wicked person, and spotted with all kind of filthinesse; who in malice
hath no péere, as one that neuer wanted desire to doo mischéefe and who
to be comparable in crueltie, would iudge it a great reproch. [Sidenote:
The earle of Mellent.] There commeth also the earle of Mellent, a man
full of all guile and deceit, in whose hart iniquitie is rooted, and
nothing sounding in his mouth but vnthankfulnesse; besides this, he is
slothfull in déeds, presumptuous in words, not hastie to fight, but
swift to run awaie. [Sidenote: Earle Hugh.] Then commeth earle Hugh, who
hath not thought it sufficient to breake his oth to my sister the
empresse, but he must commit periurie the second time, in aduouching
(vpon a new oth) that king Henrie granted the kingdome to Stephan, and
disabled his daughter. After him marcheth the earle of Albemarle, a man
of singular constancie in euill, verie readie to attempt and loth to
giue ouer a mischeefe: [Sidenote: The earle of Albermerles wife.] whose
wife, through irkesomnes of his filthie behauiour is gone from him; & he
that keepeth hir, cōmeth with him also against vs, an open adulterer, &
one well esteemed of Bacchus, but nothing acquainted with Mars.
[Sidenote: Simon earle of Hampton.] Then setteth foorth Simon earle of
Hampton, whose déeds consist in words, & whose gifts rest in promises.
For when he hath said, he hath doone; & when he hath promised, ye get no
more. Finallie there come togither a knot of Péeres & Noble men, [Like
maister, like seruants.] like to their king and maister, accustomed to
robberies, enriched with rapines, embrued with manslaughters, & defamed
with periurie. You therefore (most valiant capteins & hardie souldiers)
whom king Henrie hath aduanced, and this man hath brought vnder foot;
whom he made wealthie, and this man hath impouerished; vpon trust of
your worthy valiancie, yea rather vpon trust of Gods iustice seeke your
reuenge thus offered by God vpon these wicked wretches, & with manlie
stomachs vow to go forward, & forswere stepping back." When the earle
had made an end, all the armie (lifting vp their hands to Gods) abiured