ALBION'S England: A Continued history of the same kingdom, from the Originals of the first Inhabitants thereof: And most the chief Alterations and Accidents there happening: unto, and in, the happy reign of our now most gracious sovereign Queen ELIZABETH.  
With variety of inventive and historical Intermixtures.  
First penned and published by William Warner: and now revised, and newly enlarged by the same Author.  
BY WISDOME·PEACE BY PEACE PLENTY.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed by the Widow Orwin, for I. B. and are to be sold at her shop in Paul's churchyard, at the sign of the Bible. 1597.   

To the right honourable, my very good Lord and Master, Henry Carey, Baron of Hunsdon, Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter: Lord chamberlain of her majesties most honourable household: Lord governor of Barwick: Lord Warden of the East Marches for and anent Scotland: Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk and Norfolk: Captain of her majesties Gentlemen pensioners: and one of her highness most honourable privy counsel.  
THis our whole island, anciently called Brutaine, but more anciently Albion, presently containing two kingdoms, England and Scotland, is cause (right honourable) that to distinguish the former, whose only Occurrents I abridge, from the other, remote from our history, I entitle this my book ALBION'S ENGLAND. A subject, in troth, (without vainglory be it spoken) worthy your honourable Patronage: had it passed from the Pen of a more countenanced Author. But for great Personages gratefully to entertain the good wills of mean workmen, is answerable to themselves, and animating to feeble Artists. I therefore secure of your honours clemency, & herein not unlike to Phaethon, who at the first did fearfully admire even the palace of Phoebus, but anon fearless adventure even the presence of Phoebus, (having dedicated a former book to him that from your honour deriveth his Birth) now also present the like to your Lordship, with so much the less doubt and so much the more duty, by how much the more I esteem this my latter labour of more value, & I own, & your Lordship expecteth especial duty at the hands of your servant. And thus (right honourable) hoping better than I may offend, desirous to please, desperate of praise, & destitute of a better Present, I make Tender only of good will, more I have not, for your honours good word, less I hope not.  
Your lordship's most humble and dutiful servant, W. Warner.   

To the Reader.  
Well know I, that Pearls low-prised in India are precious in England, that even Homer was slightly authorized in Greece, but singularly admired elsewhere, and that for the most part, the best Authors find at home their worst Auditors: howbeit, whatsoever Writer is most famous, the same is therefore indebted to his native Language: Neither prefer I above three speeches before ours, for more sententious.  
Written have I already in Proese, allowed of some: and now (friendly Reader) offer I verse, attending thine indifferent (ensure. In which, if grossly I fail (as not greatly I so fear) in verity, brevity, invention, and variety, profitable, pathetical, pithy, and pleasant, so far off shall I be from being opinionate of mine own Labours, that myself will also subscribe to prescribe the same for absurd and erroneous. But in vain is it either to entreat or fear the Courteous or Captious: the one will not cavil, nor the other be reconciled.  
My labour is past, and your liking to come: and things hardly founded, may easily be confounded; arrogancy is Linx-eyed into advantages: envy and self-conceited Readers capable of the least error. But such are good minds, and the Contraries of these Men in reading of Books, as were the pagans in reverencing their Gods, sacrificing as devoutly to a wooden Jupiter, as to a golden Jupiter: to an ox, a (at, or unreverent Priapus, as to the sun, the stars, or amiable Venus: devotion and discretion being evermore senseless in detraction. Of the latter sort therefore I crave pardon, presupposing their patience; to the former, presupposing impatience, I offer pardon: resting to either, and to you all, in good will such as I should.  
Yours. W. W.   

A Table for every of the several books, to find out the special Stories and matters: directing from their Chapters and Pages.  

The first book.  
OF the division of the World after the general Flood: And of the confusion of Tongues. chap. 1. pag. 1  
How and under whom the first monarchy began. pag. 2  
Of the debate betwixt Titan and Saturn, for the kingdom of Crete: and of their conditional atonement. pag. 2  
How Jupiter at his birth, by commandment of Saturn his Father, should have been put to death, and how he was preserved. chap. 2. pag. 4.  
Of the cruelty of Lycaon: and how he was driven out of his kingdom by Jupiter. chap. 3. pag. 7  
How Jupiter delivered his Parents being imprisoned by Titan. pa. 7  
Of Aesculapius, and of his death. pag. 8  
How Saturn, wilfully enforcing his son Jupiter to arms, was chased out of Crete, and Ganimaedes taken prisoner. pag. 9  
How Jupiter on the Sea, overcame the cruel giant and pirate Aegaeon. pag. 10  
How Juno pretending the death of Hercules and hismother (being in travail of him) was prevented. chap. 4. pag. 11  
How Hercules, vanquishing the giant Philoctes, fetched a booty out of the Isle of Hespera. pag. 12  
How Hercules rescued fair Hesione King Laomedon's Daughter from death: and of Laomedon's treachery towards him. pag. 13  
How Hercules sacked Troy, and put Laomedon to flight. pag. 15  
How dangerously Hercules overcame three fierce lions in the forest of Nemea. chap. 5. pag. 16  
How Hercules in Agypt subdued and sacrificed the giant Busiris. pag. 17.  
How Hercules rescued Hippodame the Bride of Pirithous from the centaurs that would have ravished her. pag. 18  
How Proserpinc was rapted by Pluto: her delivery attempted, first by Orpheus, then by Theseus and Pirithous, and how she was at the length rescued by Hercules. chap. 6. pag. 19  
How Androdamus overcame Philoctes, spoiled Thebes, slew King Creon. How Lycus usurped in Thebes, imprisoned Megara the wife of Hercules: and how he and Megara were lastly slain of Hercules. pag. 23  
How King Laomedon was slain by Hercules, and Troy by him the second time spoiled, etc. pag. 25   

The second book.  
OF the war and fierce Combat betwixt Hercules and Antaeus: and of King Atlas. chap. 7. pag. 26  
How two Amazonian Ladies challenged the Combat of Hercules and Theseus, and of the brave performance thereof. pag. 29  
Of the war, contention, and Combat betwixt Hercules and Achelous, for the love of Deianira. pag. 30  
How the Centaur Nessus would have ravished Deianira: of his death, and malicious treachery towards Hercules. chap. 8. pag. 32  
How Hercules slew the subtle and cruel Monster Hydra. pag 34  
Of Geryon subdued, and slain by Hercules. pag. 35  
How the Tyrant Cacus (driven out of his kingdom by Hercules) lived in a cave with three Lady's Daughters to King Pi●us. pag. 36  
The tragical story of Queen Daphles and Doracles. chap. 9 p 37  
The Tale of the old woman and Battus. chap. 10. pag. 45  
The story of Jupiter and Calisto. chap. 11. pag. 49  
Of Cacus his secret Thefts and Tyrannies: and how he was lastly discovered and slain by Hercules. pag. 53  
Of the honour done to Hercules in Italy: and of Queen Marica, on whom he was supposed to beget Latinus Grandfather to Brute. chap. 12. pag. 55  
How Hercules vanquished King Picus, and fell in love with Jole. p. 56  
How Hercules overcame the Tyrant Diomedes, and gave him to be eaten of his own horses: and how in Lycia he betook himself to ease and effeminacy. pag 57  
Of the tragical end of Hercules and Deianira. chap. 13 pag. 59  
The occasion and circumstances of the third and last war at Troy: The destruction thereof: and banishment of Aeneas. pag. 61  
Brute his pedigree from either Parent: his Exile from Italy, and arrival in this Isle, then called Albion. pag. 62   

The third book.  
HOw Brute named and manured this island: built Troynovant or London, and at his death divided the Isse between his three sons. chap. 14. pag. 63  
How Locrine overcame Humbar and his Huns: fell in love with Estrild: and of Queen Guendoleine her revenge on him, Estrild, and Sabrin. pag. 64  
Of King Leir, and his three Daughters. pag. 65  
Of Porrex and Ferrex, and how Queen Iden murdered her son Porrex. chap. 15. pag. 67  
How and when the Scots and Picts first entered Brutaine, and of their Originals. pag. 68  
Of Belinus and Brennus: their Contention: atonement: renowned Acts: and death of Brennus. chap. 16. pag. 69  
Of the kindness showed by King Elidurus to his deposed Brother Archigallo. pag. 76  
How julius Caesar, after two Repulses, made the Brutaines tributary to the Romans'. chap. 17. pag. 77  
The Fable of the old man, the boy, and the ass. pag. 80  
The Birth of our saviour Jesus Christ. chap. 18. pag. 81  
How Guiderius & his brother Arviragus overcame the Romans': how Arviragus was reconciled to the Romans', and married the emperors Daughter. pag. 81  
How Queen Uoada vanquished the Romans: and of hers, and her daughter's deaths. pag. 82  
Of the first Christian King in Brutaine: how the crown thereof became imperial: and of the Marriage and Holiday in Hell. pag 85  
Of the extreme distress and thraldom that the Brutaines were brought unto by the Scots and Picts: and how they were relieved by the King of little Britain. chap. 19 pag. 87  
How King Vortiger entertained Hengistus and his Saxons: how they drove▪ Uortiger and the Brutaines into Wales, and planted themselves in Britain. pag. 88  
Of King Arthur and his chivalry. pag. 90  
How after the death of King Arthur, the Saxons altogether subdued and expelled the Brutaines: and of Cadwallader their last King. pag. 91   

The fourth book.  
THe story of Curan and Argentile. chap. 20. pag. 93  
Of King Sigibert his tyranny & miserable end. chap. 21. pa. 98  
Of the amorous King Osbret slain by the Danes, who under hunger and Hubba did war and win much of England. pag. 99  
Of the politic and courageous Kings Alured and Adelstone: and how they vanquished and chased the Danes. pag. 100  
How Egelred by treason of his mother became king: and how all the Danes were murdered in one night. pag. 101  
Of the extreme thraldom wherein the English lived under the Danes. How swain king of Denmark and Canutus his son wholly subdued England to themselves. chap. 22. pag. 102  
Of the precepts that King Egelred on his deathbed gave to his son Edmond Irneside. pag. 103  
Of the noble war betwixt Edmond Irneside and Canutus: of their Combat, atonement, and friendly partition of England betwixt them, etc. pag. 105  
Of the holy king Edward, his virtuous and valiant government. Of the treacherous Earl Goodwin, and of his End. How king Harold was slain, and England Conquered by William Duke of Normandy. chap. 22. pag. 107  
Of the holy king Edward, and of his sayings. pag. 111   

The fift book.  
HOw king William Conqueror altered the laws and governmet in England. Of Edgar, Athelstone, and of his mother and sister's entertainment in Scotland. And of the restoring of the English royal blood. chap. 23. pag. 113  
Of King Henry the second: of Thomas Becket, and of his death. pag. 114  
Of King Richard the first: his Victories: his imprisonment in ostrich: his revenge therefore: and of his death. chap. 24. pag. 117  
Of King John: and how he was poisoned by a monk. pag. 118  
A Tale of the beginning of friars and cloisterers. pag. 119  
Of a blunt Northern man his speeches. pag. 120  
How king Edgar wooed the nun: and of his penance therefore. pag. 121  
Of the wars betwixt King Henry the third and his Barons. chap. 25. pag. 123  
Of the virtuous and victorious Prince king Edward the first: and of his counsel given to his son, etc. pag. 124  
Of king Edward the second his evil government. Of good Thomas Earl of Lancaster, & of his conference with an Hermit. pa. 125  
How lecherous Turgesius the Norwegane, having conquered Ireland, was by certain young Gentlemen in the habits of Ladies slain, and Ireland so recovered. chap. 26. pag. 126  
Of amorous king Dermot, and his Paramour the Queen of Meth in Ireland: and of Ireland conquered to England. pag. 129  
Of the hermit's speeches to Earl Thomas of Lancaster. chap. 27. pag. 131  
How King Edward the second for his evil government was deposed, and his Parasites put to death. chap. 28. 136  
Of King Edward the third his Victories and noble government. pag. 137  
Of the magnanimity of a Scottish Lady Sir Alexander Seitons' wife, at the besieging of Berwick. pag. 138  
Of the troublesome reign of king Richard the second: and how he was deposed by Henry, surnamed Henry of Bolingbroke, Duke of Hertford and Lancaster, etc. pag. 140   

The sixth book.  
OF king Henry the fourth: of the Rebellions in his time: and of Richard the seconds death. chap. 29. pag. 142  
Of the victorious Prince king Henry the fift. Of Queen Katherine and Owen Tuder. pag. 143  
Of the wowing and wedding of Vulcan and Venus: and of the strife betwixt Venus and Phoebus. chap. 30. pag. 146  
How Pan wooed, and was deceived. chap. 31. pag. 152  
Of Mercury his successes love. pag. 154  
Of Mars his Censure of love and women: and of Jupiters' Sentence and sayings. pag. 156. and 157  
Of the troublesome reign of King Henry the sixth: how he was lastly deposed: And of King Edward the fourth. chap. 32. pa. 158  
Of King Richard the third, and of his Tyrannies. pag. 160  
How Henry Earl of Richmond overcame and slew King Richard the third. chap. 33. pag. 161  
Of the uniting of the two house 〈…〉 Lancaster and York by intermariage. pag. 163.   

The seventh book.  
OF the great difficulties overpassed by Henry the seventh heir of the Line of Lancaster, or ever he attained to the crown. chap. 34. pag. 164  
Of the like great difficulties overpassed by his wife Queen Elizabeth heir of the Line of York, or ever the same two houses by their intermariage were united. pag. 166  
Of a great Rebellion in England, occasioned by a Priest. Of Queen Elizabeth wife to Edward the Fourth. chap. 35. pag. 168  
Of Perken Warbeck and his rebellious Complottors. Of the malicious Duchess of Burgoine. Of the great constancy of a chaste Lady wise unto the same Perkin. pag. 169  
Of a Scottish Knight distraught through his Lady's disloyalty. Of his mad passions and speeches: of his Death: and of her evil ending. chap. 36. pag. 171  
A Tale of the Bat and the Moole, etc. chap. 37. pag. 179  
Of the cuckoo and the owl, part of the former Tale. pag. 185  
Of Perken warbeck's End. Of a Third rebellion. pag. 187  
Of Empson and Sutton alias Dudley. pag. 188   

The Eight book.  
OF King Henry the Eight. Of his Sister Mary the French Queen, and Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk. chap. 38. pag. 190  
Of Queen Katherine Dowager. etc. pag. 191  
Of King Edward the sixth his virtuous reign, etc. chap. 39 pag. 192  
Of Edward Seimer, and Lord Protector, Duke of Somerset. chap. 40 pag. 195  
Of john Dudley Duke of Northumberland. pag. 195  
Of the Lord Gilford Dudley and Lady Jane his wife. pag. 196  
Of Queen Mary. chap. 41. pag. 198  
Of fair Rosamund and King Henry the second. pag. 199  
Of a Lady, who by patience and quiet policy reclaimed her Lord from wantonness. chap. 42. pag. 202  
A Catalogue or epitome of all the most valiant and famous Kings of this Land, and of their Acts, from Brute to her now majesties most blessed reign. chap. 42. pag. 206  
An observation touching the letter H. pag. 208   

The ninth book.  
A Fiction, alluded to our now most gracious sovereign Queen Elizabeth her Persecutors, Persecution, and her passage thereout. chap. 44. pag. 212  
More of her majesties Troubles, & wonderful delivery. pa. 212. etc.  
Of the untimely Ends of most our English Dukes since the Conquest: by way of caveat to Parasites, Rebels, and Conspirators. chap. 45. pag. 214  
The Tale of Narcissus and Eccho. chap. 46. pag. 216  
A Fiction of their authority from Hell. Their present corrupting of Mankind, and wherein. pag. 218  
Of the Chat passed betwixt two old widows, concerning new Fangles now used by women. chap. 47. pag. 220  
More of their Chat. chap. 47. pag. 222  
Of Spain's ambitious affecting kingdoms. chap. 48  
What the Spaniards in council concluded, touching English Papists at their pretended invasion of England: and of the small security wherein Spain standeth. pag. 225. etc.  
The overthrow of the Spanish Armada, that anno Dom. 1588. threatened the Conquest of England. chap. 49. pag. 227  
How Satan by the only sin of Pride hath ever prevailed. cap. 50. pag. 229  
The Legend of S. Christofer. Of the Pope's Drifts, and Infirmities. pag. 230. and 231  
Of the Spanish Inquisition. chap. 51. pag. 232  
Of the beginning of Iesuists. An admonition to such of them as be our natives. Of chief points wherein the Papists descent from us in Opinion. pag. 233. and 234  
Of the Combat betwixt the Flesh and the Spirit. chap. 52. pag. 235  
How our Religion is authentical. Of the chief points wherein we descent from the Papists. pag. 236. etc.  
A Commendation of our present government. With a remembrance of somewhat that in some Persons faulteth. cap. 53. p. 239  
Of the Hypocrites of our time. pag. 240. etc.   

The Tenth book.  
HOw the King of Spain and Pope first quarreled us: received, armed, & abetted our Rebels and fugitives. Of the Pope's arrogant Bull: and of the Scottish Queen, etc. pag. 242. etc.  
Of the Scottish Queen he. Pretexts and intemperate affecting the crown of England. Her many and most dangerous Conspiracies: with a Catalogue of most her traitorous Complottors. etc. chap. 55. pag. 245. etc.  
Of her lawful and orderly trial. Of the most deliberate and merciful handling of her cause. etc. chap. 56. pag. 248. etc.  
Of her Death. etc. pag. 250. etc.  
Of what council the civil wars in France had original. chap. 57  
The beginning of the same civil wars. By whom: and against whom. pag. 253. etc.  
How the Spaniard in those Tumults drifted for France. The Pope's incharitable acting therein. Of our Queen her charitable and necessary succours to the oppressed French: and the progress of those civil wars, etc. chap. 58. pag. 255  
The tragical history of King David's Children applied, etc. chap. 59 pag. 256  
More of the same history. chap. 60. pag. 263. etc.  
Of the wars in the Low Countries. etc. chap. 61. pag. 265. etc.   

The eleventh book.  
OF Sir john Mandevil and fair elenor's love: his prowess for her sake performed: and his departure to travel strange Countries. pag. 296. etc.  
Of Sir Hugh Willough by his Voyage, and death. Of chancellor performing the same Voyage. pag. 273  
Of discoveries by chancellor: his stately entertainment, and successful dispatch of affairs in Russia. pag. 274  
More of Mandeuil and Elinor: and of his Letter sent unto her. etc. pag. 275. etc.  
A description of Russia. Somewhat of their Manners, Religion, and policy, etc. chap. 65. pag. 278  
More of chancellors laudable Actions: and of his death. pag. 279  
Of Elinor her speeches to one Stafford, in answer of Mandeuils Letter, etc. chap. 66. pag. 281  
Of Burrough his discoveries, etc. chap. 67. pag. 283  
Of Jenkinson his discoveries, and successful employments. pag. 284  
More of the same. pag. 285  
Of Mandeuil offered a great Marriage in Egypt. Of Women, and Marriage: and a Censure of Either. chap. 68 pag. 286  
More of Jenkinson labouring our affairs in Persia, etc. chap. 69. pag. 289   

The Twelfth book.  
OF the means whereby Elinor (thereof before ignorant) had notice that Mandeuil was her Knight beloved. cap. 70. p. 292  
Of East, South, & Southeast discoverers and discoveries, etc. chap. 71. pag. 295. etc.  
A Woman simply delivering the sooth concerning her own sex, etc. chap. 72. pag. 297  
Of the seventeen kingdoms in times by-passed, whereof her majesty is now sole Monarch, etc. chap. 73. pag. 300. etc.  
Old Rome described in her ruins. chap. 74. pag. 302  
Of Rome's politic government from the Originals, unto Constantine's Donation. etc. pag. 304  
Of the governors, and government of Rome, since the papacy. chap. 75. pag. 305  
Of the free-States in Italy. pag. 306. etc.  
A new reviver of an old Merriment, of one crossed in his amorous drifting. chap. 76 pag. 307. etc.  
Of Mandeuil and Stafford met at Rome, etc. pag. 309. etc.  
The residue of the former Merriment. chap. 77 pag. 312  
Mandevil and Elinor met, and of their loves event, etc. pa. 304 etc.  
Aeneidos in Prose. pag. 317. etc.   
FINIS.   

ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

THE FIRST book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. I.  

I Tell of things done long ago, of many things in few:  
And chief of this clime of ours, the Accidents pursue.  
Thou high Director of the same, assist mine artless pen,  
To write the gests of Brutons stout, and acts of English men.   

When arked Noah, & seven with him, the emptyd worlds remain,  
Had left the instrumental mean, of landing them again:  
And that both man and beast, and all, did multiply with store,  
To Asia Sem, to Africa Cham, to Europe Japheth bore  
Their Families. Thus triple wise the world divided was:  
One language common unto all: until it came to pass,  
That Nembroth son to Chus, the son of Cham, O 〈…〉 d Noah his son.  
In Caldea (never seen before) an Empire had begun.  
As he and his audacious crew, the Tower of Babel rear,  
Pretending it should check the clouds, so to annoyed the fear  
Of following bloods, the Creator of creatures beheld  
The climbing tops of cloud-high Towers and more to be fulfilleth.  
To cut off which ambitious plot, and quash their proud intent  
Amongst a world of people there he sundry speeches sent,  
So that, unable to confer about the work they went,  
The Tower was left unfinished: and every man withdrew  
Himself apart, to join with those whose language best he knew:  
And thus confused tongues at first, to every nation grew.   

THe Babylonian Saturn though his buildings speed was bad,  
Yet sound the means that under him he many Nations had,  
He was the first that ruled as King, or foreign lands subdued,  
Or went about into the right of others to intrude:  
Ere this aspiring minds did sleep, and wealth was not pursued.  
His son jove Belus after him, succeeded and purveyed  
For dreadful wars, but aweless death his dreadful purpose staid.   

Then Ninus prosecutes the wars, prevented Belus sought,  
And filled the wronged world with arms, and to subjection borough▪  
Much people, yet not capable of such his novile fight.  
From Caldea to Assyria he translates the Empire quite:  
And caused fire on horses backs, before him ever borne,  
To be adorned for a God. Thus out of use was worn  
In Caldea and Assyria too the honour rightly due  
To high Jehova, God indeed. Idolatry thus grew  
From Ninus first: he first of all a monarchy did frame,  
And beautified Niniui●, that bore the bvilder's name.   

His warlike wise Semir amiss, her husband being dead,  
And son in nonage, feigning him, long ruled in his stead:  
Delating in a males attire, the Empire new begun:  
The which, his years admitting it, she yielded to her son,  
Thus Cham his brood did borgeon first, and held the world in awe:  
But japheth's Line to javan's land from Assur doth us draw.   

Much praise is spoke of Thessaly, and Pegasus his Springs,  
And how the nymphs of Meonie, in Tempe did great things,  
And how that Cecrops and his seed did honour Athens so,  
As that from thence are said the Springs of Sciences to flow.  
Not only arts but chivalry, from Greece derive we may:  
Whereof (omitting many things) my Muse, alonely say  
How Saturn, Jove, and Hercules, did fill the world with fame  
Of justice, prowess, and how they both men and Monsters tame:  
And so from these derive the mean how Brute to Albion came.   

In Crete did flourish in those days (the first that flourished so)  
Vranos: he in wealth and wit all others did out go.  
This took to wife (not then forbade) his Sister Vesta fair,  
That crooked Titan did to him and comely Saturn bac●.  
The elder for deformities, in making and of mind,  
With parents and the people too did lesser liking find:  
The younger by the contraries, gave handsel in his prime  
Of many virtues, honouring their Owners elder time.  
Away slips age: death spareth none: Vranos leaves the stage,  
His body (now deprived of pomp) interred, the worms do gage.  
Well may a rich man's Hearse want tears, but heirs he shall not m●s,  
To whom, that he is dead at length no little joy it is.  
How beit, at the least for form, Vranos sons lament:  
But scarce their patted father's Ghost to heaven or hell was sent,  
When that his heirs did fall at odds about the vacant reign:  
And Titan chafes, disabled then the sceptre to sustain.  
Each eye did follow Saturn's form, each heart applauds his fame,  
And to conclude, with whole consent, he wins away the game.  
Yet, for because the birthright should enure to Titan still,  
In Mars his Church did Saturn vow his Issues males to kill.  
Not meanly glad was Saturn then his head possessed of crown,  
When, of his building, he was Lord of many a peopled town.  
He giveth laws, his laws are kept, he bids, and all obey,  
And equally beloved and feared he wealds a kingly sway.  
He teacheth men (untaught before) to ear the lusty land:  
And how to pierce the pathless air, with shaft from bowman's hand.  
God Dis did quail to see his gold so fast conveyed from hell,  
And fishes quakte, when men in ships amidst their floods did dwell  
Who loves not him? Wherein did not the King of Crete excel.   

But what avail or towns, or laws, or what do subjects move?  
Sheaves, shafts, or Ships, or Gold, or all? king Saturn is in love.  
He loves, and is beloved again: yet so might not suffice,  
In former vow to Titan made his pain of pleasure lies:  
But no man from the monarch love by wealth or weapons flies.  
Cybella, fair Cybella is espoused to her brother:  
And as do Venus billing Birds so love they one another.  
In Coiture she doth conceive: one son is borne, and slain:  
And Saturn of the handsel hard, doth malcontent remain.    

CHAP. II.  

THe sun had compassed all the signs, and Cybell brought to light  
Her second breed, a smiling boy, and Jupiter he hight:  
Together with the Queen of Gods (so Junos' style we wright.)  
The infant smiled at his birth: but Cybell, ioybereft,  
And Vesta, whom Vranos had an heavy widow left,  
Did both lament: for Saturn willed the new borne babe should die,  
Both to acquit him of his vow, and frustrate destiny.  
For at the Oracle he had, his wife a son should bear,  
That should e●ect him from his realm: his vow therefore and fear  
Did hasten on (unwillingly) the slaughter of his son:  
For which (his sorrows granting speech) his moene he thus begun.   

And want not stately Crowns their cares? With pomp have princes pain?  
Ah, die he must, and die he shall, else may not Saturn reign.  
yet, might a sceptres want suffice, I gladly would resign:  
But sworne-by Styx and wreakful Mars at perjuries repine.  
Then far be it that they repine, lest I too late repent:  
It doubles sin, if sin by sin we practise to prevent.  
From this time forth, melancholy, for Surname Saturn had:  
No mirth could wrest from him a smile, each smile would make him sad.  
His servants fear his solemn fits, when if they ought did say,  
He either answers not at all, or quite an other way.  
Unpeopled rooms and pathless ways did fit his humour best:  
And then he sighs and sheddeth tears when all things else did rest.  
Who so could cite a tragedy was foremost in his creed,  
For, balking pleasant company, on sorrows did he feed.  
Death likes him that mislikes himself: in gesture robes and all  
He shows himself like to himself: and hence it doth befall  
That men to Melancholy given, we Saturnists do call.   

His Wife and Sister kissing oft her nephew and her son,  
(For she his Aunt and Mother was) with Vesta seek to shun  
The voted father's deadly doom: to kill so sweet a child  
Their eyes and very souls abhor: who (nothing so unmild)  
Do weeping kiss his laughing mouth, in mind the Babe to save:  
Howbeit fear of Saturn's wroth contrary counsel gave.  
But when in haste the Babe his heart was sent for by and by,  
So Saturn wild, so Cybell must, and Vesta not de 〈…〉 e,  
It was a woe to hear their woe and death to see them die.  
Unhollowed wretch, than Cybell said, in womb why did I bear  
This double burden? happy Twins, save that my Twins they are.  
So that my teeming with these throws had ending well were I:  
Or would I might not give them life, that living forth with die.  
Thy sceptre (Saturn) is not worth performance of thy vow:  
Thy conscience doth a scruple hold that Gods nor men allow.  
From Gods, from men, from brutish beasts, from nature nought doth grow,  
But fosters what it bringeth forth: thou only dost not so.  
Thy sons alone for slaughters serve, and I mean while their mother  
Am Saturn's Wife, less proud of it then that he is my Brother.  
Unhappy Cybell borne to bear, and therefore borne to woe,  
And fruitless fertile to a man that soweth not to mow.   

Now tears had drowned further speech, till she as one bestrought  
Did cry that with a knife the Babe should to her bed be brought:  
Myself (quoth she) will be his death, with whom myself will die:  
For so may S●turne save and shun his vow and destiny.  
But Vesta countermands her charge: yet Saturn's will must stand,  
For Jove must die, or they not live. A damsel there at hand  
Was then enforced to that charge. Thrice touched her knife his Skin,  
But thrice his smiles did cause her tears: she four did begin,  
And four ended as before. Betid me death or life,  
Live still (at least for me) she said: and casting down the knife,  
She kissed that sweet and pretty mouth that laughed on her lips:  
And brings him back to Cybel's bed. Her heart, revived, skips,  
Reviewing life where reckoned death had wrought repentant tears.   

The Father fronted with a guile, at length the damsel bears  
The Infant unto Oson town: and in her Lady's name,  
Entreats Melissus Daughters twain to nourish up the same.  
Up to a mountain bear they him, and in a secret cave  
A mountain Goat did give him milk, and so his life they save.  
His Nou●ses, sounding Simbals once to drown the Infants cry,  
A many Bees (the muse's birds) into the cave did fly,  
Where making honey, Saturn's son did long time live thereby.    

CHAP. III.  

IT doth remain of Jupiter, as how (but then a Lad)  
From Epire to Pelasgis him the lords Epyrote. had,  
To fetch their pledge Lycaon held, when times of truce had end.  
Lycaon feigning to consent, that did not so intent,  
Next day, as though he would dismiss the Legates with estate,  
Did make to them a solemn feast: when, having slain of late  
The noble pledge, he brings his limbs and setteth them before  
His countrymen to feed upon in saused dishes store.   

The Strangers and his subjects too abhorring such a sight,  
Sat gazing each in others face, bereft of speech and spirit,  
Until that lusty Jupiter, a stripling to behold,  
Did take the limbs dismembered so, and with a courage bold  
Did show them throw Pelasgis streets, declaring by the way  
The murder of their bloody King: which did so much dismay  
The Citizens, that even they, detesting such unright,  
Did rise in arms against their King, where youthful Jove did fight  
So valiantly, that by his force Lycaon took his flight:  
And after did by Robberies, by blood, and Rapines live:  
For which to him a wolvish shape the Poets aptly give.   

IN Epire and Pelasg●s thus Jove first his honour won:  
But greater things untouched are by this same Worthy donne.  
And partly, in the monstrous war that Titan and his crew  
Did hold with Saturn, when by search of Issues males he knew  
The which his brother had alive, against their covenant made:  
When, Titan Victor, fast in hold was vanquished Saturn laid,  
Together with his wife and friends: where sorrow much they passed,  
Till Jupiter did understand his parentage at last.  
He therefore landing took in Crete, with well provided men:  
And ●lew his uncle Titan, and the Giant typhoon then,  
With most part of the Titanoies, and sets his Father free;  
By means whereof they reconcile▪ and well a while agree.   

NOt brooking then Apollo's fault, in that he entertained  
The remnant of the Titano●es, that after wars remained,  
Ap●ll● was by Jupiter enforced for to fly  
His kingdom Paphos, and to live exiled in Thessaly.  
There love, but chief penury, constrained him to keep  
(until he was restored home) the King Admetus' sheep.  
And for his son disdainfully envied Jove his praise  
jove was the same physicians death that dead to life could raise:  
Whose same grew thus. As Aesculap an herdsman did espy,  
That did with easy fight enforce a basilisk to fly.  
(Albeit naturally that Beast doth murder with the eye.)  
Apollo's son perceiving him with Garland on his head,  
Imagines (as it was indeed) some herb such virtue bred:  
And for a proof, he caused him to cast the wreath away,  
When straight the beast her only eyes the silly man did slay.  
Then Aesculap himself did take the wreath and puts it o●,  
And by that means he overcame the basilisk anon.  
In herbs that deeper force is hid then Science may contain  
I find, said he, and herb by herb into his mouth did strain  
That lay for dead, an herb at last reviving him again.   

Henceforth, men thought him more than man, when by his wondrous skill  
He rendered life to many like, so winning great good will.  
But as he waxed famous thus, he famous waxed proud,  
Disdaining all, yea Jove himself for peer he disallowed:  
Until that Satur's angry son revenged his pride by death:  
Correcting justly each abuse, as Rector on the Earth.   

THe sons renown thus added grace, unto the father's name,  
But shadows wait on substances, and envy follows fame.  
Even Saturn, pompous Saturn, rid by Jupiter of Foes  
And fear of Titan, did renew his superstitious woes,  
As touching former Oracle: and hasty summons sent  
Throughout his realm to muster men, in purpose to prevent  
By death of Jove his destiny. The men of Crete repined  
To put on armour to his ill whom they had found so kind:  
But will they, nill they, so they must, for so their King assigned.  
And Saturn with his armed troops into Arcadia went,  
Where Jupiter, forewarned of his father's ill intent,  
Entreated peace, to him denied, so that perforce he must  
Defend him from his froward Sire, or rather foe unjust.   

There might ye see King Saturn fight like to a Lion wood,  
Whilst Jupiter did bear his blows and spares his father's blood:  
And him that foe-like would him slay, he friendly did defend,  
Desiring Saturn to retire, but words were to no end.  
The wilful man pursuing blood, Jove ceaseth to persuade,  
And rushing in amongst his foes so hot a skirmish made,  
That every blow sets blood abroach, and so in little space,  
Even he who late he did entreat is followed now in chase  
By Arcas and his company: for Jove resraind the flight,  
Because against his country men he had no will to fight.   

Whilst luckless Saturn did escape by flight and fortune then,  
And wandered long in uncouth Seas, deprived of wealth and men,  
Victorious Jupiter was crowned with glory King of Create:  
And Saturn, now arrived at Troy, for succour did entreat.  
Ganymedes, King Troy's son, was sent in Saturn's aid:  
A worthy Knight, and valiant war to Jupiter he made.  
But he and his were chased back even to their city walls,  
For whoso stood with Jupiter, by Jupiter he falls.  
And there the Trojan Paragon Ganymedes was ta'en,  
Twixt whom and Jupiter thenceforth sound friendship did remain.  
Then Saturn did the second time to Seas with shame retire,  
And never after durst by war against his son conspire:  
But sailing into lower realms, in Italy did dwell:  
And hereof it is said, his son did chase him into hell.   

Mean while, less joyous of his fame then jealous of his freaks,  
Her wrong Queen Juno on the trulls of Jupiter she wreaks.  
Which was the cause that, all too late, he (purposing return  
To rescue Danae (in whose love he amorously did burn)  
Was cast by storms into the Seas, that forthwith took the name  
Of him whom for his Piracies Jove vanquished in the same.  
Ye might have seen Aegeon there, with wreakful wrath inflamed  
At sight of Jove, at whose decay he long in vain had aimed.  
And how that Jove had now the worst, and in a trice again  
The giant with his twice three barks in hazard to be ●aine.  
The centaurs show them valorous, so did Ixeon stout,  
And brave Ganymaedes did deal his baleful dole about:  
But when courageous Jupiter had beaten to the ground  
Aaegeon, and in the self-same chains wherein he often bound  
The harmless souls that crossed those Seas, himself in fetters lay,  
Ye might have said, and truly said, that then did end the fray.   

So many were his high exploits, whereof such wonder bread,  
That for the same the Heathen folk do deify him dead.  
Which since they are so manifold, I many overpass:  
And though Amphitryo blush to hear how he deceived was,  
And that Alcmene pinch my tongue, possessed with bashful shame,  
Yea though that Jupiter himself my lavish tongue shall blame,  
yet since that jealous Juno knows already of the same,  
I dare to tell how Jupiter so cunningly beguiled  
His love Alcmene, that by him she traveled with child  
Of Hercules: whose famous Acts we orderly shall tell,  
Whereof the first, but not the least, in Cradle-time befell.    

CHAP. four  

Queen Juno, not a little wrath against her husband's crime,  
By whom she was a Cockqueane made, did therefore at the time  
In which Alcmene cried for help to bring her fruit to light,  
Three nights and days enchant her throws▪ and (of a devilish spite)  
Intended both the Lady's death and that wherewith she went:  
Till Galinthis unwitching her did Junos' spells prevent.  
Howbeit cankered Juno, still pursuing her intent,  
Two poisoned Serpents, got by charms, into the chamber brought  
Where Hercules in cradle lay, and thinking to have wrought  
A tragedy, did let them lose: who smelling out their prey,  
Skaerd Hercules his brother that in self same cradle lay:  
But Hercules, as Children use with little whelps to play,  
Did dally childishly with them, and no whit did dismay:  
Until at last his tender flesh did fecle their smarting stings,  
And then displeased, betwixt his hands the Snakes to death he wrings.   

Amphitryo and the Thebans all of this same wonder tell:  
And, years permitting, Hercules did with Euristeus dwell.  
This King, by spiteful Junos' means, did set him task on task,  
But Hercules performed more than both of them could ask.  
Yea, yet a Lad, for activeness the world did lack his like,  
To Wrestle, Ride, Run, Cast, or shoot, to Swim, to Shift, or Strike,  
As witness (his invention first) those solemn active plays,  
That were on Mount Olympus tried, where he had prick and praise.  
For which his novel, and himself (in those not having peers)  
The Grecians by th'Olimpides kept reckoning of their years.   

KIng Atlas daughters in the Isles of Hesperae did hold  
A many sheep: and Poets feign their fleeces were of gold:  
(For rareness then of sheep and wool in figures so they feign)  
Euristeus pricks his pupil on this novile Prize to gain.  
The Greeks' apply their sweeting oars, and sailing do persist  
Until they reach the wished shore: where ready to resist  
Their entrance to the closed Isles an armed Giant stayed,  
Whose grim aspects at first approach made Hercules afraid.  
Now buckle they, and boisterous blows they give and take among:  
A cruel fight: But Hercules had victory ere long.  
The Giant slain, Philoctes took the vanquisher in hand:  
An harder task had Hercules then pausing now to stand,  
Most dreadful was their doubtful fight, both lay about them round,  
Philoctes held the harder fight by keeping higher ground.  
The son of Jove perceiving well that prowess not availed,  
Did feign to faint: the other thought that he in deed had quailed,  
And left th'advantage of his ground, and fiercely smites his Foe:  
But Hercules, whose policy was to contrive it so,  
Renewing fight most eagerly, so strikes and strikes again,  
That to endure the doubled force his valiant Foe had pain.  
Who, yielding to his victor's will, did find in him such grace,  
As Hercules did thenceforth use his friendship in each place.  
Hesperideses, the goodly nymphs, their keeper's chance lament:  
But Hercules did comfort them, and cure their discontent:  
And shipping then of rams and Ewes a parcel thence he went.   

IN coasting back by newbuilt Troy, he saw a moanful sort  
Of people, clustering round about their yet unconquered Port.  
He musing much, and striking sail, did boldly ask wherefore  
They made such dole: Laomedon, then standing on the Shore,  
Did tell the cause: the cause was thus. Laomedon ere than  
To rear the stately walls of Troy (a costly work) began,  
And wanting pay to finish up the work he had begun,  
Of Neptune's and of Phoebus' Priests (the gods of Sea and sun)  
He borrowed money, promising repayment of the same  
By certain time which thereunto he did expressly name.  
The walls are built, the time is come, the Priests their money crave,  
Laomedon forswears the debt, and naughty language gave.  
Forthwith the Sea (the devil then did many wonders show)  
Began to swell, and much of Troy with violence overflow:  
And thereupon the swealtie sun (the wasteful Sea retired)  
So vehemently did shine upon the Oosie plashes myerd,  
That thereof noisome vapours rose, and of those vapours spread  
Such plagues, as scarce the living might give burial to the dead.  
Repentant then, their wretched king to divell-god Delphos goes  
Where at the Oracle he knew his wrongs to cause such woes:  
And how the Gods of Sun and Seas, offended, do require  
Each month a Virgin, to appease a seaish Monsters ire.  
Wherefore to save their common weal, the Trojans did agree,  
One Virgin, as her Lot did light, should pay that monthly fee.  
Now after many murdered Maids (for monthly at one day,  
The fearful Monster at the Port expects his wont prey)  
The lot fell to Hesione the daughter of the King,  
Whom to the Port to be devoured with tears the Trojans bring.   

When Hercules thus understood the hard occasion why  
The guiltless Lady should have died, he purposing to try  
His valiantness, (for what was it that Hercules would fly?)  
Did ask the King what gift should grow to him that should both free  
His Daughter and his kingdom of that bloody monthly fee.  
The king, whom now a doubted hope of proffered help made glad,  
Made promise of two milk-white steeds as chiefest gems he had.  
Brave Hercules, whose venturous heart did only hunt for fame,  
Accepts th'assumpsit, and prepares the fiend-like fish to tame.   

Anon the dreadful devil drives the Sea before his breast,  
And spitting mighty waves abroad, disgorgde from monstrous chest,  
Lists up his ugly head above the troubled waves to catch  
The trembling Lady, for which pray his yawning jaws did watch.  
But he, whose strength exceeded sense, with iron Club in fist,  
Did bootless long with bruising weight the boisterous Whale resist.  
The greater strokes, the fiercer was the monsters aweless fight:  
So that the Greeks' and Trojans all misdoubt their dreadless knight.  
Still Hercules did lay on load, and held the fight so long,  
That in the end the Sea retired, and left the fish among  
The bared sands: and so for want of water, not of strength,  
Good fortune honours Hercules with victory at length.   

Now when the King, his Troyans, and the Grecians had beheld  
The substance of the ugly shape, even dreadful being killed,  
They bring the Champion to the town with triumphs, gifts, & praise:  
And who but he beloved in Troy, whiles that in Troy he stays?  
Alone the King (a man no doubt predesinate to ill)  
Observing how his subjects bore to Hercules good will,  
And fearing lest their love to him might turn himself to hate,  
And seeing now himself and land in prosperous estate,  
Unfriendly did exclude his friend from out his City strong,  
Whilst with his Greeks' he hunts abroad, mistrustless of such wrong,  
And when the Champion and his men did from their sport return,  
Not only did gain say in Troy that longer they sojourn,  
But also (impudent in guiles) withheld the Corsers twain,  
Which Hercules so dearly won, in hazard to be slain.   

Alcmena's son abashed then to find so lewd a meed,  
In am of well deserved love was choleric indeed:  
And made a vow (if life gave leave) he would such vengeance take  
On Troy, that even the stones thereof for dread of him should quake,  
And that the living Trojans than should say, and justly say,  
That they were happy whom the plague and Monster made away.  
And threatening so the trothless King did leave the hated Port,  
And shortly did arrive at Thebes, and feasts in Creon's Court.   

THence brought he war and wrack to Troy, and in his army Kings,  
And by the way Larnessus' walls unto the ground he flings,  
And setteth Tenedos on fire, whose fearful flames espied,  
Gave summons unto careless Troy for worse to provide.  
Before the Greeks' had reached Troy, the Trojans by the way  
Did bid them battle: many men on either part decay.  
The sounding armours crack with blows, whilst piercing arrows fly,  
This lieth dead, that same is maimed, and more at point to die.  
Heads, arms, and armour fly about, and bodies swim in blood,  
And fresh supplies did fall with them on whom they fight stood.  
But Hercules, above the rest, bestirred himself so well,  
That still before his baleful Club by Shocks the Trojans fell.  
Who, fainting now, seek to retire into their fensive town:  
Where Hercules their Porter was, and rudely knocks them down,   

Thus won he Troy, and sacked Troy, and channels flowed blood,  
Nor did he breath whilst any part of all the city stood,  
Save stately Ileon. In the same a many Ladies wear,  
Whose piteous tears wrought Hercules that only place to spare,  
As for the false Laomedon he secretly was fled  
And valiant Pryamus his son to Greece was captive led.    

CHAP. V.  

AT home return, Queen Juno craves his company at create,  
Whom, there arrived, with heartless joy his stepdame did entreat.  
What? Hearest thou not my son (quoth she) how Argive folk complain  
Of Lions three, that in their fields both men and herds have slain?  
All this she said, as knowing him to seek such hard affairs:  
To win him to which desperate fight no Course nor cost she spares.  
When this was said, enough was said, and half was yet behind  
When Hercules did vow redress, and Juno had her mind.  
He joys to hear of that exploit, such was his venturous heart,  
And thanking Juno for her news, did so from thence departed.   

Philoctes now and Hercules in Nemea Forrest be,  
Long seeking what they could not find, till, crying from a tree,  
An herdsman said, friends shift away, or else come up to me:  
Lest that those cruel Lions three now ranging in this wood,  
Which have devoured those herds I had, and with my Manies' blood  
Imbrud their fierce devouring chaps, and forced me to climb  
This Tree, where I (unhappy man) on leaves have fed long time,  
May, all too soon, with tearing teeth destroy you in like case.  
The quaking herdsman scarce had said thus much, when as a pace  
From out a Thick the Lions three on Hercules did run.  
Philoctes trustless of his Prowse, by climbing did them shun,  
And now the Rampant Lions great, whose only view would quail  
An hundred Knights, though armed well, did Hercules assail,  
And sometimes with their churlish teeth and pinching paws again  
So grievously endanger him, that near he faints with pain.  
How beit (glory checking grief) he twain had now dispatched:  
The third, and dreadfulst of the three, though many a blow he catched,  
Yet neither Club nor Sword had force to harm his hardened Hide,  
Until that (weapons laid apart) by strangling hands he died.   

Not Hercules himself conceaud more joy of this success  
Then did Philoctes, who ere while did hope of nothing less.  
The herdsman, poor Melorcus, like as Hercules him wild,  
Vncaest the Lions, fearing long to touch them being killed:  
And in his Cottage to the Knights a country feast he held.   

The Argives, hearing of this deed, with Triumphs him entreat,  
And offer all: but leaving all he doth return to Create:  
Whom glozing Juno, 'gainst her mind, with cost did entertain,  
And with a tongue repugnant quite to her malicious vain  
Commends his deeds, when rather she did wish he had been slain.  
And therefore with an harder task his labour did renew:  
But what was it that manhood might, and he would not pursue?   

IN Egypt was a grievous drought, the cause thereof unknown:  
Which to redress, their devilish Gods and Oracle had shown.  
Do offer up strange blood, they bid, and so avert our ire:  
Busiris, prone before to blood, had now his hearts desire.  
No sooner Stranger touched the shore, but them the barbarous King  
To fry in flames before his Gods for Sactifice doth bring.  
Yea custom added worse to ill, his subject and his friend  
(When Strangers miss) supply the flames, his murders had no end.  
Howbeit, with these Butcheries the drought did still remain:  
For in Busiris was the blood that should redeem the rain.  
The Gods did mean (which they not mind) that lewd Busiris he  
An Alien borne, that Stranger was, who dead, no drought should be.  
A Noble man of Junos' kin Busiris late had slain,  
For loss of whom the crafty Queen did often sorrows feign.  
Cease (madam) saith Hercules, not long the time shall be,  
But I his tyranny shall end, else it give end to me.  
Her sorrows did not tith her joy, when he had given consent  
To undertake that deathful task: for death was it she meant.   

Now Hercules in Egypt meets Busiris and his Crew,  
When suddenly with main assault on him the Giant flew:  
Supposing to have dealt with him, as he had done before  
With other Strangers. Hercules' alone, and no more  
To take his part, with skathfull strokes bestirred his Club so well,  
In battering of the tyrant's bones, that strengthless down he fell.  
Then did he kill and chase away his lewd and cruel train,  
Till hearing of no further foe, he cometh back again,  
And taketh up the wretched King, that crieth out for aid:  
And on the Altar, where himself had Strangers often laid,  
Himself was made a Sacrifice: and as his blood did stain  
The Altar, even at that same time there fell a joyful rain.   

With ended drought, and tyrant's death, a common joy befell,  
And all in Memphis entertain the unknown Champion well:  
From thence returning back to Thebes he there a while did dwell,   

KIng Creon's Daughter Megara, at Thebes he did espouse:  
To countenance their wedding feast did want nor knights, nor prows.  
Which triumphs ended, when the knights should thence departed away,  
Pirithous to his wedding bids them all, and names the day  
Wherein to meet at Thessaly: to which did all consent,  
And at the time concluded of at Thessaly convent.  
Amidst their cheer, the solemn feast the centaurs did disqueat:  
Whom by no means the Nobles there to patience might entreat.  
For they an hundred giants strong, with drinking whittled well,  
Amongst their cups, from words to blows, and worse dealings fell:  
And (too outrageous at the last, (fierce Eurytis their Guide)  
unreverently they ravish thence Hippodame the Bride.  
But Hercules not brooking it, to arm himself begun,  
And all alone in rescue of the rapted Bride did run.  
By this time did Ixeons' seed stand still in battle ray,  
When he, but one against them all, began a bloody fray.  
Each arrow that with aiming hand from sturdy Bow he sent,  
Did answer by the death of one the Sender his intent.   

Whilst Hercules with deadly bow had store of centaurs slain,  
And, wanting arrows, with their blood his valiant Club did stain,  
The bridegroom and the other knights came to the ceasing fight,  
When all were soiled, excepting twelve that saved their lives by flight.  
Alonely Lycus yielded him a prisoner, and lives,  
And living unto Hercules much after-sorrow gives:  
But Nessus, that escaped then, in time him worse grieves.    

CHAP. vi  

THe glory of this high attempt and saving of the Bride  
They all ascribe to Hercules: and whilst they here abide  
To exercise his Piracies, as Pluto King of Hell,  
(Such was the lewdness of his life, and place where he did dwell,  
That he and it were titled so) lay hovering near the shore,  
And saw the folk of Cicilie their Gods with rights adore,  
This roving King, with armed guards of his disordered Crew  
Did come a land to make their Pray: but for, to outward view,  
They feign devotion, none suspect the ill that did ensue,  
Anon, a wreathing Garlands sweet hard at her mother's side,  
King Pluto saw Proserpina, and liking whom he spied,  
Concluding with his company how to convey her thence,  
Betwixt his boisterous arms he took the fair and fearful wench,  
And do what the Sicilians might, he setteth her aboard:  
And to his guilty sails the air did gentle Gales afford.   

A number eyes in Cicilie for her did weep, in vain:  
For her her Mother Ceres and her loves mate did complain,  
Herself (sweet Lady) of her moan did find no mean, God wots,  
Though this to please did say and give what might be said or got.  
Embarked then, with him his harp did woeful Orpheus take,  
And to Molessa Pluto's realm with speedy sails did make:  
Where he, unknown, at gate of Hell did harp such music sweet,  
As lumpish Cerberus could not but shake his monstrous feet.  
His foul and warped ill-favoured face, orehung with coal-black hairs,  
His horslike teeth, his lolling lips, his Doglike hanging ears,  
His hooked nose, his scowling eyes, his filthy knotted Beard,  
And what not in his ugly shape? but presently appeared  
More milder than his common mood, and lesser to be feared.  
This hellish Porter, deeming that such music would delight  
His weeping Mistress, did convey the Harper to her sight:  
Where Pluto swore by dreadful Styx, if Orpheus did by play  
But make her laugh, what so he asked he should receive for pay.  
Anon such heavenly harmony on skilful harp he played,  
That she her husband's music knew, and joyful was she made.  
Now Orpheus did a watchword give, and she to laugh began:  
And for reward to have from thence his wife he asked then.   

Although it gawled Pluto's soul his sweetheart to forego,  
yet for to quit him of his oath, he yields it shall be so,  
With this condition, that before they fully passed Hell,  
He should not backwards look on her, what chance so ere befell.  
Now as they pass through blind by-ways, he fearing lest perchance  
She err or lag, returns a look: and who should mark that glance  
But Cerberus, that purposely for such advantage waits:  
Who still detaining her, did shut her Husband out the gates.   

When Ceres heard of this mischance, she Cicill leaves anon,  
And knowing all the Knights of Greece to Thessaly were gone,  
She thither goes in hope of help: where presently she meets  
With Thaeseus and Pirithous, whose salutings she regrectes.  
They wondering what the noble Queen of Cicill there should make:  
Become inquisitive thereof: to whom sad Ceres spoke  
First of Proserpina her grief, and then of Pluto's guile:  
For her she weeps, on him she rails, and moveth them mean while.  
The mother of false Dis his rape had more behind unsaid,  
When Aegeus and Ixion's sons did jointly offer aid.   

About the desert parts of Greece there is a valley low,  
To which the roaring waters fall that from the mountains flow:  
So rocks do overshadow it that scarce a man may view  
The open air: no Sun shines there: Amidst this darksome mew  
Doth stand a city, to the same belongs one only Gate,  
But one at once may come thereto the entrance is so strait,  
Cut out the rough main stony rock: This city did belong  
To Pluto, and because that he was ever doing wrong,  
And kept a thievish rabble that in mischiefs did excel,  
His Citizens were devils said, and city named Hell.  
When to this Cities ruthless gate were come the friendly Knights,  
Fierce Cerberus did rouse himself, and scarcely barking bites.  
He thought the world had lacked the man that thither durst repair:  
And troth to say, not one till then to do the like did dare.  
Now fiery sparks from thundering strokes in dark did give them light,  
And Ceres Champions valiantly maintain their venturous fight,  
When stout Pirithous, too too bold, a deadly wound he catched,  
And Thaeseus, though Combattan-like he long the hellhound matched,  
yet with his fellow had he fallen, and flying fears to cope,  
Expecting nothing less than life, but hap exceeded hope:  
For Hercules at Thessalic did fear so hard event:  
Whence launching out, he made in show as ifto Thebes he went,  
But with Philoctes all his train and Lycus home he sent:  
And he himself to aid his friends did to Molossa go,  
Where, like as did his mind presage, he found it very so.  
For even as currish Cerberus with gory blows did chase  
The wounded and the weary Knight, came Hercules in place.  
An unexpected happy sight to Theseus at that tide:  
Whom Cerberus forsaking then at Hercules he flide,  
Upbraiding him with threatening words, and like himself did rave,  
And reached him many a crabbed rap with his presumptuous glaive.   

The Danter then of Trespassers perceiving Theseus dry  
His grievous wounds, and at his feet Pirithous dead to lie,  
Desirous to revenge them both, lays lusty load about,  
And with his still victorious Club did Cerberus so clout,  
That, quite dismayed at such a match, he reeling to the ground,  
Did send from out his Doggish throat a loud and devilish sound.  
But when the victor sure enough the vanquished had bound,  
He leaving Theseus weak without into the city went:  
Whereas he found the wicked King and Citizens, that spent  
Their fruitless time in vices foul, and dealings most unjust,  
As those that in their porter's strength reposed all their trust.  
With these did Hercules play Rex, and leaving Dis for dead,  
Not one escapes his deadly hand that dares to show his head.  
Whole thousands then did breathe their last, & who had seen the sight,  
Might well have said it Hell indeed: for every thing outright,  
Besides that sullen Mew itself, did give a figure plain  
Of self same Hell where damned souls abide in endless pain.  
Save howl out & shuddering fear came nought to ear or sight,  
With grievous groans of dying Ghosts: & so much more their spite,  
By how much more he found them then in pleasures and delight.   

This horror hanging, Hercules in buskling up and down  
In Pluto's palace, to her joy, Proserpina he found,  
And told her of enlargement thence: And then in harrowed Hell  
(Pirithous buried) he, nor she, nor Theseus' longer dwell:  
But, weighing anchor with the Queen of Cicils Daughter went  
To Thessaly: where present griefs pretended joys prevent,  
For, hearing of Pirithous death, not one but did lament.  
Hippodame (a widow now) especially bewails  
Her overhardie husband's death: But weeping less prevails  
Then did revenge: for Hercules unto her doom commits  
Her greefes-contriver, Cerberus, almost besides his wits  
For fear of death his due desert: whom causing to be bound  
Both hands and feet, and to be dragged along the ragged ground,  
A knavish Skull of boys and girls did pelt at him with stones,  
And laying on with staves and whips did break both flesh & bones   

WHen Hercules should pass to Hell, as hath before been said,  
And that Philoctes of his men he had Lieutenant made,  
And as Philoctes with his charge on Seas to Thebes did pass,  
He met Androdamus, the King of Chalcedon he was.  
Androdamus, not knowing yet his cozen there enthralled,  
(For Lycus was his cozen) to the Thaebane Pilots called  
To Ken of whence and where they would. But ere the thebans might  
Give answer, Lycus clogged with chains on hatches stood upright  
And cried, Androdamus behold and secure me thy friend,  
That shamefully, unless thou help, am like my life to end.  
I captive am to Hercules, and thus to Thebes must go:  
Give aid therefore. Androdamus defers not doing so,  
But setteth on Philoctes, that himself and ship defends,  
And part of Calcedons he slew, and part to Sea he sends:  
But where the number tripled there for them the battle ends.   

When Lycus was discharged of bands, and stout Philoctes bound,  
He told what scathe the centaurs late in Thessaly had sound.  
Amongst the slain he named some allied to the King:  
For which the savage Tyrant swore revenge on Thebes to bring.  
And sailing thence prevailed there by coming unawares:  
And putteth all to sack and sword, nor old nor young he spares.  
He slayeth Creon, and in hold fair Megara was cast:  
And leaving Lycus King in Thebes, from Thebes the Tyrant past.   

Whilst Lycus thus did Lord-it there, the error of his eye  
Did vex his heart: but Megara his lust did chastened fly.  
And Hercules by now had news how things at Thebes fell out,  
And how that Lycus there was Lord, and none for him durst rout.  
Disguised than he thither comes and to the palace went:  
Whom, when the Porters would have staid, his rags he of did rend,  
And shows himself like to himself, no blow in vain he spent  
That se●s not breath or blood abroach. This uproar Lycus heard,  
And thinking that some private Fray had fallen amongst his guard,  
Presuming that his presence would appease the growing heat,  
Did cast his haughty arms abroad, as who would say, be queat,  
Or here am I that can aswell command it as entreat,  
Which Hercules so suddenly chopped off, that (yet unmist)  
He thinking to have used arms, was armeles ere he witted.  
Then Hercules, our Hercules is come, all Thebes it cried,  
Now shake we off our servile Yoke and follow him our guide:  
And so they did, till none were left to hold on Lycus' side.   

The medley ended, Hercules did bring the centaur bound  
To Prison: whereas Megara in misery he found:  
(For Lycus, speedeles in his lust, against her so had frowned)  
Yea (more revengeful) seeing her embraced by his Foe,  
And hoping nothing less than life, to vex them ere he go  
He said: thou dotest overmuch to entertain that Whore,  
The falsest Lady under heaven, for let me live no more,  
If Megara (I speak by proof) embraced so of thee,  
Hath not offended divers ways, and common been to me.  
Then Hercules supposing that his speeches had been true,  
Swept off the lying centaurs head, and in that choler slew  
(Too credulent) his guiltless wife: but dead her death did rue.   

FOr loss of her, and slaughtered friends, he vexed at the heart,  
Did then from Thebes (an hea●ie man) to foreign lands departed.  
Distressed in the Trojan Rhode he secure sought for pay:  
To which (his people's triple plague) Laomedon said nay:  
And to provide their second scourge sailed Hercules away:  
For, coming back with jasons Prize from Colchos, he complains  
Of churlish King Laomedon, and so an army gains.   

At Troy the Greekish peers and he did land their armed men:  
Whom to resist Laomedon did range his battles then.  
The Trojans they bestirred them well, the Grecians stood not still,  
Laomedon fights valiantly, and many a Greek did kill:  
Till Hercules (digesting ill to see his Foe pursue  
Such good success) encounters him, whom easily he slew.  
And having slain the traitorous King he ceaseth not to die  
His Thaebian Club in Phrygian blood, till all began to fly.  
But with the Trojans, Telamonius, and Hercules both twain,  
And by their valour all the Greeks' the gates and city gain,  
And kill who so of Troy they caught, and razed to the ground  
The city, whilst that house by house, or stone on stone they found  
When venturous Telamonius, for that he entered first the gate,  
For Prize had fair Hesione, of Troy the latest fate:  
For priamus to quit her Rape, long after sent his son  
To ravish Helen from the Greeks': So thirdly war begun:  
Hesione the cause to Troy, and Helen to the Greeks',  
And all did work that Trojan Brute the Albion Climate seeks.     

THE SECOND book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. VII.  

THe twise-sackt town the Grecians then did merrily forsake,  
And Hercules for new affairs, did land in Egypt take.  
There in a port he did espy a fleet of ships from far,  
Well fraught with Men, Munition, and what else pertains to war.  
When Affer (he chief captain was of that same fleet) did spy  
The ensigns of the famous Greek, he knew them by and by:  
And entertaining on his knees the Owner of the same,  
Rejoiced to behold the man so honoured by fame.  
With Affer sailed Hercules to Lybia, to put down  
The giant King Aniaeus, that had aided to the crown  
Of Ae●ypt, 'gainst th' Egyptians wills, Busiris lately slain  
By Hercules, in whose conduct the doubt not to obtain.  
The taking land in Lybia now, and having in their sight  
The threatened city of the Foe, his Tents did Affer p●ght,  
And gifts it with a sudden Siege. The Giant then did shake  
His hideous head, and vowed revenge, yea sharp revenge to take.  
But is●ning out his city gates he ●ound the ●oe so hot,  
That, notwithstanding such his brags, the worst Antaeus got:  
For Hercules did canvas so his carks, that at length  
He did retire himself and men, as trustless of his strength.  
His Libian slain, and he not sound, Antaeus' Truce did crave:  
For grant whereof unto his Foes mean time he victuals gave:  
And whilst the Month of Truce did last, the Giant bruised sore,  
Did heal his wounds, and to his part solicits Aiders more,  
Mean while the Greek to Mauritain did pass unknown of all,  
And there in King Antaeus' aid he found supplies not small:  
And for he looked soldier-like, they brought him to the King,  
Who offered pay: not so (quoth he) I mean an other thing,  
Discharge these Bands, or else will I discharge thee of thy breath,  
That all alone to thee and thine oppose me to the death.   

When Atlas knew him Hercules, that conquered of late  
The island which his daughters held, and brought to latest fate  
His Giant that defended them, and captivated than  
His friend Philoctes: he twixt fear and fierceness waxed wan.  
And look how fast the rattling hail upon an house doth fall,  
So fast they lay on Hercules, that holdeth wage 'gainst all.  
For as the Smith with Hammour beats his forged metal, so  
He dubs his Club about their pates and sleas them on a row.  
And whilst (not daring to look down) by heaps on him they fly,  
Some stumbling on the bodies dead are smouldered so and die:  
Some sliding in their slippery blood, where with the place did swim,  
Were strangled so: some others whilst disorderedly at him  
They fret and foin, are crowded on by those that hindmost be,  
And with their weapons spoil themselves and fellows two or three:  
Some others with the wounding points of broken weapons die:  
And others daring with their Foe their bootless force to try,  
Were in a moment slain by him: and thus in little space,  
Without resistance Hercules had Lordship of the place:  
And, maugre swords or studied stars, brought Atlas to the Seas,  
Whereas Philoctes did in time his pensiveness appease,  
And to his friend commends the Foe for bounty (which at last  
Himself did find) and when as time his grief had overpast,  
The same that for astrology the Skies support was said,  
In such his Science Hercules a perfect Artist made.   

The Month of Truce by this had end, and Hercules returns  
To Affer, that encamped at the Lybian walls sojourns.  
A second battle then begun: Antaeus like a Baer  
Bestires himself amongst his Foes, whilst Hercules did fair  
As roughly with contrary blows, till none to fight did dare:  
But humbly all submitting them subdued by his might,  
He gave them grace, and stayed there to do them law and right.   

Mean time Antaeus, lately fled, returns from Mauritain,  
And with a mighty troop of moors renewed fight again:  
And all the Fields with Carcases of mangled men were filled,  
And numbers failed to the moors that Hercules had killed.  
But when Antaeus saw his men to lessen more and more,  
Resolving or to win the spurs or lose himself therefore,  
He makes a bloody glade until the Thaebane he espied,  
And finding him: bestow on me thy blows, the Giant cried,  
That am both able to endure and to repay the same,  
A fly is not an Eagles pray, nor Mouse a lions game:  
My death might countenance thy deeds (if that it so would be)  
But make account that I anon will triumph over thee.  
In saying which he smites his Foe, performing wondrous might:  
And body unto body they with equal damage fight.  
But Hercules disdaining that so long Antaeus stands  
With him in combat, gripping him betwixt his angry hands,  
Did crush his carcase in the air that life did leave him so:  
And thus did reap a monarchy, and rid a mighty Foe.  
Then Hercules (Antaeus' dead) with ease he overcame  
All Lybia with provinces and kingdoms of the same,  
And maketh ●ffer King of all that bears the Donees name.   

IN expedition of which war when Hercules would dwell  
No longer time, but purposed to bid his friend's farewell,  
A warlike wench, an Amazon, salutes him by his name,  
And said: know Hercules (if it thou knowest not by same)  
How that the Scythian Ladies, late expelled their native Land  
By King of Egypt, have contrived amongst themselves a band,  
And with the same have conquered all Asia, Egypt, and  
All Cappadocia: Now for that we, Victors, understand  
The Africanes are our Allies, we minding to proceed  
In further Conquests, tendering them, have therefore thus decreed:  
That you two Champions shall elect, and we will also send  
Two Ladies, that for victory shall with your Knights contend:  
And if your Champions vanquish ours, than we will tribute pay,  
But if that ours do vanquish yours, than you shall us obey.  
But hope not so, more profit gives our bounty then our blows,  
And uninforced tribute may procure your friendly Foes.   

Then Hercules, admiring much the challengers, did yield  
Two adverse Knights the morrow next should meet them in the field  
And mounted well on Corsers twain next light by dawn of day  
Into the lists came Hercules and Theseus: Mid the way  
Upon a brace of milk white steeds the two Viragoes meet  
The Knights, and each the other did with civil congees greet.  
Then either part retiring back began to make their race,  
And couching well their valiant spears did run a wondrous pace.  
With Menalippe Hercules the fight did undertake,  
And Theseus with Hippolyta did his Encounter make.  
They meeting, either part both Horse and load to ground were cast,  
Whereat the Africanes did muse, and Scythians were aghast.  
Unhorsed thus, disdainfully each Knight defendant took it:  
And either Lady so disgraced as scornfully did brook it.  
Then settle they to handy arms, the which was long and fierce,  
And with their cutting weapons did both Helms and harness pierce.  
But Hercules, though never matched so hardy in his life,  
Disarms at length his Scythian task, and ended was their strife.  
But Theseus with his Combattesse in doubtful battle fights,  
Till, blushing at the maiden's blows, he checks his mending sprights:  
And laid so hardly to her charge, not able to sustain  
His fresh-got force, that he also the second Prize did gain.  
Antiope, a third unto those warlike Sisters twain,  
Beholding how sinisterly the double fight had passed,  
Makes sorrow, whilst the Africanes rejoice for it as fast.   

The Scythians to the Africanes did homage then, and pray  
Their Ladies might be ransomed. That suit did Theseus stay,  
For he through lance, his Foe through love went victoresse away.  
And therefore when th' Athenian Knight and Amazon were matched  
In marriage, Menalippe then from durance was dispatched.  
And Hercules (than which to him no greater prize could be)  
Had Queen Antiope her Bealt and armour for his fee,  
And sets the dames of Thermodon from other ransom free.  
And Theseus with Hippolyta at Athens landing takes,  
And Hercules to Calydon a dismal voyage makes.   

There did King Oeneus bounteously receive so great a Guest:  
Where scarcely had he any time from passed toils to rest,  
But that proud Achelous sent Ambassadors to know  
If that King Oeneus on him his daughter would bestow,  
If not, to threaten wreakful wars: which much abashed the King,  
Till Hercules, who then was come about the self same thing,  
(For love to Deianira both competitors did bring)  
Expelled fear by offering aid to back him from the Foe,  
By means whereof unsatisfide away the legates go.  
The Tyrant Achelous then, with all Epirus force  
Invades the bounds of Calydon, and spoils without remorse.  
But Hercules he leading forth his army got the day,  
And well was he amongst his foes that fastest run away.   

They and their King, with hard escape, immure themselves at length  
Within a Castle near the Sea, an Hold of wondrous strength.  
The Thaebane then, as resolute to spoil both Foe and Fort,  
Did burn his foes forsaken ships, left riding in the Port,  
And with a few besets the hold. When Achelous he  
So slender watch about the walls of Enemies did see,  
He scorned that so weak a siege should pen him up so strait,  
Who having ten for one of them, did issue out the Gate  
Against the Greekas, that willingly his coming did await.  
Espying Hercules, he cried, lo yond same devil is he  
That drove us out of Calydon, who so of mine he be  
That ●●aieth him, shallbe enriched with great rewards by me.  
But he that made such offers large, did offer them in vain:  
For when his men saw Hercules approaching them amain  
With fiery eyes, and angry looks, and dreadful Club in fist,  
They thought it needles to assail, and bootless to resist,  
And every man retired back into the hold again,  
Where many days, attempting flight, they cowardly remain.  
From war at length they fell to wieles. There lay upon the shore  
A broken Hoy, that bade not brooked the Seas of long before,  
The Mast they boring full of holes, in every hole did stick  
A burning Torch, and launched it out in night when clouds were thick.  
No sooner was the fiery keel a float upon the waves,  
And that the Greeks' espied it, but each man rashly craves  
The viewing of so strange a sight. But Hercules did smell  
The presupposed Stratagem, and ranged his army well,  
And marching near the guileful light, did find ambushment there  
That playing on advantage thus (prevented though) appear.  
Occasion happening, Hercules would not omit the same,  
But took them as he found them now, and fights it out by aim.  
When Achelous he beheld his guile by guile to fail,  
Well might he chafe, but harder chance his courage might not quail:  
For look how fierce and boisterously a chafed Bull doth fight,  
So Achelous lustily on either side did smite:  
And by his only prowess than a many Knights were slain,  
Whilst Hercules with like success his opposites did pain.  
And now, by chance, amidst the brunt the valiant wooers twain  
Do single, and togethers tug, and as two Lions strong  
Each one desiring others blood did hold a combat long.  
King Achelous minding her for whom began that broil,  
To Conquer where he did contend, annexed hope to toil:  
Al●menas son remembering to whose cause he did defend,  
Even hers on whom his being and his very soul depend,  
So charged his contrary with knocks, and used his Club so well,  
That vanquished (though valorous) King Achelous fell.   

Th' Epirotes when they saw their King a captive led away,  
Their hearts were done: and Hercules subdued them ere day:  
And Achelous in exile did end his latter days:  
And all Aetolia was filled with Hercules his praise,  
To whom the King did give to Wife fair Deianira, she  
The pleasing prize of that his prows, and dearly earned Fee,  
Who after, of her own decay, and his, the mean should be.  
The Centaur Nessus was the man that made her err so much:  
Of which her error, but his sin, the circumstance is such.    

CHAP. VIII.  

