Poems Supposed to Have Been Written at Bristol by Thomas Rowley and Others in the Fifteenth Century

POEMS, 

SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN AT BRISTOL, 

BY THOMAS ROWLEY, AND OTHERS, 

IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY; 

THE GREATEST PART NOW FIRST PUBLISHED FROM THE MOST 

AUTHENTIC COPIES, WITH AN ENGRAVED SPECIMEN 

OF ONE OF THE MSS. 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED, 

A PREF ACE, 

t 

A-N INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNT OF THE 

£ SEVERAL PIECES, 

AND 

A 

GLOSSARY. 

LONDON: 

Pripted for T. PAYNE and SO N, 

at the Mews-âte. 

hi DCC LXXVII.

to facepage Z8&.

THE 

CONTENTS 

OF 

THIS VOLUME. 

Th E Preface, — p. v 

. Introductory Account of the Several Pieces, — x? 

Advertisement, 

jtxiii 

Eclogue the First, — — — p. i 

Eclogue the Second, — — —6 

Eclogue the Third, —> —« — la 

Elinoure and Juga, — — . — 19 

Verses to Lydgate, — — — 23 

Songe to ÆHa, — — — ibid. 

Lydgate's Answer, — «— 26 

The Tournament, — — 28 

The Dethe of Syr Charles Bawdin, — 44

iv 

CONTENTS. 

Epistle to Mastre Canynge on Ælla, 67 

Letter to the dygne M. Canynge, — 71 

Entroductionne, — — — 75 

.ffilla; a Tragycal Enterlude, — — 76 

Goddwyn ; a Tragedie. (A Fragment.) — 173 

Englyfh Metamorphosis, B. 1. ■— 196 

Balade of Charitie, — — 203 

Battle of Hastings, N° 1. — — 210 

Jattle of Hastipgs, N°.2. ■, r-:. . 2|7 

Onn oure Ladies Chyrche, — — 275 

On the fame, — — — 276 

•Epitaph on Robert Canynge, — — 277 

The Storie of William Canynge, — — 278 

fia Happienesse, by William.Ganynge, — 286 

Onn Johne a Dalbenie, by the fame* — ibid. 

The Gouler's Requiem, by the fame, — 287 

The Accounte of W. Canjnge's Feast, — 288 

Glossary, — — t 289 

t * - -* .... ' 

Errata, — — —r —- 307 

L 4; •—. ; -■ - ' • • 

PRE

I 

t 

P R E F A C E. ■ 

• 

■ . 

i , .... 

iFTTIHE Poems, which make the principal 

A part of this Collection* have for some■ 

time excited much curiosity, as the supposed 

productions of Thomas Rowley, a priest of 

Bristol, in the reigns of Henry VI. and Edward 

| IV. They are here faithfully printed from the 

most authentic MSS that could be procured ; of 

which a particular description is given in the 

Introductory account of the several pieces contained 

in this volume, subjoined to this Preface. Nothing 

more therefore seems necesiary at present, than 

to inform the Reader shortly of the manner in 

which these Poems were first brought to light, 

and of the authority upon which they are ascribed 

| tQ the persons whose names they bear. •

vi 

PREFACE. 

This cannot be done so satisfactorily as in the 

words of Mr. George Catcott of Bristol, to whose 

very laudable zeal the Publick is indebted for 

the most considerable part of the following col 

lection. His account of the matter is this : 

44 The first discovery of certain MSS having been 

" deposited in Redclift church, above three cen- 

" turies ago, was made in the year 1 768, at the 

** time of opening the new bridge at Bristol, and 

*4 was owing to a publication in Farley's Weekly 

44 "journal, 1 October 1768, containing an Ac- 

44 count of the ceremonies observed at the opening of 

44 the old bridge, taken, as it was said, from a 

44 very antient MS. This excited the curiosity 

u of some persons to enquire after the original. 

" The printer, Mr. Farley, could give no ac- 

44 count of it, or of the person who brought th« 

44 copy ; but after much enquiry it was disco- 

44 vered, that the person who brought the copy 

44 was a youth, between 15 and 16 years of age,- 

44 whose name' was Thomas Chatterton, andr 

** whose

PREFACE, 

vH 

" whole family had been sextons of Redclifc 

" church for near 150 years. His father, who 

*' was now dead, had also 

been master of the 

** free-school in Pile- street. The young man was 

** at first very unwilling to discover from whence 

" he had the original ; but, after many promises 

" made to him, he was at last prevailed on to 

" acknowledge, that he■ had received this, toge- 

'* ther with many other MSS, from his father, 

" who had found them in a large chest in an 

" upper room over the chapel on the north side 

« of Redclift church." 

Soon after this Mr. Catcott commenced his ac 

quaintance with young Chatterton *, 

and, partly 

* The history of this youth is so intimately connected with 

that of the poems now published, that the Reader cannot be 

too early apprized of the principal circumstances of his short 

lise. He was born on the 20th of November 1752, and edu 

cated at a charity-school on St. Augustin's Back, where no 

thing more was taught than reading, writing, and accounts. 

At the age of fourteen, he was articled clerk to an attorney, 

with whom he continued till he left Bristol in April 1770. 

* b % Though 

as

yiii ?i ft> & Ei Jfe s> E> 

as presents partly as purchases, procured from him 

copies of many pf his MSS. in prose ajid yfirscv 

.> Other 

Though his education was thus confined, he discovered an 

early turn towards poetry and English antiquities, particularly 

heraldry. How soon he began to be an author is not known. 

In the Town and Country Magazine for March 1769, are two 

letters, probably, from him, as they are dated at Bristol, and 

subscribed with his usual signature, D. B. The first contains 

short extracts from two MSS., " written three hundred years 

ago by one Rowley, a Monk" concerning dress in the age of 

Henry II. ; the other, " Ethelgar, a Saxon poem" in bom 

bast prose. In the same Magazine for May 1769, are thre* 

communications from Bristol, with the fame signature, D. B. 

viz. Cerdick, translated from the Saxon (in the fame style 

with Ethelgar), p. 233.—Observations upon Saxon heraldry, 

with drawings of Saxon achievements, &c. p. 245.—Elinoure 

and Juga, written tlrree hundred years ago by T. Rowley, « 

ficular priest, p. 273, This last poem is reprinted in this vo 

lume, p. 19. In the subsequent months of 1769 and 1770 

there are several other pieces in the fame Magazine, which are 

Undoubtedly of his composition. . • . 1 . 

I» April .1770, he left Bristol and came to London, i« 

■ hopes of advancing his fortune by his talents for writing,. of 

■which, by this time, he had conceived a very high opinion^ 

. In the prosecution of this scheme, he appears to have almost 

■entusly depended upon the patronage of a let of gentlemen, 

whom an eminent author long ago pointed out, as net the very. 

worfi judges, tr rewardtrs of merit> the booksellers of this great

PREFACE. 

ix 

Othdr copies were disposed of, 

Ms. William Barrett, 

in the same way, 

an eminent surgeon at 

Bristol, 

eity. At his sirst arrival indeed lie was so unlucky as to find 

tv*o of his expected Mæcenases, the one in the King's Eench, 

and the other in Newgate. But this little disappointment was 

alleviated by the encouragement which he received from other 

quarters ; and on the 14th of May he writes to his mother, in 

Tiigh spirits upon the change in his situation, with the follow 

ing sarcastic reflection upon his former patrons at Bristol. " As 

to Mr. Mr. , Mr. , &c. &c. they rate lite 

rary lumber so low, that I believe an author, in their estimation, 

thuji be poor indeed! But here matters are otherwise. Had 

Rowley been a Londoner in/lead of a Briftowyan, I could have 

lived by copying his works." 

In a letter to his sister, dated 30 May, he informs her, that 

Tic is to be employed ** in writing a voluminous history of Lon 

don, appear in numbers the beginning of next winter.'* In the 

mean time, he had written something in praise of the Lord 

Mayor (Beckford), which had procured him the honour of 

being presented to his lordship. In the letter just mentioned 

he gives the sollowing account of his reception, with some cu 

rious observations upon political writing : " The Lord Mayor 

received me as politely as a citizen could. But the devil of 

the matter isj there is no money to be got of this side of the 

question.—But he is a poor author who cannot write on both 

fides.—Essays on the patriotic side will fetch no more than 

\rhat the copy is sold for. As the patriots themselves■ are 

parching for a place, they have no gratuity to spare.—On 

V- ■ b 3 the

X . P R E F A C E. 

Bristol, 

who has long been engaged in writing 

the history of that city. 

Mr. Barrett also pro* 

cured from him several fragments, some of a 

considerable length, written upon vellum*, which/ 

the other hand, unpopular essays will not even be accepted j 

and you must pay to have them printed : but then you seldom, 

Jose by it, as courtiers are so sensible of their deficiency iji 

merit, that they generoufly reward all who know how to 

dawb them with the appearance of it." 

Notwithstanding his employment on the History of London, 

he continued to write incessantly in various periodical publir 

cations. On the nth of July he tells his sister that he had 

pieces last month in the Gospel Magazine', the Town and Coun 

try, viz. Maria Friendless ; False Step ; Hunter of Oddities ; 

To Mjss Bush, &c. Court and City; London; Political Regifter^ 

&c. But all these exertions of his genius brought in 

so little profit, that he was soon reduced to real indigence ; 

from which he was relieved by death (in what manner is not 

certainly known), on the 24th of August, or thereabout, when 

he wanted near three months to complete his eighteenth year. 

The floor of hjs chamber was covered with written papers, 

which he had torn into small pieces ; but there was no appear 

ance (as the iulitor has been credibly informed) of any wri 

tings on parchment or vellum. 

One of these fragments, by Mr. Barrett's permislion, has 

jjrecn copied in the manner of a Fac simile, by that ingenious 

artist Mr. Strutt, and an engraving of it is inserted at p. 288, 

Twa 

he

PREFACE. 

xi 

he aflerted to be part of his original MSS.- ■ la 

short, in the space of about eighteen months, 

from October 1768 to April 1770, besides the 

Poems now published, he produced as many com 

positions, in prose and verse, under the names of 

Rowley, Canynge, &c. as would nearly fill such 

another volume. 

In April 1770 Chatterton went to London, 

and died there in the August following ; so that 

the whole history of this very extraordinary trans 

action cannot now probably be known with any 

certainty. Whatever may have been his part in 

Two other small fragments of Poetry are printed in p. 277, 

8, 9. See the Introductory Account. The fragments in prose, 

which are considerably larger, Mr. Barrett intends to publish 

in his History of Bristol, which, the Editor has the satisfaction 

to inform the Publick, is very far advanced. In the fame 

work will be inserted A Discorse on Bri/lowe, and the other 

historical pieces in prose, which Chatterton at disferent times 

delivered out, as copied from Rowley's MSS. ; with such re 

marks by Mr. Barrett, as he of all men living is best quali 

fied to make, from his accurate researches into the Antiquities 

pf Bristol.

xii 

PREFACE. 

it; whether he was the author, or only the 

copier (as he constantly asserted) of all these 

productions ; he appears to have kept the secret 

entirely to himself, and not to have put it in the 

power of any other person, to bear certain testi 

mony either to his fraud or to his veracity. 

The question therefore concerning the authen 

ticity of these Poems must now be decided by an 

examination of the fragments upon vellum, which 

Mr. Barrett received from Chatterton as part of 

his original MSS., and by the internal evidence 

which the several pieces afford. If the Frag 

ments shall be judged to be genuine, it will still 

remain to be determined, how far their genuine 

ness fhould serve to authenticate the rest of the 

collection, of which no copies, older than those 

made by Chatterton, have ever been produced. 

On the other hand, if the writing of the Frag" 

raents shall be judged to be counterfeit and forged 

by Chatterton, it will not of necessity follow, 

that the matter of them was also forged by him, 

and

PREFACE. 

xii 

and still less, that all the other compositions, 

which he professed to have copied from antient 

MSS., were merely inventions of his own. In 

either case, the decision must finally depend upon 

the internal evidence. 

It may be expected perhaps, that the Editor 

should give an opinion upon this important ques 

tion ; but he rather chooses, for many reasons, 

to leave it to the determination of the unpreju 

diced and intelligent Reader, He had long been 

desirous that these Poems should be printed ; and 

therefore readily undertook the charge of super 

intending the edition. This he has executed in 

the manner, which seemed to him best suited to 

such a publication and here he means that his 

talk mould end. Whether the Poems be really 

antient, or modern ; the compositions of Rowley, 

or the forgeries of Chatterton j they must always 

be considered as a most singular literary cu- 

JNTRO-

[ ] 

INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNT 

OF THE 

SEVERAL PIECES 

CONTAINED IN THIS VOLUME. 

Eclogue the first, 

eclogue the second, 

eclogue the third. 

Pi * 

6 

These three Eclogues are printed from a MS. furnished by 

Mr. Catcott, in the hand-writing of Thomas Chatterton. It 

is a thin copy-book in 4to. with the following title in the first 

page. " Eclogues and other Poems by Thomas Rowley, with 0 

Glossary and Annotations by Thomas Chatterton." 

There is only one other Poem in this book, viz. the frag 

ment of " Goddwyn, a Tragedies which fee below, p. 173. 

ELINOURE AND JUGA. p. 19 

This Poem is reprinted from the Town and Country Magajkw 

for May 1769, p. 273. It is there entitled^ " EUnourt 

end

xvi 

INTRODUCTORY 

and Juga. Written three hundred years ago by T. Rowley, 

secular priest" And it has the following subscription ; " D. B. 

Briftol, May, 1769." Chattertcn soon after told Mr. Cat« 

cott, that he (Chatterton) inserted it in the Magazine. 

The present Editor has taken the liberty to supply [between 

hooks] the names of the speakers, at ver. 22 and ro, which 

bad probably been -omitted by some accident in the .first publi 

cation ; as the nature of the composition seems to require, that 

the dialogue should proceed by alternate stanzas. 

VERSES TO LYDGATE. . _ p. 25 

SONGE TO ÆLLA. 

Ibid. 

LYDGATE'S ANSWER. , 26 

These three sinall Poems are printed from a copy in Mr. 

Catcott's hand-writing. Since they were printed off, the 

Editor has had an opportunity, of comparing them with a copy 

made by Mr. Barrett from the piece 

terton formerly gave to him as the original MS. 

of vellum, which Chat 

The varia 

tions of. importance (exclusive of many in the spelling) arc set 

down below*., .... 

* Verses to litigate. 

•"■ In the title for Ladgdie, r.Lyâfe* 

% wr.vn%/W/fc{,. . v, • v ., ft 

3. fQr.iff, r. got. 

THE 

Se»gi

A C C O U N T, 4c, xvii 

TH^ÔURNAÊNT... rvi. ^ •> ,,^.^t 

"This Poem is printed from a copy made by Mr. Catcott/ 

frem one in Chatterton's hand-writing. r- • 

,).:;;. .•• j: as: 'j u.' :.•■■.:< 

Songe to ÆUa. 

The title in the Vellum MS. was limply * Sbnge ioe jEHe~ with a" 

Snail mark of reference to a note below, containing the following 

words-—" Lords as the cafteUe of'Brystaweynne dates ofyore." It may 

be proper also to take notice, that the whole song was there watte* 

like prose, without, any breaks, or divisions into vetses. 

Ter. 6. for brajlynge, r. burftynge. 

1 1. for valyaiite, r. burlic. 

23. for dyfinall, r. honors. . .: 

Lydgate's answer. 

No title in the vellum MS. 

ver. 3. for varfis, r. few. " - ' ; /' ..? i ;. 1 

antep. for Linda, r. Sendes, . .} 

_' . ult. for Jyne, r. tbynge. 

Mr. Barrett had also a copy of these Poems by Chatterton, which 

differed from that, which Chatterton afterwardi produced as the ori» 

gioal, in the following particulars, among others. 

In the title of the Verses to Lydgate. 

Orig. Lydgate. —— Chat. Ladgate* 

ver. 3. Orig. goe. —— Chat. doe. 

7. Orig. luryte. ■ ■■■ Chat. fyghte, 

Songe to ÆUa. 

■ wr. £. Orig, Dacyane. — Chat. Dtteyd's. 

' ' " . , 

r^v - 

Orig. wi&0? lockes. — Chat. wiœ/f hayrts, 

t l. Orig. burlie. • Chat. bronded, ■' . ■ J 

92. Orig. hennft. ' ■ Chat. bearfi. *, " • 

33. Orig. honored • Chat., dysmall. 

»6. Orig. Tfravncynge. —» Chat. Ifrayning. 

30. Orig. —— Chat. ' ; s- "{ 

Sir

jcvili rK TiODUCTO R .f 

Sir Simon de Bourton, the hero of this poem, is supposed 

to have been the first founder of a church dedicated to oure 

Ladie, in the place where the church of St. Mary Ratclifte 

now stands. Mr. Barrett has a small leaf of vellum (given to 

him by Chatterton as one of Rowley's original MSS.), enti 

tled, «* Vita de Simon de Bourton" in which Sir Simon is said^ 

as in the poem, to have begun his foundation in consequence 

of a vow made at a tournament. 

THE DETHE OF SYR CHARLES BAWDIN. p. 44. 

This Poem is reprinted from the copy printed at London ift 

l772> with a few corrections from a copy made by Mr. Catcott, 

from one in Chatterton's hand-writirig. 

The person here celebrated, 

under the name of Syr Charles 

Bawdin, was probably Sir Baldewyn Fulford, Knt. a zealous 

Lancastrian, who was executed at Bristol in the latter end of 

146 1, the first year of Edward the Fourth. He was attainted, 

with many others, in the general act of Attainder, 1 Edw. IV. 

but he seems to have been executed under a special commission 

for the trial of treasons, &c. within the town of Bristol. 

The 

fragment of the old chronicle, published by Hearne at the end 

©f Sprttti Cbronica, p. 289. says only; " Item the fame yere 

(t Edw. IV.) was takin Sir Baldewine Fulford and behedid att 

Brijiow." 

But the matter is more fully stated in the act which 

pafled in 7 Edw. IV. for the restitution in blood and estate of 

Thomat

A C G O U N t, He. xa 

Thomas Fulsord, Knt. eldest son of Baldewyn Fulford, late 

cf Fulsord, in the county of Devonshire, Knt. Rot. Pat. 

8 Edw. IV. p. i. m. 13. The preamble of this act, after 

stating the attainder by the act 1 Edw. IV. goes on thus : 

*' 

And also the said Baldewyn, the said first yere of your noble 

reign, at Bristowe in the shere of Bristowe, before Henry Erie 

of Essex William Hastyngs of Hastyngs Knt. Richard Chock 

William Canyng Maire of the said 

towne of Bristowe and 

Thomas Yong, by force of your letters patentes to theym and 

other directe to here and determine all treesons &c. doon withyn 

the said towne of Bristowe before the vth day of September the 

first yere of your said reign, was atteynt of dyvers tresons by 

him doon ayenst your Highnes &c." 

If the commission fate 

soon after the vth of September, as is most probable, King 

Edward might very possibly be at Bristol at the time of Sir 

Baldewyn's execution ; for, in the interval between his coro 

nation and the 

parliament which met in November, he made 

a progress (as the Continuator of Stowe informs us, p. 416.) 

by the South coast 

places) at Bristol. 

into the West, and was (among other 

Indeed there is a circumstance which might 

lead us to believe, that he was. actually a spectator of the exe 

cution from the minster-window, as described in the poem. 

In an old accompt of the Procurators of St. Ewin's church, 

w■h'ich was then the minster, from xx March in the 1 Edward 

IV. to r April in the year next ensuing, is the following artfc

xx 

INTRODUCTORY 

de, according to a copy made by Mr. Catcott from the origittl 

book. 

. « Item for wajkyngt the church payven ageyns\. 

fiiijd. ob. 

Kynge Edward \th is comynge. 

ÆLLA, a tragycal enterlude. p. 65. 

This Poem, with the Epiftle, Letter, and Entroduelionne, is 

printed from a folio MS. furnished by Mr. Catcott, in the be 

ginning of which he has written, " Chatterton's transcript. 

1769." The whole transcript is of Chatterton's hand-writing. 

GODDWYN, a Tragedie. p. 1 73 

This Fragment is printed from the MS. mentioned above, 

p. xv. in Chatterton's hand-writing. 

ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS. p. 196 

This Poem is printed from a single sheet in Chatterton's 

hand-Writing, communicated by Mr. Barrett, who received it 

Irom Chatterton. 

BALADE OF CHARITIE. p. 205 

« j ■ ...... 

This Poem is also printed from a single sheet in Chatters 

ton's hand-writing. It was sent to the Printer of the Tow* 

end Country Magazine, with the following letter prefixed :

ACCOUNT, &c. 

xxi 

ft To the Printer of the Town and Country Magazine. • 

SIR, 

If the Glossary annexed to the following piece will make the 

language intelligible j the Sentiment, Description, and Versiiication, 

are highly deserving the attention of the literati. 

July 4, 1770. D. B.n 

BATTLE OF HASTINGS, N° 1. 

p. 2io 

BATTLE OF HASTINGS, N° 2. 238 

In printing the first of these poems two copies have been 

made use os, both taken from copies of Chatterton's hand-wri 

ting, the one by Mr. Catcott, and the other by Mr. Barrett. 

The principal difference between them is at the end, where the 

Utter has fourteen lines from ver. 550, which are wanting in 

the former. The second poem is printed from a single copy, 

made by Mr. Barrett from one in Chatterton's hand- writing. 

It should be observed, that the Poem marked N° r, was 

given to Mr. Barrett by Chatterton with the following title ; 

" Battle of Hastings, wrote by Turgot the Monk, a Saxon, in the 

tenth century, and translated by Thomas Rouilie, parijh preejle of 

St. Johns in the city of Bristol, in the year 1465.—The remainder 

of the poem I have not been happy enough to meet with." Being 

afterwards prest by Mr. Barrett to produce any part of this 

poem in the original hand-writing, he at last said, that he 

wrote this poem himself for a friend ; but that he had another,

»u INTRODUCTORY 

the copy of an original by Rowley : and being then desired to 

produce that other poem, he, after a considerable interval of 

time, brought to Mr. Barrett the poem marked N° 2, as far as 

Ver. 530 inch with the following title j u Battle of Haftyngi 

by Turgotus, translated by Roulie for W. Canynge Esq." The 

lines from ver. 531 inch were brought some time after, in 

consequence of Mr. Barrett's repeated follicitations for the 

conclusion of the poem. 

ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. p. 275 

ON THE SAME. 27,6 

The first of these Poems is printed from a copy made by Mr. 

Catcott, from one in Chatterton's hand-writing. 

The other is taken from a MS. in Chatterton's hand-wri 

ting, furnished by Mr. Catcott, entitled, " A Difcorfe an 

Brijiowe, by Thomas Rowite" See the Preface, p. xi. n. *. 

EPITAPH ON ROBERT CANYNGE. p. 277 

This is one of the fragments of vellum, given by Chatterton 

to Mr. Barrett, as part of his original MSS. 

THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. p. 27* 

The 34 first lines of this poem are extant upon another of 

the vellum fragments, given by Chatterton to Mr. Barrett. 

The

ACCOUNT, &c. 

alii 

The remainder is printed from a copy furnifhed by Mr. Catcott, 

with some corrections from another copy, made by Mr. 

Barrett from one in Chatterton's hand-writing. This poem 

makes part of a prose-work, attributed to Rowley, giving an 

account of Painters, Carvellers, Poets, and other eminent na 

tives of Bristol, from the earliest times to his own. The 

whole will be publifhed by Mr. Barrett, with remarks, and 

large additions ; among which we may expect a complete and 

authentic history of that distinguifhed citizen of Bristol, Mr. 

William Canynge. In the mean time, the Reader may see 

several particulars relating to him in Cambderis Britannia, So 

merset'. Col. 95.—Rymer's Fœdera, &c. ann. 1449 & I45°.~"~ 

Tanner's Nat. Monast. Art. Bristol and Westbury.— 

Dugdatis Warwickjhire, p. 634. 

It may be proper just to remark here, that Mr. Canynge's 

brother, mentioned in ver. 129, who was lord mayor of Lon 

don in 1456, is called Thomas by Stowe in his List ot Mayors, 

ice. 

The transaction alluded to in the last Stanza is related at 

large in some Prose Memoirs of Rowley, of which a very in 

correct copy has been printed in the Town and Country Maga 

zine for November 1775. It is there said, that Mr. Canynge 

went into orders, to avoid a marriage, proposed by King Ed 

ward, between him and a lady of the Widdevile family. It 

is certain, from the Register of the Bifhop of Worcester, that 

Mr. Canynge was ordained Acolytbe by Bifhop Carpenter on 

c % 19

xkfr 

INTRODUCTORY 

19 September 1467, and received the higher orders of Sul' 

deacon, Deacon, and Priest, on the 12th of March, 1467, O. S« 

the 2d and 16th of April, I468, respectively. 

ON HAPPIENESSE, by William Canynge. p. 286 

ONNE JOHNE A DALBENIE, by the same. Ibid. 

THE GOULER'S REQUIEM, by the fame. 287 

THE ACCOUNTE OF W. CANYNGE'S FEASTE. 288 

Of these sour Poems attributed to Mr. Canynge, the three 

first are printed from Mr. Catcott's copies. The last is taken 

from a fragment of vellum, which Chatterton gave to Mr. 

Barrett as an original. The Editor has doubts about the read 

ing of the second word in ver. % but he has printed it keene, 

as he found it so in other copies. The Reader may judge for 

himself, by examining the Fae Jimile in the opposite page. 

With refpect to the three friends of Mr. Canynge mentioned 

in the last line, the name of Rowley is sufficiently known from 

the preceding poems. lscamm appears as an actor in the tra 

gedy of Ælla, p. 66. and in that of Goddwyn, p. 174. ; and s 

poem, afcribed to him, entitled " she merry Tricks of Lay" 

ttingtm" is inserted in the " Discorfe of Bristowe." Sir Theolald 

Gorges was a knight of an antient family seated at Wraxhall, 

within a few miles of Bristol [See Rot. Pad. 3 H. VI. 

n. 28. Leland's Itin. vol. VII. p. 98.]. He has also appeared 

above

ACCOUNT, Sea 

xxv 

above as an actor in both the tragediesj and as the author of 

one of the Mynflrelles songes in Ælla, p. 91. His connexion 

with Mr. Canynge is verified by a deed of the latter, dated 

20 October, 1467, in which he gives to trustees, in part of a 

benefaction of £. 500 to the Church of St. Mary Redcliffe, 

" certain jewells of Sir Theobald Gorges Knt." which had been 

pawned to him for £. 160. 

A D V E R$

P O E M S>. &c 

ECLOGUE THE first. 

V 

TIT 7 HANNE Englonde, smeethynge 1 

from her 

* * lethal 1 wounde, . 

From her galled necke dyd twytte * the chayne 

awaie, 

Kennyrsge her legeful sonnes falle all arounde, 

(Myghtie theie sell, 'twas Honoure ledde the fraie,) 

Thanne inne a dale, bie eve's dark siircote 4 graie, £ 

Twayne lonelie shepsterres s dyd abrodden 6 

flie, 

(The rofllyng liff doth theyr whytte hartes affraie?,) 

And wythe the owlette trembled and dyd crie ; 

Firste Roberte Neatherde hys fore boesom stroke, 

Then sellen on the grounde and thus y spoke, 

ia 

* Smetbing, smoking J Jn some copies hletbcynge, but in the oral a* 

above. 1 deadly. J pluck or pull. 4 Surcote, a cloke, or mantel, 

which hid all the other dress. 5 shepherds. 6 abruptly, so Chaneer, 

Syke he abredden dyd attourne. 7 asfright.

2 ECLOGUE THE FIRST. 

ROBERTE. 

Ah, Rause ! 

gif thos the howres do comme alonge. 

Gif thos wee flie in chase of farther woe, 

Oure fote wylle fayle, albeytte wee bee stronge, 

Ne wylle oure pace swefte as oure danger goe. 

To oure grete wronges we have enheped 8 moe, 1 5 

The Baronnes warre ! oh ! woe and well-a-daie ! 

I haveth lyff, 

bott have escaped foe, 

That lyff ytsel mie Senses doe affraie. 

Oh Rause, comme lyste, and hear mie dernie 9 tale, 

Comme heare the balefull 10 dome of Robynne of the 

Dale. 

r 

ao 

RAUFE. 

Saie to mee nete ; I kenne thie woe in myne ; 

O ! I've a tale that Sabalus 11 mote 11 telle. 

Swote " flouretts, mantled meedows, forestes 

dygne 

Gravots 15 far-kend 16 arounde the Errmiets r7 cell ; 

s Added. 9 sad. 10 woeful, lamentable. 11 the Devil. 1* might. 

15 sweet. 14 good, neat, genteel. 15 groves, sometimes used for a 

coppice. 14 sar-seen. 17 Hermit. 

The

ECLOGUE THE FIRST. 3 

The swote ribible 18 dynning »' yn the dell ;■ 25 

The joyous daunceyhge ynn the hoastrie10 courte; 

Eke 11 the highe songe and everych joie farewell, 

Farewell the verie shade of fayre dysporte11 : 

Impestering *3 

trobble onn mie heade doe comme, 

Ne on kynde Seyncte to warde 14 the aye 15 encreafynge 

dome. 30 

R O B E R T E. 

Oh ! 

I coulde waile mie kynge-coppe-decked mees 

Mie spreedynge fiockes of shepe of lillie white, 

Mie tendre applynges l7, and embodyde ,8 trees, 

Mie Parker's Grange 19, far spreedynge to the fyghte* 

Mie cuyesl '0 kyne mic bullockes stringe u yn 

fyghte, • 35 

Mie gorne 55 emblaunched 54 with the comfreie 55 

plante, 

Mie floure 3s Seyncte Marie shotteyngwythe the lyghte, 

Mie store of all the blessynges Heaven can grant. 

,s violin. 19 founding. 10 inn, or public-house. 11 also. 11 plea 

sure. 13 annoying. 14 to keep osf. 15 ever, always. 16 meadows. 

17 grafted trees. 1' thick, stout. 29 liberty of pasture given to the 

Parker. 30 tender; 31 cows. -31 strong. 33 garden. 34 whitened. 

1! cumfrey, a favourite dish at that time. 36 marygold. 

B 2 

I amis

4 ECLOGUE THE FIRST. 

I amm duressed '7 unto sorrowes blowe, 

Ihanten'd !S to the peyne, will lette ne falfe teare flowe. 43 

RAUFE, 

Here I wille obaie » untylle D.the doe 'pere, 

Here lyche a foule empoysoned leathel 4° tree, 

Whyche fleaeth 4' everichone that commeth nere, 

Soe wille I fyxed unto thys place gre 41. 

I to bement 43 haveth moe cause than thee ; 45 

Sleene iri the warre mie boolie 44 fadre lies ; 

Oh ! joieous I hys mortherer would flea, 

And bie hys syde for aie enclose myne eies. 

Calked 4s from everych joie, heere wyllel blede; 

Fell ys the Cullys-yatte 46 of mie hartes castle stede. 50 

R O B E R T E. 

Oure woes alyche, alyche our dome 47 fhal bee. 

Mie fonne, mie sonne alleyn ^, ystorven49 ys., 

37 hardened. 38 accustomed. 39 abide. This line is also wrote, 

" Here wyll I obaie itntill dethe appere," but this is modernized. 

40 deadly. 41 destroyeth, killeth. 41 grow. 45 lament. 44 mnehloved, 

beloved. 45 cast out, ejected. 46 alluding to the portcullis, 

' which guarded the gate, on which often depended the castle. 47 fate. 

48 my only son. 49 dead. 

Here

ECLOGUE THE FIRST. 5 

Here wylJe I staie, and end mie lyff with thee ; 

A lyff lyche myne a borden ys ywis. 

Now from een logges 50 fledden is selyness SI, i 55 

Mynsterres*1 alleyn 55 

can boaste the hallie s4 Seyncte, 

Now doeth Englonde weare a bloudie dresse 

And wyth her champyonnes gcre her face depeyncte ; 

Peace fledde, disorder sheweth her dajk rode 

And thorow ayre doth flie, 

yn garments steyned with 

bloude. •■ -* 60 

so cottages. 51 happiness. 51 monasterys. ,3 only. 54 holy. 

!s complexion. i 

ECLOGUE

i 6 J 

ECLOGUE THE SECOND, 

Q TRYTE S 1 

of the bleste, the pious Nygelle sed, 

. Poure owte yer pleasaunce 1 onn mie fadres hedde. 

Rycharde of Lyons harte to fyghte is gon, 

Uponne the brede 5 sea doe the banners gleme4; 

The amenused 5 nationnes be aston 6, 5 

To ken 7 fyke 8 large a flete, fyke fyne, fyke breme ». 

The barkis heafods 10 coupe 11 the lymed 11 streme ; 

Oundes !J fynkeynge oundes upon the hard ake »* 

riesc ; 

The water flughornes « wythe a swotye 1(5 cleme 1* 

Conteke 18 the dynnynge 

ayre, and reche the skies, io 

Sprytes of the bleste, on gouldyn trones 10 astedde »1, 

Poure owte yer pleasaunce onn mie fadres hedde. 

1 Spirits, fouls. 1 pleasure. 3 broad. 4 shine, glimmer. 1 diminished, 

lessened. 6 astonished, confounded. 7 see, discover, know. 

! such, so. ; > strong. 10 heads. 11 cut. 11 glassy, reflecting. 

*J waves, billows. 14 oak. 15 a musical instrument, not unlike a haut 

boy. 16 sweet. 17 sound. lS confuse, contend with. 1?. sounding. 

thrones. 1*. seated. 

The

ECLOGUE THE SECOND. 

The gule " depeyncted i5 oares from the black tyde, 

Deeorn 14 wyth fonnes iJ rare, doe shemrynge 16 ryse ; 

Upswalynge 17 doe heie 18 shewe ynnedrierie pryde,i5 

Lyche gore-red estells19 in the eve3°-merk31 skyes ; 

The nome-depeyncted 31 shields, the speres aryse, 

Alyche 53 talle roshes on the water fyde ; 

Alenge 34 from bark to bark the bryghte sheene 

styes ; 

Sweft-kerv'd ,6 delyghtes doe on the water glyde. %o 

Sprites of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, 

Poure owte youre pleafaunce on mie fadres hedde. 

The Sarasen lokes owte : 

he doethe seere, 

That Englondes brondeous 37 fonnes do cotte the waie. 

Lyke honted bockes,theye reineth s8 here and there,2j| 

Onknowlachynge 39 inne wjiatte place to obaie 4°. 

The banner glesters on the beme of daie ; 

The mittee 4» crolTe Jerufalim ys seene ; 

11 red. 1* painted. 14 carved. 15 devices. iS glimmering. 

57 rising high, swelling up. 18 they. 19 a corruption of estoile, Fr. a 

star. 33 evening. 31 dark. 31. rebus'd shields*; a herald term, when, 

the charge of the shield implies the name of the bearer. 33 like. 

34 along. 35 shine. 36 short-lived. V furious. 38 runneth. 39 not 

knowing. 40 abide. 41 mighty. 

B 4 

Dhereof

$ ECLOGUE THE SECOND, 

Dhereof the fyghte yer corrage doe affraie 

In balefull 4s dole their faces be ywreene 44. 30 

Sprytes of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, 

Poure owte your pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. 

The bollengers 4s and cottes 4s, foe swyfte yn fyghte, 

Upon the fydes of everich bark appere ; 

Focrthe to his offyce lepethe every ch knyghte, 35 

Eftfoones 46 hys fquyer, with hys shielde and spere. 

The jynynge shieldes doe shemre and moke glare 47 ; 

The doflbeynge oare doe make gemoted 48 dynne ; 

The reynyng 49 foemen so, thynckeynge gif s1 to dare, 

Bonn 51 the merk 53 fwerde, theie seche to fraie 54, 

theie blyn S5. 40 

Sprytes of the bleste, and everyche Seyncte ydedde, 

Powre oute yer pleasaunce onn mie fadres hedde. 

Now comm the warrynge Sarafyns to fyghte ^ 

Xynge Rychardc, lyche a lyoncel 56 of warre, 

41 affright. 43 woeful. 44 covered. 4S different kinds of boats. 

*6 full soon, presently. 47 glitter. 48 united, assembled. 49 running. 

,0 foes. 51 if. 51 make ready. 53 dark. 54 engage. 5 5 cease, stand 

still. 56 a young lion, 

Jnn?

ECLOGUE THE SECOND. 9 

Jnne sheenynge goulde, lyke seerie s7 gronsers *8, 

dyghte s?, 45 

Shaketh alose hys honde, and seene afarre. 

Syke haveth I espyde a greter starre 

Amenge the drybblett 60 ons to sheene fulle bryghte ; 

Syke funny s wayne 61 wyth amayl'd beames doe barr 

The blaunchie 6! mone or estells 64 to gev lyghte. 50 

Sprytes of the bleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, 

Poure owte your pleasaunce on mie fadres hedde. 

Distraughte fis affraie 66 , wythe lockes of blodde-red 

die, 

Terroure, emburled 67 yn the thonders rage, 

Deathe, lynked to dismaie, dothe ugsomme68 flie, 55 

Enchafynge fi9 echone champyonne war to wage. 

Speeres bevyle 7° speres ; swerdes upon swerdes en 

gage; 

Armoure on armoure dynn?1, shielde upon shielde; 

57 flaming. 5! a meteor, from gron, a fen, and fir, a corruption 

of fire ; that is, a fire exhaled from a sen. 59 deckt. 60 small, insig 

nificant. 61 carr. 61 enameled. 63 white, silver. 64 stars. 65 dis 

tracting. 66 asfright. 67 armed. 68 terribly. 69 encouraging, heat 

ing. 70 break, a. herald term, signifying a spear broken in tilting. 

?1 sounds. 

Ne

io 


Ne dethe of thofandes can the warre assuage, 

Botte falleynge nombers fable 7l all the feelde. 60 

Sprytes of the bleste, and everych Seyncte ydedde, 

Poure owte youre pleafaunce on mie fadres hedde, 

The foemen fal arounde ; the cross reles 7s hye ; 

Steyned ynne goere, the harte of warre ys seen ; 

Kyng By charde, thorough everyche trope dothe flie,6^ 

And beereth meynte 74 of Turkes onto the greene ; 

Bie hymra the floure of Asies menn ys fleene 7s ; 

The waylynge 76 mone doth fade before hys fonne ; 

Bie hym hys knyghtes bee formed to adtions deene 77, 

Doeynge fyke marvels 78, strongers be aston 7». 70, 

Sprytes of the bleste, and everych Seyncte ydedde, 

Poure owte your pleafaunce onn mie fadres hedde. 

The fyghte ys wonne ; Kynge Rycharde master is \ 

The Englonde bannerr kisseth the hie ayre ; 

Full of pure joie the armie is iwys 8o, 75 

And everych one haveth it onne his bayre 81 j 

71 blacken. 71 waves. 74 many, great numbers. 75 flain. 76 de* 

creasing. 77 glorious, worthy. 7S. wonders. 19 astonifhed. 80 cer 

tainly. Sl brow, 

Agayna


it 

Agayne to Englonde comme, and worschepped there, 

Twyghte81 into lovynge armes, and seasted eft85 ; 

In everych eyne aredyngenete of wyere84, 

Of all remembrance of past peyne berefte. 

Sprites of thebleste, and everich Seyncte ydedde, 

Syke pleasures powre upon mie fadres hedde. 

■ 

8a 

Syke Nigel sed, whan from the bluie sea 

The upswol 8s sayle dyd daunce before his eyne ; 

Swefte as the wishe, hee toe the beeche dyd flee, 85 

And founde his fadre steppeynge from the bryne. 

Lette thyssen menne, who haveth sprite of loove, 

Bethyncke untoe hemselves how mote the meetynge 

proove. 

,l plucked, pulled. 83 often. 84 grief, trouble. 85 swollen* 

ECLOGUE

[ I* ] 

ECLOGUE THE THIRD. 

WOULDST thou kenn nature in 

parte ? 

her better 

Goe, serche the logges 1 and bordels 1 of the hynde * ; 

Gyff4 theie have anie, itte ys roughe-made arte, 

Inne hem s you fee the blakied 6 forme of kynde 7. 

Haveth your mynde a lycheynge 8 of a mynde ? 5 

Wouide it kenne everich thynge, as it mote » bee ? 

"Woulde ytte here phrase of the vulgar from the 

hynde, 

"Withoute wiseegger IO wordes and knowlache 11 free ? 

Gyf foe, rede thys, whyche Iche dysporteynge 11 

pende ; 

Gif nete befyde, yttes rhyme maie ytte commende. 10 

* lodges, huts. 1 cottages. 5 servant, flave, peafant. 4 if. 5 a 

contraction of them. * naked, original. 7 nature. 8 liking. 

• might. The sense of this line is, Would you fee every thing in its 

primæval ltate. 1° wise-egger, a philosopher. 11 knowledge. 

" sporting. 

M A N N E.

ECLOGUE THE THIRD. 13 

M A N N E. 

Botte whether, sayre mayde, do ye goe ? 

0 where do ye bende yer waie ? 

I wille knowe whether you goe, 

1 wylle not bee asseled 13 naie. 

W O M A N N E. 

To Robyn and Nell, all downe in thedelle, 15 

To hele 1* hem at makeynge of haie. 

M A N N E. 

Syr Rogerre, the parson e, hav hyred mee there, 

Comme, comme, lett us tryppe ytte awaie, 

We'lle wurke IS and we'lle fynge, and wylle drenche1* 

of stronge beer 

As longe as the merrie sommers daie. 20 

W O M A N N E. 

How harde ys mie dome to wurch ! 

Moke is mie woe. 

11 answered. *+ aid, or help. 15 work. »• drink. 

Dame

14 ECLOGUE THE THIRH 

Dame Agnes, whoe lies ynne the Chyrche 

With birlette 17 

golde^ 

Wythe gelteh 18 aumeres 1» stronge ontolde,- 25 

What was shee moe than me, to be foe ? 

M A N N E* 

I kenne Syr Roger from afar 

Tryppynge over the lea ; 

Ich ask whie the loverds 10 son 

Is moe than mee. 30 

SYR ROGERRE. 

The sweltrie11 fonne dothe hie apace hys wayne", 

From everich beme a seme 13 of lyse doe falle ; 

Swythyn 14 scille 15 oppe the haie uponne the playne } 

Methynckes the cockes begynneth to gre 16 talle. 

Thys ys alyche oure doome 17 ; the great, the fmalle,35 

Mode withe 18 and bee forwyned 19 by deathis darte. 

See ! the swote 30 flourette 31 hathe noe fwote at alle j 

Itte wythe the ranke wede berethe evalle 31 

parte. 

,7 a hood, or covering for the back part of the head. ,s guilded. 

19 borders of gold and silver, on which was laid thin plates of either 

metal counterchanged, not unlike the present spangled laces. 10 lord. 

21 sultry. 5:1 car. 13 seed. u quickly, presently. 15 gather. 

86 grow. 17 sate. 28 a contraction of wither. 19 dried. 30 sweet. 

31 tower. 31 equal. 

The


is 

The cravent 

warrioure, and the wysebe blente 

Alyche to drie awaie wythe those theie dyd bemente '5.40 

M A N N E. 

All-a-boon 36, Syr Priest, all-a-boon, 

Bye yer preestschype nowe faye unto mee ; 

Syr Gaufryd the knyghte, who lyvethe harde bie, 

Whie (houlde hee than mee 

Bee moe greate, 45 

Inne honnoure, knyghtehoode and estate? 

