A MYRROURE For Magistrates. Wherein may be seen by example of other, with how grievous plagues vices are punished: and how frail and unstable worldly prosperity is found, even of those, whom Fortune seemeth most highly to favour.  
Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum,  
Anno. 1559. LONDINI, In aedibus Thomae Marsh.   

Love and Live. To the nobility and all other in office, God grant wisdom and all things needful for the preservation of their Estates. Amen.  
PLATO Among many other of his notable sentences concerning the government of a common weal, hath this: Well is that realm governed, in which the ambitious desire not to bear office. Whereby you may perceive (right honourable) what offices are, where they be duly executed: not gainful spoils for the greedy to hunt for, but painful toils for the heedy to be charged with. You may perceive also by this sentence, that there is nothing more necessary in a common weal, than that officers be diligent and trusty in their charges. And sure in whatsoever realm such provision is made, that officers be forced to do their duties, there is it as hard a matter to get an officer, as it is in other places to shift of, and put by those, that with flattery, br●bes, and other shifts, sue and press for offices. For the ambitious (that is to say prollers for power or gain) seek not for offices to help other, for which cause offices are ordained, but with the undoing of other, to prank up themselves. And therefore bar them once of this bayre, and force them to do their duties, & they will give more to be rid fro their charges, than they did at the first to buy them: For they seek only their commodity and ●ase. And therefore, where the ambitious seek no office, there no doubt, offices are duly ministered: and where offices are duly ministered, it can not be chosen, but the people are good, whereof must needs follow a good common weal. For if the officers be good, the people can not be ill. Thus the goodness or badness of any realm lieth in the goodness or badness of the rulers. And therefore not without great cause do the holy apostles so earnestly charge us to pray for the magistrates: For in deed the wealth and quiet of every common weal, the disorder also and miseries of the same, cum specially through them. I need not go either to the Romans or Greeks for proof hereof, neither yet to the jews, or other nation's: whose common weals have always flourished while their officers were good, and decayed and ran to ruin, when naughty men had the regiment, Our own country stories (if we read & mark them) will show us examples enough, would God we had not seen more than enough. I purpose not to stand here upon the particulars, because they be in part set forth in the tragedies. Yet by the way this I note (wishing all other to do the like) namely, that as good governors have never lacked their deserved renown, fo have not the bad escaped infamy, besides such plagues as are horrible to hear of  
For God (the ordeyner of Offices) although he suffer them▪ punishment of the people to be often occupied of such, as are rather spoilers and judasses, than toylers or justices (whom the scripture therefore calleth Hipacrites) yet suff●eth he them not to scape unpunished, because they dishonour him. For it is Gods own office, yea his chief office, which they bear & abuse. For as justice is the chief virtue, so is the ministration thereof, the chiefest office: & therefore hath God established it with the chiefest name, honouring & calling Kings, & all officers under them by his own name, Gods. Ye be all Gods, as many as have in your charge any ministration of justice. What a fowl shame were it for any now to take upon them the name and office of God, and in their doings to show themselves divyls? God can not of justice, but plague such shameless presumption and hypocrisy, and that with shameful death, diseases, or infamy. How he hath plagued evil rulers from time to time, in other nations, you may see gathered in Boccas book entitled the fall of Princes, translated into English by Lydgate: How he hath dealt with sum of our countrymen your ancestors, for sundry vices not yet left, this book named A Mirror for Magistrates, can show: which therefore I humbly offer unto your honours, beseeching you to accept it favourably. For here as in a looking glass, you shall see (if any vice be in you) how the like hath been punished in other heretofore, whereby admonished, I trust it will be a good occasion to move you to the sooner amendment. This is the chiefest end, why it is set f●rth, which God grant it may attain.  
The work was begun, & part of it 〈◊〉 four year ago, but hindered by the lord Chancellor that then was, nevertheless, through the means of my lord Stafford, lately perused & licensed. When I first took it in hand, I had the help of many granted, & offered of sum, but of few performed, s●arce of any: So that where I intended to have continued it to Queen Mary's time, I have been ●ame to end it much sooner: yet so, that it may stand for a patarne, till the rest be ready: which with God's grace (if I may have any help) shall be shortly. In the mean while my lords and gods (for so I may call you) I most humbly beseech you, favourably to accept this rude mirror, and diligently to read and consider it. And although you shall find in it, that sum have for their virtue been envied and murdered, yet cease not you to be virtuous, but do your offices to the uttermost: punish sin boldly, both in yourselves and other, so shall God (whose lieutenants you are) either so maintain you, that no malice shall prevail, or if it do, it shall be for your good, and to your eternal glory both here and in heaven, which I beseech God you may covet and attain. Amen.  
Yours most humble, William Baldwin.   

¶ A Brief Memorial of sundry Unfortunate English men. William Baldwin to the Reader.  
When the Printer had purposed with himself to print L●dgates book of the fall of Princes, and had made privy thereto, many both honourable and worshipful, he was counseled by divers of them, to procure to have the story continued from where as Bochas left, unto this present time, chief of such as Fortune had dallied with here in this island: which might be as a mirror for all men as well noble as others, to show the slippery deceits of the wavering lady, and the due reward of all kind of vices. Which advise liked him so well, that he required me to take pains therein: but because it was a matter passing my wit and skill, and more thankless than gainful to meddle in, I refused utterly to undertake it, except I might have the help of such, as in wit were apt, in learning allowed, and in judgement a●d estimation able to wield and furnish so weighty an enterprise, thinking even so to shut my hands. But he earnest and diligent in his affairs, pr●●iued A●hles ●o set under his shoulder: for shortly after, divers learned men whose many gifts need few praises, consented to take upon them part of the travail. And when certain of them to the numbered of seven, were through a general assent at a● appointed time a●d place gathered together to devise thereupon, I resorted unto them, bearing with me the book of Bochas, translated by Dan Lidgate, for the better observation of his order: which although we liked well, yet would it not cu●n●●ly serve, saying that both Bochas and Lidgate were dead, neither were there any alive that meddled with like argument, to whom the unfortunate might make their move.  
To make therefore a state meet for the matter, they all agreed that I should usurp Bochas' room, and the wretched princes complain unto me: and took upon themselves every man for his part to be sundry personages, and in their behalfs to bewail unto me their grievous chances, heavy destunes, & woeful misfortunes.  
This done, we opened such books of Chronicles as we had there present, and master Ferrer, after he had found where Bochas left, which was about the end of king Edward the thirds reign, to begin the matter, said thus.  
I marvel what Bochas meaneth to forget among his miserable princes, such as were of our nation, whose numbered is as great, as their adventures wonderful: For to let pass all, both Britons, Danes, and Saxons, and to come to the last Conquest, what a sort are they, and sum even in his own time? As for example, king richard the first, slain with a quarlle in his chief prosperity, also king john his brother as sum say, poisoned: are not their histories rueful and of rare example? But as it should appear, he being an Italien, minded most the Roman and Italike story, or else perhaps he wanted our country chronicles. It were therefore a goodly and a notable matter to search & dyscourse our whole story from the first beginning of the inhabiting of the isle. But ●e●nge the printers mind is to have us follow where Lidgate left, we will leave that great labour to other that may intend it, and (as blind bayard is always boldest) I will begin at the time of richard the second, a time as unfortunate as the ruler therein. And forasmuch friend Baldwin, as it shallbe your charge to note, and pen orderly the whole process, I will so far as my memory and judgement serveth, somewhat further you in the truth of the story. And therefore omitting the ru●●le made by jacke Straw and his meinie, and the mourder of many notable men which thereby happened, for jacke (as ye know) was but a poor prince: I will begin with a notable example which within a while after ensued. And although he be no great prince, yet sithence he had a princely office, I will take upon me the miserable person of sir Robert Tresilian chief justice of England, and of other which suffered with him: thereby to warn all of his authority and profession, to take heed of wrong judgements, misconstruing of laws, or wresting the same to serve the prince's turns, which ryghtfullye brought them to a miserable end, which they may justly lament in manner ensuing.   

The fall of Robert Tresilian chief justice of England, and other his fellows, for misconstruing the laws▪ and expounding them to serve the Prince's affections.  

IN the rueful Register of mischief and mishap,  
Baldwin we beseech thee with our names to begin,  
Whom unfriendly Fortune did train unto a trap,  
When we thought our state most stable to have been,  
So lightly lose they all which all do ween to win:  
Learn by us ye Lawyers and judges of the land  
Uncorrupt and upright in doom always to stand.   

And print it for a precedent to remain for ever,  
enrol and record it in tables made of brass,  
Engrave it in marble that may be razed never,  
Where judges and justicers may see, as in a glass,  
What fee is for falsehood, and what our wages was  
Who for our prince's pleasure corrupt with meed and awe  
wittingly and wretchedly did wrest the sense of law.   

A change more new or strange seldom hath he seen  
Then from the bench above to come down to the bar:  
was never state so turned in no time as I wee●,  
As they to becum clients that counsellors erst were,  
But such is Fortune's play, which featly can prefer  
The judge that sat above, full low beneath to stand,  
At the bar a prisoner holding up his hand.   

Which in others cause could stoutly speak and plead,  
Both in court and country, careless of the trial,  
Stand m●●t like mummers without advise or read,  
Unable to utter a true plea of denial:  
Which have seen the day when that for half a ●yall,  
We could by very art have made the black seem white,  
And matters of most wrong, to have appeared most right.   

Behold me unfortunate foreman of this flock,  
Tresilian sometime chief justice of this land,  
By descent a gentleman, no stain was in my stock,  
Loketon, Holt, and Belknap, with other of my bands  
Which the law and justice had wholly in our hands  
Under the second Richard a prince of great estate,  
To whom froward fortune gave a foul checkmate.   

In the common laws our skill was so profound,  
Our credit and authority such and so esteemed,  
That what so we concluded was taken for a ground,  
Allowed was for law, what so to us best seemed:  
Lyle, death, lands, goods, and all by us was deemed,  
Whereby with easy pain, so great gain we did get,  
That every thing was fish that came unto our net.   

At sessions and at syses we bore the stroke and sway,  
In patents and commissions of Quorum, always chiefs  
So that to whether side so ever we did weigh,  
Were it right or wrong it passed without reprieve,  
We let hang the true man somewhiles to save a thief  
Of gold and of silver our hands were never empty,  
Offices, terms, and fees, tell to us in great plenty.   

But what thing may suffice unto the greedy man●  
The more he hath in hold, the more he doth desire,  
Happy and twice happy is he that wisely can  
Content himself with that which reason doth require,  
And moyleth for no more than for his needful hire:  
But greediness of mind doth never keep the size,  
Which though it have enough yet doth it not suffice.   

For like as dropsy pacientes drink, and still be dry,  
Whose unstaunched thirst no liquor can allay.  
And drink they never so much yet still for more they cry:  
So covetous catchers toil both night and day,  
Greedy and ever needy prolling for their pray.  
O endless thirst of gold corrupter of all laws,  
What mischief is on mould whereof thou art not cause?   

Thou modest us forget the faith of our profession,  
When sergeants we were sworn to serve the common law.  
Which was that in no point we should make digression  
From approved principles in sentens nor in saw:  
But we unhappy wretches without all dread and awe  
Of the judge eternal, for worlds vain promotion,  
More to man than God did bear our hole devotion.   

The laws we interpreted and statutes of the land,  
Not truly by the text, but nuly by a gloze:  
And w●rds that were most plain when they by us were s●and●  
We turned by construction like a welshman's hose,  
Whereby many one both life and land did lose:  
Yet this we made a mean to mount aloft on mules.  
To serve kings in all p●intes men must somewhile break rules.   

Thus climbing and contending always to the top  
From high unto higher, and than to be most high,  
The honey dew of Fortune so fast on us did drop  
That of king Richard's counsel we came to be full nigh:  
To creep into whose favour we were ●●ll fine and sly  
Always to his pro●i●e where any word might sound  
That way (all were it wrong) the since we did expounnde.   

So working law like ware, the subject was not sure  
Of life, land, nor goods, but at the princes will:  
Which caused his kingdom the shorter time to dure,  
For claiming power absolute both to save and spill,  
The prince thereby presumed his people for to pill:  
And set his lusts for law, and will had reasons place,  
No more but hang and draw, there was no better grace.   

The king thus transcending the limits of his law,  
Not reigning but raging by youthful insolence,  
wise and worthy persons, did fro the court withdraw,  
There was no grace n● place for ancient prudence.  
Presumption and pride with excess of expense  
Possessed the palace, and pillage the country:  
Thus all went to wrack, unlike of remedy.   

The barony of England not bearing this abuse,  
Conspiring with the commons assembled by assent,  
And saying neither reason, nor ●reaty, could induce  
The king in any thing his Rigour to relent,  
Mawgree all his might they called a parliament  
Francke and free for all men without check to debate  
As well for weal public, as for the princes stare.   

In which parliament much things was proponed  
Concerning the regaly and rights of the crown,  
By reason king Richard, which was to be moaned,  
Full little regarding his honour and renown,  
By sinister advise, had turned all upso-down.  
For surety of whose state, them thought it did behove  
His corrupt counsellors, from him to remove.   

Among whom, Robert Vere, called duke of Ireland  
with mighell Delapole of Suffolk new made earl,  
Of York also the archbishop, dyspatcht were out of hand,  
with Brembre of London Mayor▪ a full uncourteous churl,  
Sum learned in the law in exile they did hurl:  
But I poor Tresilian because I was the chief  
was dampened to the gallows most vilely as a chief.   

Lo the fine of falsehood, the stipend of corruption,  
Fie on stinking lucre, of all unright the lure:  
Ye judges and ye justicers let my most just punition,  
Teach you to shake of bribes and keep your hands pure.  
riches and promotion be vain things and unsure,  
The favour of a prince is an untrusty stay,  
But justice hath a see that shall remain alway.   

what glory can be greater before god or man,  
Then by the paths of equity in judgement to proceed,  
So d●l●e and so truly the laws always to skan,  
That right may take his place without reward or meed,  
Set apart all flattery and vain worldly dread:  
Take god before your eyes 〈◊〉 just judge supreme,  
Remember well your reckoning at the day extreme.   

Abandon all affray, be soothfast in your saws,  
Be constant and c●reles of mortal men's displeasure,  
With eyes sh●● & hands close you should pronounce the laws  
Esteem not worldly ●yre, think there is a treasure  
More worth than gold or stone a thousand rhymes in valour,  
Reposed for all such as righteousness ensue,  
Whereof you cannot fail, the promise made is true.   

If sum in latter days, had called unto mind  
The fatal fall of us for wresting of the right,  
The statutes of this land they should not have defined  
So wilfully and wittingly against the sentence quite:  
But though they scape pain, the fault was nothing light:  
Let them that cum hereafter both that and this compare,  
And weighing well the end, they will I trust beware.    

When master Ferrer had finished this tragedy, which seemed not unfit for the persons touched in the same An other which in the mean time had stayed upon sir Roger Mortimer, whose miserable end as it should appear, was somewhat before the others, said as followeth. Although it be not greatly appertinent to our purpose, yet in my judgement I think it would do well to observe the times of men, and as they be more ancient▪ so to place them▪ for I find that before these, of whom master Ferrer here hath spoken, there were two Mortimers, the one hanged in Edward the thirds time out of our date, another slain in Ireland in Richard the seconds time, a year before the fall of these justices: whose history sith it is notable and the example fruitful, it were pity to overpass it. And therefore by your licence and agreement, I will take upon me the parsonage of the last, who full of wounds, miserably mangled, with a pale countenance, and grisly look, may make his moan to Baldwin as followeth.   

How the two Rogers, surnamed Mortimers, for their sundry vices ended their lives unfortunatelye.  

AMong the riders of the rolling wheels,  
That lost their holds, Baldwin forget not me,  
whose fatal thread false Fortune needs would reel,  
Ere it were twisted by the sisters three.  
All folk be frail, their blisses brittle be:  
For proof whereof although none other mer,  
suffice may I, sir Roger Mortimer.   

Not he that was in Edward's days the third,  
Whom Fortune brought to boot and eft to bale,  
With love of whom the king so much she stirred,  
That none but he was heard in any tale:  
And whiles she smooth, blue on this merry gale,  
He was created earl of March, alas,  
Whence envy sprang which his destruction was.   

For wealth breedeth wrath, in such as wealth do want,  
And pride with folly in such as it possess,  
Among a thousand shall you find him scant,  
That can in wealth his lofty heart repress,  
Which in this Earl due proof did plain express,  
For where he somewhat haughty was before,  
His high degree hath made him now much more.   

For now alone he ruleth as him lust,  
N● recketh for read, save of king Edward's mother:  
Which forced envy soldier out the rust,  
That in men's hearts before did lie and smother.  
The Piers, the people, as well the one as the other,  
Against 〈◊〉 so heinous a complaint,  
That for a traitor he was taken and attaint.   

Then all such faults as were forgot before,  
The shower afresh, and samwhat to them ad:  
For cruel envy hath eloquence in store,  
when Fortune bids, to warsse things meanly bad.  
five heinous crimes against him soon were had,  
first, that he caused the king to yield the Skot,  
To make a peace, towns that were from him got:   

And therewithal the charter ●●lled Ragman.  
That of the Skots he bribed privy gain,  
That through his means sir Edward of Carnarvan  
In Barkley castle traitorously was slain:  
That with his prince's mother he had lain.  
And finally with polling at his pleasure,  
Had robbed the king and commons of their treasure.   

For these things lo which erst were out of mind  
He was condemned, and hanged at the last,  
In whom dame Fortune fully showed her kind,  
For whom she heaves, she hurleth down as fast:  
If men to cum would learn by other past,  
This cozen of mine might cause them set aside,  
High climbing, bribing, murdering, lust, and pride.   

The final cause why I this process tell,  
Is that I may be known from this other,  
My like in name, unlike me though he fell,  
Which was I think my grand sire or his brother:  
To count my kin, dame Philip was my mother,  
Dear daughter and heir of douty Lionel,  
The second son of a king that did excel.   

My father height sir Edmund Mortimer,  
True earl of March, whence I was after earl  
By just descent, these two my parents were,  
Of which the one of knighthood bore the ferle,  
Of womanhood the other was the pearl:  
Through their desert so called of every wight,  
Till death them took, and left in me their right.   

For why the attainder of my elder Roger,  
(whose shameful death I told you but of late)  
was found to be unjust, and passed over  
Against the law, by those that bore him hate.  
For where by law the lowest of free estate  
Should personally be heard ere judgement pass,  
They barred him this, where through destroyed he was.   

wherefore by doom of court in parliament,  
when we had proved our cozen ordered thus,  
The King, the Lords, and commons of assent,  
His lawless death unlawful did discus:  
And both to blood and good restored us.  
A president most worthy, showed, and left  
Lords lives to save that lawless might be rest.   

while Fortune thus did further me amain  
King Richard's grace the second of the name  
(whose dissolute life did soon abridge his rain)  
Made me his mate in earnest and in game:  
The Lords themselves so well allowed the same,  
That throw my titles duly coming down,  
I was made heir apparent to the crown.   

who then but I was every where esteemed?  
well was the man that might with me acquaynte,  
whom I allowed, as Lords the people deemed.  
To what so ever folly had me bent,  
To like it well the people did assent:  
To me as prince, attended great and small,  
In hope a day would come to pay for all.   

But seldom joy continueth trouble void,  
In greatest charge cares greatest do ensue,  
The most possessed are ever most annoyed,  
In largest seas sore tempests lightly brew,  
The freshest colours soon fade the hue,  
In thickest place is made the deepest wound,  
True proof whereof myself to soon have found.   

For whiles that Fortune lulde me in her lap,  
And gave me gifts more than I did require,  
The sub●yll qucan behind me set a trap,  
whereby to dash and lay all in the mire:  
The Irish men against me did conspire,  
My lands of Ulster fro me to have reft,  
which heritage my mother had me left.   

And whiles I there, to set all things in stay,  
(omit my toils and troubles thitherward)  
Among mine own with my retinue lay,  
The wilder men whom little I did regard,  
And had therefore the reckless man's reward:  
When lest I thought set on me in such number,  
That fro my corpse my life they rend a sunder.   

Nought might avail my courage nor my force,  
Nor strength of men which were alas to sew:  
The cruel folk assaulted so my horse,  
That all my helps in pieces they to hew,  
Our blood distained the ground as drops of dew,  
Nought might prevail to flee nor yet to yield,  
For whom they take they murdre in the field.   

