¶ A brief discourse of the life and death of the late right high and honourable Sir William Pawlet Knight, Lord saint john, earl of Wiltshire, Marquis of Winchester, Knight of the honourable order of the Garter, one of the Queen's majesties privy Counsel, and Lord high treasurer of England.  
Which deceased the tenth day of March. ANNO. 1571. And was buried at Basing the. 28. day of April. ANNO. M.D.LXXII. Printed at London, by Richard johnes.  
Anno. 1572.   

To the Reader.  
IT is not unknown (Gentle Reader) what divers and sundry commodities the diligent perusing, searching, and reading of Histories, (I mean, the life and death of those that before us, good or ill, have been written off) bring to effect, in those that either in the good rejoice (as of God) or seeing the evil abhor it, as of Satan. As some reading of the unsatiable greedy aspiring minds of immodest persons, most lose & dessolute in life, using in authority tyranny, highest in Prince's opinions, most obstinate in Rebellion, yea in their highest pomp and pride, seeing them by the least wink of the righteous judge, come to ruinous, lamentable and extreme misery, abhorring the same, forecast with themselves the like extremities: So again, others carefully noting the honest, good, and godly life, of learned, wise, and grave men, in mind meek, in heart merciful, in office clement, the more Noble the more gentle, the more in authority the more obedient, seeing how they by the unspeakable goodness of God are preserved and upholden against their enemies, persuade themselves also to imitate the like. Yet some to the contrary will happily say, Histories are Fables, many of small authority, therefore doubtful, and some very strange, and so far hence done, that scarce credible. Therefore (good Reader) I have pend for thee a little piece of the blessings of God to a Noble man, no stranger, but a neighbour, a most faithful, trusty and true subject, that thou reading the same mayst imitate the like obedience too thy Prince, the like regard to thy Country, and the like revenge to thy enemy, that God may bless thee in thy vocation. This in part discharging my duty towards my Lord, and remembering him whom a numbered shall miss, I wish thee health and happiness to God's pleasure.  
Thy friend, Rowlande Broughton Gentleman.   

The Author to carpers.  
THou carping carl, thou thou that glad wouldst catch  
A fault, whereon to fret thy foaming fangs,  
Thou Momus thou, thou mayst go peak a patch,  
And Zoilus too for all thy panting pangs:  
He lives by fame, whom thou wouldst gladly bite,  
And shall for aye maugre thy cursed spite:  
And if so be my just report thou blame,  
Truth is my shield, and thine shall be the shame.   

Swythen Thorpe in praise of the Author.  

THe force of death each simple creature knows,  
Sage Cato gone, grave Tully buried lies,  
In vain alas, O England, are thy woes,  
For Paulets death, cease of thy careful cries  
Though death by fate his aged corpse have slain,  
In spite of death he living still shall rain.   

His worthies such, O happy he the while  
But by what means hear Broughton he doth tell:  
My Muse too base, too slender is my style,  
In terms more apt he shows it passing well.  
Thank him therefore, for thanks he aught to have,  
Who makes men live when they lie dead in grave.    

〈…〉 am & obitum Clarissimi Viri. D.W.  
LIteris tinctus, teneris ab annis  
Dedidit sese studio Britanni  
juris, & tandem fuit ad beatos  
Vectus honores.  
Stemma si spectes, genus atque stirpem,  
Sive maiores, atavosue claros,  
Ex domo exivit celebri, locoue  
Ortus equestri.  
Iste complevit gravidatus annis  
Lustra viginti: repetes & unum  
Atque sex annes ferè, si notaris  
Tempora recte.  
Qui piè vivit, sequitur senectus  
I onga, nec tristis: neque talis aetas,  
Integris usquâm videatur acris  
Sine molesta.  
Plurimos annos liceat videre  
Qui pie vivit, liceatue prolem  
Plurimam. stirpem numerare longo  
Ordine natam.  
Ad bonum summum vehit alma virtus,  
Gloriam▪ famam decus, honorem  
Lenitas semper parit atque prudens  
Actio rerum.  
Funus effertur lachcrymis coortis,  
Corpus in terrae gremio quiescit,  
Suaviter dormit, Deus ipse donec  
Suscitet ossa.  
Attamen coeli spatiosa tecta  
Occupat mens, pars melior, magisue  
Pura, congaudet, simul atque gestit,  
Visere Divos.   