SYR ROGERRE. 

Attotirne & thine eyne arounde thys haied mee* 

Tentyflie 38 loke arounde the chaper 3» delle 4° ; 

An answere to thie barganette 41 here see, 

Thys welked 41 flourette wylle a leson telle : 50 

Arist 43 it blew *% itte floriflied, and dyd welle, 

Lokeynge afcaunce 45 upon the naighboure greene ; 

Yet with the deigned 46 greene yttes rennome*7 felle, 

Eftsoones48 ytte Ihronke upon the daie-brente49playne, 

** coward. 34 ceafed, dead, no more. 35 lament. 36 a manner of 

afking a favour. 37 turn. 38 carefully, with circumspection. 39 dry, 

sun-burnt. 40 valley. 41 a song, or ballad. 41 withered. 43 arisen, 

.or arose. 44 blossomed. 45 disdainfully. 4* disdained. 47 glory. 

•** quickly. 49 burnt* 

Didde

i6 


Didde not yttes loke, whilest ytte there dyd stonde, 55 

To croppe ytte in the bodde move somme dred honde. 

Syke so ys the waie of lyffe ; the loverds 51 ente s* 

Mooveth the robber hym therfor to flea s' ; 

Gyf thou has ethe the shadowe of contente, 

Beleive the trothe ss, theres none moe haile s

ECLOGUE THE THIRD. 17 

I Followc the plough-taylej 

Wythe a longe jubb *3 of alei 

Botte of the maydens, oh ! 

Itte lackcth notte to telle ; 

Syr Preeste mote notte crie woei 75 

Culde hys bull do as welle. 

1 daunce the beste heiedeygnes fi+, 

And foile 6$ the wyscst seygnes 66 . 

Oil everych Seynctes hie dale 

Wythe the mynstrelle 67 am I seenej 80 

All a footeynge it awaie, 

Wythe maydens on the greene. 

But oh ! I wyshe to be moe greater 

In rennome, tenure, and estate. 

SYR ROGERRE. 

Has thou ne seene a tree uponne a hylle, 85 

Whose unliste 68 braunces 6» rechen far toe fyghte ; 

Whan fuired 7° unwers 71 doe the heaven fylle, 

Itte shaketh deere 71 yn dole 7; and moke asfryghte. 

e» a bottle. *4 a country dance, still practised in the North; 

*S battle. 66 a corruption of feints. 67 a minstrel is a musician. 

*8 unbounded. *' branches. 70 furious. 71 tempests, storms. 71 dire. 

dismay. 

£ Whylest

18 ECLOGUE THE THIRD. 

Whylest the congeon 74 flowrctte abeffie 75 dyghte 75, 

Stondethe unhurte, unquaced 77 bie the storme : 90 

Syke is a picte 78 of lyffe : 

the manne of myghte 

Is tempest-chaft 7», hys woe greate as hys forme, 

Thiefelfe a flowrette of a small accounte, 

Wouldst harder felle the wynde, as hygher thee dydste 

mounte. 

74 dwarf. 75 humility. 76 decked. 77 unhurt. 7* picture. 

7» tempest-beaten. 

ELINOURE

i t9 i 

ELINOURE and JUG A, 

ONNE Ruddeborne1 bank twa pynynge Maydens 

fate, 

Theire teares faste dryppeynge to the waterre cleere ; 

Echone bementynge 1 

for her abfente mate* 

Who atte Seyncte Albonns fhouke the morthyflge5 

speare* 

The nottebrowne Elinbufe to Juga fayre 5 

Dydde speke acroole 4, 

wythe languifhment of eyfle, 

Lyche droppes of pearlie dew, lemed s 

brine. 

O gentle Juga ! 

E L I N O U R E. 

heare mie dernie4 plainte, 

the quyvryng 

To fyghte for Yorke mie love ys dyghte 7 in stele } 

0 maie ne fanguen steine the whyte rose peyncte, id 

Maie good Seyncte Cuthberte watche Syrre Robertd 

wele. 

Moke moe thanne deathe in phantasie I feele j 

1 Rudborne (in Saxon, red-water), a River near Saint Albans, fa 

mous for the battles there fought between the Houses of Lancaster and 

York. 1 lamenting. 5 murdering. * faintly. 1 glistened. * fad 

complaint. 7 arrayed, or cafed. 

C a 

See!

20 ELINOURE AND JUG A. 

See ! see ! upon the grounde he bleedynge lies ; 

Inhild 8 some joice * of lyfe, or else mie deare love dies* 

J U G A. 

Systers in sorrowe, on thys daife-ey'd banke, 15 

"Where melancholych broods, we wyll lamente ; 

Be wette wythe mornynge dewe and evene danke j 

Lyche levynde 10 okes in eche the odher bente, 

Or lyche forlettenn 11 halles of merriemente, 

Whose gastlie mitches 11 holdethetraineof fryghte Ij,20 

Where lethale '4 ravens bark, and owlets wake the 

nyghte* 

No moe the miikynette 15 

[ELINOURE.] 

shall wake the morne, 

The minstrclle daunce, good cheere, and morryce plaie J 

No moe the amblynge palfrie and the horne 

Shall from the lessel 16 rouze the foxe awaie ; 25 

I'll seke the foreste allethe lyvc-longe daie ; 

» ' infuse. 9 juice. 10 blasted. 11 forsaken. 11 ruins.

ELINOURE AND JUGA. 21 

Alle nete amenge the gravde chyrche 17 

glebe wyil 

And to the passante Spryghtes lecture 18 

mie tale of woe. 

[JUG A.] 

■Whan mokle 1» cloudis do hange upon the leme 

Of leden*0 Moon, ynn fylver mantels dyghte; 30 

The tryppeynge Faeries weve the golden dreme 

Of Selyness11, whyche flyethe wythe the nyghte; 

Thenne (botte the Seynctes forbydde !) gif to a 

spryte 

Syrr Rychardes forme ys lyped, I'll holde dystraughte 

Hys bledeynge claie-colde corse, and die eche daie ynn 

thoughte. 35 

ELINOURE. 

Ah woe bementynge wordes ; what wordes can shewe! 

Thou limed " ryver, on thie linche 15 maie bleede . 

Champyons, whose blonde wylle wythe thie waterres 

flowe, 

And Rudborne streeme be Rudborne streeme indeede ! 

Haste, gentle Juga, tryppe ytte oere the meade, 40 

17 church-yard. 18 relate. 19 black. 1° decreasing. 11 happiness. 

»» glassy. « bank. 

To

tz ELINOURE AND JUG A. 

To knowe, or wheeler we muste waile agayne, 

Or wythe oure fallen knyghtes be menged onne the 

plain. 

Soe sayinge, lyke twa levyn-blasted trees, 

Or twayne of cloudes that holdeth stormie rayne ; 

Theie moved gentle oere the dewie mees 1*, 45 

To where Seyncte Albons holie shrynes remayne. 

There dyd theye fynde that bothe their knyghtes were 

flayne, 

Distraughte theie wandered to swollen Rudbornes 

fyde, 

Yelled theyre leathalle knelle, sonke ynn the waves, and 

dyde. 

14 meeds, 15 distracted. 

To

[ 23 ] 

To 

JOHNE LADGATE. 

[Sent with . the following Songe to Ælla.~] 

WELL thanne, goode Johne, sythe ytt must needes 

be foe, 

Thatt thou & I a bowtynge matche must have, 

Lette ytt ne breakyngeof oulde friendfhyppe bee, 

Thys ys the onelie all-a-boone I crave. 

Rememberr Stowe, the Bryghtstowe Carmalyte, 

Who whanne Johne Clarkynge, one of myckle lore, 

Dydd throwe hys gauntlette-penne, wyth hym to fyghte, 

Hee fhowd sinalle wytte, and fhowd hys weaknesse more. 

Thys ys mie formance, whyche I nowe have wrytte, 

The best performance of mie lyttel wytte. 

' 

SONGE to ÆLLA, Lorde of the castel of 

Brystowe ynne dAies of yore. 

Oh thou, orr what remaynes of thee, 

Ælla, the darlynge of futurity, 

Lett thys mie fonge bolde as thie courage be, 

As everlastynge to posteritye. 

C 4 

Whanne

SONGE TO Æ L L Ar 

Whanne Dacya's sonnes, whose hayres of bloude redde 

hue 

Lyche kynge-cuppes brastynge wythe the morning due^ 

Arraung'd ynne dreare arraie, 

Upponne the Icthale daie, 

Spredde farre and wyde onnc Watchets flioref. 

Than dyddst thou furiouse stande, 

And bie thie valyante hande 

Beesprengedd all the mees wythe gore* 

■ 

Drawne bie thyne anlace selle, 

Downe to the depth e of helle 

Thousandes of Dacyanns went ; 

Brystowannes, menne of myghte, 

Ydar'd the bloudie fyghte, 

And actedd deeds full quent. 

Oh thou, whereer (thie bones att reste) 

Thye Spryte to haunte delyghteth beste, 

Whetherr upponne the bloude-embrewedd pleyne, 

Orr whare thou kennst fromm farre 

The dyfmall crye of warre, 

Qrr seest somme mountayne made of corse of fleyne ; 

Orr

SONGE TO ÆLLA. 

Orr seest the hatcliedd stede, 

Ypraunceynge o'er the mede, 

And neighe to be amenged the poynctedd speeres ; 

Orr ynne blacke armoure staulke arounde 

Embattel'd Brystowe, once thie grounde, 

And glowe ardurous onn the Castle steeres ; 

Orr fierye round the mynsterr glare; 

Lette Brystowe stylle be made thie care ; 

Guarde ytt fromme foemenne & confumynge fyre ; 

Lyche Avones streme ensyrke ytte rounde, 

Ne lette a flame enharme the grounde, 

Tylle ynne one flame all the whole worlde expyre.

[ 26 2 

The underwritten Lines were composed by JOHN 

LADGATE, a Priest in London, and sent to 

ROW LIE, as an Answer to the preceding Songe 

of Ælla. 

HAV Y N GE wythe mouche attentyonn redde 

Whatt you dydd to mee sende, 

Admyre the varses mouche I dydd, 

And thus an answerr lende. 

Amongs the Greeces Homer was 

A Poett mouche renownde, 

Amongs the Latyns Vyrgilius 

Was beste of Poets founde. 

The Brytiili Merlyn oftenne hanne 

The gyfte of Inspyration, 

And Afied to the Sexonne menne 

Dydd synge wythe elocation. 

Ynne Norman tymes, Turgotus and 

Goode Chaucer dydd excelle, 

Thenn Stowe, the Bryghtstowe Carmelyte, 

Dydd bare awaie the belle. 

Nowe

s 27 ] 

Nowe Rowlie ynne these mokie dayes 

Lendes owte hys sheenynge lyghtes, 

And Turgotus and Chaucer lyves 

Ynne ev'ry lyne he wrytes.

E 28 3 

THE TOURNAMENT. 

AN INTERLUDE, 

ENTER AN HERAWDE. 

THE Tournament begynnes ; the hammerrs 

sounde ; , 

The courserrs Iysse 1 about the mensuredd 1 fielde ; 

The shemrynge armoure throws the sheene arounde ; 

. Quayntyssed 3 sons 3 depictedd 4 onn eche sheelde. 

The seeries heaulmets, wythe the wreathes amieldes,5 

Supportes the rampynge lyoncell 7 

orr beare, 

Wythe straunge depyctures 8, Nature maie nott 

yeelde, 

Unseemelie to all orderr doe appere, 

Yett yatte9 to menne, who thyncke and have a 

spryte 10, 

Makes knowen thatt the phantasies unryghte. 

1 sport, or piny. 1 bounded, or measured. 3 curioufly devised. 

3 fancy's or devices. 4 painted, or displayed. 5 fiery. 6 ornamented, 

enameled. 7 a young lion. 8 drawings, paintings. 9 that. 1? foul. 

IQ 

I, Sonne

THE TOURNAMENT. 29 

1, Sonne of Honnoure, spencer 11 of her joies, 

Muste swythen " goe to yeve 15 the speeres arounde, 

Wythe advantayle 14 & borne 15 I meynte 16 emplote, 

Who withoute mee woulde fall untoe the grounde. 

Soe the tall .oake the ivie twysteth rounde; 15 

Soe the neshe 17 flowerr grees 18 ynne the woodeland 

shade. 

The worlde bie diffraunce ys ynne orderr founde j 

Wydhoute unlikenefle nothynge could bee made. 

As ynn the bowke 1? nete ~-° alleyn11 cann bee donne, 

Syke " ynn the weal of kynde all thynges are partes of 

onne. 20 

Enterr SYRR SYMONNE DE BOURTONNE. 

Herawde*5, bie heavenne these tylterrs staie too long. 

Mie phantasie ys dyinge forr the fyghte. 

The mynstrel les have begonne the thyrde warr songe, 

Yett notte a speere of hemm 14 hath grete mie fyghte. 

I seere there be ne manne wordhie mie myghte. 25 

I lacke a Guid 1s, 

a WyllyamnaI

30 THE TOURNAMENT. 

To reine 17 anente 18 a sele 19 embodiedd knyghte, 

Ytt gettes ne rennome 3° gyff hys blodde bee spylte* 

Bie heavenne & Marie ytt ys tyme they're here ; 

I lyche nott unthylle 31 thus to wielde the speare. 30 

HERAWDE, 

Methynckes I heare yer flugghornes 

farre. 

dynn " fromtn 

BOURTONNE. 

Ah ! swythenn 34 mie shielde & tyltynge launce bee 

bounde35. 

Estsoones36 beheste 37 mie Squyerr to the warre. 

I flie before to clayme a challenge grownde. 

[Goeth oute, 

HERAWDE. 

Thie valourous actes woulde meinte 38 oF menne' 

astounde ; 35 

Harde bee yer shappe 3» encontrynge thee ynn fyghtei 

47 run. 13 against. 19 seeble. 30 honour, glory. 31 useless. 31 * 

\iad of claryon. "sound. 34 quickly. 35 ready. 38 soon. 3* conv 

mand. 38 most. 39 fate, or doom. 

Alien st


Anenst 4° all menne thou bereft to the grounde, 

Lyche the hard hayle dothe the tall roshes pyghte4,. 

As wharme the mornynge sonne ydronks the dew, 

Syche dothe thie valourous actes drocke 41 eche 

knyghte's hue. 40 

The LYSTES. The K.ynge. Syrr Symonne de 

Bor/RTONNE, Syrr Hugo Ferraris, Syrr Ra 

nulph Neville, Syrr Lodovick de Clynton, 

Syrr Johan de Berghamme, and odherr 

Knyghtes, Herawdes, Mynstrelles, and 

Servytours*5. 

K Y N G E. 

The barganette 4' ; yee mynstrelles tune the strynge, 

Somme actyonn dyre of auntyante kynges now synge. 

MYNSTRELLES. 

Wyllyamm, the Normannes floure 

botte Englondes 

thorne, 

The manne whose myghte delievretie 44 hadd knite4s, 

40 against. 41 pitched, or bent down. 41 drink. 43 servants, at 

tendants. 41 song, or ballad. 44 activity. 45 , 

Snett

32 TifE'TOURNAMENf. 

Snett*6 oppe hys long strunge bowe and fheelde 

aborne 47, 45 

Behesteynge 48 all hys hommageres49 to fyghte. 

Goe, rouze the lyonri fromm hys hylted 50 denne, 

Lett thie floes 51 drenche the blodde of anie thynge botr, 

menne. 

Ynn the treed forreste doe the knyghtes appere ; 

Wyllyamm wythe myghte hys bowe enyronn'd s: 

plies S5 ; 56 

Lbude dynns 54 the arrowe ynn the wolfynn's eare ; 

Hee ryseth battent SS, roares, he panctes, hee dyes. 

Forflagenn att thie feete lett wolvynns bee, 

Lett thie floes drenche theyre blodde, bott do ne bredrenn 

flea. 

Throwe the merke sS fhade of twistynde trees hee 

rydes; 55 

The fiemeus7 ou'Iett58 flappsherr eve-speckte59 wynge; 

The lordynge 60 toade ynn all hys passes bides ; 

The berten 61 neders 6i att hymm darte the stynge ; 

. 46 bent. 47 burnifhed. 43 commanding. 49 servants. 50 hidden. 

** arrows. 1 ~ worked with iron. 5 3 bends. 54 sounds. 55 loudly. 

s marked with evening 


Styli, stylle, hee passes onn, hys stede astrodde, 

Nee hedes the 

daungerous waie gyff leadynge untoc 

bloodde. 60 

The lyoncel, fromme sweltrie Si countries braughte, 

Coucheynge binethe the flieltre of the brierr, 

Att commyng dynn 64 doth rayse hymselfe distraughte 

Hee loketh wythe an eie of flames of fyre. 

Goe, sticke the lyonn to hys hyltren denne, 65 

Lette thie floes 66 drenche the blood of anie thynge botte 

menfi. 

Wythe passent 61 steppe the lyonn mov'th alonge ; 

Wyllyamm hys ironne-woven bowe hee bendes, 

Wythe myghte alyche the roghlynge 68 thonderr 

stronge ; 

The lyonn yiin a roare hys spryte foorthe sendes. 70 

Goe, flea the lyonn ynn hys blodde-steyn'd denne, 

Botte bee thie takelle 69 drie fromm blodde of odherr 

nienne. 

Swefte fromm the thyckett starks the stagge awaie ; 

The couraciers 7° as swefte doe afterr flie. 

63 hot, sultry. 64 sound, noise. 65 distracted. 66 arrows. *7 walk 

ing leisurely. 68 rolling. 69 arrow. 70 horse coursers. 

D 

Hec

34 THE TOURNAM EN T. 

Hee lepethe hie, hee stondes, hee kepes att baie, 75 

Botte metes the arrowe, and eftsoones 7" doth die. 

Forflagenn atte thie fote lette wylde beastes bee, 

Lett thie floes drenche yer blodde, yett do ne bredrenn 

flee. 

Wythe murtherr tyredd, hee fleynges hys bowe 

alyne 7%. 

The stagge ys ouch'd 73 wythe crownes of lillie 

flowerrs. 80 

Arounde theire heaulmes theie greene verte doe entwyne 

; 

Joying and rev'lous ynn the grene wode bowerrsv 

Forflagenn wyth thie floe lette wylde beastes bee, 

Feeste thee upponne theire flefhe, doe ne thie bredrenst 

flee. 

KYNGE. 

Nowe to the Tourneie 74 ; who wylle fyrste' 

affraie 75 ? 

'r full soon. 71 across his fhoulders. 73 garlands of flowers being 

put round the neck of the game, it was said to be ouclsd, from ouch, a 

chain, worn by earls round their necks. 74 Turnament. 75 fight, or 

encounter. • 

8^ 

H E-


HERAULDE. 

Nevylle, a baronne, bee yatte 76 honnoure thynes 

BOURTONNE. 

1 clayme the passage. • 

NEVYLLE. 

I contake 77 thie waie. 

BOURTONNE. 

Thenn there's mie gauntlette78 onn mie gaberdyne'7i'. 

H E R E H A U L D E. 

A leegefull 80 challenge*, knyghtes & champyonns 

dygne 8r, 

A leegefull challenge, lette the flugghorne sounde.90 

I 

[Syrr Symonne and Nevylle tyltet 

Nevylle ys goeynge, manne and horse, toe grounde. 

[Nevylle fallsi 

Loverdes, how doughtilie 81 the tylterrs joyne ! 

76 that. 77 dispute. 71 glove. 79 a piece of armour. 80 lawful; 

worthy; 81 furioufly. 

D 2 

tee;


Yee champyonnes, heere Symonne de Bourtonne 

fyghtes, 

Onne hee hathe quacedd 8!, assay le 8+ hymm, yee 

knyghtes. 

. FERRARIS. 

I wylle anente8s hymm goe ; mie squierr, mie fliielde 195 

Orr onne orr odherr wyll doe myckle 86 seethe87 

Before I doe departe the lissedd 88 fielde, 

Mieselfe orr Bourtonne hereupponn wyll blethe 8». 

Mie fhielde. 

BOURTONNE. 

Comme onne, & fitte thie tylte-launce ethe90. 

Whanne Bourtonn fyghtes, hee metes a doughtie 

foe. 100 

Hee falleth ; 

[Thie tylte. 

Ferraris falleth. 

nowe bie heavenne thie woundes doc 

fmethe 91 ; 

I feere mee, I have wroughte thee myckle woe 9I. 

*5 vanquished. 9* oppose. ,S against. 86 much. 8 7 damage, mis 

chief. 88 bounded. 88 bleed. 90 easy. 91 smoke. 91 hurt, or 

damage. 

, : h e


4 

H E R A W D E. 

Bourtonne hys seconde beereth to the seelde. 

Comme onn, yee knyghtes, and wynn the honnour'd 

sheeld. 

BERGHAMME. 

' 

I take the challenge ; squyre, mie launce and stede. 105 

I, Bourtonne, take the gauntlette ; forr mee staie. 

Botte, gyffthou fyghteste mee, thou shalt have mede's ; 

Somme odherr I wylle champyonn toe affraie 94 ; 

Perchaunce fromme hemm I maie possess the daie, 

Thenn T schalle bee a foemanne forr thie spere. 1 10 

Herehawde, toe the bankes of Knyghtys saie, 

De Berghamme wayteth forr a foemann heere. 

CLINTON. 

Botte longe thou schalte ne tende 95 ; 

Lyche forreying 97 levynn 98, 

flie. 

[Berghamme & Clinton tylte. 

I doe thee fie96. 

schalle mie tylte-launce 

Clinton falletbe. 

91 reward. 94 fight or engage. 95 attend or wait. 96 defy. 

•7 & 9a destroying lightening. 

D 3 

BERG


BERGHAMME. 

Nowe, nowe, Syrr Knyghte, attoure»9 thie beeveredd10' 

eyne. 115 

I have borne downe, and efte 101 doe gauntlette thee. 

Swythenne IOi begynne, and wrynn I0J thie shappe 

orr myne ; 

Gyff thou dyscomfytte, ytt wylle dobblie bee. 

[Bourtonne yBurghamm tylteth. 

Berghamme falls. 

HERAWDE. 

Symonnede Bourtonne haveth borne downe three, 

And bie the thyrd hathe honnoure of a four the. 120 

Lett hymm bee sett afyde, tylle hee doth see 

A tyltynge forr a knyghte of gentle wourthe. 

Heere commethe straunge knyghtes ; 

heie lc6, 

gyff corteous I0S 

Ytt Welle bescies ,07 to yeve 108 hemm ryghte of 

fraie 10». 

59 turn. 100 beaver'd. 101 again. 101 quickly. 103 declare. 

V* sate. 105 worthy. la6 they. becomes. 109 give. 109 fyght. 

FIRST


FIRST KNYGHTE. 

Straungerrs wee bee, and homblie doe wee claymei25 

The rennome 110 ynn thys Tourneie 111 forr to tylte ; 

Dherbie to proove fromm cravents "* owre goode 

name, 

Bewrynnynge »« thatt wee gentile blodde have spylte. 

HEREHAWDE. ' 

Yee knyghtes of cortesie, these straungerrs, saie, 

Bee you fulle wyllynge forr to yeve hemm fraie? 130 

[Fyve Knyghtes tylteth wythe the strauê Knygbte, 

and bee evefichone "4 overthrowne. 

BOURTONNE. 

Nowebie Seyncte Marie, gyff onn all the fielde 

Ycrasedd "« speres and helmetts bee besprente llS, 

Gyff everyche knyghte dydd houlde a 

fheeld, . 

piercedd n7 

Gyff all the feelde wythe champyonne blodde bee 

stente 118, 

110 honour. 111 Tournament. 111 cowards. 1,5 declaring 114 every 

.one. 1,5 broken, split. "'scatter'd. 1,7 broken, or pierced through 

with darts. 118 itained. 

D 4 

Yett

4o 

THE TOURNAMENT, 

Yett toe encounters hymm I bee contente. 135 

Annodherr launce, Marshalle, anodherr launce. 

Albeytte hee wythe lowes "» of fyre ybrente 

Yett Bourtonne woulde agenste hys val 111 advance. 

Fyve haveth fallenn downe anethe »" hys speere, 

Botte hee schalle bee the next thatt fallelh heere. 140 

Bie thee, Seyncte Marie, and thy Sonne I sweare, 

Thatt ynn whatte place yonn doughtie knyghte shall 

fall 

Anethe 115 the stronge push of mie straught "4 out 

speere, 

There schalle aryse a hallie II* chyrches walle, 

The whyche, ynn honnoure, I wylle Marye calle,i45 

Wythe pillars large, and spyre full hyghe and rounde. 

And thys I faifullie ,i


KYNGE. 

The Mornynge Tyltes now cease. 

HERAWDE. 

Bourtonne ys kynge. 

Dysplaie the Englyfibe bannorre onn the tente ; 

Rounde hymm, yee mynstrelles, songs of achments 

fynge ; 

Yee Herawdes, getherr upp the speeres besprente 

130 ; 

To Kynge of Tourney-tylte bee all knees bente. 155 

Dames faire and gentle, forr youre loves hee foughte ; 

Forr you the longe tyke-launce, the swerde hee 

fliente m ; 

Hee joustedd, alleine lU havynge you ynn thoughte. 

x 

Coming mynstrelles, found the strynge, goe onn eche 

fyde, 

Whylest hee untoe the Kynge ynn state doe ryde.160 

11* atchievements, glorious actions. 130 broken spears. 131 broke, 

destroyed. 1** only, alone. 

MYN-

42 THE TOURNAMENT, 

MYNSTRELLES. 

Whann Battayle, fmethynge "3 wythe new quickenn*d 

gore,. 

Bendynge wythe spoiles, and bloddie droppynge 

hedde, 

Dydd the merke rs4 woode of ethe and rest explore, 

Seekeynge to lie onn Pleasures downie bedde, 

Pleasure, dauncyng fromm her vvode, 165 

Wrcathedd wythe fioures of aiglintine, 

Fromm hys vysage washedd the bloude, 

Hylte *i6 hys swerde and gaberdyne. 

Wythe. fyke an eyne fliee swotelie l37 hymin dydd 

view, 

Dydd foe ycorvenn 1,3 everrie shape to joie, 1 70. 

Hys spryte dydd chaunge untoe anodherr hue, 

Hys armes, ne spoyles, mote anie thoughts emploie. 

All delyghtsomme and contente, 

Fyre enshotynge fromm hys eyne, 

Ynn hys arms hee dydd herr hente 14°, 175 

Lyche the merk -plante doe entwyne. 

^3 smoaking, steaming. 134 dark, gloomy. 135 ease. I3* hid, 

secreted. 137 swetely. 138 moulded. 139 shooting, darting. 140 grasp, 

hold. 141 night-shade. 

Sor


Soe, gyff thou lovest Pleasure and herr trayne, 

Onknowlachynge 141 ynn whatt place herr to fynde, 

Thys rule yspende14', and ynn thie mynde retayne; 

tseeke Honnoure fyrste, and Pleasaunce lies be* 

hynde. 180 

*i* ignorant, unknowing. 

143 consider. 

BRISTOWE

[ 44 ] 

BRISTOWE TRAGEDIE: 

OR THE DETHE OF 

SYR CHARLES BAWDIN. 

TH E seatherd songster chauntlcleer 

Han wounde hys bugle horne, 

And tolde the earlie villager 

The commynge of the morne : 

Kynge Edwarde sawe the ruddie streakes 

Of lyghte eclypse the greie; 

And herde the raven's crokynge throte 

Proclayme the fated daie. 

" Thou'rt ryght," quod hee, " for, by the Godde 

" That fyttes enthron'd on hyghe ! 10 

" Charles Bawdin, and hys sellovres twaine, 

« To-daie shall furelie die." 

Thenne

THE DETHE, &c. 45 

Thenne wythe a jugge of nappy ale 

Hys Knyghtes dydd onne hymm waite ; 

" Goe tell the traytour, thatt to-daie . 1 5 

" Hee leaves thys mortall state." 

Syr Canterlone thenne bendedd lowe, 

Wythe harte brymm-fulle of woe ; 

Hee journey'd to the castle-gate, 

And to Syr Charles dydd goe. 20 

Butt whenne hee came, hys children twaine, 

And eke hys lovynge wyse, 

Wythe brinie tears dydd wett the floore, 

For goode Syr Charleses lyse. 

" O goode Syr Charles !" sayd Canterlone, 25 

•« Badde tydyngs I doe brynge." 

" Speke boldlie, manne," fayd brave Syr Charles, 

" Whatte fays thie traytor kynge ?" 

** I greeve to telle, before yonne fonne 

" Does fromme the welkinn flye, 

** Hee hath uponne hys honour sworne, 

" Thatt thou shalt surelie die." 

30 

" Wee

46 THE DETIIE OF 

Wee all must die," quod brave Syr Charles ; 

" Of thatte I'm not affearde ; 

" Whattebootes to lyve a little space? 35 

" Thanke Jesu, I'm prepar'd : 

n Butt telle thye kynge, for myne hee's not, 

" 1'de sooner die to-daie 

Thanne lyve hys flave, as manie are> 

** Tho' I shoulde lyve for aie." 40 

Thenne Canterlone hee dydd goe out^ 

To telle the maior straite 

To gett all thynges ynne reddyness 

For goode Syr Charleses fate. 

Thenne Maisterr Canynge faughte the kynge, 45 

i' 

And felle down onne hys knee ; 

I'm come," quod hee, " unto your grace 

" To move your clemencye." 

Thenne quod the kynge, " Youre tale speke otit> 

" You have been much oure friende; 50 

" Whatever youfe request may bee, 

" Wee vrylle to ytte attende." 

« Ms

SYR CHARLES BAWDlN. 

Aj 

" My nobile leige ! alle my request 

'* Ys for a nobile knyghte, 

" Who, tho' may hap hee has donne wronge, 55 

** Hee thoghte ytte stylle was ryghte : 

" Hee has a spouse and children twaine, 

" Alle rewyn'd are for aie ; 

" Yff thatt you are resclv'd to lets 

" Charles Bawd in die to-daie." 60 

" Speke nott of such a traytour vile," 

The kynge ynne furie sayde ; 

M Before the evening starre doth sheene, 

" Bawdin shall loose hys hqdde : 

" Justice does loudlie for hym calle, 

" And hee shalle have hys meede : 

" Speke, Maister Canynge ! Whatte thynge 

" Att present doe you neede ?" 

" My nobile leige !" goode Canynge sayde, 

" Leave justice to our Godde, ^0 

** And laye the yronne rule afyde ; 

" Be thyne the olyve rodde. 

" Was

48 THE DETHE OF 

" Was Godde to serche our hertes and reines, 

" The best were fynners grete; 

" Christ's vycarr only knowes ne fynne, J$ 

" Ynne alle thys mortall state. 

" Lett mercie rule thyne infante reigne, 

" Twylle faste thye crowne fulle sure ; 

" From race to race thy familie 

" Alle sov'reigns shall endure : 80 

" Butt yff wythe bloode and flaughter thoU 

" Beginne thy infante reigne, 

" Thy crowne uponne thy childrennes brows 

" Wylle never long remayne." 

" Canynge, awaie ! thys traytour vile 83 

" Has scorn 'd my power and mee ; 

" Howe canst thou thenne for such a manne 

" Intreate my clemencye V 

" My nobile leige ! the trulie brave 

" Wylle val'rous actions prize, 90 

*' Respect a brave and nobile mynde, 

" Altho' ynne enemies." 

" Canynge,


" Canynge, awaie ! By Godde ynneHeav'n 

" Thatt dydd mee being e gyve, 

" I wylle nott taste a bitt of breade 95 

" Whilst thys Syr Charles dothe lyve. 

** By Marie, and alle Seinctes ynne Heav'n, 

" Thys sunhe shall be hys laste." 

Thenne Canynge dropt a brinie teare^ 

And from the presence paste. 103 

Wyth herte brymm-fulle of gnawynge grief, 

Hee to Syr Charles dydd goe, 

And satthymm downe uponne a stoole, 

And teares beganne to flowe. 

" Wee all must die," quod brave Syr Charles,* 105 

" Whatte bootes ytte howe or whenne • 

" Dethe ys the sure, the certaine fate 

" Of all wee mortall menne. 

** Saye why, my friend, thie honest soul 

'* Runns overr att thyne eye; 11 a 

Is ytte for my most welcome doome 

u Thatt thou dost child-Iyke crye?" 

E 

Quod

56 THE DETHE Of 

Quod godlie Canynge, " I doe weepe, 

" Thatt thou foe soone must dye, 

" And leave thy sonnes and helpless wyse 5 115 

" *Tys thys thatt wettes myne eye." 

" Thenne drie the tears thatt out tbyne eye 

" From godlie fountaines sprynge j 

*' Dethe I despise, and alle the power 

** Of Edwarde, traytor kynge. 120 

*' Whan throgh the tyrant's welcom means 

" I shall resigne my lyse, 

" The Godde I serve wylle soone provyde 

" For bothe mye sonnes and wyse. 

" Before I sawe the fyghtsome sunne, 125 - 

" Thys was appointed mee ; 

H Shall mortal manne repyne or grudge 

" Whatt Godde ordeynes to bee ? 

" Howe oft ynne battaile have I stoode, 

". Whan thousands dy'd arounde ; 130 

'* Whan smokynge streemes of crimson bloode 

" Imbrew'd the fatten'd grounde : 

" Howe

SYR CHARLES BAWfiiN, 

** Howe dydd I knowe thatt ev'ry dafte* 

" Thatt cutte the airie waie, 

*' Myghte nott fynde passage toe my harte, I35 

" Arid close myne eyes for aie ? 

" And shall I nowe, forr seere of dethe> 

" Looke wanne and bee dyfmayde ? 

tf Ne ! frornm my herte flie childyshe seere, 

" Bee alle the marine display 'd. 1 46 

ie Ah, goddelyke Henri e ! Godde foresende, 

" And guarde thee and thye sonne, . 

tt Yff 'tis hys wylle ; but yff 'tis nott, 

" Why thenne hys wylle bee donne. 

" My honest friende, my faulte has beene t^.§ 

" To serve Godde and mye prynce ; 

u And thatt I no tyme-server am, 

" My dethe wylle soone convynce. 

u Ynne Londonne citye was I borne, 

ic 

" Of parents of grete note ; i 50 

My fadre dydd a nobile armes 

" Emblazon onne hys cote i 

E a 

t make-

2 THE DETHE Os' 

" I make ne doubte butt hee ys gone 

" Where soone I hope to goe ; 

" Where wee for ever shall bee blestj 

" From oute the reech of woe : 

" Hee taughte mee justice and the laws 

" Wyth pitie to unite; 

" And eke hee taughte mee howe to knowe 

" The wronge cause fromm the ryghte 

" Hee taughte mee wythe a prudent hande 

" To seede the hungrie poore* 

" Ne lett mye sarvants dryve awaie 

" The hungrie fromme my doore : 

" And none can faye, butt alle mye lyse 

** I have hys wordyes kept; 

" And summ'd the actyonns of the daie 

" Eehe nyghte before 1 flept* 

" I have a spouse, goe aske of her, 

" Yff I defyl'd her bedde ? 

" 1 have a kynge, and none can laie 

" Blacke treason onne my hedde*

SYR CHARLES BAWDIN. 53 

" Ynne Lent, and onne the holie eve, 

" Fromm fleflie I dydd refrayne ; 

u Whie fhould I thenne appeare difmay'd 175 

54 THE DETHE Q F 

t* Whatte tho', uphoisted onne a pole, 

" Mye lymbes shall rone ynne ayre, 

f And ne ryche monument of brasse 195 

tf Charles Bawdin's name shall bear ; 

(C Yett ynne the holie booke above, 

f Whyche tyme can't eate awaie, 

(' 

There wythe the sarvants of the Lorde 

" Mye name shall lyve for aie. 200 

?£ Thenne welcome dethe ! for lyse eterne 

f I leave thys mortal! lyse : 


5S 

And nowe the bell beganne to tolle, 

And claryon nes to found e ; 

Syr Charles hee herde the horses seete 

A prauncyng onne the grounde : 

215 

And just before the officers, 

His lovynge wyse came ynne, 

Weepynge unseigned teeres of woe, 

Wythe loude and dysmalle dynne. 22« 

" Sweet Florence ! nowe I praie forbere, 

" Ynne quiet lett mee die ; 

" Praie Godde, thatt ev'ry Christian soule 

" Maye looke onne dethe as I. 

" Sweet Florence ! why these brinie teeres ? 225 

" Theye washe my soule awaie, 

" And almost make mee wyshe for lyse, 

" Wyth thee, sweete dame, to staie. 

" *Tys butt a journie I shalle goe 

" Untoe the lande of blysse ; 

1 ' Nowe, as a proose of husbande's love, 

*' Receive thys holie kysTe." 

E 4 

230 

Thenn

THE DETHE OF 

Thenne Florence, feult'ring ynne her saie, 

Trembly nge these wordyes spoke, 

f* Ah, cruele Edwarde ! bloudie kynge ! 235 

" My herte ys welle nyghe broke : 

f* Ah, sweete Syr Charles ! why wyh thou goc, 

" Wythoute thye lovynge wyse ? 

f The cruelle axe thatt cuttes thye necke, 

" Ytte eke shall ende mye lyse." 24Q 

And nowe the officers came ynne 

To brynge Syr Charles awaie, 

■Whoe turnedd toe hys lovynge wyse, 

And thus toe her dydd saie : 

" I goe to lyse, and nott to dethe •, 245 

" Truste thou ynne Godde above, 

f* And teache thye sonnes to seare the Lorde, 

" And ynne theyre hertes hym love : 

(c Teache them to runne the nobile race 

" Thatt I theyre fader runne : 250 

8YR CHARLES BAWD IN. 57 

Thenne Florence rav'd as anie madde, 

And dydd her tresses tere ; 

" Oh! staie, mye husbande! lorde! and lyse!"—255 

Syr Charles thenne dropt a teare. 

Tyll tyredd oute wythe ravynge loud, 

Shee fellen onne the flore ; 

Syr Charles exerted alle hys myghte, 

And march'd fromm oute the dore. 260 

Uponne a fledde hee mounted thenne, 

Wythe lookes fulle brave and swete ; 

Lookes, thatt enshone ne moe concern 

Thanne anie ynne the strete. 

Before hym went the council-menne, 265 

Ynne scarlett robes and golde, 

And taffils spanglynge ynne the sunne, 

Muche glorious to beholde : 

The Freers of Seincte Augustyne next 

Appeared to the fyghte, 

Alle cladd ynne homelie russett weedes, 

Of godlie monkysh plyghte : 

27a 

Ynpc

THE DETHE OF 

Ynne diffraunt partes a godlie pfaume 

Moste sweetlie theye dydd chaunt ; 

Behynde they re backes syx mynstrelles came, 275 

"Who tun'd the strunge bataunt. 

Thenne fy ve-and-twentye archers came ; 

Echone the bowe dydd bende, 

From rescue of kynge Henries friends 

Syr Charles forr to defend. 289 

Bolde as a lyon came Syr Charles, 

Drawne onne a clothe-layde fledde, 

Bye two blacke stedes ynne trappynges white, 

Wyth plumes uponne theyre hcdde : 

jBehynde hym fyve-and-twentye moe 285 

Of archers stronge and stoute, 

Wyth bended bowe echone ynne hande, 

Marched ynne goodlie route: 

Seincte Jameses Freers marched next, 

Echone hys parte dydd chaunt ; 

Behynde theyre backes fyx mynstrelles came, 

Who tun'd the strunge bataunt : 

290 

Thenne


fhenne came the maior and eldermenne, 

Ynne clothe of scarlett deck't; 

And theyre attendyng menne echone, 293 

Lyke Easterne princes trickt : 

And after them, a multitude 

Of citizenns dydd thronge ; 

The wyndowes were alle fulle of heddes, 

As hee dydd passe alonge. 300 

And whenne hee came to the hyghe crosse, 

Syr Charles dydd turne and faie, 

'* O Thou, thatt favest manne fromme synne, 

" Wafhe mye soule clean thys daie !" 

Att the grete mynsterr wyndowe fat 303 

The kynge ynne myckle state, 

To fee Charles BAWDiNgoe alonge 

To hys most welcom fate. 

Soone as the fledde drewe nyghe enowe, 

Thatt Edwarde hee myghte heare, 310 

The brave Syr Charles hee. dydd stande uppe, 

And thus hys wordes declare : 

« Thou

THE DETHE OF 

'* Thou seest mee, Edwarde ! traytour vile ! 

" Expos'd to infamie ; 

f ' Butt bee affur'd, difloyall manne \ 

" I'm greaterr nowe thanne thee. 

SYR CHARLES BAWDlft. 

Kynge Edwarde's soule rufli'd to hys face, 

Hee turn'd hys hedde awaie> 

And to hys broder Gloucester 

Hee thus dydd speke and saie : 

' 

" To hym that soe-much-dreaded dethe 

" Ne ghastlie terrors brynge^ 

" Beholde the manne ! hee spake the truthe* 

Hee's greater thanne a kynge !" 

u Soe lett hym die !" 

Duke Richard saydej 

*' 

" And maye echone oure foes 

Bende downe theyre neckes to bloudie axe, 

" And seede the carryon crowes." 

And nowe the horses gentlie drewe 

Syr Charles uppe the hyghe hylle ; 

The axe dydd glysterr ynne the sunne, 

Hys pretious bloude to spylle. 

Syrf Charles dydd uppe the scasfold goe, 

As uppe a gilded carre 

Of victorye, bye val'rous chiess 

Gayn'd ynne the bloudie warre :

THE DETHE OF 

And to the people hee dydd saie* 

" Beholde you see mee dye, 

" For servynge loyally mye kynge, 30 

" Mye kynge most ryghtfullie. 

" As longe as Edwarde rules thys lande, 

" Ne quiet you wylle knowe ; 

" Youre fonnes and hufbandes shalle bee flayne, 

" And brookes wythe blonde shalle flotve. 36a 

** You leave youre goode and lawfulle kynge,- 

te 

'* Whenne ynne adversitye % 

Lyke mee, untoe the true cause stycke, 

" Arid for the true cause dye." 

Thenne hee, wyth preestes, uponne hys knees,: 

3^ 

A pray'r to Godde dydd make, 

Beseechynge hym unto hymselfe 

Hys partynge soule to take. 

Thenne, krieelynge downe, hee layd hys hedde 

Most seemlie onne the blockc ; 370 

Whyche fromme hys bodiesayre at once 

The able heddes-manne stroke ; 

4 And

SYR CHARLES BAWD IN. 

And oute the bloude beganne to flowe, 

And rounde the scaffblde twyne ; 

And teares, enow to washe't awaie, 

Dydd flowe fromme each mann's eyne* 

The bloudie axe hys bodie fayre 

Ynnto foure parties cutte ; 

And ev'rye parte, and eke hys hedde, 

Uponne a pole was putte. 

One parte dydd rotte onne Kynwulph-hylle, 

One onne the mynster-tower, 

And one from osf the eastle-gate 

The crowen dydd devoure : 

The other onne Seyncte Powle's goode gate, 

A dreery spectacle ; 

Hys hedde was plac'd onne the hyghe crosse, 

Ynne hyghe-streete most nobile. 

Thus was the ende of Bawdin's fate : 

Godde prosper longe oure kynge, 

And grante hee maye, wyth Bawdin's soule, 

Ynne heav'n Godd's mercie synge !

