So when our armies met nigh _Habrine_[256] streame, The trompetts blew and I denyde the peace: I minded to expell them all the realme, Or else to make them euer after cease. And they, except I _Elstride_ would release, (They sayd) and take my _Guendoline_ againe, They would reuenge the wrong or else be slayne. 25. On this wee met, and valiauntly wee fought On eyther side, and neither part did yeelde: So equally they fell, it was great doubt, Which part should haue the better of the fielde. But I to bolde rusht in with sword and shield, To breake their rayes, so hasty men get smart, An arrowe came and stroke mee to the heart. 26. Thus was I brought to bale, vnhappy, there, My body pearst that wicked life had led: When I had raygned all out twenty yeere, And had my corps with many pleasures fed, The earth receiu’d my corps as cold as led. And all my pompe, my pryncely troupe and trayne, On earth no more shall see their Prince agayne.[257] 27. To all estates[258] let this for wedlocke serue, Beware of chaunge, it will not hold out long. For who so mindeth from his mate to swerue, Shall sure at length receiue reuenge for wrong. Tis folly fight with God, h’is farre to strong, For though yee coloure all with coate of ryght, No fayned fard deceaues[259] or dimmes his sight, Hee guydes the good, and wrekes the wronges of might.[260] LENVOY. 1. This is the iustice great of mighty Ioue aboue, To plague the men whose fayth vnfirme hee findes, The promisse plight in sponsales sacred loue, Which both alike the Prince and simple subiect bindes, Who recklesse breaks that same nor faithed promise mindes, If hee ensue the vice, wherein his sence is drounde, No doubt lehouah iust will therefore him confounde. 2. If hee for wedlocke breatch in Pagan Princes then So greate displeasure tooke, and did them sharply whip, Will hee not rather nowe afflict such christen men, As dare the sacred band of holy wedlocke rip? Hee will not let the twifold faythed Christian slip, Which by so vayne delight in fleshly lustes is droun’d. He cuts him of, and doth his queanes and him confound. 3. Examples are in all the ages seene before, And also daily proofe declareth well the same. Wherefore I will of this as nowe resite no more. Perchaunce I may incurre some vndeserued blame. But next beholde on stage apear’d a noble dame, (Whose beauty braue _Locrinus’_ senses did confound) Declaring how therfore Queene _Guendoline_ her droun’d.