Laurel · Thomas Chatterton · The Rowley Poems

Syr Charles Bawdin

Thomas Chatterton (1752–1770) · 1777

common measure · 392 lines · from The Rowley Poems

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The featherd songster chaunticleerHan wounde hys bugle horne,And tolde the earlie villagerThe commynge of the morne:

Kynge EDWARDE sawe the ruddie streakesOf lyghte eclypse the greie;And herde the raven's crokynge throteProclayme the fated daie.

"Thou'rt ryght," quod hee, "for, by the GoddeThat syttes enthron'd on hyghe!CHARLES BAWDIN, and hys fellowes twaine,To-daie shall surelie die."

Thenne wythe a jugge of nappy aleHys Knyghtes dydd onne hymm waite;"Goe tell the traytour, thatt to-daieHee leaves thys mortall state."

Syr CANTERLOUE thenne bendedd lowe,Wythe harte brymm-fulle of woe;Hee journey'd to the castle-gate,And to Syr CHARLES dydd goe.

Butt whenne hee came, hys children twaine,And eke hys lovynge wyfe,Wythe brinie tears dydd wett the floore,For goode Syr CHARLESES lyfe.

"O goode Syr CHARLES!" sayd CANTERLOUE,"Badde tydyngs I doe brynge.""Speke boldlie, manne," sayd brave Syr CHARLES,"Whatte says thie traytor kynge?"

"I greeve to telle, before yonne sonneDoes fromme the welkinn flye,Hee hath uponne hys honour sworne,Thatt thou shalt surelie die."

"Wee all must die," quod brave Syr CHARLES;"Of thatte I'm not affearde;Whatte bootes to lyve a little space?Thanke JESU, I'm prepar'd."

"Butt telle thye kynge, for myne hee's not,I'de sooner die to-daieThanne lyve hys slave, as manie are,Tho' I shoulde lyve for aie."

Thenne CANTERLOUE hee dydd goe out,To telle the maior straiteTo gett all thynges ynne reddynessFor goode Syr CHARLESES fate.

Thenne Maisterr CANYNGE saughte the kynge,And felle down onne hys knee;"I'm come," quod hee, "unto your graceTo move your clemencye."

Thenne quod the kynge, "Youre tale speke out,You have been much oure friende;Whatever youre request may bee,Wee wylle to ytte attende."

"My nobile leige! alle my requestYs for a nobile knyghte,Who, tho' may hap hee has donne wronge,He thoghte ytte stylle was ryghte."

"Hee has a spouse and children twaine,Alle rewyn'd are for aie;Yff thatt you are resolv'd to lettCHARLES BAWDIN die to-daie."

"Speke nott of such a traytour vile,"The kynge ynne furie sayde;"Before the evening starre doth sheene,BAWDIN shall loose hys hedde."

"Justice does loudlie for hym calle,And hee shalle have hys meede:Speke, Maister CANYNGE! Whatte thynge elseAtt present doe you neede?"

"My nobile leige!" goode CANYNGE sayde,"Leave justice to our Godde,And laye the yronne rule asyde;Be thyne the olyve rodde."

"Was Godde to serche our hertes and reines,The best were synners grete;CHRIST'S vycarr only knowes ne synne,Ynne alle thys mortall state."

"Lett mercie rule thyne infante reigne,'Twylle faste thye crowne fulle sure;From race to race thy familieAlle sov'reigns shall endure."

"But yff wythe bloode and slaughter thouBeginne thy infante reigne,Thy crowne uponne thy childrennes browsWylle never long remayne."

"CANYNGE, awaie! thys traytour vileHas scorn'd my power and mee;Howe canst thou thenne for such a manneIntreate my clemencye?"

"My nobile leige! the trulie braveWylle val'rous actions prize,Respect a brave and nobile mynde,Altho' ynne enemies."

"CANYNGE, awaie! By Godde ynne Heav'nThatt dydd mee beinge gyve,I wylle nott taste a bitt of breadeWhilst thys Syr CHARLES dothe lyve."

"By MARIE, and alle Seinctes ynne Heav'n,Thys sunne shall be hys laste."Thenne CANYNGE dropt a brinie teare,And from the presence paste.

Wyth herte brymm-fulle of gnawynge grief,Hee to Syr CHARLES dydd goe,And satt hymm downe uponne a stoole,And teares beganne to flowe.

"Wee all must die," quod brave Syr CHARLES;"Whatte bootes ytte howe or whenne;Dethe ys the sure, the certaine fateOf all wee mortall menne.

"Saye why, my friend, thie honest soulRunns overr att thyne eye;Is ytte for my most welcome doomeThatt thou dost child-lyke crye?"

Quod godlie CANYNGE, "I doe weepe,Thatt thou so soone must dye,And leave thy sonnes and helpless wyfe;'Tys thys thatt wettes myne eye."

"Thenne drie the tears thatt out thyne eyeFrom godlie fountaines sprynge;Dethe I despise, and alle the powerOf EDWARDE, traytor kynge.

"Whan throgh the tyrant's welcom meansI shall resigne my lyfe,The Godde I serve wylle soone provydeFor bothe mye sonnes and wyfe.

"Before I sawe the lyghtsome sunne,Thys was appointed mee;Shall mortal manne repyne or grudgeWhatt Godde ordeynes to bee?

"Howe oft ynne battaile have I stoode,Whan thousands dy'd arounde;Whan smokynge streemes of crimson bloodeImbrew'd the fatten'd grounde:

"How dydd I knowe thatt ev'ry darte,Thatt cutte the airie waie,Myghte nott fynde passage toe my harte,And close myne eyes for aie?

"And shall I nowe, forr feere of dethe,Looke wanne and bee dysmayde?Ne! fromm my herte flie childyshe feere,Bee alle the manne display'd.

"Ah, goddelyke HENRIE! Godde forefende,And guarde thee and thye sonne,Yff 'tis hys wylle; but yff 'tis nott,Why thenne hys wylle bee donne.

"My honest friende, my faulte has beeneTo serve Godde and mye prynce;And thatt I no tyme-server am,My dethe wylle soone convynce.

"Ynne Londonne citye was I borne,Of parents of grete note;My fadre dydd a nobile armesEmblazon onne hys cote:

"I make ne doubte butt hee ys goneWhere soone I hope to goe;Where wee for ever shall bee blest,From oute the reech of woe:

"Hee taughte mee justice and the lawsWyth pitie to unite;And eke hee taughte mee howe to knoweThe wronge cause fromm the ryghte:

"Hee taughte mee wythe a prudent handeTo feede the hungrie poore,Ne lett mye sarvants dryve awaieThe hungrie fromme my doore:

"And none can saye, butt alle mye lyfeI have hys wordyes kept;And summ'd the actyonns of the daieEche nyghte before I slept.

"I have a spouse, goe aske of her,Yff I defyl'd her bedde?I have a kynge, and none can laieBlacke treason onne my hedde.

"Ynne Lent, and onne the holie eve,Fromm fleshe I dydd refrayne;Whie should I thenne appeare dismay'dTo leave thys worlde of payne?

