The true Love's knot untied, Being the right path, whereby to advise princely Virgins how to behave themselves by the example of the Renowned Princess, the Lady ARABELLA, and the second Son to the Lord seymor, late Earl of Hartford.  
To the Tune of Frogs Galliard.  
 

AS I from Ireland did pass,  
I saw a Ship at anchor lay:  
Another Ship likewise there was,  
Which from fair England took her way.   

This Ship that sailed from fair England,  
Unknown unto our gracious King,  
The Lord Chief-Iustice did command,  
That they should us to London bring.   

I drew more near, and saw more plain,  
●●dy Arabella in distress:  
〈◊〉 wrung her hands, and wept amain,  
bewailing of her heaviness.   

When near fair London-tower she came,  
Whereas her landing place should be,  
The King and Queen, with all their train  
Did meet this Lady gallanty.   

〈…〉 Arabella then our King  
〈…〉 Lady strait did say,  
〈…〉 ticed you to this thing,  
〈…〉 England took your way?   

None but myself, my gracious Liege,  
This ten long years I've been in love  
With the Lord Seymors second Son,  
The Earl of Hartford so we prove.   

Though he be not the mightiest man  
Of Goods and Live in this land,  
Yet I have Lands us to maintain,  
So much your Grace doth understood.   

My Lands and Live are well known  
Unto your Books of Majesty,  
Amounts to twelve score pounds a week,  
Besides what I do give quoth she.   

In gallant Derbyshire likewise  
I nine score Beadsmen maintain there,  
With hats and gowns, and hou●e-rent free  
And every man five Marks a year.   

I never raised Rend, she said,  
Nor yet oppressed the tenants poor  
I never took no Bribes nor Fines,  
For why, I had enough before.   

The second part.  
To the same Tune  
 
 

Which of your Nobles will do so,  
For to maintain the Commonalty?  
Such multitudes would never grow,  
Nor be such store of poverty.   

I would I had a Milkmaid been,  
Or born of some lower degree,  
Then I might have loved where I like,  
And no man could have hindered me.   

Or would I were some Yeoman's child,  
For to receive my portion now  
According unto my degree,  
As other Virgins whom I know.   

The highest Branch that springs aloft,  
Needs must over shade the middle tree,  
Needs must the shadow of them both  
Shadow the third in his degree.   

But when that tree is cut and gone,  
And from the ground is born away,  
The lowest tree that there doth stand,  
In time may grow as high as they.   

Once where I thought to have been Queen,  
But yet that stile I did deny,  
I know your Grace had right toth' Crown  
Before Elizabeth did die.   

You of the elder sister came,  
I of the second in degree,  
The Earl of Hartford of the third,  
A man of Royal blood, quoth she.   

And so good-night my Soveraign-Leige,  
Since in the Tower I must lie,  
I hope your Grace will condescend  
That I may have my liberty.   

Lady Arabella, said our King,  
I to your freedom would consent,  
If you will turn and go toth' Church,  
There to receive the Sacrament.   

And so good-night Arabella fair,  
Our King to her replied again,  
I will take Counsel of my Nobility,  
That you your freedom may obtain.   

Once more to prison must I go,  
Lady Arabella then did say,  
To leave my Love breeds all my woe,  
The which will be my life's decay.   

Love is the knot none can unknit,  
Fancy a liking of the heart:  
He whom I love cannot forget,  
Though from his presence I must part.   

The meanest people enjoys their Mates,  
But I was born unhappily,  
For being crossed by cruel Fate,  
I want both Love and liberty.   

But Death, I hope, will end the strife,  
Farewell, farewel, dear Love, quot she,  
Once had I thought to have been thy wife,  
But now am forced so part from thee.   

At this sad parting she had cause  
In heart and mind to grieve full sore:  
After that time Arabella fair  
Did never see Lord Seymor more.     

LONDON, Printed for Francis Grove. 1643.