¶ A BRIEF DISCOURSE OF THE life and death of the late Lord Marquis of Winchester, Lord high treasurer of England. etc.  

AS season serve, so men apply  
to frame their facts aright:  
As day doth serve for exercise,  
so rest belongs to night.   

The summers sweat in time bestowed,  
the Winter frost defends:  
And Winter doth for summers toil,  
with resting make amends.   

That fertile summers sweat by care,  
right fruitful doth extend:  
That same the barren Winter doth  
give time to waste and spend.   

Then Lent, as all times else I wish,  
to fast and pray men high:  
To purge their leperus consciences,  
and Satan to defy.   

To grant and with the Prophet sing,  
that all flesh is but grass:  
And every tree is rightly known,  
by the fruit from him doth pass.   

As I the twelve of March, last passed,  
these places did unfold:  
Lo, in my Closet where I sat,  
came in a mighty could.   

That troubled all my spirits weak  
and did their use bereave:  
My sight, my voice, my memory,  
all in a maze took leave.   

ALLECTO or MEGAERA fell,  
or else MEDUSA she:  
Or other such from furious place,  
me thought appeared to me.   

But that of milder speech far much,  
this while I mazed stayed:  
Me thought he opened wide his mouth,  
and this to me he said.   

Canst thou (quoth he) with clownish cluche  
be numbde, forget thy pen?  
Will't thou until so idle state,  
transform thy fingers ten?   

What hath be witched late thy powers,  
which thou wast wont to use?  
Or where is now become the fruit,  
of thy acquainted Muse?   

Help now in dreary dole, now help  
to wail a woeful case:  
His want I mean, whom all the heavens,  
allotted to the place.   

If so that thou IGNARUS be,  
of that which is befall?  
As rudely as I can express,  
behold thou shalt know all.   

And whilst he dressed himself to speak,  
no sound he could arise:  
But all maugre his heart, he made  
two Conduits of his eyes.   

And in a rueful sort, he says,  
my Lord, my Master dear:  
Is summoned before the Throne  
of mighty JOVE t'appear.   

And as he living still increased,  
By mighty JOVE his bownt:  
So now to JOVE again he is  
to tender his account.   

Whom? or who? or whence he is?  
and of his prime dissent:  
Because all dumb amazed thou sitste,  
to tell I am content.   

About the time, from Christ's birth,  
one thousand four hundredth sixty & five:  
The fift of EDWARD eke the fourth,  
that time in England King alive.   

At Fisherton, height DALAMER,  
this Subject true was borne:  
Of worthy Parents, as the stock,  
had long time been before.   

And at his birth, the golden Gifts,  
that mighty JOVE could yield:  
Descended from the Heavens above,  
his person for to shield.   

And down upon their flected knees,  
the virtues all do bend:  
Wtih elevated eyes and heart,  
their prayers they extend.   

To him that hath the power of all,  
from whence comes that we have:  
That he their humble hests would grant  
and thus they 'gan to crave.   

Thou mighty God that guidest the Globe,  
with Sceptre in thy hand:  
That makest a footstool of the earth  
by whom all thoughts are scanned.   

Even thou that dost the Chariot guide,  
that runs the world along:  
Thou, thou, that dost uphold the right,  
and dost defend the wrong.   

Grant that we may in each respect,  
our powers so apply:  
Within this soul, that long he live,  
and still may worship thee.   

Grant that he may, a member make,  
anixed with so me might:  
To bear a subject trusty place,  
in furthering still the right.   

To whom the mighty Monarch he,  
that all the world did frame:  
Said, this was done before his birth,  
and PAWLET was his name.   

