Chapter I: Front Matter (1)

AN
ENGLISH
GARNER

INGATHERINGS FROM OUR
HISTORY AND LITERATURE
BY EDWARD ARBER, F.S.A.

'_Yea, history hath triumphed over time--which
besides it, nothing but eternity hath triumphed
over._' SIR W. RALEIGH, Hist. of the World.

'_Airs and madrigals that whisper softness in
chambers._' J. MILTON, Areopagitica.

ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE AND CO.
2 WHITEHALL GARDENS, WESTMINSTER

MDCCCXCVII

Contents of the Eighth Volume.
PAGE

JOHN LYDGATE. _The Siege of Harfleur and the Battle of
Agincourt._

(1415.) [Printed c. 1530.] 13

JOHN FOX. _How the Lord CROMWELL helped Archbishop Cranmer's
Secretary._ (July 1539.) 25

JOHN PROCTOR. _The History of Sir THOMAS WYAT's
Rebellion._ (Jan.-Feb. 1544.) [Printed Jan. 1555.] 37

---- _The True Report of the burning of the Steeple and
Church of Paul's in London._ (4 June 1561.) 109

R. W[ITC]. _Against the wilful inconstancy of his dear foe E.
T._ (? 1566.) 32

IS. W._To her unconstant Lover._ (? 1566.) 227

W. G. _A Love Letter to an unconstant Maiden._ (? 1566.) 239

[GEORGE GASCOIGNE.] _The Spoil of Antwerp._ It is better known
as The Spanish Fury at Antwerp. (Nov. 1576.) 141

GEORGE ELLIOT. _A very true Report of the apprehension of that
arch-Priest EDMUND CAMPION and three other Jesuit Priests._
(July 1581.) 203

[MARY.] _The Scottish Queen's Burial at Peterborough._
(1 August 1587.) [Printed 1589.] 341

THEOCRITUS. _Six Idillia._ Translated by E. D. [? Sir
EDWARD DYER]. (1588.) 117

Rev. RICHARD HAKLUYT and Captain NICHOLAS DOWNTON.
_The Destruction, Capture, &c., of Portuguese Carracks_
[Santa Cruz, Madre de Dios, Las Cinque Llagas,] _by
English seamen_. (1592-1594.) 245
[GILES FLETCHER, LL.D.] _LICIA, or Poems of Love--The
Rising to the Crown of Richard III._ (Sept. 1593.) 413

RICHARD HASLETON. _Strange and wonderful things that
happened to him in his Ten Years' Travels in many foreign
countries._ (1582-1592.) [Printed 1595.] 367

WILLIAM SMITH. _CHLORIS, or the Complaint of the
passionate despised Shepherd._ (1596.) 171

R[OBERT] T[OFTE]. _LAURA_ [_i.e._, Mistress E. CARIL].

_The Toys of a Traveller, or The Feast of Fancy._ (1597.) 267

---- _The Merchant's Daughter of Bristow_ [Bristol]. (? 1600.) 399

[? THOMAS DELONEY.] _The Spanish Lady's Love._ (? 1600.) 200

Sir ROBERT CAREY, afterwards Earl of MONMOUTH.
_Account of the Death of Queen ELIZABETH; and of his ride to
King JAMES at Edinburgh._ (25th-27th March 1603.) [Printed
1759.] 476

T. M. _The true Narration of the Entertainment of his Royal
Majesty [JAMES I.] from the time of his departure from
Edinburgh till his receiving at London._ (April-May 1603.) 485

MICHAEL DRAYTON. _Odes._ (1606, and 1619.) 527

---- _Love's Garland, or Posies for Rings, &c._ (1624.) 97

THOMAS, third Lord FAIRFAX ['Black TOM'].
_Short Memorials of some things to be cleared during my
Command in the Army._ (1645-1650.) 564

---- _A Short Memorial of the Northern Actions, during the
War there._ (1642-1645.) 577

---- _CUPID's Posies for Bracelets, Handkerchers, and Rings._
(1674.) 351

GEORGE VILLIERS, second Duke of BUCKINGHAM. _An
Epitaph on THOMAS, third Lord FAIRFAX._ (? 1677) 611

W. P. _Posies for Rings, or Mottoes fit for Presents._ (1677.) 410

[Bishop EDWARD COPLESTONE.] _Advice to a young Reviewer: with
a Specimen of the Art_ [_i.e._, a Mock Criticism of MILTON's
_L'Allegro_.] (1807.) 615

W. HUNNEMAN. _Old King COLE, his life and death._ (?
1830-? 1837.) 633

_FIRST LINES OF POEMS AND STANZAS._

PAGE
Accept in gree 273
After that Harflete 20
A gallant Master 401
A gallant Whistle 121
A gallant Youth 399
A gentle tame 326
A' [=Ah] LICIA sigh! 449
"A King I was 466
Alas, wilt thou 242
All that this earth 556
All youthful wights 32
Also I find that 230
A LUCRECE for 232
A maiden 360
Am I a GORGON? 179
Amongst the 311
And, after many 404
And arm in arm 408
And as there 547
And by these 560
And cast me into 33
And cheerfully 546
And diversely 530
And ere her 402
And fain I would 401
And feeds him 536
"And for myself 549
"And if they crown 470
And if ye list to 558
And if you cannot 229
And in her heart 400
And in my choice 533
And in regions 547
"And I a Whistle 121
"'And I protest' 471
"And I," quoth he 404
And I, who was 238
"And me, not long ago 123
And now, "Farewell!" 234
And now he pries 238
And now to take 399
And raised my 415
And since doomed 535
And since the Feast 557
And since the fish 238
And taking many 548
And that great 562
And the ambitious 547
And this whereso 229
And Thou, the Genius 174
And though the 273
And thus I end 36
And thyself such 241
And turning to 549
And unto me 231
"And wantonly 535
And what's 544
And when he to our 19
And when they 409
And when you 233
And whether Nature 415
And why not I? 529
"An English Friar 407
An ocean Sea of 315
A painter drew 429
APOLLO and the 529
Are those two stars? 446
As are the sands 433
As Britons that 531
As burnished 289
As by ENEAS, first 230
As close as you 229
As duty wills 240
As his prisoner 200
As rocks become, 300
As sacrifice 335
A she there was 462
As those 530
"A tempest 122
A wise man poor 108

