❧ An invective against Treason  

¶ Remember well, o mortal man, to whom god giveth reason  
How he truly most rightfully, doth always punish treason.  
considering oft the state of man, and of this mort all life  
which is but short, and very full of mutability  
I called to remembrance, the hateful war and stryle  
Which hath been done within this realm through great iniquity  
In climbing to achieve the crown, & reyal dingnyte  
Of this kingdom now called England, but sometime great bretain  
And how by false and rank craycours, the kings they have been slain.   

What moved the Duke of Gloucester, Edward the fourths brother  
Of his two natural nephews, by lineal dissent.  
Seeking of them destruction, and also of the queen their mother,  
But that he the rightful rain of them, he falsely might prevent  
Still working till he had brought to pass, his false and ill encent  
by murdering the innocentes, that he himself might reign  
Yet like a naughty false traitor, at Boseworth was he slain.   

He never rested till he had, made away his own natural brother  
George the good duke of clarence, that noble prince truly  
Causing the king to grant thereto, for it would be none other  
For which wicked fact soon afterward, the king was right sorry  
That in a but of Malmsey, the man was forced to die  
Within the tower aswell was known, the story is right plain  
Yet at the last this rank traitor, at bose worth was he slain.   

¶ He ekesle we with a short dagger, that mild Henry the sixth  
Remaining in the tower until, his life he did there end  
That he to were the crown thereby, might surely be the next  
Thus to murder and false treason, he did himself extend  
Until such time most rightfully, god brought him to his end  
leaving him in tyranny, no longer for to reign  
But at the last for his deserts, at Boseworth was he slain.   

Like treason to our last Henry, was wrought by heinous spyghe  
By old Hemson and by Dudley, as traitors most untrue  
At Rychemond was their full intent. to have destroyed him quite  
That their malicious purpose, might there forthwith ensue  
But god out of this present life, away them straight he drew  
Taking their heads from their bodies, which thing is most certain  
So not unlike to false traitors, they both were justly slain   

Yet many treasons more were done. against this noble king  
By divers men of wickedness, as is most evident  
But god always of his goodness, revealed their dowing  
So that their evil devised things, he ever did prevent  
That no mischievous traitor could, obtain his own intent  
But all their crafty false treasons, which develyshely they wrought  
Were right soon searched out truly, and right soon brought to nought   

But out alas the naughty seed, of traitors hath increased  
And sprung up very hastily, now in his sons days  
Edward the sixth forsooth I mean, whom god hath now displaced  
Which sought and minded gods glory, intending virtuous ways  
With him and his two uncles dear, they made divers assays  
Until such time as they caught them, in their most crafty train  
And so working most wickedly, the righteous have they slain.   

At last they did attempt against, their liege Lady and Queen:  
Marry by the grace of god, of England and of France  
And also right heir of Ireland, most comely to be seen,  
Whom the mighty lord preserve, from all hurt and mischance  
For she to joyful godliness. leadeth the perfect dance  
Whom god at her great need doth help, working nothing in vayyne  
Subdueth to her, her enemies all, which wrought with dreadful crayne:   

When they forth went like men they were, most fearful to behold  
Of force and eke of pusaunt power. they seemed very strong  
In their attempts also they were, both fierce and wonders bold  
If god would have been helper to such, as striveth in the wrong  
But at the last he helped us, though we thought it right long  
The Nobles here proclaimed her queen, in voiding of all blame  
Wherefore praise we the lord above, and mangnyfie his name.   

Which thing was done the xix day, of this month of july  
The year of God xu hundred thirty adding three  
In the City of glad London, proclaimed most joyfully  
Where caps and silver plenteously, about the streets did sly  
The greatest joy and most gladness, that in this realm might be  
The trumpetres blewe up all on high, our Mary's royal fame  
Let us therefore still glorify, and praise his holy name.   

The nobles all consented than, together with one accord  
To go to Paul's church every man, to give thanks unto the lord  
Whereas they hard a song of praise, as custom it hath been  
To render thanks to god always, for the victory of our queen.   

Such there was made in every street, as no man can express  
In setting forth wine and plenty of meat: and fierce of much gladness  
Such mirth was made in every place: as the like was never seen  
That god had showed on us his grace: in giving a rightful queen   

And where as he went forth full glad, as prince both stout and bold  
He came a traytourin full sad, with heart that might be cold  
The same whom all before did fear, and were in most subjection  
The people would in pieces tear, if they might have election.   

The same for whom before they prayed, reviled was and cursed  
And he that long the swinging hath swayed, was now most vile & worst  
We see therefore the overthrow, of all their wicked ways  
How wicked might is brought furlowe, to gods great Laud & praise,   
God save the Queen. ꝙ. T. W.  
Finis.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Roger Madeley, and are to besolde in Paul's Church yard at the sign of the Star.