A sad and solemn FUNERAL, of the right Honourable sir FRANCIS KNOWLES knight, treasurer of the Queen's majesties household, one of her privy council, and knight of the most honourable order of the Garter. Written by Thomas Churchyard Esquire. Imprinted at London, by Ar. Hatfield, for William Holme. 1596. To the right honourable my very good Lord, the Lord DELAWARE, Thomas Churchyard wisheth much worldly honour and happiness, with heavenly grace, and great desired felicity. MY good Lord, I looked for better motions to write off, but moved with worse causes than either I thought to treat on or see, follows matter presently ministered, of heaviness, sorrow, & mourning fit for my aged years to think on, but unapt for your honourable ears to hear of: notwithstanding the strange events that time produceth (and all ages do offer) with the wonderful works of the Lord, my muse and pen is compelled to write that I wish not, and follow the course of hard destinies that often comes without welcome, and are to be obeyed because they bring no remedy with them. The lives of good men are gladsome to hear of, but the death of every one in general, is heavy to behold: first for the loss of friends, (for the affection we bear them,) & for the want of those we can not call again (whatsoever need requireth their presence) nor bear evenly the loss of such as we are bound to favour when death takes them hence, and life denies them any longer continuance on earth: my good Lord your noble father who favoured me much, and my Lord Chamberlain that loved me not a little, (whose troth and worthiness I am too mean to write of) stirs up my spirits (that in a manner drowpeth to honour the names of those that were worthies in our age, and show in verse that men of value and laudation should be always honoured in the best sort we can devise. Thus weighing the sudden departures of divers worthy men (in their calling and vocation) some famous and learned Bishops, some renowned Captains and courageous Leaders, and some most honourable Personages, Governors of our state, taken all away together in one year. I not only lament so great a loss, but in the number rehearsed have found out one among the chief an honourable Knight, I knew for many parts well abled in goodness to be written of to the uttermost of my inventions and skill, thinking myself fortunate to set forth the unstained life of so happy a Councillor: but my great love to him, presumsion and forwardness to enrol his name among a multitude, makes me pass the bonds of ordinary duty, and freely utter the opinion conceived of his virtues, which neither pen can amplely pronounce, nor writer may easily set out: God grant the curious wits of the world stand as well pleased with my pains, as your L. I doubt not is glad to hear your worthy father in law praised, than I account my labour well bestowed, and so take leave, wishing your Lordship long life and blessedness, with double increase of virtue and honour. Could grew the year, dim waxed both clouds and Sun ●n the compass of one ●eere there ●ied of the clergy, of the ●ars, and honourable counsellors, so many Bishops, Captains, and Governors whose names follow hereafter. Bishop of London D. Fletcher. Bishop of Winchester. Bishop of Chichester D. Bycklie. Bishop of Chester D. Bylly●. D. Whittakers Master of S. john's in Cambridge. Captains, Sir Martin Furbyshar. Sir Roger Williams. Sir T. M●rgan. Sir Fr. Drake. Sir I. Hawkins. Sir N. Clifford. The summer's pride, shrunk up with showers of rain The birds slew home, the sheep to fold did run Men took the house, and beasts forsook the plain Each thing fled fast, from fearful thunder crack Doems day was come, young baebs and maidens thought Gods threatening wrath, said all should go to wrack None should be saved, save those that Christ hath bought When I stepped up, and peeping out apace Hard rueful news, and many a heavy case. In one years course, died many men of mark Some of the Church, both learned wise and grave Whose books may not, be buried in the dark Because their lives, a crown of glory crave: Some MARS his sons, whose service witness bears Their minds were great, and brought great things to pass For whose great want, wise world may shed some tears When need comes on, to try good gold from glass Some sat to judge, like Senates in their seat Now lies full low, the loss of whom is great. If one years wrack, The Earl Huntingto The Lord Delaware. Honourable Councelle Sir T. Hennage. Sir I. Woll● Sir I. Puckring L. Kee● Sir Francis Knowles. The L. Ch●●berlaine. makes all these sorrows rises, As one sore plaeg, makes thousands wail and weep Then must we all, stand pleased with angry skies And kiss the earth, wherein our Father's sleep Three sorts of men, are quickly crept away Like twinkling stars, that shoot from clouds in haste Seemed fresh and fair, like flowers lo here to day To morrow dead, worth nought like weeds lies waest Wisdom and worth, that would aspire and climb Are but a puff, and bubble for a time. But yet good knight, the lamp and torch of troeth Sir FRANCIS KNOWLES, I can not so forget Though corpse to church, and soul to heaven goeth And body needs, must pay the earth his det Good will of men, shall wait upon thy toem And Fame herself, thy funeral shall make And register, thy name till day of doem In book of life, for thy great virtues sake Thy friends shall mourn, not with long cloaks of black But with sad looks, of doell behind thy back. The Prince and court, shall miss thee many ways Thy honest life, shall lead us all the dance Thy faithful men, whose fortune thou didst rays Shall daily bless, thy bones for their good chance Thy sons shall learn, the father's steps to tread Thy kin shall joy, that they are of thy blood The learned sort, in Cronikels shall read Of thy great race, great things shall do them good Thy neighbours now, in court, in field, and town, With trumpet shrill, shall sound thy true renown. The Lords and Knights, that at thy table fed And all good guests, that thither did repair Shall honour thee, and thine, though thou be dead Make of thy praise, an echo in the air Yea drum and fife, and all the marshal crew In warlike gyes, shall wait upon thy she Fine writers too, and laureate poets nue On thy farewell, shall pen out many a vers And garlands gay, shall vestal virgins fling On thy cold grave, whiles clampring bells do ring. Chaest life wins lawd, clean thoughts throw clouds doth mount True heart gains friends, and makes proud enemies blush Plain dealing still, comes quickly to account In shocking world, good mind abides the push Who stands upright, fears neither foil nor fall Who fears God well, and Prince's law obeys Is happy here, and hence most blest of all lives like a saint, and gains immortal prays These virtues rare, did blaze like star in thee With greater gifts, in best and highest degree. The day of death, shoes what the life hath been As apples sweet, tells what the tree is worth The last adieu, doth greatest credit win If it be good, and brings good matter forth, The knitting up, of all things proveth best, The date of man, in balance so is weighed Life, death and all, on good report doth rest Where safely from, all storms, good name is stayed Possess with grace, that place and anchor hold More worth in price, than precious pearl or gold. Thus now I hope, in blessed Abraham's breast (Where angels sing, sweet hymns and never cease Before God's throne, sir FRANCIS KNOWLS doth rest From labours all, and lives in endless peace, And all the souls, that here before I name Both great divines, and captains in this land And counsellors, of highest place and fame In presence now, of great jehovah stand My hope is such, and so will follow fast The steps to death, and path that they have passed. FINIS.