They know no law of arms nor none will learn:  
They make not war (as other do) a play,  
The lord, the boy, the Calloglas, the kern,  
Yield or not yield, whom so they take they slay,  
They save no prisoners, for ransom nor for pay:  
Their chiefest boot they count their bodohs head,  
Their end of war to see their enemy dead.   

Amongst these men or rather savage beasts,  
I lost my life, by cruel murder slame.  
And therefore Baldwin note thou well my guests,  
And warn all prince's rashness to refrain:  
Bid them beware their enemies when they sane,  
Nor yet presume unequally to strive,  
Had I thus done, I had been man alive.   

But I despised the naked irishmen.  
And for they flew, I feared them the less:  
I thought one man enough to match with ten,  
And through this careless unadvisedness,  
I was destroyed, and all my men I guess,  
At unawares assaulted by our foen,  
Which were in numbered forty to us one.   

See here the stay of fortunate estate,  
The vain assurance of this britell life,  
For I but young, proclaimed prince of late,  
Right fortunate in children and in wife,  
Lost all at once by stroke of bloody knife:  
Whereby assured let men themselves assure,  
That wealth and life are doubtful to endure.    

AFter that this Tragedy was ended, master Ferrer said: seeing it is best to place each person in his order, Baldwin take you the Chronicles and mark them as they come: for there are many worthy to be noted, though not to be treated of. First the lord Morif a Scotishman, who took his deaths wound through a stroke lent him by the earl of Nottingham whom he challenged at the tilt. But to omit him, & also the fat Prior of Tiptre, pressed to death with throng of people upon London bridge at the queens entry, I will come to the duke of Glocestre the kings uncle, a man much minding the common weal, & yet at length miserably made away, In whose person if ye will give ear, ye shall hear what I think meet to be said.   

How sir Thomas of Wudstocke Duke of Gloucester, uncle to king Richard the second, was unlawfully murdered.  

WHose state is stalysht in seeming most sure,  
And so far from danger of Fortune's blast,  
As by the compass of man's conjecture,  
No brazen pillar may be fyxte more fast:  
Yet wanting the stay of prudent forecast,  
When froward Fortune list for to frown,  
May in a moment turn upside down.   

In proof whereof, O Baldwin, take pain  
To hearken awhile to Thomas of Wudstocke,  
Addressed in presence his fate to complain,  
In the forlorn hope of the English flock:  
extract by descent from the royal stock,  
Son to king Edward third of that name,  
And second to none in glory and fame.   

This noble father to maintain my state,  
With Buckyngham earldom did me endow,  
Both Nature and Fortune to me were grate,  
denying nothing which they might allow:  
Their sundry graces in me did so flow,  
As beauty, strength, high favour and fame.  
Who may of God more wish than the same?   

Brothers we were to the numbered of seven,  
I being the sixth, and youngest but one●  
A more royal race was not under heaven,  
More stout or more stately of stomach and person,  
Princes all peerless in each condition:  
Namely sir Edward called the black prince,  
When had England the like before either since?   

But what of all this, any man to assure,  
In state uncareful of Fortune's variance?  
Sith daily and hourly we see it in ure,  
That where most cause is of affiance,  
Even there is found most weak assurance▪  
Let none trust Fortune, but follow Reason:  
For often we see in trust is treason.   

This proverb in proof over true I tried,  
Finding high treason in place of high trust.  
And most fault of faith where I most affied:  
Being by them, that should have been just,  
Traitorously entrapped, ere I could mistrust.  
Ah wretched world what it is to trust thee,  
Let them that will learn now hearken unto me.   

After king Edward the thirds decease,  
succeeded my Nephew richard to rain,  
Who for his glory and honours increase,  
With princely wagies did me entertain,  
Against the Frenchmen to be his Chyefreyne:  
So passing the seas with royal puissance,  
With God and S. George I invaded France.   

Wasting the country with swurde and with fire,  
overturning towns, high castles and towers,  
Like Mars God of war inflamed with ire,  
I forced the Frenchmen tabaddon their bowers:  
Where ever we matched I won at all hours,  
In such wise visiting both City and village,  
That always my soldiers were laden with pillage.   

With honour and triumph was my return,  
Was none more joyous than young king Richard:  
Who minding more highly my state to adorn,  
with Gloucester Dukedom did me reward:  
And after in marriage I was preferred,  
To a daughter of Bohan an earl honourable,  
By whom I was of England high Constable.   

Thus hoisted so high on Fortune's wheel,  
As one on a stage attending a play,  
Seeth not on which side the scaffold doth reel,  
Till timber and poles, and all flee away:  
So fared it by me, for day by day,  
As honour increased I looked still higher,  
Not seeing the danger of my fond desire.   

For when Fortunes 'sblood ran with full stream,  
I being a Duke descended of Kings,  
Constable of England, chief officer in the realm,  
Abused with esperance in these vain things,  
I went without feet, and flew without wings:  
Presuming so far upon my high state  
That dread set apart, my prince I would mate.   

For where as all kings have counsel of their choice  
To whom they refer the rule of their land,  
With certain familiars in whom to rejoice,  
For pleasure or profit, as the case shall stand,  
I not bearing this, would needs take in hand,  
Maugre his will those persons to disgrace,  
And such as I thought fit to appoint in their place.   

But as an old book saith, who so will assay,  
About the Cat's neck to hang on a bell,  
Had first need to cut the Cat's claws away,  
Lest if the Cat be cursed, or not tamed well,  
She haply with her nails may claw him to the fell:  
For doing on the bell about the cat's neck,  
By being to busy I caught a sore check.   

Read well the sentence of the Rat of renown,  
Which Pierce the ploughman describes in his dream,  
And who so hath wit the sense to expone,  
Shall find that to bridle the prince of a realm,  
Is even (as who sayeth) to strive with the stream:  
Note this all subjects, and construe it well,  
And busy not your brain about the cat's bell.   

But in that ye be lieges learn to obey,  
submitting your wills to your prince's laws,  
It sitteth not a subject to have his own way,  
Remember this bywurde of the Cat's claws:  
For princes like Lions have long and large paws  
That reach at raundon, and whom they once twitch,  
They claw to the bone before the skin itch.   

But to my purpose, I being once bend,  
Towards the atchiving of my attemptate,  
Four bold Barons were of mine assent,  
By oath and alliance fastly confederate:  
first Henry of Derby, an Earl of estate,  
Richard of Arundel, and Thomas of Warwick,  
With Mowbray earl Martial a man most warlike.   

At Ratcote bridge assembled our band,  
The Commons in clusters came to us that day,  
To dance Robert Vere, than Duke of Ireland,  
By whom king richard was ruled always:  
We put him to flight, and broke his array,  
Then maugre the king, his leave or assent,  
By Constable's power we called a parliament.   

Where not in robes, but with bastards bright,  
We came for to parley of the public weal,  
confirming our quarrel, with main and with might  
With swurdes and no words we tried our appeal,  
In stead of Reason declaring our Zeal,  
And whom so we knew with the king in good grace  
Plainly we deprived him of power and of place.   

Sum with short process were banish the land,  
Sum executed with capital pain,  
Whereof who so list, the whole to understand,  
In the parliament roll it appeareth plain,  
And further how stoutly we did the king strain,  
The Rule of his realm wholly to resign,  
To the order of those, whom we did assign.   

But note the sequel of such presumption,  
After we had these miracles wrought,  
The king inflamed with indignation,  
That to such bondage he should be brought,  
Suppressing the ire of his inward thought:  
Studied nought else but how that he might  
Be highly revenged of his high despite.   

aggrieved was also this latter offence,  
with former matter his ire to renew:  
For once at wyndsore I brought to his presence,  
The Mayor of London with all his retinue,  
To are a reckoning of the realms revenue:  
And the soldiers of Breast were by me made bold,  
To claim entertainment the town being sold.   

These griefs remembered, with all the remnant,  
Of hate in his heart hoarded a treasure,  
Yet openly in show made he no semblant,  
By word nor by deed to bear displeasure:  
But love days dissembled do never endure,  
And who so trusteth a foe reconcylde,  
Is for the most part always beguiled.   

For as fire ill quenched will up at a start,  
And sores not well salved do break out of new,  
So hatred hidden in an ireful heart,  
Where it hath had long season to brew,  
Upon every occasion doth easily renew:  
Not failing at last, if it be not let.  
To pay large usury besides the due det.   

Euin so it fared by this friendship feigned,  
Outwardly sound, and inwardly rotten:  
For when the kings favour in seeming was gained,  
All old displeasures forgiven and forgotten,  
Euin than at a sudden the shaft was shotten,  
Which pierced my heart void of mistrust,  
Alas that a prince should be so unjust.   

For lying at plashey myself to repose,  
By reason of sickness which held me full sore:  
The king espying me apart from those,  
with whom I confedered in band before,  
Thought it not meet, to tract the time more,  
But glad to take me at such advantage,  
Came to salute me with friendly visage.   

Who having a band bound to his bent,  
By colour of kindness to beset his eme,  
took time to accomplish his cruel intent:  
And in a small vessel down by the stream,  
Conveyed me to calais out of the realm,  
where without process or doom of my years,  
Not nature but murder abridged my years.   

This act was odious to God and to man,  
Yet rigour to cloak in habit of reason,  
By crafty compass devise they can,  
Articles nine of right heinous treason:  
But doom after death is sure out of season,  
For who ever saw so strange a president,  
As execution done before judgement.   

Thus hate harboured in depth of mind,  
By sought occasion burst out of new,  
And cruelty abused the law of kind,  
when that the Nephew the Uncle slew,  
Alas king richard sore mayst thou rue:  
which by this fact preparedst the way,  
Of thy hard destiny to hasten the day.   

For blood asketh blood as guerdon dew,  
And vengeance for vengeance is just reward,  
O righteous God thy judgements are true,  
For look what measure we other 〈◊〉,  
The same for us again is prepared:  
Take heed ye princes by examples past,  
Blood will have blood, either first or last.    

When master Ferrer had ended this fruitful tragedy, because no man was ready with another, I, having perused the story which came next, said: Because you shall not say my masters but that I will in somewhat do my part, I will under your correction declare the tragedy of the Lord Mowbray, the chief wurker of the Duke's destruction: who to admonish all counsellors to beware of flattering princes, or falsely envying or accusing their Peregalles, may lament his vices in manner following.   

How the Lord Mowbray promoted by King Richard the second, was by him banished the Realm▪ and died miserably in exile.  

THough sorrow and shame abash me to reherc●  
My loathsome life and death of due deserved,  
Yet that the pains thereof may other pierce,  
To leave the like, lest they be likely served,  
Ah Baldwin mark, I will show thee how I swerved:  
dissembling, Envy, and Flattery, bane that ●e  
Of all their hosts, have showed their power on me.   

I blame not Fortune though she did her part,  
And true it is she can do little harm,  
She guideth goods, she hampreth not the heart,  
A virtuous mind is safe from every charm:  
Vice, only vice, with her stout strengthless arm,  
Doth cause the heart to evil to incline,  
Which I alas, do find to true by mine,   

For where by birth I came of noble kind,  
The mowbray's heir, a famous house and old,  
Fortune I thank her, was to me so kind,  
That of my prince I had what so I would:  
Yet neither of us was much to other hold,  
For I through flattery abused his wanton youth,  
And his fond trust augmented my untruth.   

He made me first the earl of Notyngham,  
And Marshal of the realm, in which estate,  
The P●e●s and people sayntly to me came,  
with sore complaint against them that of late  
Made officers, had brought the king in hate  
By making sale of justice, right and law,  
And living nought, without all dread or awe.   

I gave them aid these evils to redress,  
And went to London with an army strong,  
And caused the king against his will oppress  
By cruel death, all such ●●led him wrong:  
The lord chief justice suffered these among,  
So did the steward of his household head,  
The chancellor scaped, for he aforehand fled.   

These wicked men thus from the king removed,  
who best us pleased, succeeded in their place.  
For which both king and commons much us loved  
But chiefly I with all stood high in grace,  
The king ensued my read in every case,  
whence self love bred: for glory maketh proud,  
And pride aye looketh alone to be allowed.   

wherefore to th'end I might alone enjoy  
The kings good will I made his lust my law:  
And where of late I laboured to destroy,  
Such flattering folk as thereto stood in awe,  
Now learned I among the rest to claw▪  
For pride is such, if it be kindly caught,  
As stroyeth good, and stirreth up every nought.   

Pride pricketh men to flatter for the pray,  
To oppress and pol for maintenance of the same,  
To malice such as match unethes it may:  
And to be brief, pride doth the heart inflame,  
To fire what mischief any fraud may frame,  
And ever at length the evils by it wrought  
confound the wurker, and bring him unto nought.   

Behold in me due proof of every part:  
For pride first forced me my prince to flatter  
So much, that what so ever pleased his heart,  
Were it never so evil, I thought a lawful matter,  
W●●che caused the lords afresh against him clatter,  
Because he had his holds beyond sea ●olde,  
And seen his soldiers of their wages polled.   

Though all these ills were done by my assent,  
Yet such was luck, that each man deemed no:  
For see the duke of Gloucester for me sent,  
With other lords, whose hearts did bleed for woe,  
To see the Realm so fast to ruin go.  
In fault whereof, they said the two dukes were,  
The one of York, the other of Lancaster.   

On whose remove fro being about the king  
We all agreed, and swore a solemn oath,  
And while the rest provided for this thing,  
I flatter I, to win the praise of troth,  
Wretch that I was broke faith and promise both:  
For I bewrayed the king their whole intent,  
For which unwares they all were ta'en and shent.   

Thus was the warder of the common weal,  
The Duke of Gloucester guiltless made away,  
With other more, more wretch I so to deal,  
Who through untruth their trust did ill betray:  
Yet by this means obtained I my pray,  
Of king and Dukes I found for this such favour  
As made me Duke of Norfolk, for my labour.   

But see how pride and envy jointly run,  
Because my prince did more than me, prefer  
Sir Henry Bolenbroke, the eldest sun  
Of john of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster,  
Proud I that would alone be blazing star,  
Envied this Earl, for nought save that the shine,  
Of his deserts did glister more than mine.   

To the end therefore his light should be the less,  
I slily sought all shifts to put it out:  
But as the prize that would the palm tree press,  
Doth cause the bows spread larger round about,  
So spite and envy causeth glory sprout.  
And aye the more the top is overtrod,  
The deeper doth the sound root spread abroad.   

For when this Henry Earl of Harforde saw,  
What spoil the king made of the noble blood,  
And that without all justice, cause, or law:  
To suffer him so he thought not sure nor good.  
Wherefore to me two faced in a hood,  
As touching this, he fully broke his mind,  
As to his friend that should remedy find.   

But I, although I knew my prince did ill,  
So that my heart abhorred sore the same,  
Yet mischief so through malice led my will,  
To bring this Earl from honour unto shame,  
And toward myself, my sovereign to inflame:  
That I bewrayed his words unto the king,  
Not as a read, but as a most heinous thing.   

Thus where my duty bound me to have told,  
My prince his fault, and wild him ●o refrain,  
Through flattery lo, I did his ill uphold,  
which turned at length both him and me to pain:  
woe, woe, to kings whose counsellors do feign,  
Woe, woe to realms where such are put in trust,  
As leave the law, to serve the prince's lust.   

And woe to him that by his flattering read,  
Maintaineth a prince in any kind of vice:  
woe worth him eke for envy, pride, or meed,  
That mysreportes any honest enterprise,  
Because I beast in all these points was nice,  
The plagues of all together on me light,  
And due, for ill ylldoers doth acquit.   

For when the Earl was charged with my plaint,  
He flat denied that any part was true,  
And claymde by arms to answer his attaint,  
And I by use that warly feats well knew,  
To his desire incontinently drew:  
wherewith the king did seem right well content,  
As one that passed not much with whom it went.   

At time and place appointed we apearde,  
At all points armed to prove our quarrels just,  
And when our friends on each part had us cheer,  
And that the harold had us do our lust,  
with spear in rest we took a course to just;  
But ere our horses had run half their way,  
A shout was made, the king did bid us stay.   

And for to avoid the shedding of our blood,  
with shame and death, which one must needs have had  
The king through counsel of the lords thought good  
To banish both, which judgement straight was rad:  
No marvel than though both were wroth and sad,  
But chiefly I that was exiled for aye▪  
My enemy straunged but for a ten years day.   

The date expired, when by this doleful doom  
I should depart to live in banished hand,  
On pain of death, to England not to come,  
I went my way: the king seized in his hand,  
My offices, my honour's goods and land,  
To pay the due, as openly he told,  
Of mighty sums, which I had from him polled.   

See Baldwin see, the salary of sin,  
Mark with what meed vile vices are rewarded.  
Through pride and envy I lose both kith and kin,  
And for my flattering plaint so well regarded,  
Exile and slander are justly me awarded:  
My wife and heir lack lands and lawful right  
And me their lord made dame Diana's knight.   

If these mishaps at home be not enough,  
adjoin to them my sorrows in exile:  
I went to Almaigne first, a land right rough,  
In which I found such churlish folk and vile,  
As made me loath my life each other while:  
There lo, I learned what it is to be a gest  
Abroad, and what to live at home in rest.   

For they esteem no one man more than each,  
They use as well the Lackey as the Lord,  
And like their manners churlish is their speech,  
Their lodging hard, their board to be abhorred:  
Their pleated garments herewith well accord,  
All ●agde and frounced, with divers colours decked,  
They swear, they curse, and drink till they be ●l●kt.   

They hate all such as these their manners hate,  
Which reason would no wise man should allow:  
With these I dwelled, lamenting mine estate  
Till at the length they had got knowledge, how  
I was exiled because I did avow  
A false complaint against my trusty friend:  
For which they named me traitor still unende,   

That what for shame, and what for weariness  
I stolen fro thence, and went to Uenise town,  
Where as I found more ease and friendliness,  
But greater grief: for now the great renown  
Of Bolenbroke whom I would have put down  
Was war● so great in Britain and in France,  
That Uenise: through each man did him advance.   

Thus lo his glory grew through great despite  
And I thereby increased in defame:  
Thus envy ever doth her host acquit  
With trouble, anguish, sorrow, smart and shame,  
But sets the virtues of her foe in flame:  
To water like, which maketh clear the stone,  
And soils itself by running thereupon.   

Or ere I had sojourned there a year  
Strange tidings came he was to England gone,  
Had ta'en the king, & that which touched him near  
imprisoned him, with other of his foen,  
And made him yield him up his crown and throne:  
When I these things for true by search had tried;  
Grief gripped me so I pined away and died.   

Note here the end of pride, so Flatteries fine,  
Mark the reward of envy and false complaint,  
And warn all princes from them to decline  
Lest likely fault do find though like attaint.  
Let this my life be to them a restraint,  
By others harms who lysteth take no heed  
Shall by his own learn other better read.    

THis tragical example was of all the company well liked, how be it a doubt was found therein, and that by means of the diversity of the Chronicles▪ for where as master Hall whom in this story we chiefly followed, maketh Mowbray accuser, and Boleynbroke appellant, master Fabian reporteth the matter quite contrary, & that by the report of good authors, making Bokynbroke the accuser, and Mowbray the appeliant, Which matter sith it is more hard to desise, than needful to our purpose, which mind only to dissuade from vices and exalt virtue, we refer to the determination of the harold, or such as may come by the records and registers of these doings, contented in the mean while with the best allowed judgement, and which maketh most for our foreshowed purpose. This doubt thus let pass, I would ꝙ one of the cūpany● gladly say somewhat for king Richard. But his parsonage is so sore entangled as I think few benefices be at this day: for after his imprisonment, his brother and divers other made a mask, minding by Henry's destruction to have restored him, which maskers matter so runneth in this, that I doubt which ought to go before. But seeing no man is ready to say aught in their behalf, I will give who so listeth leisure to think thereupon, and in the mean time to further your enterprise, I will in the kings behalf recount such part of his story as I think most necessary. And therefore imagine Baldwin that you see him all to be mangled, with blue wounds, lying pale and wan all naked upon the cold stones in Paul's church▪ the people standing round about him, and making his move in this sort.   

How king Richard the second was for his evil governance deposed from his seat, and miserably murdered in prison.  

HAppy is the prince that hath in wealth the grace  
To follow virtue, keeping vices under,  
But woe to him whose will hath wisdoms place:  
For who so renteth right and law a sunder  
On him at length lo, all the world shall wonder,  
High birth, choice fortune, force, nor Princely mace  
Can warrant King or Keysar fro the case,  
Shame sueth sin, as rain drops do the thunder.  
Let Princes therefore virtuous life embrace  
That wilful pleasures cause them not to blunder.   

