Chapter 81

[166]Purposed matter. 1578.[167]Of these great infortunes, and as they be more auncient in tyme, so to place their seuerall plaintes. 1578.[168]Two earles of the name of Mortimer. 1578.[169]One hanged in. 1559, 63.[170]In the tyme of king Edward. 1578.[171]Another in Richard the seconde’s time, slayne in Ireland. 1578.[172]Fauours. 1578.[173]Personage of the earle Mortimer, called Roger, who full of bloudye woundes. 1578.[174]To Baldwin, in this wise. 1578.[175]The dates added 1571—Fabian has given a summary of the life of the second Roger Mortimer, and upon which the poet relied, as of 1387, but the death of Mortimer happened about 1398.[176]On. 1578.[177]Thred, vntimely death dyd reele. 1578.[178]Brought from boote to extreme bale. 1578.[179]——the queene so much was stir’d,As for his sake from honour she did scale. 1578.[180]Merye gale. 1559, 63.[181]And whilest fortune blew on this pleasaunt gale,Heauing him high on her triumphall arch,By meane of her hee was made earle of March. 1578.[182]Breded. 1559, 63.[183]Pride folly breeds in. N.[184]Hym, 1559, 63.[185]For where he somwhat hauty was before. 1559, 63.[186]Whence pryde out sprang, as doth appeare by manye,Whom soden hap, aduaunceth in excesse,Among thousandes, scarse shal you fynde anye,Which in high wealth that humor can suppresse,As in this earle playne proofe did wel expresse:For whereas hee too loftye was before,His new degree hath made him now much more. 1578.[187]Ne recks. N.[188]Respecting none saue only the queene mother. 1578.[189]Which moued malice to foulder. 1578.[190]Which deepe in hate, before. 1578.[191]Th’one as well as th’other. N.[192]They did the earle attaynt. 1578. He was soone attaint. N.[193]Such crimes as hidden lay before. 1578.[194]For hydden hate. 1578. For enuy still. N.[195]Biddes small faultes to make more bad. 1578.[196]Causing the king to yelde vnto the Scot,Townes that his father, but late afore had got. 1578.[197]Had, wanting, in 1559, 63. N.[198]Yeuen to the Scots for brybes and priuie gayne. 1578.[199]That by. 1578.[200]Most, wanting. 1559, 63, 71. N. Most cruelly. 1578.[201]And last of all by pyllage. 1578.[202]Had spoyld. 1578.[203]Dampned he was. 1578.[204]Syr Roger Mortymer was accused before the lordys of the parlyament of these artycles with other; whereof v. I fynde expressyd. And firste was layed vnto his charge that by his meaneys syr Edwarde of Carnaruan, by mooste tyrannouse deth, in the castell of Barkley, was murderyd; secondaryly, that to the kynge’s great dyshonoure and dammage, the Scottys, by his meanys and treason, escapyd from the kyng at the parke on Stanhope, whiche then shuld haue fallen in the kynge’s daunger, ne had been the fauoure by the sayde Roger to them than shewyd; thyrdely, to hym was layed, that he, for execucion of the sayd treason, receyued of the capytane of the sayd Scottis, namyd syr Iamys Dowglas, great summys of money, and also for lyke mede he had, to the kynge’s great dyshonoure and hurte of his realme, concludyd a peace atwene the kynge and the Scottis, and causyd to be delyuered vnto theym the charter or endenture called Ragman, with many other thynges, to the Scottys great aduauntage and impouerysshynge of this realme of Englande. Fourtlye, was layed to hym, that where by synystre and vnlefull meanys, contrary the kynge’s pleasure and wyll, or assent of the lordys of the kynge’s counceyll, he had gotten into his possessyon moche of the kynge’s treasoure, he vnskylfully wasted and myspent it; by reason whereof the kyng was in necessyte, and dryuen parforce to assaye his frendys. Fyfthlye, that he also had enproperyd vnto hym dyuerse wardys belongynge to the kynge, to his great lucre and the kynge’s great hurt, and that he was more secret with quene Isabell, the kynge’s mother, than was to Godde’s pleasure, or the kynge’s honoure: the whiche artycles, with other agayne hym prouyd, he was, by auctoryte of the sayde parlyament, iugyd to deth, and vpon seynt Andrewys euyn next ensuynge, at London, he was drawyn and hangyd.Fabyan.[205]My coosins fall might. 1578. My cosin then might. N.[206]Brybing, adultery and pride. 1578.[207]I wene. 1578.[208]‘Deare,’ omitted. N.[209]That dyd, 1559.[210]——heire of Lyonell,Of king Edward the third the second sequell. 1578.The third king Edward’s sonne, as stories tell. N.