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HARVARD 
COLLEGE 
LIBRARY 



THE 



POLITICAL SONGS 



OF ENGLAND. 






* . .*■ - - 




THE 



POLITICAL SONGS 



OF ENGLAND. 









xsPOLITICAL SONGS 



OF ENGLAND, 



» 



FROM THE REIGN OF JOHN TO THAT OF EDWARD II. 



BY THOMAS ^RIGHT/Eso., M.A., F.S.A., Ac. 




LONDON: 
PRINTED FOR THE CAMDEN SOCIETY, 

NT JOB* IOWT1I KICIIOU AKD M)M, PARLIAMENT tTHBT. 

M.DCCC.XXXtV 



JUL i jo^o 



£ 



13. V. 37.3 



10 *1 Ql 37. 




v 



HA&.VA' 
L'NiV«:KSi7Y : 

1.; t :-'Ak r ; 



J 



COUNCIL 

OP 

THE CAMDEN SOCIETY, 

ELECTED MAY 2, 1839. 



President, 
THE RIGHT HON. LORD FRANCIS EGERTON, M.P. 

THOMAS AMYOT, ESQ. F.R.S. Trots. S.A. Director. 

THE REV. PHILIP BLISS, D.C.L., F.S.A., Registrar of 
the University of Oxford. 

JOHN BRUCE, ESQ. F.S.A. Treasurer. 

JOHN PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ. F.S.A. 

C. PURTON COOPER, ESQ. Q.C., D.C.L., F.R.S., F.8.A. 

RT. HON. THOMAS PEREGRINE COURTENAY. 

T. CROFTON CROKER, ESQ. F.8.A., M.R.I.A. 

THE REV. ALEXANDER DYCE, B.A. 

8IR HENRY ELLIS, K.H., F.R.S., Sec. S.A. 

THE REV. JOSEPH HUNTER, F.S.A. 

JOHN HERMAN MERIVALE, ESQ. F.S.A. 

JOHN GAGE ROKEWODE, ESQ. F.R.S, Director S.A. 

THOMAS STAPLETON, ESa F.S.A. 

WILLIAM J. THOMS, ESQ. F.S.A. Secretary. 

THOMAS WRIGHT, ESQ. MA, F.SA. 



PREFACE. 



Few historical documents are more interesting or 
important than the contemporary songs in which the 
political partizan satirised his opponents and stirred 
up the courage of his friends, or in which the people 
exulted over victories gained abroad against their 
enemies or at home against their oppressors, or la- 
mented over evil counsels and national calamities. 
Yet, though a few specimens have been published from 
time to time in collections of miscellaneous poetry, 
such as those of Percy and Ritson, and have never 
failed to attract attention, no book specially devoted 
to ancient Political Songs has yet appeared. 

The quantity of such productions has generally 
varied with the character of the age. They were 
frequent from a very early period in other countries 
of Europe, as well as England. It would be easy to 
produce proofs that in our island they were very 
numerous in Saxon times, — a few specimens, indeed, 
have escaped that destruction which visits the monu- 
ments of popular and temporary feeling before all 




Vlll PREFACE. 

others ; and for years after the Norman conquest 
the oppressed people continued to sing the songs of 
former days at their rustic festivals or amid their 
everyday labours. As the feelings which caused 
them to be remembered died away gradually before 
the weight of a new political system, a new class of 
songs also arose. From the Conquest to the end of 
the twelfth century, the political songs of the Anglo- 
Normans were in a great measure confined, as far as 
we can judge from the few specimens that are left, 
to laudatory poems in Latin, or to funereal elegies 
on princes and great people. Yet we can hardly 
doubt that, with the turbulent barons of these 
troublous times, the harp of the minstrel must hare 
resounded frequently to subjects of greater present 
excitement. 

With the beginning of the thirteenth century 
opened a new scene of political contention. It is 
amid the civil commotions of the reign of John, that 
our manuscripts first present traces of the songs in 
which popular opinion sought and found a vent, at 
the same time that the commons of England began 
to assume a more active part on the stage of history. 
The following reign was a period of constant excite- 
ment. The weak government of Henry the Third 
permitted every party to give free utterance to their 




PREFACE. IX 

opinions and intentions, and the songs of this period 
are remarkably bold and pointed. These effusions 
are interesting in other points of view besides their 
connexion with historical events ; they illustrate in 
a remarkable manner the history of our language ; 
they show us how Latin, Anglo-Norman, and En- 
glish were successively the favourite instruments by 
which the thoughts of our ancestors were expressed ; 
and collaterally they show us how the clerk (or 
scholar) with his Latin, the courtier with his Anglo- 
Norman, and the people with their good old English, 
came forward in turns upon the scene. In our Songs 
we see that, during the earlier part of the reign of 
the third Henry, the satirical pieces which inveighed 
against the corruptions of the state and demanded so 
loudly their amendment, are all in Latin, which is as 
much as to say that they came from the scholastic part 
of the people, or those who had been bred in the uui- 
rersities, then no small or unim]K>rtant part of the 
community. They seem to have led the way as bold 
reformers ; and the refectory of the monastery not 
less than the baronial hall rang frequently with the 
outbursts of popular feeling. The remarkable and 
highly interesting declaration of the objects and sen- 
timents of the Barons, which was published after 
the battle of Lewes, is written in Latin. Amid 
camd. soc. 6. b 




X PREFACE. 

the Barons' wars was composed the first politi- 
cal song in English that has yet been found. It is 
remarkable that all the songs of this period which 
we know, whether in Latin, Anglo-Norman, or En- 
glish, are on the popular side of the dispute— all with 
one accord agree in their praise and support of the 
great Simon de Montfort. 

The circumstance of our finding no songs in English 
of an earlier date does not, however, prove that they 
did not exist. On the contrary, it is probable that they 
were equally abundant with the others ; but the Latin 
songs belonged to that particular party who were 
most in the habit of committing their productions 
to writing, and whose manuscripts also were longest 
preserved. It is probable that a very small portion of 
the earlier English popular poetry was ever entered 
in books — it was preserved in people's memory until, 
gradually forgotten, it ceased entirely to exist except 
in a few instances, where, years after the period at 
which it was first composed, it was committed to 
writing by those who heard it recited. The English 
song on the battle of Lewes is found in a manuscript 
written in the reign of Edward II.; when, perhaps, 
the similar character of the time led people to give 
retrospective looks to the doings of Earl Simon 
and his confederate barons. They were sometimes 
written on small rolls of parchment, for the conve- 



PREFACE. Xi 

nience of the minstrel, who thus carried them about 
with him from house to house, and chanted them 
at the will of his entertainers. From these rolls and 
loose scraps they were occasionally copied into books, 
long after they had ceased to possess any popular 
interest, by some " clerk" who loved to collect anti- 
quities ; for in those days, too, there were antiqua- 
ries. One of the Anglo-Norman songs printed in 
this collection is taken from the original roll ; and 
the Latin songs on the death of Peter de Gareston 
were found in a manuscript written in the fifteenth 
century. 

The constant wars of the reign of Edward I. — the 
patriotic hatred of Frenchman and Scot, which then 
ran at the highest — furnished the groundwork of 
many a national song during the latter years of the 
thirteenth century and the first years of the four- 
teenth. The English song becomes at this period 
much more frequent, though many were still written 
in Latin. Popular discontent continued to be ex- 
pressed equally in Latin, Anglo-Norman (a language 
the influence of which was now fast declining), and 
English. In die " Song against the King s Taxes," 
composed towards the end of the thirteenth century, 
we hare the first specimen of that kind of song 
wherein each line began in one language and ended 
in another ; and which, generally written in hexa- 




XU PREFACE. 

meters, seems to have been extremely popular during 
the two centuries following. One song, in the reign 
of Edward II. presents in alternate succession all 
the three languages which were then in use. The 
political songs during this last-mentioned reign are 
not very numerous, but they are by no means devoid 
of interest. 

It was the Editor s original intention to continue 
the series of songs in the present volume to the de- 
position of Richard II. But, having adopted the 
suggestion of giving a translation, with the hope of 
making them more popular, and finding that in con- 
sequence the volume was likely to extend to a much 
greater length than was at first calculated upon, it 
has been thought advisable to close the present col- 
lection with another convenient historical period, 
the deposition of his grandfather Edward II. ; and it 
is his intention at some future period to form a 
second volume, which will be continued to the fall 
of the house of York in the person of the crook- 
backed Richard HI. 

The wars of Edward III. produced many songs, 
both in Latin and in English, as did also the troubles 
which disturbed the reign of his successor. With 
the end of the reign of Edward II. however, we begin 
to lose sight of the Anglo-Norman language, which 
we shall not again meet with in these popular effu- 



PREFACE. X1U 

Bion8. During the fifteenth century political songs 
\re less numerous and also less spirited. With it 
we are introduced to a dark period of literature and 
science. It was the interval between the breaking 
up of the old system, and the formation of the new 
one which was to be built upon its ruins. When we 
come to the wars of the Roses, so fatal to the En- 
glish nobility and gentry, the page even of history 
becomes less interesting, because it is less intellec- 
tual : — the great mental workings which had influ- 
enced so much the political movements of the thir- 
teenth and fourteenth centuries, were replaced by 
the reckless and short-sighted bitterness of personal 
hatred, and the demoralizing agency of mere animal 
force. As it had required a long age of barbarism 
and ignorance to sweep away even the latest rem- 
nants of ancient pagan splendour, before the site was 
fit to build up the beautiful edifice of Christian civi- 
lization ; so it seemed as though another, though a 
shorter and comparatively less profound, age of bar- 
barism was required to turn men's minds from the 
defective learning of the schools, and the imperfect 
literature to which they had been habituated, and to 
break down old prejudices and privileges, which were 
but impediments in the way of the new system that 
in with the Reformation. 
The nature of the following collection of Songs 




XIV PREFACE. 

requires little explanation. They have been brought 
together from scattered sources. It was the Editor's 
desire to make it as complete as possible ; but fur- 
ther researches will probably bring to light other 
songs of no less interest, and these, if they become 
sufficiently numerous, he hopes will be collected 
together as a supplement to the present volume. 
He has also omitted a few Anglo-Irish songs, be- 
cause he expects they will, ere long, receive more 
justice than he is capable of doing them, at the 
hands of Mr. Crofton Croker. It is hoped that the 
texts will be found as correct as the manuscripts 
would allow. The translation is offered with diffi- 
dence, and requires many excuses; the variety of 
languages and dialects in which they are written, 
their dissimilarity in style of composition, the cramped 
constructions which were rendered necessary in the 
Latin Songs to allow the multiplicity of rhymes, the 
allusions which cannot now be easily explained, and 
above all, the numerous corruptions which have 
been introduced by the scribes from whose hands 
the different manuscripts came (for the greater part 
of these songs have been printed from unique copies), 
are the cause of so many difficulties, that in some 
instances little more has been done than to guess at 
the writer's meaning. The translation is in general 
as literal as possible — the Anglo-Norman, French, 



PREFACE. XV 

and English Songs are rendered line for line; but 
the Editor is almost inclined to regret that he did not 
give a freer version. 

The Appendix consists of extracts from the in- 
edited metrical chronicle of Peter Langtoft, which 
are here introduced, because they contain fragments 
in what was then termed u ryme amie" or tailed 
rhyme, which are apparently taken from songs of the 
time. The text is printed from a transcript made 
by the Editor several years ago ; and it contains 
many lines of the English songs which are not 
found in the manuscripts preserved at the British 
Museum. The Editor introduces these extracts the 
more willingly, as it is not very probable that the 
Chronicle itself will be published at present As a 
monument of the Anglo-Norman language, it is far 
inferior to many others that remain still inedited ; and, 
as a historical document, it is already well known 
through the English version of Robert de Brunne, 
which was printed by Thomas Hearne. The colla- 
tions have been made chiefly with a philological 
view ; the comparison of the different manuscripts 
shows us how entirely the grammatical forms of 
the Anglo-Norman language were at this time 
neglected. To these extracts, the Editor has been 
enabled to add a very curious English poem from the 
Auchinleck MS. at Edinburgh, by the extreme kind- 



XVI PREFACE. 

ness of David Laing, Esq., to whom the Camden 
Society owes the transcript and collation of the 
proofs of this poem. 

It only remains for the Editor to fulfil the agreeable 
task of expressing his gratitude for the assistance 
which, in the course of the work, he has derived from 
the kindness of his friends : to Mons. d'Avezac, of Paris, 
so well known by his valuable contributions to geogra- 
phical science, to whom he has had recourse in some of 
the greater difficulties in the French and Anglo-Nor- 
man songs, and who collated with the originals those 
which were taken from foreign manuscripts before they 
were sent to press ; to Sir Frederick Madden, from 
whom he has derived much assistance in the English 
songs, and whose superior knowledge in everything 
connected with early literature and manuscripts has 
been of the greatest use to him ; to James Orchard 
Halliwell, Esq., for many services, and for collating 
with the originals the songs taken from Cambridge 
Manuscripts; and to John Gough Nichols, Esq., 
for the great attention which he has paid to the 
proofs, and for various suggestions, which have freed 
this volume from very many errors that would other- 
wise have been overlooked. 



Thomas Wright. 



CONTENTS. 



REIGN OF KING JOHN. 

Song on the Siege of Thouars (French) 
Strrente on King John (Provencal) 
Song on the Bishops (Latin) 
Song on the Times (Latin) 



PAGE 

1 

3 

6 

14 



REIGN OF HENRY III 

The Taking of Lincoln (Latin) 

Song on the Corruptions of the Time (Latin 

Sirrente against King Henry (Prarencal) 

Another Strrente (Prorsncal) • 

The Song of the Church (Anglo-Norman) 

Song against the Bishops (Latin) 

Song on the Times (Latin) • 

Song upon the Tailors (Latin and Anglo-Norman) 

Song of the Welsh (Latin) . 

Song of the Barons (Anglo-Norman) 

Song of the Peace with England (French) 

Song against the King of Almaigne (English) 

The Battle of Lewes (Latin) 

Song upon the Difisions among the Barons (Latin) 

I sail nl of Simon de Montfort (Anglo-Norman) 



REJGX OF EDWARD I. 

Praise of the Young Edward (Latin) . 

Song on the Times (Latin, triih mm Anglo-Norman version) 

The Order of Fair-Ease (Anglo-Norman ) 

Song of the Husbandman (English) . 

Afwmst the Pride of the Ladies (English) 

CAM D. tOC. 6. € 



19 
27 
36 
89 
42 



46 
51 
56 
59 
63 
69 
72 
121 
125 



128 
133 
137 
149 
153 




tVlli CONTENTS. 

Satire on the Consistory Courts (English, . 

Song on the Scottish Wars (Latin) 

On the Deposition of Baliol (Latin) • 

Song against the King's Taxes (Anglo-Norman and Latin) 

Song on the Flemish Insurrection (English) . 

Song on the Times (English) . 

Song against the Scholastic Studies (Latin) . 

Song of « Nego" (English) . 

Song on the Execution of Sir Simon Fraser (English) 

Song on the Venality of the Judges (Latin) 

The Outlaw's Song of Trailebaston (Anglo-Norman) 

Song against the Retinues of the Great People (English) . 



PAGE 

155 
160 
180 
182 
187 
195 
206 
210 
212 
224 
281 
237 



REIGN OF EDWARD II. 

Lament on the Death of Edward I. (Anglo-Norman) . .241 

Elegy on the Death of Edward I. (English) . . 246 

Song on the Times (Anglo-Norman* Latin* and English) • 251 
On the King's Breaking his Confirmation of Magna Charta 

(Anglo-Norman and English) 253 

Two Songs on the Death of Peter de Gareaton (Latin) . 258, 259 
The Battle of Bannockbum (Latin) . .262 

Office of St. Thomas of Lancaster (Latin) . . 268 

APPENDIX. 

Extracts from Peter Langtoft's Chronicle (Anglo-Norman and 
English) >— 

1. Edward L's War with Scotland . 273 

2. The Trailebaston*, and Execution of Wallace • 318 
Poem on the Evil Timet of Edward H. (English) . . 323 

NOTES • 347 



THE 



POLITICAL SONGS 



OF ENGLAND, 



FROM KING JOHN TO KING EDWAHD II. 



POLITICAL SONGS. 



KING JOHN, lira— 1216. 

The thirteenth century opens amid the Yiolence of party 
feeling*, and the few political tonga which we find daring the 
reign of King John are fall of keenness. Early in his reign 
the English Monarch suffered himself to be robbed of his pos- 
sessions in Normandy, and the poetry of the Troubadours con- 
tains many expressions of regret at their separation from 
England, and bitter reflections on the King's cowardice and 
weakness. The following song seems to have been written 
when Thenars was in danger, daring Philippe Aaguste's in- 
into Poitou, in 1206. Sarary of Maaleon is famous 
(temporary history, and was himself a poet of no small 
He was a firm adherent to the English party. 

aONO ON TUB SIBOB OF TOOUARS. 

PUfal Library at Park, M8. dm foe* at St. Gcntsis, K«. 19*9, Sol. Ill, *•• 

I SUiratO 



Mors eat li siecles 
8e li rob Touwairs sormonte ; 

De ecu li rait malement 
Ke li millent li trot conte, 

tkspsaATten^-tW wsrU wfll saertty staw ta n sa iht ,— 4f tkt kteff 
T W ss sm , Oa this icci—t It swat fli wfck h.-iWt tkt tkrst 

CAM D. IOC* 6. n 




POLITICAL SONGS, 

Et li vieillairs de Bouaing 
I averait grant honte, 
C'apres la mort a vifconte 

Morrait a si mautl. 

Savaris de Malieon, 
Boens chiveliers a cintainne, 

Se vos fals a ces besons. 
Perdue avons nostre poinne ; 

Et vos, xanexals 
Asi d'Anjow et dou Mainne, 
Xanexal ont an Torainne 

Atre kc vos mist. 

Et vos, sire xanexals, 
Vos et Dan Jchan dou Mainne, 

Et Ugues, antre vos trois 
Mandeis a roi d'Alemaignc, 

Ke cist rois et cil Fransois 
C'ameir ne nos d[a]ignent, 
Cant por .j. mulet d'Espaignc 

Laxait Bordelois. 



dctert it, — and the old nun of Bouaing— would have there great abaaae,- 
aiter tbe death of the ▼iecount — be should die in each eril caae. 

Savary of Mauleoa, — a food kaifht at the quintain, — if yon fail us in thia 
need, — we have lost our labour ;— and you, Seneschal, — both of Anjou and of 
Maine, — they bare placed a aeneacbal in Touratne other than you. 

And you. Sir Seneachal, — you and Sir John of Maine, — and Hugh, b etw e e n 
you three, tend word to the King of Abnain,— that this king and hint of 
France, — deign not to lore us, — when for a mult of Spain — ha left the 



REIGN OF KINO JOHN. 

Et vos, signors bacheleirs, 
Ki ameis lois et proeses, 

Cant vos souliez garreir 
Touwairs iert vos forteresce. 

Ja Deus ne vos doust porteir 
Ne mainche ne treses, 
Se Touwairt au teil tristesce 
oblieir. 



AjmI yon, Sir bachelors, — who lore praise and prowess, — when you were wont 
to wax — Thenars was tout fortress. — Now God hinder yon from bearing — 

i, — if Thonars in snch distress — yon allow to be forgotten. 



John's own friends, disgusted with his weakness, began to 
desert him ; and the following bitter song was addressed by the 
younger Bertrand de Born, to Savary de Mauleon, to persuade 
bis* to follow their example. 

A IIRVBNTB ON KINO JOHN. 
[Raynonard, Choti, torn. hr. p. 801.) 

Qr ant vei lo temps renovellar, 

E pareis la fueill' e la flora. 

Mi dona ardimcn amors 
E cor e amber de chantar ; 
E doncs, pois res no m 9 en sofraing, 

Farai on Sirvent escozen. 

Que trametrai lai par presen 
Al ret Joan que a n'a vergoing. 

T***atwm on.— Whta I sot the fair weather retnm, and loaf and 

gboi ass hat alaan ■■ihoartand skill to sing;— thorn, sines 
,— I ofll stake a stinging airrente,— which I will 
Us«Jeha,to 




4 POLITICAL SONGS. 

E deuria s* b'en vergoignar, 

Si T membrcs de sos ancessors, 

Com laissa sai Peitieus e Tors 
Al rei Felip ses demandar; 
Per que tota Guiana plaing 

LiO rei Richard, qu' en deffenden 

En mes mant aur e mant argen ; 
Mas acest no m' par *n aia soing. 

Mais ama 1' bordir e V cassar, 

E braes e lebriera et austors, 

E sojorn ; per que il full honors, 
E a' laissa vius deseretar ; 
Mai sembla d'ardimen Galvaing, 

Que sai lo viram plus soven ; 

E pois autre cosseil non pren, 
Lais sa terra al seignor del Groign. 

Miels saup Lozoics desliurar 

Guillelme, e 1' fea ric secors 

Ad Aurenga, quan l'Almassors 
A Tibaut Pac fait asetjar : 

Aad weO be oegbt to be ashasned.— if be reasesaber bit ancestors, b ow bo 
bet left bere Poitoti aad Tooreiae— to Kiag PbtKp, witboat askiag for tbeaa. — 
Wbcrefore all GeJeaae laments— Kiag lUcaerd, wbo la itt defence — woald bavo 
kid oat macb gold and much eilrer j— bmt tbis aia does not appear to bm to 
care macb for it. 

He lofea better fishing tad banting,— poiaters, grcyboaade, tad bawks,— 
tad repoee, wherefore be loaea bit property,— end bit ief eteapoi oat of bit 
beads $— Garraiag seems ill-femisbed wHb coarage,— so tbat we boat biai bora 
aaost freaaeatly ;— end aiaee be takea ao otber eoaaeel, — let blai leave bit bad 
It tbo lord of tbo Oroiaf . 

Ltaia baew better bow to dettrer— WQUaai, tad grros biai ricb 
tbe Aiauaeor— bad oaattd Tlebald to besiege 



REIGN OP KINO JOHN. 

Pretz et honor 'n ac ab gazaing ; 
Jcu o die per chastiamen 
Al rei Joan que pert ta gen, 

Que non lor secor pres ni loing. 

Baron, sai vir mon chastiar 
A vos, cui blasme las follors 
Que us vei far, e pren m'en dolors, 

Car m* aven de tos a parlar, 

Que pretz avetz tombat e* 1' faing, 
Et avetz apres un fol sen, 
Que non doptas chastiamen, 

Mas qui us ditz mal, aquel tos oing. 

Domna, cui dezir e tenc car 
E dopt e blan part las meillors, 
Tant es vera rostra lauzors 

Quleu non la sai dir ni comtar; 

C'aissi com aurs ral mais d'estaing, 
Valetz mais part las meillors cen, 
Et es plus leials ras joren 
son a Dieu all de Cadoing. 




1m ha witk pro«t ;— 1 My it for a Iwoo to Ittaf Jok* who lottt kit 
1m newin tkcm oof mmr or for of. 
oa tkit tMt mj 1mm of comedo* if«i if yoo, wkott otkm. 
It iIoti Tkt* 1 ka*t ttoa yoo to, tad I mi grovco 1 tktrott,— far H 
Mb to at to tptak of yoo f — wko katt let yoor croait foil nto tkt moa 1 ,— «s4 
oftaroofoa kovo t Joatiak Martaaoai,— <kai yoa eo oof foar corro rt Mo, oa t kt 
wWloWyo«a,kltktwkt i k y " ■■ J—- 

Laoy . wkaaa I oaoVa tad ktkl oaw,— ao« fotr tod iotttr akovo tkt 
feat It tow Haiti, tktt I kaow oot kow U My It or to rolott It 

*» a joaaf oms, tkta art tWy (tkt mmj) of 




6 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Savarics, reis cui cors sofraing 

Greu fara bon envasimen, 

£ pois a flac cor recrezen, 
Jamais nuls horn en el non poing. 

Sarary, a king without a heart, — will hardly make a successful invasion,- 
and since he has a heart soft and cowardly,— lei no man put his trust in him. 



The dishonours which John suffered abroad, were, however, 
soon forgotten in the troubles which broke oat at home. The 
following virulent libel on the three bishops of Norwich, Bath, 
and Winchester, who adhered to the King in his quarrel with 
the Pope about the presentation to the see of Canterbury, was 
no doubt the work of one of his ecclesiastical opponents. 

IONO ON THE BISHOPS. 
[Flacias IUyricas, p. 161.] 



XAjf^rirj** Planctu$ super Episcopis. 

\)P </ A Com pl an oe tui, Anglia, 

i;tf* (b \ Melos suspendens organi ; 



f *^ ^/f ' Et maxime tu, Cantia, 



De mora tui StephanL 
Thomam habes sed alteram, 
Secundum habes iterum 



TnAjrauirioif.— Cossptem t O England I and snap ens' the melody of thine 
and mere especially thorn, Kent, for the delay of thy Stephen ■ Bat 

; thon hast again a second Stephen, who pattiaf 



RfilON OP KINO JOHN. 

Stephanum, qui trans hominem 
Induens fortitudinem 

Signa facit in populo. 
Dolos dolens metropolis 

Quos subdoli parturiunt, 
Orbata tuis incolis, 

Dolose quos ejiciunt, 
Largos emittis gemitus, 
Patre privata penitus. 
Sed cum habebis Stephanum, 
Assumes tibi tympanum, 

Chelym tangens sub modulo. 

Ubi cs, quieso, Moyses, 
Per quern cedat confractio ? 

Ubi legem selans Phinees, 
Per quern oesset quassatio ? 

Quis natum David arguens ? 

Quia Thau signum statuens 

In limine et postibus, 

Ut sic confusis hostibus 
Liheretur Israel ? 



mm a fartJtvde beyond tbat of mu, pe r f ort t t tignt aaaoag tbe people. O bm* 
Uaptlit ! wbo g r iareet om tbe plots wbirb toe caaaing people bring fortb, 
of tbiao inbahitanlt, wboai tbey trmcberoatly have ejected, tbo* 
to baary groaoa, being wtterly deprived of tby fatber. Bat a boa 
bare Strpbra , tboa wilt Uk« ap tbe baibrd, tod toocb tbe barp to 




art tbo*, I ask, O Moots ! tbroogb wboai any tbe rvptara oaasa ? 

latitat far tbe law, tbrwagb wboai tbe aeowrgiag any b**t am 

t Wbo la tbere to aorwat tba sat of David? Wbo it tbart tbat any art tba 

of Tboa as tba tb xub i H amd tbe door-poat* tbat tba*, bar ra—iat boaag 

Itrael aaay bt l ib er at ed > Abrabatt. frtbtr of ojawy paople, ariar. 




« 8 POLITICAL SONOS. 



Abraham, pater gentium 

Multarum, surge, domine, 
Agar expelle filium, 

Sara ancillae doraince ; 
Nam post subducet aliam. 
Jam adversus ecclesiam 
Prevalent ports Tartari : 
Jam ludo ludunt impari 
Isaac et Ismael. 

Balthasar bibit iterum 

De vasis templi Domini : 
Vasa rapit vas scelerum 

Dei dicata nomini. 
Scribentem cerno digitum, 
Et Uteris implicitum 
Scriptis, " Mane, Tecchel, Phares ;" 
Quid sibi relit ea res, 

Rei probabit exitus. 
Jam patet in praetorio, 

Et infimis et arduis, 
Quod regni jam divisio 

Et finis est in januis. 

lord, expel tka am of Agar, tW waitiaf -Bald of her Briatreaa 8arah ; for altar 
•1m shall *xdtt the other. Now the gates of Tartanu prevail agaiaat the 
Charch : aow laaac aad lomaal play at as aaeqaal gaaae. 

Baltbaaar drtnhi agate oat of the tiaitla of tho Lord'a te»ple : the Teasel of 
taftaejtiaa eerrftee away tha teaieli dedicated to GotVs aaaat. I pereaho the 
head, writiaf, aad fcstehod at the wrfctea lettere, " Mas*, Techel, Phareti" 
what thai thiag assy awa*. the evemt of the thiag wfll prove. Mow it 
la the oswt, sot* la the low sad the high, that at prases* thedfrieioa 



REIGN OF KINO JOHN. 9 

Crescit malorum cumulus, 
Est sacerdos ut populus, 
Currunt ad illicitum, 
Uterque juxta libitum 

Audax et imperterritus. 

Plebs in ALgypti cophino 

Servit, et sudat anxia 
Sub Pharaone domino : 

Edicta currunt varia : 
Exactor opus exigit, 
Israel lutum colligit. 
Non est qui eum eruat, 
Vel Pharaonis subruat 

Equos cum ascensoribus. 
Spargit Assur ac dejicit 

Lapides Sanctuarii. 
Quare ? quia non objicit 

Se lapis adjutorii. 
Imo qui se objicere 
Deberent, et effundere % 

Sanguinem pro justitia, 
Tractant de araritia, 

Quos his noto apicibus. 

of too Hoginai It at too gat*. Tfca mm of crib hcrtnai ; the prieat to at tfc* 
t ta*y. boat aa4 famrteaa, aaaUa to toot wfckfc to aatowfal, aac* ac 
toktowflL 

an the oofor of Egypt, aad aaitnaaty 

fty aboott tko 
too* 





10 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Si pnesuli Bathoniae 

Fiat quandoque quaestio, 
Quot marcs bursae regiae - 

Accedant in scaccario : 
Respondet voce libera, 
Mille, centum, et caetera, 
Ad bursam regis colligo, 
Doctus in hoc decalogo, 

Caecus in forma canon is. 
Tu," Norwicensia bestia, 

Audi quid dicat Veritas : 
Qui non intrat per ostia 

Fur est. An de hoc dubitas ? 
Heu ! cecidisti gravius 
Quam Cato quondam tertius: - V*' u 
Cum praesumpta electio 
Justo ruat judicio, 

Empta per dolum Simonis. 

Wintoniensis armiger 

Praesidet ad Scaccarium, 
Ad computandum impiger, 

Piger ad Evangelium, 
Regis rerolvens rotulum ; 




If the question were perchance asked of the bishop of Both, " How many 
mwkf eoeae in to the King's porse in the E&cheqoer ? M hewonldi 
•• A thonean d, a hnndrcd, and wm,I collect into too King's porse,' 
he m in this decalogwt.bttnd In the form of the csnom. Then, ben* of Norwich I 
Wax what tbe Tmtb with : " He who enters not by the door Is a thief." Deot 
thoo donbt of this ? Ala* t thoo hast fallen wore heavily then once the third 
Cato, since thy pecsojned election falls by joat jndgnwnt, baring been booght by 
the croft of Raton. 

The arm. bearer of Winchester prc»idrs at the Eftchrqoer, dibgent in com- 
potiojr, alnajpah at the Goaprl* tnminjr over the King** roll ; thna rocrc 



RBIGX OP KINO JOHN. 11 

Sic lucrum Lucam superat, 
Marco marcam praeponderat, 

Et librae librum subjicit. 
Hi Belphegor pnsnunciant, 

Et sedem Baal subjiciunt ; 
Ut melius proficiant, 

Baal sibi praeficiunt, 
Complectuntur pro niveis 
Nigra, stercus pro croceis. 
Hi tres insatiabiles, 
Sanguisugis persimiles, 

« After," dicunt, " non suffici*-" 

Tres tribus his appositi 

Sunt, sed longe disunities, 
Virtutum flore praditi, 

Morum vigore nobilcs, 
Noe, David, et Daniel, 
Quos depingit Esechicl. 
Justitiam hi sitiunt, 
Ob hsec sese objiciunt 

Murum pro domo Domini. 



Lake ; 1m OMkea a marc waiffc heavier tbaa Mark, aad aabjecta the 
tibia to the aealca. TWae arc tbey who fore-abow Beipbagor ; they aobjeet the 
aaat to Boat t that tbey nay proit better. they auke Baal their lor* t tbty 
Car white, owag aartawJ of aafroa. Taear three art iaoadablo— 
I they cry, "Great there fa aot aawwfh ! *' 

to that*, bat eery aalika them, aeioaid villi tba 

01 Vfla^DawBaaV oaaaBa oa ffBB WMttwMwT flwf aVamw^Bw^waB^BwSBWjBwftaw^eawiiMwSBw^Bm.* MJaMwam* flHwa 
ww »■ wjojawa) o^pvoo oji wflwv •■woi ^^ ^^^e^we^^wi w^a^aiawsoK^^^w> v^^bwbpo, aww w^wo. w^m^» 

tMret after Jwatiee: lor Ufa they 





12 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Joannes nostri temporis 

Surgit Decanus Angliae, 
Canus mente, vi roboris 

Stratam vadit justiciar, 
Canit laudum preeco nia 
Qui jure de Ecclesia 
Maris nomen accipit, 
Dum conflictum hunc suscipit 
Sacra devotus Virgini. 

Heliensis progreditur, 

Huic datur discrimini, 
Heli ut etuis dicitur, 

Parcens pauris* vel nemini. 
Helia, ensem exere, 
Et impios tares contere, 
Ac Babylonis principem 
Hujus doli participem 

Ictu prosterne simplici. 
Tu, Wolstani subambule, 

Es in conflictu tertius, 
Robustus insta sedule 

Triumphi veri conscius. 

eppeet tkcsaeelves as a waU for God's koose. John •rites the dean of England 
of oor tine, hoary In mind : with tke ndgkt of oak, be proceeds on the way of 
jostle* | kc sings Cko prodaaaaUoaa of praises, who rigktl y takes kls Mama from 
Cko chnrck of Mary, wkila be ondertakes tkni conflict In derotion to tko Holy 
VaTSjiav 

Ha of Ely advances ; be Is given to tkia kettle, as ko Is called the 8word of 
Holy, sparing few or none. Hettes, draw fbrtk tke sword, and braise tke throe 
laapioee ones, end lay prostrate tke priaos of Babylon, tke participator In tkia 
plot, with a single blow. Thorn, who walkcet in tke place of Wolstan, art tko 
tkkd In tke conflict : robnst as tkon art, press on sedalonsly, certain of a trao 



REIGN OF KINO JOHN. IS 

Hceres Wolstani diceris, 
Si verc sit, tu videris : 
Prius resigna baculum, 
Et ephod et anniilum, 

Quam Baal velis subjici. 

De Roffensi episcopo 

Nil scio raali dicere. 
Mentior et rem syncopo : 

Hie est, et hie a latere 
Est pauper Sarisburias, 
Qui dormit usque hodie, 
Ignem et aquam bajulat, 
Nee causatur, nee ejulat 

Pro desolata vinca. 
I Romam, liber parvule, 

Nee remeare differas, 
Saluta quosque sedule, 

Et Papac salve diffcras. 
Die quid de tribus sentiam. 
Ipse promat sententiam, 
Utrum suo judicio 
Sint liheri a vitio ; 

Et michi detur renia. 

Tboo art called tkc heir of Woliun ; if tkoa be tndy to, thorn art 
rcaiga tko tuff, aad tkc epkod t aad tko riaf , tkaa ka willia* to 



■ It mj «f Ik kiakop of Reckoner. 1 bt t umI ett tW 
i ko Is karo, aod km by ait aMa tko poor ana of Saliakary ako, 
tal to d ay ; ko earrtaa aboot ira aad water, aor yeaaa* for, bjot 
i liiihlil vteyanL Go to Room, little soak, bjot delay iky 
j oak** Iktai aft di l a j eej Hy \ mi carry a aahtfatftoo to Iko Fopes tall 
I tk*ak of Ike tkree t let Mai five )odf«eat v wkotker ia kit lalaha tkry 
vic« ; aad lot pardoa br fraatrd to aw. 




14 POLITICAL SONQ8. 



It was daring these religious dissensions that arose up, or at 
least became strong, that powerful spirit of opposition to the 
papal tyranny, which produced daring the whole of this century 
so much satirical poetry ; much of it attributed, perhaps with 
little reason, to Walter Mapes. The following song is supposed 
to have been written during the interdict. In the fourth line 
the lion is said to designate King John, and the asses the 
Bishops, and at the end the King is represented by Jupiter, 
whilst the Pope receives the contemptuous designation of 
Pluto. 

SONG ON THE TIME8. 
[MS. Harl. 978, foL 108, r». Reign of Hen. III.] 

Invectio contra avaritiam. 

Utah contra vitia carmine rebelli ; 
Mel proponunt alii, fel aupponunt nielli. 
Pectus subcst ferreum deauratie pelli, 
Et leonis spolium induunt aselli. 

DispuUt cum animo fades rebellis, 
Mel ab ore defluit, mens est plena fcllis ; 
Non est totum melleum quod est instar mellis ; 
Fades est alia pectoris quam pellis. 

Vitium est in opere, virtus est in ore, 
Picem tegunt animi niveo colore : 



TaAMfLATiow. — I will nee against vices tobelliag Mags others pat far* 
ward booty, while anatotae hooey they lay oo V&i tho iroa breast la coo- 
oaalod tootr the gill akin, aa4 aaaaa pe* oo the lioa'a epoU.— The rabeUaag 
free ilayatai with tho aool within s hooey Sowe Iron* the aw«th,the salon 1 Is 
fall of galls feb oat all eweettlrtlooka like hooey s the bweet hae a offeree* 

Ika akin.— Watte vice ia in tho work, virtoe ia ia the faot ; 



REIGN OP KINO JOHN. 15 

Membra dolent singula capitis dolore, 
Et radici consonat poraum in sapore. 

Roma mundi caput est, sed nil capit mundum : 
Quod pendet a capite totum est inmundum ; 
Transit enim ritium primum in secundum, 
Et de fundo redolet quod est juxta fundum. 

Roma capit singulos et res singulorum ; 
Romanorum curia non est nisi forum. 
Ibi sunt renalia jura senatorum, 
Et solvit contraria copia nummorum. 

Hie in consistorio si quis causam regat 
Suam, vel alterius, hoc in primis legat, — 
Nisi det pecuniam Roma totum ncgat, 
Qui plus dat pecuniae melius allegat. 

Romani capitulum habent in decrctis, 
Ut petentes audiant manibus replctis : 
Dabis, aut non dabitur, petunt quia petis ; 
Qua mensura seminas, et eadem metis. 



Umj oarer the pitchy blackaeat of the miod with a white coloar ; each of the 
aaeaabart oawen by the paia of the head, aad the Savour of the apple depcade apoa 
tac root froai wWtrt it »prtnf».— Rome U the head of the world ; bat it recc i t c a 
■othiag deaa ; all that depeada froai the brad b uacleaa ; for the iret vice 
on into tbc e eco ad, aad that which b Bear the bottoai Madia of tbt 
.—Roil r ece i v e* all, aad the foods of all ; the coart of the RotBaae ia 
■arte*. There are o ff e nd for aale the rifhu of the •enatora, and aboav 
of aioory dlonirrei all differeacca of opiaioa. — Here, ia the aoa* 
r. if aay body plead a caaae, be it hi* owa or another'*, let hiai feat 
that,—" Ualea* ha free a^aey,Roa*dcnie* every tbiaf ; be who gieaa ajoat 
vOI eoojo off the beat.' 9 — Tbt Roojaai bare a chapter ia the dim lab, 
tbot they tboald Hatoa to patJttoaa froai those who cocac with their 
Ml s tboa abak give, or aathlaf tball be graated thee ; they aak 

; by the aacae a n aaatr aa yoa tow. yo* ahall reap. — A bribe 




16 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Munus et petitio currunt passu pari, 
Opereris munere si vis operari : 
Tullium ne timeas si velit causari, 
Nummos eloquentia gaudet singulari. 

Nummis in hac curia non est qui non vacet ; 
Crux placet, rotunditas, et albedo placet, 
Et cum to turn placeat, et Romania placet, 
Ubi nummos loquitur, et lex omnis tacet. 

Si quo grandi munere bene pascas manum, 
Frustra quis objiciet vel Justinianum, 
Vel sanctorum canones, quia Unquam vanum 
Transferunt has paleas, et inbursant granum. 

Solam avaritiam Roma novit parca, 
Parcit danti munera, parco non est parca : 
Nummus est pro numine, et pro Marco marca, 
Et est minus Celebris ara, quam sit area. 

Cum ad papam veneris, habe pro constant!, 
Non est locus pauperi, soli favet danti ; 

and a petition go tide by side, and it it with a brine that yon mart work if 
yon wiah to to ccct d : then yon need hare no fear, even of Tally, wort ho 
pleading agatnot yon: lor money pottettet a tingolar eloquence.—- There it 
nobody in thai eonrt who does not look after money : the erott on the coin 
pi e— et them ; the romndnem of it, and the whiteneta thereof, pleatci them ; 
and tince every part of it pleatet, and it it the Romant whom it pleat rt, where 
tpeakt, there all law it tileat.— If yon only feed the hand well with 
goodly bribe, it will be in Tain eren to qoote Jnttinian againet yon, or 
the canont of the ttiata, beeaate they wonld throw them away at realty and 
chaf, and pocket the grain. — Penurions Rome daimt econtinttnfo with 
nothing hat arariot; the eparet to him who bringt gifte,bateae aparet not to 
him who it pennriont : money ttandt in the place of God, and a mare tor 
Mark, and the altar it lent attended than the coffer.— When yon come to 
the Pope, take it at a rait, that there it no place for the poor, ha faroart only 



RSION OF KINO JOHN. 17 

Vel si munus pnestitum non est aliquanti, 
Respondet hie tibi sic, Non est michi tanti. 

Papa, si rem tangimus, nomen habet a re, 
Quicquid habent alii, solus vult papare ; 
Vel si verbum Gallicum vis apocopare, — 
Paez, Paery dit U mot, si vis impetrare. 

Papa qiuerit, chartula quserit, bulla quocrit, 
Porta quserit, cardinalis qusmt, cursor quecrit, 
Omnes quaerunt : et si quod des uni deerit, 
Totum jus falsum est, tota causa pent. 

Das istis, das aliis, addis dona datis, 
Et cum satis dederis, qusnrunt ultra satis. 

ros burs® turgid**, Romam veniatis ; 
Romse riget pliysicm bursts constipatis. 

Praedantur marsupium singuli paulatim ; 
Magna, major, maxima, pneda fit gradatim. 
Quid irem per singula ? ooUigam summatim, — 
Omnes bursam strangulant, et expirat statim. 

Star ; er If tbert iiMta bribe of toeae valae or aaotber fortbeoauag, be 

yoa, M l ui tot able.*'— T»e Papa, if we toeae to tbe tmlb of tbe 

bee bit mbjm froei tbe feci, tbat, wbatever otbert bare, be aloae will 

tbe »op | or if yea like to a p o co p a t e a Preacb word, " pay, pay,'* eeitb 

if yoa wiab to obteia aaytbiag .— Tae Pope begt, tbe brief bega, tbe 

tbe gate begt, tbe caraiaal bega, tbe cwraor bega t — aU beg ! and if 

aot wberewitb to bribe tbeai all, roar rigbt It wroag , aad tbe wbole 

to aotbiag. — Yoa give to tbeee, yoa gr?e to tbe otbert, yoa add 

givea, aad wbea yoa tbeald bare givea eaoagb, tbey 

O, yoa fall paraat, oaaae to Bean 1 at Roan tbere ie 

for oaetive poctett.— Tbey aD prey apoa tbe pane by little 

1 great* greater, or graaatet, giadoaBy bacaaaae a prey to tbeai. 
Way taeaftd I go tbroagb all tbe partkalert? I witt pat It at a few wordti 

tbe pane, sad it expiree avaaaaaaoty.— -Yet tbe parte ieafttatos 

CAMD. SOC. 6. D 





18 POLITICAL SONOS. 

Buna tamen Tityi jecur imitator, 
Fugit res, ut redeat, pent, ut nascatur, 
Et hoc pacto loculum Roma depredator, 
Ut cum totum dederit, totus impleatur. 

Redeunt a curia capite cornuto : 
Ima tenet Jupiter, coelum tenet Pluto, 
Et accedit dignitas animali bruto, 
Tanquam gemma stercori et pictura luto. 

Divites divitibus dant, ut sumant ibi, 
Et occurrunt munera relative sibi : 
Lex est ista Celebris, quam fecerunt scribi, 
Si tu michi dederis, ego dabo tibi. Finit. 

the lirer of TStyut ; the substance flies in order to return ; diet that It may be 
born : and on this condition Rome preys upon the pocket* that when it has 
giren all, it may all be filled again. — They return from the court with mitred 
heads ; Jupiter is placed in the Infernal Regions, Pluto holds Heaven, and dig- 
nity is giTen to a brute animal, as a Jewel to the dung and a picture to the mud. 
—The rich ghre to the rich, that they may recetre again* and gifts mutually 
meet one another: that law is most in use, which they hare ceased to be 
written, M If you ghre to me, I wfl] gi?e to you." 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 19 

KING HENRY III. 1216-1272. 

The death of King John offered an opportunity of potting an 
end to the distractions that had become so universal during the 
latter years of his reign, which most of the belligerents were 
glad to embrace. The following short, but highly spirited 
poem, was probably written immediately after the pacification 
which followed the taking of Lincoln, apparently by a church- 
saan, and certainly a partisan of King Henry. Some of the 
expressions in it, such as " the iron-girt bees of war," and the 
like, remind us of the lofty metaphors of Saxon Terse. 

THE TAKING OF LINCOLN. 

[Fiost MS. Cotton. Vospos. B. am. fol. 130. r». la a and of U» begiaaiBf of 

U» 14th Coat.] 

•J Inciphmt versus de Guerra Regis Johannis. 

Sbupserat Angligenam rabies quadrangula gen tern. 
In proprium jurats jugum 9 motuque minaci 
Gens aibi degencrans, ut libera eerriat, alta 
Corruat, incolumia ecgrotet, tuta pavescat, 
Vendicat antiquas inimico consule leges ; 
Non legis libra, non juris luce, nee igne 
8*cri conailii, aed nee lima rationis, 
Fulgurat in rctitum spreta ratione voluntas. 



»*.— A Ibv-faM rap aoi cm* apoe tao Eaftita aotioe. Coo- 
to ova aiiwoi— I. oa4 tafotoalag nlwliin, tke <iiirto 
: awy eaoaft fruioi far oktory,— tat k mmj Uh frooi lis alga 

■tflfgovoTBort ootforof»oi»ytl*adofl«oftk«kv, ootoytke 
aor ay tao its oC My eeeastl, aor yet fcy tao fit oC ram, tao 




20 POLITICAL. 80NG8. 

IT Prima fait rabies proprio concepta tumore ; 
Altera belligeras Francorum traxerat alas ; 
Conduxit nigras Scottorum tertia turmas ; 
Flexit quarta leres tenui sub veste Galenses. 

•f Foedera rumpuntur pacis, tonitrusque minaces ; 
Serpsit in attonitas corrupta licentia turres, 
In quibus sgra fides latuit, medicumque salutis 
Expectata diu, tandem de munere Cbristi 
Convaluit, traxitque suas in bella cohortes. 

H Hoec rabies patiente Deo permissa parumper 
Non concessa fait, ut molles falmina mentes 
Comburant, nee ut ira Dei confandat inermes. 
Sed cordis scrutator oves deserta petentes 
Errantesque diu proprio revocavit amore, 
Vapulet ut meritas medicato verbcre culpas, 
Divinasque minas dementia patris amicans 
Ubere materno lenivit verbcra patris. 

•J Anglorum nutabat honor, regnique venustas, 
Inclinata caput divini judicis iram 

wiD, in despite of reason, darts like lightning into what is forbidden, f The imt 
ra§e was coacehred by its own pride ; the second drew hither the warlike legions 
of the French ; the third condncted the black troops of the Soots ; the tbnrtn 
bent the inconstant Welsh nnder their light garment, f The laagnes of peace 
are broken, and the threatening thunders follow; corrupt licence has crept 
into the astonished towers, in which Faith lay hid and sick, and long waiting 
a physician of health, at length by the generosity of Christ she recovered, 
and drew ont her bands to the wars. { This rage, by the enferanc* of 
God, was permitted lor a while, bnt not allowed that the lightnings abonld 
bnrn the effeminate minds, or that the anger of God shonld confound the de- 
fancelsss. Bnt the Searcher of hearts recalled by his own lore the 
songht the desert and warn long wandering, that he might correct the 
faults with n healing lash, ami reconciling hk dirincthreete with internal i 
so fte ned the correction* of a father with the lore of a mother, t The 
of the English bowed, and the comeliness of the Kingdom ; its bending 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 21 

Senserat, et tumido timuit servire tyranno. 
Pendula palma, diu dubio protracta favore, 
Nunc risit Gallis, nunc risum contulit Anglis, 
Venus applaudens istis, fallaciua illia. 

T Non tulit ulterius regem regnare furentem 
Vindicis ira Dei ; cecidit percussus ab illo 
Cujua templa, domos, combusserat igne minaci. 
A face fax oritur fati, flammaeque furorem 
Dum furit in regem febria vindicta fugavit. 
Summus honos mora ilia fuit, culmenque decoris 
Attulit, in nullo quod erat auperatus ab hoste, 
Et tot erant hostea ; victus victore superno, 
Invictusque auos hostea moriendo momordit. 

5 Dcsinat ira tumens ; discat servire poteatas 
Curvarique Deo, cui subdens colla resurget ; 
In surgendo cadet : hrevia est humana poteatas, 
Et brevibus discat finem properare diebus. 

^ Planxerat cxtinctum regio viduata Johannem, 
Dcgcnerique timena sua subdcre colla marito 




Ml fft* eager of the diriae jadge, and Jeered to eerre the proad tyraat. 
pate, loag held oat vita dabioaa fevoar, mom amiled oa the 
vaed fee eatfe to the Eagtttb, opplaadiag with nor* trath theee 
drerJtrel to the other*. J The eager of aa areagiag God allowed 
the farioae kiag to reiga j be fell, etrach by ate whoet teoBplet aad 
he had barat with tbreateaiag are. Froei tab torch arieee the torch of 
S»a? v aad the aeeagiag fcrrer, while it raged agaiaet the kief, drove away the rage 
wftteaeaaa. That doth wee the higheet hoaoar. aad wee aoooayaaied with 
ta* higheet glory, thot ho in hi aoihiaf ovoroooee hy the 
■nay eaeatee ; eaaojatobed hy the eeaqaeror who to above* 
he hat hie owm oaoawea evaa hi hk death, t L* proad eager eeeee j lot 
to aarto aad to hew to God, hi aahailrrhig the aooh to 
I torweagehefelli: ahert to the power of smsa j aad lot it laara that the 
hi a frw dap. f The widowed etalo had ■ l ara il the death of 
the aooh to a dr gtatr a t o haahaad. the tear of She 



22 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

« 

Invocat Angligenas Anglorum lacrima vires ; 
Quo gravior dolor est, propior medicina doloris. 

5 Fulserat interea minim® scintillula formae, 
Regia progenies, laceri spes unica regni, 
Stella quasi succensa Deo, nubemque paternam 
Exuit, irradians nova lux, stellasque fugatas 
Fulmine de patrio pueri candela vocavit. 

•J O Pietas preciosa Dei ! qui magna magistrat, 
Fortia confundit, infirma levat, feritates 
Fulminat, inflatos frangit, qui virginis alvo 
Parvulus egressus, parvum suscepit alendum, 
Ecclesieeque dedit gremio, quern matris in ulnas 
Blanda parens recipit, nato blandita parentis 
Obsequio, teneram capiti positura coronam. 
Consilium coelcste fuit, quod consona sacri 
Unio consilii regi parere puello 
Non timuit, timuitque magis servire tyranno. 

% Unio sacra novum maturat ad ardua regem ; 
Utilitas, pietasque, fides, concurrere fatis 

Englieh ceJb ap tlm strength of England; the hearier the grief, the Mirer it 
ite eve. f M eemrhile had thone forth the minate spark of moat small beaaty, 
the royal offspring , sole hope of the torn Kingdom, a star, aa it were, lit by 
God, it had arretted itself of the cload that obecered its Cither, shining forth a 
Kt beat, and the candle of the child called back the stars which had 

■V^p ^^ ™"an)**^0 •■■^^^^ ^^■^r^w ^t^^^^K^r^^t^^^ ^p*^ ^^^^r^^ ^p^p^^^^^^v ^p^pmpjp^^p'^px ^p^^p^^p^p* vpjp^p^ p^'^ppp^ ^p ™^ wpjp^^p^p* wjpjpmpm 

scared by the lather's thunder, f O predoes piety of God ! who 
things that are great, confounds those that are strong, raises sack aa are 
iairm, strikes ferocity with lightning, breaks the hamghty, who himself having 
eease a child oat of the virgin's womb, that took a child to nourish, gave H to 
the bosom of the Charch, which the gentle parent reeerres in a mother's arme, 
gentle by the obedience now newly born, and aboat to place on ita 
town. It waa beaTcnly ordinance, that the eonooaaat aaioa of 
holy coaneal faired net to obey a boy king, and faired more to terra a tyrant, 
f Sacred anion matarea the new king to lofty things! arJUty, and piety, and 
fsJth, swear together to eoncar with the fates, and to sign them all with 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 23 

Conjurant, cunctos[que] crucis signare sigillo; 
Constiterant vexilla crucis, regemque novellum 
Ambierant, bajulosque crucis crux alba decorans 
Instabiles statuit fidei fundamine turmas. 

•I O famosa viri legatio, lima bead 

Consilii, sidus recti, speculum rationis, 
Gala dei cultor, curs cristata galero ! 
Anglia victrices strinxit divinitus enses, 
In commune bonum fundunt castella catervas 
Signiferas, belloque truces, hostique rainaces. 

•I Tempus erat quo terra novo pubesccre partu 
Cocperat, et teneras in crinfes solverat herbas, 
VeUcra pratorum redolens infantia florum 
Pinxerat, et, renovas crispans coma primula silvas, 
Innumeras avium revocavit ad organa lingua*, 
Gallica turn rabies aquilonis adheaserat Anglis, 
Conjurata manus medios transire per Anglos, 
Londoniis egressa suis, longasque latebras 

tht teal of the Croat j they had raited together the standard of the Croat tad 
fcad ranged tkeasterrea roand tke mw King, «■■ *■* •■**• crott deoorariag 
At astra r ■ of the Croat tied the aasUble troops in the foandariea of rakh. 
f Ortt« at legation of imi! tie of blotto* cooacil 1 tUr of right! Mirror 
! hotoart of the worship of God I created with the platte of etrt I 
hath g iat pt d her eonqneriag ewords by iaipoiee of God j her ottrltt 
tarth lor the coiioo good the eta*4ajw-baeriag troop, ierct in wv, tad 
the eaetay. t **»•* tJast the Earth had began to blooai with 

I had tfread eat her froth great hi locks, radaltat of 

the ftwag iattt of the ialdt, tad, wallet the new rtrwart 

toads, wrath I itttamsali taagaai of bird* to the taagt that 

had fatthad te jota the BagHih of the aorth, the baad heriag 

te past thraagh the aaldat of the EagtJeh, haviag iaeaad frost their 

the amy of LaaJt dotarted the laag shades, tad the praad 





24 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Deseruit Lodovica cohors, comitesque superbos 
Concessa pudet ire via, Montique Sorello 
Subsidium ferale ferunt, nam quo magis ilium 
Major palma colit, graviorem ferre ruinam 
Proecavet ira Dei ; sed cautior inde recessit 
Nobilitas comitum, fidei flos, regia virtus, 
Cestrensis clipeus, donee frendente tumultu 
Transierat rabies notum super ardua castrum, 
Triginteque latus, longique superbia belli 
Fluxit ad obsessam matron® nobilis arcem. 
T Hue ubi fata feras fremitu flexere phalangas, 
Fama volat, comitesque vocat, comitumque sodales 
Cestrenses, crescitque seges clipeata virorum. 
Regia signa micant, et conjurata sequuntur 
Agmina, clara fides cum denique protrahit ora, 
Candida signa cruris juvenum pnestantia pingunt 
Pectora, consolidat communis corda voluntas ; 
Vincendi spes una fuit, victoria cunctas 
In fades pnemissa patet, plausuque secundo 



have the snsms of going the way that is open to them, and they carry ierce aid 
to Mo nnts orr cl ; far as a greater victory attends It, so has the anfer of God 
ordained that ft shonld not undergo a greater rain. Bat with More eeatiom 
retiree thence the nobility #f earls, the flower of tW faith, the royal strength, the 
shield of Cheater, nntn with roaring commit the rage of the others had passed the 
faasons castle on the heights (Nottingham), and the banh of Trent, end the pride 
of long war had Sown to the besieged citadel of the noble matron (Lincoln). 
% Hither when the fates have tamed the Scree troops with n mnranrmg noise. 
Passe Sies. and calls the earls, and the Cestreneian coeananiona of the earls* and 
the shielded harrsst of saan increases. The royal standards glitter, and the eon- 
spiring bands follow, when dear faith at Inst tows o* their (scat, the bright signa 
of the Cross paint the excelling brsnsts of the yowth, a oonusoo vrfD strengthen* 
their hearts; there was one sole hope of conquering) victory was already 
staaipcd on all their faces j end with a shont, oniinooj of good, they pot farth their 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 25 

Permittunt socias in consona praelia dextras. 

^ Instabat sabbatum quo festa peracta superni 
Flaminis, et trinum celebrat deitatis honorem 
Vespera; sol prima lambebat lampade terras, 
Cam tuba terribili dederat pneludia cantu ; 
Bella movent ferrata duces, tot signa videres 
Nutantes tremulo galeas tuperare volatu, 
Tot clipeos vario mutantes signa colore. 
Fnlsit in armatas solans gratia turmas, 
Febricitabat incrs, validabant corda feroces. 
Venit ut attonitam oonstantia Martis ad urbem, 
Terribili juvenes rauros cinxcre corona, 
Rimanturque novos aditus ; nee protinus urbem 
Invasere duces ; legatio mittitur intus 
Sacrilegos revocare viros ad fcedera pacis. 
Nee placuit pax ulla feris, convitia fundunt, 
Legatos spernunt, adduntque miliaria verba. 

T Irrita legati postquam mandata reportant, 



to the accordant battle. 5 The eabbath wu at head in which 

of the high God is perforated, aad the ere celebrates tbe triaae 

of the deity; theeaa was Umchiaf the earth with bis Ant tight, who* 

witb iU terrible soaf bad firem tbe Aoerish ; tbe leaden more iron 

t aaawy were the standards yon nrifht sec witb tmnlou iigbt Abort tbe 

any tbt shields rhanfiaf their ceotfos with Yarioos coloars. 

of the mb those apoa tbe erased troops} tbe coward 

t the traoe liiftbisei their hearts. When the coalsnry of 

to the aeteoiehed town, the yonth aadrded the walla with a fearreJ 

atw aipnaihii j nor do the leaders laianllitily attach the 

Tot ao peace urialii thoee Acros asea 1 they attar ta om hs , liayln tbe 
aid throataniaf words. 1 Whoa the 

CAM*. tOC. 6. 




26 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Magnanimos monet ire duces ; turn bellicus horror 
Infremuit, tonuere tubas, raugitas in auras 
Horridus insurgit, et, constrepitante tumultu, 
Mirari poterant terrena tonitrua nubes. 
Transiliunt fossas, transcendunt moenia, portas 
Confringunt, aditus rumpunt, et pnelia miscent, 
Et gladiis feoere viara ; confusio digna 
Sacrilegos sternit, fundunt examina Christi 
Ferrigeras Mavortis apes, stimulisque timendis 
Hostiles penetrant tunicas, squamosaque ferri 
Texta secant, Saulosque trahunt ad vincula Pauli, 
Reddidit et lepores conversio sacra leones. 
U Hie Moyses in Monte stetit, Josue stationem 
Fixerat hie solis, magnum premit inde Goliam 
Funda lapisque David ; vidit venerabile minim 
Lincolniensis honor, vidit maris ira trophfeum 
Imperiale Dei, vidit quadrangula pestis 
In se victrici vcxilla resurgere palma. 
Vidit, et obstupuit, sensitque superbia belli 



the angry menage, the leaders order their bold followers to the attack; 
the horror of war roared, the tnunpets thundered, a fearfal aoiee rote into the 
air, and in the resovnding tammlt the dovds might wonder at earthly thwadcra. 
Itiey leap over the fosses, rnonut over tha walla, break the galea, farce the 
passages, and Join battle. And they made way with their aworda; a 
eonfesioo atrikes the sacrUegions men ; the hires of Chriat send aarth the 
girt beet of war, ami with fearfal stingt they penetrate tha heotfls ahirte, 
eat the aealy textnrcs of iron, aad draw Stale to the ehnine of Paai, ami the 
holy cooTe r s i on tamed hares iato Bona. f Here stood Moose la the fcfowat % 
here Josna had feed the atatkm of the ami ; there the aliag and stone ef David 
pyercome the great OoBas ; thebonomrof Lincoln aeee the taaarabli amain g 
the rage of the sea aees the imperial trophy of God ; the fonr-lbid fdagw see* 
the ataadarda rias again agaiaet it with conquering palm. It aaw, ami 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 27 

Pro pnero pugnare Deum ; nee sponte quievit, 
Sed crepuit, pacisque pedes in colla recepit. 
1 O famosa dies, nostrum veneranda per asvum ! 
Bellica qua rabies latuit, qua pacifer ensis 
Pestiferas domuit partes, qua gratia Christi 
Dedecus extersit natum, fidcique lavacro 
Proluit inscriptum versa de fronte pudorem. 

Expliciunt versus de Guerra regis Johatmis. 



I end the pride of war felt that God fought for the boy j nor was it 
if lit by lis own will, bat It burst, and received the feet of peace on its neck. 
5 O fassosjs day, to be venerated through our age ! in which the rage of 
war hid itself, — in which the peace-bringing sword subdued omr pestiferous 
all intone, hi which the grace of Christ washed ont the dishooonr that had 
Wen bronght laftb, and, with the font of faith, cleansed from the averted brow 
the disgrace which had been inscribed on it 



All authorities agree in describing the great pride and 
avarice and luxury of the nobles in general, but particularly 
of the Rosnish prelates, at the beginning of the thirteenth 
century. The following song u a fair specimen of the un- 
aawiag satire which was universally directed against them by 



■OltO ON THE CORRUPTIONS OF THE TIME. 
(MS. Hart No. 978, foL 105, ▼•. reign of Horn. III.] 

Contra avaros. 

QrjAht ait lata sceJerum et quam longa tela 
8ob qua latent pectora ritiis anhela, 

— Hew widess^bewlongisthewebof crisaes with 
rh ehed with ▼ices, are enveisfwd, trB, and reveal. 




28 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Musa vultu lugubri refer et re vela, 

Si curas cor spectantis tetigisse querela. 

Pensant vota miserae gentb et prophanae 
Non virtutis pretium, set lini vel lanee ; 
Vespere quod agitur est infectum mane, 
O curas horainum, o quantum est [in] rebus inane ! 

Est ad jura quilibet oculus obtusus ; 
Omnis ad injuria* animus diffusus ; 
Ad fortunae prodeunt aleas et usus 
Mille hominum spes et rerum discolor usus. 

Cum Sabinae conferant saltum meretrici, 
Pauperizent Arabes sub toga mendici, 
Suo neget Tydeus fidem Polynici, 
Spectatum admissi, risxun teneatis, amici ? 

Singulos per singula si nosse labores, 
Qui cultores otii, qui doli structores, 
• Qui ministri Mammonae, qui Dei spretores, 
iEtatis cuj usque notandi sunt mores. 

O muse, with a mournful countenance, if you cure to touch the heart of the 
spectator with your lament. — The wretched and profane people teem to form 
their wiahea in consideration, not of the price of virtue, but of nax or wool s 
what is done in the evening it unwrought in the morning .— O caret of man ! 
O how much emptiness there it in things ! — Every eye it blind to justice s 
every mind is large to injustice ; a thousand hopes of men and the differing 
aspects of things depend on the dice and uses of fortune. — When chaste msidene 
join in dance with the strumpet, when the Arabs play the peeper under the 
robe of a beggar, when Tydeus denies hit faith to hit Polynices, then, If yon are 
admitted to the spectacle, my friend*, can yon restrain your laughter? — If yew 
are anxious to know all men by their several failing*, who practise sloth, who 
are the plotters of treason, who the servants of Mammon, who the 
God, we mutt observe the msnntrt of every age of lifcv— The boy, at he 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 29 

Puer pede certior, odit fores, foras 
Fugit, minus minimis colit res, honoras, 
Et iram post gaudia, breves rumpens moras, 
Colligit et ponit, temere mutatur in horas. 

A custode juvenis evolat et sens, 
Gandet equis, canibus, aleis, et meris, 
Venator libidinis, auceps mulieris, 
Utilium tardus provisor, prodigus aeris. 

Vir nt pnesit civibus, imperet pnetori, 
Ut extendat predia fune longiori, 
Et impregnet scrinia censu pleniori ; 
Quserit opes et amicitias, inservit honori. 

Multa circumyeniunt senem casus duri, 
Vel quod eget, abstinens, census perituri, 
Vel quod tractat gelide res, ut prosint furi, 
Dilator, spe longus, inert, avidusque futuri. 

Sic sstates variat temporum respectus, 
Transit sstas tenera cordis in affcctus, 
Vir in alta, sed ei quem torquet senectus, 
Ferret avaritia miseraque cupidine pectus. 

m of feet, hates the doors, flies abroad $ Im respects thiags tad h oaoors 
the* the least s eager sad joy to ccud each other vita short iBterrals, lor 
ait caeages mo sadd ea . — The yooth flies free* his totor and coaflos—sol j he 
ewagkte ia horses, dogs, dice, and wise, a hooter of hie pleooorot, whose oc- 
le with woaua, o slow provider of osefol thiags, prodigal of saoaey.— 
orrHod et ssaahood, that he stay role the dtiseas and dictate to the 
r, that he ssay cstomd his pmmloai with a laager cahle, sad All hk 
with poster troaeore, he seeks riches aod rrirodships. sad is a elm to 
- Msay s erioos treaties sarro oad the old smb. either that, frees 
he sforos his pcrishlag wealth, or that he headlrs his riches with 
fee*, lest they shooid fall to the thkf j he is owe who delsjs loag , 

active, tad gt ssd j of the fatare. — Thos difwssjto of tisae 

of ojos i the leader age is ses ap li d oa the sa T e cti oas of the heart, the 

oa lefty thiags, hat he wheal eld age heads, his hreast glows with a^erire sad 




30 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Omnis ad hoc hominum animus senescit, 
Qui dum queerit extra se res, quserens se nescit, 
Non rebus crescentibus ambitus quiescit ; 
Crescit amor nummi quantum ipsa pecunia crescit. ~^"f fV3f 

Sed hoe uno veniam vitium meretur, 
Quod cum rerum dominis semper dominetur ; 
Tanto mens conspectius qu« nil reveretur t^y**.*^ 
Crimen habet, quanto qui peccat major habetur. — )r r * fy 1 * 1 

Roma, turpitudinis jacens in profundi*, 
Virtutes preposterat opibus inmundis, 
Vacillantis animi fluctuans sub undis, 
Diruit, aedificat, mutat quadrata rotundis. 

Vultus blandos asperat, quibus nunc arrisit ; 
Sinu fovet placido quos prius elisit ; 
Dum monetam recipit, tractat, et revisit ; 
Quod petiit, spernit, repetit quod nuper omisit. 
Si non recte pcrcipit quocumque modo rem, 
Et quern prirao didicit non oblita morem, 



miserable tepidity.— Id this respect the whole mind of men grows old, which, 
while it seeks things external, is ignorant of itself in the permit; ambition it 
not qeieted hy saccess : the 'lore of money increases as Cut as the money itself 
b cresset. Bat in this point alone may vice daian sosse credit, that it is always 
pcsrslcnt smong the great ; yet that disposition which respects no centralis th* 
snore eoesnienoesly criminal, In proportion as the sinner oc ce piee a higher eta* 
tioa. — Rome, lying in the depths of terpitnde, ranks Tirtnes beneath ilthy Inere | 
inetnating nnder the wares of a Tacillating mind* she overthrows, bolide, ami 
rhangss sonars things for ronnd.— »Shc despises the hland connteasnees at which 
bat now she smiled ; she cherishes in her placid brssst those whose before 
rolled down ; while she r ece ncs money, she treats and reriscs i what she 
she despises, and seeks again what lately she let go. — If she does not 
rightly a thing In any manner whatever, and has not forgotten the enstom whack 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 31 

Morem testes redolet, quae diutiorem 

Quo semel est inbuta recens servabit odorem. 

Coram cardinalibus, coram patriarchs, 
libra Hbros, reos res, Marcum vincit marca, 
Tantumque dat gratis lex non parco parca, 
Quantum quisque sua nummorum servat in area. 

Si stateram judicum quaeris, quaeras acre, 
Cum ab acre pendeat gratia staterae ; 
Non quaeres inducias, sed quod quaerunt quaere, 
Unde habeas quaerit nemo, sed oportet habere, —r-^"?, A* 7 

Commissus notario munera suffunde ; 
Statim causae subtrahet, quando, cur, et unde, 
Et format subjiciet canones rotundse, 
Quern res plus nimio delectaverc secundaa. 

Roma cunctos erudit ut ad opus transrolent, 
Plus quam Deo Mammonsa cor et manus immolent, 
Sic nimirum palmites mala stirpe redolent, 
Cui caput infirmum cetera membra dolent 



int Itarat, tat aattila of tat caataai af taa tmk, waka will kcaa my 
taa aaaar wita waka it wm aaaa «M walk ft**.— Bdara tat ear. 
Mm tat patriaffoa, a aaaa* Mtreoam taa Biak, a*a*j taa ac- 
Mark, taa law tparlaf ta kki wke It Ml apariaf, ****• °**y 
aaca bs momj la alt pant— If yoa seek tat aalaaea af 
yam aaeald task It wttk cappar, afau* tat fcvoar af tat salaaat 
oaaaa r t yaa ikaaid aot aak rwjpfca, bat atk waat tfcay aak j 
yaa nafala It aaaoiy will iawakt, aat yaa aaait a*at aava k.— Waaa 
ta tat —t aff y, aaar aat yaar Mattt bt will at aaaa m* 

way, or wa ai n It amy arlat , aad wfia 
tat aaaaaa ta taa farm that la vawai (L a. taa eok), waaa 
aat a Uttk.— RoaM taaaaaa al that tfcay aWaU Sy afar ta 

aaaita Miiana tataar tkaa ta Gal ; taaa It 
af a aai raat j waara taa aaai It laira, tat 





32 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

« 

Calcant archiprcesules colla cleri prona, 
Et extorquent lacrimas ut emungant dona ; 
Nee, si ferunt miseri pauca, vel non bona, 
iEquis accipient animis, donantve corona. 

Si de contumelia cseperit quia conqueri, 
Statim causae porrigunt aurem, manum muneri ; 
Si semel acceperint rem pluralis numeri, 
Cras poterunt fieri turpia sicut heri. 

Diligit episcopus hilarem datorem, 
Fas et nefas ausus post muneris odorem, 
Nescius resumere, post lapsnm pudorem, 
Ejectum semel attrita de fronte ruborem. - 'W.f*,*** 

Nee archidiacono minor turpitudo, 
Quem semel arripuit serio vel ludo 
Tenet, nee misertus est inopi vel nudo ; 
Non missura cutem nisi plena cruoris hirudo. 

Decanus insidias natus ad icternas, 
Ut exploret symbolum et res subalternas, 



ibers are In pain.— The archbishops tread under foot the necks of the 
clergy , and extort tears in order that they may be dried by fills ; nor, if the 
poor wretches brine, lew or not good ones, do they take them in good part, or 
acknowledge them with fovonr. — If any one begins to complain of an Injary, 
they immediately stretch their ear to the cease, their hand to the gift; if 
they once recorre a thing of the plnral nnmber, to-morrow the same hasensnsns 
may be done as yesterday. — The bishop lores a cheerfal giver, and darns either 
right or wrong after the smell of a bribe, enable to rename, after ha hen 
thrown shame aside, the blnsh once rejected from his worn brow.— Nor is thorn 
lenses in the archdeacon ; whom he has once taken np, whnthm an 
or in Joke, he holds ; nor has he mercy for the needy or the naked % 
the leech which will not let go the skin till be Is Ailed with blood.— The on, 
born to iimlasrlng wiles, that he may explore the creed (fymbohm) and the 
things which sneered, changing the tone of hk tongne and yesterdty'o gar- 



REIGN OP KINO HKNRY III. 33 

Mutant linguae modulum et vestes hesternas, 
Migrmt in obscuras humili sermone tabernas. 

Presbiter quae mortui quae dant vivi, quaeque 
Refert ad focariam, cui dat sua seque ; 
IUe tacri nominis, ille mentis aequae, 
Legem qui Domini meditator nocte dieque. 

Fulti verbis laid cleri delinquentis, 
Non tarn verbis inhiant quam famae dooentis : 
Nee sensos sic flectere minis aut tormentis 
Humanos edicta valent, quam vita regentis. 

Regna movent principes statusque lascivi, 
Ut ducant exercitus, poenam donativi 
Infligentes rustioo miseroque civi ; 
Qo i cqui d delirant reges plectuntur Achivi. 

Qui regni vel curiae curia acdnguntur, 
Dum arrident detrahunt, et dum blandiuntur 
Jacturam vel dedecus semper moliuntur ; 
Nulla fides pietasve viris qui castra sequuntur. 

Si te civis percipit, demollit ut urat, 
St dena oontuleris mutuum futurat, 




vkk kmmbU optock to Um oboeor* tewo*.— Tk* prioit. wkot* 

Ik* oooo or Um tirfof fit*, corrioi oil to kit iroo\o*-wooMo, to 

k* *>t*» Momtf ooi vkot o* kot i k* of Ik* kolj boom ooi to* ooool 

tW iioitmi Ik* low of Um Lord ky toy oo4 ky oiffe.— To* Ujojoo 

oo too woroo of lot clorfj vko ooport Iron Iko*, pay mm ottcotioo to 

toUMOOotoctcrof UMtoooVori oor ooa Uti ooMoa Um iimm 

by tkrooti oo4 tfoou, to amok oj too tsattplt of too roltr.— Tkt 

*fc kiogoooM too 1 ttotoa, tool tkty soy loos' trmJot, laiktio* 

of o toi oft Ik* rootle too 1 tkt ■iiirtHi ritlwot for 

roo wfU, Ik* Orook* pay Ik* piptr. Tk*y vko or* 

of Ik* ktefoooi or of Ik* ooort, ootraot wkflt ckoy moOo, ami 

Ikoyor* pltltiaf ooaaojo or dtojrotts Umt* it ooHkor fokk 

to tkoo* vko MUm c— pa.— If • cititro ooroitfo poo, ot 

ratio, aoc. C. w 





34 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Te de too submovet, percipe, dum darat ; 
Pone merum et talos pereat, qui crastina curat. 

Si quis ad forensium domos devolutus 
Censum palam deferat, et minus astutus, 
Nam cum Cubans dormiet fessus et imbutus, 
Vivitur ex rapto, non hospes ab hospite tutus. 

Sic raptus, insidiee, dolus, et simultas 
Reddunt gentes devias, miseras, et stultas ; 
Sic inescant omnium mentes inconsultas 
Ambitus, et luxus, et opum metuenda facultas. 

Sed quid confert miseris luxus aut potestas 
Qui spretis virtutibus colunt res funestas, 
Aumm, gemmas, purpuram, et opes congestas ? 
fr&.t**- i, Sf Cum labor in dampno est, crescit mortalis egestas. 

Quid ad rem, de purpura, gemmis, auro, rure ? 
Assunt cum divitiis odia, jactune, 
Flacita, jejunia, metus, et de jure 
Insompnes longo veniunt ex agmine curie. 

Regnat pauper tutius quam rerum collator, 
Qui, dum rapit domini gratiam delator, 

that be may barn yoo ; If yoo by down ten, be putt the payment of Uf stake to 
another time ; be cheats yoo out of your own ; look to It, whfle H beta ; be aaaj 
perish behind the wine and the dice, who leaves care till to-asorrow.— If aay 
one foinf to the bonses of the lawyers, carries his money openly, be alto ia a 
simpleton ; for when he sleeps ia his bed weary and fall, people Irre by rapine, 
the gneat is not tale from his host.— Thas rapine, snares, treachery, and tariffs, 
bad peopb into error, misery, and folly; tbas ambition and laxary, and the 
revered fiiiBaiisainn of rich ss, aDare the foolish numb of all 
avafleth hunry and power to those miserable peopb who, 
eetetai only things that prodnee cefl, ench ni gold, game, aad haape af< 
wheooarbboar b t a p tai H an what b mjarioaa to at, the notary of; 
b oa the Increase.— What avafls it to talk of parpb, gome, gold, bad? With) 
riches we baft fends, losses, pleas, fastings, fears, aad jaatly 

ia a bag traJa.-— The poor ntn reigns more safely than ha that 




REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 35 

Vel onustum spoiiat prudens spoliator; 
Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator. ~ Wmt. io,x*s 

Sffipe vivunt gratius rebus destituti, 
Sub exili tegete lateris aut luti, 
Quam in regum domibus mollibus induti ; 
Scrvict aeternum qui parvo nesciet uti. 

8ed si queens copiam vers facultatis, 
Rejice superflua, cole quod est satis, 
Exue divitias, nudus cede fatis ; 
Tolle moram, nocuit semper differre paratis. 

Si dum iter arripis ad utUiora, 
Spem metus dissuadcat, vel successus mora, 
Animum ne revoces, nee reflectas lora, 
Grata superveniet quae non sperabitur hora. + 

Tbesaurises illud quo non poles abuti, 
Coram gerens inopis, c«ci, claudi, muti ; 
Ammo, uon animo servias vel cuti, 
Pauca voluptati debentur, plura saluti. — r * A ' • » >s 

Nemo regis solio tutus, vel asylo, 
Com nee lingua nequeat exprimi vel stilo 



who, wkOt the iaforawr deprive* tkc lord of kit faroar, or tkt larkiaf 
apaOa kiai woo U ladea, be, aa eapty traTcUer, vul atef More Um 
thaif*— TVty who art daatitota ofteo Ut* sort plaataatry wadar a atigkt bat of 

tkoat who arc delicately doU^ la tkt palacaa of kiafi; ho 

W toar a akwa woo koowt oot bow to aaa ■oderatloa.— Bat If yoo tot* 

of trot property, reject to p er Salt y, tack wkat It t o oa f k, atrip 

of richtt, aod tat oaked ; delay oot that, for tkoat who art prtparod 

ay deity.— If whila yoa art oa yoar road to what It aaara 

bop* , or delay twdaafcr oaeetat i cktoft oot yoar mdmd, 

H tkt frattral koar will arrrva wkco laaat erpottad.— 

tkat wkkk yoa caoaot abate, keriof a cara of tkt toady, tkt ktlod, 

tkt daaab » aorrt yoar tool, aod oot yoar Bated or yoar taia t yoo 

« aaora la yoar tar ea dao.— No oat It at* oa a kiof*e 





36 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Quam sub fato pendulo vicinoque pilo, 
Omina sunt hominum tenui peudentia filo. 

Prospere dum navigas aequoris extremum, 
Pensa non preesentia, sed futura demum, 
Et puppim considerans, non proram vel remum, 
Omnem crede diem tibi diluxisse supremum. 

by how slender a thread the destinies of men hang under the imminent approach 
of death. — While yon navigate pr o sp er ou sly the Cur aide of the sea, weigh not 
the present but the future, and considering the poop more than the prow or the 
oar, act as though you thought every day your last. 



The foreign policy of Henry III. was eren less manly 
than that of his father. Among the many songs of the Nor- 
mans and Poitevins, reclaiming the assistance of their ancient 
sovereign, we may giro as an example the Sirrente of Bernard 
de Rovenac, addressed to Henry and his contemporary James I. 
King of Aragon, from whom Louis IX. had taken Langnedoc 
to give it as a portion to his brother Alphonsus. There is 
internal evidence that it was written about 1220, the year in 
which Henry III. made his ill -conducted expedition into 
Brittany. 

A SIBVBNTB AGAINST KINO HBNBY. 
[Raynouard, Choix, torn. W. p. 803.] 

J a no vuelh do ni esmenda 

Ni grat retcner 

Dels ricx ab lur fals amber, 
Qu'en cor ay que los reprenda 



TaAvaumoir.— I wish neither foe the gifts aad fe v o w/i nor to 
good-will-«f the rich, with their 61st wisdom s-fcmt I have Is mj heart 



REIGN OP KING HENRY III. 37 

Deb vils fatz mal yssernitz ; 

E no vuelh sia grazitz 
Mos sirventes cntr 5 els flacx nualhos, 
Pauprea de cor et d 9 aver poderos. 

Rey Engles prec que entenda, 

Quar fa dechazar 

Son pauc pretz per trop temcr, 
Quar nol play qu* els sieus defenda, 

Qu'ans es tan flacx e marritz 

Que par sia adurmitz, 
Qu'el reys frances li tolh en plas perdos 
Tors et Angieus e Normans e Bretos. 

Rey d'Arago, ses contenda, 

Deu ben nom aver 

Jacme, quar trop vol jazer ; 
E qui que sa terra s prenda, 

El es tan flacx e chausitx 

Que sol res no y contraditx ; 
E car Ten lay als Sarrazis fellos 
L'anta el dan que pren say vas Lymos. 



to rtatoaea tati wits tktir ?ttt deeds iU-ooaerivcd ; tat I doa*t 
!• to tfrtabb ■/ Sirrtattt woif tbe cowaraljr idltrt,— poor la atari 
Mtvy ui ricaot. 
TW EagtUb Kiaf , I pray aba to btar it,— Ibr at caattt to ftA— bit Itttk 

(bat aka oowaralj mi to rfk,— tbtt be ttttM to at ttlitp,— walk 
Kiaf takot fro* bin wfcb ia^atity— To*r», tmd Aaffcra.aaa' Nor- 



TW Ktef of Afafam, witkoat aaj ooabt, otfbt rotty to bavt tat 

I far at it too wflHag to at Jowa *— oao 1 vbotvor It at tkat takttkti 
It to oswaftHy aaa caltiaV—tktl at oott aoi rrta roatrtoJct it 
tUt atatatt tat Moa 




38 POLITICAL 8ONQ8. 

Ja tr6 son payre car venda 

No pot trop valer, 

Ni s cog qu* ieuli diga plazer, 
Tr6 foe n'abraz e n'essenda 

E n* sian grans colps feritz ; 

Pueys er de bon pretz complitz, 
S'al rey frances merma sos tenezos, 
Quar el sieu fieu vol heretar n Anfos. 

Corns de Toloza, la renda 

Que soletz tener 

De Belcaire us deu dolar, 
S'al deman faitz lonj' atenda 

Vos e 1 reys que us es plevitz ; 

L'enprendemen n'er aunitz, 
S'ar no vezem tendas e pabalhos, 
E murs fondre, e cazer autas tors. 

Ricx homes, mal yssernitz, 
En vey hom vostres mala ditz, 
E laissera us, s'ic us vis arditz ni pros, 
M as no us tem tan que ja m'en lays per vos. 



Umtil be bare rereoged bis fatber,— be caaaot bare aracb esteem,— aor let bam 
laMgiaa tbat I wfll speak to please bias,— malms be ravage earn 1 pmt in Sasses, 

gnat blows be struck. — For tb«f« will bra beea aceosBpliibea 1 groat 
bo aarrowt tbc doasains of tbo Freacb Kiag,— for Dob iMfoaea 
desires to iaberit bit iaf. 

Earl of Tomlomse, tbe rest— wbieb yom meed to b o l d from Beeaceire, jwa 
omgbt to regret,— if yom make loag delay to damanil H,— yom, aad tbat Kiag,, 
yom an la kagao ;— tbat madertakmg will aot bt eiapaosd,— if we a*w 
pavilioae,— ead walla tefl aaa bajb towara break. 
Rkb mea, ai-advised,— oao aeca vow evil sayiags,— I womld lot yom 
if I saw yoo bardy aa« co wj ageo ms , ■ b at I do aot fear yom at mack at to 
itoayomr 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 39 

The following Sirrente, by the same author, is also directed 
against Henry and James, and was written about the year 1260. 
It repeats the same articles of accusation, and its object was to 
persuade those kings to invade the dominions of Louis, while 
he was himself absent on his crusade. 

A 8IRVBNTE AGAINST KING HENRY. 
[Raynouard, torn. ir. p. 805.] 

D'un sirventes m'es grans rolontatz prcza, 
Ricx homes flacx, e non sai que us disses, 

Quar ja lausor no y auria ben mesa, 
Ni us aus blasmar, e val pauc sirventes 

Que laxa quan blasmar deuria ; 

Pero si tot vos par follia, 
A me platx mais que us blasmc dixcn ver, 
Que si menten ros dixia plater. 



Amdos los reys an una cans' cmpretsa, 
Selh d'Arago et aiaaelh dels Engles, 

Que no aim per elhs terra defeza 
Ni faason mal ad home qu'cl lur fes, 

E fan merces e corteaia, 

TaAvaumow. — I sat atitoa 1 by a groat imkrt of wrftiof a afaraatt,— O rieb 
t oowarily mco I aa4 I tnow mot wbat 1 oball tay to yoo,— for tWrt will W 

■or Jar* I blaaM yom, mi a tirvcota it anartb Iftttla— > 

it eojbt to akaM t— tot tboojb it m*j tana all felly at 

It fttaatt aw awa to akaM yoa by tottta* tat trott, lb— IT I 



beta raaaHvi an oat tbatf, bt of Aragoa mi htof tba 
tbaaiSba laa* abafl aot bt iwkmiti,- mi tbat tWy wtP «o 




40 POLITICAL BONGS. 

Quar al rey que conquer Suria 
Laisson en patz lur fieus del tot tener ; 
Nostre Senher lur en deu grat saber. 

Vergonha m pren, quant una gens conqueza 
Nos ten aissi totz vencutz e conques, 

E degr* esser aitals vergonha prezza, 
Quom a me pren, al rey Aragonea 

E al rey que pert Normandia, 

Mas prez an aital companhia 
Que ja nulh temps no fasson lur dever, 
Et anc non vitz autre tan ben tener. 

E pus no pren en la leuda torneza 
Qu'a Monpeslier li tollon siey horses, 

Ni no y s venja de l'anta que y a preza, 
Ja no *lh sia mais retragz Carcasses, 

Pos als sieus eys no s defendria, 

Assatz fa sol qu'en patz estia ; 
Patz non a ges senher ab gran poder, 
Quan sas antas torna a non chaler. 

let the Klaf who U conquering Syria — retain their Self altogether ia peace ;— 
ov Lord ought to be Tery thankful to them for ft. 

Shame aeiaea on me, when a vanquiahed people ■ h olda «• that all nbdiai 
conquered, — and each shame ought to eeiee— the King of Aragon, an 
at, anal the Kinf who loeee Normandy , bat they take each company 
that sow they new perform their duty, and I never taw another hold eo 



afterward* he does not receive the tat, which at MowfpalBtr Us 
take from him.— neither does ho revenge himemf of the dmgraoo ha 
here, now fir ratine may no more he reeofared by him r— for ho 

not defend hie own eye*,— hie only en d< if ear ia that he aney he la 

l"4 noble lord with grout power has no nejnoi^^^rhna he tarae his maj 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 41 

Ges trop lausar, quan valors es mal meza, 
Non apel patz, quar mala guerra cs ; 

Ni ja per me non er per patz enteza, 
Mfelhs deuria aver nom gauch de pages, 

E deb ricx que perdon tot dia 

Pretz, e ja fort greu no lur sia, 
Quar pauc perdon e pauc lur deu doler, 
Quar ges de pauc non pot horn trop mover, 

Lo reys n Anfos a laissat cobezeza 
Als autres reys, qu'a sos ops non vol ges, 

Et a sa part elh a preza largueza, 
Mal a partit qui reptar l'en volgues ; 

E die vos que m par vilania 

Qui partis e qui '1 miclbs s' atria , 
Mas ges pertant non a fag non dever, 
Quar a pres so qu'elhs no \*olon aver. 

Ricx malastrucx, s'ieu vos sabia 

Lausor, volontiers la us diria ; 
Mas no us pessets menten mi aleser, 
Que vostre grat no vuelh ni vostr* aver. 



To proJet people too ojoch, whew eeJow It 01 eeteeeecd, — I do aot coll It 
farkiiMffir j-wr eh*U It mow to mo dor e too d hy me I or peoce,— it 
to to*e the ■■■• of pofot' ploy, o o d of toe rick who loot ivory 
, eod yet it grtevce them oot s»ooh f — for they loot tittlo eod seed 
we eeooot to ewed oioch hy e little thiof . 
Tto Umj Do* AMbaeo he* loft ocuUoooeoi H the other kiofe, 

mm of ftt,-o*d to toe eakoa lor hie otoro 
m otoro who wkhee la recover thie frees he* t— eod 1 tell yo« thet it *| 

tehee tto toot to htejietf r-yot oo 
to toe whoa thot which ettore wfll 



fioh oj— BUidetoidL if I koew toy thtaf to ywo— worthy of profco, I 
leM too of it j— wot thfek oot to toto m ay Moore,— for 1 



CAM*. SOC. 6. 




42 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

• 

Henry's embarrassments at borne were now becoming 
erery day more numerous and more complicated. Scarcely 
any part of the nation, clergy, barons, or people, were any 
longer bis friends. Tbe following song (made in 1250 ) was 
evidently written by one belonging to tbe former of tbese classes, 
indignant at tbe taxes whicb the King, with tbe consent of tbe 
Pope, bad levied on the clergy, in tbe vain hope of placing one 
of bis sons on tbe throne of Sicily, and afterwards to pay the 
debt which he had contracted towards the supreme pontiff. 
The King of France, quoted as an example, was the saintly 
Louis IX. 

THE 80NO OP THE CHURCH. 
[MS. Cotton. Jul. D. vu. fol. 133, v*. of 13th century.] 

Istud canticum factum fuit anno gratia m°cc°lriQ supra 
desolatione EccU$ub Anglican*. 

Ob est acumpli a men acient 

La pleinte Jeremie, ke oi avex suvent ; 

ke dit cument set sule 

citl pleine de fule 
Plurant amercment, 

ore est sans manage 

e mis en tallage, 
La dame de la gent. 

Cest est seint eglise trestut apertement, 
Ke eat ja hunie e tut mis a rent : 



TaAWtLATioir.— -Now It aceoaptiibed at 1 o oac d to ti n plaiat of Jowrfoh, 
wale* jtmhn% otim kosrt,— who tcDa bow tsis so b thj faMof p u s h 
btwdBiaf Utterly,— fa sow wf tfeoat wirriif amd pat la coatrihaftoa, tae 
Lmij of Sao ■■■■!■« That it hoi y dmrdi Tory cvMcatly*— who it aow 




REION OP KING HENRY III. 43 

E si est maumise, nus veum cument. 

Ele gent e plure, 

n'a ad nul ke sucure 
De sun marement. 

Ji fu cleregie 

franche e a desus, 
Amfe e cherie, 

nule ren pot plus. 
Ore est enservie, 

E trop envilie, 

e abatu jus ; 
Par iceus est hunie, 
Dunt dut aver aie ; 

jo n'os dire plus. 

Li rois ne l'apostoile ne pensent altretnent, 
Mis coment au clers tolent lur or e lur argent. 

Co est tute la summe, 

ke la pape de Rume 
Al rei trop consent, 

pur aider sa curune 

la dime de clers li dune, 
De 90 en fct sun talent. 




Um m4 tM MM a M* fc of MtkiM tilt, 

ftftitadtMirritor.— TMt It tM wtoit *•*>- <m* Im mm 
Im ascb to Im Maf— «• Mf Ut «m,-«W tartk tl tM 
t fMit to fbtt ki».-«M* vkk ttot to feet kfc «<■. 




44 POLITICAL 80NGS. 

Jo ne quid pas ke li rois face sagement, * 
Ke il vit de roberie ke il de la clergie prent. 

Ja ne fra bone prise, 

pur rober seinte eglise ; 
II la say verament. 

Ke vot aver semblance, 

regarde le rois de France 
£ sun achevement. 

• 

I do not think that the King acts wisely,— that he lives of robbery which he 
commits upon the clergy. — He will never be a gainer, — by robbing holy 
church ; — he knows it tmly.— He who seeks an example, — let him regard the 
King of Prance— and his achievement. 



The next Song, directed against the avarice of the Bishops, 
appears to be of about the same date. In the manuscript it is 
written, like the foregoing, as prose. 

A SONG AGAINST THE BISHOPS. 
[From the same folio of the same MS.] 

Licet aeger cum ogrotis, 
Et ignotus cum ignotis, 
Fungar tamen vice totis, 
Jus usurpans sacerdotis ; 

flete, Syon filiae, 

presides ecclesise 

imitantur hodie 
Christum a remotis. 

TnAicaLATioir.— Althovgh tick with those who are sick, and nkaown with 
those who are naknown, yet I will sasnau all characters la lava, 
right of the priest: weep, ye daughters of 8km, the bishops of the 
the presort day are k^ remote imitators of Christ! 



REION OF KINO HENRY 111. 45 

Jaoet ordo clericalis 
In respectu laicalis, 
Sponsa Christi fit venalis, 
Generosa generalis ; 

vcncunt altaria, 

venit eucharistia, 

cum sit nugatoria 
Gratia yenalis. 

Donum Dei non donatar 
Nisi gratis conferatur ; 
Quod qui vendit vcl mercatur. 
Lepra Syri vulneratur; 

quern sic ambit ambitus, 

ydolorum senritus 

templo sancti spiritus 
Non oompaginatur. 

In diebus jurentutis 
Timent annos sencctutis, 
Ne fortuna destitutis 



Tkt cltrfetloroWitoaktotdiaretpectoftkoltJtji tkt tpo ot t of CkHtt it 

tktt It ookW, comm ; Um titan art for tmlt s tkt tockaritt 
It ftf tala, akkoogk Toaal greet it rait mi friroloa*. 

Goftgiftit act gWts if it bt act c o ofer roa 1 gratits aa4 Im wko tefit aad 

of fe,it, Utoooiag, atrack wiUtaalrarotjoc* Srratt tkt 
of took, at wkfck kit aakMoo tkot slat, omj aot bt OBgraftoa 1 oa tkt 

of utHtlj Sowit* 

la tkair taji of yooftk, too? look fcnrarot Is oki tft milk law, Ittt, 
ay ftffl—t, tkaj tmin ao loogtr tktir tlttk tkio. Bat wkflt tkaj 




46 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 



Desit eis splendor cutis. 

Sed dum quaerunt medium, 
vertunt in contrarium, 



fallit enim vitium 



W<f,f<>J 



Specie virtutis. 

Tu qui tones hunc tenorem, 
Frustra dicis te pastorem ; 
Nee te regis ut rectorem, 
Rerum mersus in ardorem : 

H®c est alia 

sanguisugae filia, 

quam renalis curia 
Duxit in uxorem. 

seek the mean, they torn into the contrary extreme ; for rice deceives 
in the guise of virtue. 

Thou who boldest this course, vainly thou cmllest thyself s pastor j neither 
doest thou goTern thyself like • ruler, immersed In the heat of temporary afairs ; 
she is another— daughter of the leech, whom the venal court has taken to wife. 



The following is another bitter satire on the vices of the 
great, during the reign of Henry III. Who were the four 
brothers against whom the song is more particularly directed, 
would not be easily ascertained without other particulars besides 
those here furnished. 

A SONG ON THE TIMES. 
[MS. Had. No. 978. fbL 183, V. of the 13th cent.] 

Mundi libet vitia cunctis exarare ; 
Nam in mundo video multos nunc enure. 

Translation. — Everybody has n right to satirise the world's vies* | far 
I sen many in the world err, defense what Is good, tare what is hud, ami 




REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. *7 

Spernere quod bonum est, quod malum est araare, 
Et ad mala ssepius sponte declinare. 

Mundus quia malus est, male scit nocere ; 
Mala novit facere, nescit poenitere ; 
Caro quioquid appetit pro posse vult habere, 
Sed quod Deus pracipit nequit adimplere. 

Jam nil valet aliquis ni sciat litigare, 
Nisi sciat cautius causis cavillare, 
Nisi sciat simplices dolis impugnare, 
Nisi sciat plenius nummos adunare. 

Mundi status hodie multum variatur, 
Semper in detenus misere mutatur; 
Nam qui parcit nemini, quique plus lucratur, 
Ille plus dilectus est et plus commendatur. 

Rex et regni procercs satis sunt amari ; 
Omnes fere divites nimis sunt avari ; 
Pauper pauca possidens debet depilari, 
Et ut ditet divitem rebus spoliari, 

Bona per superflua dives excscatur ; 
Circa temporalia tota mens versatur : 



froooootly tormiof off spootaaoooaly to evil.— Bectm tbo worM is do* 
ll kioti bow to do lajory i H knows bow to set HI, bmt mot bow to 
; tbc Saab will do all It caa to possess whstcver H intra!, bmt is twsblf 
to folSO Goo's cooMa*ado»eaU.— Now aobody is tstotasod males, be baows bow 
toRUfstoi mmioss bo earn cstU emmmimft y la law-solts \ oalsss bo coo siswsocb 
tbo stamp!* i osJssa bo boow bow to sojsss sbmmdsmoa of BMooy.— Ime stast of 
to* world is at tbo ptoses* day coootamOy cbaogftsaji it is alwa ys 
aaammTmety woras t far bo wbo sports a obod y , sad wbo is 
fa saaat boiomod tad aasat msiBisBlii Tbi Klag oadbisi 

I abwoat aO tbo rkb smta arm too avaridoooi tbo poor emaa, wbo poo* 
Molt, saaat bo ril l i i mi apo fl sd of bis p t upt rt j toatiobtbo ass ba y.— 
Tbo rkb amsa is bMaiil by s ap s U o o as waaftb; bis wboss salad » itwslil 

I mi, sioat bo Is too aracb sanaad wfcb faaJtias, bo 




48 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Et in vanis quoniam nimis delectatur, 
Bona differt facere, malum non vitatur. 