Behold my hay, see how the silly rout  
Do gaze upon me, and each to other say:  
See where he lieth for whom none late might rout,  
Lo how the power, the pride, and rich array  
Of mighty rulers lightly fade away.  
The King which erst kept all the realm in doubt,  
The veriest rascal now dare check and low●e:  
What mould be Kings made of, but carayn clay?  
Behold his wounds, how blue they be about,  
Which while he lived, thought never to decay.   

Me think I hear the people thus devise:  
And therefore Baldwin sith thou wilt declare  
How princes fell, to make the living wise,  
My vicious story in no point see thou spare,  
But paint it out, that rulers may beware  
Good counsel, law, or virtue to despise.  
For realms have rules, and rulers have a size,  
Which if they keep not, doubtless say I dare  
That either's griefs the other shall agrise  
Till the one be lost, the other brought to care.   

I am a King that ruled all by lust,  
That forced not of virtue, right, or law,  
But always put false Flatterers most in trust,  
Ensuing such as could my vices claw:  
By faithful counsel passing not a straw.  
What pleasure pryckt, that thought I to be just.  
I set my mind, to feed, to spoil, to just,  
Three meals a day could scarce content my maw,  
And all to augment my lecherous mind that must  
To Venus' pleasures always be in awe.   

For mayntenannce whereof, my realm I polled  
Through Subsidies, sore fines, loans, many a priest,  
Blank charters, oaths, & shifts not known of old,  
For which my Subjects did me sore detest.  
I also made away the town of Breast.  
My fault wherein because mine uncle told  
(For princes vices may not be controlled)  
I found the means his bowels to unbreast.  
The Peers and Lords that did his cause uphold,  
With death, exile, or grievous sins oppressed.   

Neither lakt I aid in any wicked deed,  
For gaping Gulls whom I promoted had  
Would further all in hope of higher meed.  
A king can never imagine aught so bad  
But most about him will perform it glad  
For sickness seldom doth so swiftly breed  
As vicious humours grow the grief to feed.  
Thus kings estates of all be worst bastad,  
Abused in wealth, abandoned at need,  
And nearest harm when they be least adread.   

My life and death the truth of this can try:  
For while I fought in Ireland with my foes,  
Mine uncle Edmund whom I left to guide  
My realm at heme, right trayteously arose  
To help the Percies plying my depose,  
And called fro France earl Bolenbroke, whom I  
Condemned ten years in eryle to lie:  
Who cruelly did put to death all those  
That in mine aid durst look but once awry,  
Whose number was but slender I suppose.   

For when I was come back this stur to stay,  
The Earl of Worcester whom I trusted moste  
(Whiles we in Wales at Flint our castle lay  
Both to refresh and multiply mine host)  
Did in my hall in ●ight of least and most  
Be break his staff, my household office stay,  
Bade each man shi●te, and road himself away.  
See princes, see the power whereof we boast,  
Whom most we trust, at need do us betray,  
Through whose false faith my land and life I lost.   

For when my traitorous Stuard thus was gone,  
My servants shrank away on every side,  
That caught I was, and carried to my foen:  
Who for their prince a prison did provide,  
And therein kept me, till duke Henry's pride  
Did cause me yield him up my crown and throne.  
Which shortly made my friendly foes to green:  
For Henry seeing in me their falsehood tried  
Abhorred them all, and would be ruled by none,  
For which they sought to stop him straight a tide.   

The chief conspired by death to drive him down,  
For which exploit, a solemn oath they swore  
To render me my liberty and crown,  
Whereof themselves deprived me before.  
But salves help seld an overlong suffered sore.  
To stop the breach no boot to run or rowne  
When swelling floods have overflowen the town:  
Till sails be spread the ship may keep the shore.  
The Ankers weighed, though all the frayed do frown,  
With stream and steer perforce it shallbe boar.   

For though the piers set Henry in his state,  
Yet could they not displace him thence again:  
And where they easily put me down of late,  
They could restore me by no manner pain:  
Things hardly mend, but may be marred amain.  
And when a man is fallen in froward fate  
Still mischeves light one in another's pate:  
And well meant means his mishaps to restrain  
Ware wretched moves, whereby his joys abate.  
Due proof whereof in me appeareth plain.   

For when king Henry knew that for my cause  
His lords in mask would kill him if they might,  
To dash all doubts, he took no farther pause  
But sent sir Pierce of Erton a traitorous knight  
To Pomfret Castle, with other armed light,  
Who causeless killed me there against all laws.  
Thus lawless life, to lawless death eye draws.  
Wherefore bid Kings be ruled and rule by right,  
Who worketh his will, & shunneth wisdoms saws  
In flatteries claws, & shames foul paws shall light.    

When he had ended this so woeful a tragedy, and to all Princes a right worthy instruction, we paused: having passed through a miserable time full of piteous tragedies. And seeing the rain of Henry the fourth ensued, a man more aware & prosperous in his doings although not untroubled with wars both of outforth and inward enemies, we began to search what Piers were fallen therein, whereof the number was not small: and yet because their examples were not much to be noted for our purpose, we passed over all the Maskers (of whom King Richard's brother was chief) which were all slain and put to death for their traitorous attempt. And finding Owen Glendour next, one of fortunes own whelps, and the Percyes his confederates, I thought them unmeet to be over passed, and therefore said thus to the silent company: what my masters is every man at once in a brown study, hath no man affection to any of these stories? you mind so much sum other belike, that these do not move you: And to say the troth there is no special cause why they should. Howbeit Owen Glendour because he was one of fortunes darlings, rather than he should be forgotten, I will tell his tale for him under the privilege of Martin Hundred: which Owen coming out of the wild mountains like the Image of death in all points (his dart only excepted) so sore hath famine and hunger consumed him, may lament his folly after this manner.   

How Owen Glendour seduced by false prophecies took upon him to be prince of Wales, and was by Henry then prince thereof, chased to the mountains, where he miserably died for lack of food.  

I Pray the Baldwin sith thou dost intend  
To show the fall of such as climb to high,  
Remember me, whose miserable end  
May teach a man his vicious life to fly:  
Oh Fortune, Fortune, out on her I cry,  
My body and fame she hath made lean and slender  
For I poor wretch am starven Owen Glendour.   

A Welshman borne, and of a gentle blood,  
But ill brought up, whereby full well I find,  
That neither birth nor lineage make us good  
Though it be true that Cat will after kind:  
Flesh gendereth flesh, so doth not soul or mind,  
They gender not, but foully do degender,  
When men to vice from virtue them do surrender.   

Each thing by nature tendeth to the same  
Whereof it came, and is disposed like:  
Down sinks the mould, by mounts the fiery flame,  
With horn the heart, with hoof the horse doth strike:  
The wolf doth spoil, the subtle For doth pike,  
And generally no fish, flesh, fowl, or plant  
Doth any property that their dame had, want.   

But as for men, sith severally they have  
A mind whose manners are by learning made,  
Good bringing up alonely doth them save  
In virtuous deeds, which with their parents fade.  
So that true gentry standeth in the trade  
Of virtuous life, not in the fleshly line:  
For blood is Brute, but Gentry is divine.   

Experience doth cause me thus to say,  
And that the rather for my countrymen,  
Which vaunt and boast their selves above the day  
If they may strain their stock for worthy men:  
Which let be true, are they the better than?  
Nay far the worse if so they be not good,  
For why they stain the beauty of their blood.   

How would we mock the burden bearing mule  
If he would brag he were an horse's sun,  
To press his pride (might nothing else him rule,)  
His boast to prove, no more but bid him run:  
The horse for swiftness hath his glory won,  
To which the mule could never the more aspire  
Though he should prove that Pegas was his sire.   

Each man may crack of that which is his own,  
Our parent's virtues theirs are and not ours:  
Who therefore will of noble kind be known  
Ought shine in virtue like his ancestors,  
Gentry consisteth not in lands and towers:  
He is a Churl though all the world be his,  
He Arthur's heir if that he live amiss.   

For virtuous life doth make a gentleman  
Of her possessor, all be he poor as job,  
Yea though no name of elders show he can:  
For proof take Merlin fathered by an Hob.  
But who so sets his mind to spoil and rob,  
Although he come by due descent fro Brute,  
He is a Chorle, ungentle, vile, and brute.   

Well thus did I for want of better wit,  
Because my parents naughtily brought me up:  
For gentle men (they said) was nought so sy:  
As to attaste by bold attempts the cup  
Of conquests wine, whereof I thought to sup:  
And therefore bend myself to rob and rive,  
And whom I could of lands and goods deprive.   

For Henry the fourth did then usurp the crown,  
Despoiled the king, with Mortimer the heir:  
For which his subjects sought to put him down.  
And I, while Fortune offered me so fair,  
Did what I might his honour to appeyre:  
And took on me to be the prince of Wales,  
Entiste thereto by many of Merlines tales.   

For which, such Idle as wait upon the spoil,  
From every part of Wales unto me drew:  
For loitering youth untaught in any toil  
Are ready aye all mischief to ensue.  
Through help of these so great my glory grew,  
That I defied my King through lofty heart,  
And made sharp war on all that took his part.   

See luck, I took lord Reynolde Grey of Rythen,  
And him enforced my daughter to espouse,  
And so unraunsomed held him still: and sithen  
In Wygmore land through battle rigorous  
I caught the right heir of the crowned house  
The Earl of March sir Edmund Mortymer,  
And in a dungeon kept him prisoner,   

Then all the marches longing unto Wales  
By Syverne west I did invade and burn:  
Destroyed the towns in mountains and in vales,  
And rich in spoils did homeward safe return:  
Was none so bold durst once against me spurn.  
Thus prosperously doth Fortune forward call  
Those whom she minds to give the forest fall.   

When fame had brought these tidings to the king  
(Although the Skots than vexed him right sore)  
A mighty army against me he did bring:  
Whereof the French King being warned afore,  
Who mortal hate against king Henry bore,  
To grieve our foe he quickly to me sent  
Twelve thousand Frenchmen armed to war, & bend.   

A part of them led by the Earl of March  
Lord james of Bourbon, a valiant tried knight  
Withheld by winds to Wales ward forth to march,  
took land at Plymmouth privily on a night:  
And when he had done all he durst or might,  
After that a meinie of his men were slain  
He stole to ship, and sailed home again.   

Twelve thousand more in Mylford did arrive,  
And came to me, then lying at Denbygh  
With armed Welshmen thousands double five:  
With whom we went to wurcester well nigh,  
And there encampte us on a mount on high,  
To abide the king, who shortly after came  
And pitched his field, on a Hill hard by the same.   

There eight days long, our hosts lay face to face,  
And neither durst the others power assail:  
But they so stopped the passages the space  
That victuals could not come to our avail,  
wherethrough constrained our hearts began to fail  
So that the Frenchmen shrancke away by night,  
And I with mine to the mountains took our flight:   

The king pursued us, greatly to his cost,  
From hills to wuds, fro wuds to valleys plain:  
And by the way his men and stuff he lost.  
And when he see he gained nought save pain,  
He blewe retreat, and got him home again:  
Then with my power I boldly came abroad  
Taken in my country for a very God.   

Immediately after fell a jolly jar  
Between the king, and Percies worthy bluds,  
Which grew at last unto a deadly war:  
For like as drops engender mighty floods,  
And little seeds sprut forth great leaves and buds,  
Even so small strifes, if they be suffered ●un  
Brede wrath and war, and death or they be done.   

The king would have the raunsum of such Scots  
As these the Percyes had ●ane in the field:  
But see how strongly Luker knits her knots,  
The king will have, the Percies will not yield,  
Desire of goods soon craves, but granteth seld:  
Oh cursed goods desire of you hath wrought  
All wickedness, that hath or can be thought.   

The Percies deemed it meeter for the king  
To have redeemed their cousin Mortymer,  
Who in his quarrel all his power did bring  
To fight with me, that took him prisoner  
Than of their prey to rob his Soldier:  
And therefore willed him see sum mean were found,  
To quit forth him whom I kept vilely bound.   

Because the king misliked their request,  
They came themselves and did accord with me,  
Complaining how the kingdom was oppressed,  
By Henry's rule, wherefore we did agree  
To put him down, and part the realm in three:  
The North part theirs, Wales wholly to be mine  
The rest to rest to th'earl of Marches line.   

And for to set us hereon more agog  
A prophet came (a vengeance take them all)  
Affirming Henry to be Gogmagog  
Whom Merlin doth a Mouldwarp ever call,  
Accursed of god, that must be brought in thrall  
By a wolf, a Dragon, and a Lion strong,  
Which should divide his kingdom them among.   

This crafty dreamer made us three such beasts  
To think we were these foresaid beasts in deed:  
And for that cause our badges and our creastes  
We searched out, which scarcely well agreed:  
Howbeit the harold ready at such a need,  
Drew down such issues from old ancestors,  
As proved these ensigns to be surely ours.   

Ye crafty Welshmen, wherefore do you mock  
The noble men thus with your feigned rhymes?  
Ye noble men why fly you not the flock  
Of such as have seduced so many times?  
False Prophecies are plagues for diverse crimes  
Which god doth let the devilish sort devise  
To trouble such as are not godly wise.   

And that appeared by us three beasts in deed,  
Through false persuasion highly borne in hand  
That in our feat we could not choose but speed  
To kill the king, and to enjoy his land:  
For which exploit we bond ourselves in band  
To stand contented each man with his part,  
So fully folly assured our foolish heart.   

But such they say as fish before the net  
Shall seldom surfyt of the pray they take,  
Of things to come the haps be so unset  
That none but fools may warrant of them make:  
The full assured, success doth oft forsake.  
For Fortune findeth none so fit to flout,  
As suresby sots which cast no kind of doubt.   

How sayest thou Henry Hotspur, do I lie?  
For thou right manly gavest the king a field,  
And there was slain because thou wouldst not ●y:  
Sir Thomas Percy thine uncle (forced to yield)  
Did cast his head (a wonder seen but ●e●ld)  
From Shrewsbury town to the top of London bridge.  
Lo thus fond hope did their both lives abridge.   

When Henry king this victory had won,  
Destroyed the Percies, put their power to flight,  
He did appoint prince Henry his eldest sun  
With all his power to meet me if he might:  
But I discumfit through my partners fight  
Had not the heart to meet him face to face,  
But fled away, and he pursued the chase.   

Now Baldwin mark, for I called prince of Wales,  
And made believe I should be he in deed,  
Was made to fly among the hills and dales,  
Where all my men forsook me at my need.  
Who trusteth loiterers seld hath lucky speed:  
And when the captains courage doth him fail  
His soldiers hearts a little thing may quail.   

And so Prince Henry chased me, that lo  
I found no place wherein I might abide:  
For as the dogs pursue the silly do●,  
The brach behind the hounds on every side,  
So traced they me among the mountains wide:  
Whereby I found I was the heartless hare  
And not the beast Colprophete did declare.   

And at the last: like as the little roche,  
Must either be eat, or leap upon the shore  
When as the hungry pickerel doth approach,  
And there find death which it eskapte before:  
So double death assaulted me so sore  
That either I must unto my enemy yield,  
Or statue for hunger in the barren field.   

Here shame and pain a while were at a strife,  
pain prayed me yield, shame bade me rather fast:  
The one had spare, the other spend my life,  
But shame (shame have it) overcame at last.  
Than hunger gnew, that doth the stone wall braced  
And made me eat both gravel, dirt and mud,  
And last of all, my dung, my flesh, and blood.   

This was mine end to horrible to hear,  
Yet good enough for a life that was so ill.  
Whereby (O Baldwin) warn all men to bear  
Their youth such love, to bring them up in skill.  
Bid Princes fly Colprophetes lying bill:  
And not presume to climb above their states,  
For they be faults that foil men, not their fates.    

When starved Owen had ended his hungry exhortation, it was well enough liked. Howbeit one found a doubt worth the moving, & that concerning this title, earl of March: for as it appeareth, there were iii men of iii divers nations together in one time entitled by that honour: first sir Edmund Mortimer, whom Owen kept in prison, an Englishman: the second the lord George of Dunbar a valiant Scot banished out of his country, & well esteemed of Henry the fourth: the third lord james of Bourbon a frenchman, sent by the french king to help Owen Glendour. These three men had this title all at once, which caused him to ask how it was true that every one of these could be Earl of March? Whereto was answered, that every country hath Marches belonging unto them, and those so large, that they were Earldoms, & the lords thereof entitled thereby, so that Lord Edmund Mortimer was Earl of March in England, lord james of Bourbon of the marches of France, and Lord George of Dunbar earl of the marches in Scotland. For otherwise neither could have interest in others title. This doubt thus dissolved master Ferrer said: If no man have affection to the Percies, let us pass the times both of Henry the fourth & the fift, and cum to henry the sixth: in whose time fortune (as she doth in the minority of princes) bore a great stroke among the nobles. And yet in Henry the fourth's time are examples which I would wish Baldwin that you should not forget, as the conspiracy made by the bishop of York, and the lord Mowbray▪ son of him whom you late treated of: pricked forward by the earl of Northumberland, father to sir Henry Hotspur, who fled himself, but his partners were apprehended and put to death, with Baynton and Blinkinsops, which could not see their duty to their King, but took part with Percy that banished Rebel. As he was proceeding, he was desired to stay by one which had pondered the story of the Percies, who briefly said. To th'end Baldwin that you may know what to say of the Percyes, whose story is not all out of my memory, (and it is a notable story) I will take upon me the person of lord Henry earl of Northumberland, father of Henrye Hotspur, in whose behalf this may be said.   

How Henry Percy Earl of Northhumberland, was for his covetous and traitorous attempt put to death at York.  

O Moral Senec true find I thy saying,  
That neither kinsfolk, riches, strength, or favour  
Are free from Fortune, but are ay decaying:  
No worldly wealth is ought save doubtful labour,  
Man's life in earth is like unto a tabor:  
Which now to mirth doth mildly men provoke  
And straight to war, with a more sturdy stroke.   

All this full true I Percy find by proof,  
Which whilom was earl of Northumberland:  
And therefore Baldwin for my Piers behoof  
To note men's falls sith thou hast ta'en in hand,  
I would thou shouldest my state well understand:  
For few kings were more than I redoubted,  
Through double Fortune lifted up and louted.   

As for my kin their nobleness is known,  
My valiauntise were folly for to praise,  
wherethrough the Scortes so oft were overthrown  
That who but I was doubted in my days:  
And that king Richard found at all assays,  
For never Scots rebelled in his rain  
But through my force were either caught or slain.   

A brother I had was Earl of Worcester  
Always in favour and office with the king,  
And by my wife Dame Elinor Mortimer,  
I had a son which so the Scots did sting,  
That being young, and but a very spring  
Sir Henry Hotspur they gave him to name,  
And though I say it, he did deserve the same.   

We three triumphed in king Richard's time,  
Till Fortune ought both him and us a spite:  
But chief me, whom clear from any crime,  
My king did banish from his favour quite,  
And openly proclaimed traitorous knight:  
Wherethrough false slander forced me to be  
That which before I did most deadly flee.   

Let men beware how they true folk defame,  
Or threaten on them the blame of vices nought,  
For infamy breedeth wrath, wreak followeth shames  
Eke open slander, oftentimes hath brought  
That to effect, that erst was never thought:  
To be misdemed men suffer in a sort,  
But none can bear the grief of misreport.   

Because my king did shame me wrongfully,  
I hated him, and in deed became his foe:  
And while he did at war in Ireland lie,  
I did conspire to turn his weal to woe:  
And through the duke of York and other more,  
All royal power from him we quickly took  
And gave the same to Henry Boleynbroke.   

Neither did we this alonely for this cause,  
But to say truth, force drove us to the same:  
For he despising god and all good laws  
Slew whom he would, made sin a very game.  
And seeing neither age nor counsel could him tame,  
We thought it well done for the kingdoms sake,  
To leave his rule that did all rule forsake.   

But when sir Henry had attained his place,  
He straight became in all points worse than he:  
Destroyed the piers, & slew king Rychards' grace,  
Against his oath made to the lords and me:  
And seeking quarrels how to disagree,  
He shamelessly required me and my son  
To yield him Scots which we in field had won.   

My Nephew also Edmund Mortymer  
The very heir apparent to the Crown,  
Whom Owen Glendour held as prisoner,  
Uilely bound, in dungeon deep cast down,  
He would not raunsum: but did felly frown  
Against my brother and me that for him spoke,  
And him proclaimed traitor for our sake.   

This soul despite did cause us to conspire  
To put him down as we did Richard erst,  
And that we might this matter set on fire  
From Owen's ●ayle, our cousin we remerst,  
And unto Glendour all our griefs rehearsed,  
Who made a bond with Mortymer and me,  
To prive the king, and part the realm in three..   

