Chapter III: Appendix (1)

Extracts from Peter Langtoft’s Chronicle (_Anglo-Norman and
English_):--

1. Edward I.’s War with Scotland 273
2. The Trailebastons, and Execution of Wallace 318

Poem on the Evil Times of Edward II. (_English_) 323

NOTES 347

INDEX 403

THE

POLITICAL SONGS

OF ENGLAND,

FROM KING JOHN TO KING EDWARD II.

POLITICAL SONGS.

KING JOHN. 1199-1216.

The thirteenth century opens amid the violence of party feelings, and the few political songs which we find during the reign of King John are full of keenness. Early in his reign the English Monarch suffered himself to be robbed of his possessions in Normandy, and the poetry of the Troubadours contains many expressions of regret at their separation from England, and bitter reflections on the King’s cowardice and weakness. The following song seems to have been written when Thouars was in danger, during Philippe Auguste’s incursions into Poitou, in 1206. Savary of Mauleon is famous in contemporary history, and was himself a poet of no small renown. He was a firm adherent to the English party.

SONG ON THE SIEGE OF THOUARS.

[Royal Library at Paris, MS. du fonds de St. Germain, No. 1989, fol. 111, v^o. 13th cent.]

Mors est li siècles briemant,
Se li rois Touwairs sormonte;
De ceu li vait malement
Ke li faillent li troi conte,
Et li vieillairs de Bouaing
I averait grant honte,
C’après la mort à vifconte
Morrait à si mauté.

Savaris de Maliéon,
Boens chiveliers à cintainne,
Se vos fals à ces besons,
Perdue avons nostre poinne;
Et vos, xanexals
Asi d’Anjow et dou Mainne,
Xanexal ont an Torainne
Atre ke vos mist.

Et vos, sire xanexals,
Vos et Dan Jehan dou Mainne,
Et Ugues, antre vos trois
Mandeis à roi d’Alemaigne,
Ke cist rois et cil Fransois
C’ameir ne nos d[a]ignent,
Cant por .j. mulet d’Espaigne
Laxait Bordelois.

Et vos, signors bacheleirs,
Ki ameis lois et proeses,
Cant vos souliez garreir
Touwairs iert vos forteresce.
Jà Deus ne vos doust porteir
Ne mainche ne treses,
Se Touwairt au teil tristesce
Laixiez oblieir.

TRANSLATION.--The world will shortly come to nought,--if the king
overcome Thouars.--On this account it fares ill with it,--that
the three earls desert it,--and the old man of Bouaing--would
have there great shame,--that after the death of the viscount--he
should die in such evil case.

Savary of Mauleon,--a good knight at the quintain,--if you
fail us in this need,--we have lost our labour;--and you,
Seneschal,--both of Anjou and of Maine,--they have placed a
seneschal in Touraine--other than you.

And you, Sir Seneschal,--you and Sir John of Maine,--and Hugh,
between you three,--send word to the King of Almain,--that this
king and him of France,--deign not to love us,--when for a mule
of Spain--he left the Bordelois.

And you, Sir bachelors,--who love praise and prowess,--when you
were wont to war--Thouars was your fortress.--Now God hinder
you from bearing--sleeves or tresses,--if Thouars in such
distress--you allow to be forgotten.

* * * * *

John’s own friends, disgusted with his weakness, began to desert him; and the following bitter song was addressed by the younger Bertrand de Born, to Savary de Mauleon, to persuade him to follow their example.

A SIRVENTE ON KING JOHN.

[Raynouard, Choix, tom. iv. p. 201.]

Quant vei lo temps renovellar,
E pareis la fueill’ e la flors,
Mi dona ardimen amors
E cor e saber de chantar;
E doncs, pois res no m’ en sofraing,
Farai un Sirvent escozen,
Que trametrai lai par presen
Al rei Joan que s n’a vergoing.

E deuria s’ be’n vergoignar,
Si l’ membres de sos ancessors,
Com laissa sai Peitieus e Tors
Al rei Felip ses demandar;
Per que tota Guiana plaing
Lo rei Richard, qu’ en deffenden
En mes mant aur e mant argen;
Mas acest no m’ par ’n aia soing.

Mais ama l’ bordir e l’ cassar,
E bracs e lebriers et austors,
E sojorn; per que il faill honors,
E s’ laissa vius deseretar;
Mal sembla d’ardimen Galvaing,
Que sai lo viram plus soven;
E pois autre cosseil non pren,
Lais sa terra al seignor del Groign.

Miels saup Lozoics desliurar
Guillelme, e l’ fes ric secors
Ad Aurenga, quan l’Almassors
A Tibaut l’ac fait asetjar:
Pretz et honor ’n ac ab gazaing;
Jeu o dic per chastiamen
Al rei Joan que pert sa gen,
Que non lor secor pres ni loing.

Baron, sai vir mon chastiar
A vos, cui blasme las follors
Que us vei far, e pren m’en dolors,
Car m’ aven de vos a parlar,
Que pretz avetz tombat e’ l’ faing,
Et avetz apres un fol sen,
Que non doptas chastiamen,
Mas qui us ditz mal, aquel vos oing.

Domna, cui dezir e tenc car
E dopt e blan part las meillors,
Tant es vera vostra lauzors
Qu’ieu non la sai dir ni comtar;
C’aissi com aurs val mais d’estaing,
Valetz mais part las meillors cen,
Et ez plus leials vas joven
Non son a Dieu cill de Cadoing.

Savarics, reis cui cors sofraing
Greu fara bon envasimen,
E pois a flac cor recrezen,
Jamais nuls hom en el non poing.

TRANSLATION.--When I see the fair weather return,--and leaf and
flower appear,--love gives me hardiesse--and heart and skill to
sing;--then, since I do not want matter,--I will make a stinging
sirvente,--which I will send yonder for a present,--to King John,
to make him ashamed.

And well he ought to be ashamed,--if he remember his
ancestors,--how he has left here Poitou and Touraine--to
King Philip, without asking for them.--Wherefore all Guienne
laments--King Richard, who in its defence--would have laid out
much gold and much silver;--but this man does not appear to me to
care much for it.