Ex praelatis plurimum Deum non timentes 
Sunt sub boni specie mala facientes, 
Hiique plus quam laici saepe sunt nocentes, 
Bene curant corpora, male pascunt mentes, 

Regnat nunc impietas, pietas fugatur, 
NobiUsque largitas procul relegatur ; 
Stricta nam tenacitas multos comitatur, 
Et in multis caritas sic refrigeratur. 

Fas et nefas ambulant pene casu pari, 
Vix est jam quern pudeat ne£as operari ; 
Cams hie acceptus est qui scit adulari, 
Hicque privilegio gaudet singulari. 

Quod ad lucrum pertinet nimis affectatur ; 
Lucra quisquis prospicit, cautus judicatur ; 
Res qui serrat strictius, sapiens vocatur ; 
Sua qui dat largius, stultus reputatur. 

Dolus avaritiae comes copulatur; 
Fidei perfidia jam parificatur; 

parts of the doing of good, bat avoids not the cvfl.—Of the preUtce, there are 
very many who, having bo fear of God, do evil ander the mask of 1000% ami 
they orta do met* injary than the uymea; they take gnat care of the body, bat 
feed 111 the mimt— Now impiety reigns, piety is driven away, ami noble fibev 
rality is cent into far exile ; for narrow etinginees it the companion of many, 
ami thme ia many charity ia become cold.— Right ami wroag march aaaily em 
an eqnal footing ; there ia bow scarcely oae who is a s h a m ed of doing what hi 
anlav/fal* the maa is held dear who knows how to Setter, and he enjoy* a 
sJngnlar pri vil ege L a rni U a thing too madi eo ng ht alter; whoever has am eye 
to It, Uconeicm^ prudent; he who keeps very close what he has, ia celled a wise 
; he who ghee Uberalry, ia set dowa far a fboL~lYeacmwy 
I psfBdy is bow pat oa eejwaMty with honasri ; far he who 



RBION OF KINO HENRY III. 49 

Nam qui scit decipere, prudens pnedicatur; 
Qui plus mali perpetrat plus appretiatur. 

Quatuor sunt maxime qui sic operantur, 
Et cum malefecerint pejus meditantur, 
Quorum infra scelera satis declarantur, 
Et eorum nomina sic intitulantur. 

Hii sunt fratres quatuor, Robertas, et Ricardus, 
Gilebertus postea, vir valde Wandelardus, 
Quartus inter alios frater est bastardus, 
Galfridus, qui piger est, et ad bona tardus. 

Cuique satis proprie nomen adaptatur, 
Per quod quae proprietas cujusque sit notatur ; 
Nam qui recte nominum vim interpretatur, 
Scire potest certius quid significatur. 

Competenter per Robert, robbur designatur ; 
Et per Richard, ridke hard congrue notatu r ; 
Gileberi non sine re filur appellatur ; 
Grfrtt, si rem tangimus, mjo/rai commutator. 

Per istorum nomina, qua? sic figurantur, 
Modus, fraus, et opera multorum denotantur ; 



It prochiwad a pradaat naa ; aad a« wbo does most ill it 

are fear ptr aoa a la pacficalir wbo work tbmt ; wbo, ataa walla 

B, are aiadlnrtaf to do worat, waoaa criiw at* aaArieatlf doctoral 

9 aad wboat mmi ara aa faft owi :— Ttoy art faar brotbrra, Robaft, aad 

I ant Gflaart, a traa Waadalafd j tba faartb b a bastard toolbar, 

, who It a alfjard, aad aWw to do aajtbtag good.— Eacb of tWa baa 

,by vaftab afaawa ifcanbr fa daacdtod t larifaaj 
aaaaaa, ha awy kaaw atort aecaratctj wbat oaeb 
— By JaaVrf, U vtfj amaViaadj laalaaUi a raaatr/ aad ay JaVAaW, 
arMAaWaMai GtaVrtf fa aat vkboat laaaaaoalladafaafar, 
d ftafif fa, if waaaaat la taa paaat, laiaai mfjofirwi (I. a. I am doll). 

aa*W VJaVv^^V ^P***^^***' a* MaPJS| WBiBal wW VjBv^aV ■•Ha^a^^aaaaaja alW w*aHa"*aa*^B law wWlt aaaR^B 
aaaaaa aaaaa* ^* w^ wi aaa aaaaaar w wwv a) aaaaa? aaa aaaaaaaj aa^aa^v a^^^aaaav aaa^o^B ^^^a 

CAMD. SOC. 6. II 




50 POLITICAL 80NOS. 

Et ut cunctis clarius hcec aperiantur, 
Melius et plenius hie notificantur. 

Robertas excoriat, extorquet, et minatur ; 
Et Ricardus retinet totum quod lucratur; 
Gilebertus decipit, et inde gloriatur ; 
Galfridus se procrastinat, et nil operatur. 

Veritatem prosequar ore nunc aperto : 
Vir quicunque rabidus consors est Roberto ; 
Vir fallax et cupidus par fit Gileberto ; 
Vir piger et tepidus Galfridus est pro certo. 

Tempos piger protrahit omni tardus hora ; 
Operari negligit quee sunt meliora ; 
Bona nimis differens ruit in pejora ; 
Et ut bene faciat semper est in mora. 

Hie promittit quodlibet, sed nil vult implere ; 
Semper dicit " faciam," nunquam facit vere ; 
Sed cum mors est proxima, tunc incipit dolere ; 
Magnum est periculum tarn sero poenitere. 

Quisque sibi caveat ne decipiatur ; 
Poenitere studeat antequam labatur ; 



f^to«U t tbey««k««|na>ltahWbcttaraBaBoref^j^RobtrtitM^CEtofts 9 
aad threeteae ; aad Rkhard keeps all he gains ; Gilbert dooarvae, aad after, 
warda boaata of it ; Geoffrey procrastinatee, aad doca aofMaf.— 1 will follow 
«p the trntb bow la fall cry * «nrj rercnons aua if the CMw a poBio a of Robart | 
a false aad miserly aua la cinder to Gilbert ; a alow aad Hotleai aaaa k, with- 
oaf doabt, a Geoffrey.— Tba latter idly protnem the time, beatwammd at what 
ever boar is appointed, be aagleeU to do what ia good, aad bypwttaaf offtftwgood 
be falls iato tbat which ia crO, aad he ia ahraya backward la actiaf waB t— 
he premises enything, bat will perform aothiag ; he ahraya asys, ••! wffleV 
b«t never does t hot whoa death ia at band, he begins to Ismant t there Is groat 
daagar ia repeatiag ao late.— Let every owe take care that he ia set awjaaabf 
sVtrhred; let biaj try to repeat before bla aad, tbat he any amrfc weB while he 




REIGN OF KING HENRY III. 51 

Dam est compos corporis bene mereatur, 
Ne dam differt interim forte moriatur. 

Fons et auctor, Dominus, summs pietatis 
Nobis hie sic annuat flere pro peccatis, 
Et dum sumus validi poenitere gratis, 
Ut possimus alibi gaudere cum beads ! Amen. 

It ia health, lest by putting it off, he chance to die before it U done.— The Lord, 
wW It the foaatain and author of the highest degree of piety, five at here the 
IsMetetftloa to to mourn for out faults, and to be penitent spontaneously while 
fPt arc la health, that in the next world we may be in joy with the saints ! 



A perpetual subject of popular outcry against the great, during 
this and the following centuries, was afforded by the foreign 
auad extravagant fashions in dress, which were prevalent. A 
at the illuminations in contemporary manuscripts will 
at that these complaints were not without foundation. We, 
at the present day, can with difficulty conceive the im- 
which were in former days expended on the toilet. 
This profusion was frequently and severely commented upon in 
the prose writings of the clergy, and was not uncommonly the 
of popular satire. The following song upon the tailors 
playful. 

SONG UPON THE TAILORS. 
[MS. Hart 97*. fol. 99. V. reign of Hon. 111.] 

In nova/ert animus mutata$ dicert forma* 
Corpora, Dii emptis, nam vo§ muta$ti$ et Was, 



Eoo dixi, dii estu ; 
Quss dioenda sunt in festis 
Quare pfaalennitterept ? 

Tautsreajtrvo* .<— J have said, yt art fads ; why s h e a i d 1 eeatt the srrrirr 



52 POLITICAL SONG8 

Dii, revera, qui potestis 
In figuram novae vestis 
Transmutare veterem. 

Pannus recens et novellus 
Fit vel capa vel mantellus, 

Sed secundum tempora 
Primum capa, post pusillum 
Transmutatur htec in ilium ; 

Sic mutatis corpora. 

Antiquata decollator, 
Decollata mantellatur, 

Sic in modum Proteos 
Demutantur vestimenta ; 
Nee recenter est inventa 

Lex metamorphoseos. 

Cum figura sexum mutant ; 
Prius ruptam clam reclutant 

Primates ecclesiae ; 
Nee donatur, res est certa, 
Nisi prius sit experts 

Fortunam Tiresue. 

which should be Mid on festival days ? Gods certainly ye are, vW 
form an old ft/meat into the shape of a new one.— lie dot*, while freak 
new, Is made either a cape or mantle ; bat, in order at* time, tret it is 
after a little space this is traasfonDed into the other; then ye * 
todies."— When it becomes old, the collar is cat off; when dipt tied e/|he 
collar, it is made a mantle : thus, in the manner of Pr oto ns , era 
ehanfed ; nor is the lav of nNtanmrpbosb a new discovery .—With 
they change their sex ; the primate* of the chnrch privately dose up 
was before torn ; nor b it given, assuredly, till it has iret 



REIGN OF KING HBXRY III. 53 

Bruma tandem revertente, 
Tost unt sur la chape ent£ 

Plerique capucium ; 
Alioquin dequadratur, 
De quadrato retundatur, 

Transit in almucium. 

Si quid restat de morsellis 
Cttsi panni sive pellis, 

Non vacat officio : 
Ex hiit fiunt manuthecae, 
Manutheca quidem Gracfc 

Manuum positio. 

Sic ex veste vestem formant, 
Engleis, Tyeis, Franceis, Normant, 

Omnes generaliter; 
Ut vix nullus excludatur. 
Ita capa declinator, 

Sed mantellus aliter. 

Adhoc primo reoens anno, 
Nora pelle, noro panno, 
In area reconditur; 

of llmfao.— WWb, at leaftk, wiotcr rtCwas, aoay — fwft fantdfattty 

twpiDii tto k fa oootrto 1 1 oflor ooif wmm n i it fa mi ii i ; 

m k tooooMt aa aoaMea.— If there raeaeia mj Mmli of the dot* or 

vhfah fa cot, k 4oee act west o mm t of Cheat oft mmm fleece j * glove fa 

is Orook M the yfariaa of the hea*."— Thfa fa the goaoril bmmt they 

cat rate act of toother, Eaglfah, Oram, Preach, aa4 Kirom, 

bob Wo^B^ss^Oja^B^Svo SI 090SSS3 voa^^PST ev ▼S^o^oiaVoB^o^oj f s^^Bo> olosojSvolo^ST ▼^ajflHoT^STaBsjoi^^" 

la the tret jeer, o/hJIe k fa otfll ftcta, the okla aa4 tbt dcth aciaj aeth acv. 




54 POLITICAL SONG8. 

Recedente tandem pilo, . 
* Juncturarum rupto filo, 
Pellis circumciditur. 

Sic mantellus fit apella ; 
Ci git li drap, e la pel la, 

Post primum divortium ; 
A priore separata 
Cum secondo reparata 

Transit in consortium. 

Quod delictum dices majus ? 
Istud palam est contra jus : 

Nam si nupsit alteri, 
Conjugium est violatum, 
Dum fit novo copulatum 

Reclamante vcteri. 

N'est de concille, ne de sene, 
Deus dras espuser i une pene, 

E si nus le juggium ; 
Permittunt hoc decreta ? non : 
Sed reclamat omnia canon 

Non esse conjugium. 

it if laid op in a box ; when, however, the to begins to be worn of, and the 
thread of the mum broken, the akin is circmnMiaed.— Thms the u^tk U amede a 
Jew; here laya the doth, there the akin, after the irst divorce ; being sep niot o d 
from ita Ibraacr bmsband, alter eeparation it peaees in reparation to ■aniagi 
with a e e co nd hnfband.--Bot wbot will yon aay la a greater criaae? this Is 
clearly against right; to If she have merrled a eecond, the aaarriage Is 
broken, when a new conjmnction Is Made hi spite of the redaautione of the old 
partner.— It ii neither canonic nor miss Is aaarry two dotha to erne to, sad 
eowc jodgcit. Do the decretals permit this? Not on the contrary, every 
that it la no nurriage^-Tbc doth having been fret 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 55 



Pannus primum circumcisus, 
Viduatus et divisus 

A sua pellicula, 
Jam expertus Judaismum, 
Emundatur per baptismura 

A quacumque macula, 

Circumcisus mundatusque, 
Est adeptus utriusque 

Legit testimonium ; 
Quern baptismus emundarit, 
Cum secunda secundarit 

Pelle matrimonium. 

Pilis expers, usu fractus, 
Ex Esau Jacob factus, 

Quant li peil en est chaii, 
Inrersatur vice versa, 
Rursus idem ex conversa 

Ex Jacob fit Esau. 

Pars ptloem foris paret, 
Sed introrsus pilis caret 
Vetustas abscondita ; 



and t tpara fr< trem fa skim, mem Wriaf 

by tapH«. ftw vnrj ttafai (<. •• ft b •>•*).- 

tW brthnsj of Wft bwt, kt 

aacw Mrrfcc* witfc 
by «- , fr «» E— ka^tf 

-Tat aiiry put b Iml sal, Wl At 





56 POLITICAL SONG8. 

Datur tamen, k*il n'i eit perte, 
Servienti, pur deserte, 
Mantellus hypocrita. 

ceeled inwardly, is bare of hairs. Now the hypocritical mantle, in order that 
there may be nothing lost, is giren to the servant for his wages. 



We are now approaching the eventful period of the Barons 9 
wars. The turbulent Welshmen were ever ready to seize an 
opportunity of invading the Marches ; and the following song, 
whether it were composed by one of them, or be the work 
of one of the English who took the opportunity of satirising 
them, gives us a fair picture of the spirit in which they inter- 
fered. 

THE SONG OF THE WELSH. 

[From the Public Library of Leydea, MS. Yoetias, No. 104, fol. 144, r\ 

of the 13th eeat] 

Trucidare Saxones aoliti Cambrenaes 
Ad oognatos Britones et Cornubienaes ; 
Requirunt ut veniant per acutos enaea, 
Ad debellandos inimicos 8axonienaes. 

Vcnite jam strenue loricss armati ; 
Sunt pars magna Saxonum mutuo necati, 
Erit pars residua per not trucidati : — 
Nunc documents date qua aitia origine nati. 



TaAjrsumov.— The Cambrians, whe are wed is slay the 

■en x they rceaire thesa to i 
their 8esoa sosasiae Cesn sow, f is o c oa olj , 
with casts of BMfl i a great part of thoSasoas ere Jalka i» asatoel 
the i imbIb sir shall be slain by as : aowUthetlaMSoryoatoshowof 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 57 

Mellinus veredicus nunquam dixit vanum ; 
Expellendum populum pradixit vexanum. 
Et vos hoc consilium non servatis sanum ; 
Ccrnite fallaces quorum genius omne profanum. 

Pnedecessor validus rex noster Arturus 
Si vixisset hodie, fuissem securus 
Null us ei Saxonum restitisset munis ; 
Essct ci[s] sicut meruerunt in prece durus. 

Procuret omnipotens sibi successorem 
Saltern sibi similem, noUem meliorcm, 
Qui tollat Britonibus antiquum dolorem, 
Et sibi restituat patriam patriseque decorcm. 

Hoc Arturi patruus velit impetrare, 
Sanctus [quijdam maximus, Anglum ultra mare ; 
Scimus festum Martis kalendis instarc, — 
Ad natale solum Britones studeat revocarc. 

Virtuosos filii patres imitantur ; 
Sic Arturum Britones virtute sequantur : 
Quam probo, quam strenuo monstrant procreantur ; 
Ut fuit Arturus sic victores habeantur ! 



ere eproaf. — Tbc eoothaarer Merlin oever eaid a thing that wmt raio ; he 
that tbe wmd people aboald be expelled. And you do not keep thia 
nriae coaneel ; observe decoitfnl people of whom tbe whole race to ecceraed. — If 
mm Taken* pre d ec ea aor. King Artanr, had bees now elite, I is emrc not one 
of the Seaeo valto woald hate filiated him ; be woald have bees bard to thees, 
•f their prayer*, aa they hare deeerred.— May tbe Omnipotent prornre 
1 Mffmor only aimilar to bis, I woald not deaire a better, who may 
tbe Britone fraea their old grievance, mi r cctcr e to tWai their conotrj 
ami lUr eoontry's glory.— May It ptoeat tbe wade of Arthar to obtaia thto for 
aje«acortnmeory groat eaiat, (Ueend] tbe Fngwahmen orar tbe aaa 1 wo know 
tbt bk fnattiol to «|er ■■rheng 00 tbe ■■Una* of Marco (St. Parid't day), may 
k km etndy to recall tbe Britone to tbear native \m4 — Sooa Imitate 
iatbera, ao let tbe Brite aa tobe Arthar for tboir r 1 empto m tolaajr i 

CAMD. SOC. #»• I 




58 POLITICAL SONQ8. 

Regnabat Parisius potestas Romana, 
Frollo gygas strenuus, cujus mens ursana ; 
Hunc Arthurus perimit. credit fides sana, 
Testis tentorium sit et insula Parisiana. 

Insanit qui Britones necat generosos ; 
Videtur quod habeat sic eos exosos, 
Namque per invidiam clamat odiosos 
Semper et assidue, quos audit yictoriosos. 

Ex hac gente iiij ** sunt imperatores, 
Arthurus, Broinsius, fortes bellatores, 
Constantinus, Brennius, fere fortiores. 
Hii monarchiam tenuerunt ut probiores. 

Solum suum Karolum Francia praejectat ; 
Et Ricardum Anglia probitate jactat ; 
Paucitatem numerus major labefactat, 
Virtutem regis quia quadrupla gloria mactat 

Istis suis finibus contigit regnare ; 
1 11 is duces, presides, reges triumphare, 
Qtiibus nullo merito se possint square ; 
Est quam regnare longe plus indupcrare. 



they ebow frees what a good and brave saaa they ara daaeeaded ; aa krtkmr 
wee, so lat tlMai ba v conquerors I— Tha Roaaea power reigeed at Paris, the 
bold fiaat Frollo, with the baariah miad ; kin Arthar alcwt etery pereoe of 
good faith habere* It : wiueaa the teat aad the Fariaiea lelaad.— He la a and- 
bms who kffla tba aoble Britoaa : it eeeats that ba bolda tbeei the* bated ; for 
ba iaridioealy proclaiss* them haterel always aad iaoi— aatly, wbo be baara ara 
ti eto rioa s . Of tbia aarJoa there bora bees foer graat eoauaeadere, Arthar 
aad Broiaeie*, powerf el warriora ; Coaetaatlae aad Breaaiee, aaore pewerfel, 
if it wara possible: tbaat bald tba awearohy by raaaao of their baiag tbo 
aan oaly boat of bar Cbarlsnatai ; aad Bagiaed gloriaa la tba 
of Kiag Rkbard ; a larger aaaibar naiuuanaa 
Ibid giary lacraaaai tba valomr of tba Kisf *— To tbaaa latter it 
raiga witala their owe boaadas to tba others, to triesaph, erei 
g ota r ao r a, aad Magi, with whoa* thay caa ia ao rs a pttt chaai eo a a l l f y t it la a 
far greater tbiag to eoaueaad, thaa U 



REIGN OF KING HENRY III. 59 

The following fragment of whit appears once to hare been 
a long ballad, made to be tang in the halls of the Barons, seems 
to hare been written soon after the disturbances in London in 
1963, though there is not enough preserved to enable us to 
determine the precise occasion on which it was composed. 
Several nobles are here joined together, who afterwards took 
different sides. 

THE 80NO OF THE BARONS. 

[A roll of parchment, of the 13th cent, in a private library.] 

* * • * 

Mia de Warenne ly bon quens, 
Que taut ad richesses et biens, 

Si ad apris de guere, 
En Norfolk en eel pens[U] 
Vint conquerraiit aes enemis, 

Men ore ne ad que fere. 

Sire Jon Giffard deit bien noml, 
Que n'out gueres un |iein . . e 

En cele chirauchee ; 
E si fu toux jors a derant, 
Prus e aagea et pemant, 

E de grant renomle. 



TfcAVaumo*. — Bat the good Earl of War****, — oho haa to orach riehoa 

haa akfll ia war,— 4a Norfolk ta thia thoofht— he coaaa 
Mm ha haa nothing to do. 

Jet* Goford eoght woD to ha oaojed. who hod eoamlj a . . . 

I — d ho was always farward,— taliaot aad wiaa» and act!?**- 




CO POLITICAL SONG8. 

Et Sire Jon D'Ayvile, 

Que onques ni aima treyson ne gile, 

Fu en lur conpanie ; 
Et sire Peres de Montfort, 
Si tint bien i, lur acord, 

Si out grant seignurie. 

Et de Cliffort ly bon Roger 
Se contint cum noble ber, 

Si fu de grant justice ; 
Ne suffri pas petit ne grant, 
Ne arere ne par devant, 

Fere nul mesprise. 

Et Sire Roger de Leyburne, 
Que sa et la sovent se tome, 

Mout ala conquerrant ; 
Assez mist paine de gainer, 
Pur ses pertes restorer, 

Que Sire Edward le fist avant. 

Mout furent bons les barons ; 
Mis toux ne sai nomer lur nons, 
Tant est grant la some : 

A ad Sir Joba DiyriDe,— wko never tared treaaoa or gaile,— vat la tbeir 
eompaa y ; — aad Sir Peter de Montfort, — be held firm to tbeir 



Aad the good Roger de Clifecd— behrad Kb* a aobla 
great jastke j— he eafcred acUher little aor great,— aoito bahiad 
to do eay wroag . 

Aad 8ir Roger de Leybarae,— vbo oftea tant biai oa tbk aide aad oo 
ladt great p rogr ta t coaoaeriag ; — be laboared aiach to gala, 
leeeea,- vbkb Sir Edward bad caaeed hftai before. 

Rigbt good awa vera tbe beroaa;— Ut I caaaot tell all tbeir 



;* 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 61 

Pur ce revenk al quens Simon, 
Pur dire interpretison, 

Coment horn le nome. 

II est apell de Monfort, 
II est el mond et si est fort, 

Si ad grant chevalerie ; 
Ce voir, et je m'acort, 
II eime dreit, et het le tort, 

Si avera la mestrie. 

El mond est ver&ment ; 
La ou la comun i ly concent, 

De la terre lo^e ; 
C'est ly quens de Leycestre, 
Que baut et joius se puet estrc 

De cele renomrSe. 

Ly eveske de Herefort 

Sout bien que ly quens fu fort, 

Kant il prist 1'affcre : 
Devant ce esteit mult fer, 
Les Engleis quida tous manger, 

Mis ore ne set que fere. 



U ae great t — therefor* I return to Earl SiaMe,— to give the iaterpre* 
lekbaeaM. 

He if etilei ee Mootfcrt ;— ke if la the worW (mmM) % %md ke U ottoe* 
(fkrtj | mi ke see greet ekhrelry t thai It tree, ea4 I agree to H,— he loves 
right aaJketat wroag,— **4 ke akaE have the ejeetery. 

Be U trvJy la thcJworR— there where the neaMi are ia aceoH vita §Jev- 
of the lead ; -* la the Coeot of Lekeetcr,— we* m»y ee glee* 




of Here*ere > --kaew weB that the Eert vat atreog ,— vaea ke 
la he*4 1 h teoc o tkat ke (the Make*) vat very aeree;— ke 
to eat e» all tke Eagtfch ;_he* a*» he eea§ aot kaeer whet to ee. 




62 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Et ly pastors de Norwis, 
Qui devoure ses berbis, 

Assez sout de ce conte ; 
Mout en perdi de ses biens, 
Mai ert que ly lessa riens, 

Ke trop en saveit de honte. 

Et Sire Jon de Langel£, 
Soune chose fu gainl, 

Deheiz eit que Pen pleine ! 
Tot le soen en fist porter 
De Cliffort mi Sire Roger, 

Ne yout que rien remeine. 

Ne & Sire Mathi de Besile 
Ne lesserent une bile, 

En champ u en vile. 
Tot le soen fu besill, 
E cointement fu detrussl 

Par un treget sanz gile. 

Mea mi Sire Jon de Gray 
Vint i Lundres, si ne sai quoi, 
Que must une destance 

Aad the pastor of Norwich, — who oVromn hit owm 
of this ttory ;— he lott siaeh of hit goods ;— it it pity they loft his 
who wat too moch tnqotiotod with lirni. 

Amd Sir Joh» do Ltagley,— hit property wet ge l o ed, cif wi ht ho who 
cooipittm of it ;— oil ht hoi ay lord Roftr de Clifnrt' otjattd la ha 
carried away ;— he weald lot aothiaf roaoia. 

Koither to Sir Mtthow do Bttflo did they loata om frrthiaf , la 
or is tow».— AD hit proporty wot raraged, tad atatiy wot ht 
'trcget' without fade. 

Bat Sir Joha de Grey— catte to Leadee, ood eoete thiaf or 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 63 

Par entre Lundres et ly, 
Que tot son hernois en perdi, 
Ce f u sa meschance. 

Et Sire Willem le Latimer 
Vint a Lundres pur juer, 



qmairel — b etwee n London and him, — that he lott all hla harneea ; — Chat waa 
hii nueehaace. 

And Sir William le Latimer— came to London to play, • • • 



The following satyrical song seems to hare been written on 
the occasion of the intermediation of Louis IX. of France, be- 
tween the contending parties in England, in the beginning of 
the year 1264. Much of its point consists in a rather gross 
play upon words which cannot always be translated; it U 
written in a very broad dislect; and the numerous instances 
of bad French, which are observed in it, were, no doubt, com- 
mitted intentionally, to increste the hilarity of the listeners, at 
the eipense of the English and their King. 



sono or the peace with enoland. 

[Front a MS. at the thirteenth oretnry, in the Biht. da Ret. et Park, Ne.7tl«, 

fol. no, *•.] 

On Tint la tens de May, que ce roe panirra, 
Que oe tens aerra belea, roxinol chanterra, 
Ces prat il aerra rerdes, oes gardons florrirra ; 
J'ai trora a ma cul .j. chos que je dim. 



TaAjreumo*.— New eeeaee the time of May, when the mat wfll 
theniiiaiwmWfck t andthen%hHnfaleainf < the aeiaewttl ho 
As Avians mill blewai— 1 hare toad hetead me a thinf which I wfll 





64 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

De ma ray d'lngletefs qui fu a bon naviaus, 
Chivaler vaelant, hardouin, et llaus, 
Et d'Adouart sa filz qui fi blont sa chaviaus, 
Mai covint que je faites .j. dit troute noviaus. 

Et de ce rai de Frans, cestui longue baron, 
Qui tenez Normandi a tort par mal choison ; 
Lone tens -fout-il croupier sor Parris son maison, 
Qu'il one for por .i. gaire ne chau9a d'asperon. 

Sinor, tendez i roai ; ne devez pas rier : 
Ce navel que je port doit tout le mont crier. 
L'autr'ier je fi a Londres une grosse concier ; 
La ne movra baron la meilleur ne la pier, 

Que tout ne fout venez a ce grand plaidement. 
LI arra fet tel chos, je craie vraiement, 
Qu 'i farm rois Francis .i. grant poentement 
De ce terres qu'il tient contre le Glaise gent. 

Sinor, lone tens fout-il que Meilins profita 
Que Philippes de Frans, .i. sinor qui fi ja, 

Of nry King of England, who U in a good ship,— n valiant knight, hardy, 
and loyal,— and of Edward hit too, who hath flaxen hair,— it pleases sac to 
snake a aajinf which ia quite new. 

And of that Kia§ of Prance, that long baron, — who held Normandy wrong- 
rail y by ill event ; — long tin* did be nettle hia honae npon Paris, — that ha never 
bnt for a war alone pnt on hia spur. 

Lords, attend to sac; yon must not langh : — all the world onght to cry this 
newa which I bring.— The other day there wni at London n great aasssably»— 
there no heron, from the beet to the worst, wonld awe, 

Bnt they wonld all ceeae to this great debating.— There wonld hare been done 
soch a thing, I believe trnly,— that it wonld have canted the Preach King n 
greet fright onawraiag the laada which he holds against the English people. 

Lorda, It la n long tiaae since Merlin p r op h ecie d — that Philip of Prance, n 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. <»5 

Conquerra tout ce ters quanqu'il fout par deji, 
Mia toute vois, dit je 1', qu'encore Glais l'arra. 

Or sont-il vint le tans que Glais voura vauchier; 
S'il troves la Francois qui la voura grander. 
Qui parra si froirrous d'espl ou de levrier, 
Qu'il n'arra talant por gondre Glais grondier. 

Le bon rai d'Ingleter se traina i .i. part, 

Li et Trichart sa frer irrous corome lipart. 

II suspire de cul, si se claima i Tart, — 

" Hui Diex ! com puis-je voir de Normandi ma part ?" 

f • Ne vous maie mi " dit la conte 1l Clocestre, 
" Vous porra bien encors ; tel chos poistron bien estre, 
Se Diex salva roa cul, ma pi£, et ma poing destre 9 
Tu sarra sus Par lis encore troute mestre." 

La cont Vincestre dit au buer rai d'Ingleticre, 

" Rai, rai, veus-tu sivier ? Fettes mouvoir ton guere, 

Et je te conduira trestout ton gent a foiro : 

Tu porra* Normandi i ce pointes conquerre.'* 



lord wfco wm formerly,— «ho«id cooqaer all tko laid, aack at it U, oa tkte aida ;— 
kot, at all emu, 1 ray it, tko Eagltek wUl atitJ karo it. 

Now te mm tke time that tko Ea* ttek totW makt aa iaroad,— if ka akooid 

mad tko Frrack iaclioed to gnuabk.— wko wooJd ap ft a r frijtklcaed by tworda aad 

fcy fHjktaa dr.(»),— tkat k* woald kata aoeoaragt to fromklt afaiaot tk* Eajttek. 

Tko good Kiof of Eaflaad dr*« hiouetf oa oat aida,— k« aad Ikkard fete 

to oofry at looparda*— >Ht t%k* from kakiad, aad 00 ortea wfek 

-"OGod! kowmay I kara ay pott of Karmaaiy ?" 

"Doaot dtetork yoamfcf at aE," aaftd tko Earl of Otooct o t a r,— " yoa ojoy 

■ da Its oorli tktefi may aOH aaoily ka.— af God araatrta my kackaida. aiy 

and aiy rigkt •*%— «koo akall attfl W oailro abator otor Parte." 
TWEarlofWiaifcniirtaid to too aoote Kkg of Eaflaad.- - Ha* Kkg. 
mflt tkoo mO ooj ? Sot afoiaf tko war, sad I will ooadaot toot all toy pooola 
aaik—iim :— at tkte J—rt m a tko* wflt W akte to c aaaa j r Nira n a i y. 

C4MD. SOC. 6. E 




66 POLITICAL 80NGS. 

" Se je pois rai Francois a bataille contrier, 
Et je porrai mon lance desus son cul poier, 
Je crai que je ferra si xlourrement chier 
Qu'il se brisa son test, ou ma cul fu rompier. 

Je prendrez bien droitur, se je puis, a Diez poise, 
Quant j'arra en mon main Normandi et Pontoise ; 
Je ferra soz Parris achier mon gent Gloise, 
Puis vondrai prender Frans, maugrl conte d'Angoise. 

Par la .v. plais a Diex, Fran9ois maubali sont ; 
Si g'i la puis grapier, certes il chateront. 
Quant Inglais irront la, mult bahot i serront; 
Par la mort Dieu ! je crai que toutes s'enfuiront." 

Sir Symon a Montfort atendi ce navel, 
Doncques sailli a piez ; il ne fout mie bel. 
A dit a rai Inglais, " Par le cors saint And ! 
Lessiex or cesti cbos : — Francois n'est mi and. 

Se vous aler seur leus, il se voudra dafandre : 
Toute ta paveillons metra feu a la cendre. 



•• If I cm constrain the King of France to a battle,— end I en strike Ua 
with »y lance behind,— I think that I shall make Mam fall to hard th o t hewtt 
break bis bead, or »y tail will be broken. 

" I will take good right, if I can, with God's will,— when I shall have ia mj 
hand Normandy and Potto*,— I will nuke ny English su s l s approacb le 
Paris.— and tbea I wUl go to take Prmace ia spite of tbe Earl of Aajoa. 

•• Bj tbe ive woeads of God I tbe French are ia bad ease r-ef I can lay bold 
•sen tbcat, trmly tbey shall be fmeisbed.— When tbe English go there, tbere 
wifl be a great disturbance t— God's deatb 1 I think they will all iy sway ." 

Sir Ssooa de Moetfbrt board this speech,— then be loafed oa bis not; be 
did mot look Tory hsnds—s.— Bays be to tbe English King, " By tbe body of 
tbe boly Lamb 1— mow let this tbi eg alone ; the tVwrhiM fa not a loiab. 
If yoo attack them, they will defend theaseerros :— he will bora ell thy 



4» 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 67 

II n'a si vaelant qui Pose mi atendre ; 

Mult sarra maubali qui le Francis puet prendre." 

" Qoi dites-vous, Symon ?" pona Rogier Bigot ; 
" Bien tenez-vous la rai por binart et por sot ? 
Fout insi bardouin que vous sone plus mot, 
Ne te pot besoner por vostre mileur cot !" 

u Sir Rogier," dit la rai, " por Dieu, ne vous chaele ! 
Ne sai mi si irrous contre ce merdaele. 
Je ne dout mi Fran9oys tout qui sont une mele ; 
Je farra ma talent comment la chos aele. 

Je pandra bien Parris, je suis toute certaine ; 
Je bouterra le fu en cele eve qui [fuj Saine ; 
La moulins arderra ; ce fi chos mult gravaine 
Se n'i menja de pain de troute la semaine. 

[F]ar la .v. plais a Diex, Parris fout vil mult grant 

II i a *L chapel dont je fi coetant ; 

Je le ferra portier, & .i. charrier reliant, 

A Saint Aroont a Londres toute droit en estant. 



•• 



•a aibei. Tboro te ao bu eo velieat who dare wait for him ;— ibey will be la 
ill eeee vbM tbt FmckMi coa catcb.'* 

•• Wbat te taot yow toy, Sietoo ? " replied Roger Bigot ,— '• do yoo Uke tbt 
Kiag for a etespletoa oad a fool ? — if yoa ore to bold ot to to y aaotber word,— 
yoo will aot eeree yoareelf wicb yoar beet coot.'* 

Sir Roger," toid tbe Kiag, •• for God'* eokel deat be io • beat ;— 1 eat 
m aagry ogeioot tbte traajp.— I deat care bolf • fcrtbiag for oil tbe Freecb 
mh> I wildooj I like, let tbe abetter goeokwilt 
- IwffieeeMy take Parte, I aai oafee eertoiat— 1 •« tet ire to tbe ritar 
te eolled Seiae r— I will ban tbe owll i tbio wifl be a very grieeoat 
fbaag, if tboyaatao bread oil tbe week. 

" By tbe See a m ii of Qod I Parte If a eery great dty I— Tbore te • caapcl, 
« wbeeb I as demWwee |-I mill ooaeo It la be cante* » a fattag cart.- etra%bt 
AmmA ia Loodea, jaat m to 




68 POLITICAL SONGS, 

Quant j'arra soz Parris mentS tout me naviaus, 
Je ferra le moustier Saint Dinis la Chanciaus 
Corronier d'Adouart soz sa blonde chaviaus. 
La voudra vous toer de vaches a porciaus. 

Je crai que vous verra la endret grosse feat, 
Quant d'Adouart arra corronl France test. 
II l'a bien asservi, ma fil ; il n'est pas best ; 
II fout buen chivaler, bardouin, et honest." 

" Sir raj," ce dit Rogier, " por Dieu 2 mai entent ; 
Tu m'as percl la cul, tel la pitte m'a prent 
Or doint Godelamit, par son culmandement, 
Que tu fais cestui chos bien gloriousement !" 

Explicit la pais aus Englois. 

" When I have led all my ships to Paris,— 1 will cause the Chancellor ia the 
monastery of St. Denis — to crown Edward on his flaxen hair. — There 1 wiU 
kill for jon cows and pigs. 

" I believe that yon will see there a great feast, — when Franco shall have 
crowned Edward's head. He has well deserved it, my son ; he ia no fool ;— ha 
is s good knight, brave, and conrteons." 

" Sir King," said Roger, " for God's sake, listen to me ,— thon hast pierced 
me behind, so much has pity overcome me ; — Now may God Almighty ordain 
by bis commandment,— that thon perform this thing very gtorionslyl" 



The decisive battle of Lew es, in 1204, mas the subject of great 
exaltation amongst the adherents of Simon de Montfort. The 
following song, in English, is directed against the king's brother 
Richard Earl of Cornwall, who had become rery unpopular by 
bis foreign schemes of ambition. He took shelter at a wind* 
mill, after he ssw the king's party defeated. 



RKIGX OF KING HKNAT III. 651 

SONG AGAINST THE KING OF ALMAIGNB. 
[MS. Htrl. No. 2253, fol. 58 t*, of the reiju of Edw. II.] 

Sitteth alle stille ant herkneth to me : 
The Kyn of Alemaigne, bi mi leautl, 
Thritti thousent pound askede he 
For te make the pees in the country 
ant so he dude more. 
Richard, thah thou be ever trichard, 
trichen shalt thou never more. 

Richard of Alemaigne, whil that he wes kyng, 
He spende al is tresour opon swyvyng; 
Haveth he nout of Walingford o ferlyng : — 
Let him habbe, ase he brew, bale to dryng, 
maugre Wyndesore. 
Richard, thali thou be ever, etc 

The Kyng of Alemaigne wende do ful wel 9 
He aaisede the mulne for a cmstel, 
With hare sharpe swerdes he grounde the stel, 
He wende that the saylcs were mangonel 
to hel|>e Wyndesore. 
Richard, etc. 



TftAirtLArto*. — Sit til still tad li»tea to mc : — tb* Ktaf of AlaMlfae, by ajy 
loyalty,— tbifty tbo«taa4 poand bt atlitd— to awk« aoaet te tbo coaatry,— 
tad to bt did awe.— Ricbard, taoaf b tboa art ovtr • traitor,— tboa •boh 



ftirbard of Afaaalgao, wbile be wat ktef ,— bt aaaat all bit him i i aaoa 
tasary ;— bava be Ml of WaMaffard om f a H oaf i— lot Urn bavo, at bt 

OVH It OYMWf^ B OB ttMt #W 




70 POLITICAL BONGS. 

The Kyng of Alemaigne gederede ys host, 
Makede him a castel of a mulne post, 
Wende with is prude ant is muchele bost, 
Brohte from Alemayne mony son gost 
to store Wyndesore. 
Richard, etc. 

By God, that is aboven ous, he dude muche synne, 
That lette passen over see the Erl of Warynne: 
He hath robbed Engelond, the mores, ant th [e] fenne, 
The gold, ant the selver, ant y-boren henne, 
for love of Wyndesore. 
Richard, etc. 

Sire Simond de Mountfort hath swore bi ys chyn, 
Hevede he nou here the Erl of Waryn, 
Shulde he never more come to is yn, 
Ne with sheld, ne with spere, ne with other gyn, 
to help of Wyndesore. 
Richard, etc. 

Sire Simond de Montfort hath suore bi ys cop, 
Hevede he nou here Sire Hue de Bigot, 



The King of Alsaigne gathered his hso t, ho made him a castle of a anUU 
west with his f ride and his great boast, b ro og ht from AlmaJgne 
a wretched aoal — Co garrison Windsor. 
By GW, that is above us, bt did great om^wbo lot tho Eari of Wareano 
m*i-^k»*robbt&Eni^boikth*m*xu>dth*im,-*<**goH 
and tho silver, and carriod thcni hence,— lor lore of Window. 

»8imoode Montfort hath sworn by his coin,— hod he now hero tho Eari of 
Waroans, si ahooid noior mere ooojo to Ins lodging, nntfliar with shield, nor 
r, nor with other contrrranee,— to half) Windsor. 
8b? Simon de Mtotfort hath sworn by his hsad, hid ha now hero «r Hogb 



REIGN OP KINO HKNRY III. 7* 

Al he shulde quite here twelfmoneth scot, 
Sfaulde he never more with his fot pot 
to helpe Wyndesore. 
Richard, etc. 

Be the luef, be the loht, sire Edward, 
Thou shalt ride sporeles o thy lyard 
Al the ryhte way to Dovere ward; 
Shalt thou never more breke fore-ward, 
ant that reweth sore : 
Edward, thou dudest ase a shreward, 

forsoke thyn ernes lore. 
Richard, etc. 



de Bigot,— be should pay here a tw ch e a soath'a scot, — be should aerer 
irmmp oa bU feet,— lo help Windsor. 

Bt it afrrable to thee, or dieefrteaMe, Sir Edward,— thoa shalt ride sparieai 
oa thy hack— ell tbe etreisbt road towards Dover;— thoa ebelt aerer ewe 
break eovcaaat ;— aad that tore raeth tbee i— Edward, thoa didst like • threw ,— 
thiae mack's teachjag. 



The following long, bat singularly interesting, poem may be 
considered as tbe popular declaration of tbe principles with 
which tbe barons entered into the war, and tbe objects which 
they bad in view. It bears internal proofs of having been written 
immediately after the decisive battle of Lewes ; and tbe mode- 
rate and deeply moral and religions feeling which the reforming 
party here shows, e? en in tbe moment of triumph, is extremely 
remarkable , and is closely connected with tbe complaints against 
tbe licentiousness of the other party in tbe satyrical songs which 
precede. We might almost suppose ourselfes transported to 
tbe days of Wick life or Cromwell. 




72 POLITICAL SONGS. 

THE BATTLE OF LEWE8. 
[MS. Harl. 978. fol. 128, r». of the middle of the 13th cent.] 

Calamus velociter scribe sic scribentis, 
Lingua laudabiliter te benedicentis, 
.Dei patris dextera, domine virtutum, 
Qui das tuis prospera quando vis ad nutum ; 
In te jam confidere discant uuiversi, 
Quos volebant perdere qui nunc sunt dispersi. 
Quorum caput capitur, membra captivantur; 
Gens elata labitur, fideles ketantur. 
Jam respirat Anglia, sperans libertatem ; 
10 Cui* Dei gratia det prosperitatem ! 
Comparati canibus Angli viluerunt, 
Sed nunc victis hostibus caput eztulerunt. 

Gratis millesimo ducentesimoque 
Anno sezagesimo quarto, quarta quoque 
Feria Pancratii post sollempnitatem, 
Valde gravis prelii tulit tempestatem 
Anglorum turbatio, castroque Lewensi ; 
Nam furori ratio, vita cessit ensi. 

Tbakslatiok.— Write qaickry, O pea of eae who, writiag each thiags as 
follow, Meters sad pnuses with his tongac, thee, O right head of God the 
Father, Lord of rirtaes, who gireet prospe ri ty at thy aod to thiae owa, 
wheaerer it is thy will; let all those people bow leara to pat their trast ia thee, 
whoea they, who are aow scattered, wished to destroy — they of wkosa the head 
Is aow takea, aad the aambcrs are ia captivity i the proad people Is faDaai 
the faithral are ailed with joy. Now Efhmd hrsalhss la the hope of liberty t 
[10] to which (Eafiaad) aey the grace of God fire pfojperityl TbeEagbah 
deepieed Hke dogss bat aow they hare raised their head over their 



la the year of grace oae thoasead two haadred aad sUty-Jbar, aad am aha 
Wedaesday after the festival of St, Faacras, the ararr of the Eag&a bore the 
brant of a great battle at the esetle of Lewes : far reatoaiag yielded to rage, 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 

Pridie qui Maii Idus confluxerunt, 
20 Horrendi discidii bellum commiserunt ; 
Quod fuit Susexiae factum comitatu, 
Fuit et Cicestriae in episcopatu. 
Gladius invaluit, multi ceciderunt, 
Veritas praBvaluit, falsique fugerunt. 
Nam perjuris restitit dominus virtutura, 
Atque puria praestitit veritatia scutum. 
Hos vastavit gladius foria, intus pavor ; 
Confortavit plenius istos coeli favor. 
Victoria sollempnia sanctaaque coronas 
30 Reddunt teatimonia super hoc agonc ; 
Cum dictos ecclesia sanctos honoravit, 
Milites victoria veros coronavit. 
Dei sapientia, regena totum mundum, 
Fecit mirabilia bellumque jocundum ; 
Fortes fecit fugere, virosque virtutis 
In claustro se claudere, locis quoque tutis. 
Non armis sed gratia christianitatis, 
Id est in ecclesia, excommunkatis 



Mi to tW award. TWy met on tW foartaaath of May , [Ho] aad Wgaa tbt 
WttW af tarn taniblt strife j waica wu foafat ia 11m coaatj of 8a*eet, and ia 
As wiiiiirir af CakWeter. TW sward was aowerfal ; smaaj fell ; trath pre. 
I aad tW false act Sed. For tW Lord af valaar routed iIm perjarad 
•Ad awJeadad thorn wto were pare arks tW saicld of tratk. TW tword 
•ad Iter witaia, roetad tW former ; tW brow of haste* comforted 
vary ralj tW lattar. TW inlsmairiss of tW Hater, and tW sacred 
[10] ffo lestisaaey am taie caataet j earn tW CWrea Wa*arad tW said 

tW trae n\Mm TW wisdom af Gad, weJca 

miraaki aad am* a jejtfal war ; caaeed tW 

la *j, aad CW taloraao warn Is aaat tssemlii ap» ia o c) lister, aad ia 

afoalaty. Nat la m, bat la tW free* af CMstfcairj, tWt U ia tW 

tW ear/ raf aft far tWat wW were siramaiaeirolid ; 

CAMD. SOC. G. L 




74 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Unicom refugium restabat, relictis 
40 Equis, hoc consilium occurrebat victis. 
Et quam non timuerant prius prophanare, 
Quam more debuerant matris honorare, 
Ad ipsam refugiunt, licet minus digni, 
Amplexus se muniunt salutaris ligni. 
duos matrem contempnere prospera fecerunt, 
Vulnera cognoscere matrem compulerunt. 
Apud Northamptoniam dolo prosperati, 
Spreverunt ecclesiam infideles nati ; 
Sanctis matris viscera ferro turbaverunt, 
50 Prosperis non prospera beila meruerunt. 
Mater tunc injuriam tulit patienter, 
Quasi per incuriam, sed nee affluenter: 
Punit hanc et alias quas post addideruut, 
Nam multas ecclesias insani lteserunt ; 
Namque monasterium, quod Beilum vocatur, 
Turba ssvientium, quae nunc conturbatur, 
Inmisericorditer bonis spoliavit, 
Atque sibi taliter beilum prceparavit. 



dceertiaf their hence [40] this comatel alooe occerred to the 
Aed her fhM prerioaary they had not hesitated to profaae, her wheat they 
oafht to hare hooo or ed ia the place of a mother— la her they eeek rcfwje, 
tboagh little worth j of it, and acck their defence ia eeabradaf the wood of 
aalvatioo. Thoae whom prosperity ceased to despise thoir mother, tbcar 
woeads compelled to kaow their another. When at Nocthamptoa thoy aee> 
ceodod by treachery, the fidthlaai chOdrea despised the cherch; wfch the tword 
thayd^steibedththowtkofthoholyatothcr v «hl ia thcar pio o pcilt i pO] dU 
aot sserit a eeceeasfel war. The atother thea bore the mjery parliatly, m 
thoegb hetdlaai of it, bet aot lettmf ttpaei eeaurkedi eht pmmmas thai 
other lejeriet which were afterwards added, for the mecmea r. 

esssewaa) w^sweaa? p wssmwe ojsspwj aowswaam wee wsoBWjaaas.wsws) ossawsssso ^weaaaajea, aaaaae •saas r w» eewawjaaj wsswojmrw«awj ewaaaaa 1 aj 

tmdoa, ■twHeadj apofled the ■oaastry which la called Bottle, of its good*. 



REIGN OF KING HENRY III. ^b 

Monachi Cystercii de Ponte-Roberti 
60 A furore gladii non fuisaent certi. 

Si quingentas principi marcas non dedissent, 

Quaa Edwardus aocipi jussit, vel perissent. 

Hiis atque aimilibus factia meruerunt 

Quod cesaerunt hostibus et succubuerunt. 

Benedicat dominus .S. de Monte- Forti ! 

Suia nichilominua natis et cohorti ! 

Qui se magnanimiter exponentea morti, 

Pugnaverunt fortiter, condolentea sorti 

Anglicorum flebili, qui subpeditati 
70 Modo vis narrabili, peneque privati 

Cunctia libertatibus, immo sua vita, 

Sub duria principibua langiierunt ita, 

Ut Iaraelitica pleba tub Pharaone, 

Gemena aub tyrannica devastation*. 

Sed banc videos populi Deua agoniam, 

Dat in fine aeculi novum Mathathiam, 

Et cum suia filiis selans selum legis, 

Nee oedit injuriis nee furori regis* 



% UiiU tor tUmmUm. Tbe Oeteraiaa 1 

[69] voeJdi* W*ebewe^froeitl»raryoftbetw«fd, 
to b— *>id Mfb to tbe prince, wbkb Edward ordered to be 
bed pertebid. By tbere, **d eiarflar deeds, tbey 

tad bfe sissy I wbe, ■tt<wjh tbe« 

■tofish lot #f tbe Esglisb «W, 
to be described, [70J 
lives, bed 




et tbe peeses, (fees eft Is 
snsv tbe seel 01 Ibe sss% pftssss 





76 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Seductorem nominant .S. atque fallacem ; 

SO Facta sed examinant probantque veracem. 
Dolosi deficiunt in necessitate ; 
Qui mortem non fugiunt, sunt in veritate. 
Sed nunc dicit aemulusj et insidiator, 
Cujus nequam oculus pacis perturbator : 
" Si laudas oonstantiam, si fidelitatem, 
Quae mortis instantiam Tel poenalitatem 
Non fugit, aequaliter dicentur constantes 
Qui concurrunt pariter invicem pugnantes, 
Pariter discrimini semet exponentes, 

90 Duroque cpgnomini se subjicientes " 
Sed in nostro prelio cui nunc instamus, 
Qualis sit discretio rei videamus. 

Comes paucos habuit armorum expertos 
Pars regis intumuit, beUatores certos 
Et majores Angus habens congregates, 
Floremque militia regni nominatos ; 
Qui Londoniensibus armis comparati, 
Essent multis milibus trecenti pnelati ; 

They obU 84mm o tooootor tad o troJtor | [SO] hot kit deed* fay 
aod proro Urn to be o troo m. Trohen fall of fa tfa» of oeed ; they wk do 
wrt fry de»tb, ore thoee who etawd for the troth. Bot ooy hk iowdiowi 
bow, whom eril eye It the dfatorber of pom, •• If yoo proiee the 
eod the fidelity , which does not iy the tpproecfc of deetb or p«mi*hatt*t,th«ytheJl 
~T""T^' """* fn. In Tli ■ ■■—ii ■■■■!!, in !■ tli i n -— "^-j — 

tf — [f] "^ rVijirrfaj thi—ilneU ■ Imil eppilfartno] " Botfaeorwerfa 
wo oro bow ■o f o j rf , lot m eeo whet fa too ototo of too 
eerthed few mob oood to enoot too royel petty woi 

too dfadptfaed mod gfootoot werrfare fa Eafkod, roch eo 

tbotoer of theory of the kB*jweon tool oho out proponi wfch 

the Lo o dow eri . were three haodred tot before orterot thooooBO* i 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY HI. 77 

Unde contemptibiles illis extiterunt, 
100 Et abhominabiles expertis fuerunt. 

Comitis militia plurima tenella ; 

In annis novitia, parum novit bella. 

Nunc accinctus gladio tener adolescens 

Mane stat in prelio armia assuescens; 

Quid minim si timeat tyro tarn novellus, 

Et si lupum caveat impotens agnellus ? 

Sic ergo militia aunt inferiores 

Qui pugnant pro Anglia, sunt et pauciores 

Multo vixia fortibus, de sua virtute 
1 10 Satis gloriantibus, ut putarent tute, 

Et sine periculo, velut absorbere 

Quotquot adminiculo Comiti fuere. 

Nam et quos adduxerat Comes ad certamen, 

Dc quibus speraverat non parvum juvamen, 

Plurimi perterriti moz ae subtraxerunt, 

Et velut attoniti fugs se dederunt ; 

Et de tribus partibus tertia recessit. 

Comes cum fidelibus paucis nuuquam oeasit. 



tboy wcro cooteaptiblt to tboor, [100] »oo wtro ootootoi by tbooo wbo 
wcro apcrkocod. Modi of the eorT* onoy woo row \ froob bi wi, tboy 
kMw little of wor. Tbe trodtr yootb, ooiy oow girt wfeb o fworw, otoaoo hi 
tbooMroJaf io botlk occoolowriof bJoMelfto vm; woof wowoor If oocb om 
of m tlnil tjrn fnr, -Tif If a t p- H — TttiIt *rr1 Ttif -ir1 # f Tboo tbooo wbo 
ifbt for EafUoo 1 or* teftrior fai mibUry ojoripttoo, ooo 1 tbey are oioob favor tbo* 
tbo otroag ■*•• who ■ooot oo' fai tbtir owm Tolomr, [110] booaojt tboy tbwwjfct 
oofer? , mod wUbowt iiojrr, to owoBow op, oj fc wcro, oil wfaooi tbo oori boo to 
boiobiam. ftloroovor. of tbooo wfaooi tboooil bod broofbt to tbo 
from wfaooi bo boooo feroo bttU botp, mmj aooo witbajio from 
to ttfbt to tboofb tboy voro wiiilt omo of tbroo porta, . 
Tfao oori witfa o few feitfafbl on ootor yioMoi. Wo aaay nmjwi owr 




78 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

Gedeonis preliam nostra comparemus, 
120 In quibus fidelium vincere videmus 

Paucos multos numero fidem non habentes, 

Similes Lucifero de se confidentea. 

" Si darem victoriam/' dicit Deus, " multis, 

Stulti michi gloriam non darent, sed stuMs." 

Sic si Deus fortibus vincere dedisset, 

Valgus laudem talibus non Deo dedisset. 
Ex hiis potest elici quod non timueruiit 

Deum viri bellici, unde nil fecerunt 

Quod suam constantiam vel fidelitatem 
130 Probet, sed superbiam et crudelitatem ; 

Volentes confundere partem quam spreverunt, 

Exeuntes temere cito corruerunt. 

Cordis exaltatio pneparat ruinam, 

Et bumiliatio meretur divinam 

Dari sibi gratiam ; nam qui non confidit 

De Deo, superbiam Deus banc elidit. 

Aman introdudmus atque Mardocheum ; 

Hunc superbum legimus, hunc verum Judaeum ; 

with that of Gideon ; [180] In both of which we aMafrwofthefahhfalcomat 
a great amber who hare no frith, and who tnut in them eshee like Ladfcrdid. 
God said, *Mf I ahoaldgi?* the victory to the away, the fools will aot give the 
glory to aw, bat to fook." So if God had Bade the atroaf to concjacr, the 
coauBoa people woald hare given the credit of it to the am, and aot to God. 

From theee ooaaide ret ioai it any be condadad that the warlike nca did aot 
fear God, wharaibra they did aothiag to prove their coaataacy or aJcliry, 
[ISO] bat they ahowad oa the contrary their pride and amd cr aa lty t and 
to oaafoand thoat whoai they cnspssad, isnaJag parta boldly, they 
ejakkly. FtaitaHoB of the heart brlaga oa rate, amd hmaffity 
inaato the afcriaa graces far ha who does aot traat la God, Gad overthrows hia 
pride. We amy briag torward aa ciamples Aaam and atecaochrast wo read 
that the f o n aa r was arrogaat, the latter a trae IinaHn the gaDowt which 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. ?9 

Lignum quod paravcrat Aman Mardocheo, 
140 Mane miser tollerat suspensus in eo. 

Reginae convivium Aman exccecavit, 

Quod ut privilegium magnum reputavit ; 

Sed spes vana vertitur in confusionem, 

Cum post mensam trahitur ad suspensionem. 

Sic extrema gaudii luctus occupavit, 

Cum finem convivii morti sociavit, 

Longe dissimiliter accidit Judieo, 

Honorat sublimiter quern rex, dante Deo. 

Golias prosternitur projectu lapilli ; 
150 Quern Deus persequitur, nichil prodest Uli. 

Ad praedictas varias adde rationes, 

Quod tot fornicarias faetidi lenones 

Ad se convocaTerant, usque septingcntas, 

Quas scire debuermnt esse fraudulentas, 

Sathante discipulas ad decipiendas 

Animas, et faculas ad has tncendendas, 

Dolosas novaculas ad crines Samsonis 

Radendos, et maculas turpis actaonis 



bod prrptrtd for Mtjoocbota, [140] la tbe strolof the vtotea boio It 
to order to bt boofod «poa *- TU qiM'i beoqort bHoiii Asms, 
wbicb bt rtpotcd m to c atr tor di oory p rl r flo f i ; bot bit rtim n\ 
lot* cmMm, wbco tAor tbe fceot bt it dragged •• *■« gollooo. 
ftPtotd do— opoo joy, tki H eoiplri dtotb wfcb tbe tod of tbe fcttL Vtry 
* fully, it ■■fipii, to tbe ItrttMlt. wboo^by Ood*t wfll, tbe kiog 
Goioj It ovtrtbrowm by tbe etrok* of t Hilt float i [ISO] ootblnf pro* 

God portotm. Add to tbe voriooj n ttrttdy ■ lothoii. tbi 

tovdt collect** witb tbtoi to ojttjy tti— pill, ■■toaHtsj to 
vUeb tbey oogbt tobtre Inn tobt ftoodohol ■ ■rtoat, dfadp 

to cot tbe btirtof Stojtoa, loAfdo* tbt tttlot of bort attftoa t 




80 POLITICAL 80NOS. 

Inferentes miseris qui ncn sunt cordati, 
160 Nee divini muneris gratia firmati, 

Carnis desideriis animates dati, 

Cujus immunditiis, brutis comparati, 

Esse ne victoria digni debuerunt, 

Qui carnis luxuria foeda sorduerunt : 

Factis lupanaribus robur minuerunt, 

Unde militaribus indigni fuerunt. 

Accingitur gladio super femur miles, 

Absit dissolution absint actus riles ; 

Corpus novi militis solet balneari, 
1 70 Ut a factis vetitis discat emundari. 

Qui de novo duxerant uxores legates, 

Domini non fuerant apti bello tales, 

Gedeonis prelio teste, multo minus 

Quos luxus incendio lasserat caminus. 

Igitur adulteros cur Deus juvaret, 

Et non magis pueros mundos roboraret? 

Mundentur qui cupiunt vincere pugnando ; 

Qui culpas subjiciunt sunt in triumphando ; 

wretches who ere aot stroag ia heart, [160] nor made firm by the grace of the 
diviae gift, bat animals dedicated to the lost of the flesh, by the ssrlnaam 
of which , reduced to the level of brutes, they ought act to he worthy of victory, 
who grovelled In the foal luxury of the flesh ; they diauakh their etraagth Im 
the etewt which they had made, therefore they were maworthy of the attribatee 
of heights. A height ie girt oa the thigh with a sword, that it may act he 
uagir^ssd that Tile deeds shoald be eschewed j the body of a bow kaight b 
accustomed la be bathed, [170J in order that he ssay lean to he daaa from am- 
awful deeds. They who had eewty married lawful wives, wore aot it tor the 
Lard's warfare, as the battle of Gideom witacesetK e^seh less those whoaitW te- 
aace of lazaxy hath iajared with its Are. Why then skooJd Oed hela aa^lawers, 
and aot rather ■trsagthsa riasji rhiHiuw? Let theai he cIssbwIm desire sei 
in flghting 5 they who vaoowem their mulU stem the wey to triumph t flftf left 



RKION OF KINO HENRY III. 81 

Primo vincant vitia, qui volant victores 
180 Esse cum justitia super pecca tores. 

Si Justus ab impio quandoque videtur 

Victus, e contrario victor reputetur ; 

Nam nee Justus poterit vinci, nee iniquus 

Vincere dum fuerit juris inimicus. 
iEquitatem comitis Symonis audite : 

Cum pars regis capitis ipsius et vitas 

Solam poenam quacreret, nee redemptionem 

Capitis admitteret, sed abscisionem, 

Quo confuso plurima plebs confauderetur, 
190 Et pars regni maxima periclitaretur, 

Ruina gravissima statim sequeretur ; 

Quae mora longissima non repareretur ! 

•S. divina gratia pnesul Cycestrensis, 

Alta dans suspiria pro malis immensis 

Jam tunc imminentibus, sine fictione, 

Ptersiiasis partibus de formatione 

Pacis, hoc a Comite responsum audivit : 
ios eligite, quorum fides vivit, 



taoirvket, [ISO] who wish with jostiet to boto the victory orer oiaaert. 
tftbeJoetoM* iwm totaetioici to ht Ttnqoiebod by the ianpioos mas, oo the 
ho should he repotod the coao a eror j for aoither eta the jmst omo ho 

•or the aajatt awa coaoaer while he is the eaew>y of the lew. 
lo the eoairy of Bori Simon : whom the royal party woald he totiiitd 
aaly with hit hood tad hie life, aor woald ollow hie hood to bo reeVooMd. bat woald 
■boo II cot oeTt by whooi coafafwa they hoped the body of the people ohooM bo 
[ISO] tad the greatrtt port of the etoto W oo aht toto dt aftr . to thot 
rata wooJd ititiediettly faDtw i toty It bo very loof before 
by oiTtoe groot* Mtbop of ^%tcaoottr f fiooaiaf deeply 

^^ **^^** ^^^w^^^^^^^O* * ^^^^^w vm^^^j^w ^n^^^Mf g v^M 

CAMD. SOC. 6. M 



82 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Qui decreta legerint, vel theologiam 
200 Decenter docuerint sacramque sophiam, 
Et qui sciant regere fidem Christianam ; 
Quicquidque consulere per doctrinam sanam 
Quicquidve discernere tales non timebunt, 
Quod dicent, suscipere promptos nos habebunt ; 
Ita quod perjurii notam nesciamus, 
Sed ut Dei filii fidem teneamus." 
Hinc possunt perpendere facile jurantes, 
Et quod jurant spernere parum dubitantes, 
Quamvis jurent licita, cito recedentea, 
210 Deoque pollicita sana non reddentes, 
Quanta cura debeant suum juramentum 
Servare, cum videant virum nee tormentum 
Ncque mortem fugere propter jusjurandum, 
Pracstitum non teraere, sed ad reformandum 
Statum qui deciderat Anglicans gentis, 
Quern fraus violaverat hostis invidentis. 
En Symon obediens spernit dampna rerum, 
Pocnis se subjiciens, ne dimittat verum, 



Earl: " Choose the best men , who have a lively faith, [800] who hart road the 
decretal*, or who hare taught, in a becoming manner, theology and sacred 
wisdom, and who know how to rale the Christian faith, whatever they may retort* 
by found doctrine, or whatever they may hare the courage to decree, they 
•hall nod ns ready to agree to what they ahall dictate, in tnch a manner ae 
that we may escape the stigma of perjury, and keep the league ae children of 
God." Hence it may easily be understood by those who swear, ami show Uttst 
leJnctance to despise what they swear, receding quickly from it although they 
swear to what is right, [210] and not rendering whole what they hate 
to God, with how mnch care they onght to keep their oath, when they see a 
■either avoiding torment nor death on account of his oath, which 
inconsiderately, bat for the rrfermitioa of the fallen state of the English 
which the frand of an inveterate enemy had violated. Behold 




REION OF KINO HENRY III. 83 

Cunctis palam praedicans factis plus quam dictis, 
220 Quod non est communicans Veritas cum fictis. 
V« perjuris miseris, qui non timent Deum ! 
Spe terreni muneris abnegantes cum, 
Vel timore careens, sive poenae levis ; 
Novus dux itineris docet ferre quaevis 
Quae mundus intulerit propter veritatem, 
Quae perfectam potent dare libertatem. 
Nam Comes pnestiterat prius juramentum, 
Quod quicquid providerat zelus sapientum 
Ad honoris regii refonnationem, 
230 Et erroris devii declinationem, 

Partibus Oxoniae, firmitcr servaret, 
Hujusque sentential legem non mutaret ; 
Sciens tain canonicas constttutioncs 
Atque tarn catholicas ordinationes 
Ad regni pacificam conscrvationem, 
IVoptcr quas non modicam persecutionem 
Prius sustinucrat, non esse spemandas ; 
Et quia juraverat fortitcr tenendas, 



the lots of property, eabmitting himself to paaiabmeat, ratker tkaa 
Um tratk, prorieimiaf to all sen openly by kit deeds mora tkaa by kb 
[WD] that tratk kat aotkiaf ia coammoa with falMhnnil Wot to Um 
p arj ar ad wret ch ae who mar aot Qodl deaytag him for the aeaapict of— earthly 
or for for of bapcieoeawat or Ufkt paawhmtaf j the aew leader of the 
taaabee to boar all that the world may moaot oa acBiaat of troth, far it 
it thai which caa fire perfect liberty. For the Eart hai irat pfcdfea hit oath 
tAatm^ate^wtheaayofth^eHmhadpratyeafartheiiliimirlii oftheKkf't 
r, [ISO] mad ror the naimeioa of waadcrmf term?, at Oiferd, ha wwald 
keep It, aad woald aot caaafe the lew then etwjeaad, a aeoa m, tkaft 

of the ■mfdmi. oa n mil of which ha had bamraewatam 

aot ta be dammed j aad brcaaar W had ewam la bald 




84 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Nisi perfectissimi fidei doctores 
240 Dicerent, quod eximi possent juratores, 
Qui tale pnestiterant prius jusjurandum, 
Et id quod juraverant non esse curandum. 
Quod cum dictus pontifex regi recitaret, 
Atque fraudis artifex forsitan astaret, 
Vox in altura tollitur turbce tumidorum, 
" En jam miles subitur dictis clericorum ! 
Viluit militia clericis subjecta ! w 
Sic est sapientia Comitis despecta ; 
Edwardusque dicitur ita respondisse, 
250 (( Pax illis pracluditur, nisi laqueis se 

Collis omnes alligent, et ad suspendendum 
Semet nobis obligent, vel ad detrahendum." 
Quid minim si Comitis cor tunc moveretur, 
Cum non nisi stipitis poena pareretur ? 
Optulit quod debuit, aed non est auditus ; 
Rex mensuram respuit, salutis oblitus. 
Sed ut rei docuit crastinus erentus, 
Modus quern tunc noluit post non est inventus. 

irmly, aaleas the most perfect doctors of the mfth timid say, [340] that 
the jaratort might bt absolved, who hod before takes each oath, tad that 
no farther account waa to be made of what they hoi twora. Which, whoa 
the taid bishop recited to the kiaf , aad perhaps the artiacer of fraad waa 
ttaadiag by, the voice of the crowd of arrogaat coartiera waa raited high, 
" See aow the soldier it to fire viy to the tayiaft of clerks 1 The military order 
eabjeeted to clerks it debated!" Thus the wisdom of the Earl was dseeisadt 
aad Edward la said to hart answered that: [«50j •• They shall hare ao paaos 
•alma they all pat halters aboat their Boeka, aad deirfor themtaWea ap to at to 
ho heated, or to be drewa." What woader If the Earl's heart waa thoa awed, 
wbeaaoti^battheimiBefthettakewMm Heoftrei what ho 

oagkttedo, bathewasaot litteaodto; the kmg rejoctod Butters, iMgaHtag 
what was good for hist. Bat, at the treat of the matter next day taaght ham. 



BBION OF KINO HENRY III. 85 

Comitis devotio sero deridetur, 
260 Cujus eras congressio victrix sentietur. 

Lapis hie ab hostibus diu reprobatus, 

Post est parietibus duobus aptatus. 

Anglite divisio desolationis 

Fuit in confinio, sed divisionis 

Affuit presidio lapis angularis, 

Symonis religio sane singularis. 

Fides et fidelitas Symonis solius 

Fit pacis integritas Anglis totius j 

Rebelles humiliat, levat desperatos, 
2/0 Regnum reconsilians, reprimens elatoi. 

Quos quo modo reprimit ? certe non laudendo, 

Sed rubrum jus exprimit dure confligendo ; 

Ipsum nam confligere Veritas coegit, 

Vcl verum deserere, sed prudens elegit 

Magis dare dexteram suam veritati, 

Viamque per asperam junctam probitati, 

Per grave compendium tumidis ingratum, 

Optinere bravium violentis datum, 

tto ■wwri whka to ttoa rofeaoi, eftcrvarwa tuiottoU hoi. la the 
oertted tbt Earl's tVrodoa, [*$0] tto stock of which, acst oay, «m 
to bt victorioas. This stoat, bog rtjtcttw froai Um doorway, wot After* 
to tto two walk. Too airitloa of Ea§ka« w oa too ▼trgt of 
, bat tW ooracr-otoat wmo thtrt oj a help to the aWtloa, the traly 
rdifioo of Sosom. TW faith mi ttVlity of Skaoa tloat iiroem 
ttottcarfeyofttoaaaoaoftJlEafka« > ; W aojahlet the rtattfJeat, rakes thott 
woio la actpoJr, [170] rtfHtr«H *e kiafOee». n|inirist the BroatL 
how oooj to repress ttosa? ttrtalaly aot by swaaaaf thtasi bat to 
eat tto rot Joiot la tto bajwotaamcti for troth obHfOJ hiatalght, 
or to linrt tto troth, sad traiwtty to ttoooos rottor to a r ret hk r%ht 
to tto troth, aad by tto fwafh way, whkh It jetaad to probity, Vy tto 
way which k aaalaajoat la tto proad, la obtaiatto 



SG POLITICAL 80NG8. 

Quam per subterfugium Deo displicere, 
280 Pravorumque studium fuga promovere. 
Nam quidam studuerant Anglorum delere 
Nomen, quos jam csperant exosos habere, 
Contra quos opposuit Dens medicinam, 
Ipsorum cum noluit subitam ruinam. 
Hinc alienigenas discant advocare 
Angli, si per advenas volant exulare. 
Nam qui suam gloriam volunt ampliare, 
Suamque memoriara vellent semper stare, 
Suae gentis plurimos sibi sociari, 
290 Et mox inter maximos student collocare ; 
Itaque confusio crescit incolarum, 
Crescit indignatio, crescit cor amarum, 
Cum se premi sentiunt regni principales 
Ab hiis qui se faciunt sibi coaequales, 
Quae sua debuerant esse subtrahentes, 
Quibus consiieverant crescere, crescentes. 
Eschaetis et gardiis suos honorare 
Debet rex, qui varus modis se juvare 

to those who om farce, than to dkplease God by shrinking, [280] end to promote 
the designs of hwd man by tight. For some men sod stodisd to crate the mm of 
the English, whom they had already began to regard with hatred, against whom 
God o pp os ed a medicine, since he did not desire their snodcn rain. 

Hemes let the English learn to call in strangers, if they wish to be exiled by 
strangers. For these when they wish to enlarge their own glory, and wkh their 
own memory to stand always, stndy to associate with themselves very many of 
their own nation, [«90] and by degress to make them the principal nobles t 
and tons grows the confenion of the natives, with Indignation and bitterness of 
heart, when the chief man of the Idngdom Je«] tfesassftret to W beaten *>wa by 
those who make themssfres their eonels, taking from them the things which 
onght to ap p e r tain to them, growing by the things by which they need to grow. 
Ths King onght to honomr with escheats and words his own people, who 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 87 

Possunt, qui quo viribus sunt valentiores, 

300 Eo cunctis casibus sunt securiores. 
Sed qui nil attulerant, si suis ditantur, 
Qui nullius fuerant, si magnificantur, 
Crescere cum ceperint, semper scandunt tales 
Donee supplantaverint viros naturales ; 
Principis avertere cor a suis student, 
Ut quos volunt cadere gloria denudent. 
Et quis posset talia ferre patienter ? 
Ergo discat Anglia cavere prudenter, 
Ne talis perplexitas amplius contingat, 

310 Ne talis adversitas Anglicos inpingat. 
Iluio malo studuit comes obviare, 
Quod minis, inraluit quasi magnum mare, 
Quod parvo conamine nequibat siccari, 
Sed magno juvamine Dei transvadari. 
Vcniant extranet cito recessuri, 
Quasi momentanei, sed non permansuri. 
Una juvat aliam manuum duarum, 
Neutra tollens gratiam verius earum ; 



heap Ub to Yariooe wayt, who, by ee mmek ee they are aaore poworfil by their 
oww o ti oagtb, [300] arc to mach Um aaore newt to all eaote. Bat thooe who 
hmbrvaght oothtog, if they arc co rkh oa' by Me g oooj. If they ire awe* groat 
who wore of ao eocoaat, each aeea, whoa tWy begto to grew, always fo oa diaab- 
lag till they bare eappleated the aatirce j thty etwiy to avert the prtoea'a heart 
free* hie owm people, thai they esay atrip of glory thoee whoee rato they are 
ag. Aa« who coal* boar each thtoga petkatly t Therefore lot Eaglaaw 
prwiratly to hate a core, loot aweh a perplexity ahooM happta aay aaore, 
plO] loot oaeh aa eilvcreity eboalo 1 JaD opoo the EagUah. The Ear! etoaUoi Is 
obviate thie, beceaoc it hao gatoeel loo aaach a«a«\ a%c agree* tee, that caatfaot 
U4h*bjfmrt*Co€Uhmlmw*Ulm4Ubj*crmt n lUini froea Got 
Lot alraageri coaae to rotara aakaly, Mho aaaa of a »o»aa<. bot act to rcoaato. 
Owe of the two haaae aide the other, ailrlai of Aon beariag aaore ratty 
the greet «hkh belooge to both ; lot || heap, 0*4 wot iajar* , by rcaataaag Mo 




88 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Juvet et non noceat locum retinendo. 

320 Quaeque suum valeat ita veniendo ; 
Gallicus ad Anglicum benefaciendo, 
Et non per sophisticum vultum seducendo, 
Nee alter alterius bona subtrahendo ; 
Immo room potius onus sustinendo. 
Commodum si proprium comitem movisset, 
Nee haberet alium zelum, nee quaesisset 
Toto suo studio refonnationi 
Regni, sed intentio domination^ 
Solam suam quaereret, et promotionem 

330 Suorum proponent, ad ditationem 
Filiorum tenderet, et communitatis 
Salutem negligeret, ac duplicitatis m 
Palli[o] supponeret virus falsitatis ; 
Sic fidem relinqueret Christianitatis, 
Et horrendae subderet se poenalitads 
Legi, nee effugeret pondus tempestatis. 
Et quia potest credere quod se morti daret, 
Suos relict perdere, ut sic exaltaret ? 



place. [WO] Eaeb tbimf wmU avail to owa poMmor If tbay com aa j tbe 
hmfcaw by doiat food to tbe Kagfabmia. aod wot aadadaf by a iattoriag 
face, Mr the om witbdrawiof the fooda of the otbor j bat ratbar by aaottlaiag 
bit owa portion of tbebardea. If bfc owa tact** bad vmodtW Earl, MwmU 
soitber bare bod soy otber acal, aor woald be bare ooofbt witb oil bit power 
for tbo tcJbnaatioa of tbe kiagdoai, bat be woald bars aiaad ol power, bo 
woald bate eoegbt bit owa prowjotioa ooly, tad a*de bit first objoet tbo 
prooMtkw of bit fHaaat, [830] and woald bar* ai»»d of ceukbJag bit ebildrem, 
and woaid bare aegleeted tbe wool of tbe coaiaMMHy, aad weald bare 
tbe poieoa of Crieabood witb tbo cloak of depttdty, aad wwald tbe* bare 
ttofritbofdrietieaity, aad wwald bare oabjootod blamlf to tbe rotribwtioo of 
fcerfel paalibw,aar, aer wooid bo bare ceeaped tbe weifbt of tbe 
Aad wbo eea believe tbat be wooid gho blamlf la doatb, tbat bo 
act bis Miali, ia order tbat bo a%bt tbot raiaa bkaaalf b%b? If 



BKION OF KINO HENRY III. 89 

Callide si palliant honorem venantes ; 
540 Et quod mortem fugiant semper meditantes ; 

Nulli magis diligunt vitam temporalem, 

Nulli magis eligunt statum non mortalem. 

Honores qui sitiunt simulate tendunt, 

Caute sibi faciunt nomen quod intendunt ; 

Non sic venerabilis .S. de Monte-forti, 

Qui se Christo similis dat pro multis morti ; 

Ysaac non moritur cum sit promptus mori ; 

Vervex morti trad it ur, Ysaac honori. 

Nee fraus nee fallacia Comitem promovit, 
250 Sed divina gratia, quae quos juvet novit 

Horam si vocaveris locumque conflictus, 

In venire poteris quod ut esset rictus 

Potius quam vinceret illi conferebat ; 

Sed ut non succumberet Deus proridebat 

Non de nocte subito surripit la tenter; 

Immo die redito pugnat eridenter. 

Sic et locus bostibus fuit oportunus, 

Ut hinc constet omnibus esse Dei munus, 

«bo boat altar boooor cover their object cmaaiafty ; [340] aHraya ajeditatiag 
at tbe mm tio* bow tbey asay avoid death j bom love ejore the promt life, 
bom chooee a*re eagerly a poeitioa devoid of deafer. Tbey who thjret 
after hoao or i dtaaiaralate their aiai, they aiafca thiomlvfe caocJooely the repo* 
UbN which they eeefc. Not ao the veMrable SiaMO da MootJbrt, who, like 
Chriet, ofere hiaaaelf a aacriioa for amy » Itaae weee e*t die, altkeofk be la 
roadj far death j It b the raai which b give* to death, em«1 laaae receives keooar. 
Neither fraod mm falaeheod ar eaia t od the Sari [110] bat tba INHm grace 
which kaew tkooe who. it woeid kdp. If ye* ecocide* the mm aad Cm 
place of tao cMJirt, yoo wiU Sad that they iriadiil ki» a defeat rather Umb 
victory j bat God provided that bo ehoeJd Mi aaoeaaao. He ccee art take tkcei 
Oft a oaddea by croroiag etcekhilv by aifbt | bat bo igboi eeoaly wheo day 
la oaaat. So alao tbt peace was feioorable to bia OMeaftea, tat* tbM It 
CAMD. SOC. fi. x 



90 POLITICAL SONG8. 

Quod cessit victoria de se confidenti. 
360 Hinc discat militia, quae torneamenti 

Laudat exercitium, ut sic expedita 

Reddatur ad pralium, qualiter contrita 

Fuit hie pars fortium exercitatorum, 

Armis imbecillium et inexpertorum : 

Ut confundet fortia, promovet infirmos, 

Confortat debilia Dens, sternit firmos. 

Sic nemo confidere de se jam pnesumat ; 

Sed in Deum ponere spem si sciat, sutnat 

Anna cum constantia, nichil dubitando, 
370 Cum sit pro justitia Deus adjuvando. 

Sicque Deum decuit Comitem juvarc, 

Sine quo non potuit hostem superarc. 

Cujus hostem dixerim ? Comitis solius ? 

Vcl Anglorum sciverim regnique totius ? 

Forsan et ecclesiie, igitur et Dei ? 

Quod si sic, quid gratis conveniret ei ? 

Gratiam demeruit in se confidendo, 

Nee juvari debuit Deum non timendo. 

appear plaint y to all to be the gift of God, that victory departed froat him 
who pat his tnut in himself. [360] Haaee lot the military order, which praiaaa 
the practice of the tournament, that to it Buy be mao> expert at fighting, leara 
hew the party of the strong aad akitral vat here braiaed by the anas of thoat 
who were feeble and aepracUeed t that he nay coafoaad the stroeg, God pro* 
the weak, comforts the feeble, Uyt prostrate the firm. That lot no one 
resnmc to trast la himself; bmttf he know how to place hit bops in God, 
he mey take ap arms with constancy, nothing donating, [370] mace God it a 
heasfWthseswaosjsoatlMsidsofiaatke. That it was right that God ahonld 
help the Earl, for wkhont God he cwald act overcome the enemy. Of whom 
thoaWIesUaimtheetKmy?— o/tlwEarisioae? or thoald 1 rscogams him ae 
the enemy of the EaglUh aad of the whole kiagdom '—perhaps alto of the 
Charrh, aad therefore of God ? Aad if to, how much grace oaght he to hare r 
lis failed to deserve grace who treated ia himtrlf and he did not merit to be 



REIGN OF KING HENRY III. 91 

Cadit ergo gloria propria) virtutis ; 
380 Et sic in memoria, qui dat destitutes 

Viribus auxilium, paucis contra multos, 

Virtute fidelium conterendo stultos, 

Benedictus dominus Deus ultionum ! 

Qui in coelis eminus sedet super thronum, 

Et virtute propria colla superborum 

Calcat, subdens grandia pedibus minorum. 

Duos reges subdidit et hseredes regum, 

Quos captivos reddidit transgressores legum, 

Pompamque militia cum magna sequela 
390 Dedit ignominitB ; nam barones tela 

Quae selo justitiae pro regno sumpscrunt, 

Filiis superbito communicaverunt, 

Usque dum victoria dc ccclo dabatur, 

Cum ingenti gloria quae non sperabatur, 

Arcus namque fortium tunc est superatus, 

Coctus inbecillium robore firmatus ; 

Et dc coclo diximus, ne quia glorictur ; 

Sed Christo qucm credimus omnis honor detur ! 



MH wbo did aot fear God. Tbae falls tbe boast of peraoaal talaar, 
[3S0] aad to for evermore praised be the Lord God of veageeaes t wbo gives 
•id to those wbo are deetitate of force, to a few agaiast asaay, craehlag look 
by tbe valoar of tbe faithful ; wbo sits oa a tbrooe ia beat — above, aad 
by bit ova strength traada ipoa tbe Berks of tbe proad, bowiaf tbe great 
tbe feet of tbe Ice*. He baa sabdaed two kiage sad tbe beta of kfttfs, 
be baa saade captives, Decease tbey were tiaasgiiasuis of tbe lava i aad 
be baa taraed to abaaaa tbe poaspof kaifbtbaod with its aiamiai rstiaaei 
[190] tar tbe baroaa eaiplojed oa tbe aoaa of pride tbe arms, which, ia 
tbair aoal far Jaatke, tbey bad takea ap ia the caaaa of tbe 
victory waa givea tbcai froei b a a tia, witb a crrat glory tbat 

For tbe bow of tbeelroagwastbeaatf rc aai i ,aadtbe troepof tbe 
eatablisbed witb atreagtb ; aad we bare aaid tbat It waa doae by 
leat aa y owe shoald boast of it ; let all tbe boaoar, oa tbe cwa tra ry, be gleam la 




92 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

Christus enim imperat, vincit, regnat idem ; 

400 Christus suos liberat, quibus dedit fidem. 
Ne victorum animus manus osculetur 
Suas, Deum petimus quod illis prastetur ; 
Et quod Paulus suggerit ab ipsis servetur, 
" Qui laetatus fuerit, in Deo lfletetur." 
Si quis nostrum gaudeat vane gloriatus, 
Dominus indulgeat, et non sit iratus ! 
Et cautos efficiat nostras in futurum ; 
Ne factum deficiat, faciant se murum ! 
Quod caepit perficiat vis omnipotentis, 

410 Regnumque reficiat Anglicans gentis ! 
Ut sit sibi gloria, suis pax electis, 
Donee sint in patria se duce provectis. 
Haec Angli de pnelio legite Lewensi, 
Cujus patrocinio vivitis defensi ; 
Quia si victoria jam victis cessisset, 
Anglorum memoria victa viluisset. 



Christ, in whom we believe I For Christ at once commands, conquers, reigns ! 
[400] Christ delivers his own, to whom he has given his promise. We 
pray God to grant that the minds of the conquerors may not attribute their 
snecess to themselves, and let what Paul says he observed by them, "He 
who wouU be joyful, let liim be joyMfo God." If any one of as indulge in vain 
glory, may God be indulgent to him, and not angry I and may he make our party 
cautious in future ; lest deeds be wanting, amy they nuke themselves a wall I 
May the power of the Almighty perfect what It has begun, [410] and restore 
to its vigour the kingdom of the English people I that glory may be to himself, 
and peace to his elect, until they be in the country where he shall lead thorn. O 
Englishmen 1 rend this concerning the bettle of Lewes! by the influence of 
which you are saved from destruction : for if victory hod gone over to these 
who are now vanquished, the memory of the English would have lain in 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 93 

Cm comparabitur nobilis Edwardus ? 

Forte nominabitur recte leopardus. 

Si nomen dividimus, leo fit et pardus : 
420 Leo, quia vidimus quod non fuit tardus 

Aggredi fortissimo, nullius occursum 

Timens, audacissima virtute discursum 

Inter castra ftuaens, et velut ad votum 

Ubi et proficient, ac si mundum totum 

Alexandro similis cito subjugaret 

Si fortune mobilis rota semper staret ; 

In qua summus protinus sciat se casurum, 

Qui regnat ut dominus parum regnaturum. 

Quod Edwardo nobili liquet accidisse, 
430 Quern gradu non stabili constat eecidisse. 

Leo per superbiam, per ferocitatem ; 

Est per inconstantiam et rarictatem 

Pardus, verbum Tarians et promissionem, 

Per plaoentem pallians se locutionem. 

Cum in arcto fuerit quicquid vis promittit ; 

Sed mox ut eraserit, promissum dimittit. 



To wkooi okoU Um o*klo Eoworo 1 ko oooMaroo ? IWkoM ko will ko HfkUy 
com* o Wopant If wt diriso Um mom. It ■icoww o few Md o Mr*!— 
[4S0] o Um, for wt km toco tkot btanot alow to s*et Um ttiwsfoot ; 
foorisg Um attack of mm j Buklsf o csorgo Is tko tkkk of Um bottlo witk Um 
sMot ssslsfkisg kroYcrr, o»4 oo tkosgk oi kit will, m4 wkerorer ko wMt, oo 
If, Kko Aknossor, ko womU mm mmm Um wkok worU, If Ike wotoklo 
wkool of PottoM wmU Mi oto*4 otllli ki wsiok, okkoofk ko tUM ot 
Im top, lot Uo kiow tkot kit foil k mot ot koo«\ mi tkot ko woo roigM Km 
o lorw wfll sot roif* loof. Wklck, Is fort, kot mmmoo to tko ooklo Eowsiw, 
[4S0J wko kit sMslfcoUy folks fron kk OMtokk msWos. Ho k o Um ky 

kksfUo oso ko kk fcrwdty i oy kk I rj mi nkiowiolroni ko ko 

mis, sot kololsf otooilly kk wstw or kk omswoo, oo4 oscsolsf kloMoof witk 

fok WOTS!. WkMMkUoASMOiry. M OffMMOOJMtWMtOMWfllt kstoo 



94 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 



sit Gloveruia, ubi quod juravit 

Liber ab angustia statim revocavit. 

Dolum seu fallaciam quibus expeditur 
440 Nominat prudentiam ; via qua venitur 

Quo vult quamvis devia recta reputatur; 

Nefas det placentia, fasque nominator ; 

Quicquid libet licitum elicit, et a lege 

Se putat explicitum, quasi major rege. 

Nam rex omnis regitur legibus quas legit ; 

Rex Saiil repellitur, quia leges fregit ; 

Et punitus legitor David mox ut egit 

Contra legem ; igitor hinc sciat qui legit, 

Quod non potest regere qui non servat legem ; 
450 Nee hunc debent facere ad quos spectat regem* 

O Edwarde ! fieri vis rex, sine lege ; 

Vere forent miseri recti tali rege ! 

Nam quid lege rectius qua cuncta reguntur, 

Et quid jure verius quo res discernuntur ? 

soon as he has escaped the danger, he forgets his promise. Witness Gloncester, 
where, as soon as he was out of the difficulty, he revoked immediately what ho 
had swore. The tmechei? or falseness by wUch be gains bis ends [440] bo calls 
prodonce ; the way by which he arrives at his object, be it ever so crooked* is 
repmted to be straight ; whea wrong senres hie fmrpocOtfc called right; be calls 
lawful whatever he wills, and thinks himself absolved from the law, as thongh 
he were greater than a king : for every king is mled by the laws which ho enacts 
King Seal was d ep osed, becanse he brake the laws ; and wo road that David 
was pnmished, as soon as ho did contrary to the law i hones, thomfors, 1st 
him who roads know, that ho cannot reign who dose not keep the lawi 
[450] nor onght they, whoso province it is to do to, toeleotonoha man far 
their king. O Edward I thon isairsit to be mode a king wfchoot law; they 
wooid be tmly miserable who wore mled by onohaklnf I For what is mora 
joet than Uw, by which all things are mled ? and what mom tree 
by which all things am adnunistered ? If thon wonldost hem a 




REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 95 

Si regnum desideras, leges venerare ; 

Vias dabit asperas leges impugnare, 

Asperas et invias quae te non perducent ; 

Leges si custodias ut lucerna lucent. 

Ergo dolum caveas et abomineris ; 
460 Veritati studeas, falsum detesteris. 

Quamvis dolus floreat, fructus nequit ferre ; 

Hoc te psalmus doceat ; ad fideles terra 

Dicit Deus, " Oculi mei sunt, sedere 

Quos in fine seculi mecum volo vere." 

Dolus Nortliamptoniie vide quid nunc valet ; 

Nee fervor fallacies velut ignis calet. 

Si dolum volueris igni comparare, 

Paleas studueris igni tali dure, 

Quae mox, ut exarserint, desistunt ardere, 
470 Et cum vix inceperint terminum tenere. 

Ita transit vanitas non habens radices; 

Radicata Veritas non mutat per vices. 

Ergo tibi libeat id solum quod licet, 

Et non tibi placeat quod vir duplex 



the laws ; they are hat roogh roads, which are opposes! to law, roogh 
ond crooked roads which will not lead thee to thy jonrney's end j hot if thoa 
h oep ast the Uwt, they thine like a lamp. Therefore avoid ond detent treacher y j 
[460] lehov after trath and hate falsehood. Ahhoogk treachery assy iooriah, it 
cannot hoar froit ; the Faalsa assy tench thee this ; God taya la the feftthral of the 
earth, •• They are my eyes, and it is my will that they ahaO sit with sat at the end 
of dans." Observe how little thoa hat gained hy thy traachf ry at Kocthaojptoo 1 
the heat of deceit does not warm Hko ire. If yon wifl coaapars traachiry to 
Arc, laid etndioosfy each ire with straw, which coanat In glow as soon as k is 
hovwt op, [470] and is c ono n aiid alaaost as soon as kindled, to pojaoth 
away vanity which hath no roots j r ested troth it not toojoct to rhissltasii: 
therefore let that alone he pmniOed thee which Is lavfol, and Irt not what the 

say fdaaaa then. A prince ohnl fnjitt things which ojo 



96 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Princeps quae sunt principe digna cogitabit : 
Ergo legem suscipe, quae te dignum dabit 
Multorum regimine, dignum principatu, 
Multorom juvamine, multo comitatu. 
Et quare non diligis quorum rex vis esse ? 

480 Prodesse non eligis, sed tantum praeesse. 
Qui nullius gloriam nisi suam quaerit, 
Ejus per superbiam quicquid regit, pent. 
Ita totum periit nuper quod regebas ; 
Gloria pneteriit quam solam quaerebas ; 
En radicem tangimus perturbationis 
Regni de quo scribimuj, et dissentionis 
Partium quae pnriium dictum commiserunt 
Ad diversa stadium suum converterunt. 
Ilex cum suis voluit ita liber esse ; 

490 Et sic esse debuit, fuitque necesse 
Aut esse desineret rex, privatus jure 
Regis, nisi faceret quicquid vellet ; cure 
Non esse magnatibus regni, quos praeferret 
Suis comitatibus, vel quibus conferret 

worthy of * prince : therefor* take the lew wider thy protection, which wfll 
nuke thee worthy to govern eniny, worthy of the principality, of theeidef i 
and of e nemerona retinne. And why loveet then not thoee of 
deeireet to he king? [480] Thon chonout not to profit them, be* only to 
govern. He who teefce oeJy hie own glory, every thing thet he govemo k rained 
by hie pride. Thee recently the whole which thou govemeet hee been reined ; 
the glory which alone them eonghteet U peat. 

Lot we ere tonchiag the root of the p cit ni be ti un of the kingdom of which 
we ere epeeking, end of the iimaaion of the pertke who fbnght the eeid bottle. 
The objecta et which theee two pertke eiaaed wore dhTercnt. The hag, with 
hk, wkhed thne to be free: [490] end to [it wee nrged on hk eide] he eofht 
tone; end he ninet ceeee to he king , deprived of the righu of e king, nnleee he 
coeid do whatever he pleeeed ; it wee no pert of the dnty of the 



RRIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 97 

Castrorum custodiam, vel quern ezhibere 

Populo justitiam vellet, et habere 

Regni cancellarium thesauxariuinque. 

Suum ad arbitrium voluit quemcumque, 

Et consiliarios de quacumque gente, 
500 Et ministros varios se pnccipiente, 

Non intromittentibus se de factis regis 

Angliae baronibus, vim habente legis 

Principis imperio, et quod imperaret 

Suomet arbitrio singulos ligaret. 

Nam et comes quilibet sic est compos sui, 

Dans suorum quidlibet quantum vult et cui' 

Castra, terras, redditus, cui* vult committit, 

Et quamvis sit subditus, rex totum permittit. 

Quod si bene fcccrit, prodest facienti ; 
510 Si non, ipse viderit, sibimet nocenti 

Ilex non adversabitur. Cur conditionis 

Pejoris efficitur princeps, si baronis, 

kiofdooi to determiao wkoai lie •koala' prefer to hit oarldooM, or oa wkoai Im 
akooid coafcr too caotody of eutlrt, or wkoai ko woold kovo to aaamioJotrr jaotioi 
to too poopW, and to bo ckaooellor aod treatarer of tkt kiafooai. Ht wooid 
kore every ©a* at kia own will, and eooaarllor* from wkaterer a ■boo ko ckoot, 
[400] aad all oiiaiatora at kit owi diorrettoo ; walk too karoo* of Eofkow aro 
•ot to ioterfere wick tke kiaf '• actiooa, tko mania d of too prim kotiaf 
too farot of lav, aad wkat ko aaiy dictate biadiaf apoo eTcry kody at kb plea* 
For erory oarl aleo U tkoa kit owa ■Motor, fHriof to evory oao of kit 
ookotk as aiack at ka will, aod to wkoai ko willj ko r ■■■■■ cattiai. 
to wkoai ko wfll, and altkoogk ko ko a iikjiiH, too kiaf 
kail. Wklck. if ko do well. U yroltiM t to tko ooor > [SIP] ktoot, ko 
OMOt klonolf oat to It { tko kiaf aitt oot kioder kiai Jrooi kajotaaf, kooookt 
Wky le tko prioco worot to oooartoi, wkea tko otofcri of tke karoo, tko fcakjk*, 

CAMD. SOC. 6. O 




98 POLITICAL SONGS 

Militis, et liberi res ita tractantur ? 

Quare regem fieri servum machinantur, 

Qui suam minuere volunt potestatem, 

Principis adimere suam dignitatem, 

Volunt in custodiam et subjectionem 

Regiam potentiam per seditionem 

Captdvam retrudere, et exhteredare 
520 Regem, ne tarn ubere valeat regnare 

Sicut reges hactenus qui se pnecesserunt, 

Qui suis nullatenus subjecti fuerunt, 

Sed suas ad libitum res distribuerunt, 

Et ad suum placitum sua contulerunt 

Haec est regis ratio, quae vera videtur, 

Et htec allegatio jus regni tuetur. 

Sed nunc ad oppositum calamus vertatur : — 

Baronum propositum dictis subjungatur ; 

Et auditis partibus dicta conferantur, 
530 Atque certis finibus collata claudantur, 

Ut qua* pars sit verior valeat liquere. 

Veriori pronior populua parere. 

and the fttOMi, vt thus managed ? Therefore they tim et asaking the king a 
stare, who wish to dim ini sh hit power, to Uke away his dignity of primes ; they 
with by sedition to reduce captive into guardianship and snbjeetion the royal 
power, and to disinherit the king, [520] that he shall he unable to reign so 
fairy as hitherto hare done the kings who preceded him, who were in no respect 
subjected to their people, but administered their own affairs at their will, and 
uonfsnsd what they bad to confer according to their own pleasure. This Is the 
King's argument, which has an appearance of fairness, and this b alleged in 
del mes of the right of the kingdom. 

But now let my pen torn to tbe other aide t— let ase describe tbe object at 
which tbe barons aim ; and when both sides hare been bestw, Irt the arguments be 
comp ar ed, [530] and then let us come to a final judgment, so that It may be 
which side is the truest. The people is more prone to obey the truer 




REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 99 

Baronum pars igitur jam pro se loquatur, 

Et quo zelo ducitur rite prosequatur. 

Quae pars in principio palam protestatur, 

Quod honori regio nichil machinatur ; 

Vel queerit contrarium, immo reformare 

Studet statum regium et magnificare ; 

Sicut si ab hostibus regnum vastaretur, 
540 Non sine baronibus tunc reformaretur, 

Quibus hoc competeret atque conveniret ; 

Et qui tunc se fingeret, ipsum lex puniret 

Ut reum perjurii, regis proditorem, 

Qui quicquid auxilii regis ad honorem 

Potest, debet domino cum periclitatur, 

Cum vclut in term i no regnum deformatur. 
Regis adversarii sunt hostes bellantes, 

Et consiliarii regi adulantes. 

