Book 7
THE SEVENTH
BOOKE.
1
Disordinate Authoritie, thus gaind,
Knew not at first, or durst not to proceed
With an out-breaking course; but stood restraind
Within the compasse of respectiue heed:
Distrust of friends, and powre of foes, detaind
That mounting will, from making too much speed:
For, though he held the powre he longd to win,
Yet had not all the keyes to let him in.
2
The Queene abroad, with a reuenging hand
(Arm'd with her owne disgrace, and others spight,
Gath'ring th'oppressed partie of the Land)
Held ouer him the threatning sword of might;
That forc't him, in the tearmes of awe, to stand
(Who else had burst-vp Right, to come t'his right)
And kept him so confus'd, that he knew not
To make vse of the meanes, which he had got.
3
For, either by his fearing to restraine
The person of the King; or by neglect
Of guarding him with a sufficient traine,
The watchfull Queene, with cunning, doth effect
A practice that recouers him againe
(As one that with best care could him protect:)
And h'is conuaid to Couentry , to those
Who well knew how of Maiestie dispose.
4
Though this weake King had blunted thus before
The edge of powre, with so dull clemencie,
And left him nothing else was gracious, more
Then euen the title of his Sov'raigntie;
Yet is that title of so precious store,
As it makes, golden, leaden Maiestie:
And where, or how-soeuer it doth sit,
Is sure t'haue the world attend on it.
5
Whether it be, that Forme, and Eminence,
Adorn'd with Pomp and State, begets this awe:
Or, whether an in-bred obedience
To Right and Powre, doth our affections drawe:
Or, whether sacred Kings worke reuerence,
And make that Nature now, which was first Law,
We know not: but, the Head will draw the Parts;
And good Kings, with our bodies, haue our harts.
6
For, lo, no sooner was his person ioyn'd
With this distracted body of his friends;
But, straight the Duke, and all that faction find,
They lost the onely Engin for their ends:
Authoritie, with Maiestie combin'd,
Stands bent vpon them now, and powrefull sends
Them summons to appeare, who lately held
That powre themselues, and could not be compeld.
7
Where-with confus'd, as either not prepar'd
For all euents; or se'ing the times not fit;
Or mens affections, failing in regard;
Or their owne forces, not of powre as yet:
They all retire them home; and neither dar'd
T'appeare, or to stand-out to answere it:
This vnfore-thought-on accident, confounds
All their dessignes, and frustrates all their grounds:
8
As vsually it fares, with those that plot
These machines of Ambition, and high pride;
Who (in their chiefest counsels ouer-shot)
For all things saue what serue the turne, prouide;
Whil'st that, which most imports, rests most forgot,
Or waigh'd not, or contemn'd, or vndescri'd;
That some-thing may be euer ouer-gone,
Where courses shall be crost, and men vndone.
9
Yorke into Wales, Warwicke to Calais hies,
Some to the North , others to other parts;
As if they ran both from their dignities,
And also from themselues, and their owne harts:
“(The mind decay'd, in publique ieopardies,
“To th'ill at hand, onely it selfe conuerts)
That none would thinke, Yorkes hopes, being so neere dry,
Could euer flowe againe, and swell so hie.
10
And yet, for all this ebbing, Chance remaines,
The spring that feedes that hope (which leaues men last):
Whom no'affliction so entire restraines,
But that it may remount, as in times past:
Though he had lost his place, his powre, his paines;
Yet held his loue, his friends, his title fast:
The whole frame of that fortune could not faile;
As that, which hung by more then by one naile.
11
Else might we thinke, what errour had it bin,
These parts thus sev'red, not t'haue quite destroy'd;
But that they saw it not the way to win.
Some more dependances there were beside:
Which Age, and Fate, keeps vs from looking in,
That their true Counsells come not right descri'd;
Which, our presumptuous wits must not condem:
They be'ing not ignorant; but we, of them.
12
For, heere, we looke vpon another Crown,
An other image of Nobilitie,
(Which ciuile Discord had not yet brought down
Vnto a lower range of dignity);
Vpon a Powre as yet not ouer-flowne
With th'Ocean of all-drowning Sov'raintie.
These Lords, who thus against their Kings draw swords,
Taught Kings to come, how to be more then Lords.
13
Which well this Queene observ'd; and therefore sought
To draw them in, and ruine them with Peace;
Whom Force (she saw) more dangerous had wrought,
And did their powre and malice but increase:
And therefore, to the Citty hauing got,
A Counsell was convok't, all iarres to cease:
Where come these Lords at length; but yet so strong,
As if to doe, rather then suffer wrong.
14
Here Scottish border broyles, and feares of Fraunce ,
Vrg'd with the present times necessity,
Brought forth a suttle-shadowed countenance
Of quiet peace, resembling Amitie;
Wrapt in a strong and curious ordinaunce,
Of many Articles, bound solemnly:
As if those Gordian knots could be so ti'd,
As no impatient sword could them diuide:
15
Especially, whereas the selfe same ends
Concur not in a point of like respect;
But that each party couertly intends
Thereby their owne designments to effect:
Which Peace, with more indangering wounds, offends,
Then Warre can doe; that stands vpon suspect,
And neuer can be ty'd with other chaine,
Then intermutuall benefite and gaine.
16
As well by this concluded Act is seene:
Which had no power to holde-in minds, out-bent;
But quickly was dissolv'd and canceld cleene,
Either by Warwicks fortune or intent.
How euer vrg'd, the Seruants of the Queene
Assaulted his, as he from Counsell went:
Where, his owne person, egerly pursu'd,
Hardly (by Boate) escap't the multitude.
17
Which deed, most heynous made, and vrg'd as his,
The Queene (who soone th'aduantage apprehends)
Thought forthwith t'haue committed him on this:
But, he preuents, flyes North-ward to his friends,
Shewes them his danger, and what hope there is
In her, that all their ouerthrowes intends;
“And that these drifts, th'effects of this Peace are:
“Which giues more deadly wounding blowes, then war.
18
Strooke with his heate, began the others fire
(Kindled with danger, and disdaine) t'inflame:
Which hauing well prepar'd, to his desire,
He leaues the farther growing of the same,
And vnto Calais (to his strong retire)
With speed betakes him, to preuent the fame
Of his impos'd offence; least, in disgrace,
He might be dispossessed of that place.
19
Yorke straight aduis'd the Earle of Salsbury ,
T'addresse him to the King: and therevpon,
With other grieuances, to signifie
Th'iniurious act committed on his Sonne;
And there, to vrge the breach of th'Amitie,
By these sinister plots to be begun:
But, he so strongly goes, as men might ghesse,
He purpos'd not to craue, but make redresse.
20
Whom, the Lord Audly , hasting to restraine,
(Sent, with ten thousand men, well furnished)
Encountred on Blore-heath ; where he is slaine,
And all his powre and force discomfited:
Which chaunce, so opened and let-out againe
The hopes of Yorke (whom Peace had fettered)
That he resolues, what-euer should befall,
To set vp's Rest, to venture now for all.
21
Fury, vnti'd, and broken out of bands,
Runnes desp'rate presently to either head:
Faction and Warre (that neuer wanted hands
For Bloud and Mischiefe) soone were furnished:
Affection findes a side: and out it stands;
Not by the Cause, but by her int'rest led:
And many, vrging Warre, most forward are;
“Not that 't is iust, but only that 'tis Warre.
22
Whereby, the Duke is growne t'a mighty head
In Shropshire , with his Welsh and Northern ayde:
To whom came Warwicke , hauing ordered
His charge at Calais ; and with him conuay'd
Many braue Leaders, that aduentured
Their fortunes on the side that he had lay'd:
Whereof as chiefe, Trollop and Blunt excell'd:
But, Trollop fayld his friends; Blunt faithfull held.
23
The King (prouok't these mischiefes to preuent,
Follow'd with Sommerset and Excester )
Strongly appointed, all his forces bent,
Their malice to correct or to deterre:
And, drawing neere, a reuerent Prelate sent
To proffer pardon, if they would referre
Their Cause to Peace; as being a cleaner course
Vnto their ends, then this foule barb'rous force.
24
“For, what a warre, sayd he, is here begun,
“Where euen the victory is held accurst?
“And who-so winnes, it will be so ill won,
“That though he haue the best, he speeds the worst.
“For, here your making, is, to be vndon;
“Seeking t'obtaine the State, you lose it first:
“Both sides being one, the bloud consum'd all one;
“To make it yours, you worke to haue it none.
25
“Leaue then with this, though this be yet a staine
“T'attempt this sinne, to be so neere a fall.
“The doubtfull Dye of warre, cast at the Maine,
“Is such, as one bad chaunce may lose you all.
“A certaine sinne, seekes an vncertaine gaine:
“Which, got, your selues euen wayle and pitty shall.
“No way, but Peace, leades out from blood and feares;
“To free your selues, the Land, and vs, from teares.
26
Whereto the discontented part replyes;
“That they, hereto by others wrongs inforc't,
“Had no way else but these extremities,
“And worst meanes of redresse, t'auoide the worst.
“For, since that peace did but their spoyles deuise,
“And held them out from grace (as men diuorc't
“From th'honors, that their fortunes did afford)
“Better die with the sword, then by the sword.
27
“For, if pacts, vowes, or oaths, could haue done ought,
“There had enough been done: but, to no end
“Saue to their ruine, who had ever sought
“To auoide these broyls, as grieuing to contend;
“Smothring disgraces, drawing to parts remote,
“As exil'd men: where now they were, to attend
“His Grace with all respect, and reuerence;
“Not with the sword of malice, but defence.
28
Whereby, they shewed, that words were not to win:
But yet the Pardon works so feelingly,
That to the King, that very night, came-in
Sir Andrew Trollop , with some company,
Contented to redeeme his sinne with sinne;
Disloyalty, with infidelitie:
And, by this meanes, became discouered quite
All th'orders of th'intended next dayes fight.
