THE VALIANT ACTS And victorious Battles OF THE ENGlish nation: from the year of our Lord, one thousand three hundred twenty and seven: being the first year of the reign of the most mighty Prince EDWARD the third, to the year 1558.  
ALSO, OF THE PEACEABLE AND quiet state of ENGLAND, under the blessed government of the most excellent and virtuous Princess Elizabeth: A compendious declaration written by C. O. And newly translated out of Latin verse into English meeter. By I. S.  Nob●… so lafoy ●…statque vinica virtus. 
AT LONDON, Printed by Robert Walde-graue   

¶ The names of the kings of England in whose days these wars and great adventures have been made.  

Edward. 3  
Richard. 2  
Henry. 4  
Henry. 5  
Henry. 6  
Edward. 4  
Richard. 3  
Henry. 7  
Henry. 8  
Edward. 6  
Philip, and  
Mary.    

¶ TO THE RIGHT Worshipful Sir William Mohun Knight, longlyfe, and heavenly felicity.  

IF Maro's Muse, if Homer's sacred vain,  
(Which ancient Poets, entombed lie in mould:) 
Virgil 〈◊〉neth the 〈◊〉 deeds of Ae●…●…s. ●…er bla●… seth the ac●… of Achilles' 〈◊〉 son to Th●… tia.   
Parnassus' Nymphs had bet into my brain:  
If that their skill, my slender quill did hold:  
Then (worthy sir) your praises manifold,  
With Trojan Dukes should lifted be to sky,  
Or Thetis Imps, whose fame shall never die.   

But bitter Fate, and cruel destinies doom,  
Such cunning rare, denied have to bestow,  
On me poor lad, to Homer's lofty room  
I may not climb, but couching lie full low, 
Cher●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
With Chaerilus, and Virgil's vain forego.  
They of their store, did spread and blaze their skill,  
I of my want do testify my will.   

Wherefore in worth accept my willing heart,  
Which what I could, not what I would, have brought,  
Of Artaxerxes play the princely part, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…y ki●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   
Of fountain floods, who drunk a hearty drought,  
Which to his mouth with hands Synaetes wrought. 
Syn●…tes 〈◊〉 poor 〈◊〉 Phillipp●… 〈◊〉 ●…oble 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉   
Let Macedonian Phyllips' courteous mind,  
(Right worshipful) within your breast be shrined.   

The Persian king in bosom shrouded close,  
A silly bird, which shunned the hawk by flight,  
And did herself for safety there repose,  
Till that her foe were soared out of sight.  
So these my toils accept with countenance bright,  
Which I present here humbly to your hand,  
Your like, or loath, may cause them fall, or stand.   

Here Martial feats by valiant Brutes atchiu'de,  
Here hard exploits, here battles fiercely fought,   
then the value of the gift. Howbeiti the toil and labour in trnaslating was mine, t●…●…ectation and pleasure in reading shall be yours, if any be, which I would it were as much as I could wish, to your contentation, and good like: and to my great comfort, and hearts desire: Both encouragements to incense me hereafter, to attempt some other thing which shall be peradventure more pleasant, I will not say more profitable unto you for beside the notable gests and high exploits, of our Britain kings, and other particular personages deciphered in this small volume, here also are lively expressed, & blazed forth, the haut stomachs, & famous acts, of our English nation in general, their conquests in France, their victorious ba●…les in Scotland, their memorable adventures in Spain, their valour in Iustes & combats at home, their order of battle, their kind of munition, & Artillery, whereby they have achieved so many conquests, and have been most redoubted, and terrible to their enemies: I mean Archery, which laudable, and martial exercise, how greatly it is now in these our days, fallen into decay, we shall I fear me, if constrained to endure those brunts, and attempt those adventures, and perils which our forefathers have done, to soon for ourselves, though it to late repent. I have not presented it here, as a thing exquisitely done, but as a work rudely overran, rather than curiously absolved and perfited. If any one hereafter to the better explication of the Poet's meaning, to the livelier bewtifiing of his Country's exploits, and famous attempts, and to the greater delight, and utility of the reader, shall in a more lofty vain, and heroical style polished and publish this Author a new, who I confess deserveth a translator far better than I am, then let these my toyses be brent and consumed to ashes, devoid of farther name & memory. In the mean space if you vouchsafe to turn them over, for your solace at vacant times I hope you shall reap some utility be the matter, though not by the meeter, in which, though you here, and there find a escape, I beseech you pass it over with patience, and persuade yourselves, that if God send me life and health, upon information thereof, it shall be in the next Aedition reform. As for you my Masters, and Teachers which read this Author in s●…koles, you must not be offended, though every verse answer not your expectation, according unto the Latin, for as the worshipful Tho. Phaer in his Preface to his Aeneads affirmeth, beside the difference of a construction, & a translation, there are many things which seem delectable, and pleasant, in the Latin tongue, which converted into English, would either be so intricate that none could understand them, or so unpleasant that none would vouchsafe the reading of them. Wherefore I have Imitated the counsel of Horace, in his book entitled De Arte Poetica, where he commends and allows him as a good interpreter, amongst other points 
Qui quae non sperat nitescere posse, relinquit.  and have somewhat in some places omitted, though i●… but little, and somewhat altered, though not much, altogether for the ease of the reader and the better understanding of the whole work. The Author's meaning as near as I could I have kept perfect and inviolate. And so far ye well most friendly Gentlemen.  
Yours to use. JOHN SHARROCK.   

¶ William Bluett: student in the University College in Oxenford in praise of the work and Author.  

CEASE, cease hence forth you worthy English wights,  
at strangers deeds, to take such admiration:  
Since far they come behind the noble Knights,  
Which fostered have been, in our English nation.  
Cease cease henceforth, to wonder at the acts  
Of martial Caesar, and renowned Pomp●…,  
Cease, cease to talk of Alexander's facts  
Of Scipio, Hannibal, or the warlike Fabie.  
Cease, cease a while, to turn the books of Livius  
Plutarch, Tacitus, Appian and Curtius.  
Of Homer's tales, or Virgil very fables,  
Of Thucidid or Herodotus babbles.   

Behold a wight from Parnasse lately priest,  
Hath Phoebus sent whose pen, of ancient name  
Our noble Henry's, Edwardes, and the rest,  
Enrolled ha●…h in bookeof lasting same.  
Where you may see the virtues manifold:  
Of this your country done in former years:  
Patterns to follow, where ●…keyou may behold,  
If you will imitate such noble Peers.  
Now, if his voice, you do not understand,  
Or l●…iffer had in speech of this our land  
This Author read: hark what the Muses have  
Of that decreed and done which you do ●…aue.   

They prayed Sir Phoebe in humble wise of late,  
From out his sacred mount, to send some on,  
That might this work into our tongue translate:  
Who looking round about, his Helicon  
Sharrocke espied amongst his learned b●…nd:  
Who●… strait (as apt and able both) he binds,  
This worthy work to take forth within hand,  
Thereby to profit you his country driends:  
Who yielding strait: God Phoebus' hest and will  
Hath this performed with speed, and skilful quill.  
Cease Zoilus to carp: the Muses him commend  
Be silent Momus; Phoebus did him send.   

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hortatorium eiusdem W. Bluetti ad authorem.  
ut ad altiora contendat.  
Perge age: quid dub●… as? Parnassi scanned cacumen:  
Dexter Apollo tibi, dextera Musa tibi.    

❧ TO THE MOST EXCELlent and most mighty Princess Elizabeth, by the grace of God, of England France and Ireland QUEEN, Defendresse of the Faith, etc.  

Renowned Nymph, of Britain land, the guidance great, & stay,  
Which dost most glorious shine in peace, & true religious way  
Which glittering in thy lives deserts, & manners radiant light,  
Exceld'st Zenobia, or if one excelled her, by right,  
In rule which juno, Venus' fair in form, Minerva in art  
Expressest, and more virtue shrinst, then female sex in heart:  
Come favourable, happy slide, to these attempts of mine,  
Thy gracious look (O goddess) shall, as power of godhead shine.  
The work is hard, I may not prop so huge, and vast a mould,  
Less with thy friendly aspect, thou (me goddess) do behold  
Look friendly, (goddess bright) and see, what hard exploits of yore.  
Thy great forefathers have achieved, three hundred years and more.  
Whose royal chair, and Diadem, since thou (O nymph) sustains,  
Their glory wonnne in brunts of Mars, unto thy laud remains,  
Nor 'tis unmeet fierce battles, to a virgin to express,  
Then pleasant peace, the brunts of wars did Pallas please no less.  
Therfo●… this work (most worthy Queen) with gracious countenance take,  
Thy judgement sets me bolt upright, or fondred flat doth make,  
Though all men me abject, and spurn, I nought them all regard,  
It is enough, if from my Muse thy liking be not bard,  
God grant that long in native peace, thou mayst enjoy the crown,  
And eke excel thine ancestors, in glory, and renown.   
Your majesties most humble and dutiful subject,  
C. O.   

❧ The notable Battles and high exploits of the English nation.  

HOw valiantly the warlike race of mighty Brute did bear,  
Themselves in bloody camps of Mars, how they the trembling spear. 
Mars God of battle.   
With courage shook, and troops of foes by force in fight did foil,  
Full fourteen hundred years ago, when Caesar first this soil.  
With Romish army did assault: his Story teacheth plain, 
Iul us Caesar. Caesar's Commenta●…s.   
Which yet doth many a noble act, of this our land contain.  
And if that treason his attempts, had not propped, and up bore,  
In vain had julius set his foot upon our English shore.  
In vain Gradiuus offspring had their banners brood displayed, 
Gradiuus one of the names of Mars from whom Romulus first king of the Romans dis●…ded. Britain's paid tribute and did homage to the Emperors of Rome. Ciuil●… dissension, present destruction of a c●…ntry or common weal Erinys a fury breeding dissension.   
Nor homadge to the Romish king, nor tribute had been paid.  
But what is of that force●… what Realm is of that might and power,  
Which civil hatred cannot cause the enemy to devour?  
The common people what do they not break, and bring to nought,  
When once dissensions headlong heat, their reckless brains hath wrought?  
what doth not discord quite consume, diminish, and decay,  
What foul Erinys, fearful fiend, doth rule and bear the sway?  
A peerless Prince was Caesar sure, a warlike, haut, and bold,  
Whose worthy acts in memory, deserve to be enrolled:  
So many kingdoms brought by force, the Roman yoke to hold.  
But what? could he without the power divine, and sacred hest,  
Of high jehove, such nations fierce, by force have overpressed?  
The Germans he by dince of sword subdued in Martial field,  
A nation which inprowesse will not to the Latin yeld.  
Both stout in arms, and haut of heart▪ the warlike Galls he tamed, 
I atines of Latini people in Itali●….   
Whose virtue rare, to shine in peace, and wars, hath still been framed.  
Why then alone to Romans, did the glory of war redound?  
Why then the world so vast, to bend at Caesar's b●…e was bound, 
Galls of th●… the people Galls in Frau●….   
Each countries force, by bloody Mars made subi●…●…is might:  
Or quailed quite, before his power, and army came 〈◊〉 sight?  
Undoubtedly that jesus Christ, our sweet Messiah b●…e:  
All nations should be linked in league, which hatred erst had torn.  
All things must have their course, and their disposed order sure:  
Which also limits have, beyond which time, they cannot ●…ure.  
The first that ever Monarch height, that proud, and pompove town,  
Which walls of brick, full huge, yconipast, to her great renown, 
Semiramis wife to king Ninus of Pertia governed the first Monarchy. Nilus' a great river in Egypt by whose inundation with the heat of the sun is the country adiacont made fruitful. Alexander Magnus' king of Macedonia the second Monarch. The Romans under Romulus had the third Monarchy but rather under julius Caesar.   
Did Babylon contain, and Egypt, through thy fluent streams,  
O Nile, when Sol from high, thereto doth bend his blessing beams:  
Replenished full of corn, and wine, and oil, and cattle store,  
Did foster up, to other lands, wars scarce were known before.  
A few years after that, the Greeks the p●…se of warfare wan,  
Who other nations far, and near; suborning overran:  
The Italians than the pomp of Greece ●…prest with might, and mayner  
Which shortly after by the Goths, were forced to yield again.  
As wallowing waves successively, the one the other drives:  
So he which was depriver now, an other Prince deprives.  
It's God almighty, which all mortal thing●…●…th beck doth guide,  
Which seas, and lands doth rule, and eke the Starry region wide.  
He, he, is God of arms, whose thunder dint, resounding shakes,  
He is the God of armies to, which gives at will, and takes.  
Which trembling terror brings, and manly courage adds again,  
Which victors makes, and conquered foes, by sword yields to be slain.  
For he behold his enemy's force, quite craches with puissant might,  
Which Gods high sacred will esteems, most worthy of by right.  
The Thracian nation fierce, through deeds of arms renowned are 
The praise of all the nations in Europa. The Scythian and those co●…tryes which lie near the North Pole at the people Getae and Sa●…uromatae and others.   
And they which Northern nipping cold doth pinch, a people rare,  
For Martial feats, in wit, and manly force who do excel,  
And other points of chivalry, in fight too prompt, and fell.  
used oft to bloody Mars, the germans, corpse which hugy have,  
The Polon, and Dalmatian, the Hun, and doughty Swave,  
The Fleming, Frenchman fierce, the Spaniard, and the Britain haut,  
The Scot also through manly heart, prompt for to give assault:  
The noble feats of Mars, in warfare use, with might, and main,  
And neither of the summers heat, nor winters could complain:  
But by their access, their ancestors, through minds unconquered stain.  
Thou wars O mighty king dost send, as scourge, and dart most dire,  
Sins just reward, when nations proud, provoke thee unto ire.  
And for their foul, and filthy facts, some dreadful penance pay.  
When others by Ioues mighty hest, do bear the palm away.  
Therefore the praise of each exploit, and glory great of war,  
Referred must be to God above, whose beck doth make, and mar.  
Let him to me intending now, of bloody wars to sing, 
The Author●…●…uocation.   
Beginning be, and author firm, this work to end to bring.  
Let him with his omnipotent, and heavenly power divine, 
Bd●…rd the third began to ●…gne Au. 1520. in the xv year of his age.   
Support, and favour this attempt, and enterprise, of mine.   

From William sprung, height Conqueror, that stout, & Princely Peer,  
King Edward, third of that name, 'gan the Britain crown to wear:  
When scarce the number small, of thrice five years, he had full filled,  
A counsellor sage, at home, which seeds of justice daily tiled, 
Edward a godly Prince. Whereof this was one Longbeardes ha●…●…eile, paus ted houdes ●…else. Gay coats g●…celesse, mannes England th●…stleus. The Scots entering into ●…ngland as fair as Stanhop park were compassed rosd by king Edward who thought to subdue there but by ●…eason of s●…e of his host they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the king by ●…n self of Sir Edward Mortimer, who the bare great sway in England delivered up those Charters and patents. But more scillict to spite the king of England. Edward Balliol king of Scots d●…uen out of his co●… try comes into England. The Oration of Balliol to king Edward.   
And statutes made, and laws consirmde, the common state to ease,  
But chief he employed his care, the Lord of Lords to please.  
Four times the glittering Sun, each sign in heaven wandered had,  
The fift the when through Cancers arms, he stealing 'gan to gad:  
A chosen true of Martial knights, king Edward having got,  
Cntented battle for to wage, against the busy Scot  
The greatest part of all his Realm, with words do more increase,  
His Princely ire, for that the Scots, had brake their league, and peace.  
Hereto a Caunte full of reproth, against this noble land,  
With an old grudge was joined, since they on Stanhop were in band.  
Moreover at Northampton, vy the kings chief Casketts torn,  
Wherein they left their bands of league, the seals ta'en of before.  
These causes just incensed the valiant English hearts to fight,  
And clean expelled all fainting sear, which might their minds affright.  
But yet by speeches fair, repent if that perchance they would:  
And eke amend their traitorous minds, if that which justice should,  
Atrribute due unto the Crown of England, they would pay,  
To win the Scots, the courteous Prince, first friendly did assay.  
But they no white at all relent, but more, intend to bring,  
Some means, whereby to work the death, of Balliol their king.  
Which spying out their treasons false, all perils to refrain,  
Attains the English coast by stealth, and so avoids their train.  
And sets abroach unto the king, what fraud they did pretend,  
Ungrateful Scots, their sovereign leyge, to bring to fatal end.  
And then requests in himib●… sort, his grace his case to aid,  
For thus (permitted for to speak) in doleful sort he said.   

He which made heaven, and earth, and men, and beasts of brutish hind:  
In guiding things most provident, assuredly did mind,  
That kings, of kings should need the help, & should their succour crave,  
And he which had received, most commodity, should have.  
A grateful heart, to bear for aye, the givers acts in my●…e.  
And sure I think it God's behes●…, that some are here assigned,  
Under some luckless Planet borne, in some unhappy hour,  
Which in this world, most griping grief, and sorrow shall devour.  
And to what end: for that the Lord, most perfect, good, and kind,  
In ample sort, to good men gives good gifts, with willing mind.  
And will his like have for to aid, men plunged in distress,  
But what avails by circumstance, my mind for to express?  
Wherefore in brief, unto the cause itself, i'll me address,  
Of late a kingdom I possessed, my father's only heir.  
And did that stifueckt people well, with rain restricted bear,  
I lived devoid of fear, in pleasant peace, and ●…de my land,  
When suddenly a tumult made, of rebels false 〈◊〉 ●…de:  
Me unwares besiegeth round, suspecting nought at all,  
And having chosen captains fit, besets my pllace wall.  
What should I do, unhappy wight, such dangers priest at hand:  
And at that pinch, when not a friend was by my side to stand:  
Help from the Gods, with voice submiss, and lowly mind I craved,  
God heard my plaint, and in my heart, this was forthwith ingrau'de: 
odd present at faithful prayers.   
To fly the watch, by scaping through a window in the night.  
From whence, I here am come (O king) unto thy land by flight.  
And under this, that nation vile, their vile offence have closed,  
That I, not in their Peers, nor in their people, trust reposed:  
But to to much, your grace esteemed, and Britain's loved to near,  
My native country now I want, my wife, and children dear.  
〈◊〉 ●…oore, and needy wretch, here wander in a foreign land,  
●…thing but hope remains, a sorry comfort still at hand:  
Unto distressed wights, which never sure their minds forsakes,  
Till gasping breath begun: my broken heart which somewhat makes:  
For to revive, and will in time, more friendly Fortune bring.  
Some pity take, I pray, upon my travails past O king.  
But if you will vouchsafe to take, the tu●…ele of my state:  
While I am here tormented with the scourge, of bitter fate:  
And me into your favour high, by good luck, shall receive,  
You Ba●…ial shall his state ychangde, of thousand thralls bereave:  
And eke your Fame throughout the world, shall blazed be therefore.  
This is the sum of my request. than this, I ask no more.   

