THE FAMOVS HISTORIE OF the Renouned and Valiant Prince ROBERT surnamed the BRVCE King of SCOTLAND c&. & of Sundrie Other valiant knights both Scots and English.
Enlarged with an addition of the Scottishe Kinges lineallie discended from him to Charles now Prince, together with a note of the beginninges of the most parte of the antiēt and famous Nobilitie of Scotland.
A Historye both pleasant and profitable set forthe and done in heroik verse by PATRICK GORDON Gentleman.
At Dort Printed by George Waters. 1615.
At Adenburgh the twentie thrie day of december 1613.
This book seene and alloued and therefore may be published and put to the presse.
Sanctandrous.
THeit is sindrie Errours askepd both in the Orthographe and want of single letters. But inspetiall their is two falts to my knowledge in the vears the first in the 2. cap. the 5. Line of the last vears to witt.
Reed shours of blood in sindrie pearts had beene
The 2. is in the thrid cap the 3. vers and the 2. line to witt.
VVheir was the wounted Loyaltie now gone
This with sindrie vther salts as but, whear it is teaine for without, (and vther Scots words which I haue rather chusd to pas, then loise a sound runing line) I dout not but the reader will excuse in respect that this book was Printed in ane vther contrey wheir the setters did not vnderstand the Langage.
To the most Honorable and most Accomplished Erles, William Erle of Angus, and William Erle of Morton.
RIght honorable & noble Lords presuming on the accustomed myldnes and affabelitie for the which your L. L. haue not beene a litle famous, It hath imboldned me to lay the barren feild of my Vnfructfull braine before the powerfull Sune, of your Perfections, whoes beams may Illuminat the dark sheddowes, Dispers the gros Vapores, and rype the enrypened Ears, that so you may receaue the increas of this my second Harvest, nether deserveth such a rare & excellent Fruer. anie les then such a fair and confortable Summer, being the glorious actiones of that Illustrus and generus Bruce, which haueing bred in so sweet and ferteill a Soyll, hath made me ambitiouslie greeddie therwith to inrich my barrén fielde, hoping that my insuffitiencie (if once supported by the vnremouable pillers of your Vertues) shall be able to resiste the stormie Tempests of wind-blasting Sicophants, and beat bak the swerms of Poisone, sucking Wasps, so that the Seed preserued by your means onlie, shall yeeld all aeges the tymlie Harvest of your L. L. Eternall glorie, I being bound by such admirable worth & vndeserued courtessie for euer to Rest.
Your L. L. most affectioned and humble servand Patrick Gordon.
The preface or rather an aduertisment to the Reader before he read this Poem of some spetiail points to be obserued in the whole worke with the vse of some partes seeming Fabolus therein.
FEaring to be taxt of ambitious arragance for daring to midle with so rare a work I am onlie armd with the natural dewtie which I owe to my countrey the vant of good wil in the more excellēt Spreits but aboue al the neuer enough praised verteus of that most admirable Prince Robert Bruce ambitiously desiring to immitat him, whose vnquensable loue & burning zeale towards his Contrey was such, as he being a Prince Roialy discended delicately brought vp, beloued and honoured of all men, of larlge and great reueneues both in England and scotland: so that it was thoght he had more contentment of mynd and more blisings-heaped on him by heavens then any liveing in his dayes: Yet such was his loue to the libertie of his countrey, as forseaking his reveneues, leaveing his wyf & cheldren, abandoning al his royel delicasies, plesurs, and delights, he betook him self to armes wherein when fortune hade crosd him so far as it is sead he lost thertin Battels before he wan one, so that heauens seemd to threattin wengence for the wilfull refusall of thees former blisings and first was he crosd with mis-fortun in warr, the lose of his brotheren, his wife and daughter being taken presoners, at which tyme his brotheren was cruallie execute his freinds become al his enameis and being persueit both of scots and English was forsd in great miserie and powertie the speace of thrie yeare to keip the montains wher herbs was his dentiest meaits and watter his strongest wyne not withstanding that he might still haue bene restored to al his former digniteis and much more, if he could haue suffered to behold his countreyes miserie, as they saw his, but such was his meachles loue to them althogh they hatted him that still he lamented their caus more then his owin, & in his manie soroufull discourses wold alwayes repeat these wersses following.
Ni me Scotorum Libertas prisca moveret
Non mala tot paterer orbis ob Imperium
Robertus Brusius.
THeis verses written and subscribed with his owin hand in his Manuall book which he alwayes careed about with him was extent within thes feew years, but to sett downe all his workes and fortitude of mynd ware to redious, seing you shal find manie of them in the historie following and altho the old printid book besyds the owtworne barborous speiches was so euill composd that I culd bring it to no good method till my loveing freind Donald farchersone (a worthie gentil man whoes name I am not asham'd to expres for that he was a restles suter to me to taik this work in hand) broght me a book of virgine parchement which he hade found amongst the rest of his books is was old & torne almost inlegeable in manie places [Page] vanting leaves yet hade it the beginning and hade bein sett doune by a monk in the abey of melros called Piter fenton in the year of god (one thousand th [...]ie hundreth sixtie nyne, which was a year before the death of King Dauid Bruce, it was in old ryme like to Chaucer but vanting in manie parts and in special from the field of Bannochburne fourth It wanted all the rest almost, so that it could not be gotten to the pres, yet such as I could reid thereof hade manie remarkable taillis worthie to be noted, and al so probable agreing with the trewth of the historie as I haue foloued it alsweil as the other theris onlie two partes seeming sabolous the first is the Baliols Visioune which as it is of small consequence & doth no euil,The balio his vision not vnnecessare for the Historie, so doth it chek and forbid a base mind to aspire showing that a mightie & generous sperit onlie ought to be ambitious the secound is the historie of the Kingis which after I hade fullie accomplisd with the rest of the book, fearing it should be too tedius for the reader I haue taken it out & in the place therof insert thoes princes discended of the Bruce nether would I be offenceive for the adding of theis fragments for I know that sume curious heads wil alege I wrong the vnione but farr be it from me to think,The Historie of the Kings preceeding th [...] Bruce cheanged for thoes succeding after him. This Historie not offē siue to anie muche les to doo anie thing that may offend his Royall maiestie or seeme to hinder so blessed a pace of the which it seameth that the heauins has called him to be the happie instrument, my intensione is onlie to eternize his predicessors & his own glorie being bound both by naturall love and dewtie to imploy my whole Indeuors theirto: nether doo I their in wrong the English but rather to my power exstolle their valour and with more [...]mildnes modifie that which our wryters most sharplie haue wretin Therby to extinguish (if it be posibill) the euil opinion that hath bein so long ingreftid in the hearts of manie by reading of thoes old historeis hoping yat this my work may haply mak thois that tretith of the sam mater to be forgotin by tyme being onlie desirous to steir vp euerie manes mind to the following of glorious actions: with that most praise worthie and admirable wonder of mankind that heauen ordeaned Sidnie who sayeth that the hearing of the Martiall feats of arms betuixt the Perfie and the Douglas stierd vp his spierit to the search of glorious actionis: and as for the Kinges discendit of the Bruce, Sir Phillip Sidnie his saying. comparing them with the constellations I haue foloued Bartas who cheangeth not onlie theis portraits names, from names of Gentils giuen them by old Philosophers to names of holie men in the Scripture, Why the Kings discended of the Bruce are Compard to the constellations. but also concludeth with a libertie to anie christian to name them after sume good christian princes and yet that I should not seeme without reasone to aluede to theis princes more then to anie other I haue sundrie good arguments moveing me theirto. First then I say if thoes portraits must neids be designed by their names, without the which Astronomers can not proceid in the cours of Astronomie, Resones why they at so compared. it is les fault that they be named after such christian princes as haue leiued in the light of the Gospell, acknowligeing the creator of all things Trinitie in Vnitee, then after theis Gentils to whome god did not reveil him self and from whom the misterie of Saluatioune was hid; secoundlie the height of their royall station, the blessednes of their calling the excellencie of their actions yea and cuin their werie forme seemeth too haue a correspondence with them Simpathesing them so neirlie, as they seemd to be the verie same Whom the eternal Maiestie hath meand by these portraits Thirdlie their is but the portraits of eleuin men and one woman and the twelf man some Astrologsans afermith to be an the schipe Argus this agreable with the number of the Kings discendit from the Bruce, for counting him the first and prince Charles the [Page] last their is lust twelf and one woman Queene Marie: As for anie other poetik floures I haue presumde on Aristotill his opinioune, who saieth that how trew soeuer the historie be, it ought not to be formed in Poesi [...] without invention, wharin that excellent and wise Philosopher hath said must trew for with invention the Poet must bew [...]isie his work of invention he frammeth the curious winding knots of his Garding of invention he composeth his colours: of invention buddeth his diuersitie of odo [...]iferous flouris, as the onlie ornaments of his whole framm, of invention he forgeth links to make as it wer a chaine of his work, theirby making euerie parte to depend and hang vpon vther, and so winding the reader in his laborinth delighteth the mynd without paine, which vtherwaises should be a vallaie full of diches wheer the traveller shold be forceed to leap from on banck to an vther heaveing no bridges to go ouer at his pleasiur & those are the things wherof thou courtous reader should be aduertest; wishing the alwayes to reed my work to an end before thou take offence & the if nether the willingnes to pleas nor onwillingnes to displeas can satisfie let my first fault be forginen for Ign [...] rance sake and I never shall intend a second, So shall I euer rest.
Thy silent Friend P. G.
To the Author.
THy sugred wearses, and thy sacred songe
Shall make thy neame (O Gordon) glorius
Thou maks [...]orgottin Bruce obs [...]urd so longe
Reuieud to ryise againe victorious
Thou crownis him with a laurell in thy storie
Thou greaces him, and he augments thy Glorie.
Thy greaue heroik Muse disdanis to treat
Of bass [...]and seruill loue, or fond afectione
But of a Kingdome, and a Contries staet
Of naturs cheifest worth, and hir perfectione
Of Fortuns Champione, whom the world renounis
For conquering Kingdoms, cities, touris, and tounis.
Those are the first fruets of thy rair ingine
The braue beginning of a virtous mind
Presaging plainlie what thou'l prooue in fine
Whose lamp skarsse fird doth many lights outshine
Long may thou lieue whose lins braue Bruce adorne
And let Bruce Ghost be glaid that thow was borne.
A. Gordone.
In prais of the prais worthie Author.
WIse Virgill wreat Aeneades long to prais
Anchisis sone whome he did not behold
Octauian lykd his heigh and loftie phrais
And gaue the Mantuan monie myone gold
The prais of Bruce (no questione) thou proclamee
To pleas and prais the faithes defender Iames.
If Maroes figments leiue in fresh request
Which he of Stiks Cocitus Serber pend
Of Charon hell Elisium and the rest
Thy storie trew shall with the worlde tak end
And to thy prais I darbe bold to say
No lins prophaine can leiue a longer day.
To his deare freend the restorer of the famous Bruce his storie.
VNto this age while thou of new restoirs
The ruin'd storie of this famus King
Thy noble spreet: in emulation gloirs
Eu'ne in his praise thy proper worth to sing
For lyke as he did re-erect his croun
By Longeshankd Edwards subtiltie brought doun
Right so (thy song) from darke obliuions graue
Hath now restoird the glorie of his name
Ingrauing it vpon this column braue
Which thow has sacred to eternall fame
And placed heir till time begone to shine
As monument of his heigh worth, and thine.
Io. Wrrey
To the Author.
IF Allexander wish'd, (yit sighd') to see,
That famous tombe, wher fierce Achilles lay
Thow worthie chiftain, euer blesd quod he,
Had Homers penn, thy praises to display,
And if Eneas danger, night and day
And long some labours, bothe by sea and land,
Are recompensd, and more: and he for ay,
Famos'd, be Maroes martial pen doe stand.
Mak Allexander judge, fame shall avow
Bruce hath his guerdone of a Gordon now.
M. Th. Michell.
The first Booke of THE FAMOVS HISTORIE OF THE Excellent & most valiaunt Prince ROBERT Surnamed the BRVCE King of SCOTLAND corrected and enlarged by Patrik Gordon Gentleman.
The Argument.
THe Douglas hears his Countries shame her fall
And back returns from France with wofull Heart
Vewing herw [...]es her ruine wrak and all
He muche laments her lose in eurie parte,
When [...] a Kinght from dumps doeth him recall
With whome he fights with valour strength and arte
When each of life dispaires and death attends
They [...]ther knoe, the fight in friendship ends.
Caput. 1.
OF Martiall deeds of dreadful warres I sing
Of Potentates, firce Knightes, & Champions bold
Who to mantaine, o're threw a valiant King
Most brave atchieuments well perform'd of old
What flamming swords, blood, terror, death can bring
Love, tyme, and fortuns wheele that still is rold.
My vrigine Muse doeth laboure to bring forth
Crownd with the golden starrs which grace the North
Those Heroese old whose glory seems obscure,
Of which in Fames steel tables nought remains,
I offer on your sacred shrines most pure,
whose strength labours weighty swey sustains,
Those antients worth in you doth liue secure,
which once may be the subiect of my paines,
wherewith my laies adornd shal flie a long
And make the earth enamored of my song.
Why heau'ns powrd out such a deludge of woes
which to the world my weeping muse doth sing,
And how those sad tumultuous broiles arose,
O who can tell since heauens eternal King
After his wil earths Empires doth dispoese,
And fatal periods to all Rengs doth bring,
Who shakes the earth assunder in his wrath,
And melts the heau'ns with his consuming breath
But ô what wast involu'd those daies in warres?
Was't not that age by force gouerning al?
Which now is reuld by arte, or was't the starres?
From whose coniunctions these mishaps might fall,
Or was't helbred enuie that al things marres?
Forcing themselues destruction forth to call
No no it seemes eternal heau'ns decree,
That sines owne weight, by sine ouer'throwne shold be
But soft my home-bred muse sore not too high
Least thou or'epas what erst thou did'st intend,
Send passion hence, be modest flie enuie,
With pow're deuine bring this great worke to end
Thou eu'erie verse, each line, each woord, must trie
In my fraile brest thy sacred furie send,
That who so reades these lines for those respects,
Maie praise thy deeds, and pardon my defectts
In that faier Land where floweth al delight
That heauen on earth whose paradisian plains
Had drawne the Douglas farre from Fathers sight
Where he both arts and elloquence obtaines
He stai'd till dreidful warr with thundring might,
To wit Fraunce
Soundes forth his countreis ruin, woes & paines
Then fortune, fate, reuenge & glories spoile
Inuites him home vnto his natiue soyl.
And once ariuing hereehe might behold,
The murnfull monuments of death & feare,
It seem'd that heauen & fortune had controld
The Fates, & Joue by hoaried Stix did sweare,
Those daies in vengeance bookes shold be enrold
Those worthles times, al worthy time shold teare
From memorie, as monuments of shame,
The blotts of age and onely stains of Fame.
As one within a Garden faire in maie
Seis flora deck'd in bewtis brauest pride
Sweet smelling Roses fragrant, fresh & gaie,
Pincks, Violets, and thousand flowers beside
That parradice there onely seemes to staie.
Yet Pisces coolling once faire Phaebus side,
That fruitful place by frost & hailes disgrac'd,
So seemd this pleasant land now quite defac'd.
For loe a straunger nation doth he sie
Inh [...]bit all the countrey round about,
And al his natiue countrie men did she,
Yealding to feare fate, fortun, chance & dout
Waste ruinde walls, tours, touns & hamlets be
The meids and pleasant valleis in and out,
Vntild' like deserts voyd and quite forsaken.
Abandon'd of their owne of strangers taken
And where he goes the ground did seeme to moorne
Planing for lose of her deir naturall Brood
The floodes their sweetest murmuring streames did turne
From fair cleir cristall dropes to crimsone blood
From Forrests home the whisling winds Retoorne
Dwlce sounds of sorrows Melancholique Mood
Thus in his Eares, Earth, water, winds, and Tieis,
Sad Musick make of sadder, Tragedeis.
To see so fair a kingdome desolate
And snche a mightie Nation thus forlorne
His Frends all lost him self disconsolate
Tears, sighs, and grons made speiche Long time forborne
At last, those Doolfull words thus Intricat
With sorrows deip his woful heart has torne
Ah was I borne and must I leive to sie
The Sone to shine on this Thy Infamie?
Ah now Poore Cuntrey wofull is thy fall
But ah moire wofull is thy wretched State
Thy Blis to Bail the heavens to soone did call
But farre too swift now comes thy helples fate
For [...]re vndone and no remede at all.
Ah no remede, said I? yea though too late.
Can heauens thy Croun of glorie from thy brow
So soone teare of so famous stil til now?
Where was treue vallor found if not in thee?
In thee was virtue neu'r by time outworne
The source of Loue the Nursse of Vnitie
Where Faith and Treuth were bred brought forth & borne
Witts habitation Fortuns Constancie,
But now al theise euen theise are quite forlorne.
And in a dolful den thy Genius lies
Howling for Blood & vengeance to the Skyes.
Hence cursed time more wold the knight haue said
But he beheld a warriour at hand,
His furniture and Armour sanguin red,
A bunch of fethers, on his Crest did stand.
Him wold this fearce, sad, angrie Eatle inuade.
And in the other like desire he fand,
Each other with tempestuous furie greet,
So in the aer the bolting thunder meet.
Loth was each sp [...]ar to wond his enemie,
Their wrathful masters message while they go
Al shiuered, moorning through the aer they fly,
Complaining of vnkindly discord so,
While that the Champions chaft with anger be
For each disdaines, a match in armes to know,
Each takes the other for an English Knight,
And seeks reuenge with force, hate, rage, dispight
Eu'n as two aged strong and sturdy Oakes
Against a thundring tempest firmly stand,
Or as two raggid Clifs of mighty Rocks
Beare of the wafting surges from the land.
So each abides the others pondrous stroaks,
These onely two, trew vallor did commaund.
Yea who so eu'r had sien that warrlike fight,
Feare would haue bred, both terror and delight.
By thrusts and foins their bloes seconded be,
Each waits occation, each aduantage spying.
Each on the other hath a watchful Eie,
Each shuns the fents, for open wards stil prying,
Where pla [...]s were iyond, and buckles ty'd they sie,
Yeat eithers foresight, others flight denying.
Stil fretting in themselues, with rage and ire,
That neither could, their conquest wisht aspire.
Somtime their Swords, forth from their helm & shield
Send firie sparkles, spangling all the Aier.
Euen so the Meteors fighting lightning yeald,
Beneath the Northern Pole, that doe prepare,
To cleare the starrie firmamental field.
With cold extream, pure, subtil, sherp, and raire.
That els wold geall, the cloustred clouds aloft,
And make a bad confusion straunge and oft.
As fast as haile, in sharpe and Iscie balles,
Vpon the tiled housses doth alight,
So thik, fo fast each speedie blow doun falles,
batring their helms, and shields with furious might,
They fighting, wishe each others funerals:
Four houres it was, since they began the fight
Some litle wonds, had each of others woon,
Yeat both as fresh as when they first begun.
Now was the Sun, declining to the West,
When both did seem of Conquest to dlspait.
And yet, the Knight vnknowne, wes lustiest,
His Curage, and his strength, did still repair
For as, a loytring Slaue, in Lasie rest,
Has spent the day, that for his Task should care
And tho, to lait, at last to work doth stand
Repenting, that he took, so much, in hand.
Ev'ne so, the straunger Knight, did ferslie flie,
Against his Foe, with Vn-resisted Might,
And thogh indeed, he, some what Stronger be
His Breath, induring, Longer, yet in fight,
The Douglas, did that want with art supplie
For, holding forth, his Suord, and Sheild, outright,
He geuards him self, and bears, the others, Blo's,
Now, Out now in, now heir, now thair, he goes,
Both breathles now, both forc'd a while to staie,
Botth leane upon their swords a while to rest:
The vnknow'ne knight, thus to himselfe did saie,
Ah, foolish man with madnes thus possest,
Thy labor's great, great pains, great workes, to daie.
With sorrows new, new woes, new cares increast,
Heated by heavin by faits, Long Coorst, ere borne,
Proud Fortune holds, Thy heighe attempts in skorne
Thy foile, thy shame, and thy disgrace receau'd,
Not onely thou, but all the world doth know
Fond man, of non but of thy selfe deceu'd,
What vallor canst thou boast, what strength can show
O thou, eu'ne thou, who once a kingdom crau'd
Ah folly great, [...]h great presumtion, lo,
Ah shame, thate're thou shold'st be sien or knowne,
Vanquish'd by one, ou'rcom, and overthrowne.
But so the Fates, and so, the heavin prouids
That thou, thy strength, and weaknes, might perceave
To Errors gross, Thy foolishe Mind, Thee guids
Which to abait, what doth Remaine, to Crave
Lost is thy Crowne, lost be thy frends, besids
Chaisd from thy kingdome, hunted, like a Slave.
And savadge-like, thou liu'st on herbs, and Root's
In Deserts wild, those of thy panis, at fruits.
Then, fertill Scotland, fair, Adew, for Ay
Good was my will, and great, was my Desire
On thy blacks Hemispheare to bring the day
And to Restore, Thy Friedome, Crowne, Impire
But to my fond Attempts, the heavins said nay
Whill Thou'rt counsumd, by Jov's wraith, hot as feire
Now, wo is Mee, (for my owne wois, I say not)
Bot O Thee fain, I wold remeid, and may not,
The Douglas, also, was perplexed so
For still him self, Condem's him self, of folie
Art thou returnd from France, (quod he) to sho
Thou vow'd thy Syrs revenge, A vow most holie
This migh [...]ie Task when thou should vndergo
Thy first Attemp, Thy sh [...]me returneth sollie
Why then, fond man if thou be oue [...]rthrowne
Yeild not, but Die: and keip, thy vow on-knowne.
And if the heavins decree, Thy Ouerthrow
And that thy vow must still be vnperfected,
Yeat who the Victor is, faine would I know,
If but a priuate man, then I dispit it,
But if his praise, Fame, eu'rie where doth blow
Then on my graue, these lines shalbe ind tit,
Though chaunce, and fortune made him loose the fild,
He merits praise, whose courage scorns to yealde.
Where are my Predecessors deeds of old,
Which like a wal [...] impregnable did stand,
And did like Pillers, firme, & strong vphold,
The w [...]ale, the peace, & saftie of the land?
Though non of those I boast, yet am I bold
The worthie name of Scot, for [...]o demaund,
Whereof so manie Worthies still proceeds,
As makes their Contrey famous by their deeds.
Yea and this present Age, augments our Fame,
With warrlik knights, that al the world admires,
As machles Wallace, and the ualiant Grhame,
The worthie Bruce, most glorious that appears,
If one of those it were, lesse were my shame,
My credit more, and more my fortune cleers.
Therefore to cleere this doubt he thought it be [...]t
His speech shold thus be, to the knight addrest.
Stout, hardie, valliant man at armes quod he,
Before our combar end, I pray thee show,
Whom I ou'rcom, or who ou'rcommeth me,
Since non of vs, the quarrel yet doth know,
No quod the other, Sir, that may not bee,
For that you made the challenge first, and so,
As challenger, your cause must first be know'n,
The Douglas answer'd that shall soone be showne
Vnles I err, you are an English knight,
I ame a Scot, and in defence will stand
Of Scots free libertie, and auntient Right,
So long as I can bear a sword in hand,
It may be so, quod he, but in my sight
You are too weake alone for to withstand,
So great a taske, craues more then one I feare,
Against great Edward, if you mind to warre.
Quod, Douglas, tho I be alone yousie
I were enough, for to Revenge, Oure harms,
If I had Edwarde heir, as I have Thee,
Al tho the Matchles Bruce, with Conquering Arms,
Has thousands Mo, whoes valors, worth, shall flie,
For dreed Revenge, with Trumpets, Loude, alar'ms
Throgh all the Regions, of the English soill,
And havok mak, with Rewin, blood, and spoill.
Yet know an other Querrell, for Oure fight,
And my iust Caus, which lust revenge requiers:
My Syre, that somtime, Erel, of Douglas hight,
In Edwards prisson, spent, his Aged, yeers
And their he deid, by wrong, without all Right,
Whoes guietles blood, Blood-guiltie Edward, beers
For whoes sad Death, eu'ne Th'ou, thy life, must lois
And with these words, he thunders on the Blo's.
Hold, hold, quod he, stay thy revenge, for schame,
I am thy frend, no foe, nor English I,
I am that Lukles Bruce, whose haples Name,
Thou dus so much Exalt, and magnifie
Whose froward Fortun, fate, and far-knowne fame,
Is turn'd disgrace, to all eternitie,
At these sad words, the Douglas stood, and gazed
Blushing, astonisht, speichles, and amazed:
At last he falls, before the warlik Prince,
And says, my gratious Soveragne thou may
Pardon, my hastie fault, my Rude offence,
Or, my, Death-worthie Crime, with death Repay,
That Durst offend Thy worth, thy excellence
Ah cursed Tyme, Ah blacke, and dismall, Day,
No no sweit freind, quod he, Thy peace enioy,
Long may Thou liue, in spight of fates anoy,
And thus, when he had R aisd him from the Ground,
He in his Arms, him Lovinglie, imbrac'd
Whoes Love and Favour: alway, did abound,
And alway did Indure, whill life did left,
Now both their horse, agane, at last they found
And both, theme selfe, at last, from thence addrest,
Both, vows, their Cuntries wo's for to Revenge,
Both, to Indur, cahe others, fortuns, strange.
Together then they rid [...] a plate throughout,
Til in a forrest faier, themselues they fand,
While night with sable curtens, Round about,
Breaths darknes out, or'shaddowing all the land,
Vppon her lowring brows sate feare and dobt:
And round about, in horror trembling stand,
The duskie clouds, that threts a second flood,
Such Seas there swelling clusters doth includ.
Cap. 2.
The Argument.
THe Douglass courteslye Requirs the King
For to vnfold the caus of al his Greif
Wherby he taks Occassions for to bring
To outward vew the ground of this mischief
He schews the worthles Bate' [...]ls haples Reigne
That heapt new woes on woes without releif
Braue barwick, Lost Scots fall at ods and yeeld,
Losing Their fredome, in a bloodie feild.
Those machles champions throw the forest go [...]
At last allight, & then themselues adrest,
Til cheirful daies bright goldē lamp should
within a arbour faier, to take their rest. (shone,
But as ambitious minds, ar neuer alone,
Til they haue honour, glorie, Fame possest,
So they no rest at all, cold here attain,
Such high confusion in their brests remaine.
At last, the Douglas thus began, braue Prince,
And my most gratious Souerainge quod he,
Long may thou liue in Natures excelence,
Iou's loue, Fates fauour, fortunes constancie,
Thy worth exalted, by heauens influence,
And thy braue selfe, long haue I wsht to sie,
God graunt thy shining sonne with golden Raies,
Our darkest nights may chaunge to brightest daies.
Let not my bold presumtion thee offend
If I require to know the woefull birth,
Of sorrows which thy countenance forth send,
For loe swift Fame, did sound thy praise, thy worth
In Fraunce, while carelesse, I on court attend,
Which cleers my clouds of care, with lamps of mirth,
And did my sad, vnsetled, Thoughts, destroy
Thy sweit report, so fild, my Eares, with Ioy
Then I returnd in hope of blest reliefe,
Which I foresawe, thy worth would soone afford,
And thou, eu'ne thou, would ease thy contreis griefe,
Whose glorie great, must be by the restord,
Senc to Reuenge our blood, woe, wrake, mischiefe
By lustest Heauens, thou onely art implord,
Doe then braue Prince, what heauen for thee ordains
Thy Knight I am, in warre, peace, Ioy, or pains.
The gallant Bruce, sat long tyme much amazd,
Loth to vnfould his straunge misfortunes, rare,
In wrath he star'd, he lookt, about he gaz'd,
He sigh'd, he grond, as One, Into Dispair
His rolling Eies, at last, from Earth, he Ras'ed
And Cleird with heavenlie smylls, the clowds, of cair
Whill as the Douglas, long did him, behold
This sadd, and wofull, Tragedie, he told.
Sad may if seeme and sorrowfull, to Thee
Thois wofull news Thou do's Requeir' to heare
but much more cair, and greif, it breids, to Mee
Who must not onely heare and lend my eare,
But must relate euen what my eies did siee,
Yea what myselfe did act, yet I'le forbeare
Those fond complaints, and make a true narration,
What most offends me, and afflicts my Nation.
And to vnfould this tragick storie soe
To know the motiue, first it doth requier
And eu'rie truest circumstance to sho,
Whereof is much that will delight the eare,
Than to th'intentall may mor cleerly know
The ground of this, so firce & crwel warr,
Our various speach let vs devert and view,
The dreidfull, horreid horrors, that ensew
Thrie Alexanders, thrise waere Scotlands, King
The first, for valiaunt deids, surnam'd, the fierce
Was Malcolm, Canmoirs, sone, the second, Rings
Was after, good, king Will'iame, did, deceas
Who is braue, vndanted, Deids, made fame, to sing
The Lion-king, as histories Rehers
The thrid that did Oure, Crown, and scepter wear
Henre, the third, of Englands, dogther, fair.
In mariage took which haple he devynd
Should then conclud, A full, and finall Peace
That both these Antient kingdoms, thus Combind
Those great and Mightie Nations, might Imbrace
A Freindlie League, and Concordance, in mind
An happie Time to thair Ensewing race,
By ending all the warrs, the broyls, the steir's,
That had remain'd, full, thryse five hindreth ȝeirs.
But heavens decreed it, should not so Remaine
For the appointed Time, was not foretolde
Mans subtill plots, and wits ar, all in vaine
In vaine their wais, in vaine this work, they wold,
In vaine they go about, for to obtaine
What Ioue as secret to himself did hold,
In uaine was al these fond deuises thought,
Since heaujn decred, that al shold turne to noght.
For lo betwixt burnt Illion and Kingorne,
King Alexander di'd by fall of horse,
When thirtiefoure yeres of, his Raigne was worne,
He no succesion had, and which was wors,
Blood-thristie-warr by wings, of veng'ance borne,
Did tear Our kingdom's bouwells but Remors,
Waikining by oft Diminishings, at Lenght,
The vains, the Nerv's the sinne vs, of oure strenght,
Six yeares the land gouerned was in Peace,
By Regents fix, at laste some broiles arose,
Whereby soe straunge gouernament did cease
Such bloodie factions, did themselues oppose,
Who from that boundage wold the land release,
And of annot her King wold make a chose,
For wel they knew what trains they shold imbark
To set this headstrong Nations once awarke
A councel then of all, they call to choose
The neerest of the Roiall bloode for king,
The Baliol there his right did wel peruse,
From the first female his descent to spring,
And from the first borne Male, I not refuse
My lineall and iust descent to bring
Thus plead wee both, nor can we once accord,
No peace our haughtie stomaks cold afford.
And thus our hate grew greater daie by daie,
Both thirsting for a Princely Diadem,
Nor cold the meanest thought of wise delaie,
Pre [...]ons our wo, our wrack, our countreis shame,
On [...], on wracke, on ruine and decaie,
Ambition can not looke, nor thinke, nor dreame,
But for the Croun, while wee're a spyring thus
Wee robd of what shold make it Glorious,
For with vs two, two mightie armies rose,
To winn the Croun or lose our selfe and all,
Scotlands great Primat did himselfe oppose
Betwixt vs then a treat of peace to call,
Who did so much, at last wee made a choise,
Thus to accord and to agrement fall,
To iudge our right by Englands mighty King,
Who shold decerne, which of vs both shold reigne.
Wherefore in haste to Englands King wee send,
Requesting him to take the cause in hand,
Who then prepard his conquest to defend,
In fertill Fraunce, with many warlike band,
And their his large Dominions to extend
By force of armes, and by his valiant hand,
Yet for to put our Kingdom to a rest,
He turnd, and bake to Yorke himselfe adrest.
Of learned men he twentifour there brought,
Whose graue aduise in this great worke he vs'd,
But lo my proud competeitor bethought
Him thus, If I and my iust right were chusd
Than were he all vndon, and threfore soght
By some lewd meane to get mee quite refusd,
At last resolu'd to buie a Diadem
With fowle dishonour, and eternall shame.
Wherfore he dealt in secret with the King,
If him he wold preferre the Croune to weare,
By charter, Seale, by Oth and eu'ry thing,
He bound himselfe of him the Croune to beare,
And for the same his homage to resigne,
To whose base minde, at first he gaue noe Eare
The most part of the Lawiers parted thence
All iudging me iust heire and Righteous Prince.
But counsell caused this mightie King to err,
Counsell of these that by dissention liue
Still vrging him the Bailiol to prefert,
That for his guerdon would a Kindom giue,
But he that knew my right farr worthier
Euen from my foes proud offer did deriue
His argument, and vnto me presentes
The Croune, if I fullfild the same contents.
Which offer base I plainely did refuse,
Wherefore King Edward in his wrathful Ire,
With Baliol decreits, and did abuse
My right, enstalling him whose blind desire
Led him for honor, Infamie to choose
And for a crovne to slave a free Empire,
For loe in him two contraries agree,
Base Avarice, and Prodigalitie.
Thus he returnd with pomp and Majesty
Whom all the Lords and Princes of Estate
Conuaied to Skoene with royall dignity,
Where stood the Auncient Marble cheir of late,
There was he cround with Kingly Roialty,
In Robs whose worth were longsum to repeat,
Imbroadred al with stons, with pearle, with gold,
Gorgious to weare, and glorious to behold.
But litle knew the Princes of the Land,
That he to Englands King shold homage paie,
The croune that sixtien hundreth yeers did stand,
Gainst endles warr and cruel Armes Essay,
Nor Romans, Danes, nor Saxons cold command,
Vnconquer'd still, nor conquer'd wold obaie,
Was now betraied by him whose haples name
Became his countreis skorne and Kingdoms shame.
But when report had showne the haples losse,
The commons gan to murmur here & ther,
Against the Nobles, vowing that their choise
Shold be with armes, their freedom to repaiere,
And all the Princes of Estate by those
Were schandalizd with shame, reproch & feare,
Thus ciuill descord broght a fearful fall
On King, on countrey, Kingdom, croune and all.
For now the king in heigh contempt was brought
With all the Lords and Princes of Estate
The Lords in hait and great disgrace were thought
With all the commoun Multitude of Late
When al with wit and valor should have wrought
Thus Raise a fearfull straunge and new debaite
That hardest A damantine hearts wold move
But for Their sin so heavens decree'd aboue
Of these ensewing sorrows now the King
For seis forthinks and Meditats and Moins
A Thousand greifs did in his bosome spring
Assailing all his wofull heart at ons
One day he wold be secret furth to bring
The wofull birth of tears of sighs and grons
Throune on his bed with Rageing Discontents
At la [...]t he thus burst furth in heighe complaints
Ah haples wretch Curst be the Fatall hour.
Wherein I did Obtaine a Diadem
By false conceat by strong entysing Pow'r
Not cairing for Disgrace for loss for shame
While auarice and ambition did deuour
Treuth, Knowledge, witt, discretion praise and fame,
Ah Auarice, inchaunter of the wise,
The blind devouror of faire honours prize.
O bloodie starres why did you thus agree,
To make a bad conjunction at my birth?
Why did you al power doune mischiefe from hie?
To make vyle me, the abject of the earth,
What shall al times and ages saie of me?
To buie a croune, that sold a Kingdoms woorth,
The reuenews I sold to buie the Name,
Exchaunging honour for eternall shame.
What woe or griefe but time can make it old,
Yet Infamie time neuer can svppresse,
The meaner sort their faults will pas vntold,
But faults of Kings by Fame doe stil increase,
Such spotts are in my leaprous sowle enrold,
As still accuse me of my guiltines,
And while my wronged people me doe vewe,
Me thinks their eies to death doe me persue,
In midst of this his sorowful complaint,
His eies grew heauie dround with floods of tears,
His tongue, his throt no more their found forth-sent
Thus slummerd he full fraght with greifes & fears
At last this fearfull vision did present
A dreadful founding noice that pearst his eares,
Hee thought he saw before him all at once,
Were nintie Kings, and two on golden Throns.
Each bore a close rich couerd glorious Croune,
In forme like an Emperiall Diadem,
With ribs of gold o'rthwart aboue & doune,
All round about each bowing like a beame,
In the fore front were made of Iacinths broune
Faire letters, shewing eurie Prince his Name,
Beneath their feet an iron throne was made,
Whereon of lead au Open croune was laid.
He thought they set him on the iron Throne,
And cround him with that leaden croune in scorne,
Whereon was written this Inscription,
This non but bastard Baliol hath borne,
Then saied the firste and grauest all alone
Whose aged haires had many yeares outworne
Thou wreched catiue most accurst of all
Thy place is great but, greater farre thy fall.
This Diadem Pointing his Ow'ne by Me
Erected was with honor strength and Might
And from my Aged loyns discendit be
By Iust discent thes Nyntye two in sight
Eche bure this Crowne with Royall dignitie
Adding as much by Conquiest to ther Right
Defending It gainst Romains saxons Dains
For witnes famous victories Remains.
But vn-compeld vn sought or on requierd
By words by warr by Conquest or by gane
Thou Randert vp what we aloft had Reard
And what we keipt with travell cair and Pane
The thretning trompet that all Nati'ons feard
Which worlds of Armeis newer could obtaine
Yet this thou could not do without consent
Of all the Thrie Estates of Parl'ament.
But for thy fault, thy shame, thy losse, thy wrong,
This iust and heauie Iudgment shall correct thee,
The Kingdom shalbe reft from thee e're long
And thy owne subjects shamefully rejecte thee,
In blinded darknes woes shalbe thy song,
For want of daie, yet no man shall affect thee,
And to all ages thy Infamous name,
Shalbe a prouerbe of eternal shame.
For lo Thou shall be cal'd in littill space
Thy countreis ruine and thy Nations wo
Much harmles Blood shall pay for thy disgrace
Theas yet onborne thy Doome shall feill and kno
A mightie Nation shall thy land Deface
Beneth whois havie yok She grons, but lo
She Viper-like brings furth vn nat'rall Brood
That most shall waist her, wond her, drink her Blood.
At last her tears her Cry's her sad Complaint
Shal Pearce the heavins and Iove to Mercie move
Who pitis sinners when they first repent
And looking Meeklie dounward from above
Shall Raise Them vp that shall her wrak prevent
Whose manlie Valors shall her woes Remoue
And bring to end the warr Thou wroght with shame
But neu'r an end to Thy Infamous Name.
Therfor this leaden croune, base, worthles, poore,
Thou hast as one vnworthy to put on,
The croune which I the famous Fergus boore
And al these warrlike Princes One, by one,
And while this mightie Nation shal indure,
Hauing a Prince to sitt vpon my Throne,
Thou of a Princes name shalt be refus'd
Because my croune vn-conqu'erd thou abu'sd.
At these last woords he wak'd with sodain fear,
But nothing saw while in his braine was tost,
These woful warnings buzing in his eare,
That threatn'd was by great King Fergus ghost,
Which burthen great his soule could skarsly beare
Till moueing, fieling, speach and all was lost,
His vitall powers hernd in with thousand cares,
At last burst forth in these or like dispaires.
O Sad and wearied Soull quod he depairt
And leaue the lothed Lodge thou doest posse
Stop vp my breath within my lothed heart
My life make les if shame may not be les
Hev'ne from aboue thy vengence at me Daiert
Heel from below thy Torment still Incres
Devouring Earth my damned bodie smoother
Heav'ne, Earth and hell destroy mee altogither.
Thus swallow'd vp of mankind most abhord
If any should Inquire for worthles Mee
Say that some Rav'ning monster me Devoir'd
And let my Name, O? fame forgotten be
Let al my day's t'obliu'on be Restoir'd
Lest thou O tyme theirwith dishonor thee
Thus Rol'd in clouds of smook let it be said
That such a One was neu'r fram'd nor made,
Thus while he lay half dead for greif and wo
A herauld came from Englands mightie king
And straitle charg'd him haistelie to go
To york and all his princes their to bring
And homage dew for Scotlands kingdome sho:
Which brought the Nobill's secret murmuring
To light at last, and thus they work with all
To mak him sie his Error, shame and fall.
Saltons great Lord that Abirnethie hicht
he had vniustle wrong'd (A huinows thing)
Wherfore from him in all his Princes sight
He did Apeall vnto the English king:
This heigh disgrace he took in great dispight
For in Contempt with all it did him bring
At last he casts about to right the wrongs
That to his Endles Infamie belong's.
A message to the English King he send
For to discharge that base infamous Band
Since he without consent could not pretend
Thus for to Slave a frie-vn-conquerd land
But too too late Repentance Coms in End
Thus shallow with deip Iudgment doth with stand
So children vse for to repent their Error
When nocht Remains but Punishment and Terror
The mighty English rise in dreadfull arms,
Still threatning Blood, wrake, ruin, vengeance, sorrow
Performing still their vow's with griefs & harms
That from their firie wraths new woes did borrow,
Faire Fortune towks their Droms with lowd allarm's,
And waits on bloodie Mars, from day to morrow,
Whose dreadfull Trumpet blow's a deadly blast,
And rowls our daie in doulful night at last.