Beauty is like 362
Behold the 399
Being likewise 185
Believe it, he 552
Between [South]hampton 16
Beware of fair and 234
"Blest be the land 404
"Blest be the time 201
"Blood and Revenge 474
Bold are her (_bis_) 459
Both gems, and 312
Bright matchless 424
Bring forth your 557
Britans, you stay 546
But, all in vain 233
"But as the wolf 468
But, at last, there 200
But did declare 407
But ere the 402
But heaven shall 464
But heavens 463
But here, good 35
But how shall we 555
But if his falsehood 231
But if I cannot 232
But if I seem as yet 127
But if that every 32
But if that thou 35
But I'll not 560
But let that pass 233
But let the Poets 133
But like LEANDER 237
But, lo, in happy 553
"But most of all 405
But now, alas 405
But now let VENUS 35
But now the harvest 33
But now what 242
But of thy 238
But of thy heart 198
But Plaints and 463
But rather than 232
But She, good Sir! 559
But sith thy 238
But such as I can 234
But 'tis dissolved 555
But wavering 243
"But well I know 126
But when the 408
But will ye not 235
By her a kiss 462

Can plighted 240
Can they that sit 240
Cease eyes to weep 180
Changed is my 291
Clip me no more 561
"Clusters of 468
Cold are her lips 459
COLIN, I know that 199
COLIN, my dear and 173
Come forth, fair 127
Come, my Love 359
"Commend me to that 202
Condemned he was 405
Conflicts as 543
Consider these 243
Courteous CALLIOPE 175
_Courteous Lady_ 202
Coventry that 561
Cruel fair Love 446
CUPID's _Posies_ 366

Dear City! 563
Death, in a rage 428
DIANA shineth 288
Die, die, my Hopes 196
Distance of 462
Do not too 363
DORIS, I love not 454
Down from the 278
Down in a bed 461
"Do you resolve 464
Drawn, cunning 302

Each beast in 193
Each frown of 364
"Each little bird 553
Ease by Disease 56
ELSTRED I pity 466
EUNICA scorned 137
Even as the lamp 293

"Fair Bridegroom 134
Fair Bristow 400
FAIRFAX the 611
"Fair Maid," quoth 402
Fair Maids, my 366
Fair matchless 443
Fair MAUDLIN 400
Fair Shepherdess 195
Fair stood the 548
Fairest, wear 365
Far better had 292
Farewell! Adieu! 243
"Farewell," quoth 399
Far more's my 317
Fearing of harm 542
Feed, silly sheep! 176
First did I fear 434
"For certainty it 555
"For ere I will 407
For every great gun 17
For God's sake 560
For he always did 237
For help the 19
For I, by suit 32
For if alone 445
For, lo, my careful 33
"For, look, what 408
For only Thee 274
For she that 232
For to behold my 286
For they be such 529
For they, for 231
For trial shall 235
For we, her peers 135
For when he, by 230
"Fortune and I 466
Fortune, cross 275
Frequent not 35
From milk of 304

"Gallant Captain 200
Give her th' Eoan 532
Give warmth to 173
Glad was her 460
GLOUCESTER that Duke 551
"'GOD bless thee' 472
GOD that all this 14
Gold upon gold 331
Good folk, for 560
"Grammercy, Sirs! 15
"Grant, fairest 432
Grant me my 407
Grant me, thy 406
Great JANUS, I 532
Great ordnance 15
Great sickness 20
Great semptuous 317
Great was the 277

Had she been 562
Half this is of 555
Hard are the 428
Hark, Lovers! 300
Hear how my Sighs 442
He ne'er seemed 612
HENRY the Sixth 467
Her bosom full 533
Her canopy I'll 553
"Here is no place 407
Her father, he 409
Her gentle 409
Her loved I 558
Her Master 407
Her mother takes 403
HERO did try 236
He sighs, and sobs 405
He shipped there 23
He thinks his hap 237
"He then replied 470
He took his ship 230
How did my Heart 556
How doth fair 405
How durst he 231
_How should'st thou_ 201
"How well were I 405

"I and the Council 472
"I called the 471
IDEA, in which 562
I doubtless cannot 34
I grant an honour 454
I had the vow 559
"I have a brother 401, 406
"_I have neither_ 201
I have no Love 456
If, aged CHARON 445
If April fresh 302
If case such hap 240
If cruel, thou 327
If every woman 35
If he be dead in 447
"If his shafts 535
If in the midst 285
If I, poor wretch 34
If I somewhile 297
If LAURA, thou 279
If lovely Lass 282
If love, wherein 313
If poor thou art 108
If sad Complaint 463
If scalding 337
If SCYLLA had not 235
If Sea, no other 283
If that I die, fair 449
If those, by hope 464
If thou art cold 321
If thou intend'st 365
If thus we needs 555
If what is heavy 299
If whilom, in times 298
If white's the 293
If you so would 229
I live, sweet Love 437
"I'll pawn a calf 120
"I'll pawn no lamb 120
"I might have died 435
I never spent one 34
I paid for love 35
I pray the leave! 561
I rather wish 232
I saw, sweet LICIA 448
I send you here 363
I sowed both pure 33
I speak, fair LICIA 442
I stood amazed 432
I swear, fair 433
I that CUPID 354
"I then began to 126
I think King 231
I thrust my hand 34
"I will both see 120
"I will spend my 202
I will, yea, and 529
I wish sometimes 430
I wrote my sighs 440
Immortal fame to 131
Inamoured JOVE 431
In Ida Vale 430
In kenning of 547
In King ANTIOCHUS 130
In LOVE his 322
In places far, or 541
In silver stream 324
In Sparta, long 134
In such a height 556
In tears she 400
In the Egean 276
In time the 438
Into a pleasant 401
Into despair it 34
"Into the land 400
In vasty sea 338
It came to me 555
It cannot two 555
It is a pity you 361
It shall suffice 232
It told me, "In 555
"_It would be a_ 201