Qui verbis fallacibus principera seducunt, 
550 Linguisquc duplicibus in errorera ducunt : 

II ii sunt adversarii perversis pejores; 

II ii se bonos faciunt cum sint seductorcs, 

party. Let therefore the party of the barons speak for itself, and proclaim ia 
order by what teal it it led. Whir* party in tbc arst place protects openly, that 
It has no designs againtt the king ly honoor ; may, it seeks the contrary, 
ataxics to reform and magnify tbc kinfly condition ; jnat at if tkc kingdom 
ravaged by enemies, [540] tben it wonld not be reformed witboat tbc barons, 
who wonld be the ra|«eblc and proper pt is a ns lor this pnrpoae ; and shoold any 
ana tben baag bark, tbc law wonld pambb him aa one gnilty of perjory, a 
trakor to tbc king, who owes to bit lord, whan be la In danger, all the aid bo 
can grre to tapport tbc king's bononr, when the kingdom U as it vert nigh 
ks end by devastation. 

The adversaries of tbc king are snsmlsi oho asake war o p en him, and 
twnneillnri who fatter the king, who atdnce their prince with dsceetfel worda, 
[&S0] aad «bo lead him into error by their donble tangoes : these art adte r sarie s 
tbaatttoM>«boarcprorr»c; it is lhe»e nbo pretend to be good abilstlhey 




100 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Et honoris proprii sunt procuratores ; 
Incautos decipiunt, quos securiores 
Reddunt per placentia, unde non caventur, 
Sed velut utilia dicentes censentur* 
Hii possunt decipere plusquam manifesti, 
Qui se sciunt fingere velut non infesti. 
Quid si tales miseri, talesque mendaces, 

560 Adhaererent lateri principis, capaces 
Totius malitise, fraudis, falsitatis, 
Stimulis invidiae puncti, pravitatis 
Facinus exquirerent, per quod regni jura 
Ad suas inflecterent pompas, quteque dura 
Argumenta fingerent, quae communitatem 
Paulatim confunderent, universitatem 
Populi contererent et depauperarent, 
Regnumque subverterent et infatuarent, 
Quod nullus justitiam posset optinere, 

5/0 Nisi qui superbiam talium fovere 

Vellct, per pecuniam largiter collatam ; 
Quis tantam injuriam sustineret ratam ? 



are seducers, and p roca rcr s of their own advancement ; they decern the incau- 
tious, whom they render lett on their guard by Beans of thing* that pie— e them, 
whereby they are not provided against, bat are considered at prudent advisers. 
Such men can deceive more than those who act openly, as they are able to ssake 
an outward appearance of being not hostile. What if sach wretches, and sach 
liars, [500] should hamat the prince, capable of all malice, of fraud, of falsehood, 
excited by the spars of envy, shomld seek to do that extreme wickedness, by 
whieh they should saeriiot the privileges of the kingdom to their own ostentation, 
that they shomld contrive all kinds of hard reasons, which by degrees shoald 
tfomnd the commoaaKy, shoald braise and impoverish the ssass of the p topis, 
shoald subvert and infatmate the kingdom, to that no one could obtaia 
justice, [470] eicept he who would encourage the pride of such man as these 
by large supplies of money ; who could submit to the establishment of such an 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 101 

Et si tales studiis suis immutarent 

Regnum, ut injuriis jura supplantarent ; 

Calcatis indigenis advenas vocarent ; 

Et alienigenis regnum subjugarent : 

Magnates et nobiles term non curarent, 

Atque contemptibiles in summo locarent ; 

Et magnos dejicerent et humiliarent ; 
580 Ordinem perverterent et pneposterarent ; 

Optima relinquerent, pessimis instarent; 

Nonne qui sic faccrent regnum devastarent ? 

Quamvis arm is bellicis foris non pugnarent, 

Tamen diabolicis armis dimicarent, 

Et regni flebiliter statum violarent ; 

Quamvis dissimiltter, non minus dampnarent. 

Sive rex consentiens per seductionem, 

Talem non percipiens circumventionem, 

Approbaret talis regni destructiva ; 
590 Seu rex ex malitia faoeret nocira, 

Proponendo legibus suam potestatem 9 

iajary ? And if rack, by their coadact, ahoald chaage the state of the kingdom ; 
H they ahoald banish jestice to pot injustice la iu place; if they sboald coll hi 
atiaagiM aad trample apoa the aatrree ; and if they sboald enbdae the klagdom 
to for ei gners ; if they sboald aot care for the amgaatee and aoblea of tat lead, 
aad sboald plaet contemptible persoa* over them ; and if they sboald aver* 
throw aad bamOietc the great; [SHO] if they ahoald pervert and tern 
tha order of tbJags ; if they ahoald leave the aar asn roa that art heat, to edi 
thoat which are woret ;- do aot thoae who act thaa astaetato the k lag J am t 
akhaagh they ao aot amke war apoa It with arms from abroad, yet they ight 
with amkoHcal arme, aad they violate, la a lamaatebU rnaaaer, the coaotfcattea 
of the hiagdom j althoagh aot la the taaat laaaar [aa a flaeeiga eaemy], yot 
they do ao leas daauge. Whether the king, niacsl to give hia aaaaaai. aot 
p m o nii mg tha deaiga, ■hoald e p pro u awaaaraa ao extractive to tha kiagdoaa j 
[*S0] or ahothar the kiag theald paHaw each am swj a ri owi coarse with aa H 




102 "POLITICAL SONG*.. 

Abutendo viribus propter facultatem ; 
Sive sic vel alitor regnum vastaretur, 
Aut regnum finaliter destitueretur, 
Tunc regni magnatibus cura deberetur, 
Ut cunctis erroribus terra purgaretur. 
Quibus si purgatio convenit errorum, 
Convenit provisio gubernatrix morum, 
Qualiter prospicere sibi non liceret, 

600 Ne malum contingere posset quod noceret ? 
Quod postquam contigerit debent amovere, 
Subitum ne faciat incautos dolere. 
Sic quod non eveniat quicquam predictorum, 
Quod pacis impediat vel bonorum morum 
Fonnam, sed inveniat zelus peritorum 
Quod magis expediat commodo multorum ; 
Cur melioratio non admitteretur, 
Cui vitiatio nulla commiscetur ? 
Nam regis dementia regis et majestas 

610 Approbare studia debet, quae molestas 

design of setting his own power above the lews, abating his strength to please 
his own will ; if thus or otherwise the kingdom be wasted, or the kingdom be 
finally left destitute, then the magnates of the kingdom are bonnd to look to it, 
that the land be purged of aJl errors. Towhom if such a purgation of errors be* 
longs, if snch a provision belongs to them to regulate customs, how can It other- 
wise than appertain to them [600] to look out that no evil may happen which 
would be injurious ? Which, slier it has happened, they ought to remove, lest 
by a sudden occurrence H give those who do not provide against it cause to 
grieve. Inns, in order that no one of the aforesaid things may happen, which 
may hinder the form of penes and good cu s tom s, but that the seal of the 
experienced men may find what is most expedient for the utility of the many, 
why Is a reform not admitted, with which no corruption shall be mixed r 
For the king's clemency and the king's majesty [610] ought to approve the 
endeavours, which so amend g r ievo us laws that they be milder, and that 



REIGN OP RING HENRY III. 103 

• 

Leges ita temperant quod sunt mitiores, 

Et dum minus onerant Deo gratiores. 

Non enim oppressio plebis Deo placet, 

Immo miseratio qua plebs Deo vacet. 

Phara[o] quipopulum Dei sic afflixit, 

Quod vix ad oraculum Moysi quod dixit 

Poterant attendere, post est sic punitus, 

Israel diroittere cogitur invitus ; 

Et qui coroprehendere credidit dimissum, 
G20 Mersus est dum currere putat per abyssum. 

Salomon contererc Israel nolcbat, 

Nee ullum de genere servire cogebat ; 

Quia Dei populum scivit quern regebat, 

Et Dei signaculum lccdere timebat ; 

Et plusquam judicium laudat misercri, 

Et plusquam supplicium pacera patri[s] veri. 
Cum constat baronibus line cuncta liccre, 

Restat rationibus regis rcspondere. 

Amotis custodibus vult rex liber esse, 
630 Subdique minoribus non vult sed pneesac ; 

they •», while lege oooroo*, more pleosMg to God. For the opprgowoi of the 
coiMBomf ploaotta tot Ood. hot rmthor the commiotfwrioa whereby the wmpm 
may bare time to tbiok epoo God. Phono*, who to attrted tho p io p oi of 
God, that they eoold with dimcolty repair to the oracle which h« hod appelate a 1 
to Moore, waa alterworda to wooighed, that ho waa ebMfed to diemiee lororl afoioet 
bu will ; aod whew ho thoofbt to catch them oftor they wtn dieemieed, [w*0] 
ho wto drowsed whUot ho thoofht to nm throw** tho deep, ooiemeo woe eav. 
wflliof to hroiot lareel, oor wooid ho rodoct to eoni to de toy woo of tho loot | 
hieoan ho hoew thot it woo God's people o*er whom ho reonod ; ood ho would 
to hort tho impriot of God ; ood ho proieca morcy moro ihoo jaefonot, ood tho 
of o tnm lather moro thorn eiocotioo. 
Sioce it U door thot tho baroo* bore o right of doeag oil tbie, k romeiae to 
tho hiag'g argwmeoti. Tho kfaej wiebee to ho free hy tho removal of hit 
fwardiooo, [630] ood ho will Ml ho twojost to his kwfcriort, hot bepmcedevor 



104 POLITICAL 80NOS. 

Imperare subditis et non imperari ; 
Sibi nee praepositis vult humiliari. 
Non enim propositi regi preponuntur ; 
Immo magis incliti qui jus supponuntur. 
Unius rex aliter unicus non esset, 
Sed regnarent pariter quibus rex subesset. 
Et hoe inconveniens quod tantum videtur, 
Sit Deus subveniens, facile solvetur. 
Deum namque credimus velle veritatem, 

640 Per quern sic dissolvimus hanc dubietatem. 
Unus solus dicitur et est rex revera, 
Per quern mundus regitur majestate mera ; 
Non egens auxilio quo possit regnare, 
Sed neque consilio qui nequit errare. 
Ergo potens omnia sciensque pnecedit 
Infinita gloria omnes quibus dedit 
Sub se suos regere quasique regnare, 
Qui possunt deficere, possunt et errare, 
Et qui suis viribus nequeunt preestare, 

650 Suisque virtutibus hostes expugnare, 



; bo will ooainaod his eabjeeta aad not be eoeneaaded; he will he 
haarittafed adther to himself aor to those who an bis oaWer*. For tho 
oMetn are aot set ow tho kiaf ; bwt oa tho eoatrary they oro rather tho 
aoble asea who aapport the law. Otherwise there would wot he ooe kiaf of om 
state, (?) hot they woeld rciga eqaally to whoai the Mag was sabject. Yet thie 
jauoaisaieaio alee, tho«f h it oecai to great, with the attitttaro of God, it 
eesuysorved t lor we believe that God wflb troth, [640] throagh whom wo dav 
aoHo thai dewht aa fcUows. Heia ssid U W, ss* U ia treth, ©i* kie« sioae, by 
whoai the aaiveraa la raled hi pare aasjasty ; who aoither waata help whereby 
he atey reiga, aor erea coaaoalt hi to aiaca aa he eaaoot err. Therefore, ahV 
pewerfel oad alKkaowiag, he excels hi laaaite glory all theee to whoai ho has 
gl ia a la rale aad, aa it were, to reiga aader hlai ©rer hat people, who atey asO, 
aad who aaay err, aad who caaaot aiaO by their owa jadrpaadeat at i eagle, 
[<S0] aad taaoaish their ea eaaks by their owa val oer, aor govcra ■ iagdoaai by 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 105 

Neque sensu proprio regna gubernarc, 

Sed erroris invio male deriare. 

Indigent auxilio sibi suffragante, 

Necnon et consilio se rectificante. 

Dicit rex : " Consentio tuie rationi ; 

Sed horum electio subsit optioni 

Me® ; quos voluero michi sociabo, 

Quorum patrocinio cuncta gubernabo ; 
Et si mei fuerint insufficientes, 
CCO Sensum non habuerint, aut non shit potentes, 
Aut si sint maleroli, et non sint fidelcs, 
Sed sint forte subdoli, volo quod reveles 
Cur ad certas debeam personas arctari, 
A quibus pravaleam melius juvari Y* 
Cujus rei ratio cito declarator, 
Si quae sit arctatio regis attendatnr ; 
Non omnia arctatio prirat libcrtatem, 
Nee omnia dittrictio tollit potestatem. 
Potestatem liberam rolunt principantcs, 
C70 Senritutem miseram nolunt dominantes. 



tfetar own tWon, bat la aa crfl itaaw wiJtr la tbo track of error. TVy 
waat bdp wbkb taoald attltt tbam, aa4 coaaorl wbkb •boaM art tbam rbjbt. 
aafttacUaf. " I afrat to tb? rtatoaiaf ; bat tat caofco of tbott awt W loll 
toavyoptioa; I will mo rim wtib ajyataf wboai I will, by wbott ttpport 1 wfll 
all tbiagt i miUmj aUatatart tboabl bo laoaflcJoat, [WO] iftbcj waat 
or power, or W tboj b ar boar evil oaaifa*. or art aot Mtbfat, bat aft 
traitor*. I aoalra tbat fO« will ciplaia, wby I oagbt to W oaaiaao to 
ptrBoat, wboa 1 aHgbt oaecoai la i Mi It if batter ■■■Irtittn?" Tbt 
of tbit b oaka! ? eodarea 1 , IT It be guriliril wbat tbt wattialat of tbo 
Ubf It : all eoatrraiat eota aot d tp r t it of Mbt r t y, aor aott trory 
y power. FMartt araira fort powor ; [v?S] tbooi 

CAMD. SOC. 6. V 




106 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Ad quid vult libera lex reges arctari ? 

Ne possint adulters lege maculari. 

Et haec coarctatio non est servitutis, 

Sed est ampliatio regite virtutis. 

Sic servatur parvulus regis ne kedatur ; 

Non fit tamen servulus quando sic arctatur. 

Sed et sic angelici spiritus arctantur. 

Qui quod apostatici non sint confirmantur. 

Nam quod Auctor omnium non potest errare, 
G80 Omnium principium non potest peccare, 

Non est inpotentia, sed summa potestas, 

Magna Dei gloria magnaque majestas. 

Sic qui potest cadere, si custodiatur 

Ne cadat, quod libere vivat, adjuvatur 

A tali custodia, nee est servitutis 

Talis sustinentia, sed tutrix virtutis. 

Ergo regi libeat omne quod est bonum, 

Sed malum non audeat ; hoc est Dfi donum. 

Qui regem custodiunt ne peccet temptatus, 
C90 Ipsi regi serviunt, quibus esse gratus 

Miserable servitude. To what will a free law bind kings ? — to prevent then 
from beiaf stained by an adulterated Uw. And this constraint is not one of 
slavery, bnt Is rather an enlarging of the kingly faculty. Tbms the king's child 
Is kept from being hart ; yet he is not made a slave when he is thus restricted. 
Kay, the very angels are restricted in this manner* who are confirmed from De- 
ceasing apostates. For, that the Author of all things cannot err, [680] that He 
who is the beginning of all things cannot tin, is not impotence, bnt it Is the 
highest dijus of power, the great glory of God and his great majesty. Thus, he 
who msy faUf if ha be kept from Calling, so that he may live free from danger, 
he reaps advantage frem such keeping, nor is such a support slavery, bnt it is 
the safeguard of virtue. Therefore that there be permitted to a king all that 
it good, bnt that he dare not do evil,— this is God's gilt They who keep the 
king from sinning when he is tempted, [690] they serve the king, to whom he 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 107 

Sit, quod ipsum liberant ne sit servus factus, 
Quod ipsum non superant a quibus est tractus. 
Sed quis vere fuerit rex, est liber vere 
Si se recte rexerit regnumque ; licere 
Sibi sciat omnia quae regno regendo 
Sunt convenientia, sed non destruendo. 
Aliud est regere quod incumbit regi ; 
Aliud destruere resistendo legi. 
A ligando dicitur lex, quae libertatis 
700 Tarn perfecte legitur qua servitor gratis. 

Omnis rex intelligat quod est servus Dei ; 
Mud tantum diligat quod est plaoens ei ; 
Et illius gloriam qmerat in regendo, 
Non suam superbiam pares conterapnendo. 
Rex qui regnum subditum sibi vult parere, 
Ileddat Deo debitum alioquin vere ; 
Sciat quod obsequium sibi non debetur, 
Qui negat scrvitium quo Deo tenetur. 
Kursum sciat populum non suum sed Dei, 



ihoald be gratefal, that they deliver him from beiag made a slave ; to that 
those by whom he it led do sot overcome him. Bat he who ■bomld be la 
truth a blag, be is truly free if be rale rightly himself and the kingdom 1 let 
him kaow that all thiop are permitted bin which are is rating eoavcaieat la 
the biafdoea, bat aot such ai destroy it. It Is oa* tbmg to rale eccordiag to 
a hive's daty, sad another to destroy by resistiag the law. The law rece i pt* 
fru Mat frosa binding C 'feaWeJ, [700] which b to perfectly said of Ubcrty. 
whereby it it served gratefully. (') 

Let every kiag bear ia miad that he U a serraat of God j 1st bisa Wee that 
wary which is pleaaiag to Htm ; aad let bisa seek His glory la reigning, uwt hie 
ear* pride la de epi siag his peers. A bisa; who wish si bis s eejttt ksngdssi 
to yield obesfieace to him, let him reader his daty to God ia other tbiaga 
traly ; let him kaow that obedience is aot owing to htm who deoirs the service 
ha which he isboaad to God. Again, let htm kaow that the people If mat Mt 



108 POLITICAL 8ONQ8. 

710 Et ut adminiculum suum prosit ei : 

Et qui parvo tempore populo pnefertur, 

Cito clausus marmore terra subinfertur. 

In illos se faciat ut unum ex illis ; 

Saltantem respiciat David cum ancillis. 

Regi David similis utinam succedat, 

Vir prudens et humilis qui suos non kedat ; 

Certe qui non laederet populum subjectum, 

Sed illis impenderet amoris affectum, 

Et ipsius quaereret salutis profectum, 
720 Ipsum non permitteret plebs pad defectum. 

Durum est diligere se non diligentem ; 

Durum non despicere se despicientem ; 

Durum non resistere se destituenti ; 

Convenit applaudcre se suscipienti. 

Principis conterere non est, sed tueri ; 

Principis obprimere non est, sed mereri 

Multis beneficiis suorum favorem, 

Sicut Christus gratiis omnium amorem. 

bat God v t ; [710] and that it if profitable to him at hit help : and that he who 
for a abort period ia placed orer the people, toon, closed in marble, will be 
buried in the earth. Towards them let him make himself as one of them ; 
let him regard Darid joining the dance of the maids. I wish one similar to 
David may •mooted the king a prmdent and humble maa, who wonld not injure 
his people ; In truth, who wonld not hart the people which is subjected to him, 
bmt wonld exhibit towards them a loring regard, and wonld aim at their pros- 
perity ; [720] the commons wonld not allow him to suffer wrong. It is hard to 
lore one who does not lore ns ; it is hard not to despise one who despises 
na 1 it is hard not to resist one who ruins ns ; we natmraHy appland him 
who faeonrt ns. It is not the part of a prince to braise, hot to protect ; 
neither is it the part of a prince to oppress, bnt rather to deserre the favour of 
his people by nnmerons benefits conferred upon them, ns Christ by his grace 
has deacTTed the lovnof all. If a prince lore his subjects, he will necessarily 



REIGN OP KINO HEN BY HI. 109 

Si princeps amaverit, debet reamari ; 
730 Si recte regnaverit, debet honorari; 

Si princeps erraverit, debet revocari 

Ab hiis quos gravaverit injuste negari, 

Nisi velit corrigi ; si vult emendari, 

Debet ab hiis erigi simul et juvari. 

Istam princeps teneat regulam regnandi, 

Ut opus non habeat non suos yocandi : 

Qui confundunt subditos principes ignari, 

Sentient indomitos sic nolle domari. 

Si princeps putaverit universitate 
740 Quod solus habuerit plus de veritate, 

Et plus de scientia, plus cognitionis, 

Plus abundet gratia, plusque Dei donis : 

Si non sit prccsumptio, immo sit revera, 

Sua tunc instructio suorum sincera 

Subditorum lumine corda perlustrabit ; 

Et cum modcramine suos informabiU 
Moysen proponimus, Darid, Samuelem, 

Quorum quemque novimus principem fidelem ; 

be repel* with lore ; [730] if be rtigm jootly, he win of * Mctwfcj be WmmtW % 
if the frtece err, be o«f bt to be recalled by tboee who* bit vojeet mmml may 
have grieved, ukti be be willing to be corrected j if be ie wilha*; to make 
aoieeda, be oogbt to be both raieed up aad aided by tboee teaae ptreowe. Let • 
priace eeaistaio each e roie of reigaiag, tbet it a*y oeter be aoeoaeery far him to 
•reel drpcodiag oe bie owb people. Tbe i pow n prioeee who coo i oaad tbebr 
oobjocta. wfll iad tbet tboee wbo ere a ac oeaaero d wfll oot tbeje be toond. If a 
prime* aheeid tbiak [740] tbet be aloe* bee ewe treth, mm* ■aialiagi, aM 
mot* tatiHigwm thaw tbe wbele people, tbet be ebeejaos wjore io greet aad tbe 
gftfta of God, if it be oot praeeaiptioa, but it be trwly ea, tbes bfc eaettwetfea wfll 
rieit tbe tn» hoarta of bk o ab jeoH with light, aad wfll laoueU bk people witb 



We laeUaee Mote*, Dertd, tiieel eirb of wbeei w* kmmw to hm 




110 POLITICAL 80NGSJ. 

Qui a suis subditis multa pertulerunt, 
750 Nee tamen pro mentis illos abjecerunt, 

Nee illis extraneos superposuerunt, 

Sed rexerunt per eos qui sui fuerunt. 

" Ego te praeficiam populo majori, 

Et hunc interficiam f 9 dicit Deus. — " Mori 

Malo, quam hie pereat populus/' benignus 

Moyses respondeat, principatu dignus. 

Sicque princeps sapiens nunquam reprobabit 

Suos, sed insipiens regnum conturbabit. 

Unde si rex sapiat minus quam deberet; 
760 Quid regno conveniat regendo ? num quaeret 

Suo sensu proprio qui bus fulciatur, 

Quibus diminutio sua suppleatur ? 

Si solus elegerit, facile falletur, 

Utilis qui fuerit a quo nescietur. 

Igitur communitas regni consulatur ; 

Et quid universitas sentiat, sciatur, 

Cui leges propria? maxime sunt noUc 

Nee cuncti prorinciae sic sunt idioUe, 

been a mithral prise* j who sefered many things from their tnbjcctJ , [740] and 
yet for their deserts they did not east them off, nor set strangers over them, hat 
governed by bmm of thoat wha were their own people. " 1 will place thee 
over a greater people $ aad I will slay this people;" smith God. •• I had rather 
die, than this people shoald perish/' answered kind Moses, who was worthy to 
govern. Aad thas a wise priace will aever reject his people, hat aa enwise one 
will disturb the kiagdosm. Wherefore, if a kiag is less wise than he onght to be, 
[7fi0] what advantage wttl the kiagdoai gain by his reiga ? Is he to seek by 
his own opinion on whom he shoald depend to hare his failing tsppbsd ? Ifhe 
alone choose, he wOl be easily deceived; who is not capshk of knowing who will 
he antral. Therefore let the conunnnky of the kingdom advise ; and 1st it be 
known what the geaerslity thinks, to whom their own laws are best known. 
Nor are all those of the cowntry so nninstrnctcd, as not to know better than 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. Ill 

Quin sciant plus cacteris regni sui mores, 
770 Quos relinquunt posteris hii qui sunt priores. 

Qui reguntur legibus magis ipsas sciunt ; 

Quorum sunt in usibus plus periti fiunt ; 

Et quia res agitur sua, plus curabunt, 

Et quo pax adquiritur sibi procurabunt. 

Pauca scire poterunt qui non sunt experti ; 

Parum regno proderunt, nisi qui sunt certi. 

Ex hiis potest colligi quod commumtatem 

Tangit quales eligi ad utilitatem 

Regni recte debeant ; qui velint et sciant 
780 Et prodesse valeant, tales regis fiant 

Et consiliarii et coadju tores ; 

Quibus noti varii patriae sunt mores ; 

Qui se lccdi sentiunt, si regnum liedatur ; 

Regnumque custodiunt, ne, si noceatur 

Toti, partes doleant simul patientes ; 

Gaudenti congaudeant, si sint diligentes. 

Nobile juditium regis Salomonis 

strangers tbe cutoni of their owa kingdom, [7 70) waick bare bees bequeathed 
from fatter to eon. Tbey wbo are ruled by tbe laws, koow tboot laws best 1 
tbey wbo experiewe* tbesa arc beat ecqaaiotea witb tbesa ; aM since it U tbeir 
owa affairs wbkb arc at stake, tbey mill take asorc cart, aM sriU act witb aa 
eye to tbeir owa peace. Tbey mbo want etperieace ceo koow little ; tbey will 
scoot little the kingdom wbo arc aot ttedfast. Ileoce it assy be collectoa, tbat 
it coootrns tbe coamssanity to are mbat sort of sson owgbt justly to be cboseo 
for tbe etillty of tbe kiogwoaa ; tbey wbo are willing aM kaow bow, [7t0] aM 
are obit to prowt it, sack eboaM be saoo* tbe coaacflWn aM ciiajalors of too 
kiaf { to wb osa are known tbe various csstnan of tbeir cowotry j wbo feel tbat 
tbey sofer tbeamKce wbeo tbe kiagwoa* swfers j aM wbo gunra 1 tbe kiugwoas, 
last, if bwrt be done to tbe waolc, tbe aorta bore rosnootogrirrs wbik tn*7sufsr 
along witb it 1 wbkb rejoice, wbeo it baa caoot to iijiln, if tbjey lore it. Lot os 
roll attention to tbe ooble jangsstnt of King Sottas** : abe wbo esa wot feel 



112 POLITICAL SON08. 

• 

Ponamus in medium ; quae divisionis 

Parvuli non horruit Inhumanitatem, 
790 Quia non condoluit atque pietatem 

Maternam non habuit, quod mater noir erat 

Teste rege docuit ; ergo tales quaerat 

Princeps, qui condoleant universitati, 

Qui materne timeant regnum dura pati. 

Sed si quern non moveat ruina multorum ; 

Si solus optineat quae vult placitorum ; 

Multorum regimini non est coaptatus, 

Suo cum sit omnium soli totus datua. 

Communis conveniens est communitati ; 
800 Sed vir incompatiens cordis indurati 

Non curat si veniant multis casus duri ; 

Casibus non obviant tales modo muri. 

Igitur eligere si rex per se nescit 

Qui sibi consulere sciant, hinc patescit 

Quid tunc debet fieri. Nam communitatis 

Est ne fiant miseri duces dignitatis 

horn* stO^eraeity of Priding tU Infra t, [790] because she did not fed for It, 
and wanted maternal lore, shewed, as the king testified, that the wte not Its 
Mother : therefore let e prince seek each [councillors] as mey condole with the 
coatmanity, who hare e motherly fear lett the kinfdoea sh oal s ' msderfo any 
saferiegi. Bet if eaj one he not moved by the nrfn of the many—if he sloe* 
obtain whet pleat he will — he is sot fitted to rale ©?er the many, dace ho is 
entirely devoted to his own interest, and to none other. A nun who seek 
far others, is S fre ea hl s to the commanity t [800] bat a man who does not feel 
far others, who poesesses a hard heart, cares not if saisfortanes fall apon the 
assay sarh waDs are no defence against ndsfortanee. Therefore, if the king 
has not w i sdeai to choose by himself those who are capable of advising has, ft 
is clear, from what has been said, what oaght then to be done. Park bathing 
the coeuneaity to see that miserable wretches he not made the 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 113 

Regis, sed optimi et electi viri, 

Atque probatissimi qui possint inquiri. 

Nam cum gubernatio regni sit cunctorum 
810 Salus vel pcrditio, multum refert quorum 

Sit regni custodia ; sicut est in navi ; 

Confunduntur omnia si prasint ignavi ; 

Si quis transfretantium positus in navi 

Ad se pertinentium abutatur clavi, 

Non refert si prospere navis gubernetur. 

Sic qui regnum regere debent, cura detur 

Si de regno quispiam non recte se regit ; 

Viam vadit inviam quam forsan elegit. 

Optime res agitur universitatis, 
820 Si regnum dirigitur via veritatis. 

Et tamcn si subditi sua dissipare 

Studeant, propositi possunt refrcnarc 

Suorum stultitiam et temeritatem, 

Ne per insolentiam vel fatuitatem 



Itadrrt of tbc royal digoity, bot tbo boat aad t h o rn * ■*•• aad tbo aoti ap- 
prorod tbat can be foaad. Por tiaot tbo goreraaarc of tbe biagdoai Is citber 
tbo safety or perditioa of all, [810] ft la of graat c ot to , — et wbo tboy art tbat 
bare tbo castody of lbs kiagdoca ; jaot at ft islaaabip; all tbiaga art tbrowa 
ftoto oaafaaioa If aasbillal pooplo gaido ft \ V aay oat of tbo pataiagtii bttoag. 
lag to ft woo It placed la tbc abip abaao too raddsr, ft aaattcra not wbetbor tbo 
tbip bo gottratd p too pw ootly or aot. So Iboot who oajbt to roio tbo blag, 
docs, lot tbo cart bo givaa to tbem. If 007 om of tkt biagdoai docs not 
blitolf rigblly ; bo goto 00 a wroay patb wblca porbapt ba boa blaittlf 
. Tbo afairt of tbo gooorolfty oro beat aaaaajod (WOJ tftaokaajvWfaoV 
rsrtrdiatbowsyoftrstb. Aad, itrtt i tr t if tat tabjtrts laboar to ditoipatt tbok 
avoaorty, tboot wbo art tot ooar tboat Boy rostroJo tbok fatty aad H a m i t y, bat 
bytbop rt aojo i^i toaodlaibacatyoftaoi^tW 

CAMD. HOC. 6. Q 



114 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

Stoltorum potentia regni subnervetur, 
Hostibus audacia contra regnum detur. 
Nam quocumque corporis membro violato, 
Fit minoris roboris corpus, Ita dato 
Quod vel viri liceat propriis abuti, 

830 Quamvis regno noceat; plures mox secuti 
Et libertatem noxiam, sic multiplicabunt 
Erroris insaniam, quod totum dampnabunt. 
Nee libertas proprie debet nominari, 
Quae pennittit inscie stultos dominari ; 
Sed libertas finibus juris limitetur, 
Spretisque limitibus error reputetur. 
Alioquin liberum dices furiosum, 
Quamvis omne prosperum illi sit exosum. 
Ergo regis ratio de suis subjectis, 

840 Suomet arbitrio quorum volunt vectis, 
Per hoc satis solvitur, satis infirmatur ; 
Dum quivis qui subditur majore domatur. 
Quia nulli hominum dicemus licere 
Quicquid rult, sed dominum quemlibet habere 



bcfrroa to aaemtoc eeainot the kiagdom* For white* or member of 
the body be dcetioyed, the ctromgth of the body to dimrotohod thereby. So if U be 
allowod ero that aM may abmm what betoote to theamelfea, [830] wheaUbe 
iajariomt to the Irfafdom, maay kojoedtotely oltor totlowiaf atoo the mjoriooe 
liberty, will to maltiply the wildaom of error, that they will rmia the whole. Kor 
o«f ht it p fopet ly to be earned liberty, which permit* rook to gorcni eawtody j 
bat liberty to Merited by thoheoode of the law t aod whoa thoat heoade are dc- 
•otoed.it ■homldberepatedat error, Otberwtoe yom will call a rariaf ■ liana free, 
althoagh he be at comity with o^arythiag hhe prurftiitj. Therefore the hJag'e 
argmmeat coocoraiaf hie oabjecta, [MO 1 who are nUod at thoirowa choice by whom 
they will, to by thto ea mcto ot f y aac o cr cd aad o vcrthrowa ; oioce every ooe who to 
■ahfrci, to ralrd by ooe oho to freater. Bccaaee we eay that ao maa to pe rm it ted 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY 111. 115 

Qui errantem corrigat, benefecientein 
Adjuvat, et erigit quandoque cadentem. 
Prcemio preferimus universitatem ; 
Legem quoque dicimus regis dignitatem 
Regere ; nam credimus esse legem. lucem, 

850 Sine qua concludimus deviare ducem. 

Lex qua mundus regitur atque regna mundi 
Ignea describitur; quod sensus profundi 
Continet mysterium, lucet, urit, calet ; 
Lucens vetat devium, contra frigua valet, 
Purgat et incinerat qundam, dura mollit, 
Et quod crudum fuerat ignis coquit, tollit 
Torporem, et alia multa facit bona. 
Sancta lex similia p'rat (?) regi dona. 
Is tarn sapientiam Salomon petirit ; 

800 Ejus amicitiam tota vi qiuesivit. 
Si rex hac caruerit lege, deviabit ; 
Si banc non tenuerit, turpiter errabit ; 
Istius pnssentia recte dat regnare, 

all tWtbtvUl, bsttWttwrjoMkMalord«b«B«7«0ffTWCkiB«b«i errie*;, 
ndiUkia whca iota*; weU, aa4 utmtiimm refate kirn «p whoa he fa faltfe*;. 
We c>e the tret place to the eeeaaMmityt wo eey alee that tto lew nvee over the 
kiaf'e Jlgakj ; for we hclfai* that the law fa tW light, [S9P] wkfart which wt 
cierfeli that he who rales will wader froai tk« right path. TW faw whereby 
fa rmfad the worti aed the hiaf coom of the worti; fa io n r ft il aa hah* of »rej 
which cowtaias a myptery of eeep anwoiif i It oheece, Veroe, wife ; ehteJag, 
k hJaiers the weedercr from 1***** hfa rifht path j It eralfa efeaaet the c*U s k 
pwrgoa —4 horao to rtaerri wet ihiaf ; k lorteae whet fa hara^eed whet hoi 
bee* raw the ire c oo k i ; k tehee away neiheeee. eM k weee eMny ether fw*4 
thief*. The eeefeo faw fa oawaBy oanrUsaofa to the hiaf. Seaeeaee eehew ffer 
thfa wfaeoei ; [*WJ] ka rrieeoohip he eewjht wkh el hfa ajftfhi. If the Ids* 
west thfa law, he wfll wewacr froai the rifht track i If he weee wet heht k, he 
will err finally ; its poet a re eim thr power of r+ifofaf rightly. aa4 ka 




116 POLITICAL 80NGS. 

Et ejus absentia regnum perturbare. 

lata lex sic loquitur, " per me regnant reges ; 

Per me jus ostenditur hiis qui condunt leges." 

Istam legem stabilem nullus rex mutabit ; 

Sed se variabilem per istam firmabit. 

Si conformis fuerit huic legi, stabit; 
870 Et si disconvenerit isti, vacillabit. 

Dicitur vulgariter, u ut rex vult, lex vadit : " 

Veritas vult aliter, nam lex stat, rex cadit. 

Veritas et caritas selusque salutis 

Legis est integritas, regimen virtutis ; 

Veritas, lux, caritas, calor, urit selus ; 

Haec legis varietas tollit omne scelus. 

Quicquid rex statuerit, consonum sit istis ; 

Nam si secus fecerit, plebs reddetur tristis ; 

Confundetur populus, si vel veritate 
880 Caret regis oculus, sivc caritate 

Principis cor careat, vel severitate 

Zclum non adimpleat semper moderate. 



overtaras the kiagdoom. Tbk kw speaks tarns, " Kings reiga throagh aw; 
throagh s*a jaetice k shown to taoee who ssake kws. ,f No kiag shell alter 
thk Ana kw i bat by it be shell stake hksseif stabk wbea be to variable. If 
bo oonfom lo thk kw, be wttl stead ; [S70] aad if be disagree witb it, bo will 
waver. It k omid cosmsjoaly, •• At the kiag wilk, ao goes tbo kw : M bat tbe 
trath k otherwise, lor tbo kw etaads, bat tbo kiag talk. Troth aad charity 
aad tbo tool of eakatioa, tbk k tbe iatcgrity of tbo kw, tbe regissea of virtae ; 
trath, fight, charity, warmth, tool baras ; (?) tbk variety of the kw takes 
away all crkse. Whatever tbo kiag amy ankle, let it bo coaeoaaat to tboae; 
lor if it be otherwise, tbo cooiOMmalty will be eaade eorrowfal; the peopk will 
bo coafoeadsd, if either the kiag'* eye waat troth, [WO] or tbo priaco's heart 
charity, or bo do aot always awderatdy fettl bk seal with severity. 



REIGN OF KING HENRY III* 117 

Hiis tribus suppositis, quicquid placet regi 

Fiat ; sed oppositis, rex reaiatit legi. 

Sed recalcitratio atimulo non nooet ; 

Pauli 8ic inatructio de ccelo nos dooet. 

Sic exhaeredatio nulla fiet regi, 

Si fiat proviaio concora juste legi. 

Nam diaaimulatio legem non mutabit, 
890 Cujua firma ratio sine fine stabit, , 

Unde si quid utile diu est dilatum, 

Irreprehensibile sit sero perlatum, 

Et rex nihil proprium pneferat communi ; 

Quia salua omnium sibi cessit uni. 

Non enim prseponitur sibimet victurus ; 

Sed ut hie qui subditur populus securus. 

Reges esse noveria nomen relativum ; 

Nomen quoque sciveris esse protectivum ; 

Unde sibi rivere soli non licebat, 
900 Qui multos protegere rivendo delcbaL 

Qui Tult sibi rivere, non debet prsaesse, 



three thiaft beiaf eappeatcl, whatever pie ced tbc hiaf e*y be aoae j 
bat by their oppocitee tbc ftJag fictoti the tow. However, hiesiaf acahwt k 
aoea aot hart the prich ; that the iactractioa which ta nit froai bit— la Fail 
tcechceae. That cbt hiaf to aeprrroi of so inheritorf right, II tW«be 
• provtoftoa to ceaooracaca witb jact tow. For alciiMalariea shall MX 
the Uw, [§30] wbooe etabto reccoa will iUa4 afchuet eat Wbwdb n If 
aaythiaf that to accf el bat boss loaf pat of , It to sot la be ripniniii whoa 
adopted late. Aad tot tW Mag aeecr tat bto private lain aw bceare tbat af 
tbc ooawaaity ; at If tbe tahatlaa of all ytolee la biai aleae. Pat be to 
aot caterer them la order la bvo far iiamlf i bat tbat bto peeptowhe to eaajaet 
to biai ccsy be la eeJety. Yoa ■eat haew tbat tbe aaaw af blaf to retort n \ yam 
eboald haew atoa that tbe aaaje to protective i wharetarc be taaaat live fcr 
hiawelf aloae (too] who aafbt by bto to* la protect auay. H* who wtt bvt 



118 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Sed seorsum degere, et ut solos esse. 
Principis est gloria plurimos salvare ; 
Cum sua molestia multos relevare. 
Non alleget igitur suimet profectura, 
Sed in quibus creditur subditis prospectum. 
Si regnum salvaverit, quod est regis fecit ; 
Quicquid secus egerit in ipso defeat. 
Vera regis ratio ex hiis satis patet ; 

910 Quod yacantem proprio status regis latet. 
Namque vera caritas est proprietati 
Quasi contrarietas, et communitati 
Foedus insolubile, conflans velut ignis 
Omne quod est habile, sicut fit in lignis 
Quae dant igni cresoere patiens activo, 
Subtracts decrescere modo recitivo. 
Ergo si fervuerit prinoeps caritate, 
Quantumcumque potent de communitate, 
Si sollicitabitur quod recte regatur, 

920 Et nunquam lsetabitur si destituatur, 



for Mtaedf , caght aot to be tot o*er other*, bat to ate oep oiate i y froai 
that bo awy bo eloae. It It the glory of o priact to awe Tory Bony ; to ia- 
hiawelf la order to reJee away op. Let Mm aot therefore aDogo bio 
proAt^botUTe regain to his toi^i^UwlKm bob traced. (0 If b« work 
tb«oUTOtk>ooftbeUngdVMB t booeta tbeportofokfaig; whatever ho doeeeoa- 
trory to tait, be fails la tbot point. Tbo tree proviace of o kiag io seJkieatly 
ebor frooi tboM orgoaeoti ; [SIO] tbot be U igaoraat of the eoaditioa of a kiag 
whole oceapfcd ooly with bit owa attire. Per trae charity It et It wore ooatmj 
to oetf-iatefeet, ead oa iadiooolahlo Icegao to the coo meioak j , ejoaiag Mho ire 
■■tjj thlag tbot le acox, ee it doao with wood which thryoabjcct to tb 
to latum It, ead thea la retara It It take* ewey to deereaee it. 
If the priace wffl he warn with charity at wjach at poosible towarde the 
r. If be ahail be tohdtoat to gorera It well, [fSO] ead eheJI 



RB1GN OK KINO HBNRY HI. 119 

Unde si dilexerit rex regni magnates, 
Quamvis solus advent, quasi magiius vates, 
Quicquid opus fuerit ad regnum regendum, 
Quicquid se decuerit, quicquid faciendum, 
Quod sane decrement illis non celabit, 
Prater quos non potent id quod ordinabit 
Ad effectum ducere ; igitur tractabit 
Cum suis, quae facere per se [non] putabit. 
Cur sua consilia non communicabit, 
930 A quibus auxilia supplex postulabit ? 
Quicquid suos allicit ad benignitatem, 
Et amicos efficit, fovet unitatem, 
llegiam prudentiam decet indicare 
Iiiis qui suam gloriam possunt augmentare. 
Dominus discipulii cuncta patefecit, 
Dividens a senrulis quos amicos fecit ; 
Atque quasi nescius a suis qusosivit 
Quid sentirent saspius, quod profecte sciviL 
O ! si Dei qustrerent principes honorem, 



to rejoiced at ita oettrmctioo j wktroJbra If tkt kiag will lovo tkt 
of tkt kiafwom, altkoafk to akoaM know aloao, tikt a groat prupktt, 
wkottvtr U oorwfol for tkt ruling of tkt kiagwM, whatever fa tocawjiag to 
ya, wkatcvor oaght Co to 4ooa v trwly to will not etaoaal what to will 
oocrto from tkott witkoot wkooi to cannot aftcct ttot wkkk to wffl or* 
oafam. lit will ttorofort trant wttk kit ntopla abont bringinf into oSaat 
tkt thinga which to will not tkink of ooing by ktaatlf. Why will to not com. 
■awiritt kit cooooila [WO] to tkott wkott aU to wiU aak aonoHralioglj » 
Wkatttar draw* kit ntopla to tooigoity. and notot frittna and 
onaty. It it St tto royal ntwa a ao i tkooJa iadicalt it to tkott wko om 
kit glory. Ow Lard laid opon oU tkiofi to kit daartalaa, dividing froai tkt 
atrvaata tkott wkoai to Moot Ua frfaaaa ; and at tkaogh to wort Igwavwnt, to 
oftoa Mooirrw of kk fooaat what waa ttoir opinio* oa nutter* wkkk to hotw 



120 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

940 Regna recte regerent, et prater errorem. 

Si Dei notitiam principes haberent, 

Omnibus justitiam suam exhiberent. 

Ignorantes dominum, velut excaecati, 

Qu&runt laudes hominum, vanis delectati. 

Qui se nescit regere, multos male reget ; 

Si quis vult inspicere Psalmos, idem leget. 

Joseph ut se debuit principes docere, 

Propter quod rex voluit ipsum praminere. 

Et in innocentia cordis sui David, 
950 Et intelligentia, Israelem pavit* 

Ex pnedictis omnibus potent liquere, 

Quod regem magnatibus incumbit videre 

Quae regni conveniant gubemationi, 

Et pacis expediant conservationi ; 

Et quod rex indigenas sibi laterales 

Habeat, non advenas, neque speciales, 

Vel consiliarios vel regni majores, 

Qui supplantant alios atque bonos mores. 

perfectly. Ok! If princes sooght the bonoor of God, [940] tbeywoald rnle 
their kingdoms rightly, and without error. If princes bed the knowledge of 
God, thty woold exhibit their justice to ell. Ignorant of the Lord, es tboogh 
they were blind, they seek the prelect of men, delighted only with vanity. He 
who does not know how to rale himself , will be a bad rnler over others ; if any 
one will look at the Psahne, he will read the seme. Joseph as he onght to 
teach princes, (?) on which acconnt the king willed that he ebonld be set over 
others. And David is the innocence of his heart [930] end by his intelligence 
fed Israel. Prom aP that has been said. It assy appear evident, that it 
king to see together with his nobles what things are* 

of the kingdom, and whet are expedient for the p r esci i ati o n of peace ; end 
the king here natives far his compenioee, not fo rei g n e r s , nor nvoorites, for hat 
councillors or for the great nob l es of the kingdom, who sappiest others and 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 121 

Nam talis discordia pari novercatur, 
960 Et inducit preelia, dolos machinator. 
Nam sicut invidia diaboli mortem 
Induxit, sic odia separat cohortem. 
In colas in ordine suo rex tenebit, 
Et hoc moderamine regnando gaudebit. 
Si vero studuerit suos degradare, 
Ordincm perverterit, frustra quseret quare 
Sibi non obtemperant ita perturbati ; 
Imrao si sic facerent essent insensati. 

abolish good custom*. For such discord is a step-mother to peace, [960] and 
produce* battle*, and plots treason. For as the enry of the deril introduced 
death, so hatred separates the troop. The kinf shall hold the natives in their 
rank, and by tin* goTcrnancc he will have joy in reigning. Bat if he stndy to 
degrade his own people, if he perrert their rank, it is In Tain for him to ask why 
thas deranged they do not obey him ; in fact they would he fools if they did. 



The following Song was written when jealousies and dissen- 
sions were rife among the barons, and some of them began to 
desert tbe popular cause. It is preserved by William de 
ltisbanger, a contemporary, in his history of the barons' wars. 
The defection of the Karl of Gloucester contributed not a little 
to the disastrous termination of tbe career of Simon de Mont- 
fort at the battle of Evesham. 

SONO UPON THE DIVISION'S AMONG THE BARONS, 
[hf 8. Cotton. Oaodias D. ri. lot. 101 r», latter part of IStk cent.] 

Range plorans, Anglia, plena jam dolore; 
Tristis rides tristia, langnens ram mserore ; 

TaAWSLATiox.— Lament with weening, O England, fall as then now art with 
•natter of grief, ta tadnrs* thon hrhalaeH see i wn r ol things, Isnwntonsng la see- 

camp. soc. r». m 



122 POLITICAL 80N08. 

Nisi te respiciat Christus guo more, 
Eris yile canticum hostium in ore. 

Pepigerunt plurimi salvam te salvare, 
Sed jam nimis necgligunt pactum procurare : 
Nam se quidam retrahunt, qui possunt juvare ; 
Quidam subterfugium quaerunt ultra mare. 

Hinc est quod incipiunt caeteri certare, 
Et in partes varias animos mutare ; 
Dum quae sic dissentiunt nolunt concordare, 
Sed incepta nequeunt bene terarinare. 

Sic respublica pent, terra desolatur ; 
Invalescit extent gens et sublimatur ; 
Vilescit vir incola et subpeditatur : 
Sustinet injurias, non est qui loquatur. 

Tarn miles quam clericus ambo fiunt mud ; 
Facti sunt extranei loquaces astuti : 
Inter centum Anglicos non sunt duo tuti ; 
Planctum et obprobrium jam sunt assecuti. 

O Comes Glovernue, comple quod coepisti ; 
Nisi claudas congrue, multos decepisti. 



row; onion) Christ In his ssanner hare regard to thee, thorn wflft bo bo* e rile 
song in the asooth of thine enemies. — Very many hsre p l sdgsd tksssocrros to 
preserve thee la safety, bat bow they have too much neg lected thoir 
for many desert, who have it in their power to help ; nod snoot slink swny 
the sen.— Hence the rest begin to qnmrrel, and to go orer to diferont sides i 
while things which disagree in this a^ner wffl n<* be reconciled, aaal what hea 
been begun is left annnkhed.— The* the stats Is rained, and the load Is kid 
waste ; the stranger Is strengthened and ra ised op ; the notrto is debased and 
trodden ander foot s while he snotsias iajaries, there Is no ono who wfll speak 
ont.~The knight as woU as the clergy art both beeown ssnta ; tbootrangors are 
b scosas talkathro and conning : enwaf a handred EngHshmtn thoro art 
two who are safe j the lot which they hare obtained Is 
— O Earl of Glooceeter, comrkte what thoa hast cowuaeacod; 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 123 

Age nunc viriliter sicut promiaiati, 
Causam fove fortitur cujua fona fuiati. 

Si, quod absit ! subtrahaa manum et levamcn, 
Terrae fraudem faciens, inferens gravamen : 
Maledictua maneat ! fiat ! fiat ! Amen. 

Cornea Simon de Muntford, vir potena et fortia, 
Pugna nunc pro patria, aiaque dux cohortia : 
Non te mint* terreant neque timor mortia, 
Rem defende publicam reaque tuae aortia. 

O tu, Cornea le Bygot, pactum aenra aanum : 
Cum aia milea atrenuus, nunc exerce manum. 
Totam turbat modica terra [m] turba canum ; 
Exeat aut pereat genua tarn prophanum. 

O roa magni procerea, qui yoa obligaatia 
Obaervare firmiter illud quod juraatia ; 
Terras ai ait utile quod excogitaatia, 
Juret illud citiua id quod ordinaatia. 

8i relletia proaequi quod jam inchoaatia, 
li poteritb quod deaideraatia ; 



so thorn boot bogmo, thorn bast deceived Mif. Act mom cooroftovjly as thorn 
boot pro ■ins, cbcrkb otoodily tbe cease of vbkb thorn vast the foootaia.— If, 
trom vbkb God proatrro as ! thorn vitsjdrovoot thj bamo aad rapport, artiag 
tioacborooal y to w a r ds the load, aad iasUcttaf a great kjary opoo it. . . May bo 
bo cwtod for oror t bo k so ( bo it to 1 — oa.— EaH Blioo de Mootiort, a stroog 
■u aad o bold, igbt sow for tby ooootry, aad bo tbe leader of the bead ; 
•oitbor lot tbroata ocoro tboe, not the tear of doatb i drfcod tb* state mod toy omn 
fortoao.— O tboo. Earl Bigot, keep oabrokeo tbioo agrorojeot : to tboo ort o 
brave koigbt, aov oat tby bead i o tojall troop of dogt pots k coiiotioo tbo 
orbolo lead 1 saay oocb o corerd roto deport or porlob !— O yoo, great oobtra, 
foo ro olroi U ibssiti irmly tbo ootb vbkb yoo took j if obot yoo 
bo pieolseie lo tbo lead, lot tbot vbkb yoo bovo iiositii aid it ko* 
ly.-IfyoowiacorryU-aooiWtwbkbyoobo^ bogva. yoo asey 
obtoiotbot vbkb yoo ininli vakes tbo tbsogvbJeb yoo boto toog hod k 



124 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Nisi finem capiat quod din tractastis, 
Vere dici potent vane laborastis. 

Honor nobis maximus erit laus et digna, 
Si respondet Anglia vestra gerens signa ; 
Quam ut cito liberet a peste maligna, 
Adjuvet nunc Domini pietas benigna ! 

hand be perfected, it may be truly aaid that you have laboured in Tain. — It 
will be the highest honour to you and a worthy praise, if England answer by 
carrying your standards ; which that he may soon deliver from the malignant 
plague, may the benignant piety of the Lord now help it ! 



The triumph of the barons did not last long. In the battle 
of Evesham, fonght on the fourth of August in the year 
after that of Lewes, their great leader fell, with the best of his 
followers. The fate of Simon de Montfort was a subject of 
general lamentation ; and long afterwards he was revered as a 
saint and martyr, and was even believed to work miracles. In 
MS. Cotton. Vespas. A. vi. will be found a collection of these 
miracles, and a form of prayers to be said in his honour, among 
which is the following hymn (fol. 180, r°). 

Salve, Symon Moutis-Fortis, 

Totius 90s mflitisB, 
Duras poena* pessus mortis, 

Protector ftntk Anglia?. 
Sunt de Sanctis iuaadita, 
Cunctis passis in hac rita, 

Qnemomam peasant tab* ; 
Manas, pedes amputari. 
Caput, corpus Tmlnerari, 

Abaddi TiriBa. 
Sis pro nobis intercessor 
Apnd Demm, ami 

In terns extiteras. 



REIGN OF KINO HENRY III. 125 

The whole was preceded by a life of Simon de Montfort, occu- 
pying two pages of the manuscript, but which some hostile hand 
has carefully erased. The following song was evidently written 
immediately after the battle of Evesham. 

THE LAMENT OP SIMON DE MONTFORT. 
[MS. Harl. W53, foL 59 r* v early in 14th cent.] 

Chaunter m'estoit, mon cuer le voit, en un dure langage, 
Tut en ploraunt fust fet le chaunt de nostre duz baronage, 
Que pur la pees, si loynz apres se lesserent detrere, 
Lur cors trencher, e demenbrer, pur salver Engleterre. 
Ore est ocys la flur de pris, qe taunt savoit de guere, 
Ly quens Montfort, sa dure mort molt enplorra la terre. 

Si com je qui, par un mardi, firent la bataile, 
Tot a cheval, fust le mal, saunta nulle pedaile ; 
Tresmalement y ferirent de le espie forbic, 
Qe la part sire Edward conquist la mestrie. 
Ore est ocis, etc. 

Mes par sa mort, le cuens Mountfort conquist la vkrtorie, 
Come ly martyr de Caunterbyr, finist sa vie ; 



TaAMtLATiov. — 1 ui drif« to aiagt m y start villa it, in torrovral 

rtta Unri vat aiidt taa taaf <o aon r a ta f oar gtatlt aaraaa,— »vaa far taa 
to loaf after aaftrca tatautfarca la at att tiuj a t , ta tir aadtca at at cat 
U tava Eagtaaa 1 .— Kaw » alaia taa aiaciaat tavtr, vaa kaev 
of war, tW Earl Maatfart, ate sara aaata taa laaa vfll aaraf? last*. 
At 1 aalftcva, it wat aa a Ttntiy, taat taay f aag at tat aattftt.— al aa karat, 
vaica vat tat aritJbrtaae, v ila aat any float,— vary UI taay tatra attack vfck 

tkt karaitkaa 1 tvara>-4kat tkt party * Sir EtHrara aaiaai tat ■ j. Now 

itaUia.att. 
Bat ay kit aaata tat Earl Maatwtt glint tkt iktafy,— tffct tkt amtji * 



126 POLITICAL SONG8. 

Ne voleit pas li bon Thomas qe perist seinte Eglise, 
Ly cuens auxi se combati, e morust sauntz feyntise. 
Ore est ocys, etc. 

Sire Hue le fer, ly Despencer, tresnoble justice, 
Ore est a tort lyvrd a mort, a trop male guise. 
Sire Henri, pur veir le dy, fitz le cuens de Leycestre, 
Autres assez, come vus orrez, par le cuens de Gloucestre. 
Ore est ocis, etc. 

Qe voleint moryr, e mentenir la pees e la dreyture, 
Le seint martir lur fra joyr sa conscience pure, 
Qe velt moryr e sustenir les honmes de la terre, 
Son bon desir acomplir, quar bien le quidom fere. 
Ore est, etc. 

Prfes de son cors, le bon tresors, une heyre troverent, 
Les faus ribaus, tant furent maus, e ceux qe le tuerent ; 
Molt fust pyr, qe demenbryr firent le prodhonme, 
Qe de guerrer e fei tener si bien savoit la sonme. 
Ore est, etc. 

Canterbury be nnisbed his life ; — the food Thomas would not safer holy Church 
to perish,— the Earl fought la s similix cause, sad died without flinching .— 
Now b slain, etc 

Sir Hugh the bold, the Despeacer, a rcry noble justice,— is now w r ong f ully 
delifared to death, ia too shameful a meaner.— Sir Henry, in truth I say it* 
the soa of the Earl of Leicester,— enough of others, ss ywawill hear, by the 
Earl of Gloucester.— Now is slain, etc. 

Because they were willing to die, and to maintain peace and right,— the holy 
sasrtyr will cause thesa at enjoy has para conscience,— who is willing to die and 
to sustain the men of the Und,— to accomplish Us good deafee, tor we think ha 
does walL— Now is, ate. 

Near his body, the good treasure, an hair they found,— the false ribalds, 
they ware so wicked, and those who slew him ;— what was much worse, they 
caused the worthy man to be dismembered,-wha knew so well the art alight- 
ing and of holdiag uHh.— Now is, etc. 



REIGN OP KINO HENRY III. 127 

Pries touz, mes amis douz, le fitx Seinte Marie 
Qe l'enfant, her puissant, meigne en bone vie ; 
Ne vueil nomer li escoler, ne vueil qe Pem die, 
Mis pur l'amour le salveour, pries pur la clergie. 
Ore est ocys la flur de pris, qe tant savoit de guere, 
Ly quens Montfort, sa dure mort molt enplurra la terre* 

Ne say trover rien qu'il firent bien, ne baroun ne counte, 
Les chivalers e esquiers tout sunt mys a hounte, 
Pur lur lealt£ e verity, que tut est anentie ; 
Le losenger purra reigner, le fol pur sa folic 
Ore est ocis, etc. 

Sire Simoun, ly prodhom, e sa compagnie, 
En joie vont en ciel amount, en pardurable vie. 
Mis Jhesu Crist, qe en croys se mist, Dieu en prenge cure, 
Qe sunt remit, e detenus en prisone dure. 
Ore est ocys, etc 

Proy oil , By iwoct (Head*, to too 800 of 8i. Mory,— «kot Wl«dii foot life 
tbe ftofoot, to* powerful beir ;— I will oot mm too orfcolor, 1 do oot oomto oay 
om to omtioo him,— bot for too lovo of too So H oo r , proy for too dorgy. — 
Now m oWio, otc. 

I coooot tod ooy tatef toot tboy did woO v otfebor boroo oor oari,— too 
boifbts ood too oaqoiroi oro oD ■tofiocoi,— oo oooooot of tboftr loyolty mod 
trotb, wbkb it oottroly oooibitolod t— too doMOtrol bob M*y rt%*, too fool lor 
Ms felly.— Now it aloio, otc 

Sir Suooo, too wortky ou, ood bit ttmpmy, ori gooo io Joy wo to 
bootoo, io trorlotBOf Ufa— BoA Jomm Cbriot, woo ploooi omomoT oo 
ood Ood Wto ooro of tbooi, woo oro iilWil, ood lotoiiii iabord 
KowkoWom. ote. 



12S POLITICAL 80NGS. 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 1272—1307. 

Henry outlived the defeat of the barons bnt a very few years. 
He died on the sixteenth of November, 1272, while his son 
Edward was occupied in warring against the infidels in the East. 
Edward was proclaimed king, while absent. A new monarch 
is generally welcomed with songs of praise ; and the following, 
evidently the work of a zealous opponent of the popular party, 
seems to have been written before his arrival in England. 

THE PRAISE OF THE YOUNG EDWARD. 

[MS. Cotton. Yespas. B. zui. foL 130 r*, 13th cent.] 

Eaduuardi regis Anglorum me pepulere 
Florida gesta loqui, pudor est famosa tacere. 
Hie tener state dum vixerat in juvenili, 
Conflictus plures superavit corde virili. 
Belliger ut pardus, fragrans dulcedine nardus, 
Dum viget Eaduuardus t rutilat novus ecce Ricardus. 
Sic gemino flore Britones titulantur honore, 
Bella per Eaduuardi similis et probitate Ricardi. 
Belligeri juvenis laudabat Gallia mores ; 
Ampla manus dantis meritos congessit honores. 

TaAWSL atiok. — The tonrisbiiig deeds of Edward King of the English oblige 
mo to talk, for It is shamefol to let pass famooe action* la silence. He, while 
yet in bis leader yoath, vent tbroagh ouy coofieta with a manly heart. 
Warlike aa a pard, fragrant with aweetiieaa Kke spikenard, whflat Edward is 
n hit vigour, heboid he ahiaea like a new Richard. Thma the Britons have a 
doable claim to honour, by the wars of Edward equally aad by the valour of 
Richard. France praised the manners of the warlike jeatb ; the ample hand 
of the giver amassed merited honours. The envious people desiring to extin- 



REION OP EDWARD I. 129 

Invida gens cupicns meritas extinguere laudes, 
Excogitando novas ccepit contexere fraudes : 
Anglorum proceres legem fingendo novellam, 
Ubere de regno terrain fecere misellaro. 
Rex pater et patruus cum bina prole reguntur 
Per sibi subjectos, ex quo mala multa sequuntur. 
Degener Anglorum gens, quse servire solebat, 
Ordine mutato regem cum prole regebat 
Conjurat populus fruiturus lege novella; 
Faedere mox rupto consurgunt horrida bella. 
Dum Leycestrensem comitem sibi plebs sociavit, 
Intestina sibi dispendia concumularit 
In regem proprium gens irruit impia, natum 
Cum patre et patruo captivat, mox dominatum 
Consequitur, gaudent victores, corda tumescunt. 
Effugit Eaduardus, statim norm praelia crescunt. 
Convocat auxilium, solidantur tedera, crevit 
Turma ducis, delusa cohors sua crimina flevit. 
Concurrunt partes, quatiuntur tela, vigore 



fata* ait merifd praiaf, bapa to wwi mm* alaU ia taaftr aafea 1 x taa I if aaa 
aoalw, ay ftarratiaf ■ new law, aiidt a wratcaid laaa af a rfca kiafaaa. Tka 
kiaf kit fataar, ud ait aacfe, wttk taatr two tkHitm, at* g otara t a kj lamr 
aakfecta, aat of wakk auay arils follow. Tka wajaaarata rao» of tba Bag • 
kak, wakk aaai U amra, tarartiag tka ataW of Ikiagi. raioi ovar tka 
Mag aaa* kk caiMraa. Tka paaple oaaoairat, la araW at aajay a aow lav t 
aaaa aftar. tka la*ga« aataf arakea. kanai war* arias. WUIa tka ynfalni 
wfck ftaalf tka Earl of I aliiUM. ftt hum aim I far taatat iataraal 
Tka kmaioaa aaaat* attaafcs las ova kJag , taakai aaptirt taa aaa 
wfck kk fataar aM aack. ant aaaaa aaoa taa ftiiaraaim t aat batata rtj iia*, 

taw aattlai tfaftaw. Ha 

.. -^_-, ..taaanayaf tWlaaaaraaajaaaai, 

lurrtaw. TVaarrioj tatati waaaaaa art ataaaoi t 

CAMD. SOC. G. 




130 POLITICAL SON08. 

Militis Eaduuardi madidantur rant cruore. 
Occidit ense Comes, prooeres mucrone necantar ; 
Sic vincunt victi, victores exsuperantur. 
Regno pene suo spoliatos seditione, 
Victrices turmas miro superavit agone. 
Ad regimen regni patrem stirps clara rerexit, 
Nequiter ablatum quod longo tempore rexit. 
Plebs devicta fremit, iteromque potentibus unit 
Turmas belligeras, dape, telis, oppida munit. 
Insula per prooeres vastatur mox Eliensis. 
Urbs regni nostri capitanea Londoniensis 
Per quosdam capitur, quatitur certamine diro ; 
Sed debellantur hiec omnia robore miro. 
Pax optata redit, conduntur tela, nitescunt 
Nubila qiue fuerant, Anglorum gaudia crcscunt. 
Impiger Eaduuardus devitans otia, signum 
Mox crucis assumpsit, cupiens exsolvere dignum 
Obsequium Christo, qui se liberavit ab isto 

the ftelda are aojetomed with blood by tbe vigour of tbo soldier Edward. The 
Earlieelehi by the awards tho heme ait ptt to death with tbo weepoa'a 
point; that tow ▼aaqaiahtd coaojecr, and tbo coa^nerora are ttafctatt. Al- 
though by aaJttoe alaaoot robbed of hit ©wm kingdom, bo oioicooh tbo ceow 
qeeriag legioee by a wvaderfml effort. Tbo noble owspring ca rri ed book bit 
father lo tht governance* of tbo kingdom, wickedly wreeted from hi*, which 
ho hod long rakd. Tbo c o n q u er ed popoioee roar*, mad agaia join* Ha warlike 
equadroae to the bar oac ; fortinet towaa with proviriont 
after the ialo of Ely ia ravaged by the popular leaden. 
dtyefourkintfleem,uieceuj»edty bat 

all theae diaVoJtka are conquered with woadufai atreagth. Peace, whAti far, 
retaroa; tht araat are laid by > ri ouae bote given place to oa ao b i ao t thejeyeef 
tht EngUah inornate. The native Edward, iyiag from idkneea, neat took wp the 
«ga of the croaa, d aei r t ut of perfon ni ag a worthy aorviee to Curiat, who hod 



REIGN OP EDWARD I. 131 

Turbine bellorum ; sequitur pia turba virorum. 
Francorum regis germanus rex Siculorum 
Innumeros populos ad regnum Tuniciorum 
Duxerat, ut vetitum potuit rehabere tributum, 
Agminibus cunctis dioens iter hoc fore tatum 
In terram sanctam ; cruoe plebs signata dolebat, 
Dum sua vota male jam commutata videbat. 
Eaduuardus sequitur credens bellare potenter 
Cum Sarracenis ; gentilis rex sapienter 
Praelia devitans, solvit quodcunque petebat. 
Rex Lodowicus obit cum prima prole, dolebat 
Gallia, rex Karolus remeat, turmasque reduxit, 
Anglos cum Siculis, Britonum plebs anxia luxit. 
Vota crucis Christi Siculorum rex male frangit, 
Et sua delusus populus discrimina plangit. 
Applicat in portu Trapennae, mox borialia 
Turbo quatit puppes, populus pent innumeralis, 
Mergitur as totuin, salvatur et Anglica dassis 
Munere divino, quod non j>eriit valor assis. 



4eUrrTT4 hkm from tkb whirtwimd <4 wn t ■ ptoaa tmfiTm Min i. Tae 
Kiaf af Sidiy. brotacr of tW Kiaf oi rraacc, hmi tm m H*u 4 a fat aaal a» tW 
kiafdoai oTTaak, tkat at ■>%*! racorcr tto tHbaat wafcft aaa 1 km rafotaa 1 . 
aajriag tkat tkii woaM a* a taTt vaj for tkc vWU anay la tka Hal? Laad J tka 
propk wkick tu ilfaaa 1 witk Um craai Uafttod Uinki oajaet tka* aaara- 
pttoaaly ekaaf*4. Ed»^lbt)ow»ia tW atlkftkattktfa wttktaaa nf alafkdaf 
wftk tka StfMtM i bet tkt GeatUa Kiaf vfedy nnHUf kattftt, aaal vkaamr 
ka aafcc4. Kiaf LaaJt a*a wkk kit tUa* aaai fraaea hawHtit Kiaf 
Ckartat ntvM, tad kriafi kack Um troaaa, tkt Eaffek witk tWrflan tkt 

Britaa* waat. Tka Kiaf of 8kAj wkkaftv ktaka UmWm. 

»4 tkt p itiM. aVaafeaa 1 , baNa*** Ut rkaaffcjf. *•• —i*m at tkt 
aaftafTrapaai} mi • wkirtvia*' fraai tkt aartk atHkaa tka iwt t 
•f aaoatf pcrek; all tkt aiary it aaak t kat tkt Eafkak ittt m 



132 POLITICAL 8ON08. 

Rex prodire negat, renuens sua solvere vota. 
Dux pius Anglorum similis et sua ooncio tota 
Puppes ascendit, mare transmeat, ad loca tendit 
Gentibus obsessa, longaevo turbine pressa. 
Accon respirat de tanto milite gaudens, 
Atque sepulta diu psallit nova cantica plaudens. 
Soldanus fremuit, procerem cogitando necare, 
Quern per carnificem dirum fecit jugulare. 
Hie assessinus Veteris de Monte ferebat 
Nuncia conficta, quae falso conficiebat ; 
Ingreditur thalamos praecludens hostia, cultro 
Vulnera vulneribus impressit ; strenuus ultro 
Restitit Eaduuardus, tortorem robore stravit, 
Quern telo proprio condigna morte necavit. 
Et quia condignum Christus famulum sibi novit, 
Illius plagas sacro medicamine fovit. 

Expticiunt versus secundum Thomam de Wyta compositx 
domino Eadwardo Anglue rege tllustrissimo. 



saved, witboat losing the raloe of a farthing . The king refutes to proceed, or 
so perforni kit tow. The picas lender of too English and all has company 
alike embark, pass the sen, and make for the places which were b esieg e d by the 
Gentiles, pressed under a long lasting ttorai. Acre Uket breetli, rejoicing la 
tech a soldier, and rites at it were from the grate to sing new toagt of praise. 
The 8oldan waa enraged, and thoeght to alar the noble leader, whom he coated 
to be stabbed by a detestable botcher. This seseasm brooght prctaadad sses* 
aages from the Old Maa of the Mountain, which were bat false pretences; be 
eaters the chamber and shots the door \ with a knife be adds woaad open 
woaad; bat Edward, oa the other band, resitted streaaoaslrt with am strength 
be bid prostrate the marderer, whom ha slew with a sserHed death by ait own 

. Aad becaese Christ kaew that his servant was worthy, ha healed has 

with s sacred medicine. 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. ' 13J 

Popular dissatisfaction may bo traced throughout Edward's 
reign, we may venture to say from the day in which he mounted 
the throne. The following song seems to have been popular 
soon after his accession ; and it is written in Latin and Anglo- 
Norman, in order that it might be sung more generally. In 
the manuscript, each stansa of the Latin is followed by the cor- 
responding stanza in Anglo-Norman. Between the Latin lines 
of the first stanza is left space apparently for music. 

A SONG ON THE TIMES. * 

[Prom MS. Ilarl. 746, fol. 103 ▼*. of the befinniaf of the rciga of Edw. I.] 

Vulneratur karitas, amor asgrotatur : 
llcgnat et perfidia, livor generator. 
Fraus primatum optinet, pax subpeditatur ; 
Fides vincta caroere nimis desolatur. 

In pnescnti tempore non valet scriptura ; 
Scd sopita veluti latent legis jura, 



Amur gint en maladie, charite est nafre; 
Orr regno triilirrir, hayne est cngendre. 
Iloidir ad *eignurie, pes est mine sua pe ; 
Fri n*ad li lui gnie, en prisun est lie. 

Xr Irrray ke ne rus die, ne taut ore escHpture ; 
Mrs cum fust rndormic e Upist dreiturr. 



TftAXtLAnov. —Charity b woaadoi, low b strfci poriM? 

■mIm* Is t m % M%4 tu 4. The frwmi of the ralers ymsiti, pom* is li 

foot ; faith fettered fc i r bso is teev smiiIsU.— At prrs***, a writiag b of 

•ml r*ht ead tew lb as k were sslrrf . ss4 the care of Um vfcfcea n 



134 POLITICAL 8GNGS. 

m 

Et nephandi generis excflecata cura 
Nullo sensu praevio formidat futara. 

Resistentes subruunt iniquitatis nati ; 
Pent pax ecclesiae, regnant et elati. 
Hoc silendo sustinent improbi pnelati, 
Mortem pro justitia recusantes pad. 

Strata pace penitus, amor refrigescit ; 
Tota' tellus Angliie mierore madescit, 
Omnisque dilectio dulcis evanescit : 
Cuncti consolatium queerunt quo quiescit. 



De la gent haye avngle est la care, 

Ke el oe date mie venjance a venir dare. 

Les contre-estanz abatent li Gs de felonie ; 
Lore perit seinte eglise, quant orgoil la mestrte. 
Ceo sustenent li prelaz ki s'i ne peinent mie, 
Pur dreiture sustenir nolent perdre vie. 

Pes est acravante e amor refreidie ; 

La terre est dcaconforte e de plur enmoistie, 

Amur et amistl tut est anentie : 

N'i ad nul Li ne quert confort et aye. 



b bliad, kkMMl ttfident foresight to fear too firtarc.— Tbo too* of iaiqoJty 

craol taoot «W resist ; tW peso* of tfcs chare* parishes, mod tha p road 

rdfm. The wicked prelates tapport Oris stats of thJags by their m\ 

for they rofast Is safer death for joatfes*— Pesos boiaf altogether 

ftsvsU cooled* all the Isad of Baglaad U moi* with wsepiaf , aad oil 

•ad kiadaosa has diiappoirod; aU took cootoktioo oad f*Jet._Tha Bttk 




RBION OP EDWARD I. 135 

Patre carent parvuli pupilli plangentes, 
Atque matre orphani fame jam deflentes; 
Qui in primis penitus fuerunt potentes, 
Nunc subcumbunt gladio, plorant et parentes. 

Ecce pravi pueri pauperes predantur; 
Ecce donis divites dolose ditantur ; 
Omnes pene proceres mala machinantur ; 
Insani satellites livore leetantur. 

Ecce viri confluunt undique raptores ; 
Ecce pads pereunt legisque latores ; 



Ascs i ad des orphanins grant doel demenans, 
Ke lur parens sunt mis a fins, dunt il en sunt dolens, 
Cil ki en com en cent fa rent mult ptiftunz. 
Sunt tasmif a le espeye, e plorent li parens. 

Li enfans felons s'en runt la porcre gent preer ; 
Li riches a tort enrichis sunt de autri aver ; 
A peine i sd haute home ki cease mil penser; 
De hayne funt haites li felons esquier. 

De tote pars renent li bers rarisans ; 

Ore perissent de pes e de la ley li suateaanz ; 



laawat tto lata af taatr flataar, aa*% a ta t i tas' af tack aiatatr, taay 
la tto nMtt af If ii s taay who at Sfat waia tary povarfel, mam aUt 
by tbc twor± aaa* tbrir f«fKt w«p.-U! wkM eUUiw tab taa poor; 
to ! tbc vaahb af tba rka b sninii by tsarta* gifts ; ab»aat all tat aablta 
apta* 1 tWir tiaw ta eaatriviaf aril s tba m*d aatateai aabgbt ia ■abar— La ! 
tbc raparioas am ay paw aa every at*> ; la • taa saaaaatais of 



136 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Dogmata despiciunt truces hii tortores, 
Et prodesse nequeunt sancti confessores. 

Hii converti respuunt virtute sermonum, 
Neque curam capiunt de vita vironum ; 
Omnes simul rapiunt, ut mos est preedonum. 
Hiis vindictam ingere, Deus ultionum ! 



Enseignement refuse nt ces cruels tormentanz, 
Espleyt ne poent fere cil ki vunt prechanz. 

Si i\ se ne volent amender pur dit ne pur fesance, 
Mes pur tuer quant ont poer ben ont la voillance ; 
Trestuz en funt ravine, de Deu n'cn ont dotance. 
Ccls metez a d eel in, tire Deu de venjance ! 



justice perish ; these cruel botchers despise doctrine, and the holy preachers 
bsTe no effect. — These men will not he amended by the force of sermons ; nor 
do they make any account of the lhres of mens they all plunder together, 
like robbers. Take Tengeance upon them, O God of Tengeance. 



One of the legacies which St. Louis left to Christendom was 
the number of new orders of monks which had been created 
during his reign and by his encouragement. They soon spread 
from France into England ; but they were very far from being 
popular in either country, and were the constant butt of the 
gibes and jokes of the poets. The following is a bitter satire 
upon the different orders of monks in England in the reign of 
Edward I. The idea of caricaturing them by feigning one 
order which should unite the different characteristic rices of all 
the others, was not new. 




REIGN OP EDWARD I. 137 

THE ORDER OF FAIR-EASE. 
[MS. Harl. No. 2253, fol. 191 i*. Reign of Ed. II.] 

Qui vodra a moi entendre, 
Oyr purra e aprendre 
L'estoyre de un Ordre novel, 
Qe mout est delitous e bel : 
Je le vus dirroi come Fay apris 
Des freres de mon pays. 
L'Ordre est si foundi a droit, 
Qe de tons ordres un point estroit, 
N'i ad ordre en oest mound 
10 Dont si n'i ad ascun point. 

Le noun de l'Ordre tub vueil dyre, 
Qe um ne me pust blaxner de lire ; 
Qy oyr velt si se teyse, 
C'est le Ordre de Bel-Eyse. 
De rOrdre vus dirroi la sonme ; 
Quar en l'Ordre est meint prodhonme, 
E meinte bele e bone dame. 
En eel Ordre sunt sanz blame 
Esquiers, vadleU, e serjauntx ; 



Tbavolatioh.— Ho vW wfll Iktoa u mo, may hoar awi kara tko oiotory 

of o bow Orwor, wkkk k tory pi I ud boowttfoJ : 1 wiM loM it ym* m I 

koto Uo/wt it frooi tko krotatoa of mj owaatry. Tko Oratr k oo ckvorly 
fooodoo. tkot it ukoo a poiat Crwoi oil tko otkor orworoi tkoro k bo* oa orwor 

la tkk vorM, of vkkk tktfo b Mt tktfo oom «ao Hat- Tkaaaojooftko 
CMor 1 will loll jom,tkotIoMj sot ko Uoomo! for vkoll Mai i kowkowMkoor, 
lot knm kt oikat, it k tko CMor of Foor-looo. Of tkk CMor I *• loM jw« 
tko on j for la tko orwor k mmj o wortkr 
goo* oooM. U tkk CMor tkoro art 

CAMD. aoc. 6. 



138 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

• 

20 Mes a ribaldz e a pesauntz 

Est TOrdre del tot defendu, 

Qe ja nul ne soit rescu. 

Quar il frount a TOrdre hounte. 

Quant rybaud ou vyleyn mounte 

En hautesse ou baylie, 

La ou il puet aver mestrie, 

N'i ad plus de meaure en eux 

Qe al le luop qe devoure aigneux. 

De cele gent lerroi ataunt, 
30 E de le Ordre dirroi araunt. 

En eel Ordre dount je vus dy 9 

Est primes issi estably, 

Que ceux qe a POrdre serrount, 

De Sympringham averount 

Un point, qe bien pleysant serra, 

Come l'abbeie de Sympringham a, 

Freres e sueres ensemble ; 

C'est bon Ordre, come me semble. 

Mes de tant ert changil, pur veyr, 
40 Qa Sympringham doit aver 

jaunts ; bat Co ribalds and to peasant* the Order la entirely forbidden, ao that so 
om may be received into it. For they would bring disgrace upon the Order. 
When ribald or rilem mounts to high place or omce, there where he can hove 
power, there is no more moderation in them than in the wolf which devours 
lambs. Of such people I will say no more, bat 1 will go on to talk about the 



la this Order of which I tcU you, it is irat ordained thus, that those who 
shall belong to the Order, shall hare om point of frenpringham, which wfll ho 
very agreeable, as the Abbey of S emp ringhaai has, brothers and 
gathers it is a good Order, sek seems to ma. But so far, ia truth, it ia 
that at Scampringham there must be between the brothers and the sisters (a 



REIGN OF EDWARD 1. 139 

Entre les freres e les sorours, 

Qe desplest a plusours, 

Fosses e murs de haute teyse ; 

Mis en cet Ordre de Bel-Eyse 

Ne doit fossl ne mur aver, 

Ne nul autre destourber, 

Qe les freres a lur pleysyr 

Ne pussent a lor sueres venyr, 

E qu'il n'eit point de chalaunge. 
50 Ja n'i aver* ne lyn ne launge 

Entre eux, e si le peil y a, 

Ja pur ce ne remeindra. 

De yleoque est ensi purveu, 

Qe cil q'a l'Ordre serrount rendu, 

De 1'abbi deyvent bien cstre : 

E ce oomaund nostre mestre, 

Pur bien manger e a talent 

Treis foil le jour, e plus sovent. 

E s'il le font pur compagnye, 
60 Le Ordre pur cc ne remeindra mie. 
De Beverleye ont un point treit, 



taiaf vbicb itiiolmai baij.) aitcbos aa4 walk of bigb ■mm j bat ia tait 
Order of Ptir-Eaat tbare aiaot be aoitber 4iUk mm wall, Mr mmj otbtr ioaat. 
«ie»eat. to kinder tM brttaroa at took pwewi froam vMtfca* tbe ofcaara, mm 
•kali dure be aay watcb-wora. Tbotr jattaaary aaall a o i t b er be eemiUed my 
Uses Mr wool, or eree by tbear very okftaa. Frooi tboaot eke At it aro- 
▼ieoa, tkot tbey wko tball eater tM Oroar. mm be veil ntnwiMii by tbe 
abbot: MitakMrMMtr r ■■■■■ii. to eot wall aaa ■lihrety taroe 
4ej, umI oAomt. Aaa tf tWjoe it lor coaipaey, tbe Oraer ea toot 
•ball aot be tbo worot. 
Of ftoerky too? bare taboo a Meat. wbJcb aball bo boat veil aa4 





140 POLITICAL. 8ONO8. 

Qe serra tenu bien e dreit, 
Pur beyvre bien a mangier, 
E pus aprfes desqu'a soper ; 
E aprfes al collacioun, 
Deit chescun aver un oopoon 
De chandelle long desqu'al coute, 
E tant come remeindra goute 
De la chandeille & arder 

70 Deivent les freres a beyvre ser. 

Un point unt tret de Hospitlers, 
Qe sunt molt corteis chevalers, 
E ount robes bien avenauntz, 
Longes desqu'al pie traynantz, 
Soudlers e chausls bien slantz, 
E gros palefrois bien amblantz ; 
Si deyvent en nostra Ordre aver 
Les freres e sueres, pur veyr. 
De Chanoynes ont un point pris, 

80 Qu'en l'Ordre ert bien assis ; 
Quar chanoygnes pur grant peyne 
Mangent en la symeygne 



rately, to drink well At their meat, and then afterwards until tapper; and 
afterwards at the collation, each mutt hare a piece of candle at loaf at the 
arm below the elbow, and at long at there ihall remain a morael of the candle to 
barn, the brethen most eontinae their drinking. 

A point they have taken from the Hospitallers, who are vary cjmrteotje 
knights, and hare very becoming robes, to long that they drag at their met t 
shoes and breeches which At elegantly, and great palfreys that ambit wall | to hi 
oar Order, in troth, the brethren and sisters most have them. 

Of the Canons they have taken a point, which will agree well with the Order 1 
for the canons, for great pain, eat ia the refectory flash three days hi the 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 141 

Char en le refreitour treia jours ; 

Auxi deyvent nos soroura 

E nos freres chescun jour 

Char mangier en refreitour, 

Fors le vendredi soulement, 

£ le samadi ensement. 

E si issint avenist 
90 Q'al samadi hoste fust, 

E Tern ne ust plenty de pesshon, 

L'estor qe fust en la mesoun 

Purreint il par congie prendre, 

Ja l'Ordre ne serra le meindre. 
Un point ont tret de Moyne Neirs, 

Que volenters beyvent, pur veyrs, 

E sount cheschun jour yvre, 

Quar ne sevcnt autre Tirre ; 

Mis il le fount pur compagnie, 
100 E ne mie pur glotonie. 

Auxi est il punreu 

Que chescun frerc soit enbu, 

De jour en jour tot adis 

Devant manger e aprie. 



rk ; to Boot ov iktcn mhI o«r torttooo *ot took fco tto fif*Unj every 4oy, 
emcoot ooJy Friday, ami htowiot 8*t*Hay. Ao4 tf At to ■■opi* ttot ttot* 
to a fart e* tto Sotoroaj, ob4 ttoy tort mi oowty of Aao, ttoy mmj tot* 
iwi toiato wtot orottoooo wt io tto too— ; ttoOooor wtB to oooo tto w*rot 
for It. 

A poiot ttoy tort totoo Croat tto Bitot Moato, ttot ttoy lofo oVftokJof 
foroootk, oo4 oro oVooA evory ooy, for ttoy o» sot too*? ooy ottor way of 
lrvio*> Bo* ttoy oo to for tto otto of oocotty, oai oot ot ol oot of gi o tt oa y , 
Afro it la oro t io W . ttot ooca Wottor oMoA ooto* otooor oaiofjor. Aaoofit 



142 POLITICAL SONGS. 

E si U avenist ensi ' 

Qe a frere venist amy, 

Dount se deyvent ensorter 

Pur les freres solacer, 

Qui savera bien juer le seyr ; 
1 10 Cc vus di-je de veir, 

Yl dormira grant matinee, 

Desque la male fum£e 

Seit de la teste issue, 

Pur grant peril de la vewe. 
Des Chanoygnes Seculers, 

Qe dames servent volenters, 

Ont nos mestres un point treit, 

E vueillent qe eel point seit 

Bien tenuz e bien us£e* ; 
1 20 Quar e'est le point, bien sachez, 

Que pluz ad en POrdre mester, 

Pur les freres solacer. 

Si est, sur eschumygement, 

Comaundl molt estroitement, 

Que chescun frere a sa sorour 

Deit fere le giw d'amour 

Devant matines adescement, 

so happen that a friend visit a brother (for nch must be at hand to eolace the 
brethren) who ehell know how to play hi the evening ; this I tell yon for certain, 
he shell sleep late hi the auraing, ontil the evil f uses are ieened from hie feed, 
for great danger of the sight. 

Of the Sccmlar Canoe*, who williagrjr serte ladies, omr Busters have taken a 
point, and will that thie point he wall observed and well need ; for know that 
this point is mora neodfnl than any in the Order, in order to eolaee the 
brethren. And so k is coeunanded very etraigbtfy, on pain of 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 143 

E aprfes matines ensement ; 

E s'il le fet avant son departyr 
ISO Troiz foiz a soun pleysyr, 

Ja le frere blame ne avera, 

Ne le Ordre enpeyrf sen*. 
Gris Moignes sunt dure gent, 

E de lur ordre nequedent 

Vueillent nos mestres pur grever 

L'Ordre un des lur poynta aver ; 

E si n'est geres corteis, — 

Quar a matines vont sans breys. 

Auxi deyvent nos freres fere, 
1 40 Pur estre prest a lur affere* 

E quant il fount nul oreysoun, 

Si deyvent estre a genulloun, 

Pur aver greindre devockmn 

A fere lur executioun. 

E ou un seyn sonnent sants plus, 

C'est lur ordre e lur us : — 

Mis nos freres pur doubter, 

Ou deus seynx deyvent soner. 

De taunt est nostre Ordre dyvers, 



tioo, that lW brvthrea be cocuUat coeipeaioe* of the rioter*, both before 
■jadae aad alter, to that the brethrea be Ml bowsed for o tf ioctio a them, mm 
tbe Order receive discredit. 

Tbe Grey Monks ere a herd race i jet, aevwrthtawa, free* their order ear 
■■■tin wifl that the Order here — e of thek ye*— § far ■■itMaaHia t aad hi foot 
It le aot oter eoorteoee,— for they go to mmmm wtthee* breechee. Sooafbtoojr 
brethrea to de, to be wjore at their coot. Aad whoa they aufce ao prayer, they 
■iwjt be oa their kaoce, to bote fr ea ttr aad awe ewactaal aintiaa t aad they 
riaf with oao WU, aad ao BMrr v — H It their order sad wjwje>_b« 
to doabie H. aiwjt eoamd with two beak. Oar Order bee 



144 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

150 Qe no sueres deyvent envers 

Gysyr e orer countre-mount, 

Par grant devocioun le fount. 
Issi pernent en patience, 

C'est point de l'Ordre de Cilence ; 

Chaichons est bon ordre, sanz faile, 

N'eat nul des autres qe taunt vayle ; — 

Pur oe vueillent ascun point trere 

De eel ordre a nostre affere. 

Chescun est en sa celle enclos, 
160 Pur estre soul en repos ; 

Auxi deyvent nos freres estre, 

Si doit chescun a sa fenestre 

Del herber aver pur solas, 

E sa suere entre ces bras, 

£ estre enclos priv&nent, 

Pur survenue de la gent. 
Ne devoms pas entreoublier, 

Si nostre ordre deit durer, 

Les Frere Menours a nul suer, 
170 Qe Dieu servent de bon cuer ; 

Si devoms aacun point aver 

dalereace, that ©nr elatm matt lay down S«l and pray on their backs, they do 
It oat of great devotion. 

Aleo th«y tau in patience, U u a point from tM Order of Silence s each lea 
good order, withoat aoabt, bat mm of the others it ao valoabfe ;— therefore they 
will take on point of tkia order for ow parpoee. Each la ehat np in hie call, 
to repoae himself alone ; eo onr brothera most be, and each at hie window awet 
have come pUnU to comfort him, and hie aiater in h» ante, and ha mast he 
•hat np privately, that nobody amy dletarb them. 

We matt not forget, if oar Order le to met, the Friars Minora, in m eaee; 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 145 

De lur ordre, pur mieux valer. 

Lur ordre est fondl en poverte. 

Pur quei yl vont U voie apierte 

En ciel tot plenerement; 

Si tub dirroi bien coment 

Yl querent poverte tot dis ; 

Quaunt il vont par le psys, 

Al chief baroun ou chivaler 
180 Se lerrount il herberger, 

On a chief persone ou prestre, 

La ou il purrount aoese estre ; 

Mis par Seint Piere de Ronme, 

Ne ae herbigerount ou povre honme, — 

Taunt come plus riches serrount, 

Ostiel plustost demandcrount. 

Ne ne deyvent nos freres fere 

Ostiel, ne autre lyu quere, 

Fors la ou il sevent plenty, 
190 E la deyvent en charity 

Char mangier e ce qu'il ount, 

Auxi come les Menours fount. 



so ant we kave a point of their order, to ke of wort aeooaat. TWir order it 
fooaded ia poverty, tkerefbra tkey go the open way to kea tea oasaplotely ; tad I 
will tell yoo exactly bow tkey seek porerty always t wkea tkey travel tkroafk the 
eoaatry, tkey take op tkeir lodfiafs witk tke ckief karoo or koigkt, or witk tko 
ckief persoa or priest, tkcre wkere tkey cea ka aatitead j kat, ky St. Pete? 
of Room ! tkey will aeeer lodft wick a poor sjst. to loaf aa tkere art rickar 
■ti to ka fsaad, tkey prefer aakiaf a fedfiag of thai. la tkt 
oar kretkrea aiaat aot take op tkeir fedfiag , aor aotk atkar aloes, tkoa 
tkey kaow tkere is pleery, aad tkere tkey oagkt la ckarfcy to tat ioak 
wkalceer tkey iad, aa tkt Friars 1 

CAMD. SOC. I>. 




146 POLITICAL SONQ8. 

Pas qe avomz des menours, 

Auxi averomz des Prechours ; 

Ne vont come les autres nuyz p^es 

Eynz vont precher tot chauc&z, 

E s'il avient ascune feez 

Qu'il seient malades as pi£s, 

Yl purrount, s'il ount talent, 
200 Chevalcher tot plenerement 

Tote la jorn£e entifere. 

Mia tot en autre manere 

Deyvent nos freres fere, 

Quant il prechent par la terre ; 

Car il deyvent tot ades 

Tot dis chevalcher loinz e pres : 

E quant il fount nul sermoun. 

Si deyvent estre dedenz mesoun. 

E tote foiz apris manger 
210 Deyvent il de dreit precher ; 

Quar meint honme est de tiele manere, 

Qu'il ad le cuer plus dur qe piere, 

Mis quant il avera ankes bu 

Tost avera le Ordre entendu, 

At we owe something to the Minors, we will borrow alto of the 
they do not go bore-foot like the others, bat they go preaching with shoes on, 
and if it happen any tisae that they have tore feet, they may, if they like, ride 
en horseback at their ease all the day loaf . Bat qaitc in another saaaaar oafht 
ov brethren to do, whoa they preach throegh the land ; for they sanst ride 
the* always both far and near : and whoa they nuke any sersnon, they asaat be 
within doors. And always after dinner they onght rightly to preach; for 
asaan is of each a character, that his heart is harder than stone | bat 
he shall hate once drank, then as soon as he has heard the Order, 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 147 

E les cuers serront enmoistes, 

De plus leger serrount oyes, 

Qe a rOrdre se rendrount 

Quant le sermon oy averont* 
Ensi est nostre ordre foundei, 
220 E si ount nos freres en penstSe, 

Qe chescun counts doit aver 

Un abb£, qe eit poer 

A receyvre sueres e freres, 

E fere e tenyr ordres pleneres, 

E qe les pointx seient tenus 

Qe nos mestres ount purveux. 

Un provyncial en la terre 

Doit aler e cnquere, 

Pur saver qy l'Ordre tendra. 
230 E cely qe le enfreindra, 

Serra privlmcnt chastil, 

E de son meffet reprove! 

E ceux qe serront troves 

Qe l'Ordre avcrount bien uses, 

Si deyvent pur lur humility 

the bttrti ahall be noUtrnd, however little they adght have heard, they wil 
liftea to the Order, whea they hate heard the eervaea. 

Thee U oar Order foeaded, tad oar brother* have eeoa»ed right, that each 
coeary aiaat have aa abbot, who hat power to reoaivt aietera aad brother*, aad 
eaeke aad bold fall order*, aad that the poiat* ahall he held which ear faejtera 
have provided. A provteciel oaght to go aad laealre hi the lead, te law* who 
wOl bold the Order. Aad he who ahall hreak It, ahall he ■haatind fta private, 
aad rtptotcd for hia treepeae. Aad thoae who ahall he fewad to have aaade good 
aat of the order, aaeet, lor their baaaiaty, he raked to flgaity, aad they thai 



148 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Estre mis en dignete, 
E serrount abbe's on priours 
A tenyr rOrdre en honeurs. 
Issi fount les Augustyns, 
240 Qe tant sevent de devyns ; 

Par tot enquergent pleynement 
Qy tienent POrdre lealment, 
E ceux qe POrdre tendrount 
Par tot lo£ serrount. 

Atant fine nostre Ordre, 
Gt'i touz bonz ordres se acorde, 
E c'est FOrdre de Bel-Eyse, 
Qe a plusours trobien pleyse ! 

be abbots or prion to hold the order in honours. That do the Amgnstine 
Monki, who know to many devices ; every where they fire roll eneowagemeat 
to thoae who hold the Order loyally, and those who will hold the Order shall 
be praised everywhere. 

Now ends our Order, which agrees with all good orders, and it is the Order 
of Fair-Ease, which to many may it please too well ! 



Edward endeavoured to call off the rigour of his subjects 
from domestic sedition to foreign wars. But the expenses de- 
pendent upon the latter only added to the many burdens under 
which the English peasantry laboured ; and it is now that we 
begin to find the complaints of the latter vented in the shape of 
popular songs. 




REIGN OF EDWARD I. 1*9 

80NO OF THE HU8BANDMAN. 

[MS. Hurl. No. 2253, foL 64, r» ; reign of Edw. II.] 

Ich herde men upo mold make muche mon, 

Hou he beth i-tened of here tilyynge, 
Gode 3eres and corn bothc beth a-gon, 

Ne kepeth here no sawe ne no song syng. 
" Now we mote worche, nis ther non other won, 

Mai ich no lengore lyve with my lesinge ; 
3et ther is a bitterore bid to the bon, 

For ever the furthe peni mot to the kynge. 

Thus we carpeth for the kyng, and carieth ful colde, 
And wencth for te kevere, and ever bath a-cast ; 

Whose hath cny god, hopeth he nout to holde, 
Bote ever the levest we leoseth a-last. 

Lather is to loosen ther ase lutel ys, 
And haveth monie hynen that hopieth therto ; 

The hayward heteth us harm to habben of his ; 
The bailif bockneth us bale and weneth wel do ; 

The wodeward waiteth us wo that loketh under rvs ; 
Ne raai u* rysc no rest rycheis ne ro. 



Taakslatiox. — 1 hmtd men ©o the etrtk auko wjock kMnHitioo,— > how 
they if« iajorto 1 la their ullage, food yoart to4 oom art hoik goat,— «hey 
korp beet bo ttytag tod tiog no toog . — Nov w« wjoot wort, tkere It so other 
cmatot*, — 1 coo no looger live with mj gleoalog | — yet there It t bitterer etkiog 
for tot booo,— for ever tot foortk peaey OMOt [go] •• *s* ■*■€ • 

TVot we cooiploio for tot kieg, tod cort roll toitlj. Bad thlak to recover , 
trrr ort eoot ; — kt wko kotk toy good*, eBpoctt ooi to keep the**,— 
the deareet we loot ot loot. 

It It grievoot to loot, wkrrt tktrt It wttlt, tad wt have bmbj Jolewt wko 
p*cliti-tUUjw^c*mm*mitikwBhmnmt*m*™mihbt--4Mmhmm 
at to kaow evil. aad tkiokt to do wefl $— 4ho weowword kot wot ki keoteagfor 
wko lookctk oeder braachrt ;— there auy wot arte* to ot Of roojaom wkA 



150 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Thus me pileth the pore that is of lute pris : 
Nede in swot and in swynk swynde mot w 



.» 



Nede he mot swynde than he hade swore, 
That nath nout en hod his hed for te hade* 

Thus wil walketh in londe, and lawe is for-lore, 
And al is piked of the pore, the prikyares prude. 



Thus me pileth the pore and pyketh ful dene, 

The ryche raymeth withouten eny ryht ; 
Ar londes and ar leodes liggeth fol lene, 

Thorh bfijddyng of baylyfs such harm hem hath hiht. 
Meni of religioun me halt hem ful hene, 

Baroun and bonde, the clerc and the knyht* 
Thus wil walketh in lond, and wondred ys wene, 

Falsshipe fatteth and marreth wyth myht. 

Stont fulle ythe stude, and halt him ful sturne, 
That maketh beggares go with bordon and bagges. 

