]
[Footnote 146: embroidered; 'tis conjectured, embroidery was not used
in England till Hen.
[Footnote 146: embroidered; 'tis conjectured, embroidery was not used
in England till Hen.
Thomas Chatterton - Rowley Poems
125
Nowe, nowe, wylle Harolde or oppressionne falle,
Ne moe the Englyshmenne yn vayne for hele[144] shal calle.
KYNGE EDWARDE AND HYS QUEENE.
QUEENE.
Botte, loverde[145], whie so manie Normannes here?
Mee thynckethe wee bee notte yn Englyshe londe.
These browded[146] straungers alwaie doe appere, 130
Theie parte yor trone[147], and sete at your ryghte honde.
KYNGE.
Go to, goe to, you doe ne understonde:
Theie yeave mee lyffe and dyd mie bowkie[148] kepe;
Theie dyd mee feeste, and did embowre[149] me gronde;
To trete hem ylle wulde lette mie kyndnesse slepe. 135
QUEENE.
Mancas[150] you have yn store, and to them parte;
Youre leege-folcke[151] make moke[152] dole[153], you have theyr worthe asterte[154].
KYNGE.
I heste[155] no rede of you. I ken mie friendes.
Hallie[156] dheie are, fulle ready mee to hele[157].
Theyre volundes[158] are ystorven[159] to self endes; 140
No denwere[160] yn mie breste I of them fele:
I muste to prayers; goe yn, and you do wele;
I muste ne lose the dutie of the daie;
Go inne, go ynne, ande viewe the azure rele[161],
Fulle welle I wote you have noe mynde toe praie. 145
QUEENE.
I leeve youe to doe hommage heaven-were[162];
To serve yor leege-folcke toe is doeynge hommage there.
KYNGE AND SYR HUGHE.
KYNGE.
Mie friende, Syr Hughe, whatte tydynges brynges thee here?
HUGHE.
There is no mancas yn mie loverdes ente[163];
The hus dyspense[164] unpaied doe appere; 150
The laste receivure[165] ys eftesoones[166] dispente[167].
KYNGE.
Thenne guylde the Weste.
HUGHE.
Mie loverde, I dyd speke
Untoe the mitte[168] Erle Harolde of the thynge;
He raysed hys honde, and smoke me onne the cheke,
Saieynge, go beare thatte message to the kynge. 155
KYNGE.
Arace[169] hym of hys powere; bie Goddis worde,
Ne moe thatte Harolde shall ywield the erlies swerde.
HUGHE.
Atte seeson fytte, mie loverde, lette itt bee;
Botte nowe the folcke doe soe enalse[170] hys name,
Inne strevvynge to slea hymme, ourselves wee slea; 160
Syke ys the doughtyness[171] of hys grete fame.
KYNGE.
Hughe, I beethyncke, thie rede[172] ys notte to blame.
Botte thou maiest fynde fulle store of marckes yn Kente.
HUGHE.
Mie noble loverde, Godwynn ys the same
He sweeres he wylle notte swelle the Normans ent. 165
KYNGE.
Ah traytoure! botte mie rage I wylle commaunde.
Thou arte a Normanne, Hughe, a straunger to the launde.
Thou kenneste howe these Englysche erle doe bere
Such stedness[173] in the yll and evylle thynge,
Botte atte the goode theie hover yn denwere[174], 170
Onknowlachynge[175] gif thereunto to clynge.
HUGHE.
Onwordie syke a marvelle[176] of a kynge!
O Edwarde, thou deservest purer leege[177];
To thee heie[178] shulden al theire mancas brynge;
Thie nodde should save menne, and thie glomb[179] forslege[180]. 175
I amme no curriedowe[181], I lacke no wite [182],
I speke whatte bee the trouthe, and whatte all see is ryghte.
KYNGE.
Thou arte a hallie[183] manne, I doe thee pryze.
Comme, comme, and here and hele[184] mee ynn mie praires.
Fulle twentie mancas I wylle thee alise [185], 180
And twayne of hamlettes[186] to thee and thie heyres.
So shalle all Normannes from mie londe be fed,
Theie alleyn[187] have syke love as to acquyre yer bredde.
CHORUS.
Whan Freedom, dreste yn blodde-steyned veste,
To everie knyghte her warre-songe sunge, 185
Uponne her hedde wylde wedes were spredde;
A gorie anlace bye her honge.
She daunced onne the heathe;
She hearde the voice of deathe;
Pale-eyned affryghte, hys harte of sylver hue, 190
In vayne assayled[188] her bosomme to acale[189];
She hearde onflemed[190] the shriekynge voice of woe,
And sadnesse ynne the owlette shake the dale.
She shooke the burled[191] speere,
On hie she jeste[192] her sheelde, 195
Her foemen[193] all appere,
And flizze[194] alonge the feelde.
Power, wythe his heasod[195] straught[196] ynto the skyes,
Hys speere a sonne-beame, and his sheelde a starre,
Alyche[197] twaie[198] brendeynge[199] gronfyres[200] rolls hys eyes, 200
Chastes[201] with hys yronne feete and soundes to war.
She syttes upon a rocke,
She bendes before his speere,
She ryses from the shocke,
Wieldynge her owne yn ayre. 205
Harde as the thonder dothe she drive ytte on,
Wytte scillye[202] wympled[203] gies[204] ytte to hys crowne,
Hys longe sharpe speere, hys spreddynge sheelde ys gon,
He falles, and fallynge rolleth thousandes down.
