THE FIRST part of the mirror for Magistrates, containing the falls of the first infortunate Princes of this land: From the coming of Brutus to the incarnation of our saviour and redeemer jesus Christ.  
Ad Romanos. 13.2. Quisquis se opponit potestati, Dei ordinationi resistit.  
Imprinted at London by Thomas Marsh.  
Anno. 1574.  
Cum Privilegio.   

The contents of the Book.  
1. ALbanact the youngest son of Brutus tells of the finding of this land, his father's life, and his own infortunate fall. 
Fol. 4.  2. Humber the king of Huns shows how he minding to conquer this land was drowned. etc. 
Fol. 15  3 Locrinus the eldest son of Brutus declares his slaughter to havehappened for his evil life. 
Fol. 17  4 Elstride the concubine of Locrinus miserably drowned by Guendoline his wife declares her presumption, lewd life, and infortunate fall. 
Fol. 21  5 Sabrine the base child of Locrinus tells how she was pitifully drowned by his wife Guendoline in revenge of her father's adultery. 
Fol. 28  6 Madan shows how for his evil life he was slain of wolves. 
Fol. 32.  7 Manlius declares how he minding to kill his brother for the kingdom was by him slain. 
Fol. 34  8 Mempricius given all to lust, pleasure and the sin of Sodomy: tells how he was devoured of wolves. 
Fol. 36  9 Bladud reciteth how he practising by curious arts to fly, fell and broke his neck 
Fol. 40  10 Cordila shows how by despair when she was in prison she slew herself. 
Fol. 47.  11 Morgan tells how he wadging war with his cousin Conidagus was slain at the place yet called Glamorgan. 
Fol. 54.  12 Forrex declares how he minding to kill his brother which ruled with him (that he might thereby reign alone) was by him slain. 
Fol. 57  13 Porrex recites how for the slaughter of his brother he was slain by his own mother and her may dens as he lay sleeping. 
Fol. 60.  14 Kimarus shows how for his evil life he was devoured by wild beasts. 
Fol. 63.  15 Morindus a bastard declares how he was exalted to the kingdom, waxed cruel, and at last was devoured by amonster. 
Fol. 65  16 Nennius a worthy Britain the very pattern of a valiant, noble, and faithful subject, encountering with julius Caesar at his first coming into this Island was by him death wounded: yet nevertheless he gate Caesar's sword: put him to flight: slew therewith Labienus a Tribune of the Romans: endured fight till his countrymen won the battle: died xv. days after. And now encourageth all good subjects to defend their country from the power of foreign and usurping enemies. 
Fol. 68    

Love and live, TO THE NOBILITY and all other in office, God grant the increase of wisdom, with all things necessary for preservation of their estates, Amen.  
Among the wise (right Honourable) whose sentences (for the most part) tend either to teach the attaining of virtue, or eschewing of vice: Plotinus that wonderful and excellent Philosopher, hath these words: The property of Temperance is to covet nothing 
Plotin '  which may he repented: not to exceed the bands of measure, and to keep desire under the yoke of Reason. Which saying if it were so well known, as is needful: so well embraced, as he wished, or so surely fixed in mind, as it is printed in his works: then certis many Christians might by the instruction of an Ethnic Philosopher, shun great and dangerous perils. For to covet without consideration: to pass the measure of his degree: and to let will run at random, is the only destruction of all estates. Else how were it possible, so many learned, politic, wise, renowned, valiauntand victorious personages, might ever have come to such utter decay. Will you that I rehearse Alexander the great, Caesar, Pompey, Cyrus, Hannibal. etc. All which (by desire of glory) felt the reward of their immoderate and insatiable lusts, for if Alexander had been content 
Qu. Curtius.  with Macedon, or not been puffed up with pride after his triumphs: he had never been so miserably poisoned: If Caesar and Pompey had been satisfied with their victories, and had not fell to civil dissension, the one had not been slain in the Senate with daggers, the other abroad, by his friends procurement. If Cyrus 
〈◊〉 lib. 1.  had been pleased with all Persia, and Media, and not thirsted for blood, he had never come to so infortunate a fall. If Hannibal had not so much delighted in glory 
Plutarch. Livius. Polybius.  of warfare, his country had neither fell in ruin, nor he been miserably forced to poison himself. But you will say, desire of fame, glory, renown, and immortality (to which all men well nigh of nature are inclined especially those which excel or have any singular gift of Fortune or of the body) moved them to such dangerous, great and hardy enterprises, which I must ne des confess as an infallible verity: but for so much as the above named virtue by Plotinus his judgement hath such excellent properties, it is so fit in a Magistrate, that I surely dame those Princes above specified (considering their facts, estates, fortunes, fame and exploits) had never come to such end, but for want of temperance. Yet sith there are three other Cardinal virtues which are requisite in him that should be in authority: that is to say, Prudence, justice, and Fortitude, which so wonderfully adorn and beautify all estates, (if Temperance be with them adjoined that they move the very enemies with admi ration to praise them) some peradventure as affection leads: will commend one, some another. Yea, and though Aristotle prince of Philosophers name Prudence, 
Aristot. Cicero. Prudence  The mother of virtues. And Cicero define her the knowledge of things which aught to be desired and followed: and also of them which aught to be 〈◊〉 and eschewed, yet shall you find that for want of Temperance, those which were counted the wisest that ever were, fell into wonderful reproach and 
justice.  infamy. Yea and though justice that incomparable virtue, as the ancient civilians define her, be a perpetual and constant will which giveth to every man his right. Yet if she be not constant, which is the gift of fortitude, nor equal in discerning right from wrong, wherein is prudence: nor use proportion in judgement and sentence which pertaineth to temperance, she can never be called equity or justice, but fraud, deceit, in justice, and injury. And to speak of 〈◊〉 which Cicero definith, A consyderate undertaking 
Fortitude Cicero.  of perils, and enduring of labours. If he whom we suppose stout, valiant, and of good courage, want Prudence, justice, or Temperance, he is not counted bold, manly and constant, but made beastly and desperate. I will also sith I have gone so far with the virtues (and the place so urgeth) lastly set down the definition of Temperance, according to Cicero his opinion, Temperance (saith he) is of reason in lust and 
Cicero. Temperance.  other evil assaults of the mind, a sure and moderate dominion and rule. This noble virtue hath three parts, that is continence, clemency and modesty, which well and wisely observed and kept (if grace be to them adjoined) it is impossible for him that is endued with the above named virtues ever to fall into the unfortunate snares of calamity or misfortune. But Ambition which is an immoderate desire of honore, rule, dominion, and superiority. (the very destruction of nobility, and common weals: as among the Romans Silla, Marius, Carbo, Cinna, Catiline, Pompey, and Caesar, are witnesses) hath brought great decay also to our country, and countrymen. which Master Baldwin hath so learnedly touched in his Epistle of the other volume of this book, that I need not therewith deal any further. Only I would to God it were so oft read and regarded of all Magistrates as the matter requireth. I have here (right honourable) in this book (which I am so bold to dedicated to your honours) only reproved folly in those which are heedless: injury in extortioners rashness in ventures, and excess, in such as suppress not unruly affections. And I trust you will so think of it (although the style deserve not like commendation) as you thought of the other part: which if you shall, I doubt not but it may pleasure some, if not, yet give occasion to others which can do far better, either with eloquence to amend that is amiss in mine, or else when they see these so rudely pend, to publish their own. And thus wishing you Prudence to discern what is meet for your callings. justice in the administrations of your functions, Fortitude in the defence of your country: and Temperance in moderation of all your affections, with increase of honours, and everlasting felicity, I bid you in Christ jesus far well.  
Your humble john Higgins.   

I Higgins to the Reader.  
Among divers & sundry Chronicles of many Nations, I think there are none (gentle reader) so uncertain & brief in the beginning as ours, at which I cannot but marvel sigh at all times our Island had as learned writers (some singular men excepted) as any Nation under that Sun. Again those, which now are our best Chroniclers as they report have great Antiquities, but what they publish of late years may be enlarged in many places by Chronicles of other Nations: whereby it is manifest they are either ignorant of the tongues, or else not given to the study of that which they most profess for if they were, me thinks it were easy for them with such Antiquities as they brag they have, to fetch our Distories from the beginning, & make them as ample as the Chronicles of any other Country or Nation. But they are feign in steed of other stuff to talk of the romans, greeks, Persians, etc. and to fill our Distoryes with their facts & fables. This I speak not to that end I would have ours quite separate from other without any mention of them, but I would have them there only named where th'affairs of both countries by war, peace, truce, marriage, traffic or some necessary cause or other is intermired. I have seen no ancient antiquities in written hand but two, one was Galfridus of Munmouth which I lost by misfortune, the other an old Chronicle in a kind of English Verse, beginning at Brutus and ending at the death of Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, in the which and divers other good Chronicles I find many things not mentioned in that great tome engroced of late by Master Grafton and that where he is most barren and wants matter. But as the greatest heads, the greyest heirs, and best clerks have not most wit, so the greatest Books, titles and Tomes contain not most matter. And this have I spoken because in writing the Tragedies of the first infortunate Princes of this 〈◊〉, I was often feign to use mine own simple invention (yet not swerving from the matter) because the Chronicles (although they went out under divers men's names) in some such places as I most needed their aid wrote one thing: and that so briefly that a whole Prince's reign, life and death, was comprised in three lines. Yea and sometimes mine old book above mentioned holp me out when the rest forsook me, as for Lanquet, Stowe, and Grafton were always nigh of one opinion, but the Flower of Histories somewhat larger, some help had I of an old Chronicle imprinted the year 1515. But surely me thinks and so do most which delight in histories, it were worthily done if one Chronicle were drawn from the beginning in such perfect sort, that all monuments of virtuous men, (to that eralting of God's glory) and all punishments of vicious persons (to that terror of the wicked) might be registered in perpetual remembrance. To which thing the right reverend father in God Matthew Archbishop of Canterbury & Metropolitan of England hath brought such aid as well by printing as preserving the written Chronicles of this Realm that by his Grace's study and pains, the labour in time to come willbe far more easy to them shall take such travail in hand. But to leave with these and declare the cause of my purpose. As I chanced to read the mirror for Magistrates & work by all men wonderfully commended, and full of fit instructions for preservation of each estate: taking in hand the Chranicles, and minding to confer the times: me thought the lives of a number even at the beginning the like infortunate Princes, offered themselves unto me as matter very meet for imitation the like admonition, mitre and phrase, and seeing Baldwine by these words moved me some what thereto: It were (saith he) a goodly and a notable matter to search and discourse our whole story from the beginning of the inhabiting of this Isle, etc. I read the stories, I considered of the Princes, I noted their lives, and therewith conferred their deaths. On this I took pen in hand, minding nothing less than to publish them abroad: but only to try what I could do if need were or time and leisure were given me to bestow in such wise. I wrote the two first even as they now are, and because I would not keep secret my first labours in this kind of study (though I might well have blushed at the baseness of my style) I showed them to a freiude of mine, desiring his bufayned judgement in this matter: which when he had read he never left entreating me to writ other, till I had ended all to the birth of CHRIST, and yet not so content: he desired meet'accomplish the residue till I came to the Conquest, (which were wellnigh fifty Cragedies) but wearied with those which I had written, I desired him pause on this, till time and leisure were given me. Yet he making relation to other his friends what I had done, left me not quiet till they likewise had seen them. Whose persuasion, as it seemed without any suspicion of assentation or flattery, so bathe it made me bolder at this present then before. For although (said they) your Tragedies be simple and not comparable to those which the other before have written: yet when men consider that many wrote those, but one these: that they are grave writers, you are but young: the perfection of those stories, and th'imperfection of these. Finally the good will you bear to your country, the commendation of virtue, the detestation of vice, the fall of ambition, the horrible end of traitors, harlots, tyrants, adulters, enchanters, murderers and such like. When men (said they) consider these things they cannot (how simple soever your Verse be) but think well of the matter. At length with these persuasions and such like: I was content (good Reader) to publish them for thy behoove, and the public weal of my country. At which if thou envy: I mind not therefore to envy myself and stay my pen: but God willing thou shalt as fast as I can prepare them, have other Books from my hands which may please thee again, and thus with all my heart I bid the heartily farewell.  
Thy friend I H.   

The Authors induction.  

AS Summer sweet with all her pleasures passed,  
And leaves began, to leave both branch and tree,  
While winter cold approatched near full fast  
Me thought the time, to sadness moved me  
On drooping days, not half such mirth have we:  
As when the time of year and wethers' fair,  
So move our minds, as motions move the air.   

The weary nights, approatched on apace  
With darkesom shades, which somewhat breedeth care,  
The Sun had take more near the earth his race,  
In Libra than, his greatest swinge he bore,  
For pardy then, the days more colder are,  
Then fades the green, fruit timely, herbs are done,  
And winter gines to waste that summer won.   