And you that are my blessings too,  
I give you charge to see:  
Unto the soul, that by the fruit,  
the world may judge the tree.   

Then strait in spite of all that could  
fowl Satan well devise:  
Gods blessings still erected him,  
to honour high to rise.   

When Ignorance with wilful mind,  
his virtue would disgrace:  
Nay, nay, quoth Prudence, pack thou hence  
that lodging is my place.   

When loathsome lurking treason sought,  
a harbour in his heart:  
Nay, nay quoth due obedience then,  
that parcel is my part.   

And when WLCANUS he that frames,  
the Thunder Bowlts of fire:  
Came to infect his modest mind,  
with rash revenging ire.   

Forgetfulness supplied the room,  
as this myself can show:  
Besides a number of the leek,  
that many more do know.   

misused much in such a case,  
as few have heard the like:  
When proof was made to other's shame,  
revendgment this did seek.   

A needful cause the accuser forced,  
his friendship to require:  
He granted strait to his request,  
and more than his desire.   

My Lord quoth one, I muse to see,  
you entreat your enemies so:  
It me sufficeth my friend quoth he  
he hath the overthrow.   

O worthy mind, that never lodged  
revendgement in his breast:  
Nor in a wrathful raged did let,  
the same to go to rest.   

PAWLET quoth ha', within one man,  
JOVE could no more contrive:  
For his uprighteous dealing, I  
thought (Pawl yet) still alive.   

But what of these, as many like,  
that would him wring and wrist?  
judge of the fruit, what was the tree,  
which God no doubt hath blest.   

And now to thee that haste no power  
to speak, as seems to me:  
Even EX EPHEBIS sure thou shalt  
his education see.   

From School to Thaves' Inn he came,  
where so he plied his time:  
That shortly to the Temple thence,  
his forward youth did climb.   

Where he applied himself so well,  
inclined to learned skill:  
Till utter Barrister he was,  
he there continued still.   

And in King Henry his time, the seventh  
in worship did increase:  
Beloved of his Prince he was,  
made justice of the peace.   

And then high Sheriff of the Shire,  
within the County of South:  
And in Commissions for the King,  
commanded by his mouth.   

And when that sapient Sire was dead,  
whose wisdom ruled the Realm:  
And left behind that valiant King,  
and most victorious Gem.   

Henry the eight, whose thundering voice,  
all Christendom did dread:  
Who feared not the foreign power,  
God's Church in truth to lead.   

Who tumbled down idolatries,  
and Pope ne Cardinal did  
Esteem, that varied from the truth,  
but their Decrees forbid.   

By him did PAWLET worship gain  
as thou shalt briefly here:  
Even as it pleased God to bless,  
so shall I touch it near.   

First was he Master of the woods,  
and next was Master then:  
Of Wards, and of the liveries,  
still thought a worthy man.   

And then his worship to increase,  
the King did make him Knight,  
And then Controller of his House,  
which seen so fit a wight.   

He made was treasurer of the House,  
where so he liked the king:  
That strait his highness thought it good,  
to Honour him to bring.   

And of his privy Counsel did,  
Sir William Pawlet make:  
Then Baron S. john PAULO POST,  
he did him eke created.   

And after that Ambassador  
he sent was into France:  
Where he behaved himself so well,  
and had such happy chance.   

That so the king his wisdom weighed,  
and lykte his noble mind:  
He made him of the Garter Knight,  
as in record we find.   

Whose great regard for countries cause,  
and safety of the Prince:  
Whose pliant heart so ready bent,  
ill order to convince.   

That King of famous memory,  
to him had such regard:  
As to the like so deutifull,  
he highly gave reward.   

He made him then Lord chamberlain,  
where so he served the place:  
That Lord great master was he made,  
within a little space.   

Then of the noble and poleteique,  
the wise and grave consent:  
Of all the worthy counsel he,  
was made Lord Precedent.   

The king of liberality,  
bit liked well his grace:  
To give to him a Royalty,  
of Forest, Park and Chase.   

