[Stanza 1: _The law Salique was, that women should not inherite; which
law, Edward the third, by his right to the Crowne by his mother,
cancelled with his sword: for so much as at that time made way to his
clayme, though in France that law bee inuiolable._]
Ceas'd was the Thunder, of those Drummes which wak'd
Th'affrighted French their miseries to view,
At Edwards name, which to that houre still quak'd,
Their Salique Tables to the ground that threw,
Yet were the English courages not slak'd,
But the same Bowes, and the same Blades they drew,
With the same Armes, those weapons to aduance,
Which lately lopt the Flower de liz of France.
[Stanza 2: _Henry the 4. so named of a Town in Lincolne Shiere, where he
was borne._]
Henry the fift, that man made out of fire,
Th'Imperiall Wreath plac'd on his Princely browe;
His Lyons courage stands not to enquire
Which way olde Henry came by it; or howe
At Pomfret Castell Richard should expire:
What's that to him? He hath the Garland now;
Let Bullingbrook beware how he it wan,
For Munmouth meanes to keepe it, if he can.
[Stanza 3: _Henry the fift borne at Munmouth in Wales. Dowglas in that
battaile slew three in the Kings coat Armour._]
That glorious day, which his great Father got,
Vpon the Percyes; calling to their ayde
The valiant Dowglass, that Herculian Scot,
When for his Crowne at Shrewsbury they playde,
Had quite dishartned eu'ry other plot,
And all those Tempests quietly had layde,
That not a cloud did to this Prince appeare,
No former King had seene a skye so cleere.
[Stanza 4: _Wickliffe a learned Diuine, and the greatest Protestant of
those times._]
Yet the rich Clergy felt a fearefull Rent,
In the full Bosome of their Church (whilst she
A Monarchesse, immeasurably spent,
Lesse then she was, and thought she might not be:)
By Wickclif and his followers; to preuent
The growth of whose opinions, and to free
That foule Aspersion, which on her they layde,
She her strongst witts must stirre vp to her ayde.
[Stanza 5: _A Parliament at Leicester._]
When presently a Parliament is calld
To sett things steddy, that stood not so right,
But that thereby the poore might be inthral'd,
Should they be vrged by those that were of might,
That in his Empire, equitie enstauld,
It should continue in that perfect plight;
Wherefore to Lester, he th'Assembly drawes,
There to Inact those necessary Lawes.
[Stanza 6]
In which one Bill (mongst many) there was red,
Against the generall, and superfluous waste
Of temporall Lands, (the Laity that had fed)
Vpon the Houses of Religion caste,
Which for defence might stand the Realme in sted,
Where it most needed were it rightly plac't;
Which made those Church-men generally to feare,
For all this calme, some tempest might be neare.
[Stanza 7]
And being right skilfull, quickly they forsawe,
No shallow braines this bus'nesse went about:
Therefore with cunning they must cure this flawe;
For of the King they greatly stood in doubt,
Lest him to them, their opposites should drawe,
Some thing must be thrust in, to thrust that out:
And to this end they wisely must prouide
One, this great Engine, Clearkly that could guide.
[Stanza 8: _Henry Chichley succeeding Arundell (late deceased) in that
See._]
Chichley, that sate on Canterburies See,
A man well spoken, grauely stout, and wise,
The most select, (then thought of that could be,)
To act what all the Prelacie diuise;
(For well they knew, that in this bus'nesse, he
Would to the vtmost straine his faculties;)
Him lift they vp, with their maine strength, to proue
By some cleane slight this Lybell to remoue.
[Stanza 9: _So they termed it as not worthy of a better tytle._]
His braine in labour, gladly foorth would bring
Somewhat, that at this needfull time might fit,
The sprightly humor of this youthfull King,
If his inuention could but light of it;
His working soule proiecteth many a thing,
Vntill at length out of the strength of wit,
He found a warre with France, must be the way
To dash this Bill, else threatning their decay.
[Stanza 10]
Whilst vacant mindes sate in their breasts at ease,
And the remembrance of their Conquests past,
Vpon their fansies doth so strongly sease,
As in their teeth, their Cowardise it cast
Rehearsing to them those victorious daies,
The deeds of which, beyond their names should last,
That after ages, reading what was theirs,
Shall hardly thinke, those men had any Heires.
[Stanza 11]
And to this point, premeditating well,
A speech, (which chanc'd, the very pinne to cleaue)
Aym'd, whatsoeuer the successe befell
That it no roomth should for a second leaue,
More of this Title then in hand to tell,
If so his skill him did not much deceaue,
And gainst the King in publike should appeare;
Thus frames his speech to the Assembly there.
[Stanza 12: _The Archbishop of Canterburies Oration, to the King &
Parliament at Lecester, in the Eleuen following Stanzas._]
Pardon my boldnesse, my Liedge Soueraine Lord,
Nor your Dread presence let my speech offend,
Your milde attention, fauourably affoord,
Which, such cleere vigour to my spirit shall lend,
That it shall set an edge vpon your Sword,
To my demand, and make you to attend,
Asking you, why, men train'd to Armes you keepe,
Your right in France yet suffering still to sleepe.
[Stanza 13]
Can such a Prince be in an Iland pent,
And poorely thus shutt vp within a Sea.
When as your right includes that large extent,
To th'either Alpes your Empire forth to lay,
Can he be English borne, and is not bent
To follow you, appoint you but the way,
Weele wade if we want ships, the waues or climme,
In one hand hold our swords, with th'other swim.
[Stanza 14: _The Crowne of France descended vpon Edward the third, from
Isabell his Mother, Daughter and suruiuing heyre, to King Philippe of
France named the fayre._]
What time controules, your braue great Grandsires claim,
To th'Realme of France, from Philip nam'd the faire,
Which to King Edward by his mother came,
Queene Isabel; that Philips onely heire,
Which this short intermission doth not maime,
But if it did, as he, so yours repaire;
That where his Right in bloud preuailed not,
In spight of hell, yet by his Sword he got.
[Stanza 15]
What set that Conqueror, by their Salique Lawes,
Those poore decrees their Parliaments could make,
He entred on the iustnesse of his Cause,
To make good, what he dar'd to vndertake,
And once in Action, he stood not to pause,
But in vpon them like a Tempest brake,
And downe their buildings with such fury bare,
That they from mists dissolued were to ayre.
[Stanza 16]
As those braue Edwards, Father, and the Sonne,
At Conquer'd Cressy, with successefull lucke,
Where first all France (as at one game) they wonne,
Neuer two Warriours, such a Battaile strucke,
That when the bloudy dismall fight was done,
Here in one heape, there in another Rucke
Princes and Peasants lay together mixt,
The English Swords, no difference knew betwixt.
[Stanza 17: _Iames, Daulphine of Viennoies. The Dukes of Lorraine, and
Burbon. The Earles of Aumerle, Sauoye, Mountbilliard, Flaunders, Neuers
& Harecourt._]
There Lewes King of Beame was ouerthrowne
With valient Charles, of France the younger Brother,
A Daulphine, and two Dukes, in pieces hewen;
To them six Earles lay slaine by one another;
There the grand Prior of France, fetcht his last groane,
Two Archbishops the boystrous Croud doth smother,
There fifteene thousand of their Gentrie dy'de
With each two Souldiers, slaughtered by his side.
[Stanza 18: _King Iohn of France and Philip his Son taken by the Black
Prince at the Battaile of Poyteers, brought Prisoners to England._]
[_Iohn of Cleumount._]
[_Peter of Burbon._]
Nor the Blacke Prince, at Poyteers battaile fought;
Short of his Father, and himselfe before,
Her King and Prince, that prisoners hither brought
From forty thousand weltring in their gore,
That in the Worlds opinion it was thought,
France from that instant could subsist no more,
The Marshall, and the Constable, there slaine
Vnder the Standard, in that Battaile ta'ne.
