rt^iV^' 1 r.' ■. 1 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/bookofenglishproOOhenlrich A BOOK OF ENGLISH PROSE CHARACTER AND INCIDENT By W, E. HENLEY A BOOK OF VERSES. 5^. net. LONDON VOLUNTARIES. 5s. net, LYRA HEROICA. 3*. 6d. VIEWS AND REVIEWS. 6*. A BOOK OF ENGLISH PROSE CHARACTER AND INCIDENT 1387-1649 SELECTED BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY AND CHARLES WHIBLEY % METHUEN AND CO. 36 ESSEX STREET, W.C. LONDON 1894 Edinburgh : T. and A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty PREFACE // is not the object of this Book of Prose to illustrate the history of the English language, or to trace the development of the English sentence. Still less has it been our purpose to collect within two covers any such purple patches of diction as the taste and fashion of the past have marked out for admiration. Our bias is neither philological nor fantastical. Beyond the essential resolve to maintain a scrupulous standard of style, we have been guided in our selection by two definite principles: (1 ) that each passage should be complete in itself; (2) that each should relate a single incident or unfold a single character. It seemed that these principles, liberally interpreted, would at once give the book a concordant character, and ensure for every extract a separate and individual interest. Moreover, since our anthology is for young as well as for old, we have preferred before the prose of reflection and analysis the prose of adventure and romance — surely the best motives for soitnd and spirited English ? vi PREFACE In the matter of length, we have permitted ourselves the widest ItUittide, and this for an obvious reason. The limits of a jwem are generally set hy its maker. A passage of prose cannot always he disengaged, and even where disengagement is possible, you must follow the episode to its legitimate conclusion. Also, if some writers are absent ivhose presence was anticipated, it is not that they have been overlooked, hut that they were found inadmissahle. On the other hand, many are present whose names are not familiar to the readers of anthologies ; and it is believed that the consideration of these will strengthen an opinion that the level of prose our distant fathers held ^ is far higher than our ofvn. It remains to add that the passages are quoted verbally; that the spelling has been moderiiised or Anglicised ; and that the very few places where editing was found necessary are distinguished by dots of omission. W. E. H. C. W. CONTENTS PAGE JOHN TREVISA (1387). A Character of Irishmen 1 SIR JOHN MAUNDEVILLE (1410). The Court of the Great Chan 3 THE PASTON LETTERS (1455) The Battle of St Albans 14 WILLIAM CAXTON (1474) The Dolorous Shirt 19 \riLLIAM DE MACHLINIA (1482). How the Monk saw Heaven ..... 26 SIR THOMAS MALORY (1485). The Adventure of the Chariot 30 JOHN FISHER (1505). A Mourning Remembrance ..... 36 THE PASTON LETTERS (1506). A Pageant ' . . . 42 SIR THOMAS MORE (15 13). The Killing of Lord Hastings ..... 44 LORD BERNERS (1523). Wat Tyler's Ending 47 vii viii CONTENTS PACK j JOHN TIPTOFT, EARL OF WORCESTER (1530). The Conquest of Britain 62 SIR THOMAS ELYOT (1531). The Image of Detraction 68 THOMAS CRANMER (1533). The Crowning of Ann Boleyn 61 JOHN BELLENDEN (1536). A Roman Victory 63 ROGER ASCHAM (1545). Seeing the Wind 68 HUGH LATIMER (1548). A Character of London 70 RALPH ROBINSON (1551). Ralph Hythlodaye 72 GEORGE CAVENDISH (1557). Wolsey's Arrest ....... 76 JOHN FOXE (1563). Two Bishops : — I. Nicholas Ridley 83 II. Stephen Gardiner 88 WILLIAM ADLINGTON (1566). A Pretty Theft 91 THOMAS HARM AN (1567). An Old Man's Misadventure 95 LINDSAY OF PITSCOTTIE (1570). An Escape 97 CONTENTS ix PAGE JOHN KNOX (1572). The Killing of David Beaton 101 JAMES MELVILL (1574). A Scot Abroad 107 RAPHAEL HOLINSHED (1577). Agincourt. ........ 113 SIR THOMAS NORTH (1579). The Young Alexander 127 SIR THOMAS NORTH (1579). The Banishing of Coriolanus 132 JOHN LYLY (1579). England 136 JOHN FLORIO (1580). How we came to the Town of Hochelaga . . 145 HAKLUYT: NAVIGATIONS (1584). A Coronation ........ 149 REGINALD SCOT (1584). A False Witch 154 HAKLUYT: NAVIGATIONS (1584) The First Landing in Virginia 158 SIR FULK GREVILLE (1586). An Affair of Honour 166 SIR WALTER RALEIGH (1591). The Last Fight of the Revenge 169 SIR JAMES MELVILLE (1593). Gloriana 176 X CONTENTS HAKLUYT: NAVIGATIONS (1593). ''^*'" John Davys the Navigator 182 THOMAS NASH (1594). The Divine Aretine ....... 198 SIR WALTER RALEIGH (1596). Discovering Guiana . . . . . . .199 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1598). The Men in Buckram 204 SIR JOHN HAY WARD (1599). A Plot against the Throne 208 PHILEMON HOLLAND (1600). The Passage of the Alps 216 THOMAS DANETT (1601). The Most Christian King 224 JOHN FLORIO (1603). Julius Caesar 235 RICHARD KNOLLES (1603). Tamerlane 239 JOSEPH HALL (1608) Two Characters : — I. The Patient Man 249 ir. The Slothful Man 250 THOMAS DEKKER (1609). Character of a Gallant 252 CONTENTS xi PAGE SIR THOMAS OVERBURY (1616). , Three Characters : — I. A Worthy Commander in the Wars . . 267 II. A Tinker 268 III. A Fair and Happy Milk-maid . 259 THOMAS SHELTON (1620). The Delightful Passage of the Puppet-play . 261 SIR TOBIE MATHEW (1620). The Proving of Alipius 269 FRANCIS BACON, VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS (1622). A Wonder for Wise Men 273 JOHN DONNE (1624). Steps in his Sickness : — Meditation i 282 Meditation 11 283 Meditation in 284 Meditation iv 286 PURCHAS HIS PILGRIMS (1625). Two Pilgrims : — I. The Death of John Davys .... 288 II. An Ordeal by Fire 291 JOHN EARLE (1628). Some University Characters : — I. An Old College Butler .... 293 II. A Downright Scholar 294 III. A Mere Young Gentleman of the University 296 IV. An University Dun 297 xii CONTENTS FACE SIR KENELM DIGBY (1629). An Unequal Combat 298 WILLIAM HABINGTON (1635). Three Characters : — I. A Mistress 303 II. A Wife 305 III. A Friend . 306 REV. ROBERT BLAIR (1636). A Bout with the Adversary 308 SIR WILLIAM MONSON (1636). A Stratagem 311 REV. PRINCIPAL BAILLIE (1639). A Covenanting Army 319 ROBERT CAREY, EARL OF MONMOUTH (1639). Carey's Raid 326 JAMES MABBE (1640). A Night's Adventures 331 SIR ROBERT NAUNTON (1641). Two Favourites : — I. Leicester 336 II. Raleigh ....... 339 BEN JONSON (1641). Discoveries : — I. De Shakespeare Nostrat 342 II. Dominus Verulamius 343 III. The True Artificer 346 CONTENTS xiii FACE / REV. THOMAS FULLER (1642). / Sir Francis Drake 347 REV. THOMAS FULLER (1642). The True Gentleman 355 JOHN MILTON (1644)- / A Vision of England 368 '^ JAMES HOWEL (1645). A King of France 362 CAPTAIN HENRY BELL (1646). Luther at Worms 366 LORD HERBERT OF CHERBURY (1648). A Private Brawl 370 WILLIAM DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN (1649). Flodden Field 374 BIBUOGRAPHY 386 ENGLISH PROSE 1387-1649 ENGLISH PROSE A CHARACTER OF IRISHMEN SOLINUS saith that men of this land be strange of nation, Trevisa houseless, and great fighters, and account right and '3o7 wrong all for one, and be single of clothing, scarce of meat, cruel of heart, and angry of speech, and drink first blood of dead men that be slain, and then wash their face therewith ; and hold them appeased with flesh and fruit instead of meat, and with milk instead of drink, and they use much plays and idleness and hunting, and travail full little. In their childhood they be hard nourished and hard fed, and they be unseemly of manners and of clothing, and have breeches and hosen all one of wool, and straight hoods that stretch a cubit over the shoulders behind, and black faldings instead of mantles and cloaks. Also saddles, boots, and spurs they use none when they ride; but they drive their horses with a chambered yard ^ in the over end, instead of barnacles and of britels of reest 2; and they use bridles that let not their horses of their meat. They fight unarmed, naked in body ; never- theless with two darts and spears and with broad sparths.^ They fight with one hand, and when other weapons fail, they have good pebble stones ready at hand. These men forsake tilling of land and keep pasture for beasts : they use long beards and long locks hanging down behind their noils. They use no craft of flax and wool, of metal, neither of mer- chandise; but give them all to idleness and to sloth, and count rest for liking and freedom for riches. And though Scotland, the daughter of Ireland, use harp, timbre, and 1 Bent rod. 2 gits ©f arrest. 3 Axes. VOL. I. A 2 A CHARACTER OF IRISHMEN Trevisa tabor (and Wales uses harp and pipe and tabor), neverthe- ^387 less Irishmen be cunning in two manner of instruments of music, in the harp and timbre that is armed with wire and with strings of brass. In the which instruments they play hastily and swiftly ; they make well merry harmony and melody with well thick tunes, warbles, and notes ; and they begin from B moll, and play privily under the deep sound of the great strings, and turn again into the same, so that the greatest part of the craft hide the craft ; as it would seem as though the craft so hidden should be ashamed, an it were i-take. These men be of evil manners and of living ; they pay no tithings, they wed lawfully no wives, they spare not their allies,^ but the brother weds his brother's wife. They be busy for to betray their neighbours and others. They bear sparths in their hands instead of staves, and fight therewith against them that trust to them best. The men be variable and unsteadfast, treacherous and guileful. Who that deals with them needs more to beware of guile than of craft, of peace than of burning brands, of honey than of gall, of malice than of knighthood. They have such manners that they be not strong in war and battle, neither true in peace. They become gossips to them that they would falsely betray in gosibrede 2 and holy kindred ; each drinketh the other's blood when it is shed. They love somdel ^ their nurses and their playing feres,* which that suck the same milk that they suck while they be children. And they pursue their brethren, their cousins, and their other kin ; and despise their kin, while they be alive, and wreak their death, an they be slain. Among them long usage and evil custom hath so long endured, that it hath made the mastery, and turneth among themselves treason into kynd ^ so far forth, that as they be traitors by kynd, so aliens and men of strange lands that wone long among them draw after the manner of their company, and scape well 1 Relations. * Fellowship. » Sometimes. * Companions, ^ Nature. THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN 3 unnethe,^ but they be besmutted with the shrewdness and Trevisa become traitors also. . . . There be many men in this land -^3^7 wonderful and evil shaped in limbs and in body. For in their limbs lacketh the benefice of kynd, so that nowhere be none better shaped, than they that be here well shaped, and nowhere none worse shaped, than they that be here evil shaped. And skilfully kynd, hurt and defouled by wickedness of living, bringeth forth such foul grooms and evil shaped of them that with unlawful wedding, with foul manners and evil living, so wickedly defoul kynd. In this land and in Wales, old wives and women were wont, and be yet (as me pleyneth) oft for to shape themselves in likeness to hares, for to milk their neighbour's kine, and so steal their milk, and oft greyhounds run after them and pursue them, and ween that they be hares. Also some by craft of necromancy make fat swine (that be red of colour) and none other, and sell them in cheping and in fairs ; but anon as these swine pass any water they turn again into their own k)md, where it be straw, hay, grass, other turves. But these swine may not be kept by no manner of craft for to dure in likeness of swine over three days. Among these wonders and others take heed that in the uttermost ends of the world full oft new marvels and wonders, as though kynd played with larger leave privily and far in the ends than openly and nigh in the middle. Therefore in this island be many grisly marvels and wonders. Joh7i Trevisa. THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN NOW shall I tell you the governance of the Court of the Maunde- Great Chan, when he maketh solemn feasts, which is ville principally four times in the year. The first feast is of his ^ Hardly. 4 THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN Maunde- birth ; the second is of his presentation in their temple, such ville as they clepe here Moseache, where they make a manner ^ of circumcision; and the other two feasts are of his idols. The first feast of the idol is, when he is first put into their temple and throned. The other feast is, when the idol beginneth first to speak or work miracles. More there are not of solemn feasts, but if he marry any of his children. Now understand, that at each of these feasts, he hath great multitude of people, well ordained and well arrayed, by thousands by hundreds, and by tens. And every man knoweth well what service he shall do; and every man giveth so good heed and so good attendance to his service, that no man findeth any default. And there be first ordained four thousand Barons, mighty and rich, for to govern and make ordinance for the feast, and for to serve the Emperor. And these solemn feasts are made without, in halls and tents made of cloths of gold and of tartaries,! full nobly. And all the Barons have crowns of gold upon their heads, full noble and rich, full of precious stones and great pearls orient. And they are all clothed in clothes of gold, or of tartaries, or of camokas,^ so richly and perfectly, that no man in the world can amend it, nor better devise it. And all these robes are orfrayed^ all about, and dubbed full of precious stones and of great orient pearls, full richly. And they may well do so, for cloths of gold and of silk are cheaper there by much than are cloths of wool. And these four thousand barons are divided in four com- panies : and every thousand is clothed in cloths all of one colour, and so well arrayed and so richly, that it is marvel to behold. The first thousand, that is of Dukes, of Earls, of. Marquises, and of Admirals, all clothed in cloths of gold, with tissues of green silk, and bordered with gold, full of precious \ stones, in manner as I have said before. The 1 Eastern fabrics. 2 a silk fabric. 3 Embroidered with gold. THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN 5 second thousand is all in cloths diapered of red silk, all Maunde- wrought with gold, and the orfrayes set full of great pearls ville and precious stones, full nobly wrought. The third thousand is clothed in cloths of silk, of purple, or of Inde. And the fourth thousand is in clothes of yellow. And all their clothes are so nobly and richly wrought with gold and precious stones and rich pearls, that if a man of this country had but only one of their robes, he might well say that he should never be poor. For the gold and the precious stones, and the great orient pearls are of greater value on this half the sea than they are beyond the sea in those countries. And when they are thus apparelled, they go two and two together, full ordinately, before the Emperor, without speech of any word, save only inclining to him. And every one of them beareth a tablet of jasper, or of ivory, or of crj'stal ; and the minstrels go before them, sounding their instruments of divers melody. And when the first thousand is thus passed, and hath made its muster, it withdraws it on that one side ; and then entereth that other second thousand, and doth right so, in the same manner of array and countenance as did the first ; and after the third, and then the fourth, and none of them saith not one word. And at one side of the Emperor's table sit many Philo- sophers, who are proved for wise men in many divers sciences J as of astronomy, necromancy, geomancy, pyromancy, hydro- mancy, of augury, and of many other sciences. And every one of them hath before him astrolabes of gold, some spheres, some the brain-pan of a dead man, some vessels of gold full of gravel or sand, some vessels of gold full of coals burning, some vessels of gold full of water and of wine and of oil, and some horologes of gold, made full nobly and richly wrought, and many other manner of instruments after their sciences. And at certain hours, when they think time, they say to certain Officers who stand before them, ordained for the time to fulfil their commandments : ' Make peace.' And then say I4I0 6 THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN Maunde- the Officers : 'Now peace, listen/ And after that, saitn another ^xAr^ of the Philosophers : ' Every man do reverence, and incline to the Emperor, who is God's son and Sovereign Lord of all the World ; for now is time.' And then every man boweth his head towards the earth. And then commandeth the same Philosopher again : ' Stand up.' And they do so. And at another hour saith another Philosopher : ' Put your little finger in your ears.' And anon they do so. And at another hour saith another Philosopher: ' Put your hand before your mouth.' And anon they do so. And at another hour saith another Philosopher : ' Put your hand upon your head.* And after that he biddeth them to do their hand away ; and they do so. And so, from hour to hour, they command certain things. And they say that those things have divers significations. And I asked them privily what those things betokened. And one of the Masters told me that the bowing of the head at that hour betokened this, that all those that bowed their heads should evermore after be obeissant and true to the Emperor, and never for gifts, nor for promise in no kind be false nor traitor unto him for good nor evil. And the putting of the little finger in the ear betokeneth, as they say, that none of them shall not hear spoken no contrarious thing to the Emperor, but that he shall tell it anon to his council, or discover it to some men that will make relation to the Emperor, though he were his father or brother or son. And so forth of all other things that are done by the Philo- sophers, they told me the causes of many divers things. And trust right well in certain that no man doth no thing to the Emperor that belongeth to him, neither clothing, nor bread, nor wine, nor bath, nor other thing that belongeth to him, but at certain hours, as his Philosophers will devise. And if there fall war in any side to the Emperor, anon the Philosophers come and say their advice after their cal- culations, and counsel the Emperor of their advice by their sciences ; so that the Emperor doth nothing without their THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN 7 counsel. And when the Philosophers have done and per- Maunde- formed their commandments, then the Minstrels begin to ville do their minstrelsy, every one on their instruments, each after the other, with all the melody that they can devise. And when they have done a good while, one of the Officers of the Emperor goeth up on a high stage, wrought full curiously, and crieth and saith with a loud voice : ' Make peace.' And then every man is still. And then, anon after, all the Lords that are of the Emperor's lineage, nobly arrayed in rich clothes of gold, and royally apparelled on white steeds, as many as may well sue^ him at that time, are ready to make their presents to the Emperor. And then saith the steward of the court to the Lords, by name, ' N. of N.,' and nameth first the most noble and the worthiest by name, and saith : * Be ye ready with such a number of white horses for to serve the Emperor your Sovereign Lord.' And, to another lord, he saith : ' N. of N., be ye ready with such a number to serve your Sovereign Lord.' And to another, right so. And to all the Lords of the Emperor's lineage, one after the other, as they are of estate. And when they are all cleped, they enter each after the other, and present the white horses to the Emperor, and then go their way. And then after, all the other Barons, every one of them, give him presents, or jewels, or some other thing, after that they are of estate. And then, after them, all the Prelates of their law, and religious men and others ; and every man giveth him something. And when all men have thus presented the Emperor, the greatest of dignity of the Prelates giveth him a blessing, saying an orison of their law. And then begin the Minstrels to make their minstrelsy on divers instruments, with all the melody that they can devise. And when they have done their craft, then they bring before the Emperor lions, leopards, and other divers beasts, 1 Follow. 8 THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN Maunde- and eagles, and vultures, and other divers fowls, and fishes, ^^^^® and serpents, for to do him reverence. And then come jugglers and enchanters that do many marvels; for they make to come in the air the sun and the moon, beseeming, to every man's sight. And after they make the night so dark that no man may see no thing. And after they make the day to come again, fair and pleasant, with bright sun, to every man's sight. And then they bring in dances of the fairest damsels of the world, and richest arrayed. And after they make to come in other damsels bringing cups of gold, full of milk of divers beasts, and give drink to Lords and to Ladies. And then they make knights to joust in arms full lustily ; and they run together a great random and frush^ together full fiercely; and they break their spears so rudely that the tronchouns^ fly in sprotes^ and pieces all about the hall. And then they make to come in hunt- ing, for the hart and for the boar, with hounds running with open mouth. And many other things they do by craft of their enchantments, that it is marvel for to see. And such plays of disport they make, until the taking up of the boards. This Great Chan hath full great people for to serve him, as I have told you before. For he hath of Minstrels the number of thirteen cumants,^ but they abide not always with him. For all the Minstrels that come before him, of what nation they be of, they be witholden with him, as of his household, and entered in his books, as for his own men. And after that, where that ever they go, evermore they claim for Minstrels of the Great Chan ; and, under that title, all Kings and Lords cherish them the more with gifts and all things. And therefore he hath so great multitude of them. And he hath of certain men, as though they were yeomen, that keep birds, as ostriches, gerfaucons, sparrow-hawks, falcons, 1 Crash. 2 Staves. 3 Splinters. * Ten-thousands. THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN gentles, lanyers,^ sacres,^ sacrettes/ popinjays well speaking, Maunde- and birds singing. And also of wild beasts, as of elephants, ville tame and other, baboons, apes, marmozets, and other divers beasts ; the mountance^ of fifteen cumants of Yeomen. And of Physicians Christian he hath two hundred. And of Leeches that are Christians he hath two hundred and ten. And of Leeches and Physicians that are Saracens, twenty ; but he trusteth more in the Christian Leeches than in the Saracens. And his other common household is without number; and they all have all necessaries and all that they need of the Emperor's court. And he has in his court many Barons, as servitors, that are Christians and converted to good faith by the preaching of religious Christian men that dwell with him, but there be many more that will not have it known that they are Christians. This Emperor may dispend as much as he will, without estimation. For he dispendeth not nor maketh any money but of leather imprinted, or of paper. And of that money is some of greater price and some of less price, after the diversity of his statutes. And when that money has run so long that it beginneth to waste, then men bear it to the Emperor's treasury, and then they take new money for the old. And that money goeth throughout all the country and throughout all his provinces. For there, and beyond them, they make no money neither of gold nor of silver. And therefore, he may dispend enough, and outrageously. And of gold and silver that men bear in his country, he maketh ceilings, pillars and pavements in his palace, and other divers things that he liketh. This Emperor hath in his chamber, in one of the pillars of gold, a ruby and a carbuncle of half a foot long, which in the night giveth so great clearness and shining, that it is as light as day. And he hath many other precious stones, and many other rubies and carbuncles, but those are the greatest and the most precious. 1 Hawks. 2 A falcon (female). 3 a falcon (male). * Amoimt. 10 THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN Maunde- This Emperor dwelleth in summer in a city that is toward Viio *^^ north, that is called Saduz, and there is cold enough. And in winter he dwelleth in a city that is called Camaaleche, and that is a hot country. But the country where he dwelleth in most commonly is in Gaydo, or in Jong, that is a good country and a temperate, after that the country is there; but to men of this country, it were passing hot. And when this Emperor will ride from one country to another, he ordaineth four hosts of his folk, of the which the first host goeth before him a day's journey. For that host shall be lodged the night where the emperor shall lie upon the mor- row. And there shall every man have all manner of victuals and necessaries that are needful at the Emperor's costages. And in this first host is the number of people fifty cumants ; what of horse, what of foot, of the which every cumant amounteth to ten thousand, as I have told you before. And another host goeth on the right side of the Emperor, nigh half a journey from him. And another goeth on the left side of him in the same wise. And in every host is as much multitude of people as in the first host. And then after Cometh the fourth host, that is much more than any of the other, and that goeth behind him, the mountance of a bow's draught. And every host hath its day's journey ordained in certain places, where they shall be lodged at night, and there they shall have all that they need. And if it befall that one of the host die, anon they put another in his place, so that the number shall ever be whole. And you shall understand that the Emperor, in his proper person, rideth not as other great lords do beyond, but if he list to go privily with few men, for to be unknown. And else he rideth in a chariot with four wheels, upon the which is made a fair chamber ; and it is made of a certain wood that comes out of Paradise Terrestrial, which they call lignum aloes, that the floods of Paradise bring out at diverse seasons, as I have told you here before. And this chamber is full THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN 11 well smelling, because of the wood that it is made of. And Maunde- all this chamber is covered within of plates of fine gold, ^^l^^ dubbed with precious stones and great pearls. And four ^^^^ elephants and four great destreres,i all white and covered with rich covertures, leading the chariot. And four, or five, or six of the greatest Lords ride about this chariot, full richly arrayed and full nobly, so that no man shall nigh the chariot but only those lords, but if the Emperor call any man to him that he hsts to speak withal. And above the chamber of this chariot the Emperor sitteth in, are set upon a perch four, five, or six gerfaucons, to that intent, that when the Emperor seeth any wild fowl, he may take it at his own hst, and have the disport and the play of the flight, first with one and after with another ; and so he taketh his sport passing by the country. And no man rideth before him of his company, but all after him. And no man dare not come nigh the chariot by a bow- draught, but those Lords only that are about him ; and all the host come fairly after him, in great multitude. And also such another chariot, with such hosts, ordained and arrayed, go with the Empress upon another side, each by itself, with four hosts, right as the Emperor did, but not with so great multitude of people. And his eldest son goeth by another way in another chariot, in the same manner. So that there is between them so great multitude of folk, that it is mar- vel to tell it. And no man should trow the number, but he had seen it. And sometimes it happens that when he will not go far, and that it liketh him to have the Empress and his children with him, then they go all together ; and here folk are meddled ^ in one company, and divided in four parts only. And you shall understand that the empire of this Great Chan is divided into twelve provinces; and every province hath more than two thousand cities, and towns without number. This country is full great. For it hath twelve 1 Horses. 2 Mixed. 12 THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN Maunde- principal Kings in twelve provinces; and each of those Kings ^^^^6 hath many Kings under him; and all they are obeissant to the Great Chan. And his land and his lordship dureth so far that a man may not go from ahead, neither by sea nor land, the space of seven years. And through the deserts of his lordship, there, as men may find no towns, there are inns ordained at every journey, to receive both man and horse, in the which they shall find plenty of victuals and of all things that they need for to go by the country. And there is a marvellous custom in that country (but is profitable), that if there happen any contrarious thing that should be prejudice or grievance to the Emperor, in any kind, anon the Emperor hath tidings thereof and full knowledge in a day, though it be three or four journeys from him or more. For his ambassadors take their dromedaries, or their horses, and they prick in all that ever they may toward one of the inns ; and when they come there, anon they blow a horn, and anon they of the inn know well enough that there are tidings to warn the Emperor of some rebellion against him. And then anon they make other men ready, in all haste that they may, to bear letters, and prick in all that ever they may, till they come to the other inns with their letters ; and then they make fresh men ready, to prick forth with the letters towards the Emperor, while the last bringer resteth him, and baiteth his dromedary or his horse ; and so from inn to inn, till it come to the Emperor. And thus anon he hath hasty tidings of anything that beareth charge by his couriers, that run so hastily throughout all the country. And, also, when the Emperor sendeth his couriers hastily throughout his land, each of them hath a large thong full of small bells; and when they nigh near the inns of other couriers that are also ordained by the journeys, they ring their bells; and anon the other couriers make them ready, and run their way unto another inn ; and thus runneth one to an- other, full speedily and swiftly, till the Emperor's intent be THE COURT OF THE GREAT CHAN 13 served, in all haste. And these couriers are called Chydydo, Maunde- after their language, that is to say, a messenger. ville Also when the Emperor goeth from one country to another, ^^^^ as I have told you here before, and he passeth through cities and towns, every man makes a fire before his door, and putteth therein powder of good gums, that are sweet smelling, for to make good savour to the Emperor. And all the people kneel down against him, and do him great reverence. And there, where religious Christian men dwell, as they do in many cities in the land, they go before him with procession, with cross and holy water ; and they sing, Veni Creator, Spinhis, with a high voice, and go towards him. And when he heareth them, he commandeth to his lords to ride beside him, that the religious men may come to him. And when they are nigh him with the cross, then he doth adown his galiot, which sitteth upon his head in the manner of a chaplet, that is made of gold, and precious stones, and great pearls. And it is so rich that men prize it to the value of a realm, in that countiy. And then he kneeleth to the cross. And then the Prelate of the religious men saith before him certain orisons, and giveth him a blessing with the cross; and he inclineth to the blessing full devoutly. And then the Prelate giveth him some manner of fruit, to the number of nine, in a platter of silver, with pears or apples or other manner fruit. And he taketh one; and then men give to the other lords that are about him. For the custom is such that no stranger shall come before him but if he give him some manner thing, after the old law, that says. Nemo accedat in conspedu meo vacuus. And then the Emperor saith to the religious men that they withdraw them again, that they be not hurt nor harmed of the great multi- tude of horse that come behind him. And also in the same manner do the monks that dwell there to the Empresses that pass by them, and to his eldest son ; and to every one of them they present fruit. 14 THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS Maunde- And you shall understand that the people that he hath ville gQ many hosts of about him, and about his wives and his sons, they dwell not continually with him, but always, when it liketh him, they are sent for ; and after, when they have done, they return to their own households, save only those that are dwelling with him in household for to serve him, and his wives, and sons for to govern his household. And albeit, that the others are departed from him after they have performed their service, yet there abideth continually with him in court fifty thousand men at horse, and twenty thousand men a foot, without Minstrels and those that keep wild beasts and diverse birds, of the which I have told you the number before. Under the firmament, is not so great a lord, nor so mighty, nor so rich, as the Great Chan ; neither Prester John, that is Emperor of the High Inde, nor the Sultan of Babylon, nor the Emperor of Persia. All these are not in comparison to the Great Chan, neither of might, nor of nobleness, nor of royalty, nor of riches ; for in all these he passeth all earthly princes. Wherefore it is great harm that he believeth not faithfully in God. And, nevertheless, he will gladly hear speak of God; and he suffereth well that Christian men dwell in his lordship, and that men of his faith be made Christian men, if they will, throughout all his country. For he defendeth no man to hold any law other than he liketh. Sir John Maundeville, THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS Fasten T) E it known and had in mind that the 21st day of May 1455 IJ the 33rd year of the reign of King Henry the Sixth, our sovereign Lord King took his journey from Westminster toward St. Albans, and rested at Watford all night ; and on the morrow betimes he came to St. Albans, and with him on THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS 15 his party assembled under his banner the Duke of Buck- Paston ingham, the Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Penbroke, the ^455 Earl of Northumberland, the Earl of Devonshire, the Earl of Stafford, the Earl of Dorset, the Earl of Wiltshire, the Lord Clifford, the Lord Dudley, the Lord Bumys, the Lord Rose, with other divers knights, squires, and other gentlemen and yeomen to the number of 2000 and more. And upon the 22d day of the said month above rehearsed assembled the Duke of York, and with him came in company the Earl of Salisbury, the Earl of Warwick, with divers knights and squires unto their party into the field, called the Key Field, beside St. Albans. Furthermore, our said sovereign Lord the King, hearing and knowing of the said Duke's coming with other Lords aforesaid, pitcheth his banner at the place called Boslaw in St. Petrus Street, which place was called aforetime past Sandeford, and commandeth the ward and barriers to be kept in strong wise ; for the said Duke of York abiding in the field aforesaid from seven of the clock in the mom till it was almost ten, without any stroke smitten on either party. The said Duke sent to the King our sovereign Lord, by the advice of his council, praying and beseeching him to take him as his true man and humble subject; and to consider and to tender at the reverence of Almighty God, and in way of charity the true intent of his coming — to be good and gracious sovereign Lord to his liege- men, which, with all their power and might, will be ready at all times to live and die with him in his right. And to what thing it should like his Majesty Royal to command him, if it be his worship, keeping right of the Crown and welfare of the land : ' Moreover, gracious Lord, please it your Majesty Royal of your great goodness and righteousness to incline your will to hear and feel the righteous part of us your subjects and liegemen ; first, praying and beseeching to our Lord Jesus of His high and mighty power to give unto you virtue and prudence, and 16 THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS Paston that through the mediation of the glorious martyr St. Alban 1455 to give you very knowledge to know the intent of our assembling at this time ; for God that is in heaven knoweth that our intent is rightful and true. And therefore we pray unto Almighty Lord Jesus these words — Domine sis clipeus defensionis nostrae. Wherefore, gracious Lord, please it your high Majesty to deliver such as we will accuse, and they to have like, as they have deserved and done, and ye to be honourabled and worshipped as most rightful King and our governor. For and we shall now at this time be promised, as afore this time is not unknown, of promise broken which full faith fully hath been promised, and thereupon great oaths made, we will not now cease for none such promise, surety, nor other, till we have him which have deserved death, or else we to die therefore.' And to that answered the King our sovereign Lord, and said : ' I, King Henry, charge and command that no manner person, of what degree, or state, or condition that ever he be, abide not, but void the field, and not be so hardy to make any resistance against me in mine own realm ; for I shall know what traitor dare be so bold to raise a people in mine own land, wherethrough I am in great disease and heaviness. And by the faith that I owe to St. Edward and to the Crown of England, I shall destroy them every mother son, and they be hanged, and drawn, and quartered, that may be taken afterward, of them to have ensample to all such traitors to beware to make any such rising of people within my land, and so traitorly to abide her King and governor. And, for a conclusion, rather than they shall have any Lord here with me at this time, I shall this day, for her sake, and in this quarrel myself live or die.' Which answer came to the Duke of York, the which Duke, by the advice of the Lords of his Council, said unto him these words : * The King our sovereign Lord will not be reformed at our beseeching nor prayer, nor will not under- THE BATTLE OF ST. ALBANS 17 stand the intent that we be come hither and assembled for Paston and gathered at this time; but only is full purpose, and ^455 there none other way but that he will with all his power pursue us, and if we be taken, to give us a shameful death, losing our liveload^ and goods, and our hairs shamed for ever. And therefore, sith it will be none otherwise but that we shall utterly die, better it is for us to die in the field than cowardly to be put to a great rebuke and a shameful death ; moreover, considering in what peril England stands in at this hour, therefore every man help to help power for the right thereof, to redress the mischief that now reigneth, and to quit us like men in this quarrel ; praying to that Lord that is King of Glory, that reigneth in the kingdom celestial, to keep us and save us this day in our right, and through the help of His holy grace we may be made strong to with- stand the great abominable and cruel malice of them that purpose fully to destroy us with shameful death. We there- fore. Lord, pray to Thee to be our comfort and defender, saying the words aforesaid, Domine sis clipeus defensionis nostrae.' And when this was said, the said Duke of York, and the said Earl of Salisbury, and the Earl of Warwick, between eleven and twelve of the clock at noon, they broke into the town in three divers places and several places of the fore- said street. The King being then in the place of Edmond Westley, hunderdere^ of the said town of St. Albans, command- eth to slay all manner men of lords, knights, and squires, and yeomen that might be taken of the foresaid Duke's of York. This done, the foresaid Lord CUfFord kept strongly the barriers that the said Duke of York might not in any wise, with all the power that he had, enter nor break into the town. The Earl of Warwick, knowing thereof, took and gathered his men together, and furiously brake in by the 1 Lands from which an income was derived. 3 Headman of an hundred. VOL. L 18 THE BATfLE OF ST. ALBANS Paston garden sides between the sign of the Key and the sign of ^455 the Chequer in Hoi well Street; and anon as they were within the town, suddenly they blew up trumpets, and set a cry with a shout and a great voice, 'A Warwick! A Warwick ! A Warwick ! ' and into that time the Duke of York might never have entry into the town; and they with strong hand kept it, and mightily fought together, and anon, forthwith after the breaking in, they set on them manfully. And as of Lords of name were slain the Lord Clifford, the Duke of Somerset, the Earl of Northumberland, Sir Bertram Entuwysselle, Knight ; and of men of court, William Zouch, John Batryaux, Raaff of Bapthorp, and his son, William Corbyn, squires ; William Cotton, receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster ; Gilbert Starbrok, squire ; Maimer Pagentoun, William Botelore, yeomen; Roger Mercroft, the King's messenger ; Hal3m, the King's porter ; Raufe Wyllerby ; and 25 more, which their names be not yet known. And of them that be slain be buried in St. Albans 48. And at this same time were hurt Lords of name — the King, our sovereign Lord, in the neck with an arrow; the Duke of Buckingham, with an arrow in the visage; the Lord of Stafford in the hand, with an arrow; the Lord of Dorset, sore hurt that he might not go, but he was carried home in a cart ; and Wenlok, knight, in likewise in a cart sore hurt ; and other divers knights and squires sore hurt. The Earl of Wiltshire, Thorp, and many others fled, and left their harness behind them cowardly, and the substance of the King's party were despoiled of horse and harness. This done, the said Lords, that is to wot, the Duke of York, the Earl of Salisbury, the Earl of Warwick, came to the King, our sovereign Lord, and on their knees besought him of grace and forgiveness of that they had done in his presence, and besought him of his highness to take them as his true liegemen, saying that they never intended hurt to his own person, and therefore the King our sovereign Lord took I THE DOLOROUS SHIRT 19 them to grace, and so desired them to cease their people, Paston and that there should no more harm be done ; and they ^455 obeyed his commandment, and let make a cry on the King's name that all manner of people should cease and not so hardy to strike any stroke more after the proclamation of the cry ; and so ceased the said battle, Deo gratias. And on the morrow the King and the said Duke, with other certain Lords, came in to the Bishop's of London, and there kept residence with joy and solemnity, concluding to hold the Parliament at London, the 9th day of Julv next coming. The Paston Letters. THE DOLOROUS SHIRT WHEN Hercules had read this letter, he understood Caxton well what it contained, and was smitten with re- ^474 morse of conscience. By this remorse he understood that virtue was fouled in him ; he was then all pensive, and so much prived from pleasance that none durst come to him in a great while and space, save only they that brought to him meat and drink ; neither Yole durst not go to him. Lycas that had brought this letter was there awaiting and attend- ing the answer long ; no man could know whereof proceeded the solitude of Hercules, nor the cause why he withdrew him from the people. In the end, when Hercules had been long pensive, and had thought upon all his affairs, and that he had to do for to withdraw him and to eslonge ^ him from Yole, he departed from his chamber on a day, saying that he would go and make sacrifice to the god Apollo upon the mount named Oethea, and commanded and defended upon pain of death that no man should follow him, reserved Philotes. Of adventure as he issued out of his palace, 1 Estrange. 20 THE DOLOROUS SHIRT Caxton accompanied only of Philotes, for to go upon the mount, he 1474 met Lycas. Lycas made to him reverence and demanded him if it pleased him anything to send to Deyanira. Hercules answered to Lycas that he would go make his sacrifice to the god Apollo, and that at his return and com- ing again he would go unto her or else he would send unto her. With this word Hercules and Philotes passed forth and went on their pilgrimage, and Lycas returned unto Deyanira and told to her the joyous tidings that he had received of Hercules, and also what life that Hercules had led since the day and the hour that he had presented to him her letter. Deyanira, all comforted of these good tidings, went into her chamber and thanked the gods and fortune. Anon, after she began to think on her estate, and thus thinking she remembered her on the poison that Nessus had given her in the article of his death, and how she had shut it in one of her coffers, and forthwith incontinent she opened the coffer and took the cursed poison and one of the shirts of Hercules, and as she that imagined by the virtue of the poison to draw again to her the love of Hercules, like as Nessus had said unto her, she made the shirt to be boiled with the poison, and gave the charge thereof to one of her women. When the shirt was boiled enough the woman took off the vessel and set it to cool ; after she took out the shirt appertly ^ and wrung it, but she could not so soon have wrung it but the fire sprang in her hands so anguishously, that as she cast it upon a perch to dry she fell down dead. In process of time Deyanira desiring to have the shirt, and seeing that the woman that had charge thereof brought it not, she went into the chamber where the shirt had been boiled and found the woman dead, whereof she had great marvel. Nevertheless, she passed the death lightly, and by one of her damoiselles she made take the shirt that hung on 1 Briskly, THE DOLOROUS SHIRT 21 the perch and was dry, and commanded her that she should Caxton fold it and wind it in a kerchief. At the commandment of '474 Deyanira the damoiselle folded and enveloped the shirt, but so doing she was served of the poison in such wise that she lost her speech and died anon after. This notwithstanding, Deyanira that thought on nothing but for to come to her intention, took the shirt and delivered it to Lycas and charged him that he should bear it to Hercules, praying him in her name that he would wear it. Lycas, that was ready to accomplish the will of his mistress, took the charge of the dolorous shirt and departed from thence and went unto the mountain whereas Hercules was, and there he found him in a forest whereas was the temple of Diana. Hercules had no man with him but Philotes, which made ready for him a great fire for to sacrifice an hart that Hercules had taken running at a course. Lycas then finding Hercules in the temple, he kneeled down low to him and said : ' Sire, here is a shirt that your ancille ' and servant Deyanira sendeth unto you, she recommendeth her humbly unto your good grace, and prayeth you that ye will receive this present in gree ^ as from your wife.' Hercules was joyous of these words, and anon unclothed him for to do on this cursed shirt, saying that verily she was his wife and that he would for her sake wear this shirt. In doing on this shirt, he felt a right great dolour and pain in his body ; this notwithstanding, he did on his other clothes above as he that thought none evil. When he was clothed and the shirt was chauffed,^ his pain and sorrow grew more and more. Then he began to think, and knew anon that his malady came off his shirt ; and feel- ing the pricking of the venom, without long tarrying he took off his robe, and supposed to have taken off his shirt from his back, and to have rent it and diffete it.^ But he was not strong enough for to do so, for the shirt held so sore and cleaved so fast and terribly to his flesh, and was so fasted to his skin 1 Handmaiden. ' Grace. 3 Warmed. * Undone. 22 THE DOLOROUS SHIRT Caxton by the vigour of the aspre poison, in such wise that he tare 1474 out his flesh and bare away certain pieces thereof when he would have taken off his shirt. Hercules knew then that he was hurt and wounded to the death ; the death began to fight against him. He began to resist by drawing off his shirt from his body by pieces of his flesh and of his blood. All might not avail ; he all to-rent and dischaired ^ his back, his thighs, his body unto his entrails and guts, his arms, his shoulders unto the bones ; his dolour and pain grew and enlarged to the utterance. Thus as he returned by the force of his great dolorous pain, he beheld Lycas and another fellow that he had brought with him that were all abashed of this adventure ; then he went to them and said unto Lycas : ' Thou cursed and unhappy man ! what thing has moved thee to come hither under the privy habi- tude of Deyanira to bring me into the chance of fortune .'* What weenest thou that thou hast done ? Thou hast served me with a shirt intoxicate of mortal venom ; who hath intro- duced thee to do this.'* Thou must needs receive thy desert.' And saying these words, Hercules caught by the head poor Lycas, that wist never what to say, and threw him against a rock so fiercely that he to-frushed ^ and to-brake his bones and so slew him. The fellow of Lycas fled and hid him in a bush ; Philotes was so afraid that he wist not what to do. At the hour that Hercules was in this point, much people came into the temple. The entrails of Hercules broiled, his blood boiled in all his veins, the poison pierced unto his heart, his sinews shrunk and withdrew them ; when he felt him in this misery, and that the death hasted him by terrible battle, as he that could not take away the re- pugnance of his virtuous force striving against the malice of venom, he began to run over hill and over valley, up and down in the forest, and pulled up the great trees and over- threw them. After he began to rend off his shirt with the 1 Disfleshed. 2 Crushed. THE DOLOROUS SHIRT 23 flesh then sodden and broiled. When he had long led this Caxton life he returned into the temple all ascertained of the death, ^474 and lifted up his hands and his eyes unto the heaven and said : ' Alas ! alas ! must it be that fortune laugh at me for this miserable destiny, coming of the accusation of wood^ jealousy and sorcery of that woman that in the world I held and reputed most wise and most virtuous. O Deyanira, dis- natural woman, without wit, without shame, and without honour, with an heart of a tyrant, all affamed 2 of jealousy ! How hast thou might to contrive against me this furor and treason envenomed, false feminine will disnatural, out of rule and out of order. Thou haddest never so much honour and worship as thou now hast deserved blame, not only for thee alone but for all the women that be or shall be ever in the world ; for if it happen that the kings or princes acquaint them with ladies or damoiselles for the human multipliance, they shall never have credence nor afHance in their proper wives. O Deyanira, what hast thou done? The women present and they that be in the wombs of their mothers, all shall crach ^ thee in the face, and shall curse thee without end, for the reproach by the turning upon them is infinite, and the men shall have dread for to be served of the shirt. Alas ! Deyanira, what shall Calcedonie now do that glorified her in thy glorj', and put and set thee in the front of their honour as a carbuncle for the parement * of her precious things? Instead to set thee in the front, they shall cast thee under feet ; and instead to have glory of, they shall have shame. Hereof they may not fail, for by impiety and diverse engines and by conspired and swollen cruelty, thou hast conspired my death, and hast desloyed ^ and unbounden one not recoverable infortune for thee and me and for our friends and kinsmen. O Deyanira, right reraaudit,^ unhappy, and most cursed serpent, too malicious and reproachable 1 Mad. a An-hungered. » Spit. * Adornment. Set loose. « Accursed, 24 THE DOLOROUS SHIRT Caxton murderer, thy false jealousy hath more power to extermine ^474 my life than have had all the monsters of the world; by thine offence and by thy machination hid and covert, wherefrom I could not keep me, I must die and pass out of this world. Since it is so, I thank fortune, and ask of the gods no vengeance of thee ; but certes, to the end that it be not said that the vanquisher of men be vanquished by a woman, I shall not pass the bitter passage of death by thy mortal sorceries full of abomination, but by the fire that is neat and clear, and the most excellent of the elements.' These dolorous and sorrowful words accomplished, Her- cules took his club and cast it in the fire that was made ready for to make his sacrifice; after he gave to Philotes his bow and his arrows, and sin he prayed him that he would recommend him to Yole and his friends. And then, feeling that his life had no more for to sojourn, he took leave of Philotes and then as all burnt and sodden he laid him down in the fire, lifting his hands and his eyes unto the heaven, and there consumed the course of his glorious life. When Philotes saw the end of his master Hercules, he burnt his body into ashes and kept these ashes in intention to bear them to the temple that the King Evander had to make. After he departed from thence, and returned into Lycye greatly discomforted, and with great source of tears he recounted to Yole and to his friends the piteous death of Hercules. No man could recount the great sorrow that Yole made and they of Lycye, as well the students as the rural people ; all the world fell in tears, in sighs, and in bewail- ings for his death. So much abounded Yole in tears and weepings that her heart was drowned and departed her soul from the body by the bitter water of her weeping. Each body cursed and spake shame of Deyanira ; finably Deyanira, advertised by the fellow of Lycas of the mischief that was come by the shirt, she fell in despair and made many piteous bewailings, and among all other she said : THE DOLOROUS SHIRT 25 * What have I done, alas, what have I done ? The most Caxton solemn man of men, shining among the clerks, he that ^474 traversed the strong marches, the fundaments terrestrial, that bodily conversed among the men, and spiritually among the sun, the moon, and the stars, and that sustained the circum- ference of the heavens, is dead by my cause and by my culpa and without my culpe ! He is dead by my culpe, for I have sent to him the shirt that gave to him the bite of death ; but this is without my culpe, for I knew nothing of the poison. O mortal poison ! By me is he prived of his life, of whom I loved the life as much as I did mine own ; he that bodily dwelled among the men here in earth, and spiritually above with the sun, the moon, and celestial secrets ; he that was fountain of science, by whom the Athenians aroused and be- dewed their wits and engines ; he that made the monsters of the sea to tremble in their abysms and swallows, and de- stroyed the monsters of Hell. He confounded the monsters of the earth ; the tyrants he corrected ; the orguillous and proud he humbled and meaked, the humble and meak he enhanced and exalted ; he that made no treasure but of virtue ; he that all the nations of the world subjuged and subdued with his club ; and he that if he had willed by ambition of seignourie, might have attained to be King of the East, of the West, of the South, and of the North, of the Seas and of the Mountains, of all these he might have named him King and Lord by good right, if he had willed. Alas, alas ! what am I, bom in an unhappy time, when so high and so mighty a Prince is dead by my simplesse ? He was the glory of the men ; there was never to him none like, nor never shall be. Ought I to live after him ? Nay, certes that shall I never do ; for to the end that among the ladies I be not showed nor pointed with the finger, and that I fall not into strange hand for to be punished as much as I have of culpe and blame in this death, I shall do the vengeance to myself.' And with that she took a knife, and saying : * I feel myself and 26 HOW THE MONK SAW HEAVEN Caxton know that I am innocent of the death of my lord Hercules !' 1474 And with the point of the knife she ended her despaired life. Whereof Philotes was all abashed, and so were all they of Greece that long bewept and bewailed Hercules and his death ; and they of Athens bewailed him strongly, some for his science, and other for his virtues. William Caxton. HOW THE MONK SAW HEAVEN De Mach- IV T OW when we were past all these places and sights lima J^^ aforesaid, and had gone a good space more inward, and ever grew to us more and more joy and fairness of places : also at the last we saw afar a full glorious wall of crystal, whose height no man might see, and length no man might consider: and when we came thither I saw withinforth a full fair bright shining gate, and stood open, save it was signed and laid over with a cross. Truly thither came flockmeal the multitude of those blessed souls that were next to it, and would come in at that fair gate. The cross was set in the midst of that gate, and now she was lift up on high, and so gave to them that came thither an open and a free entering, and afterward she was let down again, and so sparred ^ other out that would have come in. But how joyful they were that went in, and how reverently they tarried that stood without, abiding the lifting up of the cross again, I cannot tell by no words. Soothly here Saint Nicholas and I stood still together, and the liftings up of the cross and the lettings down again, whereby some went in and some tarried without, I beheld long time with great wonder. And at the last Saint Nicholas and I came thither to the same gate hand in hand. And when we came thither the cross was lift up. And so they that were * Barred, staked. HOW THE MONK SAW HEAVEN 27 there went in. Soothly then my fellow. Saint Nicholas, freely De Mach- went in and I followed, but suddenly and unavised^ the cross linia of the gate came down upon our hands and departed me from ^ my fellow Saint Nicholas, and when I saw this full sore afraid I was. Then said Saint Nicholas to me : ' Be not afraid, but have only full certain faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and doubtless thou shalt come in.' And after this my hope and trust came again, and the cross was lift up, and so I came in ; but what brightness and clearness of light was there within- forth all about no man ask nor seek of me, for I can not only [not] tell it by word, but also I cannot remember it in mind. That glorious shining light was bright and smooth, and so ravished a man that beheld it, that it bare a man above him- self by the great brightness of light, in so mickle that what- soever I saw before, it was as nothing, methought, in com- parison of it. That brightness, though it were inestimable, nevertheless it dulled not a man's sight ; it rather sharpened t it. Soothly it shone full marvellously, but more inestimably it delighted a man that beheld it, and wonderfully coupled a man's sight to see it. And withinforth nothing I might see but light and the wall of crystal through the which we came in. And also from the ground up to top of that wall were gryces ^ ordained and disposed fair and marvellously, by the which the joyful company that was come in at the fore- said gate gladly ascended up. There was no labour, there was no difficulty, there was no tarrying in their ascending, and the higher they went the gladder they were. Soothly I stood beneath on the ground, and long time I saw and beheld how they that came in at the gate ascended up by the same gryces. And at the last, as I looked up higher, I saw in a throne of joy sitting our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in likeness of man ; and about Him, as it seemed to me, were a five hundred souls, the which late had stied ^ up to that glorious throne ; and so they came to our Lord and 1 Without warning. 2 steps. s Gone. 28 HOW THE MONK SAW HEAVEN De Mach- worshipped Him, and thanked Him for His great mercy and Q^^ grace showed and done to them : and some were seen on the upper parts of the wall as they had walked hither and thither. Truly I knew for certain that this place, where I saw our Lord sitting in a throne, was not the high Heaven of Heavens where the blessed spirits of angels and the holy souls of righteous men joy in the sight of God, seeing Him in His majesty as He is : where also innumerable thousands of holy spirits and angels serve him and assist him But then from thence, without any hardness or tanking, they ascend up to the high heaven, the which is blessed of the sight of the everlasting Godhead, whereas only the holy angels, and the souls of righteous men that be of angels' perfection, see the invisible and immortal King of all worlds face to face, the which hath only immortality and dwelleth in light that is inaccessible : for no man may come to it, the which no mortal man seeth, neither may see. Soothly He is seen only of holy spirits that be pure and clean, the which be not grieved by no corruption of body, neither of soul. And in this vision that I saw, so mickle I conceived in my soul of joy and gladness, that whatsoever may be said of it by man's mouth, full little it is, and insufficient to express the joy of my heart that I had there. Therefore when I had seen all these sights above said, and many other innumerable, my lord Saint Nicholas, that held me by the hand, said shortly this to me : ' Lo, son,' he said, 'now a part after thy petition and great desire thou hast seen and beholden the state of the world that is to come as it might be to possible. Also the perils of them that offend and err, the pains of sinners, the rest also of them that have done their purgation, the desires of them that be going to heavenward, and the joys of them that now be come to the Court of Heaven, and also the joy of Christ's reigning. And now thou must go again to thyself and to thine [own], and to the world's fighting. Truly thou shalt have HOW THE MONK SAW HEAVEN 29 and perceive the joys that thou fiast seen, and mickle more, De Mach- if thou continue and persevere in the dread of God/ And ^^°o* when he had said this to me he brought me forth through the same gate that we came in : wherefore full heavy and sorry was I, and more than a man may suppose : for well I knew that I must turn again from that heavenly bliss to this world's wTetchedness. And greatly he exhorted me how I should dispose me to abide the day of my calling out of my body in cleanness of heart and of body and meekness of spirit, with diHgent keeping of my religion. * Diligently,' he said to me, ' keep the commandments of God, and dispose thy living after the example of righteous men. And truly so it shall be, that after the term of thy bodily living thou shalt be admitted blessedly to their fellowship everlastingly.' And while the holy confessor. Saint Nicholas, this wise spake yet with me, suddenly I heard there a solemn peal and a ringing of a marvellous sweetness, and as all the bells in the world, or whatsoever is of sounding, had been rung together at once. Truly in this peal and ringing brake out also a marvellous sweetness, and a variant meddling of melody sounded withal. And I wot not whether the great- ness of melody or the sweetness of sounding of bells was more to be wondered [at]. And to so great a noise I took good heed, and full greatly my mind was suspended to hear it. Soothly, anon as that great and marvellous sounding and noise was ceased, suddenly I saw myself departed from the sweet fellowship of my duke and leader. Saint Nicholas. Then was I returned to myself again, and anon I heard the voices of my brethren that stood about our bed. William De Machlinia. 30 THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHARIOT THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHARIOT Malory /-TpHEN by the Queen's commandment they left battle, X and dressed the wounded knights on horseback, some sitting, some overthwart their horses, that it was pity to behold them. And then Sir Meliagrance charged the Queen and all her knights that none of all her fellowship should depart from her; for full sore he drad Sir Launcelot du Lake, lest he should have any knowledging. All this espied the Queen, and privily she called unto her a child of her chamber, that was swiftly horsed, to whom she said : ' Go thou, when thou seest thy time, and bear this ring unto Sir Launcelot du Lake, and pray him as he loveth me, that he will see me, and rescue me if ever he will have joy of me ; and spare thou not thy horse,* (said the Queen), ' neither for water, neither for land/ So the child espied his time, and lightly he took his horse with the spurs, and departed as fast as he might. And when Sir Meliagrance saw him so flee, he understood that it was by the Queen's commandment for to warn Sir Launcelot. Then they that were best horsed chased him, and shot at him, but from them all the child went suddenly ; and then Sir Meliagrance said unto the Queen: ' Madam, ye are about to betray me, but I shall ordain for Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly at you.' And then he rode with her and they all to his castle in all the haste that he might. And by the way Sir Meliagrance laid in an enbushment the best archers that he might get in his country, to the number of a thirty, to await upon Sir Launcelot, charging them that if they saw such a manner of knight come by the way upon a white horse, that in any wise they slay his horse, but in no manner of wise have not ado with him bodily, for he is over hard to be overcome. So this was done, and they were come to his castle, but in no wise the Queen would never let none of the ten knights and THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHARIOT 31 her ladies out of her sight, but always they were in her Malory presence, for the book saith Sir Meliagrance durst make no ^^5 masteries for dread of Sir Launcelot, in so much he deemed that he had warning. So when the child was departed from the fellowship of Sir Meliagrance, within a while he came to Westminster. And anon he found Sir Launcelot. And when he had told his message, and delivered him the Queen's ring, ' Alas,* said Sir Launcelot, * now am I shamed for ever, unless that I may rescue that noble lady from dishonour.* Then eagerly he asked his armour, and ever the child told Sir Launcelot how the ten knights fought marvellously, and how Sir Pelleas, and Sir Ironside, and Sir Brandiles, and Sir Persant of Inde, fought strongly, but namely Sir Pelleas, there might none withstand him, and how they all fought till at the last they were laid to the earth, and then the Queen made appoint- ment for to save their lives, and go with Sir Meliagrance. ' Alas,' said Sir Launcelot, * that most noble lady, that she should be so destroyed ! I had lever (said Sir Launcelot) than all France that I had been there well armed.' So when Sir Launcelot was armed and upon his horse, he prayed the child of the Queen's chamber to warn Sir Lavaine how sud- denly he was departed, and for what cause : ' And pray him, as he loveth me, that he will hie him after me, and that he stint not until he come to the castle where Sir Meliagrance abideth,' or dwelleth, for there (said Sir Launcelot) ' shall he hear of me and I am a man living, and rescue the Queen and the ten knights the which he traitorously hath taken, and that shall I prove upon his head, and all them that hold with him.' Then Sir Launcelot rode as fast as he might, and the book saith he took the water at Westminster Bridge, and made his horse to swim over Thames to Lambeth. And then within a while he came to the place there as the ten knights had fought with Sir Mehagrance, and then Sir 32 THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHARIOT Malory Launcelot followed that track until that he came to a wood, 14S5 and there was a strait way, and there the thirty archers bade Sir Launcelot turn again, and follow no longer that track. 'What commandment have ye thereto,' said Sir Launcelot, 'to cause me, that am a knight of the Round Table, to leave my right way?' 'This way shalt thou leave, or else thou shalt go it on thy foot, for wit thou well thy horse shall be slain/ 'That is little mastery,' said Sir Launcelot, ' to slay my horse : but as for myself, when my horse is slain, I give right nought for you, not and ye were five hundred more.' So then they shot Sir Launcelot' s horse, and smote him with many arrows. And then Sir Launcelot avoided his horse, and went on foot : but there were so many ditches and hedges betwixt them and him, that he might not meddle with none of them. 'Alas, for shame,' said Launcelot, ' that ever one knight should betray another knight, but it is an old saw, " A good man is never in danger but when he is in the danger of a coward." ' Then Sir Launcelot went a while, and then he was foul cumbered of his armour, his shield, and his spear, and all that longed unto him. Wit ye well he was full sore annoyed, and full loth he was to leave anything that longed unto him, for he dreaded sore the treason of Sir Meliagrance. And then by fortune there came by a chariot, that came thither for to fetch wood. 'Say me, carter,' said Sir Launcelot, 'what shall I give thee for to suffer me to leap into thy chariot, and that thou bring me unto a castle within this two mile ? ' 'Thou shalt not come within my chariot,' said the carter, 'for I am sent for to fetch wood for my lord Sir Meliagrance.' — 'With him would I speak.' 