"Ne! hapless HENRIE! I rejoyce,I shalle ne see thye dethe;Moste willynglie ynne thye just causeDoe I resign my brethe.

"Oh, fickle people! rewyn'd londe!Thou wylt kenne peace ne moe;Whyle RICHARD'S sonnes exalt themselves,Thye brookes wythe bloude wylle flowe.

"Saie, were ye tyr'd of godlie peace,And godlie HENRIE'S reigne,Thatt you dydd choppe youre easie daiesFor those of bloude and peyne?

"Whatte tho' I onne a sledde bee drawne,And mangled by a hynde,I doe defye the traytor's pow'r,Hee can ne harm my mynde;

"Whatte tho', uphoisted onne a pole,Mye lymbes shall rotte ynne ayre,And ne ryche monument of brasseCHARLES BAWDIN'S name shall bear;

"Yett ynne the holie booke above,Whyche tyme can't eate awaie,There wythe the sarvants of the LordeMye name shall lyve for aie.

"Thenne welcome dethe! for lyfe eterneI leave thys mortall lyfe:Farewell, vayne worlde, and alle that's deare,Mye sonnes and lovynge wyfe!

"Nowe dethe as welcome to mee comes,As e'er the moneth of Maie;Nor woulde I even wyshe to lyve,Wyth my dere wyfe to staie."

Quod CANYNGE, "'Tys a goodlie thyngeTo bee prepar'd to die;And from thys world of peyne and grefeTo Godde ynne Heav'n to flie."

And nowe the bell beganne to tolle,And claryonnes to sounde;Syr CHARLES hee herde the horses feeteA prauncyng onne the grounde:

And just before the officers,His lovynge wyfe came ynne,Weepynge unfeigned teeres of woe,Wythe loude and dysmalle dynne.

"Sweet FLORENCE! nowe I praie forbere,Ynne quiet lett mee die;Praie Godde, thatt ev'ry Christian souleMaye looke onne dethe as I.

"Sweet FLORENCE! why these brinie teeres?Theye washe my soule awaie,And almost make mee wyshe for lyfe,Wyth thee, sweete dame, to staie.

"'Tys butt a journie I shalle goeUntoe the lande of blysse;Nowe, as a proofe of husbande's love,Receive thys holie kysse."

Thenne FLORENCE, fault'ring ynne her saie,Tremblynge these wordyes spoke,"Ah, cruele EDWARDE! bloudie kynge!My herte ys welle nyghe broke:

"Ah, sweete Syr CHARLES! why wylt thou goe,Wythoute thye lovynge wyfe?The cruelle axe thatt cuttes thye necke,Ytte eke shall ende mye lyfe."

And nowe the officers came ynneTo brynge Syr CHARLES awaie,Whoe turnedd toe his lovynge wyfe,And thus toe her dydd saie:

"I goe to lyfe, and nott to dethe;Truste thou ynne Godde above,And teache thye sonnes to feare the Lorde,And ynne theyre hertes hym love:

"Teache them to runne the nobile raceThatt I theyre fader runne:FLORENCE! shou'd dethe thee take--adieu!Yee officers, leade onne."

Thenne FLORENCE rav'd as anie madde,And dydd her tresses tere;"Oh! staie, mye husbande! lorde! and lyfe!"--Syr CHARLES thenne dropt a teare.

'Tyll tyredd oute wythe ravynge loud,Shee fellen onne the flore;Syr CHARLES exerted alle hys myghte,And march'd fromm oute the dore.

Uponne a sledde hee mounted thenne,Wythe lookes fulle brave and swete;Lookes, thatt enshone ne moe concernThanne anie ynne the strete.

Before hym went the council-menne,Ynne scarlett robes and golde,And tassils spanglynge ynne the sunne,Muche glorious to beholde:

The Freers of Seincte AUGUSTYNE nextAppeared to the syghte,Alle cladd ynne homelie russett weedes,Of godlie monkysh plyghte:

Ynne diffraunt partes a godlie psaumeMoste sweetlie theye dydd chaunt;Behynde theyre backes syx mynstrelles came,Who tun'd the strunge bataunt.

Thenne fyve-and-twentye archers came;Echone the bowe dydd bende,From rescue of kynge HENRIES friendsSyr CHARLES forr to defend.

Bolde as a lyon came Syr CHARLES,Drawne onne a clothe-layde sledde,Bye two blacke stedes ynne trappynges white,Wyth plumes uponne theyre hedde:

Behynde hym fyve-and-twentye moeOf archers stronge and stoute,Wyth bended bowe echone ynne hande,Marched ynne goodlie route:

Seincte JAMESES Freers marched next,Echone hys parte dydd chaunt;Behynde theyre backs syx mynstrelles came,Who tun'd the strunge bataunt:

Thenne came the maior and eldermenne,Ynne clothe of scarlett deck't;And theyre attendyng menne echone,Lyke Easterne princes trickt:

And after them, a multitudeOf citizenns dydd thronge;The wyndowes were alle fulle of heddes,As hee dydd passe alonge.

And whenne hee came to the hyghe crosse,Syr CHARLES dydd turne and saie,"O Thou, thatt savest manne fromme synne,Washe mye soule clean thys daie!"

Att the grete mynsterr wyndowe satThe kynge ynne myckle state,To see CHARLES BAWDIN goe alongeTo hys most welcom fate.

Soone as the sledde drewe nyghe enowe,Thatt EDWARDE hee myghte heare,The brave Syr CHARLES hee dydd stande uppe,And thus hys wordes declare:

"Thou seest mee, EDWARDE! traytour vile!Expos'd to infamie;Butt bee assur'd, disloyall manne!I'm greaterr nowe thanne thee.

"Bye foule proceedyngs, murdre, bloude,Thou wearest nowe a crowne;And hast appoynted mee to dye,By power nott thyne owne.

"Thou thynkest I shall dye to-daie;I have beene dede 'till nowe,And soone shall lyve to weare a crowneFor aie uponne my browe:

"Whylst thou, perhapps, for som few yeares,Shalt rule thys fickle lande,To lett them knowe howe wyde the rule'Twixt kynge and tyrant hande:

"Thye pow'r unjust, thou traytour slave!Shall falle onne thye owne hedde"--Fromm out of hearyng of the kyngeDeparted thenne the sledde.

Kynge EDWARDE'S soule rush'd to hys face,Hee turn'd hys hedde awaie,And to hys broder GLOUCESTERHee thus dydd speke and saie:

"To hym that soe-much-dreaded detheNe ghastlie terrors brynge,Beholde the manne! hee spake the truthe,Hee's greater thanne a kynge!"

"Soe lett hym die!" Duke RICHARD sayde;"And maye echone oure foesBende downe theyre neckes to bloudie axe,And feede the carryon crowes."

And nowe the horses gentlie dreweSyr CHARLES uppe the hyghe hylle;The axe dydd glysterr ynne the sunne,Hys pretious bloude to spylle.

