A prophesie of Cadvvallader, last king of the Britaines containing a comparison of the English kings, with many worthy Romanes, from William Rufus, till Henry the fift. Henry the fift, his life and death. Foure battels betweene the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster. The field of Banbery. The losse of Elizabeth. The praise of King Iames. And lastly a poeme to the yong Prince.

A PROPHESIE OF Cadwallader, laſt King of the Britaines. SItting with Clio by the gliding Thame, Deſcription of Fortune. neere to her ſiluer girt the verdant ſtrand, I ſaw Rhamuſis ſo adornd by fame: Dauncing in meaſures, on the farther ſand, Holding a Ball of gold within her hand: She ſtood on that, that neuer ſtood but went, So muſt all thoſe that truſt her gouernment. Then did this Queene, her wandring coach aſcend, Whoſe wheeles were more inconſtant then the winde, A mighty troope this Empreſſe did attend, There might you Caius Marius caruing find, And martiall Scylla courting Venus kind: Times alter, and in times we changed bee, Chaunce onely conſtant is in leuitie. There might you ſee how Archimedes art,Geometry As a ſtrong bulwarke guarded Syracuſe: How Scipio fought and Cato ſtabd his hart, How Anthony did wrong the ſacred muſe, And Cleopatras body did abuſe. How Mago fell in Spaine, and Hanniball Did pitch his tents before Saturnias wall. His ſtratagems, his ſnares, vnequall fightes, Scipio, Sempronius, and Flaminius ſlaine: Aemilius dead amidſt his wounded knights, How chance his youth with praiſe did entertaine, And in his age how Fortune wrought this paine: All this ſhee did, oh man her fraude perceiue, And truſt her not, for ſhee will thee deceiue. How Alexander roſe at Darius fall, Lyſimachus within the Lyons den: How Scypio did beſiedge Numantias wall, And many thouſands more which ſcape my pen, Amongſt this fatall troope of Fortunes men: I ſaw an aged king except I erre, That cleaped was the high Cadwallader. He was the laſt, ſaue three of Fortunes trayne, Thoſe were a Danea, Saxon, and a Norman king: Hengist the firſt, next was Denmarkes ſwayne, The laſt was Normanes baſtard, which did bring Plenty of Ioy; whoſe praiſe the Engliſh ſing. William, William the Conquerour. whoſe valure mixt with happy fate, Brought bondage to the Iuthes and Augles ſtate. The Britaine Monarch ware a ſimple Crowne,Cadwallader laſt King of the Buranes, his land being vexed with the ſcourge of Peſtilence, went to Rome, where he vndertooke the habit of a Friar Hauing ſmall beades of Amber by his ſide: A ſiluer Croſſe, a Friers white frize gowne, Vpon an humble Aſſe this King did ride, As white as ſnow, or as the ſiluer tide. One hand a ſtaffe, the other held a booke, On which his eyes continually did looke. Wherein were charactred in lines of gold, Locrinus warres, and Humbers tragedy: The King himſelfe by Gwendoline controld, The Scythians paramour of Germany Eſtrilda drownd, the praiſe of Hungary. Sabrina thruſt in Seuerns flowing maine, Poore Madan by the curres of Ireland ſlaine.Wolues. The Britaine Manlius, Madans ſecond ſonne. not the Romane knight, Thinking to ſlay Mempricius Madans ſonne: Himſelfe was by his brother ſlaine in fight, And he by wolues (as Madan was) vndone, For Sodomes gilt to luſt his mind had wonne. The foremoſt booke did Britaines raigne relate, The next of Swayne, the third of Saxens ſtate. The fourth and laſt did write of Williams raigne, In which there was an ancient propheſie: Written of yore, confirmd by Merlins twaine, What ſhould enſue to Williams progeny, Was there at large expainde in poetry. The warres of England for the crowne of France, There many battels with their mournfull chance. The ciuill warres of Yorke and Lancaſter, The Cambrian helmet changde for Englands crowne: How true diſcent did Tudors blood preferre, The brow of peace diſpearced Mars his frowne,The helmet was the ancient creſt of the Teudors. The land of warre is rulde by iuſtice gowne. Theſe ſhall haue end, then ſhall ariſe a King Which plenty ſhall conduct, in concords ſtring. He with vnnumbred linkes of reaſons chaine, Shall three in one, and one in three vnite: Britaine ſhould be the name, for Brute doth raigne, A King commands no Princes fauorite, This he intreates, for this his penne doth write: Ceaſe to command, learne ſubiects to obay, Reaſon where iuſtice rules, beares greateſt ſway. Is it not peerleſſe praiſe with peace to gaine, That for the which, our fathers ſpent their blood: And neuer age but ours could reobtaine? O happy men if that you ſaw ſuch good, But will is masked ſtill with errors hood. Let ture obeiſans vp this diet breake, So Caeſar wils, ſo Cicero doth ſpeake. The fect was this, the propheſie was ſuch Which he had read with carefull induſtry, And quoted euery line with iudgments touch, A midſt his ſtudy caſting vp his eye, Seeing his miſtreſſe Fortune was not nye. His booke he ſleightly ſet into his gowne, Which on the yellow ſand fell quickly downe. Thence poſted he on his maieſtique Aſſe, Like ſome ſlow rider pacing to the race: Than Iſis ſiluer channell did I paſſe, And thither went, where as mine eyes might gaze On that faire booke, clad in a golden caſe. I paſt the Annales, for it pleaſde mine eye, To muſe vpon that ſacred propheſie. When I had read vnto the latter lyne, I ſaw the aged king returne with ſpeede? Kind Syr (quoth he) ſaw you a booke of mine? I Syr (quoth I) if this be he indeed I gaue it him; he gaue me thankes for meed. He poſted thence, I to my ſtudy went, Where on this matter many houres I ſpent. At laſt I was reſolu'd for to relate In Poetry the things mine eyes did ſee: Which was the vncertainety of humane ſtate, To paint the things a right with equitie, I did implore the ayde of memorie. Which ſhe denide; Oh worthies pardon mee, If ought I write amiſſe which you ſhall ſee. Not Orpheus trees, and birds inchanting quill, Nor Homers art heere (Reader) ſhalt thou ſee: Expect not Ouids verſe, nor Maroes skill, For if you doe, you ſhall deceiued bee: If bad it is, pray gentles beare with mee. Say it is meane, thou doſt mee much commend, I'de haue it meane, becauſe I meane to mend. Miſtake mee not, I liue in hope to pleaſe: Diſpraiſe mee not, before thou knoweſt mee well: Maugre ſweete, not reuenge, my lines loue peace, Doe not my ſhame before thou ſeeſt it tell: Marke euery line, and each wordes nature ſpell. Ere thou beginſt to reade, looke, beare in minde Of whom I write, yea how, and in what kind. Faire Englands Peeres with Romanes I compare, Their warres, their ſpoiles, their fightes and victory, Their filthy vices, with their vertues rare: Their laud, diſpraiſe, their praiſe and infamy, Their conqueſts triumphes with their treachery. Then doth our muſe declare inteſtine warres, Kings conquering fields, and Princes wounding iarres. Then doth ſhe mount the ayre with Eagles winges, Then to the North ſhee goes, and paſſeth Twidet And ſings his praiſe, which endles glory bringes, Who like a Pilot doth this Iſland guide, Which like a barke, within the Sea doth ride. This land is ſeated like to Venice ſtate, The waues, the walles, and euery ſhip a gate. Leaſt that my Gates be wider then my towne, And that Diogines my folly ſee: My proems prologue Ile ſet quickly downe, And bend my muſe vnto the Propheſie: Where you may reade art mixt with induſtry. Needs muſt I erre, to erre all men are bent, To perſeuere, is a bad beaſts intent.

