The battailes of Crescey, and Poictiers vnder the leading of King Edward the Third of that name; and his sonne Edward Prince of Wales, named the Blacke. By Charles Allen, sometime of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge.

THE BATTAIE OF Poictiers vnder Edward, Sirna∣named the Blacke Prince.

NOt in full orbe as yet his honour shines: True honours orbs are fill'd by digits, grow By orderlie addictions, high designes Doe with Methodicall progression goe. Tall Cedars by degrees aduance the top, 'Tis Mushrome honour in a night springs vp.

Nature the hand, and instrument of heauen VVith sober pace aduanceth fairelie on: Her peeces are produc'd by smooth, and euen Degrees, and grow by soft accession. Nature by mediums workes, leaps not at all, And honour leapd to seemes vnnaturall.

But yet she stayes not, but doth gently pace In her continued march: and high borne sprights Worke, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Falcon to wring to her place Winns are by constant circlings, not alights. Macedo•• heire could glory, he did raise His name by expeditions, not delayes.

Then on great Prince, the eldest sonne of Fame, Honours first borne; continue still to add Items to vertues sum, and weare a name Charg'd with more well-won titles, than he had. Contest for thy inheritance in fame, More iust thy interest, more faire thy claime.

France was the court wherein the case was try'd, With title so apparant, proofes so cleare; His plea for honour could not be deni'd By iustice brib'd: nay if more worlds there were, And Philips sonne had triumpht on them all, His suit for honours birthright here should fall.

But he that would court honour in the field, And wed her noblie to his vertue, must Hold passion in; on a firme basis build, And know the causes of his war be iust. Great actions, if not founded deepe, will reele, The greatest ship must haue the strongest keele.

To procure peace, or keepe a foe at bay By warding iniuries, call a warre iust: But not to hug reuenge, and make a way For brutish feritie, but that Kings must Keepe Kings in good opinion, that they know, What a wrong is, and how to vse a foe.

T'enlarge the ••i••ts of Kingdomes, and extend An Empires armes a war may authorize: The Prince, whom sacred leaues doe most commend, And by the style of heau'n is writt most wise. Made all the people tributarie bee, Were from Euphrates to the midland sea.

Or to recouer, what our right hath beene, And whats deteind vniustly, to regaine, Where iustice ends, there iustlie warrs begin, Our Edward thus did war in Aquitaine. Thus fierce Camillus taught th'insulting Gaule To weigh the treasure, and restore it all.

King Iohn had setled vpon Charles his sonne Aquitaines D••rchie; which did owe her state To Englands Edward, who confirm'd it on The Prince, with charge his right to vindicate. Kings doe marke Kings proceedings, and to eye Their waies is politicke necessitie.

This was that Charles, whom the French stories writ First Dolphin: Vinbert broken at the chance Of's onely sonnes decease, did giue his right Of Dolphinie to Phillip King of France: But with this coution conferd the same, They should the heire of Franee the Dolphin name

Goe vindicate thy right? a word what can Effect a wonder on lame cowardise, And teach it moue: but to the Prince a man To picture prowes by, it doth but this, Remoue those letts which did his vallour stay; Streames haue selfe motions, take the dams away.

Thus when a pondrous stone, whose wight propende Downe to the loued center, with a stop Hath an encounter as it downeward tends: And with the interposure is kept vp, Whose'uer shall displace the impediment, Imparts no motion but by accident.

Still had their King seene peaces laughing browe, And smoother front, had he not bard his foes Of that, for which there was no right to show, As once a Pope the Indies did dispose. Which made the barberous King to laugh at this, One should dispose of what was none of his.

But th'vnexperienc'd King dares sport with flame, And sindge his royall pinions, he doth thinke The bloody dye of Mars is but a game: And thirsts wars bitter potions to drinke. His father dranke not all the violls vp, Edward's his doctour to dresse him a cup.

He musters vp his men, extracts the best Out of the English masse, Salsbury, L••le, Suffolke and Warwicke: men that might contest With antiquie worth, and leade the right hand file. Wise Princes haue wise seconds, nor alone Imbarke in actions, eyes see more then one.