[Stanza 19: _Examples of such as haue aduanced theselues to the Crowne
of France against the strict letter of the lawe Salique, in the two
following Stanzas._]
Nor is this clayme for women to succeede,
(Gainst which they would your right to France debarre)
A thing so new, that it so much should neede
Such opposition, as though fetcht from farre,
By Pepin this is prou'd, as by a deede,
Deposing Cheldrick, by a fatall warre,
By Blythild dar'd his title to aduance,
Daughter to Clothar, first so nam'd of France.
[Stanza 20]
Hugh Capet, who from Charles of Lorayne tooke
The Crowne of France, that he in peace might raigne,
As heire to Lingard to her title stooke,
Who was the daughter of King Charlemaine,
So holy Lewes poring on his booke,
Whom that Hugh Capet made his heire againe,
From Ermingard his Grandame, claim'd the Crowne,
Duke Charles his daughter, wrongfully put downe.
[Stanza 21]
Nor thinke my Leege a fitter time then this,
You could haue found your Title to aduance,
At the full height when now the faction is,
T'wixt Burgoyne, and the house of Orleance,
Your purpose you not possibly can misse,
It for my Lord so luckily doth chance,
That whilst these two in opposition stand,
You may haue time, your Army there to land.
[Stanza 22]
And if my fancy doe not ouerpresse,
My visuall sence, me thinkes in euery eye
I see such cheere, as of our good successe
In France hereafter seemes to Prophecie;
Thinke not my Soueraigne, my Alegeance lesse
Quoth he; my Lords nor doe you misaply
My words: thus long vpon this subiect spent,
Who humbly here submit to your assent.
[Stanza 23]
This speech of his, that powerfull Engine prou'd,
Then e'r our Fathers got, which rais'd vs hier,
The Clergies feare that quietly remou'd,
And into France transferd our Hostile fier,
It made the English through the world belou'd,
That durst to those so mighty things aspire,
And gaue so cleere a luster to our fame,
That neighbouring Nations trembled at our name.
[Stanza 24]
When through the house, this rumor scarcely ran,
That warre with France propounded was againe,
In all th'Assembly there was not a man,
But put the proiect on with might and maine,
So great applause it generally wan,
That else no bus'nesse they would entertaine,
As though their honour vtterly were lost,
If this designe should any way be crost.
[Stanza 25]
So much mens mindes, now vpon France were set
That euery one doth with himselfe forecast,
What might fall out this enterprize to let,
As what againe might giue it wings of hast,
And for they knew, the French did still abet
The Scot against vs, (which we vsde to tast)
It question'd was if it were fit or no,
To Conquer them, ere we to France should goe.
[Stanza 26: _Ralph Neuill then Warden of the Marches betwixt England and
Scotland._]
[_An old adage, He that will France winne: must with Scotland first
beginne._]
Which Ralph then Earle of Westmorland propos'd,
Quoth he, with Scotland let vs first begin,
By which we are vpon the North inclos'd,
And lockt with vs, one Continent within,
Then first let Scotland be by vs dispos'd,
And with more ease, yee spatious France may winne,
Else of our selues, ere we our Ships can cleere,
To land in France; they will inuade vs here.
[Stanza 27: _The Duke of Excester the Kings own vnckle._]
Not so braue Neuill, Excester replies,
For that of one two labours were to make,
For Scotland wholly vpon France relies;
First, Conquer France, and Scotland yee may take,
Tis the French pay, the Scot to them that tyes,
That stopt, asunder quickly yee shall shake
The French and Scots; to France then first say I,
First, first, to France, then all the Commons cry.
[Stanza 28: _The first breach with France._]
And instantly an Embassy is sent,
To Charles of France, to will him to restore
Those Territories, of whose large extent,
The English Kings were owners of before;
Which if he did not, and incontinent,
The King would set those English on his Shore,
That in despight of him, and all his might,
Should leaue their liues there, or redeeme his right.
[Stanza 29: _The Countries demanded by the King of England._]
First Normandy, in his demand he makes,
With Aquitane, a Dutchy no lesse great,
Aniou, and Mayne, with Gascoyne which he takes
Cleerely his owne, as any English seat;
With these proud France, he first of all awakes,
For their deliuery, giuing power to treat;
For well he knew, if Charles should these restore,
No King of France was euer left so poore.
[Stanza 30: _The King and Daulphine of France, deriding the King of
England._]
The King, and Daulphin, to his proud demand,
That he might see they no such matter ment,
As a thing fitter for his youthfull hand;
A Tunne of Paris Tennis balls him sent,
Better himselfe to make him vnderstand,
Deriding his ridiculous intent:
And that was all the answere he could get,
Which more, the King doth to this Conquest whet.
[Stanza 31: _Henry the fift answered for the Tennis Balls._]
[_The language of Tennis._]
That answering the Ambassadour, quoth he,
Thanks for my Balls, to Charles your Soueraigne giue,
And thus assure him, and his sonne from me,
I'le send him Balls and Rackets if I liue,
That they such Racket shall in Paris see,
When ouer lyne with Bandies I shall driue,
As that before the Set be fully done,
France may (perhaps) into the Hazard runne.
[Stanza 32]
So little doth luxurious France fore-see
By her disdaine, what shee vpon her drew:
In her most brauery seeming then to be,
The punishment that shortly should ensue,
Which so incenst the English King, that he
For full reuenge into that fury grew:
That those three horrors, Famine, Sword, and Fire,
Could not suffice to satisfie his ire.
[Stanza 33]
In all mens mouthes now was no word but warre,
As though no thing had any other name;
And folke would aske of them ariu'd from farre,
What forces were preparing whence they came?
'Gainst any bus'nesse 'twas a lawfull barre
To say for France they were; and 'twas a shame
For any man to take in hand to doe
Ought, but some thing that did belong thereto.
[Stanza 34: _Blades accounted of the best temper._]
Olde Armours are drest vp, and new are made;
Iacks are in working, and strong shirts of Male,
He scowers an olde Fox, he a Bilbowe blade,
Now Shields and Targets onely are for sale;
Who works for warre, now thriueth by his Trade,
The browne Bill, and the Battell-Axe preuaile:
The curious Fletcher fits his well-strung Bowe,
And his barb'd Arrow which he sets to showe.
[Stanza 35]
Tents and Pauillions in the fields are pitcht,
(E'r full wrought vp their Roomthynesse to try)
Windowes, and Towers, with Ensignes are inricht,
With ruffling Banners, that doe braue the sky,
Wherewith the wearied Labourer bewitcht
To see them thus hang wauing in his eye:
His toylsome burthen from his back doth throwe,
And bids them worke that will, to France hee'll goe.
[Stanza 36: _Armed at all points._]
[_Armings for the thigh and legge._]
[_Armings for the arme and shoulder._]
Rich Saddles for the Light-horse and the Bard
For to be brau'st there's not a man but plyes,
Plumes, Bandroules, and Caparizons prepar'd;
Whether of two, and men at Armes diuise
The Greaues, or Guyses were the surer guard,
The Vambrasse, or the Pouldron, they should prize;
And where a stand of Pykes plac't close, or large,
Which way to take aduantage in the Charge.
[Stanza 37]
One traynes his Horse, another trayles his Pyke,
He with his Pole-Axe, practiseth the fight,
The Bowe-man (which no Country hath the like)
With his sheafe Arrow, proueth by his might,
How many score off, he his Foe can strike,
Yet not to draw aboue his bosomes hight:
The Trumpets sound the Charge and the Retreat,
The bellowing Drumme, the Martch againe doth beat.
[Stanza 38: _Great Ordnance then but newly in vse._]
Cannons vpon their Caridge mounted are,
Whose Battery France must feele vpon her Walls,
The Engineer prouiding the Petar,
To breake the strong Percullice, and the Balls,
Of Wild-fire deuis'd to throw from farre,
To burne to ground their Pallaces and Halls:
Some studying are, the scale which they had got,
Thereby to take the Leuell of their Shot.
