THE RHYMED CHRONICLE OF JOHN HARtSTAFFE. 127 



Here was an open way, a readie meane, 

 Wherby she might w" 1 ease great wealth obtaine 

 Had she respected onelie private gaine. 



But she was ever of a vertuous mynd, 



Constant to truth, to frends and children kynd, 



And well perceav'd y' if she should consent 



To take this offer, and rest soe content : 



They purpos'd whollie to defraude the rest, 



Wherfore, their offer she did much detest : 



As tendinge right and truth to have supprest. 



Preferringe poore men's right to private gaine, 



A vertue rare, to which but fewe attaine. 



And truth to say, she was provoked much 



With lewde demeano r of a manie such 



Whose right she with her owne even then defended 



When they against her all their mallice bended. 



All whom and manie moe, had she compounded, 



Their worldlie states had whollie been confounded. 



When she their foresaid offer had despys'd 

 To vexe her still newe cumbers they devys'd 

 Yet after she that order had obtain'd, 

 To move for anie thinge they still refrained.. 

 If that the Maister of y e Court was there : 

 It seem'd they of his Justice stood in feare : 

 But w th th' Attorney they could worke much more, 

 Who was their frend, as I have said before. 

 They soone obtain'd an Order at his handes 

 That all such wrytings as concerne y e landes 

 Be brought into y e Court there to abyde, 

 Untill such tyme this cause may there be tryed. 

 That she with Atkimon and Hareslaffe both 

 Should be examin'd there upon their oath 

 Touchinge those wrytings so to be brought in : 

 Wherby 'mongst other things they hoped to win 



