¶ THE second part of the Mirror for Magistrates, containing the falls of the infortunate Princes of this Land.  
From the Conquest of Caesar, unto the coming of Duke William the Conqueror.  
Imprinted by Richard Webster, Anno Domini, 1578.  
Go strait and fear not.   

The Printer to the friendly Reader.  
GEntle Reader, I trusting in thy accustomed kindness, have published this Book, Entitled, The Second part of the Mirror for Magistrates, the Author whereof is now beyond the Seas, and will marvel at his return, to found this imprinted. For his intent was but to profit and pleasure one private man, as by his Epistle may appear. But I finding the copy by chance, showing it unto divers men, both learned and wise: and finding a book already in print, Entitled, The first and third part of the Mirror for Magistrates, I was moved diversly of divers men, by printing this latter work, to make perfit the former book. It may be (good Reader) that the friendly accepting hereof, will encourage the Author to set things of greater price in Print: yet esteem thou this as a Lantern, having light sufficient to guide thy wandering steps, both unto the happiness of this world, and of the world to come. Which happiness God grant we all may enjoy.   

¶ The Authors Epistle unto his friend.  
SIr, it would be too manifest an Argument of a nature degenerating from all gentry, if I should not consider of your request, you ask and urging both honest and profitable things. I therefore to ensure you, that I am not forgetful of your demand, presuming like blind Bayard to this my boldness, have not with Apollo's pencil, but with Pan's pleasantlesse Pen, endeavoured to indite that which you are so desirous to have done. And although I once translated for you, Ovid, De remedio amoris, as you said, to your contentation, we being then in Cambridge, where ask help, and have help, might be had: yet now I will ensure you, like one amazed, I have strained my strength unto the v●●termost, being desirous to finish this work. You know that Love matters be agreeing with Caliopes Quill, every Apprentice can of such matter, make a Meeter. But how hard a thing it is to compel Clio, with her boisterous banners, to couch under the compass of a few metered lines, I refer you unto the good turbervile, who so soon as he began to take the terrible Treatise of Lucan in hand, he was enforced to unyoke his Steers, and to make holy day. Shall I then with Bochas Pen declare the falls of the unfortunate Princes of the old world? O intolerable presumption, that timorous Tyro should dare to deal with menacing Mars: or that a young infant should offer to put on the Buskins of Hercules: shall I then with silence cease to accomplish your request? O singular ingratitude, that any friend should refuse to sweat, to pleasure and profit his friend. Do you not consider, that all the fine wits that England hath enjoyed these many years, have busied their brains very much, to make an English Mirror for Magistrates, which book is left even unto this day, like the unperformed image of Venus, painted by Apelles? No man is able to finish the work, which they with Homer's haughty heroical style have begun: and yet you would have me (the least of the Poets) to make trial what I am able to do therein. But me think I do hear you say, as you were wont, we being conversant together, What mean all these words? thou knowest that the vain of thy verse doth most delight my humour. And seeing it is but for my private Study, what mean you to allege all these allegations, as though Orestes were Zoilus? Sir, I confess all this to be true: yet this I speak, to signify unto you, how willing the good will I do bear unto you, hath made me, being otherwise vnwil●●●●●o bear a sail in such rough weather, where every Sea is ready to devour me. And when with sails and Oars (as they say) I with all my diligence endeavoured to compass the thing now● accomplished, I found myself even in the midst of the matter, clapped close with Theseus, in a returnable Labarinth, to fight with Despair that miserable Minotaur: where, when I could find no Ariadne, to lend me a bottom of Twist, I looked that Parcae should have shred my twine before my return. Yet at the last wandering Erato, with her sister Terpsichore perceiving me with such diligence to travise that Maze, they willing to help the desires of my mind▪ said thus unto me: 
Come forth thou wandering wight this way,  
Do follow us outright:  
We give thee leave with Poet's pen,  
On Princes Falls to writ.   
Wherewith they leading me unto the fountain Permestus, I without any further determination, galloped through the rest, which when leisure shall give you leave to read, cease then to think on the L. Buchurst, or Sackuyll, let Gascon and Churchyard be forgotten. And if you chance to see the Meeter, or matter not so well polished, as beseemeth, then remember, that they whose falls I have here penned, were not of late time, but such as lived presently after the Incarnation of Christ: and I have not thought it decent, that the men of the old world should speak with so garnished a Style, as they of the latter tyme.  
Moreover, you may, if you please to consider, that Soldiers, of which I am one by profession, we be not always lusking in our Fort or Castle, but be as time and occasion will permit, here to day, we know lest ourselves, where to morrow. And I will ensure you, the most part of these my Princes did plead their causes unto me, even in the Sea, a place in faith, not meet to pen Tragedies. And as for books, I was altogether destitute: for when I, to please my fantasy, travailed (as you know) I could not bear about with me a library but for carriage sake, contented myself with these four: With the third Decade of Titus Livye, with Boswelles Concords of armory, with Monsignor de Lange, that notable Warrior, & with the unperfect Mirror for Magistrates: which books made nothing to this purpose. I had not those Chronicles which other men had: my Memory and Invention were unto me in stead of Grafton, Polidore, Cooper, and such like, who did greatly aid other men. And last of all you must consider, that the other part of the miseries of those miserable Princes were written, I sitting on a Rock in the Sea, not in Spain, Italy, France, Scotland, or England, but in Garnzie Castle, where although there be learned men, yet none which spend their time so vainly as in Poetry. So that the complaints of these men were written (as I say) where the want of help did diversly daunt me with despair. You have greatly requested me by your last letter, to make unto you a Discourse of the isle of Garnzie, and how it is possible for the Castle to be a place so pleasant for habitation, as I have reported it, seeing it standeth in the Sea, separate from any land. Good Sir, to writ thereof (so manifold be the commodities and things worthy the writing of) would rather require a good volume, than a piece of an Epistle. Let it therefore suffice for this time, that I by writing unto you some few lines of the Covernour, I may briefly declare what the government and commodities be. The right worshipful Master Thomas Leighton is her majesties Lieutenant there.  
Sir, I do remember, how constant Constantine the Great was in Religion, and how that noble Emperor minded the Reformation thereof. You know how careful Lycurgus and Solon were for making of good Laws, and ministering of justice. And Histories do record, how passing happy Epaminundas was in all his affairs: But what a seemly sight is it, to see all these virtues so to concur in one man, that he who should, compare him with them, should, I will ensure you, do him great injury? for (that I may briefly conclude) undoubtedly a few such men as he is, being placed at a Prince's elbow, were sufficient to keep the most ruinous common weal that is, from ruin and destruction. And now, judge you the commodities of the Country, by the goodness of the Governor, for as Seneca sayeth: 
Where Governors be good, and rule their charge aright,  
Without an ebb, there flows the flood, which virtuous minds delight.   
And here I do turn me from these things, until by talk with you, I may dilate more at large thereof, and returning myself unto my former purpose, I have not thought it convenient to writ the complaints of these men, with so obscure a style as some other have done, but with so plain an exposition, that he who doth read them shall not need to be Oedipus, for every plain Daws shall by reading them, easily understand the Authors drift. And because Diligence and Memory be all the helpers that I have, therefore I have ordained them, as the chief workers of my will. Higgins used (I know not what) Morpheus, the God of dreams, But I dream not: the other had Baldwine for their hearer, but I have diligent Inquisition, who can find out all things, and Memory, who knoweth all things, for the Arbiters of my matter. Take you therefore, the fruits of these my idle hours, sent unto you with a good will, and according unto the trust reposed in you, keep these trifles from the view of all men, and as you promised, let them not range out of your private Study. And thus wishing unto you honour and long life, I end, the .15. day of may, An. 1577.  
Your Friend to use, Thomas Blener Hasset.   

¶ The Table of the Contents of this second Book of the Mirror for Magistrates.  
HOw Guidericus refused to pay tribute unto Claudius Caesar, how he subdued Galba, how he being desirous to win all the world, spoiled France, Germany, and a great part of Italy, and lastly how he was miserably slain in a tempest of thunder, even at what time he should have dealt with Caesar. This history is a singular example of God's vengeance against pride and arrogancy. 
Fol. 2  how Carassus a husbandman's son, slew Lodri●e the King of the picts, and how the Emperor made him a Captain. Then how he obtained the Britain Crown, and how suspicion brought him to Decay. 
Fol. 10.  How Queen Hellina was Empress of all the world. This Story doth declare how happy they be which live in the fear and love of God. 
Fol. 18.  How Vortiger destroyed the young King Constantine, and how he obtained the Crown. How the abusing of his prosperity, brought him and his Realm so low, that he was constrained to hire soldiers to defend himself from his enemies, and how after many miseries he was miserably burnt in his Castle, by the brethren of Constantine. 
Fol. 24.  How Uter Pendragon was enamoured with Duke Garelus wife, and how by lawless love he lost his kingdom. This example is most necessary for the present time. 
Fol. 31.  How Cadwallader the last King of the britains, after he had behaved himself very valiantly against the Saxons, resigned his Crown, and went to Rome, where he lived in a Religious house. This Story containeth in it the estate of all estates. 
Fol. 36.  How Sigebert was thrust from his Throne, and miserably slain by a herdman. This Tragedy doth teach both Prince and Subject his duty at large. 
Fol. 41.  How Lady Ebb did slay her Nose and upper lip away, to save her Virginity. 
Folly, 48.  How alured was brought unto disease, and unto untimely death, being inclined unto the sin of the flesh. By his example we may learn, that one vice is sufficient to deface a hundred Virtues. 
Fol. 51.  How egelred for his wickedness was diversly distressed by the Danes, and lastly died for sorrow, seeing himself not able to deal with Canutus. 
Fol. 55.  How Edricus destroyed the valiant King Edmund Ironside, hoping to have great preferment for his labour of Canutus the Dane: and how the same Canutus caused him to be headed for his labour. A necessary example for all such as think by craft and deceit to increase they● credit. 
Fol. 59  How King harold reigning but nine months, had continual war with the Danes, with the Norway King, with his Brother Tosto, and with Duke William▪ who partly by his strength, but chief by policy overcame him, and by killing him in the field, obtained the kingdom of England. This History doth declare, that no manhood nor courage can keep the Crown from the right Heirs head. 
Fol. 62   
FINIS.   


The Induction  
DIligent Inquisition (saith Memory) behold in the bottomless ●●yt of blind Oblivion: there remaineth as yet a multitude, who although in their time, they were of all men most famous, and even in this our time, their ensamples be patterns passing singular, to reform the deformities of this age, notwithstanding they are so covered and hidden with those misty clouds of filthy forgetfulness, that if thou Inqusition dost not with all diligent inquiry, and I Memory, (who have howrded up in my treasury the knowledge of all things) except we with all our industry, do endeavour ourselves, they are not like ever to come into the light. For at what time those barbarous nations, (I mean the Goths, Hunes, and Danes) did with so great outrage overrun all the world: even than the ancient Histories, and Records of time, were by them utterly defaced, so that Princes, before that time, how renowned so ever they were, be at this present, even by their means, buried so deep in oblivion, that I Memory cannot without a new inquiry of many most Noble Princes, repeat a few words: speak you therefore Inquisition, and declare your mind, how we might renew the decayed Memory of those men. See here (quoth Inquisition,) with great and diligent Memory, I have found out divers, who with their continual complayninges, have even for conscience sake made me their procleare, to exhibit unto you in their behalf a supplication, in which they complain of the great injury they suffer, because they be excluded out of the English Mirror of Magistrates: their only desire is, that you would once again, by celebrating their decayed names, with a fresh memorial, give them liberty to declare their estates themselves. Of which, as first though not chiefest, Guidericus the third King of the subdued britains: and the first that refused to pay tribute to Rome, desireth to be hard. We will saith Memory assist him in what we may, and not only give them leave, but also entreat them to declare their estates. But where is that Guidericus, the exploits of whose life were so passing singular, that had he not been moved with two much boldness, even he had brought under his rule the whole World: we will hear him willingly, for his death is a great ensample of God's vengeance, unto all them which think by their own courage and ability, to compass their desires. Behold quoth Inqusition, he is even here, his body rend and torn doth declare, that great was his mishap. Speak then Sir Knight (quoth Memory) and let us hear what you will say: wherewith the sorrowful Prince said as followeth.   

❧ The Complaint of Guidericus.  
How Guidericus refused to pay tribute unto Claudius Caesar: how he subdued Galba, how he become desirous to win all the world, spoiled France, Germany, and a great part of Italy: and lastly, how he was miserably slain in a tempest of thunder, even at what time he should have dealt with Caesar. This History is a singular ensample of God's vengeance, against pride and arrogancy.  

ON stayless top of Honours high renown,  
With busy brain to build a bower there,  
Is done to fall at Fortune's froward frown,  
Whose turning wheel, the highest first doth fear,  
And them below it upwards still doth rear.  
Let them therefore for good estate that strive,  
With sails half hoist, in happy Haven arrive.   

I priest to tell my sudden ill success,  
Amidst the mean which did not deign to devil,  
To higher state whilst I did me address,  
By changing chance of Fortune's force, I fell  
Even suddenly from Heaven to hateful Hell,  
From Heaven (I say,) I fell from that my bliss,  
To hateful Hell, I mean, to wretchedness.   

Guidericus which ruled the Britain land;  
I am the same, of Simbaline the son,  
Cassivelane my Grandsyer, did withstand  
Sir Caesar's force, till Parcae had undone  
The fatal knot, and twist that they had spun,  
Even then to soon the Romans did oppress  
This Realm, which I to right, did me address▪   

Which that I might the better bring about,  
The three estates in Court to Parle I  
In haste did call, amongst which Royal rout,  
As one who meant for wealth of commonty,  
How to restore their ancient liberty,  
Pronounced the speech which here I shall recite,  
Which moved much there manly minds to fight.   

The Emperor of Rome hath sent you see,  
ambassadors, the tribute to obtain,  
Which Theomant subdued, did agreed  
To pay, But I such greement do disdain.  
Shall I to Rome a Tribute slave remain,  
Because they did subdue this realm of Yore?  
Shall we buy yoke with tribute evermore?   

Shall we this badge of beastly blemish bear?  
Shall troyans we to Trojans tribute yield?  
Of Brutus' blood a Prince withouten pear,  
We do descend, whose father first did build  
In Italy: he Alba longa field▪  
And furnished fine, with princely buildings brave,  
He was encombde next good Aeneas grave.   

Then Romulus of Silvius did succeed,  
And Rome of him (as London took of Lud)  
Her name, which Alba Longa was in deed,  
Built at the first by good king Brutus blood.  
Dare they for Guerdon of so great a good,  
Demand of us whose parents Patrons were  
To them? to do this deed, they do not fear.   

Let them demand, ungrateful beasts they be▪  
Even tribute of us troyans let them crave,  
But we in Mars his fields will pay their fee,  
If needs they must of us a payment have,  
They shall right stoutly then themselves behave.  
We will not fear to fight it out in field,  
Without revenge we never all will yield.   

Did Caesar's princely prowess so prevail,  
That britains were by Romans brought to bay?  
Was Caesar's valour of so great avail,  
That it could 'cause Cassivelaynes decay?  
Why should not then Guidericus assay  
By furious force of Mars his bloody field,  
To make those roaming Romans all to yield?   

By prowess worn (who doth not know) by skill,  
That he who o●ce as Victor wore the wreath,  
By changed chance is forced against his will▪  
That garland gay, and vital life to leave?  
Such ill mishaps misfortune still doth heave,  
That he who did subdue but yesterday,  
Is now subdued, and hath the like decay.   

Which may appear by King Cassivelayne,  
Whom Caesar thrice in fight did synd too strong,  
Yet at the last, (the lewder chance was thine,  
Thou little I'll) he thrust in with a throng  
Of mighty men, and did thee double wrong.  
Thee then subdued, to Rome he servile made:  
Which wrong to right, with this my bloody blade,   

If you my subjects will thereto consent,  
I will not cease, till I revenge have seen,  
And them destroyed with dreadful diery dent  
Of wrathful war: and therefore now I mean  
To bid the Base, and fetch them from their den,  
To send them word, We own no tribute we,  
But we of them must recompensed be.   

I to the Gods which rule the rolling skies,  
Have vowed a vow, for countries liberty,  
To die in field, or else that these mine eyes  
Shall see you free from foreign tyranny,  
To which no doubt their goodness will agreed.  
Now that you have the whole of mine intent,  
You know the cause why I for you have sent.   

Albina you therefore which comp● this quarrel good,  
By heaved hands let me them understand.  
My brother Arviragus by me stood,  
I must not I (he said) hold up my hand,  
Nor thee herein assist with any band.  
For sith we both have sworn a●eagance due  
To Rome, to Rome I ever will be true.   

No Fear of force, no hazard, no mishap,  
Doth daunt my mind, I dare what dare be done,  
Though now we sit in Lady fortunes lap▪  
By faith defiled, no honour can be won,  
The wrath of God men perjured can not shun.  
Do thou therefore what best thyself doth seem,  
Give them their right, for that is best I dee●e.   

Sigh all but you (my brother) do consent,  
My counsel and my Commons do agreed,  
Yea, all the force of this my Realm is bend,  
To live and die for country's liberty:  
Take you therefore this sentence in boun gre,  
Because thou seemest a servile life to love,  
The Tower a house is best for thy behove.   

An oath constrained, is made to none avail,  
To break such oath doth not the faith defile:  
Let them go tell to Claudius this tale,  
We mean with force to furnish this our Isle,  
Which force himself shall feel within a while.  
For if he will not fetch his tribute here,  
We then will go and pay him tribute there.   

Which when the Roman Claudius had heard,  
Though he at home had civil strife in hand,  
And though he were by foreign foes debarred,  
And could not come himself, yet he a band  
Of thirty thousand sent, for to withstand  
My strength: which strength in the first foughten field  
They found so strong, that forced, they all did yield.   

From Galba then myself his shield did get,  
In golden field which had the horse of fame,  
Even Pegasus in seemly silver set,  
The curious skill of heralds there did frame  
Thasheument true, of ancient Troy by name,  
Imbordred brave with golden letters thus:  
Senatus, Populusque Romanus.   