He loves better fishing and hunting,--pointers, greyhounds, and
hawks,--and repose, wherefore he loses his property,--and his
fief escapes out of his hands;--Galvaing seems ill-furnished with
courage,--so that we beat him here most frequently;--and since he
takes no other counsel,--let him leave his land to the lord of
the Groing.

Louis knew better how to deliver--William, and gives him rich
succour--at Orange, when the Almassor--had caused Tiebald to
besiege him;--glory and honour he had with profit;--I say it for
a lesson--to King John who loses his people,--because he succours
them not near or far off.

Barons, on this side my lesson of correction aims--at you, whose
delinquencies it blames--that I have seen you do, and I am
grieved thereat,--for it falls to me to speak of you,--who have
let your credit fall into the mud,--and afterwards have a foolish
sentiment,--that you do not fear correction,--but he who told you
ill, it is he who disgraces you.

Lady, whom I desire and hold dear,--and fear and flatter above
the best,--so true is your praise,--that I know not how to say it
or to relate it;--that, as gold is more worth than tin,--you are
worth more than the best hundred,--and you are better worth to a
young man,--than are they (the monks) of Caen to God.

Savary, a king without a heart,--will hardly make a successful
invasion,--and since he has a heart soft and cowardly,--let no
man put his trust in him.

* * * * *

The dishonours which John suffered abroad, were, however, soon forgotten in the troubles which broke out at home. The following virulent libel on the three bishops of Norwich, Bath, and Winchester, who adhered to the King in his quarrel with the Pope about the presentation to the see of Canterbury, was no doubt the work of one of his ecclesiastical opponents.

SONG ON THE BISHOPS.

[Flacius Illyricus, p. 161.]

_Planctus super Episcopis._

Complange tui, Anglia,
Melos suspendens organi;
Et maxime tu, Cantia,
De mora tui Stephani.
Thomam habes sed alterum,
Secundum habes iterum
Stephanum, qui trans hominem
Induens fortitudinem
Signa facit in populo.
Dolos dolens metropolis
Quos subdoli parturiunt,
Orbata tuis incolis,
Dolose quos ejiciunt,
Largos emittis gemitus,
Patre privata penitus.
Sed cum habebis Stephanum,
Assumes tibi tympanum,
Chelym tangens sub modulo.

Ubi es, quæso, Moyses,
Per quem cedat confractio?
Ubi legem zelans Phinees,
Per quem cesset quassatio?
Quis natum David arguens?
Quis Thaü signum statuens
In limine et postibus,
Ut sic confusis hostibus
Liberetur Israel?
Abraham, pater gentium
Multarum, surge, domine,
Agar expelle filium,
Saræ ancillæ dominæ;
Nam post subducet aliam.
Jam adversus ecclesiam
Prævalent portæ Tartari:
Jam ludo ludunt impari
Isaac et Ismael.

Balthasar bibit iterum
De vasis templi Domini:
Vasa rapit vas scelerum
Dei dicata nomini.
Scribentem cerno digitum,
Et literis implicitum
Scriptis, “Mane, Tecchel, Phares;”
Quid sibi velit ea res,
Rei probabit exitus.
Jam patet in prætorio,
Et infimis et arduis,
Quod regni jam divisio
Et finis est in januis.
Crescit malorum cumulus,
Est sacerdos ut populus,
Currunt ad illicitum,
Uterque juxta libitum
Audax et imperterritus.

Plebs in Ægypti cophino
Servit, et sudat anxia
Sub Pharaone domino:
Edicta currunt varia:
Exactor opus exigit,
Israel lutum colligit.
Non est qui eum eruat,
Vel Pharaonis subruat
Equos cum ascensoribus.
Spargit Assur ac dejicit
Lapides Sanctuarii.
Quare? quia non objicit
Se lapis adjutorii.
Imo qui se objicere
Deberent, et effundere
Sanguinem pro justitia,
Tractant de avaritia,
Quos his noto apicibus.

Si præsuli Bathoniæ
Fiat quandoque quæstio,
Quot marcæ bursæ regiæ
Accedant in scaccario:
Respondet voce libera,
Mille, centum, et cætera,
Ad bursam regis colligo,
Doctus in hoc decalogo,
Cæcus in forma canonis.
Tu, Norwicensis bestia,
Audi quid dicat veritas:
Qui non intrat per ostia
Fur est. An de hoc dubitas?
Heu! cecidisti gravius
Quam Cato quondam tertius:
Cum præsumpta electio
Justo ruat judicio,
Empta per dolum Simonis.

Wintoniensis armiger
Præsidet ad Scaccarium,
Ad computandum impiger,
Piger ad Evangelium,
Regis revolvens rotulum;
Sic lucrum Lucam superat,
Marco marcam præponderat,
Et libræ librum subjicit.
Hi Belphegor prænunciant,
Et sedem Baal subjiciunt;
Ut melius proficiant,
Baal sibi præficiunt,
Complectuntur pro niveis
Nigra, stercus pro croceis.
Hi tres insatiabiles,
Sanguisugis persimiles,
“Affer,” dicunt, “non sufficit.”

Tres tribus his appositi
Sunt, sed longe dissimiles,
Virtutum flore præditi,
Morum vigore nobiles,
Noe, David, et Daniel,
Quos depingit Ezechiel.
Justitiam hi sitiunt,
Ob hæc sese objiciunt
Murum pro domo Domini.
Joannes nostri temporis
Surgit Decanus Angliæ,
Canus mente, vi roboris
Stratam vadit justiciæ,
Canit laudum præco nia
Qui jure de Ecclesia
Mariæ nomen accipit,
Dum conflictum hunc suscipit
Sacræ devotus Virgini.

Heliensis progreditur,
Huïc datur discrimini,
_Heli_ ut _ensis_ dicitur,
Parcens paucis, vel nemini.
Helia, ensem exere,
Et impios tres contere,
Ac Babylonis principem
Hujus doli participem
Ictu prosterne simplici.
Tu, Wolstani subambule,
Es in conflictu tertius,
Robustus insta sedule
Triumphi veri conscius.
Hæres Wolstani diceris,
Si vere sit, tu videris:
Prius resigna baculum,
Et ephod et annulum,
Quam Baal velis subjici.