'Thou shalt not go with me,' said the carter. Then Sir Launcelot leapt to him, and gave him such a buffet that he fell to the earth stark dead. Then the other carter, his fellow, was afraid, and weened to have gone the same way, and then he cried, ' Fair lord, save my life, and I shall bring you where you will.' 'Then I charge THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHARIOT 33 thee/ said Sir Launcelot, Hhat thou drive me and this chariot, Malory even unto Sir Meliagrance's gate.' * Leap up into the chariot/ ^4^5 said the carter, ' and ye shall be there anon.' So the carter drove on a great wallop/ and Sir Launcelot's horse followed the chariot, with more than a forty arrows broad and rough in him : and more than an hour and an half Dame Guenever was in a bay window with her ladies, and espied an armed knight standing in a chariot. 'See, madam/ said a lady, 'where rideth in a chariot a goodly armed knight: I suppose he rideth unto hanging.' * Where ? ' said the Queen. Then she espied by his shield that he was there himself Sir Launcelot du Lake. And then she was ware where came his horse ever after that chariot, and ever he trod his entrails and his paunch under his feet. 'Alas/ said the Queen, 'now I see well and prove that well is him that hath a trusty friend. Ha, hey, most noble knight ! I see well thou art hard bested when thou ridest in a chariot.' Then she rebuked that lady that likened Sir Launcelot to ride in a chariot to hanging. ' It was foul-mouthed/ said the Queen, 'and evil likened, so for to liken the most noble knight of the world unto such a shameful death. O Jesu, defend him and keep him/ said the Queen, ' from all mischievous end !' By this was Sir Launcelot come to the gates of that castle, and there he descended down, and cried, that all the castle rang of it : ' Where art thou, false traitor Sir Meliagrance, and knight of the Table Round .> Now come forth here, thou traitor knight, thou and thy fellowship with thee : for here I am. Sir Launcelot du Lake, that shall fight with you/ And therewithal he bare the gate wide open upon the porter, and smote him under his ear with his gauntlet that his neck burst in sunder. When Sir Meliagrance heard that Sir Launcelot was there, he ran unto Queen Guenever, and fell upon his knee, and said, ' Mercy, madam, now I put me 1 Gallop. VOL. I. 34 THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHARIOT Malory wholly into your grace. 'What aileth you now?' said Queen 1485 Guenever. 'Forsooth I might well wit some good knight would revenge me, though my lord Arthur wist not of this your work.' ' Madam/ said Sir Meliagrance, ' all this that is amiss on my part shall be amended right as yourself will devise, and wholly I put me in your grace.' ' What would ye that I did ? ' said the Queen. ' I would no more/ said Meliagrance, ' but that ye would take all in your own hands, and that ye will rule my lord Sir Launcelot : and such cheer as may be made him in this poor castle ye and he shall have until to-morn, and then may ye and all they return unto Westminster, and my body and all that I have I shall put in your rule.' 'Ye say well,' said the Queen, 'and better is peace than ever war, and the less noise the more is my worship.' Then the Queen and her ladies went down unto the knight Sir Launcelot, that stood wroth out of measure in the inner court, to abide battle; and ever he bade 'Thou traitor knight, come forth ! * Then the Queen came to him and said, 'Sir Launcelot, why be ye so moved.?' 'Ha, madam/ said Sir Launcelot, 'why ask ye me that question .? Me- seemeth ' (said Sir Launcelot) ' ye ought to be more wroth than I am, for ye have the hurt and the dishonour. For wit ye well, madam, my hurt is but little, for the killing of a mare's son; but the despite grieveth me much more than all my hurt.' 'Truly/ said the Queen, 'ye say truth, but heartily I thank you ' (said the Queen) ' but ye must come in with me peaceably, for all thing is put in my hand, and all that is evil shall be for the best, for the knight full sore repenteth him of the misadventure that is befallen him.' 'Madam,' said Sir Launcelot, 'sith it is so that ye are accorded with him, as for me I may not be against it, howbeit Sir Meliagrance hath done full shamefully to me, and cowardly. Ah, madam, and I had wist ye would have been so soon accorded with him, I would pot have made such haste unto THE ADVENTUKE OF THE CHARIOT 36 you/ ' Why say ye so ? ' said the Queen, ' do ye forthink ^ Malory yourself of your good deeds? Wit you well' (said the ^4^5 Queen), 'I accorded never unto him for favour nor love that I had unto him, but for to lay down every shameful noise/ ' Madam,' said Sir Launcelot, ^ ye understand full well I was never willing nor glad of shameful slander, nor noise ; and there is neither king, queen, nor knight, that beareth the life, except my lord King Arthur, and you, madam, that should let me, but I should make Sir Meliagrance's heart full cold or ever I departed from hence/ * That I wot well,' said the Queen, * but what will ye more ? ye shall have all thing ruled as ye list to have it/ 'Madam,' said Sir Launcelot, 'so ye be pleased I care not, as for my part ye shall soon please/ Right so the Queen took Sir Launcelot by the bare hand, for he had put off his gauntlet, and so she went with him till her chamber; and then she commanded him to be unarmed, and then Sir Launcelot asked where the ten knights were that were wounded sore. So she showed them unto Sir Launcelot, and there they made great joy of the coming of him, and Sir Launcelot made great dole^ of their hurts, and bewailed them greatly; and there Sir Launcelot told them how cowardly and traitorly Meliagrance set archers to slay his horse, cind how he was fain to put himself in a chariot. Thus they complained every each to other, and full fain they would have been revenged, but they peaced themselves because of the Queen. Then, as the French book saith. Sir Launcelot was called many a day after, Le Chevaler du Chariot, and did many deeds, and great adventures he had. Sir Thomas Malory, 1 Repent. ' Sorrow. 36 A MOURNING REMEMBRANCE A MOURNING REMEMBRANCE Fisher OHE came of noble blood, lineally descending of King '5°5 »3 Edward the Third, within the fourth degree of the same. Her father was John, Duke of Somerset ; her mother was called Margaret, right noble as well in manners as in blood, to whom she was a very daughter in all noble manners, for she was bounteous and liberal to every person of her knowledge or acquaintance. Avarice and covetous- ness she most hated, and sorrowed it full much in all persons, but specially in any that belonged unto her. She was also of singular easiness to be spoken unto, and full courteous answer she would make to all that came unto her. Of marvellous gentleness she was unto all folks, but specially unto her own, whom she trusted and loved right tenderly. Unkind she would not be unto no creature, nor forgetful of any kindness or service done to her before, which is no little part of very nobleness. She was not vengeable, nor cruel, but ready anon to forget and to forgive injuries done unto her at the least desire or motion made unto her for the same. Merciful also and piteous she was unto such as were grieved and wrongfully troubled, and to them that were in poverty or sickness or any other misery. To God and to the Church full obedient and tractable, searching His honour and pleasure full busily. A wariness of herself she had alway to eschew everything that might dishonest any noble woman, or distain her honour in any condition. Frivolous things, that were little to be regarded, she would let pass by, but the other, that were of weight and substance, wherein she might profit, she would not let for any pain or labour to take upon hand. These and many other such noble conditions, left unto her by her A MOURNING REMEMBRANCE 37 ancestors, she kept and increased therein with a great Fisher dihgence. . . . ^5^5 Also she wanted not the nobleness of Nature. She had in manner all that was praiseable in a woman, either in soul or in body. First, she was of singular wisdom, far passing the common rate of women. She was good in remembrance, and of holding memory; a ready wit she had also to conceive all things, albeit they were right dark. Right studious she was in books, which she had in great number, both in English and in French, and for her exercise and for the profits of others, she did translate divers matters of devotion out of the French into English. Full often she complained that in her youth she had not given her to the understanding of Latin, wherein she had a little perceiving, specially of the rubric of the ordinal, for the saying of her service, which she did well understand. Here- unto in favour, in words, in gesture, in every demeanour of herself, so great nobleness did appear, that what she spake or did it marvellously became her. . . . A nobleness gotten or increased, she had also. For albeit she of her lineage was right noble, yet, neverthe- less, by marriage and adjoining of other blood, it took some increasement. For in her tender age, she being endued with so great towardness of nature, and likehhood of inheritance, many sued to have had her to marriage. The Duke of Suffolk, which then was a man of great experience, most diligently procured to have had her for his son and heir. Of the contrary part. King Henry the Sixth did make means for Edmond, his brother, then the Earl of Richmond. She, which as then was not fully nine years old, doubtful in her mind, what she were best to do, asked counsel of an old gentlewoman, whom she much loved and trusted, which did advise her to commend herself to St. Nicholas, the patron and helper of all true maidens ; and to beseech him to put in her mind what she were best to do. This counsel she 38 A MOURNING REMEMBRANCE Fisher followed, and made her prayer so full often, but specially ^5°5 that night, when she should the morrow after make answer of her mind determinately. A marvellous thing ! the same night, as I have heard her tell many a time, as she lay in prayer, calling upon St. Nicholas, whether sleeping or waking she could not assure, but about four of the clock in the morning, one appeared unto her arrayed like a bishop, and naming unto her Edmond, bade take him unto her husband. And so by this mean she did incline her mind unto Edmond, the King's brother, and Earl of Richmond, by whom she was made mother of the King that dead is (whose soul God pardon) and grandam to our sovereign lord. King Henry the Eighth ; which now, by the grace of God, governeth the realm. So, what by lineage, what by affinity, she had thirty Kings and Queens within the fourth degree of marriage unto her, beside Earls, Marquises, Dukes, and Princes. And thus much we have spoken of her nobleness. . . . Her sober temperance in meats and drinks was known to all them that were conversant with her, wherein she lay in as great weight of herself as any person might, keeping alway her straight measure, and offending as little as any creature might : eschewing banquets, rere-suppers,^ joucries ^ betwixt meals. As for fasting, for age and feebleness, albeit she were not bound, yet those days, that by the Church were appointed, she kept them diligently and seriously, and in especial the holy Lent, throughout that she restrained her appetite till one meal and till one fish on the day; besides her other peculiar fasts of devotion, as St. Anthony, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Catherine, with other ; and throughout all the year, the Friday and Saturday she full truly observed. As to hard clothes' wearing, she had her shirts and girdles of hair, which, when she was in health, every week she failed not certain days to wear, sometime the one, sometime the 1 Late suppers. 2 Sweetmeats. A MOURNING REMEMBRANCE 39 other, that full often her skin, as I heard her say, was Fisher pierced therewith. . . . ^5°5 Her own household, with marvellous diligence and wisdom, this noble Princess ordered, providing reasonable statutes and ordinances for them, which by her officers she com- manded to be read four times a year. And oftentimes by herself she would so lovingly courage every of them to do well, and sometime by other mean persons. ^ If any factions or bonds were made secretly amongst her head officers, she with great policy did bolt it out, and like- wise if any strife or controversy, she would with great dis- cretion study the reformation thereof. For the strangers, O marvellous God ! what pain, what labour she of her very gentleness would take with them, to bear them manner and company and entreat every person, and entertain them, according to their degree and honour, and provide by her own commandment, that nothing should lack that might be convenient for them, wherein she had a wonderful ready remembrance and perfect knowledge. For the suitors, it is not unknown how studiously she pro- cured justice to be administered by a long season, so long as she was suffered, and of her own charges provided men learned for the same purpose, evenly and indifferently to hear all causes, and administer right and justice to every party, which was in no small number ; and yet meat and drink was denied to none of them. . . . But specially, when they saw the death so haste upon her, and that she must needs depart from them, and that they should forego so gentle a mistress, so tender a lady ; then wept they marvellously, wept her ladies and kinswomen, to whom she was full kind ; wept her poor gentlewomen, whom she had loved so tenderly before ; wept her chamberers,^ to whom she was full dear ; wept her chaplains and priests, wept her true and faithful servants. And who would not have 1 Go-betweens. ' Gentlemen of the Household. 40 A MOURNING REMEMBRANCE Fisher wept that there had been present. All Englana for her ^505 death had cause of weeping. The poor creatures that were wont to receive her alms, to whom she was alway piteous and merciful; the students of both the universities, to whom she was a mother ; all the learned men of England, to whom she was a very patroness; all the virtuous and devout persons, to whom she was as a loving sister ; all the good religious men and women, whom she so often was wont to visit and comfort ; all good priests and clerks to whom she was a true defendress ; all the noblemen and women, to whom she was a mirror and exemplar of honour ; all the common people of this realm, for whom she was in their causes a common mediatress, and took right great displeasure for them, and generally the whole realm hath cause to com- plain and to mourn her death. And all we, considering her gracious and charitable mind, so universally, and considering the readiness of mercy and pity in our Saviour Jesus, may say, by lamentable complaint of our unwisdom unto Him : Ah, domine, si fuisses hie — Ah, my Lord ! if thou had been present and had heard these sorrowful cries of her thy Servant, with the other lamentable mournings of her friends and servants, thou, for thy goodness would not have suffered her to die : but thou wouldst have taken pity and compassion upon her. . . . Dare I say of her, she never yet was in that prosperity, but the greater it was, the more alway she dreaded the adversity. For when the King, her son, was crowned, in all that great triumph and glory, she wept marvellously ; and likewise at the great triumph of the marriage of Prince Arthur, and at the last coronation, wherein she had full great joy, she let not to say that some adversity would follow; so that either she was in sorrow by reason of the present adversities, or else when she was in prosperity, she was in dread of the adversity for to come. I pass over the perils and dangers innumerable, which daily and hourly might have happed A MOURNING REMEMBRANCE 41 unto her, whereof this life is full, and therefore St. Fisher Gregory saith : Fita haec terrena, aetemae vitae cottiparata, ^ S^S viors est poiius dicenda, quam vita, and for that cause, who that once hath tasted the pleasures of that life, this is unto them a very death for ever after. . . . Now, therefore, would I ask you this one question : Were it, suppose ye, at this considered, a meetly thing for us to desire, to have this noble princess here amongst us again ? To forego the joyous life above, to want the presence of the glorious Trinity whom she so long hath sought and honoured, to leave that most noble king- dom, to be absent from the most blessed company of Saints and Saintesses, and hither to come again to be wrapped and endangered with the miseries of this wretched world, with the painful diseases of her age, with the other encum- brances that daily happeth in this miserable life. Were this a reasonable request of our party ?^ Were this a kind desire ? Were this a gentle wish ? that where she hath been so kind and loving a mistress unto us, all we should more regard our own profits than her more singular weal and comfort ? The mother that hath so great affection unto her son, that she will not suffer him to depart from her to his promotion and furtherance, but alway keep him at home, more regard- ing her own pleasure than his weal, were not she an unkind and ungentle mother ? Yes, verily. Let us, therefore, think our most loving mistress is gone hence for her promotion, for her great furtherance, for her most weal and profit, and herein comfort us, herein rejoice ourself, and thank Almighty God, which of His infinite mercy so graciously hath disposed for her. John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester. 1 On our part. 42 A PAGEANT A PAGEANT Makefyrr T^ IGHT worshipful masters, I recommend me unto you, 1506 Xv certifying you that the King's Grace and the King of Castile met this day at three of the clock, upon Cleworth Green, two mile out of Windsor, and there the King re- ceived him in the goodliest manner that ever I saw, and each of them embraced other in arms. To show you the King's apparel of England, thus it was : his horse of bay, trapped with needlework; a gown of purple velvet, a chain with a George^ of diamonds, and a hood of purple velvet, which he put not off at the meeting of the said King of Castile ; his hat and his bonnet he availed,^ and the King of Castile in case like. And the King of Castile rode upon a sorrelled hobby, which the King gave unto him ; his apparel was all black, a gown of black velvet, a black hood, a black hat, and his horse's harness of black velvet. To show you of the King's company : my Lord Harry of Stafford rode in a gown of cloth of tusser,^ tucked, furred with sables, a hat of goldsmith work, and full of stones, diamonds, and rubies, riding upon a sorrelled courser barded with a bard* of goldsmith's work, with roses and dragons red. And my Lord Marquis riding upon a bald sorrelled horse, with a deep trapper full of long tassels of gold of Venice, and upon the crupper of his horse a white feather, with a coat upon his back, the body goldsmith's work, the sleeves of crimson velvet, with letters of gold. My Lord of Kent upon a sorrelled horse, bald, the harness of Venice gold, with a deep fringe of half yard of length. My Lord of Kent's coat was one bar of cloth of gold, another 1 Ensign of the Garter. 2 Xook off. 3 silk. 4 Caparisoned with a horse-armour. A PAGEANT 43 of crimson velvet, pyrled ^ with a demy manche 2 cut off by Makefyrr the elbow. These be the lords that bear the bruit. ^5o6 Sir Hew Waghan upon a bay horse trapped with crimson velvet full of gilt bells, a gown of black velvet, and a chain of gold, baldric-wise, worth five hundred pound. These be the spears : Master St. John upon a black horse, with harness of cloth of gold with tassels of plunket ^ and white, a coat of plunket and white, the body of goldsmith's work ; the sleeves full of spangles. John Can* and William Parr coats like, the horses grey, of Parr trapped with crimson velvet with tassels of gold, and bells gilt. Carr, horse bay, with an Almain harness of silver, an inch broad of beaten silver, both the coats of goldsmith's work the bodies, the sleeves one strip of silver, the other gilt. Edward Neville upon a gray horse trapped with black velvet full of small bells, his coat the one half of green velvet, the other of white cloth of gold; these to the rutters'* of the spears, with other divers well appointed. On the King of Castile's party: the Lord Chamberlain chief, I cannot tell his name as yet; his apparel was sad, and so was all the residue of his company, with cloaks of sad tawny black, guarded, some with velvet, and some with sarcenet, not passing a dozen in number. It is said there is many behind, which comes with the Queen of Castile, which shall come upon Tuesday. When the King rode forth from Windsor Castle, the King rode upon the right hand the King's of Castile ; howbeit, the King's Grace offered him to take him upon the right hand, the which he refused. And at the alighting the King of Castile was off his horse a good space or our King was alight; and then the King's Grace offered to take him by the arm, the which he would not, but took the King by the 1 Fringed. 2 sleeve. 3 Light blue. 4 Troopers. 44 THE KILLING OF LORD HASTINGS Makefyrr the arm, and so went to the King of Castile's chamber, which ^500 is the richestly hanged that ever I saw; seven chambers together hanged with cloth of arras, wrought with gold as thick as could be ; and as for three beds of state, no King christened can show such three. This is as far as I can show you of this day, and when I can know more, ye shall have knowledge. The Paston Letters. THE KILLING OF LORD HASTINGS More TT THEREUPON soon after, that is to wit, on the 1 5 13 V V Friday the — day of — many Lords assembled in the Tower, and there sat in council, devising the honourable solemnity of the King's coronation, of which the time ap- pointed then so near approached, that the pageants and subtleties were in making day and night at Westminster, and much victual killed therefore, that afterwards was cast away. These Lords so sitting together commoning of this matter, the Protector came in among them, first about nine of the clock, saluting them courteously, and excusing himself that he had been from them so long, saying merely that he had been asleep that day. And after a little talking with them, he said unto the Bishop of Ely : ' My lord, you have very good strawberries at your garden in Holbom, I require you let us have a mess of them.' 'Gladly, my lord,' quoth he, 'would God I had some better thing as ready to your plea- sure as that.' And therewith in all the haste he sent his servant for a mess of strawberries. The Protector set the Lords fast in commoning, and thereupon praying them to spare him for a little while, departed thence. And soon, after one hour, between ten and eleven he returned into the chamber among them, all changed, with a wonderful sour I THE KILLING OF LORD HASTINGS 45 angry countenance, knitting the brows, frowning and froth- More ing and knawing on his hps, and so sat him down in his 'S^S place ; all the Lords much dismayed and sore marvelling of this manner of sudden change, and what thing should him ail. Then when he had sitten still a while, thus he began : ' What were they worthy to have, that compass and imagine the destruction of me, being so near of blood unto the King and Protector of his royal person and his realm ? ' At this question, all the Lords sat sore astonished, musing much by whom this question should be meant, of which every man wist himself clear. Then the Lord Chamberlain, as he that for the love between them thought he might be boldest with him, answered and said, that they were worthy to be punished as heinous traitors, whatsoever they were. And all the other affirmed the same. ' That is ' (quoth he) ' yonder sorceress, my brother's wife and other with her,' meaning the Queen. At these words many of the other Lords were greatly abashed that favoured her. But the Lord Hastings was in his mind better content, that it was moved by her, than by any other whom he loved better. Albeit his heart somewhat grudged, that he was not afore made of counsel in this matter, as he was of the taking of her kindred, and of their putting to death, which were by his assent before de- vised to be beheaded at Pomfret, this self same day, in which he was not ware that it was by other devised, that himself should the same day be beheaded at London. Then said the Protector: 'Ye shall all see in what wise that sorceress and that other witch of her counsel, Shore's wife, with their affinity, have by their sorcery and witchcraft wasted my body.' And therewith he plucked up his doublet sleeve to his elbow upon his left arm, where he shewed a werish ^ withered arm and small, as it was never other. And thereupon every man's mind sore misgave them, well perceiving that this matter was but a quarrel. For well they wist, that the Queen 1 lU-shapen. 46 THE KILLING OF LORD HASTINGS More was too wise to go about any such folly. And also if she ^5^3 would, yet would she of all folk least make Shore's wife of counsel, whom of all women she most hated, as that concu- bine whom the King her husband had most loved. And also no man was there present, but well knew that his arm was ever such since his birth. Natheles the Lord Chamberlain answered and said : ' Certainly, my Lord, if they have so heinously done, they be worthy heinous punishment.' ' What/ quoth the Protector, ' thou servest me, I wene, with ifs and with ands, I tell thee they have so done, and that I will make good on thy body, traitor.' And, therewith, as in great anger, he clapped his fist upon the board a great rap. At which token given, one cried treason without the chamber. Therewith a door clapped, and in come there rushing men in harness, as many as the chamber might hold. And anon the Protector said to the Lord Hastings : ^ I arrest thee, traitor.' ' What, me, my Lord } ' quoth he. ' Yea thee, traitor,' quoth the Protector. And another let fly at the Lord Stanley, which shrank at the stroke and fell under the table, or else his head had been cleft to the teeth : for as shortly as he shrank, yet ran the blood about his ears. Then were they all quickly bestowed in diverse chambers, except the Lord Chamberlain, whom the Protector bade speed and shrive him apace, ' for by Saint Paul ' (quoth he) ' I will not to dinner till I see thy head off.' It boded him not to ask why, but heavily he took a priest at adventure, and made a short shrift, for a longer would not be suffered, the Protector made so much haste to dinner ; which he might not go to till this were done for saving of his oath. So was he brought forth into the green beside the chapel within the Tower, and his head laid down upon a long log of timber, and there stricken off, and afterward his body with the head interred at Windsor beside the body of King Edward, whose both souls our Lord pardon. Sir Thomas More. WAT TYLER'S ENDING 47 WAT TYLER'S ENDING THE Saturday the King departed from the Wardrobe in Bourchier the Royal, and went to Westminster and heard mass 1523 in the church there, and all his lords with him ; and beside the church there was a little chapel, with an image of Our Lady, which did great miracles, and in whom the Kings of England had ever great trust and confidence. The King made his orisons before this image, and did there his offer- ing ; and then he leapt on his horse, and all his lords, and so the King rode toward London ; and when he had ridden a little way on the left hand, there was a way to pass with- out London. The same proper morning, Wat Tyler, Jack Straw, and John Ball had assembled their company to common together, in a place called Smithfield, whereas every Friday there is a market of horses; and there were together all of affinity more than twenty thousand, and yet there were many still in the town, drinking and making merry in the taverns, and paid nothing, for they were happy that made them best cheer. And these people in Smithfield had with them the King's banners, the which were delivered them the day before ; and all these gluttons were in mind to overrun and to rob London the same day, for their captains said how they had done nothing as yet : ' These liberties that the King hath given us is to us but a small profit ; therefore let us be all of one accord, and let us overrun this rich and puissant city, or they of Essex, of Sussex, of Cambridge, of Bedford, of Arundel, of Warwick, of Reading, of Oxford, of Guildford, of Linne, of Stafford, of Germany, of Lincoln, of York, and of Dur- ham do come hither ; for all these will come hither. Wallyor and Lyster will bring them hither ; and if we be first lords of London, and have the possession of the riches that is therein I 48 WAT TYLER'S ENDING Bourchier we shall not repent us ; for if we leave it, they that come 1523 after will have it from us/ To this counsel they all agreed. And therewith the King came the same way unaware of them, for he had thought to have passed that way without London, and with him a forty horse ; and when he came before the abbey of St. Bartilmeus, and beheld all these people, then the King rested and said how he would go no farther till he knew what these people ailed, saying, if they were in any trouble, how he would repease^ them again. The lords that were with him tarried also, as reason was when they saw the King tarry. And when Wat Tyler saw the King tarry, he said to his people : ' Sirs, yonder is the King, I will go and speak with him ; stir not from hence without I make you a sign, and when I make you that sign, come on, and slay all them, except the King; but do the King no hurt; he is young, we shall do with him as we list, and shall lead him with us all about England, and so shall we be lords of all the realm without doubt.' And there was a doublet maker of London called John Tycle, and he had brought to these gluttons a sixty doublets, the which they wore; then he demanded of these captains who should pay him for his doublets ; he demanded thirty marks. Wat Tyler answered him and said : ' Friend, appease yourself, thou shalt be well payed ere this day be ended ; keep thee near me, I shall be thy creditor.' And therewith he spurred his horse and departed from his company, and came to the King, so near him that his horse's head touched the croup of the King's horse. And the first word that he said was this : ' Sir King, seest thou all yonder people ? ' ^ Yea, truly," said the King ; ' wherefore say est thou ? ' ' Because,' said he, ' they be all at my commandment, and have sworn to me faith and truth to do all that I will have them.' ' In a good time,' said the King, ' I will well it be so.' Then Wat Tyler said, as he that nothing demanded but riot : ^ What, believest 1 Appease. WAT TYLER'S ENDING 49 thou, King, that these people, and as many more as be in Bourchier London at my commandment, that they will depart from ^523 thee thus, without having thy letters ? * ' No,' said the King ; *ye shall have them, they be ordained for you, and shall be delivered every one each after other ; wherefore, good fellows, withdraw fair and easily to your people, and cause them to depart out of London, for it is our intent that each of you by villages and townships shall have letters patent, as I have promised you.' With those words Wat Tyler cast his eyes on a squire that was there with the King, bearing the King's sword. And Wat Tyler hated greatly the same squire, for the same squire had lispleased him before for words between them. * What,' said Tyler, * art thou there ? Give me thy dagger,' * Nay,' said the squire, ' that will I not do. Wherefore should I give it thee ?' The King beheld the squire, and said : ' Give it him, let him have it.' And so the squire took it him sore against his will. And when this Wat Tyler had it he began to play therewith, and turned it in his hand, and said again to the squire : ' Give me also that sword.' * Nay,' said the squire, ' it is the King's sword ; thou art not worthy to have it, for thou art but a knave ; and if there were no more here but thou and I, thou durst not speak those words for as much gold in quantity as all yonder Abbey.' ' By my faith/ said Wat Tyler, ' I shall never eat meat till I have thy head.' And with those words the Mayor of London came to the King with a twelve horses, well armed under their coats, and so he brake the press, and saw and heard how Wat Tyler demeaned himself, and said to him : ' Ha ! thou knave, how art thou so hardy in the King's presence to speak such words ? It is too much for thee so to do.' Then the King began to chafe, and said to the Mayor : ' Set hands on him.' And while the King said so, Tyler said to the Mayor : ' A God's name, what have I said to displease thee ?* ' Yes, truly,' quoth the Mayor, 'thou false stinking knave, shalt thou speak thus in the presence VOL. I. D 60 WAT TYLER'S ENDING Bourcliier of the King, my natural lord ? I commit ^ never to live 1523 without thou shalt dearly abye 2 it.' And with those words the Mayor drew out his sword and struck Tyler so great a stroke on the head, that he fell down at the feet of his horse ; and as soon as he was fallen, they environed him all about, whereby he was not seen of his company. Then a squire of the King's alighted, called John Standish, and he drew out his sword and put it into Wat Tyler's belly, and so he died. Then the ungracious people there assembled, perceiving their captain slain, began to murmur among themselves and said : ' Ah ! our captain is slain ; let us go and slay them all ; ' and therewith they ari'anged themselves on the place in manner of battle, and their bows before them. Thus the King began a great outrage; howbeit, all turned to the best, for as soon as Tyler was on the earth the King departed from all his company, and all alone he rode to these people, and said to his own men : 'Sirs, none of you follow me ; let me alone.' And so when he came before these ungracious people, who put themselves in ordinance to revenge their captain, then the King said to them : ' Sirs, what aileth you ? ye shall have no captain but me : I am your King ; be all in rest and peace.' And so the most part of the people that heard the King speak and saw him among them were shamefast, and began to wax peaceable and to depart ; but some, such as were malicious and evil, would not depart, but made semblant ^ as though they would do somewhat. Then the King returned to his own company and demanded ot them what was best to be done. Then he was counselled tc draw into the field, for to fly away was no boot. Then said the Mayor : ' It is good that we do so, for I think surely we shall have shortly some comfort of them of London, and of such good men as be of our part, who are purveyed,* and have their friends and men ready armed in their houses.' 1 Promise. ^ Repay. » Made as they would. * Provided. WAT TYLER'S ENDING 61 And in this meantime voice and bruit ran through London, Bourchier how these unhappy people were likely to slay the King and ^5^3 the Mayor in Smithfield ; through the which noise all manner of good men of the King's party issued out of their houses and lodgings, well armed, and so came all to Smithfield and to the field where the King was ; and they were anon to the number of seven or eight thousand men well armed. And first thither came Sir Robert KnoUes and Sir Perducas Dalbret, well accompanied, and divers of the Aldermen of London, and with them a six hundred men in harness, and a puissant man of the city, who was the King's draper, called Nicholas Bramber, and he brought with him a great company ; and ever as they came they ranged them afoot in order of battle. And on the other part these unhappy people were ready ranged, making semblance to give battle ; and they had with them divers of the King's banners. There the King made three knights : the one the Mayor of London, Sir Nicholas Walworth, Sir John Standish, and Sir Nicholas Braule. Then the lords said among themselves : * What shall we do? We see here our enemies, who would gladly slay us, if they might have the better hand of us.' Sir Robert Knolles counselled to go and fight with them and slay them all ; yet the King would not consent thereto, but said : ' Nay, I will not so ; I will send to them, commanding them to send me again my banners, and thereby we shall see what they will do ; howbeit, either by fairness or otherwise, I will have them.' ' That is well said, sir,' quoth the Earl of Salisbury. Then these new knights were sent to them, and these knights made token to them not to shoot at them. And when they came so near them that their speech might be heard, they said : ' Sirs, the King commandeth you to send to him again his banners, and we think he will have mercy of you.' And incontinent they delivered again the banners, and sent them to the King : also they were com- 52 THE CONQUEST OF BRITAIN Bourchier manded, on pain of their heads, that all such as had letters ^523 of the King to bring them forth, and to send them again to the King. And so, many of them delivered their letters, but not all : then the King made them to be all torn in their presence. And as soon as the King's banners were delivered again, these unhappy people kept none array, but the most part of them did cast down their bows, and so break their array, and returned into London. Sir Robert Knolles was sore displeased in that he might not go to slay them all ; but the King would not consent thereto, but said he would be revenged of them well enough, and so he was after. John Bourchier J Lord Bemers. THE CONQUEST OF BRITAIN Tiptoft 'nr^HE horsemen of the Britons and their essedaries fought ^530 X sharply with the horsemen of the Romans as they were on their journey : but the Romans were victors, and chased them into the woods and mountains. But after that the Romans had slain many of their enemies, and followed them farther for covetousness, they lost many of their men. And after that a little time, the Romans, being negligent and nothing doubting, were about to fortify their camp, the Britons suddenly leapt out of the wood, and began to assail fiercely, and set on them which kept the watch of the camp, the which withstood them strongly. Then Caesar sent for succours, two companies, and with them the first legion of the two next legions, between which legions and their first fighters was a little space. But the Romans were abashed because of the new manner and fashion that they of Britain used in fighting, the which struck courageously in the midst of the Romans and departed again at their pleasure, without any hurt or wounds. That same day was THE CONQUEST OF BRITAIN 53 Quintus Laberius Durus, captain of the horsemen, slain. Tiptoft But after that Caesar had sent in aid certain company with ^53o all things necessary, the Britons were soon discomfited. Now, for so much as this was open in the sight of all men, because it was fought before the camp where the whole host lay, it was well perceived that the Romans, for weight of their heavy armour, were not able to follow quickly, nor chase their enemies, nor also they durst not depart from their standards. Wherefore they were not meet to fight with their enemies, which used such manner of battle. They perceived also the horsemen could not fight without great peril, because their enemies would oftentimes flee for the nonce. And when they had moved by fraud the Romans a good distance from the legions, then they leapt out of their chariots and began a new battle on foot, after another fashion than the Romans used. And the manner of fight of the horsemen was very perilous, whether they assailed their enemies or whether they followed them. Their enemies also fought not all together, but some here and some there, and great spaces between them when they fought. And some stood still to see the array kept, and to furnish the field ever with fresh men when the other were weary or hurt. The next day after this battle the Britons were lodged on the mountains not far from the host of the Romans, and showed themselves in a small company, and began to assail the horsemen of the Romans, but not so fiercely as they had done the day before. But about the hour of noon, when Caesar had sent on foraging three legions and all his horsemen, under the conduct of Caius Tre- bonius, his lieutenant, their enemies leapt suddenly out of all parts on them that went a-foraging, insomuch as they came and assailed them that bare the banners and the legions. But after that the Romans had made a strong assault against them, they put them to flight, and ceased 54 THE CONQUEST OF BRITAIN Tiptoft not to follow them : for the horsemen had much confidence 1530 to have succours, because they perceived the legions following after them : they chased their enemies, and slew a great number of them, and followed them so near that they had neither space to gather themselves together in array, nor to arrest themselves, nor yet to leap out of their chariots. After this flight, all the aliens which were come out of all parts to succour the Britons departed, and after this time never made any plain field with their power against the Romans. When this battle was thus finished, Caesar having knowledge of the counsel of all his enemies, caused his host to march toward the country of Cassevelan by the river of the Thames, over which flood a man can pass afoot, and that very hardily, but at one place. And when he came thither, he perceived on the other side of the river a great army of enemies ready in good ordinance. Now, the side of the river where his enemies stood was pitched full of sharp piles : and beside it, at the brink of the river, were other piles which were covered with water. Of the which things, when Caesar was advertised by the report of the prisoners, and by them which had left the Britons and were come to Caesar, he sent first his men of arms, and commanded the legions should follow them immediately without delay. And the army went so hastily and with such great violence together, notwithstanding that they had their heads all only above the water, that the Britons, which were not able to resist the strength of the legions and of the horsemen, were compelled to leave the banks and to flee away. Then Cassevelanus, as before, showed when he had lost all his hope that he had to make war, and also had put from him his great army, and kept all only with him four thousand essedaries: he espied all that he might what way the Romans held, and ever kept himself aloof a little out of the way, and lurked in woods and other THE CONQUEST OF BRITAIN 65 places that were not easy to journey in. And in all Tiptoft countries where he knew the Romans should come, he ^53^ caused both the people and the beasts out of the towns and fields to be chased into the forests. And when the horse- men of the Romans would boldly go into the fields on foraging, or else in destroying the country, he would send his essedaries by privy ways and by-paths that he knew out of the woods against the Romans to fight with them, to the great hurt and damage of the horsemen. And by reason of the fear that they put the Romans in, they letted them to stray any more abroad, wherefore it came to this point, that Caesar would suffer his people to go no further on foraging than the host of the legions extended, and ordained that in burning of houses and destroying the land of their enemies, there should be done as much hurt as the men of arms of the legions with all their power might do in riding by the way. In this season the Trinobantes (which men suppose to be them of London), the which is almost the strongest and surest city of all the country of Britain, sent ambassadors to Caesar, and offered themselves to be at his commandment. Of which city a certain young man called Mandubracius, taking part with Caesar, came to him into the stablished land, whose father, Imanuencius, before that time had borne great rule and authority in the said city, and was slain by Cassevelan ; and his son, fearing death, fled out of the city. Which ambassadors required Caesar that he would defend and help Mandubracius to avenge the wrongs that Cassevelan did to him, and that he would send to them Mandubracius to have the rule and governing of the city. Then Caesar commanded to the ambassadors that they should send him eleven hostages and com sufficient for his host, and so he sent to them Mandubracius. When the ambassadors were returned, the Trinobantes with all diligence did that which Caesar had commanded, and sent to him the number of hostages and the corn which he did command. When the 56 THE CONQUEST OF BRITAIN Tiptoft Trinobantes were thus assured because that Caesar had ^530 commanded that no man of war should do them any hurt or damage, the Cenimagnies, the Segontiaces, the Ancalytes, the Bibroces and Cassiens (which be inhabiting near the sea), sent their ambassadors to Caesar, and yielded them to him. Of them Caesar had perfect knowledge that the fortress where Cassevelan held himself was not far from thence. The which fortress was fortified with forests and marshes, and there was assembled together a great number of men and also of beasts. Note that the Britons call a fortress or a walled town when they have fortified a strong wood with ditches and pales, there where they may assemble together to eschew the danger of their enemies. Then Caesar marched toward this fortress, and found the place marvellous strong, both by situation of nature and by labour of men's hands. Yet notwithstand- ing he enforced to assault it at two sides. The enemies after that they had tarried a little, perceiving that they were not able to resist the assault, fled out by another part. When the fortress was taken, there was found a great number of bestial, and many men were slain and taken in the flight. While these things were adoing in these parts, Cassevelan sent his messengers into the country of Kent, the which country, as is showed before, doth stand on the sea coast. In the which country were four Kings reigning, that is to say, Cingetorix, Carvilius, Taximagulus, and Segonax, whom he commanded to assemble together all their armies and suddenly to assail and destroy all the navy (which Caesar had left at the sea coast). When those four Kings were arrived where the navy was, the Romans made out and slew many of them, and took prisoner the noble captain Cingetorix, and brought home all their people safe unhurt. After that the losing of this battle was showed to Cassevelan, and that he considered the great misfortunes and damages THE CONQUEST OF BRITAIN 57 that he had sustainea, and perceived his country so robbed, Tiptofl pilled,^ and exiled, and the most of all troubled him ^53° that so many cities and towns had forsaken him and were yielded to Caesar : he therefore sent ambassadors to Caesar, which, by the means of Attribatus Comius, should intreat that he might yield him to ransom. Now, because Caesar before intended to lie the winter time in continent land, because of the sudden movings in France, and because that little of the summer remained, and the rest would be soon spent, he commanded Cassevelan to send him hostages, and ordained what tribute Britain should pay yearly to the Romans. He also forbade and commanded Cassevelan that he should do no prejudice neither to Mandubracius nor to the Trinobantes. And when he had received the hostages, he drew with his host toward the seaside, where he found his navy repaired. And insomuch as Caesar had great number of prisoners, and because one part of his navy was perished by the tempest, he purposed to make his navy to repass at two several times. But it happened so that of all the number of ships, and for all the passages that were made, neither this year nor the last year, yet there lacked no ships to recarry over the host. But as for all the ships that should have been sent from the other part, and the ships in which the first men of war passed and should have come again, and also such ships as Labienus had in charge to see made to the number of forty, few or none of them came to the even port. Wherefore it was necessary to make again the remnant which were broken. The which navy, when Caesar had long tarried for in vain, lest he should be hindered or let to pass because of the late season that the nights and days were of one length ; he was compelled by necessity to shift his men together more straightly in such ships as he had. And as soon as the weather was fair and convenient to sail, he parted about the second hour 1 Pillaged. 68 THE IMAGE OF DETRACTION Tiptoft of the night, and at the point of day he took land, and 1530 all his navy safe and sound, which he caused to be drawn up on land. John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester. THE IMAGE OF DETRACTION Elyot 'TT^HERE is much conversant among men in authority ^^^^ X a vice very ugly and monstruous, who under the pleasant habit of friendship and good counsel with a breath pestilential infecteth the wits of them that nothing mis- trusteth. This monster is called in English Detraction, in Latin Cahimnia, whose property I will now declare. If a man, being determined to equity, having the eyes and ears of his mind set only on the truth and the public weal of his country, will have no regard to any request or desire, but proceedeth directly in the administration of justice, then either he which by justice is offended, or some his fautours, abettors, or adherents, if he himself or any of them be in service or familiarity with him that is in authority, as soon as by any occasion mention happeneth to be made of him who hath executed justice exactly, forthwith they imagine some vice or default, be it never so little, whereby they may minish his credence, and craftly omitting to speak anything of his rigour in justice, they will note and touch something of his manners, wherein shall either seem to be lightness or lack of gravity, or too much sourness, or lack of civility, or that he is not benevolent to him in authority, or that he is not sufficient to receive any dignity, or to dispatch matters of weighty importance, or that he is superfluous in words, or else too scarce. Also if he live temperately and delighteth much in study, they embraid^ him with nigardship, or in 1 Upbraid. THE IMAGE OF DETRACTION 69 derision do call him a clerk or a poet, unmete for any other Elyot purpose. And this do they covertly and with a more gravity ^531 than any other thing that they enterprise. This evil report is called Detraction, who was wonderfully well expressed in figures by the most noble painter Apelles, after that he was discharged of the crime whereof he was falsely accused to Ptholomee, King of Egypt, having for his amends of the said king twelve thousand pounds sterling and his accuser to his bondman perpetually. The table wherein Detraction was expressed was painted in this form : at the right hand was made sitting a man having long ears, putting forth his hand to Detraction, who far off came towards him ; about this man stood two women, that is to say, Ignorance and Sus- picion. On the other side came Detraction, a woman above measure well trimmed, all chafed and angry, having her aspect or look like to the fire, in showing a manner of rage or fury. In her left hand she held a burning torch or brand, and with her other hand she drew by the hair of his head a young man who held up his hands toward heaven, calling God and the Saints for witness. With her came a man, pale and evil favoured, beholding the young man intentively, like unto one that had been with long sickness consumed, whom ye might lightly conject to be Envy. Also there followed two other women, that trimmed and apparelled Detraction ; the one was Treason, the other Fraud. After followed a woman in a mourning weed, black and ragged, and she was called Repentance, who turning her back weeping and sore ashamed beheld Verity, who then approached. In this wise Apelles described Detraction, by whom he himself was in peril. Which, in mine opinion, is a right necessary matter to be in tables or hangings set in every man's house that is in authority, considering what damage and loss hath ensued, and may hereafter ensue, by this horrible pestilence, false Detraction. To the avoiding whereof, Luciane, who writeth of this 60 THE IMAGE OF DETRACTION Elyot picture, giveth a notable counsel, saying, that a wise man, 1 53 1 when he doubteth of the honesty and virtue of the person accused, he should keep close his ears and not open them hastily to them which be with this sickness infected, and put reason for a diligent porter and watch, which ought to ex- amine and let in the reports that be good, and exclude and prohibit them that be contrary. For it is a thing to laugh at and very unfitting to ordain for thy house a keeper or porter, and thine ears and mind to leave to all men wide open. Wherefore, when any person cometh to us to tell us any report or complaint, first, it shall behove us throughly and evenly to consider the thing, not having respect to the ears of him that reporteth, or to his form of living or wisdom in speaking. For the more vehement the reporter is in per- suading, so much more diligent and exact trial and examina- tion ought to be used. Therefore trust is not to be given to another man's judgment, much less to the malice of an accuser. But every man shall retain to himself the power to ensearch out the truth, and leaving the envy or displeasure to the detractor, he shall ponder or weigh the matter indifferently, that everything in such wise being curiously ensearched and proved, he may at his pleasure either love or hate him whom he hath so substantially tried. For in good faith to give place to Detraction at the beginning, it is a thing childish and base, and to be esteemed among the most great incon- veniences and mischiefs. These be well nigh the words of Luciane ; whether the counsel be good I remit it to the wise readers. Of one thing am I sure, that by Detraction as well many good wits have been drowned, as also virtue, and painful study have been unrewarded, and many zelatours or favourers of the public weal have been discouraged. Sir Thomas Elyot, THE CROWNING OF ANN BOLEYN 61 THE CROWNING OF ANN BOLEYN THE Thursday next before the feast of Pentecost, the Cranmer King and the Queen being at Greenwich, all the ^533 crafts of London thereunto well appointed, in several barges decked after the most gorgeous and sumptuous manner, with divers pageants thereunto belonging, repaired and waited all together upon the Mayor of London ; and so well furnished came all unto Greenwich, where they tarried and waited for the Queen's coming to her barge : which so done, they brought her unto the Tower, trumpets, shawms, and other divers instruments all the ways playing and making great melody, which, as is reported, was so comely done as never was like in any time nigh to our remembrance. And so her Grace came to the Tower on Thursday at night, about five of the clock, where also was such a peal of guns as hath not been heard like a great while before. And the same night, and Friday all day, the King and Queen tarried there ; and on Friday at night the King's Grace made eighteen Knights of the Bath, whose creation was not alonely so strange to hear of, as also their garments stranger to be- hold or look on ; which said Knights the next day, which was Saturday, rid before the Queen's Grace throughout the city of London towards Westminster Palace, over and besides the most part of the nobles of the realm, which like accompanied her Grace throughout the said City; she sitting in her hair upon a horse litter, richly apparelled, and four Knights of the five ports bearing a canopy over her head. And after her came four rich chariots, one of them empty, and three other furnished with divers ancient old ladies ; and after them came a great train of other ladies and gentlewomen ; which said progress, from the beginning to the ending, extended half a mile in length by estimation, or thereabout. To whom also, as she came along the City, 62 THE CROWNING OP ANN BOLEYN Cranmer was shewed many costly pageants, with divers other 1 533 eneomies spoken of children to her. Wine also running at certain conduits plentifully. And so proceeding throughout the streets, [she] passed forth unto Westminster Hall, where was a certain banquet prepared for her; which done, she was conveyed out of the backside of the palace into a barge, and so unto York Place, where the King's Grace was before her coming : for this you must ever presuppose, that his Grace came always before her secretly in a barge, as well from Greenwich to the Tower as from the Tower to York Place. Now, then, on Sunday was the Coronation, which also was of such a manner. In the morning there assembled with me at Westminster Church the Bishop of York, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Winchester, the Bishop of Lincoln, the Bishop of Bath, and the Bishop of St. Asse, the Abbot of Westminster, with ten or twelve more abbots, which all revestred ourselves in our pontificalibus, and so furnished, with our crosses and crosiers, proceeded out of the abbey in a procession unto Westminster Hall, where we received the Queen apparelled in a robe of purple velvet, and all the ladies and gentlewomen in robes and gowns of scarlet, ac- cording to the manner used before time in such business : and so her Grace, sustained of each side with two Bishops, the Bishop of London and the Bishop of Winchester, came forth in procession unto the Church of Westminster, she in her hair, my Lord of Suffolk bearing before her the Crown, and two other lords bearing also before her a Sceptre and a white rod, and so entered up into the high altar, where divers ceremonies used about her, I did set the Crown on her head, and then was sung Te Deum, etc. And after that was sung a solemn mass : all which while her Grace sat crowned upon a scaffold, which was made between the high altar and the choir in Westminster Church ; which mass and ceremonies done and finished, all the assembly of noblemen A ROMAN VICTORY 63 brought her into Westminster Hall again, where was kept Cranmer a great solemn feast all that day; the good order thereof ^533 were too long to write at this time to you. But now. Sir, you may not imagine that this Coronation was before her marriage; for she was married much about St. Paul's day last, as the condition thereof doth well appear, by reason she is now somewhat big with child. Notwithstanding it hath been reported throughout a great part of the realm that I married her ; which was plainly false, for I myself knew not thereof a fortnight after it was done. And many other things be also reported of me which be mere lies and tales. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. A ROMAN VICTORY MAXIM US, in the year following, was so ithandly ^ Bellenden occupied with this trouble of Britain's, afore re- '53o hearsed, that he might not return to the wars of Scots. Nevertheless, many frequent incursions continued all the said time betwixt his wageours ^ and the Scots. At last, when the Scots had assayed long time, howbeit it was in vain, to re- cover the strengths of Galloway, they passed through Men- teith, Stirling, and Fife, and sundry other bounds of Picts, invading the same with such cruelty, that they were left desert. Maximus appeared right heavy at their offences; howbeit nothing was more pleasing to him than to hear the Scots and Picts invading other, to both their mischiefs. Finally, he came in Galloway, with purpose to pass through all the remanent bounds of Scots. Then was Eugenius not far from the Romans, abiding the coming of his people : to whom compeared great confluence of fencible ^ men and women, to the number of fifty thousand 1 Continually. ' Mercenaries. 3 Able-bodied. 64 A ROMAN VICTORY Bellenden people, right desirous to fight, and crying at once with huge ' 530 noise, either to die, or else to have victory ; for they were cruelly slain in all parts where they might be apprehended by Romans, but ^ any mercy or ransom. And, notwithstand- ing their great courage, they were some part astonist, hearing the Romans coming in their lands, with more multi- tude and puissance of people than ever was seen in any of their bounds afore. Yet others, having the Roman tyranny at despite, were raised in most fury, regarding nothing their life in defence of their liberty. Then Eugenius, with great courage, dissimuled his countenance, as he were affrighted of nothing less than of the Romans; and divided his army in three battles : the right wing was given to his brother Ethodius ; the left wing to Doalus, captain of Argyll ; and in the middle- ward was himself. These battles were arrayed in such craft, that in the place where the battle was set, he believed not only to have the river of Munda, deep but ^ any ford, on the backs of his army, that they should fight but refuge, but also to have the sun going to suchlike on their backs, that their enemies might not hold up their een for reflection of contrary beams in their sight. Such things done, Eugenius went to a high mound, and called his army to the standard, and said in this manner : 'Our elders that began this realm with continual labour, and brought the same with honour to our days, forcy^ champions, commanded their posterity to defend their realm and liberty, which is most dulce and heavenly treasure in the earth, against all invaders ; having esperance of victory, when time was to fight against their enemies, in nothing more than in their hands: and to be obedient to the wise and noble captains of this realm; whose authority and prudence be sicker targe,^ both to their goods, lands, and lives, against all press and danger of enemies. All our elders, that are passed afore us, were aye obedient to the 1 Without. 2 Strong. 3 a sure shield. A ROMAN VICTORY 65 command of their nobles ; and though they have fought Bellenden oftimes, with sundry chances of battle, against the dantours ^ ^ 53^ of the world, yet they were finally victors. Now maun we fight, most valiant champions, with such manhood and courage as our elders fought afore us ; or else maun we tine ^ our realm and liberty, and be thirled ^ to most vile servitude, at the will of our enemies. Now approaches Maximus, our cruel and unmerciful enemy, to reif* both our lands and goods, if we support not ourself by grace of God and our manhood. He is so full of false ingine^ and slights, that he is now confed- erate with Picts, as well in perdition of them as of us; intending therethrough to bring the whole empire of Albion, howbeit the same was never heard afore, under Roman obedience. The Picts, by mischant *^ folly, pass to battle in support of their professed enemies, which are right desirous to reif from them their kingdom and honours. They come against us, which were aye their protectors, since first their realm began. It is un- certain by what mischief these Picts be abused, not knowing the irrecoverable damage that is to fall on them, in eversion of their common weal and liberty : and though they know the same, they give no attendance thereto. Yet, so far as pertains to our action, consider that our enemies are to fight against us, whom we never offended with injuries : through which, their works shall be the more unchancy, and more odious to God. By contrary, remember ye are to resist their invasion, and in your pure defence, are to fight for your realm and liberty : and are the posterity of those forcy champions that sometime most gloriously chased the Romans out of these bounds. Now it is come to such point, that we maun either be vanquished, and suffer extreme misery and servitude, or else to be victors, and stable ^ our lands to us with glory, honour, and permanent ease. 1 beseech you, my good companions, for the unvincible manhood, faith, 1 Tamers. 2 Lose. 3 Bound. ■* Take by violence. 5 Cunning (ingeniwn). « Wicked. ^ Stablish. VOL. I. E 66 A ROMAN VICTORY Bellenden and virtue of your elders, and for their pale ghosts, which ^536 defended this your realm in liberty to these days ; to suffer not you, their sons, to be reft and spoilt of your realm, liberties, and goods; nor yet to be taken, as caitiffs, to underlie their tyrannies. And if it happens you by adverse chance, which God defend, to die, then do, so far as in you, to acquit your death ; and think, better is to die honestly, than to live in shame. Know yourself dotat ^ with incredible manhood and virtue; and heritors, by ancient lineage, as well to your noble fathers in wisdom and chivalry as in their lands; not gathered of divers nations, but of one people under one mind : and servants to the eternal God, that gives victory to just people in reward of their virtue ; and to false and wrongous people shame, discomfiture, and slaughter. Belt you, therefore, lusty gallants, with man- hood and wisdom, to have victory : which shall not fail to succeed,^ if ye, with constant courage, have nothing but shameful fleeing in dread; and invade your enemies with suchlike cruelty as they intend to invade you.' Scarcely had Eugenius raised the spright of his army by this hortation, when Maximus appeared in sight, with all his army, and came forthward with more diligence than was believed : for he came soon after the sun rising. The Scots were astonished by huge multitude of enemies : nonetheless, seeing no refuge, they determined to assay the extreme jeopardy of arms. Soon after, they arrayed them, with their backs to the sun, that the glance and beams thereof should not be impediment to their fighting : and scarcely were they well arrayed, when they rushed forward on their enemies. This fierce running was impediment to Maximus to do his devoir : nonetheless, seeing the time so short, he ex- horted his army to remember the Roman virtue, and to be not afraid of barbarous people, whom they recently discomfist. Incontinent, both the armies, by sound of trumpet, joined, 1 Endowed. * Follow. A ROMAN VICTORY 67 with huge noise and clamour on all sides. At the first coun- Bellenden tering, it was so cruelly fought, that it was uncertain to what ^536 party most danger succeeded : then followed sundry chances of fortune. For the Scots that fought in the right wing under Ethodius, to win no less honour than glory, set on the Picts forenence^ them, and chased them through the water of Dune; where many of them, overset with slik and glar^ thereof, were slain : then, by proud and insolent glory, as they had been sicker of victory, they straggled from their fellows, cassin^ to spoil ; through which many of them were slain after, by a Roman legion that was sent by Maximus in support of the said Picts. In the last wing, where Doalus fought, the Scots met with Frenchmen, Britons, and Almains : where they were slain, fighting with persevering manhood to the death, for defence of their realm. Then all the Roman army, by command of Maximus, rushed on the middle ward, where Eugenius fought with his nobles, weary, and near vanquished by multitude of their enemies : howbeit, many of them, fiercely repugnant while they might, failed nothing that pertained to forcy champions. The nobles that fought in Eugenius's army, seeing the victory incline to Romans, desired Eugenius to save him by flight to better fortune ; and incontinent they raif * off his coat armour perforce, to make him unknown : nonetheless, he abode, fighting with persevering malice against the Romans; and was slain the third year of his reign. While such terrible murder was made in the army of Scots, all their carriage men, that were left to keep their bestial and victuals, having no armour but swords to defend them, and seeing so many noblemen slain ; by piteous com- miseration rushed on their enemies, and were all slain, fighting to the death. While the Romans were following in the chase, by great ire and hatred, on this manner, they fell in an uncouth 1 In front of. 2 Slime and mud. 3 Broken up. * Tore. 68 SEEING THE WIND Bellenden manner of bergane^ ; for the aged and feeble persons, that 1530 were left at home as unfencible bodies, right desirous to hear what chance was fallen to their sons, came to the place where the battle was : but when they saw so piteous and lamentable slaughter made on their sons and friends, they rushed on their enemies like furious creatures, regarding neither life, reason, nor age. The women came after, with terrible noise, rummishing ^ as wood,^ raging beasts, and set on the Romans. Nonetheless, both the aged men and women were finally slain. The Romans passed the night following with so huge fear and dread, that no trenches nor watching might be sufficient munition to their army ; for the hills, valleys, and lesures * resounded all the night with most terrible spraichs^ of yammering^ people in the deaththrow: for nought was heard but horrible mourning of sobbing and dying people, crying a vengeance on Romans and Picts, by whose treasonable slights this huge murder was made on them. On the morrow, Maximus parted the spoil of the field among his army, and made the dead bodies to be buried : and to show him nothing degenerate from Roman mercy, he made them that were left on life, and sore wounded, to be cured with most crafty surgeons: among whom was Ethodius, brother to Eugenius, taken, and cured, by ruth of Maximus, of all his wounds. John Bellenden, Archdean of Moray. SEEING THE WIND Ascham "^ | ^O see the wind, with a man his eyes, it is unpossible, 1 545 X the nature of it is so fine, and subtile ; yet this ex- perience of the wind had I once myself, and that was in the great snow that fell four years ago : I rode in the highway 1 Skirmish. 2 Roaring. 3 Mad. 4 Meadow-lands. 