JASON, that came 230
Joy of my soul! My 324
Justly of thee 288

King NISUS had a 236

Lady, the sun 284
Lady, thou 290
Lady, what time 299
LAURA is fair and 329
"Leave me not 201
Leave off, sweet 455
Lest for a heart 360
Let THESEUS be! 231
"Let us conspire 464
"Let's laugh at 554
Let your Jests fly 557
LICIA, my Love 435
Like MEMNON's 448
Like to the blacksome 276
Like to the shipman 192
Little fish, what 237
"London's Lord 473
Long since the 540
Loose humour nor 537
Lo, thus our 23
Loud are my sighs 458
LOVE and my Love 426
LOVE, being blind 279
LOVE, I repent me 451
Love is like a 358
LOVE, ope my 311
"Love this fair 332
LOVE was laid 429
LOVE, with her hair 427

Madam, two hearts 555
Madmen, what gain 130
"Maidens, why 534
Marvel I do not, 297
"MAUDLIN", quoth 406
Meet are my 458
Messengers went 18
Most good, most 538
Mother, your 353
Mournful AMYNTAS 182
Muse, bid the Morn 553
My brother (_bis_) 467
My brother CLARENCE 17
My brother died 468
My Debtor hath 33
"My father 467
My fixed faith 191
My grief began 444
My lips I'll 553
My LAURA wonders 305
"My Lord," she said 470
My Love, amazed 427
My Love, I cannot 184
My Love lay 431
My Love was 436
My Mistress 332
"My Mistress 334
My mourning 301
"My thoughts 463, 468

Nay, just are they 241
Nay, then I see 454
"Nay," then said our 15
Never, I think, had 556
New is my love 457
Non convitia 415
None dares now 333
None stands so 559
No art nor force 105
No gifts, no gold 241
No man can be so 537
No more a man, as 294
No more I, for 552
No, No; not so, for 241
No pain like this 464
No sooner do I 308
No sooner had fair 178
No sooner LAURA 323
Nor adamant 534
Nor bravery doth 537
Nor is he foul 454
Nor is 't the Verse 531
"Nor PELOPS' kingdom 122
Nor speak I now 474
Nor think the 317
"Nor weep I now 466
Not I, but many 34
"Not long this 469
Not vouching 243
"Now as the sea 473
"Now in the Spring 534
Now may you hear 231
"Now two there were 473
Now were their 408
"Now will I walk 404

"O CYCLOPS! 128
"O DAPHNIS, what a 123
"O fair, O lovely 135
O fairest Fair, to 186
O FAITH, think not 241
"O GALATEA fair 126
"O happy Bridegroom 135
"O how happy is 202
"O husband of the 122
O JUPITER, and thou 132
O LOVE leave off 188
O NICIAS, there is 125
O rapture great 533
O should a 243
"O Sir," she said 405
"O Sir," the gentle 408
O sugared talk! 450
O that I were sly 309
O thou self-little 533
O what a wound 193
O wretched 545
O yes! O yes! 560
Of all that living 130
Of constant love, I 305
Of the Siege of 24
Of thy streets 562
Old King COLE 633-636
On quicksedge 330
"_On the seas are_ 202
"One kiss in two 554
One lovely 307
Or him that Rome 531
Or if DEMOPHOON's 236
Or if she had 235
Or if strewed 542
Or if such 236
Or if the deeds 557
Or if you mind 228
Or made posies 542
Our King fully 16
Our King himself 20
Our King landed 17
Our King rode forth 21
Our King sent into 14
Our King went up 22
OVID, within his 235

Painter, in lively 325
Pale are my looks 441
Pardened of 320
Perchance, my words 228
Perchance, ye 232
PHŒBUS had once 323
Poets did feign 444
Poets have still 129
Poitiers and 549
"Possessed with 469
Priests of APOLLO 556
Proud is her (_bis_) 458

Rankle the wound 285
Remember thou the 242
"_Rest you still_ 201
Revoke and call 242
Rich Damask 315
Rich is the 306
Rich statue 532
"RIVERS and GREY 469
Rivers unto the 313
"RIVERS was wise 469
Rocked in a cradle 283
"ROSAMOND was fair 465

Sad, all alone, not 425
"Sad Muse! set down 467
Sad was her joy (_bis_) 460
ST. GEORGE was seen 22
Say, CUPID, since 330
"Say, gentle friend 309
Scorn not my 456
Seated on marble 294
Seven are the 437
She did her duty 406
She falls upon 401
She feigned a 461
She hath no 559
She kindly takes 401
She scrat[ched] 237
She walks under 405
Shoot forth no 298
SHORE's Wife, a 465
Should faith to 240
Should hate his guerdon 240
Should I envy 455
Show me no more 561
_Si cœlum patria_ 416
S' impossibly I 539
Since then among 124
Since thou hast 291
Sing Hymns to 558
Sing me the Rose! 541
"Sith you repose 401
Small was her (_bis_) 459
Smile not, fair 453
Some in their 189
Some shipboys' 402
Some use the 234
"So did I live 474
So his, which 530
So, Lady, boldly 295
So, Lady, I finding 339
So shall the 230
So that I silly 33
So then was DAPHNIS 124
SOOWTHERN, I long 531
Strange is this 335
Such is the 314
Sweet are my 457, 458
Sweet Bride, good 136
Sweetheart, my 361
Sweet, I protest 443
"Sweet LAURA 327
"Sweet, love me 462
Sweet sang thy 292
"Sweet Youth," 403