[Stanza 39]
The man in yeares preacht to his youthfull sonne
Prest to this Warre, as they sate by the fire,
What deedes in France were by his Father done,
To this attempt to worke him to aspire,
And told him, there how he an Ensigne wonne,
Which many a yeare was hung vp in the Quire:
And in the Battell, where he made his way,
How many French men he struck downe that day.
[Stanza 40]
The good old man, with teares of ioy would tell,
In Cressy field what prizes Edward play'd,
As what at Poycteers the Black Prince befell,
How like a Lyon, he about him layd:
In deedes of Armes how Awdley did excell,
For their olde sinnes, how they the French men payd:
How brauely Basset did behaue him there:
How Oxford charg'd the Van, Warwick the Reare.
[Stanza 41]
And Boy, quoth he, I haue heard thy Grandsire say,
That once he did an English Archer see,
Who shooting at a French twelue score away,
Quite through the body, stuck him to a Tree;
Vpon their strengths a King his Crowne might lay:
Such were the men of that braue age, quoth he,
When with his Axe he at his Foe let driue,
Murriain and scalpe downe to the teeth did riue.
[Stanza 42]
The scarlet Iudge might now set vp his Mule,
With neighing Steeds the Streetes so pestred are;
For where he wont in Westminster to rule,
On his Tribunal sate the man of Warre,
The Lawyer to his Chamber doth recule,
For be hath now no bus'nesse at the Barre:
But to make Wills and Testaments for those
That were for France, their substance to dispose.
[Stanza 43]
By this, the Counsell of this Warre had met,
And had at large of eu'ry thing discust;
And the graue Clergie had with them beene set:
To warrant what they vndertook was iust,
And as for monies that to be no let,
They bad the King for that to them to trust:
The Church to pawne, would see her Challice layde,
E'r shee would leaue one Pyoner vnpayde.
[Stanza 44: _Halfe the circuit of the Island, from the Spanish to the
German Ocean._]
[_Edward the third._]
From Milford Hauen, to the mouth of Tweed,
Ships of all burthen to Southampton brought,
For there the King the Rendeuous decreed
To beare aboard his most victorious fraught:
The place from whence he with the greatest speed
Might land in France, (of any that was thought)
And with successe vpon that lucky shore,
Where his great Grandsire landed had before.
[Stanza 45]
But, for he found those vessels were to fewe,
That into France his Army should conuay:
He sent to Belgia, whose great store he knewe,
Might now at neede supply him euery way.
His bounty ample, as the windes that blewe,
Such Barkes for Portage out of eu'ry bay
In Holland, Zealand, and in Flanders, brings;
As spred the wide sleeue with their canuase wings.
[Stanza 46: _The Sea betwixt France and England so called._]
[_A Catalogue of the Ships in 12 Stanzas._]
But first seauen Ships from Rochester are sent,
The narrow Seas, of all the French to sweepe:
All men of Warre with scripts of Mart that went,
And had command, the Coast of France to keepe:
The comming of a Nauie to preuent,
And view what strength, was in the Bay of Deepe:
And if they found it like to come abroad,
To doe their best to fire it in the Road.
[Stanza 47: _The names of the Kings 7 Ships of War._]
[_An Indian Bird so great, that she is able to carry an Elephant._]
The Bonauenture, George, and the Expence,
Three as tall Ships, as e'r did Cable tewe,
The Henry Royall, at her parting thence,
Like the huge Ruck from Gillingham that flewe:
The Antilop, the Elephant, Defence,
Bottoms as good as euer spread a clue:
All hauing charge, their voyage hauing bin,
Before Southampton to take Souldiers in.
[Stanza 48]
Twelue Merchants Ships, of mighty burthen all,
New off the Stocks, that had beene rig'd for Stoad,
Riding in Thames by Lymehouse and Blackwall
That ready were their Merchandize to load,
Straitly commanded by the Admirall,
At the same Port to settle their aboad:
And each of these a Pinnis at command,
To put her fraught conueniently to land.
[Stanza 49]
Eight goodly Ships, so Bristow ready made,
Which to the King they bountifully lent,
With Spanish Wines which they for Ballast lade,
In happy speed of his braue Voyage ment,
Hoping his Conquest should enlarge their Trade,
And there-withall a rich and spacious Tent:
And as, this Fleet the Seuerne Seas doth stem,
Fiue more from Padstowe came along with them.
[Stanza 50]
The Hare of Loo, a right good Ship well knowne,
The yeare before that twice the Strayts had past,
Two wealthy Spanish Merchants did her owne,
Who then but lately had repair'd her wast;
For from her Deck a Pyrate she had blowne,
After a long Fight, and him tooke at last:
And from Mounts Bay sixe more, that still in sight,
Wayted with her before the Ile of Wight.
[Stanza 51: _The Bay of Portugall one of the highest working Seas that
is known._]
From Plymmouth next came in the Blazing Starre,
And fiery Dragon to take in their fraught;
With other foure, especiall men of Warre,
That in the Bay of Portugall had fought;
And though returning from a Voyage farre,
Stem'd that rough Sea, when at the high'st it wrought:
With these, of Dertmouth seau'n good Ships there were,
The golden Cressant in their tops that beare.
[Stanza 52]
So Lyme, three Ships into the Nauy sent,
Of which the Sampson scarse a mon'th before,
Had sprung a Planke, and her mayne Mast had spent,
With extreame perill that she got to shore;
With them fiue other out of Waymouth went,
Which by Southampton, were made vp a score:
With those that rode (at pleasure) in the Bay,
And that at Anchor before Portsmouth lay.
[Stanza 53: _A Country lying upon the east Sea bordring upon Poland._]
[_Famous for Herring fishing._]
Next these, Newcastle furnisheth the Fleet
With nine good Hoyes of necessary vse;
The Danish Pyrats, valiantly that beet,
Offring to Sack them as they sayl'd for Sluce:
Six Hulks from Hull at Humbers mouth them meet,
Which had them oft accompanied to Pruce.
Fiue more from Yarmouth falling them among,
That had for Fishing beene prepared long.
[Stanza 54]
The Cowe of Harwich, neuer put to flight,
For Hides, and Furres, late to Muscouia bound,
Of the same Port, another nam'd the Spight,
That in her comming lately through the Sound,
After a two-dayes-still-continued fight,
Had made three Flemings runne themselues a ground;
With three neat Flee-boats which with them doe take,
Six Ships of Sandwich vp the Fleet to make.
[Stanza 55: _Aydes to the King by the Nobility._]
Nine Ships for the Nobility there went,
Of able men, the enterprize to ayde,
Which to the King most liberally they lent,
At their owne charge, and bountifully payde,
Northumberland, and Westmerland in sent
Fourescore at Armes a peece, themselues and layde
At six score Archers each, as Suffolke showes,
Twenty tall men at Armes, with forty Bowes.
[Stanza 56]
Warwick and Stafford leauied at no lesse
Then noble Suffolke, nor doe offer more
Of men at Armes, and Archers which they presse,
Of their owne Tenants, Arm'd with their owne store:
Their forwardnesse fore-showes their good successe
In such a Warre, as had not beene before:
And other Barrons vnder Earles that were,
Yet dar'd with them an equall charge to beare.
[Stanza 57]
Darcy and Camois, zealous for the King,
Louell, Fitzwater, Willoughby, and Rosse,
Berckley, Powis, Burrell, fast together cling;
Seymer, and Saint Iohn for the bus'nesse closse,
Each twenty Horse, and forty foote doe bring
More, to nine hundred mounting in the grosse
In those nine Ships, and fitly them bestow'd,
Which with the other fall into the Road.
