QUEEN

Ay me poor husbandles queen, & you poor fatherless princes. Ay poor Princes, my mourning is for you and for your brother, who is gone up to and untimely crownation. A my son, no more grace, for I am so soar disgraced, that without Gods grace, I fallen into despair with my self, but who is this? A yes my friend, speak what ere it be. Where I fear he will butcher them all, but where is the Prince my son? A traitors, will they lay hands on their Prince, and imprison his Peers, which no doubt means well towards him: But tell me, art not thou servant to the Archbishop of York? But here my friend, grief had almost made me for get thy reward. A come my Lord, thou bringest the heavy news, come shoot thine arrow, and hit this heart that is almost dead with grief all ready. Draw home my Lord, for now you hit the mark. A happy gale that blue that arrow by, A let me see the Letter that he sent, perhaps it may prolong my life a while. Hold, and have they persuaded thee my son to have thy brother too away from me, nay first I will know what shall become of thee, before I send my other son to them. And have they chosen thee among the rest; for to persuade me to this enterprise? No my Lord, and thus persuade your self, I will not send him to be butchered. Why my Lord will you break Sanctuary, and bring in rebels to affright us thus? No, you shall rather take away my life before you get my boy away from me. I my Lord, and high time too I trow. But for I see you counsel for the best, I am content that you shall have my son, in hope that you will send him safe to me, here I deliver him into your hands. Farewell my boy, commend me to thy brother. Tears stops my speech. Come let us in my Lord. In health Earl Richmond, glad to hear the news that God hath given thee fortune of the day. But tell me Lords, where is my son Lord Marquess Dorset, that he is not here? what was he murdered in this Tragedy? Richmond, gramercy for thy kind good news, which is no little comfort to thy friends, to see how God hath been thy happy guide in this late conquest of our enemies. And Richmond, as thou art returned with victory, so we will keep our words effectually. Then here my Lord, receive thy royal spouse, for tuous Elizabeth, for both the Peers and Commons do agree, that this fair Princess shall be wife to thee. And we pray all, that fair Elizabeth may live for aye, and never yield to death. Worthy Elizabeth, a mirror in her age, by whose wise life and civil government, her country was defended from the cruelty of famine, fire and sword, wars, fearful messen gers. This is that Queen as writers truly say, That God had marked down to live for aye. Then happy England amongst thy neighbour Isles, For peace and plenty still attends on thee: And all the favourable Planets smiles To see thee live, in such prosperity. She is that lamp that keeps fair England's light, And through her faith her country lives in peace: And she hath put proud Antichrist to flight, And be the means that civil wars did cease. Then England kneel upon thy hairy knee, And thank that God that still provides for thee. The Turk admires to hear her government, And babies in ury, found her princely name, All Christian Princes to that Prince hath sent, After her rule was rumord forth by fame. The Turk hath sworn never to lift his hand, To wrong the Princess of this blessed land. It vain to tell the care this Queen hath had, In helping those that were oppressed by war: And how her Majesty hath still be glad, When she hath herd of peace proclaimed from far. Jeneva, France, and Flanders hath set down, The good she hath done, since she came to the Crown. For which, if ere her life be taken away, God grant her soul may live in heaven for aye. For if her Graces days be brought to end, Your hope is gone, on whom did peace depend. I know they will, but kings have mortal enemies, as well as friends that esteem and regard them. A sweet children, when I am at rest my nightly dreams are dreadful. Me thinks as I lie in my bed, I see the league broken which was sworn at the death of your kingly father, 'tis this my children and many other causes of Like importance, that makes your aged mother to la meant as she does.