The Compariſon. O What a ſea of blood ſhall England ſpill,So called for aſsiſting Godfrey of Bullion, in his expedition to Judaea. Baſsianus and Geta. When Normans Prince, and Palaſtinas friend, With burgonets of ſteele our fieldes doth fill, Brothers muſt ſtriue as did Seuerus kind, Enuious ambition makes iuſt nature blind. Arunce and Brutus dead, Alarums ceaſe, Publicola doth liue, and loueth peace. When Brutus dide, Valerius then did raigne, When Arunce fell,Henry the 2. ſonne of Mawd the Empreſſe, and Stephen Earle of Blois, Nephew to Henry the firſt. the Tuſcan Emperour fled: When Tirrolls ſhaft ſhall enter Rufus braine, When Henries life with Roberts lightes are fled, When all theſe ſleepe in natures earthly bed. Norfolke ſhall giue to Stephen, Henries due, Peace then ſhall be, but warre ſhall ſoone enſue. Flora is fled, ſtout Hiems weares her crowne, Attir'd like Mars in furniture of ſteele: Aniow and Blois ſtriue for the Imperiall Crowne, A griefe ſurpaſſing griefe doth England feele, Whilſt doubtfull Fortune turns her doubtfull wheele. Camillus comes, the Frenchmen feare his voice, Alba is freed, and Albion hath her choice. When Rome was ſackt, Camillus ended ſtrife, And made Bellinus brother to diſpaire:Brennus. When Germanes Empreſſe Mawd ſhall end her life, Henry ſhall claime the crowne, as lawfull heire, His Eame in graue, but he in regall chaire Is plac't, and rules his princely Peeres with peace, His ſonnes rebell, and concord gins to ceaſe. Now ſprings the plant,Henry the 2. the firſt Plantaginet. from hence our ioy ſhall ſpring, Victorious Aniow crownd in regall ſtate: Liuing, adopts an heir, inueſts a King, Vagratefull child ſpurd by a womans hate,Richard 2. Sturd forraine foes the land to ruinate. Romes ſword is Conſul,Marcellus, ſo called by Hanniball. foe-men tribute paies, Both Henries dead, Chriſts friend the Septer ſwaies. Marcellus which did Syracuſa burne, Made Affricks praiſe, •• nniball. to praiſe his matchles minde, And place his aſhes in a golden vrne: So Aibious lyon ſprung from lyons kinde, When death the king and prince in cords ſhall binde. Heele ſpend his treaſure, for Iehouas good: But woe alas, a ſlaue ſhall ſpill his blood. Deſigned Iohn diſueſts young Britaines Duke, But Antichriſtians prince, our ſauiours foe: Bringes Lewis in, and doth him ſtraight rebuke, Egles of England, yeeld to Swans of Poe, A Monarch falles by Monkes, • i • us Flam. •• s ſlaine at •• e batle of • hraſimenus •• oſe death is by his •• nne •• enged in the •• iſoning of • anniball. fates wills it ſo. Titus ſuruiues, though flames Flaminius burne, Worſter is ſafe, and Lewis doth returne. At Thraſimenus valiant Titus fell, In Pruſias Court, his ſonne reuengde his death: Form happie heauen, though Iohn to haples hell Headlong did ſlide, his ſonne ſhall weare the wreath, The Dolphen flyes, and Mars begins to breath: Tempeſtuous whitle-windes, • enry the 3. breake the Temple gate Of Peace; the peers the king, the prince the Baron hate. Ciuill diſſention and diſlovall armes, Cleerly declares Clares hidden enmitie: A fatall ſtarre foretelleth future harmes, The legions meete, each doth the other ſpye, Eccho reſounds, S. George, S. George, both cry: Gracchus is ſtabd, young Scipio peace maintaines, The Barrons tam'd, all conquering Longſhanckes raignes. Romes enuious Tribunes that ignoble Tribe, The vitious iſſue of a vertuous dame: Did the baſe mindes of poore Plebeians bribe, To gaine them honour,Caius and Tiberius Gracchus. with their Countries ſhame: They dead; the world did ring with Romanes faine. So Clare and Mountford ſhall, who being ſlaine, Edward ſhall vanquiſh Calidonias plaine. Acon is tane, and Tunis feares his ſtroakes, He loued peace,The ſaying of Leoline himſelfe, as Powell hath laid down in his life. yet bare a warriors ſhield: Cambria diſdain'd to weare her ſiſters yoake, The Enſignes ſpred, both ſtriue to win the field, The bridge is paſt, and Leoline muſt yeeld: Marius departs, Proſcriptio • s gin to ceaſe, The Prince of warre ſhall end his dayes in peace. Deſtruction graz'd on fertill Italy, Till Syllas legions vanquiſht Marius might: So ciuill warres ſhall feed on Britany, Till Leolinus that all daring Knight, Is tane by Edward in vnequall fight: When Marius fell, Concordia gan to ſmile, So Wales will amplify faire Englands ſtile. Reſplendant Iuno, Queens Iſabel wife to Edward the • . was next heire to Charles king of France whoſe title our preſent king doth enioy leaues her ſacred throne, Young Gaueſton bewitcht great Edwards hart: The minor Gods bewaile Saturnias mone, Bohume and Beaumount takes the Marchers part, And falſe Matreners ſtabbes Carnaruans hart: For Caeſars office Scipio ſtriues in vaine, And March too ſoone retells his triple gaine. When that the Romane Eagles graſpt of yore, Scipio with auncient Lentulus did ſtriue:Scipio & Lentulus two worthy Ro ſtroue vehemently in the campe of Pomper: for the Biſhoprick of Rome, but the battels ioyning & Caeſar winning, their ſtrife ended with their liues For Iulius prieſthood, whoſe deſerts were more, But when that Pompeys legions did not thriue, They taſted gall within the honies hiue. So Wigmore ſeekes in vaine to get a Crowne, But by Lord Mountaoute is tumbled downe. Terras proud iſſue tam'd, immortall Ioue Rides in his Chariot, through the azurde skie: Adornd with Valure, Mercy, Peace and Loue, So Caeſar rode in Rome with maieſty, Scipio would liue, life Cato doth deny. So Wigmores honor ſeekes, but muſt not part, Matreuers hand, hath ſtabd Matreuers hart. Warres thunderbolt,Ed. the third, maried Phillip daughter to the Earle of Henault. with his Egiptian pearle, Illuſtrious Venus and her martiall Bride Phillips faire ſiſter, with great Mercias Earle, Submits to Henaults mounting-minded bride, Vengeance and Fury ſcourge inhumane pride. Egipt is loſt, and Authony muſt die, March is immurde, and twiſe he may not flie. When Anthony did Cleopatra loue,Lord Roger Mortimer Earle of March and Queene Iſabel, compared to Anthony & Cleopatra: And did Auguſtas chamber-bed forgoe: Bellona Caeſars irefull minde did moue: To worke reuenge on chaſte Octauias foe, Marcus is ſlaine, he muſt his Loue forgoe. As Anthony and Cleopatra were, So is Queene Ifabel and Mortimer. Depreſſed waters element, ſome thinke, Is downe ſuppreſt by powers moſt diuine: Some iudge that Terra doth the moiſture drinke, Yet certes ſhall men ſee with mortall evne, When deadly water ſhall with ayre combine, Great Mortimer whoſe name from waters ſprang, Shall waue in waues of ayre, and there ſhall hang. Vermilion collour'd clowdes of purple warre, Are by the radiant beames of Edwards raigne: Form Englands territors exiled farre, But ſtay (me thinkes) Bellona ſoundes againe:Edward the blacke Prince compared to Geranicus. And calles forth Mars to fight in Aquitaine, Stay Caeſar ſtay, let valiant Druſus goe: Great Arthurs heire, can vanquiſh Artois foe. When that Tiberius did the Septer ſway,Edward the blacke Prince ayded the Erle of Artois againſt King Iohn of France. Of Albas Empire, great Saturnias king: Germanicus whoſe head was deckt with bay, Fought ſtill abroad, and conqueſt home did bring: So Edward did whoſe praiſe the Spanyards ſing, Let Beaumount witnes fearfull Phillips flight. And Iohn which yeelded to the Gaſcoigne knight. The wandring Planets of the burniſht skye, Are by the vncompriſed Spheare of loue, Thruſt here and there, as men condemn'd to dye, Heauen were nought, if Heauen did not moue: So nature taught, ſo natures ſonne did proue. Like vnto theſe,Ariſtotle. or like a Comet bright, Through euery region Caeſar ſent his light. The Zodiaks lamp in the Eclipticke line, • ermanicus •• peaſed Ger • any, but end • d his dayes by • oiſon in Aſ • i • a. Twice vrgd his courſer to a ſwift careere: • dward prince of Wales re •• ored Peter • ing of Spaine • nto his King • ome by the • onqueſt of Henry his baſard brother, at • he battle of Nazers. The Hitrurian ſonne doth in the Eaſt decline, In Europes Weſt his praiſe did firſt appeere, Oh Climatericall diſaſter yeere: Caeſar thy glory in the Weſt did riſe, The poiſoned Eaſt, thy raine did deuiſe. So ſiluer ſtreames and topleſſe Apenine, Which doe confront terreſtriall Paradiſe: Muſt not great Edwards wandering Fame confine, • ohn Lord • eaumont, • ooke part with the eng • iſh againſt the French nation, but afterwards • e fauoured the • actiō of Iohn, king of Frāce. Mars and Bellona ſtratagems deuiſe: That he with Honors wings ſhould mount the skyes. Exiled Peter doth implore his ayde, Iberia quakes, to ſee the croſſe diſplayd. Reuolting Henault, and relenting Iohn, Are terrified at Bruſe and Balliols fall: No Salike law, can barre bold Phillips ſonne,The lord Audley at the battle of Poytiers behaued himſelfe moſt valiant, as Craſinius did in Pharſalia, who bad Caeſar be of comfort, and take courage before he fought and that day he ſhould praiſe him aliue or dead, which he performed, for he loſt his l • e in the purſuite of honor, and for the ſafety of Caeſar. His matchleſſe valure cauſed a kingdomes thrall: Whilſt ſlothfull Charles immur'd him in a wall. Germanias terror wan a glorious field, So Cambrias monarch made a King to yeeld. Careleſſe of death, like to a thunder-bolt, Englands Craſinius with a maſſie lance: And not vnlike a fierce vntamed Colt, Glides like the ſiluer Rheine through yeelding France, Blinded with age great Boheme falls by chance. Caligula is borne, the ſinke of ſhame, Richard miſled, deſerues an endleſſe blame. The worldes faire miſtreſſe, Empreſſe of the earth, Ordaines a triumph for Auguſtus heire: So Gaſcoigne triumphes at young Gaſcoignes birth, Wonder of Armes ſet in Victorias chaire, To Troynouant with Tropheys doth repaire. Romes Senators attended Albas