First Barwick tane was by a subtil traine
Wherein seau'n thousand men of Arms were lost,
Woemen and children pitiles were slaine,
None left aliue of Scotish blood cold boast,
Now at Dunbar foure Princes did remaine,
That had conueind of Scots a mightie hoste,
But h [...]te of Baliol such dissention brings,
In his dispight they loue their foes design's.
Which caus'd a straunge vn-lookt-for long decay
For English Edward Marcheing ther in haist
Encountred them Impatient of Delay
Amongst them selfs in wofull factions plast
Now Edward Causd mee in his camp to stay
For to my loue were most of them addrest
So when the armys, ioyning did abyd
Twelf thowsand turnd vpon the English syd.
This was full sore against my will God knows
Nor was I euer privie to this treasson
My Deids on Edwards side was but in shows
Nor could I disobey him in that Season
On no les paine then huntington to lose
But ah these foolish Scots had no such Reason
Whoe by their new discord struk blind with wrath
Wold mak mee cloake vnto their brokin faith.
For they vnworthie of the Scottish name
Against their Cuntreis friedome Rudlie stand
Onworthie also of their Elders fame
That gainst them selfs dars lift thair conquering hand
When foraigne force could not their stomaks tame
Them selfs against them selfs opposd they fand
The Sone the father, father kills the sone
Eache kills his frend and help's his foe to winne:
Such thinges were wrought by heaunes feirce destanye
Becaus the land with sinne did overflow
Evne as a statelie ship with sails on hie
If iustlie poysd with ballance feares no blow
Of windes, but if o're chargd with weight she be
Her speed is staiy'd impaird her glorious show
Then angrie Neptunes foemeing surges beat-her
And with decay the thundring tempests threat her
Ev'ne so whill as in Scotland did remaine
The sword of iustice feare of god aboue
The loue of vertue hate of vice profane
And whill the sptituall state the treuth did loue
We saild in seas of peace and did obtaine
Wealth, honor, all which landes most blisd do prove
But once borne downe with pride, lust blindnes error
Our calmes of peace heavnes tempests shook with terror
For mightie God that sittes vpon the throne
Of iustice grace and mercie from that hight
Did vew our sinnes in burning rage anone
His countenance with fyrie flammes grew bright
That heavnes did quaek for feare and Angells mone
For men poore men at that astonieing sight
Dayes glorious lamp, nightes Queene, heavens tapers stay'd
Wrapt vp in clowdes at his dread lookes affray'd.
Within his wattrie pallace Neptun quaekes
The roating streames were quyet whist and still
His azurd crowne from crisped lookes he taekes
His monsters all the lower Regions fill
His forked scepter then for fear he breakes
And to obey his lord and makers wil
He myldlie fals before his mercies throne
Whoes glorie made the heavnes with lightnings shone
The solid earth did quak with trembling feare
And downward seemd to change her wonted rowme
Such grevous weyght and burdene did she beare
Of hynous sinne, whose punishement to come
She did forsee as when throw subtel aer
Dame Thetis foull with Alabastre Downe
Fleis downe with wofull plaintes and mutufull cryes
Before a dreadfull tempest doeth aryse,
The hellishe feindes that scatterd were abroad
Through all the earth and for mischeif still soght
Reann headlonges downe vnto their greislie god
And was through these infernall kingdomes brought
Where Proserpin with Pluto grimme abode
Whoes rustie scepters were of yron wrought
On thrones they sate bout which ferce feinds did rore
Two heavie crownes of burning brase they bore.
Prodigious signes and wounders then were seene
Which did presage what after might befall
From the cold North did in our climat shyne
A bright and blazing Comet and with all
Reid showres of blood in sundrie had beene
The last the latest warning of our fall
Yet dreadfull signes and fearfull wonders sent
Sinne made not lesse but iudgement did augment.
The Argument.
GReif haueing som what interrupt the Prince
He showes at last his caus of discontent
And followes furth with eurie tragick chance
Wheir with proud Fortun erst did him present
The wittie Count conforteth him and thence
Desires him goe where Fergus ghost him sent
Wheron they both conclude and with a dreame
Sleep drownes discours at last in silence streame,
Cap. 3.
O Subiect sad o sad vnsolid Muse
In Cypres wreathd in murning blak attyre
Blott confort out and in your layes refuse
All mirth yea in your wofull task desyre
Sad tragick tuns the which while you peruse
In Nightes dark Inn's her dreadfull cave retite
Tears serve for ink and if you ayme at mirth
O sighes let all be smotherd in their brith,
But wailing Muse Ay mee why do you sho
To outward view the onlie staine of Time?
Why in rememb'raunce of such horredwo
Do you not weip to wash your wofull Rime?
O thry's Infamous! Tims Inglorious! O
That this their shame had ended with their Cryme,
But hev'n and Time, fate, Fortun, chance and all
Had with Them selfs decreed them selfs to fall
Where was the Conquering Arm's the valiaunt heart's.
Where was wonted Loyltie now gone
When for their faith their valor their deserts
Oure Elders mounted vp to honors Throne
When Rudelie They Opposd their Arm's and Arts
In Belgia fair, against this foe alone,
Such prais they wan beneth those temp'red Clim's
As maks them famous to Eternall Tim's.
Indeed such praise and Glorie great they wan
As these whoes grevous wrong's they cam to right
Ingratelie and Vnnat'rallie began
T'Invy thair greatnes and to feare their might
How soone their Suord freed them of fo's eu'ne then
Of them they make a, Massacre by night
And as a sad Remembr'aunce of this Acti'on
Scots onlie gwards their king for satisfaction.
O had you foght your contreies honor still,
As those for honor from theier contrey came.
Your golden praise had gilt my rusty quill,
And with perfumes, had fir'd my sacred flames,
But now my wofull song kinde Eies may fiil
With teates, and harts with sorrow for the same,
For had the Scots trew to themselues rem aind,
Long-shanks had not soe great a glory gain'd.
But O why am I thus with passion led?
For pardon curteous Reader must I sue,
Earths brauest Prince wee left within a shade,
Who hauing made a period, did renew
His woefull historie and thus he saied,
Now doth our endles tragedie ensue.
The Scots wee left still fighting at Dunbarr,
Them-selues against themselues: O curel warr!
The rest of wofull Scoots that did remaine,
Perceauing this new losse and sodaine chaunge,
They fainted, yet they fought for to obtaine
That honour which their fellows did infringe,
Each one thus by his second selfe was slaine,
While as the English smils at such reuenge,
And thus whem nought but death to Scots ensue
They yeald to Fortune, not to Valor trew.
Now onlie English Edward was Renownd
all yeelds to him and to his fortuns Rare
He with our Auntient Diadem was Crown'd
To him the Princes of the land Repaire
Whill Baleoll in seas of sorrows Drownd
By english Scots was broght in blak dispair
Before great Edward when he did deny
All title, Right and soveraguitie,
Thus Edward made a conquest of oure crowne
And homage did Requyre of all the lande
Which sundrie Lords and Princes of Renowne
Refus'd nor wold they yeeld to his demand
And while the wrathfull heavins lookt mildlie dous
They for a space wold flie his vengfull hand
Wheirfore two hundreth yeowths he with him le [...]
These were the first borne son' [...] of those that fled,
Th'Imperiale Treassour hence he did convoy
With all the Iewells of oure Diadem
Oure antient monuement's he did distroy
And from all time to blot the Scottish name
He burnt with fyit what ere we did enjoy
Wreits, Books and works and to augment our shame
The marbill chear oure oldest Monument
He reft away wheiron these lyns were pent
Ni fallat fatum Scoti, quacunque Locatum
Invenient lapidem, Regnare tenentur Ibidem.
If fatall des [...]eines be trew the scots shall find this stone
And wheirsoew'r They find the same their they shall Regne allow▪
King Edward thus of all our welth possest
And all wheir to we did good Right pretend
To cur [...]e toun a garesone addrest
And to each Strength his captains did he send
And english lords did in the land invest
Of those that to his Scepter wold not bend
Thus long we leu'd in care in wo and sorrow
that alway did augment from day to morrow,
In this tyme lew'd a worthie valiant knight
Most fortun at who Wallas heght to name
Wallas by wit, by valor, fate and might
Who Scotland thrise from Bondage did Recleame
His coadherent in that cause of right
Was that braue Mare of men the val'aunt grham [...]
Both fortunat and famous both wheirby
Tho dead They Liue to all Eternitye.
Scotland the fourth tyme was in thraldome broght
After good Wallas had relev'd it thrice
When him betrayde by that accursed thought
Of fals Monteith the English did surprise
Eu'ne curst manteith by heauin's for vengence wroght
By fortun, fate and cruell, Desteneis
His Nations shame lyns blot and Cuntreis scorn
By furies broght from hell or he was borne.
Whoes lawles act, whoeis leud and haetfull name
Polluts my virgin vn-polluted ryms
Yet theese so calld As faultles I reclaime
Thoght I vnfold his neu'r concealed cryms
Let them not greive at me nor at his shame
If they leiue spotles to Eternall tims
I blame the Man but not the lyne discendit
The deide but not the name is reprehendit
Poore Scotland thus in all calametie
While Bondage like ane Earth-quaik Rents the state
Assunder quyte, and still oure Infamie
Incressing by the Means of priuat hate
Oure selfs amongst, oure selfs divided be
Which maks this vncouth straunge and new debait
Comfussion thus cast doun from heavins above
Doth still Increase and can not yet remove.
Much I lamented this my cuntries wo
And oft desird to remedie the same
Till fortun, heau'ns and fate at last did sho
A meane to blaze abroad my secret flame
To mak the variows wondring world to kno
My great desire my Countreis will to frame
Yet fortuns frowns on mydesigne sattendid
And hevi'ne was with my rash attempts offend [...]
The cumin euer Infamous for that crime
Of mee a secret Parle did require
And thus he said now fortun fits the Time
wh [...]irin thy right may to the crowne aspyr
The variws myn l [...] beneth this variws clime
Do now more stedfastlie them selfs Retire
Wissing their curst allegaince now were broke
Yet groane they still beneth the English yoke
What glorie great the warrlike Scots haue woon,
From age, to age, all time can witnesse beare,
Scots onely keeps a free vnconquer'd croune,
Scots onely gaue the mighty Romans warre,
At whom beg'd peace the Romans of renoune?
Was't not the valiant Corbred they did feare?
Who but the Scots the valiant Pichts subdu'd,
And warrlike Danes whose force seau'n times reneud?
But we, eu'ne wee degenerat and bare,
Doe challenge yet from them our blood, our being
Tho prostitute to infamie and care,
Our selues eu'ne with our selues still disagreeing,
For courage, feare, for worth & wit dispaire,
To vice inclining still, from vertue flying,
Thus haue wee made our selues a woful praie
Vnto our Foe (ne're siene before this day)
Where is becom our Elders vallerous harts?
Their deeds, their virtue, and their conquering sword,
Their dignities, their office, place & parts,
Their victories with Monuments decoird,
Their auntient Armes woone by their braue deserts?
Can these noe good, noe strength, noe wit afford?
No no I sie wee faint, wee feare, wee fall,
From honour, Greatnes Libertie and all.
Yet that we may at their desertes but aime,
As those who shold inherit them by right,
Rise thou in Armes, thy right for to reclaime,
My selfe, my power, my strength and all my might,
Shall follow thee my race and all my name,
Shall with Victorious Armes maintane the fight,
Giue me thy lande, but when the Crown is thine
Or for thy right therof Receaue thou mine.
Soone to these sugred words I did accord
And then betuixt vs two a band was made
That when I to the Crowne should be restord
Assisted theirto by the Cumins Aide
The Cumin then of Carrik should be Lord
This don we both Reioisd and both seimd glad
But loe, the Cumin traitrouslie repented
Ew'n to his endeles Infamie lamented.
To Englands mightie King the band he send
Declairing how that I him would betray
Whoe gravelie did advise their with in end
I soone was chairg'd to court without delay
At mee the King requird if that I kend
That band and seall yet did I not dismay
But framd my countenance more bold and stout
Offe'ring on morrow nixt to cleir the dout
My Patrimony for a pledge I left
And after to my Innis reteird Anone
Our Hemisphere of day was then bereft
Whill night spred fourth her sabel wings alone
Such fearfull darknes ou'r the Earth she wef't
As seimd to say in friendschip now begone
Thus secreitlie alone I took my flight
Helped by Joue and by the freindlie night.
Five Tyms had Hesper Titan warn'd away
Five tyms agane did Lucifer Apeir
Wiueing the glorious standerd of the Day
On tops of Touring clouds reid, whit and [...]ei [...]
And cheng'd their sabel hew to siluer gray
When fyre Ste [...]ds the golden carr drew neir
Whill sullen night in towny sutes addrest
Did schrink abak and shrewd her in the west.
When as I then Arriu'd like Fortuns knight
Within the confins of oure kingdome old
Then presentlie appeard vnto my sight
Two valiant knights stout, hardie, fearce and bold
The one wher of my brother Edward hight
The vt her fleiming vnto those I told
Cumins deceat and how by heau'ns revenger
I had escaip'd so imminent a danger.
Thus tallked wee and thus along we pas
Till by good hap a Messinger we met
Who after streat Inquerie did confes
He was vpone a secreat Message set
To Englands King for Cumins busines
Whose letters did requyre the King to let
Mee soone by death from my revolting Mind
Els Scots to mee shold shorthie be enclind.
Wheir Cumin was we vrgd him to declair
Within the Cloister of Drumfreice quod h [...]
Thither with restles speid we did repair
And in the Church he seimd devotiuslie
To kneile, for as he sat, we kild him their
The which I fear his caus'd my miserie
For that Jov's sacred hous we thus defild
Rashlie with his sin gultie blood so wild.
Then was I soone receau'd of alas King
And on my head I weere the Crowne alone
I did a great and mightie Armie bring
To rais my state cast doun from honors Throne
In whose brave strength good hope I had to wring
The reull from Edwards hand and Marching on
With dreadfull Terror on the trembling Earth
I pitcht my Tenis before the Wall's of Pearth.
Whill thus I did my rightfull Claime beginn
With warrs sterne shok and Trumpets dreidfull blast
My kingdome by victorious Arm's to winn
Trew Scots with my Imperiall standart past
The Lion fierce a field of Gold within
Which seimd throw th'air agrumling Noise to cast
Whose Chaine thus brok made mightie Edward quake
Fearing much blood wold not his Fuerie slake
The Scots arms a lion.
But then eu'ne then began my Endles caire
My sorrou's great my wo my wrack and all
Proud fortun then did all Her frouns prepair
Wheirwith she ever siince my hairt do'th gall
For then she broght mee with a wondrous snair
My Jnfamie my wrak my los and fall
A Period long heir made the wofull king
Sob's from his Breist send secreit Murmwring
Yet in the sad confussioun of his mind
This too too sad a Tragedie he told
Within the towne of Perth then did we find
The English armie with their Captane bold
My Sold'ours harts to Battel all inclind
Oft darr'd them forth with bravads from their hold
But they nor we in warr more wys and warrie
Knew by what means to make vs all miscarie,
The Gen'rall who Sir aymer Vallangs hight
A herold send and thus he do'th direct him
That day the Sabbath wes he wold not fight
But on the Morrow nixt we should expect him
And he wold soone abait My pride my might
That was so bold thus fondlie to neglect him
Yet I not cairing those his vanting words
Would answer him with noght but spears and suord' [...] ▪
Other ways odomer de [...] walenc e [...]il of pe [...]bro [...].
Then chusing furth aduantage of the Ground
Neu'r doubting that he wold his word infrenge
Made all my Camp that eirst no rest had found
Refresh them selfs in hope of blest revenge
Thus all at rest when eche was sleiping sound
No reest I got (and which was yet more strainge
A kynd of vncouth fear assaild my heart
I neids wold ryis and furth I walk'd aparte,
Now was't about the dead hour of the night
While as the Watch in heavie sleip didly
When noys of neighing horssis heare I might
And throgh the Air men's voices found neir by
I stood amazd till Phebe with her light
Piteit my cause and made me to discry
A mightie Armie Marching hard at hand
As many thryse as those I did command.
I caus'd sound all arum presentlie
Which made them with a showt to hast their pace
And with their Drums and Trumpets roaring cry
They make a sadd and dreadfull noyse allas
Fyve hundreth of my Camp no more had I
Yea those half arm'd with saintnes fear Embrase
The rest were sleiping kild some fled along
For lo oure foes wer tuentie thousand strong.
And nat'rall Scots the greatest parte of those
Natural said I no most vnnatrall rather
For these ew'ne these were still oure greatest foes
Most Viper-like and worsh then Vipers ether
For vs at last They forst, Much ground to lose
Freind gainst his freind the Sone against the father
I stay'd behind their furie to gainestand
Till softlie thence reteir'd my mangled band.
As Hunters keen that douth a parke enclose
To take or slay the staige Deir, hynd or hart
So were we now en compast by our foes
Six and my self the rest were fled a heart
All which wer tane thought honor none did lose
Eache hardie bold eache bare a valiant part
Yet I escap'd out through these Squadron's strong
So del't my fate to work my greater wrong,
The randell was an of the six.
Nor was proud fortune thus suffeisd at al
With those misluks and these my greuous mo'ns
Triumphing on my shame my fate my fall
And heaping on a thousand wo's at onc'e
But when my brok'ne force I did recall
Vniting them for new Invasions
I fand seuen tyms as many mo had left me
As my fearce foes revenging sword bereft me.
And yet with those all hopeles hartles faint
I forc't was to the Montans for to flie
Wheir nothing els but penurie did hant
Much trauel paine and sorow suffred we
Yet none at all did pitie this oure want
Tho we abode for them this miserie
And which was wors this Terror did enseue
Ev'ne native Scots did most oure liu's persue
Ev'ne native Scots my life persew'd indeid
Altho for them this task I vndergo
Their welth to winn broght all my want my neid
Yet for my Love, dispight, and hate they sho
And this my love did so all bounds exceid
I made my freind my foe; becaus their foe
Yet whill I seik Their honor wealth and ease
They seik my death my fall this
[...] with Edward King of Eugland.
foe to pleas,Like to that fishe the mightie Whale doth gu'ide
From craggie Rocks and shallows throw the Dein
In the waist bosome of the Occeane wide
The Whale her brood wold fain devoure to keip
Her self aliue, and yet she stealls aside
When she espy's the Monster rest or sleip
Brings forth her brood with care to keip them frie
But they doe her devour Immediatlie
So fair's with mee that cair's to keip alive
My Natioun frie from mightie Edwards Iaw's
The greater pairt of my owne subiects strive
Who shall devoit mee first with tearing Paw's
For lo when to the Montain's I arive
Left of my owne and left without a cause
The lord of Lorne a mightie armie bring's
To bring my self to end with my design's.
The Lord of lo [...]ne his armie was abowe fyve thousand.
Of all my Armie was five hundreth left
That took a pairt with mee in weile and wo
Which Number few of strength was clene bereft
For pining Famein had opprest them so
In their paill Face was pailler death ingraft
Vpon their wereid lims they fanting go
Yet curage did their weikned strength renew
And willinglie they wish the fight t'insew,
Thrice they their fo'es with woundrous strength assaild
And thrice agane their deing forces spent
Thrie tyms with matchles valor they prevaild
Thrie tyms their foes their Number did augment
Yea which is most of all to be bewaild
Oure foes tho ten too one did still prevent
Oure victorie with fresh and new suppleis,
For one cum's in still, as one other deis.
At last their forces did so much abound
That we're encompasd in on eu'rie syde
Whill as dark night ou'r shaddow't all the ground
As piteing vs whill she our lose espyde
Thrie hundreth lost of my best Knights I found
The rest sore wounded fighting still abide
Nor wold they once be tane or yeeld or flie
But wold their blood revenge and fighting die.
Yet when I causd to sound a sad Retreat
They hewd a passage throw these Squadrons strong
Still fighting they Reteir and still their date
With valors endles praise thay do prolong
At last they entred all a narrow streat
On each side streatch'd a mounting rock a long
When I by Fortun last of all did stand
Them to restraine that wold oure lyves demand.
Thrie Knights was their mee by my armour knew
And were suborn'd before my life to take
Who seing mee allone did fast persew
Two lights theirby aduantage for to make
The th [...]d befoir me did the fight renew
Whill they mount vp the crags and wins my bak
Thus was I sore assaild on ew'rie side
But mightie Ioue my saiftie did provide.
I did of Victorie almost dispair
But Iove, hev'ne fate and fortun wild not so
To end my wrack my miserie my care
Preserving me to greater shame and wo
To fight whill as the formest did prepair
It was my luke to kill him with a blo
The one a foot essay'd with mightie force
By my one leg to pull me from my horse.
And in the Stirro'p thrust all his arme weel ny [...]
The third leapt vp vpone my hors behind
And thrust his dagger in my side awry
Whill as the vther draw's me to the ground
But in the Stir'p his arme so bruzed I
And with his heills my hors such way has found
That he the vse of feit had quyte bereft him
Then I cut of his arme and so I left him.
But now the third that all this time allone
Was siurlie set behind me on my hors
Did wound me thrice altho not mortall one
Whome in my arms at last I straind by force
And on my hors befoir I laid him on
The dagger then wheirwith he wroght my losse
I made to digg a passage throw his hearte
And thence his Cursed Soult did sone departe.
Thus fred of all my soes and frie from danger
For all the rest did long before reteir
I wandred throgh the Desart like a stranger
And of my mangled Band no news could heire
So dois a Shipheard sad and wofull rainger
That holds the Wolf in chace till night draw neir
Then to his flleecie flock returneth back
But of their fearfull flight has lost the tracke.
At last when I a forrest did espy
Grim night look't furth with greislie countenance
Her smookie breath in duskie clouds doth flie
From her paill lip's, and darkned heavins bright glance
Ou'r vailling all the earth and azur Sea
With shaddow's dim that dreadfull sights aduance
I stray'd a fortnight in this wood vn sterv'd
Roots herbs and water still my life preserv'd.
Wearie at last with feantnes all possest
Amongst the Flowrs I layd me doun to prove
If my sore wearid Soull could find some rest
Since daeth did scorne my wois for to remove
Neir wheir I lay from mightie Roks increst
A siluer Brook doun tumbling from above
With cheirling Murmurs sweit and dulceit sounds
Whose Echo from a hollow Pit redounds.
The treis about me Arbour like did grow
With busshie topps and tender twists aloft
Whilst Zephyres milde sweit gentle breath did blow
The leav's with muttring made a murmor oft
That with the bubling of the streame below
Had Rock'd my senses in a slumber soft
Whill as my Spreit was trubled from above
Straunge Aparitions in my Soull did move.
Mee thought great Fergus did before mee stand
With ghostlie looks with fearce and angrie cheir
I hard his voice like thunder to demand
A compt most sharp of all my labors heir
So great a taskas thow has taine in hand
With greater pains quod he thy Ioys must cleir
Vp then arise this life wold blot thy fame
And shuld redound to thy Eternall shame,
In the waiste bosom of the western laike
Of Albion neir Irish montains hore
Neptune a pene Insula doth make
Stretching his azure arms along the shore
Their must thow all thy sorrows quite forsaik
And comfort find for all thy greifs of yore
Vp then with speid I say and thither go
Wheir thow Jov's will and Mercie both shall kno.
This said through Shaiples air he went away
I suddantlie awak't and was agast
Yet weyghing weill the sentence he did say
I soght my hors in haste and thence I past
When as I traveld had but half a day
Within that Valey I arriv'd at last
Wheir yow I fand thus may yow sie with all
How greate misfortuns works my greater fall.
Then quod the Douglass Sir I yow desire
Forget these passions straunge, too straung alace
Since Fortune now shall change her sad attire
And ever after look with cheirfull face
An hard beginning to an end aspire
Of ewerlasting happines and grace
The mightie minds to honor still repare
Throw rare difficulties and daungers rare.
Wheir Fergus Ghost directs their must yow go
Winter draws neir heir must yow noght abids
Their havin's your fortune fait shall to yow sho
Eu'ne vnto yow and all the world beside
In these and suche like speaches past these two
The longsome night till Morpheus provide
For drowsie flight, who ou'r the Earth soone past
And lights on them with lazie wings at last.
When nights swift cours with silence was outworns
She givs a kinde fairweill vnto the day
The wing'd Musitians which awake the morne
With hollow throts and horned bills did play
The Nightingale whose Musik Match dooth scorne
The Maues that throw Forrest Echois ay
The lark that warns the craftsmen of their pains
And laborers that daylie toyll for gaine.
Eu'n as a Man in sleip that seems to heare
Of Instruments and song a hevn'lie sound
To them in sleepe such sounds did now appeare
Their Soulls transported were when Ioys abound
They hard the Aengells heav'nlie Musick cleir
In Paradise it seemd them selfs they found
Cloy'd whill they walk throw groves of all delight
Sweit to the smell and plesant to the sight.
And in this pleasant Slumber whill they lay
This fetherd Crue with their enchanting sound
Above them on the tender twists do play
Wheir Musicks weilset descant did abound
When in the east arois the glorious day
His crisped loks in siluer Cisterns drownd
Waueing his golden vaill bright poure and cleir
Wheir throw the clouds like crimsone flams apeir.
The Argument.
The Bruce dispersed host their Lord doeth know
Who to Kintyre reteirs and their doeth sie
An aged Syre that vnto him doeth show
The heauen lie const ullations curtouseie
And his blesd race and princelie stemm doeth dra [...]
From these rair purtrates in the heauens that be
He showes eche Prince and doeth the lyne aduance
To that fair matchles Douager of France.
Caput. 4.
SOft now my Muse and do not sore to hye
Waed not in curious questiones too deep
Let thy pure ground be trueth and veritie
And learne the cheefest pointe's & heads to keep
Altho thou somtyme wantonize awry
To recreat thy self yet softlie creep
So neir the treuth as none may heare nor se
To taint the chastest care nor sharpest eye.
The chyld doeth learne his lessone euerie day
Yet play doeth oftin recreat his Sprite
play sharpes thingyne makes pregnant witt's they say
After long studie honest mirth is meet
The purest trueth doeth harshslie rune away
But sau'ed with Parnass streames it sounds more sweet
The strengthes stomak waek and wanting power
With sugar sweet accepts a portion sover.
Whill Bruce and Douglas sleepes and dreames of toyes
That in their moystned braine impression makes
Evne as the Day comes in they heare a noyes
A noyes that suddanelye them both awakes
Yet makes them both therafter to reioyse
And greif's sad vale from their sharp eyes it shaekes
For heaune blissd Bruce was so with patience cround
Adversitie his mynd could neuer wound.
Altho he gravelie did vnfold his ill
Vnto the valiant Count his woes bewaeling
Yet with a constant minde he actes them still
His cheerfull lookes and words so muche prevailling
As in their heattes all thought of feare did kill
And winnes their love their curage still appealling
Who were his followers in eche wofull fight
And could no danger feare if in his sight.
Which made them all way vp and doun to rainge
Throw desarts Montains plains and Ferrests hore
Bewailling their hard lots and fortuns strainge
Their want of food, but want of him much more
They did lament and in this wofull chainge
They sweare to venge his death or die theirfore
For sure they thoght he by mishap did stray
Amongst his foes when night did parte the fray
Now were they come neir to the grove wheir he
And Douglas slumberd soundlie in a dreme
Who both awaekt rush'd furt he and streight they sie
An armed man the King knew weill his name
whome when he cald the rest did quicklie flie
furth through the groves; some feares, and some thinkes shame
Yet loue and ioie recald them all at last
Before his feit them selfes they humblie cast.
So haue I fiene a moore-hen in the spring
Missing her tender Brood throw desearts straying
She in her throat some chirping nots doth sing
Which when they heare with naturall loue repaying
Her kyndlie cair in haist them selfs they bring
And floks about her all her will obeying
She seims right glad to sie her yung ones so
Scap'd from the Daunger of their rawning foe
When he vnlac'd his burnishd helme of gold
His milde, Sueit, manlie countenance they knew
Vertue and Grace diuyne they might behold
Like Phebus beams from his fair looks t'ensew
As Phebus draw's the dew vp from the mold
His eies their hearts so from their bosoms drew
Before him still vpone their kneis they fall
To gratious hea'uens they render thankes for all
He thankes them for their saith their trueth their love
And to eche man did seuerall favores sho
Soone after they from thence did all remove
And westward to Dumberton glaedlie go
From thence great Neptunes freindship wold they prove
And th' Oceans watrie force they neids wold kno
Shipd for Kyntire fleing the wind before
Ere morrow nixt they saiflie came to shore.
The king his men in throgh the cuntrie sent
With them the Errl of lennox for their Lord
An vther way he with the Douglas went
To sie what fauour fortuon wold affoord
They trawelling allong with this Intent
At last their way them to a wod restord
Wheir half a myill at most they had not riddin
When both to ryd one way were thus forbiddin.
Two vglie monstruous wolfs they might espy
Had kild a harte and on the same was feiding
Eche choosd a wolf his hors swist Paise to try
For Boare-spears serud their launce in this proceeding
Eche wolf his follower leads a sundrie way
Their eger chase and ther persuit deriding
What fortun hevins for Douglas had apointed
We'll after show, now to the Lords anointed
I mean the Bruce that brave and valiant Prince
Who with an egger mind perseu'd the chace
The wolf had left the wood and for defence
Vnto a mighte Rock he rins a pace
Breathles he seimd so slowlie running thence
As made the Prince hope weill to winne the race
He cuyts his horse rins vp the Rock in haiste
But soone he loste the sight of whome he chaist
His trevell lost he wold returne o're night
Yet anye where to ryid he doeth not knoe
The Rock he seis of such a wondrous hight
As all the countrey round about would show
Vp then he goes to view so fair a sight
Whill he ascends the sone discendet low
But e're he could vnto the top attaine
Night spreds her painted vaile o're all the plaine.
In heavns heighe court the lampes all lighted shynes
Which him constraind to searche some place of rest
The montaines top was deckt with oakes and pynes
Where nature hade a garden rairlie drest
With fontanes walkes and groves without ingynes
Of arte: yet seemd of artes best skill poseest
But sad it seemd to Nightes sad shad inclyning
Showne to the Prince by Phaebes feble shyning.
At last arryving by a fontane syid
Beneath a leavie aged oak he lyes
A heartie draught of the cold streame he tryed
Which for a daintie maill did him suffice
And now his cogitation deeplie weyghed
Earthes glorie vane and wordlie fantasies
Compairing all beneath heavns syluer boures.
To cloudes of smook to shaddowes dreames of flowres
Thus rap'd with admiration whill he lyes
He vewes the starres and all the heavenlie lightes
When as he heares a sound pas throughe the skyes
Lyik to the noyes of floodes impetuous flightes
Or as when fearfull doues in numbers fleis
Aer and their winges with noyes them selfes affrightes
Suche was this noyes yet nothing he perceaves
Nor was there wind to move the trembling leaves.
A dark gray clowde past furthe o're all the air
But nightes pale Qveene cleird all the heavns at last
When to him did an old grave man repair
Whoes head and beard had youthes freshe cullor past
A cristal glob his trembling hand vpbeare
Where heavne o're earth did move from east to west
Their starres and planets shynd most bright and cle [...]
Which by a sprit was mov'd as might appeare.
A Spherik glob within hung lyk a ball
That figurdrairlie furth the earth and sea
Which round about was frie from heavns cleir wall
Whose restles course round o're this glob did flie
The glassie sea now calme then seemd to swell
Where wind-tost shipes with tydes and tempests be
Whill Neptunes azurd armes the earth embraceth
That cirquits yles and shore from shore vnlaceth.
Thus with a curious Pinsell th' earth was drawne
Heir meidds, their flood [...]s, heir wodes their mōtanes were
Heir tounes, their towres, with flowrie gardenes showen
Heir vines, their figges, pomgranates Cydrons fair
Heir plowemen teill, their heards and flokes at knowne
Heir Bowres doeth proyne their vines with wōdrowes care
Their sicklee cutts the corne heir sythes the Hay
Heir peace, their warrelyke armeis in array.
Vnto the Prince this aged Syre drew neir
Whill chast Diana shynd more fair and bright
Cled in a horye mantle white and cleir
He seemd devote in prayers to spend the night
Leane flesh [...]d, his wattrie blood sweld vaines appeir
His ghostlie lookes still offerd death his right
Whoe pausing long with stedfast staering eyes
This salutation did at last devyse.
Peace be to thee my Lord and Prince sayd he
Whom great and mightie Ioue has hir her sent
That thow might know his mercies great by me
And of thy bad and by past life repent
The shame the foyle the losse that falles to thee
Is Ioues iust doome because thow gave consent.
Vnto thy will wrathe vengeance and defyld
His sacred house with sinfull blood so vyld.
Thy Nationes foyle their wrak and their distres
Thy countreis shame her woe her desolation
Thy subiects lose in care all confortles
Whom mightie Ioue has hade in detestation
For their great sinnes their faultes their cairlesnes
Of his soule feidding word ô wicked Nation
That still with folie blindnes pride abuse
Did sacred thinges apply to sinnefull vse.
Their filthie life their lewd lasciuious lust
Their walloweing in sensuall delight
Threattens a dreadfull storme e're long that must
Swellow them vp in their owne sinnes dispight
But leave we them and their affliction iust
And now behold this day succeding night
These burning balles to thee and thyne shall prove
Heavns for sight wisdome mercie grace and love
This counterfite of those bright orbs behold
The earth and sea but heavns of greatest wounder
Whose restles course about the poles is rold
With contrare motiones their first mobill vnder
The firmament with fixed starres vntold
Whoes various shapes and rare effects we pondre
Lynes tropickes circles Zones and Zodiack
Wherin Sol doeth the yeirs four seasones make
Almightie Joue whoe made heavns wondrous frame
Has made manes witt so rairlie excellent
That he can vivelie counterfite the same
And his great makers worke can represent
With heavnlie furie: rap'd with sacred flamme
Of artles artes invention, noght content
Of his all working wonders heir below
But e'vne the heaunlie mansiones heir must show.
Lo where the Planets eche his sphere within
Keeps time and course with heavnes trew planets all
The [...]iu [...]nall motion of the sphers. Their naturall motion is snaued lyikwayes beginning at the Moue.
Forcd by their Primomobill for to rinn
In twice twelf houres about this earthlyk ball
And their owne course they end and they beginne
With heauns bright lampes for thus they rise and fall
Chast Phebes course iust in a month goes right
Now poore then wealthie of her Brothers light.
Mercure and Venus follows Phebus Teame
His tender wings her dows on him depend
Whose lead of light and life-reuiuing beame
Abowt a yeer his nat'rall course doth end
And Marae in twice twelf months resums his game
Saturns mild Sone in twelf twelf months rescend
[...]
Cold horie Saturus leaden coach that rins
In threttie years leau's aff wher he begins.
All these heavns azure cannabie surrounds
Sprinkled with eies spekled with tapers bright
Spangled with spangs throw all his boundles Bounds
Sowin all with glistring sparks of glansing light
Sett with gilt stoods and golden skowchand grounds
Powdred with twinkling starrs whoes kapring flight
Glanseth doun right and with their myld aspects
Works in th'inferior bodies strainge effects.
Those sparking Diamonds this ritche vaill contains
Whoes number numberles ar past account
Hath twalf that biasway's ouerthwart her lains
With pourfull virtue decks her gloriousfront
And those at signes wheirin the Planets reignes
Whill they discend or rise or fall or mount
For they pertake in their swift revolution
From echo of those strenth, virtue, force & motion.
Beside all those about the Polls yow sre
Figurs of what almost in earth is found
For the all-knawing-minde of maiestie
Before he fram'd this ritche embrowdred round
The plot in his Idea seemd to be
And forme of all his future works profound
Thus wirking in his spreit divin'lie rare
Long ere the world was made the world was their.
Vnfolding then that ritche and glorious Tent
He portrayd with a Pinsell most divine
Vpon the all enlightning firmament
Those tabr's of his future works in fine
Wheir lo behold thy braue most brave discent
That Sollie in the letter aige sall shine
Bearing Christs standerd and his Churche defending
Bounding their Empire with the worlds ending.
Eathniks not knowing God al provident
Haue names of eathniks to these forms assign'd
But lett it thee suffice and be content
That I heirin vnfold what Iove design'd
By these bright Pontraits portreyd in the Tent
Of azur gilded heavins Pavilion sign'd
By his owne hand, and for him self their mark it
Forew'r Immortaleisd for heavin Imbark-it,
Greate Architector of this wondrous frame
Raise vp my Spreit to thy celestiall Throne
The Prophets Praye.
Let my poore soule contemplat in the flame
Of thy all dazling beautie wheir allone
Thy glorious beams reflecting may ou'r quhelme
My waikned sight and more then Sun-like shone
On my poore soules all darkned Cinthi'as eyes
Mak her to earth ecclipst, cleir toward skyes,
Wheir with the Prophets face began to Shine
Hee suddanlie with Sacred furie glows
His Soule cleiv's throw the ten fold orbs in fine
And from sole Maiesteis bright Glorie drow's
Her all celestial Sacred food divine
A Sun like brightnes on his forehead grow's
A schining luster from his eies furth sent
A firie glance of goldlyke Blandishment.
Heir follous the constel [...]ations about the Polls allooding to the Kings discendit of the Bruce.
First thow, said hee, the Rampand Lion tyis
Constellatiō Hercules holds a Lion bound in chayns [...]lluding to King Robert Bruce holding the Scots arms.
Wha wandering from his Den goes farre a stray
Intrap'd in snaires and foraigne subtilteis
Whoe erst subdew'd all prays becums a pray
To craftie subtill Foes yet doth arise
With glorious Triumph to their greate decay
And hee whoe scornd a strainger sould command
Now yeelds his Neck to thy victorious hand.
Constellatió Iason in the schip argus. Dauid Bruce that sailit to Frāce wheir he stayit nyne ȝeirs Induring the warrs against the Baleoll ayded by england but when hereturnit he broght home peace allu-Constellatiō auriga draueth a cotch full of galēt youths Robert steuart the 1 of whom the Kingis of that name discended Constellatiō Zepheus a Weiping for Andromada swane and a eagils one ether hand of him alluding to Robart the 3.
Heir saillis the Schip wheirin thy young Sone sitts
Slyceing the vaus of Azur trembling plains
And wafts into a forren land that fitts
For greennish youth (wheir all delight Remains)
Whill heir sterne warrs remorsles furie fretts
And tears oure Bowells a shunder, strip's oure vaint
Yet this blist bark oure Jason brings from Greece
And of sweit Peace brings home the Golden Fleece
But lo heir cums the loftie coach-man doune
That after him draw's furth suche lamps of light
Such Jems such Pearels and Jewells for the crune
Such Ornaments such onlie rare delight
That Sun like schyns with evir blest renowne
And all from Po to Gangis feiris their might
Yea and him self his chairge so weil discharges
Earths sole Impire Joue for his Seed enlarges.
Then cums [...]hat holie Prince Graue wise and old
That for his children murning still laments
Whoes spotles life heirby the Swans foretold
His thoghts and looks the Eagill still presents
For lo his Eies bent vpwards still behold
Fixt on his Phebus the one trine Essence
Hee for his children plains to Ioue abowe
Whoe shall regaird his looks his life his love.
Heir cums that Prince of wrongfull Boundage frie
Constellations Perseus releiues the vergin Andromadoe luding Imee the first who institute the colledge of iustice.
Who that myld Virgin iustice did releace
From that wild Monster raiging Tirannie
And sett her frie to all his happie race
Hee rewels the land with laues and equitie
In Whoes blist regue flous knawlege welth and Grace
Of Iustice in his hand hee holds the
Medusas hend constellatione chirō the centaur with a lance holds a wolf by the nek alooding to lames the 2. a Zelous reformer of finne and wyce.
heidWhois splender striks all malefactors deid
Heir monted doth that valiant Prince advance
Whoes heavin-wrocht lance his enemies ov'rthrouis
In whome shal schine pure virtues radiance
Rais'd vp on hie by Ioue gainst all his foes
The ravening wolf hee foilles with Temperance
And the trew Path to treew Religion shois
Moueing his subiects hearts their minds and all
Greate Ioue to feare and on his name to call.
Now in thy time quod he shall heir arriue
A worthie knight that from his natiue land
Shall flie becaus he brauelie shall deprive
In glorius fight a knight that shall with stand
Thy Praises deu whill he doth thee descriue
Yea ewin this knight shall with victorious hand
Come heir whoes name his Seid shill eternize
And still they virteus line shall sympathize
Heir the Prophet taks occasion to Intreat a litel of the begining of the hammiltoūs
From this great man shall one far greater spring
Whom fortune fair and fate shall stil attend
Bellona fearce and Venus myld shall bring
Laurells from Mars but to greate loue shill send
A Garland ritche sprung from this worrthie King
Whose royall Stem vnto the endles end
Of his greate line their Tempels sall adorne
Sir Iames hamiltoun that marcie King Iames the 2. his doghter.
With neuer setting ever rysing morne.
K. Iames, [...]
For lo the Daughter of this worthie * Prince
Sall wed this knight thts Lord of heigh renowne
Whose hight whose greatnes and whose excellence
Whose Schulders seims ane Atlas to the crowne
Of him shall come that mightie Lord whoe thence
Shall go and proud rebellious Danes beat doun
He to obey his Princes great commaud
Shall tak this bold and wightie chairge in hand.