Thus we beth honted from hale to hurne ; 
That er werede robes, nou wereth ragges. 



or repose.— Thus they rob the poor man, who it of little Tales 
mast nscdt ia sweet and hi labour waste awsy to. 

He aut needs pine away, though he had ewore (?),— that hath not a hood to 
hide hit head.— That will walketh ia the land, and law it ililmjtil and all 
the pride of the rider It picked froai the poor. 

That they rob the poor aad pick him full clean, — the rich lord it without any 
right ;— «hoir kndt and their people lay fall loaa,— through aslds« of bait* sect 
hana hat befallen them.— hfaay of religion hold them fell abject, baton aad 
bond-man, the dark aad the knight— That will walks ia the lead, and 
nation it frconent, falsehood fattens aad mens with might. 

He stands fall ia the place, aad holds hist fall sternly,— that Makes 
go with bottom aad hags.— Thas we are haated from hall to coraer i— they who 



RBIGN OF EDWARD I. 151 

3Ct cometh budeles, with ful muche bost, — 

" Greythe me selver to the grene wax : 
Thou art writen y my writ that thou wel wost." 

Mo then ten sithen told y my tax. 
Thenne mot ych habbe hennen a-rost, 

Feyr on fyhshe day launprey ant lax ; 
Forth to the chepyn geyneth ne chost, 

Thah y sulle mi bil ant my borstax. 

Ich mot legge my wed wel 3ef y wolle, 

Other sulle mi corn on graa that is grene. 
3et I shal be foul chert, thah he han the fulie, 
• That ich alle }er spare thenne y mot spenc. 

Nede y mot spene that y spared }ore, 

A3eyn this cachereles cometh thus y mot care ; 

Cometh the maister budel bruit ase a l>orc, 
Seith he wole mi bagging bringe ful bare. 

Mede y mot munten a mark other more, 
Thah ich at the set dey sulle mi marc. 



8HH there com beadle*, with very great taut,—" Prepare aae ether far the 
vmi :— thorn art catered la aj wrwJag . that tboa kaowcat well of."— Mora 
thaa tea time* I paid mj Ui.—Thra eaaet I bare Wat roasted,— lair aa the 
Sea day laaiprcy aad eabaoa $— fort* to the aaerkct geiaj aot coat,— thoagh I 
aeU »y bill aad mj borstal. 

I eaaet lay aiy pledge well If I will,— or aaB aiy eera walk it b bat groaa 
grata.— Yet I ekall be a foal charl, thoagh they bare the whole,— what I hero 
eared all the roar, I aaaat epead thaa. 

I aaaat aeoda apead what I tared fo n aet t y,— 1 tjatt that take care agsiaot the 

tayt be will aaaka aiy lodgiagt fcl bare r— I eaast grit kit* for 



152 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Ther the grene wax us greveth under gore, 
That me us honteth ase hound doth the hare. 

He us bonteth ase hound hare doh on hulle ; 

Seththe y tek to the lond such tene me wea taht. 
Nabbeth ner budeles boded ar sulle, 

For he may scape ant we aren ever caht. 

Thus y kippe ant cacche cares ful colde, 

Seththe y counte ant cot hade to kepe ; 
To seche selver to the kyng y mi seed solde, 

Forthi mi lond leye lith ant leorneth to slepe. 
Seththe he mi feire feh fatte y my folde, 

When y thenk o mi weole wel neh y wepe ; 
Thus bredeth monie beggares bolde, 

Ant ure ni}e ys roted ant nils er we repe. 

Ruls ys oure ru)e ant roted in the stre, 

For wickede wederes by brok ant by brynke. 

Ther wakeneth in the world wondred ant wee, 
Ase god is swynden anon as so for te swynke. 



» t — thoogh I tell asy mare at the day filed.— There the green wu grkveth 
as nnder garment,— to that they hunt um honnd doth the hare. 

They hunt nut boand doth a hare on tha hill ; — aince I took to the land 
each hart wet given me :— the beadlca have never aaked their . . ,— for they 
may scape, and we are always caught. 

Thus I take and catch caret full cold, aince I reckoning and cot had to 
keep ; — to eeek ether for the king, I told my teed, — wherefore my land Uea fal- 
low and leameth to eleep.-^Since they fetched my lair cattle In my fold,— 
when I think of my weal I very nearly weep ; — than breed many hold beggars, 

and onr rye Is rotted and before we reap. 

is onr rye and rotted in the straw,— on acoonat of the had weather by 

brook and by brink.— There wakes in the world consternation and woe,— as 
good Is to pariah at once as so to labour. 



RBION OP EDWARD I. 153 

The following song appears to be directed against the gay 
fashions in Ladies' clothing which became prevalent about this 
time, and seem even to have been aped by the middle and lower 
ranks. 

AGAINST THE PRIDE OP THE LADIES. 
[MS. Hari. «S3, fbl. 61, r*; reign of Edw. II.] 

Lord that lcnest us lyf, ant lokest uch an lede, 
For te cocke with knyf nast thou none nedc ; 
Bothe wepmon ant wyf sore mowe drede, 
Lest thou be sturne with strif, for bone that thou bede, 

in wunne 

That monku[n]ne 

Shulde shilde hem from sunne. 

Nou hath prude the pris in ereruche plawe ; 
By mony wymmon un-wis y sugge mi sawe, 
For }ef a ledy lyne is leid after lawe, 
Uch a strumpet that ther is such drahtes wl drawe ; 

in prude 

Uch a screwe wol hire shrude 

Thah be nabbe nout a amoke hire foule era to hude. 

TmAKtLATiOK. — Lord, taat (frtat at M#r, aad rffardtat every aaaplr, — to 

wit* kaife thorn aaat ao aaad i aata m*m aad toMi aortty auy 

itmi. lit taoa kc atcra wfek wtata, far Cat ten taat tkaa aftkadat,— la jay— 
taat — aktod tWild aaiald til ■Him hmm ria. 

Horn pride lata tka prisa la ttary play t— af aMay aawaw waai r a lnjvy 
•aw,— far IT a Udy't liaam b laid alls? law , ■ aur j atraaiart tkat lam to 
aVaaffctt vUl draw j- la |al da tiary aa n a vfl d ata t aartrlf, 
am aat a aseck to kid* aar dirty tafl. 

CAMD. HOC. 6. X 



154 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

Furmest in boure were boses y-broht, 

Levedis to honoure ichot he were wroht ; 

Uch gigelot wol loure, bote he hem habbe soht; 

Such shrewe fol soure ant duere hit hath a-boht; 

in helle 
With develes he shule duelle, 
For the clogges that cleveth by here chelle. 

Nou ne lacketh hem no lyn boses in to beren ; 
He sitteth ase a slat swyn that hongeth is eren. 
Such a joustynde gyn uch wrecche wol weren, 
Al hit cometh in declyn this gigelotes geren ; 

upo lofte 

The devel may sitte softe, 

Ant holden his halymotes ofte. 

}cf ther lyth a loket by er outher cje, 
That mot with worse be wet for lat of other leye ; 
Tlie bout and the barbct wyth frountel shule feje ; 
1 1 abbe he a faucc filet, he halt hire hed hcje, 



First in bower were homes brought,— to bonoar ladies J wot they were 
wrought ;— r»cry giglot will lour, unless she have them sought; — such shrew 
foil sourly sod dearl j hsth bought it ;— in hell— with devils they shall dwell, — 
on Account of the clogs which bang by their jowls. 

Now they want no linen to bear bosses in ; — they sit like a slit swine which 
hangs its ears. — Such a justling contrivance every wretch will wear. — that these 
gigloU' gear all comes to nothing ;— on high— the devil may ait softly, — and 
bold his sabbaths often. 

If there lies a locket by ear or eye,— that may with worst ba wet, for lack 
of other lye ; the but and the barbel with frontlet shall quarrel;— «f aha have 
a false fillet, she holds her head high,— to show— that aha is famous and weU 



REIGN OP EDWARD 1. 15S 

to shewe 
That heo be kud ant knewe 
For strompet in rybaudes rewe. 

known— for * etrumpet in the ribeJoV ranks. 



Another song, written apparently about the same period, is a 
satire upon the smaller Ecclesiastical Courts, and the vexation 
which they caused to the peasantry. 

A 8ATYRE ON TUB CONSISTORY COURTS. 
[MS. Ilnrl. No. 2353, fol. 70, r* ; of reign of Edw. II.] 

Ne mai no lewed lued libben in londe, 
Be he never in hyrt so haver of honde, 

So lercdc us bi-ledes ; 
}ef ich on molde mote with a mai, 
Y sbal folic hem byfore ant lumen huere lay, 

Ant rewen alle huere redes. 
Ah bote y be the furme day on folde hem by-forc, 
Nc shal y nout so skere scapen of huere score ; 

So grimly he on me gredes, 
That y ne mot me lede thcr with mi lawc, 



T»4KttATtox. — No onlcomco! (ky) ncreoo m*j lire In tke lnae%— bo be la 

neeeenkly never eo of tend,— the loomed (tke clergy) en lend noi 

If I cneMtogoontWcextkwHkan^.—lekellfcU kelbre tkeen and 
tkeir ley,— ojh! me ell tkeir rneeuli —Bat naleee I keon tke fw imee t dey fta 
Ike lend before tkeoj.— 1 ekell not coeono en dear of tkeir score.— ikey cry on 
nv so grte»ly,--tnot I nuy not lend niynnV tkere vHk my Inw.— on nil kinds nf 



156 POLITICAL SONGS. 

On alle maner othes that heo me wulleth awe, 

Heore boc ase un-bredea. 

Heo wendeth bokes un-brad, 
Ant raaketh men a moneth a-mad ; 

Of scathe y wol me skere, 

Ant fleo from my fere ; 

Ne rohte he whet it were, 
Boten heo hit had. 

Furst ther sit an old cherl in a blake hure, 
Of all that ther sitteth semeth best syre, 

And leyth ys leg o lonke. 
An heme in an herygoud with honginde sleven, 
Ant mo then fourti him by-fore my bales to breven, 

In sunnes }cf y songc : 
Heo pynkes with heore penne on heore parchemyn, 
Ant sayen y am breved ant y-broht yn 

Of al mv weole wlonke. 
Alle heo bucth redy myn routhea to rede, 
Ther y mot for menske munte sum mede, 

Ant thonkfulliche hem thonke. 

Shal y thonke bem ther er y go? 

oaths that they will give me, — their books as • • • • — Tbey tin over books that 
arc not broad, — and make men a month mad ; — from hart 1 wiD save myself,— 
and fly from my companion ;— ahe recked not what h were,— fent aha had it. 

First, there sit an old churl in a black fown,— of all who aits there ha 
seems to ha most the lord,— sad lays his Iff along.— A hem In n clonk with 
hanging sleeves,— and more than forty before him to wtise my bales,— 4a efena 
If 1 swag j— they wink with their pens on their parchment,— and say I am 
b riefed and brought in— of all my fair wealth.— They are all ready to read say 
narrow— there I mast oot of respect gfft some bribe,— and grateraUy thank 
them.— Shall I thank them there before I go?— Yea. the aaseter end bis am 



RBIGN OP EDWABDI. 157 

)e, the maister ant ys men bo. 
3ef y am wreint in heore write, 
Thenne am y bac-bite, 
For moni mon heo raaketh wyte 

Of wymmene wo. 

3et ther sitteth somenoura syexe other sevenc, 
Mys motinde men alle by here evene, 

Ant recheth forth heore rolle ; 
Hyrd-men hem hatieth, ant uch mones hyne, 
For everuch a parosshe heo polketh in pyne, 

Ant clastreth with heore colle. 
Nou wol uch fol clerc that is fayly, 
Wende to the byaahop ant bugge bayly ; 

Nys no wyt in is nolle. 
Come to countene court couren in a cope, 
Ant suggen he hath privilegie proud of the pope. 

Swart ant al to-swolle. 

Aren heo to-swolle for swore i 
je, the hatred of helle beo heore ! 

For ther heo beodeth a boke, 

To sugge ase y folht toke ; 



Utk.- If I Ml 

aw* tWy BMkt to 

Yet tWt fit wmmvi til m 
fwtfc tfctir roll 

cfttrt U*t it i* to tb« 

MM to kU iM^-Ht 

(?)? 




158 POLITICAL 80NOS. 

Heo shulen in helle on an hoke 
Honge therefore. 

Ther stont up a 3eolumon, 3e}eth with a 3erde, 
Ant hat out an heh that al the hyrt herde, 

Ant cleopeth Magge ant Malle ; 
Ant heo cometh by-modered ase a mor-hen, 
Ant scrynketh for shome, ant shometh for men, 

Un-comely under calle. 
Heo biginneth to shryke, ant scremeth anon, 
Ant saith, " by my gabbyng ne shal hit so gon, 

Ant that beo on ou alle ; 
That thou shalt me wedde ant welde to wyf." 
Ah me were levere with lawe leose my lyf, 

Then so to fote hem falle. 

Shal y to fote falle for mi fo r 
}e monie by-swyketh heo swo. 

Of thralles y am ther thrat, 

That sitteth swart ant for-swat, 

Ther y mot hente me en hat, 
Er ich horn go. 

offer a book, — to ujrul b*|iti*m took ;— they shall in bell on a hook — hang 
for it. 

There stands up a yellow-man, and jogs with a rod,— and about* oat aloud that 
all the assembly beard, — and call* Mag and Mai ; — and she conies be -mothered 
as a moor-hen,— and shrinks for shame, and is ashamed on account of the 
■ un - c om cl y under petticoat. — She begins to screech, and screams anon, 
■ays, " by my gabbing, it shall not go so, — and that be on you all ; — that thou 
shah wed sae and hare me to wife." — But I would rather with law lose say 
lira,— them so mil at their feet.— Shall 1 mil at the feet of my foes ?— Yea, 
many aha deocrreth so.— I am there threatened by thralls,— who ait black and 
coe er ad with sweat,— there 1 must take ma a command, — before I go 



RBION OP EDWARD I. 159 

Such chaffare y chepe at the chapitre, 

That maketh moni thryve-mon on-thenfol to be, 

With thonkes ful thunne : 
Ant seththe y go coure at constory, 
Ant falle to fote uch a fayly, 

Heore is this worldes wynne, 
Seththen y pleide at bisshopes plee. 
Ah ! me were levere be sonken y the see, 

In sor withouten synne. 
At chirche ant thourh cheping ase dogge y am drive, 
That me were levere of lyve then so for te ly ve, 

To care of al my kynne. 

Atte constorie hco kenneth us care, 

Ant whissheth us evele ant worse to fare ; 

A pruest proud ase a po, 

Scththc weddeth us bo, 

Wvde hco worchcth us wo, 
For wymmenc ware. 



Such merchandise 1 boy at the chapter,— that Makes many thrift jr men to be 
unthankfal,— with very thio thanks :— and since I go creeping to the consistory, 

— and fall at the foot of each —theirs la the world'* joy,— since I 

played at the bubop's pleading .— Bat I had rather be drowned is the tea,— 
in sorrow wit boot sin. — At church and through the market like a dog I am 
driven.— that 1 would rather be dead than so to live,— to have care for all my 
kindred.— At the consistory they teach as care. — and wua a* ml and worse to 
fare ;— a priest as proud as a peacock — afterwards weds as both,— widely they 
work as woe, — for wom en 's ware. 



Io the latter years of the thirteenth eentnry, Edward became 
involved io the Scottish wars ; aad the enmity of the two 
.nations was manifested in mnltitndcs of songs* of which the 



160 POLITICAL. 8ONG8. 

greater part are lost, although a few are preserved, and a 
fragment or two of others are found in the old historians. The 
following song, attributed in the several manuscripts to different 
writers, was (if we may judge by the number of copies which 
remain,) very popular. Different persons seem, from time to 
time, to have altered it and added to it. It appears to have 
been composed in J 298, soon after the sanguinary battle of 
Falkirk ; but the latter stanzas, found only in one manuscript, 
have apparenty been added at a somewhat later period. 

80NO ON THE 8COTTI8H WAR8. 

}f [MS. Cotton. Claudius, D. vi. fol. 182, r* ; of the beginning of the fourteenth 

\m(. cent. (C. 1.)— MS. Cotton. TStnt, A. xx. foL 64, t°; of reign of Edw. III. 

. .*•** t (C. 2.)— MS. of Clare Hall, Cambridge, of fourteenth cent. (C/.)— MS. Sloan. 

S V* , ( y • Ko. 4834, fol. 103, r* ; a modern copy from a MS. not now known. (S/.)— 

p>\ \^f <y$V MS. Bodl. Oxfd. Rawl. B. 214, fol. 216, r* ; of the fifteenth cent.] 

V "•> * 

tr v r Ludere volentibus ludens paro lyram ; 



k 



De mundi malitia rem demonstro miram ; 
Nil quod nocet referam, rem gestam requiram ; 
Scribo novam aatyram, Bed sic ne seminet iram. 

Ira movet militum mentes modernorum, 
Dum inermea detrahunt factis fortiorum ; 



Yabiocs Readings. — 9. milt tie, C. 2. Be CI. dememetrmne t C. ?. — 3. eer- 
ewirem, CL — 7. eed toe mem c o m m oe emn t, C. 1. 



Tbanslation.— I playing prepare a harp for those who desire to play ; I 
net forth a wonderful matter concerning the mattes of the world ; 1 will tdl 
nothing that la noxious, but will relate a historical incident ; I write a new 
attire, yet let it not on that account sow anger. — Anger mores the minds of 
the loleiari of the present day, since the weak detract from the praise of the 



RRlGN OP EDWARD I. 161 

Te tamcn non tcrreant dentes detractorum : 

Cum recte vivas, ne cures verba malorum. 

[Ira si duraverit, transit in livorem ; 
Livor non cohibitus agitat furorem ; 
Furor dies breviat, ducens in anguorem ; 
Ira odium generat, concordia nutrit amorem. — £+■*> J, •>£ 
Amor orbis obiit, virus est in villa ; 
1 1" IVodiit ex odio pcstis non pusilla; 
I^ator homicidii levavit vexilla : 



Acrius invidia nichil est, nil nequius ilbu-— &**&& '***", ^ 
Invido nil nequius, nullus est qui nescit ; Pili*t*< il * *° 

Nam dc bono proximi dolor ejus crcscit 

Undc Justus proficit, hinc ipse tabescit 

Sinccrum nisi vas, quodcumque infundis acesctU 
Ut acescant igitur mentes malignorum, 

Narrabo quie noveram dc gestis Anglorum. 



Vaeioui Readikgi.— 4. laetead of this tecoad tctraetkh, the 
Cambridge MSS. have the foar which are bete given ia bracket*.— [f?. Jbw< 
i, St— f9. o*«f, SI.— fl*. ATewiae. ...mil tt4, mi trim, SL 



deed* of the strong ; yet lit aot teeth of the detractor* tear* thee : if yoa 
lnc well, yoa need not care for what eril bcb eey.— [If eager bet, it tame 
ialo audice ; Malice if aot rcetraiaed drives people into rafe ; rafe shorten* oar 
day*, by bringiaf ae ialo engmiah ; anger breed* hatred, whilst seacard non- 
risbe* love.— The lore which was ia the worW U gone, and poiaoa hat tafcea tea 
place ; oat of hatred baa ■prang ao ssmsil plngo* ; the hcoaicldo baa raised hie 
standard ; nothing Is abarper thaa envy, aad aothiaf eaore wichad. — lYere U 
aothiaf eaore wicked thoa aa earlaaa man, aa every one know* \ 9m hie wahap 
peaeae iacrraeae with the piospsrtfy af hie ne h j h han r ; be pines away by the 
eery caaae which briaga pront to the jnet taaa. L'aleat the vassal ba clean, 
whatever yoa poor ia bicoane aaarad. — la order, IhsiilsH, that the miads of 
the wtrked may br eoared, I will relate what I bore karat of the deeds of the 

c AMI*, hoc. ft. Y 



162 POLITICAL 90N08. 

Non verebor a modo voces invidorum. 
* 0*A ^ — f20 Cum recte vivas, nc cures verba malorum.] 

Malis inest proprium mala semper fan, 
10 Validis detrahere, viles venerari. 
Ex timore talium nolo vos turbari ; 
Laus est discretis a pravis vituperari. 

Pravis enim displicet vitae rectitudo : 
Lex in eis ifflditur, et est lis pro ludo. 
Ribaldorum requies est inquietudo ; 
Dum stultos revoco, quasi frigida ferra rccudo. 

Ferrum cudit frigidum quisquis obstinato 
Consulit ut redeat de suo peccato; 
Dicit enim sapiens sermone sensato, 
20 Verba sent vento qui pnedicat infatuate 
Pradicantur undique fraudes infidorum, 



Vamous Readings.— fl 9. vtrt6or eufcno, SI. vocet imslifnormm, CI.] — 
9. lns$t tpiritMM,C. 2. proprie, CI.— 10. eeiiaVf, SI.— 11. miAeW, SI.— 13. 
$*mctitudo, C. 1 and «.— 15. rqrrotorum, C. 1.— 16. ttuitum, C. 2.— 18. 
tuUei uf, C. 1. pntciftit */, SI. ut/kfUS, CI. erao, SI.— 19. 9tr*to t St— 21. 
i, CI. 



English. Henceforward I will not fear the words of the envious. If yon live 
well, yon need not care for what evil men any.] — It is the piup c ily of wicked 
men always to say evil, to detract from the able, to respect the vile. I em 
unwilling that yon should be disturbed by the fear of such men ; it is praise- 
worthy in the prudent to be abused by the wicked.— For the wicked are dis- 
pleased by rectitude of life : the law is injured in them, and they esteem 
strife as a joke. The repose of ribalds Is inquietude ; to attempt to convert 
fools is, as it were, to put cold iron on the anviL— Every one strikes cold iron, 
who counsels the obstinate man to desert his sine ; for the wise men says very 
sensibly, " he sows words in the wind who p rea ch e s to a madman."— Every 
where are prea ch ed the fraudulent actions of the faithless men, who 



RBION OP EDWARD I. 163 

Qui molestant Angliam viribua armorum ; 
Franci, Scoti, Wallici, potestatem quorum 
Comprimat omnipotens qui continet alta polorum ! 

Polorum dispoaitor quern clamamua Dcum, 
Qui per multa populum protexit Hebraeura, 
Anglicis ex hostibus tribuat trophesum ! 
Mille viris prabere potest pincema Lyesum. 

Ut pincema pluribus dat per velle potum, 
30 Ita suis Dominua vires dat ad YOtum ; 
Edwardus rex inclitus istud habet notum ; 
Christo devotum studeat se tradere totum. 

Totus Christo traditur rex noster Edwardus ; 
Vclox est ad veniam, ad vindictam tardus ; 
Fugat adversarios tanquani leopardus ; 
Fama foetet fatui, Justus redolet quasi nardus. 



VAmiori RiADiKoa.— '24. /fcafraa/ kpt Dt%» fi, C. 1 and ?. p—idH, C. 
2.—°$. r Ut mmrim us , St— 26. rmr/a, CL prodmrit, C. 2.— 19. dm* ptft* p*i. 
CI. pmrihms dmrt pmmt p. 81. tlcut mmms plwrik** dmt pim etmm p*4. C. I.— 31. 
iUmd AaaW, CI. *t SI.— 34. sd U omitted in C. * aad CI. la 81. tat two Umi 
{U and te) art t r a at poard.— 33. //oWr*/«#«/ rtif*Jaf t. C. 1. ffi kmtm 
mmdifme t.C. 9. 



EafUad by fort* of arm* ; taa Preach, Scotca. aad Wriafc, 
maj tac OmaipoUnt wao aolda tac world reproof I— May taa Govrraor of taa 
naiTcrac wboin wt addrcaa at God, who protected taa Hebrew wr ot h ta r oo j b 
attar diaUwltiee, fiva tat Eag bah victory ore? their raeojiai ! Taa botlar oaa 
foraiaa liqoor to a ttiHwaaa* am.— At the awUtr at will gieee aViaa lo away, to 
the Lord firea atroagth at hie will to taoot waoca at baa choata ; Edward the 
aoblc Kiof kaowt tbie j aad at la b oa r a to devote IriaaatJf eatiratj to Cariot.— 
Edward oor Kiaf la oatiraty devoted to Cartel ; be fc oak* to 
•low to vcagoaaoa ; he pwU lo iajat hit adf t raatite Hat a leopard j taa 



164 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Tanquam nardus redolet laus regis Anglorum, 
Qui conatus reprimit hostium suorum ; 
Ipsum omnes timeant hostes Anglicorum : 
40 Seepe molossus ovem tollit de fauce luporum. 

In luporum faucibus Angli sunt hiis annis; 
Nam, devictis omnibus Walliee tyrannis, 
Scoti levant lanceas armati sub pannis ; 
In paucis annis oriuntur mira Johannis. 

Johannes jam Scotioc clemens rex et castus, 
Uegni tcnens regimen, ut rex erat past us, 
Hunc tandem deposuit gentis sute fastus. 
Exulat ejectus de sede pia protoplastus. 

Exulat et merito, quia, sicut legi, 



V a mors Reading*. — 3G. C. virtu* redoUt, C. 1. *eee/, by an error, fur 
fetet, SI. utiut redotet, SI. fame replen* mundum fratjrut retmt optimm m. ('. 'J. 
— 37. quasi mardus, CI. and SI. — 38, 39. Qui regit rem publicum more fiomm- 
mormm | Innocent e* erripit de man* pr antrum, C. 1 . Fama eujus attifit Jlmea 
seculorum; | Ipsum tr'imet Scotici furen jumentorum, C. 2. J>um cometms, ifc. 
CI. — II. fmucibuM hiis consist urn t mule, SI. — 12. deeinc/is, SI. — 15. J. rex &c. 
mmmdam cl. cms/. CI. quidem Scoti*, SI. — IT. disposuit, C. 1 ct C. 2.-48. sesf* 
turn, C. I and SI. — 19. Hie dum resit Scotiam prout dud urn U§i % C. 1. Hie 
dum sedem t emu it regnum d. /. SI. Hie dum regnum tenuit in tcriptisjam i, CI. 



tion of the fool stinks, tin* junt man smell* sweet as spikenard. — Like siiike- 
nard smells the fame of the King of the English, who rrpreiiaes the attempts 
of his enemies ; him let all the enemies of the English fear : often the mastiff 
snatches the sheep from the wolrea' jaws.— In the wolres' jaws the Engtieh 
hare been of late ; for, when all the turbulent chiefs of Wales were reduced, the 
Scotch raise their spears armed in their rags : a few years eihibit the 
ful fortune of John — John being now King of Scotland, clement and 
governing the kingdom as though he had been bred a king, him at length the prid e 
of his nation deposed. The first-created was au c &ile, driven from his pioea 
— lie, however, was deservedly exiled, for, as 1 have read, he promised 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 165 

50 Spopondit homagium Anglicano regi ; 
Declinavit postea frango, frangis, fregi: 
Omnia quae pepigi prodendo pacta peregi. 

Pactum pratergressus est princepa pronotatus, 
Quando non compescuit pravorum conatus ; 
Vox in Rama sonuit, fletus et ploratus ; 
Mitis pnelatua facit ignavos famulatus. 

Ab ignavis famulis rex inhonoratur ; 
Sanctitas subvertitur, lex evacuatur ; 
Sicpc fit seditio, pax pcriclitatur. 
(JO Sit maledicta domus ubi quiaque cliens dominatur ! 

Quando cliens imperat, et princepa obedit, 
Tunc ruit rcspublica, requics recedit. 
() quantos impietas inpunita lccdit ! 
lupius impunis semper se vincere credit. 

Crc<lcbant duodecim Scotitc pnelati 



Varioi « IUadikg*.— AC Qtmd /eeU *om. CI. tad 81.— 41. §ed dttiimml, 
C. 9.-65. rtmmmi, t'L— fil-ftf, arc omitted in CI.— £4. Imfim immrwma, St 



to the English King; afterwards he declined the *erb/r#a#o(I break); by 
breaking all which I had promised, (mid he,) I pc r fo t m t d my agrtemcat.— The 
aforesaid |*hnre broke bit prom be. when he did aot restrain the attampU of tbe 
• ickrd ; a %uice was heard in Kama, weepiaf ami Urn— latioa x a rtmiss asaster 
makes lary senants.— By alack servaats the Kiaf b dbaoaoand ; hoNatss b 
overthrowa. the law is mad* of ao avail ; tlssre U fresjaeat s tdi tioa. tba pun b 
endangered. Cnrwd be the boas*, where every deaaaeset b anaater !— Wkm 
the dependant commands, aad the priac* b a serraat, tbea the etas* b hi da*. 
grt, aad oaietaeaa drparta. O bow maay peemb famabty, waea waaanjbami, 
injarr* • The impioaa maa aapaaisard always thiaks that be caawaera.— TW 
i«tl%c mlers of ticotlaad tboaght that they eaald rcebt the fraat labor of tbt 



166 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Anglorum resistere raagnce probitati ; 
Ceciderunt igitur plures vulnerati. 
Dixit bufo crati, " maledicti tot dominati V 9 
• Dominantes plurimi sub dace tantillo, 
70 Conspirant in Anglicos, rege tunc tranquillo : 
Tandem simul obviant levato vexillo. 
Flumina magna trahunt ortum de fonte pusillo. 

De pusillis fontibus magni surgunt rivi ; 
Sic de gente Scotiae conatus lascivi. 
Plurimi propterea ducti sunt captivi : 
Quicquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi. 
Plebs Achiva periit ad Dunbar in bcllo, 
Ubi Scoti cssi sunt Anglorum flagello. 
Vidercs cadavera, velut in macello 
80 Vilia vendcntis, tunicato stricta popello. 
Tunicatus populus multus et immanis, 



Vaeioui Readings.— 68. b%fo ctmeti, SI. — 69. nth dieto, C. 1. — 70. 
Amfiieo, CI.— 71. osrie/, C. 1. eibi obrimnt, St etulli leremt fences* ermeJo ». 
CL— 74. de Scx>tU misrro, C. 1. deplete Scotut, SI.— 77. *d Berwi*, C 2_ 
80. Vilii, C 2. elrincie, C 2. et CI. cincte, SI.— 81. inmmh, C 1. wiUe et 



English; therefore many of them fell by the sword. Said the toad to the har- 
row, " cursed be to many rulen t" — Many rulers under each a diminutive 
leader conspire against the English, whilst the king was at peace ; at length 
they meet with standards raised. Great rivers take their rise from a smell 
fountain.-— From small fountains great rivers arise ; so it is with the wanton 
attempts of the people of Scotland. If any thereupon are led captives s when- 
ever the kings run wild, it is the subjects who sufer.— The subject populace 
perished in battle at Dunbar, where the Scotch ware shun by the nail of the 
English. You might see the carcases, as in the shambles of a seller of refuse 
t, cut of from the kilted rabble — The killed people, numerous and savage, 



RKIGN OP EDWARD I. 167 

Qui solet detrahere viris Anglicanis, 

Apud Dunbarre corruit, jam foetct ut canis : 

Sic faciunt atulti, quos gloria vexat inanis. 

Vana fecit gloria populum fallacem 
Diffiteri dominum Scotia? veracem ; 
Facto tamen prolio vcniunt ad pacem. 
De fatuo quandoque facit fortuna sagaoem. 

Sagax est in prolio qui majori cedit ; 
90 Sed gens bruta Scotia* cito fidem tadiL 
Nemo potest tollere quod natura dedit : 
Osse radicatum raro de carne recedit 

Ilecessit rex inclitus, parcens plebi tanta ; 
Pcragravit Scotiam turba comitante. 
Angli castra muniunt, rege sic raandante ; 
Nam levius ltedit quicquid proridimus ante. fit-* *, *jt 



Vaeioui Readings. — 83. foaV l aw f ra fttis, C. 1. cmM&nt In prmtm, 
SI. — 85. a ieo— cm tmmmc t m, C. *. fecit. . . . . . o raoof ra oi /mi. SI. — 06. Kd- 

w mr dm m emituymm itmdmmm o. C. 9. — 8ft. fWMCMfM f+tU, 8L — 90. AVa- 
iiem, C. *.— 9*i. dt coma roro, C. I.— 93. rrcvoVS, 81. rts ifitmr, C. 1.— 94. 
Sfiimm jHrtrmnsiiti C I . — 9J. rtf* proc m rm n ie, C. I and 81.- 



wbo arc accvatoaMd to detract from too EagUabmcm .fell at Doobar, aod mam atftak 
baa a dog t tbaa do fooU. wbo ara toraaemtod by vaia glory .—Vaia glory aaata tb* 
daoritfal poopk daay too traa lord of Scotlaad ; bat after too battla tboy aaak 
aaaaa. SoaactioK* fortaaa aukca a wiaa aaia of a foot.— Ha la wiaa Is battla 
wbo yialda to bia aaperiors bat tao wild ooaada of Sroflaaa' aaaa braak tbaar 
faita. No oaa caa take away wbaft aatara gava i tba diaaaaa wbiea la raoaad hi 
tao boaa. caa aatdoai ba exBotlad fraaa too tub. T\% aobla kiaw dtaaftad. 
apariag to groat a BMaa of aoaalaoa i ba trattcaad taatlaad vltb a crowd of at- 
toadaata. TUrUgibbFort^oaatlaiibyUMa^'toaaMaaod) tartaataarti 



168 POLITICAL 80NG8.. 

Regis providentia bella gubernantur ; 
Scoticani proceres Anglis subjugantur : 
Statuuntur judices, leges renovantur ; 
f)^ 3,,o^l00 Ipsa* etenim leges cupiunt ut jure regantur. 

Rex ad regni regimen dignum deputavit, 
Johannem Warennis, quem s®pe probavit. 
Hie in quantum valuit leges observavit ; 
Elatos perdens, humiles in pace locavit. 

Rex in pace rediit hiis ita patratis, 
Comiti de Flandria succursurus gratis ; 
Magnam classem pneparat tempestive satis ; 
Tolle moram, semper nocuit differe paratis. 

Nee mora, conveniunt Scotici versuti ; 
110 Tactis Evangeliis sacris sunt locuti, 



Vakiocs Readings.— 97. eo/le, C 1.— 98. Scotumi, C. 1.— 99. 
fur. Si. pranotcntur, C. 1.— 100. ipee rmm, SI. — 102. JoJksn Wmrtmme, C. 1. 
—103. potuit Seoios rtgi*trurit % C. 1. wmhtit jurm ceawrrnsvi/, SL— 104. nvw* 
nYus, SI. /etwrf/, C. 1.— 105. ta yet rex, C. 1.— 107. Mormri mm pmittwr, 
mamku$ permits, C. 1 . Pr*pmr*t nsvifim tempeethe —tit, SL— 106. itferrt, 
C. 1. 



which we hire provided against. — The wan are governed by the king's provi- 
dence ; the Scottish nobles are snbdned to the English ; judges are appointed, 
the laws are revised; for the laws themselves require to be rrgnlntsjd 
aright. — The king appointed a worthy man to the government of the kingdom, 
John de Warenne, whom he had often proved. He to the ntmost of his power 
obs er v ed the laws ; destroying the promt, he placed the humble in peace. — The 
king, after these things had been per f orme d , returned In peace, preparing to aid 
gratuitously the Count of Flanders; be prepares stjeat Beet mquicUym he can; 
banish delay, to those who are prepared it is always injurious to procrastinate.— » 
Nor was there any delay, for the cunning 8cots meet together; with their hasms 
on the gospels, they have said that from their station in the south they will not 



REION OP EDWARD I. 169 

Quod Trentam non transient austro constituti : 

Pauca voluptati debentur, plura saluti. '« * >• \ **,'//■ **. J 

Scoticani proceres jurant omnes Lcete, 
Et a rege singulis limitantur mete : 
Vide ne perjuri sint, et ruant in rete ; 
Nam miranda canunt, sed non credenda, poete. — \^j ■'■ >'■ /o 

Tunc rex mire credulus mare transfretavit, 
Et Francos in Flandria potens expugnavit ; 
Senectutis inmemor multos non expavit. 
1 20 Consilio jiollet, cui vim natura negavit. - — ^ * /, * 

Non negavit Dominus robur et vigorem 
Regi, quern constituit fore mundi florem ; 
Cujus acta singulos agunt in stuporem ; 
Quemvis namque latest animo sufferre laborem. — . . J ,. ;, # 

Labor novus oritur ; Satlian suscitatur ; 



Vaaioca Rkadimc*. — 111. Qooo* /rvotm non, C. 2.— 11 J. /». r. plnrn 
detent eel. SI.— II J. Per mluiem rtfimm Scnti jnrmmi I. C. I md SL— 114. 
ttmfmii, SI. — 1 15. ne rnsnt, C. 1.— 119. eententue immtmtr, SI.— I 'JO. tie, C. 
9.—\?2. Kepem, torn, SI.— I 23. fym* eeiie, C. I. Aetw ejns, SL— 1*4. 
tw enime p+tnit, SI. 



!*»• tbe Trent : little u owiaf to pleatore, more to aaJrty.-~Tb* Srottbb 
tablet all iwrar witb alacrity, and I Weir bo«n«Urte» are limited to earb by tbe 
kiof ; •re tbat tbey be oof pnrtjnrrd, tad (nil i»to tbe art ; fur the ports titf 
wotolrrfal tbioft tbat art aot to be brUctei.— Tbe* tbt kiof . vooorrfvJty ere* 
4oJooa to tbeta, potted tbt arm, tad powrrfally warred tfaiott tbo Fromcb io 
Flaodrra ; onariodfol of oU age, bo vat tot terriaed by Bomber*, lit ■otrwjbri 
by rootorl, to wbota aatwv bat droitd ttreogtb. — Tbt Lord bat tot deoied 
•trrogtb tod tigoar to tbo kiof. wbota bt ordtioed to bt tbt lawn of tW 
world ; oboor artt eteHe everybody's oootVr ; for bit tattd ta ctptble of oo- 
oWfoinf etrry Uboor.— A aew Uboor irtKi ; $ttaa U rtiaeJ Of ; tbr aoVtfctv 

CAMD. tOC. 6. % 



170 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Scotorum fidelitas procul effugatur ; 
Anglicorum probitas falso depravatur. 
Cj, 1, 3 Arbitrii nostri non est, quod quisque loquatur. 
Loquuntur ad invicem scurne derelicto ; 
130 " Ecce dantur Anglicis triumphales vitte. 
O ! Guyllam de Wallia, nos ad ipsos mitte : 
Loricam duram possunt penetrare sagittae. 
Omnes sagittarios nostros convocemus ; 
Ad custodem Scotiae simul properemus. 
Nam pro nostra patria fas est ut pugnemus : 
(V** "Victorem a victo superari stepe videmus." 
Custos ergo Scotiee coarctatur nimis ; 
Et ad Strivelyne convenit gens corde sublimis ; 
Fraus occidit Anglicos, et ruunt in imis : 
C*> »'.^ 140 Non codftm cursu respondent ultima primis. 



VAiior* IUadixg».— » 1^7. Et Anglorwm, C. 1 and SI. dtwpmstmr, SI.— 
I"), turb* aV. C. 2. dnriHct*, C. 1.— 131. mom *d, SI.— 113. I'trot m$. C. I 
and SI. oMMi eon. SI.— 134. cito prop. C. 2. This line and the following are 
transposed in SI.— 135. pot. eat «f propupumui, SL— 13H. StHrttyn, C. I. 
Streretym, SI. projxrot yen*, C. 2 and SI.— 139. DefronHmmtmr .Inflict, C. S. 



of the Scott disappears entirely ; the rakmr of the English U undeservedly set at 
nought. What everybody mji, does not rest upon ov opinion.— The aban- 
doned scoffers hold mntnal conversation* ; •• Lo ! triumphant garlands are given 
to the English. O William de Wallace ! send as to them : arrows can pene- 
trate the hard maiL— Let as call together all our archers ; let us hasten toga, 
ther against the Guardian of Scotland. For it is right that wcshouM 6ght for owr 
country : we often sec the conqueror overcome by the vanquished.''— Accord- 
ingly the Guardian of Scotland is very hard pressed ; and the people aasemhU 
at Stirling, proud in spirit ; treachery destroys the English, and they are am 
the brink of ruin : the end does not correspond with the beginning.— The Earl, 



REIGN OK EDWARD I. 171 

Primus pontem trausiit comes dux Anglorum, 
Penetrans audaciter cuneos Scotorum ; 
Sed seductut rediit, non ob rim virorum : 
Fraus est materia multorum saepe malorum. 

Fraus effecit Anglicos rubore perfundi, 
Dum suorum sanguinem passim vident fundi. 
Reus fraudis Lcvenax est et Ricardus Lundi. 
Quam brevis est risus, quam longaque lacrima munch ! 

O niundi perfidia ! quis te non miratur ? 
1 50 Dolus in domesticis latens occultatur ; 
Versutus pacifico semper adversatur : 
Pastor oves minat l>aculo, lupus ore roinatur. 

Quid minatur barbara bruta gens et stulta ? 
Nutnquid haec |>erfidia mancbit inulta ? 



V.tftioi* Kt.\DlNc*.— 14.'. mmJmctn cm mem*, M.— 144. mmlrr mmltmrmmt, 
SL — I4.*i. Frmms etim/ecit, C. I. rotorif, SI. in <*•*/*# com/mm J$, C. .'.— IM». 
*W4a riJent, C. I and SI.— 147. It f mux t$i et Ricmrlm* setwuli, C. 1. Ijrttnm* 
et, C. '2. item* frmms L. SI.— 14". mnu ommm. (J. 1. hmp he. C. .' and SI.— 
14.0. O mmmJ, mmhtim, SI.— K.I. mdmirmtmr. ('. I and C. .'.— 1 ..'. Awe. mimmt. 
81.— lil. mirmna. SI . — I ."» 4 . A*c imjmrim, SI. A*c i» omitted in C I. 



wLo vat leader of the English, ttrmt |**ard tbe bridge. i*nct rating boldly into 
tbe Scotiah columns ; but be was drirra back by treaebcry, and not by tkc 
force of armt : fraad U often tbe eanae of many e\U§.— Prand canned tbr Enf • 
lash to bluah. whiUt tbry fair on all aidrt tbr blood of tbdr own pcofde Sowing ; 
Let ma i and Rictiard Laodi are cow*irtrd of frand. How »bort U tbe joy , and 
bow bating tbe aocrow, of tbe world ?— O pern Ji^wncM of the world' nboUnot 
aatoaiabed by tbec ? Trracbrry lira bid, conorabrd anion; oar bon»iU<>ld ; tbr 
cvaning man U always o|»poard to tbe |«cacrftd ; tbe •brfberd lra«U bi» tbrrp 
witb ■ tuff, tbe wolf tbrcatcna tbcm nitb bU moatb.— Wbal «lor» tbr barbar. 
on* brutal and footttb race threaten * WUI tbi* perfidy re main anvtafrd 1 



172 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Veniet rex Anglise manu non occulta, 

Multa super Priamo rogitans, super Hectore multa. 

Multa sibi cumulat mala gens superba, 
Anglicos ad pralia provocans acerba ; 
Verbera cum venient, tunc cessabunt verba : 
1 60 Cum totum fecisse putas, latet anguis in herba. 

[" Non latebit," inquiunt, €t nobis luce Phoebus ; 
Per nos ruent Anglici simul hiis diebus, 
Nullus pervilibus percel speciebus." (?) 
Ludit in humanis divina potentia rebus. 

O Dei potentia ! te pro tuis peto ! 
Anglis in auxilium veni vultu lccto ! 
Regis causam judicas, gratiam prccbeto : 
Tu sine principio non vincere falsa jubcto.] 

Post litec dux fallacicc suum vocat coctum, 



Various Readings. — 157. libi en mutant, SI. magna oen* t C. 2.— lit). 
KtmforUt, SL — 1 .*»!». Xumquid non inttlligit tmpitntit rtritm, C. 1. Ac* tuim 
iniei. —y. r. C. 2.— 160. The right line* which follow (included in bracket*) 
are found only in Si. — 1G1. Siatim dmx fmllacit, C. 1. FaUnt d. f. cmiwcwrit 
e. SI. 



The King of England will come with open force, inquiring much about Priam 
and much about Hector. — The proud people raise a heap of e% iU for tbemseires, 
provoking the English to the bitter contest ; words will cease, when the blows 
come ; though you think you have finished entirely, there is a snake concealed 
in the grass — [•• The sun," they say, " will not be concealed from us with his 
light ; the time is come when the English will all fall by our hands ; no one. • • • 

" The Dhine power plays with the prospects of men. — O power of God! 

1 petition thee in fstour of thy people ! come with a pro|»itiou* countenance to 
the aid of the English ; judge the king's cause, and gire him grace i thou who 
art without begfoujtg, do uot let falseness triumph.]— After this the leader of Urn 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 173 

Sciens quod abierit rex nostcr trans fretum ; 

Cremare Northumbriam statuit decretum : 

" Saepe videraus," ait, « post gaudia rumpere flctum. ,, 

Lugeat Northumbria nimis dcsolata ! 
Facta est ut vidua filiis orbata. 
Vescy, Morley, Somervilc, Bertram stmt in fata : 
O quibus, ct quantis, ct qualibet est viduata ! 

In hac, cum sit vidua, cunei Scotorum 
1 70 Rcdigunt in cincrcs prccdia multorum. 
Willelmus dc Wallia dux est indoctorum ; 
Gaudia stultorum cumulant augmenta dolorum. 

Ad augmentum scclcris hactenus patrati, 
Alncwyke dant ignibus viri scclerati ; 
Circumquaquc cursitant vclut incensati. 
Elccti pauri sunt, multi vcro vocati. 



Varioi'% Reading*.— IG.**. /.«#* m**c «Y., SI. Xmrtmtimlrut f C. 1.— UT?. 

V. % Bertram, Srnrn., Aierimii, C. I. leery Ikrtkrmm, C. J.— 16*. im fmmmtu, 

C. 'J. ee rufaere, hi.— 169. Im *e*r, C. I. Amc, eryo rW. C. '2. Im It ewm *•#, 
SI.— I TO. im cinerem, SI. Imtrmmt el Hmmt ifmihma pr+4%m p r o+mr mm , C. 1.— 

172. emmmlet mil or mm, C. I.— IT I. e*ye#eefe, SI.— 1 « 4. Almetrik, C. 1. 

AUttryk, SI. 



}»lot call* together kU party. kaowitif that oar king woald be gome oftrtke tea ; 
he raedc an order to rarage Northumberlaact : "te oft tee," tare he, " weeping 
after joy.*'— NorthaaibrrUad, m*ch dceoUtrd, May weep ! She u iiiit at a 
widow robbed of her children. Veery, Morlry, fexnenillr, Bertram art dead i 
Alai ! of how auay, aad how great nn in every port k the widowed !— la her. 
Mace the b • widow, the troop* of the .Scott redaea the ettatea of eaaay to 
riader*. William Wallace U the leader of three eaeagcti the reJaidagB of 
foob breed iacreaee of grief*.— To increase the a kkeda eee which they had 
hitherto |*erpetreted, tbeee wkked art deliver AJawirk to the amwee ; they raa 
•boat 00 every tide like madmen. Few are cb ca e a, hat maay tea 



174 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Multi quaerunt mutuo qualiter sit factum, 
Quod Newmonasterium non est igne tactum. 
Dona spondent monachi, sed non solvunt pactum 
ISO Sicut opus fuerat, sic res processit in actum. 

Hujus rei gratia captivum ducerunt 
Priorem cocnobii, quern tunc repererunt ; 
Captis rebus vacuas domos reliquerunt 
Munifici pauci, multi qui munera querent. 

Jam rcdit in Scotiam populus malignus ; 
Et Willelmo datum est militare pignus ; 
Dc pncdone fit eques, ut de corvo cignus ; 
Accipit indignus sedem, cum non prope dignus. 

Digno taiidem principi litera prcebetur, 
190 In qua rei series tota continetur. 



YAftiorfc RcADiN(.«.— 1;7. tit actum, SI. — 1?£. K^monattcrimm • . . • «7, 
C. '«?. Xor*mmona»trri*w , 81. — 17!». arm tememt, C. .. — 1>*0. att act mm, C. '2, 
— 1K2. inrcntntut, SI. — l«.l. dommt, C. 2.— 1*4. qmi pncmia, C. 1 and SI.— 
1*5. tmam petit pat Ham pop. C. I. tuam petmmt pat. pup. SI. — 1WJ. fU H'a7- 
lentia accipit m. p. SI. Rt IVattensem accipit, C. 1. — 1**. amam nam, C. 2. Si 
, SL— l«f>. Mano tamrn, C. I. 



ask each other bow it luLp|H-ncd, that the Kcwmiostcr was not touched by the 
fire. The monks pronii»c gift*, but they do not fulfil their promise : at then 
was seed, to was the thing carried into effect. — On this account they led 
•way captive the prior of the monastery, whom they then found ; having carried 
away the good*, they left the houses empty. Few arc munificent, bat there are 
smaay who seek after gifts. — Now the malignant people returns to Scotland ; 
and the honour of knighthood is given to William ; from a robber be becomes 
a knight, just as a swan is made out of a raven ; an unworthy man takes the 
seat, when a worthy man is not by.— At length a letter reaches the wor- 
thy prince, in which the whole course of events i» told. Let nobody be am> 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 175 

Si commotus fuerit, nullus admiretur : 
Tranquillum nequit esse fretum, dum peste raovetur. 

Motus, suos milites sic ccepit aflfari : 
" Adhuc vos pro patria decet pneliari.— 
Malo semel vincere, quara seepe turbari : 
Bella valent melius quam longa lite grarari." 

" Ne graveris," inquiunt, " si Scotorum fures 
Propriis capitibus acuant secures ; 
Unus Anglus perimet Scoticos quam plures. 
2(K) Non est plaustelo barbati jungere mures/' 

Vix est mure melior Walays, aut Qilmaurus, 
Ad quorum victoriam nunquam crescet laurus ; 
Desunt enim robora, deestque thesaurus : 
Delia moret citius cui desunt cornua taurus. 



Vabiou* Riadixg*.— 191. Si /«rii/Ni, C. I tad SI. — 1!*3. 7W rtJ 
C. I. e/ert, C. ?. — I'M. detur jtroViori.— 1«*S. Alois bmJm perdere, prnm tie 
m-lei feri, C. 2. limit Scofot perdert, emsm tie c*n t*rUri, SI._|<JC». rW«a/ 
»Wim, C. 1 . — 1 W. perimet tetmm eicrnt /dmret, C. 9. thnu mmm Amfheme ScWst 
relet />1mrt», RL.— 2Qt\. ntreert mtret, ('. 2. mm fere m. C. l_£ul. IVr ft 
mmrtu melior mart ••#(:) Gtlm. C. 1. melior Sftme Guihm.&\.—'M2. Ad c+)*i 
r*e. eretat, C . I and $1. cteuet, C. ?. 



prUed If he was enraged at It : the tea caaaot be qaict when the stonn rages.— 
la his anger be begaa thas to address bit haightt : " Afala yon mast prepare to 
if bt for yoor eoaatry. I woald rather conqaer owe, tbaa be often tormented ; 
wan are better tbaa being troabled with lasting strWe. M — M Do aot be troa. 
bird," taid they, •• if the Scottish Uteres sharpen aiea for their ova beads ; 
ooe Englishman will slay f ery many Scott. It U aot the part of a saaa who 
bat a beard t» joia mice to a little cart. •'--Wallace, or GOmanmt, Is arareetj 
better tbaa a monar, to whose victory the Isarrl win never grow ; me they want 
•trength aad treat art . a ball who has lost bet b oras Is the ante* eafer far the 



176 POLITICAL 80NG9. 

• 

Bello cadunt miseri die Magdalen® ; 
Fere centum millia subdit rex arenae ; 
Caesorum cadaverum pascuce sunt plense. 
Oderunt peccare mali formidine poena;. 

Poena? metu territus tergum dat tyrannus, 
210 CuY quondam placuit decurtatus pannus ; 
Fallax die preelii fugit ut trutannus, 
Seepe dat una dies quod totus denegat annus. 

Una die miseri multi perimuntur ; 
Et Scotos qui fugerant Angli persequuntur ; 
Perforantur lanceis, vestesque tolluntur. 
Alba ligustra cadunt, vaccinia nigra leguntur. 

Cadit, Waleys, tua laus, ut quid arma geris, 
Ex quo gentem gladio tuam non tueris. 



Vaeiot/ a Reading*.—- 207. c+$i$ cmdtreribuM, C. 2 and SI. — 910. cut oui- 
oVm, SI.— 213. Ilia dieplurimi Scoti per. C. 1. plmrimi prmri punimntur, SI.— 
214. frfieute* mi*ero$ Any. per. C. I. Fug. mis. Angl. prosequuntur, SI. — 
216. r*ffci»i«, SI.— 218. Ex quo tuumpopuium tuens non /*ert#, C. 1. Bx quo 
fust fUtHo tutor non t. SI. 



war.— On St. Magdalen'* day the wretches fall in battle; the king subdues in 
the field near a hundred thousand ; the meadow* are covered with their carcase*. 
The wicked hate sin from the fear of punishment.— Seared by the fear of pu- 
nishment the tyrant turns hi* back, whom the abort jacket once p?ea*ed ; faith* 
leas in the day of battle he flies like a truant. One day often given what the whole 
year denies. — In one day many wretches were slain ; and the English pursue the 
Scots who had fled ; they are transfixed with spears, and robbed of their clothes. 
The white thorns are cut down, while the black bilberries are gathered.— 
Wallace, thy reputation as a soldier b lost ; since thou did»t not defend thy 
people with the sword, it is just thou shouldst now be deprive J of thy dominion. 



REIGN OP EDWARD I. 177 

Jus est ut dominio tuo jam priveris. 
220 Ast michi qui quondam semper asellus eris.— sA**~ S^/f 

Eris in proverbium quod non prateribit ; 
Regnum tuum scissum est, et stare nequibit ; 
Potum quern paraveras, gens tua jam bibit, 
Deridens alios, non inderisus abibit. 

O res apta risui, patens hiis diebus ! 
Fortuna sub ranis ludet speciebus. 
Profugus de principe, de Juda fit Jebus. 
Ludit in humanis divina potentia rebus. 

Rebus sic ruentibus rura rex rimatur, 
230 Et fures a foreis fugando venatur; 

Omnia qui repertus est, gladio mactatur : 
Exigit hoc jus turn, quod culpam poena sequatur. 



Variocs Rkaoiwos.— 219. /est fas deoWaia ja# #s# mi jri. C. 1. aad St— 
«0. mW/w, C. 2. Id the «. MS. the mh eada with this lias. UCM.lt 
eads with I. 2.12, the last twelre liars, howerrr, bring written by another aad 
rather later band. The rest b foand only in C. 2—221. erawaai faon* §Urt, 
C. I.— 22C. Imdi$ spec*****, C. I.— «7. Prtfrnf saw a. • •• Gets*, C I.— 
22*. <ftriai#, C. 1.— 2.10. * f»rt»f«fl rW re». C. 2. Et t*M, C. 1. 



Bat, hi tsy view, then wOt always W the ass tboa vert fbnarrr/.— IWa wttt 
pass into a lasting proeerb; thy kh^rdoai b ditided, tad cannot stand ; thy 
people aow drink aflarrts whieh tboa hast prepared. Ho who tarns athsrs 
lata derision, will not escape being dttidrd.-O Isnghahit thlag , that has 
■ ■a hV a t sa 1 hi aw tame ' Format wfll play la rariea* ways. TV* prlaeo hat 
tamed into aa oateaat, Jndah into Jehas. The DMae paver plays aith the 
speets of asm.— Things bssag hrsnght t« this pass, the blag se ar ches the eoaa- 
try,aadhaalstlwtlnWefaa«a#thekhia^plaees; eeery oat aha Is Joaad la 
pat to the sward : jastiet r ea ak ti this, that the paalibairat eaaat after tha 

CAMD. SOC. 6. 9 A 




178 POLITICAL SONGS. 

[Consequenter redit rex, ut Francorum florem 
Margaretam reginam ducat in uxorem ; 
Per hanc regna capiunt pacem plcniorcm. 
Sm i-.H — Ira ciedem generat, concordia nutrit amorem. 

Amor inter principes pullulans pneclaros 
Exulat a subditis gemitus amaros ; 
Jamque fit per nuncios firma pax non raros ; 
2 10 Hiis etcnim rebus conjungit gratia caros. 
Justus est gratiee Scotis pars pusilla, 
Quia non est impiis pax aut mens tranquilla. 
Comyn, Karryk, Umfraville erigunt vexilla : 
i^ ( — Acrius invidia nichil est, nil nequius ilia. 
^ t {j i • Nequam sponte natio non vult obedirc ; 

Kegem cogit inclitum cum suis rcdire ; 
Jam timcnt qui necligunt ad pacem venire, 
Sub gladio dine mortis languendo perirc. 
Dcperircnt protinus patres et hccrcdes ; 
250 Nisi darcnt citius ad currendum pedes, 
Fugicntc.s renuunt villulas ct cedes : 
Idtcos leporcs pucr exagitat Ganymcdes. 

fault. — [Next the king returns, that be may marry Quern Margaret, the flower 
uf the French ; through her the kingdoms receive a more complete peace. Anger 
beget* sluurhter, concord nourishes lore. — When love bud* between great 
|4inee*, it drive* away bitter sob* from their subject* ; and bow a firm peace is 
ucgnttatcd by frequent messengers : for by these things grace makes people 
friend*. — It U ju*t that the Scots should have a small portion of grace, be- 
rau«e the impious people have neither |*ace nor quiet of mind. Comyn, Carries:, 
Umfamllc rai*e their standards : there is nothiog more sharp than envy, nor 
more wicked. — The nation, voluntarily wicked, will not be obedient ; it forces 
the illuslriouj* king with hi* army to return ; now they fear who neglect to eosae 
to pea4*c, |r«t tin y permit languishingly by the swurd of dire death.— Let tWai 
pcrUh utterly both fathers and sons ; unlet* tbey quickly give their feet to flight, 
thin.; tin v d«»<crt their ton nt nnd 1mhi«o* : t!ie childCianymedcs drives about the 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 179 

Inter haec rex Francice, mittens absque mora, 
Regem rogat Angliac pro treuga decora. 
Annuit rex precibus, mox reflectens lora : 
Grata superveniet quce non sperabitur hora 

Horam Scotis optimam fore quis ignorat, 
In qua cessat gladius a plebe qucc plorat, 
Rexque suos proceres unit ct honorat. 
260 Dum calor est et pulcra dies, formica laborat. 

Post hos ct hujusmodi bellicos laborcs, 
Angli vclut angeli semper sunt victorcs, 
Scoticis et Wallicis sunt prrcstantiores ; 
Si vitam inspicias homiiium sidcrcus (?) more*. 

Quasi sus insurgcrct leonis virtuti, 
Sic cxpugnant Angliam Scotici polluti : 
Et rex illos idcirco subdet servituti : 
Scrvict crterno qui parvo nesciet uti.] 

bare* on mount Ida.— la the midjt of these transaction* the King of France, 
»cnding without delay, a*k* an lionourmblc truce of the Ring of England. The 
king accede* to hit request, mkm afterward* turning hi* rein* : the grateful hour 
will Arrive when it U least expected. — Who knowg not that that would be the br»l 
hour for the Scot*, in which the eword cca»c» from the weeping commoualt \ , and 
the king unite* ami honour* the noble*. While it U warm and fair weather, the 
ant labour*. — After all thetc warlike labour*, the Kugti*h like angel* are a)wa)« 
conqueror*, they arc more excellent than the Scutch and WeUh ; )ou will Icaru 
people** manner* by contemplating their litea. — At though a twine should rcaiat 
the ralour of the lion, to the nlthy Scot* attack England ; and the king for that 
rra»on reduce* them to *latcry : be will tier he a •late, who cannot be content 
with the little which Providence ha* giuu him.] 



180 POLITICAL 80NGS. 

The following verges seem to have been written immediately 
after John Baliol had retired to Normandy, in 1290* In the 
manuscript, they are accompanied by a picture representing a 
ship, full of people, passing the sea. 

ON THE DEPOSITION OF BALIOL. 
tFrom MS. Cotton. Julias, A. v. fol. ?, i*. of beginning of 14th cent] 

Ecce dies veniunt Scoti sine principe fiunt ; 
Regnum Balliolus perdit, transit mare solus. 
Defendi bello Scotus mucrone novello 
Sperans Gallorum, vires expcctat eorura. 
De gwerra tuti Gallorum viribus uti 
Congaudcnt Scoti ; currunt ad pralia moti. 
Gallia de parvo Scoto profecit in arvo. 
Cur in conflictu Scotus ter corruit ictu ? 
Conflictu quarto Scoti ponuntur in arto : 

Quales sunt et erunt, carmina plura fcrunt. 
Carmina qui didicit Trojam per pralia vicit, 

Ovidius docuit quae sibi causa fuit, 
Pcrcussis bcllis, sterilis fit Troja puellis ; 
Finitis motis, sic fict Scotia Scotis. 

Trawklation. — Lo ! the tine U come when the Scots are witbont a prince ; 
fceliol loses the kingdom, and passes the sea alone. The Scot, hoping to be 
defended in batUe bj the new spear of the French, is waiting for their power. 
The Scot* rejoice together in the belief that they will have the better in the war 
by the aid of the French ; they rebel, and haste to fight. France will profit 
little the Scot in the field. Why has the Scot been beaten in three battles ? By 
the fourth battle the Scots are reduced to extremities : sach as they are and 
will ever be, very many songs tell. He who learnt songs conquered Troy In 
battle ; Orid has told ns what was the can?e of it. After the war, Troy was 
barren of maiden* ; when the rebellion is over, so will Scotland be of Scots. 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 181 

Vastantur gwerra Trojani, de prope terra 
Castrorum plena, cum finibus est aliena. 
Urbibus et villis proles dominatur Achillis ; 
Pyrrhus vastat eas, Priamum ploravit iEneas. 
Merlin us scribit quod turba superba peribit ; 
Latrans exibit canis, et bos profugus ibit. 
Tunc nemus Euthcrium pennata fronde carebit ; 
Et genus Albancum sua regna perire videbit. 
Scotc miser, plora, tibi flendi jam venit bora ; 

Nam regnum patruum desinet esse tuura. 
Principe prions, campo sic subpeditaris, 

Quod mentis miscris semper asellus eris. - °* . &h++ s * '* 
Vox dc profundis Cambini te vocat undis, 
Torquendum clade, quam non novit genus Adte. 
I Hue tcudc vias, et dtcmonis assccla fias ! 

Amplius Andreas ducerc nescit eas. 

Troy U raraged by war, I be Un«l near about bring fall of camps, ii is with iu 
boundaries become Ibr |»r«»j<r1y of another. The ton of Achillea rales oxer lUv 
cit»r» and towns ; Pyrrhns lay* them watte, .£aeaa baa wr|«t for l*riam. Merbu 
writes tbat the prood crowd shall |*rish ; the barking dog aball depart, and 
the 01 aball go into tiile. Tbea aball tbc Eotherian grove be atripped of iu 
feathered branches ; and tbc Albanian race will tot their ki n gdom perish. 
Wretched Scot, lament, thy boar of weeping la now come ; for the ling, 
dom of thy forefathers ceases to be thine. Thon art deprired of a prince, and 
art so trodden down In the field, that by thy ill merits thon wilt always be an 
aaa. A voice from tbc bottom of the Cambine waters calls thee, to be p n n ta h ed 
with awch alaaghter as the race of Adam baa not yet area. Hasten thither, 
and become the companion of the dr%Ul Andrew will no stager be their 



162 POLITICAL SONGS. 

The general hatred to the Scots did not hinder the people 
from feeling grieved by the heavy taxes which were raised to 
support the war, and more particularly the expeditions into 
Flanders, (which latter were ill managed, and produced no 
results,) or from showing their dissatisfaction. The King's 
measures of ambition were often thwarted by the stern oppo- 
sition of the barons and the commons. The following song 
was directed more particularly against tho unconstitutional 
seizure of wool, and generally against all the taxes raised for 
the Flemish war. 

SOXO AOAIN8T THE KING'S TAXE8. 
[MS. Harl. No. 2K3, foL 137, v°, written in reign of Edw. II.] 

Dieu, roy de raageste, ob personas trinas, 
Nustrc roy c sa meyne ne perire sinas ; 
Grantz mals ly fist aver gravesque ruinas, 
Cdi qe ly fist passer partes transmarinas. 
Rex ut salvetur, falsis inaledictio detur ! 

Roy nc doit a feore de gcre extra regnum ire, 
For si la commune de sa terre veliiit conseutire : 
Par trcsoun voit honme sorent quam plures perire ; 
A quy en ficr scurcment nemo potest scire. 
Non cat ex regno rex sine consilio. 

Thanhlation.— O God, kiof of majesty, for Ike sake of the Trinity,— do not 
permit our king and hit household to perish ;— great hart and great rain he 
cmosed him to hare,— who made him pass orer the sea. — In order that the king 
may prosper, may his false ad risers be accursed. 

A king uught not to go out of his kingdom to make war,— unless the com- 
mons of his IaiiJ will consent :— by treason we often sec very many perish ; — no 
ooc can tell in whom to trust with certainty.— Let not the king go ont of his 
kingdom without counsel. 



REIGN OP EDWARD I. 183 

Ore court en Engletcre de anno in annum 
Le quinzyme dener, pur fere sic commune dampnum. 
E fet avaler que soleycnt sedere super scamnum ; 
E vendre fet commune gent vaccas, vas, ct pannum. 
Non placet ad summum quindenum sic dare nummum. 

Une chose est countre foy, unde gens gravatur, 
Que la meyt*5 ne vient al roy, in regno quod levatur. 
Pur cc qu'il n'ad tot Tenter, prout sibi datur, 
Lc pueple doit le plus doner, et sic sincopatur. 
Nam quce taxantur, rcgi non omnia dantur. 

Unquore plus greve a simple gent collectio lanarum, 
Que vendre fet communement divitias earum. 
Nc puct estrc que ticl consail constat Deo carum, 
Issi dcatrure lc povcrail pondus ]>er amarum, 
Non est lex sana, quod rcgi sit mea Una. 

Uncorc est plus outre pcis, ut testantur gentes, 
En lc sac dcus pcrs uu trcis per vim retinentes. 

Xo«r goes mi England from yrar to year— the 6 ft renin penny, to do tka* a 

o« karm.— And it makct them go down, nho uaed to tit upon a brack ;- 
it oblige* tkr common people to sell both row*. vr**rl#, and clothe*.— .It dor* 
not plrnaa too* to pay the nftrrath to the U»t prnny. 

Cme thing U agaiost faith, thereby the )*oplr it aggrirtrd,— that tkr half of 
okat i* raised in the kingdom dors not ronac to tkr ktog. — **nrr ke ka» out tkr 
vkulr, na it U gitrn to him,—- tkr people it obliged to gitr the more, and tko* 
tkry art cnt short. — For the Utrt nkkk arc raised arc not nil gi%rn to tkr 
king. 

TkteoUncUng of tkr wool grirvrt tkr common profdc otill morr,— which 
driven tkem commonly to trll tkeir property. — Sock m oni r l mnnot br accept- 
•Mr to Cod,— tbw* to destroy tkr r*v»r people by a Utter bnrtkro.— It i« not 
lav, nkkk given my woul to tkr king. 

Wkat it otill more contrary to prarr, m profdr nit act V- they rttain tf/o 




184 POLITICAL SONGS. 

A quy remeindra cele teyne ? quidam respondentes, 
Que ja n'avera roy ne reygne, sed tantum colligentes. 
Pondus lanarum tarn falsum constat amarum. 

Depus que le roy vodera tarn multum cepisse, 
Entre les riches si purra satis invenisse ; 
E plus, a ce que m'est avys, et melius fecisse 
Des grants partie aver pris, et parvis pepercisse. 
Qui capit argentum sine causa peccat egentum. 

Honme ne doit & roy retter talem pravitatem, 
Mcs al maveis consiler per ferocitatem. 
Le roy est jeovene bachiler, nee habet aetatera, 
Nulc malice compasser, sed omnem probitatem. 
Consilium tale dampnum confert generale. 

Ricn greve les grants graunter regi sic tributum ; 
Les simples deyrent tot doner, contra Dei nutunu 
Cost consail n'est myc bien, sed vitiis pollutum ; 
Ceux que grauntent ne paient ren, est male constitutum* 
Nam concedentes nil dant regi, sed egentes. 

or three parts In the seek.— To whom shall remain this wool ? 
—that neither kiaf nor qneen shall hare it, hat only the 
false weight of wool Is manifestly a bitter thing. 

Since the king is determined to take so mach,— > he may And 
the rich ; a n d he wonld get more and do better, as it appears to 
taken a part from the great, and to hare spared the little.— He sins who takes 
the money of the needy witbont eavse. 

We ought not to lay smeh wickedness to the charge of the king,— bs* to the bod 
ronnseUor. by his rapacity. The king is a yonng bachelor, and is not of an 
to compass any nuUee, but to do all probity.— Snch cownatl does 

It Is no tronble to the great thns to grant to the king a tax ; the 
pay it all, which Is contrary to God's wilt— This cownsel Is not at el good, he* 
polluted with t ice ;— It is ill ordained, that those who grant thonld pay nothing.— 
For those who make the grant gite nothing to the king, it is the needy only who 
give. 






REIGN <OF KDWA«) I. 165 

Coment firm honme bon espleit ex pauperum sudore, 
Que lea riches esparnyer doit, dono vel favore ? 
Des grants um le dust lever, Dei pro timore ; 
Le pueple plus esparnyer, qui vivit in dolore. 
Qui satis es dives, non sic ex paupere vives. 

Je voy en si&cle qu'ore court gentes superbire, 
D*autre biens tenir grant court, quod cito vult transire* 
Quant vendra le haut juggement, magna dies ire, 
S'il ne facent amendement, tunc debent perire. 
Rex dicit reprobis, " ite : " — a venite," probis. 

Dieu, que fastes coron^e cum acuta spina, 
De vostre pueple eiez pit^e gratia dndna ! 
Que le sifecle soit aleggrie de tali ruina ! 
A dire grosse ventre est quasi rapina. 

Res inopum capta, nisi gratis, eat quasi rapta. 

Tel tribut i nul feor diu nequit durare ; 
Devoyde qy puet doner, vel manibus tractare ? 



How will tkey perform food 4ooaa oot of tko twoat of tko poor, wkoei tko 
rick ought to opart, by gift or foroor ?— tkey oogkt tola the groat, for Um 
foer of God ;— ea4 opera more Um people, wko thro a polo.— Too* woo art 
rick osoogk, H*e oot tow opoo Um poor. 

I tot ot too praaeat Jay tor pooplo oro prooo\— wfttk otto poopk't 
tkey koM froit eoort, vkkk will aoteaty poea,— Wto toe Mjfcj«4gojc 
tko fraat day of wrafk, oaloae tkey aoike atnowl , tkey aiaot tkoo 
TteKtog eeye to tko kaaV Go i* totkegoo*. "Cooae." 

O Go*% wko weot crofrooi wfek tko atop tto» v — too ptty wfek thta* i 
tky people!— May tko worti ko mieafoitiiof oack note !— To tofi oan 
Mk, It la onto rookery.— Ike aaapaitj of tko poor tokao wfc 
wffl, la ao It woro etolom. 

Sock trikvte eao lo oo oiaoatr laot lea* »— oot of eeaptaaaae wko aao gift, 

CAM D. SOC. 6. Si 



186 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Gents sunt a tiel meachief quod nequeunt plus dare ; 
Je me doute, sUs ussent chief, quod vellent levare. 
Sspe facit stultas gentes vacuata facultas. 

Yl y a tant escarcet£ monetae inter gentes, 
Qe honme puet en marchl, quam parci sunt ementes, 
Tot eyt honme drap ou btee, porcos Tel bidentes, 
Rien lever en verity tarn multi sunt Rentes. 
Gens non est beta, cum sit tarn parca moneta. 

Si le roy fireyt moun consail, tunc vellem laudare, 
D'argent prendre le vessel, monetamque parare; 
Mieu valdreit de fust ma[n]ger, pro victu nummos dare, 
Qe d'argent le cors aervyr, et lignum pacare. 
Est vitii signum pro victu solvere lignum. 



Lur commissiouns sunt trochiers qui sunt ultra mare ; 
Ore lur terres n'ount povers eosdem sustentare. 



or touch anything with hit hands. — People are redeced to each ID ptifht, that 
they can give bo more j— I nar, if they had a leader, they woaldriwim rehei- 
lioa. — Loaa of property oftea maket paoplt took. 

There it to mach teardty of BMaey aaxmg people, — that people cam la the 
market, there are to few bmyert, tllhowgh they may have doth or 
or aheep, — make nothing of them, la troth, there are to maay : 
The people it aot jovial, whoa BMaey it to ocaree. 

. If the kiBf woBld take my advice, I woald praiee him then, ta take the 
veaeelt of sUrer, «ulBMkeBKmeyofthem;--fcwoald he hotter to eat ee* of 
wood, aad to give m ow ty for virfntlt than to terre the body with offer, ami 
pay with wood.— 1 1 it a tiga of vice, to pay far vktaala with wood. 

aom mitti o at of thote who are aai pl o y ad over tea are too dear t— aow the 
have not their laade to tomma the bibmw— 1 do aot kBowhowtheyeaBi 



RBIQN OF EDWARD 1. 187 

Je ne say coment purroont animas salvare, 
Que d'autrui vivre voderount, et propria servare. 
Non dubitant poenas cupientes res alienas. 

DTeu par soun seintime noun, confandat errores, 
E ceux que pensent fere tresoun, et pacia turbatores ! 
E vengaunce en faces ad tales vezatores ! 
E oonfermez e grantes inter reges amores ! 
Perdat solamen qui paoem destruit ! Amen. 

their souls* — wbo would lire upon other people's goods, and •»▼« their own.— 
They cannot doubt but they will be punished, wbo covet the piopcitj of others. 
May God, for the take of hit holj name, c on found errors, a nd those who 
meditate treason, and the dist ur b er s of the peace !■ and take Tengeanoe on euch 
torsnentors 1 end connrm and grant lore bstaeau the kings I— May he lose 
consolation who breaks the peace ! Amen. 



Although the English people were grieved by the King's 
expensive and ill-conducted foreign wars, yet they were not 
wanting in commiseration for the Flemish burghers in their 
struggle against France. The song which follows was com- 
posed soon after the battle of Courtrai, in which the Comte 
d'Artois and his army were defeated and destroyed by the 
Flemings in 1302. 

SONO ON THE FLEMISH INSURRECTION. 
[MS. Hart. No. SSM, fbi 73, *». of reign of Edw. II.] 

Lustaeth, lordinges, bothe jongc ant oide, 

Of the Freynsshe-men that were so proode ant holds, 

Hou the Fkaunysshe-men bohten hem ant solde 






188 . POLITICAL, 8ONG0. 

upon a Wednesday. 
Betere hem were at home in huere londe, 
Then for te seche Flemmysshe by the see stronde, 
Wharethourh moni Frenshe wyf wryngeth hire honde, 

ant singeth, weylaway ! 

The Kyng of Fraunce made statoz newe 

In the lond of Flaundres, among false ant trewe, 

That the commun of Bruges fed sore con a-rewe, 

ant seiden amonges hem, 
" Gedere we us togedere hardilyche at ene, 
Take we the bailifs by tuenty ant by tene,' 
Clappe we of the hevedes ati oven 6 thfe grene, 

ant caste we y the fen. 3 



99 



The webbes ant the fullaris assembleden hem alle, 
Ant makeden huere consail in huere commune halle; 
Token Peter Conyng huere kyng to calle, 

ant beo huere cheventeyn. 
Hue nomen huere rouncyns out of the stalle, 



apoo a Wednesday. — Better it had been far them at home in 

to seek Flemiaft by the eca-strand, through which many a French 

wringa her hands, 'and sings, weladay I 

The King of Prance made new statute*— in the land of Flanders, among falsa 
and true, — that the com m o ns of Bruges fall sorely began to ma, and said 
amongst themselves,— " Let ms assemble together boldly in the erasing,—** 
mi take the bailifs by twenties and by tens,— kt as dsp off their has* above om 
the green,— and let mi east them in the tan." 

The wearers and the tullars miiMil them all, and hold their oosmsfl in 
their common hall,— they took Peter Conyng to be called their king,— and to be 
their chkfUin.— They took their hornm oat of the 



• • •<• •• 



RKIGN OF BDWAAD I. 183 

Ant doseden the toun withinne the walla ; 
Sixti baylics ant ten hue maden a-doun falle, 

ant moni another sweyik. 

Tho wolde the baylies, that were oome from Fraunce, 

Dryve the Flemisahe that made the destaunce ; 

Hue turnden hem a)eynes with tuerd ant with launce, 

stronge men ant lyht. 
Y telle ou for sothe, for al huere bobaunce, 
Ne for the avowerie of the Kyog of Fraunce, 
Tuenti score ant fyve haden ther meaehaunoe 

by day ant eke by nyht. 



Sire Jakes de Seint Poul y-herde hou hit 

Sixtene hundred of horsmen aaemblede o the gras ; 

He wende toward Bruges pas pur pas, 

with swithe gret mounde. 
The Flemmysshe y-herden telle the cas ; 
A-gynneth to dynken huere basyns of bras, 
Ant al hem to-dryren aae ston doth the glas, 

ant fellen hem to grounde. 



tow witbiolbc will; oft to ty boflUp tboy — do dow»fcll t — oad 



Tbo* woold tbc boililp tbot wtro ooom frooi fnmm ditto oo* tbo 
wbo otodo tbo dfatarboaet j— bot tboy 

ol r oo f bob oad ojmMp ■ I tall yo« far troob, hi ototo of 
fern tfiu of tbo potrooofo of tbo Kio* •* 
had tboro ■Iprbiocn by doy — d oloo by o%b< 
air Jooomo 4a St. Pool board Uv It m 

frptbodyoTnopli.— TW FIPMiagi bird toll of tbo cm i tbcybogio 
tbofcboobMof bnoi, — d tboy brook tb— 1 all to 
M lbo» to tbo 



• t 



190 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Sixtene hoiidred of horsmen hede ther here fyn; 
Hue iey^en y the stretes y-styked ase swyn ; 
Ther hue loren huere stedes, ant mony rouncyn, 

thourh huere oune prude. 
Sire Jakes ascapede by a coynte gyn, 
Out at one posterne ther me solde wyn, 
Out of the fyhte horn to ys yn, 

in wel muchele drede. 

Tho the Kyng of Fraunce y-herde this, anon 
Asserablede he is dousse pers everuchon, 
The proude Eorl of Artoys ant other mony on, 

to come to Paris. 
The barouns of Fraunce thider conne gon, 
Into the paleis that paved is with ston, 
To jugge the Flemmisshe to bernen ant to slon, 

thourh the flour-de-lis. 

Thenne seide the Kyng Philip, " Lustneth nou to me, 
Myn eorles ant my barouns gentil ant fire, 
Goth, faccheth me the traytours y-bounde to my kne, 

hastifliche ant blyve/' 

Sixteen hundred knights had there their end ;— they It y fa the streets 
Hke swine ;— there they lot! their steeds, and many a horse,— through their i 
pride j — Sir Jacques escaped by a cunning contrivance,—- out at a poatera where 
they told wine, oat of the fight hotae to hie lodging,— in very great fear. 

When the King of Prance heard this, anon— he assembled hie douse peers 
aunty one,— the proud Cosate d'Artois aad others saaay a one,— to oosae to 
Paris.~The borons of France begaa to go thither,— into the palace that is pared 
with ft one, — to judge the Flcsmings to be burnt aad slsln, through tho 



Them said Kiag Phffip, •• Listen bow to saa t — say earls and ay 

si free,— go, fetch saa the traitors sa bonds tony l^ee«,~hastUys»dquJeUy." 



REIGN OF BDWARO I. 191 

Tbo suor the Eorl of Seint Pool, " Par la goule Di! 
We shale facche the rybaus wher thi wille be. 
Ant drawen hem [with] wilde hors oat of the country 

by thousendes fyre." 

" Sire Raaf Derel/' sayth the Eorl of Boloyne, 

" Nus ne krrum en vie chanoun ne moyne, 

Wende we forth anon ritht withoute eny assoygne, 

ne no lyres man. 
We shule flo the Conyng, ant make roste is loync ; 
The word shal springen of him into Coloyne, 
So hit shal to Acres ant into Sesoyne, 

ant maken him ful wan." 

Sevene eorles ant fourti baroans y-tolde, 

Fiftene hundred knyhtes proade ant swythe bolde, 

Sixti thousent swyers amonge junge ant olde, 

Flemmisshe to take. 
The Flemmisshe hardeliche hem come to-jeynes ; 
This proude Freinsshe eorles, haere knyhtes, ant haere 
sweynes 



—TWo twort the ComU <k Seiot Pool, M By tbo tbroot of God !• 
fetch tbo riboU* vkmtr it bo thy win,-**** 4nw thorn with wU 
of tbo comotry— by tro-tho******." 

••Sir Holf Doiol." »yt the Cost* 4a Bologoo .— '• w wffl oot lotto aINo 
•feW ettm or o>ook,— kt *• go forth aooo right wfthoot ooy tiroi, a or m 
■mb attfof).— Wo ohoU ioy tbo Coayof (robMt), oat oabbo kit Mm to bo 
1— the fcao of bin Aboil tprMf oo lor-CilAfot, oo ohoU It to Aoro 
ooxooy,— «o4 sake them loll boJa." 

ooomto tad forty b or ooo m a — b or, i ft ii biAiiii kabjkti prood 

kolftV-ofety thoooAod ooovoi vkot with yoojhj And olo\-4o toko tbo 

-Tbo Fkoriogt bobUy oaaao OfAAMt Ibomi r--**** pood rYoaek 



192 POLITICAL 80N08. 

A-quelleden ant Blowen by holies ant by pleynes, 

•' al for huere kynges sake. 

This Frenshe come to Flaundres so liht so the hare ; 
Er hit were mydnyht hit fel hem to care ; 
Hue were laht by the net so bryd is in snare, 

TOth rouncin ant with stede. 
The Flemraisshe hem dabbeth o the het bare; 
Hue nolden take for huem raunsoun ne ware ; 
Hue doddeth of huere hevedes, fare so hit fare, 

ant thareto haveth hue nede. 

Thenne seith the Eorl of Artois, " Y }elde me to the, 
Peter Conyng by thi nome, }ef thou art hende ant free, 
That y ne have no shame ne no vylte, 

that y ne be noud ded." 
Thenne swor a bocher, u By my leautl ! 
Shalt thou ner more the Kyng of Fraunce se, 
Ne in the toun of Bruges in prisone be, 

thou woldest spene bred." 



the plain*-- ell tor their King's sake. 

These French cine to Flanders m light ee the here ;— before it vie midnight 
there fcU apon them cere ; — they were canght in the net ee e bird is in the snare, 
—with hone end with steed.— The Fleming! deb them on the here heed j— they 
will tehe for them neither ransom nor pey ;— they dod off their hende, happen 
whet mey. end thereto here they need. 

Then with the Comte d' Artois, " I yield mm to thee,— Peter Conyng byname, 
if then art gentle end free,— that I may ea^er no ihame nor diagraoe,— end that 
I may not he akin."— Then ewore a batcher, ." By my loyalty !— thorn ahalt 
nte the King of France,— nor be in prison in the town of 



RBION OP EDWARD f. 193 

Ther hy were knulled y the put-falle, 

This eorles ant barouns ant huere knyhtea alle ; 

Huere ledies huem mowe abide in boure ant in halle 

wel longe. 
For hem mot huere kyng other knyhtea calle, 
Other atedes taken out of huere stalle : 
Ther hi habbeth dronke bittrere then the galle, 

upon the drue londe. 

When the Kyng of Fraunce y-herde this tydynge, 
He amot doun it heved, ia honden gon he wrynge. 
Thourhout al Fraunce the word bygon to springe ; 

wo wes huem tho ! 
Muche wes the sorewe ant the wepinge 
That wes in al Fraunce among olde ant )ynge : 
The meste part of the lond bygon for te synge 

u alas ! ant weylawo ! " 

Awey thou junge pope ! whet shal the to rede ? 
Thou hast lore thin cardinals at thi meste nede ; 
Ne kevcrcat thou hem nevere for nones kunnes mede, 



There they were heaped iato the pit.fell,— tbeee co«U and bares* aad all 
their kaif hu ; — their ladies may wait for them ta bower and la hai— very loaf. 
— U their place moat their kief call other keifhu.— e*d take other eteods oat 
of their etahlea .—there they hare drmak bitterer thaa gall,— apoo the dry mad. 
Wbee the Khaj of Prases heard thcee tidiaf*,— he eaat dowa his head, hie 
he btgaa to wriaf .— Throeg boat all fraace the eews btfea to apraad j— 
to them all !— Mara wae the aorrow aad the wnphaj that wai la aD 
oMMf old aad yoaaf i— The greatest part of the lead btgaa to 
•• Alaat aad welaway!" 

Away, thoa yoaaf pope ! what wfl ha thy eosaeel ?— Tbo* heat last thy 
oak at thy graalaot seed i thoa wilt aever recover them far aoy kiad af reward, 

CAMD. SOC. 6. 2 C 



194 POLITICAL SONGS. 

for eothe y the telle. 
Do the forth to Rome to amende thi misdede ; 
Bide gode halewen hue lete the betere spede : 
Bote thou worche wysloker, thou losest lont ant lede, 

the coroune wel the felle. 

Alas ! thou seli Fraunce, for the may thunche shome, 
That ane fewe fullaris maketh ou so tome ; 
Sixti thousent on a day hue maden fot lome, 

with eorl ant knyht* 
Herof habbeth the Flemysshe suithe god game, 
Ant suereth bi Seint Omer ant eke bi Seint Jame, 
jef hy ther more cometh, hit falleth huem to shame, 

with huem for te fyht. 

I tell ou for sothe, the bataille thus bigon 

Bituene Fraunce ant Flaundres, hou hue weren fon ; 

Vor Vrenshe the eorl of Flaundres in prison heden y-don, 

with tresoun untrewe. 
je[f ] the Prince of Walis his lyf habbe mote, 



tmth I tell thee. — Go forth to Rone to Atone for thy tniidands ; p r ay to 
good nints that they let thee speed hotter .—-aniens thon workett mots wisely, 
tho« leeott lead tad people, — the crown fell well to the. (?) 

Alee I thon simple France, it may apjiear a shaaie for thee,— that a sW fellers 
nuke thee so tame ; — sixty thousand in a day they made trip quickly, (?) with 
connt and knight. — Thereof hare the Flemings ?ery good game, end swear 
by St. Omer and eke by St. James,— if they come there any more, it will fall 
them to shame,— with them to fight. 

I teO yon for tmth, the battle thns began,— between France and 
how they were foes j— for the French had pat the Connt of Flanders m 
—with treason faithlessly.— If the Prince of Wales his life might ha?*— It wfll 



REIGN OF 1DWARO I. 195 

Hit falleth the Kyng of Fraunce bittrore then the sote ; 
Bote he the rathere therof welle do bote, 

wel sore hit shal hym rewe. 



happen to the King of France more hitter than toot j— aniens he before-hand 
do make good amende for it,— very sorely he shall me it. 



The following song teems to have been popular about the be- 
ginning of the fourteenth century. The wolf and the foi pour- 
tray exactly the characters of the two classes of people who then 
oppressed and plundered the middle and lower classes. 

A SONO ON THE TIMES. 

[MS. HarL No. 913. foL 44, r>. written about A.D. 1308.) 

Whose thenchith up this earful lif, 

Ni)te and dai that we beth inne, 
So moch we seeth of sorow and strif, 

And lite ther is of worldis winne, 
Hate and wreth ther is wel rire, 

And trew lore is ful thinne : 
Men that beth in heiijist lire 

Mest i-charged beth with sinne. 

Fals and lither is this lond, 
As al dai we mai i-se : 



TaAwaLAnow.— Wheeo riJortoth wpon this life which Is full of ears,- 
and day that we are In,— eo mech we see of sorrow and strife,— end Hi 
is of world's joy. — Hate and wrath there is rery rife,— «nd tree lore Is rery 
—earn who are in the highest station of Mfe,-ore snset laden with sin. 

raise and wkhed is this land,— as every day we may see j— In it there Is both 




196 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Therin is bothe hate and onde, — 
Ic wene that ever so wol be. 

Coveitise hath the law an honde, 
That the trewthe he ne mai i-se : 

Nou is maister pride and onde ; — 
Alas ! Loverde, whi suffrith he ? 

Wold holi cherch pilt is mi)te, 

And law of lond pilt him to ; 
Than scholde coveitise and un-ri3te 

Ute of lond ben y-do. 
Holi cherch schold hold is ri}t 

For no eie no for no love ; 
That hi ne schold schow bar mi)t 

For lordingen boste that beth above. 

To entredite and amonsi 

Al thai, whate hi evir be, 
That lafful men doth robbi, 

Whate in lond what in see ; 
And thos hoblurs, namelich, 

That husbond benimeth eri of grund ; 



kate and contention,— I think It will always be so.— Covetousnese hath the law 
In hand, — that he may not ace the trmth .—Now pride is matter, and ^Mmtitm ; 
—Alas ! Lord ! why sulTcrcth he ? 

If holy church would exert its might,— end the law of the land exert It 
too; — then should eoTetoasness and injustice out of the land be drivenu— 
Holy church should ufthhold iU right— for no fear nor for no lore ; that they 
ahould not show their might— lor the boast of lordtngs that are above. 

To interdict and admoniah— all those, whatever they be,— who lawful 
do rob, — whether on the land or on the sea ; and those hoblers m 
— that take from the husbandman the tillage of the ground ;- 




REIGN OP EDWARD I. 197 

Men ne schold ham bin in non chirch, 
Bot cast ham ute as a hund. 

Thos kingis ministris beth i-schend, 

To ri}t and law that ssold tak hede, 
And al the lond for t* amend, 

Of thos thevis hi taketh mede. 
Be the lafful man to deth i-bro)t, 

And his catel awei y-nom ; 
Of his deth ne tellith hi nojt, 

Bot of bar prei hi hab som. 

Hab hi the silver, and the mede, 

And the catel under-fo, 
Of feloni hi ne taketh hede, 

Al thilk tre|ias is a-go. 
Of thos a vorbisen ic herd telle ; 

The Lion is king of all beeste. 
And — herknith al to mi spelle— 

In his lond he did an heste. 

The Lyon lete cri, as hit was do, 
For he hird lome to telle ; 

to trary them in aey choree,— bet to throw theat oot like a eog . 

Thee* kief 'a atioieteraare correpted,— that thoeJd take heed to right aed lev, 
— eod all the Ued for to mm— A.— of three thieves they toko bribe.— If the ou 
woo acta lewfelly b broofht to death,— eod ok p te o orty Ukro ewey i— of bit 
death they auke oo aceeeat, — bet of their prey tWy here a 

If tbey hare too airter aed toe bribe —d the p» apoj fy 
oo heed of fclooy, t r tr y treepete it allowed to feoi Of thou o perebet I 
heard toll $— the lioo It king of oil b eea t i, tod (heart to all to at y ta*t>— io 
hii laod he aeeo a coojiaod. 

to he preritiaird^ at it vat dee*,— for be 




198 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

And eke him was i-told also 

That the wolf didde no3te welle. 
And the fox, thsj; lither grome, 

With the wolf, i-wreiid was ; 
To-for har lord hi schold come. 

To amend har trepas. 

And so men didde that seli asse, 

That trepasid no}t, no did no gilte, 
With ham bothe i-wreiid was, 

And in the ditement was i-pilt 
The voxe hird amang al menne, 

And told the wolf with the brode crime ; 
That on him send gees and henne, 

That other geet and motune. 

The seli aasse wend was saf, 

For he ne eete nojt bote grasse ; 
None 3iftes he ne ;af, 

No wend that no harm nasse. 
Tho hi to har lord com to tune, 

He told to ham law and skille ; 

teU ;— and eke it wu told him also— that the wolf did not wdL— And tho fox, 
that wicked fellow,— with the wolf was accused ;— before their lord they mot 
come, — to make amende for their trespass. 

And eo men did [accuse] the simple eat, — that trespassed not, nor did any 
crime, — with them both he was accused,— and in the indictment was put— 
The fox heard [talk of H] amonf all men,— and told the wolf with the broad 
crown ; — the one sent to him [the Lion] geese and bens,— the other kids and 



The simple set thought he was safe, — lor he eat nothing bnt grass {—no glib ho 
gave, — nor suspected that there was any harm.— When they came in the 
of their Lord,— he counted out to them law and reason ;— these wicked 



REIGN OP EDWARD I. 199 

Thos wikid bestis laid a-dane, 

« Lord," hi seiid, " what is thi willc ?" 

Tho spek the Lion hem to, 

To the fox anone his wille, — 
" Tel me, boi, what hast i-do ? 

Men beth aboute the to spille." 
Tho spek the fox first anone, 

" Lord King, nou thi wille ; 
Thos men me wreiith of the tune, 

And wold me gladlich for to spille. — 

Gees no hen nad ic no)t, 

Sire, for soth ic the sigge, 
Bot as ic ham dere bo)t, 

And bere ham up myn owen rigge." 
" Oodis grame most hi hare, 

That in the carte the so pilt ! 
Whan hit is so, ich vouchsare, 

Ic for)ivc the this gilte. 



f» 



The fals wolf stode behind ; 
He was doggid and ek felle : — 

Utt theouolvtt dowm [prootrote],— '* Lord," mU toej, •• voot it toy will »*' 
TVeo spoko Um Um to toom,— to the foi io toe int pout [ho oocftoroJ) 

Um will.—" Toll o». follow. wo«t bo* Um» oooo N-Moa m oooot toot to 

rmio."— TWem tpokt Um fox int.— •• Lor* Kbmj , sow toy will 

occoot bm of Um towa,— «m1 wooll gWAj noa a*. 
" Oon oor too too I oot,-S4*t, for trmto I loll toot,— oot tt 1 

otorty,— oao tor* too* opoa »j owb book."— •• Goo*t 

U Um ooort to plteoi too* !— Staot It it to, 1 wokitw, 1 fwght 




Toe felot wolf ttooo btbioo i— b* wm ooffoa mi too Ml :— •• I om 



200 POLITICAL SONGS. 

" Ic am i-com of grete kind, 

Pes thou graunt me, that mi3t ful welle." 
€t What hast i-do, bel amy, 

That thou me so oxist pes ? " 
€( Sire," he seid, u I nel no3t lie, 

If thou me woldist hire a res. 

For ic huntid up the doune, 

To loke, Sire, mi bi)ete ; 
Ther ic slow a motune, 

3e, Sir, and fewe gete. 
Ic am i-wreiid, Sire, to the, 

For that ilk gilt ;— 
Sire, ichul sker me, 

I ne 3ef ham dint no pilt." 

" For soth I sigge the, bel ami, 

Hi nadde no gode munde, 
Thai that wreiid the to mei, 

Thou ne diddist no}t bot thi kund. — 
Sei thou me, asse, wat hast i-do ? 

Me thenchith thou cannist no gode. 



a great race,— grant thou me peace, who may full well." — " What hast thou 
done, fair friend,— that thou ao askest me peace ? M — •• Sire," he mid, •• I will 
Dot lie,— if thou wouldat hear me a little while. 

" For I hunted up the downs,— to look, Sire, after my gam ;— Tfcere I alew 
a mutton,— yea* Sire, and a few kid*.— I am aeeuaed, aire, to thee,— for that 
aame crime ;— Sire, 1 shall dear myadf,— I gave them neither blow nor hurt." 

" For truth I tall thee, fair friend,— they had no good mind,— they who ae- 
euaed thee to me, — thou didst nothing but thy nature. — Tell thou me, asm, what 
hast thou done ?— htethiaka thorn art capable of no good.— Why hnwJart thou 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 201 

Whi nadistou, as other mo ? 
Thou come of lither stode. 

" Sertis, Sire, not ic no)t ; 

Ic ete sage alnil gras, — 
More harm ne did ic no}t ; 

Therfor i-wreiid ic was." 
" Bel ami, that was mis-do, 

That was a)e thi kund, 

For to ete such gras so : — 
Hastilich )C him bind ; 

Al his bonis ye to-draw, 

Lioke that }e no)t lete ; 
And that ic )ive al for lawe, 

That his fleis be al i-fatte.' — 
Also hit farith nou in lond t 

Whose wol tak therto hede : 
Of thai that habbith an bond, 

Of thevis hi takith mode. 

The lafful man ssal be i-bund, 
And i-do in Strang pine, 



** 



tot [4aoa] m atkars More ?— Umni art eooja of wickaJ plaet." 
•• CcrtM, Sira, I kftow MXHMt aaga mU oaly gnm, aaa r a hum 4id I 
kcrcfara m I aoeaaeaV'—'' Pair frk»4, tkat was ariilon.— tkat waa 
tky Batata,— for to aat aack graaa aa i kaalfly ya kka kta4 ; 
Draw ya all kit baaaa to ai e aaa, l oo k tkat ya 4a oat mil ;— «*4 tkat I fha 
all for lav.—tkat kfc Stall ba all lor* to ■!»■■,**— Tkaa It ton aov la tka laarf, 
-^koaw vffl taka kaaa 1 tkorato i—ot tkiy tkat ksta la kaaa\ of tklnna tkay 
takaftfta. 

CAMO. soc. 6. So 




202 POLITICAL SONGS. 

And i-hold in fast prisund, 

Fort that he mak fine. 
And the thef to skap so, 

That doth ever a}e the ri)t. 
God take hede therto, 

That is al ful of mi3t ! 

Thus farith al the world nuthe, 

As we mai al i-se, 
Both est and west, north and suthe ; 

God us help and the Trinity ! 
Trcwth is i-faillid with fremid and sibbc, 

And so wide as al this lond 
Ne mai no man therin libbe, 

What thro) coveitise and thro} onde. 

