THE ENGLISH POLICY 



For which they must dresse hem to peace in haste, 



Or ellis their thrift to standen, and to waste. 



As this processe hath proved by and by 



All by reason and expert policy ; 



And by stories which proved well this parte : 



Or ellis I will my life put in jeoparte, 



But many londs would seche her peace for nede, 



The see wel kept : it must bee doo for drede. 



Thus must Flanders for nede have unitee 



And peace with us : it will non other bee, 



Within short while : and ambassadours 



Would bene here soone to treate for their succours. 



This unitee is to God pleasance : 



And peace after the werres variance. 



The ende of battaile is peace sikerly, 



And power causeth peace finally. 



Kept than the sea about in speciall, 



Which of England is the towne wall. 



As though England were likened to a citie, 



And the wall environ were the see. 



Kepe then the sea that is the wall of England : 



And than is England kept by Goddes hande ; 



That as for any thing that is without, 



England were at ease withouten doubt, 



And thus should every lond one with another 



Entercommon, as brother with his brother, 



And live togither werrelesse in unitie, 



Without rancour in very charitie, 



In rest and peace, to Christes great pleasance, 



Without strife, debate and variance. 



Which peace men should enserche with businesse, 



And knit it saddely holding in holinesse. 



The Apostle seith, if ye list to see, 



Bee yee busie for to keepe unitee 



Of the spirit in the bond of peace. 



Which is nedeful to all withouten lese. 



The Prophet biddeth us peace for to enquire 



To pursue it, this is holy desire. 



ii 145 k 



A.D. 



c.1437- 



unanimitata' 

 Consiliario- 

 rum regis, i$ 

 hominum 

 bona' % volun- 

 tatis. 



Tres sunt 

 causa pradi - 

 tee custodice : 

 scilicet, honor, 

 commodum 

 regni, £ff 

 opprobrium 

 inimicis. 

 [I. 207.] 



Ephes.^. Solli- 

 citi sitis ser- 

 vare unitatem 

 spiritus in 

 vinculo pacts. 