He having ended his discourse, forthwith to make reply,  
King Edward him address, of Britain land the glory high.  
All things within this wavering world, to fickle chance, are thrall, 
The answer of king Eid. ward.   
The turrets 〈◊〉 huge in height, sustain the greater fall.  
He that is nothing moved at all, with beggar's state most base,  
Nor yet is daunted, with the looks, of frowning Fortune's face.  
But with a mind unmoved bears, all loss no whit appalled,  
He ought by right, a prudent man, and stout in deed, be called.  
A virtue patience is, which other witness doth surmount,  
Therefore this adverse luck despise, and thereof make no count.  
For God himself, hath limits put, unto thy cares no doubt,  
Which at his pleasure, he will end, when times are turned about.  
Expect a while, till ripe corn ears, Autumnus heat shall bring,  
And green grass, by the blazing beams, of Phoebe aloft shall spring. 
〈◊〉 one syllable take for the Su●… two syllables for the Mo●….   
That for the barbed courser brave, the earth may provend yeld.  
Mean time, against this nation false, to fight, fit for the field,  
I armour strong will get, and soldiers stout, through all my land,  
I will collect, and what things else, for wars in steed may stand.  
The fautors shall be quite destroyed, which that vile cau●…e sustain,  
And over that unbridled nation fierce, i'll make thee reign.  
If God shall grant, and set will in thy father's seat again:  
Thus said the English puissant Prince, the Court with mumur cracked,  
On every side, resounding shrill, a foul, and filthy fact:  
Each one cries, for cankered nation proud, their lawful king,  
Of royall-scepter to bereave, and work his bale to bring.  
Few days expired wear, and stealing time not far had start,  
When doughty knights, and soldiers brave, the king from every part,  
Selected had, and Captains stout had chosen store at hand, 
Preparation for war against Scotland.   
The troops of horsemen set in ray, and many a mighty band.  
Of footmen (floct in heaps before) being all disposed: (the mass,  
Of coined gold, for so great wars, and silver, taken was, 
Gold and ●…luer borne on cars to pay the soldiers.   
Out of the chests, wherein all goods confiscate hoarded are,  
And to be borne, on cars was laid, no doubt most grateful ware)  
Forthwith the warlike Princes both, the Britain first in sight,  
And after him the Scot, before the town that Berwick height,  
With walls aloof erected, strong yfenct, their tents they place,  
Which bordereth near the 〈◊〉 fields, where tweed doth run his race. 
tweed a mighty river running by Berwick.   
A fortress Berwick is, with ample walls succincted round,  
Cut out from craggy rock, and bulwarkt up with baulkie bund.  
That from the dreadful dint of sword, it can hit soldiers shield, 
Berwick b●…sieged. Description of Berwick. Flora the Goddess of flowers and green 〈◊〉.   
And will not to the bouncing blows, of warlike engine yield.  
Fast unto which conjoined of hollowed rocks, 〈◊〉, lies  
A turret, mounted up aloft, unto the Starry 〈◊〉.  
And far, and wide, beholds the champion fields of Flora bright,  
With sundry sorts of armour full, and valiant knights yfright.  
And many a fort, fit for defence, the walls on each side guard,  
That dreadful force, of foreign foes, from Berwick quite is bard.  
tweed saves that side, which southwind shrill, with moisty wings doth  
And on that part, the salt sea floods, with bellowing, bouncing beat: (wet,  
Which Titan from Aurora fled, with fiery face beholds, 
●…tan the unne.   
The Northside hath a castle fair, which it 'gainst foes imboldes.  
With native people, which the woody mountains joint thereby,  
Inhabit, and the Scottish realm, which wholly there doth lie.  
Yet all these fenced fortresses, could safety not afourde,  
Nor Princes tower the dwellers shroud, from dint of direful sword,  
For after that the English camp, the fair broad fields throughout,  
Was spread, and compassed had the walls, with hollow trench about:  
With hugy heaps of mould up cast, the Scots all trembling closed, 
The assaulting of Berwick.   
Their iron gates, and walls, with spangs, and bolts of steel composed:  
The common sort do fortify, and prop with hugy ●…es.  
On th'other side, with have, and sheve, all thrunging thick, on flocks,  
The English army, gay in glittering coats, endeavour fast,  
Some fiery flashing brands amain, to tops of garre●…ts cast,  
Some tend the double, leaffed doors, with bars of steel to tear,  
But Vulcan's frying flames to quench, the Scots do water ●…are, 
Vulcanus God ●…ers Iub●…s smith   
Each fountain f●…re drawn dry, in every street, the town throughout.  
And more of fiery force, the present peril, less to doubt:  
The entry of each gate, with heaps of rubble thick they throng, 
The Britain's gave so hot assault that the Scots drew all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 walls and pi●…es dry to quench the fired places of their town.   
All passage barring quite, and water scalding hot, among  
The britains, he wing out a way with bloody blade, they fling.  
Nor unrevenged thus escapes the Scot, for some the whurling sting,  
Some others down the piercing shaft, to ga●…ly shadows ding.  
Not light of day, the town besieged, not dark, and dusky night,  
Can rest permit, their ireful minds so glowing hot to sight,  
Desire of deep revenge, had made, and kindled more, and more.  
In a cl●…e darksome night, they fain the walls to scale therefore:  
The doubling drum resounds, and ladders, ladders, each one called,  
Which makes the Scots to shriek, so trembling fear their minds appalled,  
Now there be seeks an entrance through the wall, an other here:  
In coats of lyncloth clad, through darksome shades, milk-white appear,  
The valiant race of Brute▪ no s●…ombring s●…eepe, their eyes to touch,  
The town besieged permits, hope on both parts, and fear is such.  
Mean time in ●…ege full thirty days, expired were, and past,  
When cruel dearth, and famine fell, doth pinch the Scots at last, 
The Scots like to sa▪ 〈◊〉 h●….   
Closed fast within their walls, and needful food each where doth want,  
A little bread, was sold for gold, it was so rare, and scant.  
Their fish was spent, they had no flesh, nor other victuals,  
A little eager wine was left. Forthwith together calls,  
His mats, the Chieftain of the tower, and thus he speaks in brief.  
Which of you all is ignorant, that here we want relief?  
We can by no means fly from hence, nor from our charges serve,  
And 'tis a dreadful kind of death, through hunger pale to star●…e: 
The Orati●… of the lieutenant of Berwick to his soldiers.   
Chief for men of body sound, and full of solid strength:  
Of his accord the apple ripe, doth fall from tree at length.  
But hardly he by force, unripe, is plucked from of his plant.  
What use have men of joints, and limbs, if grateful food 〈◊〉 want:  
What fruit hath life, both head, and hands, shall languish, and decay,  
If fostering good they lack. Therefore now (ma●…es) what do you say?  
UUill you that on conditions, the City yielded be?  
Which by the britains stout subdued, ere long time you shall see,  
With grisly dint, of bloody blade, her men and children killed?  
Or will you that we all do p●…e, and be by famine spilled?  
The Captain thus his whole intent explande, his speeches ends,  
When strait, with hurly burly noise, a divers sentence rends,  
The fickle common sort. But all in fine, do thus agree.  
A streamer white as driven snow, wide ope in sight to see:  
Out of a turret top, they hang, a sign of peace to be.  
And more right humbly pray to have, some parley with the king,  
Or with some noble man, to him their message for to bring.  
From out the kings pavilion strait, on to the walls was sent,  
To know their mind, and to return their purposed intent.  
When lowly, thus a soldier sage, gins to frame his speech.  
The troop of men besieged here, most humbly doth beseech,  
Such friendly favour to be shown, that through the mercy great,  
Of Edward peerless Prince, a few days truce they may entreat.  
And promise plights, the fort to yield, and town, as to him thrall,  
If on that side, where Northarne pu●…es, do batter Berwick wall:  
In dark night shade, sent from the peers, and primates of the land,  
Into the City do not scape of armed men a band, 
Eight day●… truce.   
With succour, and provision fraughted, within full eight days space:  
And that unto the Britain's they, by just right will give place,  
And eke deliver up the tower, unto the Prince's grace.  
Their plighted promise to confirm, the king would pledges have,  
To whom (which truce made for a time) in number twelve they gave. 
Pledges taken.   
But long the sleights, and subtle guiles, of that vile nation ●…ye,  
May not be hid, in whose heart roots, and bowels, lumps do lie, 
●…he Scott●… 〈◊〉 their ●…ce 〈◊〉.   
Of fraud engraffed, by nature's skill, that needs not arts devise.  
For scarce Sir Phoebe with blazing beams to, the world had compassed thrice:  
When carefully the English camp, do keep their watch, and ward,  
And other some supply the rooms, which others erst did guard.  
The fourth day comes, when Southwind blasts, along with whistling ●…ide,  
And in the UUesterne Ocean floods, Sol 'gan his front to hide.  
The night draws on, and shadows quite the earth, with darkness blind.  
In quiet rest, all men, and fowls, and beasts of savage kind,  
UUear softly laid, and wearied corpse, refreshed with slombring sleep.  
The watch, the Nothside of the town, takes only care to keep.  
Lest on that part the wily Scot, by stealth should entrance get,  
Because it was as covenant, twixt both the nations set,  
That on that side their hoped aid, to come, they would in take,  
Or of the tower besieged, forthwith the Britain's owners make.  
But here behold, in gloomy shadowy night, a fearful foe,  
Dacett, the chiefest Scottish Peer, three miles in compass thoe, 
Dac●…tt with a few other enters Berwick in the ●…ight.   
Had trast beside the English camp, and over tweed had passed,  
Into our borders, all on ●…orse, with army ●…ying fast.  
And though the bridge, of hard rock framed, was ransacked, and up torn,  
Clean to the walls, that over hit, no passers might be borne.  
Yet hardy Dacett through the streams, attained the warlike tower,  
Some of his men in channel whelmed, for fishes to devour.  
Strait ways a clamour loud, from Berwick wrought the starry skies,  
And gladsome news of present aid, through every street forth flies:  
Which shortly after turned was, to doleful plaints, and cries. 
The Scots truce breakers.   
For of deceit and treachery, they all with shame convicted,  
Forthwith which justly they deserved, with penance wear afflicted▪  
Fame of this thing so speedily, with flickering fe●…hers fled,  
That tidings to the king was brought, as he lay in his bed.  
Day light appears, when fair in sight was to a jybet trust, 
The pledges hanged.   
One of the pledges, whom forthwith succeed an other must.  
By strait commandment from the Prince▪ who had decreed, each day,  
Them two, and two, to hang, till all wear dead, and made away.  
Then, then, at length that nation faithless rued, their traitorous minds,  
When he far of, of faithful friend, the breathless body finds:  
high tottering in the air, tossed to, and fro, with whurling winds.  
He by infamous death, complains stock diffamde to be,  
Whiles in prospect of all, his son is tied to fatal tree.  
The wretched mother's only hope, and solace in distress,  
The women eke with hairs unfold their dolours do express, 
Famine oppres●…eth the Berwick souldi●…urs & inhabitants. One sorrow and calamity mitigateth an other.   
And howlinges loud do make, and naked breasts with bouncing beat,  
But for because that hunger dire, and scarcity of meat,  
A deadly plague, through all the town, doth headlong range about,  
And food from hungry jaws of men, by little plucketh out,  
Devouring victuals all: those doleful sorrows were the less.  
But here behold an other guile their famine to redress.  
That to the English camp unwares, of men 〈◊〉 silly band,  
Might range abroad, and victuals bring from out the Scottish land,  
And other aid procure, eight days truce more they pray the king.  
But he their fraud foreseeing, smiles, yet grants to them that thing. 
Truce the second tyme.   
True glory he, and high renown, not golden booties sought,  
For well he did perceive by chraft, the matter to be wrought.  
The Tenttes in peace do rest, and Berwick soldiers careless s●…rt,  
And wearied limbs through tossing toils, with pleasant sleep comfort.  
For meat was none, whereby their hungry stomachs fill they might.  
And now through midst of heaven high sir Phoebe had ta'en his flight,  
And ouerra●… the hugy shoulders brood of Leo fierce,  
All headlong prone descending down, where Vesper first doth pierce,  
The dusky cloude●…. An army great, in glittering harnish dight, 
An army of Scots sent to remove the fi●…ge.   
When from the mountains tops in ranks, appears wide ope in sight.  
As sheep in broad fields floct, go green grass nibbing here, and there:  
Or as on pleasant hills, where young lam●…es skipp with sporting cheer,  
The number is confused: so thick on troops they bleating go:  
The Ram amongst the milk white ewes, himself doth lofty show,  
Excelling both in courage have, and strength of body great,  
And fenced with his hooked horns, revengement fell doth threat:  
None otherwis●… the Scottish armed bands, on tops of hills,  
From far do show themselves, and fields with thousands thick up fi●…s.  
Whence down in good array they march, into a valley plain,  
And every one within his bands, his footsteps doth contain.  
Each standard bearer doth his streaming banners broad display,  
And taller by the heads the valiant Captains lead the way.  
tweed at that time her banks with swelling floods had overflown,  
By reason of the salt sea spring. That way to fly was none,  
Left for the English armed bands, that hope was quite bere●….  
wherefore the bragging Scotte, to human f●…rre which only cleft,  
The mighty power, of high jehove, respecting nought at all,  
Presumptuo●…lie with swelling heart, himself doth victor call.  
And vaunts that britains all at once, shall slo●…p to di●…t of lance,  
And shall of sharp two ●…ed bl●…, abide the grisly glance.  
Thus they before the battle foug●…, the triumph blazed, and spread,  
Puffed by with hope, and native pride, which full their fancies fed.  
Moreover hope of rescues near, the cow●…e besieged had,  
When far on p●…ning plains, the Scottish armies thick to gad,  
They had espied, and every one hi●… native armour knew,  
And eke their nobles standards all, when first they them did view.  
The Frasiers brethren twain and chiefest of the martial rout, 
The of Scottish Nobles.   
The forefront of the battle led, with Gualther Stuard stout.  
Then Greham, Card●…, Parkeys' Gordon, Gramat next, and Bride.  
And Gilbert Douglas fierce, and Morreys Abbhyn by side.  
All decked in precious purple 〈◊〉, the common 〈◊〉 ●…ours bear, 
The Scots divide their army into three battles.   
The piercing laun●… and some in hand▪ do wiel●… the ●…die spear.  
All clad in stealed jacks, with glittering 〈◊〉 gorgeous gay,  
Whose ghastly threatening ●…okes, their inward anger did bewray.  
These Peers the second army guides, and last, whose force exceeds  
In martial acts, and to the first, are not unlike in deeds,  
First Moses, Morys then, and Valam, with that mighty 〈◊〉  
Gordein, and allen Stuard, than whom Sotherland ●…th cheer  
With honour due, and Ruffy shining all in armour bright,  
Then comely Alexander Brus then Ceton, doughty ●…ight,  
Last lindsay, Gros, and many more, whose fame and glory high,  
Through all Europa costs so vast, to their renown doth fly.  
All sprung of royal blood, from ancient stocks descending all,  
But of the conunon sort whose names to mind I cannot call 
The English army.   
Full sixty thousand fight men did stand in battle ray:  
On th'other part the offspring stout of Brute did not delay,  
But ready makes their swourdes, and dreary darts, with ●…nted ends,  
Their sinowye bows, and trusty strings, the shaft which whu●…ling sends.  
Their filled steeleheades strong, the sturdy stem which steady bears,  
With plumes of feathers decked, which crested hellmett lofty rears.  
Most godly to behold, thus stands each band, which Tytaus rays, 
By reason of the reflex of the sun. The exhortation of the king of England to his soldiers.   
Do more set out, each order placed: the king thus boldly says.  
Ye britains comen of aunciedt race, I do rejoice to see  
Your manly looks, which plain foreshows, your hearts from terror free,  
All trembling fear of death expelled. So doth it men beseem.  
And such as worthy me their king, and Captain, I do deem.  
That Prince which guarded is, with doughty ●…ddes, in battle 〈◊〉,  
And tends by force of bloody Mars. to strive in quarrel go●…  
He shall more boldly enterprise, in fight his foe, to quell,  
And mates for strength, and valour good, I think of you so well  
As of his warlike Macedons great Alexander thought,  
When he against the Persians, and king Da●…los fought,  
The Monarch proud of Asia all. Dur cause most good and sure  
Now who doth doubt, for what a Prince's fame can more procure:  
Or greater honour win, then to restore a banished hang.  
And him unto his father's seat, and regal sceptre bring:  
What open injuries of late, this people false have shown:  
I need not now to rip again, they all to you are 〈◊〉.  
I'll teach them if I live, God's honour due not impayer,  
Nor sacred justice to infringe, nor Prince from royal chayet,  
His right by birth, by force to pluck. Now long wilt thou O Lord  
Behold and suffer to remain these sins, so much abhorred? 
The prayer of the king of England.   
Be thou from starry region high, revenger of this wrong,  
Let vigour from above descend, us suppliant souls among,  
And bashful fear, let feeble make, out foes which us 〈◊〉.  
Doubt nothing valiant hearts, Gods puissant might will be at 〈◊〉.  
Let every one forth gird the trembling spear, with courage 〈◊〉,  
Why stay I now, 〈◊〉 good event, I tookens feel n●…●…out. 
A policy to animate his soldiers.   
wherefore go 〈◊〉 our ensigns spread, and ●…ers in the 〈◊〉  
With 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 assault 〈◊〉 foes, yplung●…▪ in deep 〈◊〉  
Thus having said, Prince Edward mighty Peer doth make 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
When strait the English camp with clamour loud the skies doth 〈◊〉  
Redoubling still amain, ours, ours, the virtorie is, high love,  
His holy spirit doth breath on us, and sends he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Mean time the army large, is 〈◊〉 strong 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
With bows, and arrows good, which swiftli●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 string,  
The threefold mayled coat of proof, with squared head 〈◊〉 pierce,  
And now with blast of sounding trump, the warning, gin, forth fierce  
With eager minds, the onset first, the valiant britains gives,  
The shivering shafts do dim the air, so thick erh 〈◊〉 drives.  
And as glommy shower, with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
The light with ●…sh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which suddenly 〈◊〉  
All trembling makes men's minds, and pleasa●… fields to 〈◊〉 compels,  
Eth mortal wight, and to return for secure where he dwells:  
None otherwise the shafts thick sh●…e, ●…lose the ●…are day light,  
UUhilst Britain bold the bended bow, doth pull with manly might.  
The salt sweat 〈◊〉 through labouring ha●…, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉,  
UUhilst peaceing arrow through the air, by force 〈◊〉 passage seeks.  
Both armies bustling meet and man, to man 〈◊〉, in that 〈◊〉,  
Not so with ghastly Cyclops strokes, mount Aetna did resound: 
Vulcan as poets say had his smithey in mount Lemnos in Cicilie where he with his mates wrought. A great scathe by the Eng. Archers done to the Scots.   
Nor Vulcan fiery God, in dungeon deep, such noise did make:  
UUhilst that his monstrous mates by turns, the massy fledge did shake,  
With twhick, twhack, thump thump, bouncing fast, as thunderinglike did roar,  
With clattering classing loud, of swourdes, the trampled Berwick shore,  
And all the mountain Halindane. Some take into their brain,  
The whurling shaft, and struggling knock the earth, in deep disdain.  
He fight far aloof, is fiercely through the shoulders pushed,  
He dies on point of mawrish pike, his thigh most greiflie crushed.  
The most part yield their fainting breath destroyed with ghastly wound,  
Even through the bulk, their breast plates torn, where nature's skill hath  
Unto the trembling lungs, the liver full of lively heat, (bound.  
The battle yet hangs doubtful, none hath gotten vantage great.  
But after the assault more hot, and vehement 'gan to ware,  
The noble Prince Plantagenet his foes with pursuit backs.  
The gory blood, the flesh ygasht, with dreary dint of swourde,  
Spins through amain, as fluent floods do scour the gurtie ford.  
Or as the blustering Southwind black, the fields doth moist with showers,  
In winter season cold, from dusky clouds, which forth he powers.  
Who can declare the slaughters fell and labours of that day?  
Who can with floods of trickling tears; the sorrows justly way?  
Of slaughtered bodies who the number great, and names can tell?  
How many thousands eke the swourde in Pluto's pit made dwell?  
What groans were heard, what sobbing sighs even from the heart roots  
UUhilst out of dying corpse, the flying ghosts their passage sought? (brought?  
O ruthful shape of things, with breathless bodies covered is  
The earth, on plumps which lie, and honour of sepulture miss.  
And as the greedy wolf which ravin hunger forth imboldes,  
When be by shoving long hath burst a way into the folds,  
The seely sheep by tears, eke ravening hot blood streams out sucks,  
And half devoured carcases oerhippes, and more down plucks,  
Which are alive, proceeding fast with bloody jaws to spoil:  
None otherwise the Britain stern, with trampling feet doth soil,  
His sloughtred foes, and hot pursues the quick in fight to foil.  
Down dinging some with spears, and poles, to Lethe rivers brinks 
Lethe a river in ●…al.   
UUho so dare once resist. The Scott this seeing backwards shrinks  
And shivering seeks to turn his back, and save himself by flight:  
Again the progeny of Brute strikes lofty skies with shright:  
Still following fast in chase, the starting foe to quell by might.  
And floct in troops, as often as the adverse enemy's crew,  
Stark mad in mind, gins again the battle to renew: 
The Scots slain and pu●… to flight.   
So oft unto the conquerors might it waxing feeble bends.  
At length the glummy shadowy night, the bloody battle ends.  
Then sounding trumpet shrill, retires the wearied Britain's fast, 
The Retrai●… so●…nded.   
By Prince's hest, and from the field, aloud, Retreat, doth blast.  
The enemy quailed thus, free, uncontrolled, rejoice at will,  
The soldier might, and take of rest, and quiet sleep his fill.  
It glads them for to think of bitter toils, and turmoils past, 
Bacchus' God of wine. Ceres' Goddess of corn and such like provision.   
And then God Bacchus froothing bowls, and Ceres gifts they taste,  
To animate their hearts, no eye for pure toy winks that night,  
But showing his exploits, and hard adventures in the fight,  
Each one unto his mate; of dangers past takes then delight.  
Mean space (for nothing can be found more swift than fleeting time.)  
The morn is come, and Titan clear gins aloft to climb,  
And with his beams the fair brood fields doth set wide ope in sight.  
Then mindful of the succour sent, and power from God almight,  
The godly Prince on bended knees, commands his camp throughout,  
That every soul with reverence, and prayer most devout, 
Edward the next morning after the battle fought with all his army do praise the Lord.   
Should serve the Lord, and on his name high solemn praise bestow.  
The mighty God, which for our sakes, the enemy brought full low,  
That in the starry firmament, thrice holy reigns for aye,  
The Lord of Sabaoth eke, which condign honour bears away,  
Most worthily be celebrate, and feared, without end,  
In ages all, all nations eke, let to his Godhead vend.  
Of thundering jove the most redoubted might, who can abide?  
UUho can his force withstand, which roaring floods with beck doth guide?  
And earth rough raged with balks, and airy region running round,  
His glory great therefore with solemn tunes let britains sound.  
All victory comes from him, and from high heaven to men descends.  
These things thus done, his tents he leaves, and course directly bends,  
Renowned Prince, unto the place, wherein the field was fought.  
And there he learns of such as were ta'en captive, to him brought, 
The number of the Scots slain in the battle was xxxv. thousand five hundred.   
The names of those redoubted Peers, that there had got their bale,  
Which some resemblance had in face, of former looks, though pale  
Through want of blood they were, that scarce you might their countenance  
But when untouched he did the race of warlike Brute espy. (try.  
And lacked but only thirteen wights of all his mighty train, 
Thirten Englishmen only lost.   
(Those which were hurt were shortly healed by medicines help again)  
Ertolling both his arms aloft to glittering starry sky,  
He thus exclaims amain, and to the Lord of hosts doth try.  
O Lord thrice mighty in thy deeds, how much do I thee own,  
What favour great upon this realm of mine dost thou bestow?  
Mean time one of his Captains had the whole brood field survued,  
And Carcases with clots of dirt bedaubed, which would have rued  
Ones heart to have beheld, their mestive looks with tears imbrued.  
And finds full xx. thousand Scots and five to be by flight  
Safe home returned, so that destroyed by Britons fell in fight  
Of all the Scottish army huge, thirty five thousand wear.  
Which sloughtred number to augment, which noblest blood did bear  
Of all their realm, five hundred Peers were sent to limbo lake.  
Plantagenet these things thus known, return doth speedy make  
Unto his tents, whom by the way a Legate meets in haste  
Declaring how the Berwick Lords would yield themselves at last  
And leave their goodly town, which ●…rong stone walls do surely ●…arde,  
If by the mercy of his grace their lives might all be spared:  
And that with bag, and baggage, they might freely thence departed.  
The godly Prince the late shed blood, lamenting at his heart  
Their lives with good will grants, but goods, & substance, doth denay,  
Which on my soldiers must (quoth he) bestowed be, for their prey.  
Provookementes, to incense their minds, adventures hard to prove.  
What doth not mortal men to do lean pined hunger move?  
What doth not adverse fate, conculking backward folk constrain?  
Need is a direful dart. To save their lives they therefore feign  
Conclude, and only with their clothes their native town forsake. 
Berwick ●…elded.   
Forthwith Prince Edward of the tower by right doth seisin take.  
And Berwick gives unto his men with all her substance free.  
Whose not enriched goods to possess of which no owners be?  
Though thousand troublous thoughts turn●…ild, the king, now here, now  
And restless rage, of clogging cares, his mind did piece meal tear: (there,  
Yet chief Balliol he respect●…, wherefore with helping hand, 
Balliol restored to his kingdom.   
He sets him in his Graundsiers' seat, and Princely throne to stand.  
Enriched with ●…es of coin, and guarded strong with warriors stout.  
And after garrisons were placed each where, the town throughout:  
Time styding warns the king, the South parts of his realm to see,  
To London therefore hying fast, in short time comen is he. 
King Edward returns to London.   
Which fair brood streets addornes, and forth with solemn triumph  
Unto his royal palace brave, whose coming there abides, (rides,  
The Citizens, his safe return applauding, and his fear,  
The Princess Philip, with her son, which looked with smiling cheer.  
His noble praise and high renown through every street doth range,  
And glory past the uncouth coasts of A●…ke people strange.  
The swift report of this new war, beyond the banks f●…ue out,  
Of Ganges liquid floods, the mirror of our world no doubt.  
The king unweryed stirs, and circuit makes throughout the land,  
Survewing towns, and forts, and in what case each thing doth stand,  
But chiefly at Newcastle he doth love to make his stay,  
Which from the Scottish borders far, is distant not away.  
Here whilst he laws confirmed, and for offenders stablished pains,  
King Balliol comes, and after him a troop of nobles trains,  
His homage for to do, as customde was in elo●…r age,  
And eke to show his friendly heart, which should at no time gage,  
Wherefore admitted for to come before the Senate sage:  
On bended knee, as in degree inferior, he submitts 
Edward Balliol comes to Newcastle ●…e doth homage to king Edward.   
Himself, King Edward on his throne, with regal sceptre sits;  
And bids with cheerful voice, him prostrate to be ta'en from ground,  
Commending highly this his face, that though in duty bound,  
Yet uncompelde, he honour gives, and aid by promise plights  
If that his traitorous subjects should against him bend their mights. 
He: scillic●… the king of England speaketh comfortable wourd●… to Baliol.   
Of common weals affairs, and of God Mavors noble art,  
Much talk was spent, he bids him have a haut unconquered heart,  
And not to bear in mind, his former thralls, and irksome fate,  
But courage stout to have, concordant to his present state.  
To Saints celestial yielding praise, and to the powers divine:  
He more submiss doth humble thanks refer, and thus in fine  
In sundry sorts of talk, and sporting mirth a day they spend,  
And then another, till away Plantagenet did wend,  
And Balliol king to Edenbrowe his progress strait did bend.  
The Moon increasing oft, had now repaired her glittering gleams,  
When Edward with swift sliding hull divides the surging streams,  
Requested by the Flaunders Earl on causes of great weight  
For to consult, to bothes behoof, in time redound which might.  
UUhom kindred near, and eke his spouse, to Britain monarch knit, 
Edward say led into 〈◊〉.   
And having had on their affairs such talk as they thought fire,  
They strike a league, and heavenly bodies bright, to record call,  
Which never during term of life, be abrogated shall.  
The Peers of Flaunders on their oaths, this league a vow to keep.  
This done the king to England back the salt sea ●…udes doth sweep.  
These 〈◊〉 the French man galls, and fills his mind with doubtful 〈◊〉,  
When through the streets of Paris, pompous town, this fame had spread,  
And rumour running fast, uncertain who it first should rear,  
And did likewise the ireful heart through burning choler tear. 
Pillip de Valloys king of France threateneth England. Edward summoneth the French king and beareth the arms of France intermixed with th' English. Claiming France to be his by inheritance, Preparation fo●… wars. Gold at that ty●…e made in England by art. Edward saileth into Flaun dear.   
Of Valois king of Galls, wherefore his Lords to counsel ta'en,  
By dreadful Mars it was decreed to work the Britain's bane.  
Small matter finding out, and that unjust, to build upon,  
But th' English Rector fraud prevents, with virtue pure anon,  
For he to bloody wars the Frenchman summons, as right heir  
Unto the crown, and arms of France with th' English mixed doth beat.  
For that his uncle Charles did to joys supernal pass,  
No issue left behind, whose sister true, and coheir was  
The comely Lady Isabella, out from whose loins did spring,  
(She comen of ancient line herself,) the mighty English king.  
UUho with these causes just of ire provookt, in bags doth fold,  
A mass of silver pure, and hugy heaps of glittering gold.  
And ready gets each thing, for present wars which he thinks meet.  
But first he goes the Flanders Earl his faithful friend to greet,  
And to consult beyond the seas. A mighty army guards  
His majesty, which hollow hull from flashing surges wards.  
And now in midst of weltering waves, the navy fleets apace,  
Which with his boisterous blasts the Northwind cold along doth chase,  
His lusty lads to copp, with whistle shrill the careful guide  
Commands, where standing one, of Ships a navy huge descried,  
And ask, how many: answer makes, on woody mountains high,  
So many as are tender oaks esprong. Then of what country:  
Of France (quoth he). Forthwith the king bids each man to address,  
Himself to fight, and armour strong to set in readiness.  
And that no man should turn the stern, and course intended leave,  
On pain of loss of that dear joint, to which the shoulders cleave.  
Don Phoebus now, with glimmering rays, the high heaven costs divides,  
And lofty in his chariot bright, the winds quite calmed, rides.  
Stout Valois his up stirs, the broiling battle to begin,  
ship, fast to ship conjoines, the clasping grapple, hellish gin. 
A great battle on the sea▪ near ●…ude.   
On both sides fiercer grows the fight, blood, blood, pursues full fast,  
He headlong tumbling down, in gulfie channel quick is cast,  
A pleasant bait for frisking fish, he gashed with goory knife,  
Into the surging salt sea floods is thrown devoid of life,  
And so one man with double corture, hath his fatal end.  
Moreover huge unwieldy stones, the English soldiers send,  
Down from their hollow tops, which Celtanes brainepans battering rend,  
And bodies bruising tear, and hatches sprink with brains, and blood:  
The sharp side swourd th' assault likewise doth make more fierce, & wood.  
The French defend themselves with poles, and stoutly break the blows,  
Both navies fierce amain, with sanguine streams of red blood flows.  
But th' English eager press their foes with much more force to sting.  
Alas what stony river rough from stickle Alps whose spring,  
With winter showers augmented is, with greater force doth fall,  
Into the brood seas gaping gulf? no semblance now at all  
Of greenish colour clear, dame Thetis wallowing waves retain 
Thetis' godde●…se of the sea.   
But purple hue do bear. So deep wounds pour bloudstreames amain:  
As liquid water drops, through broken pipes, and conduits strain,  
Besprinkling all the ground. No man by flight looks life to gain,  
Nor ugly shape of death, doth any strike in staggering stound:  
And now eight long hours fled, Sir Titan's lamp had compassed round, 
The fight induced from XII a clock at noon till day break ne●… morning.   
The airy region vast, and bending beak to deeps down stelt,  
Then midst of summer was, in Cancers house Don Phoebus dwelled.  
The skirmish hotter grows, and more, and more, doth anger swell,  
Haut courage kindleth each man's mind. The ghastly bickering fell  
Not night as black as pitch, nor direful darkness stintes and stops.  
This bark salt water leaks, and surges high through thinks in hops,  
Her ribs by force out torn. There might you see huge hulks half burnt,  
Their men on scriking, drown, we drown, into the channel turned.  
Theirage yet restless ramps, and Britain's force with hardy might,  
As though even then they entered had into that fatal fight.  
So fervent waxed their moods, as though some sad unlucky star,  
Did threat destruction dire to fall, on th' one part of from far.  
But th' aspect of God Mars against the Gauls more cruel was,  
The timber boards, and beams, do not them shrine from death alas,  
Which those behind, in dark night shade, themselves thought for to hide,  
And now almost deaths dreary dart the enemies all had strided,  
For thirty thousand in that fight their swift ghosts did convey  
To Limbo low: end of the night, and dawning of the day, 
Thirtis thousand slain of the Frenchmen. Edward victor.   
Was final end of wars also. The famous conquest light  
On Edward mighty Peer, the adverse navy most in fight  
Ta'en either captive, or destroyed, few saved themselves by flight.  
To thundering jove, Plantagenet the chief laud doth betake,  
And bids each man to him prostrate, his humble duty make,  
And honour just ascribe. Things finished thus, back home again 
Edward returning into England goes to Windles' Castle.    

Prince Edward hies & through the floods, with brazen keel doth train  
Who lands at London tower, which mighty Thammes with waters clear  
Soft sliding, passeth by. Then Windsor noble castle near  
He goes to see, and royal banquetts makes, with costly cheer,  
To be prepared, for four days space, and there to him both call 
〈◊〉 George is feast.   
The English primates chief, with their espoused Ladies all.  
Each peer in his degree devout to sacred temple hies,  
The Priest his rites performs, and tributes laud to jove in skies,  
God served, down sits cch one, at Tables large, with naprie spread,  
In parlonrs richly houg, with Aras wrought with silken thread.  
Where fountain waters bright, were brought to wash, of custom old,  
Then Ceres' dainty dishes come, and massy bowls of gold,  
With Bacchus' filled, which ancient shapes of Britain kings did hold, 
Bacchus' God of wine, used for wine itself.   
By skilful art ingr●…u'de. The king, and Queen, in lofty seats  
Both jointly sit. And lower down, the nobles at their meats  
In seemly sort are placed. Whose precious cloaks ou shoulders hinge.  
Three hundred Servitors eke, successively a-row did bring  
Forth dainty cates, charged to attend, and cups with wine to fill.   

When every slate sufficed was, and satisfied at will:  
The tables voided were, and from the silver Ewers still  
Sweet smelling streams again to wash. Then takes the king in hand  
A mighty gobblett full of wine, which on the board did stand,  
And drinks Carouse to all his guests, they pledge him in like sort.  
Thus passing time, with sundry jests, and meekle pleasant sport,  
This king this motion makes. Lett's now my Lords some masteries try,  
Which may be grateful shows, to all my people standing by,  
Quoth he, what answer make ye Sirs: They willing, yea, reply.  
Strait trappers golden, golden bits; and saddles guilt with gold,  
Provided are, and each man horsed on trampling courser bold.  
The king in armour bright engraven, on foaming sleede is set,  
And now each knight, a bunchie spear, of ash in hand doth get,  
The stoure gins, and rushing swift, with poise they press, to skies  
The splinters shiucring small, and fragments broken, rattling flies.  
But he in midst of foreheard, which with sturdy troncheon strake  
His foe, and course redoubling swift, his stafe most often broke:  
He bore the palm away, and of those jousts the honour wan. 
The first institution of the golden Garter.   
And now the buy heavens light, the night with shades had overrun,  
The Turney cudes, the Prince, and Peers, to banquet home them haste,  
Which Gods themselves you would have said, might have vouchsaude to taste.  
At four days end, the king for all contendours prizes fits,  
And garters, studded thick with pearl, about their legs he knitts,  
With precious gems, ybrought from Eastern regions far permixt,  
The Carbuncle which glittering rays out yields, among infixed.  
Moreover chains of fined gold, from utmost Indies brought,  
With glittering jasper stones beset, to each, most costly wrought  
A double leaffed tablet fair, of gold, depending down.  
And of this orvet knights of noble ●…ocke, and high renown,  
In number xx. foute, he made, whose feats in war should gain  
Eternal fame, and bids this rite their progeny to retain.  
A noble deed no doubt, which reckless time, with restless wings,  
Shall not devour, nor tract of years, commit to Lethe springs.   

Mean time the French king ●…nteth not, injuriously to spite  
The Britain nation stout, and eke to wars them to incite.  
The English Monarch discontent hereat, and moved in mind, 
King Edw●…●…yning to him the ●…ar of Warwic●… & 〈◊〉 ●…arl more waste●… the Wester●…●…stes of France. The king 〈◊〉 turned no●… calleth a Parliament wh●… in he she●… 〈◊〉 Crown●… of France be his by 〈◊〉 heritance.   
Forthwith his mates to be in wars, four noble Earls assigned,  
And wastes with fiery flames, and dint of smourd, both towns, and towers,  
Along the UUesterne coasts of France, down forts, by force he scours.  
With eight score ships of war strong fenced, the enemy to sustain.  
At length returns not having lost his least, and ●…plest swain.  
Declaring strait unto his Lords, what requi●… he thought,  
First how, and what reproachful facts, against us have been wrought  
By the unfaithful franks, then how his uncle Charles void  
Of issue died, whose Crown by right he ought to have injoyde,  
Heresn a counsel general was ca●…, throughout the land.  
In which these points above the rest were borne the king in hand  
First that by tasks, and subsidies, great store of gold in come,  
And that each subject was a●…rste, to pay a greater somme,  
By Parliament decree. More that much golden vessel large  
Should coined be, of these new wars for to defrait the charge: 
Vessel coi●… to make m●… neigh.   
And though that burdens more than meet, on manyes necks were laid,  
●…t without grudging to the king, each man his mercement paid.  
All other things established were for common weals behove.  
And herewithal the Senate ends, and Counsellors home remove.   

Staight armour is prepaide, by straight commandment from the king, 
Preparatio●… for war.   
The valiant Britain youth, in sturdy steel coats glittering spring  
Great plumps of horsemen stout, & cluttering troops of footmen thrungde,  
And now with good luck on, through mounting surges swift they plunge,  
The ●…endly Northarne gales, their hoist sails drive forth amain,  
Till Normandy at last a fertile soil of fruit, and grain, 
The Brita●… 〈◊〉 arri●… at 〈◊〉 die A●…ol Go●… the wind●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them the●… selves.   
The Britain fleet in harbour safe from Aeol did contain.  
Their weary corpse here well refreshed, their tents they farther move,  
And houses ri●…ling spoil, their former's owners quite out drove.  
Come hoarded up in ●…ort in broad barn bays, by country swain  
And oats the warlike prancer fats, the straw lest to remain.  
For needful use. Vulcanus brands the roofs down rattling tear.  
Young children reft of home, their woeful mother's wandering bear: 
〈◊〉 ●…ranne.   
Their fathers lately sent by falchion dint to shadows dumb.  
These but preambles are to greater wars in time to come.  
And in what place through r●…unging wide, in brood fields cause of stay  
Is offered there the army huge, do pitch their tents that day,  
At length they came to Caen. Of craggy rock, a bridge whose side 
●…he assaulting and sub●…uyng of ●…ane.   
Doth guard, through passage straight, which weltering streams rough under  
Th'assault gins, & more, and more, the fierce fight kindleth wrath, (slide.  
The Chieftain of the town, with soldiers stops the straight bridge path.  
To bar the enemy out. The French down groveling headlong throws 
●…rchery doth ●…uch pre●…ayle. Celtane of Celtaea peo●…le in France The H●…rle of Tanca●… 〈◊〉.   
The whirling shaft, until at length they came to handy blows.  
Then stain with ghastly wound the Celtane spurling kicks the ground.  
One Earl captive ta'en: an other eke no less renowned,  
Through Tancaruilla, of which place he title bears, and name.  
The remnant armour cast ●…st de, all captive thralls became,  
The king the walls down beats, and fort consumes with fiery flame.  
This town thus sacked, proceeds with wings, on both sides strongly armed. 
●…rom Cane the army proceeds further into Nor ●…die and 〈◊〉 brea●…th ray.   
with bows, which would with piercing stem, the Frenchman's pride have charmed:  
The army, and with sloughter dire, and sword, all things decays,  
Much like a noisome pestilence, which when he roaming strays,  
Creeps in by stealth, and mortal men with deadly venom slays.  
Or as rough roaring Eastern pufes when through their caves they rush,  
Down woods, & mighty trees, with boisterous blasts they threatening push.  
And oaks up mounted huge in height, their roots torn, battering crush,  
On th'other part an army great, with faint heart half affright,  
King Valois gathered had, into the next fields brood in sight 
●…alloys ga●…hereth an ar●…y.   
Yet durst he not encounter with our bands, in open wars,  
Or battle join, and so ●…ntright, decide, and end the jars.  
But wrought with fear, in woody mountains wandering far us fro,  
He watcheth what we do, and whether we intent to go.  
With wary mind, respecting well his own estate, and realm,  
And more commands his camp, the bridges all to overwhelm. 
●…ridges of ●…ome broken ●…owne to ●…eepe back 〈◊〉 English ●…my. ●…ridges of ●…ome broken ●…owne near Paris by the 〈◊〉 ●…f Valloy●….   
That by that means the enemies force they might bar of, and stay  
Their journeys eke. But when to valiant britains each hard way  
He easy saw, and that no stop could hinder their intent.  
With all his troop of armed men he strait to Paris went.  
And guards the City walls, which shivering fear had shaked before,  
Comm●…nding piecemeal down, the Sequane bridges to be tore.  
Now safe the Frenchmen think themselves with gurtie river deep  
Encompassed rou●…e, howbeit they watch, and ward, do daily keep.  
Suspecting both the fierce assault of mighty Brutus' race,  
As also lest the light fire flames their fair town should deface.  
Their journey hasting fast the English camp is comen at hand  
But after down the Bridges broke the king did understand:  
Each place of entrance eke with great endeavouring fenced sure:  
He frets dispel as●…e in mind, and thoughts turmoiling, more his sure  
Augments, till he at last ●…pon this final sentence stays.  
To build the bridge again, and lofty arches up to raise,  
Over those floods, which by the walls of ancient Paris glide, 
The Bridge a Paris built b●… the English camp in tw●… days.   
Which less than two days space doth finish quite, that fair and wide,  
Each soldier passage hath. In battle ray, and now they stand,  
Beyond the river banks prou●…oking Frenchmen hand, to hand,  
For to encounter fair in martial fields. But when again  
No equal offer made of fight they see, in great disdain  
The britains move their tents, and passing forth from place to place 
Phaeton th●… son of Ph●… bus by misgoverning his father's chariot●… had almost burn the whole world. The Britain proceeding●… to Calais pitch their tents near the forest of Cr●…sse or Cr●…ssey.   
No town unburned leave, that Phaeton's flames again to trace  
That land throughout, of that way one had looked, he would have thought.  
Until at length the army stout, the broad plain fields had wrought,  
Near Cressy ●…des, & there their tents d●…ne pitched, to make some stay.   

