“The banefull plot of Godwin’s treacherie, And _Alfred’s_ rufull end,” quoth Memorie, “With doubt may shake a weake belieuing mind, Which to resolue, no better proofe I find Then _Godwin’s_ selfe, who in his turne shall tell After prince _Alfred’s_ death, what him befell, How he in seruice of _Canute_ his king, In forren warres himselfe in grace did bring, How he in state did rise, with what increase Of noble issue, heau’n his house did blesse, His life produc’d to length of many yeares, Foure kings he serues, in _Edward’s_ daies appeares His treason t’_Alfred_, till that time conceal’d, Which by the hand of heau’n is then reueal’d, His oath, his periurie, bread stops his breath, Heau’n plagues his issue for prince _Alfred’s_ death, The truth of which, that we at large may heare, Let fame’s trumpe cause his guiltie ghost t’appeare.” ANOTHER ARGUMENT. _Godwin_ as guiltie tels th’ambitious ayme Of his desire, first cause of all his shame. [Illustration] 1. Faire fall the steps, that happily do end Their course begun in vertue’s painfull race, Many begin that steepie hill t’ascend, Where vertue dwels; but few do find such grace As not to faint, ere they attaine that place, To tread the path of praise I first begunne, But lost true praise, which I did weene t’haue wonne. 2. Ambition tooke me by the haplesse hand, And with delight led me another way, Both blood and treason in my way did stand, Which heau’n with vengeance failes not to repay, Although reuenge of men escape they may: Of which that I a Mirrour be, giue eare, And in thy mind my fatall storie beare. 3. I am that _Godwin_, sometimes earle of Kent, Who with king _Harrold_ did conspire to shed Prince _Alfred’s_ blood, which I too late repent: For whereas I vpon the glorious bed Of spotlesse honor, might haue laid my hed, This one blacke deed of my false treacherie, Doth brand my name with spot of infamie. 4. If from that way, my steps had neuer strai’d, Which in my youthfull daies I first did tread, My famous acts, which now are all decai’d, Had liu’d in lines of gold, and in the stead, Of foule defame, with praise had crown’d my head: But partiall fame lets passe our deeds of praise, Our worser deed she keepes for future daies. 5. When bold _Canutus_, that victorious king, O’er Danes and English did in triumph raigne, Desire did set my youthfull thoughts on wing In pursuit of renowne, which to attaine, From pleasure’s idle bed I did refraine: Ease duls the sprite, each drop of fond delight Allaies the thirst, which glorie doth excite. 6.