¶ A knowledge for Kings, and a warning for subjects: Containing The most excellent and worthy history of the raellians perverted state, and government of their common wealth: no less rare, then strange and wonderful: and most meet to be published for a special example, in these perilous and dangerous days.  
First written in Latin, by james Glaucus a German: and now translated into english by William Clever Schoolmaster.  
¶ By special record, this Monument was two thousand years of Antiquity: and so dusked and forworn with age, that being in a plain written letter, could scarce be read: And for that it was great pity, that so precious a jewel should quite fade out of remembrance I with my painful endeavour have now renewed it into fresh memory.  
¶ Imprinted at London by Richard Ihones. 1576   

¶ To the Right worshipful, M. Gryffyn Hamden, of Hamden Essquyer: one of the Queen's majesties justices, of the County of Buckingham. W. C. wisheth health, and happiness, in Christ jesus. (⸫)  
IT may seem strange unto you, right worshipful, that you in respect of divers, are chosen to be the patron and defender of this work: It is not for that I would fill your ears with new and strange delights: It is not in that I would flatteringly advance you, neither yet to draw you to any purpose private unto myself: but for that you all ways have shone in the m●ddest of renowned virtue: your actions testyfying the constant steadfastness of your heart, your fruitful fame being witnessed by Christians, and the dear children of God: that such is the sincerity of noble virtue, dwelling within your mind, always gnerdoning your affections steadfastly, do prefix your eyes upon the eternal cowntenance of God's mercy: am moved the rather to tell you of the comen wealth of the raellians, an unruly idolatrous people, drowned in ignorance, stumbling on the mischief of many sins: had many warnings: many signs, wonders and tokens were revealed unto them: and all which being the gentle offerings of God, to call them out of the stinking dunghill in which they slept: yet in the hardness of their own hearts no ways could there appear any repentance or amendment of life, until the full purpose of sin had worn them to the stumps, by destruction. Idolatry which is the great grandmother of all syufulnes did conceive divers desperate children: which being muffled under the painted v●sarde of their own conceits, or that the prvuidence of God's eye sight, looking into their vilitye, or that a desperate beginning could not prospero: but that God over reaching the wicked with justice, doth pursue them to a desperate ending, continuing their impenitency. I am sory-right worshipful, that as I purposed to show my inward loving mind towards you, so to have dealt in such a matter as had belonged to the zealous gravity of your study: Notwithstanding, right worshipful, accept my inward mind, for I do not writ unto you as I would, but as I may. For when Alexander the great had thorough many torments, punished Calisthenes, being subdued (without remorse or pity) to many cruelties, when as other ways he could not utter his usual accustomed speeches in the noble documents of virtue, would speak the privy intention of his heart by divers secret shows. Once again, I heartily beseech you to accept rather the inward desire of my mind towards you, than the excelentnesse of the matter: yet the matter is such that for the feeding delights of the world, is more delectable, then laudable: yet not being altogether disagreeing from the laws of virtue, the matter is both civil and necessary in the political government of man's life: Thus trusting upon your usual gentleness, in receiving a small talon from a poor friend: impute the want hereof, not in the giver, but in the quantity of the gift. And herein to yield such acceptation as my inward affection desireth, and not as the work deserveth. God our heavenly father preserve you and yours in that course and race of true godliness which you have begun to fulfil, and accomplish the samein the bright Sun beams of his mercy, unto the end, (⸫)  
From Colshill, in the Parish of Amersom, the three day of November: By your worships to command William Cleaver schoolmaster.   

¶ james Glawcus his Epistle to the Reader, translated out of Latin by William Clever.  
IN many jeopardies and great dangers traveling the greatest part of all Greece, for that I would not come empty home: but bring some strange show which was never bard of before: and for that my travel should not be altogether in vain, I being in Constantinople that glistering renowned City, in the chief Library thereof I found this History of the Raellyans, written in Greek, being so strange, rare and wonderful, as a most precious ornament and jewel of renown, I have trafyckted if home into my own country: of what price it is among the people I know not: but after my transtating it into Latin, the universities did embrace it. But having much displeasure of the Greacians, for that so precious a jewel was brought into comen: I could not think myself in any saufetye, to return any more among them. For they did esteem this precious History for no other purpose, but for that the high speculation of God's wondered works should not induce the people to any other belief, then in that false God, in which they believed. Such is always the wonderful works of God, that through his providence those things which belong to the advancement of his glory, are revealed by such means as he hath foreseen to bend chiefly to his everlasting renown. (.,)  
So good Reader farewell.   

¶ A compendious Fable showing the substance of the whole work.  

OF the first beginning of the Raellians: their building of their religious Alsephon: and of their Idloatrie to the Ass of Adamant stone, for the choosing of a King. Fol. 1.  
¶ Of Harmannus his Oration, in the behalf of the common wealth, that it was not necessary the country of the raellians to be governed by a King. fo. 5.  
¶ How Alectros confuted the same Oration, with most excellent persuasions to the Elders and common wealth of the Land, for the establishing of a King. fol. 8.  
¶ The mischievous confused hurley burley, that was in the holy Alsephon, after the end of the Orations. fo. 14  
¶ The mild, and gentle Oration of the determiner, for the appeasing of the people: with courteous rebuking them, for their disorder before the Ass of adamant stone. fo. 15.  
¶ How petition was made to the Ass, by the raellians: the Ascalon watching the answer of the Ass, the Devil speaking within the said Ass, showed them how, and in what sort they should choose a king. fo. 17.  
¶ The Raellians choosing a king: fortune favouring Hellepatrus, with happiness to make him a king: how they could not agreed in what sort the king should be crowned: they making new petitions to the Ass, were commanded by the Ass, to go to Delphicus Apollo. fo. 19  
¶ How the Raellians with the kings consent, sent Ambassadors with rich gifts unto Delphicus Apollo. fo. 20.  
¶ The crown Garland, and the golden Sceptre, with the Oracle that they received by the Ambassadors from Delphicus Apollo. fo. 21  
¶ The noble royal Coronation of Hellepatrus king of the raellians: with the triumphant feats of chivalry, and the king's Oration unto his subjects. fo. 23.  
¶ How the crown Garland, and the Sceptre, were hanged up in the holy Alsephon: which was a prognostication of the fatal destruction of the kingdom of the Raellians. fo. 25.  
¶ How Hellepatrus (beginning to tax his subjects:) they conspired treason: confederated with the King of the Hircans, and banished Hellepatrus from his own country, wife, and children, fo. 26.  
¶ Of the miserable death of Hellepatrus his wife and children, being left behind among the Raellians. fo. 27.  
¶ How Hellepatrus, with his son Hellidorus, making their refuge unto the land of the Trebonians, for the space of six years were richly succoured: Hellepatrus opening his griefs unto the king of the Trebonians, was promised to be restored home again into his country. fo. 29,  
¶ The usage and behaviour, of the two Kings, in the time of their banishment. fo. 30.  
¶ How the King of the Trebonians, with the most warlike provision, that ever was hard of, restored Hellepatrus unto his kingdom. fo. 31  
¶ Of the hanging of the two Harrroldes: of the apprehending, and taking of the King of the Hircans: of his sore and terrible punishment, because he usurped the kingdom of the Raellians: and lastly, how he was miserably pricked to death with neadles. fo. 32.  
¶ Of the establishing of Hellepatrus again into his kingdom. fo. 33.  
¶ Of Hellepatrus quiet security, being given to idolatry, drunkenness, and lechery in his old age, was poisoned to death by a harlot. fo. 34  
¶ The noble Funeral of Hellepatrus, with the Ascalons Oration of the mortality of man's life. fo. 36  
¶ The burning and strange fire, that was seen in the Alsephon, with a crying voice the night before his Coronation. fo. 37.  
¶ How Hellidorus never laughing in his life, succeeded his Father Hellepatrus, in the government of the land of the Raellians: the manner of his Coronation, with his sharp Oration to his subjects. fo. 38.  
¶ How Hellidorus revenged his father's death. fol. 41.  
¶ How Hellidorus continuing his idolatry, there arose a Prophet among the Raellians, which not only cried out against the present Idolatry, of the king and his subjects: but made an Oration upon the terrible judgements of the highest governance: and how the Prophet: with the true zeal of virtue, broke their Ass of adamant stone. fo. 43  
¶ The civil death and punishment, 〈◊〉 the King used upon his subjects: for withholding away the deeds and writings which specified how the Land was holden, which was purchased of their forefathers, from the Assyrians. fo. 44.  
¶ How Hellydorus lusting after marriage, with shameful concupiscence, was blinded with an harlot: with the kings amorous wanton Letters, and the harlots answer again. ib.  
¶ How the Ascalon railing against the Prophet, with many perverse persuasions, continued the King's blindness in idolatry. fol. 49.  
¶ Of the death of the Prophet. fo. 50.  
¶ A persecution thorough the Land of the Raellians, for believing the prophets doctrine. ib.  
¶ How the Ascalon, with the consent of a witch, conspiring together: did steal away the Garland and the Sceptre, out of the Alsephon, which being the fortitude and magnanimity of the King, and the kingdom, being now lost: the King was married unto that harlot Sebona. fo. 53.  
¶ The marriage of the King unto Sebona: the Asealons Oration upon the marriage day, in the praise of the Queen. fo. 54.  
¶ How King Hellydorus, in the morning after he had lain with the Queen, looking forth of his window, did behold an Ass eat Thistles, according to the old Prophecies of the raellians (never in his life before did laugh) fell now to a laughter, and was turned to an ass. fol. 56.  
¶ How the King of the Assyrians, after King Hellidorus was turned to an ass: did conquer the Land of the raellians: and put Queen Sebona and the Ascalou to death, with pricking them with neadles. fol. 58.  
¶ The King of the Assyrians riding a hunting: in a thicket of thorns, his hounds wearied Hellidorus the king, being in the form of an Ass, to death. fo. 59  
¶ The words that King Hellidorus spoke being in the form of an Ass, at the very instant of death. fo. 60.  
¶ Of the noble, renowned, sumptuous Sepulchre, with the Epigrams, that the Assyrians builded in the wilderness over the carcase of King Hellidorus. ib.   
FINIS.   