A valley 〈◊〉 there lies, with springing meadows fresh and gay,  
Through midst of which a brook with silvery streams cuts forth his way  
One side of which a hill, with fertile soil for tillage fit,  
Besetts, to Paris wards, which rustic swain with plough doth slit,  
In joyful time of peace. On th'other side adjacent lie  
Some pleasant hillocks eke, but chief stickle mountains high,  
Whose tops do Cresseis groves of oak trees thick beset, contain,  
And darksome dens, where brousie beasts of savage kind remain.  
Within this vale the English camp, of former toils of shook  
Their weariness, with dulcet sleep, and grateful viands took.  
When suddenly a spy from mountains tops in post haste runs, 
Valois Insu●… eth the English army with a grea●… boost.   
And warning gives, that Valois king of Galls in armour comes,  
With thousand thousands guarded thick. A sound the trumpet shrill  
Gives forth, and with Tantara thrice, each soldiers ears doth fill.  
The valiant English hearts, arms, arms, redoubling loud out called   

Forthwith king Edward adds. Take tools in hand no white appalled,  
Ye lads of martial Brutus' blood, high thundering jove this day, 
King Edward's exhortation t●… his souldiou●… before th●… battle.   
Hath hard my voice, and hath betook into your hands a pray.  
The king himself not only comen, with this huge host I here,  
But eke throughout the Realm of France of ancient stocketh Peer.  
Wherefore so oft a Nation tamed by for●…, in bloody 〈◊〉,  
Shall victor's drea●…of stely Doves shall Lions fear the sight:  
Now God forbidden, and turn that lot to bett●… luck I pray.  
If that among the herds, a fearful captain lead the way,  
The followers never will be fierce in fight, but backward sway.  
And you I vouch with faint, and fearful men, shall war this day.  
They come with spoils, and booties rich; the Britain home to lad,  
You all with robes of silk, and glittering gold, shall rich be made,  
You precious rings shall wear, and purses make with ●…gent strut:  
If that you will stand to't, like valiant lads, and fight it out.  
And slay with ga●…ly gaping wound the Frenchmens trembling rout. 
〈◊〉 English battles placed. The first battle was led by the Prince of Walls being but xviii. years of age. The king causeth his army to retire near the wood to avoid back oss●….   
Thus said: the host in cul●…ed sort is set, and ordered right,  
The wings stout archers guard, with whitling 〈◊〉, and armour light.  
His son and heir, the beardless. Prince, the king in forefront placed,  
Which had not yet of eightione years, the ●…act out fully 〈◊〉:  
Nor on his cheeks the soft and 〈◊〉 locks, you might discern,  
By reason of his youth the weighty works of Mars to learn:  
The main battle, he himself in gli●…ering armour broidered takes,  
And backward to retire the 〈◊〉 all, 〈◊〉 near he makes  
To Cresseis baulky booths, all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereby to void.  
And more that by that means, the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉,  
By marching up against the hill, and disadvantage by  
The unegal soil, in the assault. But when the Galls did spy  
The Britain back to draw, more rash, then wise, forth fast they hie, 
The French●… 〈◊〉 ●…king the 〈◊〉 to hau●… fled, ensues and assails them. The horses of the Frenchmen hurt with arrows throw their riders and break the rays.   
And spurred their cours●… fierce, supposing Britain's for to fly.  
The trumpets sound, 〈◊〉 ●…mies shout, the noise hie heaven doth pierce,  
The English ra●…es 〈◊〉 their enemy's troops, assailing 〈◊〉,  
With yew bows bended stiff, which flickering flights forth whistling sends  
The warrior prancer hurt with stripe, his rider flinging trends  
Out of his saddle, and with hard horn hoof his master kicks,  
another horse, within whose paunch, a long stamne staggering sticks,  
His countrymen down drives, and rays disturbing, backward runs,  
Outrageous, springing fast, and stables seeks from which he comes.  
Then other after others raungt, their sitters all outwrencht,  
And here, and there, crosecoursing feeze, nor hedge, nor dike deep trench,  
Can stop their furious swinge, but buy paths scattered several trace,  
The goorie black blood drops, the ground besprinkling in the race.  
And now the footmen forth are comen, and fierce with weapons fell  
The battle do, restaure; the English stripe, with stripe repel.  
The theiftaines of the Frenchmen stretched along, with gaping wound  
Digged in, by dint of dreary blade, lie strugg●… on the ground. 
The noblest of the French army 〈◊〉 slain. The Duke of ●…orreine. The Duke of Alencon, or Dalanson.   
He first, which cruel borderers on bank●…s of Aibis flood  
Acknowledged for their Prince, then noble, Lorein fierce, and wood,  
Then of Dalanson Duke, then Harcourt Earl, and many more,  
Who from: their ancient pe●…egree, their worthy titles bore:  
Or else from castles fair, or warlike countries, drew their name.  
A number of the common sort, than also had their bane.  
The king with ghastly gleive, like thunderbolt drives forth away, 
The king and 〈◊〉 Eddward his son fight valiantly. Thirty thousand Prench men s●…yne.   
So doth the Prince his son, whose Britain virtue bright that day  
Did show itself, and of what force it was, and puissance good:  
In which were thirty thousand slain, and fields moist made with blood.  
UUhith when aloof from high hill top king Valois did behold,  
Forthwith backsliding fast, through swift course borne of horse's bol●…,  
His country b●… attained. A foul reproach to France no doubt,  
And blot most black to him, for at his heels a greater rout,  
He flying after drew, than Britain's were which causbe him flee, 
Valois seeing such slaughter of his men flieth.    

So much it is, at first assault, of courage fierce to be,  
In bloody martial fields. The camp throughout, than joys at will  
Each heart, and ●…kes sweet consent, each care with t●…es doth fill.  
Of Frenchmen thus the pillage sweet, and precious gold possessed, 
The Britain victor.   
Our men unto their tents, in shadowy evening them addressed.   

Next morn ●…s soon as glittering globe of Phoebe upstart, the franks 
Mutabilis alea Martis.   
Together flo●…t, and once again in order set their ranks,  
With arms to try, if that perhaps Mars chance would wavering be. 
The next da●… after the battle the Frenchmen gathered themselves again who by these thre●… Ba●…les of Warwick Huntingdon and Northampton were clean●… subverted & destroyed. Calais besieged.   
Which, first the king entreated hard by earnest suit, that he  
would give them leave, in open field, once more with Galls to fight,  
These three Earls stout, of Warwick first, a haunt, and eager knight,  
Then Huntingdon, and after him Northampton's chief renown,  
All unawares, in skirmish hot, the Frenchmen batter down.   

Then lawfully king Edward might the large fields range at will,  
Resistance none is made, against his bands, but all is still.  
The Frenchmen dare nomore, the brunt of Britain's force abide,  
Nor them against, in open camps, their quarrel to decide.   

Three days here spent, the king his tents removes, & backward goes,  
To Caleys shores and town with trench, and bulwark round doth close.  
When won by fraud, and fawning flatterings smooth of Valois king,  
The Scottish sceptre bearer vades our 〈◊〉, and down doth fling, 
David king of Scots 〈◊〉 instigation 〈◊〉 the French king inuad●… England.   
All things to frying flames. The prudent ●…ene her husband lack,  
For to suppress these fal●…e periude eruptions, doth not slack  
But bands of armed soldiers up collects, nor need she had  
Th'inhabitants it poitiers call, near which withouten bound  
An open plain there lies, in which no tree with shadowy limb,  
Nor braky bush doth grow, a place most fit for skirmage grim: 
Prince Edward and the ●…ench king oyne battle ●…care 〈◊〉.   
Here both the armies meet, on ground out black blood gushing powers,  
The horsemen topsie tayle are turned, death conquered franks deuou●…  
The rays are broke, and remnant yet alive the battle shuns,  
Through swift pursuit thevictor pants, and starting lightly runs,  
His footestepps thick, thick fetching fast. as in a champion plain,  
When as the watchful grayhound hath a wattkin spied, full feign  
He springeth on, his prey to get, he life for to maintain.  
The greyhound gaping wide. with greedy jaws, threats still to catch,  
The hare herself from biting chaps, away doth scudding snatch:  
So is in hope of pray, the Britain swift, and dreading bane,  
The Frenchmen fly, but in the flight most are subdued and ta'en.  
The king himself into the tents was captive brought, and chose 
King john ●…aken.   
More rather for toyeld, than life by dint of swourd to lose.  
Forthwith in sliding hull, through flashing floods to Britain shore  
He was conveyed, where prisoner like, the servile yoke he bore:  
To teach him of the Britain king, his Lord, to obey the lore. 
There were ●…ken in this ●…attade at poitiers ●…500 of the ●…iefest of all ●…aunce.   
Now noble Prince Plantagenet two kings did captive hold,  
And gentle prison many Peers of both lands did enfold,  
Of ancient stocks esprong, which Britain's took in bloody fight.  
But clemency of Edward king resplendent shined so bright:  
Such virtue rooted in his breast and mercy did remain 
The two ●…inges David of Scotland ●…nd john of ●…aunce 〈◊〉, with ●…he rest of the ●…aptiues. Edward the 〈◊〉 dieth before the 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 one ●…f the three ●…adies of 〈◊〉 which ●…tts the ●…ed of man's 〈◊〉. ●…ward the ●…ther dieth. ●…ichard the ●…cond began 〈◊〉 reign ●…377.   
That on conditions, and for ransom, he ●…mist again,  
Each one unto his country soil, and kinsfolks linked in love.  
Those kings high, glory followeth fast, which battle so do move,  
So to contend in dreadful wars, immortal praise achieves.  
Good shepherds use to sheer their sheep, and not to ski●…e with knives.  
He noble Monarch spared the suppliant, down the proud suppressed,  
Thrice happy sure, if Atrapos fell Goddess, had not wrest  
To unripe death, his noble sons, Prince Edward's fatal thread,  
But having first begot a tender babe, in wedlock bed,  
Which Richard had to name, whom as his heir he left behind:  
And whom his 〈◊〉 dying to bear the regal mace assigned.  
According as this nations laws, and ancient rites did bind.   

The child the slender age of eleven winters did not pass,  
When that with Princely 〈◊〉, his head adorned was.  
But when he near to man's estate through riper years was start:  
No man can well declare, how for from 〈◊〉 ●…awtie heart,  
And manners eke he swaru'de, in mind unlike how he became.  
Contrarily disposed, to mighty Sire, and noble dame.  
But antic virtue still, in breasts of Britain Peers was shrined,  
And manly courage bold which in the ancient primates shined,  
By nature's force engraffed. that in God Mars adventures hard,  
The ofpring worthy of such Syers, with them might be comparte:  
And freely durst to tolerate, what tossing toils you would.  
The nobles (seeing thus the feats, of mighty Mars wax could  
For that the king secure and pleasant peace, sought to uphold)  
And fearing sloughtfull Idleness, her poison should instill  
Corrupting them, and more lest from Bellona's warlike skill, 
〈◊〉 Goddess of Battle.   
Long discontinuance should degenerate the Britain's hearts:  
Incensing them to filthy lust, soft sleep, and sluggish parts:  
(The king thereof advertizde first), a solemn Iustes they make, 
Iustes & 〈◊〉nyng at the Tilt between Englimen & fo●…reyners. Four and twenty Britain Pee●… provoke as many as will come. Southfield.   
The counterfeited work of Mars. The quivering spear to shake,  
At Tilt, and Torney eke, th'appoint for four and xx. days,  
Which number just of Britain Peers, as challengers forthwayes  
To extern nations Legates send, such tidings for to blaze.  
That britains jousts triumphantlike will keep for one months space.  
joint to the City lies a field, from Smiths derived the name,  
Th'outside of London walls, an ample place fit for the same,  
Here shall the race be pight, and certain limits measured out,  
Let hither make repair, of noble blood each champion stout.  
All nations shall have safe conduct. And they which shall do best,  
And to the ground most doughty knights, out of their seats shall wrest, 
Most in 〈◊〉ber.   
Or sturdy stafe shall oftenest crack, they massy heaps of gold,  
Shall for their service have, and precious rewards rich shall hold:  
King Richard them bestowing, of manly fortitude the hire.  
This published thus abroad, to many Cities far, and nigher.  
On this side, and beyond the Alps: as manlier courage hold,  
Possessed each foreign heart, by worthy lineage high extolled:  
He horse, and armour gets, and swift through salt sea surges springs.  
From France comes th' Earl of S. Paul, his heir & with him brings.  
To whom a fruitful land of fish, Batave the Duchy yields.  
And many more of noble birth, out of Italia ●…eldes.  
From sundry regions of the world, likewise against that day,  
Full many a Peer of royal blood, at London made his stay.  
The king of England from the tower, which mighty Caesar built  
Proceeds, whom four and xx. doughty knights in harnish gu●…  
Do after train, along proud pompous London streated broad:  
In number even (which mounted brave on milk white palfreys road)  
Them jointly after trace, their portlike Ladies, richly dressed  
With golden neckbandes bright, ●…mboso with stones, their corpse investd  
With golden robes of needle work, with shapes of hearts of gold,  
In wrought, whose necks eke golden crowns most curious did enfold.  
The Britain king these liveries would have his lands to be.  
The foreigners with precious genunes ydect, with gallant glee,  
Of no less co●…ly workmanship, did sumptuous garments wear,  
And goodly to be seen, on trampling steeds, did armour bear,  
Of Iron sweltes, and gold, yforgd: most grateful sights to see  
To common people much amazed. To Smithfield comen they be  
At last. Then Circled wise in ranks, the Tiltyard fair about  
They all suruewing traced, both Challengers, and challengd rout. 
●…oth the Englishmen and ●…einers be●…aues themselves stoutly.   
The bard horse mounts an end, and with his heels the air doth beat,  
Carreyring forth, and back, with studded rains yfurnisht neat.  
The hollow brass trump shrill, with Taratantara skies doth threat,  
The Torneyars' justling meet, with might, and main, and labours great,  
They tyre themselves, now salt sweat drops down still, from top, to toe,  
And panting puffinges following fast, out of their mouths do go.  
The point of rattling spear, the thin air, small dishtu●…red tears,  
The troncheon burst before, to ground the enemy stumbling bears.  
The lookers on rejoice, and clapping hands a shout up rears.  
Now glommy night approaching near, one days contention ends.  
On morrow to renew the warlike sport, each champion wends,  
〈◊〉 courage ●…all to their ancestors, through doughty deeds  
They plainly show. True glory sure from hard exploits proceeds.  
The third day comnes, of sundry people's flock the assembly large  
Do wonder at the captains mighty acts, how they did charge  
With poise, the trembling stafe, and lusty arms aloft did lift,  
And eke with what fierce courage was endued the courser swift.  
With clashing loud of armour, skies through bouncing bobs resound,  
Each day for the contendours, knights, his proper pleasures found,  
An●… 〈◊〉 full four and twenty days, in Torneying were expired:  
And time the Britain king to weightier causes fast required.  
wherefore the stranngers he for manly prowess much extolleth,  
Rewarding them with massy chains, of pure, and fined gold,  
And looded home with other gifts, to native soil doth send.  
That bags with heaps of coin 〈◊〉 up, their masters down did bend.  
But th'English challenge maker's Fame required for their reward,  
To be commended for their facts, they only did regard:  
And each unto his proper home the Iustes thus finished hies,   

When to the king his nephew thus, with words express, applies  
The noble Duke of Lancaster ybred, in Gaunt that town. 
john of Ga●… Duke of Lancaster desired aid of king Ri●…o invado spain. Gaunt.   
Dear nephew to thy uncle, of Grandsire's stock the chief renown,  
Thou knowest I think that if an injury committed be,  
'Gainst lineage of Plantagenetts, of what impatiency,  
Of mind they are, forthwith by dint of sword, requiring right,  
Such courage was engraffed in our forefathers great of might.  
T'imitate mine ancestors, why should it irk my mind▪  
Renowned Prince, within your realm calm peace long time hath shined,  
No foe deccipt pretends, nor bickering dares your force to try,  
Whilst uncle to your majesty, and princes of spring, I,  
Behold my spouse in wedlock bands conjoined, of Hispanig land  
Her father's only heir, by force the Spaniard to withstand.  
And bar from kingdoms rich, which, public laws her gives as due.  
wherefore of soldiers stout (by your commission large) a crew,  
Let me collect, this warfare long, to undertake with me,  
And of my spouses right, by wars to seek recovery,  
And justice rites inviolate, by dreadful Mars maintain.  
His uncle speaking thus, with friendly speech the king again  
receives, at length this answer makes, a●…ydst his noble train.  
I can not sure but much commend thy stomach haut, and bold, 
The aunswee●… of king Ri.   
In no respect behind in courage, our forefathers old.  
Go with good luck unto the land which flood Iberus streams  
Do famous make, and what as dower unto thy wife pertains,  
By custom due, which Nations all have erst allowed for right,  
If that the Spaniard will not yield, that stoutly win in fight.  
True heirs to be defrauded, both God's laws, and man's deny,  
Almighty jove to aid the right, will secure send from high.  
Herewith he him dimisde. The Duke with mighty navy strait,  
Strong armed for those cumbrous wars, with hardy soldiers fraightd,  
The sounding salt sea sweeps, with virtuous spouse, and daughters twain.  
His cause distrusting strait, of peace conditions offereth feign 
Spaigne invaded by the Duke of Lancaster.   
The Spanish guide, which being ta'en, forthwith eight cars with coin  
Full loaded to the Duke he sends, moreover doth enjoin  
Himself, ten thousand pounds, of yearly tribute for to pay,  
In Bayon castle fair, which then did Britain Prince obey.  
But th'English Duke for recompense, unto the Hispaigne king  
In marriage links his daughter, which first from his loins did spring.  
That so the happy concord of this late confirmed peace,  
Might through a 〈◊〉 kind of league, established, more increase. 
The Sp●…nvard ●…teth For peace. Peace granted. Constance the Duke's eldest daughter ma●…ed to the king of Spain. Anne the second daughter to the king of 〈◊〉.   
The Lusita●…an Prince (for so ther ●…ou they did agree)  
The second daughter took to wife, with solemn pomp, and glee.  
These matters thus performed, by power of God th'almighty guide.  
To antic seats again, through Ocean vast, they backward slide,  
And he withal his train, are lau●…ed safe on Britain shore.  
Few days expired; the Princes leave by suit obtained before:  
A bragging Scottish Earl height Marley enters English coasts,  
On frothing palfrey borne, and challenge making boldly boasts,  
To London comen, within the lists, to just with pointed spear:  
With whosoever durst contend. the Prince was present there,  
And thousands of the common sort, in plumps thick thrungo that tide.  
Lord Mo●…bray valiant Peer these Scottish brags could not abide, 
An insolent challenge of 〈◊〉 Sco●…, 〈◊〉 the Englishmen The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Torney.   
But goodly to behold, in armour close, his steed he takes,  
And down with force the Scot out of his saddle shogging shakes,  
And horse with mighty push, of steeled troncheon throws to ground.  
Wherewith the lookers on, with shouts applauding, loud resound.  
He all astoynisht lies, two ribs in sunder craced quite,  
Whom set upright, his feeble feet could not support one white.  
Wherefore from thence he was to lodging near adjoining borne,  
Where shortly, through the grief augmented more, distract, and torn,  
He yields his breath, by force of arms, so he which honour sought,  
In arms doth honour lose, and challengd combat dearly bought.  
Next Darel Scottish Peer Lord Courtney Britain did provoke,  
And lofty looked for praise, but of like Fortune felt the stroke:  
In force inferior far. The third companion in the race,  
U●… that he justling ran, of valour small, and lists did trace,  
Five boisterous blows down drives, and conquered Cocburne it did shame  
For to have strous, no glory got, returning whence he came.  
But the contendours chief, Lord Haubers mighty limbed, and next  
Haut ●…macke Courtney stout, whose venging right hand sore had vexed,  
And back repelled the foreigners, which challengd Britain's bold:  
Through foolish pride puffed up: with condign honour were extolled.  
Those tourneys finished thus, and things at home set in a stay,  
King Richard to the savage Kerns embarked did take his way 
Ireland sub●… by ky●…g Richard.   
And them by wars res●…ting fierce, with little bloodshed, down  
He brought the Britain yoke to hold. Then shortly from the crown,  
And precious Princely diadem, himself he did depose:  
And Henry Duke of Lancaster to ●…old the sceptre chose.   

Now Henry fourth of that name king the Britain state did guide  
Whose stout, and puissant valour then sufficiently was tried, 
Henry the fourth began to reign 1●…99.   
When for his Lady's dower, his father spaniards made to stoop,  
When Sire, and son, and after them, of men a warlike troop,  
From Calais sands proceeding forth, did enter Gascoine soil,  
And foes by dreary dint of blade, and reeking fires did foil.  
The meekle virtue of the man, and stock so much renowned,  
Throughout the world the britains foes, through fear put in a slou●…d.  
He yet a very youth through these adventures hard did pass,  
That glory whole by due desert, on him bestowed was,  
Of each exploit, were it achieved at home, or foreign coast.  
Besides his flowing wealth, this king himself might happy boast  
Through noble progeny, to whom his virtuous Lady fair,  
Four sons of wondrous towardness had borne, of which the heir  
Of comely stature tall, when manly years he near had wrought,  
Full many a venturous enterprise which courage bold he wrought.  
Of equal years, and manners eke, companions to him sought.  
Yet nothing he unjustly did, nor strayed from virtues line,  
Beloved of all. within whose youthful visage than did shine,  
The very image of those deeds, which comen to riper age,  
He should absolve. Now twice seven years his Sire by counsel sage  
The British a●…tient land had ruled, with love and laud of all.  
Till waxing crook through age, him final end of life did call,  
Encroaching fast, and sickness dire procured his fatal fall.   

Forthwith his father's royal crown, the s●…eyre apparent takes,  
To whom the Britain Peers on bended knees their homage makes, 
Henry 〈◊〉 fi●…t succeedeth his father 1412.   
With sckipping hearts, for glad, their countenance eke expressing joys,  
But he among his mates, somewhat addict to wanton toys  
Before, forthwith (his father dead) became both stayed, and grave,  
And from the Court his lewd licentious panions old he drove.  
More for such fawning hangbies, he priscribde a penalcie, 
Henry banisheth from the Court, all his lewd companions, left they should corrupt him by their evil counsel.   
If once they should appear in place, whereas the Court did lie.  
Thus changed in all his actions, he doth as a Prince besee●…de,  
For counsellors using such as sage, and of great wit, he deemed.  
And seldom ceased from taking care, what best might stand in steed,  
For co●…on wealths avail▪ much shepherd like, which taking heed  
Unto his folds, long winter's nights, with painful watchings wastes,  
And whilst what was his right, revolving deep in thought he casts,  
And what unto his ancestors perceiude in elder age,  
He calls to mind ●…ow king of Galls, incensed with furious rage  
Had sundry ways endamaged, and hurt the Britain king,  
wherefore a counsel strait be calls, and causes good doth bring,  
Which might provoke the valiant Brutes those wars to take in hand,  
Unto which point agree, all peers, and primates of the land,  
That back again, by dreadful wars, the kings right should be sought.   

Forthwith for to require his own away by Frenchmen wrought 
Legates sent into France to require the king of England's right.   
The king doth legates send of polished wit, and council rare,  
Unto the king of France, from him, this message to declare.  
The most renowned Britain guide king Henry, much doth muse  
What this unjustice month you and rigour for to use  
That you the plighted league have torn. Why others proper right,  
Do you with clasping clumbes by force out wrist, and wrieth by might▪  
What moves you thus despitefully against the English land?  
Them absent cruelly to pill, but when they be at hand, 
The Oration or speech of th●… English Legate.   
If brands of dreadful Mars they stir, (I needs must speak the troth)  
Your cause is foundered still, and forced your justice yield, though loath.  
wherefore to Britain's 〈◊〉 restore, away unjustly ta'en,  
Or dint of sword, and fiery force, expect to breed your bane.  
And that which we out of your hands may not by fair means wring,  
Unconquered Mars shall wrest. Such hope doth feed our noble king,  
That jove of heinous wickedness be just revenger will,  
UUho bids ●…s this to say, and princelike threats this to fulfil,  
Unless, your mind to better changed, you ware, repent in time:  
The chance of Mars is mutable, not one way doth incline.  
When these words uttered had th'ambassador from Henry sent,  
Forthwith hot 〈◊〉 burning black the Frenchman's hartstringes rend  
The palace vast, which burly burly noise, consusde doth ring,  
And disagreeing angers rage, their minds doth glowing sting.  
The king all wroth at last, did ope his mouth in great disdain, 
The reply of the king of France.   
A labour hard to get, but kingdoms got, for to maintain  
Is virtue great. If he deserve high fame, and worthy praise  
Which through unfriendly Mars (perchance unjust) doth go his ways  
As victor chief, subduing lands, to bear his servile yoke:  
be't not unto the conquered, if courage they revoke?  
A greater glory, of their legs, the fettering bolts to shake?  
And necks from yoke to pluck, and force, by force, recoil to make?  
" Some hour, to some more happy chance, than other doth portend,  
" And fickle Fate will not remain to one firm to the end.  
" The Frenchman now doth rule, tower the Britain bore the sway,  
We flourished have in time, and have been Troyans' do you say.  
Ten years wars first expired, by Greeks the Troyans' were subdued.  
France after many Summers, hath her antic force renewed.  
And me her captain now again gins to look aloft,  
Her injuries revenging bold, and setting foes at nought.  
Young boys do terrify with threats, with bugs, make Girls avaunt,  
No vain colluding shadows, can the manly courage vaunt,  
Nor boasting brags, nor flourished blade, with threatening trakes forth shown.  
What that your king to manly years, is nothing near yet grown,  
Inexpert quite of doleful wars. Let it suffice, that he  
For his disport do toss the ball, at home, and shunning flee  
The glittering thanks, of mighty Mars: let riper age those guide,  
Therefore this aunsweer take, and thus declare it was replied:  
That Frenchmen will their country coasts, and native cities shrine,  
With arms; in spite of all their foes, that thereat do repine.  
The Legates answered thus, to native soil in hast they hie,  
And wourd by wourd declare, the manner of the franks reply.  
The scoff the king not taking well, all other things derides.  
Mean time his royal navy huge, at Hampton he provides,  
And forth through wandering salt sea floods, with friendly gales he slides 
Henry saileth into France.   
For jove almight, the southwinds couched in caves did close contain,  
That both the King, and captains stout, with all their warlike train,  
Unlooked for, on th'enemies shore their anchors fastened feign,  
And ships forsaking, far and wide did all things wrack and waist,  
And houses brewed with blood, and roofs with reeking flames down cast  
Now puissant Henry in his tents, one night away had past:  
When Phoebus rising, clouds consumed, and brought again the day,  
And with his radiant light, each place in broad sight, did bewray.  
Which way, that mighty flood which flowing forth from Rouen doth fall  
Into the sea, and with his rage, the rocky shoores doth ball: 
Seine a mighty ●…uer 〈◊〉 from a 〈◊〉 floweth by Rouen ●…nd through a great part of France, & at length falleth in at Ca●… or K●…d Ca●… where are two strong towns.   
And with his sprinkling maketh moist the bordering camps annexed,  
Near to the tents, whereas his mouth, with gaping jaws wide stretched,  
Within the compass of six hours, still salt sea floods doth sup:  
And out again, 'gainst customde time, doth belching parbreak up:  
Two warlike towns, with mighty walls, ycompast round, they spied,  
On this bank one, that other built upon the farther side.  
Forthwith the king commands them both with bands besieged to be,  
Against them both the whirling crossbow shot to be let flee,  
And walls with engine forged of iron hard, to batter down,  
This unaccustomde kind of torment fell, put in a stound,  
The Celtaines closed within their walls, boys, mothers, ●…ed siers,  
But to his great affairs (as he was wise) doth fit the time. 
Henry goeth again into France.   
If that perchance his father's Law, which then in years did climb,  
Him absens should desire to see: the coast of France again  
He goes until, where comen, the Duke of Burgoine showeth plain,  
How that the Dolphin tumults made, and reared uproars new,  
Pretending faithless fraud. Against his foe, a warlike crew  
The king doth therefore send, his false attempts for to withstand:  
But causes of more weight, he needed than to take in hand,  
And not for to respect at all, the Dolphin's silly band.  
Which valiant Britain's priest at hand, dares manly nought to done,  
But two days journey of aloof, doth wary still them shun.  
This did he at the first, that corn and victuals, might abound,  
Throughout his camp, and needful food might not be wanting found. 
Henry offereth the Dolphin battle which he refuseth.   
Who having all things bought at last, the Britain proffer makes  
Of battle, in an equal soil, which trembling he forsakes,  
In number, and in puissance, not with Brutes to be compared.  
That place moreover unto which, the warlike English guard,  
Approaching draws, the young man shuns, worse than a dog, or snake,  
That he refusing flies, and course contrary swift doth take.  
When that the doughty Britain's camp Northparts of France attained,  
He thence his power remou●…, and with his bands to Narbone ttainde.  
And hit invading doth ves●…ege, which from the Celtanes might,  
The Duke of Bedford strait acquits, and Dolphin puts to flight.   

Mean time the king with broiling heat, and toiling labours broke, 
Henry taken with a fever.   
Him languishing, eff●…ebled sore, a fever sharp doth take,  
The heavens intemperate air, and scorching dog star sweltering hot.  
Was cause, that near unto his heart, the deadly poison got.  
How be it he journeyed still, with wondrous grief tormented fore.  
Till that his heart, and limbs, still faltering, fainting, more and more,  
He will perceived the struggling pangs of gha●…ly death draw near.  
His brother Humffrey posting comes, and Bedford Duke so dear.  
And do with trickling tears, this sudden thaunce lamenting rue,  
Most doleful wights. The king at last, these words, with grief out drew.  
(With both his hands extended buy to heaven) I much do own  
O God almighty guide, but worthy thanks therefore bestow,  
I cannot, that in blooming youth so fresh, I hence departed,  
Unto this day, not having felt, dame Fortunes bitter dart. 
The speech of Henry before his death.   
That in this life all my attempts. with good success have gone,  
That to thy heavenly power O God referred be alone.  
And to his brother? turning, says, why thus with mestive heart,  
Do you this mourning make, and deep sobs let with grief departed:  
I do rejoice my fatal hour, and death to be at hand.  
That must with equal mind be borne, which no man can withstand.  
By sacred league of brotherhood, I do beseech you all,  
That Henry you my tender son, regard, love, foster shall,  
And honour as your king, and specially with heavenly fear,  
You will inform his mind, so shall he worthy be, to bear  
The sceptre of so noble a Realm, and purchase endless fame. 
Henry in his death bed committe●… his h●…yre H●…ry with hi●… wife Queen●… Catherine to his brothers and exho●…teth the●… to love and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
My loving spouse which of the race, of mighty Princes came,  
Which is above all other left, a pensive wretched dame:  
With godly duty her sustain, so doth it Brutes beseem.  
And concord, greatest gift of God, that favour, and esteem.  
The Bedford▪ and the Burgoine Dukes, let them the Frenchmen guide,  
And to Duke Humfrey's governance, let Britain's stout be tied.  
This carefully to be fulfilleth, I bid, command, require.  
More Normandy a fertile land, which under their empire.  
Our ancient graundsiers did in elder age by right retain,  
Which lost, by dint of sword, and conquering arm, I got again,  
That do you keep by force, with just war that do you defend.  
Now death approaching near, did Henry bring to fatal end.  
The only honour of his land, dame virtues shining light,  
From age, to age: to come, of stomach high, unconquered might,  
Whose gentle heart his loyal friends alone, not only loved,  
But enemies did embrace also, of faith, and justice proud, 
Henry the sixth his 〈◊〉 was crowned at Paris. 1422.   
Of everlasting memory, the king now laid in ground:  
The junior Henry cheerful babe, with diadem was crowned  
At Paris, and about the streets, as custom was did ride.  
But ●…icle Fortune wavering dame, will not still firm abide.  
Which with her turning wheel is always tossed, in compass wise.  
The Frenchmen here the tender Prince, rebelling, do despise,  
A periur'de nation false, and violate their faiths yplight:  
In sacred Synod late before. But Bedford Duke by might.  
Doth tame their rage, great slaughter made, and Dolphin puts to flight.  
The king peace thiefly loved, when that to ripe years he attained,  
And ghastly bickering s●…kirmages, of dreadful Mars disdained.  
And never busied was, in civil hatreds restless race,  
But void of care, with settled mind, did grateful rest embrace.  
To prayer much addict, and oft on God in secret cried.  
But wicked people fell, such godly kings cannot abide,  
But loothes them, and detestes with virtue, vice cannot agree:  
And glimmering light, dark duskish clouds eschewing swift do flee.  
The gentle disposition, therefore of Britain's guide,  
When that the Dolphinne and the rest, of Celtaine peers had spied:  
They bloody battle move, and some by fraud betraying take,  
Some towns by conquering might, unto their force to yield they make.  
The Britain's hope retired back, and hearts to faint began,  
Since Henry fift of that name king, a stout, and valiant man,  
Was laid in grave. Hereon a cause insude of greater grief, 
For the. Duke of york claimed the crown whose son and heir, Edward Earl of ●…h afterward ' obtained it by name of Ed●…ward the fourth. William conqueror first Duke of Normandy.   
For sudden strife at home, concerning rule, and title chief,  
Perdition threatening dire, increasing kindled more the jars,   