But when king Henry heard of this devise  
Toward Owen Gleudour he sped him very quick  
minding by force to stop our enterprise:  
And as the devil would, than fell I sick,  
Howbeit my brother, & son, more politic  
Than prosperous, with an host fro Scotland brought,  
Encountered him at Shrewsbury, where they fought.   

The one was ta'en and killed, the other slain,  
And shortly after was Owen put to flight:  
By means whereof I forced was to feign,  
That I knew nothing of the former fight.  
Fraud oft avails more than doth sturdy might:  
For by my feigning I brought him in belief  
I knew not that wherein my part was chief.   

And while the king thus took me for his friend  
I sought all means my former wrong to wreak,  
Which that I might bring to the sooner end  
To the bishop of York I did the matter break,  
And to Thearl Marshal likewise did I speak,  
Whose father was through Henry's cause exiled  
The bishop's brother with traitorous death defiled.   

These straight assented to do what they could,  
So did lord hastings and lord Fauconbridge:  
Which altogether promised ●hey would  
Set all their power the kings days to abridge.  
But see the spite, before the birds were flidge  
The king had word, and seysoned on the nest  
Whereby alas my friends were all oppressed.   

The bloody tyrant ●●ought them all to end  
Excepted me, which into Scotland skapte  
To George of Dunbar th'earl of March, my friend,  
Who in my cause all that he could ay skrapte:  
And when I had for greater succour gaped  
Both at the Frenchman and the flemings hand,  
And could get none, I took such as I sand.   

And with the help of George my very friend,  
I did invade Northumberlande full bold,  
Whereas the folk drew to me still unend,  
Bend to the death my party to uphold:  
Through help of these full many a fort and hold.  
The which the king right manfully had man●,  
I easily won, and seized in my hand   

Not so content (for vengeance drove me on)  
I entered Yorkshire there to waste and spoil,  
But ere I had far in the country gone  
The shirif thereof, Ralph Rekesby did assoil  
My troubled host of much part of our toil,  
For he assauting freshly, took through power  
Me and lord Bardolph both at Bramham more.   

And thence conveyed us to the town of York  
Until he knew, what was the kings intent:  
There lo Lord Bardolf kinder than the Stork,  
Did lose his head, which was to London sent,  
With whom for friendship urine in like case went.  
This was my hap, my fortune, or my fault,  
This life I led, and thus I came to nought.   

Wherefore good Baldwin will the pyers take heed  
Of slander, malice, and conspiracy,  
Of covetise, whence all the rest proceed:  
For covetise joint with contumacy,  
Doth cause all mischief in men's hearts to breed.  
Ad therefore this to Esperance, my word.  
Who causeth bloodshed shall not scape the swurd.    

BY that this was ended, I had found out the story of Richard earl of Cambridge: and because it contained matter in it, though not very notable, yet for the better understanding of the rest, I thought it meet to touch it, and therefore said as followeth. You have said well of the Percies and favourably. For in deed as it should appear, the chief cause of their conspiracy against king Henry, was for Edmund Mortimer their cousin's sake, whom the king very maliciously proclaimed to have yielded himself to Owen colourably, when as in deed he was taken forcibly against his will, & very cruelly ordered in prison. And seeing we are in hand with Mortimer's matter, I will take upon me the person of Richard Plantagenet Earl of Cambridge, who for his sake likewise died. And therefore I let pass Edmund Holland earl of Kent, whom Henry the fourth made Admiral to scour the Seas, because the Buttons were abroad: which Earl (as many things happen in war) was slain with an arrow at the assault of Briake: shortly after whose death this king died, and his son Henry, the fift of that name, succeeded in his place. In the beginning of this Henry the fyfts rain, died this Richard, and with him Henry the lord Scrope & others, in whose behalf this may be said.   

How Richard earl of Cambridge intending the kings destruction was put to death at Southampton.  

HAst maketh waste, hath commonly been said,  
And secret mischief seld hath lucky speed:  
A murdering mind with proper prize is weighed,  
All this is true. I find it in my Crede.  
And therefore Baldwin warn all states take heed,  
How they conspire any other to betrappe,  
Lest mischief meant light in the miners' lap.   

For I lord Richard, heir Plan●agenet  
Was Earl of Cambridge, and right fortunate,  
If I had had the grace my wit to set  
To have content me with mine own estate:  
But o false honours, brothers of debate,  
The love of you our lewd hearts doth allure  
To lose our s●lues by seeking you unsure.   

Because my brother Edmund Mortimer,  
Whose eldest sister was my wedded wife,  
I mean that Edmund that was prisoner  
In Wales so long, through Owen's busy strife,  
Because I say, that after edmund's life,  
His rights and titles must by law be mine,  
(For he ne had, nor could increase his line)   

Because the right of realm & crown was ours,  
I searched means to help him thereunto.  
And where the Henry's held it by their powers  
I sought a shift their tenors to undo,  
Which being force, sith force or sleight must do,  
I void of might, because their power was strong  
Set privy sleyte against their open wrong.   

But sith the deaths of most part of my k●●ne  
Did dash my hope, throughout the father's days  
I let it slip, and thought it best begin  
When as the s●nne should dread lest such assays:  
For force through speed, sleight speedeth through delays  
And seld doth treason time so fitly find  
As when all dangers most be out of mind.   

Wherefore while Henry of that name the fift,  
Prepared his army to go conquer France,  
Lord Skrope and I thought to attempt a drift  
To put him down my brother to advance:  
But wer● it gods will, my luck, or his good chance,  
The king witted wholly whereabout we went,  
The night before the king to sh●pward bend.   

Then were we straight as traitors apprehended,  
Our purpose spied, the cause thereof was hid,  
And therefore lo a false cause we pretended  
wherethrough my brother was fro danger rid:  
We said for hire of the French kings coin, we did  
Behight to kill the king: and thus with shame  
We stained ourselves, to save our friend fro blame.   

When we had thus confessed so foul a treason,  
That we deserved, we suffered by the law.  
See Baldwin see, and note (as it is reason)  
How wicked deeds to woeful ends do draw.  
All force doth fail, no craft is worth a stra'●,  
To attain things lost, and therefore let them go,  
For might ruleth right, and will though God say no.    

When stout Richard had stoutly said his mind, belike ꝙ one, this Richard was but a little man, or else little favoured of writers, for our Chronicles speak very little of him. But seeing we be cum now to king Henry's voyage into France, we can not lack valiant men to speak of: for among so many as were led and sent by the King out of this realm thither, it can not be chosen but sum, and that a great sum, were slain among them: wherefore to speak of them all, I think not needful. And therefore to let pass Edward Duke of York, and the Earl of Suffolk slain both at the battle of Agine court, as were also many other, Let us end the time of Henry the fifth, and cum to his sun Henry the sixth: whose nonage brought France and Normandy out of bondage, and was cause that few of our noble men died aged. Of whom to let pass the numbered, I will take upon me the person of Thomas Montague earl of salisbury, whose name was not so good at home (and yet he was called the good earl) as it was dreadful abroad: who exclaiming upon the mutability of fortune, justly may say thus.   

How Thomas Montague the earl of Salysbury in the mids of his glory, was chaunceably slain with a piece of ordinance.  

WHat fools be we to trust unto our strength,  
Our wit, our courage, or our noble fame,  
Which time itself must needs devour at length  
Though froward Fortune could not foil the same.  
But seeing this Gods gideth all the game,  
Which still to change doth set her only lust,  
Why toil we so for things so hard to trust.   

A goodly thing is surely good report,  
Which noble hearts, do seek by course of kind,  
But seen the date so doubtful and so short,  
The ways so rough whereby we do it find:  
I can not choose but praise the princely mind  
That presseth for it, though we find oppressed  
By soul defame those that deserve it best.   

Concerning whom mark Baldwin what I say,  
I mean the virtuous hindered of their brute,  
Among which number reckon well I may  
My valiant father john lord Montacute,  
Who lost his life (I judge) in just pursuit:  
I say the cause and not the casual speed,  
Is to be weighed in every kind of deed.   

This rule observed, how many shall we find  
For virtues sake with infamy oppressed?  
How many again through help of fortune blind,  
For ill attempts achieved, with honour blessed?  
Success is worst ofttimes when cause is best,  
Therefore say I: god send them sorry haps,  
That judge the causes by their after claps.   

The end in deed, is judge of every thing,  
Which is the cause, or latter point of time:  
The first true verdict at the first may bring,  
The last is slow, or slipper as the slime,  
Oft changing names of innocence and crime.  
Duke Thomas death was justice two years long,  
And ever sense sore tyranny and wrong.   

Wherefore I pray the Baldwin way the cause,  
And praise my father as he doth deserve:  
Because earl Henry, king against all laws,  
Endeavoured king Richard for to starve  
In jail, whereby the regal crown might swerve  
Out of the line to which it than was due,  
(Whereby God knows what evil might ensue)   

My lord john Holland duke of Excester,  
Which was dear cousin to this wretched king,  
Did move my father, and the earl of Gloucester,  
With other lords to ponder well the thing:  
Who seeing the mischief that began to spring,  
Did all consent, this Henry to depose,  
And to restore king Richard to the rose.   

And while they did devise a pretty trap  
Whereby to bring their purpose better about,  
Which was in mask, this Henry to have slain:  
The duke of Awmerle blew their counsel out,  
Yet was their purpose good there is no doubt.  
What cause can be more worthy for a knight,  
Than save his king, and help true heirs to right?   

For this with them my father was destroyed,  
And buried in the doung●●l of defame.  
Thus evil chance their glory did avoid,  
Whereas their cause doth claim eternal 〈◊〉.  
When deeds therefore unluckily do frame,  
Men ought not judge the authors to 〈◊〉 nought,  
For right through might is often overraught.   

And God doth suffer that it should be so,  
But why, my wit is feeble to decise,  
Except it be to heap up wrath and woe  
Upon their heads that injuries devise.  
The cause why mischiefs many times arise,  
And light on them that would men's wrongs redress,  
Is for the rancour that they bear, I guess.   

God hateth rigour though it further right,  
For sin is sin, how ever it be used:  
And therefore suffereth shame and death to light,  
To punish vice, though it be well abused.  
Who furthereth right is not thereby excused,  
If through the same he do sum other wrong:  
To every vice due guerdon doth belong.   

What preach I now, I am a man of war,  
And that my body (I dare say) doth profess,  
Of cured wounds beset with many a scar,  
My broken jaw unheald can say no less.  
O Fortune, Fortune, cause of all distress  
My father had great cause thy fraud to curse.  
But much more I, abused ten times worse.   

Thou never flatteredst him in all his life,  
But me thou dandledst like thy darling dear:  
Thy gifts I found in every corner rife,  
Where ever I went, I met thy smile cheer:  
Which was not for a day, or for a year,  
But through the rain of three right worthy kings,  
I found the forward in all kind of things.   

The while king Henry conquered in France  
I sued the wars, and still found victory.  
In all assaults so happy was my chance,  
Holds yield or won did make my enemies sorry:  
Dame Prudence eke augmented so my glory,  
That in all treaties ever I was one  
When weighty matters were agreed upon.   

But when this king this mighty conqueror,  
Through death unripe, was both his realms bereft,  
His silly infant did receive his power,  
Poor little babe full young in cradle left,  
Where crown and Sceptre hurt him with the heft:  
Whose worthy uncles had the governance,  
The one at home, the other abroad in France.   

And I which was in peace and war well skilled,  
With both these rulers greatly was esteemed:  
Bare rule at home as often as they willed,  
And fought in France when they it needful deemed.  
And every where so good my service seemed,  
That Englishmen to me great love did bear,  
Our foes the French, my force fulfilled with fear.   

I always thought it fitly for a prince,  
And such as have the regiment of realms,  
His subjects hearts with mildness to convince,  
With justice mixed, avoiding all extremes.  
For like as Phoebus with his cheerful beams,  
Doth freshly force the fragrant flowers to flourish,  
So ruler's mildness subjects love doth nourish.   

This found I true: for through my mild behaviour  
Their hearts I had with me to live and die:  
And in their speech for to declare their favour,  
They called me still good earl of Salisbury,  
The lords confessed the commons did not lie.  
For virtuous life, free heart, and lowly mind,  
With high and low shall always favour find.   

Which virtues chief becum a man of war,  
Whereof in France I found experience,  
For in assaults due mildness passeth far  
All rigour, force, and sturdy violence:  
For men will stoutly stick to their defence  
When cruel captains covet them to spoil,  
And so enforced, oft give their foes the foil.   

But when they know they shall be friendly used,  
They hazard not their heads, but rather yield,  
For this, my offers never were refused  
Of any town, or surely very seld:  
But force and furies fit be for the field.  
And there in deed I used so the same,  
My foes would fly if they had heard my name.   

For when lord Steward and earl Uantadore,  
Had cruelly besieged Crauant town,  
Which we had won, and kept long time before,  
Which lieth in Awxer on the river Youne,  
To raise the siege the Regent sent me down:  
Where as I used all rigour that I might,  
I killed all, that were not saved by flight.   

When the earl of Bedford then in France lord regent,  
Knew in what sort I had removed the siege,  
In Brye and Champaign he made me vice gerent,  
And Lieutenant for him and for my Lyege:  
Which caused me go to Bry, and their besiege  
Mountaguillon, with twenty weeks assant,  
Which at the last was yielded me for nought.   

And for the duke of britains brother, Arthur,  
Both earl of Richmonde and of Yvery,  
Against his oath from us had made departure,  
To Charles the Dolphin, our chief enemy,  
I with the regent went to Normandy,  
To take his town of Yvery, which of spite  
Did to us daily all the harm they might.   

They at the first compounded by a day  
To yield, if rescues did not come before.  
And whiles in hope to fight, we at it lay,  
The Dolphin gathered men two thousand score,  
With earls, lords, and captains jolly store:  
Of which the duke of Alencon was guide,  
And sent them down to see if we would bide.   

But they left us and down to Uernoile went,  
And made their vaunt they had our army slain,  
And through that lie, that town from us they hent,  
Which shortly after turned to their pain:  
For there both armies met upon the plain,  
And we viii M. whom they flew, not slew before,  
Did kill of them, ten thousand men and more.   

When we had taken Uernoile thus again,  
To drive the Dolphin utterly out of France,  
The Regent sent me to Aniowe and to Main,  
Where I besieged the warlike town of Mawns:  
There lord of Toysers Baldwins valiance  
Did well appear, which would not yield the town,  
Till all the towers & walls were battered down.   

But here now Baldwin take it in good part,  
Though that I brought this Baldwin there to yield:  
The Lion searce for all his noble heart,  
Being overmatched, is forced to fly the field▪  
If Mars himself had there been with his shield,  
And in my storms had stoutly me withstood,  
He should have yield, or else have shed my blood.   

Th●s worthy knight both hardy, stout, and wise,  
Wrought well his feat: as time and place require,  
When fortune fails, it is the best advice  
To strike the sail, lest all lie in the mire.  
This have I said to th'end thou take no ire,  
For though no cause be found, so nature frames,  
Men have a zeal to such as bear their names.   

But to return, in Main won I at length,  
Such towns & forts as might either help or hurt,  
I manned Mayon & Suzans towns of strength,  
Fort barnard, Thanceaux, & S. Eales the curt,  
With Lile sues Bolton, standing in the dirt:  
Eke Gwerland, Sus●e, Loupeland and Mountsure,  
With Malicorne, these won I and kept full sure.   

Besides all this, I took near forty holds,  
But those I razed even with the ground.  
And for these deeds, as silly sheep in folds  
Do shrink for fear at every little sound,  
So fled my foes before my face full round:  
Was none so hardy durst abide the fight,  
So Mars and Fortune furthered me their knight.   

I tell no lie, so gastful grew my name,  
That it alone discomfited an host:  
The Scots and Frenchmen will confess the same,  
Else will the town which they like cowards lost.  
For when they sieged Bewron with great boast,  
Being forty. M. britains, French, and Scots,  
Five hundred men did vanquish them like sots.   

For while the Frenchmen did assault them still,  
Our Englishmen came boldly forth at night,  
crying saint George, Salisbury, kill, kil, kil,  
And offered freshly with their foes to fight,  
And they as frenchly took themselves to flight,  
Supposing surely that I had been there.  
See how my name did put them all in fear.   

Thus was the Dolphin's power discomfited,  
Four. M. slain, their camp ta'en as it stood,  
Whereby our town and soldiers profited,  
For there were victuals plentiful and good:  
This while was I in England by the rood  
To appease a strife that was right foul befall,  
Between Duke Humphrey and the Cardinal.   

The Duke of Exeter shortly after died,  
Which of the king at home had governance,  
Whose room the earl of Warwick then supplied,  
And I took his, and sped me into France.  
And having a zeal to conquer orleans,  
With much a do I got the regentes aid,  
And marched thither and siege about it laid.   

But in the way I took the town of Yayn,  
Where murdered were for stoutness many a man:  
But Baugency I took with little pain,  
For which to show them favour I began:  
This caused the towns of Mewne and jargeman,  
That stood on Loyer, to proffer me the keys,  
Ere I came near them, wellnigh by two days.   

See here how Fortune forward can allure,  
What baits she layeth to bring men to their ends.  
Who having hap like this, but would hope sure  
To bring to bale what ever he intends?  
But soon is sour the sweet that Fortune sends:  
When hope and hap, when health and wealth is highest,  
Than woe and wrack, disease, and need be nighest.   

For while I, suing this so good success,  
Laid siege to orleans on the river side,  
The Bastard (Cuckold Cawnyes son I guess,  
though thought the dukes) who had the town in guide.  
Came fiercely forth, when he his time espied,  
To raise the siege, but was beat back again,  
And hard pursued both to his loss and pain.   

For there we won the bulwark on the bridge  
With a mighty tower standing fast thereby.  
Ah cursed tower that didst my days abridge,  
Would god thou hadst been further, either I.  
For in this tower a chamber stands on high,  
From which a man may view through all the town  
By certain windows iron grated down.   

Where on a day (now Baldwin note mine end)  
I stood in viewing where the town was weak,  
And as I busily talked with my friend,  
Shot fro the town, which all the grate did break,  
A pellet came, and drove a mighty fleake,  
Against my face, and tore away my check,  
For pain whereof I died within a wecke.   

See Baldwin see the uncertainty of glory,  
How sudden mischief dasheth all to dust.  
And warn all princes by my broken story,  
The happiest Fortune chief to mistrust.  
Was never man that always had his lust.  
Than such be fools, in fancy more than mad,  
Which hope to have that never any had.    

THis strange adventure of the good earl drove us all into a dumpne, inwardly lamenting his woeful destynye, out of which we were awaked, after this sort.  
To what end (ꝙ one) muse we so much on this matter. This Earl is neither the first nor the last whom Fortune hath foundered in the height of their prosperity. For all through the rain of this unfortunate king Henry, we shall find many which have been likewise served, whose chances sith they be mar●●●l, and therefore honourable, may the better be omitted: And therefore we will let go the lords M●rlmes and Poyninges, slain both at the siege of Orleans shortly after the death of this earl. Also the valiant earl of Arundle destroyed with a bowlet at the assault of Gerbory, whose stories nevertheless are worth the hearing. And to quicken up your spirits, I will take upon me a tragical person in deed, I mean king jamy slain by his servants in his pryvy chamber, who although he be a Skot, yet seeing he was brought up in England where he learned the language, his example also so notable, it were not meet he should be forgotten.  
And therefore mark Baldwin what I think he may say.   

How king james the first for breaking his oaths and bonds, was by gods suffrauns miserably murdered of his own subjects.  

IF for example's sake thou writ thy book,  
I charge the Baldwin thou forget me not:  
Whom Fortune always frowardly forsook,  
Such wa● my luck, my merit, or my lot.  
I am that james king Robert's son the Skot,  
That was in England prisoner all his youth,  
Through mine uncle Walter'S traitorous untruth.   

For when my father through disease and age,  
Unwieldy was to govern well his land,  
Because his brother Walter seemed sage,  
He put the rule thereof into his hand.  
Than had my father you shall understand  
Of lawful barns, me, and one only other,  
Nempt Davy Rothsay, who was mine elder brother   

This Davy was prince of Scotland, and so take,  
Till his adultery caused men complain:  
Which that he might by monyshment forsake,  
My father prayed mine uncle take the pain  
To threaten him, his vices to refrain.  
But be false traitor, butcherly murdering wretch,  
To get the crown, began to fetch a fetch.   