Syrr CHARLES dydd uppe the scaffold goe,As uppe a gilded carreOf victorye, bye val'rous chiefsGayn'd ynne the bloudie warre:

And to the people hee dydd saie,"Beholde you see mee dye,For servynge loyally mye kynge,Mye kynge most rightfullie.

"As longe as EDWARDE rules thys lande,Ne quiet you wylle knowe;Youre sonnes and husbandes shalle bee slayne.And brookes wythe bloude shalle flowe.

"You leave youre goode and lawfulle kynge.Whenne ynne adversitye;Lyke mee, untoe the true cause stycke,And for the true cause dye."

Thenne hee, wyth preestes, uponne hys knees,A pray'r to Godde dydd make,Beseechynge hym unto hymselfeHys partynge soule to take.

Thenne, kneelynge downe, hee layd hys heddeMost seemlie onne the blocke;Whyche fromme hys bodie fayre at onceThe able heddes-manne stroke:

And oute the bloude beganne to flowe,And rounde the scaffolde twyne;And teares, enow to washe't awaie,Dydd flowe fromme each mann's eyne.

The bloudie axe hys bodie fayreYnnto foure parties cutte;And ev'rye parte, and eke hys hedde,Uponne a pole was putte.

One parte dydd rotte onne Kynwulph-hylle,One onne the mynster-tower,And one from off the castle-gateThe crowen dydd devoure:

The other onne Seyncte Powle's goode gate,A dreery spectacle;Hys hedde was plac'd onne the hyghe crosse,Ynne hyghe-streete most nobile.

Thus was the ende of BAWDIN'S fate:Godde prosper longe oure kynge,And grante hee maye, wyth BAWDIN'S soule,Ynne heav'n Godd's mercie synge!