Take heed, for thou 36
Take thou not 36
Tall was her 460
"Telling what he 535
Tell me, my dear, 180
Thanked be JESU! 19
Thanks, gentle 404
That by the 530
That crimson 319
That day wherein 194
That divided 542
That early 537
That have a sore 32
That I myself 545
That instrument 530
That ivory hand 328
That most 542
That Princess, to 562
That spray to 533
That time, fair 434
That whilst she 545
The beast thus 140
The beauty, that 280
The bird of Thrace 192
"The Bishop came 470
"The Bishop home 471
The Blazing Star 310
The blood of fair 314
The Card'nal went 471
The Crow makes 310
The cruel NERO 321
The crystal 438
The Druids 530
The Duke of YORK 549
The dusky cloud 304
"The elder son 469
The flaming torch 320
The freedom of 539
The Frenchmen threw 21
The Gentiles used 286
The golden 326
The great guns 20
The Grecians 307
The hapless 337
The heavens 316, 426
The heavens begin 331
The heavens yet 132
The Hound, by 184
Th' immortal 316
The Irish I 531
The King at 15
The King to 16
"The Laws do 472
"The lion 468
The little fish 237
The Macedonian 295
The matter of 228
The Merchant 402
The Muse should 543
The night drew 461
The night is 400
The Normands 18
Th' old British 552
The old man 563
The perils which 183
The Phœnix fair 186
The Phocean it 529
The price that I 35
The Primrose 543
"The Queen was 472
The raging sea 190
The red, or white 542
The Ryme nor mars 543
The Sea Nymphs 453
The ship full 558
The silly 464
The snakes 328
The snow-white 329
"The sparrow 554
"The Stage is set 465
The stately lion 194
The stranger, that 236
The swift 281
The toiling 464
The wildest of 530
The World's a City 108
The young man 399
Their course 16
Then as the sun 295
"Then as the wolf 473
"Then, at the 473
Then bethought 14
Then blew the 22
Then cast she 406
Then doubt me not 274
Then gives she 402
Then hadst thou 238
Then more 470
Then said our 19
"Then send me 463
Then she, who 236
Then should my 463
"Then stay, sweet 461
Then though a 339
"Then wilt thou 120
There are no 34
"There both the 122
Therefore boast 559
Therefore buy 228
There shone a 447
Thereto I wish 233
These are no 241
These bracelets 362
These Lyric 552
These waves no 190
These weeping 182
These words I 233
They now to fight 550
They see thy conscience 241
Things of most 364
This done, as they 402
This from the 613
This girdle 363
This heart so 534
This little 363
This modest she 462
This scarf will 361
This SCYLLA stole 236
This while we are 540
This while our 550
Those ceaseless 532
Those grim and 541
Those parallels 533
Thou didst 237
Thou glorious Sun 196
Thou, merry 290
Thou stranger 282
Though I do part 275
Though in the 540
Though pale my 455
Though they 187
Though we be _all_ 531
Though you be 188
Through his 612
Through thee, not 273
"Thus Farewell, 202
"Thus have I told 474
Thus is the 317
Thus of all as 24
Thus of this 23
Thus POLYPHEMUS 128
Thus sang these 122
Thus still You 539
Thus, through 403
Thus to the sea 403
"Thus tyrant 471
Thy ancient 532
Thy beauty 175
Thy friend in 244
Thy Love, fair 453
Thy _Voyages_ 548
Till to that 556
TIMANTES, when he 339
"Time-tyrant Fate 466
"'Tis ever Spring 122
To give that life 278
To hear this talk 456
To him deserving 537
To raise his mean 536
To those that 531
"To VULCAN 535
To whose, the 547
To you, I speak! 234
Tread you the 460
True are my (_bis_) 457
Trust not a man 235
Turned to a stone 277
Two winds, one 308

Unbare that 333
Under this 611
Unto an Image 312
Unto the fountain 179
Unto thy favour 289
Upon Saint 551
Upon this sinful 536
Upon triumphant 280

WARWICK in blood 551
Weary was LOVE 425
"Welcome, sweet 404
Well it thine age 550
Were it cemented 555
Wer't granted me 539
What cruel star 189
"What if we call 121
What lack you? 228
What need I mourn? 178
What now is 559
What should I 360
"What then? What 120
"What therefore shall 120
What though 541
What time fair 181
What time, with 284
When all the 613
When as her lute 439
When as I wish 441
When as my LICIA 439
When as my Love 436
When as the 547
When CHLORIS first 198
When down their 550
When first the 303, 450
When first the sun 303
When GOD made all 108
When he had read 407
When I did part from 301
When I did part, my 338
When I more large 197
When I, of my 336
When M. heard her 406
When no 408
When she had 408
When She was 322
When she was born 197
When VENUS first 139
When you appear 287
Where be the Graces? 557
Whereby I see that 33
Wherefore I pray 233
Where Nature hath 546
Which, in his 548
Which heart I let 32
Which I pour forth 183
Which life, I pray 233
Which, six long 242
Which unto gods 242
"Which we have 55
Which vow gave 242
Whilst angry JUNO 281
Whilst foaming 306
Whilst this 545
"Whistler MENALCAS 120
White art thou 334
White was the 287
Who do not know 187
Who joys in love? 319
Who would a [_have_] 243
Whole showers of 176
Whom promise 536
Whom the base 537
Whose constancy 537
Whose constantness 229
Whose heart hath 243
Whose trade if 230
Why have ye such 235
Will you hear a 200
"Wilt thou in singing 120
With gold and 325
With lovely 119
With patience 191
With Spanish yew 550
With that bespake 403
With thousand 336
With trickling 400
"Wolf, spare my 123

"Ye groves and 121
"Ye pleasant 121
"Ye Shepherds tell 136
Ye Virgins, that 234
Ye wasteful 185
Years, months 440
Yet do I hope 339
Yet, if I be 534
Yet if thou chance 36
Yet (if you shall 205
_Yet in a fine_ 536
Yet many rivers 541
"'Yet take my son 472
Yet these me not 545
Yet this Critic 545
Yet will you 540
You brave heroic 546
You Fauns and 177
You know I 229
You lofty Pines 177
You that embrace 199
You whom the 174
You whose deep wits 174
Your course 546
Yours was so 556

AN
ENGLISH GARNER

_INGATHERINGS_
FROM OUR
HISTORY AND LITERATURE

VOL. VIII.

JOHN LYDGATE.

_The Siege of Harfleur and the Battle
of Agincourt, 1415._

Hereafter followeth the Battle of Agincourt and the great Siege of
Rouen, by King HENRY of Monmouth, the Fifth of the name; that
won Gascony, and Guienne, and Normandy.

[See Sir HARRIS NICOLAS's _History of the Battle of Agincourt_,
p. 301, 2nd Ed. 1832, 8vo.