[211]Cald. 1578.[212]By true. 1578.[213]Of ladies all the. 1578.[214]Left in me. 1559, 63.[215]After whose death I onely stood in plight,To be next heyre vnto the crowne by right. 1578.[216]Of the. N.[217]Touching the case of my cousin Roger,(Whose ruful end euen now I did relate)Was found in tyme an vndue atteindre. 1578.[218]By lawe eche man of. 1578. By law each one of. N.[219]Should be heard speake before his iudgement passe,That common grace to him denyed was. 1578.[220]In court of. 1578.[221]His atteindre appering erroneous. 1578.[222]A president worthy, in record left,Lorde’s lygnes to saue, by lawless meanes bereft. 1578.[223]While fortune vnto me her grace did deigne. N.[224]The. 1559, 63.[225]Looser. N.[226]Whyle fortune thus did frendly me receyue,Rychard the king, that second was by name,Hauing none heire after him to reigne. 1578.[227]That vnderstoode my bent. 1578.[228]And me to serue was euery manne’s entent,With all that wyt or cunning could inuent. 1578.[229]In hope. 1578.[230]Chaunge their hue. 1578.[231]For whiles fortune so luld. 1578.[232]Dame. 1578.[233]To dash me downe. 1578.[234]Irish kernes. 1578.[235]My landes of Vlster vniustly to bereaue,Which my mother for heritage did me leaue. 1578.[236]Whom I did not regard. N.[237]The wylder sort, whom I did least regard,And therfore the rechlesse manne’s reward. 1578.[238]By auctoryte of the same parliament [in 1585-6] syr Roger Mortymer, erle of the Marche, and sone and heyre vnto syr Edmunde Mortymer, (and of dame Phylyp, eldest daughter and heyer vnto syr Lyonell, the seconde sone of Edwarde the thyrde) was soone after proclaymyd heyer paraunt vnto the crowne of Englande; the which syr Roger shortly after sayled into Irelande; there to pacyfye his lordeshyp of Wulstyr, whiche he was lorde of by his foresayde mother: but whyle he was there occupyed abowte the same, the wylde Irysshe came vpon in noumbre, and slewe hym and moche of his company,Fabyan.[239]Nor helpe of frendes. 1578.[240]Or. 1578.[241]No law of armes they know. 1578.[242]No foes. N.[243]Their booty chiefe, they coumpt a dead man’s heade. 1578.[244]Their chiefest boote is th’aduersarie’s head,They end not warre till th’enemie be dead. N.[245]Their foes when they doe faine. N.[246]Nor yet presume to make their match amisse,Had I not so done, I had not come to this. 1578.——I had been left aliue. N.[247]At naught I set a sort of naked men,And much the lesse, seeming to flye away,One man me thought was good ynough for ten,Making small account of number more or lesse,Madnesse it is in war to goo by gesse. 1578.[248]See here the stay of pompe and highe estate,The feeble hold of this vncerteyn lyfe. 1578.[249]Hauing fayre fruict by my belooued wyfe. 1578. Syr Roger had issu Edmunde, and Roger, Anne, Alys, and Elanoure.Fabyan.[250]Cavil. The “Ca.” was first affixed in 1571, and is repeated in all the subsequent editions, except that of 1578, where there appears “T. Ch.” the supposed signature of Thomas Churchyard. As from that edition we shall have to notice, presently, another similar alteration, it makes it doubtful whether the same can be considered a misprint, though it does not appear in the enumeration of his own pieces made by Churchyard. SeeBibliographia Poetica. Since this note was printed the claim of ‘Master Chaloner’ to this signature has been discovered. Seepostea, p. 53, n. 1.[251]Was, omitted. 1578.[252]Not to be treated of, 1559, 63.[253]In the seuententh yere (1394) came oute of Scotlonde certayne lordes into Englonde, to gete worshypp by fayte of armes. The earl of Morris chalenged the erle marchall of Englonde to juste wyth hym on horsbacke wyth sharpe speres. And soo they roode togyder certayne courses, but not the full chalenge. For the Scottyshe erle was caste bothe horse and man, and two of his rybbes broken wyth the same fall, and soo borne home into his inne. And anone after was caryed homeward in a lytier. And at Yorke he deyed. Syre Wyllyam Darell banerer of Scotlonde, and syre Pyers Courteney the kynge’s banerer of Englonde roode togyder certayne courses of warre hitte and assayed. The Scottisshe knyghte seenge that he myghte not haue the better, yaue it ouer: and wold noo more of the chalenge. Thenne one Cokburne, squyer of Scotlond, and syre Nicholl Hauberk, roode fyue courses, and at euery course the Scot was caste bothe horse and man.Polychronicon.