THE FIRST BOOK OF THE PRESERVATION OF King Henry the seven. when he was but Earl of Richmond, Grandfather to the Queen's majesty; Compiled in english rhythmical Hexameters.  
Vivit in eternum post funera vivida virtus.  
Virtue remaineth alive after death lively for ever.  
Quo magis difficilior, copulchrior▪  
Hoc opus, hic labor est.  
¶ Imprinted at London, by R. B. and are to be sold in Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Bible. 1599   

To the Printer.  
PRint with a good letter, this book, and carefuly Printer:  
Print each word legibill, not a word nor a sillabil alter:  
Keep points, and commas, periods, the parenthesis observe;  
My credit and thy report to defend, both safely to conserve.   

To the Right honorabel, worshipful, gentle, and learned Readers, whosoever; that are both true favourits of poetry, and of right ancient Heroic Hexameters.  
RIght honoured, worshipful, and gentle Reader, these Hexameters and Pentameters in English, are misliked of many, because they are not yet come to their full perfection: and specially of some, that are accounted and known to be Doctors and singularly well learned and great Linguistes: but especially of the plain Rythmer, that scarce knows the footed quantity or metrical scanning thereof; much less to read them with a grace according to the same. But for him, I say thus; Scientia nullum habet inimicum, praeter ignorantem. Whose books are stuffed with lines of prose, with a rhythm in the end; which every fiddler, or piper, can make upon a theme given. Nevertheless, I confess and acknowledge that we have many excellent and singular good Poets in this our age, as Master Spencer, that was, Master Gowlding, Doctor Phayer, Master Harrington, Daniel, and divers others whom I reverence in that kind of prose-rythme: wherein Spencer (without offence spoken) hath surpassed them all. I would to God they had done so well in true Hexameters: for they had then beautified our language. For the Greeks' and Latins did in a manner abolish quite that kind of rythme-prose: And why should not we do the like in English? But the ignorant and adverse part will say, our speech is not copious enough: But I say that it is: and besides it would be the more enriched, adorned, and more eloquent, if they would make trial thereof, or could compose them artificially and eloquently to delight the Readers, to resound with a grace in their ears. Nam nihil difficile volenti. But this is the true cause why they do not so; Hoc opus, hic labor est: which the chief Doctors and best learned of them all, cannot deny; And perhaps some of the best of them, that are curious carpers and reprehenders of this true metrified verse, though skilful in other arts, cannot formally compose the like as France did; who observed a better Prosodia then Stanihurst. For Tully was not so good a Poetician as he was an Orator. God bestoweth his gifts severally, and more bountifully on some then on others. For Homer in Greek, and Virgil in Latin, surpassed all that ever were before or since, in true footed Hexameters; but not in prose. Neither were Homer and Virgil the first that versifyed in their natural language: But others did attempt to Poetize afore them, in the like verse; or else in truth I suppose they could not have done so well. Every thing hath a beginning, which at first cannot be made so perfect. Those verses which Ennius made, before Virgil made any, were not so well liked: as for example; unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem: Yet Virgil most commonly had his book about him. Therefore I reverence Stanihurst; who being but an Irish man, did first attempt to translate those four books of Eneados, which (if he be living) I desire him to refile them over again; and thus have written in verse: 
If the Poet Stanihurst yet live and feedeth on air,  
I do request him (as one that wisheth a grace to the metre)  
With words significant to refile and finely to polished  
Those four Aenëis, that he late translated in English.  
I do the man reverence, as a fine, as an exquisite Author:  
For that he first did attempt, to translate verse as a Doctor.   
For at the first, Master Askam had much ado to make two or three verses in English: but now every scholar can make some. What language so hard, harsh, or barbarous, that time and art will not amend? As I have written in an other place, thus; 
nought can at once be begun, or present made, to be perfect.  
By travel, all hard things are brought to singular effect.  
Yet that Apelles could Cytheraeas beauty depolish;  
Had not he time to delyne, her picture finely to finnysh?   
This true kind of Hexametred and Pentametred verse, well bring unto us four commodities. First it will enrich our speech with good and significant words: Secondly it will bring a delight and pleasure to the skilful Reader, when he seethe them formally compiled: And thirdly it will encourage and learn the good & godly Students, that affect Poetry, and are naturally inclined thereunto, to make the like: Fourthly it will direct a true Idioma, and will teach true Orthography. For as gold surpasseth lead: so the Hexameters surpass rhythm prose. And as concerning the same, this have I written: 
As yelo gold purified doth surmount every metal:  
So fine verse metrifyed, this rythme-prose greatly doth excel.  
With words significant, such rural rythmery confound,  
And metrical verses with a new rhythm lawraly compound.  
For silly Muse fear not: since every paltry Rythmor  
With words unmetrifyed would seem to be counted a Doctor:  
Whose works seem to be good, representing Tantalus appel,  
Which did appear to be gold; but touched were, turned in ashes.   
And in another place.  
Cloud not your Orient fine skill, with dregs of a drowsy  
Conterfaited prose: This Roman verse hath a glory.  
As redolent Gilyflowers perfumes a delight to the senses;  
men's memories to refresh: So scanning Rythmery verses  
Brings a delight to the minds, etc.  
For these rybaud and bawdy Poets be but the devils agents, and are to be detested; but the virtuous and godly Poets are to be both reverenced and regarded: as I have here written; 
As domiport slug-y snail, his passage plainly to disclose,  
Leaveth a print as he goes, but a shining slime to no purpose:  
So doth a bawdy Poet (his brainsick folly to publish)  
Writ amorous madrigals; some lewd love-toy to recognize.  
Aim at a true Period, Christ jesus: flee from all evil:  
Roave not aside to detract his praise: learn rightly to leavell.  
Wit's misabused will appear as a golden ring in a swine's snout.  
God's word such reprobate lewd wits doth worthily confute.  
Show me the tree by the fruit: so saith Saint Luke that evangel,  
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of a thystel? 
Saint Luke, ca 6. verse. 45.   

Saint Matthew ca 13. verse. 30.37.38.  Christ shows by parables, who be tars and who be the good seed:  
Th'one by the devil sown, and th'other sown by the goddhead:  
Both to be reaped at a time, and both to be parted asunder:  
Both to be bound in sheaves, and both to be laid from another:  
Th'one to be laid in a barn, th'other to be thrown by jehova,  
Into that burning lake, that burning fiery Gehenna.   
And we, that profess Christianity, should not use any paganism, to detract gods glory, as the paganized Poets did, in the time of ignorance. For this I have written of them: I mean, of Homer, Virgil, and others; 
Only the fault was this; they lived in a time then of error,  
And to the Pagan gods most of them yielded an honour.  
Those secular sages, which gods true word did abandon,  
Wilfully lost themselves, and others left at a random.  
But should we Christians (confessing one God Immortal,  
Trinity, Unity, one, deified with glory coequal)  
Call to the Pagan gods; to detract praise from the Redeemer,  
Our soul's sole-saviour? Should we such blasphemy suffer?   
In truth, all they that profess true Poetry should seek to further the advancement of god's glory what they may (which I pray God they may do, to banish all these fond fantastical and venerial Poets) and also to do their best endeavour in true Hexameters, to abolish this plain rythme-prose; that we may imitate and follow the best learned, and ancient Poets: as Homer, Virgil, and Lucan in Chronicles. For that an heroical verse composed in Hexameters, is most correspondent to a right honourable nature: as appeared by Alexander the great: as I have composed in Hexameters following.  
When that Alexander did come to the Tomb of Acbilles',  
That monument to behold; he pronounced these very speeches,  
And with a sigh thus said: Thrice Larissaeus is happy,  
For that he greek Homer had, to record his glory so worthy.  
* And when he had conquered great spoils from king Darius,  
There was a chest of gold, that, he said, was fit for Homerus  
Books, to be safely reposed. For he kept them safe, as a jewel,  
Under his own beads-head: whose work divinely doth excel.  
And Maro laurigerent, in verse most glorious enrolled  
Venturous Aeneas exploits, and worthiness extolled.  
Which brought Rome in a muse, with a grace so loftily slowing.  
Whose praise still will abide, while seas or earth are abiding.  
And that we may imitate them as near as we may, in poetizing of verified Chronicles, I have elsewhere written thus; 
Learn of Maeonides; who writeth of Hector, Achilles,  
Of Troilus, Diomedes, of craft-contriver Ulysses.  
If so be that Chronicles had not been skilfuly written,  
kings valiant exploits, lords fame, and knights valour had been  
Drowned in oblivion. For time (fames greedy devowrer)  
Leaves fame vnmemorized; as a tree consumed with a canker.  
You fine metricians, that verses skilfully compile  
(As fine artificers hard Iron do refile on an anvil)  
This verse irregular, this rustic rythmery banish:  
Which doth abase Poetry: such verse such metre abolish.  
For lily milk-white swans float on streams clear as a crystal.  
And in a fowl mud-y lake, donguehill ducks strive for an offal.  
Both Greeks' and Latinists such verselesse verse did abandon:  
Whose verse is purified, as gold is tried by the touchstone.  
As vinegar doth afford, no pleasant taste to the palate:  
So words vnmetrified, which rythmers rudely promulgate,  
Bring no delight to the wits, nor sound with a grace in a man's ear.  
Every worthy Poet will such rude rythmery forbear.   
Surely this kind of scanning verse is not to be discommended: and who so doth, hath no warrant so to do. And who so doth discommend Stanihurst, or France, let them make so many verses. For many will dispraise their books, that cannot whiles they live make the like. For it is more easy for every man to find a fault, then to make so many: as I have written, thus; 
For curious cavilist but a small mote easily will see,  
Sooner in each stranger's eyesight, than a beam in his own eye.  
Hardly he will such books in a true verse notably perfect.  
For many men ready be to find faults, hasty to correct.  
Such Sycophant humorists, like quails feed chief by poison:  
Whose Stoical censures and selfe-mindes stand for a reason.   
And whosoever shall discommend mine, I would request him to make so many as I mean to make in five books, in rythming Hexameters. For, as I think, the rhythm doth give them a grace in our english tongue especially, above other tongues; so it be good rhythm, though they be the harder to make. The best verse that France made, was in rythming Hexameters, of the nativity of Christ. And if he make so many better, I will reverence him: If so many, & not better (so that he rail not) I will commend him. I discommend no man's works; for that I know none have more defects than mine own. For it is the enriching & beautifying of our language, and the credit and glory of the verse, that I regard. For I am no mercenary man, nor write with an hired pen, nor expect vain glory. But who so doth slander these verses, and cannot amend them, nor make so many, let him keep his wind to cool his pottage. For my answer shall be silence. As Diogenes answered one that asked him a foolish question; saying that silence was an answer fit for such a fond demand. And in respect of them I will say, as the bird said to Caesar: Operam & laborem perdidi. But as for you, that are true favourits both of Poetry, and of this true metrical and scanning verse; I wholly submit and refer myself to your favourable censures and assistance: to see if we can yet once again, set on foot this footed verse; that it may run smoothly, with a grace and credit. I would I were but as Ennius to a fine Maronist, or to a skilful Maeonides. And also I request you to take in good part these simpel verses of mine: wherein, at idle times, I have both taken pleasure & pains. For all those that profess learning (and especially such as are descended of honour or of true gentility) should chiefly like of this kind of heroic Hexameters: as Alexander did, of Homer's; or Augustus, of Virgil's. And if these shall like you, I shall be glad: and do purpose (God willing) yet that a year come about, to set forth another book.  
I do not utterly discommend or condemn this prose-rythme; but do only prefer this Roman verse far above it. And I know, most of them that be learned will so think; and especially when it is brought to perfection: unless they be some carping Cavilists paradoxically captius, or preiudicius. For I know, plain song is good; but prick song is known to be better: and there is great difference betwixt an Orient pearl, and a black simpel bugel. If you find any faults in my book, I would request you to amend them, and to send them in a privy note to the Stationer. But now lest I should be too tedious, wishing to you all as to myself, in our Lord and Saviour Christ jesus; I most humbly take my leave: resting yours, in all love and duty to command.   

