Poems: by Michaell Draiton Esquire

The Legend of Pierce Gaueston.

FRom gloomy shadowes of eternall night, Shut vp in darkenes where I long did dwell, O heere beholde me miserable wight, Lastly, inuokt my tragedie to tell; Giue me then leaue my sorrowes to impart, Somewhat to ease my poore afflicted hart.

Goddesse of Artes and Armes, Pallas diuine, Let thy bright fawchion lend me Cipresse bughes, Be thou assisting to this Poet of mine, With funerall wreathes incompassing his browes, Pittying my case when none would heare me weep, To tell my sorrowes, layes his owne to sleepe.

And mournefulst maiden of the sacred Nine, That balefull sounds immoueably doost breathe, With thy swolne visage, and thy blubbred eine, I vnto thee my sad complaints bequeathe; Matter that yeelds sufficient for thy glorie, If thou exactly prosecute my storie.

Tell how the starres my wandring state did guide, Th'unconstant turnes of euerie changing houre, Of manie a lowe ebbe, manie as high a tide, Manie a smoothe calme, manie a stormie showre, The height whereto I lastly did ascend, My strange beginning, and my fatall end.

When Edward sate vpon the English throne, Long-shankes that so victoriously did raigne; First of that name, and second vnto none, In all to knighthoode euer did pertaine, My life begunne, and then begunne my blisse, Euen in those daies, those happie daies of his.

So much did vertue gratious harts inflame, Promotion then not purchased with golde, And in those times he that desired fame, Bought it of them that it full deerely solde, Hatefull excesse so much did not deuoure, Lawes had lesse force, and honesty more powre.

And since that time so violently prayes Vpon those ages that euen holiest bee, Let me remember those more happie daies, In these sad houres my grieued eies doe see, With greater griefe that makes me these deplore, When I doe thinke of those that were before.

And Muse, to thee I sadly then appeale, Since thou my life wilt need••ly haue me show, That I by thee may faithfully reueale, Euen what the most inquisitiue would know, Whilst that my soule heere bodied did abide, In the vaine world that pampred mein pride.

From Gascony our name and our descent, Of which my father naturally was borne, In all his warres that with king Edward went, To him a 〈…〉〈…〉ege man and a souldier sworne: And in his country ventred his estate. To follow him that seemd to gouerne fate.

Whose trust that great king highly did imploy, And neare his person tooke him for the same, Who with my selfe, but then a little boy, Vnto the Court of famous England came; Whereas the King for seruice he had done, Made me a page vnto the Prince his sonne.

In me what shape that man's did not excel, Where euery part such harmony did beate, As in this modell Nature seemd to tell, T'was not perfection if it were not there, As euery age reseru'd his rarest feature, Thereof to make so excellent a creature.

My lookes the powrefull adamants to loue, Which vnto them attracted euery sight, With which the same was fixed or did moue, As svmpathizing naturally delight, That where my thoughts intended to surprise, I at my pleasure conqu'red with mine eies.

If euen the best in Paintings curious art, In some rare peece his workemanship should show, Imag〈…〉〈…〉on helping with her part, vv••••n th'hand had done the vtmost it could doe Vnto that bodie modelling a minde, Such a one was I the mirrour of my kinde.

This was the baite was laide for Edwards loue, That bred the league of amitie thereby, That no misfortune after could remoue, vvhen she the vtmost of her force did trie, Nor death it selfe retained power to sunder, Friendship seld seene, and in the world a wonder.

Heere on this earth th'onely meane thou art, Whereby we hold intelligence with heauen, And it is thou that onely doost impart, All good can to mortalitie be giuen; That 〈…〉〈…〉red bo••d that neuer canst be broken, O word diuine to be with reu'r••nce spoken!

With this sweete Prince in height of worldly blisse; vvhilst Tutors care his wandering eares did guide, I liu'd enioying whatsoe're was his, vvho ne're my pleasures any thing denide, Whose deare affection still me so attended, As on my ioyes his happines depended.

Whether that it my rare perfections were, That wonne my youth such fauour in his eie, Or that the heauens to whom I seemde so deare, On me downe showr'd this blessing from the skie; I cannot tell, but well it did direct, That could produce such wonderfull effect.

Thou Arke of heauen where wonders are enrouled, O depth of Nature, who can looke vnto thee? What might he be that hath thy doome controuled? Or hath the key of Reason to vndoe thee? Thy workes diuine, which thine alone doe know, Shallow mans wit, too short for things below.