WHen over deep Euenus' ford the passage did not fit,  
This Giant, of a Stature tall, did offer help to it:  
And Hercules, forgetting him (for at the centaurs Fray  
The same unslain, but not unskard, escaped then away)  
〈◊〉 pray him to the farther shore with Deianeira to weighed,  
And so he did, whilst Hercules this side the river stayed.  
When Junos' Breed on farther banks his Passenger had set,  
The lust and long conceived grudge to foul revenge did whet:  
Not Deianira could avoid a Rape, or little less:  
Or Hercules, disjoind by Ford, give aid to her distress.  
One while, contrary to himself, full humbly he entreats,  
Anon, like Hercules indeed, he did command with threats.  
But first nor latter might prevail, for Nessus hauled her thence.  
I may not follow, nor in flight is (centaur) thy defence  
Said Hercules. His deeds approve his latter saying true,  
For letting fly a fatal Shaft the ravisher he slew.  
And though the arrow galled him even at the very heart,  
yet for a while he did endure the not enduring smart.  
And having brought his trembling Rape into a valley, said:  
See Deianira how thy love an end of me hath made:  
yet is my death less grief to me, then that thou shouldst bestow  
Thyself on such a changing churl as Hercules: I know  
(sweet Wench I know) he doth prefer contrary loves to thee,  
Wherefore my grave (the less my grief) in this thy good shall be.  
Take this (he gave a folded cloth, and to the baene therein  
He mixed somewhat of his blood) this same (quoth he) shall win  
To thee again thy husband's love, when he shall it estrange:  
For out of doubt, I know it I, he takes delight in change.  
When thou suspectest such a wrong, do boil a shirt with this:  
No sooner shall he wear the same (herein such virtue is)  
But that his novel love will change and fall whence it did fly:  
Mean while do not the unction touch, lest so the virtue die.   

In all this time betwixt his arms he did the Lady clasp,  
And held her so, as hawk a Pray, until his latest gasp.  
Then leaving him a lifeless Coarse, mistrusting nought his drift,  
She meaning simply, took with her the traitors poisoned gift.  
And Hercules by this had passed the river deep and wide:  
Who (Deianira first embraced) drew from the centaurs side  
The fatal Shaft that should the death of brave Achilles prove,  
In Phoebus' Church, by Paris hand, for polixena's love.   

THe centaur left untombed there, he, she, and all their train  
are come to Lerna, whom the King did nobly entertain.  
There had he from their common tears the cruel havoc made  
By Lernan Hydra, whom in fen not armies durst invade.  
His upper parts had human form, his neither Serpentine,  
The whole was monstrous, yet his wit more monstrous, but most fine  
(For wit is moustrous when the same from virtue doth decline.)  
Such were his subtle arguments, and still supplies therein,  
That he by often loss of heads was feigned heads to win:  
And witty thus to others wrong confounded all he found,  
Propounding questions, and a word unanswered was a wound.  
The Scourge of Tyrants hearing this, did promise death or aid,  
Whilst fearful Deianira did the contrary persuade.  
But woman's speech from weapons use might not withdraw him then,  
Till entering Palus, he had rousd the Monster from his den.   

Disdainfully did Hydra take the presence of his Foe,  
And after subtle arguments to sturdy fight they go.  
Two blows at once with glaive and tail made Hercules to reel:  
Who since he first had used arms the like did never feel.  
Not long he borrowed had the Loan, but Hydra had the like:  
So either twain repay their debt, and neither faintly strike.  
But who might stand with Hercules? By him the monster fell:  
Who, burning up his ugly shape did pass his soul to hell:  
Which happy fate of Hydra's fall left Lerna glad and well.  
From whence to Athens, and from thence to Lycia did he sail,  
Then to Hesperia Gerion's realm his outrages to quail.   

HE by his triple tyranny (for Geryon he was said  
three headed, in respect that him three other Giants aid)  
So spoiled and plagued the neighbour realms with daily wrongs & war,  
That all the force of Africa his fury could not bar.  
In Gadira when Hercules his pillars reared had,  
The which (our Western world not known) men farther land forbade,  
Then with victorious ships he sets on Gerion's chased Fleet:  
And secondly at Megida did either army meet.   

There Geryon with his brothers twain the city did beset,  
And scornfully advance themselves as men not to be met.  
Providing therefore mural works, they threaten hot assault:  
Whilst Hercules contrary wars unto his soldiers taught.  
The Gates wide opened, out he comes unto the Giants three,  
Your men, he said, are well at work, well met are also we.   

This less than monster more than man, a fiend in human shape  
The Spaniard said, is he from whom I made so hard escape.  
Yet hardlier shalt thou now escape, said Hercules, and than  
Between them four, three to one, A cruel fight began.  
And every of the Giants thought himself an overmatch  
To Hercules, who almost gave to one a quick dispatch,  
The second he dispatched in deed, who fell his latest fall.  
Then thousands came to rescue them yet, one, he fights 'gainst all:  
Till Theseus with the other knights did march their army out,  
And join to him, their Foes with them, and all make battle stout.  
Then Gerion's brother fights again, and both did bathe in blood,  
It was no fight where they fought, or standing where they stood.  
King Meleus, Theseus, Hispan, and Philoctes did no less:  
But sovereignly the son of Jove bestirred him in the press.  
The Giant, Gerion's brother, then by him did breathe his last,  
And Geryon did retire his men into their galleys fast,  
But where they land, there Hercules won landing, though he passed  
The Pikes withstanding thousand Swords, & warding thousand slings  
Himself alone, ere that his men to fight on Shore he brings.   

Then Geryon, cursing heaven & earth, bestir ye friends he cried,  
Now is the time to live or die, let good or bad betid,  
Do live as men, or die as men, see ten we are for one,  
What lets us then from victory, that victors have been known?  
Revenge yourselves, revenge your friends, revenge our common moan.  
Nor did he shrink from what he said, or said not as he wrought:  
His only deeds were manies death: Till Hercules he sought,  
Whom singling, after combat long, of him his end he caught:  
So to subjection Hespera by Hercules was brought.   

NO better Spanish Cacus sped, for all his wondrous strength,  
Whom Hercules from out his realm debelled at the length.  
A richer King or Tyrant worse lived not in any Land,  
Nor any one 'gainst Hercules in hardy fight did stand.  
yet chased by his Conqueror he was enforced to fly  
Upto a Mountain in those parts: where as, at point to die  
Through famine, by his magic art he made the mountain flame,  
And by that shift escaped his Foe, long wondering at the same.  
Then fled the Giant night and day (for fear did lend him wings)  
And as about from place to place the wandering Tyrant flings,  
He on a Mount in Italy called Aventine did light,  
Where laboured Cacus did repose his wearied limbs all night.  
In this same Hill he found a cave, which fitting place espied,  
He did resolve in secrecy thenceforth himself to hide  
In that same Mount from sight of men: and being there alone,  
That words at least might vent his woes he maketh thus his moan.  
Ah wretch (quoth he) no longer King, that title now must change,  
Thou late were fearful unto all, now fearing all must range.  
This ragged cave must now suffice in stead of royal seat,  
And though (alas) the place should please, yet want I what to eat.  
Where be my solemn banquets now? where is my stately train?  
My Tributes? nay my proper Goods? or do my friends remain?  
Not one I fear: proud wealth was such, that now in time of need  
I know not where to seek a friend in any hope to speed.  
And yet despair not, Picus lives, indebted much to me  
For great good turns: to him I will ere here I settled be.   

Thus drove he forth the dismal night, and up by peep of day  
He sped him unto Calabrie, for there King Picus lay.  
His daughters three of long before, and still did love him well:  
And, whether with the King's consent, or not, it so befell  
He took them all to Auentin, and there with him they dwell.  
About his boisterous neck full oft their dainty arms they cast,  
Still plying him with kisses sweet, no sport was overpast  
That Cacus would, & they might work: and more, their custom was  
By pleasant tales in order told the weary times to pass.  
And once especially it was concluded on a row  
That each of them should tell her tale, the first beginning so.    

CHAP. IX.  

KIng Aganippus ere his death had with his Lords decreed  
His only daughter Daphles should in Empire him succeed.  
A fairer Lady lived not then, and now her like doth lack,  
And nature, think I, never will a second She compact.  
The King entombed, Daphles of his sceptre was possessed:  
And one there was, a Noble man, that could it not digest.  
Who (for he was of fame and force) did bid her battle, and  
In doubtful end of victory their civil quarrels stand.  
At length the Argive Maiden Queen she Doracles subdued:  
But (Cacus) of this Stratagem a tragedy ensued.   

Now loves, not lances came in ure, the man that lost the day,  
And lies in chains, left her in cares: her Conquest was his prey.  
Full often did she blame herself for loving him her Foe,  
But oftener thought she it more blame not to have erred so.  
Thus whom in camp she loathed late, in chains she loved now,  
And thought him sure, because so sure. To Prince's prisoners bow  
Thinks she: and watching fitting time, unto the Prison went,  
Where at the door of such his Lodge a many tears she spent.  
But entering, when her eyes beheld the Image of her heart,  
To her still peerless, though his bands had altered him in part,  
She casting down her bashful eyes stood senseless than a space,  
yet what her tongueless love adiornd was extant in her face:  
And now the gaoler left to her the Prisoner and the place.  
Then, cheering careful Doracles, let it suffice (quoth she)  
That I repent me of thy bands, and frankly set thee free.  
And let that Grace grace-out the rest, for more remains behind  
Then, being said, may decent seem to such as faults will find.  
Myself, my Land, my love, my life, and all what so is mine  
Possess: yet love, and save my life, that now have saved thine.  
Then 'sounds She at his sullen feet, that yet abode in thrall:  
Which to avoid, he faintly rubs his liver on his gall:  
And with his hand, not with his heart, did rear her sinking down,  
And feigning to approve her choice, had promise of the crown.   

But neither crown, nor country's care, nor She (worth all the rest)  
Nor grace, nor duty, reconcile whom envy had possessed.  
No sooner was he got at large, and wealth supplied his lack,  
But he to seek her overthrow to foreign aids did pack.  
Demand not how the wronged Queen digested such her wrong,  
But ask if she, the tidings told, to hear them lived so long.  
She lived in deed, yet swooned oft, and swooning overpast,  
From her mistempered head she tears her lovely Tresses fast.  
And beateth on her ivory breasts, and casts her on the ground,  
And wrings her hands, and scricheth out, and flingeth up and down.  
Her Ladies pitying her distress had got their Queen to rest:  
From whenceforth outward signs & sighs her inward grief expressed,  
Her sparing Diet, seldom sleep, her silence, and what not?  
Had framed her now right loverlike, when thus to him she wrote.   

WHat fault of mine hath caused thy flight doth rest in clouds to me,  
But faultless have I heard of none, and faulty may I be.  
Yet not my sceptre, but myself, have kingly suitors sought:  
Did all amiss, save thou alone, that settest both at nought?  
At nought, said I? Yea well I said, because so easily caught.  
One crime but cite, and I for it will shed a million tears:  
And to be penitent of faults with it a pardon bears.  
Ah, Doracles, if our extremes, thy malice and my love,  
The formers ever ill shall not the latters good remove.  
I hear thou dost frequent the wars, and war thou wilt with me,  
Forgetful that my Argive men impatient warriors be:  
Sweet, hazard not the same to sword that love doth warrant thee.  
Each spear that shall but cross thy helm hath force to craese my heart:  
But if thou bleed, of that thy blood my fainting soul hath part.  
With thee I live, with thee I die, with thee I lose or gain,  
Live safe therefore, for in thy life consists the lives of twain.  
Most wisely valiant are those men that back their armed Steeds  
In beaten Paths, over boarded Tylthes to break their staffe-like Reeds:  
Where not the dint of wounding lance, but some devise of love,  
Sans danger, hath sufficient wait their manhoods to approve.  
Where brave Aspects of lovely Dames Tantara to the fight,  
Whose forms perhaps are weged in hearts, when favours wag in sight,  
Whearas the victor's Prize is praise, and Trumpets sound each blow,  
Where all is well, that seems but well, in courage or in show.  
Where Ladies doff their Champions helms, and kiss where beavers hide,  
And parley under Canapies how well or ill they did.  
Retire therefore, sweet heart retire: or, if thou wilt be armed,  
Then fight as these where all things make that all escape unharmed.  
Such manhood is a merriment: things present are regarded:  
Not thousand drams of blood in war, one drop is here rewarded.  
In few, the wars are full of woes, but here even words of war  
Have braver grace than works themselves, for Courts from camps be far.  
Than are the valiant, who more vain? Than Cowards who more wise?  
Not men that travel Pegasus, but fortune's fools do rise.  
Me thinks I see how churlish looks estrange thy cheerful face,  
Me thinks thy gestures, talk, & gate, have changed their wont grace:  
Methinks thy sometimes nimble Limbs with armour now are lame:  
Methinks I see how scars deform where Swords before did maim:  
I see thee faint with summer's heat, and droop with winter's cold:  
I see thee not the same thou art, for young thou seemest old:  
I see not, but my soul doth fear, in fight thou art too bold:  
I sorrow, lastly, to have seen whom now I wish to see,  
Because I seeloves oratress pleads tediously to thee.  
If words, nor weep, love, nor lines, if ease, nor toil in fight,  
May wain thee from a pleasing ill, yet come thou to my sight:  
Perchance my presence may dissuade, or partnership delight.  
But woe am I, dead paper pleads, a senseless thing of woe:  
It cannot weep, nor wring the hands, but say that she did so:  
And saith so uncredited, or if, then thought of corpse:  
Thus thus, because not passionate, to paper fails remorse.  
O that my griefs, my sighs, and tears, might muster to thy view,  
Then woes, not words. them pain, not pen, should vouch my writing true.  
yet fare thou well, whose farewell brings such fare-ill unto me:  
Thy farewell lacks a welcome home, and welcome shalt thou be.   

These lines, subscribed with her name, when Doracles did view,  
He was so far from liking them, that loathing did ensue.  
And, lest that hope should ease her heart, or he not seem unkind,  
In written Tables he to her returned thus his mind.   

The Bees of Hybla bear, besides sweet honey smarting stings,  
And beauty doth not want a bait that to repentance brings.  
Content thee, Daphles, Mooles take mads, but men know Mooles to catch,  
And ever wakes the Dawlian bird to ward the sloe-wormes watch.  
I have perused, I wots not what, a scroll, forsooth, of love,  
As if to Dirus in his Tent should Cupid cast his glove.  
A challenge proper to such sots as you would make of me,  
But I disdain to talk of love, much more in love to be.  
Nor think a Queen, in case of love, shall tie me to consent,  
But hold the contrary more true, and it no consequent.  
For persons must in passions jump, else love it proveth lame:  
Nor think I of a woman's grant, but as a wooers game.  
Your Sex withstands not place and speech: for be she baese or high,  
A woman's eye doth guide her wit, and not her wit her eye.  
Then senseless is he, having speech, that bids not for the best:  
Even Carters Malkings will disdain when gentry will digest.  
The better match the braver Mart, and willinger is sought:  
And willing suit hath best event: so Vulcan Venus caught.  
I argue not of her estate, but set my Rest on this.  
That opportunity can win the coyest She that is.  
Then he that rubs her gamesome vain, and tempers toys with art,  
Brings love that swimmeth at her eyes, to dive into her heart.  
But since the best, at best, is bad, a shrew or else a sheep,  
Just none at all are best of all, and I from all will keep.  
Admit I come, and come I then because I come to thee?  
No, when I come, my coming is contrary sights to see.  
My leisure serves me not to love till fish as haggards fly,  
Till Sea shall flame, till sun shall freeze, till mortal men not die,  
And rrivers, climbing up their banks, shall leave their channels dry.  
When these shall be, and I not be, then may I chance to love,  
And then the strangest change will be that I a lover prove.  
Let bevers hide, not busses hurt, my lips, for lips unfit:  
Let skarred limbs, not careful loves, to honour, honour get.  
I scorn a face effeminate, but hate his bastard mind  
That, borne a man, preposterously by art doth alter kind:  
With fingers, ladylike, with locks, with looks, and gauds in print,  
With fashions barbing formless beards, and robes that brook no lint,  
With spear in wrest, like painted Mars, from thought of battle free,  
With gate, and grace, and every gaude, so womanly to see,  
As not in nature, but in name, their manhood seems to be.  
Yea sooner than that maiden hears bud on his Boyish chin  
The fury of the fiery God doth in the fool begin.  
And yet to win, whom would be won, these woe with lesser speed,  
Then might be won a town of war, the crop not worth the seed.  
But let them travail till they tyre, and then be rid for jaides,  
If Gamesters fair, if soldiers mild, or lovers true of maids:  
Who love in sport, or leave in spite, or if they stoop to lure,  
Their kindness must have kindly use: faults only make them sure.  
Did fancy? no, did fury? yea, hang up the Thracian maid.  
The wonders seven should then be eight, could love thee so persuade.  
But love or hate, far ill or well: I force not of thy fare:  
My welcome, which thou dost pretend, shall prove a thankless care.   

When Daphles heard him so unkind, she held herself accursed:  
And little lacked of so well but that her heart did burst.  
And where she read the churlish scroll, she fell into a sown,  
But, brought again, upon a bed herself she casteth down,  
Not rising more: and so her love and life together end:  
Or (if I so may guess) in death her soul did live his friend.   

The Queen interred, and Obbit kept (as she in charge did give)  
A Knight was shipped to Calydon, where Doracles did live,  
To offer him, as her bequest, the Argive Throne and crown.  
Not that we force, or fear (quoth he) thy favour or thy frown  
We move this peace, or make thee Prince, but Daphles swore us so,  
Who loving more than thou couldst hate, nor lived nor died thy Foe.  
And is she dead (quoth Doracles) that lived to my wrong?  
I gladly do accept these news, expected-for of long.   

The Lord and Legate were embarked, and Ship ran under sail,  
Until into the Argive strand the Mariners did hail.  
To Daphles, by adoption, there enthronized a King,  
He divers years good fortune had successive in each thing,  
All friends, no Foes, all wealth no want, still peace, and never strife,  
And what might seem an earthly heaven to Doracles was rife.   

A subject, but a Noble man, did richly feast the King:  
And after meat presented him with many a sight and thing.  
There was a chamber in the which, portrayed to the quick,  
The Picture of Queen Daphles was: and deeply did it prick  
The King his conscience, and he thought her like did not remain:  
So, whom her person could not pierce, her Picture now did pain.  
A Kissing Cupid, breathing love into her breast, did hide  
Her wandering eyes, whilst to her heart his hand a Death did guide:  
Non moerens morior, for the Mott, inchased was beside.  
Her courtesy and his contempt he calleth then to mind,  
And of her beauty in himself he did a Chaos find.  
Recalling eke his late degree, and reckoning his desert,  
He could not think (or faintly thought) his love to stern her heart:  
And to the Maker of the feast did such his thoughts impart.   

And doubts your Grace the Feaster said, if Daphles loved or no?  
I wish (I hope I wish no harm) she had not loved so,  
Or you not loathed as you did: then she had lived yet:  
To what her latest speech did tend I never shall forget.  
Myself, with divers noble men whose tears bewrayed our care  
Was present, when her dying tongue of you did thus declare.   

My hap (quoth she) is simpley bad that cannot have, nor hope:  
Was ever wretch (I wretch except) held to so scant a scope.  
I see him rove at other marks, and I unmarkt to be:  
I find my fault, but follow it, whilst death doth follow me.  
Ah death (my Lords) despair is death, and death must ransom bliss,  
Such ransom pleaseth Doracles and Daphles Pliant is.  
Not bootless then (since breathless strait) sweet love doth flames contrive,  
The which shall burn me up at once that now do burn alive.  
Alas (than did she pause in tears) that Doracles were by,  
To take it from his eyes, not ears, that I for him do die:  
At least, perhaps, he would confess my love to be no lie.  
But (Want wit I) offensive sights to Doracles I crave:  
Long live, dear heart, not minding me, when I am laid in grave.  
And you (my Lords) by those same gods whose sight I hope anon,  
I conjure, that ye him invest your King when I am gone.  
Alonely say I lived and died to him a lover true,  
And that my parting Ghost did sound, sweet Doracles adieu.  
A sigh concluding such her words, she closed up her eye:  
Not one of us, beholding it, that seemed not to die.  
Thus to your Grace I leave to guess how tragic Daphles died:  
In love, my Lord, yea loving you, that her of love denied.   

The Picture, and this same discourse afford sufficient woe  
To him, that maimed in his mind did to his palace go.  
There Doracles did set abroach a world of things forgot:  
What meanest thou man? ah frantic man, how art thou overshot  
(He said) to hate the substance then, and love the shadow now,  
Her painted board, whose amorous heart did break whilst I not bow?  
And couldst thou, churlish wretch, contemn the love of such a Queen?  
O Gods, I grant for such contempt I justly bide your teen.  
Her only beauty (worthy Jove, that now on me hath power)  
Was worthy of far worthier love, without a further dower.  
But gaze thou on her senseless sign, whose self thou madest thy prey,  
And gazing perish: for thy life is debt to her decay.   

Time going on, grief it grew on, of dolour sprung despair,  
When Doracles to Daphles tomb did secretly repair:  
There (tears a preface to the rest) these only words he spoke:  
Thy love was loss, for loss my life in recompense do take,  
Dear Daphles. So a daggers stab a tragedy did make.   

Well did this tragic matter sort to Cacus tragic vain:  
But merrier matter did behove such humour to restrain.  
That knew the second Sister well, who, smiling ere she spoke,  
Began her turn, and of her Tale the next report I make.    

CHAP. X.  

A Proper Lad made love (quoth she) unto a pretty lass:  
In self-same house, forworne with age, this maiden's grandam was.  
Her eyes were sunk into her head, her cheeks were lean and lank,  
Out stood her chin, into her mouth her bloodless lips they sank,  
Her toothless chaps disgraced her tongue in telling of a Tale,  
And suck she might a Teat for teeth, and spoonage too did fail,  
Her hair since sixty years not black, was now or white or none,  
The substance of her wrinkled face was only skin and bone,  
Dim were her eyes, deaf were her ears, tank smelled it she could sent,  
A palsy made her feeling cease, down tastlesse food it went.  
Sight, hearing, sent, touch, taste, and all, thus failing with her strength,  
She to her chamber, bed, and chair, betook her at the length.  
But gold is loved till grave hath lodged, her bags and she were one:  
And she must give the maiden's dower, or else her dower is none.  
The young man, though he loved the Maid, on whom no love was lost,  
yet did he love to live, and knew that marriage asketh cost.  
The old wives bags did let the Banes: with whom he smoothed so,  
That flattered, she fantised, her mouldy brains did cro.  
What devil I wot not made her dote, she doted on the man:  
Her rotten trunk and rusty face she finified than:  
And seethe what she could not see, her senseless Senses work,  
And underneath a wrinkled hide a wanton heart did lurk.  
Unkindly too she kisses gave, which he did kindly take,  
Supposing that her kindness was but for the maiden's sake.  
Her crooked joints, which long ere then supported, scarcely stood,  
She brought unto a wallowing pace, disiellowing so her blood:  
And all for love (surreverence love) did make her chew the cud.   

Young Battus from his Omphida (for they were named so)  
Dislodged by the grandam long, to work did roundly go:  
Desiring both the Maiden, and to marry her a Dower.  
The old-wife, nettled at his words, for all her love did lower,  
And drying up what drained out in belching, thus did say:  
The thing (friend Battus) you demand I gladly not denay,  
But well you wots that I am old, and yet not all so old,  
But that the remnant of my life may spend the wealth I hold.  
As all are nearest to themselves, so to myself am I:  
And all shall lack ere I will lack: store is no sore we try.  
If you do like of Omphida, I also like the match:  
Love hath no lack, ye both are young, wealth comes to such as watch.  
You loving her, she to herself a dowry is, if not,  
My money shall not sell the Maid, a sinful sale God wots:  
For money shall not sell myself. And yet I cannot see,  
But that a comfort to mine age an honest match would be.  
My Goods beside do want a Guide, and often did I know  
Your youngers upon elder wives than I themselves bestow,  
And lived well, and loved well. But as I do not care  
For marriage, so an honest match I never will forswear.  
Well, Battus, take you Omphida: but if you money crave,  
My bags must only vent to him whom I myself shall have.  
yet think not I mislike of you in that you have not sped,  
But think I wish no better match, if I myself should wed.   

Thus cunningly she closed with him, and he conceives her thought:  
Unequal was the Combat then that love and Lucar wrought.  
The one was in her flowering age, the other to too old:  
The first with beauty did allure, the latter with her Gold.  
But storms (thought Battus) have their stops, not long the Croen can live,  
Or if my kindness length her life, my kindness God forgive.  
Reso luing therefore on such hope, with easy suit he got  
Assurance to be wedded to the old deformed Trot.   

Medea charmed Aeson young, Battus Medea-like,  
Did work no less a ever upon this vain unwieldy tike.  
Now on the bridle played she: yet as she laughs she looks  
With jealous eyes, if Omphida be blotted out his books.  
Yea she that could not move before, now crauleth every where,  
To pry if Battus play not false, and cause there was to fear.   

But all this while no marriage was, nor witness of their match:  
And well he knew that widows shrink, if men foreslow dispatch.  
So hasting what she hindered not, come was the wedding day:  
The Morning thawde the eavening frost, and slippery was the way:  
yet hobbling on her rusty joints, to Churchward goes the Bride:  
Whose feet (her hearts unequal gides) could nothing else but slide.  
Then Battus kindly leadeth her, and ever as she trips,  
God bless thee Mouse the bridegroom said, and smakt her on the lips.  
The oftener stumbled then his Beast, the oftener to be kissed:  
And thinketh in her gentle choice herself not meanly blessed.  
But when the Priest had done his part, and that they homeward come,  
The Bride, for Battus, might salute the pavement with her bomme.  
She reeled oft, and looked back: he saw, but would not see:  
At length she stumbled headlong down, hoist up again, quoth he:  
The second time she did the like, hoist Brock, her goodman said:  
And thirdly falling, kindly bade her break her neck, old jade.  
The old-wife took it to the heart, and home she went and died:  
But Battus, ere his first was sick, had owed his second bride.   

THis jest from Cacus strained a smile, but quickly was it done:  
When, turning to her Sisters twain, the youngest thus begun▪  
Ye, Sisters, severally have told how foes in love did fall,  
And age with youth: but I do say that love can all with all.  
Examples we, whom love hath brought from Court to live in cave,  
And were there need of further proof, a thousand proofs I have.  
Can Latmus speak, it might accuse even Phoebe of a kiss:  
And of a votary of hers to speak my purpose is.   

But first she cheered thus her friend (for Cacus sadly sits)  
Be merry man, thy pensiveness out pastimes badly fits:  
Be as thou art, not as thou wouldst, it will be as it is:  
Learn then to lack, and learn to live, for crosses never mis.  
Think Fortune newly hatch is flidge, and waggeth wing to fly:  
All suffereth change: ourselves, new borne, even then begin to die.  
Be resolute, not desperate: the Gods that made thee poor,  
Can, if they will (do wait their will) thy former state restore.  
At least let patience profit thee, for patience is a thing  
Whereby a beggar gaineth of a discontented King.  
Know destiny is destiny. This Epitaph I reed,  
Though common-booked poetry, yet not unworthy heed:   

Unborn to know what I should be to Gods my mother prayed:  
A Male quoth Phoebus, Female Mars, and Juno neither said:  
An Hermaphrodite was I borne. My death then asked she after:  
By sword quoth Juno, Tree quoth Mars, and Phoebus said by water.  
A river-shadowing tree I climbed: out slipped my sword: I 'slid:  
By feet I hung, stabbed with my sword, my head in water hid.  
Male, Female, neither, hanging, Sword, and drowning I abidd   

Thus, Cacus, howsoever things from likelihoods descent,  
In birth, life, death, the Gods are first, the middle, and event.  
And not what they can do they will, but what they will they can:  
And that they do, or do it not, behooves not us to skan,  
And saying so, and kissing too, her tale she thus began.    

CHAP. XI.  

I speak not of the Argive nymph that had the jealous sire,  
To whom, shut up in brazen Tower, Jove passage had for higher.  
Not of Europa, Semele or Maia, will I dwell:  
Not of your Foe his bastardy, or Leda's rape I tell:  
Not of King Ceus daughter's fault, or other freak of Jove  
Speak I: save of th'Arcadian nun, with whom he thus did rove.  
Calisto was as fair a maid, as fair as one might be,  
Her father King Lycaon fled, Jove chanced her to see:  
And seeing liked, liking loved, and loving made it known  
To her (sweet lass) for father's loss that maketh then her moan.  
Take patience, wench, said Jupiter, with thee shall all be well,  
Thy father's deeds have their deserts, but thou in peace shalt dwell.  
I am his Victor, but thyself art Victoresse of me:  
Do grant me love, my zeal is more than fatherly to thee.  
The restless clouds that mantling ride upon the racking sky,  
The scouring winds that sightless in the sounding air do fly,  
The thrifty Earth that bringeth out and broodeth up her breed,  
The shifting Seas whose swelling waves on shrinking shores do feed,  
Shall fall, and fail, ere I be false (Lycaon's imp) to thee:  
Of hearty love this kiss (he kissed) an happy handsel be.   

But hapless terms are these, quoth she, unfitting to a thrall:  
yet, in respect of that I feel, I hear them not at all.  
A friend (ah friendless name I Friend?) it being as it is,  
A friend I say, much more a foe, and more, and worse than this,  
The son of Saturn should, and shall, that speed and hearing miss.  
Do rid, ah rid mine eyes of tears, and set my heart at rest,  
By taking life, not making love: the former likes me best.  
Or, if that poor Calistos life shall lengthen to her woe,  
Grant that among Diana's nuns a votary I go:  
For neither fi●s it now to love, or ever shall it so.   

What viewed Jupiter this while, not pleasing to his sight?  
Or what unuiewed did he guess, not adding to delight?  
Not excellent, but exquisite, was all to mind and eye:  
Save she, the handsel of this love, did him of love deny.  
It grieves that nature's Paragon in Cloister, not in Court,  
Should lose the beauty of her youth, and he thereby his sport.  
But constant in her chaste pretence, he grants that would gainsay,  
And seated in religion now, with Phoebe did she stay.   

Blame Jupiter of other loves, of this do set him clear:  
It was his first, and first is firm, and toucheth very near.  
He might forego, but not forget Calisto in her Cell,  
When setting higher thoughts apart, the Frithes did please him well:  
He takes his quiver and his Bow, and where she hunts, hunts he:  
And sacrificed to his eyes that day he did her see.  
About the Chase, toils, Dogs & bows, the Stand, quarry and all  
He useth double diligence: so often did befall,  
Not only sight of her his Saint he got, but also talk,  
Whilst thus for his Calistos love, he haunted Phoebe's walk.  
But sight and talk accrue to love, the substance must be had:  
And for to bring his drift about, he virginlike is clad.  
His nonage kept his beard from bloom, no wench morefaire than he  
Whom at her nunnery a Nun Diana takes to be,  
And with his Sisters brotherly do guess him to agree.  
Thus feigns Lycaon's Conquerera Maid, to win a Maid:  
His hands to will, and Arras work, and woman's Chares he laid,  
That not so much as by the tongue the Boy wench was bewrayed.  
yet thought is free, he sees, and smiles, and longs perhaps for more:  
No marvel, for that sisterhood had goodly Lady's store.  
Scarce one for birth and beauty too was there unworthy him,  
Yet chiefly to Calistos vain he form life and limb:  
And sisterlike they single oft, and chat of many things,  
But that Calisto mindeth love no likelihood he wrings.  
So Jove not once durst mention Jove, and force was sin and shame;  
But love is hardy. Thus it hap: by long pursuit of game,  
She weary resteth in the Thicks, where sitting all alone,  
He seeing her, is resolute or now to end his moene,  
Or for so sweet a bodies use to leave his soul in loene.  
He Nymph-like sits him by the Nymph, that took him for no man:  
And after smiles, with nearer signs of loves assault began.  
He feeleth oft her ivory breasts, nor maketh coy to kiss:  
yet all was well, a Maiden to a Maiden might do this.  
Than ticks he up her tucked frock, nor did Calisto blush,  
Or think abuse: he tickles too, no blab she thinks the Bush.  
Thus whilst she thinks her Sister nun to be a merry lass,  
The Wanton did disclose himself, and told her who he was.   

Away the Virgin would have fled, whom he withhild by force:  
Thy love (sweet Nymph) hath urged this shift, well worthy thy remorse,  
He said: nor scorn with me a King to join thyself a Queen:  
Or do but love and I will live in Phoebe's cells unseen:  
And there in beds, in bushes here (My feign fit so well)  
We may enjoy what love enjoins, and none our 'scapes shall tell.  
She would not love, he could not leave: she wrangleth, and he wooeth:  
She did resist, he did persist, and sport denied doth.  
That done, which could not be undone, what booteth discontent?  
As good be pleased as not be eased: away Calisto went  
To cloister, Jupiter to Court: nor much she did repent,  
Until her growing womb disclosed an ante-cedent fault,  
Then in the Chapter house she told of Jupiters' assault.   

Diana, and her virgins all, admiring that escape,  
Did gird at her, maligning Jove for such his subtle Rape.  
And who more ready to control, than Athalanta was?  
Whom shortly Meleager brought unto the self same pas.  
The Lady abbess did discharge Calisto from her Cell:  
And silly Nymph, she great with child some other where must dwell.  
Pelasgis it was Jupiters', and he her cause of blame,  
The King her father in exile, herself in this defame,  
What then remained? Even secrecy, to hide herself from shame.  
Keep close (quoth she) from world ye woods mine error, Jove his crime:  
And settling there in simple cave, did wait her childing tyme.  
At length was hairy Arcas borne: no sooner could he go,  
But that his wildness eiked to his wretched Mothers wo.  
No beast so strong that he would shun, and man he never saw,  
Nor yet his vexed mother could from fierceness him withdraw.  
Long time (the daughter of a King) she lived thus in cave,  
Not wanting grief, but wanting all that poorest wretches have.  
And (worst of all) her savage son (whose manners did agree  
Unto his birthplace) hourly threats his mother's death to be:  
And angry once, pursued her so long from place to place,  
That even into the city gates he followed her in chase.   

The people when they did behold so fair a nymph in flight,  
A bear-like Arcas in pursuit, (for being naked quite,  
His skin was swart and hairy) they did wonder at the sight.  
And some that would his passage, stop, he rudely casteth down,  
And spares no spoil until the sight was noised through the town.  
Then out came Jupiter in arms, whom when Calisto knew,  
Help Jove (she cried) for lo thy son his mother doth pursue.  
He knew his Leiman at the first, and joyed of her sight:  
Then kiss they, when the savage boy by force did leave to fight.  
Calisto lived Lady like, yea Junos' rival now:  
And Arcas, nobly managed, such virtues him endow,  
That (Jove consenting) him for King Pelasgis did allow.  
A son well worthy such a sire: and for his prows and fame,  
Pelasgis then, of Arcas, took Arcadia to name.   

But neither might these Ladies fair by any pleasant tale,  
Or dazzling toy of masking love, (sweet Consorts to prevail)  
Dissuade outrageous Cacus from unpatientnes of mind:  
Who in his greatest tyrannies did chiefest pleasures find.  
He sleas the harmless Passengers, from eldest soul to child,  
He burns and spoils the neighbour parts, and women he defiled.  
And to his cave (Troponius cave) did bring the spoils he gains,  
In which (except to do more harm) he secretly remains.   

Whilst none did pass, that did repass unspoiled or unkild  
(None knowing how) all Italy with fear thereof was filled.  
But, lo an help: when Hercules had slaughtered outright  
Ten Giants, of Cremona Kings, and put the leaventh ' to flight,  
From thence the worthy did arrive with his victorious band  
At King Evander's city, that by Auentin did stand.  
Amongst a many richer spoils, though none to him so rare,  
He brought a sort of Spanish kine. Evander taking care,  
(Because the like misfortunes oft had happened there before,)  
Lest Hercules should lose his kine, of which he made such store,  
Gave counsel that within the walls they might be kept all night.  
And, better to approve his words, with tears he did recite  
The murders, thefts, and cruelties, without compassion made  
Upon his subjects, and their goods, by whom could not be said,  
But that the Gods (for so they guess) for sin them so invade.  
I am resolved quoth Hercules, where Gods do vengeance crave,  
It is not strong or fensive walls that any thing can save:  
My cows shall therefore graze abroad: if mortal man it be,  
Then know a tyrant is my task, his blood the Taskers fee.   

The cattle grazing then abroad (as was his use always)  
The giant left his cruel den, to seek his cursed preys.  
The moon not wanting of her light, the Kine he did espy:  
And knowing them, he also knew his feared Foe was nigh.  
And far much better fear had been then malice at that tide:  
But hardly shuneth policy, what destinies provide.  
He might have lurkte a while in den, but of a peevish spite,  
Eight of the Kine with fastened cords, by policy and might,  
He dragged backward by their tails into his devilish nest:  
Then stopping up the subtle hole, did lay him down to rest.  
Now Hercules (the rather pricked by King Evander's talk)  
Into the fields to see his Kine by prime of day did walk.  
Where missing eight, he could not guess which way they should be gone:  
A many therefore had in charge, to search them out anon.   

The Searchers, following every sign, great store of footings found  
Descending from Mount Aventine into the lower ground:  
But for the footings did descend, and not ascend, they thought  
Of no such cunning as in deed in Aventine was wrought.  
Alcaeus Grand-sonne searching long the Thefts he could not find,  
Was much disquieted in himself, and angry in his mind:  
And chafing, when he should departed, he twice or thrice did shake  
A Tree that grew on Aventine: which rooted up did make  
So large a vent that one might view they hollow cave below,  
And Cacus with his Leash of wives they were disclosed so.  
Whom, when the Greek espied there, O graceless King, he said,  
Whose Tyrannies have made the realms of Hespera afraid,  
Whose cruelties have been the cause of all the loss thou hast,  
What moveth thee in Italy to prosecute such waste?  
Thinkste thou, whom neither mighty realms, nor royal guards of men  
Can late defend, now to escape, enclosed thus in den,  
The just revengement of the gods? no, no, the heavens we see,  
Have brought to light a wretch so lewd, even by a senseless Tree:  
And since that neither wealth nor want to goodness may thee win,  
A grievous death, condignly, shall cut off thy grounded sin.  
To it did Cacus answer thus: dost thou pursue me still?  
Who only art the chiefest cause of these my doings ill:  
Not suffering me to live the rest of mine unhappy days  
Among the fruitless Rocks, a wretch in misery always.  
Cease further prate; said Hercules, in troth it grieveth much,  
To see a King in this distress, but since thy life is such  
As neither in adversity, nor prosperous estate  
Thou canst afford one jot of good, I purpose to rebate  
Thy wicked days by worthy death, prepare therefore to die.   

When Cacus saw he must perforce so hard a combat try,  
He by enchanted flames again endeavoured to fly.  
But Hercules deluded once by that devise before,  
Had learned now for being so deceived any more:  
And, casting fear aside, did leap into the flaming cave,  
And there by art did conquer Arte. The giant then to save  
Himself did take his Axe in hand, where Hercules and he  
Courageously bestir themselves, until they did agree,  
To try it out in open air. So doubtful was their fight,  
That looker's on could not discern to whether best should light.  
The frighted Ladies did their best to help their fight friend:  
But Hercules had victory, and Cacus had his end.    

CHAP. XII.  

FOr giants of Cremona slain, and Cacus ridded so,  
The Latin Princes praise on him and presents did bestoe.  
Where Rome is now, Pallantia then, evander he did frame  
A temple, and to Hercules did dedicate the same:  
And he (entreated thereunto) in Italy did stay:  
To honour whom did Princes come from far and every way.   

King Faunus had affairs abroad, when from Laurentum came  
His wife Marica, Facua some this lovely Queen do name.  
From liking did she fall in love with Hercules, and he  
More ready to have made demand, then like to disagree,  
conceiving her by circumstance, so coupled by contract,  
That, had King Faunus never lived, Latinus had not lacked:  
yet home came Faunus, fathering his late corrivals act.  
But whether gotten lawfully, or thus in love forbade,  
Latinus, Brute his grandames sire, was son unto a God.   

WHilst that in love of this same Queen, and land of all beside,  
The vanquisher of Vulcan's son in Italy abides,  
Of Calabries a mighty host King Picus he provides.  
And, in revenge of Cacus, swore his Slayer should be slain:  
But he, ere long, that so did swear, unsweared it again:  
When, chased home into his holds, there sparred up in gates,  
The valiant Theban, all in vain, a following fight awaits.  
Who, for dispatch, did feign himself a Legate to the King,  
And him the Porters, as the same, before their Tyrant bring.  
Then shaking off his civil robes, his shining arms appear:  
And renting down 〈◊〉 ●ro● spar, both Prince and people fear.  
Some ran to armour, other some did fight with him their last:  
Both court and city in the end did lay upon him fast.  
There Picus, worthily, did win of valiantness a name:  
yet Hercules more valiantly by death did Picus tame.  
And to attend their King his ghost he sendeth flock by flock:  
His fury was as fire to fern, his foes as waves to rock:  
Nor did his lions spoil give place to darting or to knock.  
Mean time his men assault without, whilst he assails within,  
Where fight to beat down the Gates he so the goal did win.   

Within the King his ransacked Court he Jole espies,  
Whose tears, then mounting from her heart, dismount them from her eyes,  
King Picus (now a lifelesses corpse) was Father of this maid:  
In vain therefore did Hercules her pensiveness disswayde:  
Nor could he but lament her fate, and love so sweet a face,  
Whose person also did contain the type of female grace.  
At first she was so far from love she rather seemed to hate,  
yet could she not so give the check, but that she took the Mate.  
Then either's love, was either's life: poor Deianira she  
Was out of commons, yea of thought, an other had her fee.   

WIth this, so fair and portly wench, he sailed into Thrace:  
And hears how Diomedes did tyrannize in that place.  
No stranger escapes unraunsomed: but ransom wanting, than  
He casteth them, as provender, to Horses eating men.  
A guard of Tyrants, like himself, attending on him still,  
Who richly did maintain themselves, by such their doings ill.  
The Scourge of such was moved, not to be removed now  
By Jole, whose loving tears such labours disallow.  
With Diomedes and his guard in Forrest did he meet,  
Who with their common Stratagem the Stranger think to greet.  
Hands of, commanded Hercules, for Horse I am no hay,  
All strangers ransom, once for all, my coming is to pay:  
Which said, himself against them all began a noble fray.   

The sturdy Thracians, mighty men, did hardly lose their ground  
But, than the King, a mightier man not any where was found.  
These all at once assail, and strike, and thunder on his shield:  
But number fitted to his force, unwonted so to yield.  
For with his club he skuffles then amongst their Curets so,  
That speedy death was sweeter dole then to survive his blo.  
Well mounted comes the King himself, whom he dismounts anon,  
But, reseve to his Horse again, away he would be gone.  
Less has●e, he said, I hearts outrun, no● shalt thou me outride:  
Out stripping so the man-feade horse, he toppled o'er his side  
The Monstrous King, that resculesse to flying people cried.  
Who, lying all to frus●hed thus, the son of Jove did bring  
His cruel jades, that soon devour their more than cruel King.   

The Thracians all submit themselves, and joy their tyrant's death,  
And think some God had left the heavens to secure men on earth,  
From such as what they would they will, and what they will they can,  
And what they can they dare and do, and doing none withstan.  
Nor thought they better of the man then did his deeds approve,  
That never was a Conqueror unto his own behove,  
But to establish virtuous men, and Tyrants to remove.   

This common soldier of the world with Jole did land  
In Lycia: and, the earth in peace, discharged there his band.  
Sweet busses, not sharp battles, than did alter man and mind:  
Till he, as others, sorrow in security did find.  
From Assur went the Empire then when Tonos he had time  
To court his trulls, Arbaces so espying place to climb.  
Secure in Tomyris her flight, was valiant Cyrus slain.  
From Capua, not from Cannae, grew brave Hannibal his bane,  
The same to whose victorious Sword a second world was sought,  
That Macedon in court, not camp, to traitorous end was brought.  
A lover, not a soldier, went Achilles to his grave.  
And Caesar not in steel, but silk, to Rome his farewell gave.  
Even so, this second unto none, superior unto all,  
To whom did sooner Causes cease then Conquests not befall,  
This monster-Master Hercules, this Tyrant-Tamer, he  
Whose high exploits did leave the earth from spoil & spoilers free,  
In pleasures did he perish now, that did in perils thrive:  
A grievous task I undertake his dying to revive.    

CHAP. XIII.  

WHen Deianira understood her busbands back return,  
She thought it strange, that he from her so strangely did sojourn.  
Explorers sent to search the cause, return was made that he  
Did loiter in a stranger's love: and Jole was she  
That ever hanged at his lips, and hugged was of him,  
And that, his armour laid apart, in silk he courts it trim.  
The daughter of th'Aetolian King did little less then rave:  
And can the churl (quoth she) prefer in love a captive slave  
Before his wife, whom late he feigned inferior unto none?  
Ah Hercules thou art a man, thy manhood thus is known.  
Fie, may a foreign strumpet's arms so fasten on his neck,  
As he (the Rector of the Earth) must bow if she doth beck?  
Oh how unlike to Hercules, is Hercules in this?  
But, leaving men to nature's fault, in her the lewdness is,  
No man so chaste, but such as she may work to do amiss.   

Thus whilst her overplus of love to jealousy did grow,  
She simply minds the spiteful gift that Nessus did bestow.  
And, for he dying spoke the words, she held it as her creed  
That it could win him to herself: of which (now having need)  
She useth part, and sent a Shirt so boiled as she bade  
To Hercules: and Hercules was of the Present glad:  
Confessing her his only Wife: And whilst he did repent  
His breach of love, on Oeta Mount to sacrifice he went.  
Philoctes, Paeans valiant son, and Lichas, he that brought  
The poisoned Shirt, were present there, but of no treason thought:  
Not Deianira's self (good soul) till trial made it plain,  
When as his body and the fire gave moisture to the bain.   

His stoutness hide such torments long, as else could none abide,  
Yea till the bane his Bowels and his very Marrow fried.  
But when his torments had no mean, the Altar down he throes,  
And from his martyred body rends the gory smoking clothes:  
And striving to strip off the Shirt he teareth flesh from bone,  
And left his breaking Synoees bare, his entrails every one  
Did boil, and burst, & show themselves where lumps of flesh did lack,  
And still the murderous Shirt did cleave unto his mangled back.  
Espying Deianira's Squire, that quaking stood, he said,  
And art thou wretch the Instrument of my destruction maid?  
Whom swinging then about his head, he slinged down the hill:  
And so did silly Lichas die, that purposed no ill.  
Then running down from hill to plain, from plain to hill again,  
He rends up rocks and mighty hills in error of his pain:  
Till, sadly leaning on his Club, he sighing, vows that none  
Should be the death of Hercules but Hercules alone.  
And to his friend Philoctes took his arrows and his Bow,  
And gladly to the hallowed fire, as to his bed did go.  
Where lying down, and taking leave with reared hands to sky,  
The earth's Protector so, in peace, amidst the flames did die.   

Philoctes, near o'rgone with grief, his Ashes did convey  
To Italy, enshrined in his Temple there to stay:  
And woeful Deianira hears of Hercules decay.  
His ghost she voucheth and the Gods to witness, that her mind  
Was guiltless of a traitorous thought: nor think me so unkind  
(Sweet Husband) as to have the will to overlive thee here,  
But that my ghost before thy ghost itself of guile shall clear:  
And now I come, ah now I come, forgive ye gods the deed  
She said e●and piercing so her breast, a breathless corpse did bleed.   

AS Greeks' lament their champion's loss, so did the Phrygians joy:  
And Priamus did fortify his stately city Troy.  
Twice Hercules had razed it, and thirdly was it reared  
By Priam, strong in wealth and walls, through Asia loved and feared.  
He called to mind Laomedon whom Hercules had slain,  
His Sister too Hesione, that captive did remain  
In Salamis with Telamonius: and well he was apaid,  
In that the Doer of the same lived not the Greeks' to aid.  
His Sister therefore not restored, his Legates ask it,  
By stealing of the Spartan Queen did Paris cry them quit.   

Twelve hundred fifty five warshippes, with men & armour fraughted,  
By seventy Kings & kingly peers, from Greece to Troy were brought,  
To win her thence. King Priamus (besides his Empire great)  
Had aiders Princes thirty three: less Lords I not repeat,  
Not Sagitar, that in this war did many a valiant feat.  
Ten years, ten months, & twice six days, the siege they did abide:  
Eight hundred sixty thousand Greeks', by Trojan weapons died:  
Six hundred fifty six thousands of Troyans' fight men,  
Besides the slaughtered at the sack, by Grecians perished then:  
And (if that Hector, Troilus, and Paris, so we name)  
Fell forty Kings: omitting more, of little lesser fame.  
Mislike, and civil quarrels, when the Grecians homewards drew,  
Did well near waste the remnant Kings that Phrigia did subdue,   

Thus secure Troy was over-set, when Troy was over stout,  
And over rich, was overrun, and tardy looked about.  
The Greekish Ships, with Phrygian spoils, through Xant and Simo's roe,  
For now Antenor had betrayed Palladium to the foe,  
And with Palladium Priamus, Aeneas sought to hide  
From Pyrrhus Polyxena (she for whom Achilles died,  
Wherefore upon Achilles' tomb herself was after slain,  
What time old Hecuba descried young Polydore his bain:)  
For which, Aeneas banished, did hoist his sails to wind,  
And, after many perils, rule in Italy did find.   

AENeas dead, Ascanius reigned: Ascanius dead, his brother  
Posthumus Silvius did succeed. Lavinia was his mother,  
Her sire Latinus, Faunus his, and Picus him begot,  
And Saturn him. From mother thus Posthumus lacked not  
The noblest blood. On father's side his pedigree was thus:  
jove had Dardanus: and the same begot Erictheus:  
He Troy's: Troy's, Assaracus: he Capys: and the same  
Anchises: he Aeneas had: of him Posthumus came:  
And he was Father unto Brute: and thus the Brutons bring  
Their pedigree from Jupiter, of pagan Gods the King:  
And add they may, that Brute his sire of Venus' son did spring.  
Thrice five degrees from Noah was Brute, and four times six was he  
From Adam: and from Japhets' house doth fetch his pedigree.   

Posthumus Silvius perishing in chase amongst the brakes,  
Mistook for Game by Brute his son, Brute Italy forsakes:  
And to associate his Exile, a many Trojans more  
At all adventures put to Seas, uncertain where to go:  
To whom did Fortune, Fortune-like, become a friend and foe:  
Till Brute, with no less pain and praise than had his grandsire late  
achieved Latium, landing here, suppressed so the state  
Of all the Fiend-breed Albinests, huge giants fierce and strong,  
Or race of Albion Neptune's son (else some derive them wrong)  
That of this Isle (un-scotted yet) he Empire had ere long.     

THE THIRD book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. XIIII.  

NOw, of the conqueror, this Isle had Brutaine unto name,  
And with his trojans Brute began manurage of the same.  
For razed Troy to rear a Troy fit place he searched then,  
And views the mounting Northern parts: These fit (quoth he) for men  
That trust as much to flight as fight: our Bulwarks are our breasts,  
The next arrivals here, perchance, will gladlier build their nests:  
A Troyans' courage is to him a fortress of defence:  
And leaving so where Scots be now he southward maketh thence;  
Whereas the earth more plenty gave, and air more temprature,  
And nothing wanted that by wealth or pleasure might allure:  
And more, the Lady Flood of Floods, the river Thamis, it  
Did seem to Brute against the foe, and with himself to fit.  
Upon whose fruitful banks therefore, whose bounds are chief said,  
The wantles Counties Essex, Kent, Surrie, and wealthy Glayde  
Of Hartfordshire, for cities store participating aid,  
Did Brute build up his Troynovant, enclosing it with wall:  
Which Lud did after beautify, and Luds-towne it did call  
That now is London: evermore to rightful Princes true,  
Yea Prince and people still to it as to their Storehouse drew,  
For plenty and for populous the like we no where view.  
Howbeit many neighbour towns as much ere now could say,  
But place for people, people, place, and all for sin decay.  
When Brute should die thus to his sons he did the Isle convey:  
To Camber Wales, to Albnact he Albany did leave,  
To Locrine Brutaine: whom his Queen of life did thus bereave.   

THe furious Hun, that drowning there to Humber left his name,  
The King did vanquish, and for spoil unto his navy came:  
Where Humbars Daughter, paragon for beauty, such a Dame  
As love himself could not but love, did Locrine so inflame,  
That Guendoleyne, the Cornish Duke his daughter, locrin's Queen,  
Grew in contempt: and, Coryn dead, his Change of choice was seen.  
To Cornwall goes the wrathful Queen to seize her father's Land,  
From whence she brought, to work revenge, of warriors stout a band,  
And bids her husband battle, and in battle is he slain:  
And for their son in Nonage was, she to his use did rain.  
The Lady Estrild locrin's love, and Sabrin, wondrous fair,  
Her husbands and his Leimans' imp, she meaning not to spare,  
Did bring unto the water that the wench's name doth bear:  
There binding both, and bobbing them, then trembling at her ire,  
She said: if Scythia could have held the wandering King thy sire,  
Then British waters had not been to him deserved bain:  
But Estrild, snout-fayre Estrild, she was spared, forsooth, to train  
With whorish tricks a vicious King: But neither of you twain,  
Thou stately Drab, nor this thy Brat, a bastard as thyself,  
Shall live in triumph of my wrong: first mother and her elf  
Shall fish in Flood for humbars' soul, and bring him news to hell,  
That locrin's wife on locrin's whore revenged her so well.   

They lifting up their lily hands, from out their lovely eyes  
power tears like pearls, & wash those cheeks where nought save beauty lies▪  
And seeking to excuse themselves, & mercy to obtain,  
With speeches good, and prayers fair, they speak and pray in vain.  
Queen Guendoleyne so bids, and they into the Flood are cast,  
Whereas amongst the drenching waves the Lady's breath their last.   

As this his grandam, such appeared Mempricius, madan's son,  
Whose brother Manlius traitorously by him to death was done.  
And since of noble Brute his line prodigious things I tell,  
I skipping to the Tenth from him will show what then befell.   

ABout a thirty years and five did Leir rule this Land,  
When, doting on his Daughters three, with them he fell in hand  
To tell how much they loved him. The Eldest did esteem  
Her life inferior to her love, so did the second deem:  
The youngest said her love was such as did a child behove,  
And that how much himself was worth, so much she him did love.  
The foremost two did please him well, the youngest did not so:  
Upon the Prince of Albany the First he did bestoe:  
The Middle on the Cornish Prince: their dowry was his Throne,  
At his decease: Cordellas' part was very small or none.  
yet, for her form, and virtuous life, a noble Gallian King  
Did her undowed, for his Queen into his country bring.   

Her sister's sick of father's health, their husbands by consent  
Did join in arms: from King so by force the sceptre went:  
yet, for they promise pentious large, he rather was content.  
In Albany the quondam King at eldest Daughters Court  
Was settled scarce, when she repines, and lessens still his Port.  
His second Daughter then, he thought, would show herself more kind:  
To whom, he going, for a while did frank allowance find.  
Ere long abridging almost all, she keepeth him so lo,  
That of two bad's, for betters choice he back again did go.  
But Goneril at his return, not only did attempt  
Her father's death, but openly did hold him in contempt.   

His aged eyes power out their tears, when holding up his hands,  
He said: O God, who so thou art, that my good hap withstands,  
Prolong not life, defer not death, myself I overlive,  
When those that own to me their lives, to me my death would give.  
Thou town, whose walls rose of my wealth, stand evermore to tell  
Thy founder's fall, and warn that none do fall as Leir fell.  
Bid none affy in Friends, for say, his Children wrought his wrack:  
Yea those, that were to him most dear, did loath and let him lack,  
Cordelia, well Cordelia said, she loved as a Child:  
But sweeter words we seek than sooth, and so are men beguiled.  
She only rests untried yet: but what may I expect  
From her? to whom I nothing gave, when these do me reject.  
Then die, nay try, the rule may fail, and nature may ascend:  
Nor are they ever surest friends, on whom we most do spend.   

He ships himself to Gallia then: but maketh known before  
Unto Cordelia his estate, who ruth him so poor,  
And kept his there arrival close till she provided had  
To furnish him in every want. Of him her King was glad,  
And nobly entertained him: the Queen with tears among,  
(Her duty done) conferreth with her father of his wrong.  
Such duty, bounty, kindness, and increasing love, he found  
In that his Daughter and her Lord, that sorrows more abound  
For his unkindly using her, then for the others crime:  
And kinglike thus in agamp's Court did Leir dwell, till time  
The noble King his Sonne-in-lawe transports an army great  
Of forcie Gauls, possessing him of dispossessed seat:  
To whom Cordelia did succeed, not reigning long in queate.   

Not how her nephews war on her, and one of them slew th'other  
Shall follow: but I will disclose a most tyrannous mother.    

CHAP. XV.  

GOrbodugs double Issue now, when eighteen Kings were passed,  
Held jointly empire in this land: till Porrex at the last,  
Not tied so by brotherhood, but that he did disdain  
A fellow King, (for never can one kingdom brook of twain)  
Did levy secret bands: for dread whereof did Ferrex fly,  
And out of Gallia bringeth war, in which himself did die.  
Then Porrex only reigned here, and ruled all in peace:  
Till Iden, mother Queen to both, her fury did increase  
So fiercely, as she seeks revenge even in the highest degree.  
Why liveth this (quoth she) a King? in grave why lieth he?  
die Iden, die: nay die thou wretch, that me a wretch hast made:  
His ghost, whose life stood in thy light, commandeth me of aid.  
Nor want I (Ferrex) will to aid: for why the Gods I see  
Defer revenge, nor with a devil the devils disagree.  
The heavens, me thinks, with thunderbolts should press his soul to hell,  
Or Earth give passage, that at least with men he might not dwell.  
But I myself, even I myself, their slackness will supply,  
And mother's name and Nature both to such a son deny.   

Dead night was come, when Iden found the King her son a sleep,  
And all was still: not then as now did Guards their Princes keep.  
Admit they had, who would have feared such mischief in a mother?  
She whispering softly, sleep thy last, yea sleep as doth thy brother,  
Did gash his throat: who starting up, when strength & speech were go,  
Lifts up his fainting hands, and knew the tyranness anon:  
And maketh signs, as who would say, ah mother thou hast done  
A deed, as never mother erst did practise on her son.  
But name of Son, nor signs did serve, him still with wounds she plies  
Nor (more than Monster) did it please that simply so he dies,  
But that his body, piecemeal tore, about the Lodging flies.  
And thus from noble Brute his line the sceptre than did pass:  
When of his blood for to succeed no heir surviving was.   

Four Dukes at once, in civil broils, seiunctly after rain.  
near when, the Scots (whom some accuse by antedates to gain)  
Did settle in the Northern Isles. These people bring their line  
From Cecrops, and that Pharo he that ever did decline  
From Moses, seeking Heber's house from Egypt to convey.  
His daughter Scota Gathelus their Duke brought thence away,  
When Pharos sin to Jacobs' seed did near that Land decay.  
And Cecrops son brought them from thence (as Scots enforce the same)  
The Stone that Jacob slept upon, when Angels went and came.  
Of it was made their fatal chair: of which they bear in hand,  
That whearesoere the same is found, the Scots shall brook that land:  
At Westminster that Monument doth now, decaying, stand.  
In Lusitania Gathelus did first his kingdom found:  
And of his race (of Scota, Scots) when Spanish Scots abound,  
Arrive in Ireland, and in it a second Empire ground.  
And thirdly, when their broodie Race that Isle did over-store,  
Amongst the Islands Hebredes they seek out dwellings more.   

These Irish, sometime Spanish Scots, of whence our now- Scots be,  
Within the Isles of Albion thus, whilst Brutaines disagree,  
Did seat themselves, & nestle too amongst the mountain grounds:  
What time a Scythian people, Pichtes, did seize the middle bounds  
Twixt them and us: & these did prove to Brutaine double wounds.  
The Penthland people and the Scots, allying, friendly live,  
Until the Picts, by British wiles, contrary cause did give.  
Then from their Captains fell the Scots, and chose to them a King:  
And Fergus out of Ireland did the chair of Marble bring:  
In which installed the first Scotch King in Albion, so he wrought  
That Picts and Scots, than up in arms, were to atonement brought.   

Three valiant people thus at once in Albion Empire hold,  
Brutes, Scots and Picts: the latter twain less civil, but as bold.  
The Picts were fierce and Scythian like: much like the Irish now  
The Scots were then: courageous both: Nor them I disallow  
That writ they fed on human flesh, for so it may be well,  
Like of these men their bloody minds their native stories tell:  
But to our British business now, to show what there befell.   

Not how the tri-partited Rule unto his quartarne rain  
Dunwallo, after forty years, did Monarchize again:  
Not what precedent Kings in France, and Denmark did obtain  
Speak I. From Porrex forty Kings in silence shall remain:  
alonely valiant Brennus, and his brother Beline, they  
Vnpraised for their wars and works shall not escape away.    

CHAP. XVI.  

THese Brothers, thirsting amplier reigns, did martially contend,  
Till Brenn his force was not of force his brothers to defend.  
To Norway sails he, where he got an army and a prize,  
The Prince of Norway's Daughter, whom he winneth in this wise.  
The King of Denmark stood with him, until the States decreed  
That both should plead before their Prince, and better Pleader speed.  
And when the Norgane Prince and peers were seated for their strife,  
The King of Danes beginning first, thus pleaded for a wife.   

Not yet a King, King Philip's son with none but Kings would cope,  
His reason was, inferior strife of glory gives no hope:  
I am a King, and grant the Prize in question worthy me,  
But grudge that my Competitor a banished man should be.  
Do grant him what he hath foregone, and never more shall gi●,  
yet were he but a Demi-king, to challenge me unfit:  
Dunwallos younger son, that hath his brother to his Foe,  
And worthily, his treacheries have well deserved so,  
And yet (audacious that he is) he blusheth not to hear  
The troth of his untruth, nor yet an heere-Repulse doth fear.  
Would she for whom I must contend were not to me the same  
She is, or he that stands with me a man of better fame.  
But since in this unequal Plea I must myself imbace,  
Know, Norway's, that my pleaded cause concerns your public ca●e.  
It is the King of Denmark doth your Prince his daughter crave,  
And note, it is no little thing with us ally to have.  
By league, or Leigure, Dansk can fence, or front you, friend, or foe,  
Our neighbourhood doth fit to both, your welfare or your woe.  
Combine therefore in needful League our near conjoined States:  
I may your good, nought less can he that thus with me debates.  
He is a Bruton (if Exile allow we call him so)  
And far from aiding you, that knows himself not to bestoe.  
Admit he were received home, what Empire doth he sway?  
A sorry islands moiety, and far from hence away.  
Her dowry is your diadem: what jointer can he make?  
Not any: give not then to him from whom you cannot take.  
And Lady (She for whom they strove was present) well I wo●,  
My love doth claim a greater debt than so to be forgot.  
I wish (mine Opposite his want) that arms might give the right,  
It is not dread, but doomed (sweet wench) that thus with tongue I fight.  
Proud Bruton (frowning so on Brenn) disclaim in her my dew,  
Else thou repining shalt repent: do make thy choice a new.  
At least amend thine Error, and mine envy shall have end:  
I need not force so weak a Foe, seek thou so strong a friend.  
Norway's consent, and, Lady, be no countermand to this:  
Descent not Brenn: conclude her mine: else my Conclusion is,  
If not for worth, by force perforce to win her from you all,  
Yea though our banished copesmate could his British Succours call.  
The King of Danes concluded thus: and after silence short,  
The Brutaine Heros veiled, and did answer in this sort.   

Most gracious Norgane peers, you hear the over-tearming taunts  
Of this Appelant, that himself and sceptre over-vaunts.  
It lesser grieveth he should grudge that I with him corive,  
Than his so peremptory speech in your despite to wive.  
It grieves, in troth: not for myself, but for he beardeth you,  
And seems disdainful of your aid, that doth so proudly woo.  
How captiously he derogates from me, and mine estate?  
And Arrogates unto himself, to bring me so in hate.  
How daintily his eyes endure so base an objects view?  
How desperately doth he conclude, and threateneth me and you?  
Well, bark he, bite he, brags nor blows shall dare me to defend  
A Challenge, where so brave a Prize stands for the Wagers end.  
Nor think (vainglorious that thou art) I lesser than a King,  
Or greater than by suit, or sword, to prise so rare a thing.  
upbraid me not with banishment, nor Belyns quarrel touch,  
Nor yet my petite signory: nor more than troth by much.  
These present nobles know the cause for which I hither come:  
Not as an exile, but for aid, and they assure me some.  
Then know, the cause is honest when their honours give supplies:  
As capable are they of troth, as thou art apt for lies.  
My brother's kingdom seems, forsooth, an overmatch to mine,  
My kingdom, Cutlake, therefore is an under-match to thine?  
Nay, give (and so I hope ye will) the Prize to me, and than  
Let Cutlake with his crown of Dansk uncrown me if he can.  
Then he, disabling me to make a jointer happily,  
With Denmark such a jointures want (if wanting) should supply.  
But neither have I such a lack, nor hold I such a love,  
As that her dowry (not in quest) before herself doth move.  
He harpeth as himself would have, that maketh love his Staile:  
Else would he sue in milder sort, and suing, fear to fail.  
For Lady see your lovers Plea: your love, saith he, is debt:  
And if not words, nor worthiness, than armour shall you get.  
Brave words and fit to fear, not feed, a courted Ladies vain.  
But say he cannot woo in print, but soldiorlike and plain:  
Nor I, in sooth, more loves my heart than can my tongue explain.  
Conclude we therefore souldiorlike, and let a combat yield  
Unto the hardy of us twain the honour of the field,  
If not: then, if my Lords so please: or she thereto agree,  
Although thou shouldst by force of arms, subdue her hence to thee,  
yet from thy strongest hold in Dansk I would thy Conquest free.  
Lo here my Gage (he terred his glove) thou knowst the victor's meed:  
(So did he pause, his Pledge untouched, and then did thus proceed)  
Then fret thy fill, and work thy worst: deliver, Lords, your wills:  
Ye have experience how this same with brags, not battle, kills.  
He threateneth only, I entreat, he claimeth her of dew,  
I wish, and hope for to deserve. The Counsel than withdrew  
Themselves apart: and soon for Brenn a verdict did ensue.   

The Dane enraged sailed thence, and rigged out a fleet,  
And did with Brenn, resayling home, at great advantage meet.  
Their ships did grapple, and their swords did sunder life from limb:  
So fought they, as their ships did seem in Seas of blood to swim.  
But multitude oppressed Brenn, he hardly did escape,  
His Lady will he, nill he, left the King of Denmark's Rape.   

Not meanly insolent the Danes hoist up their home-meant Sayleae  
But after many crabbed flaws, and long contrary gales,  
The Kings and Norgane Lady's ship was tossed to the cost  
Of Brutaine: where, imprisoned, King Belyn was their host:  
Until, sufficient Pledges had that Denmark it should pay  
Continual Tribute to the Brutes, he them dismissed away.  
Mean while King Bren (received now amongst the Gauls did threat  
For England's Crowne-halfe him withheld his brother's self & seat:  
(For Time, allaying love, did add unto domestic hate)  
And with the Cenovesean Gauls, whose Prince his heir of late  
He had espoused, did invade the Empire of his Brother:  
And almost did their battles join, when thus entreats their Mother.   

I dare to name ye sons, because I am your Mother, yet  
I doubt to term you Brothers, that do Brotherhood forget.  
These Prodigies, their wrathful Shields, forbodden Foe to Foe,  
Do ill beseem allied hands, even yours allied so.  
O, how seem Oedipus his sons in you again to strive?  
How seem these words in me (ay me) Jocasta to revive?  
I would Dunwallo lived, or ere death had lost again  
His monarchy, sufficing four, but now too small for twain.  
Then either would you, as did he, employ your wounds elswheare:  
Or for the smallness of your Power agree, at least for fear.  
But pride of rich and rome-some Thrones, that wingeth now your darts,  
It will (I would not as I fear) work sorrow to your hearts.  
My sons, sweet sons, attend my words, your mother's words attend,  
And for I am your Mother do conclude I am your friend:  
I cannot counsel, but entreat, nor yet I can entreat  
But as a Woman, and the same whose blood was once your meat.  
Hence had ye milk (She baerd her paps) these arms did hug ye oft:  
These filed hands did wipe, did wrap, did rock, and lay ye soft:  
These Lips did kiss, or Eyes did weep, if that ye were unqueat,  
Themply I did, with Song, or sighs, with Dance, with Tung, or Teate.  
For these kind Causes, dear my sons, disarm yourselves: if not,  
Then for these bitter tears that now your mother's cheeks do spot:  
Oft urge I sons and mother's Names, name's not to be forgot.  
Send hence these soldiers. Ye, my sons, & none but ye would fight:  
When none should rather be at one, if Nature had her right.  
What comfort, Beline, shall I speed? Sweet Brenn, shall I prevail?  
Say yea (sweet youths) ah yea, say yea: or if I needs must fail,  
Say no: and then will I begin your battle with my bail.  
Then than some Stranger, not my sons, shall close me in the Earth,  
When we by armour oversoon shall meet, I fear, in death.   

This said, with gushing tears eftsoons she plies the one and other,  
Till both did show themselves at length sons worthy such a Mother:  
And with those hands, those altered hands, that lately threatened blows,  
They did embrace: becoming thus continual friends of foes.   

Glad was the Queen: and Beline held sole empire: more, he had  
From Denmark Tribute: and to this a greater honour add,  
His daughter Cimbra, wedded to the Almaigne Prince, gave name  
Unto the Cimbrians, holding Rome so long and warlike game.  
Some (if no Error) give to him for foreign Conquests fame.   

His Valour, war, & Peace o'er past: now speak we of the Knight,  
That this side and beyond the Alps subdued all by fight.  
The stateliest towns in Italy had Brenn their Builder, and  
Even Rome, the terror of the World, did at his mercy stand.  
The Senate, giving to the Earth erewhile both war and peace,  
Can not themselves, their city, scarce their Cappitoll release.   

THeir Gander Feast, what Manlius and Camillus did therein,  
How This the Cappitol, and That from Brenn his spoils did win,  
I pretermit. The three-topt Mount Parnassus had below  
Apollo's Temple, whither men for Oracles did go.  
This, with the God and Goods the Gauls did put to sack and spoils:  
And whilst, encamped here, they kept such sacreligious coil,  
The God, or rather devil, whom th'almighty did permit,  
His deity profaned, to deceive the world in it,  
With Tempests, earthquakes, Steneh, & Sights, so cried the spoilers quit  
That most did perish, few disperses, and all were out of heart,  
Yea Brenn himself, discouraged, did change in every part.  
He looking after and upon the scattered and the slain,  
Did seem a second Cadmus, save less patiented of his pain:  
And, shaming to be seen to weep, devoured sightles tears:  
And, in these words, his hearty griefs did number to their ears.   

Sweet soldiers leave me to myself, it likes me that ye leave me,  
More takes your tarriance from my health than can these plagues bereave me:  
Each of these mass of Corpses dead hath been a death to me,  
Deliver then mine Eyes of you, too many deaths I see.  
survive, and tell the Western World what we exploited have:  
How that to Rome, amidst her roof, the maiden sack we gave.  
Tell of our battles, Booties, and our Buildings: lastly tell  
(An honour to our overthrow) that we at Delphos fell  
By wounds divine, no human arms. But God, who so thou be,  
Less is thy courage than command, else wouldst thou cope with me,  
As Pluto with Alcides did, and Mars sometimes with men:  
Do me like honour, and these graves shall lightly grieve me then.  
But thou full little darest so. Nay, I do dare too much,  
That with my so unhallowed tongue thy deity dare touch.  
Ah, see these Slaughters, and reserve alive this small remain,  
Let lastly me, and only me, eike number to the slain.  
But bootless on a ruthless God I see my prayers spent,  
As haughtely dost thou revenge as humbly I repent.  
Well (God of Delphos) since our tears, this Incense, nor these graves  
Appease thine ire, persist to plague this flesh, that henceforth craves  
No pity: to the Hebrew God, of power exceeding thine,  
(Men say) appeal I, and bequeath the souls of me and mine:  
Accept my simple legacy, O Godhood most divine,  
Said Brenn. And with a self-wrought wound did perish: and his men  
Departing, won, and left the name to Gallo-Grecia then.   