Words in this poem 87
songster n.
One who sings; one skilled in singing; -- not often applied to human beings. [AS. sangestre a female singer.]
villager n.
An inhabitant of a village.
morne a.
Of or pertaining to the morn; morning.
quod v.
Quoth; said. See Quoth.
godde v. t.
To treat as a god; to idolize.
shall v. i.
To owe; to be under obligation for. [OE. shal, schal, imp. sholde, scholde, AS. scal, sceal, I am obliged, imp. scolde, sceolde, inf. sculan; akin to OS. skulan, pres. skal, imp. skolda, D. zullen,]
thenne adv.
At that time (referring to a time specified, either past or future). [Originally the same word as than. See Than.]
jugge n.
A vessel, usually of coarse earthenware, with a swelling belly and narrow mouth, and having a handle on one side. [Prob. fr. Jug, a corruption of, or nickname for, Joanna; cf. 2d Jack, and Jill. See Johannes.]
onne prep.
The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath; as: -- [OE. on, an, o, a, AS. on, an; akin to D. aan, OS. & G. an, OHG. ana, Icel. a, Sw. ana, Russ. na, L. an-, in anhelare to pant, Gr. ana. sq. root195. Cf. A-, 1, A]
mortall a.
Subject to death; destined to die; as, man is mortal. [F. mortel, L. mortalis, from mors, mortis, death, fr. moriri 8die; akin to E. murder. See Murder, and cf. Filemot, Mere a lake, Mortgage.]
whenne adv.
At what time; -- used interrogatively. [OE. when, whan, whenne, whanne, AS. hwænne, hwanne, hwonne; akin to OS. hwan, OD. wan, OHG. wanne, G. wann when, wenn if, when, Goth. hwan when, and to E. who. ]
wett a.
Containing, or consisting of, water or other liquid; moist; soaked with a liquid; having water or other liquid upon the surface; as, wet land; a wet cloth; a wet table. [OE. wet, weet, AS. wt; akin to OFries. wt, Icel. vatr, Sw. våt, Dan. vaad, and E. water. Water.]
manne n.
A human being; -- opposed tobeast. [AS. mann, man, monn, mon; akin to OS., D., & OHG. man, G. mann, Icel. maedhr, for mannr, Dan. Mand, Sw. man, Goth. manna, Skr. manu, manus, and perh. to Skr. ma]
whatte n.
Something; thing; stuff.
greeve n.
A manager of a farm, or overseer of any work; a reeve; a manorial bailiff. [AS. ger. Cf. Reeve an officer.]
yonne a.
At a distance, but within view; yonder. [OE. yon, , AS. geon; akin to G. jener, OHG. jen, Icel. enn, inn; cf. Goth. jains. Beyond, Yond, Yonder.]
sonne n.
A male child; the male issue, or offspring, of a parent, father or mother. [OE. sone, sune, AS. sunu; akin to D. zoon, OS., OFries., & OHG. sunu, G. sohn, Icel. sonr, Sw. son, Dan. sön, Goth. sunus, Lith. sunus, Russ. suin', Skr. sunu (]
welkinn n.
The visible regions of the air; the vault of heaven; the sky. [OE. welken, welkene, welkne, wolcne, weolcne, AS. wolcen, pl. wolcnu, a cloud; akin to D. wolk, OFries. wolken, OS. wolkan, G. wolke, OHG. wolchan, and probably]
uponne prep.
On; -- used in all the senses of that word, with which it is interchangeable. [AS. uppan, uppon; upp up + on, an, on. See Up, and On.]
honour n.
Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.]
shalt
2d per. sing. of Shall.
thanne adv.
Then. See Then. Gower.
manie n.
Mania; insanity. [F. See Mania.]
gett n.
Jet, the mineral.
maisterr n.
Master. Chaucer.
ytte
, an old method of printing that (AS. æt, edhæt) the
alle conj.
Although; if. See All, conj.
spouse v. t.
To wed; to espouse. [See Espouse, and Spouse, n.]
lett v. t.
To retard; to hinder; to impede; to oppose. [OE.letten, AS. lettan to delay, to hinder, fr. læt slow; akin to D. letten to hinder, G. verletzen to hurt, Icel. letja to hold back, Goth. latjan. See Late.]
nott v. t.
To shear. Stow.
starre n.
One of the innumerable luminous bodies seen in the heavens; any heavenly body other than the sun, moon, comets, and nebulæ. [OE. sterre, AS. steorra; akin to OFries. stera, OS. sterro, D. ster, OHG. sterno, sterro, G. stern, Icel. stjarna, Sw. stjerna, Dan. stierne, Goth. staírno, Arm]
calle n.
A kind of head covering; a caul. [See Caul.]
maister n.
Master. Chaucer.
infante n.
A title given to every one of sons of the kings of Spain and Portugal, except the eldest or heir apparent. [Sp. & Pg. See Infant.]
beginne v. i.
To have or commence an independent or first existence; to take rise; to commence. [AS. beginnan (akin to OS. biginnan, D. & G. beginnen, OHG. biginnan, Goth., du-ginnan, Sw. begynna, Dan. begynde); pref. be- + an assumed ginnan. sq. root31. Se]
gyve n.
A shackle; especially, one to confine the legs; a fetter. [Of Celtic origin; cf. W. gefyn, Ir. geibbionn, Gael. geimheal.]
bitt v. t.
To put round the bitts; as, to bitt the cable, in order to fasten it or to slacken it gradually, which is called veering away. [See Bitts.]
menne pron.
A man; one; -- used with a verb in the singular, and corresponding to the present indefinite one or they. Piers Plowman. [OE. me, men. "Not the plural of man, but a weakened form of the word man itself." Skeat.]
overr prep.
Above, or higher than, in place or position, with the idea of covering; -- opposed to Ant: under; as, clouds are over our heads; the smoke rises over the city. [AS. ofer; akin to D. over, G. über, OHG. ubir, ubar, Dan. over, Sw. öfver, Icel. yfir, Goth. ufar, L. super, Gr. upari. Above, Eaves, Hyper-, Orlop, Super-, Sov]
despise v. t.
To look down upon with disfavor or contempt; to contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have a low opinion or contemptuous dislike of. [OF. despis-, in some forms of despire to despise, fr. L. despicere, despectum, to look down upon, despise; de- + spicere, specere, to look. See Spy, and cf. Des]
whatt n.
Something; thing; stuff.
cutte v. t.
To sparate the parts of with, or as with, a sharp instrument; to make an incision in; to gash; to sever; to divide. [OE. cutten, kitten, ketten; prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. cwtau to shorten, curtail, dock, cwta bobtailed, cwt tail, skirt, Gael. cutaich to shorten, curtail, ]
forr prep.
In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done or takes place. [AS. for, fore; akin to OS. for, fora, furi, D. voor, OHG. fora, G. vor, OHG. furi, G. für, Icel. fyrir, Sw. för, Dan. for, adv. för, Goth. faúr, faúra, L. pro, ]
