The true Loves knot untyed,
Being the right path, whereby to advise princely Virgins how to be-
have themselves by the example of the Renowned Princesse, the
Lady ARABELLA, and the second Son to the Lord Seymor,
late Earl of Hartford.
To the Tune of Frogs Galliard.
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AS I from Ireland did passe,
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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 should us to London bring.
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I drew more neer, and saw more plain,
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[La]dy Arabella in distresse:
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[She] wrung her hands, and wept amain,
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[B]ewailing of her heavinesse.
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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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[How now] Arabella then our King
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[unto this] Lady straight did say,
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[Who hath fi]rst tie'd you to this thing,
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[that you fro]m England took your way?
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None but myself, my gracious Liege,
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This ten long yeers I've been in love
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With the Lord Seymors second Son,
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The Earl of Hartford so we prove.
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Though he be not the mightiest man
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Of Goods and Livings in this 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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Amounts to twelve score pounds 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 nine score 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 yeer.
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I never raised Rent, she said,
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Nor yet opprest the tenants 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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WHich 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 lower degree,
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Then I might have lov'd where I like,
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And no man could have hindred 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 oreshade the middle tree,
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Needs must the shadow of them both
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Shadow the third in his degree.
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But when that 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 where I thought to have bin Queen,
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But yet that stile I did 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 elder sister came,
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I of the second in degree,
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The Earl of Hartford of the third,
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A man of Royall bloud, quoth she.
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And so goodnight 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 will turn and go to'th Church,
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There to receive the Sacrament.
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And so goodnight Arabella fair,
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Our King to her reply'd again,
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I will take Counsell 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 wil be my lifes decay.
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Love is the knot none can unknit,
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Fancie 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 injoyes their Mates,
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But I was born unhappily,
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For being cross'd by cruell 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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Farewel, farewel, dear Love, quot 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 parting she had cause
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In heart and minde to grieve full sore:
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After that time Arabella fair
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Did never see Lord Seymor more.
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