A Brief rule or prosody, for the understanding of the quantity of some peculiar words in this book; until I have set forth a Verbal, or little Dictionary, with a Prosodia requisite for Poetry.  
THis monasillabel, on, being an adjective, is indifferent, either long or short: but being an adverb, always short.  
Also me, thou, ye, he, and she, are long or short.  
All words ending in O, are indifferent.  
Pre and pro, in dissyllabels are indifferent: in trisyllabels, likewise indifferent; except it be in an Anapaest: as, preminence, precedent, prevalent, and the like. In some quadrisyllabels, long: as premeditàte, predominant, precogitate, and the like. And in some quadrisyllabels, long, or short: as for exampel; preposterus presumptuus, and the like. The Latin & the English quantity in some words are not alike, but are merely dissonant. And we are to follow our natural prenuntiation and accent in words: Yet following the latin as near as we may; observing the right Euphonia: as for exampel; we say in Latin, orâtor long in ra: but in English we make ra, in orator, short.  
De, in dissyllabels and trisyllabels is always short. In some quadrissyllabels it is long: as; demerited, depopulate, demonical, and such like: And again in othersome it is either long or short: as; denunciate, determinate, denominate. And in words of five syllabels it is short: as; dedication, deprehension: And in words of six syllabels it is long: as; determination, delapidation; and such like.  
My, why, thy, and by, are indifferent.  
Besides; there are some words, which sometimes by pronunciation we make but monasyllabels: as; air, fire, flower, power, shower: which as dissyllabels, are written thus; air, fire, flow-er, pour, show-er.  
And likewise sometime we make dissyllabels, trisyllabels: as; desire, de-si-er. require, require; and such like.  
And words having doubel consonants in the middle of dissyllabels (as; account, attend, applause, afford, and the like) by figure are made short, by the detraction of a letter: as; account, attend, applause, afford: and so in polysyllabels likewise. Lastly some words are indifferent: as cre, in credit: co, in comet: pee, in peepel: & ci, in civil; and such like. Which I will, God willing, in my Verbal and Prosodia set forth more at large. In the mean while gentel Reader, have patience. For I mean not to compose these Hexametred verses irregularly.   

The Author to his book.  
STay bisie book for a while. What rage constrains thee to wander,  
Like fugitive vagabond, into the world to be seen?  
Post not in haste, so deformed: let faults be reformed by thy master:  
Art not ashamed to repair unto the Court of a Queen?  
Unpolished to repair, to the regal throne of an Empress,  
Our Queen Elizabeth? only the worlds Diamond,  
Crowned with an eternal Diadem: whose glorious Highness  
Treasures of Poetry, chief in all arts doth abound.  
Thou art scarce purified, to be seen of her exquisite Highness.  
Better I think it, at home safe in a chest to remain;  
Then to departed so deformed, poor clothed, and plain as an hermit.  
Self love, self arrogance, makes many fools to be feign.  
If that I leave thee so rude, her Grace may worthily blame me.  
What will a Prince, thinkest thou, of so renowned a Land,  
When thou comest to the Court so defaced, vouchsafe to peruse thee?  
Thy reverent Sovereign greater afaires hath in hand.  
Go not away gadding, from me that loved thee so dearly:  
But come again, that I may once yet again thee peruse,  
Quickly return to thy friend, with me to remain in a safety:  
Come to thy master again, come to me, come to thy Muse.  
Manes, that Diogens servant, ran away in a fury:  
Some wished Diogen for to go fetch him again:  
Not so said Diogen, but laughed, and thought it a folly:  
But pretty book I do seek; how that I might thee retain.  
What shall I do? For alas, my book runs hastily gadding,  
In metrified poetry, not poetized as I meant.  
Some faults you learned tolerate: fools love to be scoffing.  
Since that I thee manupend, now I to late do repent.  
If that he chance to repair to the Court; I the Courtier exhort,  
Not caviling to deface this pretty book that I penned:  
Though that he comes not adorned with robes; yet friendly to support  
And to reform his faults, if that he can them amend.  
No body shall thy report, with a glozing distichon extol;  
Like popular parasite, or Thraso grandiloquent.  
Let thy desert be thy praise: seek not to be praised as an Idol.  
Better I had thee refiled, if that I were eloquent.  
Since that I plainly do see, thou wilt go from me so simpel,  
Therefore I leave thee my book, friendless alone to departed:  
Like Peregrine pilgrim traveling but mean in apparel,  
And with a name unknown: which is a grief to my heart;  
For that I see many faults, and have no time to reform them.  
Run not away from me so: thy silly state I do rue.  
For many will disallow, and will thee shamefuly condemn.  
Zoilus is but a dolt. My pretty libel, adieu.   

A farewell to his book.  
MY pretty book farewell: God send thee prosperus access  
Unto the Court: to the Queen vouchsafe my name to be nameless.  
Thy sovereign Patroness (if please her grace to defend thee)  
Can patronize thy defects. Whom God preserve, as a bay tree,  
Long to be predominant, with Lords of her privy Counsel:  
Namely the Lord Keeper, with learned laws who doth excel:  
That Metropolitan eke, whom I think myself to be bound to;  
Th'Archbishop, at Lambeth: that wise Lord Treasurer also:  
And Senator Cecil; that appears to the Realm a defender:  
Son to the Lord Burleigh late dead, his wise witie father,  
That sapient Nestor: which did by policy compass  
Much quiet unto the Realm. For like as Caelifer Atlas,  
On large broad shoulders sore pressed, propped up heaven:  
So with his experience, this noble Realm was upholden.  
For why? The state of a Prince consisteth chief by counsel  
Of witie grave Senators, whose wit with virtue doth excel.  
And I beseech God bless that noble pillar of highness,  
Glorius Earl, Talbot, stout Earl of Shrewsbury; doubtless  
Virtues true precedent: of all human courtesy mirror:  
Mirror of armipotence. Whose noble name was a terror  
Unto the French Regiment: to the Crown still known to be constant:  
Worthy to be credited with a Prince, as a faithful attendant:  
And to be chief preferred; that he may with bounty the better  
Stand a defence to the Prince, to the Public weal as a pillar.  
And God grant to that Earl of Oxford, mirror of highness,  
Happiness in this world: God bless his Lady the Countess,  
Elizabeth Trentam, that right true Maiden of honour,  
Immaculate Virgin: whose house and name I do favour,  
With reverence as I should. For I came myself of a Trentam,  
Aunt to thee, Lady renowned: yet I am not known to thee Madam.  
Loath I am yet to be known. For I should be known to the best sort:  
Known to that Earl Devereux: whom I pray God daily to comfort.  
Vere, Devereux, Talbot, three noble principal houses,  
Are to be greatly renowned, for their nobility peerless.  

Quae supra nos nihil ad nos.  And I do charge thee my book, with things not rashly to meddle,  
Which are above our reach, that concern us but a little:  
Nor to detract any fame, from Peers or States that are highest.  
For little meddling, of most is thought to be wisest. 
ovid. Vive tibi, & longènomina magna fuge.   
As the Poet poetized, that Naso Poetical Author;  
Frugaly live to thyself: flee far from great men of honour.  
For many men that attend some Lords, or daily do follow,  
Do but as Aesop's dog, that a substance lost for a shadow.  
Yet many men be preferred, by the means of great men of honour;  
Such special persons which they most dearly do favour.  
Farewell again pretty book: be dutiful unto thy betters:  
Humbly with all reverence, submit thyself to thy Rulers.   

The Dedication of the book to the Queen's Majesty.  
Unto the magnipotent, the renowned princes of Europe,  
Emperes Elizabeth, this petty libel I give.  
Which I present to thy Grace, as a prime Primirose or a Couslop,  
Only the flow-er of all our Chronicles, I believe:  
Skilfuly penned by the knight Sir Thomas Moor then a Courtie'r,  
Learned in arts: who delined that, that he knew to be true,  
Grounded on experience: requisite to be read of a Ruler.  
This donative, Sovereign, deign to receive to thy view.  
Give but a grace to my verse, it mounts, O Queen, in a moment,  
Up to the spanged Element, up to that airy Lion:  
Give but a check to the same, it falls down (thrown with a contempt)  
Down to the Tartarian river of hell, Phlegeton.   

A prayer.  
O My God, O God of hosts, God of Abraham, and God of Isaac,  
And the God of jacob (thou that didst regaly ransack  
Tartarus infernal: who gave himself as a ransom)  
And here was crucified, to redeem our souls from a thraldom)  
Sanctify thy creature, inspire thy grace to my spirit:  
Stand my defence, guide me with thy celestial eyesight.  
O my God, O Saviour, vouchsafe me grace to my speeches:  
Then will I magnify thee, my mouth shall sing to thee praises  
Unto thee only, my God, my voice shall still be resounding  
Perpetual praises, while breath and life are abiding.   