feere n.
A consort, husband or wife; a companion; a fere. [See Fere, n.]
wanne a.
Having a pale or sickly hue; languid of look; pale; pallid. [AS. wann, wonn, wan, won, dark, lurid, livid, perhaps originally, worn out by toil, from winnan to labor, strive. See Win.]
londonne n.
The capital city of England. London paste (Med.), a paste made of caustic soda and unslacked lime; -- used as a caustic to destroy tumors and other morbid enlargements.
emblazon v. t.
To depict or represent; -- said of heraldic bearings. See Blazon. [Pref. em- + blazon. Cf. Emblaze.]
cote n.
A cottage or hut. [See 1st Cot.]
bedde v. t.
To place in a bed.
hapless a.
Without hap or luck; luckless; unfortunate; unlucky; unhappy; as, hapless youth; hapless maid.
kenne n.
To know; to understand; to take cognizance of. [OE.kennen to teach, make known, know, AS. cennan to make known, proclaim, or rather from the related Icel. kenna to know; akin to D. & G. kennen to know, Goth. ]
choppe v. t.
To cut by striking repeatedly with a sharp instrument; to cut into pieces; to mince; -- often with up. [Cf. LG. & D. kappen, Dan. kappe, Sw. kappa. Cf. Chap to crack.]
sledde n.
A vehicle on runners, used for conveying loads over the snow or ice; -- in England called sledge. [Akin to D. slede, G. schlitten, OHG. slito, Icel. sle, Sw. släde, Dan. sl, and E. slide, v. See Slide, and cf. Sledge a vehicle, Sleigh.]
brasse n.
A spotted European fish of the genus Lucioperca, resembling a perch. [Perh. a transposition of barse; but cf. LG. brasse the bream, G. brassen Cf. Bream.]
yett n.
Any one of several species of large marine gastropods belonging to the genus Yetus, or Cymba; a boat shell.
deare
variant of Dere, v. t. & n.
dere v. t.
To hurt; to harm; to injure. [AS. derian to hurt.]
tolle v. t.
To take away. See Toll.
unfeigned a.
Not feigned; not counterfeit; not hypocritical; real; sincere; genuine; as, unfeigned piety; unfeigned love to man.
dame n.
A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a womam in authority; especially, a lady. [F. dame, LL. domna, fr. L. domina mistress, lady, fem. of dominus master, ruler, lord; akin to domare to tame, subdue. See Tame, and cf. Dam mother, Dan, Danger]
spoke n.
The radius or ray of a wheel; one of the small bars which are inserted in the hub, or nave, and which serve to support the rim or felly. [OE. spoke, spake, AS, spaca; akin to D. speek, LG. speke, OHG. speihha, G. speiche. sq. root170. Cf. Spike a nail.]
broke v. i.
To transact business for another. Brome. [See Broker, and cf. Brook.]
cruelle a.
Disposed to give pain to others; willing or pleased to hurt, torment, or afflict; destitute of sympathetic kindness and pity; savage; inhuman; hard-hearted; merciless. [F. cruel, fr. L. crudelis, fr. crudus. See Crude.]
teache n.
One of the series of boilers in which the cane juice is treated in making sugar; especially, the last boiler of the series. Ure. [Cf. Ir. teaghaim, Gael. teasaich, to heat.]
madde v. i.
To be mad; to go mad; to rave. See Madding.
dore v. t.
One who does; one performs or executes; one who is wont and ready to act; an actor; an agent. [From Do, v. t. & i.]
went n.
Course; way; path; journey; direction.
scarlett n.
A deep bright red tinged with orange or yellow, -- of many tints and shades; a vivid or bright red color. [OE. scarlat, scarlet, OF. escarlate, F. écarlate (cf. Pr. escarlat, escarlata, Sp. & Pg. escarlata, It. scarlatto, LL. scarlatum), from Per. sakirlat.]
golde n.
An old English name of some yellow flower, -- the marigold (Calendula), according to Dr. Prior, but in Chaucer perhaps the turnsole.
glorious a.
Exhibiting attributes, qualities, or acts that are worthy of or receive glory; noble; praiseworthy; excellent; splendid; illustrious; inspiring admiration; as, glorious deeds. [OF. glorios, glorious, F. glorieux, fr. L. gloriosus. See Glory, n.]
cladd v.
To clothe. Holland.
route n.
The course or way which is traveled or passed, or is to be passed; a passing; a course; a road or path; a march. [OE. & F. route, OF. rote, fr. L. rupta (sc. via), fr. ruptus, p.p. of rumpere to break; hence, literally, a broken or beaten way or path. See Rout, and cf. Rut ]
backs n.
Among leather dealers, the thickest and stoutest tanned hides.
passe a.
Past; gone by; hence, past one's prime; worn; faded; as, a passée belle. Ld. Lytton. [F.]
crosse n.
The implement with which the ball is thrown and caught in the game of lacrosse.
uppe adv.
Aloft; on high; in a direction contrary to that of gravity; toward or in a higher place or position; above; -- the opposite of Ant: down. [AS. up, upp, ; akin to OFries. up, op, D. op, OS. , OHG. , G. auf, Icel. upp, Dan. op, Goth. iup, and probably to E. over. See Over.]
murdre n.
The offense of killing a human being with malice prepense or aforethought, express or implied; intentional and unlawful homicide. [OE. morder, morther, AS. moredhor, fr. moredh murder; akin to D. moord, OS. moredh, G., Dan., & Sw. mord, Icel. moredh, Goth. maúrþr, OSlav. mreti to die, Lith.]
hast
, 2d pers. sing. pres. of. Fave, contr. of havest.
duke n.
A leader; a chief; a prince. [F. duc, fr. L. dux, ducis, leader, commander, fr. ducere to lead; akin to AS. teón to draw; cf. AS. heretoga (here army) an army leader, general, G. herzog duke]
carre n.
A small vehicle moved on wheels; usually, one having but two wheels and drawn by one horse; a cart. [OF. car, char, F. cahr, fr. L. carrus, Wagon: a Celtic word; cf. W. car, Armor. karr, Ir. & Gael. carr. cf. Chariot.]
loyally adv.
In a loyal manner; faithfully.
longe n.
A thrust. See Lunge. Smollett. [Abbrev. fr. allonge. See Lunge.]
lawfulle a.
Conformable to law; allowed by law; legitimate; competent.
enow
A form of Enough.
eyne n.
Plural of eye; obsolete, or used only in poetry.
putte v. i.
To go or move; as, when the air first puts up.
prosper v. t.
To favor; to render successful. [F. prospérer v. i., or L. prosperare, v. i., or L. prosperare, v. t., fr. prosper or prosperus. See Prosperous.]

Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.

About this text

Syr Charles Bawdin is in the public domain. This text is taken from The Rowley Poems, Project Gutenberg ebook #13037; the transcription's header, footer and licence were removed and nothing else was changed. You may copy, print and reuse it freely.

Cite as: Thomas Chatterton, Syr Charles Bawdin, in The Rowley Poems (1777), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #13037, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/chatterton-rowley/syr-charles-bawdin.html, id L12157.

Form and metre

Syr Charles Bawdin is 392 lines in 98 stanzas of 4 lines each. The metre is common measure, measured from the stress the words themselves fix (confidence 86%). 98% of its stressed syllables fall where the metre puts the beat. The lines average 7.1 syllables. 12 lines end on an unstressed syllable, a feminine ending. 20% of the lines run on without a stop at the line end.

See other poems in common measure.

Measured by Laurel's pipeline, not copied from a handbook: how stress and metre are counted, how rhyme is lettered, how a drifted rhyme is found. Where the dictionary cannot confirm a rhyme the letter is withheld, not guessed.

Rhyme words, stanza by stanza

The word that ends each line, lettered by the rhyme it makes; a dash is a line whose rhyme the dictionary could not confirm.

  1. 1 -A-A chaunticleer · horneA · villager · morneA
  2. 4 -A-A ale · waiteA · daie · stateA
  3. 5 AA-A loweA · woeA · gate · goeA
  4. 6 -A-A twaine · wyfeA · floore · lyfeA
  5. 7 -A-A canterloue · bryngeA · charles · kyngeA
  6. 8 -A-A sonne · flyeA · sworne · dieA
  7. 9 -A-A charles · affeardeA · space · prepar'dA
  8. 10 -A-A not · daieA · are · aieA
  9. 11 -A-A out · straiteA · reddyness · fateA
  10. 13 -A-A out · friendeA · bee · attendeA
  11. 14 -A-A request · knyghteA · wronge · ryghteA
  12. 15 -A-A twaine · aieA · lett · daieA
  13. 17 -A-A calle · meedeA · else · needeA
  14. 18 -A-A sayde · goddeA · asyde · roddeA
  15. 20 -A-A reigne · sureA · familie · endureA
  16. 23 -A-A brave · prizeA · mynde · enemiesA
  17. 24 -A-A heav'n · gyveA · breade · lyveA
  18. 25 -A-A heav'n · lasteA · teare · pasteA
  19. 26 -A-A grief · goeA · stoole · floweA
  20. 27 -A-A charles · whenneA · fate · menneA
  21. 28 -A-A soul · eyeA · doome · cryeA
  22. 29 -A-A weepe · dyeA · wyfe · eyeA
  23. 30 -A-A eye · spryngeA · power · kyngeA
  24. 31 -A-A means · lyfeA · provyde · wyfeA
  25. 32 -A-A sunne · meeA · grudge · beeA
  26. 33 ABAB stoodeA · aroundeB · bloodeA · groundeB
  27. 34 ABAB darteA · waieB · harteA · aieB
  28. 35 -A-A dethe · dysmaydeA · feere · display'dA
  29. 37 -A-A beene · prynceA · am · convynceA
  30. 38 -A-A borne · noteA · armes · coteA
  31. 39 -A-A gone · goeA · blest · woeA
  32. 41 -A-A hande · pooreA · awaie · dooreA
  33. 42 -A-A lyfe · keptA · daie · sleptA
  34. 43 -A-A her · beddeA · laie · heddeA
  35. 44 -A-A eve · refrayneA · dismay'd · payneA
  36. 45 -A-A rejoyce · detheA · cause · bretheA
  37. 46 -A-A londe · moeA · themselves · floweA
  38. 48 -A-A drawne · hyndeA · pow'r · myndeA
  39. 49 -A-A pole · ayreA · brasse · bearA
  40. 50 -A-A above · awaieA · lorde · aieA
  41. 51 -A-A eterne · lyfeA · deare · wyfeA
  42. 52 -A-A comes · maieA · lyve · staieA
  43. 54 -A-A tolle · soundeA · feete · groundeA
  44. 55 -A-A officers · ynneA · woe · dynneA
  45. 56 -A-A forbere · dieA · soule · iA
  46. 57 -A-A teeres · awaieA · lyfe · staieA
  47. 58 -A-A goe · blysseA · love · kysseA
  48. 59 -A-A saie · spokeA · kynge · brokeA
  49. 60 -A-A goe · wyfeA · necke · lyfeA
  50. 61 -A-A ynne · awaieA · wyfe · saieA
  51. 62 -A-A dethe · aboveA · lorde · loveA
  52. 64 -A-A madde · tereA · lyfe · teareA
  53. 65 -A-A loud · floreA · myghte · doreA
  54. 66 -A-A thenne · sweteA · concern · streteA
  55. 67 -A-A menne · goldeA · sunne · beholdeA
  56. 68 -A-A next · syghteA · weedes · plyghteA
  57. 69 -A-A psaume · chauntA · came · batauntA
  58. 70 -A-A came · bendeA · friends · defendA
  59. 71 -A-A charles · sleddeA · white · heddeA
  60. 72 -A-A moe · stouteA · hande · routeA
  61. 73 -A-A next · chauntA · came · batauntA
  62. 75 -A-A multitude · throngeA · heddes · alongeA
  63. 76 -A-A crosse · saieA · synne · daieA
  64. 77 -A-A sat · stateA · alonge · fateA
  65. 80 -A-A bloude · crowneA · dye · owneA
  66. 81 -A-A daie · noweA · crowne · broweA
  67. 82 -A-A yeares · landeA · rule · handeA
  68. 83 -A-A slave · heddeA · kynge · sleddeA
  69. 84 -A-A face · awaieA · gloucester · saieA
  70. 85 -A-A dethe · bryngeA · truthe · kyngeA
  71. 86 -A-A sayde · foesA · axe · crowesA
  72. 87 -A-A drewe · hylleA · sunne · spylleA
  73. 90 -A-A lande · knoweA · slayne · floweA
  74. 92 -A-A knees · makeA · hymselfe · takeA
  75. 98 -A-A fate · kyngeA · soule · syngeA
Scansion, line by line

Each line with its syllable count and the stresses the words themselves fix: / stressed, ˘ unstressed, · a syllable the word leaves free and the metre decides. Read against common measure. How this is done.