Wherewith as one pri●t forth with good success▪  
A great attempt I quickly did devise,  
I meant O Rome, upon thy walls to press.  
It easy seemed to me in my surmise,  
To commpasse all that I did enterprise.  
Me thought I could win all the world in haste,  
But first I meant the Roman state to waste.   

I did prepare in every point my power,  
I sailed the Seas, I spoiled them of France,  
I made the Germans and the Lumbartes lower.  
Yea good success did so my state advance  
In Italy, such was my lucky chance,  
I did subdue, my soldiers had the spoil,  
Of all the chiefest Cities in that soil.   

See here how Roaming Rumour ran about,  
See how report did tell a truthless tale:  
For Hannibal the Carthage Duke so stout,  
Renide, it said, would once again assail  
The Roman state, and 'cause it now to quake.  
Which false Report, did put them in such fear:  
Cities would yield, before my Camp came near.   

His former feats the fuming fancies fed,  
That doubtful now affrighted sore with fear,  
They tell how at Trisemenus they sped,  
In Cannas' fields how they despoiled were:  
They hate to tell, they loath that hap to hear.  
A bushel there he filled (most true it is)  
With golden Rings Equestri ordinis.   

And whilst their minds on these mishaps do muse,  
They wish that now good Graccus were not dead.  
For Fabius, he who wisely would refuse  
Forthwith to fight, they wish for such a head.  
Camillus now would stand them in great stead.  
And some with sighs did wish for Scipio,  
Them to defend from me there deadly foe.   

But as the Lion passente once with fear  
Gardante, a moving mollhil did behold,  
From whence he thought some wonder would appear:  
A little Moule crept from the moving mould,  
Which made the quaking Lion then so bold,  
Fear set a side, that he for his delight,  
Played with the Moule, and killed the strengthless wight.   

So now the camp of Claudius did draw near,  
Where he himself was Lord chief general,  
Which greatly did delight my heart to hear,  
And caused me my captains then to call,  
To whom I said, We two must strive for all  
The world so wide: which if I chance to win,  
Than you yourselves have ample part therein.   

Even whilst I marched my men in good array,  
A corsser post came praunsing in the field,  
Who coming to my Cabin, thus did say,  
Guidericus, thy friends at home be killed,  
Thy native soil, to foreign force did yield,  
The Romans they have spoiled thee of each thing,  
Thy brother there Arviragus is king.   

Which news although they did amaze me much,  
Yet I whose heart did never faint for fear,  
Although said I their good success be such,  
Yet if we can subdue the Romans here,  
They shall I think buy Britain very dear.  
Which out of doubt if you as you have done,  
Will fight like men, the field will soon be won.   

But they who hold their wives and children dear,  
Can not digest the loss of that their land,  
For which they fled, left me their chieftain there.  
When Claudius host to fight was even at hand,  
Whose mighty force I could not then withstand,  
Yea all my pag●, my footmen fled for fear,  
And left me post alone, with heavy cheer.   

That cruel Queen of hell, Proserpina,  
From forth whose loins this Fury fear first fled,  
Megaera's sighs, no not, nor Medusa,  
Who hath ten thousand Snakes about her head,  
The fiery flames of hell doth not so dread  
The mind, as fear, which makes man's heart we see,  
To shake, and quake, like leaf of Aspen tree.   

My Martial knights who once so valiant were,  
That they the world, even all the world would spoil,  
This fury fierce, this feeble fainting fear,  
Did causeless cause them thus here to recoil,  
Her only force enforced me to this soil,  
Not Caesar's force: no strength of Roman power,  
But fear, even fear, did make me here to lower.   

Which fear (for truth) did never me dismay,  
But too to soon, my heartless men it made  
To shrink, to flinch, to flee each man his way,  
And me a pray most fit for Claudius' blade,  
They left alone: alas what may be said,  
What may be done, what fits for mine avail?  
I will not flee, to fight cannot prevail.   

What, must I then go crouch unto my foe?  
Fie on that fate, that I should sue for grace,  
To him who is the worker of my woe,  
Whose heart from forth his breast for to displace,  
I gladly would ten thousand deaths embrace.  
My life (in faith) doth loath to live with shame,  
By death therefore, my life shall purchase fame.   

For as I once did win with courage stout  
In Galbas' shield, the praunsing Pegasus,  
So with renown I now will go about  
To see if Claudius dare the cause discuss  
With me alone, if courageous  
Dare do that deed: that we in open field  
M●y try the case, than he or I must yield.   

And therewithal in armour bright I clad  
Mine arming sword, my Targate I did take,  
And on my Helm, or Burgonet, I had  
My royal crown, and so I did forsake  
The place, whereas my soldiers fled of late,  
I marched and met the scout of Claudius,  
To whom I did address my language thus:   

The Britain King is come alone you see,  
Conduct him then your Emperor to salute,  
You for your pains shall gain a golden fee,  
For why my grace to Claudius hath a suit.  
The scurers they all silent mum and mute,  
Yet well appayde of such a princely prey,  
In hast they did to Caesar me convey.   

With ten times twenty thousand men, I met  
Him marching there, to meet with me but one:  
To whom I said, thy power is passing great,  
My force is fled: what, must I then bemoan  
Myself to thee? not so, but I alone  
Am come to know with Magnanimity,  
If thou dost dare to wreck thy wrath on me.   

The crown for which so many men be slain,  
Thy Galbas' shield, with many jewels more,  
Which unto me do only appertain:  
For in the field I won them all of yore,  
And unto thee I will them not restore.  
If thou, as I, canst win them with renown,  
Then all is thine, both realm and royal crown.   

Why dost thou muse as though thou wert dismayed?  
Doth doubtful dread now daunt thy Roman mind?  
Faint not for fear, thou needst not be afraid,  
A Britain borne thyself right well shalt find,  
I am a man, and not a God by kind.  
Wherewith to ground a golden gauntlet I  
Did cast, and he at last did thus reply:   

Thou mighty jove which hast thy seemly seat,  
Above the sphere of Mars and Mercury,  
Thy fleshless eyes (my tongue can not repeat  
What sights they see) nothing is hid from thee:  
Thy eyes, the heart, and secret thoughts do see,  
Thou knowest O jove, how just my quarrel is,  
Which here to prove, thou know'st I count a bliss   

No God thou man? thou art no God in deed,  
I faint for fear? and dost thou thus me dare?  
Thy gauntlet lo to take I do not dread,  
Such courage though I find but very rare  
In princely breast: what though? I will prepare  
Myself to field, where thou I hope shalt find,  
Myself alone will cause thee curse thy kind.   

To deal with thee I Caesar might disdain,  
My triple Mace doth rule the world you see,  
Thou subject art the meanest of the train,  
Whom conquest hath compelled to wait on me:  
A meaner knight were meet to match with thee.  
Yet I myself with all my heart do deign,  
To reave thy life, and 'cause thee to complain.   

Then I whose heart was all beglarde with glee,  
To Caesar said, If fate hath framed my foil,  
If now the last of all my life I see,  
It shall delight that Caesar did me spoil,  
And that his blade did 'cause my bloody broil.  
And whilst I meant a longer speech to make,  
A storm most strange constrained the earth to quake.   

Strange sundry sights, then suddenly were seen,  
The lightsome day was turned to loathsome night,  
Then darkness did affraight me much with fear,  
The seemly Sun, did loose her loving light:  
And that which would amaze each worldly wight,  
The thundering heavens constrained the earth to quake,  
The trees did dance, the mighty mounts did shake.   

Have here mine end, from threatening thunder clap,  
A burning bolt did pierce my heart with pain,  
Wherewith I cried, O Caesar, my mishap  
Is comen, for whilst I thought thee to have slain,  
Ioues vengeance just hath torn my corpse in twain.  
This was my end, although some writers say,  
That Claudius' blade did 'cause my last decay.   

To slip at first, such fall hath little foil,  
Great ruth it is to loose a race forerun,  
And at the end by slipping subtle soil,  
Wagelesse too loose a race too well begun,  
The Turret's top let wise men wisely shun.  
Who falls from top, he merciless is slain,  
Who falls below, can quickly rise▪ again,   

I tell this tale who knowledge bought too dear,  
I could not be content with mean estate.  
Let them therefore which shall this story hear,  
So love the mean, extremity so hate,  
That they may live in bless without debate.  
Who is content amidst the mean to dwell,  
With perfit bliss he only doth excel.   

With royal rule you Kings which run your race,  
Take heed, beware, flee fancies fond delight,  
Ambition blind will move you to embrace  
A thousand evils, disdain with all your might,  
Her luring looks: she me a wretched wight  
Transformed, and made with Circe's sorcery,  
A brutish beast, and worse if worse may be.   

When Thanatos had thus destroyed my days,  
Then due desert my soul to hell conveyed.  
I feared not God, his name I did not praise,  
But foolish fate and fortune still me stayed:  
For which, with pinching pain I now am paid.  
Fortune I find is now of none avail,  
But God is he whose power doth prevail.     


The Induction.  
IT was great pity (quoth Memory) unto Inquisition, that this man lived in the time of blind ignorance, when neither virtue, nor religion were known. Believe me, if he could have contained himself within the limits of his own Country, or if too much courage had not moved him to so great enterprises, surely even he had restored the Britain's unto their ancient liberty, & might have lived long without paying any tribute. You have said (quoth Inquisition,) he might have had a very glorious day over the Romans, if he had not desired Rome. For when Claudius Caesar had him abroad, he did not presently encounter with Guidericus, as he supposed he would have done, but remembering how Scipio Africanus laid siege unto Carthage, did draw Hannibal out of Italy, he imitating his grand chieftain and predecessor, first brought Britain unto his obedience, than he invaded Guidericus, with whom God being displeased, he was destroyed as you have hard. After whom, the Britain's were grievously oppressed by the Romans, and daily invaded by the Scots and picts, which Lodrike their King brought out of Scythia, insomuch that at this time the britains were compelled to send unto the Emperor Bassianus for aid: who sent unto them the Roman Severus with a great power. And then how Carassus a Britain, not Nobilis, but altogether ignotus, did both redeem his country from the picts and Romans, and also obtained the crown, and reigned eight years, this story following shall declare: who although he felt the fall of his own folly, yet surely his story is very profitable, chief for all such as do suffer suspicion to seduce them, as the diligent noting of the process will declare.   

❧ The Complaint of Carassus.  
¶ How Carassus a Husbandman's son, slew Lodrike the King of the picts, and how the Emperor made him a Captain. Then how he obtained the Britain Crown, and how suspicion brought him to decay.  

SIth men be borne by Nature naked all,  
With their estates why are not men content?  
Why do they deem the want of wealth a thrall?  
Why should they loath the lot, which God hath sent?  
Adam himself I find, at first was sent,  
As one who did disdain his poor estate,  
To disobey, with God to be a mate.   

Thou mayst be made a God, (quoth satan than,)  
If on the fruit forbidden thou wilt feed:  
The senseless wight, the feeble forceless man,  
Did cast thereof, supposing that with speed  
He should in haste have been a God in deed.  
He not content, hoping for higher place,  
Brought bitter bale to him and all his race.   

And I the son of Adam by descent,  
Did seek to set myself in princely seat,  
With mine estate I could not be content,  
For which I felt the force of hatreds heat.  
As at the first, my good success was great,  
So at the last, by fancies fond desires,  
I gropte for grapes amidst the bramble brires.   

Let such as would by virtue them advance,  
Mark by what means I did myself address,  
To fly at first my poor allotted chance  
By honest means: let them from wickedness  
Which fain would fly, learn this by my distress,  
That he who doth from right and reason stray,  
Destruction shall destroy him with decay.   

For I by birth borne next to beggars door,  
Was stayed aloft with staff of high estate:  
But whilst that I so high a pitch did sore,  
I left the means which made me rise of late,  
I vices loud, I did all virtues hate.  
For which, Carassus ran a race in vain,  
And nothing got, but death and deep disdain.   

When civil strife had britain qui●e undone,  
So that her strength was now of none avail,  
The faithless Scots with ruth did overrun  
That royal realm: the picts did so prevail,  
That sorrow did on every side assail  
My native soil: and being thus dismayed,  
To Rome we se●● for succour, help, and aid.   

Severus then by Bassianus sent,  
To bring this realm unto some quiet stay,  
The Romans and the Brittaynes both were bend,  
To bring the Scots and picts to their decay,  
Them to return again to Scithya.  
And at the last, by good Severus aid,  
We them destroyed, when we were most afraid.   

Whose force though twice the Romans felt to strong,  
Yet at the last, we got a goodly day  
Even by my means, who thrust into the throng  
Of Scots and picts, I desperate there did play  
The part of him, whom fear did never fray.  
And at the last, to end this mortal strife,  
I did deprive king Lodrike of his life.   

And when the picts did see their king deprived  
Of vital life, Lord, how they fled the field:  
They made me muse, to see how fast they striude,  
With stayless steps, each one his life to shield:  
Who could not fly, he there with care was killed.  
So by my means, my country did obtain  
Her ancient state, and liberty again.   

At my return I to Severus said,  
See here how I with wounds am all bestead?  
I cannot live, I feel how life doth fade,  
Lodrike himself did carve and cut my head,  
For which my blade his lukewarm blood hath shed▪  
He cut my cap, and I have got his crown,  
He lost his life, and I have found renown.   

Severus then unto his Surgeon said,  
heal him, and bring him safe and sound again,  
Thou for thy pains with pounds shalt well be paid,  
And he shall have such honour for his pain,  
As unto him for ever shall remain▪  
For by the Gods which rule the skies above.  
His noble acts deserve eternal love.   

When by the skill of surgeons curious art,  
My hurts were healed, and wholesome health ensued,  
Severus then rejoicing at the heart,  
Made me a Lord, with wealth he me endued,  
Yea, he although my learning were but rude,  
Sen● me to Rome, as Legate of this land,  
To make report how here our state did stand.   

My deeds at home, inrichte me with renown,  
My talk abroad, with proper filled phrase,  
Adorned my head even with a Laurel crown.  
The Emperor did much commend my ways,  
So that I was bedecked with double praise.  
I could not read, my learning was but weak.  
Yet they of Rome did muse to hear me speak.   

As learned Art doth give a goodly grace  
To some: so some by nature's gifts do get  
Eternal fame, and purchase them a place  
Above the place where learned men do si●.  
We find the fine dexterity of wit  
In them which be both wise and full of skill▪  
Yet never striude to climb Parnassus' hill.   

So I with praise a time at Rome did stay,  
And tract of time returned me ba●ke again,  
The Emperor, he gave my right away  
Within a while, which made me storm amain:  
I had great cause me thought for to complain,  
Severus, he was made the king of all:  
The gifts he gave to me were very small.   

I was but made the Captain of the coast,  
From Foreign force to keep my realm in rest,  
Severus, he was crowned king in post,  
Which did so boil within my warlike ●rest,  
That I with grief most strangely was distressed.  
Shall he (said I) thus reap the high renown  
Which I deserve? Shall he enjoy the Crown?   

I won the wreath, and he will wear the same:  
I got the goal, and he will get the gain.  
For me in faith it were a deadly shame,  
If I in this his regal royal reign,  
Without repulse should suffer him remain.  
Which if I do, then let the dreadful dart  
Of Vulcan's wrath, torment in twain my heart.   

For why, I see what servile servitude  
Shall then ensue, if he may ●aigne in rest:  
Shall Bryttayn ●raue by Romans be 〈◊〉?  
It shall no doubt, by Romans be distressed,  
Except my might against his might be priest.  
My might as yet cannot his strength constrain,  
Yet may my might compel him to complain.   

The draining drops do make the Marble yield  
In time: the seas the cragged rocks do rend:  
And Courtly Kings by tearing time be killed.  
For time doth make the mighty Oaks to bend,  
And time doth make the little twigs ascend:  
So I in time, such power may prepare,  
As shall constrain Severus death, with care.   

But whilst I did endeavour to destroy  
Severus strength, the picts were pricked with pride,  
For their revenge us britains to annoyed.  
Which when I hard, in post I did provide  
A power great, than I in haste did ride,  
And kept the Coast so strong with men of war,  
That no man could arrive, to make or mar.   

The poor picts prevented of their prey,  
In weltering waves did bous● their bitter ●ayne,  
They diggeth a ditch, and caught their own decay,  
On rocks their Barks, in seas themselves were slain.  
The Western winds with woe did them constrain,  
By Britain banks to make so long delay,  
I, and the Seas, brought them to their decay.   

By means whereof my credit did increase:  
Severus did esteem me as his stay,  
I from my first devices could not cease,  
For ay I hop●e to have a happy day,  
To bring the Roman rule to their decay,  
With fawning fa●e good fortune smiled so,  
I had my wish, what might I hope for more?   

For into Spain the Roman soldiers sent,  
I had at home the might him to deprive,  
Then wisely I all perils to prevent,  
Provided so that no man could arrive,  
No Picte, nor Scot, nor Roman then could strive  
With me at home, than I the Lords with speed  
Of Brirttayne called, and thus I did proceed:   

The Roman rule us subject slaves hath made,  
You see my Lords, a Roman here doth reign,  
Whom to destroy my power shall invade,  
I do in deed this servile life disdain:  
And you yourselves do much thereof complain.  
If you with help will me assist, I swear,  
The Roman rule shall have no power here.   

Then they most glad with one consent replied,  
We will assist thee with what might we may,  
And we ourselves most willing will provide,  
Not Britain borne against thee shall display  
His shield, but all at the appointed day,  
As priest to please thy hest, shall thee assist:  
Win thou the Crown, and wear it at thy list.   

Which when I heard them say with one consent,  
Blame not though pride did then possess my heart  
For Princely Crown▪ the dreadful dierie dent  
Of wrakful war, who would not feel the smart  
Of griping grief? who would not feel the dart  
Of dreadful death? or who regardeth pain?  
If he a Crown and kingdom may obtain?   

For gunnehole groats the country Clown doth care,  
Restless with ruth, the Rustic gets his gain:  
The Merchant man for wealth doth sand his ware  
About the world, with peril and great pain.  
And all the world for wealth doth not disdain,  
Amidst the surge of mighty mounting Seas,  
To cast themselves, their own delights to please.   

