[“God’s blessing on his heart that made this:” sayd one, “specially for reuiuing our auncient liberties. And I pray God it may take such place with the magistrates, that they may ratifie our olde freedome.” “Amen,” sayd another: “for that shall bee a meane both to stay and vpholde themselues from falling, and also to preserue many kinde, true, zealous, and well meaning mindes from slaughter and infamy. If king _Richarde_ and his counsailours had allowed, or at the least but winked at some such wits, what great commodities might they haue taken thereby? First, they should haue knowen what the people misliked and grudged at, (which no one of their flatterers either woulde or durst haue tolde them) and so mought haue found meane, eyther by amendment (which is best) or by some other pollicy to haue stayed the people’s grudge: the forerunner commonly of ruler’s destruction.[1750] _Vox populi_, _vox Dei_, in this case is not so famous a prouerbe, as true: the experience of all times doe[1751] approue it. They should also haue bene warned of their owne sinnes, which call continually for God’s vengeaunce, which neuer faileth to fall on their neckes sodainly and horribly, vnles it bee stayed with hearty repentaunce. These weighty commodities mought they haue taken by _Collingbourn’s_ vaine rime. But, as all thinges worke to the best in them that bee good, so best thinges heape vp mischiefe in the wicked, and all to hasten their vtter destruction. For after this poore wretche’s lamentable persecution (the common rewarde of best endeuours) strait followed the fatall[1752] destruction both of this tyrant, and of his tormentours. Which I wishe might bee so set forth, that they might bee a warning for euer, to all in authority, to beware howe they vsurpe or abuse theyr offices.” “I haue here,” quoth[1753] I, “king _Richard’s_ tragedy.” “Reade it, wee pray you:” quoth[1754] they. “With a good will,” quoth[1755] I. “For the better vnderstanding whereof, imagine that you see him tormented with _Diues_ in the deepe pit of hell, and thence howling this which followeth.”] [How _Richarde Plantagenet_ Duke of Glocester murdered his brother’s children, vsurping the crowne, and in the third yeare of his raigne was most worthely depriued of life and kingdome, in Bosworth plaine, by _Henry_ Earle of Richmond after called King _Henry_ the vij. the 22 of August 1485.[1756] 1.