A COMMEMOration of the Right Noble and virtuous Lady, Margrit Duglasis good grace, Countiss of Lennox, Daughter to the renowned and most excellent Princess Margrit, Queen of Scotland, espoused to King james the fourth, of that name: In the days of her most puissant and magnificent Father Henry the seventh, of England, France and Ireland King:  
Wherein is rehearsed her godly life, her constancy and perfect patience, in time of infortune her Godly end, & last farewell, taken of all Noble estates at the hour of her death. The ninth day of March. 1577. At her house of Hackney in the County of Midlesex: And now lieth interred the third of April, in the Chapel of King Henry the seventh her worthy Grandfather. 1578. And Anno. 20. of our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, by God's permission of England, France and Ireland Queen. etc.   

¶ To all Right Noble, Honourable, Godly and Worshipful Ladies, john Philip wisheth the fear of God, prosperity and peace in jesus Christ.  
RIght Honourable and virtuous Ladies, when flourishing Ver had banished the bitter storms of Hiems, and given Flora liberty with her gallant mantle of green to garnish the whole face of the earth: I was drawn by desire thoroughly to consider the sundry pleasures, and diverse commodities that she most curtuouslye presented to worldly inhabitants, and finding occasion fit for my purpose, I took my way for my repast into the fields, where I found the barren ground fruitful, proffering forth plentifully her increase, and the naked trees fully polished and covered with leaves: in the branches whereof the chrping birds, the more to augment my solace, rendered forth their well tuned concords, the silly Lark mounting aloft towards the firmament, rendered forth his rattling notes of joy, the Thrustle coake, the Mavice, and every bird in his kind observed his proper and ●omely harmony. And thus as on rapt or ravished with joy, Sir Phoebus with his trampling steeds rainging through the Crystalline skies, in the Charit of Phaaeton, making his asendent to the top of the highest Spyhre, I was constrained partly through weariness, and partly the heat of the day increasing, to sit me down under a Betch tree, the branches whereof seemed a Fortress to shield me from the parching gleams of triumphing Titan: But as my glancing eyes began to survey the nature and effects of gallant Aestas, so also did I call to memory how Boreas' bustering blasts and Hiems hoary froastes, converted those present pleasures that Ver brought forth, to nothing, and in fine defaced them as though they had not been▪ so that both those seasons I gathered did presayg unto me the fickleness of our courssing time and the shortness of our transitory days, the flourishing flowers which long had been shrouded in the bowels of the earth, began not only to prognosticate to me our estates living her in mollitie: But also set forth aptly in their kinds, how and whereto we were subjecteth, the polished trees served as a schoolmaster, to publish unto me, our hard and heavy hazards in this terrestrial vale of misery and immortality, the lesson that by them I learned was worthy to be considered: For the mark they bade me aim at was Death, and yet after Death, as they through the sweet dews and savoury showers, did flourish and prospero again after they were withered away: so also gave they intelligence to me, that disspight of death and grave by the mighty providence of GOD, all creatures should arise from their slumber and come before the tribunal seat of the almighty, where the faithful should be rewarded with eternal life, and the unbelieving recompensed with endless torments. But as I sat discoursing these causes, Sol hasting with speediness towards the Occident, Time gave me charge to repair towards my lodging, which attained: I entered into my former Muse, and took my pen in hand, minding to have written some Pamphlet in these my former discourses: But lo, contrary to my expectation, Mercury the messenger of jubiter, arrested mine eyes with Sopor.  
In which season Morpheius, (as it were in a vision) set before mine eyes to my thinking a very pitiful spectacle▪ For there appeared unto me a Noble Lady compassed with care, pursued by dolour, shoared up with perfit patience amidst her extremities, and lastly so supported with truth, that paysing her infortunes which seemed in shoe incredible, and therewithal her constancy in suffering calamities, I could not but wonder, on while I lamented her estate, another while I triumphed in her▪ Whose patience as a Bulwark was ready to bear the brunts of fickle Fortune, thus one while drowned in grief, and e●t again comforted by hope, at last I waked, and looking behind me▪ I beheld me thought the personages present, with whom in my slumber before, I had been acquainted, and therewith all the truth began to speak unto me, persuading me first to set aside all fear, and to mark sith I had purposed to writ some matter concerning the mutabilities of the time, what that Noble Lady would discourse unto me: For that she had felt in this life the fullness of Fortune's fallaces, to 〈◊〉 hests I gave myself willingly, rather encouraged (good Ladies) by the truth, then settling upon 〈◊〉 own skill, to take so weighty an attempt in 〈…〉 thus she began her tale as followeth, which 〈…〉 friendly and faithful farewell, is rendered into your hands that fear GOD, lead your lives loyally, and are lovers of virtue, whose reward in this life is honour, and after the grave to the utter foil of Death, eternal fame, and the rich and glorious kingdom purchased by Christ at the last day. The which place, God of his infinite bounty and goodness, for his anointed Sons sake grant you.  
Vestrae salutis dignitatisque studiosissimus I Phillippus. Reginij Cantabrigiensis Collegie Alumnus.   