ſtarre, So Albion Peeres did waite on Albious carre. Two glorious ſonnes, rules the celeſtiall Globe, Cheering the world with their tranſpearcing rayes: Garniſht with Saphires, and a Iaſper robe, (Vntimely chaunce) times wonder ends his dayes, Aemilius mournes amidſt his Tropheys praiſe.Ed. the 3. compared to Paulus Aemi • who in his greateſt glory loſt his chiefeſt ioy, namely his t •• ſonnes. Troies hope is dead, and Priams Hector ſlaine: Edward hath loſt his ſonne, his ſonne a raigne. Impartiall death maskt in a ſable weede, Paſſeth the Romanes watch and Praetors guard: And to Tiberius royall tent doth ſpeede, Phiſicke reſiſts, and death by art is bard, But art doth yeeld, for death was too too hard: He laid in graue, his nephewes ſonne doth raigne, The ſcourge of Rome, and Europes Empreſſe ſlaine. So when that death of Edward made an end, Eſſence of value, ſubſtance of renowne: Whome peace for iuſtice, warres for rule commend, Exalting vertue, putting vices downe, His bones entombd, his worthy ſonnes doe crowne: Their nephew Richard ſecond of that name, The firſt, though not the laſt diſgrac't by fame. Me • omene thou diſmal muſe appeare, And moralize the Anthemes which I bring; Richard miſled by Buſhy, Poole and Ʋere, Ignoble Scroope in his new Empires ſpring, Inchaunting charmes vnto his eares did ſing: Flattry corrupteth kings, but good aduiſe Makes Counſellors gratious, and the Princes wiſe. When Neroes ſonne was borne in Neroes campe, Quirinus father Rheas valiant ſpouſe, In his red Spheare enlightned had his lampe, Leauing his yron roabes and brazen houſe, Did to Bellona cups of blood carowſe. Saturne then ioynd with Mars, which did foretell That Neroes ſonne for murther ſhould excell. Whom Brutus freed by death from Tarquines ſtroakes,Romanes. Princes of peace, for warres admirde of all: The worlds Arch monarches rent their chained yoakes, Conſulls and Tribunes do a Senate call, Their voice is one Caligula muſt fall. Nature doth ſwarue and from her limits paſſe, The Imperious Lyon, got an abiect Aſſe. So when chaſte Alice Richard forth ſhall bring, In Edwards Campe, Victorias ſacred ſeate: Prophets like ſtarres, enſuing harmes ſhall ſing, The Peeres (like Albas knights) were all repleate With wrath, diſdain was in a mightie ſweate In working waies, the king for to depoſe, Which being done, the Nobles Darby choſe. The Northerne Planet great Northumberland, Whoſe peerles iſſue neuer ſhall decaie: Till Nature doth confound both Sea and land, And ſhapeles Chaos comes his part to play, Vertue muſt liue though men be turnd to claye. This glorious Moone true badge of Honor bright,The halfe Moone is t •• armes of th • Percies Ea •• of Northu •• Diſdaynes the Sunne, and did not borow light. Foreſeeing Gaunt like to a carefull fire, Seeing that loſt by Sloth which Labour wonne: Doth contermaund his Soueraignes hot deſire, And like a blaſt doth caulme the ſcorching Sunne, Which by illuding Sycophantes is wonne,Hen. Buſſi •• brooke D ••• of Heref. w •• accuſed by Th. Mowb ••• Duke of N •• folke of tre • ſon, which 〈◊〉 not being 〈◊〉 to proue, w •• contented t • maintaine 〈◊〉 allegation 〈◊〉 combat, 〈◊〉 his aduerſa •• did accept. But better •• uice being ••• ken, they w ••• both baniſh •• the land, He •• ford for the terme of ten yeares, and Mowbray 〈◊〉 the date of 〈◊〉 Two Combatants on their earth threatning ſteedes, Attend the trumpets ſound in yron weedes. The reuerent Conſulls Yorke and Lancaſter, Doe conuocate a Senate of the Peeres: And equalizing Woodſtocke did preferre, Due baniſhment to thoſe ambitious Peeres, The Barons ioynd to this; the Champions ſweares Mowbray for aye, ten yeares muſt Harford part, Griefe galles the one, and kills the others hart. The gallant Courſer in the liſted race Diſmounts the Ryder, ſcornes his curbing raine: Stamping with ioy, his freedome doth embrace, And doth his priſtine ſeruitude diſdaine, Leauing his Ryder breathleſſe on the plaine. So raging Burdeux tumbles downe his kinne, And runnes from ſin to vice, from vice to ſinne. In his Imperiall Pallace Pleaſures Bowre,Caligula ſlain by his own friends Romes mightie Monſter did himſelf repoſe: Sacking Cytheress fort, faire Venus Towre, The ſtone where the Kings of Englands chaire is placed at their Coronatiōs, is reported to be that ſtone wheron Iacob laid his head whē the Angel appeared to him in his dream The raging multitude their wrath diſcloſe, For his Praetorian guard, they did inſcloſe: Chaerea did ſplit his hart; oh happie thing! T'was good he dide, twas bad to kill a King. So Honors ſpurre did pricke the Percies blood, To tumble Richard from his bloudie Throne: Wiſhing great Herford to tranſpaſſe the flood, To come and ſit on Iocobs ſacred ſtone, Where he might raigne as King, and rule alone. As Claudius roſe, ſo Herford came to raigne, As Nero fell, ſo Edwards ſonne was ſlaine. Geneſ. brought frō Scotland by Edward the firſt. Now Gaunts great iſſue in his Throne is ſet, Whoſe ſacred Science this my Muſe ſhould tell: For Margarets ſake, that ſprang from Sommerſet, For her it ſhould, if Cambria did not tell, For lawes vnheard, this Monarch did excell. Who gaue him wings to mount,Henry 4. The extremitie of his lawes are ſet downe at large in Powels Annales. he threw to ground, Claudius who ran ſo faire, is Claudus found. In Silence vault my Muſe ſhall hide his fame, Who dide the Grey gooſe wings with purple red: Praiſe he deſeru'd, though he deſerued blame, Sertorius like his warlike troopes he led,Owen Glē dour compared to Sertorius. For by alluring hope they both were fed. Had men and Fortune equaliz'd his minde, His Conqueſts Seuernes neuer had confinde. Victorious Hotspurre and his valiant ſire, The kings great Steward, Wosters reuerent Lord: With neuer daunted Dowglas doe conſpire, Whoſe endles praiſe our Annales doe record: With theſe doe Glendowre ioyne,Edmund Mo • timer Earle o • March was d • ſigned heire apparant in the dayes o • Richard the 2. if the King dye • without iſſue. and Wigmors Lord, To pull the Scepter from the tyrantes hand, And giue it him that ſhould by right command. Dowglas and Hotspurre peerleſſe for their might, Are ouermatcht by Henries matchleſſe ſonne: Who like a lyon rowſ'd him in the fight, Glendowre himſelfe is by himſelfe vndone, Northumberland is ſicke and cannot come:The battle at Shaftſbury Like to a Tyger in his eager chaſe, Great Monmouthes praiſe doth run from place to place. Tumults appeaſ'd and armor ſet aſide,Henry the 5. borne at Monmouth ſhire in Wales. The ſtately Cirty of the higheſt God Diuine Ieruſalem, Iehouas bride, Being whipt with warre, and famines pinching rod, Implores the helpe of this all-conquering Lord: His ſoule defilde with ſinne, by merits ſought That to redeeme which Ieſus blood had bought. His royall Nauy like a ſea of wood, Attends his princely preſence in the bay: But ſee how meager death ſtill enuying good, With fatall ſtroake his enterpriſe doth ſtay, The Caedar falles in time, ſo Kings decay. Why ſtay you ſhippes, he treades the ſacred path, Ieruſalem his ſoule and body hath.

Henry the fift, his lyfe and death. AVaunt proud Rome and bragge not of thy men,Henr. 5. Nor thy aetheriall Caeſars warres declare: Ceaſe peerleſſe Plutarch with thy ſacred pen, The worlds Archmonarches aptly to compare, Reaſon doth vrge, and this alledge I dare, That Englands Homer portraid hath his warre, Which doth excell the worthieſt Caeſars ſtarre. What telſt thou me of famous Haſdruball, Of Cannas chance, and Varros ouerthrow: Aemiſius death, and conquering Hanniball, Of Syllas Legions, and a Parthian bowe, Of Titus valure, Catos wrinckled browe, Of Syracuſe, and ſtrong Namantias wall, Or Phillip, Perſia, Iugurth Iubas fall. Of Noble Druſus and proud Saturnine, Of Scipios death, and Gracchus infamy: Of Marius trophies, and ſterne Cataline, How Caeſar vanquiſht France and Germany, And twiſe returnd as foild from Britany. The world admir;d their victories to ſee, Yet none of theſe muſt be comparde with thee. Let Athens praiſe the lawes which Solon gaue, And Marathon extoll Miltiades, Write Caria of Manſolus ſtately graue, And let Cycilia wiſh Demoſthenes, But Salamina praiſe Themiſtocles. Greece did admire their tryumphes for to ſee, Yet all of theſe cannot comparewith thee. Let Sparta now conceale Lycurgus fame, And Lacedaemon hide Lyſanders praiſe: Ceaſe Argos now, to ſhew th'Olimpicke game, Let ſilence cloud or maske thoſe golden dayes, When Epires Monarch acted Tragicke playes:Pyrrhus. But what of him? or what are theſe to thee? For thou alone doeſt farre exceed thoſe three. Though Alexander wan Darius Crowne, And forc't the Eaſterne Emperour leaue his tent: Burning Perſopolis that regall Towne, Seeing thy valure freely giues conſent That two bright ſonnes ſhould rule the Element: With thee great Prince we aptly may compare, Rich Europes Paragon, and Phaenix rare.The Duke of Yorke & Earle of Suffolke, were the onely men of Nobilitie that ended their liues in the battell of Agincourt. Thou didſt not want Parmenios aiding hand, Nor valiant Perdicas aſpiring minde: Which might Alanſons quarels fierce withſtand, As long as Langlies gallant iſſued minde Had faithfull Suffolkes loue to him combinde. They wan, they loſt, they liue though they are dead, They liue in heauen,Craſsinius was the firſt Captain that charged the enemy in the Field, which office of valure, Edward the Duke of Yorke enioyed at Agincourt. and dide in Conqueſts bed. France did ten yeares withſtand the Romanes might, Both parties oft with equall courage plaide; Yet that before the Sun ſhewd twice his light, Madſt great Mompenſier flye as all diſmaide, To ſee thy kingly Banner forth diſplaide, Like to Craſſinius Yorke the yaward led, True valure is by hope of honor bred. Henry two Diadames