29
Which so much wrought vpon their weakened feares,
That presently their Campe brake vp, ere day;
And euery man with all his speed prepares,
According to their course, to shift their way.
Yorke , with his youngest Sonne, tow'ards Ireland beares;
Warwicke to Calais , where his safety lay;
To that sure harbor of conspiracie,
Enuies Retreit, Rebellions nursery.
30
Which fatall place, seemes that with either hand
Is made t'offend. For, Fraunce sh'afflicts with th'one:
And with the other, did infest this Land;
As if ordained to doe good to none:
But, as a Gate to both our ills did stand,
To let-out plagues on vs, and int'her owne:
A part without vs, that small good hath bin
But to keepe, lesse intire, the whole within.
31
And there, as in their all and best support,
Is Warwicke got, with March and Salsbury ;
When all the Gates of England , euery Port
And Shore close-shut, debarres their reentry;
Lockt out from all; and all left in that sort,
As no meanes seemes can ayde their misery.
This wound, giuen without blowe, weakens them more,
Then all their losse of blood had done before.
32
For, now againe vpon them frowningly
Stands Powre with Fortune, trampling on their States;
And brands them with the markes of Infamy;
Rebellions, Treasons, and Assassinats;
Attaints their Bloud, in all Posteritie;
Ransacks their Lands, spoiles their Confederats;
And layes so hideous colours on their crimes,
As would haue terrified more timorous times.
33
But, heere could doe no good: for why? this Age,
Being in a course of motion, could not rest,
Vntill the reuolution of their rage
Came to that poynt, whereto it was addrest.
Misfortune, crosses, ruine, could not swage
That heate of hope, or of reuenge, at least.
“The World, once set a-worke, cannot soone cease:
“Nor euer is the same, it is in peace.
34
For, other motions, other int'rests heere,
The acting spirits vp and awake doe keepe:
“Faith, friendship, honour is more sure, more deere,
“And more it selfe, then when it is asleepe:
Worth will stand-out, and doth no shadowes feare:
Disgraces make impressions far more deepe;
When Ease, ere it will stirre, or breake her rest,
Lyes still, beares all, content to be opprest.
35
Yorke , and his side, could not, while life remain'd,
Though thus disperst, but worke and interdeale:
Nor any sword, at home, could keepe restrain'd
Th'out-breaking powres of this innated zeale.
This humor had so large a passage gain'd,
On th'inward body of the Common-weale;
That 'twas impossible to stop, by force,
This current of affection's violent course.
36
Yet they at home (disorder to keepe forth)
Did all what powre could doe, or wit inuent;
Plac't, in th'auoided roomes, men of great worth;
Young Sommerset , with strength to Calais sent;
Northumberland and Clifford to the North;
(Whereof They onely had the gouernment)
Defend all landings, barre all passages,
Striue to redresse the publique grieuances:
37
And, to this end, summon a Parlement:
Wherein, when-as the godly King would not,
Vnto th'attainder of the Lords, consent;
The Queene in griefe (and in her passions hot)
Breakes out in speech, louingly violent:
“And what (saith shee) my Lord, haue you forgot
“To rule and be a King? Why will you thus
“Be milde to them, and cruell vnto vs?
38
“What good haue you procur'd by clemencie,
“But giuen to wilde presumption much more head?
“And now what cure, what other remedie
“Can to our desp'rat wounds be ministred?
“Men are not good, but for necessitie;
“Nor orderly are euer borne, but bred.
“Sad want, and pouertie, makes men industrious:
“But, Law must make them good, and feare obsequious.
39
“My Lord; Hee gouerns well, that's well obayd:
“And temp'rat Rigour euer safely sits.
“For, as to him, who Cotis did vpbraid,
“And call'd his rigor, madnesse, raging fits;
“Content thee, thou vnskilfull man, he said,
“My madnesse keepes my Subiects in their wits:
“So, to like course my Lord, y'are forc't to fall;
“Or else you must, in th'end, vndoe vs all.
40
“Looke but, I pray, on this deare part of you;
“This branch (sprung frõ your blood) your owne aspect:
“Looke on this Childe, and think what shal ensue
“To this faire hope of ours, by your neglect.
“Though you respect not vs, wrong not his due,
“That must his right, left you, from you expect;
“The right of the renowned Lancasters ,
“His fathers fathers, and great grand-fathers.
41
“Then turnes t' her sonne: O sonne! dost thou not see?
“He is not mov'd, nor toucht, nor weighes our teares.
“What shall I doe? What hope is left for me,
“When he wants will to help, & thou wantst yeares?
“Could yet these hands of thine but partners bee
“In these my labours, to keep-out our feares,
“How well were I? that now alone must toile,
“And turne, and tosse; and yet vndone the while.
42
“I knowe, if thou could'st helpe, thy mother thus
“Should not beyond her strength endure so much;
“Nor these proud Rebels, that would ruine vs,
“Scape with their hainous treasons, without touch:
“I knowe, thou would'st conceiue how dangerous
“Mercy were vnto those, whose hopes are such;
“And not preserue, whom Law hath ouer-throwne,
“Sauing their liuely-hood, to lose our owne.
43
“But, sith thou canst not, nor I able am,
“Thou must no more expect of me, deare Son;
“Nor yet, in time to come, thy Mother blame,
“If thou, by others weakenesse be vndon.
“The world, with me, must testifie the same,
“That I haue done my best, what could be done;
“And haue not fail'd, with hazard of my life,
“The duetie of a mother and a wife.
44
“But well; I see which way the world will goe:
“And let it goe: and so turnes her about,
Full, with stout griefe, and with disdainefull woe;
Which, now, her words shut-vp, her lookes let-out.
The cast of her side-bended eye, did showe
Both sorrow and reproofe; se'ing so great doubt,
And no powre to redresse, but stand and vex,
Imprisoned in the fetters of her sex.
45
Yet, so much wrought these mouing arguments
(Drawne from that blood, where Nature vrg'd her Right)
As his all-vpward tending zeale relents;
And, downeward to his State, declines his sight:
And so, to their Attainders he consents;
Prouided, He, on their submission, might
Out of his Princely powre, in his owne name,
Without a Parlement, reuoke the same.
46
Whil'st Sommerset with maine endeuour lay
To get his giuen (but vngot) gouernment,
The stout Calisians (bent another way)
Fiercely repell him, frustrate his intent:
Yet takes he Guines , landing at VVhitsandbay :
Where-as the swordes, hee brought, would not consent
To wound his foes: the fight no rancor hath:
Malice was friends: and Warre was without wrath.
47
Though hee their hands, yet VVarwicke had their hearts:
To whom, both men and shipping they betray'd;
Whilst Englands (though debarred) shore imparts,
To him, her other-where intended ayde:
For, the Lord Riuers , passing to those parts,
T'haue fresh supplies vnto the Duke conuay'd;
At Sandwich , with his Sonne accompayned,
Staying for winde, was taken in his bed.
48
Whose shipping, and prouisions, VVarwicke takes
For Ireland , with his Chieftaine to conferre:
And within thirtie dayes this voyage makes,
And backe-returnes, ere knowne to haue beene there:
So that the heauens, the sea, the winde partakes
With him; as if they of his faction were;
Or that his spirit and valour were combin'd,
With destinie, t'effect what he design'd.
49
Which working, though without, and on the shore,
Reacht yet vnto the centre of the Land;
Searcht all those humors that were bred before;
Shakes the whole frame, whereon the State did stand;
“Affection, pittie, fortune, feare being more
“Farre off and absent, then they are at hand.
“Pittie becomes a traytor with th'opprest:
“And many haue beene rays'd, by being supprest.
50
For, they had left, although themselues were gone,
Opinion and their memorie behinde.
Which so preuayles, that nought could here be done,
But straight was knowne as soone as once design'd:
Court, Councell-chamber, Closet, all were won,
To be reuealers of the Princes minde:
So false is Faction, and so smooth a lyer,
As that it neuer had a side entire.
51
Whereby, th'exil'd had leasure to preuent,
And circumuent, what-euer was deuiz'd:
Which made, that Faulconbridge , to Sandwich bent,
That Fortresse and the Gouernour surpriz'd:
Who, presently from thence to Calais sent,
Had his vnguiltie blood there sacrifiz'd:
And Faulconbridge , returning backe, relates
Th'affection here, and zeale of all estates.
52
Drawne with which newes, and with a spirit that dar'd
T'attempt on any likelihood of support;
They take th'aduantage of so great regard;
Their landing here secur'd them in such sort,
By Faulconbridge ; the fatall bridge prepar'd
To be the way of blood, and to transport
Returning furie to make greater wounds
Then euer England saw within her bounds.
53
And but with fifteene hundred men do land,
Vpon a Land, with many millions stor'd:
So much, did high-presuming Courage stand
On th'ayde, home-disobedience would afford.
Nor were their hopes deceiv'd: for, such a hand
Had Innouation ready for the sword,
As ere they neere vnto the Cittie drew,
Their powre beyond all former greatnesse grew.
54
Muse , what may we imagine was the Cause
That Furie workes thus vniuersally?
What humor, what affection, is it, drawes
Sides, of such powre, to this Nobilitie?
Was it their Conscience, to redresse the Lawes;
Or malice, to a wrong-plac't Sov'raintie,
That caus'd them (more then wealth, or life) desire
Destruction, ruine, bloud-shed, sword and fire?
55
Or was the Powre of Lords (thus inter-plac't
Betwixt the height of Princes, and the State)
Th'occasion that the people so imbrac't
Their actions, and attend on this Debate?
Or had their Greatnesse, with their Worth, imbas't
The Touch of Royaltie to so lowe rate,
As their opinion could such tumults moue?
Then Powre, and Virtue, you contagious proue.