War, goare-faced war, bie envie burld[205], arist[206], 210
Hys feerie heaulme[207] noddynge to the ayre,
Tenne bloddie arrowes ynne hys streynynge fyste--
* * * * *
[Footnote 1: Of old, formerly. ]
[Footnote 2: writers, historians. ]
[Footnote 3: much. ]
[Footnote 4: inglorious. ]
[Footnote 5: bereaving. ]
[Footnote 6: faith. ]
[Footnote 7: unforgiving. ]
[Footnote 8: divines, clergymen, monks. ]
[Footnote 9: holy. ]
[Footnote 10: work. ]
[Footnote 11: not. ]
[Footnote 12: author. ]
[Footnote 13: though, notwithstanding. ]
[Footnote 14: clerk, or clergyman. ]
[Footnote 15: entyn, even. ]
[Footnote 16: might. ]
[Footnote 17: challenge. ]
[Footnote 18: Lord. ]
[Footnote 19: foes, enemies. ]
[Footnote 20: devour, destroy. ]
[Footnote 21: fatten. ]
[Footnote 22: Grievance; a sense of it. ]
[Footnote 23: cease, be still. ]
[Footnote 24: idly. ]
[Footnote 25: deceived, imposed on. ]
[Footnote 26: so. ]
[Footnote 27: fury, anger, rage. ]
[Footnote 28: paint, display. ]
[Footnote 29: soul. ]
[Footnote 30: strong. ]
[Footnote 31: terrible. ]
[Footnote 32: horrid, grim. ]
[Footnote 33: smoking, bleeding. ]
[Footnote 34: oft. ]
[Footnote 35: heat, rashness. ]
[Footnote 36: counsel, wisdom. ]
[Footnote 37: strength, also strong. ]
[Footnote 38: taudry, glimmering. ]
[Footnote 39: People. ]
[Footnote 40: fate, destiny. ]
[Footnote 41: nobly. ]
[Footnote 42: Cast. ]
[Footnote 43: cross, from crouche, a cross. ]
[Footnote 44: attempt, or endeavour. ]
[Footnote 45: unarmed. ]
[Footnote 46: unactive. ]
[Footnote 47: unspirited. ]
[Footnote 48: such. ]
[Footnote 49: fastened, annexed. ]
[Footnote 50: might, power. ]
[Footnote 51: mantle, or robe. ]
[Footnote 52: white, alluding to the arms of Kent, a horse saliant,
argent. ]
[Footnote 53: distracting. ]
[Footnote 54: despair. ]
[Footnote 55: bleed. ]
[Footnote 56: allow. ]
[Footnote 57: ease. ]
[Footnote 58: throne. ]
[Footnote 59: pluck. ]
[Footnote 60: Becomes. ]
[Footnote 61: subjects. ]
[Footnote 62: contentions, complaints. ]
[Footnote 63: choke. ]
[Footnote 64: dark, cloudy. ]
[Footnote 65: astonish. ]
[Footnote 66: cut off, destroyed. ]
[Footnote 67: slaves. ]
[Footnote 68: loud roaring. ]
[Footnote 69: flame of fire. ]
[Footnote 70: burn, consume. ]
[Footnote 71: them. ]
[Footnote 72: slay. ]
[Footnote 73: decay. ]
[Footnote 74: make ready. ]
[Footnote 75: enterprize. ]
[Footnote 76: Notwithstanding. ]
[Footnote 77: foes. ]
[Footnote 78: mangle, destroy. ]
[Footnote 79: beauty, countenance. ]
[Footnote 80: an ancient sword. ]
[Footnote 81: fury. ]
[Footnote 82: cease. ]
[Footnote 83: deadly. ]
[Footnote 84: lake. ]
[Footnote 85: swollen. ]
[Footnote 86: hidden. ]
[Footnote 87: unknown. ]
[Footnote 88: command. ]
[Footnote 89: still. ]
[Footnote 90: Red-stained. ]
[Footnotes 91, 92: parts of armour. ]
[Footnote 93: broad. ]
[Footnote 94: cause. ]
[Footnote 95: rights, liberties. ]
[Footnote 96: cutting, mangling. ]
[Footnote 97: forbidding. ]
[Footnote 98: grow. ]
[Footnote 99: furious. ]
[Footnote 100: slay. ]
[Footnote 101: strength. ]
[Footnote 102: declare. ]
[Footnote 103: sword. ]
[Footnote 104: Monastery. ]
[Footnote 105: more worthy. ]
[Footnote 106: pulled, plucked. ]
[Footnote 107: displayed. ]
[Footnote 108: over-righteous. ]
[Footnote 109: counselled, more wise. ]
[Footnote 110: uncareful, neglected. ]
[Footnote 111: Bid, command. ]
[Footnote 112: slay. ]
[Footnote 113: presently. ]
[Footnote 114: explain. ]
[Footnote 115: grievances. ]
[Footnote 116: branch. ]
[Footnote 117: wet, moist. ]
[Footnote 118: fen, moor. ]
[Footnote 119: drained. ]
[Footnote 120: swelling. ]
[Footnote 121: waves. ]
[Footnote 122: grievance. ]
[Footnote 123: assemble. ]
[Footnote 124: broad. ]
[Footnote 125: Horned. ]
[Footnote 126: white. ]
[Footnote 127: decks. ]
[Footnote 128: mightiest, most valiant. ]
[Footnote 129: slain. ]
[Footnote 130: oversets. ]
[Footnote 131: a castle. ]
[Footnote 132: revenge. ]
[Footnote 133: cause. ]
[Footnote 134: at once. ]
[Footnote 135: One who takes up the cross in order to fight against
the Saracens. ]
[Footnote 136: holy. ]
[Footnote 137: rare, extraordinary, strange. ]
[Footnote 138: run, shot up. ]
[Footnote 139: assembling, gathering. ]
[Footnote 140: bursteth. ]
[Footnote 141: dry, barren. ]
[Footnote 142: Mighty. ]
[Footnote 143: slain. ]
[Footnote 144: help. ]
[Footnote 145: Lord.
]
[Footnote 146: embroidered; 'tis conjectured, embroidery was not used
in England till Hen. II. ]
[Footnote 147: throne. ]
[Footnote 148: person, body. ]
[Footnote 149: lodge. ]
[Footnote 150: Marks. ]
[Footnote 151: subjects. ]
[Footnote 152: much. ]
[Footnote 153: lamentation. ]
[Footnote 154: neglected, or passed by. ]
[Footnote 155: require, ask. ]
[Footnote 156: holy. ]
[Footnote 157: help. ]
[Footnote 158: will. ]
[Footnote 159: dead. ]
[Footnote 160: doubt. ]
[Footnote 161: waves. ]
[Footnote 162: heaven-ward, or God-ward. ]
[Footnote 163: Purse, used here probably as a treasury. ]
[Footnote 164: expence. ]
[Footnote 165: receipt. ]
[Footnote 166: soon. ]
[Footnote 167: expended. ]
[Footnote 168: a contradiction of mighty. ]
[Footnote 169: Divest. ]
[Footnote 170: embrace. ]
[Footnote 171: mightiness. ]
[Footnote 172: counsel. ]
[Footnote 173: Firmness, stedfastness. ]
[Footnote 174: doubt, suspense. ]
[Footnote 175: not knowing. ]
[Footnote 176: wonder. ]
[Footnote 177: homage, obeysance. ]
[Footnote 178: they. ]
[Footnote 179: frown. ]
[Footnote 180: kill. ]
[Footnote 181: curriedowe, flatterer. ]
[Footnote 182: reward. ]
[Footnote 183: holy. ]
[Footnote 184: help. ]
[Footnote 185: allow. ]
[Footnote 186: manors. ]
[Footnote 187: alone. ]
[Footnote 188: Endeavoured. ]
[Footnote 189: freeze. ]
[Footnote 190: undismayed. ]
[Footnote 191: armed, pointed. ]
[Footnote 192: hoisted on high, raised. ]
[Footnote 193: foes, enemies. ]
[Footnote 194: fly. ]
[Footnote 195: head. ]
[Footnote 196: stretched. ]
[Footnote 197: Like. ]
[Footnote 198: two. ]
[Footnote 199: flaming. ]
[Footnote 200: meteors. ]
[Footnote 201: beats, stamps. ]
[Footnote 202: closely. ]
[Footnote 203: mantled, covered. ]
[Footnote 204: guides. ]
[Footnote 205: armed. ]
[Footnote 206: arose. ]
[Footnote 207: helmet. ]
ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS:
Bie T. ROWLEIE.
BOOKE 1st[1].
Whanne Scythyannes, salvage as the wolves theie chacde,
Peyncted in horrowe[2] formes bie nature dyghte,
Heckled[3] yn beastskyns, slepte uponne the waste,
And wyth the morneynge rouzed the wolfe to fyghte,
Swefte as descendeynge lemes[4] of roddie lyghte 5
Plonged to the hulstred[5] bedde of laveynge seas,
Gerd[6] the blacke mountayn okes yn drybblets[7] twighte[8],
And ranne yn thoughte alonge the azure mees,
Whose eyne dyd feerie sheene, like blue-hayred defs[9],
That dreerie hange upon Dover's emblaunched[10] clefs. 10
Soft boundeynge over swelleynge azure reles[11]
The salvage natyves sawe a shyppe appere;
An uncouthe[12] denwere[13] to theire bosomme steles;
Theyre myghte ys knopped[14] ynne the froste of fere.