I 

Æ L L A: 

A 

TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE*. 

6 R 

DISCOORSEYNGE TRAGEDIE, 

WROTENN BlE 

THOMAS ROWLEIEj 

PLAIEDD before 

Mastre CANYNGE, atte hys howse nempte 

the Rodde Lodge; 

[alsoe before the Duke of Norfolck, JOHAN 

HOWARD.] 

» 

F

PERSONNES REPRESENTEDD. 

Ælla, 

bie Thomas Rowkie, Preeste, the Aucthoure. 

Celmonde, 

Hurra, 

Joban Iscamm, Preeste. 

Syrr Thybbotte Gorges, Knyghte. 

Birtha, - Mastre Edwarde Canynge. 

Odherr Parses bie Knyghtcs Mynstrelks.

t 67 3 

EPISTLE TO MASTRE CANYNGE ON 

ÆLLA. 

Y S songe ble mynstrelles, thatte yn auntyent 

tyro, 

Whan Reasonn hylt 1 

herselse in cloudes of nyghte, 

The preeste delyvered alle the lege 1 

yn rhym j 

Lychepeyncted' tyltynge speares to please the fyghte, 

The whyche yn yttes selle use doe make moke 4 

dere S, 5 

Syke dyd theire auncyante lee deftlie6 delyghte the eare. 

Perchaunce yn Vyrtues gare 7 

rhym mote bee thenne, 

Butt eefte8 nowe flyeth to the odher fyde; 

In hallie 9 

preeste apperes the ribaudes 10 penne, 

Inne lithie 11 

moncke apperes the barronnes prydeno 

But rhym wythe somme, as nedere 11 

widhout teethe, 

Make pleasaunce to the sense, botte mate do lyttel 

scathe ,3. 

1 hid, concealed. 1 law. 1 painted. 4 much. S hurt, damage. 

• sweetly. 7 cause. 8 oft. 9 holy. 1? rake, lewd person. " humble. 

** adder. 13 hurt, damage. 

F 2 

Syr

68 EPISTLE TO MASTRE CANYNGE- 

Syr Johne, a knyghte, who hath a barne of lore1*, 

Kenris 15 Latyn att fyrst fyghte from Frencheor Greke*, 

Pyghtethe16 hysknowlachynge17 tenyeres or more, 15 

To rynge upon the Latynne worde to speke. 

Whoever spekethe Englysch ys despyscd, 

The Englysch hym to please moste fyrste be latynized. 

Vevyan, a moncke, a good requiem 18 fynges; 

Can preache so wele, eche hynde ,» hys meneynge 

knowes; 20 

Albeytte these gode guyfts awaie he flynges, 

Beeynge as badde yn vearse as goode yn prose. 

Hee fynges of seynctes who dyed for yer Godde, 

Everych wynter nyghte afresche he sheddes theyr blodde. 

To maydens, huswyses, and unlored 1o dames, 2 5 

flee redes hys tales of merryment & woe. 

Loughe 11 loudlie dynneth " from the dolte *? 

adrames 14 ; 

He swelles on laudes of fooles, tho' kennes 15 hem foe. 

,+ learning. 15 knows. 16 plucks or tortures. 17 knowledge. ,! a 

service used over the dead. 18 peasant. 10 unlearned, M laugh. 

** sounds. *3 foolifli. 34 churls. 15 knows. 

Sommetyme

EPISTLE TO MASTRE CANYNGE. 69 

Sommetyme at tragedie theie Iaughe and fynge, 

At merrie yaped i6 sage *7 somme hard-drayned water 

brynge, 39 

Yette Vevyan ys ne foole, beyinde 18 hys lynes. 

Geofroie makes vearse, as handycraftes theyr ware ; 

Wordes wythoute sense fulle groffyngelye1' he twynes, 

Cotteynge hys storie off as wythe a sheere ; '% 

Waytes monthes on nothynge, & hys storie donne, 35 

£Je moe you from ytte kenn, than gyf 50 you neere begonne. 

Enowe of odhers ; of mieselse to write, 

Requyrynge whatt I doe notte nowe possess, 

To you I leave the taflce ; I kenne your myghte 

Wyll make mie faultes, mie meynte 31 of faultes, be 

less. 40 

Ælla wythe thys I sende, and hope that you 

Wylle from ytte caste awaie, whatte lynes maie be un 

true, 

39 lapghable. 4* tale, jest. a" beyond. 1» foolishly. *» if, 

I1 many. 

F 3 

Playes

70 EPISTLE TO MASTRE CANYNGE. 

Playes made from hallie 3t 

tales I holde unmeete; 

Lette somme greate storie of a manne be fonge ; 

Whanne, as a manne, we Godde and Jesus treate, 45 

In mie pore mynde, we doe the Godhedde wronge. 

Botte lette ne wordes, whyche droorie" mote neheare, 

Bee placed yn the fame. Adieu untylle anere '+. 

THOMAS ROWLEIE, 

3* holy. 33 strange perversion of words. Droork in its antient sig 

nification stood for modesty. 34 another. 

LETTER

[■ n ] 

LETTER TO THE DYGNE MASTRE 

C ANYNGE. 

STRAUNGE dome ytte ys, that, yn these daies of 

oures, 

Nete 3s butte a bare recytalle can hav place ; 

Nowe shapelie poesie hast loste yttes powers, 

And pynant hystorie ys onlie grace ; 

Heies5 pycke up wolsome weedes, ynsteddeof flowers, 5 

And famylies, ynstedde of wytte, theie trace; 

Nowe poesie canne meete wythe ne regrate3", 

Whylste prose, & herehaughtrie 38, ryse yn estate. 

Lette kynges, & rulers, whan heie gayne a throne, 

Shewe whatt theyre grandsieres, & great grandsieres 

bore, 10 

Emarschalled armes, yatte, ne before theyre owne, 

Now raung'd wythe whatt yeir fadres han before ; 

Lette trades, & toune folck, lett fyke '» tbynges alone, 

Ne fyghte for fable yn a fielde of aure ; 

35 nought, I* they. 37 esteem. 38 heraldry. 3* such. 

F 4 

geldomm,

72 LETTER TO MASTRE CANYNGE. 

Seldomm, or never, are armes vyrtues mede, I £ 

Shee nillynge 4° to take myckle 4« aie dothe hede. 

A man ascaunse upponn a piece maye looke, 

And shake hys hedde to styrre hys rede 4» aboute ; 

Quod he, gyf I askaunted oere thys booke, 

Schulde fynde thereyn thattrouthe ys left wythoute ; 29 

Eke, gyf 43 ynto a vew percase 44 1 tooke 

The long beade-rolle of al the wrytynge route, 

Asseriu.s, Ingolphus, Torgotte, Bedde, 

Thorow hem 45 al nete lyche ytte I coulde rede.— 

Pardon, yee Graiebarbes 4«, gyff I faie, onw.ise 2£ 

Yee are, to stycke so close & bysinarelie 47 

To hystorie ; 

you doe ytte tooe moche pryze, 

Whyche amenused 48 thoughtes of poesie j 

Somme drybblette 49 share you shoulde to yatte50 alyse*1, 

Nott makynge everyche thynge bee hystorie ; 30 

Instedde of mountynge onn a wynged horse, 

You onn a rouncy 

dryve yn dolefull course. 

40 unwilling, 41 much. 41 wisdom, council. 43 if. 44 perchance. 

45 them. 46 Greybeards. 47 curioufly. 48 lessened, 49 small *° that. 

' 1 allow. 51 cart-horse. 

Cannynge

LETTER TO MASTRE CANYNGE. 73 

-Cannynge & I from common course dyssente ; 

Wee ryde the stede, botte yev to hym the reene ; 

Ne wylle betweene erased molterynge bookes be pente,3 £ 

Botte soare on hyghe, & yn the sonne-bemes flieene ; 

And where v?ee kenn somme ishad 55 floures besprente, 

We take y tte, & from oulde rouste doe y tte clene ; 

Wee wy lle ne cheynedd to one pasture bee, 

Botte sometymes soare 'bove trouthe of hystorie. 40 

Sale, Canynge, whattwas vearse yn daies of yore? 

Fyne thoughtes, and couplettes setyvelie J4 bewryen 55, 

Notte fyke as doe annoie thys age so sore, 

A keppened poyntelle 56 restynge at eche lyne. 

Vearse maie be goode, botte poefie wantes more, 45 

An onlist s7 lecturn s8, and a songe adygne s» ; 

Accordynge to the rule I have thys wroughte, 

Gyffytt please Canynge, I care notte a groate. 

The thynge ytts moste bee yttes owne desense ; 

Som metre maie notte please a womannes ear. 50 

"broken. 54 elegantly. 55 declared, expressed. 56 a pen, used 

metaphorically, as a muse or genius. 57 boundless. !* subject. 59 ner« 

vous, worthy of praise. 

Canynge

74 LETTER TO MASTRE CANYNGE. 

Canynge lookes notte for poesie, botte fense ; 

And dygne, & wordie thoughtes, ys all hys care. 

Canynge, adieu ! I do you greete from hence j t , 

Full soone I hope to taste of your good cheere ; 

Goode Byfhoppe Carpynter dyd byd mee faie, 55 

Hee wyfche you healthe & selinesse for aie. 

T. ROWLEIE. 

ENTRO,

£ 75 3 

ENTRODUCTIONNE. 

SOMME cherisaunei 60 'tys to gentle mynde, 

Whan heie have chevyced61 theyre londe from 

bayne 

■Whan theie ar dedd, theie leave yer name behynde, 

And theyre goode deedes doe on the earthe remayne ; 

Downe yn the grave wee ynhyme 61 everych steyne, . £ 

Whylest al her gentlenesse ys made to sheene, 

Lyche setyve baubels 64 geasonne 6s to be scene, 

Ælla, the wardenne of thys6S castell67 stede, 

Whylest Saxons dyd the Englysche sceptre swaie, 

Who made whole troopes of Dacyan men to blede, 

Then seel'd 68 hys eyne, and seeled hys eyne for aie, 

Weerowze hym uppe before the judgment daie, 

To saie what he, as clergyond 6», can kenne, 

And howe hee sojourned in the vale of men. 

60 comfort. "1 preserved. 61 ruin. 63 inter. 6+ jewels. ej rare. 

•'Bristol. " castle, "closed. 69 taught. 

io 

ÆLLA.

■ 

s 76 3 

Æ L L A. 

C E L M O N D E, att Brystowe. 

BEFORE yonne roddie sonne has droove hys 

wayne 

Throwe halse hys joornie, dyghte yn gites1 of goulde, 

Mec, happeless mee, hee wylle a wretche behoulde, 

Mieselse, and al that's myne, bounde ynne myschaunces 

chayne. 

Ah ! Birtha, whie dydde Nature frame thee fayre ? 5 

■Whie art thou all thatt poyntelle 1 canne bewreene 3 ? 

Whie art thou nott as coarse as odhers are 

Botte therm thie soughle woulde throwe thy vysage . 

fljeene, 

Yatt shemres onn thie comelie semlykeene % 

Lyche nottebrowne cloudes/ wha.nn bie the sonne 

made redde, 

io 

1 robes, mantels. * a pen, *. express. 4. countenance. 

Orr

Æ L L A, kc. 77 

Orr scarlette, wythe waylde lynnen clothe ywreene S, 

Syke6 woulde thie spryteupponn thievysagespredde. 

Thys daie brave Ælladothe thyne honde & harte 

Clayme as hys owne to be, whyche nee fromm bys moste 

parte. 

And cann I lyve to see herr wythe anere 7 ! 15 

Ytt cannotte, muste notte, naie, ytt shalle not bee. 

Thys nyghte I'll putte stronge poysonn ynn the beere, 

And hymm, herr, and myselse, attenes 8 wyll flea. 

Aflyst mee, Helle! le:t Devylles rounde mee tende, 

To flea mleselse,mie love,&ekerniedoughtiei'friende.20 

ÆLLA, BIRTH A. 

Æ L L. A. 

Notte, whanne the hallie prieste dyd make me knyghte, 

Blessynge the weaponne, tellynge future dede, 

Howe bie mie honde the prevyd 10 Dane fhoulde blede, 

Howe I schulde often bee, and often wynne, ynn fyghte; 

1 covered. • such. * another. * »t once. * mighty. 10 hardy, 

talourous. 

Notte,

}l Æ L L A : 

Notte, whann I fyrste behelde thie beauteous hue, 2 5 

Whyche strooke mie mynde, & rouzed mie softer soule; 

Nott, whann from the barbed horse 

viewe 

yn fyghte dyd 

The flying Daciansoere the wyde playne roule, 

■Whan all the troopes of Denmarque made grete dole, 

Dydd I sele joie wyth fyke reddoure 11 as nowe, 30 

Whann hallie preest, the lechemanne of the soule, 

Dydd knytte us both ynn a caytyfnede " vopre : . < 

Now hallie Ælla's selynesse ys grate ; 

Shap 15 

haveth nowe ymade hys woes for to emmate 

B I R T H A. 

Mie lorde, & hufbande, fyke a joie ys myne; 35 

Botte mayden modestie moste ne foe faie, 

Albeytte thou mayest rede ytt ynn myne eyne, 

Or ynn myne harte, where thou shake be for aie ; 

Inne fothe, I have botte meeded oute thie faie 13 ; 

For twelve tymes twelve the mone hathe bin 

yblente 16 , 40 

" violence. 11 binding, enforcing. " fate. 14 lessen, decrease. 

*» faith. 19 blinded. 

As

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. 7$ 

As manie tymes hathe vyed the Godde of daie, 

And on the grasse her lemes l1 of fylverr sente, 

Sythe thou dydst cheese mee for thie swote to bee, 

Enactynge ynn the same moste faiefullie to mee. 

Ofte have I seene thee atte the none-daie seaste, 45 

Whanne deysde bie thieselse, for wante of pheeres ,s, 

Awhylst thie merryemen dydde laughe and jeaste, 

Onn mee thou. semest all eyne, to mee all eares. 

Thou wardest mee as gyff ynn hondred seeres, 

Alest a daygnous *? looke to thee be sente, 50 

And offrendes 10 made mee, moe thann yie compheeres, 

Offe scarpes11 of scarlette, & fyne paramente i1 ; 

All thie yntente to please was lyssed 13 to mee, 

I saie ytt, I moste streve thatt you ameded bee. 

Æ L L A. 

Mie lyttel kyndneffes whyche I dydd doe, 55 

Thie gentleness doth corven them foe grete, 

Lyche bawfyn =4 olyphauntes 15 mie gnattes doc 

shewe ; 

Thou doest mie thoughtes of paying love amate15. 

17 lights, rays. 18 sellows, equals. 19 disdainful. 20 presents, of 

ferings. " scarfs. 11 robe* of scarlet. 23 bounded. 24 large. 25 ele 

phants. 18 destroy. 

Bottc

19 . Æ L L A : 

Bottc hann mie actyonns straughte17 the rolle of fate, 

Pyghte thee fromm Hell, or broughte Heaven down 

to thee, 60 

Layde the whol worlde a falldstole atte thie feete, 

On sinyle woulde be fuffycyll mede for mee. 

I amm Loves borro'r, & canne never paie, 

Bott be hys borrower stylle, & tbyne, mie swete, for aie. 

B I R T H A, 

Love, doe nOtte rate your achevmentes*8 foe fmalle^ 

As I to you, fyke love untoe mee beare ; 

For nothynge paste wille Birtha ever call, 

■ Ne on a foode from Heaven thynke to eheere. , 

As farr as thys frayle brutylle flesch wylle spere, 

Syke, & ne fardher I expecte of you; ^« 

Be notte toe flacke yn love, ne overdeare ; 

A sinalle fyre, yan a loude flame, proves more true. 

Æ L L A. 

Thie gentle wordis toe thie volunde 1> keiine 

To bee moe elergionde thann ys ynn meyncte of 

menne. 

*7 stretched. 18 services. memory, understanding. 

ÆLLA,

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. 

Sr 

ÆLLA, BIRTH A, 

MYNSTRELLES. 

CELMONDE, 

CELkONDE. 

Alle bleffynges fliowre on gentle Ælla's hedde ! 75 

Oft maie the moOne, yn sylverr sheenyrige Ij'ghte, 

Inne varied chaunges varyed bleflyhges shedde, 

Besprengeynge far abrbde inischaunces nyghte; 

And thou, fayre Birtha! thou, fayfe Dame, so 

bryghte, 

Long mayest thou wyth Ælla fynde muche peace, 80 

Wythe selynesse, 

as wyth a roabe, be dyghte, 

Wyth everych cbaungynge mone new joies encrease! 

I, as a token of mie love to speake, 

Have brought yoii jubbes of ale■, at nyghte youre 

brayne to breake. 

ÆLLA. 

Whan sopperes paste Welle drenche youre ale foe 

stronge, 1 85 

Tyde lyse, tyde death. 

§ CEL.

1 Ii L Ar 

CELMONDE. 

. • Ye Mynstrelles, chaunt your fongev 

Mynstrelles Songe, bie a Marine and Womanne. 

M A N N E. 

Tourne thee to thie Shepsterr 30 swayne v 

Bryghte sonne has ne droncke the dewe 

From the floures of yellowe hue ; 

Tourne thee, Alyce, baeke agayne. 90 

WOMANNE. 

No, bestoikerre u, I wylle goe, 

,Softlie tryppynge o'ere the mees 

Lyche the sylver-footed doe, 

Seekeynge fhelterr yn grene trees* 

M A N N E. 

See the moss-growne daisey'd banke, 

Pereynge ynne the streme bclowe 

Here we'lle sytte, yn dewte danke ; , 

Tourne thee, Alyce, do notte goe. 

**■ Shepherd. 31 deceiver. 31 meadows. 

A f RAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. 83 

W 0 M A N N E. 

I've hearde erste mie grandame saie,- 

l'i 

Yonge damoyselles schulde ne bee, 100 

Inne the swotie moonthe of Maie, 

Wythe yonge menne bie the grene wode tree. 

M A N N B. 

Sytte thee, Alyce, fytte, and harke, 

Howe the ouzle ^ chauntes hys noate, 

The chelandfee 34, greie morn larke, 105 

Chauntynge from theyre lyttel throate; 

W O M A N N Ei 

I heare them from eche grerie wode tree, 

Chauntynge owte so blatauntlie 3J, 

Tellynge lecturnyes 16 to mee, 

Myscheese ys whanne you are nygh. 

-3» The black bird. * Gold-finch. 13 loudly. 

** lectures. 

no 

MANN E.

Æ L L A: 

M A N N E, 

See alonge the mees so grene 

Pied daisies, kynge-coppes fwote; 

Alle wee fee* bie non bee seene, 

Nete botte (hepe fettea here a fote. 

WOMANNE. 

Shepster swayne, you tare mie gratche 3? 

Oute uponne ye ! lette me goe. 

Leave mee fwythe, or Pile alatche. 

Robynne, thys youre dame fliall knowe. 

M A N N E. 

See ! the crokynge brionie 

Rounde the popler twyste hys spraiej 

Rounde the oake the greene ivie 

Florryschethe and lyveth ak. 

Lette us seatc us bie tfiys tree, - 

Laughe, and synge to lovynge ayresj 

Comme, and doe notte coyen bee ; 

Nature made all thynges bie payres» 

3* Apparel.

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. 85 

Drooried cattes wylle after kyndej 

Gentle doves wylle kyss and coe: 

WOMANNE. 

Botte manne, hee moste bee ywrynde, 

Tylle fyr preeste make on of two. 13$ 

Tempte mee ne to the foule thynge j 

I wylle no mannes lemanne be ; 

Tyll fyr preeste hys fonge doethe fynge, 

Thou shalt neere fynde aught of mee. 

MANNE. 

Ke oure TadTe her yborne, 

To-morrowc, soone as ytte ys daie, 

File make thee wyse, ne bee forsworne, 

So tyde me lyse or dethe for aie. 

iê 

WOMANNE. 

Whatt dothe lette, botte thatte nowe 

Wee attenes ,8, thos honde yn honde, 149 

Unto divinistre 39 goe? 

. lAnd bee lyncked yn wedlocke bonde ? 

** At once. 39 a divine, 

G 3 MANNE. 

r « 1

\6 Æ L L A: 

MANN 

I agree, and thus I plyghte 

Honde, and harte, and all that's myne j 

Goode fyr Rogerr, do us ryghte, 

Make us one, at Cothb.ertes shryne. 

BOTHE, 

We wylle ynn a. bordelle 4° lyve, 

Hailje, thoughe of no estate ; 

Everyche clocke moe love shall gyve ; 

Wee ynn godenefle wylle bee greate. 

I50 

ÆH A. 

I lyche thys songe, Hyche ytt rnyckle wellj 

And there ys monie for yer fyngeynge nowe ; 

Butte have younoone thatt marriage-bleffynges telle? 

CE'LMONDE. 

In marriage, blessynges are botte sewe, I trowet 

1° A cottage. 

n y n.

A TRAGY.CAL INTERLUDE. 87 

MYNSTRELLE& 

Laverde4', wee have; and, gyff you please, .wille 

synge, 151 

As well as owre choughe-voyces wylle permytte. 

Æ L L A. 

Comme then, and fee you swptelie tune the stryngfc, 

And stret 4«3 and engyne all the human wytte, 

Toe pleafe mie dame. 

MYNSTREL L. E S, 

We'lle strayne owre wyttc and synge. 

Mynftrelks Songe* 

• 

FYRSTE MYNSTRELLE. 

The boddynge flourettes blofhes atte the lyghte ; 1 60 

The mees be sprenged wyth the yellowe hue ; 

Ynn daiseyd mantels ys the mountayn'e dyghte; 

The nefh 4' yonge coweflepe behdethe wyth the dewe; 

Lord. stretch. 43 tender, 

O 4 

Thfi 

v

88 JE L L A: 

The trees enlesed, ymoe Heavenne straughte, 

^Whenn gentle wyndes doe blowe, to whestlyng dynne 

ys brought, i6$ 

The eveqynge commes, and brynges the dewe alonge$ 

The roddie welkynne sheeneth to the eyne ; 

Arounde the alestake Mynstrells fynge the songe; 

Yonge ivie rounde the doore posie do entwyne ; 

I laie mee onn the grasse ; yette, to mic wylle, 

Albeytte alle ys fayre, there lackethe (omethynge stylle. 

SECONPE MYNSTpLLE. 

So Adam thoughtenne, whann, ynn Paradyfe, 

All Heavenn and Erthe dyd hommage to hys mynd,e; 

Ynn Womman alleyne mannes pleafaunee lyes,; 

As Instrumentes of joie were made the kynde. 17s 

Go, take a wyse unroe thie armes, and see 

Wynter, and brownie hyl les, wyll have a charme for thee. 

T HYRDE

A TRAGYCAL EMTXRLUP& 89 

■ 

THYRDE MYNSTRELLE. 

Whanne Autqmpne blake *♦ and fonne-brente doe 

appere, 

With hys goulde honde guyltcynge the falleynge lefet 

Bryngeyngc oppc Wynterr to folfylle the yere, 189 

Beerynge uponne hys backe the riped shcfe j 

Whan aj the hyls wythe woddie sedc ys whytei 

Whanne levynne-fyres ted. lease* da ttiete- frQtn far the 

Whann the fayre apple, rudde as even fkie, 

Po bende the wee unto the fructyle grounds j 185 

When joicie peres, and berries of blacke die, 

Doe daunce yn ayrc, and call the eyne aroundej 

Thann, bee the even soak, or even fayre, 

Meethynckes rote hartys joie ys fteynced wyth fomme 

* Naked. 

SECOND.

$0 Æ L L A: 

SECONDE MYNSTRELLTL 

Angelles bee wrogte to bee of neidher kynde ; 199 

Angelles alleyne frorame chase *5 defyre bee freej 

Dheere ys a sorawhatte evere ya the mynde, 

Yatte, wythout wommanne, cannot stylled bee; 

Ne seyncte yn celles, botte, havynge blodde and 

tcre 45, 

Do fyiide the spryte to joie on fyghte of womanne 

fayre; 195 

Wommen be-e made, notte for liemselv.es, batte 

manne, \ ^ 

Bone of hys bone, and chyld of hys desire; 

Fromme an ynutyle membere fyrste beganne, 

Ywroghte with moche of water, lyttele fyre ; 

Therefore theie seke the fyre of love, to hete 200 

The niiikynefs of kynde, and make hemselses complete. 

Albcytte, wythout wommen, menne were pheeres 

To salvage kynde, and wulde botte lyve to flea, 

Botte wommenne efte the spryghte of peace so cheres, 

Tochelod yn Angel joie heie Angeles bee ; 205 

« Hot. 4* health. . 

Go,


Go, take thee swythyn *7 to thie bedde a wyse, 

Bee bante or blessed hie, yn proovynge marryage lyfc 

Anodher Mynstrellcs Songe, bie Syr Tbybbot Gorges. 

As Elynour bie the green lesselle was fyttyrige, 

As from the sones hete she harried, 

She sayde, as herr whytte hondes whyte hosen was 

knyttynge, 210 

Whatte pleasure ytt ys to be married ! 

fdie husbande, Lorde Thomas, a Forrester boulde, 

As ever clove pynne, or the baskette, 

Does no cherysauncys from Elynour houlde, 

I have ytte as soone as I aske ytte. 215 

Whann I lyved wyth mie fadre yn merrie Clowd-delJ, 

Tho' twas at my liese to mynde spynnynge, 

J stylle wanted somethynge, botte whatte ne coulde telle, 

^lie lorde fadres barbde haulle han ne wynnynge, 

ft Quickly. 

Eche

oft Æ L L A : 

Eche mofnynge I ryse, doc I sette mic maydennes, 22* 

Somme to spy no, somme to curdell, somme bleachynge, 

Gyff any new entered doe aske for mie aidens, 

Thann swythynne you fynde mee a teachynge. 

JLorde Walt«rre, mic fadre, he loved me welle, 

And eothynge unto mee was nedeynge, 225 

Botte schulde I agen goe to merrie Cloud-dell, 

In sqthen twouldc bee wythoute redeynge. 

Shee sayde, and Jorde Thomas came over the lea, 

As hee the fatte derkynnes was chacynge, 

Shee putte uppe her knyttynge, and to hym wente 

shee; 23* 

So wee leave hem bothe kyndelie embracynge, 

Æ L L A. 

I Iyehe eke thys ; goe ynn untoe the seaste ; 

Wee wylle permytte you antecedente bee ; 

There swotelie synge eche carolle, and yaped 4* jeaste; 

And there ys monnie, that you merrie bee ; 235 

.^Laughable. 

Comnie,


n 

Comme, gentle love, wee wylle toe spouse-seaste goe, 

And there ynn ale and wynebeedrcynctcd «» everychwoe. 

ÆLLA, BIRTHA, CELMONDE, MESSENGERS. 

MESSENGERE. 

Ælla, the Danes ar thondrynge onn our coaste j 

Lyche scolles of locusts, caste oppe bie the sea, 

Magnus and Hurra, wythe a doughtie hoaste, 240 

Are ragyng, to be quansed i0 bie none botte thee; 

Haste, swyfte as Levynne to these royners ffee : 

Thie dogges alleyne can tame thys ragynge bulle. 

Haste swythyn, fore anieghe the towne theie bee. 

And Wedecesterres rolle of dome bee fulle. 245 

Haste, haste, O Ælla, to the byker flie, 

For yn a momentes space tenne thousand raenne maie die. 

ÆLLA. 

Beshrew thee for thie rvewes \ I moste be gon. 

■Was ever lockless dome so hard as mynef 

Thos from dysportysmente to warr to rotf, 250 

To chaunge the selke veste for the gaberdyne \ 

■•♦Drounetf. * Stilled, quehehed. 

r 

BIRTHA, 

1

Æ L L A : 

BIRTHA, 

O ! lyche a nedere, lette me rounde thee tjvyne, 

And hylte thie boddie from the schaftes of warre. 

Thou shalte nott, must not, from thie Birtha ryne, 

Botte kenn the dynne of flughornes from afarre. 255 

«. . 

»' 

. ■ . . 

ÆLLA. 

" 

O love, was thys thie joie, to shewe the treate, 

Than groffyfhc to forbydde thie hongered guestes 

to eate? 

O mie upswalynge 51 harte, whatt wordes can faie 

The peynas, thatte passethe ynn mie foule yb'rente ? 

Thos to bee torne uponne mie spoufalle daie,- 260 

O! 'tys a peyne beyond entendemente. 

Yee mychtie Goddes, and is yor favoures■ sente 

As thous faste dented to a loade of peyne ? 

Moste wee ab holde yn chace the shade content, 

And for a bodykyn S1 a swarthe obteyne? 265 

•1 Swelling. 51 Body, substance. 

O! ■whie,

A TRAGICAL ENTERLTJDE. 95 

O? whie, yee seynctes, oppress yee thos mie sowle? 

How shaHe I fpeke mie woe, mie freme, mie dreerie dole I 

CELMONDE; 

. Sometyme the wyseste lacketh.pore mans rede. 

Reafonne and counynge wytte efte flees awaie. 

Thann, loverde, lett me saie, wyth hommaged drede 

(Bieneth your fote ylayn) mie eounselle saie ; 271 

Gyff thos wee lett the matter lethlen SI laie, 

The foemenn, everych honde-poyncte, getteth fote. 

Mie loverde, lett the speere-menne, dyghte for frare, 

And all the sabbataners goe aboute. 275 

I speke, mie loverde, alleyne to upryse 

Youre wytte from marvelle, and the warriour to atyse*. 

Æ L L A. 

Ah! howe thou pottest takells s* yn mie harfe; 

Mie foulghe dothe nowe begynne to see herselle ; 

I wylle upryse mie myghte, and doe mie pane, 

T&flea the foemenne yn mie furie selle. 

2S0 

i -: ** Still, dead. ** arrows, darts.- 

Botte

96 Æ L L Ai 

Botte hoWe canne tynge mie rampynge fourie telle> 

Whyche ryseth from mic lave to Birtha fayrc ? 

Ne coulde the queede, and alle the myghte of HeUe, 

Founde out impleasaunce of fyke blackea geare. 285 

Yette I wylle bee mieselse, and rouze mie spryte 

To acte wythe rennome, and goe meet the bloddic 

fyghte. 

BIRTHA. 

No, thou schalte never leave thie Birtha's sydej 

Ne schall the wynde uponne us blowe alleyne j 

I, lyche a nedre, wylle untoe thee byde; 299 

Tyde lyse, tyde deathe, ytte shall behoulde us twayne. 

I have mie parte of drierie dole and peyne ; 

Itte brasteth from mee atte the holtred eyne ; 

Ynne tydes of teares mie swarthynge spryte wyll 

drayne, 295 

GyfF drerie dole ys thyne, rys twa tymes myne. 

Goe notte, O Ælla; wythe thie Birtha staiej 

For wyth thie semmlykeed mie spryte wyll goe awaie. 

ÆltA:


ÆLLA. 

O! tys for thee, for thee alleyne I sele; 

Yett I muste bee mieselse ; with valoures gear 

I'lle dyghte mie hearte, and notte mie lymbes yn 

stele, 300 

And shake the bloddie swerde and steyned spere. 

B I R T H A. 

Can Ælla from hys breaste hys Birtha teare ? 

Is fliee so rou and ugsomme ^s to hys fyghte ? 

Entrykeynge wyght ! ys leathall warre so deare ? 

Thou pryzest mee belowe the joies of syghte. 305 

Thou scalte notte leave mee, albeytte the erthe 

Hong pendaunte bie thie swerde, and craved for thy 

», 1 morthe. 

ÆLLA. 

Dyddest thou kenne howe mie woes, as starres 

ybrente, 

Headed bie these wordes doe onn mee falle, 

Thou woulde stryve to gyve mie harte contente, 310 

Wakyng mie flepynge mynde to honnoures calle. 

« Terrible. 

H 

Of

98 Æ L L A s 

Of selynesse I pryze thee moe yan all 

Heaven can mee sende, or counynge wytt acquyre, 

Yette I wylle leave thee, onne the foe to falle, 

Retournynge to thie eyne with double fyrc. 315 

B I R T H A. 

Moste Birtha boon requefte and bee denyd ? 

Receyve attenes a darte yn selynesse and pryde ? 

Doe staie, att leaste tylle morrowes sonne apperes. 

Æ LLA. 

Thou kemieste welle the Dacyannes myttee powere; 

Wythe them a mynnute wurchethe bane for 

yeares; 320 

Theie undoe reaulmes wythyn a fyngle hower. 

Rouze all thie honnoure, Birtha ; look attoure 

Thie bledeynge countrie, whych for hastie dede 

Calls, for the rodeynge of some doughtie power, 

To royn yttes royners, makeyttes foemenne blede. 325 

BIRTHA,


B I R T H A, 

Rouze all thie love ; false and entrykyng wyghte ! 

Ne leave thie Birtha thos uponne pretence of fyghte.. 

Thou nedest notte goe, untyll thou haste command 

Under the fygnette of oure lorde the kynge. 

Æ L L A. 

And wouldest thou make me then a recreande ? 330 

Hollie Seyncte Marie, keepe mee from the thynge ! 

Heere, Birtha, thou hast potte a double stynge, ■ 

One for thie love, anodher for thie mynde. 

BIRTHA. 

Agylted 56 Ælla, thie abredynge ^7 blynge sS. 

Twas love of thee thatte foule interne ywrynde. 335 

Yette heare mie supplycate, to mee attende, 

Hear from mie groted " harte the lover and the friende. 

*« Offended. 57 upbraiding. 51 cease. 49 swollen. 

H 2 

Lett

ioo Æ L L Aj 

Lett Celmonde yn thie armour-brace be dyghte ; - 

And yn thie stead unto the battle goe ; 

Thie name alleyne wylle putte the Danes t& 

flyghte, 340 

The ayre thatt beares ytt woulde presse downe the Foe. 

ÆLLA, 

Birtha, yn vayne thou wouldste mee recreand doe; 

I moste, I wylle, fyghte for mie countries wele, 

And leave thee for ytt. Celmonde, sweftlie goe, 

Telle mie Brystowans to dyghte yn stele ; 345 

Tell hem I scorne to kenne hem from afar, 

Botte leave the vyrgyn brydall bedde for bedde of 

warre. 

ÆLLA, 

BIRTHA. 

BIRTHA. 

And thou wylt goe ; O mie agroted harte ! 

ÆLLA. 

Mie countrie waites mie marche ; I muste awaie ; 

Albeytte I schulde goe to mete the darte 350 

Of certen Dethe, yette here I woulde notte staie. 

Botte

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. ifoV 

Botte thos to leave thee, Birtha, clothe asswaie 

Moe torturynge peynes yanne canne be sedde bie 

tyngue, 

Yette rouze thie honoure uppe, and wayte the daie, 

Whan rounde abopte mee songe of warre heie 

synge- 355 

O Birtha, strev mie agreeme 60 to accaie 61 7 

And joyous fee mie armes, dyghte oyte ynn warre arraie. 

BIRTHA. 

Difficile 61 ys the pennaunce, yette File strev 

To keepe mie woe behyltren yn mie breaste. 

Albeytte nete maye to mee pleafaunee yev, 360 

Lyche thee, I'lle strev to fette mie mynde atte reste. 

Yett oh ! forgeve, yff I have thee dystreste ; 

Love, doughtie love, wylle beare no odher swaie. 

Juste as I was wythe Ælla to be bleste, 

Shappe foullie thos hathe snatched hymawaie. %6§ 

It was a tene too doughtie to bee borne, 

Wydhoute an ounde of feares and breaste wyth syghes 

ytorne. 

** Torture. ♦» asswage. *» difficult. 

ÆLLA.

io« ÆLLA: , 

Æ L L A. 

T hie mynde ys now thiesclse ; why wylte thou bcc 

All blanche, al kyngelie, all foe wyse yn mynde, 

Alleyne to lett pore wretched Ælla see, 370 

Whatte wondrous bighes 61 he nowe muste leave 

behynde ? 

O Birtha fayre, warde everyche commynge wynde, 

On everych wynde 1 wylle a token sende; 

Onn mie longe shielde ycorne thie name thoul't fynde. . 

Butte here commes Celmonde, wordhie knyghte and 

friende. 375 

ÆLLA, BIRTHA, CEL MONDE 

speaking. 

Thie Brystowe knyghtes for thie forth-comynge 

lynge 64 ; 

Echone athwartehys backe hys longe warre-shield dothe 

flynge. 

ÆLLA. 

Birtha, adieu ; but yette I cannotte goe. 

'* Jewels. 

*5 stay. 

BIRTHA. 

1


B I R T H A. 

Lyse of mie spryte, mie gentle Ælla staie. 

Engyne mee notte wyth fyke a drierie woe. 

38a 

ÆLLA. 

I muste, I wylle ; 

tys honnoure cals awaie. 

B I R T H A. 

O mie agroted harte, braste, braste ynn twaie. 

Ælla, for honnoure, flyes awaie from mee. 

ÆLLA. 

Birtha, adieu j I maie notte here obaie, 385 

I'm flyynge from mieselfe yn flying thee. 

B I R T H A, 

O Ælla, housband, friend, and loverde, staie. 

He's gon, he's gone, alass ! percase he's gone for aie. 

CEL

io4 Æ L L -A i. 

CELMONDE. 

Hope, hallie fuster, sweepeynge thro' the /kie, 

In crowne of goulde, and robe of lillie whyte, 390 

Whyche farre abrode ynne gentle ayre doe flie, 

Meetynge from dystaunce the enjoyous fyghte, 

Albeytte efte thou takest thie hie flyghte 

Hecket 6* ynne a myste, and wyth thyne 'eync 

yblente, 

Nowe commest thou to mee wythe starrie lyghte; 395 

Ontoe thie veste the rodde sonne ys adente 66 ; 

The Sommer tyde, the month of Maie appere, 

Depycte wythe skylledd honde upponn thie wyde 

aumere. 

I from a nete of hopelen am adawed, 

Awhaped 67 atte.J:he setyveness of daie; 409 

Ælh, bie nete moe thann hys myndbruche awed. 

Is gone, and I moste followe, toe the fraie. 

f Wrapped closely, covered. 66 sastened. 67 astonish'd. 

Celmonde

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. ioS 

Celmonde canne ne'er from anie byker staie. 

Dothe warrebegynne ? there's Celmonde yn theplace ; 

JJotte whanne the warre ys donne, I'll haste awaie. 

The reste from nethe tymes masque must fhew yttes 

face. 405 

I fee onnombered joies arounde mee ryse ; 

Blake 68 stondethe future doome, and joie dothe mee 

alyse. 

O honnoure, honnoure, whatt ys bie thee hanne ? 

Hailie the robber and the bordelyer, 410 

"Who kens ne thee, or ys to thee bestanne, 

And nothynge does thie myckle gastness fere. 

Faygne woulde I from mie bosomme alle thee tare. 

Thou there dysperpellest 6? thie levynne-bronde ; 

Whylest mie foulgh's forwyned, thou art the 

gare; 415 

Sleene ys mie comforte bie thie ferie honde ; 

As somme talle hylle, 

ground, 

whann wynds doe fhake the 

P8 Naked. 49 Scatterest. 

Itte

io6 Æ L L A : 

Itte kerveth all abroade, bie brasteynge hyltren wounda. 

Honnoure, whatt bee ytte ? tys a fliadowes fhade, 

A thynge of wychencref, an idle dreme ; 420 

On of the fonnis whych the clerche have made 

Menne wydhoute sprytes, and wommen for to fleme; 

Knyghtes, who efte kenne the loude dynne of the 

beme, 

Schulde be forgarde to fyke enfeeblynge waies, 

Make everych acte, alyche theyr soules, be breme, 

And for theyre chyvalrie alleynehave prayse. 

O thou, whatteer thie name, 

Or Zabalus or Queed, 

Comme, steel mie fable spryte, 

For fremde 7° and dolefulle dede. 439 

70 Strange. 

1 

MAGNUS,

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE, 10* 

MAGNUS, HURRA, and HIE PREESTE, 

wyth the Armie, neare Watchette. 

MAGNUS, 

SWYTHE7' lette the offrendes ^ to the Goddes 

begynne, 

To knowe of hem the issue of the fyghte. 

Potte the blodde-steyned sword and pavyes ynnc ; 

Spreade swythyn all arounde the hallie lyghte. 

HIE PREESTE syngetb. 

Yee, who hie yn mokie ayre 435 

Pelethe seafonnes foule or fayre, 

Yee, who, whanne yee weere agguylte, 

The mone yn bloddie gyttelles 7' hylte, 

Mooved the starres, and dyd unbynde 

Everyche barriere to the wynde ; 440 

V Quickly. V offerings. 73 mantels. 

Whanne

IjoS Æ L L A : 

Whanne the oundyngc waves dystreste, 

Storven to be overeft, 

Sockeynge yn the spyre-gyrte towne, 

Swolterynge wole natyones downe, 

Sendynge dethe, on plagues astrodde, 445 

Moovynge lyke the erthys Godde; 

To mee fend your heste dyvyne, • - • '' 

Lyghte eletten 74 all myne eyne, 

Thatt I maie now undevyfe 

All the actyonnes of th'empprize. 450 

\falletb downe and efte rysethe- 

Thus fayethe the Goddesj goe, yssue to the playne; 

Forr there fhall meynte of mytte rnenne beeflayne. 

r » 

MAGNUS. 

Whie, foe there cvere was, whanne Magnus foughte. 

Efte have I treynted noyance throughe the hoaste, 

Athorowe swerdes, alyche the Queed dystraughte, 455 

Have Magnus pressynge wroghte hys foemen lqaste. 

*♦ Enlighten. 

As


iog 

As whanne a tcmpeste vexethe soare the coaste, 

The dyngeynge ounde the sandeie stronde co; tare, 

So dyd I inne the warre the javlynne tofle, 

Full meynte a champyonnes breaste received mie 

,t>. spear. -i v 460 

Mie sheelde, lyche sommere morie gronser droke, 

Mie lethalle speere, alyche a levyn-mylted oke. 

HURRA. . 

Thie wordes are greate, full hyghe of found, and 

ceke 

Lyche thonderre, to the whych dothe comme no rayne. 

Itte lacketh notte a doughtie honde to speke ; 465 

The cocke faiethe drefte 7s, yett armed ys he alleyne. 

Certis thie wordes inaie, thou motest have sayne 

Of mee, and meynte of moe, who eke canne fyghte, 

Who haveth trodden downe the adventayle, 

And .tore the heauhnes from heades of myckle 

* ; myghte. 47* 

Sythence fyke myghte ys placed yn thie honde, 

Lette blowes thie actyons speeke, and bie thie corrage 

stonde. 

■ * " Least.- 

MAGNUS.

Æ L L A: 

MAGNUS. 

t 

Thou are a warrioure, Hurra, thatte I kenne, 

And myckle famed for thie handie dede. 

Thou fyghtest anente 7s maydens and ne menne, 475 

Nor aie thou makest armed hartes to blede. 

Efte I, 

caparyson'd on bloddie stede, 

Havethe thee scene binethe mee ynn the fyghte, 

Wythe corses I investynge everich mede, 

And thou aston, and wondrynge at mie myghte. 480 

Thanne wouldest thou comme yn for mie renome, 

Albeytte thou wouldst reyne awaie from bloddie dome " 

HURRA. 

How ! butte bee bourne mie rage. I kenne aryghtc 

Bothe thee and thyne maie ne bee wordhye peene. 

