[By that this was ended, I had found out the story of _Richard_ earle of _Cambridge_: and because it contained matter in it, though not very notable, yet for the better vnderstanding of the rest, I thought it meete to touch it, and therefore saide as followeth: “You haue saide well of the _Percies_ and fauourably; for in deede, as it should appeare, the chiefe cause of their conspiracy against king _Henry_, was for _Edmund Mortimer_ their cousin’s sake, whome the king very maliciously proclaymed to haue yeelded him selfe to _Owen_ coulourably, when, as in deede, hee was taken forcibly against his will and very cruelly ordered in prison. And seeing wee are in hand with _Mortimer’s_ matter, I will take vpon mee the person of _Richard Plantagenet_, earle of _Cambridge_, who for his sake likewise died. And therefore I let passe _Edmund Holland_, earle of _Kent_, whome _Henry_ the fourth made admirall to scoure the seas, because the _Britayns_ were abroad. Which earle (as many thinges happen in war) was slaine with an arrowe at the assaulte of _Briacke_:[586] shortly after whose death this king died, and his sonne _Henry_ the fift of that name, succeded in his place. In the beginning of this _Henry_ the fifte’s raigne, died this _Richard_, and with him _Henry_ the lord _Scrope_ and other, in whose behalfe this may bee saide.”] How _Richard Plantagenet_[587] Earle of Cambridge entending the king’s destruction, was put to death at Southamton, Anno Dom. 1415.[588] 1. Haste maketh waste, hath commonly ben sayd, And secrete mischiefe seelde hath lucky speede: A murdering minde with proper poyze is wayd, All this is[589] true, I finde it in[590] my creede: And therefore, _Baldwine_, warne all states take heede, How they conspire any other to betrappe, Least mischiefe ment, light in the miner’s lappe.[591] 2. For I lord _Richard_, heyre _Plantagenet_, Was earle of _Cambridge_ and right fortunate, If I had had the grace my wit to set, To haue content mee with mine owne estate: But, O, false honours, breeders of debate, The loue of you our lewde hartes doth[592] allure, To leese our selues by seeking you vnsure. 3. Because my brother _Edmund Mortimer_, Whose eldest sister was my wedded wife, I meane that _Edmund_ that was prisoner In _Walles_ so long, through _Owen’s_ busie strife, Because I say that after _Edmunde’s_ life, His rightes and titles must by lawe bee mine, For hee ne had, nor could encrease his line. 4.