doth now combine, Europes faire daughters, eldeſt ſiſters twaine: By marriage of a maide a Mimph diuine, Whilſt Lewis liues, as Emperour he muſtraigne, Henry as heire apparant doth remayne: When Katherin is betrothd his beauteous wife, Peace conquers warre, and concord endeth ſtrife. Immortalized virgin ſacred Queene, Britaines Aurora harbinger of day: Fairer then thought could thinke or eye hath ſeene, Rich Vertues port, and Honors cleereſt bay, Thrice bleſſed wombe fram'd of aetheriall clay, Which didſt encloſe that glorious Theodore, Whoſe ſonne did Britaines regalty reſtore. Her Amber-treſſes like to wyers of gold, That ſhadowed her white vermilion face: Like Vulcans chayne did Venus champion hold, VVho triumphed erewhile, now ſues for grace, Vndecent action for a Captaines place: Thy eyes are now bewitcht with eyes diuine, Thy heart conſents to honor Katherine. If I had Zeuxes at to paint thy lookes, Did I enioy Maeonian Homers quill: To pourtraiture thy praiſe in golden bookes, Thy vertues rare would aequalize my skill: Thy ſacred paps ſweete Nectar did diſtill. Hadſt not thou bene, our eyes ſhould neuer view Our preſent peace and pleaſures to enſue. Stay ranging Muſe, thy wandring courſe reſtraine, When ioues all-ſeeing eyes did view this King: He ſent his Harauld to that ſpatious plaine, Where the three fatall Siſters, then did ſpinne: To know when Henries life did firſt beginne. And if his thred were not already ſpunne, That Lacheſis ſhould make it quickly runne. His wiſeſt ſonne did place his golden wings, Holding a ſiluer rodde all-charming wand: VVherewith he could inchant all mortal things, VVith this attire he claue the aetheriall land, Where loue and luno doth the Gods command: When that he came vnto the appointed place, He told his meſſage with a comely grace. Siſters (quoth he) for ſo they were indeed, Th' omnipotent and all-commanding Ioue: Mercuries Oration. VVhich doth on Nactar and Ambroſia feed, Iuno, Apollo, and Cythereis loue: VVith all the Gods that rules the ſphere aboue, Entreats, cōmands, of you faire ſiſters three, To end his life, though not his dignitie. Atlas you know is old Alcides dead, You know the waight of Heauens maſſy throne:He dyed in a Chamber at the Deane of Weſtmi. lodging named Ieruſalem. The Planets houſes couered all with lead, Ioues pallace varniſht with rich Rubies ſtone, The gates of Iuory and Indian bone: He that doth heauens heauieſt waight ſuſtaine, Muſt patience haue to tollerate his paine. Therefore (quoth he) this is my Fathers will, (For Ioue his Father was, or Fame doth lye) That you which power haue great kings to kill, Would ſhorten Henries life that he might dye, A heauenly thought deſerues aeternitie. Atlas is old, and Atlas muſt haue aide, All feare the heft, Henry was nere afraide. The Siſters ſtood amazde at his requeſt,The Fates • nſwere. Each looke at others eyes as in a glaſſe: Whereat ſterne Clotho eldeſt of the reſt, Brother quoth ſhee (for Ioue their Father was) Shall Fates be rulde by Gods? ahlas, ahlas, They reuell ſtill, but we poore wretches worke, We labour, they in Caues of pleaſure lurke. The worlds poore Impes may iuſtly now complaine Of humane ſorrow, mans ſtill growing griefe: How birds and beaſts a longer life do gaine Then man, poore man; And mans commaunding chiefe If you deny them helpe, where is reliefe: Men ſay that Fates are certaine, now they ſee Ioue made vs conſtant in inconſtancy. The angry God invelloped with ire, Wrath in his face, and fury in his lookes, His eyes more redde then was the reddeſt fire: Shewes auncient Monuments of ſacred bookes, Which earſt he wrote by the Idalian brookes. There might you ſee what Act the Gods did frame, Amongſt the reſt Ioue might the Siſters blame. Out of this place he drawes his argument, And doth confute their ſugred Sophiſtry: Then reades another Act of Parliament, Which did confirme Ioues royall Empery, His great prerogatiue and dignity. Then doth he powre forth ſacred Eloquence, Selected flowers of learnings Quinteſſence. What if proud Terras iſſue Briareus, VVould combat with your great aetheriall Sire?Mercinys reply. Fntring Caſtalia, where the ſacred Muſe Liues ſtill inſpirde with yong Apollos fire? VVhat if the Giants could ſo high aſpire, VVould not they touch the chriſtalized sky, Vntuning heauens ſweeteſt harmony? VVhat God ſhould then the heauens waight ſuſtaine, VVhilſt Bacchus in his Indian Tygers Carre VVould ſhake the Orbes and that celeſtiall plaine, VVhen faire Ʋictoria conquering Queene of warre, Brighter then Venus, or the brighteſt ſtarre, Doth giue to Ioue a Crowne bedeckt with gold, Could Atlas then heauens heauieſt waight vphold? His age is great, and yeares will ſtrength remoue, Therefore faire Siſters well aduiſed bee: To anſwere loue and all the Gods aboue, Though loth they were, yet all did well agree To cut his thred for meere neceſſitie. Then Atlantiades did ſoone depart, And Atropos did ſtabbe great Henries hart. Thus dide the Phaenix of the vaſtie round, Whoſe worth my Muſe ſhould euer memorize: And Eccho-like his martiall deeds reſound, Put that he did his Country ſcandalize In following Henry which did tyranize. She gaue thee breath to liue and men to fight, Yet thou depriu'ſt her of her cleereſt light. When noble Henry ended hath his daies. Bedford with conquering ſwords Ʋernoi ſhal fill, And ſpend his blood to gaine immortall praiſe: Beauford and Beaumount ſhall good Humfrey kill, And Warwicke gaine the popular good will. Poole is exilde from wofull Margaret, And Yorke malignes the Duke of Somerſet. Mars mounts his Enſigns on our higheſt towers, And decks our helmets with Ambitions plumes: Reuenge ſad maſſacres and ſcarlet ſhowres Diſtills, Cities are burnt, whoſe dankiſh fumes Contaminates the Ayre, now Yorke preſumes VVith Sarums Earle and Warwickes willing hand, To gaine the Crowne, and with the Crowne the land.

The Ciuill Warres. PLutonian Princeſſe ſacred Proſerpine, Licence Megaera and C • eſiphone, VVhich neuer ſaw the Sunnes all-pleaſing ſhine Enter this vale of humane miſery, And conſecrate to endles memory Theſe Ciuill broyles in Characters of braſſe, Set forth theſe warres which did all warres ſurpaſſe. Heers Mars pauilion, there Bellonas tent, The Lanciers here, & there the Carbines ſtands: The Bilmen ſtrikes, the Archers bowes are bent, Here raging Fury flies with burning brands, Diſtorted limmes are pilde on purple ſands: Here Gaſſamores are cract, there helmets crazd, Here Gorgets cut, there Vaines of Azure razd. Now doth the Courſer neigh, the Clarions ſound, And wrath mounted on a flaming ſteed: Doth both the Legions fortitude confound, The moiſtleſſe earth for very griefe doth bleed, To ſee the Gardner ſpoyle the ſowen ſeed. Heere might you ſee what age could neuer tell, Whilſt Lyons fought, the foreſts Barons fell. Heere Ambuſcadoes watch the ſallying Scout, There Hanniball entraps Marcellus traine: Here wings are plac't and ſquadrons round about, Scipiades muſt leaue diſloyall Spaine, And like Anebiſes clippe the Elizian plaine. Nature hath digd for men more kind of graues, Then Indian Ganges hath tranſlucent waues. No valiant Martius ſtout Coriolaene, Did now the raging multitude withſtand: Tumultuous windes haue left the rocky lane, Where ſterne Hypoaates with Mace in hand, Their lawleſſe force, by force doth countermaund. Eurus will blowe and ſhake the Iſlands King, Rebells will riſe, and belles of diſcord ring. Vnworthy I, to mount that ſacred hill, And Clodius-like ſee female ſacrifice: Ʋirgill ſang this, and none but Virgill will Aduenture valures worth to memorice; Thrice glorious obiect fit for Princely eyes. Pardon great Homer, my all-daring muſe, Let Cherills folly, Cherills fault excuſe. The leſſer ſtarres makes Phoebe ſhine more bright, So may my infant Muſe comparde to thine, Make thy heroicke Poems ſplendant light, Seeme fairer farre in mens iuditious eyne, Compariſon makes Vertue ſeeme diuine. Yet giue me leaue with my vnworthy pen, To blazon forth the Acts of worthy men. Ceaſe mournfull Rome thy ſad enlangoring, Thoſe fatall Fields neere to Campania ſought, Wherein the very prime of Marius ſpring,The ciuil wars of Marius and Sylla. The ſpring of griefe which Carbo deerly bought, Ambitious Conqueſt rulde great Syllas thought. Speake not of theſe proud Rome, nor make thy mone, Or if thou ſpeak'ſt, make not compariſon. What of ſtout Varro, The battell Spayne, whe • Caeſar was victor. and Affranius loſt, Masſilias ruine Scaeuas pierced ſhield: Home by Brunduſium, Caeſars ſhippes were toſt, Euer renowm'd Pharſalias bloody field, How Iuba fell, and Diator did yeeld. Pompey in Egipt by Pothinius ſlaine, And endles ſhame which Ptolomy did gaine. Caeſar is ſtabd,Caeſar ſlaine the Court of Pompey. and Albas doth lament, Antonius doth the Tyrants plea refute: Irefull Octauius to reuenge is bent, Caſcas and Casſius,The battell 〈◊〉 Phillippia. Cicero and Brute, For Countreys freedome frame a faithleſſe ſuite. Lawes ſilent are when armies rule the towne,The feelde at Actium. Who conquered Kings, by Kings are tumbled downe. Enuious deſire of honor, loue to raigne, Seuers their mindes whome nature did combine: Two Romaine nauyes cut the Ocean maine, One brothers loſſe, doth cauſe anothers gaine, Nothing is worſe then Potentates diſdaine. Rome ſimild with ioy, when ciuill warres did ceaſe, England admired more at perfect peace. In thirteen battells Englands ſtrength was tryde, Gauntes iſſue ſtriues with Clarence progenie: Through euery place deſtructions ſteed did ryde, Making debate and endles enmitie, Twixt ſubiects loue,The firſt of Sain • Albons barrells. and Princely ſoueraigntie. The Lords conſpire, and at Saint Atbons meete, Heres Warwickes tent, there Yorke doth man the ſtreete. Vnder the