De Roffensi episcopo
Nil scio mali dicere.
Mentior et rem syncopo:
Hic est, et hic a latere
Est pauper Sarisburiæ,
Qui dormit usque hodie,
Ignem et aquam bajulat,
Nec causatur, nec ejulat
Pro desolata vinea.
I Romam, liber parvule,
Nec remeare differas,
Saluta quosque sedule,
Et Papæ salve differas.
Dic quid de tribus sentiam.
Ipse promat sententiam,
Utrum suo judicio
Sint liberi a vitio;
Et michi detur venia.

TRANSLATION.--Complain, O England! and suspend the melody of
thine organ, and more especially thou, Kent, for the delay of
thy Stephen. But thou hast another Thomas; thou hast again a
second Stephen, who putting on a fortitude beyond that of man,
performs signs among the people. O metropolis! who grievest over
the plots which the cunning people bring forth, bereaved of thine
inhabitants, whom they treacherously have ejected, thou givest
vent to heavy groans, being utterly deprived of thy father. But
when thou shalt have Stephen, thou wilt take up the timbrel, and
touch the harp to measure.

Where art thou, I ask, O Moses! through whom may the rupture
cease? Where Phineas, zealous for the law, through whom the
scourging may have an end? Who is there to accuse the son
of David? Who is there that may set the sign of Thau on the
threshold and the door-posts, that thus, her enemies being
confused, Israel may be liberated? Abraham, father of many
people, arise, lord, expel the son of Agar, the waiting-maid of
her mistress Sarah; for after she shall deceive the other. Now
the gates of Tartarus prevail against the Church: now Isaac and
Ismael play at an unequal game.

Balthasar drinks again out of the vessels of the Lord’s temple:
the vessel of iniquities carries away the vessels dedicated
to God’s name. I perceive the hand, writing, and involved in
the written letters, “Mane, Techel, Phares;” what this thing
may mean, the event of the thing will prove. Now it appears in
the court, both to the low and the high, that at present the
division and end of the kingdom is at the gate. The mass of evils
increases; the priest is as the people; they, bold and fearless,
hasten to that which is unlawful, each according to his will.

The people serves in the coffer of Egypt, and anxiously sweats
under the rule of Pharaoh: various edicts fly about: the
collector exacts the work, Israel collects clay. There is no one
who may rescue him, or who may overwhelm the horses of Pharaoh
with their riders. Assur scatters and overthrows the stones of
the Sanctuary. Why? because the Stone of Help does not oppose
itself. Nay, they who ought to oppose, and to shed their blood
for justice’s sake, are occupied with avarice, whom I signalise
by these marks.

If the question were perchance asked of the bishop of Bath,
“How many marks come in to the King’s purse in the Exchequer?”
he would answer readily, “A thousand, a hundred, and so on,
I collect into the King’s purse,” learned as he is in this
decalogue, blind in the form of the canon. Thou, beast of
Norwich! hear what the Truth saith: “He who enters not by the
door is a thief.” Dost thou doubt of this? Alas! thou hast
fallen more heavily than once the third Cato, since thy presumed
election falls by just judgment, having been bought by the craft
of Simon.

The arm-bearer of Winchester presides at the Exchequer, diligent
in computing, sluggish at the Gospel, turning over the King’s
roll; thus lucre overcomes Luke; he makes a marc weigh heavier
than Mark, and subjects the bible to the scales. These are they
who fore-show Belphegor; they subject the seat to Baal; that
they may profit better, they make Baal their lord; they embrace
black for white, dung instead of saffron. These three are
insatiable--very like unto leeches; they cry, “Give! there is not
enough!”

There are three opposed to these, but very unlike them,
endowed with the flower of virtues, noble in the vigour of
good-breeding--Noah, David, and Daniel, whom Ezechiel paints.
These thirst after justice; for this they oppose themselves
as a wall for God’s house. John arises the dean of England of
our time, hoary in mind: with the might of oak, he proceeds
on the way of justice; he sings the proclamations of praises,
who rightly takes his name from the church of Mary, while he
undertakes this conflict in devotion to the Holy Virgin.

He of Ely advances; he is given to this battle, as he is called
the Sword of Hely, sparing few or none. Helias, draw forth the
sword, and bruise the three impious ones, and lay prostrate the
prince of Babylon, the participater in this plot, with a single
blow. Thou, who walkest in the place of Wolstan, art the third in
the conflict: robust as thou art, press on sedulously, certain of
a true triumph. Thou art called the heir of Wolstan; if thou be
truly so, thou art seen: sooner resign the staff, and the ephod,
and the ring, than be willing to bow to Baal.

I know nothing ill to say of the bishop of Rochester. I lie,
and cut the matter short; he is here, and here by his side the
poor man of Salisbury also, who sleeps till to-day; he carries
about fire and water, nor pleads for, nor bewails, the desolated
vineyard. Go to Rome, little book, nor delay thy return; salute
them all diligently; and carry a salutation to the Pope: tell
what I think of the three: let him give judgment, whether in his
opinion they be free from vice; and let pardon be granted to me.

* * * * *

It was during these religious dissensions that arose up, or at least became strong, that powerful spirit of opposition to the papal tyranny, which produced during the whole of this century so much satirical poetry; much of it attributed, perhaps with little reason, to Walter Mapes. The following song is supposed to have been written during the interdict. In the fourth line the lion is said to designate King John, and the asses the Bishops, and at the end the King is represented by Jupiter, whilst the Pope receives the contemptuous designation of Pluto.

SONG ON THE TIMES.

[MS. Harl. 978, fol. 108, r^o. Reign of Hen. III.]