For justice of an Eyer he was,  
whereby the grant is meant:  
On Chasses Parks and Forests all,  
on the hither side of Trent.   

Thus did this noble subject live,  
in just obedience due:  
And whoso ever lived amiss,  
yet he was proved true.   

And from the first unto the last,  
of all his worthy reign  
Whose noble Grace's loss alack,  
full long we did complain.   

Still PAWLET under law, in love  
in Prince's favour stayed:  
Which proved well at last when time,  
that ATHRAPOS denayed.   

Ay longer time her hateful hand,  
from sharped shears to save:  
In clipping of the line of life,  
that brought the King to grave.   

Of his last will and Testament,  
for that he had found him just:  
He made him one Executor,  
of that his latest trust.   

If this sufficeth not thy mind,  
thereto to bend thy style:  
Moore of the haughty honour shall,  
I tell thee in a while.   

That well the world, may safely judge  
as time and truth did high:  
Right by his virtuous noble fruit,  
what sap was in the tree.   

That peerless Pearl, right excellent,  
that most triumphant king:  
His Funerals solemnized,  
and finished every thing.   

By right dissent, succeeded than,  
that young and active Prince:  
By whom the christian Church of God,  
increaste his highly sense.   

EDWARD the sixth of chivalry,  
in his years, none the leek:  
And surely in Divynitie,  
he was not for to seek.   

Whose wholesome, good and godly laws  
revived, floorysh yet:  
With whom was Baron S. john thought  
a Counsellor most fit.   

Then did that Sapient Christian king  
Baron saint john's honour haunce:  
To the Earldom strait of Wiltshire did  
his Highness him advance.   

And Marquis eke of Winchester,  
the king did him create:  
Lord keeper of the privy Seal,  
he made him after that.   

And of the great Seal was he made▪  
Lord keeper eke likewise:  
And thus in haughty honour did,  
this subject true arise.   

And of the counsel was he made,  
Lord Precedent again:  
Thus trusty Subjects honour win,  
that justly deal and plain.   

High Treasurer of England too  
that Office he him gave:  
Who served the turn for Countries weal,  
and kept it to his Grave.   

For in Queen Mary's time he was,  
accounted as before:  
And had the Office lastly named,  
and some kind honour more.   

For Lord Lieutenant was he made,  
of divers sundry Shires:  
And specially of London here,  
amongst the noble Peers.   

And still uprightly did he deal,  
no blot abide might he:  
Whose noble fruit did well approve,  
what sap was in the tree.   

And lastly in the noble reign,  
of our most gracious Queen:  
Whom God preserve in blessed days,  
till Nestor's years be seen.   

To live, and long to reign in peace,  
God's glory to advance:  
That by her light, the Gospel may,  
take place in Spain and France:   

As doubtless, by the hand of God,  
in spite of Christ's Foes:  
Her Grace hath well mayntaind the right  
withouten dealing blows.   

Within her reign (O learned Prince)  
was PAWLET by her deed:  
Thought fit to be a Counsellor,  
in case of doubt and need.   

And by her Grace's bounty had,  
the Office as before:  
Wherein he died in honour great,  
and many a thing yet more.   

What wars were there within his time,  
where he or his were not?  
Few or none I assured am,  
but he or his were at.   

As he a Subject dutiful,  
five Kings and Queens did serve,  
And never from the first to last,  
from truth was found to swerver.   

So hath he childernes children left,  
who so to duty bend:  
That life and living glad would loose,  
their Prince for to defend.   

That he was blessed many ways  
apparent may be seen:  
For by the fruit, what was the tree,  
a man may easily deem.   

The blessed, childernes children see,  
the Prophet doth relate:  
And he, his childerns childernes children,  
saw grown to man's estate.   

One worthy thing, there is to note,  
in charge, the which he gave:  
When his and childernes children came,  
his blessing for to crave.   

God bless you all, this was his phrase,  
to those that kneeled down:  
I charge ye on my blessing, be  
obedient to the Crown.   