Tho) lafful man wold hold is lif 

In love, in charity, and in pes, 
Sone me ssul compos is lif, 

And that in a litil res. 
Prude is maister and coveitise, 

The thrid brother men clippith ond ; 

pain, — and held in fait prison, — mntil he pays a fine.— And the thief to 

■a,— that acu erer against the right !— God take heed thereto , -who is all fall 

of might! 

Thus fairs all the world now,— as we may all tee,— hoth east and wait, north 
and soath ,— God and the Trinity help «s I— Trath is failed with 
relation,— and as wide as all thai land — no man can lire 
coretonsness and throngh contention. 

Though the man who nets accor din g to law wonM hold his life— in love, Is 
charity, and in peace, soon they will compass his life,— and thatiaaBtUsi 
of time.— Pride hi master and cor e to n sness— 4he third brother is caflsd 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 203 

Ni)t and dai he fondith i-wisse 
Lafful men, to hab har lond. 

Whan erth hath erthe i-gette 

And of erthe so hath i-nouj, 
Whan he is therin i-stekke, 

Wo is him that was in wou) ! 
What is the gode that man ssal hab, 

Ute of this world whan he ssal go ? 
A son wed, — whi ssal ic gab ? — 

For he bro)t him no mo. 

Ri)t as he com, he ssal wend, 

In wo, in pine, in poverty $ — 
Takith gode hede, men, to }ure end, 

For as I sigge, so hit wol be. 
Y not wharof beth men so prute ; 

Of erthe and axen, felle and bone ) 
Be the soule enis ute, 

A vilir caraing nis ther non. 

The caraing is so lolich to see, 
That under erth men mot it hide ; 

tioa ;— oigkt aod day tkey labour ccrtaialj— lawfel bmo, to bare tktir laod. 

Wl^eejtkkoeebtalnedeextb,— aod tbo* of oartk katt tooogk,— wbeo ke it 
atack tkoraJa,— woe to kiai tkat wee io wicaedaroi !— Wbat It tke good tkot omo 
•kail bff.-vWt be ekall go oot of tkia world ?-A terry garojoat,— wky ekall 
I joko ?— For be browgkt kiai 00 ojoro. 

JoJt at ko mm, be skill go, — Io woe. Io polo. Is poverty 1 rake good kaod, 
■mo, to joor tod,— lor at I eay, to It will be.— I kaow oot of wkol bmo art to 
prood j— of oartk, aod aokat, akla aad kooe >— wkom tke tool faoooaeoV 
It 00 viler cofoaaa. 

la to loatkaaan to tee,— tkot oodor oartk tato ejoat It aide |« 



204 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Bothe wif and child wol frara him fle, 
Ther nis no frend that wol him bide. 

What wol men for the sowle del ? 
Come no mel, wel thou wost; 

Bot wel seld at the mele 

A row} bare trenchur, other a crust. 

The begger that the crust ssal hab, 

Wel hokerlich he lokith theran : 
Soth to sigge, and no)t to gabbe, 

Ri)t no3t he is i-paiid a pan. 
Than seiith the begger in is mode, 

" The crust is bothe hard and tougth, 
The wreche was hard that ow the gode, 

Hard for hard is gode y-now3 < 1 



» 



Moch misanter that for him bidde 
Pater noster other crede ; 

Bot let him hab as he didde, 
For of the 31ft nath he no mede. 

Ic red up no man thou hab triste, 
No uppon non other ; 



wile and child will from him fly,— there if bo friend that will stay with 
What will mea for the soul give ?— corn nor meal, well thou knoweat 
very seldom at their meal, — a rough hare trencher, or a crust. 

The beggar that the crust shall hare, — right scornfully ha looks 
truth to say, and not to joke,— right not a pan he is paid.— Then saith the 
gar in his mood,—" The crust Is both hard and tough,— the wretch was hnrd 
that possessed the goods,— hard for hard Is good enough." 

May he hare much misadrenture who for him saith — Pater-aostsr or 
—hut let him hare as he did,— for of the gift hath he no reward.— 1 
thee hare trust In no man.— nor upon no other :— but share It with tow own 



REIGN OF IDWABD I. 205 

Ok del hit with 3ure owen fist, 
Trist to soster no brother. 

Anurith God and holi church, 

And )iveth the pouir that habbith nede ; 
So Godis wille }e ssul wirche, 
And joi of heven hab to mede. 
To whoch joi us bring 
Jhesus Crist heven king ! Amen. 

a*t, — trust neither to sister nor brother. 

Honour God and holy church, —and fire to the poor that here seed ;— Time je 
•hall work God's will,— end hive for reward the joy of beaten. — To which joy 
us bring — Jesus Christ beaten' • King . Ambx. 



The scholastic philosophy flourished through the thirteenth 
century, the age of Albert as Magnus, of Grosteste, and of 
Roger Bacon ; but, towards the close of that period, the impor- 
tance of tbe schools snd universities was rapidly declining. 
They had received a sbock from the triumph of the monks over 
tbe scholars during tbe reign of St. Louis, which they could 
never recover. Political events, and the great change which 
was then operating in tbe whole political — we may perhaps say 
social — system, hastened their fall. The nice quibbles of the 
dialectitian, although they still had their weight in the cloister, 
began to be sneered at in the world without* The following 
song, which perhaps belongs to the beginning of the fourteenth 
century, is directed against the erfitftf, or those who studied the 
seven arts, the scholastic Irsrnau and 



206 POLITICAL 60NG8. 

80NG AGAIN8T THE 8CHOLA8TIC 8TUDIE8. 

[From MS. Cotton. Titus A. xx. fol. 66, v°, written in reign of Edw. II. ; 
and MS. Bodl. Oxford. Rawl. B. 214, fol. 168, ▼•, of 15th cent.] 

Meum est propositum gentis imperiwe 
Artes frugi reddere melioris vitce, 
Et ad artes singulas procedatis rite : 
Ad mea decepti juvenes documenta venite. 

Advcrsatur legibus omne genus cleri, 
Cujus status hodic pejor est quara hcri ; 
Sua sacra presbiter quisque vult tueri. 
Ingenium magni livor detraxit Homeri. 

Quando contra boream nauta pandit velum, 
Et asellus vincere cursu vult camelum, 
Non formidat ponere manus os in ccclum : 
Vulneror et clausum porto sub pectore telum. 

Preferri bidentibus capra vult hirsute, 
Stulta non considerans unde sit induta ; 
llli aequa vellera non sunt attribute : 
Pennatis avibus quondam testudo locute. oxv- t 9 i. 

TnANftLATioic . — It is my design to torn the arts of an nnskitfml race to the 
freJt of a better life, and so proceed ye to each of the arts in order : O yomth 
who have been deceived, come to mj lessons.— Every class of the clergy is op- 
posed to the laws, of whom the condition to-day is worse than it was yesterday ; 
every priest will hold his own rites : enry detracted from the talents of great 
Uasner.— When the sailor spreads his ssil against the north wind, and the an 
thinks to eonqmer the camel in the race, then the hand fears not to p*t the 
nee towards hearen ; 1 am wounded and carry the weapon shnt «p in my 
breast.— The shaggy she-goat wishes to be pr eferred to the sheep, in her fairy 
not considering with what she la clothed ; so fine a fleece has not been gifts to 
her: as the tortoise o*ce mid to the winged birds.— Althongh the logicians are 



REIGN OP BDWARD I. 207 

Cum siiit nuda gloria logici contend, 
Sub egentis propere vivunt indumeuti, 
Verumtamen invident opulenta gcnti. 
Summa petit livor, perflant altissima venti. 

Modus est invidiae semper, ut ab imis 
Sursum tendant, ultima contradicunt primis : 
Invidere negligit infimo sublimis. 
Invidus alterius rebus maoescit opimis. 

Si non cupis vivere pauper et mendicus, 
Semper in laboribus sicut senrus Stichus, 
Igni digna subjici sine fructu ficus, 
Dilige sic alios ut sis tibi cams amicus. - C~* '- /f 

Ezpedit pauperibus abhaerere legi ; 
Insudare nimium artibus elegi. 
Ignoro propterea unde possum regi, 
Carmina qui quondam studio Borente peregi. 

Nonne circa logicam si quis laborabit, 
Spinas atque tribulos ills germinabit ? 
In sudore nimio panem manducabit; 
Vix tamen hoc illi garula lingua dabil 



•atiaftedwith Mkedflory.A^UTeomfterUMgvborUMM^j.MTtrtlMUntWy 
eavy tkc rick. Eary aarks tWe nmsit, Um wiad klowi tckeawatly oa lolly 
pUcm.—U it alwayt Um auaaer of mry, tkat tWy aiai Croat Um kottoai a»~ 
wards, the last apeak acaiaat tke Ant : bt who it tkratad dara oat tkiak It 
wortk walk to eary kka wko U BMat low. Tka avrioaa au kaoaoaai Icaa ky 
ragardiag Um fatacas of aaotkcr.—If yoa do aot aaawa to ttre boot aad kaa> 
gariy, alwayt Wkoarfaf Vkt tka tertaat Stkka*, a if trat wkkowt froit wortky to 
ka caat la tka irt ; lort otkart to tkat tkoa aaiyaat kt a daar Maad to tkyatkV— 
It It good for boot ajaa to adkara to tka law \ I kata ckaata to 
tkt art*. I aai Igaoraat tkertfcra kow I aaiy ka aaJdad, wko m 
rtrtta, wkfla my atady aoariakod.— If amy aaa wfll tcaaad kb 
lofie, wfll It aot aradaot klai tkoraa and kraaaklaif la taa ajaok fwoat ka 
witt aat kit krtadt and «r*a tkat kit tafcatfttt tawgat wfll kafdry ffm kam.— 



208 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

* 

In arenam logicus frustra semen sent, 
Nam metendi tempore fructus nullus erit ; 
Circa ficum sterilem labor omnia pent 
Arbor qualis erit, talia poma gerit 

Licet sis ad apicem artium provectus, 
Fies junioribus in brevi despectus ; 
Dicunt de te, " senio desipit affectus." 
iGmula quid cessas finem properare senectus ? 

Vera pestilentiee cathedra tu sedes, 
Qui Thebanas lectitas vel Trojanas caedes ; 
Affluunt divitiis legistarum sedes, 
Et modo vadit equis qui solet ire pedes. 

Propter artes vigilans est revera stultus ; 
Cur circa Georgicam pateris singultus ? 
Ager sic per steriles jaceat incultus, 
k!+j>, * '***., / Telluris si forte velis cognoscere cultus. 

Propter leges merito labor est ferendus ; 
Ager reddens centuplum non est deferendus. 
Est libellus pauperum paupcri legendus ; 
£^/. /* / Hie tibi pnecipue sit pura mente colendus. 

The logician in vain sows his seed in the sand, for in harrest tine there will bo 
no fruit; upon a barren fig-tree nil labour it lost. Such as if the tree, such 
will bt the fruit it bear*.— Although you be arrhred at the summit of the arts, 
you will be in a short time despised by the younger aspirants ; they will eay of 
thee, " he doats, affected with old age." Old age, why do you emulous cease to 
hasten the end >— Thou sittest in the chair of a tree p es til en c e , who r os i es t the 
tragedy of Thebes or of Troy; [whilst] the seats of the legists abound in richss, 
and now he goes on horseback who need to go on foot. — He who sits up at night 
to study the arts is truly a fool; why do you yawn over theOeorgie? thus the 
Idd may lie neglected and barren, while by cbsfice you utty be desirous of 
standing the culture of the earth.— It is right that wo should labour 
laws; a field that produces a hundred-fold ■ not to be set aside. Has book of 
tb«po«U to be read by the poor man; this chiciy ia the booh to be nstoUdly 



RBIGN OP EDWARD I. 209 

Circa dialecticam tempos cor consumis, 
Tu qui nullos redditus aliunde sumis ? 
Colat qui per patriam natus est e summis, 
Dives agro, dives positis in faanore nummis. 

Dives in fallaciis discat ease fortis ; 
Discat capram faoere de persona sortis. 
Artes nunquam deserat citra tempus mortis. 
Contentus fama lateat Lucanus in hortis. — Ju-r. v.', 7/ 

Si forte deliquerit artibus imbutus, 
Ad legistas fugiet si vult esse tutus : 
Quia se defendere nescit plus quam mutus, 
Gnocorum studia nimium diuque sequutus* 

Atria nobilium video patere ; 
Cum legists venerit dissolvuntur cere. 
Exclusus ad januam poteris scdcre, 
Ipse licet venias musis comitates, Homere. 

Logicus aranees potest comperari, 
Qust subtilei didicit telas operari, 
Qua suis visceribus volunt consummari ; 



cnltirated by tbee. — Why do yon consume jomr time opon dialectic*, tboo wbe 
receive* no iacoa* from rtbereoarce*? Lot Urn cnltrrate H wbe it bora of kit* 
family in tbe conotry.ricb in land and ricb m money laid oat at later***.— Let tbe 
ricn mnn learn to bt ttroef in fallacies j lot Ua learn U moke a obe-foot of tbe 
peraoo of cbaaet. Let bim never d en t f t the art*. before the boor of bit denlb. 
Satiated oifr fame, lot Locaa be bid is tbe fnrdant If imbaed in tbe arm b* 
ebooJd cbnne* to fail, bt vill iy to tbe InfmU if be will bt mm : btceote be 
know* no more bow to defend bimteif tbnn emt wbn m dnmb, bnvmf pnfi ned too 
rnneb tad too often tbe ntndy of tbe Octet*.— 1 tot tbe bolt of tbe nobltt 
open ; wben tbe legist co m et , tbe boltt trt ontnai t tbem, tbe* eat, meyeot tit 
nt tbe door, altboofb tbon tbyottf. Homer, tbtoiirt came alonf vkb tbe 
. —Tbe logician mey bt ttrnptftd U n ta+ntr, tJtecb mam* U epin 
web*, tbnt art moot ont of fca ova benmni dm inward it a Ay, if by 

camd. soc. 6. 9 m 




210 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Est pretium musca, si forte queat laqueari. 

Si fortuna logico favet in privigno, 
Vultu namque logicum respicit benigno; 
Si sit dives logicus hoc sub coeli signo ; 
Kara avis in terra nigroque similUma cigno. J~-. *V "" 

Naturae cognoscere si velis archana, 
Stude circa physicara quae dat membra sana : 
Sat quicquid ezpostulat egestas humana, 
Sat Galienus opes et sanctio Justiniana* 

chance It can be netted.— If fortune favour a logician la hit kindred, for the 
looks upon the logician with a benignant countenance ; if a logician be rich mm- 
der this sign of the heavens ; be if a rare bird upon earthy and very like a black 
•wan. — If yon wish to know the secrets of nature, study physic which gives 
health to the limbs ; what man's need requires is enough. Galen and the sanction 
of Justinian are riches enough. 



The following English verses, composed at the same period, 
seem also intended as a satire upon the studies and arguments 
of the dialectitians. 

THE SONO OF u NEGO." 
[From MS. Hari. No. 913, foL 68, ▼*. written in 1308.] 

Hit nis bot trewth, I wend, an afte 
For te sette neyo in eni crafte ; 
Trewth so drawith to heron 
Nego doth no)t so i-wisse. 



TsAwsLATtoiff.— It Is contrary to truth, I believe, end .. ..— to set —f In 
any craft ;— truth draweth na to the joy of he a ven , ■ s j « fo doss not so c e rt sw ly . 



REIGN OP EDWARD I. 211 

For-sak and save is thef in lore, 

Nego is pouer dark in store. 

Whan menne horlith ham here and there, 

Nego savith ham fram care. 

Awei with nego ute of place ! 

Whose wol have Goddis grace ; 

Whoso wol ajens the devil fi)te, 

Ther mai nego sit a-rijte. 

Ak loke that we never more 

Nego sette in trew lore. 

For whoso can lite, hath sone i-do, 

Anone he drawith to nego. 

Now o clerk seiith nego ; 

And that other dubito ; 

Seiith another conoedo ; 

And another oMigo, 

Verum faisum sette therto ; 

Than is al the lore i-do. 

Thus the fab clerkes of bar hevid, 

Makith men trewth of ham be rerid. 



—Forsake and aave it a thief m ooct rio t, oo/t It a poor dork la ttore.— 
WWn toem hurt them here and there, oo/t mrm the* from core— Awtj vita 
off* om\ of the pket !— whoever will have God't great ;—he wW wfll 
the deril Afht,— Caere bmj o#ft fit rtfktly.— Bat tot loot we anrer 
mf la trae doctrtae.— For We woo kaowa Utile hot tooo dooo, toot he drewa 
to a#fe.— Now om dork ttjt atyo/— ead the other oVi#t/— omkh aa other 
<oortwt/-«ow aaother eetye,--wita ofreaa /aim tot to It ;--thea U all their 
loaraiaf doae.—Thae the Ctlte derka of tholr hoad t ~eMk* eM of troth tluvagh 
ot bereared. 




212 POLITICAL SONG8. 

The Scottish wars occupied incessantly the remaining years 
of Edward's reign. The following song was composed probably 
in the September of the year 1306, soon after the battle of 
Kirkenclitif, and on the immediate occasion of the execution of 
Sir Simon Fraser, who was taken prisoner there. 

BONO ON THB EXECUTION OP 8IR 8IM0N FRA8ER. 
[MS. Harl. 9353, foL 59, v«. of reign of Edw. II.] 

Lystneth, lordynges, a newe song ichulle bigynne,^ 
Of the traytours of Scotlond that take both wyth gynne ; 
Mon that loveth falsnesse and nule never blynne, 
Sore may him drede the lyf that he is ynne, 

ich understonde : 
Selde wes he glad 
That never nes a-sad 

of nythe ant of onde. 

Tliat y sugge by this Scottes that bueth nou to-drawe, 
The hevedes o Londone brugge whose con y-knawe : 
He wenden han buen kynges, ant seiden so in sawe ; 
Betere hem were han y-be barouns ant libbe in Godea lawe, 



TaAxeLATioir.— Liaten, lordinge, a new song I will begin,— of the 
of Scotland who are taken with a trap ;— he who loves fialaeneae, and will 
leave it,— tore nay he dread the life that he la in,— I believe t—eaftdoea we* he 
glad — that never was eocrowful— for hia wickedneaa sad tnrbalenoa, 

I aaj that of theae Scota who are now drawn, — their heada en London bridge 
anybody may recognise :— they thonght to have been kings, and said to in their 
talk i— better wee it far them to have beta barons and live ia God*a Ia n,- w ith 



REIGN OP EDWARD I. 213 

wyth love. 
Whose hateth soth ant ryht, 
Lutel he douteth Oodes myht, 

the heye kyng above. 

To warny alle the gentilmen that bueth in Scotlonde, 
Tlie Walcis wes to-drawe, seththe he was an-honge, 
Al quic biheveded, ys bowels y-brend, 
The heved to Londone brugge wes send 

to abyde. 
After Simond Frysel, 
That wes traytour ant fykell, 
and y-cud fill wyde. 

Sire Edward ourc kyng, that ful ys of pietl, 
Tlie Waleis quarters sende to is oune contr£, 
On four half to hongc, hucre myrour to be, 
Thcropon to thenchc, that monie myhten se 

ant drede. 
Why nolden he be war 
Of the bataile of Donbar, 

hou evele hem eon spede ? 



)o»o.— U« vbo bototfa truth m4 rifbt,— tttlk Im raws <M's ■%»!,— 4o* ■%* 

To bo o woraiof to all too fcatleoMa wbo aro to 
oVawa, aod afterward* wot bing> m\ — bibrooti *E attvo, kit 
to 1 nodoa Bridge wot aool— to rooMi* Ibora. AlbafQ 
bo wot traitor ood ickk,— «o4 koowa raD wmt. 

tar Z4wt4 oar kitf . woo U rail of port?,— ooot too Wotoot't ooortori to bit 
r ( — toboog io four porta (of Um eoaatry), to bo took oMrrar ,— iboro- 
apoa Io Iklok, io oraVr toot mmmj rn^fm mi oraoo.— Wky woott tawy oot 

too book of Daabaf ,— Wo IE too? apo* f 




214 POLITICAL 80NGS. 

Bysshopes and barouns come to the kynges pes, 
Ase men that weren fals, fykel, ant les, 
Othes hue him sworen in stude ther he wes, 
To buen him hold ant trewe for alles cunnes res, 

thrye, 
That hue ne shulden a5eyn him go, 
So hue were temed tho ; 
weht halt hit to lye ? 

To the kyng Edward hii fasten huere fay; 
Fals was here foreward so forst is in May, 
That sonne from the southward wypeth away : 
Moni proud Scot therof mene may 

to 3ere. 
Nes never Scotlond 
With dunt of monnes hond 
allinge a-boht so duere ! 

The Bisshop of Glascou ychot he was y-laht ; 
Tlie Bisshop of Seint Andr£ bothe he beth y-caht ; 
Tlie Abbot of Scon with the Kyng nis nout saht ; 
Al here purpos y-come hit ys to naht, 



Bishops sod barons cum to tlie king's peace,— os men that were false, fickle, 
and lyinf ,— oaths they swore to him in the place where ho was,— to bo firm end 
tree to him io ell kiode of momenU,— thrice (?),— that they shooid mot against 
him go, — to were they tamed then ; — what profits it to lie ? 

To Kiag Edward they plight their faith ;— false woo their coTcaaat to frost fa 
io May,— which the ton from the toothward wipes away ;— maay o p rood Soot 
thereof may lament— in year. — Was norer Scotland— by dint of man's homi— 
altofether booght to dear. 

Tho Bishop of Glasgow, I wot he was takes ;— tho Bishop of 8l Andrew, too, 
he is caaght ;— tho Abbot of Soooe with tho lUaguaot .. ..;— eJlthofepornoee 



REIGN OP HOWARD I. 215 

thurh ryhte* 
Hii were unwis 
When hii thohte pris 

a3eyn huere kyng to fyhte. 

Thourh consail of thes bisshopes y-nemned byfore, 
Sire Robert the Bruytz furst kyng wes y-core, 
He mai everuche day ys fon him se byfore ; 
5ef hee mowen him hente, ichot he bith forlore, 

saunts fayle. 
Soht for te sagge, 
Duere he thai abugge 

that he bigon batayle. 

Hii that him crouncde proude were ant boldc, 
Hii maden kyng of somcre, so hii ner ne sholde, 
Hii setten on ys heved a croune of rede golde, 
Ant token him a kyne-)erde so me kyng sholdc, 

to deme. 
Tho he wes set in see, 
Lutel god couthe he 
kyne-riche to >emc. 



•o BotbJof,— by Hgfat— Tbey wort oowito— wbeo tbry Ibowfbt It 
tbeir kftof to tfbt. 
Tbrotfb coooocl of tb#ot bubof* boom* before.— Sir Robert tbe Bnwt irot 
rbooea kioj , — bo may every ooy bit foot tee before bioi ; — if tboy may 
bi», I wot bo U •aArne.— witboet ML— To 107 tbo trotb, iwmiy bo 
pay— for boeteg bog** bonk. 
Tboy tbot crovmoi bis woro prow* ea4 boM. tboy omo* o Mag of 
at tboy Borer tbooM,— tbey art 00 bit boos • crow* of rod f old, t od 
at 000 obooio to o kiog, — to jowft. Wboa bo woo tot 00 o 
§oo4 ksjow bo-^o ua^wooi to nut* 





216 POLITICAL 80NGK. 

Now Kyng Hobbe in the mures 3ongeth, 
For te come to toune nout him ne longeth ; 
The barouns of Engelond, myhte hue him gripe, 
He him wolde techen on Englysshe to pype, 

thourh streynthe : 
Ne be he ner so stout, 
3et he bith y-soht out 

o brede and o leynthe. 

Sire Edward of Carnarvan, Jhesu him save ant see ! 
Sire Emer de Valence, gentil knyht ant free, 
Habbeth y-suore huere oht that, par la grace Dee ! 
Hee wollith ous delyvren of that false contree, 

5ef hii conne. 
Much hath Scotlond forlore, 
Whet a-last, whet bifore, 
ant lutel pris wonne. 

Nou ichulle fonge ther ich er let, 

Ant tellen ou of Frisel, ase ich ou byhet ; 

In the batayle of Kyrkenclyf, Frysel was y-take ; 

Ys continaunce abated eny bost to make 

Now King Hobbe gangeth in the moon, — to come to town be bat bo 
the barona of England if they might grip* him. — they would teach bim to pipe 
in English, — through strength :— be he n-*-««- < > ton t,— rot bo It tooght owt— 
wide and far. 

Sir Edward of Caernarvon, (Jeene aavc htm -:iU hare bim ia regard !) and 
Sir Ajmar de Valence, a gentle knight and Mieral,— they bat* tworn tbalr 
oath that, by the grace of God '—they will drtiter at from that 
if they earn,— M*ob bath Scotland loot,— what latterly ami what 
little praiee worn. 

Now I aball take ap where I left off before,— and tcllyon of Prater, ael 
yon;— fat the battle of Kirktadiff Fiatcr waa taken 





REIGN OP EDWARD I. 217 

biside Strivelyn : 
Knyhtes ant sweynes, 
Fremen ant theynes, 

monye with hym. 

So hii weren byset on everuche halre, 
Sorome slaye were, ant somme dreynte hem-selve ; 
Sire Johan of Lyndeseye nolde nout abyde, 
He wod into the water his feren him bysyde 

to adrenche. 
Whi nolden hii be war ? 
Ther nit non a)eyn stare :— • 

why nolden hy hem by-thenche ? 

This wes byfore Seint Bartholomeus masse. 
That Frysel wes y-take, were hit more other lasse : 
To Sire Thomas of Multone, gentil baroun ant fre, 
Ant to Sire Johan Jose, bytake tho wes he 

to honde: 
He wes y-fetercd weel 
Both with ym ant wyth steel, 
to bringen of Sootlonde. 



from n*kiaf aay bo**— M*r Stirti^i— ka%*Uattd 
Mi t>w, bhj wits aim. 

Tlwy verato bate o« every fit, lonww alsls •miact 
idm- Sir Jot* 4m Lyndnj wtoM a** rsmma,— m wiM iaU Um 

it otimjbm bmUt M— to mwm.— Way wmki w* tWy Ww*r» ?— 
It mm boa** h»m (?) »— wky mU at* tkty raiott ? 
It in Nfoff* Si. Bfiaol— w*g —si, tli— Pranr wm ukii, «**■ It mm* 
m Urn -To Sir IVmm 4c Mtltom, a fm*»t ka%fe m4 UUt«W-mS to 8k 
Jofcm Jm, m «m Mif«r^ ta— h> m»4 t— as im «ml 
Ifsb AAc wiis stos^^^^vo) ocibc ssft ©w sssttsas* 

camd. ioc. C. 2 r 




218 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Sone therafter the tydynge to the kyng com ; 
He him sende to Londone with mony aimed grom ; 
He com yn at Newegate, y telle yt ou aplyht, 
A gerland of leves on ys hed y-dyht 

of grene ; 
For he shulde ben y-knowe 
Bothe of he}e ant of lowe 
for treytour, y wene. 

Y-fetcred were ys legges under his horse wombe ; 
Bothe with yrn ant with stel mankled were ys honde ; 
A gerland of peruenke set on ys heved ; 
Muche wes the poer that him wes byreved 

in londe : 
So God me amende ! 
Lutel he wende 

so be broht in honde. 

Sire Herbert of Morham, feyr knyht ant bold, 

For the love of Fryscl ys lyf wes y-sold ; 

A wajour he made, so hit wes y-told, 

Ys heved of to smhyte 3ef me him brohte in hold, 

Soon afterwards the tidings cane to the king ; — they test him to Low 
with many an armed man ; — he came in at Newgate, I teU it yon fsJthraUy,* 
garland of leaves placed on his head— of green ; — be c a u s e be shtsJd be kne 
— both by high and by low — as a traitor, I ween. 

Fettered were his legs under his horse's belly ;— both with iron and with « 
manacled were his hands ;— « garland of periwinkle set on his head ;— -sm 
was the power that was taken from him — in land :— As may God 
he little supposed so to bsbronght in hand. 

Sir Herbert of Morham, a fair knight and bold,— lor the lore of 
life was sold ;— a wager he made, so it was said,— to smite off bis hem 




RB10N OF EDWARD I. 219 

wat so bytyde. 
Sory wcs he thenne, 
Tho he myhte bim kenne 

thourh the toon ryde. 

Thenne seide ys scwyer a word anon ryht, 
" Sire, we beth dede, ne helpeth hit no wyht," — 
(Thomas de Boys the scwyer wes to nome) — 
" Nou ychot oure wajour turneth us to grome, 

so y-bate." 
Y do ou to wyte, 
Here hered wes of smyte 
byfbre the Tour gate* 

This wes on oure Levedy even, for sothe ych understondc, 
The justices seten for the knyhtes of Sootlonde, 
8ire Thomas of Multone, an bendy knyht ant wys, 
Ant Sire Rauf of Sondwyche that muchel is told in pris, 

ant Sire Johan Abel ; 
Mo y mihte telle by tale, 
Bothe of grete ant of smale, 
je knowen suytbe wel. 



thay took hiai la hold,— whatever betida.— Sorry vm ho tho*,— who* ho might 
him— to ride throogh tha towa. 
•mid bia aqair* a word Moo right,—" Sir, wt or* dead, there U oo crea- 
tor* to help oa ;•*— <the eqeirc waa oaaeed Tbomae de Bob)— "oow I wot ov 
tare* to oor eorrow,— ao bet. "—I gfra yoe to koow, th eir ooaoa wora 
«T — before the gate of tha Tower. 
It wee oo ov Lady's are, for troth I ■odtrotaoja'. thi joatioaa aot far tha 
kwjghti of 8eotlaad,-Sir Thoaaaa de Mains, a gamete kseght e*d wiea,-«»d 
Mr Ralph oa Saodwkh, who la aioch miiaiii am worth,- wad Mr Jobs Ahal ; 
I might tail by rorhoamg. »«h wf 





220 POLITICAL BONOS. 

' Thenne saide the justice, that gentil is ant fire, 
" Sire Simond Frysel, the kynges traytour hast thou b 
In water ant in londe, that monie myhten se : 
What sayst thou thareto ? hou wolt thou quite the ? 

do say/' 
So foul he him wiste, 
Nede waron truste 
for to segge, nay. 

flier he wes y-demed, so hit wes londes lawe, 
For that he wes lord-swyke, font he wes to-drawe, 
Upon a retheres hude forth he wes y-tuht : 
Sum while in ys time he wes a modi knyht, 

in huerte. 
Wickednesse ant sunne, 
Hit is lutel wunne 

that maketh the body smerti 

For al is gretc poer, }et he wes y-laht ; 
Falsnesse ant swykedom, al hit geth to naht; 
Tlio he wes in Scotlond, lutel wes ys thoht 
Of the harde jugement that him wes bysoht 



Then Mid the justice, who it gentle and free, — "Sir Simon .._, 
king's traitor bast thou been,— on water and on land* at many Buy to 
what sayest thou thereto ? bow wilt thou clear tbjself ?— do any."— He 1 
himself to be so foul, — he had not whereon to trust — to say, nay. 

There he was judged, as it was the law of the land, heraase ha was trail 
his lord, first he was drawn,— upon a bullock's hide forth ho was lads- 
once in his life be was a moody knight— in heart.— Wicheitanwj and ma*— 
little fain— that saakes the body smart. 

For all his great power, still he was taken ;— falseness and treachery all < 
to nothing :— when he was in Scotland, little was his thought—of the 




REIGN OF EDWARD I. 221 

in stounde. 
He wea four-sithe for-swore 
To the kyng ther bifore, 

ant that him brohte to grounde. 

With feteres ant with gyves ichot he wes to-drowe, 
From the Tour of Londone, that monie myhte knowe, 
In a curtel of burel a selkethe wyse, 
Ant a gerland on ys heved of the newe guyse, 

thurh Cheepe ; 
Moni mon of Engelond 
For to se Symond 

thideward con lepe. 

Tho he com to galewes, furst he wes an-honge, 
Al quic by-hevcded, thah him thohte longe, 
8eththe he wes y-opened, is boweles y-brcnd» 
The heved to Londone-bruggc wes send 

to shonde : 
80 ich erer mote the ! 
Sum while wende he 
ther lutei to stondc. 



j«d«ment wbicb wy prepared for kb-k a abort tea.— Ha 
pcrjtrad— to Um kiag Ibara baJora,— aad tbat ata xia Mai to Um 

Witb fetters aad with gjrf I wot be waa dcawm, fraai Um Ti 
do*, that aMay miffat koow,— io a battle of pact data la ttfaage 
garlaad oa bie bead of Um a*w fmies,— tbreofb Cbeap 1 QMej a aaaa of Bag « 
laod U rrr OI "^tt Vrgii It Iny 

Wbos be mm to Um fallow*, trot be waa 
tboofb it moi d to biai lowf. olWaaatds be waa 
Um bead to L oadoa Bridge waa aoat jar iley aw t— Aa I —y ttw wMiwI- 
a* ooo tUao be tboogbl Utile tbore to 



222 POLITICAL SONGS. 

He rideth thourh the sit£, as y telle may, 
With gomen and wyth solas, that wes here play, 
To Londone-brugge hee nome the way, 
Moni wes the wyves chil that theron laketh a day, 

ant seide, alas ! 
That he wes i-bore, 
Ant so villiche for-lore, 

so feir mon ase he was. 

Nou stont the heved above the tu-brugge, 
Faste bi Waleis, soth for te sugge ; 
After socour of Scotlond longe he mowe prye, 
Ant after help of Fraunce wet halt hit to lye, 

ich wene. 
Beterc him were in Scotlond 
With is ax in ys hond 

to plcyen o the grene. 

Ant the body hongcth at the galewcs faste, 
With yrnene clas]>cs longe to laste ; 
For te wyte wel the body, ant Scottyshe to garste, 
Fonre ant twenti ther beoth to sotbe ate laste 



They ride through the city, as I may tell, — with game and with solace, that 
their play, — to London Bridge they took the way,— many waa the woman's 
child that thereon lacka-a-day, — and aaid, alaa ! — that he waa horn, and ao 
▼ilely undone, — ao fair a man aa he waa. 

Now stands the head above the twi.bridge,— fast by Wallace, to say the trath | 
—after smcconr from Scotland long they may pray,— and after help from rianoa 
what profits it to wait, (?)— I ween.— It were better for him in Scotland with 
his axe in his hand — to play on the green. 

And the body hangs fast on the gallows, — with iron clasps long to last j— -to 
guard well the body, and the Scotch to drive away (?),— fo«r-and*twenty than* are 



REIGN OP EDWARD I. 223 

by nyhte. 
5ef eny were so hardi 
The body to remuy 

al so to dyhte. 

Were Sire Robert the Bruytz y-come to this londe, 
Ant the Erl of Asseles, that harde is an honde, 
Alle the other pouraille, for sothe ich understonde, 
Mihten be ful blythe ant thonke Godes sonde, 

wyth ryhte : 
Thenne myhte uch mon 
Bothe riden ant gon 

in pes withoute vyhtc. 

The traytours of Scotlond token hem to rede, 
Tlic barouns of Engelond to brynge to dede ; 
Charles of Fraunce, so moni mon tolde, 
With myht ant with streynthe hem helpe woldc, 

his thonkes ! 
Tprot, Scot, for thi strif ! 
Hang up thyn hachet ant thi knyf, 
Whil him lasteth the lyf 
with the longe shonkes. 



for tootb at Wast— by nif tit.— If toy ooo wort to borvy— tbc body to 
ta— dbUly to tttock tbem. 

If Sir Robert U» Bract wort com to tbk tool, mi tW tUH of Atbol tbot 
U boro io bood,— oil Um rcot of tbo pooiomo ptoplt, for tnrtb I tHinttoi,— 
■%bt bo foil bbtb. tod tboob God't to»*of.— wfcb f%bt!-4boa ■%*« mm 
■mo— botb riot ood go— 4o pooco, wkboot isortof,. 

Tbttrmito^of S<o<loo4toobo»ooorioi<bfbooMMrfOi, tt brmf ibo lit too of 
Eof Itod to oVotb i— Cbortto of fito«. m mmj t oat mli, oUb odfbt ao4 wfcb 
otiooftb wooM bolp tbom,— taomftt to torn !— T>rot, toot, ftrtbyotrwb 
op toy batcbrt tod toy koifc. obOt Mil loiti to bom— orfcb tat loaf 




224 POLITICAL SONGS. 

The following song, remarkable for the playfulness of its 
metres and rhymes, gives as a strong picture of the extortions 
committed at this period of our history upon the weak and 
defenceless, by the magistrates and the officers connected with 
the courts of law. 

80NG ON THE VENALITY OP THE JUDGE8. 

[Prom MS. HarL No. 913, fol. 59, r*. of the beginning of the Mth century. 

This song is in the MS. written as prose.] 

Beati qui esuriunt 
Et sitiunt, et faciunt 

justitiara, 
Et odiunt et fugiunt 

injurice nequitiam ; 
Quos ncc auri copia 
Nee divitum encennia 

trahunt a rigore, 

ncc pauperum clamorc ; 
Quoc sunt justa judicant, 
Et a jure non claudicant 

divitum favore. 

Sed nunc miro more 
Multos fallit seculum, 
Et trahit in periculum, 

mundi ob favorem, 

ut lambeant honorem. 

TaAirsLATioir.— Blessed art they who hanger and thirst, and do jnstios, and 
hate and avoid the wickedness of injustice ; whom neither ahwndanee of gold 
nor the jewels of the rich draw front their fara>riMWry t or front the cry of the 
poor i they Jndge what is just, and do not fall off front the right lor the aahe of 
the rksK Bet now the age deceives ntany in a wo n der f ei ntanner, and drawn 
thent into da n g er , for lore of the world, that they ntay Uck np hononrs. 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. £25 

Hoc facit pecunia, 
Quam omnis fere curia 

jam duzit in uxorem. 

Sunt justitiaiii, 
Quot favor et denarii 

alliciunt a jure ; 
Hii sunt nam bene recolo, 
Quod censum dant diabolo 9 

et serviunt hii pure* 

Nam jubet lex naturae, 
Quod judex in judicio 
Nee prece nee pretio 

acceptor ait persons ; 

quid, Jheau ergo bone, 
Fiet de judicibus. 
Qui prece vel muneribua 

cedunt a ratione ? 

Rcvera tales judices 
Nuncios multiplices 

babent ;— audi quare. 

Si terram vis rogare, 



Tbc cum of tab i* montj, to waica also* t*ary 

Taora art j«4fca, waoai partiality mad bribe* aaaVaoa froa* joatJea j taoaa are 
tfcay, I wi i b t r well, taat pay toll to 1*4 •VrU, ao4 tWy tcrvt him alaa*. Par 
tW law of mm cot— da. taat a jadf hi ffrif jwagaaaat laooH —I ao — — » 
cap t or of aajbooj tttWr for prayar or laajty i vfcot tlwroJbra, O goo* Joaaa, 
will W oowa wita tW jodgaa, wao far prayara or a^ raoaoa few watt i* joat > 

la fact aacb joifaa hava aaaiiriaa aaaaaaafora i lialaw far watt 
If yoo wiaa to cUiai U»4, a aaaaaaagar mill coaaa to ywa, awiapaakaav 

CAMD. SOC. <i. 2 O * 



226 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Accedet ad te nuncius, 
Et loquitur discretius, 

dicens, 4€ Amice care, 

vis tu placitare ? 
Sum cum justitiario 
Qui te modo vario 

possum adjuvare ; 

si vis impetrare 
Per suum subsidium. 
Da michi dimidium, 

et te volo juvare. 3 



99 



Ad pedes sedent clerici, 
Qui velut famelici 

sunt, donis inhiantes ; 

et pro lege dantes, 
Quod hii qui nichil dederint, 
Quamvis cito vcnerint, 

erunt expectantes. 

* 

Sed si qucedam nobilis, 

Pulcra vel amabilis, 

cum capite cornuto, 
auro circumvoluto, 



Btyiaf , " Dear friend, do yon wish to plead ? lu one who cam help yon hi 
▼ariont ways with the judge ; if yon with to obtain anything by hit aid, gHw 
me half, and I wfll help you." 

At hk feet bK clerks, who are like people half-fanttehed, gaping for gifts ; ni 
prodebnlng it as lew, that those who give nothing , akhongh they ceaae terry, 
wfll here to wait, 
• Bwt if mm nobk kdy, fair and lovely, with bona ea her bead, mi that 




REIGN OF BDWABD 1. 227 % 

Accedat ad judicium, 
Haec expedit negotium 
ore auo muto. 

Si pauper muliercula, 

Non habena munuacula, 

formam neque genus, 
quaro non pungit Venus, 

Infecto negotio 

Suo pergit hospitio, 

dolendo corde tenua. 

Sunt quidam ad hanc curiam, 
Qui cxprimunt juditiam ; 

dicuntur relatorcs ; 

cseteria pejores. 
Utraque manu capiunt, 
Et sic cos decipiunt 

quorum aunt tutorea. 

Et quid janitorea ? 
Qui dicunt pauperibua 
Curiam sequentibua, 

cacirckd with gold, come for jod g ai ia t, twc* a oaw aaofttcati fee? fcoaiaaaa 
witfcoat hariag to My a word. 

If the wonta be poor, aad baa bo gift*, aritW baaatj aor rka rtltltataip, 
wboai Veaoa docs not atimtlate, aba goat boaat mrkboa* cftottlag bar 
aarrowfal at baart. 
Tbar* arc aocac at tbia co«rf , wbo axproaa jodgMB* ; wboaa tbaj call 
tbaa tbc otbera. Tbay taka wfcb bttb baada, tad ao daottra tboaa 

tbaj are. Aad wbat aball wt aay to tbt wabart » wbo aay to tb* 
poor tbai foQow tbc coart, •• Poor mm. way da jwa Uwobfe jiatiiaf? wby 



228 POLITICAL. 80NG8. 

€€ Pauper, cur laboras ? 

Cur facis hie moras? 
Nisi des pecuniam 
Cuique ad hanc curiam, 

in vanum laboras. 

Quid, miser, ergo ploras ? 
Si nichil attuleris, 

stabis omnino fores." 

De vicecomitibus, 

Quam duri sunt pauperibus, 

quis potest enarrare ? 

Qui nichil potest dare, 
Hue et illuc trahitur, 
Et in assisis ponitur, 

et cogitur jurare, 

non ausus murmurare. 
Quod si murmuraverit, 
Ni statim satisfecerit, 

est totum salsum mare. 

Hoc idem habent vitium, 
Cum subeunt hospitium 

do you wait here ? unless you give money to everybody in this court, you labour 
in vain. Why then, wretch, do yon lament ? If yon have brought nothing, 
you will stand altogether out of doors." 

Concerning the sheriff, who can relate with suuVtent fulness how hard 
they are to the poor ? He who has nothing to give is dragged hither and 
thither, and is pieced in the assises, and is obliged to take his oath, without 
daring to murmur. But if he should murmur, unless ha immediately 
setkfactkm, it is all salt sea. 

The easat people have this vice, when they enter the house of 



REIGN OF EDWARD I. 229 

cujusdam patriots, 

vel abbathioB note, 
Quo potus et ciharia, 
£t cuncta neceaaaria, 

eis dcntur devote. 
Nil prosunt sibi talia, 
Nisi mox jocalia 

post prandium sequantur, 

et cunctis largiantur, 
Bcdellis, garcionibus, 
Et qui sunt secum omnibus. 

Nee adhuc pacantur, 

nisi transmittantur 
Rolwc suis uxoribus 
Ex variis coloribus. 

Si non clam niittantur, 

Et post sic operantur ; 
Quotquot habent averia 
Ad sua maneria 

cum impetu fugantur, 

et ipsi imparcantur 
Quousque satisfecerint, 
Iu quod duplum dederint ; 

tunc demum liberantur. 

aaaa, or of a fanoat abbey, wbera itimk %md victojalt, a»4 all tfeiaft aooaaaary, 
art gives to tbem Artomtlj. 8«cb tkiaft art of M avail, oaJraa by aa4 by tbo 
jowola follow aftrr tbc aMoi, a»4 art 4ittriba*a4 to a*, boaVIa aa* farf ■. aa4 
all wbo art wttb tbeaa. Nor tvem yet art tWy a»J4, oaJrta robaa of 
oolovrf art traaaamictc4 to tbetr witoa. If tbaat art aot aamt ofivalatj, 
tWy pr ooaa d aa foUowa ; vbaterer oattla tbty is4, art aVivom #f rUlaady to 

Vwm Sav4»S9S^«B3a SJaW %o^W VWSWfSj ▼^^^S^Mv^V VW ^F^aV Saw ■^^■■aa^^S^a^a^a^B^ WMaV vaVaTv 

tatiafactioo, to tbat tWy fhra tbt ojooblt t 




230 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Clericos irrideo 
Suos, quos prius video 

satis indigentes, 

et quasi nil habentes, 
Quando ballivam capiunt ; 
Qua capta mox superbiunt, 

et crescunt sibi dentes, 

collaque erigentes, 
Incipiunt perpropere 
Terras et domos emere, 

et redditus placentes ; 

nummosque colligentes, 
Pauperes despiciunt, 
Et novas leges faciunt, 

vicinos opprimentes ; 

fiuntque sapientes. 
In hoc malum faciunt, 
Et patriam decipiunt, 

nemini parcentes. 

I laugh at their clerks, whom I tee at first indigent enough, and p ossess i ng 
next to nothing, when they receive a bailiwick ; which rec ei v e d they next show 
themselves proud, and their teeth grow, and holding up their necks they begin 
▼ery hastily to buy lands and houses, and agreeable rents ; and amassing money 
themselves, they despise the poor, and make new laws, oppressing their neigh- 
bours ; and they become wise men. In this they do wickedness, and deceive 
their country, sparing no one. 




REIGN OP EDWARD I. 231 

The next song was doubtlessly considered is very libellous 
at the time when it was composed, and professes to have been 
written in the wild wood ; the means of publication being to 
drop it on the high road, that it might fall into the hands 
of passengers. It is directed against one of the king's ordi- 
nances. 

THE OUTLAW'S SONG OP TRAILLBBA8TON. 
[MS. Harl. No. MS3, fol. 1 13, r*. of the reign of Edw. II.] 

Talent me prcnt de ryraer e de geste fere 
D'une purveaunce qe purveu est en la terre ; 
Mieux valsit uncore que la chose fust i fere : 
Si Dieu ne prcnge garde, je quy que sourdra gucrc. 

Ce sunt les articles de TrayUebastoun ; 
Salve 1c roi mcismes, de Dieu eit maleysoun 
Qe a de primes graunta tiel commissioun ! 
Quar en ascuns des points n'est mie reaoun. 

Sire, si je voderoi mon garsoun chasticr 

De une buffe ou de deus, pur ly amender, 

Sur moi bctera billc, e me frad atachier, 

E avant qe isae de prisone raunsoun grant doner. 

Tm* wlatio*.— 1 f atiatd wita tko daoi w to rfcjwjt a*4 to aiake a story,— 
of a pwejaaes which b i* o* U *4 to Um load j— M imU bo m*ek WtUr If ta* 
taiaf w«rt otill uUom s — 4f God ion s«t iwrt k, I ikmk UmI tact* will aria* 



It b tko artidoa of TmUeb—toa I— «xor*4 IS* kiaf mimmH, m*j bo avto 
God's cmne—w hotter *rtt fruud mek a riaminiia I— For ttora b hub 
ntlaujWtlM poiala of it. 

Sir*, If 1 visaed to cfcaatbt my lad— wit* a slap or two, to 
wiD aak a bill aftiaot aw. aa4 wUI tmmm m* lo to masud,— oa d w |Hf • 

I 




232 . POLITICAL SONGS. 

Quaraunte souz pernent pur ma raunsoun, 
E le viscounte vint a son guerdoun, 
Qu'il ne me mette en parfounde prisoun. 
Ore agardez, seigneurs, est-ce resoun ? 

Pur ce me tendroi antre bois sur le jolyf umbray ; 
La n'y a faucet^ ne nulle male lay; — 
En le bois de Belregard, ou vole le jay, 
E chaunte russinole touz jours santz delay. 

Mis le male doseynes, dount Dieu n'eit ja piet£ ! 
Parmi lur fauce bouches me ount endit£e 
De male robberies e autre mavest£e, 
Que je n'os entre mes amis estre receptee. 

J'ai servi my sire le roy en p£es e en guere, 
En Flaundres, Escoce, en Gascoyne sa terre ; 
Mis ore ne me sai-je point chevisaunce fere ; — 
Tot mon temps ay mis en veyn pur tiel honme plere. 

Si ccs maveis jurours nc sc vueillent amender, 
Que je pus a mon pais chcvalcher e aler, 



Forty shillings they uke for my ransom, — and the sheriff cones for his 
that he may not pat me in deep prison. — Now consider, lords, is this rifht ? 

For this cause I will keep myself among the woods, in the beantifol shade ; 
•—where there is no falseness and no bad law ;— In the wood of Beenregard, 
where the jay flics, — and where the nightingale sings always withont ceasing. 

Bat the bed idlers, on whom may God hare no pity ! — with their false months 
hare indited me— of ill robberies and other delinquency,— so that I dare not be 
reeehred among my friends. 

I hare senred my lord the king in peace and in war,— in Flanders, Scotland, 
and his land of Gascony (—bat now I do not know how to make any expedient 
for myself ;— all my time I hare spent in Tain to please each a man. 

If these wicked jorors will not amend,— that I may be able to ride and go at 




RBION OF EDWARD I. 233 

Si je les pus ateindre la teste lur froi voler, 
De touz lur manaces ne dorroi un dcner. 

Ly M artyn et ly Knoville sunt gent de pietl, 
E prient pur les povres qu'ii eyent sauvete ; 
Spigurnel e Belflour sunt gent de cruelty 
Si il fuissent en ma baylie ne serreynt retornle. 

Je lur apre[n]droy le giw de Traylebastoun, 
E lur bruseroy l'eschyne e le cropoun, 
Les bras e les jaunbes, ee serreit resoun, 
La lange lur tondroy e la bouche ensoun. 

Qy ccstes choses primes comen^a, 

Ja jour de sa vie amende ne serra ; 

Je vus di pur veyr, trop graunt pecchl en a, 

Quar pur doute de prisone meint laroun serra. 

Ytel devendra leres que ne fust unque mis, 
Que pur doute de prisone ne ose renir a pes ; 



my peace,— if I can reach Umb I will aaake their beaae Sy of,— I woaU aet give 
a penny for all their Ibreatt. 

Tee Martin aad the KnoriDe are people of piety, —aa4 fray for the peer 
that they may have safety ; — Spigarael aae* BeMtoar are people af craefcy,— 
If they were ia aty keepiaf they ahoahl ae4 ha retaraee 1 . 

1 woaia leach them the gaaee of Trail b art o a. aa< waahl break their beck* 
hoae and their cropper,— their anaa and their lege, it wwaki he hat right,— I 
woela cat their toagaea aa4 their ■oatai hhewiat. 

He who irat eoauaeaeew thaee th ing*, a a iej km hb lUe will he he aeaeaaae i 
—I tell yoa for trath, he haa coamlrtn that aia taa great a eay— for oat of the 
fear of prieoa there win he aaaay a rahhar aaaaa. 

He will k tc oai i a robber who was savor as hafero,— aha for fear af prieoa 

CAMD. soc. 6. 2 II 



-234 POLITICAL BONOS. 

Vivre covient avoir chescum jour ades ; 

Qy ceste chose comenca, yl emprist grant fes. 

Bien devoient marchaunz e moygnes doner maligoun 
A tous iceux que ordinerent le Traillebastoun ; 
Ne lur vaudra un ayle le roial proteccioun, 
Que il ne rendrount les deners sauntz regerdoun. 

Vus qy estes endit£, je lou, venez a moy, 
Al vert bois de Belregard, la n'y a nul ploy, 
Forque bcstc savage e jolyf umbroy ; 
Car trop est dotouse la commune loy. 

Si tu sachez de lettrure, e estes corouct5, 
Dcvaunt lcs justices serrez appellee ; 
Uncore poez estre a prisone retornde. 
En garde de le evesque, jesque seiez purgec, 
E soffryr messayse e trop dure penauncc, 
E par cas n'avcrez james delyveraunce. 

Pur cc valt plus ou moi a bois demorer, 
fcTcn prisone le cvcsquc fyergc gyser. 

tl«rc not come to peace ; — it if necessary to ha?e livelihood every day as it 
— he who commenced this thing , undertook a great task. 

Well may merchants and monks bestow a curs e on all those who ordained 
the Trailcbaston ; — the royal protection will not be worth a garlic to them,— If 
they do not repay the pence without recompense. 

You who are indited, I advise you, come to me, —to the green wood of 
Beauregard, there where there is no plea,— eicept wild beast and beautiful 
shade ; — for the common law is too much to be feared. 

If thou knowest letter* , snd art enraged,— thou shalt be called before the 
justices ; — again you may be returned to prison, — in keeping of the bishop, 
until yon be cleansed ;— and suffer mis-ease sad too hard penance, — and per* 
chance you will never have clclitcrance. 

Therefore it is better tu dwell with sac in the wood,— than to lie cast in 



RBIGN OP BDWARD I. 235 

Trop est la penaunoe c dure ft soffirer ; 

Quy le mieux puet eslyre, fol est qe ne velt choyser. 

Avant savoy poy de bien, ore su-je raeins sage ; 
Ce me fount les male leis par mout grant outrage, 
Qe n'os a la pes venyr entre mon lignage ; 
Les riches sunt a raunsoun, povrea ft escolage. 

Fort serroit engager ce qe ne puet estre aquytec, 

C'cst la vie de honme que taunt est cher amec. 

E jc n'ay mye le chatel de estre rechat^e ; 

Mes si je fussc en lur baundoun ft mort serroi lyvercc ; 

Uncorc attendroy grace e orroi gent parler, 
Tiels nic client le mal que me ne osent aprodiier. 
E volcnters verroicnt mon corps ledenger ; 
Mcs entrc myl dcbles Dieu puet un honme sauvcr. 

Cely me pust salver que est le fits Marie ; 
Car je tie su coupable, enditc su par envye ; 



tke haikop'i priaoa. — Too aiack is the pewaace, aad hard to safer ;— he wko 
kaa the opportaaity to eelect what b bettor, b a fool if he doc* aot eaake the 



Before 1 knew little what waa good, mom I aaa lata viae ; — the bad law* caeca 
tkia by rery great outrage, — to tkat I dare aot oaa n to the peace aaaoag Bay 
kiadred ; th e rich are pot to raaceea, the poor to atieeau 

It wowid be peaible to eagag* what cacao* be aoacitted ;— that b the hat of 
ait which u to dearly loved ;— aad I acre aot at all tke good* wherewith to be 
hoc*** of j— bat if 1 vera ia their power I akooid be pot to death. 

Yet if 1 ekomld eapect grace aad hear people talk, tkoo o wooJd aay eefl to 
■m who dare aot approach eat, aad woaW wiUiagly aaa aiy body diegreced.— - 
Bat Ood oaa aire a aaac ha the aaidet of a thewooad devil*. 

He oaa aaec a»c. wko ia the aoa of Mary i— car I mt act cmJpahk, I aai ba. 




99 



236 POLITICAL. 80NGS. 

' Qy en cesti lu me mist, Dieu lur maldie ! 
Le sieclc est si variant, fous est qe s^affye. 

Si je sei compagnoun e sache de archerye, 
Mon veisyn irra disaunt, " cesti est de compagnie, 
De aler bercer a bois e fere autre folie ;" 
Que ore vueille vivre come pork merra sa vye. 

Si je sache plus de ley qe ne sevent eux, 

Yl dirrount, €( cesti conspyratour comence de estre fausy 

£ le heyre n'aprocheroy de x. lywes en d'cus ; 

De tous veysinages hony seient ceux. 

Je pri tote bone gent qe pur moi vueillent pricr, 
Qe je pus a mon pais aler e chyvaucher ; 
Unqe ne fu homicide, certes a moun voler, 
Ne nial robbcrcs pur gent damager. 

Cest rvm fust fet al bois desous un lorer, 
La chaunte merle, russinole, e eyre l 9 esperver ; 
Escrit estoit en parchemyn pur mout remenbrer, 
E gitte en haut chemyn, qe urn le dust trover. 

dited out of malice ;— God's curse be on those who drove me to this place !— 
Toe world is to variable, that he is a fool who trusts m it. 

If 1 am a companion and know archery,— my neighbour will go and amy, " Thia 
man belongs to a company, — to go bant in the wood and do other folly ;**— oo 
now I will lire as a pig will lead his life. 

If I bsppen to know more law than they know,— they will say this conspirator 
begins to be treasonable, — and I will not approach home within ten leagues of 
them ;— of all neighbourhoods cursed be those. 

I pray all good people that they will pray for me,— that I may be able to go 
and ride to my country ; — I was never a homicide, at least by design, dot an 
Ul robber to do people damage. 

This rhyme was made in the wood beneath a bay tree, — there sings the thrush, 
the nightingale, and the hawk cries (?) ; — it was written on parchment to be 
better remembered,— and cast in the highway, that people may nod it. 




REION OF EDWARD I. 2SJ 

The following song it a satire upon the numerous retinues 
of the nobles and rich people, whose idle attendants and ser- 
vants preyed upon the produce of the industrious peasantry. 
It shows us how great were the pride and ostentation of the 
courtiers of the latter years of Edward the First. 

A BONO AGAINST TUB RRTINUB8 OP THB GREAT PEOPLE. 
[MS. Hart S2S3, foL 1*4, f ; of reign of Edv. II/| 

Of ribands y ryme 

Ant rede o mi rolle, 
Of gedelynges, gromes, 

Of Colyn ant of Colic, 
Harlotea, hors-knaves, 

Bi pate ant by pollc ; 
To devel ich hem to-lvyrc 

Ant take to tolle ! 

The gedelynges were gedered 

Of gonnylde gnoate ; 
Palcfreiours ant pages, 

Ant boyes with boste ; 
Alle weren y-haht 

Of an horse thoste : 
The derel huem afretye, 

Ran other a-roste ! 



TaAWiLATioy. — Of ri b oloi I i b jon %m4 root U »jy 

—of Colin ■■< of Coflt. oooioo'roW, aoroi bon. — br polo oa4 by soil i 
tbcorril I tbooi itotor pas' gift far HH. 

Tbe goilioo vert gubiroi of > p s ln i j « s tt pw i os4 pojpj, 

a»d boyt wit* boo* ;— oR wot — of * borot i — ytboootfl 

tbcpj— row or roojloi ! 



238 POLITICAL SONGS. 

The shuppare that huem shupte* 

To shome he huem shadde, 
To fles ant to fleye, 

To tyke ant to tadde ; 
So seyth Romaunz, 

Whose ryht radde, — 
Fleh com of flore, 

Ant lous com of ladde. 

The harlotes bueth horlynges, 

Ant haunteth the plawc : 
The gcdclynges bueth glotouns, 

Ant drynketh er hit dawe. 
Sathanas huere syre 

Scyde on is sawe, 
Gobclyn made is gerner 

Of gromene mawe. 

The knave crommeth is crop, 

Er the cok crawe ; 
lie momcleth ant moccheth, 

Ant marreth is mawe ; 
When he is al for-laped, 

Ant lad over lawe, 

The maker that made them, — he shed them to shame, — to fleas tad to fly,— 
to tjke and to toad; — so nith Romans, — whoever read right, — fly cornea of 
flower, and loose comes of lad. 

The rognes are horelings, — and hauat the play : — the gadlingt are glottons, 
—and drink before it dawns. — Satan their sire — said in his saying,— Goblia 
made hit garner of the grooms' msw. 

The knave crams his crop— before the cock crows ;— he mamblesand mocks, 
—and marrs his maw ;— when he is all weary of lapping (?), — and laid over 



RRIGN OF EDWARD I. 239 

A doseyn of doggen 
Ne myhtc hyre drawe. 

The rybaudz a-ryseth 

Er the day rewe ; 
He ahrapeth on ia shabbea, 

Ant draweth huem to dewe. 
Sene is on ia browe 

Ant on ia e)e-brewe, 
That he louseth a losynger, 

And ahoyeth a shrewe. 

Nou beth capel-clawerea 

With ahome to-ahrude ; 
Hue boskcth huem with botouna, 

Aae hit were a brude ; 
With lowe lacede ahon 

Of an hayfre hude, 
Hue pyketh of here prorendre 

Al huere prude. 

Whose rykeneth with knarea 

Huere coustage, 
The luthemeaae of the ladde, 

The prude of the page, 

Uw,— « dotea of i to f a c oa l d tot drtv Ida. 

Tbe ribald* ariae— before tbt day breaks ; tbty wrapt mi tbair 
draw tbfmarim to tbt dew.— Soern it la m bia fartaaad mi on bia 
tbat be looaetb a Batterer,— aad tboctb a abrrw. 

Now are borje-claweri •batacfmllw clotbed ; — tbty beak tbata villi 
—a* it were a bride -wilb low bead ftbott of a btafcr* bide,- tbty pica a* 
of their provewder ail tbeir pride. 

Wboct cr rtcboM wiib kum- tack tzpeaae.— tb* ■ wmtm of tat lad. 



240 POLITICAL. BONOS. 

Thah he 3eve hem cattes-dryt ' 

To huere companage, 
5et hym shulde a-rewen 

Of the arrerage. 

Whil God wes on erthe 

And wondrede wyde, 
Whet wes the resoun 

Why he nolde ryde ? 
For he nolde no grom 

To go by ys syde, 
Ne grucchyng of no gedelyng 

To chaule ne to chyde. 

Spedeth ou to spewen, 

Ase mc doth to spelle ; 
The fend ou afretie 

With flcis ant with felle ! 
Herkneth hideward, horsmen, 

A tidyng ich ou telle, 
Tliat )e shulen hongen, 

Ant herbarewen in helle ! 

— the pride of the page,— though be give them cata' ditt— for their sustenance, 
—yet he •ball roe of the arrears. 

While God waa on earth— and wandered wide, — what was the reason— why 
be would not ride ? — Because be would not have a groom— to go by bis side,— 
nor the grudging of any gadling — to jaw or to chide. 

Haste you to spew,— as men do to speU (talk) ;— may the fiend devour y o u ■ 
with flesh and with skin !— Harken this way, horsemen,— a tiding I tell you,— 
that ye shall bang,— and be lodged in helL 




REIGN OF EDWARD II. 241 



REIGN OF EDWARD II. 1307—1327. 

Edward the First quitted the stage at a period when wars 
from without and internal troubles were gathering Cut orer 
his country. His son and successor, a weak and ill-adrised 
prince, was little calculated to repel the one or to calm the 
other ; and the following song shows us that, contrary to the 
general rule in such cases, the people were more sorrowful 
for their loss than pleased with the norelty of a new monarch. 

LAMENT ON THE DEATII OF EDWARD I. 
[MS. Bibl. Publ. Cantab. Of . 1. 1, fol. 489, of tao reign of E4w. II.] 

Seigniurs, oicx, pur Dieu le grant, 

Chanf onete de dure pit<, 
De la mort un rci vaillaunt ; 

Homme fu de grant bountl, 

E que par sa leaute 
Mut grant encuntre ad sustenue ; 

Ceste chose est bien prov 6 ; 
De sa terre n'ad rien perdue. 

Priom Dieu en derocioun 

Que de aes pecches le face pardoun. 

TsANtLAiioif.— Lorna, sius, for ts* aak* of Goo 1 Um 
of gricrona norrew,— for tha daata of a prtdoat Una; 
i.— aa4 on© by ak loyalty — has 
ia pro*** vntt ;—of kfc laad *• last 
h« narnoo aiai ki» 

CAMD. SOC. 6. 





242 POLITICAL 80N08. 

De Engletere il fu sire, 

E rey qe mut savoit de guere ; 
En nule livre puet home lire 

De rei qe mieuz sustint sa tere. 

Toutes les choses qu'il vodreit fere, 
Sagement les tinst a fine. 

Ore si gist soon cors en tere : 
Si va le si&cle en decline. 

Le rei de Fraunce grant pecchl fist, 

Le passage & desturber 
Qe rei Edward pur Dieu emprist, 

Sur Sarazins l'ewe passer. 

Sun tresour fust outre la mere, 
E ordine sa purveaunce 

Seint eglise pur sustenire : 
Ore est la tere en desperaunce. 

Jerusalem, tu as perdu 

La flour de ta chivalerie, 
Rey Edward le viel chanu, 

Qe tant ama ta seignurie. 

Of England be wu lord, — tod a king who knew such of war ; — In no book 
can we rend— of n king who sustained better hia land.— All the things which hw 
would do, — wisely he brought them to an end.— Now his body lies in the earth | 

and the world is going to ruin. 

The King of France did great sin, — to hinder the roy ag e which King Edward 
aadertook for God's sake,— to pans the water against the 8aracen*.— His traa- 
sare waa beyond the sea,— and he ordains his parrc ya not to santaln War/ 
charoh : now in the land in despair. 

Jensssieas, thorn hnst lost— the flower of thy csJralrr,— King Edward thecal 
and hoary,— who lored so much thy lordship.— Now he to dead ; I know not 



RXIGN OP XDWARO II. 24$ 

Ore eat-il mort ; jeo ne sai mie 
Toun baner qi le meintindra : 

Sun duz quor par grant druerie 
Outre la mere vous mandera. 

Un jour avant que mort li prist, 

Od son barnage voleit parler ; 
Les chivalers derant li viat, 

Durement oommenca de plurer. 

" Jeo murrai/' dist, " par estover, 
Jeo vei ma mort que me vent quere ; 

Fetes mon fis rey corouner, 
Qe Dampnt-Dieu li don bien fere !" 

A Peiters a l'apostoile 

Une messager la mort li dist ; 
E la Pape vesti l'estole, 

A dure lermes les lettres prist. 

" Alas !" ceo dist, " comment ? morist 
A qi Dieu donna tant honur? 

A l'alme en face Dieu mercist ! 
De seint eglise il fu la flour." 



it all— wko will ■oiotoio tky bimr :— kit gootio koort for groat 
md yo« oror tko m. 

Om far kefort oaotk look kfca, ki woaki talk wfck alt 
tto kntgku koJoro Mi, giioiooali to kogaa to voop.— •• I 
- of ■ urn—fry.— I ow »y ooatk vkJek 
crowaod kiog,— •** tko Lori <M gho afca 

At Poitioro to tko pool ■ mm&m§m lokl kit 
tto stole,— witk Mttof toon ko look tko 
to 4eU- to vkooj Go* gavo oo Book koaow N- May Go* 
oomll— towoottoiovaraftofrj 





244. POLITICAL 80NG8. 

L'apostoile en sa chambre entra, 

A pein le poeit sustenir ; 
E les cardinals trestuz manda, 

Durement commenca de plurir. 

Les cardinals li funt teisir, 
En haut commencent lur servise : 

Parmy la citd font sonir, 
Et servir Dieu en seint eglise. 

L'apostoile meimes vint a la messe, 
Oue mult grant sollempnitc ; 

L'alme pur soudre sovent se dresse, 
E dist par grant humility : 
" Place a Dieu en Trinity 

Qe vostre fiz en pust conquere 
Jerusalem la digne cit£, 

E passer en la seinte tere !" 

Le jeofne Edward d'Engletere 
Rey est cnoint e corounl : 

Dieu le doint teil conseil trere, 
Ki le pais seit gnuvernl ; 



The pope entered in his chamber, — he could scarcely rapport it ;- 
sent for ell the cardinals, — grievously he began to weep. — The cardinals 
him desist, — aloud they begin their Berries ; — they cause the bells to bo 
through the city, — and God's service to be performed in holy church. 

The pope himself came to the mass, —with very great solemnity ;— be often 
applies himself to absolve the soul,— end said in great humility :— " May it 
please God in Trinity, — that your son may effect the conquest—of Jerusalem 
the noble city,— -and pass into the Holy Land !" 

The young Edward of England— is anointed and ci o wn ed king ;■ may God 
grant that he follow such counsel, — that the country may be g ov ern ed 




REIGN OF EDWARD II. 245 

E la coroune si garder, 
Qe la tere seit entere, 

E lui crestre en bounty, 
Car prodhome i fust son pere. 

Si Aristotle fuste en vie, 

E Virgile qe savoit Tart, 
Lcs valurs ne dirr[ai]ent mie 

Del prodhome la disme part. 

Ore est mort le rei Edward, 
Pur qui mon quor est en trafoun ; 

L'alme Dieu la salve garde, 
Pur sa seintime passioun ! Amen. 

•o to keep the crown,— that the land may be entire,— and himself to increase in 
food new, —for hit father wit a worthy man. 

If Ariatotlc were alive, — and Virgil who knew skill,— they woald not say tat 
value— of the worthy man a tenth part. — Now la dead King Edward, lay 
whom my heart it in denotation ; — may God present his soml In safety,— for tat 
take of hia holy passion ! Amen. 



The following ionfr, in English, on the same ereat, is pre* 
served in another manuscript. It is somewhat singular that 
one of tbese? songs it clearly translated from the other, the 
variations being comparatively small, and consisting chiefly in 
the transposition of some of the stansas. The French song was 
probably the original. 




246 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF EDWARD I. 

[MS. HarL No. 3353, fol. 73, i*. of the reign of Edw. II.] 

Alle that beoth of huerte trewe, 

A stounde herkncth to my song, 
Of duel that deth hath diht us newe, 

That roaketh me syke ant sorewe among; 

Of a knyht that wes so strong, 
Of wham God hath don ys wille : 

Me thuncheth that deth hath don us wrong, 
That he so sone shal ligge stille. 

Al Englond ahte for te knowe 

Of wham that song is that y synge ;— 
Of Edward kyng that lith so lowe, 

3ent al this world is nome con springe. 

Trewest mon of alle thinge, 
Ant in werre war ant wys, 

For him we ahte oure honden wrynge, 
Of Christendome he ber the prys. 

Byfore that oure kyng wes ded, 

He speke asc mon that wes in care, — 

Tbavslatiox. — All that are true of heart,— a while hearken to my 
of grief that death hath wrought us bow, — which makes me sigh and sorrow is 
tarns. — Of a knight that was so powerful,— on whom God heth done his will ; 
— methinks that death has done ms wrong,— that he so soon shall lie stilL 

All England onght to know— of whom the song is that I sing;— of Edward 
the king that lies so low,— through all this world his name sprang.— Trsa at 
man of all things,— end in war wary and w ise , to e him we onght our hands to 
wring,— of Christendom be bare the prise. 

Before that our king was dead, — he spoke as one that was in care, — M Clergy, 




REIGN Or IDWARD II. 847 

" Clerkes, knyhtes, barouns," he sayde, 

u Y charge ou by oure sware, 

That }e to Engelonde be trewe. 
Y deje, y ne may ly ven na more ; 

Helpeth mi sone ant crouneth him newe, 
For he is nest to buen y-core. 

" Ich biquethe myn herte aryht, 

That hit be write at mi devys, 
Over the see that hue be diht, 

With fourscore knyhtes al of prys, 

In werre that buen war ant wys 9 
Ajcyn the hethene for te fyhte. 

To wynne the crois that lowe lys ; 
Myself ycholde }ef that y myhte." 

Kyng of Fraunce, thou hcvedest sunne, 
That thou the counsail woldest fonde, 

To latte the wille of kyng Edward 
To wende to the holy londe : 
That oure kyng hede take on honde 

Al Engelond to seme ant wysse, 



knights, toroat," to mid,—" I ctorgc yoa by roar oata. ttot j% la Eagtoal 
to trae. — I 4it v I bmj aot ttva aay a io c a j— ado my aaa, aad ti aa a Ma warn, 
— 4©r to U Nit to to clam, 

•' I toqaaatli my toart rightly, ttot k to wrfctta at ay oM*i«— ovarttoata 
ttot it to teat.— vita foararora kaJgato all of f if Ota, la war ttot art 
wtat. agaiaat tto toattoa far la aft**— to via tto craoi wtoa* Mat to 
•air I woaia [go] II I eaaii," 

Kiaf of PYaaca, taoa toojt aia,— tto* taoa atooioaat aatk aaaaaaV 
ocr tto will of Kiaf Edfrar4-to go la ito HafrLaaaV ttot oar Hag too 




248 POLITICAL SONQ8. 

To wenden into the Holy Londe, 
To wynnen us hevc[n]riche blisse. 

The messager to the Pope com, 

And seyde that oure kynge wes ded : 

Ys oune hond the lettre he nom, 
Y-wis his herte wes ful gret : 
The Pope himself the lettre redde, 

Ant spec a word of gret honour, — 
" Alas ! w he seide, " is Edward ded ? 

Of Christendome he ber the flour ! " 

The Pope to is chaumbre wende, 

For del ne mihte he speke na more ; 
Ant after cardinals he sende, 

That muche couthen of Cristes lore,. 

Bothe the lassc ant eke the more, 
Bed hem bothe rede ant synge : 

Gret deol me myhte se thore, 
Mony mon is honde wrynge. 



Uken in hand — all England to rule and teach, — to go into the Holy Land,' 
win mi heaven's bliss. 

The messenger to the pope came,— and eeid that our king was dead :— to his 
own hand the lett. r he took, — truly his heart was very full : — the pope hhnnrtf 
the letter read,— and spake a word of great honour, — " Alas !*' he said, " In 
Edward dead ?— of Christendom he hare the flower !" 

The pope to his chamber went, — he could speak no more for grief I— umi 
alter the cardinals he sent, — who knew much of Christ's doctrine,— both tint 
leas and also the greater .—bade them both read and sing ; g r ea t grief might few 
seas there,— many a man to wring his bends. 




REIGN Or EDWARD If. 249 

The Pope of Peyters stod at is masse, 

With ful grct solempnetl, 
Ther me con the soule blesse : — 

" Kyng Edward, honoured thou be ! 

God lene thi sone come after the 
Bringe to ende that thou hast bygonne ; 

The holy crois y-mad of tre, 
So fain thou woldest hit han y-wonne ! 

" Jerusalem f thou hast i-lore 

The flour of al chivalerie ; 
Now Kyng Edward liveth na more : — 

Alas ! that he )et shulde deye ! 

He wolde ha rered up fol heyje 
Oure baners, that bueth broht to groundc ; 

Wei longe we mowe clepe and die 
Er we a such kyng han y-founde ! " 

Nou is Edward of Carnarvan 

King of Engelond al aplyht, 
God lete him ner be worse man 

Then is fader, ne laasc of myht 



Tbe popt of Poitiers stood at kit ojatt, — vita tary great sol — ait y,— taert 
taey begta Co blots tat soal :— " Kiag Edvara 1 , boaoa rot be thorn I— Goo 1 givt 
tby tot, vao cosaes §iitr the*,— to briaf to eaa vbat tboa bast begaa ;«— tat 
boly crocs wide of wood,— so fate tboa woaloot k bare woa. 

•• Jerataleas toon bast lost— tat Sower of til cart alrj i— *#* Klaf Eowaro 
lives »o a»or« :— Alas ! tbat bo jot sboald Ac I— He vtwM tort reared op foil 
bigb-oar baaaere, that art broagbt to tat groaao t — fry Wag wo stay coll 
aao cry— before we bate foam* taob a blag I" 

Now U Edward of Csiaorroa aatifslj Kiag of lagans',— Ood In Urn 

ttt be worse stta tbaa ait htbor, aor Wtt of tW gbt la bold ait 

camd. toe. 6. Si 




250 POLITICAL SOXG8* 

To holden is pore-men to ryht, 
Ant understonde good consail, 

Al Engelond for te wisse ant diht; 
Of gode knyhtes darh him nout fail. 

Thah mi tonge were mad of stel, 

Ant min herte y-jote of bras, 
The godnesse myht y never telle 

That with Eyng Edward was : 

Kyng, as thou art cleped conquerour, 
In uch bataille thou hadest pris ; 

God bringe thi soule to the honour 
That ever wes ant ever ys, 

That lesteth ay withouten ende ! 
Biddc we God ant oure Ledy, 

To thilke blisse Jesus us sende. Amen. 

Co right,— and to understand good counsel, — all England to direct mad 
—of good knights there need not fail him. 

Though my tongue were made of steel, — and mj heart produced oat «f 
—I could never tell the goodness — that was with King Edward i — Kfatj, at) the* 
art called conqueror, — in each battle thou haddest prixe ;— God bring thy soul 
to the honour — which ever was and ever is, — which lasts erer without cud !— 
Pray we God and our Lady, — to that bliss Jesus us send I Ambit. 



The old cry against the oppression of the poor and honest 
by the rich, and the general corruption of the age, is repeated 
in the following piece. It probably describes the state of feeing 
amongst many in the earlier years of Edward's reign. 




REIGN OP EDWARD II. 251 

80NO ON THE TIMES. 

[MS. Rog. 12, C. zii. foL 7, i*. of raifa of Edw. 11.] 

Quant honme deit parlcir, videat quo? rerba loquatur ; 

Sen covcnt aver, ne stultior inveniatur. 

Quando quit loquitur, bote resoun reste therynne, 

Dcrisum patitur, ant lutel so thai he wynne. 

En seynt eglise sunt multi saepe priores ; 

Summe beoth wyse, multi sunt inferiores. 

When mon may meat do, tunc vellc suum manifestat, 

In donis also, si vult tibi pramia pnestat. 

Ingrato benefac, post hsec a peyne te Terra ; 

Pur bon vin tibi lac non dat, nee rem tibi rendnu 

Sensum custodi, quasi mieu valt sen qe ta mesoun ; 

Thah thou be mody 9 robur nichil est sine resoun. 

Lex lyth doun orer al, fallax fraus fallit ubique ; 

Ant love nys bote smal, quia gens se gestat inique. 

Wo walketh wyde, quoniam movet ira potentes : 

Ryht con nout ryde, quia vadit ad insipientes. 

Dummodo fraus supcrest, lex nul nout lonen y londe ; 



TaAiftLATiow. — Wbta a aaaa baa to apeak, Itt Mm oaaaaiar wbot worae bo 
attora ; — be oofbt to pay attention to tbaa*, leaf ba appear a feci.— Wbea oay 
oat epeekt, aaleae roaaoa rrat tbereia, — b« la laaf b oel at, aaw ao ba aball gaia 
little. — In boly cbarcb tbert art often aaaay wbo bobi aaltaaral attaatioae ; — 
aoaaa art *k, ataay art iaftrior. — Wbca a aaaa aaay ao aieet, tbaa bt rabfbite 
bit will.— in fifte also, a* be will bt givea tbaa pceerat*.— Do a biaaWaa to aa 
aafratcral aian, aaw alterwarat bt wiO aearoaly look at yoaj— be will aot 
etca gfre yo« milk tor good wiaa, aor will ba aaake yoa amy rttara.— Take 
of tby intellect, at of a tbiag wbkb it wortb aura tbaa tby 
tboa be woody, etreagtb io aotbiaf wit boot roataa.—Law boa ewwa otor al. 
fab* frand deceive* ti t i f ba i t ; aa4 tkert la bat little am, 
o aa w a c t tbeeAtettee wickedly. — Wot wafkt wait, 
art p oati f al ; — rifkt c an n ot ride, baoaaot It 
fraad it altre, law will aot dwell ia tbo laadt— wad atooa tbt ajattar lata taat 





252 . POLITICAL SONGS. 

Et quia sic res est, ryth may nout radlyche stonde. 

Fals mon freynt covenaunt, quamvis tibi dicat, €t habebis." 

Vix dabit un veu gaunt, lene les mon postea flebis. 

Myn ant thyn duo sunt, qui frangunt plebis amorem ; 

Ce deus pur nus sunt facienda seepe dolorem. 

Tresoun dampnificat, et paucis est data resoun ; 

Resoun certificate confundit et omnia tresoun. 

Pees may nout wel be, dum stat per nomina bina; 

Lord Crist, that thou se, per te sit in hiis medicina ! 

Infirm us moritur, thah lechcraft ligge bysyde ; 

Vivus decipitur, nis non that her shal abyde 

Tcls plusours troverez, qui de te plurima prendrount ; 

Au drcyn bien venrez, quod nullam rem tibi rendrount- 

Esto pacificus, so myh thou welde thy wylle ; 

Also veridicus, ant stond pro tempore stille. 

Pees seit en tere, per te, Deus, alma potestas ! 

Dcfcndez guere, ne nos invadat egestas. 

God Lord Almyhty, da pacem, Christe benigne ! 

Thou const al dyhty, fac ne pereamus in igne ! 

position, right may not easily stand. — The false man breaks Ma promise, al* 
though be aaj to tbee, " thon sbalt have it." — He will scarcely give an aid 
(lore, .... thou sbalt afterwards weep. — Mine and thine are two, wblck break 
the lore of the people ; —these two for us will cause frequent grkt— Trea- 
son injures, and reason is given to few ; — reason makes rare, while 
founds all things. — Peace may not well be, while it stands by two 
Lord Christ, do thou look to it, through thee may there be a medicine for 
things ! — The sick man dies, although the art of medicine lie by his 
bring man is deceived, there is none who shall abide here. — Yon will ind 
such as will take very much from yon ; — in the end yon will tee well, that taw* 
will return you nothing. — Be pacific, so mayest thou possess thy will 
teller of truth, and stand for the time still.— May there be pence In the 
through thee, God, kind power ! — forbid war, lest want invade an.— Good Lord 
Almighty, give peace, O benignant Christ I— Tbon canst do all thhntn, 
us from perishing in the fire. 




REIGN OF EDWARD II. 253 

The following song appean Co have been made in the latter 
end of the year 1311, on the occasion of the King's journey to 
the North, where he was joined by his lately banished fa- 
vourite, Peter de Gaveston, and disregarded the charter which 
he had confirmed in the beginning of the October of that 
year. 

ON THE KINO'S BREAKING HIS CONFIRMATION OF 

MAGNA CHART A. 

[The Auchinleck MS. in the Advocates' library, at Ediabarfk, art. 21, 

of the retfii of E4w. 11.] 

L*en puet fere et defere, 

Ceo fait-il trop sovent ; 
It nis nouther wel ne faire ; 

Therfore Engcloud is shent, 
Nostre prince de Engletere, 

Par le consail de aa gent, 
At Westminster after the fetre 

Made a gret parlemcnL 
La chartre fet de eyre, 

Jeo l'enteink et bicn le crcy, 
It was holde to neih the fire, 

And is molten al awey. 
Ore ne say mis que dire, 

Tout t ra a Tripolay, 



TftAPtLATioff.— A ptraoa aaay o*ako, aad aaojika,— it it wkot W loo oft** 
•on {-it ia aaiikcr wt&mmtur j— «• aooooat of it Eafiomo if 
priaoa of Eaftaa4,— bj Ifca ooaaorl of kit pupil, at WcataWaater alUr 
faif aiiot a groat aartiaaioal.— Tkt caorttr ha oaaoa of oaa«— oa I 
aaa I roadUj kaatora it,— it araa koM loo ooar tk* tva*— aoa 1 b al 
—Now I koow aot akat aaara to aaj f — al soaa U 




254 POLITICAL SONG8. 

Hundred, chapitle, court, and shire, 

Al hit goth a devel way. 
Des plusages de la tere 

Ore escotez un sarmoun, 
Of iiij. wise-men that ther were, 

Whi Engelond is brouht adoun. 

The ferste seide, " I understonde 
Ne may no king wel ben in londe, 

Under God Almihte, 
But he cunne himself rede, 
Iiou he shal in londe lede 
Even man wid rihte. 

For might is riht, 

Liht is night, 

And fiht is fliht. 
For miht is riht, the lond is lawcles ; 
For niht is liht, the lond is loreles ; 
For fiht is fliht, die lond is nameles." 

That other seide a word ful god, 
" Whoso roweth a)ein tlie flod, 
Off sorwe he shal drinke ; 

court, and shire, — ail it goes the deril's way.- -Of the wisest men of the land— 
now listen to a discourse,— of four wise men that there were,— why Ff land in 
brought down. 

The first said, " I understand— no king may be prosperous in 
Almighty, — unless he can counsel himself, — how he shall in land 
man with right.— For might hi right,— light is darkness, and ight is flight*— 
Because might is right, the land is lawless ;— because darkness la light, the land 
la without doctrine ;— because fight is flight, the land is without reputation.*' 

The second said a rery good word, — " Whoever rows against the flood, Vm 



RBIGN Or EDWARD II. 255 

Also hit fareth bi the unsele, 
A man shal have litel hele 
Ther agein to swinke. 

Nu on is two, 

Another is wo, 

And frend is fo. 
For on is two, that lond is streintheles ; 
For wel is wo, the lond is reutheles ; 
For frend is fo, the lond is loveles. 

That thridde seide, " It is no wonder 
Off thise eyres that goth under, 
Whan theih comen to londe 
Proude and stoute, and ginneth )dne, 
Ac of thing that sholde helpe 
Have theih noht on honde. 

Nu lust haveth leve, 

Thef is reve, 

And pride hath sieve. 
For lust hath lcvc, the lond is theweles ; 
For thef is revc, the lond is pen rles ; 
For pride hath sieve, the lond is almusles. 




•kill drink of torrow ;— toot it foot by lot 

littk ttraagta— Co loboar ***** it.— Nov on If tit, tanlltc it 

fricad it ro«.-B((UM om it two, lat load it wfeaoat ttnagta i lietti «mI 

U wot, lat load it witaoat rata ; liototi Mood it fat, tat load it witaoat 

lo*e. M 

Tat taird said. •• It it to potior of tattt ooira taat go —dor, wata tat* 
cottt to loa d pr oad tad toot, tad btgio to y tip , a a t of taytoiof tat wOgat 
adp-tWy am aoajat ia atad.— Now loot aata law; taiaf It 
tod pridt attfc oWtrtt.— Btcoott loot koto hot, tat load It itattaH of 
fcty t ticoooi taiaf b ■ajittratt. tat bad It 
iWtm, tat load it witaoat 




256 POLITICAL 80NGS. 

The ferthe seide, that he is wod 
That dwelleth to muchel in the flod, 

For gold or for auhte ; 
For gold or silver, or any wele, 
Hunger or thurst, hete or chele, 
Al shal gon to nohte. 

Nu wille is red, 

Wit is qued, 

And god is ded. 
For wille is red, the lond is wrecful ; 
For wit is qued, the lond is wrongful ; 
For god is ded, the lond is sinful. 

Wid wordes as we han plcid, 
Sum wisdom we han seid 

Off olde men and }unge ; 
Off many a thinge that is in londc, 
Whoso coude it understonde, 

So have I told wid tongue. 

Riche and pore, bonde and fre, 
That love is god, je mai sc ; 

Love clcpeth ech man brother ; 

The fourth said, " That he it mad — who dwells too much la the Ho 
gold or for property ; — for gold or silver, or any weal, — hunger or thirst, 
cold, — all shall go to nothing. — Now will is counsel,— wit is wicked,— a 
is dead. — Because will is counsel, the land is full of revenge ;— becaui 
wicked, the land is foil of wrong ;— because good is dead, the land is foil 

With words as we have played, so m e wisdom we have said— of eld i 
young ;— of many a thing that is in land,— whoever might understand fa 
have 1 told with tongue. 

Rich and poor, bond and free, — that love is good, ye may see t to 




REIGN OF EDWARD II. -257 



For it that he to blame be, 
Fonif hit him par chariti, 
Al theih he do other. 

Love we God, and he us alle, 
That was born in an oxe stalle, 

And for us don on rode. 
His swete herte-blod he let 
For us, and us faire het 

That we sholde be gode. 

Be we nu gode and stedefast, 
So that we muwen at the last 

Haven hevene blisse. 
To God Almihti I prcie 
Lat us never in sinne deie, 

That joye for to misse. 

Ac lene us alle so don here, 
And leve in love and god manere, 

The devcl for to shende ; 
That we moten alle i-fere 



cvary nun brottor ;— lor ttot for wnicn to aaay to to Mmh, fcrglto k hkm In 
cnnrity,— alttoaga to do ottor. 

Lore we God, and hut to for* at all, — wko waa tors In an tu'i attaU.— 
•ad for at pUcad oa tto croaa.— Ilia awact toart'a Uaod to atod for an, and 
toda ma fairly— ttot «« atoald to good. 

Ba wa now good and atoadfaat,— ao Itol w may at hat tota Cto anas nf 
toavan.— To God AJaMgaty I pro y ,— lot na amr dfta In afcn f — to aim tnat joy. 

Bat grant at all an to do tore,— and Ran In km 

CAMP. SOC. 6. S L 




258 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Sen him that us bouhte dere, 

In joye withoute ende. Ahrn. 



for to shame ; — that we may all in company — tee him that bought us dearly,-— 
in joy ererUsting. Amkn. 



Edward's wretched favourite, Peter de Gaveston, was be- 
headed by the Barons in the May of 1312. The two following 
songs exhibit the general feeling of exultation which attended 
this execution. It is scarcely necessary to say that they are 
parodies on two hymns in the old church service. 

8OXG8 ON THE DEATH OF PETER DE GAVESTON. 
[MS. Trin. Coll. Cambr. O. 9. 3S. 15th cent, on paper.] 

I. 

De Petro de Gaverstone. 

Vexilla regni prodeunt, 

fulget oometa comitum, 
Cornea dico Lancaatri® 

qui domuit indomitum ; 
Quo vulneratus peatifer 

mucronibus Walensium, 
Truncatus est atrociter 

in sexto mense mensium. 
Impleta sunt quae censuit 

auctoritaa sublimium ; 

TaANSLATioic.—I. The banners of the kingdom go forth, the eoaiat of 
•nines, I mean the Earl of Lancaster, who tamed him whom nobody else 
tame ; whereby the pestiferous one being wounded by the blades of the Womb, 
ww diagraeerally beheaded in the sixth month. What the ath or i ty of tto 




RBION OF BDWARD II. 259 

Mora Petri aero patuit, — 

regnavit din nimium. 
Arbor mala succiditur, 

dum oollo Pfetrus caditur : — 
Sit benedicta framea 

quae Pctrum sic aggreditur ! 
Beata manus jogulans ! 

beatus jubena jugulam ! 
Beatum ferrum feriens 

quern ferre nollet ueculum ! 
O crux, qua pati patent 

hanc miseram miseriam, 
Tu nobis omnem subtrahe 

miserue materiam ! 
Te, summa Deus Trinitas, 

oramus preoe sedula, 
Fautores Petri destmas 

et conteras per tacula ! Ambk. 

powert abort willed baa been Mailed ; tbe deatb of Peter at kit bat bota 
effected,— be reifaed macb too loaf . Tbt bad trot la cat down, wbta Pete? it 
•track on tbe neck .— Bleaacd be tbe weepoa wbkb tbaa ■pproecbed Peter I 
Bleated be tbe baad wbkb ciccaUd biai ! llinil tbe ataa wbo ordered tbe 
caoeatioa t bleated tbe atari wbkb ttrack biai waom tbe world waald aot baar 
aaj loafer ! O Croat, wbkb allowed to be ■aitrtd tbia wntcbtd ariaery, da 
taoa take from aa all tbe auterlel of aUaary. Taee, bigbeet God la THahy, 
we praj earaeetly, deetroy and craei for ever tbe ananUaiaere of Peter. Am a*. 



II. 

Pange, lingua, necem Petri qui turberit Angliarn, 
Quern rex amans super omnem prtstulit Comobiam ; 

11. Celebrate, my toafwe, tbe deatb of Peter wW eWtaraed faflaai. 




260 POLITICAL SONGS.'. 

Volt hinc comes, et non Petals, did per superbiam. 

Gens est regni de thesauri fraude facta condolens, 
Quando Petrus de thesauro prodige fit insolens, 
Quid ventura sibi dies pariat non recolens. 

Hoc opus nostra salutis, quod Petrus interiit; 
Multiformis proditoris ars tota deperiit ; 
Ex nunc omen cor loetetur, quia v» prceteriit, 

Quando venit apta rei plenitudo temporis, 
Est praecisum caput ei de juncture corporis ; 
Turbans turbas intra regnum nunc turbatur a foris. 

Nuili Tolens compared, summo fastu praditus, 
Se nolente subdit collum passioni deditus ; 
De condign'a morte cujus est hie hympnus editus. 

Perdit caput qui se caput paribus pneposuit : 
Rite corpus perforatur cujus cor sic tumuit : 
Terra, pontus, astra, mundus, plaudant quod hie corruit, 

Trux, crudelis inter omnes, nunc a pompis abstinet; 
Jam non ultra sicut comes, vel ut rex, se continet; 

the king in hia lore for him placed over all Cornwall ; hence in hia pride he wfll 
he called Earl, and not Peter. — The people of the kingdom wa§ nude eorrowrul 
for the frand npon the treasure, when Peter becomes wasterully insolent witli 
the treaanry. not bearing in mind what the future day may p roduce lor kbm— 
This is the work of our salvation, that Peter is dead j all the artfulness of tbcmnl- 
tifarious traitor has perished ; henceforth let the good omen rejoice out hearts, for 
sorrow is past. — When the fulness of time which was St for the thing came, Us 
head it cut off from the juncture of the body ; he who raised trou b le s within 
the kingdom is now troubled from without. — He who was unwilling to have am 
equal, clothed in the extreme of pride, against his will bends his neck to taw 
executioner ; of whose merited death this hymn is set forth. — He who ptneod 
himself as a head above his equals, loses his own head ; justly has body ■ 
p i er c e d, whose heart was so puffed np ; both land, sea, stars, and world, rejoin* 
in his falL — Ferocious and cruel among all men* he cosset now from Ut ffnmjn) g 
he no longer behaves himself like an eeri, or a king; the u n wor thy nana. 




REIGN OF EDWARD II. 261 

Vir indignus, morte digitus, mortem dignam sustinet. 

Flexis ramis arbor ilia ruit in provcrbia ; 
Nam rigor lentescit illc quem dedit supcrbia ; 
Sic debet humiliari qui sapit stiblimia. 

iEdes Petri qua tenetur non ait fulta robore ; 
Sit prophanus alter locus, sit et in dedecore, 
Quem foedus cruor foedavit fusus Petri oorpore ! 

Gloria sit creatori ! gloria comitibus 
Qui fecerunt Petrum mori cum suis carminibus ! 
A modo sit pax ct plausus in Anglorum finibus ! Amen. 

worthy of death, undergoes the death which he merits. — This tree with its 
branches bent falls into a proverb ; for the s fifn osa which pride gave if softened ; 
thai ought the ambitious and aspiring mam to be humbled. — May the bouse of 
Peter, in which he is held, not be supported ia strength ; may the other place he 
profane, and may it be in disgrace, which the ilthy gore spilled from Peter's 
body has denied !— Glory be to the Creator ! Glory to the Earls who have 
made Peter die with his charms ! Hsacslbrth may there be peace aad rejoicing 
throughout England ! Amkx. 



The events of the Scottish war during die reign of Edward 
II. were not of a character to draw forth the tongs of triumph 
which had attended the campaigns of his father. The loss of 
his father*! conquests, and the reverses of his own arms, while 
they produced universal dejection, only leaded to widea the 
breach which his own folly had made between himself aad his 
people. The following song was made ia 1313, immediately 
after the disastrous battle of Daanockburn, where the Earl of 
Gloucester was slain. The writer, while he lament* the humi- 
liatioa to which his country had bees reduced, glaaces from 
time to time at the evil counsels which had led to it* 




262 POLITICAL SONGS. 

THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN. 
[From MS. Cotton. Titus, A. xx, foL 68 i*. written in the reign of Ed. III.] 

Quomodo comes GlovernUpfuerat occisus apud Strivetyn, 

et Anglici victu 

Me cordis augustia cogit mira fiiri, 
Scotiae quod Anglia ceepit subjugari : 
Nova jam prodigia dicitur patrari, 
Qoando matri filia sumit dominari. 

Rcgionum Anglia plurium matrona, 
Ciu tributaria jam dabantur dona, 
Proth dolor ! nunc cogitur nimis esse prona 
Filiae, qua leeditur materna corona. 

Exiit per Angliam edictum vulgare, 
Admonendo quempiam arma pneparare, 
Ut adiret Scotiam phalanx vendicare 
Jura, vel injuriam posse vindicare. 

Ad quod thema debeam nimis protelare : 
Rex ceepit militiam suam adunare, 
Inconsultus abiit Scotos debellare. 
Ira sponte rediit nolens plus obstare. 

Tuahslatioh. — Perplexity of heart co m peli me to tell wonderful tMfi. 
that England begins to be subjected to Scotland : it is said that new prodigies 
•re now performed, when the daughter takes upon her to lord k over the 
Bother. — England the matron of many regions, to whom tributary gills were 
given, is now, alas 1 constrained too much to be prostrate to the daughter, by 
whom the maternal crown is injured. — A general proclamation went flu Hugh 
England, a dmonishi ng cfert b o d i to take up arms, that the army might go to 
Scotland to vindicate our rights, or to be able to avenge our injury*— lb which 
theme 1 ought to procrastinate very much ; the king began to aesssnhlt his 
troops, unadvisedly he went to make war on the Scots : his anger voluntarily 
subsided, unwilling longer to hold out.— There were in the army many 




RKIGN OP EDWARD II. 863 

Erant in cxcercdtu plures generoai, 
Milites in exitu nimis et pomposi ; 
Cum ad bellom vcnerant tot impetuosi, 
Satis promti fuerant hostes animosi. 

Animosi fuerant et hoc apparebat ; 
Cum partes certaverant, ilia permanebat 
Stabilis, sed fugiit qua superbiebat. 
Inproba succubuit, astuta vincebat. 

Inauditus ingruit inter hos conflictus ; 
Primitus prosiliit Acteus inrictus, 
Comes heu ! Gloreroiie dans funestos ictus ; 
Assistens in acie qui fit derelktus. 

Hie pbalangas hostium disrupi coegit, 
Et virorum fortium corpora subegit ; 
Sod fautor domesticus sibi quern elegit, 
Hie non erat putitus quando factum fregit. 