Faults escaped in the Printing.  
The fourth Page, the third n1, the forth line for the eight henry of fame, read, a Prince of fame.  
The sixth page the first n1, the third linne, our substance is death, read, our substance is earth. The sixteen page the third line and third staff for to coast for unity, read, no coast for unity. The nineteen page, the last verse, fourth line, for, were born● him to obey, read were bound him to oba●.   

¶ A friendly Farewell given to Honourable and virtuous Ladies.  

GOod Ladies all your listening ears I crave,  
Till time my tale be fully brought to end:  
Though y my corpse be subject to the grave,  
Yet vouch awhile to hear your faithful friend.  
To you these lines for my farewell I send,  
Accept them then, and read them for my sake,  
And of my name, a new memorial make.   

I need not show to you my blood and birth,  
Nor parentage deserving high renown:  
That thing was known whilst I enjoyed the earth  
though now of late Parchas hath cut me down.  
Henry the seventh that ware the royal crown,  
Of England, was my Grandfather most dear,  
As plain by proof Historians witness bear.   

My Grandam height, Elizabethes good grace,  
And eldest Daughter was, as is well known:  
Unto a peerless Prince, of royal race,  
whose worthy facts through out the world was blown▪  
Of England he atteind the kingly throne,  
Edward the fourth even so was clipped his name,  
And Henry the seventh espowsd this noble dame.   

The knot thus knit to Britain's lasting joy▪  
The house of York and Lancaster was one:  
Where discord erst, did commons hearts annoy,  
Love now had place, and they small cause to mo●●.  
A blast of bliss in every place was blown,  
For perfect peace, whyrld envy headlong down.  
●h●̄ that these states enjoyed the regal Crown.   

Though rebels raged did kindle often the brand,  
Of dire debate, ye mortal wars and strife:  
Yet did this Prince, with his out stretched hand,  
Prepare to daunt, his ●oes with bloody knife.  
As just he was, so mercy was as rife,  
To all his acts, God ga●e so good increase,  
That by his mean England, possessed peace.   

In wedlocks right to make the commons feign  
God on the earth did multiply his seed:  
He by his Queen ●ight Children did obtain,  
which did his joys and subjects heap indeed. 
Prince Arth●r wedded to Kat●●en daughter to Ferdinando king of Spain.   
His eldest Son that should the crown succeed  
He did conjoin in wedlock this is plain▪  
With Kathren Daughter to the king of Spain.   

Who with her in that holy sacred state,  
Not full six months, enjoyed vital breath:  
amidst his bliss jove did cut short his fate,  
And in his youth hi● body brought to earth▪  
When time is come death ways not blood nor birth  
He strikes aswell the Prince that wer● the crown,  
As he doth tach the beggar and the clown.   

Not gi●tes of gold, no holds nor yearly ●ée,  
Can 'cause him stay when God commands to strike,  
He fears no state, he spares no high degree,  
The rich and poor to him are all alike.  
He doubts not he the Champions push of pick▪  
The strong and weak he makes full soon to bend,  
It's vain alas with death for to contend.   

The Prince cut off by d●nt of death thus wise,  
The Duke of York that noble Henry height:  
Whose ●ame Report bears to the orient skies,  
Proclaimed was of Wales the Prince by right.  
Though the first Son were reft the Father's ●●ght,  
The second did King Henry's joys increase.  
Whose praise to vaunt the commons never cease.   

My noble Mother then Margrit clipte by name,  
His eldest Daughter much he did delight:  
He sought her wealth and high renown ●o frame,  
And unto james the fourth did her behight.  
Who ware the crown of Scotland as his right,  
And she to him was spouse and crowned Queen.  
Such care for peace was in my Grandsire seen.   

And for mine Aunt the Lady Maries grace,  
His heart was bend benignly to provide:  
Twixt Christian Realms he sought sound love to place,  
The fruits whereof might discord thrust aside.  
five of his Children here before him died,  
And with the last my Grandams days did end,  
And after soon the King to death did bend.   

Thus time worn out there can remain no stay,  
For sickness health eft 'zounds we see doth wound:  
It strength consumes, and beauty wears away.  
And last comes death to drive us to the ground.  
From earth we came and earth a mean hath found,  
To claim her own, from whom, when death hath don●  
No mean is left for us to start or run.   

Not Potenstate, no Caesar, no Prince nor King,  
No Duke, no Marquis, earl nor Lord be bold:  
Of dreadful death sand scape the bitter sting,  
When God appoints all flesh must turn to mould,  
He strickes the young, he tames the aged old,  
The Miser's m●cke can not his life prolong,  
When God decrees, death forth to strick must throung   

The wise man's skill, nor cunning cannot s●r●e,  
When death doth come his safeguard to procure:  
He from the hests of jove will no time serve,  
The fool and wise, of death may be most sure.  
Then worldly wights whilst here you do endure,  
Know life to death is subject every hour.  
Whose stroke to ●●un no creature hath the power.   