And finding now a proffer to his prey,  
Devised means my brother to devour,  
And for that cause conveyed him day by day▪  
From place to place, from castle unto tower,  
To Faulkland fort, where like a tormentor  
He starmd him, and put to death a wife  
Whom through a reed he sucked to save his life.   

O wretched death▪ fie cruel tyranny,  
A prince in prison lost for fault of food:  
Was ●●nce enemy wrought such villainy.  
A trusted brother stroy his brother's blood  
Woe worth foe friendly, fie on double hood.  
Ah wretched father, see thy son is lost,  
Sterved by thy brother, whom thou trustedst most.   

Of whom when sum began to find the fraud,  
And yet the traitor made himself so clear,  
That he should seem to have deserved laud,  
So woeful did he for his death appear,  
My doubtful father loving me full dear  
To avoid all danger that might after chance,  
Sent me away, but nine years old, to France.   

But winds and wether were so contrary,  
That we were driven to the English coast,  
Which realm with Skotland at that time did vary  
So that they took me prisoner, not as host:  
For which my father fearing I were lost,  
Conceived shortly such an inward thought  
As to the grave immediately him brought.   

Than had mine uncle all the regiment  
At home, and I in England prisoner lay,  
For to himself he thought it detriment,  
For my release any raunsum for to pay,  
For (as he thought) he had possessed his prey:  
And therefore wished I might in durauns dure  
Till I had died, so should his rain be sure.   

But good king Henry seeing I was a child,  
And heir by right unto a realm and crown,  
Did bring me up, not like my brother, wild  
But virtuously in feats of high renown:  
In liberal arts in instrumental sown:  
By mean whereof when I was after king,  
I did my realm to civil order bring.   

For ere I had been prisoner eighteen year,  
In which short space two noble princes died,  
Whereof the first in prudence had no peer  
The other in war most valiant thoroughly tried,  
Whose room his son babe Henry eke supplied  
The pyers of England which did govern all,  
Did of their goodness help me out of thrall.   

They married me to a cousin of their king  
The Duke of Somersets' daughter rich & fair.  
Released my ransom save a trifling thing:  
And after I had done homage to the hair,  
And sworn my friendship never should appair,  
They brought me kingly furnished to my land,  
Which I rec●yued at mine uncles hand.   

Whereof my lords and commons were full glad,  
So was mine uncle chief (as he said)  
Who in his mouth no other matter had,  
Save punish such as had my brother trayed.  
The fault whereof epparantly he laid,  
To good duke Murdo, his elder brother's son,  
Whose father died long ere this deed was doen.   

My cursed uncle ●lyer than the snake  
Which would by craft unto the crown aspire,  
Because he saw this Murdo was a stake  
That stayed up the stop of his desire,  
(For his elder brother was Duke Murdoes' fire)  
He thought it best to have him made away,  
So was he sure (I goen) to have his prey.   

And by his crafts the traitor brought to pass  
That I destroyed Duke Murdo, and his kin  
Poor innocentes, my loving friends, alas.  
O kings and Princes what plight stand we in,  
A trusted traitor shall you quickly win  
To put to death your kin and friends most just:  
Take heed therefore, take heed whose read ye trust.   

And at the last to bring me hole in hate  
With god and man, at home and eke abroad,  
He counseled me for surance of my state:  
To help the Frenchmen, then nigh overtrode  
By Englishmen, and more to lay on load,  
With power and force all England to invade,  
Against the oath and homage that I made.   

And though at first my conscience did grudge  
To break the bonds of friendship knit by oath,  
Yet after proof (see m●schiefe) I did judge  
It madness for a king to keep his troth.  
And semblably with all the world it goth.  
sins oft assayed are thought to be no sin,  
So sin doth soil, the soul it sinketh in.   

But as diseases common cause of death,  
Bring danger most, when least they prick & smart  
Which is a sign they have expulsed the breath  
Of lively heat which doth defend the heart:  
Even so such sins as felt are on no part  
Have conquered grace, and by their wicked ure,  
So killed the soul that it can have no cure.   

And grace agate, vice still succeedeth vice,  
And all to haste the vengeance for the furst.  
I arede therefore all people to be wise,  
And stop the brack when it gins to burst.  
At taste no poison (vice is venom worst,  
It mates the mind) beware eke of to much,  
All kill through muchnes, sum with only touch.   

When I had learned to set my oath at nought,  
And through much use the sense of sin exiled,  
Against king Henry, what I could I wrought,  
My faith, my oath, unjustly foul defiled.  
And while sly Fortune at my doings smiled,  
The wrath of God which I had well deserved,  
Fell on my neck, for thus lo was I served.   

Ere I had reigned fully fifteen year,  
While time I lay at Pertho at my place.  
With the Queen my wife & children me to cheer,  
My murdering uncle with the double face,  
That longed for my kingdom and my mace,  
To s●ay me there suborned Robert Gram,  
With whom his nephew Robert Stuart came.   

And when they time fit for their purpose found,  
Into my privy chamber they a●●art,  
Where with their swords they gave me many a wound,  
And slew all such as stuck unto my part:  
There lo my wife did show her loving heart,  
Who to defend me, felled one or twain,  
And was sore wounded ere I could be slain.   

See Baldwin Baldwin, the unhappy ends,  
Of such as pass not for their lawful oath:  
Of those that causeless leave their faith or friends,  
And murdre kinsfolk through their foe's untruth,  
warn, warn all princes, all like sins to loath,  
And chiefly such as in my Realm be borne,  
For God hates highly such as are forsworn.    

When this was said, let King jamy go ꝙ master Ferrer, & return we to our own story, & see what broils were among the nobility in the kings minority. How the cardinal Bewford maligneth the estate of good duke Humfrey the kings uncle & protector of the realm, & by what drifts he first banisheth his wife from him. And lastly how the good duke is murderously made away through conspiracy of Queen Margaret and other: both whose tragedies I intend at leisure to declare, for they be notable. Do so I pray you (ꝙ another) But take heed ye demur not upon them. And I to be occupied the mean time, will show what I have noted in the duke of Suffolk's doings, one of the chiefest of duke Humfrey's destroyers, who by the providens of God, came shortly after in such hatred of the people, that the King himself could not save him from astraunge and notable death, which he may lament after this manner.   

How Lord William Delapole Duke of Suffolk was worthily punished for abusing his King and causing the destruction of good Duke Humphrey.  

Heavy is the hap whereto all men be bound,  
I mean the death, which no estate may fly:  
But to be banished, headed so, and drowned,  
In sink of shame from top of honours high,  
Was never man so served I think but I:  
And therefore Baldwin fro thy grave of grief  
Reject me not, of wretched princes chief.   

My only life in all points may suffice  
To show how base all baits of Fortune be,  
Which thaw like ice, through heat of envies eyes:  
Or vicious deeds which much possessed me.  
Good hap with vices can not long agree,  
Which bring best fortunes to the basest fall,  
And happiest hap to envy to be thrall.   

I am the prince duke William De la Poole  
That was so famous in Queen Marget's days.  
That found the mean Duke Humfrey's blood to cool  
whose virtuous pains deserve eternal praise  
Whereby I note that Fortune can not raise,  
Any one aloft without sum others wrack:  
Floods drown no fields before they find a brack.   

But as the waters which do break their walls  
Do lose the course they had within the shore,  
And daily rotting stink within their stalls  
For fault of moving which they found before:  
Even so the state that over high is boar  
Doth lose the life of people's love it had,  
And rots itself until it fall to bad.   

For while I was but Earl, each man was glad  
To say and do the best by me they might:  
And Fortune ever since I was a lad  
Did smile upon me with a cheerful sight,  
For when my King had doubed me a Knight  
And sent me forth to serve at war in France,  
My lucky speed mine honour did enhance.   

Where to omit the many feit●s I wrought  
Under others guide, I do remember one  
Which with my soldiers valiantly was fought  
None other captain save myself alone,  
I mean not now the apprinze of Pucel jone  
In which attempt my travail was not small,  
Though the Duke of Burgoyn had the praise of al.   

But the siege of Awmarle is the ●eate I praise  
A strong built town, with casts, walls, & vaults,  
With men and weapon armed at all assays:  
To which I gave n●● five times five assaults,  
Till at the last they yielded it for noughts.  
Yet Lord Rambures like a valiant Knight  
Defended it as long as ever he might.   

But what prevailed it these towns to win  
Which shortly after must be lost again,  
Whereby I see there is more glory in  
The keeping things than is in their attain:  
To get and keep not is but loss of pain.  
Therefore ought men provide to save their winnings  
In all attempts, else lose they their beginnings.   

Because we could not keep the towns we won  
(For they were more than we might easily wyelde)  
One year undid what we in ten had done:  
For envy at home, and treason abroad, did yield  
King Charles his Realm of France, made barren field,  
For bloody wars had wasted all increase,  
Which caused the Pope help poverty sue for peace,   

So that it Tourayne at the town of Toures  
Duke Charles and other for their Prince appeared,  
So did Lord Rosse, and I than earl, for ours:  
And when we showed wherein each other dere,  
We sought out means all quarrels to have cleared,  
Wherein the Lords of Germany, of Spain,  
Of Hungary and 〈…〉 pain.   

But sith we could no final pea●e 〈◊〉  
For neither would the others covenants hear,  
For eighteen months we did conclude a truce:  
And while as friends we lay together there  
Because my warrant did me therein bear,  
To make a perfit peace, and through accord,  
I sought a marriage for my soberaine Lord.   

And for the French kings daughters were to small  
I fancied most dame Margarete his niece,  
A lovely lady, beautiful and tall,  
Fair spoken▪ pleasant, a very princely piece,  
In wit and learning matcheles hence to Grece,  
Duke Rayners daughter of Anjou, king by style,  
Of Naples, jerusalem, and of Scicil isle.   

But ere I could the grant of her attain,  
All that our king had of her father's lands,  
As Mauntes the city, the county whole of Main,  
And most of Anjou duchy in our hands,  
I did release him by assured bands.  
And as for dowry with her none I sought,  
I thought no peace could be to dearly bought.   

But when this marriage thoroughly was agreed  
Although my king were glad of such a make,  
His uncle Humphrey abhorred it in deed,  
Because thereby his precontract he broke,  
Made with the heir of the earl of Arminake,  
A noble maid with store of goods endowed,  
Which more than this with loss, the duke allowed.   

But love and beauty in the king so wrought  
That neither profit or promise he regarded,  
But set his uncles counsel still at nought:  
And for my pains I highly was rewarded.  
Thus virtue starves, but lust food must be larded.  
For I made Marquis went to France again,  
And brought this Bride unto my sovereign.   

At whom because Duke Humphrey aye repined,  
Calling their marriage adultery (as it was)  
The Queen did move me, erst thereto inclined,  
To help to bring him to his Requiem mass.  
Which sith it could for no crime cum to pass  
His life and doings were so right and clear,  
Through privy murder we brought him to his beer   

Thus righteousness brought Humphrey to rebuke  
Because he would no wickedness allow,  
But for my doings I was made a duke  
So Fortune can both bend and smooth her brow  
On whom she list, not passing why nor how.  
O lord how high, how soon she did me raise,  
How fast she filled me both with prays and praise.   

The Lords and Commons both of like assent,  
Besought my sovereign, kneeling on their knees,  
To record my doings in the parliament,  
As deeds deserving everlasting foes.  
In which attempt they did no labour lose,  
For they set not my praise so fast in flame,  
As he was ready to reward the same.   

But note the end, my deeds so worthy deemed  
Of King, of Lords, and Commons altogether,  
Were shortly after treasons false esteemed,  
And all men cursed Queen Marget's coming hither,  
For Charles the french king, in his fea●es not lither  
When he had rendered Rayner Mauntes & Main,  
Found mean to win all Normandy again.   

This made the people curse the marriage  
Esteeming it the cause of every loss:  
Wherefore at me with open mouth they rage,  
Affirming me to have brought the realm to moss:  
When king & Queen saw things thus go a cross,  
To quiet all a parliament they called,  
And caused me in prison to be thralled,   

And shortly after brought me forth abroad.  
Which made the Commons more than double wood:  
And sum with weapons would have laid on load,  
If their grand captain Blewberd, in his mood,  
Had not in time with wisdom been withstood▪  
But though that he and more were executed  
The people still their worst against me bruited.   

And so applied the Parliament with bills,  
Of heinous wrongs, and open traitorous crimes,  
That king & queen were forced against their wills  
From place to place to adjourn it diverse times.  
For prince's power is like the sandy slimes,  
Which must perforce give place unto the wave,  
Or sue the windy surges when they rave.   

Their life was not more dear to them than I,  
Which made them search all shifts to save me still,  
But aye my foes such faults did on me try  
That to preserve me from a wurser ill,  
The king was fain, full sore against his will,  
For five years space to send me in exile,  
In hope to have restored me in a while.   

But mark how vengeance waiteth upon vice.  
As I was sailing toward the coast of France,  
The Earl of Devonshire's bark, of little price,  
Encountered me upon the seas by chance,  
Whose captain took me by his valiance,  
Let pass my ships, with all the frayt and load,  
But led me with him into Dover road.   

Where when he had recounted me my faults,  
As murdering of Duke Humphrey in his bed,  
And how I had brought all the realm to noughts  
In causing the King unlawfully to wed,  
There was no grace, but I must lose my head.  
Wherefore he made me shrive me in his boat,  
On the edge whereof my neck in two he smoat.   

A piteous end, and therefore Baldwin warn,  
All pyers and princes to abhor untruth,  
For vicious grain must come to fowlendes barn:  
Who brueth breach of lawful bond or oath,  
God will ere long, cause all the world to loath.  
Was never prince that other did oppress  
Unrighteously, but died in distress.    

When this was said: Every man rejoiced to hear of a wicked man so marvelously well punished: For though Fortune in many points be iniurius to Princes, yet in this and such like she is most righteous: And only deserveth the name of a Gods, when she provideth means to punish & destroy Tyrants. And when we had a while considered the drifts of the King and Queen to have saved this Duke, and yet they could not: It is worth the labour (said one) to way the works and judgements of God: which seeing they are known most evidently by comparing contraries, I will touch the story of jacke Kade in order next following. Whom King Henrye with all his puissauns was no more able for a while to destroy (yet was he his rebellious enemy) than he was to preserve the Duke of Suffolk his dearest friend: by which two examples doth appear how notably God disposeth all things, and that no force stretcheth farther, than it pleaseth him to suffer. For this Cade being but base borne, of no ability, and less power, accompanied with a few naked Kentyshmen, caused the King with his army at all points appointed, to leave the field, and to suffer him to do what so ever he lusted: In whose behalf, saying he is one of Fortune's whelps, I will trouble you a while to hear the process of his enterprise, Which he may declare in manner following.   

How jacke Cade traitorously rebelling against his King, was for his treasons and cruel doings wurthely punished.  

Shall I call it Fortune or my froward folly  
That lifted me, and laid me down below  
Or was it courage that we made so jolly,  
Which of the stars and bodies grement grow?  
What ever it were this one point sure I know,  
Which shall be meet for every man to mark:  
Our lust and wills our evils chiefly work.   

It may be well that planets do incline,  
And our complexions move our minds to ill,  
But such is Reason, that they bring to fine  
No work, unayded of our lust and will:  
For heaven and earth are subject both to skill.  
The skill of God ruleth all, it is so strong,  
Man may by skill guide things that to him long.   

Though lust be sturdy and will inclined to nought,  
This forced by mixture, that by heaven's course,  
Yet through the skill God hath in Reason wrought  
And given man, no lust nor will so course  
But may be stayed or suaged of the source,  
So that it shall in nothing force the mind  
To work our woe, or leave the proper kind.   

But though this skill be given every man  
To rule the will, and keep the mind aloft,  
For lack of grace full few use it can,  
These worldly pleasures tickle us so oft:  
skill is not weak, but will strong, flesh is soft  
And yields itself to pleasure that it loveth,  
And hales the mind to that it most reproveth.   

Now if this hap whereby we yield our mind  
To lust and will, be fortune, as we name her,  
Than is she justly called false and blind,  
And no reproach can be to much to blame her:  
Yet is the shame our own when so we shame her,  
For sure this hap if it be rightly known,  
cometh of ourselves, and so the blame our own.   

For who so liveth in the skole of skill  
And meddleth not with any worlds affairs,  
Forsaketh pomps and honours that do spill  
The minds recourse to Grace's quiet stairs,  
His state no Fortune by no mean appayers:  
For Fortune is the folly and plague of those  
Which to the world their wretched wills dispose.   

Among which Fools (Mark Baldwyn) I am one  
That would not stay myself in mine estate.  
I thought to rule, but to obey to none,  
And therefore fell I with my King at bate.  
And to the end I might him better mate,  
john Mortimer I caused myself be called,  
Whose Kingly blood the Henry's nigh had thralled.   

This shift I used the people to persuade  
To leave their Prince, on my side more to stick,  
Whereas in deed my father's name was Kade  
Whose noble stock was never worth a stick.  
But touching wit I was both ripe and quick,  
Had strength of limbs, large stature, comely face,  
Which made men ween my lineage were not base.   

And seeing stoutness stuck by men in Kent  
Whose Ualiaunt hearts refuse none enterprise,  
With false persuasions strait to them I went,  
And said they suffered to great injuries:  
By mean whereof I caused them to rise,  
And battle wise to come to black heath plain  
And thence their griefs unto the King complain.   

Who being deaf (as men say) on that ear,  
For we desired release of subsidies,  
Refused roughly our requests to hear  
And came against us as his enemies.  
But we to trap him, sought out subtleties,  
Removed our camp, and ●acke to Senocke went,  
After whom the Staffordes with their power were sent.   

See here how Fortune setting us a float  
Brought to our nets a portion of our prey.  
For why the Staffordes with their army hot  
Assailed us at Senocke, where we lay:  
From whence alive they parted not away,  
Which when the Kings retinue understood  
They all affirmed my quarrel to be good   

Which caused the king, and queen whom all did hate,  
To raise their camp, and suddenly departed:  
And that they might the people's grudge abate,  
To imprison sum full sore against their heart.  
Lord Says was one, whom I made after smart▪  
For after the Staffordes & their ●ast was slain,  
To Blackheath field I marched back again.   

And where the king would nothing hear before,  
Now was he glad to send to know my mind:  
And I thereby inflamed much the more,  
Refused his grants, so folly made me blind.  
For this he flew and left lord scales behind,  
More help the town, and strengthen London tower,  
Towards which I marched forward with my power.   

And found there all things after my desire,  
I entered London, did there what I list,  
The Treasurer, lord Says, I did conspire  
To have condemned: whereof when I missed,  
(For he by law my malice did resist)  
By force I took him in guilded hall fro the heap,  
And headed him before the cross in cheap.   

His son in law, james Cromer shrive of Kent,  
I caught at Mile end, where as than he lay:  
Beheaded him, and on a pole I sent  
His head to London, where his father's lay.  
With these two heads I made a pretty play,  
For pight on poles I bore them through the street,  
And for my sport made each kiss other sweet.   

Than broke I prisons, let forth whom I would,  
And used the city as it had be mine:  
took fram the marchanntes, money, , & gold:  
From sum by force, from other sum by fine.  
This at the length did cause them to repine,  
So that lord scales consenting with the mayre,  
Forbade us to their city to repair.   

For all this while mine host in Southwark lay▪  
Who when they knew our passage was denied,  
Came boldly to the bridge and made a fray,  
For in we would, the towns men us defied:  
But when with strokes we had the matter tried,  
We won the bridge and set much part on fire,  
This done, to Southwark back we did retire.   

The morrow after came the Chancellor  
With general pardon for my men half gone,  
Which heard and read, the rest within an hour  
Shrank all away, each man to shift for one.  
And when I saw they left me post alone,  
I did disguise me like a knight of the post,  
And into Sussex road away in post.   

And there I lurked, till that cursed coin  
That restless begle sought and found me out.  
For straight the king by promise did enjoin  
A thousand mark, to whosoever mought  
Apprend my corpse: which made men seek about.  
Among the which one Alexander Iden,  
Found out the hole wherein the fox was hidden.   

But ere he took me, I put him to his trumps,  
For yield I would not while my hands would hold  
But hope of money made him stur his stumps,  
And to assault me valiantly and bold.  
Two hours and more our combat was not cold,  
Till at the last he lent me such a stroke,  
That down I fell, and never after spoke.   

Than was my carcase carried like a hog,  
To Southwark borrow where it lay a night,  
The next day drawn to Newgate like a dog,  
All men rejoicing at the rueful sight:  
Than were on poles my parboylde quarters pight,  
And set aloft for vermin to devour,  
Meet grave for rebels that resist the power.   