Eftsoones I hope wee scalle engage yn fyghte ; 485 

Thanne to the souldyers all thou wylte be wreene. 

75 Against. 

mi

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. Mi 

I'll prove mie courage onne the burled greene j 

Tys there alleyne I'll telle thee whatte I bee. 

Gyf I weelde notte the deadlie sphere adeene, 

Thanne lett mie name be fulle as lowe as thee. 490 

Thys mie adented shielde, thys mie warre-speare, 

Schalle telle the falleynge foe gyf Hurra's harte can 

seare. 

MAGNUS. 

Magnus woulde speke, butte thatte hys noble spryte 

Dothe foe enrage, he knowes notte whatte to faie. 

He'dde speke yn blowes, yn gottes of blodde he'd 

wryte, 

49s 

And on thie heafod peyncte hys myghte for aie. 

Gyf thou anent an wolfynnes rage wouldest staie, 

'Tys here to meet ytt ; botte gyff nott, bee goe ; 

Lest I in furrie shulde mie armes dysplaie, 

Whyche to thie boddie wylle wurche 77 myckle 

woe. 5°° 

' Oh ! 1 bee madde, dystraughte wyth brendyng rage; 

Ne seas of fmethynge gore wylle mie chased harte 

asswage. 

" Work. 

HURRA.

■ 

ii* Æ L L A: 

HURRA. 

I kenne thee, Magnus, welle ; a w}'ghte thou art 

That doest aflee alonge ynn doled dystresse, 

Strynge bulle yn boddie, lyoncelle yn harte, 505 

I almost wysche thie prowes were made lesse. 

Whan Ælla (name drest uppe yn ugsomness 78 

To thee and recreandes 7s>) thondered on the plaync, 

Howe dydste thou thorowe fyrste of fleers presse ! 

Swester thanne federed takelle dydste thou reyne. 51a 

A ronnynge pryze onn seyncte daie to ordayne, 

Magnus, and none botte hee, the ronnynge pryze 

wylle gayne. 

MAGNUS. 

Eternalle plagues devour thie baned tyngue ! 

Myrriades of neders pre upponne thie spryte ! 

Maiest thou fele al the peynes of age whylst 

yynge, 515 

Unmanned, uneyned, exclooded aie the lyghte, 

78 Terror. 79 cowards. 

Thie


Thie senses, lyche thieselfe, enwrapped yn nyghte, 

A scoff to foemen & to beastes a pheere 

Maie furched levynne onne thie head alyghte, 

Maie on thee falle the fhuyr of the unweere ; 520 

Fen vaipoures blaste thie everiche manlie powere, 

Maie thie bante boddie quycke the wolsome peenes 

devoure. 

Faygne woulde I curse thee further, botte mie tyngue 

Denies mie harte the favoure foe toe doe. 

HURRA. 

Nowebie theDacyanne goddes,&Welkyns kynge,525 

Wythe fhurie, as thou dydste begynne, perfue j 

Calle on mie heade all tortures that bee rou, 

Bane onne, tylle thie owne tongue thie curses fele. 

Sende onne mie heade the blyghteynge levynne blewe, 

The thonder loude, the swellynge azure rele 8o. 530 

• Thie wordes be hie of dynne, botte nete besyde ; 

Bane on, good chieftayn, fyghte wythe wordes of myckle 

t •' Pryde- 

Botte doe notte waste thie breath, lest Ælla come. 

. t . *° Wave. 

I 

MAG

H4| Æ L L A: 

MAGNUS. 

iElla & thee togyder fynke toe helle ! 

Bee youre names blasted from the rolle of dome! 535 

I seere noe Ælla, thatte thou kennest welle. 

Unlydgefulle traytoure, wylt thou nowe rebelle ? 

Tys knowen, thatte yie menn bee lyncked to myiê, 

Bothe scnte, as troopes of wolves, to fletre selle j 

Botte nowe thou lackest hem to be all yyne. 540 

Nowe, bie the goddes yatte reule the Dacyanne state, 

Speacke thou yn rage once moe, I wyll thee dyfregate. 

HURRA. 

I pryże thie threattes joste as I doe thie banes, 

The sede of malyce and recendize al. 

Thou arte a steyne unto the name of Danes ; 545 

Thou alleyne to thie tyngue for proose canst calle. 

Thou beest a worme so groffile and so smal, 

I wythe thie blóude woulde scorne to Foul mie sworde, 

Botte wythe thie weaponnes woulde upon thee falle, 

Alyche thie owne seare, flea thee wythe a worde. 550 

I Hurra ammc miesel, & aie wylle bee, 

Aą greate yn valourous actes, & yn commande as thee. 

MAG


MAGNUS, HURRA, ARMYE 8c 

MESSENGER. 

MESSENGERE. 

Blynne your contckions 8l, chiess ; for, as I stode 

Uponne raie watche, I spiede an armie commynge, 

Notte lyche ann handfullc of a fremded 81 foe, 555 

Botte blacke wythe armoure, movynge ugsomlie, 

Lyche a blacke fulle cloude, thatte dothe goe alonge 

To droppe yn hayle, & hele the thonder storme. 

MAGNUS. • 

Ar there meynte of them ? 

MESSENGER R. 

Thycke as the ante-flyes ynne a sommer's none, 560 

. Seemynge as tho' theie stynge as perfante too. 

HURRA. 

Whatte matters thatte ? lettes sette oure warr-arraie, 

Goe, sounde the beme, lette champyons prepare ; 

*1 Contention*. H frighted, 

I 2 

Ne

n6 Æ L L A: 

Ne doubtynge, we wylle stynge as faste as heie. 

Whatte ? doest forgard 85 thie blodde ? ys ytte fdr 

seare ? 565 

Wouldest thou gayne the towne, & castle-stere, 

And yette ne byker wythe the soldyer guarde ? 

Go, hyde thee ynn mie tente annethe the lercs 

I of thie boddie wylle keepe watche & warde. 

MAGNUS. 

Oure goddes of Denmarke know mie harte ys 

goode. 570 

HURRA. 

For nete uppon the erthe, botte to be choughens foode. 

MAGNUS, HURRA, ARMIE, SfiCONDE 

MESSENGERRE. 

SECONDE MESSENGERRE, 

As from mie towre I kende the commynge foe; 

I spied the crossed shields, & bloddie swerde, 

•J Lose. 

The


The furyous Ælla's banner ; wythynne kenne 

The armie ys. Dysorder throughe oure hoaste 575 

Is fleynge, borne onne wynges of Ælla's name ; 

Styr, styr, mie lordes ! 

MAGNUS. 

What? Ælla? & foe neare? 

Thenne Denmarques roiend ; oh mie ryfynge feare ! 

HURRA. 

What doeste thou mene ? thys Ælla's botte a manne. 

Nowe bie mie fworde, thou arte a verie berne 8+. 580 

Of late I dyd thie creand valoure fcanne, 

Whanne thou dydst boaste foe moche of actyon deme. 

Botte I toewarr mie doeyriges moste atturne, 

To cheere the Sabbataneres to deere dede. 

MAGNUS. 

I to the knyghtes onne everyche fyde wylle burne,5 85 

Telleynge 'hem alle to make her foemen blede 3, 

Sythe shame or deathe onne eidher fyde wylle bee, 

Mie harte I wylle upryfe, & inne the battelle flea. 

H Child. 

I 3 ÆLLA,

iiS Æ L t A: 

ÆLLA, CELMONDE, & ARMIE near 

Watchette. 

Mht A. 

NOW havynge done oure mattynes & oure yowes, 

Lette us for the intended fyghte be boune, 590 

And everyche champyone potte the joyous crowne 

Of certane masterfchyppe upon hys glestreynge browes. 

As for niie harte, I owne ytt ys, as ere 

Itte has beene ynne the fommer-stieene of fate, 

Unknowen to the ugsomme gratche of sere ; 59 5 

Mie blodde embollen, wythe masterie elate, 

Boyles ynne mie veynes, & rolles ynn rapyd state, 

Impatyente forr to rcete the persante stele, 

And telle the worlde, thatte Æila dyed as greate 

As anie knyghte who foughte for Englondes weale.600 

Friends, kynne, 6c foldyerres, ynne blacke armore 

drere, 

Mie actyons ymytate, mie presente redynge here. 

There


There ye ne house, athrow thys (hap-scurged e* ifle, 

Thatte has ne loste a kynne yn these sell fyghtes, 

Fatte blodde has sorseeted the hongerde soy le, 605 

And townes enlowed 86 lemed 87 oppe the nyghtes. 

Innegyte of fy re oure hallie churche dheie dyghtes ; 

Oure sonnes lie storven88 ynne theyre fmethynge 

gore; 

Oppe bje the rootes oure tree of lyse dheie pyghtes, 

Vexynge oure coaste, as byllowes doe the shore, 610 

Yee menne, gyf ye are menne, displaie yor name, 

Ybrende yer tropes,. alyche the roarynge tempest flame. 

Ye Chrystyans, doe as wordhie of the name; 

These roynerres of oure hallie houses flea; 

Braste, lyke a cloude, from whence doth come the 

flame, 615 

Lyche torrentes, gushynge downe the mountaines, bee. 

And whanne alonge the grene yer champyons flee, 

Swefte as the rodde for-weltrynge 89 levyn-bronde, 

Yatte hauntes the flyinge mortherer oere the lea,, 

Soe flie oponne these royners of the londe, 620. 

,s Fate-scourged, '* flamed, fij-ed. ** lighted, ,& dead. 

n blasting.- 

I ^ Lette

ISO Æ L L A: 

Lette those yatte are unto yer battayles fiedde, 

Take flepe eterne uponne a seerie lowynge bedde. 

Let cowarde Londonne see herre towne onn fyre, 

And strev wythe goulde to staie the royners honde, 

Ælla & Brystowe havethe thoughtes thattes 

hygher, 625 

Wee fyghte notte forr ourselves, botte all the londe. 

As Severnes hyger lyghethe banck.es of fonde, 

Presiynge ytte downe binethe the reynynge stifeme, 

Wythe dreerie dynn enfwolters »3 the hyghe ftronde, 

Beerynge the rockes alonge ynn fhuryebreme, 630 

Soe wylle wee beere the Dacyanne armie downe. 

And tbroughe a storme of blodde wyll reache the champyon 

crowne. 

Gyff ynn thys battelle locke ne wayte oure gare, 

To Brystowe dheie wylle tourne yeyre fhuyrie dyre; 

Brystowe, Sc allc her joies, wylle fynke toe ayre, 635 

Brendeynge perforce wythe unenhantende >1 fyre : 

Thenne lette oure sasetie doublie moove oure ire, 

Lyche-wolfy'ns, rovynge for the evnynge pre, 

90 swallows, fucks in. 9t unaccustomed.


See[ing] the lambe & shepsterr nere the brire, 

Doth th'one forr sasetie, th'one for hongre flea ; 649 

. Thanne, whanne the ravenne crokes uponne the 

playne, 

Qh ! lette ytte bee the knelle to myghtie Dacyanns 

« 

flayne. 

Lyche a rocjde gronser, shalle mie anlace sheene, 

L.yche a strynge lyoncelle File bee ynne fyghte, 

Lyche fallynge leaves the Dacyannes shalle bee 

fleene, 645 

Lyche [a] loud dynnynge streeme scalle be mie myghte. 

Ye menne, who woulde deserve the name of knyghte, 

Lette bloddie teares bie all your paves be wepte ; 

To commynge tymes no poyntelle shalle ywrite, 

Whanne Englonde han her foemenn, Brystow 

flepte. 650 

Yourselses, youre chyldren, & youre sellowes crie, 

Po, fyghte ynhe rennomes gare, be brave, & wynne or 

die. 

I faie ne moe ; youre spryte the reste wylle saie ; 

Youre spryte wylle wrynne, thatte Brystow ys yer 

place ;

12* Æ L h A j 

To honoures house I nedc notte marcke the waie ; 655 

Inne youre owne hartes you maie the foote-pathe 

trace, 

Twexte stiappe & us there ys botte lyttelle space ; 

The tyme ys nowe to proove yourselves beemenne; 

Drawe forthe the bornyshed bylle wythe setyve grace, 

Rouze, lyche a wolfynne rouzing from hys derine. 660 

Thus I enrone mie anlace ; go thou shethe 5 

I'lle potte ytt ne ynn place, tyll ytte ys sycke wythe 

death e. 

SOLDYERS, 

Onn, Ælla, onn ; we longe for bloddie fraie ; 

Wee longe to here the raven fynge yn vayne ; 

Onn, Ælla, onn ; we certys gayne the daie, 665 

Whanne thou doste leade us to the leathal playne, 

CELMONDE, 

Thie speche, O Loverde, fyrethe the whok trayne 1 

Theie pancte for war, as honted wolves for breathe » 

Go, & fytte crowned on corses of the flayne ; 

Go, & ywielde the maffie swerde 9s deathe. 6jo 

S O L

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE, 123 

SOLDYERRES. 

From thee, O Ælla, alle oure courage reygnes; 

Echone yn phantasie do ledethe Danes ynnechaynes, 

ÆLLA. 

Mie countrymenne, mie friendes, your noble sprytes 

Speke yn youre eyne, & doe yer master telle. 

Swefte as the rayne-storme toe the erthe alyghtes, 675 

Soe wylle we fall upon these royners selle. 

Oure mowynge swerdes ihalle plonge hem downe to 

helle ; 

Theyre throngynge corses shall onlyghte the starres ; 

The barrowes brastynge wythe the fleene schall swelle, 

Brynnynge 91 to commynge tymes our famous 

warres ; 

6Sd 

Inne everie eyne I kenne the lowe of myghte, 

Sheenynge abrode, alyche a hylle-fyre ynne the nyghte. 

Whanne poyntelles of oure famous fyghte shall 

Echone wylle marvelle atte the dernie dede, 

saie, 

?1 Declaring. 

Echone

134 Æ L L A.: 

Echone wylle wyssen hee hanne seene the daie, 85 

And bravelie holped to make the foemenn blede ; 

Botte for yer holpe oure battelle wylle notte nede ; 

Qure force ys force enowe to staie theyre honde; 

Wee wylle retourne unto thys grened mede, 

Oer corses of the foemen of the londe. 690 

Nowe to the warre lette all the flughornes founde, 

The Dacyanne troopes appere on yinder ryfynge 

grounde. 

Chiefes, heade youre bandes, and leade. 

DANES

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. iig 

t)ANES fiyinge, ntare Watch ettjs. 

FYRSTE DANE. 

FLY, fly, ye Danes; Magnus, the. chiese, ysflecnei 

The Saxonnes comme wythe Ælfa atte theyre 

heade ; 695 

Lette's strev to gette avyaie to yinder greene 

Flie, flrie ; thys ys the kyngdomme of the deadde. 

SECONDE DANE, 

O goddes ! have thousandes bie mie anlace bledde, 

And muste I nowe for fasetie flie awaie? 

See ! farre besprenged alle oure rroopes are 

spreade, 

70a 

Yette I wylle fynglie dare the bloddie fraie. 

■ Botte ne ; File flie, & morther yn retrete ;. 

Deathe^ blodde, & fyre, scalle^ marke the goeynge of 

my seete. 

« Shall. 

T H Y R D E

ti6 M L L A s 

fHYRDE DANE. 

Enthoghteynge foirr to scape the brondeyftge foe, 

As nerc unto the byllowd beche I came, ^05 

farr offe I spied a fyghte of myckle woe, 

Oure spyrynge battayles wrapie yhn sayles of flame. 

The burled Dacyannes, who were ynne the fame, 

Fro fyde to fyde fledde the pursuyte of deathe j 

The swelleynge fyre yer corrage doe enflame, 710 

Theie lepe ynto the sea, & bobblynge yield yer 

breathe j 

Whylest those thatt bee uponne the bloddie playne, 

Bee deathe-doomed captyves taene, or yn the battle 

flayne. 

HURRA. 

Nowe bie the goddes, Magnus, dyscourteous knyghte, 

Bie cravente *♦ havyoure havethe don oure woe, 7 1 5 

Dyspendynge all the talle menne yn the syghte, 

And pkceyng valourous menne where draffs mote 

goe. 

Sythence oure fourtunie havethe tourned foe, 

Gader the souldyers lefte to future fliappe, 

»♦ Coward. 

To

A TRAGICAL ENTERLUDE. 127 

To somme newe place for sasetie wee wylle goe, 720 

Inne future daie wee wylle have better happe. 

Sounde the loude flughorne for a quicke forloyne 95 • 

Lette alle the Dacyannes swythe untoe oure banner joyne. 

Throw hamlettes wee wylle sprenge sadde dethe & 

dole, 

Bathe yn hotte gore, & wasch oureselves there* 

Goddes ! 

ynne j 725 

here the Saxonnes lyche a byllowe rolle. 

I heere the anlacis detested dynne. 

Awaie, awaie, ye Danes, to yonder penne ; 

■Wee now wylle make forloyne yn tyme to fyghte 

agenne. 

»5 Retreat, 

CELMONDE,

CELMONDE, neati 

-WatcAetM[' 

' . • - • ' : . '•• - ? 

O forr a spryte al seere ! to telle the daie, . if 730 

The daie whyche seal astounde the herers rede, 

Makeynge oure foemennes envyynge hartesto blede, 

Ybereynge thro the wsrlde oure rennomde name for 

aie. ... 

\ - 

Bryghte sonne han ynne hys roddie robes byn dyghte, 

From the rodde Easte he flytted wythe hys trayne, 73 5 

The howers drewe awaie the geete of nyghte, . . 

Her fable tapistrie was rente yn twayne. 

The dauncynge streakes bedecked heavennes playne, 

And on the dewe dyd smyle wythe shemrynge eie, 

Lyche gottes of blodde whyche doe blacke armourc 

steyne, 740 

Sheenynge upon the borne *& whyche stondeth bie ; 

The souldycrs stoode uponne the hillis fyde, 

Lyche yonge enlesed trees whyche yn a forreste byde. 

• »6 Burnish. 

Ælla

ijLlty rose lyche the tree besette wyth brieres j 

Hys talle speere Iheenynge as the starres at nyghte,?4$ 

Hys eyne ensemeynge as a lowe of fyre ; 

Whanne he encheered everie manne to fyghte, 

Hys gentle wordes dyd moote eche valoyroas knyghtej 

Itte mooTethe 'hem, as honterres lyoncelle j 

Ib ftebJed armo^re ys theyre courage dyghte j 750 

Eche Warrynge harte forr prayse & renpome swelles; 

£.yche ôwejje dynnynge of the crpucheynge strenie, 

Syche dyd the toormrynge sounde of the .fhoi arrole 

Hee ledes licit onne to fyghte j oh ! thenne to faie 

How ÆHa Igked, and lokyng dyd encheere, 755 

Moovynge alyche a mountayne yn affraie, 

Whanne a lowde whyrlevynde doe yttes boesomtne 

tare, * 

To telle howe etetle loke wulde bany&e feere, 

Wottlde alke an angelles poyntelle or hys tyngue. 

Lyche a talle rocke yatte ryseth heaven-were, 760 

Lyche a yonge wolfynne brondeous 8c strynge, 

K 

toe

Soe dydde he goe, & myghtie warriours hedde ; 

Wythe gore-depycted wynges masterie arounde hym 

' " fledde. 

. 

The battelle jyned; swerdes uponne swerdes dyd 

rynge; 

Ælla was chafed, aslyonns madded bee ; 765 

Lyche fallynge starres, he dydde the javlynn flynge ; 

Hys mightie anlace mightie menne dyd flea ; 

- Where he dydde comme, the flemed »7 foe dydde flee, 

Or felle benethe hys honde, as fallynge rayne, 

Wythe sythe a fhuyrie he dydde onn 'hemm dreeô 

Hylles of yer bowkes dyd ryfe opponne the playne ; 

Ælla, thou arte—botte staie, mie tynge; saie nee; 

Howe greate I hyrnme maye make, stylle greater hec 

wylle bee. rr . ..: • - . 

A • ■■■ ' . ; . ■ a - • 

Nor dydde hys souldyerres fee hys actes yn vayne. 

Heere a stoute Dane uponne hys compheere felle; 77 5 

Heere lorde, & hyndjette sonke uponne the playne; 

; Heere sonne & fadre trembled ynto helle. 

Chief Magnus fought hys waie, &, fhame to telle ! 

j.J| 

Hee foughte hys waie for flyghte ; 

97;Frighted. 

botte Ælla's speerc 

Uponne

A TRAGYCAL ENTERXUDE. 13? : 

Uponne the flyynge Dacyannes schoulder selle, 780 

Quyte throwe hys boddie, & hys harte ytte tare, 

He groned, & sonke uponne the gorie greene, 

And wythe hys corse encreased the pyles of Dacyannes 

fleene. . . 

Spente wythe the fyghte, the Danyshe champyona 

stonde, 

Lyche bulks, whose strengthe & wondrous myghte ys 

fledde; . 785 

-ÆHa, a javelynne grypped yn eyther honde, 

Flyes to the thronge, & doomes two Dacyannes 

deadde. ; . 

After hys acte, the armie all yspedde ; 

Fromm everich on unmyssynge javlynnes fiewe; 

Theie straughte yer doughtie swerdes ; the foemenn 

bledde ; 790 

Fulle three of foure of myghtle Danes dheie flewe ; 

The Danes, wythe terroure rulynge act their head, 

Threwe downe theyr bannere talle, & lyche a ravenne 

fledde. . 

K a . The

The soldyerres followed wythe a myghtie crie, 

Cryes, yatte welle myghte the stouteste hartes affrale. 

795 

Swefte, as yer fhyppes, the vanquylhed Dacyannes 

flie; 

Swefte, as the rayne uponne an Aprylle daie, 

Pressynge behynde, the Englyfche soldyerres Oaie. 

Botte halfe the tythes of Danyfhe menne remayne ; 

JEHa commaundes 'heie (houlde the fleetre staie, 800 

Botte bynde 'hem pryformers on the bloddie playne. 

The fyghtynge beynge done, I came awaie, 

In odher fieldes to fyghte a moe uneqnalle fraie. 

Mie servant squyre! 

CELMONDE, SERVITOURE. 

CELMONDE. 

Prepare a fleing horse, 

Whose feete are wynges, whose pace ys lycke the 

wynde, 805 

Whoc

. A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. 133 

Whoe wylle outestreppe the morneynge lyghte yn 

course, 

Leaveynge the gyttelles of the merke behynde. 

Somme; hyltren matters doe mie presence fynde. 

Gyv oute to alle yatte I Was fleene ynne fyghte. 

Gyff ynne thysgare thou doest mie order mynde, 810 

Whahne I returne, thou fhalte be made a knyghte ; 

Flie, flie, be gon ; an howerre ys a daie ; 

Quycke dyghte mie beste of stedes, 

& brynge hymm 

h*ere—awaie ! 

CELMONDE. 1 

ÆUa ys woundedd fore, & ynne the toune 

Hewaytethe,tylle hys woundes beebroghte toethe.8 1 5 

And fhalle I from hys browes plocke off the croune, 

Makynge the vyctore yn hys vyctorie blethe ? 

O no ! 

fulle sooner schulde mie hartes blodde smethe, 

Fulle soonere woulde I tortured bee toe deathe ; 

Botte—Birtha ys the pryze ; ahe! ytte were ethe 820 

To gayne so gayne a pryze wythe losse of breathe ; 

Botte thanne rennome æterne »8—ytte ys botte ayre* 

Bredde ynne the phantasie, & alleyn lyvynge there. 

»• Eternal. 

■ '' : ~ K 3 Albeytte

ij4 t • JE L L A: 

- 

Albeytte everyche thynge yn lyse conspyr« 

To telle me of the faulte I nowe schulde doc, 825 

Yette woulde I battentlie assuage mie fyre, 

And the same menes, as I scall nowe, pursue. 

The qualytyes I fro mie parentes drewe, 

Were blodde, & morther, masterie, and warre ; 

Thie I wylle holde to now, & hede ne moe 830 

A wounde yn rennome, yanne a boddie scarre. 

Nowe, Ælla, nowe Ime plantynge of a thorne, 

Bie whyche thie peace, thie love, & glorie shalle be 

tome, . 

- 0 

BRYSTOWE.


- • 

BRYSTOW E. 1 v* ? . 

B I■R t H A, E G W I N A. 

B i r th a. 

GENTLE Egwina, do notte preche me joie j 

. -J cannotte joie ynne anie thynge botte weere 835 

Oh ! yatte augtue schulde oure sellynesse destroie, 

Floddynge the face wythe woe, & brynie teare ! - 

*■ EGWINA. 

You muste, you muste endeavour for to cheere 

-Youreharte unto somme cherisaunied reste. 

Youre loverde from the battelle wylle appere, 840 

Ynne honnoure, & a greater love, be dreste ; 

Botte I wylle call the mynstrelles roundelaie ; 

Perchaunce the swotie sounde maie chase your wiere " 

awaie. 

Grief. 

K4 BIRTHA,

• .. . M h„ It. . A.: . * 

BIRTHA, EGWINA,MYNSTRELLES. 

MYNSTRELLES SONGE, 

O ! fynge uncoe mie roundelaie, 

O ! droppe the brynie teare wythe mee, 845 

Daunce ne moe atte haljie daie, 

Lycke a reynynge >c° ryver bee; 

Mie love ys dedde, 

Gon to hys death-bedde, 

Al under the wyllowe tree. 850 

Blacke hys cryne »•> as the wyntere nyghte, 

"Whyte hys rode 101 as the sornmer snowe, 

Rodde hys face as the mornynge lyghte, 

Cale he lyes ynne the grave belowe ; 


Gon to hys deathe-bedde, 

M under the wyllowe tree, 

|£c 

Swote hys tyngue as the throstles note, 

Quycke ynn daunce as thoughte canne bee, 

W Runping. tcl hair, ,0* complexion. 

Pest*

A TRAOTCAL E#TEltLtfDE. 

ttf 

Defte hys taboure, codgetle store, $69 

jO! hee lyes bie the wyllowe tree ; . " • 


Gonne to hys deathe-bedde, ■. : 

Alle underre' the wyllowe tree. 

Harke ! the ravenne flappes hys wynge, 86$ 

In the briered delle belowe ; 

Harke ! the dethe-owle loude dothe sytotje, 

To the nyghte-mares as heie goe y 


Goose to hys deathe-bedde, 870 

Al under the wyllowe tree. _ . 

Bee ! the whyte moone (heenes onne hie | 

Whyterre ys mie true loves Ihroude \ 

Whyterre yanne the momynge flue, 

Whyterre yanne the evenynge cloude; 875 


Gon to hys deathe-bedde, 

Al under the wyllowe tree. 

Heere, uponne mie true loves grave;, 

IBchalle the baren fleurs be layde, 880

Nee one hallie Seyncte to fave < ^ . — . . u 

c. • i t' 

Al the celness or a mayde. '-\ l" . , w, , £> 

Mie love ys decide, 

Gonne tp hys death-bedde, 

Alle under the wyllowe tree. 885 

Wythe mie hondes I'lle dente the brieres 

Rounde his hallie corse to gre, 

Ouphante fairie, lyghte youre syres, 

Heere mie boddie stylle schalle bee. 




S90 

Comme, wythe acorme-coppe & thorne, 

Drayne mie hartys blbdde awaie j 

Lyfe & all yttes goode I scorne, 895 

Daunce bie nete, or feaste by daie. 

". . ' Mie love ys dedde, 



Waterre wytches, crownede wythe reytes ,05, 900 

Bere mee to yer leathalle tyde. ,• ( t 

103 Watcr-flag». . 

I die;


I die ; I comme \ mie true love waytes. 

Thos the damselle spake, and dyed.' . ■ ■ 

BIRTH A. 

Thys fyngeyng haveth whatte coulde make ytte 

please ; 

Butte mie uncourtlie stiappe benymrries mee of all 

ease. . 905 

ÆLL A,

•' M L L A, aite Watchette. 

CURSE onne mie tardic woundesl 

stede ! 

bryngemeea 

• 

I wylle awaie to Birtha bie thys nyghte ; 

Albeytte fro mie woundes mie soul doe blede, 

I wylle awaie, & die wythynne her fyghte. 

Brynge mee a stede, wythe eagle -wynges for 

flyghte; 910 

Sweftc as mie wylhe, &, as mie love ys, stronge. 

The Danes have wroughte mee myckle woe ynne 

fyghte, 

Inne kepeynge mee from Birtha's armes so longe. 

O ! 

whatte a dome was myne, sythe masterie 

Canne yeve ne pleafaunce, nor mie londes goode leme 

myneeie! 915 

Yee goddes, howe ys a loverres temper formed! 

Sometymes the famme thynge wylle bothe bane, & 

blesse > 

v; ■ On

A TRAGICAL ENTSRLUDE. ^ 

On tyme encalede10*, yanne bic the same thyngc 

warmd, 

Estroughted foorthe, and yanne ybrogten less. 

'Tys Birtha's los6 whyche doe raie thoughtes possesse 

; 920 

I wylle, 1 muste awaje : whje staies mie stede? 

Mie huscarles, hyther haste ; prepare a dresse, 

Whyche couracyers yn hastie journies nede. 

O hegtens ! I moste awaie to Byrtha eyne, 

Fox yn her lookes I fynde mie beynge dpe entwyne. 9*5 

*** Frozen, cold. ,#J horse coursert, couriers. 

CELMONDE,

CELMONDE, aft 

Brystowe. 

THE worlde ys darke wythe nyghtej the wyndes 

are stylle j 

Fayntelie the mone her palyde lyghte makes gleme j 

The upryste 104 sprytes the sylente letten l°J fylle, 

Wythe ouphant faeryes joynyng ynne the dreme ; ' 

The forreste fheenethe wythe the sylver leme ; 93a 

Nowe maie mie love be fated ynn yttes treate ; 

Uponne the lynche of somme swefte reynyng streme, 

Att the swote banquette Iwylle swotelie eate. 

Thys ys the howse ; yee hyndes, swythyn appere. 

CELMONDE, SERVYTOURE. 

CELMONDE. 

Go telle to Bsrtha strayte, a straungerr waytethc 

here. . 9J5 

ii: 

tc4 Risen. 

f» church-yard. 

CEL


CELMONDE, BIRTH A. ; 

i»'.v : < . V.V., ."i & l'i C M 

B I R T H A. 

Celmonde! yee-seynctesl I hope thou haste goode 

newes. 

C E L M O N D E. 

The hope ysloste ; 

for heavie newes prepare. 

Is Ælla welle? \ ;; 

*. B I R T H A. 

CELMOND'EV 

Hee lyves ; 

& stylle maie use 

The behylte 108 bleffynges of a future yeare. 

' 

BIRTH A. 

Whatte heavie tydynge thenne have I to feare ? 940 

Of whatte mifchaunce dydste thou so latelie faie ? 

te* Promised. 

CEL

144 I* h As 

CELMONDE. 

For heswie tydynges swythyn nowe prepare* 

Ælla sore wounded ys, yn bykerous fraic ; 

In Wedecester's wallid toune he lyes. 

O mie agroted breast ! 

BIRTHA. 

CELMONDE. 

Wythoute your fyghte, he dyes. 945 

BIRTHA/ 

Wylle Birtha's presence ethe hers Ælla's payne ? 

I flie ; newe wynge9 doe from mie schoulderrs fprynge. 

CELMONDE. 

Mie stede wydhoute wylle dcfielie beere us twayne. 

BIRTHA. 

Oh ! 

I wyll die as wynde, & no waie lynge j 

Sweftlic

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. I45 

Sweftlie caparisons for rycfynge bryngc ; 950 

I have a mynde wynged wythe the levyn ploome. • 

O Ælla, ÆUa \ ' dydste thou kenfic the styrige, 

The whyche doeth canker ynnemiehartys roome, 

Thou wouldste see playne thiesclfe the gare to bee ; 

Aryse, uponne. thie love, & flie to meeten mee. 955 

CELMONDE, 

The stede, on whyche I came, ys swefte as ayre ; 

Mie servytoures doe wayte mee nere the wode ; 

Swythynne wythe mee unto the place repayre; 

To Ælla I wylle gev you conducte goode. 

Youre eyne, alyche a baulme, wylle staunche hys 

bloode, 960 

Holpe oppe hys woundes, & yev hys harte alle 

cheere ; 

Uponne your eyne he holdes hys lyvelyhode io9 ; 

You doe hys spryte, & alle hys pleafaunce bere. 

Comme, lette's awaie, albeytte ytte ys moke, 

Yette love wille bee a tore to tourne to 

feere nyghtes 

smoke. 965 

109 Life. 

l 

bir

146 Æ L L A: 

B I R T H A. 

Albeytte unwears dyd the welkynn rende, 

Reyne, alyche fallynge ryvers, dyd serse bee, 

Erthe wythe the ayre enchased dyd contende, 

Everychone breathe of wynde wythe plagues dyd 

flee, 

Yette I to Ælla's eyne eftsoones woulde flee ; 970 

Albeytte hawethornes dyd mie fleshe ensenie, 

Owlettes, wythe scrychynge, shakeynge everyche tree, 

And water-neders wrygglynge yn eche streme, 

Yette woulde I flie, ne under coverte state, 

Botte seke mie Ælla owte ; brave Celmonde, leade the 

waie. 975 

■ 

A WODE.


A W O D E. 

HURRA, 

DANES. 

HURRA. 

HEERE ynn yis forreste lette us watche forpree, 

Bewreckeynge on oure foemenne oure ylle warre j 

Whatteverre schalle be Englysch wee wylle flea, 

Spreddynge our Ugsomme rennome to afarre. 

Ye Dacyanne menne, gyff Dacyanne menne yee 

are, 980 

Lette nete botte blodde suffycyle for yee bee ; 

On everich breaste yn gorie letteres searre, 

, Whatt sprytes you hare, & howe those sprytes maie 

dree. 

And gyf yee gette awaie to Denmarkes fhore, 

Eftesoones we will retourne, & wanquifhed bee ne 

moere. 985 

L 2 

The

148 Æ L L A? 

The battelle loste, a battelle was yndede ; 

Note queedes hemselses culde stonde so harde a fraie; 

Oure verie armoure, & oure heaufmes dyd blede, 

The Dacyannes sprytes, lyche dewe drops, fledde 

awaie. 

Ytte was. an Ælla dyd commaunde the daie ; 990 

Ynn spyte of foemanne, I moste saie hys myghte ; 

Botte wee ynn hynd-lettes blodde the loss wylle paie, 

Brynnynge, thatte We knowe howe to Wynne yn 

fyghte i 

Wee wylle, lyke wylses enloosed from chaynes, 

destroie 5— 

Oure armoures—wynter nyghte shotte oute the daie of 

joie. 995 

Whene sweste-fote tyme doe rolle the daie alonge, 

Somme hamlette scalle onto oure f huyrie brende ; 

Brastynge alyche a rocke, or mountayne stronge, 

The talle chyrche-spyre upon the grene stialle bende ; 

Wee wylle the walles, & auntyante tourrettes 

rende, 1000 

Pete everych tree whych goldyn fruyte doe beere, 

Downe

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. 149, 

Downeto the goddes the ownerrs dhereof sende, 

Besprengynge alle abrode sadde warre & bloddie weere. 

Botte fyrste to yynder oke-tree wee wylle flie j 

And thence wylle yssue owte onne all yatte commeth 

bie. 1005 

ANODHER PARTE OF THE WOODE. 

CELMONDE, BIRTH A. 

B I R T H A. 

Thys merkness doe affraie mie wommanns breaste. 

Howe fable ys the spreddynge skie arrayde ! 

Hallie the bordeleire, who lyves to reste, 

Ne ys att nyghtys flemynge hue dysmayde ; 

The starres doe fcantillie 110 the fable brayde ; 1010 

Wyde ys the fylver Iemes of comforte wove ; 

Speke, Celmonde, does ytte make thee notte afrayde ? 

CELMONDE. 

Merker the nyghte, the fitter tyde for love. 

110 Scarcely, sparingly. 

L 3 

BIR

150 Æ L L A : 

8IRTHA. 

Saicst thou for love ? ah ! love is far awaie. 

Faygne wculd I see once moe the roddie lemes of 

daie. 1015 

CELMONDE. 

Love maie bee nie, 

woulde Birtha calle ytte heref 

B I R T H A. 

How, Celmonde, dothe thou mene ? 

CELMONDE. 

Thys Celmonde menes, 

No leme, no eyne, ne mortallc manne appere, 

Ne lyghte, an acte of love for to bewreene ; 

Nete in thys forreste, botte thys tore dothe 

fheene, 1020 

The whych, potte oute, do leave the whole yn nyghte; 

See ! howe the brauncynge trees doe here entwyne, 

Makeypge thys bower so pleafynge to the fyghte ; 

ll? 

Torch. 

1 Thys


Thys was for love fyrste made, & heere ytt stondes, 

Thatte hereynne lovers maie enlyncke yn true loves 

bondes. 1025 

B I R T H A. 

Celmonde, speake whatte thou menest, or alse 

thoughtes 

Perchaunce maie robbe thie honestie so sayre. 

mie 

t 

CELMONDE. 

Then here, & knowe, hereto I have you broughte, 

Mie longe hydde love unto you to make clere. 

B I R T H A. 

Oh heaven & earthe! whatte ysyttl doe hearePioô 

Am I betraste 111 ? where ys mie Ælla, saie ! 

CELMONDE, 

O ! do nete nowe to Ælla fyke love bere, 

Botte geYen some onne Celmondes hedde. 

"« Betrayed. 

L 4 

BIR

152 Æ L L A : 

B I R T H A. 

Awaie ! 

I wylle be gone, & groape mie passage oute, 

Albeytte neders styngesmie legs do twyne aboute. 1035 

C E L M O N D E. . 

Nowe bie the scynctes I wylle notte lette thee goe, 

Ontylle thou doeste mie brendynge love amate. 

Those eyne have caused Celmonde myckle woe, 

Yenne lette yer smyle fyrst take hymm yn regrate, 

0 ! didst thou see mie breastis troblous state, 1040 

Theere love doth harrie up mie joie, and ethe ! 

1 wretches bee, beyonde the hele of fate, 

GyssBirtha stylle wylle make mie harte-veynes blethe. 

Softe as the sommer flowreets, Birtha, looke, 

Fulle ylle I canne thie frownes & harde dyspleafaunce 

brooke» 1045 

BIRTHA. 

Thie love ys foule ; I won Id e bee deafe for aie, 

Rudher thanne heere syche deflavatie sedde. 

Lctcliery. 

Swythynno


Swythynne flie from mee, and ne further faie ; 

Radher thanne heare thie love, I woulde bee dead. 

Yee seynctes ! & shal I wronge mie Ælla's bedde,i050 

And wouldst thou, Celmonde, tempte me to the 

thynge ? • • 

Lett mee be gone—alle curses onne thie hedde ! 

Was ytte for thys thou dydste a message brynge ! 

Lette mee be gone, thou manne of fable harte ! 

Or welkyn "4 & her starres wyll take a maydens 

parte. 1055 

1 

CELMONDE. 

Sythence you wylle norte lette mie fuyte avele, 

Mie love wylle have yttes joie, altho wythe guylte ; 

Youre lymbes shall bende, albeytte strynge as stele ; 

The merkye seefonne wylle your bloshes hylte"5. 

B I R T H A. 

Holpe, holpe, yee seyncte6 ! oh thatte mie blodde was 

fpylte! 1060 

m heaven. 115 hide. 

CEL

154 Æ L L A: 

CELMONDE. 

The seynctes att distaunce stondc ynn tyme of nede. 

Strev notte to goe ; thou canstc notte, gyff thou wylte. 

Unto mie wysehe bee kinde, & nete also hede. 

B I R T H A. 

No, foule bestoykerre, I wylle rende the ayre, 

Tylle dethe do staie mie dynne, or somme kynde roder 

heare. 1065 

Holpe! holpe! ohgodde! 

CELMONDE, BIRTHA, HURRA, DANES. 

HURRA. 

Ah ! thatts a wommanne cries. 

I kenn hem ; saie, who are you, yatte bee theere ? 

CELMONDE, 

• * 

Yee hyndes, awaie! orre bie thys swerde yee dies. 

HURRA.

■ 


HURRA. 

Thie wdrdes wylle ne mie hartis sete affere. 

B I R T H A. 

Save mee, oh! savemee from thys royner heere! 1070 

HURRA. 

Stonde thou bie mee ; nowe saie thie name & londej 

Or swythyne schall mie swerde thie boddie tare. 

C ELMONDE. 

Bothe I wylle shewe thee bie mie brondeous 116 honde, 

HURRA. 

Besette hym rounde, yee Danes. 

CELMONDE. 

Comme onne, and see 

Gyff mie strynge anlace maie bewryen whattelbee.1075 

[Fyghie al anenste Celmonde, meynte Danes be Jleatb, 

and faletb to Hurra. 

I" Furipuij 

7 CEL

Æ L L A: 

C E L M O N D E. 

Oh! I forflagen "7 be! ye Danes, now kenne, 

I amme yatte Celmonde, secon.de yn the fyghte, 

"Who dydd, atte Watchette, so forflege youre menne ; 

I fele myne eyne to swymme yn æterne nyghte ;— 

To her be kynde. 

[Dieth. 

i 

HURRA. 

Thenne felle a wordhie knyghte. 1080 

Saie, who bee you ? 

B I R T H A. 

I am greate Ælla's wyfe. 

Ah! 

HURRA. 

B I R T H A. 

Gyffanenste hym you harboure foule despyte, 

Nowe wythe the lethal anlace take mie lyfe, 

"» flain. 

Bie


Bie thankes I ever onne you wyllebestowe, 

From ewbryce 118 you mee pyghte, the worste of mortal 

woe. 1085 

HURRA. 

Iwylle; ytte scalle bee foe : 

yee Dacyans, heere. 

Thys Æl!a havethe been oure foe for aie. 

Thorrowe the battelle he dyd brondeous teare, 

Beyng the lyse and head of everych fraie ; 

From everych Dacyanne power he won the daie, 1090 

Forflagen Magnus, all oure schippes ybrente ; 

Bie hys selle arme wee now are made to straie ; 

The fpeere of Dacya he ynne pieces shente ; 

■Whanne hantoned barckes unto our londe dyd comme, 

Ælla the gare dheie sed, & wysched hym bytter 

dome. 1095 

Mercie ! 

B I R T H A. 

Bee stylle. 

HURRA. 

11 ' Adultery. 

Botte

158 . JE L L A: 

Botte yctte he ys a foemanne goode and fayre 5 

Whanne wee are spente, he soundethe the fqrloyne j 

The capty ves chayne he tosseth ynne the ayre, 

Cheered the wounded bothe wythe bredde'&. wynej 

Has hee notte untoe somme of you bynn dygne ? 1 100 

You would have smethd onne Wedecestrian fielde, 

Botte hee behylte the flughorne for to cleyne, 

Throwynge onne hys wyde backe, hys wyder spreddynge 

shielde. 

■Whanne you, as caytysned, yn fielde dyd bee, 

Hee oathed you to bee stylle, & strayte dydd sette yon 

free. 1105 

Scalle wee forflege li9 hys wyse, because he's brave ? 

Bicaus hee fyghteth for hys countryes gare ? 

Wylle hee, who havith bynne yis Ælla's flave, 

Robbe hym of whatte percasc he holdith deere ? 

