woodcut of knight on horseback   

THE Famous History OF STOUT STUKLEY: OR, His valiant Life and Death.   woodcut of soldier in foreground, opposing armies in background 
LONDON, Printed by R. I. for Francis Grove dwelling on Snow-Hill.   

When Love and Valour both together meet,  
The Story is most pleasing, and most sweet;  
Here you may read how Fortune led him on,  
And did advance him first to Venus' Throne:  
Three nights be reigned, but then deposed himself,  
From Love's fond kingdom, having spent Love's wealth,  
To other Kingdoms than he travails forth;  
First Ireland was acquainted with his worth,  
Then boisterous winds did force his Ship on Spain,  
Where he a Spanish Lady's Love did gain,  
Was freed by her from danger, but at last  
Fortune when all these fair bright days were passed,  
Led him unto the Wars in Barbary,  
Where he did in his friends embraces die;  
Lovers embraces do grow lose and end,  
But Friends embraces are fast to their friend;  
Thus lusty Stukley lived, thus Stukley died,  
His fame is in this Story glorified.   

The Famous History of stout STUKLEY.  

IF you delight to read the passages of Love, and to see how affection soon cools when the little smith Cupid doth cease to blow with his amorous Bellows, you may here read this History of Thomas Stukley a Gentleman, a Lover and a Soldier. Fortune brought him first acquainted with the only Daughter of Sir Thomas Curtis, whose name was Nell; she had at that time another Suitor one Vernon, of a noble soul, and gentle Nature; but he finding that his friend Tho: Stukley was in love with Nell and beloved by her, their affections being mutual, and state equal, he expressing therein the part of a worthy & noble friend, left the sole happiness of his heart to his friend Tho: Stukley resigning up his right and interest unto him, and afterwards to smother his discontents, and beat off the remembrance of his forsaken Swéet-heart, he travels beyond Sea, so at once to lose her name and memory Now Stukley being them an entertained to his friend's felicity, both by the father, and mother, and beloved by Nell: after some exchange of Ceremonies about the contract, some chiding of her for her choice, which are usual matters; Stukley was received by Sir Thom. Curtis and his wife, for their son, and by Nell for her wished husband. Suppose now their wedding was desired to be kept with great cost and solemnity, and in the mean time the promised Bride fed upon the expectation of the wedding night.   

Chap. II. How old Stukley came up to London to see his son, and how young Stukley acquainted his father with his intended Marriage.  
FAme having reported unto old Master Stukley, that his Son had gotten into the favour and affection of Sir Thomas Curtis' daughter, he comes presently up to London in all haste, and first he goes to visit his son young Stukley at the Temple, and to come upon him like an old Fox unawares, that he might take him in the security of all his youthful negligence; so coming to his Chamber, he knocks, and finds no body within but his Page, who had a ready wit to give his old Master an answer in his young Master's behalf, at last Stukley bids his Page deliver him the key of his Study, but the Page, to save his Master's credit, told him that he ever carried it about with him, but at last the old man peeping about found the door standing open, and there discovers his Son's books, which were these following, Long-Sword, Short-Sword and Buckler, Foxes & Bilboes Blades, but never a Candlestiks but an old Hilt of a broken sword, and the bottom of a Temple Pot, with a little sarsenet in't, did serve him for a Candlestick; at last comes in Stukley not suspecting that his Father was there, but at last perceiving that he had been taking an Inventory of his Books, and House-hold-stuff, he knéeles down to receive his Father's blessing, who at first gins to scold at him, but he puts him out with other questions; at last he gins to come over him with honest wholesome counsel, upbraiding him with those that were of his age, setting them before him as examples of good Students and thrifty young Gentlemen, but Stukley told his father that john-a-nokes, & john-a-stiles & he could not coten, and that the French Law was worse than buttered Mackerel full of bones; at last he plainly told his Father, that in stead of scratching things out of a Standish all a man's life time he had found out a nearer cut to preferment, which was, that he was in possibility to marry Alderman Curtis his Daughter, and therefore if his father would but promise the Alderman that he should make her a jointure, all would be done, for he had his daughters good will already: Old Stukley conceiving the plot it being a matter of gain, where by his son should obtain a wife worth forty thousand pounds, he presently consents to his son, who had already tampered the Wench wrought the Alderman and his wife, & now persuaded his father to assist to this matter of money, and so you must expect his Marriage.   

