[1949]Dyd by grace of God almyght. MS. Altered in the margin according to the above text.[1950]Scotts by powr. of God almyght. Altered in margin as above. MS.[1951]Bells dyd ryng that lay. MS.[1952]They were. MS.[1953]Go we to hyt good fellows, all shalbe owrs by the grace of God’s might. MS.[1954]To sle and fall. MS.[1955]Vnto. MS.[1956]Lythe. MS.[1957]Haue the lovyng. MS.[1958]Euery. MS.[1959]His, wanting. MS.[1960]Be to. MS.[1961]From danger dolefull vs defendyng. MS.[1962]And ruler. MS.[1963]Suffryd. MS.[1964]Haue mercye on kyng Jemy’s sowle,Indulgens graunt hym for hys transgression. MS.[1965]And lawde honor & prayse be to the o͞ Lord almyght,For the redde lyon ys confusyd, & ye. whyte hath vyctory. MS.[1966]Explycit bellum de Brampton.Quod. Fraunces Dyngley de manston. MS.[1967]The induction to the following legend of Jane Shore, in the edition of 1563, is that already given at p. 394, continuing from the sentence “so yll a person. And to supplye that whych is lackinge in him, here I haue Shore’s Wyfe, an eloquent wentch, whyche shall furnishe out both in meter and matter, that which could not comlily be sayd in his [K. Richard’s] person. Marke, I praye you, what she sayeth, and tell me howe you like it.”In the editions of 1571, 75, 78, where this legend comes by transposition next after Michael Joseph, the Blacksmith, it has the induction printed at p. 415-17, to the words “God will suffer none of his to be tempted aboue their strength. But because [it continues] these two persons last before rehersed were thoughte not onelye obscure in the matter but also crabbed in the meeter, I haue here redy to supply that which lacked in them, Shore’s wyfe, an eloquent wench,” as just quoted, varying “his person” to “their persons.”[1968]Although the name of Churchyard was affixed to the legend of Jane Shore in common with the other authors in the edition of 1571, it is certain that his title to that production was often questioned, (unless it may be believed that the doubt was started to assist in obtaining notoriety,) from the many laboured assertions made in various places in support of his title, and it is to that circumstance the above passage alludes.Jane Shore did not die until about 1527, and her popularity long survived her: the events of her life were then almost recent and well known from the interesting character drawn other by Sir T. More, which will be found in a future note, and must have given celebrity to this poem beyond many other of the same poet’s productions. After a lapse of thirty years from its first appearance, Churchyard reprinted “the tragedie of Shore’s Wife, much augmented with divers newe additions,” with other pieces in hisChallenge, 1593, and in a dedication strenuously defended himself against those who had attempted to wrest from him this portion of his literary honours. This fact was first pointed out by that accurate and diligent researcher into the productions of the elder poets, Mr. Park, in theCensura Literaria, Vol. II. p. 309, (where the whole legend had been previously inserted) and from that source with the advantage and kindness of a further collation of the additions with the original by Mr. Park, those additions are now inserted in their respective places in the body of the work. They consist of 21 stanzas, viz. from 11 to 14-29 to 31-34 to 36-52 to 60-68 and 74, and are distinguished with asterisks. To complete the additions there is now given the author’s dedication.“To the right honorable the Lady Mount-Eagle and Compton, wife to the right honourable the Lord of Buckhurst’s son and heire.“Good Madame. For that the vertuous and good ladie Carie, your sister, honourablie accepted a discourse of my penning, I beleeved your ladiship would not refuse the like offer, humbly presented and dutifully ment, I bethought me of a tragedie that long laye printed and many speake well of: but some doubting the shallownesse of my heade, (or of meere mallice disdaineth my doings) denies me the fathering of such a worke, that hath won so much credit: but as sure as God lives, they that so defames me, or doth disable me in this cause, doth me such an open wrong, as I would be glad to right with the best blood in my body, so he be mine equall that moved such a quarrell: but mine old yeares doth utterly forbid me such a combat, and to contend with the malicious, I thinke it a madnesse; yet I protest before God and the world, the penning of Shore’s Wife was mine; desiring in my hart that all the plagues in the worlde maie possesse me, if anie holpe me, either with scrowle or councell, to the publishing of the invencion of the same Shore’s Wife: and to show that yet my spirits faile me not in as great matters as that, I have augmented her tragedie, I hope in as fine a forme as the first impression thereof, and hath sette forth some more tragedies and tragicall discourses, no whit inferiour, as I trust, to my first worke. And, good madame, because “Rosimond” is so excellently sette forth (the actor[1969]whereof I honour) I have somewhat beautified my Shore’s Wife, not in any kind of emulation, but to make the world knowe my device in age is as ripe and reddie as my disposition and knowledge was in youth, so having chosen a noble personage to be a patrones to support poore Shore’s Wife’s tragedie againe I commend all the verses of her, olde and newe to your good ladiship’s judgment, hoping you shall lose no honour in the supportation of the same because the true writer thereof, with all humblenesse of mind and service, presents the tragedie unto your honourable censure, wishing long life and increase of vertue’s fame to make your ladiship’s day happie.T. Churchyard.”[1969]Samuel Daniel.[1970]“That is crept is in” is the text and corrected among the faults escaped to “that crept is in the strawe.” 1563.[1971]Eche vice. 1563.[1972]Good Baldwyn. 1563.[1973]That. 1563.[1974]Of. 1563.[1975]“Of the earth,” in the text corrected as a fault escaped to “of earth.” 1563.[1976]Were. 1563.[1977]Was. 1563.[1978]Then, misprint. 1587.[1979]The offendour. 1563.[1980]You are never the. 1563.[1981]To. 1563.[1982]The nightingale.[1983]Neuer. 1563.[1984]The ende. 1563.[1985]Helpt. 1563.[1986]No care. 1563.[1987]Flitting. 1563. Which appears intended to be altered, as in the faults escaped we are directed to read “her flitting frames.”[1988]Her net. 1563.[1989]Wee, misprint. 1587.[1990]From me. 1563.[1991]Him. 1563.[1992]Fayned. 1563, 71.[1993]The description of the person and the character of this frail, though not quite unamiable beauty, was faithfully delineated in her lifetime by the eloquent sir Thomas More, in the history of Richard III. That that description is now given fromHall’s Chronicle, ed. 1548, may need requiring the reader’s indulgence, as much apposite matter, less known, has been, of necessity, omitted in the notes, from the unusual size of the present volume, but the relation appeared too interesting to reject. After the execution of Lord Hastings, the historian says: “By and by, as it were for anger and not for coueteous, the protectoure sent sir Thomas Hawarde to the house of Shore’s wyfe (for her husbande dwelte not with her) whiche spoyled her of all that euer she had, aboue the valure of twoo or thre thousande markes, and sent her bodye to pryson. And the protectoure had layde to her for the maner sake that she was a counsaill with the lorde Hastynges to destroye hym. In conclusion, when no coloure could fasten vpon these matters, then he layed heynously to her charge that thyng that she could not denye, for all the world knewe that it was true, and that notwithstandyng euery man laughed to heare it then so sodeynly, so highly taken, that she was naught of her body. And for this cause as a godly continent prince cleane and fautlesse of hym selfe, sent out of heauen into thys vicious worlde, for the amendement of men’s maners, he caused the byshop of London to putte her to open penaunce, goyng before a crosse one Sondaye at procession with a taper in her hand. In the whiche she went in countenaunce and peace so womanly, and albeit she was out of all aray sauyng kyrtel only, yet went she so fayre and louely, and namely when the wondryng of the people cast a comely red in her chekes, of the whiche she before had most mysse, that her great shame wanne her much prayse amongest them that were more amorous of her body then curious of her soule, and many good folke that hated her liuyng and were glad to se synne corrected, yet pitied they more her penaunce then reioysed it, when they considered that the protector did more of corrupt mynd then any vertuous affection.“This woman was borne in London, well frended, honestly brought vp and very well maryed, sauyng somewhat to sone, her husbande an honest and a yong citezen, godly and of good substaunc, but forasmuche as they were coupled or she were well rype, she not very feruently loued for whom she neuer longed, which was the thyng (by chaunce) that the more easily made her to encline to the kynge’s appetite, when he required her. Howbeit the respect of his royaltie, the hope of gaye apparell, ease, pleasure, and other wanton wealth, was hable sone to perce a softe tendre hart: but when the kyng had abused her, anone her husband beyng an honest manne and one that could his good, not presumyng to touche a kynge’s concubyne left her vp to hym altogether. When the kyng dyed, the lorde Hastynges toke her, whiche in the kynge’s dayes albeit that he was sore enamoured with her yet he forbare, either for a pryncely reuerence or for a certayne frendely faithfulnesse. Proper she was and fayre, nothyng in her bodye that you could haue chaunged, but yf you would haue wished her somewhat higher. This saye they that knewe her in her youthe, some sayed and iudged that she had bene well fauoured, and some iudged the contrary, whose iudgement seameth like as menne gesse the beautye of one long before departed, by a scaple taken out of a chanell house, and this iudgment was in the tyme of kyng Henry the eyght in the xviii. yere of whose reigne she dyed, when she had nothing but a reueled skynne and bone. Her beautye pleased not menne so muche as her pleasaunt behauoure, for she had a proper wytte and coulde both reade and wryte, mery in compaigny, redy and quicke of answere, neyther mute nor full of bable, somtyme tantyng without displeasure, but not without disporte. Kyng Edward would saye that he had thre concubines, which in diuerse proparties diuersly excelled, one the meriest, the other the wyliest, the thirde the holyest harlot in the realme as one, whom no man coulde get out of the churche to any place lightly, but if it were to his bed, the other two were somwhat greater personages then mastres Shore, and neuerthelesse of their humilitie were content to be nameles and to forbeare the prayse of these properties. But the meriest was Shore’s wyfe in whom the kyng therfore toke great pleasure, for many he had, but her he loued, whose fauoure to saye the trueth (for it were synne to lye on the deuil) she neuer abused to any man’s hurt, but to many men’s comforte and reliefe. For where the kyng toke displeasure, she would mitigate and apeace his mynde, where men were out of fauour, she would bryng them into his grace, for many that had highly offended, she obteyned pardon, and of forfeatures she gat remission; and, finally, in many weighty suites she stode many menne in great steade, either for none or very small rewarde: and those rather gaye then riche, either for that she was content with the dede well done, or for that she delighted to be sued vnto, and to shewe what she was able to do with the kyng, or for that that wanton women and welthy be not alwaies couetous, I doubt not some man wyl thynke this woman to be to slight to be written of emong graue and weyghtie matters, whiche they shall specially thynke that happely sawe her in her age and aduersite, but me semeth the chaunce so much more worthy to be remembred, in how much after wealth she fell to pouertie, and from riches to beggery vnfrended, out of acquaintance, after great substaunce, after so great fauour with her prince, after as great suite and sekyng to with all those which in those dayes had busynes to spede as many other men were in their tymes, whiche be now famous onely by the infamy of their euill deedes, her doynges were not muche lesse, albeit they be muche lesse remembred, because they were not euyll, for men vse to write an euyll turne in marble stone, but a good turne they wryte in the dust, which is not worst proued by her, for after her wealth she went beggyng of many that had begged them selfes if she had not holpen them, suche was her chaunce.” SeePercy’s Reliques, 1794, Vol. II. p. 256.More’s Utopia,by Dibdin, Vol. I. p. lxxxiii.