The last part of the Mirour for magistrates wherein may be seene by examples passed in this realme, vvith howe greenous [sic] plagues, vyces are punished in great princes & magistrats, and hovv frayle and vnstable vvorldly prosperity is founde, where fortune seemeth most highly to fauour.

HOVV KINGE EDVVARDE the fourth throughe his surfeting and vntēperate life sodainly dyed in the midst of his pros¦perity, the ninth of April Anuo. 1485

MIseremini mei ye that be my frends, This world hath formed me down to fall: How may I endure when that euery thing endes? VVhat creature is borne to be eternall? Now there is no more but pray for me all. Thus say I Edward that late was your king, And yeres xxii. bare Scepter ryall, Some vnto pleasure and some to no lyking: Mercy I aske of my misdoing, VVhat auayleth it frendes to be my foe? Sith I cannot resist, nor amend your complayning, Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio.

I siepe now in mould as it is naturall, As earth vnto earth hath his reuerture: VVhat ordaynd God in the world uniuersall, VVithout recourse to the earth by nature, VVho to liue euer may himselfe assure? VVhat is it to trust to mutability, Sith that in this world nothing may endure? For now am I gone that was late in prosperity. To presume therupon it is but vanity, Not certayn but as a chery fayre ful of wo, Rayned not I of late in great felicity, Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio

VVhere was in my lyfe such a one as I, VVhile Lady Fortune with me had continuance: Graunted not she me to haue victory, In England to raygn and to contribute Fraunce, She toke me by the hand and led me adaunce, And with her sugred lips on me she smyled, But what for dissembled countenaunce, I could not be ware til I was beguiled. Now from this world she hath me exiled, VVhan I was lothest hense for to go, And am in age who sayth but a child, Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio.

I had enough I held me not content, VVithout remembraunce that I should dye: And moreouer to encroch ready was I bent, I knew not how long I should it occupy, I made the tower strong I wist not why, I knew not to whom I purchased Tater sall. I mended Douer on the mountayne hye. And London I prouoked to fortify the wall, I made Notingham a place full royall. Windsore, Eltam, and many other mo, Yet at the last I went from them all. Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio.

Where is now my conquest and victory? Where is my riches and royal aray? Wher be my coursers and my horses hye? VVher is my mirth, my solace, and my play? As vanity to nought els is withred away: O Lady Bes long for me may you call,

For I am departed vntil, domes day: But loue you that Lord that is souerayn of all. Where be my Castels and buildings royal? But Wyndsore alone now haue I no moe, And of Eton the prayers perpetuall, Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio.

VVhy should a man be proude or presume hye, Saynt Barnarde therof nobly doth treate, Saying a man is but a sacke of stercory, And shal return into wormes meate: Why what became of Alexander the great? Or els of strong Sampson, who can tell, Were not wormes ordaynd their flesh to freate? And of Salamon that was of wit the wel, Absolon profered his heere for to sel, Yet for his bewty wormes eate him also And I but late in honours did excell, Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio.

I haue playd my pageant, now am I past, Ye wote wel all I was of no greate elde. Thus al thinges concluded shal be at the last VVhen death approcheth then lost is the stelde: Then seyng this world me no longer vphelde, For naught would conserue me here in this place, In manus tuas domine my spirit vp I yelde, Humbly beseching thee O God of thy grace O you curteous commons your hartes embrace Beningly now to pray for me also. For right wel ye know your king I was. Et ecce nunc in puluere dormio

FINIS.