Full little know we wretches what we do,  
When we presume our princes to resist.  
We war with God, against his glory to,  
That placeth in his office whom he list,  
Therefore was never traitor yet but missed  
The mark he shot, and came to shameful end  
Nor never shall till God be forced to bend.   

God hath ordained the power, all princes be  
His lieutenants, or debities in realms,  
Against their foes still therefore fighteth he,  
And as his enemies drives them to extremes,  
Their wise devices prove but doltish dreams.  
No subject aught for any kind of cause,  
To force the lord, but yield him to the laws.   

And therefore Baldwin warn men follow reason  
Subdue their wills, and be not Fortune's slaves,  
A troublous end doth ever follow treason,  
There is no trust in rebels, rascal knaves,  
In Fortune less, which worketh as the waves:  
From whose assaults who list to stand at large,  
Must follow skill, and fly all worldly charge.    

BY saint marry (ꝙ one) if jacke were as well learned, as you have made his oration, What so ever he was by birth, I warrant him a gentleman by his learning. How notably and Philosopher like hath he described Fortune and the causes of worldly cumbraunce? how uprightly also and how like a divine hath he determined the states both of officers and Rebels. For in deed officers be gods deputies, and it is god's office which they bear, and it is he which ordaineth thereto such as himself lysteth, good when he favoureth the people, and evil when he will punish them. And therefore whosoever rebelleth against any ruler either good or bad, rebelleth against GOD, and shallbe sure of a wretched end: For God can not but maintain his deputy. Yet this I note by the way concerning rebels and rebellions. Although the devil raise them, yet God always useth them to his glory, as a part of his justice. For when Kings and chief rulers, suffer their under officers to misuse their subjects, and will not hear nor remedy their people's wrongs when they complain, than 〈◊〉 GOD the Rebel to rage, and to execute that part of his justice, which the partial prince would not. For the Lord Says a very corrupt officer, & one whom notwithstanding the king always main temed, was destroyed by this jacke, as was also the bishop of Salysbury (a proud and covetous prelate) by other of the rebels. And therefore what soever prince desireth to live quyatlye without rebellion, must do his subjects right in all things, and punish such officers as grieve or oppress them, thus shall they be sure from all rebellion. And for the clearer opening hereof, it were well done to set forth this Lord Says Tragedy. What need that (ꝙ another) seeing the like example is seen in the duke of Suffolk, whose doings are declared sufficiently already. Nay rather let us go forward, for we have a great meinie behind that may not be omitted, and the time as you see, passeth away. As for this Lord Says whom Cade so cruelly killed and spitefully used after his death (I dare say) shallbe known thereby what he was to all that read or hear this story. For God would never have suffered him to have been so used, except he had first deserved it. Therefore let him go, and with him the Bushop, and all other slain in that rebellion: which was raised as it may be thought, through sum drift of the duke of York, who shortly after began to endeavour all means to attain the Crown, and ●●●refore gathered an army in Wales, and marched toward London: but the king which his power tarried and met him at S. Alban's. Where while the king & he were about a treaty, th'earl of warwick set upon the king's army, and view the duke of Somerset, the Earl of Northumberlande, the Lord Clyfforde, and other, and in conclusion got the victory, and the duke was made Lord Protector. Which so greved the Queen and her accomplices, that pryvy grudges and open dissembling never ceased till the duke and his allies were glad to fly the field and Realm, he into Ireland, they to Calayes, whence they came again, with an army, whereof the Earl of salisbury was leader, and marched toward Coventry where the king than was, and had gathered an army to subdue them, and encountered them at Northhampton, and fought and lost the field and was taken himself, the duke of Buckingham, the earl of Shrewesbury, the viscount Beaumount, the Lord Egermount, and many other of his retinue slain. If no man have any mind to any of these noble personages because they were honourably slain in battle, let sum man else take the Book, for I mind to say somewhat of this duke of Somerset.  
☞ While he was devising thereon, and every man seeking farther notes, I looked on the Chronicles, and finding still field upon field, & many noble men slain, I purposed to have overpassed all, for I was so weary that I waxed drowsy, and began in deed to slumber: but my imagination still prosecuting this radical matter, brought me such a fantasy. me thought there stood before us, a tall man's body full of fresh wounds, but lacking a head, holding by the hand a goodly child, whose breast was so wounded that his heart might be seen, his lovely face and eyes disfigured with dropping tears, his hear through horror standing upright, his mercy craving hands all to bemangled, & all his body imbrued with his own blood. And when through the gastfulnes of this piteous spectacle, I warred afeard, and turned away my face, me thought there came a shreking voice out of the weasande pipe of the headless body, saying as followeth.   

How Richard Plantagenet duke of York was slain through his over rash boldness, and his son the earl of Rutland for his lack of valiauns.  

TRust Fortune (ꝙ he) in whom was never trust,  
O folly of men that have no better grace,  
All rest, renown, and deeds lie in the dust  
Of all the sort that sue her slipper trace.  
What meanest thou Baldwin for to hide thy face?  
Thou needest not fear although I miss my head:  
Nor yet to mourn, for this my son is dead.   

The cause why thus I lead him in my hand,  
His skin with blood and tears so sore bestaynd.  
Is that thou mayst the better understand  
How hardly Fortune hath for us ordained:  
In whom her love and hate be hole contained.  
For I am Richard prince Plantagenet,  
The duke of York in royal race beget.   

For Richard earl of Cambridge, eldest son  
Of Edmund Langley, third son of king Edward,  
Engendered me of Anne, whose course did run  
Of Mortimers to be the issue guard:  
For when her brother Edmund died a ward,  
She was sole hair by due descent of line,  
Whereby her rights and titles all were mine,   

But mark me now I pray thee Baldwin mark,  
And see how force oft overbeareth right:  
Way how usurpers tyrannously work,  
To keep by murder that they get by might,  
And note what troublous dangers do alight  
On such as seek to reposses their own,  
And how through rigour right is overthrown.   

The earl of Herford, Henry Bolenbrooke,  
Of whom duke Mowbray told thee now of late,  
When void of cause he had king Richard took:  
He murdered him, usurped his estate,  
Without all right or title, saving hate  
Of others rule, or love to rule alone:  
These two excepted, title had he none.   

The realm and crown was Edmund Mortimer's  
Whose father Roger, was king Richard's hair,  
Which caused Henry and the Lancaster's  
To seek all shifts, our households to appair,  
For sure he was to sit beside the chair  
Were we of power to claim our lawful right,  
Wherefore to stroy us he did all he might.   

His cursed sun ensued his cruel path.  
And kept my guiltless cousin straight in durance:  
For whom my father hard entreated hath.  
But living hopeless of his lives assurance  
He thought it best by politic procuraunce,  
To prive the king, and so restore his friend:  
Which brought himself to an infamous end.   

For when king Henry of that name the fift,  
Had ta'en my father in this conspiracy,  
He from Sir Edmund all the blame to shift,  
Was fain to say the French king, his ally,  
Had hired him this traitorous act to try,  
For which condemned, shortly he was slain.  
In helping right this was my father's gain.   

Thus when the lineage of the Mortimers  
Were made away by this usurping line,  
Sum hanged, sum slain, sum pined prisoners:  
Because the crown by right of law was mine,  
They 'gan as fast against me to repine:  
In fear always lest I should stir them strife.  
For guilty hearts have never quiet life.   

Yet at the last in Henry's days the sixth,  
I was restored to my father's lands,  
Made duke of York. wherethrough my mind I first,  
To get the crown and kingdom in my hands.  
For aid wherein I knit assured bands  
With Nevels stock, whose daughter was my make  
Who for no woe would ever me forsake.   

O lord what hap had I through marriage,  
Four goodly boys in youth my wife she boor.  
Right valiant men, and prudent for their age.  
Such brethren she had and nephews still in store,  
As none had erst, nor any shall have more:  
The earl of Salisbury, and his son of Warwick,  
Were matchless men from Barbary to Barwike.   

Through help of whom and Fortunes lovely look  
I undertook to claim my lawful right,  
And to abash such as against me took,  
I raised power at all points priest to fight:  
Of whom the chief that chief bore me spite,  
Was Somerset the Duke, whom to annoy  
I always sought, through spite, spite to vistroy.   

And maugre him, so choice lo was my chance,  
Yea though the queen that all ruled took his part,  
I twice bare stroke in Normandy and France,  
And last lieutenant in Ireland, where my heart  
Found remedy for every kind of smart.  
For through the love my doings there did breed,  
I had their help at all times in my need.   

This spiteful duke, his silly king and queen.  
With armed hosts I thrice met in the ●ield,  
The first unfought through treaty made between,  
The second joined, wherein the king did yield,  
The duke was slain, the queen enforced to shield  
Herself by flight. The third the queen did fight,  
Where I was slain being overmacht by might.   

Before this last were other battles three,  
The first the earl of Salisbury led alone,  
And fought on Bloreheth, and got the victory:  
In the next was I and my kinsfolk everythone.  
But seeing our soldiers stolen unto our foen,  
We warily broke our company on a night,  
Dissolved our host, and took ourselves to flight.   

This boy and I in Ireland did us save,  
Mine eldest son with Warwick and his father,  
To Caleys got, whence by the read I gave  
They came again to London, and did gather  
An other host, whereof I spoke not rather:  
And met our foes, slew many a lord and knight,  
And took the King, and drove the Queen to flight.   

This done came I to England all in haste.  
To make my claim unto the realm and crown:  
And in the house while parliament did last,  
I in the kings seat boldly sat me down,  
And claimed it: whereat the lords did frown,  
But what for that, I did so well proceed,  
That all at last confessed it mine in deed.   

But sith the king had rained now so long,  
They would he should continue till he died,  
And to the end that than none did me wrong,  
Protector and heir apparent they me cried:  
But sith the Queen and others this denied,  
I sped me toward the North, where than she lay,  
In mind by force to cause her to obey.   

Whereof she warned prepared a mighty power,  
And ere that mine were altogether ready,  
Came bold to Boswurth, and besieged my bower.  
Where like a beast I was so rash and heady,  
That out I would, there could be no remedy,  
With scant five thousand soldiers, to assail  
Four times so many, encamped to most avail.   

And so was slain at first: and while my child  
Scarce twelve year old, sought secretly to part,  
That cruel Clifford, lord, nay Lorell wild,  
While the infant wept, and prayed him rue his smart  
Knowing what he was, with his dagger cla●e, his heart:  
This done he came ●o the camp where I lay dead,  
Despoiled my corpse, and cut away my head.   

And when he had put a paper crown thereon,  
As a gawring stock he sent it to the Queen,  
And she for spite, commanded it anon  
To be had to York: where that it might be seen,  
They placed it where other traitors been.  
This mischief Fortune did me after death,  
Such was my life, and such my loss of breath.   

Wherefore see Baldwin that thou set it forth  
To the end the fraud of Fortune may be known,  
That eke all princes well may way the worth:  
Of things, for which the sedes of war be sown:  
No state so sure but soon is overthrown.  
No worldly good can counterpeyze the prize,  
Of half the pains that may thereof arise.   

far better it were to lose a piece of right,  
Than limbs and life in sousing for the same.  
It is not force of friendship nor of might,  
But god that causeth things to fro or frame.  
Not wit, but luck, doth wield the winners game.  
Wherefore if we our follies would refrain,  
Time would redress all wrongs, we void of pain.   

Wherefore warn princes not to wade in war,  
For any cause, except the realms defence:  
Their troublous titles are unworthy far,  
The blood, the life, the spoil of innocence.  
Of friends and foes behold my foul expense,  
And never the near: best therefore tarry time,  
So right shall reign, and quiet calm each crime.    

WIth this, master Ferrer shook me by the sleve, saying: why how now man, do you forget yourself? belike you mind our matters very much: So I do in deed (ꝙ I) For I dream of them. And when I had rehearsed my dream, we had long talk concerning the natures of dreams, which to stint and to bring us to our matter again, thus said one of them: I am glad it was your chance to dream of Duke Richard, for it had been pity to have overpassed him. And as concerning this lord Clyfford which so cruelly killed his son, I purpose to give you notes: who (as he weld served) came shortly after to a sudden death, & yet to good for so cruel a tyrant. Wherefore as you thought you saw and heard the headless duke speak thorough his neck, so suppose you see this lord Clifford all armed save his head, with his breast plate all gore blood running from his throat, wherein an hedles arrow sticketh, through which wound he sayeth thus:   

How the lord Clyfford for his strange and abominable cruelty, came to as strange and sudden a death.  

OPen confession ar open penance,  
And wisdom would a man his shame to hide:  
Yet sith forgiveness cometh through repentance  
I think it best that men their crimes escried,  
For nought so secret but at length is spied:  
For cover fire, and it will never lin  
Till it break forth, in like case shame and sin.   

As for myself my faults be out so plain  
And published so broad in every place,  
That though I would I can not hide a grain.  
All care is bootless in a cureless case,  
To learn by others grief sum have the grace,  
And therefore Baldwin writ my wretched fall,  
The brief whereof I briefly utter shall.   

I am the same that slew duke Richard's child  
The lovely babe that begged life with tears.  
Whereby my honour foully I defiled.  
Poor silly lambs the Lion never tears:  
The feeble mouse may lie among the bears:  
But wrath of man his rancour to requite,  
Forgets all reason, ruth, & virtue quite.   

I mean by rancour the parental wreak  
Surnamed a virtue (as the vicious say)  
But little know the wicked what they speak,  
In boldening us our enemies kin to slay,  
To punish sin, is good, it is no nay.  
They wreak not sin, but merit wreak for sin,  
That wreak the father's faults upon his kin.   

Because my father lord john Clifford died  
Slain at S. Albon, in his prince's aid.  
Against the duke my heart for malice fried,  
So that I could from wreak no way be stayed.  
But to avenge my father's death, assayed  
All means I might the duke of York to annoy.  
And all his kin and friends to kill and stroy.   

This made me with my bloody dagger wound.  
His guiltless sun that never against me stirred:  
His father's body lying dead on ground,  
To pierce with spear, eke with my cruel swurd  
To part his neck, and with his head to board,  
Envested with a paper royal crown,  
From place to place to bear it up and down.   

But cruelty can never scape the scourge  
Of shame, of horror, and of sudden death.  
Repentance self that other sins may purge,  
Doth fly sc●o●● this, so sore the soul it slayeth,  
Despair dissolves the tyrants bitter breath▪  
For sudden vengeance suddenly alightes  
On cruel heads, to quite their cruel spites.    

The infamous end of Lord john Tiptoft Earl of Wurcester, for cruelly executing his princes butcherly commandments.  

THe glorious man is not so loath to lurk,  
As the infamous glad to lie unknown:  
Which maketh me Baldwin disallow thy work,  
Where princes faults so openly be blown.  
I speak not this alonely for mine own  
Which were my princes (if that they were any)  
But for my Pyers, in numbered very many.   

Or might report uprightly use her tongue,  
It would less grieve us to augment thy matter.  
But sure I am thou shalt be forced among,  
To fray the truth, the living for to ●atter:  
And otherwhiles in points unknown to smatter.  
For time never was, nor ever I think shall be,  
That truth unshent should speak in all things free.   

This doth appear (I dare say) by my story,  
Which diverse writers diversely declare,  
But story writers ought for neither glory,  
Fear, nor favour, truth of things to spare.  
But still it fares as always it did far,  
Affection, fear, or doubts that daily brew,  
Do cause that stories never can be true.   

Unfruytfull Fabyan followed the face  
Of time and dedes, but let the causes ●ip:  
Which Hall hath added, but with double grace,  
For fear I think least trouble might him trip:  
For this or that (sayeth he) he felt the whip.  
Thus story writers leave the causes out,  
Or so rehears them, as they were in doubt.   

But seeing causes are the chiefest things  
That should be noted of the story writers,  
That men may learn what ends all causes brings  
They be unworthy the name of Chroniclers,  
That leave them clean out of their registers,  
Or doubtfully report them: for the fruit  
Of reading stories, stands in the suit.   

And therefore Baldwin either speak upright  
Of our affairs, or touch them not at all:  
As for myself I way all things so light,  
That nought I pass how men report my fall.  
The truth whereof yet plainly show I shall,  
That thou mayst write, and other thereby read,  
What things I did, whereof they should take heed.   

Thou hast heard of Tiptoftes erfes of Wurcester  
I am that john that lived in Edward's days  
The fourth, and was his friend and counsellor,  
And Butcher to, as common rumour says.  
But people's voice is neither shame nor praise:  
For whom they would alive devour to day,  
To morrow dead, they will worship what they may.   

But though the people's ●erdit go by chaune●,  
Yet was there cause to call me as they did.  
For I enforced by mean of governance,  
Did execute what ever my king did bid.  
From blame herein myself I can not rid,  
But fie upon the wretched state, that must  
Defaine itself, to serve the prince's lust.   

The chiefest crime wherewith men do me charge,  
Is death of the Earl of Desmundes noble sons.  
Of which the kings charge doth me clear discharge,  
By straight commandment and Injunctions:  
Theffect whereof so rigorously runs,  
That either I must procure to see them dead,  
Or for contempt as a traitor lose my head.   

What would mine enemies do in such a case,  
Obey the king, or proper death procure?  
They may well say their fancy for a face,  
But life is sweet, and love hard to recure.  
They would have done as I did I am sure:  
For seldom will a wealthy man at ease  
For others cause his prince in aught displease.   

How much less I, which was lieutenant than  
In the Irish isle, preferred by the king:  
But who for love or dread of any man,  
Consentes to accomplish any wicked thing,  
Although chief fault thereof from other spring,  
Shall not escape God's vengeance for his deed,  
Who sauseth none that dare do ill for dread.   

This in my king and me may well appear,  
Which for our faults did not escape the scourge:  
For when we thought our states most sure and clear  
The wind of Warwick blew up such a surge  
As from the realm and crown the king did purge,  
And me both from mine office, friends, and wife,  
From good report, from honest death, and life.   

For Thearl of Warwick through a cankered grudge,  
Which to king Edward causeless he did bear,  
Out of his realm by force did make him trudge,  
And set king Henry again upon his chair.  
And then all such as Edward's lovers were  
As traitors ta'en, were grievously oppressed,  
But chief I, because I loved him best.   

And for my goods and livings were not small,  
The gapers for them bore the world in hand  
For ten years space, that I was cause of all  
The exeen●ions done within the land.  
For this did such as did not understand  
My enemies drift, think all reports were true:  
And so to hate me worse than any jewe.   

For seldom shall a ruler lose his life,  
Before false rumours openly be spread:  
Whereby this proverb is as true as rise,  
That rulers rumours hunt about a head.  
Frown Fortune once all good report is fled:  
For present show doth make the meinie blind,  
And such as see, dare not disclose their mind.   

Through this was I king Edward's butcher named,  
And bore the shame of all his cruel deeds:  
I clear me not, I worthly was blamed,  
Though force was such I must obey him needs.  
With highest rulers seldom well it spedes,  
For they ve ever nearest to the nip,  
And fault who shall, for all feel they the whip.   

For when I was by parliament attainted,  
King Edwardes evils all were counted mine.  
No truth avaylde, so lies were fast and painted,  
Which made the people at my life repine,  
Crying: Crucifige, kill that butcher's line:  
That when I should have gone to Blockaut feast,  
I could not pass so sore they on me priest.   

And had not been the officers so strong  
I think they would have eaten me alive,  
Howbeit hardly haled from the throng,  
I was in the Fleet fast shrouded by the shrive.  
Thes one days life their malice did me give:  
Which when they knew, for spite the next day after,  
They kept them calm, so suffeed I the slaughter.   

Now tell me Baldwin, what fault dost thou find,  
In me, that lustily should such death deserve?  
None sure, except desire of honour blind,  
Which made me seek in offices to serve.  
What mind so good, that honours make not swerve?  
So mayst thou see, it only was my state  
That caused my death, and brought me so in hate.   

Warn therefore all men, wisely to beware,  
What offices they enterprise to bear:  
The highest always most maligned are,  
Of people's grudge, and princes hate in fear.  
For prince's faults his faultors all men tear.  
Which to avoid, let none such office take,  
Save he that can for right his prince forsake.    