If to obtain such trifles they do toil,  
And never cease to bring there drifts about:  
Why should I fear the force of foreign foil?  
Why should I not assay with courage stout,  
To wreak my wrath upon the romish rout  
Which here remain? whom to the bale to bring,  
Were me to crown my native countries King.   

One thing there is which greatly doth me grieve,  
Severus, he who did enhance my state,  
He did in my distress with life relieve  
My dying days, he never did me hate:  
Yet now with him I must be at debate.  
Even him with might I greatly must disgrace,  
● are I can set myself in princely place.   

Untimely death shall not destroy his days:  
For if he will return to Rome again,  
Or if he will resign his ●●owne with praise,  
Or if he will amongst us still remain.  
If he can like of these, we will refrain  
From shedding blood: which if he doth disdain,  
I then against my ●yl, 〈◊〉 work his pain.   

So forth I passed with all my power priest,  
Severus did at Durham then delay,  
Whereas I ment his state to have distressed:  
But some I think my secrets did bewray,  
For he to York in haste did take his way.  
Which when I had bessiegde on every side,  
with care and grief of mind, Severus died.   

See here the force of cruel fretting care?  
See here how sorrow doth dismay the mind?  
For when he hard Carassus did prepare  
To reave his crown, he judging me unkind,  
With sobbing sighs of sorrow, he resigned  
Before his time his mind from manly breast:  
Behold with care how sorrow reaves man's rest.   

Thus he entombed in his untimely Chest,  
It was decreed Carassus should be King,  
The three estates of all my Realm were priest,  
With one consent they all to me did bring  
The kingly crown, than thus they all did sing,  
The due deserts of this renowned wight,  
Deserves to be the Britain king by right.   

Mark by what steps I did the top obtain,  
With keeping sheep my youthful years were spent:  
Then with the whip I plied the Plough amain,  
In Mars his fields to fight my mind was bend,  
As Legate then to Rome myself was sent,  
I dubbed was a Lord, of high renown,  
And now at last, I have obtained the Crown.   

The end, the act (the Plaudite) doth prove,  
And all is well, whose ending is not ill:  
Who sits aloft had never need to move,  
For fear lest he should fall against his will.  
Though creeping he did gain the top with skill,  
Yet at the last, by turning of his toe,  
A sudden fall may work his wretched w●e.   

Which fall I felt, and how? I here will show:  
When I as King did all the Realm command,  
I fearful did suspect mine overthrow,  
The place (me thought) did shake where I did stand.  
Then for my guard I did provide a band  
Of warlike wights, to guard my Noble grace,  
I lastly did my Noble men displace.   

From forth the Fields I for my Father sent,  
Him of a Clown a Noble man I made:  
My Brethrens all even for the same intent,  
Like Courtiers there in Court with me they stayed,  
And all my stock were glad and well apaid:  
For they of late which ruled the painful Blow,  
Of Britain Land they be the Rulers now.   

From Cart to Court, a Country man to call,  
With brave attire to deck a dunghill Dick,  
Is like a painted Image in a wall,  
Which doth deceive, and seemeth to ye quick,  
Though workmanship most trimly doth it trick,  
Yet of a stone, a stone will still remain:  
A Clown cannot from Clownish deeds refrain.   

As hard it is of quarryed Marble stone,  
For man to make a lively moving wight,  
As of a Lout, or else of such a one  
Who daily doth employ his whole delight  
To dig and delve, it passeth mortal might,  
To make him serve in Court a kings behest:  
Turn him to plough, the Cart for him is best.   

For though thou canst by cunning art compel  
Nature a time to leave her wonted place,  
She will return, in spite of heaven or hell:  
Not Alchemist Dame Nature can displace,  
Except that God doth give abundant grace.  
The Cask will have a taste for evermore,  
With that wherewith it seasoned was before.   

Why did I then my courtless court maintain  
With Hob and John, Ralph Roister, and his mate?  
Whose greedy jaws ay gaping after gain,  
Did ●olle, and pill, and bred bitter debate:  
Men much unmeet to maintain mine estate.  
Why did I them so near mine elbow place?  
Because myself by birth was borne but base.   

Like will to like, the Mule doth claw her mate,  
With horned beasts the jenite cannot jest,  
Those bawling Hounds, the haughty Harte doth hate,  
With Bears the Bear in safety counts her best.  
So I amongst my like did look for rest,  
Their deeds by me were always well aloud,  
By them likewise my doings were avowd.   

But as you see the Husbandman with care  
From new sown fields the ravening Ro●kes to dri●●e.  
So did the Gentry of my Realm prepare,  
My Country Court and me for to deprive.  
But Gentlemen were then to weak to strive  
With me, and mine, for which they did prepare  
A new found snache, which did my feet ensnare.   

In surgelesse Seas of quiet rest when I  
Seven years had sailed, a perry did arise,  
The blasts whereof abrigde my liberty:  
For whilst I did with busy brain devise  
Them to destroy, which did my Court despise,  
The boisterous blasts of hatred blue a gale,  
My Cables crakte, my Bark was bongd with bale.   

For they (I mean the Gentry of my Land)  
Both me, and mine, theirs, and themselves had sold  
Subjects to Rome, from whence a mighty band  
They had conveyed, to make my courage cold:  
Into my Realm they could not be controlled,  
But when they were arrived, they quickly brought  
Both me and mine, and all the rest, to naught.   

Alectus then the chieftain of the res●,  
Spoiling my friends, he forced me to the field,  
The day was come, we both in fight were priest.  
His trustless train, did seem to me to yield,  
But all the fields with great ambushmentes filled,  
I could not flee, Alectus had the day,  
With his own sword for breath he made me bray.   

As due desert did force my ship to float,  
So vices vile me drenched in waves of woes.  
O false suspect, why didst thou make me dote?  
Fearing my fall, my friends I deemed my foes:  
Fearing the worst, the best I did depose,  
And was deposed: let other learn hereby,  
The crooked Crab will always walk awry.   

And let them know which do not loath to learn,  
That kings in Court, be cumbered most with care.  
The Pilots charge, who sitteth at the stern,  
Doth make him watch, when other do prepare  
Themselves to sleep: so kings distressed are  
With doubtful dread, and many other things:  
The shepherds life is better than the kings.     


The Induction  
CArassus having thus finished his Tragical History, Inquisition presented unto Memory the Lady Hellina. But Memory having her at the first sight in great admiration, said as followeth: Why have you brought before us the Goddess Diana? Our intent is to hear the complaints of them who are smothered with Forgetfulness: as for this Goddess, she is renowned more than sufficient. O Memory (quoth Inquisition) this is not Diana: no Diana, no Gouzaga, no Emila, no Cariclia, no Pallas, no juno, not, not knowing Minerva, may compare with her, for the flourishing feature of her incomprehensible complexion, for the comely composition of her Ladylike limbs, being the perfectest piece of work that ever Nature created, that ever earth nourished, or that ever death destroyed, for the passing great dexterity of her ingenious Capacity, the very Phoenix of women, and the chiefest amongst men, that ever thou Memory didst celebrated, for learning, for knowledge of Tongues, & for the divers gifts of the mind she only did inhabit betwixt the wings of flitting Fame, for a happy, long, quiet life in this world, she only was favoured by Fortune, or rather singularly preserved by her maker. For that she never tasted in all her reign, any adversity, she is to be esteemed immortal: for that in all her actions she had her hearts desire, she may justly be esteemed a Goddess (or rather the very beloved of God. Now I report me unto you, is there any Goddess, or Nymph inhabiting the Mount Helicon, which may compare with Queen Hellina, not she of Greece, which brought final destructton unto the flourishing Troy, but she of Britain, who redeemed her decaying Country from foreign tyranny, which made not only a means for the bodies of her subjects, to live in quiet peace: but she also prescribed unto them an order, how they might save their souls. She planted religion amongst her subjects, which were at that time savage, neither knowing God, nor esteeming godliness, she was Daughter unto King Coell: she was Queen of Bryttayne, Empress of the world, Wife unto Constantius: Mother to Constantine the Great. Yet the descriptions of time, I mean the Chronicles, have left so little report of her, that I found her standing betwixt Forgetfulness and Memory, almost smothered with Oblivion. If she be so renowned as you have spoken of (said Memory) we should do her great wrong to deny her a place in this Pageant, Speak therefore good Madam Hellina with good leave your mind, and as other by their falls do set down examples very necessary for the avoiding of vice, so let your history be a means to encourage all men to embrace virtue. Then the good Queen although somewhat abashed, yet glad to repeat her life forerun, said as followeth.   

❧ The Life of Queen Hellina.  
How Queen Hellina was Empress of all the World. This Story doth declare how happy they be, which live in the fear and love of God.  

men's due deserts each Reader may recite,  
For men of men do make a goodly show,  
But women's works can never come to light,  
No mortal man their famous facts may know●  
No writer will a little time bestow,  
The worthy works of women to repeat,  
Though their renown and due deserts be great.   

For I by birth to Coel Daughter dear,  
King Lucy was my good Grandmothers son,  
My Father dead, I ruled his kingdom here.  
And afterward, the World so wide I won.  
● empress was of all under the Sun,  
● lived long, I died with perfect bliss,  
●et writers will repeat no word of this.   

But now at last I have obtained leave,  
My spotless life to paint in perfect white:  
Though writers would all honour from me reave,  
Of all renown they would deprive me quite,  
Yet true report my deeds shall burnish bright,  
And rub the rust which did me much disgrace,  
And set my name in her deserved place.   

From Roman rule who Britain did redeem?  
Who planted first Gods word in Britain land?  
Who did so much virginity esteem?  
Who did the force of foreign foes withstand?  
Who all the world subdued without a band  
Of Martial men? who did these noble acts?  
I Hellina, have done these famous facts.   

And now have here the story of my state:  
The Britain Queen inheritage me crowned,  
Even then when Romans had so great debate  
Among themselves for Caracallas wound,  
An Emperor, who highly was renowned  
As then at Rome, whose death undoubtedly,  
Diminishte much the Roman Empery.   

The Romans than were stored with civil strife,  
And many Realms against them did rebel,  
There trouble turned me to a quiet life,  
My common weal did prospero passing well,  
When all the world agreed like Devils in hell,  
Then I and mine be calmed from Hatreds blast:  
In happy Haven we harboured were at last.   

Then I a maid of tender youthful years,  
Report did say, of beauty fresh and fair,  
Refused the suit of many noble Peers,  
Which daily did unto my court repair.  
What though there were unto my Crown no heir?  
Yet I who did regard my Commons good,  
Refused to link myself with foreign blood.   

On foreign Costs, on Kingdoms to encroach,  
With wrath of wrackful wars I did despise,  
And fearing ay the ruth of rude reproach,  
With carking care I daily did devise,  
How I with peace might make my kingdom rise,  
And how by law of God and man, I might  
Give Caesar his, and unto God his right.   

No God of heaven, no Christ my people knew:  
Wherefore to Rome for learned men I sent,  
King Lucy's laws decayed I did renew,  
Then preaching made my people so repent  
There former faults, that all incontinent  
Were baptised, and they within a space,  
The faith of Christ so firmly did embrace,   

That nothing seemed currant in their sight,  
But that which holy writers would allow:  
And that they would embrace with all their might,  
To shed their blood, the same for to avow.  
They did not fear, at Verolane even now,  
Amidst the force of fiery flashing flame.  
Albon the Protomartyr proud the same.   

As careful merchant men do much rejoice,  
When from those Isles Molocchi, they have brought  
There freighted ships, for than they have great choice  
Of Merchandise, which traffic long hath sought  
To find the ware which trial true hath taught  
Will get most gain, which being got, they give  
And cast there care, how they thereby may live:   

So I, whom both Sir Neptune's surging Seas,  
And Aeolus' winds, even God himself above  
Did favour much, my labouring mind to please,  
giving those things were best for my behove,  
God's word I mean, which all my men did love.  
The Pearls which Christ commanded to be bought.  
Must here be found, and no where else be sought.   

Then they and I made haste, post haste, to lead  
Our sinful lives as Scripture did allow.  
We knowing God, him loud with fear and dread,  
Devotion made us crouch, and creep, and bow  
Our hearts, our heads, we savage were but now,  
Yet by and by such was the good success,  
In fiery flames the truth we did profess.   

Then flitting Fame the truth to testify,  
Against my will, at Rome made such report,  
That Constantinus thence did hither high,  
And being come unto my Britain Court,  
With lovers looks he striude to scale the Fort  
Of my goodwill: but when it would not be,  
He sighing, thus addressed his talk to me:   

O Queen quoth he, thy deeds deserve great fame,  
The goodly gifts that God hath given to thee  
Be such, as I can not thee greatly blame,  
Though thou without desert disdainest me,  
Who for thy sake doth loath all cruelty.  
But for thy ●oue, with Mars his cruel knife,  
I could command thy Realm, and reave thy life.   

But (out alas) whilst breath doth lend me life,  
My heart shall hate to thrall thy happy state,  
What though thou dost refuse to be my wife,  
Thy hatred tho, shall never 'cause me hate:  
But whyl●te I live, I will thee love, let Fate  
And Fortune fell pour on me all their spite,  
To die for thee shall greatly me delight.   

Then I replied, O Duke, without desert  
Thou dost me love a little Islands Queen,  
I know thou to the Emperor heir art,  
Thy valiant acts I divers ways have seen,  
I like thy deeds, most noble which have been,  
And thee I love: yet private pleasures lust  
May never make me throw my Realm to dust,   

If thou (quoth he) wilt deign my Queen to be,  
Thy Bryttaynes shall to Rome no tribute yield,  
You if you please, to Rome may go with me,  
Your mighty mate the world so wide may wield,  
Or if you please, I here with you will build  
My biding place, and in this little land,  
I will remain yours, at your command.   

His comely corpse, his friendly promise plight,  
His famous acts, his Noble royal race,  
Some other things which here I could recite,  
The Romans heart within my breast did place.  
And when my wit had weighed well the case,  
Then for the chief of all my Realm I sent,  
And thus I spoke to know the whole intent.   

My loving Lords, and you my subjects, see  
This Roman heir, whom I indeed do love,  
He will restore your ancient liberty,  
If I will bend my hest to his behove:  
Which benefits they chiefly do me move,  
To love at last, a man by whom you may,  
Receive a Shield to keep you from decay.   

Perhaps you think I love, because I see  
His comely corpse, and seemly sanguine face.  
You be deceived, no outward bravery,  
No parsonage, no gallant courtly grace.  
What though he be by birth of Royal race?  
I reck it not, but this I do regard,  
My common weal by him may be preserved.   

For if he will from tribute set you free,  
And end the work which I have well begun,  
That Christ's Gospel preached still may be,  
God may by him send unto me a son,  
To you a King: what wealth then have you won?  
What great renown? what honour will ensue?  
Speak you your minds, these things me think, be true.   

O Queen quoth they, the Lord preserve thy grace:  
Do thou the thing that seems to thee the best,  
We do allow the match in every case:  
If by that means we may have quiet rest,  
With what great good shall this our Realm be blest?  
Do thou therefore O noble queen, we pray,  
The thing which best may keep us from decay.   

The Roman Duke he nothing would deny,  
But granted more than I could ask or crave,  
So that there was proclaimed by and by,  
A famous feast, a banquet passing brave.  
There to the Duke the Britain Crown I gave,  
With sacred spousal rights, as man and wife  
We wedded, lived in love, for term of life.   

And whylste we meant to rule this little I'll,  
A greater good unlooked for befell,  
Death did destroy his Sire with hateful hand:  
For which we both at Rome must now go dwell,  
And so we did: things prospered passing well,  
My Fear was made the Emperor Lord and King  
Of all: and I the Queen of every thing.   

His mighty Mace did rule the Monarchy,  
My wit did rule (some writers say) his Mace,  
And to increase with joy our merry glye,  
I brought him forth a babe of Royal race,  
The boy he had an amiable face.  
O Rome thou mayst rejoice, for this was he,  
Which did at Rome erect Divinity.   

Whilst thus in bless I did at Rome remain,  
On Britain still my mind her care did cast,  
For which I caused my husband to ordain,  
That evermore those ancient Laws should last,  
Whi●h heretofore amongst them there I passed,  
And that to Rome not Britain borne, for ay,  
Should tax, or toll, or tenth, or tribute pay.   

Though there at Rome an empress life I led,  
And had at hand what I could wish or crave,  
Yet still me thought I was not well bestead,  
Because I was so far from Britain brave.  
Which when my loving Lord did once perceive,  
He set a stay in all the Emperye,  
To Britain than he did return with me.   

We raygnde of years thrice seven with good success,  
Then Dolour and debility did drive  
My loving Lord with fainting feebleness,  
For vital life with braying breath to strive:  
He felt, how death of life would him deprive,  
He called his Lords, his child, and me his wife,  
And thus he spoke, even as he left his life:   

The haughty Pines of lofty Libanus,  
From earth, to earth, in tract of time return:  
So I whose spreading praise were marvelous,  
Must now return my flesh to filthy slime,  
On Fortune's wheel I may no longer climb.  
Therefore my Lords, although my glass be run,  
Yet take remorse on Constantine my son.   

My Monarch, Court, my Kingdoms all,  
(O stately Rome) farewell to them, and thee,  
Farewell my Lords, which see my final fall,  
Farewell my Child, my Wife, more dear to me  
Then all the world, we must departed I see:  
And must we needs departed? O Fortune fie,  
We must departed, adieu, farewell, I die.   

Wherewith he sight and senseless did remain,  
Then I his death as women do, did wail:  
But when I viewed, that weeping was but vain▪  
I was content to bear that bitter bale,  
As one who found no means for her avail.  
His corpse at York in Princely Tomb I laid.  
When Funeral sacred solemn rights were paid,   

And when report his death about had blown,  
Maxentius then the triple Crown to wear,  
Did challenge all the Empire as his own,  
And for a time that mighty Mace did bear:  
Which when my Son, my Constantine did hear,  
The youthful Lad, indevourd by and by,  
To Claim his right by Mars his cruelty.   