[254]And whan thys ryall maryage was done and fynysshed kynge Rycharde wyth dame Isabel his quene came into Englonde. And the mayre of London, with all his brethren, wyth grete multytude of the comyns of the cyte and the craftes, receyuyd hym worshypfully at Blackheth, and brought hym to Saynt Georges barre. And there taking their leue, the kyng and quene roode to Kenignton. And after that wythin a whyle the quene came to the toure of London, at whose comyng was moche harme doo, for on London bridge were ix persones thrust to deth, of whom the priour of typre was one.Polychronicon.The prior of Tiptor, in Essex, was one.Stowe.[255]Muche myndyng, 1559, 63.[256]Date, added. 1571.[257]Is stablysht. 1559, 63. Who stablisht is in state, seeming. 1578.[258]Turne thine eare to. 1578.[259]Prest in presence on fortune to. 1578.[260]Of the. 1559, 63.[261]Who by discent was of the. 1578.[262]Nought. N.[263]Before, eyther since. 1559. Or since. N.[264]Most false fayth. 1578.[265]Marcht. N.[266]Thus hoysted high on fortune’s whyrling wheele. 1578.[267]For whan fortune’s flud ran with. 1559, 63.[268]I beynge a duke discended of kinges. 1559, 63.[269]In. 1559, 63.[270]Esperaunce. 1559, 63, 71. Assurance. 1578.[271]All, omitted. N.[272]To appoynt. 1559, 63.[273]And for to settle others in their place. N.[274]So, omitted. N.[275]On a bell. N.[276]Or. 1559, 63.[277]Haply, omitted. N.[278]For doyng on. 1559, 63. On, omitted. N.[279]A sore checke. 1559, 63. I vnaduised caught a cruell checke. N.[280]Renown’d. N.[281]For the tale of the rats, whence originates the proverbial observation, “Who shall bell the cat?” see the vision of Pierce the Plowman, by Crowley, ed. 1550, fol. iii. by Dr. Whitaker, 1813, p. 9.[282]Expound. N.[283]To curb. N.[284]’Bout. N.[285]T’obay. N.[286]It fits not a subiect t’haue. N.[287]Thys by wurde. 1559, 63.[288]And, omitted. N.[289]Erle. 1559, 63.[290]We by our power did call a parlament. N.[291]With our. N.[292]Playnely we depriued him of. 1559, 63.[293]T’vnderstand. N.[294]Thus wrought. 1578.[295]By subiectes thus in bondage to bee brought. 1578.[296]His. 1559, 63.[297]Former cause of rancour to. 1578.[298]Accoumpt. 1578.[299]Were by me. 1559, 63.[300]In the twentyest yere kynge Rycharde dide holde a grete feeste at Westmestre. Att whyche feest aryued the souldyours that hadde kepte Breste, and satte att dyner in the halle. And after dyner the duke of Glocestre sayd to the kynge: “Syre, haue ye not seen those fellowes that sate at dyner in your halle.” And the kinge demaunded who they were. And he sayde: “Thyse ben your folke that haue serued you, and ben come from Breste. And now wote not what to doo, and haue ben euyl payed.” Thenne the kynge sayde that they sholde be payed. Thenne answered the duke of Gloucetre in a grete furye: “Syre, ye oughte fyrste to put your body in deuoyre to gete a towne, or a castell by fayte of warre vpon youre enmyes, er ye sholde selle or delyuer ony townes that your predecessours, kynges of Englonde, haue goten and conquered.” To the whyche the kynge answerde ryght angrely: “How saye ye that?” Thenne the duke his vncle sayd it agayne. Thenne the kynge beganne to wexe wrothe, and sayd: “Wene ye that I be a marchaunte or a foole to sell my londe. By saynt Iohnne Baptyst naye: but trouthe it is that our cosyn of Brytayne hath rendred and payd to vs the somme that my predecessours had lent vppon the sayd towne of Breste, and syth he hath payd, it is reason that this towne be delyuered to hym agayne.” Thus beganne the wrath bitwene the kynge and his vncle.Polychronicon.[301]To claime entertainment the town beyng solde. 1559, 63. To clayme their wages. 1578.[302]Of hate in hys hert hourded a tresure. 1559, 63.Fulfyld his hart with hate. 1578.[303]Nor. 1559, 63.[304]But frendship fayned, in proofe is found vnsure. 1578.[305]With long sicknesse diseased very sore. 1578.[306]I was confedered before. 1578.[307]Such aduauntage. 1578.[308]Eame. This word is used repeatedly in the legends by Ferrers. In the above passage it means uncle. It was also a term for a gossip, compeer, or friend.[309]To goe before. 1578.[310]Preparedst a playne waye. 1578.[311]What measure to others we awarde. 1578.[312]The initials of George Ferrers, first added, 1571.[313]This. 1559, 63, 71.