Suppose the gen'rall wise, and valiant, Such the commanders; yet if be proposd Proiects of consequence, they doe not grant They should in one brests conclaue be disposd. But call a martiall court, and there debate Which side makes best conclusion for the state.

Such were the souldiers here, and such the head, Mars could not here select a souldiar out▪ But could command; no captaine but could lead The Gods, when they against the Giants fought. Mars would haue chose these soldiars in his wars, And Mars his soldiars Edward for their Mars.

The Prince eight thousand sineweie archars bringes, Armed with fatall engins, which were try'd, And neuer taught the foile; as if their wings Impropriated conquest to their side: Their whistleling shafts alway victorious fly, Featherd with plumes were pluckt from victorie.

A thousand men of armes calld out, did looke Like yron statues, art had taught to goe: Which stood more firmely on the ground they tooke Than Macedon•••• Phalanx er could doe. And as the Prince these fierie warriours led, He seemd the star some Comet followed.

More to distract, and more to terrifie, The English land in diuers parts of France: VVhilst Glosters forces fight in Normandie, VVales doth in Aquitane the war aduance. For in a war that hath more seates then one, More fear's diffused, and more pillage wone.

Charles of Na••ar challeng'd a right in ••ry, Great Gloster tooke vp armes in Charles his right, And in his owne Edwar did France defie, For right the Prince, for right did Gloster fight. For those false Keyes which locke vp iustice, are The Keyes which ope Ianus his dores of war

Gloster with Philip brother of Nauar, Preuailes in Normandie: takes Narbon in, Forces C••rcassou; nor durst fortune bare The cittyes gates, which Gloster meant to win. He shot without a counterbuffing stocke, Like to a thunderbolt through Languedocke.

But Glosters not my theame: (though that too hi•• For best of quils to reach) I must retreate To Edwards quarters, and there vainely try To make his greatnes make these measures great. The onely muse I sue to is his name, And vncorrupt relation of his fame.

And now my fancy sees great Edward rise, Mars his Enthusiast: his actions were Raptures of valour, and deepe extasies Of man aboue himselfe: for drawing heere His spirits from their matter, passed more Himselfe, then he surpass'd the world before.

He on the stage of Aquitane did play That part, which none beside can personate: In euery course or found or made away, And prostrates as infallible as fate. Like to deaths harbinger his passage made, And there death lodged, where he lodg'd his blade

Citties of such a strength (that they had beene Abler t'ensure the Godlings from surprise, Than bodging in strange shapes:) did let him in As if he had beene keeper of the keyes. And raineing arrowes in a featherd shower, He could haue peirc'd more then a brazen tower.

Some townes inueited by their strength withstand, Not out of hope to stand but out of shame: Some yeeld more to his name, than to his hand, For that had summond them, before he came. Whilst some are forc'd, some yeelded, as he went, And seem'd to haue beene won by precedent.

Thus fall the shrubs, poore neighbours of an oke, Whose top kisseth the clouds, whose root sounds hel Which vanquisht by th'assault of sturdy stroke With groniug fall the vnderwood doth fell. Small states sinke with the fall of greater states, The same their fortunes, and the same their fates.

Ciement the sixt of Rome strikes in for peace, An act of which few of them guilty are: The Papacie arriu'd at the increase Of her progression by forraine war. And since the Eagle did some plumes afford, It thriu'd lesse by the keyes, than by the sword.

But Wales th'exact Idea of a sonne, And trew commander, wiselie did deni't: Vnwarranted from home had it been done, He had entrenchd vpon his fathers right. Th'jniunctions of thy Prince must stand, not thine The soule of Martiall feasts is discipline.

Sterne Manlius yeelds his victorious sonne, Vnto the lictors axe, because he fought Without command though challendg; and had won The day from Metius, and rich spoiles had brought, The losse of such a sonne doth rather choose Than Rome the least of discipline should loose.

No eare to lecture of soft peace is turnd, Mars his red letters writt with sword and speare Must still be read, his valour's but adjournd Tis not prorogu'd: it was no period here But as a breathing comma to the Prince, Such stops as these are spurs to violence.