I than his tender youthful years to guide,  
Went with my son to see his good success,  
He being Campt by fruitful Tiber's side,  
To spoil his foe he did himself address,  
He knew that God did give all happiness.  
Therefore to God, even than the Youth did pray,  
With mighty hand to keep him from decay.   

Behold how God doth godly men defend,  
And mark how he doth beat Usurpers down.  
Maxentius now he all his force doth bend,  
For to defend his Diade me and Crown.  
But froward Fate upon the Prince did frown:  
For why his men were scattered every where,  
In Tiber he did drown himself for fear.   

To Rome then we and all our host did high,  
The Romans they with joy did us receive,  
To Constantine they gave the Empery,  
But he of them most earnestly did crave,  
That I the rule of all the world might have,  
It is (quoth he) my mother's right to rain.  
Till dreadful death hath shred her twist in twain.   

I grant my son, the Monarchy is mine,  
For at his death thy father gave it me  
For term of life: but let it now be thine,  
I aged must go pay the earth her fee,  
I am content to live with less degree.  
O loving son give ear unto my hest,  
I will not rule, that charge for thee is best.   

And when he might not rule his mother's mind,  
Against his will he willing did assent,  
That all should be as I had then assigned,  
To rule the world, he grieved was content.  
And whilst that there my happy days I spent,  
Rejoicing much to see my sons success,  
I died, and had a heavenly happiness.   

Thrice happy I who ran this Royal race,  
And in the end my wished Goal did get:  
For by my means all people did embrace  
The faith of Christ, the orders I did set  
They were obeyed, with joy which made me jet.  
Even in this bless a better bless befell,  
I died, and now my soul in heaven doth dwell.   

So now you see the happy hap I had,  
Learn then thereby to do as I have done,  
To praise gods name let every Prince be glad,  
To persecute the truth let all men shun,  
By virtuous ways great honour may be won.  
But he who doth to vices vile incline,  
May be compared unto a filthy swine.   

Who doth not love the plain nor pleasant way,  
He can not fear to sleep amidst the green,  
But, in the mire he doth delight to lay:  
So Princes such as vile and vicious been,  
Do tumble ay amidst a sink of sin,  
Whose names on earth, whose souls in hell remain  
In infamy, the other pinched with pain.   

Let them that seek for everlasting fame,  
Tread in the steps that I before have trod,  
And he who would avoid reproachful shame,  
And flee the smart of Pluto's ruthful rod,  
Let him not cease to learn the law of God,  
Which only law man's stumbling steps doth 〈◊〉  
Who walks therein, his feet can never slide.     


The Induction  
Behold (quoth Memory) the effect of virtue and godliness. If the contentation of the mind be perfect happiness, as some Philosophers have defined it, than no doubt this Queen was most happy, and happp is he who can imitate her in her happiness. But not long time after her, there lived a King named Vortiger, who for his vice was as diversly afflicted, as this Woman for her virtue was blessed. I do remember the wickedness of this man was exceeding great. Have you found him out Inqusition? is not this he (good Memory) quoth Inqusition? I found him both sitting, and sighing, amongst the miserable, and it would appear that he is ashamed to make rehearsal of things past. It is even he (quoth Memory) you may know him by his fiery looks, for though it be long since he lived, yet he beareth about with him the badge of his destruction. Note you his story with diligence (good Inquisition,) for this is he who subverted the common weal of Brirtayne. And you Sir Prince, I do conjure you, by the duty you own unto me, who do know all things: that you do here repeat unto us the whole Story of your estate. Wherewith, he with smoking sighs, greatly against his will, said as followeth.   

❧ The Complaint of Vortiger.  
¶ How Vortiger destroyed the young king Constantine, and how he obtained the Crown: how the abusing of his prosperity brought his Realm so low, that he was constrained to hire soldiers to defend himself from his enemies, and how after many miseries, he was miserably burnt in his Castle, by the brethren of Constantine.  

BY quiet peace of janus joylity,  
Their happy havens with forewinds forced some have,  
By wrackful wars of Mars his cruelty,  
With much ado some get the Goal they crave,  
By subtle sleights and fetches bolstered brave,  
My hapless hand did hit with leveled line,  
The aimed mark, the more mishap was mine.   

By gifts of grace some men have happy hap,  
By blessed birth to Kingdoms borne some be:  
Succession sets some men in Fortune's lap,  
By wisdom, wit, and prudent policy,  
Some clime aloft by trustless treachery:  
And courage doth a multitude advance,  
Drifts finely filled they did my state enhance.   

I Vortiger by birth was borne a Lord,  
King Constantine his Cousin did me call,  
I cried amain, and clapped his crown a board,  
And for a time till Fortune forced my fall,  
With restless bless I sat in stately stall:  
But men of war of much more might than I,  
For my desert my careful corpses did fry.   

As furious force of fiery flashing flame,  
With Cinders brought my body to decay,  
So smuldering smokes of everlasting shame  
Reude my renown, and wiped my fame away.  
What may I more of my misfortune say?  
I sigh to see, I silent cease to tell  
What me destroyed, and drowned my soul in hell.   

Here to repeat the parts that I have played,  
Were to vn●ippe a truss of trumpery,  
For me to show how I aloft was stayed,  
Were to erect a school of Treachery:  
Silence is best, let no man learn by me  
Nor by my means, how they by wicked ways,  
From low estate, aloft themselves may raise.   

As good men can by wicked works beware,  
So wicked men by wicked works be wise,  
If ill men read my deeds which wicked were,  
They by my means will compass their surmise:  
For wicked workers daily do devise,  
To make examples vile and vicious,  
To stand in stead, to serve their lawless lust.   

The Serpent thence his venom vile doth draw,  
From whence the be her honey sweet doth get,  
Lewd livers learn to break the written law,  
By that, whereby good men do learn much wit.  
For wicked men each fetch is thought most fit,  
To serve their turn: therefore I count it best,  
To leave my faults and follies unconfest.   

give leave therefore good Memory, I may  
Not here repeat my tedious Tragedy,  
Inquiry, let me now depart away.  
My common weal subverted was by me,  
I lewdly lived, and died in misery,  
And for my faults I felt disdayneful smart,  
Let this suffice, and let me now depart.   

With that he seemed as on that would away,  
But Memory (stay stay thy steps quoth she)  
Let wicked men procure their own decay,  
We reck it not, if warned once they be.  
Let that suffice, and let thy misery  
Make just report, how vain, and vile a thing  
It is, to live as a usurping King.   

Sigh needs I must repented faults forerun  
Repeat, and tell the fall and foil I felt,  
Patience perforce, to speak shame bids me shun,  
To think thereof doth make my heart to melt.  
But sith I needs must show how here I dealt,  
I am content to tell the truth of all,  
Let wise men learn to stand, which read my fall.   

For first I caused the young king Constantine,  
Of faithless Scots and picts to make his guard,  
They by my means did kill their king in fine,  
For which, with speed I sent them all to ward,  
And hanged them all, their cause was never hard,  
So I who first did 'cause them kill their king,  
To stop their mouths, them all to death did bring.   

Where Rancour rules, where hatreds heat is hot.  
The hurteles●e men with trouble be turmoiled:  
Where Malice may sand forth her Cannon shot,  
There might is right, there reasons rules are foiled.  
For ruthful Rancour evermore hath boiled  
With griping grief: her smuldring smokes of spite,  
Would gladly choke all justice, law, and right.   

So might, not right, did thrust me to the Throne,  
I syxteene years did wear the royal Crown,  
In all which time with grief I ay did groan,  
As on who felt the fall from high renown.  
My Noble men devised to thrust me down  
In all this time, and many did protest,  
I laid the king in his untimely Chest   

At last, my foes my friends were made, and I  
Had quiet peace, and lived a happy king:  
Yea, God who rules the haughty heaven a high,  
Enriched my realm with foysen of each thing,  
Abundant store did make my people sing.  
As they of yore were priest with penury:  
So now they hate their great fertility.   

My people had of Corn and Oil such store,  
That Country men of tillage left the toil,  
The rich man fed no better than the poor,  
For all did reap the fatness of the soil,  
No man for meat nor money than did toil,  
But all rejoice with joyful jubilee,  
And all were soused with sinful Gluttony.   

As clouds dissolved fair Phoebus doth deface,  
So plague my plenty dimmed with dark disease▪  
For whilst my realm in riot ran her race,  
They played, not prayed, and did their God displease.  
For which they drowned in sorrows surging seas,  
Like rotten sheep by thousands died so thick,  
The dead could not be buried by the quick.   

When thus the plague my people did oppress,  
That few were left alive within my land,  
The Scots and picts, with speed they them addressed,  
Knowing their time, they raised a mighty band,  
They knew right soon, how here my state did stand.  
And to revenge the wrong that erst I wrought,  
They meant to bring both me and mine to naught.   

See how abuse breeds black and bitter bale,  
Misuse doth make of plenty, loathsome lack,  
Amidst his bliss with woe it makes man wale,  
Only abuse doth work man's wretched wrack:  
Amidst my joys, from joy it beat me back.  
For I and mine misused our present bless,  
Which brought both me and mine to wretchedness.   

We first misused our present pleasant plenty,  
For which we whipped in thrall with scourges three,  
Had Pestilence, which made my kingdom empty,  
It did destroy my men of each degree,  
Than fainting Fa●ine played her Tragedy,  
Bellona then that ●eastly bloody Queen,  
Did blow her Trump to dash my courage clean.   

When sickness had consumed my subjects quite,  
The picts with pride did haste to spoil my land,  
I had no men, nor means with them to fight,  
For which I sent and did obtain a band  
Of Saxons, such as did the Scots withstand.  
Whose help that I when need required might have,  
I gave them Kent, a country passing brave.   

These Saxons were a crew of warlike wights,  
They lived by spoil, and had no biding place,  
They were of truth a troop of Martial knights,  
Which served for pay where Mars extolled his Mace.  
Saxons in deed they were of royal race,  
They Angli high, a stock of worthy fame,  
Of them this realm of England took her name.   

These Angli brought the britains to the bay,  
We welshmen called, to Wales they did us drive,  
They brought two sorts of Saxons to decay,  
And got the Goal for which they long did strive.  
Of other stocks they left not one alive,  
They all this realm did plant with Angli then,  
And termed themselves of Angli, Englishmen.   

But how they brought this enterprise about,  
Mark well the sequel which I shall recite:  
Hengestus he the chieftain of the rout,  
A subtle Sir, an undermiming wight,  
To feed my veins he took a great delight.  
His crafty head did deem it the best way,  
With pleasant baits to make my Crown his prey.   

He me his king invited to a feast,  
A feast in faith, which forced my final fall:  
Where Cupid's curse constrained me like a beast,  
From Pallas prince to give the golden Ball.  
For Venus vantes to Helline threw me thrall,  
Whose heavenly hew, whose beauty fresh and fair,  
Was burnishte bright like Phoebus in the air.   

I being set at Bacchus banqueting,  
His daughter decked with Nature's tapistry,  
And trimly trickte with every other thing,  
Which might delight a lovers fantasy:  
Why should man's mind to love thus subject be?  
I had a wife, a passing princely piece,  
Which far did pass that gallant Girl of Greece.   

Yet from my wife (the worthiest wench alive,)  
My fancies fell, I lothde her lovely bed:  
How I Hengestus daughter might achieve  
Was all my care, I did this Damsel wed,  
My wife divorste, I had her in the steed.  
Her lovely looks, her pretty pleasant cheer,  
Made me esteem her only love most dear.   

I wore the crown, her will did rule the rest,  
And her demand I never did deny:  
What she aloud I did esteem that best.  
Which when her Father Hengest did espy,  
He had the prey for which he long did pry.  
He made his hay whilst weather fair was,  
And by her means he brought it thus to pass:   

That Bryttaynes we with toil should till the ground,  
They Saxons would defend our wealth with war,  
Which granted once, they did inhabtie round  
About my realm, and might both make and mar.  
New Saxons in my realm arrived were,  
By means whereof my britains did suspect  
The Saxons slayghtes, and did their deeds detect.   

Then they good men to me their king complained,  
These men quoth they, from us our realm will win,  
Except they from our frontiers be refraind.  
Which when they told, my wife she was within,  
O Husband dear, they be (said she) my kin,  
Cease of thy force thy faithful dreads to fear,  
They mean no hurt, by jove the just I swear.   

So I esteemed not my subjects health,  
That I might still my ladies love enjoy,  
They viewed me careless of my common wealth,  
To save themselves they meant me to annoyed.  
My ne eldest son a proper pretty boy,  
They made their king, and me for my desert,  
They did deprive: with pain which pinched my heart.   

Then Vortiger my son and king pursued  
The Saxons sore, and did amaze then much,  
For which my wife his mother law endued  
With devilish spite, against the youth did grudge,  
She him destroyed, her good success was such.  
When he seven years had raygnde with great renown,  
With poison she deprived him of his crown.   

I to obtain the seat from whence I fell,  
With sacred oath I solemnly did swear,  
To end the work, which was begun so well,  
And to subdue the Saxons every where.  
The Britaines to my kingly crown did rear  
Me quickly then, I at the first, by might  
Defaced my foes in every fray and fight.   

Then loathsome Luck did turn her whurling wheel▪  
With treason trust intrapte did me betray,  
Hateful Mishap she had me by the heel,  
And clapped me close in dungeon of Decay,  
To Hengest now I must a ransom pay.  
And if I loud my life and liberty,  
A needs must grant all he doth ask of me.   

For changed chance of Mars his wars, hath ma●e  
Me of a king a Captains prisoner,  
To whom there must now four Shears be paid,  
Norfolk, Southfolke Southsexe, & Kent they were,  
Me to release from out my cave of care.  
Which being done, I led my life in doubt,  
And fled for fear to Wales with all my rout.   

Where as I found a place that pleased me much,  
The situation seemed so passing strong,  
The world me thought might not annoyed it much,  
A castle there I built: it were to long  
Here to repeat, silence shall do no wrong  
To Marlayne, he who wonders there hath wrought,  
If ancient writ to us the truth hath ●aught.   

When I had built my princely bower there,  
In bloody fields I meant no more to strive:  
But true report did dash my present cheer,  
In Tornesse haven two brethren did arrive,  
Which quickly would from that my fort me drive.  
The brethren both of Constantine the King,  
Peccavi they did mean to make me sing.   

From worse to worse seldom is better seen,  
Our present joys hereafter thralls do threat,  
And he who now doth flourish fresh and green,  
Must fade and fall as Hiems frosts do fret  
Dame Flora's fields, or as the rain with wet  
In dropping days the pleasant plains doth drown:  
So ruthful men reaves us from renown.   

Men may therefore like Marmaydes ever mourn,  
The shining Sun who do so much delight,  
That ay they wail like Furies quite forlorn.  
When Sol doth shine, when Titan's beams be bright,  
They fear the storms that may hereafter light,  
They weep because they must the Sun forego,  
When storms do fall, they wail their present woe.   

So mortal man with malice all bestead,  
When good success doth sound a blessed blast,  
With brinish tears then may they eat their bread▪  
For happy days from man doth flee as fast  
As powders force from piece doth pellet cast,  
And troubles tedious time with pacelesse stay,  
Once won (alas) will never walk away.   

How I in maze of trouble here did toil,  
judge you which see me travise in the same,  
And how I was enforced to final foil,  
Not now, for now although it doth me shame,  
I will declare, how I was fried with flame.  
For Ambrose he and Uter Pendragon,  
My Castle brent, me and my men each one.   

Then Ambrose with his brother's Crown was crowned,  
Which I from him had reafte against all right.  
So now you see upon what slippery ground  
They stand, which do extol themselves by might,  
Their wandering feet do walk as in the night,  
Their stumbling steps their guilty minds do fear,  
They daily see the block of bale appear.   

With scalding sighs they do themselves consume,  
For fear to fall doth yield none other fruit,  
They rage with wrath, they daily fret and fume,  
Ruthful revenge them always hath in suit,  
And right in time makes might both mum and mute:  
For that which might by secret means hath wrought,  
By tract of time to open show is brought.   

Usurpers than do reap their right reward,  
The foil once felt, they feel how vile and vain  
It is, to be too high degrees preferred  
By lawless means: they find what pinching pain,  
Amidst the minds of such men do remain,  
They always throngde with cruel thretting thrall,  
Do feed upon none other food but Gall.   

A proof whereof a plat a pattern plain,  
The ruthful race I Vortiger have run,  
Deciphers so, that man may see how vain  
A thing it is his former Fate to shun,  
Honour obtained (alas) what have we won?  
A hideous heap of cruel carking care,  
Which to consume man's life doth never spare.     


The Induction.  
WHat Constantine was this (quoth Inquisition) that was made away by this miserable Vortiger? Not Hellines son said (Memory) but an imp descended out of her loins, who for his soft spirit was made a Monk at S. Swithens in Winchester, and afterward his eldest brother being dead, he was taken out, & made king. He made mention of two brethren (said Inquisition) who arriving at Totnesse, did bind the said Vortiger for making away the young king. What were they? know you? Yea quoth (Memory) they were the brethren of the unfortunate Constantine, who fled out of the realm for fear of that cruel Vortiger: and afterward obtaining succour beyond the Sea, came with a Navy and obtained the revenge of their so deadly enemy. And when the eldest, called Aurelius Ambrose, had reigned nienteene years, he died as some write, by poison, without issue: Then the youngest, named Uter Pendragon, took unto him the rule of this realm? Uter Pendragon? (quoth Inquisition) do you mean the great king Arthur's father? he is here, and hath sued unto me to be a means that his fall might be known unto the world. Let him saith Memory, speak his mind, for his story is exceeding necessary for this present time. Wherewith, he bearing still about with him his amorous looks, said as followeth.   

❧ The Complaint of Uter Pendragon.  
¶ How Uter Pendragon was enamoured with Duke Garelus wife, and how by lawless love he lost his kingdom. This example is most necessary for the present time.  

WE lead our lives by fancies fond delight,  
For kingdoms some do busy much their brain,  
But Cupid's curse that wretched little wight,  
That blinded boy unto my pinching pain,  
Dubde me a Knight of dainty Venus' train,  
Where beams of Beauty brought me by and by,  
To cast my care to please my ladies eye.   