The headed javlyn lisseth[15] here and there; 15
Theie stonde, theie ronne, theie loke wyth eger eyne;
The shyppes sayle, boleynge[16] wythe the kyndelie ayre,
Ronneth to harbour from the beateynge bryne;
Theie dryve awaie aghaste, whanne to the stronde
A burled[17] Trojan lepes, wythe Morglaien sweerde yn honde. 20
Hymme followede eftsoones hys compheeres[18], whose swerdes
Glestred lyke gledeynge[19] starres ynne frostie nete,
Hayleynge theyre capytayne in chirckynge[20] wordes
Kynge of the lande, whereon theie set theyre fete.
The greete kynge Brutus thanne theie dyd hym greete, 25
Prepared for battle, mareschalled the syghte;
Theie urg'd the warre, the natyves fledde, as flete
As fleaynge cloudes that swymme before the syghte;
Tyll tyred with battles, for to ceese the fraie,
Theie uncted[21] Brutus kynge, and gave the Trojanns swaie. 30
Twayne of twelve years han lemed[22] up the myndes,
Leggende[23] the salvage unthewes[24] of theire breste,
Improved in mysterk[25] warre, and lymmed[26] theyre kyndes,
Whenne Brute from Brutons sonke to aeterne reste.
Eftsoons the gentle Locryne was possest 35
Of swaie, and vested yn the paramente[27];
Halceld[28] the bykrous[29] Huns, who dyd infeste
Hys wakeynge kyngdom wyth a foule intente;
As hys broade swerde oer Homberres heade was honge,
He tourned toe ryver wyde, and roarynge rolled alonge. 40
He wedded Gendolyne of roieal sede,
Upon whose countenance rodde healthe was spreade;
Bloushing, alyche[30] the scarlette of herr wede,
She sonke to pleasaunce on the marryage bedde.
Eftsoons her peaceful joie of mynde was fledde; 45
Elstrid ametten with the kynge Locryne;
Unnombered beauties were upon her shedde,
Moche fyne, moche fayrer thanne was Gendolyne;
The mornynge tynge, the rose, the lillie floure,
In ever ronneynge race on her dyd peyncte theyre powere. 50
The gentle suyte of Locryne gayned her love;
Theie lyved soft momentes to a swotie[31] age;
Eft[32] wandringe yn the coppyce, delle, and grove,
Where ne one eyne mote theyre disporte engage;
There dydde theie tell the merrie lovynge sage[33], 55
Croppe the prymrosen floure to decke theyre headde;
The feerie Gendolyne yn woman rage
Gemoted[34] warriours to bewrecke[35] her bedde;
Theie rose; ynne battle was greete Locryne sleene;
The faire Elstrida fledde from the enchased[36] queene. 60
A tye of love, a dawter fayre she hanne,
Whose boddeynge morneyng shewed a fayre daie,
Her fadre Locrynne, once an hailie manne.
Wyth the fayre dawterre dydde she haste awaie,
To where the Western mittee[37] pyles of claie 65
Arise ynto the cloudes, and doe them beere;
There dyd Elstrida and Sabryna staie;
The fyrste tryckde out a whyle yn warryours gratch[38] and gear;
Vyncente was she ycleped, butte fulle soone fate
Sente deathe, to telle the dame, she was notte yn regrate[39]. 70
The queene Gendolyne sente a gyaunte knyghte,
Whose doughtie heade swepte the emmertleynge[40] skies,
To slea her wheresoever she shulde be pyghte[41],
Eke everychone who shulde her ele[42] emprize[43].
Swefte as the roareynge wyndes the gyaunte flies, 75
Stayde the loude wyndes, and shaded reaulmes yn nyghte,
Stepte over cytties, on meint[44] acres lies,
Meeteynge the herehaughtes of morneynge lighte;
Tyll mooveynge to the Weste, myschaunce hys gye[45],
He thorowe warriours gratch fayre Elstrid did espie. 80
He tore a ragged mountayne from the grounde,
Harried[46] uppe noddynge forrests to the skie,
Thanne wythe a fuirie, mote the erthe astounde[47],
To meddle ayre he lette the mountayne flie.
The flying wolfynnes sente a yelleynge crie; 85
Onne Vyncente and Sabryna felle the mount;
To lyve aeternalle dyd theie eftsoones die;
Thorowe the sandie grave boiled up the pourple founte,
On a broade grassie playne was layde the hylle,
Staieynge the rounynge course of meint a limmed[48] rylle. 90
The goddes, who kenned the actyons of the wyghte,
To leggen[49] the sadde happe of twayne so fayre,
Houton[50] dyd make the mountaine bie theire mighte.
Forth from Sabryna ran a ryverre cleere,
Roarynge and rolleynge on yn course bysmare[51]; 95
From female Vyncente shotte a ridge of stones,
Eche syde the ryver rysynge heavenwere;
Sabrynas floode was helde ynne Elstryds bones.
So are theie cleped; gentle and the hynde
Can telle, that Severnes streeme bie Vyncentes rocke's ywrynde[52]. 100
The bawsyn[53] gyaunt, hee who dyd them slee,
To telle Gendolyne quycklie was ysped[54];
Whanne, as he strod alonge the shakeynge lee,
The roddie levynne[55] glesterrd on hys headde:
Into hys hearte the azure vapoures spreade; 105
He wrythde arounde yn drearie dernie[56] payne;
Whanne from his lyfe-bloode the rodde lemes[57] were fed,
He felle an hepe of ashes on the playne:
Stylle does hys ashes shoote ynto the lyghte,
A wondrous mountayne hie, and Snowdon ys ytte hyghte. 110
FINIS.
[Footnote 1: I will endeavour to get the remainder of these poems. ]
[Footnote 2: unseemly, disagreeable. ]
[Footnote 3: wrapped. ]
[Footnote 4: rays. ]
[Footnote 5: hidden, secret. ]
[Footnote 6: broke, rent. ]
[Footnote 7: small pieces. ]
[Footnote 8: pulled, rent. ]
[Footnote 9: vapours, meteors. ]
[Footnote 10: emblaunched. ]
[Editor's note: _Title: See Introduction_ p. xli]
[Footnote 11: Ridges, rising waves. ]
[Footnotes 12, 13: unknown tremour. ]
[Footnote 14: fastened, chained, congealed. ]
[Footnote 15: boundeth. ]
[Footnote 16: swelling. ]
[Footnote 17: armed. ]
[Footnote 18: companions. ]
[Footnote 19: livid. ]
[Footnote 20: a confused noise. ]
[Footnote 21: Anointed. ]
[Footnote 22: enlightened. ]
[Footnote 23: alloyed. ]
[Footnote 24: savage barbarity. ]
[Footnote 25: mystic. ]
[Footnote 26: polished. ]
[Footnote 27: a princely robe. ]
[Footnote 28: defeated. ]
[Footnote 29: warring. ]
[Footnote 30: Like. ]
[Footnote 31: sweet. ]
[Footnote 32: oft. ]
[Footnote 33: a tale. ]
[Footnote 34: assembled. ]
[Footnote 35: revenge. ]
[Footnote 36: heated, enraged. ]
[Footnote 37: Mighty. ]
[Footnote 38: apparel. ]
[Footnote 39: esteem, favour. ]
[Footnote 40: glittering. ]
[Footnote 41: settled. ]
[Footnote 42: help. ]
[Footnote 43: adventure. ]
[Footnote 44: Many. ]
[Footnote 45: guide. ]
[Footnote 46: tost. ]
[Footnote 47: astonish. ]
[Footnote 48: glassy, reflecting. ]
[Footnote 49: lessen, alloy. ]
[Footnote 50: hollow. ]
[Footnote 51: Bewildered, curious. ]
[Footnote 52: hid, covered. ]
[Footnote 53: huge, bulky. ]
[Footnote 54: dispatched. ]
[Footnote 55: red lightning. ]
[Footnote 56: cruel. ]
[Footnote 57: flames, rays. ]
AN EXCELENTE BALADE
OF CHARITIE:
As wroten bie the gode Prieste THOMAS ROWLEY[1],
1464.
