Specimens with Memoirs of the Less-known British Poets Part 116

45 'No, hapless Henry! I rejoice I shall not see thy death; Most willingly in thy just cause Do I resign my breath.

46 'O fickle people, ruined land!

Thou wilt know peace no moe; While Richard's sons exalt themselves, Thy brooks with blood will flow.

47 'Say, were ye tired of G.o.dly peace, And G.o.dly Henry's reign, That you did change your easy days For those of blood and pain?

48 'What though I on a sledge be drawn, And mangled by a hind?

I do defy the traitor's power,-- He cannot harm my mind!

49 'What though uphoisted on a pole, My limbs shall rot in air, And no rich monument of bra.s.s Charles Bawdin's name shall bear?

50 'Yet in the holy book above, Which time can't eat away, There, with the servants of the Lord, My name shall live for aye.

51 'Then welcome death! for life eterne I leave this mortal life: Farewell, vain world! and all that's dear, My sons and loving wife!

52 'Now death as welcome to me comes As e'er the month of May; Nor would I even wish to live, With my dear wife to stay.'

53 Quoth Canynge, ''Tis a goodly thing To be prepared to die; And from this world of pain and grief To G.o.d in heaven to fly.'

54 And now the bell began to toll, And clarions to sound; Sir Charles he heard the horses' feet A-prancing on the ground:

55 And just before the officers His loving wife came in, Weeping unfeigned tears of woe, With loud and dismal din.

56 'Sweet Florence! now, I pray, forbear; In quiet let me die; Pray G.o.d that every Christian soul May look on death as I.

57 'Sweet Florence! why those briny tears?

They wash my soul away, And almost make me wish for life, With thee, sweet dame, to stay.

58 ''Tis but a journey I shall go Unto the land of bliss; Now, as a proof of husband's love, Receive this holy kiss.'

59 Then Florence, faltering in her say, Trembling these words she spoke,-- 'Ah, cruel Edward! b.l.o.o.d.y king!

My heart is well-nigh broke.

60 'Ah, sweet Sir Charles! why wilt thou go Without thy loving wife?

The cruel axe that cuts thy neck Shall also end my life.'

61 And now the officers came in To bring Sir Charles away, Who turned to his loving wife, And thus to her did say:

62 'I go to life, and not to death; Trust thou in G.o.d above, And teach thy sons to fear the Lord, And in their hearts him love:

63 'Teach them to run the n.o.ble race That I their father run; Florence! should death thee take--adieu!-- Ye officers, lead on.'

64 Then Florence raved as any mad, And did her tresses tear;-- 'Oh, stay, my husband, lord, and life!'-- Sir Charles then dropped a tear;--

65 Till tired out with raving loud, She fell upon the floor: Sir Charles exerted all his might, And marched from out the door.

66 Upon a sledge he mounted then, With looks full brave and sweet; Looks that did show no more concern Than any in the street.

67 Before him went the council-men, In scarlet robes and gold, And ta.s.sels spangling in the sun, Much glorious to behold:

68 The friars of St Augustine next Appeared to the sight, All clad in homely russet weeds Of G.o.dly monkish plight:

69 In different parts a G.o.dly psalm Most sweetly they did chaunt; Behind their backs six minstrels came, Who tuned the strong bataunt.

70 Then five-and-twenty archers came; Each one the bow did bend, From rescue of King Henry's friends Sir Charles for to defend.

71 Bold as a lion came Sir Charles, Drawn on a cloth-laid sled By two black steeds, in trappings white, With plumes upon their head.

72 Behind him five-and-twenty more Of archers strong and stout, With bended bow each one in hand, Marched in goodly rout:

73 Saint James's friars marched next, Each one his part did chaunt; Behind their backs six minstrels came Who tuned the strong bataunt:

74 Then came the mayor and aldermen, In cloth of scarlet decked; And their attending men, each one Like eastern princes tricked:

75 And after them a mult.i.tude Of citizens did throng; The windows were all full of heads, As he did pa.s.s along.

76 And when he came to the high cross, Sir Charles did turn and say,-- 'O Thou that savest man from sin, Wash my soul clean this day!'

77 At the great minster window sat The king in mickle state, To see Charles Bawdin go along To his most welcome fate.

78 Soon as the sledge drew nigh enough That Edward he might hear, The brave Sir Charles he did stand up, And thus his words declare:

79 'Thou seest me, Edward! traitor vile!

Exposed to infamy; But be a.s.sured, disloyal man!

I'm greater now than thee.

80 'By foul proceedings, murder, blood, Thou wearest now a crown; And hast appointed me to die, By power not thine own.

81 'Thou thinkest I shall die to-day; I have been dead till now, And soon shall live to wear a crown For ever on my brow:

82 'Whilst thou, perhaps, for some few years Shall rule this fickle land, To let them know how wide the rule 'Twixt king and tyrant hand:

83 'Thy power unjust, thou traitor slave!

Shall fall on thy own head'---- From out of hearing of the king Departed then the sled.

84 King Edward's soul rushed to his face, He turned his head away, And to his brother Gloucester He thus did speak and say:

85 'To him that so much dreaded death No ghastly terrors bring, Behold the man! he spake the truth, He's greater than a king!'

86 'So let him die!' Duke Richard said; 'And may each of our foes Bend down their necks to b.l.o.o.d.y axe, And feed the carrion crows!'

87 And now the horses gently drew Sir Charles up the high hill; The axe did glisten in the sun, His precious blood to spill.

88 Sir Charles did up the scaffold go, As up a gilded car Of victory, by valorous chiefs, Gained in the b.l.o.o.d.y war:

89 And to the people he did say,-- 'Behold, you see me die, For serving loyally my king, My king most rightfully.

90 'As long as Edward rules this land, No quiet you will know; Your sons and husbands shall be slain, And brooks with blood shall flow.