_Invectio contra avaritiam._

Utar contra vitia carmine rebelli;
Mel proponunt alii, fel supponunt melli,
Pectus subest ferreum deauratæ pelli,
Et leonis spolium induunt aselli.
Disputat cum animo facies rebellis,
Mel ab ore defluit, mens est plena fellis;
Non est totum melleum quod est instar mellis;
Facies est alia pectoris quam pellis.
Vitium est in opere, virtus est in ore,
Picem tegunt animi niveo colore:
Membra dolent singula capitis dolore,
Et radici consonat pomum in sapore.
Roma mundi caput est, sed nil capit mundum:
Quod pendet a capite totum est inmundum;
Transit enim vitium primum in secundum,
Et de fundo redolet quod est juxta fundum.
Roma capit singulos et res singulorum;
Romanorum curia non est nisi forum.
Ibi sunt venalia jura senatorum,
Et solvit contraria copia nummorum.
Hic in consistorio si quis causam regat
Suam, vel alterius, hoc in primis legat,--
Nisi det pecuniam Roma totum negat,
Qui plus dat pecuniæ melius allegat.
Romani capitulum habent in decretis,
Ut petentes audiant manibus repletis:
Dabis, aut non dabitur, petunt quia petis;
Qua mensura seminas, et eadem metis.
Munus et petitio currunt passu pari,
Opereris munere si vis operari:
Tullium ne timeas si velit causari,
Nummus eloquentia gaudet singulari.
Nummis in hac curia non est qui non vacet;
Crux placet, rotunditas, et albedo placet,
Et cum totum placeat, et Romanis placet,
Ubi nummus loquitur, et lex omnis tacet.
Si quo grandi munere bene pascas manum,
Frustra quis objiciet vel Justinianum,
Vel sanctorum canones, quia tanquam vanum
Transferunt has paleas, et inbursant granum.
Solam avaritiam Roma novit parca,
Parcit danti munera, parco non est parca:
Nummus est pro numine, et pro Marco marca,
Et est minus celebris ara, quam sit arca.
Cum ad papam veneris, habe pro constanti,
Non est locus pauperi, soli favet danti;
Vel si munus præstitum non est aliquanti,
Respondet hic tibi sic, Non est michi tanti.
Papa, si rem tangimus, nomen habet a re,
Quicquid habent alii, solus vult papare;
Vel si verbum Gallicum vis apocopare,--
_Paez_, _Paez_, _dit li mot_, si vis impetrare.
Papa quærit, chartula quærit, bulla quærit,
Porta quærit, cardinalis quærit, cursor quærit,
Omnes quærunt: et si quod des uni deerit,
Totum jus falsum est, tota causa perit.
Das istis, das aliis, addis dona datis,
Et cum satis dederis, quærunt ultra satis.
O vos bursæ turgidæ, Romam veniatis;
Romæ viget physica bursis constipatis.
Prædantur marsupium singuli paulatim;
Magna, major, maxima, præda fit gradatim.
Quid irem per singula? colligam summatim,--
Omnes bursam strangulant, et expirat statim.
Bursa tamen Tityi jecur imitatur,
Fugit res, ut redeat, perit, ut nascatur,
Et hoc pacto loculum Roma deprædatur,
Ut cum totum dederit, totus impleatur.
Redeunt a curia capite cornuto:
Ima tenet Jupiter, cœlum tenet Pluto,
Et accedit dignitas animali bruto,
Tanquam gemma stercori et pictura luto.
Divites divitibus dant, ut sumant ibi,
Et occurrunt munera relative sibi:
Lex est ista celebris, quam fecerunt scribi,
Si tu michi dederis, ego dabo tibi. _Finit._

TRANSLATION.--I will use against vices rebelling song; others
put forward honey, while under the honey they lay on gall; the
iron breast is concealed under the gilt skin, and asses put on
the lion’s spoil.--The rebelling face disputes with the soul
within; honey flows from the mouth, the mind is full of gall;
it is not all sweet that looks like honey; the breast has a
different countenance from the skin.--While vice is in the
work, virtue is in the face; they cover the pitchy blackness
of the mind with a white colour; each of the members suffers
by the pain of the head, and the flavour of the apple depends
upon the root from whence it springs.--Rome is the head of the
world; but it receives nothing clean; all that depends from the
head is unclean; for the first vice passes on into the second,
and that which is near the bottom smells of the bottom.--Rome
receives all, and the goods of all; the court of the Romans
is but a market. There are offered for sale the rights of the
senators, and abundance of money dissolves all differences of
opinion.--Here, in the consistory, if any body plead a cause, be
it his own or another’s, let him first read this,--“Unless he
give money, Rome denies every thing; he who gives most money will
come off the best.”--The Romans have a chapter in the decretals,
that they should listen to petitions from those who come with
their hands full; thou shalt give, or nothing shall be granted
thee; they ask because thou askest; by the same measure as you
sow, you shall reap.--A bribe and a petition go side by side, and
it is with a bribe that you must work if you wish to succeed:
then you need have no fear, even of Tully, were he pleading
against you; for money possesses a singular eloquence.--There is
nobody in this court who does not look after money: the cross on
the coin pleases them; the roundness of it, and the whiteness
thereof, pleases them; and since every part of it pleases, and
it is the Romans whom it pleases, where money speaks, there all
law is silent.--If you only feed the hand well with some goodly
bribe, it will be in vain even to quote Justinian against you,
or the canons of the saints, because they would throw them away
as vanity and chaff, and pocket the grain.--Penurious Rome
claims acquaintance with nothing but avarice; she spares to him
who brings gifts, but she spares not to him who is penurious:
money stands in the place of God, and a marc for Mark, and the
altar is less attended than the coffer.--When you come to the
Pope, take it as a rule, that there is no place for the poor, he
favours only the giver; or if there is not a bribe of some value
or another forthcoming, he answers you, “I am not able.”--The
Pope, if we come to the truth of the matter, has his name from
the fact, that, whatever others have, he alone will suck the pap;
or if you like to apocopate a French word, “pay, pay,” saith the
word, if you wish to obtain anything.--The Pope begs, the brief
begs, the bull begs, the gate begs, the cardinal begs, the cursor
begs,--all beg! and if you have not wherewith to bribe them all,
your right is wrong, and the whole cause comes to nothing.--You
give to these, you give to the others, you add gifts to those
already given, and when you should have given enough, they seek
as much more. O, you full purses, come to Rome! at Rome there
is choice medicine for costive pockets.--They all prey upon
the purse by little and little; great, greater, or greatest,
gradually becomes a prey to them. Why should I go through all
the particulars? I will put it in a few words; they all choke
the purse, and it expires immediately.--Yet the purse imitates
the liver of Tityus; the substance flies in order to return;
dies that it may be born: and on this condition Rome preys upon
the pocket, that when it has given all, it may all be filled
again.--They return from the court with mitred heads; Jupiter is
placed in the Infernal Regions, Pluto holds Heaven, and dignity
is given to a brute animal, as a jewel to the dung and a picture
to the mud.--The rich give to the rich, that they may receive
again, and gifts mutually meet one another: that law is most in
use, which they have caused to be written, “If you give to me, I
will give to you.”