The Epistel to the Queen's most excellent Majesty, my renowned Sovereign and Princess, Elizabeth, Queen of England, France, and Irland, etc.  
SO, I the man that am he, that afourds small praise to the Muses:  
And yet in Hexameters, I mean to metrifie verses,  
Unto the worlds Diamond, to the Phoenix rare; that doth excel  
In pre'minence as a Prince. Whose praise my wits are unabel  
Here to record, as I should: as a work to large, or a matter  
Fit for a Maeonian fine skilful pen to decipher.  
Whose stout progenitors great fame, her glory doth advance.  
Which if I could Poetize, is a work yet worthy remembrance:  
Grant to me no learning, Muses, thou Pagan Apollo,  
Cynthia, with Charites, thou blandiloquent merry Pytho,  
Mercury, with Sapph, Pallas named also Minerva, 
A contradictory to the Paganized invocation.   
Grant to me no favour: But thou, thou mighty jehova,  
Thou, Lord Emmanuel, Lord of celestial heaven,  
Only God imperial, to me wretch terrestrial hearken.  
Since little help they grant, and cannot afford any favour;  
To those Idolatrous Pagan gods, yield not an honour.  
Yield reverence to the Lord; who is the creator of all us:  
And do not here attribute any praise, but wholly to jesus.  
●hall we gods anger, by wilful blasphemy kindel?  
When john kneeled afore that blessed glorius Angel,  
Do not so, said he: for I am but thy felo servant. 
Revel. 22. verse. 8.9.   
Give thou praise to the Lord, to the Lord, that is only triumphant:  
Unto whom only belongs all praise, and glory for ever.  
Shall we, his creatures, then adore and invocat other?  

24. of Leuit. v. 14. & 23.  That son of Shelomith, which gods name wilfully blasphemed,  
Was not he stoned to death, by the Lord God rightfuly condemned?  
Sorcerer height Elimas was justly deprived of his eyesight;  

Act. 13. ver. 8. etc.  For that he by speeches did deputy Sergius excite  
For to renounce our God: whom Paul and Barnabas also  
Taught him afore to believe. We should such blasphemy forego.  
Barnabas (in Synagogues) and Paul (that faithful apostle)  

Act. 14. v. 12.13 14.  Preached at Iconium: by faith, Paul healed a crippel.  
When the peepel saw it, they would have done to them honour,  
And brought them sacrifice, not praising God the creator.  
Barnabas, of the peepel, was called jupiter; and Paul,  
Mercury: But they gave praise to the Lord God imortal.  

Act. 14. ver. 12. & 13.  And in amongst them went, and rend their clothes in an anger:  
We are but creatures as you, gods glory to further.  
Shall we detract any praise, from Christ, our Lord God of heaven;  
Like bisy-snowted swine, which uproote herbs from a garden? 
Simile.   
Let paganized parasites, that purpose smoothly to flatter,  
Call to the Pagan Gods, their gods, to reforge up a matter.  
Right reverent Sovereign, the renowned Princes of England,  
Glorious Elizabeth, Queen of France, Queen of all Irland;  
I (he that am too too bold) this simpel gift, but a trifel,  
Unto thy Grace dedicate; my simpel skill to disabel.  
If that I could poetize thy deserts, to thy glory coherent,  
Might not I greatly rejoice? But I want art, and skill is absent.  
Your luculent eyesight, to my rude Muse regaly distill.  
For radiant sunnebeames displayed, will shine on a dounghill. 
Simile. Exampel.   
If that I were Chorilus, yet a faithful mind of a Subject  
Deign to receive Sovereign, with a princelike bountiful aspect:  

Plutarch, in Regum Apo.  Like Artaxerxes, stout king: whose gracius Highness  
Thankfuly drank water, from palms of silly Zinetes:  
And in a cup of gold, he sent to the poor man a thousand  
Golden massy darecks; yet he was but a poor silly peasant:  
Like that princely Philippe, King of Macedonian Empire,  
Who great courtesy show'd, when a poor man gave him a dinner.  
And Christ our Saviour, vouchsafed to receive of a woman,  

4. cha. of john vers. 6.7.8.  Which was a Samaritan, water drawn forth of a fountain,  
Named jacobs well: and Christ said; If she the perfect  
Gift of God did know, and him that did so demand it,  
She would have asked Christ jesus freely the water  
Of life eternal: who could that water afford her.  
Deign then an ear to my Muse, thou Queen, whom mighty jehova  
Regaly doth beatize, as a fortunate Elizabetha.  
Whose very magnificence to the type of glory doth ascend:  
Which to the world all abroad, thy regal virtue doth extend.  
As Phoebe with radiant bright beams, this world doth ilustrate: 
Simile.   
So to thy Realm (O Prince) thou do'●● thy mercy promulgate.  
All precious Diamonds, and pearls do not equally glister: 
Similes.   
Some stars more glittering: one Prince surmounteth another:  
So my benign Sovereign, thou Queen (our gracious Empress)  
Art as a true period, of true perfection endless:  
Like to the stars in sky, to the sand inbountabel, in sea: 
Simile   
So be the Lords benefits to thyself, O Queen, to thy Country.  
For why? The Lord God of Hosts preserves thy prosperus estate,  
'Gainst foreign enemies: whose drifts he decrees to be frustrate.  

Sentence.  For men on earth purpose: but God that ruleth in heaven,  
Ruleth on earth as a God. Just God disposeth of all men.  
God's providence hiden is. What man can possibly foreshow,  
What future age will afourd? God alone man's destiny doth know.  
That God above, god alone, preserve thy Grace as a Pattern  
Long to be Septriferent, this stout Realm wisely to govern.  
And for all his benefits, let us all to the Lord God of Hosts grant  
Perpetual praises: who to thee still stands as a Gardaunt:  
Rightfuly crowned a Queen, as a rightful Queen, as a right heir  
Unto the regal Crown, and lawfuly known to be daughter,  
Of King Henry that eight, late King: woe ruled as a puissant  
Conqueror of kingdoms, with fame and glory triumphant.  

Grafton.  His father Henry the seau'nth, thy wise stout grandfather, obtained  
Th'imperial diadem: who vice and tyranny disdained;  
As Chronicles do report. This King, by the States privy consent,  
Elizabeth married, promised by former agreement:  
Which was a Plantagenet, first and eldest daughter of Edward,  
Namely the fourth: who slew at Bosworth field bloody Richard,  
That tyranus cruel hog, most worthily plagued for ofences.  
He, by the said marriage, did unite those notabel houses,  
York and Lancaster: whose long contentius envy  
Caused civil intestine warfare. This conquerus Henry,  
Venturus and valiant, was asygned by the Lord to be ruler.  
Every King hath a time. Thus this world's glory doth alter. 
Virg. Sic transit gloria mundi.   
I he that once could not, nor meant, in heroical english  
Rythmecal Hexameters, any book so timely to publish:  
Yet when I knew that I could compose new rythmery verses,  
Lately become metrical, which are right verses of Antic;  
Then did I wish, that I could dedicate such books to thy person,  
Worthy so great a Regent; thy deserved glory to blazon:  
Which fro the East, to the West, doth spread Whose fame to decipher,  
More praise demeriteth, than I can now possible utter.  

Simile.  Like as a Crystal spring transparent unto the bottom,  
Flows with a silver stream: So (puissant Prince) to thy kingdom,  
And to thy Common weal, thou show'st thyself as a Princess  
Merciful, and liberal thy good life virtue doth express.  
God to thee gave many gifts; ●● brethrens my mind can imagine:  
Which do atract to thyself most hearts with a force Adamantine.  
I he the same man afore, as a man scarce known to the Muses,  
Boldly presume to present foote-scanning rythmery verses.  
Unto thee, world's Sovereign: vouchsafe, O Queen, to peruse them:  
Stand as a Princely Patron, nor (ofensive) justly me condemn.  
If tonitr'ant bisie jove should always strike in his anger, 
Poeticè Si quoties peccant, etc.   
Every man that ofends, with lightning flame of a thunder,  
Should not he then be bereft or despoiled quite of his armour?  
So if I have many faults, yet good Queen stand my protector.  
And I with all reverence, do beseech your gracious Highness,  
Though many things at amiss, yet pardon grant to my rudeness.  
Though that I, Maeonides (who writeth of Hector, Achilles,  
Of Troilus, Diomedes, of craft-contriver Ulysses)  
Nor Maro Laureate am (who the laurel crown to the Romans  
wan, as a Princely Poet: who recorded fame to the Troyans')  
Yet, for a zeal that I have, these primor fruits of a Subject  
(Lately beseemed a Poet) with a regal friendliness accept:  
For why? My pipe is of oat, not Apollo's, skilfuly compact: 
Poeticè.   
Nor Cicero's eloquence I retain; for a work that is exact.  
Truly thy Princely benign acceptance of my beginnings,  
Shall my mind animate, to record some greater atemptinge.  
For my delight (O Queen) my drift and only my purpose,  
Is to record Chronicles; metrical verse fitly to compose,  
And to refyne our speech, to procure our natural english,  
Far to be more elegant; that verse may skilfuly flourish.  
Which when it is re'dified, eloquent, and known to be perfect;  
Unto thee, and to thy Realm (O puissant Prince) what a credit?  
Hexameters will amend our speech (thou sacred Eliza)  
Publish an Orthography, and teach us a true Idioma.  
Stories are requisite to be read of States that are highest,  
As King's imperial, throned in regality chiefest.  
If so be that Chronicles had not been skilfuly written;  
Kings valiant exploits, lords fame, and knights valour had been  
Drowned in oblivion. For time (fames greedy devowrer) 
Simile.   
Leaves fame vnmemorized; as a tree consumed with a canker.  
Historical Chronicles well penned by the learned (as aforesaid.)  
Doth manifest represent (as a Comedy shows, on a stage played)  
men's vice, and virtues: 
Simile. Simile.  as a true glass visibly doth show  
men's face, and favour; their faults in phisnomy to view.  
For by the great diligence of men, man's memory (chiefest  
Treasurer of knowledge; with learning skilfuly furnished)  
Enrols in Chronicles the renowned deeds of heroic  
And valiant Worthies, their fame and victory warlike.  
For Chronicles do recite faults, and falls, of many Princes,  
Horribly that tyraniz'd, sore plagued for their sorry vices.  
Was not lofty Babel, first built by proud sorry Nimrod?  
Whose arrogance had a fall: 
Genesis ch. 10. & 11.  and was not merciless Herod  