56
And Perianders leuell'd Eares of Corne
Shew what is fittest for the publique Rest;
And that the hyest Minions which adorne
A Common-weale (and doo become it best)
Are Zeale and Iustice, Law , and Customes , borne
Of hye descent; that neuer do infest
The Land with false suggestions, claymes, affrights,
To make men lose their owne, for others rights.
57
But now, against this disproportion, bends
The feeble King all his best industrie:
And, from abrode, Skales, Louell, Kendall , sends,
To hold the Cittie in fidelitie;
The Cittie, which before (for others ends)
Was wrought to leaue the part of Royaltie;
Where, though the Kings commaund was of no powre;
Yet worke these Lords so, that they tooke the Towre:
58
And, from thence, labour to bring-in againe
The out-let will of disobediencie;
Send terror, threates, intreaties; but in vaine:
VVarwicke , and March , are with all iollitie
And grace receiv'd. The Citties loue did gaine
The best part of a Crowne: for whose defence,
And intertaining still, stayes Salsburie ,
Whil'st March , and VVarwicke other fortunes try;
59
Conducting their fresh troupes against their King
(Who leaues a woman to supply his steed):
And neere Northhampton , both imbattailing,
Made, now, the very heart of England bleed:
Where, what strange resolutions both sides bring:
And with what deadly rancour they proceed,
Witnesse the blood there shed, and fowlly shed;
That cannot, but with sighes, be registred.
60
There, Buckingham, Talbot , and Egremont ,
Bewmont , and Lucy ; parts of Lancaster
(Parts most important, and of chiefe account)
In this vnhappy day, extinguisht are.
There, the Lord Grey , (whose fayth did not amount
Vnto the trust committed to his care)
Betrayes his King, borne to be strangely tost;
And, late againe attain'd, againe is lost.
61
Againe is lost this out-side of a King,
Ordain'd for others vses, not his owne:
Who, to the part that had him, could but bring
A feeble body onely, and a Crowne;
But yet was held to be the dearest thing
Both sides did labor-for, so much; to crowne
Their Cause with the apparency of might:
From whom, and by whom, they must make their Right;
62
When he himselfe (as if he nought esteem'd
The highest Crowne on earth) continues one;
Weake to the world: which, his Religion deem'd
Like to the breath of man; vaine, and soone gone:
Whil'st the stout Queene, by speedy flight redeem'd
The safety of her selfe, and of her Sonne:
And, with her, Sommerset to Durham fled;
Her powres, supprest, her heart vnuanquished.
63
So much for absent Yorke , is acted here,
Attending English hopes, on th' Irish coast.
Which when, vnlookt-for, they related were,
Ambition (still on horse-backe) comes in poast,
And seemes with greater glory to appeare;
As made the more, by be'ing so long time lost:
And to the Parlement with state is led,
Which his associates had fore-summoned.
64
And, com'n into the Chamber of the Peeres,
He sets himselfe downe, in the chayre of State:
Where, such an vnexpected face appeares
Of an amazed Court, that gazing sate
With a dumbe silence (seeming, that it feares
The thing it went about t'effectuate)
As if the Place, the Cause, the Conscience, gaue
Barres to the words, their forced course should haue.
65
Tis strage, those times, which brought such hãds for blood,
Had not bred tongues to make good any side;
And that no prostituted conscience stood,
Any iniustice to haue iustifi'd
(As men of the forelone hope, onely good
In desperatest acts to be imploy'd)
And that none, in th'assembly there was found,
That would t'ambitious descant giue a ground:
66
That euen himselfe (forc't of necessitie)
Must be the Orator of his owne Cause.
For, hauing viewd them all, and could espie
None proffring once to speake (all, in a pause)
On this friend lookes with an inuiting eye,
And then on that (as if he woo'd applause)
Holding the cloth of State still in his hand;
The signe, which he would haue them vnderstand.
67
But se'ing none moue; with an imperiall port,
Gath'ring his spirits, he ryses from his seat;
Doth, with such powre of wordes, his Cause support,
As seemes all other Causes to defeat.
“And, sure, who workes his Greatnesse in that sort,
“Must haue more powres, then those that are borne great:
“Such Reuolutions are not wrought, but when
“Those spirits doe worke, which must be more then men.
68
He argues first his Right, so long with-held
By th'vsurpation of the Lancasters ;
“The Right of a direct Line, alwayes held
“The sacred course of Blood; our Ancestors,
“Our Lawes, our reuerent Customes haue vp-held
“With holy hands. Whence, when disorder erres,
“What horrors, what confusion, do we see,
“Vntill it be reduc't where it should bee?
69
“And how it prospers with this wretched Land,
“Witnesse the vniuersall miserie,
“Wherein (as if accurst) the Realme doth stand;
“Depriu'd of State, wealth, honor, dignitie;
“The Church, and Commons, vnderneath the hand
“Of violence, extortion, robberie;
“No face of order, no respect of Lawes:
“And thus complaynes of what himselfe is cause;
70
“Accusing others insolence, that they
“Exhausted the Reuenues of the Crowne:
“So that the King was forc't onely to prey
“Vpon his Subiects, poore and wretched growne)
“And that they now sought Ireland to betray,
“And Calais to the French ; which hee had knowne,
“By th'intercepted notes of their owne hand,
“Who were the onely Traytors of the Land:
71
“And yet procur'd th'Attaynders most vniust,
“Of others guiltlesse and vnspotted blood;
“Who euermore had labour'd, in their trust
“And faithfull seruice for their Countries good:
“And who with extreame violence were thrust
“Quite out of all, spoyl'd of their liuelihood,
“Expos'd to all the miseries of life:
“Which they indur'd, to put-off blood and strife.
72
“But since (sayth he) their malice hath no ende,
“But t'end vs all, and to vndo the Land:
“(For which, the hatefull French gladly attend,
“And at this instant haue their swords in hand)
“And that the God of heauen doth seeme to bend
“Vnto our Cause, whereto the best men stand;
“And that this blood of mine, so long time sought,
“Reserued seemes, for some thing to be wrought;
73
“It rests within your iudgements, to vp-right,
“Or else to ruine vtterly the Land.
“For, this be sure, I must pursue my Right
“Whil'st I haue breath, or I and mine can stand.
“Thinke, whether this poore State, being in this plight,
“Stands not in need of some vp-raysing hand:
“Or whether 'tis not time we should haue rest,
“And this confusion, and our wounds redrest.
74
This said, he turnes aside, and out hee goes;
Leaues them to counsell what was to be done.
Where, though the most part gath'red, were of those
Who with no opposition sure would run;
Yet some, more temp'rate, offred to propose
That which was fit to bee considered on:
Who, though they knew his clayme was faire, in sight;
Yet thought, it now lackt the right face of Right;
75
Since, for the space of three score yeeres, the Crowne
Had beene in act possest, in three descents;
Confirm'd by all the Nobles of renowne,
The peoples suffrages, Oathes, Parlements;
So many Actes of State, both of our owne,
And of all other foraine Gouernments:
“That Wrong, by order, may grow Right by-this;
“Sith Right, th'obseruer but of Order is.
76
“And then considring, first, how Bullingbrooke ,
“Landing in Yorkeshire but with three score men,
“By the consent of all the Kingdome, tooke
“The Crowne vpon him, held for lawfull then;
“His Vncle Yorke and all the Peeres betooke
“Themselues to him, as to their Soueraigne; when
“King Richards wrongs, and his propinquitie,
“Did seeme to make no distance in their eye:
77
“Nor was without example, in those dayes:
“Wherein (as in all Ages) States do take
“The side of publique Peace, to counterpayse
“The waight of wrong; which, time may rightfull make
“No elderhood, Rufus and Henrie stayes,
“The imperiall Crowne of England t'vndertake:
“And Iohn , before his nephew Arthur , speedes;
Whom, though depriv'd, Henry his sonne succeedes.
78
Edward the third, made Sov'raigne of the State,
Vpon his fathers depriuation, was:
All which, though seeming wrongs, yet fairely sate
In their succeeders, and for right did passe.
And if they could so worke, t'accommodate,
And calme the Peeres, and please the Populasse;
They wisht, the Crowne might, where it stood, remaine,
Succeeding inconuenience to restraine.
79
Thus th'auncient Fathers of the Law aduise;
Graue Baron Thorpe and learned Fortescue:
Who, though they could not fashion, otherwise,
Those strong-bent humors, which auersiue grew;
Yet seem'd to qualifie th'extreamities.
And some respect more to their Sov'raine drew;
That, during life, it was by all agreed,
He should be King, and Yorke should him succeed:
80
Which, presently enacted, was (beside)
Proclaym'd through-out with all solemnities;
And intermutually there ratifi'd
With protestations, vowes and oathes, likewise;
Built-vp, with all the strength of forme, t'abide
What-euer oppositions could aryse;
And might haue seem'd sure and authenticall,
Had all this bodie of the State beene all.
81
But Trent , thou keptst a part; Thames had not all:
The North diuided honor, with the South :
And like powre held like Greatnes seuerall:
Where other Right, spake with another mouth;
Another Heire, another Prince they call,
Whom naturall succession follow doth;
The branch of Kings, the true sonne of the Crowne:
To whom, no father can but leaue his owne.
82
The King, as husband to the Crowne, doth by
The wiues infeoffement hold; and onely here
Inioyes the same for life, by Curtesie;
Without powre to dispose it other-where
(After his death) but as th'authoritie,
Order, and custome of Succession beare:
And therefore Henries Act cannot vndo
The right of him, whom it belongs vnto.
83
And this vnnaturall intrusion, here,
Of that attainted Blood, out of all course,
Effected with confusion and with feare,
Must be reduc't to other tearmes, of force.
These insolencies Iustice cannot beare:
The sword (whereto they onely had recourse)
Must cut this knot, so intricately ty'd;
Whose vaine contriued ends are plaine descry'd.