LineSyl.Stress
The featherd songster chaunticleer8···/˘···
Han wounde hys bugle horne,6···/˘·
And tolde the earlie villager8···/˘/˘˘
The commynge of the morne:7·····/˘
Kynge EDWARDE sawe the ruddie streakes8········
Of lyghte eclypse the greie;6······
And herde the raven's crokynge throte8···/˘···
Proclayme the fated daie.6···/˘·
"Thou'rt ryght," quod hee, "for, by the Godde8········
That syttes enthron'd on hyghe!6······
CHARLES BAWDIN, and hys fellowes twaine,8·····/··
To-daie shall surelie die."7·······
Thenne wythe a jugge of nappy ale8·····/˘·
Hys Knyghtes dydd onne hymm waite;6······
"Goe tell the traytour, thatt to-daie8········
Hee leaves thys mortall state."6···/˘·
Syr CANTERLOUE thenne bendedd lowe,7····/˘·
Wythe harte brymm-fulle of woe;7·······
Hee journey'd to the castle-gate,8·/˘··/˘·
And to Syr CHARLES dydd goe.6······
Butt whenne hee came, hys children twaine,8·····/˘·
And eke hys lovynge wyfe,6······
Wythe brinie tears dydd wett the floore,8········
For goode Syr CHARLESES lyfe.6···/˘·
"O goode Syr CHARLES!" sayd CANTERLOUE,7·······
"Badde tydyngs I doe brynge."6······
"Speke boldlie, manne," sayd brave Syr CHARLES,8········
"Whatte says thie traytor kynge?"6······
"I greeve to telle, before yonne sonne8········
Does fromme the welkinn flye,6······
Hee hath uponne hys honour sworne,8··˘/·/˘·
Thatt thou shalt surelie die."7·······
"Wee all must die," quod brave Syr CHARLES;8········
"Of thatte I'm not affearde;6······
Whatte bootes to lyve a little space?8·····/˘·
Thanke JESU, I'm prepar'd."6·/˘·˘/
"Butt telle thye kynge, for myne hee's not,8········
I'de sooner die to-daie6·/˘···
Thanne lyve hys slave, as manie are,8········
Tho' I shoulde lyve for aie."6······
Thenne CANTERLOUE hee dydd goe out,7·······
To telle the maior straite5·····
To gett all thynges ynne reddyness9·········
For goode Syr CHARLESES fate.6···/˘·
Thenne Maisterr CANYNGE saughte the kynge,8········
And felle down onne hys knee;6······
"I'm come," quod hee, "unto your grace8········
To move your clemencye."6······
Thenne quod the kynge, "Youre tale speke out,8········
You have been much oure friende;6······
Whatever youre request may bee,8·/˘·˘/··
Wee wylle to ytte attende."7·······
"My nobile leige! alle my request8·/˘···˘/
Ys for a nobile knyghte,6···/˘·
Who, tho' may hap hee has donne wronge,8········
He thoghte ytte stylle was ryghte."7·······
"Hee has a spouse and children twaine,8·····/˘·
Alle rewyn'd are for aie;6······
Yff thatt you are resolv'd to lett8····˘/··
CHARLES BAWDIN die to-daie."6······
"Speke nott of such a traytour vile,"8········
The kynge ynne furie sayde;6······
"Before the evening starre doth sheene,8···/˘···
BAWDIN shall loose hys hedde."6······
"Justice does loudlie for hym calle,8/˘······
And hee shalle have hys meede:7·······
Speke, Maister CANYNGE! Whatte thynge else8·/˘·····
Att present doe you neede?"6·/˘···
"My nobile leige!" goode CANYNGE sayde,8·/˘·····
"Leave justice to our Godde,7·/˘·/˘·
And laye the yronne rule asyde;9···˘/˘···
Be thyne the olyve rodde."6······
"Was Godde to serche our hertes and reines,9····/˘···
The best were synners grete;6······
CHRIST'S vycarr only knowes ne synne,8···/˘···
Ynne alle thys mortall state."6···/˘·
"Lett mercie rule thyne infante reigne,9·····˘/··
'Twylle faste thye crowne fulle sure;8········
From race to race thy familie8········
Alle sov'reigns shall endure."6····˘/
"But yff wythe bloode and slaughter thou8·····/˘·
Beginne thy infante reigne,7˘/·˘/··
Thy crowne uponne thy childrennes brows8··˘/·/˘·
Wylle never long remayne."7··/˘···
"CANYNGE, awaie! thys traytour vile8········
Has scorn'd my power and mee;7···/˘··
Howe canst thou thenne for such a manne8········
Intreate my clemencye?"6······
"My nobile leige! the trulie brave8·/˘·····
Wylle val'rous actions prize,7····/˘·
Respect a brave and nobile mynde,8˘/···/˘·
Altho' ynne enemies."6˘/·/˘˘
"CANYNGE, awaie! By Godde ynne Heav'n8········
Thatt dydd mee beinge gyve,5·····
I wylle nott taste a bitt of breade9·········
Whilst thys Syr CHARLES dothe lyve."6······
"By MARIE, and alle Seinctes ynne Heav'n,8·˘/·····
Thys sunne shall be hys laste."7·····/˘
Thenne CANYNGE dropt a brinie teare,8········
And from the presence paste.6···/˘·
Wyth herte brymm-fulle of gnawynge grief,10·/˘·······
Hee to Syr CHARLES dydd goe,6······
And satt hymm downe uponne a stoole,9····˘/···
And teares beganne to flowe.6··˘/··
"Wee all must die," quod brave Syr CHARLES;8········
"Whatte bootes ytte howe or whenne;6······
Dethe ys the sure, the certaine fate8········
Of all wee mortall menne.6···/˘·
"Saye why, my friend, thie honest soul8·····/˘·
Runns overr att thyne eye;6·/˘···
Is ytte for my most welcome doome8·····/˘·
Thatt thou dost child-lyke crye?"6······
Quod godlie CANYNGE, "I doe weepe,8········
Thatt thou so soone must dye,6······
And leave thy sonnes and helpless wyfe;8·····/˘·
'Tys thys thatt wettes myne eye."6······
"Thenne drie the tears thatt out thyne eye8········
From godlie fountaines sprynge;6···/˘·
Dethe I despise, and alle the power9··˘/···/˘
Of EDWARDE, traytor kynge.6······
"Whan throgh the tyrant's welcom means8···/˘···
I shall resigne my lyfe,6······
The Godde I serve wylle soone provyde9·········
For bothe mye sonnes and wyfe.6······
"Before I sawe the lyghtsome sunne,8········
Thys was appointed mee;6··˘/˘·
Shall mortal manne repyne or grudge8·/˘·····
Whatt Godde ordeynes to bee?6······
"Howe oft ynne battaile have I stoode,9·········
Whan thousands dy'd arounde;6·/˘···
Whan smokynge streemes of crimson bloode8·····/˘·
Imbrew'd the fatten'd grounde:6···/˘·
"How dydd I knowe thatt ev'ry darte,8········
Thatt cutte the airie waie,6······
Myghte nott fynde passage toe my harte,8···/˘···
And close myne eyes for aie?6······
"And shall I nowe, forr feere of dethe,8········
Looke wanne and bee dysmayde?6······
Ne! fromm my herte flie childyshe feere,9···/˘····
Bee alle the manne display'd.6····˘/
"Ah, goddelyke HENRIE! Godde forefende,10····/˘····
And guarde thee and thye sonne,6······
Yff 'tis hys wylle; but yff 'tis nott,9·········
Why thenne hys wylle bee donne.7·······
"My honest friende, my faulte has beene8·/˘·····
To serve Godde and mye prynce;6······
And thatt I no tyme-server am,8·····/˘·
My dethe wylle soone convynce.7·······
"Ynne Londonne citye was I borne,8·/˘·····
Of parents of grete note;6·/˘···
My fadre dydd a nobile armes8·/˘··/˘·
Emblazon onne hys cote:6˘/˘···
"I make ne doubte butt hee ys gone8········
Where soone I hope to goe;6······
Where wee for ever shall bee blest,8···/˘···
From oute the reech of woe:6······
"Hee taughte mee justice and the laws8···/˘···
Wyth pitie to unite;6····/·
And eke hee taughte mee howe to knowe8········
The wronge cause fromm the ryghte:6······
"Hee taughte mee wythe a prudent hande8·····/˘·
To feede the hungrie poore,6······
Ne lett mye sarvants dryve awaie8········
The hungrie fromme my doore:6······
"And none can saye, butt alle mye lyfe8········
I have hys wordyes kept;6···/˘·
And summ'd the actyonns of the daie8········
Eche nyghte before I slept.7/˘·····
"I have a spouse, goe aske of her,8········
Yff I defyl'd her bedde?6······
I have a kynge, and none can laie8········
Blacke treason onne my hedde.6·/˘···
"Ynne Lent, and onne the holie eve,8········
Fromm fleshe I dydd refrayne;6······
Whie should I thenne appeare dismay'd8······˘/
To leave thys worlde of payne?6······
"Ne! hapless HENRIE! I rejoyce,9·/˘/˘˘···
I shalle ne see thye dethe;7·······
Moste willynglie ynne thye just cause9/˘·······
Doe I resign my brethe.6··˘/··
"Oh, fickle people! rewyn'd londe!8·/˘/˘···
Thou wylt kenne peace ne moe;6······
Whyle RICHARD'S sonnes exalt themselves,9··/˘·˘/˘/
Thye brookes wythe bloude wylle flowe.7·······
"Saie, were ye tyr'd of godlie peace,8········
And godlie HENRIE'S reigne,7···/˘˘·
Thatt you dydd choppe youre easie daies8········
For those of bloude and peyne?6······
"Whatte tho' I onne a sledde bee drawne,8········
And mangled by a hynde,6·/˘···
I doe defye the traytor's pow'r,8········
Hee can ne harm my mynde;6······
"Whatte tho', uphoisted onne a pole,8········
Mye lymbes shall rotte ynne ayre,6······
And ne ryche monument of brasse8···/˘˘··
CHARLES BAWDIN'S name shall bear;6······
"Yett ynne the holie booke above,8········
Whyche tyme can't eate awaie,6······
There wythe the sarvants of the Lorde8········