Chap. III. How Stukley was married, and how on his Wedding-day he fell out with one Herbert, about some disgraceful speeches, and how Vernon went to travel.  
NOw came the wedding day, and the Bride like a spreading Rose opened all her beauties, desiring to be gathered; Stukley, that had put on his best Apparel, was ready to do the service of a Bridegroom, wherewith he had been acquainted and was no Novice in Cupid's ways; but as the Bride sat simpering at dinner, and the old folks conceiting their Daughter's happiness, it chanced that a sudden accident disturbed Hymen's Feast, some words had passed between one M. Herbert and Stukley, Herbert prophesying to this effect that Ald. Curtis had undone his daughter by this marriage; Stukley being angry hereat presently challenged Harbert, & they presently risen from the table, but were at last by the Alderm. persuasions pacified & the bride's tears, who loath to lose her Stukley, and to be divorced from him on the wedding-day, wrought so with Herbert, that their quarrel was deferred until a fit opportunity, when they might both question and decide the former injury; so the wound given to Stukley was for a while closed up, and the wedding went forward to the Alderman's contentment, & the old mother's great joy, who was glad in her daughter's behalf; and now Candles were lighted, Supper was served in, & after many dishes had been rifled, and a Banquet wholly destroyed by the Guests, after many Ceremonies, the long delayed night growing on, Stukley & his beloved Nell were brought into their Wedding-chamber, and the Bride like a Sacrifice laid into her bed, while merry T. Stukley taught to see fear and desire expressing themselves in the blushes of Nells' cheeks; and now the Curtains being drawn all the company left them, and what followed must be left to your imaginations.   

Chap. IU. How Vernon resolved to go into Ireland with Herbert and another Captain, and how Stukley paid all his Creditors.  
NOble and brave-minded Vernon. having crossed himself in love, by giving away the treasure of his soul, and now drooping like a shadow, having lost the substance which he followed, to ease his discontent, and change his mind, and forget Nell, fresh yet in his remembrance, resolves to travel, and by changing his air to change his mind, and thereupon imparts his purpose and design to two friends of his, Hamdon & Ridley, they with many powerful reasons dissuaded him, all which he answers, and by admitting no argument to the contrary, so far prevailed with his friends, that they unwillingly consented to his desire, which was to travel, and first to go into Ireland with Master Herbert & another Captain; Herbert going also to the wars, and intending if ever he met Stukley he would draw out their former quarrel in characters of blood, & be revenged of Stukley, and with these purposes & intents Vernon and Harbert went to the wars in Ireland: now Stukley having performed his first prize on the Wedding night with his kind Nell Alderman Curtis his daughter, was somewhat prettily abated in his wild fancies, and had been humbled by his own insolent spirit, whereupon the wife's portion was the next Virgin must be ransacked; he had gathered all the Flowers and Roses which Love and Poetry can imagine, and now he came to the golden Apples of his wife's Portion, and first he had occasion to begin with some old debts, which his youth in the days of his Batchelorship had run into; and first there comes to visit him a crew of old debtors, namely Arthur Cross the Mercer, John Spring the Vintner, Wil Sharp the Cutler, Thump the Bucklemaker. George Hazard the Tennis-kéeper, Henry Crack Fencer, and Jeffery B●urt Bailieffe of Finsbury, all these came after him with Bills and Notes in their hands to visit him in the health of a good Fortune; Stukley seeing such a number of Citizens and trading fellows came to claim moneys before he was scarce warm in his new Marriage, he being of a generous spirit, and accounting money but the admiration of dunghill Clowns and Peasants, presently summons all his Creditors, and makes his old father Curtis do a deed of conscience & pay to Mr. Cross the Mercer for Silks & Velvets two hundred pounds, to M. Spring the Vintner for Tavern Suppers & Wine thirty pounds; to Sharp for Bilboes Foxes and Toledo Blades forty Marks, to Mr. Thump the Buckle-ma●●r for broad lined Bucklers and steel Pikes, fifteen pound; to Hazard the Tennis-keeper, for Tennis Balls, thirteen pound; to Crack the Fencer for forfeits & venies given, thirty crowns, and to the Bailieffe of Finsbury for Rapes and Bloodsheds in the Fields, five Marks. Old Curtis having paid these several debts & legacies, bequeathed to vanity and youth's folly, put the old man into a kind of rage, and wounded his bags so, that the old man's conscience smarting in the behalf thereof, he began to cry out upon Stukley, and to tell him as old Fathers will do, that his daughter was a destroyed creature, and quite overthrown, & he a Prodigal; whereupon Stukley informed him of the equity of the action in paying his debts; and that seeing he had satisfied his daughter's whole sum of love in a round manner, therefore he ought to satisfy these peddling debts, but this could not appease the wrong he had done old Curtis, sensible in a deep manner of the payment of these debts; whereupon Stukley left him to make a tedious complaint to his old wife Lady Curtis, who apprehended the matter with the like passion, and both of them join together to make old Stukley out of conceit with his mad Son Tom Stukley; and the conclusion of all their accusation ended concerning Tom Stukley's prodigality, which his father strove to excuse, but would not defend, though he knew his high mind and contempt of money, but thought he, he is my own son, that prefers credit in a good cause, before coin, & makes a Wife but a piece of vendible householdstuff that may be converted to a proper man's uses; but he dissembled with the old Alderman Curtis and his wife, thinking their hearts were drowned in the bags that Tom Stukley had emptied and they feared this was but the beginning of the miseries of their daughter's marriage.   