Henry the seventh his Queen and children five,  
Resining life as her by me is told:  
Henry the eight as king remained alive,  
Whose praise of right aught for to be enrolled.  
And registered by Fame, in letters writ of gold  
That all estates may know and understand,  
How nobly he did govern this land.   

Queen Margrit my mother did then remain,  
In Skotland with the king, james, clipped by name:  
But the Lady Marie I must be plain,  
Aboode with the eight Henry of fame.  
He sought of her estate the wealth for to frame▪  
And minding each tide her name to advance,  
He married his sister, to the king of France.   

The spowsals solempnist, with joy and with glee,  
In Paris mine Aaunt was crowned the Queen:  
But king jamy the fourth did soon decree,  
To envy king Henry as well it is seen.  
The read rose that flourished with leaves full green,  
He sought to extirp and pluck up by root,  
But soon his vain hope was trod under foot.   

The Queen my mother of curteise flower,  
Would often on her knees, persuade with his grace:  
To stay from his purpose and levy no power,  
The borders of Britain to spoil and deface.  
She could not prevail, he would follow the chase  
His stomach found sturdy, would nothing relent▪  
He ranged all heedless, to pine and to detriment.   

Thus reason made subject unto his will,  
He sought to enlarge his pine and his pain:  
But a prince to be ruled by his own skill  
●an not secure nor safe long time remain.  
All goeth to wrack where men good counsel disdained,  
Raishnesse brings peril and danger ten fold,  
(But wisdom makes Princes always extould.   

To great was the folly of king james be you sure.  
Whose arrogant heart and asspiring mind:  
His spoil and decay in time did procure,  
So list ambition his senses make blind.  
To Henry the eight, he waxed unkind,  
And sought the seeds of discord dire to sow:  
Where friendship and faith, of right aught to grow▪   

His fury increasing an ●oast he prepared,  
Hi● rage found restless, revenge did desire:  
Yet when he thought lest, with thrall he was snared,  
And supped up the dregs of his conceived ire.  
Presumption, revenge doth always require,  
The greater the gilt, the scourge sharper found,  
For justice the unjust whirls still to the ground.   

My Uncle King Henry the eight of that name,  
Beholding of james, the surquedie and pride:  
Assembled his power this Prince for to ta●●e,  
Whose folly a rod for himself did provide.  
At Bramstome this battle should manly be tried,  
In which as God would king jamy was slain,  
His Army dispersest and Skots put to pain●▪   

Lo this was the fine of this abusion,  
Here envy was plagued according desert:  
His unkind dealing wrought his confusion,  
His to fond bowldnesse through pierced his ●art.  
temerity was cause of his spoil and his smart,  
His guerdon was death and loss of renown,  
For God the proud heart doth daily cast down.   

The Queen my Mother then hearing these news,  
The kings infortune did greatly lament,  
She mourned that ●he did counsel refuse.  
And with his estate would not be content,  
But such is the end of those that be bend,  
To per sever in pride mischief and ill,  
Shame is the reward of foolish fond william.   

In Skotland my careful Queen mother I leave,  
To take the guard of king james her young son:  
And to France my tale tends ye may perceive, 
james the fift, Son and heir to king james the fourth.   
With the Queen mine Aunt I have not yet done.  
The thread of life that Lachasis ●ad spun,  
Atropos priest forth in sunder to share,  
Of her husband the king, to die we borne are.   

All flesh is grass and doth whither away,  
Even as the flower that doth parch with the sun,  
No Physic can serve our lives for to stay,  
When the clocks past and the hour full run.  
By death to all ●ortes, Gods will must be done,  
But how, or when, no mortal man doth know,  
Ne yet in what sort death will bring him low.   

Some by long sickness their lives do resign,  
Some with the sword are constrained to die:  
And some by famine to earth do incline,  
And some in the floods deep drentched do lie.  
Some by the laws from death cannot fly,  
Subject to miseries we are on the earth,  
And certain to die even from our first birth.   

No charter of life is granted to man,  
Our time is but short our days are not long:  
Our substance is d●ath and do what we can,  
To earth we shall turn be we never so strong.  
Let us not think then that death doth us wrong,  
When, or in what sort, he shall us arrest,  
Not, let us be ready to welcome this guest.   

Consider that time runs on without stay,  
If he once pass by, he will not turn back:  
And as the time fades man's days wear away,  
For the Web of this life, runs still unto wrack.  
In time keep watch then, lest death the house sack.  
For such as live careless glorying in sin,  
Seek to themselves destruction to win.   

Queen Mary mine Aunt a widow now left,  
And so was my Mother of Skotland the Queen:  
Their Princes by death both from them bereft,  
A cause of care in each of them was seen.  
Mine Uncle king Henry, whose fame lasteth green,  
Did comfort them both in their great distress,  
As one well content their cares to redress.   