THis Earl's tragedy was not so soon finished, but one of the company had provided for an other, of a notable person, lord Tiptoftes chief enemy: concerning whom he said: Lord god, what trust is there in worldly chances? what stay in any prosperity? for see, the Earl of Warwick which caused the earl of Wurcester to be apprehended, attainted, and put to death, triumphing with his old imprisoned, and new unprisoned prince king Henry, was by and by after (and his brother with him) slain at Barnet field by king Edward, whom he had before time damaged diverse ways. As first by his friends at Banbury field, where to revenge the death of his Cousin Harry Nevel, Sir john Conyers and john Clappain his servants slew five thousand Welshemen, and beheaded their captains, the earl of Pen broke, and sir Richard Harbert his brother after they were yielded prisoners: of whom sir Richard Harbert was ●he tallest gentleman both of his person and hands that ever I read or heard of. At which time also, Robin of Ridsdale, a rebel of the earl of Warwyks raising, took the earl Rivers king Edward's wife's father, and his son john, at his manor of Grafion, and carried them to Northhampton, & there without cause or process beheaded them. Which spites to requite, king Edward caused the lord Stafford of Southwike one of Warwikes chief friends to be taken at Brent march, and headed at Budgewater. This caused the Earl shortly after to raise his power, to encounter the king which came against him with an army beside Warwick, at Wouluey where he won the field, took the king prisoner, and kept him a while at Yorkshire in Middleham castle: whence (as sum say) he released him again, but other think he corrupted his keepers, and so escaped. Then through the lords the matter was taken up between them, & they brought to talk together: but because they could not agree, the earl raised a new army, whereof he made captain the lord Welles son which broil king Edward minding to appease by policy, foully distained his honour committing perviry. For he sent for the lord Welles & his brother sir Thomas Dunocke, under safeconduct promising them upon his faith to keep them harmless: But after, because the Lord Walls son would not dissolve his army, beheaded them both, and went with his power down into Lincolnshire, & there fought with sir Robert Welless, & slew ten thousand of his soldiers yet ran they away so fast, that the casting of of their clothes for the more speed, caused it to be called loose-coate field) & took sir Robert & other, and put them to death in the same place. This misfortune forced the earl of Warwick to sail into France where he was well entertained of that king a while, and at last with such poor help as he procured there of duke Rayner & other he came unto England again, & increased such a power in King Henry's name that as the lord Tiptoft, said in his tragedy, king Edward unable to abide him, was feign to fly over the washes in Lincolnshire to get a ship to sail out of his kingdom to ●is brother in law the duke of Burgoyne: So was king Henry restored again to the kingdom. All these despites & troubles the Earl wrought against king Edward, but Henry was so ●nfortunate that ere half a year was expired, king Edward came back again, and imprisoned him, and gave the earl a seld, wherein 〈◊〉 s●w both him and his brother. I have recounted thus much before hand for the better opening of the story, which if it should have been spoken in his tragedy would rather have mad● a volume tha● a pamphlet. For I intend only to say in the tragedy, what I have 〈…〉 the Earl of warwick person 〈…〉 other noble m●n, wham I have by the way touched, should not be forgotten.  
And therefore imagine that you see this Earl lying with his brother in Paul's church in his coat armure, with such a face & countenance as he beareth in portraiture over the door in Paul's, at the going down to jesus Chapel fro the south end of the quire stairs, and saying as followeth.   

How sir Richard Nevell Earl of VVarwike, and his brother john Lord Marquis Montacute through their to much boldness were slain at Barnet field.  

AMong the he any heap of happy knights,  
Whom Fortune stalled upon her stayles stage,  
Oft hoist on high, oft pight in wretched plights,  
Behold me Baldwin, a per se of my age,  
Lord Richard Nevell, Earl by marriage  
Of Warwick duchy, of Sarum by descent,  
Which erst my father through his marriage hent.   

wouldst thou behold false Fortune in her kind  
Note well my life so shalt thou see her naked:  
Full fair before, but toto foul behind,  
Most drowsy still when most she seems awaked:  
My fame and shame her shift full oft hath shaked,  
By interchange, allow and up aloft,  
The Luysard like that changeth hew full oft.   

For while the Duke of York in life remained  
Mine uncle dear, I was his happy hand:  
In all attempts my purpose I attained,  
Though King and Queen & most Lords of the land  
With all their power did often me withstand,  
For god gave Fortune, and my good behaviour,  
Did from their prince steal me the people's favour,   

So that through me in fields right manly fought,  
By force mine uncle took king Harry twice:  
And for my cousin Edward so I wrought,  
When both our sires were slain through rash advice:  
That he achieved his father's enterprise:  
For into Scotland King and Queen we chased,  
By mean whereof the kingdom he embraced.   

Which after he had enjoyed in quiet peace,  
(For shortly after was king Henry take,  
And put in prison) his power to increase,  
I went to France, and matched him with a make,  
The French kings daughter, whom he did forsake:  
For while with pain I brought his suit to pass,  
He to a widow rashly wedded was.   

This made the French king shrewdly to suspect,  
That all my treaties had but ill pretence,  
And when I saw my king so bend to lust,  
That with his faith he passed not to dispense,  
Which is a prince's honours chief defence,  
I could not rest 〈◊〉 I had found a mean.  
To mend his miss, or else to mar him clean.   

Wherefore I allied me with his brother George,  
Encensing him his brother to malign  
Through many a tale I did against him forge:  
So that through power we did from calais bring  
And found at home, we frayed so the king,  
That he to go to Freseland ward amain,  
Whereby king Henry had the crown again.   

Then put we the earl of Wurcester to death  
King Edward's friend, a man to fowl defamed:  
And in the while came Edward into breath,  
For with the duke of Burgoyne so he framed.  
That with the power that he to him had named,  
Unlooked for he came to England straight,  
And got to York, and took the town by sleyte.   

And after through the sufferans of my brother,  
Which like a beast occasion foully lost,  
He came to London safe with many other,  
And took the town to good king Harry's cost,  
Which was through him from post to pillar tossed,  
Till th'earl of Oxeford, I, and other more,  
Assembled power his freedom to restore.   

Whereof king Edward warned came with speed,  
And camped with his host at Barnet town,  
Where we right fierce encountered him in deed  
On Easter day, right early on the down,  
There many a man was slain and stricken down  
On either side, and neither part did gain  
Till I and my brother both at length were slain.   

For we to hearten our overmatched men,  
Forsook our steeds, and in the thickest throng,  
Ran preacing forth on foot, and fought so then,  
That down we drove them were they never so strong.  
But ere this inch had lasted very long:  
With numbered and force we were so foully cloyed  
And rescue failed, that quite we were destroyed.   

Now tell me Baldwin hast thou heard or read,  
Of any man that did as I have done?  
That in his time so many armies led,  
And victory at every viage won?  
Hast thou ever heard of subject under son,  
That plaaste and baaste his soveraynes so oft,  
By interchange, now low, and than alost?   

Perchance thou thinkest my doings were not such  
As I and other do affirm they were.  
And in thy mind I see thou musest much  
What means I used, that should me so prefer:  
Wherein because I will thou shalt not err,  
The truth of all I will at large recite,  
The short is this: I was no hippocrite.   

I never did nor said, save what I mente,  
The common weal was still my chiefest care,  
To private gain or glory I was not bend,  
I never passed upon delicious fare.  
Of needful food my board was never bare.  
No creditor did curs me day by day.  
I used plainness, ever pitch and pay.   

I heard old soldiers, and poor wurkemen whine  
Because their duties were not duly paid.  
Again I saw how people did repine,  
At those through whom their payments were delayed:  
And proof 〈◊〉 oft assure (as scripture said)  
That god doth wreak the wretched people's griefs,  
I saw the poles cut of fro polling thiefs.   

This made me always justly for to deal.  
Which when the people plainly understood,  
Because they saw me mind the common weal  
They still endeavoured how to do me good,  
Ready to spend their substance, life, and blood,  
In any cause whereto I did them move  
For sure they were it was for their behoof.   

And so it was. For when the realm decayed,  
By such as good king Henry sore abused,  
To mend the state I gave his enemies aid:  
But when king Edward sinful pranl●es still used,  
And would not mend, I likewise him refused:  
And holp up Henry the better of the twain,  
And in his quarrel (just I think) was slain.   

And therefore Baldwin teach by proof of me,  
That such as covet people's love to get,  
Must see their works and words in all agree:  
Live liberally, and keep them out of det,  
On common weal let all their care be set,  
For upright dealing, debts paid, poor sustained,  
Is mean whereby all hearts are thoroughly gained,    

Assoon as the Earl had ended his admonition, sure (ꝙ one) I think the Earl of Warwick although he were a glorious man, hath said no more of himself then what is true. For if he had not had notable good virtues, or virtuous qualities, and used laudable means in his trade of life, the people would never have loved him as they did: But god be with him, and send his soul rest, for sure his body never had any. And although he died, yet civil wars ceased not. For immediately after his death, came Queen Margarete with a power out of France, bringing with her her young son prince Edward, and with such friends as she found here, gave king Edward a battle at Tewrbury, where both she & her son were taken prisoners, with Edmund duke of Somerset her chief captain: whose son lord john, and the earl of Devonshire, were slain in the fight, and the duke himself with diverse other immediately beheaded: whose infortunes are worthy to be remembered, chiefly Prince Edwardes, whom the king for speaking truth, cruelly struck with his gauntlet, and his brethren tyrannously murdered. But seeing the time so far spent, I will pass them over, and with them Fawconbridge that jolly rover, beheaded at Southampton: whose commotion made in Kent, was cause of silly Henry's destruction. And seeing king Henrye himself was cause of the destruction of many noble princes, being of all other most unfortunate himself, I will declare what I have noted in his unlucky life: who wounded in prison with a dagger, may lament his wretchedues in manner falowing.   

How king Henry the sixth a virtuous prince, was after many other miseries cruelly murdered in the Tower of London.  

IF ever woeful wight had cause to rue his state,  
Or by his rueful plight to move men moan his fate,  
My piteous plaint may press my mishaps to rehearse,  
whereof the least most lightly heard, the hardest heart may pierce   

What heart so hard can hear, of innocens oppressed  
By fraud in worldly goods, but melteth in the breast  
When guiltless men be spoiled, imprisoned for their own,  
who waileth not their wretched case to whom the cause is known   

The Lion licketh the sores of silly wounded sheep,  
The dedman's corpse may cause the Crocodile to weep,  
The waves that waste the rocks, refresh the rotten reeds,  
Such ruth the wrack of innocens in cruel creature bredes.   

What heart is than so hard, but will for pity bleed,  
To hear so cruel luck so clear a life succeed?  
To see a silly soul with woe and sorrow souste,  
A king deprived, in prison penned, to death with daggars dost.   

Would god the day of birth had brought me to my beer,  
Than had I never felt the change of Fortune's cheer.  
Would god the grave had gripped me in her greedy womb,  
When crown in cradle made m●king, with 〈…〉   

Would god the rueful tomb had been my royal throne,  
So should no kingly charge have made me make my moan:  
O that my soul had flown to heaven with the joy,  
When one sort cried: God save the king, another, Vive le roy.   

So had I not been washed in waves of worldly woe,  
My mind to quiet bend, had not been tossed so:  
My friends had been alive, my subjects unopprest:  
But death or cruel destiny, denied me this rest.   

Alas what should we count the cause of wretch's cares,  
The stars do stir them up, Astronomy declares:  
Or humours saith the leech, the double true divines,  
To the will of god, or ill of man, the doubtful cause assigns.   

Such doltish heads as dream that all things drive by haps,  
Count lack of former care for cause of afterclaps.  
Attributing to man a power fro God bereft,  
Abusing us, and robbing him, through their most wicked theft.   

But god doth guide the world, and every hap by skill,  
Our wit and willing power are poised by his will:  
What wit most wisely wards, and will most deadly urkes,  
Though all our power would press it down, doth dash our warest wurkes.   

Than destiny, our sin, Gods will, or else his wreak,  
Do work our wreathed woes, for humours b● to weak:  
Except we take them so, as they provoke to sin,  
For through our lust by humours fed, all vicious deeds begin   

So sin and they be one, both wurking like effect,  
And cause the wrath of God to wreak the soul infect,  
Thus wrath and wreak divine, man's sins and humours ill,  
Concur in one, though in a sort, each doth a course fulfil.   

If likewise such as say the welkin fortune work,  
Take Fortune for our fate, and stars thereof the marks,  
Then destiny with fate, and Gods will all be one:  
But if they mean it otherwise, scathe causers skies be none.   

Thus of our heavy haps, chief causes be but twain,  
Whereon the rest depend, and underput remain.  
The chief the will divine, called destiny and fate,  
The other sin, through humours holp, which god doth highly hate,   

The first appointeth pain for good men's exercise,  
The second doth deserve due punishment for vice:  
This witnesseth the wrath, and that the love of God,  
The good for love, the bad for sin, God beateth with his rod.   

Although my sundry sins do place me with the worst,  
My haps yet cause me hope to be among the furst:  
The eye that searcheth all, and seeth every thought.  
Doth know how sore I hated sin, and after virtue sought.   

The solace of the soul my chiefest pleasure was,  
Of worldly pomp, of fame, or game, I did not pass:  
My kingdoms nor my crown I prised not a crumb:  
In heaven were my riches heaped, to which I sought to cum.   

Yet were my sorrows such as never man had like,  
So diverse storms at once, so often did me strike:  
But why, God knows, not I, except it were for this  
To show by patarne of a prince, how brittle honour is.   

Our kingdoms are but cares, our state devoid of stay,  
Our riches ready snares, to hasten our decay:  
Our pleasures privy pricks our vices to provoke,  
Our pomp a pump, our fame a flame, our power a smouldering smoke.   

I speak not but by proof, and that may many rue.  
My life doth cry it out, my death doth try it true:  
Whereof I will in brief, rehearse my heavy hap,  
That Baldwin in his woeful warp, my wretch dues may wrap.   

In Windsor borne I was▪ and bare my father's name,  
Who wan by war all France to his eternal fame:  
And left to me the crown, to be received in peace,  
Through marriage made with Charles his hair, upon his life's decease.   

Which shortly did ensue, yet died my father furst,  
And both their realms were mine, ere I a year were nursed:  
Which as they fell to soon, so faded they as fast,  
For Charles and Edward got them both, or forty years were past   

Thi● Charles was eldest son of Charles my father in law,  
To whom as heir of France, the Frenchmen did them draw.  
But Edward was the heir of Richard duke of York.  
The hair of Roger Mortimer, slain by the kern of Korke,   

Before I came to age Charles had recovered France,  
And killed my men of war, so lucky was his chance:  
And through a mad contract I made with Rayners daughter,  
I gave and lost all Normandy, the cause of many a slaughter.   

First of mine uncle Humphrey, abhorring sore this act,  
Because I thereby broke a better precontract:  
Than of the flattering duke that first the marriage made,  
The just reward of such as dare their princes ill persuade.   

And I poor silly wretch abode the brunt of all:  
My marriage just so sweet was 〈…〉  
My wife was wise and good had 〈…〉  
  

Wherefore warn men beware how they just promise break  
Lest proof of painful plagues do cause them wail the wreak:  
Advise well ere they grant, but what they grant, perform.  
For god will plague all doubleness, although we feel no wourme   

I falsely borne in hand believed I did well,  
But all things be not true that learned men do tell:  
My clergy said a prince was to no promise bound,  
Whose words to be no gospel tho, I to my grief have found.   

For after marriage joined Queen Margarete and me,  
For one mishap afore, I daily met with three:  
Of Normandy and France Charles got away my crown,  
The Duke of York & other sought at home to put me down.   

Bellona rang the bell at home and all abroad,  
With whose mishaps amain fell Fortune did me load:  
In France I lost my forts, at home the soughten field,  
My kindred slain, my friends oppressed, myself enforced to yield   

Duke Richard took me twice, and forced me to resign,  
My crown, and titles, due unto my father's line:  
And kept me as a ward, did all things as him list,  
Till time my wife through bloody sword had ●ane me from his fist.   

But though she slew the duke, my sorrows did not slake,  
But like to hiders head, still more and more awake:  
For Edward through the aid of Warwick and his brother,  
From one field drove me to the Skots, and took me in another.   

Then went my friends to wrack, for Edward ware the crown  
For which for nine years space his prison held me down:  
Yet thence through Warwikes work I was again released,  
And Edward driven fro the realm, to seek his friends by East.   

But what prevaileth pain, or providens of man  
To help him to good hap, whom destiny doth ban?  
Who moyleth to remove the rock out of the mud,  
Shall mire himself, & hardly scape the swelling of the flood.   

This all my friends have found and I have felt it so.  
Ordained to be the touch of wretchedness and woe,  
For ere I had a year possessed my seat again,  
I lost both it and liberty, my helpers all were slain.   

For Edward first by stealth, and sith by gathered strength,  
Arrived and got to York and London at the length:  
took me and tied me up, yet Warwick was so stout,  
He came with power to Barnet field, in hope to help me out.   

And there alas was slain, with many a worthy knight.  
O Lord that ever such luck should hap in helping right:  
Last came my wife and son, that long lay in exile,  
Defied the King, and fought a field, I may bewalle the whsle.   

For there mine only son, not thirteen year of age,  
Was ta'en and murdered straight, by Edward in his rage:  
And shortly I myself to stint all further strife  
Stabbed with his brother's bloody blade in prison lost my life.   

Lo here the heavy haps which happened me by heap,  
See here the pleasant fruits that many princes reap,  
The painful plagues of those that break their lawful bands,  
Their meed which may & will not save their friends fro bloody hands.   

God grant my woeful haps to grievous to rehearse,  
May teach all states to know how deeply dangers pierce:  
How frail all honours are, how brittle worldly bliss,  
That warned through my fearful fate, they fear to do amiss.    

THis tragedy ended, an other said: either you or king Henry are a good philosopher, so narrowly to argue the causes of misfortunes: but there is nothing to experience, which taught, or might teach the king this lesson. but to proceed in our matter, I find mention here shortly after the death of this king, of a duke of Excester found dead in the sea between Dover and calais, but what he was, or by what adventure he died, master Fabian hath not showed, and master Hall hath overskipped him: so that except we be friendlier unto him, he is like to be double drowned, both in the sea, and in the gulf of forgetfulness. About this matter was much talk, but because one took upon him to seek out that story, that charge was committed to him. And to be occupied the mean while, I found the story of one drowned likewise, and that so notably, though privily that all the world knew of it: wherefore I said: because night approacheth, and that we will lose no time, ye shall hear what I have noted concerning the duke of Clarens, king Edward's brother, who all to be washed in wine, may bewail his infortune after this manner.   

How George Plantagenet third son of the Duke of York, was by his brother King Edward wrongfully imprisoned, and by his brother Richard miserably murdered.  

THe foul is fowl men say, that files the nest.  
which maketh me loath to speak now, might I choose,  
But seeing time unburdened hath her breast,  
And fame blown up the blast of all abuse,  
My silence rather might my life accuse  
Than shroud our shame, though fain I would it so:  
For truth will out, though all the world say no.   

And therefore Baldwin heartily I the beseech.  
To pause awhile upon my heavy plaint,  
And though uneath I utter speedy speech,  
No fault of wit, or folly maketh me saint:  
No heady drinks have given my tongue attained  
Through quaffing craft, yet wine my wits confounded  
Not which I drank of, but wherein I drowned.   

What prince I am although I need not show.  
Because my wine bewrays me by the smell,  
For never was creature soused in Bacchus' dew●  
To death but I, through Fortune's rigour fell:  
Yet that thou mayst my story better tell,  
I will declare as briefly as I may,  
My wealth, my woe, and causers of decay.   

The famous house sournamed Plantagenet,  
Whereat dame Fortune frowardly did frown,  
White Bolenbroke unjustly sought to set  
His lord king Richard quite beside the crown,  
Though many a day it wanted due renown,  
God so preserved by providens and grace,  
That lawful heirs did never fail the race.   

For Lionel king Edward's elder child,  
Both uncle and hair to Richard useless,  
Begot a daughter Philip, whom unfilde  
The earl of March espoused, and god did bless  
With fruit assigned the kingdom to possess:  
I mean sir Roger Mortimer, whose hair  
The earl of Cambridge married Anne the fair.   

This earl of Cambridge Richard cleped by name,  
Was son to Edmund Langley duke of York:  
Which Edmund was fift brother to the same  
Duke Lyonel, that all this line doth korke:  
Of which two houses joined in a fork,  
My father Richard prince Plantagenet  
True duke of York, was lawful heir beget.   

Who took to wife as you shall understand  
A maiden of a noble house and old,  
Raulfe Nebels daughter Earl of Westmoreland:  
Whose son Earl Richard was a baron bold,  
A●d had the right of Salysbury in bold,  
Through marriage made with good Earl Thomas hair,  
Whose earned praises never shall appair.   