[1994]Moved. 1563.[1995]‘Warning,’ corrected by the faults escaped in ed. 1563. The text of every copy is ‘warrant.’[1996]Bad. 1563.[1997]And say. 1563.[1998]Of my. 1563.[1999]This. 1563, 71, 75, 78.[2000]Signature added 1571.[2001]Hid. N.[2002]Tale, misprint. 1587. N.[2003]Off’cers. N.[2004]He died of a continuall flyxe, in the abbey of Leycester, as Stowe writeth.Margin.[2005]This concludes the edition of 1587.[2006]This legend of Cromwell, by Drayton, was entered in the Stationers’ books, to Iohn Flaskett, 12 Oct. 1607, and printed in quarto the same year. It was inserted by Niccols in the edition of 1610, from which it is now given, collated with the author’spoems,printed for Iohn Smethwick, 1637, 12mo.[2007]Can tell as one that much did know. 1637.[2008]Me that my breath. 1637.[2009]To my sicke mother. 1637.[2010]Who. 1637.[2011]Win that place. 1637.[2012]I tooke. 1637.[2013]For ’twas distastefull. 1637.[2014]Being besides industriously. 1637.[2015]My judgement more to rectifie. 1637.[2016]World it meant to win. 1637.[2017]For Boston businesse hotly then in. 1637.[2018]Soon it me won. 1637.[2019]Jovial in my selfe was I. 1637.[2020]And there. 1637.[2021]Yet. 1637.[2022]From the pomp. 1637.[2023]Into the same I thought to make my way. 1637.[2024]And my. 1637.[2025]Her. 1637.[2026]Fast declining. 1637.[2027]To see. 1637.[2028]He first. 1637.[2029]Studies wholly I did. 1637.[2030]To that which then the wisest. 1637.[2031]Thereto. 1637.[2032]There then were very. 1637.[2033]Which after did most fearfull. 1637.[2034]I no occasion vainly did reject. 1637.[2035]Some that those courses diligently ey’d. 1637.[2036]Slily. 1637.[2037]Nought. 1637.[2038]Into. 1637.[2039]Who. 1637.[2040]Up to him which that. 1637.[2041]This. 1637.[2042]Sat him far. 1637.[2043]Wits doe. 1637.[2044]For which my master Wolsey might and maine,Into such favour. 1637.[2045]Tow’rds. 1637.[2046]Before that Card’nall had me. 1637.[2047]Hasting then. 1637.[2048]To prove. 1637.[2049]I had won. 1637.[2050]Did. 1637.[2051]When I had laine full low. 1637.[2052]Who as. 1637.[2053]And an. 1637.[2054]Russel. 1637.[2055]One that me. 1637.[2056]Strook pale. 1637.[2057]Or I could aske. 1637.[2058]Were such in. 1637.[2059]Bad. 1637.[2060]Then of. 1637.[2061]And then. 1637.[2062]There were not. 1637.[2063]Was he found. 1637.[2064]I lesse that. 1637.[2065]Was vicegerent made. 1637.[2066]Him kindly to embrace. 1637.[2067]Wrong to thy most noble. 1637.[2068]When th’wast great’st. 1637.[2069]He to. 1637.[2070]Though, omitted. 1637.[2071]Disdaigned not to. 1637.[2072]The man thought sure he. 1637.[2073]To wake. 1637.[2074]I was to this good gentleman. 1637.[2075]To. 1637.[2076]With what might make them any. 1637.[2077]To. 1637.[2078]Had to the church. 1637.[2079]Besides the. 1637.[2080]Had not knowne. 1637.[2081]Example it to him was showne,How Rome might here be eas’ly ouerthrowne. 1637.[2082]Slander which from him should. 1637.[2083]These. 1637.[2084]Herselfe not limiting. 1637.[2085]Dislik’d of her. 1637.[2086]Seeing those. 1637.[2087]To her great. 1637.[2088]To the wise world. 1637.[2089]Againe but onely to destroy. 1637.[2090]As it in midst of much abundance. 1637.[2091]Him should to the. 1637.[2092]Hand to my deare cousin here. 1637.
[1949]Dyd by grace of God almyght. MS. Altered in the margin according to the above text.
[1949]Dyd by grace of God almyght. MS. Altered in the margin according to the above text.
[1950]Scotts by powr. of God almyght. Altered in margin as above. MS.
[1950]Scotts by powr. of God almyght. Altered in margin as above. MS.
[1951]Bells dyd ryng that lay. MS.
[1951]Bells dyd ryng that lay. MS.
[1952]They were. MS.
[1952]They were. MS.
[1953]Go we to hyt good fellows, all shalbe owrs by the grace of God’s might. MS.
[1953]Go we to hyt good fellows, all shalbe owrs by the grace of God’s might. MS.
[1954]To sle and fall. MS.
[1954]To sle and fall. MS.
[1955]Vnto. MS.
[1955]Vnto. MS.
[1956]Lythe. MS.
[1956]Lythe. MS.
[1957]Haue the lovyng. MS.
[1957]Haue the lovyng. MS.
[1958]Euery. MS.
[1958]Euery. MS.
[1959]His, wanting. MS.
[1959]His, wanting. MS.
[1960]Be to. MS.
[1960]Be to. MS.
[1961]From danger dolefull vs defendyng. MS.
[1961]From danger dolefull vs defendyng. MS.
[1962]And ruler. MS.
[1962]And ruler. MS.
[1963]Suffryd. MS.
[1963]Suffryd. MS.
[1964]Haue mercye on kyng Jemy’s sowle,Indulgens graunt hym for hys transgression. MS.
[1964]
Haue mercye on kyng Jemy’s sowle,Indulgens graunt hym for hys transgression. MS.
Haue mercye on kyng Jemy’s sowle,Indulgens graunt hym for hys transgression. MS.
Haue mercye on kyng Jemy’s sowle,Indulgens graunt hym for hys transgression. MS.
Haue mercye on kyng Jemy’s sowle,
Indulgens graunt hym for hys transgression. MS.
[1965]And lawde honor & prayse be to the o͞ Lord almyght,For the redde lyon ys confusyd, & ye. whyte hath vyctory. MS.
[1965]
And lawde honor & prayse be to the o͞ Lord almyght,For the redde lyon ys confusyd, & ye. whyte hath vyctory. MS.
And lawde honor & prayse be to the o͞ Lord almyght,For the redde lyon ys confusyd, & ye. whyte hath vyctory. MS.
And lawde honor & prayse be to the o͞ Lord almyght,For the redde lyon ys confusyd, & ye. whyte hath vyctory. MS.
And lawde honor & prayse be to the o͞ Lord almyght,
For the redde lyon ys confusyd, & ye. whyte hath vyctory. MS.
[1966]Explycit bellum de Brampton.Quod. Fraunces Dyngley de manston. MS.