KING HENRY III. 1216-1272.

The death of King John offered an opportunity of putting an end to the distractions that had become so universal during the latter years of his reign, which most of the belligerents were glad to embrace. The following short, but highly spirited poem, was probably written immediately after the pacification which followed the taking of Lincoln, apparently by a churchman, and certainly a partizan of King Henry. Some of the expressions in it, such as “the iron-girt bees of war,” and the like, remind us of the lofty metaphors of Saxon verse.

THE TAKING OF LINCOLN.

[From MS. Cotton. Vespas. B. XIII. fol. 130, v^o. in a hand of the beginning of the 14th Cent.]

¶ _Incipiunt versus de Guerra Regis Johannis._

Serpserat Angligenam rabies quadrangula gentem.
In proprium jurata jugum, motuque minaci
Gens sibi degenerans, ut libera serviat, alta
Corruat, incolumis ægrotet, tuta pavescat,
Vendicat antiquas inimico consule leges;
Non legis libra, non juris luce, nec igne
Sacri consilii, sed nec lima rationis,
Fulgurat in vetitum spreta ratione voluntas.
¶ Prima fuit rabies proprio concepta tumore;
Altera belligeras Francorum traxerat alas;
Conduxit nigras Scottorum tertia turmas;
Flexit quarta leves tenui sub veste Galenses.
¶ Fœdera rumpuntur pacis, tonitrusque minaces;
Serpsit in attonitas corrupta licentia turres,
In quibus ægra fides latuit, medicumque salutis
Expectata diu, tandem de munere Christi
Convaluit, traxitque suas in bella cohortes.
¶ Hæc rabies patiente Deo permissa parumper
Non concessa fuit, ut molles fulmina mentes
Comburant, nec ut ira Dei confundat inermes.
Sed cordis scrutator oves deserta petentes
Errantesque diu proprio revocavit amore,
Vapulet ut meritas medicato verbere culpas,
Divinasque minas clementia patris amicans
Ubere materno lenivit verbera patris.
¶ Anglorum nutabat honor, regnique venustas,
Inclinata caput divini judicis iram
Senserat, et tumido timuit servire tyranno.
Pendula palma, diu dubio protracta favore,
Nunc risit Gallis, nunc risum contulit Anglis,
Verius applaudens istis, fallacius illis.
¶ Non tulit ulterius regem regnare furentem
Vindicis ira Dei; cecidit percussus ab illo
Cujus templa, domos, combusserat igne minaci.
A face fax oritur fati, flammæque furorem
Dum furit in regem febris vindicta fugavit.
Summus honos mors illa fuit, culmenque decoris
Attulit, in nullo quod erat superatus ab hoste,
Et tot erant hostes; victus victore superno,
Invictusque suos hostes moriendo momordit.
¶ Desinat ira tumens; discat servire potestas
Curvarique Deo, cui subdens colla resurget;
In surgendo cadet: brevis est humana potestas,
Et brevibus discat finem properare diebus.
¶ Planxerat extinctum regio viduata Johannem,
Degenerique timens sua subdere colla marito
Invocat Angligenas Anglorum lacrima vires;
Quo gravior dolor est, propior medicina doloris.
¶ Fulserat interea minimæ scintillula formæ,
Regia progenies, laceri spes unica regni,
Stella quasi succensa Deo, nubemque paternam
Exuit, irradians nova lux, stellasque fugatas
Fulmine de patrio pueri candela vocavit.
¶ O Pietas preciosa Dei! qui magna magistrat,
Fortia confundit, infirma levat, feritates
Fulminat, inflatos frangit, qui virginis alvo
Parvulus egressus, parvum suscepit alendum,
Ecclesiæque dedit gremio, quem matris in ulnas
Blanda parens recipit, nato blandita parentis
Obsequio, teneram capiti positura coronam.
Consilium cœleste fuit, quod consona sacri
Unio consilii regi parere puello
Non timuit, timuitque magis servire tyranno.
¶ Unio sacra novum maturat ad ardua regem;
Utilitas, pietasque, fides, concurrere fatis