Muse silence keep, or muttering soft, the Britain's civil wars  
In doleful verse declare, because that ghastly wounds again,  
By touching bleed afresh, and do renew the former pain.  
Old Henry now forgot, none Normand nation stout regards,  
Which barren, and bereft, all destitute, of ancient wards,  
In vain doth denth of William monarch haunt, bewailing rue.  
Fair cities wresting out by force, from their possessors true,  
The Dolphin through the region vast of France doth roaming strake:  
Prohibited of none, and towns assaulting first, doth take.  
A willing people to subdue it is an easy thing,  
And freely offering up their hands. Howbeit small glory bring  
It came unto the conqueror, th'out bloodshed lands to win.  
Such hurly-burly, civil broils, the Britain land within,  
How could they force of foreign foe, oppose themselves, to bend?  
The Britain is the Britain's foe, the hand, the womb doth rend,  
What that the foot, with reckless anger moved, the head doth crush?  
And Citizens, do Citizens, in furious rage through push,  
With dreary blade? his Lord, the slave, his man, the master slays.  
Fell slaughter bears the sway, and bloody Mars wide ra●…ging strays.  
Alack for little breach, the Brother works his brother's end,  
One neighbour, thrusts an other out, no place could safety lend,  
From savage enemies rage, the holy sanctuary veiled nought,  
Which ever safety heretofore, to wights distressed brought.  
These places were most famous made, through grisly slaughters vast.  
Saint Alban's, Blore, Northampton, Banbury fields, and Barnet placed 
At S. Albon was fought the first battle between king Henry and the Duke of York. Blore heath field. 2.   
Near copped hills, Wakefield, Saint Alban's then the second time,  
And Northern Exam, which with Scottish borders doth confine.  
So that the husbandmen, that habit near those bloody soils,  
Out wailing to this day, as often as the plough turmoils.  
Those fields, where casting furrows large, of men halfeburied bones,  
The chaw●…g soldier w●…th, with ●…uglte shouts the s●…es doth rend,  
And now they di●… wear●…, as far 〈◊〉 ●…urdie 〈◊〉 to●… 〈◊〉 
The onse●… given valiand, by the Asc●….   
The whistling shaft, with strength pul●… up. Sho●…te, Shoot, the Captain  
Ye Britain's stout, your p●…rsing ●…ems, & ste●…nt ●…kering flights, ●…reights  
Apply your bending bows, apply, your hatrd enemies scour,  
Like hailst●…nes thick, when ●…ttling down doth fall a winter shower.  
The arrows girt, forth fly, and light of Sun obscure do make.  
In shoulder wounded deep, with beating paws, the ●…ier doth rake,  
All endlong ree●…d a●…ooft, the ●…ourser flerce, his master cast.  
The Celtaine horsemen galled thus, more sauffer think at last  
Upon our footmen for to ruime, with point of charged spear.  
Forthwith our 〈◊〉 ●…ronglie sens●… with bows, to ground to bear:  
They fiercely press with lance, the sight than bloody wareth more,  
Stabbed in with sharpened stakes, even as the Prince had showed before,  
The horses foundered lie, upon the ground, their sitters slain  
By dreary blade: And when no shafts their quivers did retain.  
The bowmen take their glaives, and down their enemies tumbling fell,  
The King endeavouring, fierce with sword in hand be●…res him well,  
Each noble Captain did the same, and with them all the rout.  
The bouncing Helmet knocks, did shrill resound the woudes throughout,  
With clattering clashing loud of harnish, rings the waters clear:  
And morning groans the bordering hills, and hollow valeis near  
Of dying souls receive. The goorie blood streams so abound:  
As doth the earth with standing pools, when Saturn old is found.  
And jove inferior in degree, Mars, Sol, and Venus neat,  
Hermes, and Lune, in Cancers house, Pisces or Scorpion wet, 
Duke of B●…●…layne.   
Just through the brainpanne with a shaft the Duke of Bar yshot  
Comes tumbling of his steed his fainting spirit, and heart blood hot,  
Out through the deadly wound dispersed, in thin air vanished quite. 
Some of 〈◊〉 nobles of France s●…yne.   
The noble Duke of Alencon with fatal arrow smitte,  
The timber pulleth out, but steelhead leaves in skull remain,  
Dire death ins●…es the deadly wound, wherefore in deeps disdain  
His steed he falleth fro, and hard earth rending with his seethe,  
His airy ghost out starts, and thin in starie region fleeth.  
Like bane thy Duke O Brabant brings unto his fatal end.  
These Peers the first rank did conduct, the seconds guiders send,  
Like wise their dying spirits, to Pluto's kingdoms, large to fly  
As th'earl of Navarre with whom O Sans, thy bishop ●…te,  
Eight Earls more beside, their flickering ghosts did send to s●…e:  
With grisly wound y●…, And of those Peers which Barons height  
Above an hundred lost their lives. Of Knights and Squires in ●…ght 
〈◊〉 God o●… 〈◊〉 ●…l these cit●…tances ex●…ressed in son ●…y places ●…ane no●…ing else but ●…e died as undying to ●…utoes king●…es to 〈◊〉 the rivers 〈◊〉. etc.   
●…ue times full sixteen score their breaths out gasped, the common sort  
Unto ten thousand souls and mor●… did Stigie verge transportt,  
Of Celtans' army huge. Three hundred. Britain's only slain  
And in the hands of Henry king the victory did remain.  
Alack the Duke of York with staggering lance his death wound got,  
Where first against our men, the bickering skirmage waxed hot.  
And Suffolk Earle ' huge heaps of ghosts, first sent to Limbo lake,  
Of Frenchmen Peers, his vital breath, with heart blood did forsake.  
The Captive Celtane Lords, were safely kept in trusty hold.  
These things thus done, his men enriched with th'enemies' spoils, and gold,  
The noble Victor with his fleet, hastes back to Calais shore,  
And cutting over the straight sea gulf: of ancient kings of yore,  
To royal palaces he wends, triumphantlike a train,  
And after him he draws. the Mayor of pompous London fain,  
With all his troop of Aldermen, in robes of Ermines clad, 
The Citizen's ●…f London ●…eaue home ●…e king ●…th great solemnity.   
Three miles against his royal grace, for honour's sake 'gan gad,  
To testify their duties, all the Citizens do the same.  
And to express their joys, that he the Celtanes pride did tam●…,  
The Clergy eke their sacred temples left, do solemn sing, 
●…o in like ma●…er do the 〈◊〉.   
The streets throughout, deserved laud to the eternal king.  
The common sort with noise, resounding brim, do after trace,  
Long prosperous health, beseeching God, to give unto his grace.  
This solemn pomp, the captives all, in order set, ensue,  
Unto the Victor Prince his Court, where entertainment due,  
By Henry's hest, they showed had. In fleeting bark yhore,  
Behold Sygismund taketh land, upon English shore. 
●…vgismunds ●…he Empe●…our cometh ●…o England ●…o treat a ●…ce be●…weene king 〈◊〉 and ●…he French ●…yng.   
UUhom courteously the Britain Monarch high, a grateful host  
His ancient friend receives, and welcome bids to Albion coast.  
Now lofty horned stags, now seely does they hunt in chase,  
Now hawking likes them best, and hollow winged gossehaukes' race:  
Whilst lesser sort of birds, for dread all shivering, he ●…fests.  
When leisure served, and clogging cares expelled were from their breasts:  
The Emperor thus gins. Most royal Prince, through fame renowned  
Which blasted hath thine acts, throughout the world, with trumpets sound: 
●…he speech of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…halfe of 〈◊〉 franks.   
Spare now the conquered Galls, at length from bloody w●…rs abstain,  
You goorie blood have drawn enough, and foes-on heaps have lain:  
Why do you tire yourself? and subjects wear with endless pain?  
Your late achieved 〈◊〉 in mind will still remain.  
Let peace be rooted in your heart, love peace, than which the Lord,  
A greater gift on mortal men, at no time doth afford.  
King Charles doth entreat the same, his Legate it doth pray,  
Which present in your royal Court, for that pretence doth stay.  
All cause of strife remove, let loyal league of truce be plight.  
King Henry shall of Frenchmen have, what lawful is by right.  
Behold how tender babes, of Sters bereft, do howlings make,  
And widows mourning wail, their husbands sent to Stigie lake.  
Consider pondering deep, unto the Lord how we are wrought.  
Sigismond had king Henry near, by this persuasion brought  
To condescend: who deep in thought, now this, now that way strays,  
Uncertain what to do, to pity rare addict always.  
And doubtless the entreaty had, prevailed of his friend,  
Had not, (the French Ambassador entreating for to end,  
Which erst the Emperor had proposed) a post from Harflu comen,  
Declaring how the Realm of France, wars to renew begun.  
And how of Englishmen, of late was made a slaughter dire,  
●…eare banks of Seine. All burning wood, and furious stands in ire, 
The Frenchmen viola●… their 〈◊〉.   
Prince Henry, hearing thus the Britain soldiers to be slain,  
Which few, could not the mighty power, of Celtane king sustain.  
And stopping strait the Legates mouth, entreating still for peace,  
He says, revengement shall ensue, wherefore your suit surcease.  
The Emperor▪ was ashamed, that for that perjured nation bad,  
He suppliant, low, with speeches fair, his friend entreated had.  
UUho ready to departed, with royal gifts in Princely guise  
Presented, sacred league of truce, with Britain king contrives 
Sygismond 〈◊〉 Henry strike a league during their 〈◊〉 Sygismond departeth.   
And country soil, through surging seas, by prosperous gales attains.   

Forthwith resounding loud, the brazen trump his hoarse voice strains,  
The eager youth thrunge thick on flocks, with hearts incensed mad  
And by commandment from the Prince, each one in armour clad,  
The hollow hull up fills, and through the rough seas scouring pass,  
Till Normandy a fertile land of large corn fields, and grass, 
The king of England reneweth his wars in France.   
On rocky shores put out, receives the warlike Britain train.  
His souldi●…urs here refreshed: he touch at first assaults amain.  
The Frenchmen hard, endeavouring fierce resist, by dint of sword,  
The bloody onset beating back, but that small help could ford,  
For conquered, they to Britain victor stout, to yield were fain,  
And Britain camp within their walls perforce eke entertain.  
From thence he moved his siege to Cane, which he did not subdue, 
Many towns in Normandy subdued.   
But with great bloodshed on both parts. But doubtless virtue true  
Cannot be tamed. In first assault, he clean their power did quell,  
Howbeit the bickering, then at Cane at no place was more fell.  
He favoured sacred temples all, and sanctuaries eke he spared.  
Which when the trembling habitantes, by fame broad bruited hard:  
Admiring in their mortal foe, such wondrous virtue rare:  
And how he did preserve Ioues houses with religious care:  
The Normand people do commit themselves unto his grace,  
And to his camp with victuals in troops did flocking trace:  
Conveying basketts heaped full of bread, to them apace.  
Then he with conquering force, Alencon did assaulting get,  
Next Argenton, fair Constance doth without resistance set  
UUide ope her gates: But Laudum, and Falesia populous town,  
In vain expecting native aid, at length were conquered down.  
And under the subjection brought, of Britain monarch wear.  
Then Larcha bordering near on banks of Seine, which high doth rear  
Her rampire walls with turretts fenced strong, next conquered was.  
And many burrows more beside, whose vulgar names I pass.  
Rouen last of all remained, which costly wars, and glittering gold,  
Which fined silver, precious plate, abundantly doth hold:  
The Normand City chief, which by a hugy mountain side,  
Is situate, near channels deep, where mighty Seine doth slide.  
Here Rumour spread, that Britain's army vast, was near at hand.  
The husbandmen, and such as near did eair the bordering land,  
Did hither bring their chiefest stuff, transporting it in cars,  
Persuaded, that so strong a town could not be won by wars.  
The Britain king with trenches deep, and rampire bulwark banks,  
The town enclosing round, doth fierce besiege with warlike ranks. 
Roan besieged.   
Rocks rolling huge, and lofty towers down throwing, an engine vast  
A ram, of steel swelts strong yforgd, by martial skill was placed,  
So that with crooked horns, he might the walls ransacking tear,  
Again the Normans fierce, from high walls crest do battle rear,  
And rough rocks tumbling rolled, & wrest'd from far the trembling spear  
With hot assault, and courage fierce, on both sides it was fought,  
Till Fleeboates armed strong, the king into the river brought:  
On every side to stop, that through Seines gurtie streams, no aid  
Of men of arms, or victuals, should be by ships conveyed:  
The town besieged to help. Then Famine dire, doth ranging stray  
Throughout the City large, and want of food doth much dismay  
The feebled soldiers poor. wherefore of boys a cumbrous flock,  
And silly women weak, out of their gates they thought to lock,  
With point of threatening blade, the English Captains that denied.  
Howbeit our deaths unto our land, small safety can procure.  
If we resistance make, all unrevenged we shall be slain,  
And troth we must confess, our goods, and substance, will remain  
To Henry king of Brutes, both town and gorgeous turretts, gay,  
If aught offended were tofore, that pardon we thee pray,  
And if no succour from our Prince be sent, for our redress,  
Within eight days, than entrance make, and freely do possess,  
Hold and enjoy, our town, with lucky chance, this let us crave  
To spare our lives, such mercy sure becomes it kings to have:  
This virtue rare thine ancestors, did erst renowned make.  
What here the Celtane to obtain demands, that let him take,  
Replies our king, and here withal, unto their proper place 
Eight days truce.   
The Frenchmen home he sent, truce was confirmed for foresaid space.  
Eight days expired were, no help was sent, no native aid,  
The promise was required: then howling parents half dismayed,  
With sucking babes, than virgin troops, from antic dwellings strayed.  
The Celtane people all, out of their gates in plumps thrust thick, 
●…ded.   
All sad, of armour stripe, most wretched, empty, poor and sick.  
And habitations new for to provide, they were constrained.  
Forthwith throughout all Britain towns, the crier loud proclaimed,  
By straight co●…aundement from the king: that who so Harflu will 
Englishmen go to inhabit Harflu, their own country left.   
Beyond the Seas inhabit, and the fields adjacent till  
Or practise handy crafts, or follow greedy merchants trade,  
Or turn the earth with crooked full, or delve, and dig, with spade:  
Let him to Harflu hie, where certain place for his abode.  
Upon the asker by the king, shall freely be bestowed,  
Nor only he, shall it enjoy, but after him his heir.  
Forthwith unto the salt sea shoores, much people make repair,  
Expecting only prosperous gales, to cause the hull to glance.  
And where as nearest passage was unto the realm of France:  
What press of people floct, in so short space, it wondrous was.  
That for inhabitants great store, no place did Harflu pass.  
Which guarded strong with men, the king his tents 'gan to remove.  
When as a Scout into his ears, this uncouth tidings drove,  
That through the bridges broken down, he should no passage get,  
That sixscore thousand warlike Galls, did near approaching jet, 
Bridge's 〈◊〉 Some.   
All dight in steelecotes strong, to bear the brunt from naked breast,  
And saletts glittering eke, with white plumes staring through the crest, 
Henry was advertise 〈◊〉 a great 〈◊〉 of French●… approaching   
So huge a troop of horsemen, as in elder age no wight,  
Hath seen before, unbridled, fierce, oer broad fields scour in sight.  
Plantagenet no whit disturbed, with this vast army, god's  
Still forward, and unto his mates, he fearcer courage adds.  
His course directing strait, with stomach bold, against his foes.  
And for that Vespers shadows glomme, anon would Sol enclose: 
Sol, the sun   
near to the wouddy thickets dark, to pitch his tents he chose.  
Then unto his pavilion strait such Peers as seemed him best.  
He bids repair, there to consult, upon the danger priest. 
Henry a little before night calleth his Lords to Counsel as concerning their danger through the multitude of their enemies Thetis Goddess of the sea used for the Sea. A stratagem o●… sleight to entrapped the the enemy by fraud.   
For scarce three miles th'enemies' power, was distant from the place.  
A little now before the night, they comen unto his grace,  
There do decern by council wise, what meetest they do think.  
Amongst the rest (Don Titan's beams now couch in Thetis brink)  
The soldiers all commanded were, sharp pointed stakes to choose,  
Out of the groves, whereof the king most prudent shows the use.  
That on them, fastened in the ground, the troops of horsemen fierce,  
Might light, in midst of race, which through the courser's hoof would pierce.  
This secret guile, that foremost ranks, should from the enemies close.  
Fraud is a virtue great, in dreadful war, to trap out foes.  
Mean time, untimely dusky night, from high heavens rushing priest,  
And mortal men, their wearied limbs, in sweet sleep laid to rest,  
Forgetting troublous cares, that fresh they might to labour rise.  
Howbeit with drowsy slombring clogged, few Britain's shut their eyes,  
Some strings unto their sinewy bows do fit, some whetstones plied  
In sharpening arrow heads, which might through harness piercing slide,  
He to th'almighty king his wife, and children doth commend,  
As though in fight the sequent day, should bring his fa●…all end.  
He put his gold away, in hope that on the morrow morn,  
He shall the Frenchman's gain, as customed was of old before.  
The glittering morning fresh, unwares the Britain's, clearly shone,  
Arms, arms, ye English hearts, with cries which wrought the heavenvly throne,  
The valiant captains call, take armour, armour take, we pray,  
Your weapons gripe in hand, to twig your strong bows forces lay:  
And chief in the hottest broil respect to keep good ray.  
These words no sooner said, but joint the bands in order went, 
The English army set in order.   
Expecting foes approach with mind to bloody battle bend.  
When suddenly a Scoutwatch spurs to courser setting swift,  
Which watching had the night before, to understand their drift  
Survewd the enemy's camp, cries, cruel Frenchmen, Frenchmen come  
Like as in midst of winter cold, the sounding South wind glomme,  
With showering flaws, & duskish mists, made thick, doth whirling run.  
Or as Orion clouddie star, with countenance black doth fr●…,  
The hugy mountain tops, being far aloof, and near, with sway  
Rough rushing winds fly out, and with their ●…rce do ●…ke away:  
So doth the Celtane army ●…ast, 〈◊〉 broad ●…thes fair in sight  
The Sun upstart, approach, displaying insignes glittering bright.  
The earth doth trembling shake, with hollow ●…oof of trampling steeds,  
Through thrunging thick on heaps, the pilming dust to skies proceeds.  
Stirred up with horsemen plumps, and bands of footmen flocking fast,   

This morning had the king, into a founder stomber cast,  
Then ●…e of custom used, so void of care sweet rest he takes▪  
Until one of his Peers into his be●… tent entrance makes,  
And him with touching soft, out of his pleasant sleep awakes.  
Declaring how the Celtane host, within two miles were comen,  
And how into great jeopardy his camp was like to run:  
Wherefore he prays hi●… show, what by his Captains should be done.  
The king even as he was, unclothd, his lively corpse doth take, 
Henry rising out of his bed prayeth God to aid him.   
Out of his bed, on bended knees, and thus doth prayer make.  
O high and mighty king, I suppliant favour do require,  
Thou greatest, puissance great, into thy servants Lord inspire.  
On thee I plant my only hope, do not thy servant leave,  
The enemy to his horse, to thee alone, we trusting cleave.  
If I as victor chief this day, the conquest shall obtain:  
Thy Godheads wondrous praise from age, to age, which shall remain,  
In holy temples, sacred men, and women eke, shall sing.  
This pr●…yer finished thus, the ranks to place, forthwith the king  
Commands, and quickly clad, his glittering armour fitting fast,  
He starteth out, with skipping pace, and through the rays he past.  
Demanding of his mates, what cheer, and hope their minds possessed,  
With cheerful countenance all do answer make, we hope the best.  
The Duke of York for honour's sake, then down himself inclined, 
The Duke of York beseecheth the king that he might lead the forefront of the batt●…e.   
And says, renowned Prince, a thousands causes move my mind,  
To testify my love, and bounden duty to your grace,  
●…ert to my country soil, wherefore grant that the foremost place,  
Of all the battle I, and forefront may conduct as guide,  
So shall I by my worthy deah eternal fame provide:  
And less I be deceived, by false illusions of my mind,  
I shall by dreary dint of blade, the dastard enemy grind.  
And everlasting glory will such noble acts succeed.  
He ends his tale. Plantagenet approaching, him with speed  
Takes up from ground, and friendly doth this courteous answer ford.  
Since thou my kinsman dear, dost offer of thine own accord, 
The king granted the Duke of York the con lucting of the forefront.   
Such grateful service, as no thought imagine may a part,  
More grateful, 〈◊〉 ●…hy th●… I ye●… for thy most grateful heart.  
A work of high 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou 〈◊〉 ●…ll, 〈◊〉 the same,  
Thy warlike n●… unto thee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strait to battle frame  
Thyself, and dreadful foes to come, by ma●…y courage tame:  
And through thy great exploits in war, deserved laud bear away.  
Without delay the Arthets stout, are set in battle ray,  
Of which the greatest part, in sundry wings divided wear.  
The martial ranks which tronthesn pi●…es, clasped in their hands did bear.  
The ensign of the king, in armour thick did compass round.  
The Earl then which by the name of Suffolk was renowned, 
The Earl of Suffolk.   
The right wing did conduct, the Warwick Earl the left hand rout,  
Both armed with soldiers old, which twanged there bows with courage 
The Earl of Warwick.   
A troop of horsemen light, the pik●…en ranks did firmly guard. (stout.  
The rearguard such as brown bill●… date, and 〈◊〉 keen did ward,  
Like Giants strong, with hugy limbs, and camp behind did close.  
Here was the britains power, this hind of battle ray they chose.  
The army ordered thus, the king demands, what time a day?  
About the time in which our priests accustomed are to pray:  
The nobles answer make; throughout the towns of Albion hie,  
Be of good cheer ye britains ●…ut, the king doth strait reply.  
For in this 〈◊〉, the sacred clerks, do pray for our success, 
The king of England exhorteth his soldiers to fight.   
Go to my lads, your valour so by great exploits express:  
That like to your forefathers old, this day you may departed,  
Whose hands in fight, not only have the Frenchmen made to start,  
But manly looks have stoinde, and forced to fly with broken heart.  
All fear expel, death dreadful is to none of gentle kind,  
If to be overcome by destinies lot we be assigned:  
The last gasp of my vital breath, shall be blown out this day,  
For me as captive, to redeem, no man shall tribute pay,  
Nor for my ransom British land, shall any charge defray.  
He said. Like mind was to them all, the army shouting high  
Redoubleth loud the noise, and promise plights that all would die  
On paint of gory blade, if Fortune victory should deny.  
Mean time towards the Celtanes host, began to wend away  
The army all, and broad in sight, their bankers to display.  
Behold of dreadful Mars the trumpet ghastly noise out blue,  
provokements dire of bloody slaughters fell, then to ensue.  
The armies both bloodthirsty near, and near, their footestepps drew,  
The share uprooting rears, and brings to light, in steed of stones: 
At Northa●…ton was fought the third battle where the king was taken prisoner in the field. The fourth famous battle was at Wakefield where the Queens power slew the Duke of York with his son the Earl of Rutland, and destroyed his host. The fift battle fought at S. Albon again, where in the Queen discomfited her enemies and delivered her husband. The battle at Exam fought between Eddward the fourth, and the Lord Mo●… tague lieutenant of the North to recover the crown for king Henry the sixth. The battles at Banbury, Barnet, Todeastell, and Teuxbury were fought in Edward the fourths days. Henry Earl of Richmond at Bosworth slew Richard the third, being third brother of Edward the fourth, and then married the Lady Elizabeth daughter to king Edward, and obtaineth the crown, he first joined the houses of Lancaster and York being long time at variance.   
Do curse, and ban with doleful plaints, those civil battles fell,  
In which an hundred thousand wights, the bloody blade did quell.  
Todcastle eke through battle strange, a noble name doth gain,  
In which full thirty thousand men, in doleful sort were slain.  
The last broil of this civil war, did Teuxburie contain.  
Which towns yet standing, of those wars are testimonies good,  
How then that flowing rivers ranue, converted into blood,  
So many dreadful fought fields, the faction of two kings,  
Did cause, which mighty jove at last unto conclusion brings.  
Here Bosworth bloody wars, and others more, I will omit,  
By which king Henry seventh eternal fame, which will not flit  
From age to age contained still, in memory attained,  
UUho first but Earl of Richmond, than king Edward's daughter gained.  
In wedlock linked fast, and with her Britain crown possessed.  
That did the laws require, and English Primates chief request.  
This God th'almighty guide, as author chief, did bring to pass,  
And thus at length the rage, of civil hatred ended was.  
He rayngd unto his subjects all, a noble prince most dear,  
All extern enemies far and near, his puissance great did fear.  
He worshipped chief God, and godliness, and justice loved,  
And crafty wicked men, he hating, sharply still reprou'de.  
Full twenty years and three, beloved of all he ware the crown,  
Of foreign princes high esteemed, and had in great renown,  
A king of justice rare, of prudence, manners, courage bold,  
who dying left the diadem, to Henry stout to hold,  
His heir, with wondrous wealth, huge heaps of silver pure, and gold.   
The end of the first Book.   


HE from him tender years, the works of mighty Mars esteemed, 
●…try 〈◊〉. 509.   
That other gifts most singular, which well a Prince beseemed:  
As well of body, as of mind, I do not here declare.  
How puissant, courteous eke, how he his shoulders lofty bare  
Above the rest, with comely face adorned, and virtue rare.  
The fourth time harvest yellowish waxed, since first he ruled this soil,  
And hot Autumnus scorching flames, the earth did chapping broil:  
When Henry valiant Britain king, did fearful wars up rear,  
And cruel franks, to bloody camps, of dreadful Mars did steer.  
The Roman bishop him incensed these wars to take in hand:  
wherefore the surging floods he cuts, and doth at Calais land,  
The City filling full, with thirty thousand soldiers stout.  
Four noble Captains only ta'en, out of the warlike rout: 
A great expedition into Frantic●….   
Lord Talbot martial Peer, and eager Poynings fierce in fight,  
Rice ap Thomas flower of Wales, and Somerset a doughty knight.  
Which Henry had foresent, to fragrant fields where Turwyn stands. 
●…ir Rice ap Thomas   
Turwyn a walled fortress strong yfenest with warlike bands.  
In tune of pleasant spring, as boisterous winds with whirling blasts,  
On ground all sweeping sheer, and slubble light, and dust up casts:  
Or as the earth, with crooked teeth, of sickle sharp, is shorn:  
So down the herds of dear, with th'English horsemen thick are borne.  
They troops of prisoners take, and droves of beasts, subdue by might.  
The king ensues, and thirty thousand men in harnish dight, 
Turwyn 〈◊〉   
Of hard brass beaten forged, in siege 'gainst Turwyn walls he pight.  
Under the Britain king the mighty Emperor serves for pay, 
Maximilian the Emperor, se●…ues king Henry, for pay.   
And bloody Germans fierce, in brunts of war renowned always.  
Nothing to soldiers is disbursed for higher, but fined gold:  
Of which each tent throughout the camp, such wondrous store did hold:  
That money for to coin, the king of silver was constrained.  
Rewards stout courage brought, and hire in arms haut hearts maintained.  
The Celtane horsemen troops with valiant Brutes do battle make,  
To rescue theirs, but all in vain they weaker armour take.  
The palm of conquest won away, the puissant Britain bears,  
The enemies all thrust through, with sharpened points of thirling spears.  
The walls with roaring Cannon shot, all groveling battered down,  
Do easy passage give, and entrance large into the town,  
And Frenchmen filled with shivering dread. Now Turwyn Britain's hold,  
And conquered spoils, of ransacked town, the king decks manifold. 
Turwyn won.   
Whose mighty puissance great, in feats of Mars, with flickering wings,  
Swift sliding through the air, Report, to bordering Cities brings.  
In Tornay famous City strong, when that these news were told, 
Tornay rendered pays, the king ten thousand ducats for yearly rent.   
For very grief she groans and grants for tribute sums of gold.  
And gates wide open fetts, permitting Britain's entrance bold,  
Within her walls, and subject now, unto new Lords becomne,  
Extincting former laws, of Henry king takes new in romne.  
Mean time king james which then of Scots the regal mace did bear,  
And to confirm the league, till wars of Britain's ended were,  
With franks in hand, the sacred host had ta'en not long before, 
Whilst king Henry is busy in France james King of Scots invadeth England   
And on the holy Sacrament, had most devoutly sworn:  
For to observe the rovenantes, then plighted to his friend:  
Himself with flaming fire, and sword, against our banks doth bend.  
And sixty thousand soldiers hard, all armed, training fast  
In absence of their Lord, the Britain borders wide doth waste.  
The Surrey Earl of English bonds, assigned lieutenant, stright  
Of valiant Brutes an army chose, and to augment his might,  
He noble Peers of ancient race descended, to him joins,  
Scroupe, Stanley, Latymer, of stomach stout, and sturdy, loins.  
Lord Dacres present was, and Clifford harnisht glistering gay  
Than Bulmer, Butler than with Haward Admiral of the sea:  
And Edmond to him mind, sprung of one line of Grandsires' old,  
Which first assailed his foes, courageous knight, adventring bold.  
Both dight in brestplates black, so made by salt seas springling drop, 
Lord Haward admiral and his brother in black harnish The Scott had pitched then tents on flodden hill.   
The enemy planted was, on Flodden mountains crested top.  
And when approaching fast, the king perceived, in battle ray,  
With banners broad displayed, the Brutes toward him take their way,  
Dismounted from his steed, where glory vain incensed him forth  
Or fervent angers rage (which in such case is little worth)  
He forefront of the battle leads, and strait assails his foes.  
On sturdy buckler boss, the Britain bore the enemy's blows,  
And venging gleine, with gory blood, down running red, imbrued.  
Three long hours, armies both in doubtful bickering fierce pursued.  
The Scott with two large greifley wounds, the sharp sword edge doth stay: 
james king of Scots slain and all his army discomfited.   
So doth he for his faithless part, deserved penance pay.  
Part saved themselves by flight, the remnant down to death are cast,  
Renowned Henry, thus of nations twain, returns at last  
Chief conqueror to his native land, where thus his foes destroyed,  
Then after many years he ruled, and quiet peace enjoyed.  
At length the Northarne borderers, abused were of the Scott,  
But he Ambassadors doth send, the trespass out to blot, 
A Scottish legate comes into England.   
And to acquit himself, which done the Legates home retire.  
But after that, on this side Britaines grudgd, and Scottish Ire,  
On that side is incensed, for on their borders grew a strife,  
And secret murmurings went, how quarrels daily waxed rife,  
Betwixt the people's twain. Scarce thrice dame Phoebe's glittering flame  
Repaired had her blazing beams, and circled round became:  
When as a mighty power of Scots well arm'de with troncheon spears,  
One part on foot, the other horsed on praunsing steeds, up rears  
Themselves, and in November when the high heavens rain down powered, 
The Scots ●…reaking into ●…ngland ●…ore Carlisle.   
Irruption making fierce, with sword and fire, our borders scoured.  
There is a City height Carlisle, with strong walls fenced round,  
Built in the Northpart of this land, which without baulk or bond,  
In valley plain is set, and fair broad camps doth bordering vue,  
Out of this fortressed warlike town, the kings lieutenant drew.  
And other parts adjoining near, which are in Cumberland,  
Two thousand Britain's harnisht bright, 'gainst all the Scots to stand.  
Which haughty hearted Wharton, doth conduct in open fields,  
And eager onset gives, dishivering spears, and battering shields. 
Wharton with two M. ●…uldiours ●…bdues the ●…cots and ●…uts them to ●…ght.   
But Scots, a chilly fear their trembling hearts possessing stright,  
Astonished were, at first assault: and by Ioues power almight,  
Were conquered, battered down, all groveling on the dusky ground,  
Some takes the bushy groves, and dungeon caves with rough rocks bound.  
Some swift to mountains tops, with tale oaks froughted, flying gate:  
The king of Scots himself, which on a hill side lurking sat,  
Affright with this event, and of his men the sloughter vast:  
To pass a gurtie flood, himself into the channel ●…ast.  
The river through wild winter showers, than flowed above the brinks,  
Wherefore in midst of striving streams he, gulping waters sinks. 
●…ames King of ●…cots swim●…ing over a ●…uer as some ●…y was drowned.   
Besides all those which flight preserved, and were in skirmage slay,  
A number captive of the Peers, and commons did remain,  
Which wearied sore, and sad, that night Carlisle did safe contain.  
The common sort with iron belts, and shackles fettered fast.  
Which for a mashy muck of coin, all raunsom'de at the last:  
As conquerors, and conquered between them could agree:  
Do haste them home to native soil, from bondage quited free.  
But all the nobler sort, from race of ancient Peers esprong, 
The Chiefest 〈◊〉 Scotland ●…aken priso●…ers, sent to ●…he Tower.   
From thence to London Tower with swift course were conveyed along.  
Where they enclosed fast, the first night were constrained to stay,  
All mourning, pensive wights, sweet liberties freedom ta'en away.  
The next morn gloomy shadows dim, from high heavens had depresed,  
When godly Henry mindful s●…ill, of wretched wights distressed:   

