THE RHYMED CHRONICLE OF JOHN HARESTAFFE. 1 29 



Wherfore y e Order he did not obey 



But unto Justice Townshend went straightway, 



And tould him, if y' copies might content him, 



They should be trulie made & shortlie sent him ; 



Whereby he also might such charges save, 



As Clarkes in Court would for those Copies have, 



But if th' originalls he sought to gaine, 



He did but spend his labour all in vaine : 



And when the Justice sawe him deale so plaine 



Unto his motion he did then agree, 



Soe as those Copies should subscribed bee 



W th th' handes of Harestaffe & of Atkinson : 



W ch was accordinglie soone after done. 



The Terme was wel nere spent y e day at hand 

 For to redeeme from Harvey much faire lande 

 Eleven hundred pounds to him were due, 

 Ere fyve weekes ended — w ch did next ensewe. 

 For payment of this debt (as is foretould) 

 Were certayne lands appoynted to be sould : 

 W ch had ere this been done accordinglie, 

 Had not the Court enjoyn'd the contrarie : 

 Which by the Adversaries was procur'd 

 In pollicie, as beinge well assur'd, 

 That if y e sale of landes they could but stay, 

 She needes must faile of money gainst y e day. 

 Which subtill plott of theirs nowe tooke effect, 

 And they began to fayne what great respect 

 They had to save this lande beinge nowe in danger 

 To fall within y e compase of a stranger : 

 They move y e Court herof to have regard, 

 Alledginge what great prejudyce y e Ward 

 Might take thereby, yf that against y e day 

 Provision was not made this debt to pay : 

 Requyringe y' y e Court would it foresee, 

 And to this end some good securitie 

 9 



