Spenser deare.
For though he kild him by mischance,
yet Law him so disdaines.
That for his vnrespected blow,
be there was hangd in Chaines.
He that was kild, had many friends,
the other [...]w or none,
Therefore the Law, on that side went,
and the other was orethrone.
He being dead, two Milke white Doues,
did houer ouer his head,
And would not leaue that hartlesse place,
after he three howers was dead.
Two milke white Butterflies did light,
vpon his Breches there:
And stood Confronting peoples sight,
to their amase and feare.
Though he was vildly bent in life,
and hangd the Law to quit:
Yet he was stolne away by his wife▪
and Buryed in the night.
His true repentance is exprest,
within the second part:
With all his Gilt he hath confest,
when troubled was his heart.
FINIS.
Iohn Spenser his Repentance in Prison, Written with his owne hands as he lay in Chester Castle.
To the same tune.
KInd Youngmen all to mee giue eare,
obserue these lessons well;
For vndeserued my d [...]ath I tooke,
and [...]ad is the tale I tell.
I prisond pent, I he full fast,
sure Heauen hath decreed:
That though I thriued, yet at last,
bad fortunes should proceed.
I that for practise passed all,
in exe [...]cises strong,
Haue heere for one offence but small,
been pent in Prison long.
Kind Countrymen, faire warning take,
[...]eeing bad, amend your liues,
For sure Heauen will them forsake,
that doe forsake their wiues.
I haue a wife, a louing wife,
a constant, and a kind;
Yet proud of gifts, I turnd my life,
and falce she did me find:
Heauen shewed his part in making me,
proper in limbes and face,
Yet of it I no true vse made,
but reapt thereby disgrace.
For being proud in dancing [...] art,
most womens loues I gaynd:
By them a long time was my life
in gallant sort maintaynd:
No Mayden young, about the towne,
but ioyfull was to see
The face of Spenser, and would spend,
all for to daunce with mee.
I spent my time in Ryoting,
and proud y [...]ed my life,
I had my choyce of damsels fayre,
what card I for my wife,
If once she came to intreat me home,
i'd kick her out of doors,
Indeed I would be ruld by none,
but by intising whores.
At length being pledging of a Glasse,
my hopes I did confound:
And in my rag I feld my friend,
with one blow to the ground,
For this offence, he being dead,
and I in Prison cast:
Most voyd of hopes this rashing hand
hath Spensers name disgrast.
None but my wife will visit me,
for those I lou [...]d befo [...]e,
Being in this sad extremytie,
will visit me no more,
No helpe I find from these false friends,
no food to inrich my life:
Now doe I find the difference true,
twixt them and a constant wife
But she poore soule, by my bad meanes,
i [...] quit bereft of all:
She playes the part of a Constant wife,
although her helpes be small.
Young men, youngmen, take heed by me
shun Dangers, Brawles, and Strife:
For though he fell against my will,
I for it loose my life.
O liue like men and not like me,
of no good giftes be proud:
For if with you God angry be,
from his vengeance nought can sh [...]oud.
Make vse of what you haue practis d well,
and not in vitious meanes,
If in rare gifts you do excell,
yet trust not Vitiou [...] Queanes.
For lust doth fully fill their Vaynes,
and apt they be to intise:
O therefore shunne their company,
like good men still be wise.
Example truely take of me,
all Vitious courses shunne:
For onely by ba [...] com [...]any,
poore Spenser is vndone.
FINIS.