6 Who clipps renowme, is lieke a foole, Twear better striue to win like lawds Than shaek the head or bend the brow, 7 Of others prayse, but God be thankt, (And uoyde of stregth) the happy needs The learned hath a mortall foe, 8 Well: whear that noble nature dwells, Thear vertue harbreth in the hart, Take wel in worth my Nueyeares gift, for whiells your vertues liue: Finis q goodwill. This is all in black letter, and forms two fly leaves to Neville "de furoribus Norfolciensium Ketto duce." In the possession of the Rev. Mr. White, of Lichfield. THE THE DUCHESS OF SUFFOLK. THE following curious old Ballad has never appeared in any collection, and seems well worthy of being preserved. It was printed in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. "THE MOST RARE AND EXCELLENT HISTORY OF THE DUCHESS OF SUFFOLK, AND HER HUSBAND, RICHARD BERTIE'S CALA MITIES. To the tune of "Queen Dido." I. When GOD had taken, for our sin, That prudent Prince King Edward away, Then bloody Bonner did begin His raging malice to bewray; All those that did GoD's word profess, He persecuted more or less. II. Thus while the LORD on us did low'r, Whereby they might the truth forego, Then Cranmer, Ridley, and the rest, Were burning in the fire, that CHRIST profess'd. II. Smithfield was then with faggots fill'd, At Worcester eke good Hooper died; Beyond-sea many fied away. IV. Among the rest that sought relief, King Henry's daughter of Royal Blood; Who in the Tower did prisoner lie, V. The Dutchess of Suffolk seeing this, Within God's word her comfort wrought; For fear of death was forc'd to fly, VI. That for the love of God alone, Her land and goods she left behind Seeking still that precious stone, The word and truth so rare to find: She with her husband, nurse, and child, In poor array their sighs beguil'd. VII. Thus VII. Thus thro' London they pass'd along, Each one did take a several street; Aud all along escaping wrong, At Billingsgate they all did meet : Like people poor, in Gravesend barge, They simply went with all their charge. VIII. And all along from Gravesend town, Το pass the seas was their intent; And GoD provided so that day, IX. And with a prosp'rous gale of wind And from their hearts much woe did drive; And so, with thanks to GoD on high, They took their way to Germany. X. Thus as they travel'd still disguis'd, XI. The XI. The nurse, amidst of all their fright, And never after that was found. XII. The thieves had then their horses kill'd, Was by the nurse likewise forsook ; XMI. The skie likewise began to seoul, XIV. Sometimes the Dutchess bore the child, As wet as ever she could be, And when the lady kind and mild Was weary, then the child bore he; And thus they one another eas'd, And with their fortunes seem'd well pleas'd. xv. And |