As I haue seene come galloping amaine A gentle Knight, who meeting on the roade An old frind long vnseene, doth entertaine Someshort discourse, then with his gingling goade Pricke vp grashopper, and deuoure the way, And win with speed, what he had lost by stay.

And thus a streame prowd with a fall of raine Topping his bankes, and scorning the controule Of a poore chanell winneth from the plaine, And with impetuous violence doth roule. But if some dam shall countercheck his waues, It breakes the dam, and more insulting raues.

The Prince shoot smoothly though without recoile; And townes so eas'lie homag'd to his name, As if he went but to receiue the spoyle, Which fortune had told out against he came. And with so swift dispatch effected this, That Caesars Vici was but slow to this.

Faire fortune was engrossd for him by fate, Yet was he not more fortunate, then wise: Wise as Huniades, as fortunate As Castriot, which two this one comprise. He seemd to take townes at a cast, and get (As one Timoleon) citties in a net.

Now shiuring winter fledg with featherd raine Couerd the earth with beds of watrish downe Which warnes the Prince to quit the open plaine, And haue his soldiars winterd in a towne. Who vnto Burdeux vninpeachd retreates, And for that yeere takes leaue of matiall feates.

The carefull Prince will not his men bestow In fields vnsheltred, whilst the leagring cold, And battring engins of chill ice, and snow Assault the spirits, and surprize their hold. Who let their men ith field in winter lie, Both combat nature, and the enemie.

The Sun surrownding with a fleet carrere, On the highway of the Eclipticke line: Had inned in his winter signes that yeere, And at the goale his mounture did decline. Thus Edward to his winter Tropick came, Aduancing through the Zodiacke of fame.

As when a fat, and teemeing soile is growne Leane, and o'respent; and by its often birth Threatens a barren womb, the moileing clowne Fallowes the acres of his languisht earth. Thus chiefes indulge their weari'd soldiars rest, And husband valour in their fallow'd brest.

Apollos yew is not at all times bent, It sometime feriates, and string is slackt: The sinews of his lyre not alway rent With screwing torture nor with winding rackt These rests and stops with sweet varietie, Tune all our actions to a harmonie.

Now had the Sun rid through his winter stage, And lighted at the lusty ram: the earth With hearbs, as Aeson, did renew her age, And was impregnate with a numerous birth. Flora to ope her wardrobe did begin, As 'twere to decke her at her lying in.

The constellation of the winged steed Rising with Sol, attempereth the ayre To the radicall humour, and doth breede Blood in the strouting veines, and sprights repaire. Soldiars in spring doublie their seruice can, A man in winter is but halfe a man.

The Prince, who had in winter seem'd to set, Aduanceth forward, with th'aduancing Sun: Doth not his resolute designes forget, Nor to consummate what he had begun. Not to promote what we doe once comence, Argues a weakenesse, and a diffidence.

Vaines would be cram'pd; the stream of blood would freeze, In the old chanels, should they longer lie: And if they still should sacrifice to ease, Valour would fall into alethargie. Dull lakes are choakt with melancholie mud, Motions doth cleare, and cristallize a flood

No body's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 healthfull without exercise, Iust wars are exercises of a state: Vertue's in motion, and contends to rise, With generous ascents aboue a mate. Princes in motion with the spheares contest, Made more for veneration, then for rest.

With vncontrowled march he did aduance Througb Bruges, Perigort, and Limosin: And seizd the bosome of affrighted France, The terrour of his acts vsherd him in. The lowd report of his victorious name Did execution long before he came.

As when the nurses rod cannot appease The Child; at th'hearing of some horrid name 'Tis husht: thus Turkey with Huniades Stilled their children saying that he came. A frightfull name's as forciue as a blow, Both Edwards name, and arme can ouerthrow.

For he, like light diffused, in the aire, Spreads without opposition, meets no stay To checke his faire proceedings, nor impaire His smoother fortune wheeling on her way. No lets encountred with his fortunes yet, They ran as smoothly as Musaeus writ.

As yet ther's no abatement of his power, No blood expended, they did nothing meet Whereby they might diegust the wars, no sower As yet had beene attempe••d with their sweet. Thus Arethusa slides through Neptunes bed, And keepes her maiden streame vnrauished.