[1966]
Explycit bellum de Brampton.Quod. Fraunces Dyngley de manston. MS.
Explycit bellum de Brampton.Quod. Fraunces Dyngley de manston. MS.
Explycit bellum de Brampton.Quod. Fraunces Dyngley de manston. MS.
Explycit bellum de Brampton.
Quod. Fraunces Dyngley de manston. MS.
[1967]The induction to the following legend of Jane Shore, in the edition of 1563, is that already given at p. 394, continuing from the sentence “so yll a person. And to supplye that whych is lackinge in him, here I haue Shore’s Wyfe, an eloquent wentch, whyche shall furnishe out both in meter and matter, that which could not comlily be sayd in his [K. Richard’s] person. Marke, I praye you, what she sayeth, and tell me howe you like it.”In the editions of 1571, 75, 78, where this legend comes by transposition next after Michael Joseph, the Blacksmith, it has the induction printed at p. 415-17, to the words “God will suffer none of his to be tempted aboue their strength. But because [it continues] these two persons last before rehersed were thoughte not onelye obscure in the matter but also crabbed in the meeter, I haue here redy to supply that which lacked in them, Shore’s wyfe, an eloquent wench,” as just quoted, varying “his person” to “their persons.”
[1967]The induction to the following legend of Jane Shore, in the edition of 1563, is that already given at p. 394, continuing from the sentence “so yll a person. And to supplye that whych is lackinge in him, here I haue Shore’s Wyfe, an eloquent wentch, whyche shall furnishe out both in meter and matter, that which could not comlily be sayd in his [K. Richard’s] person. Marke, I praye you, what she sayeth, and tell me howe you like it.”
In the editions of 1571, 75, 78, where this legend comes by transposition next after Michael Joseph, the Blacksmith, it has the induction printed at p. 415-17, to the words “God will suffer none of his to be tempted aboue their strength. But because [it continues] these two persons last before rehersed were thoughte not onelye obscure in the matter but also crabbed in the meeter, I haue here redy to supply that which lacked in them, Shore’s wyfe, an eloquent wench,” as just quoted, varying “his person” to “their persons.”
[1968]Although the name of Churchyard was affixed to the legend of Jane Shore in common with the other authors in the edition of 1571, it is certain that his title to that production was often questioned, (unless it may be believed that the doubt was started to assist in obtaining notoriety,) from the many laboured assertions made in various places in support of his title, and it is to that circumstance the above passage alludes.Jane Shore did not die until about 1527, and her popularity long survived her: the events of her life were then almost recent and well known from the interesting character drawn other by Sir T. More, which will be found in a future note, and must have given celebrity to this poem beyond many other of the same poet’s productions. After a lapse of thirty years from its first appearance, Churchyard reprinted “the tragedie of Shore’s Wife, much augmented with divers newe additions,” with other pieces in hisChallenge, 1593, and in a dedication strenuously defended himself against those who had attempted to wrest from him this portion of his literary honours. This fact was first pointed out by that accurate and diligent researcher into the productions of the elder poets, Mr. Park, in theCensura Literaria, Vol. II. p. 309, (where the whole legend had been previously inserted) and from that source with the advantage and kindness of a further collation of the additions with the original by Mr. Park, those additions are now inserted in their respective places in the body of the work. They consist of 21 stanzas, viz. from 11 to 14-29 to 31-34 to 36-52 to 60-68 and 74, and are distinguished with asterisks. To complete the additions there is now given the author’s dedication.“To the right honorable the Lady Mount-Eagle and Compton, wife to the right honourable the Lord of Buckhurst’s son and heire.“Good Madame. For that the vertuous and good ladie Carie, your sister, honourablie accepted a discourse of my penning, I beleeved your ladiship would not refuse the like offer, humbly presented and dutifully ment, I bethought me of a tragedie that long laye printed and many speake well of: but some doubting the shallownesse of my heade, (or of meere mallice disdaineth my doings) denies me the fathering of such a worke, that hath won so much credit: but as sure as God lives, they that so defames me, or doth disable me in this cause, doth me such an open wrong, as I would be glad to right with the best blood in my body, so he be mine equall that moved such a quarrell: but mine old yeares doth utterly forbid me such a combat, and to contend with the malicious, I thinke it a madnesse; yet I protest before God and the world, the penning of Shore’s Wife was mine; desiring in my hart that all the plagues in the worlde maie possesse me, if anie holpe me, either with scrowle or councell, to the publishing of the invencion of the same Shore’s Wife: and to show that yet my spirits faile me not in as great matters as that, I have augmented her tragedie, I hope in as fine a forme as the first impression thereof, and hath sette forth some more tragedies and tragicall discourses, no whit inferiour, as I trust, to my first worke. And, good madame, because “Rosimond” is so excellently sette forth (the actor[1969]whereof I honour) I have somewhat beautified my Shore’s Wife, not in any kind of emulation, but to make the world knowe my device in age is as ripe and reddie as my disposition and knowledge was in youth, so having chosen a noble personage to be a patrones to support poore Shore’s Wife’s tragedie againe I commend all the verses of her, olde and newe to your good ladiship’s judgment, hoping you shall lose no honour in the supportation of the same because the true writer thereof, with all humblenesse of mind and service, presents the tragedie unto your honourable censure, wishing long life and increase of vertue’s fame to make your ladiship’s day happie.T. Churchyard.”
[1968]Although the name of Churchyard was affixed to the legend of Jane Shore in common with the other authors in the edition of 1571, it is certain that his title to that production was often questioned, (unless it may be believed that the doubt was started to assist in obtaining notoriety,) from the many laboured assertions made in various places in support of his title, and it is to that circumstance the above passage alludes.