Hie est proditorius rir Bartholomeus, 
In cunctis victoriis quern confundat Deua ! 
Domino quod varius fit ut Pharisssus. 
Hinc Judcc vicarius morte fiet reus. 



kaifbts who were too tbowy tmd poojpoot; wbe* to 

obom to tbe cDoflict. tbo aw mo— esoo**M woro rowi* 

ci o wn*"" * MwMlfP— * » tWi tbo two tioot fmi , tat 

Wt tbot wbJeb kod ikon to mmtk prUt ioi, Tbo wiokoo potty 

tbo cwAoiof ooo eooqooreo.— Ao — kooro of oottk tafcfcoaoo botvooa tbooi i 

ifot roobed forward tbo w oog j oorod A Uo joo, tbo Earl of Ol ioBi H ir , olot t 

fate) Wow* ; wbo, tU»4i»f io tbe tbfct of tW kwttW, b 

tbo troop* of tbo ooeojj to brook, tad tvkwaod too wooto of otroof mob | tat 

Tbki fa tbo trmitorowj boa. Bortkoioojow, wbooj bi ol 
toojod? Becmot be boa bee* to bfai 
tbo ftprtarmUttfo of Jodo* bo oboB bo 




264 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Videns contra dominant hostes desaevire, 
Fingit se sex seminum longius abire ; 
Domino quod renuit suo subvenire, 
Proditor hie meruit tormenta obire. 

Plures sunt quern perperam comes est seductus, 
Ut ovis ad victimam et ad mortem ductus, 
Qui [sunt] per quos oritur tarn vulgaris luctus, 
Hoc satis cognoscitur per eorum fructus. 

Quorum virus Anglia tota toxicatur ; 
Vulgaris justitia sic et enervatur ; 
Regale judicium per hos offuscatur ; 
Ex hoc in exilium fides relegatur. 

Victa jacet caritas, et virtus calcatur ; 
Viret ingratuitas, et fraus dominatur ; 
Quicquid in hiis finibus mali perpetrator, 
Dictis proditoribus totum inputatur. 

Iste deceptorius vir non erat solus, 
Per quern proditorius jam fiebat dolus ; 
Alter sed interfuit, quem non celet polus, 
Et fiat ut meruit infernalis bolus. 



rage against hit matter, he pretends that ha had been out more than aiz wanks ; 
haomaaahe refused to come to his master's rapport, this traitor has deserved to be 
put to the rack. — Many are they whereby the Earl was seduced, led like a aheap 
to the sacrifice and to death ; through whom smch common lamentation arisen, 
la anfidently known by their fruits.— With whose venom all England to poisons d ; 
end thns common justice is weakened ; by these the royal judgment to darkened ; 
In consequence of this, faith la driven into exile.— Charity Hra snbdned, and virtue 
la trodden down j iagretitude flourishes, and fraud rales i whatever of evil la per- 
petrated in this country , la all the work of the aforeesid traitors.— Thfc deceitful 
men was not the only one by whose the art of treason was now exercised; butthnre 
was another concerned in it, whom may he av en not conceal, and may he 



RKIGN OP BDWARD II. 265 

Hujusmodi milites, regno pervicaces, 
Sathanao satellites, sunt nimis rmpaces ; 
Regis si sint judicea undique veraces, 
Destruent veneficot suos et aequaces. 

Capitis sententiam pati meruerunt, 
Cum sponte militiam talem prodiderunt ; 
Qui fuerunt rustici, sicut permanaerunt, 
Comitis domestici fugam elegerunt. 

Hii fraude multiplica virum prodiderunt, 
Inpia gens Scotica quern circomdederunt ; 
Ipsum a dextrario tuo prostraverunt, 
Et prostrati vario modo ceciderunt 

Fideles armigeri qui tecum fuerunt ; 
Milites ct acted secum oorruerunt ; 
Cum sui succurrcre sibi voluerunt, 
Ilostibus resistere tot non raluerunt 

Sic comes occubuit pras cunctta insignia, 
Qui sua distribuit pnedia malignis ; 
Sibi quisquc caveat istis intersignis, 
Jam fidero nc prabcat talibus indignis. 

aa ko deoarrce, a mortcl of kelL— Koifkta rack at tkeot , obatiaatc ogeJaat tko 
kiagdoaB, retaiacra of Satan, are too rapocioae ; If tko KJag '• jodgea ntrj wkcra 
arc trot, tkcy will destroy tkc eackaaters tad tkeJr follower*.— Tkey cV ocM od to 
rafter jmdfawat of derapitatioo, oiact votaatarfty tkey kare betrayed wdi a eat- 
diery i tkc Earl'a domestics, who were down, at tkey kare rec a aia c d , took to 
tight.— Tkeot by a maltifarioae treaaoa betrayed tMr lord, wboai the iatpioaa 
people of Scotlaad rarroaaded ; tkey otrack kiai dowa froca kit steed, aad tko 
faitkral eeqairre wko were with kiai Ml street dowa Is datcrtat ways ; tko 
kniffcta and otkers fell along witk kiai ; wkoa kit Meads tried to ■acconr Ma, 
tkoj were aot able to resist ao assay tatasitt.— TW died aa Cor! wko was 
dlstingaiskcd above all otkers, wko bad gjvta kit ffwavttj to wioked asm j Wt 
crery ooc acre a care to kitasctf, ailtr tkoet ctaojflsa, tkot ke gfvt aot 

camd. aoc. G. 2 at 




£66 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

Ex hoc illi comites actibus periti, 
Adhuc qui superstites sunt, fiant munitij 
Alias in prcelio cum sistant uniti, 
Ne sic proditorio telo sint attriti. 

Cruciatur Anglia nimio dolore, 
Tali quod versutia privatur honore, 
Muniatur cautius mentis cum labore, 
Error ne novissimus pejor sit priore. 

Consulo comitibus adhuc qui sunt vivi, 
Quod sint proditoribus amodo nocivi ; 
Sic et per industriam omnes sint captivi : 
Anglici ad Scotiam fiant progressiva 

Credo verum dicere, non mentiri conor ; 
Jam ctepit deficerc nostri gentis honor ; 
Comitem cum lividus mortis texit color, 
Anglke tunc horridus statim crevit dolor. 

Nostra gentis Anglise quidam sunt captivi ; 
Currebant ab acie quidam semivivi ; 
Qui fuerunt divites fiunt redemptivi ; 

forth trust to web unworthy people. — By thU let those Earls who are still alive, 
learning from experience, be on their guard, when at another time they 
united in battle, that they be not thus bruised by the weapon of < 
land ia tormented with very much grief, that the U deprived of her honour by 
such craftiness ; let her be fortified more cautiously, with labour of mind, that tto 
last error be not worse than the former. — I advise the Earls who are still alto, 
that henceforward they destroy traitors ; and thus by their industry 1st these all 
be made prisoners ; let the English thus make their way into Scotland^— 1 be- 
lieve that I tell the truth, I endeavour not to say what it false i now the annum 
of our nation begins to decline ; when the livid colour of death spread ftaehf 
over the Earl, then immediately grew the terrible grief of England. Of ewx 
people of Fnglsnd some are in captivity ; some ran away from the battle henf 
dead ; they who were rich are made ransom ; because the nobles go 



RBIQN OP EDWARD II. 267 

Quod delirant nobiles plectuntur Achivi. 

Mentes ducum Angliaa sunt atudendo fessae, 
Nam fotdus justitiae certo caret ease ; 
Ergo rex potential atirpa radice Jeasaa, 
Fautorea perfidies ducat ad non ease ! 

Quando saevit aquilum, affricua quievit ; 
Et australi populo dampnum mortis crevit. 
Anglia victoria frui consuevit, 
Sed ])rolis perfidia mater inolevit. 

Si acires, Glovernia, tua fata, flerea, 
Eo quod in Scotia tuua ruit haarea ; 
Tc privigni capient quorum probra feres ; 
Ne te f ar . • facient, presens regnum teres. 

Facta cs ut domina viro viduata, 
Cujus sunt solamina in luctum mutata ; 
Tu es sola civitaa capite truncal*; 
Tuos casus Trinitas ftecundet beata ! 

people are the fafferen.— The atiaaa of the chkftaiae of Eafkad 
•ft weary mttb ttodyinf , f«>r the leafae of justice U without aay ccrtaia exiet- 
eacr ; may therefore the Kiog of power, who spraaf frees the root of Jem, 
destroy utterly the BMinUiners of perftdy !— Whea the aorth-aast wiad ragea, tho 
south-west wiad dropped ; aad to the people of the sooth tho peia of death law 
creased. Eaf Uad used to obtaio rictocy, hat hy the treachery of the ofspriag 
the another hath lost her savour.— If yea kaew, Gloucester, yoar fste, yoa 
would weep, Decease yoar heir perii h e e la Knot I sad ; thy eoae-ia-kw will take 

thee, from whooi thoa wilt suffer diafraca j leat they shoald a*kc thee 

thoa will braitc the prrteat goreraaMSt.— Thoa art Made as a lady widowed of 
her husbead. whose coaUort u rh ia g ad lata wiafia f i thoa art a solitary city 
deficit ed of thy head ; a»y the Messed Triafty eeaaad thy fartaaa ! 




268 POLITICAL SONGS. 

The last piece in our collection is rather different in character 
from those which have preceded it. One. of the most unpo- 
pular acts of this weak reign was the execution of the Earl of 
Lancaster in 1322. The love which the people bore towards 
him, led them to sanctify his memory. A martyr in what was 
loudly proclaimed to be the cause of God, his countrymen be- 
lieved that he testified his unshaken love for those in whose 
defence he had fallen by miracles performed at his tomb, and a 
regular form of service was composed for his worship. 

THE OFFICE OF ST. THOMAS OF LANCASTER. 

[MS. Reg. 12, c. xn. fol. 1, r°. of the end of the reign of Edward II., or 
beginning of that of Edw. III., written all m prose.] 

Ant. — Gaude Thoma, ducum decus, lucerna Lancastrise, 
Qui per necem imitaris Thomam Cantuarae ; 
Cujus caput conculcatur pacem ob ecclesi®, 
Atque tuum detruncatur causa pacis Anglise; 
Esto nobis pius tutor in omni discrimine. 

Oratio. — Deus, qui, pro pace et tranquillitate regnicolarum 
Angliac, beatum Thomam martyrem tuum atque comitem 
gladio persecutoris occumbere voluisti, concede propitius, ut 
omnes qui ejus memoriam devote venerantur in terris, pns* 
mia condigna cum ipso consequi mereantur in coelis, jj. dn. B. 

Tea kslatiox. — Anthem. — Rejoice, Thomas, the glory of chieftains, the tight 
of Lancaster, who by thy death imitatest Thomas of Canterbury ; whose luminal 
broken on account of the peace of the Church, and thine is cat ofl* lor the cuanw 
of the peace of England ; be to us an affectionate guardian in every dinVufey. 

Prmyer. O God, who, for the peace and tranquillity of the **»MrfrrHt mj 
England, willed that the blessed Thomas thy martyr and Earl should fall by the 
sword of the persecutor, grant propitious, that all who devoutly r efer en ce hi* 
memory on earth, may merit to obtain worthy reward along with him in 
through our Lord. 




RBION OF EDWARD II. 269 

Prota. — Sospitati dat aegrotos precum Thorn® fusio ; 

Comes pius mox languentum adest in presidio ; 
Relevantur ab infirmis infirmi suffiragio. 
Sancti Thomas quod monstratur signorom indicio, 
Vas regale truridatur regni pro rcmedio. 
O quam probat sanctum duoem morborum curatio ! 
Ergo laudes Thorn© sancto rfnimnf cum gaudio; 
Nam devote poscens ilium, statim proculdubio 

sospes regreditur. 

ScquetUia. — Summum regem honoremus, 

dulcis pro memoria 
Martyris, quern collaudemus 

summa reverentia. 
Thomas comes appellator, 

stemmate egregio ; 
Sine causa condcmpnatur, 

natus thoro regie 
Qui cum plebem totam cernit 

labi sub naufragio, 



IVoso. Tbe poariog ©at of prayers to Thome restore* tke ska to health | 
the piows Earl coeare immcdieielj to tbe ahl of these who are fseble ; they ore 
rtttrrtd from their iaflnoitfco by toe eoflrofoof oas who was toino. 80 toot It U 
show* by tbe evidence of tbe miracles of St, Thosass, toot tke royal teasel to be- 
beooVd for tbe cere of tbe ktafwooj. O bow tbe core of sJsmsi eodorte the 
seiateo leader t Therefore with rrjoidaf let eo stog yeatoas to St, Theeaas t for 
be who mU bioi ecroatly, iomediatcty withes* ooobt be wfil 

Seewror*. Let at booosr too bifbeot Kiss;, for tbe iiiiry of tbe 
ssertyr, whose we join la preioiaf wfcb tbe wtsasst fsvsrsac*. He to 
Eorl Tbooios, of eo Wootriooe race ; be to eoaetoaaaoi 
was bom of a royal bed. Wbo wbem be percorves 1 tbot tbe 

Cslaaf loto wreck, tod not abrlak frees wjfcsf far tbe r%ht, hi tbe 



270 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Non pro jure mori spernit, 

laetali commercio. 
O flos militum regalis, 

tuam hanc familiam 
Semper conserves a malis, 

perducens ad gloriam ! Amen. 

Pange, lingua, gloriosi comitis martyrium, 
Sanguinisque prceciosi Thorn® floris militum, 
Germinisque generosi laudis, lucis comitum. 

De parentis utriusque regali prosapia 
Prodit Thomas, cujus pater proles erat regia, 
Matrem atque sublimavit reginam Navarria. 

Dux fidelis suum gregem dum dispersum conspicit, 
iEmulumque suum regem sibi motum meminit, 
Mox carnalem juxta legem in minim contremuit. 

Benedicti benedictus capitur vigilia, 
Agonista fit invictus statim die tertia, 
Dirac neci est addictus, ob quod luget Anglia. 

Proht dolor ! acephalatur plcbis pro juvamine, 

fatal commerce. O royal flower of knights, preserve ever from evfle this lay 
family, brinfinf them to glory ! Amkn. 

Declare, my tongue, the martyrdom of the glorious Earl* and of the precious 
blood of Tbomaa the flower of knights, and of the praise of the noble sprout, 
the light of Earls.— Thomas sprang from a royal race by both his parents, 
whose father was the son of a king, and whose mother Navarre raised to be a 
queen.— The faithful leader when he saw that his flock was dispersed, and he called 
to mind that his king was moved with jealousy towards him, soon a ccor din g to the 
law of the flesh he trembled wonderfully.— The bleated man Is taken on the vigil 
of St. Benet, on the third day he is suddenly made an unconuuered champion;, 
he is delivered to dire death, on accouut of which Knglsnd mourne.--Ales ! kw 
is beheaded for the aid of the common*, la* is deserted by the company of Us 



RKIGN OP EDWARD II. 271 

Suorumque desolatur militum stipamine, 
Dum dolose desiandatur per sudam Hoylandiae. 

Ad sepulcrum cujus fiunt frequenter miracula, 
Geci, claudi, surdi, muti, membra paralytica, 
Prece sua consequuntur optata praesidia. 

Trinitati laus et honor, virtus et potentia 
Patri, proli, flaminique sacro sit per specula, 
Qua? nos salvat a peccatis Thorn* per suffragia ! Am en. 

O jam Christi pietas, 
Atque ThomsB caritas 

palam elucescit ! 
lieu ! nunc languet ecquit&s, 
Vigct et imptetas, 

Veritas vilescit ! 
Ncmpe Thorn® bonitas, 
Ejus atque sanctitas, 

indies acrcscit ; 
Ad cujus turabam sospita* 
AZgris datur, ut Veritas 

cunctis nunc clarescit. 



kmifKu. wbilet be U treacberotftly dreertev by Robert o> HoyUod.— At wbooe 
tomb ere freqocatly performed mirtdoj ; tbe blmd, tbe bar, tbe deei, tbe d«mb, 
aad paralytica, by bit prayer obtaia tbc beip tbey deaire.— Preiee aad boaoay, 
vtrtae tad power be to tbe Triaity, Fatbcr, boo, aad Holy Gboet, foe ever, 
wbicb preeerie m from eia tbroagb tbe iattrctemct of Tbomae t Amk*. 

O aow tbe piety of Cbriet, aad tbe obartry of Tbomae, abiae opcaly I Am* I 
eqaity aow piaea away, aad impiety ioaritbot, tratb it aaedc vile I Yet tbo 
goodaeat of Tbomae, aad bit taactJf y, daily mcram » ot wboat tomb beoitb ■ 
gives to tbe tkfc, tbat tbe tratb may bow be dear Is tJL 



272 POLITICAL 80NG9. 

Copiosffi caritatis 

Thoma pugil strenue, 
Qui pro lege libertatis 

decertasti Anglie, 
Interpella pro peccatis 

nostris patrem glories, 
Ut ascribat cum beatis 

nos coelestis curiae. Amen. 

O Thomas, strenuous champion of plentiful charity, who didst combat for the 
law of England's liberty, intercede for our sins with the Father of Glory, that 
he may ghre ns a place with the blessed in the heavenly court. Amen. 




273 



APPENDIX. 



EXTRACTS FROM PETER LANOTOFT'S 

CHRONICLE. 

EDWARD THE FIRST'S WAR WITH SCOTLAND IN 1294. 

[Prom a MS. in the Public Library of the L'uirertity of Cambridge, Gg. 1. 
I, fol. 337, written early is the reign of Edw. II.— Tbe Collations arc from 
MS. Cotton. Julius, A. r. fol 137, «*. (C), of about the tan* age; and 
MSS. Reg. 50, A. II. fol. 193, r*. (H. 1), and W, A. XI. fol. |OS, r*. 
(R. 2) ( both of the fourteenth century] 

* * • • * 

Gales suit maldit de Deus e de Saint Symoun ! 
Car tux jours ad estl pleins de trcsoum 

J7SCOCK soil maldit de la Mere De ! 






E parfount a diable Gales enfoundrc ! 



Vauiocs Readiwoi.— The twe uret Knea are wanting in C. — 1. /Men, R. 
I and 2.-9. /Jew. R. 1 and 1.— 3. wen fife. C. 



TaAKtLAno*.— May Wales be accursed of God and of St. t imes !— Car It 
has alwaye been full of triana. 

May Scotland W arrcmd of the ssothcr of God?— and may Wnlee be 

CAM IK SOC. 6. 2 N 



274 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

En Pun ne en li autre fust unkes verity. ' 
Car si toust en Gales guere est comenc£, 
Et de Aquitaine le covenaunt taille 
Fu par le rai de Fraunce ruinpu e refusl, 
E Edward e Philippe comencent medle, 

10 Li fol rai de Escoce, Jon Baliol nom£, 
Qe par le ray Edward al regne est aproch£, 
Par l'enticement de sun faus barnl, 
Encuntre sun homage e encuntre sa fealt£, 
Ad la court de Rome ad messagers maund£, 
A Celestine la pape, ke al houre tint le se, 
Par suggestioun ad fausement demustrd 
Qe le regne d'Escoce ouf la dignity 
Dait de li tenir par antiquity 
Et H rais Edward par poer e post£ 

20 Li fist fere homage encuntre volont£ ; 



Various Rbadixgs. — 5. ne Vautrefu, C. — 9. Et Sir Bdmrnmri. C. co- 
mentcmit, R. 1.— 10. Bayllo{f t C. BayMotf, R. 1. Johmn Bmiiioi, R. *.— 12. 
Pmr le conse.il .... fol b., C. — l. r >. que eel A., R. 2. — 1G. —ml .... mumatrt' t 
C. «<f .. .. mouitr*, R. 1 ami 2.— 19. le ret, R. 9. 



down deep to the devil ! — In neither of them was there ever tnrth. — For at toon 
at war was commenced in Wales, — and the covenant which bad been cat oat in 
Aquitaine — was broken and refuted by the King of France,— and Edward and 
Philip began hostilities,— the foolish King of Scotland, named John Baliol,— 
who was brought to the kingdom by King Edward, — by the seductions of his 
false baronage, — against his homage and against his fealty, sent messengers to 
the court of Rome— to pope Celestin, who at the time held the see, — by a 
trick falsely showed— that the kingdom of Scotland with the dignity— onght 
to bold of him by testimony of ancient times,— and that King Edward by fore* 
and might— made him do homage against his will ; — and prays that he may be 



LANGTOFT , 8 CHRONICLE. 2/w 

E prie q'il seit assolz e devolupj 
De la fay le ray, a ki il fu jor& 
La pape Celestine, trop desayvisl, 
Assolt le rai d'Escoce par lettre enbulll. 
Si toust cam en Escoce [la] chose est nuncil, 
Les barnes unt fest ad lour hountetl 
Duze peres d'Escoce, et sunt counsailll 
Desheriter Edward de la souveraint& 
Pour le graunt honur ke Edward le sen£ 
30 Fist a Johan Bailloil, tele est la bounty 

Dunt le rays Edward 

Du rav Johan musard 

est regwerdonl. 

De Escoce sait cum pot, 

Parfomir nus estoet 

la geste avaunt parte. 

QUANT Morgan est rcnduz, e Madok est pris, 
Le ray revient a Loundres, par cunsail des amys. 

VARiort Readings. — W. I* fmf (y roj*. R. 1.— 23. fm /rss\ R. 1. — JS. 
U ckot, C, R. 1.— S7. em Bfet, C— S8. Sir* M4v*r4 o It t„ R. I. 
n*fllnf, C , R. I.— 39. ■mrrf, R. 1.— 37. Ahrw mr , R. *. 



absolved a»d sWIi m oo 1 froa kis fafck to tke kk«, to wkoss kt wos 
Topt Cekstio, loo wort— \ ikmltos tke Ksaf of Snnll«l by kis bolt— As 
sooo os the tkiof is aoooosjcoa 1 to Scotieod,— <be bran keve ssoos to the* 
dis f i ote twdw pun of Scot lies', sjm! kevo toko* repose! as sssioherfe EeV 
ward of tk* sowrifmty.— For too greet koeoor wbkh EsHrero the pmoiot 
did to Joke Battel, sock b the jeeoosse «*k wbkh Kb* Edeord kj Kb* 
Joke the ilMfiloM liiseaidsd.— WtthlTrstlisilrtitWssitSBay^itboosw- 
f ml far oj to cosiose ts tki kistery bttfers eseosJosjed. 
Witt MorfM bm swksastisd. sod Moooc It tohom,-tb* kJesj i steel to 




276 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Deus chardinals de Rome la pape i ad transmys, 
40 Ke ouf le ray de Fraunce parleint a Parys ; 
Del amur entre eus la pape est entremys. 
Lies chardinals al rai ount dist lur avis ; 
Edward e Philippe ount durement requis 
Reposer une pesce chascoun en son pais, 
Issint qe bone gent de poer e de pris, 
Qe ad nule parte se facent enemys ; 
Ou la pape meissme sait par la justis, 
Ad parfcre l'acorde de quant qe sait mespris. 

H^AUXT cum les cardinales de la pes parlaint, 
5 ^ Les gens de Normendie suz Dover arivaint, 

En la compaignie les Kauleys estaint. 
En la vile de Dover sodainement entraint, 
E parti du burge ardcr comensaynt ; 



Yah or* Rt: a dink*. —40. plaint, R. I. — II. md enlremyt, R. I. ttmt em 
/remit, R. 2.— 4- > . ml ray*, C. le reit, R. I. — 13. Sir Edm*mr4,C. B Bdwmrt 
R. 2.— 45. lUt ke, C, R. I. This line it omitted in R. 2.-47, 4*. toil, R.S 
—50. wmlk Dover, C — 51. les Kmlmgt, C. Cmlmy; R. 1 and 2. 



London by the advice of his friend*. — Two cardinals of Rome the pope baa 
there, — who bad talked with tbe King of France at Paris ; — the pope baa iatef 
fcred to establi»h love between them.— The cardinals Lave stated their objei 
to the king ; — pressingly they bare requested Edward and Philip— to remain i 
peace each in bis country, — like good people of power and value,— who on ■ 
aide make themselTes enemies ;— or that tbe pope himself should be their judgi 
—to effect the reconciliation wherever might be tbe trespass. 

Whilst the cardinals were talking of the peace, — tbe people of Norland 
came to Dover,— along with them were those of Calais.— They entered ami 
denly into the town of Dover,— and began to burn a part of the town ;— of you 



laxgtoft'8 chronicle. 277 

Des joevenes e des vels .xiii. homes tuaynt 
Quant vindrent a la cunte .x. pur un lessaint. 
Li gardain du chastel e eels qe manaynt, 
En meismes de la celle, ke bien se gwiaint, 
Se pristrent a defense, e les escriaint ; 
Normaunz e Picards, ke forfet avaint, 
GO Furent degagds ; les chapels demorraint 
Ouf le chef des uns, le[s] autres s'en alaint. 
Un moygne i fu pur veir, a ki .xx. enclinaint, 
E si les assolt, mot plus ne savaint. 
Les cardinals aprfes ad Paris repeiraint ; 
Ne sai leqel respouns du ray enportaint. 
Noun pur ceo plusurs entre els disaint, 
Qe toutes les parlaunccs a drein descendaint, 
Ke Edward e Philippe lur gent sustrarraint, 

Vaeioci Readings. — 54. i /**)*/, C— 55. ,j\r. pmr «a, R. I. — 56. M 
cUelei el eel te U m., C— 57. El msynee ate It e. f C E m s fr nm, R.Im41 
—69. Ptktrd, C. /hr/ex, R. 1.— til. Qf If ehffi, C, R. I and *.—€*. tn 
mayor aV U eelU ft ky, C— 63. El eft If .... seneynf, C, R. I and S.— -65. 
Se iti fuels reyownr, C, R. tf. Ne eejr feW reipoaw, R. I. rrwsc faira f, R. tf. 
67. Qe Met .... Jeeeemdrmtml , R. I.— G*. htr few: *w#**wjrerwpn#, C, R. 9. 
few/x, R. 1. 



and old the j killed thirteen men— When they came to the reckoning, they left 
too for one. — The keeper of the castle and those who remained, — and the ssooks of 
the cell, who bare thcmseJrcs well,— took to their defence and cried on* opon tkra j 
— Normans and Ricarda who had pit themselves in debt,- wer e let ont of pledge ; 
the hau remained — with the heads of some, the others vent away.— There was 
a monk in tmtb, to whom twenty bowed down, and he s h s ol t cd them afl, 
they knew not a word more.— The cardinals afterw ar ds ri paired to fans j— I 
do not know what answer they carried from the hiof . — Nerart bslras drvers 
among them said,— that aU the conversation* vwnftd cwme to this at In*,— that 
Kdaard and Philip shonM withdraw their profsr.—eo that peawsrshawldgobyosa 




278 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Issi qe genz par mer et par tere irraint 

70 En soffraunce de pesse, ke amys parraint ; 

Parfournir l'acorde les Englais volaint, 

Et les Alemaunz ad sei se assentiraint. 



T 



'AUNT cum les cardinals se sunt entremis 
De reformer la pes, e fere les rays amis, 
Thomas de Turbevile, ke ad Rouns fu pris, 
Taunt ad parte al provost de Parys, 
Ke fet Tad soun homage, et hostages mys 
Ses deuz fiz en garde, e seurement promis 
Aler en Engletere espier le pais, 
80 E dire al ray Edward k'il vent futifs, 
Eschape de prisoun par mi ses amys. 
Le provost Tad graunte, e fet en ses cscris 
Cent lievre de tere par autel devis ; 



Various Readings. — 6*9. ou par tere, R. 1. h$int que gent, R. 2.— 71. 
le rotaynt, C. la volaint, R. 1.— 72. a po ** «t., C. Si tee A. .. . « ceo, R. I. 
— 74. Deperfomir, R. 1. — 75. Tourberyte- . . m FyouuM, C. a Rkmns, R. I 
2.-76. en taunt .. of U p.C. En taunt, R. 1.— 77. koetaye, C, R. «.- 
ml ray* .... ke it rynt, C— 81. Eechapa dtp. par my §e§ enemy t, C. 
R. 1 and 2.— A3, Uterex, C. iireree, R. 2. 



and by land, — in sufferance of peace, as friends could ; — the English womld per- 
form the agreement, — if the Germans would agree with them. 

Whilst the cardinals art interfering — to re-establish the peace, and to 
the kings friends, — Thomas de Turbevile, who was taken at 
talked so much to the Provost of Paris, — that he has done his homage to Ham, 
and given as hostages — bis two sons in keeping, and solemnly promised to am 
to England to spy the country,— and to say to King Edward that he earn* a 
fugitive— escaped from prison among his enemies. — The IYorost agreod to it, 
and put in his writing— « hundred pounds of land on such a deriae : 




LANGTOFT'8 chronicle. 279 

Et Thomas l'affiaunce sur les evangelis, 
Ke tut Engletere e Walays e Marchis, 
E du regne d'Escoce quanke sunt de pris, 
Scrrunt enclinaunz a Philippe fix Lowis. 

pSCOTEZ ore coraent la grace Jhesu Crist 
Li gentil rays Edward de la traisoun gamist. 
90 Thomas en Engletere vint ad rais e dist, 
Ke hors de la prisoun nutauntre issist, 
E pur amur Sire Edward & tel peril se prist 
Curtaise asses li ray li countrefist ; 
Et Turbevile aprfcs de jour en jour enquist 
L'estate de la tere, et sun aler purvist 
De leu en leu enqueir de graunt e de pettst, 
Comcnt as Englais pcut fere tel despit, 
Ke li rais Edward sa tere pcrdisist. 



V a Rio tt RiADixot. — 86. kmtf kt, C. — 87. rndfrnrnmi, C, R. 1 aaa 1 *.— 
*9. Lp ffntix rojr Ed. % C. rrt, R. «— 90. mi ray, C. fliffi,!. 1.— f I. Mjrl 
mumtrt im/. C. mmtmmmie, R. *.— 9*. This tiso it oarttos is C. tmmmr Kd- 
«W 4 titih * p., R. 1 ami *.— 93. C*r1*iift . . H royt, C, R. 1. CWoioii. 
R. 2. 



Taoau« pledfoj oa the Gospok,— tbst aO rafkai, 

—aaa all woo are of vato is tbo k ia fooai af Scotka*. abi11 bow is PUB* 

tat too of Lsoia. 

Hoar aow bow the frost of Jobm Oriol--wafBOs tbo gs»tk Kb* Eoworoaf 
tbo Uoisoo.— Tbosaas esse lo Eaftas* «mI tat* to tbo kiaf .— last bo boo os» 
raped oot of priioi by aifbt, ssd that ha bad mm ao float a riak sat af loto 
lo Sir EdwaHL— The kiaf ahoood bisi is rotors 4 
wanb Tarbtvilk ftaowlrod day by say— «ho atato af tbo load, ssd 
ak foiag— frooi alaet lo plaot Is task af stoat ass 1 af Mult,— how ba 
■orb iajary to tbt Esfhah,--<hst Kb* Edward ahoold IsBt has load Tbo 




280 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

»L'estate de tote part, tel cum entendist, 
100 Of les cardinals par un de sons tramist 
Al provost de Paris, ke joie assez en fist. 
Li cleirs ke la lettre ad Turbevile escrit, 
Ad plus priv£ le rais Pentente descoverist. 
Li lers l'aparcust, ad fust tost se mist, 
Un serjaunt as armes, ke plus pres suist, 
Le tiera jour apres le Turbevile surprist. 



L 1 



E traitour est pris, e a Lundres remen£, 
Ouf mult grant fausine ke sur lui fust trov& 
Chose [s] que sunt dites, quels il ad graunt£, 
1 10 Par volunt£ le rai sunt mis desus pi£, 
Jeskes seo sfecle seit autrement turn& 
Turbeville en curt cum traitur est juge ; 
Par my la vile de Lundres primes fu traine, 



Yabiocs Readings. — 99. Lee eelet de tot* pert, C. L'etlet de Meepmris, 
R. 2.— 102. Li clerk, C— 103. le rei f R. 2.— 104. Xy leen fee/ tip., R. I.— 
106. Le tierce jour eprte le Irmytour eompfy&i, C. — 109. Okoeee, C, R. 1 and 

9.— 110. le rsyt, C, R. 1. mU tmtkpt, R. 2.— III. Jekee h fo el 

C, R. 1. chernnot, R. 2.— 11.1. This line it omitted in C. 



condition of every part, as he understood it, — be sent orer with the 
by one of his own servants — to the Provost of Paris, who made joy 
about it. — The clerk who wrote the letter for TurberiUe, — made known its eon* 
tents to the king's most secret connsellor— The thief got to know this, and 
immediately took to flight ; — a serjesnt at arms, who followed him very cjosaly, 

snrpriied Torberille the third dsy after. 

The traitor is taken, and brought to London,— with very great wickedness which 
was round upon him. — The things which are sxbrestid, which he had agreed to do, 
—by the king's will are put under foot,— watfl the world is otherwise tnmsd.— 
TurberiUe is judged in the court as a traitor ;— he was first drawn throngs to* 




LANOTOFT's chronicle. 281 

E puis pendu cum lers, pur sa malfetl. 
Pur nostre rais Edward mult ad Deus overt 
Ore et autre fies ad sa sauvet& 

QUANT de Turbeville fet est la vengaunce, 
Les cardinales de Rome repeirez en Fraunce 
Ont ouf le rei Phelippe sovent eu parlaunce, 
1 20 Et sovent requis li rais des Alcmaunce, 
E par clers e leys ount fet demoustraunce 
Ad gentil rais Edward, ke dure est les destauncc 
Dunt li e Philippe sunt en descordaunce ; 
Par ount il unt fet une tele ordinaunce, 
Kc li e les deus rais enverrount sans tarjauncc 
A Kaumbrl clers e lays de grant conyssaunce, 
Ad trere de la pees, e jugcr la grevance, 



Vxaioct RtADiKCt. — 114. Epmdm .. wmtwHi, R. 1 . wiw i§tt, R« ?.— » 115. 
,h. R. *.— US. npoferal, C— Itfu. Iff rojr. C. aW Shmmmmt, R. 1. k rW, R. 
?.-IW. rtf, R. 1 and 9.-1*3. K< t 9 e Ip •lirt tmt., R. 1 and 1.— 1«. a 
Kmmmhrmf, C. /Comoroi, R. 1. Amairoi. R. fc — 1*7. d IrWer, C. R. 1 



and .' 



town of London, and tkcn nangod k*« • *•**• *<* ■*• ■■lnmtiioai.— For onr 
kiof Edward God kaa hrtarfrrod ■■ek-M« and at otacr tana fcr ait aofatj. 
When veaceanot to *>■• ■?•• Tmrberilk.— tko cardinals of Row, wko 
had rrpatrcd to Franc* ka*o and frennent coatmation with Ktnf Ffcin>,— 
and nave often bcaoofkt the King of Germans—and novo diMooaliilid by 
derkt and laymen— 4o tke gentk King Edward, tknt tko firiam li narn— 
aboat wkkk ke and King Fktbp art at discord 1— wkorrky tkey kovo to or. 
daincrf tkc matter.— tkat ke and the two kinga anall tood a hi tn t doiay to 
CJemkrai clerk* and laymen of grant knowmoge,— «o traat of tko anmjt, and to 

CAMO. SOC. Ci. 2 o 



282 POLITICAL 8ONQ8. 

£ fere les amendes de la contrariaunce. 
Ly rays Edward s'assent en bone affiaunce ; 
ISO A Kaumbray ad maund£ saunz nule delaiaunce 
Eveskes e barouns de graunt apparaunce : 
Les garde de tresoun Dieu par sa puissaunce ! 

n^AUNT cum eels seignurs sunt alez eel message, 

Sire Edmund frere le rai de gentil corage, 
Le counte de Nincole ouf toute sun menage, 
Sir Willeam de Vescy, chivaler prus e sage, 
Barouns e vavasours de gentil linnage, 
Chivalers e serjaunce ouf lur cosynage, 
Genz a p\6 saunz noumbre de more e de boscage, 
140 E Galais qe sevent combatir par usage, 
Sunt alez en Gascoyn, e entr£s en passage, 
Ouf .xxx. et .vi. baners de meillur escuage 
Ke feust en Engletere, salve le vacellage 



Various Readings. —134. le rsjrt, C. ly roys, R. 1. — 135. Nicole #/ re## 
tee menagee, C— 139. gent, R. 2.— 142. Cf jcxtj. Uneretet eW m* C. Oqf 
.xx. et .ty. t R. 1. od vimt e fie, R. 2. — 143. rasettUg*, R. 1 and 2. 



judge the grievances,— sad to make the amends for the war.— King Edward 
agrees to it with good faith ; — to Cambrai be has sent without any delay 
bishops and barons of great account. — May God by his power guard them from 
treason! 

While these lords sre gone upon this message, — Sir Edward the brother of the 
King of gentle spirit, —the Earl of Lincoln with all his retainers,— Sir WOUaai 4s 
Vescy, s good and prudent knight, — barons and vavasors of gentle Haaago,— 
knights snd serge snts with their cousinage, — footmen without number from amour 
and wood, — and Welshmen who know how to fight from frequent practice , ore 
gone into Gascony, and entered on the passage,— with thirty -six banners of the) 
best escuage-— that was in England, except the vassalage— of those who 



LANGTOrr'8 CHRONICLE. 283 

De eels qe ore ne faillent ad lour seignurage. 
Car eels qe sunt remis garder lur heritage, 
Ad le rei requis e pris en sun veiage 
Sur le ray d'Escoce e sur sun fals barnage, 
Ke ad ray Edward dedient lur homage. 
Le primer jour de Marce, en tot le graunt orage, 
150 Vint le ray Edward a trop grant costage 

A Novechaatel-sur-Tyne, pur le graunt utrage 
Ke lea fels mastins ount brac£ par folage. 
Nostre rays Edward ait la male rage ! 
Et ne les prenge e tifcnge si estrait en kage, 
Ke rien lour demourgc apr&s sun tallage, 
Fors soul les rivelins et la nue nage. 



r> OBERT de Ros de Werke des Englais s f en fuist, 

E ouf les gens d'Escoce £ la gwere se mist. 
Li rais Sire Edward sun chastel seisist, 



V amioi • Readikgc— 146. en mm rnmsft, R. 1. — 14?. H mm/ki 
C — 144. ke mi rm 9 $, C— 150. fy fit, R. 1.— 151. Sfw*ek*—itt. R. I.— 1 5 J. 
i# Im/qU, C. hrmcti, R. 1.— 153. r*y Sir Kdmmtrd. C— 154. SiUmtmw.K 

I. S*tl ** If. R. :.— 1S6. ricWtofCf, C. m le at* a., R. 1.— 15*. tcT If rri et 
mitt. R. ?.- IJJ*. U rti, R. *. 



jxrform their tctcnorafe. — For thorn wbo art left to gwara tbeir UboriUaoi, tin 
kiBf bec rtumirml aa* takea teto km apoittioa— agaiaat tfeo Kftaf of Sootfcai 
tod lut f*be bexuaafr,— wbo bevt witbiravm tbsir bocaage horn KJag EdwH.— 
Tbc fir»t <Uy of Marcb. biUtht groat atorm. comh Khag Ectoara vfcb my 
greet punreraac*,— to NewcaaUe-apoa-Tyao, for tbe groat • tra g i w bi ob tbe 
wkked Jog. bare effected w tUr My.— May ow Khag EcWarw eater tbe"c»a)e 
rag*.' '— if be 4oee oot take tbeai aa« baM tbcoi to feat is oage,— tbe* aotbJag oball 
rc»Aio after bie taillagc, tiotpt ooij tbeir rifeUagt aae* tb*ar sort becfcjaie*. 

Robert 4c Rot of War* ioi frooi tbe Kagfttib,— aae 1 sHinl baa* tbe war 
with tbe people of hrotleac— Tbe KJag car aUwara aataea bat 



284 POLITICAL 80N08. 

160 La feste de pasche y tint, apres s'en partist 
Devers Berwike-sur-Twede, e la vile assist. 
Le people malure al primour surprist 
Deus navez des Englais, e tuer le fist. 
Li rays Edward Toit dire, les portes assailist ; 
Les fossls passait li Englais sanz respit. 
Le vendredi de pasche ad truele conquist 
La vile de Berwike ; li Englais lo occist 
Quatre mile de Escoce, e autres plus perdist. 
Chivaler un saunz plus Sire Edward i perdist, 

1 70 Richard de Cornewalle, un Fleming li ferist 

Hors de [la] sale rouge d'u[n] quarel qu'il tendist. 

Tost fu la sale pris, le fu en fist tut quist. 

Li gardein du chasteil quant la force vist, 

Le chastel saunz assalt al rais Edward rendist. 



Vahioi'n Reading*. — 1G0. de la yaske, C. depar/iet, R. 1.— 161. Vert B*, 
R. 1.— 163 lee /let, C— 165. lee Rnglaie, C— 166. el relet* cosjfayef, C. mi 
terele, R. I. em referee, R. 2. — 167. i occyet, C. Lee BngUti oc. f R. 8.— 168. 
e mnkeeplme, C, R. 1 and 8.— 171. du aefe, C. de im safe, R. 1 and 9. *fau), 
R. i?. 



the festival of Easter there, and afterwards went — towards Berwick .oo -Tweed, 
and besieged the town.— The ill-fated people at first surprised— two ships of 
English, and put them to death.— King Edward heard of it, and attacked too 
gates ;— the Eoglisb passed the ditches without respite.— On Easter Friday fai 
the afternoon be conquered — the town of Berwick ; the English slew then 
four thousand Scotchmen, and many others perished. — Sir Edward loot thorn 
one knight and no more. — Richard de Cornwall [was be] , a Fleming struck 
him— with an arrow which be shot out of the red ball. — Soon wot tko ball 
taken, the fire cleared the way.— The keeper of the castle when he taw tbo 
necessity,— delivered the castle to King Edward before it was assaulted.— WH* 



langtoft'b chronicle. 285 

Willeam de Douglasse dedens esteit elist, 
£ Kicard Fresel, pur fere al ray despit ; 
Le ray les ad prisoune, merci Jhesu Crist ! 

¥ I quens de la Merche, Patrik li renoml, 
Ad la pes le rays se rendist de gri ; 

180 Gilbert de Umfravile a vaunt fust demorl 
Ouf le rais Edward, a ki il fu jorf ; 
Sire Robert de Bras of toute sa mesnrS 
Vers le rais Edward tint tuz jours sa fealtl, 
Encuntre les Escotes amurs li ad mustrtj. 
Quant Berwikc fu pris, [de]dens estait trov?5 
Or e argent saunz noumbrc, des altres metals plenty, 
K toute la nobley ke aj>cndait & cit£. 
Ly Dailloill ad j>crdu li Usu e Pentrf 
De la plus noble vile qc fust en sa poestl. 

I IK) Le rais Edward la tent conquis par I'esptS, 



Vxnioua RtADiKoe.— IT6. Ricksrd Frmm\ C. AnmfM.R.1. 
hrttU, R. 2 — ITT. pris—m& t C, R. I and 2. owreir*, R. S.— IT*. 4r r*.— 
I Ml. ml rwpt, C. on* It rri, R. 2.— 1 K.I. r*rt U roy, R. I end 3.— It*. eWroj 
fimpt, C, R. I and 2.-1*6. ec. mrptml mmt:, dee, C— 1ST. Ic nolryt, C— 

\»«. BmJM/ t C. 



ham Douf las was rboaen in it, — end Richard Fraeer, to 4m injwrj to the king j 

tbe kiBf bat them prieoaere. Jean* Cbnat be thanked 1 

TV Karl of tbe March, the faanowe Patrick.— of hie own free will com is to 
tbr king's prat* ;— Gilbert de L'eafraviUc before rewiioH— with king Edward, 
to whom br was iwon ;— Sir Robert de Brace with oil bit 
alweja bis fealty to King Edward.— oad boa shown hlni Wee in bit 
tbe fceoU.— When Brrwick wot token, there wot Jwnad within 
•iU rr withont aaeosnre. and plenty of tbe other ■a ttk i. nod all tbe nobility 
«h»cb be'oofed to a city.— Tbr Roliol baa loot the Ittwt tad entry of tbe 
m«Mc«t tonn tbat «uab newer.— Kin* Edward holla It eewo^rroi by the 




286 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

La fet environner de fossl large e \€ 3 
En restrovant l'Escote k'ad de li chauntl, 
£ par mokerie en Englais rymail. 
Piket hym and diket him, 
On scorne saiden he, 

hu best hit mai be. 
He pikes and he dikes, 
On lengthe alle him likes, 

als hy mowe best y-se. 
200 Scatered heir the Scotes, 

Hodred in the hottes, 

never thai ne the : 
Ritht if y rede, 
Thay toumble in Twede 

that woned bi the «e. 



Various Readings.— 191. This line is omitted in C— 192. rr^retva/, C. t 
R. 1 and 2.— 19.*. rjmMye, C, R. 1 and 2.— 194. Pykil, C. Pitit .. dUtii, R. 
2. — 195. ecoren emyd, C. in ttoren, R. 1. ra tcora, R. 2.— 196. eeefmuy, C. 
Where this line is given in place of line 199, which is omitted. It It the same 
in R. 1 and 2.— 197. He dike*, ke piket, C, R. 1 and 2.— 198. Om iemeke mlm 
Jkym, C. Om lepke eJs kpm, R. 1. elr, R. 2.— 200. Skmterd he Ike, C. £ce/trw* 
er, R. I. ere ike Scoitie, R. 2.— 201. Hoderd in /Aer, C. HUkrd m fee**, R. 
I. Hodered in tkeir, R. 2.— 202. metre, R. 2.— 203. tf t R. 2.— 904. 
C, R. 2. lommke, R. 1.— 205. te, R. 9. 



sword, causes it to be surrounded with a ditch large and broad,— m reproof 
of the Scot who had sung of him,— and made rhymes in English for mockery.-— 
Let him pike and let him dike,— they said in scorn, — how it may beet he, — He 
pikes and he dikes, — in length as be likes, — as they may beet see. — Sc at tere d are 
the Scots,— huddled in their huts,— they new thrive :— Right if I 
tumble in Tweed— who dwelt by the sea. 



T 



LANG-TOFT*! CHRONICLE. 287 

'AUNT cum Sire Edward oof cuntcs e barouns 
Fist Berwiche enclore de fossex envirrouns, 
Issuz sunt d'Escoce trais countes, par nouns 
Dc Mar, de Ros, de Montesce, [of] .xl. mile felouns ; 
210 Estaint en la rute alaunt en tapiaouns, 

Tyndale unt destruite en oendres e carbouns, 

La vile de Corbridge e deux religiouns 

De Exillesham e Lanercost en unt destruite par 

arcouns, 
Du people du pais ount fet occisiouns, 
Enportl les biens, en chad les cbanouns. 
Apris la ravine cum foles e bricouns 
Sunt ales de Dunbar & lur confusiouns. 
Le chattel unt prit, estendent pavillouns, 
Ad Countc de la Marche esteint les mesouns. 



Various Readixoi.— 209. Dt Mmrt, dt Jtaate, dt MtntimH, a/ -r/. t C. 
Dt Rot, AttHlt, dt Xitnttt, R. I. Dt Rmt, A*eHti t de JfrwWeef, R. 2.— 210. 
ttem:, C— 21 I. Km mmttrnn rnf d., R. 1. Km mmmmmt, R. 2.— 213. Dt /6ar- 
kilttkim ti Ltmtrtmtt tnntmli: swr trmum t, C Dt BrUtkmmt LamtHmfl rwew/y, 
R. I. Dt Kriikmm .... mrntnti, R. 2. — 915. Etmmmrftt, R. I. tmmmriti .... 
tnckmct:, R. 2.— 216. rwry* mm /•/«, C— 217. a Dmm m ti ; C, R. I end 2. — 
21H. ttttmdi. R. I. — 219. •/ commit, C 



Waibt Sir Edward wit* earla and Urou- coated Berwick to W to^roaadcd 
with dtU-bes,— there art i aaw cd from fi cot lead tare* oarle, fcy Mat — Mar, Row, 
and Meatetta, wita forty taoasead raacala j— taey were gotef ia the rowte ia 
pertke, — taey red seed Tiadalc to Man awd dadcr*,— tae Iowa of Cortoidg* 
and tae two a^aafteries— of Ileiaaai mad I lairtwst taey aav* daatrojtd by 
*re,— taey hart Biade deaf ater of taw pwopie of taw cowatry,— carried of tack 
goods, dmea away taw caaoas.— Altar taw raraf Mho tools aad ■■! twhU a riUhas 
— they are goat to Dwaber to their c oa ra sisa.— They mmrt take* taw castle, aad 
erect tbrir teat*— the bowse* belowfed to the Bad of taw Marcfc.— Ka*f Edward 



288 .POLITICAL SONGS. 

220 Le rais Edward l'oit dire, fet fere lea somouns 
Dunbar pur recovre, e prendre les larouns, 
Ke de seint eglise unt fet destrucciouns. 
Poy avaunt eel houre parmis les regiouns 
Revint le cardinal de Kaumbrai ouf respouns, 
E du ray de Fraunce, cum apres orrums ; 
Sire Amy de Sauvaye, quens de graunt renouns, 
Vint en la compagnie, e Otes de Graunt-souns. 
Cil vint hors de Cypre e ses compaignouns, 
Ke quant Acres fu pris, la mer as [a]virrouns 

230 En passaunt eschapaint, sanz autres acheisouns. 
Avaunt vus ai cunte quels mals e quels tresouns 
Sunt fet a seinte eglise a tort e saunz reisouns ; 
E oy avez sovent en les sainz sermouns 
Ke Deus est dreitureles en tuz sels werdonns : 



Various Readings.— 220. This line if omitted in C. Lerri, R. 2.— 22o. 
ai orrtmms, R. 2.— 22G. Sir Emery de Smutty, C— 227. Oikea, R. 1. Sire 
Otea % R. 2.-228. de ee$, R. 1 and 2.-229. arynmne, C, R. I and 2—- 232. 
Sontfee: % R. I. fet, R. 2.-234. Thii line if omitted in R. 2. 



heard tell of it, and issued summonses — to recover Dunbar, and take the thieves 
— who had made destruction of bolj church. — A little before this time, through 
the regions , — the cardinal returned from Cambrai with an an s w er o f the King 
of Prance, as we shall hear afterwards ; — Sire Amy de Savoy, a count of greet 
renown,— came in his company, and Otbo de Grauntsoua. — The letter 
with his companions from Cyprus, — who, when Acres was taken, 
passing the neighbouring sea, without other accidents. — I have told you bsfersj 
what evil and what destruction — were done to holy church wrongfully end with- 
out reason ; — and you have often heard in the holy sermons— that God le Juut hi 



langtoft's chronicle. 289 

Ore oiez de Dunbar ou sauna evasaiouns 

Lies enemys Deus sunt pris en faude cum motouns. 

A N le meis de May, le mardi primer, 

Ad Berwike-sur-Twede ouf le ray parler, 
Coment lea foles felouns, ke feseint arder 
240 Exillisham e Lanercost, n'eaparnaynt muster, 
Pris avaint Dunbar, chattel sur la mer, 
Ouf li quens Patrik tint sa mulier. 
Li rais Sire Edward par taunt i fist maunder 
Le counte de Garenne ouf tute sun poer, 
Le counte de Warwik e Huge le [Dejspencer, 
Barouns e vavasours, chivaler, esquier ; 
Sorrais e Norrais i alaint de bon quer ; 
Asset de gent a pi£ i menent al mester, 
E venent a Dunbar li chastel asseger. 



Various RiAOiKOt.— 836. D** t C. v R. 1 aad 8. — 837. Em U wtpi **# 
Jfay, C , R. 1 aad 8.— 83«. ay* U rwy, C. oil, R. 8.— 840. //arfitati. C. 
Rs%UUm # LmmtHm/l, R. 1. Exilkmm, R. 8.-845. h Dmp*mr, C. If. Sir* 
//»**# U Dfptntr, R.I. rli alto omitted la R. 8.-847. Smrmy H Atroyt, 
C. Srwi* # A'trait U «., R. 1 . Smrrms, R. 8.— 84#. aV fftu .. H •*•*•/, C. 
ftntt .. U m., R. 1. 



all kit daaliaft :— Now War of Daabar, waart wkaoat 
of God art eaaf at ia a fold tike skacp. 

On U* am Moaday ia tat aotlk of May,— at Bwakk aata-TaaadtataJaf 
keard say, — kow tat fboliak rascals, wk© aad karat— Hcsaaai m 
tpartd tat amaatftrka. aad takca Daakar, tat cattlt ay tat 
Earl Patrick kept kit wift.— Tat Kiaf tar Edward fwtafrita caaatd la at taat 
tktrt tat Earl of Wartaat witk all kfc aowor,— «aa EaH of Warwick aad 

• • wJST a* aW a>^Vv^^*VVawa« 0*^^Vaaa^aWjBW aUaQ wvwBBvMaTWa wMaw_CaV4Mp VHvJaVv 

Nortkaras waat tkart rifkt oo artf — — if j ta ay iaka tkara 

tkeir atcd t — aad cats* to Dmaaar to fcnlaji tat ratal.— Taty pu sfid far taa 

CAIfD. SOC. G. 2 r 




290 POLITICAL SONGS. 

250 Se atirent al saut, ne volent demorer. 

Les foles felouns dedenz espairent ayde aver; 
Se sotillent coment les Englais enginner. 
Sire Richard Syward, ke solait demorer 
Ouf nostre rays Edward ad robe e a dener, 
Maundent par descayt oaf nos Englais treiter ; 
Si les vent, e (list, ke mult tres volenter 
Les fra le chastel rendre, si il volent graunter 
Treis jours de respit, ke il puissent consailler 
Li ray de Ballioll, e lur estate maunder. 

260 E si il eel houre ne venge le sege remover, 
Le chastel renderunt sanz plus par la targer. 
Hostage par taunt i mette, e fet nunder 
Al hoste de Escoce en meisme la maner, 
Cum vus orrez apres, lc fet recorder. 



Yakiouh RiADiKCi.— 250. mi euemt .. eipernyer, C— 254. rti, R. 
255. a not, C— 256. Cyi If tynt, C— 259. Le rmyt de BeyUef H far 
der, C— 260. E H eti A., R. 1 and 2. 



•tuck, end would not delay. — The foolish felons within hoped to hare aid f 
plotted together how to trick the English. — Sir Richard Syward, who need to 
dwell — with our King Edward, at robe and pay, — they aend deceJtrelly to treat 
with our English ;— eo he comes to them, and says, that rery witti ngly h o will 
cause the castle to he deliTered to them, if they will grant—three days' respite, 
that they may consult— the King Baliol, and tell him their condition And hf 
he at that time do not come to raise the siege, — they will deJhnr the ceotlo 
without farther delay.— Porthwith he gives hostages, end censes to bo enw 
nonnccd — to the host of Scotland in the same manner,— es yon will hear eJUr, 
he caused it to be recorded. 



LANOTOFT's CHRONICLE. 2D I 

T I messager a'en va, e tost aprochait 

Al ray Johan e al hoste ke ouf li estait, 
Lur dist cum li Siward enfourmez l'avait. 
" Sire rais, vos barouns dcmourent en dure plait 
En la chastel de Dunbar, en chaunce lea chaacait ; 
2/0 Car quant li rais Edward lur estre la saveit, 
Parti de sun hoste illeukes maunder fesait. 
Li Englais quant la vint le chastel asscgait. 
Sire Richard Siward, ke tux les conussait, 
Issist du chastel e taunt bien parlait, 
Qe treve pur treis jours li Englais li otrait. 
Pour quai la compaignie, ke illoek par tus alait, 
Ad vus cum a scignur aler me commandait, 
E dire vcraimcnt kc home ne set ne rait 
Dunt vus les ]k>itcz vcndre, si non par descait, 



Varioc* Readiko*.— 2ttf. At rmp Jos Aojrfay la oa <f Oftfoyf, C— 2C7. 
ra/WaW, R. 1.— 260. dur «p/«jr#, C, R. 1. Mr§ roi, R. 2.-969. to eooaat, 
C.--272. fooaf rjraf, C— 274. t*m*t turn 4/ aorrott, C. immt t+W ooHot/, R. 
1 —2:5. Pur trt** oV .%$. . . frmwmtmit, C— 276. fmt footf, C— f7*> OoitCoa 1 
ia R. 2. 



Tb* mtmtmgtr goc*. and toon cum Co— Kiag J oka tad Co Cbo hoot «aka 
wu w*a hi»,— W Mid Co tkm a* Siward had iaotiwtod alai :— •• Kir Kiaf* 
yoar aaroae naiiia ia hard ttraic — ia cao cootla of Daaaar, ia diogtr of btiaf 
drivea oaC— ror vaoa fcUag Edward kaew of Uttir baia* Caovt,— he oraeod fart 
of a* aoot Co bt otot CbiCacr.— The Eafliaheaia, whoa lie cum Cam, 
Che cattle.— Sir Rkherd toward, who kacw Cheei all, ieeaid freea Che 
tad talked thorn over to veil.— chat the Eaftteh gov* Mai a troce for three dot*. 
—Wherefore the coiaaay, wao wore Chore oa joar pert,— coaaaMoeod om Co 
go Co 70a a* Co took lord.— tod Co at* trmly, Chat the aaaa aataher oka aor foot, 
—wao cob hie err year eeoaiaf , qoIbbj by ottaa d u o M . a Hh ia too am of 




292 POLITICAL SONGS. 

280 Dedenz le terme de treve ke l'Englais nus grauntait. 
A demayn cele hour k'em manghehust e bait, 
Alez de ceste part hastivement l'andrait; 
Les nos da chastel vous verrunt par agait ; 
Istrunt sur li Englais ke lour venir ne creit ; 
Happ£s-les entre vous, si ten£s-les si estreit, 
Ke mes en champ ne venent fere a les voz surfait. 
Vous ne avez autre vaie qe valer vous dait. 
Ore armez-vous, si aloums, nul alme ne se trait 
Qe nos enemis quant serrunt pris merci nul en ayt. 
290 Ferrez du braund ; 

Northumberlaund 

le vostre ert de drait; 
Tote Engletere 
Par ceste guere 

volez qe perdu sait : 
Unkes Albanie 
Par coup d'espeie 



Vakiovs Readihcb.— 280. All which follows, to line 354, Is omitted la R. 
1.— 281. k'em mmnpeust, C— 284. **r iet, C— 286. pur /ere At tor, C*— 
288. me #e refrejrf , C— 2*9. qe terrunt. . . . n'eit R. 2.-295. tejrticx, C. 



trace which the English has granted as. — To-morrow at the hoar when people 
cat end drink, — go hence hastily straight there ;— ours in the eaatle wfll 
for yo« ; — they will issue upon the English who do not expect their 
entrap them between yon and hold them so tight,— that they shall no 
come in the field to do annoyance to your*. — Yon have no other way that wiB 
avail yon. — Now arm, and let ns go, and may no sonl s mi te w h o shall km 
any mercy on oar enemies when they are taken ! — Strike with the swor d K ar« 
thumberland— will be yours by right ;— All England— by this war— yon will 
that it be lost :— Never did Albania — by stroke of the sword— do so 



lanotoftY chronicle. 293 

fist si bon esplait." 
On grcnc, 
300 That kindrede kene 

gaderid als gait ; 
Y wcne 
On sum it is sene, 

ware the bit bait. 

A L dit le messager la route de rascaylle 

Arenger se comenoe al foer de bataille. 
Sir Richard Siward, qe dona eeste counsaille, 
Vent a nos Englais, dia[t], " Si Dieu me Tattle ! 
Jeo voy gent venir de mult grant apparaille, 
310 Cum hatailler vousissent, sauna numbre de pittaille. 
Je vois, si vous [loex], feir .i. desturbaille, 
Ke plus [pris] ne venent." Les nos dient, " nun 

kaille," 
E pernent li Siward, ke plus avaunt n'i aille ; 



Yabiocs Rbadikos. — 999. o« 'At #.» R. S.— 300. kymmd, C. HmnJ, 

R. 2 — 301. elf tk* ?nt, R. 9.-303. in ii «t. C. in fc II, R. f.— 

304. v«w, C. *hsn, R. 9.— JOS. mi r*M*. C— 30*. et *W mi, C— 309. 
m*u, C. — 311. mi Jo#j ftrt .•. o\, C— 312. mJm pr*$, R. 2. momm k m piU , 



eipioil,"— Om Um fr i«» tkot kmm nomtln |m||mjiI Mw goo to »-l 

— «• mm it it mcm.— v»m too Mt kit. 

At tlM Mjiof of tOO ■IIIM4|ir tfc* IMJt of 

mHm » oroor of bottk.-*ir Rkaof4 M«i, who 
to U* Eoffcoo, 0*4 Mp, •• Goo* oolp mm 1— I mm 
oppuol,— oo too** b too? mobU fbo bottlo, 
fry— thiakMMfl, toiii «»!■«■. tUttW 
My, •* Do m* umjmo jiiwiri"— Amo* tooy 




294 POLITICAL 80N08. 

Establient gardayns al porte e al muraille ; 
Umfray de Boune le jovenc tent le garde en bailie, 
Ke aide du cbastel lur rergarde ne assaille ; 
E mountent les destrers, les brouchent al mountaille, 
Ke plus tost peust coure avaunt li altre saille. 
L'Escote les vait venir, la cowe les turne cum quaille, 
320 En enfuaunt se vole al vent cum fet la paille. 
Les Englais apres les chacent cum owaille, 
Cum feust quant veit le lowe venir de boscaille. 
Li surquider Escote quide ke countrevaille 
Le duk sire Corynee, qe conquist Cornwaille. 
De taunt des genz as armes mult ai grant mervaille 
Ke nes un de tuz al fet vaut un maille, 
Fors Patrick de Graham, kc demourt e daille 
Del espc furbie, mes tuez est saunz faille. 
Dis mil .1. et .iiij. sunt tuez al travaille ; 



Various Reading*. — 316. /«r v ne regard me, C. rerewmrd, R. 2. — 3SU. 
S*en role, C— 322. KefuUt, C — 323. surquider*, C— 325. De /emu de feme 
armex, C, R. *• 

no farther ; — they piece guards st the gate and at the wall ; — Humphrey de 
Bohun the younger is keeper of the guard, — to hinder aid from the cattle from 
attacking their rear ; — and they mount their steeds, and spur to the hill ;— ha 
who can run fattest tprings before the others. — The Soot sees them come, ami 
turns his tail like a quail, — he flies away as straw does before the wind.— The 
English pursue them like a sheep— when it flies at the sight of the wetf mmnmg 
from the wood.— The proud Scot imagines that he is as good at— the Duke 
Sir Corincus, who conquered Cornwall. — Of so many mem at arms I 
much— that there it not out of them all worth a farthing in 
Patrick de Graham, who remains and strikes— with the burnished sword, but 
he It shun without fsiL— Tarn thousand and ftfty-Jour are slain in the 



lanqtoft's CHRONICLE. 295 

330 Trestux sunt d'Escoce, le noumbrc ai par taille. 
Cels furent lea chcitifa [qe] demaglaynt le aumaille 
Par mi North umberlaund, as chiens leaaaint le[n]traille; 
Escomegex eataint al livre e kaundaille, 
Pur ceo ke saint eglise, ne preatre, ne clerjaille, 
Nent plus eaparnent ke four ou toraille. 
Pecche* les ad chace* a tele arivaille, 
Ke perduz unt al champ le chief oufveke Toraille. 

The fote folke 

Puth the 8cotes in the polke, 
340 and nakned their nages : 

By waic 

Herd i never saie 

of preatre pages, 

To pike 

The robes of the riche 



Varioc* RtADixot.— 311. lit ehtfUymi it dtmBfkrtml C. ft #V., R. t.— 
33S. r*ntr*ylU, C. f R. 9.-337. Im eAe* •/ h •r mptU , C— 33*. >0Wt, R. 
9.-339. Tkmt M#, R. * — 340. mm eAm td tkmkr mmm, C. mW iktit MfM, R. 
9.— >J4I . By trmi | A«r / uettre mi | s/ prmtm f„ R. 9.-343. pntitr, 
345. nl#, C, R. 9. 



mall Scots, 1 fcti* Iks 
ctitift wko b«tchm4 the 
Soft.— They were «sc«raraBic*t»i hj fc+efc sad 
cfctrcfc tor print or cler g y— they tf«rs4 ao wmn ts*a 
WirimtW«Hiidit4 tit thty hsrs kit to tW ieM the 

— The faot- jnu e fc ft the tssts la the 

: — By wy heard 1 




296 POLITICAL 80NG8. ' 

that in the felde felle. 
Thai token ath tulke ; 
The roglre raggi sculke 

rug ham in helle ! 

350 T\& bataille ne puingce feust unkes recordez, 
Ke taunt de genz si tost estaient outraiez, 
N'ensint saunz defence lez renes rethornez. 
Corfs ayent les cors, les almes les malfez 
De trestuz k'esint gweres ount gwiez ! 
Car de cele part fut unkes une fez, 
Deinz vile ne dehors, un bon fet esprovez, 
Mis for gopiller e robber les vilez, 
Arder seint eglise, tuer les ordinez, 
Cil Dieu sait loc k'ad Dunbar l'ad vcngez ! 

360 Les countes qe avaint fet les malvestez, 
Si toust cum savoint e furent avisez 



Various Readings. — 346. For this line and the three following R. 2 has 
— And in tktdiktottue \ Thou vijin | Scot q/Abrtnityn, | cUmtidiitki mount. 

—348. rogke rm§gy eeuike, C 351. Ke taunx, C— 358. Ne inynt, C.— 353. 

etieni «**•#*, R. 2.-354. ke iseint, C. 



the men, — who in the field fell. — They took of each man ;— the rough ragged 
derfl— tear them in bell ! 

In battle or encounter it was nerer recorded — that so many people were de* 
strayed so soon,— or thus turned their backs without making any defence.— May 
the crows hare the bodies, and the devils the souls— of all that thus hare conducted 
the wars! — For of this part there was nerer once, — within town or without, a good 
action proved, — but only prowling and robbing the towns,— burning holy church, 
killing the clergy, — may God be praised who has revenged it at Dunbar !— Tbcearla 
who had done the wicked deeds,— as soon as they knew and were a w are -o f tke 



LANGTOFT's CIIRON1CLE. 297 

Dc la desconfiture sur lar parentez, 
As Englais quant repairent le chastel ount liverez, 
E saunz condiciouns els ruemes obligez 
AI ray Sire Edward, dunt fere ses voluntez. 
Li rais lendemayn i vint 1 ses barnez, 
Le[sJ prisouns ke sunt pris li unt presentez, 
Trcis countes, treis barouns, treis baneres nomez, 
E saunz eus .xxviij. chivalers adubbez, 
3/0 Ouf .v. vinz gentilles homes ke illeukes sunt trovez ; 
Deus clcrs e deus Pikards par entre sunt numbrez. 
A la Tour de Loundres les countes sunt maundez. 
Lies uns dc[s] baro[uns] lea sunt associez ; 
A diverse chasteles les autres ad envoiez, 
Par deus e deus ensemble one hakenai muntez, 
Les uns en charrettes enfirges les peea ; 
En tel pleit de caroie lour jue est terminez ! 
Par my Engletere en toutes lea countres, 



VAStoct Rkadi*oa* — 36S. aV Jar, R. 1.— 363. M roif, IL I. H $ . tmt 
i., R. I . — 3ti7. /#• primmma .... H mmi p., C, R. I aaa * .— 373. Lm mm dm 
r, R. 1 aad 2.-375. mr kUmmp, R. I.— 3Tt. Tate liaa k oartto* la C. 



defeat of their kindred,— aeet dettrerad tao caatk to taa EaglUa oa taair rt- 

tmm,— and witboat ronJttiooj obliged Uiawlm to taa Ktaf Sir Edward, U 

do aie will.— Taa kiag aast day aaaa laart la afc aaroi 

are takea tbej aaee p ceata l ad to hkm , t a r n aark, tare* baroaa, tana 

—aad beaidee taew* tweatT-aifat tasked kaigat*,— wiia tea 

wao were foaad taere ;— twa cfterkt aa4 Cwa PWarde aft 

Tae Earb are arat to taa Tovar of Leaaaa.— Soae* of taa 

ciaud vita taeea ;— tae otaar* are aaat to aJiimt 

mommud tofetaeroa e. aacfcaey i nan wRa laaa fill titttrad la 

kiad of daaee tack gaaM eaded f— Tknaiaiit Eaftaad la 

CAM!). SOC. G. 2 Q 





298 POLITICAL SONGS. 

De lur surquideri ert tuz jours parlls 
380 Taunt cum le sifecle dure, lour fet les ad mok&. 
For S[c]ottes 
Telle I for sottes, 

and wirches unwarre ; 
Unsele 
Dintes to dele 

thaim drohg to Dunbarre. 

TYES ore est tens & dire du compassement 

Les .xii. peres d'Escoce, qe quidaint seurement 
Engletere destrure, bien vous dirrai coment, 
390 Quant le ray de Fraunce, apris le dayllement 
De cele manage dunt fu parld sovent, 
Volait tenir Gascoyn par abatement ; 
E le rays Edward illok maunda sa gent, 
E partie par gwere de su Frauncays reprent ; 
Li rai Johan d'Escoce, par l'enticement 



Vxuiors Readings.— 380. fet md woktx, R. 9.— 381. Ar &•//«*, C, R. 
1. Fbr th§ ScottiM, R. 2.-383. And tmeraet wurmr, C. wreck**, R. 1. 
wecckU untcmr, R. 2. — 386. ikmm drokm to Dumber, C. drogkt, R. 1. drnmJk 

fa DunUr, R. 2 39a le daltyement, C. dmliememt, R. 1.— 394. fuert nor 

Fr. t C. ntr Frrnncmu, R. 1 and 2. 



people will always talk of their pride— -as long as the world lasts, people Wve 
scoffed at their action. — For the Scots— I reckon for eots f — and wretches nn- 
wary ; — ill lock — to give blows— drew them to Daabar. 

Now it is time to tell the plot— of the twelve peers of Scotland, who thowght 
owrely— to destroy England, I will just tell you how.— When the King of Franco, 
liter the breaking off — of that marriage which was often talked of,— weald 
retain Gascony by abatement, — and King Edward sent thither his people, and 
retook a part by war from the French ; — King John of Scotland, by the entice* 



lanqtopt's chronicle. ii>9 

De countes e barouns, de clers ensement, 
Ad maundei en Fraunce par commune assent 
L'eveske de Seint Andreu, par Id procurement 
Frere le rai de Fraunce, Charles nom&nent, 

400 Pur fiz le ray d'Escoce ad fet aliement, 
Dount marier sa fille, e aprts par aerment 
Fraunsays e les Escoce irraint uniement 
En Engletere destrure de Twede jekes en Kent ; 
E ke le rai de Fraunce prendrait arivement 
Qe l'houre q'il vousist, en Twede prestement, 
Parunt Northumberlaund prendrait sodaincment, 
E peus la tere Unite sans desturbement ; 
Ne larrait home en vie, ne pere ne parent. 
La faus purparlauns sauna espleit attent ; 

410 Le seneschall d'Escoce est venu bonement 
Al rays sire Edward, auf quanke k li apent, 



Variovs RsAOfKOt. — 397. oieoooV, E, 1.— 400. Pmr U/U, C— 40*. Im 
E+c+s, R. 1.— 403. Em, at the bofiooiof of thit list, it oamitted io C. t sad R. I 
and *.— 40ti. p rm drmp ni, C— 40*. «#>Wrv t R. 9.— 410. Mw/fy^im^, C. 
tfnmi A., R. 1. 



it— of earla aod berooa, aod of derke oho, at a t to Freoce by 
ofrvrmeot — the biabop of St. Aodrew't, by whoe? procoftoiomt — Um brotWr of 
the Ktof of Fraoc*. marly, CherWe,— aaadt ao tDttoce far too om of too Kief 
of Scotlaod.— who wot to amarry bit deofbtor, mod afttrw a rdt by totb too 
Prrnch tad ScoU aboold go coejoietly— ieto Eeftaed to dretroy frooi tbe Tweed 
to Knit ;— ood tbot too Kief of Proato oboold laod, «Wo bo woold, wit aery 
km too Twwd.-fbrthwfeb bo oboold eeddeory tobo oil Nortl i ■■»!■■ I.— ood 
tboo oil tbe lood withoot hlodrooat ;— tbot be oboold ooi Iteoe a e*ae elftoe. 



eet cowaplHioe,— too iwrhal of Inortaeiie* 
Kb* Sir Edward, with all tbot bfttofi to bom. 



300 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Countes e barouns e esveskes pleinement, 
Sunt venuz a sa pes tut a sun talent 
Le ray Johan e sun fiz, saunz tere e tenement, 
Sunt menez a Lundres a tenir jugement. 
Ore ad li rays Edward Escoce enterement, 
Cum Albanak l'avait al comencement. 
Galays, Yrays, 
Ad nos Englais 
420 aident durement. 

Dunt les Escoz 
Ount par les noz 

emprisounement ; 
Et cele tere 
Par ceste gtrere 

est perdu finablement. 
Lies Galais sunt repaires, 
E les Irrays retournez 

al sigle e al vent. 



Vakious Ria discs.—* 13. enamnirt htr tmlent, C— 415. •ttender /ay*- 
•tea/, C— 116. U ret, R. 2.— 417. Omitted in R. 2.-425. pmr cti #**r*, R, 
1.— 426. /immblemtent, C. Jfec/meaf, R. 1 and 8.-427. Lm ITaliff, C. ft 

J0U| R. 1. 



fullj,— are eomc to hi* pemce all at hit desire.— King John tad hit sob, withon* 
land or tenement, — are led to London to anpport judgment. — Now King Edward 
poaietiei Scotland entirely,— like Albanae had it at the beginning.— The Walafc 
aad Iriah— to onr English— aid doughtily —Whereby the Scots— have throaa> 
oars— imprisonment ; — and that land — by this war— is lost for ever.— Tfce> 
are gone home,— and the Irish returned— with sail and with 



langtoft's chronicle. SOI 

430 Vous Englaia i demorrez ; 

Devoutement pricr deves 

ke Dampnc-Dcu defcnt, 
Aman recosilier, 
E Mardocheum eziler 

en regal parlement 
Edward, par my tuz vos reisuns, 
Volez penser dea araouna 

du temple Deu omnipotent, 
Ad Exlysham, ou eel hoate 
410 De la croix feaait roste, 

figure de humaine aalvemeiit. 
Hcrodea i fert, l'emphle mourt, 
En ceste anguiaae Rachel plourt ; 

Edward, or fa lc vengement. 
Tu averaa jug£, jugea a dreit ; 
Soflfrea qu'il pent ke pendre deit, 



Varioi*» Riadixgi.— 431. Dtmc n mmt, C— MS. Dmwtpmt Drm v t 

C.-434. B Mmrrkt, R 2.-4345. e»# rftfMi, IL *.— 437. I'tiUto, C— 43*. 
Km tempt*, R. 1. — II!» /farWtl— . C. EtiUkmm, R. I .—440. #V As «f*fc» 
f—mi % C. cr-c*f*—unl. R. I. —44?. trnp rnt U, R. I. Htr%4m firi % f«B/taa# 
mmri, R. 2.-445. «r*r«, R. 1.— 446. *frtt pimdri, R. t. 



EaflUh matin tWre ;-yo« Ofnt U pfj <i i — llf ik n l tW LnH 0«4 fct fc M , 
—to Uke A man into fevomr af i ln, — — 4 tsik MnrJnclwM, la rayti 
nest.— Edward, Moid all yonr icfmriwi,- pita it U ran«a*Wr tW I 
of ta« umplr of God Alnucaty ,— at Heaka*, wWrt tkaft boat— «f tW ctw 
mat,— tWc &f«r* of bnaaan aahati - Herod atrikta ttora, tW cfcild 
in taia anemia* Rackatl w*pa ;— Edward, wraak vaafanact for It.— 1 
to He*. Hf« •«•**•« to f%*t t— Id aim aaag wW vsjjktiato 




302 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

la ley le vol[t] certeinement* 
La peine est dure e cruele, 
Car ele est perpetuele, 
450 a trus qe jugent autrement. 

Vos enemys ore chastiez, 
K'il ne se movent altre fez, 

en un novele torment. 
Home dait mercy aver ; 
Mes & traitour ne dait valer, 

ilokes la ley la suspent. 
Pur amy ne pur dener 
Ray ne dait espamier, 

k J il ne juge owelement. 
460 Si li ray volt Dieu servir, 

La lei le conyient maintenir ; 

si noun, il pecche e mult mesprent* 
Pur veir quant Johan Balliolle 
Leissa sun livre e l'escole, 



Vauious Readings.— 448. wutlt cruel*, C. 4 5 3 . tmmmvwmi, VL 1. mm 
m«W immimenl, R. 3.-456. Is lei let, R. 9.— 460. Si H wmp§, C.— 463. /. * 
BmllioU, R. 1.— 464. mi li—r k fesc*/, C. 



wills It certain! y. — The punishment it hard and cruel, — for it U everlasting ,— 
for all who give judgment otherwise. — Now chastbe your enemies, — that they 
may not ttir again — in a new mischief.— We ought to have mercy ;— hut that 
ought not to avail a traitor, — there the law suspends H.— For love nor far 
pence,— a king ought not to spare,— so as not to judge equally.— If the Usf 
wiD serve God,— it is right he should maintain the law ;— if he does not, ho 
sins and errs very much.— In truth when John Baho l ■ s ail his book at school. 




lanotoft's chronicle. MS 

desceu fut trap malement* 
% For boule bred in his boke, 
Whenne he tint that he toke 

with the kinge-dome ; 
For he haves ovirhipped, 
470 Hise typeth is typped, 

hise tabard es tome, 
lie loghe wil him liked, 
His paclir es thurck piked, 

he wende e were liale ; 
Begkot an bride. 
Rede him at ride 

in the dismale. 

/~)RGOYL en pays est urtille en herber, 
Ke surcrest la rose e la boute arer ; 
480 Einsint est du Balio), ke par li [li] .xii. per 
Sunt chay aval pur lur vil mister, 



YAfttoct Rbadixos.— 466. IrWrft, R. 1. ak too*, ft. *.— 447. RVa, ft. 
I. Hi« .. . t~k. R. *.— 46*. kfmfmmf, R. I. hi if dim, R. f. I<j. Mr. 
AfepoaV. R. 1. *•«, R. *.— 470. hpH, C, R. 1 mi *. Ijayirff. ft. 1 — 
47*— 4:7. Tbcoe mi Uact art oarttta 1 ia C, ud R. 1 ik *.— 47S. arrk, 
R. *.— 479. «u/rW, C. rvtoa/*, R. *.— MO. Tbk liat k oauttorf la R. I tt^2. 
II. Tkit 11m U ooUtto* la C. 



tu too 01 aaoaWei.— { Por aak W*4 la ak aooa.—waea m tool 
took— wita tbc ktafoooi ;— /or aa aaa otai ao p yoa. Me tiaaat It 
tabard U caiptj.— He kafkad walk fc |lmil Uay ak aaa* (?) k 

tkroafa,~ac taoajat aa vat lajal;— 

Pria* la a comatry, k like a aettk la taa aaraaa,— vaka 
root tad aaaaee U aark j— aa k k wka lakei, taat, by aam taa twaka 
fclka dova for taair vkfcad friniataa, ■■ aat last ak raaam, aa4 k 




304 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Perduz ait realme, e va sojorner 
A la Tour de Loundres sur autri dener. 
Li reis Sire Edward eces fetgarder; 
Li quens Jon de Gwarenne est chief justicer, 
E Henri de Perci aid Galwei & gwier; 
A Berwick-sur-Twede a la cheker, 
Et Huge de Cressingham illokes est tresorer ; 
"Et li Amundisham Walter est chanceler. 
490 Li reis puis pes norir baunc i fet crier, 
Et justis .v. le rei a guverner. 
Viscuntes e baillifs sunt mis al mester 
Des Engleis qe sevent e voleint dreit juger. 
La garde est establi si bon e si enter, 
Ne Flemyng ne Fraunceis de quer avera poer 
Entrer en Escoce, si non pur marchaunder. 
De tuz les mels vanes ke deivent demorer 



Vaeious Reading*.— 484. Etcoce fet $., C, R. 1. Le rei •• . Eecoce, R. 
2. — 165. quens de G. i e*t, C. ?. Jokan de G. i ettj., R. 1. — 1»7. T\pedemae4m 
ert le eecAeker, C. a$*ise ad i*eee. t R. 1 and 2.-489. Hemrnndetkem % C. Ay- 
wnmdeekem, R. 2.— 490. pur pes ... haunk, C, R. 1 and 2.— 491. Is let/df., 
C., R. 1 aad 2. — 195. de* ore n'mverm, C. dew or «*., R. 1. 



lodge — in the Tower of London, at another '• expense. — The King Sir Edward 
makes guard enough ; — the Earl John de Warenne is chief justice,— and Henry 
de Percy has Galwsy to rule ;— at Berwick -upon -Tweed is established the exche- 
quer,— and Hugh de Cressingham is treasurer there ;— end Walter de Auras* 
disham is chancellor. — The King to nourish the peace causes his bench to bo 
proclaimed there, — and five judges) to govern the law.— Sheriffs and bailiffs 
are established for the nee d of the Knglish who could and would Judge sjoootuV 
ing to right. — The guard is established so good and so perfect,— neither Fleming 
nor' Frenchman henceforth shall have the power,— to enter into Scotland, 
unless it be for commerce. — Of all those of most account who were to 




LAKQTOPT'i CHRONICLE. 



305 



Pris sunt les homages, If reis Je[s] fist jurer, 
Ke leals li seront par tere e par mer. 
500 Ki comensaint la gwere e li consailler 

Sunt maundls deli la Trent en sew i repoter, 
Taunt cum en Gascoyne 1* gwer deit durar. 
Issint deit li sires ses homes chaoer. 
Le eveske de Durara, ke mout fet 1 loer, 
En conquerant la tere fu tus jours li primer ; 
Ne fussent ses enprises e hardiment de quouer, 
Choses or chyriaus serraint a comencer. 

Les duse peres 

S'en vount as freres 
510 els confesser; 

Le jugement 

Ke les attent 

purrount doter. 

Kambynoy 

Se tent tut coy, 



Variocs RsADtMot-— 49S 
',C, R. 1. *VA TV. *■ 
1.-506. f«#r, R. I.— 407. 
R. *.— 313. Ud*4*r,C. 



Im/Ut. C, R. 1. prk Ml, R. * — SOU r#. 
t R. ».^»S0S« H tttt 9 ••• cA#0f(#r v R* 
, C, R. 1 —4 S.— 510. mt «*, C, 



tto 



•ad by m*. — Ttoy wto mjm tto Mr 
jm4 tto Trvst to rtpoM U tM 

TkM Mfftt tM loH U 
MTtfcy •# MM 

mi Mtivity m4 ■■ Him of 

i— « tM? is mb 
vmka mik 

CAMD. SOC. 6. 



(toy wil to loyal fey 
tM mNtmvi of frt— «• Mat to- 
ts tto vtr Umi la GMNoy.— • 




tl 



306 POLITICAL SONGS, 

ne volt aider. 
La sorcerye 
De Albanye 

ne pout valer. 
520 Andreu se dort, 

Ou il est mort 

al mouster. 
L'Escos ke fira, 
Quant il orra 

le rei parler, 
A seint Edmon, 
Et de tresoun 

apeler 
Count e baroun, 
530 Ke par arsoun 

destruit Fa[u]ter ? 
Plus loins ne pout, 
Illokes I'estoet 

ester cum ler ; 
Eparagard 
Li rais Edward 

determiner. 



Various Readings. — 520, 521. AndrtUfi muni, am il tt iori, C— 529. 
UmpftUer, R. 2.— 531. dettrut rmuir>er f R. 1. t muter, R. 2.-536. U rey, 
R. 1 and 2. 



will not help. — The sorcery— of Albania— cannot araiL— Andrew 
—or be if dead— at the monastery.— What will the Scot do,— when ha will 
—the King talk,— at St. Edmund's,— and of tre aso n ac cu se earl sad barow, 
—who by burning— destroys the altar ? — Ha can go no fmthrr, thsjsj he? 
rat— stand like a thief ; and by judgment— Kinf Edward— 



LANOTOFT's CHRONICLE. 307 

And swa mai man kenne 
The Scottes to renne, 
540 and wer biginne. 

Sum es left na thing 
Boute his rivyn riveting, 

to hippc thar-hinne. 
Thair kinges toet of Soon* 
Es driven ovir dounc, 

to Londen i-led. 
In toun herd I telle, 
The baghel and the belle 

ben filched and fled. 

550 "TtEUS ! cum Merlins dist sovent vcritex 
En ses prophecies ! si cum tous lisez, 
Ore sunt le deus ewes en un arives, 
Ke par graunt mountaignes ount t%Xi severex ; 



VAEtort RtADiwot.— 43S. mi, R. *•— 540. wrrr, C. wrt, E. I —i *. 
— 541. ilium. C. is Im#, R. *.— 54*. b*t kit rwfA, C. M* kit Hm, R. I. 

kmi Ik* rwoj r., R. *.— 543. tkmr jtm*. C. Mi, R. 1 mm! 9 544. —ft; C. 

Iksr Hmf Ml •mi Sr^ R. I. Tht Ataftft srtt, R. *.— 545. *w M»f, C, R. I 
mkI *.— 544>. t.ltdd*, C, R. I.— 547. /■ JMm*. C, R. *.— S4* 71m> I. W 
/A«tr. C— 549. JM*V, C. fluktd md JMd*, R. 1. Mm, R. 2.— WO. Jm 
Dtms kt Mirifn, C. A.' Dm cmh Jfrrft", E. I. ^ / Xmm cm* JmWm, ft. *. 
—55*. Im .0., C, R. I. 



Ao4 ao May mi ImA !■• Scots U r »i, mm* mmm w.— T« mm to m* 
aockiaf- tort kk tora riftlMf f ••» tWrMm^-TWk KImj's m4 W 
it driTMi over Mm.— mm) M U Lbijis — U Itn I 



• • •• 



O Go4 rhmw «JW» Motmb «m1 

ftf* t*4 t«« 




•08 POLITICAL 8ONG8. ' 

Et un realme est fet [de] dens diverse regnes, 
Ke solaint par dens rays estre governes. 
Ore sunt les insulanes trestuz assembles, 
Et Albanye rejoynte a les regaltes, 
Des quels li rais Edward est seignur dames ; 
Cornewale e Gales sunt en ses poestes, 
560 E Irlaunde la graunte a ses voluntes. 
Reis n'i ad nent plus de tut les cuntres 
Fors li rais Edward k'ensi les ad visitez. 
Arthur n'i avait unkes si plainement les fes. 
Des ore n'ait ke fere for porver ses ales, 
Sur le ray de Fraunoe conquer ses herites, 
E puis porter la crois ou Jhesu Crist fu nes. 

Ses enemys, 

Deu mercis ! 

sunt chaties ; 



Various Readings.— 554. Et ume r. fet de diverse rtfnei, C B mm r. 9 
de *?., R. 1 and 2.— 561. md me prince 4m tux lee, C. «. n. p- de Jofet, R. 1. 
Rei *'i md me p., R. 2.— 563. fere if rey •• • jemstex, C. A' md Justice*, R. 1 
and 8. — 568. Deue mercy $, C. . . 



mountains ; and one realm is made out of two different kingdoms, 
used to be governed by two kings. — Nov are the islanders all brought 
—and Albania it rejoined to its regalities, — of which King Edward Is 
claimed lord ; — Cornwall and Wales are la his power, — and Ireland the 
Is at his will.— There is no longer any king of all the coun 
Edward who has thus visited them. — Arthur had never so fully the 
Henceforth he hat nothing to do but to look after his goings,— to 
mhoritanre from the King of France, ■ and them to carry the cross w h ere 1 
Christ was born.— His enemies,— thank God '—are chastised 




LANQTorr'a chroniglb. 309 



570 Treatux sunt mas, 

Et pris cum rax, 

enlachls. 
II ad corouns 
E combatons 

bicn asset, 
Od deus rays 
Ad un fays, 

et utra^s ; 
Celidesi 
580 Ore aille de la, 

od ses barnls. 
Jon e Thomas 
Li lerount pas 

desayd^s ; 
Cuthbert li vent, 
Ke od li tent 

en les medics* 
En Deu tous die, 
Merlin de u 
590 ad prophetes ; 



VxEiort RsADi»«t~-*?t. mUttt, C, R. I a»4 1.— 473, $74. Mftf | Bt 
f mittus, C. It I. frm 1 1 rwkla, R. t.— 4ft. J%km # Hon* ft. I tad 
?_£I7. Mf ■•rfftii, C. 



Uktslik* 
to 




.-la M, I Hi 




310 . POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

Trais regiouns 
En ses baundouns 

Serrount waynez ; 
Ne sait blemy 
La prophecie 

par pecchez ; 
Sire Deus omnipotent 
Ad seint Edmound al parlement 

li consaill£, 
600 E sur li faus Phelippe de Fraunce, 

Par ta vertu aver vengeaunce, 
K'il jamfes ne seit avaunce 

pur sa pure fausetl. 

A L burk de Seint Edmond le jour est establie, 

Sunt venuz les evcskes, ouf la compaignie 
De lais e clers, ad quels li ray prie 
Des biens de seint eglise ayde e curtaysie, 
Einsint cum els pramistrent auntane en l'abie 



Vabiocs Readings. — 597. Sirt Dtu, R. 1 and 2.-599. cswssfilt*, R. 1 
and 2.— 602. Thii line is omitted in C, and R. 1 and 2.— £03. Lf frmmttx, R. 
1 and 2.— <XM. jomr etttblyt, C, R. 1 and 2.— 606. De$ trcedemet ti cier* . .. 
U ray*, C, R. 1. Dt9 trctdiaJtemes, R. 2. 



— three regions — in hit possession — §hall he gained. — Let not he blamed 
the prophecy — sinfully ; — Lord God Almighty, — at St. Edmvnd's at the par- 
liament — give him counsel. — And on false Philip of Franco — by thy Tirttje tsj 
hare Tengeancc, — that he may nerer be adtanced — for his mere falseness. 

To the borough of St. Edmund, on the day which was filed,— ere cosne tW 
bishops, with the company— of laymen and clerks, of whom the king piay e ■ 
aid and courtesy of the goods of holy church, — as they bad promised before !■ 




LANQTOFT'a CHRONICLE. 311 

De Westmoster, par quai li rais de ceo s'aflye 
CIO En socour de sa guere, ke n'est pas finie* 
Countes e barouns a la chivalerie 
Pur ens e pur le people grauntent en mie 
[Le disime dener, et pur la marchaundye] 
Le setim par my aide sa tresorie. 
E li ercereske, ke tent la primacie 
Deu s£ de Canturbirs, sur respouns estudie, 
E par deus eveskes al ray signefie 
L'estat de seint eglise, ke mult est empovcrie. 
Le eroereske apria al rais va e die, 
620 " Sire, pur Deu ! U sus ne te greres mie, 
Pur tut seint eglise [je te certefyc, 
Desuz Deus en terre est nul alme en rye 
Ke ad sur saint eglise] por ne mestrie, 
For la pape de Rome, qe tent la ricarie 



VAEioct Rbadimos.— 410. Tkkliac it oo»Htod la R. I tad *.— 411. tU 
eh$9., C. R. *. If frmmi m •»*, R. 1.— 41*. TW JoBovtaf >*■« it ael fcoad la 
tbc Caaibridf« MS.— 413. pmrmf d m fr ojt r tf , C, R. 1 tad *.— 414. «r 
rft p tm m s mfWjr*. C. R. 1 tad *.— 417. of rn§, R. I_4I». of roy, C— 490. 
tfhttjt t§ etrttfyt, C— 4». Qr mmtk 0fco, R. *.— 4*3. ooojfti of ■tofryr, C. 



tbc tbbey— of Weotariattcr, wkmky tW king tnutt U It— for te Wlp of 

kit wtr wbkk it aot Hitkot'.— Earlt oad karoo*, whk te ka% at t, for 

teUet tad for te pt opl t groat »i aid — te tralfc poaay, oad la? te 

clwou- te tcrtatk part for te aid of kit trtaoary.— Aad te 

Wbb te primtcy— of te tot of CaattrWry, otaHaj It 

plaiat to te kiag by two kukopt te cot dit ltt of kory 

iatporrrited.— TW kitaop aftonrardt goot to tkt kiag oad taya,—" Siro, far 

God's toko, do aot gritvo yoanolf ot til akoot tew— dor til koty okarok, I 

certify tea,— aador Ood tero it ao tool aUfo la te 

kory ckarck power or iiotory, uttpt te pop* of Rfi. wW 





312 ' POLITICAL SONGS. 

Qe seint Pere li apostoille avoit en baillie. 
La pape est nostre chef, il nous garde e guye, 
E estatute ad fet qe durement nous lie, 
Sur privaciune de Tent e de prelacie, 
Ke disme, ne .v.time, ne moitl, ne partie 
630 A tei ne a nul autre nul de nous otrie 
Saunz sun maundement en avowerie, 
Surle sollempnement esoomege e maldie 
Trestuz le fiz de mere qe par seignurie 
Aserveint seint eglise, ke Deus aide en fraunchie." 
" Sire cler," dit li rais, " tu as parle folie ; 
Promis est dette due, si fay ne seit oublie ; 
Mes ke joe te wais de boule saysie 
Einsint tuz li autre, par le fiz Marie ! 
Ne puriez de ceste ayde estre desublie." 



Vaeious Rsadings.— 627. B$M*te*d, C— $29. rfci/tatf, C, R. 1 
—630. 4 fy mitre, C, R. 1.— 632. Star co, C, R. 1.— 633. UeJU, C, R. 1-— . 
634. Deme md /., C md en/., R. 1 and 2.-635. Sire cUre, R. 1 aad 2^— 
636. jrrwuiif, R. 1 and 2.-637. Jem te mm de U kmUe #., R. I. /» «t< aV it 
bull* e. 9 R. 2.-638. Ameimt tut lee mltree, C— 639. ntpmrrmi, R. 2. 



— which St. Peter the apostle had in keeping. — The pope it ov head, bo 

and rules us,— and he haa made a statute which binds us closely,— 

of rent and of prelacy, — that neither tenth, nor twentieth, nor half, nor 

none of us give to thee or to any other, — without his commands*** 

anee, — upon it he solemnly excommunicates and cur s e s s t o ry son of a 

that by lordship— injures holy church, which may God help in Us tVatwaant** 

— " Sir clerk," said the Kins;, " thou hast talked folly ;— promiss la dobtema, tf 

faith be not forgotten ; — but if I taw thee here in possession of tbo I 

as all the others, by the son of Mary I— you should not be rettered of thai 




LANOTOFT's CHRONICLE. SIS 

640 " C IRE," dit le erceveske, " mout trevolunter 
Ad tei cum al seignur volumi tos aider 
Par geongl de la pape, ti tu le Toles maunder 
Par un de tea clers ouf nostrc messager, 
Ke toun estate e noatre li purroit cunter ; 
E sur ceo qe la pape nous fra remaunder, 
Volum solum nos aises curtaisement ayder." 
" Sire clers," redit li rais, u jeo n'ai pas mester 
De ceo qe tu me dais la pape consailler; 
Mes si tu vols respit en ceo kas aver, 

650 Fa quant tu vodras tes clers assembler, 

EnparlrSs du proroesse, e tretex ent du quer ; 

Aprfes la Seint Hillari venes i Westmouster, 

E fras la respouns sans plus a parler." 

« Sire," dist le erceveske, " pur Den e Seint Richer ! 

Voles si e la tes gens comander, 



Various RtADi*oo.— 64*2. co o o rf . C. t R. 1.— 444. jmrmmi ooMOfror, C. 
R. I ood?.— 645. Jtt omUmb f* *#, C— 646. V%hmm iiaJini.C foJbooioo* 
oV oor/rv oloV § pmtir, R. 1 ood *.— 651. Puf kmw h to jr. .. foyortor, C. 
—CS3. /Hti, . . . ro ooWrr, R. I ood *.— 655. t'opl4»# ( C. 



«• 



Sire/* mid too Arcobtooop, •• tory vUUoctf— 4W0 M «w tor* wo wffl oB 
too kovo of too popo, IT too* wilt too4 lo Mm 07 000 of tfcy dork* 
wito ©or MMifv,-wte coolo rwkto U oioi tfcy cuofchi ao4 ww; oo4 
oooordioj to too ifWHi wkko too popo oooll m4 «• bock,— «« wil m fcr ot 
oor obibtioi go eoorWoooty oM tkeo."— •• Itfr ckrk," ttjt too Rio* ojoio, •• I 
Imtc 00 oocw— for tkeo to ootiot om to cooooJt too pops •— wot IT tkoo wilt 
ko*t rtopite io tkk coot, oiooi toy dorko to oooomott vWt tkoo 
to tfcra of too prooriot , 0*4 trrot ooortily «f H »— «low St. HUorj's 007 
to Wrouoiootor,— ood o«b too moor wfckowt w*rt trik I H — • 
too Arckbfcoop, " for too 0*0 of Ooo to4 SC Rkkort I fhin I 

CAMP. SOC 6. S S 





314 : POLITICAL 80NG8. 

