Classic Poem

Grant, gracious god: grant me this time
tha t I may say or I cease: thy seluen to please,
& Mary his Mother: tha t Masked all this world,
& all the seemlie S ain ts: that sitten in heaven.
I will carpe of K ings : tha t conquered full wide,
tha t dwelled in this land: tha t was alyes Noble;
Henery the seauenth: tha t soveraigne Lord,
How he moued in at Milford: w i th men but a few.
there were lite Lords in this land: tha t to that Lo rd longed,
but of derby tha t deare Earle: tha t doughty hath beene euer,
& the Lord chamberlaine: tha t was his cheefe brother,
Sauage, his sisters sonne: a Sege that was able,
& Gylbert the gentle: w i th a Iollye meanye,
all Lancashire, these ladds: thé ledden att their will,
& Cheshyre hath them chosen: for their cheefe Captaine;
Much worshipp haue thé woone in warre: their was of their names
in france & in few lands: soe fayre them behappen
sith Brute heere abode: & first built vp houses.
S i r James Blunt, tha t bold K nigh t: he bowed to their hands;
Soe did S i r Edward Poynings: tha t proued was of deeds;
S i r John Biron was neuer afrayd: for no burne liuinge,
a more manfull man: was not of this Mold maked:
thus w i th a royall retinewe: raked thé forwarde,
On this side Bosworth in a bancke: thé bred forth their standards
w i th a dragon full dearfe: tha t adread was therafter,
rayled full of red roses: and riches enowe.
there he bickered w i th a bore: tha t doughtie was called,
Richard tha t rich Lord: in his bright armour,
he held himselfe no Coward: for he was a K ing Noble,
he fought full freshlie: his formen amonge
till all his bright armour: was all bloudye beronen.
then was he dungen to death: w i th many derfe strokes,
cast him on a Capull: & carryed him to Liester,
& Naked into Newarke: I will mine him noe more,
but let drough[t]en deale w i th all: as him deare liketh.
then said Richmond this realme: w i th all the royall cuntrye,
& raigine w i th royaltie: & riches enoughe
full 24 yeeres: In this fayre Land.
he made french men afeard: of his fell deedes;
they paid him tribute trulie: many told thousands,
tha t thé might liue in their land: & him their Lord call.
but death at him droue tha t die must he needs;
thus went he forth of this world: this worship[fful wight]
to the celestiall blisse: w i th Saints enowe.
I will meddle w i th this matter: noe more att this time,
but he that is makeles of mercy: haue mind of his soule!
then succeeded his sonne: a souerainge most noble,
tha t proued was a prince: most peerlesse of other,
tha t was Henery the 8 th : our most dread Lord
when his father, tha t feirce freake: had finished his dayes,
he made frenchmen afeard: & faire him besought
tha t he wold take their tribute: & traine them noe further;
but he nickeed them w i th Nay: & none of it wold,
for he wold see vnder their seigniory: some of theIre fayre townes.
thus he greathes him godly: w i th a grat host,
full 15 thousand: that feirce was in armes,
for to fare into ffrance: att their free will.
then left hee in this land: a Leede tha t was noble,
of surrey tha t sure Earle: the saddest of all other,
as Lo rd & Leiuetenant: to Looke this land over,
if any alyant in his absence: durst aduenture him seluen
to visitt or inuade: our most valiant realme.
then he dressed him to Dover: our most dread King,
w i th many Lords of this land: our Lord giue them Ioy!
of Bucckingham, Duke bold: he was a [burn]e Noble,
& of Da[rby] the deere Earle: he hath beene doughtie euer,
& Shrewsbury, tha t sure Earle: the saddest of all other,
as a warriour full wise: he wends with the vaward;
the Nob[l]e Earle of Northumberlande: w i th others full Many,
thé wende att their will: & wrought as them Liiked.
thus thé glenten to Callice: w i th great shipps of warre,
& many a sellcoth saylor: where seene on their Masts.
when thé to Callice comen: all this seemly Meany,
our K nigh t full [of] courage: carpeth these words,
calleth to his councell: to witt their wills
on what wise was best: his warre to begine.
some sett him to a Cittye: tha t was sure walled,
& told him of Turwine: a towne tha t was noble
& oft had beene assayd: w i th Emperour & other,
yet wold it neuer be woone in warr: for noe way on liue;
there was noe wight in this world: tha t win it nay might,
it was soe deepe deluen: w i th diches about.
then our K ing full of Courage: carped these words,
sayes, “I will seege it about: within this 7 dayes,
or win it or I hence win: w i th the leaue of our Lord,
or leaue here my liffe: Lord, I you sett.”