●●t. 12 v 21.23 antonius' fol. ●. cha. 49. Chro. ch. 13. ●s. 20 ●f kings ch. ●er. 24.  By greedy vermin spoiled, that murdered so many children.  
And Nero that tyrrant, the detested monster of all men,  
Stabbed himself with a knife. That wicked King jeroboam  
Plagued by the Lord, that he died. And lewd ungodly jehoram  
Was by godly jehu, through shoulders shot with an arrow,  
Which through pierced his heart, that he languished for very sorrow.  
When that a Prince hath a will, whose will doth stand for a reason,  
Lulled in errors lap; that will infecteth, as a poison  
Both to the King, and Realm. For wherein proud sorry Princes  

●race. Quic●d delirant age's plectun 〈◊〉 Achivi. ●milie.  Fond delyre, pitiles Subjects are plagued with a witness.  
Thanks be to God, our Queen doth rule with singular advice:  
And with mercy benign, as a Prince dotb qualify justice.  
Our Sovereign doth appear, as golden Cynthia shining  
Glides by the firm Element, her bright beams cheerefuly showing  
Unto this earthly Chaos: So her grace (glorius extant)  
Shines to the common wealth, with love, and mercy regardant: 
Simile.   
Whose special rare gifts, and virtues daintily lustre,  
Like Orient Diamonds, or splendent pearls on a vesture.  
All you princely Regent's, you Kings (well known to be Rulers)  
Learn to refrain from sin. Our Lord God terribly sinners  
Impenitent doth plague: not a King, nor an Emperor he spares:  
All estates are alike. Who with god's dignity compares?  
Cast down your Diadems, your Crowns and dignity despise:  
Mere vanities count them, but seek to do good, to do justice.  
Yield reverence to the Lord, to the Lord your duty to perform,  
You are Christ's Subjects, your Subjects peaceably govern.  
Your pre'minence but a charge, your life but a blob, but a blossom.  
When death strikes with a dart, what availeth a King or a Kingdom?  

●mus in ●a. de mor●  That Platonist, Socrates, did afirme, that a man's body living,  
Was but a grave to the soul; which to felicity lasting,  
Should by deserts demigrade: most divine speech of an heathen.  
For by the faith in Christ, we come to the kingdom of heaven,  

●ilie.  As radiant ruddy Phoebe exhales his vapory moisture  
Unto the firm Element, with his ardent hot sun-y lustre:  
So the God omnipotent, our souls with sins heavy laden,  
Freely by mercy benign, extols to the kingdom of heaven.  

●ilie.  Death brings every thing to decay. For like as a fresh flower  
Springs for a time redolent; but can not possible endure:  
So doth a king for a while reign with great dignity present;  
Whose great glory decay, whose proud pomp dures but a moment,  
Like as a man doth in years wax old, so should he be wiser:  
And as he groweth in age, so should his life be the better.  
Think this world to be vain, and think this life to be mortal:  
And to the King of Kings, let us yield out selves to be loyal.  
Who to redeem our souls, ordained his only begotten,  
Only beloved son, to be sent down freely from heaven,  
And to be here crucified (as a sinless man for a sinner)  
To mitigate God's wrath, t'appease his infinite anger.  
Who by the death that he died, hath cleansed us freely from evil:  
For that he conquered hath sin, death, and also the Devil.  
Whiles we do live, let us all live well. Time stailes away leaps, 
Similes.   
Like as a cloud vanisheth. For as every step that a man's steps,  
Is but a step to the grave: so plodding age, pedetentim  
Stooping, creeps on apace. Age is to death as a pilgrim,  
Which for a time dothabroad wander; but in end he returns home: 
Simile.   
So for a time we do live, but in end death will be the bridegroom.  

●tence. ●ilie.  No body can stay time. Time stays for no body. Time swift  
Flieth away on apace, as a bird that flies from a man's sight.  
Therefore Princely Regent's both vice and tyranny forego.  

●k. ch. 8. 〈◊〉. 36.  For what availeth a King, what availeth an Emperor also,  
If that he lose his soul, to live here fortunate always?  
As patiented job said, each mortal King to thyself say;  

〈◊〉. ch. 1, ver.  Naked I came to the world, fro the world hence naked I shall go:  
Form of earth was I first, to the earth yet again shall I turn to.  

●lesiastes. 1.  That sapient Solomon nought here, but vanity, could find,  
With manyfould miseries, with great vexation of mind.  
What man alive can afourd (as gods word plainly doth express)  

●t. 6.27. proverb.  One cubit unto his height, by carking ears that are endless?  
Let not a man be to bold, though God be merciful, and stays.  
For when he strikes, his stroke is a stroke importabil always:  
And then he plague's, when he strikes. For where th'almighty jehova  
Rightfuly plague's for ofense, what availeth a man's cataplasma?  
For with a slothful pace gods anger goes to revengement:  
But when he comes, he rewards eternal pains for a torment.  
Here I will end, O Queen. O Lord our only creator,  
(Our Lord Emmanuel, our Christ and sole mediator)  
Add to thy life many years, as he did to the King Ezechias: 
2. of Kings. ch. 20. ver. 6.   
Safely defend thee from harm, as he safely preserved Elias:  
And that he grant to thy Grace, after this life (as a chosen  
Vessel of his, purified) joys in Celestial heaven;  
joyfuly there to remain with jesus Christ the Redeemer,  
Imparadized as a Saint, with Saints in glory for ever.  
As two Greek letters in Grecian Alphabet, Alpha,  
First letter placed is; but placed last is Omega:  
So will I continual, first and last, praise thee for ever;  
If that I could Poetize, as I would; thy glory to further.  
Your Grace's Subject, in faith, love, duty to command:   

THE FIRST BOOK OF The preservation of King Henry the seven. when he was but Earl of Richmond.  
O Father Omnipotent, our Lord and only Redeemer,  
(Which on a throne, deified, there sits, and shines as a jasper,  
And as a Sardine stone, encompassed round with a Rainbow, 
The first part of the Revelation of Saint john in effect, verbatim.   
Like to the bright Emeraud) with thy grace my spirit endow.  
From which throne, lightnings, voices, with loud flashy thunders  
Duly proceed. Where four and twenty colaudabil Elders  
Seated in as many seats, all clothed with a white lily garment,  
Crowned with Crowns of gold, on their heads stately refulgent.  
Seven Lamps of fire, are there eternaly burning:  
Gods very godly spirits, on God there faithful attending.  
Near to the throne is a sea of glass, which shined as a Crystal.  
There four beasts full of eyes are about that stately Tribunal:  
First was like a Lion, next seemed a calf to resembel,  
Third had a face of a man, fourth beast was formed as an eagel.  
Every beast of them, six wings had them to belonging:  
And full of eyes are within, day and night ioyfuly singing  
Three times, holy be God th'almighty, that ever is holy:  
Holy before which was, which is, which shall be God only.  
And when those four beasts gave praise to the Lord God jesus,  
Which on that throne sat (who for ever lived, who redeemed us)  
Those reverent Elders their Crowns commendably threw down,  
And fell flatly before that Lord, that sat on a Tribune:  
Worshipped him that lived, and lives with glory for ever.  
For thou glory deservest, that made all things by thy power.  
Unto whom Archangels, and Angels greatly rejoicing,  
With Cherubins, Seraphins, are there eternaly singing.  
Thou father only my God, which art, waist, shalt be for ever: 
Gen. ch. 1. ver. 1.2. etc.   
Who the terrestrial Orb (which stays itself by the Centre)  
Quadruply partiting; fire, air, earth, watery substance,  
Out of an ugly Chaos didst frame, and store with abundance  
Of several creatures, and made man last (as an image  
Like to thyself) upright, to behold this globe with a visage: 
Gen. ch. 1. v. ● &. ●7.   
Placed him in Paradise, in a sacred garden, in Eden:  
Where, by the fondness of Eve, they lost those joys then of heaven:  
Thou Lord only for aye, whose power and glory supernal  

Genesis ca 2. vers. 2.  This starry spanged Element, and this whole world universal  
Made (as a mighty Monarch) n six days; only the seventh  
Day he reserved to be kept, as a sacred day, as a Saboth:  
Which God by Moses did appoint and consecrat holy:  
And that day to be kept (by the covenant) from labour, only.  
Thou, he the same very God, three persons, one God in essence,  

Exod. ca 20. ver. 8.9.10.  Raise up aloft to thyself, my weak spirit hale to thy presence.  
Levy the lines that I writ, let thy law still be my lodestar;  
Still to direct me my course, here truly to write; that I differ,  
No not a word, fro thy word; that I may in mind as a Christi'an  
Glorify Christ crucified; to detest that sect of a Pagan.  
Sanctify me, my jehove, in Christ I repose all afiance:  
Therefore I humbly beseech, of thee my Lord, an assistance:  
Grant that I may Poetize that credibil history, written  
By Sir Thomas Moor; of an english story the maiden.  
For why? The learned knight wrote that, that he knew to be certain;  
Troth, with his art to deline, credit of both safely to maintain.  
For that he was then alive in Court, in prime of his young years:  
And by that experience, that he knew and learned of others  
By good intelligence, he reserved for his history faultless;  
Thereby the truth to deline; quite void of flattery doubtless.  
Which when he had manupend, in brief prose skilfuly finnisht,  
Straight he the same (to be known) in print did appoint to be publish●.  
In which book I do mean, by the grace of God, to deliver  
Nothing else but a truth; gods name and glory to further:  
Nor with a pen that is hired, I writ; verse smoothly to compile, 
Simile   
Like glavering parasite; with a veil, lewd states to depensile.  
If so that envy repine, and slandering tongues do calmunize  
Troth will in end be my praise, and shame the reward to the devilish.  
Fear not at all, silly Muse, to report so thankless an errant:  
Boldly declare to the best, their faults: troth shall be thy warrant.  
This Knight Sir Thomas, was made Lord Chancellor after:  
Who was known to be learned,, of a chief assembly the speaker:  