84
Thus they giue-out; and out the sword in hand
Is drawne for blood, to iustifie the same:
And by a side, with many a Worthie, mand;
Great Sommerset, Excester, Buckingham ,
With Clifford, Courtney , and Northumberland ;
(Lords of as mightie courage as of name)
Which all, against Yorkes forced courses, bend;
Who, hauing done, yet had not made an end:
85
But, to another worke, is forc't to go;
The last turmoyle lab'ring Ambition had:
Where Pride and Ouer-weening led him so
(For fortunes past) as made the issue sad:
For, whether safer counsell would or no,
His yet vnfurnisht troupes he desp'rat led
From Sandall Castle, vnto VVakefield Greene,
Against far mightier forces of the Queene.
86
Where, round inclos'd by Ambushments fore-lay'd,
Hard-working for his life (but all in vaine)
With number and confusion ouer-lay'd,
Himselfe and valiant Salsbury are slaine:
With whome, the most and dearest blood decay'd
Of his couragious and aduenturous traine:
So short a life had those long hopes of his;
Borne not to weare the Crowne, he wrought for thus;
87
But, in the ryse of his out-springing lust,
Now in the last of hope, receiv'd this fall;
Now, that his working powres so far had thrust,
That his desires had but this step to all:
When, so neere home, he seem'd past all distrust,
This vnexspected wracke doth him befall:
This successor th'inheritor fore-goes;
The play-game made of Fortune, and his foes.
88
Whose young sonne, Rutland (made the sacrifice
For others sinnes, ere he knew how to sinne)
Brought only but to see this exercise
Of blood and wounds, endes ere he did beginne:
Whose teares, whose mone, whose lamentable cryes,
Could neither mercie nor compassion winne:
The branch of such a tree, though tender now,
Was not thought fit should any longer growe.
89
Which turning Chaunce, t'a long vngraced side,
Brings backe their almost quayled hopes againe;
And thrust them on, to vse the present Tide
And Flowe of this occasion, to regaine
Th'inthralled Monarch, and to vndecide
The late concluded Act they held for vaine;
And mooues their Armies, new refresht with spoyle,
For more confusion, and for more turmoyle:
90
Victoriously proceeding vnwithstood,
Till at S. Albones VVarwicke forc't a stand:
Where-as (to make his owne vndooing good)
The King is brought against himselfe to band:
His Powre and Crowne is set against his Blood;
Forc't on the side, not of himselfe, to stand.
Diuided King, in what a case thou art!
To haue thy hand, thus bent against thy hart.
91
And here this famous fatall place, againe,
Is made the stage of blood; againe these streets,
Imbru'd with slaughter, cov'red with the slaine,
Witness what desp'rat wrath with rancor meets.
But, Fortune now is in an other vaine;
Another side her turning fauour greets:
The King, heere lately lost, is now heere won;
Still sure t'vndoe the side that he was on.
92
VVarwicke , with other Genius then his owne,
Had heere to doe: which made him see the face
Of sad misfortune, in the selfe same Towne,
Where prosp'rous winning, lately gaue him grace:
And Marg'ret heere, this Martiall Amazon,
Was, with the spirit of her selfe, in place:
Whose labors, Fortune, euen to pittie, stir;
And, being a woman, could but giue it her.
93
The reputation and incouragement
Of VVakefield glory, wakened them to this
And this seemes now the full accomplishment
Of all their trauell, all their combrances.
For, what can more disturbe this Gouernment,
When Yorke extinct, & VVarwick conquered, is?
Directing Salsburie , left without a head,
What rests there now, that all's not finished?
94
Thus, for the sicke, preseruing Nature striues
Against corruption, and the loathsome Graue;
When, out of Deaths colde hands, she backe repriues
Th'almost confounded spirits, she faine would saue:
And them cheeres vp, illightens, and reuiues;
Making faint Sickenesse, words of health to haue,
With lookes of life, as if the worst were past;
When strait comes dissolution, and his last.
95
So fares it with this late reuiued Queene:
Whose Victories, thus fortunately wonne,
Haue but as onely lightning motions beene,
Before the ruine that ensu'd thereon.
For, now another springing powre is seene;
Whereto, as to the new arysing Sunne,
All turne their faces, leauing those lowe rayes
Of setting Fortune, which no Climer waighes.
96
Now is yong March , more than a Duke of Yorke ;
For, youth, loue, grace and courage make him more.
All which, for Fortunes fauour, now do worke,
Who graceth freshest Actors euermore;
Making the first attempt, the chiefest worke
Of any mans designes, that striues therefore.
“The after-seasons are not so well blest.
“For, those first spirits make their first actions best.
97
Now as the Libyan Lion, when with paine
The wearie Hunter hath purfu'd his prey
From Rockes to Brakes, from Thickets to the Plaine,
And at the point, thereon his hands to lay,
Hard-by his hopes, his eye vpon his gaine,
Out-rushing from his denne rapts all away:
So comes yong March , their endes to disappoint,
Who now were growne so neere vnto the point.
98
The loue of these important southerne parts,
Of Essex, Surry, Middlesex, and Kent ,
The Queene had wholly lost; as they whose hearts
Grew ill affected to her gouernment,
Vpon th'vnciuile and presumptuous parts,
Play'd by the Northerne troupes, growne insolent:
Whom, though she could not gouerne otherwise,
Yet th'ill that's wrought for her, vpon her lies.
99
So wretched is this execrable Warre,
“This ciuile Sworde: wherein, though all wee see
“Be foul, and all things miserable are;
“Yet most distresse-full is the victorie:
“Which is, not onely th'extream ruiner
“Of others; but, her owne calamity:
“Where, who obtains, what he would cannot do:
“Their powre hath part, who holpe him thereunto.
100
The City, whose good-will they most desire,
(Yet thereunto durst not commit their state)
Sends them not those prouisions they require;
Which seem'd restrained by the peoples hate:
Yet Marches help farre off, and neere this fire
(To winne them time) forc't them to mediate
A reconcilement: which, well entertain'd,
Was fairely now growen-on, and neerely gain'd:
101
When, with a thousand tongs, swift-wing'd Fame coms,
And tells of Marches gallant Victories:
Who, what withstands, subdues; all ouercomes;
Making his way through fiercest enemies;
As hauing now to cast, in greater Summes,
The Reckning of his hopes, that mainly rise.
His fathers death, giues more life vnto wrath:
And vexed valour, greater courage hath.
102
And now, as for his last, his lab'ring worth
Works on the coast which on faire Seuerne lyes:
Whereto his Father (passing to the North)
Sent him, to leuie other fresh supplies:
But, hearing now what Wakefield had brought forth;
Imploring ayde against these iniuries,
Obtains from Gloster, Worster, Shrewsburie ,
Important powres, to worke his remedie.
103
Which he, against Pembrooke and Ormond , bends;
Whom Margaret (now vpon her victory)
With all speed possible from VVakefield sends;
With hope to haue surpris'd him suddenly.
Wherin, though she all meanes, all wit extends,
To th'vtmost reach of wary policie;
Yet nothing her avayles: no plots succeed,
T'avert those mischiefes which the heauens decreed.
104
For, neere the Crosse ally'd vnto his name,
He crosst those mighty forces of his foes;
And with a spirit, orday'nd for deeds of fame,
Their eager-fighting Army ouer-throwes:
Making all cleer behind, from whence he came;
Bearing-downe, wholly, what before him rose;
Like to an all-confounding Torrent seemes:
And was made more, by VVarwicks mighty streames.
105
With th'inundation of which Greatnesse, he
(Hauing no bounds of powre to keepe him backe)
Marcht to the Citie: at whose entrance free,
No fignes of ioy, nor no applaudings lacke.
Whose neere approach, when this sad Queene did see,
(T'auoyde these rocks of her neere threatning wrack)
With her griev'd troupes North-ward she hence departs;
And leaues, to Youth and Fortune, these South-parts.
106
Glory, with admiration, entring now,
Opened that easie doore to his intent,
As that there needes not long time to allow
The Right he had vnto the Gouernement;
Nor Henries iniuries to disauow,
Against his oath, and th'Act of Parlement
“For, heere the speediest way he takes t'accord
Difference in law, that pleades it with the Sword.
107
Gath'red to see his mustred Companies,
Stoode all the flocking troopes of London streets;
When Faulconbridge , with gentle feeling, tries
How strong the pulse of their affection beates;
And (reckning-vp the grieuous miseries,
And desolation, which the Country threats)
Askt them, whom they would haue to be their King,
To leade those troopes, and State in forme to bring.
108
Whereto, with such an vniuersall showt,
The Earle of March , the multitude replyes,
As the rebounding Echo streight through-out
(From Towre to Towre reuerberated) flyes
To th'eares of those great Lords, who fate about
The consultation for this enterprise.
Whose care is sav'd, which most they stood vpon:
For, what they counsell how to doe, is done.
109
And nothing now, but to confirme him king,
Remaines (which must not long remaine) to do
The present heate doth strait dispatch the thing,
With all those solemne rites that 'long thereto:
So that, what Yorke , with all his travayling,
Force and intrusion, could not get vnto,
Is now thus freely layd vpon his sonne;
Who must make faire, what fowlly was begunne.
110
Whose end, attayn'd, had it here made an end
Of foule destruction, and had stay'd the bloud
Which Towton, Exham, Tewksbury did spend
With desp'rate hands, and deeper wounds withstood;
And that none other Crowne, brought to contend
With that of his, had made his seeme lesse good;
How had this long-afflicted Land been blest!
Our sighes had ended, and my Muse had rest.
111
Which now (but little past halfe her long way)
Stands trembling at the horrors that succeed;
Weary with these embroylements, faine would stay
Her farther course, vnwilling to proceed:
And, faine to see that glorious holy-day
Of Vnion, which this discord reagreed;
Knowes not as yet, what to resolue upon;
Whether to leaue-off here, or else go-on.
