Notes. This is one of two poems that develop parallels between the crooked-back Robert Cecil and the crooked-back late medieval tyrant Richard III. Croft (“Reputation” 55-56) discusses the political resonance of the Ricardian comparison. In one source, this libel is accompanied by a Latin translation (Folger MS V.a.103).

Heere lieth Robbin1 Crookt back, unjustly reckond

A Richard the third, he was Judas 2

In their lives they agree, in their deaths somewhat alter,

The more pitty the poxe3 soe cousend the halter.

Richard, or Robert, which is the worse?

A Crookt back great in state is Englands curse.

Source. Bodleian MS Tanner 299, fol. 13r

Other known sources. Bodleian MS Malone 23, p. 4; Bodleian MS Eng. Poet. e.14, fol. 95v; Nottingham MS Portland PW V 37, p. 37; Folger MS V.a.103, fol. 20r; Folger MS V.a.160, p. 2; Huntington MS HM 116, p. 130

D4

¹   Robbin: commonplace contemporary diminutive of Robert. <back>

²   Judas: presumably an allusion to Cecil’s alleged betrayal of Essex. <back>

³   poxe: syphilis. <back>