Grafton.  He both lost his life, of his office made a refusal,  
For that he would not agree to the King's supremacy regal.  
My Muse encouraged (first praising God as a giver  
Of all good benefits) these words she began to deliver:  
North Sovereign Phoenix, thou stout Queen, famus Eliza,  
Of grace and sapience (peerless Prince) sacred Idea,  
Deign with a gratius eye, to peruse (O Christian Empress)  
This pretty book manupend, manumised to thy gratius Highness.  
Al you earthly Kings, you Kings adventurus, hearken:  
You States pontifical, with attentive ears to me listen:  
You Lords imperial, of her highness wise privy Counsel,  
(Whose sapient wisdoms to record, my wits are unabel)  
You Lords, in general, that attend in Court on a Princess  
(Only the world's Sovereign) lend listening ears to my verses:  
You Catholic Divines, graduate divinity Doctors,  
Which be the savoury salt, of God's word lively professors:  
You sapient Senators of Inns of Court, that are ordained  
To minister justice, by the Queen's authority constrained:  
Arts reverent amatists, of both 
* Figure.  University famus  
(Whose Orient fine wits, of Roman verse be desirus)  
Deign to behold this verse, although it seem but a trifel.  
For many times you see, that a pearl is found in a Muskel. 
Simile.   
Here I do mean to recite, how our Queen's Grandfather, Henry,  
That King magnanimus, with a stout and conquerus army,  
With valerus chivisance, did a tyrrant manfuly conquer,  
Richard, lately the King, that vile, and shameful usurper:  
Henry's fame to report, in scanning verse, as I purpose:  
Prince Edward stratagized, and Richard's tyranny disclose.  

Grafton.  When stout King Edward, at a field near Teuxbury gotten,  
Where Queen Margaret was, with her eldest son, forcibly taken,  
named to be Prince Edward: which was there bloodily murdered  
By tyranus Richard,  
And she sent prisoner to London: where she remained  
Till that her own father had, (that french Duke named to be Reiner,  
Of Sicyl also the King) with a ransom kindly redeemed her.  
When jasper (stout Earl of Pembroke) natural uncle  
Unto this Earl Richmond, when he knew how stoutly the battle  
Was fought and manuprized, and saw all things to go backward:  
How stout Earl Warwick, was slain by conquerus Edward,  
And how Henry the sixth in Tower safe kept was abiding:  
How London citizens disdained him, now to be their King:  
How his confederates, and frieends grew weaker on each side:  
And how King Edward, himself and his cozen envied;  
Wittily considering (as a wise Earl) sought to prevent it,  
Both their lives to preserve, where they might safer inhabit.  
In peril ambiguus, that course is best to be taken, 
Sentence.   
Which shall avail to do good. In time privy danger is helped:  
As by the sequel appears.  
Mindfuly Muse memorise, first how this vertuus Henry  
(Saved alive many times, by the Lord's protection only)  
Came to the Crown as a King, here sent by the Lord his appointment:  
Sent to the Realm as a Prince, that should here make an atonement.  

Exampels in divers places of the Bibel.  For God's sacred elect are strangely preserved by the Lord God.  
Our Lord and Saviour was saved from murtherus Herod:  
From the Lions, Daniel: from strength of mighty Goliath,  
Holy David: joseph, from brethren: faithful Elias,  
From wicked jesabel: that younger godly Tobias  
Saved by the Lord's Angel: and was not trustily jonas  
Kept in a whales belly safe, three nights? God saved Machabeus:  
No with his own families, was saved from destiny griews:  

Exod. ch. 2. v. 6.7.8.9.  Moses thrown in a flag, to be drowned, was saved by the daughter  
Of tyranus Pharaoh, manumised to be nursed by the mother:  
Israel, and Shadrach, Meshach with Abednego likewise.  

Grafton. fol. 712. Edw, 4.  God's divine providence his blessed will will acomplish.  
First when he was but an Earl, he being then but of young years,  
Was by the Lord's providence preserved from many dangers  
And peril of losing his life, and life of his uncle  
Martial Earl Pembroke: who behaved himself as a noble  
And valiant Chiuali'r, when they were like to be taken  
By Roger hight Vaughan; whose craft was speedily foreseen:  
And he the said Vaughan, who thought them surely to murder, 
Grafton. fol. eodem.   
Rightly received a death, that he purposed falsely for other.  
Those fraudulent judges, that acused falsely Susanna,  
Rightfuly were condemned, by the Prophet sent by jehova;  
Worthily stoned to death, as they had wrongfuly judged  
Godly Susanna to die: thus God th'ungodly rewarded. 
History of Susanna. Ester.   
And on a Gallow tree, that proud presumptuus Hamon  
Rightly was hanged, that alleged to guiltless Mardoche treason,  
This foresaid Vaughan was charged, by the King his appointment,  
For to apprehend those Earls; but he therein missed of his intent.  
Each self-will of a King, or command, is not a godly  
Thing to be done. For a Prince enraged fiercely with envy,  
Seeks to do wrong causeless; which God will avenge in his anger.  
(For God on high, God above, knows all) for he plague's an ofender.  
Mark what a chance foloed. These Earls fled thence to the castle.  

Grafton.  Of Pembroke: who were eftsoons pursued by the subtle  
Fierce Morgan Thomas, who the castle strongly besieged,  
Environed with a trench: yet they were safely preserved  
By David ap Tbomas, who the siege raised; yet very brother  
Unto the said Morgan. Can men gods purposes alter?  

1. Sam. ch. 20. ver. 35, etc.  Was not godly David, by the means and faithful atonement  
Of jonathan, preserved from King Saules murderus intent?  
Henry the sixth prophesied (who this Earl's state & very favour  
Viewed for a while; noting his Princelike witty behaui'or:)  
Lo this is he, for a troth, that in end shall surely by wisdom, 
Grafton fol. 692. Edw, 4.   
By valour of Knighthood, and stoutness ataine to the Kingdom.  
This good King (as a Prince inspired) did prophecy truly,  
For what he told, proved true, by god's revelation only.  
For God allows his elect, several gifts. Every perfect  
Good gift comes fro the Lord, by the gift of gods very spirit. 
jam, 1.17.   
For the Prophets prophesied of Christ: God gave his apostles  
Maruelus and strange gifts, as he gave his glorius Angels. 
1. Pet. 1. v. 10.11.   
Now to my matter again.  
These Earls, safely preserved, durst not stay there any longer;  
But got away, in all haste, from thence, for fear of a danger.  
Like as a light foot Roe, from quick-sent hounds to the green wood, 
Simile.   
Lustily bounceth away, to save life, skips on a main scud:  
So these Earls got away from thence, to Timby, that haven  
Town in Wales: to the which by constraint luckily driven,  
They made provision for ships. And like as a Swallow  

Similes.  Quickly the skies doth shear; or rather like as an arrow  
Flies from a strong man's bow: So they from thence with a Navy  

Grafton fol. 713. Edw. 4.  Sailed to the Duke Francis; who received them both very friendly:  
Faithfuly them promising, that they should have his assistance  
For to do them pleasure, and what they wanted, allowance.  
Where these fortunate Earls, in great security living,  
Safely remained a while, King Edward's anger avoiding:  
joyfuly there passing their time, where he with his uncle  
Highly regarded at Arms, at Tilt, and Turnee did excel.  

Tempora mutantur, etc.  Every time hath a change: we in times mutabil alter.  
God's will prescîent prescribes a determinate order,  
His great glory to raise.  
Can minds associate to kingdoms, amity foster?  
Or perfect lovers, can they rivality suffer? 
In Lucan.   
Caesar could not abide to be submiss, or to be loyal  
To valiant Pompey, that accounted no man his equal.  
Every King hath his heir, or next to the Crown, in a suspect:  
For that he thinks, that he will not prove so true, as a subject.  
Love to be Kings and Kings breed brothers mutual hatred, 
Sentence.   
No faith observing, like tyrrants set by no kindred.  
Can faith and falsehood, in self same seat be resiant? 
Sentence.   
Such contrarieties are placed flatly repugnant.  
Mark what a chance happened, that counterchecked, in a moment,  
All their Courtly delights, to their clean contrary judgement:  
For when as Edward namely the fourth, did know for a certain,  
That these venturus Earles were sailed safely to Britain,  
Unto the foresaid Duke, and there lived friendly together;  
Highly regarded of him, nor at all did fear any danger.  

Grafton fol. 715. Edw. 4.  These sorry new tidings, did afflict his mind not a little:  
For that he thought those Earls, might bring him quickly to trubbel.  
Ambassadors therefore to the Duke he sent of a purpose,  
With grave discretion, his message wisely to disclose:  
Who did acomplish his hests, like wise States made many proffers  
Unto the Duke, promising large gifts, and bountiful offers:  
So that he would vouchsafe, those English Lords to deliver.  
Unto whom immediate, this Duke thus framed an answer:  
So to do, it were not requisite, nor stood with his honour.  
But least that those Lords, should seek elsewhere any succour,  
To prejudice their King, he devised to seclude them asunder,  
With vigilant persons to be safe kept, one from another:  
And from them to remove each Page, and every servant,  
Which was an English man, that there were on them attendant.  
Answered in this sort, they took their leave with obeisance:  
And so returned to the King, to show their faithful attendance.  
Who when he heard these news, he believed that he stood in a safety:  
His mind was quieted, quite freed from factius envy.  
Therewithal, he to the Duke forthwith then wrote in a letter,  
How that he would him yearly reward; with thanks for his answer:  
Friendly requesting him, that he would those words but acomplish,  
Which of his own free will, he did so faithfuly promise.  
See what a suspitius mind works: how greediness of gold  
Princelike minds doth ataint, by force of flattery controlled.  
Like as a sulphurus heat (encompassed round) lieth hollow, 
Simile.   
Closed in a vapory cloud, there struggling strives for an issue;  
Which with a strange rattling, with a rumbilo loud flashy thunder,  
Fills th'element with a noise, and centre of earth with a wonder:  
So privy suspicion, conceived in heart with a fury,  
Breeds great displeasure, and raging cankerus envy.  