The righteous Gorboman might add fresh subject to our Muse,  
But skipping to his father's sons, of them it thus ensues.   

Five years had Archigallo reigned, when hated doing wrong,  
He was deprived of his realm, and lived vagrant long,  
And fearing all that friended none, kept close the Woods among.  
There Elidurus hunting found his wretched Brother, and  
They gazing each in others face, with sighs and weep stand.  
A King, as Elidurus is, once was I thinks his Brother,  
A wretch, as Archigallo is, I may be thinks the other.  
The lowly King alights anon, and when they had embraced,  
Then Archigallo secretly in Ebranks town was placed:  
In which, the King commanding so, the Nobles did convent,  
To whom did Elidurus thus inform of his intent.   

If Fortune had been cross (my Lords) to me, or any fear  
Of armour were approaching us, I should perchance appear  
Faint and falsehearted in my charge, but ever lacked the one,  
Nor hath the other likelihood, for quietler ruleth none.  
yet Kings may think their heads too weak their Dyademes to sustain,  
For endless cares concur with crowns, a bitter sweet is rain:  
Howbeit, subjects falsely judge their Princes blessed are,  
When both of peace and perils they contain the common care,  
And yet for this they grudgingly from Pounds a Penny spare.  
Not these, my Lords, make me disclaim in it which all pursue,  
But justice bids my brother's right I should commend to you.  
This one Request includes, I know, exceeding dangers twain,  
To me, if for a private life I change a public rain,  
To you, if whom ye have deprived ye shall restore again.  
But for I have done right, no wrong, though justice wants not foes,  
And though unto a Magistrate disgrading bringeth woes,  
yet 'gainst the bad a conscience good may safe itself oppoes.  
Nor be ye fearful of revenge, that did no more than right:  
Even Archigallo will confess his sin, and clear your spite:  
Whose restitution (were he wronged) at least shall you acquit.  
You hazard less, re-kinging him, than I unkinged to be,  
And Danger over-dares, if it from justice disagree.  
Then, good my Lords, do right his wrong, at leastwise do him right,  
Whose smart, no doubt, hath wrought in him a reconciled sprite.  
Just Gorboman his brotherhood succeeding in their Line,  
Then Archigallo should be King, to him let me resine.   

So much the King did urge this Text, that Archigallo rained,  
And Elidurus willingly in private life remained:  
The one restored, for his late depriving nothing moved,  
The other (wonders tell I now) dis-crowned yet beloved.  
Ten years did Archigallo reign, beloved well, and died:  
And Elidurus once again the Kingly Throne supplied,  
Until his brother's secondly depose him of his rain,  
But they deceasing, thirdly he was crowned King again,  
And so, until his Dying day, with honour did remain.   

A many Kings whose good or bad no Wrighter hath displayed  
Did follow. Lud, and Hely, for their stately buildings made  
Rest chief famous. Nor forget King Bledgrabed I shall,  
Whom Brutons did their Glee-god for his skill in music call.  
The next whose days gave famous deeds, Cassivelan is said,  
Whom Caius Julius Caesar did with Armour thus invade.    

CHAP. XVII.  

THis conqueror of Gallia found his victory prolonged  
By British Succours, and for it, pretending to be wronged,  
Did send for Tribute: threatening else to bring the Brutons war.  
The latter going forward first, the Albinests to bar  
A common foe, concur as friends: and now was come the Spring,  
When Caesar out of War-wonne France victorious troupes did bring.  
But easilier won the Grecians land at Pargama by much,  
Than got the Latins footing here, their Contraries were such.  
Ye might have seen of Hector's race, than thousand Hectors here,  
With policy on either part, the Romans buying dear  
The bloody Shore: the water yet less dearer than the land  
To them, whom valiantly to proof the islanders withstand.  
Oft battle they, the Brutons still victorious, and in vain  
Their foes were valiant: only here was Caesar's force in wain.  
And as our men unto his men were as tempestuous Thunder,  
So did his ankred ships on Seas by Tempest dash in sunder.  
But twice (quoth Caesar) Fortune, thou wert opposite to mine,  
But thirdly here to Caesar's self thou (wontles) dost decline.  
Conveying then his weary men into his wasted ships,  
To Gallia, there to Winter them, he miscontented slips.   

Of this same victory did spring security and strife,  
The Scots and Pichtes did sunder hence, the Brutons, over-rise  
In Largesse, making frolic cheer, a quarrel than aroes  
Betwixt the King and Luds false son, and they disjoin as foes:  
That Caesar slips advantage such were error to suppoes.  
Even of the Brutons some there were recalling back the Foe,  
And Winter past, with doubled power he back again did roe.   

The Romans' more, the Brutons they far fewer than before,  
Offend, defend, fight for, fence from, to win, and ward the Shore.  
But Caesar landed, and ensewed continual cruel fight:  
Thrice put the fierce Cassivelanes the Caesarines to flight,  
And still the King encouraging in every wing appears,  
So giving needless spurs to fight, his soldiers brook not fears,  
Nor little did the Cornish bells offend the Roman ears.  
When Caesars oft succesles fight had tired him and his,  
Inringed with his mayhmed camp, the Roman speaketh this.   

Are these same Bands, those self-same Bands that never fought in vain?  
And ye the men that following still my Standard still did gain?  
Even these, and ye, are very those: nor can I discommend  
Your manhoodes, that with lesser work brought greater Wars to end.  
But not, as was my wont to wright, the Senate now shall reed,  
I came: I saw: I overcame: such Foes forbidden such speed.  
Nor let the Senate muse, for Troy with Troy doth here contend:  
This warlike people (fame is so) from whence sprung we descend.  
Yea, if Aeneas had not left the Phrygian Gods to us,  
And Greeks' Palladium shipped to Greece, this Fortune foiling thus,  
I would have thought those very Gods had followed our annoy:  
But them have we, these only have undaunted hearts from Troy.  
But what? shall Caesar doubt to fight against so brave a Foe?  
No, Caesar's triumphs with their spoils shall give the braver shoe.  
Ye Gods that guide our Capitol, Mount Palatin thou Throne  
Of stately Rome, ye Followers too of her affairs each one,  
Delay not, but deprive me quite my triumphs now in hand,  
Nor let me live, if so I leave unconquered this Land:  
This Land, the last of Western Isles, an Isle unknown ere this,  
Which famous now through Caesar's fight and our misfortune is.  
Enough, my fellow friends in arms, enough we Romans' have  
To seek revenge: your Conquest lo a country rich and brave:  
And (which persuadeth victory) in Troynovant there be,  
That hold that city to our use: the Brutons disagree,  
No Scot or Pichte assisting them in these our wars I see▪  
Their civil strife will prove their scourge, how stout soe'er they seem,  
And perpetuity doth fail in every thing extreme.  
Not Fortune still is good or bad, and now let be our day:  
Too long we live, if that so long we shall on trifles stay,  
Said Caesar. And with such his words did so inflame his men,  
That with less patience did they live, than linger battle then.   

The Romans' bid the base, and then did cruel war begin:  
And little wanted that the Brutes the better did not win.  
But Caesar so foresaw Supplies, and succours here and there,  
Persuading this, dissuading that, controlling flight and fear,  
That, after many Romans' slain, the Brutons took their flight,  
To Southern Shores: whereas to proof Cassivelan did fight  
With oft Eruptions out of Woods, until the traitorous Knight,  
The Earl of London yields his Charge and city to the Foe,  
Through which disloyal precedent did other Cities so:  
And then with hard-won Tribute hence the conqueror did go.   

But he, that won in every war, at Rome in civil rob  
Was stabbed to death: no certainty is underneath the Globe.  
The good are envied of the bad, and glory finds disdain,  
And people are in constancy as April is in rain:  
Whereof, amidst our serious pen, this Fable entertain.   

An ass, an Old-man, and a boy, did through a city pass,  
And whilst the wanton boy did ride the Old-man led the ass:  
See yonder doting fool, said Folke, that crauleth scarce for age,  
Doth set the boy upon his ass and makes himself his Page.  
Anon the blamed Boy alightes, and lets the Old-man ride,  
And, as the Old-man did before, the boy the ass did guide:  
But, passing so, the people then did much the Old-man blame,  
And told him, churl, thy limbs be tough, the boy should ride for shame.  
The fault thus found, both Man and boy did back the ass and ride,  
Then that the ass was overcharged each man that met them cried.  
Now both alight, and go on foot, and lead the empty Beast,  
But then the people laugh, and say, that one might ride at least.  
With it they both did undershore the ass on either side,  
But then the wondering people did that witless prank deride.  
The Old-man seeing by no ways he could the people please,  
Not blameless then, did drive the ass and drown him in the Seas.  
Thus whilst we be, it will not be, that any pleaseth all:  
Else had been wanting, worthily, the noble Caesar's fall.    

CHAP. XVIII.  

AVgustus quailing Anthony was Emperor alone:  
In whose un-focd monarchy our common health was known.  
The Brooser of the serpent's head, the woman's promised seed,  
The Second in the trinity, the food our souls to feed,  
The Vine, the Light, the door, the Way, the shepherd of us all:  
Whose Manhood joined to deity did ransom us from thrall,  
That was, and is, and evermore will be the same to his,  
That sleeps to none that wake to him, that turns our curse to bliss,  
Whom, yet unseen, the patriarchs saw, the Prophets have foretold,  
Th'apostles preached, the Saints adore, and martyrs do behold,  
The same (Augustus Emperor) in Palestine was borne,  
Amongst his own, and yet his own did cross their bliss in scorn:  
Bi-formed Janus then in Mewe: so would this Prince of Peace,  
That Caesar's Edict every where should Mars his envy cease.   

THen reigned here King Cymbelyn, King Theomantius son:  
Next him Guiderius, that withheld the Tribute Caesar won.  
The Romans' that, in our respect, neglected Misia, Spain,  
Armenia, France, and Syria, than Recusants of their rain,  
Not by their captains, but himself the Emperor of Rome,  
Into relapsed Brutaine with imperial ensigns come.  
Then hotter than the Punic wars to Romans' did begin:  
And Claudius looseth valiantly all that the Brutons win,  
But Romish Hamo, from whose death Southampton had that name,  
In British arms salutes the King, and slew by guile the same.  
Duke Arviragus using then the armour of the King,  
Maintained fight, and won the field ere Brutons knew the thing.   

This hardy Knight, his Brother slain, was Crowned in his place:  
And with his win, also won the Emperor to grace:  
Who sending for his daughter, fair Genissa, so did end  
The wars in Wedding: and away did Claudius Caesar wend.  
But Arviragus after this revolted, and to stay  
The havoc made of Romans' here came succours every day.  
His Queen Genissa childing died, when his revolt she knew:  
And Voada, divorced late, became his Queen of new.  
Then he that at Jerusalem the fatal siege begun,  
Was sent from Rome, and warring here, the wont Tribute won:  
And through his gentle victory, bound Arviragus still  
A friend to Caesar, whom the King adopted heir by will.   

I here omit the dismal war in Isle of Mona made  
Against the Romans', whom the Priests the Druids invade  
With banning words, and women, with their hair untrussed, stand  
With brands of fire in furious wise about their desperate Band.  
The King deceased, Voada and her two daughters, they  
Abused by the Roman Lords, do hotter wars assay.   

THe noble Scot King Corbred he confedrates with the King  
of Picts: and they and British peers to field their Armies bring  
To aid the Queen of Brutes, that like the Amazonian Dame  
That beating down the bloody Greeks' in Priam's succour came,  
Had pight her javelin at her feet, when entered in among  
The fierce confedrates, thus she spoke amidst the silent throng:   

My state and sex, not hand or heart, most valiant friends, withhild  
Me, wretched Cause of your repair by wicked Romans i'd,  
From that revenge which I do wish, and ye have cause to work:  
In which suppose not Vo●da in female fears to lurk.  
For Lo myself, unlike myself, and these same Ladies fair  
In armour, not to shrink an inch where hottest doings are.  
Even we do dare to bid the Base, and you yourselves shall see  
Yourselves to come behind in arms: the Romans' too that be  
Such Conquerors, and valiantly can womankind oppress,  
Shall know that British women can the Romish wrongs redress.  
Then arm ye with like courages as Ladies shall present,  
Whom ye, nor wounds, nor death, the praise of Onset shall prevent.  
Nor envy that our martial rage exceeds your manly ire,  
For by how much more we endure, so much more we desire  
Revenge on those in whose default we are unhallowed thus,  
Whilst they forget themselves for men, or to be borne of us.  
Ye yield them Tribute, and from us their Legions have their pay:  
Thus were too much, but more than thus the haughty tyrants sway.  
That I am Queen from being wronged doth nothing I protect:  
Their Rapes against my daughters both I also might object:  
They maids deflower, they wives enforce, and use their wills in all,  
And yet we live deferring fight, inferring so our fall.  
But valiant Brutons, venturous Scots, and warlike Picts I err,  
Exhorting, whom I should dehort your fiearcenes to defer.  
Less courage more considerate would make your foes to quake:  
My heart hath joyed to see your hands the Roman Standards take,  
But when as force and Fortune failed, that you with teeth should fight,  
And in the faces of their Foes your women in despite  
Should fling their sucking Babes, I held such valiantness but vain:  
Enforced flight is no disgrace, such Flyers fight again.  
Here are ye, Scots, that with the King my valiant brother dead  
The Latins, wondering at your prows, through Rome in triumph lead.  
Ye Mars-stard Pichtes of Scythian breed are here Colleagues: & more,  
Ye Dardan Brutes, last named, but in valour meant before:  
I● your conduct, most knightly friends, I superseade the rest:  
Ye come to fight, and we in fight to hope and help our best.   

Scarce did this brave Bellona end, when as the battles join,  
And life and death was bought & sold with courage, not with coin.  
Above the rest the Queen of Brutes through blood did cut her way,  
Six thousand Ladies Lyons-like exploiting like Afray:  
Till Cattus with his Roman arms, subdued, fled away.  
Of Romans seventy thousand died, of Brutons then were slain  
Twice fifteen thousand, and the rest their ceased freedom gain.   

When valiant Plancius, precedent in Gallia, heard such news,  
He waffes an army out of France, and Voada pursues.  
The Albines●s to aid the Queen assemble at her call,  
And then began a second war, nor was the slaughter small.  
The Brutons, barring flight, had closed themselves with wanes about,  
In which the awls women stood surveying who was stout,  
Controlling Cowards, and among did fill the air with din:  
But, valiant though the Brutones were, the day the Romans' win.  
In vain the furious women then on sons and Husbands call,  
Themselves with sons and Husbands did by adverse weapons fall.  
Queen Voada past help, and hope, betook herself to flight:  
Till looking back, unfollowed then, and having in her fight  
The senseless trunks of slaughtered friends, she leaning on her Lance  
Did power forth tears, and grew at length impatient of the chance,  
And said: myself, my trusty friends, will with my dearest blood  
Keep Obite to your happy ghosts, that for your country's good  
Be as you be, and I will be: no Roman sword shall boast  
Of my dispatch. So on her Lance she yielded up the ghost.   

Her Daughter then, for to revenge her friends upon her foes,  
Assisted by the vanquished against the victor's roes,  
And slaughtering through the Roman tents the brave Virago goes,  
Till Plancius, ever provident of perils, brought supplies,  
What time Vodicia, urging wounds, with constant courage dies.   

Such business hanging, Lucius, here the first baptised King,  
Died issueless: and for the crown did long contention spring.  
At length Constantius Caesar (for the Brutons yielded so)  
Did Helin, Colis daughter wed. Of her do praises go  
For finding of the holy cross: and for devotion rare.  
From these proceeded Constantine, the most undoubted heir  
Both to the Roman monarchy and this his parent's ream.  
He turned the empire's ebbing pomp into her flowing stream,  
And was a Prince Religious: yet (with reverence be it said)  
If less religious, than not he the Empire had decayed,  
By largesse to a pompous Priest, Apostolic ere then,  
But now intruding even on God, insulting over men.  
Nor sparest thou his native realm that seized thee of Rome.  
Admit his frankness were a fault (as is their common doom,  
That say he made a Paul a Saul that made a Priest a Prince,  
And in that grace the empire's grace disgraced ever since)  
Find thou no fault with such a fault whereby he fitted thee:  
But, if thou wilt ungrateful prove, ungracious cease to be,  
A traitors Tutor is a. K. nor force we such a. T.  
Let such a Prelate bless or ban, with Candle, book and Bell,  
He cannot raise himself to heaven, nor rid a knave from hell.  
Vain are his bulls engendering calves, sent hither from his stalls,  
To feed (mad Sots) the fowl that by his name the Sendor calls.   

Nor think he dreamt this in vain that dreamt thus of late:  
One seemed to have passed Styx, and entering Pluto's gate,  
Saw Hecate new canonised the Sourantisse of hell,  
And Pluto bade it holiday for all which there did dwell.  
Stern Minos and grim Radimant descend their dusky rooms:  
The dock was also clear of Ghosts, adjourned to after-doomes:  
The Furies and the deadly sins, with their invective scrolls  
Depart the bar: the fiends rake up their everburning coals:  
The elves, and Fairies, taking fists, did hop a merry Round:  
And Cerberus had lap enough: and Charon leisure found:  
The airy Sprights the walking Flames, and Goblins great and small,  
Had there good cheer, and company, and sport the devil and all:  
To Tantalus the shrinking flood, nor starting fruit were such:  
Nor Titius his bowels did the hungry Vultur touch:  
Upon his Stone sat Cisaphus: Ixeon on his wheel:  
The Belides upon their Tubs: no wont toil they feel.  
Till, in this antic festival, these last recited five  
Of dignities for duties there they earnestly did strive:  
And then the quarrel grew so hot that hell was hell again,  
And flocking Ghosts did severally their Fauctors part maintain.  
With Cisaphus took part the Ghosts of minds that did aspire,  
And by ambitious climbing fell, deserts unlike desire.  
With Tantalus held starved Ghosts, whose pleasure was their pain,  
Whose ever hordes had never use, and get had no gain.  
To Besides assisted souls of unthrifts, whose supplies  
Did pass from them as Sea through cieves, whose wastes no wealths suffice.  
Unto Ixeon stood their Sprights that had their lusts for law,  
Rebellants to a common good, and sinning without awe.  
To Titius lastly joined Ghosts, whose hearts did empty hate  
As toads their poison, growing when it seemeth to abate.  
About fly Apples, Stones, and Tubs, the wheel was tumbled down,  
The vulture girds, no ghost but had at least a broken crown.   

This skufling and confederacy in hell made such a rear,  
That (wontles of such brawls and blows) Proserpina did fear.  
But Pluto, laughing, told his Bride to Ela it was Fa,  
To morrows din should prove that same to be a civil day:  
In peace these were their practices on earth, and here in hell  
(save that their souls have never peace) we find them as they fell.  
They work to me, each of these five, though daily count I ask,  
Do newly number Million souls, whose torments is their task.  
The Queen of such, not free of fear, replied thus again,  
And yet, me thinks, that Pluto should have pity on their pain.   

He lours, and Feast with Fray had end, and drink did every soul  
Of Lethe: who, their joys forgot, even yet in torments howl:  
Nay Pluto must be Pluto still, and so I will (quoth he,)  
For this same only day the Ghosts indebted are to thee:  
For as the like shall never come, so never like befell,  
But henceforth all, yea Prince, and Pope, shall ever find it hell.  
So dreamt one: but overlong on fantasies I dwell.    

CHAP. XIX.  

THe cozen of great Constantine, in Rome and here succeeds:  
Betwixt the Brutes, the Scots, and Pichtes continual trouble breeds:  
And long the regiment of this Land the Romans did enjoy,  
Transmitting captains evermore as Foes did here annoy.  
But Rome itself declined now, and Brutaine was oppressed,  
No longer were the Scottish spoils by Roman Swords redressed.  
Then ends the Tribute, than began new troubles, worse far  
Than Tribute: for the Scots and Pichtes infer consuming war.  
The Brutons, under Rome secure, as men that did rely  
On others, were disabled now by martial means to try  
The fame of fight: but Captainelesse, confusedly they deal,  
And give a wretched instant of an headless commonweal.  
And whom so many Roman Peers, grand-Captaines of such might,  
Of whom nine Emperors themselves in persons here did fight,  
Can hardly foil, were fronted now even of a barbarous Foe:  
And at the point (a wondrous change) their Country to forego.  
Such fruit hath ease such policy did serve the Romans' turn,  
Who, waning martial minds, themselves the quietlier here soiorn.  
The Brutons thus dispoy'ld of arms, and courage in effect,  
Of Prince, of captains, and advise, their business to direct:  
Dispatch their Legate to the Land diminutive in name  
To Brutaine: where the Legate thus his embassy did frame:   

The backslide of our helpless friends, the downfall of our state,  
Our lack of Prince, of people, and our wealth, not now as late,  
The savage dealing of our Foes, consuming outs and us,  
Is cause (right mighty King) that we approach thy presence thus.  
Not for we are in blood allied, or that whilst Fortune smiled,  
Your Ancestors had rule from us, not for the Dames defiled  
At Cullin, who withstanding lust for it did lose their lives,  
That else to Conon and his Knights had lived noble wives,  
We are emboldened in our suit: though all of these might move:  
But for our former wants, O King, and for thine own behove,  
Great Brutaine doth submit itself thy subject (if thou please.)  
Or else dispose it at thy will. provided we have ease  
Against such Foes, as would not save our lives to have our Land:  
Whom to conclude (except thou help) we never may withstand.   

The King Aldroen pitying much the cause of his Allies,  
Armed thence his brother Constantine, a captain stout and wise.  
He chase hence the Scots & Pichtes, with glory wore the crown,  
And through his virtue stayed up a kingdom sinking down.   

WIthin a while did Vortiger the Duke of Cornwall reign,  
When Constans son of Constantine he traitorously had slain.  
The Scots did ruffle then anew, nor did the King affy  
In Brutones, for they hated him, and reason had they why:  
And Saxon fleets from Germany in armour here arrive,  
Through whose support the King in wars against the Scots did thrive.  
The Foe by Hengist foiled thus, he and his brother get  
The chiefest credit with the King, but few gainsaying it,  
Necessity of soldiers here so well for them did fit.  
And Hengests Daughter entertained King Vortiger so well,  
That to misliking of his wife and liking her he fell:  
And sotted thus in foreign love, did wed the Saxon Wench:  
Which wrought unto the Saxons weal, but to the Brutes offence▪  
For whatsoe'er the Queen did ask, the King would not deny,  
Until his subjects ran to arms, and made the Saxons fly.  
They putting down the Father, than did set up Vortimer,  
He poisoned by his Stepdame, they restored Vortiger,  
With this condition, that he should no Saxons entertain.  
But Hengist (hearing from the Queen that Vortimer was slain,  
And Vortiger his Sonne-in-lawe re-kinged) did resaile  
With Saxon forces: though with fraud, not force he did prevail,  
For thus by policy he did the Brutons cirumvent:  
He craved parley, as a man that were to quietness bend,  
The place appointed, Parlantes him in simple meaning meet  
far from their army all unarmed, whom Saxon Traitors greet  
With deadly wounds by hidden knives, & held the King with them,  
Confounding so the British Oste. Nor cease they to contemn  
Both Christian rights, and civil Rule, subverting either twain:  
And what they would of Vortiger through fearful threats they gain:  
And plant themselves in Southfolke, Kent, and elsewhere at their will:  
And ruffling run throughout the Land oppressing Brutons still.  
The King and Brutons fled to Wales: and Feend-got Marlin there  
Bewrayed more than I believe, or credit seems to bear:  
As showing how the castle work, reared daily, fell by night  
By shaking of two Dragons great that underneath it fight,  
With other wonders, tedious if not trothless to recite.   

Aurelius Ambrose, brother to King Constans murdered late,  
From either Bruton having aid, won so the kingly state:  
And, ere that Hengist or his son stout Octa he subdued,  
First to revenge his brother's death he Vortiger pursewed,  
In vain the Welsh wild mountains fence the Flier from his Foe,  
Or Gerneth castle, when as flames throughout the buildings go:  
In midst whereof the wretched King did end his days in woe.   

THe Brutons thus had peace a while, till Vortigerus son,  
And Gutllamour the Irish King, in new Conflicts begun:  
Whom, whilst that Uter valiantly in Wales to wrack did bring,  
His Brother Ambrose did decease, and Uter then was King.   

What Uter did by marlin's Art, in compassing his will  
Upon the Wife of Garolus, transfigured by skill  
Into the likeness of her Lord, on whom he got a son,  
Renowned Arthur: or to name the Acts by Uter done,  
Were much and needless: only note he was a valiant Prince,  
But such as was his noble son, was not before or since.  
yet blazing Arthur, as have some, I might be overseen:  
He was victorious, making one amongst the Worthies neene:  
But (with his pardon) if I vouch his world of kingdoms won,  
I am no Poet, and for lack of pardon were undone.  
His Scottish, Irish, Almain, French, and Saxone battles got,  
Yield fame sufficient: these seem true, the rest I credit not.  
But Bruton is my task, and to my task I will retire:  
Twelve times the Saxon Princes here against him did conspire,  
And Arthur in twelve Battles great went vanquisher away:  
Howbeit Saxon forces still amongst the Brutons stay.   

This King to entertain discourse, and so to understand  
What Accidents in aftertimes should happen in this Land,  
He with the Brutish Prophet then of Sequelles fell in hand.  
Of six long after-Kings the man, not borne of human seed,  
Did prophesy, and many things that came to pass in deed.   

Now Arthur, chief of chivalry, had set his crown at stay,  
And to his Nephew Mordred did commit thereof the sway,  
When with his Knights, the wonders of the world for martial deeds,  
Beyond the Scas in foreign fights he luckily proceeds:  
Till faithless Mordred called him back that forward went with fame,  
For at his uncles Diadem he traitorously did aim.  
Twice Arthur won of him the field, and thirdly slew his Foe,  
When, deadly wounded, he himself, victorious, died so.   

INterred then with public plaints, and issueless, ensues  
A drooping of the British state: the Saxon still subdewes,  
Howbeit worthy Kings succeed: but destiny withstood  
The ancient sceptre to injure in Brutus' succeeding blood.  
unloved Careticus was he that lost the goal at length:  
Whenceforth, in vain, to win their loss the Brutons use their strength,  
Yea God, that as it pleaseth him, doth place or dispossess,  
When foes, nor foils, nor any force, their courage might suppress,  
Seemed partial in the Saxon Cause, and with a Plague did cross  
The Brutons, that had else at least rebated from their loss:  
For Cadwane, and Cadwallyn, and Cadwallader, the last,  
But not the least for valorous of British Princes passed,  
Brought out of Wales such knightly wars as made their foes aghast.  
The Plague (worse spoiler than the Wars) left Cambre almost waste,  
Which to avoid, the remnant Brutes into their Ships did haste.   

Cadwallader, in leaving thus his native Shore, he fixed  
His eyes from whence his body should, and with his sighs he mixed  
His royal tears, which giving place, he speaketh thus betwixt.  
Sweet Brutaine (for I yet must use that sweet, and ceasing name)  
Adieu, thy King bids thee adieu, whose flight no weapons frame:  
But God commands, his wrath commands, all countermand is vain,  
Else, for thy love, to die in thee were life to thy remain.  
Thus times have turns, thus Fortune still is flying to and fro:  
What was not, is: what is, shall cease: some come, and others go:  
So, Brutaine thou of Nation and of name endurest change,  
Now balking us whom thou hast bread, and brooking people strange.  
yet (if I shoot not past mine aim) a world of time from me,  
Part of our blood, in highest pomp, shall England's glory be:  
And chiefly, when unto a first succeeds a second She.  
But, leaving speeches ominous, Cadwallader is woe,  
That seeing death determines grief, he dies not on his foe.  
Ah, Fortune faileth mighty ones, and meaner doth advance:  
The mightiest empire Rome hath change, than Brutaine brook thy chance:  
Let it suffice thou wert before and after Rome in fame:  
And to endure what God intends were sin to count a shame.  
Nor vaunt, ye Saxons, of our flight: but if ye needs will vaunt,  
Then vaunt of this, that God displaced whom you could never daunt.  
This said, the tears controlled his tongue, & sails wrought land from sight  
When (save a Remnant small) the Isle was rid of Brutons quite.     

THE fourth book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. XX.  

THe Brutons thus departed hence, seven kingdoms here begun:  
Where diversly in divers broils the Saxons lost and won.  
King Edel and King Adelbright in Diria jointly reign:  
In loyal concord during life these Kingly friends remain.  
When Adelbright should leave his life, to Edel thus he says:  
By those same bonds of happy love, that held us friends always,  
By our by-parted crown, of which the moiety is mine,  
By God, to whom my soul must pass, and so in time may thine,  
I pray thee, nay I conjure thee, to nourish as thine own  
Thy niece my Daughter Argentile, till she to age be grown,  
And then, as thou receivest it, resign to her my Throne.  
A promise had for this Bequest, the Testator he dies:  
But all that Edel undertook, he afterward denies.  
yet well he fosters for a time the Damsiell, that was grown  
The fairest Lady under heaven: whose beauty being known,  
A many Princes seek her love, but none might her obtain:  
For grippell ●del to himself her kingdom sought to gain,  
And for that cause from sight of such he did his Ward restrain.   

By chance one Curan, son unto a Prince in Dansk did see  
The Maid, with whom he fell in love as much as one might be.  
Unhappy Youth, what should he do? his Saint was kept in mew:  
Nor he, nor any nobleman admitted to her view.  
One while in Melancholy fits he pines himself away,  
Anon he thought by force of arms to win her, if he may,  
And still against the King's restraint did secretly inveigh.  
At length the high Controller love, whom none may disobey,  
Embased him from Lordlines, unto a kitchen Drudge:  
That so at least of life or death she might become his judge.  
Access so had to see, and speak, he did his love bewray,  
And tells his birth: her answer was she husbandless would stay.   

Mean while the King did beat his brains his booty to achieve,  
Nor caring what became of her, so he by her might thrive:  
At last his resolution was some peasant should her wive.  
And (which was working to his wish) he did observe with joy  
How Curan, whom he thought a drudge, scaped many an amorous toy.  
The King, perceiving such his vain, promotes his vassal still,  
Lest that the baseness of the man should let, perhaps, his will:  
Assured therefore of his love, but not suspecting who  
The lover was, the King himself in his behalf did woo.  
The Lady, resolute from love, unkindly takes that he  
Should bar the Noble, and unto so base a Match agree:  
And therefore shifting out of doors, departed thence by stealth,  
Preferring poverty before a dangerous life in wealth.   

When Curan heard of her escape, the anguish in his heart  
Was more then much, and after her from Court he did departed:  
Forgetful of himself, his birth, his Country, friends, and all,  
And only minding (whom he missed) the foundress of his thrall.  
Nor means he after to frequent or Court or stately towns,  
But solitarily to live amongst the Country grownes.  
A brace of years he lived thus, well pleased so to live,  
And shepherdlike to feed a flock himself did wholly give.  
So wasting love, by work, and want, grew almost to the Waene:  
But than began a second love, the worse of the twaene.   

A Country wench, a neatheards' maid, where Curan kept his Sheep,  
Did feed her drove: and now on her was all the shepherds keep,  
He borrowed on the working days his holy russets oft:  
And of the Bacons fat, to make his Startops black and soft:  
And lest his Tarbox should offend he left it at the fold:  
Sweet Growte, or Whig, his Bottle had as much as it might hold:  
A sheeve of bread as brown as Nut, and Cheese as white as snow,  
And Wildings, or the Seasons fruit, he did in Scrip bestow:  
And whilst his py-bald cur did sleep, and sheephook lay him by,  
On hollow quills of oaten straw he piped melody:  
But when he spied her his Saint, he wiped his greasy shoes,  
And cleared the drivel from his beard and thus the shepherd woos.   

I have sweet Wench a piece of Cheese, as good as tooth may chaw,  
And bread, and Wildings souling-well (and therewithal did draw  
His Lardrie) and, in eating, see you Crumpled Ewe (quoth he)  
Did twin this fall, and twin shouldst thou if I might ●up with thee.  
Thou art too elvish, faith thou art too elvish, and too coy:  
Am I (I pray thee) beggarly, that such a flock enjoy?  
I wis I am not: yet that thou dost hold me in disdain  
Is brim abroad, and made a gibe to all that keep this plain.  
There be as acquaint (at least that think themselves as acquaint) that crave  
The Match, that thou (I wots not why) Mayst, but mislik'st to have.  
How wouldst thou match? (for well I wots, thou art a Female) I,  
I know not her that willingly with maidenhead would die.  
The ploughman's labour hath no end, and he a churl will prove:  
The Craftsman hath more work in hand then fitteth unto love:  
The merchant trafficking abroad, suspects his Wife at home:  
A Youth will play the Wanton, and an olde-man prove a Mome.  
Then choose a shepherd. With the Sun he doth his flock unfold,  
And all the day on Hill or plain he merry chat can hold:  
And with the Sun doth fold again: then jogging home betime,  
He turns a Crab, or tunes a round, or sings some merry rhyme:  
Nor lacks he gleefull tales to tell, whilst round the bowl doth troth:  
And sitteth singing careaway, till he to bed hath got.  
There sleeps he sound all the night, forgetting Morrow cares,  
Nor fears he blasting of his corn nor uttering of his wares,  
Or storms by Seas, or stirs on Land, or crack of credit lost,  
Not spending franklier than his flock shall still defray the cost.  
Well wots I, sooth they say that say: more quiet nights and days  
The shepherd sleeps & wakes than he whose cattle he doth graize.  
Believe me lass, a King is but a man, and so am I:  
Content is worth a monarchy, and mischiefs hit the high:  
As late it did a King and his, not dwelling far from hence,  
Who left a Daughter, (save thyself) for fair a matchless wench:  
(Here did he pause, as if his tongue had done his heart offence.)   

The Nea●resse, longing for the rest, did egg him on to tell  
How fair she was, and who she was. She bore (quoth he) the bell  
For beauty: though I clownish am, I know what beauty is,  
Or did I not, yet seeing thee, I senseless were to mis.  
Suppose her beauty Hellens-like, or Helen's somewhat less,  
And every star consorting to a puer Complexion guess.  
Her Stature comely tall, her gate well graced, and her wit  
To marvel at, not meddle with, as matchless I omit.  
A Globe-like head, a goldlike hair, a forehead smooth and high,  
An even Nose, on either side did shine a graish eye:  
Two rosy checks, round ruddy Lips, white iust-set Teeth within:  
A mouth in mean, and underneath a round and dimpled Chin:  
Her Snowish neck with bluish veins stood bolt upright upon  
Her portly shoulders: beating balls, her vained Breasts, anon  
Add more to beauty: wand-like was her middle, falling still,  
And rising whereas women rise: but overskippe I will,  
What Males in Females overskippe: imagine nothing ill.  
And more, her long and limber arms had white and azure Wrists:  
And slender Fingers answer to her smooth and lily Fists:  
A leg in print, a pretty Foot: conjecture of the rest,  
For amorous eyes, observing form, think parts obscured best.  
With these (O thing divine) with these, her tongue of speech was spaed;  
But speaking, Venus seemed to speak the ball from Ide to baer.  
With Phoebe, Juno, and with both herself contends in face:  
Where equal mixture did not want of mild and stately grace.  
Her smiles were sober, and her looks were cheerful unto all:  
And such as neither wanton seem, nor wayward, mell, nor gall.  
A quiet mind, a patiented mood, and not disdaining any:  
Not gibing, gadding, gaudy, and her faculties were many.  
A nymph, no tongue, no heart, no eye, might praise, might wish, might see  
For life, for love, for form, more good, more worth, more f●ire, than she:  
Yea such an one, as such was none, save only she was such:  
Of Argentile to say the most, were to be silent much.   

I knew the Lady very well, but worthless of such prays,  
The Neatresse said: and muse I do, a shepherd thus should blaze  
The Coote of beauty. Credit me, thy latter speech bewrays  
Thy clownish shape a coined show. But wherefore dost thou weep?  
(The shepherd wept, and she was woe, and both doth silence keep.)   

In troth, quoth he, I am not such as seeming I profess:  
But then for her, and now for thee, I from myself digress.  
Her loved I, (wretch that I am a Recreant to be)  
I loved her, that hated love: but now I die for thee.  
At Kirkland is my father's Court, and Curan is my name,  
In edel's Court sometimes in pomp, till love controlled the same:  
But now. What now? Dear heart how now? what ailest thou to weep?  
(The damsel wept, and he was woe, and both did silence keep.)   

I grant quoth she, it was too much, that you did love so much:  
But whom your former could not move, your second love doth touch.  
Thy twice beloved Argentile submitteth her to thee:  
And for thy double love presents herself a single fee:  
In passion, not in person changed, and I my Lord, am she:   

They sweetly surfeiting in joy, and silent for a space,  
When as the ecstasy had end did tenderly embrace,  
And for their wedding, and their wish got fitting time and place.  
Not England (for of Hengist than was named so this Land)  
Than Curan had an hardy Knight, his force could none withstand:  
Whose sheephook laid apart, he then had higher things in hand.  
First, making known his lawful claim in Argentile her right,  
He warred in Diria, and he won Bre●●tia too in fight:  
And so from treacherous Edel took at once his life and crown,  
And of Northumberland was King, long reigning in renown.    

CHAP. XXI.  

THe Saxons that, in these descents, derive from Gods and men,  
●oue, Minos Get a, Flokwald, Flyn, Fredw●lfe, Fraeloffes, wooden,  
Each as here placed others son, not only Conquer here,  
But with their wandering Armies spoil the World throughout well near.  
The English Saxon Kings oppress the mightier ones the weak:  
Each trifling cause sufficing here their love and leagues to break.  
One seizeth of his neighbour's realm, and is disseazed erelong:  
For Empire some, for envy some, and some to right their wrong  
Contend unto their common loss, and some like monster's rain:  
As Sig●ert, who for tyranny did banishment sustain.   

He wandered unbewailed long, a man whom men exempt  
From house and help, pursuing him with capital contempt.  
Forlorn therefore, with drooping limbs, and dropping eyes, in vain,  
He friendless walks the fruitless Woods, and foodles did complain.  
A swineherd meeting him by chance, and pitying his estate,  
Employed the Western King, unknown, on his affairs to wait.  
Nor did the needy King disdain such room, for such relief:  
An under-swineheardship did serve, he sought not to be chief.  
But when by speech and circumstance, his master understood,  
His servant was the sometimes King: blood cries (quoth he) for blood:  
My guiltless Master in thy pomp, thou Tyrant, didst slay,  
Nor unrevenged of his death thou shalt escape away.  
With that he took a Libbat up, and beateth out his brains:  
And dead (so odious Tyrants be) not one for him complains.   

NOt all so ill, yet cause of worse unto the English state  
Was Osbert of Northumberland: his love did win him hate.  
Enamoured on Lord Buerns wife, as tired in the chase,  
He left the Hounds, and with a few dismounts at Buerns Place.  
Her husband absent, heartily his Lady entertains  
The King, and feasts him Royally, not sparing cost or pains.  
But he that fed on fancies food, and hungered whilst he eats,  
Thought Venus' sparer in her loves than Ceres in her meats.  
The train and table voided, than he taking her apart,  
Directs her by his tongue and tears unto his loving heart.  
Delay he saith, breedeth doubts, but sharp denial death,  
Or do not long surcharge my bliss, or soon discharge my breath:  
For if my prayers add no edge unto thy begged doom,  
The vintage of my thriftless lo●e is blasted in the bloom.  
Be favourable to my fire: for thy sweet sake, be bold,  
I durst attempt even Hell (if hell so sweet a thing might hold.)   

Do think her coy, or think her chaste, my Censure I suspend▪  
Some Women yield not at the first, yet yield they in the end.  
She gave repulses to his lust, and he replies of love:  
Not all the Writs Diana had might Cupid's Plaint remove.  
She countermaunding his demand, he ceased Courting now,  
And did with her by violence what virtues disallow:  
And then departed, leaving her in self-conceit disgraced:  
More trespassed than some would think, and yet perhaps as chaste.  
Home came her Lord, whose brows had buds, and found his wife in tears,  
And (foolish thing) she told a troth, for which revenge he swears.  
But so the man did prove a beast: he better might have hid it,  
Some such are mystically domme, yet domly do forbid it.  
His wives escapes done secretly, if by the man detected,  
Shows hilled bumps (supposed bumps) meerehornes, not horns suspected.  
At Denmark in his cousin's Court, he telleth of his wrong:  
And gains against his sovereign Lord of Danes an army strong:  
Hunger and Hubba, and himself, Conductors of this host,  
Did with their foreign forces land, and spoil the Northern coast.  
The vicious valiant Osbret, that had vanquished ere then  
The King and kingdom of the Scots, though wanting arms & men,  
Thought scorn his foes should beard him so & bar him up in walls,  
And therefore, issuing out of York, upon the Danes he falls.  
A bloody bargain then begun, no fight might fearcer be,  
And of the Danish part were slain for every English three.  
But manhood lost, and number won, the Danes they got the field:  
And Osbret died valiantly, that not to live would yield.   

Mean while the Danes with fresh supplies arrive at every Shore,  
And war almost in every shire infesting England sore:   

With whom courageous Etheldred contended long in vain,  
By them was he, King Ella, and the holy Edmund slain.  
Nothing was done, but all undone, till King Alured he  
In danger of his royal self did set his subjects free:  
For every day, in every place, the Danes did so increase,  
That he nor any English King enjoy one day of peace.  
Nor mightier men at arms than they, might any where be found,  
Who in their divers Wars elsewhere did divers realms confound:  
For as the Goths, the Vandals, Huns, and Saxons erst did range,  
So now the Danes did plague the world, as sent by interchange.  
This Western and victorious king, and greatest monarch here,  
Perceiving of this spoiled Isle a toward ruin near,  
Disguised like a minstrel poor, did haunt the Danish Tents,  
And with his feats and melody the enemy presents:  
And of their sloth, their gluttony, and Counsels privy so,  
He took advantage, giving them a sudden overthrow.  
And s●ayeth Hubba, hunger, and the Cause of their repair,  
And putteth all to sword and Seas that unbaptized wair.   

yet to Northumberland returned fierce Gurmond with the Danes,  
Mean time did king Alured die, the Hatchet of their Tranes.  
But Adelstane (one king betwixt) not only cleared the Land  
Of Danes, but of all England had sole Empire in his hand.  
Thus of this long dismembered realm was he the only King:  
In which, till Egelred, his reign did prosper every thing.  
He reigning, much of England then the Lordly Danes did hold,  
Exacting Tributes every year, and selling Peace for Gold.  
And (which no doubt did hatch those Plagues) the King a wicked one,  
Did enter by his brother's blood, extorting thus his Throne:   

King Edgar that subdued the Scots, and slaughtered the Danes,  
And of the Welsh had tribute Wolffs, of whom it more remains  
That, as it were in Triumph-wise, Eight under kings did roe  
Him, Sterns-man, on the river Dee, with divers honours more,  
This Edgar by a former wife had Edward, by an other  
This Egelred, a son unto a kind and cruel Mother:  
For as she labours to prefer her own by well and ill,  
So to destroy her Son-in-law she wanted means, not wil  
And means did hit. King Edward hunts, and hunting lost his train,  
Whom, man-les, at her Castle Corfe the Queen did entertain.  
He having seen to whom he came in courtesy to see,  
Made haste away, in Quest of them that still a hunting be:  
And when he, mounted, should departed, to him his Stepdame drinks.  
Whom, pledging, him an hireling stabbed, & lifeless down he sinks.   

Thus Egelred obtained the crown, but for his crowing so  
His subjects grudge, and he became a Preface to their woe.  
For when this proud and vicious king, was neither loved of his,  
Nor lived safely for the Danes, his secret Edict is,  
That suddenly in one self hour, throughout the Land should pass charge  
A common massacre of Danes, which so performed was:  
Hartfordia Welwyn (Wealth-wyn then, for promptness in that  
Beginning, other towns as it themselves from Danes enlarge.    

CHAP. XXI.  

THis common mu● her of the Danes was common mirth to all  
The English, whom they did oppress with slaveries not small,  
Compelling men by grievous draft as Beasts to plough their Land,  
Of whom the English as of Gods, or fiends, in terror stand.  
The Husband durst not use his Wife if liked of a Dane,  
Nor House nor Goods, nor ought he had, for who resists was slain:  
That franks and feedeth daintily, This pines and fareth ill,  
And of his sweat that hath the sweet, and is imperious still.  
Each house maintained such a Dane, that so they might prevent  
Conspiracies, if any were, and grope how minds were bend:  
Lord Dane the same was called then, to them a pleasing name,  
Now odiously lurdane say we, when idle Mates we blame.  
When swain the Dacian King did hear his Danes were murder dso.  
With bitter vows he shipped his men for England's overthroe:  
And landing, spared no shrine, nor Saint, nor Sex, nor any State,  
Not wanting Aiders Englishmen, that held their King in hate.  
Especially false Edricus the admiral deceives  
His King and country oftentimes, and Bribes of swain receives:  
And Egelred his cowardisse encouraged the Foe,  
Till swain at length, for Masses great, was bribed hence to go.  
But making short return, the peers of England that disdain  
Th'indignities of such a King, that did so feebly reign,  
Submit them subjects unto swain: and Egelred did fly  
Unto the Father of his Queen, the Duke of Normandy:  
And swain, possessed of the land, did shortly after die.   

His son Canutus, present here, had season of the crown,  
Till Egelred, returning back by armour puts him down:  
Who scarcely giveth breathing time, but that he back resailes  
From Denmark, and by force, by friends, and fortune here prevails:  
For in this war King Egelred did sicken and decease:  
And then the broils (Canutus king) did for a time decrease,  
Till Edmund, son of Egelred, did interrupt that peace.   

COnferring arms, to edmond's age when Egelred did lie  
On deathbed, to his son he said: not quite forlorn am I,  
Whose life hath had so much of grief, thus graciously to die.  
Ad more, thy virtues glad my death, yet two things grieve among,  
To leave my Kingdom so in wars, and thee for wars too young,  
So may these troubles wear to none as thou dost wax I pray,  
And so possess thy father's seat that all approve thy sway.  
Not to be made a King (my son) is so to make thee proud,  
For mildness fitteth majesty, high minds are disaloude.  
See me thy Father, now a King, and by and by but earth,  
Nor think that every King hath hap to die a happy death.  
Let nature for perfection mould a Paragon each way,  
yet death at last on finest lumps of living flesh will pray:  
For nature never framed it, that never shall decay.  
The bravest are as blossoms, and the longest liver dies,  
And dead, the lovelest Creature as the lothsom'st Carrion lies.  
Then think not but that kings are men, and as the rest miscarry,  
Save that their fame or infamy continually doth tarry.  
Deem past Examples Sentences, and (which did fail in me)  
Make use of those not now in use, for now will cease to be.  
Attempt not things beyond thy reach, join fortune to thy will:  
Lest Phoebus' chair do else surcharge rash Phaeton his skill.  
If Fortune help whom thou wouldst hurt, fret not at it the more:  
When Ajax stormed, then from him the Prize Ulysses bore.  
Try friends by touch, a feeble friend may prove thy strongest Foe:  
Great Pompe●s head to Caesar's hand it was betrayed so.  
Admit thou hadst Pactolion waves, to land thee gold at will,  
Know Croesus did to ●yrus kneel, and thou Mayst speed as ill.  
Abandon lust, if not for sin, yet to avoid the shame:  
So hogs of Ithacus his men the Latian Witch did frame.  
Be not too moody in thy wrath, but pause though fist be bend:  
Oft Philip's son did rashly strike, and leisurely repent.  
Content thee with unthreatned mean, and play not Aesop's dog:  
The gold that gentle Bacchus gave did greedy Midas clog.  
Be valiant, not too venturous, but fight to sight again:  
Even Hercules did hold it odds for one to strive with twain.  
Be not ambitiously a King, nor grudgingly decline:  
One God did root out Cis his stock, and raise up Jesse's line.  
jest nor with edge tools, suffer Saints, let mighty fools be mad:  
Note, Seneca by Nero's doom for Precepts penance had.  
Have care to whom, of whom, & what to speak, though speech be true,  
That miss made Poe●●us contrary his ravens swanlike hue.  
He frameth torments to himself that feeds a tyrant's vain:  
Perillus was by Phalaris adjudged to self-taught pain.  
Praise not the beauty of thy Wife, though she of form be sped:  
For Gyges, moved so, did grafted on Candaules his head.  
Shun jealousy that heartbreak love, if Cat will go to kind,  
Be sure that Io hath a means that Argus shall be blind.  
Commit not Treasure with thy Child to greedy minded men:  
Thou leavest Polidor a spoil to Polymnestor then.  
Occurrants give occasions still of like, in which be sure  
To serve thy God, to save thyself, and well to all procure.  
Be virtuous, and assure thyself thou canst not then but thrive:  
In only virtue it is said, that men themselves survive.  
As for the vicious, such they are, as is the heedless fly,  
That kills itself, and hurts his sight that hath her in his eye.  
Farewell my son, England farewell, thy never happy Prince  
Doth take his leave, an happy leave, if taken so long since.  
And, Edmond (burying not with me thy virtues, nor my speech)  
I bless thee in his blessed Name whom I of bless beseech,  
Said Egelred: and shortly gave a quiet gasp or twain,  
And being dead, his noble son succeeded him in reign.   

THis like himself, even Knight-like and an Englishman indeed,  
Did quicken England's quailing prows, & Mars-like did proceed.  
A braver captain than was he not any band might have:  
And yet a Mars did match this Mars, Canutus was as brave.  
These wonders of that age for arms, and Dirii of those days,  
Did often battle, equally to either's loss and prays,  
Now after many bloody fields, when none might estimate  
The better or the worse part, a Knight that saw the state  
Then present, and by likelihoods presaged what might fall,  
Said (hearing it the differing Kings and soldiers almost all:)  
We ever war, and never win, Edmund hath Fortitude,  
Canutus Fortune, neither thus of other is subdued,  
Death fears not us, nor for their lives our Contraries do care:  
It follows then, that all must die where all so desperate are.  
If all be slain, than who shall serve our Princes that survive?  
Or fence out Forrens? better one, than none of both should thrive.  
To thrive therefore, were not amiss, that seeing one of twain  
Will Owner all, that only they the quarrel do maintain.  
Or if Combattensie not please, the Land is rich and large,  
And they Copernicers may live, and us of death discharge.  
If Combat nor Partition be, then will his war revive,  
Till one, surviving all of us, wants one with whom to strive.  
This said, the Kings did mark and make a profit of the same,  
And did conclude by Combacy to win or lose the Game.   

Within a little Island near (round which the Armies stand)  
The Kingly Champions try their Force, by fight hand to hand.  
They spur their Horses, break their spears, & beat at Barriars long  
And then, dismounting, did renew a battle brave and strong.  
Whilst either King thus Martially defends, and did offend,  
They breathing, King Canutus said: we both I see shall end,  
E●e Empire shall begin to one: then be it at thy choice  
To fight, or part. With it their Knights cry out with common voice,  
Divide, most valiant Kings divide, enough ye have of Fight:  
And so the Champions did embrace, forgetting malice quite.   

Partition equally was made betwixt these Princes twain,  
And Brother-like they live and love: till by a devilish train,  
Earl Edricus, a traitor to the Father and the son,  
Did murder Edmund: and his head (supposing to have won  
The favour of Canutus so) presenting said (O King)  
For love of thee I thus have done. Amazed at the thing,  
Canutus said, and for that thou hast headed him for me,  
Thy head above all English heads exalted it shall be:  
The Earl was headed, and his head poold up for all to see.   

Of England, Dansk, & Norway, than Canut was perfect Lord,  
And in this triple Regiment all with virtue did accord.  
Harold, & hardiknought his sons each th'other did succeed:  
Of either which small certain Fame of well or ill we reed,  
Save by their reigns to Engl●sh-men did grievous thraldom breed.  
But after Hardt-knought his death the Danes were chased hence,  
Not intermeddling with the state of England eversince.    

CHAP. XXII.  

OF foresaid Egelred his sons, Alured, and his brother,  
Was Edward King: (for goodwin's guile had made away that other.)  
Religious, chaste, wise, fortunate, stout, frank, and mild was he:  
And from all Taxes, wrongs, and Foes, did set his kingdom free.  
By overruling of his Lords, entreating long the same,  
Lest, dying issueless, he leave succession out of frame,  
He took to Queen a damsel fair: howbeit, by consent,  
In vows of secret chastity their loving lives they spent.  
The Father of this maiden-wife, he sitting by the King,  
And seeing one that stumbled, but not falling, up to spring,  
Did laughing say, the brother there the brother well hath eased,  
(His meaning was the Stumblers feet.) And hadst thou so pleased,  
So had my Brother, quoth the King, been easing unto me.  
The traitorous Earl took bread and said, so this digested be  
As I am guiltless of his death: these words he scarcely spoke,  
But that in presence of the King the bread did Goodwin choke.   

His son Harold, by Hardi-knoghts late daughter, him survives,  
He, crossed by contrary winds, in Normandy arrives,  
Where goodwin's son did take an oath, Duke William urging so,  
To keep unto the Duke his use, when Edward hence should go,  
The crown of England (claimed by Adoption, and by blood.)  
But Harold, after Edward's death, not to his promise stood.  
And for he was in wealth, in friends, in blood, and armour strong,  
And title had his mother's right, he forced not the wrong:  
But arming him against the Duke, so urged unto wrath,  
Did seize the crown unto himself, contrary to his oath.  
Whilst William therefore works for war, King Harold had not rest,  
For Harold Hare-foote, King of Danes and Norway's, much oppressed  
The English with his puissant Bands. But Harold him assails,  
And after fierce and doubtful fight most valiantly prevails:  
And with the Norgaine Prince he slew his people almost all:  
When, for division of the spoil, did much contention fall  
Betwixt the King and Englishmen: and many a noble Knight  
Not only murmur and malign, but did forsake him quite.   

Such malice growing, William with his normans taking land,  
Found hot hot▪ spur Harold priest in arms, his puissance to withstand:  
And either battle marshaled, as either captain wild,  
The King of England eagerly the Normane host beheld,  
And with his cheerful speeches thus his men with courage filled.   

See valiant (War-friends) yonder be the first, the last, and all  
The Agentes of our Enemies: they henceforth cannot call  
Supplies: for weeds at Normandy by this in Porches grow:  
Then Conquer these would Conquer you, and dread no further Foe,  
They are no stouter than the Brutes, whom we did hence exile:  
Nor stronger than the sturdy Danes, or victory er while:  
Not Saxo●●e could once contain, or scarce the world beside  
Our Fathers, who did sway by sword where listed them to bide.  
Then do not ye degenerate, take courage by descent,  
And by their burials, not abode, their force and flight prevent.  
Ye have in hand your country's cause, a Conquest they pretend,  
Which (were ye not the same ye be) even Cowards would defend.  
I grant that part of us are fled and linked to the Foe,  
And glad I am our army is of traitors cleared so:  
Yea pardon hath he to departed that stayeth Mal-content:  
I prise the mind above the man, like zeal hath like event.  
yet troth it is, no well or ill this island ever had,  
But through the well or ill Support of subjects good or bad.  
Not Caesar, Hengist, swain, or now (which ne'ertheless shall fail)  
The Normane Bastard (Albion true) did, could, or can prevail.  
But to be selfe-false in this Isle a selfe-Foe ever is,  
yet wots I, never traitor did his treason's stipend mis.  
Shrink who will shrink, let Armor's wait press down the burdened earth,  
My Foes, with wondering eyes, shall see I over prise my death.  
But since ye all (for all, I hope, a like affected be,  
Your wives, your Children, lives, and Land from servitude to free)  
Are Armed both in show and zeal, then gloriously contend,  
To win and wear the home brought spoils, of victory the end.  
Let not the skinner's daughter's son possess what he pretends,  
He lives to die a noble death that life for freedom spends.  
As Harold heartened thus his men, so did the Normane his:  
And looking wishly on the earth, Duke William speaketh this.  
To live upon, or lie within, this is my Ground or grave,  
(My loving soldiers) one of twain your Duke resolves to have.  
Nor be ye normans now to seek in what you should be stout,  
Ye come amidst the English Pikes to hew your honours out,  
Ye come to win the same by lance, that is your own by law,  
Ye come, I say, in righteous war revenging swords to draw.  
Howbeit of more hardy Foes no passed Fight hath speed ye,  
Since Rollo to your now-Abode with Bands victorious lead ye  
Or Turchus, son of Troilus, in Scythian Fazo bread ye.  
Then worthy your Progenitors ye seed of Priam's son  
Exploit this business: Rollons do that which ye wish be done.  
Three People have as many times got and foregone this shore,  
It resteth now ye Conquer it not to be conquered more:  
For Normane and the Saxon Blood conjoining, as it may,  
From that consorted seed the crown shall never pass away.  
●efore us are our armed Foes, behind us are the Seas,  
On either side the Foe hath holds of succour, and for ease.  
But that advantage shall return their disadvantage thus,  
If ye observe no shore is left the which may shelter us,  
And so hold out amidst the Rough, whilst they hale in for Lee,  
Whereas, whilst men securely sail, not seldom shipwrecks be.  
What should I cite your passed Acts, or tediously incense  
To present arms? your faces show your hearts conceive offence:  
Yea even your courages divine a Conquest not to fail▪  
Hope then your Duke doth prophecy, and in that hope prevail.  
A People brave, a terren heaven, both objects wroth your wars,  
Shall be the Prizes of your prows, and mount your fame to stars.  
Let not a traitors perjured son extrude us from our right:  
He dies to live a famous life, that doth for Conquest fight.   

By this the furious battles join, a bloody day to either,  
And long they fight, the victory inclining unto neither:  
At length the English had the odds, who keeping close array,  
Unto the duchy Forces gave no entrance any way:  
Who feigning fear, and Martially retiring as oppressed,  
The English so became secure, and follow on dispersed.  
To which advantage, furiously the normans did return,  
And got a bloody victory. In vain the English spurn  
Amidst the Pikes against the prick: King Harold then was slain:  
From whom began the normans sole, but soon conjoined rain:  
For second Henry, Maud her son, freed England's blood again.  
Since when (and ever may they so) that offspring ruled us:  
Of whose conjunction in the crown, the Genalogue is thus.  
King Edmund Irn-side Issue had Edward the outlaw: he  
Had Margaret: Maud by Malcolme (them the King of Scots) had she:  
maud to the Conqueror his son first Henry, Maud did bei●e:  
This second maud the Angeos wife, had second Henry heir.   

EDward, King Harold's Preregnant, of the same Change foretold,  
Who present and succeeding times thus, dying, did unfold:  
It is a world, to note (quoth he) the ways that men adore,  
And how hypocrisy hath bred of Godlike devils store,  
That speak to seem, that seem to shift, that shift to spoil by guile,  
That smooth, & sooth, & yet deceive with Scriptum est mean while.  
But let them heave their hands to heaven, they have their hire in Hell,  
That seem devout to cloak deceit, and say, but do not well.  
The Rich are reckless in their wills, their liking is for law:  
The poor repine, and Goods, not theirs, by idle shift claw.  
The Lords and Landed over-rent, and cunningly the same  
The Parasite doth overreach, and bears away the game.  
One riseth by another's fall, and some do climb so fast,  
That in the clouds they do forget what Climates they have passed.  
But eaglewinged minds that fly to nestle in the sun,  
Their lofty heads have leaden heels, and end where they begun.  
It is a common point on which the aged grossly run,  
Once to have dared, said, and seen, more than was ever done.  
The Youth are foolishhardie, or less hardy than they ought,  
Effeminate, fantastical, in few, not few are nought.  
At Cyprus not the wanton Saint, nor yet her wily son,  
Did want her Orgies: nor at Rome did Vesta lack her nun:  
The Lampsacens gave Priapus his filthy Rites, and Create  
To Jove his bulls: and Si●ilie to Ceres tithed Wheat:  
The Thracians with their Bacchanales did Lybers' Temple fill:  
And Italy did blood of Babes on Saturn's Altars spill:  
And fatal wreaths of Myr●ill boughs were sacred unto Dys:  
In few, there was no pagan God his Sacrifice did mis.  
But Englishmen, nay Christian men, not only seem profane,  
But Man to Man, as Beast to Beast, holds civil duties vain.  
Yea Pulpits some, like peddlers packs, yield forth as men affect,  
And what a synod shall conclude, a souter will correct.  
The rude thus boasting literature, one schism begets another,  
And grossly though a Sehis●●e, yet hath each schismatic his Soother.  
Mean while the learned want their Meed, & none with profit hears  
The tedious dolt, whose artless tongue doth preach to weary ears.  
Here could I enter in a Field of matter more than much:  
But guess that all is out of frame, and long time hath been such:  
And what shall be let time disclose. This only will I touch:  
A green Tree cut from withered Stock, divided Furlongs three  
From proper root, it shall rejoin, and after fruitful be:  
Thus said the King. And thus do some expound that Prophesee:  
The Tree this Land, the Stock and root the thralled English line:  
King Har●ld, and the William's twain, the Furlongs some define:  
Henry the Normane that begot on Mawde his English Queen  
Mawde, second Henry's Mother, was the Trees return to green.  
King Stephen first, though not so firm, did in this turn proceed:  
But second Henry perfectly restalled Wodens seed.     

THE FIFTH book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. XXIII.  

ASsisted by the former Bowne persist, my Muse, and tell  
How by the Normane Conquest here an other world befell.  
New laws (not Labyrinths as now through wrested quirks) came in:  
New Lords also, at whom, for most, our ancient Crests begin.  
The English sink, the normans swim, all topsie turute was,  
Until the conqueror had brought his whole command to pass.   

Then was one Edgar, son unto the outlaw Edward, he  
To holy Edward had been heir, had not King Harold be:  
And William pleading too by sword admits no milder law:  
So Edgar in his soon flight his safest issue saw:  
Who with his mother (daughter to the King of Hungary)  
And Sisters, did attempt into his grandsire's realm to fly.  
Thus England's hope with England's heir in one same bark did sail:  
When desperate from their villanage was English blood of bail.  
〈◊〉 God, that to the hopeless is not helpless, if he please,  
Did drive the storm-beate English ship into the Scottish seas:  
Where, cast a shore, King Malcolme soon had notice of the wrack,  
And did become a gracious Lord unto their present lack.  
And (Agatha a Votarisse) took Margaret to Queen:  
Protects her brother even by arms, against King William's teen:  
Until by war and wise convey he so to pass did bring  
That Edgar reconciled was unto the English King:  
In credit, though withheld his crown, and thus at least did good:  
His flight scotch-queened his Sister, she regraded England's blood.  
For let we Edgar 'gainst the haer preserved, as expressed,  
And either William, lucky Knight at arms, interred rest,  
And set first William's youngest son, first Henry, on the Throne,  
Through him the royal English and the Normane bloods grew one.  
On maud, Scotch Malcomes daughter by the foresaid Margaret he  
Had Maud, that solely did survive her drowned brothers three,  
Her, Empress to the Emperor then newly being ded,  
Did Geffrey Plantaganet the Earl of Anjoy wed,  
And she unto Plantaganet did second Henry bear,  
Of England, Angeo, Gascoigne, and of Normandy the heir.  
yet Stephen, first William's daughters son whom th'Earl of Bloys did marry,  
Did with the Empress and her son now King now captive vary:  
But lastly, tired, and interred, all England by his death  
Was quietly second Henry's, who was lawfulst heir by birth.   

With Hengests blood our droupen Muse it also now revives:  
For harshly sounds our Poeame, save in matter where it thrives.  
Let be your bitten Vine, we here a blissful vintage gain,  
That did, and doth, and evermore unblasted may remain:  
For this corival seed begot England English again.  
From whence we note what sceptres, what descents, & turns befell:  
Less pleasing unto some, perhaps, than toys which many tell  
That but of fancies, women, loves, and wantonness can sing:  
From which their tunes but pip their tongues & then they hang the wing   

THis second Henry, mighty both in Empire and in arms,  
Was only by his clergy crossed with unbeseeming harms.  
Perplexed therefore at th'appeals that wayward Becket made,  
To some, demanding his disease at Normandy he said:  
Our Popes that seem (they do but seem) S. Peter to succeed  
Who did deny, although deserve, high Styles to him decreed,  
Are quite unlike to Peter and Pope's thirty three forepast  
Who lived in misery and died by martyrdom at last.  
Now need not Tyrants: Popes to Popes be Tyrants: and they all  
Do wrest even Principalities submissive to their Pall.  
Peter did sin, and sinning to repentant tears did fly:  
Popes sin not, but to others sins give pardon (else they lie.)  
Christ washed feet, Kings kiss their feet, Christ gave to Caesar his,  
They take, and say that either Sword in their subjection is.  
The Pope did so our mother's fere the Emperor entreat,  
As that his proud attempts I shame and sorrow to repeat.  
What cite I foreign matters, when our native Stories yield  
Of miters meddling with our Sword an overplenteous field?  
We offer Tapers, pay our tithes and vows, we pilgrims go  
To every saint at every shrine we offerings do bestoe,  
We kiss the Pix, we creep the cross, our beads we overrun,  
The covent hath a legacy, who so is left undone:  
We fast the eve, we feast the day of every Saint they make,  
Their houslings, Shrifts, and Sacraments most reverently we take,  
Bytale we say orisons, and to words unknown Amen:  
The quire doth chant, we knock our breasts, we bow & cross us then:  
Their skaer-spright water, boxed Boans, their hosts, & what not brings  
The Priest, the friar, or Pardoner we count not holy things?  
We seat them in our fattest soils for Pasture, wood, and spring,  
We lodge them safe in stately walls, we sorrowing when they sing.  
Their bells call them from easy beds to sing in gowns as warm,  
But Larums us from restless camps, by wounds to heal their harm.  
And meet is so: but meet also that they protected thus,  
Be ●ot unquiet, but for their quiet prey for and further us.  
When our great grandsire thought this Isle by Conquest clearly won,  
And entered Kent, what erst he did did seem in Kent undone.  
A moving wood stole marching on, and hemmed his army round,  
When all at once, their boughs cast down, was heard a warlike sound,  
That to the normans did disclose an army ordered well,  
Resolved to die, rather than leave the laws where they did dwell:  
(For so, in way of parley, did their mitred Stygand tell.)  
Their Bishop, their contriver, and their chief conduct was he,  
By whose devise the conqueror, entrapped, did agree  
To ratify the laws of Kent such as they were, and be.  
But bearing in a common good with Crosiers crossing crowns,  
Proud Anselme in our uncles reign did far exceed the bounds  
Of prelacy or piety (for churchmen should be meek:  
yet some in practice leave what they of us in preaching seek:  
For they that bid me do, and do themselves the good they bid,  
Do lead me to the substantive, and leave me not in quid)  
Yea, either of our uncles thrived in foreign Conquests more,  
Than 'gainst their churchmen, setting all their kingdom in uproar.  
One Prelate wrought the pope to curse & cross his Prince withfoes:  
Twixt others long ambitions Pleas for primacy aroes:  
And now, through Becket, to ourself no lesser damage grows.  
I have had hardy Knights for wars, and helpful friends in peace,  
yet helpless friends, and heartless Knights this Cleargie-pride to cease.   

These words heard divers present Knights, who vexed at the wrong,  
Did, clean unwitting to the King, arrive in Kent ere long,  
And at S. Bennits' Altar, in the Minster of his Sea,  
At sacring for a sacrifice the saucy clerk did slay.  
Which heard, the Pope canonised the slir-strif Priest a Saint,  
Insencing Kings against our King, till wars made Henry faint.  
Then humbled unto haughty Priest as legates sent from Rome  
He basely bows: and they to him for begged penance doom  
Purs-payne and heathen battles, and (which worse was decreed)  
Barefoot he went, whom monks did whip till feet & body bleed.  
Barefoot to jury far the Knights, fo dying for their deed:  
Nor might they mend it, for as bad even Emperors did speed.    

CHAP. XXIIII.  

THe King's fair Leiman Rosamund, and how his sons rebel  
joverpasse. To Richard next the diadem befell.  
He did in Cypris, Sycil, and in Syria war and win:  
Whose glory his confederate peers to envy did bginne:  
And, warring with the soldan, left the English King behind:  
Who left not fight till he forced Conditions to his mind,  
And of Jerusalem was King. But as he did return,  
The ostrich Duke, (whose reared flag our wronged king did spurn  
From Acon walls, his victory,) did Richard intercept,  
And him in easeless prison for revenge and ransom kept.   

The Duke his daughter, as the King did there a captive lie,  
Did labour strongly in the love she would but could not fly:  
And sighing wept, and weeping spoke, and speaking thus she said:  
Richard through hate, through love am I in differing bands betrayed.  
My harvest hangeth in the grass, and ere the proof may blast:  
Or clew-led Theseus, from the den of Minotaurus past,  
To far more harder stars than was poor Ariadne lest  
Leave me he may, of all, yea, more than all, of him bereft.  
Sweet love, Saint love, or rather I thy Saint and thou my God,  
In such deserts let such deceit be, as should be, forbade.  
The Gailor, bribed, with his keys to stay or free him sent her.  
Love (lovely Richard) makes, quoth she, that I this hell-house enter,  
Hence make escape, remembering me that thus for thee do venture.   

Attentive to her sprech, but more retentive of her shape,  
The King, awaking to her form, did sleep his own escape:  
And giving her a meeting kiss, quoth he, so God me keep  
As true desire to quite this good in me shall never sleep.  
yet ransomless I will not hence: but fetching back the lone,  
When as thy Father shall repay to England ten for one,  
I vow thy love a recompense, till when I live to thee.  
Thus sever they: and ransom him ere many weeks did free.   

Soon after on the Belgic towers he English-flags did rear:  
Ostrich and all the Empire of his prowess stood in fear:  
Until a desperate Straggler with an arrow pierced his head,  
And sent the woeful English home, their worthy Leader dead:  
Thus Lyons-hart (his courage got that surname) lastly sped.  
To whom King John, in courage not inferior to the other,  
Succeeded, but in life and death moretragicke than his brother.   

IN Scotland, France, Ireland, and Wales he warred, wearied less,  
Than by the Pope and English Priests wronged without redress,  
Nor was, save from their sovereign's death, their malice out of date:  
yet John, feign they, hut they felt John, did trouble Church and state.  
When (for as Gaylers with convicts, so Pope's deal with a falter:  
Their sin-salue like the setting lose from Shackles to the halter)  
When mass and all the Sacraments were Strangers many a day,  
And that, so farforth as it in the triple mitre lay,  
Even God himself was barred hence, and that, prostrate before  
His vassal Bishop langton's feet, the King did grace implore,  
When Peter pence were granted, and the English crown to hold  
By rent and Homage of the Pope, and that for sums of gold  
The French Kings son was cursed hence, who else had wore the crown  
And that the reconciled King did seem on surest ground,  
Then he, whilst he in progress did at Swinshed Abbey lie,  
Was poisoned by a monk, that baend himself that John might die.   