GOD, that all this world did make
And died for us upon a tree,
Save England, for MARY thy Mother's sake!
As Thou art steadfast GOD in Trinity.
And save King HENRY's soul, I beseech thee!
That was full gracious and good withal;
A courteous Knight and King royal.
Of HENRY the Fifth, noble man of war,
Thy deeds may never forgotten be!
Of Knighthood thou wert the very Loadstar!
In thy time England flowered in prosperity,
Thou mortal Mirror of all Chivalry!
Though thou be not set among the Worthies Nine;
Yet wast thou a Conqueror in thy time!

Our King sent into France full rath,
His Herald that was good and sure.
He desired his heritage for to have:
That is Gascony and Guienne and Normandy.
He bade the Dolphin [Dauphin] deliver. It should be his:
All that belonged to the first EDWARD
"And if he say me, Nay!; iwis
I will get it with dint of sword!"
But then answered the Dolphin bold,
By our ambassadors sending again,
"Methinks that your King is not so old,
Wars great for to maintain.
Greet well," he said, "your comely King
That is both gentle and small;
A ton full of tennis balls I will him send,
For to play him therewithal."

Then bethought our Lords all,
In France they would no longer abide:
They took their leave both great and small,
And home to England gan they ride.
To our King they told their tale to the end;
What that the Dolphin did to them say.
"I will him thank," then said the King,
"By the grace of GOD, if I may!"

Yet, by his own mind, this Dolphin bold,
To our King he sent again hastily;
And prayed him truce for to hold,
For JESUS' love that died on a tree.

"Nay," then said our comely King,
"For into France will I wind!
The Dolphin, anger I trust I shall:
And such a tennis ball I shall him send,
That shall bear down the high roof of his hall.

The King at Westminster lay that time,
And all his Lords every each one;
And they did set them down to dine:
"Lordings," he saith, "by St. John!
To France I think to take my way:
Of good counsel I you pray,
What is your will that I shall do?
Shew me shortly without delay!"
The Duke of CLARENCE answered soon,
And said, "My Liege, I counsel you so!"
And other Lords said, "We think it for the best
With you to be ready for to go;
Whiles that our lives may endure and last."

[Sidenote: 1st August 1415.]

"Grammercy, Sirs!" the King gan say,
"Our right, I trust, then shall be won;
And I will 'quite you if I may:
Therefore I warn you, both old and young,
To make you ready without delay
To Southampton to take your way
At St. Peter's tide at Lammas;
For by the grace of GOD, and if I may,
Over the salt sea I think to pass!"

Great ordnance of guns the King let make,
And shipped them at London all at once;
Bows and arrows in chests were take,
Spears and bills with iren [_iron_] gunstones;
And arming daggers made for the nonce:
With swords and bucklers that were full sure.
And harness [_armour_] bright that strokes would endure.

The King to Southampton then did ride
With his Lords; for no longer would he dwell
Fifteen hundred fair ships there did him abide,
With good sails and top-castle.
Lords of France our King they sold
For a myllyant [_million_] of gold as I heard say.
By England little price they told [_reckoned_],
Therefore their song was "Well a way!"

Between [South]hampton and the Isle of Wight,
These goodly ships lay there at road,
With mastyards across, full seemly of sight.
Over the haven spread abroad:
On every pavis [_target_] a cross red;
The waists decked with serpentines [_cannon_] strong.
St. George's streamers spread overhead,
With the Arms of England hanging all along.

[Sidenote: 7th August 1415.]

Our King fully hastily to his ship yede,
And all other Lords of every degree:
Every ship weighed his anchor in deed,
With the tide to haste them to the sea.
They hoisted their sails, sailed aloft:
A goodly sight it was to see.
The wind was good, and blew but soft:
And forth they went in the name of the Trinity.

Their course they took toward Normandy,
And passed over in a day and a night.
So in the second morning early,
Of that country they had a sight:
And ever [as] they drew near the coast,
Of the day glad were they all;
And when they were at the shore almost,
Every ship his anchor let fall,
With their tackles they launched many a long boat
And over ha[t]ch threw them into the stream;
A thousand shortly they saw afloat,
With men of arms that lyth did leme [_? pleasantly did shine_].

[Sidenote: _It should be_ Clef
de Caus.]

[Sidenote: 14th August 1415.]

Our king landed at Cottaunses [_Contances_] without delay,
On our Lady's Even [of] the Assumption;
And to Harflete [_Harfleur_] they took the way
And mustered fair before the town.
Our King his banner there did 'splay,
With standards bright and many [a] pennon:
And there he pitched his tent adown;
Full well broidered with armory gay.
First our comely King's tent with the crown,
And all other Lords in good array.

"My brother CLARENCE," the King did say,
"The towers of the town will I keep
With her daughters and her maidens gay,
To wake the Frenchmen of their sleep."
"'London'," he said, "shall with him meet;
And my guns that lieth fair upon the green;
For they shall play with Harflete
A game of tennis as I ween.
Go we to game, for God's grace!
My children be ready every each one."

For every great gun that there was,
In his mouth he had a stone.
The Captain of Harflete soon anon
Unto our King he sent hastily
To know what his will was to be done,
For to come thither with such a meiny?
"Deliver me the town!" the King said.
"Nay!" said the Captain, "by God and St DENIS!"
"Then shall I win it," said our King,
"By the grace of GOD and his goodness,
Some hard tennis balls I have hither brought
Of marble and iren made full round.
I swear, by JESU that me dear bought,
They shall beat the walls to the ground."

Then said the great gun,
"Hold fellows, we go to game!"
Thanked be MARY and JESU her son,
They did the Frenchmen much shame.
"Fifteen afore," said "London" then;
Her balls full fair she gan outthrow.
"Thirty" said the second gun, "I will win and I may."
There as the wall was most sure,
They bare it down without nay.
The "King's Daughter" said "Hearken this play!
Hearken Maidens now this tide!
Five and forty we have, it is no nay."
They beat down the walls on every side.

The Normands said, "Let us not abide!
But go we in haste, by one assent!
Wheresoever the gunstones do glide,
Our houses in Harfleet are all to rent:
The Englishmen our bulwarks have brent."
And women cried, "Alas that ever they were born!"
The Frenchmen said, "Now be we shent!
By us now the town is forlorn [_utterly lost_]:
It is best now therefore
That we beseech this English King of grace,
For to assail us no more;
Lest he destroy us in this place.
Then will we bid the Dolphin make him ready,
Or else this town delivered must be."