Or scalle we menne of mennys sprytes appere, 1 1 10 1 

Doeynge hym favoure for hys favoure donne, 

Swefte to hys pallace thys damoiselle bere, 

Bewrynne oure case, and to oure waie be gonne ? 

119 Sky. 

The


The last you do approve ; so lette yrte bee ; 

Damoyselle, comme awaie ; you sase senile bee wythe 

mee. 1115 

BIRTHA, 

Al bleflynges maie the scynctes unto yee gyve ! 

Al pleasaunce maie youre Ionge-siraughte livynges 

bee 1 

Ælla, whanne knowynge thatte bie you I lyve, 

Wylle thyncke too smalle a guyfte the londe & sea. 

O. Celmonde f I maie destlie rede bie thee, 1 120 

Whatte ilk betydethe the ensouled kynde; 

Maie ne thie cross-stone Ii0 of thie cryme bewree ! 

Maie alle menne ken thie valoure, sewe thie myndel 

Soldyer ! for fyke thou arte ynn noble fraie, 

I wylle thie goinges 'tende, & doe thou lede the waie. 1 1 25; 

HURR A. 

The mornynge 'gyns alonge the Easte to sheene ; 

Darklinge the lyghte doe onne the waters plaie ; 

The seynte rodde leme flowe creepeth oere the greene, 

Toe chase the merkyness of nyghte awaie } 

*** Monument. 

Swifte;

1 60 Æ L L A : 

Swiftc flies the howers thatte wylle brynge oute the 

daie ; 11 30 

The softe dewe falleth onne the greeynge grasse ; 

The shepster mayden, dyghtynge her arraie, 

Scante 111 sees her vysage yn the wavie glasse ; 

Bie the fulle daylieghte wee scalle Ælla see, 

Or Brystowes wallyd towne ; damoyselle, followe 

mee. 1135 

1" Scarce.

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. Ui 

AT 

BRYSTOWE. 

i 

ÆLLA and 

SERVITOURES. 

Æ L L A. 

TYS nowe fulle mome j I thoughten, bie taste 

nyghte 

To have been heere; tnie stede ban nottemie love; 

Thys ys mie pallace ; lette mie hyndes alyghte, 

Whylste 1 gbe oppe* & wake mie flepeynge dove.' 

Staiehere, mie hyndlettes ; I ffaal goe above. 1140 

Nowe, Birtha, wyll thie loke enhele mie spryte, 

Thie smyles unto mie woundes a baulme wylle prove ; 

Mie ledanne boddie wylle bee sctte aryghte. 

Egwina, haste, & ope the portalle doore, 

Yatte I on Birtha's. breste maie thynke of warre ne 

ffiere. 1145 

M 

ÆLLA. 

■

. ÆLLA: 

ÆLLA, 

EGWINA. 

E G W I N A. 

Oh Ælla f 

ÆLLA. 

Ah ! that semmlykeene to mee 

Speeketh a legendary tale of woe. 

fcirtha is—> 

EGWINA. 

ÆLLA. 

Whatt ? where ? how ? saie, whatte of fhee I 

Gone— 

EGWINA. 

ÆLLA. 

Gone ! ye goddes ! 

EGWINA.

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. {&$ 

E G W I N A. 

Alas ! ytte ys toe true. 

Yee seynctes, hee dies awaie wythe myckle woe! 1150 

iElla ! what ? Ælla ! oh ! hee lyves agen. 

ÆLLA. 

Cal mee notte Ælla; I am hymme ne moe. 

Where ys fhee gon awaie ? ah! speake! how? when? 

E G W I N A. 

I will. 

ÆLLA. 

Caparyson a score of stedes ; Hie, flie. 

Where ys fhee? swythynne speeke, or instante thou, 

flialte die. ' 1 1 55 

E G W I N A. 

Stylle thie loud rage, 

& here thou whatte I knowe. 

ÆLLA. 

Oh ! 

speek. 

M 2 

EGWINA.

ify Æ L L As 

E G W I N A. 

Lyche prymrose, droopynge wythe the heavie raync, 

Laste nyghte I lefte her, droopynge wythe her wiere, 

Her love the gare, thatte gave her harte fyke peyne— 

Her love ! to whomme ? 

Æ L L A. 

E G W I N A. 

To thee, her spouse alleyne "1. 1160 

As ys mie hentylle everyche mome to goe, 

I wente, and oped her chamber doore ynn twayne, 

Botte found her notte, as I was wont to doe ; 

Thatine alle arounde the pallace I dyd seere i1s, 

Botte culde (to mie hartes woe). ne fynde her anie 

wheere. 1165 

Æ L L A. 

Thou lyest, foul hagge ! thou lyest ; thou art her 

ayde 

To chere her louste ;—botte noe ; ytte cannotte bee. 

"* Only, alone. Search. 

EGWINA.


EGWINA. 

Gyff trouthe appear notte inne whatre I have sayde, 

Prawe forthe thie anlace swythyn, thanne mee flea. 

Æ L L A. 

Botte yette ytte muste, ytte muste bee foe ; I see, 1 170 

Shee wythe somme louftie paramoure ys gone j 

Itte moste bee foe—oh ! how ytte wracketh mee ! 

Mie race of love, mie race of lyfe ys ronne; 

Nowe rage, & brondeous storm, & tempeste comme ; 

Nete lyvynge upon erthe can now enswote mie 

domme. 11 75 

ÆLLA, EGWINA, SERVYTOURE. 

SERVYTOURE. 

Loverdei I am aboute the trouthe to faie. 

Laste nyghte, fulle late I dydde retourne to reste. 

As to mie chamber I dydde bende mie waie, 

To Eirtha onne hys name & place addreste ; 

M 3 

Powne

i66 M I* L A: '■ 

Downe to hym camme dee; butte thereof the 

reste 1180 

I ken ne matter ; so, mie hommage made—- 

Æ L L A. 

0 ! speake ne moe ; mie harte flames yn yttes heste ~f 

1 once was Ælla ; nowe bee notte yttes shade. 

Hanne alle the fuirie of mysfortunes wylle 

Fallen onne mie benned 114 headde I hanne been ÆIJa 

stylle. 

118^ 

Thys alleyn was unburled 115 of alle mie spryte; 

Mie honnoure, honnoure, frownd on the 

wynde, 

dolce It6 

Thatte steeked on ytte ; nowe wyth rage Im pyghte ; 

A brondeous unweere ys mie engyned mynde. 

Mie- hommeur yette somme drybblet joie maie 

fynde, 

To the Danes woundes I wylle another yeve ; 

Whanne thos mie rennome I47 

upo 

& mie peace ys rynde, 

Itte were a recrandize to thyncke toe lyve ; 

»** Cursed, tormented. Jti unarmed. 1,6 soft, gentle. 

1*7 renown. ' 

Mie

A TRAGYCAL ENTERLUDE. 16*7 

Mie huscarles, untoe everie a/ker telle, 

Gyffe noblie Ælla lyved, as noblie Ælla selle. 1 195 

\Stabbeth hys brcsie. 

SERVYTOURE. 

ÆHa ys fleene ; the flower of Englonde's marrde ! 

ÆLLA. 

Be stylle ; stythe lette the chyrches rynge mie knelle. 

Call hyther brave Coernyke ; he, as warde 

Pf thys mie Brystowe castle, wyll doe welle? 

[Knelle ryngeth. 

ÆLLA, EGWINA, SERVYTOURE, COERNYKE. 

ÆLLA. 

- 

Thee I ordeyne the warde ; so alle maie telle. 1200 

I have botte lyttel tym to dragge thys lyse ; 

Mie lethal tale, alyche a lethalle belle, 

Pynne yn the eares of her I wyschd mie wyse ! 

M 4 

Botte,

j 68 Æ L L A; » v 

Botte, ah ! 

shee maie be fayre. 

EGWINA, 

Yatte shee moste bee? 

$.h ! sale notte foe ; yatte worde woulde Ælla dobblip 

flee, 

j2o§ 

ÆLLA, EpWINA, SERVYTOURE, GOERNYJŒ, 

BIRTHA, HURRA, 

Ah ! Birtha here ! 

ÆLLA, 

BIRTHA. 

Whatte dynne ys tbys ? whatte menes yis Ieathalle, 

knelle f 

Where ys mje Ælla ? speeke; where? howe ys bee? 

ph Ælla ! art thoij yanne aly ve and welle 1

A TRACYCAL ENTERLUDE, 169 

ÆLLA. 

\ lyve yndeed ; botte doe notte lyve for thee, 

BIRTHA, 

^hatte menes mie Ælla ? 

ÆLLA. 

Here mie meneynge fee. 

iaio 

Thie foulness urged mie honde to gyve thys wounde, 

"JTtte mee unsprytes II8. 

BIRTHA. 

y«e hathe unspryted mep, 

ÆLLA. 

i> ' 

Ah heavens ! mie Birtha fallethe to the groundc ! 

Botte yette I am a manne, and so wylle hee. 

Un-souls. 

HURRA. 

> 1

■17* Æ L t A; 

H ts R R A. 

Ælla ! I amme a Dane ; botte yette a friende 

thee. 1 2 15 

Thys damoyselle I founde wythynne a woode, 

Strevynge fulle harde anenste a burled swayne ; 

I seme hym myrynge ynne mie compheeres blodde, 

Celmonde hys name, chief of thie warrynge trayne. 

Yis damolselle sooghte to be here agayne; 1220 

The whyche, albeytte foemen, wee dydd wylle ; 

So here wee broughte her wythe you to 

C O E R N I K E. 

Yce■ noby lie Danes ! 

wythe goulde I wyll you fylle. 

Æ L L A. 

Birtha, mie lyse! mie love! oh! she ys fayre. 

Whatte faultes coulde Birtha have, whatte faultes could 

Ællaseare? . 1225 

BIRTHA.

A TRAGYCAL ENTEULUDE. 

i;r 

BIRTHA. 

Amm I yenne thyne ? I cannotte blame thie feere, 

Botte doe reste mee uponne mie Ælla's breaste ; 

I wylle to thee bewryen the woefulle gare. 

Celmonde dyd comme to mee at tyme of reste. 

Wordeynge for mee to flie, att your requeste, 1230 

' To Watchette towne, where you deceasynge laie ; 

J wyth hym fiedde ; thro' a murke wode we preste, 

Where hee foule love unto mie eares dyd faie ; 

The Danes— 

ÆLLA. 

Oh ! I die contente.— [dietb. 

B I R T H A. 

Oh ! ys mie Ælla dedde r* 

01 J will make hys grave mie vyrgyn spousal 

bedde. 1235 

[Birtha seynSetb* 

COERNYKE. 

Whatt I Ælla deadde ! & Birtha dyynge toe ! 

Soe falles the fayrest fiourettes of the playne. 

Wh«

tjz Æ L L A: 

Who canne unplyte the wurchys heaven can doe, 

Or who untweste the role of shappe yn twayne? 

iElla, thie rennome was thie onlie gayne; 1240 

For yatte, thie pleasaunce, & thie joie was loste. 

Thie countrymen shall rere thee, on the playne, 

A pyle of carnes, as anie grave can boaste ; 

Further, a just amede to thee to bee, 

Inne heaven thou fynge of Godde, on erthe we'lle fynge 

of thee, 1245 

THE E N D E. 

GODDWYN5

G O D D W Y N; 

A 

TRAGEDIE. 

By 

THOMAS ROWLEIE.

f»E#SONS REPRESENTED. 

Harolde, 

GoDDWYNy 

bie T. RowZeie, the Aucthoure,. 

bie Joban de Iscamtne. 

Elwarde, 

Alstan, 

bie Syrr Tbybbot Gtirges. 

bie Syrr Alan de Fere. 

Kynge EDWARDE,bie Mastre Willyam Canynge. 

Odhers bie Knyghtes M/nnstrells.

C 175 I 

i - 

PROLOGUE, 

, . • • 

Made bie Maistre WILLIAM CANYNGE, 

> 

WHYLOMME1 bie pensmenne1 moke' ungentle* 

name 

Have upon Goddwynne Erie of Kente bin layde, 

Dherebie benymmynge 5 hymme of faie 6 and fame ; 

Unliart 7 divinistres 8 haveth saide, 

Thatte he was knowen toe noe hallie » wurche 10 ; 5 

Botte thys was all hys faulte, he gyfted ne 11 the churche. 

The aucthoure 11 

of the piece whiche we enacte, 

Albeytte 15 a clergyon trouthe wyll wrytte. 

Inne drawynge of hys menne no wytte ys lackte j 

Entyn «» a kynge mote 16 bee full pleased to nyghte.io 

Attende, and marcke the parses nowe to be done ; 

Wee better for toe doe do champyon li anie enne. 

1 Of old, formerly. 1 writers, historians. 3 much. 4 inglorious. 

' bereaving. 6 saith. 7 unforgiving. 8 divines, clergymen, monks. 

» holy. 10 work. " not. " author. 15 though, notwithstanding. 

14 clerk, or clergyman. 15 entyn, even. 16 might. 17 challenge. 

GODDWYNi

C 176 1 

GODDWYN; A Tragedies 

GODDWYN and HAROLDL 

GODDWYN. 

XXAR0LDE! 

HAROLDL 

Mie loverde 18 1 

G O D D W Y N. 

O ! I weepe to fhyncke, 

What foemen *9 riseth to ifrete 1° the londe. 

Theie batten11 onne her fleflke, her harteS bloude 

dryncke, 

And all ys graunted from the roieal nonde. 

M Lord. 19 foes, enemies. *?' devour; destroy. " farfeh. 

HAROLDE.

G O D D W Y N, &c. 177 

H A R O L D Ei 

Lette notte thie agreme " blyn 1', ne aledge 14 stonde;5 

Bee I toe wepe, I wepe in teres of gore : 

Am I betrassed ls, fyke16 shulde mie burlie1/1 bronde 

Depeyncte 1B the wronges on hym from whom I bore. 


I ken thie spryte ful welle ; gentle thou art, 

Stringed ugsomme", rouu, as fmethynge 33 armyes 

feeme ; 10 

Yett efte '4, 1 seare, thie cheses 35 toe grete a parte, 

And that thie rede'5 bee efte borne downe bie breme'7. 

What tydynges from the kynge ? 

HAROLDE. 

His Normans know. 

I make noe compheeres of the shemrynge 38 trayne. 

II Grievance; a sense of it. *' cease, be still. 24 idly* 25 de 

ceived, imposed on. 1* so. 17 fury, anger, rage. 18 paint, dis 

play. 19 soul. 30 strong. 31 terrible. M horrid, grim. 33 smok 

ing, bleeding. 34 oft. 35 heat, rafliness. 36 counsel, wisdom. 

37 strength, also strong. }t taudry, glimmering. 

N 

G O D D

i78 G O D D W Y N: 


Ah Harolde ! tis a syghte of myckle woe, 15 

To kenne these Normannes cverieh rennome gayne. 

What tydynge withe the foulke!» ? 

HAROLDE. 

Stylle mormorynge atte yer stiap4°, stylle toe the 

kynge 

Theie rolle theire trobbles, lyche a sorgie sea. 

Hane Englonde thenne a tongue, butte notte a 

stynge ? 20 

Dotbe alle compleyne, yette none wylle ryghted beef 


Awayte the tyme, whanne Godde wylle sende us ayde. 

HAROLDE. 

No, we muste streve to ayde ouresclves wyth powre. 

Whan Godde wylle sende us ayde! tissetelie*1 prayde. 

I9 People. 4° sate, destiny. 41 nobly. 

Moste

A T R A G E t) I E. 179 

Moste we those calke 41 awaie the lyve-longe howre ?2 5 

Thos croche 4' oure armes, and ne toe Iyve dareygne44, 

Unburled *s, undelievre 4s, unespryte 47 ? 

Far fro mie harte be fled thyk 4* thoughte of peyne, 

He free mie countrie, or Me die yn fyghte. 

G O D D VV Y N< 

Botte lette us wayte untylle somme season fytte. 30 

Mie Kentyshmen, thie Summertons mall ryse ; 

Adented *f prowess 50 to the gke 51 

of witte, 

Agayne the argent »1 horse shall daunce yn skie3. 

Oh Harolde, heere forstraughteynge *' 

lies. 

wanhope S4 

Englonde, oh Englonde, tys for thee I blethe". 35 

Whylste Edwarde to thie 

sonnes wylle nete alyse 

Shulde anie of thie sonnes sele aughte of ethe57 ? 

Upponne the trone 58 1 sette thee, helde thie crowne; 

Botte oh! twere hommage nowe to pyghte"thee downe. 

41 Cast. 4' cross, from crouche, a cross. 44 attempt, or endea 

vour. 45 unarmed; 4°- unactive. 47 unspirited. 48 such. 48 sas 

tened, annexed. S0 might, power. 51 mantle, or robe. 51 white, 

alluding to the arms of Kent, a horse saliant, argent. 53 distracting. 

!+ despair. 55 bleed. 54 allow. 57 ease. »8 throne. 5» pluck. 

N 2 

Thou

1 8a G O D D W Y N: 

* 

Thou arte all preeste, & notheynge of the kynge. 40 

Thou arte all Norman, nothynge of mie blodde. 

Know, ytte beseies 60 thee notte a masse to fynge ; . 

Servynge thie leegefolcke 61 thou arte servynge Godde. 

H A R O L D E. 

Thenne Ille doe heaven a servyce. 

To the skyes 

The dailie contekes 61 of the londe ascende. 45 

The wyddowe, fahdrelesse, 

& bondemennes cries 

Acheke6' the mokie6*aire & heaven astendetfs. 

On us the rulers doe the folcke depende ; 

Hancelled 66 from erthe these Normanne 67 hyndes 

flialle bee ; 

Lyche a battently 68 low *», mie swerde shalle 

brende 7° ; - 50 

Lyche fallynge softe rayne droppes,I wyll hem "J flea?1 ; 

Wee way te too longe; our purpose wy lle defayte?'; 

Aboune74 the hyghe cmpryze", & rouze the chafflpyones 

strayte. 

60 Becomes. 6r subjects. " contentions, complaints. 63 choke. 

** dark, cloudy. «s astonish. ** cut off, destroyed. 07 flaves. 

*8 loud roaring. 69 flame of sire. 70 burn, consume. *1 them. 

71 flay. 13 decay. 74 make ready. 75 enterprize. 

G O D D

A T R A G E D I E. iSjt 

Thie fuster— 


HAROLDE. 

Aye, I knowe, fhe is his queene. 

Albeytte 7«, dyd fhee speeke her foemen 77 fayre, 55 

I wulde decjuace 78 her comlie semlykeene 79f 

And foulde mie bloddie anlace 80 yn her hayre. 

Thye fhuir 81 blyn 8l. 


HAROLDE. 

No, bydde the leathal 83 mere 8+, 

Upriste 85 withe hiltrene 86 wyndes & cause unkend 8?, 

Beheste 88 it to be lete 8» 5 so twylle appeare, 60 

Eere Harolde hyde hys name, his contries frende. 

7? Notwithstanding. 77 foes. 78 mangle, destroy. 70 beauty, 

countenance. 80 an ancient sword. 81 fury. 81 cease. 83 deadly. 

** lake. 85 swollen. tS hidden. 87 unknown. 88 command. 

still. 

N 3 

The

l8z G 0 JD D W Y N: 

The gule-steynct »° brygandyne the adventayle »1, 

The seerie anlace >f brede 95 shal make mie gare '4 prevayle. 


Harolde, what wuldest doe ? . 

" ■ > ' 

HAROLDE. 

Bethyncke thee whatt. 

Here liethe Englonde, all her drites»5 unfree, 6$ 

Here liethe N,onnans.coupynge sS herbielotte, 

Caltysnyng 97 everich native plante to gre'8, 

Whatte woulde I doe ? I brondeous »» wulde hem 

flee 1 ; 

Tare owte theyre fable harte bie ryghtefulle breme ! j 

Theyre deathe a meanes untoe mie Jyse shulde bee,7o 

Mie spryte shulde revelle yn theyr harte-blodde streme. 

Efrsoones I wylle bevvryne 5 

mie ragefulle ire, 

And Goddis anlace 4 wielde yn furie dyre. 

80 Red-stained. N 91 parts of armour. 93 broad. ** cause. 

95 rights, liberties. 9* cutting, wangling. 97 forbidding. 98 grow. 

*? furious. * Hay. 1 strength. } declare. 4 sword, 

G O D P

A T R A G E D I E. 183 


Whatte wouldest thou wythe the kynge ? 

HAROLDE, 

Take offe hys crowne ; 

The ruler of somme mynster 5 hym ordeyne ; 75 

Sette uppe som dygner 6 than I han pyghte 7 downe j 

And peace in Englonde fhulde be brayd 8 agayne. 

G O D D W Y N, 

No, lette the super-hallie » seyncte kynge reygne, 

Ande somme moe reded 10 rule the yntentyff 11 

reaulme ; 

Kynge Edwarde, yn hys cortesie, wylle deygne 80 

To yielde the spoiles, and alleyne were the heaulme : 

Botte from mee harte bee everych thoughte of gayne, 

Not anie of mie kin I wysche him to ordeyne. 

5 Monastery. 6 more worthy. 7 pulled, plucked. 8 displayed. 

* over-righteous. 10 counselled, more wise. uncareful, neg 

lected, 

N 4 

HAROLDE.

J84 Q 9 D D W Y N: 


Tell me the meenes, and I wylle boute ytte strayte ; 

Bete 11 mee to flea ,J miesclf, ytte shalle be done. 85 


To thee I wylle swythynne 14 the menes unplayte 1S, 

Bie whyche thou, Harolde, shalte be proved mie 

sonne. 

I have longe seen whatte peynes were undergon, 

Whatte agrames 16 braunce lt out from the general 

tree 

The tyme ys cornmynge? whan the mollock 18 gron 90 

Drpnted 10 of alle yts swolynge 11 owndes " shalle beej 

Mie remedie is goode ; our menne shall ryse : 

Estsoons the Normans and owre agrame 15 flies. 

HAROLDE, 

I will to the West, and gemote J4 alle mie knyghtes, 

Wythe bylles that papcte for blodde, and sheeldes ag 

brede 1s 05 

Jf Bill, command. 1? flay, f4 presently. 15 explain. 16 grie 

vances. 17 branch. 18 wet, moilh 19 fen, moor. 10 drained, 

*r swelling.. 11 waves. lf grievance. assemble. 1s broad. 

As i

A T R A G E D I E. 185 

As the ybroched 16 moon, when blaunch l7 she dyghtes 18 

The wodeland grounde or water-mantled mede ; 

Wythe hondes whose myghte canne make the dough 

tiest '■* blede, 

Who efte have knelte upon forflagen 3° foes, 

Whoe wythe yer fote orrests31 a castle-stede 100 

Who dare on kynges for to bewrecke ss yiere woes ; 

Nowe wylle the menne of Englonde haile the daie, 

Whan Goddwyn leades them to the ryghtfulle fraie, 

G 0 D D W Y N. 

Botte firste we'll call the loverdes of the West, 

The erles of Mercia, Conventrie and all ; 105 

The moewee gayne, the gare'4 wylle prosper beste, 

Wythe fyke a nomber wee can -never fall. 

P A R O L P E. 

True, so wee sal doe best to lyncke the chayne, 

And alle attenes ^ the spreddynge kyngedomme 

bynde. 

** Horned. 17 white. 18 decks. 19 mightiest, most valiant, 

»* flain. 3f oversets. ?*■ a castle. ?J revenge. '* cause, 35 at 

ence. 

No

lU G O D D W Y N: 

No crouched & champyone wythe an harte raoe 

seygne 1 10 

Dyd yssue owte the hallie 37 swerde to synde, 

Than I nowe strev to ryd mie londe of peyne. 

Goddwyn, what thanckes owre laboures wylle enhepe! 

I'lle ryse mie friendes unto the bloddie pleyne ; 

File wake the honnoure thatte ys now aflepe. 115 

When wylle the chieses mete atte thie seastive halle, 

That I wythe voice alowde maie there upon 'em calle ? 

GODDWYN. 

Next eve, 

mie forme. 


Nowe, Englonde, ys the tyme, 

Whan thee or thie selle foemens cause moste die. 

Thie geason 38 wronges bee reyne 3» yntq theyre 

pryme; 120 

Nowe wylle thie sonnes unto thie succoure flie. 

Alyche a storm egederinge 4° yn the skip, 

Tys fulle ande brasteth 4« on the chaper 4« grounde ; 

36 One who takes up the cross in order to fight against the Saracens. 

37 holy. 38 rare, extraordinary, strange. 3? run, stiot up, ^° as 

sembling, gathering. 41 bursteth. I1 dry, barren. 

Sycke

A T R A G E P i E. ?8/ 

Sycke shalle mie fhuirye on the Normans flie, 

And alle theyre mittee 4' menne be fleene 44 

arounde. 125 

Nowe, nowe, wylle Harolde or oppreffionne falle, 

jSIe moe the Englyshmenne yn vayne for hele*5 fhal 

calle. 

« Mighty. ** flsun, 45 help. 

K Y N G E

188 G O D D W Y N; 

- KYNGE EDWARDE and hys QUEENE. 

QÛ EENE, 

BOTTE, loverde 48,,whie somanieNormanneshere? 

Mee thynckethe wee bee notte yn Englyfhe londe. 

These browded *1 straungers alwaie doe appere, I go 

Theie parte yor trone48, and fete at your ryghte 

honde. 

KYNGE, 

Go to, goe to, you doe ne understonde : 

Theie yeave mee lyffe, and dyd mie bowkie49 kepe ; 

Theie dyd mee feeste, and did embowre so megronde; 

To trete hem yllewulde lette mie kyndnesseflepe.135 

46 Lord. 47 embroidered ; *tis conjectured, embroidery was not 

used in England till Hen. II. 48 throne. 49 person, body. 

50 lodge. 

QUEENE.

A T R A G E D I E. xSg 

qÛ E E N E. 

Mancas51 you have yn store, and to them parte ; 

Youre leege-folcke 51 make moke 55 dole 5% you hare 

theyr worthe asterte S5. 

KYNGE. 

I heste s« no rede of you. I ken mie friendes. 

Hallies7 dheie are, fulle ready meeto hele*8. 

Theyre volundes are ystorven 60 to self endes ; 140 

No denwere 61 yn mie breste I of them fele : 

I muste to prayers ; goe yn, and you do wele ; 

I muste, ne lose the dutie of the daie ; 

Go inne, go ynne, ande viewe the azure rele 5% 

Fulle welle I wote you have noe mynde toe praie.145 

QÛ E E N E. 

I reeve youe to doe hommage heaven-were ; 

To serve yor leege-folcke toe is doeynge hommage there. 

s* Marks. »1 subjects. 53 much. 5+ lamentation. ss neglected, 

or passed by. sS require, alk. 57 holy. 58 help. 59 will. *° dead. 

•* doubt. *1 waves. 6i heaven-ward, or God-ward. 

KYNGE

G O D D W Y N: 

KYNGE and Syr HUGHE. 

KYNGE. 

Mie friende, Syr Hughe, whatte tydynges brynges 

thee here ? 

HUGHE. 

There is no mancas yn mie loverdes ente

A TRAGEDIE. 191 

K Y N G E. 

Arace 7° hym of hys powere ; bie Goddis worde, 

Ne moe thatte Harolde fball ywield the crifes fwerde. 

HUGHE. 

Atte seefon fytte, mie loverde, lette itt bee ; 

Botte nowe the folcke doe foe enalse 71 hys name, 

Inne strevvynge to flea hymme, ourselves wee flea ;i So 

Syke ys the doughtyness 71 of hys grete fame. 

KYNGE. 

Hughe, I beethyncke, thie rede 75 ys notte to blame. 

Botte thou maiest fynde fulle store of marekes yn 

Keote. 

HUGHE. 

Mie noble loverde, Godwynn ys the fame ; . 

He sweeres he wylle notte swelle the Normans ent.i 6$ 

70 Divest. 71 embrace. 71 mightinesi. 73 counsel. 

KYNGE.

G O D t> W Y N: 

KYNG E. 

Ah traytoufe ! 

botte mie rage I wylle cofnmaunde. 

Thou arte a Normanne, Hughe, a straunger to the 

launde. 

Thou kenneste howe these Englysche erle doe bere 

Such stedness 74 in the yll and evylle thynge, 

Botte atte the goode theie hover yn denwere 7*, 1 7* 

Onknowlachynge 7s gif thereunto to clynge. 

HUGHE. 

Onwordie fyke a marvelle 77 of a kynge ! 

0 Edwarde, thou deservest purer leege 78 5 

To thee heie 7» shulden al theire mancas bryuge > 

Thie nodde should save menne, and thie glomb 8» 

forflege Sl. 175 

1 amme no curriedowe 8t, I lacke no wire 81, 

I speke whatte bee the trouthe, and whatte all see is 

ryghte. 

■ »* Firmness, stedsastness. 7S doubt, suspense.- 16 not knowing. 

W wonder. »* homage, obeysance. 7» they. 80 frown. 81 kill. 

II eurridowe, slatterer. 85 reward. 

KYNGE

A : - T R A G E D I E; 193 

K Y N G E. 

Thou arte a hallie 8* manne, I doe thee pryze. 

Comme, comme, and here and hele 85 

mee ynn mie 

praires. 

Fulle twentie mancas I wylle thee alise 6S, , 1 80 

And twayne of hamlettes 87 to thee and thie heyres. 

Soe shalle all Normannes from mie londe be sed, 

Theie alleyn 88 have fyke love as to acquyre yer 

bredde. 

84 holy. ,s help. 88 allow. 87 manors. 88 alone. 

o 

CHORUS.

G O D D W Y N: 

H O R U S. 

n 1 

WHAN Freedom, dreste yn blodde-f 

To everie knyghte her warre-focge sunge, 185 

Uponne her hedde wylde wedes were spredde j 

A gorie anlace bye her honge. 

She daunced onne the heathe; 

She hearde die voice of deathe ; 

Pale-eyned affryghte, hys harte of fylver hue, 190 

In vayne affayled 1 her bosomme to acale 2 ; 

She hearde onflemed 3 

the Ihriekynge voice of woe, 

And sadnefse ynne the owlette shake the dale. 

She shooke the burled 4 speere, 

On hie she jeste* her sheelde, 195 

Her foemen 6 all appere, 

And flizze 1 

alonge the seelde. 

Power, wythe his heafod 8 ltraught 9 ynto the skyes, 

Hys speere a sonne-beame, and his fheelde a starre, 

1 Endeavoured. 1 freeze. 3 undismayed. 4 armed, pointed, 

s hoisted on high, raised. * foes, enemies. 7 fly. 8 head. 

* stretched. 

Alyche

A T R A G E D I E. 195 

Alyche 10 twaie 11 brendeynge 14 gronfyres 13 rolls hys 

eyes, 200 

Chaftes "4 with hys yronne seete and soundes to war. 

She fyttes upon a rocke, 

She bendes before hys speere, 

She ryses from the shocke, 

Wieldynge her owne yn ayre.. 205 

Harde as the thonder dothe she drive ytte on, 

Wytte scillye 15 

wympled 16 gies17 ytte to hys crowne, 

Hys longe sharpe speere, 

hys spreddynge sheelde ys 

gon, 

He falles, and fallynge rolleth thousandes down. 

War, goare-faced war, bie envie burld lS, 

arist1?, 210 

Hys seerie heaulme 10 noddynge to the ayre, 

Tenne bloddie arrowes ynne hys streynynge fyste— 

* * * * * * * * 

10 Like. " two. " flaming. JJ meteors. 14 beats, stamps. 

" closely. »« mantled, covered. *> guides. ,s armed. 19 arose. 

*° helmet. 

O 2 

ENGLYSH

[ 1*6 ] 

ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS: 

Bie T. ROWLEI E. 

■ 

■ 

BOOKE 1st.. 

WHANNE Scythyannes, salvage as the wolves 

theie chacde, 

Pe)rncted in horrowe 1 

Heckled i 

formes bie nature dyghte, 

yn beastskyns, flepte uponne the waste, 

And wyth the morneynge rouzed the wolse to fyghte, 

Swefte as descendeynge lemes 4 of roddie lyghte 5 

Plonged to the hulstred s 

bedde of laveynge seas, 

Gerd 6 the blacke mountayn okes yn drybblets 1 

twighte 8, 

And ranne yn thoughte alonge the azure mees, 

Whose eyne dyd feerie slieene, like blue-hayred 

dess », 

That dreerie hange upon Dover's emblaunched 10 cless. 10 

1 I will endeavour to get the remainder of these poems. 1 unseemly, 

disagreeable. 3 wrapped. 4 rays. 5 hidden, secret. 6 broke, rent. 

7 small pieces. 8 pulled, rent. 9 vapours, meteors. 13 emblaunched. 

. Soft

ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS, Sec 197 

Soft boundeynge over swelleynge azure reles " 

The salvage natyves sawe a shyppe appere ; ■. 

An uncouthe 11 denwere 11 to theire bosomme steles; 

Theyre myghte ys knopped 

ynne the froste of sere. 

The headed javlyn lisseth »* here and there ; 1 5 

Theie stonde, theie ronne, theie loke wyth eger eyne ; 

The shyppes fayle, boleynge 16 wythe the kyndelie 

ayre, 

Ronneth to harbour from the beateynge bryne ; 

Theie dryve awaie aghaste, whanne to the stronde 

A burled »7 Trojan lepes, wythe Morglaien sweerde yn 

honde. v 20 

Hymme followede eftsoones hys compheeres l8, whose 

swerdes 

Glestred lyke gledeynge 1» starres ynne frostie nete, 

Hayleynge theyre capytayne in chirckynge10 wordes 

Kyngeof the lande, whereon theie set theyre sete. 

The greete kynge Brutus thanne theie dyd hym 

greete, 25 

Prepared for battle, mareschalled the fyghte ; 

" Ridges, rising waves. IJ unknown tremour. 14 sastened, 

.chained, congealed. 15 boundeth. 16 swelling. 17 armed, ^com 

panions. 19 livid. .1° a contused noise. 

. i O 3 Thek

i98 

ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS: 

Theie urg'd the warre, the natyves fiedde, as flete 

As fleaynge cloudes that swymme before the syghte; 

Tyll tyred with battles, 

for to ceese the fraie, 

Theie uncted" Brutus kynge, 

and gave the Trojanns 

swaie. . 30 

Twayne of twelve years han lemed 11 up the myndcs, 

Leggende 15 

the salvage unthewes l* of theire breste, 

Improved in mysterk *s 

warre, and lymmed 16 theyre 

kyndes, 

Whenne Brute from Brutons fonke to æterne reste. 

Eftsoons the gentle Locryne was poffest 35 

Of fwaic, and vested yn the paramente 17 ; 

Halceld 18 the bykrous l» Huns, who dyd infeste 

Hys wakeynge kyngdom wyth a foule intente ; 

As hys broade swerde oer Homberres heade was 

honge, 

He tourned toe ryver wyde, and roarynge rolled 

alonge. 40 

He wedded Gendolyne of roieal sedc, 

Upon whose countenance rodde healthe was spreade ; 

" Anointed. 11 enlightened. 15 alloyed: 14 savage barbarity. 

*5 mystic, 16 polished. 17 a princely robe. 14 defeated. 19 warring. 

i 

Bloufning,

B O O K E 1st. 199 

Bloushing, alyche 30 the scarlette of herr wede, 

She sonke to pleasaunce on the marryage bedde. 

Eftsoons her peacefull joie of mynde was fledde ; 45 

Elstrid ametten with the kynge Locryne ; 

Unnombered beauties were upon her shedde, 

Moche. fyne, moche fayrer thanne was Gendolyne; 

The mornynge tynge, the rose, the lillie floure, 

In ever ronneynge race on her dyd peyncte theyre 

powere. - 50 

The gentle suyte of Locryne gayned her love ; 

Theie lyved soft momentes to a swoties1 age ; 

Eft 31 wandringe yn the coppyce, delle, and grove, 

Where ne one eyne mote theyre disporte engage ; 

There dydde theie tell the merrie lovynge sage 55 

Croppe the prymrosen floure to decke theyre headde ; 

The seerie Gendolyne yn woman rage 

Gemoted 34 warriours to bewrecke Zs her bedde ; 

Theie rose ; ynne battle was greete Locryne fleene ; 

The faire Elstrida fledde from the enchased 56 

queene.6o 

30 Like. 31 sweet. *l oft. " a tale. 34 assembled. 35 re 

venge. 

34 heated, enraged. 

O 4 

A tye

200 ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS: 

A tye of love, a dawter fayre she hanne, 

Whose boddeynge morneyng shewed a fayre daie, 

Her fadre Locrynne, once an hailie manne. 

Wyth the fayre dawterre dydde she ■haste awaie, 

To where the Western mittee 37 pyles of claie ... 65 

Arise ynto the cloudes, and doe them beere ; 

There dyd Elstrida and Sabryna staie ; 

The fyrste tryckde out a whyle yn warryours gratch 8 

and gear ; 

Vyncente was st»e 

ycleped, bytte fulle foone fate 

Sente deathe, to telle the dame, she was notte yn regrate 

70 

The queene Gendolyne fente a gyaunte. knyghte, 

Whose doughtie heade swepte the emmertleynge 49 

ikies, 

To flea her wheresoever she shulde be pyghte

B O O K E 1st. 201 

Stcpte over cytties, on meint 44 acres lies, 

Meeteynge the herehaughtes of morneynge lighte ; 

Tyll mooveynge to the Weste, myfchaunce hys gye 45, 

He thorowe warriours gratch fay re Elstrid did efpie. 8o 

He tore a ragged mountayne from the grounde, 

Harried uppe noddynge forrcsts to the skie, 

Thanne wythe a fuirie, mote the erthe astounde 47, 

To meddle ayre he lette the mountayne flie. 

The flying wolfynnes fente a yelleynge crie ; 85 

Onne Vyncente and Sabryna felle the mount ; 

To lyve æternalle dyd theie eftfoones die ; 

Thorowe the fandie grave boiled up the pourple 

founte, 

On a broade graflie playne was layde the hylle, 

Staieynge the rcunynge course of meint a limmed 4* 

rylle. 90 

The goddes, who kenned the actyonsof the wyghte, 

To leggen 49 the fadde happe of twayne so fayre, 

Houton 50 dyd make the mov.ntaine bie theire mighte. 

Forth from Sabryna ran a ryverre cleere, 

44 Many. 45 guide. ** tost. 47 astonish! 43 glassy, reflecting. 

/f iesten, alloy. 50 hollow. 

Jtoarjnge

2C2 

ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS, &c. 

Pioaryngc and rolleynge on yn course bysmare 31 ; 95 

From semale Vyncente shotte a ridge of stones, 

Eche fyde the ryver ryfynge heavenwere ; 

Sabrynas fioode was helde ynne Elstryds bones. 

50 are theie cleped ; gentle and the hynde 

Can telle, that Severnes streeme bie Vyncentes rocke's 

ywrynde*1. 

io» 

The bawfyn s' 

gyaunt, hee who dyd them flee, 

To telle Gendolyne quycklie was ysped 54 ; 

Whanne, as he strod alonge the shakeynge lee, 

The roddie levynne « glesterrd on hys headde : 

Into hys hearte the azure vapoures spreade j 105 

He wryrb.de arounde yn drearie dernie 56 payne ; 

Whanne from his lyse-bloode the rodde lemes 57 were 

sed, 

He selle an hepe of asties on the playne : 

Stylle does hys ames shoote ynto the lyghte, 

A wondrous mouatayne hie, and Snowdon ys ytte 

hyghte.. 

no 

51 Bewildered, curious. 51 hid, covered. 53 huge, bulky. 54 dis 

patched. 55 red lightning. 58 cruel. 57 flames, rays. 

F I N I S. 

Atf

[ 203 ] 

AN EXCELENTE. BALADE 

OF 

CHARITIE: 

As wroten bie the gode Prieste Thomas Rowley " 

1464. 

IN Virgyne the sweltrie sun gan sheene, 

And hotte upon the mees 1 did caste his raie ; 

The apple rodded ' from its palie greene, 

And the mole 4 peare did bende the leafy spraie ; 

The peede chelandri 5 funge the livelong daie ; 5 

'Twas nowe the pride, the manhode of the yeare, 

And eke the grounde was diglue 6 in its mose defte 7 

aumere 8. 

The fun was glemeing in the midde of daie, 

Deadde still the aire, and eke the welken 9 blue, 

' Thomas Rowley, the author, was born at Norton Mai- reward in 

Somersetshire, educated at the Convent of St. Kenna at Keynesham, 

and died at Westbury in Gloucestershire. 1 meads. 3 reddened, ri 

pened. 4 soft. 5 pied goldfinch. 6 drest, arrayed. 7 near, orna 

mental. 8 a loose robe or mantle. 9 the Iky, the atmosphere. 

When

2o4 

AN EXCELENTE B A LADE 

When from the sea arist 10 in drear arraie 10 

A hepe of cloudesof fable sullen hue, 

The which full fast unto the woodlande drewe, 

Hiltring 11 attenes 11 the funnis fetive13 face, 

And the blacke tempeste swolne and gatherd up apace. 

Beneathe an holme, faste by a pathwaie side, 1 5 

Which dide unto Seyncte Godwine's covent '4 lede, 

A hapless pilgrim moneynge did abide, 

Pore in his viewe, ungentle ls 

in his weede, 

Longe bretful 16 of the miseries of neede, 

Where from the hail-stone coulde the aimer '7 she ? jzo 

He had no houfen theere, ne anie covent nie. 

Look in his glommed ,e face, his sprighte there fcanne ; 

Howe woe-be-gone, how withered, forwynd I», deade! 

*° Arose. 11 hiding, fhrouding. " at once. 13 beauteous. I+ It 

would have been charitable, if the author had not pointed at perfonal 

character? in this Ballad of Charity.' The Abbot of St. Godwin's at 

the time of the writing of this was Ralph de Bellomont, a great stickler 

for the Lancaftrian family. Rowley was a Yorkist. 15 beggarly. 

16 filled with. 17 beggar. 18 clouded, dejected. A person of some 

note in the literary world is of opinion, that glum glom are modem 

cant wordi ; and from this circumstance doubts the authenticity of 

Rowley's Manufcripts. Glum-mong in the Saxon signifies twilight, a 

dark or dubious light; and the modern word gloomy is derived from the 

Saxon glum. 19 dry, iiiplese. 

Haste

O.F C.H A R I T I E. 203 

Haste to thie church-glebe-house J0, asshrewed 1* 

manne ! 

Haste to thie kiste", thie onlie dortoure13 bedde. 25 

Cale, as the claie whiche will gre on thie hedde, 

Is Charitie and Love aminge highe elves ; 

Knightis and Barons live for pleasure and themselves. 

The gatherd' storme is rype ; the bigge drops falle ; 

The forswat1* meadowes smethe15, and drenche^ the 

raine; 30 

The comyng ghastness do the cattle pall 1?, 

And the full flockes are driv}■nge ore the plaine ; 

Dalhde from the cloudes the waters flott :8 againe ; 

The welkin opes j the yellow levynne 19 flies ; 

And the hot fierie fmothe 30 in the wide lowings " 

dies. 35 

Liste? 

now the thunder's rattling clymmynge31 found 

Cheves " flowiie on, and then embollen 34 clangs, 

*° The grave. 11 accursed, unsortunate. " coffin. M a fleep 

ing room. 14 sun-burnt. 15 smoke. 16 drink. 17 fall, a contrac 

tion from appall, to fright. *' fly. *9 lightning. 50 steam, or va 

pours. 31 flames. 3X noisy. 35 moves. 34 swelled, strength, 

ened. „ 

Shakes

o6 

AN EXCELENTE BALADE 

Shakes the hicspyre, and losst, dispended, drown'd, 

Still on the gallard '5 eare of terroure hanges ; 

The windes are up; the lofty elmen swangesj 40 

Again the levynne and the thunder poures, 

And the full cloudes are braste 55 attenes in stonen 

fhowers. 