But whether march we? are the armes of France Pinio'nd with feare? What not a Caualleere: That for his mistris sake dare try his Lance; If not for's country be a champion here? Yes now their horsemen like a tempest come, Acknowledgd then the flower of Christendome.

King Iohn such vnexpected hast did make (His spirits heated with too quicke a fire:) He did the Prince at Poictiers ouertake; He wingd his hope, and imped his desire, As if he would his hastie fates importune He might outrun his father in misfortune.

The King mistooke it for a chase, and thought To ouertake, were to surprize his foe▪ As when a hownd with snufling long hath sought Through way lesse woods which way the game did goe, Rouses by chance a Lyon for a deere▪ And thus the French did rowse a Lyon heere.

Vnder the heauie burthen of their power They seem'd to make the groning earth to yeeld: And with a clowd of men (able to shower Distruction on the world,) darken the field. A whirlewind scowring from the Northern waine Did ease th'oppressed, cleare the darkned plaine.

They had the odds of number sixe to one, A wonder by a sixth to be withstood: So many Speares at once, and lances showne, Did in a champaine seeme to make a wood. But I haue heard, a wolfe did neuer feare, A flock of sheepe, how great so e'r it were.

Let fond Tigranes in a proud despight Scoffe at Romes handfull, and in brauerie Brag to his men, they were too few for fight, And but too many for an embassie. They chas'd this bragart, and the conquest wou, And made his honour set before the Sun.

They haue the odds of country: the cause is Try'd in their court; and we are forc'd to play In their owne alley: nay, they're strain by this To fight; they loose the country with the day. But in inuasiue wars abroad, we doe But loose our selues, and not our country too.

Vpon the foyle, where thou wert borne, to flee Cryes bastard in thy face: is it not iust To pay her life, whch once did lend it thee? Ner couldst thou better dye and once thou must. Giue me a cocke that nere durst strick a blow, Vpon his dunghill he will beat his foe.

Nay, as if fortune had a patent lent For France, t'ingrosse all the aduantages, Odds in conceit; conceit, an instrument, VVhich though pantasticke, gets realities. The pregnant mothers strong imagination Hath giuen her wombe a reall alteration.

The King of France his army did draw out, And on a spacious plaine imbatteled: His num'rous multitude he wheeld about Like the first mouer; and the fields did spread With traine too long, and wings too short to fly, Vnto so high a pitch as victory.

His hopes had now impos'd on his beleife That he already had the victorie: He thinkes that tedious, which all else thinke briefe He meanes to ••••••ne his battaile presentlie. Desires are ha••••ie, and when hopes are strong, Minutes are lazie, and compendiums long.

They thinke to scourge our heros, and with steele Whip this yong warriour, who now was made Professor in his art, and scornd to feele Checke, or correction from the proudest blade. It cannot come into their memories, He had at Crescey fought his master prize.

Scorning the petty numbers which we brought, They rate them pris'ners more then enemies: And against light, and truth of nature thought That efficatious force in number lies. He is blind-hardy, that will dangers slight For they grow heauy, when they once seeme light

If chance claimd not an interest in tents, And schooles of Mars, then the French numbers might Seeme in good eyes enforcing arguments For strong conclusions, but she claimes such right, That tis a question whether Rome ought more To her owne fortitude, or to this whore.

But France hath greater opposition here Than single fortune had we cowards beene, She had imparkd vs like a heard of deere, But in so few ne'r was more valour seene. A multitude could neuer make a head Against feirce Lyons if by Lyons lead▪

Whilst the French swolne with vaine, & sickish hope Of victory, are ready now to burst In feaue'rish choler on the foe; the Pope With fatherly prevention tried first, It for such feavers any thing might be A soueraigne cure besides Phlebotomie.

To meditate betweene this mighty paire He sent two Cardinalls: the French withstood With eares of proofe, and fortified 'gainst prayer, Their Crosier staues could here doe little good, Nay, if the herauld of the gods had come, He might haue broke his rod, and so flowne home.

We were too far gone in this maze to flye, Nor humane iudgement could present a light To shew vs out; Time, and necessity Aduise the Prince leane to a Peace, which might Be not inglorious, and giue a blow Vpon his honour deeper then a foe.

