The True Loves Knot Untied. Being the right path, whereby to advise Princely Virgins how to behave themselves, by the example of the renowned Princess, the Lady Arabella, and the second Son to the Lord Seymore, late Earl of Hertford.
To the Tune of, Frogs Galliards.
AS I from
Ireland did pass,
I saw a Ship at Anchor lay,
Another Ship likewise there was
which from fair
England took her way.
The Ship that sail'd from fair
England
unknown unto our gracious King,
The Lord Chief Iustice did command
that they should us to
London bring.
I drew more neer, and saw more plain
Lady
Arabella in distress,
She wrung her hands, and wept amain,
bewailing of her heaviness,
When néer fair
London Tower she came
whereas her landing place should be,
The King and Quéen with all their train
did méet this Lady gallantly.
How now
Arabella, then our King
unto this Lady straight did say,
Who hath first fy'd you to these things,
that you from
England took your way?
None but my self, my gracious Liege,
this ten long years I've béen in love,
With the Lord
Seymors second Son,
the Earl of
Hertford so we prove.
Though he be not the mightiest man
of goods and Livings in the Land,
Yet I have lands us to maintain,
so much your grace doth understand.
My lands and livings are well known
unto your Books of Majesty,
Amounting to twelvescore pound a wéek,
besides what I do give, quoth she.
In gallant
Derbyshire likewise
I ninescore Beads-men maintain there
With hats and gowns, & house-rent frée,
and every man five marks the year.
I never raised rent said she
nor yet opprest the Tenant poor
I never took no Bribes nor fines,
for why,
I had enough before.
The second part
to the same Tune
WHom of your Nobles will do so
for to maintain the Commonalty
Such multitudes would never grow,
nor be such store of poverty.
I would I had a Milk-maid béen,
or born of some more low degrée,
Then
I might have lov'd where I like
and no man could have hindered me.
Or would
I were some Yeomans Childe,
for to receive my portion now,
According unto my degrée,
as other Virgins whom I know.
The highest branch that springs aloft,
néeds must beshade the middle trée,
Néeds must the shadow of them both,
shaddow the third in his degree.
But when the trée is cut and gone,
and from the ground is born away
The lowest trée that there doth stand
in time may grow as high as they.
Once when I thought to have béen Quéen
but yet that still I do deny,
I know your Grace had right to th' Crown
before
Elizabeth did dye.
You of the eldest Sister came,
I of the second in degree,
The Earl of
Hertford of the third,
a man of royal blood quoth shée.
And so good night my Soveraign Liege,
since in the
Tower I must lye,
I hope your Grace will condiscend,
that
I may have my liberty.
Lady
Arabella said our King
I to your Fréedom would consent,
If you would turn and go to Church
there to receive the Sacrament.
And so good night
Arabella fair,
our King to her replied again,
I will take Counsel of my Nobility,
that you your Fréedom may obtain.
Once more to prison must I go
Lady
Arabella then did say,
To leave my Love bréeds all my wo
the which will be my lives decay.
Love is a knot none can unknit
fancy a liking of the heart,
He whom
I love I cannot forget
though from his presence I must part.
The meanest people enjoy their mates,
but I was born unhappily,
For being crost by cruel fate,
I want both love and liberty.
But death
I hope, will end the strife
farewell, farewell, dear Love, quoth she
Once had I thought to have béen thy wife
but now am forc'd to part from thée.
At this sad méeting she had cause
in heart and mind to grieve full sore,
After that
Arabella fair
did never sée Lord
Seymore more.
FINIS.
London, Printed for F. G. on Snow-hill. Entred according to Order.