BOOKE.
1
Disordinate Authoritie, thus gaind,
Knew not at first, or durst not to proceed
With an out-breaking course; but stood restraind
Within the compasse of respectiue heed:
Distrust of friends, and powre of foes, detaind
That mounting will, from making too much speed:
For, though he held the powre he longd to win,
Yet had not all the keyes to let him in.
2
The Queene abroad, with a reuenging hand
(Arm'd with her owne disgrace, and others spight,
Gath'ring th'oppressed partie of the Land)
Held ouer him the threatning sword of might;
That forc't him, in the tearmes of awe, to stand
(Who else had burst-vp Right, to come t'his right)
And kept him so confus'd, that he knew not
To make vse of the meanes, which he had got.
3
For, either by his fearing to restraine
The person of the King; or by neglect
Of guarding him with a sufficient traine,
The watchfull Queene, with cunning, doth effect
A practice that recouers him againe
(As one that with best care could him protect:)
And h'is conuaid to Couentry , to those
Who well knew how of Maiestie dispose.
4
Though this weake King had blunted thus before
The edge of powre, with so dull clemencie,
And left him nothing else was gracious, more
Then euen the title of his Sov'raigntie;
Yet is that title of so precious store,
As it makes, golden, leaden Maiestie:
And where, or how-soeuer it doth sit,
Is sure t'haue the world attend on it.
5
Whether it be, that Forme, and Eminence,
Adorn'd with Pomp and State, begets this awe:
Or, whether an in-bred obedience
To Right and Powre, doth our affections drawe:
Or, whether sacred Kings worke reuerence,
And make that Nature now, which was first Law,
We know not: but, the Head will draw the Parts;
And good Kings, with our bodies, haue our harts.
6
For, lo, no sooner was his person ioyn'd
With this distracted body of his friends;
But, straight the Duke, and all that faction find,
They lost the onely Engin for their ends:
Authoritie, with Maiestie combin'd,
Stands bent vpon them now, and powrefull sends
Them summons to appeare, who lately held
That powre themselues, and could not be compeld.
7
Where-with confus'd, as either not prepar'd
For all euents; or se'ing the times not fit;
Or mens affections, failing in regard;
Or their owne forces, not of powre as yet:
They all retire them home; and neither dar'd
T'appeare, or to stand-out to answere it:
This vnfore-thought-on accident, confounds
All their dessignes, and frustrates all their grounds:
8
As vsually it fares, with those that plot
These machines of Ambition, and high pride;
Who (in their chiefest counsels ouer-shot)
For all things saue what serue the turne, prouide;
Whil'st that, which most imports, rests most forgot,
Or waigh'd not, or contemn'd, or vndescri'd;
That some-thing may be euer ouer-gone,
Where courses shall be crost, and men vndone.
9
Yorke into Wales, Warwicke to Calais hies,
Some to the North , others to other parts;
As if they ran both from their dignities,
And also from themselues, and their owne harts:
“(The mind decay'd, in publique ieopardies,
“To th'ill at hand, onely it selfe conuerts)
That none would thinke, Yorkes hopes, being so neere dry,
Could euer flowe againe, and swell so hie.
10
And yet, for all this ebbing, Chance remaines,
The spring that feedes that hope (which leaues men last):
Whom no'affliction so entire restraines,
But that it may remount, as in times past:
Though he had lost his place, his powre, his paines;
Yet held his loue, his friends, his title fast:
The whole frame of that fortune could not faile;
As that, which hung by more then by one naile.
11
Else might we thinke, what errour had it bin,
These parts thus sev'red, not t'haue quite destroy'd;
But that they saw it not the way to win.
Some more dependances there were beside:
Which Age, and Fate, keeps vs from looking in,
That their true Counsells come not right descri'd;
Which, our presumptuous wits must not condem:
They be'ing not ignorant; but we, of them.
12
For, heere, we looke vpon another Crown,
An other image of Nobilitie,
(Which ciuile Discord had not yet brought down
Vnto a lower range of dignity);
Vpon a Powre as yet not ouer-flowne
With th'Ocean of all-drowning Sov'raintie.
These Lords, who thus against their Kings draw swords,
Taught Kings to come, how to be more then Lords.
13
Which well this Queene observ'd; and therefore sought
To draw them in, and ruine them with Peace;
Whom Force (she saw) more dangerous had wrought,
And did their powre and malice but increase:
And therefore, to the Citty hauing got,
A Counsell was convok't, all iarres to cease:
Where come these Lords at length; but yet so strong,
As if to doe, rather then suffer wrong.
14
Here Scottish border broyles, and feares of Fraunce ,
Vrg'd with the present times necessity,
Brought forth a suttle-shadowed countenance
Of quiet peace, resembling Amitie;
Wrapt in a strong and curious ordinaunce,
Of many Articles, bound solemnly:
As if those Gordian knots could be so ti'd,
As no impatient sword could them diuide:
15
Especially, whereas the selfe same ends
Concur not in a point of like respect;
But that each party couertly intends
Thereby their owne designments to effect:
Which Peace, with more indangering wounds, offends,
Then Warre can doe; that stands vpon suspect,
And neuer can be ty'd with other chaine,
Then intermutuall benefite and gaine.
16
As well by this concluded Act is seene:
Which had no power to holde-in minds, out-bent;
But quickly was dissolv'd and canceld cleene,
Either by Warwicks fortune or intent.
How euer vrg'd, the Seruants of the Queene
Assaulted his, as he from Counsell went:
Where, his owne person, egerly pursu'd,
Hardly (by Boate) escap't the multitude.
17
Which deed, most heynous made, and vrg'd as his,
The Queene (who soone th'aduantage apprehends)
Thought forthwith t'haue committed him on this:
But, he preuents, flyes North-ward to his friends,
Shewes them his danger, and what hope there is
In her, that all their ouerthrowes intends;
“And that these drifts, th'effects of this Peace are:
“Which giues more deadly wounding blowes, then war.
18
Strooke with his heate, began the others fire
(Kindled with danger, and disdaine) t'inflame:
Which hauing well prepar'd, to his desire,
He leaues the farther growing of the same,
And vnto Calais (to his strong retire)
With speed betakes him, to preuent the fame
Of his impos'd offence; least, in disgrace,
He might be dispossessed of that place.
19
Yorke straight aduis'd the Earle of Salsbury ,
T'addresse him to the King: and therevpon,
With other grieuances, to signifie
Th'iniurious act committed on his Sonne;
And there, to vrge the breach of th'Amitie,
By these sinister plots to be begun:
But, he so strongly goes, as men might ghesse,
He purpos'd not to craue, but make redresse.
20
Whom, the Lord Audly , hasting to restraine,
(Sent, with ten thousand men, well furnished)
Encountred on Blore-heath ; where he is slaine,
And all his powre and force discomfited:
Which chaunce, so opened and let-out againe
The hopes of Yorke (whom Peace had fettered)
That he resolues, what-euer should befall,
To set vp's Rest, to venture now for all.
21
Fury, vnti'd, and broken out of bands,
Runnes desp'rate presently to either head:
Faction and Warre (that neuer wanted hands
For Bloud and Mischiefe) soone were furnished:
Affection findes a side: and out it stands;
Not by the Cause, but by her int'rest led:
And many, vrging Warre, most forward are;
“Not that 't is iust, but only that 'tis Warre.
22
Whereby, the Duke is growne t'a mighty head
In Shropshire , with his Welsh and Northern ayde:
To whom came Warwicke , hauing ordered
His charge at Calais ; and with him conuay'd
Many braue Leaders, that aduentured
Their fortunes on the side that he had lay'd:
Whereof as chiefe, Trollop and Blunt excell'd:
But, Trollop fayld his friends; Blunt faithfull held.
23
The King (prouok't these mischiefes to preuent,
Follow'd with Sommerset and Excester )
Strongly appointed, all his forces bent,
Their malice to correct or to deterre:
And, drawing neere, a reuerent Prelate sent
To proffer pardon, if they would referre
Their Cause to Peace; as being a cleaner course
Vnto their ends, then this foule barb'rous force.
24
“For, what a warre, sayd he, is here begun,
“Where euen the victory is held accurst?
“And who-so winnes, it will be so ill won,
“That though he haue the best, he speeds the worst.
“For, here your making, is, to be vndon;
“Seeking t'obtaine the State, you lose it first:
“Both sides being one, the bloud consum'd all one;
“To make it yours, you worke to haue it none.
25
“Leaue then with this, though this be yet a staine
“T'attempt this sinne, to be so neere a fall.
“The doubtfull Dye of warre, cast at the Maine,
“Is such, as one bad chaunce may lose you all.
“A certaine sinne, seekes an vncertaine gaine:
“Which, got, your selues euen wayle and pitty shall.
“No way, but Peace, leades out from blood and feares;
“To free your selues, the Land, and vs, from teares.
26
Whereto the discontented part replyes;
“That they, hereto by others wrongs inforc't,
“Had no way else but these extremities,
“And worst meanes of redresse, t'auoide the worst.
“For, since that peace did but their spoyles deuise,
“And held them out from grace (as men diuorc't
“From th'honors, that their fortunes did afford)
“Better die with the sword, then by the sword.
27
“For, if pacts, vowes, or oaths, could haue done ought,
“There had enough been done: but, to no end
“Saue to their ruine, who had ever sought
“To auoide these broyls, as grieuing to contend;
“Smothring disgraces, drawing to parts remote,
“As exil'd men: where now they were, to attend
“His Grace with all respect, and reuerence;
“Not with the sword of malice, but defence.
28
Whereby, they shewed, that words were not to win:
But yet the Pardon works so feelingly,
That to the King, that very night, came-in
Sir Andrew Trollop , with some company,
Contented to redeeme his sinne with sinne;
Disloyalty, with infidelitie:
And, by this meanes, became discouered quite
All th'orders of th'intended next dayes fight.