Jane Shore did not die until about 1527, and her popularity long survived her: the events of her life were then almost recent and well known from the interesting character drawn other by Sir T. More, which will be found in a future note, and must have given celebrity to this poem beyond many other of the same poet’s productions. After a lapse of thirty years from its first appearance, Churchyard reprinted “the tragedie of Shore’s Wife, much augmented with divers newe additions,” with other pieces in hisChallenge, 1593, and in a dedication strenuously defended himself against those who had attempted to wrest from him this portion of his literary honours. This fact was first pointed out by that accurate and diligent researcher into the productions of the elder poets, Mr. Park, in theCensura Literaria, Vol. II. p. 309, (where the whole legend had been previously inserted) and from that source with the advantage and kindness of a further collation of the additions with the original by Mr. Park, those additions are now inserted in their respective places in the body of the work. They consist of 21 stanzas, viz. from 11 to 14-29 to 31-34 to 36-52 to 60-68 and 74, and are distinguished with asterisks. To complete the additions there is now given the author’s dedication.
“To the right honorable the Lady Mount-Eagle and Compton, wife to the right honourable the Lord of Buckhurst’s son and heire.
“Good Madame. For that the vertuous and good ladie Carie, your sister, honourablie accepted a discourse of my penning, I beleeved your ladiship would not refuse the like offer, humbly presented and dutifully ment, I bethought me of a tragedie that long laye printed and many speake well of: but some doubting the shallownesse of my heade, (or of meere mallice disdaineth my doings) denies me the fathering of such a worke, that hath won so much credit: but as sure as God lives, they that so defames me, or doth disable me in this cause, doth me such an open wrong, as I would be glad to right with the best blood in my body, so he be mine equall that moved such a quarrell: but mine old yeares doth utterly forbid me such a combat, and to contend with the malicious, I thinke it a madnesse; yet I protest before God and the world, the penning of Shore’s Wife was mine; desiring in my hart that all the plagues in the worlde maie possesse me, if anie holpe me, either with scrowle or councell, to the publishing of the invencion of the same Shore’s Wife: and to show that yet my spirits faile me not in as great matters as that, I have augmented her tragedie, I hope in as fine a forme as the first impression thereof, and hath sette forth some more tragedies and tragicall discourses, no whit inferiour, as I trust, to my first worke. And, good madame, because “Rosimond” is so excellently sette forth (the actor[1969]whereof I honour) I have somewhat beautified my Shore’s Wife, not in any kind of emulation, but to make the world knowe my device in age is as ripe and reddie as my disposition and knowledge was in youth, so having chosen a noble personage to be a patrones to support poore Shore’s Wife’s tragedie againe I commend all the verses of her, olde and newe to your good ladiship’s judgment, hoping you shall lose no honour in the supportation of the same because the true writer thereof, with all humblenesse of mind and service, presents the tragedie unto your honourable censure, wishing long life and increase of vertue’s fame to make your ladiship’s day happie.
T. Churchyard.”
[1969]Samuel Daniel.
[1969]Samuel Daniel.
[1970]“That is crept is in” is the text and corrected among the faults escaped to “that crept is in the strawe.” 1563.
[1970]“That is crept is in” is the text and corrected among the faults escaped to “that crept is in the strawe.” 1563.
[1971]Eche vice. 1563.
[1971]Eche vice. 1563.
[1972]Good Baldwyn. 1563.
[1972]Good Baldwyn. 1563.
[1973]That. 1563.
[1973]That. 1563.
[1974]Of. 1563.
[1974]Of. 1563.
[1975]“Of the earth,” in the text corrected as a fault escaped to “of earth.” 1563.
[1975]“Of the earth,” in the text corrected as a fault escaped to “of earth.” 1563.
[1976]Were. 1563.
[1976]Were. 1563.
[1977]Was. 1563.
[1977]Was. 1563.
[1978]Then, misprint. 1587.
[1978]Then, misprint. 1587.
[1979]The offendour. 1563.
[1979]The offendour. 1563.
[1980]You are never the. 1563.
[1980]You are never the. 1563.
[1981]To. 1563.
[1981]To. 1563.
[1982]The nightingale.
[1982]The nightingale.
[1983]Neuer. 1563.
[1983]Neuer. 1563.
[1984]The ende. 1563.
[1984]The ende. 1563.
[1985]Helpt. 1563.
[1985]Helpt. 1563.
[1986]No care. 1563.
[1986]No care. 1563.
[1987]Flitting. 1563. Which appears intended to be altered, as in the faults escaped we are directed to read “her flitting frames.”
[1987]Flitting. 1563. Which appears intended to be altered, as in the faults escaped we are directed to read “her flitting frames.”
[1988]Her net. 1563.
[1988]Her net. 1563.
[1989]Wee, misprint. 1587.
[1989]Wee, misprint. 1587.
[1990]From me. 1563.
[1990]From me. 1563.
[1991]Him. 1563.
[1991]Him. 1563.
[1992]Fayned. 1563, 71.
[1992]Fayned. 1563, 71.
