THE RHYMED CHRONICLE OK JOHN HARESTAFFE. 9 1 



Alledginge he should be disgrac'd for ever, 

 If in that purpose he did still persever. 



This strange Request distastefull was indeed, 



To Atkinson, and manie doubts did breed, 



To see y' crost w ch was before agreed : 



He suffred yet, and yeaklinge to the same, 



Left unaffected that for which he came : 



Yet thought y' some was therefore much too blame. 



But whyle in Derbyshire he did remayne, 



Vernon most kindlie did him entertaine : 



And he againe (how ere w th in in doubt,) 



Discreetlye made faire weather from w th out. 



It would be longe for me to treate of all 



The passages y* after did befall 



Betweene theim two about these great affaires, 



Wherin were spent noe lesse than seaven yeares : 



What landes they solde & what they did demyse, 



What suines of money did thereof aryse, 



What mortgages they made, what debts they pay, 



What meetings and what motions day by day, 



For finall endinge and for full conclusion, 



To treate at large would make a great confusion. 



Wherefore omittinge much, I'le onelie tell 



What in y e later end twixt them befell, 



When Vernon had betaen him to a wyffe, 



Some yeare and half before he left this lyffe. 



And here tis fittinge y ( you understand 



He still was in possession of the land : 



And took y e profitts and receiv'd y e rent, 



By Atkinson's permission and consent, 



Though at y e first t'was not to his content. 



And nowe being married he did seeme much more 



Desyrous of an end than ere before : 



His wyffe beinge carefull provident and wyse, 



