Page:The First Part of the True and Honorable Historie of the Life of Sir John Old-castle (1600).pdf/39

 Where runnes a lusty hierd: amongst the which There is a stagge superior to the rest, A stately beast, that when his fellows runne, He leades the race, and beates the sullen earth, As though he scornd it with his trampling hoofes, Aloft he beares his head, and with his breast, Like a huge bulwarke counter-checkes the wind: And when he standeth still, he stretcheth forth His prowd ambitious necke, as if he meant To wound the firmament with forked hornes.

Cobh.Tis pitty such a goodly beast should die.

Camb.Not so, sir Iohn, for he is tyrannous, And gores the other deere, and will not keep Within the limites are appointed him. Of late hees broke into a seueral, Which doth belong to me, and there he spoiles Both corne and pasture, two of his wilde race Alike sor stealth, and couetous incroatching, Already are remou'd, if he were dead, I should not onely be secure from hurt, But with his body make a royall feast.

ScroopeHow say you then, will you first hunt with vs?

Cobh.Faith Lords, I like the pastime, wheres the place?

Camb.Peruse this writing, it will shew you all, And what occasion we haue for the sport.

Cobh.Call ye this hunting, my lords? Is this the stag You faine would chase, Harry our dread king? So we may make a banquet for the diuell, And in the fleede of wholsome meate, prepare A dish of poison to confound our selues.

Camb.Why so lord Cobham? see you not our claime? And how imperiously he holdes the crowne?

ScroopeBesides, you know your selfe is in disgrace, Held as a recreant, and pursude to death. This will defend you from your enemies, And stablish your religion through the land. Cob.