Queen Eleanor's Confession:
Shewing, how King Henry, with the Earl Martial, in Fryars Habits, came to see
her, instead of two Fryars from France, which she sent for. To a pleasant New Tune.
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QUeen Elenor was a sick Woman,
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and afraid that she should dye;
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Then she sent for two Fryars of France,
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for to speak with them speedily:
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The King call'd down his Nobles all,
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by one, by two, and by three;
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And sent away for Earl Martial,
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for to speak with him speedily.
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When that he came before the King,
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he fell on his bended knee,
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A boon, a boon, our Gracious King,
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that you sent so hastily.
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I'll pawn my Living and my Lands;
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my Scepter and my Crown;
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That whatever Queen Elenor says,
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I will not write it down.
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Do you put on one Fryar's coat,
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and I'll put on another,
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And we will to Queen Elenor go,
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one Fryar like another.
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Thus both attired then they go;
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when they came to White-hall,
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The Bells they did ring, and the Quiristers sing,
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and the torches did light them all.
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When that they came before the Queen,
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they fell on their bended knee
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A boon, a boon, our Gracious Queen,
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that you sent so hastily.
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Are you two Fryar's of France? she said,
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which I suppose you be:
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But if you are two English Fryars,
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then hanged shall you be.
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We are two Fryars of France, they said,
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as you suppose we be;
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We have not been at any Mass
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since we came from the Sea.
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The first vile thing that e're I did,
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I will to you unfold,
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Earl Martial had my Maiden-head,
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underneath this Cloath of Gold.
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That is a vile sin, then said the King,
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God may forgive it thee.
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Amen, Amen, quoth Earl Martial,
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with a heavy heart then spoke he.
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The next vile thing that e're I did,
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to you I'll not deny;
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I made a Box of Poyson strong,
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to poyson King Henry.
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That is a vile sin, then said the King,
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God may forgive it thee.
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Amen, Amen, quoth Earl Martial,
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and I wish it so may be.
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The next vile thing that e're I did,
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to you I will discover,
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I poysoned Fair Rosamond
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all in Fa[i]r Woodstock-Bower.
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That is a vile sin, then said the King,
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God may forgive it thee.
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Amen, Amen, quoth Earl Martial,
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and I wish it so may be.
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Do you see yonders little Boy,
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a tossing of that ball?
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That is Earl Martials eldest Son,
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and I love him the best of all,
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Do you see then yonders little Boy,
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a catching of the ball?
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That is King Henrys Son, she said,
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and I love him the worst of all.
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His head is like unto a bull,
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his nose is like a boar.
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No matter for that, King Henry said,
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I love him the better therefore.
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The King pull'd off his Fryar's coat,
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and appear'd all in red;
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She shriek'd, and she cry'd, she wrung her hands,
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and said she was betray'd.
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The King look'd over his let shoulder,
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and a grim look looked he,
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And said, Earl Martial, but for my Oath,
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then hanged should'st thou be.
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