there are two copies extant; one in
the Cottonian MS. Nero A. VI. and the other in the Cottonian MS.
Vespasianus B. XVI.: the latter copy has been printed, though very
erroneously, and with the orthography modernized, by Mr. Sharon
Turner; but the former has not been before noticed. As they differ in
some places from each other, and are very short, it has been thought
advisable that both transcripts should be inserted.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JOHN BOKKING TO SIR JOHN FASTOLF: DATED ON
THE WEDNESDAY AFTER MID LENT SUNDAY, _i.e._ 15 MARCH, 1457.

[_Paston Letters_, vol. i. p. 154.]

"Lyke it your maistership to wyte, that as for tidings, the Counsell
is, the fornone, at the blake Frires, for the ease of resortyng of the
Lordes that ar withinne the toun; and at afternon at the white Frirers
in Fletstrete, for the Lordis with owte the town; and all things shall
come to a good conclusion with God is grace; for the Kyng shall come
hidre this weke, and the Quene also, as some men sayn, and my Lord Buk
and Stafford with hire, and muche puple. My Lord of Caunterbury takith
grete peyne up on hym daily, and will write unto yow the certeynte of
suche tidings as falle; and shuld have doon or this tyme, saf for that
he wolde knowe an ende of the mattre."

UPON THE RECONCILIATION OF THE LORDS OF THE YORKIST FACTION WITH THE
KYNG AND HIS ADHERENTS.

[_Cottonian MS._ Nero A. VI.]

Whan Charyte ys chosen with stats to stonde,
Stedfast and styll, with oute distaunce,
Then wreth may be exilid out of thys londe,
And God oure gide to have governaunce;
Wysdom and welthe with all plesaunce,
May ryghtfulle reigne, and prosperite,
For love hath underleyde wrethfull vengeaunce;
Reioyse Enlond the lords acordid bee.

Reioyse, and thonke God, and sorw no more,
For now shal encrese thi consolacone;
Oure enemes quake for drede ful sore,
That pees ys made that was divisione,
Whiche ys to them grete confusione,
And to us joy and felicite;
God hold them longe in every seasone,
That Englond may reioyce, the concord and unite.

Now ys sorw with shame fled yn to Fraunce,
As a felon that hath forsworne thys lond;
Love hath put owte malicius governaunce,
In every place both fee and bonde;
In Yorke, in Somersett, as y undyrstonde,
In Warwikke also ys love and charite,
In Salisbury eke, and yn Northumberlond,
That every man may reioyce the concord and unite.

Egremond,[257] and Clyfford,[258] and other forseyd,
Ben sett yn the same o