But France presuming fatally there are Vpon her side matchles aduantages, Will heare no musicke but the sounds of warre, The hymnes of Peace are but dull aires to these. Thus Semele the thundercracke will heare, And dies with that, which onely pleas'd her eare

The Prince beset with strong obiections Of opposits can no euasion see: Would therefore yeeld to faire conditions, Nay, yeeld vp all things but himselfe; and he Cannot be guilty of such base controwle Whose body't selfe's no prison to his soule,

Yet this, and onely this can satisfie Their high desires: Edward must basely yeeld Himselfe a pris'ner: nay he'le rather dye, Than yeeld, and liue: nay fore he quits the field, He'le take their King: tis iust, he that will choose, To take thy freedome, should his freedome loose.

He giues conditions, as if we were Now in his hands, and really possest In's ouerweening thoughts: and doth not feare Our fortune, and our valour: but profest Hee'd set vs Lawes: but Edward thought it fit, Those Lawes like Dracos should in blood be writ.

His articles at first did terrour strike, And did our minds in darke suspenses hold, But ended things to laugh at; not vnlike The armed charets in the field of old Wherein both sithes, and hookes and speares were borne: Were first a terrour, afterward a scorne.

To yeeld ones selfe, and yeeld before a blow Calls indignation ftom a cowards brest. He could not yeeld his honour to his foe, For others had in it some interest. He had deceiu'd country, and King for he To them for's honour must accomptant be.

His life, and honour at the stake did lie. Set to be throw'n at in this martiall game: Hee'l therefore vse his life couragiously To keepe from forfeit his vngaged fame; And with a fearelesse progresse dangers meet, Life not in length, but in the vse is sweet.

The King of France an errour did commit, (And wars for errours scarce haue second roome) Had he but tymd it, and not ioyned yet We easely would to composition come. Fortune's a Market, if a while you stand, Things doe grow cheape, and fall into your hand.

We could not with prouision be stor'd, He might haue cut it off without a blow: Famine had beene more forciue, than the sword; But he will fondly buckle with his foe; And by his folly make our fortune great; Serpents proue Dragons when they Serpens eate.

Great actions are not moulded ont of hand, They aske their time for iust conception; Least they should proue blind issues; they deman A first, and second agitation, And are on arguments of Counsell tost, Or on the waues of fortune they are lost.

When mature counsell hath concluded, what Is to be done; and how contriu'd; wee need Dispatch, the life of things, to practise that: Consult at leisure, prosecute with speed. Which Tytus by his emblem well descride, A nimble Dolphin to an anchor ty'd.

King Iohn admits no consultation To ripen his designes, as if't had beene Too short a time for his perdition. Grapling with dangers brings them sooner in. Actions are weakned with too hasty speed, Thus predigestion doth diseases breed.

He Kenns not precedents that went before, But with erected, and ambitious eye, Thinkes on surmis'd aduantages to sore, Nor minding what's before him, to mount high. Thus a seeld doue with right vp mountures flies, Because she sees not, what before her lies.

If he had but his fathers legend read, There had beene lectures to haue taught him wit. The name of Crescey might haue strooke him dead, To thinke like fortune might attend vs yet. Heau'n destining a fall, muffies the eyes, And when it will destroy, it stupefies.

When some did th' Emperour Charles the fourth ad∣uise To dare the Turkish cressant, he refusd: 'Cause through the current of all histories, He saw much blood was in those warres effusd. The ancient times, what is the best, doe show, The moderne teach what is most fit to doe.

When Zeuxis did his Iuno goe about, From the choise shapes of th' Agrigentine Dames, He culd the rarest of perfections out. Thus Princes doe arriue at highest names, For they the best of all examples take, When they the Iuno of their power doe make.

Their former suffrings might instructions be: Tis best anothers madnesse to inioy: They might their owne through other danger see, And with what fate we did our shafts employ. From fire which hath once burnt it, to refreine, Moues in the circle of an Infants braine,

When Archimedes engins once had feard, And did at Siracuse the Romans maull, Not one in all the leager once appeard, But stood the space of danger from the wall. If they a peece of rope, or wood did spy, Supposing it an engin, they would flie.