The soule her liking subt'ly doth espie, In the high power that is to her assignde, By the cleere sight discouering through the eie, The thing agreeing aptliest with her kinde; And by each motion quickely apprehendeth, That which it selfe past humane sense extendeth.

This Edward in the April of his age, Whilst yet the crowne sate on his fathers head, Like that great loue with his rap'd Phrigian page, Me with Ambrosiall delicacies fed; He might command that was the Soueraignes son, And what I said, that onelie must be done.

My will a lawe autentically past, My yea by him was neuer crossd with no, Who in affection chained was so fast, He as my shadow still with me did goe, To me this Prince so pliant was in all, Still as an eccho answering to my call.

My smiles his life, his heauen was in my sight, And his delight confinde by my desire, Who from my cleere eies borrowed all his light, As pal〈…〉〈…〉ide Cinthia from her brothers fire; My cheeke the pillow where he laide his head, My brow his booke, my bosome was his bed.

Like faire Idalia bent to amorous sportes, With yong Adonis in the wanton shade, Figuring her passions in as sundry sortes, As he to her indeerements to perswade Eithers affections happily to moue, With all the tender daliances of loue.

The table (thus) of our delight was laid, Scru'd with what dainties pleasure coulde deuise, And many a Syren musicke sweetely plaid, (O that youth had vs wherewith to suffice) whilst we on that vnsatiately doe feede, Which our confusion afterwards did breed.

For still I spurd his violent desire, Holding the reines wherewith he rulde the sunne, My blandishment the fuell to the fire, In which to frie already he begunne; waxing his wings taught him Art to flie, Who on his back might beare me through the skie.

Whilst the vaine world vpon vs still did winne, Inticde his flatteries stedfastly to trust, Loosing the clew which led vs safely in, Are lost within this Labyrinth of lust; For when the flesh is nussed once in vice, The sweete of sinne makes hell a paradice

Who thy deceits vile world yet euer told, In thee what is that's not extreamely ill? A shop where poison's onely to be sold, whose very entrance instantly doth kill, where all deformed wickednesse do dwell, And all thy waies guide head long into hell.

The King that saw his hopefull sonne betraide, That like young Phaeton ventred on the skies, Perceiu'd his course with danger hardly staide, (For he was graue and prouidently wise;) That wanting skill to maister youthes desire, Might by misguidance set his throne on fire.

This was a corsiue to King Edwards daies, That without ceasing fed vpon his bones, That in the day bereau'd him of his case, Breaking his night-sleepe with vnquiet grones; That did depresse and burthened him downe, More then the weight that sate vpon his Crowne.

When now their iudgement that seuerely tride, The matter whence this malladie first grew, Likewise must now a remedie prouide, To preuent the perill likely to ensue, The cause must end e're the effect could cease, Else (well) of one, there many might encrease.

When such in Court my opposites as were, On all aduantage that could wisely play, Who did to me inuetterate malice beare, That for their purpose found so faire a way; On this their forces instantly did ground, My name and fame perpetually to wound.

And the time fit for venting their vntruth, Me into hate more forcibly to bring, Sticke not to charge the loosenesse of my youth, T'offend euen in th'vnnaturalest thing, And olde fore-passed outrages awake, With all that me contemptible might make.

Wherefore the Prince to priuacie bestow'd In Realmes remote I banished to rome, Censured of all men fitst to be abroad, That had betraide my honest trust at home, A diudg'd to die, if after I were found, The day prescrib'd vpon the English ground.

So much astonish'd with the suddaine blow, That I became insensible of paine, Vntill awak'd with sharpnesse of my woe, I saw the wound which open did remaine; By which my ioyes still fainted more and more, No hope at all me euer to restore.

Euen as a Turtle for her faithfull make, Whose youth her deare virginitie enioyde, Sits shrowded in some solitary brake, With melancholy pensiuenesse annoide; Thus without comfort sit I all alone, From the sweete Prince infortunately gone.

My beauty once which sdainde the summers sight, Beaten with bleake and chilly winter stormes, Those tender limbes must trauell day and night, So often hug'd in Edwards princely Armes; Those eyes oft viewing pleasure in her pride, With fearefull obiects euery way supplide.

And whilst these stormes me strangely thus did tosse, where I my selfe confined yet in France, Thwarted the while with many a greeuous crosse, Inseperables to my sad mischance; Others that stem'd the current of the time, By which I fell, prou'd afterwards to clime.