In Virgyne the sweltrie sun gan sheene,
And hotte upon the mees[2] did caste his raie;
The apple rodded[3] from its palie greene,
And the mole[4] peare did bende the leafy spraie;
The peede chelandri[5] sunge the livelong daie; 5
'Twas nowe the pride, the manhode of the yeare,
And eke the grounde was dighte[6] in its mose defte[7] aumere[8].
The sun was glemeing in the midde of daie,
Deadde still the aire, and eke the welken[9] blue,
When from the sea arist[10] in drear arraie 10
A hepe of cloudes of sable sullen hue,
The which full fast unto the woodlande drewe,
Hiltring[11] attenes[12] the sunnis fetive[13] face,
And the blacke tempeste swolne and gatherd up apace.
Beneathe an holme, faste by a pathwaie side, 15
Which dide unto Seyncte Godwine's covent[14] lede,
A hapless pilgrim moneynge did abide,
Pore in his viewe, ungentle[15] in his weede,
Longe bretful[16] of the miseries of neede,
Where from the hail-stone coulde the almer[17] flie? 20
He had no housen theere, ne anie covent nie.
Look in his glommed[18] face, his sprighte there scanne;
Howe woe-be-gone, how withered, forwynd[19], deade!
Haste to thie church-glebe-house[20], asshrewed[21] manne!
Haste to thie kiste[22], thie onlie dortoure[23] bedde. 25
Cale, as the claie whiche will gre on thie hedde,
Is Charitie and Love aminge highe elves;
Knightis and Barons live for pleasure and themselves.
The gatherd storme is rype; the bigge drops falle;
The forswat[24] meadowes smethe[25], and drenche[26] the raine; 30
The comyng ghastness do the cattle pall[27],
And the full flockes are drivynge ore the plaine;
Dashde from the cloudes the waters flott[28] againe;
The welkin opes; the yellow levynne[29] flies;
And the hot fierie smothe[30] in the wide lowings[31] dies. 35
Liste! now the thunder's rattling clymmynge[32] sound
Cheves[33] slowlie on, and then embollen[34] clangs,
Shakes the hie spyre, and losst, dispended, drown'd,
Still on the gallard[35] eare of terroure hanges;
The windes are up; the lofty elmen swanges; 40
Again the levynne and the thunder poures,
And the full cloudes are braste[36] attenes in stonen showers.
Spurreynge his palfrie oere the watrie plaine.
The Abbote of Seyncte Godwynes convente came;
His chapournette[37] was drented with the reine, 45
And his pencte[38] gyrdle met with mickle shame;
He aynewarde tolde his bederoll[39] at the same;
The storme encreasen, and he drew aside,
With the mist[40] almes craver neere to the holme to bide.
His cope[41] was all of Lyncolne clothe so fyne, 50
With a gold button fasten'd neere his chynne;
His autremete[42] was edged with golden twynne,
And his shoone pyke a loverds[43] mighte have binne;
Full well it shewn he thoughten coste no sinne;
The trammels of the palfrye pleasde his sighte; 55
For the horse-millanare[44] his head with roses dighte.
An almes, sir prieste! the droppynge pilgrim saide,
O! let me waite within your covente dore,
Till the sunne sheneth hie above our heade,
And the loude tempeste of the aire is oer; 60
Helpless and ould am I alas! and poor;
No house, ne friend, ne moneie in my pouche;
All yatte I call my owne is this my silver crouche
Varlet, replyd the Abbatte, cease your dinne;
This is no season almes and prayers to give; 65
Mie porter never lets a faitour[45] in;
None touch mie rynge who not in honour live.
And now the sonne with the blacke cloudes did stryve,
And shettynge on the grounde his glairie raie,
The Abbatte spurrde his steede, and eftsoones roadde awaie. 70
Once moe the skie was blacke, the thounder rolde;
Faste reyneynge oer the plaine a prieste was seen;
Ne dighte full proude, ne buttoned up in golde;
His cope and jape[46] were graie, and eke were clene;
A Limitoure he was of order seene; 75
And from the pathwaie side then turned hee,
Where the pore almer laie binethe the holmen tree.
An almes, sir priest! the droppynge pilgrim sayde,
For sweete Seyncte Marie and your order sake.
The Limitoure then loosen'd his pouche threade, 80
And did thereoute a groate of silver take;
The mister pilgrim dyd for halline[47] shake.
Here take this silver, it maie eathe[48] thie care;
We are Goddes stewards all, nete[49] of oure owne we bare.
But ah! unhailie[50] pilgrim, lerne of me, 85
Scathe anie give a rentrolle to their Lorde.
Here take my semecope[51], thou arte bare I see;
Tis thyne; the Seynctes will give me mie rewarde.
He left the pilgrim, and his waie aborde.
Virgynne and hallie Seyncte, who sitte yn gloure[52], 90
Or give the mittee[53] will, or give the gode man power.
[Footnote 1: Thomas Rowley, the author, was born at Norton Mal-reward
in Somersetshire, educated at the Convent of St. Kenna at Keynesham,
and died at Westbury in Gloucestershire. ]
[Footnote 2: meads. ]
[Footnote 3: reddened, ripened. ]
[Footnote 4: soft. ]
[Footnote 5: pied goldfinch. ]
[Footnote 6: drest, arrayed. ]
[Footnote 7: neat, ornamental. ]
[Footnote 8: a loose robe or mantle. ]
[Footnote 9: the sky, the atmosphere. ]
[Footnote 10: Arose. ]
[Footnote 11: hiding, shrouding. ]
[Footnote 12: at once. ]
[Footnote 13: beauteous. ]
[Footnote 14: It would have been _charitable_, if the author had not
pointed at personal characters in this Ballad of Charity. The Abbot
of St. Godwin's at the time of the writing of this was Ralph de
Bellomont, a great stickler for the Lancastrian family. Rowley was a
Yorkist. ]
[Footnote 15: beggarly. ]
[Footnote 16: filled with. ]
[Footnote 17: beggar. ]
[Footnote 18: clouded, dejected. A person of some note in the literary
world is of opinion, that _glum_ and _glom_ are modern cant words;
and from this circumstance doubts the authenticity of Rowley's
Manuscripts. Glum-mong in the Saxon signifies twilight, a dark or
dubious light; and the modern word _gloomy_ is derived from the Saxon
_glum_. ]
[Footnote 19: dry, sapless. ]
[Footnote 20: The grave. ]
[Footnote 21: accursed, unfortunate.