Caſtell Somerſet is ſlaine, Here Clsfford falls, and there Northumberland, Great Buckingham renewes the fight againe, In vaine the Lion doth the Beare withſtand, Where Warwicke leades his all ſubduing band:Dayſie in • rench, ſigni •• eth Margaret The Roſe doth wither, and the Dayſie ſpring. The Queene eſcapt, but Warwicke hath the king. O whither ſhall ſhe fly? whoſe ay de expect? Who is encombred with a thouſand woes: VVhat peaſant boore will princes griefes reſpect? By flight ſhe ſcapes the furie of her foes: Thus to the North this Amazonian goes. Griefe flies to thoſe, who are oppreſt with griefe, Societie in woe is ſome reliefe. VVhen Romes two Scipios fell, two glorious ſtarres In Andeluzia or illuding Spaine: None durſt but Scipio vndertake thoſe warres, Euen ſo when Clifford was for England ſlaine, And Percies pride lay breathleſſe on the plaine,At Wakefield, Rich. Duke of Yorke being taken by the Lord Clifford, in reuenge of his fathers Ideath ſlaine at S. Albons, I crowned the Dukes head with paper. None durſt the Ragged Staffe and Beare withſtand, But Cliffords ſonne and great Northumberland. The Trumpets wake the Champions to the field, VVho rode in tryumph through Epaeons towne To VVeſtmerland; and Margaret muſt yeeld, VVhoſe vertues did deſerue a golden Crowne: His browes are circulizde with paper browne. Themiſtocles doth yeeld to Xerxes might, Yorke ouermatcht, giues place to Heuries right. Penthiſilea bends her courſe to Troy, Shewing the ſpoiles of Lariſſeas King, And Henry like to Priam ſmiles with ioy, Seeing his Queene ſuch Tropheys home to bring: And all the Phrigian Virgins Io ſing. Like vnto this, or like a brauer wight, Couragious Margret doth returne from ſight. Neuer diſcouragde Warwicks royall Peere, Vnconſtant Clarence, conſtant Montacute, Seeing the Southerne coaſt of Albion cleere, Did Eſſex, Suffolke, Surrey reſalute, Norfolke doth Mowbray Captaine conſtitute. Both Armies ioyne,The ſecon • Battell of S▪ Albons. and to Saint Albons came, They flye their foes, where firſt they ouercame. Mowbray to Suffolke, Warwicke with the reſt, In haſte, poſte haſte, to Cambrias borders flye: New riſing March doth rowſe his ſpangled Creſt, And vnderſtanding by a ſallying ſpye His Fathers friends, and fauourites were nigh, With decent geſture doth them entertaine, Imploring aide his right to reobtaine. Warwicke who was the ſpeaker for them all, In modeſt ſort, as well became his age: Not Duke of Yorke but doth him Soueraigne call, A name ſo great doth vertue equipage, Now each to other doth his honour gage. Like Caeſar now he ioynes with Anthony, And like to him doth foſter enmitie. When Brutus hand had ſtabd great Caeſars hart, Octauius honour euery where did finde: Antonius takes the ſtout Caeſareans part, But when reuenge had ſatisfide her minde, Whome mariage chaſte with friendſhip had combinde, Ambition makes them ſtriue for endleſſe raigne, And with their bloud to dye the crimſon mayne. So Edward and renowned Sarums ſonne Ioyne to reuenge dead Richards iniury:thard Earle Warwicke. But when that Gaunts great iſſue was vndone, Warwicke doth enuy Yorkes proſperitie, And much diſdaines his peerlſſe Soueraigntie. Witneſſe when Edward durſt not here abide, And Barnet field where noble Warwicke dide. Henries faire Queene, • argret daugh •• r to Reino •• rle of Aniow • ho entituled •• mſelf King of Naples, Sycil, & • eruſalem, but •• ioyed none. great Neapolitane, Blinded with masked fate, vnconſtant chance, Did neuer feare her future fatall bane, Like a ſierce coult this Iennet proud did prance, Smiling with ioy to ſee her ſmiling chance. Harke how the Drumme doth ſummon to the field, See how ſhe takes her ill beſeeming ſhield. Stay Naples pride Sicilian Empreſſe ſtay,That day in which Caeſar loſt his 〈◊〉 in the Court of • ompe • , a poor man tendred him a petition which he light • y regarded, the contents wherof if he had pervſed, his life might haue bene preſerued Will France for euer ſhowres of vengeance raigne? Thy firſt approch preſage this fatall day, Fire flew from heauen and made our Turrets plaine, When thy Armados cut the Ocean maine. Had Caeſar read that which the poore man gaue, Egypt had neuer beene Antonins gratre. Had but great Henry, great in Maieſtie Ioynd with that match which Bedford firſt did make, He had not taſted baſe ſeruilitie, But when his minion Suffolke did forſake, That Nimph of ioy, great heire to Arminake, Then Yorkes depreſſed iſſue gan to riſe, An abiect Prince each Subiect will deſpiſe, Clifford and Percy proppes of Henries ſtate; (Seeing the Southerne Lords entend to fight,) Doth the fierce Tygers anger inſtigate, Propoſing arguments of Henries right, How her decayd, augmented Edwards might. In Hampton firſt ſhe did our woe begin,At her firſt c • ming, landin • at Southham • ton, ſome pa •• of Paules ſt •• ple. and many other Church •• in England were ſet on fi •• Two Hamptons cannot end her endleſſe ſin. Fury awakes the murthred Lions whelpe, And like poore Hector his deceaſed ſire, Craues of his kinſemen their ſupporting helpe, Their ſmotherd hate hath kindled murthers fire, Which none can quench till they haue quencht deſire, Where Nemsſis of late did murther end, There ſhe begins heroicke bloud to ſpend. Like the worlds Monarch, Yorkes apparant heire Ioynes with his Fathers friend, great Neuils race: They to Northampton with their troupes repaire, VVhere Aniowes Tamiris with martiall grace Cliffords triumphant Armes did embrace: Clifford whoſe name as Taibot did in France, Made Warwicke feare his Colours to aduance. Octauius now,A compari • on of Edward and Warwicke with Octaui • s & Anthony. and chaſte Octauias Bride, Conſpire the death of tyranizing Brute. Clifford muſt fall, in top of all his pride, Who did by Armes great Muuſters plea refute, Doth pleade his cauſe, but Warwicke gaines the ſuite. A headleſſe arrow piercſt his armed throate, Who in his youth did ſaile in Conqueſts boate. If Homer liu'd and dwelt in Caſtalie, And daily taſted of Parnaſſus Well, Inſpirde with furious ſacred Poeſie, Yet would he not our Virgils worth excell, Whoſe Paeans did theſe fierce maſſacres tell. Delia is praiſd with thy all-prayſing hand: No wonder, for thou dweltſt in Delos land. Eight ſeuerall Battels ſhall eſcape my Muſe, Leaſt pride it ſelfe ſhould me eſteeme as proud: Let Maros quill that ſacred path peruſe, Couer my temples with a ſable cloud, Cimerian wreathes my head of ſorrow ſhrowd: Giue me a brazen Penſill not a Pen, Some drops of blood to portraiture theſe men.

The Field of Banbery. NOw warre is mounted on rebellions Steede, And diſcontent perſwadeth willing Pride, His creſt to raiſe, and wears an Iron weede: Long ſmothred Enuy doth the Army guide, Which made firme loue from true obedience ſlide: 'T was that great Neuill made proud George rebell, Whoſe haughty ſpirits Warwicke knew too well. Warwicke that raiſde the race of Mortimer, Whoſe eyes did ſee too ſoone, thy death ſaies ſo: The downfall of immortall Lancaſter, 'T was he that did, what could not Warwicke doo? Make Kings and Queenes to loue and feare him too. 'T was that great Peere, who with one warlike hand, Crown'd and vncrown'd two kings who rulde the land. Thus while theſe Royall but diſloyall Peeres, Maugre reuenge to him that knew not feare, Vnnumbred bands of men and ſwarmes appeares In North and South, Eaſt, Weſt, yea euery where They throw away their Coats, and Corſlets weare. Wiues, maides, and Orphants eyes are ſtuft with teares, And cannot ſee the Spades tranſform'd to Speares. The Shepheards hooke is made a ſouldiers pike, Whoſe weather-beaten hands muſt learne aright His ſpeare to traile, and with his ſword to ſtrike Vpon the plumed beauer of a knight, None muſt be ſparde by warres impartiall might. If euery ſouldier were a King, what then? Princes ſhould die as faſt as other men. The Senator muſt leaue his skarlet gowne, And keepe him in ſome Turret of defence: When warres once flouriſh, Iuſtice muſt goe downe, Lawes to correct, is lawleſſe warres pretence, Valure doth greeue to ſee ill gotten pence. To ſee a man without deſerts to riſe, Makes warre ſuch men, not Iuſtice to deſpiſe. You that in peace by vſe of golden hoords Your dunghill race to Barons did erect: You that by Engliſh phraſe and choſen woords Make heauens enuy your topleſle Architeck, Your Angels cannot you from warres protect. The Campe and Court in manners different are, Words may in Peace, but deeds preuaile in Warre. For Robes of honor furr'd with Miniuere You muſt haue breſt-plates of well tempred ſteele, And on your aged heads ſtrong Helmets weare, All ſtates muſt turne when Fortune turnes her wheele, That man which pleaſure taſtes muſt ſorrow feele. Who ſees the wracke of mightie Empery, He loues his life too well that will not dye. When Kings muſt fight, ſhall ſubiects liue in peace? What Coward is of ſuch a crauant race, That loues not honor more than idle eaſe? Great Romane I applaud thy worthy Phraſe, To liue with ſhame, is worſe then dye with praiſe. All which haue being, alwaies cannot bee, For things corrupt muſt die, and ſo muſt wee. Could Creſſus mightie mines from Cyrus hand, His captiue carkaſſe or his ſtate defend? Wealth cannot warre, nor ſiluer ſpeares withſtand: By ſtrife we ſee the greateſt ſtates haue end, And moſt they marre by warre, who moſt would mend. When old warres ceaſe, then ſtraight their ſprings anew, For harmes ſtill harmes, and euils do ills enſue. No ſooner had the gladſome eyes of peace Beheld this warlike ſea inuiron'd Ile, But diſobedience heire to ſluggiſh eaſe, Did weake beleefe ſubdue with ſubtile ſtile, Grace winnes the heart, but words the eares beguile. Twas Warwicks tongue, whoſe ſpeech did all men pleaſe Whoſe words were ſuch, or very like to theſe.