Spurreynge his palfrie oere the watrie plaine, 

The Abbote of Seyncte Godwyncs convente came ; 

His chapournette 37 was drented with the reine, 45 

And his pencte 58 gyrdle met with mickle fhame ; 

He aynewarde tolde his bederoll 3> at the fame ; 

The storme encreafen, and he drew aGde, 

With the mist 4° almes craver neere to the holme to 

bide. 

His cope 41 was all of Lyncolrie clothe so syne, 50 

With a gold button fasten'd neere his chynne ; 

His autremete** was edged with golden twynne, 

3S Frighted. 3* burst. " a small round hat, not unlike the 

sliapournette in heraldry, formerly worn by Ecclesiastics and Lawyers. 

38 painted. 39 He told his beads backwards ; a figurative expression 

to signify cursing. *° poor, needy. +I a cloke. ** a loose white 

robe, worn by Priests. 

And

O F C H A R I T I E. 207 

And his shoone pyke a loverds 4' mighte have binnej 

Full well it shewn he thoughten coste no finne: 

The trammels of the palfrye pleasde his sighte, 55 

For the horse-millanare 44 his head with roses dighte. 

An almes, sir priestc ! the droppynge pilgrim saide; 

O ! let me wake within your covente dore, 

Till the sunne (beneth hie above our heade, 

And the loude tempeste of the aire is oer ; 60 

Helpless and ould am I alas ! and poor ; 

No house, ne friend, ne moneie in my pouche ; 

All yattel call my owne is this my silver crouche. 

Varle't, replyd the Abbatte, cease your dinne ; 

This is no season almes and prayers to give ; 65 

Mie porter never lets a faitour 4s in ; 

None touch mie rynge who not in honour live. 

And now the sonne with the blacke cloudes did 

stryve, 

And shettynge on the grounde his glairie raie, 

The Abbatte spurrde his steede, 

and eftsoonc9 roacde 

. . . awaie. . t> 70 

43 A lord. 44 I believe this trade is still in being, though but sel 

dom employed. 45 a beggar, or vagabond. '* 

Once

4o8 

AN EXCELENTE BALADE 

Once moe the skie was blacke, the thounder roldej 

Faste reyneynge oer the plaine a prieste was seen ; 

Ne dighte full proilde, ne buttoned up in golde ; 

His cope and jape 4* were graie, and eke wereclene; 

A Limitoure he was of order feene; 75 

And from the pathwaie fide then turned hee, 

Where the pore aimer laie binethe the holmen tree. 

An alines, sir priest ! the droppynge pilgrim fayde, 

For fvveete Seyncte Marie and your order fake. 

The Limitoure then looscn'd his pouche threade, 

And did thereoute a groate of silver take ; 

The mister pilgrim dyd for halline 47 fhake. 

Here take this silver, it maie eathe 48 thie care; 

We are Goddes stewards all, nete4» of oure owne we 

bare. 

But ah ! 

unhailie 50 pilgrim,, Icrne of me, 

Scathe anie give a rentrolle to their Lorde. 

Here take my femecope thou arte bare I fee ; 

46 A stiort surplice, worn by Friars of an inferior class, and secular, 

priests. 47 joy. 48 ease. 49 nought. 50 unhappy. . ** a stiort 

under-cloke. . 

Tis

5 P C H A k I T I E. 409 

Tis thyne ; the Seynctes will give me mie rewarde. 

He left the pilgrim, and his waie aborde. 

Vifgynne and hallie Seyncte, who fitte yn glovire**, 

©r give the mittee s' will, or give the gode man poWer. 

,l Gloiy. 51 mighty, rich. 

P 

BATTLE

[ 2IO ] 

BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

/"V CHRYSTE, it is a grief for me to telle, 

How manie a nobil erle and valrous knyghte 

In fyghtynge for Kynge Harrold noblie fell, 

Al fleyne in Hastyngs feeld in bloudie fyghte. 

O sea ! our teeming donore han thy floude, 5 

Han anie fructuous entendement, 

Thou wouldst have rose and fank wyth tydes ofbloude, 

Before Duke Wyllyam's knyghts han hither went; 

Whose cowart arrows manie erles fleyne, 

And brued the feeld wyth bloude as seafon rayne. 19 

And of his knyghtes did eke full manie die, 

All paflyng hie, of mickle myghte echone, 

Whose poygnant arrowes, typp'd withdestynie, 

Caus'd manie wydowes to make myckle mone. 

Lordynges,


2it 

Lordynges, avaunt, that chycken-harted are, 15 

From out of hearynge quicklie now departe ; 

Full well I wore, to fynge of bloudie warre 

Will greeve your tenderlie and mayden harte. 

Go, do the weaklie womman inn mann's geare, 

And scond your mansion if grymm war come there. 20 

Soone as the erlie maten belle was tolde, 

And fonne was come to byd us all good daie, 

Bothe armies on the seeld, both brave and bolde, 

Prepar'd for fyghte in champyon arraie. 

As when two bulles, destynde for Hocktide fyghte, 2^ 

Are yoked bie the necke within a sparre, 

•> 

Theie rend the erthe, and travellyrs affryghte, 

Lackynge to gage the sportive bloudie warre ; 

Soe lacked Harroldes menne to come to blowes, 

The Normans lacked for to wielde their bowes. 30 

Kynge Harrolde turnynge to hys leegemen spake ; 

My merrie men, be not caste downe in mynde ; 

Your onlie lode for aye to mar or make, 

Before yon sunne has donde his welke, you'll fynde. 

Your lovyng wife, who erst dyd rid the londe 35 

Of Lurdanes, and the treasure that you han, 

P 2 

Wyll

2i2 


Wyll falle into the Normanne robber's honde, 

Unleffe with honde and harte you plaie the manne. 

Cheer up youre hartes, chase sorrowe farre awaie, 

Godde and Seyncte Cuthbert be the worde to daie. 40. 

And thenne Duke Wyllyam to his knyghtes did saie ; 

My merrie menne, be bravelie everiche •, 

Gif I do gayn the hoflore of the daie, 

Ech one of you I will make myckle riche. 

Beer you in mynde, we for a kyngdomm fyghte i 45 

Lordstrippes and honores echone shall pofleffe ; 

Be this the worde to daie, God and niy Ryghte; 

Ne doubte but God will oure true cause blesse. 

The clarions then founded sharpe and shrille i 

Deathdoeynge blades were out intent to kille. 50 

And brave Kyng Harrolde had nowe donde hys faie ; 

He threwe wythe myghte amayne hys shorte horse-fpear, 

The noise it made the duke to turn awaie, 

And hytt his knyghte, de Beque, upon the ear» 

His cristede beaver dyd him fmalle abounde; 55 

The cruel spear went thorough all his hede ; 

The purpel bloude came goushynge to the grounde, 

And at Duke Wyllyam's seet he tumbled deade : 

So

BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 213 

So fell the myghtie tower of Standrip, whenne 

It felte the fnrie of the Danifh menne. 

Co 

O Afflem, son of Cuthbert, holie Sayncte, 

Come ayde thyfreend, and fhewe DukeWyllyams payne; 

Take up thy pencyl, all hys features paincte ; 

Thy coloryng excells a synger strayne. 

Puke Wyllyam fawe hys freende fleyne piteouflie, 6$ 

His lovynge freende whome he muGhe honored, 

For he han lovd hym from puerilitie, 

And theie together bothe han bin ybred : 

O ! in Duke Wyllyam's harte it raysde a flame, 

To whiche the rage of emptie wolves is tame. 70 

He tooke a brasen crosse-bowe in his honde, 

And drewe it harde with all hys myghte amein, 

Ne doubtyng but the bravest in the londe 

Han by his foundynge arrowe-lede bene fleyne. 

Alured's stede, the fy nest stede ah've, 75 

Bye comelie forme knowlached from the rest 5 

But nowe his destind howre dyd aryve, 

Thearrowe hyt upon his miikwhke breste: 

So have I seen a ladie-fmock foe white, 

Blown in the mornynge, and mowd downe at night. 80 

P 3 . With

214 BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

■With thilk a force it dyd his bodiegore. 

That in his tender guttes it entered, 

In veritee a fulle clothe yarde or more, 

And downe with flaiten noyse he sunken dede. 

Brave Alured, benethe his faithfull horse, 85 

Was smeerd all over withe the gorie duste, 

And on hym laie the recer's lukewarme corse, 

That Alured coulde not hymself aluste. 

The standyng Normans drew theyr bowe echone, 

And broght full manie Englysh champyons downe. 00 

The Normans kept aloose, at distaunce stylle, 

The Englysh nete but short horse-spears could welde ; 

The Englysh manie dethe-sure dartes did kille, 

And manie arrowes twang'd upon the sheelde. 

Kynge Haroldes knyghts defir'de for hendie stroke, 95 

And marched furious o'er the bloudie pleyne, 

In bodie close, and made the pleyne to smoke j 

Theire fheelds rebounded arrowes back agaync. 

The- Normans stode aloose, nor hede the fame, 

Their arrowes woulde do dethe, tho* from far of they 

came, 

imq


Duke Wyllyam drewe agen hys arrowe strynge, 

An arrowe withe a sylver-hede drewe he; 

The arrowe dauncynge in the ayre dyd synge, 

And hytt the horse Tosselyn on the knee. 

At this brave Tosslyn threwe his fhort horse-speare ; 105 

Duke Wyllyam stooped to avoyde the blowe j 

The yrone weapon hummed in his eare, 

And hitte Sir Doullie Naibor on the prowe : 

Upon his helme foe furious was the stroke, 

Itsplete his bever, and the ryvets broke,. ... 110 

Downe fell the beaver by Tosslyn splete in tweine, 

And onn his hede expos'd a punie wounde, 

But on Destoutvilles fholder came ameine, 

And fell'd the champyon to the bloudie grounde. 

Then Doullie myghte his bowestrynge drewe, 1 1 5 

Enthoughte to gyve brave Tosslyn bloudie wounde, 

'But Harolde's afenglave stopp'd it as it flewe, 

And it fell bootless on the bloudie grounde. 

Siere Doullie, when hefawehys venge thus broke, 

Death-doynge blade from out the scabard toke. j 20 

And now the battail closde on everych syde, 

And face to face appeard the knyghts full brave ; 

P 4 

They

31.6 BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

They lifted up theire bylles with myckle pryde, 

And manie woundes unto the Normans gave. 

So have I sene two weirs at once give grounde, 125 

White fomyng hygh to rorynge combat runne ; 

In roaryng dyn and heaven-breaking sounde, 

Burste waves on waves, and spangle in the sunne ; 

And when their myghte in burstynge waves is fled, 

Like cowards, fl^le alonge their ozy bede. 130 

YongeEgelrede, a knyghte of comelie mien, 

Affynd unto the kynge of Dynefarre, 

At echone tylte and tourney he was seene? 

And lov'd to be amonge the bloudie warre • 

'•j 

Me couch'd hys launce, and ran wyth mickle myghte 135 

Ageinste the brest of Sieur de Bonoboe ; 

He grond and sunken on the place of fyghte, 

O Chryste ! to sele his wounde, his harte was woe. 

Ten thousand thoughtes push'd in upon his mynde, 

Not for hymselse, but those he left behynde. 140 

lie dy'd and leffed wyse and chyldren tweine, 

Whom he wyth cheryflimentdid dearlie love; 

In Englande's court, in goode Kynge Edwarde's regnp, 

He wonne the tylte, 

and ware her crymson glove;


And thence unto the place where he was borne, 145 

Together with hys welthe & better wyfe, 

To Normandie he dyd perdie returne, 

In peace and quietnesse to lead his lyfe ; 

And now with sovrayn Wyllyam he came, 

To die in battel, or get welthe and fame. 15a 

Then, swefte as lyghtnynge, Egelredus set 

Agaynst du Barlie of the mounten head ; 

In his dere hartes bloude his longe launce was wett. 

And from his courser down he tumbled dede. 

So have I sene a mountayne oak, that longe 155 

Has caste his fhadowe to the mountayne syde, 

Brave all the wyndes, tho' ever they so stronge. 

And view the briers belowe with self-taught pride j 

But, whan throwne downe by mightie thunder stroke, 

He'de rather bee a bryer than an oke. 1 60 

Then Egelred dyd in a declynie 

Hys launce uprere with all hys myghte ameine, 

And strok Fitzport upon the dexter eye, 

And at his pole the spear came out agayne. 

Butt as he drewe it forthe, an arrowe fledde 16$ 

Ysyth mickle mygtyt sent from de Tracy's bowe, 

And

2i8 


And at hys syde the arrowe entered, 

And oute the crymson streme of bloude gan flowe ; 

In purple strekes it dyd his armer staine, 

And sinok'd in puddles on the dustie plaine. 1 70 

But Egelred, before he sunken downe, 

With all his myghte amein his spear besped, 

It hytte Bertrammil Manne upon the crowne, 

And bothe together quicklie sunken dede. 

So have I seen a rocke o'er others hange, • 175 

Who stronglie plac'd laughde at his flippry state, 

But when he falls with heaven-peercynge bange 

That he the fleeve unravels all 

theire fate, 

And broken onn the beech thys lesson speak, 

The stronge and firme fhould not defame the weake. 1 80 

Howel ap Jevah came from Matraval, 

Where he by chaunce han flayne a noble's son, 

And now was come to fyghte at Harold's call, 

And in the battel he much goode han done ; 

Unto Kyng Harold he foughte mickle near, 185 

For he was yeoman of the bodie guard ; 

And with a targyt and a'fyghtyng spear. 

He of his boddie han kepte watch and ward : 

2 True


True as a shadow to a substant thynge, 

So true he guarded Harold hys good kynge. 190 

But when Egelred tumbled to the grounde, 

He from Kynge Harolde quicklie dyd advaunce, 

And strooke de Tracie thilk a crewel wounde, 

Hys harte and lever came out on the launce. 

And then retreted for to guarde his kynge, 195 

On dented launce he bore the harte awaie ; 

An arrowe came from Auffroie Griel's strynge, 

Into hys heele betwyxt hys yron staie ; 

The grey-goose pynion, that thereon was sett, 

Eftsoons wyth fmokyng crymfon bloud was wett. 200 

Hisbloude at this was waxen flaminge hotte, 

Without adoe he turned once agayne, 

And hytt de Griel thilk a blowe, God wote, 

Maugre hys helme, he splete his hede in twayne. 

This Auffroie was a manne of mickle pryde, 205 

Whose seatliest bewty ladden in his face j . 

His chaunce in warr he ne before han tryde, 

Put ly v'd in love and Rosaline's embrace ; 

And like a useless weede amonge the haie 

Amonge the Heine warriours Griel laie. .. 210 

Kynge

£20 BATTLE QF HASTINGS. 

Kynge Harolde then he putt his yeomen bie, 

And ferflie ryd into the bloudie fyghte ; 

Erie Ethelwolf, and Goodrick, and Alfie, 

Cuthbert, and Goddard, mical menne of myghte, 

Ethelwin, Ethelbert, and Egwin too, 215 

Effred the famous, and Erie Ethelwarde, 

Kynge Harolde's Ieegemenn, erlies hie and true, 

Rode after hym, his bodie for to guarde ; 

The reste of erlies, fyghtynge other wheres, 

Stained with Norman bloude theire fyghtynge 

speres. 220 

As when some ryver with the season raynes 

White fomynge hie doth breke the bridges oft, 

Oerturns the hamelet and all conteins, 

And layeth oer the hylls a muddie soft j 

So Harold ranne upon hisNormanne foes, 225 

And layde thegreate and small upon the grounde, 

And delte among them thilke a store of blowes, 

Full manie a Normanne fell by him dede wounde ; 

So who he be that ouphant faieries strike, 

Their soules will wander to Kynge Offa's dyke. 230

Battle of Hastings. 22: 

Fitz Salnarville, Duke William's favourite knyghte, 

To noble Edelwarde his lise dyd yielde j 

Withe hys tylte launce hee stroke with thilk a myghte, 

The Norman's bowels steemde upon the seeld. 

Old Salnarville beheld hys son lie ded, 235 

Against Erie Edelward his bowe-strynge drewc; 

But Harold at one blowe made tweine his head ; 

He. dy'd before the poignant arrowe flew. 

So was the hope of all the issue gone, 

And in one battle sell the sire and son. 240 

Der Aubignee rod sercely thro' the fyghte, 

To where the boddie of Salnarville laie ; 

Quod he; And art thou ded, thou manne of myghte? 

I'll be revengd, or die for thee this daie. 

Die then thou shalt, Erie Ethelwarde he said ; 245 

I am a cunnynge erle, and that can tell j 

Then drewe hys swerde, and ghastlie cut hys hede, 

And on his freend eftsoons he liseless sell, 

Stretch'd on thebloudie pleyne; great God foresend, 

It be the fate of no such trustie freende ! 250 

Then Egwin Sieur Pikeny did attaque ; 

He turned aboute and vilely fouten flie ; 

But

222 BATTLB- OF HASTINGS, 

But Egwyn cutt so deepe into his backe, 

He rolled on the grounde and soon dyd die. 

His distant sonne, Sire Romara de Biere, 255 

Soughte to. revenge his fallen kynsman's lote, 

But lbone Erie Cuthbert's dented fyghtyng spear 

Stucke inhis.harte, and stayd his speed, God wote. 

He tumbled downe close by hys kynsman's syde, 

Myngle their stremes of pourple bloude, anddy'd. 260 

And now an arrowe from a bowe unwote 

Into Erie Cuthbert's harte eftsoonsdyd flee; 

Who dying fayd ; ah me ! how hard my lote I 

Now flayne, mayhap, of one of lowe degree. 

So have I seen a leafie elm of yore 265 

Have been the pride and glorie of the pleine ; 

But, when the spendyng landlord is growne poore, 

It falls benethe the axe of some rude sweine ; 

And like the oke, the sovran of the woode, 

It's fallen boddie tells you how it stoode. 270 

When Edelward perceevd Erie Cuthbert die, 

On Hubert strongest of the Normanne crewe, 

As wolss whenhungred on the cattel flie, 

So Edelward amaine upon him flewe. . , , 

With

BATTLE OF HASTINGS, 

With thilk a force he hyt hym to the groundei 275 

And was demasing howe to take his lise, 

■ 

When he behynde received a ghastlie wounde : 

Gyven by de Torcie, with a stabbyng knyse ; 

Base trecherous Normannes, if such actes you doe, 

The conquer'd maie clame victorie of you. 28a 

The erlie selt de Torcie's trecherous knyse 

Han made his crymson bloude and spirits floe ; 

And knowlachyng he soon must quyt this lyse, 

Resolved Hubert should too with hym goe. 

He held hys trustie swerd against his breste, 28 s; 

And down he sell, and peerc'd him to the harte ;: 

And both together then did take their reste, 

Their foules from corpses unaknell'd depart; 

And both together soughte the unknown more, 

Where we shall goe, where manie's gon before. 293 

Kynge Harolde Torcie's trechery dyd spie, 

And hie alose his temper'd swerde dyd welde, 

Cut offe his arme, and made the bloude to flie, 

His proose steel armoure did him littel sheelde j 1 " 

And not contente, he splete his hede in twaine, 205 

And down he tumbled on the bloudie grounde ; 

Mean

i24 

BATTLE OF HASTINGS.■ 

Mean while the other erlies on the playne 

Gave and received manie a bloudie wounde, 

Such as the arts in warre han learnt with care, 

But manie knyghtes were men in women's geer. 30c* 

Herrewald, borne on Sarim's spreddyng plaine, 

Where Thor's fam'd temple manie ages stoode ; 

■Where Druids, auncient preests, did ryghtes ordainej 

And in the middle shed the victyms bloude ; 

Where auncient Bardi dyd their verses fynge 305 

Of Cæsar conquer'd, and his mighty hoste, 

And how old Tynyan, necromancing kynge, 

Wreck'd all hys shyppyng on the Brittish coaste, 

And made hym in his tatter'd barks to flie, 

'Till Tynyan's dethe and opportunity. 310 

To make it more renomed than before, 

(I, tho a Saxon, yet the truthe will telle) 

The Saxonnes steynd the place wyth Brittifli gore, 

Where nete but bloud of sacrifices felle. 

Tho' Chrystians, stylle they thoghte mouche of the 

pile, 315 

And here theie mett when causes dyd it neede; 

'Twas

feATTLE OF HASTINGS. 225 

Twas here the auncient Elders of the Ifle 

Dyd by the trecherie of Hengist bleede ; 

O Hengist ! han thy cause bin good and true, 

- Thou wouldst such murdrous acts as these eschew.320 

The erlie was a manne of hie degree, 

And han thatdaie full manie Normannes fieine* 

Three Norman Champyons of hie degree 

He lefte to smoke upon the bloudie pleine : 

The Sier Fitzbotevilleine did then advaunce, 325 

And with his bowe he smote the erlies hede ; 

Who eftsoons gored hym with his tylting launce, 

And at his horses feet he tumbled dede : 

His partyng spirit hovered o'er the floude 

Of soddayne roufhynge mouehe lov'd pourple 

bloude. 2 20 

De Viponte then, a scjuier of low degree, 

An arrowe drewe with all his myghte ameine \ 

The arrowe graz'd upon the erlies knee, 

A punie wounde, that causd but littel peine. 

So have I seene a Dolthead place a stone, 335 

Eathoghte to staie a driving rivers course 5


But better han it bin to lett alone, 

It onlie drives it on with mickle force ; 

The erlie, 

wounded by so base a hynde, 

Rays'd furyous doyngs in his noble mynde. 340 

• 

The Siere Chatillion, 

yonger of that name, 

Advaunced next before the erlie's fyghte ; 

His fader was a manne of mickle fame, 

And he renomde and valorous in fyghte. 

Chatillion his trustie swerd forth drewe, 345 

The erle drawes his, menne both of mickle myghte ; 

And at eche other vengouflie they flewe, 

As mastie dogs at Hocktide set to fyghte ; 

Bothe scornd to yeelde, and bothe abhor'de to flie, 

Resolv'd to vanquishe, or resolv'd to die. 350 

Chatillion hyt the erlie on the hede, 

Thatt splytte eftsoons his cristed helm in twayne j 

Whiche he perforce withe target covered, 

And to the battel went with myghte ameine. 

The etlie hytte Chatillion thilke a blowe 355 

Upon his breste, his harte was plein to see ; 

He tumbled at the horses seet alsoe, 

And in dethe panges he seez'd the recer's knee : 

Fastc

BATTXE OF HASTINGS. 227 

Faste as the ivy rounde the oke doth clymbe, 

So faste he dying gryp'd the recer's lymbe. 360 

The recer then beganne to flyrige and kicke, 

And toste the erlie farr off to the grounde ; 

The erlie's squier then a swerde did sticke 

Into his harte, a dedlie ghastlie wounde 5 

And downe he selle upon the crymsoh pleine, 365 

Upon Chatillion's soulless corse of claie ; 

A puddlie streme of bloude flow'd oute ameine; 

Stretch'd out at length besmer'd with gore he laie ; 

As some tall oke sell'd from the greenie plairie, 

To live a second time upon the main. 370 

The erlie nowe an horse and beater hari, 

And nowe agayne appered on the seeld ; 

And manie a mickle knyghte and mightie mattne 

To his dethe-doyrig swerd his lise did yeeld ; 

When Sit re de Broque an arrowe longe lett flie, 375 

Intending Herewaldus to have fleyne ; 

It miss'd j butt hytte Edardus on the eye, 

And at his pole came out with horrid payne. 

Edardus selle upon the bloudie grounde, 

His noble foule came roushyng from the wounde. 380


Thys Herewald perceevd, and full of ire 

He on the Siere de Broque with furie came ; 

Quod he ; thou'st slaughtred my beloved squier, 

But I will be revenged for the fame. 

Into his bowels then his launcehe thfuste, 385 

And drew thereout a steemie drerie lode ; 

Quod he ; these offals are for ever curst, 

Shall serve the coughs, and rooks, and dawes, for foodc. 

Then on the pleine the steemie lode hee throwde, 

Smokynge wyth lyse, and dy'd with crymson 

bloude. 390 

Fitz Broque, who faw his father killen lie, 

Ah me! fayde he; what woeful fyghte I see! 

But now I must do somethyng more than sighe ; 

And then an arrowe from the bowe drew he. 

Beneth the erlie's navil came the dartej 395- 

Fitz Broque on foote han drawne it from the bowe ; 

And upwards went into the erlie's harte, 

And out the crymson streme of bloude 'gan flowe. 

As fromm a hatch, drawne with a vehement geir, 

White rudie the burstynge waves, and roar along the 

f 

weir. 400 

The


The erle with one honde grasp'd the recer's mayne, 

And with the other he his launce besped ; 

And then selle bleedyng on the bloudie plaine. 

His lautice it hytte Fitz Broque upon the hede ; 

Upon his hede it made a wounde full flyghte, 405 

But peerc'd his shoulder, ghastlie wounde inserne, 

Before his optics daunced a shade of nyghte, 

Whyche soone were closed ynn a fleepe eterne. 

The noble erlie than, withote a grone, 

Took. flyghte, to fynde the regyons unknowne. 410 

Brave Alured from binethe his noble horse 

Was gotten on his leggs, with bloude all fmore j 

And now eletten on another horse, 

Eftsoons he withe his launce did manie gore. 

The cowart Norman knyghtes before hym fledde, 41 5 

And from a distaunce sent their arrowes keene; 

But noe such destinie awaits his hedde, 

As to be fleyen by a wighte so meene. 

Tho oft the oke falls by the villen's shock, 

'Tysmoe than hyndes can do, to move the rock. 42a 

Upon «

23o 

BATTLE OF HASTINGS 

Upon du Chatelet he serselie sett. 

And peerc'd his bodie with a force full grete ; 

The asenglave of his tylt-launce was wett, 

The rollynge bloude alonge the launce did fleet» 

Advauncynge, as a mastie at a bull, 4?S 

He rann his launce into Fitz Warren's harte j 

From Partaies bowe, a wight unmcrcifull, 

Within his owne he selt a cruel darte ; 

Close by the Norman champyons he han fleine, 

He sell ; and rnixd his bloude with theirs upon the 

plcine. 

43Q 

Erie Ethelbert then hove, with clinie just, 

A launce, that stroke Partaie upon the thighe, 

And pinn'd him downe unto the gorie duste; 

Cruel, quod he, thou cruellie shalt die. 

With that his launce he enterd at his throte; 

He scritch'd and screem'd in melancholie mood ; 

And at his backe eftsoons came out, God wote, 

And after it a crymfon streme of bloude : 

In agonie and peine he there dyd lie, 

While lise and dethe strove for the masterrie. 

435 

44° 

He

Battle of Hastings. 

He gryped hard the bloudie murdring launce, 

And in a grone be left this mortel lyfe. 

Behynde the erlie Fiscampe did advaunce, 

Bethoghte to kill him with a stabbynge knife ; 

But Egward, who perceevd his fowle intent, 445 

Eftsoons his trustie swerde he forthwyth drewe, 

And thilke a cruel blowe to Fiscampe sent, 

That soule and bodie's bloude at one gate flewe. 

Thilk deeds do all deserve, whose deeds so fowle 

Will black theire earthlie name, if not their soule. 450 

When lo ! 

an arrowe from Walleris honde, 

Winged with fate and dethe daunced alonge ; 

And flewe the noble flower of Powyflonde, 

Howel ap Jevab, who yclepd the stronge. 

Whan he the first mischaunce received han, 455 

With horfemans haste he from the armie roddej 

And did repaire unto the cunnynge manne, 

Who sange a charme, that dyd it mickle goode $ 

Then praid Seyncte Cuthbert, and our holie Dame, 

To blesse his labour, and to heal the fame. 460 

Then

232 BATTLE OF HASTINGS 

Then drewe the arrowe, and the wounde did seek, 

And putt the teint of holie hei bies on ; 

And putt a rowe of bloude-stones round his neck j 

And then did fay ; 

go, champyon, get agone. 

And now was comynge Harrolde to desend, 4($5 

And metten with Walleris cruel darte ; 

His sheelde of wolf-ikinn did him not attend, 

The arrow peerced into his noble harte j 

As some tall oke, hewn from the mountayne bed, 

Falls to the pleine ; so sell the warripurdede. /JfiQ 

His countryman, brave Mervyn ap Teudor, 

Who love of hym han from his country gone, 

■When he perceevd his friend lie in his gore. 

As furious as a mountayne wolf he ranne. 

As ouphant faieries, whan the moone sheenes bryghte^^ 

In Jittel circles daunce upon the greene, 

All living creatures flie far from their fyghte, 

Ne by the race of destinie be seen ; 

For what he be that ouphant saieries stryke, 

Their soules will wander to Kyng Offa's dyke. 480 

So from the face of Mervyn Tewdor brave 

The Normans eftsoons fled awaie aghaste; 

And


And lefte behynde their bowe and asenglave, 

For sear of hym, in thilk a cowart haste. 

His garb sufficient were to move assryghte ; 485 

A wolf /kin girded round his myddle was ; 

A bear skyn, from Norwegians wan in fyghre, 

Was tytend round his shoulders by the claws: 

So Hercules, 'tis fur^ge;- much like to him, 

Upon his moider wore a lyon's skin. 490 

Upon his thyghes and harte-swefte legges he word 

A hugie goat skyn, all of one grete peice ; 

A boar skyn sheelde on his bare armes he bore ; 

His gauntletts were the skynn of harte of greece. 

Theyfiedde; he followed close upon their heels, 495 

Vowynge vengeance for his deare countrymanne j 

And Siere de Sancelotte his vengeance feels ; 

He peerc'd hys backe, and out the bloude ytt ranne. 

His bloude went downe the swerde unto his arme, 

In springing rivulet, alive and warme. 500 

. His swerde was shorte, and broade, and myckle keene, 

And no mann's bone could stonde to stoppe itts waie j 

The Normann's harte in partes two cutt cleane, 

He clos'd his eyne, and clos'd hys eyne for aie. 

Then

*34 BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

Then with bis swerde he sett on Fitz du Valle, 505 

A knyghte mouch famous for to runne at tylte ; 

With thilk a furie on hym he dyd falle, 

Into his neck he ranne the swerde and hylte ; 

As myghtie lyghtenynge often has been founde, 

To drive an oke into unfallow'd grounde. 510 

And with the swerde, that in his neck yet stoke, 

The Norman sell unto the bloudie grounde ; 

And with the fall ap Tewdore's swerde he broke, 

And bloude afreshe came trickling from the wounde. 

As whan the hyndes, before a mountayne wolse, 515 

Flie from his paws, and angrie vyfage grym ; 

But when he falls into the pittie golphe, 

They dare hym to his bearde, and battone hym ; 

And cause he fryghted them so muche before, 

Lyke cowart hyndes, they battone hym the more. 520 

So, whan they sawe ap Tewdpre was bereff 

Cf his keen swerde, thatt wroghte thilke great dismaie, 

They turned about, eftsoons upon hym Iept, 

And full a score engaged in the fraie, 

Mervyn ap Tewdore, ragyng as a bear, 525 

Seized on the beaver of the Sier de Laque; 

And


And wring'd his hedde with such a vehement gier, 

His visage was turned round unto bis backe. 

Backe to his harte retyr'd the useless gore, 

And felle upon the pleine to rise no more. 530 

Then on the mightie Siere Fitz Pierce he flew, 

And broke his helm and seiz'd hym bie the throte : 

Then manie Normann knyghtes their arrowes drew, 

That enter'd into Mervyn's harte, God wote. 

In dying panges he gryp'd his tjirote more stronge, 535 

And from their sockets started out his eyes ; 

And from his mputhe came out his blameless tonge ; 

And bothe in peyne and anguishe eftsoon dies. 

As some rude rocke torne from his bed of claie, 

Stretch'd onn the pleyne the brave ap Tewdore 

m?. 540 

And now Erie Ethejbert and Egward came 

Brave Mervyn from the Normanues to aflist j 

A myghtie here, Fitz Chatulet bie name, 

An arrowe drew, that dyd them littel list. 

Erie Egward points his launce at Chatulet, 54.5 

And Ethelbert at Walleris set his ; 

And

%l6 BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

And Egwald dyd the siere a hard blowe hytt, 

But Ethelbert by a myschaunce dyd miss : 

Fear laide Walleris flat upon the strande, 

He ne deserved a death from erlies hande. 550 

Betwvxt the ribbes of Sire Fitz Chatelct 

J 

The poynted launce of Egward did ypafs ; 

The distaunt fyde thereof was ruddie wet, 

And he fell breathless on the bloudie grass. 

As cowart Walleris laie on the grounde, 555 

The dreaded weapon hummed oer his heade, 

And hytt the fquier thylke a lethal wounde, 

Upon his fallen lorde he tumbled dead : 

Oh fhame to Norman armes ! 

a lord a flave, 

A captyve villeyn than a lorde more brave! 560 

From Chatelet hys launce Erie Egward drew, 

And hit Wallerie on the dexter cheek ; 

Peerc'd to his braine, and cut his tongue in two : 

There, knyght, quod he, let that thy actions speak—* 

****** * 

BATTLE

C «37 3 


[N° 2.3 

OH Truth ! immortal daughter of the skies, 

Too lyttle known to wryters of these daies, 

Teach me, fayre Saincte ! thy passynge worths to 

pryze, 

To blame a friend and give a foeman praysc. 

The fickle moone, bedeckt wythe fylver rays, 5 

Leadynge a traine of starres of seeble lyghte, 

With look adigne the worlde belowe furveies, 

The world, that wotted not it coud be nyghte ; 

Wyth armour dyd, with human gore ydeyd, 

She sees Kynge Harolde stande, fayre Englands curse and 

pryde. 19 

With ale and vernage drunk his souldiers lay j 

Here was an hynde, anie an erlie fpredde ; 

7 Sad

23& feATTLE OF HASTINGS; ' ■ 

Sad keepynge of their leaders natal daie ! 

This even in drinke, toomorrow with the dead! 

Thro' everie troope disorder reer'd her hedde 5 15 

Dancynge and heideignes was the onlie theme ; 

Sad dome was theires, who lefte this easie bedde, 

And wak'd in torments from so sweet a dream. 

Duke Williams menne, of comeing dethe afraide, 

All nyghte to the great Godde for succour askd and 

praied. 20 

Thus HareMe to his wites that stoode arounde ;' 

Goe, Gyrthe and Eilward, take bills halfe a scores 

And search how farre our foeman's campe doth 

bound ; 

Yourself have rede ; I nede to sale ne more. 

My brother best belov'd of anie ore, 25 

My Leofwinus, goe to everich wite, 

Tell them to raunge the battel to the grore, 

And waiten tyll I sende the hest for fyghte. 

He saide-, the loieaul broders lefte the place, 

Success and cheerfulness depicted on ech face. 30 

Slowelie brave Gyrthe and Eilwarde dyd advaunce, 

And markd wyth care the armies dystant fyde, 

When


When the dyre clatterynge of the shielde and launce 

Made them to be by Hugh Fitzhugh espyd. 

He lyftcd up his voice, and lowdlie cryd ; 35 

Like wolfs in wintere did the Normanne yell ; 

Girthe drew hys swerde, and cutte hys burled hyde j 

The proto-flene manne of the fielde he fclle ; 

Out streemd the bloude, and ran in smokynge curies, 

Reflected bie the moone seemd rubies mixt wyth 

pearles. 40 

A troope of Normanncs from the mass-fonge came, 

Rousd from their praiers by the slotting crie; . 

Thoughe Girthe and Ailwardus perceevd the fame, 

Not once theie stoode abashd, or thoghte to fiie. 

He seizd a bill, to conquer or to die; 45 

Fierce as a clevis from a rocke ytorne, 

That makes a vallie wherefoe're it lie ; 

* Fierce as a ryver burstynge from the borne ; 

So fiercelie Gyrthe hitte Fitz du Gore a blowe, 

And on the verdaunt playne he layde the champyone 

lowe. 50 

* In Tiirgott's tyme Holemvell braste of erthe so fierce that it threw 

a stone-mell carrying the same awaie. j. Lydgate ne knowynge this 

leste out o line. 

Tancarville

t4» BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

Tancarville thus ; alle peace in Williams name j 

Let none edraw his arcublaster bowe. 

Girthe cas'd his weppone, as he hearde the fame, 

And vengynge Normannes staid the flyinge floe. 

The sire wente onne; ye menne, what mean ye so 55 

Thus unprovokd to courte a bloudie fyghte? 

Quod Gyrthe ; oure meanynge we ne care to showe, 

Nor dread thy duke wyth all his men of myghte; 

Here single onlie these to all thie crewe 

Shall shewe what Englysh handes and heartes can doe. 60 

Seek not for bloude, Tancarville calme replyd, 

Nor joie in dethe, lyke madmen most distraught; 

In peace and mercy is a Chrystians pryde ; 

He that dothe contestes pryze is in a faulte. 

.And now the news was to Dnke William brought, 65 

That men of Haroldes armie taken were j 

For theyre good cheere all caties were enthoughte, 

And Gyrthe and Eilwardus enjoi'd goode cheere. 

Quod Willyam ; thus shall Willyam be founde 

A friend to everie manne that treades on English 

ground. 70

BATTLE OF HASTINGS; 94* 

Erie Leoswinus throwghe the campe ypass'd, 

And fawe bothe men and erlies on the grounde ; 

They flepte, as thoughe they wbulde have slepte theyr 

last, 

And hadd alreadie selte theyr fatale wounde. 

He started backe, and was wyth shame astownd ; 75 

Loked wanne wyth anger, and he shooke wyth rage ; 

tVhen throughe the hollow tentes these wordes dydi 

found, 

Rowse from your fleepe, detratours of the age ! . 

VVas it for thys the stoute Norwegian bledde ? 

Awake, ye huscarles, now, or waken wyth the dead. So 

As when the shepster in the shadie bowre 

In jintle flumbers chase the heat of daie, 

Hears doublyng echoe wind the wolfins rore,■ 

That neare hys flocke is watchynge for a praie, 

He tremblyrige for his sheep drives dreeme awaie, 85 

C■ripeS fastehys burled croke, arid fore adradde' 

"Wyth fleeting strides he hastens to the fraie, 

And rage arid prowess fyres the coistrell lad '1 

■With trustie talbots to the battel flies, 

And yell of men and dogs arid wolfins tear the Jklds. 

7 Br Sucb 

po

*4* BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

Such Was the dire confusion of eche wite, 

That rose from fleep and walsome power of wine ; 

Theie thoughte the foe by trechit yn the nyghte 

Had broke theyr camp and gotten paste the line 

Now here now there the burnysht sheeldes and byllspear 

shisle ; 95 

Throwote the campe a wild eonsufionne spredde \ 

Eche bracd hys armlace siker ne defygne, 

The crested helmet nodded on the hedde ; 

Some caught a flughorne, and an onsett wounde ; 

Kynge Harolde hearde the charge, and wondred at the 

sounde. 100 

Thus Leoswine; O women cas'd in stele t 

Was itte for thys Norwegia's stubborn sede 

Throughe the black armoure dyd the anlace sele, 

And rybbes of solid brasse were made to bleede \ 

Whylst yet the worlde was wondrynge at the 

deede. 105 

You souldiers, that shoulde stand with byll in hand,- 

Get full of wine, devoid of any rede. 

Oh fliame ! oh dyre dishonoure to the iande !

Battle 6f Hastings. 

He sayde ; and shame on everie visage spredde, 

Ne sawe the er lies face, but addawd hung their head. 110 

Thus he j rowze yee, and forme the boddie tyghte. 

The Kentyfli menne in fronte, for strenght renownd, 

Next the Brystowans dare the bloudie fyghte, 

And last the numerous crewe shall presse the grounde. 

I and my king be wyth the Kenters founde y ii£ 

Bythric and Alfwold hedde the Brystowe bande ; 

And Bertrams sonne, the man of glorious wouride, 

Lead in the rear the menged of the lande ; 

And let the Londoners and Suffers plie 

Bie Herewardes' mernume and the lighte fkyrts anie. 126 

He saide ; and as a packe of hounds belent> 

'When that the trackyng of the hare is gone, 

If one perchaunce (hall hit upon the scent, 

With twa redubbted f huir the akns run ; 

So styrrdthe valiante Saxons everych one 5' 125 

Soone linked matt to man the champyones stoode ; 

1 To 'tone for their bewrate so foone 'twas done. 

And lyfted bylls enseera'd an yron woods > 

R z 

Hero


Here glorious Alfwold towr'd above the wites, 

And seem'd to brave the suir of rwa ten thoufand 

rights. 130 

Thus Leofwine ; today will Engkndes dome 

Be fyxt for aie, for gode or evill state ; 

This funnes aunture be felt for years to come y . 

\ . Then bravelie fyghte, and live till deathe of date. 

Th'inke of brave Ælfridus, yclept the grete, 135 

From porte to porte the red-haird Dane he chafd, 

The Danes, with whomme not lyoncek coud mate, 

Who made of peopled reaulms a barren waste* 

( Thinke how at once by you Norwegia bled 

Whilste dethe and victorie for magystrie bested. 14* 

Meanwhile did Gyrthe unto Kynge Harolde ride, 

And tolde howe he dyd with Duke Willyam fare. 

Brave Harolde lookd askaunte, and thus replyd j. 

; • And can thie fay be bowght wyth drunken cheer? 

Gyrthe waxen hotte \ fhuir in his eyne did glare; 145 

And thus he saide; oh brother, friend, and kynge, 

Have I- deserved this fremed specheto heare ? 

./Bie Goddes hie hallidome ne thoughte the thynge. 

*•' » Who*


MS 

When Tostus sent me golde and sylver store, 

I scornd hys present vile, and scom'd hys treason 

more. 1 60 

Forgive me, Gyrthe, the brave Kynge Harolde pryd ; 

Who can I trust, if brothers are not true ? 

Ithink of Tostus, once my joie and pryde. 

Girthe faide, with looke adigne ; my lord, J doe. 

But what oure foemen are, quod Girth, I'll fhewe;i65 

By Gods hie hallidome they preestes are. 

Do not, quod Harolde, Girthe, mystell them so> 

For theie are everich one brave men at warre. 

Quod Girthe ; why will ye then provoke theyr hate? 

Quod Harolde ; great the foe, so is the glorie grete. 1 70 

And nowe Duke Willyam mareschalled his band, 

And stretchd his armie owte a goodlie rowe. 

First did a ranke of arcublastries stande, 

Next those on horsebacke drewe the ascendyng flo, 

Brave champyones, eche well lerned in the bowe, 175 

Theyr afenglave acrosse theyr horses ty'd, 

Or with the loverds squier behinde dyd goe, 

pf waited squier lyke at the horses syde, v 

R 3 

When

445 SATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

When thus Duke Willyam'to a Monke dyd saje, ' 

prepare thy seise wyth spede, to Harolde haste awaie. 1 80 

Telle hym from me one of these three to take ; 

That hee to mee do homage for thys lande, 

Or mee hys heyre, when he deceafyth, make, 

Or to the judgment of Chrysts vicar stande. 