King Iames the 4. send hammilton Erll of Arran with ane Armje with the Danish King whom he reastablist in hjs kingdō and after returned to his contrey with great glorie.
An Armie and a Nauie he shall bring
ou're thetis glassie montans groundles Deip
Vnder his wings that disin throned King
Shall go: whose crowne rebellious Danes still keip
Ou're all these northern worlds his name sall ring
Terror in Eurie Ear: whill he doeth steip
His sword in their most valiant Princes blood
Whose might his all-commanding will gane stood.
And to his wounted height that King shall raise
And Inthroneize him in dispight of foes
With fame With glorie and with endles praise
He shall returne vnto his land but lose
When he hath spent in honors height his dayes
Fauord by heau'ne fred from vntimlie Woes
Of him discending shal a Greater ryise
And lift his Glorie farr aboue the Skyis.
He shall this land Gouerne Protect defend
[...]rom forangne force from home-bred Ciuill broille
And the Emperiall swey shall swet lie bend
Whill the right heyre is Yung in these great toille
Eune the most christian king sall seu in end
For his greate freindschip and his favor whills
To Dignitie aloft he shall him rear
Thus sall his greatnes schyn both heir and their.
The Erll of Arran protector of Scotlād in Queēe Mar [...]is mi [...] whō the King of Frāce maid duge of cha [...] [...].
Nor yet this Prince allone shall be the last
That shall surmount his Predicessors farr
But this great famelie shall spred so fast
As England shall in'uy that such a Starr
Schot from their sphere hath their cleir lichts surpast
And like a comet blazing blood and warr
Streams furth their beams that eche wheir purge from error
And warmis their freinds but burns their foes with terr [...]
This famous line shall floorish more and more
Greate Columns faire rare Pillars of the crowne
Ritche ornaments that shall the land decore
Sune-glistring-lights with euer blisd renowne
Heaune▪blazing lamps whoes flame from virtues stor [...]
Brings oill wheirin they hell-bred Hydras drowne
But leave we them, and of thy royall race,
Show heavins-rare blessings, greatnes, hight [...], & grace.
Then comes that Serpent berar furth in view
In base borne venamous blood to much delighted
Our all the land their poysoned goir they spew
And all his weill borne subjects much affrighted
Wheirof greate harme greate vengance doth ensew
For those foull Beasts of eche so much dispighted
Shall be the caus of this greate Princes fall
Their Poison so infects heart minde and all:
Constellaiō A Serpent in ether hand of Serpentatius alloding to Iames the 3. Reuld by [...] & the dasie who [...] [...]erpents poisoned the land with vice the caus of his fall.
And Archer like the nixt doth martche on foot
Amidst his armie rashlie to persew
His craftie fo'es whill his brave minde to stout
Shall scorne the Counsal of his subjects trew
Their shall vnwars this war-like Prince no dout
Be lost whoes want thow Scotland long shall rew
For lo too soone his sone of glorie Bright
Is chok'd with mists of feats vntimelie Night.
Constellatione Indue ane archer marching to fight on fut Iames the [...] who flighting on fut was sleane in flouden [...]eild.
And heir behold that Magnanimious King
Most iust in peace most valorus in warr
his royall Scepter bravelie managing
Whoes glorious fame shall pears all Europs ear
From him fair Beuteis faerest floure shill spring
Whom heir you sie sett in a royall chear
And their her dangling golden locks intreyld
Much these have blist her but much more her child.
Constellatione Bootes is a mā strōg and pouerful Iames the 5. Constellatione Cassiopea is a quein setting in a chy [...]e quein marie douager of Frāce. Berinicis crinis or cel [...]es-cald the ga [...]land of hear.
The Argument.
The south and North crownes ioynd by that great King
Who of all Kinges hea'uns blissinges most embrace
His works his witt heauens care him sa [...]f to bring
To happie and: his two rair impes of grace
In whom hess bles'd more then in anye thing
By warr the youngest reules the earth in peace
The Prophet leaues the Prince amaizd at last
He foyles six Knights then to his armie past.
Const [...]latione the north and south crownes on either syde of Polop [...] i [...]ax before him an alter Allading to Iames the 6. who ioyud the North and south crounes of Britans.
Caput. 5.
BVt heir o Sc [...]tland heir beginnes thy spring
of honor wealth fame glorie praise & blisse
Eune now & not til nou high hea'uns doth bring
Thy happines thy good thy all wish
Thy fame thy name for e're eternizing
If sinfull pride beare not thy wayes amis
Hence shall thy glorie and thy greatnes grow
Swelling o're seas and o'ra all landes shall flow.
[...]
[...]
Their o're the glob of Sea and earth he stands
Whiche to the North ioynes sowthes fair Diadem
And Boreas spatious impire all commands
And all wheir Titan coolls his firie team
If thow can number furth the Ocean sands
Or all those spangled golden wonders name
In radiant coache that course heauns lists a pace
Then may'st thow compt his blisd and frutfull race
The north and south crou [...]s Corona Borealis Gorona australi [...]
This, this, is hee, eu'ne hee, whome havin propoines
Greate Jou's eternall motto for to beare
whoes Soule refyning sighs heart-scolding grones
shall on this Altar of Deuotion reare
Trew zeall trew faith and trew repenting moin' [...]
From whence ascends the sueit perfums of Pra're
To the one-trin whoe from his merceis Throne
Shall rain doun plenteus showrs of Greace anone.
From so great Dangers shall the Lord him saue
And to suche hight of happines him bring
That tho nogth els could eche ones ears bereaue
Yet this shall be ane eue [...]lasting Signe
For eche to sing, his mild Sweit virtues grave
Without correction bent to eche designe
His Bountie clemencie and equitie
His constant minde and his stabilitie.
Godes wonderfull loue showin to him in his so many and notabile delyveries frō treson.
The least of nothing can my Muse record
Whoes wings is lag'd with vapors gros and fatt
but this I know that his imperiall sword
shall Slyce doun sinne and scheild the desolat
But should I thus with seiming scheuis debord
His praise so Infinit so in tricat
No no deir muse serche not wheir is no end
Onlie him self him self can comprehend
For all the Muses at his Birth desending
Throu the cleir Welkin of oure westerne clyme
As when a firie flashe of lightning Bending
With twinkling rays glids dounward often time
A mid the tufted plains so they attending
On his blist Birth, infuse their sacred rims
His spreit within, and with Ambrosiall kisses
In his blisd soule, they breath a heau'ne of blisses.
This done they with a wreath of starrs haif cround
His Tempills which a Tripill croune adorne
With dowble Bayis and Lawrell much renound
They give two glorious titles new'r outworne
And maks his voice diuinlie to resound
Our all the earth on wings of fame still borne
O miracle his voice lyik lightning darte
The golden schowrs of poleist witt and arte.
Sol monarch of ye north and Prince of Poets.
His Muse shall flie with sweitest eloquence
In learned layes to charme all spreits all sences
And like a Queene in pomps magnificence
Sche's richest still when lairgest in expences
In Scarlot heir in crimsone their and thence
In purple robs adorning royall prences
More ritche then golden Tesseu's swelling cost
His eloquēce sompaird to 1 Queene.
With rairest Jems and pretious stones imbost,
His Book to the Prince.
And then anone in Arm's addrest for warr
A steill bright sword she' is brauelie brandishing
Heir dois she place the thundring connons their
To Mars she bids the roiring trumpets sing
The victor getts her lawrell for his schare
That bring him more then Cresus gold could bring
But now in sabel blak her self she suits
His wark cald the Battall of lepa [...] to.
And Magick spells diuinlie she refuits.
His book against Magik.
Then Sanct like sits she in a secret Cell
And sacred phraises sent from heavin above
Furth from her pen in plentie doeth distell
Confounding all that quest'ouns vaine wold prove
And from her witts deip tressour springs a well
Whoes source from Gods celestiall throne doth move
On golden channell slyds this siluer streame
And drouns her foes in groundles Gulfs of shame,
His ansu [...] no that book sett furth in the nam of Bellasmin▪
Yea how soew'r her self she list t'adorne
With Diadems or coats of warlick steill
Or wisdoms grauer suits she list haue borne
Yet eurie thing becums her schaip so weill
That still her self she seims whoes rising morne
Shall haue no night whoes mightie flowing Nile
Our flows all lands and with hir swelling wawe
Holds hirs in peace and vthers all in awe,
This Prince more wealth peace honor greatnes brings
Then all that swey'd his Scepter ewer before
But heir since heaune him by his worth desings
That to all times and aige shall him restore
Since all and ewrie thing his praises sings
I can but lessen what all tyms maks more
But in his seid rare blessings shall attend him
Which it sall pleas almightie Joue to send him
In midst of famous Scotland does their ly
A valey grac'd with Nature airt and care
As fertill as the soill of Araby
As plesaunt as Thessalian Tempe fair
On which from heaune no blustring Tempests flye
Nor Zephire blou's but sweit and wholsome air
A long whoes side the Ocheli montans rise
And lifts their swelling topps aboue the skyis.
The discription of Stirling the birth place of Prince Henrie.
Doun through the midst of this fair valey glids
The christall Forth with glansing siluer hew
Whoes roaring stream on golden channell slids
With murmur sweit in Thetis bosume blew
Of brooks supply'id with lib'rall store besids
Which tops of towring montans still renew
Whoes springs the dry insatiat meids suppleis
And moister lends to herbs to fructs and treis,
In midst of this fair valey doth arise
A mightie mounting roche of wondrous height
On whoes ambitious bak as in the skyis
A Citie stands impregnabile to sight
A Castell on his loftie crest espyis
The valeys rownd about the montans hight
Below the roch the glanncing River glids
In whoes cold streams hee coolls his horte sids
When Titan doth vp to the sowth aspire
Ascending through heauens vaults of brightest azure
These loftie turrets seim to haue desire
To view their beauteis pride whill thay haue leasure
Then sett they all the rowling flood on fire
Whoes trembling billous show their golden Treasur
The smilling flood Illustrats them with beams
Whill as their beautie beautifeis her streams.
Within this Paradise of all delight
Thus grac'd with airts proud wealth and Naturs care
Shall to the world be borne that lamp of light
Whoes schyning shaip yow at beholding their
But ah too soone snatcht vp from humane sight
Whoes lose shall mak the western-world dispair
That heauins can raise them to their former blis
Constellatiō
Since they haue reft so great a Good as this.
Antinous a must [...]ar & beutifull ȝouth a looding to Prince Hendre.
O could hee leiue he were a worthie Prence
By nature in her richest wealth enrold
And fraught with all the guifts of excellence
That either Man could wisch or heauins vnfold
But o too wise and too too sone taine hence
Heauin scorns that earth so great a good should hold
Albions be war least heauins vpon the lowr
Who thus vntimelie cutts thy fairest flowr.
Then shall arise a Prince of his owne kind
Borne of his dame and of his sire begot
Whoes matchles haughtie and heroick mind
Shous heauens assignes great empires for his lot
Heir doth he marche in arms to warr Inclind
Ou'r Danub Neill Euphrates Ganges hote
And treds on all as on that fearfull here
constellatiō
Gainst his victorious Arms that dars prepare.
Or on Merching in arms [...] a river and a heir vnder his foot a alouding to charlis Prince of waills acording to the propheseis.
Heat his royall fathers heigh command
This greate and weghtie chairge shall vnder go
For dred reuenge with warts hote burning brand
Send from that angrie Monarchs bre [...]st shall thro
A thundering tempest our all sea and land
With schame lose foyle blood ruin wrak and wo
For why his waiting slaues ar warr and death
T'unbind his browes knit vp in cloudes of wrathe.
Hee as gennerall [...] his father.
To whoes braue sone thus sent the lord hath granted
If hee his thoghts hoord in that heauenlie place
With him and his hee sure hes couenanted
To pour ane Ocean of his plenteous grace
Nor his greate Syrs dominions shalbe wanted
But all from fertill Jnde to Occades
All shalbe his and his victorious hand
The v [...]ar [...] following ar translated out o [...] the Propheseis▪
Ou'r sea and earth all nations shall command.
[...] with the Propheseis.
And lo that dreadfull Serpent scourge of earth
Whoes pride aloft him to the heavns doth rear
Shall yeeld to his all-conquering arme whoes worth [...]
From his prowd head this Diadem shall tear
And Ioyne it to his oune by right of Birth
Hiedra alluding to the greate Turk.
Then to his sauiours sacred tomb shall bear
Corona australis
This glorious standart this triumphant Signe
Corona Borealis
Of sinn of death of hells great tameing King.
Cru [...].
Nature and all her train on him attend
Putting the golden key Into his hand
Of earth and seas ritche treasure to the end
That all obey and he may all command
Ceare wisdome foirsicht virtue to him send
Fortun fast bound with many thousand band
Loue Beautie youth striue to adorne him more
Then virtue grace and wisdoms plenteous store.
The tuelf greate Labors of that antick Lord
Was Iustlie praisd and magnifeit allone
Yet much more worth to him sall be restord
Then Men beasts monsters conquerd one by one
Wheir onlie strength noght witt did aide afford
Ou'r murdred beasts his glorie shall not shone
But Kings subdew't and mightie nations strong
Shall to his fame and endles praise belong.
Hercules [...]welf laboris.
This Prince shall always feill heauins gratious loue
And happie fortuns shall consort him still
Proud conquering Mars still by his side shall moue
Fair victorie shall eu'r obey his will
His infancie she nwrsing shall remoue
To noble hoppes and his strong yeers furthfill
With statlie Trophes and his aige with balms
With crouns with Lawrells and triumphant palme.
The boundles sea shall seeme to him a brook
Heaun threatning Alps shall seime ane easie way
Two horned Po shall his proud streams rebook
Beholding his victorious armie stay
His glassie Cave he leaus and cums to look
Wheir as a thousand cisterns eu'rie day
To pay their endles siluer tribute hyis
whichtil that time did newer view the skyis.
A digression discriuing the Riuer [...]o.
The aiged flood cums grauelie from his cell
Doun from his head hings dangling siluer tressis
From eu'rie hair a christall spring doth fall
Ay when he sweats a roaring Steams foorrh praissis
Eche sigh raise vp a wane eche groan foretell
A fearfull inundation following passes
His vrinkled Brou's a pearly dew distelleth
His greennishe eis with endles tears still filleth.
The Nimphs with daunsing round about him trips
Aganes the Sonne their azure mantils shone
From vaue to vaue the wanton faries skips
Whole scoolls of fishe heir swims their leaps anone
Their watrie Lord with Ice cold schivering lips
Thus chyds his streams you foolish streams allone
Ah will you thus heauns champion ganestand
When sea and Earth obeis his conquiring hand.
Proud brooke be calme abate thy raging torrent
Gainst him whome Ioue hath loude lift not thy horne
Rol smothe youe waues lash not your swelling current
Furth at his glorious fleet, which should be borne
On youre smooth backe but dance an easie currant
With me your aged flood with years not worne
Till his victorious armie march before
Their glistring ensing's; on our eastern shore
His fear'd renoune like thundring cannons roars
In eche mans ears through all lands touns and tours
And tempest like it beitts the baltike shoars
Clouds of his wrathe in haills scharp stormie shours
Tumbling throgh mightie winds aloft still soar's
At whoes dreid sound all nat'ions sadlie lour's
And ou'r all lands it fleis at last it falls
And beats doun bulwarks touns tours gates and walls.
This valorous Prince wise cumlie fair and nea [...]
In eurie thing him self shall bravelie bear
His Enemeis he shall no sooner threat
Than hee shall ouer throw with schame and fear
The terror of his name sall tyrannes beat
Doun from their throns who yeelds before he warre
For Joue noght geu's him sparinglie good hap
But alway pours doun plentie in his lap.
Thus thy greate house thy race thy of spring faire
Vnbred vnborne all those and mor's enrold
On heauens brasse leafes by the almighteis cair
For all ensuing aiges to behold
Be thankfull serue loue Praise his merce is rare
That in heauins birth did frost their Births vnfold▪
So thy blisd race shalbe more blessed still
Nor time nor age thy blesse'd Seid shall kill.
And thou deir Countrie with all Grace contented
That heau'ne on fertill Earth can thee afford
Let not thy mind with pride be once atteinted
For those great blessings of thy greatious Lord.
Let not fair [...]ates approch be so prevented
And Blise Once geuin with shame soone bak restoerd▪
But O allace heir my poore Soule doth faint
O then I fear a thankfull mynd thou's want.
Which if thou doe th'almighte's smyles shall turne
To hote consumeing wrathe and coales of fire
That shall thy intrealls all thy bouells burne
Propheceis.
Thou's feill his iust sad wrathe and dreadfull ire
For which thy maids and hearmles babes shall murns
Nor shall thy Plagues watre famien death retire
[...]ill thow be wallouing in a crimsone flood
And dround almost in thy oune guiltie blood.
Greate Ioue shall send straunge Nations farr and neir
Within thy natiue land thee to distroy
Earths farrest ends thy widowes plaints shal heare
Glaide [...].
Wheir weiping aer thy mornings shall convoy
From Pole to Pole beneath heavins volts so cleir
Echo shall sadlie soond thy sad annoy
Annoy cuts his discours, thus wofull harted
Wheir with the Prophetizing spreit departed.
Long time he silent stood at last againe
He thus began braue Prince in time bewarr
Lest when the croune thou freilie shalt obtaine
Thou let not sinn and vice creip in so farr
That Joue his endles Blessings he refraine
And thee and thyne with endles vengeaunce mars
Which if thou doe not than thou heir hast sene
What hath for thee and thine prepared bene.
Thus said the Prophet whill the Prince reioisd
He deit on performd this vow what for he send his heart to the holie groue.
Those of his royall of spring thus to sie
In heauins so framde by Ioue so weill disposede
And rendring thanks to his greate majestie
Eune then a vow hee on him self impoisd
His Kingdome once at peace his crowne made frie
Hee with ane armie great Christs tomb wold view
And with sterne warrs wold Sarasens Persew,
Then said he to that graue and antient Syre
Wise holie father let me once be bold
Thy blisd and happie name for to require
Of whom my verie soules content I hold.
Great Prince quod he I yeeld to your desire
Rimour I hight your slave and seruand old
My loue and my last dueue to discharge
I hither came as you shall know at large.
This [...] Thomas Rymour ane old Prophet who died abunt Sir months [...]
For the appointed time is drawing neir
Wh [...]n my poore soule must leaue this ruind toure
Know then an Angell did to me appeir
And of these reuel ationes gaue me power
Onlie for thee, becaus the Lord doeth heare
The wofull plaintes and groninges eurie houre
Of thy still torterd land which hea'uns surmonted
And mercie begd where mercie neuer wanted.
That onlie thou selected for reliefe
By the one-trine eternall maiestie
Crost with misfortune sorow paine and greif
For that vilde slaughter sacrale grouslie
In Joues sole sacred house but that mischeif
Hath thy vnfaind repentance freed from thee
Should heir by me heau'ns endles bountie know
For to remoue thy cares, and confort show.
Persist thou still then in thy iust desire
For mightie Joue stands Arm'd against thy foe' [...]
Now all thy Bad misfortuns shall retire
Hence shalt thou euer winn and neuer lose
Thou frielie shalt Posses a frie Empire
And such renoune such fame and glorie goes
Of thy greate name that thou shalt haue more praise
Then euer had a Prince before thy dayes.
Now quod the Prince old father I wald know
If theis great kings shal beutifie my name
No no quod he but from thy loynis shall grow
One trie whois fruict shall flurishe still with fame
And one the bankis of siluer forth shall show
Tuo branches faire for to adorne that stream
Who turnis and bous his crooked schoris about
To keip such heaune blest treasur eon got out.
King Robert hade a base soone that was erll of Ros of whō is discrended the tuo famous families of clak mannan and erthe both surnemid [...]
And so fairweill this said throu schaples air
Hee went away, a light cleir bright and schining
Enlightned all the Place so cleir and fair
As Phebus seimd but Phebe thence refining
His paill old Beautie spent with aige and cair
The Prince his kneis and dasled eies inclining
Downe fals he straight lyfe seemd to leaue his statione
Stroke blind with light and dumb with admitatione.
When hee recouerd of this brain-sicke trance
He look't, about but could no wheir behold
The cause of such a golden rediance
Nor anie wheir sie that graue Prophet old
Which chang't and altred much his countenance
T [...]xt dout and fear yet neids from thence hee wold
Finding a beaten Path doun to the plane
That leids him wheir his horse doth yet remane.
Hee taks him straight and doth from thence depart
Revoluing oft into his Princelie mynd
If by Illusioun visioun dreame or airt
Or if he reft in Spreit such things dewynd
But weying weil eche things with ioyfull heart
He nothing think vnpossible to find
By mighte Ioue altho mans shallow witt
Can hardlie be induc'd to credet it
Thus whill he thinks thus whill he musing ride
Six knights all arm'd weill monted he espyis
Cum towards him he for defence provyds
Yeild yeild thy self or die the formest cryis
He noght replyid but boldie them abyds
Drauing his noble brand them all defyis
And in schorttyme so quaild them with rebook
That thrie he kild two chas'd and one he took.
Then foreward on his Iournay doth he hold
And of his prisoner desirs to know
Who reul'd that land hee thus vnto him told
To day this cuntrie did me homage ow
But I too rasche my fond attempts to bold
Hearing of straungers landet heir below
Wold with these few my cuntries-wrong prevent
But yow allone hath marr'd my fond Intent.
And If yow to King Eduard doth pertaine
Or to oure Prince I pray yow schow to me
Or with theas lait cum troups if yow remane
Whom I but forsight thus wold go to sie
I hold of Eduard said the Prince agane
Theirof I'm sorie said the knight pardie
Great pitie war't in such vnlaughfnll warre
So excellent a Knight should armour beare.
Thus Iest they thus they talk till they haue gone
Farr on the way at last they might discry
A warlick troup in glistring armour schone
Whom by their arms the Prince knew presentlie
They knowing him with heigh applause eche one
Made know'ne how weill they lyk't his companie
He to his prisoner him self revield
Whoe pardon begd and thanks to heaune did ȝeild.
Whill days great Lord ou'r heauns giult roof farr past
Beholding Thetis beautie where she lyis
Redarting bak his amors til at last
Her loue fird smills seimd to Inflame the skyis
He hurlls his golden Quhells doun in the wast
Breathles for haist he blusht yet doun he hyis
Wher on the trembling siluer waues she stood
Than diue they both doune throgh the christell flood,
Eune then the Knight the King and all his trane
Intreats that night beneth his rooff to rest
Wheir too the King doth yeild thus bak agane
Right to his Pallace they them selfe addrest
But this braue Prince not long did heire remane
For why a Ioyfull hope his heart possest
Wheirfore he schipt in haist and took the Sea
Hoping on his proud foe reuengd to be,
[Page]
The Argument.
By Fortune Valor and aduentrous chance
The Douglas doth releiue three Scottish Dames
In Arrans Ile and doth from thence aduance
Whill hee is brunt with loues Insulting flames
Yet shoues he that on Mars not Cupides launce
Glorie prouids to hing triumphand Palmes
He finds his Lord to Scotland whoe returns
And Turnberrie he sacks distroys and burns.
Caput. 6.
NOw may you think that I haue lost the sight
Of Douglas and forgot his warlick deids
Whoe still persues his chaise till Sable nighte
To saiue her frend & end his game futth speids
Then from his weill spurd hors he doth alight
To rest till heauns smyld on Apollos steids
But long he rests not when he hears a noyse
Confus'dlie Iarring with a weiping voyce.
He taks his hors and their in haist doth ride
Wheir as him thoght he hard the wofull sound
By Pheboes sight at last he hes espi'de
On horse some fiftie knights whoe led fast bound
Fiue knights thrie Ladeis all behind them tyed
Vpon their horse the knights from many a wound
Dyit the grein grase in reid that seemd to call
For dread reuenge shewing the way with all.
Hee follous still but lo they ride so fast
That they by this had gottin to the shore
And in a Tall schip soone from thence thay past
He seis Sextein in arms their him before
That them persew'd with those he gois at last
Vnto a Bairge oft wissing to restore
To libertie those poore distressed wights
The wofull Ladeis and the woundit knights,
Theis war his fr [...]nds.
Now these were led he met vpon the shore
By one Sir Robert Boyd a val' aunt knight
They from the Armie stray'd not long before
When on thrie Gentlemen thay hap't to light
Whoe them be soght to aid them to restore
Thrie Ladeis rane by crewell English might
And comeing nei [...] to Arren they conclude
With Douglas onlye for to spend their blood.
Theis englishmen whom they folowit was keipers of the castell of breithwick in arran.
Wheitfore he causd them presentlie to land
In haist to get betuixt them and their hold
Which straight was doune o happie they that fand
So braue a Guide Wise hardie fearles Bold
In whoes myld look in whoes all conqu'ring hand
They Victorie alreddie might be hold
Now were they to the Castell neir hand by
Wheir all in secreit they did cloislie ly
By then the Englishe to the shore had brought
Their Prisoners but all their wealth and store
Within their Schip they left which all for noght
From merchands schips they had bereft of yore
And now straight to the Castell when thay sought
The Douglas gius the signe and steps before
His warlick rout and with his sword and sheild
He cuts a bloodie way out throgh the feild.
Thus in a raige furth throgh his foes he dreue
Whoes virtu [...]s valor thrists for gloreis croune
With eurie blow a soull bids earth adew
Their new array he breaks their ranks beat doune
So many sheilds he cleif't and knights our threw
That too much Valor hindred much renoune
For lo a wall of bodeis deid he layid
Wheirof the rest in neid a Rampere made.
Transported thus with heat with wraeth and Ire
Now heir now their he wofull Slaughter's wroght
Astonisht then some did with feare retire
Yet some for shame stikx to't amazde in thoghe
Vthers that scornd such wounders to admire
Vou's dread reuenge and on him still they soght
Yet those that foolls were thoght did wiselie flie
And those that wiselie stays like fools they die.
Whill he not weried thus with killing fights
Their Captane stout that Hastings heght to name
Furth from the Castell cums with twentie knights
Whoes freshe supplies with furie most extreame
Beats doun their foes and stays eu'ne in their sights
Fair Victorie with glorie prais and fame
That cround was cum and smyld on them before
But now [...] her bak and threats [...]
Wich when the noble Douglas had espy'd
Viewing their fierce and val'aunt captane bold
He leaues his task and furth with thither hyit
Whoes cheirfull sight his manglid band did hold
From present flight whill he so weill applyit
His matchles strength that his kene blaid groune cold▪
In their warme blood his heat so oft renew'd
That now they first did flie whoe first persew'd.
Thus rairlie chang'd the fortune of the broyll
Hastings with threats manace them still that flie
And now in equall ballance stood the toyll
Ah heauins yow feble Soldiors said hee
Shall yow almost a hundreth haue the foyll
Of but few more, then half a scoir yow sie
Ah shame you euer hence the name to beare
Of English so victorious in weare.
This said hee gaizd and staring round about
At last he flees with fierce and angrie look
Furth throw the throng against the douglas stout
A stiff steill pointed dairt he stronglie schook
And as an bow an arrow swift schoots out
Singing throghe air such sounding aire it took
Whill as the hardie fearles knight opposd.
His sheild against all daungers on disclosd.
This straunge and mightie throw peirst douglas scheild
And in his armour stayed which queiklie done
The warlick douglas doeth the wapin weild
And gaue his foe no leasure for to schune
Gainst whoes strong arme his arms could be no beild
Quyte through his right syde past it too too soone
For at his heart he aymd yit forcd him fal
Which doeth abate the curage of them all.
Loue sorrow feare threu furth confution fast
Yet quicklie they resolue and in their fray
Taks vp their wounded Lord and thence they past
Yea soorlie this had bein their laitest day
But nights dark schaids betwene them slipt at last
And forst them both a syd their arms to lay
For if heauns cheirful lamph [...]d biddin in
The val'a unt douglase force the towre had winn.
Now they the wofull Prisoners vntye'd
Whoe fell with humble reverence on the ground
Praising almightie Joue whoe did provide
The douglas that their way to saftie found
When he the ladeis Beauteis weill espy'd
He wondred what wyld sauge wold haue bound
Their ming [...]d bodies with their daintie hands
Fitter for arms imbrace then iron bands.
For their neat bodies-daintie sweit and rare
Was exquiseit and excellent he thoght
That eune almost his martiall mynd, all care
Of Arms forgot and loues delight he soght
The youngest beutie did his thoghtes Insnare
Her face, Eies, hair, her all, by nature wroght,
Was in the rarest and the finest Mold
That heart could wishe, hand touch or eie behold,
But now becaus the Night was waxing dark
He did from thence vnto the shore reteir
Wheir they at anker fand the English bark
Which they of all resistants soone did cleir
And lancing from the shore they did remark
What store of wins they had what daintie cheir
And as ther former task greate Praise obtaind
So by the last a woundrous wealth they gaind.
With dainteis cloi'd at last they go to rest
And setts their weatch but lo no rest at all
The Douglas finds loue did him so molest
Now he's becom inchanting beauteis thrall
Loth was he that his loue should be possest
By one to whom he was a debter small
And by her changeing passiouns sore it seimde
That she of late sum knight had much aste [...]md.
But that you may the treuth more cleirlie kno
Thrie sisters borne were these fair ladeis thrie
Their noble syir of children had no mo
Great was his wealth his house and linnage hie
His reueneus he whollie did bestow
On those thrie ladeis yet did thus forsie
To giue the yongest whom he most afected
The better half whoes worth he most respected.
All thrie to their old Syir suche reuerence boore
And eche to vther had suche mutuall loue
As still his pleasure was their pleasure sure
His will they did with willing minds approue
A braue yung knight the yungest wold procure
In mareage and still his soote did moue
Whom she did nather loue nor hait out right
Sir Andrew Murray heght this valiant knight
Those ladeis chanc'd one day abroad to go
To Neptuns sandie shore for their delight
With whom this knight went foorth and tuentie mo
No Armour but a sword had eurie knight
It chanc'd eune then hard by a crag belo
Those English came a shore whoes suddant sight
Putts those poore ladeis in so greate a fray
That they obtaind a ritch yet esie pray.
Murray long time the ladeis did defend
With cheirfull words encuraging the rest
But lo their was no saiftie for in end
Fiftein their dyit the remander, possest
As presoners they hold and then extend
Their wreth which in that land their walth increst
At last they fled with shame and with rebook
These folloud thame whom Donglas overtook.
And onlie by this warlick Erlls brave hand
Warre they repaid of all their former wrong
Amongst the rest of Prisoners he fand
This Murray who had looud this ladie long
All this the valiaunt erll did vnderstand
Informd by conferrence the rest among
And thoght indeid he loued that gallant knight
Yet in the ladie was his cheif delight.
Now on the seas they stray a certane space
Till on a night the count that silent lay
Vpone his bed did heare one cry allace
Will thus my ladie all my hope betray
is my long loue rewardit with disgrace
Ah greif allace what will the world now say
On wings of hope I mount aboue my might
And now am forst with Phaeton to light.
Ah who so feids on wemens double wordes
Runs with a straingeling Toue to meit dispare
Who kyndnes to their wantoun looks affoords
Heaps on them self a hell of endles care
Who to her smills applies Loues sweit concords
With scorne and shame they shall their thoghts insnare
Yea whoe vpone a Womans voues shal dreame
Can neu'r be red of woe, greif, cair and shame
But I must loue her I must loue her still
And loueing her eune loving I must die
Or shall I leiue my freindly foe to kill
That thus deprius my hops, O no not I,
I will my verie soule in tears distill,
In sighs consume my heart, with groans Iyll ty,
On willing death vnto my torterd mynd,
And with all pains, end to one paine shall find.
Thogh this disdaind disgrat'd and quyte forlorne
Yet her poore soule eu'ne her I can not blame
But fortune proud that to this knight hath sworne
Ou'r all the Earth she will extoll his name
And nature that did weip when he was borne
For all her wealth hangs at his virteus beame
Yea she in him her self excells so fare
Compaerd with him all vthers she douth marre.
Ah thrise vnhappie I that eu'r did yeeld
As Prisoner vnto the english foe
Thrise happie I, if slaine into the feild
Then had she piteid if not lou'd I kno
But o this knight did with his sword and scheild
Frie me from bands and yet he fred me so
As giving life and sauing this my Breath,
He sends to me a farr more cruell death
Heir sorow cuts his sad discours at last
With manie greuous groans, with sighs and tear's
Whereat this warlick Lord was much agast
When as this wofull song had perst his Ears
His ladeis loue all other caer's surpast
Her diuine shape graft in his mind he bear's
And yet he thinks he wrongs that worthie knight
Whoes faithful loue long since made knowne his right.
Wheirfore in time hee wold command these fiets
And loues fond flammig passiouns wold remoue
But o commanding in his heart she sitts
Ruelling the motionis of his soule aboue
It wold him kill or neir destraught of witts
If he the meanest thoght of lose shuold proue
Yet streght he thinks with reasone man's Indeut
That by him self his lusts might be subduet
Thus tossing thousand, Passions in his mynd
At last he vouis him self for to command
Now Phebus had his golden locks vntwind
And them in Thetis cristall glas vpband
When cuttinge Neptouns back a fare they find
Thrie warlike ships come toward them from land
Wheirfore in Arms each one them self addrest
And at their Lords deuotion then they rest.
Now all of them did in his presence stand
And furth he cau'sd the ladeis to be broght
And thus said hee fair Dames yow vnderstand
What I and these most valiant men haue wroght
By Ioue his onlie, aide we took in hand
Your honors saftie your relief we soght
Tho Heauins did fauor this our interprise
Yow know it was more desperat then wise.
And thogh all knights indeid should Armour beare
For ladeis and in their defence to feght
Yet I more shameles then the rest I feare
Of you fair Eue for so the yungest heght
Wold craue reward which you may weill forbeare
Yea I wold haue your oth in all their sight
That what I charge you with you will obey
Nor what I seik may you offend I pray.
The modest Baishfull dame in silent mood
Her mild swit looks she bent vpon the ground
Throgh sone bright beautie shind her crimsone blood
Which suddain Tempest past she quiklie found
This answer (whill the Gallant trembling stood
Expecting that which his poore Soule shold wound)
Curst be the child his Dame ganesay is in Oght,
Whoe his deir life with her lifes hasard boght.
Glade was she for to grant what eu'r he wold
Whoe wold to him haue geu'ne her self and all
Wheirfore againe she made this answer bold,
Braue knight your will I promesse and I shall
(Myne honor saiff) performe so shall you hold
My fate cume life or death or what you call
To which my grant I heir the heauns attest,
Let me be plagd if I refuse the rest.
A shiuring cold throgh all his Vains, forth-went
Stopping the Organe of his speache a space
To what he wold he should nocht giue consent
And what he should he wold noght that imbrace
Proud Cupid from her firie looks foorth-sent
Loue burning dairts that more and more incres
His thoghts at last he thinks his oune he'll make her
Her heart fleis throgh her eies and prays him take her▪
And whill he goes within hes arms to catche her
Casting his Ete aside he their espyis
Her faithfull knight who all this time did watche her
Loue,
A stryffe betuix the passions of the mynd and resson [...],
Furie, Wrathe, Disdain, a combat triesIn his sad looks and Rage bids still dispatch her
But blak Dispair did thus to him deuis
More honor is't thy selt to Saccrefies
And tell disloyall her thou loyall dyes.
So shalt thou end thy els eu'r endles paine
And die with honor to her endles shame
No take his life quod Jelosie againe
Quod reasone why he does not bear her blame
Quod Curage shall hee vn-reprou'd obtaine
Then thou no man much les a knight by name
Quod Reasone if he die she hate thee shall
Then quod Despair kill Him, her thee and all.
But reasone says and Pitie taks her parte
O will thou kill thy Natiouns lamp of light
No rather go to him with all thy hearte
And giue him all thy intrest all thy right
So shall thou winn great praise and heighe desart
Quod Beautie first depriue thine Eies of sight
No then quod Loue thy heart first must thou tear
Foorth from thy breist for her Idea's their.
Which is the starr that reulls thy life thow knois
Whill he thus reuld with Iaring passions stands
Sad pitie mou'd this braue yung erle mak chois
Beautie to flie and brak loues mightie bands
And thus he said if heau'ne will that wee lose
And that those pirats get ws in their hands
No torment shall sufficientlie assuage
Their cruell will their furie and their rage
So gladlie wold they wish reuenge to tak
Of fourtie which we last of theirs did kill
Wounding their Lord tho we but few did laik
But so Eternall Maiestie did will
Now theirfoir first I wish you to forsake
Our companie let hap ws good or Ill
And tak those knights which heir on you attend
Those shall with you home to your counttie wend.
And in the light swift sailling Bairge yow may
Be out of reache or these oure foes cum neir
But this is it I will you to obey
Which of your heauins sworne oath sall mak you clei [...]
That presentlie you tak without delay
Braue murray for your Knight and husband deit
Tho I my self yow to my self could wish
If to my taste were tyed no other dish.
Let him your chest and spotles hart receaue
Him self and his trew loue deserus no les
And so your sisters hee and you shall leaue
Ws to oure fate whill his greate worthines
With these your knights shall you from daunger saue
God grant in wealth ease honor you incres
Wheir with good Murray efter thanks reply'd
Not so braue sit I will with you abyd.
Till this sharp threatning storme be our bloune
Orels I surlie were to much to blame
Yea and the like goodwill the rest hath shoune
But none wold he accept nor none wold name
Except braue Boyd in fates of arms weill knowne
And with him ten bold fearles full of fame
But eue thus gone proud loue must neids obey
She deis for greif braue Murray murnes for ay.
Our gallant Earli the sight abids by sea
And verye long in fearfull hazard stands
At last he winns and Sinks one of the thrie
And mightelie the vther two demands
To yeild, till both in end at forc'd to flie
By the approache furth from the western lands
Of one new fleit eu'ne quikle riggid forth
By Bruce that famous Prince and full of worth
Whoe glad was Douglas thus againe to find
Whose lose with wondrous care he oft lamented
All what the Prophet had to him divind
He told him there whoe therof much contented
Praisis almightie Ioue with thankfull mynd
Now that their foes might quicklie be preuented
The King his armie their wold set on shore
Wheir persie reul't and hee was Lord before.
[...]
Two tyms heauns glorious golden Post had past
Mesuring the boundles bounds of all the skie
When Auster to the shore their fleit had chast
With cheirfull shoutes eche one a land did flie
With thundring founds of Trumpets inter [...]aist
They rear aloft the royall standart hy
Wheir as the princelie Lion in his Iaus
Wold fo's intombe assunder torne with Paus.
Their Tents they Pitch doun in a pleasant plaine
Whill their glade rumor throgh the land aroise
Freshe troups from eche pairt to them fleis amaine
All wishd to shak ye yok of their proud foes
Braue Eduard hear's his brother's come againe
To him he with a gallant troup forth goes
This dantles Prince so fearce was and so bold
He thretning Fortun by the hair did hold.
Now oure great King a Nece had neir hand by
A Ladie full of wisdome wealth and worth
Who marchis to the Camp Maiestiklie
To view her Royall Cusing cam she forth
And with her broght a gallant companie
In Arms, dreid Mars the Lord was of their birth
Into his Warrs those knights she did conuoy
Hee thanks her, her he intertains with Ioy,
She vnto him those sad misfortouns told
That by mischance had chanc'd since he departed
How his fair Queene to his proud foe was sold
His brother Neill and Mares greate Earll had smarted
Kindrimme also woon, and how that hold
By filthie treasone brint was, she imparted
And how his greatest foe King Eduart dyit
Whoes sone young Eduard now his place supplyit
Throgh all the Camp these rumors sadlie goes
Of these misfortouns that eche one abased
For all doth ade these new mislucks to thoes
That had so much before their fames defaced
Their Prince that seis their curage now they lose
And for trew worth hade frantik fear embraced
Causd bring them all before his royall throne
And wiselie thus encorag'd eurie one.
Braue gallant freinds with mee that haue remaind
Against so many fearfull dangers past,
So many painfull trauells that sustaind
Nor from your necks my yock for want wold caft
Of hunger thrist and lose you neu'r complaind
Nor nothing could your noble mynds agast
Thogh fortune thus hath smyld vpon our foes
Shall we of feare and not of fame make chois?
No no the Lord forbid we should refuse
This warr so iust wheirto we all ar borne
Tho conquest with our foes soe long doth vse
And our poore wofull cuntrie seimes forlorne
It is not destenie but Sinns abuse
Not man but God that hath oure cuntrie torne
That wee may euill and sin and pride reiect
And with repentance murne for our defecte.
Yea if wee do with sad repentaunce murne
No doubt but his sweit merceis he'el extend
His loue and fauor bak he will returne
So hard beginings haue an happie end
Our foes hee will consume distroy and burne
To cruell them hee this rewerd shal send
That when wee haue triumphd on their decay
Them selfs shall be vnto them selfs a pray.
[...]o it fell furth sone after.