ovid. Principijs obsta Scrò medicina paratur, etc.  For when King Edward had better pondered all things,  
He (that had experience) sought first to prevent the beginnings,  
Lest that he might be deposed. When a wound with malady festreth,  
And grows inveterate, that sore what surgery cureth?  
When nature vanisheth, which cannot work any longer,  
What medicine can avail, man's former health to recover?  
Flexibil at first is young tender tree to be bowed:  
Grown by continuance very big, disdeignes to be moved.  
For when he considered, that rightly this Earl fro the lineage  
Sprouted of Henry the sixth, than he sought for a further advantage. 
Grafton. fol 73●. Edw 4.   
For that he knew well enough, if that there were any living  
Righteus heir to the Crown, that lin'aly came from his offspring,  
Might bring his Diadem, and regal sceptre in hazard.  
Therefore again to the Duke he charged grave men to go forward,  
Doctor Stillinton with two more, sent with a treasure  
Once yet again to present, his Grace more largely to pleasure;  
If that he would but allow and permit curteus Henry  
(named Earl of Richmond) with them to return in a safety,  
For special causes; that their King, bountiful Edward,  
Would join in marriage (wherein then he seemed to be forward)  
Elizabeth to this Earl; which was well known to be daughter  
To their liege Sovereign: which luckily fortuned after.  
Thereby this Earl might have those lands that he claimed in asurance,  
If that he were married so near to the King in alliance.  
And so the King stood sure, that none might make any title  
Unto the Crown, but he might all foreign faction expel.  
They in all haste get away their message wisely to transpose:  
Who to the Duke at large, each particularity disclose.  
When that he their message did know, he paused for a good while,  
What was best to be done, since th'earl lived there but in exile:  
But when he considered that he should be matched with a Virgin,  
Their own King's daughter, to be linktin league with his own kin:  
Where that he might be preferred to some great dignity present,  
There as an Earl, or a Duke, to rule by the King his appointment;  
First he began to deny: but pleased with treasury given,  
What with soliciting, and gold so gainfuly gotten,  
Kindly this answer he gave; that he was content to deliver  
Henry that Earl, not a sheep to the wolf, but a son to the father. 
Simile.   
And in a letter he wrote, how th'earl was much had in honour,  
Both for his own wisdom, valiance, and witty behaui'our.  
They then seized of a prey, which they had greatly desired,  
Thankfuly took their leave, and from thence quickly departed  
Unto the town of Saint Malo, bordering near to the sea shore:  
Minding thence to departed, when ships were made ready. Wherefore  
Th'earl when he knew that he should be returned home, for very sorrow  
Since that he was so betrayed, he fell sore sick of an ague:  
Imagining that he should, as soon as he landed in England,  
Be stratagized; but see: who can God's dignity withstand?  
God's divine providence, and sacred dignity supreme  
Ruleth all human cause; though human causes are extreme. 
Sentence.   
Mark gods omnipotence: whose works are wonderus, extant  
Still to be seen: who preserved this venturus Earl at an instant,  
Saved (as a strange miracle) by the faithful love of a stranger,  
For many times men are helped, and saved by the means of another,  
Like as a Physician doth seek man's health to recover:  
So will a friend, for a friend, in trubbels stand a defender.  
Vulcan against Troy was: but Troyans' friend was Apollo,  
And Venus indiferent, Pallas not: mortaly juno  
Malliced Aeneas, as allied wholly to Turnus;  
Yet was he by Venus' help, preserved from her enmity griews,  
Vndubitate Pylades was a friend to woeful Orestes:  
To Damon, Pythias: Patrocles friended Achilles:  

divers examples. Virg.  Alcyde aided Hylas, Aeneas friend was Acbates:  
Euryalus, Nisus: Diomedes friended Ulysses:  
And to be chief memorised, that firm and trusty Zopirus,  
* Who cut his own ears off, Babylon to procure Darius.  
Darius stout King in his hand fair Pomegranate having, 
Pl●tarch. in Apo.   
One of his especial friends asked him (merrily jesting)  
What things especial (if he might have that that he wished)  
Would he request for his own? As there were grains to be counted,  
So many friendly Zopyres (as a wise King) wisely did answer.  
For what more pretius, than a friend that friendeth another? 
Pluto. in Apo.   
As fire and heat both, cannot be parted asunder:  
So love and friendship cannot be without one another.  
For when on john Chewlet (that was for a Courtier, only  
Counted a stout man at arms) who loved this gratius Henry,  
Herd that he was very sick, and from thence like to be conveyed, 
Grafton. fol. 738. Edw. 4.   
Shortly to King Edward, he (therewith wofuly dismayed)  
Posted amain to the Court, and present stepped to the King's Grace,  
Heavily perplexed: who looking sad with a pale face,  
Stood as amazed afore this Duke, with a stern heavy countenance,  
And not a word did speak: as a man that wanted his uttrance,  
Therewithal astonished, to behold so fearful an object  
(Like as a Prince vigilant) he did some treachery suspect:  
Yet when he considered this Knight's state, chearefuly thus spoke;  
Show me the cause (good john) that thou so monefuly dost look.  
Therewithal he, to the Duke reverent, with an humbel obeisance,  
Boldly declared what he meant, and spoke with a treatibel uttrance;  

Sentence.  Pardon I crave, Sovereign, if I speak: Truth verily never  
Shameth his own master. What avails then fond to flatter?  
Hear then a truth, O Duke, for like as Cynthia shining,  
Enveloped with a cloud, obscures herself from ilustring:  

Simile.  Semblably truth for a time obscured, many times lieth hidden;  
Truth yet in end will appear: truth never permaneth unknown.  
O my renowned Duke, wilt thou now falsify promiss,  
Firmly betrothed to this Earl? What a fault is this, what a blemish?  
O that I were buried. Shall I live to know thy dishonour?  
Truly my mind (O Duke) is vexed with an infinite honour, 
Simile.   
For that I greatly do grieve, that this stout Earl to the slaughter  
Should (as a lamb) be betrayed, and there to be slain of a Butcher.  
This will bring thy renown, O Prince (which every man's mouth  
Extols up to the clouds) to decay. For (plainly to tell troth)  
If so be (my Sovereign) thou wilt so shamefuly suffer  
Henry this Earl to departed, thou stain'st thy glory for ever:  
Thy former valiance, and fame that shine to the world's end,  
Shall as a smoke pas away. Shall a Prince such craftiness intent? 
Simile   
Peace good john (quoth the Duke) peace, peace: I pray thee believe me:  
For these Embasadors do protest and say that he shall be  

Grafton. fol. ●38. Edw. 4.  Spouse to the King's daughter (which their King faithfuly promised)  
And to be next to the King, placed in authority chiefest.  
Well, said john to the Duke, in whom shall shame be reputed,  
If that he die by the way, or in English Realm be beheaded?  
For that I dare venture my life, that it is but a practice  
This silly soul to deceive, this sick Earls life to relinquish:  
If that he shall be beguiled in such sort, let me no longer  
Live to repair to thy Court: if he should die, die had I rather.  

Laertius. lib. 4 chap. 2.  When Dionise the tyrant, would needs have Plato beheaded,  
Zenocrates answered; not afore that mine be deprived.  
But many say, that a King that knows not how to disembel,  
Knows not at all to rule: such sleights be devised by the Devil.  
If that I may be so bold to speak but a word in his absence,  
O my benign Sovereign, lend ear and give to me credence.  
For why? This Earl of a truth lies sick, and likely to perish. 
Simile.   
If fro thy Realm he depart, what Prince will trust to thy promise?  
Nothing more perilus, than a compound poisonus honey:  
No body more trecherus, than a foe, that seems to be friendly.  
With tunes harmonical sweet singing merrily Meremaides 
Simile.   
Falsely betray Mariners: So these men sent, as aforesaid,  
Smoothly deceive your Grace, with fair speech, and money given.  
Under a cloak of love, lies concealed craftiness hidden. 
Sentences.   
O fond discretion, on fair words wholly relying.  
Experiment best is, where words, and deeds are agreeing.  
Craft hath a godly pretence; but a murderus end. 
Simile.  For a fouler  
Merrily plays on a pipe, when he craftily taketh a plover.  
Iscariot judas, that false and wicked apostle,  
Falsely betrayed with a kiss, and sold our Lord for a trifel.  
Laomedon's falsehood (Priamus father, and son of Ilus)  
Caused his own bloody death, and loss of Troy, city famus.  

1 Macha. ch. 11  Was not Alexander, by craft of King Ptolemaeus,  
His false father in law, deprived of his Empery famus?  
Bloody Polymnestor (which of gold was so desirus)  
Beastly did obtruncate Priamus' son, young Polidorus.  

Virg.  More to recite, what avails?  
therefore I humbly beseech your Grace (O Duke) to remember  

Grafton fol. 739. Edw, 4.  This disconsolate Earl, that lies near dead of a fever:  
Send that he may be retained. Let not thy glory be blemmisht:  
Keep faith inviolate, let a prince perform what he promised.  
Thus this Knight, to the Duke, his whole mind (wofuly distressed)  
Plainly without any guile, or dissimulation, expressed.  
Lastly, by persuasions, this wise Duke (ruled by the Counsel  
Of good john Chewlet; who this Earl's state knew to be feebel)  
Sent Peter Landoyse, chief Treasurer, only the foresaid  
Ambassadors to delay; that th'earl might safely be conveyed  
Unto the Sanct'ary there: which was with speed than effected.  
Which so delighted his heart, that his health there quickly revived.  
Like as an Hart in a chase, that is hurt or pinched with a greyhound, 
Simile.   
Bounceth away on a main, and runs most swiftly, to get ground:  
Yer that he should b'imbost, fro the greyhound speedily doth get,  
And privy lewnes in a brake, imbays himself in a thicket;  
There to recover his hurt: So this Earl (escaped from a danger)  
Lived in a place privileged, his former health to recover.  
Would to God every Prince, that ruleth in every Kingdom,  
Would be so ruled by the good wise counsel, and by the wisdom  
Of plain trouth-speakers, and also that every Courti'er  
Would not allege any lies to the Prince, to defame on another.  
Now to my matter again.  
When these Embasadors perceived they were so deluded,  