[Stanza 58]
From Holland, Zeland, and from Flanders wonne
By weekely pay, threescore twelue Bottoms came,
From fifty vpward, to fiue hundred Tunne;
For eu'ry vse a Marriner could name,
Whose glittering Flags against the Radient Sunne,
Show'd as the Sea had all beene of a flame;
For Skiffes, Crayes, Scallops, and the like, why these
From eu'ry small Creeke, cou'red all the Seas.
[Stanza 59]
The man whose way from London hap'd to lye,
By those he met might guesse the generall force,
Daily encountred as he passed by,
Now with a Troupe of Foote, and then of Horse,
To whom the people still themselues apply,
Bringing them victuals as in mere remorce:
And still the acclamation of the presse,
Saint George for England, to your good successe.
[Stanza 60]
There might a man haue seene in eu'ry Streete,
The Father bidding farewell to his Sonne:
Small Children kneeling at their Fathers feete:
The Wife with her deare Husband ne'r had done:
Brother, his Brother, with adieu to greete:
One Friend to take leaue of another runne:
The Mayden with her best belou'd to part,
Gaue him her hand, who tooke away her heart.
[Stanza 61]
The nobler Youth the common ranke aboue,
On their coruetting Coursers mounted faire,
One ware his Mistris Garter, one her Gloue;
And he a lock of his deare Ladies haire;
And he her Colours, whom he most did loue;
There was not one but did some Fauour weare:
And each one tooke it, on his happy speede,
To make it famous by some Knightly deede.
[Stanza 62]
The cloudes of dust, that from the wayes arose,
Which in their martch, the trampling Troupes doe reare:
When as the Sunne their thicknesse doth oppose
In his descending, shining wondrous cleare,
To the beholder farre off standing showes
Like some besieged Towne, that were on fire:
As though fore-telling e'r they should returne,
That many a Citie yet secure must burne.
[Stanza 63]
The well-rig'd Nauie falne into the Road,
For this short Cut with victuall fully stor'd,
The King impatient of their long aboad,
Commands his Army instantly aboard,
Casting to haue each Company bestow'd,
As then the time conuenience could afford;
The Ships appointed wherein they should goe,
And Boats prepar'd for waftage to and fro.
[Stanza 64]
To be imbarqu'd when euery Band comes downe,
Each in their order as they mustred were,
Or by the difference of their [a]Armings knowne,
Or by their Colours; for in Ensignes there,
Some wore the Armes of their most ancient Towne,
Others againe their owne Diuises beare,
There was not any, but that more or lesse,
Something had got, that something should expresse.
[Note a: _A Blazon of the Ensignes of the seuerall Shires, in 14
Stanzas following._]
[Stanza 65]
First, in the [b]Kentish Stremer was a Wood,
Out of whose top an arme that held a Sword,
As their right Embleme; and to make it good,
They aboue other onely had a Word,
Which was; Vnconquer'd; as that freest had stood.
[c]Sussex the next that was to come Aboard
Bore a Blacke Lyon Rampant, sore that bled,
With a Field-Arrow darted through the head.
[Note b: _Expressing their freedom, as still retaining their
ancient liberties, by surprising the Conqueror like a mouing
Wood._]
[Note c: _An expressio of King Harolds death, slaine with an Arrow
in the head, at the Battaile of Hastings, fighting against the
Conqueror._]
[Stanza 66]
The men of [d]Surrey, Cheeky Blew and gold,
(Which for braue Warren their first Earle they wore,
In many a Field that honour'd was of olde:)
And Hamshere next in the same Colours bore,
Three Lions Passant, th' Armes of Beuis bould,
Who through the World so famous was of yore;
A siluer[e] Tower, Dorsets Red Banner beares;
The Cornishmen two Wrestlers had for theirs.
[Note d: _The first famous Earle of that Countrey._]
[Note e: _Expressing the pleasantnesse of the scituation of that
County, lying vpon the French sea._]
[Stanza 67]
The [f]Deuonshire Band, a Beacon set on fire,
Sommerset [g]a Virgine bathing in a Spring,
Their Cities Armes, the men of Glostershire,
In Gold three [h]Bloudy Cheuernells doe bring;
Wiltshire a Crowned[a] Piramed; As nigher
Then any other to martch to the King;
Barkshire a [b]Stag, vnder an Oake that stood,
Oxford a White Bull wading in a Flood.
[Note f: _As lying the fittest to expell or forwarne Inuasion._]
[Note g: _Expressing the delicacy of the Bath, their chiefe
Citty._]
[Note h: _The Armes of the ancient Family of Clare Earle of
Gloster borne by the City._]
[Note a: _Stonidge being the first wonder of England, standing in
Wiltshire._]
[Note b: _An old Embleme of Berech, or Berkshire._]
[Stanza 68]
The mustred men for [c]Buckingham, are gone
Vnder the Swan, the Armes of that olde Towne,
The Londoners, and Middlesex as one,
Are by the Red Crosse, and the Dagger knowne;
The Men of [d]Essex ouermatch'd by none,
Vnder Queene Hellens Image Martching downe;
[e]Suffolke a Sunne halfe risen from the brack,
[f]Norfolke a Triton on a Dolphines backe.
[Note c: _A Badge of the ancient family of the Staffords Dukes of
that place._]
[Note d: _Queene Helen Founder of the Crosse, wife to Constantine,
and Daughter to King Coell, builder of Colchester in Essex._]
[Note e: _Suffolke the most Easterly of the English shieres._]
[Note f: _For the braue prospect to the Germaine Ocean._]
[Stanza 69]
The Souldiers sent from [g]Cambridgshire, a Bay
Vpon a Mountaine watred with a shower:
Hartford[h] two Harts that in a Riuer play;
Bedfords an Eagle pearcht vpon a Tower,
And [i]Huntington a People proud as they,
Not giuing place to any for their power,
A youthfull Hunter, with a Chaplet Crown'd,
In a pyde Lyam leading forth his Hound.
[Note g: _Hauing relation to that famous Vniuersitie their Shiere
Towne._]
[Note h: _The Armes of the Towne somewhat alluding to the name._]
[Note i: _The Armes of the towne of Huntingdon, first so named of
a place where Hunters met._]
[Stanza 70]
Northampton[k] with a Castle seated high,
Supported by two Lyons thither came;
The men of [l]Rutland, to them marching nie,
In their rich Ensigne beare an Ermine Ram,
And [m]Lestershire that on their strength relye,
A Bull and Mastiue fighting for the game.
Lincolne[n] a Ship most neatly that was lim'd
In all her Sailes with Flags and Pennons trim'd.
[Note k: _The armes of the towne._]
[Note l: _From the aboundance of wooll in that tract._]
[Note m: _A sport more vsed in that Shiere from ancient time, then
in any other._]
[Note n: _For the length that it hath vpon the Germane Ocean._]
[Stanza 71]
Stout[a] Warwickshire, her ancient badge the Beare,
Worster[b] a Peare-Tree laden with the Fruit,
A Golden Fleece and[c] Hereford doth weare,
Stafford[d] a Hermet in his homely sute,
Shropshire[e] a Falcon towring in the Ayre,
And for the Shiere whose surface seems most brute,
Darby, an Eagle sitting on a Roote,
A swathed Infant holding in her foote.
[Note a: _The Beare and ragged Staffe, the ancient Armes of that
Earledome._]
[Note b: _For the aboundance of fruit more there then in any other
tract._]
[Note c: _The finenesse of the wooll of Lemster in that Shiere._]
[Note d: _Many Hermites liued there in the woods in times past, it
being all forrestie._]
[Note e: _Expressing the loftinesse of the mountaines in that
Shiere, on which many Hawkes were wont to airy._]
[Stanza 72]
Olde[f] Nottingham, an Archer clad in greene,
Vnder a Tree with his drawne Bowe that stood,
Which in a checkquer'd Flagge farre off was seene:
It was the Picture of olde Robin Hood,
And[g] Lancashire not as the least I weene,
Thorough three Crownes, three Arrowes smear'd with blood:
Cheshiere a Banner very square and broad,
Wherein a man vpon a Lyon rode.