He faide ; the Monke departyd out of hande, 1 85 

And to Kyng Harolde dyd this message bear j 

Who said ; tell thou the duke, at his likand 

If he can gette the crown hee may itte wear. 

He said, and drove the Monke out of his fyghte, 

And with his brothers rouz'd each manne to bloudie 

syghte. 199 

A standarde made os fylke and jewells rare, 

Wherein alle coloures wroughte aboute in bighes. 

An armyd knyghte was seen deth-doynge there, 

■Under this motte, He conquers or he dies. - - 

This standard rych, endazzlynge mortal eyes, 195 

Was borne neare Harolde at the Renters heade, 

Who chargd hys broders for the grete empryze 

That straite the hest for battle should be spredde.


To evry erle and knyghte the worde is gyven, 

And cries a guerre and flughornes shake the vaulted 

heaven, 200 

As when the erthe, torne by convulfyons dyre, 

In reaulmes of darkness hid from human syghte, 

The warring force of water, air, and fyre, 

Brast from the regions of eternal nyghte, 

Thro the darke caverns seeke the reaulmes of 

lyght; 205 

Some loftie mountaine, by its fury torne, 

Dreadfully moves, and causes grete affryght ; 

Now here, now there, majestic nods the bourne, 

And awfulle flukes, mov'd by the almighty force, 

Whole woods and forests nod4 and ryvers change theyr 

course, 

2io 

So did the men of war at once advaunce, 

Linkd man to man, enseemd one boddie light ; 

Above a wood, yform'd of bill and launce, 

Thatnoddyd in the ayre most straunge to syght. 

flarde as the iron were the menne of mighte, 215 

Ne neede of flughornes to enrowse theyr minde ; 

R 4 

Eche

*4« BATTLE OF HASTING^ 

Eche shootynge spere yreaden for the fyghte, • 

More seerce than fallynge rocks, more swefte than, 

wynd ; 

With solemne step, by ecchoe made more dyre, 

One single boddie all theie marchd, theyr eyen on 

fyre. 220 

t 

, And now the greie.-eyd mome with vi'lets drest, 

Shakyng the dewdrops on the flourie meedes, 

Fled with her rofie radiance to the West : 

Forth from the Easterne gatte the fyerie steedes 

Of the bright sunne awaytynge spirits leedes : 

The sunne, in fierie pompe enthrond on hie, 

Swyfter than thoughte alonge hys jernie gledes, 

And scatters nyghtes remaynes from oute the skie : 

He sawe the armies make for bloudie fraie, 

22^ 

And stopt his driving steedes, and hid his lyghtsome. 

' - • 

raye. 230 

Kynge Harolde hie in ayre majestic raysd 

Hismightie arme, decktwith a manchyn rarej 

With even hande a mighty javlyn paizde, 

Then furyouse sent it wbystlynge thro the ayre,'


It struck the helmet of the Sieur de Beer j 2^5 

In vayne did brasse or yron stop its waie ; 

Above his eyne it came, the bones dyd tare, 

Peercynge quite thro, before it dyd allaies 

He tumbled, scrirchyng wyth hys horrid payne ; 

His hollow cuishes rang upon the bloudie pleyne: 240 

This Willyam saw, and foundynge Rowlandes sqnge 

He bent his yron interwoven bowe, 

Makynge bothe endes to meet with myghte full 

stronge, 

From out of mortals fyght shot up the floe; 

Then swyfte as fallynge starres to earthe belowe 245 

It flaunted down on Alswoldes payncted sheelde ; 

Quite thro the silver-bordurd crofle did goe, 

Nor loste its force, but stuck into the feelde ; 

The Normanqes, like theyr sovrin, dyd prepare, 

A-pd shotte ten thoufande floes upryfynge in the aire. 2 50 

As when a flyghte of cranes, that takes their waie 

Jn householde armies thro the flanched Jkie, 

Alike the cause, or companie or prey, 

Jf that perchaunce some boggie senne is nie, 

■-" ■ Soo«

250 BATTLE OFrHASTINGS. 

Soon as the muddie natyon theie espie, . . 255 

Inne one blacke cloude theie to the erth descende; 

Feirce as the fallynge thunderbolte they flie ; . . 

In vayne do reedes.the speckled folk defend : 

So prone to heavie blowe the arrowes felle, 

And peered thro brasse, and sente rnanie to heaven or 

helle. 269 

Ælan Adelfred, of the stowe of Leigh, 

Felte a dire arrowe burnynge in his breste j 

Before he dyd, he sente hys spear awaie, 

Thenne sunke to glorie and eternal reste. 

Nevylle, a Normanne of alle Normannes beste, 265 

Throw the joint cuifhe dyd the javlyn feel, 

As hee on horsebacke for the fyghte addressd, 

And fawe hys bloude come smokynge oer the steele ; 

He sente the avengynge floe into the ayre, 

And turnd hys horses hedde, and did to leeche repayre. 

270, 

And now the javelyns, barbd with deathhis wynges? 

Hurld/rom the Englyfh handes by force aderne, 

Whyzz dreare alonge, and fonges of terror sytiges^ 

Such./ongesasalwaiesclos'd in lyfe etepne, . 

HurhJ

&ATTLE OF HASTINGS/ ?5i 

Hurld by such strength along the ayre theie burne, 275 

. Not to be quenched butte ynnNormannes bloude; • 

Wherere .theie came they were of lyfe forlorn, 

And alwaies followed by a purple floude ; 

Like cloudes the Normanne arrowes did descend, 

L)ike cloudes of carnage full in purple drops dyd 

end. 280 

Nor, Leoswynus, dydst thou still estande ; 

Full soon thie pheon glytted in the aire ; 

The force of none but thyne and Harolds hande 

Could hurle a javlyn with such lethal geer ; 

Itte whyzzd a ghastlie dynne in Nofmannes ear, 285 

Then thundryng dyd upon hys greave alyghte, > 

Feirce to his hearte, and dyd hys bowels tear, 

He closd hys eyne in everlastynge nyghte ; 

Ah ! what avayld the lyons on his creste ! 

His hatchments rare with him upon the grounde was 

prest. ■ 290 

Willyam agayne ymade his bowe-ends meet, 

, And hie in ayre the arrowe wynged his wale, 

Defcendyng like a lhafte of thunder fleete, 

Lyke thunde? rattling at the noon of daie, 

Onne

t52 


Onne Algars meelde the arrowe dyd affaie, 295 

There throghe dyd peerse, and stycke into his groine j 

In grypynge torments on the seelde he laie, 

Tille welcome dethe came in and clos'd his eyne ; 

Distort with peyne he laie upon the borne, r 

Lyke sturdie elms by stormes in uncothe wrythynges 

torne. 309 

Alrick his brother, whep hee this perceevd, 

He drewe his swerde, his Iefte hande helde a speere, 

Towards the duke he turnd his prauncyng lleede, 

And to the Godde of heaven he sent a prayre ; 

Then sent his lethale javlyn in the ayre, 30$ 

On Hue de Beaumontes backe the javelyn came, 

Thro his redde armour to hys harte it tare, 

He fclle and thondred on the place of fame ; 

a 

Next with his swerde he 'sayld the Seiur de Roe, 

And braste his fylyer helme, so furyous was the 

blowe. 

31Q 

' 

But Willyam, who had seen hys prowesse great,- 

And seered muche how farre his bronde might goe, 

Tooke a strong arblaster, . and bigge with fate . 

From twangynge iron feme the fleetynge floev ? ".


As Alric hoistes hys arme for dedlie blowe, 315 

Which, han it came, had been Du Roees laste, 

The swyfte-wyngd messenger from Willyams bowe 

Quite throwe his arme into his fyde ypaste ; 

His eyne shotte fyre, lyke blazyng starre at nyghte, 

He grypd his swerde, and selle upon the place of 

fyghte. . ^ 320 

O Alswolde, saie, how fhalle I fynge of thee 

Or telle how manie dyd benethe thee false ; 

Not Harolde* self more Normanne knyghtes did fke, 

Not Haroldes self did for more praises call; 

How shall a penne like myne then shew it all ? 325 

Lyke thee their leader* eche Bristowyanne foughte j 

Lyke thee, their blaze must be canonical, 

Fore there, like thee, that daie beWrecke yroughte : 

Did thirtie Normannes fall upon the grounde, 

Full half a score from thee and theie receive their fatale 

Wounded 33° 

First Fytz Chivelloys selt thie direful force ; 

Nete did hys helde out brazen sheelde availe ; 

Eftfoones throwe that thie drivynge speare did peerce, 

Nor was ytte stopped by his coate of maylc j. 

Into

254 BATTLE OF HASTINGS 

Into his breaste it quicklie did assayle ; 335 

Out ran the bloude, like hygra of the tyde ; 

With purple stayned all bys adventayle ; 

In scarlet was his cuishe of fylver dyde : 

Upon the bloudie carnage house he Iaie, 

Whylst hys longe sheelde dyd gleem with the fun's rysing 

ray. 340 

Next Fescampe selle ; O Chrieste, howe harde his fate 

To die the leckedst knyghte of all the thronge ! 

His sprite was made of malice deflavate, 

Ne shoulden find a place in anie songe. 

The broch'd keene javlyn hurld from honde so 

stronge 345 

As thine came thundrynge on his crysted beave ; 

Ah ! neete avayld the brass or iron thonge^ 

With mightie force his Ikulle in twde dyd cleave ; 

Fallyng he shooken out his fmokyngbraine, 

As witherd oakes or elmes are hewne from osf the 

playne* 350 

Nor* Norcie, Could thie myghte and Mfufleiore 

Preserve thee from the doom of Alswdld's fpeerit ; 

Couldste

BATTLE OF HASTINGS: 

Couldste thou not kenne, most skyll'd After la goure, 

How in the battle it would wythe thee fare ? 

When Alswolds javelyn, rattlynge in the ayre, 355 

From hande dyvine on thie habergeon came, 

Oute at thybacke it dyd thie hartes bloude bear, 

It gave thee death and-everlastynge fame; . 

Thy deaths could onlie come from Alfwolde arme, 

As diamondes onlie can its sellow diamonds harme. 3 (Jo 

3* • ■ 

Next Sire du Mouline sell upon the grounde, 

• 

Quite throughe his throte the lethal javlyn preste, 

His foule and bloude came roushynge from the 

wounde ; 

He closd his eyen, and opd them with the blest. 

It can ne be I mould behight the rest, •■ . t .365 

That by the myghtie arme of Alswolde selle. 

Paste bie a penne to be counte or expreste, 

How manie Alswolde sent to heaven or helle-;- 

As leaves from trees shook by derne Autumns hand, 

So laie the Normannes slain by Alswold on the strand. 370 

As when a drove of wolves withe dreary yelled " 

.Aflaylefome flocke, ne care if shepster keri'f, " « 

I 

Besprenge

a56 

BATTLE OF HASTINGS* 

Besprenge destructione oer the woodes and delles ; . 

The fhepster swaynes in vayne theyr lees lemenr ; 

So foughte the Brystowemenne ; ne one crevent, 375 

Ne onne abafhd enthoughten for to flee ; 

With fallen Normans all the playne besprent, 

And like theyr leaders every man did flee y 

In vayne on every syde the arrowes fled ; 

The Brystowe menne styli ragd, for Alswold was not 

deadt 

380s 

Manie meanwhile by Haroldes arm did faRe, 

And Leofwyne and Gyrthe encreasd the flayne j 

'Twould take a Nestor's age to synge them all, 

Or telle how manie Normannes preste the playne j 

But of the erles, whom recorde nete hath ffayhe, 385 

O Truthe ! 

for good of after-tymes relate', 

That, thowe they're deade, theyr names may' Iyve 

agayne, 

And' be in deathe, as they in life were, greatc; 

So after-ages mai'e theyr actions fee, 

L And" like to' them" asternal alwaie strive so be.' 390 

Adhelm, a knyghte, whose holie deathless sire 

For ever bended to S*. Cuthbert's fliryne,' 

Whose


Whose breast for ever burnd with sacred fyre, 

And een on erthe he myghte be calld dyvine ; 

To Cuthbert's church he dyd his goodes refygne, 395 

And lefte hys son his God's and fortunes knyghte 

His son the Saincte behelde with looke adigne, 

Made him in gemot wyse, and greate in fyghte j 

Saincte Cuthberte dyd him ayde in all hys deedes, 

His friends he lets to live, and all his foemen bleedes. 400 

He married was to Kenewalchae faire, 

The fynest dame the fun or moone adave ; 

She was the myghtie Aderedus heyre, 

Who was alreadie hastynge to the grave ; 

As the blue Bruton, rysinge from the wave, 405 

Like sea-gods seeme in most majestic guise, 

And rounde aboute the rifynge waters lave, 

And their longe hayre arounde their bodie flies, 

Such majestie was in her porte displaid, 

To be excelld bie none but Homer's martial maid. 419 

*• 

White as the chaulkie clyftes of Brittaines iile, 

Red as the highest colour'd Gallic wine, 

Gaie as all nature at the mornynge smile, 

Those hues with pleasaunce on her lippes combine, 

S 

Her


Her lippes more redde than summer evenynge 

skyne, 

4^5 

Or Phœbus ryfinge in a frostie morne, 

Her breste more white than snow in seeldes that lyene, 

Or lillie lambes that never have been shorne, 

Swellynge like bubbles in a boillynge welle, 

Or new-braste brooklettes gently whyspringe in the 

delle. 420 

Browne as the fylberte droppyng from the shelle, 

Browne as the nappy ale at Hocktyde game, 

So browne the crokyde rynges, that seatlie sell 

Over the neck of the all-beauteous dame. 

Greie as the morrie before the ruddie flame 425 

Of Phebus charyotte rollynge thro the skie, 

Greie as the steel-horn'd goats Coriyan made tame, 

So greie appeard her seatly sparklyng eye ; 

Those eyne, that did oft mickle pleased look 

On Adhelm valyaunt man, the virtues doomsday 

book. 430 

Majestic as the grove of okes that stoode 

■ Before the abbie buylt by Oswald kynge ; 

Majestic

BATTLE OF HASTINGS.■ 259 

Majestic as Hybernies holie woode,■ 

Where fainctes and foules departed masses fynge ;• 

Such awe from her sweete looke forth issuynge 435 

At once for reveraurice and love did calle ; 

Sweet as the voice of thraflarkes in the Spring, 

So sweet the wordes that from her lippes did falle i 

None sell in vayne ; all shewed some entent ; 

Her wordies did displaie her great entendetnent. 4401 

Tapre as candles layde at Cuthberts shryne* 

Tapre as elmes that Goodrickes abbie shrove; 

Tapre as silver chalices for wine, 

So tapre was her armes and shape ygrove. 

As skyllful mynemenne by the stones above 445 

Can ken what metalle is ylach'd belowe, 

So Kennewalcha's face, ymade for love, 

The lovelie ymage of her foule did shewe ; 

Thus was she outward form'd; the sun her mind 

Did guilde her mortal sttape and all her charms refin'd* 

450 

What blazours then, what glofie shall he clayme, 

What daughtie Homere shall hys praises fynge, 

S 2 

That

26o 


That lefte the bosome of so fayre a dame 

UncalPd, unaskt, to serve his lorde the kynge? 

Tol 

The armes, the helmets, all the I 

Throwe everie reaulm the poets blaze the thynge* 

And travelling merchants spredde hys name to farre v 

The stoute Norwegians had his anlace selte, 

And nowe amonge his foes dethe-doynge blowes he 

delte. 460 

As when a wolfyn gettynge in the meedes 

He rageth fore, and doth about hym flee, 

Nowe here a talbot, there a lambkin bleeds, 

And alle the grasse with clotted gore doth stree; 

As when a rivlette rolles impetuouflie, 465 

And breaks the bankes that would its force restrayne, 

Alonge the playne in fomynge rynges doth flee, 

Gaynste walles and hedges doth its course maintayne ; 

As when a manne doth in a corn-fielde mowe, 

With ease at one selle stroke full manie is Iaide 

lowe. 470 

So manie, with such force, and with such ease, 

Did Adhelm flaughtre on the bloudie playne ; 

Before

BATTLE OF HASTINGS. ?6i 

Before hym manie dyd theyr hearts bloude leafe, 

Ofttymes he foughte on towres of sinokynge flayne. 

Angillian felte his force, nor felte in vayne ; 475 

He cutte hym with his swerde athur the breaste ; 

Out ran the bloude, and did hys armoure stayne, 

He clos'd bis eyen in æternal reste ; 

Lyke a tall oke by tempeste borne awaie, 

Stretchd in the armes of dethe upon the plaine he 

laie. 489 

Next thro the ayre he sent his javlyn feerce, 

That on De Clearmoundes buckler did alyghte, 

Throwe the vaste orbe the fharpe pheone did peerce, 

Rang on his coate of mayje and spente its mighte. 

But soon another wingd its aiery flyghte, 485 

The keen broad pheon to his lungs did goe ; 

He felle, and groand upon the place of fighte, 

Whilst lyfe and bloude came issuynge from the blowe. 

Like a tall pyne upon his native playne, 

So fell the mightie sire and mingled with the flaine. 499 

Hue de Longeville, a force doughtre mere, 

Advauncyd forwarde to provoke the darte, 

33

z6z BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

■When soone he founde that Adhelmes poynted speere 

Had founde an eafie passage to his hearte. 

He drewe his bowe, nor was of dethe astarte, 495 

Then fell down brethlesse to encrease the corse j 

{But as he drewe hys bowe devoid of arte, 

So it came down upon Troy villains horse ; 

Deep thrp hys hatchments wente the pointed floe 

Now here, now there, with rage bleedyng he rounde 

doth goe. • 500 

Nor does he hede his mastres known commands, 

Tyll, growen furiousc by his bloudie wounde, 

Erect upon his hynder seete he staundes, 

And throwes hys mastre far off to the grounde. 

Near Adhelms seete the Normanne laie astounde, 505 

Besprengd his arrowes, loosend was his sheelde, 

Thro his redde armoure, as he laie enfoond, 

He peered his swerde, and out upon the seelde 

The Nonnannes bowels steemd, a dedlie fyghte ! 

Jle opd and closd hys eyen in everlastynge nyghte. 510 

1 

Caverd, a Scot, who for the Normannes foughte, 

A man well skilld in swerde and soundynge strynge, 

. ' Who


rf3 

Who fled his country for a crime enstrote, 

For darynge with bolde worde hys loiaule kynge, 

He at Erie Aldhelme with grete force did flynge 515 

An heavie javlyn, made for bloudie wounde, 

Alonge his sheelde aflcaunte the fame did ringe, 

Peered thro the corner, then stuck in the grounde; 

So when the thonder rauttles in the skie, 

Thro some tall spyre the shaftes in a torn clevis flie. 320 

Then Addhelm hurld a croched javlyn stronge, 

With mighte that none but such grete championes 

know ; 

Swifter than thoughte the javlyn past alonge, 

Ande hytte the Scot most seirclie on the prowe ; 

His helmet brasted at the thondring blowe, 525 

Into his brain the tremblyn javlyn steck j 

From eyther fyde the bloude began to flow, 

And run in circling ringlets rounde his neck ; 

Down sell the warriour on the lethal strande, 

Lyke some tall vessel wreckt upon the tragick sande. 530 

54 CON


CONTINUED. 

Where firuytless heathes and meadowes dadde in greie, 

Save where derne hawthornes reare 

theyr humble 

hcade, 

The hungrie traveller upon his waie 

Sees a huge defarte alle arounde hym spredde, 

The distaunte citie scantlie to be spedde, 

The curlynge force of smoke he fees in vayne, 

Tis too far distaupte, 

and hys onlie bedde 

Iwimpled in hys cloke ys on the playne, 

"Whylste rattlynge thonder forrey oer his hedde, 

And raines 

come down to wette hys harde uncouthlie 

bedde. 540 

A wondrous pyle of rugged mountaynes standes, 

Placd on eche other in a dreare arraie, 

It ne could be the worke of human handes, 

It ne was reared up bie menne of claie. 

Here did the Brutons adoration paye 545 

To the false god whom they did Tauran name, •" 

"' ".' Dightyngc


Dightynge hys altarre with greete fyres in Maie, 

Roastynge theyr vyctualle round aboute the flame, 

'Twas here that Hengyst did the Brytons flee, 

As they were mette in council for to beet 550 

Neere on a loftie hylle a citie standes, 

That lyftes yts scheafted heade ynto the skies, 

And kynglie lookes arounde on lower landes, 

And the longe browne playne that before itte lies. 

Herewarde, borne of parentes brave and wyse, 555 

Within this vylle fyrste adrewe the ayre, 

A blesTynge to the erthe sente from the skies, 

In anie kyngdom nee coulde fynde his pheer ; 

Now rybbd in steele he rages yn the fyghte, 

And sweeps whole armies to the reaulmes of nyghte. 560 

Soe when derne Autumne wyth hys fallowe hande 

Tares the green mantle from the lymed trees, 

The leaves besprenged on the yellow strande 

Flie in whole armies from the blataunte breeze ; 

Alle the whole sielde a carnage-howse he sees, 565 

And fowles unknelled hover'd oer the bloude j 

From place to place on either hand he flees, 

And sweepes alle neere hym lyke a branded floude ; 

\"' 

Dethe

t66 


Dethe honge upon his arme 

he fleed so mayor, 

Tis paste the pointelof a man to paynte. 57.0 

Bryghte sonne in haste han drove hys fierie wayne 

A three howres course alonge the whited ikyen, 

Vewynge the swarthless bodies on the playne, 

And longed greetlie to plonce in the bryne. 

For as hys beemes and far-stretchy nge eyne 575 

Did view the pooles of gore yn purple sheene, 

The wolsomme vapours rounde hys lockes dyd twyne, 

And dyd disfygure all hys semmlikeen ; 

Then to harde actyon he hys wayne dyd rowse, 

In hyssynge ocean to make glair hys browes. 580 

Duke Wyllyam gave commaunde, eche Norman 

knyghte, 

That beer war- token in a shielde so syne, 

Shoulde onward goe, and dare to closer fyghtc 

The Saxonne warryor, that dyd soentwyne, 

Lyke the nestle bryon and the eglantine, 585 

Orre Cornysh wrastlers at a Hocktyde game. 

The Normannes, all emarchialld in a lyne, 

To the ourt arraie of the thight.Saxonnes came;. 

There

BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 26? 

There 'twas the whaped Normalities on a parre 

Dyd know that Saxonnes were the sonnes of warre. 590 

Oh Turgotte, wheresoeer thie spryte dothe haunte, 

Whither wyth thie lovd Adhelme by thie fyde, 

Where thou mayste heare the swotie nyghte larke 

chaunte, 

Orre wyth some mokynge brooklette swetelie glide, 

Or rowle in serselie wythe serse Severnes tyde, 595 

Whereer thou art, come and my mynde enleme 

Wyth such greete thoughtes as dyd with thee abyde, 

Thou sonne, of whom I ofte have caught a beeme, 

Send mee agayne a drybblette of thie lyghte, 

That I the deeds of Englyflimenne maie wryte. 600 

' 

Harold, who saw the Normannes to advaunce, 

Seizd a huge byll, and laydhym down hys spere; 

Soe dyd ech wite laie downe the broched launce, 

And groves of bylles did glitter in the ayre. 

Wyth showtes the Normannes did to battel steere j 605 

Campynon famous for his stature highe, 

Fyrey wythe brasse, benethe a shyrte of lere, 

In 

r- 

cloudie 

.' 

daie 

• 

he 

» 

reechd 

• • 

into 

■ • • 

the 

• • 

Ikies 

■ - • Neere

268 BATTLE OF HASTINGS* 

Neere to Kyng Harolde dyd he come alonge, 

•« 

And drewe hys steele Morglaien sworde so stronge. 6%q 

Thryce rounde hys heade hee swung hys anlace wyde, 

On whyche the sunne his visage did agleeme, 

Then straynynge, as hys membres would dyvyde, 

Hee stroke on Haroldes sheelde yn manner breme ; 

Alonge the fielde it made an horrid cleembe, 615 

Coupeynge Kyng Harolds payncted sheeld in twayne, 

Then yn the bloude the fierie.swerde dyd steeme, 

And then dyd drive ynto the bloudie playne j 

So when in ayre the vapours do abounde, 

Some thunderbolte tares trees and dryves ynto the 

grounde. 620 

Harolde upreer'd hys bylle, and furious seme 

A stroke, lyke thondre, at the Normannes fyde ; 

Upon the playne the broken braffe besprente 

Dyd ne hys bodie from dethe-doeynge hyde ; 

He tournyd backe, and dyd not there abyde ; 625 

With straught oute sheelde hee ayenwarde did goe, 

Threwe downe the Normannes, did their rankes 

divide, i , ; 

To save himselfe lefte them unto the foes 

t... 

Se


2S9 

So olyphauntes, in kingdomme of the funne, 

When once provok'd doth throwe theyr owne troopes 

runne. 630 

Harolde, who ken'd hee was his armies staie, 

Nedeynge the rede of generaul so wyse, 

Byd Alfwoulde to Campynon haste awaie, 

As thro the armie ayenwarde he hies, 

Swyfte as a seether'd takel Alswoulde flies, 635 

The steele bylle blushynge oer wyth lukewarm 

bloude ; 

Ten Kenters, ten Bristowans for th' emprize 

Hasted wyth Alswoulde where Campynon stood, 

Who aynewarde went, whylste everie Normanne 

knyghte 

Dyd blush to see their champyon put to flyghte. 640 

As painctyd Bruton, when a wolfyn wylde, 

When yt is cale and blustrynge wyndes doblowe, 

Enters hys bordelle, taketh hys yonge chyide, 

And wyth his bloude bestreynts the lillie fnowe, 

He thoroughe mountayne hie and dale doth goe, 645 

Throwe the quyck torrent of the bollen ave, 

Throwe

270 BATTLE OF HASTINGS; 

Throwe Severne rollynge oer the sandes belowe 

He skyms alose, and blents the beatynge wave, 

Ne stynts, ne lagges the chace, tylle for hys eyne ■ 

In peecies hee the morthering theef doth chyne. 650 

So Alfwoulde he dyd to Campynon haste ; 

Hys bloudie bylle awhap'd the Normannes eyne ; 

Hee fled, as wolses when bie the talbots chac'd, 

To bloudie byker he dyd ne enclyne. 

Duke Wyllyam stroke hym on hys brigandyne, 65 5 

And sayd ; Campynon, is it thee I see I 

Thee ? who dydst actes of glorie so bewryen, 

Now poorlie come to hyde thieselse bie mee ? 

Awaie ! thou dogge, and acte a warriors parte, 

Or with mie swerde I'll perce thee to the harte. 66a 

Betweene Erie Alswoulde and Duke Wyllyam's 

bronde 

Campynon thoughte that nete but deathe coulde bee, 

Seezed a huge swerde Morglaien yn his honde, 

Mottrynge a praier to the Vyrgyne : 

. So hunted deere the dryvynge houndes will flee, 665 

When theie dyscover they cannot escape; 

And


And seerful lambkyns, when theie hunted bee, 

Theyre ynfante hunters doe theie ofte awhape ; 

Thus stoode Campynon, greete but hertlefle knyghre, 

When seere of dethe made hym for deathe to fyghte. 67* 

Alfwoulde began to dyghte hymselse for fyghte, 

Meanewhyle hys menne on everie fyde dyd flee, 

Whan on hys lyfted sheelde withe alle hys myghte 

Campynon's swerde in burlie-brande dyd dree ; 

Bewopen Alswoulde sellen on his knee ; 675 

Hys Brystowe menne came in hym for to save j 

Eftfoons upgotten from the grounde was hee, 

And dyd agayne the touring Norman brave ; 

Hee grafpd hys bylle in fyke a drear arraie, 

Hee seem'd a lyon catchynge at hys preie. 680 

Upon the Normannes brazen adventayle 

The thondrynge bill of myghtie Alfwould came ; 

It made a dentful bruse, and then dyd fay le ; 

Fromme rattlynge weepons shotte a sparklynge flame ; 

Eftfoons agayne the thondrynge bill ycame, 685 

Peers'd thro hys adventayle and fleyrts of lare; ■ 

A tyds-

*7i BATTLE OF HASTINGS. 

A tyde of purple gore came wyth the same, 

As out hys bowells on the feelde it tare ; 

Campynon felle, as when some cittie-walle 

Inne dolefullc terrours on its mynours falle. 

6go 

He felle, and dyd the Norman rankes dyvlde ; 

So when an oke, that fhotte ynto the ikie, 

Feeles the broad axes pecrsynge his broade syde^ 

Slowlie hee falls and on the grounde doth lie, 

Pressynge all downe that is wyth hym anighe* 695 

And stoppynge wearie travellers on the Waie ; 

So draught upon the playne the Norman hie 

******** 

Bled, gron'd, and dyed: the Normanne knyghtes 

astound 

To fee the bawsin champyon preste upon the grounde. 700 

As when the hygra of the Severne roars, 

And thunders ugsom on the sandes below, 

The cleembe reboundes tjo Wedecesters fhore, 

And sweeps the black fande rounde its horie prowe ; 

So bremie Alswoulde thro the warre dyd goe ; 705 

Hys Kentcrs and Brystowans flew ech syde, 

Betreinted


Betreinted all alonge with bloudless foe? 

And seemd to swymm alonge with bloudie tydes 

Fromme place to place besineard with bloud they went, 

And rounde aboute them swarthless corse besprente. yi9 

\ , . ._ 

A famous Normanne Who yclepd Aubene, 

Of lkyll in bow, in tylte, and handesworde fyghte, 

That daie yn feelde han manie Saxons fleene, 

Forre hee in sothen was a manne of myghte ; 

Fyrste dyd his swerde on Adelgar alyghte, 71$ 

As hee on horseback was, and peersd hys gryne, 

Then upwarde wente : 

in everlastynge nyghte 

Hee closd hys rollyng and dymsyghted eyne. 

Next Eadlyn, Tatwyn, and fam'd Adelred, 

Bie various causes sunken to the dead. 720 

But now to Alfwoulde he opposynge went, 

To whom compar'd hee was a man of stre, 

And wyth bothe hondes a myghtie blowe he sente 

At Alfwouldes head, as hard as hee could dree ; 

But on hys payncted fheelde so bismarlie 725 

Aflaunte his swerde did go ynto the grounde ; 

t T Then

S74 


Then Alfwould him attack'd most furyouflie, 

Athrowe hys gaberdyne hee dyd him wounde , 

Then soone agayne hys swerde hee dyd upryne, 

And clove his creste and split hym to the eyne. 

****** *

ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. 

AS onn a hylle one eve sittynge, 

At oure Ladie's Chyrche mouche wonderynge, 

The counynge handieworke so syne, 

Han well nighe dazeled mine eyne ; 

Quod I ; some counynge fairie handc 5 

Yreer'd this chapelle in this landej 

Full well I wote so fine a syghte 

Was ne yreer'd of mortall wighte. 

Quod Trouthe ; thou lackest knowlachynge j 

Thou forsoth ne wotteth of the thynge. 10 

A Rev'rend Fadre, William Canynge hight, 

Yreered uppe this chapelle brighte ; 

And eke another in the Towne, 

Where glaffie bubblynge Trymme doth roun. 

Quod I; ne doubte for all he's given 1 5 

His sowle will certes goe to heaven. 

Yea, quod Trouthe ; than goe thou home, 

And fee thou doe as hee hath donne. 

T 2 

Quoa

276 ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. 

Quod I; Idoubte, that can nebeei. 

I have ne gotten markes three. 20 

Quod Trouthe ; as thou hast got, give almes-dedes foe ; 

Canynges and Gaunts culde doe ne moe. 

T. R. 

ON 

THE SAME. 

STAY, curyous traveller, and pass not bye, 

Until this fetive pile astounde thine eye. 

Whole rocks on rocks with yron joynd surveie, 

And qkes with okes entremed disponed lie. 

This mightie pile, that keeps the wyndes at baie, £ 

Fyre-levyn and the mokie storme defie, 

That shootes aloose into the reaulmes of daie, 

Shall be the record of the Buylders fame for aie. 

Thou seest this maystrie of a human hand, 

The pride of Brystowe and the Westerne lande, i« 

Yet is the Buylders vertues much moe greete, 

Greeter than can bie Rowlies pen be scande. 

Thou seest the saynctes and kynges in stonen state, 

That seemd with breath and human soule dispande, 

/t As 

1

ONN OURE LADIES CHYRCHE. 277 

As payrde to us enseem these men of state, 1 5 

Such is greete Canynge's mynde when payrd to God 

elate. 

Well maiest thou. be astound, but view it well $ 

Go not from hence before thou see thy fill, 

And learn the Builder's vertues and his name ; 

Of this tall spyre in every countye telle, 20 

And with thy tale the lazing rych men shame ; 

Showe howe the glorious Canynge did excelle ; 

How hee good man a friend for kynges became, 

And gloryous paved at once the way to heaven and 

fame. 

EPITAPH ON ROBERT CANYNGE. 

THYS mornynge starre of Radcleves ryfynge 

raie, 

A true manne good of mynde and Canynge hyghte, 

Benethe thys stone lies moltrynge ynto claie, 

Untylle the darke tombc sheene an eterne lyghtc. 

Thyrde fromme hys loynes the present Canynge came} 

Houton are wordes for to telle hys doe ; 

T 3 

Fos

278 EPITAPH ON ROBERT CANYNGE. 

For aye shall lyve hys heaven-recorded name, 

Ne shall yt dye whanne tyme slialle bee no moe ; 

■Whanne Mychael■s trumpe shall sounde to rise the 

solle, 

He'll wynge to heavn wyth kynne, and happie bee hys 

dolle. 

THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. 

ANENT a brooklette as I laie reclynd, 

Listeynge to heare the water glyde alonge, 

Myndeynge how thorowe the grene mees yt twynd, 

Awhilst the cavys respons'd yts mottring songe, 

At dystaunt ryfyng Avonne to he sped, $ 

Amenged wyth rysyng hylles dyd shewe yts head ; 

Engarlanded wyth crownes of ofyer weedea 

And wraytes of alders of a bercie scent, 

And stickeynge out wyth clowde agested reedes, 

The hoarie Avonne show'ddyre semblamente, 10 

Whylest blataunt Severne, from Sabryna clepde, 

llores fiemie o'er the sandes that she hepde. 

. : These

THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. 279 

These eynegears swythyn bringethe to mie thowghte 

Of hardie champyons knowen to the fioude, 

How onne the bankes thereof brave Ælle foughte, • 15 

Ælle descended from Merce kynglie bloude, 

Warden of Brystowe towne and cartel stede, 

Who ever and anon made Danes to blede. 

Methoughte such doughtie menn must have a sprighte 

Dote yn the armour brace that Mychael bore, 29 

Whan he wyth Satan kynge of helle dyd fyghte, 

And earthe was drented yn a mere of gore ; 

Orr, soone as theie dyd see the worldis lyghte, 

Fate had wrott downe, thys mann ys borne to fyghte. 

Ælle, I sayd, or elsmy mynde dyd faie, 2$ 

Whie ys thy actyons left so spare yn storie ? 

Were I toe dispone, there should lyvven aie 

In erthe and hevenis rolles thie tale of glorie ; 

Thie actes foe doughtie should for aie abyde, 

And bie theyre teste all after actes be tryde. 36. 

Next holle Wareburghus fylld mie mynde, 

As fayre a fayncte as anie towne can boaste, 

T4 

Cr

zio THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CAN^NGE. 

Or bee the erthe wyth lyghte or merke ywrynde, / : 

I fee hys ymage waulkeyng throwe the coaste : 

Fitz Hardynge, Bithrickus, and twentie moe 35 

Ynn visyonn fore mie phantasie dyd goe. 

Thus all mie wandrynge faytour thynkeynge strayde, 

And eche dygne buylder dequac'd onn mie mynde, 

"Whan from the distaunt streeme arose a mayde, 

Whose gentle tresses mov'd not to the wynde j 4* 

Lyche to the fylver moone yn frostie neete, 

The damoifelle dyd come foe blythe and fweete. 

Ne browded mantell of a fcarlette hue, 

Ne fhoone pykes plaited o'er wyth ribbande geere, 

Ne costlie paraments of woden blue, 45 

Noughte of a dresse, but bewtie dyd fhee weere ; 

Naked fhee was, and loked swete of youthe, 

All dyd bewryen that her name was Trouthe. ' * '- . 

rhe ethie ringletts of her notte-browne hayre 

What ne a manne fhould fee dyd swotelie hyde, 50 

Whych on her milk-white bodykin so fayre 

Dyd fhowe lyke browne streemes fowlyng the white tyde,

THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. *8i 

Or veynes of brown hue yn a marble cuarr, 

Whyche by the traveller ys kenn'd from fan? 

Astounded mickle there I fylente laie, $5 

Still scauncing wondrous at the walkynge fyghte ; 

Mie senses forgarde ne coulde reyn awaie ; 

But was ne forstraughte whan shee dyd alyghte 

Anie to mee, dreste up yn naked viewe, 

.Whych mote yn some ewbrycious thoughtes abrewe. 6b 

But I ne dyd once thynke of wanton thoughte ; 

For well I mynded what bie vowe I hete, 

And yn mie pockate han a crouchee broughte, 

Whych yn the blofom woulde such fins anete ; 

I lok'd wyth eyne as pure as angelles doe, 65 

And dyd the everie thoughte of foule eschewe. 

Wyth sweet semblate and an angel's grace 

Shee 'gan to lecture from her gentle breste ; 

For Trouthis wordes ys her myndes face, 

False oratoryes she dyd aie deteste : 7« 

Sweetnesse was yn eche worde Ihe dyd ywreene, 

Tho shee strove not to make that sweetnesse flieene. 

Shee

282 THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. 

Shce sayd ; mie manner of appereynge here 

Mie name and fleyghted myndbruch maie thee telle ; 

I'm Trouthe, that dyd descende fromm heavenwere, 75 

Goulers and courtiers doe not kenne mee welle ; 

Thie inmoste thoughtes, thie labrynge brayne I sawe, 

And from thie gentle dreeme will thee adawe. 

Full manie champyons and menne of lore, 

Payncters and carvellers have gaind good name, 8» 

But there's a Canynge, to encrease the store, 

A Canynge, who fhall buie uppe all theyre fame. 

Take thou mie power, and fee yn chylde and manne 

What troulie noblenesse yn Canynge ranne. 

As when a bordelier onn ethie bedde, 85 

Tyr'd wyth the laboures maynt of fweltrie daie, 

Yn flepeis bosom laieth hys deft headde, 

So, fenses sonke to reste, mie boddie Jaie ; 

Eftsoons mie sprighte, from erthlie bandes untyde, 

Immengde yn stanched ayre wyth Trouthe asyde. 90 

Strayte was I carryd back to tymes of yore, 

Whylst Canynge swathes yet yn fleflilie bedde, 

And

THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. 283 

And saw all actyons whych han been before, 

And all the scroll of Fate unravelled ; 

And when the fate-mark'd babe acome to fyghte, 95 

I saw hym eager gaspynge after lyghte. 

In all hys shepen gambols and chyldes plaie, 

In everie merriemakeyng, fayre or wake, 

I kenn'd a perpled lyghte of Wysdom's.raie; 

He eate downe learnynge wyth the wastle cake. 

As wise as anie of the eldermenne, 

He'd wytte enowe toe make a mayre at tenne. 

loa 

As the duke downie barbe beganne to gre, 

So was the well thyghte texture of hys lore j 

Eche daie enhedeynge mockler for to bee, 1 05 

Greete yn hys councel for the dales he bore. 

All tongues, all carrols dyd unto.hym fynge, 

Wondryng at one foe wyse, and yet foe yinge. 

Encreaseynge yn the yeares of mortal lyse, 

And hasteynge to hys journie ynto heaven, 

Hee thoughte ytt proper for to cheese a wyse, 

And use the sexes for the purpose gevene. 

no 

Hee

a«4 THE STORIE OF WILLIAM CANYNGE. 

Hec then was yothe of comelie semelikeede, 

And hee had made a mayden's hertc to bledc. 

He had a fader, (Jesus rest hys foule!) 115 

Who loved money, as hys charie joie ; 

Hee had a broder (happie manne be's dole !) 

Yn mynde and boddie, hys owne fadre's boie ; 

What then could Canynge wissen as a parte 

To gyve to her whoe had made chop of hearte ? 120 

But landes and castle tenures, golde and bighes, 

And hoardes of fylver rousted yn the ent, 

Canynge and hys fayre sweete dyd that despyfe, 

To change of troulie love was theyr content ; 

Theie lyvM togeder yn a house adygne, 125 

Of goode fendaument commilie and syne. 

But foone hys broder and hys fyre dyd die, 

And lefte to Willyam states and renteynge rolles, 

And at hys wyll hys broder Johne supplie. 

Hee gave a chauntrie to redeeme theyre soules ; i$m 

And put hys broder ynto fyke a trade, 

That he lorde mayor of Londonne tpwne was made. 

Eftsoois

THE STORIE OFWILLIAM CANYNGE. 28$ 

Eftsoons hys mornynge tournd to gloomie nyghte ; 

Hys dame, hys seconde seise, gyve upp her brethe, 

Seekeynge for eterne lyse and endless lyghte, 135 

And fleed good Canynge 5 fad mystake of dethe ! 

Soe have I seen a flower ynn Sommer tyme 

Trodde downe and broke and widder ynn ytts pryme. 

Next Radcleeve chyrche (oh workc of hande of heav'n, 

Whare Canynge fheweth as an instrumente,) 140 

Was to my bisinarde eyne-fyghte newlie giv'n ; 

'Tis past to blazonne ytt to good contente. 

You that woulde faygn the setyve buyldynge fee 

Repayre to Radcleve, and contented bee. 

I fawe the myndbruch of hys nobille soule 145 

Whan Edwarde meniced a seconde wyse ; 

I saw what Pheryons yn hys mynde dyd rolle ; 

Nowe fyx'd fromm seconde dames a preeste for lyse. 

Thys ys the manne of menne, the vision spoke j 

Then belle for even-songe mie senses woke. 150 

ON

I 286 ] 

ON HAPPIENESSE, by William Canynge, 

MAIE Selynesse on erthes boundes bee hadde? 

Maie yt adyghte yn human shape bee founde ? 

Wote yee, ytt was wyth Edin's bower bestadde, 

Or quite eraced from the scaunce-layd grounde, 

Whan from the secret fontes the waterres dyd abounde ? 

Does yt agroscd shun the bodyed waulke, 

Lyve to ytself and to yttes ecchoe taulke ? 

All hayle, Contente, thou mayde of turtle-eyne. 

As thie behoulders thynke thou arte iwreene, 

To ope the dore to Selynesse ys thyne, 

And Chrystis gloriedoth upponne thee sheene. 

Doer of the foule thynge ne hath thee seene ; 

In caves, ynn wodes, ynn woe, and dole distresse, 

Whoere hath thee hath gotten Selynesse. 

ONN JOHNE A DALBENIE, by the fame. 

"I■ OHNE makes a jarre boute Lancaster and Yorke; 

*J Bee stiile, gode manne, and learne to mynde thie 

worke. 

THE

[ 287 ] 

THE GOULER'S REQUIEM, by the fame: 

MIE boolie entes, adieu! ne moe the fyghte 

Of guilden merke shall mete mie joieous eyne, 

Ne moe the fylver noble sheenynge bryghte 

Schall fyll mie honde with weight to speke ytt syne ; 

Ne moe, ne moe, alass ! I call you myne : 5 

Whydder must you, ah ! whydder must I goe ? 