[1993]The description of the person and the character of this frail, though not quite unamiable beauty, was faithfully delineated in her lifetime by the eloquent sir Thomas More, in the history of Richard III. That that description is now given fromHall’s Chronicle, ed. 1548, may need requiring the reader’s indulgence, as much apposite matter, less known, has been, of necessity, omitted in the notes, from the unusual size of the present volume, but the relation appeared too interesting to reject. After the execution of Lord Hastings, the historian says: “By and by, as it were for anger and not for coueteous, the protectoure sent sir Thomas Hawarde to the house of Shore’s wyfe (for her husbande dwelte not with her) whiche spoyled her of all that euer she had, aboue the valure of twoo or thre thousande markes, and sent her bodye to pryson. And the protectoure had layde to her for the maner sake that she was a counsaill with the lorde Hastynges to destroye hym. In conclusion, when no coloure could fasten vpon these matters, then he layed heynously to her charge that thyng that she could not denye, for all the world knewe that it was true, and that notwithstandyng euery man laughed to heare it then so sodeynly, so highly taken, that she was naught of her body. And for this cause as a godly continent prince cleane and fautlesse of hym selfe, sent out of heauen into thys vicious worlde, for the amendement of men’s maners, he caused the byshop of London to putte her to open penaunce, goyng before a crosse one Sondaye at procession with a taper in her hand. In the whiche she went in countenaunce and peace so womanly, and albeit she was out of all aray sauyng kyrtel only, yet went she so fayre and louely, and namely when the wondryng of the people cast a comely red in her chekes, of the whiche she before had most mysse, that her great shame wanne her much prayse amongest them that were more amorous of her body then curious of her soule, and many good folke that hated her liuyng and were glad to se synne corrected, yet pitied they more her penaunce then reioysed it, when they considered that the protector did more of corrupt mynd then any vertuous affection.“This woman was borne in London, well frended, honestly brought vp and very well maryed, sauyng somewhat to sone, her husbande an honest and a yong citezen, godly and of good substaunc, but forasmuche as they were coupled or she were well rype, she not very feruently loued for whom she neuer longed, which was the thyng (by chaunce) that the more easily made her to encline to the kynge’s appetite, when he required her. Howbeit the respect of his royaltie, the hope of gaye apparell, ease, pleasure, and other wanton wealth, was hable sone to perce a softe tendre hart: but when the kyng had abused her, anone her husband beyng an honest manne and one that could his good, not presumyng to touche a kynge’s concubyne left her vp to hym altogether. When the kyng dyed, the lorde Hastynges toke her, whiche in the kynge’s dayes albeit that he was sore enamoured with her yet he forbare, either for a pryncely reuerence or for a certayne frendely faithfulnesse. Proper she was and fayre, nothyng in her bodye that you could haue chaunged, but yf you would haue wished her somewhat higher. This saye they that knewe her in her youthe, some sayed and iudged that she had bene well fauoured, and some iudged the contrary, whose iudgement seameth like as menne gesse the beautye of one long before departed, by a scaple taken out of a chanell house, and this iudgment was in the tyme of kyng Henry the eyght in the xviii. yere of whose reigne she dyed, when she had nothing but a reueled skynne and bone. Her beautye pleased not menne so muche as her pleasaunt behauoure, for she had a proper wytte and coulde both reade and wryte, mery in compaigny, redy and quicke of answere, neyther mute nor full of bable, somtyme tantyng without displeasure, but not without disporte. Kyng Edward would saye that he had thre concubines, which in diuerse proparties diuersly excelled, one the meriest, the other the wyliest, the thirde the holyest harlot in the realme as one, whom no man coulde get out of the churche to any place lightly, but if it were to his bed, the other two were somwhat greater personages then mastres Shore, and neuerthelesse of their humilitie were content to be nameles and to forbeare the prayse of these properties. But the meriest was Shore’s wyfe in whom the kyng therfore toke great pleasure, for many he had, but her he loued, whose fauoure to saye the trueth (for it were synne to lye on the deuil) she neuer abused to any man’s hurt, but to many men’s comforte and reliefe. For where the kyng toke displeasure, she would mitigate and apeace his mynde, where men were out of fauour, she would bryng them into his grace, for many that had highly offended, she obteyned pardon, and of forfeatures she gat remission; and, finally, in many weighty suites she stode many menne in great steade, either for none or very small rewarde: and those rather gaye then riche, either for that she was content with the dede well done, or for that she delighted to be sued vnto, and to shewe what she was able to do with the kyng, or for that that wanton women and welthy be not alwaies couetous, I doubt not some man wyl thynke this woman to be to slight to be written of emong graue and weyghtie matters, whiche they shall specially thynke that happely sawe her in her age and aduersite, but me semeth the chaunce so much more worthy to be remembred, in how much after wealth she fell to pouertie, and from riches to beggery vnfrended, out of acquaintance, after great substaunce, after so great fauour with her prince, after as great suite and sekyng to with all those which in those dayes had busynes to spede as many other men were in their tymes, whiche be now famous onely by the infamy of their euill deedes, her doynges were not muche lesse, albeit they be muche lesse remembred, because they were not euyll, for men vse to write an euyll turne in marble stone, but a good turne they wryte in the dust, which is not worst proued by her, for after her wealth she went beggyng of many that had begged them selfes if she had not holpen them, suche was her chaunce.” SeePercy’s Reliques, 1794, Vol. II. p. 256.More’s Utopia,by Dibdin, Vol. I. p. lxxxiii.
[1993]The description of the person and the character of this frail, though not quite unamiable beauty, was faithfully delineated in her lifetime by the eloquent sir Thomas More, in the history of Richard III. That that description is now given fromHall’s Chronicle, ed. 1548, may need requiring the reader’s indulgence, as much apposite matter, less known, has been, of necessity, omitted in the notes, from the unusual size of the present volume, but the relation appeared too interesting to reject. After the execution of Lord Hastings, the historian says: “By and by, as it were for anger and not for coueteous, the protectoure sent sir Thomas Hawarde to the house of Shore’s wyfe (for her husbande dwelte not with her) whiche spoyled her of all that euer she had, aboue the valure of twoo or thre thousande markes, and sent her bodye to pryson. And the protectoure had layde to her for the maner sake that she was a counsaill with the lorde Hastynges to destroye hym. In conclusion, when no coloure could fasten vpon these matters, then he layed heynously to her charge that thyng that she could not denye, for all the world knewe that it was true, and that notwithstandyng euery man laughed to heare it then so sodeynly, so highly taken, that she was naught of her body. And for this cause as a godly continent prince cleane and fautlesse of hym selfe, sent out of heauen into thys vicious worlde, for the amendement of men’s maners, he caused the byshop of London to putte her to open penaunce, goyng before a crosse one Sondaye at procession with a taper in her hand. In the whiche she went in countenaunce and peace so womanly, and albeit she was out of all aray sauyng kyrtel only, yet went she so fayre and louely, and namely when the wondryng of the people cast a comely red in her chekes, of the whiche she before had most mysse, that her great shame wanne her much prayse amongest them that were more amorous of her body then curious of her soule, and many good folke that hated her liuyng and were glad to se synne corrected, yet pitied they more her penaunce then reioysed it, when they considered that the protector did more of corrupt mynd then any vertuous affection.