[Note f: _That famous out-law liued much in that Country, and is
yet by many places there celebrated._]
[Note g: _Accounted euer the best Archers in England._]
[Stanza 73]
A flaming Lance, the[h] Yorkshiere men for them,
As those for Durham neere againe at hand,
A Myter crowned with a Diadem:
An Armed man, the men of[i] Cumberland:
So[k] Westmerland link'd with it in one Stem,
A Ship that wrackt lay fierd vpon the sand:
Northumberland[l] with these com'n as a Brother,
Two Lyons fighting tearing one another.
[Note h: _For their agillity with the Speare, and swiftnesse of
their Naggs._]
[Note i: _Being ready stil in Armes against the Scots._]
[Note k: _Expressing the scite therof iuting out into those
dangerous Seas, betwixt England and Ireland._]
[Note l: _Their terrible conflicts (many times) with the Scots,
expressed in the fight between the golden and red Lyons._]
[Stanza 74]
Thus as themselues the English men had show'd
Vnder the Ensigne of each seu'rall Shiere,
The Natiue Welch who no lesse honour ow'd
To their owne King, nor yet lesse valiant were,
In one strong Reg'ment had themselues bestow'd,
And of the rest, resumed had the Reare:
To their owne Quarter marching as the rest,
As neatly Arm'd, and brauely as the best.
[Stanza 75]
[a]Pembrooke, a Boat wherein a Lady stood,
Rowing her selfe within a quiet Bay;
Those men of South-Wales of the [b]mixed blood,
Had of the Welch the leading of the way:
Caermardin[c] in her Colours beare a Rood,
Whereon an olde man lean'd himselfe to stay
At a Starre pointing; which of great renowne,
Was skilfull Merlin, namer of that Towne.
[Note a: _Milford Hauen in Pembrookeshiere, one of the brauest
harbours in the knowne world, therefore not vnaptly so
expressed._]
[Note b: _Partly Dutch, partly English, partly Welch._]
[Note c: _Merlin, by whose birth and knowledge that towne is made
famous._]
[Stanza 76]
[d]Clamorgan men, a Castell great and hie,
From which, out of the Battlement aboue,
A flame shot vp it selfe into the skye:
The men of [e]Munmouth (for the ancient loue
To that deare Country; neighbouring them so nie)
Next after them in Equipage that moue,
Three Crownes Imperiall which supported were,
With three Arm'd Armes, in their proud Ensigne beare.
[Note d: _A Watch Tower or Pharus, hauing the scituation where
Seuerne beginneth to widden, as when Pirats haue come in to giue
warning to the other Maratyne Countries._]
[Note e: _For the glory it hath attained, to be the Kings
birth-place, and to expresse his principalities._]
[Stanza 77]
The men of [f]Brecknock brought a Warlick Tent,
Vpon whose top there sate a watchfull Cock,
Radnor,[g] a mountaine of a high assent,
Thereon a Shepheard keeping of his Flock,
As [h]Cardigan the next to them that went,
Came with a Mermayde sitting on a Rock,
And [i]Merioneth beares (as these had done)
Three dancing Goates against the rising Sunne.
[Note f: _The Armes of Brecknock._]
[Note g: _Lying towards the midst of Wales, and for aboundance of
Sheepe, liuing on those high Mountaines._]
[Note h: _Expressing the scituation of that Shiere, lying on the
Maratine part vpon the Irish Sea._]
[Note i: _For the aboundance of Goates, being on those
inaccessible Mountaines._]
[Stanza 78]
Those of [a]Montgomery, beare a prancing Steed,
Denbigh[b] a Neptune with his three-fork'd Mace:
Flintshiere[c] a Workmayd in her Summers weed,
With Sheafe and Sickle (with a warlick pace)
Those of Caernaruon not the least in speed,
Though marching last (in the mayne Armies face)
Three golden Eagles in their Ensigne brought,
Vnder which oft braue Owen Guyneth fought.
[Note a: _The Shiere breeding the best Horses of Wales._]
[Note b: _As opening it selfe to the great North or Deucalidonian
Sea._]
[Note c: _Expressing the abundance of Corn and grasse, in that
little Tract._]
[Stanza 79]
The Seas amazed at the fearefull sight,
Of Armes, and Ensignes, that aboard were brought,
Of Streamers, Banners, Pennons, Ensignes pight,
Vpon each Pup and Prowe; and at the fraught,
So full of terror, that it hardly might
Into a naturall course againe be brought,
As the vaste Nauie which at Anchor rides,
Proudly presumes to shoulder out the Tides.
[Stanza 80: _A Simile of the Nauy._]
The Fleet then full, and floating on the Maine,
The numerous Masts, with their braue Topsailes spred,
When as the Winde a little doth them straine,
Seeme like a Forrest bearing her proud head
Against some rough flawe, that forerunns a raine;
So do they looke from euery loftie sted,
Which with the Surges tumbled too and fro,
Seeme (euen) to bend, as trees are seene to doe.
[Stanza 81: _The braue solemnity at the departing of the Fleet._]
From euery Ship when as the Ordnance rore,
Of their depart, that all might vnderstand,
When as the zealous people from the shore,
Againe with fires salute them from the Land,
For so was order left with them before,
To watch the Beacons, with a carefull hand,
Which being once fierd, the people more or lesse,
Should all to Church, and pray for their successe.
[Stanza 82: _The Nauy Landing in the mouth of Seyne._]
They shape their Course into the Month of Seyne,
That destin'd Flood those Nauies to receiue,
Before whose fraught her France had prostrate laine,
As now she must this, that shall neuer leaue,
Vntill the Engines that it doth containe,
Into the ayre her heightned walls shall heaue;
Whose stubborne Turrets had refus'd to bow,
To that braue Nation that shall shake them now.
[Stanza 83]
Long Boates with Scouts are put to land before,
Vpon light Naggs the Countrey to discry,
(Whilst the braue Army setting is on shore,)
To view what strength the enemy had nie,
Pressing the bosome of large France so sore,
That her pale Genius, in affright doth flye
To all her Townes and warnes them to awake,
And for her safety vp their Armes to take.
[Stanza 84]
At Paris, Roan, and Orleance, she calls,
And at their gates with gronings doth complaine:
Then cries she out, O get vp to your walls:
The English Armies are return'd againe,
Which in two Battailes gaue those fatall falls,
At Cressie, and at Poyteers, where lay slaine
Our conquered Fathers, which with very feare
Quake in their Graues to feele them landed here.
[Stanza 85]
The King of France now hauing vnderstood,
Of Henries entrance, (but too well improu'd,)
He cleerly saw that deere must be the blood,
That it must cost, e'r he could be remou'd;
He sends to make his other Sea Townes good,
Neuer before so much it him behou'd;
In eu'ry one a Garison to lay,
Fearing fresh powers from England eu'ry day.
[Stanza 86: _The braue encouragement of a couragious King._]
To the high'st earth whilst awfull Henry gets,
From whence strong Harflew he might easl'est see,
With sprightly words, and thus their courage whets,
In yonder walls be Mynes of gold (quoth he)
He's a poore Slaue, that thinkes of any debts;
Harflew shall pay for all, it ours shall be:
This ayre of France doth like me wondrous well,
Lets burne our Ships, for here we meane to dwell.
[Stanza 87: _A charitable Proclamation made by the King._]
But through his Hoast, he first of all proclaim'd
In paine of death, no English man should take
From the Religious, aged, or the maym'd,
Or women that could no resistance make:
To gaine his owne for that he onely aym'd;
Nor would haue such to suffer for his sake:
Which in the French (when they the same did heare)
Bred of this braue King, a religious feare.