Commands the Captives all, adorned in robes, as white as milk,  
The kings rich precious gifts, all curious wrought with finest silk.  
Through midst of London unto him, gently to be co●…ayde. 
The clemen of King Hery.   
Then of the hard ungrateful hearts of Scots, but little said:  
There old accustomed fraud engraffed, he reprehendeth much.  
Yet all with wondrous le●…itie, and pleasant countenance such,  
As loving parents use to have, when they their children dear,  
Sprung from their proper loins, correcting chide, to put in fear.  
The Captives on the other side, did render ample speech,  
Both for themselves, and country soil: and for their late dead leich,  
And farther did in humble sort beseech his royal grace,  
That he unto their words would lend, his listening ear a space,  
King Henry grants, deep silence strait each man from talk doth hold:  
When thus the eldest of the troop, of captives thus he told.  
O Prince amongst all noble kings of Europe most renowned,  
Whose mighty praise through weighty works in warfare doth abound. 
The oration of the Scottish Captiu●… to King He●… rye.   
We conquered Scots, thee conqueror, confess with willing thought.  
Nor shame it is to such as you, us subject to be brought.  
what shame be't for the Panther weak, toth' Lion grim to couch:  
If sharper penance you appoint, deserved I hit avouch.  
Our vital bliss, our final bane, in your hands doth remain:  
Howbeit to such a prince renowned, our death small praise can gain.  
Nor to be slain, can profit bring, unto your soldiers stout,  
Respect our sucking babes, and doleful spouses scriking out:  
with tears the ruthful funerals, bewailing of their Lords:  
As dead. Offenders to forgive, it greater glory fords,  
If they offend which hest obey, of their anointed king  
Then twenty hundred foes in field, to dreadful death to bring.  
But now unto our suit, which pondering weigh with justice right,  
Renowned prince: we entrance made, thy coasts to waste by might,  
And wasted have the bordering hamsettes near with fiery flame:  
Have not our men with coudigne death, paid penance for the same:  
Our king no longer vital breath and air supernal takes,  
But luckless chance, of lowering Mars, and life, despising hates.  
Perchance the Destinies so required, and God the eternal guide,  
would have it so, unto whose beck all things on earth are tied.  
That of his wondrous clemency, two kingdoms joint combined  
Might be in friendly love, and both have one concordant mind:  
Discordant erst before, and endless league of friendship knit.  
This thing to bring to pass, occasion now is offered fit:  
which take O noble king, and of two lands procure the bliss,  
A male child of great towardness your heir apparent is.  
Our Prince hath ta●…e his fat all fall hi●… heir of female kind,  
But lately borne, the Scottish crown to wear, 〈◊〉 left behind.  
If these two Princes were conjoined in Hymen's sacred bands:  
The cause of all out bickering jars w●…d qu●…e be out of hand.  
And eke in everlasting peace both regions should be tied.  
Who can prohibitt this, if it by you be not divide?  
If you command it to be so, which me ask and request?  
He said ●…th one 〈◊〉, both parties this ●…steeme as best.  
Affirming it the wondrous work of ●…ye Jehove to be,  
For nations 〈◊〉 in hatred ●…st, by such means to agree.  
The king that present time, few words did render back again,  
But them dis●…, co●…ndes 〈◊〉 states beseemed to entertain,  
And portlike house●… 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Peer he friendly lenties,  
Expenses all defrap●…, rich ●…ires, gold, and silver s●…des, 
King Henry's ●…cence.   
And more with massy golden chains each captive he addornes.  
Now fearful does they hunt, & chase ●…er ●…eepe hills thick with thorns,  
Now into hunting ●…tts, they dr●…ue the swift ●…aggs, haut with horns.  
" But flattering pleasure puts a mean at lengeh unto her joys,  
" And nothing is so pleasant found, but it hath four a●…yes.  
" To country g●…ostes, more sweet in taste, is bee●… than patridg fine,  
" Moore grateful eke then dainty cares, is powdered flesh of swine.  
Even so the Scots their country cold, then ours, more better says,  
Though all things likes them well, and all things they unwilling praise.  
Such ardent love of country soil, men's mortal minds doth tax:  
In respect of which, all other joys dot sour and loathsome wax.  
Wherefore they burning in desire, to see their native 〈◊〉,  
And licence free for to departed, attained at Henry's hand:  
Whilst that they promised golden m●…tes, and did persuade the king,  
How they two nations linked in league, and endless truce would bring: 
The Scots set ●…t freedom and pardoned without any ●…aunsome on them.   
He froothing palfreys fayrs, and bugy he apes of fined gold  
On them bestowed, and grati●…y most cheerful did behold:  
Their ransoms pardoning ●…ke, Thus captive Scots dismissed ●…ee  
With solemn shows of wondrous joys, now welcomed home they he,  
Unto the palace of the Queen, which to her husband drowned,  
The sacred rites of funeral, performing 〈◊〉 they found.  
These primates thus returned safe, the Queen their sovereign dear.  
Demands what ●…er, in Britain's ●…ourt, and how they used wear.  
Ungrateful scott's they first concelde, king Henry's grateful heart,  
And did dispraise the English guide (a vile unworthy part)  
Then dosefull her lamenting still, they earnest did exhort,  
The Britain not to choose, in wedlock bed to be confor●…. 
The S●…ts d●… h●…t the Queen 〈◊〉 m●…ying h●… daughter to the English Prince.   
Unto the Princess fair, but foreign so●…ne in law elsewhere get,  
And noble Celtane king in nations severed far to fet.  
And peace for wars to change, to such as wars would boldly make,  
That fortune then in tune to fore, success would better take.  
These sayings all, the Scottish Peers upheld, with one assent,  
And towards britains borders strait, with sword, and ●…er, they went.  
The perjured Scot, to burning wrath now Henry kindled had,  
And cheerful trumpets rattling sound, to broils stout britains bade.  
Forthwith in solemn sort, were summoned states of all the land,  
A heinous fact, each one cries out, revengement out of hand.  
By dreadful sword, by reeking flames, each says must be prepared.  
And promizd severally their helps, all cause of stay that barred  
This enterprise seemed long, to jeopard life none doubt doth make,  
That Britons of such villainy, revengement just might take.  
The Captains chief assigned, the Earl of Hartford uncle dear,  
To Edward tender Prince, and Dudley haut and warlike peer, 
Edward 〈◊〉 of He●…forde and john Dudley Lord admi●…all with a navy of ship pes enter Sotland.   
Which Henry Admiral of his Fleet, appointed had to be,  
In wit, and courage like, but far unlike in sterce, for he,  
In mighty puissance fierce, of sturdy limbs, and joints, did pass,  
The other subject less to ire, less wroth and dreadful was:  
In few days did the enemy's shore, with crooked keel attain,  
Through weltering salt sea floods, with prosperous gales blown on amain  
Without delay, with armed soldiers stout yfenst, they land,  
Their Mariners hot bloody broils, beginning out of hand.  
The foe rumies scattered here, and there, the country cottage tops,  
which either clotted turfs, or flaggie marish rushes stops,  
And covers from the winter showers: with fiery flames at●… burnt.  
Lieth ransact, to the ground by Vulcan's blazing brands was turned. 
I either and Edenborowe ransacked.   
And all the bordering region near, did smouldering smoke up rear,  
Of female sex the doleful mournings loud, the skies do tear  
With scriking noise, and air throughout, young children's clamours rings,  
All, sadness did portend, a wretched shape remained of things.  
To Edenborowe then our men, with tents removed proceed,  
Dear bickering blows begins, with showers uplifted fierce indeed.  
The Scots their entry gates, endeavouring fast with engines rammed, 
The Scots placed their, ordinau●… full ag●… their g●…   
And ordinance roaring loud, with just charge of gunpouther crambd.  
On this side foundered is the Scotte, their Britain breathless lies,  
Those gashed with goorie blade, those flame with shaft which flickering flies.  
The bounchy ashen tronch, doth many rive with gaping wound,  
Sent far aloof, but more the whussing bullet dings to ground.  
At length part of the Britain's camp, the battered walls had scald,  
Invading fierce, with reeking fires, and v●…utes and roofs down haelde.  
The Scots do fly for fear, their goodly Ordinance Britain's hold, 
The Scots forsake their Ordinance.   
They shun their sight, as does, do hounds, as hinds, do Lions bold.  
The strong stone walls remained, and housen pinions stared vast,  
All other things to ashes burnt, with Vulcan's sparkling blast.  
The castle yet of Edenbrow, unconquered standeth stout,  
An ancient fort, with ugly walls, of cragged rock cut out,  
Depending on her strength, and burning with desire of fame,  
That she durst proudly boast, no foreign force her power could tame,  
" The event, and final end of things, doth try them false or true.  
But thereof trial to be made, the kings edict withdrew  
For present time: wherefore the valiant victor Britain's host,  
Fame leading them the way, with swift course sail to native coast,  
In fleeting hull ybore, with cheerful noise of trumpets sound:  
The ships safe in their wont roads, with mighty cables bound.  
When thus the navy strong tawe ropes, to grappling anchors tied:  
Lord Dudley martial peer, strait way to Princes court him hied.  
Whom, many a right hand stretched out, doth welcome home full fain,  
Where he saluted is, and salutations gives again.  
Before all others Henry Prince, to lofty skies doth raise,  
His Admiral, and puissant corpse, with mind untamde doth praise.  
With Princely words, and Princelike gifts, adds to confirm the same.  
Scarce through the twelve celestial signs, done Phoebus' glittering flame,  
Had stealing crept, when Britain's force, the franks provoked to fight, 
Preparation of wars against France.   
Whose king with cruel miscreant Turks, a league of truce had plight.  
Out, out, a filthy fact, and deed unworthy to be spoke,  
For Christian king to do, religious care which seemed to take:  
And of that title to the world so vast a show did make. 
The king of France his league with the Turk.   
Against him therefore for to war renowned Henry bend,  
With suffrage of the primates chief, and counsels grand consent.  
He arms of proof provides, and soldiers customed long to wars,  
And doughty lads, of courage stout, and prompt to bickering iorres.  
And valiant guides of stomach haut, all such he bringeth out.  
The nobles present wear, and commons eke, a hugy rout,  
And first that Pee●…e, whom Suffolk name, and title high assigned,  
Up mounted on a trampling steed, in Tyrian purple shined,  
With golden helmet decked, whose copped crest did streeming stare.  
Then he to whom like title, rich of sheeps will Norfolk, ●…are,  
Exulting skipping came, a Duke to wrathful anger priest, 
The Dukes of Northfolk●… and Suffolk●… the Earl of Arundeil. Lord Paulet, Lord russel appointed chief in this warfar●….   
Howbeit of mind unconquered, nor by Mars to be suppressed.  
Then Arundel an Earl, of youthful years a stripling brave,  
With Pawlet, which did corn, and needful food provide and save.  
Lord russel then, which warlike troops of burly lads did trace,  
Which Devon fostered up, of white tin mines a fertile place.  
Walls sent a jolly rout, and Ireland eke a few did yield,  
Which neither dread the bright drawn sword, nor bloody foes in field,  
In running springolds light, of heart, and hands of valour tried:  
The chosen Northarne crew, on warlike Coursers fierce to ride  
In mayled shurtes, of sturdy iron sweltes fine forged, dight,  
By swift course of their horse, could equal strive with birds in flight. 
Sir Anthony brown master of the horse.   
Anthony Browne whose comely corpse, if men you would behold,  
In portraiture none excelde, nor in exploits of Mars more bold:  
Most willingly the horsemen troops, by Prince's hest did guide,  
From all the coasts of Britain, came, thick thrunging, far, and wide.  
A mighty power of Springolds fresh, and store of palfrays fierce,  
The horn hoof of the foaming horse, the trembling earth doth pierce,  
And horsemen armed with sturdy lance, do run with frisking pace.  
The camp thus ordered well, in long ranks marcheth on a pace,  
And airy region vast, with clamorous noise discordant fills.  
With armed troops, the hollow vales, and lofty mounted hills:  
As with fallen flakes of snow, or Titan set, with drops of due: 
Or Tita●… set that is, or when the Sun is set.   
You might all scattered thick, in complete harnish cluttering, vue,  
whose blazing brightness through the rays of Phoebe so dimmed the look,  
Of vewers all, that Titan's beams, away the prospect took.  
New raiment party coloured made of will by skilful art,  
The soldiers of each Captain did dissevering set apart.  
Fine silken banners broad displayed, before each ●…and doth go,  
The skipping soldiers of his guide, the Ensign spread doth know.  
Even as the fragrant flowers above the green grass lofty show,  
In pleasant time of spring: and with their colours do delight,  
If any man of fair fresh fields, shall walk to take the sight:  
Such semblance hath out bands whilst oer the plain heaths thick they gad,  
In silken jackets fine, with skirts embroidered curious clad,  
Their glittering armour glimpsing rays, like Sun beams casting fro. 
The description of king Henry th●…. 8.   
King Henry loftier by the head, all boisterous, stout doth go,  
A great and mighty Peer, where you his strong arms do behold,  
Or huge thighs sturdy pight, which art had closed in precious gold.  
And eke his manly corpse, with mighty brestbont bolstered broad:  
By no force to be tawed, nor through with hard steel to be throad.  
Him armour strong enclosed, of finest metal polished wrought,  
Such as by fiery puissant God, yforgd you would have thought, 
●…ulcanus.   
Or by the monstrous Cyclops vast, in smouldering Aetna caves.  
The workman, there sleep clammering hills, and liquid floods ingraves.  
Here shadowy darksome woods are set, their shrubby salowes low,  
Moreover Themmes, which with strait course, into the sea doth go 
The descrip●…ion of the workman ●…hip of king Henry's har●…ish.   
And on that side whence Eastern winds, with boisterous blasts do sweep,  
Were Severne grau'de, and Trent, two mighty floods with channels deep,  
Whose wearied streams to th'greedy gulf of th'Ocean vast do pass.  
On the upper margin of the shining breastplate graven was,  
The shapes of mighty kings, and beginning of his ancient race,  
Edward Plantagenet the fourth there had his royal place,  
The lively Image then, and antic form of Henry sixth,  
Of mothers, and of father's side, his grandsires next were fixed.  
Then Henry seventh with loyal spouse adjoined, in seats are stalled.  
By name of royal Solomon most worthy to be called:  
For that he prudent was and godly eke, which virtues twain,  
Unto a Princely Peer, eternal fame deserved can gain.  
His son of young and tender years, the staring hellmethad,  
Whom ruling here on earth, dire death did envy youthful lad.  
Two Princes, virgins last, by several mothers brought to light,  
Successors to the crown, so laws, and rites required by right,  
Two royal chairs possessed, engraved in crest of headpiece bright.  
Where from his sturdy bow the king his flickering shaft did wrest,  
All shouting loud out cried, that he therein excelled the best.  
Or whither he with straining force, did charge the shivering spear,  
He had again the praise. If valiant Hector living wear,  
And now Achilles should assail, with ghastly gleive again:  
Like force of thunderbole, so he his sword with might did strain.  
But to the short even as their king, the army all desires,  
To be the like, high honours prick their haughty stomachs siers,  
Incensing more, with courage great▪ adventures great to take.  
The soldier will be stout, which under stout guide wars doth make.  
Upon his armour hung; a ves●…ure decked with precious gems  
From utmost Indies brought, & emeralds dazzling eyes with glemmes.  
The Diamond, shining sapphire eke, and jasper were enfold.  
His hangers guilt, his sword hilts gold, his buckler boss of gold,  
Or if that any thing, then red gold were more precious found.  
And to be brief his gorgeous trappers gay, and bit links round,  
Did cunning rare contain, and cost which such a king beseemed.  
The common sort thus richly dight, him not a man esteemed,  
But thought a God. For God himself, the heavenly monarch high,  
Will earthly Princes have also, in royal dignity,  
To be, as Solomon in glittering ornaments we know.  
And now the sea which through the straight cliffs, rough with rage doth flow,  
By blasts of prosperous western winds, the Britain's over cast,  
At Calais landing safe. Refreshing toils, and labours past, 
King Henry landeth at Calais.   
The king, and all his warlike troop, their viands gladlier taste.  
And now the dim night, wearied corpse, all drooping lays to rest.  
The greatest part do watch, perplexing cares them so oppressed,  
Each little stay or none, to wights desirous seems delay.  
When Titan from the Eastern floods, with bright beams 'gan his way,  
The dreadful trumpet soundeth shrill, each tools in hand doth take,  
And towards coasts of Celtane king forthwith do journey make:  
Towards the glistering beams of Titan's flashing chariot bright,  
There is an ample soil, amongst the Galls, which Artois height,  
A fruitful plague, for pasturing fields to feed the fleesie sheep,  
Abounding eke with lofty trees, and bushy mountains steep,  
There see we stand aloof, with pompous houses Bulloine old,  
On rough sea shore ybuilt, with walls of hard rock round enfold,  
In elder age invincible by any foreign foes.  
This warlike fortress proud, for to assault the Britain goes,  
And rampire bulwark casses, and town with deep trench doth enclose. 
Bullen besieged.   
To those that were shut in, no hope remained of coming out,  
Next to the walls fierce Dudley stands withal his dreadful rout  
Of mariners, through flashing surges brought, a people fell  
Are mariners, and stern, unbridled, such no force can quell.  
Which boisterous roaring floods, with mighty whirl wind raging stoure,  
When in the gurtie channels low the ugly rocks they scour:  
Doth never daunt, with shinering dread, nor chilley fear procure,  
To whom nor ragged desert rocks, nor fiery flames, enure  
Do terror cold, nor dangers dire, by sea, or else by land.  
The Admiral of the sea, reioysde at this his warlike band.  
The mariners, themselves of such a Captain happy deem,  
So like, doth like, with willing heart embracing, high esteem.  
Of all the hugy Britain camp these men one quarter wear,  
By which the Bolloyne Citizens, did utter ruin fear.  
On th'other side doth Charles Brandon dire destruction threat,  
And town besieged, withouten rest, and walls doth battering bent.  
Nor far from thence stout Henry king, his warlike tents hath pight. 
The English give assault.   
From whence through thin air, rattling pierced with poise, the whirling  
And sparkling burning brands, to lofty tops of turret's flies, (flight,  
None of the shivering enemies durst for fear lift up their eyes.  
Nothing but trembling terror pale, within the walls remained,  
At length from rampire tops, and crested walls, down javelins strained  
The Galls besieged, and stoutly force, by force again repelde, 
The gall●… resist.   
And with their manly balute bold, to tack the Britain's held:  
The bickering bloody grows, here fear, here glory move men's breasts,  
The staggering lance with force, forth flying swift, both parties wrists.  
Through gashed with gaping wound, out grudging ghoshes a number send,  
Most yet of these were slain, which high walls garrets did defend:  
And maimed with ga●…ly stripe, with grief unto their homes are borne,  
He stoynisht, gasping breathless lies, he halts his foot ytorne,  
With brains on ground besprinkled broad, no form of bisage left  
An other sprawls, with knock of stone, he tumbleth piecemeal cleft.  
The ancient age in conquering fortrested towns, and cities, found  
The use of engine fell, with mighty beams of timber bound,  
Or else a Ram, with hooked horns, of sturdy iron wrought,  
which shogging pushed the walls, and hugy stones cut losened brought.  
This kind of warlike engine, in our age availeth nought,  
Our men a torment much more dire, for dreadful wars have sought: 
The use of the great gun.   
There is a gun composed of molten streams, of ire, or brass,  
Of which a Friar (as some report) the first inventor was,  
Wherewith in few days, strongest forts, and towns, may down be boar,  
Which scarce in space of one hole year, subdued might before.  
That powder then, the hollow boored brass, in equal wight  
Do load, according to her charge, a rule directeth right  
Where it be more, or less, ensuing which, close after ramd:  
If that a pellet fashioned round, of ire, or stone be crammed:  
And that with level just direct, you peise her on her wheels,  
UUho would believe, but trial true thereof experience yields:  
That whurling fierce, like wind, it lightened all and set on fire,  
The bullet flies through th'air, and strikes what mark you will desire.  
Down battering sturdy walls, with rocky stones full strong erect,  
Nothing against the whuzzing pellet swift, can force object.  
For what can stand against, although it were a mount of ire?  
The walled City strong, assaulted with his this torment dire,  
Doth bear off many bouncing bobs, with noise resondes the skies,  
And smouldering smoke as black as pitch, to heavens doth reeking rise.  
Both earth, and housen shake, as if with shog of whirlwinds rage,  
They from their deep foundations moved did staggering beckoning gage,  
With clamours loud which wrought the stars, our men bestow their blows  
When of the wall a hugy part, with rumbling crack down goes:  
wherewith both heavens, and seas do roar, the mariners tents eke shrill 
john Dadley be●… chec●… the king that be with his mariners might first scale the was.   
Resounding shake, whose captain haut, the kings pavilion till  
Him hies apace, on bended knees and suppliant him doth pray,  
That he the battered walls to scale might first begin the way:  
And that none from his soldiers bold, that worthy praise might get,  
Although the praise with present danger priest, were jointly set,  
Because that dearer was then life, high glory, and renown,  
And loss of breath, was to be changed, for worthy mural crown. 
Corona mur●… lies in old time he that first entered the Enemy's fort wan great honour and therefore crowned with a garland in the triumph.   
As long as by him, and his men, the victory were atchiu'de,  
He death a thousand ways would take, if thousand times revived,  
He were again. The king scarce would consent to his request,  
Such ardent jove of him, he had conceau'de, in royal breast,  
At length on morrow following next be licenced was to take,  
In hand his wished enterprise: he condign thanks doth make  
To Henry mighty prince, as though a precious treasure great,  
He had found out, his suit obtained, and humbly doth entreat,  
His Grace his wedded Lady dear, and children to respect.  
Forthwith for to return no time at all he doth neglect  
To him desirous eager knight the night did longer seem,  
Than it was wont to be, so fain he would at bickering been.  
His mind turmoiling this, and that, soft stealing sleep refused,  
Before day break, his soldiers called, as he of custom used,  
He bids their bodies strait, with lightest armour to be dight,  
Then many things revolving deep in thought, the clear day light  
He long expected, his sturdy bands of Mariners repair:  
On warning small, assembling thick, as bid to costly fare.  
Then Dudley noble peer his mouth resolves amongst the rout.  
They that in all their time, no hard exploit have brought about,  
Deserving lasting fame (redoubted lads) their lives forsake, 
The oration of john Dud●… lay to his m●… riners.   
Much like dumb players, from the stage descending, nothing spoke:  
we were our country soil, with life, and labour, borne to aid,  
Or wherefore have we in this world, so long like sluggards stayed:  
The earth her seed, with large increase, refers to sow again,  
The fruitful tree, in season due, her burden doth sustain,  
The pear tree pears doth bring: The cornel Tree, doth Cornels yield,  
These do their masters good, and profit tilers of the field,  
No creature else of use so small, I can here call in mind,  
By whose increase some other things, no needful fostering find.  
Unto our country we were borne, no man can that deny,  
And doth not justice us require for it again to die?  
What is the life of man, but stombring sleep, or pleasant trance:  
The action of clear Virtue doth men's praise, to stars advance,  
Which simple glistereth not at all, but in her subjects shines.  
Wherefore the warrior stout, on quarrel just, she chief shrines.  
Some languishing in tormantes fell, with grievous pangs out blasts,  
Their flickering spirit to skies: whom bloody Mars in wars down casts,  
They die a worthy death, and in a moment yield their ghosts,  
Dissevered thin in air, glad wandering, in supernal coasts.  
We in subjection are, and ours, to mighty Henry's lore,  
By pours celestialls' sound decree. That we to death be boar.  
If thundering jove do think it good, and Henry puissant Prince  
Command, we must obey, it were in vain 'gainst prick to wince.  
Than how much nobler is't, a high exploit, with willing mind  
To undertake, then by constraint thereto to be assigned?  
Us victors everlasting fame, and glory, shall endure.  
Howbeit but hard adventures, can true laud in deed procure.  
And now attentive mark I pray, whereto this speech is made,  
The king & counsel have decreed, that we shall first invade,  
And ransact enemies walls, with ladders, fierce assaulting clime  
This grateful province, after long request, to me, and mine,  
Permitted was, if every one, to take his chance be bend,  
Than doubt not but your Captain I, do promise good event.   

He whusted here, with shouts extolled to stars, bring ladders calls  
Each mariner, stars Captains threats, can hold them from the walls,  
With such desire of praise, and ardent love of glory wrought.  
But godly Henry pondering much in mind, him unbethought,  
Not so much weighing warlike towns, with rampire walls enclosed, 
The King considering the danger that Dudley with his men wear like to run into commands them to desist Bullen rendered.   
That with his men to certain bale, and dreary death reposed:  
He would nor fortresd Cities rich, nor kingdoms vast subdue.  
wherefore by straight edict, from his pretence, he Dudley drew.  
Few days expired were, when Bulloine of her own accord  
All armour laid aside, to Henry yields, as lawful Lord.  
The Frenchmen all themselves withdrew, and gates wide open set,  
With streaming murrtons glimmering bright adorned, in Britain's let.  
Six thousand Galls, their antic seats, all pensive did forsake,  
The walls, with stately buildings, fair, and turretts Britain's take.  
The warlike castles strong, with captains new yfenced were,  
And certain garrisons of men, in stations settled there:  
Lieutenant of the conquered town, the king that worthy Peer  
Assigned, which of his mighty fleet, did the protection bear.   

Forthwith with primates, guarded swift he salted seas doth, divide, 
john Dudley Lieutenant of Bullen.   
And through the wallowing wrestling waves, to native land doth slide.  
Lord Dudley his committed charge respects with wondrous care,  
Revolving much in thought, in great foresight and all things bare,  
And doth by secret policy, the wielie franks prevent,  
Sometime by fraud diminishing, and weakening their intent,  
Sometime in open fight, provoking them to bickering blows,  
Subduing Captive some, but more the gory blade down throws.  
No day past one, in which no hard exploit he did achieve,  
UUhereby stout dudley's name, through th'world so wide swift Fame did  
And glory greater waxed, renowned more in Celtane lands,  
And higher he accepted, was embraced at Henry's hands. (drive,   

Thrice golden Phoebe, to her brother's lamp conjoined was,  
When from the puissant Britain guide a Legate forth did pass,  
The Admiral to recall, on weighty causes of this land,  
The noble Order welcome him, fast clasping hand, in hand,  
The Britain springolds fresh, at his return do ship for glad,  
Few months expired, swift fleeting Fame, throughout this land did blab,  
That Frenchmen had prepared, of warlike ships, a navy vast,  
For to invade the Britain coasts, and land with ruin waist. 
Preparation of the Frank against England.   
Each to defend prepares, high beacons built, of fagotts light,  
UUeare on the copped cliffs, that kindled, they give warning might,  
If on our shore, the enemy's fleet, should steal in dusky night,  
And landing, down with reeking flames, our country hamletts cast.  
Sols chariot bright with swift course had the head of Leo past,  
When Celtane navy huge, with boisterous blasts along are blown.  
The sea now showed no sea, if from a craggy steep rock, one  
By chance upon the floods, far underneath had cast his eyes,  
Or like a shadowy grove, or wood, with oaks which lofty rise,  
It rather seemed to be, or field, with tall trees thick ypight.   

With salt sea waters compassed round, there lies the isle of Wight  
where shearing Southwind glome, with rough waves bounce the Britain  
The enemy's army vast, in hollow hull is thither bore. (shore, 
The Frenchmen with a great navy it vade the isle of wight.   
The grappling anchor strong, is cast out of the stern before,  
And with his whistle sounding hoarse, a sign by master gin,  
And prudent with immortal praise, had Britain's haut contained,  
Since he the mighty sceptre, of their happy kingdom bore, 
●…enry. 8. af●…er 3●…. years ●…yeth.   
When that th'almighty jove by fatal sickness waring more,  
Did warn him leave this mortal life. alak, and wail a day:  
How many Brutes with blubbering tears, their soft cheeks did bewray▪  
How bitterly the Britain states, him-sick bewailing rued:  
All England droops, bereft of joy, with trickling tears bedewed.  
Physician nought can veil, nor wholesome herbs found in the field,  
Which health accustomed wear tofore, to mortal members yield.  
No compound drugs could life prolong, nor pleasant potions brought,  
" Alas, to cure death's dreary sting, in vain is physic sought.  
Howbeit before his final gasp, because his tender heir,  
Prince Edward yet was young, he states assigned the rule to bear,  
For a prescribed time, of which Lord Dudley high renowned,  
In royal tomb enclosed, his worthy corpse did lay in ground:  
With brinish tears. Of funeral now sacred rights right done,  
By all the troop of mighty Peers, on Edward prince, his son, 
●…dward the sixth begun ●…o ●…aigne ●… 546.   
In solemn pomp, a precious crown of gold adorning round,  
His temples fair, was set. The Britain's all in duty bound,  
With one assent, him lawful king, with reverence great adore,  
And heir legitimate to his sire. The Earl of Hertford bore  
The title of Protector chief, and by his nephews grace  
The Duchy took of Somerset, to him, and ofsprong race. 
The Earl of 〈◊〉 created Duke of Somerset. john Dudley made Earl of Warwick.   
His other uncle Seimer made Lord Admiral of his fleet.  
But Dudley by the title, he of Warwick Earl did greet,  
From whence his ancient progeny, by long descent he drew,  
The greatest mirror of his stock, and kindred's glory true.  
As every man in great revenues floev, with honour dew  
So was he high extolled and decked with glorious title new,  
A wondrous troop of royal Peers, the kings court stately found,  
And lookers on, applauding loud, with shouts up reared a sound.  
All things have limits true presirt. Now pleasant pas●…imes past,  
The counsel causes of great weight, revolving deep did cast.  
Of common weals affairs, of ancient forts fallen in decay,  
They council take advised of planting garrisons in a stay,  
In certain places weak, and what availd for common state,  
But chief they respected the Scottish realm, which bordering sat,  
Each in remembrance had the plighted troth of Scottish Peers,  
which they had firmly vowed, to bring to pass in former years,  
Concerning linking fast their maiden prince, in w●…dlocke bands,  
And wished that so might be procured, the unity of two lands:  
With everlasting peace, and endless truce thereon to spring 
Expedition of soldiers into Scotland.   
wherefore when glittering Phoebe declining down, his beams did bring  
Into fair Virgos fa●…e, strait armed troops, of warriors, sent  
They 'gree to Scottish soil to be, to know the Scots intent. 
The Duke of, Somerset Ealre of Warwick and Lord Dacies assigned chief in this warfare.   
Chief Captains were assigned, the Prince his eldest uncle dear,  
And to him joint as mate, the Warwick Earl, a puissant Peer,  
Whom warlike glory high, of dreadful Mars, had made renowned,  
And virtue rare, with ardent love, in soldiers hearts had bound.  
The third companion to them knit, bold Dacres Lordling went  
whom doughty lads of Cumberland, to bloody skirmage bend  
Their Captain would elect, and after him in warfare trace.  
To Dacres faithful Cumberland, the nurse of gentle race.  
The vulgar sort, their native Lords, most arden●… do embrace.  
A number of the Britain Peers, to these wars put their name.  
And martial knights, of ancient rite, of golden Garter came. 
Lord Grai●… captain of the horsemen.   
Amongst the which Lord Grace, of mighty l●…ynes, and stomach bold,  
Of th'armed horsemen troops did for his skill chief guidance hold.  
A wondrous 〈◊〉 rout, of common soldiers flocked beside.  
Howbeit before within the banks of Scots they once did stride,  
By Legates letters were foresent, their cause expressing plain.  
That to their former plighted troth, they steadfast would remain.  
By fair means they were prayed, that Britain's camp●… no force should show,  
If promise vowed to Henry king, they would not now forego.  
In vain are admonition's gin, if no man them regard,  
In vain the deaf are counseled right, when council is not hard.  
The Scot doth wars require, he will contend and end by blows,  
He desperate nought respects, where well, or ill, his quarrel goes.  
The Britain's equal cause, committed to Ioues power almight,  
Their stomachs boldened on all trembling terror put to flight.  
Therefore the Duke of Somerset, his mates, and warlike bands  
Ensuing, pitched their tents, and armed remained on Scottish lands.  
Howbeit nor sparkling brands they slong▪ nor with injurious deeds,  
Did hurt, or damage any wight, fresh pasturing for their steeds,  
They only took, all other thing from scathe preserved sure.  
Lest troublous causes more to wars, the fierce scott's should procure.   