Thus endit his Prophetik speach devine
Which breathing life in their dead hope they leiue
His countenance with lightning seimd to shine
From his bright looks did courage them reuiue
And humbled all befoir Joues sacred shrine
With fasts and Prayr these starrie walls they cleiue
Before the Lord them selfs they humblie lay
With brokin hearts and weiping soules they pray
The King and all his Princes of estate
Of Godlines and faith ensampills be
With fasting publike prayr and sins regrait
The one eternall euerlasting th [...]ie
They do beseich to Pardon them ingrait
And vieu with mercie this their miserie
Thus they inuoek and from the I ord aboue
On them discends grace, mercie conquest, loue.
Now whill they broght their solemm fast to end
And holie vous vnto the lord had made
To turnberry their haistie course they bend
It wold [...]hey first besige and first invade
Which toun the warlick Perse did defend
Within the castell strong him self abade
By warlick bruce inuirond so about
That noght but feare getts in and curage out.
So suddantlie so vnawars They came
That they no time had left vnto them so
Their towne to victuall or their strenghts to frame
Them to defend or to offend their foe
No rolling forc no Ingine nor no ram
Oure Gallants soght the walls to overthro
By force hee enters at the first essay
And to his armie giu's it as a prey
But still the Persie did the castell hold
Built on a rock impregnalbe it stands
Thrice feirslie he assaults and thrise the bold
Northumbrean, beats bak his valiant bands
At last the warlik Persie yeild it wold
For want of victalls in the Prince his hands
Not mou'd forsd feard by Gold by strength nor terror
want breeds his faultlesse fault his guilteles error.
This worthie Prince his armie heir wold rest
Wereit with trauell both by sea and land
His foes disigns to vieu he thinks it best
Which charge he putts unto the Douglas hand
For this attempt him self he soone addrest
With him twise twelf hid dangers to withstand
And furth they went the Contreie for to vew
What they by valor wroght doth nixt enseu.
The Argument.
The warlick Douglase on his iournay goas
Wheir his most loued Lord did him command
He finds a deing knight that sadlie shoes
A tale most Pitifull to vnderstand
Which dooth a wofull Iniurie disclose
Wheir of he vous reuenge and in that land
He knou's a knight who is counsall doth obtane
Douglase cheif strength the English bands ar slaue.
Caput. 7.
FAir fortuns knight that erst had tane in had
The cuntrie al about to vieu and sie
And all the fois designs to vnderstand
whē titanes spous with purple wings forth flie
The golden barrs heaunis siluer gates vpbàd
She straight vndois when with dreid majestie
On silver pauid heauins her Lord of light
Rolls forth his golden whils and chareot bright
The weestern lands in clouds of night enrold
From shaddow is dark of death he doth releas
When as the earle so strong so stout so bold
Brings foorth his troup weill armd and thence a pais
He marcht ou'r daells, hills vaills and forrests old
And paissaige frie he finds in eue rie place
For being oft encountred by his foes
Fair victoorie still foreward with him gois
This conquering Lord thrie dayis surth Iournay't right
When in a wod hard by a riuer side
They sadlie hearea wofull groning knight
A pitifull [...]eild told the doug [...]e by a gentl [...]ma [...] of dou glaifdail cald kenedie.
Forth throu the grous to him in haist thy ride
Who deidlie woundit lay a wofull sight
His gorie blood the flourie verdir dyit
The erle with pitie sadlie him desoght
What murtherers that cruell act had wroght.
He weaklie leans his head vpone his hand
Wan was his face paile death haith dim'd his sight
An holow sound his deing voice yet fand
These words he braethed faintlie as he might
Ah shall the conquerd conquerours with stand
When eu'ne them selfs against them selfs still fight
Ah heauins thy wrath procur'd doth nou discend,
Ah Scotts, your name, fame, glorie, nou must end.
In Douglas duelt I kennedie I hight
My wife a ladie was allace too fair
To fair allace my sorrous doth indight
Her too chaste mind was frought with virtues rai [...]
In her was all my ioy all my delight
With her remaind my heart my thought my cair
Yea she me also lou'd as much and more
She me esteimd all earthlie ioys before
A hundreth soldiers and a captane bold
In Douglas strongest castell doth remane
This captane his name was [...]
These hath the land in all mischeiff inrold
Which nou by wrong to clifford doth pertane
By wrong vsurping Edwards gift and gold
whill the right heyre deferrs his right to gane
And all the land obeys this captains will
Ether in right or wrong in good or Iil.
One day hee chancd my ladie for to vew
Whill she one diuine seruice did attend
Whill as enamord straight of her he greu
Whom not enioy't death wold affectioun end
Freindship hevrg't on me thus did enseu
Tuixt mee and him greate loue but still he faign'd
For all his freindship was for to desceaue me
And of my cheifest ioy for to bereaue me.
Such freindlie loue he seim'd to me to bear
Confermd with words with vous with oaths not feu
That my too trustie mind could noway fear
From such fair sugrad words decept t'inseu
But lo he whisperd in my ladeis ear
That I to her did bear a mind vntrew
By this one Slight to winn his soot he tryit
When by all vther means he was denyit
No head to this fond taill at first she took
At last he vrg'd so far he taks on hand
She should it sie her eie theiron should look
Prouiding that she wold but cloisllie stand
And nothing wold beuray to his rebook
Wheit to she yeilds at last which erst I fand
Then foorth into a Groue he did her bring
Our which a mightie clisted rock did hing
Neir to my house this quiet walk dothly
By which a cleir swist runing riuer glyds
A Sister hath my ladie neir hand by
That with her sire a graue old knight abide
For her the captane seimd in loue to dy
When Pensiue oftentims allone he rids
He hants my house and yet no Ill I deim'd
His virteus worth I still so much esteim'd
Whill oft he pensiue seimd and sad with greif
I much desird the caus thereof to kno
Oft wishd I to his woi's to find releif
When after greate and much Intreatie lo
He so disgueis'd his thoghts that to be breif
He made me to beleiue his ceasles wo
Proceids from ladie Anns fair beauteis beame
For so my ladeis sister heght to name
I pitied him and glad of this his loue
Promeisd his sute should cunninglie be wrought
For which in sacreit I her mind wold proue
This he allous for this was all he soght
But praied I to my wife sould nothing moue
Nor she nor any els shuld know his thoght
But trist her to that secret Groue I should
And their allone to moue her if I could
When night driu's day doun from the westerne lands
Eu' ne then he brings my ladie foorth to vieu
Wheir I and her fair sister cloislie stands
Within a Groue of bussis thik that greu
My Aarms Imbrac't I gript and wrong her hands
And of these words I softlie did reneu
Thow then most worthie fear not lou's annoy
Be secreit still and thou shall all enioy.
This hard my ladie like to burst for greif
Tortred with burning love and cold disdane
Whilst I poore Soule knew noght of this mischeif
Whiche to aquite my paines he doth ordane
Yet to his loue this finds him no releif
Her spotles name for this she wold not staine
But closlie heapes her pane her greif her woe
In her poore heart till it sould burst in two.
As dooth a neu fresse strong and mighte wyne
Perse throw and burst his vessell ould a shunder
So wold her sorrous split her heart in twyne
So oft she wishd to fall her Burden vnder
But hee that could not worke with this Ingine
His lust to furie turn'd almost ô wonder
Yet loth by force to work this cruell fate
Lest hee were thoght of all the most ingrate.
Not that he cair'd for creder faith or fame
But that he fear'd some fatall punishment
Whill as his passion birneth so extreame
As if it lested death wold all preuent
For seiknes doth him quite from health reclame
His vitall pour's a burning ague spent
Wheirwith he seimd tormented so indeid
As his disease all humane panes exceid.
Such greif for his diseas I did conceaue
And such the loue was I to him did beare
Of food of rest of sleip did me bereaue
Nor can I half expres my louing feare
One day I hapt of his diseas to craue
The ground or caus wich long I could not heare
Ah if your health were in my pou'r said I
Or that my life with death your life might by.
Doe then to mee your Sorrous all declare
That if I can both wold and should reliue you
Hope helith woe wisdome our cums dispare
And counsall can remeid all paines that greiue you
By craft by strength by witt or forsights care
Wee shall haue hence all hurt that doth mischiefe you
Let not fond shame gainst health and faiftie striue
Flie willing death whill hope is yet on liue.
So ernestlie in woe these words furth brak
As he at last to tell me seimd content
And haveing pausd a little thus he spak [...]
Deare frend it fear's me much you shall repent
When yee haue knowne what doth my sorrous mak [...]
And to my death you will giue soone consent
For in my death much pleasur does belong you
In life I can not leiue except I wrong you,
No then said I, I feare not let me know It
Come weill, come woe, come death, come life, com either
Weill then said hevn willing I shall show It
Your wife her beautie nay my folie Rather
From both of these or either loue doth droue it
Or shall I say more treulie fate and nather
Which secretlie I smotherd haue so long
And rather chuisd to die then do you wrong.
To chaiss this fram [...] passion from my mind
I you desired to moue her Sister Ann
For to her beautie had I bein inclind
I haplie had left off wheir I began
But since remeid at all I can not find
Except of all the earth the onlie man
Whom I lou'd best I should so fare injure
Death first vnto my loue shall end procure.
These speiches pearst my heart in throgh mine eare
Nor tongue nor hand nor fute could sturr or moue
Greate was the loue Ito my wife did beare
Him both I lou'd and pitied as did proue
Who rather chuisd to die without all feare
Then me to wrong this all the rest aboue
This this I say eu'ne this allone d [...]d kill me
This one respect his life to saif did will me.
Wheirfore at last I said first shall I lose
Both her my self and all my Ioys beside
Then such a worthie frend should mak a choise
Of death if I can for his life prouide
And to be short at length we did dispose
The matter so that kind too kind I tride
For in my place I did him so connoy
Her thoughts vn-stain'd he did her self enioy.
But I my self such greife did soone conceaue
A thousand deaths vnto my self I wish'd'
For Jelosie did in my soule engraue
Such endles pains that I no torment mis'd'
Such eating corrasius my witts bereaue
That my too wofull heart was like to burst
Ah woful acte which doth my soule afraie,
My self consents my self for to betray
But he all reasone did exceid so farr
And with Ingratitude so muche was staind
That of my ioy he did me quite debar
For when he had his filthie lust obtaind
He then bewrayt him self which all did marr
And whiche was more of mee hee also faignd
That I contriued the Plot that I did sende him
Her I disdaind her I did gladlie lend him
Wheiratshe did conceaue such endles greife
That presentlie she doth resolue to die
Whill hee eu'ne he that wroght this greate mischeif
Departs in hast and to his strength doth flie,
I all this Time of cares found noe reliefe
Wondring that to his bedd retornd not he,
Wherefore I in the morning straight arose,
And to the Chambre where she laie forth-goes.
But there I found her, ah I found her there,
As she was then, would God that I had been,
A purple streame with milke mixt white & faire,
Ran her more white and snowie brests between,
With child she was, the milke cold wel declare,
Ah too vntimely fate, ah death I meane,
Thus past helpe forth from the bed I drew her,
And in my arms (ah woful sight) did view her.
Eu'en as the Lillie cliere, fresh, faire & white,
Widdred with drught, grows wrinkled pale & blak,
So her saire face faire bewties choice delight,
Did swartish seeme, that life, bloode, moisture lack,
In her dimm Eies, death did my Crime indite,
Once lookd shee vp, and once these words she spake,
Aeh let my guilty blood wash forth the staine,
That cruell you, to my chast-bed did gaine.
Ah let my Soule mount to heighe Iustice throne
And their sound foorth a sad still sad reuenge
Heauins onlie viewed my Chaste Chaste thoghts allone
Heauins onlie may forgiue this murther straunge
Heauins onlie oues my chaste vous eurie one
Heauins onlie wrongd since I my voues infring
Heauins onlie then your wrath fierce wrath surceas you
And let my blood thus sacrafiz'd apeas you.
These words Apeasd you seal'd vp de [...]ths sad birth
And her last breath deir breath deir life deir all
Ah cursed death bereft earths rarest worth
Ay me for shame whill hee on shame did call
Shame closd his lips the sound went warklie forth
Shameing to shaw what after did befall
His moueing, speiche, his sight and all was lost
Doun fals his head and hee yeelds vp the Ghost.
Him self had kild him self they surlie scand
But when they wey these his first speiches right
Ah shall the conquerd conquerours with stand
When euin them selfs against them selfs do fight
They think some freind of hers that their him fan [...]
Had doone the deid or els some English knight
A [...]det by Scotts had kild him for the same
Surmiseing that him self had kild his dame.
But why or housoeur he shed his blood
They all lament this wofull tragedie
Whill their braue Lord auou'd to taist no food
Till he had tane reuenge most rigoruslie
Of that same English Lords Ingratitood
Wheirto occasion fitlie did applie
A present meane wheir by he might forthfill
His weell made vow and wirk his warlick-will.
By this the light gaue place to schaddous broune
And sable clouds had maskit all the skie
When from the hills and forrests they come doune
And man valley fare they might espie
Ane staitlie pallace far from anie toune
To which this warlick creu did haist in hie
This ould gentilman was callit dictione and is now cald simintone of yat ilk and duelleth as yit kard by the castell of douglas and hes his liuing of that hous for the same.
Wheir they a reuerent aged knight did findThat gius them Entertainment to their mind.
To a Chambre richlie heung the Erle was broght
And their disarmed by a ladie fair
The rest was all vnarm'd and with a thoght
Thay to a staitlie hall did then repair
Wh [...]s Tables ritchlie spred their soone was broght
All kynd of meats all kynd of dainteis rair
Thus were they serud to supper in such sort
As might become a king for Princelie port
The supper done the worthie count began
To questioun with his hoasts both graue and wise
His linage house and name requird he tk [...]n
And who doth reule that Prouence when he lyis
Braue sir quod he, I'le till you treulie when
Fair Schotlands glorie mounted to the sky'is
When in sueit calms of peace her natiue borne
Dekt her fair front whoes wealth did thame adorne
Eu'ne then I seru'd a too too noble Lord
Heir silent long scarce could the rest essay
Greif kindnes, loue, and pitie weill deploird
His greuous lose, tears did his woes beuray
This quandarie once past and speiche restoird
He thus begane agane eu'ne him I say
Whom english Edward did by wrong surmeis
In prison close and their ah their he deis.
Douglas great Erldome did this Lord enioy
A sone he had both young strong fair and wise
The fruct that keipt his yeers from age annoy
The Caskat ritche wheir all his tressour lyis
Sent vnto fraunce whill he is yet a boy.
And to returne it seems he still denyis
Whill heir the Clifford holds his reueneus
Whoe tirranizing all the land subdeus.
Ah were hee heir aige from my wrinkled brou
Wold sone depairt and youth wold once transport
Those siluer hair's with strength and vigor neu
That wold my limms and weakned arms support
This arme should mak him way for to reneu
His iust reuenge in such a woundrous sort
That Englands King shold quake for feare and shame
When in his ears fame thunderd foorth his name.
Why said the Erle and if him self were heit
Hou could he be reuengd vpone his foes
Whoes strenth nor his mutch greater doth apeir
Which maks our Prince eu'ne Bruce so oft to lose
No no said he God shall his wraith reteir
And mak braue Bruce shine like the morning rose
Whose beauteous braches eche wheir spreds & springs
Whose odours sueit the sences confort Brings.
The count for Ioy cutting his speiches short
In quir's his name who told he Dikson heght
And then he call's to mynd his fathers court
Wheir he hade sein him many a ioyfull night
So that Embraceing him he doth report
His name and hou he was his Lord by right
Whereat hee humblie Kneills and doth Imbrace
His feitt for Ioy whill tears bedeu's his face
Nou eche of vthers sight did much reioise
And after they had talk'd and argu'd long
The erlle inquirs what way he might oppose
Him self against his foes inflicting wrong
Braue Lord said hee too Morrou all oure foes
Will muster foorth their glorious forces strong
Vnder the conduct of a valiaunt knight
Whoe heir reulls all beneth the Cliffords might.
This man within your cheifest strength doth byde
His proud commanding Garesone with all
Palme Sonday is to morrou: All prouide
Their Palms to bear at that cheif festuall
They all to Church in sumptuous maner ryde
Vow by the way may caus them catche a fall
My self shall lead the way vnto your trane
And if I can the formest Bront sustane,
Glaid was the erie so fitt a mein to find
Wheir on they both concloud then goes to rest
And on Olimpus or proud Titan shind
The antient knight in arms him self addrest
He raisd the Douglas whoes still restless mind
Had baneift sleip and for reuenge was prest
Nou with this knight he and his train departs
Reuengfull fire still burning in their haerts.
And neir into the Church when they were got
They hapt to meit an horie aiged sire
Whose wofull looks his wofull lose did note
At whome the Erle did ernestlie inquire
What did he laike Sir knight quod he my lot
Is for to laike what most is my desire
Which is allace my long desired Graue
Aige, lose greif sorrou, doth all ioys bereaue.
An daughter had I which was all my ioy
In whom I more then in oght els delighted
But her from me an English did conuoy
An English that my natioun ay dispighted
I to the captane Plaind of this annoy
The captane that my wrongs should all haue righted
But greater wrongs then these him self hath doone
Wherfore to right all wrongs he still doth shune
And thus my Doughter with my foe doth stay
Her wrging to his pleasure for to yeild
Whill me thus scornd and mock'd with long delay
Eu'ne nou the captane with proud words reuild
As he with all his troups from churche to day
With Palms in hand was marching throu the feild
They all reiosing whill my Greifs reneu
And nou they come my life for to perseu.
The aintient knight looks vp that diksone hight
They war one a place cald the bred libank ouer against the church from the which they come & ioind with the English as they come out of the Church.
And seis a hundreth Armed men drau neir
And saeis braue Lord lo heare the long wishd sight
You of your vous and me of mine shall cleir
Then with these words he doth begin the fight
Whill as this Lord the rest with conforts cheir
Whoes countenance their curage all appeill'd
Their Eis, hearts, hands and all their foes assaild.
Then burnt with hate of Glorie praise reuenge
This all subdweing Erle rushd throu the rout
Bright schind his looks, of sun-like beams a reange
About his head did flame, his curage stout
did his mild looks to sparkling furie change
That shoots forth noble anger round about:
On eu'n they fight, and yet with valiaunt hand
Their noble Lord made way to his small band.
Who hemd about in midst of all his foes
His valiaunt heart and curage weill made knowne
His name and fame his deids did weill disclose
And eurie one to vther has him schoune
All runs to him his life to mak him lose
Which fondlie whill they seik they lose their oune
For on his sword accusing eche of error
Sat dreidfull death all armd with feir and terror.
Long foght he thus imbreud with goir and blood
Till he at last their captane did espie
Whoes knightlie valor long he vieuing stood
By whoes strong hand four knights did breathlesly
Wheirfore he steps to him with angrie mood
And him to mortall Battel did defy
Which long in equall Ballance did abide
Whill eche his strenth and vtmost valor tride.
The angrie count at last with wrathfull heart
Did in his stirrops raise him self on hie
His foe with force wold set the blou apart
But nou no force his force could beir away
On his left shoulder to his greif and smart
The crimsone collord Brand did light whereby
His warlike arme was from his bodie shorne
Him self with force and pane to earth was borne.
Nou he who late did captanlike comand
Was as a captiue forst for to obey
Whill as this noble Erle with conquiring hand
No longer with his prisoner wold stay
But where the rest in Battell stronglie stand
He thither haists, his sword sheirs fourth the way
And shortlie victor was of all the feild
Forsing them all to die to flie or yield.
The victorie by heaunis decree obtaind
They thence depart the castell to supprise
Wherin no souldiour at all remaind
Nor anie to gainstand them did arise
This fortres since he had so brauelie gaind
Heir wold he rest and heir wold he deuise
To mak his Captiues by ane vucouth death
To knou his you and iustlie kindled wraith.
Low in a vault the captaine first he band
And all the vther captiues him beside
The grane and flour the Beir and wine he fand
It was euer efter called the douglas Ladner.
Which they before could neu'r yneuch prouide
With this he fild the house wherin they stand
Thus chokt with meit and dround with drink they died
Whoes gredie gorgis neu'r suffisd with Ill
Now in their death might gurmandize their fill.
Then all the tours he raisd vnto the ground
And leueld all the ditches with the plane
Poisond the springs, and fontans which he found
And to the wonted libertie againe
Restorde that land which long before lay bound
Beneth a Tirrants seruill ȝoak with paine
But this estate they long remand not In
Such was the wrath of angrie heauins for sinne.
The Argument.
Scotlands great King from treasone ill contriued
By heauens and his oune valour is relieued
Inspight of twyce two hundreth he repriued
The victorie which he alone at chiued
He resteth their till all his knightes aryud
The wittie Hay is with his hast agrieud
Ferce Eduard ayd vnto his brother lendes
Douglas to winn his strength agane in tendes.
Caput. 8.
WHill fame with brasen breath did souud o're all
What she had heard in Scota's faerest land
Of Bruce returne, whoes arme imperiall
Now our the westerne regions did command
Greate Eduards Viceroy did a consail call
Wherin with graue aduise he chuisd a band
Of warlik Soldiers and ther Captane bold
Sir Iugrham Bell, Achampion wise and old.
Now these for to gane stand his poure he sends
And for to keip him still Into the wast
For he him self with greater poure intends
To pull the wyde vp be the root at last
That squadron then their Warlick poure extends
And marcheing to the toune of air they past
Wheiras their warie captane minds be slight
To work his valiaunt foe a foull dispight.
Within this land an antient kinght did dwell
Whoe of oure prince had secret frendscip got
He liebail heght whome th' Englishe did compell
Of his sad death for to contriue the plot
Two valiant sons he had nay sons of hell
Who stainis thair fame with filthie treassons blot
Nor this their treassone wold at all reveale
But waits to tak occatioun by the heale.
Neir to king Roberts camp a Groue their lay
Low by a riuers side and out of sight
Wheir aiged oaks their branshed arms display
And maks dimm shaids with dark and glomie light
Heir oft oure prince in secret vst to pray
Heir lay the murtherers till on a nicht
Doune to this groue the Prince allone descended
On who is returne a paige without attended
No sooner mong these thickets did he go
When he beheld wheir thay had cloislie lyen
By what intelligence I do not know
Or rather reuelatioun most diwyne
He calls his paige and from his hand does throw
A crosbow and a bolt both sharp and fyne
The auntient knight he killeth with the same
As he vnwar's too rashlie fordward came,
All armed the vaher tuo in wraith and rage
Began him cruellie for to assaill
But his good sword did both their wraiths assuage
And did so much against them both preuaill
Eu'ne then expird the daits of both their aige
They in their death dispaering curse and raill
Against their fate and fortuns bad decree
Of God who cairles leues shall cairles die.
Thus to the camp the Prince returns agane
Loud, honord, feard, admird, and praisd of all
When night of day the victorie did gane
The Scoutts returnd befoir his feit thay fall
Whill in his Regall Tent he did remane
Presenting their a prisoner with all
Whoe to this worthie Prince in secret shoes
That he should be assailed by his foes,
And how they wold aproche that veray night
Vnder thik darknes blak and cloudie vaile
And wold assault his Camp with suddain fight
Nor wold strong Trenches noght at all preuaill
With fire throune futth their Tents shold burne so bright
Yet could not this his wonted curage quaill
But with a glaide and cheirfull countenance
He doth inquir what way they wold aduance.
Beyond this riuer ar they yet said he
And by a secreit foord they pas vnknoune
Then quod the Prince heauins oure Protector be
As is oure caus such be oure fortons shoune
Now he commands his captans for to sie
That his small armie from the Camp be drowne
And rank't in Battell furth vpone the plane
Wheir they in arms must all that night remane.
To Guarde the Camp he sxtie maks to stay
And brings four hundreth foorth with speir and sheild
With this small armie he wold neids essay
To force his subrill foe to flie or yield
And that braue Lord that bears the name of hay
He doth creat as Gen'rall of the feild
Him self with onlie two wold go and view
The foord wheir they sould pas that wold persew.
Now doun the Riuer side his course he bent
From whoes steip banks heig he crags and rocks arise
And still he seis the farther that he went
Heigher the Shoir louer the streame still lyis
At last wheir as the rocks in two was rent
Their nature did a narrow path devviss
So to the Riuer doun or vp might go
But one in rank or at the most but two
When this braue Prince this strength did well behold
Quicklie these two that with him thither went
He bak derects and prays in haist they wold
Drow vp the rest his foes for to preuent
For heir quod he oure foes to wsar sold
To die what death we list for to inuent
Craft without crafe we should with stand in vane
Heir will I stay till you returne agane.
When they were gone he softlie nerer drew
Whill as he hears a noise and ratling sound
Which still the longer heard the greater grew
At last horse Braying mens shrill voice confound
Yet these he vous his flight shall neu'r persew
Nor oght but death sall mak him lose his ground
When lo paill Phebe shynd so bright and cleit
That he discryis four hundreth horse well neir.
These crossing ou'r the Riuer did ascend
The passage wheir with sword heighe borne he stands
And with an blo [...]th [...] first bright Crest doth rend
Nor head nor breist the mortall blaid with stands
Doun falls the knight his reilling horse doth bend
And fordward leaps but lo in both his hands
The Prince his sword sheirs throu his hoarie syds
And for his Lord a bloodie Tomb prouyds,
Now with a shout the rest of this proud crue
Throngs vp the path and stronglie him Inuaid
Part climing vp the crags vpon him flew
And at his feitt they fall Leam'd, Bruisd dismayd
Troad by their fr [...]nds they die the rest furth drew
Their swords each other hurts, hast Loue betraied
Strait waie, darke night, firce raige doth blind them so
Each hurts his frend, for haste to harme his foe.
But as a Roke, a Craig, or Cap of lande,
That fire air watter raiging wold diuide
Doth stedfast still and vnremoued stand
Gainst thunder lightning tempests storme or tide
Eu'ne so the Prince ganstands this warlick band
And all their raige their wrath their strength doth bide
Still as they came in troups confoosd to find him
He marcheing leau's them slaine in heaps behind him.
Their Leader formest now to speak began
Ah shame quod he now neuer leiue we more
So m [...]nie hundreth beat by one poore man
Should die a thousand deaths death cloisd the dore
An organe of his speache he staggring ran
And relling twice he fall's the Prince before
Whoes sword had perst his hart he lifts his eies
With half groned words he threats & threatning deis.
The captains Brother thristing for reuenge
Thrusts throu the throng and to the Prince he hyis
Wrath from his eies foorth sparkled lightning straunge
And with an Angrie voice he sternlie cryis
Ah villans you your credet thus infreinge
Ah soldiers you no soldiers thus that seis
Your captane slane ah now returne yow neuer
You Fasards wretches Outcasts curst for euer
Waik feble faint for horse for sword or spear
More fit for iron toolls then Armour bright
Your heads Breists baks should hauie burdens bear
No helms nor sheilds should you adorne with light
In curage place, is entred shame and fear
No hope is left but in your feit and flight
In darkest night your cheifest strenth abyds
Darknes your shame your feare and faintnes hyds,
And full of raige for eu'rie word a stroak
He gius oure Prince whoes sword bears eurieble
And whill he yet enraig'd wold more haue spok
He cuts his words and with them cuts in two
His Iaws on him death spreads his mistie cloak
He on his brother falls whoe leiuing lo
Him doth imbrace both kish both soules remoue
O! Pitie, great, O! Blesd, O! wandrous love
Now foreward rushd this single Campioun stout
And maks such hauock alway wheir he goes
As Boreas when he has blasted out
His storms: of Herbs, Treis, Beists, and Foulls, the foes
Or as the raiging Floods that rore and rout
Gainst Rooks or Thunders that heigh Tours doun throes
As Earthquaks threat to burst the eairh a sunder
His force so shaks thois bands O Strenth! O wonder
Whill thus he kills and driu's them bak by force
And all their bloes vn-harm'd vn-hurt sustaind
Horse bruisd their Maisters whill he treds the horse
In and beyond the stream they all remaind
Forst doun with might the passage quite they lose
When lo the armie cums and quiklie raind
A storme of swords whill trumpets roaring blast
Warr's thundring tempests foorth with lightning cast.
Death, horror, murther, feare Greif sorrou Paine
Came fare before and with thier tallons wide
Sease on their hearts and chilid in eurie vaine
Their vitall Breath, that fleis it self to hide:
Nou ar they so benoum, d that scarce remiane
Strenth for to flie Or force for to abide
Some flee some fall some droun dispaird allone
Eche vther hurts for haist for to be Gone
The Prince by this of al his foes was cleird
And setts him doune vpone a stone to rest
Sueat on his face Blood on his arms appeird
His breath was short faint heat his hairt opprest
Wearie his arms his hands so stiflie steird
He could not weild his sword which he possest
And lo the sword did seeme no sword at all
So blunted was the Edge and hack't so small.
By this his Troups were come vnto the place
And for him calls and for him loudlie cryis
But when they fand him when they kneu his face
In heaps they run to feid their longing eies
And doun they fall his feitt for to imbrace
With thanks and praise to God they rend the skeis
That hee allone overcums a thousand foes
They doubt who wonders most or most reiocs.
They find the captaine and his Brother slane
And fiftein more ly wallowing in their blood
Some English were some Scotts who felt the pane
They gane who gainst their king and cuntrie stood
In Gallowoy these Troups did all remane
Holding that cuntrie in great feruitude
They took King Edwards pay their captane bold
Broght them in hope of gane praise, Glorie, gold.
But the Lord hay and vthers graue and wise
Against his rashnes bitterlie did chide
Quod they what proue you in this interprise
No Generall nor no captane Prince nor Guide
In whoes deir lose en'ne all oure losse nou lyis
Nor ours allone but all this all beside
Ah should you not to mind oure natioun call
That but for yow no natioun were at all
Allace do you of Glorie so at count
That It to gane ane Empire you wold lose
Nor can you not to endles glorie mount
But to all dangers you yourself expose
In vaine poore valor doth for Glorie hount
If noght for Goode of wisdome he maks choise
Be wise deare Lord since of our croun and camp
You ar the head the heart the life the lamp.
He litle answere to these speeches made
But said he forcd was ether fight or flee
Now to the camp triumphand waies they ryid
Whil day shuttes furth his siluer hornes on hie
Fame flees oure all on Warr's winges sanguine reid
And stroues the seid of this great victorie.
Which back vnto the camp brought manie skore
Who crost with fortunes bad hade fled before.
Edward the bold in Lennox nou remiand
And with thrie hundreth did that land subdeu
Who hearing what his brother late hade gaind
Returnes vnto the campe with all his creu
The Douglas with his traine that late obtaind
His oune cheef strenth which last he ou'r threu
Heares that the Clifford had with wondrous care
Reedified the bulding much more faire.
And left a warr-like man a valiaunt knight
To keep the hold with him three hundreth strong
And he who thus commanded Thirswall hight
A man who hade in warre experience long
Yet wold the Douglas needs essay his might
And to the world make knowne his right their wrong
To sixtie now his traine augmented werre
With those he wold essay the chance of warre.
The Argument.
An English visard with great arte foreshowes
The Douglas of spring great to these our daies
And how that happie famelie aroise
To fortunes height where at the world may gaize
The secound time he doeth himself apoise
Against his foe and their with endles praise
Oure throwes the captain of his cheifest streinth
Then back to ead his Prince returnes at leinth.
Caput. 9.
NOw with this English captaine did abyde
His Vncle old graue learned wise and trew
Whoes iudgement deep was rairlie deified
Highe misteries and secreitts hidd he kneu
One day by chance the Douglas he espyde
Who thus vnto the Captane quicklie drew
From this infused spiriet and flowing minde
This capten heght thirsuall wha kipt the castell of douglas
This Historie by hea'une long since deuinde.
The race of ye douglas is from Sir Iemis to yis our tym
The righteous heire of that most famous line
That shall the Scots ferce natione still adorne
To whome and not without right doeth incline
These Lordshipes great which Clifford holdes in scorne
Who once hath wunn this strength without ingine.
Whoes virtue be no time can be outworne
Shall winne the land againe and it posses
In vaine wold mightie England him oppres.
Sir Iamis Douglas lord Douglas.
O're him to triumphe ne're shall England bost
But victor he shall ouermore remaine
He shall not feare to meet their mightie host
With his small troupe the gatland still to gaine
Whill fortune his attempts hath neuer crost
He cloi'd with conquest heir shall croce the maine
His Princes vnperformed vow to beare
He triumphd seauintie seu'n tymes ouer his ennemies.
Where infidells his worth shall knou and feare▪
He buir his Princes heart to the holie graine.
Nought without cause the west shall feare him still
Their cheefest nationes force his sword shall tame
And all the Eist his worthie praise shall fill
To Ganges soundes the terror of his name
But there a dreadful tempest shall him kill
Yet of his death none dare the conquest clame
His courage fearce shall arme his foes deceat
He was thirteene tyms victor ouer the saracens.
And thus himself subdewes him self to fate.
He died in Spaine follouing the victorie too rashlie, being inclosed be his enemies. Anno 2330.
Heer silence staies his tounge his speech is crost
Both Joie and greef at once his heart opprest
Greef for so rare a knight that should be lost
Ioy that his death should cure riche Englands pest
But now enamord of his worth almost
The Caiptaine him intreatts to sheu the rest
And needs wold know if heauens should nature will
From such a roote to bring such branches still.
Ah quod his vncle thence doeth greef proceid
For as great Joue ordaind ane hatred still
Betuixt the serpent and the womans seid
So shall his line beare vs and oures il will
Whill their ambitious mindes on fame doeth feid
Yet heaune shall raise for to with stand this ill
A famous race their dreadful wraith to beare
Whoes worth shall proue right fortunat in warre.
The p [...]sies [...]ls of Northumberland.
Now first of him discendes that valiaunt Lord
Whoes heighe atchiuements shall his foes with stand
His victoreis most rare shall be decor'd
With valour flowing frome his conquering hand
Yet crueltie in him shall be deplord
Which hermitage doeth fatallie demand
But for his valour worthelie renound
Whoes deades almost are all by fortune cround.
Williā Lord of lidsdail sone too Sir Iames of whom is discended the hous of [...].
Then cums his vnkle whoes all matchles brood
Seems thundring flammes with fire consumeing breath
A new deludge ane ouer whelming floode
A storme that nipes our springes fair floures to daith
For he like thundring Mars embreud with blood
To dreadfull armes shall all his daies bequeath
But reuling for his Prince with roialtie
Too forwad in his countreies cause shall die.
Archibald brother to fi [...] Iames Lord of Douglas was regent of Scotland he faught halidone hil and being too fordward was slaine Anno 1333.
His brother bold ane Englishe dame shall beare
Whoes famous line in wondrous giftes exceids
This man a mightie familie shall rare
That shall the world astonishe with their deids
Which at this time to sheu I will for beare
Till thou haue knowne who from the first proceeds
Who valiantlie in battell spends his lyif
To bring to end his countreies endles stryif.
Iohn Lord of dakeit of whom the hous of Mortoun is discended, Whoes mother was one English ladie called Feres.
Then shall appeir that first great sheining light
That dimes thoise blazing stars his heauins bright sune
In midst of armes and thoundring warrs dread sight
At him is honoures title first begune
Conquestes first fruits deoth much ogment his might
Penwick his wraith they wealth shall ouer rune
And Berwick strong his angers birning fire
With first Erle of Douglas,
Shall turne to ashe yet shall not quench his yre.
His bre [...] was,
His brothers worth shall to all tymes be told
Whoise sone shall sore on princelie Egels wings
By wertueis rare and valour so extold
That he's preferd to princes lordes and kings
In armes his fortune strength and courage bold
Shall stryue whoes mereits most the muses sings
From this faire imp shall spring a faerer tree
Whoes fruit shall much adorne this familie.
Archibald Lord of gallavay his son was Lord of midsdeall he mariet the Kings dochter, whome the King of France sewed for in mariage of him is discē ded the hous of drumlenreik.
But o thou Bellicous what man may know
Thy verteus mind thy worth and warrlyk deades
The brightest lightning of thy workes doeth show
Daizling the beames that from thy peers proceides
Heauins lampes remoues their painted sirling so
To bright Apollos fyrie flamming steids
Yea thy rare lyne thy rarest vertues cleames
In whom still shynes thy former glories beames.
Iames erlle of Douglas sone to william first erle he dismonted the persie befotr neu castell and wan Otterburne being thrice strokin throu the bodie wheir he de [...]ld Anno. 1388.
The deades of all, thy deades doeth ouerturne
All fortunes rare thy fortune foylleth still
E're victor thow ne'r conquest shall returne
And Yorkes proud walls beares witnes of thy skill
Lastlie that euer famous otterburne
Seals all thy conquests gainst thy countreyes will
Whill thow thrice wounded victor sheeds a flood
To dy thy latest triumphes with thy blood,
His brother was.
Thy valiant brother shall to the succeid
Whose aufull looks presageth wrath t'insewe
With him shall fortune lyk vayes furth proceid
And Lintone battell shall his prais renewe
But o his sone shall all that aige exceid
In witt and courage strength and valour trewe
To princelie steat in Europs gairden faire
He shall be reasd and honours great shall beare.
Called archibald grim he van Cintone Battell the Persie and the erlle of march Anno 1403. his sone was called archibald Tynman Was valiant but most onfortunat who was slaine at the battell of wernell in France Anno 1422. he was d [...]ck of Turin Lord of longuell and martiall of France his one.
Yet all in vaine since fortune proud heath sworne
The worlde shall build no trophe to his neame
Nature doeth him with such reare gifts adorne
That shee invying cuts the wings of feame
He tryes hir fauour oft but she doeth scorne
His sute, and doeth hit fauour quyt recleame
Thus he whom nature freames for gloreis throne
Fortune throues donne for fate to treed vpone,
Then cumes that lordlie Erle whoes pourfull might
Is both suspect and feard and vist more small
Whoes race once run his sones with out all right
Most frie the vay to rule by their great fall
Which turnes the Scotts calme day to stormmie night
Whoes tempest threats the kingdome croun and all
Yet he that must succed shall flie mischeif
And vislie to his End conceall his greif
Archibald er [...]e of wigtoune duck of Turyn and Lord of longuvyll his sone will: duck of Turijn & Lord of longuvyll he was behaded in the castell of edinburgh 1445 to him succeided his vncle grose Iames erle of abercorne.
This starr gone doune ane other doeth appeir
Whose bolde minde feeds the flame of martiall fire,
Williame duck of turyn Lord of longuvyle he maid his tua brother erlls of morray and ermound and the thrid Lord of balvene anno 1452.
Yet shoots furth beams illustred white and cleire,
Which shows to warre or peace a like desire,
At Honours croune he aims, though ner'e so deare,
His conquering looks presageth martial Ire,
To honours great he shall his breether raise,
But he offends his prince, who ends his daies,
His brother then inrag'd vpbraids there King,
Whose minds bursts forth a storme of desolation,
What he heapd vp in silence forth they bring,
A flood of warre, a fearful invndation,
That wel might choake their foes or'e flowing spring,
But vented wrong flowes to their Princes starioun,
Iames secound sone to thros Iames with his thrie brother of murray of mond and Bonenie a roise a gains the King and was pacified with tyt deficultie.
Yet this hudge flood eu'ne in the height shall turne
And of a boundles Ocean seeme a burne.
For with the wecht of their owne heauie swey
The currents swiftest motione they recal
Their too too loftie mindes doeth mount so hie
That skoarchd with Phaebus beames to earth they fall
From topes of touring cloudes in warres bright skie
Their smook euanishd throne dissolues and all
For why the heauens ordaines no force of men
To rouse the lordlie Lion from his den.
Yet their deserued fall shall not be such
As shall extinguishe that most famous line
Nor darkine shall their wounted glorie much
Nor yet their former greatnes shall decline
Tho pryde o'rethrowes whom ere he hapes to touche
But they be vertue shall their thoughtes confyne
Within the limites of their former worthe
Wherin they stretche their friutfull braches forth,
Yet ends this reace their roume the secound lyne
Obteanes and brings their wertues from the graue
The first in worth and wounderous deads shall shyne
If he from Shrosburre him self can saiue
Nor shall his sone to anie vice inclyne
But of dew praiss suift tyme shall him dissaue
Whoes secound sone shall to the world bring furth
A famelie of much redoutit wourth,
George first erlle of angous was sleane at shrosburrie ending the persie ageans the King of England Anno 1403. George secound e [...]lle of angous of his base sone called George the hous of boundward is cum. Archi bald erlle of angus his sones and freinds var al sleane at flouden he vent hom him self being reprehended for god counsell.
But to beare vp that hous lo one appeares
Cled with the light of bright Auroras rayes
Whoes great experience and whoes aiged yeares
His Prince reiectes and still at Flouden staves
With whom he leaues thrie sones him self reteires
Fearing his lordes vnty melie blasted bayes
And as he doeth presaige so shall it fall
Their dyes his royell Prince his sones and all.
Yet shall their ritch and froutfull seid spred furth
Four brainches faire whoes frout is rypt by fame
Whearof the secound planted in the north
Shall graice that soyll with blossomes of his name
Nor shall the thrid know anie vant of worth
The fourth shall cleinge his blot in vertues stame
But lo the firsts rare sone shall greace the lyne
And shall our English roy ell blood proypne.