The duke my father had by this his wife,  
Four sons, of whom the eldest Edward hight,  
The second john, who lost in youth his life,  
At wakefield slain by Clifford cruel knight.  
I George am third of Clarence duke by right.  
The fourth borne to the mischief of us all,  
Was duke of Gloucester, whom men Richard call.   

When as our sire in suit of right was slain,  
(Whose life and death himself declared cursed,)  
My brother Edward plied his cause amain,  
And got the crown, as Warwick hath rehearsed:  
The pride whereof so deep his stomach pierced,  
That he forgot his friends, despised his kin,  
Of oath or office passing not a pin.   

Which made the earl of Warwick to malign.  
My brother's state, and to attempt a way,  
To bring from prison Henry silly king,  
To help him to the kingdom if he may.  
And knowing me to be the chiefest stay,  
My brother had, he did me undermine  
To cause me to his treasons to incline.   

Whereto I was prepared long before,  
My brother had been to me so unkind:  
For sure no canker fretteth flesh so sore,  
As unkind dealing doth a loving mind.  
Love's strongest bands unkindness doth unbind,  
It moveth love to malice, zeal to hate,  
Chief friends to foes, and brethren to debate.   

And though the Earl of Warwick subtle sire,  
Perceyved I bore a grudge against my brother,  
Yet toward his feat to set me more on fire,  
He kindled by one firebrand with another:  
For knowing fancy was the forcing rother,  
Which stiereth youth to any kind of strite,  
He offered me his daughter to my wife.   

wherethrough and with his crafty filled tongue,  
He stolen my heart, that erst unsteady was:  
For I was witless, wanton, fond, and young,  
Whole bend to pleasure, brittle as the glass:  
I can not lie, In vino veritas.  
I did esteem the beauty of my bride,  
Above myself and all the world beside.   

These fond affections joint with lack of skill,  
(Which trap the heart, and blind the eyes of youth,  
And prick the mind to practise any ill)  
So tickled me, that void of kindly truth:  
(Which where it wants, all wickedness ensueth)  
I stinted not to persecute my brother,  
Till time he left his kingdom to an other.   

Thus karnall love did quench the love of kind,  
Till lust were lost through fancy fully fed.  
But when at length I came unto my mind,  
I saw how lewdly lightness had me led,  
To seek with pain the peril of my head:  
For had king Henry once been settled sure,  
I was assured my days could not endure.   

And therefore though I bound myself by oath  
To help king Henry all that ever I might,  
Yet at the treaty of my brethren both.  
Which reason granted to require but right,  
I left his part, whereby he perished quite:  
And reconciled me to my brethren twain,  
And so came Edward to the crown again.   

This made my father in law to fret and fume,  
To stamp and stare, and call me false forsworn,  
And at the length with all his power, presume  
To help king Henry utterly forlorn.  
Our friendly proffers still he took in scorn,  
Refused peace, and came to Barnet field,  
And there was killed, because he would not yield:   

His brother also there with him was slain,  
Whereby decayed the keys of chivalry.  
For never lived the matches of them twain,  
In manhood, power, and martial policy,  
In virtuous thews, and friendly constancy,  
That would to god, if it had been his will  
They might have turned to us, and lived stil.   

But what shall be, shall be: there is no choice,  
Things needs must drive as destiny decreeth:  
For which we ought in all our haps rejoice,  
Because the eye eterne all thing foreseeth,  
Which to no ill at any time agreeth,  
For yl● to ill to us, be good to it,  
So far his skills exceed our reach of wi●.   

The wounded man which must abide the smart,  
Of stitching up, or ●earing of his sore,  
As thing to bad, reproves the Surgeon's art,  
Which notwithstanding doth his health restore.  
The child likewise to science plied sore,  
Countess' knowledge ill, his teacher to be wood,  
Yet Surgery and sciences be good.   

But as the pacientes grief and Scholars pain,  
Cause them dame bad such things as sure be best,  
So want of wisdom causeth us complain  
Of every hap, whereby we seem oppressed:  
The poor do pine for pelf, the rich for rest,  
And when as loss or sickness us assail:  
We curse our fate, our Fortune we bewail.   

Yet for our good, god worketh every thing.  
For through the death of those two noble peers  
My brother lived and reigned a quiet king,  
Who had they lived perchance in course of years.  
Would have delivered Henry from the breres,  
Or holp his son to enjoy the careful crown,  
Whereby our line should have be quite put down.   

A careful crown it may be justly named,  
Not only for the cares thereto annexed,  
To see the subject well and duly framed,  
With which good care few kings are greatly vexed  
But for the dread wherewith they are perplexed,  
Of losing lordship, liberty, or life:  
Which woeful wracks in kingdoms happen rife.   

The which to shun while sum to sore have sought  
They have not spared all persons to suspect:  
And to destroy such as they guilty thought:  
Though no appearance proved them infact.  
Take me for one of this wrong punished sect,  
Imprisoned first, accused without cause,  
And done to death, no process had by laws.   

Wherein I note how vengeance doth acquit  
Like ill for ill how vices virtue quell:  
For as my marriage love did me excite  
Against the king my brother to rebel,  
So love to have his children prosper well,  
Provoked him against both law and right,  
To murder me, his brother, and his knight.   

For by his queen two goodly sons he had.  
Born to be punished for their parents' sin:  
Whose fortunes kalked made their father sad,  
Such woeful haps were found to be therein:  
Which to avouch, writ in a rotten skin  
A prophecy was found, which said a G,  
Of Edward's children should destruction be.   

Me to be G, because my name was George  
My brother thought, and therefore did me hate.  
But woe be to the wicked heads that forge  
Such doubtful dreams to breed unkind debate:  
For God, a gleve, a gibbet, grate or gate,  
A gray, a Griffeth or a Gregory,  
As well as George are written with a G.   

Such doubtful riddles are no prophecies.  
For prophecies, in writing though obscure,  
Are plain in sense, the dark be very lies:  
What god forsheweth is evident and pure.  
Truth is no Harold nor no Sophist sure:  
She noteth not men's names, their shields nor creastes,  
Though she compare them unto birds and beasts.   

But whom she doth foreshow shall rule by force,  
She termeth a Wolf, a Dragon or a Bear:  
A wilful Prince, a raynles ranging horse.  
A bold, a Lion: a coward much in fear,  
A hare or heart: a crafty, pricked ear:  
A lecherous, a Bull, a Goote, a Foal:  
An underminer, a Moldwarp, or a mole.   

By known beasts thus truth doth plain declare  
What men they be, of whom she speaks before,  
And who so can men's properties compare  
And mark what beast they do resemble more,  
Shall soon discern who is the griefly bore.  
For God by beasts expresseth men's conditions,  
And not their badges, harold superstitions.   

And learned Merline whom God gave the spirit,  
To know, and utter princes acts to come,  
Like to the jewish prophets, did recite  
In shade of beasts, their doings all and sum:  
Expressing plain by manners of the dumb,  
That kings and lords such properties should have  
As had the beasts whose name he to them gave.   

Which while the foolish did not well consider,  
And seeing princes gave, for difference  
And knowledge of their issues mixed together,  
All manner beasts, for badges of pretence,  
They took those badges to express the sense  
Of Merlines mind, and those that gave the same,  
To be the princes noted by their name.   

And hereof sprang the false named prophecies,  
That go by letters, siphers, arms, or signs:  
Which all be foolish, false and crafty lies,  
Devised by guess, or Guiles untrue divines:  
For when they saw that many of many lines  
Gave arms alike, they witted not which was he,  
Whom Merline meant the noted beast to be.   

For all the brood of Warwick's geve the Bear,  
The Buckinghames do likewise give the swan:  
But which Bear bearer should the lion tear  
They were as wise as Goose the ●ery man:  
Yet in their skill they ceased not to skan:  
And to be deemed of the people wise,  
Set forth their gloss upon prophecies.   

And whom they doubted openly to name  
They darkly termed, or by sum letter meant:  
For so they mought how ever the world did frame,  
Preserve themselves from shame or being shent.  
For howsoever contrary it went,  
They might expound their meaning otherwise,  
As haps in things should newly still arise.   

And thus there grew of a mistaken truth,  
An art so false, as made the true suspect:  
Whereof hath come much mischief, more the ruth,  
That errors should our minds so much infect.  
True prophecies have foully been reject:  
The false which breed both murder, war & strife,  
Belyved to the loss of many a goodman's life.   

And therefore Baldwin teach men to discern,  
Which prophecies be false and which be true:  
And for a ground this lesson let them learn,  
That all be false which are devised new:  
The age of things is judged by the hue.  
All Riddles made by letters, names or arms,  
Are young and false, for worse than witches charms.   

I know thou musest at this lor● of mine,  
How I no student, should have learned it:  
And dost impure it to the fume of wine  
That stirs the tongue, and sharpeneth up the wit,  
But hark, a friend did teach me every whit.  
A man of mine, in all good knowledge rife,  
For which he guiltless, lost his learned life.   

This man abode my servant many a day,  
And still in study set his hole delight:  
Which taught me more than I could bear away  
Of every art: and by his searching sight  
Of things to come he could forshew as right,  
As I rehearse the pageants that were passed:  
Such perfectness god gave him at the last.   

He knew my brother Richard was the Boar,  
Whose tusks should tears my brother's boys & me,  
And gave me warning thereof long before.  
But wit nor warning can in no degree  
Let things to hap, which are ordained to be,  
Witness the painted Lioness, which slew  
A prince imprisoned, Lions to eschew.   

He told me to, my youkefelow should die,  
(Wherein would God he had been no divine)  
And after her death, I should woo earnestly  
A spouse, where at my brother should repine:  
And find the means she should be none of mine.  
For which such malice, should among us rise,  
As save my death no treaty should decise.   

And as he said, so all things came to pass:  
For when King Henry and his son were slain,  
And every broil so thoroughly quenched was,  
That the King my brother quietly did rain,  
I, reconciled to his love again,  
In prosperous health did lead a quiet life,  
For five years space with honours laden rise.   

And to augment the fullness of my bliss,  
Two lovely children by my wife I had:  
But froward hap, whose manner ever is,  
In chiefest joy to make the happy sad,  
Bemixt my sweet with bitterness to bad:  
For while I swum in joys on every side,  
My loving wife, my chiefest jewel died.   

Who s● lacks when f●l● I had bewailed a year,  
The Duke of Burgoyves wise dame Margarete  
My loving sister, willing me to chear●,  
To marry again did kindly 〈◊〉 entreat:  
And wished me matched with a maiden neat  
A stepdaughter of hers, duke Charles, his hapee,  
A noble damosel, young, discrete and fair.   

To whose desper, because I did incline,  
The King my brother doubting my degree,  
Through prophecies, against us did repine:  
And at no hand, would to our wills agree.  
For which such rancour pierced both him and me  
That face to face we fell to flat defiance,  
But were appeased by friends of our alliance.   

Howbeit my marriage utterly was dashed:  
Wherein because my servant said his mind,  
A mean was sought whereby he might be lashed.  
And for they could no crime against him find,  
They forged a fault the peoples lyts to blind,  
And told he should by sorceries pretend,  
To bring the King unto a speedy end.   

Of all which points he was as innocent,  
As is the babe that lacketh kindly breath:  
And yet condemned by the kings assent,  
Most cruelly put to a shameful death.  
This fired my heart, as soldier doth the heath:  
So that I could not but exclaim and cry,  
Against so great and open an injury.   

For this I was commanded to the tower,  
The king my brother was so cruel hearted:  
And when my brother Richard saw the hour  
Was come, for which his heart so sore had smarted,  
He thought best take the time before it parted.  
For he endeavoured to attain the crown,  
From which my life must needs have held him down.   

For though the king within a while had died,  
As needs he must, he surfayted so oft,  
I must have had his children in my guide  
So Richard should beside the crown have cost:  
This made him ply the while the wax was sof●▪  
To find a mean to bring me to an end,  
For realm rape spareth neither kin nor friend.   

And when he saw how reason can assuage  
Through length of time, my brother Edward's yre●  
With forged tales he set him new in rage,  
Till at the last they did my death conspire.  
And though my truth sore troubled their desire,  
For all the world did know mine innocence,  
Yet they agreed to charge me with offence.   

And covertly within the tower they called,  
A quest to give such verdict as they should:  
Who what with fear, and what with favour thraide,  
Durst nought pronounce but as my brethren would  
And though my false accusers never could  
Prove aught they said, I guiltless was condemned:  
Such verdites pass where justice is contemned.   

This seat achieved, yet could they not for shame  
Cause me be killed by any common way,  
But like a wolf the tyrant Richard came,  
(My brother, nay my butcher I may say)  
Unto the tower, when all men were away,  
Save such as were provided for the ●eate:  
Who in this wise did strangely me entreat.   

His purpose was, with a prepared string  
To strangle me. but I bestirred me so,  
That by no force they could me thereto bring,  
Which caused him that purpose to forge.  
Howbeit they bond me whether I would or no.  
And in a bu●●e of Malmsey standing by,  
New Christened me, because I should not cry.   

Thus drowned I was, yet for no due desert,  
Except the zeal of justice be a crime:  
False prophecies bewitched king Edward's heart.  
My brother Richard to the crown would climb.  
Note these three causes in thy rueful rhyme:  
And boldly say they did procure my fall,  
And death, of deaths most strange and hard of al.   

And warn all princes prophecies to eschew  
That are to dark or doubtful to be known:  
What God hath said, that can not but ensue,  
Though all the world would have it overthrown.  
When men suppose by fetches of their own  
To fly their fate, they further on the same.  
Like quenching blasts, which oft revive the flame.   

Will princes therefore not to think by murder  
They may avoid what prophecies behight,  
But by their means their mischiefs they may further,  
And cause gods vengeance heavier to alight:  
Woe worth the wretch that strives with gods forsights.  
They are not wise, but wickedly do ar●e,  
Which think ill deeds, due destinies may bar.   

For if we think that prophecies be true,  
We must believe it can not but beride  
Which God in them forsheweth shall ensue:  
For his decrees unchanged do abide.  
Which to be true my brethren both have tried.  
Whose wicked work warn princes to detest,  
That others harms may keep them better blessed.    

BY that this tragedy was ended, night was so near come that we could not conveniently tarry together any longer: and therefore said master Ferrer: It is best my masters to stay here. For we be cum now to the end of Edward the fourth his reign. For the last whom we find unfortunate therein, was this Duke of Clarens: In whose behalf I commend much that which hath be noted. Let us therefore for thi●●ime leave with him. And this day seven nights hence, if your business will so suffer, let us all meet here together again And you shall see that in the mean season I will not only devise upon this myself, but but cause diverse other of my acquayntauns, which can do very well, to help us forward with the rest. To this every man gladly agreed. howbeit (ꝙ an other) seeing we shall end at Edward the fowerthes' end, let himself make an end of our days labour with the same oration which master Skelton made in his name, the tenor whereof so far as I remember, is this.   

How king Edward through his surfeiting and untemperate life, suddenly died in the mids of his prosperity.  

MIseremini mei ye that be my friends,  
This world hath form me down to fall:  
How may I endure when that every thing ends?  
What creature is borne to be eternal,  
Now there is no more but pray for me all.  
Thus say I Edward that late was your King,  
And xxiii years ruled this imperial:  
Sum unto pleasure and sum to no liking:  
Mercy I ask of my misdoing,  
What availeth it friends to be my foe?  
Sith I can not resist, nor amend your complaining,  
Quia ecce nunc in pulvere dormio.   

I sleep now in mould as it is natural,  
As earth unto earth hath his reverture:  
What ordained God to be terrestrial,  
Without recourse to the earth by nature?  
Who to live ever may himself assure?  
What is it to trust on mutability?  
Sith that in this world nothing may endure?  
For now am I gone that was late in prosperity.  
To presume thereupon it is but a vanity,  
Not certain, but as a cherry fair full of wo.  
Rained not I of late in great prosperity?  
Et ecce nunc in pulvere dormio.   

Where was in my life such an one as I.  
While Lady Fortune with me had continuance?  
Granted not she me to have victory,  
In England to rain, and to contribute France?  
She took me by the hand and led me a dance,  
And with her sugared lips on me she smiled.  
But what for her dissembled countenance,  
I could not be ware till I was beguiled.  
Now from this world she hath me exiled,  
When I was loathest hence for to go,  
And am in age as who saith but a child.  
Et ecce nunc in pulvere dormio.   

I had enough I held me not content,  
Without remembrance that I should die:  
And moreover to encroach ready was I bend,  
I knew not how long I should it occupy,  
I made the tower strong I witted not why.  
I knew not to whom I purchased Tattersall.  
I amended Dover on the mountain high,  
And London I provoked to fortify the wall.  
I made Nottingham a place full royal.  
Windsor, Eltam, and many other more.  
Yet at the last I went from them all,  
Et ecce nunc in pulvere dormio.   

Where is now my conquest and victory?  
Where is my riches, and royal array?  
Where be my coursers and my horse's hye●  
Where is my mirth, my solas, and play?  
As vanity to nought all is wyddred away:  
O Lady Bes▪ long for me may you call,  
For I am departed until dooms day:  
But love you that lord that is sovereign of all,  
Where be my castles and buildings royal▪  
But Windsor alone now have I no more.  
And of Eton the prayers perpetual,  
Et ecce nunc in pulvere dormio.   

Why should a man be proud or presume high?  
Saint Barnard thereof nobly doth treat,  
Saying a man is but a sack of stercory.  
And shall return unto wurmes meal:  
Why what became of Alexander the great?  
Or else of strong Samson, who can tell?  
Were not wurmes ordained their flesh to fret?  
And of Solomon that was of wit the well  
Absalon proffered his h●●re for to sell,  
Yet for all his beauty, wurmes eat him also.  
And I but late in honour did excel,  
Et ecce nunc in pulvere dormio.   

I have played my pageant now am I passed,  
Ye wore well all I was of no great eld.  
This all thing concluded shall be at the last,  
When death approacheth, than lost is the field:  
Than seeing this world me no longer upheld,  
For nought would conserve me here in my place,  
In manus tuas domine my spirit up I yield,  
Humby beseeching the o God, of thy grace.  
O you courteous commons your hearts embrace,  
benignly now to pray for me also,  
For right well you know your king I was.  
Et ecce nunc in pulvere dormio.   
When this was said, every man took his leave of other and departed: And I the better to acquit my charge, recorded and noted all such matters as they had willed me.  
FINIS.   

The Contents and Table of the book.  

The Epistle dedicatory.  
¶ A prose to the Reader, continued between the tragedies from the beginning of the book to the end.  
Tragedies beginning. 

¶ Tresilian and his fellows hanged. folio. i.  
¶ Mortimer slain. folio. iiii.  
¶ Thomas of Wodstocke murdered. fol. viii.  
¶ Mowbray lord Marshal banished. fol. xii.  
¶ King Richard the second murdered. fol. xvi.  
¶ Owen Glendour starved. fol. nineteen.  
¶ Percy earl of Northumberland beheaded. fo. xxv.  
¶ Richard earl of Cambridge beheaded. fo. xxviii.  
Thomas Montague earl of Salisbury slain. fo. thirty.  
¶ King james the first murdered. fo. xxxvi.  
¶ Good duke Humphrey murdered, and Elinor Cobham his wife banished. fol. xl.  
¶ William de la Poole duke of Southfolke banished and beheaded.  
¶ jacke Cade calling himself Mortimer slain and beheaded.  
¶ Richard Plantagence duke of York slain. fo. lix.  
¶ Lord Clifford slain. fol. lxii.  
john Tiptoft earl of Wurcester beheaded. fol. lxiiii.  
¶ Richard Nevell earl of Warwick slain. fol. lxix.  
¶ King Henry the sixth murdered fol. lxxii.  
¶ George duke of Clarence drowned. fol. lxxv.  
¶ King Edward the fourth surfeited. fol. lxxxiii.     
Finis.   

¶ Faults escaped in the printing.  
Leaf 1. line 20. read, 
hath be seen,  Leaf 8. line 5. read, 
whoss state is stablished.  second side line 21. read, 
hearken to me.  Leaf 9 line 4. read, 
frenchmen to abandon.  Leaf 19 B. line 13. read, 
am sterved Owen,  leaf 69. line 7, read, 
upon her strailesse stage,  Leaf 82. B. line 15. read, 
attributing to man.  Leaf 84. line 26. read, 
fro which for. etc.  Leaf 81. line 1. read, 
whose lack,   
The same leaf line 26. read, as foulder doth.  
B. signifieth the second side of the Leaf▪   

¶ Imprinted at London in Fleetstreet near to saint Dunston's Church by Thomas Marsh.