I deemed some book, of mourning theme was best  
To read, were with instructions mingled so,  
As might again, refresh my wits oppressed  
With tediousness not drive me quite therefro:  
Wherefore I went the Printers strait unto,  
To seek some work of price I surely ment,  
That might herein my careful mind content.   

At length by hap, I found a book so sad,  
As time of year or winter could require,  
The mirror named, for Magistrates he had  
So finely pend, as heart could well desire,  
Which when I read, so set my heart on fire:  
eftsoons it me constrained to take the pain  
Not leave with once, to read it once again.   

And as again, I viewed this work with heed:  
And marked plain each party tell his fall  
Me thought in mind, I saw those men in deed:  
Eke how they came, in order pleading all,  
Declaring well, this life is but a thrall:  
sith those on whom, for Fortune's gifts we stare,  
Oft sooniste sink in greatest seas of care.   

For some of these were kings of high estate:  
And some were Dukes, and came of Regal race:  
Some Princes, Lords and judges great that sat  
In council still, decreing every case:  
Some other Knights, that vices did embrace:  
Some Gentlemen: some poor that looked high,  
Yet every one had played his tragoedye.   

A mirror well it may be called a glass,  
Moore clear than any crystal under Sun,  
In each respect, the tragedies so pass,  
Their names shall live, that such a work begun:  
For why with such Decorum is it done:  
That Momus spite, which more than Argus' eyes  
Can never watch to keep it from the wise.   

Examples there for all estates you find,  
For judge (I say) what justice he should use;  
The noble man to bear a noble mind,  
And not himself ambitiously abuse:  
The Gentleman ungentleness refuse:  
The rich, and poor: and every one may see,  
Which way to love and live in his degree.   

Me thinks they might beware by other's harm,  
And eke eschew to clamer up so high:  
Yet cursed pride doth all their wits becharme,  
They think of nought, but proverbs true do try:  
Who hews aloft the chips may hurt his eye:  
Who climbs the tops of trees, where bows are small,  
Or haughty towers, may quickly catch a fall.   

This thing full well doth Phaëtons' fall declare,  
And Icarus aloft would fly and soar:  
Eke Bladud once of Britain rule that bore,  
Would climb and fly, but each did fall therefore.  
For Phaethon was with lightning all to tore:  
And Icarus the mean that did not reck  
Was drowned, by fall did Bladud break his neck.   

The scriptures eke, of such bear witness can:  
As Babylon for high presumption fell.  
But let me end my tale that I began  
When I had read these tragedies full well  
And passed the night with labours long to tell:  
One night at last I thought to leave my use,  
And take some ease before I changed my muse.   

Wherefore a way from reading I me gate:  
My heavy head waxed dull for want of rest.  
I laid me down the night was waxed late,  
For lack of sleep mine eyes were sore oppressed,  
Yet fancy still of all their deaths increaste:  
Me thought nothing my mind from them could take  
So long as Somnus suffered me to wake.   

Then strait appeared in purple colour black,  
Sweet Somnus rest, which comforts each alive,  
By ease of mind that wears away all wrack,  
That noisome night from weary wits doth drive,  
Of labours long the pleasures we achieve,  
Whereat I joyed scythe after pains were passed,  
I might receive by Somnus easeat last.   

But he by whom I thought myself at rest,  
revived all my fancies fond before,  
I more desirous humbly did request:  
Him show th'unhappy princes were of yore,  
For well I wist that he could tell me more,  
Sith unto divers Somnus erst had told,  
What things were done in elder times of old.   

At length he forth his servant Morpheus called,  
And bade him show me from the first to th'end,  
Such persons as in Britain Fortune thralled.  
Which strait upon his calling did attend,  
And thus he spoke with countenance of friend,  
" Come on thy ways and thou shalt see and here,  
" The britains and their doings what they were.   

And as he led me through the darks a while,  
At length we came into a goodly hall,  
At th'end whereof there seemed a duskish I'll:  
Out of the which he 'gan the britains call,  
Such only as from Fortune's hap did fall:  
Which when he called thrice, me seemed to hear,  
The doors to crack from whence they should appear.   

And thrice I shrinkte a side, and shunned the sight:  
And three times thrice I wished myself away:  
Eke thrice from thence there flew a flash of light:  
Three times I saw them coming make their stay:  
At last they all approtchte in such array:  
With sundry shows, appearing unto me,  
A stranger sight than erst with eyes I see.   

Men mighty big, in plain and strange attire:  
But some with wounds and blood were so disguised,  
You scarcely could with reasons aid aspire,  
To know what war such cruel death devysde.  
But sith I have their forms beneath comprised,  
whereas their stories severally I show:  
Yourself thereby their cause of death may know.   

And eke their faces all and bodies were  
Destainde with woad, and turkish berds they had,  
On th'over lips moutchatoes long of heir:  
And wild they feemde as men dispeyring mad.  
Their looks did make my fearful heart full sad,  
And yet I could not for my life eschew  
Their presence: or their minds I likewise knew.   

For Morpheus wild me by de, and bade them tell  
Their names, and lives: their haps, and hapless days:  
And by what means from Fortune's globe they fell,  
Which did them erst unto such honours raise.  
Wherewith the first not making more delays,  
A person tall wide wounds in breast that bore:  
Drew near to tell the cause of all his care.   

And as to speak he wist he might be bold,  
Deep from his breast, he threw an unked sound:  
I was amazed his gestures to behold:  
And blood that freshly trickled from his wound:  
With Echo so did half his words rebound,  
That scarce at first the sense might well appear:  
But thus me thought he spoke as you shall hear.    

Albanacte the youngest son of Brutus, tells of the finding of this land, his father's life, and his own infortunate fall. He lived about the year before Christ. 1074.  

Scythe flattering Fortune slily could beguile  
Me first, of all the Princes of this land:  
And yet at first on me did sweetly smile:  
Do mark me here that first in presence stand,  
And when thou well my wounded corpse hast scanned  
Then shalt thou see, what tale I mind to frame,  
In stories called Albanacte by name.   

So if thou list to hear what I recite,  
If thou intend to show my fatal fall:  
I pray thee take the pains my tale to write,  
As I in order here repeat it shall,  
What nedste thou muse: thou nedst not fear at all:  
Sith those that later lived their tales have told.  
Dur elder lives to write thou mayst be bold.   

Lay dread aside, let nothing thee amaze:  
We have despair of so uncoutched rhyme.  
Leave of on me with fearful looks to gaze:  
Thy pen may serve for such a tale as mine.  
First will I tell thee all my father's Line:  
Then hither ward why he with Trojans mand  
His boyadge made and found this noble land.   

And last I mind to tell the of myself,  
My life and death, a Tragedy so true,  
As may approve your world is all but pelse,  
And pleasures sweet whom sorrows ay ensue:  
Hereafter eke in order comes a crew,  
Which can declare, of worldly pleasures vain,  
The price we all have bought, with grievous pain.   

Well now I see thou putst apart thy fright,  
(And giuste an care to hear not heard before)  
I will declare the slorye all so right,  
Thou shalt no whit have need t inquire no more.  
Do mark me well what I recite therefore,  
And after writ it and there with my name:  
Let hardly me receive if aught be blame.   

When Troy was sacked, and brent & could not stand,  
A Aeneas fled from thence Anchises son,  
And came at length to king Latinus land,  
He Turnus slew, Lavinia eke he won,  
And reignde 3. years, Ascanius then his son  
Reignde next to him, the Silvius was his heir,  
Begat my father of a Lady fair.   

But when as Brutus fifteen years was old,  
(for so they called my father by his name)  
With Silvius then an hunting go he would,  
And thinking for to strike in chare the game,  
His father that by thaunce beyond it came  
Received the glance, and through his tender side  
With deadly dint, the shaft did swiftly slide.   

So though by chance, my father Brutus stew  
My grandsire Silvius, sore against his will:  
Which came by chance as be his a-row drew,  
That thought the fearful heart, not him to kill:  
Yet was he banished from Italia still:  
Commanded never to return no more,  
Except he would his life to lose therefore.   

On this to Greece, from thence he took his way:  
Where troyans were by Grecians captives kept.  
Helenus was by Pyrrhus brought away,  
Fron death of those, whose fall their friends bewept.  
My father all this while no business slept:  
But by his facts, and feats obtained such fame:  
Seven Thousand captive troyans to him came.   

A saracus a noble Grecian eke,  
Who by his mother came of Trojan race:  
Because be saw my father's power not week,  
Came unto him to aid him in this case:  
For that his brother thought him to deface,  
Which was a Greek by both his parents sides,  
His Castles three my father Brutus guides.   

Thus he, to be their captain was content:  
And all the troyans gathered to his band,  
Hist post unto the Grecian king he sent,  
For to entreat he might departed his laud.  
Which when King Pandrasus did understand,  
An army strait he did therefore address,  
On purpose all the troyans to suppress.   

Then while king Pandrasus at Spartine town,  
Thought them in deserts by, to circumuente:  
My father with three thousand beat them down:  
Such favour lo him lady Fortune 〈◊〉.  
By Mars his force, their rays I ranks he rent:  
And took Antigonus the brother of their king,  
With others more, as captives home to bring.   

The taken town, from which the king was fled  
My father with sire hundredth men did man:  
Cache prisoner was unto his keeper led,  
To keep in town, the noble Trojans won:  
My father unto woods conveyed him than  
Again with his, and kept him there by night,  
To quail the grecians if they came to fight.   

And when the king had called to mind his foil:  
His flight, and brother by the Trojans take:  
The town he lost, and Brutus had the spoil:  
He thought not so, the field and fight forsake,  
But of his men a muster new to make:  
And so again for to vesiege the town,  
In hope revenge, or win his lost renown.   

By night my father that his purpose knew,  
Came forth from woods whereas he waited by:  
The Trojans all th'unarmed grecians slew,  
Went through their 〈◊〉, could none their force deny,  
Unto the tent where Pandrasus did lie:  
Whereas my father, took their king that night,  
And saved his life as seemed a worthy wight.   

Which victory when he had wisely won  
The Trojan victoure did a counsel call,  
To know what best were with the king be done:  
Now tell (qd he) what ransom ask we shall:  
On which when none agreed scarce of all,  
At length Mempricius up from seat did rise,  
And silence made, gave thus his counsel wise.   

" I cannot Trojans but commend the fact,  
" Of this our noble captain worthy praise:  
" Which thought, as 'twas a wicked he yvous acts  
" T'abridge the Graecian king of vital days,  
" We rather aught by clemency to raise  
" Our fame to sky, then by a savage guise,  
" sith Gods and men, both cruelty despise.   

" The cause we fought: was for the freedom all  
" Of Trojans taken, we have freedom won.  
" We have our purpose, and their king withal,  
" To whom of rigour nothing aught be done:  
" Though he the quarrel with us first began:  
" And though we own the fall of Troy's requited:  
" Yet let revenge thereof from Gods to light.   

" His subjects all, do wail their ill pretence,  
" And weapons laid aside for mercy cry:  
" They all confess their plagues to come from thence,  
" Where first from faith of Gods they seemed to fly,  
" Their nobles dare not come the case to try:  
" But even for peace with all their hearts they sue,  
" And meekly grawte whence all their mischiefs grew.   

" The lady fair his daughter who surmounts,  
" For virtues rare: for 〈◊〉 brave, and grace:  
" Both Heline fine, of whom they made accounts,  
" And all the rest that come of Graecian race.  
" She for her father sues bewails his case,  
" And by her wisdom, there and parent's love:  
" Doth us, and Brutus both to pity move.   

" Yet some will say, he should deprived be  
" Of kingdom quite, and worthy Brutus should  
" Receive the seepter, this misliketh me.  
" To this 〈◊〉 Brutus if we could  
" Consent (I dame) agreed he never would,  
" So much himself ambitiously t'abuse:  
" Or else a king unkindly so to bse.   

" For kingdoms sake a king at home to kill  
" Were far to bad, within his native land:  
" Though he by right or wrong directed still,  
" His force gainste us, that did him so withstand:  
" The king hath therefore aye the sword in hand,  
" If any kick against his points of law:  
" To cut them of, or keep them under awe.   

" 'tis best O Brutus if thou like her take  
" His daughter Innogen, unto thy wife:  
" And let the king a dowry large her make:  
" Gold, silver, ships, and corn for our relief:  
" With other things whereof this land is rife:  
" That we so fraught may seek some desert shore,  
" Where we and ours, may reign for ever more.   

This pleased both Brutus and the Trojans all  
Who wild forth with that Pandrasus the king,  
Should reverently be brought into the hall,  
And present, when they told him of this thing,  
Great grief and sorrow did his heart so sting,  
we could not show by countenance or cheete,  
That he it lykte, but spoke as you shall hear.   

" sith that the hateful Gods have yielded me  
" And eke my brother captives to your hands,  
" I am content to do as pleaseth ye,  
" For fear I lose both life and goods and lands,  
" I must be needs content as fortune stands  
" I give my daughter, gold and silver fine  
" With what for dowry else you crave is mine.   