“This woman was borne in London, well frended, honestly brought vp and very well maryed, sauyng somewhat to sone, her husbande an honest and a yong citezen, godly and of good substaunc, but forasmuche as they were coupled or she were well rype, she not very feruently loued for whom she neuer longed, which was the thyng (by chaunce) that the more easily made her to encline to the kynge’s appetite, when he required her. Howbeit the respect of his royaltie, the hope of gaye apparell, ease, pleasure, and other wanton wealth, was hable sone to perce a softe tendre hart: but when the kyng had abused her, anone her husband beyng an honest manne and one that could his good, not presumyng to touche a kynge’s concubyne left her vp to hym altogether. When the kyng dyed, the lorde Hastynges toke her, whiche in the kynge’s dayes albeit that he was sore enamoured with her yet he forbare, either for a pryncely reuerence or for a certayne frendely faithfulnesse. Proper she was and fayre, nothyng in her bodye that you could haue chaunged, but yf you would haue wished her somewhat higher. This saye they that knewe her in her youthe, some sayed and iudged that she had bene well fauoured, and some iudged the contrary, whose iudgement seameth like as menne gesse the beautye of one long before departed, by a scaple taken out of a chanell house, and this iudgment was in the tyme of kyng Henry the eyght in the xviii. yere of whose reigne she dyed, when she had nothing but a reueled skynne and bone. Her beautye pleased not menne so muche as her pleasaunt behauoure, for she had a proper wytte and coulde both reade and wryte, mery in compaigny, redy and quicke of answere, neyther mute nor full of bable, somtyme tantyng without displeasure, but not without disporte. Kyng Edward would saye that he had thre concubines, which in diuerse proparties diuersly excelled, one the meriest, the other the wyliest, the thirde the holyest harlot in the realme as one, whom no man coulde get out of the churche to any place lightly, but if it were to his bed, the other two were somwhat greater personages then mastres Shore, and neuerthelesse of their humilitie were content to be nameles and to forbeare the prayse of these properties. But the meriest was Shore’s wyfe in whom the kyng therfore toke great pleasure, for many he had, but her he loued, whose fauoure to saye the trueth (for it were synne to lye on the deuil) she neuer abused to any man’s hurt, but to many men’s comforte and reliefe. For where the kyng toke displeasure, she would mitigate and apeace his mynde, where men were out of fauour, she would bryng them into his grace, for many that had highly offended, she obteyned pardon, and of forfeatures she gat remission; and, finally, in many weighty suites she stode many menne in great steade, either for none or very small rewarde: and those rather gaye then riche, either for that she was content with the dede well done, or for that she delighted to be sued vnto, and to shewe what she was able to do with the kyng, or for that that wanton women and welthy be not alwaies couetous, I doubt not some man wyl thynke this woman to be to slight to be written of emong graue and weyghtie matters, whiche they shall specially thynke that happely sawe her in her age and aduersite, but me semeth the chaunce so much more worthy to be remembred, in how much after wealth she fell to pouertie, and from riches to beggery vnfrended, out of acquaintance, after great substaunce, after so great fauour with her prince, after as great suite and sekyng to with all those which in those dayes had busynes to spede as many other men were in their tymes, whiche be now famous onely by the infamy of their euill deedes, her doynges were not muche lesse, albeit they be muche lesse remembred, because they were not euyll, for men vse to write an euyll turne in marble stone, but a good turne they wryte in the dust, which is not worst proued by her, for after her wealth she went beggyng of many that had begged them selfes if she had not holpen them, suche was her chaunce.” SeePercy’s Reliques, 1794, Vol. II. p. 256.More’s Utopia,by Dibdin, Vol. I. p. lxxxiii.
[1994]Moved. 1563.
[1994]Moved. 1563.
[1995]‘Warning,’ corrected by the faults escaped in ed. 1563. The text of every copy is ‘warrant.’
[1995]‘Warning,’ corrected by the faults escaped in ed. 1563. The text of every copy is ‘warrant.’
[1996]Bad. 1563.
[1996]Bad. 1563.
[1997]And say. 1563.
[1997]And say. 1563.
[1998]Of my. 1563.
[1998]Of my. 1563.
[1999]This. 1563, 71, 75, 78.
[1999]This. 1563, 71, 75, 78.
[2000]Signature added 1571.
[2000]Signature added 1571.
[2001]Hid. N.
[2001]Hid. N.
[2002]Tale, misprint. 1587. N.
[2002]Tale, misprint. 1587. N.
[2003]Off’cers. N.
[2003]Off’cers. N.
[2004]He died of a continuall flyxe, in the abbey of Leycester, as Stowe writeth.Margin.
[2004]He died of a continuall flyxe, in the abbey of Leycester, as Stowe writeth.Margin.
[2005]This concludes the edition of 1587.
[2005]This concludes the edition of 1587.
[2006]This legend of Cromwell, by Drayton, was entered in the Stationers’ books, to Iohn Flaskett, 12 Oct. 1607, and printed in quarto the same year. It was inserted by Niccols in the edition of 1610, from which it is now given, collated with the author’spoems,printed for Iohn Smethwick, 1637, 12mo.
[2006]This legend of Cromwell, by Drayton, was entered in the Stationers’ books, to Iohn Flaskett, 12 Oct. 1607, and printed in quarto the same year. It was inserted by Niccols in the edition of 1610, from which it is now given, collated with the author’spoems,printed for Iohn Smethwick, 1637, 12mo.
[2007]Can tell as one that much did know. 1637.
[2007]Can tell as one that much did know. 1637.
[2008]Me that my breath. 1637.
[2008]Me that my breath. 1637.
[2009]To my sicke mother. 1637.
[2009]To my sicke mother. 1637.
[2010]Who. 1637.
[2010]Who. 1637.
[2011]Win that place. 1637.
[2011]Win that place. 1637.
[2012]I tooke. 1637.
[2012]I tooke. 1637.
[2013]For ’twas distastefull. 1637.
[2013]For ’twas distastefull. 1637.
[2014]Being besides industriously. 1637.
[2014]Being besides industriously. 1637.
[2015]My judgement more to rectifie. 1637.
[2015]My judgement more to rectifie. 1637.
[2016]World it meant to win. 1637.
[2016]World it meant to win. 1637.
[2017]For Boston businesse hotly then in. 1637.
[2017]For Boston businesse hotly then in. 1637.
[2018]Soon it me won. 1637.
[2018]Soon it me won. 1637.
[2019]Jovial in my selfe was I. 1637.
[2019]Jovial in my selfe was I. 1637.
[2020]And there. 1637.