[Sidenote: 10th September 1415.]

[Sidenote: _It should be_ Sir
LIONEL BRAQUEMONT.]

[Sidenote: 22nd September 1415.]

Messengers went forth by and bye,
And to our King came they:
The Lord CORGRAUNT certainly,
For he was Captain of the place,
And GELAM BOWSER with him did hie,
With other Lords more and less.
And when they to our King come where,
Full lowly set them on their knee:
"Hail, comely King!" gan they say
"CHRIST save thee from adversity!
Of truce we will beseech thee
Until that it be Sunday noon:
And if we may not recovered be,
We will deliver the town."

Then said our King full soon,
"I grant you grace in this tide [_time_];
One of you shall forth anon,
And the remnant shall with me abide!"
Their Captain took his next way,
And to Rouen fast gan he ride.
The Dolphin he had thought there to find
But he was gone; he durst not abide.

For help the Captain besought that tide
"Harflete is lost for ever and aye;
The walls be beaten down on every side,
That we no longer keep it may."
Of counsel all he did them pray.
"What is your will that I may do?
We must ordain the King battle by Sunday,
Or else deliver him the town!"
The Lords of Rouen together did rown [_whisper_];
And bade the town should openly yield.
The King of England fareth as a lion:
We will not meet with him in the field!
The Captain would then no longer abide,
And towards Harflete came he right;
For so fast did he ride
That he was there the same night.

[Sidenote: 22nd September 1415.]

And when he to our King did come,
Lowly he set him on his knee:
"Hail, comely Prince!" then did he say,
"The grace of GOD is with thee!
Here have I brought the keys all
Of Harflete that is so royal a city.
All is yours, both chamber and hall;
And at your will for to be."

"Thanked be JESU!" said our King,
"And MARY his mother truly!

My uncle DORSET, without letting,
Captain of Harflete shall he be.
And all that is within the city
Awhile yet they shall abide,
To amend the walls in every degree
That are beaten down on every side:
And after that, they shall out ride
To other towns over all.
Wife nor child shall not there abide:
But have them forth, both great and small!"
One and twenty thousand, men might see,
When they went out, full sore did weep.

The great guns and ordnance truly
Were brought into Harflete.

Great sickness among our host was, in good fay [_faith_],
Which killed many of our Englishmen:
There died beyond seven score upon a day;
Alive there was left but thousands ten.

Our King himself into the Castle yede,
And rest him there as long as his will was:
At the last he said, "Lords, so God me speed!
Towards Calais I think to pass."

[Sidenote: _It should be_
Sir THOMAS
ERPINGHAM.]

[Sidenote: It should be_
Sir GILBERT
UMFREVILLE.]

[Sidenote: _It should be_
Sir WILLIAM
BOURCHIER.]

After that Harflete was gotten, that royal city,
Through the grace of GOD omnipotent;
Our comely King made him ready soon,
And towards Calais forth he went.
"My brother GLOUCESTER _veramente_
Here will we no longer abide!
And Cousin of YORK, this is our intent:
With us forth ye shall, this tide!
My Cousin HUNTINGDON with us shall ride;
And the Earl of OXENFORD with you three!
The Duke of SOUTHFOLK [_SUFFOLK_] by our side
He shall come forth with his meiny!
And the Earl of DEVONSHIRE sikerly!
Sir THOMAS HARPING that never did fail;
The Lord BROKE that came heartily
And Sir JOHN of CORNWALL:
Sir GILBERT UMFREY that would us avail;
And the Lord CLIFFORD, so GOD me speed!
Sir WILLIAM BOWSER, that will not fail;
For all they will help, if it be need."

[Sidenote: ?8th October 1415.]

[Sidenote: _It should be_ Somme.]

Our King rode forth, blessed might he be!
He spared neither dale nor down;
By waters great fast rode he,
Till he came to the water of [the] Seine.

The Frenchmen threw the bridge adown
That over the water they might not pass.
Our King made him ready then;
And to the town of Turreyn went more and less.
The Frenchmen, our King about becast
With Battles strong on every side;
The Duke of ORLEANS said in haste
"The King of England shall abide.
Who gave him leave this way to pass?
I trust that I shall him beguile
Full long ere he come to Calais."
The Duke of BOURBON answered soon
And swore by God and by St. DENIS
"We will play them every each one,
These Lords of England at the tennis;
Their gentlemen, I swear by St. JOHN!
And archers we will sell them [in] great plenty:
And so will we rid [of] them soon,
Six for a penny of our money."
Then answered the Duke of BAR,
Words that were of great pride:
"By God!" he said, "I will not spare
Over all the Englishmen for to ride,
If that they dare us abide:
We will overthrow them in fere [_company_],
And take them prisoners in this tide:
Then come home again to our dinner!"

HENRY our King that was so good;
He prepared there full royally:
Stakes he let [_caused to_] hew in a wood,
And then set them before his archers verily.
The Frenchmen our ordnance gan espy.
They that we ordained for to ride
Lighted adown, with sorrow truly;
So on their feet fast gan abide.

Our King went up upon a hill high
And looked down to the valleys low:
He saw where the Frenchmen came hastily
As thick as ever did hail or snow.
Then kneeled our King down, in that stound,
And all his men on every side:
Every man made a cross and kissed the ground,
And on their feet fast gan abide.
Our King said, "Sirs, what time of the day?"
"My Liege," they said, "it is nigh Prime [9 _a.m._]"
"Then go we to our journey,
By the grace of JESU, it is good time:
For saints that lie in their shrine,
To GOD for us be praying.
All the Religious of England, in this time,
_Ora pro nobis_ for us they sing."

St. GEORGE was seen over the host:
Of very truth this sight men did see.
Down was he sent by the HOLY GHOST,
To give our King the victory.

[Sidenote: 25th October 1415.]

Then blew the trumpets merrily,
These two Battles [_Armies_] together yede.
Our archers stood up full heartily,
And made the Frenchmen fast to bleed.
Their arrows went fast, without any let,
And many shot they throughout;
Through habergeon, breastplate, and bassinet.
An eleven thousand were slain in that rout [_company_].