To make my tale the shorter if I may,  
My father then 〈◊〉 married by and by,  
And all things else performed by a day:  
The king restored that did in prison lie:  
The Trojans parted from the shores pardy  
Did hoist up sails: in two days and a night  
Upon the 〈◊〉 of Leogece they light.   

And leausng of their ships at road, to land  
They wandering went the country for to veme,  
Lo there a desert 〈◊〉 old they fande:  
And eke a temple (if report be true)  
Wherein Diana to 〈◊〉 credit grew:  
That sacrifice the Trojans counsel gave  
My father make, an answer for to have.   

And he no whit mistyking their advice  
Went forth: and bid before the altar hold  
In his right hand, a cup to sacrifice  
Efylde with wine, and white hinds blood scarce cold:  
And then before her stature strait he told  
Devoutly all his whole petition there,  
In better sort than I repeat it here.   

O Goddess great in groves that putst, wyide boars in fearful fear:  
" And mayst go all the compass paths, of every airy sphere.  
" Eke of th'infernal houses to, resolve the earthly rights:  
" And tell what country in to devil thou gyuste us Trojan wights.  
" Issigne a certain seat where I, shall worship thee for ay:  
" And where replete with birgins, I erect thy temples may.   

When nine times he had spoken this, and went  
Four times the altar round and stayed again:  
He powered the wine and blood in hand he hent  
Into the fire, O witless cares of men!  
Such folly mere, and blindness great was then:  
But if religion now bids toys farewell:  
Embrace thats good, the vice of time I tell.   

Me laid him then down by the altars side  
Upon the white minds skin espred therefore:  
It was the third 〈◊〉 of the night a tide  
Of sweetest sleep: he gave himself the more  
Do rest and sleep: then seemed him before  
Diana chaste the Goddess to appear,  
And spoke to him these words that you shall hear.   

" O Brutus far under Phoebus' fall, beyond of france that reign:  
" An Island in the Ocean is, with sea 'tis compaste main.  
" An Island in the Ocean is, where Giants once did devil:  
" But now a desert place that's fit, will serve thy people well.  
" To this direct thy race, for there shallbe thy seat for ay:  
" And to thy sons there shallbe built, an other stately Troy.  
" Here of thy progeny and stock, shall mighty kings descend:  
" And unto them as subject, all the world shall bow and bend.   

On this he work, with joyful cheer and told  
The vision all: and answer that it gave.  
So it reioyste their hearts a thousand fold  
To ships they got, away the shores they drove:  
And hoisting sails, for happy winds they crave:  
In thirty days their voyage so they dight:  
That on the coast of Africa they light.   

Then to Philaenes altars they ataind,  
For so men call two hills erectid are  
In Tunise land, two brethren ground that gained  
For Carthage once, and went 'tis said to far  
On Cyren ground for bounds, there buried were:  
Because they would not turn again but strive  
With Cyren men, they buried them alive.   

From thence they sailed unto Salives' lake:  
Tween Azarae hills, and Ruscitadam  
They paste, from thence to Maluae flood they gates  
To Hercules his pillars sight they came:  
And then to Tuscan seas whereas by fame  
Not far from shore, like minded mates they find,  
Four banishte races of the Trojan kind.   

Companious of Antenor in his flight,  
But Corinaeus was their captain than,  
For counsel called a wise and worthy wight:  
In wars the praise for valiantness he won.  
My father did so friendly use this man,  
He was content and all his men beside:  
To try adventures by my father's guide.   

Then unto Guynein france they sailed thence,  
And at the haven of Loire they did arrive:  
To ve we the country was their whole pretence,  
And victuals for their men and them achieve,  
Eke Corinaeus lest the Galls should strive,  
Led forth two hundredth of his warlike band,  
To get provision to the ships from land.   

But when the king Gofarius herd of this,  
That Trojans were arrived on his shore:  
With Frenchemen & with Guines, their power & his  
He came to take the pray they got before,  
And when they met they fought it both full sore:  
Till Corinaeus rushte into their band,  
And caused them fly, they durst no longer stand.   

First might you there seen hearts of Frenchmen broke,  
Two hundredth Trojans gave them all the foil:  
At home with odds they durst not bide the stroke,  
Few Trojans beat them in their native soil.  
Eke Corinaeus followed in this broil  
So fast upon his foes before his men:  
That they retournde and thought to spoil him then.   

There he alone against them all, and they  
Against him one, with all their force did fight,  
At last by chance his sword was flown away  
By Fortune on an halberd than he light,  
Which he did drive about him with such might,  
That some their hands, & some their arms did lose,  
Some legs, of some the head from shoulders flees.   

As thus amongst them all be fought with force,  
And fortune great in danger of his life,  
My father had on him there with remorse:  
Came with a troop of men to end the strife,  
When Frenchmen same the troyans force so rife,  
They fled a may, unto their loss and pain,  
In fight and flight nigh all their host was slain.   

And in that broil save Corinaeus none  
Did fight so fiercely, as did Turnus then,  
My father's cousin with his sword alone,  
Did slay that time wellnigh sire hundredth men:  
They found him dead as they returned again,  
Among the Frenchmen, wounded boide of breath.  
Which pinch my father's heart as pangs of death.   

On this they bode a while revenge to yield  
And to inter the dead, and Turnus slain,  
They took a town not far from place of field,  
And built it strong to here the Galls again:  
The name they gave it still doth yet remain,  
Sith there they buried Turnus yet men call  
It Tours, and name the folk Turones all.   

Which town they left at last with Trojans mand  
When as their ships were stored with what they need:  
A board, they hoist up sails and left the land,  
By aybing winds they cut the seas with speed.  
At length the shining Albion clives did feed,  
Their gazing eyes, by means whereof they fande,  
Out Totnes haven, and took this promised land.   

The country seemed pleasant at the view,  
And was by none inhabited as yet:  
But certain Giants whom they did pursue,  
Which strait to caves in mountains did them get,  
So fine were woods, & floods, and fountains set  
My father had no cause but like it well,  
And gave his soldiers places in to devil.   

And then this isle that Albion had to name,  
My father caused Britain called be:  
And eke the people britains of the same:  
As yet in ancient records is to see.  
To Corinaeus gave he frank and free,  
The land of Cornwall, for his service done,  
And for because, from Giants he it won.   

Then sith our Trojan stock came first from Troy,  
My father thought that duty did him bind,  
Scythe fortune thus had saved him from-anoye,  
The ancient town again to call to mind.  
He built new Troy, and Trojan laws assigned,  
Whereby his stock to his eternal fame:  
Might keep of Troy the everlasting name.   

And settled there, in perfect peace and rest,  
devoid of war, of labours, strife or pain:  
Then eke my mother, all his joys encreaste,  
A prince she bore and after other twain:  
Was never king, of children erst so fain,  
Three sons because of Innogen he gate:  
Locrinus, Camber, last me Albanacto.   

Thus having wealth and eke the world at will,  
Nor wanting aught that might his mind content:  
T'increase his power with wights of warlike skill,  
Was all his mind his purpose and intent.  
Whereby if foes, invasion after meant,  
The britains might not fear of foreign lands:  
But keep by fight, possessions in their hands.   

Then when his people once perceaude his mind,  
(As what the prince doth often most embrace,  
To that the subjects all are strait inclined:  
And reverence still, in each respect his grace)  
They got in war such knowledge in short space,  
That after they their force to try begun:  
They card for naught by wit or wight not won.   

They got of Giants mountains whence they came,  
And woods from whence they often made wise they would  
Destroy and kill, when voyage out they framed  
Or she wde themselves, in banding over bold:  
Then strait the britains, gladder than of gold  
Were ready still, to fight at every call:  
Till time they had extiucte, the monsters all.   

Whereby the king had cause to take delight,  
And might be bold the less to fear his toes:  
pardie each Priuce may reck his enemies spite,  
Thereafter as his force in fight he knows:  
A Princely heart the liberal gifts disclose.  
He gave to each such guerdons for their facts,  
As might them only move to noble acts.   

Not labours great his subjects then refusot,  
Nor travails that might like his regal miude,  
But each of them such exercise well used,  
Wherein was praise or glory great to find:  
And to their liege bore faithful hearts so kind,  
That what he willed they all obeyed his best,  
Naught else was currant, but the king's request.   

What Priuce alive might more rejoice then 〈◊〉  
Had faithful men so baliaunt bold and stout,  
What pleasure more on carry could lightly 〈◊〉  
Then win an Isle and live devoid of doubt:  
An Isle said 〈◊〉 nay named the world throughout  
An other world, sith Sea doth it divide  
From th'earth, that wants not all the world beside.   

What subjects eke more happy were then these:  
Had such a king of such a noble heart,  
And such a land enjoyed and lived at ease,  
Whereof each man almost might choose his part:  
Not fear of foes, unknown was treasons art,  
Not feigning friends, no fawning Gnato's skill:  
Not Thrasoes brags, but bearing each good william.   

But as each Summer once receives amend,  
And as no state, can stable stand for ay:  
As course of time doth cause things home & bend,  
As cuery pleasure, hath hit ending day:  
As will, can never pass the power of mayc:  
Even so my father happy days that spent,  
Perceaude he must by sickness last relent,   

As both the shipman well foresee the storm,  
And knows what danger lies in syrtes of sand:  
Eke as the husband man provides before,  
When he perceives the winter cold at hand:  
Even so the wise that course of things have scanned,  
Can well the end of sickness great presage,  
When it is joined with years of stooping age.   

His counsel all and we assembled were,  
To bid us high, or haste there was no need:  
We went with them, this nemes us caused fear  
sith so he sent, he was not well in deed,  
And when we all approtchte to him with speed:  
To soon alas, his grace right sick we found,  
And him saluted as our duty bound.   

And casting of his doleful eyes aside,  
Not able well to move his painful head:  
As silent we with tears his mind abide,  
He willed himself be rearid in his bed:  
Which done with sight of us his eyes he fed,  
Eke pausing so a while for breath he stayed:  
At length to them, and us thus myse be said.   

" Not marvel far though you, herewith be sad,  
" You noble britains, for your Brutus sake:  
" Scythe whilom me your captain stout you had,  
" That nome my leave and last farewell must take:  
" Thus nature wills me once an end to make:  
" And leave you here behind, which after me:  
" Shall come as I depart before you ice.   

" You wots wherefore I with the Grecians fought,  
" With dint of sword I made their force to fly:  
" Antenor's friends on Tuscan shores I sought,  
" And did you not my promised land deny.  
" By Martial power I made the Frenchmen fly,  
" Where you to save I lost my faithful frense:  
" For you, at Tours my Turnus took his end.   

" I 〈◊〉 not now, recite what love I bore,  
" My friendship you I trust have found so well:  
" That none emongste you all which present are,  
" With tears doth not record the tale I tell.  
" Eke whom I found for virtues to excel,  
" To them I gave the price thereof as dew:  
" As they deserved, whose facts I found so true.   

" Now must I prove, if pains were well 〈◊〉,  
" Or if I spent my grateful gifts in bain:  
" Or if these great good turns to you I owed,  
" And might not ask your loyal loves again.  
" Which if I witted what tongue could tell my pain,  
" I mean if you ungrateful minds do bear:  
" What meaneth death, to let me linger here.   

" For if you shall abuse your prince in this,  
" The Gods on you for such an heinous fact:  
" To take revenge be sure will never miss:  
" And then to late you will repent the act,  
" When all my realm and all your wealths are fact,  
" But if you shall as you begon proceed:  
" Of kingdoms fall or fces there is no dread.   

" And to avoid contention that may fall,  
" Because I wish this realm the britains still:  
" Therefore I will declare before you all,  
" sith you are come, my whole intent and william.  
" Which if you keep, and wrest it not to ill,  
" There is no doubt, but evermore with fame:  
" You shall enjoy the britains realm and name.   

" You see my sums, that after me must reign,  
" Whom you or this have liekte and counsaylde well:  
" You know what erst you wished they should refrain,  
" Which way they might all vices vile expel:  
" Which way they might in virtues great excel:  
" Thus if you shall, when I am gone ensue,  
" You shall discharge the trust reposed in you.   

" Be you their fathers, with your counsel wise,  
" And you my children take them even as me.  
" Be you their guides, in what you can devise:  
" And let their good instructious teach you three,  
" Be faithful all, as brethren aught agreed:  
" For concord keeps a real me, in stable stay:  
" But discard brings all kingdoms to decape.   

" Record to this mine cldest son I give,  
" This middle part of realm to hold his own:  
" And to his heirs that after him shall live,  
" Also to Camber that his part be known,  
" I give that laud that lies wellnigh o'ergrown:  
" With woods Norwest & mountains mighty buy,  
" Tween this and that, the Stutiae stream doth lie.   