[2020]And there. 1637.
[2021]Yet. 1637.
[2021]Yet. 1637.
[2022]From the pomp. 1637.
[2022]From the pomp. 1637.
[2023]Into the same I thought to make my way. 1637.
[2023]Into the same I thought to make my way. 1637.
[2024]And my. 1637.
[2024]And my. 1637.
[2025]Her. 1637.
[2025]Her. 1637.
[2026]Fast declining. 1637.
[2026]Fast declining. 1637.
[2027]To see. 1637.
[2027]To see. 1637.
[2028]He first. 1637.
[2028]He first. 1637.
[2029]Studies wholly I did. 1637.
[2029]Studies wholly I did. 1637.
[2030]To that which then the wisest. 1637.
[2030]To that which then the wisest. 1637.
[2031]Thereto. 1637.
[2031]Thereto. 1637.
[2032]There then were very. 1637.
[2032]There then were very. 1637.
[2033]Which after did most fearfull. 1637.
[2033]Which after did most fearfull. 1637.
[2034]I no occasion vainly did reject. 1637.
[2034]I no occasion vainly did reject. 1637.
[2035]Some that those courses diligently ey’d. 1637.
[2035]Some that those courses diligently ey’d. 1637.
[2036]Slily. 1637.
[2036]Slily. 1637.
[2037]Nought. 1637.
[2037]Nought. 1637.
[2038]Into. 1637.
[2038]Into. 1637.
[2039]Who. 1637.
[2039]Who. 1637.
[2040]Up to him which that. 1637.
[2040]Up to him which that. 1637.
[2041]This. 1637.
[2041]This. 1637.
[2042]Sat him far. 1637.
[2042]Sat him far. 1637.
[2043]Wits doe. 1637.
[2043]Wits doe. 1637.
[2044]For which my master Wolsey might and maine,Into such favour. 1637.
[2044]
For which my master Wolsey might and maine,Into such favour. 1637.
For which my master Wolsey might and maine,Into such favour. 1637.
For which my master Wolsey might and maine,Into such favour. 1637.
For which my master Wolsey might and maine,
Into such favour. 1637.
[2045]Tow’rds. 1637.
[2045]Tow’rds. 1637.
[2046]Before that Card’nall had me. 1637.
[2046]Before that Card’nall had me. 1637.
[2047]Hasting then. 1637.
[2047]Hasting then. 1637.
[2048]To prove. 1637.
[2048]To prove. 1637.
[2049]I had won. 1637.
[2049]I had won. 1637.
[2050]Did. 1637.
[2050]Did. 1637.
[2051]When I had laine full low. 1637.
[2051]When I had laine full low. 1637.
[2052]Who as. 1637.
[2052]Who as. 1637.
[2053]And an. 1637.
[2053]And an. 1637.
[2054]Russel. 1637.
[2054]Russel. 1637.
[2055]One that me. 1637.
[2055]One that me. 1637.
[2056]Strook pale. 1637.
[2056]Strook pale. 1637.
[2057]Or I could aske. 1637.
[2057]Or I could aske. 1637.
[2058]Were such in. 1637.
[2058]Were such in. 1637.
[2059]Bad. 1637.
[2059]Bad. 1637.
[2060]Then of. 1637.
[2060]Then of. 1637.
[2061]And then. 1637.
[2061]And then. 1637.
[2062]There were not. 1637.
[2062]There were not. 1637.
[2063]Was he found. 1637.
[2063]Was he found. 1637.
[2064]I lesse that. 1637.
[2064]I lesse that. 1637.
[2065]Was vicegerent made. 1637.
[2065]Was vicegerent made. 1637.
[2066]Him kindly to embrace. 1637.
[2066]Him kindly to embrace. 1637.
[2067]Wrong to thy most noble. 1637.
[2067]Wrong to thy most noble. 1637.
[2068]When th’wast great’st. 1637.
[2068]When th’wast great’st. 1637.
[2069]He to. 1637.
[2069]He to. 1637.
[2070]Though, omitted. 1637.
[2070]Though, omitted. 1637.
[2071]Disdaigned not to. 1637.
[2071]Disdaigned not to. 1637.
[2072]The man thought sure he. 1637.
[2072]The man thought sure he. 1637.
[2073]To wake. 1637.
[2073]To wake. 1637.
[2074]I was to this good gentleman. 1637.
[2074]I was to this good gentleman. 1637.
[2075]To. 1637.
[2075]To. 1637.
[2076]With what might make them any. 1637.
[2076]With what might make them any. 1637.
[2077]To. 1637.
[2077]To. 1637.
[2078]Had to the church. 1637.
[2078]Had to the church. 1637.
[2079]Besides the. 1637.
[2079]Besides the. 1637.
[2080]Had not knowne. 1637.
[2080]Had not knowne. 1637.
[2081]Example it to him was showne,How Rome might here be eas’ly ouerthrowne. 1637.
[2081]
Example it to him was showne,How Rome might here be eas’ly ouerthrowne. 1637.
Example it to him was showne,How Rome might here be eas’ly ouerthrowne. 1637.
Example it to him was showne,How Rome might here be eas’ly ouerthrowne. 1637.
Example it to him was showne,
How Rome might here be eas’ly ouerthrowne. 1637.
[2082]Slander which from him should. 1637.
[2082]Slander which from him should. 1637.
[2083]These. 1637.
[2083]These. 1637.
[2084]Herselfe not limiting. 1637.
[2084]Herselfe not limiting. 1637.
[2085]Dislik’d of her. 1637.
[2085]Dislik’d of her. 1637.
[2086]Seeing those. 1637.
[2086]Seeing those. 1637.
[2087]To her great. 1637.
[2087]To her great. 1637.
[2088]To the wise world. 1637.
[2088]To the wise world. 1637.
[2089]Againe but onely to destroy. 1637.
[2089]Againe but onely to destroy. 1637.
[2090]As it in midst of much abundance. 1637.
[2090]As it in midst of much abundance. 1637.
[2091]Him should to the. 1637.
[2091]Him should to the. 1637.
[2092]Hand to my deare cousin here. 1637.
[2092]Hand to my deare cousin here. 1637.