29
Which so much wrought vpon their weakened feares,
That presently their Campe brake vp, ere day;
And euery man with all his speed prepares,
According to their course, to shift their way.
Yorke , with his youngest Sonne, tow'ards Ireland beares;
Warwicke to Calais , where his safety lay;
To that sure harbor of conspiracie,
Enuies Retreit, Rebellions nursery.
30
Which fatall place, seemes that with either hand
Is made t'offend. For, Fraunce sh'afflicts with th'one:
And with the other, did infest this Land;
As if ordained to doe good to none:
But, as a Gate to both our ills did stand,
To let-out plagues on vs, and int'her owne:
A part without vs, that small good hath bin
But to keepe, lesse intire, the whole within.
31
And there, as in their all and best support,
Is Warwicke got, with March and Salsbury ;
When all the Gates of England , euery Port
And Shore close-shut, debarres their reentry;
Lockt out from all; and all left in that sort,
As no meanes seemes can ayde their misery.
This wound, giuen without blowe, weakens them more,
Then all their losse of blood had done before.
32
For, now againe vpon them frowningly
Stands Powre with Fortune, trampling on their States;
And brands them with the markes of Infamy;
Rebellions, Treasons, and Assassinats;
Attaints their Bloud, in all Posteritie;
Ransacks their Lands, spoiles their Confederats;
And layes so hideous colours on their crimes,
As would haue terrified more timorous times.
33
But, heere could doe no good: for why? this Age,
Being in a course of motion, could not rest,
Vntill the reuolution of their rage
Came to that poynt, whereto it was addrest.
Misfortune, crosses, ruine, could not swage
That heate of hope, or of reuenge, at least.
“The World, once set a-worke, cannot soone cease:
“Nor euer is the same, it is in peace.
34
For, other motions, other int'rests heere,
The acting spirits vp and awake doe keepe:
“Faith, friendship, honour is more sure, more deere,
“And more it selfe, then when it is asleepe:
Worth will stand-out, and doth no shadowes feare:
Disgraces make impressions far more deepe;
When Ease, ere it will stirre, or breake her rest,
Lyes still, beares all, content to be opprest.
35
Yorke , and his side, could not, while life remain'd,
Though thus disperst, but worke and interdeale:
Nor any sword, at home, could keepe restrain'd
Th'out-breaking powres of this innated zeale.
This humor had so large a passage gain'd,
On th'inward body of the Common-weale;
That 'twas impossible to stop, by force,
This current of affection's violent course.
36
Yet they at home (disorder to keepe forth)
Did all what powre could doe, or wit inuent;
Plac't, in th'auoided roomes, men of great worth;
Young Sommerset , with strength to Calais sent;
Northumberland and Clifford to the North;
(Whereof They onely had the gouernment)
Defend all landings, barre all passages,
Striue to redresse the publique grieuances:
37
And, to this end, summon a Parlement:
Wherein, when-as the godly King would not,
Vnto th'attainder of the Lords, consent;
The Queene in griefe (and in her passions hot)
Breakes out in speech, louingly violent:
“And what (saith shee) my Lord, haue you forgot
“To rule and be a King? Why will you thus
“Be milde to them, and cruell vnto vs?
38
“What good haue you procur'd by clemencie,
“But giuen to wilde presumption much more head?
“And now what cure, what other remedie
“Can to our desp'rat wounds be ministred?
“Men are not good, but for necessitie;
“Nor orderly are euer borne, but bred.
“Sad want, and pouertie, makes men industrious:
“But, Law must make them good, and feare obsequious.
39
“My Lord; Hee gouerns well, that's well obayd:
“And temp'rat Rigour euer safely sits.
“For, as to him, who Cotis did vpbraid,
“And call'd his rigor, madnesse, raging fits;
“Content thee, thou vnskilfull man, he said,
“My madnesse keepes my Subiects in their wits:
“So, to like course my Lord, y'are forc't to fall;
“Or else you must, in th'end, vndoe vs all.
40
“Looke but, I pray, on this deare part of you;
“This branch (sprung frõ your blood) your owne aspect:
“Looke on this Childe, and think what shal ensue
“To this faire hope of ours, by your neglect.
“Though you respect not vs, wrong not his due,
“That must his right, left you, from you expect;
“The right of the renowned Lancasters ,
“His fathers fathers, and great grand-fathers.
41
“Then turnes t' her sonne: O sonne! dost thou not see?
“He is not mov'd, nor toucht, nor weighes our teares.
“What shall I doe? What hope is left for me,
“When he wants will to help, & thou wantst yeares?
“Could yet these hands of thine but partners bee
“In these my labours, to keep-out our feares,
“How well were I? that now alone must toile,
“And turne, and tosse; and yet vndone the while.
42
“I knowe, if thou could'st helpe, thy mother thus
“Should not beyond her strength endure so much;
“Nor these proud Rebels, that would ruine vs,
“Scape with their hainous treasons, without touch:
“I knowe, thou would'st conceiue how dangerous
“Mercy were vnto those, whose hopes are such;
“And not preserue, whom Law hath ouer-throwne,
“Sauing their liuely-hood, to lose our owne.
43
“But, sith thou canst not, nor I able am,
“Thou must no more expect of me, deare Son;
“Nor yet, in time to come, thy Mother blame,
“If thou, by others weakenesse be vndon.
“The world, with me, must testifie the same,
“That I haue done my best, what could be done;
“And haue not fail'd, with hazard of my life,
“The duetie of a mother and a wife.
44
“But well; I see which way the world will goe:
“And let it goe: and so turnes her about,
Full, with stout griefe, and with disdainefull woe;
Which, now, her words shut-vp, her lookes let-out.
The cast of her side-bended eye, did showe
Both sorrow and reproofe; se'ing so great doubt,
And no powre to redresse, but stand and vex,
Imprisoned in the fetters of her sex.
45
Yet, so much wrought these mouing arguments
(Drawne from that blood, where Nature vrg'd her Right)
As his all-vpward tending zeale relents;
And, downeward to his State, declines his sight:
And so, to their Attainders he consents;
Prouided, He, on their submission, might
Out of his Princely powre, in his owne name,
Without a Parlement, reuoke the same.
46
Whil'st Sommerset with maine endeuour lay
To get his giuen (but vngot) gouernment,
The stout Calisians (bent another way)
Fiercely repell him, frustrate his intent:
Yet takes he Guines , landing at VVhitsandbay :
Where-as the swordes, hee brought, would not consent
To wound his foes: the fight no rancor hath:
Malice was friends: and Warre was without wrath.
47
Though hee their hands, yet VVarwicke had their hearts:
To whom, both men and shipping they betray'd;
Whilst Englands (though debarred) shore imparts,
To him, her other-where intended ayde:
For, the Lord Riuers , passing to those parts,
T'haue fresh supplies vnto the Duke conuay'd;
At Sandwich , with his Sonne accompayned,
Staying for winde, was taken in his bed.
48
Whose shipping, and prouisions, VVarwicke takes
For Ireland , with his Chieftaine to conferre:
And within thirtie dayes this voyage makes,
And backe-returnes, ere knowne to haue beene there:
So that the heauens, the sea, the winde partakes
With him; as if they of his faction were;
Or that his spirit and valour were combin'd,
With destinie, t'effect what he design'd.
49
Which working, though without, and on the shore,
Reacht yet vnto the centre of the Land;
Searcht all those humors that were bred before;
Shakes the whole frame, whereon the State did stand;
“Affection, pittie, fortune, feare being more
“Farre off and absent, then they are at hand.
“Pittie becomes a traytor with th'opprest:
“And many haue beene rays'd, by being supprest.
50
For, they had left, although themselues were gone,
Opinion and their memorie behinde.
Which so preuayles, that nought could here be done,
But straight was knowne as soone as once design'd:
Court, Councell-chamber, Closet, all were won,
To be reuealers of the Princes minde:
So false is Faction, and so smooth a lyer,
As that it neuer had a side entire.
51
Whereby, th'exil'd had leasure to preuent,
And circumuent, what-euer was deuiz'd:
Which made, that Faulconbridge , to Sandwich bent,
That Fortresse and the Gouernour surpriz'd:
Who, presently from thence to Calais sent,
Had his vnguiltie blood there sacrifiz'd:
And Faulconbridge , returning backe, relates
Th'affection here, and zeale of all estates.
52
Drawne with which newes, and with a spirit that dar'd
T'attempt on any likelihood of support;
They take th'aduantage of so great regard;
Their landing here secur'd them in such sort,
By Faulconbridge ; the fatall bridge prepar'd
To be the way of blood, and to transport
Returning furie to make greater wounds
Then euer England saw within her bounds.
53
And but with fifteene hundred men do land,
Vpon a Land, with many millions stor'd:
So much, did high-presuming Courage stand
On th'ayde, home-disobedience would afford.
Nor were their hopes deceiv'd: for, such a hand
Had Innouation ready for the sword,
As ere they neere vnto the Cittie drew,
Their powre beyond all former greatnesse grew.
54
Muse , what may we imagine was the Cause
That Furie workes thus vniuersally?
What humor, what affection, is it, drawes
Sides, of such powre, to this Nobilitie?
Was it their Conscience, to redresse the Lawes;
Or malice, to a wrong-plac't Sov'raintie,
That caus'd them (more then wealth, or life) desire
Destruction, ruine, bloud-shed, sword and fire?
55
Or was the Powre of Lords (thus inter-plac't
Betwixt the height of Princes, and the State)
Th'occasion that the people so imbrac't
Their actions, and attend on this Debate?
Or had their Greatnesse, with their Worth, imbas't
The Touch of Royaltie to so lowe rate,
As their opinion could such tumults moue?
Then Powre, and Virtue, you contagious proue.