For that the King elected is,  
and of the Lord appointed:  
And cursed is the man (no doubt)  
that frowns at his anointed.   

O ghostly charged, O godly man,  
that youth doth educate:  
In due obedience to their Prince,  
to live in their estate.   

Well, from this vale of misery,  
the lord hath ta'en him quite:  
In better place (I hope) to rest  
within his mercy's sight.   

AN. a thousand. iiij. hundredth, sixty five,  
he was borne on Whitsun night:  
And lived a. C. six, three quarter and odd,  
by Computation right.   

AN. a thousand, five hundredth, seventy one  
the tenth of March last passed:  
He vaded as a Candle doth,  
when week and all is past.   

In perfect state of memory,  
he cauld to God on high:  
For mercy by his only son,  
and in this faith did die.   

Whose life, whose death encoradge may  
his issue to persever:  
To tread the steps that he hath done,  
in Fame to live for ever.   

Hear have I now discourste to thee,  
some of my masters life:  
But not the third of that I could,  
for time doth bid, be brief.   

If this sufficeth not thy mind,  
I think thou haste no will:  
Or else fowl CERCES hath bewitched  
thee of thy former skill.   

Else (doubtless) much unworthy art,  
that clothing for to wear:  
And as a Servant to the Stock,  
the countenance to bear.   

Ill proves it surely by thy flouthe,  
thy duty thou dost frame:  
For living not for love beléeke,  
thou bear'st a Servants name.   

Wherewith the touch of that in deed,  
the which in me was not:  
I buckled to my answer strait,  
and all my Mutes forgot.   

I said: there is no cause, for why,  
you aught to blame me so.  
For no man can report the truth,  
of that he doth not know.   

Unknown it was his death to me,  
but of his honour's state:  
He liveth not with pen I think  
that it can all relate.   

And then for me amongst the rest,  
a Novis to the thing:  
By my unskilful dealing may,  
discredit much the thing.   

To siner heads whose filed verse,  
in haughty style abound:  
Belongeth this so famous fact,  
his honour for to sound.   

Where floweth the sweet distilling drops,  
of fresh MINERVA'S power:  
To those that on Mount HELICON,  
have bathed in silver shower.   

For TMOLOS will give judgement sure  
though MIDAS yet may be:  
By judgement base my willing friend,  
yet TMOLOS will not 'gree.   

My Hermonye much like to PAN,  
the country turn may ease:  
But fine APOLLO'S music must,  
the learned people please.   

Yet sith by will I do desire,  
the world his life might know,  
That Subjects to their Prince's might,  
the more obedience owe.   

And that again by duty bound.  
I am no less to endite:  
To leave his glory to the world,  
some EPITATHES to writ:   

And knowing it right requisite,  
the common people might:  
In that they read as touching him,  
in knowledge have some sight.   

I am content to bend my pen,  
in rural rhyme to paint:  
The tale that thou haste told to me,  
and of thy heavy plaint.   

And will deny in Harmony,  
contention for to make:  
I but the plain song, no whitels,  
to prick do undertake.   

To set in parts, the learned must,  
that Art can rightly use:  
And let them descant who so list,  
that my good will refuse.   

Thou toldest me of his virtuous life,  
a tale both long and wise:  
And how that God preserved him,  
in many a enterprise.   

How still by friendship he did seek,  
his foes his friends to make:  
And their redoubled shames came on,  
as they did brew to bake.   

O wise and worthy learned man,  
when England stood at stay:  
For Civil wales or brutish still,  
went with the thing away.   

What worthy who, like mereting  
a right memorial:  
Without offence, within the world?  
few to the Funeral.   

So sound, so perfect, and so true,  
unto his country Crown:  
So just in every office found,  
deserving such renown.   

Moore readier suitors to dispatch,  
more void of bribing gain:  
Despising Amboderters name,  
and speaking that was plain.   

denying to defer a suit,  
and causes to prolong:  
Moore readier to assist the right  
and to suppress a wrong.   