Grafton. fol. 739. Edw 4.  Both of an Earl, their prey, and of gold freely delivered;  
Told Peter Landoyse, their king would take it in ill part,  
They to return so deceived, of their Earl and money homeward.  
But Peter Landoyse assured them, that he should be  
Safe in a sanct'ary kept (which they would warily foresee)  
Or to be straightly detained, in a safer custody forthwith;  
So they need not at all, to doubt or fear any mischief.  
They pacified by the means of Landoyse curteus answer,  
Thought it a folly to stay in Britain Realm any longer:  
But willed Landoyse (to the Duke their duty remembering)  
Those promises to be kept, their leave there then fuly taking:  
Who promised that he would.  
So these Embasadors sailed thence, and landed in England. 
Grafton. fol. 755. Edw. 4.   
And there told to the King each chiefest point of his errand.  
Who when he heard their speech, persuaded partly by reason,  
How that he should be detained there safe, or safe in a prison  
(He not at all fearing th'intendment of fory persons)  
show'd himself as a Prince, more bountiful unto the Commons,  
And liberal to the poor.  
But time his course hath: time stayless daily doth happen, 
Sentences.   
With swift breach cureless, with gold not again to be gotten.  
O wavering fortune, when thou seem'st most to be smiling, 
Poeticè.   
Mutabil intendment meanest, and mischievus ending.  
Every time hath an end, O worldly variety, never  
Known to remain constant! What is here that permaneth ever?  
For stout king Edward, when he found himself to be sore sick,  
And when he thought that he was (in a manner) past any physic,  
Straight to the Queen's kindred, did send on away in a poste-hast;  

Grafton fol. 760. & fol. 761. Edw. 5.  Unto the Lord Rivers (whom he knew to be firm, to be steadfast)  
And to the Lord Hastings (Lord Chamberlain then of England)  
And to the Lord marquess (whom she first had by her husband  
Named Sir john Grace, which was made knight in a battle  
Fought at Saint Albon, and there was slain: who did excel  
In valour of Knighthood)  
Willing them to repair to the Court, with speediness, eftsoons,  
And to resort to the King, for divers and many reasons.  
Who to the Court in all haste did come: who courtly saluting  
Were resaluted again, on another semblably greeting.  
Every Lord that came to the Court, by the King his appointment  
Went to the King's presence. When he saw them there to be present,  
He took them by the hands (though inward pangs with a sorrow  
Greatly molested his heart) and, underset with a pillow,  
Spoke to them, as followeth:  
My Lords, and kinsmen, your presence heartily welcome: 
King Edward's last will or admonition to the Queen, his children, and Nobility.   
Whose friendships I found more sure to me, than a kingdom.  
My life is but a blast, I feel death woeful aproching:  
And I rejoice, that I have my friends here at my departing.  
My body wasteth away, I find myself to be feebel,  
Also my blood to decay: I feel myself but unabel  
For to pronounce many words. Therefore, my Lords, to me listen.  
Concord in friendship, be faithful unto my children:  
And to my Son, your Prince, I charge you for to be loyal,  
Safe to preserve his Grace, to defend this Realm universal.  
For the Sicily tyrrants could find no greater a torment,  
Then cruel envy, that hag, which fosters deadly revengement.  

Seneca in Epist. lib. 14.  Marcus Agrippa declared that small things daily, by concord,  
eftsoons grow to be great: and great things, fond by discord,  
Quickly decline to ruin.  

Plutark in reg. Apo. theg. & Stob. ser. 82.  That grave old sapient Scyllurus, named Chironensis  
(Four score sons who begat) when he lay sick, thus did he publish:  
Every one, dear sons, in his hand here take but an arrow,  
And break them forthwith. Which they did speedily. But now  
Each on a sheaf of shafts, my sons, take, forcibly break them,  
Which to do, each did asay; but could not. Then with a solemn  

Simile.  Speech thus he spoke; As you could not them break: So, my children,  
True firm and constant conjunction of many brethren  
No body can dissolve. Therefore live friendly together.  
If so be you separate yourselves each one from an other,  
Then shall your enemies (as a prey snatched up of a Tiger)  
You (disagreeing so) with a small force easily conquer.  
So my beloved Lords, if you, by malicius envy,  
Shall fall at variance, which of you stands in a safety?  
Prosperus are Kingdoms, public weals statefuly flourish, 
Sentence.   
Where States concording do perfect amity 'stablish:  
But when a Realm disagrees, that Realm is seen very seldom  
Long to remain a Monarch. For certain every Kingdom  
Hatefuly dissevered (faith and tranquillity wanting)  
Turned is up side down, ruinus disconsolat ending.  
Hate doth a Realm ruinated. Therefore my Lords, I beseech you,  
Every one to be friends, my precepts duly to follow.  
Every Lord, by the hand, there present took on an other  
(Who did appear to be friends) though their hearts were far asunder.  
And then he spoke to the Queen sore grieved: who mournefuly looking,  
Tears from her eyes gushed forth, as bubbling blobbes from a wellspring.  
Farewell dearly beloved: your children charily cherish,  
See them well to be bred with good and singular advise.  
And you, my children, be dutiful unto the mother:  
Use these your kinsman's counsel, in stead of a father.  
For little young children should wisely be ruled, by the counsel  
Of witty grave Senators, whose fame and virtue doth excel.  
And, with a sorroful heart his children sadly beholding,  
Stretched his hand to them all, these same words faintily speaking;  
God bless you children, farewell Lords dearly beloved:  
Who with trickling tears (sad sighing) woefully mourned.  
And then he held up his hands to the Lord, his mercy beseeching,  
And to receive his soul, to the joys that are ever abiding.  
Therewithal he fainting, in a swoon grew strait to be speechless,  
Gasping breath who did yield, with a pale face and body senseless.  
Whose soul imparadized, I believe is with the Creator,  
Our Lord Emmanuell, our Christ, and sole mediator.  
Who when he had regalized 3. years and credibly twenty,  
Tombed in a fair monument, at Windsor lies, in an abbey.  
How that he died, many men did doubt. For he died on a suddayn.  
Sundry, by surfeit, afirmed: which no body knew to be certain:  
But many thought, that he was put away, by the vile privy treason  
Of tyranus Richard, by the means of some sorry poison:  
As Sir Thomas More, in his own book skilfuly penned,  
Thought (by the speech that he learned) that he was sure privily poisoned.  
And not a thing unlike. For he spared no body, whose life  
Might dominire as a King, whose life might work him a mischief.  
He was a vile Machavile, and still took time at a vantage.  
To work such stratagems, his lewd mind gave him a courage.  

Simile.  As wax is molifyed, and clay made hard, by the sunshine:  
So to the word of God, good men's hearts daily will incline:  
But lewd are hardened by the word. Such obstinate error  
Permaneth in reprobates: whose end is damnable horror.  

Description of Edward the fourth.  This valiant Edward was a Prince, of a beautiful aspect:  
Whose face shined with a fair sanguine complexion indeckt:  
Whose yelo burnished hair did shine, like glorius amber:  

Similes.  Whose grey eyes twinkling, like stars, did cheerefuly glister,  
Comeliness of person, very tall of bodily stature:  
Exquisite every part was featured: and of a nature  
Merciful and liberal: whose stout heart (boldly by wisdom  
And politic valiance) of right did atayn to the kingdom.  
He was a Prince patiented, in great prosperity pleasant,  
And not at all arogant, in great adversity constant,  
Not timorus wavering: to steadfast friend very faithful:  
To fra'dulent enemies, se●ere, implacabel, hateful:  
Fortunate in warfare: but somewhat given (in excess)  
To womanish dalliance, as his history plainly doth express.  
This stout king Edward many times would say, that he loved well  
Three special paragons, in seu'ral gifts who did excel:  
First was wily by kind: but an other seemed to be godly:  
Shore's wife was merriest, as a woman void of all envy.   

The just and lawful title, that Richard Duke of York, father to king Edward, made to the Crown of England.  
RIchard Plantagenet, Duke of York, rightly the garland  
Sought by law to regain; his right to the Crown then of England:  
And he preferred a bill, to the noble common asembly,  

Grafton fo. 757. et 758.  Held at Westminster. Where after merciful Henry  
(Namely the sixth) his death, they all (there jointly together)  

Granted by parliament.  Gave this Realm to the Duke, his right heirs in the remainder.  
But this stout Richard's stout luckless mind was unabel,  
For to prolong so long: but in end was slain in a battle,  
Near to the town Wakefield (and left here these many children;  
Edward, George, Richard: all three well known to be brethren)  
And yet he swore many times by solemn oaths, 
Stow. fol. 944. & fol. 972.  that he never  
Would any treason attempt, or against him raise any power.  
His three sons, whom I named, were like three Martial Hectors,  
All of a stoutness alike, on another's glory detractors.  
This foresaid Richard, to the foresaid fortunate Edward,  
Was father undubitate: son and heir namely to Richard,  
Stout Earl of Cambridge;  
Who married Dame Anne, sole heir and daughter of Edmund  
Mortimer, Earl of March, Richard's niece, namely the second.  
So that he was, by the laws, right lawful heir to the Kingdom:  
Which Edward did ataine by force, and partly by wisdom.  
Henry the fourth did usurp, and put down wrongfuly Richard,  
Second King by name, at Pomfort slain, by the coward  
Sir Pierce of Exton: who struck him down, as a butcher  
Striketh an ox, on his head. woe worth so shameful a monster.  
This trecherus bloody Duke did bring eight tall men in harness,  

Grafton fol. 412. Henry. 4.  Each man a bill in his hand, like thieves, to murder his Highness:  
Who with a bill that he got by force, did manfuly withstand  
Those Machavile hypocrites (for he killed four men with his own hand)  
Till that he was struck down by the Knight: who leapt in a chay-er  
Like cravenus coward, to repose himself from a danger.   

The Second book of the tyranny and usurpation of king Richard: and how king Henry the seventh, when he was Earl of Richmond, was preserved in his time.  

A prayer.  

I (He, that here doth a peal to the sacred seat of a Kingly,  
Kingly tribunal throne, of a King celestial only,  
Only the King of Kings, the triumphant Lord God immortal.  
Three persons, one God, deified with glory coequal)  
Humbly before thee my God, that King, & Lord God of heaven,  
Wholly myself prostrate give ear, O Lord to me listen: 
Ephe. 2.5, 8.   
Sanctify me by thy grace, and justify me by thy mercy,  
For by the grace of God, comes our salvation only.  
Grant that I may paraphrase, stout Henry's glory to publish,  
And to promulgat abroad King Richard's tyranny devilish.   