5 shrieks. « Lamenting. SEEING THE WIND 69 betwixt TopclifF-upon-Swale, and Borowe Bridge, the way Ascham being somewhat trodden afore, by wayfaring men. The ^545 fields on both sides were plain and lay almost yard deep with snow, the night afore had been a little frost, so that the snow was hard and crusted above. That morning the sun shone bright and clear, the wind was whistling aloft, and sharp according to the time of the year. The snow in the highway lay loose and trodden with horse feet : so as the wind blew, it took the loose snow with it, and made it so slide upon the snow in the field which was hard and crusted by reason of the frost overnight, that thereby I might see very well the whole nature of the wind as it blew that day. And I had a great delight and pleasure to mark it, which maketh me now far better to remember it. Sometime the wind would be not past two yards broad, and so it would carry the snow as far as I could see. Another time the snow would blow over half the field at once. Sometime the snow would tumble softly, by and by it would fly wonderful fast. And this I perceived also, that the wind goeth by streams and not whole together. For I should see one stream within a score on me, then the space of two score no snow would stir, but after so much quantity of ground, another stream of snow at the same very time should be carried likewise, but not equally. For the one would stand still when the other flew apace, and so continue sometime swiftlier, sometime slowlier, sometime broader, sometime narrower, as far as I could see. Nor it flew not straight, but sometime it crooked this way, sometime that way, and sometime it ran round about in a compass. And sometime the snow would be lift clean from the ground up into the air, and by and by it would be all clapped to the ground as though there had been no wind at all, straightway it would rise and fly again. And that which was the most marvel of all, at one time two drifts of snow flew, the one out of the West into the East, 70 A CHARACTER OF LONDON Ascham the other out of the North into the East: and I saw two ^545 winds by reason of the snow the one cross over the other, as it had been two highways. And again I should hear the wind blow in the air, when nothing was stirred at the ground. And when all was still where I rode, not very far from me the snow should be lifted wonderfully. This experience made me more mai-vel at the nature of the wind, than it made me cunning in the knowledge of the wind : but yet thereby I learned perfectly that it is no marvel at all though men in a wind lease their length in shooting, seeing so many ways the wind is so variable in blowing. Roger Ascham. A CHARACTER OF LONDON NOW what shall we say of these rich citizens of London .'* What shall I say of them } Shall I call them proud men of London, malicious men of London, merciless men of London } No, no, I may not say so ; they will be offended with me then. Yet must I speak. For is there not reigning in London as much pride, as much covetousness, as much cruelty, as much oppression, and as much superstition, as was in Nebo } Yes, I think, and much more too. Therefore I say, repent, O London; repent, repent. Thou hearest thy faults told thee, amend them, amend them. I think, if Nebo had had the preaching that thou hast, they would have converted. And, you rulers and officers, be wise and circumspect, look to your charge, and see you do your duties ; and rather be glad to amend your ill living than to be angry when you are warned or told of your fault. What ado was there made in London at a certain man, because he said A CHARACTER OF LONDON 71 (and indeed at that time on a just cause), ' Burgesses ! ' Latimer quoth he, 'nay. Butterflies.' Lord, what ado there was for i548 that word. And yet would God they were no worse than butterflies ! Butterflies do but their nature ; the butterfly is not covetous, is not greedy of other men's goods ; is not full of envy and hatred, is not malicious, is not cruel, is not merciless. The butterfly glorieth not in her own deeds, nor preferreth the traditions of men before God's word ; it com- mitteth not idolotry, nor worshippeth false gods. But London cannot abide to be rebuked ; such is the nature of man. If they be pricked, they will kick ; if they be rubbed on the gall, they will wince ; but yet they will not amend their faults, they will not be ill spoken of. But how shall I speak well of them .'' If you could be content to receive and follow the word of God, and favour good preachers, if you could bear to be told of your faults, if you could amend when you hear of them, if you would be glad to reform that is amiss : If I might see any such inclination in you, that you would leave to be merciless, and begin to be charitable, I would then hope well of you, I would then speak well of you. But London was never so ill as it is now. In times past men were full of pity and compassion, but now there is no pity ; for in London their brother shall die in the streets for cold, he shall lie sick at the door between stock and stock, I cannot tell what to call it, and perish there for hunger : Was there ever more unmercifulness in Nebo } I think not. In times past, when any rich man died in London, they were wont to help the poor scholars of the Universities with exhibition. When any man died, they would bequeath great sums of money towards the relief of the poor. When I was a scholar in Cambridge myself, I heard very good report of London, and knew many that had relief of the rich men of London ; but now I can hear no such good report, and yet I inquire of it, and hearken for it ; but now charity is waxen cold, none helpeth the scholar. 72 RALPH HYTHLODAYE Latimer nor yet the poor. And in those days, what did they when 1548 they helped the scholars? Marry, they maintained and gave them livings that were very papists, and professed the Pope's doctrine: and now that the knowledge of God's word is brought to light, and many earnestly study and labour to set it forth, now almost no man helpeth to main- tain them. O London, London ! repent, repent ; for I think God is more displeased with London than ever he was with the city of Nebo. Repent therefore, repent, London, and re- member that the same God liveth now that punished Nebo, even the same God, and none other ; and he will punish sin as well now as he did then : and he will punish the iniquity of London, as well as he did then of Nebo. Amend therefore. Hugh Latimer. RALPH HYTHLODAYE WHILE I was there abiding, oftentimes among other, but which to me was more welcome than any other, did visit me one Peter Giles, a citizen of Antwerp, a man there in his country of honest reputation, and also pre- ferred to high promotions, worthy truly of the highest. For it is hard to say whether the young man be in learning or in honesty more excellent. For he is both of wonderful virtuous conditions, and also singularly well learned, and towards all sorts of people exceeding gentle : but towards his friends so kind-hearted, so loving, so faithful, so trusty, and of so earnest affection, that it were very hard in any place to find a man, that with him in all points of friendship may be compared. No man can be more lowly or courteous. No man useth less simulation or dissimulation, in no man is more prudent simplicity. Besides this, he is in his talk and RALPH HYTHLODAYE 73 communication so merry and pleasant, yea and that without Robinson harm, that through his gentle entertainment, and his sweet ^55 ^ and delectable communication, in me was greatly abated and diminished the fervent desire that I had to see my native country, my wife, and my children, whom then I did much long and covet to see, because that at that time I had been more than four months from them. Upon a certain day when I had heard the divine service in our Lady's Church, which is the fairest, the most gorgeous and curious Church of building in all the city, and also most frequented of people, and the service being done, was ready to go home to my lodging, I chanced to espy this foresaid Peter talking with a certain stranger, a man well stricken in age, with a black sunburned face, a long beard, and a cloak cast homely about his shoulders, whom, by his favour and apparel forth- with I judged to be a mariner. But the said Peter seeing me, came unto me and saluted me. And as I was about to answer him : * See you this man,' saith he (and therewith he pointed to the man, that I saw him talking with before), ' I was minded,' quoth he, 'to bring him straight home to you.' *He should have been very welcome to me,' said I, ' for your sake.' ' Nay ' (quoth he) ' for his own sake, if you knew him : for there is no man this day living that can tell you of so many strange and unknown peoples, and countries, as this man can. And I know well that you be very desirous to hear of such news.' 'Then I conjectured not far amiss' (quoth I), 'for even at the first sight I judged him to be a mariner.' ' Nay ' (quoth he), 'there ye were greatly deceived : he hath sailed indeed, not as the mariner Palinure, but as the ex- pert and prudent prince Ulysses : Yea, rather as the ancient and sage philosopher Plato. For this same Raphael Hyth- lodaye (for this is his name) is very well learned in the Latin tongue, but profound and excellent in the Greek language. Wherein he ever bestowed more study than in the Latin, 74 RALPH HYTHLODAYE Robinson because he had given himself wholly to the study of Philo- 155 1 sophy. Whereof, he knew that there is nothing extant in Latin, that is to any purpose, saving a few of Seneca's and Cicero's doings. His patrimony that he was born unto, he left to his brethren (for he is a Portugal born), and for the desire that he had to see and know the far countries of the world, he joined himself in company with Amerike Vespuce, and in the three last voyages of those four that be now in print and abroad in every man's hands, he continued still in his company, saving that in the last voyage he came not home again with him. For he made such means and shift, what by intreatance, and what by importune suit, that he got licence of Master Amerike (though it were sore against his will) to be one of the twenty-four, which in the end of the last voyage were left in the country of Gulike. He was therefore left behind for his mind sake, as one that took more thought and care for travelling than dying: having customably in his mouth these sayings : He that hath no grave is covered with the sky ; and. The way to heaven out of all places is of Hke length and distance. Which fantasy of his (if God had not been his better friend) he had surely bought full dear. But after the departing of of Master Vespuce, when he had travelled through and about many countries with five of his companions, Gulikians, at the last by marvellous chance he arrived in Taprobane, from whence he went to Caliquit, where he chanced to find certain of his country ships, wherein he returned again into his country, nothing less than looked for.' All this when Peter had told me, I thanked him for his gentle kindness, that he had vouchsafed to bring me to the speech of that man, whose communication he thought should be to me pleasant and acceptable. And therewith I turned me to Raphael. And when we had halsed ^ each other, and had spoken these common words that be customably 1 Embraced. RALPH HYTHLODAYE 75 spoken at the first meeting and acquaintance of strangers, Robinson we went thence to my house, and there in my garden, upon ^551 a bench covered with green turves, we sat down talking to- gether. There he told us, how that after the departing of Vespuce, he and his fellows, that tarried behind in Gulike, began by little and little, through fair and gentle speech, to win the love and favour of the people of that country, inso- much that within short space they did dwell amongst them, not only harmless, but also occupying with them very fami- ilarly. He told us also, that they were in high reputation and favour with a certain great man (whose name and country is now quite out of my remembrance), which of his mere liber- ality did bear the costs and charges of him and his five com- panions. And besides that gave them a trusty guide to conduct them in their journey (which by water was in boats, and by land in wagons) and to bring them to other princes with very friendly commendations. Thus after many days' journeys, he said, they found towns, and cities, and weal publics, full of people, governed by good and wholesome laws. For under the line equinoctial, and on both sides of the same, as far as the sun doth extend his course, lieth (quoth he) great and wide deserts and wildernesses, parched, burned, and dried up with continual and intolerable heat. All things be hideous, terrible, loathsome, and unpleasant to behold : all things out of fashion and comeliness, in- habited with wild beasts and serpents, or at the leastwise, with people that be no less savage, wild, and noisome than the very beasts themselves be. But a little farther beyond that, all things begin by little and little to wax pleasant. The air soft, temperate, and gentle. The ground covered with green grass. Less wildness in the beasts. ' At the last shall ye come again to people, cities, and towns, wherein is continual intercourse and occupying of merchandise and chaffer, not only among themselves and with their bor- derers, but also with merchants of far countries, both by land 76 WOLSEY'S ARREST Robinson and water. There I had occasion ' (said he) ' to go to many ^551 countries on every side. For there was no ship ready to any voyage or journey but I and my fellows were into it very gladly received.' The ships that they found first were made plain, flat, and broad in the bottom, troughwise. The sails were made of great rushes, or of wickers, and in some places of leather. Afterward they found ships with ridged keels, and sails of canvas : ' yea, and shortly after having all things like ours. The shipmen also very expert and cunning both in the sea and in the weather.' But he said, that he found great favour and friendship among them, for teaching them the feat and the use of the loadstone, which to them before that time was unknown. And therefore they were wont to be very timorous and fearful upon the sea, nor to venture upon it but only in the summer time. But now they have such a confidence in that stone, that they fear not stormy winter : in so doing farther from care than danger, insomuch that it is greatly to be doubted, lest that thing, through their own foolish hardiness, shall turn them to evil and harm, which at the first was supposed should be to them good and commodious. Ralph Robinson. WOLSEY'S ARREST Cavendish A /T Y lord sitting at dinner upon All-Halloween day in 1557 XVX Cawood Castle, having at his board's end divers of his most worthiest chaplains sitting at dinner to keep him company, for lack of strangers, ye shall understand that my lord's great cross of silver accustomably stood in the comer, at the table's end, leaning against the tappet or hanging of the chamber. And when the table's end was taken up, and a convenient time for them to arise ; in arising WOLSEY'S ARREST 77 from the table, one Doctor Augustine, physician, being a Cavendish Venetian bom, having a boisterous gown of black velvet i557 upon him ; as he would have come out at the table's end, his gown overthrew the cross that stood there in the corner, and the cross trailing down along the tappet, it chanced to fall upon Doctor Bonner's head, who stood among others by the tappet, making of curtsy to my lord, and with one of the points of the cross razed his head a little, that the blood ran down. The company standing there were greatly astonished with the chance. My lord sitting in his chair, looking upon them, perceived the chance, demanded of me, being next him, what the matter meant of their sudden abashment. I showed him how the cross fell upon Doctor Bonner's head. ' Hath it,' quoth he, ' drawn any blood } ' ' Yea, forsooth, my lord,' quoth I, 'as it seemeth me.' With that he cast down his head, looking very soberly upon me a good while without any word speaking ; at the last, quoth he, shaking of his head : 'Malum omen ' ; and therewith said grace, and rose from the table, and went into his bedchamber, there lamenting, making his prayers. Now mark the signification, how my lord expounded this matter unto me afterward at Pomfret Abbey. First, ye shall understand, that the cross, which belonged to the dignity of York, he understood to be himself; and Augustine, he understood, that overthrew the cross, to be he that should accuse him, by means whereof he should be overthrown. The falling upon Master Bonner's liead, who was master of my lord's faculties and spiritual jurisdictions, which was damnified by the overthrowing of the cross by the physician, and the drawing of blood betokened death, which shortly after came to pass. About the very same time of the day of this mischance. Master Walshe took his horse at the Court Gate, as nigh as it could be judged. And thus my lord took it for a very sign or token of that which after ensued, if the circumstance be equally considered and noted, although no man was there 78 WOLSEY'S ARREST Cavendish present at that time that had any knowledge of Master '557 Walshe's coming down, or what should follow. Wherefore, as it was supposed that God showed him more secret know- ledge of his latter days and end of his trouble than all men supposed ; which appeared right well by divers talks that he had with me at divers times, of his last end. And now that I have declared unto you the effect of this prodigy and sign, I will return again to my matter. The time drawing nigh of his stallation ; sitting at dinner, upon the Friday next before Monday on thq which he in- tended to be stalled at York, the Earl of Northumberland and Master Walshe, with a great company of gentlemen, as well of the Earl's servants as of the country, which he had gathered together to accompany him in the King's name, not knowing to what purpose or to what intent, came into the hall at Cawood, the officers sitting at dinner, and my lord not fully dined, but being at his fruits, nothing knowing of the Earl's being in his hall. The first thing that the Earl did, after he came into the castle, commanded the porter to deliver him the keys of the gates, who would in no wise de- liver him the keys, although he were very roughly com- manded in the King's name to deliver them to one of the Earl's servants ; saying unto the Earl : ' Sir, ye do intend to deliver them to one of your servants to keep them and the gates, and to plant another in my room ; I know no cause why ye should so do, and this I assure you, that you have no one servant, but that I am as able to keep them as he, to what pui'pose soever it be ; and also, the keys were de- livered me by my lord, my master, with a charge both by oath and by other precepts and commandments ; therefore I beseech your lordship to pardon me, though I refuse your commandment. For whatsoever ye shall command me to do that belongeth to my office, I shall do it with a right good will, as justly as any other of your servants.' With that quoth the gentlemen there present unto the Earl, hearing WOLSEY'S ARREST 79 him speak so stoutly, like a man, and with so good reason : Cavendish 'Sir/ quoth they, 'he is a good fellow, and speaketh like a i557 faithful servant to his master ; and like an honest man : therefore give him your charge, and let him keep still the gates ; who, we doubt not, will be obedient to your lordship's commandment.' ' Well then,' quoth the Earl, ' hold him a book/ and commanded him to lay his hand upon the book, whereat the porter made some doubt, but being persuaded by the gentlemen there present, was contented, and laid his hand upon the book, to whom, quoth the Earl : * Thou shalt swear, to keep well and truly these gates to the king our sovereign lord's use, and to do all such things as we shall command thee in the king's name, being his highness's com- missioners, and as it shall seem to us at all times good, as long as we shall be here in this castle; and that ye shall not let in nor out at these gates, but such as ye shall be commanded by us, from time to time.* And upon this oath he received the keys at the Earl's and Master Walshe's hands. Of all these doings knew my lord nothing; for they stopped the stairs that went up into my lord's chamber where he sat, so that no man could pass up again that was come down. At the last, one of my lord's servants chanced to look down into the hall at a loop that was upon the stairs, and returned to my lord, and showed him that my Lord of Northumberland was in the hall ; whereat my lord marvelled, and would not believe him at the first ; but commanded a ii^entleman, being his gentleman-usher, to go down and bring him perfect word. Who going down the stairs, looking down at the loop, where he saw the Earl, who then returned to my lord, and showed him that it was very he. ' Then,' quoth my lord, ' I am sorry that we have dined, for I fear that our officers be not stored of any plenty of good fish, to make him such honourable cheer as to his estate is convenient. Notwithstanding, he shall have such as we have, with a right 80 WOLSEY'S ARREST Cavendish good will, and loving heart. Let the table be standing still, ^557 and we will go down and meet him, and bring him up; and then he shall see how far forth we be at our dinner/ With that he put the table from him and rose up ; going down, he encountered the Earl upon the midst of the stairs, coming up, with all his men about him. nd as soon as my lord espied the Earl, he put off his cap, and said to him : ' My lord, ye be most heartily welcome,' and therewith they em- braced each other. 'Although, my lord,' quoth he, 'that I have often desired and wished in my heart to see you in my house, yet if ye had loved me as I do you, ye would have sent me word before of your coming, to the intent that I might have received you according to your honour and mine. Notwithstanding, ye shall have such cheer as I am able to make you, with a right good will ; trusting that ye will accept the same of me as of your very old and loving friend, hoping hereafter to see you oftener, when I shall be more able, and better provided to receive you with better fare.' And then my lord took the Earl of Northumberland by the hand, and led him up into the chamber ; whom followed all the Earl's servants ; where the table stood in the state that my lord left it when he rose, saying unto the Earl : ' Sir, now ye may perceive how far forth we were at our dinner.' Then my lord led the Earl to the fire, saying : ' My lord, ye shall go into my bedchamber, where is a good fire made for you, and there ye may shift your apparel until your chamber be made ready. Therefore, let your male be brought up : and or ever I go, I pray you give me leave to take these gentle- men, your servants, by the hands.' And when he had taken them all by the hands, he returned to the Earl, and said : ' Ah ! my lord, I perceive well that ye have observed my old precepts and instructions which I gave you, when you were abiding with me in your youth, which was, to cherish your father's old servants, whereof I see here present with you a great number. Surely, my lord, ye do therein very well and WOLSEY'S ARREST 81 nobly, and like a wise gentleman ; for these be they that Cavendish will not only serve and love you, but they will also live and ^557 die with you, and be true and faithful servants to you, and glad to see you prosper in honour; the which I beseech God to send you, with long life.' This said, he took the Earl by the hand, and led him into his bedchamber. And they being there all alone, save only I, that kept the door, according to my duty, being gentleman usher, these two lords standing at a window by the chimney, in my lord's bedchamber, the Earl trembling said, with a very faint and soft voice, unto my lord (laying his hand upon his arm) : ' My lord, I arrest you of high treason.' With which words my lord was marvellously astonied, standing both still a long space without any further words. But at the last, quoth my lord : ' What moveth you, or by what authority do you this } ' ' Forsooth, my lord,' quoth the Earl, ' I have a commission to warrant me and my doings.' * Where is your commission.'*' quoth my lord, 'let me see it.' 'Nay, sir, that you may not,' quoth the Earl. ' Well, then,' quoth my lord, ' I will not obey your arrest ; for there hath been be- tween some of your predecessors and mine great contentions and debate grown upon an ancient grudge, which may suc- ceed in you, with like inconvenience, as it hath done hereto- fore. Therefore, unless I see your authority and commission, I will not obey you.* Even as they were debating this matter between them in the chamber, so busily was Master Walshe arresting of Doctor Augustine, the physician, at the door within the portal, whom I heard say unto him : * Go in then, traitor, or I shall make thee ' ; and with that, I opened the portal door, and the same being opened. Master Walshe thrust Doctor Augustine in before him with violence. These matters on both the sides astonied me very sore, musing what all this should mean ; until at the last. Master Walshe, being entered the chamber, began to pluck off his hood, the which he had made him with a coat of the same VOL. I. JF 82 WOLSEY'S ARREST Cavendish cloth, of cotton, to the intent he would not be known. And ^557 after he had plucked it off, he kneeled down to my lord, to whom he spake first, commanding him to stand up, saying thus : ' Sir, here my Lord of Northumberland hath arrested me of treason, but by what authority or commission he showeth me not ; but saith he hath one. If ye be privy thereto, or be joined with him therein, I pray you show me.' ' Indeed, my lord,' quoth Master Walshe, ' if it please your Grace, it is true that he hath one.' ' Well, then,' said my lord, ' I pray you let me see it.' * Sir, I beseech your Grace hold us excused,' quoth Master Walshe, ' there is annexed unto our commission a schedule with certain instructions which ye may in no wise be privy unto.' ' Why,' quoth my lord, ^ be your instructions such that I may not see them ? Peradventure, if I might be privy to them, I could the better help you to perform them. It is not unknown unto you both, I am assured, but I have been privy and of counsel in as weighty matters as this is, for I doubt not for my part but I shall prove and clear myself to be a true man against the expectation of all my cruel enemies. I have an under- standing whereupon all this matter groweth. Well, there is no more to do. I trow, gentlemen, ye be one of the King's Privy Chamber ; your name, I suppose, is Walshe ; I am con- tent to yield unto you, but not to my Lord of Northumber- land, without I see his commission. And also you are a sufficient commissioner yourself in that behalf, inasmuch as ye be one of the King's Privy Chamber ; for the worst person there is a sufficient warrant to ari'est the greatest peer of this realm, by the King's only commandment, without any commission. Therefore I am ready to be ordered and dis- posed at your will. Put therefore the King's commission and your authority in execution, a' God's name, and spare not, and I will obey the King's will and pleasure ; for I fear more the cruelty of my unnatural enemies than I do my truth and allegiance; wherein, I take God to witness, I TWO BISHOPS 83 never offended the King's Majesty in word or deed ; and Cavendish therein I dare stand face to face with any man alive, having '557 indifferency without partiaHty.' Then came ray Lord of Northumberland imto me, stand- ing at the portal door, and commanded me to avoid the chamber : and being loth to depart from my master, I stood still, and would not remove ; to whom he spake again, and said: 'There is no remedy, ye must needs depart.' With that I looked upon my lord, as who sayeth, shall I go ? Upon whom my lord looked very heavily, and shook at me his head. Perceiving by his countenance it booted me not to abide, and so I departed the chamber, and went into the next chamber, where abode many gentlemen of my fellows and other, to learn of me some news of the matter within ; to whom I made report what I saw and heard ; which was to them great heaviness to hear. George Cavendish. TWO BISHOPS AMONG many other worthy and sundry histories and Foxe notable acts of such as of late days have been tur- ^5^3 moiled, murdered, and martyred for the true gospel of Christ in Queen Mary's reign, the tragical story and life of Dr. Ridley I thought good to commend to chronicle and leave to perpetual memory ; beseeching thee (gentle reader) with care and study well to peruse, diligently to consider, and deeply to print the same in thy breast, seeing him to be a man beautified with such excellent qualities, so ghostly inspired and godly learned, and now written doubtless in the book of life, with the blessed saints of the Almighty, crowned and throned amongst the glorious company of martyrs. First, descending of a stock right worshipful, he was born in 84 TWO BISHOPS F o X e Northumberlandshire, who, being a child, learned his gram- ^563 mar with great dexterity in Newcastle, and was removed from thence to the University of Cambridge, where he in short time became so famous, that for his singular aptness, he was called to higher functions and offices of the University, by degree attaining thereunto, and was called to be head of Pembroke Hall, and there made doctor of divinity. After this, departing from thence, he travelled to Paris, who, at his return, was made chaplain to King Henry the Eighth, and promoted afterwards by him to the bishopric of Rochester; and so from thence translated to the see and bishopric of London in King Edward's days. In which calling and offices he so travailed and occupied himself by preaching and teaching the true and wholesome doctrine of Christ, that never good child was more singularly loved of his dear parents than he of his flock and diocese. Every holiday and Sunday he lightly preached in some one place or other, except he were otherwise letted by weighty affairs and business, to whose sermons the people resorted, swarming about him like bees, and coveting the sweet flowers and wholesome juice of the fruitful doctrine, which he did not only preach, but showed the same by his life, as a glittering lanthorn to the eyes and senses of the blind, in such pure order and chastity of life (declining from all evil desires and concupiscences) that even his very enemies could not reprove him in any one jot thereof. Besides this, he was passingly well learned, his memory was great, and he of such reading withal, that of right he deserved to be comparable to the best of this our age, as can testify as well divers his notable works, pithy sermons, and sundry his disputations in both the Universities, as also his very adversaries, all which will say no less themselves. Besides all this, wise he was of counsel, deep of wit, and very politic in all his doings. How merciful and careful he was to reduce the obstinate papists from their erroneous TWO BISHOPS 86 opinions, and by gentleness to win them to the truth, his F o x e gentle ordering and courteous handling of Dr. Heath, late ^5^3 Archbishop of York, being prisoner with him in King Edward's time in his house one year, sufficiently declareth. In fine, he was such a prelate, and in all points so good, godly, and ghostly a man, that England may justly rue the loss of so worthy a treasure. And thus hitherto concerning these public matters. Now will I speak something further, particularly of his person and conditions. He was a man right comely and well proportioned in all points, both in complexion and lineaments of the body. He took all things in good part, bearing no malice nor rancour in his heart, but straightways forgetting all injuries and offences done against him. He was very kind and natural to his kinsfolk, and yet not bearing with them anything otherwise than right would require, giving them always for a general rule, yea to his own brother and sister, that they, doing evil, should seek or look for nothing at his hand, but should be as strangers and aliens unto him ; and they to be his brother and sister, which used honesty and a godly trade of life. He, using all kinds of ways to mortify himself, was given to much prayer and contemplation ; for duly every morning, so soon as his apparel was done upon him, he went forthwith to his bedchamber, and there upon his knees prayed the space of half an hour; which being done, immediately he went to his study, if there came no other business to interrupt him, where he continued till ten of the clock, and then came to the common prayer, daily used in his house. The prayers being done, he went to dinner, where he used little talk, except otherwise occasion by some had been ministered, and then was it sober, discreet, and wise, and sometimes merry, as cause required. The dinner done, which was not very long, he used to sit an hour or thereabouts, talking, or playing at the chess : that 86 TWO BISHOPS Foxe clone, he returned to his study, and there would continue, '503 except suitors or business abroad were occasion of the contrary, until five of the clock at night, and then would come to common prayer, as in the forenoon : which being finished, he went to supper, behaving himself there as at his dinner before. After supper recreating himself in playing at chess the space of an hour, he would then return again to his study, continuing there till eleven of the clock at night, which was his common hour to go to bed, then saying his prayers upon his knees, as in the morning when he rose. Being at his manor of Fulham, as divers times he used to be, he read daily a lecture to his family at the common prayer, beginning at the Acts of the Apostles, and so going through all the Epistles of St. Paul, giving, to every man that could read, a New Testament, hiring them besides with money to learn by heart certain principal chapters, but especially Acts xiii., reading also unto his household oftentimes Psalm ci., being marvellous careful over his family, that they might be a spectacle of all virtue and honesty to others. To be short, as he was godly and virtuous himself, so nothing but virtue and godliness reigned in his house, feeding them with the food of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Now remaineth a word or two to be declared of his gentle nature and kindly pity in the usage of an old woman called Mrs. Bonner, mother to Dr. Bonner, sometime Bishop of London, which I thought good to touch, as well for the rare clemency of Dr. Ridley, as the unworthy inhumanity and ungrateful disposition again of Dr. Bonner. Bishop Ridley, being at his manor of Fulham, always sent for this said Mrs. Bonner, dwelling in a house adjoining to his house, to dinner and supper, with one Mrs. Mungey, Bonner's sister, saying, ' Go for my mother Bonner '; who, coming, was ever placed in the chair at the table's end, being so gently entreated, welcomed, and taken, as though he had been born of her own body, being never displaced of her seat, although the TWO BISHOPS 87 King's Council had been present ; saying, when any of them F o x e were there, as divers times they were: 'By your Lordship's ^5^3 favour, this place of right and custom is for my mother Bonner.' But how well he was recompensed for this his singular gentleness and pitiful piety after, at the hands of the said Dr. Bonner, almost the least child that goeth by the ground can declare. For who afterward was more enemy to^ Ridley than Bonner and his ? Who more went about to seek his destruction than he ? Recompensing this his gentleness with his extreme cruelty ; as well appeared by the strait hand- ling of Ridley's own natural sister, and George Shipside her husband, from time to time : whereas the gentleness of the other did suffer Bonner's mother, sister, and other of his kindred, not only quietly to enjoy all that which they had of Bonner, but also entertained them in his house, showing much courtesy and friendship daily unto them ; whereas on the other side. Bishop Bonner, being restored again, would not suffer the brother and natural sister of Bishop Ridley, and other his friends, not only not to enjoy that which they had by the said their brother Bishop Ridley, but also currishly, without all order of law or honesty, by extort power wrested from them all the livings they had. And yet, being not therewith satisfied, he sought all the means he could to work the death of the foresaid Shipside, saying, that he would make twelve godfathers to go upon him ; which had been brought to pass indeed, at what time he was prisoner at Oxford, had not God otherwise wrought his deliverance by means of Dr. Heath, then the Bishop of Worcester. Hereby all good indifferent readers notoriously have to understand what great diversity was in the disposition of these two natures, whereof as the one excelled in mercy and pity, so the other again as much or more excelled in churlish ingratitude and despiteful disdain. But of this matter enough. TWO BISHOPS II Foxe The next month after the burning of Dr. Ridley and 1 563 Master Latimer, which was the month of November, Stephen Gardiner, Bishop and Chancellor, a man hated of God and all good men, ended his wretched life : concerning the qualities, nature, and disposition of which man, forsomuch as somewhat hath been declared before in the story of King Edward's reign, I shall need therefore the less now to stand greatly upon the same. First, this viper s bird, crept out of the town of Bury in Suffolk, was brought up most part of his youth in Cambridge ; his wit, capacity, memory, and other endowments of nature were not to be complained of^ if he had well used and rightly applied the same ; wherein there was no great want of God's part in him, if he had not rather himself wanted to the goodness of his gifts. Through this promptness, activity, and towardness of his, he profited not a little in such studies as he gave his head unto, as first in the civil law, then in languages and such other like, especially in those arts and faculties which had any prospect to dignity and preferment to be hoped for. Besides other ornaments or helps of nature, memory chiefly seemed in him very bene- ficial, rather than diligence of study. To these gifts and qualities were joined again as great or greater vices, which not so much followed him, as overtook him ; not so much burdened him, as made him burdenous to the whole realm. He was of a proud stomach and high- minded, in his own opinion and conceit flattering himself too much ; in wit, crafty and subtle ; towards his superiors flattering and fair spoken ; to his inferiors fierce ; against his equal stout and envious, namely, if in judgment and sentence he anything withstood him, as appeared between the good Lord Cromwell and him in the reign of King Henry, being of like haughtiness of stomach as the poets write of Pelides, TWO BISHOPS 89 cedere nescms : who, although he would give no place to men, Foxe yet notwithstanding I wish he would have given place to ^S^S truth, according as he seemed not altogether ignorant of that truth. What his knowledge was therein, it is evidently partly to understand as well by his book De Vera Obedienlia, as also by his sermon before King Edward. Also by his answers to the council the same time, and moreover by his own words it may be gathered in sundry places, as more plainly may appear by that which hereafter followeth. Upon his estimation and fame he stood too much, more than was meet for a man of his coat and calling, whose pro- fession was to be crucified unto the world, which thing made him so stiff in maintaining that he had once begun to take upon him. I will not here speak of that which hath been constantly reported to me touching the monstrous making and misshaped fashion of his feet and toes, the nails whereof were said not to be like to other men's, but to crook down- ward, and to be sharp like the claws of ravening beasts. What his learning was in the civil and canon law I have not to say. What it was in other liberal sciences and arts, this I suppose, that neither his continuance in study, nor dili- gence of reading was such (by reason of his too mnch inter- meddling in prince's matters) as could truly well merit unto him the title of a deep learned man. But what learning ^ or cunning soever it was he had, so it fared in him, as it doth in butchers, which used to blow up their flesh : even so he with boldness and stoutness, and specially with authority, made those gifts that he had to appear much greater than they were in very deed. Whereunto, perad- venture, use also, and experience abroad, brought no little helps, rather than either quickness of wit or happiness of education. And as touching divinity, he was so variable, wavering with time, that no constant censure can be given what to make of him. If his doings and writings were ficcording to 90 TWO BISHOPS F o X e his conscience, no man can rightly say whether he was a 1 5"3 right protestant or papist. If he wrote otherwise than he thought, for fear or to bear with time, then was he a double deep dissembler before God and man, to say and unsay, to write and unwrite, to swear and forswear, so as he did. For first in the beginning of Queen Anne's time, who was so forward or so busy in the matter of the King's divorce as Stephen Gardiner, who was first sent to Rome, and then to the Emperor with Edmund Foxe, as chief agent in the behalf of the Lady Anne ? by whom also he was preferred to the bishopric of Winchester, as Edward Bonner was preferred to the bishopric of London. Again, at the abolishing of the Pope, who so ready to swear or so vehement to write against the Pope as he, as not only by his sermons, but also by his book De Obedientid may appear ? in which book De Obedientid, lest any should think him drawn thereunto otherwise than by his own consent, he plainly declareth how, not rashly nor upon a sudden, but upon a long deliberation and advertise- ment in himself about the matter, he at length uttered his judgment; whereof read before. And moreover, so he uttered his judgment in writing against the usurped suprem- acy of the Pope, that, coming to Louvain afterward, he was there accounted for a person excommunicate and a schismatic, insomuch that he was not permitted in their church to say mass; and moreover in their public sermons they openly cried out against him. Whereof read hereafter following. And thus long continued he firm and forward, so that who but Winchester, during all the time and reign of Queen Anne ? After her decease that time by little and little carried him away, till at length the emulation of Cromwell's estate, and especially (as it seemeth) for his so much favour- ing of Bonner, whom Winchester at that time in no case could abide, made him an utter enemy both against him, and also his religion : till again, in King Edward's days, he began a little to rebate from certain points of popery, and A PRETTY THEFT 91 somewhat to smell of the gospel, as both by his sermon Foxe before King Edward, as also by his subscribing to certain ^S^S articles, may appear. And this was a half turn of Stephen Gardiner from popery again to the gospel, and, no doubt, he would have further turned, had not the unlucky decay of the Duke of Somerset clean turned him away from true divinity to plain popery, wherein he continued a cruel persecutor to his dying day. And thus much concerning the trade and profession of Stephen Gardiner's popish divinity. In which his popish trade, whether he followed more true judgment, or else time, or rather the spirit of ambition and vainglory, it is doubtful to say ; and so much the more doubtful, because in his doings and writings a man may see him not only contrary to himself, but also in some points contrary to other papists. And furthermore, where he agreeth with them, he seemeth therein not so much to follow his own sense, as the mind and meaning of Pereseus; out of whose book the greatest part of Winchester's divinity seemeth to be borrowed. And therefore as in the true knowledge of God's holy word and scripture he appeareth nobody ; so in his pen and style of writing no less far is he from commendation, than he is from all plainness and perspicuity : in whose obscure and perplex kind of writing, although peradventure some sense may be found with some searching, yet shall no reader find any sweetness in his reading. John Foxe. A PRETTY THEFT THEN by and by Babulus and I devised a pretty sport : Adhngton we drew one of the greatest of the bears to our lodg- 1 5^6 ing, as though we would prepare to eat thereof, where we 92 A PRETTY THEFT Adlington flayed off his skin, and kept his ungles^ whole, but we meddled 1 566 not with the head, but cut it off by the neck, and so let it hang to the skin. Then we rased off the flesh from the neck, and cast dust thereon, and set it in the sun to dry. When the skin was a drying we made merry with the flesh, and then we devised with ourselves, that one of us being more valiant than the rest both in body and courage (so that he would consent thereto) should put on the skin, and feigning that he were a bear, should be led to Demo- chares' house in the night, by which means we thought to be received and let in. Many were desirous to play the bear, but especially one Thrasileon of a courageous mind would take this enterprise in hand. Then we put him into the bear's skin, which fitted him finely in every point, we buckled it fast under his belly, and covered the seam with the hair, that it might not be seen. After this we made little holes through the bear's head, and through his nostrils and eyes, for Thrasileon to see out and take wind at, in such sort that he seemed a very lively and natural beast : when this was done we went into a cave which we hired for the pui*pose, and he crept in after like a bear with a good courage. Thus we began our subtility, and then we imagined thus : we feigned letters as though they came from one Nicanor, which dwelt in the country of Thracia, which was of great acquaintance with this Demochares, wherein we wrote, that he had sent him being his friend, the first fruits of his coursing and hunting. When night was come, which was a meet time for our purpose, we brought Thrasileon and our forged letters and presented them to Demochares. When Demochares beheld this mighty bear, and saw the liberality of Nicanor his friend, he commanded his servants to deliver unto us ten crowns, having great store in his coffers. Then (as the novelty of a thing doth accustom to stir men's minds to behold the same) many persons came on every side 1 Claws. A PRETTY THEFT 93 to see this bear : but Thrasileon, lest they should by curious Adlin^ton viewing and prying perceive the truth, ran upon them to ^S^^ put them in fear that they durst not come nigh. The people said : ' Verily Demochares is right happy, in that after the death of so many beasts, he hath gotten, maugre fortune's head, so goodly a bear.' Then Demochares commanded him with all care to be put into the park among the other beasts : but immediately I spake unto him and said : ' Sir, I pray you take heed how you put a beast tired with the heat of the sun and with long travel among others which, as I hear say, have divers maladies and diseases ; let him rather he in some open place of your house nigh some water, where he may take air and ease himself, for do not you know that such kind of beasts do greatly delight to couch under the shadow of trees and hillocks near pleasant wells and waters .'' ' Hereby Demochares admonished, and remembering how many he had before that perished, was con- tented we should put the bear where we would. Moreover we said unto him, that we ourselves were determined to lie all night near the bear, to look unto him, and to give him meat and drink at his due hour. Then he answered : ' Verily, masters, you need not put yourselves to such pains, for I have men that serve for nothing but for that purpose/ So we took leave of him and departed : and when we were come without the gates of the town, we perceived before us a great sepulchre standing out of the highway in a privy and secret place, and thither we went and opened the mouth thereof, whereas we found the sides covered with the corruption of man, and the ashes and dust of his long-buried body, wherein we got ourselves to bring our purpose to pass, and having respect to the dark time of night, according to our custom, when we thought that every one was asleep, we went with our weapons and besieged the house of Demochares round about. Then Thrasileon was ready at hand, and leaped out of the cavern. 94 A PRETTY THEFT Adlin^on and went to kill all such as he found asleep : but when he ^566 came to the porter^ he opened the gates and let us all in, and then he showed us a large counter, wherein we saw put the night before a great abundance of treasure: which when by violence we had broken open, I bade every one of my fellows take as much gold and silver as they could carry away, and bear it to the sepulchre, and still as they carried I stood at the gate, watching diligently when they should return. The bear runned about the house, to make such of the family afeared as fortuned to wake and come out. For who is he that is so puissant and courageous, that at the ugly sight of so great a monster will not quail and keep his chamber, especially in the night? But when we had brought this matter to so good a point, there chanced a pitiful case, for as I looked for my companions that should come from the sepulchre, behold there was a boy of the house that fortuned to look out of a window, and espied the bear running about, and he went and told all the servants of the house. Whereupon incontinently they came forth with torches, lanthorns, and other lights, that they might see all the yard over : they came with clubs, spears, naked swords, greyhounds, and mastiffs to slay the poor beast. Then I during this broyle thought to run away, but because I would see Thrasileon fight with the dogs, I lay behind the gate to behold him. And although I might perceive that he was well nigh dead, yet remembered he his own faithful- ness and ours, and valiantly resisted the gaping and ravenous mouths of the hell hounds, so took he in gree the pageant which willingly he took in hand himself, and with much ado tumbled at length out of the house : but when he was at liberty abroad yet could he not save himself, for all the dogs of the street joined themselves to the greyhounds and mastiffs of the house, and came upon him. Alas, what a pitiful sight it was to see our poor Thrasileon thus environed and compassed with so many dogs that tare AN OLD MAN'S MISADVENTURE 95 and rent him miserably. Then I, impatient of so great a AdUngton misery, ran in amongst the press of the people, and aiding iS^^ him with my words as much as I might, exhorted them all in this manner : ' O great and extreme mischance, what a precious and excellent beast have we lost.' But my words did nothing prevail, for there came out a tall man with a spear in his hand, that thrust him clean through, and afterwards many that stood by drew out their swords, and so they killed him. But verily our good Captain Thrasileon, the honour of our comfort, received his death so patiently, that he would not betray the league between us, either by crying, howling, or any other means, but being torn with dogs and wounded with weapons, did yield forth a doleful cry, more like unto a beast than a man. And taking his present fortune in good part, with courage and glory enough did finish his life, with such a terror unto the assembly, that no person was so hardy until it was day, as to touch him, though he were stark dead : but at last there came a butcher more valiant than the rest, who, opening the paunch of the beast, slit out an hardy and venturous thief. In this manner we lost our Captain Thrasileon, but he lost not his fame and honour. IVilliam Adimgton. AN OLD MAN'S MISADVENTURE I HAD of late years an old man to my tenant, who cus- Harman tomably a great time went twice in the week to 15^7 London, either with fruit or with peascods, when time served therefor. And as he was coming homeward on Black- heath, at the end thereof next to Shooters' Hill, he overtook two rufflers,^ the one mannerly waiting on the other, as one had been the master, and the other the man or servant, 1 Paxt foot-pad, part cheat, part beggar. I 96 AN OLD MAN'S MISADVENTURE Harman carrying his master's cloak. This old man was very glad 1507 that he might have their company over the Hill, because that day he had made a good market ; for he had seven shillings in his purse, and an old angel, which this poor man had thought had not been in his purse, for he willed his wife over night to take out the same angel, and lay it up until his coming home again. And he verily thought that his wife had so done, which indeed forgot to do it. Thus after salutations had, this master ruffler entered into communica- tion with this simple old man, who, riding softly beside them, communed of many matters. Thus feeding this old man with pleasant talk, until they were on the top of the Hill, where these rufflers might well behold the coast about them clear, quickly steps unto this poor man, and taketh hold of his horse-bridle, and leadeth him into the wood, and de- mandeth of him what and how much money he had in his purse. ' Now, by my troth,' quoth this old man ; ' you are a merry gentleman. I know you mean not to take away any- thing from me, but rather to give me some if I should ask it of you.' By and by, this servant thief casteth the cloak that he carried on his arm about this poor man's face, that he should not mark or view them, with sharp words to deliver quickly that he had, and to confess truly what was in his purse. This poor man, then all abashed, yielded, and con- fessed that he had but just seven shillings in his purse ; and the truth is he knew of no more. This old angel was fallen out of a little purse into the bottom of a great purse. Now, this seven shillings in white money they quickly found, thinking indeed that there had been no more ; yet farther groping and searching, found this old angel. And with great admiration this gentleman thief began to bless him, saying: ' Good Lord, what a woFld is this ! How may ' (quoth he) ' a man believe or trust in the same } See you not ' (quoth he) ' this old knave told me that he had but seven shilUngs, and here is more by an angel : what an old knave and a false AN ESCAPE 97 knave have we here ! * quoth this ruffler ; ' Our Lord have Harman mercy on us, will this world never be better ? * — and there- ^ 5^7 with went their way. And left the old man in the wood, doing him no more harm. But sorrowfully sighing, this old man, returning home, declared his misadventure, with all the words and circumstances above showed. Where- at for the time was great laughing, and this poor man for his losses among his loving neighbours well considered in the end. Thomas Harman, AN ESCAPE AFTER this a long time there was peace and rest in the Lindsay realm, and that through the court and counsel of the i57o Duke of Albany, who soon thereafter married the Earl of Orkney's daughter, and begat upon her a son, called Alex- ander, who was thereafter Bishop of Moray, but not long after he parted with her, and passed in France, and was married upon the Duchess of Boulogne. But this Alexander, Duke of Albany, had the great indignation of many of the nobles in Scotland, for fortifying and maintaining the King in his private affairs, and gave him the wyte that so many Lords were in captivity at that time, and for rendering of Berwick, according to the King's promise, who gave him commission to render the same for his relief. And the Lords could not be content therewith, but alleged it to be treason ; and were very desirous to have had some crime to accuse the Duke of Albany, and to have put a new suspicion betwixt him and his brother the King, thinking well they could [not] anyways get their will of the King except they had his brother cut off. And for that effect they caused certain flatterers and evil speakers show the King that the Duke of Albany VOL. I. G 98 AN ESCAPE Lindsay intended to have the Crown, for he was likelier to be king 1570 nor the King himself as he proceeded; for he disponed all things pertaining to the liberty of the Crown, and caused the King to understand that he would fulfil the prophecy of the witch who prophesied to the King that the nearest of his kin should destroy him. These words, and sic like other feigned tales, made the King so afeard of the Duke of Albany, that he could have been content to have been quit of him, notwithstanding of all the travails he had made for the King's weal, and for the delivering of him out of captivity. All his good service was forgot with this flattery, and the fear that the King took of him by the persuasion of wicked counsellors caused him to summon his brother before the Council for such points of treason as after follows. That is to say : for rendering the town of Berwick in Englishmen's hands but counsel or commission of the Lords of Scot- land. So the Duke of Albany compeared pertly ^ before the King and Council, and produced the King's commission, under his Great Seal, to render the same, to the effect that support might come to the King for his deliverance. But the Lords alleged that commission was of no effect at that time, because he was in captivity, and did the same without the advice of the Lords and Council. Wherefore the Lords of Council for the time convicted the said Duke, and sent him to the Castle to be imprisoned. In this meantime, the Earl of Angus got the whole lords that was in ward relieved,^ upon caution to enter again when the King pleased, under the pain of ten thousand pounds each man, etc. Soon after this they counselled the King to justify 3 his brother, the Duke of Albany, thinking if they were quit of him they should do with the King what they pleased. For they stood in sic awe of the Duke that they durst never meddle with the King, nor put hands on him, he being alive. Wherefore these conspirators insisted and 1 Readily. 2 Released. 3 Execute. AN ESCAPE 99 were very desirous to have this noble and famous man put Lindsay to deathj and continued in this ungodly and unleisum^ suit, ^S7^ till it was known in France by sic as favoured the Duke of Albany ; and therefore there came a French ship out of France hastily in Scotland, with secret writings to the Duke of Albany, who was then in prison in the Castle of Edin- burgh, to advertise him that it was concluded by the King and Council that he should be justified upon a certain day, which was the day after the ship came to the town of Leith, beside Newhaven, and gave herself forth as a passenger with wine. When he had heard of these news, he desired leave of the Captain to send for two bottles of wine, who gave him leave gladly, and provided the bosses ^ himself: and then the Duke of Albany sent one of his familiar servants to the Frenchman, and desired him to bring him of the finest and starkest wine, who was obeyed thankfully, and sent him two bosses of Malvesie ; and in the one end of the bottle put a roll of wax, wherein was enclosed a secret writing, which showed the Duke of Albany sic news as he was not content therewith ; and in the other boss there was a long tow ^ to support him in his need. So the messenger hasted him back to the Castle, and showed his master certain things by tongue which the Frenchman had told him; and that night the Duke called the Captain to supper, and promised him a drink of good wine. So the Captain came to him gladly, and supped with him. The Duke gave his chamber-child command that he should drink no wine that night, but hold himself temperate, for he knew not what he would have to do, and if there arose any dissention betwixt him and the Captain, he prayed him to stand by him, as he should be a good master to him thereafter. When the supper was done, the Captain passed to the King's chamber to see what was doing, who was then lodged in the Castle : and when he had visited all, he caused them close the gates and set the watch- 1 Hateful. 2 Bottles. s Rope. 100 AN ESCAPE Lindsay men ; and thereafter came to the Duke's chamber to the 1570 collation. And after they had drunken their collation, and all men in their beds, the Duke and the Captain passed to the tables and played for the wine. The fire was hot and the wine was strong, and the Captain and his men became merry, till at the last the Duke perceived his time, and saw them merry, and made a sign to his chamber-child to be ready as he had instructed him, for the Duke was fully resolved either to do or to die ; for he was surely informed by the French ship that he was to be beheaded on the morrow. So he thought best to preveine ^ the time, and leaped from the board and struck the Captain with a whinger and slew him, and also stick ed other two with his own hand. And in the meantime his chamber-child was very busy; and so they two overthrew five : that is, the Captain and four of his men : and when they had done, cast them in the fire ; and afterwards took out their tows and passed to the wall-head, at a quiet place where the watchmen might have no sight of them, and then stretched their cords over the wall-head, and the chamber-boy passed first ; but the tows were short, and he fell and broke his thigh-bone. Then he cried to his master to make the tow longer, for he was gone. Then the Duke rived the sheets off his bed and lengthened the tow, and passed safely himself. And when he was come down and perceived his servant in point of death, he took him upon his back and carried him away as far as he might, and left him in a quiet place where he trowed he might be safe, and sjnne went to the Newhaven beside Leith, and made him a sign to the ship, who sent a boat to the land and received him in. But no man knew whether his servant went with him or not ; but surely many gentlemen of Scot- land wished themselves to have been with him, and, amongst the rest. Sir Alexander Jardine of Applegarth, knight, passed with him, and sundry other gentlemen. 1 Anticipate. THE KILLING OF DAVID BEATON 101 But on the mom, when the watchmen perceived that Lindsay the tows were hanging over the walls, then ran they to seek i57o the Captain to show him the matter and manner, but he was not in his own chamber. Then they passed to the Duke's chamber and found the door open, and a dead man lying in the chamber door, and the Captain and the rest burning in the fire, which was very dolorous to them ; and when they missed the Duke of Albany and his chamber-child, they ran speedily and showed the King how the matter had happened. But he would not give it credence till he passed himself and saw the matter. Then he considered the whole cause how it stood, and caused the gates to be holden close, that no word should pass to the town, till he had searched all the place, to see whether the Duke of Albany was within or not. But when he could not find him, he caused horsemen to be sent forth in all parts to see if they could apprehend him in any place, and bring him to him again, and they should have great rewards therefor. But yet they could get no kind of trial 1 of him, until at the last there came a man out of Leith and showed the King that there came a boat from the French ship and took in certain men, and thereafter pulled up her sails, and travished^ up and down the Firth, whom they judged to be the Duke of Albany, as it was true; for he passed to France incontinent, and got in marriage the Duchess of Boulogne. Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie, THE KILLING OF DAVID BEATON AFTER the death of this blessed martyr of God [George Knox Wishart] began the people, in plain speaking, to damn I572 and detest the cruelty that was used. Yea, men of great birth, estimation, and honour, at open tables avowed, that the blood of the said Master George should be revenged, or else they 1 Sign, news. > Sailed back and forward. 102 THE KILLING OF DAVID BEATON Knox should cost life for life. Amongst whom John Lesley, brother ^572 to the Earl of Rothes, was the chief; for he, in all companies, spared not to say, ' That same whinger (showing forth his dagger), and that same hand, should be priests to the Cardinal/ These bruits came to the Cardinal's ears; but he thought himself stout enough for all Scotland ; for in Babylon, that is, in his new block-house, he was sure, as he thought ; and upon the fields he was able to match all his enemies. And to write the truth, the most part of the nobility of Scotland had either given unto him their bonds of manrent,i or else were in confederacy and promised amity with him. He only feared them in whose hands God did deliver him, and for them had he laid his nets so secretly (as that he made a full compt), that their feet could not escape, as we shall after hear ; and something of his former practices we maun reaccompt. After the Pasche he came to Edinburgh to hold the seinzie^ (as the Papists term their unhappy assembly of Baal's shaven sort). It was bruited that something was purposed against him at that time by the Earl of Angus and his friends, whom he mortally hated, and whose destruction he sought. But it failed, and so returned he to his strength ^ ; yea, to his God and only comfort, as well in heaven as in earth. And there he remained without all fear of death, promising unto himself no less pleasure nor did the rich man, of whom mention is made by our Master in the Evangel; for he did not only rejoice and say, 'Eat and be glad, my soul, for thou hast great riches laid up in store for many days ; ' but also he said : * Tush, a fig for the fead,* and a button for the bragging of all the heretics and their assist- ance in Scotland ! Is not my Lord Governor mine .'' Witness his eldest son, their pledge at my table ? Have I not the Queen at my own devotion } (He meant of the mother to Mary that now mischievously reigns.) Is not France my friend, and I friend to France } What danger should I fear V 1 Allegiance. 2 Synod. s Stronghold. « Feud. (?) THE KILUNG OF DAVID BEATON 103 And thus in vanity the carnal Cardinal delighted himself a Knox little before his death. But yet he had devised to have cut off ^ 572 such as he thought might cumber him ; for he had appointed the whole gentlemen of Fife to have met him at Falkland the Monday after that he was slain upon the Saturday. His treasonable purpose was not understanded but by his secret Council ; and it was this : That Norman Lesley, Sheriff of Fife, and appearing heir to his father, the Earl of Rothes ; the said John Lesley, father-brother to Norman; the Lairds of Grange, elder and younger ; Sir James Leirmonth of Dairsye, and Provost of St. Andrews ; and the faithful Laird of Raith ; should either have been slain, or else taken, and after to have been used at his pleasure. This enterprise was dis- closed after his slaughter, partly by letters and memorials found in his chamber, but plainly affirmed by such as were of the Council. Many purposes were devised how that wicked man might have been taken away. But all failed till Friday, the 28th of May, Anno 1546, when the foresaid Norman came at night to St. Andrews ; William Kirkcaldy of Grange, younger, was in the town before, awaiting upon the purpose ; last came John Lesley foresaid, who was most suspected. What conclusion they took that night it was not known but by the issue which followed. But early upon the Saturday, in the morning, the 29th of May, were they in sundry companies in the Abbey kirkyard, not far distant from the Castle. First, the gates being open, and the drawbridge letten down, for receiving of lime and stones, and other things necessary for building (for Babylon was almost finished) — first, we say, assayed William Kirkcaldy of Grange, younger, and with him six persons, and getting entrance, held purpose with the porter : ' If my Lord was waking?' who answered, 'No.* (And so it was indeed; for he had been busy at his compts with Mistress Marion Ogilvy that night, who was espyed to depart from him by the privy postern that morning; and therefore quietness. 104 THE KILLING OF DAVID BEATON Knox after the rules of physic, and a morning sleep was requisite 1572 for My Lord.) While the said William and the porter talked, and his servants made them to look the work and the work- men, approached Norman Lesley with his company; and because they were in no great number, they easily got entrance. They address them to the midst of the close, and immediately came John Lesley, somewhat rudely, and four persons with him. The porter, fearing, would have drawn the bridge ; but the said John, being entered thereon, stayed, and leapt in. And while the porter made him for defence, his head was broken, the keys taken from him, and he castin in the fosse; and so the place was seized. The shout arises : the workmen, to the number of more than a hundred, ran off the walls, and were without hurt put forth at the wicket gate. The first thing that ever was done, William Kirkcaldy took the guard of the privy postern, fear- ing that the fox should have escaped. Then go the rest to the gentlemen's chambers, and without violence done to any man, they put more than fifty persons to the gate. The number that enterprised and did this was but sixteen persons. The Cardinal, awakened with the shouts, asked from his window. What meant that noise .'* It was answered that Norman Lesley had taken his Castle. Which understand, he ran to the postern ; but perceiving the passage to be kept without, he returned quickly to his chamber, took his two- handed sword, and gart ^ his chamber-child cast chests and other impediments to the door. In this meantime came John Lesley unto it and bids open. The cardinal asking, 'Who calls ? * he answers, ' My name is Lesley.' He redemands, 'Is that Norman?' The other says, 'Nay; my name is John.' ' I will have Norman,' says the cardinal ; ' for he is my friend.' ' Content yourself with such as are here ; for other shall ye get none.' There were with the said John, James Melvin, a man familiarly acquainted with Master 1 Made. THE KILUNG OF DAVID BEATON 105 George Wishart, and Peter Carmichael, a stout gentleman. Knox In this meantime, while they force at the door, the Cardinal ^572 hides a box of gold under coals that were laid in a secret corner. At length he asked : ' Will ye save my life ? * The said John answered : ' It may be that we will.' * Nay/ says the Cardinal ; ' swear unto me by God's wounds, and I will open unto you/ Then answered the said John : * It that was said is unsaid ; ' and so cried, ' Fire, fire ' (for the door was very stark); and so was brought a chimleyful of burning coals. Which perceived, the Cardinal or his cham- ber-child (it is uncertain) opened the door, and the Cardinal sat down in a chair, and cried : ^ I am a priest ; I am a priest : ye will not slay me.' The said John Lesley (according to his former vows) struck him first once or twice, and so did the said Peter. But James Melvin (a man of nature most gentle and most modest) perceiving them both in choler, withdrew them, and said : * This work and judgment of God (although it be secret) ought to be done with greater gravity ; ' and presenting unto him the point of the sword, said : ' Repent thee of thy former wicked life, but especially of the shedding of the blood of that notable instrument of God, Master George Wishart, which albeit the flame of fire consumed before men, yet cries it a vengeance upon thee, and we from God are sent to revenge it. For here, before my God, I protest that neither the hetterent ^ of thy person, the love of thy riches, nor the fear of any trouble thou could have done to me in particular, moved, nor moves me to strike thee; but only because thou hast been, and remains, an obstinate enemy against Christ Jesus and his holy Evangel/ And so he struck him twice or thrice through with a stog2 sword ; and so he fell, never word heard out of his mouth, but ' I am a priest, I am a priest : fie, fie : all is gone.' While they were thus occupied with the Cardinal, the fray 3 rises in the town. The Provost assembles the community, 1 Hatred (?) 