Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: A Mirror for Magistrates
  • Editors: Rosemary Gaby, Andrew Griffin

  • Copyright Queen's Men Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Authors: William Baldwin, John Higgins
    Editors: Rosemary Gaby, Andrew Griffin
    Not Peer Reviewed

    A Mirror for Magistrates

    For which, such idle[s] as wait upon the spoil,
    From every part of Wales unto me drew,
    For loitering youth untaught in any toil
    Are ready aye all mischief to ensue.
    75Through help of these so great my glory grew,
    That I defied my king through lofty heart,
    And made sharp war on all that took his part.
    See luck, I took lord Reynold Grey of Ruthin,
    And him enforced my daughter to espouse,
    80And so unransomed held him still: and sithen
    In Wigmore land through battle rigorous
    I caught the right heir of the crowned house
    The Earl of March sir Edmund Mortimer,
    And in a dungeon kept him prisoner,
    85Then all the marches longing unto Wales
    By Severn west I did invade and burn,
    Destroyed the towns in mountains and in vales,
    And rich in spoils did homeward safe return:
    Was none so bold durst once against me spurn.
    90Thus prosperously doth Fortune forward call
    Those whom she minds to give the sorest fall.
    When fame had brought these tidings to the king
    (Although the Scots then vexed him right sore)
    A mighty army against me he did bring.
    95Whereof the French king being warned afore,
    Who mortal hate against King Henry bore,
    To grieve our foe he quickly to me sent
    Twelve thousand Frenchmen armed to war, & bent.
    A part of them led by the Earl of March
    100Lord James of Bourbon, a valiant tried knight
    Withheld by winds to Wales ward forth to march,
    Took land at Plymouth privily on a night.
    And when he had done all he durst or might,
    After that a many of his men were slain
    105He stole to ship, and sailed home again.