[166]Purposed matter. 1578.

[167]Of these great infortunes, and as they be more auncient in tyme, so to place their seuerall plaintes. 1578.

[168]Two earles of the name of Mortimer. 1578.

[169]One hanged in. 1559, 63.

[170]In the tyme of king Edward. 1578.

[171]Another in Richard the seconde’s time, slayne in Ireland. 1578.

[172]Fauours. 1578.

[173]Personage of the earle Mortimer, called Roger, who full of bloudye woundes. 1578.

[174]To Baldwin, in this wise. 1578.

[175]The dates added 1571—Fabian has given a summary of the life of the second Roger Mortimer, and upon which the poet relied, as of 1387, but the death of Mortimer happened about 1398.

[176]On. 1578.

[177]Thred, vntimely death dyd reele. 1578.

[178]Brought from boote to extreme bale. 1578.

[179]——the queene so much was stir’d,As for his sake from honour she did scale. 1578.

[179]

——the queene so much was stir’d,As for his sake from honour she did scale. 1578.

——the queene so much was stir’d,

As for his sake from honour she did scale. 1578.

[180]Merye gale. 1559, 63.

[181]And whilest fortune blew on this pleasaunt gale,Heauing him high on her triumphall arch,By meane of her hee was made earle of March. 1578.

[181]

And whilest fortune blew on this pleasaunt gale,Heauing him high on her triumphall arch,By meane of her hee was made earle of March. 1578.

And whilest fortune blew on this pleasaunt gale,

Heauing him high on her triumphall arch,

By meane of her hee was made earle of March. 1578.

[182]Breded. 1559, 63.

[183]Pride folly breeds in. N.

[184]Hym, 1559, 63.

[185]For where he somwhat hauty was before. 1559, 63.

[186]Whence pryde out sprang, as doth appeare by manye,Whom soden hap, aduaunceth in excesse,Among thousandes, scarse shal you fynde anye,Which in high wealth that humor can suppresse,As in this earle playne proofe did wel expresse:For whereas hee too loftye was before,His new degree hath made him now much more. 1578.

[186]

Whence pryde out sprang, as doth appeare by manye,Whom soden hap, aduaunceth in excesse,Among thousandes, scarse shal you fynde anye,Which in high wealth that humor can suppresse,As in this earle playne proofe did wel expresse:For whereas hee too loftye was before,His new degree hath made him now much more. 1578.

