The. xxx. Chapiter.
¶ The conseipt of the maker of this booke, touchyng barrons warres, in defaute of peace and lawe.
DEfaut of lawe was cause of this mischief,
Wronges susteined by mastry & by might,
And peace laied downe that should haue been the chief,
Through whiche debates folowed all [and all.] vnright.
Wherfore vnto a prince accordeth right,
The peace and lawe, [euen with] [evenly in.] equite,
Within his realme, to saue his dignite.
¶ What is a kyng without [withoutyn.] lawe and peace,
Within his realme sufficiently conserued?
The porest of his [his reame.] maye so encrease
By iniury and force of menne preserued,
Till he his kyng so wt strēgth haue ouerthrowed [so ouerterned.] ,
And sette hym self in royall maieste,
As tratour Cade made suche [an iuoperte.] [a juperte.]
¶ O ye, my lorde of Yorke, and veraie heire
Of Englande, so this matter [well] impresse
Deipe in your breste, lette it synke softe and feire,
And suche defautes sete you aye to represse:
At [the] begynnyng lette your high noblenes
The trespassoures to chastes [chastice.] , and [to] restreine,
And lette theim not lawe ne peace disobeine.
¶ O ye lordes that [been in] [beth of.] high estate,
Kepe well the lawe [with peace and] [and peace with.] gouernaunce,
Lest your hurtes [subiectes.] you hurte and depreciate,
Whiche been as able, with wrongfull ordynaunce,
To reigne as ye, and haue also [as.] greate puisaunce: