Whereat his wife sore greeved, Desir'd to be releeved; 50 "Make much of me, dear husband," she did say: "I'll make much more of thee," quoth he, "Than any one shall, verily: I'll sell thy clothes, and so will go away."
Cruelly thus hearted, 55 Away from her he parted, And travelled into Italy with speed: There he flourisht many a day In his silkes and rich array, And did the pleasures of a lady feed. 60
It was the ladies pleasure To give him gold and treasure, And to maintaine him in great pomp and fame; At last came newes assuredly Of a battaile fought in Barbary, 65 And he would valiantly go see the same.
Many a noble gallant Sold both land and talent To follow Stukely in this famous fight; Whereas three kings in person would 70 Adventurously, with courage bould, Within the battaile shew themselves in sight.[L72]
Stukely and his followers all, Of the king of Portugall Had entertainement like to gentlemen: 75 The king affected Stukely so, That he his secrets all did know, And bore his royall standard now and then.
Upon this day of honour Each king did shew his banner; 80 Morocco, and the King of Barbery, Portugall, with all his train, Bravely glister'd in the plain, And gave the onset there most valiantly.
The cannons they resounded, 85 Thund'ring drums rebounded, "Kill, kill!" as then was all the soldiers cry; Mangled men lay on the ground, And with blood the earth was dround, The sun was likewise darken'd in the skye. 90
Heaven was sore displeased, And would not be appeased, But tokens of God's heavy wrath did show That he was angry at this war; He sent a fearfull blazing star, 95 Whereby these kings might their misfortunes know.
Bloody was this slaughter, Or rather wilfull murther, Where six score thousand fighting men were slain; Three kings within this battaile died, 100 With forty dukes and earles beside, The like will never more be fought again.
With woful armes enfoulding, Stukely stood beholding This bloody sacrifice of soules that day: 105 He, sighing, said, "I, wofull wight, Against my conscience heere did fight, And brought my followers all unto decay."
Being thus molested, And with greefes oppressed, 110 Those brave Italians that did sell their lands, With Stukely thus to travel forth, And venture life for little worth, Upon him all did lay their murthering hands.