Sir williame his secound sone leard of glenberuie his [...] sone leard of kilspindie williame his bas sone Lord of Torthorall Archi bald sone to George mester of angus he mar [...]ed the quine of Scottland sister to King Hendrie the 8 of England and begat margaret countas of Lenox mother to Hendrie dooke of Albanie father to King Ieames the 6.
With that rare dame whoes heauinlie greace is such
As hir sones sone shall be that blaising light
Whom all divyns and Prophetes praise so much
Of whom faire Albione longes to heaue a sight
The Eame which all the prophici [...]s would twich
The ioiner of this Iills disioyned might
For Albeone it's now in name allone
But then in substance we shall Albeone.
But leaue we him till god appoint his tyme
And turne ws to that Lord that antient knight
Whoes chairge is free vnchairg'd with anye crym [...]
Famous for witt and fortunat in fight
Not one beneath this cold distemperd clyme
May clame more princelie vertues for his right
Yea An [...]kermure his fortune fare shall sie
Whear he obteans a glorious victorie.
The foresaid archibald that Mareed the [...]ine he w [...] [...] he died in Tamtallon Anno 1557.
Two brother shal he heaue both valiant knights
From whom two famous fam [...]is shall spring
The first's reare sone weill skild in martiall fights
Obteans his vnkles pleace in euerie thing
Thus is that hous prepaeid of glorious lights
By heauins eternall vniuersall king
For reulls the line, they sore in verteous deids
And if the breanch? it self that breanch exceids.
His secound brother Lea [...]d of pittindreich his 3. brother pi [...]ot of condinghame Dauid sone to the Leard of Pittindrich succeided his uncle archibald erle of of angus 1558.
Then cums the last of this fair braench in fine
For vertue cald the good when from the north
Shall come a knight that shall succeed by line
Who weied with him, doeth equalize his woorth
And yet with fame can not the world propine
So loth is time to bring occasioune forthe
Yet vertue for his sone shall grace prepair
And thus to fame shall measour forthe his shair,
Archibald soue to Dauid Erle angus died with out is hue 158. Williame the 3 from Sir Williame first Leard of glēberuie succeided Erle of angus he died Anno 1591.
Heauin cheanging time shall siuill discord reas
And wrap the Scotts in wealth consuming woes
When he by god set vp vnto thees daies
Shall leaue his soil to forren lands he goes
Widing throu rtubles streame and thear with praise
His pen vnto his predicessoures showes
The way to win from darck obliuiones night
Boolding their trophe is with his vertues might.
Williame his sone erle of angus died in pareis Ann [...] 1611. He hes writtin then cronicklie of that name to which I haue refered most pairte of their actiouns.
This lamp gone out o then his sone succeides
Reasing that hous declind to former height
Whoes mind is great with child of glorious deids
And as a Collon fair vpholds the weight
Of ane learge frame so from his witt proceids
The strenth that onder props that neames great might
Yet he by airt stops natures streame to flow
With Junos string still bending Pallas bow.
Williame now Erle of angus.
He ripes the tumbes of his Ancestors old
And brings them clod with robes of heauenlie light
For all enshewing aiges to behold
They shute furth beams of fame and glorie bright
Which long lay hidde in nightes dark pitchie mold
Ou'r vaelde by sadd obliuion from our sight
Their ghostes reioising that so rich a geme
Springs from thear loynes t'immortaliz their name,
Now cumes the nixt great famelie in sight
That iointlie with the first at first shall spring
Which eurie where sendes furth such lampes of light
As Earth and other firmament doeth bring
Wherin eche fixed starre doeth burne so bright
As yeelldes hoth lyf and light to eurie thing
So farre those glorie lighting flammes doeth shine
Moueing their orbe with influence deuine.
The dissent of Erle [...] of mortoune.
The first that shall illuminat the skie
Of this bright orber this hea'une reflexing sphere
Armed with his fathers magnaminitie
Shall be a great and mightie man of warre
Of whom shall two arise to rectifie
Two lines that shall their fame to heaune vprear
Yet to the younger shall the elder fall
And both thus ioined shall one great house install.
Iohn Lord of dakeith Sir Iames Douglas his yongest brother he had tna sones the ouldest was Lord of dakeith & the second leard. of Iochle [...]in.
O thou thrice famous lake and strand of Leuine
Famous,
The discent of the lairdes of loghleuin. The first laird of logh levin.
for that great reace shall come from theInrich'd with graces by the wandering Seuin
That still aloft in th'azure vallers flee
The first that shall adorne thy watrie hea'une
With sure and stay'd establisd reul I sie
By fatell deades shall manie fortunes shair
And Pallas sword shall all his pathes prepair.
He was with arichbald grim at intoune battel Wheer heauing vin the enemies standard from the hand of Sir Thomas Kolbuth was the cheif of the victorie. The second laird of logh levin who going with the Erle of buchan to france defended the passage of a brig there with thrie handreth agains the dooke of cl [...] [...]ens his armie whom he maid reteir & inperseung forceie was kild.
The beaies thy temples shall at lintoune beare
Whear thow by valout from a valiant knight
The leopard and Flourdeluce shall teare
Thus shall thy arme put all thy foes to flight
But when the valiant Perfie wageth warre
Against his Prince in that ontimlie fight
Thow valiant lie aduentring then shall fall
Yet after death thy fame shall sore oure all.
But thou braue youth altho a stripling young
Scornes in thy natiue soil for to remeaine
Thou heirs B [...]lonas dreadfull bell was roung
Following the voice with honoures thristing paine
Wheer all the plaines inbroudert war along
With gorre, blood, rent armes and souldiers slaine
Theer haiueing win fair conquest by the hair
Thou leapes from of this wordlie theater.
And then succeides that all prais worthie youth
That with the ground stone laies a fairer streame
Mounting that house vp to the secound grouth
Whois worth in varre illusterates his name
Then cumes that blaizing comet of the south
Whoes voundrous deads with terror soundes his fame
His lookes sendes vertue furth so graic'd with art
As striks mild reuerence in each barbarous heart.
The thri [...] leard of loghleuin,
And yet his galent sone shall with him striue
Who to that aige shall greatest light restore
As painefull bees still workes to serue the hiue
And leazie drons that deoth their wealth deuore
Their dares not enter nor with them may striue
So nature doeth prouid for to decore
That fruitfull Stem with such whoes pains excides [...]
Past all cumpare in heigh and vertues deades
The foeth leard of loghleuin.
No frutles drone shall from that reace arise
Ech giues testificats of honours height
What praises to the sext can I deuise
That serues his Prince in manie a blood die fight
Nor conquest euer to eroune his pains denies
Nixt him cumes one whoes worth and pourfull might
Doeth aid his Prince against vsurping foes
The fift laird of loghleuin.
Whois vant at last that mightie Prince ouerthoues.
The saixt laird of loghleuin [...] The seuinth leard who was alwaies with King Iames the 3 against the hums & the habrons, his good seruice was often times of grit walue to his Prince.
But O what knight is this,
The 8 Laerd of loghleuin who bein vpon he King his left-hand at flouden & ane vther vpon the right hand was boith sleane with their Prince, their being 45 of their enemies fond kild a [...]bout theame The 9 laird of loghleuin.
Adrest for warreThat all the countray round about Obaies
Whome greatest Princes of the land doeth feare
In bloddie battell who at last assaies
Our English force from of his Prince to beare
With whom ane vther valiant compioune staies
And whill to seaue their Prince their liues they yeild
Great multitude from valour wins the feild
But who coms heir in the could north t'insius
Such heauenlie gift is, all Europe passing by
O, its Apollo suir, that dooth refius
The east, and coms the wast too beutifie
Whear he the siluer laik of Leuin doth chuis
The cleir Caballian streams he doth deny
Thus leauing Gretian plainis, and pleasant fontanis
He seats him self neir too the Ocheell montanis.
Whear whilist he veiues the valeyis round about
By chance shall sie fair natours quein cum thear
That Daphne doth surpas and al the [...]out
Of virgins queenes or shephards knowne of ear
Whom folowing long at last shall find his out
And wedd the dame who onto him shall bear
Fine Virgine dames nay greaces fiue for lo,
His wife a [...] moist virteus wisse & beutifull Ladie.
The wordle shall not their match in beautie sho.
Yea this rare beautie past compare shall bee
Nor longs to one but in them all it duelleth
Eune all in colour neitnes decensie
Preportion and the minds rare gistis excelleth
Nor shall it spend nor weist, nor fead, nor die
But too all times a quintisence distelleth
For lo their seid shall in this land be borne
As stonis to ringis or starrs that heaune adorne.
His fiue doughters so admirable in all the giftes of nature as not onlie thē selfs but their of spring at the ornamēts of their seexe.
And from their sire both sanctified and seag
Cold wise and bold with heastie wroth not brunt
Adornt with wertue both in youth and aige
Whom heaune decres with honoures height to munt
Shall likuayis spring that youth whom forteouns reage
One swelling theetis shining back doth hunt
Till angrie Neptuns furie bursteth forth
And swallous vp that treasur hous of worth.
[...] he tent pari [...] at sea be tempest of vather.
O but his sone is Mars and Phebus knight
For valour corrage wit and beutie store
The foggie mistes of ignorantes dark night
He cleres,
Williame now Erle of mortune.
to knowleg day he ops the dooreEu'ne as a lanterne from a toures proud height
Shoues the seas port for shipes to win the shore
So his cleir lamp of judgment showes the vay
For dark grose wites to land in vertues beay.
The actiue boldnes by his spreit refind
Produce resistles actiouns stronglie Knut
The quick vivasitie that meltes his mind
In streames of eloquence ou're flous his with
And yet so much to courtessie inclind
That humble mildnes on his broue doeth sit
Which tempers passioune still with facultie
And makes a simphatheising hermonie.
For lo his soules reare faculteis devine
Is so cut furth on his humaine perfectioune
Yat in his lowkes heigh maiestie doeth shine
By modestie held in so sweit subiectioune
As alvay holdes a meane nor doeth dicline
To simple mildnes or to proud infectioune
Thus descentie stells furth with euerie glance
And freames a persing amorouss countinance.
Which breeds respectiue reuerance with dilyt
In euerie heart whois eyis doeth him behold
With admiratioune and amezment gryt
That streans a sweit obedience on controld
But now I feare if I the rest indyt
To cloy your ears with my discours to bold
Yet quod the captain I would glaidlie kno
If still that name produice such fruits or no.
O still quod he and shall be still increst
For both thoes mightie famaleis proceides
To honoures great whear of they at posest
Mounting aloft with heigh and glorious deades
And this lordes sone; whill he would say the rest
A sudden tumult their amezment breides
Ou'r all the land great clamoures they might heir
Which did forshow sum deanger to droue neir,
Wherwith they leap to earmes the captain cryes
For all the Garisone in armes to be
When lo hard by the castell he aspyes
Weer driu'n great heardes of cattell hestilie
This was the conquering knight that doeth deuyis
How he that countray might of thraldome frie
And neids would treane the captain from his hold
Whoes strenth he would assay with currag bold.
But this his purpoiss greatlie doeth with stand
They hardlie could be broght vnto the feild
Wheirfor he takes this Stratagem in hand
To treane theame out to feght to flie or yeild
A wooddie pleane neir Sandie Landes he fand
Whoes vmbrage seemd from Phebus heat to sheild
On eche syd grew the Treeis so bushie thick
It seem'd that Nature freamd it for a trick.
Thither the Erlle by night his troups forth gwids
Wheir eche lyis closlie quiet whist and still
His wantcuriours in ha [...]st he thus prowyds
To bring their heards of cattell from the hill
And those that neirrest to the tour abids
Those driue they hence whill as the heard men fill
The air with schricks, the land with loud allarms
Wheir with proud Thir swall cled in glorious arms.
With all his Garesone addrest for warre
Isht foorth in haist for to returne the pray
And followed haiuing nether dout nor feare
Till they were past the Ambush fare away
Then these that fled returnd, their swords they reare
Aloft their sheilds, before their strong arms stay
Their blous they beare they pushe strik stab and kill
Th'amased foe, who yet resisted still.
Till at their baks a suddant storme a rose
Whoes horrid noyss doth mak them all to quail [...]
And with their force their furie and their blois
Their brokin rancks begins to faint and shaik
The first rank bakward on the second gois
The second on the third the third doth brak
Crusht by the fourt and fift and at e [...]he end
They leap furth scattring heir and their they bend
So doe the cluds disperst from East to West
In ranks and roues that hing cleir white and fair
When as the Northerne and the Southerne blast
Foorth from their caues breaks throu the trubled aer
Rank gainst a rank cloud gainst a cloud they cast
Till in a heap confoosd at last they rear
And burst asunder crush'd with furious bloes
Scattred in drops fleis from betwene their foes.
Th [...]iswall their deid beneath the Douglas sword
Of all his men but nintie went away
Who in the Castell got from thence they pourd
Dairts quarreis Stones like haill without delay
The Erll [...] reuerd his band when they were tourd
And from his Prince no longer wold he stay
Gainst whom he hard an armie was prepaird
Of which in tyme to show him he repaird.
[Page]
The Argument.
Whill Fortune houeres doutfull of hir ch [...]'s
Nor peace nor warre on ether syd displays
Hard fait anon prepaireth greatter voes
Great diss forsies that Ioue the Scots wil reaise
To former height and furth his feinds he throwes
Who temps the Scots they leaue the Bruce whoes praise
Augmentes whill vnawarrs his foe assailles
His wittie flight his valour twyse prevailes.
Caput. 10.
THe Prince of Darknes now long tyme reiofd
Of Gods great wrath amōg his childrē throun
Whoes foull offences had his fauor los'd
Fearing if they repent that Grace were shoune
A thousand Ills into his mynd he tost
Wheir with to tempt them yet to heauins vnknoune
Thus wyldlie Staird he when he muisd allone
Whill as he sitts on his Infernall Throne,
And now resoluing to his work he falls
And with a dreadfull greislie countenance
The curst and haitfull Fureis vp he calls
The Mounsters trembling gius obedience
Their poisond Gorgis all with Venome swalls
Enflamd with his reid Eies hote flaming glance
Whill his strong breath furth from his ratling thro [...]
A noyse like to a fearfull tempest shot.
Which made the Earth to quaik and deafned hell
Thus vnderstood they this confused Sound
Yow malice proud and yow inuy that dwell
Amid oure firie Regious vnder ground
Haist vp and with infecting breath expell
All peace and let no ametie be found
In the greate North and sie that you defyle
With blood and warr great Europs greatest Iile.
Mak Englands King to forge some causes new
To keip the right which he by wrong hes got
Tell him that heau'ne ordains him to renew
Sinns iust reward vpon the sinfull Scot
Mak English all with deadlie hait persew
The Scots their onlie antient foes by lot
The onlie blok that euer bears them doune
From all their greatnes Glorie and renoune,
Thus edge them on,
Sc [...]tts only wer the ouer throuwers of them selfis deuiditt in thrie factions the brooce the baliol, and the cumming, both the last took pairt with England against the Bruce.
It were greate lose great shameIf they vnto their wonted greatnes rise
Your strength allone was neuer so extreame
To mak them once to shrink nor could deuise
By slight or might to droune their famous name
Till now that loe them selfs them felfs defyis
And what you swords before could neuer doo
Their swords haue doune and winn them selfs to yow.
So that yow sie heau'ne fauors your intent
With these and vther your intendit slight
Arme them with pride hate Anger discontent
And moue the Scotts still gainst them selfs to fight
For lo I sie Joue doth his wrathe relent
And minds to raise the Scotts to greater might
For in that famous Bruce and in his lyne
They must be blisd and ou'r all Europe shyne.
Though what great Joue decrees we can not mend
Yet may we oft delay th'intendit blise
Which he ordains vpon fraill man to send
Since sluggish man by Nature cairles is
And wee may moue him thankles to offend
And oft to disobey his law I wish
For man is fleshlie geu'ne to foull delight
And God is alway pure cleir holie right,
Since wee of all the damned heyres as cheiff
And has no longer tyme from Torments frie
Then till the cup be full of Gods hote greiff
And that greate day of his fierce wrathe wee sie
Then with the soules which now without releif
We still torment shall wee tormented be
And which is worse oure pains shall neu'r be spent
Whill we oure selfs must still oure selfs torment.
Then heauins decree to stay oure strength is small
Yet heaueing tyme we may not tyre of Ill
Since what we wold that can we not at all
Do what we may we may not what we will
At these his words Invy and malice swell
With murdring hate their breists with venom fill
And vp they flie to view days glorious light
Bringing Mischeif, Greif, horror, warr, dispight.
Arriuing heir they fill eche Godles heart
With anger, raige, Mischeif, pride, hate, inuie,
Then to the camp they hie to vse their airt
But their vane Slight the nobler sort descrie
Whill grace, loue, wisdome, with their worths desert
Did dreiue them thence in endles infamie
Yet in the basser sort great pou'r they winne
Throu whoes faint hearts dispair, feir, danger, rune
Greate bands of these by their deceat they dreu
Who stelling from the camp by night doth flie
And still these feinds to their fant minds doth shou
For hoped Conquest shamefull Infamie
Ther former lose remembrance lets them knou
Which oft repeated maks their hopes to die
These words they murmur still them selfs among
On shamefull death shall we attend so long.
Allace what strength what might what pour'r haue we
Ritch England warlick Schotland to ganestand
May not oure Lord behold his infamie
And in the glas of former works haue scand
That gainst his will heaunis bend their iust decrie
Earth scorns to build a Trophee for his hand
Fate to his fall his frouning fortun brings
Heauen, earth, fate fortun all crose his desings.
Heauins neuer yet did feuour his intent
Earth neu'r lookt for conquest at his hand
Fate neuer fraimd his will to find content
And fortun neuer lik't of his demand
Fair victorie her cheifest wealth has spent
On his proud foe whoe conquering doth command
Vs all if got like robbers hangd to bee
Thus we'r but outlawes to his maiestie.
With Greif and sorrou pane and trauel sore
We hunger-sterud Amidst the montansly
Oure frends still aid oure foes and which is more
Eu'ne oure oune natioun vs with scorne defie
Thousands that rose in oure defence before
Now with oure foes gainst vs ther forces trie
Whill wee that noght but shame and want doth gane
Attend on hope and still attend in vane.
Why stay we then to immitat their flight
Whoe with our foes abide in wealth and ease
No let vs render vp this camp but fight
And giue our Lorde to vse him as they please
Or if noght this then let vs flie by night
And yeildinge to our foes, their wrathe appease
This laste opinioun eache approueth so
That eu'rie night in troups away they Goe
Thus wroght blak Plutos messingers their will
And now to worke the rest of their mischeife
Braue Pembroks ear with these glad neus they fill
And fills his warrlik mind with raige and greif
To mak an end of warr they show him still
That now he may at ease without releif
His waikned foe of forder hopes depriue
Quite ouerthroune or kild or tane aliue
Sir Odomer de wallance was crll of Pembrok.
Then fed with hope he doth an armie raise
Of Scotts and English neir ten thousand strong
Whoes minds with hate and with desire of praise
They do inflame nor stay they those among
But heir and their throgh all the land they gaise
Subiects to find whereby to work more wrong
At last of lorne that cruell Lord they find
And vnto new reuenge they stirre his mind,
To nev reuenge of his deir cusings blood,
Greate Cummernald whom Bruce before had slane
He to this warr brings foorth fiue thousand good
And to greate Englands generall ioins amane
Thus foreward prikt with hope and hatfull mood
They brauelie martch ou'r hil ou'r daill ou'r plane
Whereof our Gallant noght at all did kno
So spedelie and secretlie they go.
Now of fiue hundreth thrise with him remaind
Thrie hundreth scant the rest war fled and gone
Whereof he oft and secretlie complaind
Yet wise lie in him self conceall'd his mone
But nou his scouts by trauell that obtaind
A sight of their Proud foe return anone
And to him bring those wofull neus at last
Whoes sound from eare to eare right sadlie past.
The relicts small of his forsaeken host
Wheir all about him standing in a round
Whill as bold Edward thus did him accost
My Lord and brother let not this confound
Your noble thoghts tho numbers quite be lost
In this small band must all your hops be cround
Tho fortun beare your iust desings aurie
She can not let vs brauelie for to die.
Will is it knowne since first we Armour tooke
When in oure cuntreis cause we swore to stand
That euer since wee suffred haue rebooke
Nor fortun once wold fauour oute demand
With shame and lose oure. Frends vs all forsooke
Oure soldiers seing noght but lose at hand
Haue left vs Cowards worthie not to breath,
That we may look for nothing now but death.
Yet sall it neu'r be said nor sein nor knowne
That in oure latest hour we shrink or flie
No let oure hearts oure hands and al be shoune
Eu'ne in dispight of fortuns crueltie
To work most dread reuenge if ouerthroune
And with their brauest captains let vs die
Lo fame and Glorie shall oure death attend
Nor shall they much reioise in this oure end.
The rest whome Anger curage greif dispair
Tormenting made to wish their deaths were nie
Applaudeth all that he had said and their
All crie dye die reuenge and brauelie die
But their braue Prince with mild looks doth declair
His counsall wise and his command whereby
Their fiurie hote and fond dispair refraining:
He to his brother answers thus complaining.
Thy counsall in the wise no place will find
With such dispairing hezerds to betray
Oure selfs vnto oure foes they proue to kind
To please their foe that works their oune decay
What tho the basser sort their beastlie mind
In flieing from oure camp doth weill beuray
Yet hope and forsight fortun still commands
And warrs good luuk in wisdoms counsall stands.
What though oure fainting troups haue fled before
Who e'r the neues of ill with terror stings
These at the reall sight will feare much more
And confort none but meir disconfort brings
Yea when they fled my hopes they did restore
And with them fled the Douts of my desings
Greate foolls ar they that builds their hopfull goode
Vpone the euer changeing multitude
In you that doth remane my confort lies
Nor can a world of armeis me effray
For heau'ne promeisd mee that I should ryise
Vnto my foes shame ruin and decay
I cair not I what earth or hell deuyis
They can not hinder heauin though they dalay
Fraill mans intendit blish by heauins decreed
With heauinlie faith is eathlie wants suppleid.
Knou then this praise to Scotts is onlie deu
Neu'r conquerd yet neu'r yeildit to their foes
For want refusing neuer to perseu
With endles warr the iust reuenge of those
That wold their liues or liberteis subdeu
For Scotts will ether all way mak a chose
Of friedome euer poore with warre maintaind
Then bondage euer riche with peace still gaind.
By this they sie an armie to appeir
Before their face and at their baks they vieu
The Lord of Lorne with all his troups drau nei [...]
By secreit by-wais led, them to perseu
Whereat they stand amaz'd vntill, they heire
Their Lords wise hardie resolutioun treu
Whoe thus to cheir and confort them began
Fear not their slight for do the worst they can,
Wee shall esheu their craft their hate their force
Then he commands his brother to depairt
And Lennox Erle with them ane hundreth horse
Douglas and Hay vnto the contrair Airt
With equall number bend their speedie course
Now freinds quod he eche bear a valliaunt hearte
And fleing fight and fighting flie your foes
For your braue flight hew forth your wais with bloes.
So our's shal be the Glorie of this day
And wee with fame returne but thay with shame
We with the rest will likewais hold oure way
Betuixt their armeis so shall we reclame
Oure life and honor whiche thay count their pray
Yea and perhaps er long may pay thame hame
This said all Thrie thrie sundrie way's oppose
Their Warlick breists gainst thousands of their foes.
Yea suerlie each of theme great valor shoes
And wisdoms beams stil gaue thair valor light
They brak throw armed Squadrons of their foes
Thus they perseuing flie and flieing fight
O curage great O valor worthie those
That ryse to ewer shyning Glorie bright
Throw thrice fyue thow sand fighting fleis thrie hunde [...]
Not loseing One. O curage great! O wonder!
The valiannt Bruce with vnresisted might
Fleis yet his deids still maks him knowne of all
The lord of Lorne that weill espyde his flight
So one folloud him in hope to work his fall
Fyue hunderth thrice on horssis swist and light
With him he taks and gius but leasure small
To Bruce who thrice diuids his Men in thrie
And thrice thrie sundrie wayis the're forst to flie
At last with him their did remane but one
And yet his foes still follow'd on his tract
Their care is onlie him to haue allone
Nor seme thay of his Men account to make
Fiue knights that al the rest had farr owt gone
Wer cum so neir that him they ouertake
Whoe scornd to Flie whill he had bein aliue
Though but allone from fystie ioynd to fiue
The knight that with him stayd was bold and stout
Whoes birth made in his dams fair breists appear
The milk that nur'st the Prince for whiche no dowt
He greatlie loud the Man and held him deir
Whoe with him twrns now to their foes abut
Both on theme twns nor wold they once reteir
Ther salutations were in raige and wrathe
Death on eche wound attends and shame on death
Thrie to the Prince and two vnto the knight
Addrest and thus the combat's wndertane
The valiaunt Monarche with two bloes doun right
Ones heart anothers head did cleiue in twane
Whairat dismaied the thrid doth shwn to fight
And now this matchles lord thus left allone
Len'ds th'one a blow that did his knight assaill
Till from his hors he sank doun cold and paile.
Beneath the knights good suor [...]d the fourt soone dyis
Death after him that flees wes quicklie sent
This strattagem the Prince doth sone devyse
To learne to sie and know his soes intent
He on this horse in this knight arms doth Rise
And to his foes bak as a freind he went
His knight he their Commands for to soiurne
Till he againe dead or alive Returne
This bak agane a Myll [...] had not gone
When as he meits the Forward of his foe
Come with a spedie marche that way anone
And them before a hundreth knights and moe
Come towards him before all these allone
A senting Slewth hound coms with Squyars two
The hound his owne he knew without all dout
Which by his foes was broght to find him out.
Without delay without advisement long
He foreward spurrs vpon his loftie steid
Whose Swiftnes had no match them all among
Knowne by the hound whom he was wount to fied
On him he fauns and with a leap h [...]flong
Furth from the leische runing on him with speid
Whom when he wold haue kil'd poore pitie mov'd him
He cold not be ingrait to none that lov'd him.
Wherfore he bak Returns the way he came
The hound still following him had keept him still
When loe these hundreth knights espyde the same
The horse and Arms they know yet doubt some Ill
That with a scornefull raige their mynds Inflame
And with auou'd revenge their harts they fill
Thus with disordred haist they quiklie runn
And one by One much ground of him they winn
Some him to kill, and some the hound to take
Did oftentimes assaie, but al in vaine,
For their disordred furie still he brak
Each wound with holds a foe with death or paine,
Yet was he forc'd at last away to mak
By killing of the hound his life to gaine
And being now come neir vnto his knight
He thinks not meit against them all to fight.
But him commands in haist to kill that hound
Which he him self could not abide to doe
Hard by a Forrest couered all the ground
Whoes treis our all the Rockie montans Bow
Hither they flie where such dark ways they found
As from their foes their saiftie did allow
Thus mockt and scornd, the armie turns againe
With lose and Shame their travell spent in vaine.
The Argument.
Hells damnd fiends finds Scots renouned King
And by three theeues works him a niew dispight,
To God he praies who graunts his iust designe.
Through deserts wild alone he flies by night,
He findes his men at last, whom he doth bring.
On his proud foe who slawghterd fear's his might
Winter maks both their Camps brak vp at last
At hunts greate Bruce a fearfull danger past.
Caput. 11.
INfernall Pluto Missing his Intent
Began to rore his voice his words confound
From whoes foull throat such thundring noise forthwent
As schook the hel resovnding throw the ground
His Bowells deip a mistie smook foorth sent
Which made the Soules in endles Torments bond
To dive in floods and in the flams to hide them
Eschewing paine whill greater paines abide them.
His dreadfull looks effrayd the feinds and Ghosts
Chokt with the savour of his noysum breath
Like fleghts of Crows Hell musters forth her hosts,
From Herebus with horor feare and death,
In clouds of daungers on our Northern coasts.
They raine the bloodie tempests of theire wrath
And scatred here and there, they soon untwinde
The webs of Woe, wouen in each sinfull minde
And one of them eu'ne then did hap to light
On Robbers thrie that in this forrest lay
Wheirthrou the valiant Bruce had tane his flight
Him [...] they whom they count an easie pray
For which greate Eduard ritche rewards had heght
Wheirfore their Treassone thus they did essay
Myldlie they come vnto that noble Prence
And vous to spend their lives in his defence.
They Scotts-men war by right his subiects too
Which to their treasoun ads more credit still
Dark night to shroud the rest which they wold do [...]
Heauins siluer walls with sabill hingings fill
Within this fortest stood a Schiphirds croo
No other ludging were they neir vntill
Thither those theius this noble Prince furth guid
And with their Schift a supper soone prouid.
When hee right pleasandlie hand tane repast
Of viands such as tyme wold then affoord
On the cold earth he lays him doune at last
A sheld for pillow serud this noble Lord
When thousand cairfull thoghts were ouerpast
Sleips charning rod of silence him restord
Vnto a slumber, soft but whill he lay
He thoght he hard a voice him threatning say.
Though careles of they self heauins for thee care
Vp vp arise from daunger the defend
Whaerat he starts aloft begines to stare
When as he seis com from the houssis end
The Robbers thrie that with their swords prepare
Death on his Knight and him in sleip to send
But with his sword he their designment braks
And with his foot his faithfull knight awaiks,
Yet or he could arise one of the thrie
Vnto him st [...]p [...]t and with his trenshant blad
He forc'd his soull furth from his brest to flie
Which in the Prince both greif and anger bred
And in his wrathe his death so venged he
That of these Traitours thrie he soone was red
Then thanks he God who saift him from that snare
And thence depairts loadned with greif and care.
Wheir as his horse was feiding their he goes
Whill as the darknes sum what cleirer greu
And being monted then no way he knoes
And yet from thence him self he soone with dre [...]
Yea oftentims him self him self did lose
In desarts wyld in paths but vsed by feu
Renoluing still within his troubled thoght
What greuons cait's proud fortun had him wroght
At last beseching his great Lord of Grace
To pitie him and confort to him send
His earnest praier cleius heauins starrie face
And at Jous throne for mercie did attend
Whoe bends his gratious eies on mortalls race
Vieuing their woes their waiknes weill he kend
The splendour of his glorious countenance
Cleir's heaune and earth and chaisd hells feinds fare hence.
Earth fred of such a sinfull Burthen vild
Begins to smill on heauins all glorious sphear's
When from the Prince all sorou was exyld
Confort from heauin to his sad soule repair's
His faith had broght from his deir saueour mild
Assured hope of what his soule requear's
Now to that place he goes the neirest way
Wheir he appointed all his men to stay.
When bright Auror her treasurs had furth sought
She edgd the siluer clouds with freing's of gold
And hangs the skies, with Arras rarely wroght
Powdred with Paarle and pretious stones vntold
Then roses reid and whit from inde she broght
And strou'd heauins floor most glorious to behold [...]
Yet weips she for she thinks it all to small
To welcum great Apollo to her hall.
Ere Sole could shine his way did him restor
Wheir Edward and the Douglas did abide
With all his troups that scattred wer befor
With whome the Prince doth secretlie prouide
For to assalt his foes so proud of yore
For them he cairles kneu dispersed wide
Disordred quite and scatterd heir and their
Nor for him wold they look nor for him care.
They all agrie yet thus he wold them cheir
Braue frends (quod he) behold this happie day
That shall the clouds of oure disasters cleir
And bring the Garland from oute foes away
Me thinks I sie fair victorie appeir
To croune vs that triuphms on their decay
And their hot blood ritch trophes vs aduances
Borne on the points of oure victorious lances.
Me thinks vpone oure glistring creste I sie
The glorious garland of the conquest worne
Whill fether-futted-fame before vs flie
Vpone the golden wings of Honor borne
Altho nor ours their numbers greater be
Yet fear them not Jehoua heighe hath sworne
To yeild them in your hands that ye may steip
Your thristie blaids in blood whill as they sleip.
This said from heauen reflected on his face
A lightning beame bright shining pure and cleir
His countinance shind with such heaunilie grace
As lightned all about both farr and neir
a Martiall furie in his breist took place
Whoes sparkling did his eies with lightning cheir
So that his gallant port and gracefull looks
The bold conferms the faint with shame rebooks.
A Guide he got whoe broght him wheir they lay
Encamped in a fair and open plane
And or the glorious soun could guilt the day
Four hundreth he had wounded hurt and slane
For these before the camp a littel way
Within a village cairles did remane
Yea eu'ne the camp at last they did perseu
And their with slaughter did the fight rene [...]
The fire yet stay'd within his assie coath
When they began the camp for to invaid
Sleip rest or silence eurie one did touch
And heir and their they lay disordered
Some were a sleip of wine that drunk too much
And some with cards and some with dice wer led
Some lasie lubbards quafd carrousis deip
Till eurie drink began an endles sleep
Whill thus they ly thois warreours enter in
Too strik Iustitiars for to pairt the fray
The wine and blood both foorth togidder rin
From bak from brest or side eu'ne as they lay
Half words confoosd their hollow throts within
Made billowing nois their blood their breath did stay
Some [...]ise to strik some op's their, mouth to chide
Those fall and these with blood chokt gasing diede
Thus whill eche sword dislodg'd a hundreth liues
Braue Bruce made knowne his rancour wrath and ire
Squadrons he kill [...] cuts cords and tents he riu's
And for reuenge enflam'd with hote desire
To ouerthrou them all alone he strius
To kill the men and set the camp on fire
And foreward still allone he Murthring goes
giuing more deaths then wounds more wounds then bloe [...]
But as a hungrie Lion for his foode
Kills thousand beasts mo then he can deuore
So thou stout Edward doth their liues seclude
Whom thy braue Brothers haist had past before
And tredding proudlie on the multitude
Thou seemest sad becaus thou findst no more
Whereon to exerceis thy valor so
Wishing eche trunk could raise a stronger foe.
Now at an vther Parte doth enter in
The conquering knight that dreidful slaughter mak [...]
So from the west the drying winds begin
To cleir heauins cloudie front and stronglie braks
The spoungie bann exhal'd vp by the Sunne
Furth of the Germane laik which A [...]oll taks
Vpone his wings and mousters sorth in hosts
Wheir with he threats to droun the northern costs.
Eu'ne so this campioun d [...]iueth bak by force
The multitude of armed Squadrons strong
His warlik wepon kill's without remorse
His eies such firie splendor dairts along
As burns their hearts but fear concealls their lose
All turning baks forget to venge their wrong
And cairles of their shame their fame their fall
They lose their liues their honor hope and all.
And he that to gainestand will proue so bold
As not to flie but brauelie beare it out
Soone lyis he breathles tumbling on the mold
Which in the rest conferms their fear and doubt
Thus foreward none his furie can with hold
Till with his Lord he meits wheir all the rout
Assembled were and weareid nou with killing
The souldiers disperst the tents were pilling.
But Scots greate king who saw them cairles, care
More for their gaine then conquest to prolong
Causd sound retreat least some neu force repare
And bring the conquest backe with shame and wrong
By this the English Generall did prepare
Of armed knights aboue fiue thousand strong
But this braue Lord in time reteird his crew
Whill as they had no lust for to persew.
The worthie Bruce thus haueing payd his foe
Of that disgrace which he had lait receau'd
He was both lou'd and fear'd and hatit so
As the iust worth of his greate deids had crau'd
Yea Englands warlick Generall thoght in woe
Extold him much when he his worth perceau'd
Swearing by Joue that heauins decred to raise him
And in the midst of hate was forcd to praise him.
Wheirfore he breaketh vp his camp that night
Letting his Soldiers to their home reteire
The mightie Scot to Carrick marcheth right
And soiorns their the deade time of the yeare
Wheir noght befell him worthie to reciet
Saif once he went a hunting of the Deare
For their hee thoght no foes could harme afford
Since all that land obeyd him as their Lord.
Now being much delighted with that sport
His warlik knights were neir about him still
One day vnto an forrest they resort
The hart and hind with Grewhounds for to kill
And he allone stai'd in a priuat sort
With two swift hounds aboue them on a hill,
Till all the rest were scattred farr and niere,
Rousing the woods to bring him in the deere.
While here he staied, three men he did espie
Come from the wood with awfull countenance,
Each bends a bowe and thus doth him defie,
To venge the Cumings blood is our pretence
Braue Sirs quod he then, first I praie you trie
Me with your swords, if I can make defence,
Thrie one to kill so farre were endles shame
So Cowards fight, the ualiant hates such game.
At these his words, their bows awaie they threw,
And with their swoords they sharply him assaile,
His hounds he loos'd, his sword he quickly drew,
And many bloes on either hand they deale,
The hounds that sie such foes their Lord persue
One by the gorge vnto the ground they haile,
One of the other two by this he kil'd
Then kills him whom the hounds at ground still hild
The third who fears such guerdon for to trie,
Staied not, but soon betakes himselfe to flight
Whom when these Heauen-ordained hounds espie
They follow both with kien and aufull might
And in a Trace they force him by and by
Most furiouslie vpon the ground to light
Their Lord at last from them did him reswme
And striklie giv's him his deserved doome.
When all his knights returnd they wondring view
How heavens their Prince from danger had preserv'd
To God they gaue greate thanks and Praises dew
Reioysing that so braue a Lord they serv'd
This did his fame throu all the land renew
All wish'd him now what his great worth deserv'd
Who skap'd so many Dangers they conclude
Must be reserved for a greater goode.
The Argument.
FIrst at G [...]entr [...]ll doth Scotts renowned Prince
Get victorie aboue the English foe
Douglas at Ederfoord with valiaunce
By fourtie doth a thousand overthro
Then Pembrok Sews for Battell with pretence
To frie the land from longer warr and so
[...] Lowdon-hill he brings an armie fare
But vanquist, Fleis the land in greate Dispare.
Caput. 12.
WHen in his goolden carroish Sol returns
From Zenith bake into the northern starr
The Ram growne proud with am'rous heat so burne
That with his horns he seimis too make him warr
Hils turns in tearis their milk whit Robs and murns
To se them selfs so strip'd by Sol afarr
Who too redresse that wrong is quicklie seen
For ermins poore to cloith them all in green
The Gardens pranckt with rosie buds still spring
Whill Flora dalleis in her flowire bed
Whom Zepheir Cowrts and swit to her doth sing
Wiping away the Tears Aurora sched
Whoes shril sweit notts throu all the sorre [...]s ring
When Meids with grase and woods with Leavs ar cled
So that the spring thus following Phebus treace
Made ewre thing to look with cheirfull face
When Bruce Scotts hope their confort and their Ioy
With all his knights doth too the feilds repeare,
Stout hardie Eduard feirles of Annoy
And fortuns knight braue Douglas als wes there
Whom victorie did sewintie tyms convoy
Crownd with the Garlands of her golden hare
And many mo all knights of highe renowne
Pillars of State and Pearles vnto the Crowne
Thrice nyntie knights their number were at most
All marcheing furth with cheirfnll Countenance
Whoes worth was knowne so to their Enemeis cost
As their brave Generall feard not to aduance
With these against a great and mightie lost
And hazard all vpon a Battells chance
Thus marcheth he and wold with these begin [...]
To conquer all or lose what he hath winn.
This warlik Lord when as the night drew nere
Camps on a hill a strength by nature wrought
And as the second morning did appeare
The watch a Woman had before him broght
In beggers weid whom he did straight Inquiet
What her Intention was or what her thoght
That way to come She answerd to betray him
And that his foe wold presentlie Essay him.
Pembroks braue Erle (saide she) within a myll
Is come with thousands five thee to supprise
That Scots and Englishe are and swears the whill
That they triumphing on thy death must rise
I hope quod he their hopes shall them begyll
The right is ours and with the world he crys
To arms to arms and in a moment their.
All cled in dreadfull arms to fight prepare.
The Prince without the Camp his armie drew
In thrie Battalions or Squadrons strong
The vangard gave he to the Douglas trew
Vnder whoes standard Sixtie marcht along
Expert in Arms that feats of warrs well knew
The rei [...]ward too prince Eduard did belong
Which also did consist of Sixtie moe
That faint fearis ghostlie house did newer kno.
The King him self the greate Battalion led
Wherin ther stood thryce fyftie borne too fight
There Scotlands, constabill, in arms was cled
The worthie hay, a bold and, fearles knight
There Lenox faithfull er'le his ensigne spred
There Walorous Boyd and others scorning flight
All Soldiers old all weill aprou'd at arms
all breathed warr and conquests loud allarms.
Be they were ranckt and well in Ordre sett
A cloud of men of horse of spears and scheilds
Comes from a Wood, a heard of Deir besett
By huntars kein to fearfull flight so yields
Whoes horned heids a ratling noyse begett
Such noyse their lances made when all the fields
Were hid with Troups and ew'ne as flights of Croe [...]
Sing throw the air their haist such sounding shoes.
But to the Scots when they approched nere
They stood Amazd to sie there good Array
Till their Curagious Genrall did them cheir [...]
With hopfull words of Conquest spoill and Pray
Lo what are those said he which you sie here
But Robbers which dare newer vew the day
Outcasts and not trew Scots whoes warlik force
You oft before haue tryde vnto their lose
And tho they were there Nations flour and choise
Yet are they but a handfull vnto you
Gainst ew'rie one let ten them selffe oppose
So they beneth Oure conquiring sword shall bow
At these braue words the Armie foreward goes
With schouts and clamors greate and with a show
A front the Douglas troupe they giue the charge
Whoe was too few against these squadrons large.