From his owne losse hee'l read instruction, And try experience on himselfe: they sing To a deafe rocke, who tune perswasion: The Card'nalls is dull rhet'ricke: for a King Not to be forced is a glorious state, But not perswaded is a dangerous fate.

Wise Chiefes would purchase, were it to be sold, A foes returne: which made that worthy say, If he will goe, make him a bridge of gold, No mettall is too deare to paue his way. Vnwelcome oppositions will at length Create a sudden fury, and new strength.

The Freneh well mounted did so firmely ride, They seemd some monster made of man and beast: Thus rid the Centaures by Enipus side, Inuited to Peryth'ous bridall feast. Nessus did fall by great Alcides Bow, Thus the French Centaures haue their ouerthrow.

Iohn on his horse the confidence did lay, And thinkes he sooner shall vpon their speed Allight at th'hope, and honour of the day, But this opinion did an errour breed. An eye through water measures nothing streight, Nor wisedome through the glasse of preconceit.

He sees not how the prince had layd his men Close in a bushie, and vnequall ground, His horse though better could doe nothing then, And while at once they feele the arrowes wound And windings of a bush, they doe mistake, They feele the stinging of some winding snake.

A ground (as I haue seene some dining roome Whose seeling art hath cut in wandring vines) So that by nature: that no horse can come, But is supplanted by th'intangling twines The creeping vines with their erronious course, Were made by nature shackles for their horse.

We this aduantage borrowd from the place, The French Kings errour doth another make: No place was giu'n by merit, but by grace, Which make deseruers cold to vndertake. When no faire aspect shineth on deserts, There is a dearth presag'd on armes, and arts.

Three hundred horse he culled from the rest, The rest conceiuing it a high neglect, Thinke themselnes worst, 'cause others are thought best. And 'gin to enuie, whom he did select. Enuie's a race, in which the runners, minde Those, who doe run before, not who behind.

In great designes we such impressions see Impeach an action, where the mind must looke Pointblank vpon the worke, nor squinting bee By the affections from the bus'nes tooke. A shaking eye hath an vncertaine sight, And minds by passion moued aime not right.

Vext with disgrace they discontented grow, And thus distracted, either study why They were reiected with dislike, or how To be reueng'd for such an iniurie. And readi'r are to double their despight, Than animate their courages to fight.

The Prince helpt by these errours, and the ground Strengthen'd by nature, where his men were laid, Vs'd art to make it stronger then 'twas found, That it might more vnpassable be made. Rests not in what was by meere nature done▪ Art is to perfect what that hath begun.

The night before, ditches, and trenches cast, So wide, they might not by the horse be leapt. His Archers close behind the banks were plac't, From whence they shot, and were so safely kept. That I would prooue, and by no proofe but this, The place conserueth what contayned is.

Yet it were weaknesse, if he were content With strength of place: and therfore that he might Haue brests as fortifi'd, he did present His men with the necessity to fight. When a, needs must, commands vs to begin, Wee loose with honour, or with wonder win.

His men with obstinacy armed so, And resolution, that the farwell breath Of Edwards gasping men could blast a foe. And if no friends would vindicate their death, Yet this should be their comfort, here to dye, Would be their birth-day to eternity.

And now with horrour I the French espy Come rowling o'r the Champaine like a flood. Their swords like scourging Comets in the Skie Prognosticated deluges of blood, To drowne vs in, but that the English bow Like the propitious meteor sayd no.

Here you may see their formest troope of horse With a resolued brau'rie charge the bankes: There see the ruder archers breake their course, And spoile the method of their orderd rankes. Thus 'gainst a rocke deepe founded in the maine, The waues oft sally, oft repulst againe.

There see their second troope so close compact, As if that all should but inflict one stroke; And be as but one person in that act: But falling on our men at armes, are broke. Thus on the stones a storme of haile doth fall, It breakes it selfe, and doth not hurt at all.

Now see the third ride forward in a braue, Then backward beat, then vanish out of sight. As I haue seene a straw slide on a waue, Vntill encountred by a narrow streight, Then forward, backward, and about it whirles, And then is swallow'd in the watrish curles.

