His barns were fired, his goods consumed,

His lands were barren made; His cattle died within the field, And nothing with him stayed. And in a voyage to Portugal, Two of his sons did die;

And to conclude, himself was brought To want and misery.

He pawned and mortgaged all his land,

Ere seven years came about;
And now at length this wicked act
Did by this means come out.

The fellow that did take in hand
These children dear to kill,
Was for a robbery judged to die-
Such was God's blessed will.
So did confess the very truth,
As hath been here displayed,
Their uncle having died in gaol,
Where he for debt was laid.

You that executors be made,
And overseers eke,

Of children that be fatherless,
And infants mild and meek;
Take you example by this thing,
And yield to each his right,
Lest God with such-like misery
Your wicked minds requite.

HEN as King Henry rul'd this land,

The second of that name,

留

Besides the queen, he dearly loved
A fair and princely dame.
Most peerless was her beauty found,
Her favour and her grace;
A sweeter creature in the world
Did never prince embrace.

Her crispèd locks, like threads of gold,
Appear'd to each man's sight;
Her comely eyes, like orient pearls,
Did cast a heavenly light.

The blood within her crystal cheeks
Did such a colour drive,
As though the lily and the rose
For mastership did strive.

Yea, Rosamond! fair Rosamond!
Her name was called so;
To whom dame Eleanor, our queen,
Was known a mortal foe.

The king, therefore, for her defence
Against the furious queen,

At Woodstock buildèd such a bower,
The like was never seen.

Most curiously this bower was built,
Of stone and timber strong;
An hundred and fifty doors
Did to this bower belong.

And they so cunningly contrived,
With turnings round about,
That none but by a clue or thread
Could enter in or out.

And for his love and lady's sake,
That was so fair and bright,
The keeping of this bower he gave
Unto a valiant knight.

But Fortune, that doth often frown,
Where she before did smile,
The king's delight, the lady's joy,
Full soon she did beguile.

For why, the king's ungracious son,
Whom he did high advance,
Against his father raisèd wars
Within the realms of France.
But yet, before our comely king
The English land forsook,