A Remembrance of the Life, Death, and Virtues, of the most Noble and Honourable Lord Thomas late Earl of Sussex, Viscount Fitz-water, Lord of Egremount and Burnell, justice of An Air, of all her majesties Forests, Parks, Chases, and Warrants, on the South side of Trent, Captain of the Pensioners & gentlemen at Arms, Lord Chamberlain of her majesties Honourable Household, Knight of the Noble Order of the Garter, and of her highness most Gracious and Prudente privy Council.  
Who deceased at Barmesey the 11. of june 1583.  
The report of George Whetstone's gent.  
Formae nulla Fides.  
LONDON Imprinted by john Wolf and Richard jones 1583.   

To the right honourable Sir Henry Ratclif, Knight, Earl of Sussex, Viscount Fytz-water, Lord of Egremount and Burnell. George whetston's wisheth accomplishment of honourable and perfect desires.  
RIGHT NOBLE EARL, in former times, it was held so deep an office of justice, to eternize the memories of worthy personages deceased, with sumptuous monuments, and learned Epitaphs, as in the overthrows of war, the dead were ransomed, to have honourable funerals, at as high a price, as the living Captains, in hope of further service. One of the chief of the seven wonders of the world, was the sumptuous sepulchre of king Mausolus, which his loving wife Artimisia caused to be erected: and in advantage, she hired with rich rewards the most famous Poets of Grece to register his life & virtues. The performing of these loving and natural duties is the cause, that the memory of so many famous men (long since engraved) is at this day so fresh, and to posterity the encouragement to virtue so great. And to say the truth, the Chronicles of good men's acts, are the guides of well doing: on the other side, the blaming of vicious deeds, is the bridle of evil attempts. The noble Emperor Alexander called Severus, would often times say, that his firmest motions to do well proceeded of this cause, that Historiographers should write well of him, by the warrant of good desert, and furthermore he feared to injury any writer, lest he should defame him through a froward and malicious disposition. Your Honourable Lordship in solemnising most sumptuously the funerals of the thrice noble Lord and your dear brother, the late Earl of Sussex, fully assureth the world, that you regarded his worthiness far more than his wealth. And to give him his right, the full report of his virtues, would be a task as troublesome, as to gaze against the Sun painful. But for that in greatest things, it sufficeth to show a good will: Much moved by the passion of a common sorrow for the death of so gracious a Lord, but far more by the general bruit of his divine and heroical virtues: I have written this small remembrance of his mighty merits, no better garnished, then precious stones set in brass: protesting that I only have rescued my Instructions of upright fame: stopping one of my ears when affection praised: and the other when envy detracted. So that (right honourable) you may greatly pacify your natural sorrow with this precious comfort. That this brief register of his worthiness common to the world: May be an Image of honour to the wise: which present I humbly present under the protection of your Lordship, as the shadow of yourself. Being the heir of your magnanimous brother's honours by law, and of his virtues by nature. No more but the Lord protect your Lordship in health and happiness.  
Ready to do your Honour service. George whetston's.   

A Remembrance of the most Noble, and Honourable life, death, and virtues, of Thomas, late Earl of Sussex, Viscount Fitz-water, Lord of Egremount, and Burnell. etc.  

Whilom of Macedon, the mighty King,  
By Homer penned, 
The magnanimus saving of king Alexander when he viewed Achilles' Tomb and Epitaph.  Achilles life did read,  
Who forthwith wished, his own renown to ring  
Homer alive, and Alexander dead:  
Desire of Fame, Contempt of life so bread,  
And truth to say, man's life is but a breath.  
When Fame outlives, Envy, Time, and Death.   

The hope of Fame, as Pallingene doth write,  
Of yore men's minds, 
Spes Far●●● solet ad virtutem impellere multos.  with virtuous thoughts did crown  
The Monuments, that histories recite:  
Of worthies dead, which live in bright renown.  
(when millions more, a shallow grave doth drown.  
Are spurs to thrust, the Coward on the pikes.  
And dobbles force, when as the valiant strikes.   

Yet far more good, than fame unto the dead  
the registers, 
The benefit of Chronicles  of good men's lives contain:  
for in the same posterity may read,  
the way to work their own and country's gain,  
withal to shun the faults which honour stain.  
which well forewaid, it is each writers charge,  
of good men dead to show the lives at large.   