O Beauty brave, thy gladsome glittering Gleams,  
With smiling cheer and wildie winking eyes,  
Doth drown with dole amidst the surging streams  
Of deep despair, the wights which be most wise.  
Ay me, my wit, my pen cannot devise  
Of Beauty brave to make a true discourse,  
To think thereof I feel myself the worse.   

I Pendragon of Britain crowned king,  
The fretting force of Beauties hateful hew▪  
Those frying flames I felt, that hateful sting,  
Which quickly me from crown and kingdom threw.  
Whilst with delight I did thy vaunting view,  
I like the Halke which sores in good estate,  
Did spy a Stolen, I sloopte, and took a Mate.   

For at what time the Saxons did assail  
My Britain state, and took each man a share,  
My Kingdom they even for their best avail,  
Did then divide: for which with carking ca●e  
Them thence to drive, I did my power prepare.  
And being come to Cornewal with my band,  
I meant to have Duke Garelus helping hand.   

I knew right well the valour of his mind,  
Me to my crown his courage did advance,  
Him for my good most forward I did find,  
He never feared the force of changing chance.  
Here I intrapte, did stand as in a trance,  
Amazed I gazed, as one bewichte, my heart  
Was wounded deep with Cupid's cruel Dart.   

In sacred Church I set to sacrifice,  
Those holy vows, which victories require:  
Even whilst I did with all my heart devise,  
How to subdue my foes with sword and spear,  
Even then there did this peerless Pearl appear,  
Duke Garelus wife, whose gallant gate and grace,  
Stealing mine heart, my honour did deface.   

When Vortiger my brother did oppress,  
In exile then my youthful years were spent,  
At my return his fault he did confess,  
And from his crown the crown in haste I sent.  
Then my delight was in the diery dent  
Of wrackful war, but now transformed I stand,  
The ancient Oak must grow now like a wand.   

I marueilde much how Cireus' songs might please,  
But now I muse that Circe's sorcery,  
Doth not from every man bereave his ease.  
Calipso's cups with poisoned Treachery,  
Can not so much abridge man's liberty,  
As Circus songs and Circe's subtle art,  
Whose chanting charms enwrapped with woe my heart.   

Ulysses sailing by the perilous place,  
Where these to please the passours by, did play,  
Where Lady Love doth vaunt with garish grace,  
Her dainty Damsels gallant Girls, and gay,  
Enticing trulls, they caused the Greek to say,  
With Cables come and tie me to this Mast,  
Jest I myself to Pleasures Court me cast.   

Muse not therefore though feature fine of face,  
Though comely corpse, and trim enticing cheer,  
Made me obey Sir Cupid's mighty Mace:  
The force whereof Ulysses wise did fear.  
He sailed aloffe, he from these banks did bear  
His shaking ship, but other many more  
Did there arrive, and woven the web of woe.   

There Solomon did reap the crop of care,  
There David loud as I, Urias' wife,  
There Samson strong was snarled in the snare,  
There Paris lived, even there he lost his life,  
There Helen's hate, brought Troy her final strife,  
Alcides he the mighty Herculus  
There to arrive, did find it dangerous.   

And I did learn with loss of life at last,  
That he who doth delight in lawless love,  
Must play the fool ear all the parts be past,  
And taste the sauce prepared for his behove.  
Let men take heed how they there fancies move,  
Let man beware where he doth cast his eye,  
The limed bird doth prove in vain to fly.   

O ancient Rome, thou didst ordain of yore,  
That women should no banqueting frequent,  
At Rome she was esteemed a harlot whore,  
If from her house without her veil she went,  
Which laws no doubt were made to good intent▪  
For why the beams of Beauties sanguind sight,  
Like Basilisco spoils the gazing wight.   

Therefore the maids and Roman Matrons all,  
A shadowing veil before there face did wear,  
Their heavenly hew did throw no man to thrall,  
They were content with plain and decent gear,  
They hus●e it not with painted frizzled hear.  
The married wife, the matron, and the maid,  
They of there veils were glad and well apaid.   

If women thus had walked in my time,  
I had not stoopte unto that painted lure,  
Which did entice me to commit the crime,  
Which to the perch of lewdness tied me sure,  
For her disport my Lady could procure  
The wretched wings of this my muting mind,  
Restless to seek her empty fist to find.   

I thus arrived in Pleasure's cursed Court,  
I loathed Mars, I hated Mercury,  
It was me thought a passing pleasant sport,  
Leaving the fields at Bacchus' bravery,  
Sometime to sit upon my Mistress knee,  
Where that I might be at my pleasure placed,  
I sent the noble Duke to wars in haste.   

You which have played with pleasures banding bales,  
You know the life which lingering lovers lead,  
You know how sweet it is to scale the walls  
Of her good will, who lived in fear and dread,  
You know right well how well those wights have sped,  
Who have at last by drifts of long delay,  
Their hoped meed, and wished pleasant pray,   

Which pray when I by tract of time obtained.  
And had my will when best it did me please,  
As I three months amidst my bliss remained,  
The Duke's return, returned me from my ease,  
No promise might his raging wrath appease.  
But when he knew the drift of my delays,  
To 'cause my death he sought an hundred ways.   

Then I the wrath of rash revenge to fly,  
Thinking that time might mitigate his mood:  
To Troynovant in haste I did me high.  
Which when the wrathful Duke once understood,  
He raised my Realm, and by his might and power  
I lost my life, my Crown, and Princely bower.   

Learn they which live in high or low degree,  
To flee the foil which I by Folly felt:  
Let them refrain those lofty Dames to see,  
They know how lofty looks with me have de●●,  
You see how sight did make my honour melt.  
Let all men know, man's heart did never rue  
The thing which he with sight did never view.   

But how may men the sight of Beauty shun  
In England, at this present dismal day?  
All void of veils (like Lays) where Ladies run  
And roam about at every feast and play,  
They wandering walk in every street and way:  
With lofty luering looks they bouncing brave,  
The highest place in all men's sight must have.   

With pride they prank to please the wandering eye,  
With garish grace they smile, they jet they jest:  
O English Dames, your lightness verily,  
The Curtizantes of Rome do much detest,  
In Closets close to live they count it best.  
They give not grace to every wandering wight,  
Your smiling cheer doth every man delight.   

The Poet's goddess Saturn, and jupiter,  
To Beauty's beck, their highness did obey,  
Pluto of hell did pled at Beauty's bar,  
And Phillis caused Demophoon to stay:  
Pasiphae a Bull brought to the bay.  
So Gods and devils, both men and beasts, they all▪  
By women's wiles are slaves to Beauty's thrall.   

What gain is got by light and wanton ways?  
You reap reproach a guerdon got thereby:  
Men by your means do cause their own decay,  
And you yourselves all souste in sin must die.  
Refrain therefore to please man's gazing eye,  
Let men like wise the baited hooks refrain  
Of luering looks, their vaunting vows be vain.    

The Induction.  
Very well said quoth Memory, I would I had ability to redeem this prince's soul out of Limbo lake, I will insuer you the short Tragedy of this man's life hath made along discourse of the present estate of England, in which there be more by three parts which serve like Carpite Knights, Venus, & her darlings, than god and their Prince: who I fear are so fast seized upon Beauty's fist, that this example will be little available unto them. But let it be as it will, warned folks may live, and happy are they whom other men's harms do make to beware. But good Inquisition, whom have you there? what, have you brought us in steed of a Prince, a Priest? It would appear by his shaven Crown that he hath been a Monk, or a Friar. What, shall we allow tippet wearers to plead amongst Princes? me think by the deformity of his apparel, he should not be of the Religion, nor of the reformed Church, yea I will insuer you, his precise looks maketh me to suspect that he is one of them which do cry out, O these indifferent things do not edify. Speak therefore Inquisition, if he be one of that precise order, he get no place here. O Memory (quoth Inquisition) they of the reformed Church be the most zealous pastors of the world, most of them both godly, good livers, and wise: and in my fancy in many points greatly deserving the name of reformed. But this man was both a Prince and a Prelate, whom I refused oftentimes to hear, because he looked so devoutly, yet he being importunate, did overcome me with his prayers: and when I gave ear unto him, I rejoiced. And not without a cause good Memory, for it is even he whom you sent me to seek. Let me see (quoth Memory, is it Cadwallader? In good time: it is even he in deed. O see what the alteration of apparel doth: in good faith I had almost forgotten the man, he was the last King of the britains, and when things would not fall out after his desire, he went to Rome, and there he become a Friar. But we will not accuse him of any thing, let him do the thing that he cometh for, you may persuade yourself that seeing he is of the Church, his conscience will constrain him in every thing to tell the truth. Then he stepped forth, booted, and spurred, all in black, with a long priests Gown, a square cap, a Scala Caeli in his hand, and a long pair of Beads by his side: then he sighing, proceeded unto his purpose, and said as followeth   

❧ The Complaint of Cadwallader.  
How Cadwallader the last King of the britains▪ after he had behaved himself very valiantly against the Saxons, resigned his Crown, and went to Rome, where he lived in a religious house. This story containeth in it the estate of all estates.  
You mourning Muses all, where ever you remain,  
Assist my sobbing soul this drierye tale to tell:  
You furious Furies fierce of Limbo Lake belowt,  
Help to unlade my breast of all the bale it bears:  
And you who felt the fall from honours high renown:  
Fron graves you grizie ghosts sand forth, to help me mourn.  
O Pallas, give thou place, that mourning Clio may  
On Lute lamenting, sound and sing my doleful dumps.  
Let rhyming metered lines and and pleasant Music cease:  
Let satires sollome sound send forth the fall I felt:  
And when the truth of all my Tragedy is known,  
Let them that live then learn, all things must have an end  
The Persian Monarch and Medes it down did fall,  
That of Assiria, in tract of time did end:  
Yea Alexander's force in fight subdued them both,  
And brought the world so wide into one Monarchy.  
What though the fretting force of Fate did him dismay?  
He felt at last the foil, his vaunting was in vain,  
He dead, the world it was divided as before.  
The Roman Empery came tumbling down at last.  
And where is Troy, and Greece, and mighty Macedon?  
They flourishte for a time like this my little I'll:  
The Soldian brought them down, and did their states destroy:  
Even so the Saxons brought the britains to the bay,  
Even these mine eyes did see, that hateful▪ hideous sight,  
These feeble hands when long they laboured had in vain,  
Did yield their interest: then thus I did complain:  
Who can refrain the force of mighty mounting Seas?  
When bellows make a breach and beat the banks adown,  
Doth not the saltish surge than beat the banks adown?  
Then man may not withstand the the rigour of their rage.  
But wisdom would have kept the waves within their bounds  
Counsel doth come to late, when hope of help is past.  
Such was my filthy fate, my lewd and loathsome luck:  
I sought a salve to cure and help the helpless wound.  
For long before my time, seven Kings were settled here,  
The Saxons such as dwelled by East, Sibertus ruled,  
The Angles in the East, Redwallus ●ulde as king,  
Then Ethelbert was king of all the coast of Kent,  
In Southsex Ethelwolfus wore the regal crown:  
Then Quincillinus was a Saxon king by west,  
Of Martia in the midst king Penda was the Prince,  
And Edwin in Northumberland did rule and reign,  
How did my Grandsire grand renowned Arthur he  
These seven destroy with deadly field of wrackful war▪  
But Mordred made the mean, that brought them in again:  
Vor●iporus with war almost consumed them all.  
Then Malgo he with peace restored again their state,  
Cariticus the sin of Civil strife did love,  
For which Gurmundus did the britains much annoy.  
Then Cadwin out of Wales king Etheldred did spoil,  
Cadwalline then did force king Penda to a foil,  
And I Cadwallader at last did press in place,  
Then Lothar king of Kent in war that wretch I slew.  
And Ethiwolne ●he king of Southsaxons I spoiled,  
The other five did me invade with cruel fight,  
With whom in divers wars, I diversly did speed.  
Sometime Bellona blue a blessed blast for me,  
And changed chance sometime did farce my men to flee.  
Whilst thus I waged my wars in secret silent night,  
The very voice of God, it thus to me did speak:  
Thou striust against the stream, the tide doth beat thee back,  
Strike thou thy Sails, take Anchor hold, else must thou feel a wrack▪  
Which saying did in deed amaze me more by much,  
Then all the force that man against my will might bend:  
For who the will of God with weapons may resist?  
And when as sin hath sold a country to decay,  
Then prayer must prevail, for weapons will not help.  
And when the end is come, when all the glass is run,  
Who can resist the force of Fate and destinies?  
Who things forerun to fall from falling can refrain?  
It passeth mortal might to bring such things about.  
Let man content himself to do what best he may,  
By trying too to much, no man his God may tempt,  
But mortal man must think that God the best doth know,  
Who can depress to dust, and cayse when best him please.  
And as I thus amidst my musinges did remain,  
I did resign my crown, and deemed all honours vain.  
And though it greeude me much to feel the fall I felt,  
Yet was I well content, I could not as I would:  
For which I left my land, my people, and my place.  
The Saxons they obtained the wage for which they warred.  
When I three years had reigned, without one day of rest,  
Even then in mourning robes at Rome I did arrive,  
And there contemning all the world, and worldly things,  
I made myself a Monk, (cease Memory to muse)  
A Monk I made myself, thou know'st it passing plain:  
amongst the Friars there, I led my lyngring life.  
And till my dying day I daily did devise,  
How by my means it might to all the world be known,  
That mortal flesh is frail, and every thing must fade:  
And even amongst those things which Nature doth created,  
Nothing so vile as man amongst the rest is found,  
Which made Heraclitus with ceasslesse sighs to wail,  
He to his dying day did nothing else but weep,  
Affirming all the world under the heaven, to be  
A path of penitence, a maze of misery.  
What is the life of man but care and daily toil,  
Bearing always about a burden of mishaps?  
All his delights repentance doth daily doth pursue:  
Nothing but death doth bring him peace and quiet rest.  
Yet that which brings him bless, he most of all doth hate,  
Which made Democritus with mirth to spend his days.  
He laughing ay, did mock the madness of mankind,  
Whose love is long to live, and feareth much to die:  
Death reaves us from disease, Death ends the fear of death.  
When Midas did demand Silenus, what was best  
For mortal man to wish, the Satire thus did say,  
Not to be borne, if borne, not long our lives to lead,  
For life I most do loath, and death I lest do dread.  
And how did Timon lead with savage beasts his life?  
How did that Hermit poor, his loathsome life detest?  
Affirming with the wise Aurelius' Emperor,  
Tha● if a man should make a true discourse of all  
The wretched woes he felt, from birth to dying day,  
The feeble flesh would faint to feel so sharp a ●ight,  
The heart would quake to hear Dame Fortunes sharp assaults.  
And I Cadwallader a king, can make report,  
That nothing may content the mind of mortal man:  
The more myself did eat, the hungryer aye I was,  
The more I drank, the more thirst did me still distress.  
The more I s●ept, the more I sluggish did remain,  
The more I rested me, the more I wearied was,  
The more of wealth I had, the more I did desire,  
The more I still did seek, the less I ay did find.  
And to conclude, I found I never could obtain  
The thing, but in the end it caused me to complain,  
My present good success, did threaten thrall to come,  
And changing chance did still with sorrow me consume,  
For which my royal robes, my crown I laid aside,  
Meaning to prove by proof the pains of poverty,  
Which poverty I felt all riches to exceed,  
It beareth much more bless, then high and courtly state,  
Codrus and Irus poor for wealth did far surpass  
Midas and Croesus' king, for wealth who did surpass.  
And I amongst my mates the romish Friars, felt  
Moore joy and less annoy, than erst in Britain brave.  
For there I doubted still, the Saxons subtle sleights,  
I feared there the fall from royal regal seat:  
But here at Rome I lived not fearing force of foe,  
I had for mine estate, what I could wish or crave,  
And this I there did find: they of the clergy be,  
Of all the men that live the lest in misery.  
For all men live in care, they careless do remain.  
L●ke buzzing Drones they eat the honey of the Bee,  
They only do excel for fine felicity.  
The ki●● must wage his wars, he hath no quiet day,  
The noble man must rule with care the common weal:  
The Countryman must toil to till the barren soil,  
With care the Merchant man the surging seas must sail,  
With trickling drops of sweat the hādcraf●es man doth thrive.  
With hand as hard as board the workman eats his bread.  
The soldier in the field with pain doth get his pay,  
The serving man must serve and crouch with cap and knee,  
The Lawyer he must plead and trudge from bentch to bar,  
Who Physic doth profess, he is not void of care.  
But Churchmen they be blest, they turn a leaf or two,  
They sometime sing a Psalm, and for the people pray,  
For which they honour have, and sit in highest place,  
What can they wish or seek, that is not hard at hand?  
They labour not at all, they know no kind of pain,  
No danger doth with dread their happy lives distress.  
Cease you therefore to muse what madness made me leave  
The Court and courtly pomp of wearing royal crown,  
No madness did that deed, but wisdom wished it so,  
I gained thereby the bless which few before me felt,  
I niene years led my life, and never felt annoy.  
And certainly if now I might be king again,  
Refusing all that pomp, I would become a priest,  
A Deacon, or a Dea●e, Prebend, or Minister.  
For these men lead their lives with livings two or three:  
Some have their substitutes in Universities,  
Some lead the bravest lives that any man may have,  
They feed upon the fleece, they force not of the flock:  
Three hours in the year, with beastly bosomde stuff  
They spend, and that is all that law of them requires.  
Muse not though many thrust and shoulder for degrees,  
For happy man is he, who hath a Preachers fees.  
But let me now return unto my romish rout,  
Who fed like Bacon fat, did naught but play and pray.  
With whom for niene years space, when I my life had led,  
I song my Requiem, and paid the earth her fee.  
Then in Saint Peter's Church at Rome they did me lay,  
Booted and spurred, even as you see me here this day.  
So now you have the whole of all my Tragedy.  
Of Brutus' blood the last I ●ude that ruled as king,  
My Britain's driven to Wales they Welshmen then were called,  
And I at Rome their king, a mumbling Monk installed.  
The Saxons had the day, for which they longed long.  
They England called the Isle, of Brutus which took her name.  
Some men be borne to bliss, and some to hateful hap:  
Who would have thought, that I in war a raging king,  
Should by the force of Fate, at Rome have died a Monk?  
Let all the world then know, that nothing is so sure,  
That can afford and say, I thus will ay endure.  
For that which seemeth best, is soon brought to nought,  
Which plainly doth appear by that which I have taught.  
The worthiest in the world, princes, philosophers,  
Will teach that I have taught, and prove it passing plain.  
Paulus Aemi●ius did die but wretchedly.  
And was not Scipio even to his dying day  
Constrained, to help his need, the painful plough to ply?  
Caesar and Silla both, did not they taste the whip?  
And made not Hannibal a miserable end?  
And how was Socrates before his time destroyed,  
And Anaxagoras inprisoned long with pain?  
For cruel beastly coin divine Plato was sold,  
And Aristotle sent to exile, where he died.  
And so was Solon sage, and that Lycurgus wise,  
And many more, which here I could at large repeat.  
But let these few suffice to teach for certain truth,  
That all the men that live, are subjects all to ruth.  
And seeing so it is, then let them learn the mean,  
That if the bark do break, they safe may swim to land.    