" And unto the my youngest son that art,  
" Mine Albanacte I give to thee likewise:  
" As much to be for thee and thine a part,  
" As north beyende the arm of sea there lies.  
" Of which lo here, a map before your eyes,  
" Lo here my sons my kingdom all you have:  
" For which I naught, but this remember crave.   

" first that you take these father's grave for me,  
" Embrace their counsel even as it were mine:  
" Next that between yourselves you will agreed,  
" And never one at other's wealth repined:  
" See that ye bide still bound with friendly line,  
" And last my subjects, with such love retain:  
" As long they may your subjects eke remain.   

" Lo now I feel my breath begins to fail,  
" My time is come, give each to me your hand,  
" Farewell, farewell, to mourn will not prevail:  
" I see with knife where Atropos doth stand,  
" Farewell my friends; my children and my land,  
" And farewell all my subjects, farewell breath,  
" Farewell ten thousand times, and welcome death.   

And even with that he turned, himself a side,  
And gasped thrice, and gave a way the ghost:  
Then all at once with mourning voice they cried.  
And all his subjects cke, from lest to most  
Lamenting filled with wailing tears each coast:  
pardie the britains all, with one assent:  
Did for their king, full doulfully lament.   

But what avails, to strive against the tide?  
Or else to sail, against the stream and wind:  
What booteth it against the clives to ride:  
Or else to work against the course of kind:  
Sigh nature hath the end of things assiude,  
There is no nay, we must perforce depart:  
'Gainst dint of deaty, there is no ease by art.   

As custom wild we funerals prepared,  
And all with moutning clothes, and there did come:  
To say this king on Beer we had regard,  
In Royal sort, as did his corpse become,  
His Hearse prepared, we brought him to his tomb,  
At Troynovant, he built where he did die,  
Was he entombde: his Royal corpse doth lie.   

Thus reigned that worthy king, that found this land  
My father Brutus, of the Trojan blood:  
And thus he died when he fulwell had mand,  
This noble Realm with britains fierce and good:  
And so a while in stable state it stood,  
Till 〈◊〉 divided had, this realm in three,  
And I to soon, received my part to me.   

Then strait through all the world 'gan fame to fly,  
A monster swifter none is under son:  
Increasing, as in waters we descry,  
The circles small, of nothing that begon.  
Which at the length, unto such breadth do come,  
That of a drop which from the skies doth fall:  
The circles spread, and hide the watersall.   

So fame in flight increaseth more and more,  
For at the first she is not scarcely known:  
But by, and by, she 〈◊〉 from shore to shore:  
To clouds from th'earth her stature strait is grown,  
There what soever by her trump is blown:  
The sound that both by sea, and land out flies,  
Reboundes again, and verberats the skies.   

They say the earth, that first the giants bred,  
For anger that the Gods did them dispatch,  
Brought forth this sister, of those monsters dead:  
Full light of foot swift wings the winds to catch:  
Such monster erst did Nature never hatch:  
As many plumes she hath from top to toe,  
So many eyes them under watch or more.   

And tongues do speak, so many ears do hark,  
By night between heaven, she flies and earthly shade:  
And shreaking takes no quiet steep by dark.  
On houses rowfes, or to wres as keeper made  
She sits by day, and Cities threats t'invade.  
And as she tells, what things she sees by veme:  
She rather shows thats feigned false, then true.   

This fame declared, that even a people final,  
Had landed here: and found this pleasant I'll,  
And how that now it was divided all  
Into three parts, and might within a while  
Be won, by force, by treason, fraud or guile:  
Wherefore she moves her friends, to make assay.  
To win the price, and bear our pomp away.   

A thousand things beside, she bruits and tells,  
And makes the most of every thing she hears:  
Long time of us she talks and nothing else,  
Eke what she seeth, abroad in hast she bears.  
With tattling toys and tickleth so their ears,  
That needs they must to flattering Fame assent:  
Though afterwards they do therefore lament.   

By East from hence, a country large doth lie,  
Vngaria eke of Huns it hath to name,  
And hath Danubius' flood on South it by,  
dividing quite from Austria the same:  
From thence a king was named Humber came:  
Du coasts of Albany did he arrive,  
In hope this land of Britain to achieve.   

Which when by posts of subjects I did hear,  
How enemies were arrived on my shore:  
I gathered all my soldiers void of fear,  
And back the Huns by force and might I bore.  
But in this battle was I hurt so sore,  
That in the field of mounds I had I died.  
And left my men as flocks without a guide.   

Such was my fate, to benture on so bold,  
My rashue s was the cause of all my wot:  
Such is of all our glory vain the hope,  
So soon we pomp and pleasures all sorgoe:  
So quickly are we rest our kingdoms fro:  
And such is all the cast of Fortune's play,  
When jest we think, to cut us quite away.   

I deemed myself an heavenly happy wight,  
When once I had my part to reign within,  
But see the chance what hap did after light:  
Or I could scace t'enjoy my glee begin:  
A Hun did 〈◊〉, from me my realm to win:  
And had his will O flattering Fortune fie,  
What meanest thou thus to work with Prince's 〈◊〉.   

You worthy wariours, learn by me beware,  
Let wisdom work, lay rashness all apart:  
When as with enemies you encountered are,  
You must endeavour, all your skilful art:  
By witty wiles, with force to make your mart:  
Wit naught avails, late bought with care and cost,  
If you repent when life and labours lost.   
FINIS.   


The Author.  

With that the wounded Prince departed quite,  
From sight he slinckte, I saw his shade no more,  
But Morpheus bade remember this to write,  
And therewithal presented me before,  
A wight wet dropping from the waters shore  
In Princely weed, but like a warlike man,  
And thus me thought his story he began.    

Humber the king of Huns shows how he minding to conquer this land was drowned. etc. He lived about the year before Christ. 1074.  

THough yet no foreign Princes in this place,  
Have come to tell their hapless great mishap:  
Yet give me leave a while to plead my case.  
And show how I slipped out of Fortune's lap:  
Perchance some others will eschew the trap  
Wherein I fell, and both themselves be ware.  
And also seek the less thy countries care.   

I am that Humber king of Huns that came  
To win this Island, from the britains fell:  
Uuas' drowned in Humber where I left my name.  
A just reward for him that lived so well  
At home, and yet thought others to expel,  
Both from their Realm and right: O filthy fie  
On such ambition erst as used I   

But I must blame report, the chiefest cause  
Of my decay: beware of rash report:  
'tis wisdom first to take a while some pause,  
Before to dint of dangers you resort:  
Lest when you come in haste to scale the fort:  
By rash assaule some engine, shaft, or fire  
Dispatched you quite, or make you soon retire.   

For unto me the rumours daily flew,  
That here a noble Hand might be won:  
The king was dead: no wars the people knew,  
And eke themselves to strive at home begun.  
It were (quoth I) a noble act well done,  
To win it then: and there withal did make  
Provision good, this famous Ice to take.   

A war like regal camp provided was,  
And ships, and victual for my Huns and me:  
By sea to Britain conquest for to pass,  
If Gods there to and heavenly stars agreed:  
At length we came to shores of Albany,  
And there to fight with britains pitched our field:  
In hope to make them flinch, fly, fall or yield,   

They met us, long we fiercely fought it out,  
And doubtful was the victors part of twain,  
Till with my Huns I rushed among the rout,  
And fought, till that king Albanact was stain.  
Then they to yield and pardon crave were feign,  
And I with 〈◊〉 great received the prey:  
And marched forward, flesh with such a fray.   

I passed an arm of Sea, that would to God  
I never had been half so bold at furst:  
I made to beat myself withal a rod,  
When so within their Realm I venture durst:  
But mark my tale thou hearst not yet the worst.  
As sure I thought the rest to cirumvent:  
By spies before, they knew my whole intent.   

And or I wist, when I was come to land:  
Not far from shore, two Princes were prepared,  
Their scouts conveyed away my ships they found,  
And of my shipmens' flesh they nothing spared,  
To rescue which, as back again I fared:  
The armies twain were at my heels behind  
So closed me in, I witted no way to wind.   

On th'east Locrinus with an army great:  
By West was Camber with an other band:  
By North an arm of Sea the shoores did beat,  
Which compassed me and mine within their land:  
No way to scape was there, but water fande,  
Which I must taste or else the swords of those,  
Which were to me and mine full deadly foes.   

So when I same the best of all mine boast,  
Beat down with bats, shot, slain or forced to swim:  
Myself was feign likewise to fly the coast,  
And with the rest the waters entered in.  
A simple shift for Princes to begin:  
Yet far I deemed it better so to die,  
Then at mine enemies foot an abject lie.   

But when I thus had swum with hope to scape,  
If I might wend the water waves to pass:  
The britains that before my ships had gate,  
Can watch me, where amidst the surge I was:  
Than with my boats they rowed to me alas,  
And all they cried keep Humber kept their king:  
That to our Prince we may the craytour bring.   

So with my boats beset poor Humber I  
Wist no refuge: my weary arms did ache:  
My breath was short: I had no power to cry,  
Or place to stand while I my plaint might make:  
The water cold made all my joints to shake:  
My heart did beat with sorrow, grief and pain:  
And down my cheeks, salt tears they gushed amain.   

O must thou pelde, and shall thy boats betray  
Thyself (quoth I) no mercy britains have:  
O would to God I might escape away:  
I wots not yet if pardon I may crave:  
Although my deeds deserve no life to have,  
I will: I will: death: bondage beast am I  
In matters thus, in foreign soil to die.   

With that I clapped my quavering hands abroad,  
And held them up to heaven, and thus I said:  
O Gods that know the pains that I have 〈◊〉,  
And just revengement of my rashness paid,  
And of the death of Albanacte betrayed  
By me and mine: I yield my life therefore,  
Content to die, and never grieve ye more.   

Then strait not opening of my hands, I bowed  
Myself, and set my head my arms between:  
And down I sprang, with all the force I could:  
So duckte, that neither head nor foot were seen:  
And never saw my foes again I ween,  
There was I drowned the britains to my fame:  
Yet call that arm of Sea by Humber's name.   

Take heed by me, let my presumption serve:  
And let my folly, fall, and rashness be:  
A glass wherein to see if thou do swerver,  
Thou mayst thyself perceive somewhat by me.  
Let neither trust, nor treason train forth thee:  
But be content with thine estate, so shall  
No wrath of God, procure thy hapless fall.   

If thou be foreign bide within thy soil:  
That God hath given to thee and thine to hold,  
If thou oppression mean beware the foil:  
Bear not thyself, of thee or thine to bold:  
Or of the feats thy elders did of old,  
For God is just, injustice will not thrive:  
He plagues the proud, preserves the good alive.    
FINIS.   


The author.  

THen vanishte Humber, and no sooner gone  
Was he but strait in place before me came.  
A princely wight, had complete harness on,  
Though not so complete as they now do frame:  
He seemed sometime t'ave been of worthy fame:  
In breast a shaft with bleeding wound he bore,  
And thus he told the cause of all his care.    

Locrine's the eldest son of Brutus, declareth his slaughter to have happened for his evil life. He died the year before Christ. 1064.  

IF ever any noble prince might rue,  
His facts are paste, long since the same may I:  
That would to God it were not far to true,  
Or that I justly could my faults deny:  
The truth of things the end or time doth try,  
As well by me is seen: my hapless fall,  
Declares whence came my great misfortunes all.   

I am Locrinus, second Britain king:  
The 〈◊〉 son of him that found this land:  
Whose death to me my mischiefs all did bring,  
And caused why first I took my death in band.  
He chief wild me when he gave this land,  
I should be ruled, by all his counsels will:  
And use their judgements in my dealings still.   

But what do I accuse my father's hest,  
What mean I here th'unfaulty for to blame?  
All he commanded even was for the best:  
Though in effect of best the worst become.  
So things oft times well ment unfitly frame:  
So often times the counsel of your friend:  
Apparent good, fawles faulty in the end.   

For as he wished I used his counsels aid,  
In each thing that I deemed was good for me:  
I never aught that they desired denayed:  
But did to all their minds and hests agreed.  
And Corinaeus saw my heart so free,  
By divers means, he sought this match to make:  
That to my wife, I might his daughter take.   

But I that wist not then what marriage meant,  
Did strait agreed his Guendoline to have:  
Yet afterward suspecting his intent,  
My friends to me this point of counsel gave:  
That who so doth of Prince alliance crave,  
He means thereby to work some point of ill,  
Or else to frame the prince unto his william.   

It may well be he ment no evil at all,  
But wise men always use to dread the-worste:  
And sith it was, the fountain of my fall:  
From whence the springe of all my sorrows burst,  
I may well think was some of us accursed,  
For why the end, doth always prove the fact:  
By end weiudge the meaning of the act.   

I made no haste, to wed my spoused wife:  
I wist I could as yet without her bide:  
I had not tasted toys of trained life:  
I dcemde them fools by Cupid's dart that died:  
I Venus vice and all her force defied:  
And lived at rest, and ruled my land so well,  
That men delighted of my facts to tell.   

My brethren eke long weldid well their parts:  
We feared no foes, we thought our state would stand.  
We gave ourselves to learned skilful arts:  
Wherein we other fruit, or pleasure found:  
And we enjoyed so fine a fruitful land,  
That few in earth, might with our states compare,  
We lived so void of noisome cark, and care.   

But see the chance when lest we thought of ill,  
When we esteamde our state to be most sure:  
Than came a flaw to bridle all our will,  
For strangers far, 'gan us to war procure:  
And even when first, they put their prank in ure,  
On Alban shores my brother there they slew:  
Whose death we after made the Huns to rue.   

When he was dead they hoped to win the rest,  
And over Abi stream with haste did high:  
But I and eke my brother Camber dressed,  
Our armies strait, and came their force to try:  
We broke their rays, and forced their king to fly,  
Into the arm of Sea they over came:  
Where Humber brounde that waters took his name.   

We either slew or took them captives all,  
Amongst the which O mischief great to tell!  
The Gods to work mine overthrow and fall  
Scent ladies three, whose beauties did excel:  
Of which because I liked one so well,  
I took her strait, nor she did aught deny:  
But each thing granted so she might not die.   

Thus Humber we this hateful hungry king,  
In Humber drenshte: and him deprived of pride:  
And of his lofty ladies he did bring,  
He lost the pray: and all his men beside.  
And we the spoils of all his host divide,  
But I that thought, I had the greatest share:  
Had caught the cause of all my woeful care.   

They called this lady Elstride whom I took,  
Whose beauty brave did so my wits confound:  
That for her sake my promise I for sook,  
Whereby I was to Gwendoline first bound.  
Me thought no lady went on earthily ground  
That might allure me, ever change my mind:  
So was I caught by snares of Cupid blind.   

Was never none before so liked mine eye,  
〈◊〉 her more than I could love my life:  
Her absence still me thought did 'cause me die.  
I surely ment to take her to my wife.  
But see how beauty breadeth deadly strife,  
Lo here began my whole confusion here:  
Sprung out the shaft from which this wound I bear.   

For Corinaeus had no sooner heard,  
That I did mean his daughter to forsake:  
But strait as one, that did naught else regard,  
In haste his voyage towards me did take:  
And come, declared what promise I did make,  
From which he said if once I sought to slioe:  
It should by dint of sword, and blood be tried.   

But if I would her take, as erst I said,  
And not this stranger choose against his mind:  
His help he promised at each time, and aid  
To be so ready, as I wished to find:  
He further said my country did me bind,  
To take such one as all my subjects knew:  
Scythe strangers to their foes are never true.   

I weighed his words, and thought he wished me well:  
But yet because his stock should gain thereby,  
I reckte them less: and yet the truth to tell,  
I durst not dare my promise made deny:  
For well I wist, if once it came to try:  
It would both weaken all this noble land,  
And doubtful be, who should ha' th'upper hand.   

Thus needs perforce I must his daughter take,  
And must leave of, to love where I delight:  
I was constrained contentio to forsake:  
The form that most did captivate my sight,  
What luck had I on such a lote to light:  
What meant you Gods that me such fortune gave,  
To cast my mind on her I might not have.   

To short my tale, his Guendoline I took,  
I was content against my will: what then:  
Nore quite for this, mine Elstride I forsook:  
For why, I wrought by skill of cunning men,  
A vault along under the ground a den:  
Her company wherein I used still,  
There we acco mplishte, our unhappy william.   

There I begat my Sabrine silly child,  
That virgin sinal, mine Elstride bore to me:  
Thus I my wife full often did beguiled,  
Which after ward did bear a son to me,  
Named Madan: yet we never could agreed,  
And he that was the cause, she was my bride:  
This while her father Corinaeus died.   

Which when I heard, I had my hearts desire:  
I craude no more, there was my end of grief.  
At lest I thought to quench Cupid's fire,  
And eke to work my lusting loves relief:  
I ment no more to steal it like a thief:  
But married Elstride, whom I loud as life,  
And for her sake, I put away my wife.   

Likewise I caused was Elstride queen proclaimed:  
And took her as my lawful wife by right,  
But Gwendoline that saw herself sisoainde,  
Strait fled, and moved the cornish men to fight,  
To them, when she declared her piteous plight:  
In haste they 〈◊〉 an army for to be,  
Reveugers of my new made queen and me.   

And I likewise an army did prepare,  
I thought to 〈◊〉, their courage all by force:  
But to my cost I found to late beware,  
There is no strength in armour, man or horse,  
Can veil, if love on wronged take remorse:  
For he on whom the deadly dart doth light,  
Can never scape: by ransom, friend or flight.   

So when our armies met night Stura stream,  
The trumpets 〈◊〉 and I denied the peace:  
I minded to erpell them all the realm,  
Or else to make them ever after cease:  
And they except I Elstride would release,  
(They said) and take my Gwendoline again:  
They would revenge the wrong, or else be slain.   

On this we met and valiantly we fought,  
On either side, and neither part did yield:  
So equally they fell, it was great doubtr,  
Which part should have the better of the field:  
But I to boldr, rushte in with sword and shield  
To break their rays, so hasty men get smart:  
An arrow came, and struck me to the heart.   

Then was I brought to Troynovant and there,  
My body was enterrid as you read:  
When I had reigned all out twenty year,  
Lothus I liuve, and thus become I dead:  
Thus was my crown deprived from my head,  
And all my pomp, my princely troop and train,  
And I to earth, and dust resolved again.   

Now warn estates, let this for wedlorke serve,  
Beware of change it will not hold out long,  
For who so mindeth from his make to swerver:  
Shall sure at length, receive revenge for wrong:  
'tis folly fight with God, he's far to strong:  
For though ye colour all, with coat of right:  
Yet can no feigned fared, deceive his sight.    
Finis.   


The Author.  

WIth that this king, was vanished quite and gone:  
And as a mist, dissolved into air:  
And I was left, with Morpheu all alone:  
Who represented straigt a Lady fair:  
Of friends deprived, and left in deep despair,  
As eke she spoke, all wet in cords fast bound:  
Thus told she how, she was in waters drowned.    

Elstride the concubine of Locrinus miserably drowned by Gwendoline his wife, declares her presumption, lewd life and infortunate fall. She suffered before Christ. 1064.  

ANd must I needs myself recite my fall  
Poor woman I: must I declare my fate:  
Must I the first save three amongst us all,  
Show how I thrice, fell from my Princely 〈◊〉  
And from the lofty seat on which I sat;  
If needs I must, than well content I will:  
Jest here my place in vain I seem to fill.   

Locrine's loud,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daughter came from Germans land:  
〈◊〉 of beauty many Princes moved,  
〈◊〉 for grace, and favour at my hand.  
Which bruit once blown abrond in every land,  
One Humber king of Huns with all his train:  
To come to me, a suitor was full feign.   

What need I tell, the gifts to me he gave,  
Or show his suit or promise' he me plight,  
Sigh well you know a Prince need nothing crave:  
May nigh 〈◊〉 each thing as 'twere his right.  
For as the fowl before the eagle's sight  
Even so me fall, submit and yield us still,  
At Prince his call, obeissant to his william.   

And for that time the Huns full mighty were,  
And did increase, by martial feats of war:  
Therefore our German kings aghast did bear,  
Them greater favour than was need by far,  
My father durst not Humber's hest debar,  
Nor I myself, I rather was content:  
In hope of crown with Humber to consent.   

Two Princely Dames with me came then away,  
He bragde to wiune these country parts all three,  
We Ladies rather was this Priuce his prey:  
Because he promised that we Queens should be.  
We came to cost these country coasts to see,  
Sigh he on whom our hope did wholly stand:  
Was drowned, named Humber waters, lost the land.   

For as you heard before when he 〈◊〉,  
He had won all because he won a part:  
Strait way he was again thereof deposed,  
Constrained to fly, and swim for life poor 〈◊〉  
Lo here the cause, of all my douleful smart,  
This noble king with whom I came to reign:  
Was 〈◊〉, & drowned unto my grievous pain.   

Then were his soldiers taken, slain or spoiled,  
And well were they, that could make suit for life:  
Was never such an army sooner foiled:  
O woeful war, that flowste in floods of strife!  
And carst not whom thou cutste with cruel knife!  
Or had not Venus fraught my face with hew,  
I had no longer lived, my form to rue.   

For as I came a captain with the rest,  
My countenance did show as brave as Sun:  
Each one that saw my native hew were pressed,  
To yield themselves by beams of beauty won:  
My fame strait blown to gaze on me they run,  
And said I passed each worldly wight as far:  
As Phoebus' 〈◊〉 the morning star.   

Like as you see in darks if light appear,  
Strait way to thatech man directs his eye:  
Even so amongst my captive mates that were:  
When I did speak, or make my plaints with cry,  
Theu all on me they stared by and by:  
Bemoaning of my fates, and fortune so.  
As they had been partakers of my woe.   

My form did praise my plea, my sighs they suide,  
My tears entiste their hearts some ruth to take:  
My sobs in sight, a seemly hew reneude:  
My wring hands, wan suitors shifted to make:  
My sober southes did 'cause them for my sake:  
Me to commend, unto their noble king,  
Who wild they should me into presence bring.   

Which when I came in cords as captive bound,  
O King (quoth I) whose power we feel to strong:  
O worthy wight, whose Fame to skies doth sound:  
Do pity me, that never wished the wrong:  
Release me one thy captives all among:  
Which from my friends, by fraud am brought away,  
A Prince his daughter, drowned in deep decay.   

Now as thou art a Prince thyself of might,  
And mayst do more than I do dare desire:  
Let me (O King) find favour in thy sight,  
Assuage somewhat thy deadly wrath and ire:  
No part of manhood 'tis for to require:  
A ladies death thee never did offend,  
Sigh that thy foe, hath brought her to this end.   

But let me rather safely be conveyed.  
O gracious king, once home before I die:  
Or let me on thy Queen, be waiting maid.  
If it may please thy royal majesty:  
Or let me ransom pay, for liberty:  
But if thou mind revenge of unwrought ill,  
Why spare you britains this my corpse to kill:   

With that the king: good Lady fair what iste  
Thou canst desire or ask, but must obtain?  
Eke would to God with all my heart I wist,  
Best way to ease thee of thy woeful pain:  
But if thou wilt do here with me remain,  
If not content, conductors shalt thou have,  
To bring thee home, and what thou else wilt crave.   

As for my Queen, as yet I none possess,  
Therefore thou rather mayst vouchsafe to take  
That place thyself: then wait on her I guess,  
Whose beauty with thy face no match can make:  
The Gods deny that I thy hest forsake,  
I save thy life, eke God forbidden that I,  
Should ever 'cause so fair a Lady die.   

O King (quoth I) the Gods preserve thy grace,  
The heavens requited thy mercy showed to me,  
And all the stars, direct thy regal race  
In happy course, long length of years to see:  
The earth with fertile fruits enrich so thee:  
That thou mayst still like Justice her dispose,  
And ever more tread down thy deadly foes.   

The noble king commanded to unbind,  
Mine arms, and let me lewce, and free at will,  
And afterward such favour did I find  
That as his Queen I was 〈◊〉 still:  
And I enjoyed all pleasures at my 〈◊〉:  
So that they quite had quenched out my thrall,  
And I forgot my former fortunes all.   

Thus lo by favour I obtained my suit,  
So had my beauty set his breast on fire,  
That I could make Locrinus even as muite,  
Or pleasant as my causes did require:  
And when I knew he could no way retire:  
I prayed he would his favour so extend,  
As I might not be blamed in the end.   

For if (quoth I) you take me as your own,  
And eke my love to you have constant been:  
Then let your love like wise again be shown,  
And wed me as you said your spouse and Queen:  
If since in me misliking you have seen:  
Then best departed betime before defame,  
Begin to take from Elstride her good name.   

Not wavering heart (said he) Locrinus bears,  
No sayned flattery shall thy faith deface:  
Thy beauty, birth, fame, virtue, age and years  
Constrain me both, thee and thy hests embrace:  
I must of force, give thy requests a place,  
For as they do with reason good consent,  
Even so I grant thee all thy whole inteut.   

Then was the time appointed and the day,  
In which I should be wedded to this king,  
But in this case, his counsel caused a stay,  
And sought out means at discord us to bring:  
Eke Corinaeus claimed a former thing,  
A precontract was made and full accord,  
Between his daughter, and my sovereign Lord.   

And yet the King did give me comfort still,  
He said he could not so forsake my love,  
Yet evermore would bear me all good will:  
As both my beauty and deserts did move:  
But still the end doth who is fauty prove,  
His counsel at the last did him constrain  
To marry her, unto my 〈◊〉 pain.   

At which I could not but with hate repined,  
It 〈◊〉 me, his mate that should have been,  
To live in bate, a prince his concubine  
That ever had such hope to be his Queen.  
The steps of state are full of woe and teen,  
For when we think we have atainde the throne:  
Then strait our pomp & pride is quite orethrone.   

Lotwise I fell from hope of Princely crown,  
First when unhappy Humber lost his life,  
And next I laid my peacocks pride adown,  
When as I could not be Locrine's wife:  
But often they say the third doth end the strife,  
Which I have proud: therefore the sequel ve me  
The third pays home, this proverb is to true.   

This king could not refrain his former mind,  
But used me still, and I my doubtful years  
Did linger on, I knew no shift to find,  
But past the time full often with mourning tears.  
A concubine is never void of fears,  
For if the wife her at advantage take:  
In raged revenge with death she seeks to make.   

Likewise I wist if once I sought to fly,  
Or to entreat the king departed I might,  
Then would he strait be discontent with me,  
Yea if I were pursued upon the flight,  
Or came deflowered into my parent's sight:  
I should be taken, kept perforce, or slain:  
Or in my country live in great disdain.   

In such a plight, what might a woman do,  
Was ever Lady fair, in such a 〈◊〉  
O wretched wight bewrapt in webs of woe!  
That still in dread waist tossed from place to place,  
And never foundest mean to end thy race:  
But still in doubt of death, in carking care,  
〈◊〉 live a life devoid of all welfare.   

The king perceiving well my changed cheer,  
To case my heart withal devised deceats,  
By secret ways I came devoid of fear,  
In baultes, by cunning Masons crafty feats:  
Whereas we safely from the Queen her threats,  
pardie the King and I so used our art,  
As after turned us both to pain and smart.   

By him I had my Sabrine small my child,  
And after that his wife her father lost,  
I mean he died and she was strait exiled,  
And I made Queen unto my care and cost:  
For she went down to Cornewal strait in pest,  
And caused all her father's men to rise,  
With all the force, and strength they might devise.   

My king and hers, with me, 'gainst her prepared  
An army strong: but when they came to fight,  
Dame Guendoline did war at length to hard:  
And of our king us both deposed quite,  
For from her camp an arrow sharp did light  
Upon his breast, and made him leave his breath:  
Lo thus this king came by untimely death.   

Then I to late, began in vain to fly,  
And taken was presented to the queen,  
Who me beheld with cruel tigers eye,  
" O queen (qd she) that cause of wars haste been  
" And deadly hate, the like was never seen:  
" Come on for these my bands shall rid thy life,  
" And take revengement of our mortal strife.   

" I longed long to bring thee to this bay,  
" And thou likewise hast sought to suck my blood.  
" Now art thou taken, in my spoils a pray,  
" That caused my life full long in danger stood:  
" I will both teach thyself, and others good  
" To break the bands of faithful wedlock plight,  
" And give thee that which thou deseruidste right.   

" O harlote whore, why should I stay my hands:  
" O painted picture, shall thy looks thee save:  
" Nay bind her fast both hand and foot in bands,  
" And let her some strange kind of torments have.  
" What strumpet stues, thinkst for thou seemist brave?  
" Doctor for thy tears, or sighs, to scape my sight:  
" My self will rather banquishe thee by fight.   

" Thou rather shouldst my vital breath deprive,  
" Then ever scape if none were here but we,  
" But now I will not file my hands to strive,  
" Doctor else to touch so vile a drab as she.  
" Come on at once, and bring her after me,  
" With hand and feet as I commanded bound:  
" And let me see, her here as Humber drowned.   

A thousand things beside, she spoke in rage,  
While that a caitiff did with cords me bind,  
No tears, nor subbes, nor sighs might aught assuage  
The jealous queen, or mollify her mind.  
Occasions still her frantic head did find,  
And when she spoke, her cyes did leam as fire:  
she looked as pale as chalk with wrathful Ire.   

Ne stood she still but with her hands on side,  
Walked up and down, & oft her palms she struck.  
" My husband now (qd she) had not thus died:  
" If such an harlot, whore he had not took,  
And there withal she gave me such a look,  
" As made me quake, what lets (qd she) my knife,  
" To rid this whore my husbands second wife:  
" His dead, I live, and shall I save her life?   

O queen (qd I) if pity none remain,  
But I be slain or brounde as Humber was:  
Then take thy pleasure by my pinching pain,  
And let me hence as thou appointistc pass:  
But take some pity on my child alas,  
Thou know'st the infant made no fault but he,  
That's dead and I therefore revenge on me.   

" Not bastards here shall live to dispossess  
" My son (she said) but sith thou soughtiste fame:  
" I will provide for her a kingdom less,  
" Which shall hereafter ever have her name.  
" Thou know'st whereof the name of Humber came,  
" Even so Sabrina, shall this stream be called:  
" Scythe Sabrine me, as Humber Locrine thralled.   

With that my child was Sabrine brought in sight,  
And when she see me take in bands to lie,  
Alas (she cried) what means this piteous plight,  
And down she fell before the queen with cry,  
" O queen (qd she) let me more rather die,  
" Then she that's guiltless should, for why thy king  
" Did as his captive, her to lewdness bring.   

Which when I same the kindness of the child,  
It burst my heart much more than doom of death:  
Poor little lamb be with countenance how mild  
She pleaded still, and I for want of breath,  
With woeful tears, that lay her feet beneath  
Can not put forth a word, our lives to save,  
Or if therefore I might a kingdom have.   

Her piteous plaints, did somewhat death withdraw  
For as she long beheld the queen with tears:  
" (qd she) let me bane rigour void of law,  
" In whom the sign of all thy wrath appears,  
" And let me die my father's face that bears:  
" Scythe be is dead, and we are void of stay,  
" Why should I thee, for life or mercy pray.   

" My mother may to germany return,  
" Where she was borne, and if it please thy grace,  
" And I may well lie in my father's tomb,  
" If thou wilt grant his child so good a place.  
" But if thou think my blood is far to base,  
" Although I came by both of princely line:  
" Then let me have what shroud thou wilt asigne.   

With that the queen replied with milder there,  
And said the child was wonders wise and witty:  
But yet she would not her revenge forbear,  
" For why (qd she) the proverb says that pity,  
" Hath lewdly lost full many a noble city.  
" Then Elstride now prepare thyself therefore  
" To die, take leave, but talk to me no more.   

On this my leave I took, and thus I said,  
Farewell my country, germany farewell,  
Ade we the place from whence I was conveyed,  
Farewell my father, and my friends there devil:  
My Humber drowned, as I shallbe farewell:  
Adieu Locrinus dead, for thee I die,  
Would God my corpse might by thy coffin lie.   

Adieu my pleasures passed, farewell, adieu,  
Adieu the cares, and sorrows I have had,  
Farewell my friends that erst for me did sue.  
Adieu that were, to save my life full glad:  
Farewell the fawning friends, I lately bad,  
And thou my beauty cause of death farewell.  
As oft as heart can think, or tongue can tell.   

A dew you heavens, my mortal eyes shall see  
Not more your lights, and Planets all farewell,  
And chief Venus' fair that paintedste me,  
When Mercury his tale to me did tell:  
Eke afterwards when Mars with us did devil,  
And now at last thou cruel Mars, adieu,  
Whose dart my life, and love Locrine's sleme.   

And must I needs depart from thee my child,  
If needs I must ten thousand times far well,  
Poor little 〈◊〉, thy friends are quite 〈◊〉:  
And much I fear thou shalt not long do well,  
But if they so with boiling rancoureswell:  
As thee to slay, which never wroughtiste ill,  
How can they stay, my haynid corpse to hill.   

With that my Sabrines slender arms imbraiste  
〈◊〉 round, and would not let me so depart,  
" Let me (qd she) for her the waters taste,  
" Or let us both together end our smart:  
" Yea rather rip you forth my tender heart,  
" What should I live? but they the child withdrew,  
And me, into the raging stream they threm.   

So in the waters as I striude to swim,  
And kept my head above the waves for breath,  
〈◊〉 thought I same my child, would venture in.  
" Which cried a main, O let me take like death,  
The waters strait had drawn me underne thee,  
Where striving up at length again came I,  
And saw my child, and cried farewell I die.   

Then as my strength was wasted, down I went,  
Eke so I plunged twice or thrice yet more:  
My breath departed needs I must relent,  
The waters pierced my mouth and ears so sore,  
And to the bottom with such force me bore,  
That life, and breath, & mind, and sconce was gone:  
And I as dead, and cold as marble stone.   

Lo thus you here the rare of all my life,  
And how I passed the pikes of painful we,  
How twice I thought to be a prince his wife:  
And twice was quite deprived mine honour fro:  
The third time queen, and felt foul overthrow:  
Then warn all ladies, that how much more die.  
Then their degrees they climb: 〈◊〉 dangers nigh.   

Bid them beware, 〈◊〉 beauty them abuse,  
Beware of pride, for have a fall it must:  
And will them fortunes flattery to refuse:  
Her turning whelt, is void of steady trust:  
Who recks no mean, but leanith all to lust,  
Shall find my words, as true as I them tell:  
Then did be ware, in time I wish them well.    
FINIS.   


The author.  

WIth that she flitted in the air abroad,  
As 'twere a mist or smoke dissolved quite,  
And or I long on this had made abode,  
A virgin small, appeared before my sight,  
For cold and wet eke scarcely move she might,  
As from the waters drowned she didering came:  
Thus wise, her talem order did she frame.    

Sabrine the base child of Locrinus, tells how she was pitifully drowned by his wife Guendoline, in revenge of her father's adultery. The year before Christ, 1064.  

Behold me Sabrine orphan 〈◊〉 bereft,  
Of all my friends by cruel case of war:  
When as not one to treat for me was left,  
But 〈◊〉 did all their powers debar,  
When as my father eke was plain in war:  
And when my mother even before my sight,  
Was 〈◊〉 to death, O wretch in woeful plight!   

Trust who so will the 〈◊〉 of high estate,  
And bring me word what stay thereby you have,  
For why if Fortune once displeasure take:  
She gives the foil, though looks be near so brave.  
'tis wisdom rather then to win to save,  
For ofce who trusts to get a prince his train:  
Would at the length, of beggars life be fain.   

This might the Hun erst Humber well have said,  
And this my mother Elstride proufde to true,  
When as his life by striving streams was stayed:  
And when the tyrants her in waters threw.  
What I may say, myself reports to you:  
Which had more terror showed, then twice such twain:  
Blue care, and judge if I abode no pain.   

First when my father's corps-was strooken down,  
With deadly shaft, I came to mourn and see:  
And as he lay with bleeding breast in sown,  
He cast aside his watering eyes on me.  
" Fly fly (he said) thy stepdame seeks for thee,  
" My woeful child: what flight mayst thou to take,  
" My Sabrine poor, I must the needs forsake.   

" See here 〈◊〉 end, behold thy father's fall,  
" Fly, fly, thy jealous stepdame seeks thy life,  
" Thy mother eke or this is wrappeth in thrall:  
" Farewell in woe you cannot scape her knife:  
" Farewell my child, mine Elstride and my Wife  
" Adieu (qd he) I may no longer hide,  
" And even with that, he gaspid thrice and dyede.   

What bird can fly and sore, if forms do rage:  
What ship can sail, if once the minds resist:  
What wight is that, can force of wars assuage:  
Or else what war can bridle Fortunes list:  
What man is he, that dare an host resist:  
What woman only dare withstand a field:  
If not? what child but must to enemies yield?   

My father's soldiers 〈◊〉, away for fear:  
As soon as once their captains death they seande:  
The Queen proclaimed a pardon every where:  
To those would yield, and crave it at her hand,  
Excepting such, as did her aye withstand:  
For so the course always of pardons goes,  
As saves the soldiers, and entrapps the foes.   

Then wist I flight could nothing me prevail,  
I feared her pardon would not save my life:  
The storm was such, I durst not bear a sail:  
I durst not go t'lntreate my father's wife,  
Although I never was the cause of strife.  
For gelozye, devoid of reason's rain:  
With frenzies fume, enraged her restless brain.   

But see the chance, thus compassed round with fear  
In broils of blood, as in the field I stand.  
I wished to God my corpse were any where,  
As out of life, or of this hateful land:  
Not sooner wished, but there was even at hand,  
" A person vile, in haste (quoth he) come on,  
" Queen Elstride will before thou come be gone.   

The rascal rude, the rooge, the clubfist gripe  
My little arm, and plucte me on in haste:  
And with my robes, the bloody ground he swept,  
As I drew back: he halde me on full fast,  
Under his arm my slender corpse he cast:  
Sigh that (quoth he) thou putst me to this pain,  
Thou shalt thereby at length but little gain.   

Thus through the 〈◊〉 he bore me to my bane,  
And showed the soldiers what a spoil he had.  
" Look here (quoth he) the little Princes ta'en,  
And laughed, and ran as brutish butcher mad.  
But my lamenting made the soldiers sad,  
Yet naught prevailed, the caitiff as his prey:  
Without all pity bore me still away.   

