For seldom shall a ruler lose his life, Before false rumors openly be spred: Wherby this prouerbe is as true as rife, That ruler’s rumors hunt about a head, Frowne fortune once, all good report is fled: For present shew doth make the mayny blind, And such as see dare not disclose their minde. 16. Through this was I king _Edward’s_ butcher named, And bare the shame of all his cruell deedes: I cleare me not, I worthely was blamed, Though force was such I must obay him needes: With hiest rulers seldome well it speedes, For they be euer nerest to the nyp, And fault who shall, for all feele they the whip. 17. For whan I was by parliament attaynted, King _Edward’s_ euils all were counted mine: No truth auayled, so lies were faste and painted, Which made the people at my life, repine, Crying, “_Crucifige_, kill that butcher’s lyne:” That when I should haue gone to _Blockham_ feast, I could not passe, so sore they one me preast. 18. And had not bene the officers so strong, I thinke they would haue eaten[1112] me aliue, Howbeit, hardly haled from the throng, I was in the flete fast shrouded by the shriue: Thus one daye’s life theyr malice did mee gieue, Which whan they knew, for spite the next day after They kept them calme, so suffered I the slaughter. 19. Now tell mee, _Baldwine_, what fault dost thou finde In mee, that iustly should such death deserue? None sure except desire of honour blinde, Which made mee seeke in offices to serue: What minde so good that honours make not swerue? So mayst thou see it only was my state That caus’d my death, and brought mee so in hate. 20. Warne therfore all men wisely to beware, What offices they enterprise to beare: The hiest alway most maligned are, Of people’s grudge, and prince’s hate in feare. For prince’s faults his faultors all men teare: Which to auoyde, let none such office take, Saue he that can for right his prince forsake.