Whence pryde out sprang, as doth appeare by manye,

Whom soden hap, aduaunceth in excesse,

Among thousandes, scarse shal you fynde anye,

Which in high wealth that humor can suppresse,

As in this earle playne proofe did wel expresse:

For whereas hee too loftye was before,

His new degree hath made him now much more. 1578.

[187]Ne recks. N.

[188]Respecting none saue only the queene mother. 1578.

[189]Which moued malice to foulder. 1578.

[190]Which deepe in hate, before. 1578.

[191]Th’one as well as th’other. N.

[192]They did the earle attaynt. 1578. He was soone attaint. N.

[193]Such crimes as hidden lay before. 1578.

[194]For hydden hate. 1578. For enuy still. N.

[195]Biddes small faultes to make more bad. 1578.

[196]Causing the king to yelde vnto the Scot,Townes that his father, but late afore had got. 1578.

[196]

Causing the king to yelde vnto the Scot,Townes that his father, but late afore had got. 1578.

Causing the king to yelde vnto the Scot,

Townes that his father, but late afore had got. 1578.

[197]Had, wanting, in 1559, 63. N.

[198]Yeuen to the Scots for brybes and priuie gayne. 1578.

[199]That by. 1578.

[200]Most, wanting. 1559, 63, 71. N. Most cruelly. 1578.

[201]And last of all by pyllage. 1578.

[202]Had spoyld. 1578.

[203]Dampned he was. 1578.

[204]Syr Roger Mortymer was accused before the lordys of the parlyament of these artycles with other; whereof v. I fynde expressyd. And firste was layed vnto his charge that by his meaneys syr Edwarde of Carnaruan, by mooste tyrannouse deth, in the castell of Barkley, was murderyd; secondaryly, that to the kynge’s great dyshonoure and dammage, the Scottys, by his meanys and treason, escapyd from the kyng at the parke on Stanhope, whiche then shuld haue fallen in the kynge’s daunger, ne had been the fauoure by the sayde Roger to them than shewyd; thyrdely, to hym was layed, that he, for execucion of the sayd treason, receyued of the capytane of the sayd Scottis, namyd syr Iamys Dowglas, great summys of money, and also for lyke mede he had, to the kynge’s great dyshonoure and hurte of his realme, concludyd a peace atwene the kynge and the Scottis, and causyd to be delyuered vnto theym the charter or endenture called Ragman, with many other thynges, to the Scottys great aduauntage and impouerysshynge of this realme of Englande. Fourtlye, was layed to hym, that where by synystre and vnlefull meanys, contrary the kynge’s pleasure and wyll, or assent of the lordys of the kynge’s counceyll, he had gotten into his possessyon moche of the kynge’s treasoure, he vnskylfully wasted and myspent it; by reason whereof the kyng was in necessyte, and dryuen parforce to assaye his frendys. Fyfthlye, that he also had enproperyd vnto hym dyuerse wardys belongynge to the kynge, to his great lucre and the kynge’s great hurt, and that he was more secret with quene Isabell, the kynge’s mother, than was to Godde’s pleasure, or the kynge’s honoure: the whiche artycles, with other agayne hym prouyd, he was, by auctoryte of the sayde parlyament, iugyd to deth, and vpon seynt Andrewys euyn next ensuynge, at London, he was drawyn and hangyd.Fabyan.

[205]My coosins fall might. 1578. My cosin then might. N.

[206]Brybing, adultery and pride. 1578.

[207]I wene. 1578.

[208]‘Deare,’ omitted. N.

[209]That dyd, 1559.

[210]——heire of Lyonell,Of king Edward the third the second sequell. 1578.The third king Edward’s sonne, as stories tell. N.

[210]

——heire of Lyonell,Of king Edward the third the second sequell. 1578.The third king Edward’s sonne, as stories tell. N.

——heire of Lyonell,

Of king Edward the third the second sequell. 1578.

The third king Edward’s sonne, as stories tell. N.

[211]Cald. 1578.

[212]By true. 1578.

[213]Of ladies all the. 1578.

[214]Left in me. 1559, 63.

[215]After whose death I onely stood in plight,To be next heyre vnto the crowne by right. 1578.

[215]

After whose death I onely stood in plight,To be next heyre vnto the crowne by right. 1578.