O blest of God, whose sacred soul,  
the heavens (no doubt) hath pearste:  
Unto thy years, in thy estate,  
full few have lived erst.   

But such is God to those that have,  
his fear before their eyes:  
He gives long life and happy days,  
and that none can devise.   

Who meekly died in Christ's faith,  
whom death could not torment:  
But as a shadow vadeth, so  
the soul of Pawler went.   

Till then in perfect memory,  
the poverbe hitteth true:  
Who lines well, dies well, saith the sage▪  
for each shall have his due.   

Whose soul, I hope with Abrahame is  
quite free from all annoy:  
With the father, the son, the holy Ghost,  
in perfect state in joy.   

To which good place, god send us all,  
in honour of the highest:  
To sing a Song of glory, with  
the free elect of Christ.   

An Epitaph.  
A Baron borne to bliss, a Lord of wealth and wit,  
A County eke of great account, for public weal most fit▪  
A marquis of much might, of gentle manly race,  
A rich and happy saged sire, a man that stood in grace  
With kings, and to the crown a subject loyal true,  
Hath changed at last his happy life, and found a better 〈◊〉,   
FINIS.   

¶ Epitaphium D. Guilhelmi Paulets militis, 
 Baronis divi Johannis Comitis Volcestriae: 
 Marchionis Wintoniae, ac unius ab arcanis regi● 
 magistatis, ac domini supremi the saurarij 
 Angliae, 〈…〉 litis illustrissimi ordinis Garteri, 
 qui obi●t decimo die Martij. Anno Reginae, 
 Elziabethae decimo quarto. Annoque Dom. 1571. 
  
ECquis erat, summo, felicior, usus honore,  
Quam fuit hic pridem ventanus marchio, lector  
Viderit aut aeque florentem longa vetustas?  
●n longos veneranda dies provecta senectus,  
Judicio vitae fuerit presigniter actae.  
Non her, non poterat tempus, non mill periclo  
Deturb●re gradu, frustra intentata, recepto,  
Quin nage continuo celebris succreverit auctu●  
Donec summa dies, cum summo juncta nitore,  
Viderat, expulso flatu, miserata iacentem.  
Nam sopor ut lasso instillatur corpore repens.  
Ac prius inbibitur, quam sit venientis imago:  
Effect● sic mors irrepens corpore sensim.  
Per placidano vitae dissoluit vincla quietem.  
Hic bene cum fuerit vita haec mundana peractae▪  
Perveniet superi ad faelicia secula coeli.  
Nam licet hac corpus recubet tellure repostum,  
Possidit alta tamen subvectus spiritus astra.  
HIc, hic, marmoreae consul sub mole quiescit  
stemate conspicuus, clarior efficio.  
Hôc fuit a teneris regali sanguine natus,  
crimine de poenas sumere quemque vetare.  
Si quis finitimus cansas quo iure tuetur,  
huius consilio compositurus abit.  
Editus in lucem fuerat, quo flamine numen  
discipulis tribuit munera magna sacra▪  
Eduardus quartus cum lustrum rexerit ●  
visceribus matris sole nitente venit.  
Sex●●●entenos vixit foeliciler annos,  
cum fera mors armis tarbida membra petit.  
Nec rugit, ut moriens leo, dum sua fata voc●●ur  
agniculus veluti pr●buit essa neci.  
Ex lumbis comites generosa stirpe reliquit  
ternos, qui patriae gloria lausque decus  
Marchio Vintonus, sacrato ex ordine miles  
Guilhelmusque Paulet, hoc domitore mane●▪   

¶ In eodem.  
MArchio termagnus quater et memorabius he  
Jn patriam pietate bonus factisque decorus  
Successu prosper rebus dexterque gerendis  
Annorum locuples: mentis locupletior altae,  
Gratus reginis et gratus regibus Eque,  
Consilio tutus, vitaque beatus in omni:  
Hoc tegitur tumulo, iam morte breatior ipsa.  
R. BR.  
FINIS.