'He taught me with a prudent hand To feed the hungry poor, Nor let my servants drive away The hungry from my door: 'And none can say but all my life I have his wordis kept; And summed the actions of the day Each night before I slept. 'I have a spouse, go ask of her If I defiled her bed? I have a king, and none can lay Black treason on my head. 'In Lent, and on the holy eve, From flesh I did refrain; Why should I then appear dismayed To leave this world of pain? 'No, hapless Henry, I rejoice I shall not see thy death; Most willingly in thy just cause Do I resign my breath. 'Oh, fickle people! ruined land! Thou wilt ken peace no moe; While Richard's sons exalt themselves, Thy brooks with blood will flow. 'Say, were ye tired of godly peace, And godly Henry's reign, That you did chop your easy days For those of blood and pain? 'What though I on a sledge be drawn, And mangled by a hind, I do defy the traitor's power; He cannot harm my mind: 'What though, uphoisted on a pole, My limbs shall rot in air, And no rich monument of brass Charles Bawdin's name shall bear; 'Yet in the holy book above, Which time can't eat away, There with the servants of the Lord My name shall live for aye. 'Then welcome death, for life eterne I leave this mortal life: Farewell, vain world, and all that's dear, My sons and loving wife! 'Now death as welcome to me comes As e'er the month of May; Now would I even wish to live, With my dear wife to stay.' Saith Canynge: ''Tis a goodly thing To be prepared to die; And from this world of pain and grief To God in heaven to fly.' And now the bell began to toll, And clarions to sound; Sir Charles he heard the horses' feet A-prancing on the ground. And just before the officers, His loving wife came in, Weeping unfeignèd tears of woe With loud and dismal din. 'Sweet Florence, now I pray forbear, In quiet let me die; Pray God that every Christian soul May look on death as I. 'Sweet Florence, why these briny tears? They wash my soul away, And almost make me wish for life, With thee, sweet dame, to stay. ''Tis but a journey I shall go Unto the land of bliss; Now, as a proof of husband's love Receive this holy kiss.' Then Florence, faltering in her say, Trembling these wordis spoke: 'Ah, cruel Edward! bloody king! My heart is well-nigh broke. 'Ah, sweet Sir Charles, why wilt thou go Without thy loving wife? The cruel axe that cuts thy neck, It eke shall end my life.' And now the officers came in To bring Sir Charles away, Who turnèd to his loving wife, And thus to her did say: 'I go to life, and not to death; Trust thou in God above, And teach thy sons to fear the Lord, And in their hearts Him love.