thus he promised to the prince: [That paradice weldeth]
there were carryages w i th carts: & many keene weapons.
then they waward ffull valiantlie: aduanced them seluen;
w i th trumpetts & tabretts: forward thé wenten;
beside the towne of turwin: our tents downe we tilden,
& seeged it surlye: on all sides about.
many a gaping gunn: was gurde to the walls,
where there fell of the first shott: manie a fell ffooder,
tha t stones tha t were new sturrd: for stoutley they shotten.
now Leaue wee our King: lying att this seege,
& carpe of the french K ing : care him be-happen.
when he heard how vnkindly: his townes they were halched,
he hyed him to paris: for things tha t might happen;
there called he his councell: for to know their minds,
or what wise was best to worke: his warrs to begin
he durst not venter w i th our K ing : he was soe keene Holden,
for all the gloring gold: vnder the god of heauen.
then his councell full Keenlye: carped on this wise,
says, “make forth a Messenge: to the Mightye K ing of Scotts,
& p ro fer him a p re sent: all of pure gold,
& bid him enter into England: & venter him seluen;
he may win it in warre: & weld it as him liketh;
there is noe leeds in tha[t] land: saue Millers & Masse preists,
all were faren into france: tha t fayre were in armes.
then the K ing called a Earle: tha t wold a lord Noble,
S i r Delamont, tha t deere Duke: tha t was doughtye euer;
he bad buske him & bowne him: to goe on his Message;
he wold as wise of his words: as any way else.
then tha t K nigh t full courteouslye: kneeled to the ground,
saies, “I am bound to goe: as ye me bidd wold;”
& tooke his leaue of the K ing : & a letter he taketh,
shoggs into a sure shipp: & shoggs ore the water
into Scottland, I you to hett: & there the K ing findeth,
& p ro fered him a p re sent: of pounds many a thousand,
for to wend to tha t warr: & worke as him liketh,
& enter into England: & weld it for euer:
there is noe Lo rd in tha t Land: to looke him against,
all were faren into france: that feirce were in armes.
the K ing was glad of tha t gold: tha t he gan brought,
& p ro mised him full peertly: his p ar t for to take,
tha t his cozen the french K ing : soone shold it know.
then sum m ons he his soeged: in sundry places,
tha t they byde shold at blackator: in ther best weeds,
By th e [8 th : day of August] to know theire Kings mind
there came at his com m andement: ketherinckes full many,
from Orkney tha t Ile: there came a great Host,
from Galloway a gay Lo rd : w i th a great Menie,
all Scottland thither came: to know their Kings mind:
many Scotts & Ketherickes: bowed to his Hand;
such an host of tha t Nation: was neuer seene before;
their names were numbred: to 9 score thousand
truly by their owne tounge: as it was told after.
then thé light att a lott: the king and his lords,
tha t the mighty Lo rd Maxwell: shold moue them before
w i th 10000 by tale: tha t were tryed of the best,
to see wether any seege: durst sett him against:
thus he rested in tha t realme: the riggs altogether,
till thé hard of tha t battell: how it w i th him hapened.
then he bowneth him boldlye: ou er the broad waters,
& manlye him Marcheth: to the Mill feelde;
he robbeth like a rebell: the right him against;
but all Light on his leeds: att the latter ends,
for killed they were like Caytiues: as you shall here after.
when the com m ons of the country: of this comen wisten,
then fled they for feare: soe crulye they fareden,
& made aw[ay with messengers]: to tell my Lo rd dacres
what Mischeefe the fomen made: in the march ends;
“but he kee[peth] him in Carleile: & keire wold no further,
he wold not Meddle whithose Men: for noe mans will.”
then a k nigh t of tha t countrie: tha t was knowne full wide,
one S i r william Baw-bener: tha t hath beene bold euer,
he moueth towards these Menie: w i th men but a few,
not fully 500: that the freake followed;
then [mett] he w i th a Man tha t had 400 d ;
tha t was bold bastard hearne: tha t bastard was neuer,
a warriour full wise: & wittye of deedes.
when they were sum m oned & seene: these seeges together,
thé were numbred 900 d : tha t was the highest Number
& thé were 10000 by tale: vpon the other p ar tye;
ffull vnmeete be them mached: Marry them speede!
thus they fared ou er the feild: their formen to seeke;
neu er rest wold these rangers: but alwaies raked forward
till they had seene tha t seege: tha t they sought after.
all these scaclech Scotts: tha t alwayes scath diden.