We had beene ouerlai'd with numbers now, And if declining had beene crushed streight: The body of our army did not bow, But standing right is settled with their weight. Imposed weights columnes which leane deface, But standing streight they fixe them on their base

Had Plato seene this armie he would sweare, (Rauisht to see such wonders done by men) Valours Idea had existence there, And ne'r before vouchsafd to lodge with men. Valour so high, that whatsoe'r may be Conceiud of it, is no hyperbolie.

Here Edward fought, and there the French men fly, Whilst he an alley through their quarters made: They count it not a harme, but grace to dye, If that their deaths were honourd by his blade, No Herauld shows an armes of such a note, As where his weapons gaue the bloody coat.

There Audley stood, thus Diomed did stand, When he the God of battaile did defie: His flaming sword came lightening from a hand, Of as swift execution, as his eye. The bloodie lines which there his steele did write, Were perfect copies how the world should fight.

Who is that? Warwicke? yes 'tis he, be gone, He is deaths swordbearer, who went before To make death way, which else could haue got none▪ He slaughterd many, and affrighted more. The thunder dart though but on one it fall, Yet doth it strike a terrour on them all.

There come the common soldiars, who did light Their valour at their Captaines: no commands Of leaders, but examples bid them fight, They seemd like Briareus with's hundred hands. And if imploy'd, they could as well, as he, Haue rescus'd Iupiter, and set him free.

So many heapes of slaughterd men did raise The field in swelling hills, that no man will Haue faith enough in these last faithlesse dayes, To thinke the sword so many men could kill; But rather that some stroke from heau'n did fall, Or spreeding sicknesse did infect them all.

Those witty feigners of antiquitie, That with a drop was from some louer shed, Could giue a tincture to the mulberie, And make her greener fruit, looke sanguine red. Had they then liued and this field had seene There had no fruit in all the world beene greene.

See in that heape one man among the rest, Vnder those bleeding carcasses suruiue, And by the weightie multitude opprest: Themselues vnburi'd bury him aliue. And must be pleasd with this vnequall lot, The liuing shall haue graues, the dead haue not.

Here armes lopt off; put them in mind to vse The service of their legges in time, before They shall those necessarie members loose. Here one that lost a leg fretted, and swore At his owne madnesse he so long should stay That now he could not run, but hop away.

There might you see a helmet full of head, Like to an yron monument stand out. Here all the field with plumes of feathers spread, Which mocked by the winds did fly about. The hou'ring plumes presented to their sight, Was a presaging emblem of their flight.

Here Iohn of France with steely wand did show Wonders, incircled in a hostile ring: There hardy Phillip ran the army through, To disengage his father, and his King. Thus Affrican amongst the thickest ranckes, Fought for old Scipio at Ticinus bankes.

But what is that I heare? o 'tis fly, fly, Or a rude noise of Soldiars that would ••iue, And in confusion for quarter cry, Which should they sooner aske, hee'd sooner giue. Valour, and mercy are the fixed poles On which the spheare of Edwards honor rowles.

Kings are Gods pictures, and their mercy lend, Best life vnto the Peeces clemency, And moderation doe best commend Their actions, and their fortunes beautifie. These glorious lustres are the varnish cast, Which makes their acts not onely shine, but last

Mercy declard vnto a foe, doth show W'are cit'zens of this world; and would not be Cut off by ferity; and lets men know No sep••ratists are in humanity, Here we maintaine communion, for our hearts Are continents not Iles from other parts.

King Iohn with humble state is entertaind, Not dealt with roughly as an enemy; Edward by valour his first conquest gaind, And wins a second by his courtesie. Base wolues, and beares still vrge a yeelding foe, Edward's a Lion, and he cann't doe soe.

In midst of triumph, here the crier say, Remember thou art man, to moderate Thy fortune: on a steep descent wee stay, Our selues, and horse; thus in a high-raisd state We vse a moderation, and begin On fortunes steepe to reine our pnssions in.

So many pris'ners at this battaile tooke, Who did into the armes of mercy yeeld: As might haue taken vs; at the first looke They seemd enough to win againe the field. Saue that these odds did for the English stand, One keeper can ten prisoners command.

