The two faithfull Friends.
The pleasant History of Alexander and Lodwicke , who were so like one ano
ther, that none could know them asunder: wherein is declared how Lodwike
married the Princesse of Hungaria in Alexanders name, and how each night
he layd a naked sword betweene him and the Princesse , because he
would not wrong his friend.
To the tune of Flying Fame .
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T He Emperor of Germany ,
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a turney did Proclaime:
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Where many Princes of renowne,
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resorted to the same,
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Amongst the rest Prince Lodowike came
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and Guido Prince of Spaine;
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Prince Alexander likewise came
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great honours to obtaine.
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The Emperors promise was to give
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to him that won the day,
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His only daughter as his bride:
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the Story thus doth say;
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The Champions entered the field,
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with carriage stout and bold:
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Lodowike of France , most manfully
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whose Armour shin'd like gold.
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Prince Alexander was the next
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that entred in the field,
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And like a champion stout and bold;
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he did advance his shield:
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The haughty Spaniard with the rest
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his valour there did show,
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But Alexander by his strength,
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gave him the overthrow.
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The valiant Prince of Hungary
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brave Alexander hee,
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From all the champions in the field
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he won the victory:
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Thus he by valour did obtaine
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the Princesse from them all,
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But yet in Hungary she liv'd
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that had his heart in thrall.
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The Emperor his promise kept,
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and to the Conqueror gave:
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His only daughter for his wife
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whom Lodwicke most did crave;
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For love had so inflam'd his thoughts
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and set his heart on fire:
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That for to gaine the Princesse love
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it was his chiefe desire.
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This Alexander was so like
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to Lodwick Prince of France,
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That he so lately had or'throwne
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by Fate and fortunes chance:
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None could distinguish them aright
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or know one from the other,
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In shape stature and countenance;
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as if they had bin brothers.
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Which bread such love betwixt them both
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as could not be divorc't,
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Yet fortunes frowne, and fickle chance
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asunder them in forc't:
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Prince Alexander gave his friend
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the Emperours daughter free,
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Which he before had won in field:
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by manly Chivalry.
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The envious Spaniard being vext
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and tortured in his mind,
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He and the devill devised how
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to crosse these lovers kind:
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He to the Emperor accus'd
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the Princesse of base Lust
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And vowd with sword for to maintaine
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these accusations Just.
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The second part. To the same tune.
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P Rince Lodwick being thus accusd,
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by Guydo Prince of Spaine,
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His friend Prince Alexander then
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this combat did maintain:
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And sent his friend Prince Lodwick straight
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to Hungary with speed,
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There in his roome for to possesse
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the high Imperiall weed.
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Friend Lodwick , Alexander sayd,
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goe thou to Hungary,
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Against the Spaniard Ile maintaine
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thy cause most manfully:
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The King I understand is dead,
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goe then and in my place,
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Possesse the Crowne and dignity,
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and all the Royall grace.
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That they will there bestow on thee,
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let it not be denyd;
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His daughter likewise in my name
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make her thy wedded bride:
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But by our friendship I intreat,
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this kindnesse at thy hands:
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That thou by no meanes vyolate
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true constancies chast bands.
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Although thou wedde her as thy wife,
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yet know tis in my name,
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Let her remaine a virgin pure
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I doe request the same:
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Because my heart she has in hold,
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and love her as my life:
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Away be gone thou knowst my mind
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leave me to end this strife.
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Prince Lodwike now is on his way,
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and Alexander hee,
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By fortunes ayd the Spaniard slew,
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and set the Princes free:
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Lodwicke in Alexanders name
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receiv'd in Hungary,
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The Crown, & likewise in the Church
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his wife received he.
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But every night betweene them twain
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his naked sword he'd lay,
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Such constant friendship at that time
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his heart and thoughts did sway:
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Prince Alexander came himselfe
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then Lodwike tooke his leave,
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Of Alexander his deare friend
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which did him not deceive.
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The Queene in heart was vexed sore
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that she so long should lye,
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With him that was her husband deare
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and not Loves pastimes trye:
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Unto a Lord she made her mone,
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and they both did agree:
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To be reveng'd upon the King
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and poysoned he should be.
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The poyson tooke not full effect
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but brake forth on his face,
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That he a leper did appeare
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and then in great disgrace:
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They kickt & spurnd him from the court,
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thus in most shamefull manner,
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He was compel'd to beg for food
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that lately liv'd in honor.
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To Lodwiks Court he did repaire
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thus like a leper poore;
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And for reliefe he did intreate
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at his friend Lodwiks doore:
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A Ring he sent unto his friend,
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who well the same did know;
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And came in love to greet his friend
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willing to ease his woe.
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Quoth Alexander unto him,
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kind friend there is no way
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To ease my paine unlesse that thou
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thy loving babes doe slay:
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What i'st but I will doe for thee,
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quoth Lodwike by and by,
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To ease my friend of this great paine,
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my pretty babes shall dye.
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For which hee to the cradle goes,
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where they were fast asleepe,
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And with a knife he lets them blood
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his promise for to keepe;
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And with their bloods he washt the sores
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from Alexanders face,
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Thus he like to a loyall friend
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the path of Love did trace.
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Thus Alexander being clear'd,
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of all his torturing paine,
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Lodwike unto his Queen made known
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how he his babes had slaine
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This newes did grieve her at the heart,
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but straight she runs to see:
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Whether that it was so or no
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it prov'd the contrary.
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For both the babes she found alive,
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as God would have it so,
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Which did revive her drooping heart,
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now joyes exceedes all woe:
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King Alexander being well
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to Hungary he goes;
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And Lodwike his beloved friend
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to overthrow his foes.
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The victory they soone obtain'd,
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and tooke the Lord and Queene,
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And doom'd them to such cruell deaths
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as yet had not beene seene:
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King Alexander againe was Crown'd,
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by helpe of his good friend,
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Their griefes to joyes converted were,
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their pleasures did transcend.
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