ad. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



C. 1437- 



That for slought and for racheshede 



Yee remember with all your might to hede 



To keepe Ireland that it be not lost. 



For it is a boterasse and a post. 



Under England, and Wales another: 



God forbid, but ech were others brother, 



Of one ligeance due unto the king. 



But I have pittie in good faith of this thing 



That I shall say with avisement : 



I am aferde that Ireland will be shent : 



It must awey, it wol bee lost from us, 



But if thou helpe, thou Jesu gracious, 



And give us grace al slought to leve beside. 



[I. 200.] For much thing in my herte is hide, 



Which in another treatise I caste to write 



Made al onely for that soile and site, 



Of fertile Ireland, wich might not be forborne, 



But if England were nigh as goode as gone. 



God forbid that a wild Irish wirlinge 



Should be chosen for to bee their kinge, 



After her conqueste for our last puissance, 



And hinder us by other lands alliance. 



W r ise men seyn, wich felin not, ne douten, 



That wild Irish so much of ground have 'gotten 



There upon us, as likenesse may be 



Like as England to sheeris two or three 



Of this our land is made comparable : 



So wild Irish have wonne on us unable 



Yet to defend, and of none power, 



That our ground is there a litle corner, 



To all Ireland in true comparison. 



It needeth no more this matter to expon. 



Which if it bee lost, as Christ Jesu forbed, 



Farewel Wales, then England commeth to dred, 



This is now to For aliance of Scotland and of Spaine, 



b fefref ly ^^ ° ther m0e > aS the P Gt Y Bretaine > 



And so have enemies environ round about. 



I beseech God, that some prayers devout 



J 34 