Yet make they nether murmur noise nor Dinn
Saif Armours clash and death resounding blows,
Till they had pearst these squadrons wide within.
On eurie hand a streame of blood forth floes,
That o're their Man-made bankes to swell begin
And on their freinds they helpe to venge theer foes.
For such as wounded cold not stand for paine,
Falling vntimlie, were both dround and slaine.
The conquering Knight with his victorious band
That now hade brokin all the ranks well niere.
Beholds the Clifford that still fighting stand.
Whose valors, worth, he cold not but admire,
For by that gallant Earls strong conquring hand
Some slaine, some hurt, some forc'd were to retire,
To him for iust conceaued hate, he hies,
And him to bloodie mortal fight desies.
Now firste when as the Bruce his foes did view,
Vnder an ensigne al to march in groe,
He chargd his Troups their distance to renew,
And leaue more ground twixt eu'rie batel soe,
In seu'rall parts they did their foes persue,
One chargd a front, one to each flanke did goe.
And each a solem vow had made with all,
Mid-waie to meet, or by the waie to fall.
On the right side firce Edward gaue essaie,
Whose courage hote cold scarcely be refraind,
By those more cold by his braue Troupe to staie,
And yet the vallor of his foes constraind
Faire Victorie aboue them both to plaie
With doubtful wings, till at the last detaind
By his all conquering hand beneth his sword
They fall yeld, flie and tremble at his word.
But Scotlands famous Champion the while
Whoes chairge he kneu was their left syid to charge
Brak throu the ranks with long and bloodie toill
And to his troup he made an entrie lairge
Whill th' English Generall chusd their force to foill
Fiue hundreth strong, with lance, with sourd, with targe▪
Whoes armed ranks he settes into the way
Of Scotts renouned king his force to stay
These at the first so feirclie doe assaill
They brak the Scotts with wraith and heigh disdaine
Who yeelding straight begins to bend and reill
And braik their ranks nor could from flight refraine
Which th' Englishe captane harriugtone sau well
By whoess braue hand aught deid the nint neu slaine
The standart bore: which winn he loudlie cryis
The victorie is ours who yeeldis not dyis.
Scotlands great campioun who this while had fought
Amidst his foes and left his men behind
Rushd throu the throng and this stout captane soght
Whome got his head he from his shoulders twind
And wan agane that standart deirlie boght
With which he fordward goes wheir he did find
His men dispersd but with his cheirfull words
They rank them selfs and march with conquring sword [...]
The victorie recouerd thus with pane
And raerlie wrong out of the English hands
Earths brauest Prince leads on his troups agane
The standart still he bears and throu the bands
Of his proud foes he looks if they contane
Some obiect worth the hyir of his demands
He shaiks his sword wheirat the English quaik
And shrunk oway and out of order brak.
Then he espyis a littel him before
Lennox stout Erle and Hays vnconquerd Lord
And famous Boyd all thrie assailed sore
And hemnd in by their fois, he much deplord
Their danger great, and valors worthie store
They shou, for to be tane they still abhord
And all the ground to strou it seems they striue,
With woundit men half deid and half a liue.
Not fare from them he also might espy
Wheir as the conquering knight with clifford stood
Clifford was strong but fought too furiouslie
And nou groune faint with sheidding too muche blood
His cairfull band to saif their Lord wold try
Thrusting betuix him and the Douglas good
Yea all at once him furiourslie assaill
But his vnconquerd valor doth preuaill.
All this the Prince of warriours did behold
And as a Lion nev cum from the wod
Roring for pray espyis a scheiphirds fold
His [...]ungrie Whelps still follow houling loud
Whoes sight and sound effrais the heardmen bold
Thy flie that fearfull foe resistles proud
Who killeth all, tho one wold serue for food
His Whelps by his example feids on blood.
Eune so he cums with scarled cullored bled
His conquring creu, encurage by his sig ht
Before whoes terror threatning face they fled
Yea eune greate Pembrok yeelds him nou to flight
This vprore such a greate confusioun bred
The English throws away their armour bright
With still sad murmurs Scotts perseu their foes
And noght was hard but dying Groans and bloes▪
From Erebus blak darknes taks her flight
And spred her wings aboue ou'r half of Ground
When th' English aided by the freindlie Night
Ow're Hills and Daills dark wais for saiftie found
And of their Natiue soill to haue a sight
The greater pairt by solempt vous was bund
For noght they fand in this oure barren soill
But death and wounds in stead of wealth and spo [...].
After this victorie so rai [...]lie got
The choise of Princes with ane humble mind
Gaue thanks to God for his successiue lot
And holie vous vnto the Lord enshrind
Then marching furth in haist he resteth not
Till all the western cuntreis were inclind
To his meik reull and with aduise more stai'd
Kill, Cuningham, and Carrik, him obay'd.
Whill in the West he regnd as conquerour
Sir Odomer was greiud at his succes
And thought he had dissolud his strongest pou'r
Seing his oune atcheuments fortunles
Yet fortun on ane vther wold not lour
An vther captaine whoes greate worthines
Had giuene good proufe in many a bloodie fight
A Scotts man he, sir Phillip mubray hight
Him wold be neids imploy vnto this fate
And to his chairge commits a thousand horse
With these to vieu Scotlands greate Kings estate
And wait aduantage to imploy his forse
But mightie Bruce exper'ence had of lait
That strenth shall oft of craft receaue the worse
And being cairfull vigilant and wise
Preuents his craftie foes slie interprise.
With fortuns knight tuyce tuentie furth he send
To vnderstand and knou the foes desings
Who haueing searchd and traueld far in end
His way him to an narrou Passage brings
On eurie hand did mightie crags ascend
On eurie side beloue deip marras springs
And of this place he fitlie maks a choise
For to ganestand or to assalt his foes
[...]
Long staid he not when all his foes drew neir
For by that way they neids must onlie go
Stout moubray then his warlik troups did cheir
Whill they curagiouslie did chairge their foe
And as on Neptuns humid sky so cleir
Sterne Borias to the land the walls doth blo
Till waue on waue brak on the Baltik shore
Whoes dying voice ou'r all the land doth rore.
So eurie Rank on Rank is beaten bak
By that braue count and his resistles crew
Their ranks in Ordour ordourles they brak
They kill the bold and fliers faint persew
All gois to death they none to mercie tak
And with meir strenth and valor overthrew
Their foes at last and forced all with might
Nor can their captaine stay their fearfull flight,
To witt the Douglas,
But Moubray stout wise valiaunt featles bold
Whoes words nor deids lets not his men to flie
Scornd such a flight, nor could his foes with hold
His Resolution Acted constantlie
Forth throu their ranks he doth his wey vnfold
Wheir much blood doth his sterne wrath satisfie
At last he lost his brand and shund the fight
Els had he yeildit captiue to their might.
His fanting troups fled home the way they came
Which when he vieud vpone the vther side
Such raige and furie did his breist inflame
As he wold neids returne and wold abide
Gainst all his fois but that could no way frame
For want of wapins forst him turne aside
Whill as the count whoes deids ar eu'r glorious
Triumphing to his Prince returns victorious.
His Prince that nou was vnder Loudon hill
And all that cuntrie to his Peace had broght
These Losses all great Pembroks ear's did fill
And sets fierce rage on edge for this he thoght
If Scottlands King had fortun thus at will
Englands intendit Conquest turns to noght
Wherefore this motione has vnto him sent
By which their wraith should soone or neu'r be spent.
He bids him vnder Loudon hill prepair
To giue him Battell on the tenth of may
And if the Conquest fell to Scottlands shair
England sould quite the land that verie day
And neu'r returne to clame a conquest their
But if the English wan without delay
Then yeild he should vnto fair Englands Prince
And at his sentence stand for his offence.
To this the graue wise worthie Bruce agreis
And for that day great Preparation maks
But with greate foresight wiselie he foreseis
How that his mightie foe aduantage taks
Of multituds of men and lairge suppleis
Whoes endles numbers his meane force brake
For which thrie walls he raises wondrous hie
Eune their wheir as the battell fought should be.
And in the midst he leaus a Plaine so wide,
As hundreths fiue might martch & feight at ease,
At euerie ende laie Marrasis beside,
So at their back, they could no forces raise,
Thus onely here he wold his foes abide,
Let Fortune, froune or fauour whom she please,
But twise three hundreth march'd with him along
Altho his foes were full seauen thousand strong.
Syr Odomer the bold doth keip the day
And marched brauelie vnder Lowdon low
He puts his warlick armie in array
Whill as the king of men him self doth show
With his small pour his passage for to stay
His hardie knights the art of warr did know
These oft approu'd so oft had tryde their might
He neids not to encurage theme to fight
Yet Earths great Warriour restles still did raunge
Now here, now there his restles troups among
Kindling their breasts to hole and new reuenge.
Of olde done Deeds, and long receaued wrong,
The Captains of his troups he need not chaunge.
For these were matchles, hardy, wise & strong,
The worthie Douglas and the valiant Haye,
Edward the firce impatient of delaie.
Whoe with his troup did first assail the foe
For his fierce wrath could brook delay no more
How soone this angrie Prince him self did sho
Terror and feare went sadlie him before
As when strong winds doth caus heighe tyds to flo
Whoes brackish waus still beat the brokin shore
Seas smoth back rold before with gentle breath
In briffels set, spits forth his foamie wreath.
Soe after furious Edward all the plaine
Was ouer-run with Ranks of spears & shields,
Horse, armour, weapons ecchos aye againe
The dreadful noise that Drumme & Trumpet yeilds
Strife, Terrour, Rage, follow both Hoasts, anon
Death softens armour and strong weapons weilds,
Furie and Strife stalks through the hoasts with fire
Of deadly wonds kindled with blood-blown Ire.
Now both the armeis insteling roodlie met
And spears and sheilds gainst spears and shelds opposd
Strength answerd strength & wound for wound they get
Swords targets piks with piks swords targets closd
Then Tumult coms to heauin her head she sett
And from her throt a thousand sounds she lousd
That throu the Air confusdlie Iarring roar
Such sound greate waters send from brokin shoar
Or as when Raine by nights blak tempests borne
Doun from heighe Rocks and mountans to the plane
Stons earth and treis vp by the roots hath torne
Till streams and all in one pit fall agane
Whoes bullring noyse when cums the pleasant morne
The herdmen frights that with their floks remane
Such sounds their conflict yeilds and throu the aer
Sends clamors groans and all th' affects of rear.
But thou braue Eduard was the first did wound
And wounding kild and killing did affright
Thy Enemers whill through the troupe redound
The neus of thy greate deads, which raise on hight
Thy soldiers hairts; their valor did abound
With aufull strenght resistles still they fight
And thou bold Hay aduentrouslie did venter
Heuing a way nixt for thy troups to enter
The woes Hay wroght, an English lord their brings
Whoe wonders at his deids, at last in wrathe
A darte he sends that to his labors sings
And weill neir broght with it a haistie death
Persing his Curace f [...]om his breist out springs
A streame of blood neir wheir his life took breath
Wheir with the throuer call's, now do not bost
If thou has kild, thy blood appease their Ghost.
My blood quod he cums from an honord wound
But this kein dairt from ane deceitfull hand
To tell me of thy treasone it did sound
And vows to ayme more right at my command
By this the English campeoun was bound
With chains of death no longer could he stand
Death child his blood and strength within his vains
For lo the Schaft send bak had perst his breans.
The warlick English Generall seis him fall
And thrusts vnto the front or face of fight
His brand he shaks so dreadfullie with all
That many fanting schrunk out of his sight
But oure bold Hay wold not his steps recall
Whoes honord marche reproou'd their shamefull flight
And for him self he wisheth death were ny
So that braue Imp of Englands race might dy,
The conquering knight this while had march'd so fare
And led his troups so brauelie on his foes
That their they yeeld vnto the chance of warr
Their ranks sore shakkin now much ground they lose
Bak went the first their ordour quite they marr
And then the Scotts with clamours hudge arose
Some stuffs the chase whoes breists with curage boild
And other some drew furth the deid and spoild.
Greate Odomer of all this nothing knew
Whoe being woundit by the valiant Hay
Enraged like a sauage bore he grew
And with a fureous blow he doth him lay
Senceles to ground, and off his helmet flew
Yea surlie this had bein his laitest day▪
But that he saw his side go to the worse
And turns to stay their flight his en'meis force.
He haisteth furth and shaems to sie their foill
Whoes cheirfull count' nance maks them all returne
Against the Scotts whoe still dispysd their toyll
And thikning their instructed pour's they burne
With hote desire, of their expected spoill
And in that verie place wold they soiurne
Whill as the light was pent vpin the skyes
With swartish clouds of dust that did aryse.
Eu'ne as in Mills wheir Graine is ground non may
Stand neir for dust blowne vp by breathing aer
That turns to paled hew their bright array
So from returning troups and squadrons faire [...]
The clouds of dust suted the Scotts in gray
Now fights the English fierslie to repare
Their faults; the Scotts wold keip what they had winn
Both sides stands firme and freshlie doth beginn▪
Bold hay recouered of his trance agane
With angrie shame did venge him of his foes
Searching for him that left him so in paine
Many their lifes for their lordes fault did lose
Whill he on wereid killing did remane
And gainst wholle trowps he doth him self oppose
Whoes good example cheirs eche englishe band
And to their bold lordes work they boldlie stand.
Weill bakt with trowps this Mars-like man coms in
Whos deids strook feare through all the Scottish host
Who lossing ground to flight doth nou begin
But Edward, Douglas, Haye and Boyd doth cost,
Along their troups and here and there doth rinn,
Praising the bold and cowards still they boast,
Yet their braue deids preuaileth more then cries
In leaders deeds, the souldiers confort lies.
But worthie Bruce, their harts with courage fills,
A cloud of Knights with spears & shields he brings,
And as when sheepheards sees from tops of hills,
A cloud broght from the sea on Eurus wings,
Amazd they stand, and gaze against their wills,
While heauen on earth a smoakee darknes wrings,
Which drawing neire to them, affrighted then,
They dreue their heards into some couert den,
So darkning Earth with spears, with swords, with shields
They came, and in their breast a tempest broght,
To whose apparent wrath the English yeilds
For they had seein what these before had wroght,
Of their left wing they quite had scourd the fields,
Thus quickly they resolue, and with a thought,
All yeilds to flight, and down their weapons threw
Scotts kill anb chase til night her conrteins drew.
The Argument.
Bruce falleth sick neir to the Northern Shore
Tho armie mutanes for his sore diseas
Whom at that instant heauins to speich restore
Els all hadd yit his speich doth all appease
They fight with Buchans Erle and thence they bore
Their Lord in spight of foes their camp they raise
Auld-Meldrums Battell brings his health agane
He wins Sanct Iohnstoun with a subtill trane.
Caput. 13.
LIghts cheirful dame in saiffron Robs did shine
Whoes siluer beams through eurie pairt disperst
Of this Terrestrial Glob did nou refine
The thikned air and leauie forrests peirst
Wheir hills Groius, dens, and valeis, deip decline
To nights dark showis thoes shadowis broune it sher [...]
When to the camp of conquring Bruce aspird
Greate troups of Scotts of English thraldome tir'd,
And all that land soone to his peace was broght
Bold Odomer nou like to burst for wo
To Bodwell flies and then to Englaud soght
No more to Scotland wold he proue a foe
Thus was the thrid pairt of the Kingdome thoght
Trew homage to their natiue Prince to sho
The rest for Lord the English King did know
By threttie thousand English held in ow
Greate enemies had oure farr greater King
In the greate north that natiue Scotts ware borne
Their Buchans mightie Erle did proudlie regne
That Cummernalds reuenge had deiplie sworne
Brechins greate Lord like vengeaunce coueting
And with them Sir Iohn Moubray they suborne
With many more that by the Cumnings factioun
Held many boundles Bounds in greate subiectioun.
To quaill their pride and tame their tameles wills
Directlie north our dantles Prince doth go
Crossing these farr renoumed toples hills
Of Grangebene that Scotland pairts in two
His euer famous name these regions fills
With feare and terror of ensewing wo
He led his famous captains with him all
Saiue Douglas whom he left for to recal.
Trew Scotts to peace and wrakfull foes restraine
who did so much by valor witt and Grace
Jedbrughe and Etrik Foerests fertill plaine
With ceasles warr he forst to timlie peace
And Douglas tour which Clifford had againe
Boolded & mand his conquest did incres,
The Garesone and captane both he slew
The Tours vnto the ground he ouerthrew.
Strife Discord Warr now in the north did wyve
A bloodie Wob with hate Reuenge and fear
Most mightie mindit Bruce wold neids depriue
His foes of strenth eu'ne wheir they reull did beare
To his most royall camp their did arriue
A gallant troup of youths addrest for warre
The bold Lord Fraser led this gallant crew
His cowsing deir and to him alwaies trew
But whither change of soyle or change of air
Or climats cold or rat her heauins decree
Has bene the caus,
A mo o [...]ine in the Armie for the Kings diseas which shous their loue to him worthie to be notteth.
but earths best campioun theirFeseik into an feitfull Lithergie
For which the soldeors made such dooful care
That raige with sorrow throu the camp did flie
All rose in factiouns non regeardith reasone
Ech vther wrongfullie accusd of treasone
Some Lennox Erle some Edward did accuse
Some Fraser vthers Boyd and vthers Hay
Sum say that his Phisitioun did infuse
Poison in drogs nor wold they thus delay
But headlongs led with furious loue wold vse
A strange reuenge All wold they kill and slay
This tumult rose to such a fearfull hight
That noght but drums & trumpets hear yow might.
Thus whill they stand them selfs for to distroy
With blood to glut reuenge suspected wrong
Buchans bold Erle and Brechens Lord conuoy
Eu'ne in their sight an Aarmie great and strong
Who haueing knowledge of their strife did ioy
To sie the time which they expected long
Yea this one day had made a wofull end
Of all but Joue from heaune some help did send
Not vnto health but vnto speich the King
Was at that instant wondrouslie restorde
His Lords praise God and furth they did him bring
Whoes eies bent vpuard first heauins aid implorde
A purpell Rob about him wreth'd doth hing
A croun not him but he a croune decord
His sceptered hand proud maiestie doth threat
Borne by four Lords vp in a Royall seat.
His couquering hand his scepter shakes allone
Thus he to all the armie shouis his face
Wheir maiesties cleir lamp of Glorie shone
Then with I know not what a heunelie grace
A Mars like voice ane Angells shaip put one
First softlie to him self he groand allace
He lookt his looks mou'd all with staitlie feare
Silence fleu fuith and seis'd on euerie eare.
What words be these we hear what threats quod be
What noise of Arms who dares these tumults raise
Wheir ar we honord wheir your fear we sie
Not your obedience, shall oure rewll this cease
Of oure diseas is this your memorie
By wrong surmeisd offences vs to please
Whoe darres of treasone think against their King
No no you can not thus excuse the thing,
Mak not so side a cloik of publ [...]ct wrong
To priuat grudge if grudge we may it call
If loue, to vs tak head your selfs among
For in your lius your weills your saifteis all
Consists our health nixt heau'ne who will er long
Restore oure health and wounted strenth recall
O can the head a pleasant heelth enioy
Whoes members still eche vther doth distroy.
Ah sie yow not oure proud Imperious foe
That seiks oure fall oure ruin oure Decay
No Treasone to oure persone heir we kno
None in oure Armie that wold vs betray
But these ar rebells to oure croune and lo
These wold put violent hands in vs to day
Brethren in arms go then your King defend
Let not oure want vnto oure foe be kend.
Hereafter we will think on this your loue
When heaune to wonted health shall vs restore
Whill thus he spak the lightning beams did moue
Of maiestic his sparkling eies before
That all the armie who did lait approue
Wraith folie Raige, sheams with repentaunce sore,
Bak to his tent he goes his soldiers kind
Cry all go too go too to fight inclind.
By this their proud and mightie foe drew neit
Whoes number ten to one did them surmount
Yet martch they on whill ech did vther cheir
Nor neid their captans do as they had wount
Their to menace or to encurage heir
But rather forcd to stay by wise atcount
Their too too foreward haist for still they cry
Let eurie One a rebell kill or dy.
The rebells se them disapointed clein
Their hearts begin to faint their hands to faill
The royall armeis trumpets soundet bein,
And valiantlie they gan for to assaill,
The fois so great a Multitude ver sene,
They shame a handful should their curags quaill,
Thus eche on vther rusht with furous might
First wounds then blood then death aproch'd their sight.
Greate deids of Arms on ether side were shoune
Till Phebus piteing such vnkindlie warre
Shrunk doun anone on siluer skyis were throune
Dark sabill clouds that thikned all the air
Than by the rebells the retreat was bloune
Which made the royall hoist seim sade with cair
Nor wold reteir till by their leaders au
Their forcd within their trinches to with draw.
Four daies within their camp still they remand
Four dais their foes encamped in their sight
No day did pas wherein they once refraind.
From skirmish hot and many singil fight
At last the royall armie was constraind
To raise their camp and for to martche fourth right
For victualis in their camp were waxing small
Nor Phisick helps their kings diseas at all.
He in a glorious chariot ritchlie wroght
Goes in the mids they marching round about▪
In Battell rank and all their Baggage broght
Within the formest ranks thus all the rout
still reddie was to fight if their to soght
Their foes perceiud their resolutioun stout
And for that time they thoght not good to moue thē
But follou still at vnwarrs to proue them.
Eduard the fierce whill his deir brother lay
Ou'r all the royall armie did command
Wheir with he martcht a soft and easie way
By Citeis faire through mony a fertill land
At last he causd the armie for to stay
In Marrs renowind schire wheir as he sand
A willaige situat one a pleasant plaine
Wheir walthie Ceres, treasure doth remaine.
This famous toun Eururie heght to name
Famous for that greate victorie obtaind
By Bruce vnto his foes eternall shame
For in this toun for health whill he remaind
Buchans bold erle still thristing efter fame
From vrging Battell could not be refraind
Within two mylls besyid old Meldrum long
Vpon a hill he lay encamped strong.
A chosin band with Brechins Lord he send
At vnawarrs his Princelie foe to find
Whoe of his long diseas began to mend
Whoes haughtie mind was neu'r to rest inclind
His armies forward at the village end.
Encamped lay of foes that had no mind
Whill Brechins Lord against their wills wold will them
Battell to giue or in their tents to kill them.
But he and all his chossin crew discryi'd
Hade bene by them when neir to them he drew
Whoe fand not as he hopt faire Scotlands guyde
Vnwars nor yet vnreddie to persew
These that espyid him for the fight prouide
All rankt in ordour furth their wapins drew
And tho their foes were farr the stronger might
They boldlie byde the Battell and the fight
But these so few that could not long indure
Wer forc'd with-lose for to reteir at last
Whill swift report with Informatioun sure
Of their succes vnto the King had past
Which did his wonted curage so procure
As vp h'arois and calls for armour fast
His Lords wictheld him till he cryed a loud
His health was only gaind by thretnings proud,
His owne cheif Guard he with his brother send
To hold them play till he the armie broght
Whoe boldlie met them forcing them in end
To flie and by that meins their saiftie soght
He following to their camp did them attend
Wheir Buchans erll still freting in his thoght
Ledd furth his troups vnto a valey wyde
Wheir stronglie rank't, the batell wold abyde,
By this the King was cum whoe thoght it best
Eune then to Ioyne and giue a furious charge
Him self aduancing fare before the rest
Let Horror, Terror, Fear, and Death at large
Wheirwith the rebells hearts were sore possest
Dismaid they fant their deutie to discharge
They flie, his looks prents feir in euerie harte
Euin fo our stars their influence doth imparte
Few was their left vn-kill'd vnto the chaise
The erll and Moubray vnto England fled
But neu'r returnd whill for their worthines
The King gaue Buchans schire thus conquered
As soldiers pray wheir plentie did incres
Such store of wealth from thence the armie led
As eune the poorest soldier for his shair
Boght lands and ritche possessiouns to his heyre.
All the greate north now to his peace was broght
Erlls Lords and Barrons were his hegmen sworne
Touns Citeis Castells strengths vnto him soght
And still their oaths with presents ritche adorne
Benorth the famous Grangeben was noght
One schire but his myld yok had glaidlie borne
Then bak to Anguse he his armie guyds
And to reduce that pleasant land prouids.
Forsars strong hold did Fraser of Platane
Recouer from the English by a traine
Then all trew Scotts shew them selfs begane
And with some worthie seruice peace t'obtaine
Atholls bold Erll Brechin both Seigd and wane
And broght that Lord vnto his Prince againe
Thus both the Merns and Angus did obey him
No foe was sein from conquest for to stay him.
Then sodainlie to perth, he marchd and raisd
Strong men made walls about thoes walls of stone
Wher with encompast round they stood amazd
Yet did resolue to yeild at last to none
Ther pouer was such as all ther feir apeasd
Ther strength was such as broght ther curaige one
But this their pouer and this ther strength agrie
To bring them to ther end with imfamie.
For being two within for one without
And heauing so impregnabill a hold
They fedd securitie and banist dout
In wain greate Bruce had spent his soldiers old
Who had reneud th'assault ther walls about
In thryce seuine dayis full sewintie tyms, so bold
As, of nyne hundreith thryce, he with him broght
Six hundreith soldiers he had lost for noght.
Wheir for by offering peace he tryd their might
Since nether strength nor force culd them supprisse
Their Walls was built of such a wondrous hight
On which strong, Tours their entrie still denise
The Ditches war so brode and deiplie dight
Wheirin Tayis flood vp too the brinks did rise
Still in thoes Touris and all thois Walls along
War armed men aboue five thousand strong,
Then after he two months had staied before
The walls in haist he raisd his seige at last
Wheir with the Citizens with threatnings sore
Wold brag and taunt the armie as they past
But Scotlands campeoun wishd nothing more
Then this their insolence and noght agast
With silence he reply'd nor minds to stay them
For ten to one he hops or long to pay them.
Thrie dayes the armie marcheth to the west
Till they ariue within ane forrest faire
And their the King commands greate Treis to cast
Wheir of they ledders mak and doth prepare
Bake to returne thus secretlie they past
The way they came by night nor whispring are
Of their approche let furth the meanest sound
Till they arriue hard at the ditch profound,
Weill knew their Lord the way that they should go
For he him self had markit it before
A schald he found into the ditch belo
And he for to encurage them the more
First wydeth ou'r and on his shulders two
The longest and the lairgest Ledder bore
His shulders bred Iumpt with the waters crop
Yet ou'r he goes and setts his ledder vp.
Eche one admeird and woundring prais'd the deid
But most of all a Frenshman standing by
And all [...] the water leapt with speid
Raising their ledders to these walls so hie
The King first montis with weill deserwing meid
All mounted then and none did them discrie
For all securelie sleipt nor feard offence
The doubtfull night yet had not parted thence,
This Frenshman was Thomas of Longouell.
Their Glorius Ensigns on the walls they spred
Then to the dreadfull work of death thay fall
Death that throw eurie Street his troups furthled
Whom by their names heighe Tumult furth doth call
Sorrow in Sabill Clouds all muffilled
With cankred care came murning first of all
Then Infant pitie weiping then Dispare
Then Horror, Terror, Error, Pain, and Fear.
Fear that ran witles heartles bloodles faint
And trembling like ane espin leaf did quaik
Base shame and drousie Slouth that gaip and gant
Sadnes that set in secret wyes hir wrak
And thousands mo in nature discrepant
Eche one from these and all came heir to sack
The wofull Toune their gredie pansche to glut
And Warr to eurie one his Morsell cut.
Warr that with her led laules leud Enormitie
Rapt, Reiuing, Wrong, Raige, Discord, and Impietie
Sakt, Sacr [...]ledge and sin in one conformitie
Atheismie dispising Faith and scorning Deitie
Wrathe Anger, Hate, and monstrous Deformitie
That Laus. A [...]r [...]s, Mauers Marrs and braks societie
Poore Pouertie and waistfull Desolatioun
L [...]f [...] turnd in bloodie Deaths sad Transmigratioun.
These fill the toune and send a dreadfull sound
Vp to the heauine with clamors rapts and cryis
Tears mixt with blood ouerflo the streits a round
Warrs bloodie arms lift clouds about the skyis
Of deid groand fighs, delighting in eche wound
Her looks ar lightning from her eies that fleis
Her Iron feitt shak Touns and Tours asunder
The roaring of her voice is dreadfull Thunder.
All night this fearfull Massacre did lest
Till Titan cround Olimpus top with fire
Then death and all this hellish creu addrest
Them selfs to flight to darknes they retire
And in a sabill cloud them selfs they plac'd
Then to the west they flie with Night their sire
And all the way they went they left a track
That did infect the air with vapors blak
This they once gone both blood and slaughter ceast
All that wold yeeld was then to mercie tane
Stratherns old Erle got by his sones request
His Princes peace tho he wold not abstane
To help the toun for with the King at least
His sone remaind nor wold from him refrane
And then the toune was leuelled with the ground
The walls war raized the ditches fild around.
The Argument.
The feild of Cree feirce Edwards praise beginn
He beats with fiftie fiftein hundreth foes
The thrid time Douglas doth his castell winn
Then Bonkill, Randolph Huntleis Lond doth lose
The bloodie and the cruell fight of Linn
The first two Douglas taks frie Gordone goes
Greate Bruce doth Lorne to his obedience bring
The virgin-Tour is Randolphs conquesing.
Caput. 14.
SHrink not deare Muse nor rest thy restles Team
Tied to the labors of this endles storie
Pend in the narrow path of treuths poore theam
Wind in these Laborinths yet be not sorie
Because that Phebus baies thou dares not cleam
Nor range abroad for gaine nor hunt for glorie
Nor with smooth Venus, sweitest songs can sport the
But heir rude Mars harsh iarring must consort the.
Thou art not heir s [...]t in an open plaine
Wheir as thou may in eurie pai [...]t be bold
To wantonez ot like the horse of Spaine
Who bursts the helter erst that did him hold
Scouring the medous heir and their amaine
Coruets and leaps with curage vncontrold
Nor drinks thou heir of Heliconian fontains
But walks throu barren creiks and bo'lls of Montains.
Be north the banks of Sea-like-forth did bow
All in obedience to their natiue King
When in Brigantia called Gallo'way now
The English raige and mightelie did regne
Wherefore the ferce knight boldlie doth auow
That cuntrie in subiectioun for to bring
And thither with his brothers leaue he goes
Small was his trine but many war his foes.
To wit Edward.
When he ariud within this pleasant land
Eune all with sword and fire he did distroy
He hight that our the English did command
Sir Ingrhame Omphraueill whoes greatest ioy
Was still his foes by battell to with stand
Whoe ay vnto the Scotts did much annoy
Experience long had made him wise and bold
Cuning in feats of Warr in counsall old,
Furth then this mightie man the English broght
And did a mightie Armie soone prouide
Of which when Edward hear's he feareth noght
But on the banks of Cree wold them abide
Tho thy were ten to one that to him soght
Yet cair'd he not for these whom he did guide
Wer worthie men whoes valour weill he knew
With ten of whom he tuentie wold persew.
Cree a water or [...]euer in galway.
At this fair flood his foes he neids wold stay
The stream was to his bake a rampeir strong
The soothern now at Butell Castell [...]ay
From which they broght [...]her armed force along
Wise Omphrauell still marcht in good aray
Fearing some traine thoes hills and daillis among
Whill Edward choosd betuix the toure and stream
A valey fitt for bloodie Mars his geam.
And when the warlick English cums in sight
Fearce Edward furth his bands to battel brings
Tho feu yet famous whoes greate valors might
My long spent Muse groune hoars but harshlie sings
Both sids approcheth futiouslie to fight
Their bloodie raige throu all the montains rings
Send furth by Drums and Trumpets roaring cryis
Which Roks and Montains Echoes through the skyis.
As two stout Rams when Jelous haits infus'd
In their hote Renis a front two fl [...]issie floks
Meit with their horned heads to pushe inus'd
And rush on other with still ceasles knoks
So meits those armeis and with bloes confus'd
Their arms resounds and with tempesteous schoks
Earth rius but when dread Wrathe her drouth remembers
Sche's drunk with blood & cled with marterd mēbers.
For the fierce champione gius so fierce a chairge
His foes vn ablle longer to resist
Shrink bak at last and brak their ranks at lairge
Some fleis some falls some fight some freinds assist
Altho their warlik Gen'rall did discharge
A gen'ralls pairt yet neids he not t'insist
For nather words nor martiall deids at all
Could hearts from fear nor feit from flight recall.
Whereat he taks such Indignatioun great
That shameing of their deids and scorning flight
He last abyds and with a braue dispite
Assalts his foes with on resisted might
With him a cornet staies for to indite
Their fe [...]lous shame in their death-wishing fight
And their braue Lord with this small band assisted
His foes fierce wrathe with manlie brest ressisted,
This was the generall of the English armmie calid [...] ingrem [...]mphranell.
But as bush of Saplings tender crops
Is soone cut doun by Pesants vndertakin
Eu'ue so their gilded casks and ploomed tops
Fell doun like blasted leaus all winter sh [...]kin
And yet their Lords braue valor vnder props
Their yeilding strenth their dieing spreits, t'awakin
But hemmid in with multitude at length
All deis that yeilds not to such pourfull strength.
Their Generall non that seis no help at all
Scorns to be tan [...] and maks a worthie choise
Frie must he go and leiue or die he shall
Dieing the best with him his life must loise
Thus all his strongest pours he doth recall
And braks furth throw the thikest of his foes
Hewing a way for four that folloud still
Whoe by his valor skaipt deaths endles Ill.
Fierce Edward come eune as they took the flight
Who being loth they should escaip so frie
Still follous them but now they cam in sight
Of Buttell Castell to the which they flie
This strength Inpregnabill they wan ere night.
Yet for to force them Ishe immediatlie
He causd some troups beneth their castell wall
To bring away their heards their floks and all,
Butteil Castell a strong hoild in galloway.
But all availls not their they must remaine
Till Englands King with forces them releiue
Bold Edward seiged the castell but in vaine
In thrice two weiks he could them nothing griu [...]
Till Englands mightie King at last did gaine
Sir Odomer de Wallange to reuiue
Old hate, and came in Scotland to reuenge
Long passed harms but doth his oath infrenge
He onlie fiftene hundreth with him broght
To rais the seige and to releiue his freind
Edward gatt word of his intendit thoght
Whoes armie skant but hundreths thrie conteind
The choise of which but fiftie furth he soght
With these weill horsd his foe he thus preueind
Ten leagues from thens within a forest learge
He staies at onawars his foe to chairge,
Tims restles hours vndoes the Gates of day.
All quikning bright Apollo wold be gone
Whoes golden tressis gilds with glistring [...]ay
The toples tops of famous Lebanone
When English Odomer was on his way
And being come within the wod anone
Fierce Edward wold haue charg'd such was his rage
If noght with held by graue aduise of aige.
As hungrie Rauening Wolfs that do intend
To pray on flocks by Schipherds call'd to fold
In Paths vnknowne their silent way they bend
Their fetherd feitt by winges of hope made bold
Farr of they follow warlie till in end
Occasioun quiklie by the top they hold
So follow these their foes vnto the plaine
Whoe still securlie marcht nor feard their traine.
And on them now they sett with curage stout
With shouts and cryis they mak a fearfull sound
Their first assalt disordred all the rout
With lancis stiff they bore them doune to ground
Who feard they were an armie great no dout
So suddan furie doth the thoghts confound
But their braue Lord sir Odomer suspected
Their craftie gyll the which he thus detected.
Ah fear them not quod he I know their trains
I know their craft I know their force their might
We twentie ar wheir one of them remains
Ah villans this is but a sillie slight
Come yow shall haue your weill deserued pains
In your owne netts your selfs ar taine full right
Com we ar for yow come receaue your bloes
I sie yow long your wretched lius to lose.
Nou nou-oure swords shall all those wrongs amend
Bold, Odomer, with visage sterne cryes out
And sindrie of his troups with him contend
To force them bak but they with curage stout
An ansuer sharpe on points of launces send
Who broght by this an vther course about
Fierce Eduard then with suord and sheild so hollow
Cuts doun their ranks whō blood & death did follow.
From his sterne looks his fearfull foes withdrew
Their eies that winkt which clouds of night bedims
Their fanting hearts distills a bloodie dew
Deaths thriefold horror through their ears still swims
Their feit seme light to flie fant to persew
A shevering cold throw all their bodyis clims
Yea at his verie sight his foes resemble
The Seggs or reids in fens with wind that tremble.
And now no more their captane they obey
His aw seims nothing to their aufull foe
Altho them selfs were willing for to stay
Their legs, hearts hands vnto their will said no
All go to flight and heir and their doth stray
Their Lord altho vnwilling neids must go
He shams to England whill he heasts with speid
That he had brok his vow for such a deid.
Victorious Eduard [...]o the Seige retornd
Whill omphrauell that hears this ouerthro
Knew that proud fortun now her bak had tornd
Whoes smylls were chaingd to frouns remeidles w [...]
Wheirfore he yeilds the strength wheir he soiornd
With passage frie in England for to go
To this ferce youth now all the land obeys
None his commands nor his behests gainseys.
Whill thus he raignd and rewled ouer all
His valiaunt brother that all conquring King
The Lord of Lorns old hate he did recall
Which all in one his angrie pour's did bring
His Heralds gius the camp but leasur small
To Lorne to Lorne their proclamatioun sing
But all this time the worthie Douglas goes
Victorious still amongst his armed foes.
Douglas strong tour essais he first of all
And fiftie load of hay in saiks weill bound
He causd to driue hard by the Castell wall
The Captane hoping victualls to haue found
Isht with his troups whome or he did recall
He seis that conquering knight so mouch renound
Betuixt him and his strength who now with might
Wold force him ather for to flie or fight.
This capten [...]eght wob [...]ount.
And thus the Scotts assaill with rageing mood
Whom long the English valiauntlie withstands
Till like a Lion wet with luke warme blood
The Douglas slops their ranks and braks their bands
He heauid his sword aboue their heads wheir stood
Both life and death that vrgd him with demands
But as his furie led him all to kill
Fear led them for to shun remeidles Ill.
Wobtoun him self dyit by his valiaunt hand
Wobtoun that captane was of all the rout
The rest from him that fled no mercie fand
All dy't, yea eune the fearfull with the stout
Nor wall nor tour nor Castell let they stand
All throune to ground the ditchis fild about
Greate Douglas fame now fleis ou'r all the land
All yeilds to him ou'r all he doth command.
This wobtoun was inioynd by his miseres to keip thee venterous Castell of Douglas an ȝeir befoir she wauld fauour him which in Inn [...]k tione was found in a letter gottin on him when he was slea [...]e.
All Douglas Daill and Etrik Forrest faire
And Jedburch to their natiue Prince then soght
But the Lord Steuart Bonkills only heyre
A man that valors rairest fructs furth broght
Was chairgd by Englands King for to repare
Gainst fortuns knight for this great wrongs he wroght
Whoe with him broght the valiaunt Randolph furth
And bold Sir Adam Gordone much of worth.
The Lord stewart of buhkill ris [...]th agenst the douglace.
With these and fiftie more he came to view
The land and how the people stood affected
But worthie Douglas of their cuming knew
Their secret drifts to him were all detected
Then after them he softlie did persew
And folloud them a fa [...] still vnsuspected
Till they at night reteird vnto ane Inn
Was [...]itchlie bult vpon the banks of Linn.
Then round about the house his men he set
And threatned fire till they came thronging foorth
With bloodie fight then both the pairteis met
And both did proue the vtmost of their worth
Thus Scotts against the Scotts were hardlie set
Nor was their anye their of English birth
Greate is the heat and furie blouis the fire
Wheir freinds against their freinds ar moued with Ire.
A crewell fight,
Greats pitie was to view this wofull fight
Still was the killer kill'd yet none wold flie
The Douglas partie was of greater might
Yet still the vthers fight and fighting die
At last when death and slaughters at the hight
Of fiftie none was left aliue but thrie
That with the Stewart came and Douglas lost
Of fiftie twiss neir sixte six all most.
Bonkills bold Lord that could no more defend
With Randolph and with Gordone steps aside
And soune was horst to she but lo in end
The Douglas did so weill for that prouide
Their way was stept what course so eu'r they bend
Sir Adame Gordone leads and was their guide
Who with a disperat hazard braue and bold
Braks throu his foes and saiff his way doth hold,
The vther two did to the Douglas yeild
Who intertaind them as his freinds most deir
He manie days theirafter keept the feild
But sawe no enemie at all appeir
Yet neu'r Irkt he armour for to weild
Wheirfore vnto his Prince he wold reteir
Who now was on his Iournay Lorne to vew
Yet to the Camp he came are any knew
Eu'ne to the royall Tent swift fame had borne
The news of his approache vnto the King
Who from his throne rose like the glorious morne
And to him says my thoghts were combatting
If my loue'd Erlle did leiue, or died forlorne
And with his arms about his neck did hing
Whill as he kneild my gratious Prince said he
I leiue if in your grace, if noght I die.
