78 THE RHYMED CHRONICLE OF JOHN HARESTAFFE. 



date are repeated over a door that leads from the American 

 garden into the kitchen garden. On a stone built into the lintel 

 of the old stable door are the arms of Vernon impaling Onley, 

 flanked by the initials c v m., and the date 1664. The well-known 

 Vernon motto, Vernon semper viret, is below the shield, but almost 

 illegible. George Vernon, grandson of Sir Edward, married for 

 his first wife Margaret Onley. He inherited the property in 1658, 

 and died in 1702. 



It now only remains to give a verbatim copy of John Hare- 

 staffe's rhymes. 



John Harstaff's Poetry whilst he lived at Sudbury 

 1635, of the Vernon Family and Concerns. 



John Harestaffe whyls't he dwelt at Sudburie 

 Did write as here ensewes for memorie . . . 



1615. 



I here intend to make a true Relation, 



According to my plaine and simple fashion, 



Of manie troubles and incumbrances, 



With sundrie suites and other greevances 



Which hapt to Maister Vernon in his lyffe, 



And after his decease unto his wyffe : 



Which I (their servant) better can declare, 



Because therein I had noe litle share : 



'Tis nowe noe lesse than foure and twentie yeares 



Since first I had to doe in those affaires : 



About the whiche (I trulie may affirme) 



For twelve or thirtene yeares I mist noe Terme. 



Herein I purpose also to relate, 

 In what great danger stood his whole estate : 

 And lykewyse make particuler narration, 

 Howe he disposed his lands by Declaration : 

 And howe his friends and servants he regarded, 

 Not leaving anie of theim unrewarded. 