After whose death I onely stood in plight,

To be next heyre vnto the crowne by right. 1578.

[216]Of the. N.

[217]Touching the case of my cousin Roger,(Whose ruful end euen now I did relate)Was found in tyme an vndue atteindre. 1578.

[217]

Touching the case of my cousin Roger,(Whose ruful end euen now I did relate)Was found in tyme an vndue atteindre. 1578.

Touching the case of my cousin Roger,

(Whose ruful end euen now I did relate)

Was found in tyme an vndue atteindre. 1578.

[218]By lawe eche man of. 1578. By law each one of. N.

[219]Should be heard speake before his iudgement passe,That common grace to him denyed was. 1578.

[219]

Should be heard speake before his iudgement passe,That common grace to him denyed was. 1578.

Should be heard speake before his iudgement passe,

That common grace to him denyed was. 1578.

[220]In court of. 1578.

[221]His atteindre appering erroneous. 1578.

[222]A president worthy, in record left,Lorde’s lygnes to saue, by lawless meanes bereft. 1578.

[222]

A president worthy, in record left,Lorde’s lygnes to saue, by lawless meanes bereft. 1578.

A president worthy, in record left,

Lorde’s lygnes to saue, by lawless meanes bereft. 1578.

[223]While fortune vnto me her grace did deigne. N.

[224]The. 1559, 63.

[225]Looser. N.

[226]Whyle fortune thus did frendly me receyue,Rychard the king, that second was by name,Hauing none heire after him to reigne. 1578.

[226]

Whyle fortune thus did frendly me receyue,Rychard the king, that second was by name,Hauing none heire after him to reigne. 1578.

Whyle fortune thus did frendly me receyue,

Rychard the king, that second was by name,

Hauing none heire after him to reigne. 1578.

[227]That vnderstoode my bent. 1578.

[228]And me to serue was euery manne’s entent,With all that wyt or cunning could inuent. 1578.

[228]

And me to serue was euery manne’s entent,With all that wyt or cunning could inuent. 1578.

And me to serue was euery manne’s entent,

With all that wyt or cunning could inuent. 1578.

[229]In hope. 1578.

[230]Chaunge their hue. 1578.

[231]For whiles fortune so luld. 1578.

[232]Dame. 1578.

[233]To dash me downe. 1578.

[234]Irish kernes. 1578.

[235]My landes of Vlster vniustly to bereaue,Which my mother for heritage did me leaue. 1578.

[235]

My landes of Vlster vniustly to bereaue,Which my mother for heritage did me leaue. 1578.

My landes of Vlster vniustly to bereaue,

Which my mother for heritage did me leaue. 1578.

[236]Whom I did not regard. N.

[237]The wylder sort, whom I did least regard,And therfore the rechlesse manne’s reward. 1578.

[237]

The wylder sort, whom I did least regard,And therfore the rechlesse manne’s reward. 1578.

The wylder sort, whom I did least regard,

And therfore the rechlesse manne’s reward. 1578.

[238]By auctoryte of the same parliament [in 1585-6] syr Roger Mortymer, erle of the Marche, and sone and heyre vnto syr Edmunde Mortymer, (and of dame Phylyp, eldest daughter and heyer vnto syr Lyonell, the seconde sone of Edwarde the thyrde) was soone after proclaymyd heyer paraunt vnto the crowne of Englande; the which syr Roger shortly after sayled into Irelande; there to pacyfye his lordeshyp of Wulstyr, whiche he was lorde of by his foresayde mother: but whyle he was there occupyed abowte the same, the wylde Irysshe came vpon in noumbre, and slewe hym and moche of his company,Fabyan.

[239]Nor helpe of frendes. 1578.

[240]Or. 1578.

[241]No law of armes they know. 1578.

[242]No foes. N.

[243]Their booty chiefe, they coumpt a dead man’s heade. 1578.

[244]Their chiefest boote is th’aduersarie’s head,They end not warre till th’enemie be dead. N.

[244]

Their chiefest boote is th’aduersarie’s head,They end not warre till th’enemie be dead. N.

Their chiefest boote is th’aduersarie’s head,

They end not warre till th’enemie be dead. N.

