unconstant tymes, what contraries bee these?

but sure it shewes, that men did God displease;

And God doth showe, for to resolve this doubte

that Fortunes wheele is quickly turn’de aboute.

Nowe little Cecill,1 too too greate doth growe

105

rydinge to Windsore with a pompous showe:

He workes himselfe an Earle,2 with some smale charge

and doth his house and famylie enlarge.

He rules the state, makinge the king beleeve

he can his wants and greevances releive:

110

Thus he invents a newe device of honor,3

Yet not soe greate, as when the Prince his Banner

advanced is within a martiall feilde

a Baronett, to Bannerett doth yeilde.4

But after all this flourish-: to accompt

115

he suddenlie is called, wich doth surmounte

his former Items: soe, he somms the rest

and findes a call for mercie is the best

Thus death cleers his greate scoore, but men growe wilde,

and with uncertaine rumors are beguilde:5

120

As if he amy’de at pollicies of state,

and still to be reputed fortunate,

without a thought of faire Religions corse

Soe they, cry’de out, Badd liefe, hath death farre worse

Oh God: if this the end of greatnes bee,

125

God send me honest liefe, with povertie:

But all wee talke of still, resolves this doubt

that Fortunes wheele is quicklie turn’de aboute.

Nowe steppes a faction upp, through princelie grace

which they with manglinge doe almost deface,

130

Convertinge it to theire owne state and pride

with many foule enormities beside.

Thus Suffolke6 bringeth in our hansome Carr7

and he uprightlie doth walke, but went to farr

For after Suffolk, honors did obtaine

135

with the Courte-title of Lorde Chamberlaine:8

And that Northampton was Lord Privie seale9

thus with the state they presentlie doe deale.

Lorde Walden (Suffolks sonne) must Captaine bee

Of Pentioners,10 and their attendance see.

140

His other sonnes unto the Prince resorte

and many are his favorites in Courte.

Northampton liveth Lorde of all the Portes11

and chief Commander of the Princes fortes.12

The yonger Mounson is vice-admirall;13

145

the elder they did, master Falkoner call.14

A Dallison the ordinance doth keepe:15

and Ellois cannot long in quiet sleepe

untill he paie 2000 pound at least

to have the Towers high Comand16 increaste:

150

K1iii

Quick links to other poems within this section

Select page here K0. Introduction K1i. Some would complaine K1ii. K1iii. K1iv. K1v. K1vi. K1vii. K1viii. K1ix. K1x. K2. Bridewell I come

¹   little Cecill: Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury (see Section D). <back>

²   workes himselfe an Earle: Cecil became Earl of Salisbury in 1605. <back>

³   newe device of honor: the Order of Baronets was instituted in 1611. <back>

⁴   a Baronett...yeilde: a banneret was an ancient title conferred for valiant deeds done in the King’s presence on the field of battle; on the institution of the Order of Baronets, precedence was given to these over bannerets. <back>

⁵   but men...beguilde: reference to the libelling that followed Cecil’s death (see Section D). <back>

⁶   Suffolke: Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk. <back>

⁷   Carr: Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, Jacobean favourite c.1607-c.1616. <back>

⁸   Lorde Chamberlaine: Thomas Howard was appointed Lord Chamberlain at the beginning of James’s reign, and held the position until his appointment as Lord High Treasurer of England in 1614. <back>

⁹   Northampton...seale: Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, was appointed Lord Privy Seal in 1608. <back>

¹⁰   Lorde Walden...Pentioners: Theophilus Howard, 2nd Earl of Suffolk and 2nd Baron Howard de Walden, succeeded his father as Captain of the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners. <back>

¹¹   Northampton...Portes: Henry Howard was appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in 1604. <back>

¹²   and chief...fortes: probably still referring to Howard’s role as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, since this office included responsibility for garrisons and soldiers within the ports. <back>

¹³   The yonger...vice-admirall: Sir William Monson, younger brother of Sir Thomas Monson, was appointed Admiral of the Narrow Seas in 1604. An associate of the Howards, Monson was briefly imprisoned on suspicion of involvement in the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury. <back>

¹⁴   the elder...Falkoner call: Sir Thomas Monson, Master Falconer to James. <back>

¹⁵   A Dallison...keepe: Sir Roger Dalyson, Master of the Ordnance. <back>

¹⁶   Ellois...Comand: Sir Gervase Elwes, an associate of Henry Howard and Sir Thomas Monson, paid £1400 in 1613 to secure the position of Lieutenant of the Tower. He was later executed for his role in the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury. <back>