The Induction.  
The great desire (quoth Inquisition) which we have had to hear this man, hath made us to overpass king Arthur and Cariticus, the one not less famous for his noble acts, than the other for his vices and wretchedness infamous. Yea said (Memory) so have we forgot two or three other, whose examples would have been goodly lanterns to lighten wandering pilgrims. But it is not much amiss, for of Arthur there be whole volumes, and of the rest there be the like ensamples both in Bochas and Baldwin: let us therefore pass them over, and speak somewhat of some of the Saxons: for seeing they were made of flesh and blood, no doubt some of them stumbled also. But first tell me Inquisition, will you pen this man's meterlesse Tragedy as he hath pronounced it? good Memory give me your advise, for it agreeth very well with the Roman verse called jambus, which consisteth on six feet, every foot on two syllables, one short and an other long, so proper for the English tongue, that it is great marvel that these ripewitted Gentlemen of England have not left of their Goatish kind of rhyming, (for the rude Goths brought that kind of writing first, & imitated the learned Latins & Greeks) O what brave beams and goodly timber might be found amongst Churchyards Chips, if he had not affected the rhyming order of his predecessors? Which Meeter made not only him inferior unto Horace, but it also made a great inequality to be betwixt Buchurst and Homer: betwixt Phaer and Virgil: betwixt turbervile and Tibullus: betwixt Golding and Ovid: betwixt George Gascon and Seneca: for all these coming near unto Marot whom they did imitate, did put a great distance betwixt them and the Latins, with whom they might have been equal, even with as little labour, and with much more praise, and renown. Truly (quoth Memory) let it be as it is, you shall see good sport shortly. I smile to see how Zoilus and Momus, will cry out▪ O vain glorious head, which now for a singularity doth endeavour to erect a new kind of Poetry in England. What needest thou care Inquisition, these labours will get thee no living, and these be but the trifles of thy idle hours, yet such as be in many respects of great value, I promise' you I would the rest of your princes would proceed in the like order. But how shall we go forward with the seven Saxon kings: which way shall we turn us? Where or with whom shall we begin? With the West Saxons (quoth Inquisition) For they subdued the other six, and returned the realm into one Monarchy. And surely Ewe their first king were worthy the speaking of, who for his wife Etheldredas' pleasure, gave over all his royalties, & then went to Rome, like a beggar in pilgrimage. But we will not spend our time in hearing these devout men. Let us (if you please) see what this meaneth: behold, a herdman doth hold in his hand a headless body, who by his apparel would seem to be some forlorn thing: shall I inquire of the man what the matter meaneth? Not quoth Memory, you need not, for I see he will do it without request. Wherewith the herdman lamenting both his hard hap, and his good success, said as followeth.   

❧ The Complaint of Sigebert.  
How Sigebert was thrust from his throne, and miserably slain by a herdman. This Tragedy doth teach both Prince and subject his duty at large.  

Two parts in one a herdman here must play,  
My tale must tend each prince's life to mend,  
And this my talk most plainly must display,  
How far a subject may himself defend  
Against his leech, his sovereign Lord and king,  
If his default his common weal● doth bring  
To misery: therefore a little while  
Attend, and know the tenor of my style.   

A subject I of base and low degree,  
This headless corpse of life I did deprive,  
(King Sigebert it was) with cruelty.  
Whose lust was law, whilst he was here alive,  
To feel my force it was his destiny,  
Then cruelty I wracked with cruelty,  
And to revenge the wrong that erst he wrought,  
With loss of life his lawless lust he bought.   

This Sigebert the Saxons ruled by West,  
Their ancient laws he at his list did change,  
For which his commons did him much detest.  
The Duke of Cornwell would not let him range  
Thus at his will, but wished him like a friend,  
To mend his faults, or else his life to end.  
Then he in rage this Duke my master's life,  
His cruel hands bereaude with bloody knife.   

A lawless life to lawesse death doth hale,  
When witless wil●, will pass the power of may:  
Then ill mishap doth drown in Dolours Dale,  
The perverse Prince, whose wit doth bear the sway.  
Just Abel's blood to God for vengeance called,  
For blood with blood the Bloodsheader is thralled,  
And him whom here before you I present,  
For shedding blood, my blade his life hath hent.   

As he three years his people did oppress,  
Then they whose back that burden could not bear,  
With one consent they did his state distress,  
To reave him of his Crown they did not fear,  
They him desposde from honour and renown:  
His hateful hap so frowardly did frown,  
That he who had a kingdom but of late,  
Forlorn he now must beg from gate to gate.   

Do nothing muse at his deserved hap,  
For many more as he their lives have led:  
Ioues vengeance just such wretches doth inwrappe,  
With change most strange, when he their blood will shed.  
Of Dionise of Syracusia,  
Of Nero's death, of Phalaris decay,  
Who list to read, he passing plain shall find,  
That he of heaven their sorrow hath assigned.   

And out of doubt God did ordain the fall  
Of him, whom here I headless have in hand,  
Who wandering in a wood amidst his thrall  
I met by chance, of whom I did demand  
His name, and place▪ who thus replied with fear:  
O friend, I am for meat now statuen well near,  
give me therefore I thee beseech and pray  
Some meat, to keep my carcase from decay.   

Some Pilgrim poor, or wayfaring man him strait  
I judged, and gave him what my scrip would yield,  
And whilst we both thus on a bank did bait,  
From sighs and sobs himself he could not wield,  
Which made me ask again his name and place,  
But silent he did mourn with frowning face:  
Yet at the last by urging too and fro,  
He thus declared the cause of all his woe.   

O miser I, more wretch than thee by much,  
I never could compare with thine estate.  
This heard of Swine against thee never grudge▪  
I kept a heard, which did their herdman hate,  
A hateful heard of murmuring men I mean,  
Which did depri●e me of my honour clean.  
And now I lead my loathsome life you see,  
Impalde amidst a maze of misery.   

With changed chance (ay me) I chased am,  
And frowning Fate such sorrow hath assigned,  
That loathing life, most like a quiet Lamb,  
My naked neck to block of bale I bind.  
With cruel knife (O Care) come shred my twist,  
So shall my soul by corpse decay be blessed.  
But sith that Care nor Fate will do this deed,  
Do thou the same I thee beseech, with speed.   

first hateful hope with flattering face did faun,  
With dread when deep despaier would have drowned,  
Then changed chance did check me with the pawn  
Of woeful want, when good success did sound  
A blessed blast: and now (●o tell the truth)  
I have the mate, by raging Rook of ruth.  
Lothus I live, which daily wish to die:  
And life (alas) doth make my misery.   

If loathsome life (of this my corpse the king)  
Doth move one way, the Bishop bids me back:  
If to that point, the Queen me back doth bring,  
On tother side, the Knight doth work my wrack,  
The other points with pans be all possessed,  
And here the Rook of ruth doth reave my rest.  
And being brought into this strange estate,  
I do confess myself to have a mate.   

Sigh sorrow so hath seized upon my bones,  
That now too late I do lament my loss,  
And sith no means may turn my ghastful groans  
To joyful glye, sith trouble still doth toss  
Me to and fro, in weltering waves of woe:  
Death is my friend, and life I count my foe.  
Which death though once my feeble flesh did fear,  
Yet now I fain would feel his murdering spear.   

In gurging gulf of these such surging seas,  
My Pouer soul who drowned you will request,  
I wretched wight have sought mine own disease,  
By mine own means my state it was distressed.  
For whilst I meant to make my lust a law,  
justice me from my high estate did draw.  
So that I find, and feel it now with pain,  
All worldly pomp, all honour is but vain.   

Which honour I to fiery flames compare,  
For when they flash and flourish most of all,  
Then suddenly their flamings quenched are.  
For proof whereof, to mind now let us call  
Antigonus, and Ptollemeus Great,  
Caesar, and Mithridate, we may repeat,  
With Darius, and great Antiochus,  
Cambyses eke, and conquering Pyrrhus.   

And I the last might first have had my place,  
They all as I with flaming fiery show,  
Were quenched quite: Dame Fortune did deface,  
Yea hateful hap, even than did overthrow  
Us most, when most we had our hearts desire.  
When most we flourished like the flames of fire,  
Even then the seas of sorrow did prevail,  
And made us wear a black waymenting sail.   

And here before my death, I will repeat  
To thee the thing which I of late did dream,  
That thou and all the world may see, how great  
A care it is to rule a royal realm.  
My dream shall show, that bliss doth not consist  
In wealth nor want: but he alone is blest,  
Who is content with his assigned fate,  
And never strives to climb to higher state.   

When seemly Sol had rest his glittering gleams,  
And Nox the earth with darkness did imple:  
Dame Sinthia then with her bright burnishte beams,  
The shadowed shades of darkness did assail,  
Then Somnus caused my senses all to quail.  
On careful couch then being laid to rest,  
With doubtful dreams I strangely was distressed.   

In cottage cold where care me thought did keep,  
With naked need and want of wherewithal:  
Where poverty next beggars door did creep,  
And where expenses were so passing small,  
That all men deemed that man forethrongd with thrall,  
Which there did dwell, even there from bondage free,  
I veiwde a man all void of misery.   

And whilst I mused how he in believe of bliss  
Could lead his life amidst that cave of care,  
From princely Court proceeded ear I witted,  
A man, with whom there might no man compare.  
His wealth, his wit, his courage were so rare,  
That none before nor since were like to him:  
Yet he me thought in waves of woe did swim.   

This man had all that men could wish or crave  
For happy state, yet naught he had in deed:  
The other, he had naught that men would have,  
Yet had he all, believe it as thy Creed.  
This saying of that happy man I read,  
That having naught, yet all things so I have,  
That having naught, I nothing more do crave.   

The king me thought with all his Courtly train,  
Past to the place where poverty did dwell,  
With frowning face and with a troubled brain,  
With woe and want, his vexed veins did swell,  
With mirth and joy the poor man did excel.  
And being come unto his house maked  
Of one poor hogsheadde, thus to him he said:   

Diogenes, thou lead'st a loathsome life,  
Me think thou mightst much better spend thy time  
Within my Court, both thou and eke thy wife:  
Thou by that means to high estate mayst climb:  
I have the wealth, and thou art void of crime,  
And lo, before thy face I here am priest  
To give thee that, which thou shalt now request.   

Stand back (Sir King) thy vaunting vows be vain,  
I no thing reck thy promise, goods, nor land,  
And Titan's stately streams would me sustain  
With heat, if thou from this my door wouldst stand:  
Thou tak'st away much more than thy command  
Can give again: thy gifts so vile I deem,  
That none but fools such follies do esteem.   

With Conquest thou hast won the world so wide,  
And yet thou canst not win thy wandering will:  
Thou wouldst win an other world beside,  
But ●ushe, that fact doth far surpass thy skill.  
Thou never wilt of Conquest have thy fill,  
Till Death with daunting dart hath conquered thee,  
Then must thou leave behind, thy Monarchy.   

With great assaults myself I have subdued,  
In all respects, I have my hearts desire,  
With a contented mind I am endued,  
To higher state I never will aspire.  
Moore like a Prince than any poor Esquire,  
I lead my life: and sith my state is such,  
Ask thou of me, for I can give thee much.   

All dashed with dread me thought in fuming heat  
He said, departing thence in haste with speed,  
If I were not Alexander the Great,  
I would become Diogenes in deed,  
Who leads his life all void of woeful dread.  
He hath the wealth which I cannot obtain,  
I have the wealth which wise men do disdain.   

I live in fear, I languish all in dread,  
Wealth is my woe, the causer of my care,  
With fear of death I am so il bestead,  
That restless I much like the hunted Hare,  
Or as the canuiste Kite, doth fear the snare.  
Ten hundred cares hath brought me to the bay,  
Ten thousand snares for this my life men say.   

When Philip he of Macedon the king,  
One Realm me le●te, I could not be content,  
Desire pricked me to an other thing,  
To win the world it was my whole intent,  
Which done, an other world to win I meant.  
When lest I had, then most I had of bless,  
Now, all the world, and all unquietness.   

No woe to want of contentation.  
No wealth to want of riches and renown,  
For this is seen in every nation,  
The highest trees be soonest blown down:  
Ten kings do die before one clubbish Clown.  
Diogenes in quiet Tun doth rest,  
When Caesar is with carking care distressed.   

Wherewith me thought he was departed quite,  
And Morpheus that sluggish God of sleep,  
Did leave my limbs, wherewith I stood upright,  
Devising long what profit I could reap  
Of this my dream, which plainly did express  
That neither want nor wealth doth make man's bliss.  
Who hath the mean with a contented mind,  
Most perfect bless his God hath him assigned.   

But I, who lived a Crowned king of late,  
And now am forced of thee to beg my bread,  
I cannot be content with this estate,  
I loath to live, I would I wretch were dead:  
Despayer she doth feed me with decay,  
And Patience is fled and flown away.  
Do thou therefore O Heardeman play thy part,  
Take thou this blade, and thrust it to my heart.   

O Sir, I said, the Gods defend that I  
Should causeless kill a man in misery,  
Tell me thy name and place, then by and by  
I will provide for thine adversity.  
Then he replied, my name is Sigeberte,  
I am the man which wrought thy master's smart:  
I ruled of late this Realm even at my list,  
Take thou revenge with that thy friendly fist.   

And well content: I will revenge with speed  
The death of him whom causeless thou didst kill.  
King Sigebert, and art thou he in deed?  
Sigh he thou art, dispa●th and make thy will,  
For to my Lord this day I will present  
Thy head: therefore thy former faults repent,  
Thou seest the block on which thy life must end,  
Call thou for grace that God may mercy send.   

Wherewith the kneeling by he block of bale,  
Dispatch (quoth he) and do that friendly deed:  
O welcome death, and farewell Fortune frail,  
Dispatch good friend, dispatch my life with speed.  
Wherewith, on block he stretched his neck out right,  
And said no more, but praying me to smite,  
I gave the stroke which ended all his care,  
A bloody stroke, which did my death prepare.   

For I who hoped to have some great reward  
For kill of my masters father's foe:  
Was hanged straight, my cause was never heard,  
Such was my chance and well deserved woe.  
For when my Lord had heard me tell the tale,  
How I his king and mine did there assail,  
His frowning face did put me in great fear,  
He sight and sobbed, and said as you shall hear.   

O Caitiff vile, O imp of Satan's seed,  
And hast thou killed our Sovereign Lord and king?  
His due desert deserveth death in deed,  
Yet what made thee to do so vile a thing?  
What though he did my Father causeless kill?  
What though he ruled the Realm with lawless will?  
Shall we therefore, with cruel bloody knife,  
Deprive our Lord and king of vital life?   

O filth fie, may subjects false surmise,  
With murdering minds their Governor resist?  
That may not be: for Tully wondrous wise,  
Plato, in whom true knowledge doth consist.  
They both agreed that n● man aught to kill  
A Tyrant, though he hath him at his will.  
Yet thou (thou wretch) this bloody deed hast done,  
The like was never seen under the Sun.   

When God will plague the people for their sin,  
Them then to scourge he doth a Tyrant send:  
We should therefore that subjects be, begin  
With earnest mind our former faults tamende:  
Which if we do, it is to great avail,  
Man's force is fond, fighting cannot prevail.  
And he who doth resist the Magistrate,  
Resisteth god, repenting all to late.   

If subjects be by perverse Prince oppressed,  
They then must pray that God the change may make:  
Which God no doubt Rebellion doth detest,  
No subject may his sword nor armour take  
Against his Prince, whom god hath placed there.  
Yet hath this wretch all void of subjects fear,  
Destroyed a King whom God did thrust from throne,  
Alas poor king, thy death I do bemoan.   

But he who hath thy lyngring life destroyed,  
shallbe destroyed, and find it passing plain,  
That no man may a Prince's life annoy.  
Although the Prince desires to be slain,  
Yet subjects must from shedding blood refrain.  
From which seeing this wretch could not abstain,  
Let him be hanged as I before decreed,  
A just reward for his so vile a deed.   

Then I forthwith to end my life was led,  
I hoped to have preferment for my deed,  
I was preferred, and hanged all save the head,  
Did ever man the like example read?  
Not one I think, therefore good Memory,  
In register inrolle thou this for me,  
That they who live and read the fall I felt,  
May ●inde how Fate most strangely with me dealt.   

Yet my desert no doubt did death deserve,  
Though hatred did not make me kill my king,  
Yet lucre lewd did force my feet to serve,  
That hateful hap, me to this bale did bring.  
Let them then learn that heedless live by hope,  
Her hateful hests will bring them to the rope:  
And happy he, who void of hope can lead  
A quiet life, all void of Fortune's dread.   

Perillus he who made the Bull of Brass,  
Like him I hoped to have some great reward,  
But he in brazen belly broiled was,  
And to a Scarf of Hemp I was preferred.  
So they that mean by others harms to rise,  
Their dying day shall end with doleful cries▪  
And here I end, approving that most true,  
From wicked works no goodness can ensue.     

❧ The Induction.  