The Earle of Warwicks ſpeech. YOu know great Lords, your very eyes did ſee The ſpotleſſe honor which my houſe and I Did euer beare this kingdome; who but wee Did checke the pride of wilfull tyranny: And with our Grandſires we eſteemde it good, For Englands weale to ſpill our deareſt blood. Witneſſe the diſmall fall of Salisbury And Richard Duke of Yorke in Wakefield ſlaine, The wracke of my decaied familie, Why did we this, what profit did we gaine? Twas but to ſhew our country our good will, Which now we alſo do, and euer will. How many times haue I in complete ſteele Yea mounted on my ſteed purſude the chaſe? Witneſſe theſe weary limbes, for age muſt feele, If youth hath runn'd aſtray or tedious race. Witneſſe theſe ſiluer haires which now appeares, Cares makes vs old, though we be yong in yeares. When as theſe eyes, impartiall eyes of mine, Beheld my king illuded and miſled By baſer men, true honor did repine To ſee great maieſtie with baſeneſſe wed: For which I waged warre, and warring wan, And winning, choſe a Tyger for a Lambe. Both you and I great Lords, yea all the ſtate With vniuerſall voice adiudg'd him wiſe: Who now hath prou'd a tyrant and vngrate, Humilitie makes time obſeruers riſe. For you I choſe him king and ſpent my blood, But tryall ſaies, good ſeeming is no good, Now therefore friends let Warwicks tongue intreate, Since that our hopes of Edwards loue diſpaire, That Lancaſter may repoſſeſſe his ſeate, Whom we vnkindly thruſt from honors chaire, The reaſon is which gouernes our pretents, Tyrants are worſer farre then Innocents. Thus this enraged Lord doth inſtigate With ſpurlike words ſwift courſers to the race: Enuy ambition breeds, ambition hate: Hate diſcontent breeds, diſcontent diſgrace, Theſe be warres angry ſounds, pernitious race. Theſe vices by Iniuſtice nouriſht are, Affection in a Iudge is worſe then warre. Bleſſed that ſtate, thrice happie is the land VVhere ſacred Iuſtice is eſteemde diuine: And where the Iudge on one eare holds his hand, My pen applaudes that ſentence iuſt of thine, Romes holy Prince, peace louing Antonine, As I am Marcus, I am not thy foe, But being Iudge, I muſt be iuſt alſo. That lawe deryding Peere, diſdaining Lord, Warwick doth his rebellious Enſignes reare: And vowes reuenge on Edward with his ſword, Haſtings and Stanley do withſtand the Beare, True honor neuer yeelds to ſeruile feare. He is a friend that loues when Fate doth frowne, He ſhall haue thouſands that doth weare a Crowne. Thus while theſe threatnings like ſome blazing ſtarre, The wracke of ſome great Emperour do portend: Their friends on either ſide addreſſe for warre, Great William Earle of Pembrooke doth entend, Ere warre begin to make of warre an end. And for that purpoſe for his friends he ſent, To whom as thus he ſhewed his right intent.

The Earle of Pembrookes Oration. YOu that did euer with your ſwords maintaine, The vndoubted title of the whiter Roſe: By whoſe great ayde great Edward did obtaine, The Royall crowne and homage held of thoſe, VVhich now rebell, deere friends correct this ſinne, 'Tis as much praiſe to keepe, as praiſe to winne. If ſpeech might ſpur you to this glorious race, Where endleſſe honor is the purchaſt fee: Selected words my ruder ſpeech ſhould grace, We pricke in vaine his ſides whoſe feete are free. You euer did the houſe of Yorke adore, True loue encreaſeth daily more and more. Giue not occaſion to the enuious pen, To brand you with the badge of infamie: Be firme in reſolution worthy men, And thinke vpon your auncient libertie. Behold why Warwicke doth theſe warres entend, A bad beginning hath a worſer end. Looke with indifferent, not reſpecting eyes, Vpon theſe two coriualls in the warre: Edward a King, couragious, honeſt, wiſe, Warwicke whoſe name is like a blazing ſtarre, That ſome enſuing harmes doth foretell, Enuy doth ſtill worke ill, but neuer well. For whom doth he this bloody battell wage? For aged Henry, and the Prince his ſonne: Who but for him had led a quiet age, But they poore Princes, were by him vndone. I finde it true which hath bene often ſed, Beares muſt ſometime with humane fleſh be fed. It is not loue to either of theſe twaine, That doth enforce this proud ignoble Peere: Theſe wandring troupes of rebells to maintaine, But tis ambition whom he holds moſt deere, That doth compell his willing hands to fight: Vnſetled braines bloud ſtill reſpect, not right. Nay, what if Henry ſhould enioy the wreath, Thinke you by yeelding fauour to enioy? Friends, when warres riſe ſay kings ſhould neuer breath, Princes in neede men of regard imploy. To this iuſt action loyall friends be mou'd, The firmeſt faith in danger great is prou'd. THus hath this Lord as with a touch-ſtone tride, The courage of his countrey-men and loue: The voyce of all is on warres, warres they cride, The Princes vertues do the ſubiectes moue, Dangers and perils eminent to proue. The noble Earle with ſpeede purſues his fate, Delay brings danger to the ſureſt ſtate. When Fame reported this to Edwards care, Hope vanquiſht feare and gaue encouragement: To ſee them firme who euer faithfull were. Then to Lord Stafford, Southwike Earle he ſent, To muſter all his friends incontinent: Then gaue he ioynt commiſsion to theſe twaine, As equalles when they came in Campe to raigne. Thus theſe two Captaines as thoſe two of yore, VVhen Romes ſelected youth in Cannas bled, Equall in power, but not in Iudgements ſtore, As Varro, Stafford from the battell fled, As Paulus, ſo renowmed Pembrooke ſped. Thus Lord-like ſtout Aemilius forth doth goe, To chaſe the pride of his rebellious foe. Stafford and hee weake ſtaffe to leane vpon, No Stafford he, nor ſprung from Buckingham, Nor let that name ſo baſe a man bemoane, His cowardize eſcandalizde his fame. Laſſiuious luſt did explaiten his ſhame. Theſe two to Banbary with Armies bend, Thence Stafford fled, there Herberts life did end. There might you ſee a troope of warlike men, Conducted by the glories of their Clyme: Vnworthy I, with my vnworthy pen, To aeternize in Layes vndecent Rime, Their memories, which liue in ſpight of time. Theſe two as Fabius and Marcellus weare, Romes guarding target and offending ſpeare. Richard was valorous, but his brother wiſe, Youth made him forward, age the other ſtayde: Richard for action, Pembrooke for aduiſe, If both their worths were in a ballance way de, Neither ſhould Fates partiallitie vprayde, The differences betweene theſe brothers are, One peace affected moſt, the other warre. There might you ſee the Champions of the Beare, Mounted on Iuſtie Courſers, ſcoure the plaine: There might you ſee the ſonne of Latimer, With raſhneſſe charge, with feare returne and ſlaine, They neuer feare, who neuer feeled paine. There might you ſee, O I am greeu'd to ſay, What yeares confirm'd, conſumed in a day. There might you ſee that worthy man of men, Richard with his victorious ſword in hand, Like a fierce Lyon paſſing from his den, Or ſome ſterne Boare, whoſe anger plowes the land, Securely paſſe through euery conquer'd band. As a round bullet from a Canon ſent, This Knight alone through fortie thouſand went. And backe return'd to his amazed traine, But more enraged with anger then before: Begins to kill, where he before had ſlaine, Like a cloſe myzer he augments his ſtore, The more he ſlaies, to ſlaie he loues the more. All this thou didſt, what latter age can tell, Of one that better did, or halfe ſo well. Thus like Alcides all compoſde of ire, Whoſe fiery lights ſhut ſparkes of fortitude: This Champion doth to greater deeds aſpire, Still preſſing on the Hydra multitude, Till like to ſheepe they fled in order rude. Then to his Tent with tryumph he doth goe, Valure doth loue to ſpoile, not chaſe the foe. But ſee vnconſtant chance, and ſeeing weepe, For euery word requires a ſiluer teare: Whiles careleſſe victory did ſweetly ſleepe, And conqueſt by deſert did honour weare, (VVhen moſt we liue ſecure, we moſt ſhould feare) Sixe hundred men conducted by a Squire, Made thoſe that chaſte with praiſe, with ſhame retire. But ere that theſe confuſed warriours fled, Whom vnexpected horror did amaze: They ſold their liues for liues ere they were dead, Their conquering blood their honors did emblaze, Bnt all were not deriued from one race. Some Stallions in a field, ſome Aſſes bee, And ſo of men there be, of each degree. Richard thou canſt not mount thy ſteed and flye, Nor thou great Lord experience makes thee ſtay, To feare the name of death is worſe then dye: But men borne baſe, a baſer word will ſay, I care not how I ſcape ſo liue I may. Ye ſlaues to feare whom I abhorre to ſee, That loue life more, then praiſe or honeſtie. Still do they ſtriue till that vnnumbred preſſe Like Bees of Hybla ſwarmed euery where: Courage in danger doth it ſelfe expreſſe. Submiſsion to a Lyon breeds but feare, But rauenous beaſts their proſtrate ſubiects teare: By ſuch great Richard falls, and Pembrooke dies, Conquering twiſe twentie thouſand enemies. Mount ſacred ſpirits with cleare conſcience wings To the ninth heauen whereas your glorious eye May gaze on the immortall king of kings: Liue you in peace, but we in miſery, Man cannot happie be before he dye. Vnto your glorious tombes I ſacrifice, Theſe diſmall Anthems and ſad Elegies. CEaſe mournfull Muſe, to chaunt theſe Ciuil broiles, Vnciuill warres, and ſence-amizing times: Brothers by brothers ſpoild, vnnaturall ſpoiles, The guilt whereof to Ioues tribunall climes, Oh ſubiect fit for Thaeban Statius rimes. All warres are bad, but finall end doth tell, Inteſtine warres all other warres excell. Witneſſe the ſame the Macedinian downe, When Pompey did the Senates cauſe defend, And Caeſar ſought the worlds Imperiall Crowne: Witneſſe Philippes and Antonius end, Milde Othos death which Authors ſo commend. Richard now riſeth at his Nephewes fall,Richard. 