LEONARD WHEATCROFT, OF ASHOVER. 6l 



" (15) To speak of Dethic, what shall I doe there? 

 Babington's Treason hateful doth appeare. 

 Their hou^e is downe, and they are gone to nought ; 

 So will all those which e'er Rebellion sought. 

 Then pray to God for Peace and Vnitie, 

 That King and Nobles all may well agree. 



" (16) Then I to Ogston, there to break my fast. 

 They all in mourning stood at me aghast 

 To think my friend and lover was departed ; 

 And so I left them, all most heavie hearted : 

 What shall I doe (thought I) to hide my head 

 Seeing so many Gallants now are dead ? 



" (17) Then up by Amber I did quickly hie ; 



None of my antient friends I could espie : 

 In Asher parish I could find not one : 

 Old Crich, old Dakin & old Hodgkinson 

 They are departed, and gone hence away 

 As for myself, I have not long to stay. 



" (tS) I will returne vnto my hill againe 



And cause my Muses to sing out a straine, 

 And that in mourning too they shall be drest 

 To sing new Anthems of the very best. 

 And thus you see in a few dayes how they 

 Are all gone hence, and turn'd to dust and clay. 



" (19) Ffarewell you Huntsmen that did hunt the Hare: 



Ffarewell you hounds that tired both horse and mare : 



Ffarewell you gallant Falkners every one ; 



The chief of all did live at Snitterton. 



So to conclude, ffarewell both great and small : 



Those that are left, The Lord preserve them all. 



" i?1' viee Leonard IVheaicroft." 



Another verse, written subsequently : — 



" If any one of this same truth do doubt 

 From Oaker Hill I'd have them walk about 

 From house to house, to proof the truth of this ; 

 And then they'll say there's nothing writ amiss. 

 I have no more to say, but this my charge. 

 Let all that's here say 'Pray God bless K. George.' 



