Grandfon to the Earl of Hertford, privately wooed and marry'd this Lady; but as this Family was alfo related to the Crown, young Seymour was the most dangerous Perfon fhe could marry; for a distant Claim to the Throne, in good Politicks, is Treafon. The Match was no fooner difcover'd, but Seymour was committed to the Tower, and Lady Arabella confin'd in her own Houfe at Highgate. However, they were not fo ftrictly obferv'd but they found Means of correfponding together, and concluded to make their Efcape beyond Sea. Accordingly Sir William difguifing himself, and leaving his Man in his Bed, that the Keeper might not miss him till the next Day, came to the Place appointed, and The alfo found the Means of efcaping from her Houfe in Man's Apparel, but staying long beyond the limited time, and he apprehenfive that he was taken, and would difcover him too, made the best of his way, leaving Word for her that he was gone to Dunkirk, where he would wait her coming; but her very fears betray'd her, and hinder'd her fol lowing him fo faft as he ought to have done, fo that being retaken fhe was committed to the Tower, where, on the 27th of September, 1615, fhe dy'd, and was privately bury'd at Westminster, in the fame Vault with Mary Queen of Scots. She dead, Sir William Seymour having obtain'd leave to return home, was marry'd

to

to Frances, Daughter of the Earl of Effex, and after his Grandfather's Death he inherited the Title of Earl, and was afterwards created Marquis of Hertford, and from him is defcended one of our prefent noblest Families.

SI to Ireland did pass,

As

I faw a Ship at Anchor lay, Another Ship likewise there was,

Which from fair England took her way.

This Ship that fail'd from fair England,
Unknown unto our Gracious King,
The Lord Chief Juftice did command,

That they to London fhould her bring.

I then drew near, and faw more plain,
Lady Arabella in Distress,
She wrung her Hands, and wept amain,
Bewailing of her Heaviness.

When near fair London Tower she came,
Whereas her landing Place fhould be,
The King and Queen with all their Train,
Did meet this Lady gallantly.

How now, Arabella, faid our good King,
Unto this Lady strait did say,

Who hath first ty'd thee to this thing,
That you from England took your way?

None but my felf, my Gracious Liege,
These ten long Years I've been in Love
With the Lord Seymour's fecond Son,

The Earl of Hertford fo we prove :

Full

Full many a Hundred Pound I had
In Goods and Livings in the Land,
Yet I have Lands us to maintain,

So much your Grace doth understand:

My Lands and Livings fo well known
Unto your Books of Majefty,
Amount to Twelvefcore Pound a Week,
Besides what I do give, quoth she.

In gallant Derbyshire likewife,

I Ninescore Beadfmen maintain there, With Hats and Gowns and House Rentfree, And every Man five Marks a Year.

I never raised Rent, faid fhe,

Nor yet opprefs'd the Tennant poor,
I never did take Bribes for Fines,
For why, I had enough before.

Whom of your Nobles will do so,

For to maintain the Commonalty? Such Multitudes would never grow, Nor be such store of Poverty.

I would I had a Milk-Maid been,

Or born of fome more low Degree, Then I might have lov'd where I like, And no Man could have hinder'd me.

Or would I were fome Yeoman's Child,
For to receive my Portion now,
According unto my Degree,

As other Virgins whom I know.

The highest Branch that foars aloft,
Needs must befhade the Myrtle-tree,
Needs muft the Shadow of them both,
Shadow the third in his Degree.

But

But when the Tree is cut and gone,
And from the Ground is bore away,
The lowest Tree that there doth stand,
In time may grow as high as they.

Once too I might have been a Queen,
But that I ever did deny,

I knew your Grace had right to th' Crown,
Before Elizabeth did dye.

You of the eldest Sifter came,
I of the fecond in Degree,
The Earl of Hartford of the third,
A Man of Royal Blood was he.

And fo Good night, my Sovereign Leige,
Since in the Tower I muft lye,

I hope your Grace will condefcend,
That I may have my Liberty.

Lady Arabella, faid the King,

I to your Freedom would consent,
would turn and go to Church,
There to receive the Sacrament.

If you

And fo Good-night, Arabella fair,
Our King reply'd to her again,
I will take Counsel of my Nobility,
That you your Freedom may obtain.

Once more to Prison must I go,
Lady Arabella then did say,

To leave my Love breeds all my Woe,
The which will be my Life's decay.

Love is a Knot none can unknit,
Fancy a liking of the Heart,
Him whom I love I can't forget,
Though from his Presence I must part.

The meanest People enjoy their Mates,
But I was born unhappily,

For being crofs'd by cruel Fates,

I want both Love and Liberty.

But Death, I hope, will end the Strife;
Farewel, farewel, my Love, quoth she,
Once I had thought to have been thy Wife,
But now am forc'd to part with thee.

At this fad Meeting she had Cause,

In Heart and Mind to grieve full fore,
After that time Arabella fair,
Did never see Lord Seymour more.

XXVIII. The