Queen Mary mine Aunt his sister moast dear,  
He sent for again to come into England:  
And wedded she was to a noble Pier,  
Of Sulfolcke the Duke, named Charles Brandon.  
To him she byhight her heart and her hand,  
And God on the earth their seed did increase,  
Who gave them prosperity, plenty and peace.   

My Mother in Skotland v●knowen to the king,  
Did enter the knot of wedlock again:  
With Lord Archimball Douglas consider this thing,  
Of Angus the Earl, as known it is plain.  
Unruly the scots as then did remain,  
For which cause the Queen to England her took,  
And Sotland awhile she left and forsook.   

The king her brother of love moast entire,  
At Harbo●ell Castle her harbour appointed:  
Where and in which place sith to know ye desire,  
I was borne of my mother a Queen anointed.  
And at the fountstoone, as the Prince appointed,  
Margrit I was clipped this is most true,  
As you that list search in chronicles may view.   

In youth I was trained, to virtue and grace,  
In age I held that in youth I did learn:  
In faith and Gods fear I ran on my race,  
Obedience and truth I held as chief stern▪  
Not lightness in me could any discern,  
My heart and my hand to do good was bend,  
And wisdom to learn I was well content.   

But such is the time and date of our days,  
That life cannot last as flesh doth require:  
Though pleasure doth grant to garnish our ways,  
And Fortune accord to content our desire.  
Yet when we think lest, to death we are nyere,  
Our music hath end our pleasure doth fade,  
Our pomp as nothing in moment is made.   

Our eyes that delight the courser to view,  
〈◊〉 dazzled of truth in taking abreth:  
Though knights at the tilt our joys do renew,  
Yet both we and they shall turn unto earth.  
〈…〉 Captain can once conquer death,  
●e ●eares no armour nor yet bar●ed steed,  
〈…〉 to death belongeth indeed.   

〈…〉 nor coastly attire,  
〈◊〉 moast rich nor jewels worthy price:  
〈◊〉, mountains of gold may death no time ●yre,  
Not, ●eau●y to save you can him once entice.  
〈…〉 after virtue, learn to loathe vice,  
〈…〉 though death cut all degrees down,  
〈◊〉 ma●ger the grave purchase renown.   

My mother the Queen, king jamies' true wife,  
A Ruler of Skotland from death could not fly:  
Qu●●ne Mary of France, mine Aunt lost her life,  
You see death doth kingdoms and monarch defy. 
james the fift brother to the noble lady Margar●t Douglas.   
He will not be partial, no state he sets by,  
The'●le Angus my Father did bow to the ground,  
And so did my brother the king of Skots crowned.   

My parents bereft me, and also mine Aunt,  
My brother and kinsfolk to mine annoy:  
Yet list mine Uncle the eight Henry grant,  
A mean distressed to bring me to joy. 
The Lady Mary's grace and 〈…〉.   
To call me to Court his grace was not coy,  
With Mary's good grace his daughter by right,  
My room to allot his highness did delight.   

And after in time when God did decree,  
Elizabeth's grace to the world to bring: 
〈…〉   
Mine Uncle her Father so tendered me,  
That with her in the Court I had my 〈…〉  
So dearly loved me Henry the eight King,  
〈◊〉 bounty and kindness I may not forget  
〈…〉 me his Niece so greatly did set.   

In Court I was liked and loved of all,  
At virtue I laboured ●ill for to ame:  
To looseness of ly●e I was never found thrall,  
My words on wisdom I sought for to frame,  
By means whereof I purchased fame  
But when I thought lest to grief I was thrall,  
From reason, by love, to soon I did fall.   

Unknowen to the king my Uncle most dear, 
A contract betwixt 〈◊〉 Lady Margar●t Duglasis grace, and Lord Thomas Howard youngest son to the Duke of norfolk who were therefore sent to th● Tower.   
My faith to Lord Thomas Howard I plight:  
Most trusty to me his troth did appear,  
But fortune her fawning list change unto spite.  
Our love she red●●st, into the king's sight,  
Who ●or our offence to the Tower us sent,  
Where much our infortunes we both did lament.   

I mourned that I by Fancy was led,  
And yet from my love I could not recoil:  
The Prince's displeasure, my cause of care bred,  
But true love sought still my dolours to foil.  
But love of, my love prepared the spoil,  

‡ The lord Thomas did finish his life in 〈◊〉 tower.  And he in the Tower did finish his life,  
To whom by contract I had vowed myself wife.   

His death with my tears I did often lament,  
Mine Uncle's displeasure did grieve me as much:  
Yet Patience gave charge I should be content,  
She in my distress with hope did me touch.  
And though fortune did against my bliss grudge,  
Yet hope at the last her hate did restrain,  
And to the kings favour did bring me again.   


* The lady Margari●s grace pardoned and restored to the kings favour.  My fault he remitted and took me to grace,  
My bondage was past, my hope, freedom won:  
Yet when of my Lord I construed the case,  
And how for my love his life was undone.  
I wept the young wight, the Duke Norfolckes Son,  
That for my love did, his life in bonds pay,  
And yielded his corpse, to 〈…〉 clay.   