then niiged they nighe: tha t abyde must thé needs
euery ranke to his rest: Rudlie [him dressed]
not the mountenance of a Mile: from theire most enemyes.
soone after Drayned the day: & the dew falleth,
the sun shott vp full soone: & shone ou er the feilds,
birds bradd to the bowes: & boldly thé songen:
itt was a solace to see: for any seege liuinge.
then euery bearne full boldlye: bowneth him to his weapons,
full radlye in array: royally them dressed
our english men full merrilye: attilde them to shoote,
& shotten the cruell Scots: w i th their keene arrowes;
many horsse in tha t heape: hurled downe his M aster ;
then they fettled them to flye: as false beene thé eu er .
tha t serueth not forsoothe: who soe truly telleth,
our English men full eagerlie: fast followed after,
& tooke p ri soners prest: & home againe wenten.
there were killed of the Scotts: more then 12 score,
& as many more p ri soners: were put to ther ransome:
thus were thé beaten att the first brayd: all that brawling people,
& likwise in the latter end: as yee may here after.

2 d ffitt.

Then the mightie Lo rd Maxewell: ou er the mountaines flees,
& kered to his King: w i th careful tydings,
telleth him the truth: & tarryeth noe longer,
sayth, “I am beaten backe: for all my bigg meny,
and there beene killed of the Scotts: I know not how many.”
then the Scottish King: full nie his witt wanteth,
& sayd, “on who was thou mached: man, by the sooth?”
he p ro mised him p er tlye: thé passed not 1000.
“yee beene cravens,” q uo th the K ing : “care mote yee happen!
but Ile wend you to worke: wayes I you sett
alonge w i thin tha t Land: the length of 3 weekes,
& destroy all arright: tha t standeth me before:”
thus he pro mised to the prince: tha t paradice weldeth.
then hee sum m ond his seeges: & sett them in order;
the next way to Noram: anon then he taketh;
he enclosed tha t Castle: cleane round about,
& they deffended fast: the folke tha t were w i thin.
without succour come soone: their sorrow is the more!
the Earle of Surrey himselfe: att Pomferett abideth;
he heard what vnhappiness: these scarlotts didden;
He made letters boldly: all the land over,
into Lancashire beliue: he caused a man ryde
to the bishoppe of Ely: tha t bode in those p ar ts,
curteouslye com m anded him in the Kings name
to sum m on the shire: & sett them in order;
he was put in more power: then any p re late else.
then the Bishopp boldlye: bowneth forth his standards
w i th a Captaine full keene: as it was knowne after;
he made away to wend: to warne his Deare Brother
Edward, tha t Egar K nigh t: that epe was of deeds.
a stalke of the Stanleys: stepe vpp him seluen,
then full readilye he rayseth: K nigh ts ten thousand;
to Scikpton in Crauen: then thé comen beliue;
there abydeth he the banner: of his deare Brother,
till a Captaine w i th it came: tha t knowne was full wide,
S i r John Stanley, tha t stout K nigh t: tha t sterne was of deeds,
with 4000 feirce men: that followed him after,
they were tenants to the booke: tha t tended the bishoppe,
& of his houshold, I you hett: hope you none other.
euery bearne had on his brest: brodered full fayre
a foote of the fay[res]t fowle: tha t euer flew on winge,
w i th 3 crownes full cleare: all of pure gold:
it was a seemly sight: to see them together,
14000 Eagle foote: fettered in a-ray.
thus they cooasten thorrow the countrye: to the New-castle.
p ro clamation in tha t place: was plainly declared,
tha t euery hattell shold him hie: in hast tha t hee might,
to boulton in Glendower: all in goodlie haste.
there mett thé a muster: then, many a thousand,
w i th K nigh ts tha t were keene: well knowne in their contry,
& many a louelye Lord: vpon tha t londe hight
then they moued towards th e Mountaine: these Meany to seeche,
these scattered Scotts: tha t all they scath didden;
they wold neu er rest: but alway raked forward
till they had seene the seeges: tha t they had sought after;
but they had gotten them a ground: most vngracious of other,
vpon the topp of a hie hill: I hett you forsoothe,
there was noe way in this world: might wend them againe
but he shold be killed [in the] close: ere he climbed the Mountaine.
when they Lords had on them looked: as [long as them liked]
euery Captaine was com m anded: their company to order.