[245]Their foes when they doe faine. N.

[246]Nor yet presume to make their match amisse,Had I not so done, I had not come to this. 1578.——I had been left aliue. N.

[246]

Nor yet presume to make their match amisse,Had I not so done, I had not come to this. 1578.——I had been left aliue. N.

Nor yet presume to make their match amisse,

Had I not so done, I had not come to this. 1578.

——I had been left aliue. N.

[247]At naught I set a sort of naked men,And much the lesse, seeming to flye away,One man me thought was good ynough for ten,Making small account of number more or lesse,Madnesse it is in war to goo by gesse. 1578.

[247]

At naught I set a sort of naked men,And much the lesse, seeming to flye away,One man me thought was good ynough for ten,Making small account of number more or lesse,Madnesse it is in war to goo by gesse. 1578.

At naught I set a sort of naked men,

And much the lesse, seeming to flye away,

One man me thought was good ynough for ten,

Making small account of number more or lesse,

Madnesse it is in war to goo by gesse. 1578.

[248]See here the stay of pompe and highe estate,The feeble hold of this vncerteyn lyfe. 1578.

[248]

See here the stay of pompe and highe estate,The feeble hold of this vncerteyn lyfe. 1578.

See here the stay of pompe and highe estate,

The feeble hold of this vncerteyn lyfe. 1578.

[249]Hauing fayre fruict by my belooued wyfe. 1578. Syr Roger had issu Edmunde, and Roger, Anne, Alys, and Elanoure.Fabyan.

[250]Cavil. The “Ca.” was first affixed in 1571, and is repeated in all the subsequent editions, except that of 1578, where there appears “T. Ch.” the supposed signature of Thomas Churchyard. As from that edition we shall have to notice, presently, another similar alteration, it makes it doubtful whether the same can be considered a misprint, though it does not appear in the enumeration of his own pieces made by Churchyard. SeeBibliographia Poetica. Since this note was printed the claim of ‘Master Chaloner’ to this signature has been discovered. Seepostea, p. 53, n. 1.

[251]Was, omitted. 1578.

[252]Not to be treated of, 1559, 63.

[253]In the seuententh yere (1394) came oute of Scotlonde certayne lordes into Englonde, to gete worshypp by fayte of armes. The earl of Morris chalenged the erle marchall of Englonde to juste wyth hym on horsbacke wyth sharpe speres. And soo they roode togyder certayne courses, but not the full chalenge. For the Scottyshe erle was caste bothe horse and man, and two of his rybbes broken wyth the same fall, and soo borne home into his inne. And anone after was caryed homeward in a lytier. And at Yorke he deyed. Syre Wyllyam Darell banerer of Scotlonde, and syre Pyers Courteney the kynge’s banerer of Englonde roode togyder certayne courses of warre hitte and assayed. The Scottisshe knyghte seenge that he myghte not haue the better, yaue it ouer: and wold noo more of the chalenge. Thenne one Cokburne, squyer of Scotlond, and syre Nicholl Hauberk, roode fyue courses, and at euery course the Scot was caste bothe horse and man.Polychronicon.

[254]And whan thys ryall maryage was done and fynysshed kynge Rycharde wyth dame Isabel his quene came into Englonde. And the mayre of London, with all his brethren, wyth grete multytude of the comyns of the cyte and the craftes, receyuyd hym worshypfully at Blackheth, and brought hym to Saynt Georges barre. And there taking their leue, the kyng and quene roode to Kenignton. And after that wythin a whyle the quene came to the toure of London, at whose comyng was moche harme doo, for on London bridge were ix persones thrust to deth, of whom the priour of typre was one.Polychronicon.The prior of Tiptor, in Essex, was one.Stowe.

[255]Muche myndyng, 1559, 63.

[256]Date, added. 1571.

[257]Is stablysht. 1559, 63. Who stablisht is in state, seeming. 1578.

[258]Turne thine eare to. 1578.

[259]Prest in presence on fortune to. 1578.

[260]Of the. 1559, 63.

[261]Who by discent was of the. 1578.

[262]Nought. N.

[263]Before, eyther since. 1559. Or since. N.