Conjurant, cunctos[que] crucis signare sigillo;
Constiterant vexilla crucis, regemque novellum
Ambierant, bajulosque crucis crux alba decorans
Instabiles statuit fidei fundamine turmas.
¶ O famosa viri legatio, lima beati
Consilii, sidus recti, speculum rationis,
Gala dei cultor, curæ cristata galero!
Anglia victrices strinxit divinitus enses,
In commune bonum fundunt castella catervas
Signiferas, belloque truces, hostique minaces.
¶ Tempus erat quo terra novo pubescere partu
Cœperat, et teneras in crines solverat herbas,
Vellera pratorum redolens infantia florum
Pinxerat, et, renovas crispans coma primula silvas,
Innumeras avium revocavit ad organa linguas,
Gallica tum rabies aquilonis adhæserat Anglis,
Conjurata manus medios transire per Anglos,
Londoniis egressa suis, longasque latebras
Deseruit Lodovica cohors, comitesque superbos
Concessa pudet ire via, Montique Sorello
Subsidium ferale ferunt, nam quo magis illum
Major palma colit, graviorem ferre ruinam
Præcavet ira Dei; sed cautior inde recessit
Nobilitas comitum, fidei flos, regia virtus,
Cestrensis clipeus, donec frendente tumultu
Transierat rabies notum super ardua castrum,
Trigintæque latus, longique superbia belli
Fluxit ad obsessam matronæ nobilis arcem.
¶ Huc ubi fata feras fremitu flexere phalangas,
Fama volat, comitesque vocat, comitumque sodales
Cestrenses, crescitque seges clipeata virorum.
Regia signa micant, et conjurata sequuntur
Agmina, clara fides cum denique protrahit ora,
Candida signa crucis juvenum præstantia pingunt
Pectora, consolidat communis corda voluntas;
Vincendi spes una fuit, victoria cunctas
In facies præmissa patet, plausuque secundo
Permittunt socias in consona prælia dextras.
¶ Instabat sabbatum quo festa peracta superni
Flaminis, et trinum celebrat deitatis honorem
Vespera; sol prima lambebat lampade terras,
Cum tuba terribili dederat præludia cantu;
Bella movent ferrata duces, tot signa videres
Nutantes tremulo galeas superare volatu,
Tot clipeos vario mutantes signa colore.
Fulsit in armatas solaris gratia turmas,
Febricitabat iners, validabant corda feroces.
Venit ut attonitam constantia Martis ad urbem,
Terribili juvenes muros cinxere corona,
Rimanturque novos aditus; nec protinus urbem
Invasere duces; legatio mittitur intus
Sacrilegos revocare viros ad fœdera pacis.
Nec placuit pax ulla feris, convitia fundunt,
Legatos spernunt, adduntque minacia verba.
¶ Irrita legati postquam mandata reportant,
Magnanimos monet ire duces; tum bellicus horror
Infremuit, tonuere tubæ, mugitus in auras
Horridus insurgit, et, constrepitante tumultu,
Mirari poterant terrena tonitrua nubes.
Transiliunt fossas, transcendunt mœnia, portas
Confringunt, aditus rumpunt, et prælia miscent.
Et gladiis fecere viam; confusio digna
Sacrilegos sternit, fundunt examina Christi
Ferrigeras Mavortis apes, stimulisque timendis
Hostiles penetrant tunicas, squamosaque ferri
Texta secant, Saulosque trahunt ad vincula Pauli,
Reddidit et lepores conversio sacra leones.
¶ Hic Moyses in Monte stetit, Josue stationem
Fixerat hic solis, magnum premit inde Goliam
Funda lapisque David; vidit venerabile mirum
Lincolniensis honor, vidit maris ira trophæum
Imperiale Dei, vidit quadrangula pestis
In se victrici vexilla resurgere palma.
Vidit, et obstupuit, sensitque superbia belli
Pro puero pugnare Deum; nec sponte quievit,
Sed crepuit, pacisque pedes in colla recepit.
¶ O famosa dies, nostrum veneranda per ævum!
Bellica qua rabies latuit, qua pacifer ensis
Pestiferas domuit partes, qua gratia Christi
Dedecus extersit natum, fideique lavacro
Proluit inscriptum versa de fronte pudorem.