The monk, more solemnly interred and sung for than the King,  
Was cause that divers diversly did construe of the thing.  
Some charged the Popes of avarice, for that when Rings offend  
They sell them peace: of pride, for that to them even monarchs bend:  
Of mere incharitie, for that to wreak their private spite  
'Gainst kingdoms kingdoms they incense, and, worse, do acquit  
Even subjects to allegiance sworn against their Lords to fight:  
Of Treason, for that to entrap such as from them descent  
With oaths and all things they dispense: Some bid us thus prevent  
Their sins and sleights, do not as they, not deal with them, for why?  
Who doth must live their Vassal or their victory must die.  
A merry mate amongst the rest, of cloisterers thus told.   

THis cloystring and fat feeding of Religious is not old  
(Quoth he.) Not long since was a man that did his devoir give  
To kill the passions of his flesh, and did in penance live:  
And, though beloved of the King, he lived by his sweat:  
Affirming men that would not work unworthy for to eat.  
He told the erring their amiss, and taught them to amend.  
He counseled the comfortless and all his days did spend  
In prayer and in poverty. Amongst his doings well  
Highways he mended: doing which this Accident befell.   

A dozen thieves to have been hanged were lead this hermit by,  
To whom he went, exhotting them as Christian-men to die.  
So penitent they were, and he so pitiful (good man)  
As to the King for pardon of the Prisoners he ran:  
Which got, he gave it them. But this proviso did he add  
That they should ever work as he. They grant, poor souls, & glad.  
He got them gowns of country grey, and hoods for rain and cold,  
And hempen girdles, (which besides themselves) might burdens hold,  
Pick axe and Spade: and hard to work the covent sell together,  
With robes, & Ropes, & every tool for every work & whether.  
So did they toil as thereabout no causey was unwrought:  
Wherefore new labours for his men the holy hermit sought:  
But at departure prayed them to fast, to watch, and pray,  
And live remote from worldly men, and goeth so his way.   

The holy thieves (for now in them had custom wrought content)  
Can much of Scripture and, indeed, did heartily repent.  
But when the country folk did hear of these same men devout  
Religiously they haunt their cells, and lastly brought about  
That from the woods to Buildings brave they wound the hermit's crew,  
Who was from found-out work returned, and their Aposta knew.  
He going to their stately place, did find in every dish  
Fat beef and brewis, and great store of dainty fowl and fish.  
Who seeing their saturity, and practising to win  
His Puples thence, excess, he said, doth work access to sin.  
Who fareth finest doth but feed, and over-feedeth oft:  
Who sleepeth softest doth but sleep, and sometimes over soft:  
Who clads him trimmest is but clad: the fairest is but fair:  
And all but live: yea, if so long, yet not with lesser care  
Than forms, backs, bones & bellies that more honely cherished are.  
Learn freedom and felicity, hawks flying where they list  
Be kindlier and more sound than hawks best tended on the fist.  
Thus preached he promised abstinence, and bids them come away.  
No haste but good: well wear they, and so well, as they would stay.  
The godly Hermit, when all means in vain he did perceive,  
Departing said: I found you knaves, and knaves I do you leave.   

Hence said this merry fellow (if the merriment be true)  
That Cloystring, friars clothing, and a covents number grew.  
This heard a simple Northerne-man, no friend to monk, or friar,  
Or preaching limmer: for his speech disclosed thus his ire.   

AFowle ill on their weazens, for the carls garre sick a din,  
That more we member of their japes than mend us of our sin.  
At Ewle we wanton gambole, dance, to carrole, and to sing,  
To have good spiced sew, and roast, and plum-pies for a King:  
At fasts-eve pan puffs: Gang tide gaites did alley Masses bring:  
At Paske begun our Morrise: and ere Penticost our May:  
though Roben hood, liell John, Friar Tuck, and Marian deftly play,  
And Lard and Lady gang till Kirke with Lads and Lasses gay:  
Fra mass and Eensong sa good cheer and glee on ery green,  
As, save our wakes twixt Eames and Sibbes, like gam was never seen:  
At Baptis-day with Ale and cakes 'bout bonfires neighbours stood:  
At Martelmasse was turned a crab, thilk told of Roben hood,  
Till after long time murk, when blessed were windows, dares & lights,  
And pails were filled, & hathes were swept, 'gainst Fairie-elues & spirits:  
Rock, & blow Mondays gams shall go, with saint-feasts & kirk-sights.  
jis tell ye, clerk erst racked not of purpoe ne of pall:  
ilk yeoman fed more poor tume wambes than Gentiles now in Hall,  
Yea, ledge they near sa haly Writ, thilk tide was greater wrong  
Than heretoforne: though words had sooth, na writing now so strange:  
jis na Wizard, yet I dread it will be wars ere long.  
Belyue done lither kirk-men reave the crop, and we the tithe,  
And mickle bukish been they give they attach our lakines blithe.  
Some egg us slay the Prince and show a bullock fra the Pape,  
Whilk, give it guds the soul, jis sure the nag gangs till the rape:  
Syke votion gyles the people, sa but sylde good Princes scape:  
Sa teend our King his life, and song is Requiem for the monk:  
Gud King God rest thy sawle, but fiends reave him bathe sawle & trunk.   

Such talk was long on foot, and still was quittance tale for tale.  
Dunstone, quod one, made Edgar, erst an English monarch, quale  
For matter of less moment, even for wedding of a nun,  
Whom in her Cell the King espied, loved, wooed, and thus won.   

THe same (quoth he) that rules this Land the same entreateth thee:  
Thou Mayst, sweet Wench, unto thyself derive a Queen from me.  
What lets, since none may love thee more, unless perhaps this Cell,  
Too strict a place wherein thyself, even beauty's self, shouldst dwell.  
Let nature hide her barren forms and imperfections thus,  
And in such Puritans as thou commend her skill to us.  
Thou wrongest Nature, moulding thee to mould by thee as fair:  
Thou wrongest men, that would beget the fruit which thou shouldst baer:  
Thou wrong'st thy country of increase: thou wrong'st me in like sort:  
Thou wrong'st thy Kin of kindred: & thou wrong'st thyself of sport.  
Shouldst thou but dream what marriage were, thou wouldst not live a maid:  
One heart of two, two souls to one by wedlock is conveyed.  
An husband's open kiss, and his secret coying, nay,  
The very soul of love, more sweet than thou or I can say,  
The joy of babes which thou shouldst bear, the service at thy beck,  
The sweet consorted common weal of household at thy check,  
Would make thee seem a goddess: who, because thou art not such,  
Offendest God in hiding of thy talent. Too too much  
Thou dotest on virginity, permitted, not imposed  
On any, save on such as for no such thyself thou know'st.  
Else what should mean this penning up, such vowing, & these veils,  
Since Vessels only are of worth that bear in storms their sails.  
The Scedsters of thine Essence had they been as thou wouldst be  
Thou hadst not been: Then gratify the same, thyself, and me,  
And leave these superstitious walls: Thou profitst not hereby,  
Nor are we male and female borne that fruitless we should die:  
Then love me, for, believe me, so will prove a jubilee.   

Her red dispersed in shadowed white, did add to either more,  
To her of beauty, and to him love greater than before.  
She claims the places privilege, and faintly cities a Tex:  
She pleads her birth too base, and plays the noi of her Sex,  
And fighteth as she would be foiled. But, prized, Durstone makes  
It Sacrilege: and for to wife the Recluse Edgar takes,  
In twelve years would be not anoint or crown him King & more,  
enjoins him seven years penance, and to edify and store  
Great Monasteries forty ere Indulgence could be got:  
Thus Edgar for his cloister cheer did pay this costly shot.    

CHAP. XXV.  

Iohns' murder bred such murmur. But third Henry, John his son,  
Assisted chief by the Pope, his father's sceptre won:  
Who interdicted Lewis, till he cursed him into France,  
And left to Henry prosperous reign, till happened this mischance.  
A Parliament at Oxenford did derogate so much  
From his prerogative, as that the quarrel grew to such,  
That civil wars betwixt the King and Barronage began:  
Not ending, but with tragic ends of many a worthy man,  
Brother to brother, sire to son, and friend to friend was foe:  
All labouring (which they should uphold) their country's overthrow.  
Now was the King a captive, and the Barons by and by  
His Conquest, and the civil strife too fast begot supply.  
My heart unapts mine hand to write the troth of it too true:  
Even wars Idea: more than tongue or eye can say or view.  
But to conclude (which still concludes) the King he did subdue:  
And shows himself a gentle foe thus having won his peace:  
And after lived in honour, and did happily decease.  
Whose death (then warring with renown in Syria) being known  
To Edward, he resailed and possessed his father's Throne.   

THe handsel of his sceptre was, the Welshmen did rebel:  
Of whom to Edward, though with loss, the victory befell.  
Then on the French he warred, and a Winner did resail:  
And for that Baltoll, whom he made the King of Scots, did fail  
His Homage, thence from Albanacke to England due and done,  
Against the Scots he grievous, but a glorious war begun.  
Not Berwick, though for number bold until it flowed blood,  
Nor any Scottish arms or hold, though infinite and good,  
Might stay his awing prowess, till he had their King his thrall,  
And in that Land, by Conquest, made himself the Lord of all.  
Then taking Scottish oaths, which they did break, and he revenge,  
With those Exploits he French attempts as gloriously did menge.  
Yea Pagans, French, Cambries, & Scots, remembering but his name,  
Cannot forget their scars he made, though envious of his Fame,  
Matchless for chivalry: and yet his justice matched the same,  
Not partial for the Prince his son, a rash unbridled youth,  
Whom he imprisoned, hearing of his outrages the truth,  
And unto whom he dying spoke words worth report and ruth.   

My life (quoth he) a warfare right in body and in soul,  
Resigns my robed carcase to be rotten in the mole.  
If well I did, well shall I do, if ill, as ill and worse:  
And therefore (Ned) work as I will upon my bliss or curse.  
When thou becomest an earthly God men's lives to oversee,  
Forget not that eternal God that overlooketh thee.  
The least part of a King is his, all owing him, and none  
Less private than a Prince, the weal or woe of every one.  
He and his People make but one, a body weak or strong,  
As doth the head the limbs, or limbs the head assist or wrong.  
Derive thy laws from wisest heads, to be upholden still,  
Not adding or abstracting as conceited Tier-braines will.  
Be cheerful, and in work nor word be neither proud nor hot,  
No sincere love, but servile fear, or neither, so is got.  
Encourage good Men by thy love: reform the bad by law:  
Reserve an care for either Plea: and borrow least of awe.  
Oppress not rich men, seeking so to please the poor: for neither  
Is to be doomed, but as right or wrong is found in either.  
To loiter well deserved gifts is not to give but sell,  
When to requite ingratitude were to do evil well.  
And (which save for the ill-mist ill might else have been forgot)  
Be choice, but choose: for wifeless have each stranger, place, & shot.  
Their heir, their home, & cost: which, save the last, indeed are not.  
Reform thee even to day: unapt to day, less apt to morrow:  
Youth aptly offers virtues such as years unaptly borrow.  
For he that plies the laps and lips of Ladies all his prime,  
And falls to arms when age fails arms, than also looseth time,  
As if a bear in moonshine should attempt the moon to climb.  
Well have I driven out my date, and well thy days shall run,  
If thou prove not my Glories grave, nor I plange in my son.  
The overweening of thy wits doth make thy Foes to smile,  
Thy Friends to weep, and clawback's thou with soothe to beguile.  
Yea, those thy Purses Parasites, unworthy thine Estate,  
Do love thee for themselves, nor will they leave thee but too late.  
I bless thee; if thou banish them, and curse thee, if they bide:  
My bliss and curse be at thy choice. And so he shortly died.   

FOrth with a second Edward, son to Edward, wore the crown,  
He to promote his Flatterers did put his Nobles down.  
So Robert bruise, than King of Scots, found ingress for his arms;  
Recovering Scottish forces, and did spoil our men by swarms.  
Berwick in fine, and all erst won, and more than all was lost:  
yet of more multeous Armies we than Scotland were at cost.  
No Land divided in itself can stand, was found too true:  
To worse than the wars abroad the homebred Quarrels grew.  
Grange gotten Pierce of Gavelstone, and Spensers two like sort,  
Mean Gentlemen, created Earls, of chief account and port,  
Envying all equality, contrine of many a peer.  
The wrested death: those few that live lived malcontented here.   

Good Thomas Earl of Lancaster, on whom the rest rely,  
The chief and gravest of the peers, did, over-warred, fly  
Into the woods: whereas himself and state he did bewray  
Unto an hermit: unto whom he, sighing, thus did say.  
Happy are you sequestered thus from (so I may divine)  
Our common wrack of common weal: for how it doth decline  
Through wild and wanton guides in part I feel, in part I aim,  
By precedents too like and fire too likely here to flame:  
Hear (if you have not heard) what fire, our leisure fits the same.    

CHAP. XXV.  

THe Spartans was for rapted Queen, to Ilion's overthrow,  
The monarch of Assyria changed, & Latin Kings also  
For Tarquin's lust, yea how with us a double change did grow,  
When British Vortiger did dote upon the Saxons daughter,  
And Buerne for his forced wife from Denmark brought us slaughter,  
I overpass. Who knoweth not Ireland, our neighbour isle?  
Where Noah his niece, ere no his flood, inhabited a while:  
The first manured Western isle, by Cham and Japhets' race:  
Who, jointly entering, sundry times each other did displace:  
Till Greece-bred Gathelus his brood from Biscay did arrive,  
Attempting Ireland's Conquest, and a Conquest did achieve.   

Five kings at once did rule that I'll, in civil strife that droops,  
When fierce Turgesius landed with his misbelieving troops.  
This proud Norwegan rover so by aids and arms did thrive,  
As he became sole monarch of the Irish kingdoms five:  
Erecting paganism, and did eject the Christian law:  
And thirty years, tyrannising, did keep that I'll in awe:  
Nor any hope of after help the heartless Irish saw.  
Alone the wily King of Meth, a Prothew plying favour,  
Stood in the tyrant's grace that much affected his behaviour.  
For what he said that other soothde, so ecco'ing his vain,  
As not an Irish else but he a petty King did reign.  
Turgesius' friends that viceroy for his daughters love the rather,  
And therefore for his Leiman asked the damsel of her Father.  
Ill wots I what they know that love, well wots I that I know  
That that brown girl of mine lacks worth to be beloved so:  
I have a many nieces far more fairer than is she,  
yet think I fairest of those fairs unworthy you, quoth he,  
But she and they are yours, my Lord, such Beauties as they be.   

This Preface lik●e the Tyrant well, that longed for the play:  
Not well contented that so long the Actors were away:  
Oft iterating his demand, impatient of delay.  
Now have I, quoth the King of Meth, convented to your bed  
My nieces, and my daughter, loath to lose her Maidenhead.  
But doubt not Sir: coy Wenches close their long in their palms,  
And all their painted storms at length convert to perfect calms.  
Alonely if their beauties like (as likelier have we none)  
You may conclude them women, and the goal therefore your own.  
To morrow, severed from your train, unless some special few,  
Expect them in your chamber where I leave the game to you:  
yet when your eye hath served your heart of her that likes you best,  
Remember they are mine allies, untouched dismiss the rest.   

Sweet also was this Scene: and now unto an Act we grow.  
The Irish Princess, and with her a fifteen others more,  
With hanging Glybbes that hide their necks as tinsel shadowing snow,  
Whose faces very Stoics would, Narcissus-like, admire  
Such Semele's as might consume I oves self with glorious fire,  
And from the Smith of heavens wife allure the amorous haunt,  
And reintise the Club-God Dys and all his devils to daunt,  
And make the sun-god swifter than himself, such Daphne's chased,  
And love to fall in love with them, his Psichis quite disgraced,  
These rarer than the only fowl of Spice-burnt Ashes bread,  
And sweeter than the Flower that with Phoebus turneth head,  
Resembling her from gaze of whom transformed Actaeon fled,  
From Meth came to Tergesius Court, as Presents for his bed.   

In secret was their coming, and their chambering the same:  
And now the lustful chuff was come to single out his game:  
His Pages only, and a youth or twain attending him,  
Where Banquet, Bed, Perfumes, and all were delicately trim.  
He gives them courteous welcome, and did find them merry talk:  
Mean while (the harbingers of lust) his amorous eyes did walk  
More clogged with change of Beauties than King Midas once with gold:  
Now This, now That, and one by one he did them all behold.  
This seemed fair, and That as fair: and, letting either pass,  
A Third he thought a proper girl, a Fourth a pleasant lass,  
Lovely the Fift, lively the sixth, the seventh a goodly Wench,  
The Eight of sweet complexion, to the Ninth he altereth thence,  
That mildly seemed majestical, Tenth modest look and tongue,  
Th'eleventh could sweetly entertain, the twelve was fresh & young,  
The Next a gay Brownetta, Next and Next admired among:  
And ●ury feature so intycte his intricate affection,  
As liking all alike he loved confounded in election.  
Sweet hearts quoth he, or Jupiter fetched hence full many a theft,  
Or hither brought he Thefts that here their Leiman Children left.  
Hear wandering Cadmus should have sought his miss Sister, where  
Fair Leda hatched her cygnets, whilst nor cock nor hen did fear.  
How many view I fairer than Europa or the rest,  
And Girle-boyes, favouring Ganim●de here with his Lord a Guest.   

And Ganimedes we are, quoth one, and thou a Prophet true:  
And hidden Skeines from underneath their forged garments drew,  
Where with the Tyrant and his Bawds, with safe escape, they slew:  
Of which young Irish Gentlemen and Methean Ladies act  
The Isle was filled in a trice, nor any Irish slacked  
To prosecute their freedom and th●amased Norgaines fall,  
Which was performed, and the King of Meth extolled of all.   

Those rovers (whose Originals, and others not a few,  
As Swissers, normans, Lombard's, Danes, from Scandinavia grew,  
A mighty Isle, an other world, in Scythian Pontus' clime)  
Thus wracked, left Ireland free unto our second Henry's time:  
When, far unlike the Methes that erst their country did re〈…〉 over,  
An Amorous Queen thereof did cause new Conquests and uproar:  
Dermot the King of Leynister, whom all beside did spite,  
Did love, beloved, the Queen of Meth to whom he thus did wright.   

THy King, sweet Queen, the hindrance of our heartsease is away,  
And I, in heart at home with thee, at hand in person stay.  
Now is the time (Time is a God) to work our love good luck,  
Long since I cheapened it, nor is my coming now to hucke:  
But, since our fire is equal, let us equally assist  
To finish what we fancy, say Maligners what they list.  
No like immortal she-Egge chuck of Tyndarus his wife,  
(The wrack of Dardan walls) shall move to us like costly strife.  
Thy husband no Atrides is: or were it he were such,  
The Idane ball judge did not more, but I would do as much.  
For why? Thyself, a richer cause of war, art worthy so:  
Whom to continue ever friend, I careless am of foe.  
My kingdom shall contain thee that containest me and it:  
Yea, though we be condemned, love or armour shall us quit.  
loves law at least adjudgeth bars, clear books, to plead in brief  
Prescription to objections how his passions be our chief:  
For none doth live not passionate of love, ire, mirth, or grief.  
I wait thee in the nearest woods, and thither, watching watch,  
Do wait escape: of all things else myself do care dispatch:  
Let only love (sweet love) persuade, if more remain to woo,  
I hope I wish not more be done than what you mean to do.   

This read, and red her cheeks, and to his reed already bend,  
Not casting further doubts unto her Paramour she went,  
Conveyed into Leynister. Not many weeks ensue,  
When morris King of Meth returns, and what had happened knew.  
A whirlwind in a whirl pool roost that pair of doves (quoth he)  
The single state is double sweet, at price too decree I see.  
How woo we woe? and won, how loath we fowl & doubt we fair?  
And only then lack women faults when men their faults forbear.  
The devil go with her, so that I with credit might forego her,  
But such doth sin with savour, he is flouted that doth owe her.  
I may not put it up. Unless I put up many a mock:  
Fowl fall that H●rrolde causing that my G●itrone is the smock,   

He worth, and wronged, and his wrong a common quarrel made,  
Assisted by the Irish Kings, did Leynister invade.  
King ●●rm●te, whom his subjects then and long ere then did hate,  
Was left defenceless, desperate of his life, deprived his State,  
And fled to England: where the Pope imbulled had of late  
England for Ireland's Conquest: So the Exile welcome was,  
As aptest Instrument to bring that stratagem to pass.  
For but to be reseated was the fugitives request,  
And then to tribute part and leave to English men the rest.  
King Henry, yet in war elsewhere, did freely licence any  
To make adventure for themselves: so Dermot sped of many.  
Earl Strang●ome, & the Geraldines, Fitz stephan's, Reymonde, and  
More worth▪ Knights, of Wales for most, did take the task in hand,  
And to the crown of England's use made Conquest of that landlord.  
But should you ask how Dermot sped (Father) he sped too well:  
And nothing else the Irish books do of his Leiman tell.  
Alone observe what changes here through only lust befell:  
And note our England surfetteth in greater sins than it  
The only cause that I am Earl an Exile here do sit.   

The County thus concluded, and the hermit answered this.]    

CHAP. XXVII.  

TO lose an earldom, and to live an exile what it is  
I cannot tell, but not to have what may be lost were bliss.  
I will not speak of Coiture, nor of Conception, neither  
It fits I should, for never made I grandsire of my Father:  
But mine experience at our birth gins it birth, I speak  
How than do we no creature world's less helpful or more weak.  
From birth our Infancy throughout we live as not alive:  
To others diversly a care, we senseless how we thrive.  
No sooner we uncradell, be we females be we boys,  
But we affect so many, and (God wots) such foolish toys,  
And are so apt for dangers, and unapt to shift the same,  
As aptly vanities by term of childishness we blame.  
Thence grow we to more strength and sense, still senseless howbeit  
Of vice or virtue bettering by correction, not by wit:  
Gamesome, not caring who takes care, nor can we save or get.  
Next but demies, nor boys, nor men, our dangerous times succeed:  
For vanities erst aimed at we shortly act in deed:  
Wild roisting, wanton love, or else unthrifty shots and game  
Do cuppell, ere we find our fault, distress unto defame.  
Perhaps experience beating us doth bid us lay to thrive:  
The first degree to which (say some) is warily to wive.  
But, wived, if our saint become (as not unlike) a shrew,  
Then is that first degree to thrift the third degree in woe.  
Or be it she be constant, wie, well entertaining, fair,  
Do grant her silence, patience, and what virtues else be rare,  
yet by how much more she deserves so much more we desire  
To please and profit such an one, for whom on hers we tyre  
Ourselves and senses, yea perchance, labour the most we may,  
Much labour is too little that should household charge defray.  
We aged cark to live and leave an overplus in store:  
Perhaps for Spendal's: so amidst abundance live we poor:  
Our heirs wax sickishe of our health, too long our here abode,  
Mean while the nearer to our graves the further we from God:  
Grippell in works, testy in words, loathsome for most at length,  
And such at fourscore as at four for manners, wit, and strength.  
Thus infancy is feeble: and our lusty youth unstaid:  
Our manhood carking: and our age more loathed than obeyed.  
And thus from first to last our lives be fruitless and unqueate.  
But you, perhaps, expect I should of novelties entreat.  
I have no tales of Robin Hood, though malcontent was he  
In better days, first Richard's days, and lived in woods as we  
A Timon of the world: but not devoutly was he so,  
And therefore praise I not the man. But for from him did grow  
Words worth the note, a word or twain of him ere hence we go.  
Those days begot some malcontents, the principal of whom  
A County was, that with a troup of Yomandry did room,  
Brave Archers and deliver men, since nor before so good,  
Those took from rich to give the poor, and manned Robin Hood.  
He fed them well, and lodged them safe in pleasant caves and bowers,  
Oft saying to his merry men, what juster life than ours?  
Here use we talents that abroad the churls abuse or hide,  
Their Coffers excrements, and yet for common wants divide.  
We might have starved for their store, & they have diest our bones,  
Whose tongues, drifts, hearts, entice, mean, melt, as Sirens, Foxes, stones,  
Yea even the best that bettered them heard but aloof our moans.  
And readily the churls could pry and prate of our amis,  
Forgetful of their own, when their reproofs had proof as this:  
* It was at midnight when a nun, in travel of a child,  
Was checked of her fellow nuns for being so defiled:  
The Lady prioress heard a stir, and starting out of bed,  
Did taunt the novasse bitterly, Who, lifting up her head,  
Said, madam, mend your hood (for why so hastily she rose,  
That on her head, mistook for hood, she donde a cannons hose.)  
* I did amiss, not missing friends that wished me to amend:  
I did amend, but miss friends when mine amis had end:  
My friends therefore shall find me true, but I will trust no friend.  
Not one I knew that wished me ill, nor any worked me well,  
To lose, lack, live, time, friends, in ink, an hell, an hell, an hell:  
Then happy we (quoth Robin Hood) in merry Sherwood that dwell.  
Thus said the Out law: But no more of him I list to tell.  
Grammarian-like, in order words significant to speak,  
Logitian-like, to reason pro and contra am I weak:  
Rhetorical I am not with a fluant tongue to stir:  
Arithmatieke in numbering hath substracted me from her:  
Geometry her plats, bounds, and Proportions pass my strain:  
Not music with her concord's or her Discords breaks my brain:  
Nor yet astronomy, whose Globes doth heaven and earth contain:  
Let fair Mnemosine her brood their thrice three selves explain.  
Expect not here Anatomies of Lands, Seas, Hell, and skies,  
Such length, breadth, depth, & height I baulk: nor would I be so wise,  
Lest, knowing all thing else, I should not know myself precise.  
The skies contain the fiery Lights: clouds moisture: & the air  
Windes, Birds & vapours: men & Beasts the upper Earth doth bear:  
Her Bowels worms and metals: Seas to Fishes properare.  
Whom this astrology, and this cosmography mislike,  
Beneath the Earth, beyond the moon, further than far must seek.  
Signs workings, Planets junctures, and the elevated Ponle,  
With thousand toys and terms wherein our curious Artists roll,  
Be strangers to my Cell: yet lo as sound a mind and heart  
As theirs that calculate their times, eat, sleep, and wake by art.  
What was the world before the world, or God ere he was God,  
Why this he did, or doth not that, his bidden, or forbade,  
I dare not think, or arrogate such mysteries divine,  
Faith with her fruits significant suffice these wits of mine,  
To love God, and our neighover as ourself is all in fine.  
One Law and gospel was and is, and either's drift is thus,  
To show us how the law doth kill, and gospel quicken us:  
Which corrosive and lenative of Simples made compound  
Do rather cure, he kindly heals that alsh feels his wonnd.  
This is my rest: if more I knew I should but know too much,  
Or build in my eonceited brain too high above my touch,  
Or else against the hare in all prove toyous: even such  
As be too many blockish clerks and bookish clowns, extaceme  
In all things, save in honesty, that have no zeal but seem.  
As for the Court it is, you know, become a skittish colt,  
Of wise men hardlier managed than of the glorious dolt,  
Vice rides on horse back, virtue doth from out the saddle bolt.  
There all deformities in form in some one man we see:  
More guarded than regarded, frank not to continue free,  
When as the merchants book the Map of all his wealth shallbe.  
The Muses bacely beg, or, bib, or both, and must, for why?  
They find as bad Bestoe as is their Portage beggarly.  
Yea now by melancholy walks and thread bare coats we guess  
At clients and at poets: none work more and profit less:  
None make too more, unmade of more, the good of other men,  
For those enrich our Gownests, these eternize with their pen.  
yet, sooth, nods to Poets now wear largisse, and but lost,  
Since for the nodant they observe no pen-note worth the cost:  
For palace. hermits live secure obscure in roufes embossed.  
Some few there be much honoured (well worthy of so much,)  
Once wanting, wealthy, then and now in either fortune such:  
But many a base stout blood there is more lordly than be Lords,  
Who where himself once couched & bowed nor cap or beck affords:  
But should we sin (God shield we should in smallest sins offend)  
What smaller sin than scoff such fools so scornful to no end?  
The soldiers qave nor pay nor pray, but (if I may be bold)  
Themselves be prayed upon by some that do it uncontrolled:  
And whilst the same on shore or s●as be over set or pine,  
Or cups on Cushions full secure we victory define:  
We cast what may be done, but keep the helps mean time away,  
And diet thriftly our friends to give our foes a pray.  
The Citizens, like ponned Pikes, the lessers feed the great:  
The rich for meat seek stomachs, & the poor for stomachs meat:  
And every where no gospel is more gospelled than this,  
To him that hath is given, from him that hath not taken is.  
Court, city, country, camp, and I, at odds thus even be,  
I intermeddle not with them, they intercept not me,  
For still I tether thence mine eyes, so here my heart is free.  
Believe me, Sir, such is this world, this crosse-blisse world of ours  
That virtue hardly hides herself in poor and desert bowers:  
And such be best that seem not best: Content exceeds a crown:  
They may be richer, but more sweet my penny than their pound.  
For wrest they, cark they, build they, sport they, get they worlds together,  
At first or last they die from all, & pass they wots not whether:  
Then comes their pelf in plea, themselves not praised at a feather.  
And then (for so the Princes of great Alexander did)  
Greedy of his, they strive and let the deadman stink unhid.  
Or he that had a country hath, perhaps a coffin now:  
Perhaps less Cost, a sheet and corpse: perhaps, his heirs allow  
The tomb himself alive had build, else toombles might he lie,  
As, save for fashion, tearless. And it matters not: for why?  
Testators and Executors so give and so receive,  
As doubtful whethers joy or grief is more to take or leave:  
For, as do hogs their troughs to hounds, so these give and get place:  
Death, not the Dier gives bequests, and therefore but grave-grace.  
Nor all die testate: if they do, yet wieles may wills prevent:  
Or what by rigour was misgot, in riot is misspent.  
Then churls, why are they churls unto themselves and others too:  
The good that cometh of their goods is good themselves shall do.  
But men do walk in shadoes, and disquiet themselves in vain  
To gather Riches, ignorant to whom they shall remain.  
The world thus brooding Vanities, and I observing it,  
Here in the world, not of the world, such as you see me sit.   

The Earl did well allow his words, and would have lived his life,  
Durst he have stayed, for whom pursuit in every place was rife.  
He reconuenting arms therefore, and taken prisoner so,  
Died to his country's friends a friend, and to her foes a foe.   

NOr might the Queen & Kings own Son escape the Spencers pride,  
But, fearing, fled to France, and there as banished abide:  
Till thence supplanted, safety at Henaude they provide.  
john, brother to the Earl, a Knight of chivalry the chief,  
With little, but a lucky band, was shipped for their relief.  
No sooner had the Zealand ships conveyed their men ashore,  
But English succours daily did increase their standards more.  
yet first the Queen, Prince Edward, and the Nobles humbly crauc  
Theirs and their country's enemies, but no redress might have:  
And then Sir John of Henaude showed himself a warrior brave.  
The King, his wicked councillors, his big upstarts, and all  
Were overcome: So Spencer's both from heaven to hell did fall,  
Put to a fowl and shameful death: with others that misled  
The King in outrages more great than erst in England bred.  
Prolers, blood-thirsty, Parasites, makeshifts, & bawds did thrive,  
Nor was an ancient English peer unbanisht or alive:  
For foreign and domestic Swords, Plague, Famine, and Exile,  
Did more than tithe, yea tithe the tithe of men within this isle.  
Of Baldricks, hoods, Tabrides, and furs, from Knights disgraded tore,  
Attaintures of nobility, and arms reversed store,  
So many spurs hewn off the heels, and Swords broke over head,  
Were through a King so light and lewd a council never read.  
The King in prison and deposed, tyrannized, he died  
By treacheries of Mortimer that ruled the roast that tide,  
Whilst Edward, in minority, his father's throne supplied.    

CHAP. XXVIII.  

THIS third of that same Name, as yet in Nonage for a time,  
Although a King was underkept by some that overclime:  
Queen mother & proud Mortimer, familiar more than should,  
Did and undid more than they might, not less than as they would:  
Till Edward, better counseled, hung Mortimer, the death  
Of many a peer, who Earl of March, and haughty for his birth,  
Was Lord of nine score dubbed Knights, his other trains except,  
For greater pomp than did his Prince this Lord of Wigmore kept.  
But more he had been happy though less haughty in his Halls,  
More honour in humility than safety in walls:  
Proud climbers prove not monuments, save only in their falls.  
The senseless pride of fools therefore, whom reverently we ride,  
Should lessen, at the least because that earth their earth shall hide.   

The country purged of Fleecers, and of Flatterers the Court,  
The King became a Mars for arms, a Jupiter for Port:  
Th'- Olymp●ds, the Pythea, and the prowess of the Earth,  
Did seem even now, and not but now, to have in him their birth:  
East, South, and North, gave aim farrc off, admiring so the West,  
As if that Mars discarding them had set our realm his Rest.  
Philip Valois, & David Bruz, of power and courage more  
Than any French or Scottish Kings since or of long before,  
Confedrate with three other Kings and Princes far and near,  
War all at once on Edward, but did buy their warring dear.  
David debelled, left his land, but lastly did return,  
And, whilst our King did war in France, much did he spoil & burn,  
And proud of mighty troops of men, of unresisted prays,  
And Edward's absence, prosperously he on advantage plays,  
Until, not sending hence for help, the Queen did muster Knights,  
And with the Foe, though tripled-wise, victoriously she fights:  
The Scots for most did perish, and their King was prisoner ta'en,  
And Scotland wholly for a pray to England did remain  
Mean while was Paris scarcely left, to rescue Philip's goal,  
Whom Edward ferrits so from hold to hold as Fox from hole,  
That melancholy he deceased, and valiant John his son  
Was crowned King of France: and then the wars afresh begun.  
But after many fields, unto the Foes continual wrack,  
The French King captivated to the English monarch, back  
His Victor sails, the Prince of Wales, Edward surnamed black:  
The flower of chivalry, the fear of France, and scourge of Spain,  
Where Peter, dispossessed of crown, was crowned by him again.  
Four years the French, eleven years was the Scotch K. prisoners here.  
Whose, & the Dolphins ransoms were as great as good their cheer.   

PRince Edw. John of Gaunt, & all their father's sons might boast  
Of famous sire, and he of sons matchless in any coast:  
Howbeit, King and Prince at last, misled by counsel ill,  
Through Taxes lost a many hearts that bore them erst good will:  
Thence finding Fortune contrary to that she was before,  
yet either dying seized of French and Scottish Conquests store:  
Yea Calais late, and Barwick yet of their exploits is lest,  
Though son before the sire and both of lives long since bereft.   

When Barwick was besieged, and stood bravely at defence,  
Sir Alexander Seiton, there chief captain, had pretence  
To linger forth the Siege till Scots should draw the English thence  
In rescue of Northumberland, and therefore sent his son  
A Pledge of treated Truce: and when the guile-got Truce was done,  
And Barwick not relieved nor resigned, as it ought,  
Two sons of Seiton were before the walls besieged brought,  
They ready for the jybbet and their Father for his grave,  
For either he must yield the town or them he might not save.  
In grief he then his country's cause and children's case revolves:  
But, partial unto either, he on neither choice resolves,  
To be a loyal subject and a loving Father too  
Behoved him: but both to be was not in him to do.  
Nature and honour wrought at once, but Nature overwrought,  
And, but his Lady it prevents, to yield the town he thought.  
O what pretend you Sir, quoth she, is Barwick worth no more  
Than error of such love? I joy that I such Children bore  
Whom cruel Edward honoureth with such a cause of death,  
For that especial cause for which we all receive our breath,  
Even for their country's cause they die, whose lives for it be dew,  
Why see their faces, (constantly she did their faces view)  
The same, my Seiton, seem so far from dreading any woe,  
As if they skornde that Berwick should redeem them from the Foe.  
Full dear they were to me unborn, at birth, and borne, and now,  
And Mother like I moan their death and yet their death allow.  
More sons and such you may beget, your honour if you stain,  
Defected honour never more is to be got again.  
Prevent not then yourself, your sons, and me so great a bliss:  
Adieu, & die (sweet sons) your souls in heaven shall live for this   

With such persuasions did she win her husband from the walls:  
And Edward executes their sons, and to assault he falls  
So long that Berwick yields at length, and still us master calls.   

THese were the days when English arms had every where request,  
And Edw. knights throughout the world had prick & praise for best.  
Not Knights alone, but Prelates too, & Queens: whereof were twain,  
The quondam & in esse Queens, by Armour honour gain:  
By war the Queen that was did cease her husband's tragic rain,  
And by the Queen then being was the Scotch King Prisnet ta'en.  
It follows then, that as the Pawnce doth circle with the son,  
So to the vice or virtue of the Prince are people won.  
O that our Muse might evermore on such a subject run:  
But Vulcan forgeth other tools, and sharpeneth deadlier swords,  
For little else then civil wars our following pen affords.  
French Expeditions badly thrive, whereof we cease to speak:  
Not foreign, but domestic wars, grew strong to make us weak.  
Melpomen here might rack her wits, Sylla & Marius hate,  
Pharsalian Fields were gentle frays, regarding this debate.  
The second Richard, son unto the black Prince (Edward dead)  
Was crowned an Infant, and from him the Stratagem was bread.  
The base attempts of Ball, of Straw, of Lyster, tag, and rag,  
Of Villains, Of-skoms, clowns, & knaves that checkmate durst to brag  
With Richard's self, & to their deaths his chiefest Princes drag.  
Till Wal 〈…〉 this girdle-Armor made the arms of London more,  
Because his courage chief gave an end to that uproar,  
And what-so-els Occurrants much may interrupt our vain,  
Digesting York & Lancaster, acquiring either's rain,  
Our pen shall not endenizen: Now drops it sacred blood  
Of Men-Gods, English Potentates that in this Faction stood.  
Richard begun that civil war, that till the seventh from him  
Did last: though often fields with blood of Citizens did swim.  
Against the Nobles the uphild ennoble, and his peers  
And Commons went alike to wrack, nor God nor man he fears.  
In few, Ambition, avarice, and counsel lewd had wrought  
In him a nature worse than into the world he brought:  
Whereby, and thus, himself and house at length a downfall caught,   

Twixt Mowbray D. of Norfolk, and the D. of Hertford, son  
To John of Gaunt, close Conference of better days begun.  
The King (said Henry Hertford) more remiss than doth beseem,  
Leaves France to French, Scotland to Scots, and us to woes extreme:  
His Flatterers do fleece the crown and Commons, not a State  
Doth or dares counsel, ancient Coats that on the crown should wait  
Give aim to bastard armory: what resteth then but this?  
Pluck down those grating Harpies that seduce our King amiss,  
If worthless still, set up a King worthier than he that is.  
The other, saying little then, immediately reveals  
The secret, and before the King his Foe-made friend appeals:  
Whose Gauntlet raised by the Duke defendant, at the last  
It grew to single combat, when the King his Warder cast,  
And to the Duke of Norfolk judged for evermore exile,  
And self same law Duke Henry had, save for a lesser while.  
Thus That did This, but This and That their judge did thus beguile:  
And to his Coffers did escheat a world of wealth, a Pray  
Unto his Parasites, which thrived by other men's decay.   

Mean while (whose actious life had lewd) did John of Gaunt decease:  
So to the banished Duke his son five Cronets did increase.  
But with his kindly air the King withheld him all the same:  
Till entering, aided by his friends, he won beyond his claim:  
For Richard was imprisoned, and by parliament put down,  
And Henry Duke of Lancaster elected to the crown,  
The line Lancastrian frolic, but the house of York did frown.  
For to those Hydra-kinded wars that after did ensue  
Those Families gave name: though first the Diadem was due  
Unto the house of Clarence, till to York that interest gre we  
By marriage, here omitted: for we only give a view  
How York mis-raigning Lancaster did enter, then how This  
Was dispossessed, That repossessed, and how their union is.     

THE sixth book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. XXIX.  

HEnry (the fourth so named) held the King deposed strate  
In Pomfret Castle, howbeit in honourable State:  
And got an Act, that who so wrought the prisoner to restore,  
That Richard's self, to void their hope, should die the first therefore:  
Whose birth brought Nature, gentle Lord, returning whence it strayed,  
Now altered him, erst altering it: and Richard mildly said.  
I must not say I am, and would I might not say I was,  
Of great the greatest: less they grieve from whom doth little pass:  
Nor more it grieves to contrary the same I have been, then  
To have deserved not to be unmaliced of men.  
Thus humbled and full penitent lives he, less malcontent  
Than was the Duke of Exeter his brother, whose intent  
Was as at a lusts to have destroyed King Henry, but descried;  
Himself, four such, and many Knights the death of traitors died:  
And by these primer Yorkests thus King Richard's date grew out:  
But whether brained, famished, or exiled rests a doubt:  
For often uproars did ensue for him, as undeceast,  
How beit solemnly interred, himself, or sign at least.  
Twice by confederate chivalry the P●ercies and their friends  
Did fight and fall, for either war to Henry's honour ends.  
He never had but war, and was victorious evermore,  
Aswell at home, as also of his Foes on foreign Shore:  
Till lastly armour overcame all envy, and he lives  
Of all beloved, and his death a common sorrow gives.   

HOt spur his son, Henry the fifth, hung at his father's eyes,  
To watch his ghost, and catch his crown, and that or ere he dies.  
And where the Father doubted if he got it well or Noah,  
The son did swear, how so it came, he would it not forego.  
His bad did bliss the Bad, the Good despair all good: But neither  
Did aim aright, for suddenly his change deceived either:  
Of good becoming best, that was of ill the badst, and  
The true perfection of a King was not but in this landlord.  
He lead good fortune in a line, and did but war and win:  
France was his Conquest: Scots but brag and he did beat them in:  
A friend unto welldoings, and an enemy to sin.  
yet of the Yorkests never lacked he Princes that rebel:  
Nor other than confusion to their still conjuring fell.  
In few, if any Homer should of this Achilles sing,  
As of that Greek & My●midon the Macedonian King  
Once noted would I note both Prince and Poet happiest men,  
That for deserving praise, and This for well employed pen:  
For well this subject might increase the Worthies unto ten.   

He, aged thirty six, deceased and left his infant son,  
His kingdom, Conquests, and his Queen, whose Fathers realm he won,  
To grave protection, regent's, and so royal for the port,  
As that his orphans Cradle seemed an Alexander's Court.  
Queen Katherine, Daughter of the French, King Henry's wife of late,  
The fairest Lady in the West, held with her son Estate.  
She oft beheld, and held her peace, a brave esquire of wails,  
That tide her fancy to his form, till fancied form prevails.  
All liking was reversed love, save Owen Tuder, all  
Save him (that durst not dream such good) to her was less than small.  
She formally, by acquaint degrees, attracting him to favour,  
Did nourish burnings in herself, by noting his behaviour.  
She pitched Tewe, he masshed: She uncompaned, To fly  
He bids her solitary moods: She asks the remedy:  
Disclosed pangs sometimes, quoth he, in physic physic is:  
Which sometimes to observe, quoth she, doth patient's patience mis:  
Cureless to Aesculapius and Apellos self am I:  
The latter felt my languor, and, immortal, wished to die:  
And yet, save one, no one disease lay hidden to his Art:  
For you were bootless then to guess how to ungreeve my smart.  
Had Daphne to Apollo been Apollo, Tuder said,  
His might have been, and so may be your grace's humour stayed.  
He, other Gods and Goddesses, found more contented love  
Below, in differing bosoms, than in equal beds above.  
I aim at love (for thereto your Aenigma doth incline)  
And aim to him a Deity for whom I so divine.  
But gladly doubt I of the Man, for if I doubted not,  
I should but massacer my lack in envy of his lot:  
yet are unworthy of the moon Endymion's lips, I wots.  
But (for I will disperse the mists of further Mysteries,  
And toogh the Hebrewess of my thoughts to kenning of your Eyes)  
If gentry, madam, might convey so great a good to me,  
From ancient King Cadwallader I have my pedigree.  
If wealth be said my want, I say your Grace doth want no wealth,  
And my supplement shall be love, employed to your health.  
It hath been when as hearty love did treat and tie the knot,  
Though now, if gold but lack in grains, the wedding fadgeth not.   

The goodly Queen in bashful signs blushed out a dumb reply:  
Which he did constur as she meant, and kissed her reverently.  
Tuder, quoth she, I greater am than would I were for thee,  
But can as little master love as Lessers in degree.  
My Father was a King, a King my Husband was, my Brother  
He is a King, a King my son, and I thy sovereign's mother:  
yet Fathers, Husbands, Brothers, sons, & all their styles together,  
Are lesser valued than to live beloved of my Tuder:  
Should England, France, and thou thyself gainsay thyself for mine,  
Thyself, France, England, nor what else ' should bar me to be thine.  
Yea, let them take me wilful, or mistake me wanton, so  
Myself in love do please myself let all the world say no:  
Let peasants mat their marriages, and thrive at peradventure:  
I love for love: no gentle heart should fancy by Indenture.  
But tell me, Owen, am I not more forward than behooves?  
I am, sweetheart, but blame me not, the same that speaketh loves.   

And long may live, quoth he, to love, nor longer live may I,  
Than while I love your Grace, and when I leave disgraced die.  
But Lady, if I do deserve, I then desire dispatch:  
For many are the jealous eyes that on your beauty watch.  
Good hap is like to hit me well, to hit so well is rare,  
And rareness doth commence my suit, let suit conclude my care.  
Should Caesar kiss (he kissed her) it were but such a kiss:  
And he, and I, here, or elsewhere, in other sport or this,  
Do act alike: no bettering but as your beloving is.  
You may experience, when you please, what difference in the men:  
And if King Henry pleased more, blame Owen Tuder then.  
But am I not (yes, sweet, I am) more saucy than behooves?  
yet for my heart forgive my tongue, This speaketh, and That loves.   

How he imprisoned did escape, and else what elsewhere reed:  
The Queen and this brave Gentleman did marry, and their seed  
Began that royal Race that did, doth, and may still succeed  
In happy Empire of our Throne, a famous line in deed.   

Once, when this Match was at a point, they merrily disposed,  
Did descant what from vulgar tongues thereof would be supposed.  
They will believe me amorous, or thee so wived as  
Vulcan the Smith of Lemnos that to Venus married was,  
The Queen did say. And Tuder said: I hope of handsel better,  
In Venus and in Vulcan's names more lieth than the letter:  
For he was as I would not be, She as you should be never,  
Either so apt to give and take as pity them to sever.  
I pray thee, Owen, quoth the Queen, how met they, canst thou tell?  
I can he said, and more than so, then mark the process well.  
When Vulcan was a bachelor, and Venus was unwed,  
Thus wowde he her, thus won he her, thus wowde & won he sped.    

CHAP. XXX.  

Venus' the fairest goddess, and as amorous as fair,  
Beloved of Mars, and loving Mars, made oftentimes repair  
To Vulcan's forge, as to see wrought for Jupiter his Fire  
And thunders, Mars his armours, and the Sunwaines curious tire,  
When they, indeed, of merriments in love did there conspire:  
And lastly did conclude the Smith a stolen unto their sport,  
Wherein did Venus play her part, prevailing in this sort.   

Vulcan (quoth she) no God there is, I think, but needeth thee:  
For Thunders jove, Ceres for Sieths, for armours Mars I see,  
Bacchus for prewning knives, and Pan for Sheep-hookes, Phoebus he  
For Cart-tiers, Dis for shakling chains, Neptune for Ankers, and  
No God but lacks thee, saving I that ask not at thy hand.  
My Swans do draw in silken gears, my wheels be shod with down,  
No hardiness is in beauty's Coach: But thou, by birth no clown,  
But Jove his Son, a God as we, art made a drudge too much,  
When, if that Venus might be heard, thou shouldest not be such.  
How apt are all in those same toils that tend to their behoof  
To let thee bear till back doth break? but common is the proof,  
That cunning is not cunning if it standeth not aloof   

By this had Vulcan hammered his heat, and bad to stay  
The bellows, and he limping from the Anfeeld thus did say.  
My business, Venus, is ydoe, now may I tend to play:  
What wouldst thou? for I member scarce thy arging by my faith.  
Wouldst that I leave the forge, and thrt I god it with the Gods?  
If so thou meanest, thy meaning and my meaning be at odds.  
Sweeter my bellows blowing and my hammers beating is  
To me, than trimmest fiddling on the trickest kit iwis:  
Ask whatsoelse I have to give, thou maunde it for a kiss.  
As if, quoth she, my kisses were so currant unto all?  
No, not at all to Vulcan, if his kindness be so small.  
I ask thy proper ease, then earn thy proper ease, and ask  
More than a kiss: at least wise do thyself from Mars untaske.  
He is my Foe, friend thou not him, nor forge him arms, but let  
Him lusk at home unhonoured, no good by him we get.  
What lets but that we may become superlatives? Of us  
All stand in need, we need not them. Then gave she him a ●us.   

And sayst me so, quoth Vulcan, and unto the trough he hies,  
And skowres his colly fists and face, and with his apron dries  
Them, badly mended, and unto the Queen of Dalliance says  
That Mars should lusk at home for him. Then guileful Venus plays  
Her part so well, that on her lap his head the Dotardlayes.  
And whilst upon her pressed these (no haven for such hulk)  
He ●olls, and loads her with the weight of his unwealdy bulk,  
And whilst she coys his sooty cheeks, or curls his sweaty top,  
The Groshead now and then, as happed, a threadbare term let's drop.  
Then laughs he like a horse, as who would say, trow said I well?  
But soon his wits were Non plus, for his wooing could but spell.   

This fitted her: for so before twixt Mars and her was meant,  
Though not that she so cunningly should Mars of arms prevent.  
But him to stawle in store, not else employed, was her intent.  
Her Lubber now was snorting ripe, and she mean while was glad,  
That for to serve her turn elsewhere so good a Staile she had.  
What pass I, thinketh Venus, on his form or fashions rude?  
For, letting form and fashion pass, one fashion is pursued  
In getting Children: at the least, who so the Child shall get,  
It shall suffice that Vulcan is the same shall father it.  
Now Mars in heaven, Anchises and Adonis on the earth  
May earn for Babes, for Vulcan shallbe parent at their birth.  
Nay, be it that he should espy false carding, what of it?  
It shallbe thought but jealousy in him, or want of wit.  
Him frowns shall threat, or smiles entreat, and few will judge, I win,  
If it shall come in question, that to Cockhole him were sin.  
Whilst thus she thinketh in herself the Cyclops did awake:  
And, to be short, more doings pass and they a marriage make.  
But wonder did the Deities, when bruited was the match,  
That he so foul a thickskinne should so fair a Lady catch,  
They flout him to his face, and held it alms to arm his head.  
Well, Venus shortly bagged, and ere long was Cupid bread:  
And Vulcan (in like heresy of fathering as more)  
Did rack his Art to arm the Lad with wings, with shafts, with bow,  
Most forcible to love or hate, as lists him shoots bestow.   

When Vulcan's Venus had obtained her Cupid armed thus,  
Then (for we wish that all beside be suitable to us)  
She, of the Gods and Goddesses before the wanton noted,  
Was of the Gods and Goddesses for wantonness out-coted,  
Not one but waxed amorous, yea even Diana Doted.  
loves Mother had direction of his arrows, and she wild  
Him hit the Son-God: for because he, blabbing had beheld  
Her dalliance with Adonis: so that vexed Phoebus loves  
Fair Daphne, whom nor woes, nor vows, nor gifts, nor greatness moves.  
Succes●es therefore, and enraged, he bastards Cupid and  
(For stoutly on their honesties do wily Harlots stand)  
Venus did chaife, and of the Gods their strife came to be skand.  
Dispersing then her goodly hairs, she barred so sweet a face,  
As from the sternest Godhood might extort suborned grace.  
Fast at her side clung naked love, a lovely boy in deed,  
And Vulcan, benched with the Gods, his wife did thus proceed:  
(When Phoebus had already told his tale with sense and heed.)   

He says, quoth she, for chastity my haviour was amiss:  
Which proved or disproved, then in you to sentence is.  
Ah, listen whence it is, ye Gods, that Venus is abused,  
Because that Phoebus making love to Daphne was refused.  
If that were wrong, the wrong must then by Phoebe be excused:  
Who, rescuing her Votarisse, did so prevent her brother.  
But be it that this Boy of mine, not seeing one from other,  
Did hit him, for the sons offence should he malign the mother?  
And shall I tell the child's offence? Why thus forsooth it was:  
He fitted him to such a love as did for beauty pas.  
But if he say it needless was, because it booted not,  
I say, that beauty beggeth if by posting it be got.  
He wooing like himself in post did kiss the post, and she,  
Too good to be his forced Trull, is now become his Tree,  
His speeches too, though spoke by one, concerns in credit three.  
Mine Husband, and myself, and son, Gods, and as good as he.  
Now woe am I, we severally are, as it were, arraigned  
Of Cuckolrie, of Spous-breach, and of Bastardy, though feigned,  
yet too too forcible I fear to be forgot of some,  
For slander set on foot, though false, is talkatively doom.  
Malicious (for thy malice is thy matter all in all)  
Is it to harlotize, thinkest thou, a goddess wrong too small,  
But thou must forge it from the Earth, even from the sheepcote? Nay,  
That colour lacketh colour thou thyself I trow wilt say.  
Ambitious, fair, and amorous thou termest me: if so,  
Unlikely to disparge myself or bacely stoop so lo,  
But being such, and knowing thee in very deed the same,  
Might, leaving petite loves, have found thyself my readiest game:  
For Phoebus is a lecher, else are many tongues to blame.  
Better no bad of mine (nor need I fear that fault in thee)  
Thy bad doth pass by probate, but a Quere is for me.  
Perhaps (such as it is) my form may forge to his pretence:  
Since beauty is a common mark, apt therefore to offence.  
Well, be it beauty doth atract, atracting is beloved,  
Beloved courted, courted won, and won to action moved,  
yet from such causes such effects what Consequence hath proved?  
For Daphne was, I wots, full fair, and well can Phoebus' court,  
yet Daphne chastened did withstand, and Phoebus missed his sport.  
My husband though by trade a Smith, for birth outbraved of none,  
And lovely unto Venus, (though mislike of many a one)  
May for his plainness also fit my foes invective drifts:  
As who would say, I wedded him to salve up other shifts.  
By Styx I vow, although I should exceed myself for fare,  
Yet Venus would be Vulcan's, and he knows I truly swore.  
He is indeed no Gallant, yet a God, and merely free  
From imperfections, such at least as pay not marriage fee.  
And for his plainness, to be plain, the rather choose I him:  
For such as he live best, love best, and keep their wives most trim.  
When roisters either rove at change, be peevish or precise:  
Fair women therefore matching thus be not, say I, unwise:  
judge not by such presumptions then, they add but to his lies.  
Thus have you now a Medley of his malice and my moan,  
His vice, my vow: and lastly rests your sentence to be known.  
If Mercury should plead my cause, he could but set me clear:  
Good causes need not curious terms, and equal judges hear  
The Equity, not Eloquence, and so I hope will ye:  
And so shall grateful Venus' sail under your gracious Lee.   

So, putting finger in the Eye, the Deities descent:  
Some held with Phoebus, some with her: Which strife did Vulcan stint.  
My wife, quoth he, more honest than her Cuser is, I trow,  
Shall not iwis be bused by the squand●ing polo so:  
She loves me, I durst swear, and save myself she loves no more:  
And why should you or I believe his yea before her no?  
Troth, said the Gods, since Vulcan is contented we are pleased:  
And so the variance was by him thus wittely appeased.  
Phoebus' his plaint did quash: but so he aftertimes did watch,  
As that Sir Hornsbie had by proof he was a loving Patch,  
When Mars and Venus playing false his wire Net did catch.   

Now riddle, madam, if those tongues that make Sunonamies  
Of them and us prove Oracles, what should thereof arise?  
That more, quoth she, which you have said than in the letter lies.  
But names infect not, nor receive your Riddle prophesy:  
If aught foresaid be ominous should any fear tis I.   

When so the Queen had said, then to this more proceeded he:  
Vulcan, Venus, Cupid, Sol, and Daphne turned to Tree  
Were tennis balls to every tongue of every Dei●ee.  
Tush Tush, quoth Pan, gay Venus and the gentle youth her son  
Are blameless blamed: What think you, would Phoebus then have done  
Had he in love been crossed as I? And then he thus begun.    

CHAP. XXXI.  

THe Goteheards of Hyrcania held their Orgies unto me,  
And there was I, unseen of them, the Festifall to see.  
Now had they censed, and with glee eat were the hollowed Kids,  
When as they fell to rowndelays, and I the round amids.  
Not satyrs, or the Naiads, were half so nimble as  
This country Consort (for each Lad was sorted with a lass.)  
There was a tricksy girl, I wots, albeit clad in grey,  
As peatt as bird, as strait as bolt, as fresh as flower in May,  
As fair as Cupid's Mother, or through him it is I err,  
Ifso I err (for why his shaft had fixed me to her)  
She dancing died her lily cheeks, whilst I for love did di●:  
And as unvisible I stood (what boots it me to lie)  
And drew with breath her sweet-stole breath, so acting spiritually,  
The feast was done and all undone that I did wish to do:  
My Deity adiornde therefore, in humane form I woo.  
And first (because that first they should approach us Gods) I feign  
Myself a Priest (for well I wots they seldom woo in vain.)  
I made me smug, and with a Tex did intermix a toy,  
And told how fine and fair a life our Clergie-Femes enjoy,  
And how our leisure fitted love. And let it fit (quoth she)  
To such as lust for love: Sir Clarke, you clergefie not me.  
Then came I curious in my silks (But who would think that Pan  
Can play the Courtier?) and did feign myself a jolly man.  
I talked of Castles, manors, parks, and all things more than mine.  
Too course (quoth she) am I for you, and you for me too fine.  
Then soldier-like I sued, and did boast of battles many,  
And standing on my Manhood would not be coriued of any:  
And sometimes proffered kindness, such as came not to the push,  
But checked for my boystrousnes was balked with a blush.  
Then play I master Merchant, and did ply her by the book:  
I spoke of great accounts, receipt, nor little care I took  
For rigging and return of Ships, (her lips mean while my pox.)  
Ply Sir (quoth she) your busy trade, you are beside the Tex.  
I seem a country Yeoman: Then a Craftsman: both in vain:  
The former was too lumpish, and the latter worse of twain:  
Do what I could, I could not do whereby her love to gain.  
Then thought I, out of doubt as I a God feign Manhood, so  
This is transformed Diana for some practice meant below.   

A year was past, and I past hope through coyish chaste denial,  
And yet I could not but persist in quest of further trial.  
I met God Priapus (for he, not Venus' son it is  
Abuseth us, This darteth love, That drives to lust amiss)  
Seest yonder clown? quoth Priapus (not far-off was a lout  
With near a handsome rag, himself less handsome fool to snout,  
Less wel-formed, or more il-fac'st, & like Clenchpoope look & limb,  
Less mannered, and worse gated than this saturns-eeve-made Slim,  
God never made since God made Man, if ever God made him.)  
That Lob, quoth he, and yonder lass that this way drives her goats  
Do mark them Pan, you may observe from them unthought-of notes,   

I knew her for my Minion wench of whom I erst did tell.  
First blend they herds, and forthwith lips, and after billing fell  
To other sport, such sport iwis as would have liked me well.  
Must I, thought I, give aim to such a skrub and such a Saint,  
That Skowndrell, and this Counterfeit: confounded so I faint.  
How cheer you Pan, quoth Priapus, the shameless God of lust,  
Thus can I fit such friends as you with such a Trull of trust:  
(We were indeed ere then at odds.) So Priapus he left me,  
When he had brought me to this sight that near of sense bereft me.  
But thus I loathed where I loved, and learned not too late  
That coyest are not chastest, that the gayest Females mate  
With louts as soon as Lords, that love is luck not shiftles fate,  
That cowled, celled, he, or she, whoso, or wheresoever,  
Or votary, or Secular, scarce one pryaped never.   

To Pan's report did Mercury reply and thus recite,  
Of Cupid and of Priapus doth Pan distinguish right:  
But let be Lust, a word or two of love and of his might.   

I entering guestwise on a time the frolic Thabane Court,  
Mine eye presented to mine heart a Nymph of lovely Port:  
Her knew I not, nor knew she me, unknown therefore unkissed  
I loiter on the Earth, mean while in heaven not unmist.  
My Senses held a synod, and unacted Acts dispute,  
And nothing else I did affect but to effect my suit.  
For whencesoever love proceeds, or whatsoe'er it be,  
Or whosoever loveth, love tormenteth in degree.  
Mine Eye conveyed it to mine Heart, mine Heart controwld mine Eye:  
yet love retrieved itself, I loved not knowing whom or why.  
Then did I seek, and find (who am no Milksop as ye wots)  
Acquaintance in the Court, the which the nicest balked not.  
Nor smally did my shape, my tongue, and tunes (no common gear)  
Prefer their Master to a place about their mistress near.  
When she did sigh than I did sob, I laughed if she did smile,  
And by officious Forgeries pretended to beguile.  
But her, not coy, I found so chaste, as save a kiss or twain,  
I nothing got, although in all I vained to her vain.  
From ill therefore I grew to worse, from worse to worse, for why?  
Through overloving at the length I loved ielously.  
My stomach lest me, every sense had imperfection then,  
My colour ceased and, sick, I forge contrary cause to men.  
So many Quames came over my heart as news to ear or eye  
Of others commoning in sport, or courting seriously.  
No corsive to corivals, and no death unto despair:  
I did not hope, yet held I on with cost to nourish care.  
Sometime, attired by the book, I feigned a merry cheer:  
Sometime I drouped, and did wear disorderly my gear.  
But howe'er I came to her, I found her still the same,  
Gamesome enough to entertain, and yet for me no game.  
And though enviously I aimed at others better speed,  
yet, too precisely, did I sift such doubts were more than need.  
Then rousing up myself, I with myself did reason thus:  
No folly were in love, if so no folly were in us:  
Where Mercury is laid asleep may others lay a straw:  
The lover and beloved are not tied to one Law:  
Because I am the same I am should she not therefore be  
The same she is: mine is too love, but hers to disagree.  
Then Mercury be to thyself thy self, these thoughts beguile  
With meeter thoughts, thou lingerest in loss too long a while.  
Think not thy greatness, or thy gifts, or gracious eyes may get her:  
A fool more foul may seem more fair, love may think bad the better.  
If she determine Chastititie, then falls thy suit to ground:  
Or if some other be preferred, then better lost than found:  
Liked, or misliked to thy love should reason be the bound.  
Or Women love to be beloved of change of clients, or  
Uncertain where to find them, with the Eagle or the door.  
Albeit beauty moves to love, and love doth make thee sue,  
Better at first be Non-sute, than at length not to subdue.  
Such Reasons seeming plausible, I fleeting whence I loved,  
By absence and new Exercise old Passions were removed.  
So did I love, and so I left, so many a scorn, and scoff,  
Care, cost, disgrace, and loss of time were and may be cut off:  
And women so less stand aloof, when men can so be wise:  
So lesser suit hath lucklier speed, than to be too precise.  
Not women, but our wilfulness, doth work our own unrest:  
Though beauty, love, and they lack fault, we may abuse the best.   

SO help me Jupiter, (quoth Mars) in love so may Ispeede,  
As Mercury and Pan do err in points of love indeed:  
Precisians and plain Plodders (such is This, and so is That)  
In love do swallow camels, whilst they nicely strain a Gnat.  
Why what be Women? Women, geld the latter sillabell,  
Then are they nothing more than Woe, their names remain doth tell.  
Their yea, or no, even when they swear they love or love us not,  
Believe who list: soon be they gone, as suddenly are got.  
What need we creep the cross to give unto a begging Saint?  
Tush tush, a fly for booke-love, none be fortunate that faint.  
Not paper, purse, or kerchief Plea lets fancy sooner lose  
Then at the Shrine to watch the Saint, She is not coy, but close:  
Pollitians know to cheapen, what to offer, when to skoase.  
The clown, no doubt, that potted Pan lacked Art to gloze and flatter,  
And yet nor Pan nor Mercury went roundlier to the Matter:  
He found right method (for there is a method, time, and place,  
Which fools observing do commence ere Wisemen have their grace.)  
Though dastard hawks do sore aloft and dare not seize upon,  
Or Bussards-like do sit aloof until the game be gone,  
Kind kill hawks but wag the wing, and work tolsowse anon.  
Once love, surreverence, made myself vale Bonnet, So submis  
My ceremonial wooing was, as common wooing is:  
With rueful looks, sighs, sweet pigsnye, and Fooleries more than few  
I courted her, so much more stout by how much more I sew:  
Till aptly singled, as it happed, I say not what did hap,  
But love that late did load my Head, did load her willing Lap.  
Nor this Lad love of that same love is guilty any whit,  
For why? nine moons did wax and wain between his birth & it.  
Alas poor Boy, before he was, love was a common game,  
The first-made Man, the Rib-reft Man in Eden showed the same:  
For when his sudden eyes admired the boan-flesht fair convert  
Derived from his Side, his tongue, directed by his heart,  
Forthwith pronounced Woman, but a moment erst unknoens,  
So dear as flesh of his own flesh, and bone of his own boens:  
Quit then, ye Gods, this Lad and let your search of love alone:  
Who will in power be felt of all, in person found of none.  
Or rather is not real, but some fancy: if not, then  
Fantastical in Women, but essentially in Men.  
If love be such in Women (But mistake me not, for why?  
I note them but fantastical in fault of destiny)  
Defer were then to err: When all is done that do we may,  
Labour we sorrowing all the night, and sewing all the day,  
The female faulty custom yields less merit greatest pay,  
And venturous more than virtuous means doth bear the bell away.  
Now touching Venus (worthy such a fere, not such a Foe)  
Vulcan, me thinks, observeth well slight proof in yea and Noah,  
The Court therefore is well advised to Sentence not to grow.   

The Gods, that did ere while but aim at Vulcan's wives sons Father,  
Saw Venus blush, and held that aim authentical the rather.  
End Gods and Goddesses, quoth Jove, to argue to and fro:  
Like good and bad is either Sex. Nay more, behold, than so,  
I viewed erewhile the destinies, and thence I thus did know.  
Zimois, when Troy must perish, shall send down her Floods a fleet,  
And world it were our Father ruled when Create thought him unmeet:  
But long time hence, & far stars thence, that World shall world an isle  
Enuyrond with the Ocean waves, then famous in short while  
Through often triumphs over Foes and traffic every where,  
Howbeit thrice orerunne, and once a Conquest shall be there.  
* Those Changes notwithstanding they a People shall remain  
Vnchased thence, and of that Streene shall five at length re-raigne.  
Dread, terrene Gods, the Fift of those, a terrene Goddess, She  
Even at the fiery Trigon shall your chief Ascendant be:  
Right Phoebe-like (Phoebe may like a compear like to her)  
Retrieve her named Name, to time the trial we refer.   

This said, he bids adjourn the Court, and willed Mercury  
thenceforth not to convent the Gods for such a foolery,  
As love, the idle Bodies work, and surfeit of the eye.  
And thus the Queen and Tuder chat. But thought of nothing less  
Than that from them Ioues noted five fated to such success  
Should spring, as sprung, and part springs yet. But cease we to digress  
And show we how her son did long and luckless reign possess.    

CHAP. XXXII.  

IT rests, fifth Henry's son, that made the Henries more by one,  
Did in his infancy possess his Conquering father's Throne,  
And happily was ruled a Child, & ruled an happy man,  
Till with his Parrasites his peers and he with them began  
A bloody quarrel: offering so unto the Yorkests sprite  
For to reclaim, in bold attempts, their discontinued right.  
Richard Plantagenet the Duke of York, by Warwick's aid,  
Did get the jail, not long enjoyed, for he in arms decayed,  
Subdued by King Henry's Queen, when as by friends and force  
He had in parliament obtained in every clause his corpse:  
For, mounted there the Kingly Throne, that Yorkish Heros said,  
Here should I speak, and shall I hope: and so his claim conveyed  
From Clarence his Progenitor, with reasons such among,  
As, he Protector of the realm, King Henry's heirs were wrung  
From all reversion: hearts and ears did so applaud his tongue.  
Edward his son then Earl of March (the Duke his Father slain)  
Won, by the Earl of Warwick's aid, in double battle reign.  
King Henry fled to Scotland, and the Queen and Prince their son,  
From France sollicet succours, which unto their loss they won.  
Henry was taken, they and their confederates were subdued:  
yet still the Queen escaped, and she armour still pursued.  
But, Warwick pleased, all attempts did fail to Edward's Foes:  
Displeased, Edward failed, and declined Henry rose:  
He crowned Either, and the same discrowned them again,  
Admyrd of all, beloved of all: howbeit lastly slain  
By Edward, whilst he did uphold unchancie Henry's reign.   

So Warwick perished, Henry so refalne from King's estate  
Was reimprisoned, and his Queen did land her aids too late:  
But landing, when of Barnet field she heard the luckless fate,  
(Albeit Knights Lancastrians store did flock in her defence)  
She stood a second Niobe, bereft of speech and sense:  
And whilst the Duke of Somerset an overhardie Knight,  
Did bravely marshal out her force to overflowed fight,  
Hers and King Henry's son, the Prince of Wales a proper Lad,  
In comforting his mother did continue her more sad.  
Ah son, quoth she, through oft mishaps mishaps I can digest:  
I fear for thee, for thee the hope that to our House doth rest.  
Now all are tried we can trust, if now we fail we fall:  
Thy death is in the same request as is thy father's thrall:  
And (which I would it were the worst) the Foe doth thirst my life,  
To end his Triumph in the deaths of Husband, son, and Wife.  
Though thy great-Grandsier, grandsire, & thy Father won & wore  
The King-ring, which thy Father held years thirty eight and more,  
Though by the capital Remote of Lancaster withstood,  
yet fail prescription and descents, now lack they but our blood:  
Then learn against thou prove a man (ah hardly hope I so)  
The Line Lancastrian naturally doth labour of that Foe.   

The Queen, concluding thus in tears, did then to armour go.  
Fierce was the Field, and either part did valiantly offend:  
But, Edward overcoming, when the battle was at end,  
The Queen was carried captive thence, And Edward's men did bring  
Her son the Prince (sole son and heir unto the captive King)  
Before the Victor, whose demands receiving answers stout,  
He thrusts the manly Boy from him, whom Gloucester about  
The King (churl that he was) did stab. (So tragic was the spite  
Betwixt those lineages that oft each others so requite.)  
His death was more than death unto his Parents: but not long  
His Father moaned undispatcht alike for death and wrong  
By foresaid Duke of Gloucester, of whom succeeds our song.   