So many Noble Lords did write with blood, And seale with wounds that France did loue her King As if the Nobles did not thinke it good, The commons should their testimonie bring To ratifie that truth; themselues will be Th'onely subscribers to this veritie.

Edward the heau'ns doth humblie gratifie, Whose starrs had for him in their courses fought, And leade him by the hand to victorie And like sure conuoies through his dangers brought: Timotheus thriues not, after he denies A share to fortune in his victories.

Then he bestowes rich larges on his men T'enflame their minds, that if they did not loue Vertue for her owne selfe, rewards should then Win their loues to her, and their dulnesse moue. Reward is the great pillar of a state, Which doth support as strongly, as her fate.

Then heightens them with commendations, praise Is the reflexion doth from vertue rise; These faire encomiums doe vertue raise To higher acts: to praise is to aduise, Telling men what they are, we let them see, And represent to them what they should be.

And they were worthy of it: Rome ne'r saw An armie yet, to which this hoast would yeeld, Nor brauer Chiefe than Edward er'e did draw Her powerfull legions into the field. Edward shall mate the proudest He of Rome, Let Caesars selfe her great dictator come.

When Rome had conquerd all the world beside, Then, and but then she durst attempt the Gaules, Gaules, who before her powers did deride, And oft had scourged her at her owne walls. Rome neuer durst the stubborne Gaul defie, Till she had not another enemie.

But England had another powerfull foe, The hardy Scot, to threaten from the North Incursions: yet then did Edward goe From home, and lead with him an army forth. And spight of Oracle a conquest win Which said we should with Scotland first begin.

Victorious Cesar bed ezperienc'd men, Custom'd as well to conquests, as to fights: Those whom heroicke Wales conducted then, Were but meere nouices in Mars his rites. New chang'd the whip for sword, the share for sheild, And Ceres fat for Mars his bloodie field.

The Gaules indeed were resolute in war, Whom Cesar with his legions vanquished: Yet were those Gaules inferiour by far Vnto the French: for the French conquered The Gaules, who could not then themselues defēd Eue'n when that Rome did them assistance lend.

Ariouistus with his Germans had The Gaules in slauerie (a great allay To the best temperd spirits) and had made Factions to take their soueraignetie away. Seditions are the rills, which at the length, Weaken the current, and maine streame of strength

But now the French were free, a setled state, And fixt in the obedience to one Lord, A King for fame, and fortune wondred at, Vnder his colours Kings did draw the sword. A King for whom one did himselfe bereaue Of rule for loue, and one for money leaue.

Against a state so strong, and setled thus, Edward durst come with an vnpractisd few, The French had more aduantages of vs, ••han Cesar of those Gaules he ouerthrew. And yet there were more markes of valour mad•• In France by th'English than the Roman blade.

Then why hath history so copious beene, In old Romes strength, as if it meant to say, Not what should win beliefe, but wonder win, Thus Alexander left in India So great an armour, which should rather be, T'amaze, than to informe posteritie.

Mighty third Edward thou didst propagate Strength in thy children, though we often see Their seed degen'rous, and tis thought a fate The sons of Heroes should a blemish bee, Pure was the graine when it at first was sowne, But it hath many huskes when it is growne.

Who hath in vertues Zenith seated beene Swerues farthest in his fall: a mighty spright, Highly sublim'd is stranger to a meane: Nor is it foild in sinne, but falls downe right. And for the sinnes which such great sires haue don The heau'ns haue oft tooke vengeance on the son.

And sometime too, great men vxorious are, (So was Themistocles) and let their wiues With too indulgent education mar The hoped fortunes of their childrens liues. Children like water on a table spilt Are easely drawne into what shape thou wilt.

But noble Edwards fortitude descends Downe to his sonnes: this royall Eagle breeds An airie of true Eaglets, not commends Doues to the world; a valiant race succeeds. This valliant father: ne'r could Heros vaunt Of two such mighty sonnes as Wales and Gaunt.

Now farewell Lords, who seeme t'haue thrown des∣paire Vpō the world; which feares while it shal last It hardly shall be crownd with such a paire, For nature lost the moulds, where they were cast: Or else in making them she spent such store, That she hath scarse materialls for more.

FINIS.