A Song of the banishment of two Dukes, Hereford and Norfolke

TWo Noble Dukes of great renowne,
that long had ]iu’d in fame,
Through hatefull enuie were cast downe,
and brought to sudden shame.
The Duke of Hereford was the one,
a prudent Prince and wise:
Gainst whom such malice there was showne,
which soone in fight did rise.
The Duke of Norfolk, most vntrue,
declared to the King:
The Duke of Hereford greatly grew
in hatred of each thing,
Which by his grace was acted still,
against both high and low:
And how he had a trayterous will,
his state to ouerthrow.
The Duke of Hereford, then in hast,
was sent for to the King:
And by his Lords in order plac’t,
examined of each thing.
Which being guiltlesse of this crime,
which was against him laid:
The Duke of Norfolk at that time,
these words vnto him said.
How canst thou with a shamelesse face,
deny a truth so stout:
And here before his Royall Grace,
so falsly face it out:
Did not these treasons from thee passe,
when we together were,
How that the King vnworthy was,
the Royall Crown to beare:
Wherefore, my gracious lord (quoth he)
and you his noble Peeres:
To whom I wish long life to be,
with many happy yeares.
I doe pronounce before you all,
the Duke of Hereford here,
A traitor to our noble King,
as time shall shew it cleare.
The Duke of Hereford hearing that
in mind was grieued much:
And did returne this answer flat,
which did Duke Norfolke touch.
The terme of traitor trothlesse Duke,
in scorne and deepe disdaine:
With flat defiance to thy face
I do returne againe.
And therefore if it please your Grace,
to grant me leaue (quoth he)
To combate with my knowen foe,
that here accuseth me;
I doe not doubt but plainly proue:
that like a periured Knight,
He hath most falsly sought my shame,
against all truth and right.
The King did grant this iust request,
and did therewith agree:
At Couentry in August next,
this combate fought should be.
The Dukes on backed steeds full stout,
in coats of steel most bright:
With spears in rests did enter lists,
this combate fierce to fight.
The King then cast his warder downe,
commanding them to stay:
And with his Lords he counsell tooke,
to stint that mortall fray.
At length vnto these noble Dukes,
the King of Heralds came,
And vnto them with lofty speech,
this sentence did proclaime.
Sir Henry Bullingbrooke this day,
the Duke of Hereford here,
And Thomas Moubray, Norfolkes Duke,
so valiant did appeare:
And hauing in honourable sort,
repaired to this place:
Our noble King, for speciall cause,
hath altred thus the case.
First Henry Duke of Hereford,
ere fifteene dayes be past:
Shall part this Realme on paine of death,
while ten yeares space doth last.
And Thomas Duke of Norfolk, thou,
that hast begun this strife,
And thereof no good proofe canst bring,
I say for term of life.
By iudgement of our Soueraigne Lord,
which now in place doth stand:
For euermore I banish thee,
out of thy natiue Land:
Charging thee on paine of death,
when fifteene dayes are past:
Thou neuer tread on English ground,
so long as life doth last.
Thus they were sworne before the King
ere they did further passe:
The one should neuer come in place,
where as the other was.
Then both the Dukes, with heauy hearts,
were parted presently:
Their vncooth streams of froward chance,
in forraigne Lands to try.
The Duke of Norfolke comming then,
where hee should shipping take:
The bitter tears fell downe his cheeks,
and thus his mone did make.
Now let me sob and sigh my fill,
ere I from hence depart:
That inward pangs with speed may burst
my sore afflicted heart.
Ah cursed man whose loathed life
is held so much in scorne:
Whose company is cleane despis’d,
and left as one forlorn.
Now take thy leaue and last adue,
of this thy countrey deare.
Which neuer more thou must behold
nor yet approach it neare.
How happy should I count my self,
if death my heart had torne:
That I might haue my bones entomb’d
where I was bred and borne.
Or that by Neptunes wrathfull rage,
I might be prest to dye;
Whilst that sweet Englands pleasant banks,
did stand before mine eye.
How sweet a sent hath English ground,
within my senses now:
How faire vnto my outward sight,
seemes euery branch and bow.
The fields and flowers, the trees and stones,
seeme such vnto my mind:
That in all other Countries sure,
the like I shall not find.
Oh that the Sun, with shining face,
would stay his Steeds by strength:
That this same day might stretched be
to twenty yeares of length.
And that the true performed tides,
their hasty course would stay;
That Eolus would neuer yeeld,
to beare me hence away.
That by the Fountaine of mine eye,
the fields might watred be:
That I might graue my grieuous plaints,
vpon each springing tree.
But time I see, with Eagles wings,
so swift doth flye away:
And dusky clouds begin to dim
the brightnes of the day.
The fatall houre draweth on,
the winds and tides agree:
And now sweet England ouer soone,
I must depart from thee.
The mariners haue hoisted sailes,
and call to catch me in:
And now in wofull heart I feele,
my torments to begin.
Wherefore farwel for euermore,
sweet England vnto thee:
And farwel, all my freinds which I
againe shall neuer see.
And England here I kisse thy ground
vpon my bended knee:
Whereby to shew to all the world,
how deare I loued thee.
This being said, away he went,
as fortune did him guide:
And at the length with griefe of hart,
in Venice there he died.
The Duke in dolefull sort,
did leade his life in France:
And at the last the mighty Lord,
did him full high aduance.
The Lords of England afterward,
did send for him againe:
While that King Richard at the wars,
in Ireland did remaine.
Who through the vile and great abuse,
which through his deeds did spring,
Deposed was, and then the Duke
was truly crowned King.

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