THus won the Yorkestes ancient reign: six bloody Fields did seat  
Edward the Fourth in England's Throne, possessed a while in queate.  
He won his subjects love, and love was debt to his deserts,  
But, as must ours, so lastly his un-bodied soul departs.  
He left his kingdom to his son, his son to be protected  
By Richard Duke of Gloucester, Who, piety rejected,  
Grew treble-wise tyrannical, malicious to the blood  
Of his deceased brother's Queen, And what so Yorkest stood  
Betwixt the sceptre and himself, alive, he pricked dead,  
A Foe to all Lancastrians, as the same by nature bread,  
This common deathsman of those kins, and every Nobles fall,  
Whom he but guessed corivall or might cross him near so small,  
This stoope-Frog Aesop's stork, alike tyrannous unto all,  
To guilty, guiltless, friend, or foe was not secure one day,  
But Either dies as either's death might fit him any way.  
Yea, even whilst his Brother ruled, when all Lancastrians, and  
His Brothers twain, his nephews twain, & nieces three did stand  
Betwixt himself and home, even then by blood he hunted rain:  
For when his own and ruthless hands King Henry's heir had ●●ayue,  
Then Henry's self, Henry the sixth a guiltless King in bands,  
He stabbed: his brother Clarence died through him, by other hands  
But, now Protector, as do wolves the lambs protected he,  
And fared as if fearing that one wickeder might be.  
Queen mother and her kindred held the orphan King a while,  
Her kin he murdered, and from her he got the King by guile,  
Whom (though uncrowned tituled fist Edward) rest his mother,  
He made be murdered, with the Duke of York the younger brother   

When neither Yorkest his Allies, and of Lancastrians none  
Were left to let it, who should let but he might leap the Throne?  
He wore indeed the wrested palm: But yet, to better bad,  
By murder of his wife he sought new marriage to be had  
With that Elizabeth that was the Eldest daughter to  
Edward the fourth: But all in vain the King his niece did woo,  
For Henry Earl of Richmond's friends such doings did undo.  
Which Henry and Elizabeth by secret Agents were  
Contracted, he of Lancaster, and she of York the heir:  
Of which letigious Famelies here mapped be the Lines,  
Even till the heir of these two heirs both stocks in one combines.    

CHAP. XXXIII.  

HEnrie (as if by miracle preserved by Forraines long  
From hence-ment Treasons) did arrive to right his natives wrong:  
And chief to Lord Stanley, and some other succours as  
Did wish and work for better days, th● rival welcome was.  
Now Richard heard that Richmond was assisted and a shore,  
And like unkenneld Cerberus the crooked Tyrant swore,  
And all complexions act at once confusedly in him:  
He studieth, striketh, threats, entreats, and looketh mildly grim,  
Mistrustfully he trusteth, and he dreadingly did dare,  
And forty passions in a trice in him consort and square.  
But when, by his convented force, his foes increased more,  
He hastened battle, finding his corivall apt therefore.   

When Richmond orderly in all had battled his aid,  
Inringed by his Complices, their cheerful Leader said.  
Now is the time and place (sweet friends) and we the Persons be  
That must give England breath, or else unbreath for her must we.  
No tyranny is fabled, and no Tyrant was in deed  
Worse than our Foe, whose works will act my words if well he speed:  
For ill to ills superlative are easily enticed,  
But entertain amendment as the Gergesites did Christ.  
Be valiant then, he biddeth so that would not be outbid  
For courage, yet shall honour him, though base, that better did.  
I am right heir Lancastrian, he in York's destroyed right  
Usurpeth: But, through Either ours, for neither claim I fight,  
But for our country's long-lackt weal, for England's peace I war:  
Wherein he speed us unto whom I all events refer.   

Mean while had furious Richard set his Armies in array,  
And then, with looks even like himself, this or the like did say.  
Why, Lads, shall yonder Welshman with his stragglers overmatch?  
Disdain ye not such rivalles, and defer ye their dispatch?  
Shall Tuder from Plantagenet the crown by craking snatch?  
Know Richard's very thoughts (he touched the diadem he wore)  
Be metal of this metal: Then believe I love it more  
Than that for other law than Life to super seed my claim,  
And lesser must not be his Plea that counter-pleads the same.   

The weapons overtook his words, & blows they bravely change,  
When, like a Lion thirsting blood, did moody Richard range,  
And made large slaughters where he went, till Richmond he espied,  
Whom singling, after doubtful Swords, the valorous Tyrant died.   

THus ended England's war and woe, usurping Richard dead,  
When Henry and Elizabeth uniting titles wed:  
Of which two heirs th'undoubted heir of either Line did come,  
The Epilogue unto these wounds, digested in this sum.   

Fourth Henry first Lancastrian King put second Richard down:  
Fourth Edward of the House of York re-seazd sixth Henries crown:  
Lad-Princes twain were stabbed in Field, of either lineage one:  
Four Kings did perish: Sundry times now-Kings anon were none:  
Six, three of either faction, held successively the Throne:  
But from the second Richard to seventh Henry we pretend  
Eight Kings this Faction to begin, continue, and to end.  
The Princes, Earls, Barons, and Knights this quarrel did devour  
Exceed the tale of Gentry best and bacest at this hour:  
So plagueth civil war, & so from rob to rag doth scour.  
Then luckiest of the Planets wear Predominants', say we,  
When by this Bedmatch either heir that Bloud-mart did agree:  
When seventh begot the Eight, and Eight the First and Last for like  
Our now Pandora: nor till her our humbled sails we strike.  
For should we at her grandsire rear our Colome, yet too poor,  
We could not write (as Hercules on his) Beyond no more:  
For he lacked search, our Muse hath Kend. an Ocean is in store,  
Even matter that importeth worth coparing all before.     

THE SEVENTH book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. XXXIV.  

NOw let us poste-alone to Mars and Mercury repair,  
At least so farforth as we may without controwlment dare.  
Richard the third, Henry the seventh (last subjects of our pen)  
Was slain, was crowned, with hate, with love, as worst, as best of men:  
So not with York and Lancaster doth wont envy reign,  
Nor can Aeneas offsprings now of Orphansie complain.  
But that Cadwallader's foredoomes in Tuders should effect  
Was unexpected, save that God doth destinies direct.  
Else Owen Tuder had not wived Fift Henries noble Queen:  
Nor had they of their bodies Earls Pembroke and Richmon seen:  
Nor Margaret, Somersets' sole heir, to Richmon had been weade:  
Nor they the heir of Lancaster, Henry the seventh, had bread:  
Nor he of Yorks Inheritrix, Elizabeth, had sped:  
Nor they united either house all other titles dead.  
yet, eare this union, Either so arrived to their right,  
As Psyche's on an errant sent to Hell by Venus' spite.  
Worse Ferrymen than Charon, Hoods contagious more than Styx,  
Worse Porters than fowl Cerberus were pleased, past, stood betwixt.  
How therefore Either dangerously their Labyrinth did pass  
Shall not be overpassed: Thus their several fortune was.   

Henry's the fourth, the fift, and sixth successively did reign,  
Until fourth Edward's sword to him did lawful empire gain:  
Lancastrians droop, the Yorkests had their long expected day:  
sixth Henry and the Prince his son, by stabs were made away:  
The foresaid Margaret, sole heir of Somerset, erst wife  
Of Tuder, Earl of Richmond, had by him a son in life,  
To whom, from her, the Crowne-right of Lancastrians did accrue:  
He from his English foes himself by secret stealth withdrew  
To little Brutaine, where he found the Duke a friendful true.  
This Henry Earl of Richmond, now poor Lancaster's remain,  
Was by fourth Edward practised home by many a subtle train:  
Whom once the gentle Duke (beguiled with promises unment)  
Delivered to the Englishmen, with whom he homewards went.  
Forsaken lad for yet he was a lad) what did remain  
But certain death, so to assure his foes uncertain rain:  
Which to establish many a Prince of his Allies wear slain.  
But him ear broughta-boorde, the Duke (advised better, stayed,  
And him (as if by c●●●nce escaped) to sanctuary conveyed.  
The lamb so rescued from the wolf, that privileged place  
Assured him till Edward's death, and then he hoped grace.  
But he that was Protector of his murdered nephews than  
Usurped England, and became a monster not a man:  
Richard the third omitting all his tyrannies beside)  
To be possessed of the Earl by many a message tried.  
Great wealth was sent, greater assum'de, but nothing might prevail:  
The gracious Duke abhorred to set his guiltless friend to sail:  
But furnished with money, men, and armour shipped him thence  
To win his right: yet churlish Seas did let such kind pretence▪  
Full hardly Richmond's threatened Ship escaped our armed Shore,  
For Richard of the rival got intelligence before.  
Returned, the Duke did sicken and Landoise did bear the sway:  
And he for Masses great was brib'de Earl Henry to betray,  
yet through wise Bishop Murtons' means by stealth he scaped away.  
In travel then from Brutaine to his groom himself was groom,  
By interchanged raiment, till to Angers they wear come.  
The French King, pitying his distress, pretended asked aid:  
And secret platforms for his weal his English friends had laid.  
Henry in France, at home his Friends bester them, and the Foe  
Mean time with hope, with fraud, with fear employed his wits also.  
Now of the Earl's conspiracy the total drift was this:  
Elizabeth the daughter of fourth Edward vowed he his,  
And she was vowed to him, if God with victory him bliss:  
Our wounded England's healing balm, for thus thereof ensew'de:  
The factious Families unite, the Tyrant was subdued,  
And thence the surname Tuder doth Plantagenet include.   

AS hardly as her husband did Elizabeth escape:  
For why? like stratagem for both did bloody Richard shape.  
Whilst that her Father lived, now a King, and now exiled,  
Her Crosses than did happen from such victors as wear mild.  
But now the same that murdered her Brothers to be King,  
That did withfraud begin and then with blood conclude each thing,  
That flattered friends to serve his turn, and then destroyed the same,  
That was her uncle, yet did hate her mother's very name,  
That thought he lived not because his nieces wear undead,  
These now (and blame her not) in her a world of terror bread.  
But of unprivileged blood yet had he store to spill,  
Yet sanctuaries wear not forced, yet but expecting ill.  
Theareofte the Queen her Mother, She, and Sisters would report  
Their happy and unhappy da●es, the fewer of first sort.   

Happy was I (the old Queen said) when as a maid unweade,  
Nor Husbands weal nor children's woe mistempered my head.  
yet I, beloved, loved and so left that free estate,  
And thought me happier than before, for lovely was my Mate,  
john Grace (a sweet esquire for his prowysse dubbed Knight)  
Was, as behoved, all my joy: who, slain in factious fight,  
Your Father, Daughters, late my Lord and Husband now in earth,  
From me had many a secret curse, as motive of his death:  
Lancastrian was my husband, and that faction had the wourste,  
So, to relieve my widowhood, I kneeled to whom I cursed.  
Edward (for Henry was depoes'de, and Edward seized the crown)  
(I wots not for what form of mine) did raise me kneeled down,  
And gave me cheerful words, and took me courteously aside,  
And played the civil Wanton, and me amorouf●y he eide:  
His plea was love, my suit was Land: I ply him, he plies me:  
Too baece to be his Queen, too good his Concubine to be  
I did conclude: and on that point a while we disagree.  
But when I was his Queen (sweet King) not for I was his Queen,  
But for himself, and for the love that passed us between,  
I held me happiest underheaven: yea, when his adverse Line  
Discrowned him, I had enough that I was his, he mine.  
Then, after fortunes often change, he died, and I survive  
A life exceeding death for grief and griefs superlative.  
My heart, ah sons, my heart (dear Hearts) was dead ear ye did die:  
Too young wear ye to censure of your uncles tyranny.  
Then wept she, and her daughters wept: their only talk always  
Was passed joys, or present woes: nor hope they better days,  
But in Earl Richmond's good success, that now a power did raise.   

Too soon had Richard notice that Earl Henry would arrive,  
By precontract his eldest niece Elizabeth to wive:  
And well he knew in Yorks descent she was immediate heir,  
And Henry like in Lancaster: a Match for him to fear.  
Which to prevent he flattered his nieces from their mother:  
Who, fearful Ladies, did expect like deaths as had their brother.  
And as they fear did he affect, which for the troubles than  
Was uneffected: now behooved to win him love of men.  
yet casts he how he might convey to him his nieces right,  
Soon compassing his wife's dispatch, whose life stood in his light.  
Then plies he his amazed niece to his in●●●tious bead  
Of her abhorred, she in conceit by faith fore-plighted speed.  
This marriage motion gawles her more than any former grief:  
Herself, Friends, realm, conspiracy, & all it touched in brief,  
And therefore death, late feared, now she fantaseth in chief.  
Mean while did Henry land, encamp, fight, and subdue his Foe,  
And, marrying her, long civil wars in England ended so.    

CHAP. XXXV.  

seventh Henries foreign busenes had successful honour: here  
Three schooled D●dalien Icarists (whose mounting cost them dear)  
Did interrupt the peace. The first a Priests base pupil: he  
By his Complottors was pretenst'e Duke Clarence son to be.  
A many of our native peers, some foreign Princes too,  
Submissiuly behight him aid in all that they might do.  
The Lad was lofty, for himself he harrollized well,  
At full he could his lessons, and a formale lie would tell.  
For him was fought a bloody field, the Victory the Kings.  
Lambert the forged Yorkest, and the Priest (that framed his wings)  
Wear taken: For minority the Icarus was quit:  
The Dedal●s for clergy tites was but intowred for it.   

Thus scaped the Priest. The mother Queen to her that now was Queen  
Found harder sentence for a crime more venale, as I ween,  
She that did forward Henry with her friends, her purse, her wit,  
That had conspired, concealed, concurred, for him the crown to git,  
And had him now her son in law, unchauncy Queen, forwent  
Her whole revenues, and her age as if in durance spent:  
Because against her heart, good soul (for bootless to withstand)  
See yielded all her daughters to the late usurpers hand,  
Whereby the union might have quailed, and for it might she must  
Endure such law, strict law to her of malice not unjust.   

THan good old Queen Elizabeth our next young Phaeton  
Had gentlier judgement: He till then from Realm to Realm had gone,  
And now in Ireland (hoping no such honour) was at cork  
Saluted by some Rebels there for Richard Duke of York,  
Fourth Edward's second son. Those styles to him were strange, but they  
Did feofe them on the bace-borne muff, and him as King obey.  
The Yorkesh Faction (though they knew the error) let not slip  
Occasion, that they now might have Lancastrians on the hip:  
Margaret fourth Edward's sisters heart for joy hereof did skip.  
She had him soon to Burgone, and informs him every thing  
That might concern Yorks pettegree, or apted for a King:  
Maliciously repining still at Lancaster's success,  
And often would thus or thus-like her heart with tongue express.   

God hath forgot our house of York: nay York itself forgot:  
To my late Brother Richard's soul cleave evermore this blot:  
He made away our friends to make a way unto our Foe,  
To Lancaster, proud Lancaster: I, thence these tears doc flow.  
Had he stocked up that hated stock, had he ranst out that Race,  
Python had ceased, and he had been Apollo in that case.  
That Henry was Lancastrian, and that Henry was alive,  
And where he lived, & that he should not live if we would thr●●  
He knew iwis: yet knew he not his death how to contrive.  
The Duke of Brutaine is no God, then how the devil y'ste  
That both my brothers, labouring him, for whom they 〈◊〉  
Their Sinon's wear too simple, and their bribes but petite geere:  
When had they bought him with their souls they had not bought him dear.  
The heir of Lancaster (fie how it loathes to sound that name)  
Enjoys the crown: nay worse, enjoys to wife a Yorkesh Dame:  
Worse, the name Plant●genet is buried in the same:  
And, worst of all, their Title such as law bids us disclaim.  
Who would have looked such change to chance? oh how I feed like will  
As Ae●as daughter Aesons house with tragedies to fill?  
Who can endure to see their friends decline, their Foes ascend?  
I see it, and for seeing so do wish my life had end.   

When that her darling had his looer she left him to his wings:  
Who flayed not to worse company or at less game than Kings.  
He lighteth in the French Kings Court, where (honoured as the same  
From whom he falsely would contrive a crown by forged name)  
He had Supplies, and English aids, and Irish troops also,  
With which he lands in England: where King Henry met the Foe.  
On either part the battle was right bloody, but at length  
The King subdues, and Perke● flayed the land, despoiled of strength.  
Then, as the French, the Scotch King did repute of him: whereby  
He wyued a Lady passing fair and of the King's ally,  
The Earl of Huntley's daughter of the scotch-blood-royall bread:  
She both before and after that her low-prised Mate was dead,  
When well she knew his parentage, and felt his ebbed state,  
In only sorrow did abound, in love no whit abate:  
Howbeit in the English Court preferred to high estate.   

There (for she was of comely parts and uncompeered face)  
She, often bravely courted, yields no Courtier laboured grace.  
To one amongst the rest that most admierd her answers chaste  
She said: besides the sin and that I so might live disgrac'ste,  
A president of wrong and woe did make me long since vow  
chastened to live the love of him whom Fates should me allow.  
I knew (quoth she) a Knight (a Knight he was in each respect)  
I knew a Lady (fair she was but foully to be chect)  
They loved long (if that to love and leave may love be said)  
Till lastly she conceived love where love should be denayed.  
Then he, whose souls soul goddized her, perceiving her untruth,  
Became unlike himself, and moved, save her, each one to ruth.  
At last he runs'distraught about, and what his moods conceited  
He did: confusedly he wept, asked, answered, and entreated:  
Ah many a time (for though his words lacked method, yet they moved)  
He had these speeches, arguments how earnestly he loved.    

CHAP. XXXVI.  

MY mistress is a Paragon, the fairest fair alive:  
Atrides and Aeacideses for fair less fair did strive.  
Her colour fresh as damask Rose, her breath as Violet,  
Her body white as ivory, as smooth as polished jet,  
As soft as down, & were she down Jove might come down & kiss  
A love, so fresh, so sweet, so white, so smooth, so soft as this.  
The Cleon●an Lions spoils for her I would redress.  
I would the Lernan Hydra's heads with sword and fire suppress.  
My force the Erymantheon Bore should bravely overmatch.  
The swift-foot golden horned Stag I, running, would or●catch.  
My bow the Birds of Stymphalus from wasteful prays should chase.  
Of her proud baldric would I spoil the Amazon at Thrace.  
Augeas washed Stables should my seventh Labour end.  
I with the Bull of Calydon, victorious, would contend.  
On horse-devoured Diomedes like honour should be won.  
〈◊〉 Spanish Robber Geron should by me to death be done.  
〈◊〉 ●p●ght of spite in Hespera I golden fruit would pull.  
Threeheaded Cerberus in chains should make the jury full,  
B●ast, Snake, boar, Stag, Birds, Bealt, Planks, Bull, thief, fruit, Dog, Diome●d,  
choked, feared, paunched, caught, pierced, prized, washed, thrown, slain, pulled, chaned, horse▪ fead.  
Were labours less than I would act, might I of her be speed.  
Doll malcontented Saturn ruled the hour when I was borne:  
Had Jupiter then starred I had not lived now forlorn:  
Or Mars had steeled my milky heart with manlier moods than these:  
Or Mercury had apted me to plead for lovers fees:  
Or Sol infused sense to search what better me behooved:  
Or Venus made me lovely, so for love to be beloved:  
Or Luna (Contrary to love) had bettered the best:  
Ah, could seven Planets and twelve signs constell one such unrest?  
Then loved that sire of Gods when he had vowed his children's death:  
That son of his made wanton 'scapes with Lasses on the earth.  
D●rus, ask Vulcan and his art if thou didst love or noc.  
And Hermes that he hearse loved will not disclaim I trow.  
Nor whart thou Phoebus chaste although thou worest a willow with.  
Thou Cytherea hadst a leash of loves besides the Smith.  
End●●ion 'gainst Diana could vouch farther than the eye.  
Thus loved ye all, ye churlish stars, yet let ye lovers die.  
This said he, and for this he said, I for the ruth of this  
Did vow, that whoso once were mine I would be only his.   

Why? these his words did savour wit, not one distraught (quoth he.)  
Nay hear the rest of his unrest, it followeth thus (quoth she).  
Oft would he kiss a senseless Tree and say, sweet mistress mine,  
I was, I am, and will be still the same and ever thine.  
Believe me, or if so you doubt, Anatomize my brain,  
And ●re my Senses see yourself the Sourentesse to reign.  
Believe me, or if so you doubt, rip out my heart, and see  
Yourself in it, in it you are and evermore will be.  
Believe me, or if so you doubt, command I forthwith die,  
And see yourself the only heaven whereto my soul doth fly.  
If such I seem and be not such, let nought betide me well.  
If such I seem and be not such, I wish no heaven but hell.  
If such I seem and be not such, your favours let me mis.  
With that he blest himself and said, ah, what a wish was this?  
Then steps he to some other Tree, and, as unto a friend,  
Bewails himself, with long discourse of love to little end.  
And (as it were a mystery) thus many a time would tell  
Of one Erickmon, as might seem, with him acquainted well.  
Who would (quoth he) have thought that he had doted on a Lasses  
Who rather would have thought the girl so guileful as she was?  
Once braved he it and often found with silken Wenches grace:  
yet (and I wonder) faults he not, though having time and place.  
He never held but gracious thoughts of women, yet I win  
The fairest She he ever saw might quit his thoughts of sin.  
When of the Court and city both he could sufficient say,  
From either's busy Vanities he getteth him away:  
Amongst the woods his happiest days bycome or to be past  
He found, had not Gynettas' face entrapped him at last.  
Nor Court nor city had she seen, yet either's praise she had:  
So much more worth by how much less she was unnicely clad.  
At sixteen years such was she as at twenty, and at both  
Well worth the loving, for her lore, her face, and comely groeth.  
Thence, waxing amorous, he checked his eyes that checked him so,  
Which checks as oft were counterchecked by love his mightier Fo●.  
He loathed to live, that lived to love, and loved to loss, for why?  
He scorned that wontlesse passion, or an amorous fool to die.  
Full often therefore would he baulk her sight that pleased him most,  
And, if perceived to be in love, false freedom would he boast.  
But all for nought, not absence or sweet exercise of wit,  
Or aught besides might put aside loves over-mastring fit.  
Thus pined ere he pleadeth love, yet pleasing her so well  
As none had fit time and place his heart's unrest to tell,  
At length he flatly says he loves, when (words too sweet for true)  
Her answer was she liked him, and so atonement grew.  
Then uncontroulled kisses and embracings (often mixed  
With less than love too gross, though more than should be such betwixt)  
Were currant: And if ever man did fish before the net,  
If ever man might credit her did by her credit set,  
If ever man for hearty love deserved honest meed,  
Erickmon might believe himself to be beloved indeed:  
More arguments of earnest love gave never maid than she,  
Less cause to falsify that love gave never Man than he.  
How beit, on advantage played Gynetta all this while,  
And by external smoothness did obscure internal guile.  
There was a swain, a wily wag, that with his apish toys,  
His pedlary, and pype-notes, such as pleaseth girls and boys,  
So changed (I would have said bewitched, but that she often changed)  
Gynetta, that her former love was suddenly estranged.  
Erickmon hardly broked such base coryving of the swain,  
And of her love and wits did wish reducement all in vain.  
Was never girl so overgon that had so good a wit,  
So well reported of ere then, and well deserving it,  
Than was Gynetta: guilty then both of her own reproof  
And of her lovers grief, that sat and sight thereat aloof.  
And, were it not that she was young, and that Erickmon knew  
She rather seemed than sinned in deed, he might have erred in view.  
With weeping heart he her remaunds to be with him at-one:  
And many restless days and nights consumeth he in moan,  
To think upon her madness, which herself believed none.  
Her too much wronged Relict might (as well he might) be grieved,  
Perhaps offended, but God knows no whit the more ●eleeu'd.  
So wilful she, so wily and officious was her squire,  
That, craft entrapping craft, they both did enter bootless fire:  
She bore a mind more haughty than to humble her so much,  
And he a bacer mind than that he hoped his fortune such:  
yet either liked at random, not resolving any end,  
Unless, perhaps, she dallied him as erst her former srend.  
Mean while (for Apes be ever Apes) somewhat did he not well  
That moved a discord, and through it their loves divorce befell.  
Er●●kmon languished all this while not re-beloved long,  
For she that nailed to do him right did feofe on him the wrong,  
Who, guiltless, pleadeth guilty (for what was it he would not  
To reconcile her favour, lost might seem ere it was got?)  
So love, again a foot, gave both re-intertainement hot.  
Not any, loved they near so much, seemed more to love than they,  
Nor any, loved she any whit, in love made shorter stay  
Than she: for he do what he could, did often times offend:  
For why? Even impudently she grew toyous in the end,  
That was so modest comely erst as none might liar amend,  
A Supersedeas for her love was every newcome friend:  
And being now in much request, and waxing proud of favour,  
By artificial pride she changed her natural behaviour:  
Her face was masked, her locks were ●url'd, her body penned with busk,  
And (which was needles, she more sweet) her raiment scented musk:  
By all she did might seem to be unlike herself she me 〈…〉:  
yet (worst of all) to sanctum-Sinne too aptly is she bend:  
Erickmon when that followed her unpitied, not v●pearst,  
Reformed his wits, his suit and hope of her, not now as erst,  
And scorned her mind that scorned his love to her so firmly geason,  
For why●shee offered double wrong to wrong and scorn a reason.  
Thus whilst he hoped he held her least: so altereth the ca●e  
With such as she: Ah such it is to build on such a face.  
This said he, and for this he said, I for the ruth of this  
Did vow that who so once were mine I would be only his.   

Why? this concerned not him, nor showed a man distraught, (quoth he)  
Nay hear the rest of his unrest, it followeth thus (quoth she.)  
Then (shedding tears) he to the Tree so spoken to would say,  
Was not Gynetta false that did Erickmon so betray?  
But hath my mistress cause to change? what cause, think you, should moue●  
I framed me hers, she feigned her mine, my love is ever love.  
May the fair face prove one foul botch, those shining eyes prove bleared  
That sweet breath stench, like proof to all that fair or sweet appeared  
In her that wrongs her true-love: let her loathed ever lust,  
Beg may she, and unpitied pine, rot, perish on the dust,  
And, dead, be damned, that unto her true-love is unjust.  
Ye men say all Amen, or if amend yourselves ye must,  
Curse not (this madman said) but swear that women be untrue,  
Their love is but a mummery, or as an April's dew,  
Got with a toy, gone with a toy: gifts, flattery, gauds, or wine  
Will make her check & fly to game less fair, perhaps, than thine,  
More amorous than men, and men convey their love less fine.  
If such they are (as such they are) and will be whilst they be,  
Why am I then so true of love? because not borne a she.  
Witlackst thou then (fond fool). I sigh to say true aim you give.  
Where grew that lack (fond fool?) I sigh to say where now I live.  
Whence grew that lack (fond fool?) I sigh to say from joys removed.  
When grew that lack (fond fool?) I sigh to say when first I loved.  
And dost thou love? ah, too too well I wots I love indeed.  
Why dost thou love? with luck too ill I love for lovers meed.  
Whom dosst thou love? ah, too too well I wots a lovely She.  
What time in love? with luck too ill in love too long for me.  
Wit lackest thou then that wilfully dost err and nourish it.  
Wit do I lack, not wilfully, then blame not will but wit.  
How shall I do? my Heart is lost, and I am left in woe:  
Met any man a poor tame Heart? the Heart, good folk, I own:  
Strucken, maimed, all of gore, and drooping doth it go.  
A lass once favoured, or at least did seem to favour it,  
And fostered up my frolic Heart with many a pleasing bit:  
She lodged him near her Bower, whence he loved not to gad,  
But waxed crank, for why? no Heart a sweeter Layer had.  
But whether that some other deer estranged her or not,  
Or that of course her game is Change, my Heart lacked browse I wots:  
Despysd, displeased, and quite disgraced, my Heart even to this day  
Dislodged, wandering, woe begon, I wots not where doth stray.  
But see, ah see, I see how love casts off Desire his Hound,  
A fell fleet dog that hunts my Heart by parsee each-wheare found.  
Sweet Cynthia rate the eager Curte, and so thy foe prevent:  
For lo a far my chased Heart imboste and almost spent.  
Thanks, gentle goddess: now the Lad pursues a bootless chase:  
My Heart recovers covert where the Hound cannot hold pace.  
Now tappas closely, silly Heart, unrowse not and so live:  
The Huntsmans-self is blind, the Hound at Loss doth over-give.  
But list, alas, loves Beagles be uncoupeld, beauty praites  
And drives my Heart from out the thicks, and at receipt awaits  
Vaine-hope, and either now falls in, and now my Heart must die,  
Now have they him at Bay, and now in vay●e he fights to fly.  
Avaunt Desire, ha cur, avaunt: the boar so raze thy hide.  
Unto the fall of my poor Heart see see how love doth ride.  
Hark how he blows his death: ah see, he now the Say doth take  
Of my poor Heart, that never more for love shall pastime make.  
Thus lived he till he left his life, and for the ruth of this  
I vowed, that who so once were mine I would be only his.   

yet (said her suitor) he, not she, was punished, as may seem.  
Yes yes, quoth she, a Conscience pricked is deeply plagued I deem.  
Then Scotland warred on England, and in that same wa●re did end  
The Knight that had coryved: so the Lady lost each friend.  
Oft saw I her in tears, and oft I heard her to complain  
For faith erst lost, for loss now sound, dividing ●●ghs in twain.  
There be that say (if truly said) unbodied souls have walked,  
And of the Ghosts of these two Knights the like abroad was talked:  
Her ears had this and she the heart that dared not her eyes,  
For thither whence the brute did grow she (fearless faulty) hies:  
Her Followers stood aloof when she, alone approaching, said,  
Beloved both, what means this fight? (they seemed as if they srayd)  
Ah, pardon me, sweet first-beloued, my guile I grant was great,  
So is my grief: My latter love refrain, let me entreat.  
But whilst she spoke of deadly wounds they both did seem to fall,  
And after vanished, leaving her perplexed in fear not small:  
Who thenceforth fared as the Knight that did for her distraught,  
Still haunted of the Ghosts, & haunts the place where they had fought,  
Until of her despairing life herself the Period wrought.  
Thus lived she till she left her life, and for the ruth of this  
I vowed, that who so once were mine I would be only his.   

Tush, this was but a fantasy, quoth he, of subtle fiends,  
Deluding her simplicity in figure of her friends:  
I hear not that they said or did aught taching her untruth,  
But foolish was her fear, the like I censure of your ruth.  
And shall I tell what they did tell, and say what they did do?  
I will, for so, perhaps, you will surcease (quoth she) to woo.  
The Ghost resembling him to whom she had disloyal been  
Said: I, and This, and thou be thus and shall be doomed for sin:  
For dotage in my love, for his deceitful lust, wetwaine  
Of freesh-sore wounds do hourly faint, hurt, heal, heal, hurt again:  
Nor can I utter half we see, and fear, and suffer still  
Of endless Torments: only thou art Auctresse of such ill.  
Who love beloved believe no life but where their love doth live,  
To fault is then their murderous fact that first defect doth give.  
He had not faulted or I fallen hadst thou held faith to me:  
Ah little feel we in regard of Plagues prepared for thee.  
Thus said he, and for thus he said I for the ruth of this  
Did vow, that who so once were mine I would be only his.   

Well, madam, quoth the Gentleman, be this so, or a shift,  
I see to frustrate my demand is honestly your drift:  
Then so, or not so, or what so you shall infer of this  
It matters not, Perkin is yours and be you only his.  
For, soothe to say, wear all said false, it were indeed a hell  
To have a loves-coryvall, and as none could brook it well,  
So none should ask, and none should yield to alter love begun,  
Therefore, sweet Lady, I conclude such ill is well undun:  
Mine amorous suit hath here an end: and would you might prevail  
With Perken too, that proudly strives to bear too high a sail:  
So may you, if perhaps you have for him so apta tail  
As this you told to me for me, although more hardly true  
As this which I shall tell, that doth include a moral view  
Of matter worth the note for him, the rather told by you:  
Then hear it: for our leisure and the order of my Q▪    

CHAP. XXXVII.  

suppose (for so must be supposed) that birds and Beasts did speak:  
The cuckoo sometimes loved the owl and so with her did break.  
Then flew the owl by day, so did the cuckoo all the year,  
So did the Swallow and the bat: but how it happened hear.  
The cuckoo by the Swallow (than the Swallow was his Page)  
Did send the owl a sucking Mouse, a tidy for the age:  
The Bat (the Bat then served the owl) preferred the Bringer and  
The Present to her mistress sight; that in her Tod did stand.  
My master to your Owleship, quoth the Swallow, sends by me  
This Modicum, desiring you to take the same in gree.  
The owl, that never till that day had tasted flesh of Mouse,  
Had quickly lopt a limb or two, and feasteth in her house  
The Swallow with a cut see of her then disgorged wheat:  
When, talking of the dainty flesh and elswhat, as they eat,  
The Bat (then waiting at the board) fetched sighs a two or three:  
The owl did ask the cause. And do you ask the cause, quoth she,  
Why thus I sigh when thus in sight my kindred murdered be?  
Myself was sometimes such, and such am still, save now I fly:  
With that she freshly wept: and thus proceeded by and by.   

A fresh, quoth she, now comes to mind mine ancestors ill hap,  
Whom pride made prays to Kestrels, Kites, Cats, Weasels, Baen, & trap:  
My grandsire (for where Nature fails in strength she adds in wit)  
Was full of Science: But, insooth, he misapplied it.  
The weasel, Prince of vermin (though besides a virtuous Beast)  
By shrewdness of my grandsires' wit his Holes with hoards increaste,  
And seemed to con him thanks, whom none besides had cause to thank:  
For Prince's favours often make the favoured too crank.  
Not only Mice, but Lobsters, Cats, and noble vermin paid  
In coming Coram Nobis for some crime against them laid.  
But, God, it is a world to see, when purposes be sped,  
How Princes, having fatted Such, are with their fatness fed:  
The Weasel served my grandsire so and every vermin laughed  
To see himself in Snare that had in Snares so many caught.  
Now also live some wily Beasts, and fatly do they feed  
'mongst Beasts of chase & birds of game, with less than needful heed.  
My grandsire dead, my Father was in favour ne'ertheless:  
Nor did his Father more than he for high Promotion press.  
And (though I say it) long time he deserved favours well,  
For quailing Foe men, and at home such vermin as rebel:  
And for the same the weasel did him mightily prefer:  
But honours made him haughty, and his haughtiness to err.  
I will be plain, he waxed too proud, and plotted higher drifts  
Than fitted him or fadged well, for who have thrived by shifts?  
Nor will I say (because his son) he wronged the weasel, but  
The weasel died, and that that did succeed to shifts he put:  
For which his father's Fortune did o'ertake him at the last:  
Such fickelnesse in earthly pomp, which, flowing ebbs as fast.  
This double warning might have i●kt unto my wit, but I  
Did follow kind: Nay, more, I did importune Dis to fly,  
And he did give me these black wings, resembling him that gave the  
A proper Gift, and hardly got, to shame me now I have them.  
But know ye Dis? some Pluto him or Limbos God do call:  
Or, aptlier said, in Hell of devils the chief and principal:  
And somewhat now of him and how I changed say I shall.   

I happened on a Cranny, whilst my mouse-days lasted, which  
I entering, wandered crooked nooks and paths as dark as pitch:  
There, having lost myself, I sought the open air in vain,  
Both wanting food, & light, and life well near through travels pain  
The Moole by chance did cross my way, and (as ye know) her smell  
Supplies her want of sight and serves her purpose full as well:  
I heard a tracting sound and, scared, my hair did stand upright,  
Nor could I see, or fly, but fear and bless me from a sprite:  
She had me, held me, questions of my being there the cause,  
And in mean while peruseth me with favourable claws.  
I was about to plead for life, when she prevents me thus:  
Ha, cozen Mouse, what Fortune gives this meeting here to us.  
Fear not my son (I call thee son because I love thee much)  
Do hold thyself as merry here as in a pantler's hutch:  
What knowst not me? or see'st thou not? with that she leadeth me  
Into an higher room, where her to be mine eme I see.  
I did my duty, and my heart was lightened when mine eye  
Encountered a friend whereas I made account to die.  
Before me sets she Viands, and my stomach served me well:  
And, having fed, my grandsires and my father's ends I tell,  
(For She inquires for them, ere I acquaint her what befell.)  
The reverent Moole, then sighing, said: ah, let no vermin think  
That Fortune ever favours, or that friends will never shrink:  
I did fore-smell their lofty flight would cost them once a fall,  
And therefore, cozen, see thou be forewarned therewithal.  
Hear seest thou me (I tell thee, though I prize not Gentry now,  
Thine eme and of the elder house) that long ago did vow  
Myself a Recluse from the world, and, celled under ground,  
Lest that the gold, the precious stones and pleasures here be found  
Might happen to corrupt my mind, for blindness did I pray,  
And so contemplatively here I with contentment stay.  
Admit the weasel graceth thee, the more he doth the more  
The other vermin will malign and envy thee therefore:  
Himself, perhaps, will listen to thy ruin for thy store:  
Or thou thyself, to mount thyself, Mayest run thyself a shore.  
That vermin that hath reason, and his own Defects espies,  
Doth seem to have a soul, at least doth thrive by such surmies,  
For what is it but reason that humane from brutish tries?  
But man, or beast, neither hath troth that this for true denies,  
He hath enough that hath wherewith pure Nature to suffies:  
In overplus an overcharge for soul and body lies,  
For soldiers, Lawyers, Carrions, thieves, or Casualties a Prize,  
His comber-minde that lives with it and leaves it when he dies,  
From whom to catch it scarce his heir stays closing of his eyes:  
O wretched wealth, which whoso wants no Fortune him envies.  
Here Mayest thou feast thee with a Mad: & here no pickthank pries  
Into thy life, nor words well spoke to ill unmeant applies:  
No Flatterer to undermined: no tongue no ear for lies:  
No gleaning from the orphan: no oppressed widows cries:  
No bribes to give, no hands to take: no quarreling for flies:  
No wrongs to right: no laws to break, because no law that ties,  
But what we lust we do, nor do nor lust bad enterprise:  
And find less want in Nature, than wits-want in Arts disguise.  
Nor any here in force, in friends, fraud, wealth, or wit affies:  
O do thou not so rich, so safe, and just life despies:  
There lacketh not of noble Births to star the courtly skies.  
There be enough Politians, thou Mayest for thy soul be wise:  
Then leave thou matters of estate to States, I thee advise:  
And rather sit thou safely still, than for a fall to rise.   

Not for she was my Elder or mine eme, but for the place  
I held my peace, that would have said her Moolships mind was base.  
But she perceives me to dissent, and saith, cozen Mouse,  
Do as you like, you shall not find a prison of my house:  
Stay while you will, go when you will, come & return at pleasure,  
And ever welcome: virtue is an uncompelled Treasure.  
This past, & thence pass we through deep dark ways, save here & there  
The veins of gold and precious stones made light in dark appear:  
vast Vaults as large as isles we pass, great rivers there did flow,  
Huge worms & Monsters there I saw, which none on earth do know.  
On go we, till I saw a glimpse and she heard noise of flame,  
Then said she prayers, bidding me to bless me from the same.  
I, musing, frained her meaning: She her meaning thus did tell.  
That flaming Region, ever such (quoth she) is Pluto's Hell:  
All gold, all metals, wealth, and pomp that nourish Mortals pride  
Are hence and his, and hither they do there Mis-guiders guide:  
He them inchaunteth, and the same enchant the folk on Earth,  
Until their dying dotage there finds here a living death.  
Still ne'ertheless I wished to see the hellish Monarch Dis,  
When he (more ready to be found then for our profit is)  
O'erheard us, and unhid himself, and shined in rich array,  
And seemed a glorious angel, and full gently thus did say.  
That slanderous blind baceminded Moole, friend Mouse, deceives thee much,  
And prates of me, of Hell, and Earth more than is so or such:  
Believe him not, but rather do believe thine eyes, and see  
If any earthly pleasure is untripled here with me.  
Then showed he sights (which since I found illusions to betray)  
Of greater worth than Earth affords, or I have Art to say:  
Nay, more, he bids me ask what so I would, and I should have it:  
Then did I pause, bethinking what was rarest I might crave it.  
My Holes were stored with corn & croomes, on Earth I walked at will,  
And in her Bowels now had seen indifferently my fill,  
Upon it, nor within it, not sufficing to my pride,  
I asked wings, scarce asked when they grew on either side.   

Short leave I took, & mounting left the Hell God and the Moole,  
And soared to the open air through many a sorry hole.  
It was at Twilight, and the Birds were gone to roost, but I  
(enchanted with the novelty of flight) unweared fly,  
And had the sun been up, I ween (such pride bewitched my wit  
To Egel-fie myself) I had assayed to soar to it:  
Not seeing that my limber wings were Leather-like vnplum'de,  
But at the Dawning also I of wing-worke still presum'de.  
The Swallow (and I ween it was this Sallowes father) he  
Was earliest up, with him I met, and he admired me.  
I held him wing, and wistly he surveys me round about,  
And lastly, knowing who I was, did give me many a flout,  
And fled to tell the other birds, what uncouth fowl was bred,  
Who flocked to see me, till with gibes and girds I wished me ded.  
Then, shifting out of sight, I hung till Twilight in a hole,  
Transformed, derided, hunger-spent, and (minding still the Moole)  
In vain I wished reducement of my shape, and (which was worst)  
My hap was harder than to own in that distress a Cruft.  
Then fled I to my wont Holes of hoardward food to get,  
Too narrow by mine added wings that did mine entry let.  
Now Miso fled me, not to the Moole I would return for shame,  
To this I durst not, 'mongst the Birds I was a laughing game.  
Then cursed I mine aspiring mind, than knew I this a devil,  
The devil the Prince of Pride, and Pride the root of every evil.  
Hell, Earth, air, heaven, and what not? then conspiring mine unrest,  
What might remain but death for me that lived so unblessed?  
But as I, fainting, flew that night your ladyship, Dame owl,  
Did call me to your Todd, and glad to see a new night-fowle,  
Did take me to your service, thence your chamberlain to be:  
Ha Jupiter reward it you that so relieved me.  
It is a sweet continual feast to live content I see:  
No danger but in high estate, none envy mean degree.   

Then all this process (quoth the owl) doth tend, belike, to this,  
That I should eat no Mouse-flesh: Nay, Sir Bat, so sweet it is  
That thou, so near of kin to them, shalt also serve my lust:  
And there withal in ruthless claws the hapless Bat she trust.   

Here meant the Courtior to have left, whom Perkens Lady prays  
To tell what end such wowing had: And thus hereof he says.  
The Swallow saw that cruel prank and flies aloof and said,  
Ungrateful Glutton, what offence hath that thy servant made?  
Choke mayst thou with the murder So he left her, and unto  
The cuckoo telleth what the owl unto the Bat'did do.  
Varlet (he waxed choleric) and what of that, quoth he?  
Was not the Bat her bondslave, such as thou art now to me?  
What tell'st me then of other news then what her answer is  
Unto mine amorous Message, says my Lady nay or yis?  
The Swallow told him that through such occurrant of the Bas.  
He, interrupted, came away unaunswered in that.  
A mischief, quoth he, both on that and thee ill savoured elf:  
And in a stammering chafe he fled to woo the owl himself.  
The Swallow Mans him thither, whom the devilish owl did hate,  
And all because he had reproved her tyranny of late.  
The cuckoo, offering to have belde, she coyely turned her face,  
'tis more, quoth she, than needeth that we kiss, as stands the case:  
Rid hence yonn same your knavish Page, you sent him with a Mouse  
To spy my secrets, or belike to brave me in my house.  
God's precious, would you knew I bear a mind less base than that  
I can digest your Drudge with me so saucily should chat:  
jacke Napes, forsooth, did chase because I eat my slave the Bat.  
O what a world is this that we can nothing private have  
Uncensured of our servants, though the simplest Gill or knave?  
Well, rid him of your service: Nay, it skills not if of life,  
At least if so you mean that we shall love as man and wife,  
For such Colecarriers in an house are ever hatching strife.  
The cuckoo, hearing this complaint, flew on his trusty Page,  
And undiscreatly gave him strokes that killed him in that rage.  
yet, ear he left his life, he thus unto his master said:  
Thus many honest servants in their master's hasty brayed  
Are Dog-like handled, either yet like dear in Ioues just eyes:  
Of Harlots and of hastiness beware, said he, and dies.   

When now her gluttony and spite had thus dispatched twain,  
The cuckoo, plying amorously her favour to obtain,  
Even then, and looking very big, in came the Buszard, who  
Did swear that he would kill and slay, I marry would he do,  
If any Swad besides himself fair Madam owl did woo.  
The cuckoo, seeing him so bog, waxed also wondrous wroth:  
But thus the owl did stint the strife. She calls them husbands both:  
Now fie (quoth she) if so you could betwixt yourselves agree,  
Ye both should have your bellies full, and it no hurt to me.  
The Buszard faintly did consent, the cuckoo said Amen:  
And so was Hen enough for cock, not cock enough for Hen,  
For she deceives them both, and had besides them other game:  
The Gende Buszard dying soon for sorrow of the same.  
The cuckoo wisely saw it and did say but little to it,  
As nooting she was set on it and knowing she would do it.  
But what the Swallow warned him of Harlots proved true,  
For, as was guessed, also him by treachery she slew.   

The goddess Pallas, to give end unto these tragic deeds,  
Descended, and (the dead reviv'd) to Sentence thus proceeds.  
The Bat, because begild of Dis, See pitieth partly and  
Permits him twilight flight: to give thereby to understand  
That to aspire is lawful, if betwixt a mean it stand.  
The Swallow, for that he was true and slain for saying well,  
She doomed a joyful summers Bird, in Winter time to dwell  
Even with Minerva's secret store, as learned clerks do tell.  
The Buszard, for he doted more and dared less than reason,  
Through blind base love enduring wrong revengeable in season,  
She eie-blured, and adjudged prays the dastard'st and least geason.  
Unto the cuckoo, overkinde to brook corivals, she  
Adjudged a Spring-times changeles note, and whilst his young ones be  
By others hatched, to name and shame himself in every Tree.  
But live, quoth she, unto the owl ashamed of the light,  
Be wondered at of Birds by day, fly, filch, and howl all night,  
Have lazy wings, be ever lean, in sullen corners rucke,  
When thou art seen be thought a sign to folk of evil luck:  
Nor shall thine odious form, vile Witch, be longer on my Shield:  
Whence racing forth her Figure, so the goddess left the field.   

IVst Guerdons for Ambition, for poor souls oppressed for well,  
For dastard Dotards, Wittolrie, and Harlots nice you tell,  
Said Perkens Wife. But thus now of her husband's pride befell.  
At last when sundry arms had end, Henry victorious still,  
And Perkens passage was forestalled, he yields of his own will  
Himself from church's privilege to Henry's Mercy, who  
Did only limit his abode, and less he could not do.  
But when he sought escapes he then had petite punishment,  
And after, for some new attempts, to Tower was he sent:  
Whence practising escape, 'twas said, he won to his intent  
Young Edward Earl of Warwick, that indeed was Clarenes son,  
And ever had been prisoner there ear Henry's reign begun,  
And now by law, too strict me seems, for this to death was done.  
Perken was hanged, and hang may such: but that the Earl should die  
Some thought hard law, save that it stood with present policy.  
Sir William Stanley died for this (oft King-law is do thus)  
Deserving better of the King: but what is that to us?   

The last of our three Phaeton's was tutored of a friar:  
Who, being fitted now by Art and nature to aspire,  
(The foresaid name of Warwick feigned) seduced folk thereby:  
As I myself in Essex heard and saw a Traitor die  
That feigned himself sixth Edward, and to grace-out such his lie,  
Looks, body, words, and gesture seemed heroical, to view  
He had like age, like marks, and all that might enforce it true:  
Whereby to him assisting minds of simple folk he drew.  
Our cowle-mans' foresaid Actor so prevailed that the friar  
In pulpits durst affirm him King, and aids for him require:  
But lastly both were taken: both did fault in one same ill,  
yet rope-law had the Youth, the friar lived clergie-knaved still.   

WHen Armour ended avarice began (for then gins  
The sly Mercuriles●, and more by wiles then valour wins.)  
Benevolences, Taxes and sore Fines for penal laws,  
To Henry hoards from Henry hearts of many a subject draws.  
Empson & Dudley (fur'd esquires more harmful, being gowned,  
To England's friends than England's foes, through avarice profound)  
In such exacting chief Act, applaused of the King,  
To whom their civil Thefts, not Thrifts, exceeding wealth did bring.  
yet when the gracious King found out their tacking Rich & poor,  
He then did pardon much, and much did purpose to restore:  
But, dying, those two Harpies lost their hated heads therefore.  
So hardly favoured of Kings themselves in bounds contain,  
That they, securely stout, at length do perish through disdain.  
So hardly too some Princes are from private Lucar won,  
As, though their bags o'erflow, they think no harm abroad undone.  
Henry (acquit his latter days of avarice forenamed)  
Deceased for prowess, policy, and justice highly famed.     

THE EIGHT book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. XXXIV.  

EIGHT Henry (heir indubitate of York and Lancaster)  
Succeeded, and with Kingly rites his Father did inter.  
His mind, his words, his looks, his gaet, his lynaments, and Stature,  
Wear such for majesties as show'd a King composed by Nature.  
All subjects now of civil strife, all counter-minds for reign,  
All envious of his empire now wear rid, wear pleased, or slain.  
Rich wear his sundry triumphs: but his cost had foyzen than  
When Terwin and strong Turnay in resisting France he won:  
When Maximilian Emperor did under Henry fight:  
When English Ships did often put the French Sea-powre to flight:  
And that the French King was inforc'st to crave and buy his peace,  
Who, wiving lovely Mary, so the wars for then did cease.   

This sister to our King, and then the French Kings goodly Queen,  
Was welcomed with triumphs such as erst in France unseen.  
Iustes, Barriers, tilts, & attorneys were proclaimed each where for All:  
Whereforeto Paris at the time flocked Caveliers full tall,  
With Prince's brave, and Ladies fair of every realm about,  
And hence, with more, Charles Brandon, in fine chivalry most stout,  
Whose body fitted to his mind, whose mind was puesant, and  
Whose puesance yielded not to Mars, this Mars in France did land:  
With whom encountered valiant knights, but none might him withstand.  
The English-French Queen standing there, admired for beauty rare,  
Behild the triumphs, in the which high feats performed ware.  
But Brandon (yet no Duke) he was the Knight above the rest  
That in her eye (nor did she err) acquitted him the best.  
For whether that he trots, or turns, or bounds, his barded steed,  
Did run at tilt, at random, or did cast a spear with heed,  
Or fight at Barriers, he in all did most her fancy feed.  
Weak on a Couch her King lay there, whom though she loved well,  
yet liked she Brandon, and the same loved her ere this befell:  
For chastened had they fancied long before she came to France,  
Or that from mean estate to Duke Henry did him advance.  
The days of Triumph wear expired, and English peers with praise  
Come home, and jews King of France deceased within few days.  
Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk then, with honour furnished hence,  
Was sent to France for to return the widow Queen from thence,  
Who had been wed scarce thrice three weeks unto a sickly King,  
To her, a fair young Queen, therefore small time might solace bring.  
Yet less did timethan brave Duke Charles assuage fair Mary's grief:  
He chats, she cheers, he courts, she coys, he wowes, she yields in brief.  
No winds (thought she) assist those sails that seek no certain Shore,  
Nor find they constant lives that but they live respect no more.  
Let each one's life aim some one end: as, if it be to marry,  
Then see, hear, love, and soon conclude, it betters not to tarry.  
To cast too many doubts (thought she) wear oft to err no less  
Than to be rash: And thus, no doubt, the gentle Queen did guess,  
That seeing This or That at first or last had likelihood,  
A man so much a manly Man wear dastardly withstood:  
Then Kisses revelled on their Lips to either's equal good,  
And, least King Henry should dissent, they secretly did wead,  
And then sollicet his good will, and of their wishes speed.  
The perjured valiant Scotch-King James, slain at brave Flodons' Slaughter,  
Had also left in widowhood England's fair elder Daughter.  
She also weds a Scottish Earl, vnlicenc'st of her Brother:  
And was to her Sons Daughters son, now sixth James, great-Grandmother.   

A Scruple, after twenty years, did enter Henry's mind,  
For wedding of Queen Katherine, a Lady fair and kind,  
Spain's Daughter, than the emperors Aunt, and for her virtuous life  
Well worthy Henry: But for she had been his brother's wife,  
And also of their coiture surmise directed laws,  
He seemed in conscience touched, and sought to rid him of the Cause.  
Then was the matter of divorce through Christendom disputed,  
The Match of all adjudged void, and so the Queen nonsuited.  
She, after tears to him from whom she was to be devorste,  
Did humbly say: and am I not, my Lord, to be remorste?  
That twenty years have been your Wife, & borne your Children, and  
Have loved and lived obediently, and unsuspected stand.  
I am (ah too too sweetly erred) I was, poor soul, the same  
Whom once you did prefer, nor now of me you need to shame.  
The blossoms of my beauty was your booty, nor my favour  
Now altars so to alter so from me your late behaviour.  
But Conscience is the colour of this quarrel: well I wots  
I also have a conscience that in this accuseth not:  
But as the same, perhaps, might say that me succeeds say I,  
That for the pleasure of a Prince go many things awry.   

Which her foredoomes seemed to effect in her that her succeeded,  
In Queen Anne Bullyn: who, for she in Luther●sme proceeded,  
Was hated of the Papists, and envied because preferred,  
And through the Kings too light belief (for Kings have sometimes erred)  
She lost her head, and might have said (some thought) ere she did die,  
That for the pleasure of the Prince go many things awry.  
So died the gracious Mother of our now most glorious Queen,  
Whose zeal in reverent Fox his works authentical is seen.  
The Kings four other Queens (for why? he died a Sexamus)  
Shall pass, though Jane did bear a son to him, a King to us,  
Edward the sixth: and of the same we shall deliver thus.    

CHAP. XXXV.  

SUCH as was love in Figure of Ascanius, when the same  
In kisses sly did shed himself into the Tyrian Dame,  
Or such as was sweet Hyacint, Apollo's lovely Boy,  
Or jupiters' Ganymaedes, rapt up to heaven from Troy,  
Or rather like young Solomon, in sentencing betwixt  
Two mothers claiming one same Child, was young Edward the Sixt.  
Now Rome fell sick in England, but how long she lay in trance  
We list not write, alonely death to her did never chance:  
For old Rome never lacked that durst their lives for her bestoe,  
Not new Rome that to Hell for her dare souls and bodies go.  
Then true Religion might be said with us in primitive,  
The Preachers and the people both then practively did thrive:  
Our decent Church-Rites, still in print, not practise (worthy those  
Whose reverent heads collected them from whence true wisdom grows.  
Not mangled then of novesses and curious dolts, which now  
Would have they know not what, & would reform they know not how,  
Omitting or admitting as their own Conceits allow)  
Did then put forth her branches, and wear fruitful in the bood:  
And, wear our Church-Lords now for zeal as Church-lawes now for good,  
Soon might like union be, now by indifferency withstood:  
For give to vulgar Heads the head and look for all confused,  
At once they publish and repeal, all else, save Order, used:  
And as Kytts camp ill-formed good form at their reforming Tree,  
Sons oft by aim consorting voice their Fathers hanged should be,  
So where the Multitude prevail they censure ere they see.  
But (might I be so bold to speak to them should speak to me)  
A good example would do good in churchmen, seeing they  
In saying ●●oth are less believed, not doing as the say.  
I know our Churchmen know that Faith is dead where lack good works.  
yet know I not what policy in alms unpreached lurks.  
Some teach (& well) that these concur, but few do urge the theme  
Of charity: afeard, perhaps, our More should urge their beam.  
But fear not, Fathers, preach at full love, good works, & Remorse,  
More will your bad Examples let than shall your words enforce,  
To preach by halves is to be worse than those tongue-holly javells,  
That cite good words, but shift off works and Discipline by cavils.  
Oft have ye handled pithily (not preached without need)  
What good to give, what hurt to take, from those that souls do feed:  
But so obscurely hath been blanched of good works elsewhere done,  
As many, boasting only Faith, faith's fruits selfe-aptly shun:  
When such a faith is but the faith of that faith-fruitles devil  
That cited Scripture unto Christ, applying good to evil.  
Tell whether that the Levite or Samaritane did better:  
Tell wherein dives lived and died to Lazarus a debtor.  
Unknot sententious Solomon his Parable which is,  
Full clouds will rain upon the Earth: How thus is meant by this,  
Rich men by clouds, poor men by Earth (else Clerks expound amiss)  
Tell, how some clouds but misell Rayne: that is, if so they give  
A penny alms or twain a year they think they much relieve.  
Some Clouds flash down their Shewres: that is, some set up two or three,  
And beggar so themselves and theirs: say such are foolish free.  
Some Clouds hail down their rain, beat flat, hurt, & help not the ground:  
That is, upbraid whom they relieve, & hold them servile bound.  
Some clouds give Snow, that lights and lies a moisture moystles: so  
Do those that say, alas, God help, and nothing else bestoe.  
Some clouds do shower into the Seas: say such do give to such  
Whom alms make idle, or belike to recompense as much.  
Some Clouds with lightning, thunder, & loud winds drip down their rain:  
That is, give seldom alms, & those proclaimed & seen, ere ●ayne.  
Some Clouds retain but form of clouds, with figure black as coal:  
That is, look big, Examine long, but Scriptum est their dole.  
Some gracious Clouds shed temprate Shewres on thirsty earth indeed.  
That is, the orphan, Widow, Thrall, succour, protect and feed.  
Say also whatsoe'er we give, to whosoe'er it be,  
Though given in sight of men, if not because that men should see,  
But with devotion, as a work from Faith that cannot sever,  
God for such cheerful alms willbe our bounteous almoner ever.  
Say, make not as it wear a Quest of quere ere ye give,  
But give ye alms as men be poor, not as poor men to live.  
Provided common beggars nor disordered Lossels, who  
Men know provided for, or can but labour none will do,  
Than whom do say (for so is sooth) no Creatures worse desatue,  
Take you no Orators for them, but that they hang or statue.  
And thus for this. Our overture to it reduceth me.  
The uncles Ofthiss orphan King, so long as they agree,  
Vphild Religion, King, themselves, and realm in happy state:  
Which then began to ruinated when they begun debate.    

CHAP. XL.  

SOme say their falling out was through two haughty women's strife,  
The admirals Queen Bigama & Lord Protectors wife:  
These (for what glory envies not one woman in an other?)  
Began a brawl that ended in the blood of either Brother.  
'tis thought the Earl of Warwick threw close fuel to this fire,  
And nourished it to cut off them, that so he might aspire:  
For when the one had lost his head, he forthwith took in hand  
To forge the Lord Protector false unto the King and Land:  
Who, though he tried by his peers of treason was acquitted,  
yet also of a Statute new he being then indited,  
Was hardly found a Felon, and too strictly sentenc'st so:  
For meanest fault is high offence urged of a mighty Foe:  
The King thus lost his uncles both, to his no little woe.   

Now Warwick was become a Duke, feared of high and low,  
Full little thinking that himself the next to block should go:  
The two Prince-loyall Semers erst made let unto his lust,  
But now remained none whose faith or force he did mistrust.  
The orphan King fell sick (but here suspend what some suspect)  
The new Duke of Northumberland mean while did all direct.  
It was contrived King Edward from his Sisters gave the crown,  
Their father's Former Act and Will by wrested law put down:  
The sister's daughter's Daughter of Eight Henry, Lady Jane,  
Was published heir apparent, and that right from Mary ta'en,  
And from Elizabeth, though both collatrally preceded her:  
And when by full confederacy the Crowne-right was decreed her,  
And Gylford Dudley fourth-borne son unto Northumberland  
Had married her, and nothing seemed the plot-form to withstand,  
King Edward (entered seventeen years of age, & seven of reign)  
Departed to that endless rest his virtuous life did gain.  
The council than convent. But who will think, perhaps, that one  
Should alter All, to alter true descents unto a Throne?  
●ane, suffolks' Daughter, Gylfords' wife (One worthy such estate  
For righteous and religious life, who ne'ertheless should wait  
Her interest after others Two, The younger of which twain  
Did match, yea Mate her virtues) was proclaimed Queen to reign,  
And in the tower of London held Estate and princely train.  
Mean while fled Mary, doubting less her sceptres loss than life:  
But seldom fails a rightful cause that comes to open strife:  
The Commons knew our either Law preferred a Sisters Right  
Before a cousins, and for it did many fadge to fight.   

Northumberland with arms pursued the Lady Mary, and  
Observed directions from the peers: who when they understand  
Of Mary's strength of flocking Friends, on sudden came to pass  
That they proclaimed Mary Queen, and Jane her prisoner was:  
And well was he, that late did seem a Foe, might first salute  
The Queen, and all unto the Duke did their Amis impute.  
For, sooth, more the peers did fear than favour always,  
Who, though he seemed as forward now in Mary's cause as they,  
yet was he taken and intowred, and lost his head for this:  
A Warrior brave. But than his sire, himself, one son of his,  
Like rare Politians seldom lived: who in three several reigns  
Successively did show them such, though loss did prove their gains.   

THe Duke thus dead, Suffolk, Lord Grace, Lord Gylford, Lady Jane,  
Wear executed: But we blanche the rest excepting twain,  
That is, Lord Gylford and his wife, young and less worthy blame,  
Because the Dukes their Fathers, all the council, all of name,  
Yea and King Edward's patents sealed for them, not they, did frame  
What so was done in this, yet they must perish for the same.  
Who higher than this Couple late? and who more wretched now?  
Of more than much remained nought, nor law did life allow.  
Unhappy Youths, not for they die, but for the mutual grief  
Of him for her, of her for him, which tortured them in chief.  
Come was the day, the tragic day, wherein they both should die,  
When Either, passing to their end, each other did espy,  
She in her lodging, waiting death prepared her that day,  
And he in being lead thereto he Lodging in his way.  
Ascending and dissending signs then fly and fall apace,  
And each bemoans the other more than minds their private case.  
Their E●es, that looked love ere while, now look their last adieu,  
And stain their faces, faultless ere this dismal interview:  
Their ears, erst listening joys, are deaf, unless to sighs profound:  
Their tongues, erst talking joys, those looks & sighs did now confounded:  
What parts soe'er of them had felt or tasted joys ere this,  
Where senseless now of any joy, save hope of heavenly bliss.  
Whilst Either thus for Earthly pomp no longer time did look,  
He passeth to the fatal block, she praying on her book:  
Wence (having made a godly end) he was returned, whilst she  
Prepared for like, and of her Lord the senseless trunk did see:  
A sight more deathful than her death that should consort him strait,  
And for the which her fearless eyes did every moment wait.  
She unabashed, mounting now the scaffold, there attends  
The fatal Stroke-and unto God her better part commends:  
And as she lived a virtuous life so virtuously she ends.    

CHAP. XLI.  

OMitting Knights, three Dukes, three Lords, also a Queen elect  
Then perished thus, and somewhat some of Edward's death suspect.  
All which fell out a Stratagem, in God his secre Dome,  
That should induce a tragedy to England meant by Rome:  
For when these mighty Protestants, through Ones Ambition, fell,  
Queen Mary seemed to shut up heaven, and set wide open Hell.  
Whence swarmed papish Tyrants, that false doctrine did erect,  
Whilst that seduced Mary did Gods threatened cause neglect.  
Blameless she was not, for a crown that could her Foes o'ergo:  
Nor all too blame, for mighty States do and have erred so,  
To whom the Scriptures wear obscured by Christ's Italian Foe.  
Her courage was not common, yet abused over much  
By Papists chiefly, She herself too naturally such.  
Hear hence she is reproved of a most tyrannous reign,  
And of a thriftless marriage with the trustless King of Spain.   

But when rich Brabant's supreme fair, the baker's daughter, staid  
The King in dalliance, and the Queen had news that false he played.  
'tis thought his tarriance grieved, & told that one should counsel this  
Have patience, Madam, so it was and will be as it is:  
Fourth Edward did the like, yet loved his Queen no whit the less:  
Nor did the like unpatient her, that knew him to transgress  
As guilty of a Leash of loves, Shore's wife and other twain:  
She knew as Streams, if stopped, surrownd so Kings will show they reign:  
As did our second Henry, whom his Queen oft crossed in vain.  
Which, and one other Story, if it please you that I tell,  
I shall. Yea doc (quoth she:) Then thus (quoth he) it once befell.   

NOt known of Rosamund, his eye had stowed her in his heart:  
Fair maid, quoth he, believe me fair and all so fair thou art  
That, wear I Henry England's King, thou shouldst be England's Queen:  
But so must fail, for Elenour already is between.  
He bod me buy thy love, if so it might be bought with gold,  
If not, he bod me swear he loves: in faith he loves, be bold:  
He bod me ask, if so he came, what should his welcome be,  
And if, perhaps, he lated wear if he should lodge with thee:  
Protesting secreasie thereof to all, unless to me,  
With promise to perform at full each promise as I make it:  
I promise love, Wealth, secrecy, then promise thou to take it.   

Content you Sir (quoth Ro (amund) you aim your marks amiss:  
I am not for his highness, nor for me his highness is.  
And should he know (I shame he should) of this your Brokage base,  
He would acquaint you what it wear your sovereign to disgrace.  
Whoso you be, be still the same, or better if you may,  
Think not Lord Clifford's daughter will un-maiden her for pay,  
But know, if Henry's self were here, himself should have a nay.  
Then know (quoth he) which being known, well Mayst thou know I love thee,  
I am the King, and for I am the rather let it move thee.  
In sooth, sweet Wench, thou sayest nay thou knowest not whereto:  
For, wear my wish at work, less good wy wish than work would do.  
What, fearest thou shame? no shame to be beloved of a King:  
Or dread'st thou sin? The Pope for pay absolveth every thing?  
Or doubtest thou jealous Elenour? I will remove that doubt:  
At Woodstock shall she find thy bower, but never find thee out:  
There shalt thou pass a pleasant life, commanding me and mine:  
Then love, beloved Rosamund, a King subjects him thine.  
He kissed, She blushed, and long it was ere love from her he wrong,  
For, whilst up played in her heart, it paused on her tongue.   

Not sibyls cave at Cuma, nor the Labyrinth in create  
Was like the Bower of Rosamund, for intricate and great.  
The pelican there nests his Bird and sporteth oft with her,  
Conducted by a Clew of thread, else could he not but ere.  
Besides her maids, a Knight of trust attended on her there,  
Who suffered for her beauty, long concealing it for fear:  
At length at full and formally he courted her for grace,  
But all in vain, nought booted him to have both time and place:  
Henry, quoth she, begun and he shall end my thoughts unchaste:  
Nor peached she him, nor he, dismissed, did hold himself disgraced.   

The Kings three sons had notice of their Fathers Leiman now,  
So had the Queen, and the yof such coriving disallow.  
Came I from France Queen Dowager, quoth she, to pay so dear  
For bringing him so great a wealth as to be cuckqueaned here?  
Am I so old a woman, he so young a wanton grown,  
As that I may not please, that pleased, and still might with his owen?  
What is the Drab, or tempting devil? or wherefore doteth he?  
The French King once, himself even now, for fair preferred me.  
And hath he toiled up his Game? and settels he to love her?  
Nor heaven nor hell shall cross my course but that I will remove her.  
Like Phrogne, seeking Philomela, she seeketh for and found  
The Bower that lodged her husband's love, built partly under ground:  
She entered, but so intricate wear turn to and fro,  
That well-near she had lost herself, but could not find her Foe:  
yet out she got, and back she goes with her Attendants, who  
Admire their furious Mistress, and mislike what she would do.   

With her confederates oft she went, prevented of her will,  
Howbeit last did prevail: For hap did hit so ill,  
That whilst the Knight did issue out, suspecting no assault,  
He was assailed, & from his giding clue they caught.  
So won they unto Rosamund: Whom when the Queen did view,  
Most bravely clad in rich Attire (her self more rich of hue)  
The beauty and the braveness of the Person and the place  
Amazed her and hers, who stood at gaze a certain space.  
No marvel, quoth the Queen, that oft the Court did miss the King,  
Soon such an Hebe hither such a Jupiter might bring:  
Now, trust me, wear she not a whore, or any's whore but his,  
She should be pardoned: But in faith I must not pardon this.  
A quean corival with a Queen? Nay kept at rack & Manger?  
A Husband to his honest bed through her become a Stranger?  
Abide who list, abye she shall, how so I buy the danger.   

Fair Rosamund surprised thus, ear thus she did suspect,  
Fell on her humble Knees, and did her fearful hands erect:  
She blushed out beauty, whilst the tears did wash her pleasing face,  
And begged Pardon, meriting no less of common grace.  
So farforth as it lay in me I did, quoth she, withstand,  
But what may not so great a King by means or force command?  
And daerst thou Minion, quoth the Queen, thus article to me?  
That then wert nonplus when the King commenced Lust to thee:  
Nay, best he take thee to the Court, Be thou his Queen, do call  
Me to attendance, if his Lust may stand for law in all:  
I know it, Strumpet, so harps he, and thou dost hope the same:  
But lo I live, and live I will, at least to mar that game.  
With that she dashed her on the lips, so died double red:  
Hard was the heart that gave the blow, soft were those lips that bled.  
Then forced she her to swallow down (prepared for that intent)  
A poisoned Potion: which dispatched, from whence they came they went.   

The wronged Wench, the Quintessence of beauty, and the same  
(save that enticed of a King) stood free from all defame,  
Did forthwith sicken, so that help for her might none be found,  
When to the Knight that guarded her, then grieved of a wound,  
She said: wear it that Henry knew his Rosamund wear thus,  
No weighty business might withhold but he would visit us:  
Full well I loved and love him still, that should not love him so,  
And for I should not worthily I labour of this woe.  
Ah Beauty, that betrays thyself to every amorous eye,  
To trap thy proud Possessors what is it but wantoness try?  
Wheare-through it seldom haps the fair from meant deceits to fly:  
At least the nicest fair alive shall vanish once as I.  
Vain Beauty stoop to virtue, for this latter is for ever,  
Wheareas' that former altereth with every air and fever.  
I pray the Queen of Pardon, whom I pardon from my heart:  
Farewell my present Friends: But thou, sweet King, where so thou art,  
Ten thousand times farewell to thee: My God, whom I offended,  
Vouch safe me Mercy: Saying which, her life she sweetly ended.   

Thus did fair Rose (no longer Rose, nor fair, in sent, or sight)  
Whom pensive Henry did inter, and soon her wrong did right,  
The Queen imprisoned and his sons, rebelling, put to flight:  
Thus wrought they sorrows to themselves in wreaking of their spite,  
Nor loved the King thenceforth the Queen, or left to err anew.   

Now rests our other promised Tale, a common Tale (if true)  
Like less had harmed Elenour, and more may profit you:  
Be bitter and it betters not, be patiented and subdue:  
King Philip is not gone but to return, which when he shall,  
Your majesty must not exclaim if so you would recall:  
Impatience changeth smoke to flame, but jealousy is Hell:  
Some wives, by Patience, have reduc'st ill husbands to live well,  
As did this Lady of an Earl, of whom I now shall tell.    

CHAP. XLII.  

AN Earl (quoth he) had wedded, loved, was loved, and lived long  
Full true to his fair Countess, yet at last he did her wrong:  
Once hunted he, until the chase, long fasting, and the heat  
Did house him in a peakish grange within a forest great:  
Where, known, & welcomed (as the place & persons might afford)  
Brown bread, whig, bacon, curds, & milk were set him on the board:  
A Cushion made of Lists, a stool half backed with a hoop  
Wear brought him, & he sitteth down besides a sorry Coupe.  
The poor old Couple wished their bread were wheat, their whig were Perry,  
Their bacon beef, their milk & curds wear cream to make him merry.  
Mean while (in Russet neatly clad, with linen white as swan,  
Herself more white, save rosy where the ruddy colour ran,  
Whom naked Nature, not the aiders of art, made to excel)  
The Good man's Daughter stars to see that all were feat and well:  
The Earl did mark her, and admire such beauty there to dwell.  
yet falls he to their homely Fare, and held him at a feast:  
But as his hunger slaked so an amorous heat increased.   

