“O Memory,” quoth _Inquisition_, “what dyd become of _Edmunde Ironsyde_, of whom you made mention in your former induction?” “That vertuous valiaunt prince,” quoth _Memory_, “was miserably made away by an earle.” “By an earle,” quoth _Inquisition_, “I haue here an earle called _Edricus_, who murthered a kynge, it may bee, that chaunce hath yeelded vntoo vs the factour vnlooked for.” “He is euen the same,” sayd _Memory_, “and hys tragedye is very necessarie, for hee as thys woorthie kyng was set on a priuie, to doo as nature and necessitie dooth constrayne, caused hym miserably to bee thrust vp into the fundament wyth a speare, wherewith the good prince ended hys dayes.” “If we doo heare hym, geue hym warnyng,” quoth _Inquisition_, “that hee be briefe: for wee haue no tyme to bestowe in hearing the complayntes of those miserable princes, and yet wee muste needes heare one more besyde hym. Let him therefore goe roundly to the purpose.” “He shal not be tedious,” quoth _Memory_. Wherewith the wretched man sayde as foloweth.] THE COMPLAINT OF EDRICUS. Howe Edricus destroyed the valiant king Edmunde Ironsyde, hoping to haue greate preferment for his labour of Canutus the Dane, and howe the same Canutus caused him to be be-headed for his labour. A necessary example for al such as thinke by craft and deceite to increase their credited.[1246] 1. You hellish hagges of limbo lake belowe, Which dayly doo my cursed corps torment, Come forth, come forth, come forth, (I say) and shewe How I on earth my dismal dayes haue spent: And wil you not, you wretched wightes, assent To helpe me here to tell that drierie tale, Which may amongst men liuing much preuayle? 2. O cursed ghost condemde to endelesse thrall, Sith they refuse to aide thee in this neede, Doo thou declare and tel the truth of al, That men aliue my wretched woorkes may reade, And see the fruite of suttle Satan’s seed, Auoyding vice, and fancie’s fonde delight, Note wel my tale, the truth I shal recite. 3. When _Etheldrede_ had geuen _Canutus_ place, _Edmunde_ his sonne, surnamed _Ironside_, Deuising howe he might his foe deface, By wrath of warre the cause they did decide: And in the ende the realme they did deuide: _Edmunde_ had halfe, _Canutus_ had the rest, Then they with peace and quietnesse were blest.[1247] 4.