❧ How the raellians began their first estate, and of their great Idolatry to the Ass of Adamant in the holy 
Alsephon A sancna or holy place of their religion.  Alsephon, etc.  
WHereas the Raellyans' inhabiting in a certain desert ground of the Assyrians, exiled for their disobedience, & descent of not putting on the natural laws and civil ordinances of the Scythians, were from their original and native country quite driven out.  
For as the Scythians were a plain people, ignorant and altogether unskilful of the pompous magnificent constitutions of other princes: so were they wholly directed in the footsteps of virtue, after the documents of nature: they lived in the most plainest simplicity of this life: they were people that although of small understanding of the eternal governance, yet their lives and good manners were not the worst: they had in contempt, the device of novelties: As they began with good order, so they continued, and so they ended. Their clothing was of beasts skins: their diet of the natural fruits, which the earth brought forth by course of kind.  
Among these Scythians, there were some obstinate and unruly people, and such which would not put on so hard and strait kind of life: were contented rather than to endure the same, to become banished men, forlorn of their own country: and to seek their habitation else where. There was a certain wilderness called Ramanna, which was a waste ground, unhabited, belonging to the Assyrians: with the east, bordering upon Aries: upon the south, Carmanill: upon the west, the Medes: upon the north, the Hircans. These raellians were contented at the first to become tributaries to the Assyrians, not only to inhabit that ground: but also to plant the same, with all manner of fruitful increase. But after good space of time, the raellians growing to great wealth, and secure pleasure of all prosperous felicity, were able to traffic provision of marchandyze to all countries round about them: did buy and freely purchase the privilege of their country and land of the Assyrians: which they the rather compassed to bring to pass, for that the Assyrians repined at their wallowing in wealth, and great happiness which the raellians grew unto: as also because the Assyrians began to extort, and with cruel vexation to oppress them: practised the spaedier to avoid such inconvenience which might ensue.  
Their own brittle foundation weighed and considered after their own hearts desire was established, and all things brought to pass, even as they wished for: they with one consent and agreement, for the more surer fastening, and grounding of their estate by the counsel and advise of the chiefest and wisest men of the raellians: gathered together with one agreement, to choose a King: thinking thereby their governance, not only to become civil: but also their estate better and happier, and that their country should the rather he dreaded. And also that they all throwing themselves under the obedience, & sceptre of one man, should become one: whereas every man's opinion bearing sway, there was many factions, treasons, conspiraries, which did ensue: one envying another's estate, within themselves.  
Therefore as they thought best, to reduce this their popular estate, in one uniform governance: thorough which determination, great grudging arose, most part of them, thought it unnecessary to throw their necks under the governance of one man: and the rather for that before their forefathers had refused their obedience unto the Scythians, a people of their own flesh, and blood: And also for that they were called Raellyans, which name came of their banishment: which if now they should prostrate themselves to a King, might well again be called Scythians, after their old name, and country, from whence their offspring issued. And so in continuance of time, the Assyrians posterity would pretend a title to their governance, and this their estate should be come very dangerous. Whereas now every man is ready to defend his own estate, and every man's particular condition of life, is general to all the whole country. And he that envieth either the estate of the country, or the prosperity of his neighbour, is a plain enemy unto himself, and his own family. This hath been heretofore the governance, and therefore seeing we prosper and flourish, that all countries round about us reverence us, fear us, and crave help at our hands: why should we so greatly abandon our great liberty, which hath been derived, from the stout magnanimity of our forefathers, to be cowardly lost in us their posterity, and children?  
These and such like persuasions were in the hearts of the common people of the raellians: Notwithstanding the prudent elders of the country, would not desist their opinion: but that their country, could not be saufegarded by any better means, then by electing and choosing of a King.  
Now whereas the Scythians having in their country, as a most precious jewel, an Ass of Adamant stone, sumptuously portrayed with gold, and precious orna 〈…〉 es, for adorning and setting forth of the same: These raellians when they first departing from their own country of Scythia, did steal this Ass of Adamant stone from the Scythians, & transported the same, into the wilderness of Ramasa: where nigh adjoining unto a fountain called Rempollos', in the said wilderness, they builded in the manner of a holy Sanctuary, a place called Alsephon, which was as much to say in their language, a place of liberty: In this religious place of liberty, called Alsephon, they put this Ass of Adamant stone, and by practice they conjured a lying spirit, within the said Ass, thorough the event and success, whether it were good or bad, of any thing that was revealed unto them by this Ass of Adamant stone, they would obey, and hold it for truth.  
This strife between the comen people and the prudent elders of the Land, for the electing and choosing of a King, for that it could not be otherways described: should be ended in the holy Alsephon before this Ass: whereas a great gathering together was m●de of the wisest people, and best places of the Land, to yield their voices or consent, for the choosing of a King.  
This controversy growing to such a wound, which festered more sharper in their hearts, than the languishing disease Lossorna doth in the joints and parts of man: yet notwithstanding, such was the reverent fear, and blind heathenish estimation, both for that custom which overcasteth and shadoweth all things, had forgotten the very beginning of this Ass, held the same in the worship of a God, the whole multitude durst not but wholly give consent, both for fear and love: which wholly as this religious Image revealed the substance of the cause, so to be content, to establish their estate.  
For as they feared this Image, in respect of the divers plagues, & mischiefs that might fall upon their estate & country: even so, for the pure zeal and blind love of vain worship, not one of them would fall away, or once wring aside in that duty, that they thought might be done to so holy and reverent an Image: for health, sickness, riches, poverty, all manner of earthly increase: yea the renown of their country (as they believed begun) continued, and ended thorough this Image.  
Wherefore this devise was provided, that all the people, which although they were of two several opinions in mind: notwithstanding, they should be gathered all in one, in this holy Alsephon. Where before this holy Image the Ass, this wounded controversy should be cured: and as herein they were all content, so the two sorts of people did choose two several Orators, to decide their two several causes: the one how that it was necessary, that the land should be governed by a King: so the others opinion was, that their estate was now happiest, and therefore most unnecessary to have a King: The common sort of people did those an excellent Orator, one Harmannus, that should set down the opinion of the common people: and the prudent Senators did choose for their Orator, one Alectros: As these causes and opinions were very skilfully handled, so was the controversy left before the Image, by the determiner of the holy Alsephon to be ended.   

❧ The oration of Harmannus the Orator, in the behalf of the common people, for that they would not have a governor.  
IMaye not flatter or fable in this holy religious Alsephon, for that this Image of all blessedness and renown, in the ears, eyes, and hearts of all the people this day, will reveal the sincere asseveration of a faithful Orator, aswell for that it standeth upon the commodity of a common wealth: as also for that I speak before this holy Image, in whom only consisteth the power and dominion of revengement, or reward of virtuous demerits, which if for hire or wages: for praise, or singular estimation, I should exalt either myself, or the cause, than no doubt I look for ever to be plagued with the pestiferous plagues that is due to a flatterer, or such a one that respecteth his own gains. But if the sincerity of righteous virtue do witness a good heart, and a holy intention to all goodness: the profit of a common wealth: the continuance of the old manners of our fathers: the cutting of, of sects or opinions: the healing of sores: the curing of diseases: the enriching of my country: the quieting of the people: the binding of charity: the protection and defence of good order: and the stopping of the mouths of evil enemies. Then also not only this holy Image will behold the innocency of my heart: but the people, whose fervent zeal this day have chosen me, to be an Orator in their defence (as unworthy of the same) will give out their shout and cry of consent. Our realm and country was first begun of the Scythians blood: which although fleshly nature did join them to be of natural consanguinity: yet in manners there was great difference. For as the Scythians were barbarous, and lived in a savage and rude manner of life, plaguing their carcases ', both outwardly and inwardly: Our father's being of haughty and noble stomachs, having a wonderful and high speculation in the gifts of nature: so they would not tear their flesh, and pine their bellies, which should be honoured. And thereupon it came to pass, that our father's refusing their obedience, were banished: and for a monument of renown, transported this holy Image which hath directed and taught them, in all honourable nobilities, and reverent adorations, unto this day. In this holy Alsephon, hath all good virtues beeneset forth, and taught unto our elders, and left unto us: why should we thus fall at variance then within ourselves for a King?  
What shall other bordering countries here about us report? Some of them will say that we cannot agreed within our selves. And is it not commonly seen, that kingdoms which is divided within itself, doth soon decay, and fall to destruction: and the concord of the people, is the best defence of a country, and the happiest governance of a common wealth? Our fathers have brought us to this happy inheritance: why shall we now seek our own woe, to correct our father's actions? What shall other countries say? behold this kingdom how it altereth from the beginning of their fathers: O unhappy children, the cursedness of your estate, hath deserved some great plague from the first beginning, and now shall be revealed in this generation.  
If we have a king, our goods and our possessions are not our own, we shall be oppressed with taxes as our forefathers were unto the Assyrians: If our forefathers could have endured obedience, why would they have refused their own kindred and country, the Scythians? why did they ransom their tribute which they paid unto the Assyrians, unto their great charges, not being grown to the third part of the wealth, as we now ears but because they would freely at their own liberty enjoy their own goods without controlment, and make us their heirs freemen?  
I pray you, prudent Senators of the raellians, harken unto me which speak before this Image? can there be now an alteration of this our estate? but that divers sundry vexations will lurk, and secreetelye lie hid in the hearts of the people? Do you not know how hard and strange a thing it is to remove old and ancient customs? Do you not see, the people, thorough this little strife, are ready to hold up the sword one against another? which if this your enterprise do ensue, presently look for utter destruction, in short time after to follow. It is hard to graft a wild thistle in a Rosemary stock: it is a more harder matter to plant the weak branches of the nettles, in the high fir trees of this wilderness: The growth of many years hath strengthened the fir tree, as the sweet heat of summer hath caused the stinging blossoms of the nettles gallantly to show forth their friseled faces: so the cold winter hath quite withered the same away again. Let us remember what pleasure the Hircans, the Trebonians, obtained through their renown they got in living at their ownely bertie? and what mischief and destruction they fell unto, when as they gave consent to thrust their necks under the yoke of obedience to be ruled: whereas before, every man did rule at his own pleasure: This their unhappy estate of life, may make your estate of life happy: if they in not taking heed, may 'cause you to take heed: If they in falling to destruction, may 'cause you to win renown: and keep it. Then think and persuade with yourselves, it is far better to live in the pleasure of free men to be rulars, then to fall to destruction by slavish bondage to be ruled.  
This, o holy Image, witness that I have spoken nothing but that which my heart witnesseth to be true, and the sincerity of an unfeigned mind can never but persist in the same: this (I hope) you all are fully persuaded in the strength of this my Oration.  
Here endeth Harmannus his Oration.   

❧ How Alectros, the Orator for the Elders, confuteth Harmannus his Oration, and what persuasions he useth for the establishing of a King.  
THe skilfullest cunning that lewd Orators use with fair words, and most solemn protestations to draw the ears of men to hear them, and the eyes of men to behold them, and the minds of the people to think upon their nice ballauncing speech: as this holy Alsephon being a place of Religion, subverted thorough flattering Orators, to be a place of impudent behaviour, thorough which it is manifest, that orations of renown are turned to shame and rebuk of An● whereas before this Image of all blessedness, which now soundeth both in the ears and hearts of the people, shall be revealed the unhappy ●nrsednesse of a faithless Orator, which both neglecteth the commodity of a common wealth, and country: and also his bold desperate careless mind, daring to incur into the dominion and power of revenge, before this holy Image, which neither for higher or wages, for praise or singular estimation, will reward shameless demerits: It is to be seen before this holy convocation, that he which boasteth either his own wickedness, or maintaineth the malicious naughtiness of so vile a cause: I wish and desire that according to des●rtes he may be plagued with the pestiferous plagues that is due to such a flatterer, or such a one that respecteth both his own gain, and the breach of the knot of concord. For surely the sincerity of righteous virtue will never witness otherwise: but a corrupt heart, and an unsavoury m●nde, a perver e intention to all impiety, the undoing of a common wealth, the depranation of the ancient meanings and manners of our forefathers: the tying and knitting together of sects and opinions: the wounding of the whole: the breeding of diseases: the impoverishing of the country: the disquieting of the people: the dispersing of charity: the subversion of good orders: the opening the mouths of evil enemies: then no doubt this holy Image will behold the corrupt wickedness of his heart. But the people whose foolish zeal this day have chosen a golden sheath for a wooden knife: a lewd Orator in so cavilling a cause most fit: If his boldness be brasened, and countenance hardened, and their hearts putrefied with stinking stomachs, let them give out their shout and cry of one consent: In deed our realm and country took their beginning of the Scythians blood, in which it is most true that fleshly nature, and natural consanguinity did ally our forefathers: but in manners our forefathers were feared, both for their courage and countenance: our forefathers woulds not suffer the pinching penury of the Scythians, for that they had a further sight in the gifts of nature: which was not in respect they refused their obedience, until such time as the Scythians desired to live rather like slaves, then to plant their landa, and in putting their country to be fertile with all excellent increase: they being denied of this liberty, of planting, setting, and in using the commodity of the earth, refused both their obedience and country:  
For a monument of great fame, as the Chronicles of our country report: the Scythians did give this holy Image unto our fathers, in remembrance that they were once inhabiters of that land: and as some other wrytors of our monuments do say: the Scythians did give this Ass unto our fathers: for that they should the willinger depart: But do you not know what the prophesy of the old Prophet Raellon, which in keeping his Goats in the wilderness, was wont to sing:  

¶ The prophesy.  
¶ Our fathers came from Scythian land,  
who on an Ass did ride:  
That Ass doth prove to be a God,  
our noble King discyde.  
¶ But when this Ass on thistles feed,  
then shall this land in woeful care:  
Have want, and wretched need.   
IF I do not think this Image able to do every thing, so I should profane this blessed Image to speak the contrary: but by the ways to declare the shepherds prophesy: for this holy Image doth know both what hath come to pass, and what shall come to pass: This prophesy doth declare that our fathers would that in time, we should have a king: and where it is said, that an Ass should feed on grass, which is nothing but the possibility of this Image able to do all things: Yea, able to come from the holy place Alsephon: not only to destroy this wicked Orator, but also the whole country of the raellians. As all things are possible with this holy Image, so nothing is unpossible: we must therefore needs think of great plagues to be powered upon us, if we do notobeye the voice of this reverent Image, which hath yielded all honourable renown unto our fathers: And therefore it is our parts to give due adoration thereunto: But it is no marvel that we thussall at variance within ourselves, since that such greedy Cratours do blow in the ears of the common people, both for their own gains, and also for the raising of tumults: we may have just occasion to surmise that such prattling Orators do practise for their own gain, with the confines and borders round about us: or else to set us one against another, at civil dissensions: that the wide gap of mischievous rebellion may be opened. For these busy practisers, are deriders and disturbers of kingdoms, and common weals: to the end, the same might approach to destruction for their own prey: such is their crafty policy, to pretend a concord to the people, for a defence of their country: when as altogether they would be contented, that by such wily sack and siege, to deliver them up to be ransacked of their lives, goods, and Country. Our fathers indeed, brought us to this happy inheritance, but how unhappy would it fall out to their children, if such unhappy fellows, and lewd Orators, which are the refuse of the people, dare presume to correct the golden counsel of the wisest of this Realm, gathered together this day? the one seeking and caring for the wealth of this Realm: and the other the woeful estate, that either they would continued us in: or else lead us unto? which although our fathers never before were governed under a King, is there good reason that we should now be abridged of a kingly government? As who should sa●e, that every age by succession, is not to be governed according to the manners of men: Our fathers were but the first founders of this land, they contented themselves with modesty and patiented contentation: although in their iust quarrel, full of courage, yet other ways very quiet, and contented: for because they were but strangers, until they were grown into acquaintance: neither was their land so populous then, as it is now. And for that we would place and settle our land under a King, is not to correct our father's noble actions: but to ratify and confirm them to become more stronger, and more noble: For had they lived until this day, they would have done the same. Shall we respect what other countries do say? for this establishing of our country, in an uniform order, causeth them to quake for fear, lest we should increase the confines, borders, and bounds of our land: In deed, if we should headlong hurl ourselves into mischief, in continuing without a King, in that they might invade our land, our unhappiness would make them happy: and our curs●dnesse would 'cause them to become blessed: And then secret spite which hath lurked in their stomachs from the beginning, in envying our prosperous felicity should deserve, and offer just occasion to be revenged, to be plagued by them outwardly. If we have a King, we shall be the happier assured of our own goods and possessions: if thorough injurious wrong we be oppressed, to whom shall we make our refuge for redresser or reformation, but only unto the King: if the King do exact or tax us as our forefathers were, with the Assyrians: we shall be comforted of the King, with the like hope, of assurance as our forefathers were of the Assyrians: for as the Assyrians stood bound by faithful oath, to defend the tributary people the raellians: So shall the King in like sort stand bound by outward recognisance of oath, to defend and maintain us his subjects, and country: Our fathers never refused obedience, for that they came from these own country, was for just cause, in that they would occupy both their bodies and minds, which the Scythians were never geum unto, in setting and planting, the fruits and increase of the earth: and the Scythians were the poorer, and lived in more slavish life: for that they would not plant their countries with fruits, and exercise their people with uses and occupations: So the Assyrians perceiving the gentle manners and good usage of our forefathers, their great pollicte they had to enrich their land by setting and planting:  
And also perceiving how that they began to storishe in worldly wealth, did offer the free purchase of their country, which they did inhabit, and to ransom their tribute: Which although they were not grown to so full a wealth, as we are, so was their people fewer: and therefore in all respects of lesser charged, and according to the measure of quantity: comparing their little charged, and little wealth, to our great charged, and great wealth: they might more sauf●lie live at liberty, to enjoy their own: then we are able, with the best policy, and warlike provision to defend our own. For as nothing is more in hazard then wealth: so nothing is more feared than wealth: for as the poor countries do envy us, so would they never seek to conquer us, but for our wealth.  
And again, for that they perceiving our flourishing estate of riches, how do, they fear us? Our fathers did leave us a free possessions: not that we should diminish the the same: but with a famous nobility, and honourable renown increase it.  
O you prudent Senators of the raellians hearken unto me: which also vnfay●edlie, and purely speak before this Image: shall not the alteration of this our estate turn to the best, both for that our country shall be saufegarded: good laws and constitutions published: our goods preserved: the people quieted: and reduced to civil subjection? If that envious vexations do lurk and lie hid in the hearts of the people? there is no better way to unroot old customs, and plant good orders, (such as are agreeing with the old opinions of our forefathers, particular and necessary to our common wealth: and so as necessary to endure continually:) then civil authority. It is not unknown, but that old and ancient custom, being never so strange to remove, by civil governance it taketh place: And where thorough little strife, the people are ready to hold up the sword, one against another: their authority must be made the stranger, and more forcible to endure. I doubt not but that this happy estate shall both presently and prosperously ensue to renown: and such as are enemies hereunto, shall utterly in short time be destroyed: and our estate and common wealth, shall for long time be preserved. Indeed, the wild thistle for that it choketh good corn, is to be cut down: but the Rosemary stock is to be preserved as necessary and wholesome: The weak stinking nettles are to be cut down: but the fir trees of the wilderness are to be preserved for a common wealth. If we call to remembrance the woeful pleasure (as Harmannus willeth us) of the Hircans and Trebonians, the miserable penury they brought unto their land, in living at their own liberty, and mischief and destruction: their froward awkarde stomachs did work in them: for their civil wars and horrible dissensions that they were subject unto, when as they fell at discord with their King? as also such was their malice, that one of them become odious unto another. Indeed it is truly spoken, that their unhappy estate of life, may make our estate of life happy: for if the remembrance of their rebellions, work in our heart's obedience and duty: if their ignorance, work in us knowledge: if they for disobeying, and rebelling against their King, came to ruin: let us with obeying, dutifully acknowledge our Sovereignty, and may be long and evermore made happy and prosperous subjects, to win renown and keep it: For in having a King, degrees of men are known: every man is preserved in his own estate: the whole land chiefly maintained in a most prosperous safeguard: This you may well perceive it is far better to have a king to be ruled, then to live at liberty, one man to destroy another.  
This O sanctified Image, witness, even with thy divine strength, and majestical power, that whether Harmannus, or Alectros have spoken either flatteringly, for their own private gain and praise, or against thy renown, or the renown of this land and country: presently to be struck with such infernal plagues, as continueth, and resteth in thy holiness to strike such horrible malefactors.  
¶ Here endeth Alectros his Oration.   

❧ Of the great dissension and h●rlie burlie, that fell among the people in the holy Alsephon.  
PResently after the end of these Orations, there grew such dissension in the holy Alsephon: on both sides, parts were taken: so that not one man, that was in the holy Alsephon, could assure himself, to go away with the hope of his own life. There was for the space of two hours, such a shout, with roaring and miserable crying of the people: rending their clothes, scratching their skins, pulling their heayrre from their heads, that the like was never heard before.  
So that the prudent Elders of the land, had verily thought, that present destruction, and wasteful subversion of their country, had in that woeful instant run upon them. In the midst of this hurly, burly, such was their desperate perilous mischief: that one Rosmonna, a villainous ruffian, did run very vehemently with an edged tool, in careless manner, purposing to kill Alectros the Orator: and with the exceeding thrust and strife that was among them, the holy Image was thrown down: Whereat they being all amazed, kept silence●, and reverently kneeled down, and with great tears acknowledged their boldness, and shameless disorder: in that they durst enterprise such unreverent practices before this holy Image: forthwith the Image with the force of the lying spirit that was within, was erected and set up again of itself.  
In the end of this controversy, judgement was given by the consent of the people, that Rosmonna should be hanged. And as touching their controversy, for that the people were divided, they would for the present time, refer the arbitrement thereof unto the determiner of the holy Alsephon: And presently after, that they with one consent had executed Rosmonna to death, came to hear the full end, and final determination of this controversy: for they were all wearied with irksomeness of civil cry and shout of the people with, the clamorous noise, murmurings, grudgings, that one of them had against another: which moved them the rather, and willinger to make an end, fearing lest their country would draw to civil wars, and so in the end come to desolation.   

¶ The Determyners' Oration, for the appeasing of the people.  
MY friends and country men: I am sorry, and the inward grief of my heart plungeth sorrowful tears in mine eyes: First to see you my country men, friends, and neighbours, to fall at such variance, to hazard yourselves and your goods, in such a matter: about which you need not so much to trouble your heads, or yet your raging wits to be discovered, by such grievous. agonies: whether it be necessary, or unnecessary, this land to be governed by a King, perceiving the miserable mischief already kindled with the whoate firebrands of malice, in the hearts of the people.  
I would rather with wholesome water of good counsel, squenche the same: then to put the dry sticks of the wilderness to increase it, or the gunpowder of the Assyrians to 'cause it more ragingly to flame out.  
I humbly beseech you my good country men, to quiet your hearts, and pacify the grief of your minds: I am sorry that it should be thought, yea, to have much more so just occasion to speak, that the raellians are of such rude conversation, and lewd behaviour: Yea, before this blessed Image so unreverently, and riotously to behave themselves. If you would not abstain for your own sakes, for your father's sakes, or for wisdom sake, which abundantly is grafted with in your noble stomachs: I say, if none of these things can restrain you: then look up and behold this holy Image, which hath power in one hour, yea, in one moment, to strike you to death and destruction: Repent this your unreverent careless wickedness: call to remembrance this Image, which with my consent, shall determine this controversy: For that it hath guided our fathers from the land of Scythia, and hath seen all the actions, deeds, monuments, purchases and determinations of all those things that have been done, or thought to be done, from the Reellyans first beginning until this present day: This Image therefore knoweth what is most profitable and necessary for this our country and common wealth: And as I could reveal the inward affection of my heart: so I will suspend my judgement, until this Image hath pronounced a iudicyall determination of the same.  
Repent good countrymen: repent, be sorry: and no doubt but that this Image, will both hear and behold you, in the instant of his blessed opportunity: ease your sighs: address your calamities: pacify your dislentions: quiet your country: send health to your bodies: with comfort stop your eyes, from those miserable tears that doth blear you with sundry miseries. This my countrymen, I hope you be all prefixed in this blessed purpose of quietness, and to have your cause fully ended and finished, by the mouth of this holy Image.  
¶ Here endeth the Determyners' Oration.   

¶ How the Ascalon of the Alsephon did require an answer from the Image, whether they should have a King, or no.  
AFter the determiner had ended this mild and courteous Oration: the people were not only persuaded unto quiet repentannce, and sorrowful compunction: but the determination was made, and they all wholly agreed unto the same: The Ascalon which was the sacrificer should watch the good leisure of the blessed answer of the the Image. For he that was always, the Ascalon of the holy Alsephon it belonged unto his office, not only to watch over the people, for to espy their fervent zeal towards this Image, but also it was not lawful for any man to speak unto this blessed Image in any suit, but first he should come and pay the thirds of all his increase unto the Ascalon of which he had taken commodity of a month afore. And than the Ascalon should be a mediator for him and utter his cause. And as answer was received, so answer was made again. And herein, both for appeasing the wrath and displeasure of the Image for the former contention, as also for the stirring forward of the Ascalon to be zealous in their cause, they gave of the best of all their increase, to be sacrificed before the Image: And the Ascalons fees and duty was doubled: when they had all departed, leaving the holy Ascalon with his officers in the holy Al●ephon, making humble petitions before this blessed Image: About the twelfth hour of the night, the Image began vehemently to roar: thunders, lyghtding●, rain, winds, earthquakes, with many other strange tempests: the like before that instant, did never so sore trouble the land of the raellians. The holy Lamp that did daily burn in the Temple went out, the Alsephon was darkened, the people brought into most sorrowful calamity, and wretched misery, throughout the land: thorough which trembling fear, many died: hail stones did drive the Tents of the land to much quyne. After these sore troubles, the Elders of the land proclaimed a fast, throughout the country, for the space of twenty days. After the end of the fast, and sacrificial idolatries: the holy Ascalon all this time waiting the good leisure of the Image, at the length, received an answer: which although it might seem a very delectable answer to● the Ascalon and the people, for that the 
The devils practice first t● deceive with Idolatry wa●ch hideth th' world ●t virtue, smelling on all vousnesse.  lying spirit in the Image did deceive them with many idolatries: so would not leave of, until they were brought to utter subversion: the Image speaking in a changeable voice, sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes whorse, sometimes shrill, after this manner.  

¶ This country must enjoy a King,  
and orders strait they must obey:  
Take heed the thistle do not sting,  
to work your woeful just decay.   

Your fathers came from Scythian land,  
this fruitful field for to possess:  
They brought a poison in their hand,  
one shall destroy both more and less.   

When your King shall laugh and smile, 
This the poy 〈…〉 of Idol 〈…〉 tri● th' 〈…〉 shall sub 〈…〉 u●et th' 〈…〉 land.   
to see an Ass on thistles feed:  
Then look for spoil within a while,  
to bring your land to wretched need.   

The strongest Bull the kingdom win,  
Good hap with all the thread shall spin,  
Let forty men their Bulls bring in.   

The Bull that first in fight doth slay,  
This land, his master shall obey.   

With Sceptre sure this kingdom take,  
For thee thy heir right kings I make.   
In the morning very early, all the prudent Elders, with the commons of the land resorted to this holy Alsephon: some came to make supplications to this Image, for the cruel tempests that was the same night before, some came to hear of the news, which the revelation of the holy Image (as touching their King) had set forth: and some came for very envy they had against this new order of choosing a King, to raise tumults and mischievous sedition. But when the holy Ascalon had read before the people, what the Image had pronounced: they were then all quiet. Some were quieted for joy, that their purpose was at an end: some were quieted for sorrow, for that they durst not speak against the Image. This determination for choosing of a King, was a perfect final end.   

¶ HOW THE KING was chosen by the consent of the whole Realm, as well the Elders as the commons.  
THese great troubles being appeased, and quietness established: the prudent Elders laying their heads together, for the present choosing of their King used many ways: yet in the end, they agreed and fully consented in one opinion, as the holy Image had revealed: which for that it was an impossible thing that every man's Bull should be brought: they were therefore all generally settled in this one mind according as the Image had uttered: that forty of the ancients of the inhabitors, whose fathers first entered the land, and were the first founders of their fruits and pleasures which they did enjoy, should bring his Bul. When they had builded a goodly theatrée for the bulls to fight in, and every man had clodded his Bull with a harness of brass, with long pikes of pron sticking forth at every place of the said Bulls, nothing was covered save their horns, mouths and legs, which were at free liberty: One Hellepatrus a rich Gentleman of that Country, put unto his Bull between the skin and the Harness a number of little sharp short needles fastened unto the inward parts of the Harness: the Bull being both courageous, fierce and lusty, and also vehemently pricked forwards with the bitter grief of these needles, came upon the Theatre with such admirable force, that the said Bull presently killed six other Bulls, in the presence of all the Elders of the Land. Incontinent all the aforesaid Elders made low reverence unto Hellepatrus, and saluted him King. And as he gave great thanks unto them all: so with great singing, and playing of sweet Instruments, with all royal pomp they went to the holy Alsephon to tender thanks to the blessed Image. When all the Elders of the Land. with the consent of the Commons had strengthened the authority of his kingdom: some for fear, and some for lone: then the day of Coronation was appointed with great provision, and assembly of people: with such magnificent and royal pomp as the like was never hard in any kingdom before: such provision of wines: such store of embroidered costly garments: such store of oils: such store of kids: with dates, oranges, pumgranets, yea that cost could not be thought but provision was made for it. But yet there rested an other ambiguity 
The strife for their Coronation was the eternal providence.  which cumbersomly did hung in the minds both of the King, the Elders and the commons of the land: which was, with what Crown the King should be crowned: Some said a Crown of Gold: some said of Silver: some said of Brass: some of Iron: some other said a Crown of Adamant stone embroidered with Gold: for Adamant stone was thought to be the most precious ornament that their Land was furnished withal. This doubt increasing greater and greater with what Crown the King should be crowned withal: they went into the holy Alsephon, where petition was made unto the Ascalon, to entreat, and make supplication unto the holy Image: Both with what sceptre the King should be soverainted and with what crown crowned. The Ascalon made vehement petition unto the Image for the space of four nights, and could receive no other answer but this: 
¶ Let them go,  
To Delphicus Apollo.   