[Stanza 88: _The Kings mayne Standard (for the ponderousnes thereof,)
euer borne vpon a Carriage._]
His Army rang'd, in order fitting warre,
Each with some greene thing doth his Murrian crowne,
With his mayne standard fixt vpon the Carre;
Comes the great King before th'intrenched Towne,
Whilst from the walls the people gazing are,
In all their sights he sets his Army downe;
Nor for their shot he careth not a pin,
But seekes where he his Battery may begin.
[Stanza 89: _The King makes his approches on three parts._]
And into three, his Army doth diuide,
His strong aproaches on three parts to make;
Himselfe on th'one, Clarence on th'other side,
To Yorke and Suffolke he the third doth take,
The Mines the Duke of Glocester doth guide;
Then caus'd his Ships the Riuer vp to Stake,
That none with Victuall should the Towne relieue
Should the Sword faile, with Famine them to grieue.
[Stanza 90: _The King summons Harflew._]
From his Pauillion where he sate in State,
Arm'd for the Siedge, and buckling on his Shield,
Braue Henry sends his Herault to the Gate,
By Trumpets sound, to summon them to yeeld,
And to accept his Mercy, ere to late,
Or else to say ere he forsooke the field,
Harflew should be but a meere heape of Stones,
Her buildings buried with her Owners bones.
[Stanza 91]
France on this sudaine put into a fright,
With the sad newes of Harflew in distresse,
Whose inexpected, miserable plight,
She on the suddaine, knew not to redresse,
But vrg'd to doe the vtmost that she might,
The peoples feares and clamours to suppresse,
Raiseth a power with all the speede she could,
Somewhat thereby, to loose King Henries hold.
[Stanza 92: _Charles de Alibert, and Iohn Bowcequalt._]
The Marshall, and the Constable of France,
Leading those Forces levied for the turne,
By which they thought their Titles to aduance,
And of their Countrey endlesse praise to earne,
But it with them farre otherwise doth chance,
For when they saw the Villages to burne,
And high-towr'd Harflew round ingirt with fires,
They with their powers to Cawdebeck retire.
[Stanza 93: _A Simile of the French powers._]
Like as a Hinde when shee her Calfe doth see,
Lighted by chance into a Lions pawes,
From which should shee aduenture it to free,
Shee must her selfe fill his deuouring Iawes,
And yet her young one, still his prey must be,
(Shee so instructed is by Natures Lawes:)
With them so fares it, which must needs goe downe
If they would fight; and yet must loose the Towne:
[Stanza 94: _A description of the siege of Harflewe, in the 19 following
Stanzaes._]
Now doe they mount their Ordnance for the day,
Their scaling Ladders rearing to the walls,
Their battering Rammes against the gates they lay,
Their brazen slings send in the wilde-fire balls,
Baskets of twigs now carie stones and clay,
And to th'assault who furiously not falls;
The Spade and Pickax working are belowe,
Which then vnfelt, yet gaue the greatest blowe.
[Stanza 95]
Rampiers of earth the painefull Pyoners raise
With the walls equall, close vpon the Dike,
To passe by which the Souldier that assayes,
On Planks thrust ouer, one him downe doth strike:
Him with a mall a second English payes,
A second French transpearc'd him with a Pyke:
That from the height of the embattel'd Towers,
Their mixed blood ranne downe the walls in showers.
[Stanza 96]
A French man back into the Towne doth fall,
With a sheafe Arrow shot into the head;
An English man in scaling of the wall,
From the same place is by a stone struck dead;
Tumbling vpon them logs of wood, and all,
That any way for their defence might sted:
The hills at hand re-ecchoing with the din
Of shouts without, and fearefull shrickes within.
[Stanza 97: _Crosbowe Arrowes._]
When all at once the English men assaile,
The French within all valiantly defend,
And in a first assault, if any faile,
They by a second striue it to amend:
Out of the Towne come quarries thick as haile;
As thick againe their Shafts the English send:
The bellowing Canon from both sides doth rore,
With such a noyse as makes the Thunder pore.
[Stanza 98]
Now vpon one side you should heare a cry,
And all that Quarter clowded with a smother;
The like from that against it by and by;
As though the one were eccho to the other,
The King and Clarence so their turnes can ply:
And valiant Gloster showes himselfe their brother;
Whose Mynes to the besieg'd more mischiefe doe,
Then with th'assaults aboue, the other two.
[Stanza 99]
An olde man sitting by the fier side,
Decrepit with extreamity of Age,
Stilling his little Grand-childe when it cride,
Almost distracted with the Batteries rage:
Sometimes doth speake it faire, sometimes doth chide,
As thus he seekes its mourning to asswage,
By chance a Bullet doth the chimney hit,
Which falling in, doth kill both him and it.
[Stanza 100]
Whilst the sad weeping Mother sits her downe,
To giue her little new-borne Babe the Pap:
A lucklesse quarry leueld at the Towne,
Kills the sweet Baby sleeping in her lap,
That with the fright shee falls into a swoone,
From which awak'd, and mad with the mishap;
As vp a Rampire shreeking she doth clim,
Comes a great Shot, and strikes her lim from lim.
[Stanza 101]
Whilst a sort runne confusedly to quench,
Some Pallace burning, or some fired Street,
Call'd from where they were fighting in the Trench;
They in their way with Balls of Wilde-fire meet,
So plagued are the miserable French,
Not aboue head, but also vnder feet:
For the fierce English vowe the Towne to take,
Or of it soone a heape of stones to make.
[Stanza 102]
Hot is the Siege the English comming on,
As men so long to be kept out that scorne,
Carelesse of wounds as they were made of stone;
As with their teeth the walls they would haue torne:
Into a Breach who quickly is not gone;
Is by the next behind him ouer-borne:
So that they found a place that gaue them way,
They neuer car'd what danger therein lay.
[Stanza 103]
From eu'ry Quarter they their course must plye,
As't pleas'd the King them to th'assault to call:
Now on the Duke of Yorke the charge doth lye:
To Kent and Cornwall then the turne doth fall:
Then Huntingdon vp to the walls they crye:
Then Suffolke, and then Excester; which all
In their meane Souldiers habits vs'd to goe,
Taking such part as those that own'd them doe.
[Stanza 104]
The men of Harflew rough excursions make,
Vpon the English watchfull in their Tent,
Whose courages they to their cost awake,
With many a wound that often back them sent,
So proud a Sally that durst vndertake,
And in the Chase pell mell amongst them went,
For on the way such ground of them they win,
That some French are shut out, some English in.
[Stanza 105]
Nor idely sit our Men at Armes the while,
Foure thousand Horse that eu'ry day goe out;
And of the Field are Masters many a mile,
By putting the Rebellious French to rout;
No Peasants them with promises beguile:
Another bus'nesse they were come about;
For him they take, his Ransome must redeeme,
Onely French Crownes, the English men esteeme.
[Stanza 106]
Whilst English Henry lastly meanes to trye:
By three vast Mynes, the walls to ouerthrowe.
The French men their approches that espye,
By Countermynes doe meete with them belowe,
And as opposed in the Workes they lye:
Vp the Besieged the Besiegers blowe,
That stifled quite, with powder as with dust,
Longer to walls they found it vaine to trust.
[Stanza 107]
Till Gaucourt then, and Tuttivile that were
The Townes Commanders, (with much perill) finde
The Resolution that the English beare;
As how their owne to yeelding were enclinde,
Summon to parly, off'ring frankly there;
If that ayde came not by a day assignde,
To giue the Towne vp, might their liues stand free:
As for their goods, at Henries will to be.
[Stanza 108]
And hauing wonne their conduct to the King,
Those hardy Chiefes on whom the charge had layne:
Thither those well-fed Burgesses doe bring,
What they had off'red strongly to maintaine
In such a case, although a dang'rous thing,
Yet they so long vpon their knees remaine:
That fiue dayes respight from his Grant they haue,
Which was the most, they (for their liues) durst craue.