Our gracious King, as I well know,
That day he fought with his own hand.
He spared neither high ne low.
There was never King in no land,
That ever did better on a day.
Wherefore England may sing a song:
_Laus DEO!_ may we say;
And other prayers ever among.
The Duke of ORLEANS, without nay,
That day was taken prisoner.
The Duke of BOURBON also in fere [_company_]:
And also the Duke of BAR truly.
Sir BERGYGAUNTE he gan him yield;
And other Lords of France many.

Lo, thus our comely King conquered the field,
By the grace of God omnipotent,
He took his prisoners, both old and young,
And towards Calais forth he went.

[Sidenote: 16th November 1415.]

[Sidenote: 22nd November 1415.]

He shipped there with good intent:
To Canterbury full fair he passed,
And offered to St. THOMAS's shrine.
And through Kent he rode in haste;
To Eltham he came all in good time.

[Sidenote: 23rd November 1415.]

And over Blackheath, as he was riding,
Of the city of London he was ware.
"Hail, royal city!" said our King,
"CHRIST keep thee ever from sorrow and care!"
And then he gave that noble city his blessing
He prayed JESU it might well fare!
To Westminster did he ride,
And the French prisoners with him also:
He ransomed them in that tide,
And again to their country he let them go.

Thus of this matter I make an end,
To th'effect of the Battle have I gone:
For in this book I cannot comprehend
The greatest battle of all, called the Siege of Rouen.

For that Siege lasted three years and more,
And there a rat was [sold] at forty pence
For in the city the people hungered sore.
Women and children, for [de]falt of meat, were lore [_lost_];
And some for pain, bare bones were gnawing,
That at their breasts had two children sucking.

Of the Siege of Rouen it to write were pity,
It is a thing so lamentable:
Yet every High Feast, our King, of his charity,
Gave them meat to their bodies comfortable;
And at the last the town wan, without fable.

Thus of all as now I make an end:
To the bliss of heaven, GOD our souls send!

_Thus endeth the Battle of Agincourt._

Imprinted at London in Foster lane,
in Saint Leonard's parish,
by me JOHN SKOT.

FINIS

JOHN FOX, the Martyrologist.

[Sidenote: _The Ecclesiastical History, containing the Acts and Monuments, &c._ 2nd Ed., II., pp. 1355-6, 1570.]

_How the Lord CROMWELL helped Archbishop CRANMER's Secretary._

[July 1539.]

[Sidenote: The Archbishop CRANMER disputeth three days in Parliament against the _Six Articles_.]

MENTION was made before how King HENRY, in the 31st year [1539-1540] of his reign, caused the _Six Articles_ [31. _Hen. VIII._, c. 14. _An Act abolishing diversity in opinions_] to pass [in June 1539]; much against the mind, and contrary to the consent of the Archbishop of CANTERBURY, THOMAS CRANMER: who had disputed three days against the same in the Parliament House, with great reasons and authorities. Which _Articles_, after they were granted and passed by the Parliament, the King, for the singular favour which he ever bare to CRANMER and reverence to his learning (being desirous to know what he had said and objected in the Parliament against these _Articles_; or what could be alleged by Learning against the same) required a Note of the Archbishop's doings, what he had said and opposed in the Parliament touching that matter. And this word was sent to him from the King by CROMWELL and other Lords of the Parliament, whom the King then sent to dine with him at Lambeth: somewhat to comfort again his grieved mind and troubled spirits: as hath been above recited at page 1,298.

[The passage referred to runs thus:

After the Parliament was finished and that matter
concluded; the King (considering the constant zeal of
the Archbishop in defence of his cause; and partly also
weighing the many authorities and reasons whereby he had
substantially confirmed the same) sent [in July 1539] the
Lord CROMWELL (which within a few days after [_or rather
on 10th June 1540_] was apprehended), the two Dukes of
NORFOLK and SUFFOLK, and all the Lords of the Parliament,
to dine with him at Lambeth: where they signified to him,
That it was the King's pleasure that they all should,
in His Highness's behalf, cherish comfort and animate
him as one that, for his travail in that Parliament, had
declared himself both greatly learned, and also a man
discreet and wise: and therefore they willed him not
to be discouraged in anything that was passed in that
Parliament contrary to his allegations.

He most humbly thanked, first the King's Highness of his
singular good affection towards him; and them, for all
their pains: adding moreover that he so hoped in GOD that
hereafter his allegations and authorities should take
place, to the glory of GOD and commodity of the realm.]

[Sidenote: The name of this Secretary was Master RALPH MORICE, being yet alive [_i.e., in 1570_].]

Whereupon, when this dinner was finished [in July 1539], the next day after the Archbishop (collecting both his arguments, authorities of Scripture, and Doctors [_i.e. the Fathers of the Church_] together) caused his Secretary to write a fair Book thereof for the King, after this order:

First, the Scriptures were alleged.

Then, the Doctors.

Thirdly, followed the arguments deduced from those Authorities.

This book was written in his Secretary's Chamber [at Lambeth Palace]; where, in a by-chamber, lay the Archbishop's Almoner.

When this Book was fair written, and while the Secretary was gone to deliver the same unto the Archbishop his Master, who was, as it chanced, ridden to Croydon; returning back to his chamber, he found his door shut, and the key carried away to London by the Almoner.

At this season also [it] chanced the father of the said Secretary to come to the city; by whose occasion it so fell out, that he [RALPH MORICE] must needs go to London. The Book he could not lay in his chamber, neither durst he commit it to any other person to keep; being straitly charged, in any condition, by the Archbishop his master, to be circumspect thereof: so he determined to go to his father, and to keep the Book about him.

And so, thrusting the Book under his girdle, he went over [the Thames] unto Westminster Bridge, with a sculler; where he entered into a wherry that went to London: wherein were four of the Guard, who meant to land at Paul's Wharf; and to pass by the King's Highness who was then in his barge, with a great number of barges and boats about him, then baiting of bears in the water, over against the Bank [Side in Southwark].

The aforesaid Yeomen of the Guard, when they came against the King's barge, they durst not pass by towards Paul's Wharf, lest they should be espied: and therefore entreated the Secretary to go with them to the Bearbaiting; and they would find the means, being of the Guard, to make room and to see all the pastime.

The Secretary perceiving no other remedy, assented thereto.