Nowe, nowe, wylle Harolde or oppressionne falle,
Ne moe the Englyshmenne yn vayne for hele[144] shal calle.
KYNGE EDWARDE AND HYS QUEENE.
QUEENE.
Botte, loverde[145], whie so manie Normannes here?
Mee thynckethe wee bee notte yn Englyshe londe.
These browded[146] straungers alwaie doe appere, 130
Theie parte yor trone[147], and sete at your ryghte honde.
KYNGE.
Go to, goe to, you doe ne understonde:
Theie yeave mee lyffe and dyd mie bowkie[148] kepe;
Theie dyd mee feeste, and did embowre[149] me gronde;
To trete hem ylle wulde lette mie kyndnesse slepe. 135
QUEENE.
Mancas[150] you have yn store, and to them parte;
Youre leege-folcke[151] make moke[152] dole[153], you have theyr worthe asterte[154].
KYNGE.
I heste[155] no rede of you. I ken mie friendes.
Hallie[156] dheie are, fulle ready mee to hele[157].
Theyre volundes[158] are ystorven[159] to self endes; 140
No denwere[160] yn mie breste I of them fele:
I muste to prayers; goe yn, and you do wele;
I muste ne lose the dutie of the daie;
Go inne, go ynne, ande viewe the azure rele[161],
Fulle welle I wote you have noe mynde toe praie. 145
QUEENE.
I leeve youe to doe hommage heaven-were[162];
To serve yor leege-folcke toe is doeynge hommage there.
KYNGE AND SYR HUGHE.
KYNGE.
Mie friende, Syr Hughe, whatte tydynges brynges thee here?
HUGHE.
There is no mancas yn mie loverdes ente[163];
The hus dyspense[164] unpaied doe appere; 150
The laste receivure[165] ys eftesoones[166] dispente[167].
KYNGE.
Thenne guylde the Weste.
HUGHE.
Mie loverde, I dyd speke
Untoe the mitte[168] Erle Harolde of the thynge;
He raysed hys honde, and smoke me onne the cheke,
Saieynge, go beare thatte message to the kynge. 155
KYNGE.
Arace[169] hym of hys powere; bie Goddis worde,
Ne moe thatte Harolde shall ywield the erlies swerde.
HUGHE.
Atte seeson fytte, mie loverde, lette itt bee;
Botte nowe the folcke doe soe enalse[170] hys name,
Inne strevvynge to slea hymme, ourselves wee slea; 160
Syke ys the doughtyness[171] of hys grete fame.
KYNGE.
Hughe, I beethyncke, thie rede[172] ys notte to blame.
Botte thou maiest fynde fulle store of marckes yn Kente.
HUGHE.
Mie noble loverde, Godwynn ys the same
He sweeres he wylle notte swelle the Normans ent. 165
KYNGE.
Ah traytoure! botte mie rage I wylle commaunde.
Thou arte a Normanne, Hughe, a straunger to the launde.
Thou kenneste howe these Englysche erle doe bere
Such stedness[173] in the yll and evylle thynge,
Botte atte the goode theie hover yn denwere[174], 170
Onknowlachynge[175] gif thereunto to clynge.
HUGHE.
Onwordie syke a marvelle[176] of a kynge!
O Edwarde, thou deservest purer leege[177];
To thee heie[178] shulden al theire mancas brynge;
Thie nodde should save menne, and thie glomb[179] forslege[180]. 175
I amme no curriedowe[181], I lacke no wite [182],
I speke whatte bee the trouthe, and whatte all see is ryghte.
KYNGE.
Thou arte a hallie[183] manne, I doe thee pryze.
Comme, comme, and here and hele[184] mee ynn mie praires.
Fulle twentie mancas I wylle thee alise [185], 180
And twayne of hamlettes[186] to thee and thie heyres.
So shalle all Normannes from mie londe be fed,
Theie alleyn[187] have syke love as to acquyre yer bredde.
CHORUS.
Whan Freedom, dreste yn blodde-steyned veste,
To everie knyghte her warre-songe sunge, 185
Uponne her hedde wylde wedes were spredde;
A gorie anlace bye her honge.
She daunced onne the heathe;
She hearde the voice of deathe;
Pale-eyned affryghte, hys harte of sylver hue, 190
In vayne assayled[188] her bosomme to acale[189];
She hearde onflemed[190] the shriekynge voice of woe,
And sadnesse ynne the owlette shake the dale.
She shooke the burled[191] speere,
On hie she jeste[192] her sheelde, 195
Her foemen[193] all appere,
And flizze[194] alonge the feelde.
Power, wythe his heasod[195] straught[196] ynto the skyes,
Hys speere a sonne-beame, and his sheelde a starre,
Alyche[197] twaie[198] brendeynge[199] gronfyres[200] rolls hys eyes, 200
Chastes[201] with hys yronne feete and soundes to war.
She syttes upon a rocke,
She bendes before his speere,
She ryses from the shocke,
Wieldynge her owne yn ayre. 205
Harde as the thonder dothe she drive ytte on,
Wytte scillye[202] wympled[203] gies[204] ytte to hys crowne,
Hys longe sharpe speere, hys spreddynge sheelde ys gon,
He falles, and fallynge rolleth thousandes down.