2 stabbing. « Panic. 106 THE KILLING OF DAVID BEATON Knox and comes to the fosse's side, crying : ' What have ye done ^572 ^itji jjjy Lqj.^ Cardinal? Where is my Lord Cardinal? Have ye slain my Lord Cardinal? Let us see my Lord Cardinal ! ' They that were within answered gently : ' Best ^ it were unto you to return to your own houses ; for the man ye call the Cardinal has received his reward, and in his own person will trouble the world no more.* But then, more enragedly, they cry : ' We shall never depart till that we see him.' And so was he brought to the east blockhouse head, and shown dead over the wall to the faithless multitude, which would not believe before it saw how miserably lay David Beaton, careful Cardinal. And so they departed, without Requiem cetemam, and Requiescat in pace, sung for his soul. Now, because the weather was hot (for it was in May, as ye have heard), and his funerals could not suddenly be prepared, it was thought best, to keep him from stinking, to give him great salt enough, a cope of lead, and a nook in the bottom of the Sea-Tower (a place where many of God's children had been imprisoned before) to await what exequies his brethren the bishops would prepare for him. These things we write merrily. But we would that the reader should observe God's just judgments, and how that he can deprehend the worldly wise in their own wisdom, make their table to be a snare to trap their own feet, and their own presupposed strength to be their own destruction. These are the works of our God, whereby He would admonish the tyrants of this earth, that in the end He will be revenged of their cruelty, what strength soever they make in the con- trary. But such is the blindness of man (as David speaks), ' That the posterity does ever follow the footsteps of their wicked fathers, and principally in their impiety.' For how little differs the cruelty of that bastard, that yet is called Bishop of St. Andrews, from the cruelty of the former, we will after hear. John Knox. A SCOT ABROAD 107 A SCOT ABROAD BECAUSE I said before that Scotland received never a Melvill greater benefit at the hands of God nor this man, I i574 will shortly set down, first, a little discourse of his life before his coming home, and syne what he brought with him. He was born in Baldowy, a place pleasant, fertile, and well aired, lying within a mile to the town of Montrose, upon the south- west, hard by the jEsUiarium Jiummis jEskae meridioiialiSf in the year of Christ's birth 1 545, the first day of the month August, begotten of gentle and honest parents, Richard Melvill of Baldowy, brother-german of John Melvill of Dysart, and Gills Abercrombie, daughter to Thomas Abercrombie, burgess of Montrose, of the house of Murthley. He was the youngest of nine brothers, all left alive when their father was slain with the greatest part of the gentlemen of Angus, in the vanguard of the field of Pinkie. His mother lived an honourable widow till he was twelve years of age, trained up in letters in the school of Montrose, under Mr. Thomas Anderson, esteemed the best master in his time, howbeit not the most learned. She left six of her sons in honest rooms ; all, even then or shortly thereafter, bearing office in Kirk or commonweal, and with the best esteemed in their rank and above. They were, Richard Melvill of Baldowy, and minister of Christ's Evangel soon after, the eldest : Mr. Thomas, a fine scholar, well travelled in France and Italy, Secretary-Depute of Scotland : Walter, burgess, and oft bailie of Montrose, a wise and stout man : Roger, burgess of Dundee, a man of singular gifts of nature and God's grace, but was not trained up in letters (I heard that faithful pastor of Dundee, William Christison, a little after his death, with tears say, ' Alas ! when God took this Roger Melvill, he took from me my father, and the care- 108 A SCOT ABROAD Melvill fullest father that ever Dundee had. His name will be 1574 remembered so long as Dundee is a town'): Mr. James, minister of Christ's Evangel : John, then guidman and ruler of his mother's affairs, and after a minister in the Kirk : the rest were Robert, David, and Andrew ; whereof the first two were kept at the school till they tired, and were put to crafts ; the last was a sickly, tender boy, and took pleasure in nothing so mickle as his book. So, with the portion that was left him, he spent a year or two in Montrose, namely, hiring a France man, called Petrus de Marsiliers, teach the Greek grammar, and something of that language, honestly conduced to the same as a rare thing in the country, not heard of before, by that notable instrument in the Kirk, John Erskine of Done, of most honourable and happy memory ; wherein he profited so, that, entering thereafter in the course of Philosophy within the University of St. Andrews, all that was teached of Aristotle he learned and studied it out of the Greek text, which his masters understood not. He passed his course in the New College, tenderly beloved of Mr. John Douglas, Provost of that College and Rector of the University ; who would take him betwixt his legs at the fire in winter, and warm his hands and cheeks, and, blessing him, say, ' My silly fatherless and motherless child, it 's ill to wit what God may make of thee yet ! ' So, ending his course of philosophy, he left the University of St. Andrews with the commendation of the best philo- sopher, poet, and Grecian of any young master in the land ; and with all ^ possible diligence made his preparation and past to, France. By the way he was extremely tormented with sea-sickness and storm of weather, so that ofttimes, whiles by danger, of shipwreck, whiles by infirmity and sickness, he looked for death. He arrived first in England, and again embarking came' to .Bordeaux, where he tarried not long, but embarking from that came to Dieppe; from that to Paris, where he' remained in the University two A SCOT ABROAD 100 years at his own studies^ hearing the lights of the most shining Melvill age in all good letters, the king's public professors, Andreas ^574 Tornebus in Greek and Latin Humanity; Petrus Ramus in Philosophy and Eloquence ; Johannes Mercerus in the Hebrew language, whereupon he was specially set. In the last year of they two, he grew so expert in the Greek, that he declaimed and teached lessons, uttering never a word but Greek, with such readiness and plenty, as was marvellous to the hearers. From Paris he passed to Poitiers, where he regented^ in the College of St. Marcian three years. There he had the best lawyers, and studied so mickle thereof as might serve for his purpose, which was Theology, whereto he was dedicate from his mother's womb. And when the Colleges were given up, because of the siege laid to the town, which was long and fearful, he was employed by an honourable Councillor to instruct his only son. The bairn profited exceeding well, and was of a sweet inclination, taken away from him and his parents by a shot out of the camp, which parted the wall of his chamber, and wounded him deadly in the thigh. He called incontinent for his master, whom how soon he saw, he caught him in his arms, and uttered the words of the apostle in Greek, SLSda-KaXe, rov Spofxov fxov TCTcAT^Ktt, ' Mastcr, I have perfected my course ! ' and so, with many other godly and sweet words, he died. That bairn gaed never out of his heart ; but in teaching of me, he often remembered him with tender compassion of mind. He tarried in that house, which was well furnished, during the time of the siege. There was a corporal with a few suddarts ^ put to keep the house, who espied him in his prayers and speeches to be holy and devout ; and one day (being a Papist and man of war), with a great oath he challenged Mr. Andrew that he was a Huguenot, and would help to betray the town ; therefore, because the alarm was stricken, he could not trust him in 1 Acted as regent or professor. 2 Soldiers. 110 A SCOT ABROAD Melvill that house. Mr. Andrew answers incontinent, ' I am as ^574 honest a man to my God, and magistrate, and estate of the town, and master of this family, as thou art; and so shall prove this day — do thy best ! ' And with that starts to the next armour, and on with it ; and all in arms to the stable, and takes the best horse by the head. This when the corporal saw, he comes with felon fair ^ terms, and intreats him to leave off and forgive him. ' O no, no ! ' says he, ^ I shall prove as honest and stout as thyself.' 'O Monsieur,' says the other, * my captain and the master of this house will rebuke me and put me from it, if ye be thus troubled ; therefore, I pray you, take me oblesit ^ to my uttermost, and tarry and forgive me.' So he took ease in good part, and was never troubled thereafter. If it had come to the worst, he was resolved, being well horsed, to have gotten him to the camp of the Admiral, who was in person besieging the town. The siege of the town being raised, he left Poitiers, and accompanied with a Frenchman, he took journey to Geneva, leaving books and all there, and carried nothing with him but a little Hebrew Bible in his belt. So he came to Geneva all upon his feet, as he had done before from Dieppe to Paris, and from that to Poitiers; for he was small and light of body, but full of sprights, vigorous and courageous. His companions of the way, when they came to the inn, would lie down like tired tykes, but he would out and sight the towns and villages whithersoever they came. The ports of Geneva were tentily^ kept, because of the troubles of France, and multitude of strangers that came. Being therefore inquired what they were, the Frenchman, his companion, answered, 'We are poor scholars.' But Mr. Andrew, perceiving that they had no will of poor folks, being already overlaid therewith, said, ' No, no, we are not poor ! We have as mickle as will pay for all we take, so 1 Very smooth. 2 Bound. 3 Carefully. A SCOT ABROAD 111 long as we tarry. We have letters from his acquaintance to Melvill Monsieur de Beza; let us deliver those, we crave no farther/ I574 And so, being convoyed to Beza, and then to their lodging, Beza, perceiving him a scholar, and they having need of a Professor of Humanity in the College, put him within a two or three days to trial in Virgil and Homer ; which he could acquit so well, that but farther ^ he is placed in that room of profession ; and at his first entry, a quarter's fee paid him in hand. So that, howbeit there was but a crown to the fore betwixt them both, and the Frenchman weak-spirited, and wist not what to do, yet he found God's providence to relieve both himself and help his marrow ^ till he was provided. In Geneva he abode five years; during the which time his chief study was Divinity, whereanent he heard Beza his daily lessons and preachings; Cornelius Bonaventura, Pro- fessor of the Hebrew, Chaldaic, and Syriac languages; Portus, a Greek born. Professor of the Greek tongue, with whom he would reason about the right pronunciation thereof; for the Greek pronounced it after the common form, keeping the accents ; the which Mr. Andrew controlled by precepts and reason, till the Greek would grow angry, and cry out : Fos Scoti, vos barhari ! docebitis nos Graecos prommciatimiem linguae nostrae, scilicet ? He heard there also Francis Ottoman, the renowndest lawyer in his time. There he was well acquainted with my eame,^ Mr. Henry Scrymgeour, who, by his learning in the laws and policy and service of many noble princes, had attained to great riches, conquaced^ a pretty room within a league to Geneva, and biggit ^ thereon a trim house called ' The Vilet/ and a fair lodging within the town, which all, with a daughter, his only bairn, he left to the Syndiques of the town. About the end of five years, the Bishop of Brechin, and Mr. Andrew Pol wart with him, came there ; and, tarrying a I Without more ado. 2 Companion. 3 Uncle. * Purchased. ^ Builded, 112 A SCOT ABROAD Melvill while, purposed homeward ; with wTiom Mr. Andrew Melvill, 1574 after the receiving of letters from his brethren and me, with great difficulty purchased leave of the Kirk and Magistrates of Geneva (who would on no ways have contented to part with him, if his conscience had suffered him to reserve his gifts any longer unoffered to his country, and employed for the benefit of his friends. Beza, in his letter to the General Kirk of Scotland, alleges, that as the greatest token of affection the Kirk of Geneva could show to Scotland, that they had suffered themselves to be spoiled of Mr. Andrew Melvill, whereby the Kirk of Scotland might be enriched, and taking journey came homeward. From Lyons they traversed the Franche-Compte to the head of the river of Loire, and came down the same by water to Orleans, having in company, seven or eight days, a captain, a mediciner, and a priest, superstitious papists at their meeting, kythed ^ in their speech and meats, but by merry and solid reasoning withal, became flesh-eaters on Friday, and the captain not far from the kingdom of heaven or they parted. The ports of Orleans were strait kept (being but a year and half after the horrible massacres). Brechin and Mr. Andrew Polwart was on foot, and Mr. Andrew well mounted on horse, because he had wrested his leg, they past the two footmen, and, detaining the horseman, the soldiers inquires what he was. He answered, ^ A Scotsman.* ' O ! ye Scotsmen are all Huguenots,' says the guard. 'Huguenots!' says he, 'what's that.'' we ken none such.' 'O!' says the soldier, ' ye have not mess ? ' ' Forsooth,' says he merrily, ' our bairns in Scotland go daily to mess ! ' ' Good com- panion,' says the other, laughing, ' go thy way.' Coming to their lodging, he tells his neighbours, and gars them laugh ; ' But surely,' say they, ' we were very fleyed ^ our passport should have been loked,^ and finding us come from Geneva, should have been troubled.' 'Yea,' says their host, 'take 1 Open, i.e, conforming. 2 Frightened. 3 Inspected. AGINCOURT 113 it for a special providence of God, for within this twelve Melvill month many thousands for less have lost their lives.* Going ^574 out of the town again, at the turn of a rew,^ they met the procession; Brechin and bis pedagogue were before, Mr. Andrew z little after. Brechin turns back and says, ' What shall I do .? ' ' Forward ! ' quoth he, and so he does. Mr. Andrew holds out his side cloak with his arms as though he had been bearing something under his oxters, and so passes by. But his heart beat him thereafter oft and sore, that he should have so stoutly counselled the other, and used a piece of dissimulation himself. Coming to Paris, there they remained divers days; where Mr. Andrew, meeting with the Lord Ogilvy, his countryman, is requested by him to go to the Jesuits' College, where he reasoned with Father Tyrie sundry days; but the time being so dangerous, and [because] of some menacing speeches of the Bishop of Glasgow, he was counselled to haste [out] of the town. So they came from Dieppe over to Rye in England, from thence to London, where they remained a space ; and buying horses, came home Loudon-way, by Berwick, to Edinburgh. And this for a short recital of his life till his coming home. Rev. James Melvill. AGINCOURT THE King the same day found a shallow, between Corbie Holinshed and Peron, which never was espied before, at which '577 he with his army and carriages the night ensuing passed the water of Some without let or danger, and therewith determined to make haste towards Calis, and not to seek for battle, except he were thereto constrained, because that his army by sickness was sore diminished, insomuch that he had but only two thousand horsemen and thirteen thousand archers, billmen, and of all sorts of other footmen. 1 Street. VOL. I. H 114 AGINCOURT Holinshed The Englishmen were brought into some distress in this ^577 journey, by reason of their victuals in manner spent, and no hope to get more ; for the enemies had destroyed all the corn before they came. Rest could they none take, for their enemies with alarms did ever so infest them ; daily it rained and nightly it freezed ; of fuel there was great scarcity, of fluxes plenty ; money enough, but wares for their relief to bestow it on had they none. Yet in this great necessity, the poor people of the country were not spoiled, nor anything taken of them without payment, nor any outrage or offence done by the Englishmen, except one, which was, that a soldier took a pyx out of a church, for which he was appre- hended, and the King not once removed till the box was restored and the offender strangled. The people of the countries thereabout, hearing of such zeal in him to the maintenance of justice, ministered to his army victuals and other necessaries, although by open proclamation so to do they were prohibited. The French King being at Rone, and hearing that King Henry was passed the river of Some, was much displeased therewith, and assembling his Council to the number of five and thirty, asked their advice what was to be done. There were amongst these five and thirty his son the Dolphin, call- ing himself King of Sicille ; the Dukes of Berre and Brittaine, the Earl of Pontieu, the King's youngest son, and other high estates. At length thirty of them agreed that the English- men should not depart unfought withal, and five were of a contrary opinion, but the greater number ruled the matter: and so Montjoy, King-at-Arms, was sent to the King of England to defy him as the enemy of France, and to tell him that he should shortly have battle. King Henry advisedly answered: ' Mine intent is to do as it pleaseth God, I will not seek your master at this time ; but if he or his seek me, I will meet with them, God willing. If any of your nation attempt once to stop me in my journey now towards Calis, at their jeopardy AGINCOURT 115 be it ; and yet I wish not any of you so unadvised as to be the Holiuslied occasion that I dye your tawny ground with your red blood.' ^577 When he had thus answered the herald, he gave him a princely reward^ and licence to depart. Upon whose return, with this answer, it was incontinently on the French side proclaimed, that all men of war should resort to the Constable to fight with the King of England. Whereupon, all men apt for armour and desirous of honour drew them toward the field. The Dolphin sore desired to have been at the battle, but he was prohibited by his father : likewise Philip, Earl of Charolois, would gladly have been there, if his father the Duke of Burgognie would have suffered him : many of his men stole away, and went to the Frenchmen. The King of England hearing that the Frenchmen approached, and that there was another river for him to pass with his army by a bridge, and doubting lest if the same bridge should be broken it would be greatly to his hindrance, appointed certain cap- tains with their bands to go thither with all speed before him, and to take possession thereof, and so to keep it till his coming thither. Those that were sent, finding the Frenchmen busy to break down their bridge, assailed them so vigourously, that they discomfited them, and took and slew them ; and so the bridge was preserved till the King came, and passed the river by the same with his whole army. This was on the two and twentieth day of October. The Duke of York that led the vanguard (after the army was passed the river) mounted up to the height of an hill with his people, and sent out scouts to dis- cover the country, the which upon their return advertised him that a great army of Frenchmen was at hand, approach- ing towards them. The Duke declared to the King what he had heard, and the King thereupon, without all fear or trouble of mind, caused the battle which he led himself to stay, and incontinently rode forth to view his adversaries, and that done, returned to his people, and with cheerful countenance 116 AGINCOURT Holinshed caused them to be put in order of battle, assigning to every ^577 captain such room and place as he thought convenient, and so kept them still in that order till night was come, and then determined to seek a place to encamp and lodge his army in for that night. There was not one amongst them that knew any certain place whither to go, in that unknown country : but by chance they happened upon a beaten way, white in sight ; by the which they were brought unto a little village, where they were refreshed with meat and drink somewhat more plen- teously than they had been divers days before. Order was taken by commandment from the King after the army was first set in battle array, that no noise or clamour should be made in the host ; so that in marching forth to this village every man kept himself quiet : but at their coming into the village, fires were made to give light on every side, as there likewise were in the French host, which was encamped not past two hundred and fifty paces distant from the English. The chief leaders of the French host were these : the Con- stable of France, the Marshal, the Admiral, the Lord Ram- bures, Master of the Crossbows, and other of the French nobility, which came and pitched down their standards and banners in the county of St. Paul, within the territory of Agincourt, having in their army (as some write) to the number of threescore thousand horsemen, besides footmen, waggoners, and other. They were lodged even in the way by the which the Englishmen must needs pass towards Calis, and all that night after their coming thither, made great cheer, and were very merry, pleasant, and full of game. The Englishmen also for their parts were of good comfort and nothing abashed of the matter, and yet they were both hungry, weary, sore travelled, and vexed with many cold diseases. Howbeit reconciling themselves with God by housel ^ and shrift, requiring assis- ^ Confession. AGINCOURT 117 tance at His hands that is the only giver of victory, they Holinshed determined rather to die than to yield or flee. The day i577 following was the five and twentieth of October in the year 1415, being then Friday, and the feast of Crispin and Crispinian, a day fair and fortunate to the English, but most sorrowful and unlucky to the French. In the morning, the French captains made three battles, in the vaward were eight thousand helmes of knights and esquires, four thousand archers, and fifteen hundred cross- bows, which were guided by the Lord de la Breth, Constable of France, having with him the Dukes of Orleance and Bur- bon, the Earls of Ewe and Richmond, the Marshal Bouci- quault, and the Master of the Crossbows, the Lord Dampier, Admiral of France, and other captains. The Earl of Van- dosme, with sixteen hundred men of arms, were ordered for a wing to that battle ; and the other wing was guided by Sir Guichard Dolphine, Sir Clugnet of Brabant, and Sir Lewis Bourdon, with eight hundred men of arms, of elect chosen persons. And to break the shot of the Englishmen were appointed Sir Guilliam de Saveuses, with Hector and Philip, his brethren, Ferrie de Maillie, and Allen de Gaspanes, with other eight hundred of arms. In the middle ward were assigned as many persons, or more, as were in the foremost battle, and the charge thereof was committed to the Dukes of Barr and Alanson, the Earls of Nevers, Vaudemont, Blamont, Salinges, Grant Free, and of Russie. And in the rearward were all the other men of arms guided by the Earls of Marie, Dampmartine, Faucon- berg, and the Lord of Lourreie, Captain of Arde, who had with him the men of the frontiers of Bolonois. Thus the Frenchmen, being ordered under their standards and banners, made a great show : for surely they were esteemed in number six times as many or more than was the whole company of the Englishmen, with waggoners, pages, and all. They rested themselves, waiting for the bloody blast of the terrible 118 AGINCOURT Holinshed trumpet, till the hour between nine and ten of the clock of 1577 the same day, during which season the Constable made unto the captains and other men of war a pithy oration, exhorting and encouraging them to do valiantly, with many comfortable words and sensible reasons. King Henry also like a leader and not as one led, like a sovereign and not an inferior, perceiving a plot of ground very strong and meet for his pur- pose, which on the back half was fenced with the village, wherein he had lodged the night before, and on both sides defended with hedges and bushes, thought good there to em- battle his host, and so ordered his men in the same place, as he saw occasion, and as stood for his most advantage. First he sent privily two hundred archers into a low meadow, which was near to the vanguard of his enemies, but separated with a great ditch; commanding them there to keep themselves close till they had a token to them given, to let drive at their adversaries : beside this, he appointed a vaward, of the which he made captain Edward, Duke of York, who of an haughty courage had desired that office, and with him were the Lords Beaumont, Willoughby^ and Fan- hope, and this battle was all of archers. The middle ward was governed by the King himself, with his brother the Duke of Glocester, and the Earls of Marshall, Oxenford, and Suffolk, in the which were all the strong billmen. The Duke of Excester, uncle to the King, led the rearward, which was mixed both with billmen and archers. The horsemen like wings went on every side of the battle. Thus the King, having ordered his battles, feared not the puissance of his enemies, but yet to provide that they should not with the multitude of horsemen break the order of his archers, in whom the force of his army consisted (for in those days the yeomen had their limbs at liberty, sith their hosen were then fastened with one point, and their jacks long and easy to shoot in ; so that they might draw bows of great strength, and shoot arrows of a yard long, beside the head). AGINCOURT 119 he caused stakes bound with iron, sharp at both ends, of the Holinshed length of five or six feet to be pitched before the archers, ^577 and of each side the footmen like an hedge, to the intent that if the barded horses ran rashly upon them, they might shortly be gored and destroyed. Certain persons also were appointed to remove the stakes, as by the moving of the archers occasion and time should require, so that the footmen were hedged about with stakes, and the horsemen stood like a bulwark between them and their enemies, without the stakes. This device of fortifying an army was at this time first invented; but since that time they have devised cal- trops, harrows, and other new engines against the force of horsemen; t;o that if the enemies run hastily upon the same, either ere their horses wounded with the stakes, or their feet hurt with the other engines, so as thereby the beasts are gored, or else made unable to maintain their course. King Henry, by reason of his small number of people to fill up his battles, placed his vanguard so on the right hand of the main battle, which himself led, that the distance betwixt them might scarce be perceived, and so in like case was the rearward joined on the left hand, that the one might the more readily succour another in time of need. When he had thus ordered his battles, he left a small company to keep his camp and carriage, which remained still in the village, and then calling his captains and soldiers about him, he made to them a right grave oration, moving them to play the men, whereby to obtain a glorious victory, as there was hope certain they should, the rather if they would but remember the just cause for which they fought, and whom they should encounter, such faint-hearted people as their ancestors had so often overcome. To conclude, many words of courage he uttered, to stir them to do manfully, assuring them that England should never be charged with his ransom, nor any Frenchman triumph over him as a captive; for either by 120 AGINCOURT Holinshed famous death or glorious victory would he (by God's grace) '577 win honour and fame. It is said that as he heard one of the host utter his wish to another thus : ' I would to God there were with us now so many good soldiers as are at this hour within England ! ' the King answered : * I would not wish a man more here than I have : we are indeed in comparison to the enemies but a few, but, if God of His clemency do favour us and our just cause (as I trust He will), we shall speed well enough. But let no man ascribe victory to our own strength and might, but only to God's assistance, to whom I have no doubt we shall worthily have cause to give thanks therefor. And if so be that for our offences' sakes we shall be delivered into the hands of our enemies, the less number we be, the less damage shall the realm of England sustain ; but if we should fight in trust of multitude of men, and so get the victory (our minds being prone to pride), we should thereupon peradventure ascribe the victory not so much to the gift of God as to our own puissance, and thereby provoke his high indignation and displeasure against us : and if the enemy get the upper hand, then should our realm and country suffer more damage and stand in further danger. But be you of good comfort, and show yourselves valiant, God and our just quarrel shall defend us, and deliver these our proud adversaries with all the multitude of them which you see (or at the least the most of them) into our hands.' Whilst the King was yet thus in speech, either army so maligned the other, being as then in open sight, that every man cried, ' Forward, forward.' The Dukes of Clarence, Glocester, and York were of the same opinion, yet the King stayed a while, lest any jeopardy were not foreseen, or any hazard not prevented. The Frenchmen in the meanwhile, as though they had been sure of victory, made great triumph, for the captains had determined before how to divide the spoil, and the soldiers the night before had played the Englishmen at dice. The noblemen had devised AGINCOUR 121 a chariot, wherein they might triumphantly convey the King Holinshed captive to the city of Paris, crying to their soldiers : ' Haste ^577 you to the spoil, glory, and honour ' ; little weening (God wot) how soon their brags should be blown away. Here we may not forget how the French thus in their jollity sent an herald to King Henry, to inquire what ransom he would offer. Whereunto he answered, that within two or three hours he hoped it would so happen that the French- men should be glad to commune rather with the Englishmen for their ransoms, than the English to take thought for their deliverance, promising, for his own part, that his dead carcass should rather be a prize to the Frenchmen, than that his living body should pay any ransom. When the messenger was come back to the French host, the men of war put on their helmets and caused their trumpets to blow to the battle. They thought themselves so sure of victory, that divers of the noblemen made such haste towards the battle, that they left many of their sen-ants and men of war behind them, and some of them would not once stay for their stan- dards : as amongst other the Duke of Brabant, when his standard was not come, caused c banner to be taken from a trumpet and fastened to a spear, the which he commanded to be borne before him instead of his standard. But when both these armies coming within danger either of other, set in full order of battle on both sides, they stood still at the first, beholding either other's demeanour, being not distant in sunder past three bow shoots. And when they had on both parts thus stayed a good while without doing any- thing (except that certain of the French horsemen advancing forwards, betwixt both the hosts, were by the English archers constrained to return back) advice was taken amongst the Englishmen what was best for them to do. Thereupon all things considered, it was determined, that sith the French- men would not come forward, the King with his army em- battled (as ye have heard) should march towards them, and 122 AGINCOURT Holinshed so leaving their truss and baggage in the village where '577 they lodged the night before, only with their weapons, armour, and stakes prepared for the purpose, as ye have heard. These made somewhat forward, before whom there went an old knight, Sir Thomas Erpingham (a man of great ex- perience in the war) with a warder in his hand ; and when he cast up his warder, all the army shouted, but that was a sign to the archers in the meadow, which therewith shot wholly altogether at the vaward of the Frenchmen, who when they perceived the archers in the meadow, and saw they could not come at them for a ditch that was betwixt them, with all haste set upon the fore ward of King Henry ; but ere they could join, the archers in the forefront and the archers on that side which stood in the meadow co wounded the footmen, galled the horses, and cumbered the men of arms, that the footmen durst not go forward, the horsemen ran together upon plumps without order, some overthrew such as were next them, and the horses overthrew their masters, and so at the first joining, the Frenchmen were foully discomforted and the Englishmen highly en- couraged. When the French vaward was thus brought to confusion, the English archers cast away their bows, and took into their hands axes, malls,^ swords, bills, and other hand-weapons, and with the same slew the Frenchmen, until they came to the middle ward. Then approached the King, and so en- couraged his people, that shortly the second battle of the Frenchmen was overthrown and dispersed, not without great slaughter of men; howbeit, divers were relieved by their varlets and conveyed out of the field. The Englishmen were so busied in fighting, and taking of the prisoners at hand, that they followed not in chase of their enemies, nor would once break out of their array of battle. Yet 1 Maces. AGINCOURT 123 sundry of the Frenchmen strongly withstood the fierceness Ilolinslied of the English, when they came to handy strokes, so that ^S77 the fight sometime was doubtful and perilous. Yet as part of the French horsemen set their course to have entered upon the King's battle, with the stakes overthrown, they were either taken or slain. Thus this battle continued three long hours. The King that day showed himself a valiant knight, albeit almost felled by the Duke of Alanson ; yet with plain strength he slew two of the Duke's company, and felled the Duke himself; whom when he would have yielded, the King's guard (contrary to his mind) slew out of hand. In conclusion, the King, minding to make an end of that day's journey, caused his horsemen to fetch a compass about, and to join with him against the rearward of the Frenchmen, in the which was the greatest number of people. When the Frenchmen perceived his intent, they were suddenly amazed and ran away like sheep, without order or array. Which when the King perceived, he encouraged his men, and followed so quickly upon the enemies, that they ran hither and thither, casting away their armour: many on their knees desired to have their lives saved. In the mean season, while the battle thus continued, and that the Englishmen had taken a great number of prisoners, certain Frenchmen on horseback, whereof were Captains Robinet of Borneville, Rifflart of Clamas, Isambert of Agin- court, and other men of arms, to the number of six hundred horsemen, which were the first that fled, hearing that the English tents and pavilions were a good way distant from the army, without any sufficient guard to defend the same, either upon a covetous meaning to gain by the spoil, or upon a desire to be revenged, entered upon the King's camp, and there spoiled the hails,^ robbed the tents, broke up chests, and carried away caskets, and slew such servants as 1 Mails? h 124 AGINCOURT Holinshed they found to make any resistance. For which treason and ^577 haskardie^ in thus leaving their camp at the very point of fight, for winning of spoil where none to defend it, very many were after committed to prison, and had lost their lives if the Dolphin had longer lived. But when the outcry of the lackeys and boys, which ran away for fear of the Frenchmen thus spoiling the camp, came to the King's ears, he doubting lest his enemies should gather together again, and begin a new field, and mistrust- ing further that the prisoners would be an aid to his enemies, or the very enemies to their takers in deed if they were suffered to live, contrary to his accustomed gentleness, commanded, by sound of trumpet, that every man (upon pain of death) should incontinently slay his prisoner. When this dolorous decree and pitiful proclamation was pronounced, pity it was to see how some Frenchmen were suddenly stick ed with daggers, some were brained with poleaxes, some slain with malls, other had their throats cut, and some their bellies panched,^ so that in effect, having respect to the great number, few prisoners were saved. When this lamentable slaughter was ended, the English- men disposed themselves in order of battle, ready to abide a new field, and also to invade, and newly set on their enemies. With great force they assailed the Earls of Marie and Fauconberg, and the Lords of Lourreie and of Thine, with six hundred men of arms, who had all that day kept together, but now slain and beaten down out of hand. Some write, that the King perceiving his enemies in one part to assemble together, as though they meant to give a new battle for preservation of the prisoners, sent to them an herald, commanding them either to depart out of his sight, or else to come forward at once and give battle : promising herewith, that if they did offer to fight again, not only those prisoners which his people already had taken, but also 1 Savagery. 2 Ripped. AGINCOURT 125 so many of them as in this new conflict which they thus HoHnshed attempted should fall into his hands, should die the death ^577 without redemption. The Frenchmen fearing the sentence of so terrible a decree, without further delay parted out of the field. And so about four of the clock in the afternoon, the King, when he saw no appearance of enemies, caused the retreat to be blown; and gathering his army together, gave thanks to Almighty God for so happy a victory, causing his prelates and chaplains to sing this psalm : In exitu Israel de Mgypto, and Commanded every man to kneel down on the ground at this verse : Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam. Which done, he caused Te Deum, with certain anthems, to be sung, giving laud and praise to God, without boasting of his own force or any human power. That night he and his people took rest, and refreshed themselves with such victuals as they found in the French camp, but lodged in the same village where he lay the night before. In the morning, Montjoy King-at-Arms and four other French heralds came to the King to know the number of prisoners, and to desire burial for the dead. Before he made them answer (to understand what they would say) he demanded of them why they made to him that request, considering that he knew not whether the victory was his or theirs ? When Montjoy by true and just confession had cleared that doubt to the high praise of the King, he desired of Montjoy to understand the name of the castle near adjoining. When they had told him that it was called Agin- court, he said, ' Then shall this conflict be called the Battle of Agincourt.' He feasted the French officers of arms that day and granted them their request, which busily sought through the field for such as were slain. But the Englishmen suffered them not to go alone, for they searched with them, and found many hurt, but not in jeopardy of their lives, whom they took prisoners, and brought them to their tents. When the 126 AGINCOURT Holinshed King of England had well refreshed himself and his soldiers, ^577 that had taken the spoil of such as were slain, he with his prisoners in good order returned to his town of Calls. When tidings of this great victory was blown into England, solemn processions and other praisings to Almighty God, with bonfires and joyful triumphs, were ordained in every town, city, and burgh, and the mayor and citizens of London went the morrow after the day of St. Simon and Jude from the church of St. Paul to the church of St. Peter at Westminster in devout manner, rendering to God hearty thanks for such fortunate luck sent to the king and his army. The same Sunday that the King removed from the camp at Agincourt towards Calls, divers Frenchmen came to the field to view again the dead bodies ; and the peasants of the country spoiled the carcases of all such apparel and other things as the Englishmen had left, who took nothing but gold and silver, jewels, rich apparel, and costly armour. But the ploughmen and peasants left nothing behind, neither shirt nor clout, so that the bodies lay stark naked until Wednesday. On the which day divers of the noblemen were conveyed into their countries, and the remnant were by Philip, Earl Charolois (sore lamenting the chance, and moved with pity) at his costs and charges buried in a square plot of ground of fifteen hundred yards ; in the which he caused to be made three pits, wherein were buried by account five thousand and eight hundred persons, beside them that were carried away by their friends and servants, and others, which being wounded died in hospitals and other places. liapliael Holinshed, THE YOUNG ALEXANDER 127 THE YOUNG ALEXANDER THE ambition and desire he had of honour shewed a North certain greatness of mind and noble courage, passing ^579 his years. For he was not (as his Father Philip) desirous of all kind of glory : who, like a rhetorician, had a delight to utter his eloquence, and stamped in his coins the victories he had won at the Olympian games, by the swift running of his horse and coaches. For when he was asked one day (because he was swift of foot) whether he would assay to run for victory at the Olympian games, ^ I could be content ' (said he) ^ so 5 might run ^Tith Kings/ And yet, to speak generally, he raisliked all such contention for games. For it seemeth that he utterly misliked all wrestling and other exercise for prize, where men did use all their strength : but otherwise, he himself made certain festival days and games of prize for common Stage-players, Musicians, and Singers, and for the very Poets also. He delighted also in hunting of divers kinds of beasts, and playing at the staff. Ambassadors being sent on a time from the King of Persia, whilst his Father was in some journey out of his realm, Alexander familiarly entertaining of them, so won them with his courteous entertainment (for that he used no childish questions unto them, nor asked them trifling matters, but what distance it was from one place to another, and which way they went into the high countries of Asia, and of the King of Persia himself, how he was towards his Enemies, and what power he had), that he did ravish them with delight to hear him, insomuch that they made no more account of Philip's eloquence and sharp wit, in respect of his Son's courage and noble mind to attempt great enterprises. For when they brought him news that his Father had taken some famous city, or had won some great battle, he was nothing glad to hear it, but would say to his playfellows : ' Sirs, my 128 THE YOUNG ALEXANDER North Father will have all, I shall have nothing left me to conquer ^579 with you that shall be ought worth/ For he delighting neither in pleasure nor riches, but only in valiantness and honour, thought that the greater conquests and realms his Father should leave him the less he should have to do for himself. And therefore, seeing that his Father's dominions and empire increased daily more and more, perceiving all occasion taken from him to do any great attempt, he desired no riches nor pleasure, but wars and battles, and aspired to a seigniory where he might win honour. He had divers men appointed him (as it is to be supposed) to bring him up : as Schoolmasters, Governors, and Grooms of his chamber to attend upon him : and among those, Leoni- das was the chiefest man that had the government and charge of him, a man of a severe disposition, and a kinsman, also, unto the Queen Olympias. He misliked to be called a Master or Tutor, though it be an office of good charge; whereupon others called him Alexander's Governor, because he was a Nobleman, and allied to the Prince. But he that bare the name of his Schoolmaster was Lysimachus, an Acamanian born, who had no other manner of civility in him, saving that he called himself Phoenix, Alexander Achilles, and Philip Peleus : and therefore he was well thought of, and was the second person next unto Leonidas. At what time Philonicus, Thessalian, had brought Bucephall, the horse, to sell unto King Philip, asking thirteen talents, they went into the field to ride him. The horse was found so rough and churlish that the riders said he would never do service ; for he would let no man get upon his back, nor abide any of . the gentlemen's voices about King Philip, but would jerk out at them. Thereupon Philip, being afraid, commanded them to carry him away as a wild beast, and altogether unprofitable : the which they had done, had not Alexander that stood by said : ' O gods, what a horse do they turn away for lack of skill and heart to handle him.^* Philip THE YOUNG ALEXANDER 129 heard what he said, but held his peace. Alexander, oft North repeating his words, seeming to be sorry that they should ^579 send the horse back again : ' Why,' said Philip, ' dost thou control them that have more experience than thou, and that know better than thou how to handle a horse ? ' Alexander answered, 'And yet methinks I should handle him better than all they have done/ ' But if thou canst not, no more than they,' replied Philip, 'what wilt thou forfeit for thy folly?' 'I am content,' quoth Alexander, 'to jeopard the price of the horse.' Every man laughed to hear his answer, and the wager was laid between them. Then ran Alexander to the horse, and took him by the bridle : and turned him towards the Sun. It seemed that he had marked (as I suppose) how mad the horse was to see his own shadow, which was ever before him in his eye, as he stirred too and fro. Then Alexander, speaking gently to the horse, and clapping him on the back with his hand, till he had left his fury and snorting, softly let fall his cloak from him, and lightly leaping on his back, got up without any danger, and holding the reins of the bridle hard, without striking or stirring the horse, made him to be gentle enough. Then when he saw that the fury of the horse was past, and that he began to gallop, he put him to his full career, and laid on spurs and voice a good. Philip at the first with fear beholding his Son's agility, lest he should take some hurt, said never a word : but when he saw him readily turn the horse at the end of his career, in a bravery for that he had done, all the lookers-on gave a shout for joy. The Father on the other side (as they say) fell a-weeping for joy. And when Alexander was lighted from the horse, he said unto him, kissing his head : ' O son, thou must needs have a realm that is meet for thee, for Macedon will not hold thee.' Furthermore, considering that of nature he was not to be won by extremity, and that by gentle means and persuasion he could make him do what he would, he ever sought VOL. I. I 130 THE YOUNG ALEXANDER North rather to persuade than command him in anything he had ^579 to do. Now Philip, putting no great affiance in his Schoolmasters of music and humanity, for the instruction and education of his Son, whom he had appointed to teach him, but thinking rather that he needed men of greater learning than their capacities would reach imto : and that, as Sophocles saith, ' He needed many reins and many bits at once/ he sent for Aristotle (the greatest Philosopher in his time and best learned) to teach his Son, unto whom he gave honourable stipend. For Philip having won and taken before the City of Stagira, where Aristotle was born, for his sake he built it again, and replenished it with inhabitants which fled away, or otherwise were in bondage. He appointed them for a schoolhouse and dwelling-place the pleasant house that is by the City of Mieza. In that place are yet seen seats of stone which Aristotle caused to be made, and close walks to walk in the shadow. It is thought also, that Alexander did not only learn of Aristotle moral philosophy and humanity, but also he heard of him other more secret, hard, and grave doctrine, which Aristotle's Scholars do properly call Acroamata, or Epoptica, meaning things speculative, which requireth the master's teaching to understand them, or else are kept from common knowledge: which sciences they did not commonly teach. Alexander being passed into Asia, and hearing that Aristotle had put out certain books of that matter, for the honour's sake of philosophy, he wrote a letter unto him, somewhat too plain, and of this effect: 'Alexander unto Aristotle, greeting: Thou hast not done well to put forth the Acroamatical sciences. For wherein shall we excel other if those things which thou hast secretly taught us be made common to all ? I do thee to understand that I had rather excel others in excellency of knowledge than in greatness of power. THE YOUNG ALEXANDER 131 Farewell/ Aristotle, to pacify this his ambitious humour. North wrote unto him again, that these books were published, ^579 and not published. For, to say truly, in all his treatises, which he called /xcra ra <^v(riKa, there is no plain instruc- tion profitable for any man, neither to pick out by him- self, nor yet to be taught by any other than Aristotle himself, or his Scholars. So that it is written as a memorial for them that have been entered and brought up in the peripatetic sect and doctrine. It seemeth, also, that it was Aristotle above all other that made Alexander take delight to study physic. For Alexander did not only like the knowledge of speculation, but would exercise practice also, and help his friends when they were sick : and made, besides, certain remedies and rules to live by : as appeareth by his letters he wrote, that of his own nature he was much given to his book and desired to read much. He learned, also, the Iliads of Homer of Aristotle's correction, which they call rrjv €k tov vdpOrjKos, the corrected, as having passed under the rule : and laid it every night under his bed's head with his dagger, calling it (as Onesi- critus writeth) the institution of martial discipline. And when he was in the high countries of Asia, where he could not readily come by other books, he wrote unto Harpalus to send them to him. Harpalus sent him the histories of Philistus, with divers tragedies of Euripides, Sophocles, and iEschylus, and certain hymns of Telestus and Philoxenus. Alexander did reverence Aristotle at the first as his Father, and so he termed him : because from his natural Father he had life, but from him the knowledge to live. But after- wards he suspected him somewhat ; yet he did him no hurt, neither was he so friendly to him as he had been : whereby men perceived that he did not bear him the good-will he was wont to do. This notwithstanding, he left not that zeal and desire he had to the study of philosophy, which he had learned from his youth, and still continued with him. For 132 THE BANISHING OF CORIOLANUS North he shewed divers testimonies thereof: as the honour he did ^579 unto Anaxarchus, the Philosopher; the fifty talents which he sent unto Xenocrates, Damdamis, and Calanus, of whom he made great account. When King Philip made war with the Bizantines, Alex- ander, being but sixteen years old, was left his lieutenant in Macedon, with the custody and charge of his great seal : at what time he also subdued the Medarians which had rebelled against him : and having won their city by assault, he drave out the barbarous people, and made a colony of it of sundry nations, and called it Alexandropolis, to say, the City of Alexander. He was with his father at the battle of Chaeronea against the Grecians, where it was reported that it was he that gave charge first of all upon the holy band of the Thebans. Furthermore, there was an old oak seen in my time, which the countrymen commonly call Alexander's Oak, because his tent or pavilion was fastened to it; and not far from thence is the charnel house where those Macedonians were buried that were slain at the battle. For these causes his Father Philip loved him very dearly, and was glad to hear the Macedonians call Alexander King and himself their Captain. Sir Thomas North. THE BANISHING OF CORIOLANUS North \ 7[ 7" HEN they came to tell the voices of the Tribes, there 1579 V V were three voices odd which condemned him to be banished for ever. After declaration of the sentence, the People made such joy, as they never rejoiced more for any battle they had won upon their enemies, they were so brave and lively, and went home so jocundly from the Assembly, for triumph of this sentence. The Senate again, in contrary manner, were as sad and heavy, repenting themselves THE BANISHING OF CORIOLANUS 133 beyond measure that they had not rather determined to have North done and suffered anything whatsoever, before the common ^579 People should so arrogantly and outrageously have abused their authority. There needed no difference of garments, I warrant you, nor outward shows to know a Plebeian from a Patrician, for they were easily discerned by their looks. For he that was on the People's side looked cheerfully on the matter : but he that was sad, and hung down his head, he was sure of the Noblemen's side. Saving Martins alone, who neither in his countenance nor in his gait did ever show himself abashed, or once let fall his great courage : but he only of all other Gentlemen that were angry at his for- tune, did outwardly show no manner of passion, nor care at all of himself. Not that he did patiently bear and temper his evil hap, in respect of any reason he had, or by his quiet condition : but because he was so carried away with the vehemency of anger and desire of revenge, that he had no sense nor feeling of the hard state he was in, which the common People judge not to be sorrow, although indeed it be the very same. For when sorrow (as you would say) is set on fire, then it is converted into spite and malice, and driveth away for that time all faintness of heart and natural fear. And this is the cause why the choleric man is so altered and mad in his actions, as a man set on fire with a burning ague : for when a man's heart is troubled within, his pulse will beat marvellous strongly. Now that Martius was even in that taking, it appeared true soon after by his doings. For when he was come home to his house again, and had taken his leave of his mother and wife, finding them weeping and shrieking out for sorrow, and had also comforted and persuaded them to be content with his chance : he went immedi- ately to the gate of the city, accompanied with a great number of Patricians, that brought him thither, from whence he went on his way with three or four of his friends 134 THE BANISHING OF CORIOLANUS North only, taking nothing with him, nor requesting anything ^579 of any man. So he remained a few days in the country at his houses, turraoiled with sundry sorts and kinds of thoughts, such as the fire of his choler did stir up. In the end, seeing he could resolve no way to take a profitable or honourable course, but only was pricked forward still to be revenged of the Romans : he thought to raise up some great wars against them by their nearest neighbours. Whereupon he thought it his best way first to stir up the Volsces against them, knowing they were yet able enough in strength and riches to encounter them, notwithstanding their former losses they had received not long before, and that their power was not so much impaired as their malice and desire was in- creased to be revenged of the Romans. Now in the City of Antium there was one called Tullus Aufidius, who for his riches, as also for his nobility and valiantness was honoured among the Volsces as a King. Martins knew very well that Tullus did more malice and envy him than he did all the Romans besides : because that many times in battles where they met, they were ever at the encounter one against an- other, like lusty courageous youths, striving in all emulation of honoiu", and had encountered many times together. In- somuch as besides the common quarrel between them, there was bred a marvellous private hate one against another. Yet notwithstanding, considering that Tullus Aufidius was a man of a great mind, and that he above all other of the Volsces most desired revenge of the Romans, for the injuries they had done unto them, he did an act that confirmed the words of an ancient Poet to be true, who said : It is a thing full hard, man's anger to withstand. If it be stiffly bent to take an enterprise in hand. For then most men will have the thing that they desire. Although it cost their lives therefor, such force hath wicked ire. And so did he. For he disguised himself in such array and THE BANISHING OF CORIOLANUS 135 attire as he thought no man could ever have known him for North the person he was, seeing him in that apparel he had upon ^579 his back : and as Homer said of Ulysses : So did he enter into the enemies* town. It was even twilight when he entered the city of Antium, and many people met him in the streets, but no man knew him. So he went directly to Tullus Aufidius house, and when he came thither, he got him up straight to the chimney hearth, and sate him down, and spake not a word to any man, his face all muffled over. They of the house spying him, wondered what he should be, and yet they durst not bid him rise. For ill-favouredly muffled and disguised as he was, yet there appeared a certain majesty in his countenance and in his silence : whereupon they went to Tullus, who was at supper, to tell him of the strange disguising of this man. Tullus rose presently from the board, and coming towards him, asked him what he was, and wherefore he came. Then Martius unmuffled himself, and after he had paused awhile, making no answer, he said unto him : ' If thou knowest me not yet, Tullus, and seeing me, dost not perhaps believe me to be the man I am indeed, I must of necessity bewray my- self to be that I am. I am Caius Martius, who hath done to thyself particularly, and to all the Volsces generally, great hurt and mischief, which I cannot deny for my surname of Coriolanus that I bare. For I never had other benefit nor re- compence of the true and painful service I have done, and the extreme dangers I have been in, but this only surname : a good memory and witness of the malice and displeasure thou shouldest bear me. Indeed the name only remaineth with me ; for the rest, the envy and cruelty of the People of Rome have taken from me, by the sufferance of the dastardly Nobility and Magistrates, who have forsaken me, and let me be banished by the People. This extremity hath now driven me to come as a poor suitor, to take thy 136 ENGLAND North chimney hearth, not of any hope I have to save my life thereby. 1579 For if I had feared death, I would not have come hither to have put myself in hazard : but pricked forward with desire to be revenged of them that thus have banished me, which now I do begin, in putting my person into the hands of their enemies. Wherefore, if thou hast any heart to be recked of the injuries thy Enemies have done thee, speed thee now, and let my misery serve thy turn, and so use it, as my service may be a benefit to the Volsces : promising thee that I will fight with better good will for all you than I did when I was against you, knowing that they fight more valiantly who know the force of the Enemy than such as have never proved it. And if it be so that thou dare not, and that thou art weary to prove fortune any more, then am I also weary to live any longer. And it were no wisdom in thee to save the life of him who hath been heretofore thy mortal Enemy, and whose service now can nothing help nor pleasure thee.' Tullus hearing what he said, was a marvellous glad man, and taking him by the hand, he said unto him : ' Stand up, O Martins, and be of good cheer, for in proffering thyself unto us, thou dost us great honour : and by this means thou mayest hope also of greater things at all the Volsces' hands.' So he feasted him for that time, and entertained him in the honourablest manner he could, talking with him of no other matter at that present. Sir Thomas North, ENGLAND Lyly 'nr^HERE is an Isle lying in the Ocean Sea, directly against 1579 X that part of France which containeth Picardy and Normandy, called now England, heretofore named Britain. It hath Ireland upon the West side, on the North the main ENGLAND 137 sea, on the East side, the Germany Ocean. This island is in Lyly circuit 1720 miles, in form like unto a triangle, being ^579 broadest in the South part, and gathering narrower and narrower till it come to the farthest point of Caithness, Northward, where it is narrowest, and there eudeth in manner of a promontory. To repeat the ancient manner of this island, or what sundry nations have inhabited there, to set down the Giants, which in bigness of bone have passed the common size, and almost common credit, to rehearse what diversities of languages have been used, into how many kingdoms it hath been divided, what religions have been followed before the coming of Christ, although it would breed great delight to your eyes, yet might it happily seem tedious : for that honey taken excessively cloyeth the stomach though it be honey. But my mind is briefly to touch such things as at my being there I gathered by mine own study and enquiry, not meaning to write a Chronicle, but to set down in a word what I heard by conference. It hath in it twenty and six cities, of the which the chiefest is named London, a place both for the beauty of building, infinite riches, variety of all things, that excelleth all the cities in the world : insomuch that it may be called the storehouse and mart of all Europe. Close by this city runneth the famous river called the Thames, which from the head where it riseth, named Isis, unto the full midway, it is thought to be an hundred and fourscore miles. What can there be in any place under the heavens that is not in this noble city either to be bought or borrowed ? It hath divers Hospitals for the reheving of the poor, six- score fair Churches for divine service, a glorious Burse which they call the Royal Exchange, for the meeting of merchants of all countries where any traffic is to be had. And among all the strange and beautiful shows, methinketh there is none so notable as the Bridge which crosseth the Thames, which 138 ENGLAND Lyly is in manner of a continual street, well replenished with '579 large and stately houses on both sides, and situate upon twenty arches, whereof each one is made of excellent free- stone squared, every one of them being threescore foot in height, and full twenty in distance one from another. To this place the whole Realm hath his recourse, whereby it seemeth so populous, that one would scarce think so many people to be in the whole island, as he shall see sometimes in London. This maketh Gentlemen brave, and Merchants rich. Citizens to purchase, and sojourners to mortgage, so that it is to be thought, that the greatest wealth and substance of the whole realm is couched within the walls of London, where they that be rich keep it from those that be riotous, not detaining it from the lusty youths of England by rigour, but increasing it until young men shall savour of reason, wherein they show themselves treasurers for others, not hoarders for themselves : yet although it be sure enough, would they had it [not] : in my opinion, it were better to be in the Gentle- man's purse than in the Merchant's hands. There are in this Isle two and twenty Bishops, which are as it were superintendents over the Church, men of great zeal and deep knowledge, diligent preachers of the word, earnest followers of their doctrine, careful watchmen that the Wolf devour not the Sheep, in civil government politic, in ruling the spiritual sword (as far as in them under their Prince appertaineth) just, cutting off those members from the Church by rigour that are obstinate in their heresies, and instructing those that are ignorant, appointing godly and learned Ministers in every of their sees, that in their absence may be lights to such as are in darkness, salt to those that are unsavoury, leaven to such as are not seasoned. Visitations are holden oftentimes, whereby abuses and disorders, either in the laity for negligence, or in the clergy for superstition, or in all for wicked living, there are punish- ENGLAND 139 ments, by due execution whereof the divine service of God Lyly is honoured with more purity, and followed with greater '579 sincerity. There are also in this Island two famous Universities, the one Oxford, the other Cambridge, both for the profession of all sciences, for Divinity, Physic, Law, and all kind of learning, excelling all the Universities in Christendom. I was myself in either of them, and like them both so well, that I mean not in the way of controversy to prefer any for the better in England, but both for the best in the world : saving this, that colleges in Oxford are much more stately for the building, and Cambridge much more sumptuous for the houses in the town ; but the learning neither lieth in the freestones of the one, nor the fine streets of the other, for out of them both do daily proceed men of great wisdom, to rule in the commonwealth, of learning to instruct the common people, of all singular kind of professions to do good to all. And let this suffice, not to enquire which of them is the superior, but that neither of them have their equal ; neither to ask which of them is the most ancient, but whether any other be so famous. But to proceed : in England their buildings are not very stately, unless it be the houses of noble men, and here and there the place of a Gentleman, but much amended, as they report that have told me. For their munition they have not only great store, but also great cunning to use them, and courage to practise them: their aimour is not unlike unto that which in other countries they use, as corselets, Almain rivets, shirts of mail, jacks quilted and covered over with leather, fustian, or canvas, over thick plates of iron that are sowed into the same. The Ordnance they have is great, and thereof great store. Their Navy is divided as it were into three sorts, of the which the one serveth for wars, the other for burthen, the third for fishermen. And some vessels there be (I know not 140 ENGLAND Lyly by experience, and yet I believe by circumstance) that will ^579 sail nine hundred miles in a week, when I should scarce think that a bird could fly four hundred. Touching other commodities, they have four baths, the first called St. Vincent's ; the second, Holywell ; the third, Buxton ; the fourth (as in old time they read) Cair Bledud, but now taking his name of a town near adjoining, it is called the Bath. Besides this many wonders there are to be found in this Island, which I will not repeat, because I myself never saw them, and you have heard of greater. Concerning their diet, in number of dishes and change of meat, the Nobility of England do exceed most, having all things that either may be bought for money or gotten for the season. Gentlemen and Merchants feed very finely, and a poor man it is that dineth with one dish, and yet so content with a little, that having half dined, they say as it were in a proverb, that they are as well satisfied as the Lord Mayor of London, whom they think to fare best, though he eat not most. In their meals there is great silence and gravity, using wine rather to ease the stomach than to load it; not like unto other nations, who never think that they have dined till they be drunken. The attire they use is rather led by the imitation of others than their own invention, so that there is nothing in England more constant than the inconstancy of attire : now using the French fashion, now the Spanish, then the Morisco gowns, then one thing, then another: insomuch that in drawing of an Englishman the painter setteth him down naked, having in the one hand a pair of shears, in the other a piece of cloth, who having cut his collar after the French guise is ready to make his sleeve after the Barbarian manner. And although this were the greatest enormity that I could see in England, yet is it to be excused, for they that cannot ENGLAND 141 maintain this pride must leave of necessity, and they that be Lyly able will leave when they see the vanity. I579 The laws they use are different from ours, for although the Common and Civil Law be not abolished, yet are they not had in so great reputation as their own common laws, which they term the laws of the Crown. The regiment that they have dependeth upon statute law, and that is by Parliament which is the highest court, con- sisting of three several sorts of people, the Nobility, Clergy, and Commons of the Realm, so as whatsoever be among them enacted, the Queen striketh the stroke, allowing such things as to Her Majesty seemeth best. Then upon Common Law, which standeth upon maxims and principles, years and terms ; the cases in this law are called pleas or actions, and they are either criminal or civil ; the mean to determine are writs, some original, some judicial. Their trials and recoveries are either by verdict or demur, confession or default, wherein if any fault have been committed, either in process or form, matter or judgment, the party grieved may have a writ of error. Then upon Customable Law, which consisteth upon laudable customs used in some private country. Last of all upon Prescription, which is a certain custom continued time out of mind, but it is more particular than their Customary Law. Murtherers and thieves are hanged, witches burnt, all other villainies that deserve death punished with death, inso- much that there are very few heinous offences practised in respect of those that in other countries are commonly used. Of savage beasts and vermin they have no great store, nor any that are noisome. The cattle they keep for profit are oxen, horses, sheep, goats, and swine, and such like, whereof they have abundance ; wildfowl and fish they want none, nor anything that either may serve for pleasure or profit. They have more store of pasture than tillage, their 142 ENGLAND Lyly meadows better than their com fields, which maketh more ^579 graziers than commongers, yet sufficient store of both. They excel for one thing, their dogs of all sorts : spaniels, hounds, mastiffs, and divers such: the one they keep for hunting and hawking, the other for necessary uses about their houses, as to draw water, to watch thieves, etc., and thereof they derive the word mastiff of Mase and Thief. There is in that Isle salt made, and saffron; there are great quarries of stones for building, sundry minerals of quicksilver, antimony, sulphur, black-lead, and orpiment red and yellow. Also there groweth the finest alum that is, ver- milion, bittament, chrisocolla, coperus, the mineral stone whereof petroleum is made, and that which is most strange, the mineral pearl, which as they are for greatness and colour most excellent, so are they digged out of the mainland, in places far distant from the shore. Besides these, though not strange, yet necessary, they have coal mines, saltpetre for Ordnance, salt sode for glass. They want no tin nor lead, there groweth iron, steel, and copper, and what not : so hath God blessed that country, as it should seem not only to have sufficient to serve their own turns, but also others' necessities; whereof there was an old saying, all countries stand in need of Britain, and Britain of none. Their air is very wholesome and pleasant, their civility not inferior to those that deserve best, their wits very sharp and quick, although I have heard that the Italian and the Frenchman have accompted them but gross and dull-pated, which I think came not to pass by the proof they made of their wits, but by the Englishman's report. For this is strange (and yet how true it is, there is none that ever travelled thither but can report) that it is always incident to an Englishman to think worst of his own nation, either in learning, experience, common reason, or wit, preferring always a stranger rather for the name than the wisdom. I for mine own part think, that in all Europe ENGLAND 143 there are not Lawyers more learned. Divines more profound, Lyly Physicians more expert, than are in England. i579 But that which most allureth a stranger is their courtesy, their civility, and good entertainment. I speak this by experi- ence, that I found more courtesy in England among those I never knew, in one year, than I have done in Athens or Italy among those I ever loved, in twenty. But having entreated sufficiently of the country and their conditions, let me come to the Glass I promised, being the Court, where although I should as order requireth begin with the chiefest, yet I am enforced with the painter to reserve my best colours to end Venus, and to lay the ground with the basest. First then I must tell you of the grave and wise Councillors, whose foresight in peace warranteth safety in war, whose provision in plenty maketh sufficient in dearth, whose care in health is as it were a preparative against sickness, how great their wisdom hath been in all things, the twenty-two years' peace doth both show and prove. For what subtilty hath there been wrought so closely, what privy attempts so craftily, what rebellions stirred up so disorderly, but they have by policy bewrayed, prevented by wisdom, repressed by justice? What conspiracies abroad, what confederacies at home, what injuries in any place hath there been contrived, the which they have not either foreseen before they could kindle, or quenched before they could flame ? If any wily Ulysses should feign madness, there was among them always some Palamedes to reveal him : if any Thetis went about to keep her son from the doing of his country service, there was also a wise Ulysses in the court to bewray it : if Sinon came with a smooth tale to bring in the horse into Troy, there hath been always some courageous Lacaon to throw his spear against the bowels, which being not bewitched with Lacaon, has unfolded that which Lacaon suspected. 