Mean time the Earl of Arreine with furious anger stung,  
Which of the kingdom rul●…de the rains, till that the Princess young,  
Were comen to riper years, chose thirty thousand warlike wights,  
With weapons armed strong, 'gainst Britain's power to bend their mights.  
By chance the day which should before the fatal battle fought,  
The puissant Warwick Earl on trampling palfrey milk white, broughe  
Into an ●…nple plain, the foe to bickering calleth out.  
Here scours the Scott, here Britain rides, the Career round about  
And staggering tronch of poisoned lance, doth gird with courage stout. 
A light skirmage of the horsemen of both parts the day before the battle.   
He blood out belching lies, with gory blade through th'bowels pushed,  
His flickering ghost out flies, with point of sharp spear grisly crushed.  
The courser furious sterce, his sitter cast, doth by paths track,  
another topsy-turned, a while sticks dead on palfrays back,  
At length down tumbling, gaiust the ground, his skull doth battering knack.  
But chief, and above the rest, of ancient Brutus' race,  
With mighty puissance Dudley Peer, did scott's down hurling chase.  
The trampling feet a misty fog; and dusky cloud up read:  
Much like as when a gloomy ●…ure, from airy region teard.  
At length our horsemen●…ging on, the Scots to fly constrain,  
And to the camp with spoils addrned returns back again. 
Whori it was near sun set.   
Now scarf the fourth part of the day remained, and Phoebus' lamp,  
In chariot swift conveyed, did haste to th'western Ocean camp.  
Behold from Scottish marlike cences, an ●…erause comen doth pray, 
The Farl Arreine governor of Scotland sen. death an Herald unto the the Duke of Somerset, and the Harle of Huntley provoketh him had to hand.   
That uncovorolde unto the duly a message he might say.  
Wherefore unto his royal cent, with frequency great convapde,  
He was permitted for to speak who thus distinctly said.  
what is the cause, that thus you stri●…e; one realm to waste by might?  
Irruption making fierce, unto our land what is your right▪  
Is this the part of nation joint up vicine borders knit?  
The silly people batcring down, with dreary blade to hit:  
But armour laid aside, forthwith depart, and leave our land,  
Or of your bold invasion look revengement out of hand.  
For of the valiant Scots collected is a mighty band.  
A bloody sckirmage on to morrow nert for to succeed,  
I do denounce, if to your coasts, you hast not back with speed.  
Alack that without loss of blood, us battle may be fought,  
With what abondant purple streams shall conquest chief be sought:  
How many mestive wives their husbands fall shall wailing moan,  
Destroyed by cruel death, constrained to lie in bed alone:  
How many parents of their sons, and offspring dear bearest,  
All comfortless in grief, to lead their old age shall be left:  
I tremble to express, nor you unpunished shall departed.  
wherefore the Scottish guide with wondrous pity moved in heart,  
Towards his country soil, me bids this message to declare,  
Unto the Duke of Somerset, since both have cane the care.  
And guidance great of kingdoms large, let both the common cause,  
Of kingdoms safety move, of legal truce he offereth laws,  
Of that the Britain's will, their tools, and armour laid aside,  
All gloryless forthwith retire, in cause inferior tried.  
Unless you do, then slaughter dire, in wars without remorse,  
Expect, the Scottish weapons fell, fall with such weighty force.  
Moreover puissant Huntley Earl these words me utter had. 
Huntley challenged.   
To th'mighty Duke of Somerset, lest Christian blood be shed,  
And great effusion made, that the contention may be tried,  
Between them two, and armies both dissevered stand beside.  
So loss of little blood, of all these sarres and end may make.  
And headlong prone dissensions rage, asunder may be brake,  
By one man's death, and wars upsturde, a final end may take.   

These words he uttered. when the Duke, replied thus back again,  
Determinate into your coasts, this army I did train.  
Conditions not take, but grant, of peace (that answer tell) 
The Duke of Somersets' reply.   
When scott's had time, these dangers priest, they might have voided well,  
Now to to I●…e to deal, by vain colluding craft they tend.  
That Huntley Earl, with native pride puffed up, doth to me send,  
with him in combat for to loin, through glory vain extolled,  
According to his nations guise, he proved, advencreth bold.  
He as a private soldier serves, nor beareth empery,  
If I were so I would him make his challenge dearly buy.   

Here warlike Dudley with this speech, the Duke's Oration takes,  
And faithless Scots, with words more sharp be reprehending shakes. 
The answer of the Earl of Warwick to the messenger.   
Your slippery faith, and fickle troth, your periude glancing tongue,  
Us Britain's, though unwilling, eggs to scour your coasts along.  
Ioues anger just, provokes us to revenge such heinous sin,  
He our attempts shall prop, and force maintain to strive therein.  
Howbeit if promise plightd you keep, than foes us not esteem,  
we nothing will commit, but faithful friends it shall beseem.  
But is with arms prepared, you mean in martial camps to try:  
Yourselves with weights of puissance stout, to war you shall espy.  
UUho will not laugh to scorn, such boastings vain, such Scottish cracks:  
Think you that bugs, or prochant words us Brutes affrighted makes:  
You err the scope of heaven, and ranging rovine beside the way,  
Let boys, and girls of tender age, such vain illusions fray.  
That here your mind aboadment gives, great slaughters to ensue.  
And dire destruction of your men, you prophesying tue:  
The holy ghost offended, with such false perjured wights,  
Doth it foreshow, and to our power hath subject made your mights.  
Of mighty armies God is one, alone, the very same,  
which huge Go●…ath by the hand of David small subdued,  
Whose brainepanne rent, by stripe of sung the ground with gore imbrued  
He author of this quarrel just, on just cause ta'en in hand,  
By such as reverence due his name, will always firmly stand.  
But this, (that other things I pass) I cannot but admire,  
How Huntley or such confidence depending, durst aspire,  
And on him take, laws to lay down, to his superior far,  
Himself inferior in degree, and honour eke, why dare  
He proudly should, to combat, and provoke so noble a Peer,  
As Duke Protector eke, of Edward Prince, and kinsman near.  
But swollen with glorious native, pride, he vaunteth so by kind,  
wherefore if such desire to fight, such louging have his mind,  
These words to Huntley show, and message do from me declare,  
I in my country am an Earl, and justly may compare  
In honour with an Earl of Scots, our title Warwick height  
Whose Fame through Europe coasts along, renowned hath ta'en her flight.  
Though castles fair, at root of mountains set, his name addorne,  
And he from noble ancestors, the offspring true be borne:  
If honour be respected, one order doth us both contained.   

To morrow morn, when Phoebe upstart shall lift his lamp again,  
And overspread the earth with light, I'll Huntley glorious, stout, 
The Earl of Warwick challengeth Huntley to single combat   
Expect, we two will try, both armour less, and fight it out.  
If this he doth deny, though better armed he do proceed,  
On horse back; or on foot, to meet him sure I have decreed.  
I nakt him naked will assail, unless our shirts do close,  
Perchance our corpse from shame, as nature seemliness doth chose.  
Ten Britain Peers, to single combat else do ten provoke,  
Or twenty, twenty Scots, if ye will grant, and strike the stroke.  
Or I alone, will ready be, with him alone, to fight,  
If that I conqueror him subdue, our part shall have the right,  
If Fortune at us spurn, our armed troops shall backward stright,  
Unto their borders wend my final gasp, or his, shall cease  
These jarring brawls, and twixt both lands, establish future peace.  
How noble is't by dint of sword, this frail life to forsake?  
Now proffered opportunity, of combat let him take,  
If that he list, to morrow morn, say I will ready be.  
These speeches uttering forth, a mighty mass of red gold, he  
Upon condition gave, that he declare that message would,  
To Huntley Earl and more these words he him departing told,  
If that the Earl assent, and will with me contending fight,  
To morrow next, as soon as day on earth shall cast her light:  
Do thou forthwith as messenger, thereof return this night.  
And for the pains of gold received, I double will the wight,  
Unto these words most willingly, the counsel sage assent.   

Forthwith throughout the tents, with flickering wings, swift rumour  
How mighty Dudley had an earl of Scotland challengd stout, (went  
Each soldier skips for joy, and loud resounding lifts a shout,  
And manly stomach takes, and haughty hearted dudley's praise,  
To starry region high, and heavenly powers extolleth, doth raise.  
The evening now in western coasts, with rays all fiery shined,  
When fires bright burning the tents throughout, of hard wood you might  
Scouts sent to spy, a hugy rout of Scots brim to appear, (find:  
Returning show, in steelecotes dight, our army settled near:  
With careful minds, and waking eyes, the watch their charges keep,  
And now our men with grateful cates refreshed, and dulcet sleep:  
Look when Aurora goddess bright, from roseal bed shall rise,  
And with beelight coruscant, show the world unto their eyes.  
Till Huntley comes, in vain his christaine lights, still rolling casts  
The mighty Dudley here and there, no messenger, at last:  
Returned an answer back, though pure gold offered for his pay,  
At length the better half expired, and midpart of the day:  
In valleys low appear, the Scottish ranks in battle ray,  
Prepared for to fight, and banners broad displayed did bear,  
Approaching fast, But Brutes a hill, which hie himself did rear:  
Then interiect betwixt, ascended up, that place more apt 
The Engli●… army is set order.   
Might be for skirmage grim. The horsemen's guide the left wing leapt,  
The right, where Navy lay at road, a marish moor did close,  
The vaward after Warwick Peer, in long ranks marching goes,  
Mean battle to be led●…y thee, O Somerset remained,  
The rearguard all behind, in order Dacres stout contained.  
And now approaching near, the enemy armies bustled fierce,  
With dreadful rattling noise, the clanging brass tromp air doth pierce, 
The on set.   
And clattering classing armour rings men's clamours loud abound,  
Not so with dashing waves, th'weltering main sea floods resound:  
When they the craggy cliffs, and rough rocks bellowing loud do scour,  
Soon after Aeol puissant God of winds, the brethren four:  
With endless discord rapt, from dungeon caves permits to stoure:  
On th'other side the Scots with panting pac●…, against the hill,  
Up clammering mount, and thick in plumps, themselves do gather still.  
The harnisht horsemen troops, with shivering spears then furious rushed,  
Whose first rank down is borne, their huge corpses through with weapons  
But forth the other rays, with sharp spur●… prick their trampling ●…eeds (pushed  
And fellows deaths revenging wrack which Gray ●…ut captain heeds,  
UUho even at first assault, in mouth recea●…e a ghastly stroke,  
The Britain army all, courageous fights, Mars doth provoke,  
men's minds incensing, wood, and gaping wounds doth vigou●… bring,  
More, near those shores in harbour road the navy of the king:  
From whence through powlders furious force, composed of brimstone blue, 
●…uskelborow ●…lde.   
Both bullets forged of stecle, and iron chains, red glowing slew.  
Full fourteen thousand Scots their g●…stes to glommy Stigie lake,  
Down sent in deep disdain, the rest to flight them did betake.  
Our men with toiling labours sore, the cheerful trumpet shrill,  
Doth back again retire, who gladly wend their tents until.  
O what rejoicing then, what wondrous mirth that night did last,  
The tents throughout, each takes delight, to talk of travels past,  
Of dreadful perils dire escaped, it is a pleasant thing,  
" With mind secure to think, but chief power of heavenly king,  
" Did their attempts support. Just jove a false cause, down will bring.   

The next day light appears, through uncouth coasts, and by paths blind  
Of th'chiefest Scottish primates fled, report remained behind.  
Some, desert mountains stickle tops did shrine, some, castle wall,  
Did firmly guard, that th'enemies camp appeared no where at all.  
The winter now approchte, and space of days doth shorter grow,  
And black Orion cloudy star, himself in heavens doth show:  
wherefore our camp, their warlike tents removed to native land,  
Determining a fit time, to take those wars in hand.  
The mighty Duke of Somerset, and Warwick Earl also,  
Are welcomed home, the nobler sort, of youth which then did go:  
With them to bloody wars, all safe returned with them again,  
The noble king right hands to join most royally did deign:  
And all the Prince's friends, in arms did willing them enfold,  
Commending high their haughty hearts, and manly courage bold.  
Mean time the Scottish Peers with ●…ckle lightness puffed in mind,  
And envies rage up swollen, that frustrate hope might Britain's blind,  
With general consent, in month which December height  
Unto the Celtane nation send, that their young princess bright,  
Right heir unto king james, be knit in bands of wedlock might.  
To the heir of France, If Henry king, this proffer would not take, 
The Scots send into Frauncc to entreat a league between the heirs of Sc●…▪ land and France.   
That so an everlasting truce two nations, one, might make:  
Yet that the mighty guide of franks this would vouthsafe to yield,  
That for the love, which loyal league twixt nations both did build:  
As Scottish, and the Celtane eke: he would not once permit,  
One of them torn by dreadful wars, whereby the league might flit:  
Or spoiled by dint of th'enemies' sword, to foreign empire bend,  
The Brutes by force of conquering hand, that only to intend:  
And in the sequent spring, the surging floods with navy vast,  
Quite covered for to be, and troops of horsemen flocking fast,  
To enter scottish lands, proposing this, their only stay,  
The Scottish heir, from mother's lap by force to take away.  
which pray if they attain, by adverse luck, and spurning fate:  
O woeful realm of Scots O black and lamentable state,  
Nothing but mourning sobs, and blubbering salt tears left behind.  
wherefore by Gods, by sacred rites they prayed, that called in mind,  
Their ancient league, established erst, he would the virgin take,  
Before, for long delay doth often greater danger make.  
which tender Imp, if with the king of France she be up trained, 
Hymen God of wedl●…k   
with princely education eke, within his court contained:  
That then they had a certain hope, of great good to succeed,  
which might the perfect happiness, of both their kingdoms breed.  
And after that through years mature, she may in Hymen's jace,  
Be ●…nked fast, to whom he please, let king of Galls her place:   

Forthwith by prince's hest, the Celtane Fleet launched from the shore,  
Is finely furnished neat, and Gal●…ies swift with sail, and over:  
which after from the callmy harbour close, with southwinds shrill,  
Swift sliding through the deeps, the Scottish realm they come until.  
The Princess Mary now, to painted Pull with pomp was led,  
where for her princely Grace, was set a stately purple bed,  
Soft cushions underneath, with soft Down stuffed as white as milk  
And costly Arras, Cabins decks, ywoucn of gold and silk.  
Great heaps of silver plate was brought, with shapes of gold inwrought,  
And whatsoever else for virgin Princess, meet was thought.  
Forthwith the comely damosel thus, a-shipboard portlike placed,  
withal her virgin troop, and men of arms which after traced:  
She ste●…ting fast is borne, the air the spread sails driving on,  
And merry gales of wind them through the rough seas course anon.  
The flecte in order sailed, as Swans twixt fishie rivers banks,  
whilst middle, and the third, ensues the first, and in long ranks:  
The third day comes, and Phoebe the world with clear light over goes  
Stout Dudley with his warlike mates, themselves in tents do close,  
So do the doughty bands, which London mighty City yields,  
Near ancient Norwich walled town, down pitched in open fields.  
Which when the country crautus, taught with pale fear, had espied,  
In briery brakes, and lurking holes, in shadowy groves they hide:  
In no place daring peep, but after boldness fiercer grown,  
In time, that all those sudden pangs, of fear away were flown:  
They rushing thick out broke, and to a valley bordering high, 
To Dusson dale.   
No man remembering called to mind, the danger pressing nigh:  
But armed stood, with cars, and veins, their wings encompassed round,  
On tother side the prince's host, with cheerful trumpets sound.  
Proceeds, and first the blows gins, and eager fight up rears, 
The Rebels ●…nclosed themselves with their carriages on every side ●…o keep of the assaults of the Barle of Warwick's horsemen.   
But Warwick furious wroth, with bloody blade his foes down bears,  
At length, when beastlike backs to turn, on this side shame forbade,  
On that side certain death the rebels 〈◊〉, outrageous mad:  
One part resisting fierce down falls: the other groveling flat,  
Is battered, but stout Warwick Peer, respected chief, that  
Lest all at once were overthrown, those men of perverse wit:  
Hawbeit of courage such as dangers done should force to flit:  
He causeth through the Martial field, an Herald loud to cry, 
The Harle of Warwick subdueth the rebels in Northsolke.   
If any armour would abject, which he most traitorously:  
Had ta'en in hand, and for his fault would pardon humbly crave:  
He should unpunished life, and goods, and former freedom have.  
Which when the commons heard, they tools, and armour laid aside,  
On bended knees, with mourning tears, and Pardon, Pardon cried.  
The mercy then of Warwick Earl, did so resplendent shine,  
That penance of their heinous fact, he pardoned free that time.  
No Britain now remained, whom Giant like, rebellious rage, 
The Giants in old ti●…e rebelled against the Gods, and would have pulled ●…ubiter out of heaven.   
Did reckless bear away, none did from loyal duty gage,  
But to their true anointed king remained and country sta●…e.   

The Prince's court, from this lugubrious war, did Dudley take,  
With solemn pomp, and joy: with flitting wings, whom Fame did make  
Renowned through the warlike towns, of Britain kingdoms stout,  
How in king Henry's days, he hard adventures brought about,  
Whilst that his thundering gleive he rolled, amongst the enemies rout.  
Not of deaths dreary lance, or dreadful edge of sword, aghast,  
He never doubtful stood, himself to dangers all to cast:  
If great affairs, or country's cause, required him to go,  
Or hest of sacred king, incensed his mind for to do so.  
How many times with booties rich, and laud immortal won,  
Did he to native soil again, from extern Regions come:  
His enemies battered down: or else in fearful flight back driu'de,  
Whereby he royal dignity, and endless Fame atchiu'de.  
God prospering the event, which he begun in lucky hour.  
Wherefore as yet he higher was, extolleth in Fortune's bower:  
The King him Duke creating, whom with joy and much cheer,  
Northumberland did title give, and honouring love full dear.  
Him Lord chief Stuard eke, the Prince's Court embraced fain, 
The Earl of Warwick created Duk●… of Northumberland.   
Till Atrapos the fatal thread of Edward cut in twain,   

Renowned Edward from the paps framed of his noble Dame,  
Instructed in all Sciences, by learned men, became.  
Who Greekish phrase, with Latin speech conjoining in short space, 
The death of king Edward   
Did reap such ample fruit, that unto none of princely race  
He was inferior found, which Britain nation fostering rears, 
King Edward's praise   
Nor Peer he any had, if flexile age, and tender years,  
Ye do respect, which three times five, and two, had scarce expired,  
Or ready sharpness of his wit, or judgement, ye required:  
In any point to learning which, or moral virtues bright,  
Did appertain, the Phoenix rare of Europe, and the light.  
UUhom death untimely, like the flower from tender stalk of rapt,  
From Britain's took away, and youthful corpse in coffin leapt.  
Death envies on the earth, who sacred laws observe, and keep.  
So boys, and springolds fresh, he with his dart away doth sweep,  
which jove th'almighty king, vouchsafes to heaven to have extolled.   

The king thus dead, him after doth a woman sceptre hold,  
Which Mary height one of the sisters twain, sprung of the race,  
Of Henry royal Monarch high, which did within short space: 
Mary beginneth to reign 1553.   
A foreigner, her kinsman eke, king Philip Spaniard take,  
In wedlock bands, which penstue hearts unto the Brutes did make.  
For seldom shall you mark, two realms concordant to agree, 
Queen Mary marrieth to king Philip.   
Which far by laudes, and seas disiungd, and legal friendship be.  
Here whilst this Bridegroom new, doth with his spouse himself delight  
Round guarded with a mighty troop, in purple Mantles dight,  
With hem of gold about, beset with Emeralds glittering bright:  
which wandering merchant had from utmost banks of Judy brought.  
Phoebe's burning lamp the front of Leo vast, had overought,  
And in the high heavens region broad, now many signs o'ergone: 
S●…itium, ●…ernum is 〈◊〉 the eight kalends of january.   
The winter Solstice passed had with swift course borne anon.  
Secure and pleasant peace both franks and Britain's jointly bound,  
Which league both spaniards, flemings, eke and Phyllips' king●…  
And for because the feastful time, the great year rolled about, (wound 
Christmas he meaneth.   
Not without solemn pomp; and mirth, the Britain land throughout,  
Which in December's nipping cold still falls: each heart bereaved,  
Of faithless fraud, which secret foe, in watching bed conceau'de:  
King Henry Celtane guide, with youthful heat provoked mad,  
And thirsting after endless Fame, great hope incensed had:  
In mind, that either Philip none was, or but half a man,  
And stablished sacred bands of league, to violate began,  
With reeking flames, all Flaunders coasts, then wasting broad in sight, 
Henry of France invadeth Flaunders.   
Subduing droves of beasts, and troops of men by martial might.  
Which Hyspaigne king provoked wroth, and choler's raging ire,  
Of all the Spanish Peers incensing, kindled light on ●…re.  
Not Autumn yet was come, that lofty Ceres' fruit might spring,  
with yellowish ears, and pastures large, the green grass fragrant bring:  
Nor of the earth, Sols scorching heat, the moisture had up dried,  
That under high heavens cope all night, the soldiers might abide:  
wherefore till hoped hour, of them des●…rous looked long,  
The navy rigged is, sword, flickering shafts, and javelins strong,  
with armour strong of proof are got, flesh; bread, and wine, are bought, 
Preparation of wars against the Frenchmen.   
That needful food for valiant men, might not be wanting sought.  
But in each tent abound, huge chests were packed full of gold,  
That they which fought with courage stout deserved hire might hold,  
From sundry nations severed far, full many a martial crew,  
King Philip willing so his Peers, came to his warfare new.  
Mean time the beateous Queen, and noble spouse of Philip king,  
To aid her husband bend a trusty troop of men to bring:  
A legate sends unto the Frank, which dreadful battle bad,  
And did unto that nation false, rough threats moreover add.  
All France in uproar stands, with fearful tumult, on her part,  
All England cracked with noise, to bloody Mars upsturd, doth start. 
divers nations in philip's 〈◊〉.   
All Flaunders, Aspurge eke, all Burgoine, and Tirolis strong,  
And many a doughty Captain spain so mighty minge among.  
Full many eke whom dreadful wars, long times had vexed sore,  
whereby their skill in works of Mars, through use increased more:  
In crested helmets streming dight, all glorious to behold,  
Their corpse in harnish strong: with shields bright shining broad enfold.  
The puissant captain present was which Brunsweikes title due  
Doth beautify, in harnish black, whom guards a horsemen crew,  
This troop at first assault, did daunt the Frenchmen sore with fear,  
And down with manly might, did many 〈◊〉 b●…orse tumbling bear't.  
From Germany likewise to aid, were sent a ch●… 〈◊〉:  
Nor doughty warriors wanting were, from out Italia land.  
Dalmatians fierce unto these wars, and active heinous trast,  
Howbeit the chiefest confidence in Britain bands was placed.  
The narrow league of friendship plight, and wife requir●… the fame,  
To whom with her espoused fear, all dangers equal came.  
The Earl of Penbroke general of Britain's ranks assigned,  
Three Earls more had linked, first him whom Worcester's title shrined,  
Next him whom Bedford did adorn, with honours which beseemed  
So mighty a Peer, and lastly him which Rutland high esteemed.  
To these in like degree, for his exploits atchiu'de before,  
Was joined Sir Anthony Browne, of Anthony sire true offspring borne.  
with whom stout Dudley's manly race, gay springolds armour bare,  
And from what noble blood they sprang, expressly did declare.  
The Palm tree cannot down be priest, but loftier doth extend  
Her branched top, if that with weight you go about to bend,  
Her bows, w●…h baistrous stem, and springing lifts her crest to stars.  
Wars purchase high renown, great honours are achieved by wars.  
Hence springs the Prince's love, and gracious favour offered grows,  
Hence commons like proceeds, if unto Mauors bickering fawes  
For native countries sake, you boldly do object your breast,  
Refusing dangers none, each kind of death to venture priest.  
This was engraffed by nature's skill, if no man had instruct,  
The Dudley's, they with parent's milk, invicted courage sucked.  
So much it is to spring, from valiant Sire, and noble dame,  
The cheerful Brethren three, in armour like exulting came.   

Of which the first, outstarteth fresh, of mind unconquered bold,  
With shoulders broad bespread, height Ambrose, whom rich clothes enfold,  
Of purple hue, upon his armour polished fine with gold,  
joint by his side, in brethren love, linked fast, and nature's bands,  
That mutually one might defend, the others quarrel stands  
Robert his brother, borne with smiling fate, in luckily hour,  
Who as he gentle was, so stout, and bold, his foes to scour.   

The third companion to these knit, which like love did impart,  
Was Henry, void of fear, of mighty force, and haughty heart.  
These three all striplings gay, had soft locks scarce on cheeks sproug out,  
Such bodies fair, as seldom yields the like this world no doubt.  
A fourth, these Brethren had of elder age, whom stealing death,  
In flower of youthful days, untimely reft of vital breath.  
Through languishing disease, by bitter destinies cruel down,  
To mighty Sire, and Grandsires old, who like had sure become,  
Inferior unto none, in high exploits, of all his line,  
Such courage rare of mind, and force in hardy corpse did shine.  
You would him said to be of Hercles sturdy arms, and breast,  
Such vigour great he had, where girding forth the stafe he wres●…d,  
On courser mounted brave, or strong in wrestling might expres●…d.  
What kind of sap ingenerate, the Apple tree doth feed.  
In Autumn season, favouring like, such Apples well proceed.  
So the courageous progeny, from valiant Dudley sprung,  
Do imitate their ancestors, both he whom death hath stung,  
And they which lively now do skip the Spanish Peers among.   

And farther many more which were by knighthood noble made,  
With warlike weapons strong were armed, the Celtane coasts to vade.  
which Primates stout, teen thousand wights of Brutus race were bound,  
To guard, and now the time was comen, when clangring trumpets sound,  
These uncouth nations, far a part, togethers summoned round.  
The season of the year the corn ear, caused, with reed, to strut,  
And for the barbed steed the earth, green pasturing burgend out.   

The warlike region vast of France with fortressed Castles brave,  
Abondes ybuilt with hugy stones, out of the hard rock clave.  
And every side with Cities fair, is garnished wondrous gay,  
where towards Spanish coasts she looks, or clouddy Alps, always  
With slakes of snow bespread, or rising of the Sun beholds,  
France: rightly may be proud, of mighty towns, which walls infolds.  
Here is a famous City, that of Quintines name doth bear, 
Saint Quintinnes besieged.   
which doth in fruitful plot of ground, her buildings stately rear,  
Most plentiful of corn, and wine, within that ample field,  
King Philip pitched his tents. when thus the town besieged beheild  
Herself with th'enemies' thanks about, she stoinde with terror stays,  
And to to late the French kings aid, she craves the siege to raise.  
For some the earth deep trenching, down to tear endeavoured fast,  
Some for defence of rubble up a bulwark bank did taste,  
Some scaling ladders framed, and firebrands flung to turretts tops,  
The strong stone walls, with engines fell, some other shogging pepps.  
But see, here none this secret guile, and subtle sleight espied,  
For when the gloomy dark night shades, men's eyes with soft sleep tied:  
A Celtane Captain with a band of Frenchmen close did slide,  
Into the town, with powder stuffed great gabs each soldier brought.  
These things did luckily faith, whilst entrance he by stealth had caught.  
But like success to thee did not O Memorancy fall,  
whilst eighteen thousand soldiers stout, he after him 〈◊〉 call,  
Through wouddy bypaths blind, 〈◊〉 hi●… mountains near to stray:  
Till that the dusky night, into the town might ford a way:  
Amongst thy hardy borsemen troops (Renowned Duke) he light,  
The best part of his army slain, the remnant put to flight.  
But Brunsweik Duke the Captives safe, in prison strong up closed.  
Forthwith before king Philip was the Captain ta●…e reposed.  
Then hurly burly stir, and wondrous joy through every tent,  
was spread abroad, the noise upreard the airy region rend.  
This good beginning, all of like success aboadment takes,  
The soldiers fierce with cannon shalt, the hard walls battering shakes,  
The diches are with rubble filled, and now the plaistring pushed,  
And losened with the vehement shot, three hugy parts down rushed,  
And several places three, into the town gave entrance new.  
Then out of every band, the king did take a chosen crew,  
In plated harnish white, them arming all, and bade invade,  
The enemy's town, where passage free, the walls down ransact made.  
The clamoring joude of warriors then, the high heavens coasts doth fill  
The doubling drum resounds, the rattling trumpets clanging shrill  
Confused mixed with noise of men, makes deaf the soldiers ears. 
Saint Quintines ●…ted.   
Here eager Almains fight, the Italian there him doughty bears.  
On this side Spaniards press, by force through gaping wall to pierce,  
On that side guarded strong in steel thrung thick the Britain's fierce.  
But first before the rest, did hardy Henry Dudley tend,  
With course unbridled swift, the walls down shogged for to transcend,  
So do his Brethren twain, of puissance like, and courage found,  
Howbeit of Henry, whilst he stooped, declining to the ground,  
I know not what to rear, or rip, anyron bullet burst 
Henry Dudley slain.   
His scalp, broad scattering bruised brains, and corpse dead laid in dust.  
He gentle spirit out gasped, even in his fresh and blooming years,  
Whom back unto the tents, his mates conveyed with blubbering tears,  
His body clad in lincloth shroud, as Christian rite requeres.  
His brethren furious wood, burn in desire of deep revenge,  
As every foe them meets, with sharp sword pushed, his neck he bends  
Dissolved in quaking death, with raging ire, and bitter sting,  
The Britain stout in arms, like thunder dint his foes doth ding.  
On every side th'assant, 'gainst wretched Citizens wareth grim,  
A thousand grudging ghost are sent to ghastly shadows dim.  
Pale death their hearts afrightes, whom ransacked walls in compassed round,  
He of the Celtanes happy is, whom gory gaping wound,  
Hath groveling lay●… along ●…o be re●…de by 〈◊〉 skill.  
with shrieking plaints up lift●…, their ruthful houses women fill,  
And trembling in their arms, their tend●… sucklings do embrace,  
Distract of mind through fear, and wandering stray from place, to place.  
Young boys do wailings make of arms such ghastly horror grows,  
And suppliant both their hauds, with plaint●… to heavens extending, throws,  
with humble voice beseeching jove, some mercy down to cast.  
But they whose natural moisture of their brain updried, was past,  
And could not weep, whom crooked age, from death had shrouded free,  
Their country's fatal fall, and ruin of their town to see:  
They from the bottom of their hearts, do grievous groans out power,  
Till midst of day more fiercer still, and vehement du●…s the stout,  
Through courage haut, and mighty force of philip's soldiers stout,  
But not without great streams of blood, of the enemy powered out.  
The Citizens enclosed, suppose at hand the final day,  
Of the subversion of their town, and hour of their decay.  
And now the army through the gates, wide doopt, had passage won,  
The Frenchmen, str●…ke with chilly fear, in plumps do backward run. 
Saint Quintinnes taken.   
Some shroud themselves in cellars blind, some beams in houses cops climb,  
A cumbrous rout to temples fled, themselves from death to shrine:  
And wretched wights, in arms the altars clasping fast, infolds.  
The victor with his armed bands, the walls and strong fort holds,  
The martial troops, in stately buildings fair, do beat the sway,  
Which thee (Redoubted Philip) served 〈◊〉 Lords driven away.  
The Celtane pomp is overthrown both precious robes, and gold,  
And massy bolls by goldsmiths act, 〈◊〉, of silver mould:  
The Spaniard soldier sckipping takes, the 〈◊〉 sides up torn.  
And precious Arras curious wrought, by Germans out was borne.  
Bed tikes the feathers powered forth, along the ways were sprad,  
Set out to sail, to buyers such, as ready money had.  
Fine linen Garments, woollen eke, in 〈◊〉 did scattered lie,  
And pans, and cauldrons huge, which were preserved, need to supply,  
In seething meat, and instruments which kitchen ought to hold.  
A brazen pot, with platters large, of pewtet fine, was sold  
For two groats prize, the crier loud proclaiming first the same.  
what precious household stuff in all the town remained that came  
With jewels, rich attire, and Orient gems, in coffers found,  
Unto the victors pray, King philip's laud high heavens resound.  
Which to his mighty Sire, in warlike honour they compare.  
Mean time the common people floct to sacred temples ware,  
And to the Sanctuaries of the Gods, themselves in heaps had bare.  
Expecting all with trembling heart, their final gasp to breath,  
No spark of hope to them remains, them to preserve from death.  
which trying brunces of wars, in open broils are overthrow,  
But God the affects of hearts doth move, and in his hands alone,  
Are dispositions eke, of earthly Princes every one.  
What way his mighty hest, directeth forth, that way they take,  
He softeneth, he, their breasts, and prone to good works hearts doth make.  
As mollified wax to every form, is subject brought,  
And stamps or types impression takes, ●…o former's pleasure wrought.  
wherefore the Prince's mind, more lenisted, through quenched heat  
Offeruent ire, through Ioues behest all injuries doth forgeat,  
And soldiers strait commands, for to desist from shedding blood,  
Of male and female sere, now wondrous troops of captives stood.  
The impotent, and tender youth, with such, as wages hired,  
Dismissed were, but the wealthier sort, as martial laws requi'rd,  
Were kept in band, 'mongst many Peers, esprong of worthy race,  
Shattillion, which of the town the kings lieutenant was:  
As Captive was subdued, again to be redeemed for gold.  
A garrison of warriors then, here left the fort to hold:  
The king his tents removed & Castle strong of Haune besetts,  
which Conquered ransacked down, he many forts despoy●…ing gets. 
The Castle 〈◊〉 Hounes taken ransacked.   
while that this bloody scourge did range in th' Eastern parts of France,  
The Admiral of th' English Fleet, his title to advance.  
Lord Clinton, warlike Peer, of noble grandsires old esprong,  
Unto the western Celtane coasts, was carried swift along.  
Three hundred Carickes vast, you might have seen the surges high  
with brazen keel to shear, whose tall tops wrought the starry sky.  
The fiery belching brazen piece, with tearing chain shot hard, 
The Admiral of England with too, ships saileth into Fraunc●… and burneth Conque.   
Both pup, and side, and beaked stern, of every ship did guard,  
Destruction threatening dire, unto the adverse Celtane true.  
There is a City height Conque, which Thetis waters blue,  
with raging stoure do wash, that takes our ships in wished road.  
Forthwith Alarm the trumpet foundes, the soldiers fresh abroad,  
Out sckipping fierce, along the salt sea banks, were scattered thick,  
Of all the Captains have, first Winter doth on dry land stick,  
Red flaking brands of fire, to rampire tops forth hurling fast,  
which ragged walls, with smouldering flames encroaching, licked at last.  
Not only hugy ioistes, and beams unwieldy matter yield,  
But Tons of oil increased the fire, than dwellers life to shield,  
From dint of wrathful blade, fly back, the walls with rattling noise,  
Are overthrown, the women sckrich, and boys with doleful voice.  
And when no force for to resist prevailed, the stronger sort  
Of solid years, and hardy joins, all desert left their fort,  
And uncouth by ways strange, withouten path did pensive stray.  
Not pillage noble Clinton sought, or spoils to bear away,  
But glory great of wars, both town, and treasure, fire devours,  
To ashes eke consumed are turned, both bordering towns, and towers,  
High blazing sparkles belching up, in circles to the skies.  
A while bold Clinton tents down pitched, and in the plain fields lies,  
At last with honour great adorned, to painted deck he hies.   