I He, that only before (in Roman rythmery verses)  
Did modulate, with a thin oaten pipe, fortunate Henry's  
Flight that he made to the Duke, with his uncle; there in, a safety  
Both to remain for a time, till time should prove to be friendly.  
Which was a work of thanks: But now, now, murtherus horror,  
And Machavile stratagems I record of a lewd malefactor,  
That did usurp as a king, that killed his own very brethren,  
Murdered his Nephew's wife, and many ●●ores, or a sudden,  
Mournefuly Muse manifest the detested deeds of a tyrrant,  
Monster of all mankind; whose sins to the world are apparent:  
With salt watery tears, this woeful tragedy pencil:  
Tears, from a sabel pen of direful Ebony, distill.  
I to the clouds seek not to mount, like Icarus in sky: 
ovid. poeticè.   
Nor like proud Phaethon, with a mind presume to be lofty.  
Witty Thales maiden, that saw him look up on heaven,  
And in a ditch to decline; he is well served, quoth the maiden,  
For that he looked aloft, when he should have looked on his own feet.  
Look not aloft silly Muse: but show thyself to be discreet.  
Here I do mean to declare (O Queen) how shamefuly Richard,  
That Duke of Gloster (but a younger brother of Edward,  
Lately the King) did ataine to the Crown, and dignity regal.  
Truly my mind doth abhor that I should here make the recital,  
What Machavile policies, what shifts, what crafty devices,  
What tyranus stratagems he devised, to crucify Princes.  
First of all, here to begin; he stabbed and killed with a dagger  

Grafton fol. 713. Edw, 4.  Henry the sixth, when he was safe kept (as a prisoner) in Tower.  
For that he considered King Henry's life was an hindrance,  
Both to the King, and him: by the which they wanted asurance.  
Therefore he did this fact, his brother firmly to settel  
In throne of Regiment (whose state he knew to be fickel)  
For that he knew that he might, when a sure foundation is laid,  
Build, as he would himself. Can a building stand that is unstaid?  

Simile.  Like as an hungry Lion (ramping) will seek to devower  
Every beast that he meets, till he hath full appeased his hunger:  

Sentence. Nulla fides, regni socijs. c &.  So this vile bloody Duke their deaths did wilfully conspire,  
Which did oppose themselves, that he might not ataine to this Empire.  
For greedy thirst of gold, and fervent love of a Kingdom,  
All felo mates doth abhor: there faith is found very seldom.  
Like as a weak patiented, that lies sore sick of a dropsy, 
Simile   
Drinks, yet is always dry; so that no liquor, his hasty  
Or greedy thirst, can allay: 
Grafton. fol. 781. & fol. 719. Edw. 5.  So minds that proudly desi-er  
Imperial regiment, still thirst, and long for an Empire.  
Next he, the Duke Clarence (his brother) caused in a malmsey  
Butte to be drowned, as a Duke (though guiltless) found to be guilty:  
imagining that he might, then sooner ataine to the Kingdom,  
When that he was put away. For he dived each drift to the bottom.  
Like Aurora's bird, that fluttereth up to the welkin, 
Simile.   
Soareth aloft higher, than a gross man's sight can imagine:  
So this proud greedy Duke (whose mind so lofty did aspire)  
Reached a thought higher, than mean wits thought, to this Empire.  
O what a vile perilus serpent, 
Sentence.  what a cormoran hellhound  
Is cruel ambition! which seeks man's glory to confound.  
For minds insatiate will attempt still, still, to be highest:  
First to be greatly preferred; next, equal; then to be chiefest.  

See james. 3. v. 16 17.  Ambitius wisdom comes not from above; but is earthly,  
Sensual, and devilish, contentius, and full of envy:  
But sapience from above, is gentle, merciful, harmless,  
Wrongfuly not judging, but void of hypocrisy doubtless.  
Now to proceed, as I meant.  
King Edward, when he knew that he was so spitefuly drowned,  
His sorry misfortune, and lewd luck, greatly repent.  
For when as other Lords would speak for a lewd sorry person  
(Humbly beseaching him, that he would vouchsafe him a parson)  
Sadly the King would say, many times, O brother unhappy!  
For whom, no body would once seem to request any mercy.  
But many men do repent, when it is too late to redress it.  
That privy vile bloody fact, that he did so shamefuly permit,  
Strake a remorse in his heart.  
Surely the more that a mind is clogged with a grevius offence,  
More dolour and anguish doth torment daily the consci'ence.  
Sundry report divers reasons of their privy malice,  
Fiercely revived again; each cause yet proved but a surmise. 
Grafton fol. 741. Edw. 4.   
For why? The King and Queen suspected a prophecy foretold,  
Which they imagined would prove to be true; that a G should  
(Thought to be George Clarence) their noble progeny supplant.  
Which soon was verified, and proved to be true by the tyrrant,  
That Duke of Gloster; when he was proclaimed a Pro●ector:  
Who to the King's children, did prove their sole malefactor.  
O fond suspicions of minds? Who can the characters  
Of futur haps foretell, set down by celestial orders?  

Simile.  Like as a cocks crowing, or crackling flame of a fire,  
Daunteth a lusty Lion, which flies for fear of a danger:  
So doth a suspicion, conceived by the bruit of a rumour,  
Breed in a Prince's mind, but an inward fear, but a terror.  

Grafton fol. 742. Edw. 4.  Some did afirme, this Duke should match with Mary, the daughter  
Of Charles Duke Burgon: which Edward daily did hinder.  

Simile.  Which was a grief to the Duke, as a sore that festereth inward,  
For that his own brother so dealt, that apeard to be forward.  
Thirdly, the cause was alleged, that this Duke, George, had a servant  
Wrongfuly condemned, that should as a Sorcerer enchant  
Their regal persons, and their posterity. Wherefore,  
This Duke complaining to the King, was arraigned as a Traitor:  
With sorry words who reviled, and still did murmur against them.  
Whereby the king, in a rage, this Duke did speedily condemn.  
There is a time, for a man, both where and when to do wisely:  
As did appear by the Duke, who proved too daungerus hasty.  
Silence seldom ofendes: large speech oft stirreth up anger. 
Sentence.   
That witty grave Socrates his scholars charged to remember, 
Maxim. Serm.   
Three special documents; to be shamefast, wise, to be silent:  
Most requisite for them, that they may prove to be prudent.  
For let a man see much, let him hear, and say but a little. 
proverbs.   
For little meddling doth seldom bring any troubel.  
As little hot sparkels many times do kindel a fire 
Simile.   
Great, fierce, and violent: So lewd speech stirreth up anger,  
Sore, sharp, and vehement. And as fire forcibly great streams  
Vpflaming spreadeth: So lewd words enmity by means  
Endamaging disperse. And as fire quenched is hardly, 
Simile.   
Till that it hath burned to the full, and that very fiercely:  
Whose force doth ruinated, burn and consumeth in ashes  
Great, large, huge tenements, fair, fine, and sumptuus houses:  
Semblabel (in like sort) is an anger merciless ardent,  
Continuing vehement: whose mad rage and fury fervent  
Doth towns depopulate, subverteth flatly the cities,  
Vpturneth castles, murdereth Kings, and many Princes  
Stout, wise, and valiant. What is it, but mischews Envy  
Cankereth up in her heart? To do wrong, she practiceth only:  
Which she delights most in. With pride she jets, as a copesmate,  
imagining vengeance. woe worth so spiteful: brewbate.  

Simile.  Better a staff that bends, than a staff that breaketh asunder:  

Sentence.  Better a man patiented, than a man that stirreth up anger.  

Sentence.  No wrath so vehement, as brother's enmity: whose rage  
Fiercely revived again, what man may possible assuage.  
As for an exampel; fierce Typhon killed Osiris:  
Romulus also Remus: Cambyses wrongfuly Smerdis.    

To her Majesty.  

Here I desist for a time, O Queen. For like an abortive:  
Droupeth afore he be ripe: so my book may prove but ofensive, 
Simile.   
If that he pass to the print, yet my poor skill hath adornist  
That, that I mean to deline. Soft fire makes malt to be sweetest. 
Proverb.   
And God grant thee to rule, as a joyful Prince to thy p●●p●l,  
Princely so long to live, as an heart, as an oak, or a woo●●l:  
If so be your Highness this verse and history fancy.  
Then will I gladly procead; else not. For I count it a folly.   

Here is a Book that I made which Pagan jove in his anger, 
jam opus exegi etc.   
Nor steel shall out wear, nor time authentical, ever.    

The Author to his Muse.  

Here let us harbour a while: things are to be done in a measure.  
Every tide hath an ebb: pains past to recount, is a pleasure.  
Glory to God, God above: which was God from the beginning,  
Which is, which shall be our Lord eternal abiding.   

Senerissimae Reginae.  
En meliorae canam, si placant carmina Princeps:  
Sin tibi displiceant, hic marus aheneus esto:    

Certain Latin verses, that were made long since by one Doctor Buste a physician, in commendation of the Queen's Majesty, when she came to Oxford.  
Juno, Minerva, Venus, nemerosae in vallibus Idae,  
judicium formae dum subiere suae,  
juno iactat opes. Quid tum? Prudentior illis  
Est Pallas; Pallas haud opulenta tamen.  
Inter formosas, si tu Dea fortè fuisses,  
Vicisti reliquas. O Dea, quarta Deas.  
Quam juno iaeiuna foret! Quam pallida Pallas!  
Quam dea vana Venus! Quam dea sola fores!  
Sat Venus alma viris; regni virtutis egena est.  
Omnia sunt tua: in juno, Minerva, Venus.   

Translated into English Hexameters, and Pentameters, verse for verse.  
juno, Minerva, Venus, in vales of wodded hill Ida,  
Whiles, which was fairest, they did agree to be tried,  
juno she bragged of wealth. What then? Then thought to be wisest,  
Was Pallas; Pallas was not a wealthy goddess.  
If that among those fair godeses, thou fair gods hadst been,  
Thou hadst surpassed them (there, as a fourth Gods) all.  
juno, she how ieiune? Now pale had Pallas appeared?  
And Venus how vainelike? Thou then an only goddess.  
Let Venus all men please, yet throne of virtue she wanteth.  
All things are thine: thou juno, Minerva, Venus.   

And Saphickes in English, I have made thus:  

Godly Queen Princess precedent remaineth  
Only our fortress resident appeareth,  
Duly like Empress pre'minent requireth  
All us appointed,   

Stoutly with boldness provident, to venture  
Boldly foes fierceness violent to conquer,  
Manly with stoutness diligent defend her,  
Which is anointed.