[264]Most false fayth. 1578.

[265]Marcht. N.

[266]Thus hoysted high on fortune’s whyrling wheele. 1578.

[267]For whan fortune’s flud ran with. 1559, 63.

[268]I beynge a duke discended of kinges. 1559, 63.

[269]In. 1559, 63.

[270]Esperaunce. 1559, 63, 71. Assurance. 1578.

[271]All, omitted. N.

[272]To appoynt. 1559, 63.

[273]And for to settle others in their place. N.

[274]So, omitted. N.

[275]On a bell. N.

[276]Or. 1559, 63.

[277]Haply, omitted. N.

[278]For doyng on. 1559, 63. On, omitted. N.

[279]A sore checke. 1559, 63. I vnaduised caught a cruell checke. N.

[280]Renown’d. N.

[281]For the tale of the rats, whence originates the proverbial observation, “Who shall bell the cat?” see the vision of Pierce the Plowman, by Crowley, ed. 1550, fol. iii. by Dr. Whitaker, 1813, p. 9.

[282]Expound. N.

[283]To curb. N.

[284]’Bout. N.

[285]T’obay. N.

[286]It fits not a subiect t’haue. N.

[287]Thys by wurde. 1559, 63.

[288]And, omitted. N.

[289]Erle. 1559, 63.

[290]We by our power did call a parlament. N.

[291]With our. N.

[292]Playnely we depriued him of. 1559, 63.

[293]T’vnderstand. N.

[294]Thus wrought. 1578.

[295]By subiectes thus in bondage to bee brought. 1578.

[296]His. 1559, 63.

[297]Former cause of rancour to. 1578.

[298]Accoumpt. 1578.

[299]Were by me. 1559, 63.

[300]In the twentyest yere kynge Rycharde dide holde a grete feeste at Westmestre. Att whyche feest aryued the souldyours that hadde kepte Breste, and satte att dyner in the halle. And after dyner the duke of Glocestre sayd to the kynge: “Syre, haue ye not seen those fellowes that sate at dyner in your halle.” And the kinge demaunded who they were. And he sayde: “Thyse ben your folke that haue serued you, and ben come from Breste. And now wote not what to doo, and haue ben euyl payed.” Thenne the kynge sayde that they sholde be payed. Thenne answered the duke of Gloucetre in a grete furye: “Syre, ye oughte fyrste to put your body in deuoyre to gete a towne, or a castell by fayte of warre vpon youre enmyes, er ye sholde selle or delyuer ony townes that your predecessours, kynges of Englonde, haue goten and conquered.” To the whyche the kynge answerde ryght angrely: “How saye ye that?” Thenne the duke his vncle sayd it agayne. Thenne the kynge beganne to wexe wrothe, and sayd: “Wene ye that I be a marchaunte or a foole to sell my londe. By saynt Iohnne Baptyst naye: but trouthe it is that our cosyn of Brytayne hath rendred and payd to vs the somme that my predecessours had lent vppon the sayd towne of Breste, and syth he hath payd, it is reason that this towne be delyuered to hym agayne.” Thus beganne the wrath bitwene the kynge and his vncle.Polychronicon.

[301]To claime entertainment the town beyng solde. 1559, 63. To clayme their wages. 1578.

[302]Of hate in hys hert hourded a tresure. 1559, 63.Fulfyld his hart with hate. 1578.

[302]

Of hate in hys hert hourded a tresure. 1559, 63.Fulfyld his hart with hate. 1578.

Of hate in hys hert hourded a tresure. 1559, 63.

Fulfyld his hart with hate. 1578.

[303]Nor. 1559, 63.

[304]But frendship fayned, in proofe is found vnsure. 1578.

[305]With long sicknesse diseased very sore. 1578.

[306]I was confedered before. 1578.

[307]Such aduauntage. 1578.

[308]Eame. This word is used repeatedly in the legends by Ferrers. In the above passage it means uncle. It was also a term for a gossip, compeer, or friend.

[309]To goe before. 1578.

[310]Preparedst a playne waye. 1578.

[311]What measure to others we awarde. 1578.

[312]The initials of George Ferrers, first added, 1571.

[313]This. 1559, 63, 71.

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