To banish my cares and my bliss to augment, 
The earl Lennox espoused to the Lady Margarit Duglasis grace.   
th'earl Lennox for me the king did provide:  
To whose ●east of truth, I gave my consent,  
Even he was my spouse, and I his true bride.  
Unto my Lord, steadfast my faith was tried,  
By whom in wedlock eight Children I had,  
Our cares to diminish and make our hearts glad.   

But death unto life found daily a foe, 
Henrye Lord Darley and Charles left alive.  Six of our Children away from us ●ent,  
In tender youth he laid them down low,  
Whose loss with tears we much did lament.  
But yet with Gods will we stood well content,  
Whose divine working we could not withstands  
Who maketh and killeth in turning a hand.   

But anew t'enlarge our mirth and our glee  
A Prince, to the king mine Uncle he sent:  
And Edward the sixth then named was he,  
Whose birth of the commons, the joys did augment.  
But after (alas) dire death from me hent,  
The king mine Uncle a Prince worthy fame  
Whose acts through the world reviveth his name.   

Not marvel it was though then I were woe,  
My griefs did increase, my plaints did abounds:  
And with me all England, their ●obes did bestow,  
To wail for his want moast highly renounde.  
To Fren●chmen and Skots, a scourge he was found'st,  
Their Bulwarks he racst and sacked many 〈◊〉▪  
Yet Ma●ger his might, death sent him to mould.   

A Mars he was name● such was his power,  
He gloried in fight to vaunt sword and shield:  
With thump of Canon, he sacked many tower,  
He with fire and sword his foes forced to yield.  
Not Hector could gain more honour in field.  
Then Henry the eight in battle hath won,  
Yet death to the grave constrained him to run.   

Thus here you may see that death is the wight,  
That neither spares king, Kaiser nor Prince:  
He will not be hired death all doth smite,  
The Conqueror he dreads not to convince.  
〈◊〉 favours no town, he cares for no Province,  
No Canon can scare him of this be you bold,  
Death stricketh all states they must turn unto mould.   

The death of the king the Commons did grieve, 
King Edward the sixth cozen 〈◊〉 to the noble Lady Margarit Duglasi● good grace  Yet did his seed their solace sweet increase:  
King Edward the sixth their cares did relieve,  
Who planted in England tranquillity and peace.  
Of Scotland he 'gan the rage for to cease,  
And calmed the brags of the hardy unjust,  
To wh●se smooth tongue he had small cause to trust.   

King Edward the sixth enjoying the Crown,  
Was cut down by death in his tender years:  
Whose name yet liveth deserving renown,  
Report to the Clouds his praises pure rears.  
His loss to Britain procured salt tears,  
Bewailed he was in port and in town,  
●re seven years were past death cut him down.   

Soon after him then Queen Mary did sucseede,  
The Sceptre and Sword came to her hand:  
〈◊〉 cut her down also death doubtless decreed,  
When she not six years had ruled this land.  
Before those Princes I constant did stand,  
My truth unblemished I faithful was found,  
Obedience and truth was my chiefest ground.   

Queen Mary disceast, to England's great joy,  
Elizabeth's grace attained the crown:  
Who laboured her subjects to shield from annoy,  
God's truth she aduaun●st, and fasehood put down.  
Through Europe is blown her highness renown,  
Whose flowering fame brancheth like tholive green  
Triumph you Britain's in your royal Queen.   

For since that Brutus this Land did achieve,  
Her lick ●ath not been of this be you bold:  
For wisdom a Saba your bliss to revive,  
You all do possess, then let be extoulde.  
Her virtue to skies let each tongue unfold,  
The praise of this Queen (a Princess of peace)  
Who s●ekes of the commons the joys to increase.   

Like Judith she sits with sword in her hand,  
To daunt Holophernus and beat down his pride:  
By her, the three graces continued and stand,  
About her princely seat, Sibelles abide.  
Such fate list jove for this your Queen provide  
The Musesnine, with her good grace to devil  
For prudent skill, your Princes doth excel.   

With in her breast justice a place hath pight,  
And in her mercy wields the supreme sway:  
The poor oppressed, to help she doth delight,  
Her hand is priest to shield them from decay.  
To all the fruits of love, she doth display,  
Her ears attend to hear each subjects wrong,  
Like Saba she her subjects rules among.   

The sacred Nymph that noble Vesta height,  
Within her bower, accompanies this Queen:  
Like Phoebus' rays, her glory glisters bright,  
Adorned she sit● with Lawrill lasting green▪  
Parnassus mount to scale this Prince is seen,  
Of Helicon that River running cl●●re,  
To taste her fill our Pandra hath desire.   

The sceptre she, like sad Cassandra swales,  
Corinna like, augmentes her learned skill:  
Then Triton see, in haste thou take thy ways,  
To spread her fame with taunting trumpet shrill.  
Extol our Queen of God be loved still,  
Whose word and will, despite of Chacus ire,  
She, to defend hath settled true desire.   

