[When maister _Ferrers_ had ended his[313] fruitfull tragedy, because no man was ready with any other, I, hauing perused the story which came next, sayed: “Because you shall not say, my maisters, but that I will somewhat doe my part, I will, vnder your correction, declare the tragedy of _Thomas Mowbrey_, duke of _Northfolke_,[314] the chiefe worker of the duke of _Glocester’s_ destruction: who to admonishe all counsailours to beware of flattering princes, or falsely enuying or accusing their peregualles, may lament his vices in maner following.”] How the Lord _Mowbrey_, promoted by King _Richard_ the second, to the state of a Duke,[315] was by him banished the realme, the yeare of Christ, 1398, and after died miserably in exile. 1. Though sorrowe and shame abash mee to rehearse My lothsome life, and death of due deserued, Yet that the paynes thereof may other pearce To leaue the like, leaste they bee likewise[316] serued, Ah _Baldwine_, marke, and se how that I swerued:[317] Dissembling, enuy, and flattery, bane that bee Of all their hostes, haue shewde their power on mee. 2. I blame not fortune, though shee did her parte, And true it is shee can doe litle harme: Shee guideth goodes, shee hampreth not the hart, A minde well bent,[318] is safe from euery charme: Vice, only vice, with her stout strengthlesse arme, Doth cause the harte from good to ill encline,[319] Which I, alas, doe finde to true by mine. 3. For where by birth I came of noble race,[320] The _Mowbrey’s_ heyre, a famous house and old, Fortune I thanke, gaue mee so good a grace,[321] That of my prince I had what so I would: Yet neyther was to other greately hold,[322] For I through[323] flattery abusde[324] his wanton youth, And his fond trust augmented my vntruth. 4. Hee made mee first the earle of _Notyngham_, And marshall of the realme,[325] in which estate The peeres and people ioyntly to mee came, With sore complaint against them, that of late Made[326] officers, had brought the king in hate, By making sale of justice, right and lawe, And liuing naught, without all dread or awe. 5. I gaue them ayde these euills to redresse, And went to _London_ with an army strong, And caused the king, agaynst his will oppresse By cruell death, all such as led him wrong: The lord chiefe justice suffered these among, So did the steward of his household head, The chauncellour scapte, for hee aforehand[327] fled. 6.