THE
True Lovers Knot Untied.
Being the right path, whereby to advise Princely Virgins how to behave themselves, by the Ex-
ample of the Renowned Princess, the Lady Arabella, and the second Son to the Lord Seymour,
late Earl of Hertford.
Tune of, Frogs Gailiard.
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A S I through Ireland did pass,
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I saw a Ship at Anchor lay,
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Another Ship likewise there was,
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which from fair England took her way.
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This Ship that sail'd from fair England ,
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unknown unto our gracious King,
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The Lord Chief Justice did command,
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that they to London should us bring.
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I drew more near and saw more plain,
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Lady Arabella in distress,
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She wrung her hands and wept amain,
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bewailing of her heaviness.
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When near fair London Tower she came,
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whereas her Landing place should be.
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The King and Queen with all their train,
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did meet this Lady gallantly.
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How now Arabella , then our King
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unto this Lady straight did say,
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Who hath first ty'd ye to this thing,
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that you from England took your way.
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None but my self, my Gracious Leige,
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this ten long years I've been in love
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With the Lord Seymours second Son,
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the Earl of Hertford , so we prove.
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Though he be not the mightiest Man
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of Goods and Livings in the Land,
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Yet I have Lands us to maintain,
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so much your Grace doth understand.
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My Lands and Livings are well known,
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unto your Book of Majesty,
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Amounts to twelve score pound a week,
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besides what I do give, quoth she.
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The second part, to the same Tune.
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I N gallant Derby-shire likewise,
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I ninescore Beadsmen maintain there,
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With Hats and Gowns and house rent-free,
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and every Man five Marks a year.
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I never raised Rent, said she,
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nor yet opprest the Tenant poor,
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I never took no Bribes for Fines,
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for why I had enough before.
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Whom of your Nobles will do so,
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for to maintain the Commonalty,
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Such multitudes would never grow,
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nor be such store of Poverty.
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I would I had a Milk-maid been,
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or born of some more low degree,
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Then I might have loved where I like,
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and no man could have hindred me.
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Or would I were some Yeomans Child,
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for to receive my Portion now,
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According unto my Degree,
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as other Virgins as I know.
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The highest Branch that soars aloft,
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needs must beshade the Mirtle Tree,
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Needs must the shaddow of them both
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shaddow the third in his degree.
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But when the Tree is cut and gone,
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and from the ground is bore away,
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The lowest Tree that there doth stand,
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in time may grow as high as they.
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Once when I thought to have been Queen,
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but yet that still I do deny,
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I knew your Grace had right to'th Crown,
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before Elizabeth did dye.
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You of the Eldest Sister came,
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I of the second in degree,
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The Earl of Hertford of the third,
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a man of Royal blood was he.
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And so good night my Soveraign Liege,
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since in the Tower I must lye,
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I hope your Grace will condesend,
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that I may have my liberty.
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Lady Arabella , said our King,
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I to your freedom would consent,
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If you would turn and go to Church,
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there to receive the Sacrament.
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And so good night Arabella fair,
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our King reply'd to her again,
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I will take counsel of my Nobility,
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that you your freedom may obtain.
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Once more to Prison must I go,
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Lady Arabella then did say,
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To leave my Love breeds all my woe,
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the which will be my lives decay.
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Love is a knot none can unknit,
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fancy a liking of the heart,
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He whom I love, I cannot forget,
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though from his presence I must part.
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The meanest people enjoy their Mates,
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but I was born unhappily,
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For being crost by cruel Fates,
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I want both Love and Liberty.
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But death I hope will end the strife.
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farewel, farewel, my Love (quoth she)
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Once had I thought to have been thy Wife
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but now am forc'd to part from thee.
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At this sad meeting she had cause,
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in heart and mind to grieve full sore:
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After that time Arabella fair,
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did never see Lord Seymour more.
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