Her conntryes' weal, to work her heart is bend,  
Haute Hydrais head, she hath cut of indeed:  
Each Minotaur, by skill she doth prevent,  
That in her ●oyle, of strife would sow the seed▪  
The wolf she quails, the lamb she seeks to feed,  
With pleasant milk, and honey passing pure▪  
God grant on earth her grace may long endure.   

Whose blessed days all faithful hearts assent,  
On be●●ed knees of ruling jove to crave:  
With all your powers let hearts and tongues consent,  
To pray to God this ruling rose to save.  
Thrice Nestor's years, wish that her grace may have,  
And as her love, to God is faithful seen,  
So pray, always, that God may shield our Queen.   

In court, my life, with sovereign mind I lead,  
To whom my faith, most loyal I behight:  
When I thought lest, a cause of care was bread,  
To banish bliss, and thrust my joys to flight.  
I felt the force, of cruel Fortune's spite,  
A web of woe, she taught my hands to wea●e,  
As by my tale, ye shall anon perceive.   

Mine eldest Son, Lord Darly, named of right, 
Henry the Lord darley went from England and was married to mary Queen of Scotland by whom he had a son, which Queen Elizabeth of england France & Ireland Queen, & the King● of France did baptize his name Charle james  From England went, to Skotland this is plain:  
Marry the Queen, his presence did delight  
And for him did, of Skotland rule ordain.  
Wedded they were, and he their king did rain  
And God on the earth to maintain their peace,  
Did give them a Prince, their joys to increase.   

The Queen of England, elizabeth's grace,  
And Charles, of France the king this is plain:  
Did baptize the Prince this is a plai●● case,  
Against which season, I list not to feign.  
Our royal Queen certes a fount did ordain  
Of fine pure gold, most cunningly wrought,  
Love to establish, she in this sort sought▪   

Charles james, this Prince, at the fount they then named  
Whose birth to my state did yield some delight:  
But Fortune afresh, my new sorrow framed,  
My honey with gall, she saucst through her spite.  
The king my Son a wise worthy wight,  
(Alack) my tongue fayntes, the sequel to shoe,  
Without his desert did purchase a foe.   

Where he did most trust his trust him deceived,  
For treacherous treason did compass him round:  
His hope as hapless, of bliss him bereaved,  
And causeless ingratitude, 'gan him to wound.  
The guiltless to harm, deceit a mean found,  
Flattery bewitched him, some Skots were untrue,  
And credit to light, to late made him rue.   

A stranger in Court incen●st him to ire,  
Whose haughty contempt he could not abide.  
But death in the Court remained his hire,  
As meetest reward to say down his pride.  
The slaughter of whom his life did divide,  
For where he most firmly sought safts to build,  
Most soonest of all my Son was beguiled:   

Alas that treason should countervail troth,  
And falsehood the clock of friendship should use:  
Alas that Rebels should frustrate their oath,  
〈…〉  
〈…〉 place) thou makest me to muse,  
〈◊〉 ●oate what solace in thee was frequented,  
And yet what mischief false traitors invented.   

〈…〉 most brave in thee were prepared,  
What Music, what sport, what triumph and joy:  
So cost for unity alas there was spared,  
To boast of true friendship, no state was found coy.  
Those that most bragged wrought my sons annoy,  
But as under honey gall often doth lurk,  
So clocked craft (causeless) against him did work.   

The fowlers their nets in secret had spread,  
The bird to entrap (alas) all unware:  
The bayght, was peril, whereon the fish fed,  
Although of pleasure he sometimes have share.  
The hook concealed doth work the fish care,  
Even so did flattery, most craftily frame,  
The death of my Son king Henry by name.   

By whose rueful fine let Princes take heed,  
How or on whom, they do settle their trust:  
Remember this proverb as true as the creed,  
For treason most treacherous, rains in thunjust.  
To ground on flattery let them that will lust,  
Fair words and no deeds, at all they shall find,  
Beware adulation make you not blind.   

But flatterers presume to reach to the Court, 
A Caviate for Princes and noble estates, by the spoil of Caesar to 〈◊〉 & hate smooth tongues that by the means of their feigned slatteries seek the spoil of Princes & depoti●lation of countries.   
Cleo with Prince's s●ekes to bear sway:  
The just by flatteres often times do take hurt,  
Note, flattery of Caesar wrought the decay,  
Sy not that Gorgon his part so did play,  
That Troy by flattery was laid in dust,  
For treacherous treason con●●steth in trust.   

Thus flattery doth sack Regions and Towns,  
Flattery bereaves man of limb and of life:  
It spoileth Princes of their royal crowns,  
(A flatterer) glorieth in mischief and strife.  
In smooth tongues commonly deceit is found rife,  
Trust not such Sirens their hermonies hate,  
Lest in Cha●ibdis you drown also late.   


