Part 115 (2/2)

22 'Canynge, away! this traitor vile Has scorned my power and me; How canst thou then for such a man Entreat my clemency?'

23 'My n.o.ble liege! the truly brave Will valorous actions prize; Respect a brave and n.o.ble mind, Although in enemies.'

24 'Canynge, away! By G.o.d in heaven, That did me being give, I will not taste a bit of bread While this Sir Charles doth live.

25 'By Mary, and all saints in heaven, This sun shall be his last.'-- Then Canynge dropped a briny tear, And from the presence pa.s.sed.

26 With heart brimful of gnawing grief, He to Sir Charles did go, And sat him down upon a stool, And tears began to flow.

27 'We all must die,' quoth brave Sir Charles; 'What boots it how or when?

Death is the sure, the certain fate Of all us mortal men.

28 'Say why, my friend, thy honest soul Runs over at thine eye?

Is it for my most welcome doom That thou dost child-like cry?'

29 Quoth G.o.dly Canynge, 'I do weep, That thou so soon must die, And leave thy sons and helpless wife; 'Tis this that wets mine eye.'

30 'Then dry the tears that out thine eye From G.o.dly fountains spring; Death I despise, and all the power Of Edward, traitor king.

31 'When through the tyrant's welcome means I shall resign my life, The G.o.d I serve will soon provide For both my sons and wife.

32 'Before I saw the lightsome sun, This was appointed me;-- Shall mortal man repine or grudge What G.o.d ordains to be?

33 'How oft in battle have I stood, When thousands died around; When smoking streams of crimson blood Imbrued the fattened ground?

34 'How did I know that every dart, That cut the airy way, Might not find pa.s.sage to my heart, And close mine eyes for aye?

35 'And shall I now from fear of death Look wan and be dismayed?

No! from my heart fly childish fear, Be all the man displayed.

36 'Ah, G.o.dlike Henry! G.o.d forefend And guard thee and thy son, If 'tis his will; but if 'tis not, Why, then his will be done.

37 'My honest friend, my fault has been To serve G.o.d and my prince; And that I no timeserver am, My death will soon convince.

38 'In London city was I born, Of parents of great note; My father did a n.o.ble arms Emblazon on his coat:

39 'I make no doubt that he is gone 'Where soon I hope to go; Where we for ever shall be blest, From out the reach of woe.

40 'He taught me justice and the laws With pity to unite; And likewise taught me how to know The wrong cause from the right:

41 'He taught me with a prudent hand To feed the hungry poor; Nor let my servants drive away The hungry from my door:

42 'And none can say but all my life I have his counsel kept, And summed the actions of each day Each night before I slept.

43 'I have a spouse; go ask of her If I denied her bed; I have a king, and none can lay Black treason on my head.

44 'In Lent, and on the holy eve, From flesh I did refrain; Why should I then appear dismayed To leave this world of pain?

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