Chap. V How Stukley, though dissuaded by his wife his Father-in-law Alderman Curtis, and old Stukley his own Father, would yet needs go to the wars in Ireland.  
STout Stukley having begun the new life of marriage with a brave act in paying his Creditors with part of his wife's portion, was now inflamed with a new desire, and had entertained a fresh affection to honour, pettycoat-fancies were blown and stolen, things of common enjoying, & therefore now his thoughts were wholly fixed on the wars, no soft and gentle whisper which his wife could in vent, though mixed with wanton willing kisses, could detain him in her embraces, he must away, and though the power of Love commanded him to stay, yet valour drew him to the wars then maintained in Ireland; when his wife perceived his purpose, she set all the spells of Love to work, and conjured him a bed; not to go to the wars, but he answered all her objections, and told her, that though he should leave her poor he intending to take with him all her jewels, and the money which he received for her portion, yet both their fathers would maintain her to her own content, so that after many exchanges of loving kindnesses, not here to be repeated, she sought with tears to make him more soft and compassionate; will you be gone said she after three days? are we scarce warm in love, & shall we be divorced again before our joys are scarcely perfected? tepetitions in Love's School make the best Scholars, and when you go I shall forget that new Lesson which you taught me, for when you are gone I must live widowed of all former comfort, therefore recall that hasty word, and since you had my heart, and cannot give back what you have received, stay with me, in me enjoy the world, in me behold the wars, I'll be your foe, yet never kill you, unless it be with kindness. When she had breathed forth this sad complaint unto Stukley, he sighed and said, Nell, your compliments are good, and such as speak your heart, but I must go, therefore give me thy consent, & then I shall departed with a cheerful Resolution to the wars in Ireland. When they were agreed, and after much debating of the matter, had consented to a separation; for a time, his Father-in-law Curtis, & his own Father old Stukley set upon him with many old mouldy reasons, intending to dissuade him from going to the wars, but he soon gave him an answer, & made them soon to understand the power of valour, whereof the poor old Dons were insensible, loving security before honour, and so Stukley having now sealed a farewell on Nells' lips, & took his leave of his two old Dads, carried over a company of Soldiers to the wars.   