War, goare-faced war, bie envie burld[205], arist[206], 210
Hys feerie heaulme[207] noddynge to the ayre,
Tenne bloddie arrowes ynne hys streynynge fyste--
* * * * *
[Footnote 1: Of old, formerly. ]
[Footnote 2: writers, historians. ]
[Footnote 3: much. ]
[Footnote 4: inglorious. ]
[Footnote 5: bereaving. ]
[Footnote 6: faith. ]
[Footnote 7: unforgiving. ]
[Footnote 8: divines, clergymen, monks. ]
[Footnote 9: holy. ]
[Footnote 10: work. ]
[Footnote 11: not. ]
[Footnote 12: author. ]
[Footnote 13: though, notwithstanding. ]
[Footnote 14: clerk, or clergyman. ]
[Footnote 15: entyn, even. ]
[Footnote 16: might. ]
[Footnote 17: challenge. ]
[Footnote 18: Lord. ]
[Footnote 19: foes, enemies. ]
[Footnote 20: devour, destroy. ]
[Footnote 21: fatten. ]
[Footnote 22: Grievance; a sense of it. ]
[Footnote 23: cease, be still. ]
[Footnote 24: idly. ]
[Footnote 25: deceived, imposed on. ]
[Footnote 26: so. ]
[Footnote 27: fury, anger, rage. ]
[Footnote 28: paint, display. ]
[Footnote 29: soul. ]
[Footnote 30: strong. ]
[Footnote 31: terrible. ]
[Footnote 32: horrid, grim. ]
[Footnote 33: smoking, bleeding. ]
[Footnote 34: oft. ]
[Footnote 35: heat, rashness. ]
[Footnote 36: counsel, wisdom. ]
[Footnote 37: strength, also strong. ]
[Footnote 38: taudry, glimmering. ]
[Footnote 39: People. ]
[Footnote 40: fate, destiny. ]
[Footnote 41: nobly. ]
[Footnote 42: Cast. ]
[Footnote 43: cross, from crouche, a cross. ]
[Footnote 44: attempt, or endeavour. ]
[Footnote 45: unarmed. ]
[Footnote 46: unactive. ]
[Footnote 47: unspirited. ]
[Footnote 48: such. ]
[Footnote 49: fastened, annexed. ]
[Footnote 50: might, power. ]
[Footnote 51: mantle, or robe. ]
[Footnote 52: white, alluding to the arms of Kent, a horse saliant,
argent. ]
[Footnote 53: distracting. ]
[Footnote 54: despair. ]
[Footnote 55: bleed. ]
[Footnote 56: allow. ]
[Footnote 57: ease. ]
[Footnote 58: throne. ]
[Footnote 59: pluck. ]
[Footnote 60: Becomes. ]
[Footnote 61: subjects. ]
[Footnote 62: contentions, complaints. ]
[Footnote 63: choke. ]
[Footnote 64: dark, cloudy. ]
[Footnote 65: astonish. ]
[Footnote 66: cut off, destroyed. ]
[Footnote 67: slaves. ]
[Footnote 68: loud roaring. ]
[Footnote 69: flame of fire. ]
[Footnote 70: burn, consume. ]
[Footnote 71: them. ]
[Footnote 72: slay. ]
[Footnote 73: decay. ]
[Footnote 74: make ready. ]
[Footnote 75: enterprize. ]
[Footnote 76: Notwithstanding. ]
[Footnote 77: foes. ]
[Footnote 78: mangle, destroy. ]
[Footnote 79: beauty, countenance. ]
[Footnote 80: an ancient sword. ]
[Footnote 81: fury. ]
[Footnote 82: cease. ]
[Footnote 83: deadly. ]
[Footnote 84: lake. ]
[Footnote 85: swollen. ]
[Footnote 86: hidden. ]
[Footnote 87: unknown. ]
[Footnote 88: command. ]
[Footnote 89: still. ]
[Footnote 90: Red-stained. ]
[Footnotes 91, 92: parts of armour. ]
[Footnote 93: broad. ]
[Footnote 94: cause. ]
[Footnote 95: rights, liberties. ]
[Footnote 96: cutting, mangling. ]
[Footnote 97: forbidding. ]
[Footnote 98: grow. ]
[Footnote 99: furious. ]
[Footnote 100: slay. ]
[Footnote 101: strength. ]
[Footnote 102: declare. ]
[Footnote 103: sword. ]
[Footnote 104: Monastery. ]
[Footnote 105: more worthy. ]
[Footnote 106: pulled, plucked. ]
[Footnote 107: displayed. ]
[Footnote 108: over-righteous. ]
[Footnote 109: counselled, more wise. ]
[Footnote 110: uncareful, neglected. ]
[Footnote 111: Bid, command. ]
[Footnote 112: slay. ]
[Footnote 113: presently. ]
[Footnote 114: explain. ]
[Footnote 115: grievances. ]
[Footnote 116: branch. ]
[Footnote 117: wet, moist. ]
[Footnote 118: fen, moor. ]
[Footnote 119: drained. ]
[Footnote 120: swelling. ]
[Footnote 121: waves. ]
[Footnote 122: grievance. ]
[Footnote 123: assemble. ]
[Footnote 124: broad. ]
[Footnote 125: Horned. ]
[Footnote 126: white. ]
[Footnote 127: decks. ]
[Footnote 128: mightiest, most valiant. ]
[Footnote 129: slain. ]
[Footnote 130: oversets. ]
[Footnote 131: a castle. ]
[Footnote 132: revenge. ]
[Footnote 133: cause. ]
[Footnote 134: at once. ]
[Footnote 135: One who takes up the cross in order to fight against
the Saracens. ]
[Footnote 136: holy. ]
[Footnote 137: rare, extraordinary, strange. ]
[Footnote 138: run, shot up. ]
[Footnote 139: assembling, gathering. ]
[Footnote 140: bursteth. ]
[Footnote 141: dry, barren. ]
[Footnote 142: Mighty. ]
[Footnote 143: slain. ]
[Footnote 144: help. ]
[Footnote 145: Lord.
]
[Footnote 146: embroidered; 'tis conjectured, embroidery was not used
in England till Hen. II. ]
[Footnote 147: throne. ]
[Footnote 148: person, body. ]
[Footnote 149: lodge. ]
[Footnote 150: Marks. ]
[Footnote 151: subjects. ]
[Footnote 152: much. ]
[Footnote 153: lamentation. ]
[Footnote 154: neglected, or passed by. ]
[Footnote 155: require, ask. ]
[Footnote 156: holy. ]
[Footnote 157: help. ]
[Footnote 158: will. ]
[Footnote 159: dead. ]
[Footnote 160: doubt. ]
[Footnote 161: waves. ]
[Footnote 162: heaven-ward, or God-ward. ]
[Footnote 163: Purse, used here probably as a treasury. ]
[Footnote 164: expence. ]
[Footnote 165: receipt. ]
[Footnote 166: soon. ]
[Footnote 167: expended. ]
[Footnote 168: a contradiction of mighty. ]
[Footnote 169: Divest. ]
[Footnote 170: embrace. ]
[Footnote 171: mightiness. ]
[Footnote 172: counsel. ]
[Footnote 173: Firmness, stedfastness. ]
[Footnote 174: doubt, suspense. ]
[Footnote 175: not knowing. ]
[Footnote 176: wonder. ]
[Footnote 177: homage, obeysance. ]
[Footnote 178: they. ]
[Footnote 179: frown. ]
[Footnote 180: kill. ]
[Footnote 181: curriedowe, flatterer. ]
[Footnote 182: reward. ]
[Footnote 183: holy. ]
[Footnote 184: help. ]
[Footnote 185: allow. ]
[Footnote 186: manors. ]
[Footnote 187: alone. ]
[Footnote 188: Endeavoured. ]
[Footnote 189: freeze. ]
[Footnote 190: undismayed. ]
[Footnote 191: armed, pointed. ]
[Footnote 192: hoisted on high, raised. ]
[Footnote 193: foes, enemies. ]
[Footnote 194: fly. ]
[Footnote 195: head. ]
[Footnote 196: stretched. ]
[Footnote 197: Like. ]
[Footnote 198: two. ]
[Footnote 199: flaming. ]
[Footnote 200: meteors. ]
[Footnote 201: beats, stamps. ]
[Footnote 202: closely. ]
[Footnote 203: mantled, covered. ]
[Footnote 204: guides. ]
[Footnote 205: armed. ]
[Footnote 206: arose. ]
[Footnote 207: helmet. ]
ENGLYSH METAMORPHOSIS:
Bie T. ROWLEIE.
BOOKE 1st[1].
Whanne Scythyannes, salvage as the wolves theie chacde,
Peyncted in horrowe[2] formes bie nature dyghte,
Heckled[3] yn beastskyns, slepte uponne the waste,
And wyth the morneynge rouzed the wolfe to fyghte,
Swefte as descendeynge lemes[4] of roddie lyghte 5
Plonged to the hulstred[5] bedde of laveynge seas,
Gerd[6] the blacke mountayn okes yn drybblets[7] twighte[8],
And ranne yn thoughte alonge the azure mees,
Whose eyne dyd feerie sheene, like blue-hayred defs[9],
That dreerie hange upon Dover's emblaunched[10] clefs. 10
Soft boundeynge over swelleynge azure reles[11]
The salvage natyves sawe a shyppe appere;
An uncouthe[12] denwere[13] to theire bosomme steles;
Theyre myghte ys knopped[14] ynne the froste of fere.