Till at the length we came where we descried,  
A number huge, of folks about the Queen:  
As when you see some wonder great beside,  
Or else the place where some strange sight hath been:  
So might you there the people standing seen,  
And gazed all when as they see me brought:  
Then sure I deemed, I was not come for naught.   

And in the 〈◊〉, some praised my coinlye face,  
Some said to Elstride she resembleth right:  
Some said I looked like my father's grace,  
Some other said it was a piteous sight  
I should so die: the Queen me pardon might,  
Some said the thief me 〈◊〉 did me abuse,  
And not so rudely aught a Prince's use.   

But what did this redress my woeful care,  
You wots the Commons use such proverbs still:  
And yet the captives poor no better are,  
It rather helps their pained hearts to kill:  
To pity one in grief doth work him ill,  
Bemoan his woe: and cannot ease his thrall:  
It kills his heart, but comforts naught at all.   

Thus past me throw the press, at length we came,  
Into the presence of the jealous Queen,  
Who naught at all the rascal rudc did blame  
That bore me so: but asked if I had seen  
My father slain, that cause thereof had been,  
O Queen (quoth I) God knows nice innocent:  
To work my father's death, I never meant.   

With that I saw the people look aside,  
To 〈◊〉 a mourning voice I heard thereby,  
It was my woeful mother by that cried.  
" Lo Sabrine hound, at brink of death I lie.  
What pen or tongue, or tears with weeping eye,  
Can tell my woes, that saw my mother bound,  
On water's shore, wherein she should be drowned.   

With that I fell before the Queen and prayed  
For mercy, but 〈◊〉 fiery 〈◊〉 she bent  
Her brows on me: out vastar de boil (she said)  
" Thou worst not yet, wherefore for thee I sent,  
" O Queen (quoth I) have pity be content,  
And if thou mind, of mercy aught to show:  
〈◊〉 me, and let my mother harmless go.   

For why she was a Prince his daughter borne  
In Germany, and thence was brought away  
Perforce by Humber, who by mats forlorn:  
Thy king as captive took her for his prey,  
Thou mayst full well her case with reason weigh:  
What could she do, what more than she or I,  
Thy 〈◊〉 now, thine own to line or die?   

Take pity then, on Princely race O Queen:  
Take pity, if remorse may aught require:  
Take pity, on a captive thrice hath been:  
Let pity pierce the rage of all thine ire:  
But if thy breast burn with revenging fire:  
Then let my death quench out that fuming flame,  
Sigh of thy husband's blood, and hers I came.   

Much more I said, while tears out streaming went,  
But naught of ease at all thereby I gained,  
My mother eke, did as she lay lament:  
Where with my heart a Thousand fold she pained,  
And though the Queen my plaints to favour feigned:  
Yet at the last she bade she should prepare,  
Herself to die, and end her course of care.   

Than all her friends my mother Elstride named,  
And pleasures paste, and bade them all adieu:  
Eke as she thus her last farewell had framed,  
With loss of him, from whom her sorrows grew:  
At length to me (which made my heart to rue)  
" She said farewell my child I fear thy fall:  
" Ten thousand times, adieu my Sabrine small.   

And as the cruel 〈◊〉 came to take  
〈◊〉 up, to cast and drown her in the 'slud:  
I fast mine arms about her clipped did make,  
And cried, O Queen let mercy meek thy mood:  
Do rather reave my heart of victual blood,  
Then thus I live: with that they slachte my hold.  
And 〈◊〉 my mother, in the waters cold.   

For love to aid her, venture in would I,  
That saw my mother strive aloft for wind,  
" To land she looked and said farewell Idye.  
O let me go (quoth I) like fate to find,  
" Said Guendoline come on likewise and bind  
" This Sabrine hand and foot: at once let see  
" Her here receive, her whole request of me.   

" Eke as I wish to have in mind her fame,  
" As Humber's is, which should her father been:  
" So shall this flood of Sabrine have the name,  
" That men thereby may say a righteous Queen,  
" Here drowned her husband's child of concubine.  
" Therefore leave Sabrine here thy name and life,  
" Let Sabrine waters end our mortal strife.   

" Dispatch (quoth she) with that they bond me fast,  
My slender arms and feet which little need:  
And sans all mercy me in waters cast,  
Which drew me down, & cast me up with speed,  
And down me drensht the Sabrine fish to feed,  
Where I abode till now: from whence I came,  
And there the waters hold as yet my name.   

Lo thus this jealous Queen, in raging sort,  
With bloody hate bereft her husband's health:  
And eke my mother Elstrid's life God wots,  
Which never meant to hurt this common wealth:  
And me Locrinus child begot by stealth:  
Against all reason was it for to kill,  
The child, for that her parents erst did ill.   

By this you see, what time our pomp doth bide:  
Hereby you see th'unsteady trust in war:  
Hereby you see, the stay of states etryde:  
Hereby you see, our hope to make doth mar:  
Hereby you see, we fall from bench to bar:  
From bench (quoth 〈◊〉) nay from the Princely seat,  
You see how soon us Fortune down doth beat.   

And here you see, how lawless love doth thrive:  
Hereby you see, how jealous folks do far:  
Here may you see, with wisdom they that wive,  
Need never reck Cupid's cursed snare:  
Here may you see, divorcement breedeth care:  
Here may you see, the children seldom thee,  
Which in unlawful wedlock gotten be.   

Declare thou then our fall, and great mishap:  
Declare the hap, and glory we were in:  
Declare how soon we taken were in trap,  
When we 〈◊〉 we had most safest been:  
Declare what loss they have that hope to win:  
Farewell, and tell when Fortune most doth smile:  
Then will she frown: she laughs but even a while.    
Finis,   


The Author.  

WIth that the Lady Sabrine slinckt from sight,  
I looked about, and then me thought again  
Approached strait an other woeful wight:  
It seemed as though with dogs he had been slain,  
The blood from all his members torneamaine  
Run down: his clotheses were also torn and rent,  
And from his bloody throat these plaints he sent.    

Madan shows how for his evil life he was 〈◊〉 of Wolves, the year before Christ. 1009.  

amongst the rest, that sat in haughty seat,  
And felt the fall I pray the pen for me:  
A Tragedy may some such wisdom geate,  
As they may learn, and somewhat wiser be.  
For in my glass when as themselves they see,  
They may be aware my fall from 〈◊〉 lap,  
Shall teach them how, t'eschew the like mishay.   

I am that Madan once that Britain kings,  
Was third that ever reigned in this land,  
Mark well therefore my death: as strange a thing  
As some would deem, could scarce with reason stand:  
Yet when thou hast my life well thoroughly scanned:  
Thou shalt perceive, not half so strange as true:  
All life: worse death, doth after still ensue,   

For when my mother Guendoline had reigned  
In my nonage, full xv years she died:  
And I but young not well in virtues trained,  
Was left this Realm of britains for to guide:  
Whereby when once, my mind was puffed with pride:  
I passed for naught, I used my lust for law:  
Of right, or justice reckte I not a straw.   

Not mean I kept, but ruled all by rage:  
Not bounds of measure, could me compass in:  
Dared none adventure anger mine t'aswage,  
If once to fret and fume I did begin:  
And I excelde in nothing else but sin:  
So that wellnigh all men did wish my end,  
Save such to whom for vice I was a friend.   

In pleasures pleasant was my whole repast.  
My youth me led devoid of compass quite,  
And vices were so rooted in at last:  
That to recure the evil it past my might.  
For who so doth with will and pleasure fight,  
Though all his force do strive them to withstand,  
Without good grace they have the upper hand.   

What liquor first, the earthen pot doth take:  
It keepeth still the savour of that same.  
Full hard it is a cramocke strait to make:  
Or crooked logs, with wainscot fine to frame:  
'tis hard to make the cruel Tiger tame:  
And so it fares with those have vices caught,  
nought once (they say) and ever after nought.   

I speak not this as though it past all cure,  
From bices vile, to bertue to retire:  
But this I say if vice be once in ure,  
The more you shall, to quite yourself require,  
The more you plunge yourself in fulsome mire.  
As he that strives in soakte quick sirtes of sand,  
Still sinks, scarce never comes again to land.   

The gifts of grace may nature 〈◊〉,  
And God may grant both time and leave repeute:  
Yet I did more in laps of lewdness run,  
And last my time in tyrants trade I spent.  
But who so doth, with bloody acts content  
His mind, shall sure at last find like again:  
And feel for pleasures, thousand pangs of pain.   

For in the midst of those untrusty toils,  
When as I nothing feared, but all was sure:  
With all my train, I hunting road for spoils  
Of them, who after did my death procure:  
Those lewd delights did boldly me allure,  
To follow still and to pursue the chase:  
At last I came into a desert place.   

Beset with hills, and monstrous rocks of stone,  
My company behind, me lost, or stayed:  
The place was eke with haughty trees o'ergrown  
So wist, and wild it made me half afraid,  
And strait I was with ravening wolves betrayed:  
Came out of caves, and dens, and rocks a maint,  
There was I rend in pieces, killed and slain.   

Alas that youth (in vain) so vilely spent,  
Should ever 'cause a king to have such end:  
Alas that ever I should here lament,  
Or else should teach unto my cost my friend:  
Alas that fortune such mishap should send:  
But sith it is to late for me to cry,  
I wish that others may take heed me by.   

I might full well by wisdom shunned this snare,  
'tis said a wiseman all mishap withstands.  
For though by stars we borne to mischiefs are:  
Yet prudence bayles us quite from careful bands,  
Each man (they say) his fate hath in his hands,  
And what he makes, or mars to lose, or save  
Of good, or evil, is even self do, self have.   

As here thou seest by me, that led my days  
In vicious sort, for greedy wolves a 〈◊〉:  
Warn others wisely, than to guide their ways  
By mine example, well eschew they may,  
Such vices as may work their own decay:  
Which if they do, full well is spent the time  
To warn, to write, and eke to read this time.    
FINIS.   


The author.  

WHen this was said, no more was Madan seen,  
(If it were he) but sure I half suspect  
It was some other else, so served had been,  
For that all stories do not so detect  
His death, or else I died perhaps neglect  
His tale, because that divers stories brought,  
Such fancies of his death into my thought.   

Therefore although it be not as some writ  
Here pend by me, and yet as others have:  
Let it not grieve thee read that I recite,  
And take what counsel of good life he gave:  
I trust 〈◊〉 may that dream) some pardon crave,  
For if the rest, no dreams but stories pen:  
Can I for that they writ be blamed then?   

Not sure, I think the readers will not give  
Such captious doom, as Momus erst did use,  
Though Zoilus imps as yet do carping live:  
And all good willing writers much misuse.  
Occasion bids me some such beasts accuse,  
Yet for their bawling hurts me not I nill:  
But with my purpose, on proceed I william.   

Next after that, came one in princely ray  
A worthy wight but young, yet felt the fall:  
It seemed he had been at some warlike fray,  
His breast was woundid wide and bloody all:  
And as to mind he mused his facts to call,  
Deep sighs he fet, made all his limbs to shake:  
At length these words, or like to me he spoke.    

Manlius declares how he minding to kill his brother for the kingdom was by him slain. The year before Christ. 1008.  

IF Fortune were so firm as she is frail,  
Or glozing glory, were still permanent:  
If no mishap our doings did assail,  
Or that our acts & facts were innocent,  
If we in hope no hurt nor hatred meant:  
Or dealing aye were done with duty dew,  
We never could, our great misfortunes rue.   

If pomp were pain, and pride were not in price,  
Or haughty seat had not the highest place,  
If we could learn by others to be wise,  
Or else eschew the dangers of our race:  
If once we could the golden mean embrace,  
Or banish quite ambition from our breast:  
We never need to reck, or reap unrest.   

But O we think, such sweetness in renown,  
We dame on earth, is all the greatest hap:  
We nothing fear, the hurt of falling down:  
Or little room, in lady Fortune's lap,  
We give no heed, before we get the clap:  
And then to late, we wish we had been wise:  
When from the fall, we would and cannot rise.   

As if two twins, or children at the teat  
Of nurse, or mother both at once might be:  
And both did strive, the better dug to get  
Till one were down, and slipped beside her knee:  
Even so it fares, by others and by me  
In fortune's lap: we have so little hold,  
She cannot stay, both striving if she would.   

I am that Manlius, one of Madans' sons,  
Which thought to reign and rule this noble I'll,  
And would so done: but see what chance there comes,  
When brethren love, and friendship quite exile.  
Who thinks another of his right beguile,  
Himself is soon clean bereaude of all:  
Instead of rule, we reap the crop of thrall.   

My elder brother than Mempricius height,  
Whose haughty mind, and mine did ever square:  
We evermore as foes height other spite,  
And deadly Ire in hateful hearts we bore.  
He sought always he might to work me care,  
And each regarded others envy so:  
As after turnid both to painful wo.   

