How the Lord _Cromwell_[2006] exalted from meane estate, was after by the enuie of the Bishop of Winchester, and other his complices, brought to vntimely end, Anno Dom. 1540. 1. “Wak’d, and trembling betwixt rage and dread With the loud slander (by the impious time) That of my actions euery where is spread, Through which to honor falsely I should clime, From the sad dwelling of th’vntimely dead, To quit me of that execrable crime, _Cromwell_ appeares his wretched plight to show, Much that can tell, one much that once did know.[2007] 2. Roughly not made vp in the common mould, That with the vulgar vilely I should die, What thing so strange of _Cromwell_ is not told? What man more prais’d? who more condemn’d then I? That with the world when I am waxed old, Most t’were vnfit that fame of me should lie With fables vaine my historie to fill, Forcing my good, excusing of my ill. 3. You, that but hearing of my hated name, Your ancient malice instantly bewray, And for my sake your ill deserued blame Vpon my legend publikely shall lay: Would you forbeare to blast me with defame, Might I so meane a priuiledge but pray, He that three ages hath endur’d your wrong, Heare him a little that hath heard you long. 4. Since _Rome’s_ sad ruine heere by me began, Who her religion pluckt vp by the root, Of the false world such hate for which I wan, Which still at me her poisned’st darts doth shoot: That to excuse it, do the best I can, Little, I feare, my labour me will boot: Yet will I speake my troubled heart to ease, Much to the mind, her selfe it is to please. 5. O powerfull number, from whose stricter law Heart-mouing musicke did receiue the ground Which men to faire ciuilitie did draw With the brute beast when lawlesse he was found: O, if according to the wiser saw There be a high diuinitie in sound, Be now abundant prosp’rously to aide The pen prepar’d my doubtfull case to pleade. 6. _Putney_ the place made blessed in my birth, Whose meanest cottage simplie me did shrowd, To me as dearest of the English earth: So of my bringing that poore village prou’d, Though in a time when neuer lesse the dearth Of happie wits, yet mine so well allow’d That with the best she boldly durst confer Him that his breath[2008] acknowledged from her. 7.