_Expliciunt versus de Guerra regis Johannis._

TRANSLATION.--A four-fold rage had crept upon the English
nation. Conspiring against its own government, and threatening
rebellion, the degenerate nation,--that it may change freedom
for slavery,--that it may fall from its high position, from
health to sickness, from safety to danger,--lays claim to ancient
laws under a hostile governor; not governed by the balance of
the law, not by the light of justice, nor by the fire of holy
counsel, nor yet by the file of reason, the will, in despite of
reason, darts like lightning into what is forbidden. ¶ The first
rage was conceived by its own pride; the second drew hither the
warlike legions of the French; the third conducted the black
troops of the Scots; the fourth bent the inconstant Welsh under
their light garment. ¶ The leagues of peace are broken, and the
threatening thunders follow; corrupt licence has crept into the
astonished towers, in which Faith lay hid and sick, and long
waiting a physician of health, at length by the generosity of
Christ she recovered, and drew out her bands to the wars. ¶ This
rage, by the sufferance of God, was permitted for a while, but
not allowed that the lightnings should burn the effeminate minds,
or that the anger of God should confound the defenceless. But
the Searcher of hearts recalled by his own love the sheep which
sought the desert and were long wandering, that he might correct
the deserving faults with a healing lash, and reconciling his
divine threats with paternal mercy, softened the corrections of
a father with the love of a mother. ¶ The honour of the English
bowed, and the comeliness of the Kingdom; its bending head had
felt the anger of the divine judge, and feared to serve the proud
tyrant. The balanced palm, long held out with dubious favour,
now smiled on the French, now turned its smile to the English,
applauding with more truth these latter, more deceitful to the
others. ¶ The anger of an avenging God allowed no longer the
furious king to reign; he fell, struck by him whose temples and
houses he had burnt with threatening fire. From this torch arises
the torch of fate, and the avenging fever, while it raged against
the king, drove away the rage of the flame. That death was the
highest honour, and was accompanied with the highest glory, that
he was in nothing overcome by the enemy, amidst so many enemies;
vanquished by the conqueror who is above, and unconquered, he
bit his own enemies even in his death. ¶ Let proud anger cease;
let power learn to serve and to bow to God, in submitting the
neck to whom she elevates herself; in rising she falls: short is
the power of man; and let it learn that the end approaches in
a few days. ¶ The widowed state had mourned the death of John,
and, fearing to bow the neck to a degenerate husband, the tear
of the English calls up the strength of England; the heavier the
grief, the nearer is its cure. ¶ Meanwhile had shone forth the
minute spark of most small beauty, the royal offspring, sole
hope of the torn Kingdom, a star, as it were, lit by God, it had
divested itself of the cloud that obscured its father, shining
forth a new light, and the candle of the child called back the
stars which had been scared by the father’s thunder. ¶ O precious
piety of God! who masters things that are great, confounds those
that are strong, raises such as are infirm, strikes ferocity with
lightning, breaks the haughty, who himself having come a child
out of the virgin’s womb, thus took a child to nourish, gave it
to the bosom of the Church, which the gentle parent receives in a
mother’s arms, rendered gentle by the obedience now newly born,
and about to place on its head a tender crown. It was heavenly
ordinance, that the consonant union of holy counsel feared not
to obey a boy king, and feared more to serve a tyrant. ¶ Sacred
union matures the new king to lofty things; utility, and piety,
and faith, swear together to concur with the fates, and to sign
them all with the seal of the Cross; they had raised together
the standard of the Cross and had ranged themselves round the
new King, and the white cross decorating the bearers of the
Cross fixed the unstable troops in the foundation of faith. ¶
O famous legation of a man! file of blessed council! star of
right! mirror of reason! helmet of the worship of God! crested
with the plume of care! England hath grasped her conquering
swords by impulse of God; her castles pour forth for the common
good the standard-bearing troops, fierce in war, and threatening
the enemy. ¶ What time the Earth had begun to bloom with new
fruitfulness, and had spread out her fresh grass in locks,
redolent of flowers had painted the young fleece of the fields,
and, whilst the new verdure curled the renascent woods, recalled
innumerable tongues of birds to the song; then the Gallic fury
had resolved to join the English of the north, the band having
conspired to pass through the midst of the English, having issued
from their London, the army of Louis deserted the long shades,
and the proud earls have the shame of going the way that is
open to them, and they carry fierce aid to Mountsorrel; for as
a greater victory attends it, so has the anger of God ordained
that it should not undergo a greater ruin. But with more caution
retires thence the nobility of earls, the flower of the faith,
the royal strength, the shield of Chester, until with roaring
tumult the rage of the others had passed the famous castle on the
heights (Nottingham), and the bank of Trent, and the pride of
long war had flown to the besieged citadel of the noble matron
(Lincoln). ¶ Hither when the fates have turned the fierce troops
with a murmuring noise, Fame flies, and calls the earls, and the
Cestrensian companions of the earls, and the shielded harvest of
men increases. The royal standards glitter, and the conspiring
bands follow, when clear faith at last draws out their faces,
the bright signs of the Cross paint the excelling breasts of
the youth, a common will strengthens their hearts; there was
one sole hope of conquering; victory was already stamped on all
their faces; and with a shout, ominous of good, they put forth
their associated hands to the accordant battle. ¶ The sabbath was
at hand in which the festival of the high God is performed, and
the eve celebrates the triune honour of the deity; the sun was
touching the earth with his first light, when the trumpet with
its terrible song had given the flourish; the leaders move iron
war; many were the standards you might see with tremulous flight
above the nodding helms, many the shields changing their ensigns
with various colours. The beauty of the sun shone upon the armed
troops; the coward became feverish; the brave strengthened their
hearts. When the constancy of war came to the astonished town,
the youth encircled the walls with a fearful wreath, and seek new
approaches; nor do the leaders immediately attack the city; a
legation is sent in to summon the sacrilegious men to the league
of peace. Yet no peace satisfied these fierce men; they utter
insults, despise the messengers, and add threatening words. ¶
When the messengers bring back the angry message, the leaders
order their bold followers to the attack; then the horror of
war roared, the trumpets thundered, a fearful noise rose into
the air, and in the resounding tumult the clouds might wonder
at earthly thunders. They leap over the fosses, mount over the
walls, break the gates, force the passages, and join battle. And
they made way with their swords; a merited confusion strikes the
sacrilegious men; the hives of Christ send forth the iron-girt
bees of war, and with fearful stings they penetrate the hostile
shirts, and cut the scaly textures of iron, and draw Sauls to the
chains of Paul, and the holy conversion turned hares into lions.
¶ Here stood Moses in the Mount; here Josua had fixed the station
of the sun; there the sling and stone of David overcome the great
Golias; the honour of Lincoln sees the venerable wonder; the
rage of the sea sees the imperial trophy of God; the four-fold
plague sees the standards rise again against it with conquering
palm. It saw, and was astonished; and the pride of war felt
that God fought for the boy; nor was it quiet by its own will,
but it burst, and received the feet of peace on its neck. ¶ O
famous day, to be venerated through our age! in which the rage of
war hid itself,--in which the peace-bringing sword subdued our
pestiferous divisions,--in which the grace of Christ washed out
the dishonour that had been brought forth, and, with the font of
faith, cleansed from the averted brow the disgrace which had been
inscribed on it.

* * * * *

All authorities agree in describing the great pride and avarice and luxury of the nobles in general, but particularly of the Romish prelates, at the beginning of the thirteenth century. The following song is a fair specimen of the unsparing satire which was universally directed against them by their contemporaries.

SONG ON THE CORRUPTIONS OF THE TIME.

[MS. Harl. No. 978. fol. 105, v^o. reign of Hen. III.]