Much more they said at last the knight presents
His prisoners vnto his royall Prence
Whoes loue, his Nephew too too soune preuents,
With speiches proud and spit'full conferrence
But wisdome myld and graue with raige conuents
And stai'd wrath haisting death for his offence
Yet Bonkills Lord and he's to prison sent
Wheir they must stay till Lorns new warre bespent.
Randolph was his sister sone.
But now the Lord of Lorne that cleirlie knew
Of their approach so weill did him prouide
By schip him self on sea the fight wold view
And left two thousand on the land beside
That [...] montans tope them self withdrew
Which did that cuntrie by it self diuide
And vnderneth that hill the passage lay
So that the arme's forst to pas that way.
The King that of them had intelligence
Sends Douglas furth with him a chosen band
Who with much paine but schort continuance
Had winn their baks by hid wais which th [...]y fand
Now comes the armie to the strait and thence
They sie their foes aboue all armed stand
On crags, and hurld doun mightie stons from hie
And thence they lat their clouds of arrous flie.
Wherefore an vther chosen band intend
With valiant Hay to giue the chairge before
Of these the stons broght many to their end
And some returnd leamd briusd and wonded sore
Yet to his foes bold Hay did still ascend
Still formest to encurage them the more
And tho but feu in spight of all their foes
They wan the montains heighest top with bloes.
But surlie their eche one had losd his life
Their foes so hudge encompast them about
If Douglas, who with labor pane and strife
Had not arriued with his resistles rout
But then o then bloes, wounds, and deaths were ri [...]e
Long faught they long was victorie in dout
But Douglas now gan on his men to froune
Becaus they were so long vn ouerthroune
Then with the strongest ranks it faireth worce
His sword their maks a wide and bloodie laine
He treds them kild and wounded by his force
Who yeeldeth leius, all that resists at slaine
So kill's a hound the cur without remorse
That bits when he that yeelds his life doth gaine
Oure knight still kills the armd with best assistance
And scorns t'assaill but wheir he finds resistance,
Good valiaunt Hay that through the rout furthwent
Fand matchles Douglas dealling deaths anew
And to his side he step't incontinent
A hardie freind bold constant wise and trew
These two once mett were all sufficient
A greate and mightie Armie to subdew
Yea thogh bold Hay had bidden from the fight
Douglas allone had put them all to flight.
At last discomfeit all doth flie away
Doune to a tumbling riuer deip and read
They past a bridg that our this riuer lay
Which they wold cut of danger to be fred
But of their work they did them quiklie stay
And gaue so fierce a chairge till thence they fled
By this one bridg the Armie past the flood
And fand from thence that no man them with stood.
A wondrous strength was their Dunstaffage heght
The vanquest rebells mand this fortres strong
But with a Seige inuirond hard and straight
They forced ar to yeeld it vp or long
Argills old Erle a man of wondrous might
Got peace whoes sone had done such endles wrong
Then all submit them selfs the King before
Eu'ne all the Lords along the westerne shore.
The Lord of lorn was sone to the [...]rll of Argill.
All faithfull Scotts reioise of his succes
And for to shew their iust conceaud Ire
Their craftie foe by craft they wold supres
Still when occasioun winkd at their defire
Amongst the rest that shew his willingnes
A contrey suaine their duelt in Lithgo shire
That was both fearles hardie strong and bold
He to his natiue Prince some seruice wold.
A peill or strength by Lithgo lake their stood
That held in aw the countrie round about
A hundreth English with their captane good
Comands the strength wells fortified about
This contrey cloune, oft for their horses food
With prouender and hay came in and out
Fiue sones he hade as bold as was their sire
Thrie brether borne and bred in Mars his ire.
And these weill arm'd within a wane he set
And cuning lie he couerd them with Hay
Then driueth furth his wane straght to the gat [...]
Wheir he ar [...]ed with the morning gray
The porter rose and in the wane he let
This driuer Binny heght who made no stay
But to the porter lept and soone dispatchd him
Then furth he lets the rest whill nothing fashd him▪
And soone them selfs they throw the chambres spred
Some sleipt some armd and naiked some they fand
But all their liues at length they quiklie red
None that resists could their rude rage with stand
Thret tien were to the captains chalmer fled
Who with him tho [...]n armd thes houses mand
But tours nor walls could not preuent their smert [...]
Mild pitie dualls not in a Curish heart.
The King returnd from Lorne did weill reward
This binnie for so hazardous a deid
Then of his nepheu Randolph heth regaird
For still his loue his Anger did exceid
Morais great Erldome he for him prepaird
Of whom hereafter he might stand in neid
And sure his worth is worthelie renound
A brauer knight neu'r tred vpone the Ground▪
Whoe being to his vncle reconceild
Wisl [...]d oft within his haughtie heart, to sho
Some peice of rarest seruice in the feild
Who [...]s fame his former faults might far outgo
Fortun eu'ne then did fit occasioun yeild
Whereby the King his willing mind should kno
Nine prouinces with England yet did stand
Besout [...] the siluer Forth eu'ne all the land,
Obeid to Englands King but onlie thrie
Iedbrughe and Eirik and fair Douglas dail
These by the mightie Douglas conquerd be
Gainst whose all couquring arme none could preuaill
In all these lands braue Randolph weill did sie
Many strong holds and castells to assaill
Amongst the which was one whoes strenth excel [...]
The Virgin-tour or Maiden-castell cald.
Of that heigh crag this beautifies the top
Whereon the famous Edinburghe doth stand
And that fair touns frie liberteis doth stop
So proudlie doth the Garesone command
Whoes wills to tame their insolence to crop
His vncle puts the chairge into his hand
Which he obeis and being furneishd out
With a strait seige he sets the walls about.
A Gascon captane cheif was of the hold
Whome straight the English tak and putt in bands
And of them selfs they chusd a captane bold
That valiantlie their enemie with stands
Who in continuall labor doth them hold
By new assaults with freshe and warlik bands
Yet still with lose he's forcd for to reteir
So resolute and bold his foes appeir
The name of the Gascon was [...] bald.
At last he seiks for to obtane by slight
Wheir strenth did faill and wheir no force preuailis
For sure it was vnpregnable by might
In vaine with warlik force he still assaills
Sir Williame Frensh or Fraunces lo he hight
Whoe comes one day to him and thus reveills
To winn the hold my Lord I know the way
Nor all their force my subtle craft can stay.
My lustie youth I spent within these walls
As capteiue whill my father did comand
My loue within the toune as oft it falls
To whom by night a secreit way I fand
Tho dangerous to Bank [...]ts Masks and Balls
I went for loue O what can loue with stand
I shall you lead vp throu the crag by night
Vnto a wall but scant seavne cvbits hight.
Glade was the erle that he did thus deuise
And promeist him a fair and ritche rewaird
When pitche clouds then muffills vp the skies
With thrittie and his guide the count repaird
Hard to the rock and mounting doth arise
A thousand faddoms height without regaird
For fearfull danger could them noght with hold
Vnder the wall at last they rest them wold,
When straight aboue them doth the watche repare
And our the wall one throus a mightie stone
The which a corner of the crag did beare
Hard by them els they died had eurie one
Flie trautors flie quod one I fie you their
But with her dreadfull waill blak night allone
Had couerd them by heauins heighe prouidence
Els with a thoght ther sowlls hade pairted thence.
The watche that hears not seis nothing depairts
When to the wall they sett their ledder straight
And Frances first assends that knew these pairts
Sir Andro Gray was nixt a valiaunt knight
Then mounts the erlle when with curagious hearts
The watch returns that now had got a sight
Of them and treassone treasone loudlie cryes
Wheir with they all awaekd in arms aryse.
Then th [...]t braue Lo [...]d and his two knights persew
The watche with such vndanted curage stout
That all of them they quiklie ouerthrew
When all the armed garesone cums out
The Scotts or then got vp all doth renew
A deadlie fight whill Blood flow'd round about
Their bloodie swords oft gius a glomeing light
Still made more fearfull by the dreadfull night
Greate was the Number of the English foe
But many hearts were ceas'd with soddant feare
And yet their Captane did greate valor sho
With whome as yet them selfs they brauelle beare
A hardie Scot doth to the Captane go
That Setone hight a knight that knew no feare,
Graue wise and old whoes counsall's stayd eff [...]ct
The worthie Randolph held in greate respect [...].
Thrie sones he hade that with him self furth speids
And when he seis the Captans murdring Ire
My sones quod he let this bold knights braue deads
Be bellowes for to kindle angers fire
Perrells and dangers hard, or honors seads
Fame worthie prase to perrells still aspire
His tender whelps so leads the Lion old
Furth to their pray and whits their curage bold.
A pitiful fight.
The youths stept foorth and with their hardie father
The warrlick Captane furiouslie persew
The old knight hits him on the helme but neither
His armour pearst he nor his blood forthdrew
Whoe nocht affraid but enraged rather
His brand with blood of honord aige t'inbrew
Quite throu his gentle brest the brand he thrust
Whoes life and blood both at the wound furth burst.
The yeoungest sone that seis his father slaine
Holds vp his dying sire with both his hands
But o poore pitie, kindnes o in vaine
In vane for help he calls, for his demands
Ar soone cut of, and with them cut in tuaine
His arms, that links about his Sire like bands
Doun fall they both Both bid the rest adew
Both kissing die; Ah wofull sight to view:
Two brether now was onlie left a liue
And yet tho both aliue both twice were slane
In these two deaths yet both against him striue
But nather could his furie greate restrane
The brest doun to the bowells he doth riue
Of one the vthers head he cleft in twane
The noise and tumult of this haples fight
Broght Randolph for to view this wofull sight.
He rudlie brak the prease and came in tyme
To tak reuenge but too too late to ayd
Ah woes me quod he shall you hs fair pryme
Be thus distroyd and wisdoms wealth decay'd
Whoe durst commit so in humane a cryme
Whoe hath so fare from reasons center stray'd
He quod the Captane whoe dars seall his deid
With thy hot blood and on thy heart dart's feid.
For rage and wrathe the count could not reply
But stronglie thrusts his sword furth him before
Quyte throgh his brest, the wound he ript t'esspy
His cruell heart which his left hand furth tore
And wrong furth blood sprinkling on these that ly
But neulie dead, if this can bak restore
Your lius, he proous a Pelicane quod he
If noght let this appease your Ghosts from me.
And noght suffeisd with this reuenge at will
He wraks vpon the multitude his wrathe
Ther Captanis blood suffeisd him not vntill
They [...]ane in heaps to flie suche crwell deathe
Some leaps ye craige some runs out our ye hill
These breaks there necks those crushd to dust beneathe
So headlong flies a flight of simple dous
When from her way the princelie falcon bous.
Or then night fled to let the lightsome day
Vnfold her works of murder death and blood
The strength was wune no southeron their did stay
Nor saw they anye that their will gaine stood
The Gascon Captane that in prison lay
The Erlle releasd from bands and seruitude
Then fullie was that prophesie perfited
Which Candmoirs Sanct-like Queen theirin indyted.
Queene [...] garet that was cannoneidse the chast wryie vpon the wall of the chappell Gordevous [...] François. with ane mā [...]limming vp [...]llledder [...] [...]ne wall which is meint by France that was the caus of the wining of the Castell.
The Argument.
A messinger vnto the King doth scho
Sad neus that doth incense his wrathfull lre
From Roxbrughs tours braue Douglas beats the foe
Eduards bold answer Quens;hd his brothers fire
To view the Englis camp doth Douglas go
The Scots obey their Princes Iust desire
Iew men they send but valiant fierce and bold
Chusde furth of eurie Region vncontrold,
Caput. 15.
SCotlands great King that all this tyme had gone
From toun to toune from citie strength and tour
Throgh fiffe, Stratherne, Merns, Angus one by one
And Goureis cars which all vnto his pou'r
Did glaidlie yeild, and he eune he allone
Their natiue Lord was their greate conquerour
But he to Fdinbrughe returnd at last
Till Isickles his chilling breth furth blast.
No greater pompe, Solempnitie, nor glorie,
Magnificence, Praise, ritches, nor renowne
Got Cesar as records the Romane storie
When as he made the westerne world bow doune
To Rooms proud reull wheirof he might be sorie
Nor entred he more brauelie in that [...]oune
Then oure greate Lord when first he enterd heir
Whoe was more lou'd whom all as much did fear.
Whill heir he stayd admeird feard lou'd of all
To him braue Randolph did the Castell yeild
Which to the ground he raizd both tour and wall
That their his foe agane fould haue no beild
And on a day set in his Princelie hall
He to his knights and Lords his will reueild
When straght a messinger doth to him bring
Tydings of Ioy wheirof new trubbles spring.
The Messinger vpon his face doth fall
And sayis great King and my most Gratious Prence
All praise be geune to God that doth enstall
Vpon oure throne thy worth thy excellence
God grant that in thy seid he may recall
Thy glorie and resume thy greatnes thence
Thy brother Eduard humble greiteth thee
And warns the thus of what is past by me.
Rugleins strong peill is tane by Eduard bold
That warrlike toun Dundie by him is winn
And also royall Stirling vncontrold
Gladlie receau'd his conquring armie Inn
But that inpregnable and matchles hold
Stirlings strong Castell wold not once begin
To heare of peace till famein forced at last
They parle thus, and thus their peace is past.
A yeir to keip the hold he them permits
And if within that tyme greate Englands King
Releius them noght but cairles them omits
Then in his hands they shall the place resing
Sir Philip Moubray their in reuling sitts
He's gone to England Succor thence to bring
And now that mightie King prouids we heare
By Gaine and gold to bring all Europe heir.
For he by proclamatioun great hath sworne
Through eu'rie kingdome cuntrie toune and shire
That Scotlands name by him shall be out worne
He will distroy that nation in his Ire
And all that comes of vther nations borne
To keip that day shall haue what they desire
And of this Kingdome greate without extorsioun
Eche equall to his worth shall haue his portioun.
Greate multitude of straungers day by day
Broght by these means in England doth ariue
So that they think ritche England scarslie may
Find store ynuch to keip them all alliue
Besids those cuntreis greate that him obey
In France all Princes his confedrats striue
Whoe shall the best and greatest armeis raise
[...] willing seims all Europe him to please.
And thus in time your grace wold neids be ware
To sue with guifts the angrie King to please
Or giue you mind to try the chance of Warr
Prouide in time your forces for to raise
Wheir with the Kings eies brunt with wraeths teid sta [...]
Should we his Iyre with guifts quod he appease
Why villane what base fear so timerous
Ere till this day hath thow espy'd in vs
Haue wee till now sustaind such endles pane
And storms of Warrs sad tempests hath out worne
Oure Kingdome croune and cuntrie to obtane
And raisd oure self in spight of Englands scorne
For braggs thus for to fold with shame agane
When Fortune to oure foot the Ball hath borne
No heauins forbid such clouds of fear and shame
Sould so obscuir oure mornings rising beame.
What tho the pride of oure imper [...]ous foe
With euer soll destruction doth vs bost
Oure forces mene his multituds doth kno
Yea tho a world of men augment his host
Oure mite incresleth with his talent lo
The widous oill when blisd tho leist was most
He must be many still and still be glorious
And feu we must be still, and still victorious.
Let him bring furth his England, Ireland, Waills,
With Britange Gascon and fair Aquitane
Poitew and Guian and all cuntreis els
With Scotlands better pairt yet all in vane
God vs protects gainst whoes strong a [...]me preuaill [...]
No Earthlie pour in him oure hopes remane
Trew Scotts we bring and brings this prais with all
Gainst Scotts allone all Europs thought too small
Thus spak the King whill all his Lords and peers
Reioisd thereat and hoped in heauins reuenger
Whill he not onlie fearles bold appeirs
But also ware and wyislie weyis the danger
He for each captain sends who sone compeirs
Consulting all how to bear af the straunger
The conquering knight came their whoes worthie acte [...]
My tird quill mends and my dull Museawaiks.
How soone the King returned was from Lorne
And progres took through eurie regione faire
To vieu the land wheirto himself was borne
As righteous King iust Prince and onlie heire
Douglas that rest and ease did euer scorne
Did bak vnto the south agane repair
Wheir he the English oft did ouerthrou
But Roxbrugh how he wan Iyll onlie shou.
And thus it was on fastingeuins dark night
Thrie scoir he brings in armour pitchie blak
All on their hands and feit doth creip out right
No noyse no sound no word bewraid their tract
The watch them seis but so as in their sight
They seimd a heard of bews and this they spak
This night good Rodger lets his heard at learg
Whereof er long blak Douglas may tak chearg.
He smils to sie their sight disceaued so
But hard below the wall arriv'd at last
In goes the watch, such thundring tempests blo
Ledhous a Ledder made of Touis vp cast
Whoes clerks of j [...]on soundeth with the thro
Yet full of euraige he ascend [...]th fast
This ingine he deuisd wherebe to gaine
Him self sume glorie and his foe sume paine,
The Sentinell that hears the sound espyis
Ledhous ascend and quiklie to him goes
Who doth not only on the walls arise
But kills him too, then doun the carkas throes
When all was mounted Douglas quiklie hyis
Doun to the hall for to assaill his foes
Who now amid their feastuall Ioyis var caght
Sum play to death sum drink their leatest draght
With lyf devoring swords the Scotts,
The captane hight Guilliame [...]erms whereby it appeirs he was a [...] man.
ariueThat Douglas Douglas cryis whoes verey name
So dreadfull seimd, that few for wapins striue
But flei to saue their lius not cairing shame
Or day thrie hundreth they of life depriue
The captane with the rest them selfs reclame
In an strong tour but Douglas kept the feild
Till famien forcd them all at last to ȝeild.
And then braue Douglas they intreat for peace
To whom anon they render vp the hold
Them selfis their liwes and all vnto his grace
Who was as wise and mild as feirce and bold
Them of that bondaige streight he did relace
And send them home with all their wealth their gold
And then to Edinbruche his cours he bent
Wher warlik Bruce for all his Lords hade sent.
Their Edward their greate Stewarde might he sie
Trew Marr wise Lenox, Hey, and Randolph strong,
With manie more graue counsalours that be
To their braue Prince who satt them all among
All silence keipt he muisd with maiestie
Whill one his throne he satt att last of wrong
Acuisd his brother who with reuerend fear
Too this his wise and solid words gaue ear.
Brother what haist what raschnes did you guide
What folie causd you giue so long a day
To Englands mightie king for to prouide
His forces greate when weill you know he may
Bring furth for eucrie one vpon our side
A hundreth warlik knights in good aray
How could yow think that we culd him gainstand
Who yet most parte of Scotland doth command.
Yea thoght he wold no vther forces raise
But onlie Scots for to releiue the hold
Eu'ne these can ouermatche vs if he please
Much more with Irish English Welshmen bold
With Almans Frenshe and Dutchis by all these
Whom in subiection he in France doth hold
All these shall come and with a world of men
Shall we be able to encounter then.
Surlie you had no foresight heir at all
And to oure rising state you wronged much
What we haue conquest yet is verie small
Nor ar we siure of these, the commouns such
Inconstant minds do beare, and so oure fall
Is neir, if one the brokin reid but tuche,
Better had bein we neu'r had soght with paine
To clim so hie so soone to fall againe.
His brother answers heauins forbid that so
Should fall, what I haue done we can not mend,
Not neid we much to feare oure mightie foe,
Thoght he bring armeis from th [...] worlds end,
His Sunne is at his Sommerr S [...]lsteice lo
And neids he must returne for to discend
Fortun must Froune when she too long hath smil [...]
Who surest hopeth oft is oft beg [...]ld.
Yea tho he hed a hundreth Kingdoms more
And could a hund [...]eth Englands bring to warr
By heaune he shall haue Battell once before
He come to Stirling if to come he dare
This spak bold Edward whoes bold words restore
The shining light of Gloreis darkned Starr
In many hearts which to greate loue doth raise him
His Brother in his heart doth greatlie praise him.
But grauelie thus agane the King began
My Lords my captains and my chiftains all,
I gladlie wold we were assured when
Oure foes should come, and when oure troups recall,
For oure meane force must be made stronger then
To catche occasioun and giue vantage small
Then Douglas sai's my Lord let one be sent
That warlie can perceaue whaat's their inten.
And surlie I my self the man must be
[...]yll slilie walk through all their squadrons braue
A Frensh man of a Scot they all shall sie
With Almans Frensh and Dutch I can disceaue
I Knou their Lords and Princes of degrie
Through all their camp the secrets I will haue
Iyll raise my beard and bazane mak my face
Iyll change my voice my gesture and my Grace
Loth was the King that he should vndergo.
This fearfull task he for him self prouids
But neids he wold be gone at last and so
Disguised like a Frensh man forth he rids
His face straik with ane oile no pairt did sho
Of his first Grace his countenance it hids
The accen [...]s hard of Frensh he sounds so right
That eune the Frensh them selfs mistak their sight.
The worthie Bruce his tyme not idlie spent
But forth to muster calls his men of warr
Furth to the flourie banks of forth they went
Vnto a pleasant Medou lairge and squair
Deir Muse tho time hath in obliuion pent
These wortheis names that heir did armour beit
And made their of springs nams to differ fare
Thou knows bothe what they were & what they are.
But what they were, were longsome to repeat
Onlie as they ar now to vs vnfold
That tho their names be some what changd of lait
Yet we may know them for the of spring bold
That yet remains stand not on points of stait
But lat eche land eche prouince be enrold
With their Lords name and these such Tinkior lend
As mightie time nor age may efter spend.
Vnto the camp their worthie King forth goes
Their King their Captane and their Gen'rall great
Whill all the commoun soldeors arose
With Ioyfull shouts and signs of Loue perfyit
Pleasd with their salutatiouns sweit, he shoes
A cheirfull smyle, their loue for to requyit,
Then gius command against the following morne,
Their glorious standarts should the plaine adorne.
No sooner Titan Butneist Neotuns vawe
And spred his beams ou'r Earths enameld brest
When forth the wortheis warlick bold and braue
Came all in shining Steill, their glistring crest
Adorn'd with plums, their armed horse whoes show
With statlie prausing seemd with pryde possest,
Before their Lord, he from a rocks proude height
One eurie troup doune bent his curious sight.
Now Eduards, Douglas, Randolphs troups remaind
About the King nor marchd they to the plaine
And all on Douglas absence much complaind,
But most of all his owne men thoght in vaine
A sight he of the English camp obtaind
Nor fea [...]d he oght nor wold he turne againe
Whome to his fortun leaue we now to sho
These troups that martchd vnto the plaine belo,
From Skieland orknay Caittnes faire and wyde
Furth stretcht to the great north theis, cuntries lyes
Came furth two thousand led in martiall pryde
By two bold erlls of Antient families
That long these cuntries lairge did wishe gyde
And tho farr of they ly yet they aryiss
To help their noblle prince ther minds so hautie
Showing therby their faith, loue, zeall ther deutie.
The erlls of orknay and caithnes.
Ross Sutherland Stranauer nixt to them
As many men as braue as stout as strong
Led by two worthie erlls of auntient fame
Greate Sutherland and Ros right famous long
Of Irish Scotts in clanns that keipt the name
Fiue hundreth thrice their chieftans broght along
From all these montane cuntreis north that ly
The erlls of sother land and ros.
And plesaunt shoirs that coasts the Irish sey.
The frasers Grants and Glenhatten.
Randolph broght forth all Morrays shire almost
These wait on him he waits vpon the King
The men of Buchane thogh their Lord was lost
To shew their loue and duette forth did bring
A thousand bold broght from that pleasant cost
That still beholds the German Ocean spring
For Graine a fertill land for pastor good
The men a people of Bellonas brood.
Erlle of moray.
From Marr two thousand came of warlik fame
Led by that euer famous erlle of Marr
Whoes faithfull heart whoes much redoubted name
Yet neuer left his Prince in Peace nor Warr
Whoes Starr of Glorie euer casts a beame
Which still Illuminats both neir and farr
The men of at holl then their Ensigne spred
Erlle of mar
A thousand by their gallant erlle forth-led.
Erlle of Atholl.
From Merns their came of Squiers and of knights
A thousand warlick,
Erle marchel his first forbier at the [...]attell of ar broth slew camus Prince of dains for which he gat gryt sandes and was made Marchell of Scotland.
hardie, fearles boldLed by their Erlle traind vp in marti'all fights
Their erlle whoes worth my Muse can not vnfold
Whoes great ancestors shind still glorious lights
And whoes first father did the land vp hold
From bondage wild for which they still command
As onlie greate Lord Merschalls of the land.
But Angous heght the Region nixt that lyes
A famous fertill fair and plesant land
From which two thousand did in arms aryse
Led by greate Lords that by them selfs command
As Ogiluy and Brechin bold and wyse
Lord Ogilluy.
Montrois greate erlle that led a valiant band
Lord of brich me.
But he that led the most pairt of that host
Erlle of montrois.
Was Crausurds mightie erlle who reuled most
Erll of Craffoord.
Nixt Goureis Carss a pleasant euntrie lyes
Vpone the northerne banks of famous Tey
And to the North the Eist and West aryse
Pleasant grem hills vp to the cloudie sky
That like a wall impregnable defyes
The boasting foe or foragne enemie
Streaching their ragid arms aloft ascending
The pleasant plains from tempests still defending.
The discriptione of the carrs of gourie.
Wheir Barlie Wheat and all the sorts of Graine
That pleasant cuntrie plentefullie yeilds
In all the valeys meids and eurie plaine
The frutfull Treis at strou'd through all the feilds
The Regions round about that doth remane
At still suppleid from thence wheir plentie weilds
By heau'ne and nature greac'd with all things els
That eu'ne the famous Normandie excel's.
The port or entres to this pleasant land
Is strong Dundie weill cituat and fair
Betuixt it and the German laek that stand
Wheir as Tays mightie floud with murm'ring cair
Like Tagus rolling our the golden sand
Doth cast him self away as in dispair
From this fair land came foorth a thousand good
That in their cuntreis caus wold spend their blood.
Erlle of arrall his first foibeit a [...] us bat [...]ell of with his two sones.
By mightie Erroll wer these troups forth led
Whoes greate begining gloriouslie was wrought
When as the bloodie Danes their ensigns spred
Heir to distroy oure natioun whill they soght
As endles swarms in thousands Bie-hyus bred
Such endles swarms these rude Barbariens broght
Of armed sauageis tho still with stood
And fild the land with Famine Warr and blood.
And yoks in their hāds stayed the Scotts from flight and obtainned the victorie for [...]he which they gott the care of gourie & was made constab [...] [...] Scotland.
But when their Moone was full their Tyde at hight
Oure Eb so low that hope and all was lost
Thy first forbe'r stout Hey came to the fight
Who with two sones allone their fortune crost
Whoes valours onlie put them all to flight
O wonder thrie our cums a mightie host
But so Joue wild that from so fair a spring
Scotlands greate Constabill his stream should bring.
Then fertill Fife nixt musterd foorth hir brood
A land by Nature fair and ritche by arte
From Tay's great streame to Forths cleir christall flood
She gathers furth her bands in eurie parte
Erlles Lords and knights they all ar horsmen good
Th [...] thousand chosen men of heighe desarte
Rothes greate erlle and many erlls beside
Amid these troups spred furth their Ensigns wide.
Erlle of rothes and the Lord lindsay with others.
Thrie thousand more came furth of Louthean fair
All Princes Lords and knights and men of fame
Wheir Setons Lord eume Weintons erlle did bear
Not meanest reull with vthers of greate name
Angous greate erlle a [...]d Morton bothe was their
Tho other cuntries fair might them reclame
Wheir they bore reull with many barrons more
As Gems doe ringis whose worths that land decore.
Lord setone erlle of wencon.
Then Lithgoes schire and Stirlings pleasant land
Seauin tims five hundreth men of armes forth send
Their Liuingston our Lithquhow did comand
Lord Elphingstoun his aid did likewaies lend
Monteiths old erlle broght furth a chosen band
A gallant rout on Erskins Lord depend
From C [...]yde that cam all thes and many mo
Lord liuingston erlle of lithquhow.
As floods to th'ocean to their soueraing flow.
Lord elphingston.
Perth and S [...]ratherne two regions fair and bred
Send furthe two thousand hardie knights on horse
Stratbern and Drumond erlle of perth furth led
The greatest pairt of all this martiall force
And h [...]it the Morrayis turth ther ensigne spred
Who from Morauia bring ther ancestors
A doughtie race of people bold and sterne
Led by that valiant Lord of Tulliberne.
Lord drummond erlle of perth and Males then erlle of strachern Lord murray of Tullibern erlle of ball [...]uhidder.
And Bunkills Lord their cam, that Stewart hight
Whom Douglas with braue Randolph took of yore
When Huntles mightie Lord by honord flight
Eschaipt from Jedward as you hard before
He broght a gallant troup and wroght so right
That to his Princes peace he did restore
This Adam Gordone huntlies noble Lord
With virtue and with valour much decorde.
Lord Stew [...]rd then of Bonk [...]ll.
He is the Mers a mightie reull did bear
Eune he of whom heauns maker had decred
Such Branches still should Spring as should vp rear
That house to such a height as now his seid
Ring's in the North nor can tims aig out weare
Their greatnes worth and vell deseruing meid
Nor can it be amise for to repeat
From South to North what causd them cheange their seat.
Lord Marquis of huntle.
This Lords braue sone in Mars his bloodie feild
In spight of thou sands of his armed foes
With conquering suord made Atholls er'll to yeild
That in dispight of Scotlands King arose
And to the English foe became a sheild
Till they the secound time procuild new woes
For which braue deid his Prince did him declaire
Lord of Strathbogis fertill region faire.
This sir Allexander Gordone sought the feild of keil [...]line agains the Erle of Atholl who took pairt with Englād which Erll the said sir Allexander slea with his oune hand for the which he gatt the lands of Strathbogie.
His race ay since oft mixt with Princelie blood
In the greate North doth worthelie comand
From Bogyis stream too Speyis greart famous flood
And famous made their name in manie a land
And to their Prince hath done suche seruice good
As in the hight of Glorie still they stand
So litill springs of fair cleir christall fontains
Become greate floods and sueill ore toples montains.
From thence greate Lords arose, whoes virteus rate
Might well by fames eternall beayes be cround
Of whom our cuntreis vriters at so speare
That in obliuions floods their deads ar dround
Whoes worth greate woloms cold not all declare
Deseruing well for ay to be renound
Yet vriters bleamles ar eas may be seine
For of renoune all Scott [...]s hath carles beine.
Which maks them yet vnto the wordle obscure
So th [...]t most parte of Europe doeth not know them
Altho their woorthie actions might procure
Our all the Earth in glorie for to shou them
What Homers paines can make their name indure
Prais them aliue lett death quite ouerthrow them
They scorne their wealth should [...]herish learning tre [...]
And after death to look for paiment deu.
But soft my Muise faint not for all they paine
This famelie doth for the worlde prepare
A youth who seiks too waish away that staine
From this greate hous with Magnanimious care
Whoes Martiall heart heauen neuer framd in vaine
Like to his valiant Syres that might compare
With fortuns knight for happie succes still
So fortune shall his braue desings furth fill:
George Lord Gordon Erle of enzye.
O this is he that most one day propine
Me with the flowing subiect of my song
Vpon whoes brou such glorie greate shall shine
O Muise my zeall inflame with furie strong
His cheracter to paint with tinktor fine
Transparent neate and cleir my laies among
All mistereis thou know is beneath the skies
Then lead me in whear his rare fortunes lies.
What is he then O bodlie may thou say
In his ritch Soull all faculties inshrind
Whoes sweitt complexion beares a mutuall suay
Of all the elements in peace conioind
With such a loue and fraudles s [...]pathie
As all commands yet all obeis the mind
His temper fine doeth moddell furth aparte
The rare ingine of nature heaune and arte.
Time shall not cheange his purpose soleid ground
His course no course shall let or bear awry
Fortune in chains his fortitude hath bound
Nor Iudgements sharpest cleir and subtill eie
Can pry wher danger once his heart shall wound
His matchles mind is Eleuat so hie
Yea Nature of her Treasure Wealth and Store
Giues him the key and lets him opp the dore.
But o how am I thus with pleasure led
Amide the wildernes of his perfection
Where hauing thousand sondrie waies to tred
My self may lose my self without derection
From such a laborinth I most be fred
To hold my wandering wits in some subi [...]ction
Their wher thow left deir Muse retourne in haist
When Gordons Prince him in the North had plac'd.
He did not leue by south his seatt so beare
But of a younger brother is discended
From that same Stook a race whoes virteus rare
Hath worthie still bein iudg'd to be comended
But pardon me that stands for to declare
The race of which I not so much intended
Yet if I bring more from obliuions brink
What reasone ist they should in Lethe sink.
This Huntl [...]es Lord greate Gordone with him broght
A thousand horsmen clade in glistring arms
All these cast of the English yock and soght
After the dreadfull sound of warrs allarms
From Huntlie and long Gordone some all thoght
The Mers obeid and feard greate Englands harms
But lo Argill coms with their Erll whoes sone
Yet to repent his wrongs hade not begone.
The Lord of Lorne was sone to this Erll of Argill.
Scotlands greate Iustice is that aged knight
And oure the Irish-Scotts greate reul he beir
These men ar active nimble quik and light
Light is their raiment armour none they weir
At all tims reddie for to flie or fight
Weill made weill fauord cleinlie smooth and fair
Their som what rude yet mild if mildlie vsd
Most cruell in reuenge if once abusd.
A short discription of the Iyrish Scots.
Of these two thousand Archers broght he furth
And with tuo handit-suords and schirts of maill
A thousand more of much redouted worth
Fiue hundreth horsmen bold for to assaill
Barrons and knights all sprong of noble birth
Guards him gainst whom his foes could not preuail
These Gallants braue were much to be commended
All of his name and of his line discended.
Ties war the barrons of his neame as the leard of Londy Glenurche Cadel and others.
And from the west came furth a valiant band
Which did consist of twise fiue hundreth horse
Quik, agill, reddie for to chairge at hand
With sword or lance all of approued force
From Lennox and Dumbretons plesant land
Whoes flourie Mairg still seimeth Amorous
Of tumbling Clid whoes Billous striue in vaine
To wond the bossome of the western Maine
These to obey their gallant Lord was glade
Lennox good Erle that neu'r serud in vane
The last braue troup was also brauelie led
A thousand horsmen they did weill contane
By Glasco Iruing and Ranfrew wer bred
These men, in Boots strong Ile did some remane
Scotlands greate Stewart was their Lord and heght
Walter by name wise valiaunt bold in fight.
The grit steuert of Scotland.
These ar the troups and bands that heir wer broght
And all were bred so neir the artik Starr
That cold keips in the heat whoes pours hath wroght
Strength in the heart and their vnited ar
Which maks them fierce curagious bold for oght
Marcheld for bloodie Mars and meit for warr
But yet seaune Erles and threttein Lords did sho
Them selfs in Arms to aide the English foe.
Yea manie Lords and Erlls haue I forgot
That to the mightie Bruce assembled heir
Whoes geatnes vntill now no pen did not
Englands good fortun did so weill appeir
Whill Joue him self did fauour still their lot
Wherfore they wiselie did them selfs reteir
As cannons fird gois bak that earthe may wonder
When they aduance, their all distroying thonder.
So these inflamd with fire of hot disdaine
Reteird with greif with hate with lose with ire
That with the greater force they might againe
Aduance their lightning wraths-consuming fire
And then a thundring tempests wold they raine
Crushd from the suelling clouds of their desire
Which to the King and all should weill declair
That barren treis could now both bude and bare.
Now passed was eche troup eche squadron strong
When to the camp their Prince his course furth bent
And all his Princes go with him along
To hold a counsall in the royall Tent
Meane while the Douglas all his foes among
Walkt for to kno their number, pour intent
At Beruick fair he had arriu'd vn-sein
For their this mightie host did all conuein
The Argument.
The English armie furth before their King
To m [...]ster comes and all their foraeigne aid
Doug as returnd recounteth eurie thing
Ditchis t'intrap his foes greate Bruce hath made
Randolphs rare fight fair conquest first doth bring
Bruce Beumont kills the English dooth vpbraid
The Scots with tants two Brabanders defend theme
For which the King vnto the Scots doth send theme.
Caput. 16.
STrong Beruiks toun on Scotlands fronteir stands
Their wheir with siluer streams the Riuer Tueid
Diuyds oure kingdome from the English lands
And wasts his waust' enritch the Ocean flood
Heir broght the Monarch all his warlick bands
At whoes great name all Europe trembling stood
And eurie Lord and eurte Prince and King
Some gold sume gifts and all greate aid did bring.
This mightie Prince his poure assembling sought
To kill the Scots or send them all in rout
O're whome he streachd his Empyre with a thought
Nor for to work the thing had anie dout
Douglas his way eu'ne at that hour him broght
When this hudge armie Bervicks walls about
Incamped lay and when to sie eche crue
The regall, throne reard on the walls they view.
Him self in glorie sat vpon the throne
A diadeleime vpon his head he wore
A paill aboue of glistring gold cloth shone
He trod on carpets, ritche in pratious store
Poudred with stones the robs which he had on
And streight in ranks repeared him before
His armed guard, thus set each troup he knoes
Whilst on the plaine there Martiall glorie floes.
Their Squadrons first the cheirfull English shoes
In thrie Battallions eche a seu'rall guide
By Seuerns streams from waills and Cornvaill rose
Some threttie thousand stronge that did prouide
Armd with their piks swords targets to oppose
Their thretning force against their foe defide
By Monmouths hardie erlle this host was led
Waills.
He raignd, he reulled in his Princes sted.
Cornuell.
And fiftie thousand horsmen soldiors good
From Trent that pairteth England Iust in two
To Thams and thence vnto he British flood
These rose in glistring arms a warlick sho
Like Mars him self eche breathed warr and blood
Whoes sight wold vanquhish eune the boldest foe
Led by two Princes of heighe fameleis
Greate Arrandell old Oxfoord graue and wise.
England.
To Humbers tumbling waus from siluer Trent
And thence to pleasant Tueids cleir christall streams
Came fiftie thousand Arches with Intent
To die or win in midst of most extreams
All these were of approued h [...]rdiment
These Englands most triumphant conquests cleams
As theirs; and this greate host commanded be
By Glocester the bold and Hartfoord slie.
From threttein regions fertill fair and good
Of Scotlands Kingdome which did yet obey
To Englands King and held in seruitude
By his all conquering force vntill that day
Came fiue and tuentie thousand warriors tude
All Horsmen braue and bold for eche essay
Sir Ingrhame Omphrauell led these along
A subtill warriour craftie wise and strong.
The mers & manie of all the deals borders and much of the Wastland.
Nixt vnto them came fiftie thousand more
Grose men of shaip weill limd both strong and tall
They croc'd the seas from Irelands craggie shore
But slightlie armd sum weirs no arms at all
Their cheifest strengths ar woods and montans hore
The English deput was their generall
And vnder him Fits geralds cheif kil-deir.
With greate Oneill and Desmont reull did beir.
Ireland.
Then came his subiects and confed'rats greate
Whoes limits stretche along the Baltik cost
And these ritche cuntreis Charls the fift did quite
To his deir sone but soone that reull was lost
By Spanish tirrany which heigh dispite
All Europe since her deirrest blood hath cost
And warr that els wheir doth distroy and waist
Their both cluilitie and wealth hath plaic'd.
Charls the [...] gra [...]e the [...]lands to his sone Philip King of spane long efter this tyme.
Allong the foote of Piriane montans faire
A ritche and fertill region doth remaine
Famous by that greate Bartell lost of aire
Against the Infidells by Charle maine
His famous Nephew Rolland lost he their
Still famous made by Ariostos vene
Furth of this land vpon their oune expence
Ten thousand cam to aid the english prence.
The Cnntrie of Gascon.
That land that west from Tours doth stretche along
To wasche his feit within the Ocean Sea
Whoes Induellers take much delight among
The Moorish fens to sie ther falcons flie
And in their montans woods and forrests strong
The Prince lie Game of hunting vsed be
That pleasant land that Poictue hecht to name
Send to this wart fiue thousand men of fame.
Poictue.
That land which Loir from Poictou doth divide
From whence the Britons erst the Gaulls displac'd
And changd the name from Armorick beside
To Britangnie and all their laus defac'd
Wheirin thrie sundrie languages abide
And Masteius for sanct Molois Guard is plac'd
From thence to aid their great auncestors old
Britangȝie.
Come fifteen thousand warlick soldiors bold.
Sanct Molois ha [...]n a gri [...]e strēgth is guearded by Masteus.
From that most frutfull orchard fair of france
Which Rollo great and his Noruegians stout
Of simple Charls got for Inheritance
Of them it still yet bears the name about
From thence a galland did him self aduance
And conquerd England with a warrlike rout
Of thousands ten: heigh heauns such wonders wroght
Like number now to Englands aid was broght.
Normandie.
From that ritche land whoes chalkie swan like schoirs
Fair kent beholds best when the Sune goes doune
Whoes cheif toun vieus fair Douers cleif and gloir's
To sie the tours that her fair front doth croune
And thence wheir Cesars monument restoir's
His neuer deing memoreis renoune
Came thrice ten hundreth soldiors to this warr
Bold strong and braue that neuer dreamd of fear.
