is Chronicle-Verse, concerning the sumptuous
Houshold kept by King _Richard_ the Second, _cap._ 193.

Truly I herd Robert Ireleffe say,
Clarke of the Green-cloth, and that to the houshold
Came every daye, forth most part alway
Ten thousand folke, by his Messes told,
That followed the hous aye as thei wold.
And in the Kechin, three hundred Seruitours,
And in eche Office many Occupiours.

And Ladies faire, with their Gentleweomen
Chamberers also and Lauenders,
Three hundred of theim were occupied then;
There was great pride emong the Officers,
And of all men far passing their compeers;
Of rich arraye, and much more costeus,
Then was before, or sith, and more precious, &c.

This our Poet _Harding_ was living _Anno_ 1461. being then very aged;
and is judged to have survived not long after.

* * * * *

_ROBERT FABIAN_.

_Robert Fabian_ was born and bred in _London_ as witnesseth _Bale_ and
_Pits_; becoming one of the Rulers thereof, being chosen Sheriff,
_Anno_ 1493. He spent his time which he had spare from publick
Employments, for the benefit of posterity; writing two large
Chronicles: the one from _Brute_ to the Death of King _Henry_ the
Second; the other, from the First of King _Richard_, to the Death of
_Henry_ the Seventh. He was (saith my Author) of a merry disposition,
and used to entertain his Guests as well with good Discourse as good
Victuals: He bent his Mind much to the Study of Poetry; which according
to those times, passed for currant. Take a touch of his Abilities in
the Prologue to the second Volume of his Chronicle of _England_ and
_France_.

Now would I fayne,
In words playne,
Some Honour sayne,
And bring to mynde;
Of that auncient Cytye,
That so goodly is to se,
And full true ever hath be,
And also full kynde,
To Prince and Kynge
That hath borne just rulynge,
Syn the first winnynge
of this Hand by _Brute_.
So that in great honour
By passynge of many a showre,
It hath euer borne the flowre;
And laudable _Brute_, &c.

These Verses were made for the Honour of _London_; which he calleth
_Ryme Dogerel_, and at the latter end thereof, excuseth himself to the
Reader in these words:

Who so him lyketh these Versys to rede,
With favour I pray he will theym spell;
Let not the rudenes of theym hym lede
For to dispraue thys Ryme Dogerell:
Some part of the honour it doth you t