When this Repast was past, and thanks, and welcome too, he said  
Unto his host and Ostesse, in the hearing of the maid:  
Ye know (quoth he) that I am Lord of this and many towns,  
I also know that you be poor, and I can spare you pownes,  
So will I, so ye will consent that yonder lass and I  
May bargain for her love, at least do give me leave to try:  
Who needs to know it? Nay who dares into my doings pry?  
First they mislike, yet at the length for lucre were misled,  
And then the gamesome Earl did woo the Damsel for his bead.  
He took her in his arms, as yet so coyish to be kissed  
As maids that know themselves beloved and yeeldingly resist:  
In few, his offers wear so large she lastly did consent,  
With whom he lodged all that night, and early home he went.  
He took occasion often times in such a sort to hunt,  
Whom when his Lady often missed, contrary to his wont,  
And lastly was informed of his amorous haunt elsewhere,  
It grieved her not a little, though she seemed it well to bear.  
And thus she reasons with herself: Some fault perhaps in me,  
Some what is done that so he doth: Alas, what may it be?  
How may I win him to myself? He is a Man, and men  
Have imperfections: It behooves we pardon Nature then.  
To check him wear to make him check, although he now were cha'ste:  
A man controlled of his Wife to her makes lesser haste.  
If duty then or dalliance may prevail to alter him,  
I will be dutiful, and make myself for dalliance trim.  
So was she, and so lovingly did entertain her Lord,  
As fairer or more faultless none could be for Bed or Bord.  
yet still he loves his Leiman, and did still pursue that Game,  
Suspecting nothing less than that his Lady knew the same:  
Wherefore, to make him know she knew, she this devise did frame.   

When long she had been wronged, & sought the foresaid means in vain,  
She rideth to the simple grange but with a slender train:  
She lighteth, entereth, greets them well, and then did look about her:  
The guilty household, knowing her, did wish themselves without her,  
yet, for she looked merrily, the less they did misdoubther.  
When she had seen the beauteous Wench (then blushing fairness fairer)  
Such beauty made the Countess hold them both excused the rather.  
Who would not bite at such a Bait? (thought she) & who (though loath)  
So poor a Wench, but gold might tempt? sweet errors lead them both:  
Scarce one of twenty that hath bragged of proffered Gold denied  
Or of such yielding beauty balked but (ten to one) hath lied.  
Thus thought she: And she thus declares her cause of coming thither:  
My Lord, oft hunting in these parts, through travel, night, or wether,  
Hath often lodged in your House, I thank you for the same,  
For why? it doth him jolly ease to lie so near his Game:  
But for you have not Furniture, beseeming such a Guest,  
I bring his own, and come myself to see his lodging dressed.  
With that two Sumpters were discharged, in which were hang brave,  
Silk coverings, curtains, Carpets, Plate, & all such turn should have:  
When all was handsomely disposed, She prays them to have caer  
That nothing hap in their default that might his health impaer.  
And, damsel, quoth she, (for it seems this household is but three,  
And for thy parent's Age that this shall chiefly rest on thee)  
Do me that good, else would to God he hither come no more.  
So took she horse, and ere she went bestowed gold good store.   

Full little thought the county that his Countess had done so,  
Who, now returned from far affairs, did to his sweetheart go.  
No sooner set he foot within the late deformed coat,  
But that the formal change of things his wondering eyes did Note▪  
But when he knew those goods to be his proper goods (though late,  
Scarce taking leave) he home returns the Matter to debate.  
The Countess was a bed, and he with her his lodging took:  
Sir, welcome home (quoth she) this Night for you I did not look.  
Then did he question her of such his stuff bestowed so.  
Forsooth (quoth she) because I did your love and Lodging know,  
Your love to be a proper Wench, your Lodging nothing less,  
I held it for your health the house more decently to dress.  
Well wots I, notwithstanding her, your Lordship loveth me,  
And greater hope to hold you such by queat then brawls I see:  
Then for my duty, your delight, and to retain your favour,  
All done I did, and patiently expect your better haviour.  
Her Patience, Witte, & answer wrought his gentle tears to fall,  
When (kissing her a score of times) Amend, sweet wise, I shall  
He said, and did it: And your Grace may Philip so recall.   

But he (whoso he was) that thus had doubled Tales to cease  
Queen Mary's grief, for Phillip's guile, as well had held his peace:  
Her no persuading might dissuade from pe●siuenes of heart,  
Until that his unkindness in her Deaths-Scene acts it part.  
But howsoe'er or whatsoe'er her cause of death might seem,  
Her death did many a good man's life from tyranny redeem:  
For, as in Passion, so was she in papistry extreme.  
And were not the abodement bad at her to end our theme,  
Our cattle unto stronger draughts we should and would unteame,  
But to the Head▪ land shall our Plough, unless we break our beam.  
yet ere we ear to it (for it shall be our holiday)  
Of somewhat said and somewhat scaped rests thus much by the way.    

CHAP. XLIIII.  

BEFORE we touched (& little else) what Courses happed at home,  
But now, in few, at foreign Acts of native Kings we room:  
Of British and of English Kings, more famous than the rest,  
This sparing Catalogue ensues: whose deeds we thus digest.   

* Ae●eas offspring famous Brute did set from Greekish thrall  
Six thousand Phrygian Knights; by him did guian▪ Guffer fall:  
He conquering this isle, his Name unto his Conquest gave:  
And of his Cornish Cambries men courageous yet we have.  
* Torkes Builder Ebranke that subdued the ●imbrians and the Gauls,  
And built the best of Scottish towns, next in our number falls.  
* When Brennus and Belynus had Eight spacious kingdoms won,  
Had slain two consuls, sacked Rome, and matchless arms had done,  
And built ten Cities, best that be in Italy this day,  
Those kingly Brothers, as must all, their debt to Nature pay.  
* G●rg●●nus slew the Dactan King: won Tribute: and the same  
Gave Spanish Exiles Ireland, whence our Scottish Nation came.  
* C●ssi●●lane did twice beat back from British Seas and Shore  
The worthy Caesar, that but then was victor evermore:  
And thirdly had prevailed but for Luds revolted son,  
When as brave Nennius' hand to hand of Caesar honour won.  
* Guydar and Arviragus won of Claudius Caesar spoil:  
The former in a second Field did s●out Vespasian foil.  
* When as the wandering Scots and Piccts King Mar●us had subdued,  
He gave the livers dwellings, less than where they since intru'de.  
* Constanti●s, wedding Coyls heir, was monarch of the West,  
Who, with this islands sceptre, of Rome's Empire was possessed.  
* Great Constantine, that worthily a worthy might be said,  
The British Roman Emperor, throughout the world obeyed,  
He made his Siege Byzantium, that retains his name ere since,  
And made (but so unwitting marred) the Priest of Rome a Prince.  
* Maximian as imperial and as valorous as any,  
With British armour did subdue both Kings and kingdoms many.  
* What speak we of great Arthur, of his chivalry or Court?  
Precelling all, sole precedent of virtue prow's and port,  
A King of many Kings, his Knights in all Exploits were seen,  
He was in deed a worthy, and the Worthiest of the Neene.  
* five crowns King Malgo prized. * And in battles fifty five  
Against the miscreants valiantly did King Alured thrive:  
●ollo (whose seed should conquer us) he hence did bravely beat:  
That, ma●ger France, in Normandy his Scythian troops did seat▪  
* He that re-monarchized our isle King Athelstone did slay  
Six Kings, twelve Dukes, and countless tale of Heathen in one day:  
The one of nine, his Knight Sir Guy, we touch but by the way:  
Omitting other Kings and Knights, too long in few to say,  
Of British race a many, and of Saxon Princes some,  
Whose blood by Normaine Mixture now is tripartite become:  
O● (For, perhaps, from such Consort the Brutes casseerd will be)  
Three blended bloods of Nations three hath given us Natures three,  
The Saxon prowess, Dan●sh pomps, and Normaine Pollicee:  
And of the Romans and the Pic●ts we are no portion small:  
Four of which Nations Scythia bred, we thriving in them all.   

* KIng William, England's conqueror, from Rollo sixth, with prey  
Of twice five hundred towns in France vn-●o-met sailed away.  
* Henry the second, upon whom the Scotch-King tendant was,  
(Which Scots their often overthrows we henceforth overpass,  
Who to our Kings, Lords Parramounts', not wars but uproars bring)  
Spoiled Frauncè, won Ireland, and deceased of Juda chosen King.  
* Next Lyon-harted Richard he won Cypris, Syria, and  
jerusalem, debelling quite the Sowldan from his Land:  
He scaled the strong Egyptian host, and kinged his sister's son,  
And plagued France and ostrich for the wrongs they had him done.  
* First Edward made the Turks, Sauoies, the French, & Flemings tremble.  
* The third so named to them and more did Mars himself resemble:  
Whose Knights, in 2. Richard's days, so tickeld France, and Spain,  
And parts Lugdinian, that no King but Richard seemed to rain:  
Ten thousand were his household: Scotch digests we here disdain.  
* The fourth and * fifth of Henry's were as actious as the rest:  
Especially the latter was the foremost with the best.  
* Not yet Fourth Edward's honour from his Ancestors digressed.  
On these do vulgar ears and Eyes so brimly wait and gaze,  
As they distaske our private pen notorious Laudes to blaze.  
Our Catalogue omitteth some for arts and justice good,  
Some natur'de well, advised ill, some worthy Lethe flood:  
Not one forecited but deserves at least an Homer's Muse,  
Although with Agamemnon's vail Apelles' shift I use:  
But colours to that Painter, Art unto that Poet none  
So good, to paint and praise at full our following Crowns, save one,  
Since Tuders seed, Henry the seventh, arrived England's Throne.   

NOr superstitiously I speak, but H. the letter still  
Might be observed ominous to England's good or ill.  
First, Hercules, Hesione, and Helen were the cause  
Of war to Troy, Aeneas seed becoming so Out laws.  
Humbar the Hu●n with foreign arms did first the Brutes invaide.  
Helen to Rome's imperial Throne the British crown conveyed.  
Hengist and Horsus first did plant the Saxons in this isle.  
Hunger and Hubba first brought Danes that swayed here long while  
At Harold had the Saxon end: at Hardiknought, the Dane.  
Henry's the first and second did restore the English rain.  
Fourth Henry first to Lancaster did England's crown obtain.  
Henry litigious Lancaster and York unites in peace.  
Henry the Eight did happily Rome's Irreligion cease:  
The Father of our Mother Nurse, our common joys increase.  
Which double H. and H. H. here our homely poems Lee,  
He save that salueth all our sins: And, God, vouchsafe thou me  
A prosperous Course in sailing through the Ocean deep and large  
Of her now-Highnes sceptre, for I here assume that Charge.     

TO THE RIGHT honourable LORD, SIR GEORGE CAREY Knight, Baron of Hunsdon, etc.  

THough late I wright, too soon I wots, I here Occasion take,  
(May this to none, wish I, but me retreat to sorrow make)  
Both to remember Hi● We meant our Penn-Lee tore-use,  
As to trans-patronize from him to you mine orphan Muse.  
Not one alive that shall not die, thrice happy than the same  
That, as your Noble Father, shael survive themselves in Fame.  
Both epitaphs and Elegies his ghost hath many an one:  
Alas, what can I say not said, or more than moend him moon?  
Not matter more than much, nor more for ●ruth than matter scant,  
Or less of glory than of both, would to his Poet want:  
But, were a nonplus of his Praise, all were but this in gross,  
His Good to his own soul is Good, his Death to us is loss.  
What should I add his ancient crests, and noble Petegrae?  
Such as that Henry (Primer of you Hunsdon Barons) be  
Your lordship, to your country, Prince, and such in high Degree▪  
And such as you, when you are not, succeed the Careys blood  
In stiil-Descents: and than this wish how may I wish more good▪  
My Syrinx sounded first to you, and may ear long anew:  
B● you Maecenas also to this poesy doth ensue.  
His had it been, had he yet been, that had the rest, which now  
Yields humbly yours, if it for yours your lordship shall allow.  
Most humbly your honours, William Warner.    

THE NINTH book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. XLIIII.  

AVert your eyes and ears, all ye, that envy her the fame  
Of more renowned Regment than our fluent Thoughts can name.  
Ye that conceit such poems as more learned not conceive,  
Read not the rest, but silently even at this line do leave.  
Ridled Poesies, and those significantly flow,  
Differ in ears as do in mouths the Apricock and slow.  
physicians bills not Patients but Apothecaries know:  
Some modern Poets with themselves be hardly inward so:  
Not intellectively to write is learnedly they trow:  
Whereby they hit Capacities, as blindman hits the Croe.  
Nor Those, not These, fear thou, my Muse, but mildly sing the prays  
Of these our present times, less gross than those of elder days.  
Our world hath made it course that as the moon doth wax & wain  
From gold to silver, then to iron, and now to gold again.  
Of whose faire-cured leprosy from former twain to gold,  
(For in a Quintessence was all ear God's worlds-curse of old)  
The undeluding alchemist is that Elizabeth  
Whom English, yea and Alients, hold a goddess on the Earth.  
Elizabeth by Peace, by war, for majesty for mild,  
Enriched, feared, honoured, loved, at well meant toys hath smiled,  
Let then Mnemosines control, as well they may our Muse,  
We shall such grace where we transgress for Supersedias use.  
Phoebus, thine humbled Phaeton this second boon doth ask,  
‛ That thou wouldst give, and jointly guide, to, & with me, thy task:  
Infuse Apollo too into thyself, thyself in me:  
yet then our mighty subject threats will much omission be.  
But what implore I Fictions? that I well employ my pen,  
Eternal God, say thou (which thou alonely canst) Amen.   

When Jupiter and Arcas young (the sire, and son) had closed  
Saturnus in Italian Hell, not to be bailed suppos'de,  
Then Proserpin, black Dis his wife, inlargd the Wrangler thence,  
To vex her Sister, cross her Siers and Brothers sound pretence.  
Then she, even she whom Cynthia some, and some do Pallas call,  
(it skills not whether, either's lauds do aptly her befall)  
By Saturn, Dis, and Proserpin, guiltless molested long,  
Unto the God y'cliped, jam, thus motioneth her wrong.  
O mightiest mighty, that of nought createdst all that is,  
And gauste to Man (thy noblest work) himself, and all for his,  
And, save Obedience, didst impose on him no other Fine,  
And, disobeying, didst redeem his loss with dearest thine,  
Which self same thine, and still same-Oures, I also intercesse,  
For thee professing being wronged, to have at length redress.  
Scarce this was said when thus ensewd, the Three wear rapted hence.  
Saturn and Dis confined their Hells: Proserpin her offence,  
Grown through misguides, venial perhaps, we censure in suspense,  
And fair, loved, feared, Elizabeth here goddized ever sense.   

For me to wrest from Hercules his Club as easy wear,  
As in the Ocean of her fame, with choicest sails, to bear  
That freight, that with the Indian wealth may more than much compare.  
yet how th'Italian fiends did fret and hitherto inveigh  
Against thy glory, gracious saint, wear overlong to say.  
But he that of a Prisnor thee so great a Prince did frame,  
Thy loving, and beloved God, to thee is still the same.   

King Phillips-selfe (so doting on his Pope-created crew,  
That, he it suffering, his own Son and heir those Locusts slew,  
Because they feared he would prove unto the gospel true,)  
Even Philip, now that raketh hell for rascal bribed Skomes  
To rid thee hence (indignities that badly him becomes)  
Once had thee, than not having power to do thee any harm.  
It is the work of God (let Rome uncursse, let Spain unarm)  
That thou art Queen, to plant his word, when we could hope it least,  
When Ours, & all the Kings had cast their crowns before the beast,  
When greedily the priests of Baal did for thy ruin gape,  
Thou didst, unharmde, the lions den and fiery oven escape.  
Even them when triumphs were in hand, bells rung, & bonfires made,  
Because Queen Mary of a son delivered was said,  
Even then, I say, God mortified that womb, to bring to pass,  
That unto thee, his Queene-elect, no Issue letting was:  
That soon Religion and our realm might welcome wished peace:  
Mayest thou, the Cause thereof, survive long after my decease.  
But if it be his will, to whom are all events foreknown,  
That papistry shall in our Land again erect her Throne,  
Let Spaniards, or what Tyrants else, be Masters here, so they  
Take also with our Land our lives, and rid us out the way.  
For not they only die, but die in lingering Torments, who  
Fault to their Inquisition, o● their Damned rites must do:  
Then better Bodies perish than should souls miscarry too:  
Of neither which hath Rome or Spain remorse, but thirsting Sway,  
Regard not whom, by whom, or how, they treacherously berray:  
How oft have they, the rest o'er past, suborned our Queen's decay?  
By wars, wiles, witchcrafts, daggers, dags, Pope, poison, & what not?  
To her have they attempted death, for liewe the traitors lot:  
Vouchsafe, O God, those loves of thine be nevermore forgot.  
Was never any thrived yet that threatened her amiss:  
For of anointed Princes God sole judge and Rector is.  
And if Examples might prevail, than traitors might perceive,  
They perish in their purpose, or but spiders webs do weave.  
And here occasion apteth that we catalogue awhile,  
And unto English Dukes, from first to last, address our Style:  
Though numbers greater, & as great of power, did pride beguile,  
yet in this one degree observe what headding and exile:  
If then such Mighties felt Gods frown, shall Meaners hope his smile?    

CHAP. XLV.  

EDward, surnamed the black Prince, and third Edward's eldest son,  
Third Thomas Duke of Norfolk, This did end, and That begun,  
From Normaine William's conquest here of Dukes the Title hie:  
Of forty seven, but twenty two a natural death did die.  
Edward the Duke of York, that lead fifth Henry's vanguard Knightly,  
Then slain at Agincourt with fame, we overpass him lightly:  
Nor Humphrey Duke of Gloucester here catalogue we rightly:  
Nor William Duke of Suffolk, who, exiled, on seas was met,  
And, hated, headed: howbeit sixth Henries favoret:  
Nor Edmund Duke of Somerset, that Henry's loved peer:  
Nor Humphrey Duke of Buckingham, to that same King as dear:  
Nor sweet young Richard, Duke of York, of Gloster's kin too near:  
We also two Plantagenets, both Dukes of Clarence clear,  
Of which was Thomas slain in France, George drowned in Malmsie here:  
For though these Eight remembered Dukes deceased not in their beads,  
yet none of these had traitorous hearts that forfeited their heads:  
Howbeit, otherwise, of these wear some that erred so,  
That, stomached for such Errors, did their ends untimely grow.  
Nor was the Duke of Ireland, Vere, in second Richard's time,  
A traitor, but a Parasite, which proud no less a crime:  
He as ambitious, as he was envious, and envied,  
Was banished by the Nobles, and in banishment he died.  
Mowbreie of Norfolk (right or wrong) by foresaid Richard was  
Exiled, and in Italy did hence to nature pas.  
When second Richard was deposed, and Henry wore the crown,  
Two Hollands, to restore the one and put the other down,  
Conspiring, wear detected, and at Cercester they both,  
Of Excester, and Surrey Dukes, found death in Vulgar wrath.  
Richard Plantagenet, the Duke of York, fourth Edward's father,  
Sought to depose fixed Henry, and was heard therein the rather,  
For that to him by law-Descents the sceptre did accrue:  
But they compound, howbeit wars were reared, and him they slew.  
john Holland, Duke of Excester, fourth Edward's sentence flayed,  
And was long after in the sea suspuicusly found dead.  
Then Henry, Duke of Somerset, rebelling lost his head.  
Of Edmund, Duke of Somerset, the like is also read.  
So Henry, Duke of Buckingham, third Richard's friend-foe speed.  
And that tyrannous Richard, Duke of Gloucester, his reign  
Usurped was suppressed, he for blood paid blood again.  
john, Duke of Norfolk, fought, and fell at Bosworth field. His son  
Duke Thomas, in Eight Henry's days, did heading hardly shun,  
Adjudged perpetual Durance, in Queen Mary's reign undone.  
Wolsey, that sly, officious, and too Lordly Cardinal, wrought  
(Who could & would effect his will) that to the block was brought,  
Eight Henry reigning, Edward Duke of Buckingham, whose end  
That Prelate joyed, the people moend, because his foe, their friend.  
Seimer, the Duke of Somerset, envied more than reason,  
By one that came the next to block, though mighty at that season,  
sixth Edward in minority, died, quit although of treason.  
No sooner Marie got the crown, more likely to be gone,  
But John, Duke of Northumberland, beheaded was anon,  
Who wrought to set the Diedeme jane Dudlies head upon.  
Her Father Henry Grace, the Duke of Suffolk, was also  
A friend unto that Faction, & the Spanish Wowers foe:  
But by that act he lost his head, as did too many more.  
In blessed Queen Elizabeth her happy reign of peace,  
The Tragedies, and titles too, of English Dukes did cease,  
Which Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, last Tragedian, did increase.   

All these wear mighty in their times: yet being malcontents,  
Both they, and hundreds powerful peers, for like found like events:  
Howbeit of the common wealth none worse did deserve,  
Than such as flattered Princes faults, who faulting, all did serve.  
Which, in their policy, the States of Hell did then foresee,  
When as they joined others, aids, unto the Furies three,  
Narcissus shadow, and the Voice of echo: than which twain,  
How fabulous soever it seem, nought hath or more doth baine:  
Wherefore to such as know them not we either thus explain.    

CHAP. XLVI.  

Where Cadmus, old Agenor's son, did rest and plant his reign,  
Narcissus (of his Of spring) there for beauty fame did gain.  
His Mother was Lyriope, fair Thetis fairer Daughter,  
Whom chiefest as the choicest wowde, and brave Cephisus caught her.  
Boeotia was the fertile realm, Parnassus' plain the place  
Where this admired Youth was borne, this Lass-Lad form and face,  
No Nymph so fair but wished him hers, howbeit all in vain:  
His self-love wrought his selfe-losse, & his beauty proved his bane,  
Who, proud of nature's plenty, held all others in disdain:  
Till God, who had created Man the fairest Creature,  
(Howbeit but a shadow of his proper Feature,  
More differing far than sunshine from the sun's selfe-substance pure)  
Narcissus over-scornfull pride not longer would endure,  
But from his form, that pleased him most, his plague did thus procure.  
As this same fond self-pleasing Youth stood at a fountains brim,  
And proudly sees his shadow there, admiring every limb,  
Echo, an amiable Nymph, long amorous of him,  
But loving, unbeloved, now, at least to please her Eye,  
Conveys herself, unseen, into a Thicket joining by,  
And there, as much overgo with love, as he overgo with pride,  
She hears, and sees, and would have pleased three Senses more beside  
And nothing more than every part, thus stealth-seene, liked her,  
And nothing less, than hidden with unhidden to confer,  
For well it had contented then in more than sight to err,  
Although not meanly did his scorn 'gainst it her stomach star,  
Mean while the Lad (such power hath pride men's Senses to subdue)  
Dotes on his Shadow, now supposed to be a Substance true:  
And lastly wowes so formally in words and gestures sweet,  
That echo found his error: and, he saying, Let us meet,  
Let's meet, quoth echo, mockingly: which, hearing, he with speed,   

(believing that his shadow was a Nymph, and spoke in deed,)  
Did leap into the fountain, where that Gallant, drowning thus,  
Hath left example how like pride may cause like plague to us.   

How smooth-tongued echo, that for him in all, save voice, did pine,  
To quit his scorn, baind other fools, alike vainglorious fine,  
By soothing them, is Nas●es tale, no purpose here of mine:  
But how Narcissus shadow and this echoes voice, though they  
Have long been dead, haunt now the World, is it we mean to say.   

PLuto, Minos, Radamant, and all th'infernal States,  
Did pitch a Session, to correct remissness in debates:  
Devising Orders that on Earth might more Disorders be.  
Tisiphone, Allecto, and Megaera, these same three  
Wear shrewdly checked, because it was objected, though untruly,  
That they wear idle, Hell lacked Guests, and men on Earth waxed ruly.  
The hellish Potentates therefore a new Commission framed,  
Narcissus ghost, and echoes voice, therein of Quorum named.  
These twain, and those three Furies thus, Copattentees, leave Hell,  
And diversly throughout the Earth to Soule-infecting fell.  
Leave we those others, labouring their mischiefs far and near,  
Whilst echo and Narcissus are more badly busy here.  
Crabbed Saturn, & too-boystrous Mars, direct those former's matter,  
Soft Venus, and smooth Mercury, give method to these latter:  
Those Furies roughly do effect their tragic tasks, these Twoe  
So slyely work, that sweetly men their proper sorrows woo.  
Heer-hence our gold-imbased World in view and value failed,  
For echo and Narcissus much in many things prevailed.  
Hence is it some of high estate themselves do over-like,  
Whilst deadlier wound them echoing tongues than should a foe them strike.  
Hence, whence dishonorde, some of them believe of men belied  
Their glozing grooms, as Tyrants so by them they wrong envied.  
Hence oftentimes authority looks biglier than a Bull,  
With suitors poor too sternly quick, in helping them too dull.  
Hence both in preaching, harbouring, and humility, it is  
Some prelate's sooth, be soothed, lead, and they be lead amiss.  
Hence law, sometimes, as formed of wax, through new refined wit  
Of judge or Pleador, altereth sans certainty in it.  
Hence Martialists in Discipline and ordering their war,  
Less happily, the ancient use, conceitedly, do bar.  
Hence is it that the Lawyers more affect their fluent tail,  
Than what is right, or whom they wrong, or how they speed, or fail.  
That Lawyer though who more by Art than right doth overthroe,  
Consents to sin, deceives the judge, wrongs Right, is justice foe.  
Hence flattered gentry proudly doth degenerate at last:  
And some would be believed such, that of no gentry taste.  
Hence citizens with courtiers so do vayne-it for the time,  
That with their paper Ladders they even stately castles climb:  
Then proudly prick the mounted Sers, the Harrolds, all to blame,  
Will they, nill they, urging fees to gentellize their name.  
Hence country louts land-lurch their Lords, & Courtiers prise the same.  
Hence worldlings so much study wealth that they forget the use,  
And, drudges-like, press out the Grapes, not drinking of the juice.  
Hence arrant Preachers, humming out a commonplace or two,  
With bad, ill, nought, Pope, pots, play, mack, keeping a fowl ado,  
Cogging, and cog'd-with, of a sort of lazy knaves and queans,  
That they be dolts, and preach to dolts, will hear it by no means.  
With those do these (who could they steal the Goose would stick the feather)  
The Brownist & the Barrowist, go hand in hand together.  
Hence is the fashion-Founder of new locks, looks, bas-le-maine,  
And John devisor in Attire, one fool in persons twain.  
Hence, more than with ourselves our selves, do Flatterers prevail:  
They make us proud of Virtues, known of us in us to fail:  
But less manslaughter hurts, than when Men-soothers say alhayle.   

Though echo and Narcissus haunt, and hurt, each Sex and State,  
(Our States superlative except, still one for right and rate)  
yet cheesely they with womenkind prevailed have of late:  
And thus of this two Gossips old, together met, debate.    

CHAP. XLVII.  

THE Younger of these widows (for they both had thrice been so)  
Trots to the Elders Cottage, hers but little distance fro:  
There, cowering over two sticks across, burn at a smoky stock,  
They chat how youngmen them in youth, & they did youngmen mock:  
And how since threescore years ago (they aged fourscore now)  
Men, women, & the world, wear changed in all, they know not how.  
When we were Maids (qd. th'one of them) was no such newfound pride:  
yet served I gentles, seeing store of dainty girls beside.  
Then wore they shoes of ease, now of an inch-broad, corked high:  
Black kerchief stockings, worsted now, yea silk of youthful'st dye:  
Garters of lists, but now of silk, some edged deep with gold:  
With costlier toys, for courser turns, than vied, perhaps of old.  
Fringed and ymbroidred Petticoats now beg. But heard you named,  
Till now of late, Busks, Perrewigs, masks, Plumes of feathers framed,  
Supporters, Pooters, farthingales above the loins to waire,  
That be she near so bombe-thin, yet she crosse-like seems foure-squaire?  
Some wives, gray-headed, shame not locks of youthful borrowed hair:  
Some, tiring art, attire their heads with only Tresses bare:  
Some (grosser pride than which, think I, no passed Age might shame)  
By Arce, abusing Nature, heads of antick't hair do frame:  
Once starching lacked the term, because was lacking once the toy:  
And lacked we all those toys & terms, it were no grief but joy.  
But lawful wear it some be such, should all alike be coy '  
Now dwells each Drossell in her glass: when I was young, I wots,  
On Holly-dayes (for seldom else such idle times we got)  
A tub or pail of water clear stood us in steed of glass:  
And yet (which still I bear in mind) for it I schooled was,  
Even by an holy friar, that espied me tooting so,  
Who, softly stealing at my back, cried suddenly. Ho, Ho.  
I, starting, turned and saw the friar, who, though no devil he wear,  
yet, for he was a friar, I did for soul or body fear,  
That is, lest this wear pride (whereof I sharply now should hear,)  
Or that the cockish Cowle-man (none but we alonely there)  
His ghostly calling laid apart, might carnally appear:  
But, meant he well, or mused he ill, my Mother coming in,  
Mends all amiss, and soberly the friar did thus begin.  
Young Damsels, and sometimes (quoth he) old Dotards unawaer,  
Do thus offend, whilst thus they seem upon themselves to staer:  
But what they see is not themselves: And then a Tale did tell,  
How echo and Narcissus wear authorized from Hell,  
That egging, & This acting pride, in Worldlings hearts to dwell:  
And either oft in Mirrors and in Waters beauteous seem,  
To curious gazer's inn, who those to be themselves do deem.  
Fly glass and water-tooting, girl, Narcissus fall extreme:  
Fear flattery too: for Men to maids be echoes to subdue,  
The friar said: and all too soon I found his sayings true.  
yet then he seemed to have told a Tale but of a tub,  
Which three score Wynters-aged Sores even now, do freshly rub.  
My Parents they wear wealthy, and myself in wanton youth,  
Was fair enough, but proud enough, so Foole-enough in truth.  
I might have had good Husbands, which my destiny withstood:  
Of three now dead (ah, grief is dry, gossip, this Ale is good)  
In faith not one of them was so: for by this drink I swear,  
(Requarrelling the Cup, whose lips and it unparted wear,  
When th'other Beldamme, great with chat (for talkative be Cups)  
The former's Prate, not worth the while, thus fond interrups.   

WHen I (quoth she) the country left to be a London Las,  
I was not fairer than myself believed fair I was.  
Good God, how formal, pranked, and pert, became I in a trice,  
As if unto the Place it wear a Nature to be Nice.  
Scarce entered I the teens, but that to Wed my will was hot:  
Ye that be married, and intent to marry, well I wots,  
The Priest no sooner said, but I upon my tiptoes stand,  
As if that Lesson had concerned myself, even out of hand.  
The same proportion with my heart my groeth nor age did hold:  
Days seeming years, when I, Vn-wead, was sixteen winters old.  
And growing was the green Disease, which men in maids do cure,  
When came a lover, I, (forsooth) becoming full demure.  
For erst I had observed this art, Delay gives men desire:  
yet loath to hurt my haste, and lest the Hansell should retire,  
I was not over coy, nor he to warm him at my fire.  
I'll blab (for why? for it and more that I in youth did do,  
Long since I passed ghostly shriftes, penance, and pardons too)  
Such match we made, that maid, nor Wife, nor widow, left he me,  
But with my maidenhead he crossed the Seas, and farewell he:  
For from my fault could not, as chan'st, the summoner prole a fee:  
My belly did not blab, so I was still a maid, and free.  
It comfort should in loss to think we had not once to lose,  
And what we have as ever to be held should none suppose:  
But not in me this sentence held: more eagerly than erst  
I on the bridle bite, as loath to fast that late did feast.  
Swift gallops tire both man and horse, soone-hot, is soone-cold love,  
No Man, I mean, love-hot as mine, loves as the Turtell dove,  
And, in good sooth, a sot is she, that cog'd-with cannot cog:  
As readily my love did gad, as did my lover jog.  
Tush, in those times wear no such toys as Gagate stones to try,  
By toysting them in Potions, if a maid had trodden awry.  
But this was rather currant, yea each holy father's lore,  
That therefore Nature sweeteneth love, that it the world might store.  
Which made me think it then a sin (so tender hearted I)  
Beloved, not to love again, indangring men to die:  
(For so they swore they would, nor then believed I men would lie:  
Whom now I know chameleons, whilst to pray on us they ply.)  
yet better times were those than these for our avail, for why?  
Even for good-fellowship at least then wert they roundly to it,  
Now ear they love (if ever love) sententiously they doc it.  
Who loves not for the Person but the Portion loves no whit,  
But he that loves for only love, doth reason quite forgit,  
Say men, and article the Match, less by true love than Wit.  
Ungrateful Men, what would ye more than love for love? than we  
Be close, neat, bounteous, buxom, and our bodies Masters ye?  
Too curious, pettish, jealous, too imperious, too unstable,  
Are Men, say Women: but to beat such fools with their own babble,  
As when that I was young, our Sex is now, troe I, as able.  
Old doting fool, one foot in grave, what prattell I of youth?  
Contrition, not Shrift-pennance cure, if preach our Vicar truth.   

Hear, after little pause, they prate confusedly, I wots:  
Whose talk had often ended, had the Period been the Pot.  
They told how forward Maidens wear how proud if in request  
How bribed, praised, promised fair, men badst out the best.  
They talked of a widows tears, her haste again to weade,  
He gone forgot, his orphan wronged, she spoiled, an unthrift speed,  
They pratteld too of London youths, how late their heady gaer  
Might have invited to a sack, where they preposed no shaer.  
They talked of times when beasts could speak, of Foxes, and of Apes:  
Much needle's prattel, what through drink, and Dotage, them escapes  
yet echoes and Narcissus voice and shadow (now as then,  
Working against humility, of wants the worst in men)  
Caused them as thus to use their prate, and me of this my pen,  
And to these glorious Follies too those Furies say Amen.    

CHAP. XLVIII.  

THE Monarch of that Continent that doth, in one, contain  
Five ancient sceptres (for he would the world wear wholly Spain)  
As Castille, Arragon, Navarr, Granado, Portugaile  
Be newly named, yea India where castilian powers prevail:  
These, States in Africa, Lombardy, Peru, Assores, and  
Both Cicells, Austra, Barbary, Naples, with netherlands,  
And many other provinces, by such ambition got,  
As giveth his Impressa life to verify the Mot,  
Him not sufficing (for it saith, the World sufficeth not)  
Even he, I say, affecting reign in England, Almain, France,  
And all Europa, lately did an holy League advance.  
The Pope, himself, Savoy, and Guise, therein Confedrates chief:  
●ome wrought by Bulls, Savoy by Sword, Spain yielded Guise relief,  
Guise did religious Treason act: but all did fail, in brief.  
Geneva is unsacked, France yields Rome small profit, Spain  
By cost hath lost, England, through God, triumphant doth remain,  
Navarre hath means to have Navarre: and, when shall God so please,  
The rightful heir of Pertagale his empire shall re-seaze.  
Ye Christian Princes, pity him, in punishing his foe,  
That now afflicteth him, and would on you tyrannize so.  
If one self-same Religion (if Religion Romistes have)  
If nature's Line, or native laws, the Pope that so did crave,  
If to have had possessed the crown, with Portagales' applause,  
Might have prevailed, these and more had helped Antonius' cause.  
But bribed traitors, fraud, and force, have made the Spaniard such,  
That Castille, from a Cronet leapt, thinksmany crowns not much.  
The great Navarrois, Samson, stauld the first Castilian King:  
But badly Castille quits his love whence did that honour spring:  
And from his Line by treachery the diadem doth wring.  
So, by what right or wrong so-eate, Spain cloureth crowns together  
And aimeth, even from Portugal, as is supposed, hither:  
Not wanting English, willing to be hopled in that Teither.  
But traitors, fools, & fugitives, Whom provendor doth prick,  
Ensue your proper sorrow, lean upon that rotten stick,  
Your kindness shall not miss, at least, this kindly Spanish trick.   

WHen Spaniards and their partizens' erewhile should us invaide,  
In plotting of that stratagem in council much was said:  
Some of our Queen to be destroyed, of murdering us some spoke,  
Some this, some that, but all of all an altered World to make:  
Lest English Papists, then shut up in Elie and elswheare,  
Mean time by us might lose their lives, some One, by chance did fear,  
Which scruple was removed soon by one, that well did know,  
Not for religion, but a realm, did Spain that cost bestow.  
Our drift (quoth he) a Conquest is, the Profit meant to Spain,  
Not that the English Papists should be Sharers of the gain.  
So hope they, but (so help me God) our policy wear small  
That they should flourish, nay, should live, could we procure their fall.  
There be they great already, where we only great must be,  
Whom, should they equal, woe to us when we shall disagree:  
Now that therefore which we cannot with honesty contrive,  
Our Foes shall finish, if of them they leave not one alive.  
Thus said he, not gainsaid: for hang who shall so they may thrive.   

This maxim hath held, and good, where they have overthrow  
By treacherous Agents, of the same they have not trusted one:  
Add, than the Spaniard, prouder and more cruel People none.  
Even Cortes, that with cost and pain, rich India did subdue,  
And gave to Spain his Conquest, found false Meede for service true.  
So they that won them Portugal, and Naples speed, in few:  
And too imperiously do they, oppress their Conquests new:  
yet boast not perpetuity, but (Spain) this pattern view.   

Caldea prized Assiria, and Assiria prized the same,  
The Medes and Persians both, and them the Macedons o'ercame,  
The Romans' then, that empire next had France, the Germans now,  
Which only Title hardly do the Spaniards them allow,  
Spain hath Navarre, that once had Spain, where once crowned we their King,  
And once did Spanish-Irish-Scots us to subjection bring,  
We Scots, French, Irish: too and fro thus often sceptres fly:  
Yea to Posterities old names of Lands and people's die.  
Sicambries, Gauls, Picts, Vandels, Goths, & Astrogothes, known late  
In Europe by these names, have changed those names, & Europa's State,  
And with the Spaniards, part of those, may alter in like rate.  
Each bird shall then remaunde her Plumes, and naked leave your jay,  
At lest when Philip shall decease: and why not ear that day?  
For power and prows lack Turnus' peer, yet when his Fates withstood,  
Iturna, no not junos-selfe, could do him any good.  
But Godhoode none in Indian gold, & pope-buld hopes shall miss,  
Nor Macedonian Phillips son Castilian Philip is:  
But one who, whilst he wars for ours, hath lost even part of his.  
Not only Spain think destinate in pomp not to impaier,  
Our lived long, that breathes, envied, not else but odious air:  
And (which is monstrously too true) Religion is pretext,  
Where through the Spaniard and the Pope all Christendom have vexed.  
Witness their Powers, by Land and Seas, that threatened us er'while:  
Of it a word: and note how God did patronize our isle.    

CHAP. XLIX.  

THe Spaniards long time Care & cost, invincible surnamed,  
Was now a float, whilst Parma to from Flanders hither aimed,  
Like fleet, of eightscore Ships & odd, the Ocean never bore,  
So huge, so strong, and so complete, in every Strength and Store.  
Carikes, galleons, Argosies, and galliass, such  
That seemed so many castles, and their tops the clouds to touch.  
These on the lizards show themselves, & threaten England's fall:  
But there with Fistie ships of ours that fleet was fought withal.  
Howbeit of a greater sort our navy did consist,  
But part kept diet in the port, that might of health have mist,  
Had Spayns Armada of our wants in Plimmouths' haven wist.  
The rest had eye on Parma, that from Flanders armour threats:  
Mean while Lord Charles our Admiral, and Drake, did worthy Feats:  
Whose fearless fifty Moole-hils bod their trypeld mountains base,  
And even at first (so pleased it God) pursued as if in chase:  
By this (for over-idle seemed to English hearts the Shore)  
Our Gallants did embark each-wheare, and made our Forces more  
But in such warlike Order then their ships at anchor lay,  
That we, unless we them disperse, on bootless labour stay:  
Not lacked policy that to that purpose made us way.  
Ours fired divers ships, that down the Currant sent, so skaerd,  
That Cables cut, and Ankers lost, the Spaniards badly faerd.  
Dispersed thus, we spare not shot, and part of them we sink,  
And part we board, the rest did fly, not fast enough they think.  
Well guided little Axes so force tallest oaks to fall,  
So numbrous herds of stately Hearts, fly Beagles few and small.  
Nine days together cha'ste we them, not actious, save in flight  
About Eight thousands perished by famine, sea, and fight.  
For Treasure, ships, and Carrages, lost honour, prisoners ta'en,  
The Spaniards, hardly scaping hence, scaped not rebukes in Spain.   

Well might thus much (as much it did) cheer England, but much more  
Concurrancie from one to all to stop that common Sore.  
Even catholics (that erred name doth please the Papists) waer  
As forward in this quarrel as the foremost arms to bear:  
Recusants and Suspects of noote. Of others was caer.  
And had not our God-guided Fight on Seas prevailed, yet  
The Spaniards, land whereso they could, had with our Armies met.  
Our common Courage wished no less, so lightly feared we Foes,  
Such hope in God, such hate of them, such hearts to bar●er blows.  
Hear flamed the Cyclops Forges, Mars his armory was here,  
Himself he sheds in us, and with our Cause ourselves we cheer.  
But (which had scar●●fide our wounds, if wounded, with the balm  
Of her sweet Presence, so applaused as in sea-storms a calm)  
Her royall-selfe, Elizabeth our sovereign lawful Queen,  
In magnanimous majesty amidst her troops was seen.  
Which made us weep for joy: nor was her kindness less to us.  
Think nothing letting then that might the common Cause discus,  
Where Prince and People have in love a sympathy as thus.   

Howbeit Force, nor policy, but God's sole providence,  
Did clear fore-bosted Conquest and behighted thraldom hence.  
He in Saneherib his nose did put his hook, and brought  
Him back again the way he came, without performing aught:  
He fought for us, Alonely we did shout and Trumpets sound,  
When as the walls of ●●rico fell flat unto the ground.  
Y●a lest (for erst did never here like strong Supplies befall,  
Like loyal hearts in every one, like warlike minds in all,  
Less spaer of Purses, more foresight, and valiant Guides to act,  
As showed our hardy little Fleet that battle never slacked)  
least these, I say, might have been said the cause that we subdued,  
Even God, to glorify himself, our gained Cause pursew'de,  
Without our loss of Man, or Mast, or Foe once touching Shore,  
Save such as wracked, wea●e Prisnors, or but landing, lived not more:  
And as in public prayers we did his defence implore,  
So being Victors, publicly, we yielded thanks therefore.  
Her highness self (good cause she had) in view of every eye,  
On humbled Knees did give him thanks that gave her victory.   

Remaineth, what she won, what Spain & Rome did lose in fame:  
Remaineth, Pope's use Potentates but to retrieve their Game.    

CHAP. L.  

IF not with minds prejudicate, but holding in suspense  
A while the papacy, that takes and gives so much Offence,  
With single hearts, and eyes, and ears, all christian Princes would  
Peruse the sacred Scriptures (as in very deed they should)  
Then might they justly censure, how in lowliness, or pride,  
In charity, or cruelty, how strait to God, or wide,  
In Doctrine, and in Discipline, Rome hath, and now doth guide,  
With still provisoes from the lay the Scriptures light to hide,  
Lest should (as would, and clearly doth) their cozening be espide●  
Whereby, even ipso facto, is their Cause against them tried:   

The sin of Pride made Lucifer 'gainst God himself rebel,  
And through that sin he so seduced that Adam also fell.  
Then played he Rex o'er all the Earth, except a faithful few:  
Till Christ, incarnate, on the cross Synns kingdom did subdue.  
Then Christ, was powerful in the world, for Faith had practice right:  
And what could more our Ghostly Foe than Faith & Practice spite?  
His ancient stratagem therefore to plant he casts anew,  
And by the pride of only works from Faith a many drew.  
Then were such honours heaped on Popes, (Worlds-A●iects ere that time)  
That Lucifer himself than they presumed not more to climb.  
Their golden Legend, though not it authentic be in aught,  
To us doth teach a story that to them might now be taught.   

There was a Man of stature big, and big withal in mind,  
For serve he would, yet One than whom he greater none might find.  
He, hearing that the Emperor was in the world most great,  
Came to his Court, was 〈…〉 tertaynd, and, serving him at meat,  
It chanced the devil was named, whereat the Emperor him blest:  
When as, until he knew the cause, the pagan would not rest.  
But when he heard his Lord to fear the devil his ghostly Foe,  
He left his service, and to seek and serve the devil did go:  
Of heaven, or hell, God, or the devil, he erst nor heard nor card,  
Alone he sought to serve the same that would by none be dared.  
He met (Who soon is met) the devil, was entertained, they walk,  
Till, coming to a cross, the devil did fearfully it baulk.  
The servant, musing, questioned his Master of his fear:  
One Christ, quoth he, with dread, I mind when doth a cross appear.  
Then serve thyself, the giant said, that Christ to serve I'll seek.  
For him he asked an Hermit, who advised him to be meek, found,  
By which, by Faith, and works of alms, would sought-for Christ be  
And how & where, to practise these he gave Directions sound.  
Then he, that scorned his service late to greatest Potentates,  
Even at a common Ferry now to carry all awaits.  
Thus doing long, as with a Child he over once did weighed,  
Under his Loode midway he ●aints, from sinking hardly stayed.  
Admiring how, and ask who, was answered of the child,  
As on his Shoulders Christ he bore, by being humbly mild,  
So through humility his soul to Christ was reconciled,  
And, of his carriage, christofer should thenceforth be his name.  
Then let this popish Scripture, Popes, at least you converts frame:  
Of which converting, christofers ye thenceforth shallbe said:  
If not, apply and perish in your Luciferring Traid.  
Ye know, I know, that but in Christ may no Redemption be:  
So your great friend, our gardener, on his deathbed could agree:  
But to the vulgars' open not, 'gainst Rome, that gap, quoth he.  
So miserable is your state who, seeing, will not see,  
That Christofer, ear christofer, was Atheist less than ye.   

Well answered once a King of ours the Pope, that bod him free  
Two prelate's, terming them his sons: The King seemed to agree,  
But sent their complete armour: look are these thy Sonne●, quoth he.  
False Hesket too not falsely spoke, reporting lately this,  
That such as Papists would seduce, and of seducing miss,  
Are marked dead: For he to whom he so did say, fear I,  
Earl Ferdinando Stanley, so dissenting, so did try,  
As other peers, here, and elsewhere, have found the like no lie.  
Nor preached he the Pope amiss, that did to him apply  
This Tex, to wit: This is the heir, come on and let him die,  
Th' Inheritance let us enjoy: Nought seek they else, for why?  
Those bad be good that give, those good be bad that gifts deny,  
From Annanias literal fault they Consciences would tie:  
These death-eide Basilisques therefore in every Sense do fly.  
Be of Religion jump with them, in all their toys aff●e,  
A Peter-Penny, if withhild, knocks all the rest awry.  
Hell, heaven, Bulls, Pardons, Pope, and to be Pope, doth money buy.  
Yea, too blasphemous, they encroach upon the deity,  
Though of these 〈…〉 ifers have been that perish through a Flie.  
Each sin 'gainst God, how vile soeare, will Popes with Pardons fit:  
Cross but the Pope, pardon thou him, he will not pardon it.  
For Faith his common Plea is sword and fire against his foes:  
But who, but fools, believe that Faith exacted is by blows.  
Than those three mighty Emperors, Fift Charles, with Ferdinand,  
And Maximilian, with the Pope did none more partial stand:  
yet suffered they the Consciences of Protestants in peace,  
But Philip, nor the Pope will now their Inquisition cease:  
Though Either suffer Jews, and stews, because of gains increase.    

CHAP. LI.  

THis Spanish Inquisition is a trap, so slily set,  
As into it Wise, Godly, Rich, by Blanchers base as fett.  
Direct or indirectly then to answer all is one:  
From those Inquisitors escape but very few or none.  
Even so by racking out the joints, or chopping off the head,  
Procustes fitted all his Guests unto his iron bead.  
ave Maria, Credo, and the Pater noster say,  
In Latin, else they penance thee, and take thy goods away.  
Nay, these though said, both say and do as they, yet all for nought,  
They will exact by Torture what thou thinkest, and hast thought,  
Of mass, the Pope, & Popish points, till in the Lapse thou fall:  
Then, mercy God, amongst those men no mercy is at all:  
A bloodier Law used bloodierly was never heard or shall.  
Tormenting men until they guess by whom they are acus'de,  
Which guessed, it against themselves for evidence is used:  
As who would say, so be it must, because it so is mus'de.  
Philip, abusively seduced, and world-deceiving Pope,  
Peruse all laws, even Paganizme, passed under heavens coop,  
And rightly pondering those with this, them speak your thoughts indeed,  
Was not your Draco Satan that himself could thus exceed?  
Here add for bad we might your League, if That of This had need.  
O happy and thrice happy realm of ours, and other Lands,  
Where, touching death by Clergie-doomes, the policy withstands.   

THen fretted Paul, Pope Paul the Third, when Peter came in Plea▪  
No marvel, Luther preached gold, and glory from his Sea.  
But, see an help: Ignatius then conceited had his Sect,  
And craved Confirmance of the Pope, which Paul did then reject,  
But when he heard that Orders vow might chiefly him avail,  
Them Iesuists he incorporates: nor they his Pope ship fail:  
But for his only Doctrine are Apostles, and as true,  
As to the devil the deadly-Sinnes to Popes this Order new.  
yet these be those are underhand deceived whilst they deceive:  
Witness the gallows, where for most they end those webs they weave.  
For unadvised are, me thinks, our Iesuistes in this,  
In Cell-life since so strict, and here they hanging seldom miss,  
That, for Applause at least (although even so wear bacely bad)  
They change not Treachers unto them to whom from us they gad.  
But better course than either wear secure at home to stay,  
And there with loyal hearts attend what subjects should obey,  
Where no tyrannising is over the Conscience, though it stray.  
And Men of civil Carriage, though in bodies not employed,  
Win good Report, they shiftles shame that wish their Home destroyed.   

Young English fools, for cause too true, we pity you in deed:  
First for ye are our countrymen, then for that ye proceed  
'Gainst Scripture, law, and Nature, and fools palpable, in that  
Ye note not how your Follies make our English Foxes fat:   

Allen at Rome, Others elswheare, that live hand-over-heade,  
By tasking you to broach those faults for which themselves be feed.  
Whilst these lie burrowed, safe from scathe, 'mongst you adoptive Cubs,  
They do observe the pregnanst wit, whom Discontentment rubs,  
Of Atheist, factious, desperate, or vainglorious, him they school,  
And then transport to England, there to play the dangerous fool:  
Seduciugly insisting on performance of their vow,  
That doth Rebellion, Regecide, and breach of oaths allow.  
Though David knew his sovereign Saul disfavored of God,  
And might have killed, and then been crowned, such sin his soul forbade.  
Which of the patriarches, Prophets, or God's People, whilst they saru'd  
Even ethnics, traitorously unto their own Affections carved.  
But thus do ye, nay worse, for your Darnell giddeth so,  
As Gods anointed and beloved ye censure for his Foe:  
But worst of all, by murdering her to merit heaven ye trow.   

Put case the devilish Act were done, to scape yet lacks your Charter,  
And dead with Torments, not the pain, but cause, doth make the martyr.  
Say that the Pope lacks Malice, Say yourselves do love the State,  
Too grossly yet your Doctrine faults in things of greatest wait.  
Which your Absurdities do our divines confute, I wots:  
Ye say his Popeship cannot err, We prove ye err in, Not.  
Nor in the Sacrament that Christ is really we hold.  
Your Transubstantiation we justly have controlled.  
Yours for the living and deceased propitiatory Masses,  
And purgatory, should we grant, ye might conclude us Asses.  
Your Worshipping of Images, and invocating Saints,  
And Supererogation, us with your Defects acquaints.  
Besides the Supper of our Lord, and baptism, we reject  
More Sacraments: Howbeit ye five other do erect:  
As Confirmation, Penance, with Priest-Order, marriage too,  
And extreme unction. Over more too much applause ye do  
Works Meritorious. Of the Cup the say ye do bereave:  
And of translated Scriptures, so, unspied, to deceive.  
D●●ges▪ vows, Indulgences, Confession in the ear,  
Dissolving subjects from the Faith they should their Princes bear,  
Dispensing with the Scriptures, for revenge, to please, or gain,  
Your Pardons, Pilgrimages, and your hallowed Paltries vain,  
Pope, and what-so is papistry, well may we call profane:  
Ambitious Rome, that for thy pomp not sparest souls to baine.  
Once wert thou truly catholic, corrupted foully now,  
Not outed quite the Church, A spark in her we thee allow:  
And wish thou wert, as than thou wert, when as the father's good,  
As touching Antichrist, and whence, in both misunderstood.  
No marvel, even to Daniels-selfe in mystery it was:  
And die did those good Fathers ere that Scripture came to pass.  
But now, whoso can Antichrist but etymologize,  
And knows the Pope and Rome, the Place and Man of sin descries.  
Sheep-clothed wolves, Christ's Pro-contra, the Popes have been & be:  
No place but Rome for Antichrist, none but the Pope is he.    

CHAP. LII.  

But humane pureness none is such, but it to err● is known:  
Think not we labour here your Faults, and o●uer-leape our own.  
For in the best of men the Flesh and Spirit combat still:  
One thing the Spirit, and the Flesh the contrary doth will.  
We virtue praise, but practise Vice: possessed weal we fly,  
And tract off woe. At heaven we aim, but with a worldly Eye.  
Ourselves we love, yet than ourselves we have no crosser Foe.  
For peace we war, a perverse war that doth ourselves ore-throe.  
At once we burn, and are keycold. We seem to stand that fall:  
To heal that hurt. We brag of bad. We die ere death doth call.  
We triumph while we are subdued. We bliss our proper bane.  
We gladly do subject ourselves unto each giddy vain.  
Our gadding Thoughts conceit the clouds, ourselves mean while for got.  
Our Nay is Yea, our Yea is Nay: we will, and then will not.  
Our souls like this, our Flesh lusts that As Proteus changeth, so  
Do our Affections: and our Thoughts be shifting too and fro.  
Even Hydra-like we flesh our Faults: our minds do waver still.  
Our self-conceits be winged: and we fly from good to ill.  
Our Peace with discord breeds our woe: the contrary our Ease.  
We never do but plague ourselves, whilst that ourselves we please.  
We would be we, as if not we. Us plenty maketh poor.  
We, partial, blame, enable, and disable us eremore.  
All these, and wilful sins beside, to us with you and all  
Too common we confess. But of our Doctrine speak we shall.  
Propitious be to us, O God, that Faith have practise too:  
Which we omit as publicans, as pharisees ye do.  
Our Doctrine though is gospel, yours Traditions but of Men:  
Enough of Yours: Examine Ours by Touch of Scripture then,   

Upon the only Scriptures doth our Church Foundation lay:  
Let patriarches, Prophets, gospel, and th'Apostles for us say:  
For soul and Body we affirm, are all sufficient they:  
yet ye add Canons, part corrupt, some books ye quite denay.  
We by the Hebrew, and the Greek, their primer pens, expound  
Each Scripture, by the eldest Clarks, when doubtful texts be found:  
Not by the Latin only, as ye would that all wear bound.  
So farforth yet the Fathers and the counsels we approve,  
As do their Expositions tend to sincere Faith and love.  
Else fully Scriptures, in themselves, explain themselves, say we:  
I● searched with that humble Spirit by which they written be:  
Through which is oft from literal speech a spiritual sense set free,  
Upon which sense the Catholic Church did, doth, and must agree.  
Nor doth our Church admit, at least allow, of those in her,  
That teach not Faith sincerely, win to heaven, from Hell deter,  
That with new Glozes taint the Text, or such as be unreade  
In that sweet Promise of the seed should bruise the serpent's head:  
The Alpha, and Omega, of all Scriptures, and whereby  
Of grace, through faith in Christ, our souls revive, and Sin doth die:  
Our Church affects, how so effects, such pure theology,  
And Guides, and to our natural Prince, grants sole supremacy.  
God's covenant with the patriarches, and extending to the seed,  
Us Gentiles to coequal is a Primate in our creed:  
And Christ we know the end of it. In Circumcisions place  
Is baptism. And entirely we the Tables Two embrace  
Which God himself in Sinai wrote, and gave to Moses then,  
To publish to the people, Two commandments in Ten:  
Scriptures Idea, couched in our love to God and men.  
Th'Apostles, Athanasian, Nice, and Bizain Creeds we hold  
Autentick, by the holy Spirit in sacred Writ enrolled.  
One Godhead of three Persons, in coequal majesty,  
Do we believe: of whom the son did for believers die:  
The only ransom that redeems from Satan's tyranny:  
Even Christ, the Way, the Truth, the Life, not crooked, glozed, frail,  
But right for Rule, in Promise firm, in Guerdon near to fail:  
Who to reprove the bad, approve the good, and to assure  
The wavering, and against the devil our safety to procure,  
Did, guiltless, die, that we, lost souls, might live: nought else did make  
That he, his deity adjourned, did humane Nature take:  
Nor, glorified, disclaims he us, unless we him forsake:  
And what is fruitless Faith, but such apostasy? and what  
Ensues apostasy, but to be doomed damned for that?  
No Doctrine, or Traditions, we hold currant, save the same  
That gospel, or th'Apostles Acts, or pens, include or name.  
Baptism, incorporating us in Christ, and us in one,  
Christ's mystical last Supper, where in sign his death is known,  
Be Sacraments, except which twain, do we accept of none.  
By only Christ our advocate we to the Father pray:  
Nor think we Saints deceased can our suits to him convey:  
Howbeit still most reverently of Saints we think and say.  
Unnecessary burdens, on our Christian freedom laid,  
Contrary these, that but belief, and virtuous life perswaide.  
Yea only Faith doth justify, say we, of God's free grace,  
By Christ: not Faith is idle, but doth charity embrace.  
Who may, but will not help doth hurt, we know: and curious they  
That, dribbling alms by art, disband wel-Meant from wel-Dons pay:  
And he that questions Ones distress, and doth not help endeavour,  
Than he that sees, and nothing says, or cares, is less deceiver.  
Then hope we health when sin is felt repentantly in heart:  
Add then new life, and we to God, God doth to us convert:  
Thus Peter used his keys, not thus play Pope's S. Peter's part.  
For clergymen, and say, our Church hath godly Discipline:  
Laws worthy better than sometimes are those the laws define.  
Our Princes in their Policies and laws do we obey:  
Though God his Cause they seek to cross, yet we for them do pray,  
In patience, not perverse Attempts, for better times we stay.  
Not as denied, but as devout we do and should abstain  
From meats even meet, the proud Flesh from sins excess to wain,  
Which, should we scant, & yet be drunk with lust or like were vain:  
Save also public policy doth public Sparing crave,  
In Fasts or differences of meats, no other keep we have.  
Alms deeds, and works of charity we practively profess,  
And follow Saints as they did Christ, & leave where they transgress:  
Such, and so much, as said, are we: forgive us, God, if less.  
For godly though Religion, Prince, and policy they are,  
yet things, that of themselves be good, abuse brings out of square,  
And sundry Faults in sundry Folks we sometimes must forbore:  
Howbeit with best governed States our State may now compare.    

CHAP. LIII.  

A Wise man living like a Drone, an old-Man not devout,  
Youth disobedient, richmen that are charity without,  
A shameless Woman, vicious Lords, a pooreman proudly stout,  
Contentious Christians, Pastors that their Function do neglect,  
A wicked King, no Discipline, no laws men to direct,  
Are twelve the foulest Faults that do all commonwealths infect:  
In most of all which twelve errs not, or much in any one,  
Our State, respecting this, of some, laws not abused none.   

Our God-blest Queen, Palladium of our happy public weal,  
For worth so far beyond all words, we one only touch in zeal.  
No realm than ours hath wiser laws, for every Right & Wrong:  
Nor is through Meed, or means, the weak betrayed to the Strong,  
Though of un-quaifed judges some is sung another song.  
But who the Person, not the Cause, respecteth, hath forgot  
The Creator of Persons, who and justice differ not.  
A council watchful for the State. Our Benches every where  
Supplied with judges learned, just, and such as God do fear.  
Wink here and there at Auerice, Incharitie, and Pride,  
And better clergy than is ours not Europe hath beside.  
Say me, who can, whether extreme hath harmed Religion more,  
That old of theirs too prodigal, or This of ours too poor?  
Then giving gave too slack a rain, now-Gleaning curbs too sore.  
By slavery and by simony now Church-Preferment comes:  
Like Nabal and to Helies' sons get churchmen up their crumbs.  
Too much, too little, or a mean, sort out alike, we see,  
housekeeping, nor humility, in any of the Three.  
Be hospitalious, Churchmen: Lay, cease sacrilegious sin:  
Your Soules-sore, but their Stores-salue, whence, even whiningly, they win,  
By pinching from the pulpit, and their Purses, with this note,  
Scarce will their Studies stipend them, their wives, and Children cote.  
And verily it is a fault, and maimed learning's Foe,  
That Church-Possessions should amongst the say be shared so.  
And verily it is a fault, if so the clergy live,  
As theirs to take be thought no sin, nor Meede to them give.  
Almighty everlasting God, which only workest great wonders,  
Amend such Pastors, and unite thy Flock that Satan sunders.  
No one thing quails Religion more than foundering presbytery:  
Each S●ot, impugning Order, saith, and doth his fantasy:  
Our book of Common prayer, though most sound divinity,  
They will not read, nor can they preach, yet up the pulpit tower,  
There making tedious Preachments, of no edifying power.  
O learned Seers, whose good lives and Doctrine do agree,  
(Not barren is our Land of such) heer-hence un-meant are ye:  
To you, in reverence and Reward, may nothing wanting be:  
'tis only wished your work from Dolts, your hives from Drones were free:  
'tis wished in These, in fugitives, in Papists, and (more bad,  
Whom to persuade to reason, were with reason to be mad)  
In Calophantick Puritans, amiss amendment had.   

THese Hypocrites for these three Gifts to their Laverna pray,  
Just to be thought, all to beguile, That none their Guiles bewray:  
Their art is feigning good they want, and hiding bad they have:  
Their practice is self-praise, of praise all others to deprave.  
On love, say some, waits jealousy, but jealousy wants love,  
When curiously it overplus doth idle Quarrels move.  
Best Puritans are so ore-zealed: But should I term the rest?  
Inhospitalious, Mutinous, and Hypocrites the best,  
Insociable, Maleparte, foxing their private good,  
Exiling hence well-near all Troth, meet Sports, & Neighbourhood,  
Learning's Foes, contemptuously by them be laws withstood,  
Self-pleasers, Skorners, Harlots, Drones, against the hair in all:  
Of their extreme, whence atheism breeds, be warning Hackets fall.  
If ever England will in aught prevent her own Mishap,  
Against these Skommes (no term too gross) let England shut the gap  
Their giddy heads gave colour first that Spain 'gainst Flaunders armed,  
And then their country's Foes they helped, & most their Country harmed.  
If Hypocrites why Puritans we term, be asked, in brief,  
'tis but an Ironized term, goodfellow so spells thief.  
Well-working single-hearted Men in silence (such be some)  
Will not apply, but saintish, not in deed, but by the drum.  
To union that our stablished laws for public Prayer ties  
Not all, is wondered, and offends obedient ears and Eyes.  
The rather, for known Humorists, Sots, noted Mal-Contents,  
Here innovate: and each one to a divers Sect convents,  
Too much irreu'rent, in, and to, the Church and Sacraments.  
But leaving these, retire we to ill-drifting Rome and Spain,  
Whom doth our Queen, next under God, from Europa's spoil detain.     

THE TENTH book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. LIV.  

IN Scotland, France, & netherlands, whilst Philip, and the Pope,  
Did sword, and civil Tumults broach, of prising them in hope,  
Her highness, through the highest Power, enabled was to aid  
Those Countries, to defend her own, and Phillips to invayde.  
Of Scotland first, and then of France, and Belgike shall be said:  
When first of other things shall be this short Remembrance made.   

It is a saying ancient (not authentical, I win)  
That whoso England will subdue, with Ireland must begin.  
Imagine Stukelies only name includeth all that's ill:  
He forging worth, and to our State malevolent in will.  
Of bounteous Pensions was therefore possessed in Spain long while,  
Until (for it a Nature was in Stukelie to beguile)  
The King, whom he had cozened long, him purposed to exile.  
Then for the Pope the fugitive a welcome Agent was:  
(For nothing ill, might work us ill, hath Spain and Rome let pass)  
Of him he had an army, that for Ireland's Conquest sails:  
When through a fight in Barharte that Expedition fails.  
But how had guiltless England then deserved such hostile spite?  
Her rebel why relieved they? why armed they him to fight?  
Why did? (why do I ask that know the Spaniard so ambitious,  
The remain Prelate pompious, and, which more is, avaticious?)  
Why did, I say, Pope Pius Bull, and Gregory's calf disqueate  
Our sovereign, and her subjects, that did never them mis-treate?  
Unless for Princes to give laws to theirs be to offend  
Proud Spain, and Rome: if so, as so, let God the quarrel end.  
What else had England done, when they did foster there, with more,  
Our traitor Moereton, sent from them to stir an here-Vprote,  
Which cost the North, two Northern Earls, and their Consorts full sore?  
He whispering, how that Bull had made Anathema our Queen,  
deprived her all authority, discharged her subjects clean,  
Blessed all her Foes, cursed all her Friends, left England any's pray,  
And all for damned that did aid or her in aught obey.  
So arrogant, malicious, and mischievous is that Bull,  
That Belzebub, the Prince of hell, appears in it at full.  
Why sent they it by Felton to be bishoped at Paul's?  
Why fe'ed they Fitz-Morrice, that in Ireland marshaled brawls?  
Saunders, that false seditious Priest that fortified there,  
Why Marched he with their ensigns? Why did they those charges bear?  
They shook our hive, & forced us forth to sting them when they feed  
False Desmond, and the rebel now, that as the rest shall speed:  
For God against all traitors hath assured wrath decreed.  
These stirs, and more in Ireland, and a many Treasons here,  
Have they abetted, to the King of Catholics full dear.  
More than his paper Pellets too the Pope hath been at cost:  
His Alchumie, a dram to win, a pound of Gold hath lost.  
Was it for love they did erect Receptacles for Ours?  
Or so by schooled Treacheries to add unto their powers?  
Their Iesuists, our Judasses, act so remote from love,  
As faith's relapse, Rebellion, and to regecide they move.  
Story, insatiate of the blood of Martyrs, and a many  
Blood thirsty Priests, bloodier than whom nor hath nor might be any,  
Tutting their natural Prince's death, and ruin of our State,  
Do they, and then did nourish, when twixt us seemed no debate.  
That Spanish-Iewish Atheist, and lop-heavie-headed Leach,  
(unworthy a physicians name) fowl Lopas, we impeach,  
And parrot, that aspiring Knight, hence bribed for duties breach:  
Hence have been poisoned of our peers, whom Bribes could not o'erreach.  
But what are these, and more than these, to it the Guizian Scot,  
Fatal to Seas of blood, and to her own by earned lot,  
Did with our Foes against our State and sovereign's life complot▪  
Wherein King Philip and the Pope especially wear hot.   

Here, but in reverence of her son, an happy Prince in all,  
Religion, Peace, his subjects love, of empery not small,  
Precelling his Progenitors, a justicer upright,  
Yea overlong it wear we should Particulars recite,  
How Nature, Wit, and Virtue, deck his body, words, and mind,  
Or, if his fame's deminative in any thing we find,  
It is but part of majesty, through Puratizme declind,  
Yea, if for him, whom (and deserved) we have so firm a friend,  
It might, I say, be spoke, not thus of Marie should we end.  
Her favours unto David rise, offensine to the King  
His highness Father, but for him in story would we bring,  
With hers, and Bothuels double wrong to either's married Bede,  
How they wrought Paricidie, how the treacherous Couple wead,  
How, odious to their own, with hard escape of lives they flayed,  
How, since our Prisnor, blood she sought, & much through her was head,  
Yea all that Buchanan doth wright should largely here be read.  
Yeat not her infancy should be upbraided with the blood  
Of many thousand slaughtered souls, when perjured Scots withstood  
Her Marriage with Prince Edward, which Eight Henry swore them to,  
When they esteemed us heretics (so Papists oaths undo.)  
But, for th'aforesaid reverence, touch we but Hers and Her,  
That, indirectly, here did her abortive claim prefer.    

CHAP. LV.  

KIng James the fourth, that failed his faith, and lost for it his life,  
Had James the Fift, by Margaret, our Daughter, and his Wife:  
Fift James, through Melancholy ends, for Ours 'gainst him good chance,  
And left this Marie, whom the Scots, an Infant, wead to France:  
Thus, from seventh Henry's Daughter, she her Title did advance,  
But howsoe'er by blood, or by our laws, she here could claim,  
'tis sure, too soon, and treacherously, she did prefer the same,  
And first and last unto our Queen herself a Foe did frame.   

Our Marie was no sooner dead, but that her G●izards arm,  
And into Scotland Locusts-like in her Pretext did swarm:  
Whilst she, in France, did undertake our royal arms and Stile:  
Behooved therefore our Queen to stand upon her Guard mean while.  
Lord William Grace, our English Mars, not martial more than wise,  
Did with an army hence pack thence our dangerous Neighbour Guise:  
Nor died few of Either part, whilst Marie thus would rise.  
Since when the League did oft her Right, with wrong too much, surmise.  
Of Conquests Spain, of converts Rome, our Queen doth chiefly ba●r,  
'Gainst her therefore they chiefly wrought Conspiracies and war:  
And not for maeries' Title, or her any virtuous gifts,  
Think that they her inleagued, but from her to plot their drifts.  
Herself mean while, false-Paradi'zd, besybbing Aesop's Croe,  
Vainglorious through the fox's gloze, did end her song in woe.   

Sufficeth what is said before, to show wherefore she flayed:  
Here was she taken, whom if Scots had taken, had been dead:  
Put under guard: and so was meet should one that quarreled Ours,  
And not herself alone, but had abettors foreign powers.  
yet Princely her Allowance, and more stately, as is said,  
Than had she been in Scotland: nor was liberty denayed  
Of hawking, Hunting, and Disports: that, had she been content,  
Her merriest and securest days a Prisoner she spent.  
Scotland, though laboured of our Queen, would not receive her and  
Such Treacher, though imprisoned here, proved she to either Land,  
That death awaited her at Home: and had we let her go,  
She was the league's shotanchor might our Queen and State o'rethroe.  
Percy and Nevell, ancient Earls, This yet in Spanish pay,  
(Though bacely ill, too well for him his country would betray)  
That other headed, both her wrecks, we touch but by the way.  
With that succeeding County, who concurring with his brother,  
Once pardoned, still conspired and (laws progress so to smother)  
Dispatched himself: Paget and more, like guilty as those other,  
Whose faults & falls had Rome & Spain their Father, her their Mother,  
Omit we. No●folks House, from first of howard's made a Prince,  
Though favoured of the Commons, have defected ever since.  
As Absolom used courtesy but as Ambitious smoke,  
Last Thomas Duke of Norfolk● so did his aspiring cloak,  
Whom promised faith once fre'ed, but that promise soon he broke.  
Him for Confedrate with those Earls, rebelling proofs did touch:  
And with this Scottish Queen that he Intelligence had much:  
Her Marriage that he closely sought, and her Escape pretended,  
And in her Right, had fadged their wrong, her highness rain had ended:  
Of Rising near to London, and to take it Plots they laid:  
From netherlands the Spanish King had promised them aid:  
From Scotland into Spaeyne should be the Infant-King betrayed:  
Ireland meanwhile with adverse▪ arms should also be ore-layde:  
And hereof, to, and fro, the Pope, wear Letters still conveyed,  
All which, and more, directly proved, he, pitied, lost his head:  
Nor ought his death, from being such, did stand his son in stead.  
So hardly find we Great-men in their greatness satisfied,  
Or for their greatness, not to be of other Men envied.  
But what is All to those have All, when but in Trifles crossed,  
Disgrace, or grease, or Grudge, un-queare no less than all wear lost?  
Conclude we then, all Riches, form, pomp, Worlds-Applause, but wind:  
Conclude we then, to Monarchize is to command the mind.  
Throckmorton yet, more privy and more practising than those,  
With her, Mendoza, Papists here, foreign, and Land-leapt Foes,  
Did mischiefs that imported more our practised State disclose.  
But when of Parry, Babington, and their Attempts I think,  
With whom this Scottish Lady in their bloody hopes did link,  
All foresaid practices seem then Epitomies to it  
Whereto these folliall traitors did themselves and Senses fit.   