Camelion-like the world doth alter hue, And as false Proteus puts on sundrie shapes, One change scarce gone, another doth ensue, This fild, that likewise for promotion gapes; Thus did they swarme like Bees about the brim, Some drownd, and some as dang'rously swim.

And some on whom the higher powres look'd faire, Yet of the season little seemde to vaunt, For there were clowdes hung in the troubled ayre, which shew'd something to their desire did want, That forc'd them stoope which otherwise would flie, Whilst with much care they fading honor buy.

When restlesse Time that neuer turnes againe, Whose winged feete are sliding with the sunne, By the fleete howres attending on his traine, His resolution fatally begunne; In a iust course eftsoone to bring about, That which long since the wiser sort did doubt.

For whilst the King doth seriously attend, His long-hop'd voyage to the Holy-land, For which his subiects mighty summes did leud, Euen whilst this buisnes onely was in hand; All on the suddaine happily doth fall, The death of Edward quickely altred all.

Should I assay his vertues to report, To do the honor due vnto his name, My meane endeuours should come farre too short, And I thereby should greatly wrong the same; But leaue it to some sacred Muse to tell, Vpon whose life a Poets pen might dwell.

His princely body scarsly wrapt in lead, Before his mournefull obsequies were done, But that the Crowne was set on Edwards head, With whom too soone my happy daies begunne; After blacke night like brightnesse of the day. All former sorrowes vanished away.

When now Carnaruan calls within a while, Whom Edward Long-shanks hated to the death, He whom the father lately did exile, Is to the sonne as precious as his breath, What th'old inscrib'd the yonger forth did blot, Kings wils perform'd, and dead mens words forgot.

When the winde wafts me to that happy place. And soone did set me safely on that shore, From whence I seemde but banish'd for a space, That my returne might honored be the more; Vnto this new King happily to leaue me, Whose princely armes were ready to receiue me.

Who would haue seene how that kinde Roman dame. O••e-come with ioy did yeelde her latest breath, Hersonne returning laden with such fame, When thankfull Rome had mourned for his death, Might heere behold her personated right, When I approached to the Princes sight.

My Ioue now Lord of the Ascendant is, In an aspect that promisde happy speede, Whilst in that luckie influence of his, Some praisde the course wherein I did proceede; Yet it to some prodigiously appeares, Telling the troubles of ensuing yeares.

When like to Midas all I touch'd was gold, Powr'd as t'was once downe into Danaes lap, For I obtained any thing I would, Fortune had yet so lotted out my hap; The chests of great men like to Oceans are, To whom all floods by course do still repare.

The Isle of Man he first vnto me gaue, To shew how high I in his grace did stand, But fearing me sufficient not to haue, I next receiued from his bounteous hand, Faire Wallingford that antiently had beene, The wealthy dower of many an English Queene.

The summes his father had beene leuying long, By impositions for the warre abroad, Other his princely benefits among, At once on me he bounteously bestow'd; When those which saw how much on me he cast, Soone found his wealth sufficed not his waste.

He giues me then chiefe Secretaries place. Thereby to traine me in affaires of state, And those high roomes that I did hold to grace, Me Earle of Cornwall franckly did create; And that in Court he freely might pertake me, Of England Lord high Chamberlaine did make me.

And that he would more strongly me alie, To backe me gainst their insolent ambition, Doth his faire Cosen vnto me affie, A Lady of right vertuous condition, which his deare sister prosperously bare, To the Earle of Gloster blood-ennobled Clare.

O sacred bounty, mother of content, Fautresse and happy nourisher of Arts, That giu'st successe to euery high intent, The Conquerour of the most noblest harts: High grace into mortalitie infused, Pitty it is that e're thou wast abused.

When those that did my banishment procure, Still in my bosome hated did abide, And they before that could me not endure, Are now much more impatient of my pride; For emulation euer did attend, Vpon the great, and shall vnto th'end.

And into fauour closly working those, That from meane places lifted vp by me, And factious spirits being fittest to oppose, Them that perhaps too powerfull else might be; That euen gainst enuie raised by my hand, Me must vphold to make themselues to stand.

And since the frame by fortune so contriu'd, To giue protect to my ambitious waies, Vrging thereby their hate to me deriu'd, From those hie honours 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon me layes, Drawing the King my courses to pertake, Still to maintaine what he himselfe did make.

Thus doth my youth still exercise extreames, My heed fond rashnes to forerunne my fall, My wit meere folly, and my hopes but dreames, My councell serues my selfe but to inthrall, That me abused with a vaine illusion, When all I did intending my confusion.