Ke sunt tet ministres ad .xii. dener, 
Ke nous ne nos tenaunz facent molester, 
Ne nos temperaltez ouf les lays taxer." 
« Sire," respount li rays, €C ceo n'estut doter ; 

660 Car ben ne mal ne frunt ad nule de ton poer. 
Noun pur ceo, bel sire, jeo prie e requer, 
Par my ta deocise comandez prier 
Pur moy e pur le[s] menz, e Deu mercier, 
Ke largement pur nous fet ad cea en arer." 
Le erceveske otrie, e fet sun dever. 
Poi avaunt eel houre revint le tresorer 
Water de Langetoune, ke fu passl la mer 
Ouf le cardinale de la pes treter. 
Respouns qu'els i port ne pot nule home saver, 

670 Fors eels du consaille qe ne l'osent reveler. 
Messagcrs aprfes vindrent nuncier 
Al rays Sire Edward forme de amourer 



Vabiovs Readixgs.— 657. nefaeent, C— €59. f diet U nil, C— 661. 
H rmyt li prie, C.— 663. ke mens, R. 2.-664. fet elm, C. fet os! f, R. I. fit 
de eeem, R. 2.— €65. fottrfe, efet, R. 1 and 2.-668. Us chardinaU, C. 



here and there thy people, — who are thy agents for the twelfth penny,— that 
they cause to be molested neither ns nor our tenants, — nor tax our tempo- 
ralities along with the layman." — " Sir," answers the King, " you need sot 
fear it,— for they shall do neither well nor ill to none of thy powers—Neverthe- 
less, fair Sir, 1 pray and require, — that throughout thy diocese thorn com* 
mandest to pray— for me and mine, and to thank God, — who has done largely 
for us in our recent affairs." — The Archbishop grants it, and does his doty.— > 
A little before this time returned the treasurer — Walter de Langton, who host 
passed the sea — with the cardinal, to treat of the peace. — The answer which, 
they bring no man can know,— except those of the council who dare not 
reveal it. — Messengers afterwards came to announ ce t o the King 8ir Edward n 




lanotopt's chronicle. 315 

Contek de Gascoyne, e fet acorder 

Li ouf le Rey Phellipp tans plus guerrer, 

Si cum les cardinals ount fet ordincr. 

Li Rays Edward par taunt ad fet retomer 

Water de Langetoun, e Hugue le Despenser f 

E Jon de Beruik, clerk avertik ber. 

Counduire les face Dieus, e bien remener ! 

G80 T ES barouns d'Escoce a eel parlement 

Ne fu resoun rendu, ne don< jugement, 
Ly rais est si corteis, de si pitouse talent, 
E de si graunt merci, jeo crei certeinement 
Ke sa misericorde serra sauvement 
A eels ke ount la mort deserri plainement, 
E des fez attains felonousement* 
La grant pxii du quer q 9 il ad eu sorent 
Des felons de Gales, en parlent tote gent, 



Various RxADiKGt.— 67*. oV ta ut r r r, C. oV oatarvr, R. 1. m rrt * .. 
dt mme m rtr, R. ?.— 673. do emmimk 4m ... ffrt, C, R. 1. 4m e. . . firm, R. S. 
— C"4. gmti t ajrff ' • C.i R. 1. jmtmitr, R. ». C7S. mwmrtw, C /mwi or Jwr* 
mtkt . . . *r*rtu t K. 1. •/•*•* ... cUrk e tmtrii, R, S.— 6*0. Dm oaroaao, C. 
— <;«9I. rimdmi, C— *S6. dr/r*, C. 



form of tmnfiaf— 4ao ttrtft mi OtMpiy, tad to mm fetal to fit a ha Idaf 
ITiiUp, witboat fartfear war,— at tfet cardiaatt bad oaaead it to at ordoiatd.— Kiaf 
Edward fortbwitb Mat back— Water mm Laajtoa aad Hagb It Dm inn,— aad 
John dc Berwick, a drr* aad a raRaat ka%bt.-btty God miirt tbom tarn, 
•ad bcinf taaai w*0 back actio ! 

Of tbc baroaa of Boatload, at tbfc aarHaawai— faaaam vat aot rwiarii. aa? 
jadfaMa* girco. — TW Kiaf it to tt art toag. to fal of atty, aad of to fraat 
amy. 1 bdartt otrtttory— toot alt awrcy will be too a a tto f af tboot wbo 
bate fall? dratrrod doatb,— ay tbtir daodt tfttiatod of fclaay.— Too fraat atty 
ofbcartwbkbbobatafloBbjg tfta tat Moat af Waitt, otary body tofcs of 




316 POLITICAL SONQ8. 

Quan[t] plus ad eu affer pur son avancemcnt, 
690 Meuz li ount la gwere, e fet desturbement, 
Dunt ses alez aillours laisser li covient. 

A PRES le Seint Hillori, quant le rays quidait 

Parlement a Loundres, cum ordinez aveit, 
Noveles li vindrent par cil ke les estayt 
Venuz de Kaumbray, e li nunciait 
Ke la parlance de pez se fist pur nul esplait* 
Par quey le rais Edward demourt e se purvait 
Par mer e par tere ke trahi ne sait ; 
En Westmouster de ses gens equait 
700 Treter de sour quel ayde la clergie li frait 
Ly Sire de Canturbir sur ceo se tint etrahit, 
Pur luy e sa paroche a Seint Thomas vouait 
Ke nul de sa eglise tailll plus ne serrait, 



Vaeious Readings. — 691. **# e/er», R. 1 .— 693. tenir h L. t C— 694. 
«M/ t C, R. 1 and 2.-697. it rei, R. 9.— 696. Per ten et per sntr, C. mr 
ne /or #., R. 2.-699. en «*i/, C, R. 1 and 8. E * W., R. I.— 700. Trtier met 
pukmde, C, R. 1.— 702. etjmr$mp. t C. 



it ; — when be was most occupied for bis adYancement, — they made war wpon 
bim, and cause a dirertion, — whereby be was obliged to leare bis goings tlas> 
where. 

After the day of St. Hilary, when the King thought (to hold)— parfawjstmt 
at London, as be bad ordained,— news came to him by him who was 
—come from Cambrai, and announced to bim — that the talk of peace was 
with no intention of coming to an end. — Wherefore King Edward 
and prepared — by sea and by land that be might not be be tiaj ed j— at West- 
minster be collected bis people— to treat about what aid the clergy should gftiw 
him.— The Lord of Canterbury held himself very rigid on this mattt 
rowed to St. Thomas for him and bis parish,— that no one of his chnreh 



LANOTOFT's CHRONICLE. 317 

Ne mis en servage taunt cum il viverait, 

Saunz maundement la pape, ke governer le deit. 

Li sire de Nichole ataunt se [ajcordait ; 

Oliver li eveske, ke flecher ne solait. 

Li rais vers la clergie par taunt se corucait, 

E hors de sa pese juguer la oomaundait. 

Mis meintenaunt aprfcs cele fet repeOait* 

Co feceint les eveskes ki volunt*5 chascait 

Aider a lur seignur dunt recoverir soun drait, 

A seinte eglise defendre de hounte e de fourfait* 

L'elyt de Evcrwyke, ke pes desirrait, 

Dit ke volunters pur quanke li tuchait, 

Dount saint eglise defendre le quint dener mcttrait. 

Des Escoz chaitifs nule alme i parlait : 

Demorez sunt suz garde en autel plait, 

Cum avaunt estaient, Dunbar les achascait 



Vxaioce Rbadiwo*.— ;o$. fee abtf, C, R. 1. — 713. JttaoJafe, C., R. 1. 
tmwfmU % R. 1.—7 18. mmt mmtv Mif.aic ay loir, C emi m #araV wmii 4 
l~r dmkmt, R. 1. faf a Jear etoartf, R. *.— 719. TUe Um aaae fta C. aao 1 R. 
1 end tf . wita the worae mWtf k* f efejrf, aael the FasHee Mass fc tt oa iag 
are omitted. 



be aay more Uiea\— aor placed ie e tnase ea leaf ao ha 

m*i%4 of the pope, who oafht to gorcni taeea, — The Lord of L Jacob agreed 

thi«. — Bubop OUrer, who wot aot aota 1 to beat— The Kief wot to 

afaieet the clergy,— that So coojojeadid Ums to ke JiSjii eat af hie 

Bet aow tfterwarae he repeal** that decree.— Thk 4*1 

wilttafty coaerated— to aM their lord whereby to recover hie 

b«1y ehereb froai eaaoje aad loee.— The aloft of York, who deaired peace,— 

mid that wiOtagty ae Jar ee eeaciraid aha ae waedd free the ifth peaay 

wherewith to defcwd boty cbarch.— Not a eoal 

they maeiaed la hiifeaf la tat tear 




318 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

720 For thar wer thai bal brend. 

He kauged ham thidre kend, 

aut dreved to dote. 
For Scottes at Dunbar 
Haved at thayre gau char 

schame of thar note. 
Wer never dogges there 
Hurled out of herre 

fro coylthe ne cotte. 

them relation. — For there were they burnt .... — he .... them thither,- 
drorc to dote. — For Scots at Dunbar — had at their .... — thame of their note. 
— Nerer were dogs there— hurled out of 



THE TRAILEBA8TONS, AND EXECUTION OF WALLACE. 

[From MS. Cotton. Julius A. t. fol. 162, r«. collated with MS. Reg. 90, A. II. 
fol. 144, r*. (R. 1.) ; and with MS. Reg. 20, A. xi. fol. 125, i*. (R. 9.)] 

T^N Septembre apris Estrivelyn est rendu; 

Ly reys Sire Edwarde ses travayls ad sentu. 
Vers Brustewik sur Humbre son chemyn ad tenu, 



Vabious Readings. — 2. an rti, R. 2. — 3. est mttm, R. 1. en mm cm. mi 
, R.2. 



Taakslatio*.— In September after Stirling was delivered ;— the King Sir 
Edward was fatigued with his labours,— he held his way towards Burstwkk mm 



LANGTOFT > 8 CHRONICLE. 319 

Sugiour une pcce i prist pur aa salu. 
Sire Jon de Warenne, count been conu, 
Mortz fu lors et prest a mette en sarcu. 
Ly reys, ke Deu garde ! en alaunt vera le su, 
Par my Lendesey enquist de lu en lu, 
Taunt com en Escoa en aa guere fu, 
10 Ky out aa pees enfraynt, ki out aa peea tenu ; 
Pur taunt com il volait, remede fu purveu 
Sur dl ke fust ataynt de aa peea rumpu. 

T> ESPOUNS ount fet au reya gents de been 

voyllancc, 
Coment parmy la terc fet est grant greraunce 
Par comunc contckours, ke sunt par fiaunce 
Obliges ensemble a une purviaunce ; 
Traylbastouns sunt nomes de eel retenaunce, 
En fayrcs et marches se proferent fere covenaunce, 



Vabiocs RsAOtyoa.—- 5. /»*«* . .. tiaafr, R. 1 amd •.— C aaar*. R. •.— 
7. krti, Utiem, R. «.— H. Lyndt—y, R. I.— lo. ft tmai Hmm, R. *.— II. 
rata/, R. 1. enm ct+Utt, R. t».— 1.1. mm rW, R. t.— IS. f ■■■■*, R. 2. 



Haabar.^ke raoaiocd tkrr* a vkilo for kit kaaUk.— Sir Joka oo **-*.—, 
an Earl w*U kaowa.— «aa ike* dead md roaiy to ka pa* la kit coata.-— Tko 
King. «koai Goo 1 ktep ! la goiag tovaroa kit on, tato afk Lb any iaqakto 1 
troai pftaea to placa,— wktkt kt kao 1 km is ftratlaii is kit aw.— wko kaa 
broken ate peat*, aad ako kaa 1 kel4 it ; a tia%k< at kla «fll« rtaaaay wat pro. 
vUaa— / or kiai wko waa aftaiatao 1 of aorta* araaaa kla 
PeopU of gooa will katr aadc ■■■oat to tko 

to a pmrvcyaaoi i tkia eoaapaa y art ctIM 




320 POLITICAL SONGS. 

Par treys souz ou .iiii., ou pur la valiaunce, 
20 Batre un prodomme ke unk fist nosaunce 
A cors Cristiene, par null temoygnaunce* 
Si homme countredye a nul de I'aliaunce, 
Ou marchaund de ses merz li vee fere creaunce, 
En sa mesoun demene, sauntz altre daliaunce, 
Batuz serrait been, ou pur l'acordaunce 
Dora de ses deners et prendre aquitaunce. 
Si en la riot ne seit fet desturbaunce, 
Une commune guere se levera par chaunce. 
Entendu ad ly reys la plaint et la parlaunce, 
30 Escutez ore coment purveu est la vengaunce. 

13ARMY Engletere gentz de grauns resouns 

Assignez sunt justizes sur les traylbastouns ; 
Les uns par enquest sunt jugez a prisouns ; 



Yabious Rsadikos.— 19. toitlcunce, R. 1.— 20. mtJUt, R. 2.— S3, m* aw 
., R. 2.-26. prtndrm,R. 2.— 31. erwul reseat, R. 1. gent ewfrwaf, R. f. 



conTcntiooB at fairs and markets, — for three or four shillings, or Merely to show 
their courage,— to beat a good man, who never did hurt — to any Christian body, 
by the testimony of no one. — If a man contradict any one of the alliance,— or a 
merchant will not trust them for his merchandise,— taken in his own home, with* 
out other interference, — be shall be well beaten, or by agreement hi ahull giro 
of his money and take acquittance.— If there were no hindrance saade to Hair 
riot, — a war among the commons would by chance arise.— The King hue hanrel 
the complaint and the talk,— now hear how the punishment is provided. 

Throughout England men of groat account— ore assigned an judge* on the) 
Irsilebastoas ; — some by inquest are judged to prisons , others to go to tho 




LAN0TOFT , i CHRONICLE. 321 

Li altre alez a fourches i pendre cnvirouns ; 
Plubcurs sunt prives de [lour] possessiouns; 
Ke mcyns mesfesaynt sunt passes par raunsouns. 
Si chastiment ne fust de ribaldes et bricouns, 
Os6 ne serrait homme vivre en mesouns. 
O ! cum Deus est bona de drayturel* gucrdouns, 
40 Ke taunt sovent nous ad vengl de felouns 1 
Novel avoras oy entre compaygnouns 
De William le Walays, mestre de larouns ; 
Sire Jon de Meneteft li suist i talouns, 
Enpris de sa putcyne li prist en tapisouns ; 
A Loundres le mcnait en fergea et laceouns, 
Oti jugez estcit sur eels condiciouns ; 
En primer a fourches fust traynl pur trcsouns, 
Pendu pur roberyes et pur occisiouns, 



Various Readixga —14. i//rw t R. I and 9. — 36. j»o*W, R. ?.— .19. art 
jrmitwrHs # 4* oaor, R. 1.— 40. rrofra, R. 9.— 41. A'aerftJ, R. I.— 4i. oV* 
Ur—ns, R. 1.— 4.1. Jok*n de Mmttft, R. 1. A/tntft, R. 2.-44. Sfmprwt 4* 
m, R. 9. 



gallowa, to baof tberc abool ;—m*my ara deprived of tbrir pnattoiiena ; — tboaa 
woo hod dooa loose III art oidiftd to pay iocs. If tbtra waa oot cbaotiaraarot 
of ribalds aod roacoU,— people wooid oot dor* to thro km tbeir booses.— O • bow 
Ood la good io bia joat droluifa,— woo boa ao oftro w t t o f rd oe of frtooa I— 
Wc haTO board ocw* asooo*; roipaoiowJ af mttaai Wallace, tbo abater of 
tba tbicToa ;— Sir Jobo d< Meotcitb foUewed biai cftaoa at bia be*bv_o*d look 
bin io bod biaiii bia strwpet ;— be araofbt biai to Lsoina io fetters ood 
beads,— wbero a* waa jodfed oo tba saUowiof eeodstieoe j— »aret to ba drew* 
Io tba followa far bia treat aoi.— to ba boof far robbery ood far 

CAMP. SOC. G. 2 T 




822 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

Et pur ceo k*il avait ennenty par arsouns. 
50 Viles et eglises et religiouns, 

Avalez est de fourches, et overt lea ventrouns, 
Le quoer et la bowel brullez en carbouns, 
Et cope la teste par tels mesprisiouns, 
Pur ceo ke il avait par ces havyllouns 
Maintenuz la guere, don£ protecciouns, 
Seysye seygnurye en ses subjecciouns 
De altri realme par ses entrusiouns. 
Cope li fust le cors en quatre porciouns, 
Chescun pende par say en memor de ses nouns, 
GO En lu de sa banere eels sunt ces gunfanouns. 

Pur finir sa geste, 

A Loundres est sa teste, 

du cors est fet partye 

En .iiii. bones viles, 

Dount honurer les vlles 



Vauious Readikos. — 55. meimtenu, R. 2. — 56. mn, R. 1. 



and because he had destroyed by burning — towns and churches and 

tones, — he is taken down from the gallows, and his belly opened,— tl 

and bowels burnt to ashes, — and his head cut off for such faults, — b ecause ke 

had by these , — maintained war, given protections,— seised lordship into 

his subjection— of the realm of another by his intrusions.— His body was cat 
into four parts, e a ch hung by itself in memory of his name,— instead ef kit 
banner these are bis standards. — To finish his history, — at London is his hand, 
— his body is divided — in four good towns, — whereby to honour the islea that 




POEM ON TIMES OP EDWARD II. 323 

ke sunt eh Albanyc. 
And tus may you here, 
A ladde to lere 

to bigken in pais. 
70 It falles in his eghe, 

That hackes ovre heghe, 

wit at Walays. 



Vabious Readings.— 67. Mm, R. 1 and 2. eas** wen, R. 2.— 6S. it Urt t 
R. 2.-69. to$ftm t R. 1. biffin, R. 2.— 70. /aft* ... i)#, R. 2.— 71. Aayfct, 
R. 1. k*kki$ ... hu, R. 2.-72. with tkmt lle/eu, R. 2. 



•re in Albania. — And thai may yon bear, — a lad to Warm— to baild in peace.— 
It fall* in his eye,— who hacks too high,— with the Wallace. 



POEM ON THE EVIL TIMES OP EOWARO II. 

(Prosa the Anchinkck MS. fbl. J2S, f*. writtts la the Wfinnin of the rtifa of Edw. 

111. in the Advocate* Library, at Eafebnrgh.] 

The Simumie. 

\A/U\l werre and wrake in londe and manslauht is i-come, 

Whii hungger and derthe on eOfthe the pore hath undernome, 
Whii bestes ben thus storre, whii corn hath ben so dcrc, 



—3. afarae, starved. 




324 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

3e that wolen abide, listneth and }e rauwen here 

the skile. 
I nelle li}en for no man, herkne who so wile. 

God greteth wel the clergie, and seith theih don amis, 
And doth hem to understonde that litel treuthe ther is ; 
For at the court of Rome, ther treuthe sholde biginne, 
Him is forboden the paleis, dar he noht com therinne 

for doute ; 
And thouh the pope clepe him in, }it shal he stonde thero 

Allc the popes clerkes han taken hem to red, 
If treuthe come amonges hem, that he shal be ded. 
There dar he noht shewen him for doute to be slain, 
Among none of the cardinaus dar he noht be sein, 

for feerd, 
If Symonic may mete wid him he wole shaken his berd. 

Yoiz of clerk is sieldc i-hcrd at the court of Rome ; 
Nc were he nevere swich a clerk, silverles if he come, 
Thouh he were the wiscste that evere was i-born, 
But if he swete ar he go, al his wcye is lorn 

i-souht, 
Or he shal singe si dedero, or al geineth him noht. 

For if there be in countre an horeling, a shrewe, 
Lat him come to the court hise nedes for to shewe, 

G Lot baby.— I. trolen, will (pi.), mtnrem, mar. — 5. tkfle, caaae, reaaoB.- 
li^en, will not lie. — 7. theih, they. — 10. prnltis, palace. — 11. domte, fear.'— 1 
call. — 1.1. hen, have (pi.), red, ccranfel.-— 19. voii, roice. rieUe i-htrd, 
— 'A), steich, such. — 83. «r, before. 




POEM ON TIMES OP EDWARD II. 325 

And bringe wid him silver and non other wed, 

Be he ncvere so muchel a wrecche, hisc nedes sholen be spede 

fulstUle, 
For Coveytise and Symonie han the world to wille. 30 

A ND erchebishop and bishop, that ouhte for to enquere 

Off alle men of holi churche of what lif theih were, 
Summe beth foles hemself, and leden a sory lif, 
Therfore doren hii noht speke for rising of strif 

thurw clerkcs, 
And that everich biwreied other of here wreochede werkes. 

But certes holi churche is muchel i-brouht ther dounc, 
Siththen Seint Tliomas was slain and smiten of his croune. 
He was a piler ariht to holden up holi churche, 
Thise othere ben to slouwe, and feintelicbe kunnen worchc, 40 

i-wis; 

Therfore in holi churche bit fareth the more amis. 

But even man may wel i-wite, who so take )eme, 
That no man may wel serve tweie lordes to queme. 
Summe beth in ofice wid the king, and gaderen tresor to hepe, 
And the fraunchise of holi churche hii laten ligge slepe 

fulstiUe; 
Al to manvc tlur both swiche, if hit were Godes wille. 



GLOfttAftr. — 97. «W, y l ilf t .— tS. mwfaf m wr#*eAt, fra* a vrctcfc. mUSm It, 
tl*U b«.— 49. tfiiU, qvfctiy.— 34. *r*i kH, 4*rv tkrf M. tkmv. 



• 



, tWtkfel. limn, kit* kow.— 41. <*•*, *w*j t to 




826 POLITICAL 8ONO8. 

A ND thise ersedeknes that ben set to visite holi churche, 

Everich fondeth hu he may shrewedelichest worche ; 50 

He wole take mede of that on and that other, 
And late the parsoun have a wyf, and the prest another, 

at wille ; 
Coveytise shal stoppen here mouth, and maken hem al stille. 

For sone so a parsoun is ded and in eorthe i-don, 
Thanne shal the patroun have 3iftes anon ; 
The clerkes of the cuntr£ wolen him faste wowe, 
And senden him faire 3iftes and presentes i-nowe, 

and the bishop ; 
And there shal Symonye ben taken bi the cop. GO 

Coveytise upon his liors he wole be sone there, 

And bringe the bishop silver, and rounen in his ere, 

That alle the pore that ther comen, on ydel sholen theih worche, 

For he that allermost may }ive, he shal have the churche; 

i-wis, 
Everich man nu bi dawc may sen that thus hit is. 

And whan this newe parsoun is institut in his churche, 
He bithenketh him hu he may shrewedelichest worche ; 
Ne shal the com in his bernc ben ctcn wid no muis, 



Gloss a a Y. — 49. ertdeknet, archdeacons. — 50. fondeth, seeketh, eadesH 
*krtwtdtliehtMt trot eke, work most cursedly. — 51. mede, bribe. — 52. Jsft, 
ttopptn, stop.— 55. tone so, as soon as — 57. trotr*, woo, court.— 58. i-sjom 
—60. cop, head.— 62. rornnen, whisper, ert, car.— 63. om jrftf, frwJtiesaly, to no rnnSL 
—64. nUtrmoit, most of all.— 66. nu hi datre, now-a-dars.— 68. km, how.- 



POEM ON T1ME8 OP EDWARD II. 327 

But hit shal ben i-spended in a shrcwedc huis ; 70 

if be may, 
Al shal ben i-beten out or Cristemesse-day. 

And whan he hath i-gadered markes and poundes, 
He priketli out of toune wid haukcs and wid houndes 
Into a straungc contrl, and halt a wenche in cracche ; 
And wel is hire that first may sirich a parsoun kaoche 

in londe. 
And thus theih sere-en the chapele, and laten the churche stonde. 

lie taketh al that he may, and maketh the churche pore, 

And lcvcth thare behinde a theef and an horc, 80 

A serjaunt and a dcie that leden a sory lif ; 

Al so faire hii gon to bedde as housebonde and wif ; 

wid sorwe 
Shal there no pore lif fare the bet nouther on eren ne on morwe. 

And whan he hath the silver of wolle and of lomb, 
He put in his pautener an honne and a komb, 
A myrour and a koeverchef to binde wid his crok, 
And rat on the rouwe bible and on other bok 

no mo; 
But unthank have the bishop that lat hit so go. 90 

For thouh the bishop hit wite, tliat hit bcnanie kouth, 
lie may wid a litel silver stoppen his mouth ; 



Glossary. — 70. kmii, Iwn.— 74. prtkwtk, fisttSv— 7*. e rm tt k » 9 pt 9fm \§ % 
perfcafN Wre, m cradle.— 76. srW it AW, k It «t0 for ktr.— SI. «Vst, 

«- - « t__k ^* - -- * *■ — » U^mW 

f^VSV, IHIV.^'ffll. ^HIIMT . . • • • • MMVy • • • • ^^w$ • •ww»wyi 

— S8. rv/ t ITSmS. rstrt^f, fOS^ll.^~tlS. SB#( SSSW.^^PI* 

I. <>) 




328 POLITICAL SONGS. 

He medethwid the clerkes, and halt forth the wenche, 
And lat the parish for-worthe ; the devel him adrenche 

for his werk 1 
And sory may his fader ben, that evere made him clerk* 

And if the parsoun have a prest of a clene lyf, 

That be a god consailler to maiden and to wif, 

Shal comen a daffe and putte him out for a litel lasse, 

That can noht a ferthing worth of god, unnethe singe a masse 100 

but ille. 
And thus shal al the parish for lac of lore spille. 

For riht me thinketh hit fareth bi a prest that is lewed, 
As bi a jay in a kage, that himself hath bishrewed ; 
God Engelish he speketh, ac he wot nevere what ; 
No more wot a lewed prest in boke what he rat 

bi day. 
Thanne is a lewed prest no betir than a jay. 

But everi man may wel i-wite, bi the swete rode ! 

Ther beth so manye prestes, hii ne muwe noht alle be gode. 110 

And natheles thise gode men fallen oft in fame, 

For thise wantoune prestes that pleien here nice game, 

bi nihte, 
Hii gon wid swerd and bokeler as men that wolde fihte. 



Gloma*y« — 83. aseaWA, takes bribe. — 94. for-worthe, go Co nought, awrwtete, 
drown.— 06. *«, be-— 97. prmt, priest— 99. ioft, fool, bust, leu.— 100. mmeiko, 
hardly.— 109. /time if iorv opiiU, be rained for want of teaching .— 104. Jiilraworf, 
cursed.— 105. wot, knows.— 106. r*/ f reads.— 109. rode, cross, rood.— 110. 



POKM ON THE TIMES OP EDWARD II. 329 

Summe bercth crounc of acolite for the crumponde crok, 
And ben ashamed of the merke the bishop hem bitok ; 
At even he set upon a koife, and kembeth the croket, 
Adihteth him a gay wenche of the newe jet, 

sanx doute ; 
And there hii clatercn cumpelin whan the candel is oute. 120 

A ND thise abbotes and prioura don a)ein here rihtes ; 

11 ii riden wid hauk and hound, and contrefeten knihtes. 
II ii sholde levc swich pride, and ben religious; 
And nu is pride maistcr in everich ordred hous ; 

i-wis, 
Ileligioun is cvelc i-holde and fareth the more [amis.] 

For if there come to an abey to pore men or thre, 

And aske of hem hclpe par seinte charile, 

Unnethe wole any don his ^pide other )ong or old, 

But late him coure Uier al day in hunger and in cold, ISO 

and stcrve. 
Lokc what love ther is to God, whom theih seicn tliat hii serve ! 

But there come another and bringe a litel lettre, 
In a box upon his hepe, he shal spede the betre; 
And if he be wid eny man that may don the abot harm, 
He shal be lad into the halle, and ben i-mad full warm 

about e the ma we. 
And Godes man slant ther oute ; sory is that lawe. 



GLOttART— US. trmmyndi erU, ammpUi Cf— fc (?).—! I* ***•*. I— « iriiiSfS* 
la. — 117. tiwUHk, comb*.— <r**H. c«ri M feck of Wr.— IIS. ASdUHk 4*», ft* 
Ml/ wuk.— If I. d— «k^ *> H***-— ■*• "** ***** •*« WM. it Ul 

CAMD. SOC. C>. 2 U 




330 POLITICAL SONG8. 

Thus is God nu served thurwout religioun ; 

There is he al to sielde i-sein in eny devocioun ; 140 

His meyn£ is unwelcome, comen hii erliche or late ; 

The porter hath comaundement to holde hem widoute the gate, 

in the fen. 
Hu mihte theih loven that loverd, that serven thus his men ? 

This is the penaunce that monekes don for ure lordes love : 
Hii weren sockes in here shon, and felted botes above ; 
He hath forsake for Godes love bothe hunger and cold ; 
But if he have hod and cappe furcd, he nis noht i-told 

' incovent; 

Ac certes wlaunknesse of wele hem hath al ablent 150 

Religioun was first founded duresce for to driej 
And nu is the moste del i-went to eise and glotonie. 
Where shal men nu findc fattere or raddere of teres ? 
Or betre farende folk than monekes, chanons, and freres ? 

In uch toun 
I wot non eysiere lyf than is religioun. 

Religioun wot red I uch day what he shal don ? 
He ne carez noht to muche for his mete at non ; 
For hous-hire ne for clothes he ne carez noht ; 

Gloskaay. — 140. to tielde i-eein, too seldom Men. — Ml. fltfyal (miml, ft.), 
household, people, erliche, early. — 145. ure, our. — 146. Hii irrrw, they wear. $km 9 
shoe*. *•***, boots.— 148. But if, unlets, hod, hood, fured, faired, he nit nohi {./stf, 
he is not reckoned, or esteemed. — 150. wUumtuene, pride. wtU, weml. mkieni, hHnded. 
151. durmee, hardness, drie:, bear, suffer. — 152. nu, now. mtoetedtt, greatest part.— 
153. ruddert •/ ierm, redder of complexion.— 155. uch, each.— 156. «*J, know. 
eyeiere, more easy. 



POEM ON THE TIMES OP EDWARD II. 531 

But whan he cometh to the mete, he maketh his roawe touht 160 

off the beste ; 
And anon therafter he fondeth to kacche reste. 

A ND )it ther is another ordre, Menour and Jacobin, 
And freres of the Carme, and of Seint Austin, 
That wolde prechc more for a busshel of whete, 
Than for to bringe a soule from helle out of the hetc 

to rest. 
And thus is coveytise loverd bothe est and west. 

If % pore man come to a frere for to aske shrifte, 

And Uier come a ricchere and bringe him a )ifte ; 1 /0 

He thai into the freitur and ben i-mad ful glad ; 

And that other stant theroute, as a man that were mad 



in sorwe; 



5 it thai his ernde ben undon til that other morwe. 

And if there be a riche man that evel hath undcrnome, 
Thannc wolcn thise freres al day thider come ; 
And if hit be a pore lyf in porerte and in care, 
Sorwe on that o frere that kepeth come thare 

ful loth; 
Allc witc >c, godc men, hu the gamen goth. 180 

And if the riche man deie that was of eny mihte, 
Thannc wolcn the freres for the cors fihte. 



Glomait- 1GO. t~Jkt, fell.-- iCf. fimdtik #• AterA*. MtkcCll %m 
jtf, yet _ 16S. I m* rd. lord,— 1C9. 9*nftt t cMlwftta^-17*. HfU, fHt— 171. Avtftar, 
i-m*. M4c.-m «mmi, Hm ir— 171. mnM, «?««<— 174. irWr, t#. 

ikU c*r**.~l*U. tr»/# K. k»ow yt. 




332 POLITICAL 8ONQ8. 

Hit nis noht al for the calf that kow louweth, 

Ac hit is for the grene gras that in the medewe grouweth 

so god. 
Alle wite 3e what I mene, that kunnen eny god. 

For als ich evere brouke min hod under min hat, 

The frere wole to the direge, if the cors is fat ; 

Ac bi the feith I owe to God, if the cors is lene, 

He wole wagge aboute the cloistre and kepen hise fet dene 190 

in house. 
Hu mihte theih faire forsake that hii ne ben coveytouse ? 

A ND officials and denes that chapitles sholden holde, 

Theih sholde chastise the folk, and theih maken hem bolde. 
Mak a present to the den ther thu thenkest to dwelle, 
And have leve longe i-nouh to serve the fend of helle 

to queme ; 
For have he silver, of sinne taketh he nevere 3eme. 

If a man have a wif, and he ne love hire noht, 
Bringe hire to the constorie ther treuthe sholde be souht, 300 
And bringge tweye false wid him and him self the thridde, 
And he shal ben to-parted so faire as he wole bidde 

from his wif; 
He shal ben holpcn wel i-nouh to lede a shrewede lyf. 



Glossaby.— 1A3. Hit nit, it is not. lomtceih, lows.— 184. Ac, bat— 186. 
know.— 187. mk % as. krouke, use, hold.— 19*. thtik, they.— 193. rfcpMsv, 
— 195. ther, where. — 196*. i-nouh, enough, fend, fiend. — 197. fttfa*, pleasure. — 198. 
pme, care.— 200. caaWonV, consistory. 9omkt, aoafhU — 80?. t+>j*rtt4 f 
kidde, auk. 




POEM ON THE TIMES OP EDWARD II. 331 

And whan lie is thus i-dcled from his rihte spouse, 

He taketh his neiheboures wif and bringeth hire to his bouse ; 

And whiles he hath eny silver the clerkes to sende, 

He may holde hire at his wille to his lives ende 

wid unskile ; 
And but that be wel i-loked, curs in here bile. S10 

A ND )it ther is another craft that toucheth the clergie, 
That ben thise false fisiciens that helpen men to die ; 
He wole wagge his urine in a vessel of glaz, 
And swereth that be is sekere than evere jit he was, 

and sein, 
" Dame, for faute of helpc, thin housebonde is neih slain/* 

Thus he wole afraien al that ther is inne, 

And make many a lesing silver for to winne. 

Ac afterward he fondeth to comforte the wif, 

And scith, " Dame, for of thin I wole holde his lyf," SflO 

a[n]d lije; 
Thouh he witc no more than a gos wheither he wole live or die. 

Anon lie wole biginne to blere the wives ci)e ; 
He wole askc half a pound to bien spicerie ; 
The .viij. shillinges sholen up to the win and the ale ; 
And bringe rotes and rindes bret ful a male 

off noht ; 
Hit slial be dere on a lek, whan hit is al i-wrouht. 



Glouait.- *». i-4*U4 t fti*L— Suf. wid wukik, wtek mrtm f .— f 10, k*% I 
— Sli. Mtn. m^.— SIS. Imm#. fill il ill— fit. At JW*A, Im triat.— f?1. 4fj* Ms. 
— 't.W jtm. goo**.— K3. «tj#, 1**-—***- *"»• •*!.— 1**» ftr* /W, hmd Sal. 
up. tmsU. cUc«t, ptaakr.— ftS. •• • Jftt, for • 1st*. (?) 




334 POLITICAL 80NG8. 

He wole preisen hit i-nohw, and sweren, as he were wod, 

For the king of the lond the drink is riche and god ; 2SO 

And 3eve the gode man drinke a god quantity, 

And make him worsse than he was ; evele mote he the ! 

that clerk, 
That so geteth the silver, and can noht don his werk. 

He doth the wif sethe a chapoun and piece beof, 
Ne tit the gode man noht therof, be him nevere so leof ; 
The best he piketh up himself, and maketh his mawe touht ; 
And 3eveth the gode man soupe, the lene broth that nis noht 

for seke ; 
That so senreth eny man, Godes curs in his cbeke ! 240 

A ND thilke that han al the wele in freth and in feld, 
Bothen eorl and baroun and kniht of o sheld, 
Alle theih beth i-sworne holi churche holde to rihte ; 
Therfore was the ordre mad for holi churche to fihte, 

sanz faille ; 
And nu ben theih the ferste that hit sholen assaille. 

Hii brewen strut and stuntise there as sholde be pes a 
Hii sholde gon to the Holi Lond and maken there her res, 
And fihte there for the croiz, and shewe the ordre of knihte, 
And awreke Jhesu Crist wid launce and speir to fihte 250 

and sheld ; 
And nu ben theih liouns in halle, and hares in the feld. 

Globbabt.— 229. trod, mad.— 231. }«*, if.— 232. tariff mot* kt tkt: U\ may be 
tkrira 1—234. 4m, do.— 235. rftM, canaetb. tiki, to bofl.— 236. tit, toucbet. fee/, 
dtar<i. t. bare Im erer to mucb desire).— 238. nis mkt, b nothing.— 241. ,/rWA f 
voed.— 247. itrwi mmd arm* to, ttrife and debate ?— 248. ker rtf , tbeir aaaaolt, 
—249. croii, crow.— 250. •wrtke, rerenfe. 




POEM ON THE TIMES OF EDWARD II. 335 

Knihtes sholde weren weden in here manere, 
After that the ordre asketh also wel as a frerc ; 
Nu ben thcih so degysed and diverseliche i-diht, 
Unncthe may men knowe a gleman from a kniht, 

wel neih; 
So is mieknesse driven adoun, and pride is risen on heih. 

Thus is the ordre of kniht turned up-so-doun, 

Also wel can a kniht chide as any skolde of a toun. 260 

Hii sholde ben also hende as any levedi in londe, 

And for to speke alle vilanie nel nu no kniht wonde 

for shame ; 
And thus knihtshipe [is] acloied and waxen al fot lame. 

Knihtshipc is acloied and deolfulliche i-diht; 
Kunnc a boy nu breke a spere, he shal be mad a kniht. 
And thus l>en knihtes gadered of unkinde blod, 
And envcnimeth that ordre that shold be so god 

and hende ; 
Ac o iihrcwc in a court many man may shende. 270 

A ND nu nis no squier of pris in this middel erd, 

But if that he here a babel and a long herd, 
And swcrc Godes soule, and ruwe to God and bole ; 
But sholde he for even Ads uth lese kirtel or kote, 

Giomait. — 2SJ. v^m, prwiti. — ti&. i tff mit •raftd. i-JUki, 
clotfcc4.— tlC »■•*/**, tcmely.— tSt. ■frhuwi, ■Mkuw.— SSI. 
Ifv^i, Udy— tttt. »W. will iot vwa*, «*?.— 1£4. »tki$i % 4+mU. ^t imm 9 
of looL-St^. 4—VmU*k* i-JiAf, UmmUhkj amy**.— tie. o, ooo. otatft, ids 
f7l. mUdti erl, worM, mUdl* OMtk.— tit. I«v v mtrj. feooi, ImTs twUt (?V— 
Til. tMN, vow. oo##, wr+mkm*— fli. wlA, 




386 POLITICAL 80NGS. 

I leve, 
He sholde stonde stare naked twye o day or eve. 

Godes soule is al day sworn, the knif stant a-strout, 

And thouh the botes be torn, 3 it wole he maken hit stout; 

The hod hangeth on his brest, as he wolde spewe therinne, 

Ac shortliche al his contrefaiture is colour of sinne, 280 

and bost, 
To -wraththe God and paien the fend hit serveth allermost. 

A newe taille of squierie is nu in even toun ; 
The raye is turned overthuert that sholde stonde adoun ; 
Hii ben degised as turmentours that comen from clerkes plei ; 
Hii ben i-laft wid pride, and cast nurture awey 

in diche ; 
Gentille men that sholde ben, ne beth hii none i-liche. 

A ND justises, shirreves, meires, baillifs, if I shal rede aricht, 

Hii kunnen of the faire day make the derke niht ; 290 

Hii gon out of the heie wey, ne leven hii for no sklaundre, 
And maken the mot-halle at horn in here chaumbre, 

wid wouh ; 
For be the hond i-whited, it shal go god i-nouh. 

If the king in his werre sent after mihti men, 
To helpe him in his nedc, of sum toun .ix. or .x., 

Glomaet.— 27$. / iere, I beliere. — 276. tuye, twice. — 277. m-eirvut, itickiaf 
oat (?).— 282. mtienmoet, most of all.— 283. metre teille, new cat— 284. rnjrt, doth, 
varment. e*ertkwert t croeiwiie. — 286. ken <-Ie/l w4d 9 have separated from, oraava 
aeat away. — 289. ekirreree, aherUTi. — 290. kumntu, know bow, they can. — 292. «•#• 
kmii, ball of nieeting, the joitioe-ball. — 293. «ro«A, wronf — 294. i-wkited, whitened. 



POEM ON THE TIMES OP EDWARD II. S3 7 

• 

The stiffeste sholcn bileve at hom for .x. shillinges or jrii., 
And sendc forth a wrecche that may noht helpe himselre 

at nedc. 
Thus is the king deceyved, and pore men thent for mede. 300 

And if the king in hit lond maketh a taxacioun, 
And even man is i-set to a certein raunexoun, 
Hit shal be so for-pinched, to-toilled, and to-twiht, 
That lialvendel shal gon in the fendes fliht 

off helle ; 
Tlier both so man ye parteners may no tunge telle. 

A man of .xl. poundes-worth god is leid to .xii. pans rounde ; 
And also much paicth another that povcrtc hath brouht togroundc, 
And hath an hep of girles sittende aboute the flet. 
(ifnlcs curs inoten hii hare! hut that be wet set 310 

and sworn, 
Tliat the pore is thus i -piled, and the riche forbom. 

Ac if the king hit wiste, I trowe he wolde be wroth, 
Ilou the |x>rc !>eth i- piled, and hu the silver goth; 
Hit in m> deskatered ln>the hider and thidere, 
Tliat halvcndel shal ben stole ar )iit come togidere, 

and acounted ; 
An if a ]x»rc matt speke a word, he shal be foule afrounted. 



Glo»»a»t — ? f /7. Mrr* % remaia.— 300. ***«/, rmm*4. «##>, imH, W ftt i f .— 
303. /*r>ptucM, piochtd to pttcv*. UJmiUd, Ub o wt d tmj. !• hnkt, twin** away. 
—304. Ulrrmdtl, om Ulf.— JOJ. #•**, *•©«•. *«** prot.— JOf. Jk4. *»•?.— Jit. 
%p*l*4, robbrd — 115. *V«*«7#fW. Mattered abo«t.~3 It. f/rwmll¥.tmHi<(l 
4 f t9mt*r\. 

(AMD. *«»« . 11. *2 X 




338 POLITICAL 80N08. 

Ac were the king wel avised, and wolde worche bi skile, 
Litel nede sholde he have swiche pore to pile ; 
Thurfte him noht sekc tresor so fer, he mihte finde ner, 
At justices, at shirreves, cheiturs, and chaunceler, 

and at les ; 
Swiche mihte finde him i-nouh, and late pore men have p< 

For who so is in swich ofice, come he nevere so pore, 
He fareth in a while as thouh he hadde silver ore ; 
Theih bien londes and ledes, ne may hem non astonde. 
What sholde pore men [ben] i-piled, when swiche men b 

so fele ? | 

Theih pleien wid the kinges silver, and breden wod for we 

Ac shreyedeliche for sothe hii don the kinges hcste ; 
Whan everi man hath his part, the king hath the leste. 
Even man is aboutc to fillc his owen purs ; 
And the king hath the lestc part, and he hath al the curs, 

wid wronge. 
God sende treuthc into this lond, for tricherie dureth to I 

A ND baillifs and bedeles under the shin-eve, 

Everich fondeth hu he may pore men most greve. 
The pore men heth over al somouned on assise ; 
And the riche sholcn sitte at hom, and ther wole silver ri: 

to shon. 
Godes curs motcn hii have, but that be wel don ! 

Gloksart. — 31 J), ilite, rca#on, right. — 3?0. tirirAe, such. — 321. /* 
nerd he. %er, near.— 3l\\ ckeiiurM, etcheatora. — 324. pet, peace. — 337 ki*m, 
poatea»ioot. astomde, mithncand. —Wj.fe/e, many.— MO. tr*f, wood. — 331. 
mand.— -33*2. Ie$te, lca»t. — .I'M. fun&tth, trie*, endeavours. — 341. tJkom, to 
to be #een. .14-*. w/en. ma v. 



POEM ON THE TIMES OP EDWARD II. 33$* 

And countours in benche that stondeth at the barre, 

Theih wolcn bigile the in thin hond, hut if thu be the warre. 

He wole take .xl. pans for to do doun his hod, 

And spoke for the a word or to, and don the litel god, 

I trouwe. 
And have he turned the bak, he makketh the a mouwe. 

Attourncis in cuntrc* theih getcn silver for noht ; 

Tlicih maken men biginne that they neverc hadden thouht ; 350 

And whan theih comen to the ring, hoppe if hii kunne. 

Al that theih muwen so gete, al thinkcth hem i-wonne 

wid skilc. 
Nc tristc no man to hem, so false theih both in the bile. 

A Nl) sumtimc were chapmen that treweliche bouhten and solde; 

And nu is tliilke assise broke, and nas noht )ore holde. 
Chaffare was voned to be meintened wid treuthc, 
And nu is al turned to treccherie, and that is muchel rcutlic 

to wite, 
That alio manere godnesse is thus adoun i*smite. 300 

Unnethe is nu eny man that can eny craft. 

That he nis a party los in the haft ; 

For falsn esse- is so fer forth over al the londc i-sprungc, 



muvrm, may. *-ic+*mt, won.— &S3. «Hlr. rMMi. 154. Mmtt, tnMt. krtk. m.— 1 11 . 
ekmpmrm, ■Mrrk*nu. t m rthe At , trmly.— 1S4. mm mm)t mr* M4 t, km wmi kmm btM 
• loaf ti«* — 1ST. CA^/fcr*. tr«Ac.~3M. m mm ti rwrfAi, grat prty.— J*l. emm, 
— \b2. r*rif Im m the km/I, 



340 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

That wel neih nis no treuthe in hond, ne in tunge," 

ne in herte ; 
And tharfore nis no wonder thouh al the world it sroerte. 

Ther was a gamen in Engelond that durede 3er and other ; 
Erliche upon the Monenday uch man bishrewed other ; 
So longe lastede that gamen among lered and lewed, 369 

That nolde theih nevere stinten, or al the world were bishrewed, 

i-wis; 
And therfore al that helpe sholde, fareth the more amis. 

So that for that shrewedom that regneth in the lond, 
I drede me that God us hath for-laft out of his hond, 
Thurw wederes that he hath i-sent cold and unkinde ; 
And 3 it ne havetli no man of him the more minde 

ariht; 
Unnethe is anv roan aferd of Godes muchcle miht. 

God hath ben wroth wid the world, and that is wel i-sene ; 

For al that whilom was murine, is turned to treie and tene. 380 

He sente us plentl i-nouh, suffire whiles we wolde, 

Off alle manerc sustenaunce grouwende upon molde 

so thicke ; 
And everc a)eines his godncsse we weren i-liche wicke. 

(«lo«6a*y. — 367. gamen, game. $er and other, a year and an other, t. e. two 
yean. — 369. iertd and lewed, learned and unlearned, clergy and laity. — .'1*0. wide 
theih, they would not stmten, desist, or, before, hishrtwed, accursed.— 373. *Ar< 
dam, curaedneaa. — 374. for-laft, dUmiated. — 376. Thurw, through, wederem, 
then. — 38U. treie end tene, vexation and sorrow.— 38*2. jromwende, growing. mtlaV, 
earth.— 3H-I. i-liche tricke, equally wicked. 




POEM ON THE TIMES OP EDWARD II. 341 

Men sholde noht aumtime finde a boy for to bere a lettre, • 
That woldc cten eny mete, but it were the betre. 
For beof nc for bakoun, ne for twich ator of house, 
Unnethe wolde eny don a char, so were theih daungerouse 

for wlaunke ; 
And siththen bicom ful reubch, that thanne weren so ranke. 390 

For tho God seih that the world was so over gart, 
He sente a derthe on eorthe, and made hit ful smart. 
A busshel of whete was at foure shillinges or more, 
And 50 men mi lite han i-had a quarter noht >ore 

i-gon; 
So can God make wane, ther rathere was won. 

And thanne gan blciken here ble, that arst lowen so loude, 

And to waxen al hand-tame that rathere weren so proude. 

A mannc* herte mihte blede for to here the crie 

Off |>orc men that gradden, " Alias ! for hunggcr I die 400 

up rihtc !** 
This auhtc make men aferd of Godes mucliele miht. 

And after that ilke wante com eft wele i-nouh, 
And plente of alle godc grouwende on uch a bouh. 
Tlio god jer was a>ein i-come, and god cbep of com, 
Tito wore we also muchele shrewes as we were bcfoni, 



GLO**Aftr.— 3*tf. 4mm m tmmt, 4m m l«i, m Cask — A*5. 
mtktmm, tkmef. nmitcm, pittimL— <3fl. /At, wWi. t mmrl, *«tr BfWMi.— J9I4&* 
mmki fr* i-mmm, mm% loaf ago.— 497. #•» mt mkm A#rt Mr, tWir 

|mW. •r*/ Mm, wmnmmnj laaf%#a*~^9S. Tmimmt9 9 tarHc?, MfNt* 
mid Uattnttagly.— 4UI. </9, afaia. IS1-4. fit .. . /at. vWa . . . %kmm. 




342 POLITICAL 8ONG8. 

or more ; 
Also s withe we fonetcn his wreche and his lore. 

Tho com ther another sorwe that spradde over al the lond ; 

A thusent winter ther bifore com nevere non so strong. 410 

To binde aile the menc men in mourning and in care, 

The orf deiede al bidene, and maden the lond al bare, 

so faste, 
Com nevere wrecche into Engelond that made men more agaste. 

And tho that qualm was astinft] of beste that bar horn, 
Tho sente God on corthc another derthe of corn, 
That spradde over al Engelond bothe north and south, 
And made seli pore men afingred in here mouth 

ful sore; 
And )it unnethe any man drcdcth God the more. 420 

And wid that lastc derthe com ther another shame, 
That ouhte be god skilc maken us alle tame. 
The fend kidde his maistri, and arcrede a strif, 
That even lording was bisi to sauve his owen lyf, 

and his god. 
God do bote theron, for his blcssede blod ! 

Gret nedc hit were to biddc that the pes were brouht, 
For the lordinges of the lond, that swich wo han i-wrouht, 

Glossart.— 40H. trrtcke, punishment, tort, teaching.— 409. saw*, sorrow.— 
41S. erf deiede ml eidene. cattle died all forthwith.— 414. ttreteke, punishsacwt. — 
415. futlm, mortality, sw/im/, stopped.— 41R. aWi\ simple, ejlnered, hungry.— 422. emd 
tkile, good reason.— 12.1. fend, fiend, deviL kidde, allowed. mrerede, raised.— 424. 
east, busy.— 4S6. do hoie, make a remedy. — 4??. kidde, pray. 



POEM ON THE TIMES OP EDWARD II. 543 

That nolde spare for kin that o kosin that other ; 

So the fend hem prokedc uch man to raourdren other 450 

wid wille, 
That al Engelond i-wis was in point to spille. 

Pride prikede hem so faste, that nolde theih nerere have pes 
Ar theih hadden in this lond maked swich a res, 
That the beste blod of the lond shamliche was brouht to grounde, 
If hit betrc mihte a ben, alias ! the harde stounde 

hitid, 
Tliat of so gcntille blod i-born swich wrcche was i-kid. 

Alias ! that everc sholde hit bifalle that in so litel a throwc, 
Swichc men sholde swich deth thole, and ben i-leid so lowc. 440 
Off corles ant of barouns baldest hii were ; 
And nu hit is of hem Income riht as theih nevere ne were 

i-born. 
God lokc to the soules, that hii nc be noht lorn ! 

Ac whiles thise grete lordinges thus ban i hurled to hepe, 
Thisc prelate of holi churche to longe theih lian i-slepe; 
Al to late theih wakeden, and that was muchel reutlie; 
Theih wcren ablent wid covevtise, and mihte noht se the treutbe 

for mist. 449 

Theih dradden more here lond to lcsc 9 than lore of Jhesu Crist. 



Glo»»a»t. — 4K). pr* k *d§, «ff*4.— 4W. aptli*. !• br nu»#4. if i ll. 431. Ar, 
tort, nrtck m tt§, mm* a r»f*.— 43*. «rf*r£#, 4tttrmttkmm ■ *-4*4 
— i ttf o, bear. 9-lmd, laid.— 444. hrm, l aa t . IH . #*4aWprf #• atpa, tWiwa a» a 
H^ _^4* 04rmi $ bttiaa*. »0. 4 i rtw , daiad t *. *•#. 




344 POLITICAL SONGS. 

For hadde the clergie harde holden to-gidere, 
And nQht flecched aboute nother hider ne thidere, 
But loked where the treuthe was, and there have bileved, 
Thanne were the barnage hoi, that nu is al to-dreved 

so wide ; 
Ac certes Engelond is shent thurw falsnesse and thurw pride* 

Pride hath in his paunter kauht the heie and the lowe, 

So that unnethe can eny man God Almihti knowe. 

Pride priketh aboute, wid nithe and wid onde ; 

Pes and love and charite hien hem out of londe 460 

so faste, 
That God wole for-don the world we muwe be sore agaste. 

Alle wite we wel it is oure gilt, the wo that we beth inne ; 

But no man knowcth that hit is for his owen sinne. 

Uch man put on other the wreche of the wouh ; 

But wolde uch man ranczake himself, thanne were al wel i-nouh 

i-wrouht. 
But nu can uch man demcn other, and himselve nouht. 

And thise assisours, that comen to shire and to hundred, 
Damneth men for silver, and that nis no wonder. 4*0 

For whan the riche justise wol do wrong for mede, 
Thanne thinketh hem theih muwen the bet, for theih han more 
nede 



GLOtftARY. — 4.'»1. to-gidere, together.— I5'.\ /leeched, wavered.— 453. MlfswaT, 
mained.-4.S4. bemmge, baronage, hoi, whole, entire, to-drered, separated, drives to 
pieces.— 456. thmt, mined. thurw, through.— 457. pmmter, pantry. ktie, 
459. prikHh, ridetb. nithe, atrife. ondr, enry. — 460. hkn, hie, haste.— 468. 
destroy, aware, may. ayte, afraid.— 46J. wite, know, tew, woe.— 46*5. Uch, 
wrethe, blame, womh, wrong.— H6H. demtn, judge.— 471. mede, bribe.— 4"*. tW, 




POBM ON THB MION Of B0WABD II* S45 

to wtnne. 
Ac so it ml this world ablent, that no man donteth ainne* 

But bi aeint June of Galice, that many man hath aooht ! 
The ptlory and the cuclring-stol beth i-mad for noht, 



Ou>MAaT.— 474. 4§ ut9 tk, fcmtfc* 



camp. aoc 6. f T 




NOTES. 



1, Urn 10, 

tad hit pomt, ttt tkt dgH—atk toImm q| tfct IflUlhl IHltitfai it 
Pp.C7)-ttf. Hit mm It *f fr^«cst mwmi te tfct 
cfctrtart oftkt raifM at M» t*4 H mry III. 

/. to. fantf Arrfifcii. Alft—tt VIII. Ktof W 

Aliaaor, datftar at Htty ll.af Ftgitti, tad ai bar rift* U 
coay. to oaaoaltitt to Kkf Jala, tad hwtdti It. U ItOf, m Wd 
BoardcaauK. fiat Daa^ Baaaaat. CaUaeL. daa Hlaftariaaa da 
p. «45. 

J».3.J.S, ItfclttM 

/. It, pmr pmm. it 

ft— t* At wnprmmis Wl I tttafc tka tntililiii tdaafd h 

P. 4. 1. 4\ U «aj Jtlraarrf. Blafrttd I.wat aiAaaJ|afcaa«fca»M 



SIM* 





348 NOTES. 

more correctly. In this manuscript the lines ire arranged thus fie 

stanza: — 

Complange tuum, Anglia, melos suspendens organi ; 
Et mazime tu, Cantia, de mora tui Stephani. 
Thomam habes sed alteram, secundum habes iterum 
Stepbanum, qui trans hominem induens fortitudinem signafacit in pplff, 
Dolos doles metropolis quos subdoli parturiunt, 
Orbata tuis incolis, dolose qaos ejiciunt, 
Largos emittis gemitus, patre private penitns. 
Sed cum habebis Stepbanum, assumes tibi tympanum, chelym 
tub modulo. 



The following are the various readings offered by this MS.— P. 6, 1. 1, 
—P. 7, /. 4, doles.— \5, vel legem.— 17, qui* Nat kan David*— \9 9 
— 2\,jam liber etur. — P. 8 f /. 2, exurge.— 4, ancilla. — 5, jam euperdmctia t 
— 7, Porta prevalent inferi, with Tartari written over the last word.— 0, aem 
iudo.— 16, Seriptie omitted.— 19, Patet interprttatio | et ardmU et fa/aifa, | 
Nam regni f Kc. — P. 9, /. 2, et eacerdoe, with et erased and mm written over it. 
—3, eoneurrit ad.— 7, 9*det.—\2, tot.— 15, et deicit.—ZO, detent ei 
fundere.—22, jactant.—P. 10, /. 8, la kac— 11, cUtmet.— 16, etasj. — 17, 
—30, eedet ad.— 22, Ewrangelium.—23 t after this line should com too sal- 
lowing, Ad nummoi vert it ocnlum.—P. 11, /. 1, tore tmcam. 2 9 Mawtmm 
marca.—3, librvm libra. — 8, Amptectuntwr, — 13, aunt appaeiti | SfaTJSfi. 
SO, ob hoc.— P. 12, /. 1, I* canes noetri.— 10, ElientU.—U, eWs».— 18, MB 

et emeu 14, Elioe.— 16, Et Babihni*.—l% Wietauu—P. 13, /. 1, 

— 4, Effot % mi tram, et annlum. — 8, et is omitted. — 9, Hint eat, at Mme m 
| Et pauper.— 13, non ca*tatur.—\4, dee. Cantia. 

/. 16, tui Stepkani.— Stephen Langton, whom the Pope had 

to the archbishopric of Canterbury, in opposition to the election of the 
and tbe King. He was archbishop from 1907 to 1229. 

P. 7, /. 17, natum should be Nathan ; see tbe above various readings far can* 
as well as for some other necessary corrections, which would have rendered the 
translation less difficult. 

P. 8, 1. 3, Agar .. flimm.— The marginal note in Flaehu say*, J< 
Graye Episcopum Nordovioeneem intelUgit. It is not said whether 
notes are given from the M8. which Fladus meed, or ere et* his own 






NOTRS. 549 



P. 1, /. 14.— The tame mde-Dotat tall at the tertitaftm difitwm bmui the 
Pope— Papam intelligit. 

P. 9, 1. 18, Son tit fui.— The allusion, aooordinf to the aide-aote, it to 
Pandalph the legate. This explanation U t however, rather doabtfal. 

P. 10, /. 1, pfwtuii Brntkeni*.— Jocelinc do WeUee, fiiehop of Belli mad 
Weill from 1905 to 1949. He fled oat of England with the Bkaope of Loodoa, 
El j, end Worcester, who had published the interdict. 

/. 10, Sorwictmsit eeerie — John Grayo, Bishop of Norwich, who wae 

designed by the King to the tee of Canterbury. The three Bishops who took 
pert with the King, whom Matthew Parte omlla " tree epieoopi cmhalee," were 
thoee of Norwich, Wiacheeter, aad Dor ham. 

15, Cafe fatndem ttrtius.—l do not quite aadanUail the allaaioa. It 

occurs afaia at the ead of the Apocmlypti* 



De cwlo crcidi ut Cato Urtiae , 
Nee tummi reaio secret! nuachss, 
8ed saews mirhi auod iaaerftpsit 
Hoc vobis dicere poeeam adeliae. 



f. 19, Hla/eataMM ermifer.— Peter de Rapiba*, Bishop of 

from 1904 to ISM. He wae a earne of Poitiers la France, aad had heea a haifht 
before hie ooaeecretioa. He, with the Biehopa of Darham aad Norwich, eap- 
ported the party of the Kiag efaiaet the Pope. la 1914 be waa amae chief- 
justice of Eaglead, aad he was protector of the realm dariag the mianrwy of 
Heary HI. See Cewsrta, e> Prweaiiou*. 

/'. 1 1 , I. 1 , /acre Lmrrnm .... JUerre marram • • • • JuV« fcerwm.— These 
pane are frequeatly np ea t ed ta the eatirical poetry of the thirteoath eaataty. 
They wtll be found farther oa ia the pre teat eel ami, pp. If aad 31, at wall at 
in some of the poeme of Walter Mapee. GirsJda* Ctmbriasii aeee a similar 
paa in relating hie joara ey to Rome, where be eaye be difcred la ewe partica* 
lax from otbere who weat there, for be e fir ed aeree, aoa JaVae. £JsVe ai the 
•oaf ahoald probably be traaiUnd a awa***, at at p. 31, aot fee eaamt. 

P. I*. I. I, /emmee .... decwawe.— For Joaaaea, the Kiag's MR. bat 
which it perbape right, at aaaae aad oaatf ia the roRewiag haw eeeai la be 
ti aaed paat apoa the 




350 NOTES. 

P. 18, 1. 10, Heliensu.— Eustace, BUhopof Ely, from 1197 to 1214. At! 
been observed, he wis one of the three who published the pope's interdict. 

/. 19, WoUtani tubambuU. — Maugerius, Bishop of Worcester, 

1900 to 1 SIS. He was also one of those who published the interdict, and her* 
ing like the others fled to the Continent, he died in exile at Pontmiac, la 1918. 
It is hardly necessary to observe that St. Wolstan had held the tee of Worcester 
in the. eleventh century. 

P. 13, /. G, De Roffenti epiecopo. — Gilbert de Glanville, Bishop of Ro ch ester, 
from 1185 to 1 SI 4. Between him and his monks there was perpetual 
tion, and he diminished much the goods of his church. See Godwin. 

/. 10, pauper Sarisburi*. — Robert, Bishop of Salisbury, who 

have lived in obscurity. Godwin says he could find no other information ro- 
uting to him, except the date of his being bishop. 

— /. 15, 1 Romam, — Flacius Illyricus gives here the following 
" Golias ad librum, vel Gualterus Mapes." 

P. 14, /. 6 — 10. — This information is conveyed in two side-notes in 
Illyricus, who has printed this Song imperfectly ; but whether these 
composed by the editor, or found in the manuscript, we are not told. There are 
no circumstances in the Song itself which would lead us to fix it to this 
rather than to any other in the first half of the thirteenth century. The 
notes are at the beginning, — " Leo, Joannes Rex ; aselli, episcopi sunt ;"- 
at the end, M Jupiter Rex Joannes est : Pluto, Romanus pontifex." On 
ence, however, to Bale, I find that he speaks of Mapes as calling King J< 
sometimes a lion and sometimes Jupiter, and as designating the Pope by the 
name of Pluto, and the bishops as asses, which seems to prove that be hod 
these side-notes, perhaps in the manuscript from which Flacius't transcript 
made. It is not indeed improbable that the latter obtained it from Bale 1 
who was perhaps the author of the side-notes. 

/. 11, Soxo ox tbb Times. — Flacius has printed this Song in his PMsj 

Doc/orwm, He. Poemmta, p. 406, with the omission of the three first staaxae, whack 
he had previously given as a separate song at p. 159- The text now printed m i 
up from a comparison of the manuscript with the printed text. l\e variational 
as followi :—L. 1, utor, Flados.— 3, eVmretf 4WN, Ft— 9, Fmcim ia apart, 
MS.— 10, Tefwtpcrttm aw., PL— P. 15, /. S, eeaymir rwatsjs* w, PL— 4, 





NOTBS. S51 

tmput mundi, Fl. — 5. Trmkii enim .... et see., PL — 7, ssnfulm, FL — 9, /tonus 
tew/ r., Fl. — 11, In hoc earns,, Fl. — 17, petunt pss md m pet is, FL— 16, semsmms, 
smdem tu metis, Fl.— P. 16, /. 4, Munus mi. poUet simp., Fl.— 6, ref. jrtoccf, 

totum »/.— 7, Et c. Urn pt Rommnis, Fl.— 10, mhjicUt, Fl.— IS, trmm- 

stunt, ut kursm det e. t Fl.— 13, Rmmrnm smmriHmmiiei msmm p., FL— 16, At 
est, MS— P. 17, I. 1, no* sit. Fl.— 8, Rmpmdet, kmc /peic mm set mJeM 
tamti, MS.— 4, pmppmrt, Fl.— 5. eomca GeJticum, FL— 6, Peter, swam, diet ft 
met, Fl — 7-10, These four lines are not fonnd in the M8.— 11, Ac Utis, dm 
rnliis, mddms, Fl.— P. 18, I. 1, Burs*, Fl.— 4, Ut cum JUi s me u us , mmfis imp., 
Fl. -G, kmiet Pl. t Fl.— In Fl. the two kit tetrastich* are transposed. 

P. 16, I. 6, cruxpUcH.— The f see of the coin was Marked with across. 

P. SO. /. 1 , prtmm rettce.— The taswrrectioe of the Barons. 

/. 9, miterm btWftrms A Ven c omm .—The aip s diUo a of Prince Lewie to 

help the Barons, who were hard pressed by John's foreign auxiliaries. 

/. 3, Scof/erem terthm.—i. 4. FUmU eumrtm C cl rw scs.— Both the 8eots 



and WcUh joined sctirely in the war, or rather took that Qccasioa of inraeHnf 
the kingdom. 

/. 6, turns— The MS. has turmmm hi the text, end " ed tnrrcs " in the 

margin. 

P. «, /. 13.— The writer evidently intended a nam, or father a dooble mean- 
is jr. in the word pmr e m iis at the end of the Me*. 

P. *\ I. 5, riti, i. e. Gnalo the legate. The poesa wea evidently written by a 
ttrtmg partisan of the Pope. 

/. in, fmree.— The MS. has trmtms. 

/. IS, he.— Lewis and Us party were et L ones a, which they ewJttcd in 

the November alter King John's death, hi order to march towarde the North. 
On the 6th December they took Hertford Castle, end that of Bwkhamsstcis' 
<«i the ?oth. and proceeded to St. Alhan*s. A tmee wee then sfreed to, which 
rootiaiaed till alter Easter. 

P. 74, /. 2. Afcn/iewc AsrWJs.— When hostilities r e o smm i n ced , the 

of the king's party laid straw to Mow** Sorrel, In Lmrsmihirs, bwt 

obliged to retreat by the approach of a pert of the army of Lewis earner the 

rommsad of the Cemte de Perche. 

/ T.r^/r^wrJmewj;— RaaeJimefesUsm 




352 NOTB8. 

the most powerful Barons on the king's party, who now commanded the 
which had besieged Mount Sorrel, and which soon afterwards defeated the ' 
de Perche at Lincoln. 

P. 24, //. 8, 9, 10, in the margin, opposite these three lines respectively, thai 
original scribe has written, " S. Notingham. Trente. Nicole." The 
matron* was Nichols, widow of Gerard de Camrille, who defended 
Castle against the French. 

/. 11. — It may be well to point oat the remarkable sllitewtioa in this 

line and the following. 

/. 14, sigma. — The MS. has tmgnm, a form not oncommoa hi sworn 

words. 

/. 15, ora. — The MS. has korm. 

P. 85, /. 2, SaMa/um.— Saturday, May 20, 1217. The next day was Trinity 
Sunday. 

P. 28, /. 11, Saomat. — Sabina was a very common term for a modest wosasa 
in low Latin, just as Thais was for a strumpet. See on the latter word a note 
in the Early Mytterie* and other Latin Poems, p. 131. 

L 12, Arab**. — Arabia, the land of gems and spices, was believed to 

contain inexhaustible stores of riches. 

P. 33, f. 4, Refert ad foc*ri*m.--Fbcmria was the name givea to the wives 
or concubines of the priests and clergy, who bad been recently proscribed. It 
occurs again in the Apocmiyptia Goffer— 

Seductam nuncii fraude prasambuli, 
Capit/eeeriam, at per cubiculi 
Fortunam habeat fortunam loculi, 
Et per Tehiculum omen Tehiculi. 

I have rendered the word, according to its derivation, by fir* tidt wmmam, tar 
it is explained in an old gloss as merttrix foeo a$sidtns. See Dmeanpt as a. 
Fuller (Church Hist. p. 27, folio edit.) makes very needless difficulties oa the 
meaning of this word, apparently for the sake of introducing some equally sued 
Ices jokes. The following article in the decrtta of Pope Alexander, printed ia 
the History of Henry of Huntingdon (Scriptores post Bedam, lot. 1601), 
p. 589, which one would think must have passed under his eyes, left little 
for doubt;— 




NOTM. 



853 



M N§ titrid Wk M6fW4PfWfHM9 CaaaJataff 

44 Oarid in Murk ordiaftas eoaatttati, qal 
iacoatiaaatiB aota taaaariat, aat abjkkat a» at 
ftdo at ofldo fiaat imnlMtnHcin aliaai." 

In tat ttatatas af&apaaa, Arcabfcaop of 
D. ti. fol. 167, i*, wa §mi alta a ca aptor— 

"Dt facariit 

44 8aotfao*ibat vara pnaaipaa at tPtritaaUtar ia 
paricalo btatJcii JlatHett pf cipjii 
coacabiaat mi a aamJbaj nit procal aignnaaf, at 
ak ot orfro aabaaat, aao ia proprtk iiaitbai aat la 
ocavnem a* omco* oowia boo agaaao ^iwi« aw* 

AM tftla, Jaat after, w lava taa Mawiag tfcfc i— 

44 D» jnjm #f Mfltfertaat 

44 Coacaaiaa) aa t a t a frta ai ft aqat at t r aMaaaatar afc 
dpat a taccraotibat ia aaaraai parorak BMraatar, «al at 



at ait 




•• 




^anw n am aara oy unaia 
pvkat aa taa Baaaafa af ^Raka* aa atyt* M Man 

aaaaMtt aaidma at 
at la ^ava yaaaFiaai at la 
tafu M. a. its.) Fraaitak 
gfeta to tatai aaaaai 
ia tfatk ao aiai, aaa* alanrf laafr /w a l ow/ 
awatlaaai ia GlraMaa, it aaaaan that tWy 
taaafa taa atrktar party caaafaVtaa 1 tTav aavrkaatoae 
P. 3* I. f , Oawfca,— The MS. aat Maa4aa. 

amaW* Jamaar.— Per all taat It keeva af Uaa peat, aw 

Jftifefre /i#f*a*» eV PVaaar , aa. avttl. p. Ml. 

P. 4i t I/. 7—lQ. Jb f aaf aaat f ay l ifti. ftc " 

cfearty tat at* faar afcae of aaetW a»H^ 
•P. vfcka wffl aa pvlatai aaavaj *» Paaa* af Wela* Mapee— 
CAMD. tOC. 6. It 






354 NOTES. 

Captivate Urgitai longe relegatar, 
Exulansque probitas misere fugatur, 
Dam virtuti Veritas prave novercatur, 
Inperat cupiditas atque principatur. 

P. 49, t 8, Waridelardus.— Perhaps a Vandal. 

li. 15—18. With the little information given in the song, it it 

to ascertain who were the four brothers the writer intended to ■ utilise. TVs 

punning way of deriving and explaining proper names was by 

mon during the middle ages. In a splendid Bible in three volumes folio, 

in England early in the twelfth century, and now prese rv ed , in the 

St. Genevieve at Paris, the scribe gives the following very curious 

his family. Its being previously inedited will be a sufficient excuse for 

it here. 

" Hanc Bibliothecam scripsit Mainerus scriptor Cantuariensia. 8od bo at 
ignorantibus parentelam snam putaretur nothus, sive spuriut, placuit ol 
proprium suum et nomen propinquorum parentum suorum scribere ot 
logizare. Ipse itaque scriptor inter iuos recto nomine Mainerus 
quod nomen ei desienter datum est ; Mainerus enim interpretatus 
in sua manu gnatus, quia peritus fait et gnarus m arte 
ejus Wimundui nominabatur, quod nomen interpretatum Latino 
mrnndus ,- potent enim de eo did cotidie quod mundus esset, quod 
mundo munde vixit, ad Creatorem suum sine immunditia migrarit. Ni 
mstris suae dicebatur Anglice Livena, quod Latine sonat iofifaf / Mt 
mulier hylaria, facie decora, morlbus ornata et pudica, et semper in 
bona iua pro Dei amore datrix hilaris ; sana et incolnmis per .1 
plus feliciter vixit. Avus suus nominabatur Ulgerus, i. ulnas geront| 
enim vir magnus et fortis, qui magnas habebat ulnas. N< 
dicebatur Anglice El vera, quod interpretatur Dai tidma, quae et hi 
viduitate diu vixit. Quatuor habuit fratres et unam sororem, qi 
vocabatur Radulphua, i. ratus et adustus, L firmus in adolescentia ; forth 
valde juvenis fuit. Secundus dicebatur Robertus, quia a re 
spoliator enim diu fuit et prsedo. Tertius nuueunabatur Giroldua, 
enim fuit omnibus diebus vitas suss. Quartus nominabatur 
nomen interpretatum sonat Dai gratia; et iste gratiam Dd graftal Del 






NOTES. 355 

adeptot est; fait enim jnvenis sttate, senes moribas, virgo castitate, vita 
beetas. Soror ipsius diccbatur Dionisia, id est Deo nitcns; nitebatar cnim 
semper bonis operibos ad Deum venire. Aninue omnium btonun et animat om- 
nium fideiium defonctornm per misericordiam Dei reqaJeacant in pace ! Ames 1 " 

P. 51. Sono crow tub Tailom. — It U scarcely necessary to say that the 
three lines which form the theme of this song, are the c ommence me n t of Ovid's 
Metamorphose*. Uewellin, Prince of Wales, invaded the Marches in 1963. 

P. 53, L 3, em pu c iu m. — The name capnee was given sometimes to a separate 
piece of apparel with which the head was covered, and at others to the apper 
part of the tank of the monks which covered the head. la the present in- 
stance it most be taken in the former sense. A rail accoant of the different 
senses of the word will be feaad in Dncange. 

/. 6, mlmmcHnm. — The aamnce was a separate article of clothing which 

covered both head aad shoalders. One of the articles ef the canons for the 
bchationr of the monks, given by Pope Clement V., was, " at almatiis de paaao 
nigro, vel pellibas, capetiomm loco, eterentar." 

/. 14. 7>ett .— The Preach aad Angto-Normaa form of the Latin 7V*re. 

atca*. It is the origin of the name of several old English families. 

P. 57, I. 4. Ctrmit*.— The MS. has srerai/r. 

P. 5M, I. 2, />•//•.— This personage is a famous character ia the fsbaleas his- 
tory of Arthar, and ia there said to have beea King of Paris aadcr the Romsas. 
Whra hard pressed by Arthar, who had c oaaa srt d "ell Fraaee aad all 
Gcrmaey," he took refuge ia Paris, aad was besieged there. The people ia 
the city beginning to feel the effects of fsmiae, petaaasVd Prollo to engage 
Arthar in stogie combat. The battle was said to have takea niece ia the 
•• isle" (iasaU Pariaieaam), the part of the Preach capital iadeded bctweea the 
two branches of the Seine, ia which, at the preseat day, stand Notre* Dame aad 
the Palait de Jaetice, with iu bcaatifel Saiatc-ChspcDe The story el Arthar 
aad Prollo is told at Iragth ia Geoffrey of Moa m onth. 

//. in, ll ( Arthur—.— Iking Arthar, the here ef ea assay 



Brotnaias (>) CVnsf on/mat .— Coastaatieo the Groat, whose mother Heieaanas 
amid to have beea a British lady. Arenaus* t the i SB f e w S t of 
cording to the British history, was a Brilaa. 





356 NOTES. 

P. SB, U. 13, 14, Karoham— Charlemagne; Ricmrdwm Richard 
Lion : both of whom were the heroea of romance! and popular 
same two heroea of French and English fable are mentioned in a 
pasaage of the Polychronica of Ralph Higden : " Qaemadmodnm Gftnei 
Alexandrum, Romani annm Octavium, Angli suum Ricardum, Franet 
Karolum, sic Britonea annm Arthurum praeconiantur." P. 335, in Gain's 
tores. 

P. 59. Thb Song of the Bauons. — The transcript of this onrloun 
ment was commnnicated to me by Sir Frederick Madden. The original is 
ten in a contemporary hand on a roll twenty-two inches long, by 
and was evidently intended to be carried about by the minstrel who wan to 
it. On the reverse had been written a curious interlocutory poena in 
of a later period, entitled, " Interlndinm de Clerieo et Paella." It wnt. in 
1838, in the possession of the Rev. Dr. Richard Yerburgh, Vicar of 
in Lincolnshire. 

Such rolls appear to have been in common use. A very curio* 
of the fifteenth century, containing chiefly religious songs with the 
among the rest, a copy of the well-known song on the battle of 
printed by Percy, has been recently deposited in the Library of Trinity 
Cambridge. I am informed that another, of the thirteenth 
lately found among the archives of Sir John Iianmer, Bart., 
Anglo-Norman romance previously unknown, on the adventures of 
son of Melians of Cornwall. Among the Sloane MSS. in the British 
(No. 809), ie an early copy of the curious poem of Walter on 
designed for the instruction of children in the French language, 
similar manner on a roll of parchment, evidently for the purpose of 
easily used in a schooL 

/. 1, de JTartittM /y eon ewex* . . en A'er/o/ir.— John, Earl of Wi 

a staunch supporter of the royal party, in whose cause we shall 
find him fighting at Lewes. 

/. 7, Sire Jam Gifmrd .— Sir John Gilford, of BrinisMd, in 

•hire, a firm adherent of the Barons. When Sir Roger de Pllnosd 
Glouce»ter to Prince Edward, Ginard fortified his castle of 






NOTES. 357 

greatly annoyed the royalist garrison of Um former placel For an account of 
hi* exploits at this time, see Robert of Gloucester's Chronicle, pp. 5.18, 539. 
He was on the Barons' party at the battle of Lewes, and was taken prisoner 
there ; bat afterwards, when Simon de Montfort was in the height of his 
power, Giffard deserted him. See Robert of Gloucester, p. 550. 

P. GO, I. 1, Sir* Jon DmywiU.Sir John Deyvile, or D'AyrOe (Robert of 
Gloucester calls him in one place De Eitfle) does not appear very prominent 
in these troubles till after the death of Simon de Montfort at Evesham. He 
then headed those of the Barons who eetahHshed themmrtm at Chesterford in 
the Peak, and afterwards was the chief of those who held the Isle of Ely against 
the King. Knighton calls him " homo osiliduset bellntor fbrtis." Sec Knighton 
(in Twysden), coL 9454 ; Chron. Thomsi Wikes (Gale), pp. 81, •* 1 Robert of 
Gloucester, p. 564. 

/. 7, D* Clifvri ly bom Jtefer.— Roger de Cttford nrst took part with 

the Barons, but early in the war deserted them, and delivered Glou ce ster castle, 
which he held for them, to Prince Edward. He was with the King at North- 
ampton. 

I. 13, Sir* Roftr d* Ltpbrnm* . . . ess porim ft* Sir* Mdtrmrd i* /ef. — 

Sir Roger de Leybnrn was at irst a partisan of the Barons, and had been taken 
prisoner at Rochester Castle, and 1 ummirted to the cnetody ef John Hareschall. 
It wm on this occasion, probably, that he mm viested with list nenakms aUnded 
to in the song. He wm afterward* eedneed by the royal party, end made 
Warden of the Cmoae Ports. He wm with the King at the Inking of North* 
ampton, at the defence of Roch es t e r, where he mm wemsawi, and at Lewes. 

P 61. /. 16. Lf #*#•*> d* Htrffort — Peter de Egwrblaache, Bishopof Here. 
ford, a suanrh adherent to the King, and, by hm ipprairiiai. tiondingly 
obnotMMM to the Commons. In ISO, the Bareai semed 
and coanscatod his treeswree. He wm n native ef Savoy. 

P. 62, I. I, lp pmtor* d* Aorwm. I hwen de Wanton. Biikep ef > 
from l<:? to lit*, chaplain to King Henry III., and ens of his 

I. ?. S*r* Jen de I sue nW.— Aneeresng In the Inn aim de 

estate* of de Laagley were plnndored sawn after the erreet of the Bisk op of 
Hereford :— " mem febentre da nmnerwsO. de Uemmsot ems bee**,'' Vat. 1. 
p. S±4. Perhaps tkm wm the sssm 




358 NOTES. 

P. 62, /. 13, Sire Maiki de Beetle.— We should perhaps reed JAW/ Eobart 
of Gloucester and Stow call him A/ccy. He was a French knight, wfco had 
been made Sheriff of Gloucester, after the King had sworn to the articles of 
Oxford. The Barons ejected him, and pat another sheriff in Mi 
Macy came with a body of armed men and the authority of the Kins;, 
himself by force, and droTe away his rivaL Sir Roger de Clifford mad 8hr Ji 
Giffard came against him, besieged and took Gloucester Castle, 
him along with the " Freinss bissop " of Hereford, whom they 
afterwards. Robert of Gloucester mentions the confiscation ef his property*— 

" And Sir Jon Giffard nom to him is qnic djte echon, 
And al that he fond of is, and nameliehe at Ssertoo." 

The song here printed was evidently written just after this event, and 
to the lubsequent desertion of Clifford and others mentioned in it. 
/. 18, trtget. — It has been suggested that this word 




Latin tremeellum, a little truce. 

/. 19, mi' Sire Jem de Gray. — John de Gray held on the 

and was rewarded for his loyalty by the grant of various high 

cumstance alluded to in the song is thus told in the Annates de Dmautexde (Ed. 

Hearne, vol. i. p. 357) ; it occurred in the disturbances in London hi 1! 

" Quo perpetrsto facinore, cives Londoniarum contra ipsum et alioa de 

regis in civitate commorantei, insurreierunt ; in tantnm quod FmfHtie ei , 

de Grey extra Ludgate invaserunt, et equos ejus triginta duo et alia 

ibidem invents abduzerunt : ipso Johanne cum difncnltate 

de Flete fugam arripiente. Idem fecernnt de domibes et bonis 

lewe." 

/. SI, que must, quod movit. 

P. 63, /. 4, Sire Jllliem le Lit timer. Sir William le I itisscr wee a 
adherent of the King, and held at different times several offices of tenet* He 
suffered considerable losses in the Barons* wars. He aftq w ar ds sppeen to 
have accompanied Prince Edward to the Holy Land, and was et the 
Carlaverock in 1300. He died in 1305, at a very advanced age. 
calls him miUt etremmieeimme, 

P. GJ. Sose or the Peace with England.— It has been 
mc tUnt the word cut in this song is only a form of c©/ (coUum); end I esn 




359 

that among the titles of tome fable* ia the tame manuscript there U one of the. 
•tork ,4 au long r*/." In this song, however, I am inclined to think such an 
interpretation oot admissible. It is a rode burlesque not only upon the 
event to which it relates, but upon the English in general, and contains 
much coarse humour such as is not uncommonly used at the present day. 
The grammatical construction is, evidently by design, a complete confusion of 
tenses, numbers, and genders. It appears to me that not a little of the effect 
it vti intended to produce, depended upon the coarse play upon words involved 
in the use of the expression above mentioned. When the reciter introduced King 
Henry to his auditors, and they expected he wee going to sigh from his heart, 
instead of completing the sentence ii nuptrt dt cmrnr (p. 65), i. e. ills snspirat 
de corde, he introduces another word beginning with the tame letter, and says 
ii nuptrt A* cut (ille snspirat de culo). That TWeAerf in the preceding line 
was intended for a pun upon Riekmrd, we may co nj ect u re from the rhymes in 
the English song on the same person's name, p. 69. Again, at p. G6, it would 
naturally be eipected that he would place his lance against his enemy's ewwr / the 
blow was to be so strong, that if his opponent did not give way, he would himself 
suffer in that part which was in communication with the saddle, and where, of 
course, the resistance was concentrated. These jokes must have been extremely 
diverting to the class of people for whom this song was d es igne d - 

The Song of the FW* with England had been previowaly printed by Mow*. 
Achille Jabinal, well known for his nusaerows puhskntiomi of early Preach lite- 
ralure, ia a very curious volume entitled " Jongienrs et Trowveeee,'' *vo. Paris, 
I HI j. M. Jabinal also gave a translation into modern French of this song, ae 
well as of the piece I am now going to mention, in the " Journal de Nnetitut His- 
torique." Jan. l*«, which has been reproduced m the Histeire de Saint Lewis, 
by the Marquis de Villeueuve. Trans, »vo. Paris. 1K*$, vol. lai. p. CM. In the 
smanascript from which this song is printed. It is twosjpaaiia 1 by a piece in 
prose on the same event, and of a similar character, suckled L* Caerfre sW as 
Pm* ew Am f las, which I venture to reprint here from M. Jnhinal's book, ae 
the latter is now out of print, and very scarce. It will be observed that the 
seme style of gross joking which ia found in the song, rune throu gh the charter j 
a double meaning was evidently m ton led, far exnsnase, in the words fsj'if fk/H 




360 NOTES. 

.». grot pet entre, etc., which might be taken ai signifying fat thm 
French, either gratia pax, or grotntt peditut. 

La Chartre de la Pait out Angloit. 

" Ce sache til qui sont et qui ne sont mi, et qui ne doirent ml estre, qn'il in 
fet .i. gros pes entre ce rai Hari d'Ingleter, et ce riche homme Lojs 4 Fans, 
sarra forretier de ce grant forrest a Normandi. Et quant ce rat Hari d'l 
Toudra Tanchier par son terre, ce riche homme Leys a Parris Tondra 
ce rai Hari meismes .ii. poronstores a mester sox son houses, per 
miiiet; et qnant ce rai Hari Toudra tier de mort a Tie, cestui riche hososM Logo 
a Parris, derra donier a d' Adouart sa fils cesti chos meism, sons rise 
francement di-je, c'arant c'arier. C'est donqnes a safer X 
il Toudra rauchier par son terre a meter sox son houses, por 
aussinc comme a sa piere. Et por ce que je veele que ce chos font 
estable, je Teelc pendes ma saiele a ce cul par derrier, aToecqaee Is snmle k ml 
barons d'Ingleter. L'an de l'incarnacion nostras dnors Jesoucriet mimoo sjai 
souffri mort a la crucefimie por nous, m. cc. be. i. ij. et ftj., a ce jodi 
derriere ce Tendredi, a orre que Marri Masalaine chata ce hontsssaunt m 
•ier les .t. plais Jesoncriet nostre sinors mimes, qui sounYe mort a m 
por nous, et Marri MauTaise-alaine portes ce honnissement k m 8afcmt 
poucre ; et Marri MauTaise-alaine rcex Tangiel, et 1' angiel pooa : M llarri I 
Marri! qoei quaere* rons quei?" Et Marri pooa: " Je qoeres Jaoswm cjoi 
font a la crncefimie/' Et l'angel pona a Marri: "Marri I Marri! alelel, 
aleid : il ne font pas ci, il font ale* cestui matin a Gakrrit ." 

1\ 64, L 6, choiton ; from choir (cadere). 

P. 65, /. 6, gondrt Giait grondier, contra Anglos grunnire. 

/. 9, o r<w/.— Perhaps it should be alart, and is deriTed from the) Lofts 

alaeriter. 

/. 1 1, la eomtt d CJocet/re.— Gilbert de Clare, who succeeded Us father 

in the Earldoms of Hereford and Gloucester in 1262, and wa 

of the Barons, until he deserted Simon de Montfort before the battle of Ei 

/. 15, la con/ fincet/r*.— Roger de Qnincy, Earl of Winchester. Wky 

his name is introdnced so prominently, does not seem clear. Ho died fta\ tmi 
year following (1264), and the title became extinct. 

/'. 67, f. 3, Rogier Bigot.— Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. 




NOTES. SOI 

P. 67, /. 18, Smini AmmO, means, probably, 8C Bdmind. 

P. 69. SOKO AGAINST TBI KlKO OF AXMAIOKB. — Thlf SOOg WU tat 

printed in Percy' • Reliqaes of Ancient English Poetry. 

/. 9, Xjm e/ <41rme{gn#.— It is hardly aornstsry to sty that this wet 

Richard Earl of Cornwall, the King's brother. 

/. 3, Tkritti th**md piwmi.—TU Barons had onWed him this sun, if 

he would by his intermediation persuade the King to agree to a peaee with 
and at the same time accept the terms they demanded. 

I. 10, fF«/tJie/or*\— The hooow of Walliagford had been eonssrred 

Richard in 1843. 

/. IS.— Windsor was the stronghold of the royal party, and had 

garrisoned by foreigners. 

/. 15, main*.— '* AAer tU baltkwas k^Rkherd\ lUagef the Roavans, 

took refnge in a windmill, which he barricadood, and majnrsintd lor tome time 
against the Barons, bnt in the evening was obliged to snrrender. See a Tory 
foil acconnt of this in the Carotids of Meilroe." J*ert». 

P. 70, 1. 8.— The Earl of Wareane escaped from the battle, ami iad into 



/. SO, Sir* //«# d* B*fi.— Hagh Bigod escaped with the EaH of 

Wareane to Perensey, and from thence to France. He was comma to the llngh 
Bigod who took part with the Barons, and was sinia at Lrwce. 

P. 71, /. 6, V*re\— This word (la low Letia JiaraW) nan, properly, a 
dapple-grey horse ; bnt it is often need, like esroral other similar words, as a 
common name for a horse in general. I hare snterpreted it as 
hack ; bnt probably the passage implies a sneer at Edward, who had 
than once with his army to Dover, in the hope of taking the castle from the 
Barons, and the word may mean simply his horse. 

/>. 78. I. 13.— The battle of Lewes was fonfht aa Tbarsday, (?) May 14, 
1864. 

P. 73, I, 36, m rJewerre.— A great part of those of the King's party who 
quitted the acid, took shelter hi the abbey of Lewes, where they acre snu gs ! 
by the Barons. 

P 74, I. 47, eaW AeWlsmnfsnlsm.— KirtlimsiiB had bora taken by the 
King on the third of April s feeding. 

CAMD. SOC. 6. S A 




362 NOTES* 

P. 74, /. 55, monaeterium, quod Helium vocmtur. — I have sot found any 
notice elsewhere of the contributions forced from the abbka of Battle nod 
Robertsbridge. 

P. 75, I. 1, monacki Cyttercii de Ponte-Robertl.—Th*tr* was an abbey af 
Cistertian monks at Robertsbridge, in Sussex. 

//. 73—77. — With these lines may be compared a passage in Kxdghtoa's 

Chronicle (ap. Twysden), col. 9445 : — " Et sicut Simon Machabsraa awicnt 
pro fratre suo Juda, ut pro populo Dei et lege patema oertaret ad BMctesa \ 
sic et Simon de Monteforti pro Anglia erexit ae 9 ut pro legibua at libattatflna 
ejus usque ad mortis perniciem dimicaret." 

P. 76, /. 94, tntumuit.—ln the MS. the scribe has written hUmmU in the 
margin, either as a Yarious reading, or as an improvement of his own. 

P. 78, /. 128, bellici.— The MS. has vHKci. 

P. 79, /. 145, yaudii.—The MS. has yladii in the text, with foasW written 
in the margin. 

P. 81, /. 193, S.divin* gratia pratul Cyceetrenti*. — Stephea de 
stead, Bishop of Chichester. He was excommunicated for bia staooch 
rence to the party of Simon de Montfort. 

P. 88, /. 325, avoetMe/.— The MS. has novieeet. 

— /. 33U, for proponent, reaif proponeret. 

P. 89, /. 252, mvenire. — The MS. has iuveniere. 

P. 94, /. 437, Teetie tit Gloternia.— Alluding to the delivery of Gbmceetcr to 
Prince Edward, and his treatment of the town. 

P. 108, 1. 609, refit e/.— The MS. has regluet. 

P. 104, /. 635, Uniut rex, etc. — This line appears to be very co n opt , as an 
one or two others in the poem. 

P. 114, /. 833, Xee liber la* proprie debet nomintri, | qmec ptrwdiUi m 
ttultot dommmrl — The reader will hardly fail to call to miad tbe ail 
sentiment expressed in the line of Milton — 



•« 



Licence they mean, when they cry liberty.** 



P. 115, 1. 858,/rvJ.— The MS. has prat, the meaning of which fa by ao 
means clear. 

P. 116, /. 875, Verlttt, lux, cari/ef, eulor, urit rfto.— Perhape th* 




NOTES. 



363 



■hook! be omitted after arWfat and emritst, end the whole be translated, " Trath 
is light, charity U warmth, seal barns.'' 

P. 117, Refit esse aoeerit worn — rate/team. — It woald be by do means eaia- 
teresting to collect the expressions of the popmlar doctrine oonocrninf the 
kingly character held by our forefathers at different periods. Perhaps it may 
not be considered altogether foreign to the sabjeot to point ont here a few of 
them. 

I.— In a MS. of the tenth eentnry (MS. Cotton. Nero, A. i. v foL 71, f .) wo 
have, among some other things of a similar hind, the following sketch of the 
opinion of the Anglo-Saxons on this sabject, said to bo from the pen of 
Alfric:— 



Cristennm cynlage ge-byrttf on 
cristenre Node, Het he ryeal swabit 
riht U folces frottr, *j rihtwis hyrde 
of rr cristene beorde, i hym ge-by- 
re9 Het he esllam mwgroc cristendom 
rare, i Godes cyrcan srghwar georne 
fyrtJrie i friftrie, -) eal cristen fok 
sibbie "j sehu mid rihtre lege, swa he 
geornost surge, l ►nrh sic Hag riht- 
wisacase lane, for Gode 1 for wo* 
rolde. For V*m p«rh Hrt he sceal 
sylf fjrmest ge-hon, l his Hodscype 
eac sva, H he riht lenge, for Gode 
-) for worolde. -) himge>byrcftHrt be 
gtomlkc fjlste ha H riht villas, i 
a bctclkvst jrt Km K ►ryrea wyOan. 



He 

Kearie, mid woroldlicre steore ; 1 he 
sceal ryperas i rea/rres l worold-etra* 
deras hatiaa i hyaea ; 1 



It behores a Christian King in a 
Christka people, that he be alt as it 
is right the peop l e's protector, and a 
Jnat she ph erd ©ter the Christian flock, 
aad it behores him that he with all 
his might raise Christendom, aad 
ad ran ee and p r o t e ct God's charch 
r m j ■ h e n dOigeatly, and pacify and 
reconcile with Jnat law all Caristisa 

B^^wa^m^^^nra ms aa^» m^na^m^a w^mjej aww^n^aa^r eaejoe w a ^mse^mi 

lore jostko ia every thing, before God 
aad before the world. Becense by that 
he shall proat hemssif la the imt plaer, 
and also his people, whom let him 
lore rightly, before God and before the 
world. And it bshotith him that he 
dOigeatly help those who wish for 

and ever most h a t i f a iry per. 

those who wish for wrong. 
He shall paaieh men areerety for eril 
oaoos, wtta eeraier 
be shall hate and 

of the 




364 



NOTES. 



Godes feondum atyrnlice wifestandan ; 
*) ssgber he sceal beoa mid rihte ge 
milde ge retfe, milde >am godum, "j 
styrne >sm yfelum. Dsrt bi5 cyninges 
riht, "J cynelic ge-wnna, ") )*et sceal 
on Node swyfcost ge-rremian. La ! 
►oxh hwsst sceal Godes beownm *) 
Godes Kearfnm fri'5 *j fultum cuinan, 
butan frurh Crist *j Kurh cristenne 
cyning ? Durh eyninges wisdom fblc 
wyrtS ge-saetig, ge-sundful, "J sigefssst, 
-j >y sceal wis cyning Cristendom i 
cynedom miclian i nuersian, "] 4 he 
sceal has^endom bindrian "J hyrwan. 



He sceal boc-larum hlystan swy^e 
geome v i Godes beboda geornlice 
healdan, 1 gr-lome wio" witan wis- 
dom smeagan, gyf he gode wile 
rihtlice hyran. "J gif hwa to fcam 
strset sy ahwar od l*ode, Net riht nelle 
Itfil^'* swa swa he scolde, ac Godes 
lage wyrde, oWe folc lage myrre, 
honne cy^e hit man rum cyage, gif 
man Net nyde scyle, 1 he h>nne sons 
nede ymbe ps bote l ge-wylde bine 
geome, to Kern K his kerf sy horn 
un^unce*, gif he elks ne marge, i 
do swa him J»«arf is t darnsige his 
)eode, for Gode •) for worolde, gif 
he Godes miltse ge-eernisn wylle. 





world | and sternly resist all God's 
enemies ; and he shall be villi justks 
both mild and severe, mild to the feed 
and stern to the bed. This hi tiki 
king's right, and the 
king, and this shall be 
in the people. Lo! through what 
shall peace and help eosne to God's 
servants and to God's poor, 
through Christ and through n 
tianking? Through the king's 
the people shall be happy v 
and victorious, and on that 
shall a wise king enlarge nod 
Christianity and royalty, nod 
shall hinder and pen 
dom. He shall listen very dffiepotiy 
to scholars, and diligently bold GoTs 
commandments, and frcqwsutly aesrch 
wiadom from hia witaua, if be wot 
rightly hear what is good. And h? any 
one openly be any where in lbs 
people, that will not held jnoties as ha 
should, hot infringes God'a law, or 
obstructs the law of the peotde,tbcn 
let people declare it to the Una;, fcf thry 
would extinguish that 
there let them soon take 
amends, and subdue him ditigendy, 
until that he be reduced at last by •arc*, 
if he may not otherwise. And Ist hum 
do aa it ia needful ssr hiau, sum if) bk 
people, before God sod 
world, if he will earn God's 




NOTES. 



565 



And again, a little farther on (foL 79, 
ALXc rial cyncstol stent on Mm 
tUpelam, >c fallice exiht stsmt. An 
ii Ormtortt, -) otJer it Z**or«ierot, 
1 Hidde U Btllmimm. Ormtmrm syn- 
don gcbedmen, \* Gode scylan >oo~ 
wian, "j djeges i nihtee for eslne 
Hodecype Hngigan georne. Z«eo- 
retort* syndon weorc-men, ►* tilian 
ecylan Hu K ml Kodscype big soeel 
libben. BtiUtort$ syndon wig -MS, 
►e eerd ecylon werian, v/igUce mid 
wwpnam. On ^yunm Him stapnlnm 
eceel sic cyncstol sisnden mid rihte 
on Crutcnre Hode. ") eweeie b oo m 
sntf , tone tc stot tcytfV $ *) ml borttc 
beora woig. tonne brytt M stol ny. 
Kr. 1 H»t wyfS Mn Node ml to en- 
knrfe. 