Mean time the Frenchman cloaking fraud under fair friendships name,  
Two thousand soldiers led, and Alderne island overcame.  
Where with a navy small yfrought with lads of courage stout,  
Sir William Winter sailed, by force the Francons to drive out. 
Sir William Winter with many of the Queen's ships taketh ●…gayne Alderne I'll ●…ō he hands of ●…e Frenchmen.   
The I'll as soon as of the Brutes, it far aloof was spied,  
In wallowing surges rough to anchor cast, the ship was tied.  
Six hundred warlike soldiers then of doughty Britain's bold,  
Scelected were in all, which cockboates swift with oars, do hold,  
And on the craggy rough sea shore, on foot all safely sets.  
Here Winter prudent guide, (for long experience wisdom gets)  
That beastly hope of dreadful flight, he clean might overthrow,  
And greater courage kindled more, in each man's mind might grow:  
As soon as on the dry land set, his armed ranks did wend,  
The empty boats, unto his fleet, he back again did send,  
With speedy course to go. Then thus he spoke with countenance sage:  
The puissance of our Englishmen renowned in elder age,  
Me warning gives, that like mine ancestors, I nought at all, 
The words of Sir William Winter to his soldiers.   
Death's dreary dart regard, which crooked age in time doth call,  
Or is by sickness fell, with torments dire, and vexings brought,  
Death is of men to be contemned, that endless fame be sought.  
Behold with frothing floods and stormy waves, us compassed round,  
Our enemies near approach, perchance in number far more found.  
Howbeit us Brutus' in martial feats, and courage fierce, behind,  
France mighty is, these bands you slow, and feebled faint shall find.  
But grant our enemies strong, with might and puissance stout endued,  
We through them with our corpse, and valour, passage must reclued.  
Things of great weight, are not atchiu'de, without adventures hard,  
And victory oft in doleful fight, bold courage doth award.  
Which by how much more vehement, and fierce, it's in you grown,  
By so much surer (valiant hearts) we all will down be thrown,  
To Stigyan lake this day, less foes by sword, or flight, we quell,  
We conquest will achieve, or famous death us all shall fell.  
Stout hearts, a noble death, by mighty wounds, seek to obtain.  
And mates let Fame of worthy death, as prize of life remain.  
If any man for fear shall turn his back which God forfeud,  
With shame in midst of weltering streams there let him take his ●…nt.  
No cockbote shall him shrine from death, nor plank from drowning save,  
(Unspeakable reproach) no not if I the same would have:  
If any man me disobey, he life shall lose therefore,  
And to the main mast trust aloft, with cottering winds be boar.  
Into the bickerings hard of Mars, I first will lead the way,  
With stomach bold, and first in arms, I force of foes will say.  
The heart of him that first shall come, this hand shall rive in twain,   

He said, they life, and labour cke, t'aduenture press forth feign:  
And clamours loud up lift, the trump Alarm resounding blows,  
The onset bidding black, in order Winter stoutly goes:  
Before the rest, and in his fist a sharpened tronch he clasped,  
His body covered all, with glistering armour buckled fast.  
Two thousand franks against our ranks, themselves forth fiercely bare,  
Whose Captain marched first, and thought with ours for to compare,  
Uncertain, where with pride conceived, or mighty valour moved,  
Or only but to make a show, and backward would have shou'de,  
If him his heels to stick unto, for warned had perils dire.  
But eager Winter let not back this glorious Frank retire,  
Much like Ioues mighty bird, with grasping talents fenced strong, 
Sir Willim Winter meeting with the French Captain slayeth him valiantly   
When with swift course, he chase flies, the shoals of foul among,  
The smaller sort lets slip, the mightiest birds with claws down plucks,  
And feathers plumes, with nooked beak, and brains, and blood, out sucks:  
Even so the Brute courageous, doth the Celtane captain urge.  
And for because with bunchy pike, the enemy did insurge:  
with armour fenced like, and weapned like, on him fierce flies  
Stout Winter, groveling dead on ground, now franks conductor jyes.  
The other pillage of his foe, and rich spoils doth obtain.  
Mean time both parties mingling blood, their courage stout did  
And ghastly wound is recompensed with greistie stroke again. (strain, 
The Frenchmen subdued.   
The franks retire, with flickering shaft stabbed through in hasty flight,  
The Island is subdued, and conquered yields to Britain's might.  
These things atchiu'de, and ●…nisht thus. By Captain Winter's hes●…  
The Mariners their helms, towards the ragged shores do wrest,  
Then great reports were made, of 〈◊〉 skirmage fought that day,  
Applauding every one, their inward 〈◊〉 did they bewray,  
Which noble conquest is to mortal men ●…nt to defray.  
These things in August done. Then after in December's frost,  
The Frenchman it besieging, was unhappy Calais lost,  
(Unspeakable mishap) which age, and feeble folk contained, 
C●…lice lost.   
For the most part, within her walls, few soldiers fresh remained.  
Howbeit few soldiers, cannot force, of many men abide,  
This ancient sort neglected, and a woman Prince beside,  
whom then a treacherous prelate made by perverse council stray,  
Her noble spouse in foreign coasts dissevered far away: 
Thirlby Bishop of Elye.   
Hereto, add rough and boisterous floods which raging swelled that tide:  
And far disiunged beyond the seas, the sandy Calais bank,  
Unwilling it to take, the town might thrust unto the Franke.  
This fortress lost, the spaniards wife, 'gan to consume away,  
whom eating ears, with parching grief, brought to her fatal day. 
Queen Mary dieth.    
Thus endeth the second Book.   

ELIZABETH QUEEN. OR A SHORT AND compendious declaration of the peaceable state of England, under the government of the most mighty and virtuous Princess ELIZABETH.  
¶ Whereunto is added a brief Catalogue or rehearsal, of all the noble men which being now dead, have been, or yet living, are, of her majesties Counsel. Written in Latin verse by C. O. Done into Engl●…she, by john Sharrock,  Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile, dulci. 
AT LONDON, Printed by Robert Walde-graue. Anno. 1585.   

To the worshipful his approved good friend, M. JOHN ESTMOND Bacheiler of Law, one of the fellows of saint Mary College: commonly called the New College in Oxenford.  
WHen as at the request, and earnest instigation of some of my friends, (worshipful M. ESTMOND.) I had done into English meeter, the two first books, of that Poem, of C. O. containing the battles, & high adventures, of the English Nation. I was determined there to strick sail, and to cast mine anchor: knowing, that the longer my craced keel scoured the seas, the more water she would leak: & fearing, lest that Scylla escaped, I should be sunk in Charybdis, or Libya shunned, I should be swallowed in Syrtes. If Chaerilus that fielie Poet, had brought but a brief Pamphlet, when he dedicated a huge Volume, unto the Macedonian king Alexander, his gain peradventure had been the more, his pain undoubtedly the less, in escaping a great many lashes, which he suffered, to his extreme grief and endless infamy. Even so was I persuaded of myself, that the more I wrote, the more want of skill I showed, whereby I might heap the more dislike, and so by a consequence the more reproach. But when I called unto mind (Gentle Sir). How greatly I should die in your debt, for your manifold benefits, & friendly, yea rather fatherly affection, where with you did embrace me, being your pupil in Oxon, to my no less comfort, the commodity: It were incredible, to think, with what celerity, and disdain, I shook of those terrifying causes, & how ardently I burned, with a vehement desire, yet at the least by this kind of writing, (in as much, as I cannot otherwise sufficiently express my zeal and true affection) to testify my good will, and my heart full of all humility, and sincerity towards you, and to bring to pass if I might, that in all ages, and posterities, as long as ever these my watchings, and writings, shall live amongst men: your name should never die, but remain as a pattern, to our nephews, and offspring, of all gentility, courtesy, and humanity. and that as every fautor, and maintainer of good letters, is called ALTAR MAECENAS, an other MAECENAS: so every one which embraceth his friend with faithful love, hateth no man, & is free from all baseness and slavery of the mind (as beseemeth a gentleman) might be named ALTER ESTMONDUS, an other ESTMOND. Take therefore well in worth (dear Sir) these my simple endeavours, being a compendious declaration, and treatise, of the peaceable reign, of our renowned Lady ELIZABETH, compiled by Master O. & by me metrized, as a certain testimony, and the express type of my good will. Communicate them with your friends, shroud them from my foes. This is all I do request, this me thinks I already see your Courtesy, and gentleness to grant me. The Lord preserve you in health, wealth, and felicity. AMEN.  
Yours assured in that he may, john Sharrock.   

❧ TO THE NOBLE, AND most virtuous Lady, endued with all kind of good Literature, excellent, both in the Greek, and Latin tongue, the Lady MYLDRED, Wife to the right honourable Lord, Baron of Burghley, Lord high Treasurer of England.  

Renowned Greece in elder age, with learned dames did shine,  
Whose written works remain as yet, with phrase mellifluous fine:  
Of Muse's bright besprinkled, drawn out of Parnassus' spring.  
Of female sex, erst mighty Rome, a hugy troop did bring▪  
All expert in the Latin tongue, howbeit they lesser praise,  
Adorned with native language wan, their fame to heaven, to raise,  
And everlasting memory, by writing to attain:  
Than due is to those Noble Nymphs, which severed far remain,  
In extern Regions wide, in tender years, whose native tongue,  
Is to be learned, the Roman then, by toils, and labours long,  
Of form renewed, with limits strait, and bonds encompassed round,  
As English Ladies, many may of worthy name be found,  
Which flourish at this day, which through the world swift Fame doth blaze.  
Who join, like learned men, the Greekish tongue, with Latin phrase.  
Yea which is more, like skilful Poets, in dulcet verse they flow,  
Wherewith Homerus fraughted his books, or Mantuan Maro.  
If cause required, ex tempore, their metres framing fine.  
O Nymphs, O noble Sisters four, but (Myldred) unto thine  
High favour, as the chiefest, I appeal, be thou mine aid,  
And like an other Pallas, let thine Aegis strong be laid:  
Before my breast, that this my book, feel not the biting i●…, 
Aegis the shield of Pallas.   
Of Theon, Viper fell, or carping Zoils slanderous flaws.  
If me beholding with thy shining looks, thou wilt defend:  
The Envious, and Malicious crew, dare not me once to rend.  
So, as in sanctuary shut, I shall no danger fear,  
Inferior far I know my Muse unto the virtue clear.  
Of the renowned Prince, howbeit the will of subject true,  
May here appear, if that the just, and courteous reader view,  
And pondering way the work aright▪ and not with censure hard.  
If that this long, and prosperous peace, hereafter 〈◊〉 ●…clarde  
By trump more shrill, I wish, and b●…, these writings unto nought  
By sparkling flames to be consumed, mean time, I them have brought  
Renowned Lady to be shrined, upheld, and set in stay,  
By your high honour, turn not from your Client I you pray,  
This doth your true Nobility, and manners meek, in breast  
engraffed, this doth your Godliness, require, above the rest.   
Your Ladyships in all humility. C: O.   

¶ To the gentle Reader.  

IF verses you delight, with stately style and sounding words  
Which lofty swell, seek Poets books, which such high things  
You will perchance affirm, that of so high, & mighty a Queen (affords.  
A work should of more majesty, and stateliness be seen.  
I worthy her confess, whom Homer should insugred verse,  
Or with the Notes, of warbling Lute Apoll●… great rehearse.  
I am no Poet, you pardon must me, since I pardon pray,  
If that a burden over vast, do down my shoulders way.  
My art unto the vertueyeeldes, of her a Prince so great,  
Which should be sounded by a trump more shrill, with winds replete  
If others lie in silence shrined, why should my Muse not sing?  
But when her laud, in fluent phrase, from one more learned shall spring  
Then will I these my papers void the fiery flames to feed,  
Mean time the honour of her Grace, let these my verses breed.    

ELIZABETH QUEEN.  

FOrthwith in royal throne, and regal chair, as Queen was set,  
Elizabeth, a Princess stout, wh●… Henry did beget,  
King Henry monarch high extolled, amongst all earthly Peers.  
Elizabeth, abornished even from her ténder years,  
With manners meek, with learning's lore, with wisdom ●…e divine,  
Excelling in the Greekish tongue, and Latin phrase so fine.  
She knows each Country's language to through Europe all along,  
The German, and the Italike, the French, and Spanish tongue.  
In skilful scanning of the law, she palm deserveth well,  
In comely feature, beauty clear, her visage doth excel.  
The courage of her mind is such, as like is hard to find,  
In female sex, celestial wisdom pure, so deep is shrined,  
within her royal breast. The mirror of this age no doubt.  
On earth a regall●…mace to bear from heavens dimised out.  
A virgin brooking grateful peace, 'gainst dreadful wars oppos●…e.  
Howbeit that of this Princely Imp the birth day be disclosed:  
And from what happy mother sprung, so happy a birth, made glad,  
The Britain's hearts, through mestive groans & sobs which erst were sad:  
The Lady Anne a damsel bright, with Henry linked fast  
In sacred wedlock was, his conscience prick, and moved at last,  
The best divine of high Jehove expressly to him shown,  
His brother Arthur's spoused scere, to cherish as his own.  
which twenty years, and three, unwitting mighty Ioues edict,  
By Moses' mouth express, such bands contractforbidding strict:  
He used had, (the Britain Peers allowing this his fact)  
Lest that so rich a dower from his domains should be extract  
Again to be repaid. The Roman bishops Bull, this act  
Confirmed to, that lawfully one brother might obtain,  
His brother's wife, if him behind, survivor he remain.  
Howbeit few years expired, the Approbation of such bands,  
Quite abrogated by the learned Lawyers of the lands,  
Of Italy, and France (that here unshewd, their suffrage hold,  
Our English Doctors all, through sacred knowledge high extolled. 
The Censures of the Universities of Italy and France against the Pope.   
The Romish prelate proud, such acts for to allow,  
As though the heavenly laws divine unto his beck did bow:  
And he himself exempted, did not under laws abide,  
As subject unto Christ the head, the very church is tied.  
For head is one, sweet Christ alone, to which as corpse is knit,  
His flock unite, two heads cannot unto one body fit.  
Hence did this ugly monstrous beast, first take his cureless wound,  
One horn off torn, though nine remain his front succincting round,  
And doth with shivering dread, the hugy world put in a stound. 
The town Princes of Europe more or le●…se are meant to be as ten horns unto this beast.   
Moreover with divine instinct inspired, a prophet sage,  
Hath sung the time to come, in which this hellish fend shall rage's,  
Unarmde, his other horns off torn, which earthly monarchs shall  
For time prescribed forsake, being spotted black and rough withal.  
wherefore in good, and lucky hour, by best of jove almights,  
Are worthily solemnised Hymeneus sacred rights,  
Twixt Henry king, and Anne, with royal pomp, of honour due, 
Hymeneus or Hymen God of marriage.   
which more adorned, of Britain Peers a huge and stately true,  
with troops of men beset, in silken vestures bravely clad.  
The States most precious robes, with red gold spangs embroidered had,  
And massy chains of fined gold, on shoulders folded bare. 
A solemn pomp at the marriage of Henry and Anno.   
The Courtlike Ladies blazing gems, their hands beseeming, ware,  
Their necks, with jewels glimmering bright, adorned, and ouches rare.  
On ancient beams bespread, was cloth of Arras curious wrought,  
Such as by Pallas proper hand ywoven, you would have thought.  
All things did mirth portend, both boys, and men of elder age,  
And virgin troops, with solemn Hymns, did good success presage.  
The holed box pipe filled with wind, doth players will obey.  
Then might you see the springolds fresh, in streets to skip, and play.  
These open signs of commons joy, might well the Queen delight,  
And with his new espoused fear, rejoice the king by right.  
But after that of seed conceau'de, through womb extended high,  
Undoubted tokens to the world, the princess did descrit:  
Almighty God, what wondrous joy, the hearts of Britain's wrought,  
What ardent hope, what decpe desire, each noble stomach caught, 
Anne great by King Henry.   
That to the king into the world a male child might be brought  
Forthwith unto the antic tower, of Caesar mighty king,  
The Queen with condign pompè; a troop of noble peers did bring.  
From whence she came, according to this nations guise of old,  
To take the princely Diadem (imbos'de with stones) of gold, 
Anne crowned which happeneth to none but to the heirs of the kingdom. Nestor li●…ed three hudred years.   
The people all exclaiming, jove your bliss, and joys increase,  
God grant you live king Nestor's years, God give you good success.  
And whilst she did triumphantlike, in gorgeous chariot pass,  
With trampling milk white Steeds, of courage fierce, which carried was,  
With yeomen tall, of sturdy loins, in purple decked neat,  
Strong guarded, as a prince beseemed: perfumes in every street,  
We are made, as erst in elder age, when men in temples prayed,  
Sweet smelling mith, and frankincense, were on the altars laid  
And as in time of Autumn when the round, and staring stalk,  
Stands bolt upright, in furrows large, that passers as they walk,  
Cannot discern the ground, so thick are sprung the reeds of corn:  
The ears all wavering with the winds, now here, now there are borne:  
None otherwise in every street the people press apace,  
The ways up thrunging thick, that scarce remains a standing place:  
Each eye directly bend, upon her gracious heavenly face.  
The Conditts eke, which liquid streams, accustomed erst did scour, 
The condui●… ran with wine at the coronation of Queen Anne.   
Did Bacchus sacred gifts of wine fresh frothing bolls out pour.  
The outside of each house, fair hanging carpets broidered dight,  
And balmed odours eke of fragrant flowers breed much delight.  
Which joys augmented more the cheerful countenance of the Queen,  
And thousands thick of people, which ran straggling to be seen,  
Most wondrous thrust on plumps, from street, to street, ensuing fast,  
And musics skill, the ears did fill with many a cheerful blast.  
Now Phoebus hastening for to shrine in Ocean floods his face,  
Beholds the journey of the Queen, as to the royal place,  
Of Henry King she hied, in western side of London set,  
The next day comes. The princely train to Peter's church doth set, 
Whit●…hall Saint peter's at Westminster.   
Where breathless corpse, of Britain kings, entombed are went to lie,  
The nobles first before, in order two and two do high,  
As Prince's Court requires, and Britain nations antic rite.  
A king at arms, each sets in room, as honour doth invite.  
His fellows eke, in ancient coats of Arms resplendent dight,  
The solemn pomp do much adorn, and beautify the sight.  
The troop of Peers ensuing next, a stately Wagon shows,  
which palfraies white as driven snow on bright bits champing draws,  
The Queen, unto the commons all, in robes of purple fine,  
with Diamonds, and emeralds beset, which glistering shine,  
with countenance full of modesty, adorned, and seemly grace.  
Who with a troop of courtlike Dames, which after her did trace,  
Into the temple wends, with heart, and hand to jove extolleth,  
Where in the midst of prayer time, a precious crown of gold,  
Her temples bright doth garnish brave, the priest with solemn vows,  
Beseeching God, with fruit to spring, to bless this late made spowes.  
These sacred rites performed thus, each noble in his room,  
Returns unto a royal feast, in order as he come.  
Chief Steward then of England was the Norfolk Duke assigned,  
The dignity of Taster, th' Earl of Arundel did bind. 
Thomas Duke of Norfolk made chief Steward of England. ●…rle of Arundeil T●…ster.   
High Chaberlaine the Oxford Earl did deck as title new,  
The remnant comen of royal race performed their office due.  
In massy bolls, of fined gold, God Bacchus gifts were brought,  
And plenteous store of cates, was laid on tables curious wrought.  
This solemn banquett, time with certain limits finished quite,  
When Phoebus near the evening star, began with rays to smite,  
The Ocean salt sea floods, and down in deeps his front to hide,  
Declining prone towards the coasts of Libya Region wide.  
The princely Court of Henry king, with murmuring noise resounds,  
At the returning of the Queen, such wondrous joy abounds.  
Nine times her glimmering light, the lamp of Phoebe had renewed,  
And after the solemnized day, the tenth mouth fast ensued. 
Phoebe two syllables used for the Moon.   
Don Titan had not yet, the face of Virgo overpast,  
Remaining in the aspect, of that heavenly star, where placed  
Hermes, as in his mansion house, to be doth chief delight.  
Great learning wandering Hermes doth foreshow, and manners bright,  
But chief he portends a happy wit, and judgement quick.  
But if that jove exalted be, linked in conjunction strick  
To Venus, and with them in friendly aspect Sol be tied:  
O goodly God, which so the course, of heavenly stars dost guide  
And force dost give, and take again, as likes thy sacred hest,  
The child borne shall be fortunate, with honour eke invest:  
Shall royal sceptre hold, and still in flowing wealth abound,  
Rewards bestowing still, nor end of giving shall be found,  
With heavenly wit endued also, adorned with counsel sound,  
Each virtuous work attempting bold, in brunts of Mars renowned,  
God this doth, bring to pass, not Planets which their course do take,  
Within the Spheres celestial, for Planets courses make:  
By power of jove divine, without whose aid they nought prevail,  
Nor good effect can work. God in them is, which thouten fail  
Doth certain hour of birth appoint, to every mortal wight,  
As him shall please, that Author was, which formed them aright.  
As other things, so Planets were the work of God almight.  
The seventh of December, (jove omnipotent to pass,  
This doubtless brought) by course of years, the day of Sabaoth was,  
Wherein king Henry's noble spouse, in childbirth travailed sore, 
Elizabeth borne on that seventh day of December being the sabbath day.   
As grief augmentes, so skilful aged wife insisteth more,  
About her charge, sage matrons eke, of worthy race applied,  
Their industry to aid, when labouring Princes 'gan to slide  
In fainting pangs, through burden ripe, delivering unto light,  
Howbeit undoubted tokens were foreshowed, of former might.  
But after that into the world a child of beauteous hue,  
Was brought, with members strait composed: as softened wax, a true  
And perfect image fashioned bears: the people wondering much,  
The cunning workman's skilful hand, in forming to be such:  
The aged Graundame cries amazed, her hands to heaven up thrown,  
Ye people present praise the Lord, Christ jesus laud alone,  
A Virgin doth her mother's bliss, her father's joy increase,  
In time to come this virgin shall procure the Britain's peace.  
This is the only hope, and solace of our English land.  
The king his footsteps fetching fast, him hasteth out of hand,  
The mother, with her tender Imp to see, and words doth speak,  
Of comfort to his spowes, stick, and through fleshly frailness weak.  
Forthwith for baptism of this babe, the king his nobles bad,  
For to prepare, the Norfolk Duke chief rule, and guidance had, 
Elizabeth baptized and confirmed in the true faith.   
who in his hand a slender rod of ivory whiteness bore.  
All things provided, as the king commanded had before:  
The Duke them willing, first the Barons went, an easy pace,  
In portlike guise then Earls, then mighty Dukes did after trace.  
The noble Duchess in her arms. the infant small did hold,  
In swaddling sheets of lincloth soft, her tender corpse enfold.  
A precious mantle broidered rich, upon the which did shine,  
with golden guard adorned, imbosde with stones of jasper fine:  
which eyes of the beholders dimmed; with dazzling glancing rays.  
Full many a noble Dame ensues, and trusty servants stays  
At every beck to run, about the temple doors always.  
Amongst the stately Peers, the London Bishop present came,  
with milk white sfole invested, as nunci●… age required the same.  
Fair fountain streams were powered, in precious fout of silver h●…ght,  
The Godfathers, and Godmothers, their promise freely plighted  
That in the lively corpse of Christ, Elizabeth united;  
Should him receive as head, whose corpse the holy church perfited 
Her sureties were the Archbishop of Cannterbury, the duthesse's of Norfolk and the Lady M●…ques of Exeter. Elisabeth po●…laimed heite unto the Crown by ●…n Herald.   
And purged clean from filthy dross, and superstition, was.  
The Archbishop of Caunterbury, who did in honour pass  
The rest, chief Primate of this land, and Norfolk Duchess bright  
with Exon Lady Marquis then, did vow to jove almight,  
In her behalf, that she should love his precepts, and his lore,  
when unto age mature in time, she should attain therefore.  
Forthwith she was confirmed, in faith of Christ our careful guide.  
When as a king at Arms, with voice uplifted lofty cried.  
Long may the royal offspring live, of her renowned sire,  
Elizabeth, long may she live, and to all bliss aspire,  
" And to the Crown her father dead, let her succeed at heir.  
" The people all Amen exclaiming, noise to heavens did rear:  
" which by the air reuer●…rate, caused all the town to ring:  
The witnesses, of happy days abodementes good, did bring  
Unto the infant severally, rich gifts of fined gold,  
By skilful Art ingrau'de, with shapes, of Britain monarchs old,  
In which the virgin come to years, triumphing did delight. 
The surties give gifts of p●…e gold.   
Three hugy chargers first, did warlike Dudley lift in sight,  
(For from the sacred tembles borne the royal offerings were,  
By princely state in solemn sort, as custom did require)  
The second gifts aloft, redoubted Haward high extolled,  
Three mighty standing bowls. Three massy cups of precious gold,  
Bestudded thick with stones, and radiant gems from India brought,  
Thou third Fittzwater wenst, before thy broad breast lifting fit.  
The fourth, and last (O Worcester) thy Earl succeeded strait.  
whose wearied arms, of curious place engraven felt the weight.  
And now the regal court was thrungd and full of people priest,  
The Primates looks bewrayed their joys, conceived in royal breast,  
with all their noble Dames, and Lords, and Barons of the land.  
The Cellar doors,, with wine replete, to all men open stand.  
God Bacchus' bowls deep cares do quell, and joys in heart makes flow.  
These things thus finished, on the rout the king doth thanks vestowe,  
And many sends unto their homes: how beit the greatest part,  
Of noble race esprong, from Prince's court do never start.  
Courageous springolds eke, collected from all parts of this land,  
To bend, and vow at every beck, all waiting ready stand.  
More to confirm their love, towards this Imp conceived in mind:  
with plighted oath on sacrament, themselves the people bind,  
Established, firm to stand, in faithful duty to her knit.  
Not one, but all, this region ceastes throughout, vow not to s●…itt. 
The Englis●… people by o●… vow their loyalty and obedience unto Queen Elizabeth.   
Mean time the Virgin adding growth unto her tender years,  
Increased in favour eke, of heavenly powers, and earthly Peers,  
Whom commons love succeeds. But when her mother tongue she knew,  
Expressing signs of wondrous wit, and judgement to ensue:  
She at her pr●…dent sayings, made astoinisht men to stand,  
And books desirous to be taught, would always have in hand.  
She scarce the letters with her eyes intentive did behold, 
The towardness of Elizabeth in her childhood.   
Their several names, but thrice before by her instructor told:  
But perfect them at finger's end, as two months taught, she bore,  
Their figures diverse made, deciphering well, by judgement rate.  
Yea in few days (a marvel great it is to speak no doubt)  
The Princely imp by industie, such sap had sucked out:  
That without council to assist, she any thing could read,  
So nothing intricate is found, nor difficult in deed,"  
To willing minds, deceiving toils the love of virtue true."  
Her mother's solace great, this Virgin bright of roseal hue,"  
Did ample hope foreshow, what help she should to britains be:  
The Equinoctial line, which days, and nights, makes to agree  
In true proportion like, Don Phoebus' lamp had banished far,  
From this our Climate, chase fast towards the Northarne star, 
Description of the spring tyme.   
Then ready for to take a sign celest●…all by the way,  
which Venus mansion house to be, Astronomers do say.  
Then pleasant spring, appears on earth, and rough hail showers deprives,  
Expelling nipping colds, and into th'hard earth moisture drives.  
Then fields do fragrant show, than all things budding blossoms bear,  
Then Nightingales with chirping notes, melodiously do were  
Away the lingering darksome night, and please the watchful ear.  
Now was the time when grateful rest, had laid in drowsy sleep,  
Men mortals wearied bones, and bodies close in couch did keep.  
The king therefore him hies to bed, so doth his royal Queen,  
His chamber he, she takes a room, joint to an harbour green,  
With flowers of sundry colours decked, most pleasant to be seen.  
where long and tedious hours she spends, whilst studious she her book  
Revolving turns, which customde use, of tender years she took,  
Till drows●…e sleep, her daceled eyes, soft stealing on, up closed.  
But when she thus a great part of the night had spent, reposed  
At last in lofty bed of state, (as Princely Ladies are:)  
with vows devout, of soul, and corpse, she prays high jove take care.  
Then drenched in deep sleep rest she takes, forgetting fancies past,  
Now midst of glomish shadowy night, expired was, at last,  
Deep silence dogs, and men, and beasts of salvage kind, had wrought,  
when Morpheus in her grandsires shape, the God of dreams him brought,  
Unto the Queen, (which long before, was in Sep●…lcher laid) 
●…orpheus ●…od of drea●…es. ●…he dream 〈◊〉 Queen 〈◊〉 where●… she was ●…ed of 〈◊〉 death at 〈◊〉 and of ●…ny other ●…ble c●…es.   
With beard down dangling long, and head white hoar, and thus he said.  
O Anne (which laid in dead sleep sound yet thought herself awake,)  
Fear not my daughter Anne, nor at this vision trembling quake,  
Behold thy Grandsire I, here present stand, of yore well known,  
From all contagion earthly free, I dwell in heavenly throne,  
Wherewith loves sacred ministers, I endless life obtain,  
To live so, is to live in deed, thou liv'st to die again.  
Prepare thyself with Saints in joys celestial for to come,  
To Christ, which heavenly bowers hath built, and sits in highest room,  
Desirous that his flock, with him should reign, Peace, endless bliss,  
tranquility secure in deed, no chance, nor change there is.  
What earthly honour can prevail: what glory great of kings?  
What pompous wealth abundant? what rich precious vestments brings?  
What profit can bright purple robes? what glistering gems and gold?  
Can they men's minds once better? or the sting of plagues withhold?  
Can they Deaths threatening dart, or vexin●… chances keep away?  
All earthly things persuade thyself, do frail fall in decay,  
On heaven thine eyelids firmly fire, seek heavenly kingdoms hie,  
Which for Christ's faithful flock, prepared are undoubtedly.  
Now to what end this talk doth tend, with mind attentive know:  
Fowl envy start with poisoning snakes, from ghastly shadows low:  
With hatreds brands the world perturbes, in Prince's Courts her nest  
Erecting strong, that who so God, and justice, favours best:  
And gracious in his Prince his sight, with credit great doth grow:  
So much the rather on his flesh, will envious vipers gnow,  
And work will with such secre●…e, that he shall not per●…eaue,  
The venomous sting, till Atrapos ●…s vital breath bereave,  
And by dire destinies fatal doom, he be entombed in ground.  
Thou knowest the mighty Britain guide, by stablished laws profound,  
In his high Court of Parliament (where mixed in Counsel seat,  
Both Peers, and People of the land, it earnest did iutreat:)  
His subtle ●…nining fraud, now set abroach, and known:  
The Pope, with his Supremacle, out of his land hath thrown,  
And that no Bulls, from Romish seat hereafter should be sought,  
Whereby his pomp might be maintained, by them in thousands bought.  
Wherefore the prudent Monarch, hath from his dominions all.  
Him quite expelld, howbeit in Court his wily fautors stall,  
And faltering dread lest that their fraud detected, and betrayed,  
Should in her glozing colours be portrayed, and broad bewrayed.  
They shivering fear, lest that thy rule, their rage to ruin bring,  
If fatal destinies in thy Prime thee with their bane should sting:  
(For that those traitorous villains brew) they would triumphing sing,  
No farther doubt, or danger, then suspecting to impend. 
A foreshow ●…ng of the exterminating and io●… thing out of Idols.   
Howbeit about the hugy world, Sir Titan shall not end,  
Two times his wandering course, before that by the Counsels hests,  
All Idols, props supporting both the Pope, and shaven crests:  
Shall by devouring greedy flames, be burnt, and turned to nought,  
And Images be battered down, with stones, of marble wrought.  
The floor of Ioues most sacred house, shall purged, and scoured be.  
Mean time O happy England through thy Region by decree,  
Of Henry mighty king: the Crier shall promulgate loud,  
That unto carved stocks, or stones, no knee shall once be bowed.  
These wondrous things thou shalt not see alive, to come to pass.  
But relics of the Chalice, and such dregs, and trumpery trash,  
Shall not till after Henry's death be bavisht back to Rome,  
From whence, as from the fountain head, and wellspring, first they come.  
A boy then with coruscant virtue decked, devoid of crime, 
Rest●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by k●…g ●…dward.   
Again shall bring (to Sainc●…es celestial dear) in happy time,  
The sacred wourd of high jehove, than superstition vain,  
A foul, and filthy error shall all desolate remain,  
For seven years space, which so doth stick unto religions side:  
As doth the clinging ivy thrombe, fast to the E●…ne abide.  
Almighty jove, to heavenly bliss shall first this springold call:  
Before the worlds frail glory, shall his heart seduce at all,  
Or lusting flesh incense him, by suggestion unto sin,  
A flattering foe, in flood of Acheron to plunge him in. 
Acheron o●… of t●…e ●…ue 〈◊〉 verse of hell where 〈◊〉 are ●…mented.   
The seventh year of his reign, shall him bereave of regal mace.  
Whom after shall a married Queen succeed, in royal place,  
The Pope reducing. Then shall woeful England sliding back,  
Fall prostrate down to blocks, and rip again the Romish pack.  
If any man do mutter once, by conscience terror stung, 
Mary's gou●… nement.   
Or once revolve the test●…nt, writ in his mother song:  
Or out of it convince the Pope to serve from law, and right,  
In vaunting his authority, equal with Ioues almight,  
With devilish pride up puf●…: he shall with scorching brands be burnt,  
With raging fires consuming force, his bones to ashes turned.  
When that the noble Princess, had the matter peisde aright,  
And called to mind, that dangers such and luckless chance, as might  
Not be eschewie, must suffered be, and not ●…ailde with grief:  
Few days expired, in robes of state, and Princely bestmentes chief,  
All shining down he comes, and musing, walk in harbour green.  
By chance a Courtlike Lady than, prostrate on both her kneene,  
I know not what petition made, of royal stock esprong 
Anne declareth her dream unto a noble matron.   
Of mighty Peers, whose jealous love, and secret truth erst long,  
In sundry points she had fortitide. to whom the Queen thus spoke,  
O trusty Lady, manifest do not oer secrets ●…ake.  
None present stands, we are alone, and leisure serves to talk,  
(For far apart, the portlike troop, of britaine nymphs did walk)  
(And opes her lips for to proceed, and faltering shuts again.)  
At length she spoke. when dulcett sleep, me close in bed had lain:  
My maids secluded all: Enrolled in earth, in elder years,  
Ay me my Grandsire old, in antic form, so brim appears  
As when he drew his vital breath, he was unto me known,  
And in a long process, my fatal hour hath to me shown:  
Which in this month, ensuing next, the destinies will procure.  
The noble dame, sale trickling tears, bedewing her looks demure:  
Astoinsht, sobbing says, no●… God avext, this bitter lot,  
The fancies of your troubled brain so vain, remember not,  
But quite root out, such parching thoughts, as macerate your heart,  
" Out of a gladsome mind, fresh flourishing age, doth blooming start,  
" Perplexing grief, heart strings of mortal men, untimely frets,  
" And in his pincers holding fast, their minds with corture beats.  
Mean time a page doth warn, the royal king for to approach.  
But Anne desirous of her grief, the cause to set abroach  
Unto her trusty friend her dream in order doth declare,  
And what the divine oracles concerning England wear.  
More of king Henry's mighty race, what should be the success.  
Then of her tender Imp, in fine the fate the doth express.  
Her willing, truth, and faithful love, toward her to maintain,  
Yet young of years, which in process, might recompense her pain.  
Then to the goodly Prince her spouse, she lowly doth incline,  
For honour's sake, who tokens great of love, erprest that time:  
Both jointly side, by side, the fragrant garden trace about,  
Which sight the hearts did gladsome make, of all the vulgar rout.  
Sir Titan Venus glorious house, in heavenly cope had passed,  
And some degrees encroaching made, in sign adjacent fast,  
Renowned Anne for endless life, a short death doth exchange, 
Anne dieth.   
Devouring cares expelled, and in celestial coasts doth range.  
Learn you that live, what can, backbiting malice gobbling fell.  
Black Envy, ghastly hag, near happy livers, still doth dwell,  
Which filthy venom blue, of viperous tongues, ensues as mate.  
Religion, and worship true, of mighty jove, which sat,  
All drowned, much like a burning coal, up raked in embers dead: 
Anne's praise for alms giving.   
In happy days, of virtuous Anne, disclosed her burnished head.  
Of Anne, whose hand so bountiful, gave alms unto the poor,  
Each day, and feeble cripples lame, and people blind up bore:  
Ye wailing widows do lament, the black and dismal day,  
Ye children eke of Siers bereft, which took this Queen away.   

