POWYS

Do so, for we have other business. Hold then, lets hear it. Herbert, I think my sword came near thy heart. Well met my honourable lord and friend. I am one that wishes well unto your honour, My name is Powes, and old friend of yours. My Lord, and unexpected accident, Hath at this time inforc'de me to these parts: And thus it happened, not yet full five days since, Now at the last Assize at Hereford, It chanced that the lord Herbert and my self, Amongst other things, discoursing at the table, To fallen in speech about some certain points Of Wickcliffes doctrine, gainst the papacy, And the religion catholic, maintained Through the most partly of Europe at this day. This wilful tasty lord stuck not to say, That Wickcliffe was a knave, a schismatic, His doctrine devilish and heretical, And what soere he was maintained the same, was traitor both to God and to his country. Being moved at his peremptory speech, I told him, some maintained those opinions, Men, and truer subjects then lord Herbert was: And he replying in comparisons: Your name was vrgde, my lord, gainst his challenge, To be a perfect favourer of the truth. And to be short, from words we fell to blows, Our servants, and our tenants taking parts, Many on both sides hurt: and for and hour The broil by no means could be pacified, Until the Judges rising from the bench, Were in their persons forc'de to partly the fray. Faith none I trust, but the lord Herberts self, Who is in truth so dangerously hurt, As it is doubted he can hardly escape. This is the cause that drives me into Kenned, To shroud my self with you so good a friend, Until I hear how things do speed at home. I pray God the lord Herbert be not dead, and the King hearing whither I am gone, hath sent for me. God have mercy gentle friend. exeunt. So great a ki dnesse as I know not how to make reply, my sense is quite confounded. Though great occasion be we should depart, yet madam will we stay to be resolved, of this unlooked for doubtful accident. Exeunt. Some earnest business is a foot belike, What ever it be, pray God be his good guide. Wife, I have eyed yond prisoners all this while, And my conceit does tell me, 'tis our friend, The noble Cobham, and his virtuous Lady. What it means, I cannot tell, but we shall know anon, Mean space as you pass by them, ask the question, But do it secretly, you be not seen, And make some sign that I may know your mind. That office if it please you I will do, For countries sake, because I know them well, They are my neighbours, therefore of my cost, Their charges shall be paid. But Powesse still must stay, There yet remains a partly of that true love, He owes his noble friend unsatisfied, And unperformed which first of all does bind me, To gratulate your Lordship's S fe delivery, And then entreat, that since unlooked for thus, We here are met, your honour would vouchsafe, To ride with me to Wales, where though my power, (Though not to quittance those great benefits, I have received of you) yet both my house, My purse my servants, and what else I have, Are all at your command, deny me not, I know the Bishops hate pursues you so, As theres no safety in abiding here. Then let us hence, you shall be straight provided Of lusty geldings, and once entered Wales, Well may the Bishop hunt, but spite his face, He never more shall have the game in chase. exeunt.