And now the King, to hasten his repaire, Himselfe by marriage highly to aduance, With Isabel a Princesse, yong and faire, As was her father Philip king of France, When now the more to perfect my command, Leaues vnto me protection of the land.

My power confirm'd so absolute withall. That I dranke pleasure in a plenteous cup, vvhen there was none me to account to call, All to my hands so freely rendred vp, That earth to me no greater blisse could bring, Except to make me greater than a King.

When being now got as high as I could clime, That the vaine world thus bountifully blest, Franckly imbrace the benefite of time, Fully t'enioy that freely I possest; Strongly maintaining he was worse than mad, Fondly to spare, a Princes wealth that had.

Their counsells when continually I crosst, As scorning their authoritie and blood; And in those things concernd their honor's most, In those against them euer most I stoode: And things most publique priuately extend, To feede my riot that had neuer end.

When lastly Fortune like a treacherous foe, That had so long attended on my fall, In the plaine path wherein I was to goe, Layes many a baite, to traine me on withall; Till by her skill she cunningly had brought me, Vnto the place where at her will she caught me.

The mighty busines falling then in hand, Triumphs ordain'd to welcome his returne (Before the French in honour of the land) vvith all my power I labourd to adiourne; Till all their charge was lastly ouer throwne, vvho likde t'haue seene no glory but mine owne.

Thus euery thing me forward still doth set, Euen as an engine forcing by the slight, One mischiefe thus a second doth beget, And that doth leade th'other but to right; Yet euery one himselfe employing wholy, In their iust course to prosecute my folly.

Which when they found how still I did retaine, Th'ambitious course wherein I first beganne, And lastly felt, that vnder my disdaine Into contempt continually they ranne; Take armes at once to remedy their wrong, vvhich their cold spirits had suffred but too long.

Me boldely charging to abuse the King A wastefull spender of his needefull treasure, A secret thiefe of many a sacred thing, And that I led him to vnlawfull pleasure, That neuer did in any thing delight, But what might please my sensuall appetite.

That as a scourge vpon the land was sent, Whose hatefull life the cause had onely beene, The State so vniuersally was rent, Whose ill increasing euery day was seene; I was reproached openly of many, Who pitti'd none, not pitti'd now of any.

And for opposde by men of greatest might, (The King my danger that had wisely waide) That did pursue me with such deadly spight, Me into Ireland secretly conuaide, Vntill he might my peace againe procure, And his owne safety better might assure.

As one whose house remedilesly burning, Seeing his goods now heapt together lost, His griefe no whit disburthen'd by his mourning, Taking some one thing that he loueth most, To some remote place doth with that retire, Leauing the rest to'th mercie of the fire.

Yet he so much that still did me esteeme, That euer stroue to couer my disgrace, To make my absence otherwise to seeme, And to the world to beare a fairer Face, Lest my exile suggested by their hate, Might ouerthrow my liuelihoode and estate.

By their neere councell that were him about, His Deputy of Ireland doth me make, And causde it each-where to be giuen out, My iourney thither instantly to take, To stop their mouthes that gladly would embrace, Any report might tend to my disgrace.

There liu'd I in that honourable sort, As to my high place purchased renowne; vvith no lesse bountie managing a court, Then hourely crau'd th'reuenues of a Crowne; To me his loue such soueraigntie did bring. That though he raignde, I absolutely King.

Few weekes there went but some the channell crosst, With some such present Princes holde in price, Some jewell that him infinitely cost, Or sumptuous roabe of excellent deuise; When they that sawe what he vpon me cast, Found that his treasure long time could not last.

And since the floud me followed in this wise, His fulnes I as amply entertaine, It might shew folly to be found precise, That to refuse which fell as did the raine, Such as no age before did euer winne, And since his being, yet hath neuer bin.

When now th'abated Baronry that found, The cunning vsde for couering of my flight, That me but shifted to a surer ground, On which so vainely they bestow'd their might; Perceiu'd farre off where greater perill rose, Then they could finde how rightly to dispose.

Like those that striue to stop some violent sourse, vvhose plenty Nature planted not for boundes, Climes aboue all the opposers of his course, Or let at large the neighboring plaine surrounds, That in it selfe s'enated is bless'd, That will the more be, more it depress'd.

And fearing now the force I had abroade, vvho knew the way the Irish harts to winne, Fitter by farre at home to be bestow'd, (And to the State more safety found therein) vvhere though my riots they could not preuent, Yet might suruey the giddy course I went.