Ac tUKelife man ") straagige and 
trymoje by georne, mid wialkrt 
Godee lege i mid rihUtcre wo- 
rold Ugr, hrt wyrfl rani tieodecype to 
lanjr»aman nrde. 1 ao9 ia Hrt ic eeege, 
awacic ac Criatendom, eone orytfb' 
ac eynedom ; -) an 
shwax on landc o5oon nnaids U 
abwar to twyH. H»t cym6 )o*re Node 
cal to aa-raarfe. Ac do man awn bit 
►enrf to, alecge man en-riht, "j nara na> 
Godea ribt. Hrt mng to 
God* l for woroldt. 



Every jnat throne stand* on throe 
props, that stands perfectly right. 
One is Ore/erst, and the other is Le> 
fernforot, and the third is MUUrm. 
The Orslsrat are the man of prayar, 
who shall serre Ood, and by day and 
night intercede for the whole nation. 
The lalsrafsrsi are the workmen, who 
shall labow in order that all the nation 
shall live thereby. The /feUe/eret are 
the aaen of war (i. e. knights), who 
shall defend the land, valiantly with 
weapons. On these three props shell 
every throne stand with jnstiee 
Christian people. And if any of 

weakened, soon the throne 
; and If anyone of them mil 
entirely, then the throne foBs down, 
and that will be the entire rain of the 
Be* let 



gentry, with the wise law of Ood and 

jnat law of the world, that vHD be to 

the nation for a listing rianiil And 

it is trne what I any, if Christendom be 

royalty wavers \ and if 

flesonsse everywhere in 

theland,arlot a et tr) n hti aw ifk iiasm 

mo SBoch, that bring* the people en* 

tiraly la ram. Be* let people do as it is 

aoadfel. 1st naanie f 

and ream np Gael's 

nrtng It as preenenty eevoeo Goo 

nesnee tne 




366 



NOTES. 



II." In the carious poem of the prorata of Alfred, composed pa 
twelfth century, and which is here quoted from a MS. of the eariiei 
thirteenth century (MS. Trin. Coll. Cambridge, B. 14, 39) is th 
account of the duties of King and People. 



f \nx» quad Alfred, 
Englene frovere : 
May no riche king 
ben onder Crist selves, 
bote Wf he be booc-lerid, 
*] he writes wel kenne, 
•j bote he cunne letteris, 
lokin himselven 
wu he sule his lond 
laweliche holden. 

«J )ms quad Helfred : 
)* herl 1 >e he|>eling 
\>o ben under >e King, 
t* lond to leden 
mid lauelich i-dedin, 
bo^e J»c clerc *] J»e cnit 
demen eTenliche rict. 
For after fret mon souit, 
als inpich sal he mourn, 
■j everiches mouses dom 
to his oge dure cherried. 

% His quad Alfred : 
Je cnith biovit 
keriiche to cnouen 
for to weriin H lond 
of here i of here-gong, 
)>at J>c riche habbe gryt, 
1 H cherril be in frit, 



Thus saith Alfred, 
the protector of the En] 
There may no just kins; 
be under Christ himaell 
unless he be book-learn 
and he know well writia 
and unless he know lata 
to look himself 
how he shall his land 
hold with good laws. 

Thus saith Alfred: 
The Earl and the AtheU 
they are under the King 
the land to lead 
by example of lawful del 
both the clerk and the k 
to judge impartially rigfc 
For according as a man 
so shall he mow, 
and every man's judgme 
falls at his own door. 

Thus saith Alfred : 
It behores the knight 
carefully to know 
how to defend the land 
from army and from inn 
that the rich may have p 
and the churl be in Crane 




NOTES. 



367 



hie eedi* to eonin, 
hit medif to mo wen, 
hit ploaii to dririn, 
to ore aire W-lif. 
Hs it ^e cnkha lege, 



hit fOOdf tO 

kit m oado w t to 
to drire kit ploogke, 
for thi mtcauee of aaalL 
Tkia It the knigbta' law, 
tot that it gone welL 
tnry, at tbo period of the Bam*' 



there a king, 

tlM power of the 
kirn foreign. 



loke )mt hit wel (are. 

III. In the middle of the thirteenth 
wart, we hare the paeaafe to which thie fc 

IV. In the reifn of Edward III. the writer of Pirn Plonghmaa ghrea at the 
follow j of description of the relative dmtiee of the different ordert of eeeiety. 

Thanne kam ther a kyag , 
knyjtkod kym ladde, 
mi|t of the oominnnot 
made kym to regno. 
And thanne cam kynde wit, 
and clerkce ke made, 
for to connteillen the kyag , 
and tke commone tare. 
The kyng and knyjthod, 
and clergie botke, 
caaten that tke ceaatat 
tkolde kemaelf fyade. 
Tke eommnne coetrrred 
of kynde wit ereftee, 
and for profit of al the p ee k 
plowmen ordeyaed, 
to tilie and to trevnille. 
at trrwe lif aaketk. 
Tke kyng and tke eommnne, 
and kynde wit tke tkrftdde, 
akopea Uwe and lonnt#, 
e<k man to knowe kie ewene. 
V. We may compere all tkoee wkk the 



and he mode derkt, 
in order to conned the king, 
and to be a aafogeard ftethe 
Tke kinf and knightkood, [i 
and clergy along with 
that the 





868 NOTES. 

of Richard the Second, p. S3, to which, as it is one of the Publication* of the 
Camden Society, I need do no more than refer. 

P. ISO, /. 947.— This line cannot be construed as it stands, and is evidently 
corrupt. 

P. 1S1 . William de Rishanger was a monk of St Alban's, and is snid to have 
been the King's historiographer (historiographns regins) after Matthew Peril's 
death. He died in 13 IS. He tells ns that this song was written before, and not 
after, the battle of Lewes ; and that it was the defection of some of the Barons 
mentioned in the song at p. 59, which gave rise to it It is, therefore, probably 
placed wrongly titer the battle of Lewes. 

P. 1SS, /. 19, O Comes Glovemim.— This was Gilbert de Clare, who waa ex- 
tremely active in the cause of the Barons, and distinguished himself at the battle 
of Lewes. 
P. 1S3, /. 3.— The second line of this tetrastich seems to be lost. 

/. 10, Come* Se Bggot .—This was Roger Bigod, Ear 1 of Norfolk, whom 

the Barons made Governor of Orford in Suffolk, after the battle of Lewes. 
P. 124, /. 3, nests. — A mere error of the press for tests. 
P. 1S5. Tea Lament or Simon de MoirrronT.— This song wee printed 
privately, with some other Anglo-Norman poems from the same hf&, by nsr 
Francis Fslgreve, in 1818, in a collection which is new iitiomiilj rare. It 
was also inserted in the second edition of Ritson's Ancient Songs (1829), where 
it is accompanied with a translation in English verse by George Etta. 

/. 8, 7W a ckevml. — The Barons were surprised at Evesham besore they 

were joined by their foot soldiers, and when therefore they were nnprepared far 
this decisive conflict. 

P. 126, /. 4, Sire Hue Is fer, lg Deepeneer 9 f rt enss is Jneiiee. — Hugh De* 
spencer, appointed justiciary of England by the Barons. He fell at Eveshasm. 

/. 6, Sire Henri .... filt le evens de Z*yctrfrt~— The eldest eon of 

Simon de Montfort ; he fell in the battle. 

/. 7, ner lecuenede Gtemceetre. — After the battle of Lewes, the Earl of 

Gloucester, becoming jealous of Simon de MontforVe popularity! deeerted to 
the King, and fought against his former sssocistes at Evesham. 
/. 14, ems kegre, — I suppose this refers to Guy de Montfort, 





NOTES. 369 

second ton, who wm taken prisoner at Evesham, but siterward* eeemped sod 
fled to the Continent. 

P. 1*6, /. 15, let fmu rieour.— As this word, rit*Um$, rtaout, rttewe*, occurs 
frequently in our Songs, both in Latin, Anglo-Norman, and English, it may bt 
worth while to lay something about it. 

It is one of those carious words of which the origin ami primary eiguii- 
cation are very doubtful. It was certainly applied to a particular class of people, 
and a class which seems to hare been dependant on the household of the 
great. Giraldus Cambrensis, when telling his various troubles and persecu- 
tion* (Wharton, Anglia Sacra, vol. iii. p. 575), speaks thus of the witnesses 
brought against him by his enemies : — " Ajxhidiscosras (i. e. Giraldus himself) 
autcm statim, productis testibus litis coram auditoribus ad jurandum, proposuit 
in siagulorum personas se dicturum ; in cunouicos Mcnrveasea fanquam par* 
joros et excommunicate*, in mouechos tanquam lialaumw et 
desenores, in rtse&fo* tanquam vilississos et, sicot carter! cuacti, 
coaductos." And again, on the next page, " Et testium mehirudiacm do gar- 
ciooibus et rUmldts partis adverts, qui omasa jurare parari rueraot et taeti- 

ncare trutannus ille rilissimus id totuaa sadebat ; qui at rtlalses suae 

runctos sd hoc probandum simul cum Ipso mlftrbat , VieVos Igstur 

arrhidiacooat rise/doe i/lot ad autum eWssnerum suorusa quidlibet probata 

paretos Sctens itsque si avueWss rtlosm'cw pi oca aunt nialsaco 

mmitttmdo. etc." They seem to have been the lew est dam of retainers, ptrhaps 

men without any certain appoint ment , who had no other made at* liiiag them 

following the courts of the Barons, and who were e m plo y ed on all khan* of 

disgraceful and wicked actions. One aethority quoted by 

" parasite* atque rtseAlse." A story quoted from a MS. et 

(Catalog**, torn i. p. 779), ahows us that a 

nieJd- now s jr«/i«re* seeois to have been only another 

(joculatof), or one who attended the tables at* the rich to 

jokes, buffoonery. ai»d atouatebeoa tricks. An 

Ducaage (v. Goliardu*) says, "item 

Je/ere*. eW**r**i, sea •*»/• 

msumr vera qei aVuatur eV/e 

ripiaatar." Matthew Pans, sub an. lift, soys, •• 

CAMP. !*<><'. (i. .1 





If 



370 NOTES. 

■ 

Yd illi quos solemus golierdeiuet appellare, versus ridiculos eon; 
In this last passage we find them classed with the famuli, or household re- 
tainers. This class appears, at least in France, to hare enjoyed certain popular 
rights or privileges. In a very curious charter of the year 1380, printed In 
Ducange, we find one Antony de Sagiac " se gerens pro ribmide* et se dieens 
de ordine seu de statu goliardorum, sen buffonum," <*i«»miny; a fine of five 
pence upon incontinent women, and accused of trying to extract money from 
a woman, whom he accused wrongfully, on this account, "de talique et aJst 
rili questu, quern sub umbra ribaldfo, golutrdim, seu aw/enlsi ejusmodi ...... 

vivebat." In the household of the King of France there was a res* 
whose office was to judge disputes, &c. which might occur among the 
of his class, and who had also a jurisdiction over the public stews. As the 
lives of this class of men were set at a small value by their masters, they were 
commonly exposed to the first brunt of battle in the wars, and the name is 
sometimes given to the body which is now called the /©Horn Aojm in the 
attack of a town. The ribaldi who accompanied the army were also emp loy ad 
in plundering and destroying the country. As thry were people of vim Un 
and condition, the term ribmld came gradually into use as a common appella- 
tion for a low sod infamous person, and was used, as in the present instance), 
as an epithet of contempt and degradation. 

P. 1?8, /. \,pep*lere. — The MS. has pepulcre. 

P. 130, /. 8, Plebs derictm /remit.- Alluding to the rising at Chesterfield, 
the occupation of the Isles of Axholme and Ely, and other insuirectJone. 

/. 11, Urb* Londonientis.— The Earl of Gloucester, dissatisfied with tint 

King's proceedings after the battle of Evesham, had taken up anna mad esta- 
blished himself at London, the citisens of which joined his party readily, an 
tlify wrn> themselves enraged against the King for having deprived them of their 
charter. 

P. 131, /. 2, Fr m m corwm regit germsnm* re* &cWsnmi.-— Prince Hwri 
left England in July, 1970, to join the King of France, Saint Louie, ha his 
expedition to the Holy Land. Louis was persuaded by his brother, Charlra, 
then King of Sicily, to turn aside, in order to make war on the Bey of Tunas, 
from whom he claimed a tribute. Louis died at Carthage of • d ise a se nt*> 
durrd by the climsle ; and when Prince Edward and his English army arrived, 




NOTE*. 371 

they found their all/ dead, and the King of Sicily, who had Bade advantageous 
term* with the Bey, ready to return home. Charles, who battened to take 
possession of the throne of Prance, refuted to proceed in the crusade, and Ed- 
ward, who wai obliged to go alone, went o%er to Sicily, and wintered at Tre- 
peni. Here, on the night of December 2J, the day after their arrival, occ u rred 
the terrible norm alluded to in the Poem. Early in the spring, Edward, with his 
small army, proceeded on their voyage, and landed at Acre. 

P. 132, /. 5, Acton rssptrur.— - Acre was besieged by Bondocar, 8«ltan of 
Babylon, who was preparing to take the place by assault, at the moment when 
Edward armed to raise the siege. 

/. y. A$*t9*tnus Vttwrit *?< Ifeuie.— On the Old Man of the Mountain, 



and the Assassins, or Assassins, much information will he found in a popular 
form, in the Marquis of Villeaeuve«Trens ( Hietoire ds St. Louis. 

/. 1U.— This seems to be a new testimony against the truth of the story 

which makes Edward's Queen tuck the poison from his wound* A song made 
on the occasion would hardly hate failed to mention such a circumstance, if It 
had been known. 

/. 17, r asm em eV If'jrfe.— This writer's name is not sound in Ti 

/*. Mi, I. 1.1, eomenctnt. — Probably an error of the scribe for 
P. I J<J. /. 4, rir*««at.~Tue MS. has rtrrswam. f'tru i given by Duomnge 
as synonymous with euro, and is supposed to be derived from rsr. 

P. 137,//. 13. 10, ***•*» .. nrerflsnmr.— In old — nusrripis it isewftteim* 
p ossi b l e to say whether the scribe meant * or «, unlets we know otherwise 
which it ought to be, and the n in words of the form of these just nutted snau 
perhaps be intended for u. But 1 am rather inclined to think such was ant the 



P. liit, /. J4, StsvjNTOf Aom.--Tne order of Seuspringham, commonly 
(iilbertine rsoon.. was founded by Sir Gilbert de Sempriughem, in the sVst 
half of the twelfth century. One et* Its pecuhantirs was the establishment et* 
monks and nuns in the same house, though their dilcrcnt habitations were < 
felly separated, sad all intercourse b e t w e e n them strictly forbidden. 

NigeUus Wircker speaks of this as a newly tstsbsisbsd eeeVr. and 
the near collocation of nuns sad monks iu a ss4fitsmmls#Uthatef eursuuaj 




372 NOTES. 

Canonid mints tantum, reliquumquc sorores 

Ezplent ; officii debits jura sui. 
Corpora, non toccs, moras disjungit, in anam 

Psallant dircctc psalmitis absque metro. 

And again, in describing his own order, be says, archly, — 

Quid de Semplingama ? quantum ? Tel qoalia sumam ? 

Nescio, nam no?a res me dubitare facit. 
Hoc tamen ad pnesens nulla ratione remittam, 

Namque necem nimii fratribus esse reor ; 
Quod nunquam nisi dam, nullaqne sciente soromm, 

Cum quocnnque suo fratre manere licet. 




P. 139, /. 61, De Beverley e. — The monks of Beverley were 

P. 140, /. 71, De Hoepitlers.— The order of Knights Hospitalers, 

daring the first crusades, was introduced into England about the year 1100. 

They were laymen, and, from an humble beginning, they became exceeenneiy 

rich and proud. In the Patent Rolls (45 Edw. III.) we find that the King 

" constituit Ricardum de Ererton Tisitatorem Hospitalis S. Joannis J< 

in Anglia ad reprimendam religiosomm insolentiam, ct ad obserraad 

somm honestatem." See Ellis's Dngdale, toL ri. p. 786. 

/. 79, De Ckcnoynet. — The regular canons were a less strict 

the other monks in general, and followed the rule of St. Augustine. Olas of 

the rules of their order was expressed simply thus — " Camem 

jejuniis ct abttinentia escse quantum Taletado permittit." They 

been particularly enjoined frequent abstinence from flesh. Hi 

time when this song was written, they seem not to have ob e ei ted their rele in 

this respect very strictly. Rutebeuf says of them (JubinaTs R aUb e nf , vet. L 

p. 239)— 

En l'ordre des canoines qu'on dist Saint-Aagustia, 
lis went a plente, sans noise et sans hastin. 
Je lo que leur soriegne aa soir et aa matin 
Que la chars bien noarie porte a 1'ame Tenia. 

P. 141, /. 95, oV Moyne Aetrt.— The Black Monks were the 
P. 142. /. 115, Det CMmmoffmte Stealer*.— TV* luxury of the 
is often alluded to by the early satirists. Nigellus Wireker asys af 





NOTES. 373 

Iliad pnecipae tauten iastitaere, tcnondnni 

Omnibus in toU posteritate sua. 
Lex Tctui at suasit, ne qailibet absque mi sit, 

EC quod qaisque tun potest habere do**. 
Hi sunt qui mondom com (lore cedents tenentea, 

Ne lie maroeacat, tarpe rifara student. 
Hi toot qai fedant qaidqaid petuleatia earaia 

Isaperat, at vitiit ait ria arona fait. 

Rutebeuf (ed. Jabinal, toL i. p. 239) says that there wera ssany of 



qai out grant sifooric, 



Qui poi foot por amis et asses por amie. 

P. 143, /. 133, Grit Jefe4>aef.— Perhape tba Cistercians, la a poem on the 
Grey Monks, JM Orims Mmmekit (MS. Cotton. Vetpec, A. six. foL 56, f), 
which will be found among tha works of Wallar Mapes, they am ridiculed for 
the mum airanfasnant of clothing,-- 

Carrot fosaoralibns partaa turpioree, 
Veneris nt asibns scat psratiorce, 
Castitatie legions ahtolntiorea ; 
la ennctis bosainibus nnUi snnt pejoree. 

TociMoi Mi onaaJU ara ttmilarty astih*^ by Nifellnt Wirrker for r^ wknwwt 
breeches. The friers da Soceo wore no b ree ch es under their 

P. 144, /. 154, rOrwW aV Olruer —Perhaps the Csrtbnaita 
of the Bcaedictiuce, whose seder, which was pscallarty strict, was iatrodncsd 
into England by Henry II. They were enjoined to bra In isanratt calls, and 
to keep rery strict silence, and bars little rnmmsaJtatiun with oawh other. 

/. 169, Lm fWre JUraoore.— The Friars Minors wera better known as 

Franciscans, and in France as tha Cordebers. Their order rajsiasd, abate all 
things, poverty and hostility. They ware not to ride when truevtlsnf , 
some manifest aicmnnfy nr marmiry obhged thesa. 80a Oogenic, ei. I SOS. 

/». 145, /. 1M.— The MS. has en owfrv, which aresns to be a ■ 
ne eaf re. 

P. 146, I. 194, 4m >Vec a wnrs.~Tbe praachinf (Hare warn tha 
called, in Franco, Jit ibhai. This order was a Hi aasj ind seen l i gh t I in l«tl. 
rUicbcnf says that mrt st d of inhi ra t g In their pri sas tit s heswinayand poverty, 




374 NOTE8. 

the Jacobins became the richest and most OYerbearing of all the orders. JeJUnal, 
toL i. pp. 152, 175—179. 

P. 143, /. 240, devyns teems to be a mere variation of dreyt, that spelt is 
order to accommodate the rhyme. 

P. 149. Song op the Husbandman. — This Song is in many parts ex- 
tremely difficult to translate, from the numerous words in it which do not 
elsewhere, as well as from the abruptness of the phraseology. The tame 
be said of one or two other songs printed from the same manuscript. 

P. 154, J. 14, halymotes.— This word means literally holy stcetfne*. It k 
translated tabbatk, in the supposition that there is some allusion to the 
notion of the festive meetings of the derils and the witches. 

P. 160. Song on the Scottish Wars. — The copy of this 
•erred among the manuscripts of Clare Hall was first pointed out by Mr. Hi 
in the Appendix to the last Report of the Record Commission. I have 
a copy of part of it by the kindness of Mr. Haltiwell, who was 
different circumstances to continue his transcript beyond the 72nd line, lie 
Oxford MS. I only know through Mr. HalliwelTs description of it : to jade* 
by the articles contained in this MS., I should be inclined to think they were 
mostly copied from the Cottonian MS. Titus A. xx. In the Cottonian 118. , 
Claudius D. vi. this poem bears the title " Commendatio Gentis Anglormni at 
processus guerre inter Anglos et Scotos." In the Clare Hall MS. the Song hi 
attributed to the " Prior de Blithe." The Prior of Blythe, in Korriiigheni 
shire, at this time, was William Burdon. See Ellis's Dugdale, iv. 681. lie 
MS. in the Sloane library seems to be a transcript from a mooattk r esistor , 
perhaps of Alnwick, in Northumberland, for the reference fat the analgia ia, 
" Regist Prem. fol. 59. a." It ia there attributed to the Prior of Alnwick. 
The original title teems to hare been " Rithmus bonus de hello Scotisi ad 
Dunbarre;" which the transcriber had first copied, and then, after 
it, substituted the following, " Prions Alawicensis de Bello Section 
Denbarr, tempore regie Edwardi I., dietaasen aire rithmus Latinos | quo de 
Willielmo Wallace, Scotico illo Robin Whood, plura, aed inridioac, confe." 
Ritaon, in his preface to Robin Hood, was misled by this latter title, end cJtae 
it as a proof that this hero was popular in the thirteenth oratory. In MS. 




NOTM. $15 



Cottoa. Titaa A. xx. a kaa4 of tka atassaajUi oaatary ajsrikas tkk 
Robert Baatoo. 

UwMalraaay hara bw obam a* ay Um w^r, tka*, hi tww cf tkfc kM, 
th« foartk Um e# aack tatraatkk is as tiiiiiilif (aaaastiaMa a aoasaasatar), 
Ukeo from mom pod tka* popaisr, aad oftam ftoi a okaala wrltar. la Um 
If 8. froai waick Um 8mam fa— mis* was saaJa, Um amfkiriHai Jar Um kan- 
natsn, in Um prsssal Baa* «n iadfeaaai fcs Um aasrffe. Tkay art aa 
follows t— tf. 4, JaVa*.— 6, Cora.— -ft, Caaa.— *19, MaMa.— fl6. OmOm. 
—19, Cafo.— 16, DAWrfaAli.— 90, Hailisaafcj, jj, Da J*a*r4*,— 94, JDacfri- 
nmi*.— 39, Gtrfal.— 66, tfrlaaai.— 40, Iktfiaaaaj. M t 

A>r««. — 59, Dt ar aa rM . — 56, VaJjaaf. 60 , /"a • 

BaJiaralaf.— 79, Ot«*Ja#.— 76. Qia i iaa. 60, Owa d a a. 64, GaJsv--66, Oat. 
**«j»_99, Ilwfiaaaai 96, Oats.— 100, Cat*.— 104, Oasaaai.— 100, Ckfe— 
119, Gals.— 116, CMa. (0—190, Ca*fe-»194, CaJa.— 196, Ck**— 199, JDaefrs. 
nmit.— 136, t'afa.— 140, Ckra.— 144, JNsrav-149, *»a*J.— 159, 
156, KtrpUfrw.— 160, Jraflaa.— f164, Orafsa t, - f it, Hijsiasl— 164, 
n*.— 168. Oats?. Oawr.— 179, Carrol.— 176, FaHaat ajaagistia. 190, Ha 
jw^prss.^" 194, Oasaias*^*! 96, a^a)5jaa\^ B *I99t tfaawraaasAj^ B ]9B, 
Dsrfnaair.— 904, Mask 999, Oraaaa t .— 919, Da Faa/. 916, 
990, ^aaiaaaa. 

IbUm aaaaa ski of aaaaat, *aaJris taasrs to Um aaktttassi 
f fidas aa ▼saaaaaf • ^sam assaas so aa a saasa affray of 9jo aatss 
JMcfmajASr is aava aajly aaaffaaa aaaas ssr tta ^Sfaaaao of Aaaaaa 6a 
C«/s rafars to Um wafl ka aaa JMsfaWas. Ha j ajsysa sasaaa oast Um aayas Is 
of tba aatkor's owa aaakksj • 

r. 164,1.44, Jissifi, Jot* BaMat- la Um Cataaaasa MS. Caaaasa* ft. rt. 
tka faOawaaj asms ars kara aaasraal, waJak iHiasUj 6a aat 





376 NOTES. 




P. 168, 1. 103, Jokmmem Wmrmmm.—TtiM was the mom John da Wi 
Earl of Surrey, who, staunch to the party of Henry III., had 
battle of Lewes. He commanded the English army at the battle of 
was afterwards made Governor or Guardian of Scotland, and waa again 
head of the English forces when they were defeated at Stirling. 

P. 169, Quod Trentam worn trmnsient.— The King had carried with 
London the Scottish knights whom he most suspected, and, before he i 
Flanders, he exacted from them solemn oaths that during Ida 
would not repass the Trent without his permission. 

P. 170, /. 138, ad Strweiyne.— The battle of Stirling was fought cm 
the 1 lth of September, 1297. 

P. 171 , /. 141 , emuM dux Anglornm.—ThA Earl of Surrey (Waiusnse). 

/. 147, Levenax et Ricardu* L*ndi. — For an account of thia 

and the part which the Earl of Lerenax (Lennox) and Richard Lead 
see Knighton, in Twisden, coU. 2516, et seq. 

P. 172,/. 163.— This line is evidently corrupt; but, as it is otdy sausd at aaa 
MS., I hare no means of correcting it. 

P. 173, /. 163, Cremart AerfJtaaaarism.— The invasion of N< 
and the burning of Hexham and Corbridge are told by Matthew of Wi 
p. 437. See also Peter Langtoft, in the present Tolume, p. 287 ; 
coll. 2520, et seq. None of them mention the damages done at Alnwick. 

/. 167, Vetty t Aforlrjr, SomervUe, Bertram, — The peat asanas to 

to members of those families who had distinguished thfmttl Tfs ia 
inroads of the Scots at different periods, but who were dead at the 
invasion. 

/. 186, WiiMmo datum mi mUitara pignut.— O* his return 

expedition into England, Wallace was solemnly installed Guardian of ! 

P. 176, /. 205, die Afeyrfsfour.— The battle of Falkirk, so fatal to the 
was fought on St. Mary Magdalen's day, the 22nd of July, 1298. 

/. 21 1 , t rulanmue.— This word is the origin of the mc 

Its primary meaning has not been accurately ascertained, but It aetata to 
been most generally used for a person who wandered about, and gained has 
liring by fake pretences, or passed himself under a different character to thai 
which really belonged to htm. It is applied sometimes to abbots or pi hue 






NOTES. 377 

lived abroad and neglected their monasteries, or to monks who had quitted 
their houses, as in the passage of Giraklus, quoted at p. 36*9. 

P. 178. /. S34, Margartttm rtfimmm. — Edward married, in second nuptials, 
Margaret, sister of the King of France. 

/. 243, Cbmjru, Karryk, L^/r«ei7/e. —Three of the most active leaders 

of the Scots in their opposition to Edward. The Earl of Karris: was Robert 
Bruce. Gilbert de UmfraTille, Earl of Angus, hod been one of Edward's 
Commissioners for manning snd fortifying the castles in Scotland. 

P. 183, /. 11, eoiltetio Unmrwm. — The oppressive duty upon wool, which 
was the ataple of English commerce st that period, was severely felt and com- 
plained of. In 1*96, the King seised all the wool la the merchants' ware- 
houses, and sold it for his own profit, paying for it, as usual, with tallies, and 
promises to repay them to the full. " Ministri regis otnaes seecos least, qui- 
narium aumerum excedentes, datis talliis, accepcruat ad opus regis, et ab uno- 
quoque sacco, numerum quinahum noa eicedeate, ab ipsis eorum domiais, 
nomine wtwUr tot*, \\. solidos estorserunt." Heamingford, p. 1 10. 

P. 186, /. 11, it fuMt meweer (de fusto manducare).— In low Latin, /u*vwm 
mas s generic name tor everything made of wood. It need hardly be said that 
it means here the plates and other utensils of the table, which aasoag the lower 
classes were general! jr of this material. It would be more reasonable, says the 
writer of the aong, if the court would eat oat of woodea vessels, aad pey for 
their provisions with silver, thaa to live sumptuously with plate, aad oaly pay 
their victuals with wooden tallies. 

/. 13. AW ritii tifnmm yr+ rvcfa swJrerv A sanas.— The King's pur- 
vey 00 wrre a great grievsace to the peasaatry. la the curious poem of " King 
Edward and the Shepherd " (printed by Matt ■herns from a MS. la the Uaiver- 
stty library , Cambridge), the letter p t r soa ag e is saade to say :— 

" In Wyasour was I 
Hit » a myte but here 

The towathea assist thou aw 
I am so pyled with the Kyag, 
That I most i« fro my waayag, 

Aad therefore woo is sat. 
I hade catetl, aow here I ami ; 
They take my heetie, aad 

A ad payee bat e srsew 0/ fW» 

t AMI), nor. fi. 3 C 




378 NOTES. 

And when the King, in disguise; promises to obtain redress, the 



" Sir/' he seid t " be seynt Edmonde, 
Ther is owand .iiii. pounde 
And odd twa schillyng. 
A stikke I have to my witnesse, 
Off hcLMill I mene that hit is, 

I ne hare non other thyng. 

• * • * 

Thei do bat gode, the kynges men, 
Thei ar worse then sich ten 

That bene with hym no dell. 
Thei goo abonte be .Tiij. or nyne, 
And done the hnsbondes mycnll pyne v 

That carf ull is their mele. 
Thei take geese, capons, and henne, 
And alle that erer thei may with renne. 

And revei us our catell. 
Sum of them was bonde sore, 
And afturwarde honget therfore. 

For soth as 1 yon say. 
jet ar ther of them nyne moo ; 
For at my hows thei were also, 

Certis, jisturday. 
Thei toke my hennes and my geese, 
And my schepe with all the flees*, 

And ladde them forth away. 
Be my dojtur thei lay al nyjt. 
To come agayne thei have me hyjt ; 

Of helpe I wolde yow pray. 
With me thei lefte alle their thyng, 
That 1 am sicnr of theire comyng, 

And that me rewes sore. 
I have fayre chambors thre ; 
But non of them may be with me 

While that thei he thore. 
Into my cart-hows thei me dryfe ; 
Out at the dur thei put my wyfe, 

For she is olde gray-hare." 

P. 1*7. Song ox the Flkmi»h IxkraatrriOM. — Thin Sony waw printed 

by Ritsnn, in hi« Ancient Somg*. 




NOTES. 379 

P. 188, /. 16, Prter amjrae.— Peter Coning (in English, Peter King,) was 
• wearer of Bruges. A brief account of this insurrection it gives in Matthew 
of Westminster, p. 444. See, for a more complete narrative, Michelet's Histoire 
de France, to!, iii. p. 76*. 

P. 189, /. ft, «rotrert#.— This is the low Latin aatocori*. 8ee Dacange, 
in Toce. 

/. 1 1 , Aon.— The MS. has new/. 

P. 189, /. 17, to ctynktn Anere aesyaw a/ *Ve*. — This circumstance occ ur re d 
on the SI st March, 1302, at the beginning of the mswrrectioo. In the towns 
of Flanders, as in the borooghs in England, the people were called np in an 
iniarrection by the sound of the chnrch bell. Then was a mmous distich on the 
bell of Roland, at Bruges — 

Roelandt, Roelandt, als ick Ueppe dan ist brandt, 
AU ick luye, dan ist storm in Vlamdrrkndt. 

On the present occasion, the people dared not go to their bell, on account of 
their French governors, so they beat their brans basins ; cumque ad 
eh itatts non auderent aocedere, pelves suns pumaatoa • • • • 
coo a u rent. Meyer, AnnaL in a. 1301, p. 90. 

/'. 191, /. 9, Cewjmf— This word, in English, saeant a rrnUH, and is here 
made the subject of a pun. In Flemish* it aignmsd kim§. 

P. 191, //. 17, 1*, Aw+p iktm juaye nap* / .... Tueu nesf Isrt fata cwr- 
dtmmU.—P. 194, /. -\ Do tke /or/4 /• Assnt.—An allusion to the disstasioni 
bet.ccn the Tope and the family of the Coloonas.— " lUis etiam dkrbus, doesi- 
nut papa, ndei et oraUooum que erant beati Petri oblitus, 
erant ejus, tarn eurum videlicet a vkluis et orphanis sjuam argenCum, non vidwis 
et orphanis, sed militibus beiueo*is Ulud erogan 
madam cardinaltum, eoa eVaaque sVgradamie, et 
moveudo. Sed d*cti regis eaercttus de fsWntis turmas 
mUlu vinbter aeceveruet." Matthew of Wsefminotsr. p. 4Ji. This was 
the famous Pope Boniface VIII., who swCsrud so much frees the 
of the King of Francs. 

/. 7 , /W same, probably snsnmfl/wW«esnu# v mens) ev InaC It 

ta p. 135 of the 






380 NOTES. 

P. 195. A Song on the Times.— The M8. from which this song It 
MS. Harl. No. 913, was written in Ireland, about the year 1308, by am! 
monk. For a detailed description of it, tee Mr. Crofton Croker's. 
qf Ireland. 

P. 196, /. 19, hcblun. — The name koblur* (hobellarii) was given 
a kind of light-armed soldiers. 

P. 198, /. 14, geet.— This word should probably be translated 
than kid*. 

P. 199, /. 7, anone. — In the MS. this word is explained by the origins! i 
in the margin as " at one time.*' 

P. 906. Song against the Scholastic Studies. — In the 
MS. from which this song is taken, a hand of the 16th century has 
the margin that it was the work of Robert Baston. 

The Oxford MS. was pointed out to me by Mr. Halliwell, bat I have 
able to obtain a collation. 

P. 207, /. 2, proper*- — The MS. has ppe, the meaning of which it set 
clear. 

/. 10, Sieut Mtrvtu Stick**. — This name was given to n servant in As 

Roman comic writers. It is introduced here for the sake of rhyme. 

P. 20H, /. 2, m*IIu*.— The MS. has **u*. 

/. 10, Tkebcna* .... re/ Trejtnm* coder. — Referring to the 

of Statius, and the poem De btllo 7Vo/a*o of Joseph of Exeter , both of 
at that period popular reading books. 

/. 16, Telluri*.— The MS. has Ohiru*. 

P. 209, /. 4, eyro .... po*iti*.—Tht MS. has eyer sod oeeirow. 

P. 21?. Song ox the Execution or Sin Simon FnAaan,— Thai 
was printed by Ritson, in his Ancient Somj*. 

P. 213, /. 6, The Wilei*.— Wallace was taken prisoner at the 
of Dunbar, in 1305, and was executed at London on the Eve of St. 
lomew, (Aug. 24) 1306. The places to which his quarters were m 
Newcastle, Berwick Perth, and Aberdeen. 

/. 10, Simond /Vy#W.— This was the original form of the 

Fraser, and is the way in which it b spelt in all the English 

P. 215, /. 14, kyng a/ tomert.— Matthew of Westminster 




NOTE!. 381 



story, that Brace's queen bad told him in derision, he was bat a sum m er May, 
and that his kingdom would scarcely last in tha winter. See Holinshed, p. 314. 

/>. 915, /. 9. Sir* Bdwrd o/ Cerweraeu.— The Prince of Wales. 

P. 916, /. 10, Sir Bm*r d* Ke/ence.— Aylmer' da Valence, second Earl of 
Pembroke, a Baron who was frequently occupied la the Scottish wars* and 
who was appointed by Edward to be one of the guardians of his son, Edward 11. 

/. 1 9, tk* ae/eyf* e/ JTarfeuc^.— IVught, according to Holinshed, on 

the neit Sunday after Midsummer day, 1306. 

/. 15, Sir* Ttomms o/ Ja%ttofi*.— Thosaas de Multoo, of Egremood, in 

Cumberland. He was active in the Scottish wars of this feign. 

P. 918, f. 17, Sir* Htrltrt e/ Jtfsr*M._ Apparently a mere error of the 
scribe for Nor bam. Matthew of Westminster relates the same anecdo te . 

/». 919, /. 13, ear* £#*•*> ere*.— The seventh of September, 1306. 

f. 16, Sir* JUtf o/SeWirycA*.— Ralph de Sandwich was constable of 



the Tower of London (emmtUkulmriu* tmrri* Lmd*mJ. 

/'. 991, L 7, m c*rt*i e/ sure/.— Baretfus, in low Latin, tu r e e n or turWm 
old French, was a kind of coarse and common doth. 

P. 999, /. 9, fu-eVwff*.-- Perhaps this word means a drawbridge. It occurs 
again in Robert of Gloucester, p. &43 :— 



" And the cestel brugge out of the saed he barude tram then eude 
To the tu-brugg* along, *or me ne 



Which means probably that he burnt all that pert of the bridge on the 

side up to the place where it* communication with the rest was cut osT by the 

raising of the drawbridge. 

r r:\, I. 6, Bri o/Am*U*.— John de Stretbbogk, Enrl of Athol. He also 
was captured and ei ecu ted. 

/. It, 7>rof. Sref, /or thi err//— The weed faraf eppcar* to be a 

mere eiclamatiou of contempt. In a poem on "The P i op e i U ss ef the Shyres 
of Eageload," printed by Heame hi the Introduction to the ufth relume of 
LrUnd's Itinerary, we And it used, as here, against the Scots :— 



Weatmeriond tprmi Sc*4t*r 
It -til be found similarly need in a ■ image quoted hi a neee Jurtber eu(p. If I). 




382 NOTES. 

Id Sir Thomas de la More*s Chronicle, it is applied to King Edward II. t— 
"Tprutt Sire King!" It seems to be taken from the French : in Joan Boost's 
Jeu de S. Nicolas (Theatre Francais an Moyen-Age, edited by MM. Men- 
merque* and Michel) it is put in the months of the common gamblers in a 
public-house : — 

" Tproupt ! tproupt .' herons hardiement ; 
Ne faisons si le coc emplat."— (p. 183.) 

And again, immediately after (p. 184) : — 

" Tproupt ! tproupt I oh que soit passe*, Dies !" 

P. 223, /. 21, unth the long* ehonkee. — King Edward, stfll known 
as Edward Long-shanks. 

P. 224. Soxo on the Venalitt op the Judges.— After this 
printed, I found another copy of it in MS. Reg. 12, c. xn. fbL 1, w*. of 
of Edw. II., written likewise as prose, which presents the following 
—P. 224, //. 1,2, esuriunt \ Et faciunt juHitiem \ et od.—l, 
line is omitted, and the following begins Sed put. — 11, et mure ass.— 13, 
modo miro more.— 15, edperic— 17, emkimnt.—P. 225, 1. 1, **«.— -7, flMsnii 
omitted. — 8, Qui 9*nntm.—9 t ei pure.— 14 1 Quideryo Jketu borne. — P. 296, L I, 
eccedit.— 2, eeeretiue.—l \ potest.— It. 12-18 are placed after J. 10 in the 
page.— 14, dome. — 15, et hoc pro i. — 17, eumwtti* prius. — 19, 8i 
nobiiis | decora vet est.— P. 227, I. 2, a oc.— 12, ut expriwsmmU— 13, 
14, prioree.— 18, Sed quid.— P. 228, /. 1, quid labor**.— 2, quid /•**.—%, We 
Omert, fore*. — 9, De viuctibus. — 1 1 , enmmermre. — 19, Bet eeJeum fefssn. This 
MS. ends with this Terse. 

/. 7, encennia. — This word answers as nearly as may be to the 

word jewel*. The other MS., of which the variations are given above, 
ertnnia, i e. treasures. 

P. 225, /. 17, eedumt.—ln the MS. the scribe has written over thai 
" i. re," that is, " i. e. recedunt." 

P. 226, 1. 21 , cum empite comuto.— The head dress of the ladies of rank 
fashion at this period was arranged in the form of two horns. 

P. 227, /. 13, reUtoree, " qui querelam ad jndices referent." Dnosnge. 

P. 229, 1. 13, IreMsmittomtur.—Too MS. has tremsntutemtur. 




NOTES. 383 



/\ 229, I. 18, 4nwri«.— The term astriam it commonly need to signify ell 
kinds of moveable property ; but more particularly to etgaify cattle and bones. 

P. 230, /. 1 , clericos.— The scribe has written above this word, in the M8. 
" I. pauperes." 

P. 231. Tm Outlaw' t Somo or TuAiLSmASTOK.— This song also was 
printed by Sir Francis Palgrave in the collection mentioned in ft former note. 
The notion the! the judges were ceiled Tnrflebeston* on account of the hastiness 
of their proceedings, is quite incorrect. The term was applied not to the 
jadfes, but to the persons judged, who received this asms because they carried 
with them long stats. An account of the origin of the TraUebaston* will be 
found in the extract of Peter Langtoft, at p. 311 of the prsssnt volume. The 
proceedings against them led to many abuses, and were often made the 
of gratifying personal revenge. The statute against the Traileeestoas 
tinned in force through the reigns of Edward II. ami Edward III. 

P. 232, f. 1, mnu.-Ii old Preach and Aagie-Normaa, the word 
not used in it* present sense, but represented the Lathi totals*. 

/. ?, U *•«# eV BWriyeine*.— Perhaps a ittjtssna name, favesjted by the 

poet. 

P. 233, /. 3, f> J/arfyw. .. .. r> Km t Uk i. *, o>sjnra 

By the following rommiseion, give* hi Rymar, ma amd thus 

the commissioners appointed to judge the Truikummsns hi the 

of England. There can be little doubt that Senear hi the song is ssasmt lor 

the name which in the commission ia H s i le / nys n . This i urn is ourisus, 

both for the light it throws on the subject, asm far taw rirrumsUam that it 
uses the period at which the song was a i i t te n t it sears dent at * 
April 6, I3Q&. 

•• tM li ensf rfssseusHu inminefas TVwiJaseeea ammsmmf of 
t*1*m rffiM.-Rn daUctk at nmtsiams suss, Wiamhms Mattym, 
gumell, WUielmo de uluoviU. Roger* 4s BeUemgo, at Tmmmi de la Hyde, 
salutem. — Quia aeamptures asalesaosstus, at 
ctdie, dcprmda t ioues, m ew am, at alia cmmna 
petrsates, vagantur et ii s iM imi t in hwscm, in nut li s, at alim 
iefre librrtates auam extra. In 
Dorsrtur. Herrfeeamr, W 




384 NOTE8. 

tonic, et ibidem receptantur, in maximum periculum tarn ^A—^qm per pertea 
illas transeuntium, quam ibidem morantium, et nostri contemptum, ae pads 
nostra; lsssionem manifestam, ut accepimns: Per qaorum incursaa po ta i rt 
pejora prioribos de facili erenire, nisi remedium tuper hoc cftna apponater : 
Nos, eorum malitia; in hac parte obviare, et hujosmodi dampnis et ptrhH** 
prsecaTere volentes, assignavimus toi justiciaries nostros : Ad inquirendum, par 
sacramentom tarn militum quam aliorum proborum et legalium *»««■«■»■— de 
comitatibus prssdictis, tarn infra libertates quam extra, per qooa rei 
melius sciri potent, qui sunt illi malefactores, et eorum scienter 
et eis consentientes, Tim et auzilium prssbentes, seu dictas 
procurantes et prsscipientes : Et etiam ad inquirendum de Qlia v qui pro mi 
suit pactum fecerunt et faciunt cum malefactoribus, et pads nostra; perturbacoii- 
bus, et eos conduzerunt et conducunt ad yerberandum, Yulnerandum, snale tracfeas- 
tandum et interficiendum plures de regno nostra, in feriis, mercatis, et alBe loess, 
in dictis comitatibus, pro inimicitia, inTidia, malitia, et etiam pro eo quod isi es- 
sists, juratis, reeognitionibus, et inquisitionibus factis de feloans, poaiti 
et Teritatem dixerunt : unde per conductionem hujusmodi malefactor***, , 
assisarum, juratorum recognitionum, et inquisitionum illarum, pm 
rum malefactorum et horum minarum, ssspius Teritatem dicere aem dietee 
factores indictare minime aussi fuerunt, et sunt : Et etiam ad inquirendum tie flHa 
qui hujusmodi munera dederunt et dant : et quantum et quibus : et qui hujaasnedl 
munera receperunt et recipiunt : et a quibus, et qualiter, et quo motto : et qa* 
hujusmodi malefactores in sua malitia {event, nutriunt, et manutenent im ceatU 
Utibus prssdictis : Et etiam de illis, qui, ratione poteatatia et doaateM eui, ali- 
quot m eorum protectionem et advocationem pro auo dando auaosptruat, et 
adhuc suscipiunt : Et de illis qui pecuniam ab aliquo, per graTes mlaaa tj tacts*, 
malitiose extorseruot : Et ad felonies et transgressionea illas audiemdsa et tar- 
minandas secundum legem et consuetudinem regni nostri, et juxta 
nationis per nos et consilium nostrum super hoc facte, et too** in 
nostro liberatse : Et etiam ad omnes felonias et traasgw mioses, de qsibsjs ft*- 
quisitiones coram dilectis et ndelibea nostria, Henrico de Cobcl 
Paynel, Hugone de Sancto Philiberto, et Johanna Randolf, Im 
Utibus Wiltes' et Suthamtoniss facta; sunt, et per roe, ai 
faciendss, audiendas et terminandas in forma prsedicta :*' etc. 





NOTES. 385 

P. 235 , I. 6, fcoUff, answers probably to t low Latin word emiUct i om em . 

P. 237. A Somc agaikst the Retimcbs or ran GnsAT Pboflb. — Half 
of this song u written in the original in abort lines, and tba other half in loaf 
lines, to suit the convenience of the MS. It oontaina aiimtiout popular word* 
and phrases, the meaning of which it is now very difitarit to ascertain. 

P. 242, 1.9, Ltrtid* Frmunet.— Edward somas to nave long cherished the 
design of embarking in a new crusade, which had been strongly advocated by 
the Pope, but he had been hindered by his continued wars and emberrasssneuts, 
which the writer of the song attribute* to the intrigues of the King of France. 

P. 243, /. 13, A Peitert i rApoifiU.— Pope Clement the Filth, who was 
constantly in hostilities with his Italian subjects, and little more than a depend* 
ent on France, resided a freet part of his pontificate at P o i t i er s . 

P. 945, //. 5, 6, Si AHsitU . . . t llryOf.— Aristotle ami Virgil were names 
in great repute in the popular literature of the middle ague, and were the mm* 
jeet of much legend and romance. 

P. 244>. Eliot ox tri Death or Eowaed 1. — This mug hsil tma shsadj 
printed in Percy's Relioues of Ancient English Poetry. 

P. 253. Ow tub hlixo's Bubaki*o via CowrtftMATioy or Masva 
Cnauta. — This curious poem b reprinted from am mtjsfuntmg tittle volume of 
early poetry, edited and printed priratety by David Laing, Esq. and W. B. D. 
I). Turnbull, Esq. under the title of *' Owmin Miles, and other loedmsd Frag. 
menu of Ancient Englieh Poetry." "to. Edinburgh* It37. 

/. 7, f A#/rire.— Probably the fair of fit. 

P. ?54, /. S, <tf .%uy wtse.men.--This was a very 
its way into the celebrated (Jest* Rumanorum. It also ea t of s frvo u sotlj in a 
separate sad different form in manuscripts of the faur t soot h and fifteenth ceo- 
tunes. The scnUucos of the wise men were pofmmr miings mewfwsmaot of the 
tale, and are somct imi s found separately. They varied ot 
both as they are found seporntety, and at they are given hi the 

of the story. It would be a curioos and Isfsotmg wort to 
men popular pootieal p ro* ecus in chriao l a gi onl oronv. I bote met with 
story in a MS. m the Brttmh Museum cootsmpiinfy wttb the 
in which, if I iimsmbsr rsjbt, both the sayings ami the 
are given in full both in English nod Laths, hot I hoot 

CAMD. tor. 6. 3D 





386 NOTES. 

• 

my reference to it. The following if taken from MS. Reg. 5 A* Ti. fat 83 f* t 
of the end of the 14th or beginning of the 15th cent. A more modern copy, wfen 
rather larger commentary, will be found in MS. Harl. No. 906, fol. 38, ▼*• 

" Legitur quendam Regem quondam fniase qui habnit 4** Philoeophoa in 
regno auo. In quo regno multae plagas, multa infortunia, eft mold 
fiebant in populif . Rex autem ridens te ipsum nnllo peccato mortaH 
ratum, mirabatnr raid©, et diligenter inquirebat a prakbctii 4** PhDotophai 
de cauaa hec infortunia magis agebantur in populia in tempore sbjo cjnaai in 
tempore prcdecessorum suorum. 

" Primus PhUoaophus dixit, Mitf u ritfs Unde illud Ysaim, 69, Cc 
eat retrorsum judicium, et juatitia longe stetit ; corruit in pla \ 
aequitas non potuit ingredi. Litf U uyjf; unde Ewang., V« b ui 
quern acandalum venit ! Per eum scandalum venit qui alioa malo 
rumpit. Dominua in Leretico dixit : Time, inquit, Dominnm 
Tivere poasit frater tuua apud te ; hoc eat, ut sic waa quod frater turn 
exemplum vitam poasit habere non mortem. JFIjf ft Jf fjf ; 
Bene agere et illicita non prohibere consensus erroris eat. Gregorina: 
proculdubio culpam habet qui quod potest c on igere negligit eaaenaton 

41 Secundus Philosophus dixit, One u loo ; unde Ewang. : Oaan« 
se dirisum desolabitur. Ambrosias : Sicut sine ? ia nulla* 
sic sine caritate, quae dicta est ?ia, non ambulare poasunt 
Frtni itfoo ; hoc potest intelligi quando homines et 
pacem vel justitiam aut Dei ecclfsiam etraagulaat, quibaa principaUtar 
Deum militare deberent. Wttle ia woo ,• Gregorius : Qui bona; 
▼elit nolit timori et dolori bene succumbit. Seneca : Avmrwa niai 
nicbil bene fecit. 

14 Tertiua Philosophus dixit, Ltui ku fere ; unde Paulus: 81 
nem rixeritis, moriemini. Jeronimus : Qui post camem ambulant, in 
at libidinem proni, quasi irrationalia jumeata repuUntur. Tat/ at ra/V/ 
Jeremiaa : V« qui sediftcant domum auam non in juatitia I Robertas 
ensis : Ves illia qui dicuat, faciamus mala, ut Teniant bona, 
jusU estl Prii* net ale/; unde in Pa. : IrriUferuat cam ia 
suis, et multiplicata est in eis ruina. David autem dixit : Nan 
medio domus mesr qui facit su| 







NOTE*. 387 

"Quartos Pbilosophuf dixit, * IKiV/e it reef; unde per Psalmistam didtor : 
Noluit intelligere ut brae aget. Prorrr. 12 : Via stuJti recta io ocolu ejus ; qui 
aulem tapir ds cat audit consilium. Wytt* it faeaf ; unde P. : Erit enim tern- 
pus cum aanam doctrinam non sustinebont. Aufua. : Jurentuti malonun bo* 
mioum renenum eat quidquid rirtus prsecipit, eeca rero quidquid diabolus tag . 
gerit. Good is oVsf ; unde io paalmo : Uuirersa rauitas omuls bomo rivena, i. 
titcus secundum bominem, non secundum Deum. Angus. : Sicut mora eorpo- 
ralis srparat an i mum a corpore, ita peccatuai mortale animam a vera rita, quss 
est Deus." 

In tbe following , wbicb is taken from tbe common printed Gesta Romaaorum, 
cap. 144, tbe English is translated. 

" Pertnrde quodam Rege cujus rrfnum in tun subitam derenit mutatioaem, 
quod bonum in malum, verum in falsum, forta in debile, justum in injustum eat 
mutatum. Quam mutatiooem Rex admirana, a quattuor Pfeilosopats sapicntts* 
stmts cauaam bujus qusrtirtt ; qui, inquam, PbiloeopaJ post aanam Ueliberatioaeas 
ad quattnor porta* ciritates pcrgentet quilibct eorum tres causaa ibi acripait. 
Primus acripait, Potentia est justitia, ideo terra sine lege ; dies est nox, iaVo 
terra sine rk ; fuga eat in pagua, ideo regnnaa sine koaore. Secuadae s cHp s tt , 
Uaum eat duo, ideo regnum sine irritate ; amicus eat iaisnicaa, ideo rfgn um 
aine ftdelitate ; malum est bonum, ideo terra nine pittate. Tertius acripait. 
Ratio babet licentiam, ideo regnum sine nomine; far eat pesi p osi t a s, Mao 
regnum sine pecunia ; corsboU rult ease aquila, ideo nulla diecratio in patria. 
Quartus acripait. Voluntas est consiltarius, ideo terra male aaspooitnr ; deaartaa 
dat aententiam, ideo terra male rrgitur ; Dews md mortuua, ideo totnm ragnom 
peocatoribua eat repsrtum." 

In tae moralisation, these sentences are a p p li ed to tho time la which it was 
written, la tne Kaglieh Ceefe jreme n si am (canted by Sir PresVrick Madden 
for tbe Roiburgae Club in l«3ft, and wbicb it Is to be regretted is not pw Uis aod 
in a popular form), p. 397, we bare tne following varasasj of tbe alary. 

" This is rsdde in tne t'roayclee of Rome, tbat la tan trsat of Antra ran* 
tne Emperomr, in tne cstie of Rosna beatle a grant ■utiliaci of 
and grete awagre m alle the empire. Tbe 
and agarae bar Emperoar. Tbe Emparaar aossraae ta sftte tae caaaa of Caw 
tnbwlacioas aad amcasee. and du ass s de h?m far to pataa a reanewat agarae tfct 





388 NOTES. 



foresaide disease. He calledc to bym iiij. wise Philisophers, for to ahew fcym 
the came of the grete vengeaunce ; of the whiche Philisophers the first 
thus, 4 Gift© is domesman, and Gile is chapman ; the grete holde no Isnre, 
servauntes have none awe.' The seconde saide, ' Witte is turned* to trechery, 
and love into lechery ; the holy day into glotonye, and gentrie into vflaerie.' 
The thirde saidc, * Wise men are but scoraede, and wodow es he sore yenee* ; 
grete men are bat glosede, and smale men borne downe and myslovede.' 
foarthe saide, * Lordes wezen blynde, and kynnesmen ben nnkynde ; 
of mynde, and trewthe may no man fynde.' • 

The sentences in this last version are also found frequently in MBS. in a i 

rate form. An imperfect copy of them will be found in the Re&pdm 

(Pickering, 1839,) p. 58. I have met recently with a much more 

copy, agreeing closely with the sentences in the above tale from the 

Geeta, but 1 have also unfortunately lost the reference to it, and eanw 

it to mind at the present moment In MS. Cotton. Vespaa. E. zii. foL 100, 

r°. v of the end of the fourteenth century, is given another Latin vereiom of thai 

story, where the scene is laid at Carthage, the King is Hannibal, 

of the four wise men we have Virgil, and the sayings are again 

the others. This version is important both for the history of the story, 

its connexion with the fable of the legendary Virgiliua. 

P. 256, /. 9, §od it ied.—\t will have been observed in the f orego ing note 
that one of the versions of the story interprets eed by Demi ,-— God la oom\— > 
which is most probably right, and the former editors have very pi o ycily grvea 
the word with a capital. 

P. 258. Song* ox the Death or Pete* db Gaybotok.— Both thaee 
songs are parodies upon hymns in the Romish ritual. 

P. 260, /. 1, Vult hie roMft, et mom Pet rut, did.— The favourite wee, in- 
deed, extremely angry because people persisted in calling him Rater, ami 
obtained a Royal decree that no one should be permitted to call him otherwise 
than Earl of Cornwall in future. 

P. 262. The Battle or BAXnocaauaN.— The text of Ihia poem hi ejs> 
tremely corrupt. It appears, from Mr. Halliwell's description of the MS., that 
there is another copy of it at Oxford, MS. Rawl. B. 214. This poem ia attri- 
buted to Robert Baston, a carmelite, who, according to a pnpuhi 




NOTES. 389 

present at the battle, and was takes prisoner by the 6oota. We are told that 
he was liberated on condition of composing a poem to celebrate the valour of 
the Soots : the song here printed is of qaite a different character. 

P. 962, /. 6, dmUmtmr.—DOimtwr in the M8. 

I. 10, p nrjHtr mr t.— The M8. has jpsrforc, with "p'p'are" written 

above. 

P. 963, /. 9, cwa/icfnt .— The MS. had ceejsnJrns, which is changed into con- 
JUthts. 

I. 10, Cbmct Am / Gl—rmi*.— Oilbert be Clare, son of that Earl of 

Gloucester who was so active in the Barons' wars of the reign of Henry 111. 
On his death, at Bannockbnrn, the title became extinct. 

i. 17, ^rWi/erhu rt> lMWAe4ewM«s^---Perhape Bartholomew be Babies- 

mere, who was Steward of the King's h on— bold, and attended the King In 
these wars. 

P. 964, /. 9, ear srmmwm.--This word evidently represents the French 



P. 965, I. 2, nam*.— The MS. has 

/. 4, venr/fcee .— - The MS. has vvof/ect. 

/. 9, -uJtipJicm.—ln middle-age Latin, the form enWfyttrns is frequently 

need for mniAjplar. 

/. 14, cm ro ei w of — The scribe has written ami over the irst syllable 

of this word in the MS., as tbongh be wonld correct it to snlrwer wn f. 

P. 966, /. 16, Wrwfiu.— The MS. hasertsW, and jnet nfWvwavw* it eeesneto 
neve ewiretJ for cn*ii. 

P. 9C7, /• 4, afire* roe*ir#.— The MS. ban rwsUr, with esfnt written over it ; 
from which it may be conjectmred that the original from which the scribe copie d 
had the rending which I have given, and thai the word evfnt was written 
it, or in the margin, to eoppty the t on e n a cti on e rne s erfne rosbre Jim*. 

I. 12, /er. . . . —The MS. bee /or 9. 

P. 96a. Tna Orrica or Sr. Thomas or LaKcama.— fwpoinr 
and petnots were freooeatly canonised by the people arWr their death. Sorb 
was the case with Simon de Mcadcrt. See p. 194 of the preernt vemrns. A 
very corions story of this kind will be earned hi Wmmnm of Kewbory, 1. a, ee. 
90, 21 . The King, in the preeont ieemmeo, van owmjed In 
forbidding the worship of Earl Tbeeaee of 




390 NOTES. 

P. 268, /. 2, Tkomcm CtntuarUt.— All the popular heroes wen eosafr ar ed 
St. Thomas of Canterbury. We have seen the comperiaon need in the cue i 
Simon de Montfort, see p. 125 of the present volume. 

P. 270, i. 11, pater proles erat rtgi*. — Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of 
caster, was son of Edmund, younger brother of Edward I. 

/. IS, matrem .... reyinam Navarria. — Blanche, daughter of Robert, 

Earl of Artois, and widow of Henry, King of Navarre, who was espoused hi 
second marriage to Edmund Plantagenet. 

/. 16, Benedicti ctpitur vioilia ....,1. 17, die tertU.— After the battle 

of Boroughbridge (March 15, 1322), the Earl of Lancaster took refuge am a 
chapel, where he was taken on the 20th, brought to Pontefraetoa the Slat, triad 
on the 22nd, aud beheaded the same day. The 20th of March was the ova of 
St. Benet. 

P. 271, I. 2, HoyUmdut.— Robert de Hoyland (the father of Thnanaa o* 
Holand, Earl of Kent, the first husband of Joan, Princess of Wales,) had 
sent to collect forces in Lancashire, to assist the Earl of Lancaster, baft 
he had gotten them together, he deserted the Earl, and wont over with 
to the King's party. 

— — tudmm appears to be an error for some other word. 



P. 273. Peter Lanotovt's Chronicle. — The Cambridge MS. 
only the history of Edward I., which is given as a complete work, with the 
title, " Ici commence le Brut coment li bon rei Edward gaigaa \ 
The Fairfax MS. seems also to have given the same portion of LaaftevVa ' 
nicle. Since my text was printed, Sir Frederick Madden has kfawJBy gi i u a ssa 
his transcripts of the English fragments as they stand in the Fairfax MS* No. 
24, in the Bodleian Library, at Oxford, and in the Arundel MS. No. 14, fa 
the College of Arms. The numerous variations in these Kaea, and the 
frtqueut recurrence of lines in one MS. which are omitted la ■anther, seam 
clearly to prove they were fragments of popular songs mtenrovea into the 
Chronicle by its writer. I ought to say that, at the time the extracts hi the 
present volume were printed off, it was not in say power to have the 
collated with the original. It may also be observed, that it has ao< 
thought projier to correct the text by the various readings, bat the 
is frequently made from the latter, when the text is evidently 




NOTES. 391 

P. 874, /. 15, CeUetine U pup*.— Pope Celeetin the Fifth, who was elected io 
July, 1894, and abdicated in the December following. 

P. 875, I. 50, tux Dover. — An account of this attack apoo Dover will be 
found in Matthew of Westminster, p. 484,. and in Knighton, cot 8508. 

P. 878, L 75, Thorn** de TurerrlU.—See, on this afair, Matthew of West- 
minster, p. 485, Knifhton, col. 8502, Heaaingford, p. 58. 

/. 83, Cent Hem de /ere.— Robert de Brunne'a version hai a hmndred 

pounds of land, I. e. lands of that yearly value. 

P. 880, /. 106, Le tierz jour Robert de Brunne 

Opon the thrid day, at a town hamelet, 
Thomas was his pray, as ha to saute 



f. 118, rwas trmitmr e$t j*f4.— Robert of Brunne has given snore details 

of Turbeville's trial than are found in the original. 

P. 888, /. 135, Le cewu/e de Mucefe.— Henry de Lacy, Carl of Lincoln and 
Salisbury. 

I. 136, Sir Wiliemm de retry.— William de Veeey, Lord of Alnwick, 

and governor of Scarborough Castle. 

/. 153, Is mmie r«f#.— •• MeJe re#*. Paiai extraordinaire, curugec ; 

■tale rs+tet .•" Roquefort. 

I. 156, rieeim*.— Apparently a kind ejf rough hoeta ltrt by tint Scots, 

so called perhaps on account of their ragged and torn apewerancc. 

Im m* usfe—Fee* is the Latin unlet. The Fairfax and Arundel 



MS. have here a line or two of the French which is not tsund in the 
copies, with the following fragments of 



(F.) Tprut ! Sket riveting. 
In unseU tiaaing 
crope thu out ef 

(A.) Tprut ! Scot riveting. 
With amikcl uristuwdng 
crop thu ut of kngt 



f. 157. Aster* sVJtataV IT#rc*._Rebert aw lee wan an English 

but, falling in love with a newttieh lady, he iimtil In ** Scots, fur which his 

were ccainecetou* nee Moenangeatw, nv no* 




392 NOTES. 

P. 384, L 168, quatre mile.— The English rerskm malm it >fert> 

In the non tyme fell© this cm, that alayn mi ilk a 
That were in Berwik, fourti thontand and mo. 

/. 170, Richard de ComewaUe. — Holinshed, p. 398, 

Cornwall was brother to the Earl of Cornwall. See also Hemingfbrd, p. 91. 

/. 171, la tale rouge.— The Red Hall was the factory of the Fleaaissi 

merchants, who carried on an extensive trade with Berwick. 

P. 985, /. 175, WiUeam de Douglaue.— William Dongas was eaptain of ffca 
garrison of Berwick. See Hemingford, ib. 

/. 176, Ricard Fretl.— The English has Symoun frmetta. 

/. 178, li queue de la Mereke, Petrik.— Patrick, Earl of Dunbar mi 

March, served in the English army ; but his Countess, who was left hi the 
castle of Dunbar, and who hated the English, delivered the castle to the 

/. 180, Gilbert de Untfrmvile.— Gilbert de Umfravfflc, Earl of 

was one of the Scottish Barons who remained faithful to the English. 

P. 386, /. 194, Piket Mm, tie— The Fairfax MS. has only fbv line* of Oil 
song:— 

Piket him and diket him, 

in skorn seiden he ; 
Nu piketh he it and diketh it, 

his owen for to be. 

In the Arundel MS. it stands thus : — 

PSkit him and dikit him, 

in hoker seiden he ; 
Nu pikes he it and dikes it, 

his owen for to be. 
Sldterende Scottes 
Hodere in their hottes, 

nerere thei ne the ; 
Rigth if I rede, 
Thei tumbled m Twede, 

that wooed W the se. 

Robert of Brunne gives the fragment aa follows, with six additional Mao* •— 

Now dos Edward dike Berwik brode and long, 
AU they bad krm pike, ami scorned him in ther 




KOTM. 



Pft* Mm ami am* Mm 

Ha pUtat MM aUGta 

m laagt. aa Mm Ukaa 

hem baatk my to. 
Ami lto« mm Jar tM fftymj 
If jkflla flit ttjwj, 

tto aetto it to at. 



AWt h tM fcttkhg 

mmitmi, 
ar t*4 Soottla, 
Ami Mini m ttor mttaa, 
MWtWiMtk 
Rtj* alt I rata. 



P. ttt, I. «7 t Olit mi Ciiir .—Otto toi 

tto aid of tto Cfcrirtkaa by Uwwi !. t 
Aa aetata* of tto Wm af Acta, mm tto 
W fcwa. * Hmmaffwi. pp. II— «• 

P. TO, I. §4S, It caaalt mi ITarwit t Mmt » 
ctomp v Earl of Warwick, ami Hmjk D 
m Um fevowHt •! Uvm* II. 

/». 993 t /. m, OH #ra**, t>c— Im lakart af 
ttoa:— 



Mmm 
UCypraa, 



altttogayta. 



Rajktaltl 
Oiaammm 



tto Ml 



iBle4ttofiutf 

#*• I9ji •• 33a« Tat ^Mt ^wJta, 
CAMO. IOC. 6. . 



S t 




394 NOTES. 

follows, with an introduction of hit own, in which he says distinctly that they 
were rhymes which the English made on the Scots : — 

fl The ScottU had no grace, 
To spede in ther space, 

for to mend ther misse, 
Thei filed ther face, 
That died in that place ; 

the Inglis rymed this. 
Oure fote folk 
Put tham in the polk, 

and nakned ther nages, 
Bi no way 
Herd I nerer say 

of prester pages, 
Purses to pike, 
RoMstorike, 

and in dike tham schonne, 
Thon wiffin 
Scotte of Abrethin, 

kotte is thi honne. 

In the Fairfax MS. they stand thus :— 

Wei worthe swich a fot folk, 
That drof the Skottes in the polk, 

and paiede hem here wage*. 
Bi wode ne bi weye, 
Ne herd I nerere seien 

of prestere pages, 
To pollen and to piken 
The robes of the rike 

that in the field fellen. 
Fi ! Skot, hn spedde ye thenne ? 
The derel I yon bikenne, 

that ragged rit in helle ! 

The Anradel MS. gires them thus s— 

Wei worth swich a fote folk, 
That put the Soottes in the polk, 

and paled tham their wages. 




notes. 395 

Bi wode ne bi weie, 
Herd I nevere seie 

of prettere pages, 
To pulle and to pike 
The robes of the like 

that in the fcU telle. 
Hon ferd the wreehes thenne ? 
The derel I them bikenne 

that ragged sit in belle. 

In my transcript of the Cambridge MS. I had written a n y in the third 
line, but, thinking it might be an error of my own, I reotared to change it to 
noyet, in conformity with the readings of the other MS8. I hart no doabt 
that »*?*#, the French »«##• (see before, p. 283, 1. 156, and the note), the Latin 
no7*#, is the right word. The other reading of the line was perhaps smbstitnted 
by some one who did not understand the word. 

/'. 99H, /. 390, /Vr Sc*U«, err.— Robert of Brans* agrees with the 
text, in this song. In the Fairfax and Armndet MSB. it stands than :— 

(P.) For skiterande Skottes 
Tell I for sottes, 

of wrenches mnwarre. 
Hem to wrothere hele 
Dintestodele 

driven to Dnnbarre. 
(A.) Skiterende Scottes 
I telle for sottes, 

and wreehes nnwar. 
hlikel nnsele 
Dintestodele 

them drof to Dnnbar. 



r. 3(in, /. 417, A ll*n* k, the son of Brat*, who was said to here if at peopled 
Scotland, and given it the name of Amanie. 

P. .103, /. 466. /W *o«J#, elc— Robert of Brans*, like the Mneeorn MS*., 
gives only the nrst six lines of this fragment. 

/. 47 1 , aue Uhmrd <e /#»#.-- room loser** (empty tahard) was a nick- 

name given by the Scots to their King, John Balmi, on sceisnt of his Unit 
wit. In Uke manner, we null valgarty cal ■••pit who] 




396 NOTE8. 

P. 304, 1. 484, ecti; another form offmr. 

1. 486, Henri de Perei aid QmlweL— Henry de Percy, nephew ef 

Warenne, was made keeper of the county of Galloway and the sheriffdom of Ayr. 

P. 305, /. 504, U eveeke de Durum.— The famous Anthony Beck, Bishop ef 
Durham, who, at the head of his knights, attended Edward in all his invasions 
of Scotland, and commanded one division of the army at the battle of Falkirk. 

J. 514, Kambynoy. — Robert of Bmnne translates this 

follows: — 

Cambinhoy 
Beret him coy, 

that fendes whelp, 
Ther with craft 
He has tham raft, 

it may not help. 
The Trulle the 
Drenge on se, 

thei lenge the fendes tneye, 
The hold tham fer, 
And dar no ner 

than Orkeneye. 
Andrew is wroth, 
The wax him loth, 

for ther pride. 
He is tham fro. 
Now salle thei go, 

scheme to betide. 
Thon scabbed Scotte, 
Thi neck, thi hotte, 

the derelle it breke, 
It salle be hard 
To here Edward 

ageyn the speke. 
He salle the ken 
Oar lond to bren, 

and werre begynne 
Thon getes nothing, 
Bot thi rif elyng 

to hang therinne. 




NOTES- 397 



The iete of the Scone 
U driven over done, 

to London led; 
1 hard wele telle, 
That bagelle and belle 

be fflchid and fled. 



P. 306, /. 591, Ou U nt wort | */ «9«itfir.- The Monastery of Hexham, 
which the Scots had burnt, waa dedicated to their natron Saint, St. Andrew, 
llemingford remark*, in a similar manner, the impiety of the ScoU in burning 
the church of their patron. This writer, is many parts of hie Chronicle, teems 
to paraphrase and enlarge upon the narrative of Peter Lanftoft. 

P. 307, /. 550. Dm.' cum Meriin:— The Cambridge MS. has 7***, with 
a great T., by an error of the illuminator. Robert of Brunne, in translating 
this part of the Chronicle, quotes the original author, Peter Langtoft, ss his 
authority : — 

Nou tcls Pers, 00 his manors, a grete seicouth. 

He takis witnea, that it soth as, of MeHyn ssosftb, He. 

The MS. from which llearne printed rinalsiaid a marginal note, •• De 
uoiooc Scot 1 « et Aoglist secundum dicta Petri et Bridlington*," meaning that 
Bridlington had something similar m his p r oph e ck s . Hears*, not aware that 
it is Peter LangtoA to whom the writer refers, alters it to Petri de Bridlington ; 
although, if he had referred to Bale, he would have found that Bridlington's 
name was John, and not Peter. 

/'. 30<i, /. 5M2, Jon * TOeusat . . . CWskrf. - J ohn of Beve r le y , Thoeaea of 
Canterbury, sod Cuthbert of Durham. These three saints are elsewhere spoken 
of in Peter LangtoA as Edward's especial patrons and aiders. 

/'. 3lu. /. 607, Df strut ste mini fU— — See, am this transsrtiss, M a tt h e w 
of Westminster, p 42H, and Hesmingford, p. I #7. 

/>. 31 1 . I suspect that the lines here hiciini In brackets, as not sound in 
the Cambridge MS . «er« m i m ed by myself in transcribing. 

/ 613, dutm4 eWr.— Robert of Bru n n e says the twelfth penny. 

/' 315. /. OJ./«* cre».— The manner m which the writer hare ifss s i, as 
veil as other nprestioas ta the course of the smam, seem to show that he 
wrote down the tunU a* they 




4 



398 NOTES. 

P. 316, i. 701, le Sire de Cnaferttr.— Robert Winchelsey, Archbiehop of 
Canterbury, from 1294 to 1313. 

P. 317, 1. 709, lAnrtde NickoU^Olircr Sutton, Bishop of Lincoln, who 
died in the November of 1299. 

L 714, Vthft de Everwyk*. — Henry de Newark, who succeeded to the 

Archbiihopric in 1297, and died in 1299. 

P. 318, L 720. These Engliah rerses are only found in the Cambridge MS. 

P. 320, 1. 19, Pur treye tour, ifc. — Robert of Bmnne translates this — 

Thei profere a man to bete, for tno schilynges or Are, 
With piked staves grete beten lalle he be. 

We learn from thii writer that it waa the King who gave them the name of 
DraUebaetoue. 

/\321, /. 43, Sire Jon de Menettft.—He U taid to hare been incited by Ma 
personal hatred of Wallace to seek out and deliver die Scottish ***«*-«- to Ms 
enemies. Robert de Bmnne adds something to his original in this place s— 

Sir Jon of Menetest sewed William so nehi. 

He tok him whan he wend lest, on nyght his lessen hi. 

That was thorght treson of Jak Schort his man. 

He was the encheson that Sir Jon so him nam. 

Jak brother bad he slayn, the Welds that is said. 

The more Jak was fayn to do William that braid. 

Selconthly be endis the man that is mis, 

If he treat on his frendes, thei begile him als 

Begiled is William, taken is anJbondon. 

To Inglond with him thei cam, and led him onto London. 

We may take this occasion of pointing out the impropriety of quoting Robert 
de Bmnne as Peter Langtoft. Mr. Tytler quotes this story of Jack Short wpew. 
Langtoft's antbority, which mrolYes two serious errors, first, lasilag Langtoft 
my what he did not my, and, secondly, giving the story on batter authority than 
that on which it really rests, for, in this respect, Robert est Brmme It "■fnly 
inferior to Langtoft. 

P. 323, /. 67, And tut, e/c— Robert of Bmnne has sis tines of thai 
more than in the French MSS. 

It is not to drede, 
Traytour salle spede, 




NOTES. 399 

all he it worth! , 
H it lif talle he tyne, 
And die thorgh pyne, 

withooten merci. 
That may men here, 
A ladde for to lore 

Co biggen in pays. 
It fallis in his ijc, 
That hewea over hie, 

with the Walays. 

P. 32<I, /. 06, mi.— In the MS. it it written n*v. Perhapa the o waa added 
by somebody who thought the orthography should be new. 

P. 327, /. 7(f, arrreu Ike ekspeie.—Thit Uat word, which answers to cmpeil* 
in the similar passage in the Song at the end of theae notea (p. 401, 1. 91), 
meant here, perhaps, a srwrdrooc . 

P. V2*J, i. 126, *mu.~ Thia word is added in the MS. by a later hand than 
that which wrote the other part. 

P. 1 Hi, I. '.M.'i, tmrmenlourt tkmt route* from clerk* pki. — Men who haw 
performed the part of dcrils. or tormentors, in the miracle ptaya, which were 
performed by the clerk t. 

P. 31h, / 1 10, Tkeik pleten and* Ike Jrtuocf t titer, aW sVtuVu rW fee sresr. 
— Thry ate the king's silrer for their own pl ras ur ts, and p ro d ace wood, or 
tsJhrs, instead of contributing to the prosperity of the people. 

/' .III. /. VJ2, a dertke.—L 4ul. eft srWe i.uawA.-- P. J4*. /. 409, ewefarr 
•onrf — /. 4\C, mmmtker dertke •/ rom._C)ur poem waa probably composed la 
\\2\. Purine the preceding years, the kingdom had been riaited rrpentedly 
by dearth ami famine, lloliaahcd remarks in II 16, a great dearth and famine, 
insomuch that a quarter of wheat sold for forty shillings, and at the same time 
a murrain among the cattle; la 1317. a •• pitiful famine" with a * 
tahtte of people ;" the year 131* teems la hate been free from theae 
and may hste been that in which, according to the poem, there was "eft west 
i.nouh ;" in 1 119. again, a grant murrain of cattle; and m the latter and of 
the following year and in 13*1, brwho oat the " grunt rarmaaoa hntwtrt the tarda 
aad the Sprnsers." which was the caaar of aa much haaadaaed, and which 
seems to be the " atnf " (/. 4*3) under which the part rearannli the aaaalt aa 
thrn labouring 




400 NOTES. 

P. 342, 1. 418, afiugred. — For'other instances of the use of this form, see a 
note on " The Tale of the Bssyn and the Frere and the Boy." (Pickering ^ 1836.) 

P. 344, 1. 457, paunter.— The troe meaning of this word seems to be a frup, 
or mart. An English prose treatise of counsel for hermits, probably by Ham- 
pole (MS. Trin. ColL Cant. B. 15, 17, of the reign of Edward III.), speaking 
of the snares laid by the devil to deceive people, observes, " This pmmttr leyeth 
owre enemy to taken us with, whan we bigynne to baten wikkednesse, and tana 
ns to goodnesse." 

P. 345. — Thij poem is defective at the end, by the loss of the remainder of 
the MS., which is imperfect. The following carious Song, which wee gfvem 
me by Mr. Halliwell, bears a remarkable resemblance in some parts to the 
English poem of the Anchinleck MS. It is taken from a MS. in the Uni- 
versity Library, Cambridge, Ee. vi. 89, of the beginning of the fifteenth 
century, though most, if not all, the articles it contains are c om pos i tion^) ef a 
much earlier date. 

Ecce dolet Anglia luctibns imbata ! 
Gens tremit tristitia, sordibus pollute ; 
Kecat pestilentia viros atque brute. 
Cur ? quia flsgitia regnant resolute. 

Hen ! jam torus vertitur mundus in malignum. 
Inter gentes qussritur ubi cor benignum. 
Christus non recolitur, mortuus per lignum ; 
Ergo plebs perimitur ia vindictss signum. 

Pax et patientia penitus orbantur ; 
Amor et justitia domi non moraarur ; 
Errores et vitia gentes amplezantur ; 
Patrum per malitia parvufi uecantur. 

Pastorum pigritia greges disperguntur ; 
Insontes astutia mercantum falluntur ; 
Fraus et avaritia sorores jungentur : 
Divitum nequitia pauperes plectuntur. 

Simonia colitur, Simon Magus vtvit ; 
jEquitas opprimitur, Veritas abivit ; 
Christi grez dispergitur, lupus iasanivit ; 
Pestisque difunditur, agnos deglutivit. 

Favor non scientia permovet rc c t e te s ; 
Intrudit potentia servos ob labores, 
Et regum dementia quoedam per favores ; 
JRm et amicitia juvant penritom. 




NOTES. 401 



Forte Cbristi nilitea nodo rcceaaerant ; 
Ssthanat satellites templam eabrerterant ; 
Leceraa el debilea ot« prodideniot ; 
Cacali dageneres nisis sacceeeerant. 

Patres quondam nobiles pastes fugarant, 
Et in fide stabiles laofaidos sananuit ; 
Vita ▼enerabflea signis corascarunt ; 
Aetna per landabflea Christo nilitarnat. 

Tales erant Testibas aaperis restiti ; 
Ut moderai nwllibns raro tool potiti. 
Hii pratclaria aaoribas erant instfaiti ; 
JaTenes a aordibaa aacria emditi. 

Hen ! Dane aaercenarU, nee Ten pastor**. 
Rectors*, Ticarii, ataUremnt store* ; 
Ambit* denarii ambrmnt laborea ; 
Tales operarii a aerent nr nMerorea : 

Isti pro dbdis ataatar peUara ; 
Fardant delicUa rentr** tota cara ; 
Dint post [as] apmreitiia ae sine saensnra ; 
SaaTalti drrittis riraat contra jara. 

Dam capetla tagttar nobtti restart, 
Sponaa Cnrftsti rapitar nndaU tcctara ; 
Vinaa daatraiCnr poraoraai nranra. 
Et ride creltitv, carens jess caltara. 




camd. »or. G. S r 




402 NOTES. 



P. 14. Song on the Times. — Giraldus Cambrenais hat inserted a copy of 
this Song in the Speculum Ecclesie, MS. Cotton. Tiberius, B. xm. fbL 126, 
v", and attributes it to the famous Golias, which is commonly supposed to W 
only a fictitious name for Walter Mapes. This takes away all doubt as to its 
age, and the explanations given by Flacius lllyricus may be right. Then is 
another copy in a Cottonian MS. of the thirteenth century, Vespasv A* znc 
fol. 50, r°, where it is entitled De veneranda juttitia Romano} cirrus. In Gi- 
raldus, the song commences with the 13th line, Roma wundi caput tat, Ac. 
In the other Cotton. MS. it begins as in our text. The variations aflbrded by 
these two MSS. arc as follow :— P. 14, /. 1, Romanaj re*., C— 6, pro/Mi, C. 
—9, the fir>t ttt is omitted in C— 10, Ttgunt pieem, C— P. 15, I. 12, i — i 
in $ay., C. — 15, trahit tnim, G. and C— 17, re* et stay., C. — 21, In Ate esn- 
tistorioy G. and C. — 27, pttunt qvando petit, G. end C— 28, tadem et ssirsi, 
C. — P. 16. The first 1G lines in this page are omitted in Giraldus.—/. 3, nwas* 
mu» t C. — C, rot. placet, totumpl., C— 7, itapL . . Romanot, C— 10, s Huisi , 
C— 11, FA $anc, C— 12, trmtuemmt, C. — 13,rem7/snr«, C. — 13, prammuere, 
C.—P. 1 7, /. 1 , ft . . ait, G. and C. anhmanti, C— 2, Retpondtt tare latin, G. 
nnd C— 6, Ji mort, C. — 7, G. and C. hare Porta at the beginning of this Hat, 
and Papa in the next. G. omits the words ckartmla qutcrit : it ought to hi 
observed that in this MS. the song is written as prose, so that such 
are easily explained. — 8, G. and C. omit the words evrttr fawn/.- 
quatrit, G. ri dts *i quid umi, G. and C. — 10, Tktmm mart saltan tat, /ore, G. 
and C. except that the former has aataeum for aalttiss eat : see another esouaoJe 
of this expression in the present volume, p. 228, 1. 19.— 11, /Am.. «V« .. 
adda», (i.—/. 12, the extract in Giraldus ends here.— P. 18, /. 4, tatmm tanV., 
C— 6. kabtt PMo, C— 9, aUmt diritik**, C. 

P. 44, /. 3 of Song against the Bishops, read fungar vice cotis, " I will per- 
form the part of a whetstone.*' 

P. M2, I. :» of translation, /or Edward, read Edmund. 



INDEX. 



Abel, Sir John, 2IJ). 

Act*. 13*, 2*8, 371, 393. 

m/lmprtd, 400. 

Albanac, 300, 395. 

Alfred's Proverbs, extract from, 36b*. 

Almaignc, Richard, King of, 69, *H1, 

361. 
shmmctmm, .155. 
Alnwick. 17 I. 176. 
Alphooso, brother to Louis IX., 36, 

3ft. 
Alphooso VIII., 367. 
Asnondishsm, Walter, 3<M. 
Aagiers, 3T. 
Angws : see L'mfratille. 
d'Aajow. Comte, G«I 
Arabia, *>. IJ'.\ 
Arfctotlr. MS. 3«5. 
Arthur, Kinc. 5H, 355. 
Artois, Comtr, lyo. 
Athol. Earl of. ??1. 3** I. 

\ .17 H. 



\ Bartholosaew de. *£t, 389. 
i, conduct of, t. Edward 1., ©O. 
Babol : see John. 



Ban nocc born, Song on the battle of, 

261. 
Barons, objects of the confederate, t. 

Hen. III., 9*. 
Bartholosnems, 263. 
Baston, Robert, 375, 380, 388. 
Battle abbey, 74, 362. 
Brancsire, 38. 
Beck, Anthony, bithop of Durham, 305. 

396. 
Bcltfomr, 233, 383. 
Bellofago, Roger de, 383. 
Belregard, wood of, 232. 234. 383. 
Bertstcod, fcia*os, Bishop of Cfecae*. 

ter, 81, 362. 
Bertraai, 173. 
Berwick -oo*Tweed, 281, 285, 287, 289, 

304. 
Berwick, Job*. 315. 
Beeile, Sir Matthew or Mac? *V. 62, 358. 
Dc verity Abbey, 139, 3# 2. 
Bigot. Sir Hugh, 70, 361. 
Bigot. Roger. 67, 360. 
Bishofs of Norwich, Botb, nod Una. 
ootba.6. Kotos, 147. 
aawinst. t. Hew. 111. 44. 
Black Monk*, order of. III, 372. 



404 ini 

BoLuii, Hnmpbicr, tbc younger, 294. 

Boil, Thomai dc, 219. 

Born, Bertrand de, 3. 

Boulogne, Comte of, 191. 

Boniface VIII. Pope, 193, 379. 

Bonaing, 2, 

Brenoini, SB, 355. 

Broiniiui, 58. 

Bruce, Sir Robert, (King of Scotland.) 

215.22.1,285. Celled tbe "iBmrner 

King," 380. 
Brngei, 188, 379. 

Bunion, William, Prior of Bljthe, 374. 
tmrtl, 381. 

Bnntwick on Hambcr, 318. 
Buy St. Edmund'., Parliament 11,310. 

Cadoinr , 5, 347. 
Caen, 5, 347. 
Carnbini ondar, 181. 
Cambinoj,305,396. 
Cambrai, 382, 288, 318. 
Camvilk, KicboLa. 332. 
Canom, order of, 140, 37*. 

tecular, 14V, 373. 
rwpaefera, 355. 

Carthuian monks. 373. 

Carrick, Earl of, 178, 377- 

Cato tertina, 10, 349. 

Celcotiae, Pope, ST 4, 390. 

tkmptlt. 399. 

Charlemagne, 38, 353. 

Charter of France, 2ii : ire Sicily. 

Charter of the Peace with England, MM. 

Cheater, Raanlnh Earl of, 54, 331. 

ChertcrncU, 370. 



373. 

Clement V. Pope, 343, 385. 
Clifford, Roger, GO, 337. 
Codtb, 118, 377. 
Couiutory Courta, Song on the, t, Edw. 

I., 155. 
Conrtantine,, 58, 355. 
Con jug, Peter, 188, 191. 379. 
Corbridge, 387, 376. 
Corinjiw. 291, 393. 
Cornwall, Sir Richard, 984, 899. 
Coortr»i. battle of. 187. 
Creanngham, Hugh, 304. 
Crpma, 283. 

Derid, Saint, 57. 

DajrOe, Sir John, 60, 337. 

Dcipencer, Haghle, 186,263,315,368, 

393. 
DtTtl, Sir Ralph, 191. 
Dougiai, Wflliara, 283, 3S9. 
Dow, 71,976, 391. 
Dunbar, battle of. 166, 213, 374. 
Dunbar, 287, 988, S89 : ere March. 
Durham, fliabop of, 90S, 396. 

Earn, right* of, 97. 

Edward, Prince, (Edward 1.) 60, 64, 

U", M, 193, 370. 
Edward I., Latia poem in praia* of, 

1W. Soap of Ma reran, 19K.240. 

UwnUoahfc>deaih,94l,946. Km 

name of " 1 rnitahanki." IBS. 
Edward, Prince of Walea, (Edward 1L) 

194,916. 
Edward 1 1., Sena* af hit rehrn. Ml-SSt, 

1J3-34S. 



INDEX. 



405 



Egueblanche, Peter de, Bishop of Here* 

ford, 61, 337. 
Ely, isle of, 130,370. 
encmmia, 3*2. 

Eustace, Bishop of Ely, 12, 350. 
Euthcrium nemos, 181. 
Eresham, battle of, 125, 368. 

Falkirk, battle of, 176, 376. 

Famines in the reign of Edw. II. 338, 
399. 

Flanders, Count of, 168. 

Flemish insurrection in 1302, Song on, 
187. Notes, 378. 

/•eerie, 33, 352. 

Fraser, Richard, 285, 392. 

Fraser, Sir Simon, Song on his execu- 
tion, 212. Notes, 380. 

Friars Minors, Order of, 144, 373. 

FroUo, 58. Account of him, 355. 
, 3* /. 

Galloway. 304. 

Gahraing, 4. 

Gavestoo, Peter. 253. Songs on his 

death, 258. Notes, 348. 
Giflord. Sir J oho, 59, 356. 
Gleevdle. Gilbert, Bishop of Rochester, 

13.350. 
Glasgow. Bishop of. 214. 
Gloucester. 91. 362. 
Gloucester. Earl of. 65. 122, 126, 263, 

267, 360. 368. 370, 389. 
eafiersf, saeantng of. 369. 
Gohas, 349. 152. 40?. 
Graham, Bu Patrick, 294. 
Giandtaoo. hu Otho. 288, 903. 



Gray, Sir John, 62, 358. 

Gray, John, Bishop of Norwich, 548, 

349. 
Grey Monks, order of, 143, 373. 
Groing, 4. 
Guienne, 4. 

Aefemefe, 374. 

Heminfford, the chronicler, paraphrases 

Peter Langtoft, 397. 
Henry III. Songs of his reign, 19-127. 
Hexham, 287, 289, 301, 376, 397. 
fleeter*, 380. 
Hospitallers, 140. 370. 
Hoylaad, Robert de, 271, 390. 
Husbandman, Song of the, t. EsHrerd 

I., 149. Notes, 374. 

James I., King of Aragou, 36, 37, 99, 

41. 
Joceline. Rashop of Bath and Weak, 

10,149. 
John, King. Songs of his reign. l-M- 

Styled Jupiter, 350. 
John Battel. King of Scotland, 164, 

274, 275, 2S5. 290, 290. 302 V< 

en his itsMtttui. 180. Nksi 

Teees feweew, 395. 
Jose, Sir John, 217. 
Judges, Song en the venality of, t. 

Edward 1., 224. Notes. 382. 



Kesnwyu#y, 905, 396. 

Kingly esmreeter, pes>elnr sjoctnsjo as, 

i *°- 

KlrkisrhsT. bntot of, tit, 216, 301. 




406 



INDEX. 



Ladies, Song on the, t. Edw. I., 133. 
Lancaster, Thomas Earl of, office of, 

268, 389, 390. 
Lancaster, Edmond Earl of, 282. 
Lanercost, 287,.289. 
Langley, Sir John, 62, 357. 
Langtoft, Peter, extracts from his 

Chronicle, 273. Notes, 390, &c. 
Langton, Archbishop, 6, 348. 
Langton, Walter de, 314. 
Latimer, Sir William, 63, 358. 
Leicester, Simon Earl of, tee Montfort. 
Lewes, battle of, 68, 361. Latin poem 

on, 72. 
Leyburne, Sir Roger, 60, 62, 357. 
Levenax (Lennox), Earl of, 171, 376. 
Limoux, 37. 
Lincoln, 24, 352. 
Lincoln, Henry Earl of, 282, 391. 
Lindsey, 319. 
London, 23, 130, 276, 280, 300, 307, 

320, 322, 370. 

Saint Amoat at, 67, 361. 

bridge, 212, 213, 221, 222. 

Cheap, 221. 

Newgate, 218. 

the Tower, 219, 221, 297, 304. 

I»uis the Dauphin, 4, 23, 351. 
Louis IX. 36, 42, 63, 64. 
Lundi, Richard, 171, 376. 
lymrd, 361. 
Lyndsay, Sir John, 217. 

Maine, Sir John of, 2. 
Mainerus, the scribe of Canterbury, bis 
account of himself and his family, 354. 
male rmje, 391. 



Mape*; Walter, 14, 349, 350, 373, 402. 

Mar, Earl of, 287. 

March, Patrick Earl of, 285, 287, 289, 

392. 
Margaret, Queen, 178, 377. 
Martin, Sir William, 233, 383. 
Manger Bishop of Worcester, 12, 350. 
Mauleon, Sarary de, 1, 2, 3, 347. 
Melons, romance of, 356. 
Menteith, Earl of, 387. 
Mcnteith, Sir John, 321, 398. 
Merlin, 57, 64, 307, 309. 
Montfort, Guy, 126, 368. 
Moutfort, Sir Henry, 126, 368. 
Moutfort, Sir Hugh, 70. 
Montfort, Sir Peter, 60. 
Moutfort, Simon, 61, 66, 70,75—91, 

123. The Lament of, 125 t 362, 368. 
Montpellirr, 40. 

Mountain, Old Man of the, 132, 371. 
MounUorrrll, 24, 351. 
Morham, *ee Norbam. 
Morloy, 173. 
Multon, Sir Thomas, 217, 381. 

1105*1, 391, 395. 

Nego, the Song of, t. Edward 1., 218. 

Newark, Henry, Archbishop elect of 

York, 317,398. 
Ncwrantlc-on-Tyne, 283. 
New minuter, 174. 
Norfolk, 59. 

Norfolk, Roger Bigod, Earl of, 123,364. 
Norbam, Sir Hubert, 218, 381. 
Northampton, 74, 361. 
Northumberland, 1 73, 292. 
Nottingham, 24, 352. 



INDBX. 



407 



d'Orange, GuilUumc, 347. 

Order of Fair- Raw, Song of the, 137. 

Notes. 371. 
Ovid, 180. 
Oxford, 83. 

Paris, 67,276, 277, 280. 

Parliament at St. Edmund's Bury, 310. 

pannier, 400. 

Percy, Henry, 304. 

Philippe- Augu«te, King, 4. 

Philip, King, 190, 193, 274. 281, 310, 

315. 
Poitiers, 243, 384. 
Poitou, 4. 

Political Proverbs, 385—388. 
Preachers, Order of, 1 16. 373. 

Red Hall, at Berwick, 284. 392. 



StUmm, 28, 352. 

St. Andrew's, Bishop of, 214, 299. 

St. Denis, 68. 

de St. Paul, Sir Jacques, 189. 

St. Thomas of Canterbury, 125, 268, 

390. 
Sandwich, Sir Ralph, 219, 381. 
Savoy, Sir Assy de, 288. 
Scholastic studies, Sonf against, t. Ed- 

ward I., 206 : Notes, 380. 
Scone, abbot of, 214 : royal seat of, 

307. 
Scottish wars. Song on, t. Edward 1., 

160: Notes, 374. 
Sempringham abbey, 138, 371. 
Sheriffs, conduct of, t. Edward 1 , 228. 
Short, Jack, 396. 
Sicily. Charles King of, 131, 370. 
Silence, the Order of, 144, 373. 
Retinoes, Song on great, t. Edward I., Stsnoay, Song on, t. Edward II., SS3. 



237: Notes, 385. 
riae/af, meaning of, 369. 
Richard I., King. 4, 58, 128. 347. 355. 
Rioo, 278. 

Riahanger, William, 121, .W. 
rirWraa, 391. 
Robert, Richard, GUbrri, and (ieffrry, 

four brothers, 49. 
Robert, Biahop of SaliaburT. 13. 350. 



Sosneirile, 173. 

Somnonrm, 157. 

Spigwrnel, Henry, 233, 383. 

Stirling. 217.262,318, 376. 

Surrey, Earl of: are Wareuue. 

Sutton. Oliver, Bishop of Uucutn. 31 7, 

3911. 
Syria. 40. 
Syward, Sir Richard. 290, 291. 293. 



Robertsbridgr, 75, 36.'. 

Rolls, containing song* and poems. 356. Tailors, S ong on the, t. Ilea. III., 51. 
Rome, 15—18, 321 ; popr of, 4.1, 311. 
Ros. Robert de, 283. 191. 
Rims. Earl of. 287. 
d« Rmcnar, Bert rand. 36. 
de Raptbua, Peter. Rtabop of Winches* 
ter. 10. 349. 



Tallies of the King's nwnreyurs, 184, 
377, 399. 

►.I. 

1.4. 

Tmwalt.fi7. 
Ta*ra*ne. 4. 




408 



INDEX. 



Toulouse, Comte de, 58. 
. Toon, 37. 
tprot Scot, 223, 381. 
TraiDebaston, Song of, t. Edward I., 

231 : Notes, 283 : Langtoft's account 

of, 319, 398. 
Trent, the riyer, 169, 376. 
Troy, 180. 

trmtaxnut, whence truant, 376. 
tu-trigge, 381. 
Tunis, 131, 370. 

Turberile, Thomas, 278—281, 391. 
twrmemtoun, in the miracle plays, 399. 
7y«tf , meaning of the word, 355. 

UmfraTille, Gilbert, 178, 285,377, 392. 

de Valence, Sir Aymer, 21 6, JS7. 
Vescy, Sir William de, 173, 282, 391. 
Virgil, and legends of him, 245, 385, 
388. 



viro, its meaning, 371. 

Wallace, William, 170, 173, 174, 376. 

Execution of, 213, 222, 321, S80 v 396. 
Wallingford, honour of, 69, 361. 
Wanton, Simon de, Bishop of Norwich, 

62, 357. 
Warenne, John Earl of, 59, 70, 168, 

289, 304, 319, 356, 361, 376. 
Warwick, Earl of, 289, 393. 
Welsh, Song of the, i. Hen. III., 54. 

Their turbulence, 273. 
Westminster, 253. Abbey, 311. 
White Monks, 373. 

Winchelsea, Archbishop, 311, 316,398. 
Winchester, Earl of, 65, 360. 
Windsor, 69, 361. 

WUe-men, legend of the Few, 385-388. 
Wool, custom on, 377. 
Wyta, Thomas de, 132, 371. 



THE END. 



London : J. B. Nichols and Son, Printers, 95, Parliament Street. 




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