138 THE RHYMED CHRONICLE OF JOHN HARESTAFFE. 



Who kyndlie ask't their bondes to pay y e rent, 



And they full wyselie did therto consent. 



Yet for all this his purpose much he mist, 



Because that Mistris Vernon did resist, 



And would not leave possession of such landes 



As at that tyme she helde in her owne handes : 



For when his men assai'd some grounde to dryve, 



For fashion sake (not with intent to stryve) 



That some contempt from thence they might derive : 



She sent of hers lyke number for to stay 



Her cattle in the grounde, and stop the way, 



Avouchinge she therin would disobey. 



W ch when they heard and playnlie did perceave, 



They made noe more adoe, but tooke their leave 



Of her, and homewards to their Maister went, 



To whom by theim her letters then she sent 



For he before had written unto her 



Faire admonitions there should be noe stirre : 



But y l all might be done in quiet sorte, 



Accordinge as the Order did import : 



She by her letters writt to this effect : 



That of the Order she tooke good respect, 



And helde not from him anie of y e landes 



W ch had been usuallye in tenantes handes : 



But what were in her owne possession, 



W ch she and all her household liv'd upon : 



And those as heretofore she meant to holde, 



And would make answere for it as she could. 



When Justice Townshend sawe she was so stoute 

 That gainst the Order thus she durst stand out, 

 In my conceite it gave him cause to doubt 

 That she relyed upon some powerfull frend, 

 W ch in her rightfull cause would her defend : 

 And not unlyke he had in memorie 

 The Maister's words in pointe of equitie, 