“tho wee are bashed w i th this bigg Meany: I blame vs but litle,
then wee tild downe ou er tents: tha t told were a 1000;
at the ffoot of a fine hill: they setteled them all night,
there they lyen & lodged: the length of 4 daies,
till euery Captaine full Keenlie: callen to their lords,
bidd them settle them to fight: or they wold fare homeward.
there company was clem m ed: & much cold did suffer;
water was a worthy drinke: win it who might.”
then the Lo rd leiuetenant: looked him about,
& boldly vnto battell: busked he his meanye.
the Lo rd Howard, the hende K nigh t: haue shold the vanwarde
w i th 14000 feirce men: tha t followed him after.
the left winge to tha t ward: was S i r Eward Howarde,
he chose to him Cheshire: theire chance was the worse;
because they knew not theire Capt aine : theire care was the more,
for they were wont att all warr: to wayte vppon the stanleys;
much worshipp they woone: when they tha t way serued,
but now lanke is their losse: our lord itt amend!
the right wings, as I weene: was my lord lumley,
a captaine full keene: w i th S i r Cutberds banner;
my Lo rd Clifford w i th him came: all in cleare armour;
Soe did S i r william Percy: tha t proued was of deeds,
& Sir william Bawmer: tha t bold hath beene eu er ,
w i th many Captaines full keene: who-soe knowes their names.
& if I recon the rerward: I rest must to longe,
but I shall tell you the best tokens: that therevppon tended;
the Earle of Surrey himselfe: surelye it guided;
& the Lo rd Scroope full comlye: w i th k nigh ts full many,
he wold witt the wing: tha t to tha t ward longed;
it was a Bishoppe full bold: tha t borne was att Latham,
of Ely tha t Elke Lord: tha t eke was of deeds,
& nere of blood to tha t Earle: tha t named was stanley,
neere of Nature to the Nevills: tha t Noble haue beene eu er ;
but now death with his dart: hath driuen him away;
it is a losse to this land: our Lo rd haue his sonse,
ffor his witt & his wisdome: & his wate deeds;
he was a pillar of peace: the people amonge;
his servants they may sighe: & sorrow for his sake;
what for pitty & for paine: my pen doth me fayle;
Ile meddle w i th this matter: noe more att this time,
but he that is maklesse of mercy: haue mind on his soule!
then he sent w i th his company: a K nigh t tha t was noble,
S i r John Stanley, the stout K nigh t: tha t sterne was of deeds;
there was neu er bearne borne: tha t day bare him better.
the Left wing to the rereward: was my Lord Mounteagle,
w i th many leeds of Lancashire: tha t to himselfe longed,
w hi ch foughten full freshly: while the feild lasted.
thus the rere ward in array: raked euer after,
as long as the light day: lasted one the Lands.
then the sun full soone: shott vnder the clouds,
& it darkened full dimlie: & drew towards night.
euery ring to his rest: full radlye he dressed,
beeten fires full fast: & fettlen them to sowpe
besides Barwicke on a banke: within a broad woode.
then dauned the [daye]: soe deere god ordayned;
Clowdes cast vp full cleerlye: like Castles full hie,
then Phebus full faire: flourished out his beames
w i th Leames full light: all the land ou er .
all was damped w i th dew: the daysies about,
flowers flourished in the feild: faire to behold;
birrds bradden to the boughes: & boldlye thé songen;
it was solace to heare: for any seege liuing.
then full boldlye on the broad hills: we busked our standards,
& on a faugh vs be-side: there we seene our enemyes
were mouing ou er the mountaines: to macth vs they thoughten,
as boldly as any bearnes: that borne was of mothers,
Soe eagerly w i th Ire: attilld them to meete.
they trunmpetts full truly: they tryden together,
Many shames in tha t showe: w i th theire shrill pipes;
heauenly was theire Melody: their Mirth to heare,
how thé songen w i th a showte: all the shawes ou er !
there was gurding forth of gunns: w i th many great stones,
Archers vttered out their arrowes: and [egerlie they shotten,]
they proched vs w i th speares: & put many over
tha t they blood out brast: at there broken harnish.
theire was swinging out of swords: & swapping of headds;
we blanked them w i th bills: through all their bright armor
tha t all the dale dun n ed: of their derfe strokes.
then betid a checke: tha t the shire men fledden;
in wing w i th those wayes: was w i th my Lo rd Dacres,
he ffledd att the first bredd: & thé followed after;
when theire Capt ain was keered away: there comfort was gone,
they were wont in all warrs: to wayt on the Stanlyes,
they neuer fayled at noe forward: tha t time tha t they were;
now lost in their loofe: our lord it amende!