Chap. VI How Stukley met with Vernon and Herbert in Ireland, and how he was shut out of the Town by Herbert, Governor of the Town for the English.  
THe Wars continuing in Ireland, Stukley, as was said, went over with a brave Company of soldiers to aid them against the Irish Rebels, and coming to a strong English Town called Dundalke, summoned them to the walls with his Drum; whereupon presently appeared Vernon, Gainsford, and other Soldiers, and at last Harbert who was Governor of the town; and at their first interview, grief & anger strove in their breasts, Vernon was sorry to see him that had rob him of the jewel of his love & life Nell Ald. Curtis his daughter and to increase his sorrow▪ Stukley's Lieutenant delivered him a Letter, wherein he understood from one W. Mallery, that Stukley had used his wife unkindly, wherewith Vernon acquainted Stukley & told him that it seemed he did not love his wife, but was unkind, and did not make much of her, whereupon Stukley told him that he made very much of her, for he had made away her portion and plate, her jewels and rings, and all her  except one poor gown, & he that can make more of one poor wife, let him take her: Vernon, hearing this was much grieved at Stukley, that he should use her so unkindly, & to avoid the hated sight of Stukley, he resolved to travel into Spain or France, and leave the wars; after this Harbert the Governor commanded Stukley to bring his company into the town, where being entered, he gins to renew his quarrel with Harbert, about words spoken in England, which were, that old Sir Tho Curtis had cast away his daughter upon him, but being ready to fight, the enemy charged against the walls, whereupon they were fain to desist and leave off, to make a sally forth upon the Irish, whom they soon put to flight & pursued, retiring afterwards again; but Stukley and his company drawn on with the hope of booty, pursued the Irish so far that the City gates were shut, at last Stukley returning with a great booty of Cows gotten from the Irish, Harbert, Governor of the Town, would not suffer Stukley to be admitted within the gates, hoping the Irish would come down and cut both Stukley's throat and all his soldiers; this affront Stukley took in such dudgeon, waiting opportunity to be revenged on Harbert, that be gave all the former booty to his soldiers, except thirty horses or hobbies, which he sent aboard, and giving his soldiers a hundred pound to drink for his sake, he went aboard his ship to try his fortune in some other Country.   

Chap. VII. How Stukley denied the Governor of Cales in Spain five of his horses, and was by the Governor committed to prison, & how the Governor's wife fell in love with him.  
FOrtune being willing to try the brave and generous mind of Stukley, put such winds into the sails of his ships, as drove him perforce into a harbour upon the Spanish Coast; being here arrived, notice was given to the Governor; & five of his horses demanded as a present for the Governor, which he denied & thereupon being brought before him, he told him that he should not have a hair of one of his hobbies, nor a nail of one of them, though he would draw it with his teeth. Stukley, and the Spanish Governor being thus at debate, the Govornours' wife being then present, & beholding Stukley, began to entertain a thought of love towards him, and in her mind silently commended him for a brave proper man, wishing she could excuse his rudeness towards her husband the proud Spaniard; at last, Stukley still contesting with the Governor, he both seized upon his ship & horses, and committed him to prison, intending to inform the King of Spain of Stukley's, stout carriage; he being carried away, the Governors' Lady began to persuade her husband in his behalf, and to work him to a milder temper towards Stukley, but all in vain, whereupon she commanded the Provost that was ready to carry him to the marshalsey, to bring him to her, and when he was come into her presence, she began to persuade him to submit unto her husband, but that not prevailing, she offered him further help, insomuch that Stukley had obtained one of his Hobbies, and leave to ride unto the King of Spain's Court in her husband's absence, promising upon the honour of an Englishman, word to return by six a clock in the evening, whereupon the Spanish Lady took his word, and he repaired to the Spanish Court.   