_Contra avaros._

Quam sit lata scelerum et quam longa tela
Sub qua latent pectora vitiis anhela,
Musa vultu lugubri refer et revela,
Si curas cor spectantis tetigisse querela.
Pensant vota miseræ gentis et prophanæ
Non virtutis pretium, set lini vel lanæ;
Vespere quod agitur est infectum mane,
O curas hominum, o quantum est [in] rebus inane!
Est ad jura quilibet oculus obtusus;
Omnis ad injurias animus diffusus;
Ad fortunæ prodeunt aleas et usus
Mille hominum spes et rerum discolor usus.
Cum Sabinæ conferant saltum meretrici,
Pauperizent Arabes sub toga mendici,
Suo neget Tydeus fidem Polynici,
Spectatum admissi, risum teneatis, amici?
Singulos per singula si nosse labores,
Qui cultores otii, qui doli structores,
Qui ministri Mammonæ, qui Dei spretores,
Ætatis cujusque notandi sunt mores.
Puer pede certior, odit fores, foras
Fugit, minus minimis colit res, honoras,
Et iram post gaudia, breves rumpens moras,
Colligit et ponit, temere mutatur in horas.
A custode juvenis evolat et seris,
Gaudet equis, canibus, aleis, et meris,
Venator libidinis, auceps mulieris,
Utilium tardus provisor, prodigus æris.
Vir ut præsit civibus, imperet prætori,
Ut extendat prædia fune longiori,
Et impregnet scrinia censu pleniori;
Quærit opes et amicitias, inservit honori.
Multa circumveniunt senem casus duri,
Vel quod eget, abstinens, census perituri,
Vel quod tractat gelide res, ut prosint furi,
Dilator, spe longus, iners, avidusque futuri.
Sic ætates variat temporum respectus,
Transit ætas tenera cordis in affectus,
Vir in alta, sed ei quem torquet senectus,
Fervet avaritia miseraque cupidine pectus.
Omnis ad hoc hominum animus senescit,
Qui dum quærit extra se res, quærens se nescit,
Non rebus crescentibus ambitus quiescit;
Crescit amor nummi quantum ipsa pecunia crescit.
Sed hoc uno veniam vitium meretur,
Quod cum rerum dominis semper dominetur;
Tanto mens conspectius quæ nil reveretur
Crimen habet, quanto qui peccat major habetur.
Roma, turpitudinis jacens in profundis,
Virtutes præposterat opibus inmundis,
Vacillantis animi fluctuans sub undis,
Diruit, ædificat, mutat quadrata rotundis.
Vultus blandos asperat, quibus nunc arrisit;
Sinu fovet placido quos prius elisit;
Dum monetam recipit, tractat, et revisit;
Quod petiit, spernit, repetit quod nuper omisit.
Si non recte percipit quocumque modo rem,
Et quem primo didicit non oblita morem,
Morem testæ redolet, quæ diutiorem
Quo semel est inbuta recens servabit odorem.
Coram cardinalibus, coram patriarcha,
Libra libros, reos res, Marcum vincit marca,
Tantumque dat gratiæ lex non parco parca,
Quantum quisque sua nummorum servat in arca.
Si stateram judicum quæris, quæras ære,
Cum ab ære pendeat gratia stateræ;
Non quæras inducias, sed quod quærunt quære,
Unde habeas quærit nemo, sed oportet habere.
Commissus notario munera suffunde;
Statim causæ subtrahet, quando, cur, et unde,
Et formæ subjiciet canones rotundæ,
Quem res plus nimio delectavere secundæ.
Roma cunctos erudit ut ad opus transvolent,
Plus quam Deo Mammonæ cor et manus inmolent,
Sic nimirum palmites mala stirpe redolent,
Cui caput infirmum cetera membra dolent.
Calcant archipræsules colla cleri prona,
Et extorquent lacrimas ut emungant dona;
Nec, si ferunt miseri pauca, vel non bona,
Æquis accipient animis, donantve corona.
Si de contumelia cæperit quis conqueri,
Statim causæ porrigunt aurem, manum muneri;
Si semel acceperint rem pluralis numeri,
Cras poterunt fieri turpia sicut heri.
Diligit episcopus hilarem datorem,
Fas et nefas ausus post muneris odorem,
Nescius resumere, post lapsum pudorem,
Ejectum semel attrita de fronte ruborem.
Nec archidiacono minor turpitudo,
Quem semel arripuit serio vel ludo
Tenet, nec misertus est inopi vel nudo;
Non missura cutem nisi plena cruoris hirudo.
Decanus insidias natus ad æternas,
Ut exploret symbolum et res subalternas,
Mutans linguæ modulum et vestes hesternas,
Migrat in obscuras humili sermone tabernas.
Presbiter quæ mortui quæ dant vivi, quæque
Refert ad focariam, cui dat sua seque;
Ille sacri nominis, ille mentis æquæ,
Legem qui Domini meditatur nocte dieque.
Fulti verbis laici cleri delinquentis,
Non tam verbis inhiant quam famæ docentis:
Nec sensus sic flectere minis aut tormentis
Humanos edicta valent, quam vita regentis.
Regna movent principes statusque lascivi,
Ut ducant exercitus, pœnam donativi
Infligentes rustico miseroque civi;
Quicquid delirant reges plectuntur Achivi.
Qui regni vel curiæ curis accinguntur,
Dum arrident detrahunt, et dum blandiuntur
Jacturam vel dedecus semper moliuntur;
Nulla fides pietasve viris qui castra sequuntur.
Si te civis percipit, demollit ut urat,
Si dena contuleris mutuum futurat,
Te de tuo submovet, percipe, dum durat;
Pone merum et talos pereat, qui crastina curat.
Si quis ad forensium domos devolutus
Censum palam deferat, et minus astutus,
Nam cum cubans dormiet fessus et imbutus,
Vivitur ex rapto, non hospes ab hospite tutus.
Sic raptus, insidiæ, dolus, et simultas
Reddunt gentes devias, miseras, et stultas;
Sic inescant omnium mentes inconsultas
Ambitus, et luxus, et opum metuenda facultas.
Sed quid confert miseris luxus aut potestas
Qui spretis virtutibus colunt res funestas,
Aurum, gemmas, purpuram, et opes congestas?
Cum labor in dampno est, crescit mortalis egestas.
Quid ad rem, de purpura, gemmis, auro, rure?
Assunt cum divitiis odia, jacturæ,
Placita, jejunia, metus, et de jure
Insompnes longo veniunt ex agmine curæ.
Regnat pauper tutius quam rerum collator,
Qui, dum rapit domini gratiam delator,
Vel onustum spoliat prudens spoliator;
Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator.
Sæpe vivunt gratius rebus destituti,
Sub exili tegete lateris aut luti,
Quam in regum domibus mollibus induti;
Serviet æternum qui parvo nesciet uti.
Sed si quæris copiam veræ facultatis,
Rejice superflua, cole quod est satis,
Exue divitias, nudus cede fatis;
Tolle moram, nocuit semper differre paratis.
Si dum iter arripis ad utiliora,
Spem metus dissuadeat, vel successus mora,
Animum ne revoces, nec reflectas lora,
Grata superveniet quæ non sperabitur hora.
Thesaurizes illud quo non potes abuti,
Curam gerens inopis, cæci, claudi, muti;
Animæ, non animo servias vel cuti,
Pauca voluptati debentur, plura saluti.
Nemo regis solio tutus, vel asylo,
Cum nec lingua nequeat exprimi vel stilo
Quam sub fato pendulo vicinoque pilo,
Omina sunt hominum tenui pendentia filo.
Prospere dum navigas æquoris extremum,
Pensa non præsentia, sed futura demum,
Et puppim considerans, non proram vel remum,
Omnem crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum.