Notes. This poem is a response to “When you awake, dull Brittons, and behould”, and in the only known source it immediately follows that poem, with no new title.

Blame not the Poet though he make such moane

for’s Lord since in his case he pleads his owne

if that his Lord must such sharpe censure have

what then must hee that was soe very a knave

yet as his faultes were more so may we say

his witts weare for he quickely run away1

Like to the man that saw his Master kisse

thee Poopes foote feard that a worse place was his

may the Lords cure succeede his punishment

and justice him oretake that it ore went

Though scap’d his first, he stay till the laste doome

and cry let hir alone till that day come

Source. BL Add. MS 25303, fol. 86r

Mii10

¹   he quickely run away: William Lewis, the likely author of “When you awake, dull Brittons, and behould”, mysteriously fled to Paris not long after Bacon’s fall. <back>