The True Loves Knot Untied.
Being the right path, whereby to advise Princely
Virgins how to behave themselves, by the example of the re-
nowned Princess, the Lady Arabella, and the second Son to
the Lord Seymore, late Earl of Hertford.
To the Tune of, Frogs Galliards.
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AS I from 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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The Ship that saild 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 should us to London bring.
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I drew more neer, 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 neer 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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Now now Arabella, then our King
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unto this Lady straight did say,
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Who hath first tyd you to these things,
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that you from England took your way?
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None but my self, my gracious Liege,
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this ten long years Ive been in love,
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With the Lord Seymors 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 Books of Majesty,
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Amounting to twelvescore pound a week,
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besides what I do give, quoth she.
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In gallant Derbyshire likewise
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I ninescore Beads-men maintain there
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With hats and gowns, & house-rent free,
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and every man five marks the 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 nor fines,
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for why, I had enough before.
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The second part to the same Tune
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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 lovd where I like
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and no man could have hindered me.
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Or would I were some Yeomans Childe,
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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 whom I know.
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The highest branch that springs aloft,
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needs must beshade the middle tree,
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Needs must the shadow 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 born 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 know 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 quoth shee.
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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 condiscend,
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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 receieve the Sacrament.
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And so good night Arabella fair,
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our King to her replied again,
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I will take Counsel of my Nobility,
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that you your Freedome 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 wo
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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 fate,
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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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farewell, farewell, dear Love, quoth she
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Once had I thought to have been thy wife
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but now am forcd 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 Arabella fair
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did never see Lord Seymore more.
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