140 THE RHYMED CHRONICLE OF JOHN HARESTAFFE. 



To move, that for y e endinge of all stryffe, 



Her eldest sonne should take y e ward to wyffe 



Soe neithers tytle further neede by tryed : 



And yet both Lawe and conscience satisfyed : 



For both of theim might soe their claim enjoy, 



And neither of them others right destroy. 



This was a pleasinge notion in the care 



Of everie one that of this suite did heare. 



Yet she at first to give consent made pause, 



Not that she did dislyke y* 1 but because 



It suted not with her dead husband's will, 



W ch she by all good meanes sought to fullfill. 



And this she signifyed unto her frendes, 



On whose advyse and counsell she depends. 



But to that point their counsell and advyse 



Was, that she should not bee therein too n)ce 



Yea Atkinson himself did her advyse 



That in the same she should not be precyze 



And some there were stood doubtfull of the end 



In case she should stand off and still contend 



Because the Court would still y e Ward befrend. 



Then as ore-ruled, She therunto agreed. 



And soe to other points they did proceede, 



Wherof in manie they accorded well : 



But yet in others sundrie doubts befell, 



And variances amongst them did aryse, 



W ch they could not accord in anye wyse : 



Especiallye concerninge those poore frends, 



And manie servants whose estate dependes 



Whollye on her successe, whom she would have 



To be assur'd of all her husband gave : 



But Justice Townshend & those on his syde, 



To yeald to y' in noe wyse would abyde : 



But sought to cutt theim short : and She againe 



By all meanes sought they might their right obtaine, 