Myself for one, who worst may pay this due,  
but want no will, more able wits to whet  
this many a day have laid in open view,  
their lives and deaths, that did by virtues set  
not fed with hope, rewards thereby to get,  
for most men know, it is no way to thrive,  
to praise the dead, but flatter men alive.   

But God forbidden the dead should lose his right,  
and shame befall, the flattrer at his need  
some skill I have on good men's tombs to wright  
no grace at all at vain men's boards to feed,  

The confusion of flattery.  and now too old the flattering art to read:  
yet thus my name, shall with the best remain,  
when flatterers vade, like thunder, smoke, and rain.   

Well let this go, and fall I to my task,  
a common grief doth charge my Muse to wright  
a sowresweete song for such his friends as ask  
for Sussex Earl, most true and noble knight  
of virtue and valour, the mirror bright  
with much ado, who vanquished is by death  
vanquished, not so, but only reaved of breath.   


The order of the Roman funerals.  His purple rob, doth show his honour sound,  
his armed sword, the mettle of his hart.  
his forward leg in S. George's garter bound  
shows that he would not from his standard start  
his staff of peace a witness is of art:  
then no man dead may justly judge this lord  
who living used, both Caesar's pen, and sword.   

But to describe this worthy Peer at large  
in virtue he did blaze his noble race,  
in peace, in war, a man most meet for charge,  
whom change nor chance, could mask with double face  
a Touch that tries fair semblance often base.  
he dreaded these, one God, one king, one law,  
and of the rest, he stood no whit in awe.   

In tender years whilst virtue might engrave  
within his pliant mind, her sacred hest  
he bent his ear, to hear the counsels grave  
that Science taught and wrote them in his breast  
thus still with time his worthiness increased  
withal so stayed when youth was in his pride, 
At nyntene years of age, he was captain of a great charge of Demilances.   
as than he witted a weighty charge to guide.   

Ambassador, 
Queen Mary▪ He was Ambassador about the marriage of Queen Mary and king Philip  a marriage to entreat  
between the Queen and Philip king of Spain  
this Earl was sent, who in this message great  
behaved himself so nobly, wise and plain  
as with success much honour he did gain  
and weighing Arms beseemed best this lord  
the king gave him a rich and costly sword. 
King Philip gave him a most rich sword.    

And sure the sword, 
Arms the proper attire for the nobility.  becomes the noble best  
upon his neck a shepehooke hath no grace  
God and S. George, Alloune, set spear in rest  
Sounds through the field, where honour gives the charge  
AEconomie is never drawn on targe  
her dwelling is a sheepfold or a stall  
For Mars and Minerva the lordings hall.   


The privileges of the roman Captains  Of yore, the sword, these privileges had,  
while Rome triumphed, her Captains in the field:  
Might break the laws, the sacred Senate made.  
The soldiers will, engraved in sword, or shield.  
To cunning quirks of Law, would no way yield.  
The Cause, 
Military Testament.  there lives, in hourly danger stood:  
Therefore their acts, held lawful, just, and good.   


Queen Mary made him deputy of Ireland and sent after him a patent to be justice of an Air, of all her Forests etc. On the south side Trent. And made him Captain of the pensioners and gentlemen at arms.  well, of the King, this sumptuous sword received,  
This Lord in hart, vowed to deserve the same:  
And time well proved, his vow he not deceived▪  
His puissant hand, the Irish rude did tame:  
And of their heads, did build a Fort of Fame:  
But Envy which, at worthiest deeds doth spurn:  
Did raise a blame, which to his praise did turn.   


Queen Elizabeth.  when home he came, he proved himself so just,  
As in his brow, the Queen his virtues read.  
She found that he, returned truth for trust.  

His saying. Alabius iniguis & a lingu● 〈◊〉, ●her avit me Deus, quo●iam cor Regina is mani●●● ci●●.  And with new trust, she gave his truth her meed.  
which made him wright, as he had cause in deed.  
From wicked lips and tongues, thou Lord hast set me free:  
Because my Prince's hart, is in the hands of thee.   


The true renown of 〈◊〉.  Her hart, her head, her rule, and blessed Reign,  
The King of kings, doth govern with such grace:  
As that the world, her fame may scarce contain.  
In envies spite, which shines in every place,  
As Summer's Sun, doth in the sailors face.  
And therefore Just, this Lord should thus confess.  
when thousands may, as much as he express.   