many squires full swiftly: were snapped to the death,
S i r John boothe of barton: was brought from his liffe,
a more bolder bearne: was neuer borne of woman;
& of yorkshire a yonge K nigh t: tha t epe was of deedes,
S i r will iam werkoppe, as I weene: was the wyes name,
of the same shire figh will: tha t was soe feirce holden,
besides rotheram tha t K nigh te: his resting place hadd
the barne of Kinderton full keenly: was killed them beside,
soe was hauforde, I you hett: tha t was a hend sweere,
ffull-show full fell: was fallen to the ground;
Christopher Sauage was downe cast: tha t kere might he neu er ;
& of Lancashire, John Laurence: god haue mercy on their soules!
these frekes wold neu er flee: for noe feare tha t cold happen,
but were killed lik Conquerors: in their K ing s service.
when the Scotts & the Ketherickes: seene our men scatter,
they had great yoy of their ioyinge: & Iolly came downwarde
the Scotts K ing keenlie: calleth to him a herrott,
biddeth tell him the truth: & tarry noe longer,
who where the banners of the bearnes: tha t bode in the valley
“thé are standards of the stanleys: that stands by them seluen;
if he be faren into france: the frenchmen to feare,
yett is his standard in tha t stead: w i th a stiffe Captaine,
S i r Henery Keeglye is called: tha t keene is of deeds.
S i r Tho mas Gerrard, that Iolly K night : Is ioyned there vnder
w i th Sir willi[a]m M[olynex:] with a manfull meany
these frekes will neu er flee: for feare tha t might happen,
but they will strike w i th their standards: in their steele weeds,
because thé busked them att Barwicke: tha t bolds them the more.
loe how he batters & beates: the bird w i th her wings,
we are feard of yonder fowle: soe feircly he fareth;
& yonder streamer full straight: tha t standeth him beside,
yonder is the standard of S ain t Towder: trow yee noe other,
tha t neu er beaten was in battell: for bearne vppon liue.
the 3 d . standard in tha t steade: is my lord Mounteagle,
& of yorkshire ffull epe: my yonge Lo rd Dacerrs,
w i th much puissance & power: of tha t pure shire”
then the Scottish K ing : carped these words,
“I will fight w i th yonder frekes: tha t are soe feirce holden;
& I beate those bearnes: the battle is ours”
then thé moued towards the Mountaine: & madly came downwards;
wee mett him in the Midway: & mached him full euen;
then was there dealing of dints: that all the dales rangen,
many helmes w i th heads: were hewd all to peeces
this layke lasted on the land: the length of 4 houres.
yorkshire like yearne men: eagerlye they foughten;
soe did darbyshire tha t day: deered many Scotts;
Lancashire like Lyons: Laid them about;
All had beene lost, by our L ord : had not those leeds beene;
but the race of the Scotts: increased full sore;
but their K ing was downe knocked: & killed in there sight
vnder the banner of a Bishoppe: tha t was the bold standlye.
then they fettled them to flye: as fast as they might;
but it serveth not forsooth: who-soe truth telleth;
our englishman ffull egerlye: after them followed,
& killed them like Caitiues: in Clowes all about.
there were killed of the Scotts: tha t told were by tale,
tha t were found in the feild: 15 teene thousand
loe what it is to be false: & the ffeende serve!
they haue broken a bookothe: to their blithe Kinge,
& the truce tha t was taken: the space of 2 yeeres.
all the Scotts tha t were scaped: were scattered all assunder;
they remoued ou er the More: vpon the other morning,
And [their stoode like stakes]: & stirr durst noe further,
for all the lords of their lande: were left them behind
besids brinston in a bryke: breathelesse thé lyen,
gaping against the moone: theire guests were away
then the Earle of Surrey himselfe: calleth to him a herott,
reade him farr into ffrance: w i th these fayre tydants;
“comende me to our kinge: these comfortable words;
tell him I haue restored his realme: soe right required;
the K ing of Scotts is killed: with all his cursed Lords”
when the K ing of his kindnesse: hard these words,
he saith, “I will sing him a sowle knell: with the sound of my gunnes”
such awise, to my Name: was neu er hard before,
for there was shott att a shoote: 1000 att once,
tha t all rang w i th the rout: rocher & other.
Now is this ferle feild: foughten to an ende!
many a wye wanted his horsse: & wandred home a ffoote;
all was long of the Marx men: a Mischeefe them happen!
he was a gentleman by Iesu: tha t this iest made,
w hi ch say but as he sayd: forsooth, & noe other.
att Bagily tha t bearne; his bidding place had,
& his Ancetors of old time: haue yearded their longe,
Before william Conquerour: this cuntry did inhabitt.
Iesus bring vs to blisse: tha t brought vs forth of bale,
tha t hath hearkned me heare: or heard my tale!