THis herdman quoth Inquisition, doth make me call to mind Pan's Preachers, I mean Maro's shepherds, Silvanus, Candidus, and such like, who with their Oaten Pipes did often times disclose very intricate mysteries, reasoning pro et con of many high points belonging unto the common weal. And I know not with what knowledge, they did decide doubtful matters, according unto the opinion of the best Philosophers. Surely Memory, I marvel much at the men of the old world, for I read of many who having many passing great gifts of learning and knowledge, were content with the base estate of herdmen. In these our days, none be herdmen but fools, and every man though his wit be but mean, yet he cannot live with a contented mind, except he hath the degree of a Lord▪ It is most true said Memory, for heretofore men did not range untied in such a world of liberty as they do now, than the wisest was best content with the lowest estate, yea, Reason so bridled the affections of men, that Apollo whom Poetes do faygne to be the very God of wisdom, what was he but a shepherd? and that very poor as it would seem, for he kept Admetus heard in Thessaly. And Argus, who for the sharpness of his wit was reported to have an hundred eyes, he also was content to be a Cowherd. And were not Bacchus, Saturn, and mighty jupiter, delighted in husbandry? But he who is most wise in these our days, doth approve himself most foolish, by thrusting himself unto his own destruction, which this herdman hath declared sufficiently ●n this story of Sigebert. But let us now proceed, and let us by examples teach, what fruit virtue, and vice, contentation and ambition, doth yield. Then let them of this world choose, whether like the wise Mariners they will avoid those dangerous rocks: or willingly cast themselves away. Proceed therefore good Inquisition, & let us see whom you have here. she will declare herself (quoth Inquisition) what she is: but for the better understanding of her talk, you must think that you see .51. nuns, all Ladies by birth, having all their noses & upper lips flayed of, all flaming in a fire, being shut into a church: then do you imagine that you see this Lady, the mistress and governor of the rest, standing dismembered & burning amongst the rest, to say as followeth.   

The Life of Lady Ebb.  
How Lady Ebb did slay her nose, and upper lip away, to save her Virginity.  

DO nothing muse at my deformed face,  
For Nature it in perfect mould did make:  
And when your wits have weighed well the case,  
You will commend me much for virtues sake.  
With these my hands which from my face did take  
Mine over lip, and eke my seemly Nose,  
So to avoid the rage of all my foes.   

For I by birth a Prince's daughter borne,  
An Abbiesse by my profession,  
Of which estate I never thought it scorn,  
It greatly did delight me to be one,  
Which might erect divine Religion.  
At Collingam I took this charge in hand,  
And fifty more of chaste Diana's band,   

All Ladies borne by birth of high degree,  
Which there did vow with me their lives to lead,  
And to avoid carnal fragility,  
We all did vow as you right well may read,  
With single lives to live in fear and dread  
Of God our Lord, so to refrain the vice  
Of fleshly lust, which doth to sin entice.   

Then did the Danes the Saxon state invade,  
And they who did the Britain state destroy,  
To sue for grace were glad and well apaid,  
So strangely did the Danes us then annoy,  
That Saxons like the men of broiling Troy.  
Amazed, they gazed, not knowing what was best,  
So straightly were the Saxons then distressed.   

These dreadful Danes they had no fear of God,  
But savage, they did make their lust a law,  
Whom god did sand for a revenging rod,  
To make us Saxons live in fear and awe  
Of him, who did from servile bondage draw  
Us out, and made us live at liberty,  
When as we served with cruel slavery.   

Not much unlike the murmuring Israelites,  
Sometime we served our Lord with fear and dread,  
In trouble we employed our whole delights,  
To fast and pray: but when we quiet were,  
We restless led our lives, all void of care,  
Forgetting him who did in each distress,  
With helping hand us bless with good success.   

See here the fruit of health and good success,  
It maketh man both proud and insolent:  
In health we hate the god who hath us blest,  
Trouble doth make us mortal men repent  
Our former faults: in sickness we be bend  
To fast and pray, and in adversity,  
To pray to god, is man's felicity.   

And for this fault abusing this our bliss,  
The Danes with ruth our realm did overrun,  
Their wrath inwrapte us all in wretchedness,  
There was no sin from which those men did shun.  
By them the common weal was quite undone.  
They did destroy the state of every Town,  
They churches burnt, they plucked the Abbeys down.   

Yet not content, us Nuns they did annoyed,  
O cruel deed, our beltes they did unbind,  
With rapine they did ravish and destroy,  
Deflowering all that ever they could find.  
I seeing then what sorrow was assigned  
To me and mine, my vowed virgins I  
Did call, than thus I spoke with weeping eye.   

Alas alas my loving ladies all,  
These hard mishaps do press us too to near,  
What shall we do, how may we scape the thrall  
Which hath destroyed the Nunneries every where.?  
Alas, my feeble flesh doth quake for fear,  
Alas, how shall we scape their cruelties,  
Which thus be placed amidst extremities?   

For if we do their hateful hests deny,  
Then dreadful death shall presently ensue:  
And if we grant unto their villainy,  
Our sinful souls in hell that deed shall rue.  
Believe me then my Ladies, this is true,  
Much better 'twere for us to die, with fame,  
Then long to live, with everlasting shame.   

And for because the faces form doth move  
With beauty's beams and comely countenance,  
The mind of man to lust and lawless love,  
I have devizde, my honour to advance,  
With face deformed to try my hard mischance.  
For these my hands from this my face shall rip  
Even with this knife, my Nose and overlippe.   

They which will fly reproachful infamy,  
To do the like will them beseem the best,  
You shall preserve your vowed virginity  
Thereby, and live perhaps with quiet rest,  
My daughters dear, give ear unto my hest.  
Wherewith, with Razors sharp I first, than they,  
Each one her Nose, and lip did slay away.   

Whilst thus we lived deformed to outward show,  
Yet vessels garnished gay before gods sight,  
The Danes did us invade, who straight did know  
Our feat, them to defeat of their delight:  
For which they wracked on us their wicked spite.  
With fiery flames they burnt our Nunnery,  
And us therein: O wretched cruelty.   

The ear of man the like hath never heard,  
No pen, nor tongue the like hath ever told,  
Had ever man a heart that was so hard,  
That with his iron breast durst be so bold,  
To do the like against the Femine kind?  
Not on in faith that ever I could hear,  
But these all void of mercy, love, and fear.   

Thus we content to leave this present life,  
In hope to have hereafters better bless,  
Were brent and broiled, and so did stint the strife  
Which might have made us live in wretchedness:  
We gained thereby a heavenly happiness.  
Which happiness they doubtless shall obtain,  
Which do from sin and wickedness abstain.     

The Induction.  

O Diana quoth Memory▪ bring forth your Damosels, let us see if any of your court have done the like devoier to save their virginities. But seeing that writers have made mention of none that might compare with her, both for the goodness of the cause, and the valiant going through with the quarrel, me think she should rather be esteemed a goddess than thou, and her train rather the Ladies of chastity than thine. give thou place therefore, and let this Lady have thy seat. But (good Inquisition) this woman lived in the golden world, let us inquire in this our iron age, if there be any which do come any thing near unto her. Alas not one (quoth Inquisition) for as she in her time did dismember her well membered body to preserve the jewel which she esteemed of so great a price: so now a multitude may be found, who furnish their unperfit personages with all kind of foolish filthy furnitures, to bestow that on every he who will have it, which she was so desirous to keep. But let us now hear this man's matter: it is Alurede, who if he had not been given unto one kind of vice, had passed Arthur for wars, and Lucy for godliness. What vice was that quoth Memory? You need not inquire quoth Inquisition, for he is even now repeating his history: wherewith he said as followeth.   

The Complaint of Alurede.  
¶ How alured was brought unto disease and unto untimely death, being inclined unto the sin of the flesh. By his example we may learn, that one vice is sufficient to deface a hundred virtues.  

MY wrinkled cheeks bedeawde with drops of dole  
My visage pale, my wan and withered face,  
Do well declare how I have run my race.  
And sith I must my doings here inrolle,  
The lives of them which live for to control,  
I am content my cruel wretched case  
Shall teach the way, how all men may embrace  
The knowledge how they honour may obtain,  
And how they may from falling there remain.   

Though many clime by a means a high,  
Yet few on top can sit in sure seat:  
For every storm an overthrow doth threat  
To them, who get the top by cruelty,  
Whose sudden fall doth tell their treachery.  
But they who will their heads for honour beat,  
And fly the fall, the grief whereof is great,  
Let them renown their former facts with fame,  
And shun the path which leads man's life to shame.   

●ho walketh in this wilderness of woe,  
And loves aloft on fl●tting Fame to flee,  
Must place the paths of Mother Misery.  
That man through ghastful grief must go,  
By thousand thicks which wrapped are with woe:  
By Dangers den where lurking she doth lie,  
By Hatreds house, where spite will thee espy,  
By cave of Care, by woeful cry, alas,  
His manly mind with courage stout must pass.   

By pleasant plain where pleasure doth place  
Her princely Palace painted passing fine,  
To gazing eyes where glittering glass doth shine  
Of beauty's blaze, where feature fine of face,  
Where Lady love doth vaunt with garish grace,  
Where vain delight doth draw that loathsome line,  
Which maketh man from virtue to decline,  
Be wise and ware, and loath their luering looks,  
Lest crafty Cupid catch thee in his hooks   

To Pleasures court a company doth come,  
Even fame to find, the loss I do lament,  
For flitting Fame, them Rumour rud hath hent,  
Which doth declare their dole till day of Dome.  
With tooth and nail which travail, there be some,  
Virtue to find, where when some time is spent,  
Her to obtain, and that with good intent,  
They weary, by the way do stay their race,  
And rest them in this pleasant bitter place.   

They mean as there no long delays to make,  
But Bacchus' comely Carpites so do please,  
Such courtly caves, such mirth, such quiet ease  
They have, that they to Venus them betake,  
The weary ways of virtue they forsake.  
Those trustless trains from dolour and disease  
Doubtless do come, to drown in surging seas  
Of secret smart, those which do them delight.  
Flee thou therefore this court●, with spite.   

From Pleasure's place, when thou shalt turn thy face,  
The high way then discretion will thee show  
To virtues Lodge, which thou right well mayst know  
By such as devil about that pleasant place:  
A hundred virtues ranging on a row,  
Thou there shalt see, how Fame her trump doth blow,  
For great exploits: where when thou art renowned,  
Then Fame thy name through all the world shall sound.   

And when thou hast obtained that place with pain,  
There is no doubt desert will honour have,  
Which being had, beware that weltering wave  
Of worldly lust, which virtue doth disdain,  
Beware lest thou thy former deeds dost slain.  
For he who could himself f●om sinning save,  
He seeking that which most his mind did crave:  
Which being found, his feeble feet do faint,  
And straight he doth with sin himself acquaint.   

When man hath most of that he doth desire,  
Then most the flesh doth force the soul to sin,  
The end doth prove how well we do begin.  
For he who doth from virtues lore retire,  
His wretched end doth make the world admire.  
Let him therefore which will the Garland win,  
Even to the end avoid the hateful gin  
Which Satan sets, with trains of tastlesse bait,  
The gloss whereof prognosticates desayght.   

What gain is got by him who runs in haste,  
If that his stumbling feet do make delay?  
another man doth bear the price away,  
He got no game, one fall hath him defaced:  
Even so that man from fame is quite displaced,  
If once his feet in vices steps do stay,  
As may appear by me, and my decay.  
For once I slipped, one vice did me deface,  
One only vice, did Alurede disgrace.   

I the fourth son of Ethelwolfus king,  
Twice ten and eight I wore the Saxon crown,  
For Martial feats I had a great renown,  
My governance was good in every thing,  
I ruled my realm to every man's liking,  
My stature tall, my face did never frown,  
My learning did deserve a Laurel crown,  
My wisdom and my justice purchased fame,  
My courage bold did much extol the same.   

In seven conflicts I did the Danes destroy,  
But more arrived which did me more molest,  
Yet they likewise were by my means distressed.  
But when my strength their strength could not destroy,  
I did devise a pretty pleasant toy,  
By means whereof my Saxon soil was bles●e.  
Amidst my fone I Minstrel like did jest,  
I played the part of Scoggin Skelton's mate,  
Transformed, I trudgde about from gate to gate,   

In Minstrels robes my Fiddle tuned fine,  
With warbling notes my tongue the song did sing,  
Mine eyes and heart did note each other thing  
That there was done: first how they did incline,  
There loathsome lives, much like to filthy swine.  
I played my part before their Hoggish King,  
A part which him and his to bale did bring.  
For when I knew their purposed intent,  
By my return I made them all repent.   

For in the night I did their camp invade,  
With bloddye blade I did destroy them all,  
And those which did as then escape the thrall.  
Of Infidels them Christened men I made,  
And though with wars my Realm were quite decayed,  
Yet at the last after so great a fall,  
I won the Price that pleased me most of al.  
Even quiet peace a bless of all the best,  
The fruit whereof is nothing else but rest.   

Thus being blest with peace and quiet rest,  
At Oxford I a Grammar school did build,  
By means whereof my common weal was filled  
With learned men: and having thus my hest.  
A Abbeys built, esteeming it the best,  
That God who me in all my wars did wield,  
And me preserved even with his mighty shield  
That he in peace the only praise might have,  
I builded up religious houses brave.   

At Winchester the Minster there I made,  
At Shaftesburye I built a Nunnerye,  
I daily did erect. Divinity,  
All which good deeds even by one wicked trade,  
Were quite defaced and from my fame did fade.  
O hateful thing that fuming fantasy,  
Should make a man that seeth, not to see,  
Alas I bite on pleasures bitter bait,  
Whose hateful hooks are covered with desayte,   

In lawless love I had a great delight,  
That sugared sweet of little lasting joy,  
Those luering looks of dainty Damsels coy,  
Made me commit that like a Carpite knight.  
I did consume full many a day and night  
With such delights as did my name annoy,  
My health and life at last they did destroy:  
Yea these delights did so my fame deface,  
That now with shame I blush to show my face.   

Those lewd delights did draw me to disease,  
Consuming sickness brought me very low,  
Physicians they Sicus that evil do know,  
A kind of sore which did me much displease,  
It always did bereave me of my ease:  
On parts below that griping grief doth grow,  
On me my God a just revenge did show.  
And at the last, continuing in my sin,  
I lost my life, and hateful Hell did win.   

What though I did from foreign foes defend  
My Saxon soil, with thrice renowned fame?  
What though I ruled with equity the same?  
What though to build up Abbeys I did bend  
Myself, and prayed that God his word would sand?  
Though these good deeds did honour much my name,  
Yet these defaced with deeds of foul defame,  
Be of no price: for filthy fleshly lust  
Destroyed them all, and laid them in the dust.   

For as you see dissolved clouds with rain  
The beams of Phoebus do deface:  
Even so one sin did all my virtues race,  
They blemished mine honour with disdain,  
So that I find all virtue is in vain,  
If vices be with virtue linked in place,  
On vice an hundred virtues doth disgrace.  
Therefore the man who hopeth for renown,  
Must fight with flesh, and beat all vices down,   

And he who can his raging will resist,  
Is much more strong than Alexander great,  
Who w●nne the world, yet had he not the feat,  
With conquest to compel his lawless list,  
To do the thing whereby he might be bliss.  
But they who hope to have a heavenly seat.  
Their lust and fleshly fancies down must beat.  
And here by me you may perceive at large,  
The things which God committeth to man's charge.     

The Induction.  

IT is requisite (quoth Memory) that now you seek for Edmund Ironsides Father, I mean Egelrede, of some Writers called Etheldrede, who as his Predecessor Alurede, had but one vice: so he had never a virtue. In whose time the Danes did more than overrun England, for they ruled and reigned over the whole Realm, and although a very valiant imp proceeded out of his reins, who for his ableness to endure pains, and travail, was surnamed Ironside, yet had not William Duke of Normandy Nephew unto the said Edmund, made a conquest thereof, the Danes no doubt had ruled it even unto this day. It is necessary therefore that we hear this man's Complaint, I have him here (quoth Inquisition) but I have no mind to hear him speak, for seeing he did despise all virtue and learning, it is to be thought, that he will tell a crooked tale, such a one as will (I fear except it be filed after him) deform all the rest. But I will take pains to polish that which he roughly doth frame. Not at all (quoth Memory) the brown bill is a goodly weapon: and let it suffice if the matter will beat down vice, let the meeter delight as it may. Seeing you say so, (quoth Inquisition) I am content that by the example of his death, he may admonish all the world to flee the fall which he felt: wherewith he stepped forth, and said as followeth.   

The Complaint of Egelrede.  
¶ How Egelrede for his wickedness was diversly distressed by the Danes, and lastly died for sorrow, seeing himself not able to deal with Canutus.  

THe mind and not the Man doth make or mar,  
For as the Stern doth guide the Argosy:  
So by their minds all men they guided are.  
From out the mind proceedeth fantasy,  
All outward acts, virtue or vanity,  
Not from the man, but from the mind proceed:  
The mind doth make the man to do each deed.   

For Phalaris with beastly bloody mind,  
And Nero did in murder much delight,  
To mercy Antoninus was inclined,  
Midas for Gold extended all his might.  
For worldly pomp how did Pompeius fight?  
The mounting mind of Alexander, made  
Him win the world, his fame can never fade.   

How did the mind move Calicratides,  
Xerxes, Cirus, and Argantonius?  
Philip of Macedon, Theramines,  
Ajax, jason, and Aurilianus,  
Achilles, and the old King Priamus,  
Hector, and Hercules, with false Sino,  
Their minds did make them weave the web of woe.   

The Twig doth bend as Boreas' blasts doth blow,  
So man doth walk even as his mind doth move.  
Then happy he who hath a mind to know  
Such things as be the best for his behove,  
Not doubt the mind which virtuous acts doth love,  
Doth make a man even Caesar to surpass,  
For Noble deeds who Prince of prowess was.   

But he who hath his mind to mischief bend,  
All his delight from virtue doth decline,  
Like me to late he shall his faults repent▪  
His sinful soul shall feel the fall in fine  
That I have felt: which makes me to repined,  
Against my mind for Nature did her part,  
My evil inclined mind did spoil my heart.   

