THE RHYMED CHRONICLE OF JOHN HARESTAFFE. 125 



To Court of Wardes w ,h Atkinson her frend, 

 The hearinge of her cause there to attend, 



Touchinge y e Rents w ch might her fate amend. 



'Tis said before howe Harestaffe had p'par'd 



A Supplication gainst y e cause were heard : 



Which havinge readie, to Whitehall he went, 



And to y e Maisters hand did it present, 



Even as from out his lodginge dore he came, 



Who takinge it, made offer of the same 



Unto his Secretarie stand inge by, 



But Harestaffe then to him did signifie 



That it concern'd a cause of some import 



Which presentlie were to be heard in Court, 



When there his Hono r should have taen his seate, 



Wherfore he verie humblie did entreate 



He eyther would himself y e same detayne, 



Or else deliver yt to him againe, 



That in due tyme y e same might be presented : 



And therupon the Maister was contented 



Himself to keepe it till in court he came, 



And there before him open spread the same : 



W c " often he perus'd w th good regard, 



Whyle Counsell on both sydes their cause declar'd, 



And when at large both parties he had heard, 



As if he tooke from that Petition, 



Cheefe motyve of his resolution, 



His order he pronounced to this effect : 



Although (quoth he) yt be our cheefe respect 



In sittinge here the Princes wardes to right, 



Beinge such as of theimselves want powers & might : 



Yet in soe doinge, we must not oppresse 



Distressed wydows, nor the fatherles, 



And poore old servants y< be succourlesse : 



Wherfore I see noe cause but to consent 



That Mistris Vernon shall receave y e rent, 