Well when he thus, had put suspect to flight:  
His Prince's grace, by virtue soon he wrought.  
The Star appeared, most perfect in her sight.  
Then Envies frowns, he set as light as nought.  
For Merit him, in credit daily brought. 
Her majesty sent him Ambassador unto the Emperor.   
In ambassage, he to Vienna went  
Who from the Queen to Th'emperor was sent.   

His weighty charge, 
The Queen's Majesty made him precedent of York. Rebellion in the North.  with faithful service done,  
Home he returned, with honour for his toil.  
And strait was made, the Precedent of York.  
In such a time, as uproar kept a quoil.  
And armed the North, unto their proper foil. 
Pius 5. Pope of Rome.   
Through hope, that Impius, of Rome then pope:  
By his crossing, could bless them from the rope.   

Dismayed no whit, to hear this loud Alarm,  
For well he witted, 
The peaceable victory against the Northern rebels.  that traitors had no might.  
Her highness friends, and subjects he did arm:  
And with a few, the Rebels put to flight:  
Yer that, the Prince's power could come in sight.  
without bloodshed, this broil thus ended he,  
Save such as died, by justice on a tree.   

The stur appeased, and all in order set,  
He left his charged, and to the Court did hy:  
For service true, where he such glory got:  
As that he seemed, a Pearl in Prince's eye:  
No fault in him, till death she could espy.  
And therefore now, she caused his travels cease:  
And willed him rest, upon a staff of Peace.   


The Queen's Majesty made him Lord Chamberlain of her most honourable household.  Lord Chamberlain, she of her house him placed.  
An office great, and near unto herself,  
Thus still he rose; whom spite would have disgraced.  
No Perry served, to set him on the shelf:  
Who only sought for honour, not for pelf.  
He served his Prince, and sought his countries good.  
And for them both, adventured oft his blood   

When blessed peace his trenching sword did sheath,  
A Laurel bow, he managed as well:  
In counsel grave, he need not sit beneath.  
As time gave cause, his words were short and sure.  
His judgements sound, and likely to endure.  
He never leaned to favour, gain, or hate:  
But still advised what best availed the state.   


He was a gracious favourer of oppressed men.  His hand that oft the enemy did lame,  
He reached to those whose succours were dismayed:  
His valeant hart that no mischance could tame,  
Did melt to ruth, when wretches cried for aid.  
Whose cause to plead, his tongue the mighty frayed.  
His eye that had in foreign practice sight:  
was never fixed upon the poor man's right.   

In this: that he each Christian language spoke,  
He honoured much, but served his Sovereign more:  
Entreatment good, Ambassadors to make,  
No man more priest, nor yet more meet therefore.  
whose reach, their wiles so cunningly would shore.  
As oft they said, by Alligorie thus.  
Monstrant viam, Astra Regibus.   

But well he knew the stars were thrall to wit,  
And therefore walked in wisdoms perfect way:  
Who finding where a friend of his had writ,  
Hei: nescio quo me vocant fata.  
He underneath replied, Fata falsa:  
And proved withal, his answer true in this:  
Sapiens dominabitur Astris.   

On such sure ground, thus builded he his hap:  
Sly fortune he did neither trust nor fear:  
Still as he walked, he saw the wily trap,  
That Envy set, the virtuous to snare:  
And of the same, through wisdom did beware.  
So that his foes had evermore the foil, 
Pericles, spoiling the country of Sparta, his soldiers spared his land to bring him in suspicion of the Athenian Senate, who to prevent the suggestions of Envy, gave the said land freely unto the common wealth. Iust●●. lib. 3.   
As those that spared Pericles land to spoil.   

O happy man that hadst thy virtues tried:  
As gold in fire, through envy and suspect.  
O happy Queen, which had so true a guide,  
In peace and war, to govern and direct,  
Happy Commons, whose weal he did respect.  
Thrice happy Realm, that had him for defence:  
He blessed alone, that death hath ta'en him hence.   

But for his loss, why should we moon, or mourn:  
All humane flesh a dying day must have:  
The stoutest men, that ever Arms have borne:  
Maugre their wills, were borne unto the grave.  
Asaiels' life, his swiftness could not save.  
Samson, Caesar, and Alexander great:  
Were foiled by death, that all the world would beat.   

This Tyrant yet, no easy Conquest had:  
Although he charged, and charged this Lord again:  
In spite of whom, whose wished life did fade,  
Like Marble Stone, with mysling drops of rain:  
So stoutly he, endured grief and pain.  
But to no boot, availed this valiant strife:  
The hour approached, that must dissolve his life.   