[Stanza 109]
The time perfixed comming to expire,
And their reliefe ingloriously delay'd:
Nothing within their sight but sword, and fire;
And bloody Ensignes eu'ry where display'd:
The English still within themselues entire,
When all these things they seriously had way'd,
To Henries mercy found that they must trust,
For they perceiu'd their owne to be iniust.
[Stanza 110]
The Ports are opened, weapons layd aside,
And from the walls th'Artillary displac'd:
The Armes of England are aduanc'd in pride:
The watch Tower, with Saint Georges Banner grac'd:
Liue Englands Henry, all the people cride:
Into the Streetes their women runne in hast,
Bearing their little Children, for whose sake
They hop'd the King would the more mercy take.
[Stanza 111: _The King of England entreth Harflew in triumph._]
The gates thus widened with the breath of Warre;
Their ample entrance to the English gaue:
There was no dore that then had any barre;
For of their owne not any thing they haue:
When Henry comes on his Emperiall Carre:
To whom they kneele their liues alone to saue.
Strucken with wonder, when that face they sawe,
Wherein such mercy was, with so much awe.
[Stanza 112]
And first themselues the English to secure,
Doubting what danger might be yet within;
The strongest Forts, and Citadell make sure,
To showe that they could keepe as well as win,
And though the spoyles them wondrously alure,
To fall to pillage e'r they will begin,
They shut each passage, by which any power
Might be brought on to hinder, but an hower.
[Stanza 113]
That Conquering King which entring at the gate,
Borne by the presse as in the ayre he swamme:
Vpon the suddaine layes aside his state,
And of a Lyon is become a Lambe:
He is not now what he was but of late:
But on his bare feete to the Church he came:
By his example, as did all the presse,
To giue God thankes, for his first good successe.
[Stanza 114: _King Henry offereth to decide his right by single
combat._]
And sends his Herauld to King Charles to say,
That though he thus was setled on his shore,
Yet he his Armes was ready downe to lay,
His ancient right if so he would restore:
But if the same he wilfully denay,
To stop th'effusion of their Subiects gore;
He frankly off'reth in a single fight,
With the young Daulphine to decide his right.
[Stanza 115]
Eight dayes at Harflew he doth stay to heare,
What answere back, his Herauld him would bring:
But when he found that he was ne'r the neere;
And that the Daulphine meaneth no such thing,
As to fight single; nor that any were
To deale for composition from the King:
He casts for Callice to make forth his way,
And takes such Townes, as in his Iourneyes lay.
[Stanza 116]
But first his bus'nesse he doth so contriue,
To curbe the Townes-men, should they chance to stirre
Of Armes, and Office he doth them depriue,
And to their roomes the English doth preferre:
Out of the Ports all Vagrants he doth driue,
And therein sets his Vnckle Excester:
This done, to martch he bids the thundring Drummes,
To scourge proud France whe now her Coqueror comes.
[Stanza 117]
The King and Daulphine hauing vnderstood,
How on his way this haughty Henry was
Ouer the Soame, which is a dangerous flood;
Pluckt downe the Bridges that might giue him passe;
And eu'ry thing, if fit for humane food,
Caus'd to be forrag'd; (to a wondrous masse)
And more then this, his Iourneyes to fore-slowe,
He scarce one day vnskirmish'd with, doth goe.
[Stanza 118]
But on his march, in midst of all his foes;
He like a Lyon keepes them all at bay,
And when they seeme him strictly to enclose;
Yet through the thick'st he hewes him out a way:
Nor the proud Daulphine dare him to oppose;
Though off'ring oft his Army to fore-lay:
Nor all the power the enuious French can make,
Force him one foote, his path (but) to forsake.
[Stanza 119: _A ford found in the Riuer of Soame._]
And each day as his Army doth remoue,
Marching along vpon Soames Marshy side,
His men at Armes on their tall Horses proue,
To finde some shallow, ouer where to ryde,
But all in vaine against the Streame they stroue,
Till by the helpe of a laborious guide,
A Ford was found to set his Army ore
Which neuer had discouered beene before.
[Stanza 120]
The newes divulg'd that he had waded Soame,
And safe to shore his Caridges had brought,
Into the Daulphins bosome strooke so home,
And one the weakenesse of King Charles so wrought;
That like the troubled Sea, when it doth Foame,
As in a rage, to beate the Rocks to nought;
So doe they storme, and curse on curse they heapt
Gainst those which should the passages haue kept.
[Stanza 121: _A Counsell held at Roan against the King of England._]
And at that time, both resident in Roan,
Thither for this assembling all the Peeres,
Whose Counsailes now must vnderprop their Throne
Against the Foe; which, not a man but feares;
Yet in a moment confident are growne,
When with fresh hopes, each one his fellow cheeres,
That ere the English to their Callis got,
Some for this spoile should pay a bloudy shot.
[Stanza 122]
Therfore they both in solemne Counsaile satt,
With Berry and with Britaine their Alies;
Now speake they of this course, and then of that,
As to insnare him how they might diuise;
Something they faine would doe, but know not what,
At length the Duke Alanzon vp doth rise,
And crauing silence of the King and Lords,
Against the English, brake into these words.
[Stanza 123: _A speech of the Duke Alanzon against the English._]
Had this vnbridled youth an Army led,
That any way were worthy of your feare,
Against our Nation, that durst turne the head,
Such as the former English forces were,
This care of yours, your Countrey then might sted,
To tell you then, who longer can forbeare,
That into question, you our valour bring,
To call a Counsaile for so poore a thing.
[Stanza 124]
A Route of tatter'd Rascalls starued so,
As forced through extreamity of need
To rake for scraps on Dunghils as they goe,
And on the Berries of the Shrubs to feed,
Besides with fluxes are enfeebled so,
And other foule diseases that they breed,
That they, there Armes disabled are to sway,
But in their march doe leaue them on the way.
[Stanza 125]
And to our people but a handfull are,
Scarse thirtie thousand, when to Land they came,
Of which to England dayly some repayre,
Many from Harflew carried sicke and lame,
Fitter for Spittles, and the Surgions care,
Then with their Swords on vs to winne them fame,
Vnshod, and without stockings are the best,
And those by Winter miserably opprest.
[Stanza 126]
To let them dye vpon their march abroad,
And Fowles vpon their Carkases to feed,
The heapes of them vpon the common road
A great infection likely were to breed,
For our owne safeties see them then bestow'd,
And doe for them this charitable deede:
Vnder our Swords together let them fall,
And one that day they dye, be buried all.
[Stanza 127]
This bold invectiue forc'd against the Foe,
Although it most of the Assembly seas'd,
Yet those which better did the English know,
Were but a little with his speeches pleas'd,
And that the Duke of Berry meant to showe:
Which when the murmure somewhat was appeas'd,
After a while their listning silence breakes,
And thus in answere of Alanzon speakes.
[Stanza 128: _The Duke of Berrys answere to Alanzon._]
My Liedge, quoth he, and you my Lords, and Peeres,
Whom this great businesse chiefely doth concerne,
By my experience, now so many yeeres
To know the English I am not to learne;
Nor I more feeling haue of humane feares
Than fitteth Manhood, nor doe hope to earne
Suffrage from any; but by zeale am wonne,
To speake my minde here, as the Duke hath done.
[Stanza 129]
Th'euents of Warre are various (as I know)
And say, the losse vpon the English light,
Yet may a dying man giue such a blow,
As much may hinder his proud Conquerours might;
It is enough our puissant power to showe
To the weake English, now vpon their flight,
When want, and winter, strongly spurre them on,
You else but slay them, that would faine be gon.
[Stanza 130]
I like our Forces their first course should hold,
To skirmish with them, vpon euery stay,
But fight by no meanes with them, though they would,
Except they finde them forraging for pray,
So still you haue them shut vp in a Fould,
And still to Callis keepe them in their way;
So Fabius wearied Hanibal, so we
May English Henry, pleased if you be.