144 ENGLAND Lyly If Argus with his hundred eyes went prying to undermine '579 Jupiter, yet met he with Mercury, who whistled all his eyes out; insomuch as there could never yet any craft prevail against their policy, or any challenge against their courage. There hath always been Achilles at home to buckle with Hector abroad, Nestor's gravity to countervail Priam's counsel, Ulysses' subtilties to match with Antenor's policies. England hath all those that can and have wrestled with all others, whereof we can require no greater proof than ex- perience. Besides they have all a zealous care for the increasing of true religion, whose faiths for the most part hath been tried through the fire, which they had felt had not they fled over the water. Moreover the great study they bend towards schools of learning, doth sufficiently declare that they are not only furtherers of learning, but fathers of the learned. O thrice happy England where such counsellors are, where such people live, where such virtue springeth ! Among these shall you find Zopirus that will mangle him- self to do his country good. Achates that will never start an inch from his Prince ^Eneas, Nausicla that never wanted a shift in extremity, Cato that ever counselled to the best, Ptolomeus Philadelphus that always maintained learning. Among the number of all which noble and wise Councillors (I cannot but for his honour's sake remember) the most prudent and right honourable the Lord Burleigh, High Treasurer of that realm, no less reverenced for his wisdom than renowned for his office, more loved at home than feared abroad, and yet more feared for his counsel among other nations than sword or fire, in whom the saying of Aga- memnon may be verified : who rather wished for one such as Nestor, than many such as Ajax. This noble man I found so ready, being but a stranger, to do me good, that neither I ought to forget him, neither cease to pray for him, that as he hath the wisdom of Nestor, HOW WE CAME TO THE TOWN OF HOCHELAGA 145 so he may have the age ; that having the policies of Ulysses, Lyly he may have his honour; worthy to live long, by whom so '579 many live in quiet, and not unworthy to be advanced, by whose care so many have been preferred. Is not this a Glass, fair Ladies, for all other countries to behold, where there is not only an agreement in faith, religion, and counsel, but in friendship, brotherhood, and living? By whose good endeavours vice is punished, virtue rewarded, peace established, foreign broils repressed, domestical cares appeased ? What nation can of councillors desire more ? what dominion, that excepted, hath so much ? when neither courage can prevail against their chivalry, nor craft take place against their counsel, nor both joined in one be of force to undermine their country. When you have dazzled your eyes with this Glass, behold here another. It was my fortune to be acquainted with certain English gentlemen, which brought me to the Court, where when I came I was driven into a maze to behold the lusty and brave gallants, the beautiful and chaste ladies, the rare and godly orders, so as I could not tell whether I should most commend virtue or bravery. John Lyly. HOW WE CAME TO THE TOWN OF HOCHELAGA SO soon as we were come near the town, a great number Florio of the inhabitors thereof came to present themselves 'S^o before us after their fashion, making very much of us : we were by our guides brought into the midst of the town. They have in the middlemost part of their houses a large square place, being from side to side a good stone's cast, where we were brought, and there with signs were com- manded to stay. Then suddenly all the women and maidens of the town gathered themselves together, part of which had their arms full of young children, and as many as could VOL. I. K 146 HOW WE CAME TO THE TOWN OF HOCHELAGA Florio came to rub our faces, our arms, and what part of the ^5«>o body soever they could touch, weeping for very joy that they saw us, showing us the best countenance that possible was, desiring us with their signs that it would please us to touch their children. That done, the men caused the women to withdraw themselves back, then they every one sate down on the ground round about us, as if they would have shown and rehearsed some comedy or other show. Then presently came the women again, every one bringing a four-square mat in manner of carpets, and spreading them abroad on the ground in that place ; then they caused us to sit upon them. That done, the Lord and King of the country was brought upon nine or ten men's shoulders (whom in their tongue they call Agouhanna), sitting upon a great stag's skin, and they laid him down upon the foresaid mats near to our Captain, every one beckoning unto us that he was their Lord and King. This Agouhanna was a man about fifty years old ; he was no whit better apparelled than any of the rest, only excepted, that he had a certain thing made of beasts' skins (called Ricci) like a red towel, and that was instead of his crown. He was full of the palsy, and his members shrunk together. After he had with certain signs and becks saluted our Captain and all his company, and by manifest tokens bid us all welcome, he showed his legs and arms to our Captain, and with signs desired him to touch them, and so he did, rubbing them with his own hands. Then did Agouhanna take the wreath or crown he had about his head, and gave it unto our Captain. That done, they brought before him divers diseased men, some blind, some cripple, some lame and impotent, and some so old that the hair of their eyelids came down and covered their cheeks, and laid them all along before our Captain, to the end they might of him be touched, for it seemed unto them that God had been descended HOW WE CAME TO THE TOWN OF HOCHELAGA 147 and come down from heaven to heal them. Our Captain, Florio seeing the misery and devotion of this poor people, recited ^ S^o the Gospel of St. John, that is to say. In the beginning was the word : touching every one that was diseased, praying to God that it would please Him to open the hearts of this poor people, and to make them know His holy Word, and that they might receive baptism and Christendom. That done, he took a book in his hand, and with a loud voice read all the Passion of Christ, word by word, that all the bystanders might hear him, all which while this poor people kept silence, and were marvellously attentive, looking up to heaven, and imitating us in gestures. Then he caused the men all orderly to be set on one side, the women on another, and likewise the children on another, and to the chiefest of them he gave hatchets, to the other knives, and to the women beads, and such other small trifles. Then where the children were, he cast rings, counters, and branches made of tin, whereat they seemed to be very glad. That done, our Captain commanded shawms and other musical instruments to be sounded, which, when they heard, they were very merry. Then we took our leave and went to our boat. The women seeing that, put themselves before to stay us, and brought us out of their meats that they had made ready for us, as fish, pottage, beans, and such other things, thinking to make us eat and dine in that place ; but because the meats had no savour at all of salt, we liked them not, but thanked them, an^ with signs gave them to understand that we had no need to eat. When we were out of the town, divers of the men and women followed us, and brought us to the top of the foresaid mountain, which we named Mount Royal; it is about a league from the town. When as we were on the top of it, we might discern and plainly see thirty leagues off. On the north side of it there are many hills to be seen, running west and east, and as many more on the south, amongst 148 HOW WE CAME TO THE TOWN OF HOCHELAGA Florio and between the which the country is as fair and as pleasant ^500 as possibly can be seen, being level, smooth, and very plain, fit to be husbanded and tilled : and in the midst of those fields we might see further a great way than where we had left our boats, where was the greatest and the swiftest fall of water that anywhere hath been seen, as great, wide, and large as our sight might discern, going south-west along three fair and round mountains that we saw, as we judged about fifteen leagues from us. Those which brought us thither told and showed us, that in the said river there were three such falls of water more, as it was where we had left our boats, but because we could not understand their language, we could not know how far they were from another. Moreover, they showed us with signs, that the said three falls being past, a man might sail the space of three months more alongst that river, and that along the hills that are on the north side, there is a great river, which, even as the other cometh from the east, we thought it to be the river that runneth through the country of Saguenay; and without any sign or question moved or asked of them, they took the chain of our Captain s whistle, which was of silver, and the dagger haft .of one of our fellow mariners, hanging on his side, being of yellow copper gilt, and showed us that such stuff came from the said river, and that there be Agouionda, that is as much as to say, as evil people, who go all armed, even to their finger ends. Also, they showed us the manner and making of their armour : they are made of cords and wood, finely and cun- ningly wrought together. They gave us also to understand that those Agouionda do continually war against them : but because we did not understand them well, we could not per- ceive how far it was to that country. Our Captain showed them red copper, which in their language they call Caignet- adze, and, looking toward that country with signs, asked them if any came from thence, they, shaking their heads, answered A CORONATION 149 no • but they showed us that it came from Saguenay, and that Florio lieth clean contrary to the other. After we had heard and ^S^o seen these things of them, we drew to our boats, accompanied with great multitude of those people. Some of them, whenas they saw any of our fellows weary, they would take them upon their shoulders, and carry them as on horseback. So soon as we came to our boats, we hoisted sail to go toward our galleon, doubting of some mischance. Our departure grieved and displeased them very much, for they followed us along the river as far as they could. We went so fast that on Monday, being the fourth of October, we came where our galleon was. The Tuesday following, being the fifth of the month, we hoisted sail, and with our galleon and boats, departed from thence toward the province of Canada, to the port of the Holy Cross, where we had left our ships. The seventh day we came against a river that cometh from the north, and entered into that river, at the entrance whereof are four little islands, full of fair and goodly trees. We named that river the River of Fouetz. But because one of those islands stretcheth himself a great way into the river, our Captain at the point of it caused a goodly great cross to be set up, and commanded the boats to be made ready, that with the next tide he might go up to the said river, and consider the quality of it, which we did, and that day went up as far as we could ; but because we found it to be of no importance, and that we could sound no bottom, we returned down and back again. John Florio. A CORONATION THE time of mourning after their use being expired. Horsey called Sorachyn, or forty orderly days, the day of the 1 5^4 solemnising of this coronation, with great preparations, was come, being upon the 10th day of June 1584 ; and that day 150 A CORONATION Horsey then Sunday, he being of the age of twenty-five years, at 1504 which time. Master Jerome Horsey was orderly sent for, and placed in a fit room to see all the solemnity. The Emperor coming out of his Palace, there went before him the Metro- politan, Archbishops, Bishops, and chiefest Monks, and Clergymen, with very rich copes and priests' garments upon them, carrying pictures of our Lady, etc., with the Emperor's angel, banners, censers, and many other such ceremonious things, singing all the way. The Emperor with his nobility in order entered the church named Blaueshina, or Blessedness, where prayers and service were used, according to the manner of their Church : that done, they went thence to the Church called Michael the Archangel, and there also used the like prayers and service : and from thence to our Lady Church, Prechista, being their Cathedral Church. In the midst thereof was a chair of majesty placed, wherein his Ancestors used to sit at such extraordinary times : his robes were then changed, and most rich and invaluable garments put on him. Being placed in this princely seat, his Nobility standing round about him in their degrees, his imperial crown was set upon his head by the Metropolitan, his sceptre globe in his right hand, his sword of justice in his left of great riches ; his six crowns also, by which he holdeth his kingdoms, were set before him, and the Lord Boris Pheodoro- wich was placed at his right hand. Then the Metropolitan read openly a book of a small volume, with exhortations to the Emperor to minister true justice, to enjoy with tran- quillity the crown of his Ancestors, which God had given him, and used these words following : ' Through the will of the Almighty and without beginning God, Which was before this world. Whom we glorify in the Trinity, one only God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, maker of all things, worker of all in all everywhere, ful- fiUer of all things, by which will and working He both liveth and giveth life to man : that our only God Which inspireth A CORONATION 151 every one of uSj His only children, with His word to discern Horsey God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and the holy quickening ^5^4 spirit of life, now in these perilous times establish us to keep the right sceptre, and suffer us to reign of ourselves to the good profit of the land, to the subduing of the people, to- gether with the enemies, and the maintenance of virtue.' And so the Metropolitan blessed and laid his cross upon him. After this, he was taken out of his chair of majesty, having upon him an upper robe adorned with precious stones of all sorts, orient pearls of great quantity, but always aug- mented in riches : it was in weight two hundred pounds, the train and parts thereof borne up by six Dukes, his chief imperial crown upon his head very precious : his staff im- perial in his right hand of an unicorn's horn of three foot and a half in length, beset with rich stones, bought of merchants of Augsburg by the old Emperor in Anno 1581, and cost him 7000 marks sterling. This jewel Master Horsey kept sometimes, before the Emperor had it. His sceptre globe was carried before him by the Prince Boris Pheodoro- wich, his rich cap, beset with rich stones and pearls, was carried before him by a Duke: his six crowns also were carried by Demetrius Ivanowich Godonova, the Emperor s uncle, Mekita Romanowich, the Emperor's uncle, Stephan Vasiliwich, Gregory Vasiliwich, Ivan Vasiliwich, brothers of the blood royal. Thus at last the Emperor came to the great Church door, and the people cried : * God save our Emperor Pheodor Ivanowich of all Russia.' His horse was there ready most richly adorned, with a covering of em- broidered pearl and precious stones, saddle, and all furniture agreeable to it, reported to be worth 300,000 marks sterling. There was a bridge made of 150 fathom in length, three manner of ways, three foot above ground and two fathom broad, for him to go from one Church to the other with his princes and nobles from the press of the people, which were in number infinite, and some at that time pressed to death with 152 A CORONATION Horsey the throng. As the Emperor returned out of the Churches, ^504 they were spread under foot with cloth of gold, the porches of the Churches with red velvet, the bridges with scarlet, and stammell cloth ^ from one church to another: and as soon as the Emperor was passed by, the cloth of gold, velvet, and scarlet was cut, and taken of those that could come by it, every man desirous to have a piece, to reserve it for a monument : silver and gold coin, then minted of purpose, was cast among the people in great quantity. The Lord Boris Pheodorowich was sumptuously and richly attired, with his garments decked with great orient pearl, beset with all sorts of precious stones. In like rich manner were apparelled all the family of the Godonovaes in their de- grees, with the rest of the princes and nobility, whereof one named Knez Ivan Michalowich Glynsky, whose robe, horse, and furniture was in register found worth 100,000 marks sterling, being of great antiquity. The Empress being in her palace, was placed in her chair of Majesty also before a great open window : most precious and rich were her robes, and shining to behold, with rich stones and orient pearl beset ; her crown was placed upon her head, accompanied with her Princesses and Ladies of Estate. Then cried out the people : * God preserve our noble Empress Irenia.' After all this the Emperor came into the Parliament House, which was richly decked : there he was placed in his royal seat adorned as before : his six crowns were set before him upon a table : the basin and ewer royal of gold held by his Knight of Guard with his men standing two on each side in white apparel of cloth of silver, called Kindry, with sceptres and battleaxes of gold in their hands : the princes and nobility were all placed according to their degrees all in their rich robes. The Emperor after a short oration permitted every man in order to kiss his hand, which being done, he removed to a princely seat prepared for him at the table : where he was 1 A coarse woollen. A CORONATION 153 served by his nobles in very princely order. The three out- Horsey rooms being very great and large, were beset with plate of ^5^4 gold and silver round, from the ground up to the vaults one upon the other : among which plate were many barrels of silver and gold. This solemnity and triumph lasted a whole week, wherein many royal pastimes were showed and used, after which the chiefest men of the nobility were elected to their places of office and dignity, as the Prince Boris Pheo- dorowich was made Chief Counsellor to the Emperor, Master of the Horse, had the charge of his person. Lieutenant of the Empire and warlike engines. Governor or Lieutenant of the Empire of Cazan and Astrakan and others. To this dignity were by Parliament and gift of the Emperor given him many revenues and rich lands, as there was given him and his for ever to inherit a province called Vaga, of 300 English miles in length and 250 in breadth, with many towns and great villages populous and wealthy : his yearly revenue out of that province is 35,000 marks sterling, being not the fifth part of his yearly revenue. Further, he and his house be of such authority and power, that in forty days' warning they are able to bring into the field 1 00,000 soldiers well furnished. The conclusion of the Emperor's Coronation was a peal of ordnance, called a peal royal, two miles without the city, being 170 great pieces of brass of all sorts, as fair as any can be made. These pieces were all discharged with shot against bul- warks made of purpose: 20,000 harquebusers standing in eight ranks two miles in length, apparelled all in velvet, coloured silk, and stammels, discharged their shot also twice over in good order : and so the Emperor, accompanied with all his Princes and Nobles, at the least 50,000 horse, departed through the city to his palace. This royal coronation would ask much time, and many leaves of paper to be described particularly as it was performed : it shall suffice to under- stand that the like magnificence was never seen in Russia. Hakluyt : Navigations. 154 A FALSE WITCH A FALSE WITCH Scot "|\ /r ILDRED, the base daughter of Alice Norrington^ 15^4 l.Vx and now servant to WiUiam Sponer of West- well in the county of Kent, being of the age of seventeen years, was possessed with Satan in the night and day afore- said. About two of the clock in the afternoon of the same day, there came to the same Sponer s house, Roger New- man, minister of Westwell, John Brainford, minister of Kenington, with others whose names are underwritten, who made their prayers unto God, to assist them in that needful case ; and then commanded Satan in the name of the eternal God, and of His Son Jesus Christ, to speak with such a voice as they might understand, and to declare from whence he came. But he would not speak, but roared and cried mightily. And though we did command him many times in the name of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ, and in His mighty power to speak, yet he would not : until he had gone through all his delays, as roaring, crying, striving, and gnashing of teeth; and otherwhile with mowing, and other terrible countenances, and was so strong in the maid, that four men could scarce hold her down. And this con- tinued by the space almost of two hours. So sometimes we charged him earnestly to speak, and again praying unto God that He would assist us. At the last he spake, but very strangely, and that was thus: '^He comes. He comes;* and that oftimes he repeated; and, 'He goes. He goes.' And then we charged him to tell us who sent him. And he said : ' I lay in her way like a log, and I made her run like fire, but I could not hurt her.' 'And why so?' said we. 'Because God kept her,' said he. 'When camest thou to her.'*' said we. 'To-night in her bed,' said he. Then we charged him, as before, to tell what he was, and who sent him, and what his name was. At first he said, * The devil. A FALSE WITCH 155 the devil/ Then we charged him as before. Then he Scot roared and cried as before, and spake terrible words: 'I ^^H will kill her, I will kill her, I will tear her in pieces, I will tear her in pieces/ We said, 'Thou shalt not hurt her/ He said, ' I will kill you all/ We said, ' Thou shalt hurt none of us all/ Then we charged him as before. Then he said, ' You will give me no rest/ We said, ' Thou shalt have none here, for thou must have no rest within the servants of God : but tell us in the name of God what thou art, and who sent thee/ Then he said, he would tear her in pieces. We said, 'Thou shalt not hurt her.* Then he said again, he would kill us all. We said again, ' Thou shalt hurt none of us all, for we are the servants of God.' And we charged him as before. And he said again, ' Will you give me no rest } ' We said, 'Thou shalt have none here, neither shalt thou rest in her, for thou hast no right in her, since Jesus Christ hath redeemed her with His blood, and she belongeth to Him, and therefore tell us thy name, and who sent thee ? ' He said his name was Satan. We said, ' Who sent thee } ' He said, 'Old AHce, Old Alice.' 'Which Old Alice?' said we. ' Old Alice,' said he. ' Where dwelleth she } ' said we. ' In Westwell Street/ said he. We said, ' How long hast thou been with her ? ' ' These twenty years,' said he. We asked him where she did keep him ? ' In two bottles,' said he. ' Where be they } ' said we. ' In the backside of her house,' said he. ' In what place ? ' said we. ' Under the wall,' said he. 'Where is the other?' 'In Kenington.' ' In what place ? ' said we. ' In the ground,* said he. Then we asked him, what she did give him. He said, ' Her will, her will/ 'What did she bid thee do?* said we.^ He said, ' Kill her maid.' ' Wherefore did she bid thee kill her ? ' said we. 'Because she did not love her,' said he. We said, ' How long is it ago since she sent thee to her ? ' ' More than a year,' said he. ' Where was that ? ' said we. ' At her master's/ said he. ' WTiich master's ? ' said we. ' At 156 A FALSE WITCH Scot her Master Brainford's, at Kenington/ said he. ' How oft 1584 wert thou there ? ' said we. ' Many times/ said he. ' Where first?' said we. 'In the garden/ said he. 'Where the second time?' 'In the hall/ 'Where the third time?' 'In her bed.' 'Where the fourth time?' 'In the field.' ' Where the fifth time ? ' 'In the court.' ' Where the sixth time?' 'In the water, where I cast her into the moat.' ' Where the seventh time ? ' 'In her bed.' We asked him again, 'Where else?' He said, 'In Westwell.' 'Where there?' said we. 'In the Vicarage/ said he. 'Where there ? ' ' In the loft.' ' How camest thou to her ? ' said we. ' In the likeness of two birds/ said he.' ' Who sent thee to that place ? ' said we. ' Old Alice,' said he. ' What other spirits were with thee there?' said we. 'My servant,' said he. 'What is his name? ' said we. He said ' Little Devil.' ' What is thy name ? ' said we. ' Satan,' said he. 'What doth Old Alice call thee ? ' said we. ' Partner,' said he. ' What doth she give thee ? ' said we. ' Her will,' said he. ' How many hast thou killed for her?' said we. 'Three,' said he. ' Who are they ? ' said we. ' A man and his child,' said he. ' What were their names ? ' said we. ' The child's name was Edward/ said he. ' What more than Edward ? ' said we. ' Edward Ager,' said he. ' What was the man's name ? ' said we. ' Richard,' said he. ' What more ? ' said we. ' Richard Ager,' said he. ' Where dwelt the man and the child ? ' said we. 'At Dig, at Dig,' said he. This Richard Ager of Dig was a gentleman of forty pounds land by the year, a very honest man, but would often say he was bewitched, and languished long before he died. 'Whom else hast thou killed for her ? ' said we. ' Wolton's wife,' said he. ' Where did she dwell?' 'In Westwell/ said he. 'What else hast thou done for her ? ' said we. ' What she would have me,' said he. 'What is that?' said we. 'To fetch her meat, drink, and corn/ said he. ' Where hadst thou it ? ' said we. 'In every house/ said he. 'Name the houses/ said we. A FALSE WITCH 157 ' At Petman's, at Farme's, at Millen's, at Fuller's, and in every Scot house/ After this, we commanded Satan in the name of ^5^4 Jesus Christ to depart from her, and never to trouble her any more, nor any man else. Then he said, he would go, he would go : but he went not. Then we commanded him as before, with some more words. Then he said, ' I go, I go ; * and so he departed. Then said the maid : ' He is gone. Lord have mercy upon me, for he would have killed me/ Then we kneeled down and gave God thanks, with the maiden, praying that God would keep her from Satan's power, and assist her with His grace. And noting this in a piece of paper, we departed. Satan's voice did differ much from the maid's voice, and all that he spake was in his own name. . . . But to make short work with the confutation of this bastardly quean's enterprise and cosenage ; you shall under- stand that upon the bruit of her divinity and miraculous trances, she was convented before Master Thomas Wotton of Bocton Malherbe, a man of great worship and wisdom, and for deciding and ordering of matters in this commonwealth of rare and singular dexterity; through whose discreet handling of the matter, with the assistance and aid of Master George Darrel, Esq, ; being rJso a right good and discreet Justice of the same limit, the fraud was found, and the cosenage confessed, and she received condign punishment. Neither was her confession won according to the form of the Spanish Inquisition, to wit, through extremity of tortures, nor yet by guile or flattery, nor by presumptions ; but through wise and perfect trial of every circumstance the illusion was manifestly disclosed. Not so (I say) as witches are commonly convinced and condemned ; to wit, through malicious accusa- tions, by guesses, presumptions, and extorted confessions, contrary to sense and possibility, and for such actions as they can show no trial nor example before the wise, either by direct or indirect means ; but after due trial she showed her 168 THE FIRST LANDING IN VIRGINIA Scot featSj illusions, and trances, with the residue of all her 1504 miraculous works, in the presence of divers gentlemen and gentlewomen of great worship and credit, at Bocton Mal- herbe, in the house of the said Mr. Wotton. Now compare this wench with the Witch of Endor, and you shall see that both the cosenages may be done by one art. Reginald Scot. THE FIRST LANDING IN VIRGINIA Barlow 'nP^HE second of July we found shoal water, where we ^584 X smelt so sweet and so strong a smell, as if we had been in the midst of some delicate garden abounding with all kind of odoriferous flowers, by which we were assured that the land could not be far distant ; and keeping good watch, and bearing but slack sail, the fourth of the same month we arrived upon the coast, which we supposed to be a continent and firm land, and we sailed along the same 120 English miles before we could find any entrance, or river issuing into the sea. The first that appeared unto us we entered, though not without some difficulty, and cast anchor about three harquebus-shot within the haven's mouth, on the left hand of the same ; and after thanks given to God for our safe arrival thither, we manned our boats and went to view the land next adjoining, and '^to take possession of the same, in the right of the Queen's most excellent Majesty, as rightful Queen and Princess of the same, and after delivered the same over to your use, according to her Majesty's grant and letters patent, under her Highness's great seal.' Which being performed, according to the ceremonies used in such enterprises, we viewed the land about us, being, whereas we first landed, very sandy and low towards the water's side, but so full of grapes, as the very beating and surge of the sea overflowed them, of which we found such plenty, as well there as in all places else. THE FIRST LANDING IN VIRGINIA 159 both on the sand and on the green soil on the hills, as in Barlow the plains, as well on every little shrub, as also climbing ^5^4 towards the tops of high cedars, that I think in all the world the like abundance is not to be found : and myself having seen those parts of Europe that most abound, find such difference as were incredible to be written. We passed from the sea side towards the tops of those hills next adjoining, being but of mean height, and from thence we beheld the sea on both sides to the North and to the South, finding no end any of both ways. This land lay stretching itself to the West, which after we found to be but an island of twenty miles long, and not above six miles broad. Under the bank or hill whereon we stood, we beheld the valleys replenished with goodly cedar trees, and having discharged our harquebus-shot, such a flock of cranes (the most part white) arose under us, with such a cry re- doubled by many echoes, as if an army of men had shouted all together. This island had many goodly woods full of deer, conies, hares, and fowl, even in the midst of summer in incredible abundance. The woods are not such as you find in Bohemia, Moscovia, or Hercynia, barren and fruitless, but the highest and reddest cedars of the world, far bettering the cedars of the Azores, of the Indies, or Lybanus, pines, cypresses, sassafras, the lentisk, or the tree that beareth the mastic, the tree that beareth the rine of black cinnamon, of which Mr. Winter brought from the Straits of Magellan, and many other of excellent smell and quality. We remained by the side of this island two whole days before we saw any people of the country : the third day we espied one small boat rowing towards us having in it three persons: this boat came to the island side, four harquebus-shot from our ships, and there two of the people remaining, the third came along the shoreside towards us, and we being then all within board, he walked up and down upon the point of the land 160 THE FIRST LANDING IN VIRGINIA Barlow next unto us. Then the Master and the Pilot of the 15^4 admiral, Simon Ferdinand©, and the Captain Philip Amadas, myself, and others rowed to the land, whose coming this fellow attended, never making *any show of fear or doubt. And after he had spoken of many things not understood by us, we brought him with his own good liking aboard the ships, and gave him a shirt, a hat, and some other things, and made him taste of our wine and our meat, which he liked very well : and after having viewed both barques, he departed and went to his own boat again, which he had left in a little cove or creek adjoining : as soon as he was two bow-shoot into the water, he fell to fishing, and in less than half-an-hour he had laden his boat as deep as it could swim, with which he came again to the point of the land, and there he divided his fish into two parts, pointing one part to the ship, and the other to the pinnace ; which, after he had (as much as he might) requited the former benefits received, departed out of our sight. The next day there came unto us divers boats, and in one of them the King's brother, accompanied with forty or fifty men, very handsome and goodly people, and in their behaviour as mannerly and civil as any of Europe. His name was Granganimeo, and the King is called Wingina, the country Wingandacoa, and now by her Majesty Virginia. The manner of his coming was in this sort : he left his boats altogether as the first man did a little from the ships by the shore, and came along to the place over against the ships, followed with forty men. When he came to the place, his servants spread a long mat upon the ground, on which he sate down, and at the other end of the mat four others of his company did the like, the rest of his men stood round about him, somewhat afar off: when we came to the shore to him with our weapons, he never moved from his place, nor any of the other four, nor never mistrusted any harm to be offered from us, but sitting still he beckoned us to come THE FIRST LANDING IN VIRGINIA 161 and sit by him, which we performed : and being set, he Barlow made all signs of joy and welcome, striking on his head and ^5^4 his breast and afterwards on ours, to show we were all one, smiling and making show the best he could of all love and familiarity. After he had made a long speech unto us, we presented him with divers things, which he received very joyfully and thankfully. None of the company durst speak one word all the time : only the four which were at the other end spake one in the other's ears very softly. The King is greatly obeyed, and his brothers and children reverenced : the King himself in person was at our being there sore wounded in a fight which he had with the King of the next country, called Wingina, and was shot in two places through the body, and once clean through the thigh, but yet he recovered : by reason whereof and for that he lay at the chief town of the country, being six days' journey off, we saw him not at all. After we had presented this his brother with such things as we thought he liked, we likewise gave somewhat to the other that sat with him on the mat : but presently he arose and took all from them and put it into his own basket, making signs and tokens that all things ought to be delivered unto him, and the rest were but his servants and followers. A day or two after this, we fell to trading with them, exchanging some things that we had for chamois, buff, and deer skins : when we showed him all our packet of merchandise, of all things that he saw, a bright tin dish most pleased him, which he presently took up and clapt it before his breast, and after made a hole in the brim thereof and hung it about his neck, making signs that it would defend him against his enemies' arrows : for those people maintain a deadly and terrible war with the people and King adjoining. We exchanged our tin dish for twenty skins, worth twenty crowns, or twenty nobles : and a copper kettle for fifty skins worth fifty crowns. They offered us VOL. I. L 162 THE FIRST LANDING IN VIRGINIA Barlow good exchange for our hatchets and axes, and for knives, "^5«>4 and would have given anything for svrords ; but we would not depart with any. After two or three days the King's brother came aboard the ships, and drank wine, and ate of our meat and of our bread, and liked exceedingly thereof : and after a few days overpassed, he brought his wife with him to the ships, his daughter and two or three children : his wife was very well favoured, of mean stature, and very bashful : she had on her back a long cloak of leather, with the fur side next to her body, and before her a piece of the same : about her forehead she had a band of white coral, and so had her husband many times : in her ears she had bracelets of pearls hanging down to her middle (whereof we delivered your worship a little bracelet), and those were of the bigness of good peas. The rest of her women of the better sort had pendants of copper hanging in either ear_, and some of the children of the King's brother and other noblemen have five or six in either ^ar: he himself had upon his head a broad plate of gold or copper, for being unpolished we knew not what metal it should be, neither would he by any means suffer us to take it off his head, but feeling it, it would bow very easily. His apparel was as his wife's, only the women wear their hair long on both sides, and the men but on one. They are of colour yellowish, and their hair black for the most part, and yet we saw children that had very fine auburn and chestnut-coloured hair. After that these women had been there, there came down from all parts great store of people, bringing with them leather, coral, divers kinds of dyes, very excellent, and exchanged with us; but when Granganimeo, the King's brother, was present, none durst trade but himself, except such as wear red pieces of copper on their heads like himself: for that is the difference between the noblemen and the governors of countries, and the meaner sort. And we both noted there, and you have understood since by THE FIRST LANDING IN VIRGINIA 163 these men, which we brought home, that no people m the Barlow world cany more respect to their King, Nobility, and ^5^4 Governors, than these do. The King's brother's wife, when she came to us (as she did many times), was followed with forty or fifty women always ; and when she came into the ship, she left them all on land, saving her two daughters, her nurse, and one or two more. The King's brother always kept this order : as many boats as he would come withal to the ships, so many fires would he make on the shore afar off, to the end we might understand with what strength and company he approached. Their boats are made of one tree, either of pine or of pitch trees : a wood not commonly known to our people, nor found growing in England. They have no edge-tools to make them withal : if they have any they are very few, and those it seems they had twenty years since, which, as those two men declared, was out of a wreck which happened upon their coast of some Christian ship being beaten that way by some storm and outrageous weather, whereof none of the people were saved, but only the ship, or some part of her being cast upon the sand, out of whose sides they drew the nails and the spikes, and with those they made their best instruments. The manner of making their boats is thus : they bum down some great tree, or take such as are windfallen, and putting gum and rosin upon one side thereof, they set fire into it, and when it hath burnt it hollow, they cut out the coal with their shells, and ever where they would bum it deeper or wider they lay on gums, which burn away the timber, and by this means they fashion very fine boats, and such as will transport twenty men. Their oars are like scoops, and many times they set with long poles, as the depth serveth. The King's brother had great liking of our armour, a sword, and divers other things which we had, and offered to lay a great box of pearl in gage for them, but we refused it for this time, because we would not make them know that 164 THE FIRST LANDING IN VIRGINIA Barlow we esteemed thereof, until we had understood in what places 1584 of the country the pearl grew : which now your worship doth very well understand. He was very just of his promise: for many times we delivered him merchandise upon his word, but ever he came within the day and performed his promise. He sent us every day a brace or two of fat bucks, conies, hares, fish, the best of the world. He sent us divers kinds of fruits, melons, walnuts, cucumbers, gourds, peas, and divers roots, and fruits very excellent good, and of their country corn, which is very white, fair and well tasted, and groweth three times in five months : in May they sow, in July they reap : in June they sow, in August they reap : in July they sow, in September they reap; only they cast the corn into the ground, breaking a little of the soft turf with a wooden mattock or pickaxe : ourselves proved the soil, and put some of our peas in the ground, and in ten days they were of fourteen inches high : they have also beans very fair of divers colours and wonderful plenty : some growing naturally and some in their gardens, and so have they both wheat and oats. The soil is the most plentiful, sweet, fruitful, and whole- some of all the world ; there are above fourteen several sweet-smelling timber trees, and the most part of their underwoods are bays and such like : they have those oaks that we have, but far greater and better. After they had been divers times aboard our ships, myself, with seven more, went twenty mile into the river that runneth toward the City of Skicoak, which river they call Occam, and the evening following we came to an island which they call Raonoak, distant from the harbour by which we entered seven leagues : and at the North end thereof was a village of nine houses, built of cedar, and fortified round about with sharp trees, to keep out their enemies, and the entrance into it made like a turnpike very artificially; when we THE FIRST LANDING IN VIRGINIA 166 came towards it, standing near unto the water's side, the Barlow wife of Granganimeo, the King's brother, came running out to ^5^4 meet us very cheerfully and friendly, her husband was not then in the village ; some of her people she commanded to draw our boat on shore for the beating of the billow : others she appointed to cany us on their backs to the dry ground, and others to bring our oars into the house for fear of stealing. When we were come into the outer room, having five rooms in her house, she caused us to sit down by a great fire, and after took off our clothes and washed them, and dried them again : some of the women plucked off our stockings and washed them, some washed our feet in warm water, and she herself took great pains to see all things ordered in the best manner she could, making great haste to dress some meat for us to eat. After we had thus dried ourselves, she brought us into the inner room, where she set on the board standing along the house some wheat like furmenty, sodden venison and roasted, fish sodden, boiled, and roasted, melons raw and sodden, roots of divers kmds and divers fruits : their drink is commonly water, but while the grape lasteth, they drink wine, and for want of casks to keep it all the year after they drink water, but it is sodden with ginger in it, and black cinnamon, and sometimes sassafras, and divers other wholesome and medicinable herbs and trees. We were entertained with all love and kindness, and with as much bounty (after their manner) as they could possibly devise. We found the people most gentle, loving, and faithful, void of all guile and treason, and such as live after the manner of the golden age. The people only care how to defend themselves from the cold in their short winter, and to feed themselves with such meat as the soil affordeth : their meat is very well sodden, and they make broth very sweet and savoury : their vessels are earthen pots, very large, white, and sweet; their dishes are wooden platters of 166 AN AFFAIR OF HONOUR Barlow sweet timber : within the place where they feed was their 1584 lodging, and within that their Idol, which they worship, of whom they speak incredible things. While we were at meat, there came in at the gates two or three men with their bows and arrows from huntmg, whom when we espied, we began to look one towards another, and offered to reach our weapons, but as soon as she espied our mistrust, she was very much moved, and caused some of her men to run out, and take away their bows and arrows and break them, and withal beat the poor fellows out of the gate again. When we departed in the evenmg and would not tarry all night she was very sorry, and gave us into our boat our supper half dressed, pots and ail, and brought us to our boat side, in which we lay all night, removing the same a pretty distance from the shore : she perceiving our jealousy, was much grieved, and sent divers men and thirty women to sit all night on the bank side by us, and sent us into our boats five mats to cover us from the rain, using very many words to intreat us to rest in their houses : but because we were few men, and if we had miscarried, the voyage had been in very great danger, we durst not adventure anything, although there was no cause of doubt, for a more kind and loving people there cannot be found in the world, as far as we have hitherto had trial. Hakluyi : Navigations. AN AFFAIR OF HONOUR AND in this freedom of heart being one day at tennis, a Peer of this Realm, born great, greater by alliance, and superlatively in the Prince's favour, abruptly came into the tennis-court ; and speaking out of these three paramount authorities, he forgot to entreat that which he could not AN AFFAIR OF HONOUR 167 legally command. When by the encomiter of a steady Greville object, finding unrespectiveness in himself (though a great ^5^6 Lord) not respected by this princely spirit, he grew to ex- postulate more roughly. The returns of which style coming still from an understanding heart, that knew what was due to itself, and what it ought to others, seemed (through the mists of my Lord's passions, swollen with the wind of his faction then reigning) to provoke in yielding. Whereby, the less amazement or confusion of thoughts he stirred up in Sir Philip, the more shadows this great Lord's own mind was possessed with : till at last with rage (which is ever ill- disciplined) he commands them to depart the court. To this Sir Philip temperately answers : that if his Lordship had been pleased to express desire in milder characters, per- chance he might have led out those, that he should now find would not be driven out with any scourge of fury. This answer (like a bellows) blowing up the sparks of excess already kindled, made my Lord scornfully call Sir Philip by the name of Puppy. In which progress of heat, as the tempest grew more and more vehement within, so did their hearts breathe out their perturbations in a more loud and shrill accent. The French Commissioners unfortunately had that day audience in those private galleries whose windows look into the tennis-court. They instantly drew all to this tumult : every sort of quarrels sorting well with their humours, especially this. Which Sir Philip perceiving, and rising with inward strength, by the prospect of a mighty faction against him, asked my Lord, with a loud voice, that which he heard clearly enough before. Who (like an echo, that still multiplies by reflections) repeated this epithet of Puppy the second time. Sir Philip, resolving in one answer to conclude both the attentive hearers and passionate actor, gave my Lord a lie, impossible (as he averred) to be re- torted ; in respect all the world knows puppies are gotten by dogs, and children by men. 168 AN AFFAIR OF HONOUR Hereupon those glorious inequalities of Fortune in his Lordship were put to a kind of pause, by a precious in- equality of nature in this gentleman. So that they both stood silent a while, like a dumb show in a tragedy ; till Sir Philip, sensible of his own wrong, the foreign and factious spirits that attended, and yet, even in this question be- tween him and his superior, tender to his country's honour, with some words of sharp accent, led the way abruptly out of the tennis-court, as if so unexpected an accident were not fit to be decided any farther in that place. Whereof the great Lord making another sense, continues his play, without any advantage of reputation, as by the standard of humours in those times it was conceived. A day Sir Philip remains in suspense, when hearing no- thing of or from the Lord, he sends a Gentleman of worth to awake him out of his trance ; wherein the French would assuredly think any pause, if not death, yet a lethargy of true honour in both. This stirred a resolution in his Lord- ship to send Sir Philip a challenge. Notwithstanding, these thoughts in the great Lord wandered so long between glory, anger, and inequality of state, as the Lords of her Majesty's Council took notice of the differences, commanded peace, and laboured a reconciliation between them. But needlessly in one respect, and bootlessly in another. The great Lord being (as it should seem) either not hasty to adventure many inequalities against one, or inwardly satisfied with the progress of his own acts : Sir Philip, on the other side, confident he neither had nor would lose, or let fall any- thing of his right. Which her Majesty's Council quickly perceiving, recommended this work to herself. The Queen, who saw that by the loss or disgrace of either she would gain nothing, presently undertakes Sir Philip; and (like an excellent Monarch) lays before him the differ- ence in degrees between Earls and Gentlemen ; the respect inferiors ought to their superiors, and the necessity in THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE 169 Princes to maintain their own creations, as degrees descend- Greville ing between the people's licentiousness and the anointed ^586 sovereignty of Crowns ; how the Gentleman's neglect of the Nobility taught the Peasant to insult upon both. Whereunto Sir Philip, with such reverence as became him, replied : First, that place was never intended for privi- lege to wrong : witness herself, who how sovereign soever she were by Throne, Birth, Education, and Nature, yet was she content to cast her own affections into the same moulds her subjects did, and govern all her rights by their laws. Again, he besought her Majesty to consider, that although he were a great Lord by birth, alliance, and grace, yet he was no lord over him ; and therefore the difference of degrees between free men could not challenge any other homage than precedency. And by her father's act (to make a princely wisdom become the more familiar) he did instance the government of King Henry the Eighth, who gave the gentry free and safe appeal to his feet, against the oppres- sion of the grandees ; and found it wisdom, by the stronger corporation in number, to keep down the greater in power : inferring else, that if they should unite, the overgrown might be tempted, by still coveting more, to fall (as the Angels did) by aflecting equality with their Maker. Sir Fulk Greville, Lord Brooke, THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE THE Lord Thomas Howard, with six of Her Majesty's Raleigh ships, six victuallers of London, the barque Ralegh, ^591 and two or three pinnaces riding at anchor near unto Flores, one of the westerly islands of the Azores, the last of August in the afternoon, had intelligence by one Captain Midleton, of the approach of the Spanish Armada. 170 THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE Raleigh Which Midleton being in a very good sailer, had kept them ^591 company three days before, of good purpose, both to dis- cover their forces the more, as also to give advice to my Lord Thomas of their approach. He had no sooner delivered the news but the fleet was in sight : many of our ships' com- panies were on shore in the island ; some providing ballast for their ships ; others filling of water and refreshing them- selves from the land with such things as they could either for money or by force recover. By reason whereof our ships being all pestered and rummaging eveiything out of order, [were] very light for want of ballast. And that which was most to our disadvantage, the one half part of the men of every ship sick, and utterly unserviceable. For in the Revenge there were ninety diseased : in the Bonaventure not so many in health as could handle her mainsail. For had not twenty men been taken out of a barque of Sir George Gary's, his being commanded to be sunk, and those ap- pointed to her, she had hardly ever recovered England. The rest for the most part were in little better state. The names of Her Majesty's ships were these as foUoweth : the Defiance, which was admiral ; the Revenge, vice-admiral ; the Bonaventure, commanded by Captain Cross; \hG Lion, hy George Fenner ; the Foresight, by Master Thomas Vavisour ; and the Crane, by DufFeild. The Foresight and the Crane being but small ships ; only the other were of the middle size ; the rest, besides the barque Ralegh, commanded by Captain Thin, were victuallers, and of small force or none. The Spanish fleet having shrouded their approach by reason of the island, were now so soon at hand as our ships had scarce time to weigh their anchors, but some of them were driven to let slip their cables, and set sail. Sir Richard Grinvile was the last weighed, to recover the men that were upon the island, which otherwise had been lost. The Lord Thomas with the rest very hardly recovered the wind, which Sir Richard Grinvile not being able to do, was persuaded by the Master THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE l7l and others to cut his mainsail and cast about, and to trust Raleigh to the sailing of his ship : for the squadron of Sivil were on ^59i his weather-bow. But Sir Richard utterly refused to turn from the enemy, alleging that he would rather choose to die than to dishonour himself, his country, and her Majesty's ship, persuading his company that he would pass through the two squadrons, in despite of them, and enforce those of Sivil to give him way. Which he performed upon divers of the foremost, who, as the mariners term it, sprang their luff, and fell under the lee of the Revenge. But the other course had been the better, and might right well have been answered in so great an impossibility of prevailing. Notwithstanding, out of the greatness of his mind, he could not be persuaded. In the meanwhile as he attended those which were nearest him, tlie great San Philip being in the wind of him, and coming towards him, becalmed his sails in such sort, as the ship could neither weigh nor feel the helm : so huge and high cargued was the Spanish ship, being of a thousand and five hundred tons. Who after laid the Revenge aboard. When he was thus bereft of his sails, the ships that were under his lee luffing up, also laid him aboard : of which the next was the Admiral of the Biscaines, a very mighty and puissant ship commanded by Brittan Dona. The said Philip carried three tier of ordnance on a side, and eleven pieces in every tier. She shot eight forth right out of her chase, besides those of her stern ports. After the Revenge was intangled with this Philip, four other boarded her : two on her larboard, and two on her starboard. The fight, thus beginning at three of the clock in the afternoon, continued very terrible all that evening. But the great San Philip having received the lower tier of the Revenge, discharged with crossbarshot, shifted herself with all diligence from her sides, utterly misliking her first entertain- ment. Some say that the ship foundered, but we cannot report it for truth, unless we were assured. The Spanish 172 THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE Raleigh ships were filled with companies of soldiers, in some two ^591 hundred besides the mariners ; in some five, in others eight hundred. In ours there were none at all, beside the mari- ners, but the servants of the commanders and some few voluntary gentlemen only. After many interchanged volleys of great ordnance and small shot, the Spaniards deliberated to enter the Revenge, and made divers attempts, hoping to force her by the multitudes of their armed soldiers and musketeers, but were still repulsed again and again, and at all times beaten back, into their own ships, or into the seas. In the beginning of the fight, the George Noble of London, having received some shot through her by the Armadoes, fell under the lee of the Revenge, and asked Sir Richard what he would command him, being but one of the victuallers and of small force : Sir Richard bid him save himself, and leave him to his fortune. After the fight had thus without intermission continued while the day lasted and some hours of the night, many of our men were slain and hurt, and one of the great galleons of the Armada, and the admiral of the Hulks both sunk, and in many other of the Spanish ships great slaughter was made. Some write that Sir Richard was very dangerously hurt almost in the beginning of the fight, and lay speechless for a time ere he recovered. But two of the Revenge's own company brought home in a ship of Lime from the Islands, examined by some of the Lords and others, affirmed that he was never so wounded as that he forsook the upper deck, till an hour before midnight ; and then being shot into the body with a musket as he was a-dressing, was again shot into the head, and withal his Chirurgeon wounded to death. This agreeth also with an examination taken by Sir Frances Godolphin, of four other mariners of the same ship being returned, which examination the said Sir Frances sent unto Mr. William Killigrue, of her Majesty's Privy Chamber. But to return to the fight : the Spanish ships which at- tempted to board the Revenge, as they were wounded and THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE 173 beaten off, so always others came in their places, she having Raleigh never less than two mighty galleons by her sides, and aboard '^^^ her. So that ere the morning from three of the clock the day before, there had fifteen several Armadoes assailed her ; and all so ill approved their entertainment, as they were by the break of day far more willing to hearken to a composition than hastily to make any more assaults or entries. But as the day increased, so our men decreased : and as the light grew more and more, by so much more grew our discomforts. For none appeared in sight but enemies, saving one small ship called the Pilgrim, commanded by Jacob Whiddon, who hovered all night to see the success : but, in the morning bearing with the Revenge, was hunted like a hare amongst many ravenous hounds, but escaped. All the powder of the Revenge to the last barrel was now spent, all her pikes broken, forty of her best men slain, and the most part of the rest hiu-t. In the beginning of the fight she had but one hundred free from sickness, and four- score and ten sick, laid in hold upon the ballast. A small troop to man such a ship, and a weak garrison to resist so mighty an army. By those hundred all was sustained, the volleys, boardings, and enterings of fifteen ships of war, be- sides those which beat her at large. On the contrary, the Spanish were always supplied with soldiers brought from every squadron : all manner of arms and powder at will. Unto ours there remained no comfort at all, no hope, no supply either of ships, men, or weapons ; the masts all beaten overboard, all her tackle cut asunder, her upper work al- together rased, and in effect evened she was with the water, but the very foundation or bottom of a ship, nothing being left overhead either for flight or defence. Sir Richard finding himself in this distress, and unable any longer to make resistance, having endured in this fifteen hours' fight the assault of fifteen several Armadoes, all by turns aboard him, and by estimation eight hundred shot of great artillery. 