And caused mee with my complices all, To bee cyted by processe peremptory, Before judges, in place judiciall, Whereas _Cayphas_, sitting in his glory, Would not allow my aunswere dilatory, Ne doctor, or proctor, to alledge the lawes, But forced mee to plead in mine owne cause. 19. The kinge’s councell were called to the case, (My husband than shut out for the season) In whose absence I found but little grace, For lawyers turned our offence to treason: And so with rigor, without ruth or reason, Sentence was gieuen that I for the same Should doe penaunce, and suffer open shame. 20. Nay the like shame had neuer wight I weene, Duches, lady, ne damsel of degree, As I that was a princesse, next the queene, Wife to a prince, and none so great as hee, A kinge’s vncle, protector of his countrey, With taper burning, shrouded in a sheete, Three dayes a row, to passe the open streete, 21. Bareleg’d, and barefoote, to all the worlde’s wonder, Yea, and as though such shame did not suffise, With more despite then to part asunder Mee and my duke, which traytors did deuise By statute lawe, in most vnlawfull wise, First sending mee with shame into exile, Then murdring him by trechery and gyle. 22. Yea, and besides this cruell banishment,[689] Far from all friendes to comfort mee in care, And husband’s death, there was by parliament Ordayn’d for mee a messe of courser fare: For they to bryng mee to begger’s state most bare, By the same act from mee did then withdrawe Such right of dower, as widowe’s haue by lawe.[690] 23. Death (as tis sayd) doth set all things at rest, Which fell not so in mine vnhappy case: For since my death, mine enmies made a jest In minstrel’s rymes, mine honour to deface: And then to bring my name in more disgrace, A song was made in manner of a laye, Which olde wiues sing of mee vnto this day.[691] 24. Yet with these spites theyr malice could not end, For shortly after, my sorrowes to renue, My loyall lord, which neuer did offend, Was calde in haste, the cause hee litle knew, To a parliament, without sommons due, Whereas his death was cruelly contriued, And I, his wife, of earthly ioyes depriued. 25. For all the while my duke had life and breath, So long I stoode in hope of my restore: But when I heard of his most causles death, Then the best salue for my recureless sore Was to despayre of cure for euermore, And as I could, my carefull heart to cure With pacience, most paynfull to endure. 26.