‡ Henry King of Scots 〈…〉  As did king Henry who yielding to such,  
As smoothly could cloak and cover their guile:  
Suffered hypocrisy his state for to touch,  
The proof whereof, did broach treason vile.  
Obedience and love, false rebels exile,  
Their king they murdered (O woe, and alas,)  
How may I with tears his death overpass.   

B But yet remember thou and thy train, 
bodwel 〈…〉   
O Offenders moast vile wicked and ill,  
D Doth God, not traitors hate and disdain,  
W We read in his wrath destroy them he william.  
E Esteem that his justice lots them to spill,  
L Look with thy consorts from the East to the West,  
Your guile is ostended, God doth you d●test.   

Your crime is to great your fa●●es worthy pain  
A scourge moast sharp your sin doth require: 
●●aughter.   
what subjects nay traitors their prince would have slain,  
That daily their welfare sought to desire.  
Correction most sharp your sin doth require,  
In whom neither wisdom nor reason had place,  
O Cain's moast cruel and people past grace.   

But (ah) why do I exclaim in this sort,  
O silly woman too weak than art found:  
To vanquish these rebbelles so ripe t'ertort,  
Their Prince most faithful that did on truth ground.  
B●t ●est that content though care do thee wound.  
Appeal thou thou to God on him cast thy care  
who for the unjust his wrath doth prepare.   

Thus lingering in woe my dolour increased,  
Dame Nature constrained me to rush forth my tears.  
To send forth my sobs I no time have ceased:  
The heavens of my cries just record still bears,  
The fact of this slaughter blown in mine ●ares,  
My cares made dabble I wailed day and night,  
Yet patience pure I placed in my sight.   

But time at the last my cares did exile,  
And Fortune prepared afresh for to smile:  
Her pleasant looks did last but small while,  
Even so list that dame of bliss me beguile.  
Some Skots continuing their mischief moast vile,  
Did yield me to drink a cup of new care,  
Wherein of sorrow, I tasted my share.   

〈◊〉 anguish was such as to bear was to great,  
Yet God was my guide on whom I did stay:  
Though Fortune 'gan hardly me to entreat,  
Yet to God, by prayer I still made my way.  
And though on my neck his scouge he did say,  
I gladly did yield his cross for to bear,  
And hoapt at the last, the clouds would wax clear.   

The Earl Lennox my spouse, Lord Steward by name,  
In Skotland as regent did bear the sway:  
Under whose charge, the young king worthy fame,  
As his Protector and Governor did stay.  
To uphold justice he laboured night and day,  
The commons weal he sought still to procure,  
But no state of safeguard himself can assure.   

At Starling, he meant, a Parliament to hold, 
The Earl Lennox Regent of Scotland, meant to hold a Parliament at starling.   
Whereunto the states resorted with glee:  
He sought that virtue might still be extoulde▪  
And labour there to place love and unity.  
To him did accord all the nobility,  
Save some most unkind, that virtue did hate,  
The foes of their country, and regent my mate.   

H Haughtiness came on to march with his train, 
Hambletouns treacherous treason.   
A And treason the Ensine and Standert did bear:  
M mischief made speed the innocent to pain,  
B Boldness st●pt up his rancour to rear.  
L Lust longed to have the blood of my dear,  
E Envy priest on at unity to grudge▪  
T Treason in this case, presumed to be judge.   

O Order by fraud and contempt was troode down,  
FIVE Virtue was quailed vice bear the sway:  
N None more priest, to blemish their Regentes renown,  
Then they that of right, were borne him to ob●y.  
Early in the morn, to his place they took way,  
His house they beset (O cause of great care)  
And entered the gates or ere he was ware.   

Thus traitors through treason my deer in his bed▪  
With violence did of truth round beset:  
The voice of their clamour amazed his ●ed,  
The rage of these Rebels, he, ne might forget.  
To weak was his force their practice to let,  
Yet kept he his chamber maugre their ire,  
Till they did threat, to consume him with 〈◊〉.   

Yet came he to parley before he did yield,  
To those (most seditious) chief authors of strife:  
Who promised their regent from peril to shield,  
And vowed by oaths, he should have his life.  
But hard it's to trust, where treason is rife,  
Yet he to their hands himself did commit,  
Supposing that they from faith would not flit.   

But they not weighing, his estate nor renown, 
th'earl Lenox Regent of scotland most traitorously slaire in the Town of Sterling with apistole.   
Nor yet dreading God, that governs the sky:  
With a pistol slew him in midst of the town,  
Th●se Rebels, thus wise their Regent made die▪  
Faith was forsaken and nothing set by,  
Thus treason bereft me of my Son and mate,  
So froward ly●t Lachas twist on my fate.   

O people most perverse stubborn and ill,  
(O Rebels ruthless) and falsely forsworn:  
What meant ye my Son, and husband to kill?  
Would God I wish it, ye had never been borne.  
The death of your king first made me to mourn,  
The spoil of your regent, my cares makes double.  
Woe worth you Rebels, chief cause of my trouble.   

