History of the house and race of Douglas and Angus

HOUSE OF DOUGLAS.
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his wounds: but the old grudge of national quarrel remaining
still in vigour, did choak the fruit of true princely dealing,
and kept it that it came not to that full maturity of benifi-
cence which the party deserved, and was suitable for such a
King. Wherefore let him content himself with this honour
that his valour was acknowledged abundantly, and himself
by the confession of King Henry's own heralds, accounted one
of the chief chevaliers and champions in Albion; and let him
thank his own prowess more than their kindness for this tes-
timony. We will also add a witness of these in our times,
one of their own poets, Samuel Daniel, who speaking of
King Henry's son, who relieved his father in the battle of
Shrewsbury from the Earl of Douglas, ha writeth thus.
Hadst thou not here lent present speedy aid
To thy endanger'd father nearly tir'd,
From fierce encountering Douglas overlaid,
That day had there his troubled life expir'd.
Heroical courageous Blunt array'd
In habit like as was the King attir'd,
And deem'd for him, excus'd the fault of his.
For he had what his Lord did hardly miss.
Lib. III. Stanza. CXIII.
Taking Blunt for one of those that were apparelled like the
King; whereas others account hiin to have been the King's
standard bearer. But in the wars between York and Lancas-
ter, it is more amply set down in this sort.
Yet here had he not speedy succour lent
To his endangered father, near opprest,
That day had seen the full accomplishment
Of all his travails; and his final rest:
For Mars like Douglas all his forces bent
T' encounter and to grapple with the best;
As if disdaining any other thing
To do that day, but to subdue a King. '
Lib. IV. Stanza XLIX.
And there, with fiery courage, he assails
Three all as Kings adorned in royal ways,
And each successive after other quails;
Still wondering whence so many Kings should rise:
And doubting lest his hands or eye-sight fails,
With these confounded on the fourth he flies.