3. A conſcience cleare is like a brazen wall. Now Englands Traiane ſprung from Troiane race, Doth Oxford helpe and Darbies aide implore, Froth-faced Neptune with his trident mace Doth guide his Argoſies to Milfords ſhoare, At Boſworth field he ſlaies the tusked Boare.The battle o • Boſworth. Leiceſtrian Dales their crimſon goare did fill, A ſcarlet ſtreame from Richard did diſtill. Cheiney thy armes and ſinewes are not ſtrong Enough to match with Albions martiall king: Brandon thou doſt thy youthfull vigor wrong, To combat him who to the field did bring Thoſe cruell parts which Collingbourne did ſing. Now conſolations wings doth reare my minde, To ſhew his praiſe, who ſprang from Priams kinde. Great Impe of kings,Henry. 7. heroicke Theodore, Englands Auguſtus, famous Prince of peace, Great Treaſurer of ſacred Vertues ſtore, Eden of pleaſure,Arthur. which didſt all men pleaſe, Comfort of Albion, Henry. and they Countries eaſe:Margaret. From the foure golden Fountaines did ariſe Like vnto thoſe that ſprang from Paradiſe.Mary. Oh that I had all wittes excelling witte, To eternallize thy deeds immortall king: My pen thy trophies ſhould, and tryumphes writte, The triple lauor of this round ſhould ring VVith thy great name, which my great muſe ſhould ſing. But ſince that Nature did the ſame denie, Accept my will, aetheriall dietie. Elizabeth, Elizabeth eldeſt daughter to Edw. the 4. was maried to Henr. the 7 by which mariage the both houſes of Yorke and Lancaſter ſo long ſeuered wer vnited O Princely perfect name, Combinde with thee, oh cheerfull cordiall knot: No priuate quarell could white Albion fame: VVith blood and rapine fierce diſſention blot, Fury it ſelfe, within it ſelf did rot. Two parted Roſes which ſo long did ſtriue, Grew on one ſtalke, and both began to thriue. From that faire ſtalke great Arthur firſt did riſe, Arthur who matcht with Caſtiles Katherine, Childleſſe he dide, and death he did deſpiſe, His body was intombde in gorgeous ſ • rine, His ſoule aſcended, for it was diuine. Henry then Prince and heire apparant was, Henry which did all former Henries paſſe. The ſnow-white Cliffes which Albion do confine, Whoſe ſubiect ſands are deckt with Margarites: Henry 8. Clearer then is the cleareſt Chriſtaline, The towring waues, which rule the narrow ſtreights, Which do adumbrate ſleepy rockes deceits, Could not debarre his thoughts, but he did goe To conquer France, and Englands greateſt foe. Wolſey then liu'd,Chriſt Chur •• in Oxford. high minded worthy Clarke, VVhich did erect thoſe glorious Towres of yore: Learnings receptacle, Religions parke, Oh that ſome Eagle-mounting thought would ſo are To finiſh that which he began before. Oh that ſome Prince (for none but Princes can) VVould perfect that, that excellent worke of man. The ſiluer Iſis and the gliding Thame, Whoſe billowes reſalute the verdant ſtrand, Should warble Paans to his mightie name, The leaden age is paſt which rulde the land, Saturne is come, and Saturne doth command: VVhoſe hopes were dead, rich ſtudents neuer feare, (Moſt rich in hope) ſome will your turrets reare. Nurſe of ingenious ſpirits Athens praiſe, Chiefe benefactor of what ere is mine: O might I ſee ſome mightie Monarch raiſe Thoſe halfe built walles and parted towres combine, Then Chriſt might yet be iuſtly tearmed thine: As Chriſt is beſt, ſo ſhould his houſes bee, And in perfection haue a ſympathie. Henries triumphant carkaſſe laid in graue,Edward 6. Couered with gold in Caeſars ancient towre: Edward ſucceeds, a Prince though yong, yet graue, The ſkye which whilome ſmilde begins to lowre, And ſhowres of ſorrow on the land to powre. He endes his life before it ſcarce began, What is more ſhort then ſhorteſt life of man. When nature fram'd this Prince, oh goodly creature, Compoſ'd of pure and elementall fire: Turnd in a heauenly mowld diuineſt feature, She ſaw her ſelfe deceiu'd, and wroth with ire, When life began, his end ſhe did deſire. What enuie ſo could thee proud Nature ſting, Nothing ſhould make and marre the ſelfe ſame thing. The Gods did enuie mans felicitie, And therfore did to Nature condeſcend: That this yong King, great King of Maieſtie, In ſixteene yeares his vitall courſe ſhould ſpend, His life hath end, and all our ioyes haue end. Nature doth haſten to the houſe of death. And ſhee conſents to ſteale away his breath. Now Spayne and England ioynes,Queene Mary married with Phillip Prince of Spayne. that peace I loue, That concord doth augment the common ſtate: Pray God it doth both firme and faithfull proue, But for to match with Spayne, oh cruell fate, Could Mary ſo her countrey ruinate? Guiltleſſe ſhee was, but thoſe that made the match, Vnder their wings did egges of Serpents hatch. Oh now me thinkes I could in diſmall blacke Shadow my lookes, and neuer wiſh the light: Writing red lines of blood, more blacke then blacke, The maſſacres of mans amazing ſight, After theſe duskie clouds comes eleareſt light. Mary is dead, Elizabeth doth raigne, Her conſcience cleare, no coraſiue could ſtaine.

The loſſe of Elizabeth. FAire Virgin, Empreſſe, royall Princely maide, Sprung from the Damaske Roſe the Roſes bud: Tis true as truth it ſelfe which men haue ſaide, The end is beſt, though all the meanes be good, She was the laſt and beſt of Henries blood. Henry did well in all, excell in this, In getting of this Maide, our greateſt bliſſe. He vanquiſht Bolleine, and ſtrong Turnus towne, And rode in tryumph through the Engliſh Pale: Placing the Diademe of France, that regall Crowne, Vpon his ſiſters temples; and withall Made the twelue Peeres to feare their finall fall. But what of theſe? if Bullain had not bin, We all had liu'd for aye in endles ſin. Aſtronomers did dreame and fondly ſaide, That twelue deſigned ſignes did rule a Spheare: Virgo did guide the earth, oh heauenly Maide; But now sky-teachers wiſe men neuer feare, To ſay ſhe is in heauen, for ſure ſhees there. Oh ſhe is gone, with her our pleaſures fled, They liu'd in her, they dide when ſhe was dead. Bright Gem of honor, Albions glorious ſtarre, The Cynoſure of Englands Hemiſpheare: Princeſſſe of peace, Cytherian queene of warre; Rides through the cloudes on her caeleſtiall beare, Conquering deathes Ebon dart and ſharpeſt ſpeare. Fathers of peace put on triumphant weedes, A gratious King, a gratious Queene ſucceedes. Reaſons firſt founder, Natures eldeſt ſonne, The Stoikes prince did alſo erre in this: Repugnant natures neuer raigne in one, ••• ſtotle. 〈◊〉 . Perfect my griefe, more perfect is my blis, I ſmile with ioy, yet teares my cheekes do kiſſe. A preſent ſalue hath cured a penſiue ſore, Britaine is now, what Britaine was of yore. The wandring Brute, who ſprang from Priams kinde, Though artleſſe men with their malignant muſe: Still bearing burning enuie in their minde, Britaines firſt Monarch warlike Brute abuſe, Of all the Northern world, this Iſle did chuſe. With fire and ſword he did obtaine his ſute With peace and ioy we chuſe a ſecond Brute. Peace, valure, learning, ſcience hee did bring, Thou feare of God, whom thou doeſt onely feare: Imperiall Monarche, truth and concordes King, No champion then did weild his fruitleſſe ſpeare, No chaine did tye the milde vntamed Beare. Saturne then liued, no Sinon did amiſſe, All men were free, (no ſlaue by Nature is. Oh ſacred age, and bleſſed times of yore, When iuſt Astraea rul'd this circled plaine: Then each man liu'd alike, and liu'd withſtore, No Perſian blood did Salamina ſtayne, No Vandals Rome, nor Romane gouernd Spayne. No Cannas chaunce did cauſe Saturnia mourne, No ſenceleſſe Nero wiſht new Troy to burne. No Manlius ſought a Diademe to gaine, No iuſt Papirius ſude for Fabius bloud: Claudius as then did not Virginia ſtayne, No Conſulls fell at Alias flaming flood, Red Charea was not dewde with Fabys blood. Albans and Romanes knew no ſingle ſight, Saffetius did not yeeld to Martius might. The vnſpotted ſpowſe of martiall Collatine, Did not conſent to Sextus lawleſſe luſt: Each virgin was ybound with Veſtas line, Camillus needed not the Ardeans truſt, Nor Sceuola his hand in flames to thruſt. But ſee, oh ſee how age doth follow age, VVorſe after worſe, as Actors on a ſtage. Thrice happy Britaine, ſtrong vnited Ile, Disioynted was by her firſt monarches fall: Then Albanact was ſlaine by Humbers guile, Caeſar then conquer'd it, who conquered all, Hunes, Pictes and Danes tryumph't in Britaines fal. Vaile ſorrowes roabes, Ioues father comes againe, The golden age begins with Iacobs raigne. The Lords great Stuart, Albions mightie King, Our ſecond Brute like to the morning ſtarre, To Englands Court doth light of comfort bring, Now Concords boult doth Ianus temple barre, Binding in chaines the ſterneſt god of warre. Vertue and valour triumph euermore, Auguſtus liues adornd with Craſſus ſtore.

TO THE MAIESTIE OF King Iames, Monarch of all Britayne. ALl haile great Monarch of the greateſt Ile, The Northerne worlds vnited lawfull King,Iames the 1. of England, and 6. of Scotland. Pardon my rudeſt reede vndecent ſtile, Though I want Skill in thy new Empires ſpring, Yet doe I loue, and will thy prayſes ſing. Me thinkes I do on Clarps Kingdome ſtand, No maruaile, for Apollo rules the land. On true obedience knee I pardon aske Of thy diuine heroicke Maieſtie, It was thy merites great impos'd this taske On my weake pen, badge of infirmitie, Too weake indeede to prayſe thy excellency. Each Cherrils muſe doth now ſalute thy grace, Shall I alone be mute and hide my face? Mar • extold Auguſtus peacefull daies, The Liricke Poet ſung Mecenas fame: Ennius did Scipio Affricanus praiſe, If all they liu'd and ſaw thy ſacred name, Each verſe they made ſhould ſure containethe ſame. But if they reade thy gift,Baſilicon Doron. oh Princely worke! For ſhame they would in vntrode deſarts lurke. If Englands Load-ſtarre pride of Poeſie,Chaucer, ſo called by M. Camdon. Could the firme Centers regiment tranſpearſe: And formalize his peerleſſe ingeny, Thy all-ſurpaſſing vertues to rehearſe, A Princely matter fitts a princely verſe: Yet were his wit too weake thy deeds to praiſe, Which brought vs ioyes, in our moſt mournfull daies. Could Lidgat paſſe the tower of Proſerpine, And like to Virbius liue a double age, Penning thy Trophies in a golden skrine, Yet could he not thy mertis equipage, Admiring moſt would vſe a tapinage, Bocchas and Gowre, the Virgils of their time, Could not vnfold thy prayſe in antique rime. If theſe foure Poets liu'd like Lions foure, They ſhould thy famous Coach of glory drawe From Vertures temple, to true honours towre, Each ſhould a kingdome haue, thy foes ſhould know Thy might, and feare their finall ouerthrow. But what ſhould muſes ſing? the world doth ſee, And ſeeing, feares vnited Britany. Still liuing Sidney, Caeſar of our land, Whoſe neuer daunted valure princely minde, Imbelliſhed with Art and Conqueſts hand, Did expleiten his high aſpiring kinde, (An Eagles hart in Crowes we cannot finde.) If thou couldſt liue and purchaſe Orpheus quill, Our Monarches merits would exceed thy skill Albions Maeonian, Homer natures pride, Spenſer the Muſes ſonne and ſole delight: If thou couldſt through Dianas kingdome glide, Paſſing the Palace of infernall night, (The Sentinels that keepes thee from the light) Yet couldſt thou not his retchleſe worth compriſe. Whoſe minde containes a thouſand purities. What fatall chance is this, and luckleſſe fate, That none can aptly ſing thy glorious prayſe, And tell the happineſſe of Englands ſtate, O barren time, and temporizing dayes, Fowle Ignorance on ſacred Learning prayes. But now I doe a Diapazon ſee, None but thy ſelfe (great King) can ſing of thee. That Macedonian ſtarre, firſt Prince of Greece, Philip Ariſtotle Sent for that wandring learned Stagirite, To teach his Sonne knowledge of knowledges: His ſword was keene, his ſenſe could ill indite: Thy ſworde is ſhape, and who can better write? He had another to inſtruct his ſonne, What he by others did, thy ſelfe hath done. Some Caeſar deemde the happieſt mortall wight, That breath'd the ayre, or did aſcend the skye, For conquering Scipios force, and Pompeis might, Some did Auguſtus iudge more happy, why? Becauſe the vanquiſht Aegypts Anhtony, Romes holy Prince, ſaid Nerua did ſurpaſſe, For leauing ſuch a ſonne as Traian was. If thoſe olde Wiſards which of yore did ſing, Read with impartiall eyes thy peerleſſe deeds, (Great Prince of warre, of peace thrice happie King) Concord ſhould reconcile their ſtriuing reeds, And ſenſures ioyne, which cenſures enuy breeds. Caeſars acts, Auguſtus peace, good Neruas kinde, In thee alone, in non but thee we finde. The ſiluer Moone plac'd in her circle round, At her encreaſe, her equall diſtant hornes Vpwards aſcends, as ſcorning abiect ground, So when the worlds great honour firſt was borne, That fayre ariſing Sunne, cleere faced morne, Her mounting thoughts did to the heauens Towre, Scorning the earth, or any terrene Bowre. But when that Virgins Goddeſſe doth decreaſe, Her picked forkes their courſe to Terra bend: So when our Englands Lunas light did ceaſe, The Artike Clime an Vnicorne did ſend, VVhoſe radiant Iuſture, night ſhall neuer end: Phoebes cleere light ſeemes darke, whilſt he doth ſhine He borrowes perfect light of God diuine. Thoſe that do reade the ſecrets of the skie, Whoſe iudgement is in heauen conuerſant: Which portraiture the ſignes in heauenly die Might aſſeuere that Virgo was on high, I ſawe a ſtarre of late from heauen flie: Why cannot this ſtarre then faire Virgo bee? A ſtarre more chaſte I thinke we cannot ſee. O now my thoughts can diue into the deepe, Our all ſhips guiding ſtarre was fixed there: And when Eliza did with honor ſleepe, Mounted vpon her praiſe deſeruing beare, She did obtaine of him ſhe lou'd ſo deare, That ſhe might haue his ſeate, he rule the land Which ſhe of late as Empreſſe did commaund. The Anatomizers of our learned daies, Affirme that Virgo do the belly guide: No wonder then that Albions wondrous praiſe, That Virgin Queene which here on earth did bide So nouriſht each poore hunger-bitten ſide. Now ſhe is dead, oh who will them reliue? The preſent ſtarre doth preſent comfort giue. I heard an aged woman often ſay, That ſhe did ſee a ſtarre from heauen deſcend: Which was as true me thought, as trees did bray: For ſhe alledg'd the ſame, and did commend A certaine Crowe, whoſe wit ſhe did defend. Pardon me Age, for now mine eyes do ſee A ſtarre on earth, more bright than ſtarre can bee. To whom ſhall I this Northerne ſtarre compare▪ To Caeſar which did firſt ſubdue the ſtate: To Horſus who no limbe of Chriſt did ſpare, Damming his ſoule this land to ruinate, Great Williams conqueſt and the Normanes hate. Thus doth my Muſe all wanting art begin, To ſing thy vertues, and to ſhewe their ſin. Caeſar was twice repulſt ere he could ſee This litle world from all the world remote: Before we ſawe thy face we ſent to thee, As to a Pilot for to guide our boate: Which did in Seas of ſuddaine ſorrow floate. He loſt his ſword before he conqueſt wan, We yeeld thee all our hearts, and all we can. Horſus by cruell tyrant trechery, Subdude Ambroſius that wiſe Prince of peace: Witneſſe the hidden kniues at Salisbury, He trauaile brought, but thou doeſt bring vs eaſe, Thy true deſcent makes greedy warres to ceaſe. A Wolfe poſſeſt his heart, a Lyon thine, He worſe then man, thou better more diuine. William was fierce in warre, and ſo art thou: In counſell ſage, thou doeſt him aequalize: His ſword forc't foes their trembling knees to bowe, Thou conquerſt hearts, by thy hearts winning eyes By force he wan, by merits thou doeſt riſe. He brought ſubiection, thou doeſt freedome bring. He loued warre, but thou of peace art King. Rufus was rude, thou ciuill, gentle, kinde: He was auſtere, thy browes hath mercies frowne: He had a Neros hart, thou Caeſars minde: He hunting lou'd, for pleaſure tumbled downe Many a Caſtle fayre, and ſtately Towne: Thou lou'ſt the chaſe, yet Cities doeſt adorne, Thou wert for all the worlds great profit borne, Henry was grac't with artes, thou doeſt excell: Children did bleſſe his age but ſoone did dye: Children thou haſt in health and perfect well, (God proſper them with pure proſperitie,) Adorne their harts with louing pietie: He was a worthy King, thou worthier farre, Thou art our Northerne-Pole, harts-guiding ſtarre. Soare humble thoughts, and let my abiect pen Touch the high mounted Artike Northerne ſtarre, And there compare this man excelling men: VVe ſhould compare the things that equall are, And who is like this light, this lampe, this ſtarre? Mine eyes diſtill ſweete teares, the teares of ioy, To ſee Troyes iſſue raigne in new found Troy. Let Barland ceaſe to write of wiſeſt Kings, And Mellificius with his tuned voyce, From whoſe ſweet tong ſprang learnings ſweeteſt ſprings? Sing not of Perſians prayſe, or Caldeans ioyes, The Grecians Emperour, Europs worthieſt choyce. Theſe three combinde, each ſought the others fall, Britaine is ioynd, and Concord guides it all. When Alexander ſawe that precious ſtone, Vnder whoſe Iſye wings Achilles lay, Shedding ambitious teares, he ſaid with mone, Vnhappy I, and ten tunes happy they, Whoſe enſignes prayſe, ſweet Homer did diſplay: Then happy art thou King, whoſe raigne wee ſee Homer doth ſing thy prayſe, for thou art hee. The Maieſtie of Marius fearefull face Did terrifie the Cymbrians crauen minde: Though he were armde with Clothos fatall mace, And ſolemne oath to murther did him binde, A wandring Bucke did feare the Eagles kinde: So did thy Princely lookes and grace of God Protect thy iſſue from a Traytors rod. Now doth my Ship in plenties Ocean ſayle, Puſht with a pleaſant gale of pleaſures winde: But ſtay I here an enuious Momiſt rayle, Thy toothleſſe threate doth not amaze my minde, Barke, for thou canſt not bite, I ſcorne thy kinde, That which I write, I reade, and both are true, I dare not, nor I will not tell what will enſue. My hope is good that we ſhall happy bee, Hopeleſſe our foes, they feare, we ſtill ſecure: We peace, they warre: Ye endleſſe peace ſhall ſee, We plenty haue, they pouerty endure, Religion we ſincere, but they impure. They liuing ſeeme to dye, we dying gaine To liue with Saints in Paradiſus plaine. What ſaid the learned, thoſe that learning loue, If cauſes periſh, then effects decay, Pray for the cauſe, yea, pray to God aboue That he may long the Albion Scepter ſway, Who ſhinde like Sol in our Cimmerian day. Liue, and liue long, great King, liue many dayes, Vſe that fayre Theame, Be as thou art alwayes. FINIS.