The True Loves Knot Untied.

Anonymous

Created as an assignment by Alaina Robie for Literature and Digital Diversity, Northeastern University, Spring 2021. Group: Love and Marriage

F. G.

London on Snow Hill

Transcribed from a facsimile in Early English Books Online

The True Loves Knot Untied. Being the right path, whereby to advice Princely

Virgins

how to behave themselves, by the example of the re-

owned

Princess, the Lady Arabella, and the second Son to the Lord Seymore, late Earl of Hertford.

To the Tune of, Frogs Galliards.

The True Loves Knot Untied.

AS I from Ireland did pass,

I saw a Ship at Anchor lay,

Another Ship likewise there was

which from fair England took her way.

The Ship Lord Chief Justice that sailed from fair England

unknown unto our gracious King,

The Lord Chief Justice did command

that they should us to London bring.

I drew more near, and saw more plain

Lady Arabella

in distress,

She wrung her hands, and wept

amain,

bewailing

of her heaviness,

When near fair London Tower she came

whereas her landing place should be,

The King and Queen with all their train

did meet this Lady gallantly.

How now Arabella, then our King

unto this Lady straight did say,

Who hath first fy'd you to these things,

that you from England took your way?

None but my self, my gracious Liege,

this ten long years I've been in love,

With the Lord Seymors second Son,

the Earl of Hertford so we prove.

Though he be not the mightiest man

of goods and Livings in the Land,

Yet I have lands us to maintain,

so much your grace doth understand.

May lands and living are well known

unto your Books of Majesty,

Amounting to twelvescore pound a week,

besides what I do give, quoth she.

In gallant Derbyshire likewise

I ninescore Beads-men maintain there

With hats and gowns, & house-rent free,

and every man five marks the year.

I never raised rent said she

nor yet opprest the Tenant poor

I never took no Bribes for fines,

for why, I had enough before.

The second part to the same Tune

WHom of your Nobles will do so

for to maintain the Commonalty

Such multitudes would never grow,

nor be such store of poverty.

I would I had a Milk-maid been,

or born of some more low degree,

Then I might have loved where I like

and no man could have hindered me.

Or would I were some Yeomans Child,

for to receive my portion now,

According unto my degree,

as other Virgins whom I know.

The highest branch that springs aloft,

needs must beshade the middle tree,

Needs must the shadow of them both,

shadow the third in his degree.

But when the tree is cut and gone,

and from the ground is born away

The lowest tree that there doth stand

in time may grow as high as they.

Once when I thought to have been Queen

but yet that still I do deny,

I know your Grace had right to the Crown

before Elizabeth did die.

You of the eldest Sister came,

I of the second in degree,

The Earl of Hertford of the third,

a man of royal blood quoth she.

And so good night my Soveraign Liege,

since in the Tower I must lie,

I hope your Grace will condiscend,

that I may have my liberty.

Lady Arabella said our King

I to your Freedom would consent,

If you would turn and go to Church

there to recieve the Sacrament.

And so good night Arabella fair,

our King to her replied again,

I will take Counsel of my Nobility,

that you your Freedom may obtain.

Once more to prison I must go

Lady Arabella then did say,

To leave my Love breeds all my two

the which will be my lives decay.

Love is a knot none can unkit

fancy a liking of the heart,

whom I love I cannot forget

though from his presence I must part.

The meanest people enjoy their mates,

but I was born unhappily,

For being crost by cruel fate,

I want both love and liberty.

But death I hope, will end the strife

farewell, farewell, dear Love, quoth

she

Once had I thought to have been thy wife

but now am forced to part from thee

At this sad meeting she had cause

in heart and mind to grieve full sorce,

After that Arabella

fair

did never see Lord Seymore more.

Finis.

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