56
And Perianders leuell'd Eares of Corne
Shew what is fittest for the publique Rest;
And that the hyest Minions which adorne
A Common-weale (and doo become it best)
Are Zeale and Iustice, Law , and Customes , borne
Of hye descent; that neuer do infest
The Land with false suggestions, claymes, affrights,
To make men lose their owne, for others rights.
57
But now, against this disproportion, bends
The feeble King all his best industrie:
And, from abrode, Skales, Louell, Kendall , sends,
To hold the Cittie in fidelitie;
The Cittie, which before (for others ends)
Was wrought to leaue the part of Royaltie;
Where, though the Kings commaund was of no powre;
Yet worke these Lords so, that they tooke the Towre:
58
And, from thence, labour to bring-in againe
The out-let will of disobediencie;
Send terror, threates, intreaties; but in vaine:
VVarwicke , and March , are with all iollitie
And grace receiv'd. The Citties loue did gaine
The best part of a Crowne: for whose defence,
And intertaining still, stayes Salsburie ,
Whil'st March , and VVarwicke other fortunes try;
59
Conducting their fresh troupes against their King
(Who leaues a woman to supply his steed):
And neere Northhampton , both imbattailing,
Made, now, the very heart of England bleed:
Where, what strange resolutions both sides bring:
And with what deadly rancour they proceed,
Witnesse the blood there shed, and fowlly shed;
That cannot, but with sighes, be registred.
60
There, Buckingham, Talbot , and Egremont ,
Bewmont , and Lucy ; parts of Lancaster
(Parts most important, and of chiefe account)
In this vnhappy day, extinguisht are.
There, the Lord Grey , (whose fayth did not amount
Vnto the trust committed to his care)
Betrayes his King, borne to be strangely tost;
And, late againe attain'd, againe is lost.
61
Againe is lost this out-side of a King,
Ordain'd for others vses, not his owne:
Who, to the part that had him, could but bring
A feeble body onely, and a Crowne;
But yet was held to be the dearest thing
Both sides did labor-for, so much; to crowne
Their Cause with the apparency of might:
From whom, and by whom, they must make their Right;
62
When he himselfe (as if he nought esteem'd
The highest Crowne on earth) continues one;
Weake to the world: which, his Religion deem'd
Like to the breath of man; vaine, and soone gone:
Whil'st the stout Queene, by speedy flight redeem'd
The safety of her selfe, and of her Sonne:
And, with her, Sommerset to Durham fled;
Her powres, supprest, her heart vnuanquished.
63
So much for absent Yorke , is acted here,
Attending English hopes, on th' Irish coast.
Which when, vnlookt-for, they related were,
Ambition (still on horse-backe) comes in poast,
And seemes with greater glory to appeare;
As made the more, by be'ing so long time lost:
And to the Parlement with state is led,
Which his associates had fore-summoned.
64
And, com'n into the Chamber of the Peeres,
He sets himselfe downe, in the chayre of State:
Where, such an vnexpected face appeares
Of an amazed Court, that gazing sate
With a dumbe silence (seeming, that it feares
The thing it went about t'effectuate)
As if the Place, the Cause, the Conscience, gaue
Barres to the words, their forced course should haue.
65
Tis strage, those times, which brought such hãds for blood,
Had not bred tongues to make good any side;
And that no prostituted conscience stood,
Any iniustice to haue iustifi'd
(As men of the forelone hope, onely good
In desperatest acts to be imploy'd)
And that none, in th'assembly there was found,
That would t'ambitious descant giue a ground:
66
That euen himselfe (forc't of necessitie)
Must be the Orator of his owne Cause.
For, hauing viewd them all, and could espie
None proffring once to speake (all, in a pause)
On this friend lookes with an inuiting eye,
And then on that (as if he woo'd applause)
Holding the cloth of State still in his hand;
The signe, which he would haue them vnderstand.
67
But se'ing none moue; with an imperiall port,
Gath'ring his spirits, he ryses from his seat;
Doth, with such powre of wordes, his Cause support,
As seemes all other Causes to defeat.
“And, sure, who workes his Greatnesse in that sort,
“Must haue more powres, then those that are borne great:
“Such Reuolutions are not wrought, but when
“Those spirits doe worke, which must be more then men.
68
He argues first his Right, so long with-held
By th'vsurpation of the Lancasters ;
“The Right of a direct Line, alwayes held
“The sacred course of Blood; our Ancestors,
“Our Lawes, our reuerent Customes haue vp-held
“With holy hands. Whence, when disorder erres,
“What horrors, what confusion, do we see,
“Vntill it be reduc't where it should bee?
69
“And how it prospers with this wretched Land,
“Witnesse the vniuersall miserie,
“Wherein (as if accurst) the Realme doth stand;
“Depriu'd of State, wealth, honor, dignitie;
“The Church, and Commons, vnderneath the hand
“Of violence, extortion, robberie;
“No face of order, no respect of Lawes:
“And thus complaynes of what himselfe is cause;
70
“Accusing others insolence, that they
“Exhausted the Reuenues of the Crowne:
“So that the King was forc't onely to prey
“Vpon his Subiects, poore and wretched growne)
“And that they now sought Ireland to betray,
“And Calais to the French ; which hee had knowne,
“By th'intercepted notes of their owne hand,
“Who were the onely Traytors of the Land:
71
“And yet procur'd th'Attaynders most vniust,
“Of others guiltlesse and vnspotted blood;
“Who euermore had labour'd, in their trust
“And faithfull seruice for their Countries good:
“And who with extreame violence were thrust
“Quite out of all, spoyl'd of their liuelihood,
“Expos'd to all the miseries of life:
“Which they indur'd, to put-off blood and strife.
72
“But since (sayth he) their malice hath no ende,
“But t'end vs all, and to vndo the Land:
“(For which, the hatefull French gladly attend,
“And at this instant haue their swords in hand)
“And that the God of heauen doth seeme to bend
“Vnto our Cause, whereto the best men stand;
“And that this blood of mine, so long time sought,
“Reserued seemes, for some thing to be wrought;
73
“It rests within your iudgements, to vp-right,
“Or else to ruine vtterly the Land.
“For, this be sure, I must pursue my Right
“Whil'st I haue breath, or I and mine can stand.
“Thinke, whether this poore State, being in this plight,
“Stands not in need of some vp-raysing hand:
“Or whether 'tis not time we should haue rest,
“And this confusion, and our wounds redrest.
74
This said, he turnes aside, and out hee goes;
Leaues them to counsell what was to be done.
Where, though the most part gath'red, were of those
Who with no opposition sure would run;
Yet some, more temp'rate, offred to propose
That which was fit to bee considered on:
Who, though they knew his clayme was faire, in sight;
Yet thought, it now lackt the right face of Right;
75
Since, for the space of three score yeeres, the Crowne
Had beene in act possest, in three descents;
Confirm'd by all the Nobles of renowne,
The peoples suffrages, Oathes, Parlements;
So many Actes of State, both of our owne,
And of all other foraine Gouernments:
“That Wrong, by order, may grow Right by-this;
“Sith Right, th'obseruer but of Order is.
76
“And then considring, first, how Bullingbrooke ,
“Landing in Yorkeshire but with three score men,
“By the consent of all the Kingdome, tooke
“The Crowne vpon him, held for lawfull then;
“His Vncle Yorke and all the Peeres betooke
“Themselues to him, as to their Soueraigne; when
“King Richards wrongs, and his propinquitie,
“Did seeme to make no distance in their eye:
77
“Nor was without example, in those dayes:
“Wherein (as in all Ages) States do take
“The side of publique Peace, to counterpayse
“The waight of wrong; which, time may rightfull make
“No elderhood, Rufus and Henrie stayes,
“The imperiall Crowne of England t'vndertake:
“And Iohn , before his nephew Arthur , speedes;
Whom, though depriv'd, Henry his sonne succeedes.
78
Edward the third, made Sov'raigne of the State,
Vpon his fathers depriuation, was:
All which, though seeming wrongs, yet fairely sate
In their succeeders, and for right did passe.
And if they could so worke, t'accommodate,
And calme the Peeres, and please the Populasse;
They wisht, the Crowne might, where it stood, remaine,
Succeeding inconuenience to restraine.
79
Thus th'auncient Fathers of the Law aduise;
Graue Baron Thorpe and learned Fortescue:
Who, though they could not fashion, otherwise,
Those strong-bent humors, which auersiue grew;
Yet seem'd to qualifie th'extreamities.
And some respect more to their Sov'raine drew;
That, during life, it was by all agreed,
He should be King, and Yorke should him succeed:
80
Which, presently enacted, was (beside)
Proclaym'd through-out with all solemnities;
And intermutually there ratifi'd
With protestations, vowes and oathes, likewise;
Built-vp, with all the strength of forme, t'abide
What-euer oppositions could aryse;
And might haue seem'd sure and authenticall,
Had all this bodie of the State beene all.
81
But Trent , thou keptst a part; Thames had not all:
The North diuided honor, with the South :
And like powre held like Greatnes seuerall:
Where other Right, spake with another mouth;
Another Heire, another Prince they call,
Whom naturall succession follow doth;
The branch of Kings, the true sonne of the Crowne:
To whom, no father can but leaue his owne.
82
The King, as husband to the Crowne, doth by
The wiues infeoffement hold; and onely here
Inioyes the same for life, by Curtesie;
Without powre to dispose it other-where
(After his death) but as th'authoritie,
Order, and custome of Succession beare:
And therefore Henries Act cannot vndo
The right of him, whom it belongs vnto.
83
And this vnnaturall intrusion, here,
Of that attainted Blood, out of all course,
Effected with confusion and with feare,
Must be reduc't to other tearmes, of force.
These insolencies Iustice cannot beare:
The sword (whereto they onely had recourse)
Must cut this knot, so intricately ty'd;
Whose vaine contriued ends are plaine descry'd.