Mye name shall lyve for aie.6······
"Thenne welcome dethe! for lyfe eterne8·/˘···˘/
I leave thys mortall lyfe:6···/˘·
Farewell, vayne worlde, and alle that's deare,8·/······
Mye sonnes and lovynge wyfe!6······
"Nowe dethe as welcome to mee comes,8···/˘···
As e'er the moneth of Maie;7···/˘··
Nor woulde I even wyshe to lyve,8···/˘···
Wyth my dere wyfe to staie."6······
Quod CANYNGE, "'Tys a goodlie thynge8········
To bee prepar'd to die;6··˘/··
And from thys world of peyne and grefe8········
To Godde ynne Heav'n to flie."6······
And nowe the bell beganne to tolle,8····˘/··
And claryonnes to sounde;5·····
Syr CHARLES hee herde the horses feete8·····/˘·
A prauncyng onne the grounde:6······
And just before the officers,8·····/˘˘
His lovynge wyfe came ynne,6······
Weepynge unfeigned teeres of woe,7··˘/···
Wythe loude and dysmalle dynne.7·······
"Sweet FLORENCE! nowe I praie forbere,8·/˘·····
Ynne quiet lett mee die;6·/˘···
Praie Godde, thatt ev'ry Christian soule8·····/˘·
Maye looke onne dethe as I.6······
"Sweet FLORENCE! why these brinie teeres?8·/˘·····
Theye washe my soule awaie,6······
And almost make mee wyshe for lyfe,8·/······
Wyth thee, sweete dame, to staie.6······
"'Tys butt a journie I shalle goe9·········
Untoe the lande of blysse;6······
Nowe, as a proofe of husbande's love,8········
Receive thys holie kysse."6˘/····
Thenne FLORENCE, fault'ring ynne her saie,8·/˘·····
Tremblynge these wordyes spoke,6···/˘·
"Ah, cruele EDWARDE! bloudie kynge!8········
My herte ys welle nyghe broke:7·/˘····
"Ah, sweete Syr CHARLES! why wylt thou goe,8········
Wythoute thye lovynge wyfe?6······
The cruelle axe thatt cuttes thye necke,8·/˘·····
Ytte eke shall ende mye lyfe."6······
And nowe the officers came ynne8···/˘˘··
To brynge Syr CHARLES awaie,6······
Whoe turnedd toe his lovynge wyfe,7·······
And thus toe her dydd saie:6······
"I goe to lyfe, and nott to dethe;8········
Truste thou ynne Godde above,6······
And teache thye sonnes to feare the Lorde,8········
And ynne theyre hertes hym love:6······
"Teache them to runne the nobile race8·····/˘·
Thatt I theyre fader runne:6···/˘·
FLORENCE! shou'd dethe thee take--adieu!8/˘····˘/
Yee officers, leade onne."6·/˘˘··
Thenne FLORENCE rav'd as anie madde,8·/˘·····
And dydd her tresses tere;6···/˘·
"Oh! staie, mye husbande! lorde! and lyfe!"--8········
Syr CHARLES thenne dropt a teare.6······
'Tyll tyredd oute wythe ravynge loud,8········
Shee fellen onne the flore;6······
Syr CHARLES exerted alle hys myghte,8··˘/˘···
And march'd fromm oute the dore.6······
Uponne a sledde hee mounted thenne,8˘/···/˘·
Wythe lookes fulle brave and swete;7·······
Lookes, thatt enshone ne moe concern8······˘/
Thanne anie ynne the strete.6······
Before hym went the council-menne,8·····/˘·
Ynne scarlett robes and golde,6·/˘···
And tassils spanglynge ynne the sunne,8········
Muche glorious to beholde:7·/˘˘···
The Freers of Seincte AUGUSTYNE next9·/˘······
Appeared to the syghte,5˘/···
Alle cladd ynne homelie russett weedes,9······/˘·
Of godlie monkysh plyghte:6······
Ynne diffraunt partes a godlie psaume8········
Moste sweetlie theye dydd chaunt;7/˘·····
Behynde theyre backes syx mynstrelles came,8········
Who tun'd the strunge bataunt.6······
Thenne fyve-and-twentye archers came;8·····/˘·
Echone the bowe dydd bende,6······
From rescue of kynge HENRIES friends8·/˘··/˘·
Syr CHARLES forr to defend.6····˘/
Bolde as a lyon came Syr CHARLES,8···/˘···
Drawne onne a clothe-layde sledde,6······
Bye two blacke stedes ynne trappynges white,9·········
Wyth plumes uponne theyre hedde:6··˘/··
Behynde hym fyve-and-twentye moe8········
Of archers stronge and stoute,6·/˘···
Wyth bended bowe echone ynne hande,8·/˘·····
Marched ynne goodlie route:5·····
Seincte JAMESES Freers marched next,7·/˘/˘··
Echone hys parte dydd chaunt;6······
Behynde theyre backs syx mynstrelles came,8········
Who tun'd the strunge bataunt:6······
Thenne came the maior and eldermenne,8········
Ynne clothe of scarlett deck't;6···/˘·
And theyre attendyng menne echone,8········
Lyke Easterne princes trickt:6···/˘·
And after them, a multitude8·····/˘·
Of citizenns dydd thronge;6·/˘˘··
The wyndowes were alle fulle of heddes,9·········
As hee dydd passe alonge.7····//˘
And whenne hee came to the hyghe crosse,8········
Syr CHARLES dydd turne and saie,6······
"O Thou, thatt savest manne fromme synne,8········
Washe mye soule clean thys daie!"6······
Att the grete mynsterr wyndowe sat8········
The kynge ynne myckle state,6······
To see CHARLES BAWDIN goe alonge8······/˘
To hys most welcom fate.6······
Soone as the sledde drewe nyghe enowe,8········
Thatt EDWARDE hee myghte heare,6······
The brave Syr CHARLES hee dydd stande uppe,8········
And thus hys wordes declare:6····˘/
"Thou seest mee, EDWARDE! traytour vile!8········
Expos'd to infamie;6˘/····
Butt bee assur'd, disloyall manne!8··˘/˘/˘·
I'm greaterr nowe thanne thee.6·/˘···
"Bye foule proceedyngs, murdre, bloude,9·/˘···/˘·
Thou wearest nowe a crowne;6·/˘···
And hast appoynted mee to dye,8········
By power nott thyne owne.6·/˘···
"Thou thynkest I shall dye to-daie;8········
I have beene dede 'till nowe,6······
And soone shall lyve to weare a crowne8········
For aie uponne my browe:6··˘/··
"Whylst thou, perhapps, for som few yeares,8········
Shalt rule thys fickle lande,6···/˘·
To lett them knowe howe wyde the rule8········
'Twixt kynge and tyrant hande:6···/˘·
"Thye pow'r unjust, thou traytour slave!8··˘/····
Shall falle onne thye owne hedde"--7·······
Fromm out of hearyng of the kynge8········
Departed thenne the sledde.6˘/˘···
Kynge EDWARDE'S soule rush'd to hys face,8········
Hee turn'd hys hedde awaie,6······
And to hys broder GLOUCESTER7···/˘/˘
Hee thus dydd speke and saie:6······
"To hym that soe-much-dreaded dethe8·····/˘·
Ne ghastlie terrors brynge,6···/˘·
Beholde the manne! hee spake the truthe,8········
Hee's greater thanne a kynge!"6·/˘···
"Soe lett hym die!" Duke RICHARD sayde;8·····/˘·
"And maye echone oure foes6······
Bende downe theyre neckes to bloudie axe,8········
And feede the carryon crowes."6······
And nowe the horses gentlie drewe8···/˘···
Syr CHARLES uppe the hyghe hylle;7·······
The axe dydd glysterr ynne the sunne,8········
Hys pretious bloude to spylle.7·······
Syrr CHARLES dydd uppe the scaffold goe,8·····/˘·
As uppe a gilded carre6···/˘·
Of victorye, bye val'rous chiefs8········
Gayn'd ynne the bloudie warre:6······
And to the people hee dydd saie,8···/˘···
"Beholde you see mee dye,6······
For servynge loyally mye kynge,8···/˘˘··
Mye kynge most rightfullie.6······
"As longe as EDWARDE rules thys lande,8········
Ne quiet you wylle knowe;7·/˘····
Youre sonnes and husbandes shalle bee slayne.9···/˘····
And brookes wythe bloude shalle flowe.7·······
"You leave youre goode and lawfulle kynge.8·····/˘·
Whenne ynne adversitye;6······
Lyke mee, untoe the true cause stycke,8········
And for the true cause dye."6······
Thenne hee, wyth preestes, uponne hys knees,8····˘/··
A pray'r to Godde dydd make,6······
Beseechynge hym unto hymselfe8········
Hys partynge soule to take.6······
Thenne, kneelynge downe, hee layd hys hedde8········
Most seemlie onne the blocke;6······
Whyche fromme hys bodie fayre at once8···/˘···
The able heddes-manne stroke:6·/˘···
And oute the bloude beganne to flowe,8····˘/··
And rounde the scaffolde twyne;6······
And teares, enow to washe't awaie,9··˘/·····
Dydd flowe fromme each mann's eyne.6······
The bloudie axe hys bodie fayre8·····/˘·
Ynnto foure parties cutte;6···/˘·
And ev'rye parte, and eke hys hedde,8········
Uponne a pole was putte.6˘/····
One parte dydd rotte onne Kynwulph-hylle,9·········
One onne the mynster-tower,7·····/˘
And one from off the castle-gate8·····/˘·
The crowen dydd devoure:6······
The other onne Seyncte Powle's goode gate,9·/˘··/˘··
A dreery spectacle;6···/˘˘
Hys hedde was plac'd onne the hyghe crosse,8········
Ynne hyghe-streete most nobile.6····/˘
Thus was the ende of BAWDIN'S fate:8········
Godde prosper longe oure kynge,6·/˘···
And grante hee maye, wyth BAWDIN'S soule,8········
Ynne heav'n Godd's mercie synge!6······

The reader shows the same poem with its rhymes coloured and a stress row above each line, the notes beside their stanzas, and any word's definition on a tap; the analysis page takes the whole book apart. How every part of this site was made.

More by Thomas Chatterton

The Rowley Poems