And like vnkenneld Cerberus the crooked Tyrant swore,
And all complexions act at once confusedly in him:
He studieth, striketh, threates, intreates, and looketh mildly grim,
Mistrustfully he trusteth, and he dreadingly did dare,
And fortie passions in a trice in him consort and square.
But when, by his conuented force, his foes increased more,
He hastned Battell, finding his Coriuall apt therefore.
When Richmond orderly in all had battelled his ayde,
Inringed by his Complices, their chearefull Leader sayde.
Now is the time and place (sweete Frends) and we the Persons be
That must giue England breath, or els vnbreath for her must we.
No Tyrannie is fabled, and no Tyrant was in deede
Worse thā our Foe, whose workes wil act my words if wel he speede:
For ill to ills Superlatiue are easely intist,
But intertaine amendment as the Gergesites did Christ.
Be valiant then, he biddeth so that would not be out-bid
For courage, yeat shall honor him, though bace, that better did.
I am right heire Lancastrian, he in Yorkes destroyed right
Vsurpeth: But, through Either ours, for neither Claime I fight,
But for our Countries long-lackt weale, for Englands peace I warre:
Wherein he speed vs vnto whom I all Euents refarre.
Meane while had furious Richard set his Armies in array,
And then, with lookes euen like himselfe, this or the like did say.
Why, Lads, shall yonder Welshman with his Straglers ouer-match?
Disdaine ye not such Riualles, and deferre yee their dispatch?
Shall Tuder from Plantagenet the Crowne by craking snatch?
Know Richards very thoughts (he toucht the Diademe he wore)
Be mettall of this mettall: Then beleeue I loue it more
Than that for other law than Life to super sead my Clame,
And lesser must not be his Plea that counter-pleads the same.
The weapons ouer-tooke his words, & blowes they brauely change,
When, like a Lion thirsting bloud, did moody Richard range,