The headed javlyn lisseth[15] here and there; 15
Theie stonde, theie ronne, theie loke wyth eger eyne;
The shyppes sayle, boleynge[16] wythe the kyndelie ayre,
Ronneth to harbour from the beateynge bryne;
Theie dryve awaie aghaste, whanne to the stronde
A burled[17] Trojan lepes, wythe Morglaien sweerde yn honde. 20
Hymme followede eftsoones hys compheeres[18], whose swerdes
Glestred lyke gledeynge[19] starres ynne frostie nete,
Hayleynge theyre capytayne in chirckynge[20] wordes
Kynge of the lande, whereon theie set theyre fete.
The greete kynge Brutus thanne theie dyd hym greete, 25
Prepared for battle, mareschalled the syghte;
Theie urg'd the warre, the natyves fledde, as flete
As fleaynge cloudes that swymme before the syghte;
Tyll tyred with battles, for to ceese the fraie,
Theie uncted[21] Brutus kynge, and gave the Trojanns swaie. 30
Twayne of twelve years han lemed[22] up the myndes,
Leggende[23] the salvage unthewes[24] of theire breste,
Improved in mysterk[25] warre, and lymmed[26] theyre kyndes,
Whenne Brute from Brutons sonke to aeterne reste.
Eftsoons the gentle Locryne was possest 35
Of swaie, and vested yn the paramente[27];
Halceld[28] the bykrous[29] Huns, who dyd infeste
Hys wakeynge kyngdom wyth a foule intente;
As hys broade swerde oer Homberres heade was honge,
He tourned toe ryver wyde, and roarynge rolled alonge. 40
He wedded Gendolyne of roieal sede,
Upon whose countenance rodde healthe was spreade;
Bloushing, alyche[30] the scarlette of herr wede,
She sonke to pleasaunce on the marryage bedde.
Eftsoons her peaceful joie of mynde was fledde; 45
Elstrid ametten with the kynge Locryne;
Unnombered beauties were upon her shedde,
Moche fyne, moche fayrer thanne was Gendolyne;
The mornynge tynge, the rose, the lillie floure,
In ever ronneynge race on her dyd peyncte theyre powere. 50
The gentle suyte of Locryne gayned her love;
Theie lyved soft momentes to a swotie[31] age;
Eft[32] wandringe yn the coppyce, delle, and grove,
Where ne one eyne mote theyre disporte engage;
There dydde theie tell the merrie lovynge sage[33], 55
Croppe the prymrosen floure to decke theyre headde;
The feerie Gendolyne yn woman rage
Gemoted[34] warriours to bewrecke[35] her bedde;
Theie rose; ynne battle was greete Locryne sleene;
The faire Elstrida fledde from the enchased[36] queene. 60
A tye of love, a dawter fayre she hanne,
Whose boddeynge morneyng shewed a fayre daie,
Her fadre Locrynne, once an hailie manne.
Wyth the fayre dawterre dydde she haste awaie,
To where the Western mittee[37] pyles of claie 65
Arise ynto the cloudes, and doe them beere;
There dyd Elstrida and Sabryna staie;
The fyrste tryckde out a whyle yn warryours gratch[38] and gear;
Vyncente was she ycleped, butte fulle soone fate
Sente deathe, to telle the dame, she was notte yn regrate[39]. 70
The queene Gendolyne sente a gyaunte knyghte,
Whose doughtie heade swepte the emmertleynge[40] skies,
To slea her wheresoever she shulde be pyghte[41],
Eke everychone who shulde her ele[42] emprize[43].
Swefte as the roareynge wyndes the gyaunte flies, 75
Stayde the loude wyndes, and shaded reaulmes yn nyghte,
Stepte over cytties, on meint[44] acres lies,
Meeteynge the herehaughtes of morneynge lighte;
Tyll mooveynge to the Weste, myschaunce hys gye[45],
He thorowe warriours gratch fayre Elstrid did espie. 80
He tore a ragged mountayne from the grounde,
Harried[46] uppe noddynge forrests to the skie,
Thanne wythe a fuirie, mote the erthe astounde[47],
To meddle ayre he lette the mountayne flie.
The flying wolfynnes sente a yelleynge crie; 85
Onne Vyncente and Sabryna felle the mount;
To lyve aeternalle dyd theie eftsoones die;
Thorowe the sandie grave boiled up the pourple founte,
On a broade grassie playne was layde the hylle,
Staieynge the rounynge course of meint a limmed[48] rylle. 90
The goddes, who kenned the actyons of the wyghte,
To leggen[49] the sadde happe of twayne so fayre,
Houton[50] dyd make the mountaine bie theire mighte.
Forth from Sabryna ran a ryverre cleere,
Roarynge and rolleynge on yn course bysmare[51]; 95
From female Vyncente shotte a ridge of stones,
Eche syde the ryver rysynge heavenwere;
Sabrynas floode was helde ynne Elstryds bones.
So are theie cleped; gentle and the hynde
Can telle, that Severnes streeme bie Vyncentes rocke's ywrynde[52]. 100
The bawsyn[53] gyaunt, hee who dyd them slee,
To telle Gendolyne quycklie was ysped[54];
Whanne, as he strod alonge the shakeynge lee,
The roddie levynne[55] glesterrd on hys headde:
Into hys hearte the azure vapoures spreade; 105
He wrythde arounde yn drearie dernie[56] payne;
Whanne from his lyfe-bloode the rodde lemes[57] were fed,
He felle an hepe of ashes on the playne:
Stylle does hys ashes shoote ynto the lyghte,
A wondrous mountayne hie, and Snowdon ys ytte hyghte. 110
FINIS.
[Footnote 1: I will endeavour to get the remainder of these poems. ]
[Footnote 2: unseemly, disagreeable. ]
[Footnote 3: wrapped. ]
[Footnote 4: rays. ]
[Footnote 5: hidden, secret. ]
[Footnote 6: broke, rent. ]
[Footnote 7: small pieces. ]
[Footnote 8: pulled, rent. ]
[Footnote 9: vapours, meteors. ]
[Footnote 10: emblaunched. ]
[Editor's note: _Title: See Introduction_ p. xli]
[Footnote 11: Ridges, rising waves. ]
[Footnotes 12, 13: unknown tremour. ]
[Footnote 14: fastened, chained, congealed. ]
[Footnote 15: boundeth. ]
[Footnote 16: swelling. ]
[Footnote 17: armed. ]
[Footnote 18: companions. ]
[Footnote 19: livid. ]
[Footnote 20: a confused noise. ]
[Footnote 21: Anointed. ]
[Footnote 22: enlightened. ]
[Footnote 23: alloyed. ]
[Footnote 24: savage barbarity. ]
[Footnote 25: mystic. ]
[Footnote 26: polished. ]
[Footnote 27: a princely robe. ]
[Footnote 28: defeated. ]
[Footnote 29: warring. ]
[Footnote 30: Like. ]
[Footnote 31: sweet. ]
[Footnote 32: oft. ]
[Footnote 33: a tale. ]
[Footnote 34: assembled. ]
[Footnote 35: revenge. ]
[Footnote 36: heated, enraged. ]
[Footnote 37: Mighty. ]
[Footnote 38: apparel. ]
[Footnote 39: esteem, favour. ]
[Footnote 40: glittering. ]
[Footnote 41: settled. ]
[Footnote 42: help. ]
[Footnote 43: adventure. ]
[Footnote 44: Many. ]
[Footnote 45: guide. ]
[Footnote 46: tost. ]
[Footnote 47: astonish. ]
[Footnote 48: glassy, reflecting. ]
[Footnote 49: lessen, alloy. ]
[Footnote 50: hollow. ]
[Footnote 51: Bewildered, curious. ]
[Footnote 52: hid, covered. ]
[Footnote 53: huge, bulky. ]
[Footnote 54: dispatched. ]
[Footnote 55: red lightning. ]
[Footnote 56: cruel. ]
[Footnote 57: flames, rays. ]
AN EXCELENTE BALADE
OF CHARITIE:
As wroten bie the gode Prieste THOMAS ROWLEY[1],
1464.