Whereof they scarsly entertain'd the thought, And did thereto but seemingly descend, But that his loue immediately it caught, Nor cares he by it what they doe intend; Plot what they could, so he therby might gaine him, That with delight, which still did entertaine him.

O how thy presence maiestie commands! That so seuerely humbleth euery eie, vvhose onely selfe actes more than many handes, In thee such vertue secretly doth lie, Hauing about thee the high power of fate, Art both emperious ouer loue and hate.

He that occasion neuer did neglect, That aught vnto my happinesse might winne, My buisnes did so carefully effect, That euer was so fortunate therein, As he to passe doth prouidently bring, Before deemde so impossible a thing.

And Messengers immediately are sent, Me into England instantly to call, Authorizde by the generall consent, Although not likde of inwardly of all; Yet, twas sufficient that it freedome gaue me, But to be there where he desirde to haue me.

My sailes now swelling with a prosperous winde, The boisterous seas do homage to mine eies, That much aboue their vsuall course are kinde, All lowring clouds abandoning the skies, Nothing discern'd that any whit might feare me, Fortune herselfe sittes at the helme to steare me.

What time the King his progresse then did take, That part of Wales pretending now to see, For which he forward instantly did make, vvhich was (indeede) there but to meete with me, with all the fauour that he could deuise, To giue me honour in the publique eies.

Where for my landing long he did prouide, That ••ought might want intending my delight, And at each place as leasurely we ride, Did 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 with some pleasing sight, And vnto L••ndon to the pompous Court, Bring, me in the magnificentest sort.

Which prou'd but spurres to my vntamde desire, Giuing the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to my 〈…〉〈…〉ious will, ••ho let me forth vnto my full ca••••re, On places slippe••y, and my manage ill, Small my forefight, and ouermuch my haste, That me alas infortunately cast.

The Princes eare, that hauing at command, That who would aught haue, me must entertaine, And yet before it passde my gripple hand, Got the greatst share vnto my priuate gaine; Nor carde I what from any I did wring, Many thereby too much impouerishing.

And daily begging of Monopolies, Taking the lands belonging to the Crowne, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ence transporting those commodities, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 England vsefull comming of her owne, And basely selling offices (ere then) The due reward of best deseruing men.

And being irrecouerably prowd, Held all things vile that suted not my vaine, Nothing might passe, my iudgement not allow'd, A great opinion to my wit to gaine, Giuing vile termes and nicke-names of disgrace, To men that sate in honourable place.

By which brake out that execrable rage, That long before had boiled in their blood, And for reuenge they boldly them ingage, When lastly for their libertie they stood; And in this quarrell open Armes they take, Or to marre all, or better it to make.

They durst affirme my mother was a witch, And for the fact condemned burnt to be, And I her sonne and rightly of her pitch, She had bequeath'd her damned Art to me; Vrging it an inseperable thing, That I by Magicke wrought vpon the King.

And into France did charge me to conuay, A goodly table that was massie gold, A relique kept at Windsor many a day, ••••at to King Arthur did belong of old; Vpon whose margent as they did surmise, Merlin ingraued many prophecies.

And by appealing to the sea of Rome, A Legat thence procuring to the land, With malediction by the Churches doome, On any one that on my part should stand: The King suspending should he not consent, And ratifie the generall intent.

Which they did but to prosperously effect, Being so strong to counterprize his force, The Clergy still being ready to direct Them the best way in all their restlesse course, That at the last they strongly him procure, By solemne oth me euer to abiure.

Th'vncertaine biding of each earthly thing, (Set out most liuely in my starre-crost state) That doth remaine in Fortunes mannaging, Appearing in my variable fate On me that frown'd and flattered me so oft, Casting me downe and setting me aloft.

To Flanders then my present course I cast, Which being the near'st, lay fittest for my ease, Safest the way the sooner it was past, All not my friends that were abroad at seas; Such meanes in France they daily do procure, That there my selfe I doubted to secure.

And though I chang'd my habite and my name, Because I meant to liue vnknowne to any, Yet swift report had so divulg'd my shame, My hated life was publish'd to too many; In euery streete that as I pas'd along, I was the talke of euery common tongue.

And finding that which onely I did craue, A secret meanes to send vnto the King, To me certaine intelligence that gaue, Of the state and course of euery thing; Who labored now (more euer then before) Me into England safely to restore.