174 THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE Raleigh besides many assaults and entries ; and that himself and the ^591 ship must needs be possessed by the enemy, who were now all cast in a ring round about him ; the Revenge not able to move one way or other, but as she was moved with the waves and billow of the sea : commanded the Master-Gunner, whom he knew to be a most resolute man, to split and sink the ship ; that thereby nothing might remain of glory or victory to the Spaniards, seeing in so many hours' fight, and with so great a navy they were not able to take her, having had fifteen hours' time, fifteen thousand men, and fifty and three sail of men-of-war to perform it withal : and persuaded the com- pany, or as many as he could induce, to yield themselves unto God, and to the mercy of none else ; but as they had like valiant resolute men repulsed so many enemies, they should not now shorten the honour of their nation, by pro- longing their own lives for a few hours, or a few days. The Master-Gunner readily condescended, and divers others ; but the Captain and the Master were of another opinion, and besought Sir Richard to have care of them : alleging that the Spaniard would be as ready to entertain a composition as they were willing to offer the same : and that there being divers sufficient and valiant men yet living, and whose wounds were not mortal, they might do their country and prince acceptable service hereafter. And (that where Sir Richard had alleged that the Spaniards should never glory to have taken one ship of Her Majesty's, seeing that they had so long and so notably defended themselves) they an- swered, that the ship had six foot water in hold, three shot under water, which were so weakly stopped as with the first working of the sea she must need sink, and was besides so crushed and bruised as she could never be removed out of the place. And as the matter was thus in dispute, and Sir Richard refusing to hearken to any of those reasons, the Master of the Revenge (while the Captain wan unto him the greater THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE 175 party) was convoyed aboard the General, Don Alonso Bassan. Raleigh Who finding none over hasty to enter the Revenge again, ^59^ doubting lest Sir Richard would have blown them up and himself, and perceiving by the report of the Master of the Revenge his dangerous disposition : yielded that all their lives should be saved, the company sent for England, and the better sort to pay such reasonable ransom as their estate would bear, and in the mean season to be free from galley or imprisonment. To this he so much the rather condescended as well, as I have said, for fear of further loss and mischief to themselves, as also for the desire he had to recover Sir Richard Grinvile ; whom for his notable valour he seemed greatly to honour and admire. When this answer was returned, and that safety of life was promised, the common sort being now at the end of their peril, the most drew back from Sir Richard and the Master- Gunner, being no hard matter to dissuade men from death to life. The Master-Gunner finding himself and Sir Richard thus prevented and mastered by the greater number, would have slain himself with a sword, had he not been by force withheld and locked into his cabin. Then the General sent many boats aboard the Revenge, and divers of our men fear- ing Sir Richard's disposition, stole away aboard the general and other ships. Sir Richard, thus overmatched, was sent unto by Alonso Bassan to remove out of the Revenge^ the ship being marvellous unsavoury, filled with blood and bodies of dead and wounded men like a slaughter house. Sir Richard answered that he might do with his body what he list, for he esteemed it not, and as he was carried out of the ship he swooned, and reviving again desired the company to pray for him. The General used Sir Richard with all humanity, and left nothing unattempted that tended to his recovery, highly commending his valour and worthiness, and greatly bewailed the danger wherein he was, being unto them a rare spectacle, and a resolution seldom approved, to 176 GLORIANA Raleigh see one ship turn towards so many enemies, to endure the 1 591 charge and boarding of so many huge Armadoes, and to resist and repel the assaults and entries of so many soldiers. All which, and more, is confirmed by a Spanish Captain, of the saine Armada, and a present actor in the fight, who being severed from the rest in a storm, was by the Lyon of London, a small ship, taken, and is now prisoner in London. The general commander of the Armada was Don Alonso Bassan, brother to the Marquess of Santa Cruce. The Admiral of the Biscaine squadron was Brittan Dona. Of the squadron of Sivil, Marquess of Arumburch. The Hulks and Fly- boats were commanded by Luis Cutino. There were slain and drowned in this fight, well near two thousand of the enemies, and two especial commanders Don Luis de Sant John, and Don George de Prunaria de Mallaga, as the Spanish Captain confesses, besides divers others of special account, whereof as yet report is not made. The admiral of the Hulks and the Ascention of Sivil were both sunk by the side of the Revenge ; one other recovered the road of Saint Michels, and sunk also there ; a fourth ran herself with the shore to save her men. Sir Richard died, as it is said, the second or third day aboard the general, and was by them greatly bewailed. What became of his body, whether it were buried in the sea or on the land we know not : the comfort that remaineth to his friends is, that he hath ended his life honourably in respect of the reputation won to his nation and country, and of the same to his posterity, and that being dead, he hath not outlived his own honour. Sir Walter Raleigh. GLORIANA Melville T N the meantime I was favourably and familiarly used, for 1593 J[ during nine days that I remained at that Court, her Majesty pleased to confer with me every day, and sometimes ( GLORIANA 177 thrice upon a day, to wit a forenoon, afternoon, and after Melville supper. Sometimes she would say, that since she could not ^593 meet with the Queen, her good sister, herself, to confer fami- liarly with her, that she should open a good part of her in- ward mind unto me, that I might show it again unto the Queen; and said that she was not so offended at the Queen's angry letter, as for that she seemed to disdain so far the marriage with my Lord of Leicester ; which she had caused Mr. Randolph propone unto her. I said that it might be he Jiad touched something thereof to my Lords of Murray and Lethington, but that he had not proponed the matter directly unto herself; and that as well her Majesty, as they that were her most familiar counsellors, could conjecture nothing thereupon but delays and drifting of time, anent the declar- ing of her to be second person; which would try at the meeting of the Commissioners above specified. She said again, that the trial and declaration thereof would be hasted forward, according to the Queen's good behaviour, and apply- ing to her pleasure and advice in her marriage ; and seeing the matter concerning the said declaration was so weighty, she had ordained some of the best lawyers in England diligently to search out who had the best right ; which she would wish should be her dear sister rather than any other. I said I was assured that her Majesty was both out of doubt thereof, and would rather she should be declared than any other; but I lamented that even the wisest princes will not skance^ sufficiently upon the partialities and pretences of some of their familiar counsellors and servants; except it were such a notable and rare prince as King Harry the Eighth, her Majesty's father, of good memory, who of his own head was determined to declare his sister's son. King James the Fifth (at what time her Majesty was not yet bom, but only her sister. Queen Mary), heir-apparent to the crown of England, failing the heirs gotten of his own body, for the 1 Consider with suspicion. VOL. I. M 178 GLORIANA Melville earnest desire he had to unite this whole island. She said ^593 she was glad he did it not. I said that then he had but a daughter, and was in doubt to have any more children, and yet had not so many suspicions in his head ; and that her Majesty was out of all doubt ever to have any children, as being deliberate to die a virgin. She said that she was never minded to marry, except she were compelled by the Queen her sister's hard behaviour towards her, in doing by her counsel as said is. I said : ' Madam, ye need not to tell me that ; I know your stately stomach : ye think if ye were married, ye would be but Queen of England, and now ye are King and Queen both ; ye may not suffer a commander.' She appeared to be so affectionate to the Queen, her good sister, that she had a great desire to see her ; and because their desired meeting could not be so hastily brought to pass, she delighted oft to look upon her picture, and took me into her bedchamber, and opened a little lettroun^ wherein were divers little pictures wrapped within paper, and written upon the paper their names with her own hand. Upon the first that she took up was written, ' My lord's picture.' I held the candle and pressed to see my lord's picture. Albeit she was loath to let me see it, at length I by importunity obtained the sight thereof, and asked the same to caiTy home with me unto the Queen ; which she refused, alleging she had but that one of his. I said again that she had the prin- cipal ; for he was at the farthest part of the chamber speak- ing with the Secretary Cecil. Then she took out the Queen's picture and kissed it ; and I kissed her hand, for the great love I saw she bore to the Queen. She showed me also a fair ruby, great like a racket ball. Then I desired that she would either send it as a token unto the Queen, or else my Lord of Leicester's picture. She said, gin the Queen would follow her counsel, that she would get them both with time, and all that she had ; but should send her a diamond for a token 1 Lectern, desk : also work-table, GLORIANA 179 with me. Now it was late after supper ; she appointed me Melville to be at her the next morning by eight hours, at which time '593 she used to walk in her garden ; and inquired sundry things at me of this country, or other countries wherein I had lately travelled; and caused me to eat with her dame of honour, my Lady Stafford, an honourable and godly lady, who had been at Geneva, banished during the reign of Queen Mary, that I might be always near her Majesty, that she might confer with me ; and my Lady Stafford's daughter was my mistress, for I was of their acquaintance when they passed through France, and had good intelligence by her and by my Lady Throgmorton. At divers meetings there would be divers purposes ; and the Queen, my sovereign, had instructed me sometimes to leave matters of gravity and cast in some purposes of merriness, or else I would be tired upon, as being well in- formed of her sister's naturelle.^ Therefore, in declaring the customs of Dutchland, Polle, and Italy, the busking and clothing of the dames and women was not forgot, and what country weed was best setten^ for gentlewomen to wear. The Queen of England said she had of divers sorts; which every day so long as I was there she changed ; one day the English weed, one the French, and one the Italian, and so of others; asking at me which of them set her best. I said the Italian weed ; which pleased her well, for she delighted to show her golden-coloured hair, wearing a kelP and bonnet as they do in Italy. Her hair was redder than yellow, curled apparently of nature. Then she entered to discern what kind of colour of hair was reputed best ; and inquired whether the queen's or hers was best, and which of them two was fairest. I said the fairness of them both was not their worst faults. But she was earnest with me to declare which of them I thought fairest. I said she was the fairest Queen in England, and oiu^ the fairest Queen in Scotland. Yet she 1 Disposition. 2 Suited. 3 Caul. 180 GLORIANA was earnest. I said they were both the fairest ladies of their Courts, and that the Queen of England was whiter, but our Queen was very lusome.^ She inquired which of them was of highest stature. I said, our Queen. Then she said the Queen was over high, and that herself was neither over high nor over low. Then she asked what kind of exercises she used. I said that I was dispatched out of Scotland, that the Queen was but new come back from the Highland hunting; and when she had leisure from the affairs of her country, she read upon good books the histories of divers countries, and some- times would play upon lute and virginals. She speered gin she played well. I said, reasonably for a queen. That same day, after dinner, my Lord of Hunsdon drew me up to a quiet gallery, that I might hear some music, but he said he durst not avow it, where I might hear the Queen play upon the virginals. But after I had hearkened a while, I took by the tapestry that hung before the door of the chamber, and seeing her back was toward the door, I entered within the chamber and stood still at the door-cheek, and heard her play excellently well ; but she left off so soon as she turned her about and saw me, and came forwards, seeming to strike me with her left hand, and to think shame ; alleging that she used not to play before men, but when she was solitary her allane,^ to eschew melancholy ; and asked how I came there. I said, as I was walking with my Lord of Hunsdon, as we passed by the chamber door I heard such melody, which roused and drew me within the chamber I wist not how; excusing my fault of homeliness as being brought up in the Court of France, and was now willing to suffer what kind of punishment would please her lay upon me for my offence. Then she sat down low upon a cushion, and I upon my knee beside her ; but she gave me a cushion with her own hand to lay under my knee, which I refused, but she compelled me ; and called for my Lady Stafford out 1 Loveable. 2 By herself. GLORIANA 181 of the next chamber, for she was her allane there. Then she Melville asked whether the Queen or she played best. In that I gave ^ 593 her the praise. She said my French was good ; and speired if I could speak Italian, which she spake reasonably well. I said I tarried not above two months in Italy, and had brought with me some books to read upon ; but had no leisure to learn the language perfectly. Then she spake to me in Dutch, but it was not good ; and would wit what kind of books I liked best, whether of theology, history, or love matters. I said I liked well of all the sorts. I was earnest to be dispatched ; but she said that I tired sooner of her company nor she did of mine. I said, albeit I had no occasion to tire, that it was time to return ; but I was stayed two days longer till I might see her dance, as I was informed; which being done, she inquired at me whether she or the Queen danced best. I said the Queen danced not so high and disposedly as she did. Then again she wished that she might see the Queen at some convenient place of meeting. I offered to convoy her secretly to Scotland by post, clothed like a page disguised, that she might see the Queen ; as King James the Fifth passed in France disguised, with his own ambassador, to see the Duke of Vendome's sister that should have been his wife ; and how that her chamber should be kept as though she were sick, in the meantime, and none to be privy thereto but my Lady Stafford and one of the grooms of her chamber. She said, Alas ! gin she might do it ; and seemed to like well of such kind of lan- guage, and used all the means she could to cause me per- suade the Queen of the great love that she bore unto her, and was minded to put away all jealousies and suspicions, and in times coming a straiter friendship to stand between them than ever had been of before ; and promised that my dispatch should be delivered unto me very shortly by Mr. Cecil at London. Sir James Melville, 182 JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR Jane " I ^HE sixth of August we set sail and went to Penguin 1593 X Isle, and the next day we salted twenty hogsheads of seals, which was as much as our salt could possibly do, and so we departed for The Straits [of Magellan] the poorest wretches that ever were created. The seventh of August, toward night, we departed from Penguin Isles, shaping our course for The Straits, where we had full confidence to meet with our General [Cavendish]. The ninth we had a sore storm, so that we were constrained to hull, for our sails were not to endure any force. The fourteenth we were driven in among certain Isles, never before discovered by any known relation, lying fifty leagues or better from the shore. East and Northerly from The Straits : in which place, unless it had pleased God of his wonderful mercy to have ceased the wind, we must of necessity have perished. But the wind shifting to the East, we directed om* course for The Straits, and the eighteenth of August we fell with the Cape in a very thick fog; and the same night we anchored ten leagues within the Cape. The nineteenth day we passed the first and the second Straits. The twenty- first we doubled Cape Froward. The twenty-second we anchored in Savage Cove, so named because we found many savages there. Notwithstanding the extreme cold of this place, yet do all these wild people go naked, and live in the woods like sat3n's, painted and disguised, and fly from you like wild deer. They are very strong, and threw stones at us of three or four pound weight an incredible distance. The twenty-fourth, in the morning, we departed from this cove, and the same day we came into the North-West reach, which is the last reach of The Straits. The twenty-fifth we anchored in a good cove, within fourteen leagues of the South Sea ; in this place we purposed to stay for the JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR 183 General, for the strait in this place is scarce three miles Jane broad, so that he could not pass but we must see him. After ^593 we had stayed here a fortnight in the deep of winter, our victuals consuming (for our seals stunk most vilely, and our men died pitifully through cold and famine, for the greatest part of them had not clothes to defend the extremity of the winter's cold), being in this heavy distress, our Captain [John Davys] and Master thought it the best course to depart from The Straits into the South Sea, and to go for the Isle of Santa Maria, which is to the Northward of Baldivia in thirty-seven degrees and a quarter, where we might have relief, and be in a temperate clime, and there stay for the General, for of necessity he must come by that Isle. So we departed the thirteenth of September, and came in sight of the South Sea. The fourteenth we were forced back again, and recovered a cove three leagues within The Straits from the South Sea. Again we put forth, and being eight or ten leagues free of the land, the wind rising furiously at West-North-West, we were enforced again into The Straits only for want of sails; for we never durst bear sail in any stress of weather, they were so weak. So again we recovered the cove three leagues within The Straits, where we endured most furious weather, so that one of our two cables brake, whereby we were hopeless of life. Yet it pleased God to calm the storm, and we unrived our sheets, tacks, halliers, and other ropes, and moored our ship to the trees close by the rocks. We laboured to recover our anchor again, but could not by any means, it lay so deep in the water, and, as we think, clean covered with ooze. Now had we but one anchor, which had but one whole fluke, a cable spliced in two places, and a piece of an old cable. In the midst of these our troubles it pleased God that the wind came fair the first of October; whereupon with all expedition we loosed our moorings and weighed our 184 JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR Jane anchor, and so towed off into the channel; for we had ^593 mended our boat in Port Desire, and had five oars of the pinnace. When we had weighed our anchor, we found our cable broken, only one strand held : then we praised God, for we saw apparently His mercies in preserving us. Being in the channel, we rived our ropes, and again rigged our ship ; no man's hand was idle, but all laboured even for the last gasp of life. Here our company was divided ; some desired to go again for Port Desire, and there to be set on shore, where they might travel for their lives, and some stood with the Captain and Master to proceed. Whereupon the Captain said to the Master: 'Master, you see the wonderful extremity of our estate, and the great doubts among our company of the truth of your reports, as touching relief to be had in the South Sea. Some say in secret, as I am informed, that we undertake these desperate attempts through blind affection that we bear to the General. For mine own part, I plainly make known unto you that the love which I bare to the General caused me first to enter into this action, whereby I have not only heaped upon my head this bitter calamity now present, but also have in some sort procured the dislike of my best friends in England, as it is not unknown to some in this company. But now, being thus entangled by the pro- vidence of God for my former offences (no doubt), I desire that it may please His Divine Majesty to show us such merciful favour, that we may rather proceed than otherwise : or if it be His will that our mortal being shall now take an end, I rather desire that it may be in proceeding than in returning. And because I see in reason that the limits of our time are now drawing to an end, I do in Christian charity entreat you all, first to forgive me in whatsoever I have been grievous unto you ; secondly, that you will rather pray for our General than use hard speeches of him ; and let us be fully persuaded that not for his cause and negligence, but JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR 185 for our o^vn offences against the Divine Majesty, we are pre- Jane sently punished; lastly, let us forgive one another and be ^593 reconciled as children in love and charity, and not think upon the vanities of this life : so shall we in leaving this life live with our glorious Redeemer, or abiding in this life find favour with God. And now (good Master), forasmuch as you have been in this voyage once before with your master the General, satisfy the company of such truths as are to you best known ; and you the rest of the General's men, which likewise have been with him in his first voyage, if you hear anything contrary to the truth, spare not to reprove it, I pray you. And so I beseech the Lord to bestow his mercy upon us.' Then the Master began in these speeches : * Captain, your request is very reasonable, and I refer to your judgment my honest care and great pains taken in the General's service, my love towards him, and in what sort I have discharged my duty, from the first day to this hour. I was commanded by the General to follow your directions, which hitherto I have performed. You all know that when I was extremely sick the General was lost in my mate's watch, as you have well ex- amined : sithens which time, in what anguish and grief of mind I have lived, God only knoweth, and you are in some part a witness. And now, if you think good to return, I will not gainsay it : but this I assure you, if life may be preserved by any means, it is in proceeding. For at the Isle of Santa Maria I do assure you of wheat, pork, and roots enough. Also I will bring you to an Isle where pelicans be in great abundance, and at Santos we shall have meal in great plenty, besides all our possibility of intercepting some ships upon the coast of Chili and Peru. But if we return there is nothing but death to be hoped for : therefore do as you like, I am ready, but my desire is to proceed.' These his speeches being confirmed by others that were in the former voyage, there was a general consent of proceeding ; and so the second of October 186 JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR Jane we put into the South Sea, and were free of all land. This 1 593 night the wind began to blow very much at West-North- West, and still increased in fury, so that we were in great doubt what course to take ; to put into the straits we durst not for lack of ground tackle ; to bear sail we doubted, the tempest was so furious, and our sails so bad. The pinnace came room with us, and told us that she had received many grievous seas, and that her ropes did every hour fail her, so as they could not tell what shift to make : we, being unable in any sort to help them, stood under our courses in view of the lee-shore, still expecting our ruinous end. The fourth of October the storm growing beyond all reason furious, the pinnace being in the wind of us, struck suddenly ahull, so that we thought she had received some grievous sea, or sprung a leak, or that her sails failed her, because she came not with us ; but we durst not hull in that unmerciful storm, but sometimes tried under our main course, sometime with a haddock off our sail, for our ship was very leeward and most laboursome in the sea. This night we lost the pinnace and never saw her again. The fifth our foresail was split and all to torn ; then our Master took the mizzen and brought it to the foremast, to make our ship work, and with our spritsail we mended our foresail, the storm continuing without all reason in fury, with hail, snow, rain, and wind such and so mighty as that in nature it could not possibly be more : the seas such and so lofty with continual breach, that many times we were doubt- ful whether our ship did sink or swim. The tenth of October, being by the accompt of our Captain and Master very near the shore, the weather dark, the storm furious, and most of our men having given over to travail, we yielded ourselves to death, without further hope of succour. Our Captain sitting in the gallery very pensive, I came and brought him some rosa solis to comfort him ; for he was so cold that he was scarce able to move a joint. After he had JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR 187 drunk, and was comforted in heart, he began for the ease of Jane his conscience to make a large repetition of his forepassed ^593 time, and with many grievous sighs he concluded in these words : * O most glorious God, with Whose power the mightiest things among men are matters of no moment, I most humbly beseech Thee that the intolerable burthen of my sins may through the blood of Jesus Christ be taken from me : and end our days with speed, or show us some merciful sign of Thy love and our preservation.' Having thus ended, he desired me not to make known to any of the company his intolerable grief and anguish of mind, because they should not thereby be dismayed. And so suddenly, before I went from him, the sun shined clear ; so that he and the Master both observed the true elevation of the Pole, whereby they knew by what course to recover The Straits. Wherewithal our Captain and Master were so revived, and gave such com- fortable speeches to the company, that every man rejoiced, as though we had received a present deliverance. The next day, being the eleventh of October, we saw Cabo Deseado, being the cape on the South shore (the North shore is nothing but a company of dangerous rocks, isles, and shoals). This cape being within two leagues to leeward of us, our Master greatly doubted that we could not double the same. Whereupon the Captain told him : ' You see there is no remedy, either we must double it, or before noon we must die : therefore loose your sails, and let us put it to God's mercy.' The Master, being a man of good spirit, resolutely made quick dispatch and set sail. Our sails had not been half- an-hour aboard, but the foot-rope of our foresail broke, so that nothing held but the oylet holes. The seas continually broke over the ship's poop, and flew into the sails with such violence that we still expected the tearing of our sails or oversetting of the ship, and withal to our utter dis- comfort we perceived that we fell still more and more to leeward, so that we could not double the cape. We were 188 JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR Jane now come within half a mile of the cape, and so near the ' 593 shore that the counter-surf of the sea would rebound against the ship's side, so that we were much dismayed with the horror of our present end. Being thus at the very pinch of death, the wind and seas raging beyond measure, our Master veered some of the main sheet ; and whether it was by that occasion, or by some current, or by the wonderful power of God, as we verily think it was, the ship quickened her way, and shot past that rock, where we thought she would have shored. Then between the cape and the point there was a little bay ; so that we were somewhat farther from the shore. And when we were come so far as the cape, we yielded to death. Yet our good God, the Father of all mercies, de- livered us, and we doubled the cape about the length of our ship, or very little more. Being shot past the cape, we pre- sently took in our sails, which only God had preserved unto us : and when we were shot in between the high lands, the wind blowing trade, without any inch of sail, we spooned before the sea, three men being not able to guide the helm, and in six hours we were put five-and-twenty leagues within The Straits, where we found a sea answerable to the Ocean. In this time we freed our ship from water, and after we had rested a little, our men were not able to move ; their sinews were stiff, and their flesh dead, and many of them (which is most lamentable to be reported) were so eaten with lice, as that in their flesh did lie clusters of lice as big as peason, yea, and some as big as beans. Being in this misery, we were constrained to put into a cove for the refreshing our men. Our Master knowing the shore and every cove very perfectly, put in with the shore and moored to the trees, as beforetime we had done, laying our anchor to the seaward. Here we continued until the twentieth of October; but not being able any longer to stay through extremity of famine, the one-and-twentieth we put off into the channel, the weather being reasonable calm : but before JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR 189 night it blew most extremely at West-North-West. The storm Jane growing outrageous, our men could scarcely stand by their ^593 labour; and The Straits being full of turning reaches, we were constrained by discretion of the Captain and Master in their accounts to guide the ship in the hell-dark night, when we could not see any shore, the channel being in some places scarce three miles broad. But our Captain, as we first passed through The Straits, drew such an exquisite plat ^ of the same, as I am assured it cannot in any sort be bettered; which plat he and the Master so often perused, and so carefully regarded, as that in memory they had every turning and creek, and in the deep dark night without any doubting they conveyed the ship through that crooked channel : so that I conclude the world hath not any so skilful pilots for that place as they are : for otherwise we could never have passed in such sort as we did. The twenty-fifth we came to an Island in The Straits named Penguin Isle, whither we sent our boat to seek relief, for there were great abundance of birds, and the weather was very calm; so we came to an anchor by the Island in seven fathoms. While our boat was at shore, and we had great store of penguins, there arose a sudden storm, so that our ship did drive over a breach, and our boat sank at the shore. Captain Cotton and the Lieutenant, being on shore, leaped in the boat and freed the same, and threw away all the birds, and with great difficulty recovered the ship : myself also was in the boat the same time, where for my life I laboured to the best of my power. The ship all this while driving upon the lee shore, when we came aboard, we helped to set sail, and weighed the anchor ; for before our coming they could scarce hoist up their yards, yet with much ado they set their fore-course. Thus in a mighty fret of weather the seven-and-twentieth day of October we were free of The Straits, and the thirtieth of October we came to Penguin Isle, 1 Chart. 190 JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR Jane being three leagues from Port Desire^ the place where we ^593 purposed to seek for our relief When we were come to this Isle, we sent our boat on shore, which returned laden with birds and eggs ; and our men said that the penguins were so thick upon the Isle, that ships might be laden with them, for they could not go without treading upon the birds, whereat we greatly re- joiced. Then the Captain appointed Charles Parker and Edward Smith, with twenty others, to go on shore, and to stay upon the Isle for the killing and drying of those penguins, and promised after the ship was in harbour to send the rest, not only for expedition, but also to save the small store of victuals in the ship. But Parker, Smith, and the rest of their faction suspected that this was a device of the Captain to leave his men on shore, that by these means there might be victuals for the rest to recover their country; and when they remembered that this was the place where they would have slain their Captain and Master, surely (thought they) for revenge hereof will they leave us on shore. Which, when our Captain understood, he used these speeches unto them : ' I understand that you are doubtful of your security through the perverseness of your own guilty consciences : it is an extreme grief unto me that you should judge me blood- thirsty, in whom you have seen nothing but kind conversa- tion : if you have found otherwise, speak boldly, and accuse me of the wrongs that I have done ; if not, why do you then measure me by your own uncharitable consciences ? All the company knoweth indeed that in this place you practised to the utmost of your powers to murther me and the Master, causeless, as God knoweth, which evil in this place we did remit you : and now I may conceive without doing you wrong, that you again purpose some evil in bringing these matters to repetition : but God hath so shortened your con- federacy, as that I nothing doubt you : it is for your master's sake that I have forborne you in your imchristian practices : JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR 191 and here I protest before God that for his sake alone I will Jane yet endure this injury, and you shall in no sort be prejudiced, ^593 or in anything be by me commanded ; but when we come into England (if God so favour us), your master shall know^ your honesties. In the mean space be void of these sus- picions, for, God I call to witness, revenge is no part of my thought.' They gave him thanks, desiring to go into the harbour with the ship, which he granted. So there were ten left upon the Isle, and the last of October we entered the harbour. Our Master at our last being here having taken careful notice of every creek in the river, in a very convenient place, upon sandy ooze, ran the ship on ground, laying our anchor to seaward, and with our running ropes moored her to stakes upon the shore, which he had fastened for that purpose; where the ship remained till our de- parture. The third of November our boat with water, wood, and as many as she could carry, went for the Isle of Penguin ; but being deep, she durst not proceed, but returned again the same night. Then Parker, Smith, Townsend, Purpet, with five others, desired that they might go by land, and that the boat might fetch them when they were against the Isle, it being scarce a mile from the shore. The Captain bade them do what they thought best, advising them to take weapons with them : * For,' said he, ' although we have not at any time seen people in this place, yet in the country there may be savages.' They answered that here were great store of deer and ostriches; but if they were savages, they would devour them. Notwithstanding, the Captain caused them to carry weapons, calivers, swords, and targets : so the sixth of November they departed by land, and the boat by sea ; but from that day to this day we never heard of our men. The eleventh, while most of our men were at the Isle, only the Captain and Master with six others being left in the ship, there came a great multitude of savages to the 192 JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR Jane ship, throwing dust in the air, leaping and running like '593 brute beasts, having vizards on their faces like dogs' faces, or else their faces are dogs' faces indeed. We greatly feared lest they would set our ship on fire, for they would suddenly make fire, whereat we much marvelled : they came to wind- ward of our ship, and set the bushes on fire, so that we were in a very stinking smoke : but as soon as they came within our shot, we shot at them, and striking one of them in the thigh, they all presently fled, so that we never heard nor saw more of them. Hereby we judged that these cannibals had slain our nine men. When we considered what they were that thus were slain, and found that they were the principal men that would have murdered our Captain and Master, with the rest of their friends, we saw the just judgment of God, and made supplication to His Divine Majesty to be merciful unto us. While we were in this harbour, our Captain and Master went with the boat, to discover how far this river did run, that if need should enforce us to leave our ship, we might know how far we might go by water. So they found that further than twenty miles they could not go with the boat. At their return they sent the boat to the Isle of Penguin ; whereby we understood that the penguins dried to our heart's content, and that the multitude of them was infinite. This penguin hath the shape of a bird, but hath no wings, only two stumps in the place of wings, by which he swimmeth under water with as great swiftness as any fish. They live upon smelts, whereof there is great abundance upon this coast : in eating they be neither fish nor flesh : they lay great eggs, and the bird is of a reasonable bigness, very near twice so big as a duck. All the time that we were in this place we fared passing well with eggs, penguins, young seals, young gulls, besides other birds, such as I know not : of all which we had great abundance. In this place we found an herb called scurvy grass, which we fried with eggs, using train oil instead of butter. This herb did so purge the blood JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR 193 that it took away all kind of swellings, of which many died, Jane and restored us to perfect health of body, so that we were in ^593 as good case as when we came first out of England. We stayed in this harbour until the twenty-second of December, in which time we had dried twenty thousand penguins ; and the Captain, the Master, and myself had made some salt by laying salt water upon the rocks in holes, which in six days would be kerned. 1 Thus God did feed us even as it were with manna from heaven. The twenty- second of December we departed with our ship for the Isle, where with great difficulty, by the skilful industry of our Master, we got fourteen thousand of our birds, and had almost lost our Captain in labouring to bring the birds aboard. And had not our Master been very expert in the set of those wicked tides, which run after many fashions, we had also lost our ship in the same place. But God of His goodness hath in all our extremities been our protector. So the twenty-second, at night, we departed with fourteen thousand dried penguins, not being able to fetch the rest, and shaped our course for Brazil. Now our Captain rated our victuals, and brought us to such allowance as that our victuals might last six months; for our hope was that within six months we might recover our country, though our sails were very bad. So the allowance was two ounces and a half of meal for a man a day, and to have so twice a week, so that five oimces did serve for a week. Three days a week we had oil, three spoonfuls for a man a day ; and two days in a week peason, a pint between four men a day ; and every day five penguins for four men, and six quarts of water for four men a day. This was our allowance; wherewith (we praise God) we lived, though weakly, and very feeble. The thirtieth of January we arrived at the Isle of Placencia, in Brazil, the first place that outward bound we were at ; and having made the shold,^ our ship lying off at sea, the Captain, 1 Hardened into lumps. * Shoal. VOL I. W 194 JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR Jane with twenty-four of the company, went with the boat on ^593 shore, being a whole night before they could recover it. The last of January at sun-rising they suddenly landed, hoping to take the Portugals in their houses, and by that means to recover some Casavi-meal, or other victuals for our relief. But when they came to the houses they were all razed and burnt to the ground, so that we thought no man had remained on the Island. Then the Captain went to the gardens, and brought from thence fruits and roots for the company, and came aboard the ship, and brought her into a fine creek which he had found out, where we might moor her by the trees, and where there was water, and hoops to trim our cask. Our case being veiy desperate, we presently laboured for dispatch away; some cut hoops, which the coopers made, others laboured upon the sails and ship, every man travailing for his life, and still a guard was kept on shore to defend those that laboured, every man having his weapon likewise by him. The third of February our men, with twenty-three shot, went again to the gardens, being three miles from us upon the North shore, and fetched Casavi roots out of the ground, to relieve our company instead of bread ; for we spent not of our meal while we stayed here. The fifth of February being Monday, our Captain and Master hasted the company to their labour ; so some went with the coopers to gather hoops, and the rest laboured aboard. This night many of our men in the ship dreamed of murther and slaughter. In the morning they reported their dreams, one saying to another ; * This night I dreamt that thou wert slain ' ; another answered, ' And I dreamed that thou wert slain ' : and this was general through the ship. The Captain hearing this, who likewise had dreamed very strangely him- self, gave very strict charge that those which went on shore should take weapons with them, and saw them himself delivered into the boat, and sent some of purpose to guard the labourers. All the forenoon they laboured in quietness, JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR 195 and when it was ten of the clock, the heat being extreme, Jane they came to a rock near the wood side (for all this country ^593 is nothing but thick woods), and there they boiled Casavi roots and dined. After dinner some slept, some washed themselves in the sea, all being stripped to their shirts, and no man keeping watch, no match lighted, not a piece charged. Suddenly, as they were thus sleeping and sport- ing, having gotten themselves into a corner out of sight of the ship, there came a multitude of Indians and Portugals upon them, and slew them sleeping. Only two escaped, one very sore hurt, the other not touched, by whom we under- stood of this miserable massacre. With all speed we manned our boat, and landed to succour our men ; but we found them slain, and laid naked on a rank, one by another, with their faces upward, and a cross set by them. And withal we saw two very great pinnaces come from the river of Jenero very full of men ; whom we mistrusted came from thence to take us ; because there came from Jenero soldiers to Santos when the General had taken the town, and was strong in it. Of seventy-six persons which departed in our ship out of England, we were now left but twenty-seven, having lost thirteen in this place, with their chief furniture, as muskets, calivers, powder, and shot. Our cask was all in decay, so that we could not take in more water than was in our ship, for want of cask, and that which we had was marvellous ill- conditioned. And being there moored by trees for want of cables and anchors, we still expected the cutting of our moorings, to be beaten from our decks with our own furniture, and to be assailed by them of Jenero : what distress we were now driven into I am not able to express. To depart with eight tons of water in such bad cask was to starve at sea, and in staying our case was ruinous. These were hard choices; but being thus perplexed, we made choice rather to fall into the hands of the Lord than into the hands of men : for His exceeding mercies we had tasted, and 196 JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR Jane of the others* cruelty we were not ignorant. So concluding 1593 to depart, the sixth of February we were off in the channel, with our ordnance and small shot in a readiness for any assault that should come, and having a small gale of wind, we recovered the sea in most deep distress. Then bemoan- ing our estate one to another, and recounting over all our extremities, nothing grieved us more than the loss of our men twice, first by the slaughter of the cannibals at Port Desire, and at this Isle of Placencia by the Indians and Portugals. And considering what they were that were lost, we found that all those that conspired the murthering of our Captain and Master were now slain by savages, the Gunner only excepted. Being thus at sea, when we came to Cape Frio the wind was contrary; so that three weeks we were grievously vexed with cross winds, and our water consuming, our hope of life was very small. Some desired to go to Baya, and to submit themselves to the Portugals, rather than to die for thirst : but the Captain with fair persuasions altered their purpose of yielding to the Portugals. In this distress it pleased God to send us rain in such plenty, as that we were well watered, and in good com- fort to return. But after we came near unto the sun our dried penguins began to corrupt, and there bred in them a most loathsome and ugly worm of an inch long. This worm did so mightily increase, and devour our victuals, that there was in reason no hope how we should avoid famine, but be devoured of these wicked creatures. There was nothing that they did not devour, only iron excepted : our clothes, boots, shoes, hats, shirts, stockings : and for the ship, they did so eat the timbers, as that we greatly feared they would undo us by gnawing through the ship's side. Great was the care and diligence of our Captain, Master, and company to consume these vermin; but the more we laboured to kill them, the more they increased ; so that at the last we could not sleep for them, but they would eat our JOHN DAVYS THE NAVIGATOR 197 flesh and bite like mosquitoes. In this woful case, after Jane we had passed the equinoctial toward the North, our men ^593 began to fall sick of such a monstrous disease as I think the like was never heard of: for in their ankles it began to swell ; from thence in two days it would be in their breasts, so that they could not draw their breath, and then .... so that they could neither stand, lie, nor go. Whereupon our men grew mad with grief. Our Captain, with extreme anguish of his soul, was in such woful case that he desired only a speedy end, and though he were scarce able to speak for sorrow, yet he persuaded them to patience, and to give God thanks, and like dutiful children to accept of His chastisement. For all this divers grew raging mad, and some died in most loathsome and furious pain. It were incredible to write our misery as it was : there was no man in perfect health but the Captain and one boy. The Master, being a man of good spirit, with extreme labour bore out his grief, so that it grew not upon him. To be short, all our men died except sixteen, of which there were but five able to move. The Captain was in good health, the Master indifferent. Captain Cotton and myself swollen and short winded, yet better than the rest that were sick, and one boy in health : upon us five only the labour of the ship did stand. The Captain and Master, as occasion served, would take in and heave out the topsails, the Master only attended on the spritsail, and all of us at the capstan without sheets and tacks. In fine our misery and weakness was so great that we could not take in nor heave out a sail : so our topsail and spritsails were torn all in pieces by the weather. The Master and Captain taking their turns at the helm, were mightily distressed and monstrously grieved with the most woful lamentation of our sick men. Thus, as lost wanderers upon the sea, the eleventh of June 1593, it pleased God that we arrived at Bearhaven in Ire- land, and there ran the ship on shore ; where the Irishmen 198 THE DIVINE ARETINE Jane helped us to take in our sails and to moor our ship for ^ 593 floating : which slender pains of theirs cost the Captain some ten pounds before he could have the ship in safety. Thus without victuals, sails, men, or any furniture, God only guided us into Ireland, where the Captain left the Master and three or four of the company to keep the ship ; and within five days after he and certain others had passage in an English fisher-boat to Padstow in Cornwall. In this manner our small remnant by God's only mercy were pre- served and restored to our country, to whom be all honour and glory, world without end. Hakluyt : Navigations. THE DIVINE ARETINE Nash T3 EFORE I go any further, let me speak a word or two 1594 13 of this Aretine. It was one of the wittiest knaves that ever God made. If out of so base a thing as ink there may be extracted a spirit, he writ with nought but the spirit of ink, and his style was the spirituality of art's, and nothing else, whereas all others of his age were but the lay tempor- ality of inkhorn terms. For indeed they were mere tempor- isers, and no better. His pen was sharp pointed like [a] poniard. No leaf he wrote on but was like a burning glass to set on fire all his readers. With more than musket shot did he charge his quill, where he meant to inveigh. No one hour but he sent a whole legion of devils into some herd of swine or other. If Martiall had ten Muses (as he saith of himself) when he but tasted a cup of wine, he had ten score when he determined to tyrannise. Ne'er a line of his but was able to make a man drunken with admiration. His sight pierced like lightning into the entrails of all abuses. This I must needs say, that most of his learning he got by hearing the lectures at Florence. It is sufficient that DISCOVERING GUIANA 199 learning he had, and a conceit exceeding all learning, to Nash quintessence everything which he heard. He was no timor- ^594 ous servile flatterer of the commonwealth wherein he lived. His tongue and his invention were foreborne, what they thought they would confidently utter. Princes he spared not, that in the least point transgressed. His life he con- temned in comparison of the liberty of speech. Thomas Nash. DISCOVERING GUIANA AFTER we departed from the port of these Ciawani, we Raleigh passed up the river with the flood, and anchored the ^59^ ebb, and in this sort we went onward. The third day that we entered the river our galley came on ground, and stuck so fast as we thought that even there our discovery had ended, and that we must have left sixty of our men to have inhabited like rooks upon trees with those nations : but the next morning, after we had cast out all her ballast, with tugging and hauling to and fro, we got her afloat, and went on. At four days' end we fell into as goodly a river as ever I beheld, which was called the great Amana, which ran more directly without windings and turnings than the other. But soon after the flood of the sea left us, and we enforced either by main strength to row against a violent current, or to return as wise as we went out ; we had then no shift but to persuade the com- panies that it was but two or three days' work, and therefore desired them to take pains, every gentleman and others taking their turns to row, and to spell one the other at the hour's end. Every day we passed by goodly branches of rivers, some falling from the West, others from the East into Amana, but those I leave to the description in the chart of discovery, where every one shall be named, with 200 DISCOVERING GUIANA Raleigh his rising and descent. When three days more were over- ^590 gone, our companies began to despair, the weather being extremely hot, the river bordered with very high trees that kept away the air, and the current against us every day stronger than other. But we evermore commanded our pilots to promise an end the next day, and used it so long as we were driven to assure them from four reaches of the river to three, and so to two, and so to the next reach; but so long we laboured as many days were spent, and so driven to draw ourselves to harder allowance, our bread even at the last, and no drink at all ; and our men and ourselves so wearied and scorched, and doubtful withal whether we should ever perform it or no, the heat increasing as we drew towards the Line : for we were now in five degrees. The farther we went on (our victual decreasing and the air breeding great faintness) we grew weaker and weaker when we had most need of strength and ability, for hourly the river ran more violently than other against us, and the barge, wherries, and ship's boat of Captain GifFord and Captain Calfield had spent all their provisions, so as we were brought into despair and discomfort, had we not persuaded all the company that it was but only one day's work more to attain the land, where we should be relieved of all we wanted, and if we returned that we were sure to starve by the way, and that the world would also laugh us to scorn. On the banks of these rivers were divers sorts of fruits good to eat, flowers and trees of that variety as were sufficient to make ten volumes of herbals; we relieved ourselves many times with the fruits of the country, and sometimes with, fowl and fish : we saw birds of all colours, some carnation, some crimson, orange-tawny, purple, green, watchet, and of all other sorts both simple and mixed, as it was unto us a great good passing of the time to behold them, besides the relief we foimd by killing some store of them with our fowling-pieces, without which, having little or no DISCOVERING GUIANA 201 bread and less drink, but only the thick and troubled water Raleigh of the river, we had been in a very hard case. ^596 Our old pilot of the Ciawani (whom, as I said before, we took to redeem Ferdinando) told us, that if we would enter a branch of a river on the right hand with our barge and wherries, and leave the galley at anchor the while in the great river, he would bring us to a town of the Arwacas where we should find store of bread, hens, fish, and of the country wine, and persuaded us that departing from the galley at noon, we might return ere night. I was veiy glad to hear this speech, and presently took my barge, with eight musketeers, Captain Gifford's wherry with himself and four musketeers, and Captain Calfield with his wherry and as many, and so we entered the mouth of this river, and because we were persuaded that it was so near, we took no victual with us at all. When we had rowed three hours we marvelled we saw no sign of any dwelling, and asked the pilot where the town was ; he told us a little farther : after three hours more, the sun being almost set, we began to suspect that he led us that way to betray us, for he confessed that those Spaniards which fled from Trinidad, and also those that remained with Carapana in Emeria, were joined together in some village upon that river. But when it grew towards night, and we demanding where the place was, he told us but four reaches more ; when we had rowed four and four, we saw no sign, and our poor watermen, even heartbroken and tired, were ready to give up the ghost ; for we had now come from the galley near forty miles. At the last we determined to hang the pilot, and if we had well known the way back again by night, he had surely gone, but our own necessities pleaded sufficiently for his safety ; for it was as dark as pitch, and the river began so to narrow itself, and the trees to hang over from side to side, as we were driven with arming swords to cut a passage through those branches that covered the water. We were 202 DISCOVERING GUIANA Raleigh very desirous to find this town, hoping of a feast, because ^590 we made but a short breakfast aboard the galley in the morning, and it was now eight o'clock at night,^ and our stomachs began to gnaw apace ; but whether it was best to return or go on, we began to doubt, suspecting treason in the pilot more and more: but the poor old Indian ever assured us that it was but a little farther, and but this one turning, and that turning, and at last about one o'clock after midnight we saw a light, and rowing towards it, we heard the dogs of the village. When we landed we found few people for the lord of that place was gone with divers canoas about 400 miles off, upon a journey towards the head of Orenoque to trade for gold, and to buy women of the cannibals, who afterwards unfortunately passed by us as we rode at an anchor in the port of Morequito in the dark of night, and yet came so near us, as his canoas grated against our barges : and [he] left one of his company at the port of Morequito, by whom we understood that he had brought thirty young women, divers plates of gold, and had great store of fine pieces of cotton cloth and cotten beds. In his house we had good store of bread, fish, hens, and Indian drink, and so rested that night ; and in the morning, after we had traded with such of his people as came down, we returned towards our galley, and brought with us some quantity of bread, fish, and hens. On both sides of this river we passed the most beautiful country that ever mine eyes beheld ; and whereas all that we had seen before was nothing but woods, prickles, bushes, and thorns, here we beheld plains of twenty miles in length, the grass short and green, and in divers parts groves of trees by themselves, as if they had been by all the art and labour in the world so made of purpose : and still as we rowed, the deer came down feeding by the water-side, as if they had been used to a keeper's call. Upon this river there were great store of fowl, and of many sorts : we saw in it divers DISCOVERING GUIANA 203 sorts of strange fishes, and of marvellous bigness ; but for Raleigh lagartos ^ it exceeded, for there were thousands of those ugly ^59° serpents, and the people call it, for the abundance of them, the River of Lagartos in their language. I had a negro, a very proper young fellow, who leaping out of the galley to swim in the mouth of this river, was in all our sights taken and devoured by one of those lagartos. In the meanwhile our companies in the galley thought we had been all lost (for we promised to return before night), and sent the Lion's Whelp's ship-boat with Captain Whiddon to follow us up the river ; but the next day after we had rowed up and down some fourscore miles, we returned, and went on our way up the great river: and when we were even at the last cast for want of victuals. Captain GifFord being before the galley and the rest of the boats, seeking out some place to land upon the banks to make fire, espied four canoas coming down the river, and with no small joy caused his men to try the uttermost of their strength, and after a while two of the four gave over, and ran themselves ashore, every man betaking himself to the fastness of the woods ; the two other lesser got away, while he landed to lay hold of these, and so turned into some by-creek we knew not whither : those canoas that were taken were loaden with bread, and were bound for Marguerita in the West Indies, which those Indians (called Arwacas) proposed to carry thither for ex- change. But in the lesser there were three Spaniards, who having heard of the defeat of their Governor in Trinidado, and that we purposed to enter Guiana, came away in those canoas : one of them was a Cavallero, as the Captain of the Arwacas after told us, another a Soldier, and the third a Refiner. Sir Walter Raleigk 1 Alligators. 204 THE MEN IN BUCKRAM THE MEN IN BUCKRAM Shake- PoiNs. Welcome, Jack : where hast thou been ? ^?^q8^ Falstaff. a plague of all cowards, I say, and a vengeance too ! marry, and amen ! Give me a cup of sack, boy. Ere I lead this life long, I '11 sew nether socks and mend them and foot them too. A plague of all cowards ! Give me a cup of sack, rogue. Is there no virtue extant } [He diinks. Prince. Didst thou never see Titan kiss a dish of butter? pitiful-hearted Titan, that melted at the sweet tale of the sun's ! if thou didst, then behold that compound. Fal. You rogue, here 's lime in this sack too : there is nothing but roguery to be found in villainous man : yet a coward is worse than a cup of sack with lime in it. A vil- lainous coward ! Go thy ways, old Jack ; die when thou wilt, if manhood, good manhood, be not forgot upon the face of the earth, then am I a shotten herring. There live not three good men unhanged in England ; and one of them is fat, and grows old : God help the while ! a bad world, I say. I would I were a weaver; I could sing psalms or anything. A plague of all cowards, I say still. Prince. How now, wool-sack ! what mutter you ? Fal. a king's son ! If I do not beat thee out of thy king- dom with a dagger of lath, and drive all thy subjects afore thee like a flock of wild geese, I '11 never wear hair on my face more. You Prince of Wales ! Prince. Why, you whoreson round man, what's the matter ? Fal. Are not you a coward } answer me to that : and Poins there ? PoiNs. 'Zounds, ye fat paunch, an ye call me coward, by the Lord, I '11 stab thee. Fal. I call thee coward ! I '11 see thee damned ere I call thee coward : but I would give a thousand pound I could THE MEN IN BUCKRAM 205 run as fast as thou canst. You are straight enough in the Shake- shoulders, you care not who sees your back ; call you that ^P^^^® backing of your friends ? A plague upon such backing ! give me them that will face me. Give me a cup of sack : I am a rogue, if I drunk to-day. Prince. O villain ! thy lips are scarce wiped since thou drunkest last. Fal. All's one for that. [He drinks.] A plague of all cowards, still say I. Prince. What's the matter ? Fal. What's the matter! there be four of us here have ta'en a thousand pound this day morning. Prince. Where is it. Jack ? where is it } Fal. Where is it ! taken from us it is : a hundred upon poor four of us. Prince. What, a hundred, man ? Fal. I am a rogue, if I were not at half-sword with a dozen of them two hours together. I have 'scaped by miracle. I am eight times thrust through the doublet, four through the hose; my buckler cut through and through; my sword hacked like a hand-saw — ecce signum I I never dealt better since I was a man : all would not do. A plague of all cowards ! Let them speak : if they speak more or less than truth, they are villains and the sons of darkness. Prince. Speak, sirs ; how was it } Gadshill. We four set upon some dozen Fal. Sixteen at least, my lord. Gads. And bound them. Peto. No, no, they were not bound. Fal. You rogue, they were bound, every man of them ; or I am a Jew else, an Ebrew Jew. Gads. As we were sharing, some six or seven fresh men set upon us Fal. And unbound the rest, and then come in the other. Prince. What, fought you with them all ? 206 THE MEN IN BUCKRAM Shake- Fal. All ! I know not what you call all : but if I fought speare not with fifty of them, I am a bunch of radish : if there were ^ ^^ not two or three and fifty upon poor old Jack, then am I no two-legged creature. Prince. Pray God you have not murdered some of them. Fal. Nay, that s past praying for : I have peppered two of them ; two I am sure I have paid, two rogues in buckram suits. I tell thee what, Hal, if I tell thee a lie, spit in my face, call me horse. Thou knowest my old ward; here I lay, and thus I bore my point. Four rogues in buckram let drive at me Prince. What, four ? thou saidst but two even now. Fal. Four, Hal : I told thee four. PoiNS. Ay, ay, he said four. Fal. These four came all a-front, and mainly thrust at me. I made me no more ado but took all their seven points in my target, thus. Prince. Seven } why, there were but four even now. Fal. In buckram ? PoiNS. Ay, four, in buckram suits. Fal. Seven, by these hilts, or I am a villain else. Prince. Prithee, let him alone ; we shall have more anon. Fal. Dost thou hear me, Hal ? Prince. Ay, and mark thee too. Jack. Fal. Do so, for it is worth the listening to. These nine in buckram that I told thee of Prince. So, two more already. Fal. Their points being broken PoiNS. Down fell their hose. Fal. Began to give me ground : but I followed me close, came in foot and hand; and with a thought seven of the eleven I paid. Prince. O monstrous ! eleven buckram men grown out of two ! Fal. But, as the devil would have it, three misbegotten THE MEN IN BUCKRAM 207 knaves in Kendal green came at my back and let drive at Shake- me ; for it was so dark, Hal, that thou couldst not see thy speare hand. 1598 Prince. These lies are like thy father that begets them ; gross as a mountain, open, palpable. Why, thou clay-brained guts, thou knotty-pated fool, thou whoreson, obscene, greasy tal 1 ow-catch Fal. What, art thou mad ? art thou mad ? is not the truth the truth ? Prince. Why, how couldst thou know these men in Kendal green, when it was so dark thou couldst not see thy hand ? come, tell us your reason : what sayest tkou to this ? PoiNs. Come, your reason. Jack, your reason. Fal. What, upon compulsion ? 'Zounds, an I were at the strappado, or all the racks in the world, I would not tell you on compulsion. Give you a reason on compulsion ! if reasons were as plentiful as blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion, I. Prince. I '11 be no longer guilty of this sin ; this sanguine coward, this bed-presser, this horseback breaker, this huge hill of flesh, Fal. 