I kenn not either ; oh mie emmers dygne, 

To parte wyth you wyll wurcke mee myckle woej 

I muste be gonne, botte whare I dare ne telle ; 

O storthe unto mie mynde ! I goe to helle. 13 

1 

Soone as the morne dyd dyghte the roddie sunne, 

A shade of theves eche streake of lyght dyd seeme ; 

Whann ynn the heavn full half hys course was runn, 

Eche stirryng nayghbour dyd mie harte afleme ; 

Thye loss, or quyek or flepe, was aie mie dreme ; 14 

For thee, O gould, I dyd the lawe ycrase j 

For thee I gotten or bie wiles or breme ; 

Ynn thee I all mie joie and good dyd place ; 

Botte now to mee thie pleafaunce ys ne moe, 

. I kenne notte botte for thee I to the quede must goe. 20 

• . THE

£ 288 3 

THE ACCOUNTE OF W. CANYNGES 

FEAST. 

TH OROW E the halle the belle han sounde i 

Byelecoyle doe the Grave beseeme ; 

The ealdermenne doe sytte arounde, 

Ande snoffelle oppe the cheorte steeme. 

Lyche asses wylde ynne defarte waste 

Swotelye the morneynge ayre doe taste, 

Syke keene theie ate ; the minstrels plaie, 

The dynne of angelles doe theie keepe ; 

Heie stylle the guestes ha ne to faie, 

Butte nodde yer thankes ande falle aflape. 

Thus echone daie bee I to deene, 

Gyf Rowley, Iscamm, or Tyb. Gorges be ne seene. 

THE END. 

A GLOS-

C 289 ] 

A GLOSSARY of uncommon Words 

in this Volume. 

JsJV the following Glossary, the explana 

tions of words by Chatterton, at the 

bottom of the several pages, are drawn to 

gether, and digejhd alphabetically, with 

the letter C. aftef each of them. 

But it 

should be observed, 

that these explanations 

are not to 

be admitted but with great cau 

tion \ 

a considerable number of them being 

(as far as the Editor can judge) unsup 

ported by authority or analogy. The ex 

planations ofsome other words, omitted by 

Chatterton, have been added by the 

Editor, where the meaning of the writer 

was sufficiently clear, and the word itself 

did not recede too far from the esablifhed 

usage ; but he has been obliged to leave 

many others for the consideration 

of more 

learned or more sagacious interpreters. 

U 

EXPLA.

[ 29° ] 

EXPLANATION OF THE LETTERS OF 

REFERENCE. 

JE. stands for Ælla ; a tragical enterlude, 

P« 76 

Ba. - The dethe of Syr C. Bawdin, — 44 

Ch. Balade of Charitie, — — 203 

E.I. — Eclogue the first, —. 1 

E.II. —— Eclogue the seconds — — 6 

E. III. —— Eclogue the third, — — it 

El. — Elinoure and Juga, — — 19 

Ent. —— EntroduBionne to Ælla, — — 75 

Ep. —- Epistle to M. Canynge, — — *7 

G. —— Goddwyn ; a Tragedie, ■— —r 173 

H. i. w-— Battle of Hastings, N° i. . 210 

H. 2. —— Battle of Hastings, N° 2. 237 

Le. —— Letter to M. Canynge, — — 71 

M. — Englyfh Metamorphosis, — 196 

P. G. —— Prologue to Goddwyn, — — .175 

T. —— 1 Tournament, —1 — 28 

The other reserences are made to the pages.. 

A GLOS

t 291 ] 

GLOSSARY. 

ABESSIE, E. III. 89. Hu 

mility. C. 

Aborne, T.45. Burnijhed. C. 

Abounde, H. 1. $$. 

Aboune, G. 53. Make ready. C. 

Abredynge, Æ. 334. Upbraiding. 

C. 

Abrewe, p. 281. 60. as Brew. 

Abrodden, E. I. 6. Abruptly. C. 

Acale, G. 191. Freeze. C. . 

Accaie, Æ. 356. Ajswage. C. 

Achments, T. 1 £3. Achievements. 

C. 

Acheke, G. 47. Choke. C. 

Achevments, Æ. 6£. Services. C. 

Acome, p. 283. 95. as Come. 

Acrool, El. 6. Faintly. C. 

Adave, H. 2. 402. 

Adavve, p. 282. 78. Awake. 

Addawd, H. 2. 1 10. 

Adente, Æ. 396. Fastened. C. 

Adented, G. 32. Fastened, annexed. 

C. 

Aderne, H. 2. 272. See Derne, 

Dernie. _ 

Adigne. See Adygne. 

Adrames, Ep. 27. Churls. C. 

Adventaile, T. 13. Armour. C. 

Adygne, Le. 46. Nervous; twrofpraise. 

C. 

AfFynd, H. 1. 132. Related by 

marriage. 

Afleme, p. 287. 14. as Fleme; 

to drive away, to affright. 

After la goure, H. 2. 353. fhould 

probably be Astrelagour ; As 

trologer. 

Agrame, G. 93. Grievance. C. 

Agreme, Æ. 356. Torture. C.— 

G. Grievance. C. 

Agrosed, p. 286. 6. as Agrised; 

terrified. 

Agroted, Æ. 348. See Groted. 

Agylted, Æ. 334. Offended. C. 

Aidens, Æ. 222. Aidance. 

Ake, E. II. 8. Oa£. C. 

Alans, H. 2. 

Alatche, Æ. 117. 

Aledge, G. 5. Idly. C. 

Alest, Æ. Co. Lest. 

124. Hounda 

All a boon, E. III. 41. A manner 

of ajking afavour. C. 

Alleyn, E. I. 52. Only. C. 

Aimer, Ch. 20. Beggar. C. 

Aluste, H. 1. 88. 

Alyne, T. 79. AcrosthisJhoulders.Q. 

U z ' Alyse,

A G L O S S A R Y. 

Alyse, Le. 29. Albw. C. 

Amate, Æ. 58. Destroy. C. 

Amayld, E. II. 49. Enameled. C. 

Ameded, Æ. 54. Rewarded. 

Amenged, p. 278. 6. as Menged; 

mixed. 

Amenuscd, E. II. 5. Diminished. 

C. 

Amicld, T. Ornamented, ena 

meled. C. 

Anente, Æ. 475. Againtl. C. 

Anere, Æ. 15. Another. C. 

Anete, p. 281. 64. 

Anie, p. 281. 59. as Nie; nigh. 

Anlace, G. 57. ^/1 ancient sword. 

C. 

Antecedent, Æ. 233. Going before. 

Applings, E. I. 33. Grafted trees. 

C. 

Arace, G. 156. Divest. C. 

Arist, Ch. jo. Arose. C. 

Arrowe-lede, H. 1. 74. 

Ascaunce,E. III. 52. Disdainfully. 

C. 

Asenglave,. H.. 1. 1 17.. 

Askaunted, Le. 1.9. 

Ailee, Æ. 504. 

Afleled, E.III. 14. Answered. C. 

Asflirewed, Ch. 24. Accursed, un 

fortunate. C. 

Aflwaie, Æ. 3J2. 

Astedde, E. II. 1 1. Seated. C. 

Astende, G. 47. Astonish. C. 

Asterte, G. 137. Neglefled. C. 

Astoun, E. II. 5. Astonished. C. 

Astounde, M. 83. AJlonish. C. 

Afyde, p. 282. 90. perhaps Astyde; 

ascended. 

Athur, H. 2, 476. as Thurgh; 

thorough. 

• 

Attenes, Æ. 18. At once. G. 

Attoure, T. 115. Turn. C. ■ 

Attoure, Æ. 322. Around. 

Ave, H. 2. 645. for Eau. Fr. 

Water. 

Aumere, Ch. 7. A loose role, or 

mantle. C. 

Aumeres, E. III. 25. Borders of 

gold andsilvery &c. C. 

Aunture,. H. 2. 133. a* Aventure; 

adventure. 

Autremete, Ch. 52. ^ loose white 

robe, worn by priests, C. 

Awhaped, Æ. 400. Astonished. C. 

Aynewarde, Ch. 47. Back-wards. 

C. 

B. 

Bankes, T. 3. Benches. 

Barb'd hall, Æ. 219. 

Barbed horse, Æ. 27. Covered■with 

armour. 

Baren, Æ. 880, for Barren. 

Barganette, E. III. 49. Asong, or 

ballad. C. 

Bataunr, Ba. 276. 292. 

Battayles, Æ. 707. Boats, ship. 

Fr. 

Batten,

A G L O S S A R Y. 293 

Batten, G. 3. Fatten. C. 

Battens, T. p. Loudfy. C, • 

Battently, G. 50. Loud roaring. C. 

Battone, H. 1. 520. Beat with 

flicks. Fr. 

Baubels, Ent. 7. Jeviels. C. 

Bawsin, Æ. $7. Large. C. 

Bayre, E. II. 76. Brow. C. 

Beheste, G. 60. Command. C. 

Benight, H. 2. 365. 

Behylte, Æ. 939. Promised. C, 

Belent, H. 2. 121. 

Beme, Æ. 563. Trumpet. 

Bemente, E. I. 45. Lament. C. 

Benned, Æ. 1185. Cursed, tor 

mented. C. 

Benymmynge, P. G. 3. Bereaving. 

C. 

Bercie, p. 278. 8, 

Berne, Æ. 580. Child. C. 

Berten, T. 58. Venomous. C. 

Beseies, T. 124. Becomes. C. 

Besprente, T. 132. Scattered. C. 

Bestadde, p. 286. 3, 

Bestanne, Æ. 41 1. 

Bested, H. 2. 140. 

Bestoiker, Æ. 9 1 . Deceiver. £. 

Bestreynts, H. 2. 644. 

Bete, G. 85. Æ

494- A GLOSSARY. 

Bounde, T. 52. Ready. C. Calked, E. I. 49. Cast out. C. 

Bourne, Æ. 483. Caltysning, G. 67. Forbidding. C. 

Bouting matche, p. 23. 2. Carnes, Æ. 1243. ônb, flows. 

Bowke, T. 19.—Bowkie, G. 133. Brit. 

Body. C. Castle-stede, G. 100. A castle. C. 

Brasteth, G. 123. Bursteib. C. Caties, H. z. 67. Cates. 

Brayd, G. 77. Displayed. ■C. Caytisoed, Æ. 32. Binding, en' 

Brayde, Æ. 1010. forcing. C. 

Breme, subst. G. it. Strength. C. Celness, Æ. 882. 

adj. E. II. 6. Strong. C. Chafe, Æ. 191. Hot. C. 

Brende, G. 50. Burn, consume. C. Chaftes, G. 20 1. Beats, stamps. C. 

Bretful, Ch. 19.'Fitted with. C. Champion, v; P. G. 12. Chal* 

Broched, H. 2. 345. Pointed. Unge. C. 

Brondeouf, E. II. 24. Furious. C. Chaper, E. III. 48. Dry, fuu- 

Browded, G. 1 30. Embroidered. C. ' burnt. C. 

Brynnyng, Æ. 680. Declaring. C. Chapournette, Ch. 4^. ^ small 

Burled, M. 20. Armed. C. . round bat. ■ C 

Burlie bronde, G. 7. Fary, anger. Chefe, G. 1 1. heat, rajhness. C. 

C. Chelandree, Æ. 165. Gold-finch. 

Byelecoyle, p. 288.2. Bcl-acueil. C. 

Fr. the name of a personage Cheorte, p. 288. 4. 

in the Roman de la Rose, Cherisaunce, Ent. 1. Comfort. C. 

which Chaucer has rendered Cherisaunied, Æ. 839. perhaps 

Fair-welcoming. 

Cherisaunced. 

Byker, Æ. 246. Battle. Cheves, Ch. 37. Moves. C. 

Bykrous, M, 37. Warring. C. Chevyscd, Ent. 2. Preserved. C. 

Byfmare, M. 95. Bewildered, curl- Chirckynge, M. 23. A confused 

ous. C. noise; C. 

Bysmarelie, Le. 26. Curiously. C. Church-glebe-house, Ch. , 24. 

Grave. C. 

Cleme, E. II. 9. Sound. C. 

C. Clergyon, P. G. 8. Clerk, or cler 

gyman. C. 

Ca!e, Æ. 854. Cold. Clergyon'd, Ent. 13. Taught. C. 

Calke, G. 25. Cast, d, Clevis, H. 2. 46. 

Cleyne,

A G L 0 S S A R Y. 295 

Cuyen kine, E. I. 35. Tender cows. 

C, 

Cleyne, Æ. 1102. 

Clinie, H. 1. 431. 

Cloude-agefled, p. 278. 9. 

Clymmynge, Ch. 36. Noisy. C. 

Coistrell, H. 2. 88. 

Compheeres, M. 21. Companions. 

C. 

Congeon, E. III. 89. Dwarf. C. 

Contake, T. 87. Dispute. C. 

Conteins, H. I, 223. for Contents. 

Contcke, E. II. 10. Confuse; con 

tend with. C. 

Contekions, Æ. 558. Contentions, 

C. 

Cope, Ch. 50. A dole. C. 

Corven, Æ. 56. See Ycorven. 

Cotte, E. II. 24. Cut. 

Cottes, E. II. 33. See Bollengers, 

Coupe, E. II. 7. Cut. C. 

Couraciers, T. 74. Horse-coursers, 

C, 

Coyen, Æ. 125. Coy. q? 

Cravent, E. III. 39. Coward. C, 

Creand, Æ. 581. as Recreand. 

Crine, Æ. 8$i. Hair. C. 

Croched, H. 2. 521. perhaps 

Brocbed. 

Croche, v. G. 26. CV^/J. C. 

Crokynge, Æ. 1 19. Bending. 

Cross-stone, Æ. 1122. Monument. 

C. 

Cuarr, p. 281. 53. Quarry. q? 

Cullis-yatte, E. I. 50. Portcullisgate. 

C. 

Curriedowe, G. 176. Flatterer. C, 

D. 

Dareygne, G. 26. Attempt, endea 

vour. C. 

Declynie, H. 1.161. Declination. 

q? 

Decorn, E. II. 14. Carved. C. 

Deene, E. II. 69. Glorious; war- 

/£y. C. 

Deere, E. III. 88. Dire. C. 

Defs, M. 9. Vapours, meteors. C. 

Defayte, G. 52. Decay. C. 

Defte, Ch. 7. Neat, ornamental. C. 

Deigned, E. III. 53. Disdained. C. 

Delievretie, T. 44. Activity. C. 

Demasing, H. 1. 276. 

Dente, Æ. 886. See Adente. 

Dented, Æ. 263. SeeAdentcd. 

Denwere, G. 141. Doubt. C— 

M. 13. Tremour. C. 

Dequace, G. 56. Mangle, destroy, 

C. 

Dequaced, p. 280. 38. 

Dere, Ep. 5. Hurt, damage. C. 

Derkynnes, Æ. 229. Young detr, 

q? 

Derne, Æ. 582.—H. 2. 532. 

Dernie, E. I. 19. Woeful, lamenta 

ble. C. 

M. 106. Cruel. C. 

Deflavate, H. 2. 343. 

Deflavatie, Æ. i°47» Letcbery. C. 

U 4 

Detra-

496 A G L O S S A R Y. 

Detratours, H. 2. 78. 

Deysde, Æ. 46. Seated on a dels. 

Dheic; They. 

Dhere, Æ. 192. There. 

Dhereof; Thereof. 

Difficile, Æ. 358. Difficult. C. 

Dighte, Ch. 7. Dresi, arrayed. C. 

Dispande, p. 276. ult. perhaps for 

' Difponed. 

Dispone, p. 379. 27. Dispose. 

Divinistre, Æ. 141. Divine. C. 

Dolce, Æ. 1 1 8 7. Soft, gentle. C. 

Dole, n. G. 137. Lamentation. C. 

Dole, adj. p. 283. 13. 

Dolte, Ep. 27. Foolijh. C. 

Donde, H. 1. £1. 

Donore, H. 1. 5. This line should 

probably be written thus; 

O fea-oerteeming Dcvor ! 

Dortoure, Ch. 25. Asleeping room. 

C. 

Dote, p. 279. 20. perhaps as 

Dighte. 

Doughtre mere, H. 2. 491. D'outre 

wert.'Fr.&Aak beyond sea. 

Dree, Æ. #fH 

Drefte, Æ. 466^7/?. C. 

Drented, G. 91. Drained. 

Dre\ nted, Æ. 237. Drowned, C. 

Dribbles, E. II. 48. Small, insigni 

ficant. C. 

Drites, G. 6r. Rights, liberties. C. 

Drocke, T. 40. Drink. Cjfjfc, 

Droke, Æ. 461. 

Drooric, Ep. 47. See ChattertonH 

note. Druerie is Courtship* 

gallantry, 

Drooried, Æ. 127. Courted. 

Dulce, p. 283. 103. as Dolce. 

Duresied, E. I. 39. Hardened. C. 

Dyd, H. 2. 9. should probably be 

Dyght. 

Dygne, T. 89. Worthy. C. 

Dynning, E.I. 25. Sounding. C. 

Dysperpellest, Æ. 414. Scattercft, 

C. 

Dysporte, E. I. 28. Pleasure. C. 

Dysportisment, Æ. 250. as Dys 

porte. 

Dysregate, Æ. 542. 

E. 

Edraw, H. 2. £2. for Tdrav)\ 

Draw. 

Eft, E. II. 78. Often. C. 

Efrsoones, E. III. 54. Quickly. C. 

Ele. M. 74.' Help. C. 

Eletten, Æ. 448. Enlighten. C. 

Eke, E. I. 2 jr. Also. C. 

EmblauncheJ, E. I. 36. Whitened. 

C. 

Embodyde, E. I. 33. Thick, . put. 

C. 

Embowre, G. 134. Lodge. 

w 

Emburled, E, II. 54. Armed. C. 

Emmate, Æ.34. Lessen, decrease. C, 

Emmers,

A G L O S S A R Y, ' ?9? 

Emmers, p. 287. 7. 

Emmertleynge, M. 72. Glittering. 

C. 

Enalse, G. I $g. Embrace. C. 

Encaled, Æ. 918. Frozen, cold. C. 

Enchased, M. 60. Heated, enraged. 

c. 

Engyne, Æ. 381. Torture. 

Enheedynge, p. 283. 105. 

Enlowed, Æ. 606. Flamed, fired. 

C. 

Enrone, Æ. 661. 

Enseme, Æ. 97 1. To makestams in, 

Enseeming, Æ. 746. as Seeming. 

Enlhoting, T. 174. Shooting, dart 

ing. C. 

Enstrote, H. 2. 513. 

Enswote, Æ. 1 1 75. Sweeten, q? 

Enswolters, Æ. 629. Swallows, 

fucks in. C. 

Ensyrke, p. 25. 10. Encircle. 

Ent, E. III. 57. Apurse or lag. C. 

Entendement, Æ. 261. Understand 

ing. 

Enthoghteing, Æ. 704. 

Entremed, p. 276. 4. 

Entrykeynge, Æ. 304. as Tricking. 

Entyn, P. G. 10. Even. C. 

Estande, H. 2, 281. for Ystande; 

Stand. 

Estells, E. II. 16. A corruption of 

Estoile. Fr. A star. C. 

Estroughted, JE. 918. 

Ethe, E. III. 59. Ease. C. 

Ethie, p. 280. 49. Easy, 

Evalle, E. III. 38. Equal. C. 

Evespeckt, T. 56. Marked with 

evening dew. C. 

Ewbrice, Æ. 1085. Adultery. C. 

Evvbrycious, p. 

ous. 

Eyne-gears, p. 279. 13, 

F. 

281. 60. Lascivi 

Fage, Ep. 30. Tale, jest. C. 

Faifully, T. 147. Faithfidly. C. 

Faitour, Ch. 66. A beggar, or va 

gabond. C. 

Faldstole, Æ. 61. Jfoldingstool, 

or feat. See Du Cange in 

v. Faldistorium. 

Fayre, Æ. 1 204. 1 224. Clear, iunocent. 

Feere, Æ. 965. Fire. 

Feerie, E. II. 45. Flaming. C. 

Fele, T. 27. Feeble. C. 

Fellen, E. I. 10. Fell pa. t. sing. 

q? 

Fetelie, G. 24. Nobly. C, 

Fetive, Ent. 7. as Festive. 

Fetivelie, Le. 42. Elegantly. C. 

Fetiveness, Æ. 400. as Festivenefs. 

Feygnes, E. III. 78. A corruption, 

of feints, C. 

Fhuir, G. 58. Fury. C. 

Fie, T. 113. Defy. C. 

Flaiten, H. 1 . 84. 

Flanched,,

298 A G L O S S A R Y. 

Flanched, H. 2. 252. 

Flemed, T. 56. Frighted. C. 

Fleraie, p. 273. ult. 

Flizze, G. 197. Fly. C. 

Floe, H. 2. 54. Arrow. 

Flott.Ch. 33. Fly. C. 

Foile, E. III. 78. Baffle. C. 

Fons, Fonnes, E. II. 14. Devices. 

C. 

Forgard, Æ. 565. Lose. C. 

Forletten, El. 19. Forsaken. C. 

Forloyne, Æ. 722. Retreat. C. 

Forreying, T. 114. Destroying. C. 

Forflagen, Æ. 1076. Slain. C. 

Forflege, Æ. 1 1 06. Slay. C. 

Forstraughte, p. 281. 58. Dis 

trailed. 

Forstraughteyng, G. 34. Distrac 

ting. C. 

Forfwat, Ch. »o. Sun-burnt, C. 

Forweltting, Æ. 618. Blasting. C, 

Forwyned, E. III. 36. Dried. C. 

Frcmde, Æ. 430. Strange. C. 

Fremded, Æ. ecc. Frighted. C. 

Freme, Æ. 267. 

Fructile, Æ. 1 8£. Fruitful. 

G. 

Gaberdine, T. 88. A piece os ar 

mour. C. 

Gallard, Ch. 39. Frighted. C. 

Gare, Ep. 7. Cause. C. 

GastneJi, Æ. 412. GbastUntsi. q? 

Gayne, Æ. 821. To gayne f« 

gayne a pryze. Gayne ha* 

probably been repeated by 

mistake. 

Geare, Æ. 299. Apparel, accoutre 

ment, 

Geason, Ent. 7. Rare. C.— G* 

120. Extraordinary, strange, 

C. 

Geer, H. 2. 284. as Gier. 

Geete, Æ. 736. as Gite, 

Gemote, G. 94. Assemble. C, 

Gemoted, E. II. 38. United, ajsem* 

lied. C. ' , 

Gerd, M. 7. Broie, rent. C. 

Gies, G. 2*7. Guides. C. 

Gier, H. 1. 527. A turn, or twist. 

Gif, E. II. 39. .f. C. 

Gites, Æ. 2. Robes, mantels. C, 

Glair, H. 2. 580. 

Gledeynge, M. 22. Livid. C. 

Glomb, G. 175. Frown. C. 

Glonimed, Ch. 22. Clouded, dt* 

jeilcd. C. 

Glytted, H. 2. 282. 

Gorne, E. I. 36. Garden. C. 

Gottes, Æ. 740. Drops. 

Gouler, p. 282. 76. 

Graiebarbes, Le. 25. Greybeards. 

C. 

Grange, E. I. 34. Liberty ofpas 

ture, C. 

Gratche, Æ. 1 it. Apparel. C. 

Grave, p. 288. 2. Chiefmagistrate, 

mayor, 

Gravots,

A G L O S S A R Y. 299 

Haveth, E. I. 17. Have. 1st pers. 

Gravots, E. I. 24. Groves. C. 

Gree, E. I. 44. Grow. C. 

Groffile, Æ. £47. 

Groffilh, Æ. 357. 

Groffynglie, Ep. 33. Foolishly. C. 

Gron, G. 90. afint moor. C. 

Gronser, E. II. 45. A meteor, from 

gron a sen, and fir, a corrup 

tion of fire. C. 

Gronfyres, G. 200. Meteors. C. 

Grore, H. 2. 27. 

Groted, Æ. 337. Swollen. C. 

Gule-depeincted, E. II. 13. 

painted. C. 

Gule-steynct,' G. 62. Red-stained. 

C. 

Gyttelles, Æ, 438, Mantels. C. 

H. 

Haile, E. III. 60. Happy, C. 

Hailie, Æ. 148. 410. as Haile. 

Halceld, M. 37. Defeated. C. „, 

Hailie, T. 144. Holy. C. 

Hailie, Æ. 33. Wholely. 

Halline, Ch. 82. Joy. C. 

Hancelled, G. 49. Cut of, destroy 

ed. C. 

Han, Æ. 734. Hath, q? 

Hanne, Æ. 409. Had. particip. 

q? —Æ. 685. Had. pa. t. 

sing, q? 

Hantoned, Æ. 1094. 

Harried, M. 82. Tost. C. 

Hatched, p. 25. 1. 

q? 

Heafods, E. II. 7. Heads. C. 

Heavenwere, G. 146. Heavcnward. 

C. 

Hecked, Æ. 394. Wrapped close 

ly, covered. C. 

Heckled, M. 3. Wrapped. C. 

Heie.E. II. 15. 7%. C. 

Heiedeygne9, E. III. 77. A coun 

try dance, still practised in the 

North. C. 

Hele, n. G. 127. Help. C. 

Hele, v. E. III. 16. To help. C. 

Hem, T. 24. A contraction of 

them. C. 

Hente, T. 1 7 5 . Grasp, hold. C. 

Hentyll, Æ. n6>. 

Herselle, Æ. 279. Herself. 

Helte, Æ. 1182. 

Hiked, Hiltren, T. 47. 6j. Hidden. 

C. 

Hiltring, Ch. 13. Hiding. C. 

Hoastrie, E. I. 26. Inn, or publick 

house. C. 

Holtred, Æ. 293. 

Hommeur, Æ. 1 190. 

Hondepoint, Æ. 273. 

Hopelen, Æ. 399. 

Horrowe, M. 2. Unstemly, d'sagrecahk. 

C. 

Horse- millanar, Ch. 56. See C'» 

note. 

Houton, M. 92. Hollow. C. 

Hulstred, M. 6. Hidden,secret. C. 

Huscarles,

S«a A G L O S S A R Y. 

Jfufcarles, Æ. 922. 1 194, House* 

servants. 

Hyger, Æ. 627. The flowing of 

the tide in the Severn was 

antiently called the Hygra. 

Gul. Malmesb. de Pontif, 

Ang. L. iv. 

Hyllc-fyre, Æ. 682. A beacon. 

Pylte, T. 168. Hid, secreted. C. 

—JE. 1059. Hide. C, 

h 

Jape, Ch. 74. Ashort surplice, tic, 

C. 

Jeste, G. 19$. Hoisted, raised. C. 

Ifrete, G. 2. Devour, destroy. C. 

Ihantend, E. I. 40. Accustomed. C. 

Jintle, H. 2. 82. for Gtntle. 

Impestering, E. I. 29. Annoying. 

C. 

Inhild, El. 14. Infuse. C. 

Ilhad, Le. 37. Broken. C. 

Jubb, E. III. 71. ^ bottle. C. 

Jwreene, p. 286. 9. 

K. 

Ken, E. II. 6. Set, discover, know. 

C. 

Kenncs, Ep. 28. Knows. C. 

Keppend, Le. 44. 

Kiste, Ch. 25. Coffin. C. 

Kiyercled, E. III. 63. 7& Mftfa) 

or secretpart. C. 

Knopped, M. 14. Fastened, chain 

ed, congealed. C. • . 

L. 

Ladden, H. 1. 206. 

Leathel, E. I. 42. Deadly. C. 

Lechemanne, Æ. 3 1 . Physician. 

Leckedst, H. 2. 342. 

Lecturn, Le. 46. Subject. C. 

Lecturnies, Æ. 109. Lectures. C. 

Leden, EL 30. Decreasing. C. 

Ledanne, Æ. 1143. 

Leege, G. 1 75. Homage, obeysanee. 

C. 

Leegefolcke, G. 43. Subjects. C. 

Lege, Ep. 3. Law. C. 

Leggen, M. 92. Lessen, alley. C. 

Leggende, M. 33. Alloyed. C. 

Lemanne, Æ. 132. Mistress. ■ 

Leme«, Æ. 42. Lights., rays. C. 

Lemed, El. 7. Glistened. C.— 

Æ. 606. Lighted. C. 

Lere, Æ. 568. H. z. 607. seems 

to be put for Leather. 

Lesiel, El. 25. ^ £«/& or hedge. C. 

Lete, G. 60. Still. C. 

Lethal, El. zi. Deadly, or deathboding. 

C. 

Lethlen, Æ. 2 7 2. Still, dead. C. 

Letten, Æ. 928. Churchyard. C. 

Levynde, El. 18. Blasted. C. 

Levynne,

A G L O S S A R t. J6I 

Levynne, M. 104.. Lightning. C. 

Levyn-mylted, Æ. 462. Light 

ning-melted, q? 

Liefe, Æ. 217. 

LifF, E. I. 7. Lees. 

Ligheth, Æ. 627. 

Likand, H. 2. 187. Liking. 

Limed, E. II. 7. 1 Glajy, restec- 

Limraed, M. 90. J ting.* C. 

Linge, Æ. 376. Stay. C. 

Lissed, T. 97. Bounded. C. 

Lithie, Ep. 10. Humble. C. 

Loaste, Æ. 456. Loss. 

Logges, E. I. £5. Cottages. C. 

Lordinge, T. 57. Standing on their 

hind legs. C. 

Loverd's, E. III. 29. Lord's. C. 

Low, G. 50. Flame offire. C. 

Lowes, T. 137. Flames. C. 

Lowings, Ch. 35. Flames. C. 

Lymmed, M. 33. Polished. C. 

Lynch, El. 37. Bank. C. 

Lyoncel, E. II. 44. Toung lion. C. 

Lyped, El. 34. 

Lyfle, T. 2. Sport, or play. C. 

Lyssed, Æ. 53. Bounded. C. 

M. 

Meeded, Æ. 39. Rewarded. 

Memuine, H. 2. 120. 

Mcniced, p. 285. 146. Menaced; 

q? 

Mere, G. 58. Lake. C. 

Merk-plante, T. 1 76. Night-Jhade. 

C. 

Merke, T. 163. Dark, gloomy. G 

Miesel, Æ. 55 r. ilf>y?# 

Milkynette, El. 22. A small bag 

pipe. C. 

Milt, Ch. 49. Poor, needy. C< 

Mitches, El. 20. Ruins. C. 

Mittee, E. II. 28. Mighty. C. 

Mockler, p. 283. 105. More. 

Moke, Ep. 5. Much. C. 

Mokie, El. 29. Black. C. 

Mole, Ch. 4. Soft. C. 

Mollock, G. 90. Wet, moist. C. 

Morglarcn, M. 20. The name of tt 

fivord insome oid Romances. 

Morthe, Æ. 307. 

Morthynge, El. 4. Murdering. C. 

Mote, E. I. 22. Might. C. 

Motte, H. 2. 194. Word, or motto, 

Myckle, Le. 16. Much. C. 

Myndbruch, Æ. 401. 

Mynster, G. 75. Monastery. C. 

Mysterk, M. 33. Mystic. C 

Mancas, G. 136. Marks. C. 

Manchyn, H. 2. 232. AJleeve.Yx. 

Maynt, Meynte, E. II. 66. Many, 

great numbers. C. 

Mee, Mees, E. I. 31. Meadow. C. 

N. 

Ne, P. G. 6. Not. C. 

Ne, p. 281. 58. Nigh. 

Nedere,

30* A G L 0 S S A R Y. 

Nedere, Ep. n. Adder. C. 

Neete, p. 280. 41. Night. 

Nefli, T. 16. Weak, tender. C. 

Nete, Æ. 399. ■Night. 

Nete, T. 19. Nothing. C. 

Nilling, Le. 16. Unwilling. C. 

Nome-depeinted, E. II. 17. Æc- 

Jhields ; a herald term, 

when the charge of the 

shield implies the name of 

the bearer. C■ 

Notte-.browne, p. 280. 49. Nutbroivn, 

O. 

Obaie, E. I. 41. Abide. C. 

Offrendes, Æ. ji. Presents, offer 

ings. C. 

Olyphauntes, H. 2. 629. Ele 

phants. 

Onknowlachynge, E. II. 26. Not 

knowing. C. 

Onlight, Æ. 678. 

Onlist, Le. 45. Boundless. C. 

Orrests, G. 100. Oversets. C. 

Ouchd, T. 80. See C's note. 

Ouphante, Æ. 888. 929. Ouphen, 

Elves. 

Ourt, H. 2. 588. 

Ouzle, Æ. 104. Black-bird. C. 

Owndes, G. 91. Waves. C. 

Pall, Ch. 31. Contraction from 

appall, to fright. C. 

Paramente, Æ. 52. ofstar 

let. C.— ■SA. $6. A princely 

robe, C. 

Paves, Pavyes, Æ. 433. Shields. 

Peede, Ch. 5. C. 

Pencte, Ch. 46. Painted. C. 

Penne, Æ. 728. Mountain. 

Percase, Le. ai. Perchance. C. 

TWe, E. I.4L Appear. C. 

Perpled, p. 283. 99. Purple, q? 

Persant, Æ. 561. Piercing. 

Pete, Æ. 1 001. 

Pheeres, Æ. 46. Fellows, equals. 

C. 

Pheon, H. 2. 282. in Heraldry, 

the barbed head ofa dart. 

Pheryons, p. 285. 147. 

Picte, E.III. 91. Picture. C. 

Pighte, T. 38. Pitched, or lent 

down. C. 

Poyntel, Le. 44. A pen. C. 

Prevyd, Æ. 23. Hardy, valourous. 

C. 

Proto-flene, H. 2. 38. Firsts/Iain. 

Prowe, H. 1. 108. 

Pynant, Le. 4. Pining, meagre* 

Pyghte, M. 73. Settled. C. 

Pyghteth, Ep. 15. Plucks, or tor 

tures. C. 

Quaced,

A G L O S S A R Y. 303 

Quaced, T. 94. Fannuished. C. 

Quaintissed,. T. 4. Curioujty de 

vised. C. 

Quansd, Æ. 241. Stilled, Quenched. 

C. 

Queede, Æ. 284. 428. The evil 

one; the Devil, 

R. 

Receivure, G. 15J. Receipt. C. 

Recer, H. 1. 87. for Racer. 

{for Recreandice; 

Coward, 

tee. 

Recreand, Æ. 508. Coward. C. 

Reddour, Æ. 30. Violence. C. 

Rede, Le. 18. Wisdom. C. 

Reded, G. 79. Counselled. C. . 

Redeing, Æ. 227. Advice. 

Regrate, Le. 7. Esteem. C-—M. 

70. Esteem, favour. C. 

Rele, n. Æ. 530. Wave. C. 

Reles, v. E. II. 63. Waves. C. 

Rennome, T. 28. Honour, glory. 

C. 

Rodded, Ch. 3. Reddened. C. 

Rode, E. I. 59. Complexion. C. 

Rodeing, Æ. 324. Riding. 

Roder, Æ. 1065. Rider, traveller. 

Roghling, T. 69. Rolling. C. 

Roin, Æ. 325. Ruin. 

Roiend, Æ. 578. Ruin'J. 

Roiner, Æ. 325. Ruiner. 

Rou, G. 10. Horrid, grim. C. 

Rowncy, Le. 32. Cart-horse. C. 

Rynde, Æ. 11 92. Ruind. 

Scolles, Æ. 239. Sholes. 

Scond, H. 1 . 20. for Abscond. 

Seek, H. 1. 461. for Suck. 

Reyne, Reine, E. II. 25. Run, C. . Seeled, Eat. 11. Closed. C. 

Reyning, E. II. 39. Running. C. . Seere, Æ. 1164. Search. C. 

Reytes, Æ. 900. Water-Jags. C. 

Ribaude, Ep. 9. Rake, lewdperson. . 

C. 

Ribbande-geere, p. 280. 44. Ornamtnti 

of ribbands. 

Selynefs, E, 1. 55. Happiness. 

Semblate, p. 281. 67. 

C, 

S. 

Sabalus, E. I. 22. The Devil. C. 

Sabbatanners, Æ. 275. 

Scalle, Æ. 703. Shall. C. 

Scante, Æ. 1 133. Scarce. C. 

Scantillie, Æ. 1010. Scarcely,spas 

ingly. C. 

Scarpes, Æ. 52. Scarfs. C. 

Seethe, T. 96. Hurt or damage. C. 

Scille, E. III. 33. Gather. C. 

Scillye, G. 207. Closely. C. 

Seme, E. III. 32. Seed. C. 

Semecope, Ch. 87. Afhort under 

chke. C. 

Semm

jo). A G L O S S A R Y. 

Semm'ykeed, Æ. 298. 

Semlykeene, Æ. 9. Countenance. 

C—G. 56. Beauty, counte 

nance, c. 

Sendaument,' p. 284. 126. 

Sete, Æ. 1069. Seat. 

Shappe, T. 36. Fate. C. 

Starks, T. 73. Stalks. 

Shap-scurged, Æ. 603. Fatescourged. 

Steeres, p. 2^; 6. 

C. 

Shemring, E. II. 14. Glimmering. 

C. 

Shente, T. 157. Broke, destroyed. 

C. 

Shepen, p. 283. 97. 

Shepstere, E. I. 6. Shepherd. C. 

Shoone-pykes, p. 280. 44. Shoes 

with piked toes. The length 

of the pikes was restrained to 

two inches, by 3 Edw. 4. c. 

5- 

Shrove, H. 2. 442. 

Sletre, Æ. 539. Slaughter. 

Slughornes, E. II. 9. Amusical in 

strument not unlike a hautboy. 

C.—T. 31. A kind ofclarion. 

c. 

Smethe, T. 10 1. Smoke. C. 

Smething, E. I. 1. Smoking. C< 

Smore, H. 1. 412. 

Smothe, Ch. 35. Steam or vapours. 

C. 

Snett, T. 45. Bent. C. 

Sothen, Æ. 227. Sooth, q? 

Souten, H. 1. 252. tor Sought, pa. 

t. sing, q ? 

Sparre, H. I. 26. A wooden lar'. 

Spedde, H. 2. 535, 

Spencer, T. 11. Dispenser. C. 

Spere, Æ. 69. 

Spyryng, Æ. 707. 'towering: 

Staie, H. 1. 198. 

Stairs: 

Stente, T. 134. Stained. C. 

Steynced, Æ. 189. 

Storthe, p. 2S7. 10. 

Storven, Æ. 608. Dead. C. 

Straughte, Æ. £9. Stretched. C. 

Stret, Æ. 158. Stretch. Cj 

Strev, Æ. 358. Strive: 

Stringe, G. 10. Strong. C. 

Suftycyl, Æ. 62. 981. 

Swarthe, Æ. 265. 

Swartheing, Æ. 295. 

Swarthless, H. 2. 573. 

Sweft-kervd, E. II. 20. Short-Uv'd. 

C. 

Swoltering, Æ. 444. 

Swotie, E. II. 9. Sweet. C. 

Swythe, Swythen, Swythyn j 

Quickly. C. , 

Syke, E. II. 6. Such, so. C. 

T, 

Takelle, T. 72. Arrow. C. 

Teint, H. I. 462. for Tent. 

Tende, T. 113. Attend, or wait, 

C. 

Tene,

A G L O S S A R Y. 305 

Tene, Æ. 366. Sorrow. 

Teatyflie, E. III. 48. Carefully, 

C. 

Tere, Æ. 46. Health. C. 

Thighte, p. 383. 104. 

Thoughten, Æ. 172. 1136. for 

Thought. pa. t. sing. q i 

Thyssen, E. II. 87. These, or those. 

q? 

Tochelod, Æ. ao£. 

Tore, Æ. 1020. Torch. C, 

Trechit, H. 2. 93. for 7r

306 A GLOSSAR Y, 

Wayne, E. III. 31. Car. C. Ycorne, Æ. 374. 

Weei, Æ. 835. Grief. C. Ycorven, T, 170. To mould. C 

Welked, E.III. 50. Withered. C. Ycrased, T. 132. Broken. C. 

Welkyn, Æ. 1055. Heaven. C. Yenhe ; • 

Wiseegger, E. III. 8. A philoso- Yer, E. II. 29. Their. 

pher. C. Yer, Æ. 152. Tour. 

VVissen, Æ. 68 J. Wijh. Ygrove, H. 2. 444. 

Wite, G. 176* Reward. C. Yinder, Æ. 692. Yonder. 

Withe, E. III. 36. A contraction Yis ; This. 

of Wither. C. Ylach'd, H. 2, 446. 

Wolsome, Le. 5. See Walfime. Ynhyme, Ent. 5. Interr. C. 

Wraytes. See Reytes. 

Ynutile, Æ. 198.. Useless. 

Wrynn, T. 117. Declare. C. Yreaden, H. 2. 217. 

Wurche, Æ. 500. /For*. C. Yroughte, H. 2. 3 2 8 . htTwroughte. 

Wyeliencref, Æ. 420. Witchcraft. Ysped, M.' 102. Dispatched. C. 

Wyere, E. II. 79. Grief, trouble. Yspende, T. 179. Consider. C. 

C. Yltorven, E. L 52. Dead. C. . 

Wympled, G. 207. Mantled, co- Ytsel, E.I. 18. Itself. 

•vered. C. 

Ywreen, E. II. 30. Covered. C. / 

Wynnynge, Æ. 319. 

Ywrinde, M. 100. Hid, covered. 

C. 

Yyne, Æ. 540. Thine. 

Yan, Æ. 72. Than. 

Yaped, Ep. 30. Laughable. C. 

Yatte, T. 9. That. C. 

Yblente, Æ. 40. Blinded. C. 

Ybroched, G. 97. Honied. C. 

Zabalus, Æ. 428. as Sabalus; 

the Devil. 

E R R A

C 307 ] 

ERRATA. 

P. 1 7. antep. for battle, r. baffle. 

67. ver. 8. Butt eefie, r. 27*//« {/if. 

96. 185. Blackea, r. Blacke a. 

97. 309. after ins. tbie. 

138. 893. acorme, r. acorne. 

148. 992. hynd-lettcs, r. hyndlcttcs. 

169. 1 2 10. r. 

72 1? following are not Errata a/■ /fo Printer, but such evi 

dent mistakes of the Transcriber as an Editor, perhaps, ought t* 

have corrected, though, in the present case, it has been judged 

fitter barely to point them out in this manner to the Reader. 

P. 45. 6. for Canterlone, r. Canterlouc, or Cantelout. 

72. ver. 49. ytts, r. yttfelf. 

7 j. 1. cberifaunei 'tys, r. cherifaunct itys. 

80. 73. toe, r. doe. 

100. 345. r. to le dyghte. 

10 1. 367. scares, r. teares. 

108. 44 2. Storvcn, r. Strove/:. 

1 10. 4S6. le wreene, r, faena 

1 50> 77°- yj'^f. 

135- 839. cberijaunied, r. cherifamicsd. 

149. 1008. HalUe, r. Ha'dic. 

157. 1084. Æ/e thankes, r. ikfo thankes. 

167. 1 197. fiythe, r.faythe. 

210. 5. O ./?«»/ our teeming donore, r. Osea-oerteeming Dover / 

215. 104. r. horse

J

^ ' 'I V

i

Poems Supposed to Have Been Written at Bristol by Thomas Rowley and Others in the Fifteenth Century

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