Our sentinels, almost too late, the alarm bell did ring,  
yet hardly then to arm herself our general they bring:  
The Queen of Scots from Ours almost her crown & life had priz'de,  
Ear to prevent the same she would, by audience, be advised.  
When gentle Durance might not salve that danger, did remain,  
(Which God, and Nature tolerate) slay rather than be slain:  
To which our Parliament advised our Queen, but long in vain▪  
So far was she from foing her, that sought her life and rain.    

CHAP. LVI.  

NOw thirty six our greatest peers and States had power to hear,  
And to determine, and, as found, her to condemn or clear,  
By Statute passed in our Queen her seven and twentieth year.  
These noble triers, justly then examining the Cause,  
With reverent Note of her, who heard and spoke to every Clause,  
Did, after divers days so spent, adjudge, by Verdict true,  
Her guilty of most traitorous Conspiracies, not few:  
And then from Fotheringhaye themselves to Parliament withdrew.   

Of this Infection, that our Peers and People had, and would  
Remediless empoison, if not medeine it we should,  
By some Decision of the limb whence all the bain did flow,  
Our public weals physicians much did argue to and fro.  
Did never English Parliament, fully convented then,  
Consist of Noblier, Learneder, Wiser, and Worthier men:  
By these it was debated how this common Foe might live,  
Without her death whom God to us a common bliss doth give.  
Much was it laboured, wished much some Course herein might hold,  
But to resolve of any none had reason to be bold.  
Her still obdurate Malice to her majesty was clear:  
If she prevailed, Religion was assured an altering here:  
Our Nobles Crocodile, at home, and hence, our foe-hoped Head:  
Then must our Queen, Religion, realm, or She for them be dead.  
Wherefore from Either House were sent the chiefest Men, to crave  
Her highness that the passed doom might Execution have:  
Whereof She asked to be advised, and (earnest her to save)  
Dismissed them with loving words, and biddeth them expect  
Her Answer shortly: nor did She the sending it neglect:  
Though contrary to it that all did, hopingly, affect:  
For she, perplexed in that case, did lastly them direct  
To study means how Both might live, the peril overpast:  
Which much amazed: yet solemnly they handle it at last.  
Mercy to her, Malice in her might happily prevent,  
Was said, but not resolved, for oft she mercy underwent,  
When rose the Earls, and other times, yeat never did repent,  
But of our Queen to be destroyed had made her Testament.  
A straighter guard, Bonds, Hostages, were also named in vain:  
For, should she prise our Queen, who then durst her or them detain?  
Or what were these to recompense the loss we should sustain?  
For loyalty to take her oath, was thought to purpose small:  
Such oaths she oft had falsified, nor thought it sin at all  
To break them to an heretic (our Queen so Papists call.)  
To banish her, were to possess our Foes of their desire,  
For us to rid away the smoke, and run into the fire,  
To set her free to make a Head for them against our Queen:  
In few, no safety for us, but in her Death was seen.  
So wholly by the parliament concluded was, and so  
Reported to her majesty, still pitying her Foe.   

In more sententious, learned, and delibrate sort, than I  
Can set it down, past all touched here: So did her majesty  
In answering erst, and now to them her answer Aunswer-lesse,  
Sweet Adumbrations of her zeal, mercy, and Wit express.  
But with her Oracle that bod them do, and do it not,  
Played they as Alexander did with King Gordians Knot.   

OF Spay●s huge navy, touched before, great rumour now was spread,  
And that th'invaders meant to make this Scottish Queen a head:  
For which continued doubt of her in English hearts was shed.  
Not in the Vulgats only, but some Nobles of this Land,  
Who had (not knowing it our Queen) then got into their hand  
The Writ of Execution, that her Heading did purport:  
The which was executed soon, and in a solemn sort.   

This nature-frended Lady, had she been as wise as witrie,  
Who by the Massacres in France had learned to leave off pity,  
Made there too apt for bloody Acts, the Pope for it too blame,  
To take her death, too much deserved, herself did meekly frame.  
She bids commend her to her son, and will him to eschew  
All practices and Policies, for thence her sorrows grew:  
True Romish, Scottish, and true French, tell all my Friends I die.  
When Meluin (unto whom she spoke) did, weeping, thus reply,  
The woefull'st Message, madam, this that ever me befell,  
When of my Queen and mistress Death I shall the Tidings tell,  
She, kissing him, says pray for me, and bids him so farewell.  
Then of a debt was due from her she did the payment crave,  
And that her servants might enjoy those Legacies she gave,  
And to attend her at her death some of her own to have.  
All which the Earls commissoned did yield unto: and so  
She to the black-clad Scaffold, there to take her death, did go.  
Now Marry steward's Troubles shall have ending, once or twice  
She said, and not to moon for her did give to Hers advise:  
And whilst the Writ in reading was no more regarded it,  
Than if it had secured, or concerned her no whit.  
Beads at her Girdle hung, at end of them a medal, and  
An Agnus-Dei 'bout her neck, a crost-Christ in her hand.  
They prayed her to set apart those popish toys, and pray  
In saith to Christ, in only whom her whole salvation lay:  
And, offering then to pray with her, that Offer she withstood,  
Alleging that our Prayers can do Catholics no good.  
So doth the Pope's false Calendar of Saints of Sense bereave  
Our traitors, who die Papists that therein it them receive.  
Was never yet Religion heard so pestilent as this:  
Their murdering us for lawful, of their Creed a portion is.  
So had they schooled her, and that her bloody Mischiefs past  
Were meritorious, which the Pope would honour so at last.  
That, even then, the gospel's Light illuminate her heart  
Was prayed of Ours, whilst she with hers prayed, as pleased her, apart.  
Then to her woeful servants did she pass a kind adieu:  
And kissing oft her Crucifix, unto the Block her drew,  
And, fearless, as if glad to die, did die to Papisme true.  
Which, and her other Errors (who in all did ever err)  
Unto the judge of mercy and of justice we refer.  
If ever such Conspirator, of it impenitent,  
If ever soul, Pope-schooled so, that Sea to heaven sent,  
If ever one, ill-lived, did die, a Papist, godward bend,  
Then happy she. But so, or not, it happy is for us,  
That of so dangerous a Foe we are delivered thus.   

The bravely managed journey of the county Sussex, who  
Did merit praise beyond my pen, Sir William Druries too  
Made into Scotland, added to Lord gret's sayd-Prowesse there,  
Did lesser rid our Queen and realm, their realm & King of fear,  
Than Mary's end: Who of herself all Treasons did prefer,  
'Gainst either State: our foreign Foes derived Pretexts from her.  
But thus Elizabeth hath salved, Ours, and Scotch Troubles. Now  
Ensues we show her Aids to France, who wrought their broils, & how.    

CHAP. LVII.  

IT by a politician a German (to whose lore,  
Have Machiavellian French-Euents since sorted evermore)  
Before queen-mother, Charles the King, and others private, was  
Advised a Monarch absolute in France to bring to pass.  
Aristocratick government, nor Democratick pleased  
But where to one man's empery is Monarchia seized.  
He told his ttavels, and in States his observations: how,  
Besides the only Turk, he none a Monarch did allow:  
Who suffereth none by Might, by Wealth, or Blood, to overtop:  
Himself gives all Preferments, and whom listeth him doth lop.  
His Bands of janissaries, who are formed and nourished still  
From Childhood his own Creatures, hold all at his own will.  
He out of these his captains, and his Bassies doth elect:  
They, to deserve their founder's trust, his only weal affect:  
The rather, for their Dignities, and all that All possess  
Determine at his will, behooves therefore not to transgress.  
Save his Religion, none is used, unless in Conquests late,  
And that of policy, thereby to add unto his State:  
Nor even there permits he of Religion to debate.  
Nor walled towns, nor Forttesses, his empire doth digest:  
Except upon the Fro 〈…〉 ires, for securing of the rest.  
His subjects thus, Theirs, and the whole, at his devotion, needs  
No Imposts, Taxes, or the like, whence Tumult often breeds.   

Discoursed of his Experience thus, he than descends to it,  
Whereby of Monarchia might himself the French King fit.  
Whereas (quoth he) French policy consists of Three Estates,  
The Princes, Nobles, Commons, and each one of th'other wates  
For hearts and helps, and oft the King is bridled of those Three,  
Himself therefore, such Lets removed, sole Monarch thus might be.  
Of ancient peers, of valiant Men, great Lords, and Wisemen all,  
By forced war, or fraudful peace, to temporize the fall:  
Whereto Religions quarrel then presented mean not small.  
Mean while, until of them by turns wear Riddance, did behove  
To work them Mal-contents, the King to labour vulgar love.  
Immediately, even from himself, No whit at their Request,  
To pass Preferments, not to them, but else as likes him best:  
And but of pieces ru●ous the Great-Ones to possess:  
And when his Creatures shall grow to more, those Great to less,  
To quarrel then those Nobles, when in them great hearts would lurk  
That for the soldier, or the sword of justice, should make work.  
So to provide that of the States be no convention named:  
Religion not disputed of: Strong towns, which oft have tamed  
The French Kings, be dismantled: And when things as thus be framed,  
His majesty (quoth he) shall hit the mark whereat is aimed.   

WHen this, & worse than thus, this worse than Machivel had said,  
With that conventicles Applause, so working was not stayed:  
For hence, if Accidents we shall observe, may be collected  
The civil wars and Butcheries in France to have effected.  
Religion gave the colour, where though infinite were slain,  
The Church reformed did not resist, yet still by loss did gain:  
For blood of Martyrs well is said to be the church's seed,  
Where Massacres have plashed there is spread a triple breed:  
In Sense it seemed a silly Spring, should Europe overfloe,  
Whence Luther his occasion took against the gospel's Foe:  
As Scotland's foresaid Guizian broils, even France her Tumults so,  
From other than religion's cause did at beginning grow:  
So 〈…〉 ph sold, and Christ betrayed, was meeter than was meant  
Of Ben-Iamests, or by the false Iscarots' foul Intent:  
But howsoever ill haps well, Woe stays whence ill is sent.  
French second Henry's favourites, the Constable, and Guise,  
The one of them ambitiously the others hight envies:  
Each growing cross, and crossing, it to Factions grew at length,  
Poor Huge●●tz undoubted then, nor dreamt they of strength:  
Alone in Henry's, Francis, and ninth Charles their reigns, of them  
French Papists, as our Maries, did to martyrdom condemn.  
But by such Law as wolves do lambs, those innocents' for most  
Were slaughtered, whole towns sometimes with these in them they roast:  
And like now threatened Guise against the Saints in every Cost.  
The Guizians (so that Faction shall in this Report be said)  
Through Nonage of the Pope-taught King, grew Mighty & obeyed:  
Queen-mother (Mischief-Mistres) in their Pageant featly played.  
Mean while the Royals and the peers they Practise to betray:  
Some in the bloody Massacre at Paris made away.  
But what offend I Christian ears with horror of that deed?  
From Saracens, nor savages, did ever like proceed.  
Let that black Marrage-Feast, when were so many Thousands slain  
O● Saints, at peace with God and men, be never named again:  
Let be a Law in every Land, to punish such as speak  
That Christians should, like helhounds so, with God & Nature break:  
far be it that Posterities should hear, that Charles the King  
For such ●oule murders, bonfires bod, and caused bells to ring.  
yet tell the Pope's Procession, and his jubilee for this:  
For Popes be impudent, and bad's their blessings never miss,  
To have them Fathers of those Acts, no news at all it is.  
But more than twice six years ere this the civil wars begun,  
When on the lambs of Vassie did the Guizian Butchers run:  
〈◊〉 when the Edict had given Peace unto the Church reformed,  
And odious to the Papists seemed that Peace, who therefore stormed:  
And then the Duke of Guise, who erst had figured for the crown,  
Hence calculating hopes, did set his bad designments down:  
Alonely quarreling, till then, the Princes of the blood,  
Who, partly quailed, were yet unkild, and to their tackling stood.  
So with the Papists band's the Duke himself, not for devotion,  
But advantageous seemed that mean for blood-Drifts & Promotion   

This Faction thus had Heart and Head, the Other yet unborn,  
Till to the Prince of Condie flocked the Hugenotz, forlorn,  
And told the savage Butcheries at Vassie newly made,  
By ruthless and seditious Guise, on Thousands, whilst they prayed.  
Like skathed sheep, escaped from bloodsucking Dogs, they quake,  
Imploring his Protection: which he then did undertake.  
Thus, through necessity, this Part had also Heart and Head:  
Even after hundreds thousands such good Christians so were dead.  
This known, to him from every Part the Persecuted fly,  
So was the Prince of virtuous troops possessed by and by.    

CHAP. LVIII.  

NOt Spain this while, that held for France great Signories, did sleep,  
But through the Fingers into It, with lusting Eyes, did peep:  
At least, by nourishing those broils, all got She hopes to keep.  
For It, whose situation so Spayns scattered realms disjoines,  
Her Teeth had watered long, and now, to weaken France her loins,  
'Gainst France she France doth strengthen with the Soother of her gold:  
And for that purchase to the devil, is feared, her soul is sold.  
Directions also came from Rome, that setteth all on fire:  
That, by what Right or wrong so ere, the Guise should still aspire:  
To send the royal Bloods to heaven or Hell, it skills not how:  
Were Pardons sent for murders: bulls to clear allegiance vow:  
That, on Damnation, none persuade, much less of Peace allow.  
And not alone 'gainst France this League was hallowed, but 'gainst all  
That work the gospel to erect, whereby the Pope might fall:  
Was more than time, troe we, to go, should not the Church us call.  
But call did they, and come did we, and to their labours fall,  
When wear their towns demolished, with Slaughters there not small.   

This busy Head of that bad League (for yet the monstrous Beath  
Of Sextus Quintus and the devil, the grand League, had not breath)  
This Guise bereft us Calais, and in France our pieces all:  
Then fell in hand with Scotland, thence with us in hand to fall:  
This, in his niece the Scottish Queen her claim, did all he might  
To dispossess Elizabeth our Queen of regal right:  
This on the infant-Person of his natural King had seized:  
And prosecuted now in France what Violence him pleased:  
The Pope's sworn Butcher, and proud Spayns forerunner, to prepare  
Her ways for France & England, which their Owners cannot spare:  
This with the blood of innocents' made Channels overfloe:  
Against this Cham, and his beaupeeres, invited English go.  
Else, save that God can all, was feared Religion should have quailed,  
And Spaniards, nestling over near, had easilier us assailed:  
For on the theatre of France, the tragedy was meant  
Of England too: Wherefore our Queen her Interruptors sent.   

How Ambrose, Earl of Warwick, did in France high feats not few:  
How bloody Claudie, Duke of Guise, a common soldier slew:  
How Francis, son of that Guise, did civil broils renew:  
The persecuting Francis, Charles, and Henry's, hence adieu:  
Which Kings, as said, to work themselves French monarch's Atheists played,  
Or doting overmuch on Rome, their realm & selves betrayed:  
The scarlet Borbone, whom the Guise a painted French King made:  
Salcedo failing Monsiurs Death, which did the League conspire:  
The Prince of Orange, murdered through Farnesian Parma's hire:  
renowned Condie poisoned, in his time the Leaguers fear:  
How popesent Saunders 'gainst our Queen in Ireland arms did bear:  
(For Leaguers then in policy prevented lets each-wheare,  
By Armies, or Armadas, or their scattered Iesuists, who  
Have had small cause to brag that they with England had to do:)  
The often sworn and forsworn Peace, that happened in the while  
Queen-mother, Philip, Pope and Guise, the French Kings did beguile:  
Queen-mother for Ambition of employment, King of Spain,  
To make his usurpations sure, yea France itself to gain,  
The Pope to keep his pomp in plight, Guise for the regal Ring:  
How all, though drifting d●ffringly, at length to end did bring  
The House Valois, of Capet's stock, which stock had quite decayed,  
But that it pleaseth God the crown in B●rbons House is staid:  
How till the barricado's Feast, when Guise un-vizard was,  
Under religion's cloak the routs in wasted France did pass,  
And after then, both Hugenote, and Papist too, if friend  
Unto Valois, or Bourbon, sound like enmity, or end:  
Of Savoy, (hoping France) his aids, and ●ll success in all:  
How Guise, and Lorraine, in the Pit for Henr●e digged did fall:  
How friar James, Pope-blest, and bribed of May●e, did Henry kill:  
How unto Maine, pursuing broils, it wrought not to his will:  
The Massacres, and Stratagems, did in these Tumults chance:  
How God in all his wars did bless Navarre, now King of France:  
And how, next God, that France is French our Queen is Author chief,  
All These, thus blanched, we leave, and shall of Belgic be as brief.   

But be it first remembered how, even for the parent's sin,  
God plagueth in posterity: as came to pass, I win,  
In second Henry's, of the Church reformed a bloody Foe,  
(Though otherwise a worthy Prince, nor attach we him but so)  
And Katherine de Med●●●s, whose atheism wrought much woe.  
These had sour sons, not one of which did die a natural death,  
All 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 Males none extant on the Earth▪  
No marvel, even to David's seed, for David▪ sin, happed such:  
And though the holy Writ contains that story, yet to touch  
This Purpose, let us hear it here: Example urgeth much.    

CHAP. LIX.  

OF holy David, and his House, the Man approved to be  
By Gods own Mouth, to Gods own heart, the ●y Troubles see.  
His soul was ever godly firm, though frail in flesh as Man,  
For who of Adam's seed from sin acquit them could or can.)  
Our walls of flesh, that close our souls, God knew too weak, & gave  
A further Guard, even every Man an angel Guide to have:  
And Men to us be Angels, whilst they work our souls to save.  
For, ear his Fall, Man was not left unto himself so free,  
But that he had a Law, and Those that should his Temptors be,  
And tempted, than the Spirit, that for God himself was made,  
Was dared by the Flesh, that to the Spirit erst obeyed:  
The soul by either laboured to thrive, or be betrayed.  
To err is proper then to Men, but brutish to persist:  
With Praise, and prayer, still to God, as David thrived, or mist,  
He plied: more in loving God, than living godly blessed.  
Ungrateful Saul distressing him, or what ear then befell,  
Or afterwards, nor other then domestic griefs we tell.  
The troublous Sequels Nathan told of David's House, when as,  
To wanton it with Bethsabe, Urias murdered was,  
Effecting now, is only it whereto our Pen shall pass.  
Thamar, Ammon, Absolom, Adoniah, also wrought  
Unto their Father woe enough: let these on Stage be brought.   

Now to the Tribes was David as the zodiac to the signs,  
Even Signifer to every Prince that circled his Confines.  
A monarch great, in Acts and Fame more great, but great'st of all,  
In that he was beloved of God, nor ceased on him to call,  
Who raird him, often falling, for his Crosses wear not small.  
Love- 〈…〉 M 〈…〉, 〈…〉 King of Geshurs' Daughter, bore  
To David 〈…〉 Ab 〈…〉 m, and Thamar peerless fair.  
No●●a●rer ye●● than vi●●uous, though disastrously she speed:  
Su●● is admired beauty that hath Worlds of mischiefs bread.  
A 〈…〉 mon, whom Ahinoam bore to David, was the cause  
Of hers and his own grief, in that he gave his Eyes no laws.  
For love is but a term, like as is echo but a voice,  
That This doth babble, That doth breed, or not, is ours the choice.  
And Virtue curbs▪ Affection, and for Conscience flieth sin:  
To leave for imperfection, fear, or shame, no praise doth win.  
But not so happy he as fear, or shame, or aught, might stay  
His rankled thoughts, but sick, lust sick, for Thamar Ammon lay:  
And subtle jonadab's advise did her to him betray.  
For never was Pretence so fowl but some would flatter it:  
No any thing so pestilent as misapplied Wit.  
Seem feeble sick, and when the King thy Father visits thee,  
Then feign an Appetite to meat by Thamar dressed (quoth he:)  
Ask that she dress it in thy sight, and of her hand to take it,  
When private so, thy Market be as thou dost mar or make it,  
Well pleased this counsel: Ammon asks, and David yields anon:  
Nor readier david to bid go, than Thamar to be gone:  
Like Phil●mela, ●●attering 〈…〉 on she might go  
With Tereus, that preposed her shame, was Thamar forward so:  
When either Virgin was surprised, where least they looked a Foe.   

So gracious, portly, fresh, and fair, and (which no less attract)  
So modest, witty, affable, had Nature her compact,  
That such as, in his Canticles, her Brother hath purtrayde  
His loves Idea, litrally might Thamar such be said.  
Goodly thus, and gladly then, and not suspecting harm,  
She, entering where he lodged, did afresh the lecher warm.  
His leasing sickness then to act by art was more than need,  
For, seeing her, imagine all his Senses sick in deed.  
More could she nor, more should she not, than she in kindness did:  
All adding fuel to the fire, which yet from her lay hid.  
Now, save of him and her, the room was cleared by his devise,  
When he did ask to eat, which she did bring him in a trice:  
Full glad (good soul) her cookery might please him any whit,  
When not her Cookrie, but herself, his appetite did fit.  
Concerning which he breaks with her, endeavouring her consent:  
Whereto, amazed, she counter-works, nor would for ought relent.  
How precious her virginity, what sin it to defile,  
How for their father's lust much woe was prophesied erewhile,  
How Incest was much more a sin, she wished him to way,  
How permanent the Shame to both: Enough did Thamar say,  
To have preserved virginity, if lust had brooked a Nay.  
But pleading tears and words lacked wait, by force he ravished her,  
And having forced, he forced not to hide how he did err:  
Nor more he loved her ere while, but hates her now as much:  
Of Lust and unchaste Coiture still is the sequel such.  
Her now un-virgined Eyes did shame to view the common Light:  
She therefore would have stayed, at least not come in common Sight,  
Supposing, by her blushings, all would aim her altered Plight.  
But out his doors by violence he shutteth her, wherefore  
Aloud she cried, with bitter tears, her fair attire she tore,  
And did all signs of sorrow, whilst the cause admired was.  
But when her Br●ther Absolom found how had come to pas,  
He comforts her in all he might, and to his house conuaies  
His woeful Sister, where thenceforth, as desolate, she states:  
Like Progne's sister pensive, but her moods wear milder still,  
This wanting will, not speech to rail, That wanting speech not will.  
contrarywise thought Absolom of nothing but revenge,  
And with his choler think ye him these thoughts among to menge:  
Did Cadmus, for his Sister rapt'e, so many country's room?  
And shall I sleep my sister's Rape, that may be quit at home?  
For Rape of one, scarce honest, was at Troy such tenne-years Fight?  
And shall one easy blow seem much, sweet Thamers wrong to right?  
Simean and Levi, worthy sons of Israel our grand sire,  
Ye in revenging Dinas Rape have set mine heart on fire,  
Even mine, that for a greater wrong should greater things acquire.  
Poor Sychem, thou didst love in deed, and Marriage Rites affect:  
Lewd Ammon, thou didst lust in deed, and then thy Rape reject:  
Poor Sichem, she a Stranger was whom thou so much didst woo:  
Lewd Ammon, she thy Sister was with whom thou hadst to do:  
Poor Sichem, thou to prise thy love, didst leave thy gods for hers:  
Lewd Ammon, thou to please thy lust, no God at all prefers:  
But howsoe'er in these, in this no difference shall remain:  
Poor Sichem he was slaughtered: lewd Ammon shall be slain.   

Nor more Maachas goodly son in stomaching did threat,  
Then did this news his Father now offensively disqueat●▪  
At point almost to act as much as Absolom did plot,  
Even Ammon's death, had not he been his isive first-begot.  
For which he erst had held him dear, and present Nature wrought,  
And that himself had amorous slips, is likely too, he thought:  
But howsoe'er, in woe enough, he overpafseth it  
Which Absolom, in wroth enough, nor could, nor would, forgie:  
Two years in silence, neartheles, he laboured of that fit.  
To his sheepshearing David and his Brethren he invites,  
(Such as our Wakes, conventing kins to feast and delights)  
Now listen what Catastropha this Stratagem behightes.  
The King excused his coming, whom his son importunes so,  
As Ammon, and his other sons, had leave, and will, to go.  
Unwilling though (by what Presage I wots not) David seemed  
Of Ammens going: but what Fate ordained hath none redeemed:  
Go did he, where full merrily he frollicked that tide,  
When, by his Ostes Attendants there, of sudden Wounds he died:  
(Which after Bar quet did their Lord for only him provide.)  
More scared than hurt the other sons of David flayed with speed,  
yet ear their home-return the King had notice of the deed,  
And feared much their safety, till them he saw, and then  
Was such confused sorrow, more was never seen amongst Men.  
To Geshur Absolom escapes, three years an Exile there,  
Till David's kind relenting heart to Joah did appear:  
By means of whom, recalled home, he lastly purchased Grace,  
Yea well-appayed was David, if wear Absolom in place.   

Loved never Father more a son than him his Father loned,  
Proved never son ungrateful more than he ungrateful proved:  
For having stolen the people's hearts, by affable Pretexts,  
He feigns his vows at Hebren, but the Diadem affects:  
And, by collected Forces there, distressed David more  
Than S 〈…〉 le, the Canaanites, or all, happed after, or before:  
Enforcing him to fly the landlord. But dwell we not of this:  
God never favoured such Attempts, or ever sailed His.  
When David seemed, in common sense, already on the hip,  
Was Absolom himself orethrone, whom God made overslip,  
What, wisely, false Achitophel had counselled him to do,  
Whose counsel not received, he hung himself, and worthy too,  
Ambitious Absolom, now foiled, as on his Mule he flayed,  
Was carried underneath an oak, where, caught-up by the head,  
(even by those beauteous Locks, of which, & him, such praise is read)  
He sight (and cause he had) and said (or say he might) that All  
Which so unjustly seek to climb, most justly so do fall.  
But whatsoeare he thought or spoke, this holds authentical:  
We think no greater bliss than such to be as be we would,  
When blessed none, but such as be the same that be they should  
Had one Man all that all Men have, he nothing had, vulesse  
He also had a soul that All as nothing did possess.  
Nature's minion, Eyes admire, and now in-ayred Earth,  
(For, hanging, joabs ruthless spear had vented vital breath,  
Although the King his countermaunde should have contraried so)  
Effected had his father's heart no Substance else but woe:  
So kind and over-kinde was he in moving such a Foe.  
But thus of this, and thus to him this following cross did grow.    

CHAP. LX.  

TO epilogue our tragedy, now Adoniah acts,  
With whom, old David to depose, even ●oabs-selfe compacts:  
Yeadivers captains did revolt, and with the son rebel,  
Which not a little grieved the King, that loved the youngman well,  
Who, next his brother, did for form, and solely now excel.  
Remained but Solomon and he, and he the elder son,  
Too forward yet to practise Rule ear David's reign was done:  
But what God meaneth is, Amen: The sceptre was behight  
To Solomon, and Nathan moved the King to do● him right:  
Who, aged, caused his Diadem to royalize the head  
Of Solomon, anointed now: which heard, the Rebel, flayed.  
So have we seen, not years farre-past, long-Plottings overthrone,  
Even in a trice, to day a Queen, to morrow less than none:  
Such was her Fate, but not her Fault, that stood for Mary's Throne▪  
Nor cite I this A novelty, like pulbacks many an one.  
Repentant▪ Ad●ni●● now unto the Altar flies,  
〈…〉 thereof: which one, that it espies,  
〈◊〉 unto Solomon, that sent to fetch him Thence:  
Which w●uld not be, till swore the King to pardon his offence:  
Whom 〈◊〉 we now so pardoned, or rather in suspense.  
●or though a King's Competitor in one same Land may live,  
●eat take he heed, the slightest cause a cause of death doth give:  
Which happened him, ear happened this, inserted by the way.   

David decea'ste, in Solomon was sole and sovereign Sway,  
When 〈◊〉, to prolong his life, did at the Altar stay.  
Even he that in so many Brunts for David did prevail,  
That, save for Adoniah now, Allegiance near did fail,  
That, save for shedded blood of twain, could none impeach of wrong,  
Even this grand▪ captain of the Hosts, a lucky Knight so long,  
Handfasting now the Altar, claims that privilege, in vain:  
For thence he would not, and the King commands he th●are be slain.  
Which Warrant did Banaiah serve: And so this worthy died,  
For Abner and Amasas blood, like-Worthies and as-tried.   

With Adoniah now remains we act and end our scenes,  
To whom, might seem, small good was meant, what il soe'er he means:  
Where crowned Might, & crossed Right so near together dwell,  
behooves that Forrest-flying fear, whereof the Fox did tell:  
Our factious Lancaster and York thereof could witness well.  
Abisag, David's Hebe, that in comfort of his Age,  
Attended him at Bed and board, when natural heat did suage,  
Howbeit still a Virgin, and the goodliest Wench alive,  
Enamours Adoniah: at the least with her to wive  
He drifteth, not detained but for salomon's consent:  
Of which he moved Bethsabe, for which she suitor went  
To Solomon, that thearewithall was only not content,  
But also took occasion hence, of more, perhaps, than meant.  
●●na●ah, by the Kings command, did Adontah slay:  
For crime perhaps, perhaps because a crown might come in Plea.  
For Sal●mon, divinely wise, could subtellizing sound:  
That much the Ma●d knew David's mind, that Many she had bound,  
Whilst gracious erst, with Benefits: her kindred strong he found:  
That ●oa● and Abiat●ar wear on his brother's side:  
That his aspiring sleeps, nor must be slept, the King espied:  
Or else-what? Adoniah was dispatched out of hand:  
So sped his Su●e, so was confirmed to Solomon the Land:  
If Others otherwise, not I as others understand.   

Nor better Meede for Merits could these Davidists allege:  
yet did their Father eat the Grapes that set their Teeth on edge.  
Then charitable, godly-wise, and continent, wear fit  
Should Parents be: So prosper they, Theirs, and whom Theirs begin▪  
Of Scotland, quieted by our Queen, and France, by her kept French,  
Is touched: Of Belgike, long selfe-vaind, rests how the blood doth stench.    

CHAP. LXI.  

THe Inquisition threatened, wrought in ●etherlanders fear,  
And signs of altering Regment in their ancient State appear.  
As ful-fead Children with their food, by Peace this People play,  
Till, in world-matchles Wealth, did them security betray.  
They hearing what King Philip meant against their State, did mind  
What in the Fables moral of the Stock and stork we find:  
For in the Lady Regent, and her Brother Philip's corpse,  
Their hearts presanged like difference 〈◊〉 twixt rigour and Remorse.  
Armed was the Duke of Al●●, who by wars, by wiles, by 〈◊〉  
Should conquer, cirumvent, consume, those Lands, their Lords, the Good.  
These to have his sufficed not the Spanish King, unless  
He Monarchize their Land, their laws, and Liberties depress.  
The other Part their Consciences and privileges pleads,  
Nor other cause than only thus to armour Either leads:  
For There, elsewhere, and ever Spain, when Spain would sceptres lurch,  
Concludes for Spain, though ever Spain gins for holy-Church.  
No army was as yet arrived, when as the Belgies send  
To Philip their Submission, and their loyalty defend.  
If aught were done contrary to his Edicts (as indeed  
Wear some too busy Protestants did orderless proceed)  
They did transpose that Fault upon those innovators rude,  
Protesting all that subjects should: and humbly too they sued,  
(Vouching his Father, uncle, Kings, and Emperors of old,  
Who let their liege-men, differing from their own, Religion hold)  
To suffer Consciences in them to godward uncontrolled.  
For which, and for their Charters, did they offer Masses large,  
And evermore to undergo all Truage, tax, and Charge.  
But Theirs to alter quite in all was it that Philip meant:  
To plague therefore those seventeen Shires was war-flesht Alva sent.   

This, like a pleasing poisoning asp, to act as he did arm,  
At first arrival, Pardons did for passed Crimes proclaim.  
That tractable kind People so he to his bent did frame:  
Who wear not then by hostile means men easily to tame.  
He thus of them possessed, did then, by she Degrees, surprise  
Their towns, puts garrisons in them, built citadels likewise,  
Inducts the Inquisition, and strange Imposts did devise,  
Calls pardoned Crimes in question, feigns the guiltless to offend,  
And thus an asp, and poisonous more, proved Alva in the end.  
For why? ambitious men seek, get, possess, and practise State,  
With restless minds, by fawning means, envied, in haughty rate.  
This privileged province, and this paradised Earth,  
Thus stripped of her golden Fleece, and faintly drawing breath,  
Was phisickt of Elizabeth, who with her English balm,  
Then much the poisonous biting of that Spanish asp did calm:  
Even pity preaching thus to her, that Nature is reversed,  
When as herself is not amongst her own Consorts dispersed.  
She to that country's Father, to that honourable Knight,  
The Prince of Orange (armed then in Christ his cause to fight,  
And for his country's weal) permits first voluntary Aides▪  
And last, when that neighbour fire too nearly her invaides,  
And their extreme Oppression did her charity invite,  
(By embassies Spain often moved to do the Belgies right,  
Howbeit touching Peace in vain) she franklier friends their Cause,  
Who were enforced to defend their Faith, their lives, and laws,  
Against their souls and Bodies foes, and (which might all perceive)  
Our cause was handled then in theirs, than theirs were ours to leave,  
And (which had often aided us in many a Field and fleet)  
In ancient love with Burgundy to break, was thought vnmee●e.   

How thence tyrannous alum was revoked, all too late,  
When piteously declined was their flourishing Estate:  
Ere which Oppression, where the King had countles Profits thence,  
Now Ownes he nothing there, not held with infinite expense.  
The Slaughters, Sackings, mutinies, the King's vicegerents sense,  
How horn, & Egmond, Counties brave, through Alva's atheism speed,  
How Orange, through our sovereigns Aids prevailed, how last dead,  
How Anjoy also, through her means, became that people's head,  
How now her highness only-selfe, next God, doth them secure,  
Her valiant Warriors there, whose Laudes might special Pens allure,  
And here meanwhile should ours, save that I cannot but divine,  
Their chivalry to be reserved for higher Muse than mine,  
To which though some we leave, yet (by their leaves) of some is said  
Themselves they have misgoverned, and their Companies be●rayd,  
Some More regard of Tents, and Trash, in their Retreats have made,  
Then of our craised men, may such Conductors low be laid,  
And some too ruthless, rioteus, and of their Charge remiss,  
Have starved up in number more than Foe-slaine number is:  
Thus some of some report, perhaps not true in all as told:  
But somewhat somewhere faulteth, for no fire, no smoke be bold.  
To be officious getteth Friends, plain Dealing hated is:  
yet better plainly to reprove, than feignedly to kiss:  
We cannot also love our Friends, and flatter their amiss:  
How these and thus-like passed there we overpass it here.  
Note in our Queen, Religion wronged, itself did ever cheer:  
And where the Spanish Nimrod hunts in monarchy to hold  
All Christendom, through God, that Drist she chief hath controlled.  
Nor did, nor doth, nor shall it need, that thus to her be told:  
Who would to God, but works no good, who seeketh fame by ease,  
Comes short of both, no less than maps to very Lands and Seas.   

Not only thus, but in this while, her fleets have oftentimes  
Set prosprously her Men on Shore, even in the farthest Climes:  
Whence have they brought, by fair Commerce, great riches to our Land,  
Or glorious spoils from such as did their peace or Prowse withstand,  
Of which shall be digested here the progress, in some part,  
Though stately be the subject, and too slender be our Arte.     

THE ELEVENTH book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. LXII.  

INexplicable Nature, by the God of Nature wrought,  
Makes things seem Miracles to some, by some not Wonders thought:  
And every Climates People, both as they are Men, and live,  
Do differ: nothing, if observed, She, not admired, doth give.  
The Workman rather than the Work extol we though in her,  
Not curiously, and all things to his providence refer.  
Who reads Sir john de Mandevil his travels, and his Sights,  
That wonders not? and wonder may, if all be true he writes.  
yet rather it believe (for most, now, modernly approved)  
Than this our story, whence suppose he was to travel moved:  
Not contradicting though such Pens that writ, perhaps more true,  
That penance him to Pilgrimage hence, of devotion, drew.   

Of noble Parentage and rich was Mandevil exact,  
To whom nor Feature, activeness, not people's favour lacked.  
A Lady of the royal blood, Third Edward's cousin say her,  
On whom, for rarest rarity, might Arte-spent Nature stay her,  
Inamours him: who held it sin, if ought he should omit,  
Might please and prise his Lady, couched in Courage, cost, or Wi●.  
But quite it quailed his hopes to think he strained to reach a star:  
Oft Reason therefore did with love, love did with Reason war.  
She is too high: and what of that? it hath, thinks he, been seen,  
As High have stooped as Low: For love, right-labourd, wins a Queen.  
And can I hope that beauty, which is Adamant to all?  
Yea, beauty, nature's juy-bush, each Passenger doth call.  
But should she love (fool that I am to hope, that should despair)  
Such Births as she not else must love, but as they licen'st are.  
yet were it Mandeuil she loved, mislike it then that list,  
Our virtuous love, elsewhere, as here, should render us as blessed.  
O, would she love, it should suffice: such, not of vulgar Moulds,  
Whom once she blesseth with her love, for him she Sooth-fast holds:  
The only virtue of which love, all other Lacks controls.   

Such were his ebbs, & Floods, and down although in love he sits,  
yet, fearing Death and her disdain, his Heart devoured his Fits:  
〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉 not meanly passionate, he fared not as those,  
Whose melancholy Fooleries be pilots to their Woes.  
Already was he gracious both with her and all the Court,  
And, more to be, did exercise arms, and each active Sport,  
Nor was he stoical in aught, but affable in all,  
And apprehends, even fleelingly, her Humours as they fall.  
If sad were she, then sad was he: if merry, merry too:  
His Senses liable to all, she did, or did not do  
If her he heard to speak, he said Cassandr● spoke less true,  
If her he saw, hers praised he more than Cytherea's hue,  
If odorifrous Sents he smelled, he father's them on her,  
If but her hand he touched, that Touch did highly him prefer,  
But deified swore he him her bed-game Sweets might taste,  
And swore his Thoughts: for where we love, even there our souls be placed.  
His virtues and officiousness to her wards, so had wrought,  
That unto little less than love she, by Degrees, was brought.   

Then errant Knights, & every Knight, yea Kings, would oft defend  
The Beauties of such Damsels as it liked them to commend:  
And Prizes were preposed for such, whose Champions bore them best  
At Tilts and Turnies, and his Dame was sovereign o'er the rest.  
Such justs, in England to beheld, were now proclaimed, and  
The chivalry of Christendom convented in our landlord.  
Three beauteous foreign Ladies, with Sir ●ohn his Lady stood  
Competitors, to win the Prize, maintained with Champions good.  
To show the fourfold March of Knights, whose Prowse should plead ano 〈…〉,  
Under distinguished Flags her form their Fancies waited on,  
Their rare Accomplements, and each devise to see or reed,  
To show the richness of the Prize, behight the victor's Meede,  
The Damsels richer hue for whom such Triumphs were decreed,  
The Cost, and great concourse was there, were overlong to say:  
In few, was nothing wanting that might honour such a day:  
Now sound they to the justs, and now unhorsed was many a Knight:  
For foils were foils: most bravely all their Sides and selves acquit:  
And almost grew the day to end, before it could be seen  
Who bore him best, when, mounted well, both Man & Horse in green,  
A Knight appeared: his Banner had the Picture, and in gold  
King Edward's cousin Elinor was legibly inrould.  
Against him ran right hardy Knights, that thundered on his beaver:  
But he unhorsed the most of them, himself un-horsed never:  
At least he lost his stirrups, that encounters him, wherefore  
Of Knighthood he, and Elinor the Prize of beauty bore,  
The jewels set for victory, and adverse Banners three,  
Were yielded him: whilst Elinor did long her Knight to see.  
But as they marched to departed, with beaver shut, he made  
To her a congee: closely then he Thence himself conveyed.  
Much wonder all, who, and of whence the hardy greene-Knight was:  
But secretly, unknown of all, he to his Home did pass.   

A woman's love is riverlike, which, stopped, will overflow,  
But when the Currant finds no let, it often falls too low:  
Fair Elinor wished nothing more than that she might him know:  
Mean while the fire of love in her, from sparks to flame did grow.  
But Mandevil was more discreet, than that for men's applause,  
He would be known: as knowing that from Praise takes envy cause.  
To move the King threats death, in vain to labour her he witted,  
Since many mighty Potentates had laboured her, and mist.  
She, he, and England seemed too near, his hopes, thought he, too far:  
He absence therefore points to plead unto his love in bar.  
Of Ceur-de-Lion, Erigen, William the pilgrim, who  
Wrote Richards Syrian waters, Curson, Glanuile, and longespee too,  
Long-shanks, ear King, his Knights, and of our English many more,  
That through the triple Orbs did arms and travels undergo,  
And famous thus alive, and dead, Here and Abroad, did grow,  
He called to mind: resolved in mind his Life to finish so.  
Bills of Exchange and all things else, prepared for travel fit,  
Unto his Friends, grieved he would go, he than imparteth it.  
The King did give him Letters for safeconducts, of the Corte  
Loath him to leave, he taketh leave: But in more special fort  
Of Elinor: good sadness she thus spoke, as if in sport.  
Some discontented humour sends you hence, as I divine,  
Which, be whereso you shall, will be with you, be yours as mine.  
Nay, Madam, quoth Sir John, twixt us this difference is to find,  
I both in mind and body, you need travel not in mind.  
Yes yes, quoth she, my mind I wots meet may you far away,  
If so, then give to it this Ring, and that I sent it say.  
So, with that Riddle, and a Ring she gave, they kindly part:  
Nor knew she him the Knight she meant, nor he to him her heart:  
For, second to the greene-Knight (whom she thought not him) was he  
Her favoret, of him therefore she would remembered be.   

Now let us say the Lands, the Seas, the People, and their Lore,  
This Knight did see: whom, touching which, not story shall we more:  
But to our English Voyages, even in our times, shall frame  
Our Muse: and what you hear of Theirs, of his the like do ame,  
For Countries, not for customs (then, and now, not still the same.)  
yet interlace we shall, among, the love of her and him:  
Mean while about the World our Muse is stripped now to swim.    

CHAP. LXII.  

FRom then, when first my Father, ear my birth, was one of those,  
Did, through the Seas of icy Rocks, the Muscovites disclose,  
We shall our English Voyages, the chief at least, digest,  
Of which in this her highness reign have been performed the best,  
And herea while let Mandevil and his beloved rest.  
To name the divers Peoples that in Europe be, wear much,  
Not but remotest Regions, of our natives seen, we touch.  
But, Moderns, ye (of whom are some have circum-sailed the Earth)  
Here pardon us your sails, and give your proper Praises birth.  
Infuse ye Penn-life too into o'ertaken Fames by death.  
Caboto (whose cosmography and selfe-proofe broke the ice  
To most our late discoverers, Debtors to his advise)  
Had us, ear Spain, possessed of that which Spaniards now abuse,  
But, he invitinng, idly we did offered Gold refuse.  
yet him to say for most the mean, it wear not us to shame,  
Of English new discoveries, that yield us Wealth and Fame.  
Reserve we to the Actors though (of whom lost some their Wealth,  
Their lives a many, all at least endangered their health,  
In truer Perils, and more brave achievements, than the tails  
Of Jason and Ulysses, of their fabled Sea-toyld sails)  
The glory of the dangerous goal: Nor let us here forgit  
(In which I first did breathe this air) London, preferring it.   

Some merchants there, of Worth, did mind with Nations, then, unknown.  
New traffics, & the pass thereto was by Caboto shown.  
By his Instructions and their costs three Ships were rigged out,  
Hugh Willoughby the admiral, a Knight both wise and stout.  
Next place (whose brave performance of employments ever live)  
To chancellor, grand Pilot for that Voyage, did they give.  
Now sail they for the North-east Parts, Cathayas' Shores to find:  
Encountered with huge Seas of ice, with stormy gusts and wind.  
Scotland, Aegeland, Halgland, th'Isles of roast, and Lofoot passed,  
Tempestiously Arzinas Rhode received Sir Hugh at last.  
There he, and all of two his Ships, attempting bootless shifts,  
Wear in that Climate Frozen dead, shut up with icy drifts.  
Thus died he and all with him, if so to die be death:  
But no, saith heaven, no, saith their Fame, surviving them on Earth.  
Then chancellor, his only Ship remaining of that fleet,  
For Fynmarke, at the Wardhouse sails with his comforts to meet.  
There day it is two months of length, and Mal-strands pool it makes.  
Such hideous roar, devouring floods, that ten mile's distance shakes.  
Where frustrate of his Friends in quest, with courage not deject,  
He for the Course preposed did his venturous sails direct.   

KIng Arthur, Malgo, Edgar, once to have subdued are said  
Orkney, Gotland, Island, and those former in that Traide:  
Gronland, Wireland, Curland, and cold Scrikfyn them obeyed,  
Newland, with others, and those Isles where men, save Eyes alone,  
Are hid in hides of Beasts, and Beasts save Fish, have Fothernone.  
Now chancellor, arriving 'mongst the Laplande●s, at last,  
They seeing uncouth Men and ships, wear wondringly aghast,  
(For ear that day was heard no ship that churlish Pole had past.)  
The Lapland Bay where he arrived, now called Saint Nicholas Bay,  
Though Russiah, fifteen hundredth Miles from Moscow is away:  
There Winterd he at Newnox, till safeconduct being sent,  
Thence to their King on swift-drawne Sleads through frozen ways he went.   

Not like Sarmatian Scythians (for the Moscovites be so)  
He found them plain, but rather much in pomp to overfloe,  
They never in the Russian court till then did English see:  
His entertainment therefore was as stately as might be.  
In sundry rooms wear hundreds seen in Gold and tissue clad:  
A majesty, Augustus-like, their King enthroned had.  
Let pass what paste in speech betwixt our Pilot and their King:  
Full well could chancellor demean himself in every thing:  
Let pass how in Basilius' Court most royally he feed:  
Suffice it that our Agent of his arrant thither speed:  
That is, that Ours might trade with them, of which large leave is read.  
More, not unworthy note, here of our purpose is to say,  
But this be first of Mandeuil remembered by the way.    

CHAP. LXIV.  

WE left him formed a travelet (brave Pilgrim Knight farewell,)  
And Elinor (sweet soul) in love, with whom she could not tell.  
He travels for to leave his love, not caring where he lose it,  
She for her love to find, it skills not whom, so him that Oose it.  
The greene-Knight, be whoso he shall, her heart had branded hers:  
Where is that Second She that love for virtue so prefers?  
Her only, speed howso he shall, his heart had branded his:  
Where lives that second He that so, by loving, bettered is?  
'tis often seen, love works in Man a weak dejected mind,  
'tis ever seen, a woman's love doth alter as the wind:  
Example then be Mandeuil for Men, not to be idle  
In Amorous Passions: labour is to love, at least, a Bridle:  
Example too be Elinor: But let us say no more,  
For Women ever alter, saith the gospel preached before.  
Conclude we then, when Elinor and Mandevil did die,  
The Method of true loving did with them to heaven fly,  
For ever since too fervent in their love are Men, for most:  
But, Iris-like, in women's Hearts love too and fro doth post.  
One Stafford, of a Noble House, a courtier of good havor,  
A friend, and fast to Mandeuil, and in the Prince his favour,  
From Gyprus, from his Friend received two Letters, one was his,  
The other sent to Elinor: and that purported this.   

Of you received I a Ring, a Token to your mind,  
If so I met it: and it is my fortune it so find.  
For if the Heart may, as it might, for mind be understood,  
My Heart is yours, your Ring so mine: hearts interchanged were good.  
More did I fear, than ever in your ladyship I found,  
Disdainful looks, from those fair Eyes that me with love did wound.  
Now speak I love, far from those looks so forcible to kill:  
Howbeit that I love is not to work or wish you ill.  
Not more than this (though Princes frowns bear death with them) feared I:  
For had you loved, the King misliked, what had I forced to die?  
Where I have been (were blasphemy from Women to detract)  
Great store of Beauties have I seen, but none as yours exact.  
Courts also more than stately, with fair Ladies in the same:  
Which seemed common forms to me, remembering but your name.  
When in the Holly-land I prayed, even at the holy grave,  
(forgive me God; a sigh for sin, and three for love I gave,  
Against the fierce Arabians I the sultan's Pay did take,  
When oft, at O●set, for Saint George, Saint Elinor I spoke.  
The Amazons, those lusty girls, believe me liked me Well:  
But nothing in the best of them but doth in you excel.  
I looked upon the sterile Lake where Heaven-fir'd Sodom was:  
For one, thought I, here such as you not so had come to pas.  
Most sweet and sovereign Balsamum in Indian Fields I saw:  
More sovereign sweeter scents, thought I, my lips from yours could draw.  
Near Aethiop when the spice-sweete Well of youth I saw, I said,  
My Lady lacketh not hereof, Perfection needs not aid.  
I saw (nor wonder you I should, who sees you sees as much)  
The only Phoenix: fowl, and fair, but it, and you, none such.  
But, flying thus about your Blaze, your Gnat doth burn his wings:  
To my despairing Passion more your praised beauty brings.  
Not travel tiers my love a whit, but love doth tyre on me:  
Which should I wish, me better, or you base of degree?  
Be still the same you are, let me exile myself for ever:  
Two diffidenses I conceit will let me hope you never:  
The first myself, unworthy you, the latter, and the least,  
The King's Consent: But, well I wots, love is a Lordly Feast:  
Aguize (so should you) so, and so despair is part released.  
One comfort is, before you doom is Execution done:  
My voluntary Banishment already is begun.  
Which if you never shall repeal, shall never end, or when  
(Ah, can I hope it?) should you, not for us is England then.  
Nor is it but our minds that make our native Homes our grave)  
As we to Ours, Others to theirs like partial fancy have:  
Transmute we but our minds, and then all one an Alien is,  
As if a native: One resolved makes every Country his.  
Your Answer that by Pen our speech to this returns shall be,  
Vouchsafe it unto Stafford, for an otheri is he:  
In perfect Friendship no suspect, for two are one in all,  
Community or doubling joy, or making grief more small,  
But would you to an unity of hearts twixt us incline,  
Where Friendship is angelical, our love should prove divine.  
More writ I not: blest may you live: tears overtake this Line.   

When (Stafford present) Elinor this Letter had perus'de,  
She said, as elsewhere shall ensue: Now is in us infus'de  
Fresh matter of discoveries. How chancellor he speed  
Is said before: of Russia thus remaineth to be read.    

CHAP. LXV.  

AVaste and spacious empire is Moscow, in the same  
Bee Rivers, Tanais, Volga, and Boristhenes of fame,  
With yearly hallowed Mosca, which the Primate having blest,  
(Whom to attend the clergy, Lords, and King himself be priest)  
He thinks himself an happy Man may touch the ice-hewn Pit,  
But him in heaven already whom the primate sprinks with it.  
Euxinus, and the Caspian Seas, do wash those frozen Shores,  
Which us with fish, oils, honey, salt, furs, & good traffics stores.  
More temprate be the inland Parts: They reap what they do sow  
Within the compass of four moons, inn all their harvest, mow,  
And house their Beasts: themselves keep close in stoves until the Spring,  
And sport with their face-painted wives, held there a comely thing.   

In customs of the Greek Church, much corrupted, are they lead:  
Monks, friars, & Priests swarm there, not more than in their Portesse read:  
Nor more have Priests, or People, than a ceremonious care,  
Gross Worshippers of Images, which in their Houses are:  
In all too superstitiously devoted. Though the Pope  
There stickell not, their Primate takes as large and pompious scope.  
Besides these Christians (for unto themselves they arrogate  
The soundest christianity) are subject to their State  
idolaters, that do adore even devils, or did of late.  
Not of the Samoeds rude-wrought Gods, or blood-Rites will we tarry,  
Or of the Stone, near unto which did Willoughby miscarry,  
To which bring sailors whitmeats, lest their Ships should Tempests harry,  
But that same female-Idoll called Zelotibab, in part  
Of Russia, or the devil himself acting in it his art,  
Is worth the note. When ought amiss amongst them doth befall,  
An Instrument of music, and a silver toad withal  
They lay before the idol, and before her prostrate fall.  
Then, music sounded, he to whom the toad shall come is slain,  
(For come it will) when presently the man revives again,  
And tells the cause why happed the ill, and how to pacify  
The angry idol: which is done, though some for it should die.   

The King by Monarchia rules, more absolutely none,  
Great Duke of Russia late his style, imperial now his Throne.  
He holds a majesty not mean, and all of All his own,  
When to employ their goods upon the common good is known:  
Himself, both judge, and juror, ends with equity Debates.  
Armipotent in wart, and hath subdued mighty States.  
An hundred thousand leads he forth against his Foes to fight,  
That scorn both hunger, thirst, and cold, wounds, yielding, fear and flight.  
Of cloth of gold, rich Stones, & Plumes, his royal Tent is pight:  
Nor to his soldiers skants he Gifts, that well themselves acquit.  
But what particulate we thus, that much in few would write?   

NOw where we left of chancellor: he gracious with that King,  
Obtained for our merchants, as he wished, every thing.  
With Letters then of Credence for himself, and mart for them,  
He putteth to Sea for England, whom these about did 'em.  
But with undaunted Courage, to his never dying Fame,  
All Difficulties overpast, to London safe he came.  
Thence, after some abode, with new Consorts, an other fleet,  
And Notes digested for their new attempted traffic meet,  
He did resail to Russia, there received as before:  
Chief Agents grey, and Killingworth, bearded five foot and more.  
In all things with the King for ours did chancellor prevail,  
And now our Agents knew their Homes, & where to make their sail.  
But now must end our Swan-song, now the Swan himself must end,  
Even he, that toiled such tedious Seas his country's weal to mend,  
Returning Homewards, near at Home, even on the Scottish Cost,  
Did wrack, and those aboard his Ship then perished for most.  
But that he drowned his care to save the Russie, sent to us  
In his Conduct, is said the cause: but drowned he was, and thus.   

This mart, thus set a foot, was Thence for Ob an other sought:  
Wherein not little was it, that praiseworthy Burrough wrought.  
Of him and (whom I never can commend with praises dew)  
Of Jenkinson ensues: But first of Elinor anew.    

CHAP. LXVI.  

YE heard how she his Letter read, whilst Stafford was in place,  
Which having read, she stood as if astonished a space.  
Her blushing, and un-blushing, made that Stafford doubted whether  
It pleased, or displeased: which, the troth to say, did neither.  
Variety of Men to court a Woman is her pride,  
Than which their vanity of Men is nothing less espied.  
What are to us, but common huts, those common hopes they give,  
If then their love doth die to us, when ours to them doth live?  
They Nero-like sing Troy, when Rome by them is set on fire,  
jest at our earnest. Let us now to elinor retire.  
More modest she than such (though most, in man's behalf, might better)  
And comes, quoth she, from Mandeuil this ill-come-welcome letter?  
Believe me, Stafford, ill it comes that says a cause in me,  
That from his native home he should thus selfe-exiled be.  
If amorous Hopes, or Hopes unheld, to him from me had passed,  
I had indeed been guilty, as too forward, or not fast.  
But to the Cause, Effect, and all, not-guilty, do I plead:  
His love is news, mine to despairewhat was it him should lead?  
Our Court (I will not wrong the Man, nor flatter him a whit)  
Can hardly show another-such for Person, Prowse, and Wit.  
But as for me (setting apart my Birth, to which, or any  
So borne, our State is interest) what am I more than Many?  
If beauteous now (here let me chide his Indiscretion, who  
far from a mean of it so mean doth make so much ado,  
And lest perhaps he should have glibbed, a virtue doth not note,  
Whence love should spring, which makes me guess he doth not love but dote)  
If beauteous, as I said, what else is form but vaiding air?  
Yea oft, because assaulted oft, it hurteth to be fair.  
And were not my Descent, and I a favourite in Court,  
My common form, unheeded then, might pass without report.  
But, were my wishes mine, the Court by me should be the less:  
So much it hath of vanity, and painful idleness.  
Since such is he, and of myself my self but so esteem,  
Himself by Silence, me he wronged, disdainful me to deem.  
I could be angry, were he here, with him for erring so,  
Disdain (the Volgars Fault) is not in gentry found, I trow.  
But fear he did, and wisely too (for God forbidden that I,  
Unworthy that I am, should have endangered him to die)  
The King's displeasure: Or, perhaps, unpossible he thought  
My love should equal his, or I a trans-Marine be wrought.  
But if he entertained such thoughts, there also did he err:  
Love is a lordly Feast, he writes, and I the same aver.  
For if (not rashly though, I hope) upon my Choice I stand,  
My hand shall never give my heart, my heart shall give my hand:  
Yea, so I live with whom I love, what care I in what Land?  
With Women is too usual now Theirs, and themselves to sell  
For jointures, by Indenture, with imperious Men to dwell,  
And he doth her, and she doth him, with his, and hers upbraid:  
But that I chief match for love shall, when I match, be said.  
Good days beget, bad days try Friends, nor him a friend esteem,  
Whom firm, as to thyself thy self, thou darest not to deem,  
Say some: But Mandeuil, I see, of you accounteth so,  
As of his firm and choicest Friend, then, lest I tedious grow,  
I tell thee, Stafford, next to one, is Mandeuil the Man  
I could have loved, but I love, whom not un-love I can.  
yet if you ask me whom, or where, that one beloved is,  
I cannot answer whom, or where, yet am, and will be his.   

Madame, quoth Stafford, yet your speech hath head, nor foot, nor Middle,  
Not naming him, you end a Sphynx, and tie me to a Riddle.  
Well, friend you are to Mandeuil, nor foe (she said) to me:  
The greene-Knight, Victor at the justs a few years past, is he.  
In sooth, quoth Stafford, if for him be resolute your choice,  
Choose not again, with you for him consort I also voice.  
Nor think, in that I him prefer, I Mandeuil reject:  
Friendship may brook triplicity, and shall in this respect.  
For your own sake, and for his sake (than Mandeuil no less  
My Friend) I shall (his souls desire) you of that Knight possess.   

Almost an ecstasy of joy her from herself did sever,  
Hearing of him, for whom her heart did hunt, and else should ever:  
And though she did observe his soon revolt from friend to friend,  
And him thereof had tacht, wear not her private Cause to end,  
yet was she silent touching it, and modestly pursewes,  
In Quest of her beloved Knight. But tarry yet that news,  
First Burrough, Jenkinson, and what by them was done pe●use.    

CHAP. LXVII.  

IT is no common Labour to the river Ob to sail,  
Howbeit Burrough did therein, not Dangerles, prevail.  
He through the foresaid frozen Seas in Lapland did arrive,  
And thence, to expedite for Ob, his Labours did revive.  
What he amongst the Vaigats, and the barbarous Samoeds notes,  
Their Idols, Deer-skin Tents, how on their backs they bore their Botes,  
In which, but Hides, securely they do fish those Seas all day,  
And how on dear they ride, and all on Sleds by deer convey,  
Do eat their Dead, to feast their friends their Children sometime slay,  
Their store of Sables, furs, and Pealts, fetched thence from far away,  
How, at our ●ra● and Lion signs, their Frost and Snow is great,  
Let be, and many things we might of this new Tract entreat,  
By Burrough found: whose Praise not much is chancellors behind,  
As Master in that Ship with him that first did Russia find:  
And in this North-east Trade, with Praise, do Pet & Jackman mind.  
yet longer (for not largelier One yields Matter) let us dwell  
Of Jenkinson. But where shall we begin his Lawdes to tell?  
In Europe, Asia, Africa? For these all he saw, in all  
Employed for England's common good. Nor my rejoicing small,  
That from Elizabeth to reign, and I to live begun,  
Hath happened that Commerce and Fame he to his natives won.   

NOw, under his Conduct, was hence unto his Home conveyed  
The Russian first ambassador, here honoured, whilst he staid:  
Nor captain Jenkinson was there less graced, where he wrought,  
That all things to a wished end were for our traffic brought.  
Here-hence also a friendly League twixt either Prince effected:  
Nor little is their amity of us to be respected.  
For, though the Moscovites from us be People far remote,  
yet, if how Danes, and Norses, have invaded us we note,  
And how the Russies, in the like Attempts, might hold them back,  
For only it, were thence no Trade, ill might their Friendship lack.  
From Moscow then by journeys long the Caspian Sea he crossed,  
Himself and Goods by Tartars oft in danger to be lost.  
Their Hordes of carted Tents like Towns, which Camels drew, their Kings,  
By names of Murses, Seltans, Cans, to whom for pass he brings  
The Russian King his Letters, how (and royally they trow)  
With Wild-horse flesh, and mare's milk, him the Kings did banquet tho,  
Their hawking for the Wild-horse (For their Hawks will seize upon  
The horse's neck, who chaffing tiers, and so is killed anon)  
Their oft removes for Pastures fresh (nor grass their Pasture is,  
But heathie Brush, few cattle though do thrive as theirs with this)  
Their neither use of coin, or corn (for Tillage none is there)  
Such Warriors, and Horse-Archers, as they live not whom they fear,  
Their crosse-leg eating on the ground, plurality of wives,  
In Turkeman (So the whole is said) and more of their rude lives,  
And how the merchants, travailing by Caravan, that is,  
Great droves of laden Camels, meat and Water often miss,  
And how for us did Jenkinson in Bactra Mart begin,  
Let pass, to pass to it for us he did in Persia win.  
With this Memento, in return from Bactra, divers Kings  
Sent in his charge their Legates, whom to Moscow safe he brings.  
Thence did he sail for England, Hence for Moscow back again,  
And, with our Queen Elizabeth her Letters, did obtain  
The mosicks' Letters, to the Kings by whom he then should pass,  
For Persian traffic: And for this he thence embarked was.   

NOw in Hyrcana, Shyruan, or Media, all as one,  
Suppose our jenkinson before King obdolowcan's Throne.  
Though sumptious cities he possessed, yet for the summer's heat,  
On airesome mountains held he then his Court, in Pleasures great.  
Of silk and gold embroidery his Tents, his Robes enchased,  
With pearls and precious Stones, and Looks of majesty him graced:  
On Carpets rich they trod, rich trains on him attendance gave,  
With six score Concubines, that seemed so many Queens for brave.  
Before his fair pavilion was of Water clear a Fount,  
Drink for himself, and his (for most of Water they account.)  
Scarce Cleopatras Anthony was feasted with more cheer,  
Of varied meats, and spice-Conceits, than jenkinson was here.  
In formal Hawking, Hunting, chase, not then came Tristram ●eere.  
Such was this King for stately, such for affable, and kind,  
There and abroad so loved, and feared, as like was rare to find.  
yet, notwithstanding such his Wealth, his signory, and State,  
He of the Persian sophy held his Land, subdued late.  
But in such friendship, as the Shaugh (the sophy so is said)  
Would yield to Obdolowcan in what so he should perswaide:  
Which well in jenkinson's behalf, but shortly after, made.  
Him often questoned this King of us, and Europa's strength,  
And him, with Gifts, and privilege, for Mart, dismissed at length.  
Silks, raw, & wrought, Spices, & Drugs, & more-els, worth the Mart,  
Our merchants fetch from thence, and there our merchandise convart.   

Things wisely thus dispatched there, with men for his defence,  
And Letters from that King unto the Shaugh, he traveled thence.  
In travel thitherwards, he grieves, in wonder, to behold  
The downfalls of those stately towns, and Castles, which of old,  
Whilst Persia held the monarchy, were famous over all,  
Nor Alexander won of those one piece, with labour small.  
The mighty cities Tauris, and Persipolis, he passed,  
Two ruin'd Gates, sundered twelve miles, yet extant of this last:  
The giants Wonders on the Hill of Quiquiffs heard he told,  
And of the yearly obits, which their maids to Channa hold.  
This was indeed a wonder, for this Virgin so was bend  
To chastity, that by selfe-death, she marriage did prevent.   

Here Mandeuil, perhaps, had been, and took occasion here,  
To fear lest Flenor in like might imitate too near:  
Even toys in love discourage, love from toys resumeth cheer.  
Of him therefore, whilst Jenkinson rests at his jornies end,  
With obdolowcan's son, that on the sophy did attend.    

CHAP. LXVIII.  

SO Knightly Mandeuil demeans himself against the Foes  
Of Melek Mandibron, that he in Egypt famous grows.  
And, of himself, that sultan did to Mandevil commend  
A greater Match, than else his Thoughts with hope could apprehend,  
For virtuous, beauteous, Birth, & Wealth, a Match for none to mend.  
This Lady (also of the blood, and heir unto her Father,  
A mighty Prince in those same Parts) he courteth now, the rather  
To intermit that homebred love, which seized on him indeed,  
As for to prove how such as he with such as she might speed,  
And there experimented, here to cease or else proceed.  
Fie, Mandeuil, how good so ere thy Merits otherwise,  
In making love unmeant thou didst thyself but mis-aduise.  
Though thou couldst buzz about the flame, & keep unskorcht thy wings,  
Few safely play with edge-tools, sin to jest at holy things.  
With women, made for Men, therefore soon won, yet edging suit,  
With marriage, praised enough in him did first it institute:  
With Women, who when all was made, and Man of all possessed,  
yet lacketh Man an help, said God, and Man with Woman blest:  
With marriage, that legitimates our Propagation, and  
Two Hearts in one transplants, in all befallen, or ta'en in hand:  
With women, that no less attract our Senses them to leek,  
Than Hunger for to labour food, or Anguish Ease to seek:  
With marriage, that preferreth us, and stays us in content,  
Vnanimieth weal or woe, as either us is sent:  
In Nature Women, marriage by Tradition, either twain  
So sacred, and autentick, as we neither should profane.  
To trifle then or Them, or This, were not so slight a sin,  
As that thy virtues, mandevil, would fault, think I, therein.  
But for she was a Pagan, and thyself a Christian there,  
And she the sultan's Tender, thou didst form a love for fear.  
For that thou shouldst reny thy Faith, and her thereby possess,  
The sultan did capitulat, in vain: the more thy bliss:  
For than a Woman evermore the devil tempteth less.  
yet that they tempt, not theirs but ours the sin: for if I see,  
And steal, a precious gem, the gem faults not, the Theft in me.  
Howbeit when to active and to passive love it grows,  
And Women than shall alter, them as devils than suppose:  
And like of Men, if Men alike shall Reputation lose.   

This fair Egyptian Lady (of the English Toy in this,  
To wit, in forward love to whom the farthest comer is)  
Might easily have been won of him, not at an easy rate,  
If to his Faith a Recreant had Miscrent been his state.  
But he, immovable aswell in Faith, as former love,  
Did there so well, as he from thence with honour did remove.  
On Elinor he still devised: yet sometimes, to allay  
Those moods, by mustering in his mind these thoughts, did thus assay.  
Full soon the fairest Face, thought he, would cease from being such,  
If not preserved, curiously, with tendering more than much.  
Or age at least, and that not old, so altars it that was,  
That Helen did disclaim herself, for Helen, in her Glas.  
That great physician that had lived, in health, an age admired,  
Did answer, asked the cause, not he had done as Flesh desired.  
Then Mandeuil bethinks him of the Labyrinth of Cares,  
Encumbering married Men, and near that life, and love, forswares.  
How tedious were a shrew, a Sloy, a Wanton, or a fool,  
(All four alike threatening Mislike, when time should Dotage cool,)  
How seldom Women come undowed with one, or some, or all,  
Or answerable Faults to these (to men not Crosses small,)  
The Flattries, and the Fooleries, whereby are women won,  
With fishing long to catch, perhaps, a Frog, when all is done,  
And all that Sexs' Infirmities, his Thoughts did overrun.  
But like as Mothers beat their Babes, & sing them when they cry,  
loves Incantations so did he with Malice such defy:  
The Amorous with the sea-Crabs gaet do angering Amours fly.  
This humour, and the honour, by this Knight in Egypt won,  
O'erpass we, and in Persia see what Jenkinson hath done.    

CHAP. LXIX.  

AT Casben held the Shawgh his Court, who thirty years, and odd,  
Had not been seen abroad, thereof by Prophe▪ sie fo●bodd.  
Like majesty he kept, as those great monarches did before  
The Macedons subdued them, of wives he had like store,  
Besides most beauteous Concubines, not less than fifteen score:  
And yearly of the fairest maids, & wives, doth make new choice:  
When much the Friends, and Husbands, of those chosen do rejoice.  
Him blesseth he to whom doth he one of his relics give:  
yet Persian Shaughs esteem themselves the holiest Kings that live.  
For when a Christian (whom they call an Infidel, because  
He not believes in Mahomet, nor Mortezalies' laws)  
Is called to audience, lest the same profane where he doth stand,  
Must doff his shoes, and to and fro tread on new-sifted sand.  
Our sovereign's Letters to the Shaugh so Jenkinson presents,  
Who, being asked his arrant, said those Letters like Contents.  
But newmade Peace with Turkey him of new-sought Trade prevents  
The Turkish merchants, fearing lest their traffic might decrease,  
Had, by that bassa, marred his Mart that then had made that Peace.  
The Sh●ugh did also question his belief, and quarrel it:  
So, well apaid is jenkinson, if well away he get,  
Whom, with our letters to the Turk the Shaugh, to send was bend,  
Had not the Hyrcane Murzey Posts unto his Father sent,  
And obdolowcan's Letters then dissuaded that intent:  
When, with a Present for himself, he Thence to Hyrcan went,  
And there did him the heart-trew King most kindly entertain,  
And thence dismiss with Gifts, when he no longer would remain:  
Nor only his Ambassadors unto his care Commends,  
But moment of that embassy which he to Moscow sends.  
There now suppose them well arrived, and bringing grateful news  
Of weighty Messages, wherein the Mosick him did use.  
Convenient time he ne'ertheless, for Persian Trade attends:  
Which Arthur Edward's, thither sent, successfully there ends.   