What though I were of comely parsonage?  
jointly my joints were joined with perfect shape,  
Adorned eke with so sweet a visage,  
That never yet from Nature's hands did scape  
A work maked of such a perfect shape?  
But what of that? these gifts for want of grace,  
Deformed quite the feature of my face.   

For why my mind to ruthful ruin hent,  
I did delight in loathsome lechery:  
I never did my odious deeds repent,  
In drunkenness, in extreme cruelty,  
I did delight in every villannye.  
As for delight in princely exercise▪  
The feats of arms I did them most despise.   

By means whereof my subjects did me hate,  
And foreign 〈◊〉 to burn my Realm were bold:  
With war 〈◊〉 Danes did altar straight the state.  
first Fortune did my common weal unfold,  
Then pestilence did make my courage cold,  
And last of all, the dreadful devilish Danes  
Did make me pay them tribute for their pains.   

Even now the Realm of England did decay:  
For when the Danes their tribute had consumed,  
Forthwith they made us greater sums to pay.  
From ten to fifteen thousand they presumed  
Of pounds to make us pay: so I redeemed  
With money bags my careful common wealth,  
The only means reserved for my health.   

When thus the want of courage on my part  
Had given my foes so sure footing here,  
And when disease with her destroying Dart,  
Had wiped away my subjects everywhere:  
Even then to late my wisemen did appear,  
Whom heretofore I always did detest,  
There counsel grave at last they thus expressed:   

O egelred the fruit of fearfulness,  
Of riot thou the right reward dost reap,  
But if thou wilt avoid this wretchedness,  
Be wise and look about before you leap,  
Of hateful haps you see a hidiouse heap  
Before your face, therefore in time give ear,  
And wisely way the words which thou shalt hear.   

That noble Duke Richard of Normandy▪  
A sister hath, whom then we wish to we●,  
By means whereof from this captivity  
We may be brought, and that without bloodshed.  
For why these Danes these Normans so do dread,  
That if from thence an aid we can procure,  
Thy foes no doubt can never long endure.   

The maid she may a prince's fancy please,  
Her brother is a man of great renown,  
This way O king may make thy subjects ease,  
It may restore the freedom of thy Crown,  
This only way will force thy foes to frown.  
If thou thy Crown and common weal dost love,  
Do thou the thing so much for thy behove.   

So by their means I married the maid,  
She Emma height, the flower of Normandy,  
Of whom I was so glad and well apaid,  
That all the world with my prosperity  
Can not compare: and in that jolitye  
I did devise by trains of secret treason,  
To bring the Danes to death, in a good season.   

I did a feast through all my Realm proclaim,  
At which both Danes and Englishmen did meet,  
Then secretly my friends and I did frame,  
That Englishmen the Danes should friendly greet,  
And at the feast that they should do their feat.  
And that they might the better work their will,  
They thus were placed according unto skill.   

Two before one, and three before five,  
Here two, and there two, and four then believe:  
Here one, and there one, and three at a cast,  
Then one, and twice two, and one at the last.   

They mingled thus, the watchword wisely given,  
And Englishmen with weapons well bestead,  
The Danes amidst their Cups were shaven & shriven,  
Five hundred thousand in one day were dead.  
Now note the end of blood so beastly shed,  
For Swain the king of Denmark did arrive,  
He for revenge did me to Richard drive.   

Mark here how lawless policies prevail,  
Their good success do promise' present pain.  
What? May man's vain devices aught avail?  
Dishonest deeds no honour can obtain,  
All murdering Massacres be vile and vain,  
Such subtle slayghtes have never good success:  
The proof whereof with pain I here express.   

For Swain with sword and fire did destroy,  
Both man and beast, and every earthly thing,  
He did that noble London much annoy,  
He won the Realm and was the English king.  
When tract of time him to his Beer did bring,  
Canutus then his son did him succeed,  
Whom to displace I did dispatch with speed.   

My brother Richard Duke of Normandy,  
Of Normans gave to me a goodly band,  
By help of whom Canutus forced to flee,  
I got again the kingdom of England.  
But out (alas) what thing may firmly stand,  
Whose under propped is of so little might?  
That want of strength doth let things drop downright.   

Canutus did from Denmark now return,  
The wrathful wight appointed passing strong,  
My subjects slew, my Cities he did burn,  
Which when I heard I lived not very long,  
My fainting heart was thronged with a throng  
Of cares, which broke it in my fearful breast,  
And so at last death brought my bones to ●est.   

Twice ten and eight I ran my ruthful race,  
And then in Paul's my cursed corpse was laid,  
Canutus did my common weal deface,  
The Danes were kings, my kingdom was decayed,  
This world is frail, and every thing must fade,  
But always that which wanteth government,  
That first doth feel the force of dangers dent.     


The Induction.  
O Memory (quoth Inquisition) what did become of Edmund Ironsyde, of whom you made mention, in your former induction? That virtuous valiant Prince (quoth Memory) was miserably made away by an Earl. By an Earl? (quoth Inquisition) I have here an Earl called Edricus, who murdered a King, it may be, that chance hath yielded unto us the factor unlooked for. He is even the same said Memory, and his Tragedy is very necessary, for he, as this worthy King was set on a Privy to do as nature and necessity doth constrain, caused him miserably to be thrust up into the fundament with a Spear, wherewith the good Prince ended his days. If we do hear him, give him warning (quoth Inquisition) that he be brief: for we have no time too bestow in hearing the complaints of those miserable Princes, and yet we must needs hear one more beside him. Let him therefore go roundly to the purpose. He shall not be tedious quoth Memory. Wherewith the wretched man said as followeth.   

❧ The Complaint of Edricus.  
¶ How Edricus destroyed the valiant king Edmund Ironsyde, hoping to have great preferment for his labour of Canutus the Dane, and how the same Canutus caused him to be headed for his labour. A necessary example for all such as think by craft and deceit to increase their credit.  

YOu hellish hags of Limbo Lake below,  
Which daily do my cursed corpse torment,  
Come forth, come forth, come forth, (I say) and show  
How I on earth my dismal days have spent.  
And will you not you wretched wights assent  
To help me here to tell that drierie tale,  
Which may amongst men living much prevail?   

O cursed ghost condemned to endless thrall,  
Sigh they refuse to aid thee in this need,  
Do thou declare and tell the truth of all,  
That men alive my wretched works may read,  
And see the fruit of subtle Satan's seed,  
Avoiding vice, and fancies fond delight,  
Note well my tale, the truth I shall recite.   

When Etheldrede had given Canutus' place,  
edmund dis son surnamed Ironside,  
Devising how he might his foe deface,  
By wrath of war the cause they did decide:  
And in the end the Realm they did divide.  
Edmund had half, Canutus had the rest,  
Then they with peace and quietness were blest.   

O blind belief, O hope of higher hope,  
Why did you move my mind to meditate,  
How I in woe king Edmund might enwrap,  
And how I might depress my kings estate?  
Thou blind belief, thou breeder of debate,  
I wanting grace did let thee move my mind,  
Causeless to kill a courteous king, and kind.   

He being killed, I to Canutus went,  
To whom I said, See here a faithful friend,  
I for thy love with bloody blade have bend  
And brought my king to his untimely end,  
Thou by that means shalt rule thy realm with rest,  
My friendly fist with happy good success  
Hath thee enriched with bliss and happiness.   

Hast thou (quoth he) destroyed thy sovereign king?  
Thou faithless fawning friend, for love of me?  
Thou varlet vile, and couldst thou do the thing  
The which might more abridge my liberty?  
O heinous act, O bloody cruelty.  
But sith that love did move thee do that deed,  
Thou for thy pains shalt be preferred with speed.   

Wherewith in haste he to the hangman said,  
Let this man's head the highest place obtain  
On London walls: wherewith I never stayed.  
But on a block my neck was cut in twain,  
In all men's sight, my head did long remain.  
See here what wit the grape of hope doth yield,  
See on what sand such buste brains do build.   

O hateful thing that fancies fond delight,  
The sense of mortal man should senseless make.  
When vices vaunts with virtues deeds dare fight,  
Then doth the soul the hapyie heavens forsake,  
Then man makes haste to Pluto's sothsome sake.  
Why should man love that sugared sour sweet,  
Which wisdoms lore to loath hath thought most meet?    
FINIS.   


The Induction.  
THe just reward for so vile an offence doth prove (quoth Inquisition) this Canutus to be both a wise and a worthy Prince. Yea said (Memory) if he had lived amongst those prattling Poetes which made so much tattle of Hector & Hercules, certainly he should not have been inferior unto each of them. This Canutus was king at one time of four kingdoms: as for England, and Scotland, and Norway, he held them by conquest. By birth he was the king of Denmark: yea he so demeaned himself, that during his life all these four kingdoms honoured him with the honour due unto a native king. But not long after his death, that good king Saint Edmund the confessor, obtained again the rule of England, but chiefly through the help of his Nephew William duke of Normandy, to whom for that after his death he by lineal descent was next, he promised the Crown of England, if that he died without issue. How chanced it then (quoth Inquisition) that the Duke made such sharp war upon Harolde, for the obtaining thereof? How did it chance (quoth Memory?) that is necessary too be known, for that chance did not only destroy the Danes, but it brought both Harolde and the Englishmen to confusion: and although now our idle hours be spent, time and our affairs do call us from the further hearing these men's complaints, yet let us as we may, hear what this Harolde will say: his story will furnish our work with a fit conclusion. And for the better understanding of this man's matter, do you imagine that you see this king, coming from the conquest of the Danes, even sweeting in his armour, to say as followeth.   

The Complaint of Harolde.  
¶ How King harold reigning but niene months, had continual war with the Danes, with the Norway King, with his brother Tosto, and with Duke William, who partly by his strength, but chief by policy, overcame him, and by killing him in the field, obtained the kingdom of England. This history doth declare that no manhood nor courage can keep the crown from the right heirs head.  

Would he have war, and we to war proclaim?  
O Bastard Duke, and dost thou dare to fight?  
My Noble men, Come forth, and purchase Fame.  
give me my sword, let me defend my right  
Step forth with speed my Martial men of might:  
With Bows and bills, let us their course restrain:  
And teach them that their vaunting vows be vain.   

But that we may with wisdom wisely work,  
It us behoves in Normandy to fight  
With him, and not to let his soldiers lurk  
Here in my Realm, we shall thereby achieve  
No noble act, though hence we him do drive.  
But if we deal with him in Normandy,  
We shall receive renown and victory.   

It is the best, with foreign foes to fight  
Abroad, as did the haughty Hannibal,  
And not at home to feel their hateful spite.  
Of all the rest it is the greatest thrall,  
That foes arrived should spoil our subjects all:  
And for a truth this always hath been found,  
He speedeth best which fights on foreign ground.   

My men of war were mustered in haste.  
But hast to late was then of none avail,  
The Duke arrived, he in my Realm was placed,  
He every where my subjects did assail,  
And every where he caused them to quail.  
For which I bode him battle by and by,  
Where equal wars gave neither victory.   

For both our strengths were weakened in such wise,  
We both for breath to pause were well content,  
Even then the Duke he wisely did devise,  
How here to yield my crown I might be bend:  
For which to me a Pursiphaunt he sent,  
With letters, such as here I shall recite,  
Wherein he claims the Birttayne Crown his right.   

❧ William Duke of Normandy, and right heir to the english Crown, to Harolde the Usurper.  

Though birthright cannot 'cause thee yield to me my crown,  
Yet have thou some respect of honour and renown,  
For thou by oath didst swear to yield to me my right,  
When as I thee preferred, and stalled thee there bymight.  
Mine uncle Edward he, thy father's faithful friend  
Gave me his crown, and thou thereto didst condescend,  
Yet now thou wouldst fain defeat me of my right,  
And prove thyself forsworn of former promise plight.  
Shall Harold have his hest? shall Godwines' son here guide?  
Shall William want his will, and have his right denied▪  
Well Harolde, if thou canst with wars determine so,  
I am content: if not, provide, I am thy foe.  
My sons and all my kin shall never stint to strive,  
To pluck thee from thy place, whilst one is left alive:  
But if thou wilt be wise, to me my right resign,  
And thou shalt have the place belonging to thy line.  
If not, with fire and sword I mean thy Realm to spoil,  
I never hence will start till I have forced thy foil.  
And now thou know'st my will, determine for the best,  
Thou mayst have wars, and if thou wilt, thou mayst have rest.  
William Duke of Normandy.    

THese letters were of little might, to make  
My manly mind to grant him his request,  
For which I did to Fortune me betake,  
To wage new wars with him I deemed it best,  
So from his fist his threatening blade to wrist.  
But see the force of Fortune's changing cheer,  
another cloud before me did appear.   

My brother Tosto who from me was flayed,  
Did now return, and brought the Norway king:  
They did devise to have from me my head,  
Which made me to indite an other thing  
Unto the Duke, then plain and true meaning.  
I gave him hope of that I never meant,  
These were the lines which to the Duke I sent.   

harold the English king, to thee William Duke of Normandy.  

HArold the English king, thee William Duke doth greet.  
Thy letter being read, I have not thought it meet,  
Without a parliament to do so great a thing,  
As of a foreign Duke, to make an Englshe king.  
But if my three estates will follow mine advise,  
Thou shalt receive the crown, and bear away the price.  
Therefore delay a time, thou shortly shalt receive  
With full consent the thing, which now thou seek'st to have.  
harold.    

Then I in hast my power did prepare,  
For why, I heard my brother Tostoes' train,  
Two of my Earls by North he had destroyed,  
And many a thousand men he there had slain:  
But when we met, his triumph was in vain.  
For I and mine the Norway king there kilte,  
And I myself my brother's blood there spilled.   

Now when the Duke my friendly lines had read,  
And heard how I my men did muster new,  
There lies a Snake within this green grass bed  
Quoth he, therefore come forth my warlike crew,  
We will not stay to see what shall ensue.  
By long delays, from Foreign coasts he may  
Procure an aid, to scourge us with decay.   

But when he heard with whom I had to deal,  
Well done (quoth he) let him go beat the bush,  
I and my men to the lurch line will steal,  
And pluck the Net even at the present push,  
And one of them we with decay will crush.  
For he who doth the victor there remain,  
Shall never rest, till he hath dealt with twain.   

So I in vain who had the victory,  
Within few days was forced again to fight,  
My strength half spoiled, the rest wounded and weary,  
His camp was comen unwares within my sight,  
There was no hope to flee by day nor night.  
I harold then, a Harande sent in haste,  
To know whither the Duke his camp had placed.   

He sent me word, my yfs and ands were vain,  
And that he knew the drifts of my delay,  
For which he said he would yet once again  
Make trial, who should bear the crown away.  
If I would yield, he said his men should stay,  
If not, he then was present presently,  
To try the cause by Mars his cruelty.   

Which when I heard, and saw him march amain,  
His Trumpets did defy me to my face,  
In hast I did appoint my very train,  
And soldier like I all my men did place,  
I never sued, nor prayed, nor gaped for grace.  
For having placed my men in battle ray,  
Mine Ancient bearer did my arms display.   

The battle, vanard, and the rearward,  
Were placed in frunte, that men might fight at will,  
The forlorn hope of Bowmen I prepared,  
In skirmishing who had the perfect skill.  
With Archers eke I did the wings fulfil,  
To rescue them my men at arms were priest,  
Then thus my speech amongst them I expressed.   

My mates, in arms see here the last assault,  
Win now the field, and be you ever blessed.  
This Bastard base borne Duke, shall he exalt  
Himself so high? give ear unto my hest,  
This day no doubt we shall have quiet rest:  
For good success shall set us free from fear,  
Or hateful hap shall bring us to our Bear.   

Even here at hand his power doth appear,  
March forth my men, we must no longer stay:  
Let every man abandon fainting fear,  
And I as guide will lead you on your way▪  
Even I myself the foremost in the fray,  
Will teach you how you shall abate his pride.  
Fight fight my men, Saint George shallbe your guide.   

His Crossbow men my Archers did assail  
With three to one, yet were they all to weak:  
And when his forlorn hope could not prevail,  
Them to assist his Horsemen out did break,  
Three troops I sent on them the wrath to wreak,  
And by and by the battles both did join,  
With many a thrust, and many a bloody foin.   

Of three main battles he his army made,  
I had but one, and one did deal with three:  
Of which the first by me were quite dismayed,  
The other two they did discomfort me,  
Not yielding, but in yielding blows we be  
(With loss of life) constrained at last to yield  
The Crown, the kingdom, and the foughten field.   

Note now the lot which on my limbs did light,  
Nine months no more, I wore the English Crown,  
In Every month I in the field did fight,  
In every fight, I won a fresh renown,  
Yet at the last my strength was beaten down,  
And here before you, now I do protest,  
I never had one day of quiet rest.   

For first with war I won the Princely seat,  
With civil strife I daily was distressed,  
My brother twice indevorde to defeat  
Me of my throne, the Norway king was priest,  
The dreadful Danes they daily me distressed.  
At last, this Duke did make me strike my sail,  
When wind, nor tide, nor Oars, might prevail.   

My kingdom then was proud his lawful price,  
With conquest he recovered his right,  
And as you see of conquering the guise,  
The Englishmen they were defaced quite,  
Then of his train he did prepare each wight.  
And this was that which only brought me bless,  
I did not live to see this wretchedness.   

But woe to me which caused all this coil,  
I was an Earl my father being dead.  
Why did my breast with scalding malice boil,  
To keep the Crown from the right heyers head?  
O Fancy fond, thy fuminge hath me fed,  
The stinking stinch of thine inclined hest,  
Hath poisoned all the virtues in my breast.   

The ruthful roods of proned evil success,  
Who hath sustained, that passing pinching pain,  
That woeful wight all wrapped in wrecthednesse,  
Can well report man's fancy is but vain,  
That man doth know, by proof he finds it plain,  
That he who stoops to fancies fond desires,  
Doth grope for Grapes amidst the bramble briars.   

Let no man think by fetches finely filled,  
By double drifts conveyed cunningly,  
To get or gain by any craft beguile,  
A good estate with long prosperity.  
His lust obtained, he lives in misery,  
His guilty ghost doth see his plague appear,  
Who goeth strait he needeth not to fear.   
¶ FINIS.  
Go strait and fear not.