[Stanza 131]
And of the English rid your Countrey cleane,
If on their backs, but Callice walles they win,
Whose Frontier Townes you easly may maintaine,
With a strong Army still to keepe them in;
Then let our Ships make good the mouth of Seyne,
And at your pleasure Harflew you may winne,
Ere with Supplys againe they can inuade,
Spent in the Voyage lately hither made.
[Stanza 132]
That day at Poyteers, in that bloudy Field,
The sudaine turne in that great Battell then,
Shall euer teach me, whilest I Armes can weeld,
Neuer to trust to multitudes of men;
Twas the first day that ere I wore a Sheeld,
Oh let me neuer see the like agen!
Where their Blacke Edward such a Battell wonne
As to behold it might amaze the Sunne.
[Stanza 133]
There did I see our conquered Fathers fall,
Before the English on that fatall ground,
When as to ours their number was but small,
And with braue Spirits France ne'r did more abound,
Yet oft that Battaile into minde I call,
Whereas of ours, one man seemd all one wound,
I instance this; yet humbly here submit
My selfe to fight, if you shall thinke it fit.
[Stanza 134: _Young mens counsailes ofttimes proue the vtter subuersion
both of themselues and others._]
The Marshall and the Constable about
To second, what this sager Duke had said:
The youthfull Lords into a cry brake out,
Gainst their opinions, so that ouer-sway'd,
Some seeming of their Loyalties to doubt;
Alanzon as an Oracle obay'd,
And not a French then present, but doth sweare
To kill an English if ynow there were.
[Stanza 135: _The French King sendeth to dare the King of England to
Battaile._]
A Herault posted presently away,
The King of England to the field to dare,
To bid him cease his spoyle, nor to delay
Gainst the French power his forces but prepare:
For that King Charles determin'd to display
His bloody Ensignes, and through France declare
The day, and place, that Henry should set downe,
In which their Battailes, should dispose the Crowne.
[Stanza 136: _The King of Englands modest answer._]
This newes to Henry by the Herault brought,
As one dispassion'd soberly (quoth he)
Had your King pleas'd, we sooner might haue fought;
For now my Souldiers much enfeebled be:
Nor day, nor place, for Battaile shall be sought
By English Henry: but if he seeke me,
I to my vtmost will my selfe defend,
And to th'Almighties pleasure leaue the end.
[Stanza 137]
The brute of this intended Battaile spred,
The coldnesse of each sleeping courage warmes,
And in the French that daring boldnesse bred:
Like casting Bees that they arise in swarmes,
Thinking the English downe so farre to tred,
As past that day ne'r more to rise in Armes,
T'extirpe the name, if possible it were,
At least not after to be heard of there.
[Stanza 138: _A Simily of the rising of the French._]
As when you see the enuious Crowe espye,
Something that shee doth naturally detest:
With open throat how shee doth squall and crye;
And from the next Groue calleth in the rest,
And they for those beyond them bawling flye,
Till their foule noyse doth all the ayre infest:
Thus French, the French to this great Battaile call,
Vpon their swords to see the English fall.
[Stanza 139: _Dauid Gam, a great Captain in that Warr._]
And to the King when seriously one tolde,
With what an Host he should encountred be,
Gam noting well, the King did him behold,
In the reporting; Merrily (quoth he)
My Liege I'le tell you if I may be bold,
We will diuide this Army into three:
One part we'll kill, the second prisoners stay;
And for the third, we'll leaue to runne away.
[Stanza 140]
But for the Foe came hourely in so fast,
Lest they his Army should disordred take:
The King who wisely doth the worst forecast,
His speedy martch doth presently forsake,
Into such forme and his Battalion cast;
That doe their worst they should not eas'ly shake:
For that his scouts which forrag'd had the Coast,
Bad him at hand expect a puissant Host.
[Stanza 141: _The Duke of Yorke._]
On which ere long the English Vanward light,
Which York, of men the brauest, doth command,
When either of them in the others sight,
He caus'd the Army instantly to stand,
As though preparing for a present Fight,
And rideth forth from his couragious Band,
To view the French, whose numbers ouer spread,
The troubled Country on whose earth they tread.
[Stanza 142]
Now were both Armies got vpon that ground,
As on a Stage, where they their strengthes must trye,
Whence from the wydth of many a gaping wound,
There's many a soule into the Ayre must flye:
Meane while the English that some ease had found;
By the aduantage of a Village nie,
There set them downe the Battell to abide,
Where they the place had strongly fortifide.
[Stanza 143: _The French scorning the English, being so fewe in respect
of their mighty power._]
Made drunke with pride the haughty French disdaine,
Lesse then their owne, a multitude to view,
Nor aske of God the victory to gaine,
Vpon the English wext so poore and fewe,
To stay their slaughter thinking it a paine,
And lastly to that insolence they grewe,
Quoyts, Lots, and Dice for Englishmen to cast,
And sweare to pay, the Battaile being past.
[Stanza 144]
For knots of corde to eu'ry Towne they send,
The Captiu'd English that they caught to binde,
For to perpetuall slau'ry they intend:
Those that aliue they on the Field should finde,
So much as that they fear'd lest they should spend
Too many English, wherefore they assignde
Some to keepe fast those, fayne that would be gon
After the Fight, to try their Armes vpon.
[Stanza 145]
One his bright sharpe-eg'd Semiter doth showe,
Off'ring to lay a thousand Crownes (in pride)
That he two naked English at one blowe,
Bound back to back will at the wasts diuide,
Some bett his sword will do't, some others no,
After the Battaile, and they'll haue it tride:
Another wafts his Blade about his head,
And shewes them how their hamstrings he will shread.
[Stanza 146]
They part their prisoners, passing them for debt,
And in their Ransome ratibly accord
To a Prince of ours, a Page of theirs they set;
And a French Lacky to an English Lord;
As for our Gentry them to hyre they'll let,
And as good cheape as they can them afford,
Branded for Slaues that if they hapt to stray,
Knowne by the marke, them any one might slay.
[Stanza 147]
And cast to make a Chariot for the King,
Painted with Antickes, and ridiculous toyes,
In which they meane to Paris him to bring,
To make sport to their Madames and their Boyes,
And will haue Rascalls, Rymes of him to sing,
Made in his mock'ry; and in all these ioyes,
They bid the Bells to ring, and people crie,
Before the Battaile, France and Victorie.
[Stanza 148]
And to the King and Daulphine sent away
(Who at that time residing were in Roane)
To be partakers of that glorious day:
Wherein the English should be ouerthrowne,
Lest that of them ensuing times should say,
That for their safety they forsooke their owne:
When France did that braue victory obtaine,
That shall her lasting'st monument remaine.
[Stanza 149]
The poore distressed Englishmen the whiles,
Not dar'd by doubt, and lesse appaul'd with dread
Of their Arm'd Pykes, some sharpning are the pyles,
The Archer grinding his barb'd Arrow head:
Their Bills and Blades, some whetting are with Files:
And some their Armours strongly Riueted:
Some pointing Stakes to stick into the ground,
To guard the Bow-men, and their Horse to wound.
[Stanza 150: _The Ryot in the French Campe the night before the
Battell._]
The night fore-running this most dreadfull day:
The French that all to iollity encline:
Some fall to dancing, some againe to play:
And some are drinking to this great Designe:
But all in pleasure spend the night away:
The Tents with lights, the Fields with Boone-fires shine:
The common Souldiers Free-mens Catches sing:
With showtes and laughter all the Campe doth ring.
[Stanza 151]
The wearied English watchfull o'r their Foes,
(The depth of night then drawing on so fast)
That fayne a little would themselues repose,
With thanks to God, doe take that small repast
Which that poore Village willingly bestowes:
And hauing plac'd their Sentinels at last,
They fall to Prayer, and in their Cabins blest,
T'refresh their spirits, then tooke them to their rest.
[Stanza 152: _Pondering in his thoughts, his Fathers comming to the
Crowne by deposing the rightfull King._]