Queen ELEANORs Confession:
SHEWING
How King HENRY, with the Earl MARTIAL, in
Friars Habits came to her, instead of two Friars from France, which
she sent for.
To a pleasant New Tune.
|
QUEEN Eleanor was a sick Woman,
|
And afraid that she should die;
|
Then she sent for two Friars of France,
|
For to speak with them speedily.
|
The King calld down his Nobles all,
|
By One, by Two, and by Three,
|
And sent away for Earl Martial,
|
For to speak with them speedily.
|
When that he came before the King,
|
He fell on his bended Knee,
|
A Boon, a Boon, our gracious King,
|
That you sent so hastily.
|
Ill pawn my Living and my Lands,
|
My Scepter and my Crown,
|
That whatever Queen Eleanor says,
|
I will not write it down.
|
Do you put on a Friars Coat,
|
And Ill put on another,
|
And we will to Queen Eleanor go,
|
One Friar like another.
|
Thus both attired then they go,
|
When they came to Whitehall,
|
The Bells they did ring and Quiristers sing,
|
And the Torches did light them all.
|
When they came before the Queen,
|
They fell on their bended Knee,
|
A Boon, a Boon, our gracious Queen,
|
That you sent so hastily.
|
Are you two Friars of France? she said,
|
Which I suppose you be;
|
But if you are two English Friars,
|
Then hanged shall you be.
|
We are two Friars of France, they said,
|
As you suppose we be,
|
We have not been at any Mass
|
Since we came from the Sea,
|
The first vile Thing that eer I did,
|
I will to you unfold,
|
Earl Martial had my Maidenhead,
|
Under this Cloth of Gold.
|
Thats a great Sin, then said the King,
|
God may forgive it thee,
|
Amen, Amen, quoth Earl Martial,
|
With a heavy Heart then spoke he.
|
The next vile Thing that eer I did,
|
To you Ill not deny,
|
I made a Box of Poison strong,
|
To poison King Henry.
|
That is a vile Sin, then said the King,
|
God may forgive it thee,
|
Amen, Amen, quoth Earl Martial,
|
And wish it so may be.
|
The next vile Thing that eer I did,
|
To you I will discover,
|
I poisoned fair Rosamond,
|
All in fair Woodstock Bower.
|
That is a vile Sin, then said the King,
|
God may forgive it thee,
|
Amen, Amen, quoth Earl Martial,
|
I wish it so may be.
|
Do you see yonder a little Boy,
|
A tossing of the Ball?
|
That is Earl Martials eldest Son,
|
And I love him the best of all.
|
Do you see yonder a little Boy,
|
A catching of the Ball?
|
That is King Henrys Son, she said,
|
I love him the worst of all,
|
His Head is like unto a Bull,
|
His Nose is like a Boar,
|
No matter for that, King Henry said,
|
I love him the better therefore.
|
The King pulld of his Friars Coat,
|
And appear all in Red;
|
She shriekd, she cryd, and wrang her Hands,
|
And said she was betrayd.
|
The King lookd over his left Shoulder,
|
And a grim Look looked he:
|
And said, Earl Martial, but for my Oath,
|
Then hanged should thou be.
|
|
|
|
|
|