84
Thus they giue-out; and out the sword in hand
Is drawne for blood, to iustifie the same:
And by a side, with many a Worthie, mand;
Great Sommerset, Excester, Buckingham ,
With Clifford, Courtney , and Northumberland ;
(Lords of as mightie courage as of name)
Which all, against Yorkes forced courses, bend;
Who, hauing done, yet had not made an end:
85
But, to another worke, is forc't to go;
The last turmoyle lab'ring Ambition had:
Where Pride and Ouer-weening led him so
(For fortunes past) as made the issue sad:
For, whether safer counsell would or no,
His yet vnfurnisht troupes he desp'rat led
From Sandall Castle, vnto VVakefield Greene,
Against far mightier forces of the Queene.
86
Where, round inclos'd by Ambushments fore-lay'd,
Hard-working for his life (but all in vaine)
With number and confusion ouer-lay'd,
Himselfe and valiant Salsbury are slaine:
With whome, the most and dearest blood decay'd
Of his couragious and aduenturous traine:
So short a life had those long hopes of his;
Borne not to weare the Crowne, he wrought for thus;
87
But, in the ryse of his out-springing lust,
Now in the last of hope, receiv'd this fall;
Now, that his working powres so far had thrust,
That his desires had but this step to all:
When, so neere home, he seem'd past all distrust,
This vnexspected wracke doth him befall:
This successor th'inheritor fore-goes;
The play-game made of Fortune, and his foes.
88
Whose young sonne, Rutland (made the sacrifice
For others sinnes, ere he knew how to sinne)
Brought only but to see this exercise
Of blood and wounds, endes ere he did beginne:
Whose teares, whose mone, whose lamentable cryes,
Could neither mercie nor compassion winne:
The branch of such a tree, though tender now,
Was not thought fit should any longer growe.
89
Which turning Chaunce, t'a long vngraced side,
Brings backe their almost quayled hopes againe;
And thrust them on, to vse the present Tide
And Flowe of this occasion, to regaine
Th'inthralled Monarch, and to vndecide
The late concluded Act they held for vaine;
And mooues their Armies, new refresht with spoyle,
For more confusion, and for more turmoyle:
90
Victoriously proceeding vnwithstood,
Till at S. Albones VVarwicke forc't a stand:
Where-as (to make his owne vndooing good)
The King is brought against himselfe to band:
His Powre and Crowne is set against his Blood;
Forc't on the side, not of himselfe, to stand.
Diuided King, in what a case thou art!
To haue thy hand, thus bent against thy hart.
91
And here this famous fatall place, againe,
Is made the stage of blood; againe these streets,
Imbru'd with slaughter, cov'red with the slaine,
Witness what desp'rat wrath with rancor meets.
But, Fortune now is in an other vaine;
Another side her turning fauour greets:
The King, heere lately lost, is now heere won;
Still sure t'vndoe the side that he was on.
92
VVarwicke , with other Genius then his owne,
Had heere to doe: which made him see the face
Of sad misfortune, in the selfe same Towne,
Where prosp'rous winning, lately gaue him grace:
And Marg'ret heere, this Martiall Amazon,
Was, with the spirit of her selfe, in place:
Whose labors, Fortune, euen to pittie, stir;
And, being a woman, could but giue it her.
93
The reputation and incouragement
Of VVakefield glory, wakened them to this
And this seemes now the full accomplishment
Of all their trauell, all their combrances.
For, what can more disturbe this Gouernment,
When Yorke extinct, & VVarwick conquered, is?
Directing Salsburie , left without a head,
What rests there now, that all's not finished?
94
Thus, for the sicke, preseruing Nature striues
Against corruption, and the loathsome Graue;
When, out of Deaths colde hands, she backe repriues
Th'almost confounded spirits, she faine would saue:
And them cheeres vp, illightens, and reuiues;
Making faint Sickenesse, words of health to haue,
With lookes of life, as if the worst were past;
When strait comes dissolution, and his last.
95
So fares it with this late reuiued Queene:
Whose Victories, thus fortunately wonne,
Haue but as onely lightning motions beene,
Before the ruine that ensu'd thereon.
For, now another springing powre is seene;
Whereto, as to the new arysing Sunne,
All turne their faces, leauing those lowe rayes
Of setting Fortune, which no Climer waighes.
96
Now is yong March , more than a Duke of Yorke ;
For, youth, loue, grace and courage make him more.
All which, for Fortunes fauour, now do worke,
Who graceth freshest Actors euermore;
Making the first attempt, the chiefest worke
Of any mans designes, that striues therefore.
“The after-seasons are not so well blest.
“For, those first spirits make their first actions best.
97
Now as the Libyan Lion, when with paine
The wearie Hunter hath purfu'd his prey
From Rockes to Brakes, from Thickets to the Plaine,
And at the point, thereon his hands to lay,
Hard-by his hopes, his eye vpon his gaine,
Out-rushing from his denne rapts all away:
So comes yong March , their endes to disappoint,
Who now were growne so neere vnto the point.
98
The loue of these important southerne parts,
Of Essex, Surry, Middlesex, and Kent ,
The Queene had wholly lost; as they whose hearts
Grew ill affected to her gouernment,
Vpon th'vnciuile and presumptuous parts,
Play'd by the Northerne troupes, growne insolent:
Whom, though she could not gouerne otherwise,
Yet th'ill that's wrought for her, vpon her lies.
99
So wretched is this execrable Warre,
“This ciuile Sworde: wherein, though all wee see
“Be foul, and all things miserable are;
“Yet most distresse-full is the victorie:
“Which is, not onely th'extream ruiner
“Of others; but, her owne calamity:
“Where, who obtains, what he would cannot do:
“Their powre hath part, who holpe him thereunto.
100
The City, whose good-will they most desire,
(Yet thereunto durst not commit their state)
Sends them not those prouisions they require;
Which seem'd restrained by the peoples hate:
Yet Marches help farre off, and neere this fire
(To winne them time) forc't them to mediate
A reconcilement: which, well entertain'd,
Was fairely now growen-on, and neerely gain'd:
101
When, with a thousand tongs, swift-wing'd Fame coms,
And tells of Marches gallant Victories:
Who, what withstands, subdues; all ouercomes;
Making his way through fiercest enemies;
As hauing now to cast, in greater Summes,
The Reckning of his hopes, that mainly rise.
His fathers death, giues more life vnto wrath:
And vexed valour, greater courage hath.
102
And now, as for his last, his lab'ring worth
Works on the coast which on faire Seuerne lyes:
Whereto his Father (passing to the North)
Sent him, to leuie other fresh supplies:
But, hearing now what Wakefield had brought forth;
Imploring ayde against these iniuries,
Obtains from Gloster, Worster, Shrewsburie ,
Important powres, to worke his remedie.
103
Which he, against Pembrooke and Ormond , bends;
Whom Margaret (now vpon her victory)
With all speed possible from VVakefield sends;
With hope to haue surpris'd him suddenly.
Wherin, though she all meanes, all wit extends,
To th'vtmost reach of wary policie;
Yet nothing her avayles: no plots succeed,
T'avert those mischiefes which the heauens decreed.
104
For, neere the Crosse ally'd vnto his name,
He crosst those mighty forces of his foes;
And with a spirit, orday'nd for deeds of fame,
Their eager-fighting Army ouer-throwes:
Making all cleer behind, from whence he came;
Bearing-downe, wholly, what before him rose;
Like to an all-confounding Torrent seemes:
And was made more, by VVarwicks mighty streames.
105
With th'inundation of which Greatnesse, he
(Hauing no bounds of powre to keepe him backe)
Marcht to the Citie: at whose entrance free,
No fignes of ioy, nor no applaudings lacke.
Whose neere approach, when this sad Queene did see,
(T'auoyde these rocks of her neere threatning wrack)
With her griev'd troupes North-ward she hence departs;
And leaues, to Youth and Fortune, these South-parts.
106
Glory, with admiration, entring now,
Opened that easie doore to his intent,
As that there needes not long time to allow
The Right he had vnto the Gouernement;
Nor Henries iniuries to disauow,
Against his oath, and th'Act of Parlement
“For, heere the speediest way he takes t'accord
Difference in law, that pleades it with the Sword.
107
Gath'red to see his mustred Companies,
Stoode all the flocking troopes of London streets;
When Faulconbridge , with gentle feeling, tries
How strong the pulse of their affection beates;
And (reckning-vp the grieuous miseries,
And desolation, which the Country threats)
Askt them, whom they would haue to be their King,
To leade those troopes, and State in forme to bring.
108
Whereto, with such an vniuersall showt,
The Earle of March , the multitude replyes,
As the rebounding Echo streight through-out
(From Towre to Towre reuerberated) flyes
To th'eares of those great Lords, who fate about
The consultation for this enterprise.
Whose care is sav'd, which most they stood vpon:
For, what they counsell how to doe, is done.
109
And nothing now, but to confirme him king,
Remaines (which must not long remaine) to do
The present heate doth strait dispatch the thing,
With all those solemne rites that 'long thereto:
So that, what Yorke , with all his travayling,
Force and intrusion, could not get vnto,
Is now thus freely layd vpon his sonne;
Who must make faire, what fowlly was begunne.
110
Whose end, attayn'd, had it here made an end
Of foule destruction, and had stay'd the bloud
Which Towton, Exham, Tewksbury did spend
With desp'rate hands, and deeper wounds withstood;
And that none other Crowne, brought to contend
With that of his, had made his seeme lesse good;
How had this long-afflicted Land been blest!
Our sighes had ended, and my Muse had rest.
111
Which now (but little past halfe her long way)
Stands trembling at the horrors that succeed;
Weary with these embroylements, faine would stay
Her farther course, vnwilling to proceed:
And, faine to see that glorious holy-day
Of Vnion, which this discord reagreed;
Knowes not as yet, what to resolue upon;
Whether to leaue-off here, or else go-on.
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