For which relying on my Soueraignes loue, (To whom my life had euer beene so deare) Which I then now had ne're more cause to proue, Striuing t'obtaine (if any meane there were;) A dispensation for his former oth, In their dispight that thereto seem'd most loth.

Where casting many a sundry course at length, (Being by marridge mightily alide, And but too much presuming of my strength) Resolu'd for England, come what could be••ide; And in a ship that for the iourney lay, Thither my selfe did suddainely conuay.

And safely landed on the wished shore. Vnto the Court me secretly betooke, Of which the King had notice long before, And for my comming euery day did looke, Wisely that plotted when I should arriue, All helpefull meanes my safetie to contriue.

Which soone being known whilst yet their blood was hote, That to their strength now onely were to trust, For what before was done preuailed not, And for my sake the King did proue vniust; Bringing thereby whilst trifling they did stand, Wrong to themselues, and danger to the land.

Now when the time did generally distaste, Our lewd and inconsiderate neglect, when those in Court that our high fauours plac'de, Giue vs iust cause their dealings to suspect, And they that view'd vs with the pleasedst eye, Yet at our actions sometimes looke awric.

Wherefore the King inforced to prouide, A present Armie trusting to his friends, Rep••irde to Yorke vntill he were supplide, From whence for, aide he into Scotland sends, To warlike Balioll and to Wales, from whence He might get power to frustrate their pretence.

But they his purpose wholy intercept, Not now to seeke in any secret thing, The marches that so vigilantly kept, And yet renounce all malice to the King; Only to chastice my abhorred sinne, Who had the cause of all this trouble bin.

Thus Like a ship dismembred of the sailes, Forc'd by the winde against the streamefull tide, From place to place with euery billow hales, And as it haps from shore to shore doth ride; As that poore vessell rests my brittle stay, Nearer the land, still nearest cast away.

Corsiue of kingdoms home-begotten hate, which in no limits euer yet wast bounded, when didst thou seize euen on the greatest state, By thee that was not vtterly confounded? How many kingdome be there that doe rue thee? Happy the world was till too well it knew thee.

Thus of our succour instantly bereft, Hauing but now some little force at sea, Lastly to trust to, onely vs was left, On which our hope infortunately lay; Which he to hasten, speedily doth make, His former courses forced to forsake.

The present danger mannaging it so, That did for aide importunately call, Wherefore in Yorke as farthest from the foe, Leaues me vnto the safegard of the wall; Till his returne me further helpe might giue, Whom more and more he studied to relecue.

From Bedford now the Armie setting on, Th'appointed randy whore they gathered head, When they had notice that the King was gone, Vpon their way more hastily them sped, (Me t'afflict as purposed they were,) Whose presence else might force them to forbeare.

To Skarborough immediately I poste, With the small force my fortune then did lend me, A Fort best fitting standing on the coast, And of all other likest to defend me, And came the worst, resistlesse were their might. The sea should safely priuiledge my flight.

But they the Cittie lying round about, Keepe euery passage with a watchfull spie, That gaue them notice of my passing out, With their light horse pursue me by and by; Whereas vpon me suddainely they came, E're I had time to fortifie the same.

Along the lands towards Oxford they conuey me, Wondring my sight as birds do at the Owle, And by the way continually they bray me, As hungry woolues at passengers do howle; Each one exulting that I now was caught, That in the land such mischiefe euer wrought.

And being brought to Dedington at last, Where the Ea••le of Pombrooke wild me to be staid, To vnderstand 〈◊〉〈◊〉 further that I past, Things to my charge that secretly were laid; And to the King he speedily had sent. T'acquaint him with the generall intent.

But the Earle of Warwicke (lying but too neare) (The dog of Arden that I vsde to call,) That deadly hatred still to me did beare, And that I euer doubted most of all; Thither repairing with a powerfull band, Ceazed vpon me with a violent hand.

And vnto Warwicke carrying me along, Where he had long desired me to get, With friends and tenants absolutely strong, Whom all the puissant Barronry abet; Since now occasion offered them such hold, Hasten my death by all the meanes they could.

North from the Towne, a mile or very neare, An easie hill in publike view doth lie, Blacklow then call'd of those that dwelled there, Neare to the antient Hermitage of Guy; Thither with arm'd bands strongly they me led, Whereas I lastly forfa••ed my head.

My sundry passions hauing thus exprest, In the sad tenor of my tragicke Tale, Let me returne vnto the fields of rest, Thither transported by a prosp'rous gale; I leaue the world my destiny to view, Bidding it thus for euermore a diew.

FINIS.