Chap. VIII. How Stukley went to the King of Spain, and returned again according to his promise to the Spanish Lady.  
VAliant Stukley, being mounted upon one of his Hobbies, posts away to the K. of Spain's Court, and, being admitted to his presence, lets his Majesty understand how that he coming to Cales Don Herando his Majesty's Governor, had there attached both his Ship and all therein, together with thirty Hobbies brought to present unto his Majesty and had clapped him in prison from whence he had by good fortune escaped, to bring his Majesty acquainted with his wrongs and injuries: Now all the while that Stukley was gone to the Court, the Governor's wife and the provost were in a great perplexity, lest Herando (for so was the Governor called) should discover the matter, & especially because he had command that he should be brought before him, the Provost knew not what to say or do, for he knew Stukley was out of his reach, but his wife whose wit was sharpened by love & fear, told her frowning husband, that the English Captain was changed by his imprisonment & his high mind come down, being willing to offer submission if accepted, & was penning an humble Petition to that effect: this pleased the Spaniards ambition, being glad to make virtue stoop unto his pride: at last he would needs fetch Stukley himself and commanded the Provost to give him the Key of the jail, but then his wife with her womanish wit told him that there were many sick in Prison, and therefore it would be dangerous for his Lordship to venture in amongst them; Thus did she seek to stay his furious anger, & to keep all matters safe from his knowledge; at last when she had spent her last excuse, and that she knew not how to devise another, in comes Stukley in gives & fetters led by the Provost, which comforted the poor Lady, but the Governor expecting submission, found nothing less, but began to threaten him with death when presently a Marshal arrives sent from the K. of Spain to apprehend him & bring him before him: whereupon he began to flatter Stukley, protesting that all he had done was but to try his fortitude & valour, and Stukley desiring the Lady to let him know how he might gratify her love she answered that virtue was reward enough unto itself, giving him a Scarf to wear also for her sake, which he with compliment received, and so he and Herando went to the Court where he gave all his thirty Hobbies to the King of Spain, which were so graciously by him received, that he was much esteemed by the King. Now it happened that Vernon whom he had made to wear the willow-Garland, escaping the fury of a Tyrant storm all the rest being sunk and perished, and being abused by the Governor of the Haven wherinto they were driven, came also to complain unto the King for redress of his grievances, where he presently beheld Stukley, who being in high favour with the King, spoke unto his Majesty in Vernons behalf, but Vernon grieved at the sight of him, & sorry that he should still become the hateful object of his sight, which he shunned, shrunk away with discontent and anger. But afterwards Stukley grew in great honour, for the King of Spain would needs send him Ambassador to the Pope, to know if he might aid Don Sebastian himself, in his Wars in Africa against the Barbarians, and commanded that five thousand Ducats should be delivered to him, who though he sought to avoid so great an employment, yet at last he was fain to accept thereof, but when he was to receive the five thousand Ducats because there wanted twenty of the five thousand he would receive none, but taking it as a disgrace, it was told him that the bags would receive no more; but he imagining that the King had abridged his bounty, would receive none of them, but bid them tell the King that he would bear the charge of the Ambassage himself: So being come to Rome, he was created by the Pope Marquis of Ireland, and so contrary to his intention, he imbarks with his Italian bands for Italy; but the winds conspiring to discover his treachery, drove him a shore on the West of Barbary, and so with Philip's forces landed there, and were received into the Town of Terrill in Barbary; at last the day came when the great battle of Alcazal was to be fought, and the earth made to blush with the blood of Spaniards and Turks, in which battle, three Kings (to make it a Royal field) were slain, & Stukley behaved himself to the wonder & amazement of all Nations, & to the glory of his own Country, and being faint & wounded, met with Vernon, unto whom he had always been like a walking Apparition or Ghost, and ever haunted him, but now death thought to make them friends whom life could not reconcile: and now Vernon told him the sum of all his story, which was, that after he resigned up his right and title to Alderman Curtis his daughter, he did always avoid his sight, because it did refresh the remembrance of Nell, but yet still they met in Ireland, Spain, and Rome, and now at last in Africa, and here we must part again by death. Stukley sighing said; I hope, though we part here on earth, we shall meet in Heaven, for Vernon, we were always friends, we bore one mind, loved one Woman, and breathed one air, followed one kind of life, & now we shall die one kind of death, yet let this be our comfort, that our fame shall after death survive, and our blood mingle with the blood of Kings, and our names remembered by posterity: so having mutually asked forgiveness of each other, they embraced like a pair of noble constant friends, and then to accomplish their Tragedy, Stuklies Soldier's mutining against him, came and found Vernon and he thus embracing, whereupon Vernon asked the furious Soldiers whether they would mutiny against their Leader, whereunto the bloody Soldiers replied, that if Stukley their leader had kept his oath which he swore unto the Pope, they had been safe in Ireland, and had not traveled to find out a foreign grave in Africa, and therefore they would stab Stukley to the heart, that had thus brought them all to untimely deaths. When Vernon saw how they were incensed against his friend Stukley, he began to persuade them in his friend's behalf, but sooner might he move a Lioness rob of her young, or with soft and gentle words make the sea waves leave raging, then reduce these soldiers to a milder temper; so that despairing of any mercy from such iron-hearted minds, he desired them that since they were bend to sacrifice their Captain to their offended wrath, they wo●ld fi●st execute their wrath on him and let his blood quench their fury, and thus like another Priades he pleaded for his friend Orestes; when he had seen the faithful love of Vernon and how he desired to die for his friend, he desired his Soldiers to hear him speak but one word: but they all cried and said, stab him, stab him but then when words and persuasions could not take place. Vernon like a noble friend interposes himself to save Stukley, and with his sword labours to preserve his life, but all in vain; Virtue hath his period, beyond which it cannot pass, and must be mortal here, that it may gain immortality hereafter: oppressed with the multitude, like Hercules fight with too great odds, so Vernon fight for his friend Stukley falls in the Skirmish, and then the soldiers rushing in upon Stukley, stabbed him to the heart, than Love & valour lying both a bleeding in the open field Stukley concludes his life with these Words, 
Villains have you slain my friend.  
Then here my love and life doth end.   
Stukley again being mortally wounded said, farewel Vernon, Fortune was and— but before he could end his speech, his life ended, both dying one death, like the Pictures of two friends, on whom an Epitaph might be writ, though the story saith, that Stukley was afterwards buried, and had a most royal Tomb built over him for his Monument; and thus lived and died the valiant stout Stukley.    