The Ascalons Declaration unto the Elders concerning the answer of the Image.  
After this answer was pronounced, the Ascalon declared unto the elders: that there was some great secret counsel which lay hid unto the holy Image: for that he could receive no other answer, but commanded to go, to Delphicus Apollo: Then the King, and the prudent elders of the land took great consultation of the matter, and chose two wise learned ambassadors, with a great garrison of men to assist them unto Phocides: where they should ask counsel of the Oracle. After these two ambassadors were furnished forwards with speedy appointment for their return: they coming to Phocides, after some pause had, with as much expedition as belonged to such a hasty business, they laid down beneath the foot of the hill Parnassus their gifts and fat of the earth, to be carried up to the Temple of Apollo, being sent from the King and Elders of the Raellians, they pitching their pavilion between the fair clear fountain Helicon, and the hill Parnassus.  

The Oracle.  
What wallowing wealth have we to yield again?  
what pearls or precious gold?  
Our skill your hononrs high shall main:  
our bliss if we unfold.   

At first great grace reveal  
in us, some hope behind,  
In this your common weal:  
your seed great want shall find.   

An Ass portrayed in stone,  
shall reap your kingly state:  
With sceptre strong shall he behold,  
your hapand cruel fate.   

When as this Ass doth crop,  
the thist'es sharp and keen:  
Then falleth down the sturdy prop,  
and with had neaer been.   

A Garland gay on thistles sharp,  
on which your fate shall lie:  
Which shall be green and nover warp,  
for moist or yet for dry.   

When that your sober King,  
that laughter never had:  
Shall give himself to laugh and sing,  
which erst before was sad.   

Then Venus shows her coloured fac 〈…〉  
h●● fate can not he scape:  
Then oak behold a king to day,  
tomorro we an● Ass in shape.   

In holy Alsephon hung up this garland gay,  
For it shall flourish with gallant green,  
until your fatal day.   
After the Oracle was finished, the Ambassadors departed to refresh themselves, within Helicon: but on the 
A costly Palace was builded over Hellycon, to lodge strangers.  morrow, they approached near the hill Parnassus, unto the temple Apollo: where the Oracle commanded them to retire unto the fountain Castatius, where a Nymph did deliver into the ambassadors bands, the Garland of thistles, and the Sceptre, on which the Ass was portrayed: And forthwith they réturned home, into their own country.  
This their speedy journey being at an end, the King not only received at their hands, the Oracles voice: but also the Garland, and the Sceptre: with rendering great thanks for their kindness, and richly rewarding them otherways.  
Notwithstanding, both the Oracle, the Garland, and also the Sceptre, did sore amaze the king, and Elders of the land: insomuch that the Elders reopented that ever they had chosen a king: and the king himself repented that ho had taken the government upon him.  
Yet for that they had intricated themselves so deep in the matter, they would not revoulte, but proceeded in the seriousness of their purpose: and appointed day of the Coronation. Upon which day he did assure his faith to his subjects, and his subjects likewise to him.   

The coronation of Hellepatrus King of the Raellians in the holy Alsephon.  
WHen the day of Coronation was come, the sumptuous stagies were set up: And with all noble renown the fame of the Theatre most costly hanged for the provision of such a sumptuous and stately assembly. The fowntaine that ran by the holy Alsephon was for that space converted to run with clear and sweet wine: such singing of ditties: such Orations were made in the praise of the king, such minstrelsy upon shawms, fluts & Timbrels, that the like triumphs was never heard or seen before among the raellians.  
Such feasting and banqueting, that for fine delicateness thereof: I can make no comparison: except among the Alerandrians, in whom all the sweet dainties of the world are flowing: There was carried over the King a canopy of embroidered wrought gold (it is a stately tale to tell) for that present day, there was never before in any nation, the like famous royalty comparable to the raellians. The King with all the aforesaid royalty marched towards the holy Alsephon: which when the King had taken his place, in the presence of all the Elders and Commons of the Land, began to speak after this manner.   

The kings Oration.  
MOst dear Elders & loving subjects of this Country and Land: in whom I find the faith of subjects: the truth of men, and the love of virtue: which not only was approved by your generallvoices in choosing me your King: but also your petitions to this holy Image and Lady Fortune: that I should glister and brightly shine in their eyes, that of so many excellent personages, co●●…ly courtly civilians endued with all the virtues & gifts of honour, by her well liking (in me) as in one out of time to be brought to bear the Sceptre of this Kingdom. And although many suppose. I am brought to great joy, and lifted up to many fold renown, yet many sorrows and cares do approach more nearer me than all the world doth see: A King must not only be careful for his own estate, but also of his people and country: If the one miscarry, the other cannot do well. The glory of the one is the renown of the other: if the people be disobedient & unruly, and that neither the fear of this holy Image, or the authority of their King, or the obedience that is incident in themselves: how many sicknesses and diseases, doth weaken and infeable a King, even unto death: A King is encumbered with the whole governance and charge of the common wealth, not only for their safeguard, but also for their wealth, profit and commodity, their sorrow is my sicknesses: in me and in my person, is the whole land and country: if I be the mark that every country and nation, or hateful enemy shooteth at: how can I think myself in any happy saufetie? or that I am exalted to such renown, as the whole land speaketh of? As I would be loath to forsake and leave of, the good w●ll that Lady Fortune-hath bestowed upon me, so if I may be discharged and unburdened of this great and weighty charge, which both by this holy Image: the Elders, and commons of the land: I am brought unto: so I should have thought my private estate of life to be more safe.  
But seeing it is thus come to pass, and 
Renown respecteth not perils.  that I perceive great wyllingnesse and forward zeal, to further the success hereof: with the like obedience, that both presently remaineth in you: and (so as the best is always to be thought) like to continued: which as you do make me your King and governor, and strengthen me with all the right, title, state and interest, that is in you: So I beseech you continued good subjects, do not offer no just occasion that through rigorous justice, I should altar your obedient opinions, (conceived of me:) For as a King aught to be a silly lamb, in righteous judgement toward his good people: so he aught to be a Lion in executing of justice towards his wicked people: (especially) when occasion is offered. Although we have received some sharp news, from Delphicus Apollo, yet I hope all things shall turn to the best: which the rather will come to pass, through your obedience & duty towards me, in my administration of righteous government towards you: I am that King, that this day most dearly doth love his subjects. I beseech, you once again (for no occasion of my mislykinge towards you) you are the people, of whom I presume and boldly say, that at this instant, do love me your king: I trust such will be your, usage and reverent care, that I shall have no occasion offered me to hate you. I therefore in you, and you in me, are many dispersed members at this present day of Coronation, knit in one body: If one little sinew of this body do break, a great infraction is like to ensue: much more if one joint do break, the whole body will become decrepit, and lain: such is the knitting of this body, that if only 〈◊〉 be rotten, many members are put in hazard to putrefaction: good subjects therefore let us knit ourselves at this day: that we, our country, and goods, may be preserved, our renown well spoken of: other countries put in dread of our love and quietness.  
¶ Here endeth the kings Oration.    

❧ Here showeth how the King was sworn unto the Commons', and passed forth the day of his Coronation, with many pleasures.  
AFter the end of this Coronation, the Elders of the Land, did eracte an oath of the King: and they cried with a loud voice: Holy Image defend our king.  
first they propowned that he should defend the honour of the holy Image virtuously, and should govern righteously: that neither for favour of the one, or hatred to the other, he should deny justice: neither by strength power or authority, should extort of them: but with equity to maintain and uphold the Sceptre of his kingdom: And lastly, to defend them, from the invasion of foreign enemies.  
This his charged being at an end: the people shouted with loud voice, and the Trumpets blew, with other instruments ordained for that day and purpose: Now lastly, setting the Crown upon the King's head, four several times, one after another, but in the end they left the Crown remaining upon the king's head, still until night. Now after the final end of all these triumphs & renowned pleasures: the king arose, with all the Elders, & departed for the present, unto a sumptuous banquet, provided for the day of Coronation: In the end whereof, the king with the Elders went unto the Theatre, where they did see the young men of all the Realm, show Royal activity of many and sundry Marshall feats of Arms: thus the day being almost spent, and night drawing on, returned to the holy Alsephon: where they hanged the Garland of Thistles, which was the kings Crown: and in like manner delivered up the Sceptre, and thanks being rendered unto the holy Image, departed.   

❧ Here is showed how the King fell at discord with his subjects: his subjects confederated with the King of the Hircans, to invade their land: Hellepatrus the king of the raellians, was banished, and restored unto his kingdom by the King of the Trebonians: with the miserable death that the King of the trebonians was executed to.  
AFter this, the king being established 
It is the greatest policy that may be, to bridle affection in the governance of a kingdom.  in his kingdom, & confirmed king of of the raellians, with all the assurance that might be: the king being of a haughty and lusty nature, ●oulde not bear the murmurations of them common people: but for very small trifles, did hung & draw them, with executing them to many other savage and cruel deaths: such was his cruelty, that no king was feared like unto Hellepatrus: The king seeing his estate sure, his subjects reduced to obedience, and that all things fell out as he wished for: then he proceeded to enrich his unperial Crown with lands and livings: at which (generally) the subjects repined, and began to repent themselves, that ever they had made him king. Insomuch, the king with such cruelty began to tax them, and brought sore yokes and burdens upon them: as many of them fled from their own country: so many of them yielded them selves, and set good faces of the matter, although their hearts were full of cankered mischief, and poisoned malice towards the king. The king calling all the chiefs and richest of the land together, in moving them to resign all their lands and livings unto the imperial Crown of his kingdom, and to become his tenants. At which, they being all sore amazed, for that every man held, but according to the cusrome of the country, denied the kings request: The king Hellepatrus taking sore displeasure, by the advise of some certain flatterers about him, put many of the chief Elders of the land to death: invaded his own country with such terrors, that those which would not obey him, were slain, and executed to a most shameful tyrannous death. Some of them were put to fine: some of them put to perpetual imprisonment: some of them bondslaves, and did serve in the kings Garrison: When in this manner the king had pacified his land with sword and fire, and with the cruelest terror, that ever was heard of: He then assuring himself to be most saufest, was most in jeopardy: for those which were most earnest to make him king, unto those was he a more sharper enemy, then unto the rest. The cause hereof, was for that, they being so earnest to have a king, not that they favoured any one man to be their king: but for that every man hoped after the kingdom himself: the king perceiving every man's greedy desire, gave but certain outward thanks unto them: but did attribute the success of his good luck unto Lady Fortune, and that holy Image. For as the King perceived how his people hated him: so he did not squenche their hatred with lenity, or by any execrable meekness: but with more greater vengeance and crueler tyranny.  
The people had him in such horrible disdain, that whereas they having not delivered their writings, and ancient monuments of record, which was between their fathers, and the Assyrians, when they purchased the land: so they practised with the King of the Hircans, that if he would make wars upon their king: they would not only assist him, but also they would deliver up into his hands, the monuments and writings, of the free purchase of the land, which was between their fathers and the Assyrians.  
The King of the Hircans would presently have had the same writings, but they would not agree thereunto, before he had overcome and vanquished their king, by battle: thorough the great secret suit of the raellians, the King of the Hircans was content to satisfy their desire: and appointed an host of twenty thousand soldiers, to invade the land of the raellians: but the people had so conditioned with the King, that all those raellians which would submit themselves unto the Hircans, and be content to go in battle against their King, should be in saufetie both of their lives, lands, and goods: So the King of the Hircans having landed his great army of men, in the land of the raellians: the raellians for the most part, made their refuge unto him: and submitted themselves, and offered not only their bodies, but their lands and goods, and all that ever they had, to be at his commandment: Hellepatrus king of the raellians, seeing his woeful misery draw on: his people forsaking him: his own household servants denying him: his estate to be the most miserablest of all men: and that speedily his enemies drawing on, had no other help for himself, but to fly, and to become a stranger in another land: forthwith fled into the land of the Trebonians, where he dwelled for the space of five years. In the mean while the land of the raellians was governed by the king of the Hircans, and as the raellians lived as they listed themselves, to be at free liberty, so they proved within that space to be very rich and wealthy, and began to abound again withal manner of plentiful pleasures. The king when he fled, took Hellidorus his son with him: and left Abdona his wife and other children in the land of the raellians: which after the departing of Hellepatrus, most miserably the Hircans tormented Abdona the Queen and her children, in most terribly burning them to death. This banishment, did not so much vex the king, as the death and loss of his wife, with the residue of his children: whereas natural affection did move him to sorrow: so the remembrance of revenge, did comfort him on the contrary: Nature and revenge working together, practised many ways: yet no better way would serve his turn, then to open his grief unto the king of the Trebonians: the king of the Trebonians being at mortal detestation with the king of the Hircans, declared unto the king, how the Elders and commons' of his land, had chose him king, and confirmed the same with as strong and forcible auchority as might be devised: it was also ratified before a blessed Image in his land, which their fathers brought from the land of Scythia: how with an Oracle from Delphicus Apollo, the manner of his Coronation was appointed. And that both the Sceptre and Crown of his kingdom were hanged up in the holy Alsephon before the blessed Image: which they durst not for fear of eternal plagues once diminish the same. And as he thought, the strength of his kingdom, did consist both in the Sceptre, and also in the Crown garland of thistles. After they had made me their king, and also royally put me in authority, and also had crowned, and soveraigned me with the aforesaid Crown and Sceptre: I afterwards, but demanding their obedience, which was due unto me: and that they would give me such rights and possessions unto my imperial Crown, as they promised: they not only denied me of the one, but they rebelled against me for the other: and practising with the king of the Hircans, have driven me from my kingdom, and spoiled me of my lands and goods: and most grievously have bereft me of my wife and children: for most traitorously have they put them to death.  

¶ The supplication of Hellepatrus unto the king of the trebonians.  
O Noble King, that beareth the arms of defence, look upon my innocency: behold my pitiful complayn●: see the wretchedness of my grief: nothing doth rue my heart to such a terror, and grievous horror, as this wicked murdering of my wife and children.    

❧ The King of the Trebonians answered his pitiful complaint in this manner.  
Dareth that wicked worm of the Hircans,  
Feed on the fir trees of the raellians?  
I Will surely clear and purge thy land, and restore thee to as much pleasure, as ever thou hadst in thy life before: yea, and much more: and I am glad that so good occasion is offered me, against that winding Snake of the Hircans: Hellepatrus, and Hellidorus his son were succoured, and very richly maintained among the trebonians. And as Hellepatrus did give himself to great excessive drinking, among the trebonians: so the trebonians were a very inordinate people in drinking. Hellydorus, although giving himself to an accustomed order of mildness, for that he in all his life never laughed: so he practised himself to the great activity of the trebonians: for the trebonians were very active and nimble people, in the feats of Arms, & most strongly would they fight, when they were excessively overcome with drinking: But the king of the Trebonians, and the people practised many pleasant devices, to move Hellydorus to laughter: but such was his mildness, that it could never be brought to pass: Whilst the raellians pleasure increased, and their estate began to be sure again: Hellepatrus and the king of the trebonians ceased not to consent, and take great counsel for the restoring of the king unto his kingdom. And at the last, the king made such provision of ships, and of warlike armour: with such a huge host of men, as though they would have eaten up at on bit, the whole country of the raellians, and not by force of arms to have conquered them.  
The kings provision was an host of men of a hundred thousand, and five thonsand Navy of ships: And having landed, they marched towards the high country of the raellians: which when he drew near, they divided the host into thr●e parts: The one part the king of the trebonians took charge of himself: the other part, he committnd to Hellepatrus: and the other part to Hellidorus.  
Thus their hosts being divided into three leverall parts, went three several ways: and yet not far one from another: for as one of them went forwards, so the other host went cross: the one on the right side, the other on the left side of the army royal. And thus marching forwards, they killed man woman and child: burnt and spoiled without any compassion.  
The king of the Hircans having provided also a great host of men, almost double to the trebonians, for that he had choose the best men, both of the Hircans, and also of the raellians. pitching from the trebonians, in the distance of ten miles: notwithstanding, the king of the Hircans being very fearful, both in that he had falsely usurped the kingdom: murdered Hellepatrus his wife and children: maintained rebels against their sovereign king: doubted that the end thereof would be nought: so that these armies being in array, the king of the Hircans, sent Harroldes to the hosts of the trebonians, with letters to understand their quarrel: which letters were in this manner.  
WE understade that you have entered this land (you famous soldiers of the Trebonians, and have utterly spoiled and undone our borderers: killed them, and burnt up their houses & goods: we are very sorry to give such occasion of cruelty to any nation: we being here but as guides, helpers and succorors' to this poor country: whereas they were oppressed thorough a wretched king, one Hellepatrus, who for his shameful extortion, they have banished. If your title be to the kingdom: the people care not, who be their king, so that they may saufelye enjoy their own. And we Hircans that are their patrons and defenders, will give up our right to any king that will swear unto us, righteously to govern them: But thus much we crave of you, that if your quarrel may be ended with quietness, to take your own ask: Ask what you will, you shall have it at our hands, so that this silly country of the raellians may be preserved.  
AS soon as the trebonians had received these Letters, and read them: forthwith they hanged the Harroldes of the Hircans, and most terribly put them to death. Forthwith they having this device in their heads, practised that a huge host of Elephants should be put in harness: and a great hollow cowpe of iron, hanged secreatelye about the necks of the said Elephants: and to fill the said hollow cowpes, full of pibble stones, in the night unawares, were suddenly driven upon the host of the Hircans: for that they were all at rest, suspecting nothing, but looking the return of the Harroldes, were suddenly roused with the noise and force of the Elephants: With amazedness, taking themselves to flight, were dispersed and slain: (save only the king of the Hircans) who was taken a live and brought unto the king of the trebonians, who tied a great chain round about his neck, and sent him to Hellepatrus, l●● in the manner of a Dog, and bid the messengers tell Hellepatrus, that he had sent him, the worm of the Hircans, which did devour the fir trees of the raellians: Forthwith, these three hosts marched forward, and pursued upon the dispersed Hircans: slew, burned and spoiled in all quarters and places of the land throughout, so that none went free: that if he stood in thee, distance or rebelous disobedience of Hellepatrus, their lawful king: but he was slain, and his goods brunt. When the king of the trebonians had purged the land, with killing and burning: thos● that were left alive, were miserably scourged with whips: and the king of the Hircans himself, was drawn thorough the land like a dog, and most miserably whipped with rods: so in the ●nde of all these torments, the said king of the Hircans was most miserably pricked to death with needles: Hellepatrus, and the king of the trebonians went into the holy Alsephon, and rendered humble thanks for their victory before the Image, where alsó they saw the crown of thistles hanging as green as ever it was in the beginning: and the Sceptre gallantly shining.  
These comforts did put great joy and comfort in the hearts 〈◊〉 Hellepatrus and his son: now the king of the trebonians would not continue in that country, but desired to return homeward: notwithstanding, Hellepatrus was very desirous to have had him tarried still, and to have made his habitation there.  
The king of the trebonians, wy●ed Hellepatrus to continue great sharpness towards the raellians, for so should they best keep them in order: And so the king of the trebonians departed, but most part of the soldiers of the trebonians continued within the land of the raellians, & did inhabit there: but always such division was between them and the raellians, that not one of them could abide another. But as the king of the trebonians taking his journey homeward, passing over the high hills Arnolla, his Chariot by great misfortune, breaking, be himself also having afore fall, broke his neck: King Hellepatrus understanding hereof, sent unto those hills, where the dead coarse lay, (for it was but in the borders of the raellians) to bring the dead carcase unto him, which presently as soon as it was brought, ●e buried it, in the holy Alsephon, and erected a sumptuous tomb over it with these Epigrams written over the same.  


¶ The knot is loosed by death,  
Assured friend adieu:  
O fortunes cruel fate,  
Such mischief to ensue:  
The truest friend  
That lived in open sight:  
That ever was,  
In war the noblest knight.   

O faithful friendships trust,  
A king of worthy name:  
That now is turned to slimy dust,  
Let praise blow out thy fame:  
A friend most sure,  
That never failed:  
For to endure,  
Thy friendship never quailed.    
THis Hellepatrus the King being restored to his kingdom again: lived very quietly, and suffered both the Raellians and trebonians to inhabit together: he drove the Hircans quite out of the land, and would not suffer so much as a little child to continued there: the king perceiving the fickle alterations of Fortune, did agree very quietly with his Land: the king grew somewhat to age, and used great company keeping, and given to excessive drunkenness: and therefore he could not rule them with such puissancie, as before he had done: the king himself, not only become a great drunkard, but also polluted with great lechery: of all women, he loved the strange women of Trebonia, for they were very beautiful women: so also were they of light conversation. Thus the king being both drowned in drunkenness, overwhelmed with lechery, indoted with old age: these three enemies were more crueler, than all the host of the Hircans. For as the king had been banished from his country, and now restored again: so now drowned in drunkenness, overwhelmed with lechery: indoted with old age: being banished from all perfect understanding, there was no hope to restore him to the perfection of his flagrant former flourishing wits again. The people of the raellians perceiving the kings miserable estate: the wives of the raellians desiring carnal copulation with the trebonians, secréetely in the night as they lay together, did kill the Trebonians: and by secret means unknown to the king, did weaken and enfeeble the garrison, and soldiers of the trebonians, which did there continue: such was the wickedness of these women: that one beautiful fair Dame, practising with the rest, how, and by what means they might quite overthrow the trebonians, and root them out: who showing herself very lascivious, & wanton in the manner of a nice harlot at a banquet, in the presence of the king, with many songs, and whorish ditties, thorough which the king was delighted, not only with that manner of pleasure, but also with the beauty of the woman: for as the king was very desirous to hear the woman sing: so at the great request of the King, she sung this Dittye, as followeth: and also did deliver unto the King to drink, a cup full of poison.  

¶ Our wise and noble king,  
In war a famous knight:  
His sturdy strength to pass did bring,  
To win his proper right.  
So worthy a man as never was seen,  
The hardiest knight that ever hath been.   

The daintiest dish that man doth love,  
Or Venus in her shop doth cell:  
Of all sweet meat that comes above,  
Hellepatrus such flesh loves well.  
This ready cup of pleasant wine,  
With love shall blear your wanton eyen.   

The death of Hellepatrus the King.  
THe King receiving the cup, and drinking, presently fell down dead: and swelled so much that his skin broke, and his flesh stancke so vehemently, that he was like to have poisoned all the people round about him: there crept and crawled out of the flesh of Hellepatrus, great worms with black beads: his tongue hanged out of his mouth: his eyes started out of his head: be was most miserable to behold. After he was embawmed with many sweet Odiferous spices: and thereby the strength of his corruptions stayed: then was he entombed in Lead, and brought into the holy Alsephon, where he was laid, with these Poesies written upon his Tomb, over him.  


¶ The glistering gallant flower gay,  
When winter comes it fades away:  
This life that honours great have got,  
So swiftly comes and go by lot.   

O death which cut this royal king:  
Whose life such cruel fear did bring?  
Who hath obeyed this earth and clay,  
When death did come, thou didst obey.   

The honours great, where pomp doth rest,  
So lodged within thy grave:  
The slimy worms did build their nest,  
Thy kingly flesh to have,   

In wars abroad to serve thou hadst goodskil.  
At home in peace thou wast a stay to hold up orders still.  
These lines upon thy tombe shall stand,  
That praise may sheue with glistering fame:  
Thou ruldste this noble Land.    
THe coarse being laid in the grave, with great mourning, and lamentable sounding of Trumpets: with solemnity accustomable in the death of a King, the Ascalon of the holy Alsephon, did make the funeral Oration unto Hellydorus the young Prince, and the people, after this manner.  

The funeral Oration.  
THis day we being all assembled hither, to finish a noble and worthy remembrance of our King: which before this Image, what I speak necessary to profit your minds with the exercise of virtue, it is the testimony of the life of this King here departed, and also of the unfeignedness of a good heart in me: the mortality of man's life is plainly seen: that although we flourish, with never so much renown, & the glory of this life, being beautified with many great gifts of worldly pleasures: yet you may perceive the final end hereof, is loss 
Mortality 〈◊〉 changed by death, into immortality.  both of these pleasures, and also of this life: you ma●e also perceive, although we strive to climb either to a higher estate of life, or to continued in one estate itself: how or in what sort so ever we live: whether we strive for more? or whether we content ourselves with less? death is the end of all: contentions, en 〈…〉 es, displeasure: yea, the wrath of a King is confounded by death: our good and evil life, is set forth by death: the one of them is the star light of virtue: the other is the shadow of corruption and vice.  
What have we to trust unto, whilst we li●e here? some say riches? honour's? kingdoms? power and sovereignty? But I say, our virtuous life being the demerits of goodness in this life: are the felicities, and joyful happiness that we find in another life: we have sorrows and pains in this life: but for our good actions, everlasting renown in another life: 
Such was the opinion of immortality.  Then let us live well, that we may die well: our good death, showeth our good life: our good life is the unspeakable treasure that we are rewarded with: In this life we have sickness, in another life health: in this life sorrow, in another life joy: in this life, danger of many worldly misfortunes, but in another life, the reward of many fortunes.  
O how happy is death: this kingdom hath been translated unto this King, by worldly fortune: you might perceive how smilingly fortune dealt with him. In the beginning, what a heap of miseries and troubles she brought upon his head, she banished him from his country, and kingdom: And contrary to the expectation of all the raellians, restored him home again to his kingdom: she hath preserved him until this instant: What a horrible fact, a wicked woman, by murthersome practice hath committed? Shall I tell whether Fortune knew of any of these events or no? I should but trouble your minds, and vex your hearts in speaking: And win no commodity unto myself, but hatred of his posterity, towards me for ever: wherefore in these judicial causes, I will use silence, and say nothing: but only this: O young Prince Hellydorus, in thee is perceived great towardness of wit and learning: and surely the Gods have hid in thy noble stomach, some marvelous secret, which is not for me to entreat of: for which, neither I'or any man living could ever in thy life time, perceive thee laugh, or show any token of gesture, tending thereunto: might I tell the opinion of some men, who say: that whereas any man having any special gift, no man having the like, that man is either loved, or feared for the same: I hope upon the best, that all the people of the raellians shall love thee (O noble King) such I hope will be thy virtues, that we shall all glory in thy noble renowned actions: you may perceive and learn by this dead coarse your Father, the brittle stay of this life: you may perceive by your Father's troubles he had in his life time: the sorrows and calamities that a King is ordained unto: and by the end and death of this your dear Father, the danger and perryl, that a King is subject unto, through malicious subjects:  
O noble Hellydorus, let the example of your Father's troubles, warn you: his good deeds teach you: the untrustiness of Fortune, put the thought of meekness in your heart: that all the renowns, sovereignties, pompous glories, Princely fame, oppression, tyranny is both ended by death, and rewarded by death.  
¶ Here endeth the funeral Oration.     

❧ Here is declared thee sorrow that the raellians made for the death of Hellepatrus: the strange sight that was seen in the Alsephon: and what joy they made in the end of their sorrow, for the crowning of Hellydorus to be King.  
AFter the funeral Oration of the Ascalon was finished, the people all fell on their faces, and threw dust in the air, as the manner of the burials of the raellians was. After the end of the burial of Hellepatrus: Helludorus 
Hellepatrus 〈◊〉.  the kings son, after his days of morning were ended, was happily crowned to succeed his Imperial Crown. And in the night before his Coronation, the Crown of Thistles did burn all the night long, in the top of the holy Alsephon: And in the mids of the flame, there was seen a man striking with a sword, and speaking: O Raellyans, a burden will way you down: this noise was heard all night long. In the morning very early, the King and Elders, and the people came to blue this terrible and fearful sight: but it was squenched of itself, no man knew how: and the Garland crown of Thistles flourished as green as ever it did before: the raellians did attribute this sight to the best, after their delights and affections: some said it was a triumphant sight, to renown the day of a Coronation, but when it was overpassed, they remembered not, neither cared they any more of the matter: but ascribed all signs, wonders, and tokens to the best, until their final destruction came upon them: Thus afterwards upon the same day, Hellydorus the King was crowned, in the same order, form and manner, as his father Hellepatrus was: But for that I will not use so much speech in so short a matter, I will overpass the exceeding triumphs of the raellians, upon the Coronation day: Yet I think it very necessary to set down the Oration that Hellydorus made unto the people.   

❧ The Oration of Hellydorus the King.  
I Am to speak more sharper in all respects, as touching the governance of this Realm: then ever my Father did, your obstinate disobedience that was to wards my Father, with the pestilent envy that in all his life time did lurk in your naughty hearts, doth move me to crave of this blessed Image, both to hear me: and also to be a testimony that it standeth me upon, to be both careful, wise, and more extreme than ever my Father was: careful to behold your crooked conspiracies: wise to govern so disobedient and unruly people: and with all extremity to subdue your wretched envious hearts: When in steed of loving subjects, are stinging Adders of the wilderness: I tell you plain, I have small trust in any of you all: for I do know when the Raellians do show great joy and unchangeable mirth towards their King: then have they some mischievous practices most thiefly lurking in their cankered stomachs to sting like Snakes, or Adders: But as I will whet my sword more sharper, than ever my Father did. So I say good people look to your obedience. And if your practising mischief be secret, deal cleanly and wisely, that I have no understanding thereof. For if it come to light, I will lay more burdens of punishments upon your backs, than there were neadles thrust into the flesh and skin of the King of the Hircans: You banished my Father, I hope your power shall never be such, that your ability shall reach to do the like unto me: For as I am not destitute of friends, so also have I just experience of the vility of the Raellians: my Father you poisoned, I hope thorough the power of this holy Image, you shall never be able to touch me, with the best finger you have: but as touching my Father's death, and the manner thereof: I will not now speak of so sorrowwfull a ruth, upon so royal a day: but I hear wish and desire you, to become honest Subjects: I do not desire you, in that I fear you, but for your own safeguard: for as you shall found me a quiet King, until you disquiet me: so in disquieting me, the most cruelest tyrant that ever reigned: what pleasures or liberty did you get, thorough your wicked dealings towards my father: your wars wasted your goods, killed your fathers and mothers, and hath brought you their children into most contemptuous ignominy, to be accounted the most unrulest people that liveth, and thereby grown to be poorer than your father's need to have left you: Live well and orderly, I will promise' before this holy Image, never to oppress you with tax nor tribute, you shall enjoy your own quietie: I will defend you from foreign invasion: I will not misuse you any way: But if your dealings be contrary: in none of these will I keep promise: I will also deal on the contrary: O you Raellyans, remember my words well, and print them, with a punch, of good understanding iu-your hearts, that they may never be forgotten: that I like a gentle gracious King, may be careful, pitiful, loving towards you: and you in all obedience and duty, to be careful, and well pleasing of me: In this, as in bounden duty, I will be mindful of you: ready to hear your supplications, and with kingly modesty, to reform all such things as be out of order.  
¶ Here endeth the kings Oration.   

❧ Here is showed how the King passed forth his Coronation with feasting, and active triumph, fell sick, and recovering his health, revenged the death of his father, Hellepatrus.  
AFter the end of this Oration, the King departed to his banquet, and the Activities were showed upon the Theatre: The King in the presence of the people, with such puissancie, did show the courage, and Marshal renown of a king In so much, that he was not only marvelous to behold: but also greatly dreaded in the eyes of the people.  
After thanks was rendered unto the holy Image, and great petitions made: the king departed unto his Palace, and with a heat and cold that he took, in showing his renowned chivalry, fell sick upon a Fever: for which cause took himself unto his Chamber, for the space of twenty days after, and never came abroad, nor no man could speak with him: save his Physicians, and such Gentlemen that were of his privy chamber. After his health was recovered, and began to be strong again, the reremembraunce of the murdering of his Father could not be put away: so the offence was neither forgiven nor forgotten: For as he had the woman in hold, which had so shamefully committed this murder. So he upon the recovery of his health, fell to the examination of this naughty woman. And she upon her straight imprisonment, and straighter examination: apprehended the chiefest of the Elders of the land, with their wives: which when the king had fully known, and with perfect instruction was acquainted with their murthersome practices, did not incontinently send for them, by his men of war: fearing lest they having any inkling hereof, would fly into another Land: for no man was privy to the examynares confession, save only Hellidorus himself: did after a courteous manner in the way of friendship, send for them, and their wives, one after another, to come and speak with him. which so soon, as any of them made their appearance, were presently sent unto prison without further examination.  
And thus he dealt with all of them. one after another, until he had apprehended every one of them, when these devices were accomplished: the king upon very prudent policy, sent for all the nearest kindred and friends of these murderers, and talked unto them after this sort.  

¶ The kings words unto the murderers kindred and friends.  
MY friends and subjects, I thought it good and necessary to send for you being Raellyans and wise men, and as I hope trusty subjects: Such reports have been given out. of your obedience: which moveth me to presume of that good fame and honest report that is spread in all places of this Land, of your true and just dealings, towards this Imperial Crown: For which cause I am persuaded, that not for the dearest kindred or friends that you have among the Raellyane, will aducnture your lives, lands, and goods, for their sakes:  
If in treasons towards this Crown, there were any such of your kindred and friends, to be found guilty, would take their parts: Or that their deaths should 'cause any sorrow to pierce your harries, they being perfectly known, and once found Traitors. You know my father your late king of famous memory, was most traitorously murdered, and shamefully put to death, do you not think it was plain and presumptuous treason? yea, such a murder is not to be suffered among common persons, much less in a King: do you not think the doers hereof are worthy to suffer the straightest death that may be devised. And the people answered:  O Noble King, if their kindred were never so dear unto us, we would do the best that lieth in us, not only to apprehend them: but also to put them to death.  
HEllidorus spoke again, indeed they are not only of your near kindred, but also of your very friends, and such which you of all men and women have had in greatest acceptation. And I of my own prudency, have apprehended them already: which if they can clear themselves, from that which they be apprehended of: they shall be as free, as ever they were. And also I will recompense them for their unjust imprisonment. Wherefore for that they are your kindred & friends, you shall be assistants in judgement with me, when they are arraigned to be guilty of this murder or no: These men durst not deny the King his request: they were very sorry that they should be urged thereunto: partly because some of them were not scarce clear from the murder: other some hanged back for kindred sake: other some, for ignorant simplicity, not knowing what belonged to such a sudden provocation, would gladly have revolted, not only their promise if they durst, but also to have 
They had ●te faces, 〈…〉 t cold ●rtes.  dispatched themselves quite from the matter itself: But such was the policy of the King, that the death of so many of the best, would seem more terrible to the rest, & he less grudged at them therein, for that they were condemned and adjudged by their own kindred: surely, surely there lay as much secret mischief in the hearts of these, their kindred towards the King, as in the murderers themselves, but they durst not utter it: this woman that was principal unto this murder, was first brought before the King, and the Elders: and her examination being read: the other forthwith were sent for, one after another: the matter being nearly sifted, and thoroughly tried to the uttermost, they were all found guilty, and adjudged to die for the murdering of king Hellepatrus: This was the death of the wicked woman, from the toes of her feet, unto her shoulder parts, one joint was cut piecemeal, one from another: There was two thousand men and women of the raellians, that were put to death in another manner, as this: Whoate ovens were heated for the same purpose, and the men were put therein: there were near adjoining, whoate furnaces of boiling lead, wherein the grave women were cast, a most lamentable ruth, in the presence of many weeping eyes, were scalded to death.  
This terrible justice of the King, did strike such a horror in the hearts of his subjects: that they not only feared the kings presence, but also they were in doubt to speak of him: thus the king thorough extremity, obtained quietness: and thorough wisdom and policy ruled his kingdom, he kept them in such obeence & awe, that of all Princes that were then living, Hellidorus was of his people most feared.   

¶ How the King put many to death, for concealing the writings that were between their forefathers, and the Assyrians, when the Land was first purchased: And also of a Prophet that riseth among the raellians, and crieth out of their Idolatrous Image, the Ass, in which was all their trust: The said Prophet is put to death, by Hellydorus the King.  
HEllidorus having squenched the natural revenge of his father's death: established his kingdom, & subdued his people to great fear: then they began by little and little, to inquire after the monuments and writings that were between their forefathers, and the Assyrians, for the purchasing of that land. The secret inquisitors of the King, handled the matter in such sort, from one to another, until the matter was apparent, where and in whose custody the writings remained. As many suffered death for concealing the matter, so many suffered death for the conveying of them: and he in whose custody they were found, suffered a most strange and straight death: Thus, as the King could get nothing at their hands thorough gentleness: so he had what he would, thorough croaked cruclness. And lastly, they so much obeyed, and reverently f 〈…〉ed him, that Hellydorus could not so soon be named among them: but they would make low courtesy, and low submission of their bodies: the King being both in riches and Royal pomp, with great sovereign fear: in so much that he thought himself the saufest king that lived. In the midst of these securities, and blind knowledge of the eternal governance from about: having no other understanding, save only in that dumb Image the Ass, which stood in the Alsephon: which their forefathers brought from the land of Scythia: there arose a great Prophet, in the land of the raellians: of what country, nation, stock, or kindred he came of, or out of what place, no man understood: This Prophet lived in a most strait kind of life, he eat of the green Fig leaves of the wilderness: his garments were of a skin of an unknown beast: his Orations and outcryings, were not only for the present wickedness of the king and the people, but he also told them that their present destruction was hard at hand: that for Idolatry and worshipping of a dumb Ass, would 'cause their king to be turned to an Ass: and the kingdom of the raellians to be confounded, and inhabited of another people. The king hearing hereof was sore amazed both at the boldness, and earnestness of this Prophet: feared his estate in which he stood in: knew not what to do: for that many opinions, sects and factions did swar●●e in the Land, thorough the doctrine of this Prophet: Some of the people did not believe of this Image, which their forefathers brought from the Land of Scythia: Some of them hated the Ascalon: some of them could not abide to come within the Alsephon: almost none of them could abide the King: Such was the estate of the raellians, that of a thousand men, there was a thousand opinions, one contrary to another: The king being very desirous to ●alke with this Prophet, sent for him, and entreated of him for that he hard that he was a Prophet, and outeryed of the voices, and ●●l●hie actions of the raellians, would declare unto him, his present estate in which he stood, with the destruction that was imminent, and hanging over his head: For in deferring his wickedness, the terrible day of vengeance would be worse: but in the amending his life, he might become the better liver: and teach his people such virtue, as best standeth for the safeguard of his country, to appease the displeasures and angers, that are ready, and at hand for their destruction: for how can we amend those vices, of which we are persuaded to be virtues, and no vices. 
The Prophet desired the king both to hearken to his counsel and warning, that might best safeguard himself, and profit his country.   

The prophets Oration unto king Hellydorus.  
IF that long continuance hath brought the showers of fruictfulnesse, over this whole country: whereby you wallowing in such pleasures, and voluptuous ryotof your bodies, do neglect the blasted my series, that your minds are darkened withal, in the night of ignorance: which if your bodies be satisfied, and your minds unquiet, your bodies out of danger, and your minds in danger: your bodies quiet, and your minds out of quiet: how can you account your pleasures happy? your joys reastfulnes? for your minds do premeditate the actions of your bodies: yea, your mind is the teacher of your bodies: and that which your mind purposeth, your bodies do bring the same in action, how can your bodies do good and perfect affects, when your mind being full of filthy and lewd endeavours, replenished with all defects: ignorant of that which it aught to know? how can your bodies bring in practise the perfection of goodness, or the knowledge of virtue: if your minds lusting after wickedness, do rule your bodies: then virtue is drowned, and overwhelmed with the darkness of sensuality.  
I tell thee O King, thylande is full of Idolatry, they know not the reach of the highest governance. And if they worship a doltish God, an Ass: in which is the spirit of lying and ere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ror, how can there be any light, or bright shine of felicity? for an Idolatrous God, can not rule the mind, although in the blind purpose of fantasy, that God miraculously, can deceive your mind: for as the highest eternal governance suffereth your mind to be led: so the same governance, can both ransack your mind, and break your God to a thousand fitters. But if your mind were in the knowledge of that eternal governance, as it is not: neither doth that knowledge come to any, but to those which before are destined thereunto: so having that knowledge: neither your dumb Ass could allude you: nor your manifold vices seduce you to the top of vengeance, and mountain of wrath, and then headlong to throw you to destruction: but such is the practice of the lying spirit of error, first to blind you in Idolatry, and in the worship of a false God, which shroudeth the high path of virtue from our eyes: to lead you to wallowing lust, and such filthiness which the body desireth. Wherefore the lying spirit doth first win and entice the people to Idolatry, to the end they should not know any other righteousness: until confusion were hotly powered upon their heads, lest that the true righteous eternity opening the wings of comfort, should draw them, from the dungeon of fleshly vices: which is difficult to be done in you, for that you are settled in old custom and long usage of wickedness. I say, O King Hellidorus, consider how many troubles have nearly touched thy father's estate, and thine, in this Realm and country of the Raellyans▪ how hath this come to pass, but only for lack of the aid and secure of the chief eternal government, whose breath is able to kill thee and all the whole land: thou wilt say, thou and thy fathers hitherto have prevailed in all your tribulations: will you attribute the cause hereof, to your own warlilce policy, learning, riches, friends, great hosts: but it is not these things that have delivered you: although these things might be instruments, that you work by the highest governance, did suffer your deliverance to be wrought, for that a heavier, and more intolerable confusion, should overthrow and destroy you: Although thy Father Hellepatrus escaped the hands of the Hircans, yet was he delivered into the hands of a shameful harlot to be poisoned to death: As your dumb Ass is not able to deliver you, so neither can he help you: but the eternal governance can do both, that is, help you, and deliver you: the inward invocation draweth repentance from the heart, it is virtue that is given from above, and no man can repent without this virtue: where the mists of sin have overwhelmed this virtue: there the highest governance hath no inward work, and this being 
Security 〈…〉 ne.  dismembered with lewd lust, there is no actual application: first leave thy blind zeal in worshipping this Ass, enter into the secrets of thy heart for remorse, 
Chastisement for 〈…〉 e.  adjoin an inward speculation, which showeth a more brighter light in an howie, then ever thy father, or thou didst see in all your lives before.  
The end of the prophets Oration.   
AFter these words of the Prophet, the King was very wrathful, and full of malice, such a boiling heat of vexation was kindled in his heart, that inwardly he chafed at the Prophet, and at the last broke forth in these words.  
Thou hast the name of a Prophet: 
The king's words.  such a bold talker as thou art, with busying thyself in such things, as do not belong unto thee, may work thy own we: thou thinkest to win credit, and get honour in this country, among the raellians, thou art deceived in thy own thought: but take heed jest thou win the displeasure & wrath of a king, and so death unto that wretched writhe carcase of thine: For although thou canst boldly prattle unto me, yet I do not believe thy doctrine, nor religion: so neither will I condemn it, before the Ascalon of the holy Alsephon, disputeth with thee: who is better seen in such matters then myself? Forthwith the king commanded the Prophet to be brought into the Alsephon, where the Ascalon and the Prophet, in the presence of the king and the people talked together.  

¶ The Ascalon spoke unto the Prophet after this sort.  
Perceiving the great sedition that is sown in this Realm, by a false Prophet: the sects & schisms increased: that not only it behoveth our sovereign Lord the King, to look unto himself: but it standeth upon my office and duty, to confute such falsities and opinions, in the honour and glory of this holy Image, which our fathers brought from the land of Scythia, and hath preserved our country and people, with the fruitful increase of all plenteousness: this is necessary to the people to be spoken: to take heed of such lying fellows which undercreepe our governance: for whosoever speaketh against this holy Image, speaketh against the king himself: and whosoever toucheth the sovereignty of the king, is a traitor, and worthy to die. A●ter many of these thundering words of 〈…〉 e Ascalon: the Prophet began to speak: the king commanded to stop his mouth: and the more the king cried, stop, stop, stop: so the Prophet cried the more: O wrathful vengeance, that will shortly be due unto the raellians: and with mighty force, the Prophet ran unto the Image, the Ass: and forcible upon a sudden, broke it to many pieces: The king foaming, roaring, & crying: hold him, hold him: commanded the Prophet to be tied and bound: for that (as he said he was some mad fellow out of his wits. But the people in the like manner, were at such contention, that one was ready to kill another, some belde upon the religion of the Image: some held upon the doctrine of the Prophet: none of them all loved the king, except the Ascalon: whose commodity consisted upon the sacrifice of the Alsephon. The king and his garrison without further judgement, did cut the innocent Prophet to a thousand pieces: and such was the wickedness of this tyrannous murder, that he which might have a hack at the innocent flesh of this holy Prophet, thought he did good service to that idolatrous Image, and their tyrannous king. Even presently upon the 
Vnseasonablenes of the weather causeth scarcity.  death of the Prophet, there arose lightnings, tempests, the fruits of the earth were burnt with wild fire: A great famine did arise thorough out the land: many people thorough the scarcesity thereof miserably without compassion died. Shortly after these verations and troubles: as the prophets death not being forgotten, so many continued steadfast and believed on his doctrine: for which doctrine, the king used great persecution throughout the whole Land: The death of the Martyrs 
Persecution.  were in this manner: their skins were slain from their flesh: they most quietly & patiently forsaking this life. After the end of this cruel tyrannous persecution: he thinking his Land quite purged & rid from the blemishes of the prophets doctrine, for that some of them were subdued by death: some by banishment, and some by conversion: so thinking his kingdom to be established more surer than ever it was before, grew to his old security & wickedness of life, devoured in tyranny, and drowned in idolatry: for that be peeced the broken idolatrous Ass again to worship: thorough which idolatry he was poisoned in the filthy stinch of all horrible vices and corruption that in steed of innocency, cruel tyranny and all oppression were planted in his ha●te.    

Here is showed how the King fell in love with one Sebona a harlot, married her: and was turned to an Ass: and how the Assyrians did repossed the Land of the Raellians by conquest.  
AFter the King wasin his old custom of idolatry & all other corruptions, the land pacified, and prefixed in the wicked obedience of that pieced God, the broken Ass: the King also in doting in love, was led with variable affections: led with the nordinate lust of beauty: hunting in the wicked concupiscence of diverse women, was ravished, with the special delectation of one woman: whereas the fine amorous Ladies of the raellians, perceiving the King's lascivious inclination, devised with themselves how they might best set out themselves in sale before the King: Some with gallant imbrothered garments, and the costly silk of the Hircans: would show themselves, with the flying wanton countenances of Lovers to catch & snare the King with their abominable delights: some with dancing, some with singing pleasant Ditties: So that sundry women had sundry delights, one contrary to another: whose sundry contrarieties overcasted the king, with contrary impolutions. Sebona a beautiful dame, & the comeliest creature that ever lived, either among the Hircans, either among the trebonians, or raellians the acceptablest of all: Notwithstanding, she had been the most whore, & shameless harlot, that ever reigned: this Sebona for beauty, gorgeous apparel, sweet smells, singing, dancing, with all the devices of a lover, most delighted the kings fantasy. This Sebona in respect of all other women, was a bright burning star in the dark clouds of Cupid's thundering tempests: the king neither respecting honesty. virtue, or immaculate virginity, which are the bands and knots of true marriage, would in all haste chose this filthy whore Sebona, to be his wife: whereas she thorough the counsel of some certain of her friends, was persuaded to present herself very little in the king's presence: Her beauty would appear the brighter, the kings love the hotter, and their purposes brought to pass the sooner. The King languishing in the heavy agonies of love, wrote unto Sebon a after this manner.  
The kings letters to Sebona.  
O Sebona, the worthy Lover of the raellians, which with the arrow of thy beauty. hast shot and wounded my desire, that all comforts either of my kingdom, common wealth, riches, possessions, renown, sovereignty, do not so much pleasure or comfort me, as thy beauty. I that did conquer, am now conquered myself: I that did worship an holy Image, do now worship beautiful Sebona: I that did rule a kingdom, am now ruled by a woman: I that did subject my people and Land, am now brought in subjection myself: O pitiful Sebona: the Physician of my diseases: the comfort of all my troubles: the ease of all my griefs, understand my sorrows: fulfil my mind: restore him that is banished from all pleasures, to found some joy: thy love shall be thy renownathy beauty shallbe thy pleasures and wealth: the comeliness of thy body, shallbe ruler of this Land and country. Let me receive some comfort again of these earnest letters: or else if I be forsaken my sweet Sebona: as thou before hast wounded me, so presently now hast thou killed me: as thou hast punished me, so now hast thou brought me to utter destruction. Hear the pitiful cry of a King, that desireth to reward thy Love in making thee a Queen.  
The end of the kings letters.  
AFter these letters were received by Sebona: that whore, and filthy harlot, had counsel by her near friends, neither to sand, or go, or writ: or by any means to give the King any comfort of his letters, for as they surmised, the King practised rather to satisfy his affection & voluptuous lust, then to tie himself to that immaculate renowned, glory, virtuous marriage: and in estranging herself in the matter, the kings earnest desire would both increase towards her, and also would the readier endue her in the estate of the kingdom: which if she would laciviously answer the kings wanton letters, the king would use ●er as a harlot, to serve his present affection, and also suspect her light behaviour to be the lewder. But the king perceiving her contemptuous strange Love, or rather whorish policy, neither in sending unto him, neither answering his letters, or yet in comforting his amorous agonies, with her presence, began not only to hate her, but also utterly to renounce her: which partly might proceed of his kingly stomach, partly of his voluptuous lust had with divers other infamous harlots squenched in the stinking lake of concupiscence: so it came to pass that Sebona & her friends were very sorry, for that their policy, was pretudiciall, both to the king & themselves: to the king in not having his purpose, and to themselves, both for that they had lost the kings favour, & the commodity that might have risen thereby: they thought they would not omit so happy opportunity being ofred, for a lowering countenance. This Sebona who had been the Ascalons whore of the holy Alsephon, practised with the aforesaid Ascalon, what was to be done. The Ascalon respecting the famylyaritye that had passed between them, the Ascalon could not deny sebona's request, considering also that if she were preferred, his renown would be also increased: practised with an old woman that was a witch, and also in time past sebona's bawd: for which cause willinger to further the matter, and with the best endeavour that consisted in her, to do good unto Sebona: By sorcery (this old riven witch) did understand, both where the government of the kingdom, and the preservation of the king did consist: which was in the green Garland that hanged up in the holy Alsephon: which so long as the Garland hanged there, no evil fate, or infortunate condition of life could approach the king's person: but so soon as the garland was deflowered, the king's renown, riches, honour, glory, pomp, fame, were fully & wholly in the power of them that had gotten the same the Ascalon neither respecting the holiness of the function, the office of the place, neither the sanctimonyall reverence due to the place: nor the fear of the holy Image: nor his duty to the king: or yet the commodity that might redown to the common wealth: practifed with this filthy whore Sebona to ravish this holy Alsephon with sacrilege, and to steal this flourishing green Garland of Thistles. And as soon as they had burned the said Garland of thistles, the king perceived a force to go from him: in the audacity of his countenance: of which before he was bold, become now shamefast: in his strength: of which before he was mighty, was now weak: in his stomach: of which before he was courageous, was now full of cowardness: in his wisdom: of which before he was prudent, was now foolish. Thus the king in the eyes of all men, was marvelously altered, & his complexion changed: so that in steed of a king, you would have adjudged him a prisoner: in steed of a ruler, you would have adjudged him a wretch: in steed of a knight of arms, you would have adjudged him a ca●●●fe of calamity. The king being thus bestract of all the parts of his body: his friends, & servants that were about him, marveled at his sudden alteration: some attributed the cause thereof, unto some privy disease in his inward parts: some said it was inward thought: some said it was the force & cruelty of love, which vehemently perplexed him, for the beautiful Sebona: Thus as every man's judgement was ready, so every man had an inward liking or disliking of the king: some spoke as he would have it: some spoke for that the king's saufegard was their commodity: and some spoke indifferently: Thus every man's affection being bewrayed, in the midst of all which conflicts, Sebona & her friends understanding the kings great affliction & heaped miseries which more and more without consolation increased, was persuaded to writ unto the king: whose letters by the advise of the Ascalon were in this sort.  
MY right sovereign gracious Lord, as 
sebona's letters to the King.  one unworthy of the favour of a king, did from your majesty receive most acceptable letters: by which I not only perceived your gracious opinion conceived of so unworthy a wretch as I am: but also the fervent flames of Love, which the unsquenchable fire of Cupid, had ragingly kindled in your gracious mind. And also since that, understanding the great alteration and abatement that is fallen upon your grace, the emptiness of such a hungry tree as I am, not worthy to be fed by such a sweet bark, and delectable rind, as the bright parsonage of so comely a gentleman, may be ashamed to present myself before your grace: my unworthiness considered. But chief I feared your letters were rather the dallying pleasures of a King: then the faithful affection of love: which since understanding the great anguishes of lurking love, that have assaulted your royal noble heart: I sorrowed, and was in a heavy hate with myself: for that I had not long before this have answered your worthy writings: not deserved to be written, to such a unthankful creature as I am: Although fear and shamefastness have scalded my heart, that I durst not writ in time: so I trust my letters do not come to so worthy & favourable a king out of time: which if any sorrow of sickness be fallen upon you, and the Physician of your health & chirurgeon of your sores.  
The end of sebona's letters unto the king.  
AFter the king had received sebona's 
The King sent for Sebona.  letters, was somewhat come unto himself. & revived with a little pleasure in the midst of so many sorrows: lying upon a couch of downed silk, desired one of the Gentlemen of his privy Chamber, to speak with Sebona: which said Gentleman brought Sebona in the king's presence, who spoke unto her in this manner.  