The Lady jane, of Seimers' blood, stout Henry mighty king.  
In holy wedlock rites espous●…, from which a babe did spring, 
Henry marrieth Queen jane.   
A boy of wondrous towardness, and manly virtue clear.  
He was by sacred muses reared, and fostered up most dear.  
To him in tender age, Elizabeth coequal cleft, 
Edward borne.   
Aa both to soon in springing years, of noble dames bereft.  
Howbeit that careful providence, in Henry's breast was shrined,  
That he a man of knowledge deep, them to instruct assigned.  
The day in divers parts was cut, for divers studies fit,  
Even with Sir Titan's springing lamp, they at their books do sit.  
These virtuous Imps, now this, now that, with minds intentive reed.  
First jesus Christ, instilled was, their endless bliss to breed,  
The life, the rock, the tracked path, to them which dread the Lord.  
Then books of civil government, which precepts did afford,  
And other noble Arts beside, for royal children meet.  
Sound knowledge daily did increase, and ripe wit polished neat,  
Renowned Henry's ardent love, towards them kindled more,  
And favour of the Britain Peers obtained, and commons lore,  
Elizabeth three years by birth, her brother went before,  
Inferior in her sex, but for because of riper age:  
Desirous laud, and praise to win, free from fell envious rage:  
And that her brother Prince, incensed by her proceed, might  
Be spurred more ardent, to attain to virtues sacred light:  
She here desistes, and qualities beseeming her degree,  
She practis●… else beside. Now silken vesture holdeth she,  
In lily hands, and fitting fine, with pliant fingers small:  
With needle work imbrodereth rich, and overspreadeth all.  
Minerva's precious web, the vewers would have vouched it sure,  
The hems distinguished with a guard, of glistering metal pure.  
Now doth she exercise herself, of solemn Lute to play,  
On warbling strings, now more, now less, sad dumps to drive away.  
The Nightingale her chirping voice, so divers scarce could make,  
Divideo into sundry tunes: as she most sweetly strake,  
with quavering fingers small, and gentle touching of the strings.  
All men admitting much, whence that celestial Music springs.  
Where dainty cates on tables spread, they were to take repast:  
Or after viands all removed, in galleries they wast,  
The time: or else in gardens fresh, of fragrant savour walk,  
Of virtue, of Religion true, of sayings wise, her talk  
Should still be framed, both godly speech, and true, she always used,  
A token plain, how that her heart, the spot of vice refused.  
In old Palaemon's learned Art, they both most skilful wear.  
The Prince, and Lady eke, so deep engraffed in mind did bear, 
Prince Edward, and Elizabeth skilful in the Greek and Latin tongue.   
The Greekish phrase. with Latin speech conjoined, that in short space,  
Once reeding would suffice, to understand the hardest place.  
That of the hugy world so vast, where Phoebus' globe hath flamed,  
The lad the Phoenix might be called, the virgin Pallas named.   

Mean time with crooked age effeebled, Henry yields the ghost,  
whose death as hearts of Brutes it rend, and minds perplexing tossed: 
Henry 8. dieth.   
So doth his heir apparent then, with joys their breasts comfort,  
Incensing them to solemn mirth, and joys and pleasant sport.  
Elizabeth revenues large, takes by her father's hest, 
Edward 6. crowned   
which her, of yearly rents, beseeming her degree possessed,  
Of Princelike houses stately built, and massy heaps of gold.  
wherefore far from the royal Court, in country she doth hold  
Herself alone, accompanied with her most careful guide,  
A woman of great majesty, of noble blood beside,  
which always in society, to this young Imp was tied.  
Admonishing with council good, and exhortations wise,  
What as convenient, she should brook, and what again despise.   

Of twice seven years, the tender age she scarce had fully tract,  
When that mature, the virgin might, for spousal rites exact,  
when as behold, with portlike train, one uncle to the king,  
Himself unto her Princely house, in pompous sort did bring,  
And doth the tender Lady bright, with much ambition woe,  
Forthwith through shame, with blushing he we, her ears did burning gloe '  
Attending not what Hymen meant, nor what this wooing Peer,  
With earnest suit did pray. Wherefore he parteth nothing near.  
But he insistes again and urgeth more his suit to win,  
Till from the princely Nymph, he had that final answer gin,  
Declared by her governess, he labour lost in vain.  
More, that it better were, from his attempts soon to abstain.  
That fixed it suit in royal breast, of the high Lady bright,  
Not to be linked, in wedlock bands, to any Britain wight.  
Of lords estate: forgetting not, her father, famous king,  
And from what mighty ancestors, she by descent did spring.  
UUho would not here admire the noble courage of h●… mind:  
Yet soft through tender years, of royal kings, the gentle kind.  
UUho would not wonder at her stomach have: far from the lure,  
Of Cupids how, which offered bands of wedlock, might procure  
Hereto accept. wherefore she seld out from her stately hours  
Proceeds, or ruling Brother greets, or London's pompous towers,  
Doth ride to see, less called forth, on matters of great weight.  
Unto the Prince his majesty, she then declming strait,  
Th'almighty king of kings doth pray, for to preserve his grace.  
Forthwith, with swift course back retiring to her dwelling place,  
On pleasant hill erect, which champion fields, of Flora Queen,  
Adjacent doth behold, near fountains bright, and rivers green: 
Hatfield.   
Beset with trembling Asp, and Beech, and Okes of wondrous height.  
There Nightingales with chirping tunes, melodious breed delight,  
And whistling Throssell, which frequentes the brierie shrubby thorn.  
Hereunto studies such addict, as chief might adorn,  
The daughter of so get a Prince, with love, and laud of all,  
Tip they estates of high degree, or meaner Fortunes thrall:  
The royal Nymph, the sliding tract, of her life doth contere,  
(When sacred rites of funeral, performed to Henry were)  
UUhilell Phoebe thou with thy furious steeds, whose nostrils sparkling  
Out blasts, in heavenly pole sixth times the signs, thou overtakes. (flakes, 
Periphrasis six year for the Sun once a year ouergoes the x●… signs, so that be meaneth by overtaking the signs vi. times vi. year.   
Sometimes she grievous plaints doth make, of valiant Sire bereft,  
Herself all left alone, the ftckle worlds collusions left:  
Which of the greatest part, are wondered at, and high extolled,  
In civil broils, and cumbrous toils, which do themselves enfold,  
UUhereas from such vexations free, they may at home remain,  
Sometime her spirits revives, her brother's prosperous state again.  
Her future Destiny witting not, procured by powers divine,  
That she a regal port should bear, and great in glory shine,  
Amidst the troops of Britain Peers, though no●… she frequency hate.  
In the seventh year, that royal Prince, did yield to dreary Fate  
The virtuous Edward, Britain's stay, and comfort of their land. 
Edward the. 6 dieth. Queen Mary ruleth.   
The reins of regal government, strait Mary takes in hund,  
And popish trumpery dregs, established sets again aloof,  
By Parliament, confirming laws, new for the Pope's behoof:  
Such as her famous brother had set down, extincted clean.  
Here strait a rabblement of priests, with oil anointed gleene  
Throughout the land, like Bacchanals and fires, with red blood feed.  
If any godly were, and jesus loved, he had for meed  
His bowels braild with scorching brands, and bones consumed to nought.  
But some by warning sent from God (for so believe we ought)  
And hearkening to the powers divine, by fight their safeguard sought.  
Their native country, Parents dear, and friends forsaken quite.  
Which, change succeeding Edward's death, a number did incite,  
With hearts, estraungd from Britain soil, to live in foreign lands.  
He fled in extern nations s●…rates, he hating bloody hands,  
And rage, of that massacring crew, seeks means those evils to shun.  
When here (out, out, for shame) a great com●…otion was begun,  
The deadliest rage, and sharpest scourge, that can on kingdoms fall.  
Now these, now those, the quest attainted doth of treason call.  
In prisons strong a wondrous rout, of Brutus' race were penned,  
But many more to gloomy streams, of Stigie lake were sent.  
Within the mighty Tower as soon as Courtney Earl up closed:  
Was to his certain day of trial, to descend reposed: 
The Bishop of Winchester.   
The glorious Prelate proud, outrageous wrath did fretting chaufe,  
With troublous conscience vexed subversion dreading, of things safe  
Which were not to be feared. Yea bitter Hatreds poisoned sting,  
Thee, and thy state, Elizabeth, did in suspicion bring, 
Holy sort Ironia cuius contrarium ve●… est   
Of craced faith, towards the Crown, That thou devoid of cri●…e  
Hast lived, whose brightness of the mind, did so co●…uscant shine,  
That envies eyes, with radiant beams, it dazzled till this time▪  
Ath, swollen with ven●…bd malice fell, the holy sort forgets.  
Which vile impatient crew, with wrathful anger furious frets,  
Till that the silly lamb, (howbeit her keepers, courteous were)  
(For God the wolves had driven away:) ydrencht, in deep despair,  
In prison close was kept, all liberties freedom ta'en away,  
That light affliction, and this gentle penance, did display  
The better knowledge, of the Lord, that so she might attain  
UUisedome more deep, which trace of time, to mortal men doth gain.  
Such like affliction, mixed with griping cares, thy grandsire old,  
To wondrous wisdom rare renowned Henry seventh extolleth,  
which of an other Solomon, the noble name doth hold.  
Even as a date tree down depresed, doth loftier lift her top,  
And how much more with boisterous blasts, Sir Aeol stirs to ●…op,  
Her perching growth, by so much more, in height she lifts her bows:  
So through backbiting viperous tongues, the Lady nobler grows.  
And whom pernicious envies poise, down keeps, her virtues light,  
Through constant mind extolles, to starry region, shining brigt.  
Howbeit the vile mass mungring crew, lamented at their heart,  
That th'end expected had not ta'en, their false, and treacherous part.  
Wherefore new guiles they do defer, until a time more fit,  
And to themselves this kingdom vow, in hope, if that it hit,  
That in their secret traps now laid, the Britain heir do fall:   

Mrane time their furious rage doth roam, and tortures useth all,  
Abundant streams of Christian blood, most ruthful, moists the land,  
And gory floods, alack in pools, of hit reieeted, stand.  
Ay me, and wail a day, young children's corpses, fire brands devours,  
And difference none put twixt their sex, both men, and women, scours.  
For he 'gainst jove almighty, is a foe outrageous thought,  
If any man his enemy, the Romish bishop caught,  
Out of the word of God, which takes away Christ's honour due.  
And falsely, white that thing affirms, which is of duskish hue.  
Yea so his heinous treacheries, with gloss covered been,  
As at no time, our graundsiers old, in elder age have seen.  
That both the sense of touching, and of taste, do fading fail.  
If that ye take that privilege from bodies, what avail,  
Can th'ear, or twinkling eye, unto what use shall fingers stand?  
Aa, haa, in deep Charibdis' gulf uplunged, the Britain land  
For very grief doth groan, and gins of safety to despair,  
Howbeit the ghost divine of jove, her pitying unaware:  
which with his bec●…e the heavens, and seas, and earthly regions shakes,  
For the afflicted English state, a grateful plai●…er makes.  
For from their high usurped seats, proud potentates are drawn,  
Down headlong to the ground, which reverent worship to be shown,  
Bad unto Idols wrought in wood, or forged of molten brass  
The Prince with deep perseverance, scelected of the best  
Of Britain states, a few; which long use had with wisdom fraughted,  
And learning eke, Parnassus Nymphs to deck their wits had brought,  
By which props of eternal, Fame, under a maiden Queen,  
Renowned England through the world, is bright blazed to beseene.   

First of her Counsel Bacon was a wise and prudent Knight, 
licolas Ba●…ns Lord privy seal.   
Of polished wit, who Britain laws, by judgement scanned aright,  
Whose sweet and sugared eloquence, in midst of Counsel sage:  
Hath such his endless Fame atchiu'de, that though Fates headlong rage.  
Him hath destroyed, he lives, and after death his virtues blaze.  
Lord chancellor he of England, and the Brodeseales keeper was.   

Whose honourable seat, Sir Thomas Bromeley doth beseem,  
Thought worthy of that dignity, by censure of the Queen.  
The prudent troop of Senators, their suffrage yielding like. 
Thomas Brockley Lord chauncolour.   
Which laws in equal balance ways, and canceling out doth strike,  
Which over ponderous to him seems, that, which is good, and right,  
May thereof spring, and middle place possessed may Virtue bright.   

Next thy Lord Marquis (Winchester) his worthy seat did take,  
Renowned whom the title high, of Treasurer did make 
William Paulet Marquis of Winifrid chester.   
A man of wondrous gravity, whilst that he ran his race,  
On earth, but crooked through age at last, to destiny he gave place,   

Before all these came forth, black frowning Fortune spurning back.  
Whose faith in danger dire at hand, from sincere heart extract,  
The Prince had tried, Lord Cicill, and of all the Counsel sage, 
Lord Cicill! high treasurer of England.   
By Princess verdict chief assigned, now stroke with drooping age,  
And worn in years, with study lean, and sickly on his feat.  
For great affairs, white hoary hears and crooked age to fleet,  
Do cause before their time, which then scarce forty years had wrought.  
Seldom to sleep addict, from slender diett seldom brought.  
Still grave, and modest found, at no time given to dallying play,  
Where that he talked, or musing sat, it earnest was always.  
A fuutor of religion true, of right he studious was,  
In this our age, things of great weight, borne for to bring to pass.  
Whose love towards his native soil, and faith, towards his Queen.  
Whose wisdom, busied still about his country's causes seen:  
Beyond Europa borders, hath achieved him endless Fame,  
Nor here he first to aid his Prince, with learned counsel came:  
For in king Edward's noble Court, he wondrous credit wan,  
And Counsellor to his leich to be, in blooming youth began  
When 'mongst the Britain Peers, he hurly-burly tumults, wrought  
By prudent circumspection, to quail, and bring to nought.  
And whilst some others furrows deep, in gurtie channels cast,  
Their hollow hulls tossed, and turmoild, with Aeolls whurling blast:  
And sometime down with headlong fall the infernal pits do see: 
Aeolus God the winds.   
He both his honour, and his seat, and name preserveth free.  
How wary in Queen mary's dates, he did himself behave,  
And sails which hung aloft at Mast, to winds relenting gave,  
Because it better is, to yield, to rough and mighty force,  
Of raging flood, then stand against, and to resist his course,  
which doth a deadly peril priest, and certain harm procure:  
By judgement plain, apparent doth express his wisdom sure:  
That for six years, amidst his foes, unhurt he upright stood,  
Though persecuted with the hate, of Cayphas wicked brood.  
In every way, in every street, in London royal mart,  
To all men's dew proceeding forth: when as the greatest part,  
In foreign nations banished strayed, him jove preserved at hand,  
Forth honour of our noble Queen, and profit of our land.  
He extern Prince's Legates, heard attentive, whilst the hest  
They of their Lords declared, and answer prompt again express,  
In counsel grave a Nestor, which now noble Burghley height,  
Of woods, and ancient farms, and Castles strong, adjacent pight. 
Baron of Burghley.   
which doth the common Treasury of goods confiscate keep.  
He being full advertised, of weighty causes deep:  
It worth rehearsal is, forthwith with what industrious care,  
He doth decide the strife, and right ascribes, by judgement rare,  
Not above two days space, deferring it, or three at most,  
Unless of points so intricate, the matter stand composed  
That without longer tracked of time, it may not be unfold.  
which laud as chiefest, veriest eke, let this high Lordling hold.  
The mighty Earl of Arundel, is in this order tide, 
The Earls oh Arundel an Penbroke Stewards o the Queen's house.   
The Pembroke prudent Peer ensuing jointly by his side,  
Both Stewards of the royal house, of their renowned guide.  
The warlike mavy of the Queen, came Clinton to thy care,  
whereof full thirty years ago, thou hast tuition bare,  
Nor to thy little honour it redounds, three Princes strong,  
That thou hast served, thyself of blood of ancient Peers esprong, 
Clinton Lord Admiral Earl of Lin colne.   
achieving many hard exploits; a shipboard, and on shore,  
Lincoln this warlike Earl, hath with title due uphore.  
Next, of the Prince's Chamber, was Lord Haward chief assigned,  
A man to anger prone, howbeit of gentle courteous mind, 
Villiam ho●…ard.   
Whose uncle title high of Duke, and Nephew erst did bind,  
Whom dead, in like degree, the Earl of Sussex did succeed, 
●…he Earl of ●…ssex high ●…hamberlaine ●…f England.   
A most redoubted Peer, of courage haut, and bold indeed.  
Thy royal Parson's guerdon strong, and faithful tried always,  
Elizabeth, priest to attempt, the brunt at all assays.  
In fearful Mauors bickering jars, through mind unconquered haut, 
●…e also was ●…esetenant in ●…eland.   
Who oftentimes the salvage Rerne, subdued hath in assault,  
Whom noble victory did adorn, in bloody wars atchiu'de,  
Yet from a righteous justicer, he chiefest laud derived,   

When Mary did her flickering sprite out breath, the Britain guide,  
By chance at Hatfield, with her troop of Ladies did abide,  
Her noble parson, with a true of yeomen guarded strong. 
Robart Dudley    

Lord Dudley, on a palfrey sterce, up mounted swift along  
Doth thither post, his colour white as winter's snow, tall pight,  
His buttocks broad bespread, his breast, and back, most fair in sight.  
As mighty Alexander's steed, throughout the world renowned,  
Bucephalus, or courser fierce of Castor, whom men sound 
Castor & Pol●…ux, hatched ●…fan agge by ●…eda whom ●…upiter ravish ●…ed in form of 〈◊〉 swan.   
Of Leda's egg esprong: this in all points, resembling those,  
So with his hooves carreieing in the thin air swift he goes.  
For of a stripling taught that art, by riders, till this time  
He doth delight, on lofty steeds, all fiery, fierce, to climb.  
Where when he came, and licence had to come unto her sight,  
On bended knees, he prostrate falls, and duty doth aright.  
Here Robert Dudley, then of comely corpses, and stature tall  
UUhome fresh, and blooming youth, commended goodly therewithal:  
Assigned master of the horse, by her most royal grace: 
Master of the horse.   
Doth always on her majesty, attend from place, to place,  
As often as she rides, and like a true Achates kind, 
Achates companion of Aeneas in all his toils & travails.   
His mistress serves, her person next, ensuing joint behind.  
And takes for guerdon of his pains, and meed for virtue true,  
An honourable name, with large revenues thereto due.  
with portlike houses fair, and stately turretts huge in height,  
whom Leycester her Earl acknowledgeth, and whom by right, 
Farl of Leicester.   
with honour one all Albion land, doth worship and embrace.  
For he exalted up aloft, and set in royal place,  
By lowly mind, and courteous deeds, hath won the Britain's hearts.  
Pale Envy, and of malice fell the sharp and poisoned darts,  
The minds of many noble men, with venom black bespott●…  
Howbeit this Peer is free, from raging Envies filing drops,  
He labreth all to help, not damage on poor men to heap,  
When that he can, hath still redound, unto his glory great.  
Most bountiful, with stretched hand, he allmes devout doth give,  
Which aged and decrepit folks, erected for to relieve 
Hospital built by the Earl Leicester   
His hospital, at Warwick, shows, with annual rents thereto.  
And Coventry can testify, where godly Preachers do,  
Continually the blessed word, of high Jehove set down.   

To these annexed comes, which Huntingdon with chief renown, 
Earl of Huntingdon lief tenant of York.   
Adorns, and guidance great, of Britain's Northarne borders large,  
With Fame augmented high extols, whereof long time the charge,  
With Counsel rare, much gravity, and faith unspotted, bore:  
To him deserved praise hath won, and Princess favour more  
Increased, and native Country's peace, and safety, made succeed.  
He in his young and tender years did ancient author's reed,  
Which wisdom, and Philosophy, in Greek, or Latin tongue  
Contained, play mate to Edward Prince, of ancient race esprong, 
Scoolefellow and plaimare with king Edward the 6   
Of mighty kings, their books, and graver studies laid apart.  
The Preachers word, this Potentate, hard with attentive heart.  
Whose life with virtuous manners most coruscant, glorious shined.  
The Warwick Earl renowned in arms, of mighty Warwick's kind, 
Earl of warwicke.   
From noble stock of Grandsires' old esprong, of stomach stout:  
In skirmage grim, despising death, and glory seeking out,  
More precious than his life: And Bedford Earl, which justice seeds,  
And godliness doth daily sow, religious in his deeds: 
Earl of Bedford.   
Professor true of jesus Christ, a fosserer of the sick,  
And needy souls: in Counsel both, to Britain Monarch stick. 
jord Hunsdon liesecenant of Berwick.   
To these that mighty Lord, renowned Hunsden jointly joins,  
whose noble aunt, the gracious Queen, delivered from her loins,  
Espouso in Hymen's sacred bands, to Henry's royal grace.  
what should I all recite: one yet remains, who in this place, 
Queen Anne aunt to the Lord Hunsden.   
Demeritts not, with sinallest laud, to be remembered here,  
Of noble stock, of grandsires old, yet he himself a Peer,  
Far more reno●… theri they. Sir Henry Sidney, prudent knight, 
Sir Henry Sidney.   
with the most noble order of the golden Garter dight.  
whom Ireland, thrice Ambassador, holding the royal mace,  
Hath seen, and exceuting laws, set in his Lady's place.  
Nor only seen, but felt, yea feared, and eke embraced with love,  
That no man hath (as true report, and fame the same can prove)  
That Region entered in, with greater favour of the same,  
governed in greater awe, or with more wailing from it came.  
Nor only extern Irish coasts, his noble laud resound, 
Lord Precedent of wales   
But Wales on part of Albion land, which doth on Severne bound,  
(Severne a mighty flood, which twixt the borders, sliding flows)  
Her Presidents most worthy praise, with trump of Fame out blows.  
Under whose prudent government, she long hath flourished, free:  
From danger, that it doubtful seems, where they more happy, he  
Being there Precedent, exult, or equal judge, rejoice.  
Long since renowned Elizabeth France hard his sugared voice,  
Thy Legate being than, of goodly stature comely set.   

Nor Pary shall I thee, ydrencht in Lethe floods forget, 
Thomas Pary   
Which in extreme adversity, a faithful counsellor waste,  
When Fortune had not yet the crown, upon thy Lady cast.  
And show'dst thyself a servant true, which safety didst respect,  
Of thy dear mistress, when thou didst those traitors guiles detect.   

Into this sacred company the Duke of Norfolk chose, 
The Duke of Northsolke.   
Even in the flower of all his time, his vital breath did lose.   

Smith both with pregnant wit adorned, commended eke beside, 
Sir Thomas Smith.   
With all the noble sciences, whose council hath been tried,  
Both just, and sound, by destinies ta'en, doth closed in Tomb abide.   

Let here Sir Francis Knolls, obtain his seat amongst the rout, 
Sir Francis Knolls.   
A man of wondrous constancy, religious, grave, a stout  
defender of the faith, who lest he should destruction dire  
Behold, and godly men consumed, with scorching brands of fire:  
The bloody English Clergy then incensed with outrage fell:  
He fled his native soil, in extern costs, and those to dwell, 
Sir Francis Knolls, in Q. Mary's days fled into Germany.   
Amongst the Germans, rather there, to read a loathsome life:  
In mestive grief, and there to die, than painted Idols, rife  
In sacred temples see. Nor happy England had at all,  
Him back returned beheld, nor rich possessions home could call:  
But that renowned Elizabeth, her father's regal crown,  
Most glorious did sustain, on whom her neace, in duty bound,  
Sir Francis loyal spouse, attendant served at every 〈◊〉.  
The valiant courage of their mind, his ancestors did deck,  
Above three hundred winters past, and corpse most goodly pight,  
With dread, not to be daunted when of yore that mighty knight,  
Edward the third, did bloody wars, against the Celtanes rear,  
Then doughty Knolls most valiantly, himself in arms did bear,  
And did achieve such hard exploits, as may the minds delight,  
Of such as read our Chronicles, whose noble offspring, bright:  
Yet flourishing at this day, shall make their nephews yet to cent,  
To flourish more, if mighty jove which sits in highest room,  
The godliness, and righteous mind, of the aged, Siet regard.   

Next Ambrose Cave ensues. Then Hatton, which the Prince's guard, 
Sir Ambrose Cave. Sir Christopher Hatton master of the Guard.   
Of yeoman call doth lead, with cheerful heart, to Students poor  
A liberal Maecenas, none Religion favouring more.  
What should I tell the gifts engraffed within his virtuous mind:  
Or sharpness of his wit, if cause you urge it out to find:  
In hearing of the Senate grave with what mellifluous phrase,  
And dulcett voice he speaks, how loving he doth all embrace  
And puissant, men courageous doth affect, and hurts no wight.   

Ralph Sadler with his pen, and Gualther Mildmay scanning right, 
Sir Ralph Sadler. Sir Gwaltor Mildmay.   
The Arithmetricians Art: both cunning Clerks, whom virtue gained  
By long use, hath extolled, and wisdom in most things attained:  
They both in Senate house persuade, and Counsel grave down lay,   

Chroftes, in his royal mistress house, controller now doth slay,  
And with his valiant burly corpse, adorns the Prince's hall,  
Which erst, in camps of dreadful Mars, did force the foe to fall. 
Sir james a Crostes.    

In England's chief affairs, one Secretary to the Queen  
Is Walsingham, who Legate then, of Britain Prince was seen. 
Secretary Walsingha●…   
At Paris, when the slaughter great and dire destruction was,  
And such effusion vast was made, of Christian blood alas.  
A godly man of courage high, with bribe not to be bought,  
Nor by corrupting chraft from path of justice to be brought.  
Most happy sure, which suppliant doth talk with the heavenly king,  
But secretly, as soon as clad 〈◊〉 sr●… his bed doth spring.  
And of each day by vows devout, ●…oth good abodements take.  
O would that many such great kings would of their Counsel make  
Then should no doubt each common weal in blessed state remain,  
And old Saturnus golden age would be renewed again.   

Commended eke with sundry virtues rare the other was  
wilson, whose flickering ghost of late to airy coasts did pass. 
D. Wilson.   
These doth the Princess use, these Counsellors hath she used of yore,  
For what to happy end with good success may well be boar:  
If that with wavering mind you wholesome counsel do despise,  
Each state into subversion runs devoid of good advise,  
And shall I hope triumph as long as Deborah did reign, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Whose tract of life, whose thoughts, whose crown, almighty jove main-  
For many years, bless●…nd preserve, in calm peace to remain: ta'en,  
And after mortal life, these worldly thoughts, and crown forlorn,  
With endless life, divine affects, and heavenly crown adorn.   
FINIS.