'Sblood, you starveling, you elf-skin, you dried neat's tongue, you bull's pizzle, you stock-fish ! O for breath to utter what is like thee ! you tailor's-yard, you sheath, you bow-case, you vile standing-tuck, Prince. Well, breathe awhile, and then to it again : and when thou hast tired thyself in base comparisons, hear me speak but this. PoiNs. Mark, Jack. Prince. We two saw you four set on four and bound them, and were masters of their wealth. Mark now, how a plain tale shall put you down. Then did we two set on you four ; and, with a word, out-faced you from your prize, and have it ; yea, and can show it you here in the house : and, FalstafF, you carried your guts away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity. 208 A PLOT AGAINST THE THRONE Shake- and roared for mercy and still run and roared, as ever I heard speare bull-calf. What a slave art thou, to hack thy sword as thou hast done, and then say it was in fight ! What trick, what device, what starting-hole, canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame ? PoiNS. Come, let 's hear. Jack ; what trick hast thou now ? Fal. By the Lord, I knew ye as well as he that made ye. Why, hear you, my masters : was it for me to kill the heir apparent? should I turn upon the true prince? why, thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules : but beware instinct ; the lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter ; I was now a coward on instinct. I shall think the better of myself and thee during my life; I for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince. But, by the Lord, lads, I am glad you have the money. Hostess, clap to the doors : watch to-night, pray to-morrow. Gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold, all the titles of good fellowship come to you ! What, shall we be merry ? shall we have a play extempore ? Prince. Content ; and the argument shall be thy running away. Fal. Ah, no more of that, Hal, an thou lovest me ! William Shakespeare. A PLOT AGAINST THE THRONE Hayward O O, partly upon love to King Richard, and partly upon fear ^ 599 ^^ lest King Henry would be as ready to invade as he was to inveigh against the riches of religious houses : this Abbot [of Westminster] was the first man that blew the coals, and put fuel to the fire of this confederacy. And first he observed afar off, then he searched more nearly and narrowly (and yet warely too) how the minds of certain Noblemen were affected, or, rather, infected against King Henry; tempering his speeches in such sort, that, if matters sorted to his mind, he might A PLOT AGAINST THE THRONE 209 take them upon him ; if his courses were crossed, he might Hayward clearly decline them. At last, he invited to his house, upon ^ 599 a day in Michaelmas term, those whom he had found to be most sound for his purpose : the chief of whom were such as in the Parliament before had in some sort been touched in reputation, although by pardon and reconcilement the harm did seem to be closed up. Their names were John Holland, Duke of Exeter, of whom mention hath been made before ; Thomas Holland, his brother's son, Duke of Surrey; Edward, Duke of Aumerle ; John Montacute, Earl of Salisbuiy ; Hugh Spencer, Earl of Gloucester; John, Bishop of Carlisle ; Sir Thomas Blunt, and Magdalen, one of King Richard's chapel, who, in all points, both of feature and favour, so nearly resembled King Richard, that the Lords dissembled afterwards that he was King Richard indeed. These and some others were highly feasted by the Abbot ; and after dinner they withdrew themselves into a secret chamber to counsel. Here the Duke of Exeter, who was most hotly bent either to restore or to revenge the cause of his deposed brother, declared unto the rest the allegiance that they had sworn unto King Richard ; the honours and preferments whereunto they were by him advanced ; that, therefore, they were bound, both in conscience by the one, and in kindness by the other, to take his part against all men ; that King Henry, contrary to both, had dispoiled him of his royal dignity, and unjustly possessed himself thereof, whilst they stood looking on, and showed neither the obedience of subjects nor love of friends, as though they were men who knew to do anything better than to defend, and, if need were, to die for their lawful Prince and loving Patron ; that King Henry, by violent invading or fraudulent insinuating himself into the kingdom of his natural and liege Prince, was but a tyrant and usurper, and such a one as it was lawful for any man by any means to throw down, without respect whether he were a good man or evil, for it VOL. I. O 210 A PLOT AGAINST THE THRONE Hayward is lawful for no man, upon pretence and show of goodness, to ^599 draw sovereignty unto himself; that the laws and examples of best governed commonwealths did not only permit this action, but highly honoured it with statues and garlands, and titles of nobility, and also rewarded it with all the wealth of the suppressed tyrant ; that this enterprise would be very profitable, and almost necessary to the common- wealth, by extinguishing those wars which the Scots menaced, the Frenchmen prepared, and the Welshmen had already begun upon this occasion and quarrel ; that he did not distrust but it might be accomplished by open arms, but he thought it more sure for them, and for the commonwealth more safe, to put first in proof some secret policy ; and to that purpose he devised, that a solemn joust should be challenged, to be kept at Oxford in Christmas holidays, between him and twenty on his part, and the Earl of Salis- bury and twenty on his part, to which King Henry should be invited, and when he was most intentive in regarding their military disport, he should suddenly be surprised by men which without suspicion might at that time be assembled, both for number and preparation sufficient for the exploit, and thereby King Richard presently be restored, both to his liberty, and to his estate. This device was no sooner uttered, then allowed and ap- plauded of the rest of the confederates : and so resolving upon the enterprise, they took an oath upon the Evangelists, the one to be true and secret to the other, even to the hour and point of death ; the Lords also made an indenture sexti- partite, wherein they bound themselves to do their best assay, for the death of one King and deliverance of the other ; this they sealed and subscribed, and delivered to every Lord a counterpane of the same : and, further, they concluded what forces should be gathered, by whom, how they should be ordered and placed, and to whose trust the execution should be committed. A PLOT AGAINST THE THRONE 211 When all things were thus contrived, and their hungry, Hayward ambitious minds were well-filled with the vain winds of hope ^599 and desire, the Duke of Exeter came to the king at Windsor, and desired him, for the love that he bare to the noble feats of Chivalry, that he would vouchsafe to honour with his presence the martial exercise, that was appointed between him and the Earl of Salisbury, and to be the Judge of their performances if any controversy should arise. The King supposing that to be intended in deed which was pretended in show, easily yielded to his request. The Duke, supposing his purpose now half performed, departed to his house, and so did the other confederates, where they busily bestirred themselves, in raising men, and preparing horse and armour for the accomplishment of this act. W^hen the Duchess of Exeter, King Henry's sister, per- ceived the drift of the device, and saw that the Duke was upon his journey : alas ! good lady, how was she distracted in mind, with a sharp conflict of her conceits ! One way she was moved with nature towards her brother; another way she was more strongly stirred, with love towards her Lord and husband ; and both ways she was divided in duty. ' And what ' (said she) ' is this love then against nature ? or above it ? shall I be undutiful to my Prince } or is no duty comparable to the duty of a wife.'' heigh ho: in what perplexities (wretched woman) am I plunged, to see my two dearest friends in this case of extremity, that (it is doubtful which) but certainly one must be ruined by the other ! ' Herewith, such a shower of tears streamed down her cheeks, that it drowned her speech, and stopped the passage of further complaint : which, when the Duke espied, he stepped unto her, and seizing softly upon her hand, used these words : ' What, Bess ? is it kindness to me or kindred to your brother that thus hath set your eyes on float ? Content yourself, woman, for whatsoever the event shall be, it cannot be evil to you, nor worse to me than now it is. For if my purpose prevail, 212 A PLOT AGAINST THE THRONE Hayward and my brother be restored again to his crown, both of us ^599 shall be sure never to decline; if it be prevented, and your brother continue still in his estate, no harm shall be done unto you, and I shall be then sure of that destruction which I do now continually dread ; the fear whereof in expecting, is a greater torment than the pain in suffering.' When he had thus said, he kissed her, and so leaving her to the torture of a thousand thorny thoughts, he took his journey towards Oxford, with a great company, both of Archers and Horsemen. There he found all the rest of his complices, well armed and banded, except only the Duke of Aumerle. The King also hearing that both the Challengers and Defendants were in a readiness, determined the day following to ride to Oxford, according to his promise and appointment. Now, the confederates much marvelled at the stay of the Duke of Aumerle ; some only blamed his slackness, others began to suspect it ; every man conjectured as he was di- versly affected between confidence and fear : and in this confusion of opinions, they sent unto him in post, to know the certain truth. Before the messenger came to the Duke, he was departed from Westminster towards Oxford, not the direct way, but went first to see his Father the Duke of York, and carried with him his counterpane of the indenture of confederacy. As they sat at dinner, the Father espied it in his bosom, and demanded what it was ? The Son humbly craved pardon, and said that it nothing touched him. ' By St. George ' (quoth the Father) ^ but I will see it,' and so whether upon a precedent jealousy, or some present cause of suspi- cion, he took it away from him by force. When he perceived the contents, he suddenly arose from the table, and with great fierceness both of countenance and speech, uttered to his Son these words : ' I see, traitor, that idleness hath made thee so wanton and mutinous, that thou playest with thy faith as children do with sticks ; thou hast been once already faithless to King A PLOT AGAINST THE THRONE 213 Richard, and now again art false to King Henry, so that, like Hayward the fish Sepia, thou troublest all the waters wherein thou livest. ^ 599 Thou knowest that in open Parliament I became surety and pledge for thy allegiance, both in body and goods : and can neither thy duty nor my desert restrain thee from seeking my destruction ? In faith, but I will rather help forward thine.' With that he commanded his horses to be made ready, and presently took his journey towards Windsor, where the King then lay. The Duke of Aumerle had no time either to consult with his friends, or to consider with himself what was best to be done : but taking advice upon the sudden, he mounted like- wise on horseback, and posted towards Windsor another way. It was no need to force him forward ; his youthful blood, and his sudden danger, were instead of two wings, to keep his horse in Pegasus pace : so that he came to Windsor, and was alighted at the castle, before his stiff aged Father could come near. Then he entered the gates, and caused them to be surely locked, and took the keys into his own hands, pre- tending some secret cause for which he would deliver them unto the King. When he came in presence, he kneeled down and humbly craved of the King mercy and forgiveness. The King demanded, for what offence ? Then with a con- fused voice, and sad countenance, casting down his eyes as altogether abashed, partly with fear of his danger, and partly with shame of his discredit, he declared unto the King all the manner of the conspiracy. The King seemed neither rashly to believe, nor negligently to distrust the Duke's report ; neither stood it with policy to entertain the discovery with any hard and violent usage : therefore with gracious speeches he comforted the Duke, and ' If this be true,' said he, 'we pardon you : if it be feigned, at your extreme peril be it.' By this time the Duke of York was rapping at the Castle gates, and being admitted to the King's presence, he de- livered to him the indenture of confederacy, which he had 214 A PLOT AGAINST THE THRONE Hayward taken from his son. When the King had read it, and was ^599 thereby persuaded of the truth of the matter, he was not a Httle disquieted in mind, complaining of the inconstant dis- position of those men, whom neither cruelty (he said) could make firm to King Richard, nor clemency to him ; but upon dislike of every present government, they were desirous of any change. So being possessed with deeper thoughts than to gaze upon games, he laid his journey aside, and deter- mined to attend at Windsor what course his enemies would take, and which way they would set forward : knowing right well that in civil tumults, an advised patience, and oppor- tunity well taken, are the only weapons of advantage ; and that it is a special point of wisdom to make benefit of the enemy's folly. In the meantime he directed his letters to the Earl of Northumberland his High Constable, and to the Earl of Cumberland his High Marshal, and to others his most assured friends, concerning these sudden and unex- pected accidents. The confederates all this time hearing nothing of the Duke of Aumerle, and seeing no preparation for the King's coming, were out of doubt that their treason was betrayed. And now, considering that once before they had been par- doned, the guilt of this their rebellion excluded them from all hope of further mercy : whereupon they became desper- ate, and so resolved to prosecute that by open arms wherein their privy practices had failed. And first they apparelled Magdalen (a man very like to King Richard both in stature and countenance, and of years not disagreeable) in princely attire ; and gave forth that he was King Richard, and that either by favour or negligence of his keepers, he was escaped out of prison, and desired the faith and aid of his loving subjects. Then they determined to dispatch messengers to Charles, King of France, to desire his help and assistance on the behalf of his son-in-law, if need should require. The common people, which commonly are soon changeable. A PLOT AGAINST THE THRONE 215 and on the sudden as prone to pity as they were before Hayward excessively cruel, most earnestly wished the enlargement of ^599 King Richard, and earnestly wishing, did easily believe it ; in which imaginary conceit, being otherwise men of no deep search, the presence of Magdalen most strongly confirmed them. And so, either upon ignorance of truth, or delight in trouble, they joined themselves in great troops to the Lords, desiring nothing more than to be the means whereby King Richard should be restored, as in a manner resuming their first affections and humours towards him. Then the Lords of this association, with great force, but with greater fame, as the manner is of matters unknown, advanced forward in battle array towards Windsor, against King Henry, as against an enemy of the common state ; having in their company above forty thousand armed men. The King, upon intelligence of their approach, secretly, with a few horse, the next Sunday night after New Year's day, departed from Windsor to the Tower of London, and the same night, before it was day, the confederates came to the Castle of Windsor; where, missing their expected prey, they stood doubtful and divided in opinions which way to bend their course. Some advised them with all speed to follow the King to London, and not to leave him any leave and liberty to unite an army against them ; that winter was no let but in idle and peaceable times ; that in civil dissen- sions nothing is more safe than speed, and greater advantage always groweth by dispatching than deferring ; that whilst some were in fear, some in doubt, and some ignorant, the City, yea, the realm, might easily be possessed; and that many armies, whose fury at the first rush could not be resisted, by delays did wear out and waste to nothing. Others, who would seem to be considerate and wise, but in very deed were no better than dastards, persuaded rather to set King Richard first at liberty; for if their counterfeiting should be discovered before they possessed themselves of 216 THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS Hayward his person, the people undoubtedly would fall from them, to ^599 the certain confusion of them all. Hereupon they gave over the pursuit, and retired to Colebrook, and there delayed out the time of doing in deliberating, being neither courage- ously quick, nor considerately staid, but faintly and fear- fully shrinking back ; and when they once began to relent, they decreased every day more and more both in power and in hope. King Henry, the next morning after he was come to the Tower, sent to the Mayor of the City to put soldiers in arms for his assistance, who presently presented unto him three thousand archers, and three thousand bill men, besides those that were appointed for defence of the City. The King spent upon him many good speeches, and liberally loaded him with promises and thanks ; and soon after he issued out of London with twenty thousand tall men, and came to Hounslow Heath, abiding there, and, as it were, daring his enemies to join issue in the field: contemning their disorderly multitude as a vain terror of names without forces. But the confederates, either for fear of the King's power or for distrust of their own, or else lingering, perhaps, after some succour out of France, refused the encounter ; and doubtful it is whether they showed greater courage in setting up the danger, or cowardice in declining it when it was presented unto them. Sir John Hayward. Hollandf 1600 THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS ANNIBALL being departed from Druentia, marched for the most through the champion countries, and came in peace and quietly to the foot of the Alps, for any trouble from the peasants that there inhabited. And albeit he had some knowledge of the Alps before by report (which useth to make things that are uncertain much more than r/ THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS 217 in deed and truth they are), yet seeing now near at hand the Holland height of those hills, and the snows, entenningled along ^"°*^ with the sky ; the rude and misshapen houses set upon rocks ; the cattle, sheep, oxen, and horses, singed with cold ; the people with long shagged hair, and without any trimming, both living and lifeless creatures, even parched stiff and stark with frost; and all things else more strange and ill- favoured than can be spoken : then began his soldiers to fear afresh. So soon as they advanced forward, and began to march up the first cliffs, there appeared over their heads the mountain people, who had seized the hills : who, if they had kept the secret and hidden valleys, and suddenly all at once charged upon them, they would have made a foul slaughter of them, and put them to flight. Then Anniball commandeth the ensigns to stand still, and sent certain Gauls afore, as espials ; by whom he understood that there was no passage that way : whereupon he pitched his camp amongst those craggy and steep rough places upon as large a plain and valley as he could find. Then by the same Gauls (who much differed not in tongue and manners from the other, and had entermingled themselves in talk with mountaineers) he understood that they kept the passage but in the day- time, and slipt away in the night, every one to his own harbour. So at the break of day he mounted those steep hills, as if he would openly in the daytime march through the straits. Thus having spent the day in making sem- blance and shew of one thing, and intending another, he encamped himself strongly where he had rested and stayed : and so soon as he perceived that the mountain people were departed from the steep hills and kept not so strait watch and ward ; after that he had made shew of fires, more than for the number of those that remained behind ; and left with the Cavalry all the bag and baggage, with the greatest part of the footmen : himself in person took unto 218 THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS Holland him the nimblest, most active, and valiant soldiers lightly ap- 1600 pointed, and with all speed passed through the straits afore- said, and encamped on the very hills which the enemies before held and beset. Then in the morning betime his camp dislodged : and the army behind began to march and set forward. By which time the mountaineers, at the ordinary signal given, came forth out of their castles and forts, and met at the usual place of their accustomed guards ; but then all at once they might see some of the enemies over their heads, to have gained their own fortress, and others also marching in the way. Both which objects at one time pre- sented to their eye, made them blank and to stand still in a muse a good while. But afterwards, when they saw Anniball his army distressed in the straits, and in great trouble and disorder among themselves in the march, by reason especially the horses were so affrighted, supposing that the least fear and terror (besides) that they could pro- cure would be enough for their enemies' overthrow and confusion, they crossed the rocks overthwart, and (as they were accustomed and used to them) ran to and fro, up and down through the blind and unhaunted byways. But then, verily, the Carthaginians were much encumbered, as well by their enemies as also by the disadvantage of the place, and more ado there was among them (whiles every one strived avie Who should first escape the danger) than with the enemy, v There was nothing that disordered and troubled the army in the march so much as their own horses, which (by reason of the dissonant and divers cries, that the echoes between the woods and valleys redoubled; were affrighted ; and also if any of them chanced to Ix stricken, galled, or wounded, they kept such wincing and flinging about them, that they overthrew and made great havoc of men, and of all sorts of carriage. Besides, the press was so great, and the straits of both sides so steep and craggy, that many a man was thrown down headlong THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS 219 a mighty height : yea, and some of them armed : and the Holland sumpter horses and beasts for carriage, especially, tumbled ^^°° down amain with their load, as if a house or castle had come down with a mischief. Which, although it were terrible to behold, yet Anniball for a while stood still, and kept his own men together, for fear of increasing this disorder and affright. But after that he saw his army dis- banded and marching in disarray, and that it was to no purpose to lead his army safe through the straits, if he lost the carriages : for fear hereof he ran down from the higher ground, and albeit, with the violence of his charge, he discomforted the enemy, yet he increased the trouble and fear of his own people. But that was soon appeased in a very moment, after the ways and passages were once cleared, by reason of the mountaineers that were fled ; so that within a while the whole host passed through, not only at ease and leisure, but also in a manner without any noise at all. This done, he seized upon a castle, which was the chief strength of that country, with other villages lying about it; and for three days' space he victualled and maintained his whole army with the cattle of his prisoners. And for that he was now neither molested with the mountaineers, who were at the first discomfited, nor greatly encumbered with the difficulties of the ways, in those three days he rid a good deal of ground, and journeyed a great way into the country ; until at the length he came to another coast well peopled (for such mountain and hilly quarters) where he had like to have been overtaken, not by open force, but even in his own professed cunning : first, by a subtle prac- tice, and after by a secret ambush. Certain ancient men, the rulers and governors of the castles, repaired unto Anniball as Orators, saying, that they having been taught and made wise by the profitable example of other men's harms, made choice rather to try the amity 220 THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS Holland than prove the force of the Carthaginians; and therefore 1 600 were willing to do his commandment, and be at his devotion : requesting him to take at their hand victuals and guides for their journey, yea, and hostages also for better assurance of promises to be performed. Anniball neither overhastily and rashly believing them, nor yet churlishly distrusting and refusing their offer, lest being rejected and cast off, they might become open and professed enemies, gave them good language, and a courteous answer, received the hostages whom they gave, accepted victuals which they had brought with them to maintain his army by the way, and followed their guides, but so, as his army was not disarrayed in their march, as if he had been amongst his friends, and in a peaceable country. First went in the vauntguard the elephants and the horse- men; himself marched after with the flower and strength of his footmen, looking all about him with an heedful eye. So soon as he was entered a narrow passage, which of the one side lay under a steep hill that commanded them aloft, the barbarous people rose out of their ambush from all parts at once, both before and behind, and charged upon him both afar off and near at hand; yea and rolled down mighty huge stones upon them as they marched. But the greatest number came behind upon their backs : against whom he turned and made head with the power of his footmen, and without all peradventure (if the tail both of his army had not been strong and well fortified) they must need have received in that lane and straits an exceeding great overthrow. And even then, as it was, they came to an extremity of danger, and in manner fell into a present mischief. For whiles Anniball made long stay, and doubted whether he should engage the regiment of footmen within the straits, for that he had not left any succours in the rear-guard to back the footmen, like as himself was a defence to the horsemen ; the mountaineers came overthwart and flanked them ; and breaking through THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS 221 the files of the battle, beset the way, and crossed upon him. Plolland So that Anniball took up his lodging for one night, without ^^°° his carriages and horsemen. The morrow after, whenas the barbarous people ran between them more coldly than before, he joined his forces together, and passed the strait, not without great damage and loss ; but with more hurt of the sumpter horses than of men. After this, the mountaineers (fewer in number, and in robbing wise rather than in warlike sort) ran in heaps, one while upon the vaward, other while upon the rearward, as any one of them could either get the vantage of ground, or by going one while afore, and by staying another while behind, win and catch any occasion and opportunity. The elephants, as they were driven with great leisure, because through these narrow straits they were ready ever and anon to run on their noses : so what way soever they went, they kept the army safe and sure from the enemies; who being not used unto them, durst not once come near. The ninth day he won the very tops of Alps, through by-lanes and blind cranks : after he had wandered many times out of the way, either through the deceitful- ness of their guides, or for that, when they durst not trust them, they adventured rashly themselves upon the valleys, and guessed the way at adventure, and went by aim. Two days abode he encamped upon the tops thereof, and the soldiers wearied with travel and fight rested that time ; certain also of the sumpter horses (which had slipt aside from the rocks) by following the tracks of the army as it marched, came to the camp. When they were thus over- toiled and wearied with these tedious travails, the snow that fell (for now the star Vergilie was set and gone down out of the horizon) increased their fear exceedingly. Now when- as at the break of day the ensigns were set forward, and the army marched slowly through the thick and deep snow ; and that their appeared in the countenance of them all slothfulness and desperation : Anniball advanced before the 222 THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS Holland standards and commanded his soldiers to stay upon a certain 1 600 jjigj^ |-^iU (from whence they had a goodly prospect and might see a great way all about them), and there shewed imto them Italy, and the goodly champain fields about the Po, which lie hard under the foot of the Alpine mountains : saying, that even then they mounted the walls, not only of Italy, but also of the City of Rome ; as for all besides (saith he) will be plain and easy to be travelled : and after one or two battles at the most, ye shall have at your command the very Castle and head City of all Italy. Then began the army to march forward ; and as yet the enemies verily themselves adventured nothing at all but some petty robberies by stealth, as opportunity and occasion served. Howbeit they had much more difficult travelling down the hill than in the climbing and getting up; for that most of the avenues to the Alps from Italy side, as they be shorter, so they are more upright : for all the way in a manner was steep, narrow, and slippery, so as neither they could hold themselves from sliding, nor if any tripped and stumbled never so little, could they possibly (they staggered so) recover themselves and keep sure footing, but one fell upon another, as well horse as man. After this they came to a much narrower rock, with crags and rags so steep downright, that hardly a nimble soldier without his armour and baggage (do what he could to take hold with hands upon the twigs and plants that thereabout grew forth) was able to creep down. This place being before naturally of itself steep and pendant with a downfall, now was choked and dammed up with a new fall of earth, which left a bank behind it of a wonderful and monstrous height. There the horsemen stood still as if they had been come to their way's end; and when Anniball marvelled much what the matter might be that stayed them so as they marched not on, word was brought him that the rock was unaccessible and unpassable. THE PASSAGE OF THE ALPS 223 Whereupon he went himself in person to view the Holland place, and then he saw indeed without all doubt that '^<^ although he had fetched a compass about, yet he had gained nought thereby, but conducted his army to pass through wilds, and such places as before had never been beaten and trodden. And verily, that (of all other) was such, as it was impossible to pass through. For whereas there lay old snow untouched and not trodden on, and over it other snow newly fallen, of a small depth; in this soft and tender snow, and the same not very deep, their feet as they went easily took hold ; but that snow, being once with the gait of so many people and beasts upon it fretted and thawed, they were fain to go upon the bare ice underneath, and in the slabbery snow-broth, as it relented and melted about their heels. There they had foul ado and much struggling, for that they could not tread sure upon the slippery ice ; and again, going as they did (down hill), their feet sooner failed them ; and when they had helped themselves once in getting up, either with hands or knees, if they chanced to fall again, when those their props and stays deceived them, there were no twigs nor roots about whereon a man might take hold and rest or stay himself, either by hand or foot. And, therefore, all that the poor garrons ^ and beasts could do was to tumble and wallow only upon the slippery and glassy ice, and the molten, slabbie snow. Otherwhiles, also, they perished as they went in the deep snow, whilst it was yet soft and tender ; for when they were once slidden and fallen, with flinging out their heels, and beating with their hoofs more forcibly for to take hold, they brake the ice through, so as most of them, as if they had been caught fast and fettered, stuck still in the deep, hard-frozen, and congealed ice. At last, whenas both man and beast were wearied and overtoiled, and all to no purpose, they encamped upon the top of a hill, having with very much ado cleansed the place 1 Geldings, 224 THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING Holland 1600 aforehand for that purpose : such a deal of snow there was to be digged, fayed,^ and thrown out. This done, the soldiers were brought to break that rock, through which was their only way ; and against the time that it was to be hewed through, they felled and overthrew many huge trees that grew thereabout, and made a mighty heap and pile of wood : the wind served fitly for the time to kindle a fire, and then they set all a-burning. Now^ when the rock was on fire and red-hot, they poured thereon strong vinegar for to calcine for to dissolve it. Whenas the rock was thus baked (as it were) with fire, they digged into it, and opened it with pickaxes, and made the descent gentle and easy by means of moderate windings and turnings : so as not only the horses and other beasts, but even the elephants, also, might be able to go down. Four days he spent about the levelling of this rock: and the beasts were almost pined and lost for hunger. For the hill tops for the most are bare of grass, and look what fog^ and forage there was, the snow over- hilled it. The dales and lower grounds have some little banks lying to the sun, and rivers withal near unto the woods, yea, and places more meet and beseeming for men to inhabit. There were labouring beasts put out to grass and pasture, and the soldiers that were wearied with making the ways had three days allowed to rest in. Philemon Holland. THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING Danett 1601 AMONG men famous for devotion, he sent into Calabria for one Friar Robert, whom he called the Holy Man, because of his holy life, and in whose honour the King that now is caused a church to be built at Plessis du Pare, in place 1 Cleaned out. Green fodder. THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING 226 of the chapel near to Plessis, at the bridge foot. This hermit Danett being twelve years of age entered into a rock, where he ^ ^ remained till he was forty-three years old, or thereabout, to wit, even till this present that the King sent for him by one of the stewards of his house, whom the Prince of Tarente, the King of Naples' son, accompanied thither. For the said hermit would not depart thence, without permission both of the Pope and of his Prince ; which was great wisdom in so simple a man. He builded in the place where he lived two churches, and never ate, since the time he entered into this strait kind of life, either fish, flesh, eggs, any kind of white- meat, or of fat. I never saw in my time a man of so holy life, nor by whose mouth the Holy Ghost seemed rather to speak ; for he never had been scholar, but was utterly un- learned ; true it is, that his Italian tongue caused somewhat the greater admiration of him. This hermit passed through Naples, being honoured and received, as if he had been a great Legate sent from the See Apostolic, both by the King and by his children ; with whom he communed of the affairs of the court, as if he had been a courtier all the days of his life. From thence he went to Rome, where he was visited by all the Cardinals, and had audience given him thrice of the Pope, communing with him alone j and sitting each time hard by him in a goodly chair three or four hours together, which was great honour to so simple a person. His answers were so wise that all men wondered at them ; so far forth that our Holy Father gave him leave to erect a new order, called the Hermits of St. Francis. From thence he came to the King, who honoured him as if he had been the Pope himself, fallmg down before him, and desiring him to pro- long his life ; whereunto he answered as a wise man should. I have often heard him talk with the King that now is, in presence of all the nobility of the realm, and that within these two months, and sure he seemed by his words to be inspired with the Holy Ghost ; otherwise he could never have VOL. I. P I 226 THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING Danett communed of such matters as he did. He is yet living and 1601 may change either to better or worse; wherefore I will speak no further of him. Some mocked at his hermit's coming, whom they called the Holy Man ; but they knew not the deep cogitations of this wise King, neither had seen the occasions that moved him to send for him. The King lay in his Castle of Plessis, accompanied with few besides the archers of his Guard, and troubled with suspicions. Notwithstanding, he had given good order for this inconvenience, for he left none of those whom he suspected either in the town or country, but made his archers to cause them to depart, and to convey them away. No man debated any matter with him, unless it were of some great importance that concerned himself : he seemed rather a dead corpse than a living creature, for he was leaner than a man would believe : he apparelled himself sumptu- ously, yea, more sumptuously than in all his life before ; for he wore no gown but of crimson satin, funded with good martens ; he gave gifts to whom it pleased him without any suit ; for no man durst move any suit to him, nor debate any matter with him. He punished faults sharply, to the end he might be feared, and not lose his authority, as himself told me. He changed officers, cassed ^ companies of men of arms, diminished pensions, or took them clean away; and told me but a few days before his death that he passed away the time in making and marring of men. To be short, he caused himself to be more spoken of within his realm than ever was any King, and all for fear lest men should think him dead. For, as I said, few saw him; but when they heard of his doings, all men stood in fear of him, so far forth, that they hardly believed him to be sick. Out of the realm he had men in all places, as, for example in England he had some to feed King Edward still with hope of his daugh- ter's marriage, and he paid truly both him and his servants ^11 that was due unto them. Out of Spain he received I Broke, t.e, disbanded. THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING 227 goodly words and fair promises of perfect friendship and Danett amity, and great presents from all places. He made a good ^^^ horse or a good mule to be bought for him whatsoever it cost ; but this he did not in this realm, but in some strange country, to persuade men that he was in health. Dogs he sent for round about, into Spain for a kind of Spanish grey- hound, called in French Allans ; into Britain for little beagles, grey-hounds, and spaniels, which he paid dear for; into Valence for little rugged dogs which he made to be bought above the owner's own price. Into Sicily he sent for good mules, especially to some officer of the country, for the which he paid double the value; to Naples for horses, and for divers strange beasts into divers countries, as into Barbary for a kind of little lions, no greater than little foxes, which he called Adites ; into Denmark and Sweden for two kinds of strange beasts, one of the which were called Helles, being of shape like a hart, and of the greatness of a buff, with horns short and thick ; the other Rengiers, being of the big- ness and colour of a buck, save that their horns be much greater : for each of the which two beasts he gave to the merchants that sold them 4500 guildons. But when all these strange things were brought him he made no account of them, no, very seldom spake with those that brought them. To be short, he did so many such like strange things, that he was more feared now both of his neighbours and subjects than ever before, which was his only desire, for to that end did he all this. ... He discoursed continually of some matter or other, and that very gravely, and his disease endured from Monday till Saturday night. Wherefore I will now make comparison between the troubles and sorrows he caused others to suffer, and those he suffered himself before his death, because I trust they have carried him into Paradise, and been part of his Purgatory. For notwithstanding that they were not so grievous, neither endured so long, as those which he caused 228 THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING Danett divers others to suffer, yet because his vocation in this world 1601 was higher than theirs, by means whereof he had never been contraried, but so well obeyed, that he seemed a Prince able to have governed all Europe : this little trouble that he endured contrary to his accustomed nature was to him a great torment. He hoped ever in this good hermit that was at Plessis, whom he caused to come to him out of Cala- bria, and continually sent to him : saying, that if it pleased him he could prolong his life. For notwithstanding all these commandments given to those whom he sent to the Dauphin, his son, yet came his spirits again to him, in such sort that he was in hope to recover ; and if it had so happened, he would easily have disparkled the assembly sent to this new King. But because of the vain hope he had in this hermit, a Doctor of Divinity and certain others thought good to adver- tise him that his only hope must be in the mercy of God ; and they devised that Master James Cothier, his Physician, in whom he had reposed his whole confidence, and to whom he gave monthly ten thousand crowns in hope he would prolong his life, should be present when this speech should be used to him. This was Master Oliver, his barber s device, to the end he might wholly think upon his conscience, and leave all his other imaginations conceived of this holy man, and of the said Master James, his Physician. But even like as he advanced the said Master Oliver and others too suddenly, without any desert, to a higher estate than was fit for them; even so they took upon them boldly to do such a message to so great a Prince otherwise than became them, not using that rever- ence and humility that was to be used in such a case, and such as they should have used, whom he had brought up of a long time, and lately commanded out of his presence for the suspicions conceived of them. And again, like as unto two great personages whom he had put to death in his time (to wit, the Duke of Nemours and the Earl of Saint Paul : for one of the which he THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING 229 repented him at his death, and for the other not), he had Danett sent a sharp message of death by commissioners appointed ^^°^ theremito; who briefly pronounced their sentence unto them, and forthwith gave them confessors, and but a very short space to dispose of their consciences : even so the abovenamed signified his death unto him rudely and in few words, saying : ' Sir, it is reason we do our duties, hope no more in this holy man, nor any other thing, for sure you are but dead; therefore think upon your con- science, for your hour is come ' ; and every one of them said somewhat briefly to him to that effect. But he an- swered : ' I trust God will help me ; and, peradventure, I am not so sick as you suppose.' What a sharp corrosive was it to him to hear these news and this cruel sentence ! For never man feared death more than he, nor sought so many ways to avoid it as he did. Moreover, in all his lifetime he had given commandment to all his servants, as well myself as others, that when we should see him in danger of death, we should only move him to confess himself and dispose of his conscience, not sounding in his ear this dreadful word Death, knowing that he should not be able patiently to hear that cruel sentence ; notwithstanding, he endured both that and divers other punishments till the very hour of death more patiently than ever I saw any man. To this son, whom he called King, he sent many messages, and confessed himself very devoutly, and said divers prayers answerable to the Sacraments he received, which also himself demanded. He spake as heartily as if he had not been sick, and talked of all matters touching the King his son's estate ; and among other things gave commandment that the Lord of Cordes should not depart from his son by the space of half a year after his death ; and further, that he should be entreated to attempt nothing against Calais, nor elsewhere; saying, that notwithstanding he had devised these enterprises for the King's profit and the benefit of the realm : yet were they 230 THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING Danett very dangerous, especially that of Calais, for fear of moving 1601 the Englishmen thereby to war. Further, he willed especi- ally that after his death the realm should rest in peace the space of five or six years, a matter which he would never yield unto during his life, though very needful ; for notwith- standing it were great and large, yet was it in poor and miserable estate, especially because of the passing to and fro of the men of arms, who continually removed from one country to another. He gave order, also, that no quarrel should be picked in Britaine, but that Duke Francis should be suffered to live in quiet, and not be put in any doubt or fear of v/ar, neither yet any other neighbour bordering upon the realm, to the end the King and the realm might rest in peace till the King were of years to dispose thereof at his own pleasure. Thus you see how indiscreetly his death was signified to him, which I have rehearsed because I began to make a comparison between those evils which he had caused divers of his subjects to suffer and those himself suffered before his death, to the end you may perceive that, notwithstanding they were not so grievous nor so long (as I have said), yet were they grievous to him considering his nature, which demanded obedience, and had been better obeyed than any Prince in his time ; so that one half word contrarying his mind was to him a grievous punishment. Five or six days before his death he had all men in suspicion, especially all that were worthy of credit and authority, yea, he grew jealous of his own son, and caused him to be straitly guarded, neither did any man see him or speak with him but by his commandment; at the length he began to stand in doubt also of his daughter, and of his son-in-law, now Duke of Bourbon, and would needs know what men entered into Plessis with them, and in the end brake off an assembly that the Duke of Bourbon, his son-in-law, held there by his com- mandment. Moreover, at the same time that his said son- in-law and the Earl of Dunois (returning from the convoy THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING 231 of the embassage that came to Amboise to the marriage of Danett the King, his son, and the Queen) entered into the Castle of ^^^^ Plessis with a great band of men : the King, who caused the gates to be straitly kept, being in the gallery that looked into the court of the said Castle, caused one of the Captains of his Guard to come to him, whom they commanded to feel, as he talked with the said Noblemen's servants, whether they ware any brigandines under their cloaks, not making show as though he came purposely for that intent. Hereby you may perceive if he caused divers others to live in fear and suspicion under him, whether he were paid now with the like himself; for of whom could he be assured, mistrusting his son, his daughter, and his son-in-law ? Wherefore thus much I will say not only of him, but of all other Princes that desire to be feared, that they never feel the revenge thereof till their age, and then their penance is to fear all men. What great grief think you was it to this poor King to be troubled with these passions ? He had a Physician called Master James Cothier, to whom he gave in five months 54,000 crowns, after the rate of 10,000 the month, and 4000 over, besides the Bishopric of Amiens for his nephew, and other offices and lands for him and his friends. The said Physician used him so roughly, that a man would not give his servant so sharp language as he gave the King ; and yet the King so much feared him, that he durst not command him out of his presence ; for notwithstanding that he com- plained to divers of him, yet durst he not change him as he did all his other servants, because this Physician once said thus boldly to him : ' I know that one day you will command me away as you do all your other servants, but you shall not live eight days after,' binding it with a great oath. Which words put the King in such fear, that ever after he flattered him, and bestowed gifts upon him, which was a marvellous Purgatory to him in this world, considering of how many Noblemen and gentlemen he had been obeyed. 232 THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING Danett Moreover, he had caused divers cruel prisons to be made ; ^°°^ as, for example, cages, being eight feet square, and one foot more than a man's height, some of iron, and some of wood plated with iron both within and without, with horrible iron works. He that first devised them was the Bishop of Ver- dun, who incontinent was himself put into the first that was made, where he remained fourteen years. Many have cursed him for his device, and among others myself, for I lay in one of them, under the King that now reigneth, the space of eight months. He had also caused certain Almains to make terrible heavy irons to lay men in, among the which there was a fetter to put on their feet very hard to be opened, like to a carcan, with a weighty chain, and a great iron ball at the end thereof, heavy beyond all measure. These irons were called the King's Nets. Notwithstanding, I have seen divers gentlemen lie in them as prisoners, who came forth afterward with great honour, and were advanced by him to high estates : as, for example, a son of the Lord of Grutuze, in Flanders, taken prisoner in the wars, whom the King after- ward richly married, and made one of his Chamber and Sene- schal of Anjou, and gave him charge of a hundred lances ; and, in like manner, the Lord of Piennes and the Lord of Vergy, taken prisoners also in the wars, who both had charge of men of arms under the King and other goodly offices, and were of the Privy Chamber either to him or his son. The like happened also to the Lord of Richbourg, the Constable's brother, and to one Roquebertin of the country of Cathelony, being likewise taken prisoners in the wars, whom he after- ward highly advanced, with divers others of divers countries too long to rehearse. But now to return to the matter. As in his time these divers and sundry cruel prisons were devised, even so he before his death lay in the like, yea, in much crueller prison than any of them, and was in greater fear than they that stood in fear of him, which I account as a THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING 233 great grace towards him, and as part of his Purgatoiy, and Danett rehearse it only to show that every man, of what estate or ^6°^ condition soever he be, is punished either secretly or openly, especially those that pmiish others. Further, the King a little before his death enclosed his Castle of Plessis with a grate of iron bars, and at the four corners of the said Castle caused four strong watch-houses of iron to be built. The said grate was made directly over against the Castle wall round about the Castle, on the outer side of the ditch, which was very steep. He caused also to be masoned into the wall a great number of iron spears, each of them having divers heads set close together. Moreover, he appointed ten cross- bow-men to be continually in the said ditches, and to lie in the four iron houses built in the bottom of the said ditches, and gave them commandment to shoot at every man that approached near to the gate, before the gate opened. He knew well that this fortification was to no purpose against a great force or an army, but that he doubted not : his only fear was that certain Noblemen of his realm, having intelli- gence in the Castle, would attempt to enter it in the night, partly by love and partly by force, and take the government upon them, and make him live as a man bereft of his wits, and unworthy to rule. The Castle gate never opened before eight of the clock in the morning, neither was the draw- bridge let down till that hour, and then entered his officers ; and the Captains of his Guard placed the ordinary warders, and appointed archers to the watch, both at the gate and within the court, as if it had been a frontier town straitly kept. Neither entered any man without the King's com- mandment but by the wicket, save the stewards of his house, and such like officers that went not to him. Is it possible, then, to hold a King (I mean using him like a Prince) in a straiter prison than he held himself.^ The cages wherein he held others were about eight feet square, and he, being so great a Prince, had but a little court in the Castle to walk 234 THE MOST CHRISTIAN KING Danett in, yea, and seldom came he into that ; for usually he kept ^°°^ himself in the gallery, from whence he never stirred but when he went to mass, at which time he passed through the chambers, and not through the court. Think you that he was not in fear as well as others, seeing he locked himself in after this sort, kept himself thus close, stood in such fear of his children and nearest kinsmen, and changed and removed his servants from day to day, whom he had brought up and whose good estate depended wholly upon him, in such sort that he durst trust none of them, but bound himself in these strange chains and bands? The place, I confess, was larger than a common prison, so was his estate greater than a com- mon prisoner's. But a man will say, peradventure, that other Princes have been more suspicious than he, where- unto I agree ; but none, sure, in our time, neither any so wise as he, nor that had so good subjects as he had ; and as touching them, peradventure they were cruel tyrants, but he never punished any without desert. All this above written I have rehearsed, not so much to publish the sus- picions of the King our Master, as partly to prove that the patient enduring of these passions, being equal with those he had caused others to endure, and of this sickness being sharp and troublesome to him, and the which he feared greatly before he fell into it, is to be accounted as a punish- ment God gave him in this world, to ease him in the world to come ; and partly to give an example to those that shall come after him, to have some more compassion on their people than he had, and to be less rigorous in punishing than he was. Notwithstanding, for my part I am not able to accuse him, neither saw I ever a better Prince ; for though himself pressed his subjects, yet would he suffer none other so to do, friend or foe. After all these fears, sorrows, and suspicions, God (accord- ing to His accustomed goodness) wrought a miracle upon «a^5P3*«?3gS* rrssast JULIUS CAESAR 236 him, healing him both in soul and body : for He took him Danett out of this miserable world, being perfect of sense, under- ^ standing, and memory, having received all his Sacraments without all grief to man's judgment, and talking continually even within a Pater noster while of his death ; so that he gave order for his funeral, and named those that should accompany his body to the grave; saying ever, that he trusted to die on no day but Saturday, and that our Lady, in whom he had ever put his confidence, and always devoutly served, had purchased him this grace ; and sure so it happened, for he ended his life upon Saturday, the 30th of August, in the year 1483, at eight of the clock at night, in the said Castle of Plessis, where he fell sick the Monday before. His soul, I trust, is with God, and resteth in His blessed Realm of Paradise. Thomas Danett, JULIUS CAESAR HIS pleasures could never make him lose one minute Florio of an hour, nor turn one step from the occasions, ^"°3 that might any way further his advancement. This passion did so soveraignly oversway all others, and possessed his mind with so uncontrolled an authority, that she carried him whither she list. Truly I am grieved, when in other things I consider this man's greatness, and the wondrous parts that were in him ; so great sufficiency in all manner of knowledge and learning, as there is almost no science wherein he hath not written. He was so good an orator, that divers have preferred his eloquence before Cicero's; and himself (in mine opinion) in that faculty thought himself nothing short of him. And his two Anti-Catos were especially written to overbalance the eloquence which Cicero had employed in his Cato. And for all other matters ; 236 JUUUS CAESAR Florio was ever mind so vigilant, so active, and so patient of labour 1003 as his ? And doubtless, it was also embellished with sundry rare seeds of virtue. I mean lively, natural, and not counterfeits. He was exceeding sober, and so homely in his feeding, that Oppius reporteth : how upon a time, through a certain Cook's negligence, his meat being dressed with a kind of medicinable Oil instead of Olive-oil, and so brought to the board, although he found it, yet he fed heartily ot it, only because he would not shame his Host : another time he caused his Baker to be whipped, because he had served him with other than common household bread. Cato himself was wont to say of him, that he was the first sober man had addressed himself to the ruin of his country. And whereas the same Cato called him one day drunkard, it happened in this manner. Being both together in the Senate House, where Catihne's conspiracy was much spoken of, wherein Caesar was greatly suspected to have a hand ; a note was by a friend of his brought, and in very secret sort delivered him, which Cato perceiving, supposing it might be something that the Conspirators advertised him of, instantly summoned him to show it, which Caesar, to avoid a greater suspicion, refused not : it was by chance an amorous letter, which Servilia, Cato's sister, writ to him: Cato having read it, threw it at him, saying : * Hold it again, thou drunkard.' I say it was rather a word of disdain and anger, than an express reproach of this vice, as often we nickname those that anger us with the first nicknames of reproaches that come into our mouth, though merely im- pertinent to those with whom we fall out. Considering that the vice wherewith Cato charged him hath near coherency unto that wherein he had surprised Caesar : for Venus and Bacchus (as the vulgar Proverb saith) agree well together, but with me Venus is much more blithe and gamesome, being accompanied with sobriety. The examples of his mildness and clemency, toward such ^^^amasBBsssssmm^as^BBitaimtm JULIUS CAESAR 237 as had offended him, are infinite: I mean, besides those Florio he showed during the Civil Wars, which (as by his own ^^3 writings may plainly a|^pear) he used to blandish and aUiire his enemies, to make them fear his future dominatioii and Tictories the less. But if any shall say, those ryplcs are not of vahdity to witness his geniiiiie and mtanl a&luhty, we may lawfully answer, that at least they show us a wonderful confidence and greatness of courage to have been in him. It hath often befallen him, to send whole armies back again to his enemies, after he had Tanqnished them, without deigning to bind them so much as with an oatii, if not to favour, at least not to bear arms against him. He hath three or four times taken some of Pompey's chief Captains prisoners, and as often set them at liberty i^am. Pompey declared all such as would not follow and aooompany him in his wars, to be his enemies ; and he caused th<»e to be proclaimed as friends, who either would not stir at all, or not effectnally aim themsehres sgainst him. To such of his Captains as fled firom him to pioeare other conditions, he sent them their weapons, their horses, and all other furniture. The Cities he had taken, by mam fiKce, he freed to follow what faction they would, giving them no other gamson than the memory of his clemency and mildness. In the day of his great battle of Pharsalia, he expressly inhibited, that unless they were driven to unavoidable extremity, no man should lay hands upon any Roman citizen. In my judgment these are very hazardous parts, and it is no wcxider, if in the Civil War's tumultuous broils we have now on foot those that fight for the ancient laws and state of their countrv, as he did, do not follow and imitate the ejuuuple. They are xtraordinary means, and which only belongs to Caesar's artune, and to his admirable foresight, successfully to direct, ad happily to conduct them. When I consider the in- comparable greatness and invaluable worth of his mind, I excuse Victory, in that she could not well give him over, in I 238 JULIUS CAESAR Florio this most unjust and unnatural cause. But to return to his '^3 clemency; we have divers genuine and lively examples, even in the time of his all-swaying government, when all things were reduced into his hands, and he needed no longer to dissemble. Caius Memmius had written certain detracting and railing Orations against him, which he at full and most sharply had answered; nevertheless, he shortly after helped to make him consul. Caius Calvus, who had composed divers most injurious Epigrams against him, having employed sundry of his friends to be reconciled to him again, Caesar descended to write first unto him. And our good Catullus, who under the name of Mumurra had so rudely and bitterly railed against him, at last coming to excuse himself, Caesar that very night made him to sup at his own table. Having been advertised how some were over lavish in railing against him, all he did was but in a publike oration to declare how he was advertised of it. His enemies he feared less than he hated them. Certain conspiracies and conventicles were made against his life, which being discovered unto him, he was contented by an edict to publish, how he was throughly informed of them, and never prosecuted the Authors. Touching the respect he ever bare unto his friends : Caius Oppius travelling with him, and falling very sick, having but one chamber, he resigned the same unto him, and himself was contented to lie all night abroad and upon the bare ground. Concerning his justice, he caused a servant of his, whom he exceedingly loved, to be executed, forsomuch as he had lain with the wife of a Roman Knight, although no man sued or complained of him. Never was man that showed more moderation in his victory, or more resolution in his adverse fortune. But all these noble inclinations, rich gifts, worthy qualities, were altered, smothered, and eclipsed by this furious passion of Ambition, by which he suffered himself to be so far misled, that it may be well affirmed she only ruled the Stern of all I TAMERLANE 239 his actions. Of a liberal man, she made him a common thief, that so he might the better supply his profusion and prodigality; and made him utter that vile and most injurious speech : that if the wickedest and most pernicious men of the world had for his service and furtherance been faithful unto him, he would to the utmost of his power have cherished and preferred them, as well as if they had been the honestest. It so besotted, and as it were made him drunk with so extreme vanity, that in the presence of all his fellow-citizens he durst vaunt himself, to have made that great and far-spread Roman Commonwealth a shapeless and bodiless name ; and pronounce that his Sentences or Answers should thenceforward serve as Laws : and sitting to receive the whole body of the Senate coming toward him, and suffer himself to be adored : and in his presence divine honours to be done him. To conclude, this only vice (in mine opinion) lost and overthrew in him the fairest natural and richest ingenuity that ever was, and hath made his memory abhominable to all honest minds, insomuch as by the ruin of his country, and subversion of the mightiest state and most flourishing Commonwealth that ever the world shall see, he went about to procure his glory. John Florio, Florio 1603 TAMERLANE NOW the Prince of Ciarcan had divided his forces into two parts, and given commandment to the first, that as soon as they perceived the enemies to pursue the hundred horse that so disorderly of purpose fled, they should receive them, and so retire all together. He in the meantime with the rest of his power stood close in a valley, near to a wood side, unseen at all. Where having suffered two thousand of the Enemies' Horse (the vantcurriers of the Turks' army) to Knolles 1603 240 TAMERLANE KnoUes pass by him, he following them in the tail, charged them ^"^3 home, the other which before retired now turning upon them also ; so that the Turks seeing themselves thus beset, and hardly laid unto both before and behind, as men discouraged fled ; in which flight most of them were slain, and the rest taken Prisoners. This was the first encounter betwixt the Turks and the Parthians ; all the Prisoners there taken were by the Prince as a present sent to Tamerlane, and among the rest the Bassa of Natolia who led these troops ; of whom Tamerlane earnestly demanded what caused Bajazet so little to esteem of him, as to show so great contempt of his army, which he should find strong enough to abate his pride. Whereunto the Bassa answered, that his Lord was the Sun upon Earth, which could not endure any equal ; and that he rather was astonished to see, how he from so far had enter- prised so dangerous a journey, to hinder the fortune of his lord, in whose favour the Heavens (as he said) did bend themselves to further his greatness, and unto whom all the world subjected itself; and that he committed great folly in going about to resist the same. Unto which so proud a speech Tamerlane replied, that he was sent from Heaven to punish his rashness, and to teach him, that the proud are hated of God, whose promise is to pluck down the mighty and raise up the lowly. ^ As for thyself (said he) ' thou hast already felt (although I pity thy mishap) what the valour of my Parthian Horse is against thy Turkish ; and thy Master I have already caused to raise his siege of Constantinople and to look to his own things here in Asia.' Furthermore, Tamerlane changing his speech demanded, if his Master did come resolved to bid him battle } ^ Assure yourself* (said he) 'there is nothing he more desireth; and would to God I might acknowledge your greatness in giving me leave to assist my Lord at that battle.' ' Good leave have thou ' (said Tamerlane) ; ' go thy ways and tell thy Lord that thou hast seen me, and that he shall in the battle find me ou horse- TAMERLANE 241 back, where he shall see a green ensign displayed/ The Knolles Bassa, thanking him, swore that next unto his Lord he ^^3 vowed unto him his service. And so returning, declared unto Bajazet how that he had seen Tamerlane, and truly reported unto him all that he had willed him to say ; not forgetting over all, to publish his courtesy and bounty; who besides that he had frankly set him at liberty, had also given him a very fair horse well furnished, although he well knew he was to serve against himself. WTiereunto Bajazet answered no more, but that he would shortly make trial of him, and that he well hoped before the march were ended, to make him acknowledge his own folly. The next day the two Armies drew near together, and encamped within a league the one of the other; where all the night long you might have heard such noise of horses, as that it seemed the Heavens were full of voices, the air did so resound, and every man thought the night long, to come to the trial of his valour, and the gaining of his desires. The Scythians (a people no less greedy than needy) talked of nothing but the spoil ; the proud Parthians, of their honour; and the poor Christians, of their deliverance, all to be gained by the next day's victory ; every man during the night time speaking according to his own humour. All which Tamerlane walking this night up and down in his camp heard, and much rejoiced to see the hope that his soldiers had already in general conceived of the victory. Who after the second watch returning unto his pavilion, and there casting himself upon a carpet, had thought to have slept a while ; but his cares not suffering him so to do, he then, as his manner was, called for a book, wherein was contained the lives of his Fathers and Ancestors, and of other valiant Worthies, the which he used ordinarily to read, as he then did ; not as therewith vainly to deceive the time, but to make use thereof, by the imitation of that which was by them worthily done, and declining of such VOL. I. Q 242 TAMERLANE KnoUes dangers as they by their rashness or oversight fell into. And 1003 afterwards having a little slumbered, he commanded Axalla to be sent for, who forthwith came unto him, with divers other great Lords and Captains, the chief Commanders of his Army ; with whom after he had a while consulted of the order of the battle, he mounted on horseback himself, and sent every one of them to their own charges, to put the same in readiness. At which very instant he received news that the Enemy marched forward and came to take his ground for the battle ; whose order of march Tamerlane was desirous to see, that so accordingly he might marshal his own. And having caused three thousand Horsemen to advance forward, with charge to begin the skirmish, himself followed after to lodge every part of his forces in such places as he had fore- seen to be fittest for his advantage. Now, seeing the Janizaries march in a square battle in the midst, and upon the two fronts two great squadrons of Horsemen, which seemed to be thirty thousand Horse, and another which advanced and covered the battalion of the Janizaries, he thought this their order to be very good, and hard to be broken; and thereupon turning himself to Axalla, who was near unto him, said: ^I had thought this day to have fought on foot, but I see that it behove th me now to fight on horseback, to give courage unto my Soldiers, to open the great battalion of our Enemies. And my will is, that my men come forward unto me as soon as they may, for I will advance forward with an hundred thousand Footmen, fifty thousand upon each of my two wings, and in the midst of them forty thousand of my best Horse- men. My pleasure is, that after they have tried the force of these men, that they come unto my avantguard, of whom I will dispose, and fifty thousand Horse more in three bodies, whom thou shalt command ; which I will assist with eighty thousand Horse, wherein shall be mine own Person, having an hundred thousand Footmen behind me, who shall march TAMERLANE 243 in two squadrons ; and for my rearward I appoint forty thou- Knolles sand Horse and fifty thousand Footmen, who shall not march '°°3 but to my aid. And I will make choice of ten thousand of my best Horse, whom I will send into every place where I shall think needful within my army, for to impart my com- mands.' Over the first forty thousand Horse the Prince Ciarcan commanded ; over the foremost Footmen was the Lord Synopes, a Genoese, kinsman to Axalla, and his heu- tenant over the Footmen, a captain of great estimation ; the Prince Axalla's own charge consisted of five squadrons of Horsemen. Bajazet his army, being also both fair and great, came bravely still on forward towards their enemies, who stirred not one whit from the place they had taken for the battle, except certain light Horsemen, Scythians, Parthians, and Muscovites, who sent out as loose men, hotly skirmished betwixt the two armies. Now was Tamerlane by an espy advertised that Bajazet, having before given order for the disposing of his anny, was on foot in the midst of thirty thousand Janizaries, his principal men of war and greatest strength, wherein he meant that day to fight, and in whom he had reposed his greatest hope. His battle of Horse was very fair, amounting to the number of an hundred and forty thousand Horse, all old soldiers. The Sultan of Egypt having also sent unto his aid thirty thousand Mamalukes, all very good Horsemen, with thirty thousand Foot. So that his army, marching all in one front, in form of an half-moon (but not so well knit together as was Tamerlane's, whose squadrons directly followed one another), seemed almost as great as his ; and so with infinite numbers of most horrible outcries still advanced forward ; Tamerlane his soldiers all the while standing fast, with great silence. There was not possible to be seen a more furious charge, than was by the Turks given upon the Prince of Ciarcan, who had commandment not to fight before the Enemy came unto him; neither could have been chosen a fairer plain, and 244 TAMERLANE Knolles where the skilful choice of the place was of less advantage i"°3 for the one or the other ; but that Tamerlane had the river on the left hand of his army serving him to some small advantage. Now this young Prince of Ciarcan, with his forty thousand Horse, was in this first encounter almost wholly overthrown ; yet having fought right valiantly, and entered even into the midst of the Janizaries (where the Person of Bajazet was), putting them in disorder, was himself there slain. About which time Axalla set upon them with the avantguard, but not with like danger ; for having overthrown one of the Enemy's wings, and cut it all to pieces, and his Footmen coming to join with him, as they had been com- manded, he faced the battalion of the Janizaries, who right valiantly behaved themselves for the safety of their Prince. This hard fight continued one hour, and yet you could not have seen any scattered, but the one still resolutely fighting against the other. You might there have seen the Horsemen like mountains rush together, and infinite numbers of men die, cry, lament, and threaten all at one instant. Tamerlane had patience all this while to see the event of this so mortal a fight ; but perceiving his men at length to give ground, he sent ten thousand of his Horse to join again with the ten thousand appointed for the rearward, and commanded them to assist him at such time as he should have need of them, and at the very same time charged himself, and made them to give him room, causing the Footmen to charge also, over whom the Prince of Thanais commanded, who gave a furious onset upon the battalion of the Janizaries, wherein was yet the Person of Bajazet, who had sustained a great burden. Now Bajazet had in his army a great number of mercenary Tartars, called Destenses, with many thousands of other soldiers taken up in the countries of the poor exiled Mahometan Princes ; in whose just quarrel, and the Greek Emperor's, Tamerlane had chiefly undertaken that war ; these Tartarians and other soldiers, seeing some their friends, and TAMERLANE 245 othersome their natural and loving Princes in the army of Knolles Tamerlane, stricken with the terror of disloyalty, and ab- ^^3 horring the cruelty of the proud Tyrant, in the heat of the battle revolted from Bajazet to their own Princes ; which their revolt much weakened Bajazet's forces. Who neverthe- less, with his own men of war, especially the Janizaries, and the help of the Christian soldiers brought to his aid from Servia and other places of Europe, with great courage main- tained the fight; but the multitude, and not true valour, prevailed; for, as much as might be done by valiant and courageous men, was by the Janizaries and the rest performed both for the preservation of the Person of their Prince, and the gaining of the victory. But in the end, the Horsemen with whom Tamerlane himself was, giving a fresh charge, and his avantguard wholly knit again unto him, reinforcing the charge, he with much ado obtained the victory. Bajazet himself wounded, and now mounted on horseback, thinking to have escaped by flight, fell into the hands of Axalla; unto whom he yielded himself, thinking it had been Tamer- lane; who for a space knew him not, but took him for some other great commander of the Turks. Musa (sumamed Zelebi, or the Noble) one of Bajazet his sons, with divers others of Bajazet his great captains, were there taken also ; and amongst the rest, George, the Despot of Servia, who notwithstanding this misfortune had that day gained unto himself the reputation of a great and worthy Captain ; insomuch that Tamerlane, even in the very heat of the battle, marvelling to see him and the Servians, with the other Christians which he had brought to the aid of Bajazet, so valiantly to fight, said unto some of the Captains that were near unto him : ' See how courageously yonder religious fight;' supposing them by their strange attire to have been some of the Turks' superstitous votaries. But being now taken, and afterwards brought to Tamerlane, he was by him courteously welcomed ; but yet withal re- proved, for that he had fought for Bajazet against him, who 246 TAMERLANE KnoUes was come in favour of the Christian Emperor, and the other i^°3 poor oppressed princes, such as the Despot himself was. Who thereunto boldly answered, that indeed it was not according to his duty, but according to the prosperity of Bajazet, unto whom it seemed that all the World did bend, and that his own safety had caused him, though against his will, to take part with him. Whereupon Tamerlane held him excused ; and so without more ado gave him leave at his own pleasure to depart. Bajazet also himself being afterwards brought unto Tamer- lane as a prisoner, and by him courteously entertained, never showed any token of submission at all, but according to his proud nature, without respect of his present state, presumptu- ously answered him unto whatsoever he demanded. Where- with Tamerlane moved, told him, that it was now in his power to make him to lose his life. Whereunto he answered no more, but, ' Do it ' ; for that that loss should be his greatest happiness. Tamerlane afterwards demanding of him what made him so proud as to enterprise to bring into his sub- jection so noble a Prince as was the Greek Emperor, he answered : ' Even the same thing that hath moved thee to invade me, namely, the desire of glory and sovereignity.' ' But wherefore, then ' (said Tamerlane), ' dost thou use so great cruelty towards them thou hast overcome, without respect of age or sex ? ' 'That did V (said he) 'to give the greater terror unto my Enemies.' ' And what wouldst thou have done with me ' (said Tamerlane) ' had it been my fortune to have fallen into thy hands, as thou art now in mine ? ' 'I would ' (said Bajazet) 'have enclosed thee in a cage of iron, and so in triumph have carried thee up and down my Kingdom.' 