When the wherry came nigh the multitude of boats; they with poleaxes got the wherry so far that, being encompassed with many other wherries and boats, there was no refuge if the bear should break loose and come upon them: as, in very deed, within one _Paternoster_ while, the bear brake loose; and came into the boat where the Yeomen of the Guard were, and the said Secretary.

[Sidenote: Tall Yeomen, but ill Keepers.]

The Guard forsook the wherry, and went into another barge; one or two of them leaping short, so fell into the water.

[Sidenote: A Bearbaiting upon [the] Thames before the King.]

[Sidenote: The Book of Dr CRANMER against the _Six Articles_ lost in the Thames.]

The bear and the dogs so shaked the wherry wherein the Secretary was, that the boat being full of water sank to the ground; and being also, as it chanced, an ebbing tide, he sat there in the end of the wherry up to the middle in water. To whom came the bear and all the dogs. The bear, seeking as it were aid and succour of him, came back with his hinder parts upon him; and so, rushing upon him, the Book was loosed from the Secretary's girdle, and so fell into the Thames out of his reach.

The flying of the people, after that the bear was loose, from one boat to another, was so cumbrous that divers persons were thrown into the Thames: the King commanding certain men, that could swim, to strip themselves naked; and to help to save them that were in danger.

This pastime so displeased the King, that he bade, "Away, away with the bear! and let us go all hence!"

The Secretary, perceiving his Book to fleet away in the Thames, called to the Bearward to take up the Book.

[Sidenote: This Bearward was Princess ELIZABETH's servant.]

[Sidenote: Dr CRANMER's Book against the _Six Articles_ delivered to a Popish Priest.]

When the Bearward had the Book in his custody, being an arrant Papist, far from the religion of his Mistress (for he was the Lady ELIZABETH's Bearward, now the Queen's Majesty), ere that the Secretary could come to land, he had delivered the Book to a Priest of his own affinity in religion standing on the bank: who, reading in the Book, and perceiving that it was a manifest Refutation of the _Six Articles_, made much ado; and told the Bearward that whosoever claimed the Book, should surely be hanged.

Anon, the Secretary came to the Bearward for his Book.

"What," quoth the Bearward, "dare you challenge this Book? Whose servant be you?"

"I am servant to one of the [Privy] Council," said the Secretary, "and my Lord of CANTERBURY is my master."

"Yea, marry," quoth the Bearward, "I thought as much. You be like, I trust, to be both hanged for this Book."

"Well," said he "it is not so evil as you take it: and, I warrant you, my Lord will avouch the book to the King's Majesty. But I pray you let me have my Book, and I will give you a crown [_6s., or in present value about £2_] to drink."

"If you will give me 500 crowns, you shall not have it," quoth the Bearward.

* * * * *

With that the Secretary departed from him: and, understanding the malicious forwardness of the Bearward, he learned that BLAGE the Grocer in Cheapside might do much with him. To whom the Secretary brake this matter, requiring him to send for the Bearward to supper; and he would pay for the whole charge thereof: and besides that, rather than he would forego his Book after this sort, the Bearward should have 20s. [_in present value about £6_] to drink.

The supper was prepared. The Bearward was sent for, and came. After supper, the matter was intreated; and 20s. offered for the Book.

But do what could be done; neither friendship, acquaintance, nor yet reward of money, could obtain the Book out of his hands: but that the same should be delivered unto some of the [Privy] Council, that would not so slightly look on so weighty a matter as to have it redeemed for a supper, or a piece of money. The honest man, Master BLAGE, with many good reasons would have persuaded him not to be stiff in his own conceit: declaring that in the end he should nothing at all prevail of his purpose, but be laughed to scorn; getting neither penny nor praise for his travail. He, hearing that, rushed suddenly out of the doors from his friend Master BLAGE; without any manner of thanksgiving for his supper: more like a Bearward than like an honest man.

When the Secretary saw the matter so extremely to be used against him; he then thought it expedient to fall from any farther practising of entreaty with the Bearward, as with him that seemed rather to be a bear himself than master of the beast: determining the next morning to make the Lord CROMWELL privy of the chance that happened.

* * * * *

So, on the next day, as the Lord CROMWELL went to the Court, the Secretary declared the whole matter unto him; and how he had offered the Bearward 20s. for the finding thereof.

"Where is the fellow?" quoth the Lord CROMWELL.

"I suppose," said the Secretary, "that he is now in the Court, attending to deliver the book unto some of the Council."

"Well," said the Lord CROMWELL, "it maketh no matter. Go with me thither, and I shall get you your book again!"

[Sidenote: The Bearward waiting to give CRANMER's Book to the Council.]

When the Lord Cromwell came into the Hall of the Court, there stood the Bearward with the Book in his hand; waiting to have delivered the same unto Sir ANTHONY BROWNE or unto [STEPHEN GARDINER] the Bishop of WINCHESTER, as it was reported.

[Sidenote: The Lord CROMWELL getteth the Book from the Bearward.]

To whom the Lord CROMWELL said, "Come hither, fellow! What Book hast thou there in thy hand?" and with that snatched the Book out of his hand: and looking in the Book, said, "I know this hand well enough. This is your hand," said he to the Secretary.

"But where hadst thou this Book?" quoth the Lord CROMWELL to the Bearward.

"This Gentleman lost it two days ago in the Thames," said the Bearward.

"Dost thou know whose servant he is?" said the Lord CROMWELL.

"He saith," quoth the Bearward, "that he is my Lord of CANTERBURY's servant."

"Why then didst thou not deliver to him the Book when he required it?" said the Lord CROMWELL. "Who made thee so bold as to detain or withhold any Book or writing from a Councillor's servant, especially being his Secretary? It is more meet for thee to meddle with thy bears, than with such writing: and were it not for thy Mistress's sake, I would set thee fast by the feet, to teach such malapert knaves to meddle with Councillors' matters. Had not money been well bestowed upon such a good fellow as this is, that knoweth not a Councillor's man from a cobbler's man!"

* * * * *

And with those words, the Lord CROMWELL went up into the King's Chamber of Presence, and the Archbishop's Secretary with him: where he found, in the Chamber, the Lord of CANTERBURY.