To heaven I appeal in this mortal life,  
For these great injuries unto me done:  
To you that scorn peace and glory in strife,  
God's vengeance in time, no doubt will be won.  
Through Europe defame see that thou do rone,  
To publish the acts of these Skots untrue,  
That their king and Regent, thus did subdue.   

Think you good ladies care cut not my heart? 
Lord Charles married to the daughter of the lady Sentlowe now Countise of Sherisbury who diseased at hacnye by whom he had the Lady Arbella.   
Think you that these pains ransacked not my breast:  
These murders (God knows) enlarged my smart,  
And made me to wail, when I should take rest.  
In bed, and at board, my plaints were expressed,  
My sobs like larums to heaven I up sent,  
But patience perforce bade me be content.   

At Hackney with me Lord Charles did abide,  
And wedded he was to a Lady full dear:  
By whom God for my comfort list to provide,  
Young tender infant my heart for to cheer.  
Arbella was named, the young Lady fair,  
But death from me reft her Father my Son,  
Whose loss to lament with tears I begun.   

Thus Fortune still bend my joys to diminish,  
In this mortal life my cares did augment:  
But shortly after my turmoils to finish,  
Sickness to tach me by God's will was sent.  
To whom for to yield me I was content,  
On God I did build my faith was most true,  
Whose aid I required my flesh to subdue.   

Heaven was my hope this world I did hate,  
Sweet Christ was the Rock on whom I did gro●●d:  
His death was sufficient I knew to abate,  
His Father's displeasure, and cure the wound.  
That Satan through sin, to make in man found,  
By his illusion: the mean and high way,  
To spoyl● us of bliss and work our decay.   

But Just was our God I cannot deny,  
Condemned we were for Adames offence:  
I know as justice did lot us to die,  
So mercy most mild should be our defence.  
The seed of the woman a gem of excellence,  
Was granted of love the Serpent to foil,  
Us to revive that sin sought to spoil.   

Which seed was sweet Christ, the Son of God sure,  
Who did for our sakes his essence imbace:  
His conseption was holy his birth most pure,  
Such was the working of God by his grace.  
God's sacred spirit considering our ●ase,  
Did light on a Virgin by his divine power,  
Of whom was begotten Christ our sweet flower.   

Flesh of her substance I know he did take,  
And for our sakes he become perfect man:  
Sin only except, and thus for to make,  
Our atonement with God of love he began.  
He quailed the boast and power of Satan,  
But as he was man mark well what I say,  
He was also God, believe me ye may.   

For from his humanity this thing is true,  
His Godhead divine was not inseparate:  
Christ God and man our welfare did renew,  
From death by his death the truth to relate.  
He thoroughly beholding our wretched estate,  
●●ducst us from death and brought us from hell,  
God grant that in him we faithful may devil.   

For he it is sure that hath done us good,  
Not for deserts but of love by his grace:  
Our sins are remitted in his dearest blood,  
Our guile is forgotten, and we in good case,  
If firmly our hope in heaven we do place.  
If we on Christ build and settle our trust,  
His merits are ours he will make us just.   

In health and in sickness, I this did believe,  
And even till that death did finish my days:  
Not pain nor yet Cross could my faith reméeve,  
For Christ my sweet Lord his name I did praise.  
Then learn God Ladies to follow my ways,  
hope still for heaven this world is but vain,  
Let Christ your comfort in your hearts remain.   

And unto your Queen be trusty and kind,  
Her statutes and laws observe and obey:  
Her bounty I wish you to bear still in mind,  
For whose secure state, to God do you pray.  
Whose presence God send you to the last day,  
Then Britain shall prospero and flourish with fame▪  
That so it may be say amen to the same.   

My sickness increasing my strength 'gan to fail,  
No Physic could serve my health to restore:  
For death against life began to prevail,  
Such is the state of the rich and the poor.  
Learn to be ready good Ladies therefore,  
Let faith be your shield with sin for to strive,  
Then life everlasting you shall achieve.   

In charity and love my life long I lead,  
The pooreaas my guests I daily did feed:  
But faith h●th my joys in jesus Christ breed,  
Who to his flock doth watch and take heed.  
He was my comfort in danger and need,  
From death and decay, the Lamb set me free,  
So great was his bounty shown unto me.   

At Heackney to death my life did I bend  
My soul to my Christ I there did commit:  
My body to clay did joyfully wend,  
Where it remains till God think it fit,  
My body and soul together to knit.  
Where and in which time before the judge just▪  
I shall be sanctified such is my trust.   

And thus good ladies farewell and adieu,  
My race is full run, my travels have end:  
As death in this life, my life, did subdue,  
So death unto you his footsteps will bend.  
Regard my sayings, think you on your friend,  
For as I am gone, believe me you may,  
You needs must follow your sustance is clay▪   
Dixi. FINIS.  
Yours at command (in the Lord) john Phyllips.   

 

   

¶ Imprinted at London by john Charlewood, dwelling in Barbycan, at the sign of the half Eagle and Key.