The meetyng of twoo noble knightes of the Garter (si Henry Sidney, and the Erle of Essex) in Irelande, twoo miles beyond Dradath the xxj, of September, and 17. yere in the raigne of our souerain ladie Quene Elizabeth.

AS order is the staie of states, a blisse to eurie age,
A knot of loue, a bande of peace, a rule yt gouerns rage:
So order drue, two noble wights, that of the order are,
To mete by order as it fell, a sight full strage and rare.
For seide is seen, in Irishe soile, where order doeth but glance
That ij. which doth ye garter were, do mete by suche a chance
The one an Erle, a Mars more like, that God of battaill is:
The other sutche a Mirror knowne, as Irelande maie not mis.
The one hath lighted sutche a Lampe, where on the rest maie gase,
Yea all the torches in the lande, waxe dim where this doeth blase:
The other hath through modest meanes, and Marciall maners both,
Pluckt fro warme brest, the peoples harts, yt bears good wil to troth
The bruite of these, are blowne so far, their names therby are known
These are no Gemms of forraine mines, but Iewells of our owne.
The more that Enuie hides their praise, the bigger doe thei shine,
As cleere renowme, were shrouded safe, by secret power deuine.
In louyng league, of well won laude, these lordes their liu's do lead,
And through this thanklesse thwartyng world, ye steps of honor tread
Bothe bent to serue, & fitte therfore, their ventures claimes thesame,
And bothe for greatnesse of their mindes, doe merite equall fame:
A ioye to see suche iewels ioyne, so thought the lookers on,
A pearle of price, in any place, agrees with precious stone.
The Gods the selu's, did make this matche, through ordryng things a right.
The heauens cast of cloudie clokes, and clapt on mantells light.
To showe how glad the Planetts were, in meetyng nobles twaine,
When one the other fetcht to toune, with sutche a troupe and traine:
The season sweete, and Phebus shone, so cleare from christall Skie,
As worlde were willyng to bestowe, on them a welcome eye.
The Prince that hath suche members here, is happie sondrie waies,
The soldiours that shall serue them bothe, shall win immortal praies.
The people that by outward signes, an inward meanyng knewe,
Bade sluggishe Muses whet their skill, on matter worthie vewe:
Then tooke I penne, and put in verse, these thyngs wt great post hast
In larger volume looke for more, if this be well embrast.