The famous life and death of the renowned English gallant, Thomas Stukley, who lived in the time of Queen Elizabeth, and ended his days in a Battle of three Kings in Barbary.  
To the Tune of, Henry's going to Bulloin.  
IN England in the West,  
Where Phoebus takes his rest,  
There Lusty Stukley he was born;  
by birth he was a Clothier's son,  
deeds of wonder he hath done,  
Which with lasting praise his name adorn  
Lusty Stukley he was named,  
and a broad much honour gained,  
For so reports the story of his life,  
he married with a London Dame,  
daughter to an Alderman,  
And had great store of treasure with his wife.  
But he in riot soon,  
her portion did consume,  
Which struck old Curtis so unto the heart,  
who was his wives own father,  
that he with age, or rather  
With sorrow, did this life departed,  
When he was laid in earth,  
Stukley began his mirth,  
His golden Angels than began to fly,  
he night by night in pleasure,  
did melt away his treasure,  
And wished that his loving wife would die,  
While vice he maintained,  
his wants at last constrained  
Him for to sell the pavements of his yard,  
which with blocks of Tin were lined,  
old Curtis left the same behind,  
But he the same did ne'er the more regard,  
His wife hereat lamented,  
and was much discontented,  
Make much of me dear husband she did cry,  
I'll make much more swéet-heart of thee  
Than any other shall, quoth he,  
I'll sell thy  and so from England fly  
so first he went for Italy,  
and then again to Barbary,  
Where by his valour he did soon obtain  
the Standard royal for to bear  
while in one field did appear  
Three Kings their rights for to maintain.  
The Sun did ne'er behold  
a battle fought more bold  
And afterward brave Stukley there was slain  
by those Italians of great worth  
which Stuk●ey to the stei● drew forth,  
And thus unto himself he did complain,  
Was I mad, or did I rave  
thus to seen a foreign grave,  
And at home abuse my loving wife?  
Stukley on the ground now lies  
like to Mars his sacrifice,  
And bleeding here must end my wretched life.  
And with this word his breath  
was stopped soon by death,  
His empty body lay upon the groun●,  
which buried once, they did make,  
a royal Tomb or Stukl●'s sake.  
And still his noble valour is renowned.  
FINIS.