Yet as the Horse, that stricken is in war,  
His Rider brings, from danger to be torn:  
So brought this Earl, his deadly wound thus far,  
when as he seemed, a threshed ear of Corne.  
when as flesh, blood, and humours all were worn:  
His noble hart, did foster still his breath:  
Until his soul, had foiled, the devil and death.   

For Nobles lore, his life a Pharos light:  
His valour great, the Image of renown,  
His end doth show, all sorts of men to fight.  
In spite of death, their souls with joy to crown.  
For when that sickness came to pluck him down.  
As one that had both life and death in scorn:  
Save for his sins, he never seemed to mourn.   

My time is come (qd. he) prepare my Hearse,  
The monster death, no prayer may entreat,  
His naked breast, the Cannon cannot pierce.  
Even as the weak, he wounds the strong and great,  
He holds for fish, what cometh in his Net.  
The Prince and Peer, to save him from the grave,  
No Charter have, more than the wretched slave.   

A heavy tale, unto the worldly wight,  
That hath health, wealth, and in his bowels peace:  
which buys and buylds, and wallows in delight:  
That sits him down, and bids his soul take ease:  
But foolish man, know that thou shalt decease.  
The Thunderbolt, the strongest towers tear,  
And Time in Time, what worldly is will wear.   

what is become, of Caesar's Equipage,  
Of Pompey's Rule, of Alexander's Reign:  
Of Samsons Strength, of Solomon the sage.  
Of Tully's skill, of Midas golden gain:  
Of them, and all, this only doth remain:  
They lived like Gods, and leave as men did take.  
And for their pomps, have large accounts to make.   

If rule and reign, were severed from this check.  
who then could blame, the man that would be great.  
The mighty may, both Law and order break;  
Command his will, rob, spoil, outrage and beat.  
And none that dare, with vengeance once him threat.  
Till death appears, than thought of former sin,  
That never ends, his torment doth begin.   

I wish man would, this moral Rule but heed:  
The end is that, that maketh Fortune good.  
The thought of death, more better thoughts would breed,  
Which certain is, the end of flesh and blood:  
His worldly cups, would seem but dregs and mud:  
Ten thousand times he would contemplate thus:  
Nemo ante obitum beatus.   

No man on earth, in happy state doth live:  
The Prince that rules, a thousand fears enclose:  
Envy, the Peereful many a check doth give.  
The Magistrate for cares can scarce repose:  
The Soldyar stands in danger of his foes.  
The Lawyer's gain is bought with toil enough.  
A painful life, is following of the plough.   

For Adam's fault, man with this curse is borne:  
He (wretch) his bread, with sweat of brow shall eat,  
Not meant that all should work as men forlorn:  
But that all sorts with toil, or care, should sweated.  
Their minds should moil, whose hands are smooth & neat  
Which felt, and weighed, what wise man will not cry:  
Vt essem Christo, cupio dissolui.   

With this advise, his flesh he mortified,  

His most godly end.  And to his soul such comfort he professed:  
As those which saw how Christianly he died:  
Admired to hear, the Scripture he expressed.  

The good Dean of Paul's, in his funeral sermon.  The Dean of Paul's, thus openly confessed.  
Though Glorius fame, his mortal Combats crown,  
His fight with death, was far of more renown.   


He took a most honourable and prudent order in the disposement of his worldly causes.  Yet ere he died, that none should him misfame:  
His worldly will, he made such regard:  
As for his debts, was order in the same.  
He wild, that none should of their due be bard.  
His servants pains, he nobly did reward.  
Which done (qd. he) when death he saw to press:  
Vain world farewell, my soul thee leaves in peace.   

Thus godly he, did end his noble life.  
Whose loss is vvayled, with many watery eyen,  
While word doth last, whose fame will here be rife,  
Whose soul in heaven, whose Corpse the tomb doth shrine  
Whose virtuous deeds, in good men's breasts do shine.  
And therefore just, that every eye may see:  
Whereas he lives, this Epitath should be.    

An Epitaph upon the death of the most noble Lord Thomas Earl of Sussex, Viscount Fytz-water, Lord of Egremount, and Burnell. etc.  

Hear under lies Sir Thomas Ratclife knight,  
Of Sussex Earl, and many honours more.  
Whose virtues oft, put envy unto flight,  
Whose knightly force, both France and England know,  
True to his prince, and ever had been so.  
To haughty to crave, ready still to give,  
Image of grace while he on earth did live.   
Vivit post funera virtus.