Boloigne wheir their is and old strong Tour built by Cesar to be sein at this day.
From that fair land wheir smoothlie slyding soam
Waters the medous and the pleasant plains
And from that citie wheir two floods do come
T'vnload their waus from euer springing vains
Seu'ne thousand warlik soldeors came and some
From that old famous toun that yet retains
Pairt of the Guseane famelie and thence
P [...]cardie.
Sprong that greate houses glorious excellence.
At Amiens two vther riuers discharges their Burdens in the soum.
From Henolt came fiue thousand men of fame
Led by their erlle in whoes greate might they gloird
From their cheif toune eune Mons that hecht to name
Four hundreth came with shining arms decorde
All these were youths not moud with fear or shame
That gaird the persone of their migh [...]ie Lord
And came to spoyll the Garland of the Maine
But few ot none at all returne agane.
Henolt.
That land which hath within his borders plac'd
The holie empi [...]s Marquesad of old
By Skeld cutt of, from Flaunder, in the west
Wh [...]iron stands Antwerp glorious to behold
This land the Maiss so louinglie hath grac'd
She in her bossome doth the same enfold
From whence the hope of gaine and praise did bring
Ten thousand Soldeors to the englishe King.
Brab [...]nt
This warr on Europs fairest Erldome calls
Wheir stands vpon the banks of Skeld and ley
That toun so hudge in cu cuit of hir walls
Famous for that but famous more for why
Th [...]t euer famous monarch which apalls
Ronoune, Fame, Glorie, Praise, and Victorie,
As his Iust dew, was their both borne, and bred
Flanders.
Thence to his warr, was fourtene thousand led.
Gent thoght to be the lairgest toun in Europ, wheir cha [...]ll▪ the 5 tha [...] famous Emperor was borne.
From these strong Illands made so strong by arte
Gainst Neptun who still proous their greatest foe
Becaus his floods ouerfloud the greatest parte
Of all these lands as some thinks long ago
But when els wheir his swelling streams conuert
The lands to seas these lands the sea did sho
Six thousand thence vnto this warr was send
Vpone the E [...]glish Monarch that depend.
Zeland is [...] Islands within the sea which the sea s [...]m tym ouerfloued as appeirs by sindrie good arguments.
Their lyis a land along the Germane flood
Throu which the Mais and Rhine their course doth hold
Vnto their Lord whoes rage is still with stood
By sandie douns els all shold be enrold
In waues, thus sand that els wheir eats for food
The fatest soill, heir serus for bulwarks bold
Of cuntrie-men and wageitt soldeors thence
Come fiftine thousand to the English Prince.
Holland.
When these greate regiments all were past and gone
Doun from his throne, the monarch did discend
Inuirond round with Lords and knights anone
Vnto a royall tent his course he bend
That stood in midst of all the camp allone
Without the walls and did him their attend
And their him self first by him self was plac'd
Then all his Princes at a royall feast.
All that was past the Douglas weill espyis
Now thtou the camp from tent to tent he goes
Hearing straunge tongs but straunger harmonyis
Of drums and Trumpets which to heaune arose
He hears their brags their braues and their defyis
The Scotts were now their slaws and not their foes
And oft he hears him self condemd to die
A crwell death in shamefull Infamie.
He smild and to the royall tent agane
He turnd, assembleis greate greate neus affoords
The feast was done and to the counsail then
Set was the King with Princes duks and Lords
He could haue wishd to heir them but in vaine
No cuning slight could mak him heare their words
For round about the tent the gaurd did stand
And none from thence Approcheth nearer hand
Wherfore for oght that he could find at all
By conferrence with English Frensh or Dutche
He seis to trains nor slight they wold not fall
So proud they were of strength their force was such
This Kingdome lairge by lots too greate and small
Was geuen, nor would of Scotts be left so much
As one, that monarchs wraithe was so extrame
From of the werie earth too raise their name
The counsail rais and furth the heraulds went
Chairging that spatious hoist in arms to be
Raising to morrow with a full intent
To march derectlie to their enemie
The Douglas heirs and vould their haist preuent
From thence that night departing secretlie
Vntoo his Lord he haistelie with drew
Longing too shou all that he learnd or knew▪
Thus furth he tyds through silence of the night
Fair Cinthea seimd to fauour his intent
Wrapping her self and all her beautie bright
In duskie clouds which oft in two she rent
Where throu she pri'd to sie iff he were right
Oft wishing him vp in the firmament
Beside the whirlling Pole their stellefyid
His bright aspect might gilt her swartish side.
When golden haird Apollo first did light
Earths better half then could he weill discry
The Scottsh camp which enterd once he might
Perceaue the soldeors giue a ioyfull cry
Heir drums and trumpets their ror's furth on high [...]
His ioyfull w [...]lcum thundert throu the skie
All to the royall tent did him conuoy
Whom his good Lord receaud with woundrous ioy▪
Vp was the King that night no rest he got
Such sad confused thoghts his brains did fill
Of greate effairs and many mightie plot
Of Douglas he hade dreamd and fearing still
His Lords and Princes round about did not
His [...] him and Ioy'd in his goodwill
The knight kneld doune and kist his Princes hand
Who reasd him vp and thus did him demand,
Where haue you bein why haue you staied so long
What haue you veiud hou faires fair Englands Prince
My royall Lord quod he at [...] Berwike strong
I stayde til Englands armie came from thence
I veiud and walkt their squadrons all among
I saue that monarchs greatt magnificence
Whoes Royall pomp and mightie pouer in watt
Surmonts all, European Princes farr.
The number greate of that so mightie host
Passeth thrie hundreth thousand as I think
They couer all the land from cost to cost
They spoyl [...] the contreis dry the floods they drink
Thither all Europe gatherd is almost
And if proud vaunts be deads they scorne to shrink
But in a word suck their confussioun is
Joue be our aid they shall the Garland mi [...].
For of the greatest part of all their bands
Both horse and fute their disciplein is small
They k [...]ip no ranks their captains stil with stands
They knou no drum no [...] trumpets sound at all
Naiked vn armd their wapins f [...]w commands
Onlie the English archers bold and tall
All valiant men so weill traind vp in warrs
Or pace should raigne from heauin they'il tear the [...]
And their is twentie thousand horsmen more
That alway on the King him self auait's
Earth can no brauer men then these restore
The rest of English knoes no war lik feates
Nor were they euer vsd to warre before
But hope of Lordships rents and heigh estaits
Hath broght them furth for all this Kingdome great
Is geu'ne and Scotts by thoght distroyed quit.
And that your grace should not eschaip their hands
Two knights vnto that mightie King hath sworne
Dead or aliue to bring yow bound in bands
T'abid what Death he list impose inscorne
Of your new croune, which each of them demands
In meir disdaine their trophes to adorne
Greate Glocester is one as doth apeir,
Sir Henrie Boem the vther hight I heir.
They to your brother and my self applyis
Greate torments too for out so bloodie mind
This said furth from the Princes angrie eics
Flea sparks of wrath flams from his face furth shind
Praise be to god quod he our enemies
He blinded hath and that Kings hautie kind
He hardnes still with Pharaos, so his shame
And fall I wish may glorefie his name.
Now stronglie were the Scotts encamped their
Where Banoghes burne mongst shaddie bankes doeth plai [...]
The Torwood neir within a valley fair
And for the battell their they neids wold stay
Whill as this worthie Generall did prepair
To stoppe their foes least they should find away
Them to encompas round, which threatning storms
Their multitude might easilie performe.
Wherfore eune their where their great host should stand
With ditches deep the plaine he overcl [...]d
Wherein sharp Staiks were pit [...]d at his command
Then cuninglie againe al couered
The enemie by this was hard at hand
Whoes squadrons lairge ouer al the land was spred
When their for-front was at the valeis end
Their last Battaillon did thrie le [...]gues extend.
Wherefore the King his matcheles Nepheu sent
With him fiue hundreth Martiall men of warr
Doune to a way that throu the valey went
To sterling castell and would neids debarr
That hold of aid yee he would still preuent
His foes great slight or strength thus broght from fa [...]
But this his forsight did the sootherne know
That would ou'r shoot him self in his oune bow.
My [...] Author saies ane hōderi [...]h but al the cronickles agre on fiue hōdr [...]th
Cliffords braue Lord a bold and warlik knight
They sent before the hoist a mille and more
With twice four hundreth horsmen swift and light
That choos'd from all the armie martchd before
Ane other way to Sterling go they right
Bruce seis and sends Randolph this chek full sore
Thy, Garlands, cheifest flour is lost this day
If those haue past the way, wheir thou doest stay.
They craftilie escheud wher he did ly
Nor feard they him nor anie erthly foe
But they another secret way wold try
And by him were they past er he could kno
Yet he his vncles bitter tant doth wey
Which stung full deip but he concealls his wo
His silence shoes he bears a generous mind
That of a Iust reprooff best fruct will find,
For with his band he follous hastelie
And ouerraichst them like a storme of wind
They scorne from fewer them themselfs to flie
And for to giue them battell turns around
One knight ambitious of some victorie
That for his valour had bein much renound
Before the rest him felf did fare aduance
And challengd Randolph for to brek a launce
Glaidlie the erlle accepts and furth he goes
A strong stiff launce into his hand he bore
Swiftlie their steids bore furth these noblle foes
Yet their desirs farr swifter came before
As Bo [...]eas brok from erthin prison bloes
Eune from the Toples heights and craggie shore
Of Coucasus, the clifted rocks a sunder,
Such furie bring they, Earth-resounding vnder.
Sir Williame Hauecourt hight the English knight
Whoes speir too weake to harme so strong a foe
Beaks on his breist but his stif launce doth light
Beneth his curas sklenting vp ward so
As from his head of heuines it got a sight
His helme then lights vpon the earth belo
Furth at his croune the spears point lookt and thence.
Bears him to earth then breks with violence.
This deed prouocks the Scotts aduancing light,
And doth inflame the English all with Ire,
A shout the Scotts encurage to the fight,
Of English wrath still silence blous the fire,
Braue Randolph cairs not fears not all their might [...]
Nor for his men wold stay nor once retire
But through the rout he breaks with wondrous for [...]
And stronglie bears to earth both men and horse
Rudlie both Syds togidder rushith in
And blow on blow they giue and wound on wound
Death Horror Blood from rank to rank doth rinn
Yet nather side wold shrink or lose their ground
Whill Scotts thus striue to keip what they had winn
And English to repair their lose new found
The valiant Bruce was sodainlie assaild
With in his camp yet his awin worth preuaild.
And thus it was the wantgaird of his foe
Still marcht two leagues before that mightie host
Straight touards him they cume or he culd kno
Who sheam'd within his trenchis to be forst
But in the plaine him self did quiklie sho
Drew foorth his bands in haist no cyme he loft
Nor could his foes refrean from fight at all
Still as they marcht for battell still they call.
Yet did the rest of this great armie stay
Two leagues from thence encamped one a plaine
The King comandit so, so they obay
The day neir spent to fight war all in waine,
The wantgard knew not of this new delay
Nor with such strength d [...]rs leasie dout remaine
One hors and foote they fiftie thousand wer
Led by that mightie erlle of Glocester.
The Scotts broght furth by their braue worthie Prence
His cheirful looks did conquests hope restore
Encuraging each one to mak defence
From band to band he rode the ranks before
The English knew him by his countenance
A Mass or Brasen staf in hand he bore
Whill thus he rode Sir Henrie Beome espi'd-him
And to performe his promeis past he tri'd-him.
This was the one that should him tak or kill
And furth before the host he doth aduance
Toward the King he bent his course so ful
He hops to mak him yeild beneth his lance
But quiklie doth the King auoid this Ill
And with a more then manlie countenance
Gaue with his Brasen-staf so hudge a blo
As kild the knight and brak the mass in two.
In th' English that hath sene their campeon fall
Disdane and Wrath with Shame and feir contends
Disdane and Wrath for dread Reuenge doth call
But shame and fear bewrays their want of freends
That they were thus allone now knew they all
A spur to haist both shame and fear it lends
Thus in amazement long they stand in dout
If they should flie reteir, or fight it out
Yet heighe disdain did fearis faint strok rebatt
Now they wold force the Scotts to fight or flie
Eache to him self these words doth ruminat
Oute number farr exceideth theirs we sie
But lo their leader strenght repins their at
Softlie reteir and keip your ranks quod he
Oure last commissioun is expir [...] of right
We had in chairge to martche but not to fight.
Wheir with the Scots so fircelie doeth persew
As they war vrgd a forcd retreatt to take
And scattered in disordered flight with drew
When wislie Bruce, his galland troups drew bake
Ill to preuent, deceate for to eschew
He thinkst, to tymlie fortune to awake
Haist wanteth witt, rashnes, shall loose his winning.
And maks greate lose attend a fair beginning,
Now wer the Scots reteird and left their wrathe
When all the Lords thus to their King doth say
What may this natioun look for els but death
What may this Kingdome look for but decay
In yow consists oure being life and Breath
Yow gone we die yow lost we'r lost for ay
Yet yow your self and ws in yow expose
To Danger still and hazards all to lose.
To this was answer dah my Lords quod he
I broke the brauest staf that eure was made
I must confes: O wisdome worth to flie
On golden wings of fame for euer laid
This answer seimd no answer for to be
And yet theirin both wi [...]t and patience stayed
He clois'd their mouthes ere half their speach was do [...]n
For what he did vnkilld, he could not shune,
Yea he the daunger braulie did awoid
And Iust praise merits not vniust reproof
He deimd no lose, if he hade keipt his rod
But all this tyme Randolph without releif [...]
Inuirond with his mightie foes abod
Which to the worthie Douglas bre [...]d such greif
That when the King refuisd him leaue to aid him
To braek furth throu the camp in raige it made him.
But as he neirer to the Battell drew
He saw the Englishe bands begin to reill
O then quod he it wer noe freindschip trew
To reaue the glorie thou deserus so weill
Then stood he with his band a fare to view
The will of Mars and works of cutting steil
Mars blisd him oft that wap [...]ns first inuented
But Pitie cursd and wishd him oft tormented.
At last he seis them wholl he put to flight
And bak vnto their camp they haist with speed
The Scots for to persew them seimd not light
So werrie they so fant so much they bleid
Many of them were wounded in the fight
Tho none but one was kild and for that deid
Thrie hundreth foes lay dead into the place
Or eu'r their fellous wold the flight embrace.
Lo onlie heir trew valor might be seine
Blew Theetis boundles arms did noght contein
More worth in warr more strength more curage kein
Then in thoes gallant English did remaine
No falt in them: no conquerours to haue bein
One earth to striue with fortune is but vaine
What Mars requeris, was theiris without Intutione
Only ou'r matcht in constant resolusione.
These loses throgh the English camp do flie
Whill Terror fear and Conscience leads the way
Confusioun follous after spedelie
Of these when Curage hears he maks no stay
Furth from the camp he stelleth secretlie
And to the Scotts he came er braek of day
But Pride and h [...]ighe Disdane behind abaid
That all the world could to distructioun leid.
Yet heir and their in twoes and threis they go
Their leaders conscience la [...]rge accusing thus
He wold an antient natioun ouerthro
A frie croune reaue. O this is dangerus
Joue fights for them Gods thundring wrath we kno
What heart so bold but heaune maks timerus
If heir we fall as we must surlie fall
Heigh iustice dealls with vs with them and all.
Vthers that on Disdaine and Pride still fed
Thus say, tush Scotts what ar these Scotts to vs
Meire dunces grose by simple outlaus led
Wild sauage naked poore and barbarous
Their Lord a montain climber [...]aslie cled
More like a cloune then King victorius
A hundreth thousand doth adorne our hoast
In whoes sterne face he darrs not look allmost.
No sooner we shall in the feilds appeir
When they in Caues and Dens them selfs shall hide
Gainst flights of Egills darres poore Crous compeir
Or sillie sheip the dreadfull Lions bide
Dare a poore band of cuntrie swans draw neir
Vnto a world of martiall soldeors tride
In bloodie fights, no no if we but sight them
Oure veray drums and trumpets shall affright them.
Thus brage the English whill two courteous knights
Whois chaist ears still abhord vane glorious bosts
Replied, these Scotts whome your cleir day benights
A handfull ay compaird with your greate hosts
Poore sauge simple whom your neame afrights
These many hundreth yeirs hath keipt these costs
And throu the wordle haue wone a famous name
Their trophes darkning oft your gloreis beame.
And sure these Crous do merit double praise
That beat the Princelie Egills from their nest
These scheip aboue all beasts them selfs doth raise
That tear the Lions which disturb their rest
If a poore band of fermors nou adais
Of conquests wrong, great Kings hath dispossest
Eune in dispight of such great strenght so neir
They merit most whoes worth doth most appeir,
As for the Bruce whome you so much disdaine
And rather termis a ruffian then a roy
We heir that he but with a simple traine
Eune Englands mightie armeis doth distroy
And tho the Scotts them selfs be him againe
He conquers still a Greek in midst of Troy
Ah if he be so worthles as you mak him
Why trouble you all Europe thus to tak him.
In Brabant borne these knights were both that mak
Their parte so good whome yet they neuer knew
Such indignatioun heighe the English tak
Both Sids leap furth to arms and wapins drew
But soone commanders wise their furie brak
And both wer broght to that greate Monarchs view
Who when he hard what they had boldlie said
This hauie punishment vpone them laid.
We chairge you quiklie from oure camp quod he
And presentlie vnto the Scotts repare
Their hinder what you can oure victorie
Both with your counsail valour strenth and [...]are
And who soeuer too morrou lets vs sie
Their Sotish heads cut from their trunks I swea [...]
Gainst eurie head a hundreth punds to set
And think the dead good seruice to oure state.
Then wheir the Scotts encamped were they go
A guard of horsmen did them their conuoy
When greate and worthie Bruce their cause did kn [...]
He did receaue them with exceiding Ioy
And when the battell endit was did sho
Suche bountie high as ritche without annoy
To Antuerp they returnd and bulded thei [...]
In honor of the Scoots a Mansion fair.
The, Scotts hou [...] boolded in hand war [...], wherein Bruce▪ Portrat and the Scotts Arms was set.
Each Armie now for battel sterne prouids
Each on their Lord and maker loudlie call
Long time the Scotts in zealous pray'r abids
Before the Lord in humble wise they fall
That Fa [...]th that Trueth that Right and Justice gid [...]
In whic [...] they pray him to protect them all
Whill heauins gold spangled Cannobe was spred
And silent Morpheus broght them to their bed.
[Page]
The Argument.
Both Armeis Ioyne in long and doubtfull fight
And threttie thousand in the ditches die
King Edwards deids encurage eurie knight
And Scotts for to preuent their victorie
Is for [...]d to Ioyne with them in Singill fight
When th' Argentine greate Bruce hath ki [...]d they flie
Their King abids and wold the flight restore
But seis new aid and fless his foes before.
Caput. 17.
WHen bright Hiperion [...]s goldine carr arose
Both armes soone were cled in glistring armes
Whoes golden splendor gainst the Sune furth shoes
Earthes lightning hote the Aers cold region warmes
First eche braue Scot to diuine seruice goes
No trumpets blast was heard nor drumes allarmes
The sacrament they take to heaune vpfleis
Eche humbled hearts best pleasing sacrafice.
The English squadrons marchd vnto the plaines
And all the land with arms doth ouerflo
A iust half moone their battells forme containes
Sharp to eche point brod to the mids they gro
In battells fiue their mightie Host remaines
Two on the right and on the left hand two
Of their greate King that in his battel large
A hunderth thousand horsmen led to charge▪
Greate Arrandell nixt him on his right hand
The chairge ou [...]r fiftie thousand Archers bore
Those English wer all come from English-land
No brauer warriors could the earth restore
Nixt vnto him did valiant Hairtfoord stand
On horse and futt that led as many more
From Scotland, England, France, and Ireland broght
With Sheilds, with Launces, Piks, & Swords, they foght
Nixt on the left hand valiaunt Oxfoord stood
That fiftie thousand footmen broght to fight
All these did seim approued Souldiors good
With dairts sword Piks and vther Ingins wight
And Glochester nixt him that thrists for blood
Had in his battell many warlick knight
Like to the vther wing his wing was pleac'd
With arms and curage both alik ar greac'd
In the greate battel with the King abod
Henolts greate Erle and many Princes mo
On his right hand that warlick campioun rode
Whoes fame so much our all the world did go
Of Argentine sir Giles that gaind abrod
So many conquests our the pagane foe
Greate Pembrok [...] Erle on his left band did stay
His saiftie onlie in their valors lay.
Sir Giles of argen [...]ine & Sir Odomer de vallange rode on eather hand of the King.
And then greate Bruce came to the plane at last
And this new moone thus for to perse essayis
First brod behind his battells forme was cast
Then stretched furth to a point Pirameid wayis
Seuin thousand warriours in the vantgard past
With the feirce knight in warr more bold then wvis [...]
Whome Scotlands Stewart seconds in command
His feirce and firie nature to withstand.
Manie braue knights vnto this battell drew
Bold warlick▪ ferce and men of worthie fame
And then the second battell did ensew
Morais stout Erle them led whoes famous name
Shall neuer die and many we [...]lick crew
With him▪ whoes hearts did fleit in valors streame
Their number like the first and these did be are
Spears Piks and Suords and all Ingins of warr
Randolph.
The conquering knight the third Batallione broght
Seauin thousand also did this host containe
Sco [...]lands greate Constabill vnto him soght
Braue Hay and these that did with him remaine
The Boid and vther Lords still worthie thoght
But last of all did marche vnto the plaine
The greatest battell which the King commands
the Valient Douglas
Wheir fourtein thousand armed warreors stands
the Erl of erol▪
Many of all the noble men ware their
And all these hosts on fut did march to fight
To eurie battell did the King repair
Whoes quik cleir eies send furth a cheirfull light
His v [...]sard vp he mildlie doth declair
The price of conquest punishment of flight
And with a countenance which wold haue, made
Euen cowardis hardie thus into them said.
My friends quod he behold this glorious day
Wheirin the heauins to croune ou [...]e Ioys hath sworne
Let none of yow their multituds effray
Gainst God and querrells Iust force seims forlorne
In Scotland fiftie thousand yet doth stay
Meit for the warre whome we haue all forborne
And yow we chuisd whoes hearts could neuer fail-yow
Nor could base fear of death, at all assaill yow.
The Bruce his oratione. Multitood maks novie [...]torie.
The worst of yow his Gentreis will declair
And of his reputatioun still will bost;
A Gentleman may with a Lord compair
But what is he if honor once be lost
And heir on honor waiteth ritches fair
These two that all the world so much do cost
Which if yow wish, do now but cair for fame
He neuer deis that winns a famous name.
The Scots wer all chofin Gentilmen no commons amōgst theme.
What is that armie whi [...]h yow now behold
But eune a new raisd Babell of confusioun
The Soldeors mistak their captans bold
To colonels reull the captans mak intrusioun
Thus eurie one by vther is controld
And Iarring foundeth forth a ghostlie vifioun
All kind of beasts wold in one heard confound
Their reullers witt with their confused sound.
Besids they came oure natioun to distroy
And from the earth to roote and rais oure name
Look not by flight your life for to enioy
But rather thousand torments most extreame
Your Maids and Wyfs to death they shall convoy
When in your sight they raueishd ar with shame
Yee all must die and they inioy as theirs
What yow haue buld or planted for your heyrs▪
Then if yow wold preuent their crueltie
And endles praise and endles wealth obtaine
Let eurie one of yow mak one to die
So one triumphand conquest shall we gaine
As for ten thousand which among yow be
We know such valor doth in them remaine
Eche shall kill two: and whoe of yow be is lost
We sweare his Airs their wairds shall nothing cost.
Yea what I seik yow may performe at will
For what at they a Chaos heap confuisde
Na [...]ked or slightlie armd and wanting skill
To till the ground and keip their flocks more vsd
How can their King preuent their following Ill
When feare and Ignorance hath teull abusde
In danger who wants skill hath curage lost
One coward disconforts a mightie host.
The English King (his armie in array)
Thus by him self and by his Trinshmen spak
If I were not so weill assuirde too day
Of victorie and of these Dastards wrak,
An other forme of speache I wold essay,
But Bruce that Fox now may not turne his bak▪
God doth him thus wit hin this feild inclose
That we may giue what death we list impose.
King edward his [...]ratione.
His brether by oure Princelie Syir was taine
And Iustlie punishd were as they deserud
King Robert and Eduard his brother.
And onlie but these two doth yet remaineBy ws it rests they should alike be seru'd
These Scotts which yet their small host doth containe
Ar noght but Robbers poore and hunger sterud
These ar not they that hath so oft before
Fors'd oure bold English from the northern shore.
King Robert head 2. brether [...] taken preso [...]ers who ware both slaine.
In this long warr all these ar spent and lost,
Noght but the dregs remains run is the wine
Distroy them kill them scatter all their host,
We sie them els to fearfull flight incline,
This kingdome, fair and lairge from cost to cost
Tak yow for eu're: Noght but the name is mine
Dare one poore slaue gainst thousand Captans fight▪
No no oure shad shall put them all to flight.
Whill thus he spoke the Scots on kneis doun fall
And prayd to Christ, whill as they did espy
His Croce reard vp on hight before them all
By him that [...]uld Sanct Androes Priorie
S [...]e quod the King how they for mercie call
Wheir at the English armie gius a cry
But thus that Antient Graue and warlik knight
Did answer him Sir Omphrauell that hight▪
Your maiestie indeid hath spokin trew
They call for mercie to the Lord of grace
But at your grace they do no pardon sew
Nor will they flie this mightie host a space
The more their wounds the more their strength renew
To sie their blood their valor doth incrces
But if your maiestie wold ouerthrow them
Vse this devise for surlie best I know them,
Before them let your armie seim to flie
And yow shall sie them brak their Battells strong
None with his Captane will commanded be
Thus quyte disordred shall they be er long
Tush quod the King, I scorne they flight should sie
When both oure force and valor is too strong
Let these that feare them vse such craft or flie them
We mind if they darr fight at all, to sie them.
Thus martching on the English armie goes,
The Scots enflamd with furie hate and Ire
Wold giue the Chairge, but their wise Lord that knoes
Their haist doth Curb and brydill their Desire,
Vntill the pits prepaired for his foes▪
They could not shune: and then he bloes the fire
Of their feirce Curage, when his will was done:
And both the armeis rush togither sone.
It was a wondrous straunge and dreadfull sight,
To sie these squadrons meit vpon the plaine,
How eurie soldior Captane Lord and knight,
Straue endles praise and glorie to obtaine,
The Scotts schrill trumpets thunders furth the fight,
Their foes send furth heaune deafning sound againe,
Both armeis seimd two woods their leaus that cast
When Winter foorth his bitter breath doth blast.
Both sides approche their blooddie rage to glutt
And terrible the coward seemes to be
Hote furie flammes within and burnes without
Blood heates their heart fire from their brests do flie
Trew Curage and Desire had banishd Doubt
Their hand and foote stroue with their thoght and Eie
In gesture thus they were alreddie ioynd
By thought their triumphes all were quikly [...]oynd.
Earth shrinkes and aer was darkned with the dust
Tumult ascendes whill thunder shaekes the ground
Both armeis rudelie meet and brauelie iust
Braue yet in show till terror beautie dround
Swords sheeldes and helmes glistred like heaune almost
Horror it self seemd first with pleasure cround
Blood had not garde their armes, caskes keep their head
No members cutt, nor murd [...]ed heapes lay dead.
But as in Autums first and fairest Prime
The angrie wrath of heauins reuengefull King
For hell bred sinns, furth of sterne Boreas clime
Scharp shours of hail with blustring winds doth bring
So heir the shours of arrous lairger tyme
Darkins heauins face whill throw the air they sing
A heaune new framd of yron cloudes they view
Whoes pearsing beames the vitall blood furth drew
Ther stormes pourd doune who [...]s haell wer yrone stinges
And funde no earth but couerd horse and men
And eche a wakning wound or death furth bringes
Heaune sends doune suddane harme no [...] know they whē
Chance seemis trew fate hape killith hopes disignes.
But aim the archer spends no shaft in vane
The brauest kills triumphing our his foe
But he is kild of whome he doeth not kno.
Scotts worthie King that seis the harmefull wrong
Done to his men by English archers kene
Fiue hundreth horsmen sends freshe hardie strong
Led by the euer famous K [...]i [...]h I wene
Who goes about and at their baks ere long
With stiff strong launces all in reast were sene
Through all their ranks they brak with furious might
And beats them to the earth with sad affright.
This was the Lord Mershall & [...]eght Robert Keith.
Scotlands greate Merschall heir suche Valor shew
As maks h [...]s glorie leiue in endles fame
For more then seauintie tims he did renew
Vnequall fight with Danger most extreame
Greate Arandell in fight he did subdew
And by his onlie valors lightining beame
Foyld fiftie thousand warlik men of pride
Whill scars fiue hundreth did with him abide.
Thus whill the fronts of both the armeis fight
The greate Battalion of the English Host
Fourth ouer the couered ditchis mairchith right,
Wheit more then thrertie thousand horse almost,
With groning Earth doth shak, and turns to flight,
But such dreid Thunders earths wid bowells tost
As tumbling in her brest, doth vaune a way
To suellow them in darknes hid from day
Some break their necks legs arms their horse below
Some smoird some crushd to Death with vthers weight
Some horse and men with shairp st [...]oks persid throw
The liueles truncks semis carued stone in sight
This fearfull accident doth ouerflow
Their fellous hearts with Horror Fear and Flight
They stand: not mairtch amazd they look at lairge
Till their bold foes gaue them a furious chairge.
Thronging throu tanks & ech wheir strous their way
With Herror Terror Slaughter blood and Feare
In harvest so reapers reap without delay
A feild of Wheite of Oats of Rie or Beare
And raizeth all the pleane nor maks no stay
Till want of Corne mak them their task forbe [...]
And Ceres-locks cut doun in heaps dothly
Such heaps the Scotts still kills and passeth by.
Their angrie King that led them this doth view
And brauelie from his troups doth furth aduance
And wheir his steid he turnd or sword he drew
The kild fell doun, hurt fled his countenance
From his fair eies dread Maiestie furth flew
Manie fell doun struk with the lightning glance
But better he whom he had kild before
For these with teith and feit his curto tore
And their were killed by his Princelie hand
Seuin valiant knights whoes names hath time forgo [...]
From rank to rank he martchd from band to band
And whome he meits death sure must be his lot
Stratherus old Erle their deid beneth his brand
Whoes sone with sorrow prickd with furie hote
Did ferslie him assaill but all in vaine
Death made him soone forget his fathers paine
The Erll of Stratherne and his sone both kild by the King of England.
Now I almost forgot the wondrous deids
O [...] these bold campions set on ather hand
Of this greate King who after him furth speids
When first he left his battel guarde and stand
And still on death on blood and murder feids
Marching from troup to troup from band to band
Yea these thrie campions fearles bold and strong
Cut furth thrie bloodie lains their foes among.
These two [...] Sir [...] of argentine and sir adomer de vallange.
So doth thrie mightie Cannons shot at once
A front an armie standing all in gro
The heaune with lightning earth with thunder grons
Eche sirie bullet cuts the ranks in two
Heir lyis the head and their the helmet shons
A furlong thence the Bodie fells a foe
Scheilds Arms and Legs heir monts and their doth mank
And mak wid windoes deip in eurie rank.
And now the greate Battallion which they led
Wheir yet remand thrice twentie thousand horse
By their example all encuraged
Rushd foreward on their foes with wondrous forse
And in a moment all the plaine vas cled
With corps whereon they tred without remorse
Proud fortun seimd to froune vpone the Scot
And victorie to croune the English lo [...].
Now seimd the Scotts too waik against their foe
Squadrons of barded horse still beats them doun
And these thrie campiouns that before them goe
Thrie Wonder-wirkers conquering a croun
Greate Bruce espyis this Dangerwrak and woe
With noble wrath Ielous of their renoune
Wold with the strongest cop by fatall chance
And to the Argentine doth furth aduance.
O who had sene that fight so bold and strong
Their was the Scoo [...] that taugh [...] the arte of warr
These Masters were and had b [...]ine Loureat Long
Nor Mars nor Pallas could the sight forbear
Wondring on earth the mortalls all among
To find such two as eune them selfs woldfear
And think if these two onlie took in hand
To conquer earth none could their force gainstand.
A gallant fight betuex the Bruce & the argentine.
These matchles Lords those warriors bold did weild
Two heauie masts rather then lances strong
Two horse of Spaine furth bear them trough the feild
With force alike they meit amid the throng
O sacred Muse some golden phraises ȝeild
T'enritch my verse and guild my lais along
Make of those lines a heaune reard throne renound
Where lett this famous fight for aie be cround.
The fureous stroke made all the earth to quaik
And Woods and montains echod bak the sound
Yet could it not these valiant champions shak
Nor beare them from their seat nor force a wound
In fleinders flie [...]heir spears their horses brak
Their neks, and both the riders lay on ground
Yet vp they they flie with swords they soone addres
By death warrs dreadfull sound for to suppres.
Both sword [...] weill couch'd eche at his wa [...]d doth ly
Their eies their handes their feit they wiselie guide
Then ceasles stroakes thrustes foines and bloues they try
They wardetrauerse reteir marchd leape a side
Both giues and both receaues both falsefie
Both shunes and both lyife garding wardes prouide
Both oppin stand for death like despirat louers
Which craft in th'one the others art discouers.
The Prince on futt was readie suift and light
And could with stand the Argentins bold sute
Who was on hors more skilfull in the fight
But he more stong mote quik to execute
Sir Gilles hade more art and cunning slight
The King more painfull kein and resolute
More fearce he was▪ his foe more could and slie
And yet in arte both seemd a like to bee.
The Prince vpone the Argentine would enter
Shuning his doun-right blow his strength to teame
Then at his heart the Argentine doth ventre
Which whill the Prince strikes by he doth reclame
And paintes his brest too cuning was the painter
For show of blood floues furth a bloodie streame
Which so inflammed the King with curage fire
Arte now reteird shame bringes reuenge and yre,
This knew the knight but would not seeme to know
Whill as greate Bruce his brest to daunger laid
Whereat the Argentine soone reacht a blow
But left his syid quite naeked to inuade
The worthe King first shunes his furious throw
And then a wound both large and deip he made
This his reuenge the prouerb old belied
Heir cunning Arte and furious Raige agreid.
Whill thus they striue and double wound on wound
Bold Edward matcht with Pembrocks Erle in fight
Of whome fames sweit sh [...]ill trumpet shall resound
From Jude to O [...]kades their praise their might
Deseruing weill with Glorie to be cround
And in all age to shine with glorious light
Their woundrous strength their Curage ech did sh [...]
But nather side aduantage yet doth kno.
Now Englands King not one darres match at all
Whome blood and death attends throu all the feild
But woorthie Hay his curage did appaill
No daunger maks him shrink or fear or yeild
Alcides club with more strength did not fall
Vpone that mightie Tirrant Brouseirs sheild
Then on the helmett of this dreadfull King
The Erle his feirce and furious bloes doth bring
Hay Erll of [...] constabill of Scotland.
Eune their wheir goold and perll and pratious stone
Vpon the Prince his curious helm was wroght
He lightis and cleft the cask which brightlie shone
And to his horses crest his head doune brought
For paine th'inraged King sendes furth a grone
Trembling for [...] whill dreid reuenge he soght
And on his helme he gius a blo so rood
That from his noise and mouth Isht crimsone blood.
But to repay him when the warr-lik knight
Hade lift his sword gone was the Prince in rage
Still whe [...] his furie ledd him through the fight
No generall ought a combat for to waige
But all this while in equall ballence right
Both armeis stand conquest departes the staige
But in the left winge with the Douglas bold
Great Glocester a bloodie fight did hold.
This was the man that swear to Englands King
To bring the Bruce capteiw in chaines and cordes
The Douglas fand him aiming at the thing
A band of knights with him thairto accords
But furth to combat Douglas did him bring
In spight of all these Sold'ors knights and Lords
A squadron strong at his command had foght
With them and both almost were broght to noght▪
These campions strong thus fought a Battell bold
Troy neuer vieud the like in all her wrack
Their Skill their Strength their valor to vnfold
My slender M [...]ise darrs noght in hand to tak
But sure I know the worthie Douglas wold
Noght leaue the fight till his proud foe he mak
To yeild his nek beneth his conquring bled
And for his fault his guiltie blood he shed.
This done he marcheth throw the host at last
Working new wonders still wheir euer he goes
Close ranks he breaks and oppins as he past
Before his face still fleis his fearfull foes
He seis braue Randolph haisting conquest fast
And craftie Omphrauell beat by his bloes
Steward the great with Hartefurd striuing standes
Whoe first should gett a kisse of conquests handes.
Long foght the knights but neither side wold yeild
Equall their hope and equall was their feare
Spears helms & swords were stroud through all the feild
Heads arms and legs by headles bodeis were
Some dieing look to heauin leans on their shield
In deaths pane some blood from their wounds furth tear
These ranks to marche reteir or chairge that minds
Trods on the bodeis of their slauchtred freinds,
Their horses kild lay with their masters dead
And he to death that did his foe persew
Now in his bosome laid his heauie head
The conqueror by him he ouerthrew
Is prest to death and findeth no remeid
O're all confusione tumult and terror flow
Their nather silence was nor noyse perfite
But sounds of Death paine pitie rage dispight,
The Glorious arms that lait did glistring show
Now blood and dust and myi [...] had dinid their beams
Fear Herror Terror on swch hight doth grow
That sullen pryde sunck doune no honor clames
Her glorie stroud vpon the earth below
O're all her beautie blood floues furth in streames
Now Greif and Sorrow beats Delight fra thence
And all doth look with wofull countenence.
Earths rairest King that all this while had fought
With his fierce foe and geuin him many a wound
Yet doubts who thence with conquest will be broght
Such valor greate was in that knight renound
At last to kill or die him self he thoght
And with a strength far more then erst he found
He thrustis againe and from his side furth tore
A deadlie stream, a flood of blood and Gore.
Ah matchles Prince when thow hes knoune the man
Whoes days by the must now be brought to end
Thow shalbe like to burst for sorrow then
No confort shall thy conquest to the lend
He was thy srend thy deir companioun when
In th' Englishe court thy youth thow hapt to spend
No Fauor he at all to the did s [...]o
But Vertuous minds lous Vertue in their foe.
The Argentiue that seis this bloodie sight
Bathd in his louk-warme blood him self do [...]h stay
Ire in his fanting hairt prolongs his might
Feble his force for to renew the sray
Furie Disdane and Raige mantaind the fight
For strength was gone and Curage was away
Lyfe leaues his toure and in the breache remaines,
That death shou'd gaine so braue a hold disdaines.
Vnitting his spent pours a blow he lendes
The Prince, that woundes his head and cuttes his cask
With whoes la [...]t force and weyght doune he discendes
Death winnes the breache, beginnes his endles task
Furth from his lippes lifes aged Syre he sendes
Then on his fa [...]e he spreds his doolfull mask
[...] his soulle fle [...]s throw the cloudie Air
Whoes greate name som tyme all the Ei [...]t did fear.
In thrie set Battells thrice he did with stand
The Sarasins and still with conquest cround
And twice beneath his all victorious hand
With chains of death their cheifest Lords he bund
But now when endles sleip did him command
No longer durst proud Fortun their be fund
Wheir English fight but she and victorie
Rankt with the Scotts, vpon ther enemeis flie.
The English Irckt and wiered then disrank
All flie yea [...] the boldest yeilds to flight
Their Cullors throune away with thankles thank
Threats Cryes and Plaints redoubles their Affright
Their King still threats but still away they shrank
For yet with him vnbrokin byds the fight
Whole tuentie thousand horse with whom he wol [...]
Their Fight, or Die or, Conquer vncontrold.
But as the seas when tempests past and gone
That [...]old her tombling waus vnto the shoa [...]s
Of lait past storms retanes some shoues anone
And heir and their sume swelling Billow roars
So thought faint feare triumph' do're these allone
Some sponks of their spent Valor hope restors [...]
Wheiron sustaind their task they new beginn
But wound on wound and death on death doth rin [...] ▪
The Carriens of the Scottish camp arose
And see their Masters still mantane the [...]ray
Both Lak [...]ys Carters Wemen Sla [...]es and those
That carage keept, came in their best array
And disperatlie wold assaill their soes
So al should winn oral should lose the day
Long napkins white vnto their staues they bind
These seru'd for Ensigns wauing in the wind,
Whill thus the English fighting loth to flie
Eune suddandlie appears into their sight
An armie freshe that seimd in arms to be
With th'eir their siluer Ensigns wauing bright
They haste their pace and with a shout they sie
That these curagiouslie intend to fight
Disconfeit quite they now resist no more
But flees that wold haue fled long time before.
The Scotts persew them in a dispirat sort
Some through the plains some to the montans flie
Wheir eu'r their headles fear doth them transport
A whirll wind seims to beare them haistelie
Thousands the tumbling forth of lyfe cuts short
And thousands mo in flight their foes our hy
Base deaths they se [...]k but fleis the death which lend
In Glorious fight a fare more Glorious end.
FINIS.