In Virgyne the sweltrie sun gan sheene,
And hotte upon the mees[2] did caste his raie;
The apple rodded[3] from its palie greene,
And the mole[4] peare did bende the leafy spraie;
The peede chelandri[5] sunge the livelong daie; 5
'Twas nowe the pride, the manhode of the yeare,
And eke the grounde was dighte[6] in its mose defte[7] aumere[8].
The sun was glemeing in the midde of daie,
Deadde still the aire, and eke the welken[9] blue,
When from the sea arist[10] in drear arraie 10
A hepe of cloudes of sable sullen hue,
The which full fast unto the woodlande drewe,
Hiltring[11] attenes[12] the sunnis fetive[13] face,
And the blacke tempeste swolne and gatherd up apace.
Beneathe an holme, faste by a pathwaie side, 15
Which dide unto Seyncte Godwine's covent[14] lede,
A hapless pilgrim moneynge did abide,
Pore in his viewe, ungentle[15] in his weede,
Longe bretful[16] of the miseries of neede,
Where from the hail-stone coulde the almer[17] flie? 20
He had no housen theere, ne anie covent nie.
Look in his glommed[18] face, his sprighte there scanne;
Howe woe-be-gone, how withered, forwynd[19], deade!
Haste to thie church-glebe-house[20], asshrewed[21] manne!
Haste to thie kiste[22], thie onlie dortoure[23] bedde. 25
Cale, as the claie whiche will gre on thie hedde,
Is Charitie and Love aminge highe elves;
Knightis and Barons live for pleasure and themselves.
The gatherd storme is rype; the bigge drops falle;
The forswat[24] meadowes smethe[25], and drenche[26] the raine; 30
The comyng ghastness do the cattle pall[27],
And the full flockes are drivynge ore the plaine;
Dashde from the cloudes the waters flott[28] againe;
The welkin opes; the yellow levynne[29] flies;
And the hot fierie smothe[30] in the wide lowings[31] dies. 35
Liste! now the thunder's rattling clymmynge[32] sound
Cheves[33] slowlie on, and then embollen[34] clangs,
Shakes the hie spyre, and losst, dispended, drown'd,
Still on the gallard[35] eare of terroure hanges;
The windes are up; the lofty elmen swanges; 40
Again the levynne and the thunder poures,
And the full cloudes are braste[36] attenes in stonen showers.
Spurreynge his palfrie oere the watrie plaine.
The Abbote of Seyncte Godwynes convente came;
His chapournette[37] was drented with the reine, 45
And his pencte[38] gyrdle met with mickle shame;
He aynewarde tolde his bederoll[39] at the same;
The storme encreasen, and he drew aside,
With the mist[40] almes craver neere to the holme to bide.
His cope[41] was all of Lyncolne clothe so fyne, 50
With a gold button fasten'd neere his chynne;
His autremete[42] was edged with golden twynne,
And his shoone pyke a loverds[43] mighte have binne;
Full well it shewn he thoughten coste no sinne;
The trammels of the palfrye pleasde his sighte; 55
For the horse-millanare[44] his head with roses dighte.
An almes, sir prieste! the droppynge pilgrim saide,
O! let me waite within your covente dore,
Till the sunne sheneth hie above our heade,
And the loude tempeste of the aire is oer; 60
Helpless and ould am I alas! and poor;
No house, ne friend, ne moneie in my pouche;
All yatte I call my owne is this my silver crouche
Varlet, replyd the Abbatte, cease your dinne;
This is no season almes and prayers to give; 65
Mie porter never lets a faitour[45] in;
None touch mie rynge who not in honour live.
And now the sonne with the blacke cloudes did stryve,
And shettynge on the grounde his glairie raie,
The Abbatte spurrde his steede, and eftsoones roadde awaie. 70
Once moe the skie was blacke, the thounder rolde;
Faste reyneynge oer the plaine a prieste was seen;
Ne dighte full proude, ne buttoned up in golde;
His cope and jape[46] were graie, and eke were clene;
A Limitoure he was of order seene; 75
And from the pathwaie side then turned hee,
Where the pore almer laie binethe the holmen tree.
An almes, sir priest! the droppynge pilgrim sayde,
For sweete Seyncte Marie and your order sake.
The Limitoure then loosen'd his pouche threade, 80
And did thereoute a groate of silver take;
The mister pilgrim dyd for halline[47] shake.
Here take this silver, it maie eathe[48] thie care;
We are Goddes stewards all, nete[49] of oure owne we bare.
But ah! unhailie[50] pilgrim, lerne of me, 85
Scathe anie give a rentrolle to their Lorde.
Here take my semecope[51], thou arte bare I see;
Tis thyne; the Seynctes will give me mie rewarde.
He left the pilgrim, and his waie aborde.
Virgynne and hallie Seyncte, who sitte yn gloure[52], 90
Or give the mittee[53] will, or give the gode man power.
[Footnote 1: Thomas Rowley, the author, was born at Norton Mal-reward
in Somersetshire, educated at the Convent of St. Kenna at Keynesham,
and died at Westbury in Gloucestershire. ]
[Footnote 2: meads. ]
[Footnote 3: reddened, ripened. ]
[Footnote 4: soft. ]
[Footnote 5: pied goldfinch. ]
[Footnote 6: drest, arrayed. ]
[Footnote 7: neat, ornamental. ]
[Footnote 8: a loose robe or mantle. ]
[Footnote 9: the sky, the atmosphere. ]
[Footnote 10: Arose. ]
[Footnote 11: hiding, shrouding. ]
[Footnote 12: at once. ]
[Footnote 13: beauteous. ]
[Footnote 14: It would have been _charitable_, if the author had not
pointed at personal characters in this Ballad of Charity. The Abbot
of St. Godwin's at the time of the writing of this was Ralph de
Bellomont, a great stickler for the Lancastrian family. Rowley was a
Yorkist. ]
[Footnote 15: beggarly. ]
[Footnote 16: filled with. ]
[Footnote 17: beggar. ]
[Footnote 18: clouded, dejected. A person of some note in the literary
world is of opinion, that _glum_ and _glom_ are modern cant words;
and from this circumstance doubts the authenticity of Rowley's
Manuscripts. Glum-mong in the Saxon signifies twilight, a dark or
dubious light; and the modern word _gloomy_ is derived from the Saxon
_glum_. ]
[Footnote 19: dry, sapless. ]
[Footnote 20: The grave. ]
[Footnote 21: accursed, unfortunate.