'Even so' (said Tamerlane) 'shalt thou be served.' And so causing him to be taken out of his presence, turning unto his fol- lowers, said : ' Behold a proud and cruel man, he deserveth to be chastised accordingly, and to be made an example unto all the proud and cruel of the world, of the just wrath of TAMERLANE 247 God against them. I acknowledge that God hath this day Knolles delivered into my hands a great Enemy, to whom we must ^°°3 therefore give thanks.' Which he performed the same day ; for the battle was won at four of the clock, and there was yet five hours of daylight. The next day Tamerlane com- manded the dead to be buried ; where among the rest they found the body of the Prince of Ciarcan, dead in the midst of the Janizaries, where he lay enclosed with their dead bodies, in token he died not unrevenged ; whose untimely death Tamerlane for all that greatly lamented, for he was his Kinsman, and like enough one day to have done great service. Whose dead body Tamerlane caused to be embalmed, and with two thousand Horse (and divers of the Turks prisoners chained and tied together) to be conveyed to Samercand, until his coming thither. All the other dead bodies were, with all honour that might be, buried at Sennas. This great and bloody battle, fought in the year of our Lord 1397, not far from the Mount Stella (where sometime the great King Mithridates was by Pompey the Great in a great battle overthrown), was fought from seven o'clock in the morning, until four in the afternoon ; Victory all that while, as it were with doubtful wings, hovering over both armies, as uncertain where to light; until at length the fortune of Tamerlane prevailed. Whose wisdom, next unto God, gave that day's victory unto his soldiers ; for that the politic tiring of the strong forces of Bajazet was the safeguard of his own ; whereas if he had gone unto the battle in one front, assuredly the multitude finding such strong resistance had put itself into confusion, whereas this successive manner of aiding of his men made them all unto him profitable. The number of them that were in this battle slain is of divers diversely reported; the Turks themselves reporting, that Baja- zet there lost the noble Mustapha, his son, with two hundred thousand of his men, and Tamerlane not many fewer ; and some other speaking of a far less number, as that there should 248 TAMERLANE Knolles be slain of the Turks about threescore thousand, and of 1003 Tamerlane's army not past twenty thousand. But leaving the certainty of the number unto the credit of the reporters, like enough it is, that the slaughter was exceeding great in so long a fight, betwixt two such armies as never before (as I suppose) met in field together. By this one day's event is plainly to be seen the uncertainty of worldly things, and what small assurance even the greatest have in them. Behold, Bajazet the Terror of the World, and, as he thought, superior to fortune, in an instant with his state in one battle overthrown into the bottom of misery and despair ; and that at such time as he thought least, even in the midst of his greatest strength. It was three days (as they report) before he could be pacified, but as a desperate man still seeking after death, and calling for it ; neither did Tamerlane, after he had once spoken with him, at all after- wards courteously use him, but as of a proud man caused small account to be made of him ; and to manifest that he knew how to punish the haughty, made him to be shackled in fetters and chains of gold, and so to be shut up in an iron cage made like a grate, in such sort as that he might on eveiy side be seen ; and so carried him up and down as he passed through Asia, to be of his own people scorned and derided. And to his further disgrace, upon festival days used him for a footstool to tread upon when he mounted to horse, and at other times scornfully fed him like a dog with crumbs fallen from his table. A rare example of the uncertainty of worldly honour, that he unto whose ambitious mind Asia and Europe, two great parts of the world, were too little, should be now carried up and down cooped up in a little iron cage, like some perilous wild beast. All which Tamerlane did not so much for hatred to the man as to manifest the just judg- ment of God against the arrogant folly of the proud. It is reported that Tamerlane being requested by one of his noblemen that might be bold to speak unto him, to remit TWO CHARACTERS 249 some part of his severity against the person of so great a Knolles Prince, answered, that he did not use that rigor against him ^^3 as a King, but rather did punish him as a proud ambitious Tyrant, polluted with the blood of his own brother. Richard Knolles, TWO CHARACTERS I THE PATIENT MAN THE patient man is made of a metal, not so hard as flex- Hall ible. His shoulders are large ; fit for a load of in- ^^®^ juries : which he bears, not out of baseness and cowardliness, because he dare not revenge ; but out of Christian fortitude, because he may not: he hath so conquered himself, that wrongs cannot conquer him ; and herein alone finds, that victory consists in yielding. He is above nature, while he seems below himself. The vilest creature knows how to turn again ; but, to command himself not to resist, being urged, is more than heroical. His constructions are ever full of charity and favour : either this wrong was not done, or not with intent of wrong ; or, if that, upon mis-information ; or, if none of these, rashness, though a fault, shall serve for an excuse. Himself craves the offender's pardon, before his confession ; and a slight answer contents, where the offended desires to forgive. He is God's best witness : and, when he stands before the bar for truth, his tongue is calmly free, his forehead firm ; and, he, with erect and settled countenance, hears his unjust sentence, and rejoices in it. The gaolers, that attend him, are to him his pages of honour ; his dun- geon, the lower part of the vault of heaven ; his rack or wheel, the stairs of his ascent to glory : he challengeth his executioners; and encounters the fiercest pains, with 250 TWO CHARACTERS Hall strength of resolution ; and, while he suffers, the beholders 1608 pjty him, the tormentors complain of weariness, and both of them wonder. No anguish can master him ; whether by violence or by lingering. He accounts expectation no pun- ishment ; and can abide to have his hopes adjourned, till a new day. Good laws serve for his protection, not for his revenge ; and his own power, to avoid indignities, not to return them. His hopes are so strong, that they can insult over the greatest discouragements; and his apprehensions so deep, that, when he hath once fastened, he sooner leav- eth his life than his hold. Neither time nor perverseness can make him cast off his charitable endeavours, and despair of prevailing ; but, in spite of all crosses and all denials, he redoubleth his beneficial offers of love. He trieth the sea, after many shipwrecks ; and beats still at that door, which he never saw opened. Contrariety of events doth but ex- ercise, not dismay him; and, when crosses afflict him, he sees a divine hand invisibly striking with these sensible scourges : against which he dares not rebel, not murmur. Hence, all things befall him alike ; and he goes with the same mind to the shambles and to the fold. His recrea- tions are calm and gentle ; and not more full of relaxation than void of fury. This man only can turn necessity into virtue, and put evil to good use. He is the surest friend ; the latest and easiest enemy ; the greatest conqueror ; and so much more happy than others, by how much he could abide to be more miserable. II THE SLOTHFUL MAN He is a religious man, and wears the time in his cloister; and, as the cloak of his doing nothing, pleads con- templation : yet is he no whit the leaner for his thoughts ; no whit learneder. He takes no less care how to spend TWO CHARACTERS 251 time than others how to gain by the expense ; and, when Hall business importunes him, is more troubled to forethink what ^^°^ he must do than another to effect it. Summer is out of his favour for nothing but long days, that make no haste to their even. He loves still to have the sun witness of his rising ; and lies long, more for lothness to dress him than will to sleep : and, after some stretching and yawning, calls for dinner, unwashed ; which having digested with a sleep in his chair, he walks forth to the bench in the market-place, and looks for companions : whomsoever he meets, he stays with idle questions and lingering discourse : how the days are lengthened ; how kindly the weather is ; how false the clock ; how forward the spring ; and ends ever with ' What shall we do ?' It pleases him no less to hinder others than not to work himself. When all the people are gone from church, he is left sleeping in his seat alone. He enters bonds ; and forfeits them by forgetting the day : and asks his neighbour, when his own field was fallowed, whether the next piece of ground belong not to himself. His care is either none or too late : when winter is come, after some sharp visitations, he looks on his pile of wood, and asks how much was cropped the last spring. Necessity drives him to every action ; and what he cannot avoid, he will yet defer. Every change troubles him, although to the better ; and his dullness counterfeits a kind of contentment. When he is warned on a jury, he would rather pay the mulct than appear. All but that which nature will not permit, he doth by a deputy : and counts it troublesome to do nothing ; but, to do anything, yet more. He is witty in nothing but framing excuses to sit still ; which, if the occasion yield not, he coineth with ease. There is no work, that is not either dangerous or thankless; and whereof he foresees not the inconvenience and gainlessness, before he enters : which if it be verified in event, his next idleness hath found a reason to patronise it. He would rather freeze, than fetch wood : 252 CHARACTER OF A GALLANT Hall and chooses rather to steal, than work ; to beg, than take 1608 pains to steal ; and, in many things, to want, than beg. He is so loath to leave his neighbour's fire, that he is fain to walk home in the dark ; and, if he be not looked to, wears out the night in the chimney-comer; or, if not that, lies down in his clothes to save two labours. He eats and prays himself asleep ; and dreams of no other torment, but work. This man is a standing pool ; and cannot choose but gather corruption : he is descried, amongst a thousand neighbours, by a dry and nasty hand, that stills savours of the sheet; a beard uncut, uncombed ; an eye and an ear yellow with their excretions ; a coat shaken on, ragged, unbrushed ; by linen and face striving whether shall excell in uncleanliness. For body, he hath a swollen leg, a dusky and swinish eye, a blown cheek, a drawling tongue, a heavy foot, and is nothing but a colder earth moulded with standing water : to con- clude, is a man in nothing, but in speech and shape. Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich. CHARACTER OF A GALLANT Dekker THIRST, having diligently enquired out an Ordinary of 1609 \/ the largest reckoning, whither most of your courtly gallants do resort, let it be your use to repair thither some half hour after eleven ; for then you shall find most of your fashionmongers planted in the room waiting for meat. Ride thither upon your galloway-nag, or your Spanish jennet, a swift ambling pace, in your hose, and doublet (gilt rapier and poniard bestowed in their places), and your French lackey carrying your cloak, and running before you; or rather in a coach, for that will both hide you from the basilisk eyes of your creditors, and outrun a whole kennel of bitter-mouthed sergeants. Being arrived in the room, salute not any but those of CHARACTER OF A GALLANT 253 your acquaintance : walk up and down by the rest as scorn- Dekker fully and as carelessly as a gentleman-usher; select some ^^9 friend (having first thrown off your cloak) to walk up and down the room with you, let him be suited, if you can, worse by far than yourself, he will be a foil to you : and this will be a means to publish your clothes better than Paul's, a Tennis-court, or a Play-house : discourse as loud as you can, no matter to what purpose if you but make a noise, and laugh in fashion, and have a good sour face to promise quarrelling, you shall be much observed. If you be a soldier, talk how often you have been in action : as the Portingale voyage, Cales voyage, the Island voyage, besides some eight or nine employments in Ireland and the Low Countries : then you may discourse how honour- ably your Grave used you ; observe that you call your Grave Maurice, your Grave : How often you have drunk with Count such a one, and such a Count, on your knees to your Grave's health : and let it be your virtue to give place neither to Saint Kynock, nor to any Dutchman whatsoever in the Seventeen Provinces, for that soldier's complement ^ of drinking. And if you perceive that the imtravelled company about you take this down well, ply them with more such stuff, as how you have interpreted between the French King and a great Lord of Barbarj', when they have been drinking healths together, and that will be an excellent occasion to publish your languages, if you have them : if not, get some frag- ments of French, or small parcels of Italian, to fling about the table ; but beware how you speak any Latin there : your Ordinary most commonly hath no more to do with Latin than a desperate town of garrison hath. If you be a courtier, discourse of the obtaining of suits : of your mistress's favours, etc. Make inquiry, if any gentle- man at board have any suit, to get which he would use the good means of a great man's interest with the King: and 1 Accomplishment. 264 CHARACTER OF A GALLANT Dekker withal (if you have not so much grace left in you as to Jfo°9 blush) that you are (thanks to your stars) in mighty credit, though in your own conscience you know, and are guilty to yourself, that you dare not (but only upon the privileges of handsome clothes) presume to peep into the presence. Demand if there be any gentleman (whom any there is acquainted with) that is troubled with two offices; or any vicar with two church-livings ; which will politely insinuate, that your inquiry after them is because you have good means to obtain them; yea and rather than your tongue should not be heard in the room, but that you should sit (like an ass) with your finger in your mouth, and speak nothing : discourse how often this Lady hath sent her coach for you ; and how often you have sweat in the tennis-court with that great Lord : for indeed the sweating together in France (I mean the society of tennis) is a great argument of most dear affection, even between noblemen and peasants. If you be a poet, and come into the Ordinary (though it can be no great glory to be an Ordinary poet) order yourself thus. Observe no man, doff not cap to that gentleman to- day at dinner, to whom, not two nights since, you were beholden for a supper ; but, after a turn or two in the room, take occasion (pulling out your gloves) to have some epigram, or satire, or sonnet fastened in one of them, that may (as it were vomitingly to you) offer itself to the Gentlemen ; they will presently desire it : but, without much conjuration from them, and a pretty kind of counterfeit lothness in yourself, do not read it ; and though it be none of your own, swear you made it. Marry, if you chance to get into your hands any witty thing of another man's, that is somewhat better. I would counsel you then, if demand be made who composed it, you may say : ^ Faith, a learned gentlemen, a very worthy friend.' And this seeming to lay it on another man will be counted either modesty in you, or a sign that you are not ambitious of praise, or else that you dare not take it upon CHARACTER OF A GALLANT 255 you for fear of the sharpness it carries with it. Besides, it Dekker will add much to your fame to let your tongue walk faster 1609 than your teeth, though you be never so hungry, and, rather than you should sit like a dumb coxcomb, to repeat by heart either some verses of your own or of any other man's, stretching even very good lines upon the rack of the censure : though it be against all law, honesty, or conscience, it may chance save you the price of your Ordinary, and beget you other suppliments. Marry, I would further intreat our poet to be in league with the Mistress of the Ordinary, because from her (upon condition that he will but rhyme Knights and young Gentlemen to her house, and maintain the table in good fooling) he may easily make up his mouth at her cost, gratis. Thus much for particular men. But in general let all that are in Ordinary-i^ay, march after the sound of these directions. Before the meat come smoking to the board, our gallant must draw out his tobacco-box, the ladle for the cold snuff into the nostril, the tongs and prining-iron : all which artillery may be of gold or silver (if he can reach to the price of it), it will be a reasonable useful pawn at all times, when the current of his money falls out to run low. And here you must observe to know in what state tobacco is in town better than the merchants, and to discourse of the apothecaries where it is to be sold and to be able to speak of their wines, as readily as the apothecary himself reading the barbarous hand of a doctor : then let him show his several tricks in taking it, as the Whiff, the Ring, etc. For these are complements that gain Gentlemen no mean respect, and for which indeed they are more worthily noted, I ensure you, than for any skill that they have in learning. When you are set down to dinner, you must eat as im- pudently as can be (for that is most gentleman-hke) : when your Knight is upon his stewed mutton, be presently, though you be but a Captain, in the bosom of your goose : and when 256 CHARACTER OF A GALLANT Dekker your Justice of Peace is knuckle-deep in goose, you may, 1609 without disparagement to your blood, though you have a Lady to your mother, fall very manfully to your woodcocks. . . . After dinner, every man as his business leads him : some to dice, . . . some to plays, some to take up friends in the Court, some to take up money in the City, some to lend testers in Paul's, others to borrow crowns upon the Exchange : and thus, as the people is said to be a beast of many heads (yet all those heads like Hydra's) ever growing, ... so, in an Ordinary, you shall find the variety of a whole Kingdom in a few apes of the Kingdom. You must not swear in your dicing: for that argues a violent impatience to depart from your money, and in time will betray a man's need. Take heed of it. No ! whether you be at primero or hazard, you shall sit as patiently (though you lose a whole half-year's exhibition) as a disarmed gentleman does when he's in the unmerciful fingers of Serjeants. Marry, I will allow you to sweat privately, and tear six or seven score pair ^ of cards, be the damnation of some dozen or twenty bale of dice, and forswear play a thousand times in an hour, but not swear. Dice yourself into your shirt : and, if you have a beard that your friend will lend but an angel upon, shave it off, and pawn that, rather than to go home blind 2 to your lodging. Further, it is to be remembered, he that is a great gamester may be trusted for a quarter's board at all times, and apparel pro- vided, if need be. At your twelvepenny Ordinary, you may give any Justice of Peace, or young Knight (if he sit but one degree towards the equinoctial of the saltseller) leave to pay for the wine ; and he shall not refuse it, though it be a week before the receiving of his quarter's rent, which is a time albeit of good hope, yet of present necessity. Thomas Dekker. 1 Packs. 2 Penniless. THREE CHARACTERS 257 THREE CHARACTERS I A WORTHY COMMANDER IN THE WARS IS one that accounts learning the nourishment of military Overbury virtue, and lays that as his first foundation. He never ^6i6 bloudies his sword but in heat of battle ; and had rather save one of his own soldiers than kill ten of his enemies. He accounts it an idle, vainglorious, and suspected bounty to be full of good words ; his rewarding, therefore, of the deserver arrives so timely, that his liberality can never be said to be gouty-handed. He holds it next his creed, that no coward can be an honest man, and dare die in it. He doth not think his body yields a more spreading shadow after a victory than before ; and when he looks upon his enemy's dead body, 'tis with a kind of noble heaviness, not insultation ; he is so honourably merciful to women in surprisal, that only makes him an excellent courtier. He knows the hazard of battles, not the pomp of ceremonies, are soldiers' best theatres, and strives to gain reputation, not by the multitude, but by the greatness of his actions. He is the first in giving the charge, and the last in retiring his foot. Equal toil he endures with the common soldier : from his example they all take fire, as one torch lights many. He understands in war there is no mean to err twice ; the first, and least fault being sufficient to ruin an army : faults, therefore, he pardons none ; they that are presidents of disorder, or mutiny, repair it by being examples of his justice. Besiege him never so strictly, so long as the air is not cut from him, his heart faints not. He hath learned so well to make use of a victory, as to get it, and in pursuing his enemy like a whirlwind carries all afore liim ; being assured, if ever a man would benefit himself upon his foe, then is the time, when they have lost force, wisdom, VOL. L R 258 THREE CHARACTERS Overbury courage, and reputation. The goodness of his cause is the 1616 special motive to his valour; never is he known to slight the weakest enemy that comes armed against him in the hand of justice. Hasty and overmuch heat he accounts the step- dame to all great actions, that will not suffer them to thrive : if he cannot overcome his enemy by force, he does it by time. If ever he shake hands with war, he can die more calmly than most courtiers, for his continual dangers have been, as it were, so many meditations of death ; he thinks not out of his own calling when he accounts life a continual warfare, and his prayers then best become him when armed cap-c\-pie. He utters them like the great Hebrew general, on horseback. He casts a smiling contempt upon calumny, it meets him as if glass should encounter adamant. He thinks war is never to be given o'er, but on one of these three conditions : an assured peace, absolute victory, or an honest death. Lastly, when peace folds him up, his silver head should lean near the golden sceptre, and die in his prince's bosom. II A TINKER Is a movable : for he hath no abiding place. By his motion he gathers heat, thence his choleric nature. He seems to be very devout, for his life is a continual pil- grimage, and sometimes in humility goes barefoot, thereon making necessity a virtue. His house is as ancient as Tubal Cain's, and so is [he] a runagate by antiquity : yet he proves himself a gallant, for he carries all his wealth upon his back ; or a philosopher, for he bears all his substance about him. From his art was music first invented, and therefore is he always furnished with a song : to which his hammer keeping tune, proves that he was the first founder of the kettle-drum. Note, that where the best ale is, there stands his music most THREE CHARACTERS 259 upon crotchets. The companion of his travels is some foul, Overbury sunburnt quean, that since the terrible Statute recanted ^^^^ gipsyism, and is turned pedleress. So marches he all over England with his bag and baggage. His conversation is unreprovable ; for he is ever mending. He observes truly the statutes, and therefore he can rather steal than beg, in which he is unremovably constant in spite of whips or imprisonment : and a so strong enemy to idleness, that in mending one hole he had rather make three than want work, and when he hath done he throws the wallet of his faults behind him. He embraceth naturally ancient custom, conversing in open fields and lowly cottages. If he visit cities or towns, 'tis but to deal upon the imperfections of our weaker vessels. His tongue is very voluble, which with canting proves him a linguist. He is entertained in every place, but enters no further than the door, to avoid suspicion. Some would take him to be a coward ; but believe it, he is a lad of mettle, his valour is commonly three or four yards long, fastened to a pike in the end for flying off. He is very provident, for he will fight but with one at once, and then also he had rather submit than be counted obstinate. To conclude, if he 'scape Tyburn and Banbury he dies a beggar. Ill A FAIR AND HAPPY MILK-MAID Is a country wench, that is so far from making herself beautiful by art, that one look of hers is able to put all face-physic out of countenance. She knows a fair look is but a dumb orator to commend virtue, therefore minds it not. All her excellencies stand in her so silently, as if they had stolen upon her without her knowledge. The lining of her apparel (which is herself) is far better than outsides of tissue : for though she be not arrayed in the spoil of the 260 THREE CHARACTERS Overbury silk- worm, she is decked in innocency, a far better wearing. ^^^^ She doth not, with lying long abed, spoil both her com- plexion and conditions; nature hath taught her too im- moderate sleep is rust to the soul : she rises, therefore, with chanticleer, her dame's cock, and at night makes the lamb her curfew. In milking a cow, and straining the teats through her fingers, it seems that so sweet a milk-press makes the milk the whiter or sweeter; for never came almond glove or aromatic ointment on her palm to taint it. The golden ears of com fall and kiss her feet when she reaps them, as if they wish to be bound and led prisoners by the same hand that felled them. Her breath is her own which scents all the year long of June, like a new made hay- cock. She makes her hand hard with labour, and her heart soft with pity : and when winter evenings fall early (sitting at her merry wheel) she sings a defiance to the giddy wheel of fortune. She doth all things with so sweet a grace, it seems ignorance will not suffer her to do ill, being her mind is to do well. She bestows her year's wages at next fair; and in choosing her garments, counts no bravery in the world like decency. The garden and bee-hive are all her physic and chirurgery, and she lives the longer for it. She dares go alone and unfold sheep in the night, and fears no manner of ill, because she means none : yet to say truth, she is never alone, for she is still accompanied with old songs, honest thoughts, and prayers, but short ones ; yet they have their efficacy, in that they are not palled with ensuing idle cogita- tions. Lastly, her dreams are so chaste that she dare tell them; only a Friday's dream is all her superstition: that she conceals for fear of anger. Thus lives she, and all her care is she may die in the spring-time, to have store of flowers stuck upon her winding-sheet. Sir Thomas Overbury. THE DELIGHTFUL PASSAGE OF THE PUPPET-PLAY 261 THE DELIGHTFUL PASSAGE OF THE PUPPET-PLAY HERE Tyrians and Trojans were all silent, I mean all Shelton the spectators of the motion^ had their ears hanged ^ upon the interpreter's mouth, that should declare the wonders. By and by there was a great sound of kettle- drums and trumpets, and a volley of great-shot within the motion, which passing away briefly, the boy began to raise his voice and to say : ' This true history, which is here represented to you, is taken word for word out of the French Chronicles and the Spanish Romants, which are in every- body's mouth, and sung by boys up and down the streets. It treats of the liberty that Signor Don Gayferos gave to Melisendra, his wife, that was imprisoned by the Moors in Spain, in the city of Sansuenna, which was then so called, and now Saragosa ; and look you there how Don Gayferos is playing at tables according to the song : " Now Don Gayferos at Tables doth play. Unmindful of Melisendra away." And that personage that peeps out there with a crown on his head and a sceptre in his hand is the Emperor Charlemaine, the supposed father of the said Melisendra, who, grieved with the sloth and neglect of his son-in-law, comes to chide him : and mark with what vehemency and earnestness he rates him, as if he meant to give him half-a-dozen cons 2 with his sceptre. Some authors there be that say he did, and sound ones too; and after he had told him many things concerning the danger of his reputation, if he did not free his spouse, 'twas said he told him " I have said enough ; look to it" Look ye, Sir, again, how the Emperor turns his 1 Puppet show. 2 Raps. 262 THE DELIGHTFUL PASSAGE OF THE PUPPET-PLAY Shelton back, and in what case he leaves Don Gayferos, who, all ^ ^° enraged, flings the tables and the tablemen from him, and hastily calls for his armour, and borrows his cousin-germ an Roldan his sword Durindana, who offers him his company in this difficult enterprise. But the valorous enraged knight would not accept it, saying, that he is sufficient to free his spouse, though she were put in the deep centre of the earth : and now he goes to arm himself for his journey. ' Now turn your eyes to yonder tower that appears, for you must suppose it is one of the towers of the Castle of Saragosa, which is now called the Aliaferia, and that lady that appears in the window, clad in a Moorish habit, is the peerless Melisendra, that many a time looks towards France, thinking on Paris and her spouse, the only comforts in her imprison- ment. Behold, also, a strange accident now that happens, perhaps never the like seen ! See you not that Moor that comes fair and softly, with his finger in his mouth, behind Melisendra .'* Look what a smack he gives her in the midst of her lips, and how suddenly she begins to spit and to wipe them with her white smock sleeve, and how she laments, and for very anguish despiteously roots up her fair hairs, as if they were to blame for this wickedness. Mark you, also, that grave Moor that stands in that open gallery, it is Marsilius, King of Sansuenna, who, when he saw the Moor's sauciness, although he were a kinsman and a great favourite of his, he commanded him straight to be apprehended, and to have two hundred stripes given him, and to be carried through the chief streets of the city with minstrels before and rods of justice behind. And look ye how the sentence is put in execution, before the fault be scarce committed ; for your Moors use not (as we do) any legal proceeding.' ' Child, child ' (cried Don Quixote aloud), ' on with your story in a direct line, and fall not into your crooks and your transversals, for to verify a thing I tell you there had need be a legal proceeding.' Then Master Peter, too, said from THE DELIGHTFUL PASSAGE OF THE PUPPET-PLAY 263 within : ' Boy, fall not you to your flourishes, but do as that Shelton gentleman commands you, which is the best course. Sing ^^^o you your plain-song, and meddle not with the treble, lest the strings break.' ' I will, master ' (said the boy), and pro- ceeded, saying : ' He that you see there ' (quoth he) ' on horseback, clad in a Gascoigne cloak, is Don Gayferos himself, to whom his wife (now revenged on the Moor for his boldness) shows herself from the battlements of the castle, taking him to be some passenger with whom she passed all the discourse mentioned in the Romant, that says : " Friend, if toward France you go. Ask if Gayferos be there or no." The rest I omit, for all prolixity is irksome ; 'tis sufficient that you see there how Don Gayferos discovers himself, and by Melisendra's jocund behaviour we may imagine she knows him, and the rather because now we see she lets herself down from a bay-window to ride away behind her good spouse ; but alas, unhappy creature, one of the skirts of her i kirtle hath caught upon one of the iron bars of the window, and she hovers in the air without possibility of coming to the ground ; but see how pitiful heaven reheves her in her greatest necessity ! for Don Gayferos comes, and, without any care of her rich kirtle, lays hold of it, and forcibly brings her down with him, and at one hoist sets her astride upon his horse's crupper, and commands her to sit fast and clasp her arms about him that she fall not ; for Melisendra was not used to that kind of riding. Look you how the horse by its neighing shows that he is proud with the burden of his valiant master and fair mistress. Look how they turn their backs to the city, and merrily take their way toward Paris. Peace be with you, O peerless couple of true lovers ! Safely may you arrive at your desired country, without fortune's hindering your prosperous voyage ! May your friends and 264 THE DELIGHTFUL PASSAGE OF THE PUPPET-PLAY Sheltoa kindred see you enjoy the rest of your years (as many as 1620 Nestor's) peaceably ! ' Here Master Peter cried out aloud again, saying : ' Plain- ness, good boy, do not you soar so high, this affectation is scurvy.' The interpreter answered nothing but went on saying : ' There wanted not some idle spectators that pry into everything, who saw the going down of Melisendra, and gave Marsilius notice of it, who straight commanded to sound an alarm ; and now behold how fast the city even sinks again with the noise of bells that sound in the high towers of the Mesquits.' ^ ' There you are out, boy ' (said Don Quixote), ' and Master Peter is very improper in his bells ; for amongst Moors you have no bells, but kettledrums and a kind of shawms that be like our waits ; so that your sounding of bells in Sansuenna is a most idle foppery.' ' Stand not upon trifles. Signer Don Quixote' (said Master Peter), 'and so strictly upon every- thing, for we shall not know how to please you. Have you not a thousand comedies ordinarily represented as full of incon- gruities and absurdities, and yet they run their career happily, and are heard not only with applause, but great admiration also } On boy, say on, and so I fill my purse, let there be as many improprieties as motes in the sun.' ' You are in the right ' (quoth Don Quixote), and the boy proceeded : ' Look what a company of gallant knights go out of the city in pursuit of the Catholic lovers, how many trumpets sound, how many shawms play, how many drums and kettles make a noise. I fear me they will overtake them, and bring them back both bound to the same horse's tail, which would be a horrible spectacle.' Don Quixote, seeing and hearing such a deal of Moorism, and such a coil, he thought fit to succour those that fled. So, standing up, with a loud voice, he cried out : ' I will never consent while I live that in my presence such an outrage as 1 ' Moorish Chxurches.' 1 THE DELIGHTFUL PASSAGE OF THE PUPPET-PLAY 265 this be offered to so valiant and to so amorous a bold knight Shelton as Don Gayferos. Stay, you base scoundrels, do not you ^^-*^ follow or persecute him : if you do you must first wage war with me.' So doing and speaking, he unsheathed his sword, and at one frisk he got to the motion, and with an unseen, posting fury he began to rain strokes upon the Puppetish Moorism, overthrowing some and beheading others, maiming this and cutting in pieces that ; and amongst many other blows he fetched one so downright that, had not Master Peter tumbled and squatted down, he had clipped his mazzard as easily as if it had been made of march-pane. Master Peter cried out, saying : ' Hold, Signor Don Quixote, hold ; and know that these you hurl down, destroy, and kill are not real Moors, but shapes made of pasteboard : look you, look you now (wretch that I am), he spoils all, and un- does me/ But, for all this, Don Quixote still multiplied his slashes, doubling and redoubhng his blows as thick as hops. And in a word, in less than two credos, he cast down the whole motion (all the tackling first cut to fitters, and all the puppets). King Marsilius was sore wounded, and the Emperor Charlemaine his head and crown were parted in two places ; the Senate and Auditors were all in a hurry ; and the ape got up to the top of the house, and so out of the window; the Scholar was frighted ; the Page clean dastarded ; and even Sancho himself was in a terrible perplexity, for (as he swore after the storm was past) he never saw his master so outrageous. The general ruin of the motion thus performed, Don Quixote began to be somewhat pacified, and said : ' Now would I have all those here at this instant before me that believe not how profitable knights-errant are to the world ; and had not I been now present what (I marvel) would have become of Signor Don Gayferos and the fair Melisendra } I war- rant, ere this, those dogs would have overtaken, and showed them some foul play : when all is done, long live knight- errantry above all things living in the world ! ' 266 THE DELIGHTFUL PASSAGE OF THE PUPPET PLAY Shelton ' Long live it, in God's name ' (said Master Peter again, 1620 ^i|.j^ ^ pitiful voice), 'and may I die since I live to be so unhappy as to say with King Don Rodrigo, yesterday I was Lord of all Spain, but to-day have not a battlement I can call mine. ... It is not yet half an hour, scarce half a minute, that I was master of kings and emperors, had my stables, coffers, and bags full of horses and trea- sure ; but now I am desolate, dejected, and poor; and, to add more affliction, without my ape, that before I can catch him again I am like to sweat for it, and all through the incon- siderate furies of this Sir Knight, who is said to protect the fatherless, to rectify wrongs, and to do other charitable works, but to me only this his generous intention hath been defec- tive, I thank God for it. In fine, it could be none but the Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance that discountenanced me and mine.' Sancho grew compassionate to hear Master Peter's lamentation, and said : ' Weep not nor grieve. Master Peter, for thou breakest my heart; and let me tell thee that my master Don Quixote is so scrupulous and Catholical a Christian that if he fall into the reckoning that he hath done thee any wrong, he knows how, and will satisfy it with much advantage.' ' If (said Master Peter) ' Don Quixote would but pay me for some part of the pieces that he hath spoiled I should be contented, and his worship might not be troubled in con- science ; for he that keeps that that is another man's against the owner's will, and restores it not, can hardly be saved.' ] 'That's true' (quoth Don Quixote), 'but hitherto. Master -; Peter, I know not whether I have detained ought of yours.' 'No? not.'*' said Master Peter : 'why these poor relics that lie upon the hard and barren earth, who scattered and annihi- lated them but the invincible force of that powerful arm } and whose were those bodies but mine } and with whom did I maintain myself but with them.^ ' ' Well, I now ' (said Don Quixote) 'verily believe what I have done often, that the enchanters that persecute me do nothing but put shapes, I THE DELIGHTFUL PASSAGE OF THE PUPPET-PLAY 267 really as they are before my eyes, and by and by truck and Shelton change them at their pleasures. Verily, my masters, you ^^^o that hear me, I tell you all that here passed seemed to me to be really so, and immediately that that Melisendra was Melisendra ; Don Gayferos, Don Gayferos ; and Marsilius, Marsilius ; and Charlemaine, Charlemaine. And this was it that stirred up my choler ; and, to accomplish my profession of knight-errant, my meaning was to succour those that fled, and to this good purpose I did all that you have seen : which, if it fell out unluckily, 'twas no fault of mine, but of my wicked persecutors ; yet for all this error (though it pro- ceeded from no malice of mine) I myself will condemn myself in the charge ; let Master Peter see what he will have for the spoiled pieces, and I will pay it all in present current coin of Castile.' Master Peter made him a lowleg, saying : ' I could expect no less from the unheard of Christianity of the most valorous Don Quixote de la Mancha, the true succourer and bulwark of all those that be in need and necessity, or wandering vagamunds ; and now let the Venter ^ and the Grand Sancho be arbitrators, and price-setters between your worship and me, and let them say what every torn piece was worth.' The Venter and Sancho both agreed ; and by and by Master Peter reached up Marsilius, King of Saragosa, headless, and said : ' You see how impossible it is for this Prince to return to his first being, and therefore, saving your better judgments, I think fit to have for him two shillings and threepence.' ' On then,' quoth Don Quixote. ' Then for this ' (quoth Master Peter) ' that is parted from head to foot ' (taking the Emperor Charlemaine up), ' I think two shiUings and seven- pence halfpenny is little enough.' * Not very little,' quoth Sancho. 'Nor much,' said the Venter; 'but moderate the bargain, and let him have half-a-crown.' ' Let him have his full asking ' (said Don Quixote) ; ' for, for such a mishap as * Sp. Fvo. $s. This book is a continuation of Mr. Browning's ' Guelphs and Ghibellines,' and the two works form a complete account of Italian history from 1250 to 1530. Layard. RELIGION IN BOYHOOD. Notes on the Reli- gious Training of Boys. With a Preface by J. R. Illingworth. 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By Robert Barr, Author of * From Whose Bourne,' etc. Crown Svo. 6s. A story of journalism and Fenians, told with much vigour and humour. Benson. SUBJECT TO VANITY. By Margaret Benson. With numerous Illustrations. Crown Svo. y. 6d. A volume of humorous and sympathetic sketches of animal life and home pets. X L. AUT DIABOLUS AUT NIHIL, and Other Stones. By X. L. Crown Svo. 35. 6d. A collection of stories of much weird power. The title story appeared some years ago in 'Blackwood's Magazine,' and excited considerable . attention. "The 'Spectator' spoke of it as 'distinctly original, and in the highest degree imagina- tive. The conception, if self-generated, is almost as lofty as Milton's.' Morrison. LIZERUNT, and other East End Idylls. By Arthur Morrison. Crown Svo. 6s. A volume of sketches of East End life, some of which have appeared in the 'National Observer,' and have been much praised for their truth and strength and pathos. O'Grady. THE COMING OF CURCULAIN. By Standish O'Grady, Author of * Finn and his Companions,' etc. Illustrated by Murray Smith. Crown Svo. y. 6d. The story of the boyhood of one of the legendary heroes of Ireland. Messrs. Methuen's List ii New Editions E. F. Benson. THE RUBICON. By E. F. Benson, Author of ' Dodo.' Fourth Edition. Crown %vo. 6s. Mr. Benson's second novel has been, in its two volume form, almost as great a success as his first. The ' Birmingham Post' says it is ^ well ivritien, stimulat- ing, unconventional, and, in a word, characteristic': the ' National Observer' congratulates Mr. Benson upon 'an exceptional achievement,' and calls the book ' a notable advance on his previous work.' Stanley Weyman. UNDER THE RED ROBE. By Stanley Weyman, Author of * A Gentleman of France.' With Twelve Illus- trations by R. Caton Woodville. Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s. A cheaper edition of a book which won instant popularity. No unfavourable review occurred, and most critics spoke in terms of enthusiastic admiration. The * West- minster Gazette ' called it * a book of which we have read every word/or the sheer pleasure of reading, and which we put dorvn with a pang that we cannot forget it all and start again.' The 'Daily Chronicle' said that 'every one who reads books at all must read this thrilling romance, from the first page of which to the last the breathless reader is Jialed along.' It also called the book ' an inspiration of manliness and courage.' The ' Globe ' called it ' a delightful tale of chivalry and adventure, vivid and dramatic, with a wholesome modesty and reverence for tJu highest.' Baring Gould. THE QUEEN OF LOVE. By S. Baring Gould, Author of ' Cheap Jack Zita,' etc. Second Edition. Crown 8vo, 6s. The scenery is admirable and the dramatic incidents most striking.'— C/af^OTy Berald. 'Strong, interesting, and clever.' — Westminster Gazette. • You cannot put it down till you have finished it.' — Punch. Can be heartily recommended to all who care for cleanly, energetic, and interesting fiction.'— Sussex Daily News. Mrs. Oliphant. THE PRODIGALS. By Mrs. Oliphant. Second Edition. Crown Svo. 3j. 6d. Richard Pryce. WINIFRED MOUNT. By Richard Pryce. Second Edition. Crown Svo. S^. 6d. The 'Sussex Daily News' called this book *a delightful story,' 9xA said that the writing was 'uniformly bright and graceful.' The ' Daily Telegraph' said that the author was a ' deft and elegant story-teller,' and that the book was * an extremely clever story, utterly untainted by pessimism or vulgarity.' Constance Smith. A CUMBERER OF THE GROUND. By Constance Smith, Author of * The Repentance of Paul Went- worth,' etc. New Edition. Crown Svo. Ss. 6d. iJ Messrs. Methuen's List School Books A VOCABULARY OF LATIN IDIOMS AND PHRASES. By A. M. M. Stedman, M.A. iSmo. is. STEPS TO GREEK. By A. M. M. Stedman, M.A. iSmo. IS. 6d. A SHORTER GREEK PRIMER OF ACCIDENCE AND SYNTAX. By A. M. M. Stedman, M.A. Crown Svo. is. 6d. SELECTIONS FROM THE ODYSSEY. With Introduction and Notes. By E. D. Stone, M.A., late Assistant Master at Eton. Fcap, Svo. 2s. THE ELEMENTS OF ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM. With numerous Illustrations. By R. G. Steel, M.A., Head Master of the Technical Schools, Northampton. Crown Svo. 4s. 6d. THE ENGLISH CITIZEN : His Rights and Duties. By H. E. Malden, M.A. Crown Svo. is. dd. A simple account of the privileges and duties of the English citizen. INDEX POETARUM LATINORUM. By E. F. Benecke, M.A. Crown Svo. 4s. 6d. A concordance to Latin Lyric Poetry. Commercial Series A PRIMER OF BUSINESS. By S. Jackson, M.A. CroTvn Svo. IS. 6d. COMMERCIAL ARITHMETIC. By F. G. Taylor. Crown Svo. IS. 6d. Messrs. Methuen's List 13 iPeto ann IBlecent ffioofejj Poetry Rudyard Kipling. BARRACK-ROOM BALLADS; And Other Verses. By Rudyard Kipling. Seventh Edition, Crown Svo. 6s, A Special Presentation Edition, bound in white buckram, with extra gilt ornament, ys. 6d, ' Mr. Kipling's verse is strong, vivid, full of character. . . . Unmistakable genius rings in every line.' — Times. * The disreputable lingo of Cockayne is henceforth justified before the world ; for a man of genius has taken it in hand, and has shown, beyond all cavilling, that in its way it also is a medium for literature. You are grateful, and you say to yourself, half in envy and half in admiration : " Here is a book ; here, or one is a Dutchman, is one of the books of the year." ' — National Observer. * •' Barrack-Room Ballads " contains some of the best work that Mr. Kipling has ever done, which is saying a good deal. " Fuzzy- Wuzzy," "Gunga Din," and •* Tommy," are, in our opinion, altogether superior to anything of the kind that English literature has hitherto ^rodnc^^.'—Athenaum. * These ballads are as wonderful in their descriptive power as they are vigorous in their dramatic force. There are few ballads in the English language more stirring than "The Ballad of East and West, " worthy to stand by the Border ballads oiScoit.'— Spectator. ' The ballads teem with imagination, they palpitate with emotion. We read them with laughter and tears ; the metres throb in our pulses, the cunningly ordered words tingle with life ; and if this be not poetry, what is ? ' — Pall Mall Gazette. Henley. LYRA HEROICA : An Anthology selected from the best English Verse of the i6th, 17th, i8th, and 19th Centuries. By William Ernest Henley, Author of * A Book of Verse,' 'Views and Reviews,' etc. Crown Svo, Stamped gilt buckravi^ gilt top, edges uncut, 6s, • Mr. Henley has brought to the task of selection an instinct alike for poetry and for chivalry which seems to us quite wonderfully, and even unerringly, right.'— Guardian, Tomson. A SUMMER NIGHT, AND OTHER POEMS. By Graham R. Tomson, With Frontispiece by A. Tomson. Fcap, Svo. 3J. 6d, An edition on hand-made paper, limited to 50 copies. 10s, 6d, net, • Mrs. Tomson holds perhaps the very highest rank among poetesses of English birth. This selection will help her lepxitatioa.'— Black and White. 14 Messrs. Methuen's List Ibsen. BRAND. A Drama by Henrik Ibsen. Translated by William Wilson. Crown Svo. Second Edition, y. 6d. 'The greatest world-poem of the nineteenth century next to "Faust." "Brand" will have an astonishing interest for Englishmen. It is in the same set with "Agamemnon," with "Lear," with the literature that we now instinctively regard as high and holy.' — Daily Chronicle. " Q." GREEN BAYS : Verses and Parodies. By " Q.," Author of ' Dead Man's Rock ' etc. Second Edition. Fcap. Svo. y. 6d. * The verses display a rare and versatile gift of parody, great command of metre, and a very pretty turn of humour.' — Times. "A.G." VERSES TO ORDER. By"A. G." Cr. Svo. 2s.6cf. net. A small volume of verse by a writer whose initials are well known to Oxford men. 'A capital specimen of light academic poetry. These verses are very bright and engaging, easy and sufficiently witty.'— 6"/. Jafnes's Gazette. Hosken. VERSES BY THE WAY. By J. D. Hosken. Crown Svo. $s, A small edition on hand-made paper. Price 12s. 6d. net, A Volume of Lyrics and Sonnets by J. D. Hosken, the Postman Poet. Q, the Author of 'The Splendid Spur,' writes a critical and biographical intro- duction. Gale. CRICKET SONGS. By Norman Gale. Crown Svo. Linen. 2s. 6d. Also a limited edition on hand-made paper. Demy Svo, los. 6d. net. ' They are wrung out of the excitement of the moment, and palpitate with the spirit of the game. ' — Slar. 'As healthy as they are spirited, and ought to have a great success.'— TVwm. ' Simple, manly, and humorous. Every cricketer should buy the book.' — Westminster Gazette. ' Cricket has never known such a singtx.'— Cricket. Langbridge. BALLADS OF THE BRAVE : Poems of Chivalry, Enterprise, Courage, and Constancy, from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. Edited, with Notes, by Rev. F. Langbridge. Crown Svo. Buckram y. 6d. School Edition, 2s. 6d, ' A very happy conception happily carried out. These "Ballads of the Brave" are intended to suit the real tastes of boj's, and will suit the taste of the great majority.' —Spectator. ' The book is full of splendid things.' — World. Messrs. Methuen's List 15 General Literature Collingwood. JOHN RUSKIN : His Life and Work. By W. G. Collingwood, M.A., late Scholar of University College, Oxford, Author of the * Art Teaching of John Ruskin,' Editor of Mr. Ruskin's Poems. 2 vols. Svo. 325". Second Edition. This important work is written by Mr. Collingwood, who has been for some years Mr. Ruskin's private secretary, and who has had unique advantages in obtaining materials for this book from Mr. Ruskin himself and from his friends. It contains a large amount of new matter, and of letters which have never been published, and is, in fact, a full and authoritative biography of Mr. Ruskin. The book contains numerous portraits of Mr. Ruskin, including a coloured one from a water-colour portrait by himself, and also 13 sketches, never before published, by Mr. Ruskin and Mr. Arthur Severn. A bibliography is added. ' No more magnificent volumes have been published for a long time. . . .* — Times. • This most lovingly written and most profoundly interesting book.' — Daily News. • It is long since we have had a biography with such varied delights of substance and of form. Such a book b a pleasure for the day, and a joy for &\qt.'— Daily Chronicle. ' Mr. Ruskin could not well have been more fortunate in his biographer.'— G/f?^^. •A noble monument of a noble subject. One of the most beautiful books about one of the noblest lives of our ctainty.'— Glasgow Herald. Gladstone. THE SPEECHES AND PUBLIC ADDRESSES OF THE RT. HON. W. E. GLADSTONE, M.P. With Notes and Introductions. Edited by A. W. Hutton, M.A. (Librarian of the Gladstone Library), and H. J. Cohen, M.A. With Portraits. 8w. Vols. IX. and X. 12s. 6d. each. Clark RusseU. THE LIFE OF ADMIRAL LORD COL- LINGWOOD. By W. Clark Russell, Author of 'The Wreck of the Grosvenor.' With Illustrations by F. Brangwyn. Second Edition. Crown Svo. 6s. 'A really good book.' — Saturday Review. • A most excellent and wholesome book, which we should like to see in the hands of every boy in the country.' — Si. James's Gazette. Clark. THE COLLEGES OF OXFORD : Their History and their Traditions. By Members of the University. Edited by A. Clark, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Lincoln College. Svo. 12s. 6d. Whether the reader approaches the book as a patriotic member of a college, as an antiquary, or as a student of the organic growth of college foundation, it will amply reward his attention.'— T/ww. •A delightful book, learned and Ww&ly.'— Academy. •A work which will certainly be appealed to for many years as the standard book on the Colleges oi Oxiovd.'—Atkenceum. i6 Messrs. Methuen's List Wells. OXFORD AND OXFORD LIFE. By Members of the University. Edited by J. Wells, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Wadham College. Crown Zvo. 3j. dd. This work contains an account of life at Oxford— intellectual, social, and religious — a careful estimate of necessary expenses, a review of recent changes, a statement of the present position of the University, and chapters on Women's Education, aids to study, and University Extension. • We congratulate Mr. Wells on the production of a readable and intelligent account of Oxford as it is at the present time, written by persons who are, with hardly an exception, possessed of a close acquaintance with the system and life of the University. ' — A thenceum, Perrens. THE HISTORY OF FLORENCE FROM THE TIME OF THE MEDICIS TO THE FALL OF THE REPUBLIC. By F. T. Perrens. Translated by Hannah Lynch. In Three Volumes, Vol. I. Svo. 12s. 6d. •This is a translation from the French of the best history of Florence in existence. This volume covers a period of profound interest— political and literary— and is written with great vivacity. ' This is a standard book by an honest and intelligent historian, who has deserved well of his countrymen, and of all who are interested in Italian history.' — Man- chester Guardian. Browning. GUELPHS AND GHIBELLINES : A Short History of Medieval Italy, A.D. 1250-1409. By OscAR Browning, Fellow and Tutor of King's College, Cambridge. Second Edition. Croivn Svo. 5j. 'A very able book.' — Westminster Gazette. 'A vivid picture of mediaeval Italy.' — Standard. O'Grady. THE STORY OF IRELAND. By Standish O'Grady, Author of ' Finn and his Companions.* Cr. Svo. 2s. 6d. ' Novel and very fascinating history. Wonderfully alluring.' — Cork Examiner. 'Most delightful, most stimulating. _ Its racy humour, its original imaginings, its perfectly unique history, make it one of the freshest, breeziest volumes.' — Methodist Times. ' A survey at once graphic, acute, and quaintly written.' — Times. Dixon. ENGLISH POETRY FROM BLAKE TO BROWN- ING. By W. M. Dixon, M.A. Crown Svo. zs. 6d. A Popular Account of the Poetry of the Century. • Scholarly in conception, and full of sound and suggestive criticism.'— T/w^f. ' The book is remarkable for freshness of thought expressed in graceful language.'— Manchester Examiner. Bowden. THE EXAMPLE OF BUDDHA: Being Quota- tions from Buddhist Literature for each Day in the Year. Compiled by E. M. Bow DEN. With Preface by Sir Edwin Arnold. Third Edition. i6mo. 2s. 6df Messrs. Methuen's List 17 Flinders Petrie. TELL EL AMARNA. By W. M. Flinders Petrie, D.C.L. With chapters by Professor A. H. Sayce, D.D.; F. Ll. Griffith, F.S.A.; and F. C. J. Spurrell, F.G.S. With numerous coloured illustrations. Royal ^o. 20s. net, Massee. A MONOGRAPH OF THE MYXOGASTRES. By George Massee. With 12 Coloured Plates. Royal Svo. iSs. nei. •A work much in advance of any book in the language treating of this group of organisms. It is indispensable to every student of the Mxyogastres. The coloured plates deserve high praise for their accuracy and execution.'— iVa^wr^. BusMU. PROFIT SHARING AND THE LABOUR QUES- TION. By T. W. BUSHILL, a Profit Sharing Employer. With an Introduction by Sedley Taylor, Author of ' Profit Sharing between Capital and Labour.' Crown Zvo. 2s. 6d. John Beever. PRACTICAL FLY-FISHING, Founded on Nature, by John Beever, late of the Thwaite House, Coniston. A New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author by W. G. Collingwood, M.A. Also additional Notes and a chapter on Char-Fishing, by A. and A. R. Severn. With a specially designed title-page. Crown Svo. ss. 6d. A little book on Fly-Fishing by an old friend of Mr. Ruskin. It has been out of print for some time, and being still much in request, is now issued with a Memoir of the Author by W. G. Collingwood. Theology Driver. SERMONS ON SUBJECTS CONNECTED WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT. By S. R. Driver, D.D., Canon of Christ Church, Regius Professor of Hebrew in the University of Oxford. Crown Svo. 6s. •A welcome companion to the author's famous • Introduction.' No man can read these discourses without feeling that Dr. Driver is fully alive to the deeper teachmg of the Old Ttstumcat.'— Guardian. Cheyne. FOUNDERS OF OLD TESTAMENT CRITICISM: Biographical, Descriptive, and Critical Studies. By T. K. Cheyne, D.D., Oriel Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Oxford. Large crown Svo. Ts. 6d. This important book is a historical sketch of O.T. Criticism in the form of biographi- cal studies from the days of Eichhorn to those of Driver and Robertson Smith. It is the only book of its kind in English. •The volume is one of great interest and value. It displays all the authors well- known ability and learning, and its opportune publication has laid all students of theology, and specially of Bible criticism, under weighty obligation. —Scotsman. A very learned and instructive work.'— Times. r8 Messrs. Methuen's List Prior. CAMBRIDGE SERMONS. Edited by C. H. Prior, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Pembroke College. Crown Svo, 6s. A volume of sermons preached before the University of Cambridge by various preachers, including the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop Westcott. • A representative collection. Bishop Westcott's is a noble sermon.'— Guardian. •Full of thoughtfulness and dignity.'— Jiecord. Beeching. BRADFIELD SERMONS. Sermons by H. C. Beeching, M.A., Rector of Yattendon, Berks. With a Preface by Canon Scott Holland. Crown Svo. 2s. 6cf. Seven sermons preached before the boys of Bradfield College. James. CURIOSITIES OF CHRISTIAN HISTORY PRIOR TO THE REFORMATION. By Croake James, Author of * Curiosities of Law and Lawyers.' Crown Svo. 'js. 6d. ' This volume contains a great deal of quaint and curious matter, affording some "particulars of the interesting persons, episodes, and events from the Christian's point of view during the first fourteen centuries." Wherever we dip into his pages we find something worth dipping into.'— John Bull. Kaufmann. CHARLES KINGSLEY. By M. Kaufmann, M.A. Crown Svo. Buckram, ^s, A biography of Kingsley, especially dealing with his achievements in social reform. 'The author has certainly gone about his work with conscientiousness and industry.' — Sheffield Daily Telegraph. Leaders of Religion Edited by H. C. BEECHING, M.A With Portraits, crown Svo. A series of short biographies of the most pro- i ^ , ^ minent leaders of religious life and thought of o/fS 9^ O I li all ages and countries. ^\ ^^ ^^ -jl ^^ The following are ready — 2S. 6d. CARDINAL NEWMAN. By R. H. HUTTON. Second Edition. ' Few who read this book will fail to be struck by the wonderful insight it displays into the nature of the Cardinal's genius and the spirit of his life.' — Wilfrid Ward, in the Tablet. • Full of knowledge, excellent in method, and intelligent in criticism. We regard it as wholly admirable.' — Academy. JOHN WESLEY. By J. H. Overton, M.A. • It is well done : the story is clearly told, proportion is duly observed, and there is no lack either of discrimination or of sympathy.' — Manchester Guardian. Messrs. Methuen's List 19 BISHOP WILBERFORCE. By G. W. Daniel, M.A. CARDINAL MANNING. By A. W. Hutton, M.A. CHARLES SIMEON. By H. C. G. MOULE, M.A. 3s. 6d. JOHN KEBLE. By Walter Lock, M.A. Seventh Edition. THOMAS CHALMERS. By Mrs. Oliphant. Second Edition. Other volumes will be announced in due course. Works by S. Baring Gould OLD COUNTRY LIFE. With Sixty-seven Illustrations by W. Parkinson, F. D. Bedford, and F. Masey. Large Crown 8vo, cloth super extra, top edge giltf los. 6d. Fourth and Cheaper Edition. 6s, • " Old Country Life," as healthy wholesome reading, full of breezy life and move- ment, full of quaint stories vigorously told, will not be excelled by any book to be published throughout the year. Sound, hearty, and English to the core.' — World. HISTORIC ODDITIES AND STRANGE EVENTS. Third Edition. Crown ^vo. 6s. 'A collection of exciting and entertaining chapters. The whole volume Is delightful reading. ' — Times. FREAKS OF FANATICISM. Third Edition. Crown %vo. 6s. • Mr. Baring Gould has a keen eye for colour and effect, and the subjects he has chosen give ample scope to his descriptive and analytic faculties. A perfectly fascinating \)OQ\i'— Scottish Leader, SONGS OF THE WEST: Traditional Ballads and Songs of the West of England, with their Traditional Melodies. Collected by S. Baring Gould, M.A., and H. Fleetwood Sheppard, M.A. Arranged for Voice and Piano. In 4 Parts (containing 25 Songs each), Parts /., //., ///., 3^. each. Part IV., 5^. In one Vol., French morocco, \^s. *A rich and varied collection of humour, pathos, grace, and poetic {sxicy.'— Saturday Review. YORKSHIRE ODDITIES AND STRANGE EVENTS. Fourth Edition. Crown Svo. 6s. 20 Messrs. Methuen's List STRANGE SURVIVALS AND SUPERSTITIONS. With Illustrations. By S. Baring Gould. CrcnvnZvo. Second Edition. 6s. A book on such subjects as Foundations, Gables, Holes, Gallows, Raising the Hat, Old Ballads, etc. etc. It traces in a most interesting manner their origin and history. ' We have read Mr. Baring Gould's book from beginning to end. It is full of quaint and various information, and there is not a dull page in it'— Notes and Queries. THE TRAGEDY OF THE CAESARS: The Emperors of the Julian and Claudian Lines. With numerous Illus- trations from Busts, Gems, Cameos, etc. By S. Baring Gould, Author of * Mehalah,' etc. Third Edition. Royal Zvo. i^s. ' A most splendid and fascinating book on a subject of undying interest. The great feature of the book is the use the author has made of the existing portraits of the Caesars, and the admirable critical subtlety he has exhibited in dealing with this line of research. It is brilliantly written, and the illustrations are supplied on a scale of profuse magnificence.' — Daily Chronicle. ' The volumes will in no sense disappoint the general reader. Indeed, in their way, there is nothing in any sense so good in English. . . . Mr. Baring Gould has presented his narrative in such a way as not to make one dull ^z.z^.'—Athen(eum. MR. BARING GOULD'S NOVELS *To say that a book is by the author of " Mehalah " is to imply that it contains a story cast on strong lines, containing dramatic possibilities, vivid and sympathetic descriptions of Nature, and a wealth of ingenious imagery.' — Speaker. ' That whatever Mr. Baring Gould writes is well worth reading, is a conclusion that may be very generally accepted. His views of life are fresh and vigorous, his language pointed and characteristic, the incidents of which he makes use are striking and original, his characters are life-like, and though somewhat excep- tional people, are drawn and coloured with artistic force. Add to this that his descriptions of scenes and scenery are painted with the loving eyes and skilled hands of a master of his art, that he is always fresh and never dull, and under such conditions it is no wonder that readers have gained confidence both in his power of amusing and satisfying them, and that year by year his popularity widens.' — Court Circular, 8IX SHILLINGS EACH IN THE ROAR OF THE SEA : A Tale of the Cornish Coast. MRS. CURGENVEN OF CURGENVEN. CHEAP JACK ZITA. THE QUEEN OF LOVE. THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE EACH ARM I NELL : A Social Romance. URITH : A Story of Dartmoor. MARGERY OF QUETHER, and other Stories. JACQUETTA, and other Stories. Messrs. Methuen's List 21 Fiction SIX SHILLING NOVELS Corelli. B ARAB B AS : A DREAM OF THE WORLD'S TRAGEDY. By Marie Corelli, Author of ' A Romance of Two Worlds,' 'Vendetta,' etc. Eleventh Edition. Crown Zvo. 6j. Miss Corelli's new romance has been received with much disapprobation by the secular papers, and with warm welcome by the religious papers. By the former she has been accused of blasphemy and bad taste ; ' a gory nightmare' ; ' a hideous travesty'; ' grotesque vulgarisation ' ; * unworthy of criticism ' ; 'vulgar redun- dancy'; 'sickening details'— these are some of the secular flowers of speech. On the other hand, the 'Guardian' praises 'the dignity of its conceptions, the reserve round the Central Figure, the fine imagery of the scene and circumstance, so much that is elevating and devout ' ; the ' Illustrated Church News ' styles the book 'reverent and artistic, broad based on the rock of our common nature, and appealing to what is best in it ' ; the ' Christian World ' says it is written ' by one who has more than conventional reverence, who has tried to tell the story that it may be read again with open and attentive ej'es'; the 'Church of England Pulpit' welcomes 'a book which teems with faith without any appearance of irreverence.' Benson. DODO : A DETAIL OF THE DAY. By E. F. Benson. Crown Zvo. Fourteenth Edition. 6s. A story of society by a new writer, full of interest and power, which has attracted by its brilliance universal attention. The best critics were cordial in their praise. The ' Guardian ' spoke of ' Dodo ' as unusually clever and interesting ; the • Spectator ' called it a delightfully witty sketch (^society, the 'Speaker' said the dialogue was a perpetual feast of epigram and paradox ; the ' Athenaeum ' spoke of the author as a writer of quite exceptional ability ; the ' Academy ' praised his amazing cleverness ; the ' World ' said the book was brilliantly written \ and half-a-dozen papers declared there was not a dull page in the book. Baring Gould. IN THE ROAR OF THE SEA: A Tale of the Cornish Coast. By S. Baring Gould. New Edition. 6j. Baring Gould. MRS. CURGENVEN OF CURGENVEN. By S. Baring Gould. Third Edition. 6s, A story of Devon life. The ' Graphic ' speaks of it as a novel of vigorous humour and sustained power ; the ' Sussex Daily News ' says that the swing of the narrative is splendid; and the ' Speaker' mentions its bright imaginative power. Baring Gould. CHEAP JACK ZITA. By S. Baring Gould. Third Edition. Crown 2>vo. 6s. A Romance of tiie Ely Fen District in 18x5, which the 'Westminster Gazette' calls ' a powerful drama of human passion ' ; and the ' National Observer ' ' a story worthy the author.' Baring Gould. THE QUEEN OF LOVE. By S. Baring Gould. Second Edition. Croivn 8vo. 6s. The 'Glasgow Herald ' says that 'the scenery is admirable, and the dramatic inci- dents are most striking.' The 'Westminster Gazette' calls the book 'strong, interesting, and clever. • Punch ' says that ' you cannot put it down until you have finished it.' ' The Sussex Daily News ' says that it ' can be heartily recom- mended to all who care for cleanly, energetic, and interesting fiction.' 22 Messrs. Metiiuen's List Norris. HIS GRACE. By W. E. Norris, Author of 'Mademoiselle de Mersac' Third Editioit. Crown 8vo. 6s. •The characters are delineated by the author with his characteristic skill and vivacity, and the story is told with that ease of manners and Thackerayean in- sight which give strength of flavour to Mr. Norris's novels No one can depict the Englishwoman of the better classes with more subtlety.' — Glasgow Herald. ' Mr. Norris has drawn a really fine character in the Duke of Hurstbourne, at once unconventional and very true to the conventionalities of life, weak and strong in a breath, capable of inane follies and heroic decisions, yet not so definitely por- trayed as to relieve a reader of the necessity of study on his own behalf.'— A theneeuin. Parker. MRS. FALCHION. By Gilbert Parker, Author of * Pierre and His People.' New Edition. 6j. Mr. Parker's second book has received a warm welcome. The ' Athenseum ' called it a splendid study of character; the ' Pall Mall Gazette ' spoke of the writing as but little behind anything that has been done by any writer of our time', the * St. James's' called it a very striking and admirable novel', and the 'West- minster Gazette ' applied to it the epithet oi distinguished. Parker. PIERRE AND HIS PEOPLE. By Gilbert Parker. Crown 8vo. Buckram. 6s. ' Stories happily conceived and finely executed. There is strength and genius in Mr. Parker's style.'— Daily Telegraph. Parker. THE TRANSLATION OF A SAVAGE. By Gilbert Parker, Author of 'Pierre and His People,* 'Mrs. Falchion,' etc. Crown Svo. ^s. ' The plot is original and one difficult to work out ; but Mr. Parker has done it with great skill and delicacy. The reader who is not interested in this original, fresh, and well-told tale must be a dull person indeed.'— Z>«z/y Chronicle. ' A strong and successful piece of workmanship. The portrait of Lali, strong, digni- fied, and pure, is exceptionally well drawn.' — Manchester Guardian. ' A very pretty and interesting story, and Mr. Parker tells it with much skill. The story is one to be read.'— 6"^. James s Gazette. Anthony Hope. A CHANGE OF AIR : A Novel. By Anthony Hope, Author of ' The Prisoner of Zenda,' etc. Crown Svo. 6s. A bright story by Mr. Hope, who has, the Atltenceum says, 'a decided outlook and individuality of his own.' ' A graceful, vivacious comedy, true to human nature. The characters are traced with a masterly hand.' — Times. Pryce. TIME AND THE WOMAN. By Richard Pryce, Author of * Miss Maxwell's Affections,* 'The Quiet Mrs. Fleming,' etc. New and Cheaper Edition. Crow?i Svo. 6s. ' Mr. Pryce's work recalls the style of Octave Feuillet, by its clearness, conciseness, its literary xes&x\e.'—Atheneeum. Messrs. Methuen's List 23 Marriott Watson. DIOGENES OF LONDON and other Sketches. By II. B. Marriott Watson, Author of *The Web of the Spider.' 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