Ther’s no man takes an enterprise in hand, But hee perswades him selfe it is not ill: Hee hath of reasons eke in steede to stand, As hee supposeth framed wise by skill. So I was led by reason rude, to kill My brother, if I caught him at the nicke, Because the quarell first hee gan to picke. 15. And for because I was the elder Prince, The elder sonne, and heyre vnto the crowne: Me thought no lawe, nor reason could conuince Mee from the fact, though I did beate him downe. This was my way to winne and reape renowne. I did prouide an army strong, encampte a fielde,[528] Not far from where I hoapte to cause him yeelde. 16. And sundry sharpe assautes on each wee gaue, On purpose both enflamed for to fight: Wee had in parle receaued counsayle[529] graue Of wise and worthy men, perswading right. 'It pitie was (they sayd) so fowle a sight, That brethren twayne, both Princes of a land, Should take at home such woefull warres in hand.’ 17. But where ambition dwelles is no remorce, No countrey’s loue, no kinred holden kinde, No feare of God, no sentence wise of force To turne the harte, or mollify the minde: Good words are counted wasting of your wynde. The gayne proposde, the crowne and scepter hye, Are th’only thinges whereat men gaze and prye. 18. At length my brother for to ende the strife, Thought best to worke the surest way to winne: He founde the meanes to take away my life, Before which time the warres could neuer linne. How much might better both contented binne! For hope is sloape,[530] and hold is hard to snatche, Where bloud embrues the hands that come to catch. 19. Thus our ambition brewde[531] our subiects smart: Our broyles pourde out their guiltlesse bloud on ground: Which vile deuise of mine ambitious heart Procured Ioue my purpose to confound. Therefore beware yee wights whose wealths abound, Content your selues in peace to spend your dayes, By vertues good aloft in earth your names to rayse: So shall you liue in Heauen with mighty loue alwayes[532]. LENUOY. 1. What cruell heartes had both these Princes then, To raigne alone, which sought their brother’s life: These tyrants were no perfect noble men, But buchers rather raignyng all by knife: A woefull thing to heare such brother strife, Where loue aye lasting loyall should endure, That crowne or kingdome bloudshed should procure. 2.