The King's words to Sebona.  
THe hatred that I conceived of thee (inestimable 
Voluptuous Love is 〈…〉 de.  sweet Sebona) is the fault that I have much offended thee with all, both for that Dame Nature hath skilfully approved her cunning in thee, so rashly to attempt an immaculate chaste virgin of shamefastness. As also to assault thy love which is the virtue of renown, sprung from the tree of honest life, no easy or common Love speedily obtained: for such are the gifts of a virtuous Lover, not readily won like unto every light Lover, which utter themselves to sale in the shop of dishonest life.  
As I am to crave pardon at thy hands: so I am to renew my earnest suit of unsquencheable love towards thee: which as I must needs confess, since my letters written unto thee: but within these few 
The end of the kings words.  days, the increase of love is grown most fertile in my heart towards thee.   
AFter the end of these & such like speeches between the king & Sebona, they concluded upon marriage: the day was appointed: the solemnity provided for: the active feats of arms readily set forth: stages & theaters addressed: comedies, tragedies, sonnets, sweet music were upon the marriage day, before the kings person, to delight withal, set forth: Now when the marriage day was come: the king & Sebona the Queen, with glorious pomp, riding towards the holy Alsephon to be married by the Asealon, before the Image: which having entered the Alsephon, perceiving the want of the Garland, inquired of the Asealon, where the crown Garland was? The Ascalon answered, it was conveyed by some evil disposed person. The kings courage was sore abated, his heart waxed frozen, his mind altered, his colour came and went: there was such transformation in him, that you would have thought present death had besieged him: but notwithstanding, for that their coming was to be married, the solemnization thereof was finished in this sort: 
The manner of the raellians 〈…〉 ages.  The Ascalon did cut an apple in the middle, & delivered one half to the king to eat, and another half to the Queen to eat: Forthwith the people cried with a loud voice: Holy Image save the King & Queen: such was the Raellyans order. And also for old acquaintance that was between the Queen and the Ascalon: the said Ascalon would pronounce an Oration in the praise of the Queen, which was after this manner.  

¶ The Ascalons Oration in the praise of the Queen.  
THe nobility and sovereign renown of the king, with all the condition of his worthy virtues, is neither unknown to me, nor the people: for that we have had great and long trial of the same: since that it is a needless thing to trouble you, with that you understand already. So at this present time it doth not, but in the way of remembrance, belongeth to my office to speak of the same: I being appointed the holy Ascalon of this blessed Alsephon, will put you in duty of the solemnization of this marriage, which is between a King and Queen, the like was never seen in this land before: for that obedience binding us, both to tender thanks, and with great joy of hearts to triumph: are also much bound to set forth this present day, with the greatest renown that may be either thought or done: for that Hellidorus our king hath married so vertucus a Queen, a virgin of unspeakable chastity, the flower garland of this land of the raellians, am not to desist to praise her, both for that our king hath recovered his health thorough her: our land is guerdoned thorough her: our people renowned thorough her: other nations put in fear thorough her: O Sebona most sovereign Queen: thy beauty was the Physician of our King: thy beauty is the bulwark of this land: thy wisdom is both the subjection, and direction of the people: Shall not this land of the Raellians thorough this worthy Queen, obtain double royalty? is not this Sebona Queen of the raellians, the flagrantes flower that ever sweetly and delicatlye sprung up among the Raellians? as she hath vowed her chastity to one man, so she shineth in the eyes of all men: As she is to be beloved of all men: so she loveth but one man: and yet hateth no man: O precious jewel, the rareness hereof astonieth the hearts of all men, and yet comforteth the heart of one man: renown is her victory: beauty, is her praise: estimation, the duty of her flourishing fame: can any tongue set forth her deserved praise? beauty? renown? comeliness? all the qualities which decorate her with inestimable sovereignty? So my heart is not able to think any virtue comparable to the same. As touching this Garland which hanged up in this Alsephon, and now taken away: the want hereof O king let it not amaze thee: for this holy Image which delivered the beautiful 
Sweet poison.  chastity and virtuous wisdom of this Sebona, Queen of the raellians into thy hands, will also deliver that Traitor which took this flourishing Garland crown away out of the holy Alsephon? O king Hellidorus, as this worthy Sebona doth garnish thy land with all the flourishing flowers of fame: so is she decked with the pleasures of Venus' odiferous smelling garden. O king beautify her again with love, sovereignty, condign renown, wealth, fame, flourishing pleasures, meet and fit for a Queen.  
The end of the Ascalons Oration.   
AFter the end of the Ascalons Oration, the King and Queen repairing unto their Court and princely Palace, where the sweet banquets of all pleasant dishes were ordained, the day passed out with feasting, dancing, justling, and all active feats of arms, meet for such a day & place: although in the midst of all these delights, the king was in another world: both for that divers deadly signs gave out the unhappy luck of some adverse mischief that banged in the clouds of a fatal Prognostication: aswell for that the king's Elephants, Mules, Camels, roared and cried all that day long, on which they were married: the stones in the streets slew up in the presence of the king: the ravens and other birds of the air, flew round about the king: besides all this, the king's mind was plunged within the infernal lake of terrible perturbation: when night was come, that king with a faint heart & wan countenance, washed in the basin and laver of unlusty life: all his former joy, courage, stoutness, vain love: was turned to anguish of heart, pains, sighs, and bitter tears: rested with his Queen that night, in the bed of unrestfulness, & joined together in the copulation of carefulness: & kissed each other with the lips of traitorous desolation: when it began to wax towards day, the unhappy pleasures of the night being spent: the king being wearied with the doleful delights, slept the woeful sleep of destruction: And dreamt that he saw in a fair Meadow, 
The king's dream.  near a river side, an Ass eating thistles, having a golden Sceptre sticking in the hinder parts of the said Ass: wearing a flourishing green garland, between his long wide ears: There was a white rough Bear, pulling the said garland & Sceptre from the head & hinder parts of the said Ass: and the said Bear also did kill the said Ass, and suck out the blood of the said Ass, until her belly was filled so full that it broke, and her guts hanged out of her belly. In the end, there came a 
The carrion Crows, or the A●●●●…ans how rude. The Eagles, or the As●●●●…ans themselves.  great flight of carrion Crows, that fed upon the Ass: and another flight of eagles that did quite devour & eat up the she Bear: At this terrible dream, the king in many troubles of mind, did wake: and as he was telling of his doleful dream, of the final finishing of his life: so ●e perceived Titan gave out her unhappy luck & unfortunate mischief, that ruthfully in the instant of one thought, was behight unto king Hellydorus: In this apparent twinkling of the day light: arose out of his wearied touch, and beholding the smelling pleasures of the morning, did see the sorrowful sight of his fatal end, which was to be performed & finished vp●n him, from the first Original beginning and foundation of the land of the Scythians. Hellydorus in beholding this aforesaid mornings pleasure, behold an Ass cropping and eating of Thistles: at the sight whereof, never laughing in his life before: did now fall out to a laughter: Which laugh 〈…〉 wonderful sight of the Queen and the officers of the Court, continued for the space of three nights and days. And somewhat then he changed his voice to the braying of an Ass: which braying continued for the space of sixteen days and nights after. In the mean while, by a Metaphorical transmutation, nature began to change his shape: first his head, than his ears: and lastly all the parts of his body to an Ass: After this his being in the full form of an Ass: wandered from the Court unto the thick woods, and desert places of the wilderness. This King. Hellydorus being changed, from his Kingly robes, into an Ass' skin: from his crowned Garland, into Ass' ears: from his comely proportion, into the form of a very Ass: from his kingly manners, into the manners of an Ass: the Queen by the counsel of the Ascalon began to take the governance of the Realm upon her: but the people fell in hatred with her, and would not obey: Whereupon incontinent, thorough this wretched amazedness, they made civil invasion one upon another: insomuch that the Assyrians came and conquered the Land of the raellians, from whence it was first derived. So, the Assyrians lamenting the infortunate hap of Hellydorus: and for that noble mind they perceived always to be in him: in revenge whereof, they persecuted Queen Sebona & the Ascalon, to a most terrible death: for they were pricked to death with needles, as the king of the Hircans was, and their dead carcases were thrown like carrion into the wilderness to be devoured of the Fowls of the air: the Land of the raellians was inhabited of the Assyrians, for ever after.   

¶ How Hellidorus was heard to speak after he was an Ass, and there was devoured of hounds: the Assyrians for the love that they did bear unto him, did bury his carcase in the form of an Ass: and builded in the midst of the wilderness, a very honourable Tomb over the same.  
THe King of the Assyrians having conquered the Land of the raellians, drive out and dispersed the people, the Land was fully impeopled with the Assyrians. The king of the Assyrians, after his being settled in the kingdom: on a time for pleasant recreation, did ride forth a hunting into the wilderness: bychaunce in the said wilderness, in a great brake of bushes, his hounds found an Ass, which they coursed and baited so sore, before any succour could draw near: that the said hounds had drawn the guts out of the Ass' belly: the braying of the Ass, & the noise of the hounds, being heard of the King and his nobles, drew near: perceiving it was an Ass, took up the hounds: and the Ass being half dead, spoke unto the king of the Assyrians in this sort.   

¶ The words of King Hellidorus, when he was an Ass.  
O King of the Assyrians, I am Hellydorus that was once King of the raellians: hear me: which although I am in the form of an Ass: yet have I the mind of a man: O idolatry did devour me and my Land: the blood of a holy Prophet doth cry out against me: O my tyranny is turned to misery: O my heavy fate, I was deceived by a wicked woman, & subdued to wretchedness: the forgetting of the eternal governance, and the blind worshipping of an Image, which was an Ass, hath transformed me from a man to an Ass: O King of the Assyrians, as thy hounds have wounded me to death: yet honourably bury my dead carcase: which although it be the shape of an Ass, yet it is the carcase of King Hellydorus, which hath a penitent heart. Presently dying, the king of the Assyrians did bury the dead carcase, and builded a very rich gorgeous Tomb over it, in the midst of the wilderness, with these Epigrams written over the same: and an Ass portrayed in Adamant stone upon the same.   

The verses written over King Hellydorus his Tomb.  

Ah cruel fate, O noble King,  
Subdued by nature's kind,  
Although in shape thou art an Ass:  
Thou wast a man in mind.   

Though wretched treason did translate,  
By steightes of Venus' lust,  
Such was the hap and fruitless fate:  
In thee to be discussed.   

A noble king durst Nature race,  
The guerdon of thy right,  
To change a king to be an Ass:  
Which did appear so bright?   

This king was beat with cruel rods,  
Before his fatal day,  
In glorious pomp and wallowing wealth:  
There is no hope or stay.    
FINIS.