And whan hee sawe how reason can asswage Through length of time my brother _Edward’s_ ire, With forged tales hee set him newe in rage, Till at the last they did my death conspire: And though my truth sore troubled their desire, For all the world did knowe mine innocence, Yet they agreede to charge mee with offence. 51. And, couertly, within the tower they calde A quest, to geue such verdite as they should: Who what with feare and what with fauour thralde, Durst not pronounce but as my brethren would: And though my false accusers neuer could Proue ought they sayd, I guiltlesse was condemned: Such verdites passe where iustice is contemned. 52. This feate atchiued, yet could they not for shame Cause mee bee kild by any[1206] common way, But like a wolfe the tyrant _Richard_ came, (My brother, nay my butcher I may say)[1207] Unto the tower when all men were away,[1208] Saue such as were prouided for the feate: Who in this wise did straungely mee entreate. 53. His purpose was with a prepared string To strangle mee: but I bestird mee so, That by no force they could mee therto bring, Which caused him that purpose to forgo: Howbeit they bound mee, whether I would or no, And in a but of malmesey standing by, Newe christned mee, because I should not cry.[1209] 54. Thus drownde I was, yet for no due desert, Except the zeale of justice bee a crime: False prophecies bewitcht king _Edward’s_ hart, My brother _Richard_ to the crowne would clime: Note these three causes in thy rufull rime, And boldly say they did procure my fall, And death of deaths most straunge and hard of all. 55. And warne all[1210] princes prophecyes to eschue, That are to darke and doubtfull to be knowen: What God hath sayd, that cannot but ensue, Though all the worlde would haue it ouerthrowne: When men suppose by fetches of theyr owne To fly[1211] theyr fate, they furder on the same, Like quenching blastes which[1212] oft reuiue the flame. 56. Will princes therefore, not to thinke by murder They may auoyde what prophecyes behight, But by theyr meanes, theyr mischiefes they may furder, And cause God’s vengeaunce heauier to alight: Woe worth the wretch that striues with God’s foresight: They are not wise, but wickedly do arre, Which thinke yll deedes due destenies may barre. 57.