This Edward's, and a many here vnnam'd, deserved well  
In these employments: but of All wear tedious all to tell,  
For, saving of discoverers we purpose not to dwell.  
Else would we here revive, but that through hakluit's Pen they live,  
(To him, your fame's sweet trumpeter, ye English, Garlands give)  
A Catalogue of Names, that in this North, and North-east climes,  
Have more observed, and more deserved, than perish shall with times.  
Nor be my Father here forgot: for he, amongst the rest,  
Deserveth in this general remembrance with the best.  
And here, from out those churlish Seas, with Jenkinson we sail  
To London, there an aged Man, to tell this youthful tail:  
How he had past All Europe, seen all Levant islands, and  
Greece, Turkey, Africa, India, Sur, Egypt, the holy Land,  
And all the foresaid Lands in all employed, and entertained,  
Of Emperors, and Kings, as if himself a King had reigned.  
Rest may thy honourable bones, good old▪ Man in sweet Peace:  
Nor have thy Phoenix-Ashes since been barren of increase.  
But late had we a fowl like rare, used oftener Sea than Shore,  
Oft swum he into golden Strands, but now will so no more,  
For, though he wear a diving fowl, to heaven did he sore.  
In England, not Arabia, now the Phoenix Bird is bread,  
And evermore shall there revive, when shall the old be dead:  
The Maiden Empress, and her Knights their Enterprises rare,  
Which now have pierced through every Pole, of all admired are.   

Remaineth now, that we entreat of great achievements done  
By English, in contrary climes, since first her crown begun.  
But ride we first at anchor, though a roomesome Sea we have,  
To listen Staffords Comforts which to Elinor he gave.     

THE TWELFTH book OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. LXX.  

WHen Stafford sounded had, as said, the Ladies Love-seiz'd heart,  
He to a Banquet her invites, and did for then departed.  
Now to his Lodging (which had erst been Mandeuils also)  
Comes Elinor, accompned with a crew of Ladies more,  
Of which was one that Stafford loved, of her beloved: She  
Instructed was by him of all should there effected be.  
The Banquet ended, Dorcas (so was Staffords Ladies name)  
Thus speaketh unto Elinor, as if it wear in game.  
In yonder Chamber (pointing to a locked door thereby)  
Hath Mandeuil his Closet and no common armoury.  
Full many things thearein, quoth she, both rare and rich saw I:  
Howbeit Stafford, even to me, did long that sight deny.  
Wear he and all the rest abroad, where lies the key I wots:  
Then sayne you sick, and sleepy, so the rest may hence be got.   

Soon Ladies listen novelties, and serve themselves with Shifts,  
Not sooner Dorcas had devised, but Elinor it drifts.  
So finely feigned she ill-at-ease that none believed her well,  
Save Stafford and his Lady, so preposing as befell:  
And all save only Dorcas, whom she prays with her to stay,  
Did sadly leave her to her Rest, and that she rest did pray.  
Mean while the Ladies and their host into the Garden walk,  
Where Stafford did invent them Sports, and held them pleasant talk.   

The Ladies twain, thus left alone, the door they open, where  
To them in complete armour seemed the greene-Knight to appear.  
The Burgonet, the beaver, buff, the collar, Curates, and  
The Poldrons, Grandgard, Vambraces, Gauntlets for either hand,  
The Taishes, Cushies, and the graves, staff, pencil, Baises, all  
The greene-Knight erst had tilted with that held her love his Thra●,  
She saw, on Crosses and els-what, by Staffora so set out,  
That to have seen her very Knight made Elinor no doubt.  
At first she fears, but lastly finds the armour was unmanned:  
When skaerd, and cheered, with Dorcas she did enter, there at hand,  
The Closet where the Prizes of the for said justs did stand.  
These, and that armour, Dorcas said, are Mandeuils, the same  
Your Knight, that won himself, for Force, to you for fair such fame▪  
But, sweet, let this be spoke in Shrift, so was it spoke to me:  
Long have you thirsted it, know I, which now you hear and see.  
Though Stafford was by Mandeuil conjured to conceal it,  
And I by Stafford, what is it but that I may reveal it?  
What shame, a god's name, can redound to him, by being known  
The Knight that honoured both himself and you, as more might none.  
Believe me, reason none his fame should thus obscured lie:  
But whatsoeare the Scruple be, now out it is, for why?  
To you lies bare my heart, and shall. With that (by pre-conclusion  
Twixt him and Dorcas) Stafford made a mannerly Intrusion.  
Why how now Ladies, sick, and heal, and ta'en so soon in ●a●me?  
You should, quoth he, to pound, wear this a churlish Ruslicks fa●me.  
In vain, I see, hath Mandeuil forbidden me or sight,  
Or speech hereof to Elinor: And Dorcas serves me right:  
Bab'd be our Shrifts to women, of simplicity, or spite.  
Well, Lady, (for by now I guess you know this armours Knight,  
And you, concerning other things, have read what he did wright)  
If firm you hold for him (as you have said, and should do still)  
For you, and him, and both, therein employ me at your will.  
Who mightier than the sultan? yet, as mandevil me writes,  
A Lady of the blood, right fair, he him for Wife be heights:  
But, wear she Empress of the World, his Resolution is,  
She either shall be Elinor, or never any his.   

Full well she knew those Sights, and at those Speeches did rejoice:  
The greene-Knight had been Mandeuil, had been in her the choice.  
That Wish, the Man, his Worth, their love, concurriug in this wise,  
Had he been also present, what more bliss could she devise?  
Thence went they out into that room where had the Banquet been,  
And there was she about to speak, when came the Ladies in:  
Full well appayde to see her cheered, and frained then her quaem,  
(For nothing less than forged pangs, or what had passed they aem.)  
Then went they all to whence they came, and Elinor did ply  
For Mandeuil: What was it now for him she would not try?  
Oft Stafford, She, and Dorcas did consult, and then conclude  
This Course, not to be changed: which ear said, be first pursued  
Of English, that in Africa, and in Asia, bring to pass,  
That England now is famous, where but late vnnam'd it was.    

CHAP. LXXI.  

OF Northern Regions partly is epitomed before,  
Of other later Voyages ensues a few, of store.  
Great Personages cannot want great Poets theirs to tell.  
Nor may they want, nor want o them would I, wrote I likewell.  
But of some Meaners, that their lives have ventured no less,  
Performed as much, Some more, and Some that have, as many guess,  
Unto their Betters made the way to glory they possess,  
Shall we digest: Or it we speak of great-Ones, they be dead,  
For Writers advantageously are of the living read.  
Thy reign also, Elizabeth, shall bond our Pen in it,  
Which to our theme inferreth Texts, no times yield more so sit.   

Like amorous escape from England as of Elinor to Rome,  
Made Macham in Madera rear his hence-stolne lovers tomb,  
Then reigned here Third Edwara, when so travelled Mandeuil,  
And in those days th●interring There of Machams love befell.  
A chapel built be there, his name and hers engraven in Stone,  
To Jesus dedicated (then, and England, there unknown.)  
Of him, this islands port is called Machico, to this day,  
Whom Africa Mores to C●stile, as a Wonder, did convey:  
For in an hollowed Tree, or Trough, not having sail or oats,  
(The ship they came in leaving him) discovered he the Mores.  
By which discovery, and by his Instructions, did ensue,  
Th' ●berians did Madera and Canaries Isles subdue.  
Hence (else had Macham past our pen) did time effect our Trade  
For Guinie, in her highness reign acquired, and patent made.  
For not in Maries wear those parts, as now, so fully found,  
yet still to grateful ears may those Negotiators sound,  
To wit (although an Alien) good Pinteado, abused  
By moody Windam, Guinte first, and Benyn, these perused:  
Next Gainsh, than Towrson divers times, and there my Father died:  
Since, rife that Voyage, Brasile, and to Cape-verd Isles beside.  
Gold, civet, musk, grains, pepper, woad, & ivory thence be brought:  
In Barbary, old Mauritaine, like Trade this reign hath wrought:  
Of Africa, and America, by Ours no part unsought.  
In Tewri●, Sirta, Egypt, Greece, the Turks whole empire now,  
Our Queen is gracious, our Commerce, and Agents, they allow.   

Of World-admired Drake (for of his Worth what argues more,  
Than fame envied? Some, for was his so rich, thought theirs too poor,)  
And his brave Breeder Hawkins (yet be honoured every Pen,  
That, howsoever, honour them as high resolved Men)  
In Fiction, or in mystery, to read would less delight,  
Than would significantly some their glorious Jor 〈…〉 es wright:  
The pains of such invited Pens such subject would requite.  
Add Gilbert, Greenuill, Frobisher, of Knights to make up five,  
All in their better Parts with God, with Men their fame's alive.  
Add ●hilton, Oxnam, Fenton, Ward, davis, an other Drake,  
With divers here not cataloged, and for a chiefest take  
All actions Candish, and of these eternal Pen-worke make.  
And, for a gowned Cicero, and one that did not live  
But to his Prince, and country, Lawdes to Waisingham do give.  
The 〈…〉ds, and Ae●eados, for Text, and Truth, might yield  
Unto that learned Muse that should manure that plenteous Field.  
Was never Prince employed Peace, with praise, to profit more,  
Or realm could, in the reign of one, boast worthy Men like store:  
Out Foes can also witness her armipotent, in few,  
Religion, virtue, Wealth, Peace, War, her Throne with same endue.  
And here mine altered Muse this theme surceaseth to pursue.   

Of These, East- Indian Goa, South, & southeast People more,  
And of their memorable Names those toils did undergo,  
Is one elaborated Pen compendicusly doth flow.  
Omitted then, and named Men, and Lands (not here, indeed,  
So written of as they deserve) at large in Hakluit reed.  
To him, and (who deserves likewell of England, both as Any  
Have wrote of England) Camden, and to English Poets Many:  
Of which are some (praiseworthy though) that tower their Wits too high,  
To make a Pitch for love, when they at fairer fowls might fly,  
Now vail I Bonnet. Rest thee, Muse, abroad what need we room?  
Our seventeen kingdoms once, now One, yield Work enough at Home,  
All which her highness owneth now, as shall anon be said:  
But of our English lovers first be this Addition made.    

CHAP. LXXII.  

NOw at Constantinople (once Byzantium) in old Thrace,  
Had Mandeuil to Stafford wrote should be his wintering Place:  
Next Summer would he be at Rome: That Stafford should direct  
For either Place his Letters, which he, longing, did expect,  
So S●efford had to Elinor the same informed, who,  
And Dorcas, evermore their loves did argue fro and too.  
They may, quoth Dorcas, make more nice, but few or none, I trow,  
That labour not of our disease: and why, I pray you, no?  
To be with God, what good more good? For it we all should ask.  
But for by death it must be done, but few affect the task.  
Virginity, though praised, is alike performed, for why?  
As much the Flesh is frail therein, as in the fear to die.  
What, was it said to all, but us, Increase and Multiply?  
No clerk will so expound that Text, God shield they should, say I.  
All yield, that marriage is no sin, if chastened then we live,  
And Man and wife their Bodies each to other wholly give:  
If so, as so is granted, what needs curious struggling then?  
Since God and Nature form Men for us, and us for Men.  
Ill match those dallying girls, pray I, that entertain by art  
All lovers, giving Hopes to all, of all to make their mart,  
And, having blanched many so, in single Life take pride:  
When not a Strumpet Men so much abhor, and more deride.  
Aswell as too remiss in choice, we may be too precise,  
And lose, as Aesop's swimming dog, a Substance for Surmise.  
But if we mark, in matching, this (which perfecteth Content)  
That in the Man of virtues be and love a Couplement,  
For either Fortune work we that we never shall repent.  
We coily may consume our Youth, till times may alter so  
Or form, friends, wealth, or fame, that we out of Request may grow.  
But lose that list their Prime, since now I have that may delight,  
He shall participate my best, that must my baddet Plight.  
For true it is, as Vessels of first Liquors ever taste,  
Love, seasned so with Sweets of Youth, the same doth ever last.  
Nay should my Stafford (God forbidden) less kind than think I prove,  
I ne'ertheless would still be his, in chaste and cheerful love.  
No men, troe I (the rascal Sort except) but women may,  
In Patience, temporising well, inform, and, erring, stay.  
And reason (were there Scripture none, so bidding) we forbore  
In men their moods, because of us they wholly take the care.  
Admit we bring them Portions great, and beauty sought of Many,  
Alas, what bring we one, that might not else have happed to any?  
For (let me speak it to no Blab) it is a Question, whether  
That longer think it we, or Men, until we come together.   

Well Wanton, well, quoth Elinor, if Men should hear your chat,  
This last I mean, at least they would conclude for us in that:  
Concerning which, upon my Tongue shall mine Opinion die,  
Though should I say to it, and all, Amen, I soothed no lie.  
Saint Stafford thine, Saint Mandeuil for me, God for us all,  
I have been, a 〈…〉, and will be still resolved, what ere befall.   

In saying which came Stafford in, and wills them to dispatch  
To shipboard: (for before had they determined of that Match.)  
Already had he shipped their stuff, lacked only they a board:  
Which opportunity did now that time and place afford.  
How they escaped, or how disguised, what skills it? scap't they are,  
All three embarked for Italy, and had the wind so fair,  
That almost thither had they reached, before they miss wear.  
For them great search, and sorrow much was made, but all in vain,  
None knew or when they went, or whence, or where they did remain.   

Here see you, what can mighty love in either sex effect:  
Here see you also friends for friends nor weal nor woe respect:  
Here see you one that feared to speak, is followed far to speed:  
Here see you that a Woman dares, if she conceits the deed:  
Here see you one in love, not mooped at home, but mapping Lands:  
Here see you how 'gainst all things else, for Lady's virtue stands:  
Here also hear what they, arrived in Italy, did see:  
And first at Rome, when first shall this of Else-what spoken be.    

CHAP. LXXIII.  

Elizabeths' now-Monarchy o'er seventeen crowns of old,  
As formerly was promised, shall briefly here be told.  
Before the Scots did plant them here, owned ancient Brutaines All,  
And still, take I, her Homager may England Scotland call:  
Which overpass, not now possessed, in this account we shall.  
Of either Land the Marches, and much more, for most now Ours,  
The warlike Picts possessing Here, built Castles, Towns, & Towers,  
〈…〉 tes, Scots, and Romans' (than our Lords) oft daunting with their Powers:  
T●●●●stly civil Strife, & Scots, disskingdomed them from Hence,  
Whom Orkney islands, as is said, have harboured ever sense.  
The Br●●aines, by these Picts of long oppressed with thraldom sore,  
To be delivered of such Foes, did Saxon Aides implore.  
So playing as did Aesop's Horse, that angry with the Hart,  
To be revenged, did crave in aid of Man to take his part:  
Till when the Horse was never backed nor bitted, Either now  
He having suffered, would have helped, but then he knew not how.  
The Brataines, having called so the Saxons to their aid,  
Can not be rid of them, to whom they had themselves betrayed:  
But by the same were they at length debelled into wails:  
Each of whose Kings, of long time Three, in England's Monarch fails.  
The Saxons getting Brutaine thus (which they did England name)  
At once of them in several Parts seven Kings did rule the same:  
All which, by Western Adelstane, in monarchy was got,  
Which since (save Iron-sids & the Danes once devident) changed not.  
Five Irish Kingdons' likewise add, now drowned in England's crown.  
The seventeenth was the Isle of Man, in Ours now also down.  
Our Mandeuil, here cited, of Earl Mandevil exact  
In Stephen's reign so famous, Man, in Scots Possession sacked,  
And with the spoil of all that Isle thence, and his Brother, packed.  
Consent of times, Names, and Records, affirm, may seem, no less.  
But Monteacute, Count Salisbury, it won, and did possess.  
Of Percies after, Stanley's next, and still (guess I) holds Man,  
From honourable long Descents: and from they first began,  
All loyal, hospitalious, loved, still powerful, and I pray,  
That in that Noble house those terms may never-more decay.  
This Man was divers hundred years a kingdom, and not small,  
Ruled Hebrides, the Orcadeses, to Thul the Islands all,  
And chances there, and Changes, worth the note, did oft befall.  
As how the natural Incolants the Iselanders subdue,  
Them Norses, ●rish them, them Scots, and English them, in few.  
Beauchamp, the Earl of Warwick, (first, and last, and but a while)  
Was King of Wight, sixth Henry's Gift that honour, and that I'll:  
Which added, eighteen Kingdoms, all possessed, ieke England's style.   

These now, thus couched all in One, save parcel Scots withhold  
Of Penthland, and some barren Isles subdued to Man of old,  
Since hath one Monarch ruled, us hath rendered secure:  
Whereas plurality of Kings did ever loss procure.  
Twice joined our islanders in one, when twice did Caesar fail:  
Disjoining, He, Picts, Saxons, Danes, and normans did prevail.  
The Spaniard, in Conceit, devours our country, in no hope  
But of disiunctives, who, thinks he, less love their Prince than Pope.  
Let France admonish England, turned Religion turns not Spain  
From thirsting France: neutrality brought late-lost Calais Baine:  
And Spanish't-French live Peasants-like, that, French, did Princes reign.  
Our Elders▪ illy did they well, for so should not be done,  
Much less to causeless arms against their Prince ought subjects run)  
So badly brooked this Spaniards famed espousal with their Queen,  
That, even at Westminster's Law-Barres, were harnessed Pleaders seen,  
Feared with the trooped Bands that would that Banes with swords forbidden:  
Of which were pitied those that died, the Rest winkt-at, and hid.  
Their meaning had it Praise, had not the Manner been in fault:  
The Manner now doth hold, may none in self-same Meaning haut:  
But armed be every hand, and heart, hence Englishly to beat  
Spayn, that our Bodies would enthrall, Rome, that our souls doth threat.  
yet (which hath blinded, bridled, and beguiled, them many a day)  
Their Inquisition wish I from the Spaniards rid away.  
What good remains to wish the Pope, this, that had none been borne,  
From him to steal his ill-got coin, from us to ship our Corne.  
The best things brought from Rome, to us convert, trow I, to ill:  
But new Rome left, of old Rome now abreviat we will.    

CHAP. LXXIV.  

WHen Stafford and his double Charge to Italy were come,  
In health, and rich (for hence brought they in coin no little Some,  
With jewels of rare estimate, and else-what of great worth)  
For Mandeuil they seek, and him at last did listen forth.  
That in Constantinople yet he was, a merchant said:  
And thither Staffords Letter was to him with speed conveyed,  
Purporting only that himself at Rome his coming staid.  
Mean while in Rome (the mistress once of all the world) they view  
Such wonders, couched in Ruins, as unseen might seem untrue.  
Once was it compassed, as is read, with fifty miles of wall:  
Now some to twenty, some to less, in that account do fall:  
It having Towers so many as the year hath days in all.  
From forty miles was water brought in Pipes o● Arches thither.  
Were vaulted walks through every street, 'gainst sun, and rainy weather.  
The sumptious baths, with palaces thereto of rare delight,  
The roomesome Ponds, where very Ships some festivals did fight,  
The trophy Arches, where to life Triumphants were portrayed,  
The Statures huge, of Porphyry and costlier matters made,  
The theatres, pyramids, the Hill of half a mile,  
Raised but of tribute potsherds, so to boast their Power long while,  
The Obelisks, of one whole Stone near forty yards or more,  
Huge pillars, carved in masonry with Prowse of Knights before,  
The stately Bridges, sometimes Eight, now fewer, Tiber cross,  
The thirty goodly Gates, of which is now of number loss,  
The huge colossuses, conduits, and else-what, that show'd a State  
Beyond belief of ruin'd Rome, in part repaired of late,  
They wonder at, & how the world could yield such Pomp, debate.  
Though some the seven enclosed hills, did ancient Rome contain,  
Lie waste, or vineyards, more doth yet of majesty remain,  
Even in the Rubble of the old, than in the now renewed,  
Though Rome retains a stateliness, nor fairer piles are viewed.  
The round Pantheon, once the House of all the Heathen Gods,  
Stands yet a Temple, but less decked for rich by too much odds.  
On Aventine the downfalls are of temple's store to see:  
On Tarpie of the Capitol, were wont their Guild to be:  
On Palantine of palaces, on Caelius signs of plays:  
quirinal, Exquell, Viminall, of baths show brave decays.  
These hills, with Vatican and old Janiculum o'erpast,  
Show we how Rome did rule, was ruled, and ruined at the last.   

FRom Janus (called Noah of some, ●aphet of some noah's son,  
And Japhets' son of others) Rule in Tuscan first begun,  
Reigned in six hundredth twenty years of Latins twenty one:  
(Son of the Eight of which was Brute, first sovereign of our Throne)  
The last of these Numitor was, whom Romulus did kill,  
And, building Rome, slew Remus, there to lord-it at his will.  
* This city, than Receptacle for all, how vile skills not,  
Of Italy by one and one the sixteen State-Lands got.  
Tarqvinius reigned the seventh in Rome, when for the outrage done  
Upon Lucretia, Kings did cease, and Consuls then begun:  
When had two hundredth thirty years been Kings, that much had won.  
* In this estate of Consuls (Two, removable each year)  
Rome flourished in Victories five hundredth years well near.  
No age can boast like valiant Men, or senators so grave,  
That war, and Peace, unto the world at their devotion gave:  
Whose only naked majesty not Armour then could brave:  
Like monarchy none ever had, or likely is shall have.  
* When now the world was wholly Rome's, and Pompey overcome,  
Then julius Caesar did usurp the commonwealth of Rome.  
Had thirty eight been Emperors successively, when as  
Did Constantine to Silvester Rome, by Donation pas.  
* This Constantine (surnamed the great, Our heir, and of our blood)  
Baptized of Silvester, did hurt, as happed, by doing good:  
When to Constantinople he removed th'imperial seat,  
Rome proved too proud for Priests, or pride of Priests for Rome too great.  
Besides, was little policy in Partnership of reign,  
For Rome, and Greece, one empire erst, was ruled as if of twain:  
Who also chose their Caesars, that their private turns did wait:  
Whence, after at Byzantium Nine had held imperial State,  
Rome by the Gothe Alaracus was sacked in barbarous rate.  
And here the Roman monarchy did palpably decline:  
As doth her prelacy, and soon shall quite, may we divine.   

But shall we yet digress of Rome, subjecting us so long?  
Then least, as now your ears, our Pen your Memories should wrong,  
Remembered be where stayed our search of Countries, where left we  
Of manaevil and Elenir, and where these lovers be.    

CHAP. LXXV.  

ANon as Constantine left Rome, for Greece, to Sylvester,  
(So called of living in the Woods, whence erst he durst not stir)  
For consecrating after. Popes they golden Rites prefer,  
And, hansling Rome with Heresies, in factious schisms did err.  
Scarce was it come unto the Third, when those that lived before,  
(But few escaping martyrdom) in Deserts, meek and poor,  
Did wrangle for Saint Peter's keys, and primacy of all  
The christian Church: which to their Sea, though long, at length did fall.  
Hence Dispensations, jubilees. Pardons, and such racked gear,  
Wear had at Rome: nothing, nought worth, there had, not paid for dear.  
Yeat not, till long, the Emperors they dared to provoke,  
That now in choice of Emperors did labour greatest stroke,  
And S●culers from church-Affayres in all did sequester,  
But wrought that seculars should all unto the Church refer:  
Effecting so, that Emperors and Kings did kiss their feet,  
Deposing, and disposing, them, and theirs, as they thought meet.   

When now the blind seduced World was brought unto their bent,  
And more their busy heads could not, ambitiously, invent,  
Was Pope, & Pope, & sometimes Three: Popes poisoned, Popes exiled,  
Pope's strangeld, cozened Popes, a Pope delivered of a child:  
Was never heard such Tyrants, or of other Potentates  
So many did miscarry, through Ambition, and Debates.  
But be observed, in highest pitch of Pride in clergymen,  
God still hath wrought, Religion, realms, and all have ruined then.  
So, in her roof, it fared with Rome: he whiseled, and did swarm  
From out the North Barbarians that 'gainst Italy did arm.  
At sundry times the Goth, the Dane, the Vandale, and the Hun,  
With others, four times sacked Rome, and oft the Land o'errun:  
Nor only so, but there did reign, in spite of who said nay:  
Whence Cisalpine is Lombardy unto this present day:  
And Rome, which since our Brennus, none durst enterprise, was made  
A booty to each barbarous Force that would the same invade.  
In vain the Roman Emperors their ancient Right defend,  
For through seditious Popes the French begun where Those did end.  
From Pharamonds to pippins House they foist the crown of France,  
And to the Western empire than did Charlemagne advance.  
From France to Italy again, to Germany from thence,  
Whereas the naked Title hath enured ever sense.   

Thus erring Rome hath, doth, & will, our christian World unqueate:  
May therefore Princes join to raze that Monster from his seat.  
What, will ye see a glorious God of earth? Go see the Pope:  
Aspiring Lucifer? who else? Truth falsed? Reversethe Cope:  
Queans like to Queens? There halfe-mile streets afford no other Sort,  
If scarlet Hats mean while and Stoles have not ingro'st the Sport.  
Full forty Thousand courtesans there, Ladies-like, do live,  
That to the Pope for wantoning no small revenue give.  
Their wives they mew from churchmen there: whence doth this byword come?  
More privileged Harlots live than honest wines at Rome.  
Well, by their Fruits ye may them know. Thus is cast up this Some.   

WHilst were those broils in Italy, did many there reject  
Obedience to the Emperors, who could not them protect:  
So divers Cities did themselves enfranchize, growing States:  
And each of them Dominion to her commonwealth delates.  
Wear overlong although we should but briefly over-ronne  
The free- Italian States, of which the Spaniards part have won:  
As Naples, Milan, royal That, and duchy This, both twain  
So peopled, fertile, pleasant, rich, as neither show their wain.  
But should we speak of Venic's pomp, the city, and the Scite,  
Too little should we speak, although too much we here should write.  
But, Gallants, will you view the court of Venus, and not so,  
But mirrors too of courtesy? to rich-built Genoa go:  
But far from drifting Florence keep, least Machiuels ye grow.  
Ferrara, Urbine, Mantua, Placence, and Parma are  
Brave Cities, great for State, and please those which to them repair.  
I wots not what this spacious Land doth lack that Man can wish:  
Air temprate, fertile Grounds, unmatched for fruits, beasts, fowls, & fish:  
Men valiant, rich, kind, courtly, and fair Academies many,  
For brave and beauteous women do, nor need they yield to any.   

Now to our English trinity of lovers let's return,  
That still, in expectation of the Fourth, at Rome sojourn.  
There, after Prayers, Church-times, Sights, & Stories sometimes read,  
Amongst their merry Tales was this, how one, enamoured, speed.    

CHAP. LXXVI.  

Affair young wife of lyncolneshire (if say our Author truth)  
In traveling to London-wards, squired of a clownish youth,  
Was by a yorkshire Gentleman o'ertaken, & together  
This cock of game, and hen (as he supposed) of that Feather,  
Do journey on: And, liking her, when words of course had passed,  
And nodding pricked on before her serving Creature fast,  
He thus began. Fair Mistress, since our travel lies one way,  
If so you please, one inn, one board, (and I for all will pay)  
May serve us both: I also was about, one Bead, to say.  
The Gentlewoman (formally then modest) blushing, said,  
For inn, add board, as pleaseth you: And so her Answer staid,  
But would you add the Third, quoth he, more would it please in deed.  
What that you pay for all? quoth she, nay, so wear more than need.  
Tush, that (And yeat best Orators to Women knew he Gifts,  
And therefore named, Pay, as if by chance, to edge his drifts)  
Was out, quoth he, at un awares: I also named, Bead.  
You said you were about, quoth she, which still let go for dead.  
Thus off and on they dialogue best part of all that day:  
He could not win her to consent, nor would he take a nay:  
For long a go the Calendar of Women-Saints was filled,  
Few not to opportunity, importunated, yield,  
Thinks this our Northern wily lad, hearty, and hardy too,  
Who never would giveout: nor more, than thus, yields she to do,  
That is, to bead: he swearing but to kiss, and her embrace.  
Then merrily for Huntingdon they mend their former pace.   

Alighted there, for Supper he bespeaks the daintiest cheer,  
And either in one gallery had Chambers, somewhat near.  
Betwixt their Chambers placed was a Southern Gentleman,  
That by officious signs twixed them to sound their Match began.  
Her extraordinary form, on work the rather sets  
His heart, and Senses (such an hand of us such beauty gets.)  
Resolved at last of what was meant, and how therein to deal,  
This smelfeast from the bidden Guest, did thus the Banquer steal.  
He gave it out, that all might hear, he early would away,  
His Man feigned fear to oversleepe, and would not downe him lay:  
But, when that all beside betook themselves to sleep and rest,  
One while he walks the gallery, another while he dressed  
His rusty Sword, which badly did the Northern-man digest.  
In vain he cha●te, in vain he wished the serving-man were gone:  
Nor durst he out to board his love (for much it stood upon  
Their Credits to be cautilous.) The Southern-man, this while,  
Got to the gentlewoman's bed, and did (no force) beguile  
Her Expectation: Swore you not? quoth she, and he did smile.  
But, had he been the Man forsworn, if God forgave the Sin,  
She pardoned him the quo advi that he had trespassed in,  
And, for that night's work, swore to swear no Man from like, I win.  
This Chaer thus chaered, as closely as he went returns he back  
Unto his proper Bed, nor long he sleeps ere thence he pack.  
No sooner cleared was the Coast, but that the bidden Guest  
Steals to her Chamber door, than locked, (for now she means to rest.)  
A malcontent retireth he, not dreaming what had been,  
But better opportunity hopes at their next-nights Inn.  
Next morn they meet, when, blushingly (but angry not a whit)  
Ha Sir, quoth she, I'll trust again your oath, so kept you it.  
Well, bite, and whine (quoth he) who trusts a Woman so is saru'd.  
First museth she, then jests it out, soon finding how was swerved.  
But thus the Northern-man did fail, that did no cost omit,  
And thus the Southern-man prevailed, at charge no more then Wit.  
The best is yet behind, but ere be told the story out,  
Amongst our lovers, now at Rome, hear how was brought about.   

AT Rome is Mandevil arrived, Stafford and he are met,  
To say their Greeting, for the much, were here too long a Let.  
Of Elinor her health, and more, suppose not Questions few:  
For yet full little Mandeuil of her arrival knew,  
Nor shall, till of his loyalty, and life, be further View.  
At Staffords Lodging had he seen (as is th'Italian gyves)  
Two portly Ladies, Head and Face, all veiled, save their eyes:  
Twixt one of these, and Stafford, much of kindness to have past  
Had he observed, and thereupon thus breaks with him at last.  
I have not seen the covered Dish, that so your Diet fits,  
But much I fear it surfeit may, quoth he, your queasy wits:  
Needs must I enter now the Lists, to combat Dorcas Foe,  
Even Staffords reason that from heaven to Hell is posting so.  
I will not ask, nor do I care, what beauty, wealth, or wit,  
Your here-found mistress hath, why you should home-left love forgit:  
But this, I know, not Rome affords whom more you might affect  
Than her, whom wronged here I see, and more than seen suspect:  
And wherein differs Man from Beast, but in Affections checked?  
What, is she married. Then do ye superlatively sin:  
Or maid? I like not Maidens that so forwardly begin:  
Or Curtizen? What doth she with a vail that is so vile,  
As not to blush at shame, but, baered, is wont to beguile?  
But Married, maid, or Curtizen, or what you please her name,  
I like not him makes love to one, and wrongs the very same.  
I tell thee, Stafford, be she good, or bad, thou here dost court,  
Thee I pronounce too bad, that with fore-plighted love do'est spourte.  
Let it suffice my Friendship hates Absurdities in thee:  
far be it travelers should play the spider, not the Bee.  
I would thy courted Lady here, and her consort, heard this:  
(A needles wish, next room wear both, and over heard he is)  
Then should they hear thee false to one, a choicer is not here,  
And, fearing like, suspect thy love, of Precontracts not clear:  
Or falsed Matches, finished in wrong of Others, might,  
By still improsprous precedents, detetre from wronging Right.  
To honest ears might this suffice to interrupt herein,  
Or spoke I unto Harlots, this at least from Lust should win:  
All Touch-sweet, Tast-sweet, Eye-sweet, Eat-sweet, Sent-sweet, Soule-sweet, is  
A virtuous Match, but vicious love in all contraries this.   

Suppose this firm and naked love, and Friendship, much to please  
His auditory, seen, and not, and S●afford, to appease  
His Discontent, pretends a soon return for England thence,  
And so this parley ended, and on either part Offence.  
Stafford had said to Mandeuil, that Elinor, to try  
Whether his love did not with time, new loves, and travel die,  
Required back the Ring she gave, which if he could her send,  
She would believe him loyal, and requite it in the end.  
That Ring, in this regard, did he commend to Stafford now,  
And, save to her, he give the same to none exacts a vow.  
The next third following day was feigned the time he would from thence,  
Whom to accompany on his way had Mandeuil pretence:  
Wherefore they feast their Friends, & then their Friends, amongst the rest,  
Unknown of him, was Elinor with Mandekil a Guest.  
Such art she used, and such Attier she wore, and who would look  
For her at Rome? that present her not for herself he took.  
Upon her Finger he espied his Ring, delivered erst,  
yet silently devours the grief, that to his soul had pear'st.   

He, and the rest, invited wear to sup abroad that Night:  
Night, Guests, and Suppers end are come, when (grieved though in sprite  
He, to recover back his Ring, did use this cleanly sleight:  
In one had he a Mommerie devised and a mask,  
And every masking Mommer took a Lady to his task,  
He her, with whom he had espied his Ring, and dancing donn●,  
To look, as if for somewhat lost, to ground-wards he begun.  
Was asked what mist, he whispers her, that he had lost a Ring,  
Which wanting in each mommers' Mouth, was made a penal thing:  
Fair Lady, lend me this, quoth he, that on your finger is,  
And (giving her a Tablet rich) for Gage accept of this.  
Her courtesy, his coloured Want, and Gage, effected so,  
That she, the pawn accepted, did her loved Ring forego.  
Now on the board wear cast the Dice, her turn was come to play,  
Which opportunity takes he, and shifts him thence away.  
Nor knew she him, nor her knew he, for her she was indeed:  
But thus he speed his purpose, and of this did thus proceed:  
Which, ear we shall report, insewes our jests remain to reed.    

CHAP. LXXVII.  

AT Ware (in Hertford-shire a town, not bettered, I win,  
Of thorough-Faires, from Thence to Twede, for many an harbrous inn,  
Washed with the once ship-bearing Ley, by Alfred slu'ste in Three,  
To dissipate the Dane-Fleete, that expugning Hertford be,)  
Next day they timely took their inn, had supped ere sun was sir,  
Abroad walked she, unseen did he into her Chamber get.  
First giving out he would to bed, lest, mist, be marred the Sport,  
And, lest she fear, the day before had made to her report,  
In Merriment, that oftentimes he walked in his sleep,  
And then nor Lock, nor Let, could him from Place, or Person, keep:  
If in this fit I chance on you, be not afraid, quoth he.  
But, if you come, I'll whip you thence, than best not come, quoth she.  
Thus, and with this preparative, he counts the booty his,  
And on the Rushes, underneath her Bed, he couched is,  
And what with watch the night before, and weariness that day,  
And to be fresh, anon, he slept, assoon as down he lay.   

Mean while, a lusty Yeoman of a Northern Bishops, who  
Was often there a Guest, and good, alights and goes into  
The gentlewoman's pointed room, and say what they could say,  
There would he lodge, for that had been his Lodging many a day,  
Loth were they to displease him (for an Harbinger he was)  
And then were Bishops bo●●tious, as they too and fro did pass.  
For whensoever they removed to Place, or parliament,  
Their common Meany (not a few) on Foot with bows forwent,  
Nor niggardly was then to them allowed to be spent.  
Themselves, with learned Chaplains & great trains did follow then,  
And frankly spent in every Place, relieving many Men.  
Yea, Monasteries, colleges, schools, Hospitals, highways,  
Bridges, and like, were founded by the prelates in those days.  
But Laters could not so, for why? were Those so fleeced Theirs,  
As but a thousand yearly Fee, some purcha'st to their heirs.  
But now be some (may such be long, and such to them succeed)  
To whom in all doth nothing want of reverent Worth indeed.  
But say ye Sooth, have clergymen Coshairers? tush a lie:  
To ask do Courtiers, churchmen shame to offer simony:  
And that should be such Fault, appears small likelihood, say I.  
Obscurely more, with lesser Port, less hospitalious too,  
The great-Ones never lived, nor racked their own, as now they do.  
Then either this is false that thus they fleece, or this is true,  
That even Consumption of their own, is Sacrilegers due.  
But wander do we from our jest, of that doth thus ensue.   

The Bishop's man sups, and to bed, whilst sound sleeps that other:  
The Gentlewoman, barred that room, is lodged in another:  
That in the Bed fell fast a sleep, This underneath awakes,  
And, in his creeping out, and up, no din at all he makes.  
One heard he breath, art there? thought he, have with thee by & by:  
And softly kissed, where felt so rough, he feared t'have kissed awry.  
He groped therefore her Face, and caught the Yeoman by the Beard:  
And rudely starting up (not more in all his life afeard,  
Then buskling to his Sword) cried thieves: That other in such taking,  
As though he were a Man right good, he stood amazed, and quaking.  
The host and Ostlers with a Light and tools, than next to hand,  
Came in, where he, almost unstript, but wholly skar'de, did stand.  
They wonder (for they knew him well) that he should be a thief:  
Good Sirs, quoth he, be still, we all deceived are, in brief.  
Then, taking some apart, he told his Cause of being there,  
And prays their silence, and in Wine was washed away that fear.  
The Gentlewoman, hearing this, un-Inned by day did peep,  
And (honester than would himself) left him to wake, or sleep.  
This stale-Iest told, Of Mandeuil now let us Promise keep.   

WIth modest Mirth were ended now the mask, and revels, when  
Unto their Lodging Stafford did the Lady's usher then.  
There Elinor was passing sad, and, being asked, did tell  
The Circumstances of her Ring in order as befell,  
And shows the gauged Tablet, seen and known of Stafford well.  
Her, weeping ripe, he, laughing, bids to patiented her a while,  
For Mandeuil supposed him wronged, and wrought, qd he, that wile.  
But how for you he loveth yours, it argues, and withal  
A gentle-manly mind his great Exchange for value small.  
Nor think I less, nor argue less of love, and gentry too  
May what, in both preventing him, I mean, quoth she, to do.  
His Tablet sent she, and therewith this breviat, by a Page.  
Of you I ask not back my Loane, but take it, and your Gage:  
Yours Either, Neither say I mine, Both shall be, I presage.  
He musing of her Meaning, thus to her lets his be known.  
Of you I ask not back my Gage, but take it for your Loane:  
Mine triples yours, not yours, and yet for Price gets yours, but One.  
Not musing of his Meaning (which to her was not for news)  
She of her Meaning also means that he no longer muse.   

Now Mandeuil, though grieved much at Stafford, whom he thought  
In Rome to riot, Dorcas not esteemed as she ought,  
And for his blabbing him to herthe which had had his Ring.  
Against an oath, means ne'ertheless him on his way to bring,  
And comes to Staffords Lodging, who prepared for no such thing.  
But for a bridegroom trimmed, and trim was All, and She for Bride  
Him contradicted, when, as said, had Mandevil espied  
That likelihood: who, sighing, said, not henceforth will I chide,  
But pity Stafford, now so far from wont Stafford wide.  
A Friend should not (not you will I in this Infirmenes) fly,  
Alone of Dorcas wronged here not witness shall mine Eye.  
Came you to Rome to lose yourself, and find at Rome a Friend,  
There to begin his sorrows where your Senses make an end?  
Or thrive they more, or travel less, may Englishmen, wish I:  
Hence should they profit, whence for most they least do fructify,  
How stoical grows Mandeuil, quoth Stafford, since his travel:  
With you, for like, may I ere long, have cause no less to cavil.  
With that, from out another room to him, that would away,  
Then Dorcas-like came Dorcas out, entreating him to stay.   

What should we say his joy, that his misdeemes did sort to this?  
Was not a gladder man, and yet anon he gladder is,  
When Elinor, then like herself, to him came also out:  
But whether gladder he, or she, thus met, shall rest a doubt.  
That very day both Couples wead, but what they did that night,  
Not men unpractised can report, for Action, or Delight.  
Nor creeded be this love-tale of this Lady and this Knight.   

THus, of what worth soever, is brought this Work of Ours to end:  
More have we done, hence outed, more we purposed to have penned,  
Which to intelligenced Men, more daring, we commend.  
Well wotring, Acts heroic, and great Accidents, not few  
Occur this happy reign, here-hence, of purpose, blanched view.  
Nor perpetuity my Muse can hope, unless in this,  
That thy sweet Name, Elizabeth, herein remembered is.  
And this, hope I, doth bode me good, that very day wherein  
Was finished This, did of thy reign year thirtieth nine begin.  
May Muse arte-graced more than mine, in Numbers like supply,  
What in thine highness Praise my Pen, too poor, hath passed-by.  
A larger Field, a subject more illustrious, None can ask,  
That with thy sceptre and thyself, his poesy to task.  
Thy people's Prolocutor be my Prayer, and I pray,  
That us thy blessed Life, and reign, long bless, as at this day.      

An Addition in Proese to the second Book of Albion's ENGLAND: containing a breviate of the true history of Aeneas.  
ACcept him (friendly Reader) where he is, not where he ought, and as he speaketh, not as he should. Misapplied he is not for Matter precedent, howsoever the penning or misplacing may like or mislike for the English or Order. Rather hath my remissness borrowed of Decorum and your Patience, than that a patriarch of our Brutons should be abruptly estranged: Of Aeneas therefore it thus followeth:  

Aeneidos.  
WHen the revengeful Flames of Tr●y, properly called Ilium, than the principal city of all Asia, had perfected the more than Te●ne years Siege of the Grecians expugning of the same, than Aeneas (howsoever by some authorities noted of disloyalty towards Priam, in this not unworthily surnamed virtuous) burdening his armed shoulders with his feeble and most aged Father Anchises, that laboured also under his load of the Trojan Gods and sacred relics, Aeneas (as I say) with such his burden, leading by the hand his son Ascanius of the age of twelve years, followed not only of the beautiful Creusa his wife the Daughter of King Priam, but also of a many Troyans' participating that common calamity, broke through the wasteful Flames, maugre the wrathful Foes, into the fields of Phrigia. There the air emptied of down-burnt Turrets, and filled with smoke of fired Buildings, assured from their hearts more tears to their eyes, than the benefit of their present Escape could promise them comfort. Tr●y therefore not to be rescued, or Creusa (in this business lost and perishing) to be recovered, Aeneas and his Followers embarking themselves in Simois, after long & weary seafaring arrived in a part of Thrace called Cressa, bounding on Mygdonia. Here Aeneas, purposing an end of his tedious sailings, and not meanly furnished of Treasure conveyed from Troy, laid Foundation of a city (after the Founder) called Aenea. This city going forward less effectually than was expected, Aeneas, supposing the Gods to be yet opposite to the Troyans', knocking down a milk-white Bull pitched an Altar to do Sacrifice. near at hand were growing divers shrubbed Trees, the boughs whereof (for the greater reverence and exornation of the present solemnity) he cutting and sliving down, perceived blood in great abundance issuing from the broken Branches: whereat long admiring, and with great terror and devotion intercessing the Gods to reveal the meaning of that miraculous Accident, at the length he heard a pitiful & feeble voice (for divessly in those days, did the devils answer and give Oracles) thus answering.  
Reason were it (Aeneas) that the graves of the dead should privilege their bodies from the tyranny of the living: but by so much the less do I esteem my prejudice, by how much the more I know thee unwittingly injurious. Thou Aeneas, in these branches, thou tearest the body of thy unfortunate Brother-in-law Polydore, son to the likestarred Priamus. Troy as yet was only threatened, not besieged, when my Father (as thou knowest) delivered me with a world of Treasure to Polymn●stor the barbarous King of this country, here dangerless (as he pretended) to abide, as the Conseruor and restoration of his House and empire, whatsoever should betide of him, his other Issue, or the wars than beginning: but the Greeks' prevailing, avarice, and the declining State of Phrigia, emboldened my garden (fearless of revengers) to the murdering of me: which he traitorously accomplishing on this Shore, secretly raked me up in these Sands, without honour of better sepulchre: and of my body (so hath it pleased the Gods, and Nature) are sprung these Branches, in tearing of which thou tormentest me. Howbeit, in respect of my desire to profit thee by foretelling of thy destiny, I account me happily harmed: For know (Aeneas) that in vain thou dost build where the Gods deny thine abode: leave therefore these defamed Coasts, and prosperously plant the remain of Troy and thy posterity in the fertile Italian Clime.  
The voice thus ceased to speak, and Aeneas, without further touch of the forbidden Shrubs, continuing his fear finished the Sacrifice, & after the Phrygian fashion solemnly held an obits to the Ghost of his murdered Kinsman.  
THen, by this admonishment, he and his trojans leaving the new reared city, disanker from Thrace in quest of behighted Italy. But no sooner had they put to Sea, than that the winds and the waves solicited (a poetical fiction) by the wife of Jupiter, so tossed and turmoiled the disparcled navy, that the horror of the circumstances continually threatening their lives, left only hoped-for death as the remain of all comfort. At length, these instruments of their long wanderings, and the causes of Anchises & of many noble personages there perishing, counterpleaded (as is fabled) by Venus, tossed their distackled Fleet to the Shore of Libya. near to the place of their arrival stood the beautiful city of Carthage, which Elisa (whom the Phaenicians for her magnanimous dying, did afterwards name Dido) had newly builded: Aeneas by safe-conduct received from her repairing thither, found such royal entertainment, that in respect of the present solace he had forgotten all passed sorrows, & his hart-spent Troyans' found bountiful supplies to all their late endured scarsities. In the mean while Aeneas, for parsonage the Jovilist, for well-spoken the Mercuxilist, & no less fortunate under Venus her constellation, with his comeliness so enticed the eyes, with his speeches so enchanted the ears, and with his virtues so inflamed the heart of the amorous Cathagenian Queen, that hardly modesty dissented that her tongue affirmed not the love which her eyes outwardly blabbed and her heart inwardly nourished: In the end, not able longer to contain such extraordinary Passions, in this order she vented the same to the Lady Anna her Sister.  
My trusty Sister, quoth she, (then sighing out a pause) how many great Princes, since the decease of my late husband Sichaeus and our departure from Tyrus, have in vain laboured a marriage with me, hath been unto thee no less apparent, than of me hitherto unapproved: but now (haled on I know not by what destiny) our newcome Guest Aeneas the Trojan (whose matchless parsonage and knightly prowess I partially commend not, all confirming of him no less than I can affirm) the same even the same hath supplanted my chaste determinations of continual widowhood, with an amorous desire of a second marriage: howbeit, to determine without him, as I must, were to be deceived of him, as I may. What counsel? Myself (Anna) ah myself to motion love were immodesty, and to be silent less tolerable than death. I would (a violent no voluntary wish) that Elisa knew herself beloved of Aeneas, Aeneas not knowing himself so loved of Elisa.  
Her Sister with a cheerful countenance promising comfort performed the same in this answer. Dum signs (quoth she) have their speeches: not any that observeth your looks, but easily aimeth at your love: greater is the wonder of your strict chastity, than it would be a novel to see you a Bigama. That privately peevish and curious, This publicly wished and commodious: Or ever Carthage be perfected in the air, Elisa may putrefy in the earth: What Monument then leavest thou to thy Tyrians, scarce warm in A 〈…〉 k, than a Cities imperfect foundation? Which being already an eyesore to the wild and warlike Libyans, Barc 〈…〉 s, Getulians, and the rest of the Africans, shall then be v 〈…〉 early extinct, with the very name of the foundress▪ but in matching with so great and valiant a Prince as Aeneas, thou shalt not only live with whom thou dost love, and by consorting thy Tyrians with his Troyans' strongly disappoint the envy of those Nations, but (for Nature hath not given thee such beauty to die barren) being a wife, become (〈◊〉 doubt) a mother, and by legitimate propagation so glad thy subjects fearless of civil dissensions. Who can then dislike that Elisa should so love? Bury Sister the thoughts of Sichaeus with his dead bones, and prosperously prosecute and prevail in thy sweet passions of Aeneas: ply him with all provisions and amorous entertainments: only for his Shippe-works fain delatory wants, and by Winter be past he, partly coming, will (fear not) be perfectly reclaimed.  
This counsel of Anna, though it heaped as it were Athos on Aetna, yet was it praised and practised of Elisa: for counsel soothing the humour of the counseled, howsoever unprofitable, is accounted plausible. Henceforward the Queen (to be admired, not matched for her exquisite beauty, and rather borrowing of art than scanting Nature, as brave in apparel as beautiful in person, and voted, even in her better part, to the love of Aeneas) so sorted all her devices to his best liking, that shortly himself laboured with her in one and the self-same pain of wishedfor pleasure. Omitting therefore the circumstances of their discourses, feastings, and all poetical feignings, only proceed we, in few, to the event of these their amorous Beginnings.  
A Hunting was generally appointed, the Queen, Aeneas, their Ladies, and Knights bravely mounted, the stands were prewned, the toils pitched, the Hounds uncoupled, the Gamerowsed, a foot, and followed, when suddenly, amidst the harbourless desert in the hottest pursuit, the sky, overcast with black clouds, showered down such flashes of lightning, volleys of Thunder, hailstones, and rain, that glad was every of the Tyrians and Troyans', dispersing themselves, to shift for one, Elisa and Aeneas in the mean while finding a cave that sheltered them twain. Being there all alone, unknown of and unsought for of their servants, Opportunity, the chief actress in all attempts, gave the Plaudiate in love his, comedy. Imagine short wooing where either party is willing: their faiths plighted for a marriage to be solemnized (with kind kisses among) he did what harmed not, and she had what displeased not: A young Aeneas should have been moulded, had he not been marred (as might seem) in the making. When this sweet calm in the sharp storm was with the tempest thus overpassed, then came they both out not such as they entered in, & were received of their trains, attending their pleasures, not examining their pastimes: and so having continued the chase until night discontinued their sport, they retiring to Carthage were sumptuously feasted of Elisa in her palace. During these their Altion days (not generally liked of all) one there was, a noble Trojan, that had these speeches to Aeneas.  
Shouldest thou believe (far be it from Aeneas so to believe) that the Oracles of our Gods, behighting us the Conquest of Italy, were superstitious, them believe also (undeceived master thou so believe) that our effeminate abode here is vain and slanderous: to attempt that former without an Oracle, yea with the loss of our lives, is honourable, because we are Trotans: to entertain this latter, invited and dangerless, reproachful, because we are Troyans'▪ Ah (Aeneas) have we shipped our Gods from home to be witnesses of our wantonness here? Believe me, better had it been we had died in P●r●gia, men, than to live thus in Africa like women. Consider also the place whereinto we are now brought, and then conceive of the possibility of our here abode: shall I tell thee? were there not (if in the mean while no other Accident cross thy now bliss) were there not, I say, an Elisa here to love thee, or were there not an Aeneas to be beloved of her, no sooner should the first deceased of you be delivered of life, than the survivors of us Troyans' be denied this land: And then, (if we should prove so ungrateful as to resist our relievors) having number, yet want we Munition: for neither our Ships be tackled, nor we armed, but at the delivery and appointment of the Tyrians. Learn therefore (Aeneas) after so long pleasure in love, at the last profitably and politicly to love, and whatsoever thy play be in Affrich, let henceforth the main be Italy. Meanwhile command (most humbly we desire to be so commanded) that thy ships be secretly caulked, ●allowed, ballaced, tackled, victualled and armed: and then (thy self also reform) wittingly or unwillingly to Elisa leave her & her effeminate city: with Resolution nevertheless (ifthou so please) at more leisure to love her. So effectually did Aeneas listen to this motion, that giving order for the repairing of his fleet, he promised a speedy and sudden departure: and his men, not slipping opportunity, executed the same with as effectual diligence.  
It happened in this mean while, the Queen to mount the high Turrets of her palace royal, where looking towards the road, she perceived how earnestly the Tro●a●s laboured in trimming, pavasning, and furnishing their navy: then assuring herself not deceived, that she should be deceived, and descending as it were majestically mad, meeting with Aeneas, she said.  
Before (A●neas) I beheld thy ship wracks and wants I believed some God arrived at Carthage: yea when I knew thee but a man, my conceit honoured thee with a dentie: but now these thine inhuman Treacheries (not worthy the unworthiest Titles) argue so far off from a Godhoode, as thou showest thyself less than a Man and worse than a devil. What hath Carthage not worthy Aeneas? I assure thee, if any be so much, no city is more happy than Carthage. But the Queen pleaseth not Aeneas, oh that Aeneas had not pleased the Queen: then might I have bettered my choice for honour, or not have bewailed thy change for the dishonour. But (ungrateful) wilt thou indeed leave me? Yea, then that thou meanest the contrary nothing more false: but to derive thy departure from any desert of mine nothing less true. If therefore the life of Elisa, the love of Elisa, the land of Elisa, her wealth, thy want, her tears, thy vows, her distress, thy dishonour, the delights of this Shore, the dangers of those Seas, Carthage possessed, Italy unconquered, peace without war here, war without peace there, thy wracks past, the Winter to come, any evils whereof I warn thee, any good that I have wrought thee, and more good that I have and do wish thee, if any thing said, or more than I can say, hath or doth want Argument to seat thee in Africa, yet at the least for thine own safety stay a more temperate season, urging in the mean while excuses for thine unurged departure: and so I flattered, shall either patiented myself, or repent thy fleeting in a milder ecstasy. I did (well may I forethink me so to have done) entertain thee beyond the degree of an hostess or the dignity of a Guest: & yet (ungrateful Guest to so kind an hostess) for such welcome thou hast not pretended a farewell. Thus, alas, finding thy love less than it ought, I repent to have loved more than I should, and because thou appearest not the same thou wert, I am not reputed the same I am: but as a ridiculous byworde of the Tyrians, the stolen of the Troyans', and the scorn of the Africans: howbeit (in truth) the fayth-plighted Wife of faithless Aeneas. But who will so believe? Nay believe not so who will, thy departure shall be my death, my death thy sin, thy sin the worlds speech, the worlds speech thy reproof, and thy reproof my purgation. For were thyself juror and judge of the more offensive, my credulencie, or thine inconstancy, the juror could not but give Verdict for Elisa, and the judge sentence against Aeneas: then (if not for my suit, yet for thine own sake) let me not plead tediously and without grace, that plead so truly, and with more grief than for the quantity I may suffer, or for the quality thou canst censure.  
Aeneas, not lightly gauled at her impatience (whom he still loved more than a little, howbeit lesser than his now regard of honour) thankfully acknowledged her great bounty, counterpleading to have pretended a departure without leave taken, vouching moreover the displeasure of his Gods for contempt of their Oracles manifested by fearful dreams and sundry Visions, as also the urging of his ●ro●ans impatient of tarriance. So that he resting in Resolution not to be won by wooing, or reclaimed by exclaiming, the Queen became speechless and senseless, and was in a swoon conveyed from his presence. In which business he boarding his ships, in the dead of the night hoisting up sails, left Carthage to seek Italy.  
THe Queen, not capable of any rest, by day appearing descried from a Turret the road cleared of the Trojan navy: than not willingly silent, nor able to speak, She stood as stood Niobe after the fourteenth revenge by Latona's Issue: Which her then and after Extremities, to be glanced at, not judged of, briefly I thus decipher. Imagine a substantial and a palpable appearance of love, Wrath, Sorrow, and despair, acting in their aptest habits and extremest passions, and then suppose Elisa not only the same, but more fervently loving, more furiously wrathful, more confusedly sorrowful and more impatiently desperate. Imagine lastly the first three imagined Actors, after long parts occupied, leaving the Stage to the fourth, as to the perfectest Imperfection: and then from such imagined Stratagem attend this actual Catastrophe.  
A Wizard or Witch (the two common Oracles of many too credulent women) had instructed the Queen, that an immolation or burnt Sacrifice offered to the Internal Deities, of the Armour, Ornaments, and all whatsoever the relics of Aeneas 〈…〉 t behind him at his departure from Carthage, would effectually estrange the outrage of her passions, and ex 〈…〉 ct in her the very remembrance of Aeneas. This counsel (either for that at the first she believed it possible, or for that opportunity so offered itself to practise the thing she did purpose) Elisa entertaining opened the same to Anna her Sister: who, simply unsuspicious of the sequel, provided secretly (as was given her in charge) a pile of dry Faggots, crowned with G●rlands for the dismail Sacrifice: which and Elisa herself in a readiness, Aeneas his Armour being her eyes object, became in this wise her tongues subject.  
With this, quoth she (eyeing the Armour) the craking troyans boasted to have buckled with the gallant Diom●des, not seldom to have offended the defenceles Grecians, and after many loved blows at the sacking of Troy, valiantly to have boarded his thence-bent navy: this Armour profitable to my prejudice, there defensive to him, to be here offensive to me, were it unnecessary to this Sacrifice, should nevertheless burn for the same trespass. This Cup, this Phrygian Cup, too guilty of too many Tyrian draughts, Assistants in forming me audaciously amorous, shall now occupy these ceremonial flames as the then Accessary to a contrary fire. These Bracelets, and these earrings (by too often and officious hands fastened and loosed with begged and granted kisses among, and now less precious by the giver his practice) shall also ad C 〈…〉 dear to the repentant payment of mine over rated pleasure. Lastly are remaining only two relics of that Recreant, this Sword, and Elisa herself. But what? did dost thou (Aneas) leave this & thine Armour in Carthage, as if in Italy thou shouldest encounter another E●●sa? Inconsiderate that thou art, albeit such fearless conflicts best beseem such effeminate captains, yet no climate can afford thee one so foolish, & therefore in no country expect such Fortune. The storm (ah from thence are these tears) sheltering us twain lately in one cave, was (no doubt) ominous to these evils: for than should I have remembered, that like as Shelters are chief sought for in storms, so men labour our favours only in extremities: but their lusts satisfied, or wants supplied, as of Shelters in sunshine they estimate our bounty, leaving thenceforth even to seem such as (in troth) they never were. But what is natural, is of necessity, only let it be granted he is a Man, and it followeth necessarily he is deceitful. Fly, traitorous Aeneas, fly unfollowed and unfriended of Elisa: ever may the winds be contrary to thy Course, and the Seas not promise thee one hours safety: ever be thy Ship drowning, and thyself never but dying: often resail in a moment, whence thou wert sailing a month: let no blast from the air, or Billow in the Sea, stir but to thy prejudice: and when no horror and mishap hath sailed thee, with thy dead body, to the uttermost plagued, perish also may thy soul unpardoned. But lest mine incharitie prove less pardonable than his injury, I that will not live to hear it so, hearty disclaim to have it so: pardon therefore, ye Gods, 〈◊〉 desiring it, & him deserving it. Troth is it this one Sacrifice shall give end to mine infinite sorrows: but not (alas) with these burnings (rather found guilty of new beginnings) but with my heart's blood, the latest ceremony wanting to this Exequse. Scarcely had these words passed her mouth, when with Aeneas his Sword she pierced her breast: so performing on herself a tragedy sought for, and to hers a terror unlooked for.  
Whilst Dido, (so named of this her death, or as have some, not less probable, of so preventing Htarba: menacing her mar●●age) was thus passionate and did thus perish, Aeneas, after weary Sea-saring, much sorrow, many people and places seen and sailed from, arriving in Sicisie, was joyfully entertained of this ancient friend King Ace●●es, and there (as the year before at Drapenum) did solemnize and Anniuersa●ie at the tomb of his father Anchises. The Masteries, feats, and active pastimes tried here by the Trojan and Sicilian youth, with land and sea Skirmidges, the running, riding, leaping, shooting, wrestling, and such like, with Bacing on foot and on horseback (this last, a sport lately used of our English youths, but now unpolliuckly discontinued) Or how the Women of Troy (whereof many were also embarked from thence) tired with the perils of the Sea, and enticed with the pleasures of Sici●ie, to prevent further sailing, fired their Ships (not without great loss rescued:) Or how A●neas building there the city A 〈…〉, peopled the same with his women, and impotent Trojans: Or of the drowning and revise of Palinurus, and many Occurrents happening here, at Cuma, Caieta, & elsewhere I omit, as less pertinent to our purpose then the hastening of Aeneas into Italy. Wherefore shipping him from Sicily, I now land him in Latium: in which part of Italy reigned and was Resident in his city Laurentum the King Latinus: to whom Aeneas addressed an hundred Knights, one of them delivering this embassy.  
Ignorant are we not, most gracious King (for in that Title art thou famous, and in that trial may we prove fortunate) of thy consanguinity with the Troyans', by noble descents from Dardanus our ancient Progenitor: neither canst thou but know that Troy is sacked, and her people for the most part slaughtered: only know (if already thou knowest it n●t) that Aeneas our Duke with a few his Followers, after more than seven years sailing, are lastly (and Luckis lie I hope) arrived in thy country: Howbeit of many places, for pleasure and ferulitie most worthy manuring, have we abandoned the quiet possession: yea many the greatest Princes of Europe and Africa, have voluntarily desired our tarriance denied: only infinite Seas have we sailed, and more sorrows sustained to seek this Clime, from whence we Troyans' derive our Originals, and whither our Gods have directed us by their Oracles. This thy country, in respect of the bigness, may easily afford room for a new Troy to be builded: A plot more spacious we do not ask, A smaller suit thou canst not grant, if with our present extremities thou also peise our purposed loyalties. Never were we thy foes, and ever will we continue thy friends. Seated we must be, and here we would be. We dare not disobey, the Gods commanding it, nor would we discontent thee in demanding it: graciously therefore conceive of our Petition, and gratefully receive from Aeneas these Presents.  
Having thus said, he in the name of Aeneas, presented the King with a most rich mantel or rob, with an invaluable crown of gold enchased with precious Stones, with the late royal sceptre of King Priamus, and with other Treasure: which Latinus cheerfully receiving, returned the Troyans' this answer.  
Had not the Gods commanded your hither repair, which I gainsay not, were we not of consanguinity, wherein I disclaim not, Or my kingdom not roome-some enough to receive you, as it is, Or had ye not brought precious and peaceable Presents, as ye have, yet to dismiss Wayfarers unrested and unrelieved were contrary to the Gods of hospitality, and (which they defend that I should therein offend) Latinus his honour. Over: fast he sitteth that securely si●●eth: for as he that is timorous hath 〈◊〉 little providence, so he that is fearless hath too much presumption: yea less grievous are expected than unlookedfor evils. I speak not this as I fear to fall, but as I foresee I may fall: for the unpearching of others should be fore-preaching to us. privy am I unto your distress, applying the like possibility for me so to decline: for who is privileged from becoming such? And who is such that would not have succour? Sorry I am that ye have so ill cause to estrange yourselves from home, but glad that I am in so good case to entertain you here. Let A 〈…〉 fear him and prosper ye in Italy: my land well may abide it, and myself brook it. Yea more (for the Oracle of my mind consorts no doubt with those of our Gods) Lavinia my sole daughter and heir, forbidden a natives and behighted a stranger's Marriage, hath found a husband and I a Sonne-in-lawe: at the least I wish it would be, and hope it will be. Make my thanks to Ae●eas for his Presents, and be you Masters of your Petitions.  
The Troyans' being then sumptuously feasted, every man on a given Courser bravely and richly mounted, dismissed, returned, and Latinus his answer and Present delivered, Aeneas, nevertheless as far from being secure as joyous of such Tidings, knowing the good speed of a Stranger to be an eyesore to the people, and therefore not careless suspicious of it that might causeless succeed, strongly inmured his Men in a newbuilt fortress.  
In the mean while their arrival and Entertainment with Latinus occupied, and for the most part offended, all Italy enviously stormed Amata Queen that Lavinia her Daughter and Darling should be wedded to a Stranger, an Exile (as she termed him:) and therefore, when she could not dissuade the King by flattery, she incensed his Nobles and subjects to resist it forcibly. On the other side, Turnus, Prince of the Rutiles (in person exceeding all for comeliness, and in arms equal to any for his courage, to whom Lavinia was before promised in Marriage) as Malcontent as any for being thus circumvented by Aeneas, held a counsel in his sumptuous city Ardea situate in the territory of Latium, how to intercept the Troyans' by wi●es, expel them by wars, weaken them by wants, disappoint Aeneas, and possess himself of lavinta. Often sent he Messengers and sometimes Menaces to advertise Latinus that he was promised he should, and to assure him he purposed he would enjoy her or anger him. But by how much more Latinus was religiously unremovable in his Resolution for Aeneas, by so much the more did Turnus give lose rains to his heady anger: Howbeit sufficient matter wanted for his malice to work upon, until by evil hap his choler took advantage of this colour. Ascanius with divers Trojan Gentlemen his Friends and others his Attendants, hunting in a forest not far from their fortress, by chance did encounter, strike, and chase a fair and well spread stag, which the Children of one Tyrrhus (the King's ranger and Steward of his Grounds, a Man of no mean account amongst the Latins) had from a fawn nourished, and so entreated that no Beast might be more tamer: This stag thus strooken and followed of the Troyans', taking the readiest way to the house of Tyrrhus, and with bleeding haunches entering the Hall, was first espred of Syluta or Ilia, a young Gentlewoman, in whose lap he sleeping had often laid his head, and at whose hands he had many a time taken browse, been kemmed, and trimmed. She▪ seeing the stag in such a plight, almost swooned ere she could weep, wept e●e she might speak, spoke ere she was comforted, and was comforted only in promise of revenge. At the winding of an horn, came flocking 〈…〉 herdsmen, shepherds, ploughmen, and 〈…〉 of grooms, finding Almon the eldest son of Tyrrhus, and their young Mistress Syluia grievously passionate, and the stag bloody and braying his last, question no further what should be done, but were furiously inquisitive after the Doers.  
In this mean time, by evil hap, Ascanius and his company drawing by Parsie after the stag (which they knew not for tame) were entered the view of this Shoole of enraged clowns: who all at once and suddenly, with such weapons as they had or found nearest at hand, as staves, Sheep-hookes, Dung-forks, flails, plow-staves, Axes, Hedging-Beetels, yea L●bbats newly snatched from burning, and what not? fiercely assailed with downright blows the amazed Troyans': who not having leisure to ask questions, courageously entertain the unknown quarrel▪ and so long and dangerously for either part continued this confusion of blows and effusion of blood, that by now it was bruited at the fortress and at Laurentum, and was anon increased by rescue from either Faction: neither had this Skuffling an end until night was begun: at what time the Latins, Rutiles, & Troyans' left the wild Medley, howbeit not discontinuing their malice.  
Of chief account amongst the Latins, were slain lusty Almon, and aged Galesus, (this latter a man of an honest and wealthy condition) whilst he unseasonably amongst blows delivered unregarded persuasions of Peace. The wounded corpse's of these twain did Turnus cause to be conveyed to the view of Latinus, as Arguments of their common damage, himself with an envious heart and an invective tongue amplifying the same ●o the uttermost: not unassisted therein by the ireful Queen Amata, or un-furthered by the hurly-burly of the impatient People, all labouring the King to denounce Armour against the Troyans'.  
Latinus in this tumult of his subjects, and travel of his senses, assuring himself that Aeneas was the man prophesied to the Marriage of Lavinia and succession of Latium, dissuaded, but might not persuade with the heady multitude. In few, with such efficacy did the dead corpse's invite it, the Queen entreat it, Turnus affect it, & the People follow it, that lastly, though against his mind, the King did suffer the Laurentines to rear on their walls absolute Tokens of imminent wars: Thus found Turnus that which he longed for, and Aeneas no less than he looked for, and either soliciting succours, were not long unfurnished of hardy soldiers: yea, in respect of their multuous Armies, the wars lately ceased at Troy, might now have been said to be revived in Italy. But as in his wanderings, so in his wars, my purpose is brevity: either of which the Lawriat trumpeter of his glory hath so effectually sounded, that many might amplify, I could iterate, but not any amend it: nevertheless in remembering of this history I have also used other Authorities.  
IT followeth, After long wars valiantly on either part performed, many great Kings, Princes, and Personages perished: when lastly the Rutiles begun to be repentant of their wrong, and the Troyans' weary of the wars, Aeneas and Turnus meeting had these words: And first Aeneas.  
Often Truces have we had (Turnus) for the burial of our dead, never treaties of peace for the welfare of those alive: only once (as I have been ever) didst thou seem (thou didst but seem) provident that no more should miscarry, offering me combat, which I accepting have in vain expected: for since thy mind changed, I wots not by what means, hath changed the lives of I wots not how many. But now, when for the palpable leasing thou shouldst not speak like Turnus, shouldst thou deny the better of the wars to abide with Aeneas, and yet I still be Aeneas, though playing upon that advantage with Turnus, even now, I say, myself do request thee of that combat whereby further bloodsheds may happily be concluded. Believe me, wert thou a beggar and I a monarch, yet (so much do I emulate, not envy thy glory) I would hazard all in a Combat requested by thee so valorous a Competitor. But least (perhaps) I over-breathe thy tickled Conceit with more selfe-l●king than is expedient, know man, Turnus know, Nature, Birth, art, Education, not whatsoever else are in any thing more beneficial to Turnus, than that justly he may envy as much or more in Aeneas.  
To this answered the Rutile thus: Whether thou speakest this (Aeneas) as insulting over mine infortune, or as insolent of thine own felicity, or emulous (as thou sayest and I believe it) of my glory, trust me, only if thus in thy better success to abandon thyself to such offered disadvantage be not indiscretion, never heard I wherein to derogate from thy policy: but say it indiscretion, yet by jupiter (Aeneas) it is honourable indiscretion. Not to encounter so heroical (for in thee I envy not that Epitheton) a combatant, is as contrary to my thought as contenting to my very soul, and as contenting to my soul, as if A●neas were already conquered, and Turnus conqueror: either which I divine, at the leastwise I am determined to adventure. Be provided therefore (a 〈…〉 eas) of courage, for thou provokest no coward, but even Tu●●us, that would have asked no less, had he not doubted Aeneas not to have dared to answer so much. Thus, and with these Conditions: that further wars should finish, that the espousal of Lavinia and Succession of Latium should be the Prize to the Victor, a Combat to be tried by these twain body against body was (upon oaths taken and other Circumstances) agreed upon.  
Now were they Armed, Mounted, did Encounter, and their Coursers breathless, the rider's dismounting vigoriously buckle on foot: both offend, either defend, & neither ●ainted: Lastly (not with unrequited blows) was Turnus disarmed: the Vanquished pleading for life, & the Victor not purposing his death, had he not espied on his Shoulders the sometimes Baldrike of his once especial Friend Pallas, King Evander's son, whom Turnus in battle overcoming had put to Sword: then Aeneas saying, only in this spoil thou shalt not triumph, and only for his sake am I unintreatable, shoffed his sword through his breast: Turnus so ending the World, and Aeneas the wars.  
Then was he peaceably wedded to Lavinia, and shortly after possessed of Latium: After which, about three years he, dying, left his Kingdom to Aseanius, and Lavinia with child. She at her time, and at the house of the before remembered Tyrrhus, was delivered of Syl●i●s Post-humus (so called of his being borne amongst the Woods, after the death of his Father.) To him (because in right it was the inheritance of Silvius from his Mother) did As●anius voluntarily resign the kingdom of Latium: and of him (for his honourable Regiment) were all the after- Latin kings called Syl●ij: Finally he hunting and mistaken amongst the Thickets for a stag, was slain with an Arrow by his son Brutus. This Brutus for sorrow and his safety, accompanied with many lusty Gentlemen and others of Aeneas his trojans offsprings, embarking themselves, after long sailing arrived in this island then called Albion: whose giantlike Inhabitants (in respect of their monstrous making & incivil Manners said to have been engendered of devils) he overcoming, manured their country, and after his own name called it Brutaine. And thus having begotten Brutus an original to our Brutons, I conclude this abridged history of his Grandfather Aeneas.   
FINIS.