Because my father loud me well therefore,  
My brother feared I should have his right:  
Likewise on favour boldened I me bore,  
And neither had in virtues ways delight:  
What need I here our inward griefs recite:  
We not as brethren lived in hatrid still,  
And sought occasion other each to kill.   

I forbecause I might obtain the crown:  
And he for that he feared my favour bred,  
Such friendship, as might always keep him down,  
And both 〈◊〉 him of his crown and head.  
But when it chaunste, our father once was dead,  
Then strait appeared all our envy plain:  
And I could not from mine attempt 〈◊〉   

See here, th'occasion of my hapless hap,  
See here, his chance that might have lived full well:  
So baited sweet is every deadly trap:  
In braviste bowers, doth deepest danger devil,  
I thought mine elder from his right t'expel,  
Though he both age, and custom forth did bring,  
For title right: I said I would be king.   

Some wished we should, depart the realm in two,  
And said my father eke was of that mind:  
But neither of us both, that so would do,  
We were not each to other half so kind,  
And vile ambition made us both so blind:  
We thought our reign, could not be sure & good,  
Except the ground thereof were laid with blood.   

Wherefore as each did watch convenient time,  
For 〈◊〉 commit this heinous bloody fact:  
Myself was taken not accused of crime,  
As if I had offended any act.  
But he as one that wit and reason lact,  
Said traitor vile thou art to me untrue:  
And therewith all his bloody blade he drew.   

Not like a king, but like a cutthroat fell:  
Not like a brother, like a butcher brute:  
Though 'twere no worse, than I deserved well:  
He gave no time, to reason or dispute.  
To late it was, to make for life my suit:  
Take traitor here (qd he) thy whole desert,  
And therewithal he thrust me to the heart.   

Thus was I by my brutish brother slain:  
Which likewise ment my brother for to kill,  
This oftentimes, they use to get and gain,  
Which do invent another's blood to spill.  
Was never man pretended such an ill,  
But God to him like measure shortly sent:  
As he to others 〈◊〉 before had ment.   

Unjustice ever thrives, as thieves do thy:  
And bloudthirste cries for vengeance at his hand,  
Which all our right and wrongs 〈◊〉 daily see:  
The good to aid, and graceless to withstand:  
If either vice or 〈◊〉 we abande:  
We either are rewarded, as we serve:  
Or else are plagued, as our deeds deserve.   

Let this my warning then suffice each sort,  
Bio them beware, example here they see:  
It passeth play, 'tis tragical disport,  
To climb a step above their own degree,  
For though they think good fortune served not me,  
Yet did she use me, as she hsoe the resle:  
And so I think, she serveth even the best.    
FINIS.   


The Author,  

WHen Manlius had thus ended quite his tale,  
He vanishte out of sight as did the rest:  
And I perceived strait a person pale,  
Whose throat was torn and blodied all his breast,  
" Shall I (qd he) for audience make request,  
" Not sure it needs not, strange it seems to thee:  
" What he that bears this rentid corpse should be.   

" Wherefore I deem thou canst not choose but by de,  
" And here my tale as others erst before:  
" Sith by so strange a means thouseest I died,  
" With rentid throat and breast, thou musiste more:  
" Mark well (qd he) my rattling voice therefore,  
And therewithal, this tale he 'gan to tell,  
Which Irecyte, though nothing near so well.    

Mempricius given all to lust, pleasure and the sin of sodomy: tells how he was devoured of wolves. The years before Christ. 989.  

〈◊〉 often said a man should do likewise  
To other, as he would to him they did:  
Do as thou wouldst be done to saith the wise,  
And do as conscience, and as justice bid.  
But he that minds for rule another rid,  
Must not his hands with cruel blood distain:  
For blood doth always cry for blood again.   

Eke justful life that sleeps in sinks of sin  
Procures a plague, fie fie on Venus' vile.  
We little wots the mischief is therein,  
When we with poisons sweet ourselves beguile:  
The pleasures pass, the joys endure but while,  
And naught there by at all we get or gain:  
But dreadful death, and everlasting pain.   

Me thinks thou lookist for to have my name,  
And musist what I am that thus do come:  
I would or this have told it but for shame,  
Wherefore to give example yet to some:  
I will no longer feign myself so dom,  
But sith I must as others tell their fall:  
Take here my name, my life, my death and all.   

I am Mempricius, Madans' eldest son,  
Once king of Britain that my brother slew:  
Whereby the crown, and kingdom all I won,  
And after nourished vices more that grew.  
Not natures laws, nor Gods, nor man's I knew,  
But lived in lust not recking any thing:  
I deemed was naught unlawful for a king.   

For when I had, my brother brought on bear,  
I thought in rest to keep this kingdom long  
And I was void of doubt, I had no fear:  
Was none durst check me, did I right or wrong:  
I lived at large, and thought my power so stronger  
There could no man prevail against my will,  
In steed of law that used rigour still.   

So after that I fell to slothful ease,  
A vice that breeds a number more beside:  
I waxed so testy none durst me displease  
And eke so puffed with glory vain and pride.  
My senseless sense as ship without a guide,  
Was tossed with every fancy of my brain:  
Like Phoebus' chariot, under Phaeton's rain.   

I deemed them foes that me good counsel gave,  
And those my chiefest friends could gloze and lie:  
I hated them that were so sage and grave,  
And those I loud were lusty, lewd and sly:  
I did the wisest wits as fools defy:  
Such sots, knaves, ruffians, roisters I embraced:  
As were unwise, unhonest, rude, unchaste.   

I lusted eke as loathsome lechers use,  
My subjects wives and daughters at my will  
I did so often as me pleased abuse,  
Perforce I kept them at my pleasure still.  
Thus got I queans, and concubines at fill:  
And for their sakes I put a way my wife:  
Such was my lewdness, lust, and lawless life.   

But shame for bids me for to tell the rest,  
It me abhors to show what did ensue:  
And yet because it moveth in my breast,  
Compunction still and was God wots to true:  
I will declare whence my destruction grew:  
To Sodomes' sin alas I fell and than,  
I was despised, both of God and man,   

Can I long prospero thus, do you suppose?  
Might aught of evil exceed these vices told:  
Think you there's any wight on ground that goes.  
Might scape revenge, of vice so manifold:  
Not sure, who is in sianefulnes so bold,  
His vices far like weeds, they sprout so fast:  
They kill the corpse, as weeds the corn at last.   

My great outrage, my heedless head, the life  
I beastly led, could not continued so,  
My brother's blood, my leaving of my wife:  
And working of my friends and subjects woe,  
Cried still to God for my fowl overthrne:  
Which hears that wronged, he heeds their careful case,  
And at the length doth all their foes deface.   

Yet I mistrusting no mishaps at hand,  
(Though I were worthy twenty times to die)  
I lewdly lived, and did my wealth with stand:  
I never thought my end was half so nigh.  
For my disport I road on hunting I,  
In woods the fearful heart I chased fast:  
Till quite I lost my company at last.   

And or I witted, to cost I found my foes,  
By chance I came, where as the wolves they bred.  
Which in a moment did me round enclose:  
And mounted at my horse his throat, and head.  
Some on his hinder parts their paunches fed,  
Yet fought I still to scape, if it might be:  
Till they my fainted horse, pulled down with me.   

Then was I hopeless to escape their jaws,  
They fastened all their holder's fast on me:  
And on my royal robes they set their claws,  
My Princely presence, nor my high degree,  
Moved them no more obeissant for to be,  
Nor of my corpse, to take no more remorse:  
Then did the grievous groaning of my horse.   

But ravenously they rend, my breast and throat,  
Forsohe my steed, came all at once and tare  
My tender corpse, from which they fleyde my coat.  
And of my flesh they made at all no spare:  
They never left me till my bones were bore.  
Lo thus I sleme my brother, left my wife,  
Lived vilely, and as vilely ended life.   

Beware of bloudp broils, beware of wrong:  
Embrace the counsel of the wise and sage.  
Trust not to power, though it be near so strong:  
Beware of rashness rude and coisters rage.  
Eschew vile Venus' toys, she cuts of age,  
And learn this lesson of (and teach) thy friend:  
By pocks, death sudden, 〈◊〉, harlots enne.    
Finis.   


The Author.  

ON this me thought he vanishte quite away,  
And I was left with Morpheus all alone:  
Whom I desyrde these gryzely ghosts to stay,  
Till I had space to hear them one by one.  
And even with that was Somnus servant gone,  
Whereby I slept and took mine ease that night,  
And in the morning rose their tales to write,   

Now (Reader) if you think I mistemy mark,  
In any thing whilere but stories told:  
You must consider that a simple clerk,  
Hath not such skill theffect of things t'unfolde,  
But may with ease of wiser be controlled:  
Eke who so writes as much the like as this,  
May hap be deemed likewise as much to miss.   

Wherefore if these may not content your mind,  
As each man cannot favour all men's veins:  
I pray you yet let me this friendship find,  
Give your good will, I crave noughtels for pains.  
Which if you grudge me, as to great a gains:  
Then is my love to you, and labour lost,  
And you may learn take heed, with greater cost.   

But now me thinks I hear the carpers tell,  
Says one, the writer wanted words to fill:  
The next reproved the verse not couched well:  
The third declares, where lacked a point of skill:  
Some others say they like the mitre ill.  
But what of this? shall these dismay me quite?  
Not sure, I will not cease for such to write.   

For with more ease, in other works they find  
A fault, then take upon themselves to pen  
So much, and eke content each reader's mind:  
How should my verse crave all their likings then:  
Sigh sundry are the sects of divers men,  
I must endeavour only those to please:  
Which like that comes, so it be for their ease.   

The rest I reck as they blame worthy be,  
For if the words I wrote for good intent:  
Take other sense than they received of me,  
Be turned to worse, torn, reached, racked or rend  
Or hacked and hewed, not construed as I meant:  
The blame is theirs, which with my works so mell:  
Less faulty he that wished his country well.   

If some be pleased and eased, I lease no toil,  
At carpers' girdle hangs not all the keys:  
What price gains he, that gives him fall or foil,  
Which never won by wrestling any praise,  
I have not spent in poetry my days,  
Some other works in proase I printed have:  
And more I writ for which I lay sure save.   

And for mineage not thirty years hath past,  
No style so ripe can younger years ataine.  
For of them all, but only ten the last,  
To learn the tongues, and write I took the pain,  
If I thereby received any gain,  
By French or Latin chiefly which I chose,  
These five years passed by writing I disclose.   

Of which, the first two years I Grammar taught:  
The other twain, I Huloets work enlarged:  
The last translated Aldus phrases fraught  
With eloquence, and took of Terence charge  
At Printers hand, to add the flowers at large  
Which wanted there, in Vdalles work before:  
And written this book with other divers more.   

Then pardon what's amiss, a while give ear,  
So shall you hear the rest that I recite,  
Describing next what Princes did appear:  
When I had ended these are past to writ,  
In slumber as I chanced to lie one night,  
Was Somnus priest, whom I desyrde to send  
His Morpheus aye de, these Tragedies to end.   

Wherewith he granted my request and called  
For Morpheus strait: which knew whereto he came.  
" I will (quoth he) the rest, whom Fortune thralled.  
" Of britains show: thyself to hear them frame,  
And therewithal he fet forth one like Fame,  
In feathers all with wings so finely dight:  
As 'twere a bird, in human shape of flight.   

Yet 'twas not Fame that femme of painted plume,  
He rather seemed Icarus deceived,  
〈◊〉 wings to fly nigh Phoebus did presume.  
At length in deed I plainly well perceaude,  
It was some king of vital breath bereaude,  
From flight he fell presuming far to high:  
Give ear, take heed and learn not so to fly.    

Bladud reciteth how he Practicing by curious arts to fly, fell and broke his neck. The year before Christ. 844:  

SHall I rehearse, like wise my name:  
And eke a place amongst them fill,  
Which at their ends to mischief came:  
Sigh Morpheus bids me so I william.   

And that because I see the mind,  
To writ my story fate and fall,  
Such curious heads it read and find:  
May fly, to flee, and shun my thrall.   

If danger teach them live take heed:  
If leesers' harm, make lookers wise:  
If wariness, do safety breed,  
Or wrack make sailors shelves despise.   

Then may my hurt, give sample sure:  
My loss of life may lookers learn:  
My warning may beware procure,  
To such as danger scarce discern.   

I am that Bladud Britain king,  
Rudhudebras his eldest son,  
Did learning first to England bring:  
And other wonders more were done.   

Now give me ear, and after write:  
Mark well my life example take:  
Cschue the evil that I recyre,  
And of my death a mirror make,   

In youth I gave my mind to lore,  
For I in learning took repast:  
Not earthly pleasure likce me more,  
I went to Athens at the last.   

A town in Greece, whose fame, went forth  
Through all the world her name was spread:  
I counted knowledge so much worth,  
Her only love to Greece me led.   

There first of all the arts of seven,  
Wherein before I had small skill:  
I Grammar gate declares the stenen,  
By rule to speak, and write at william.   

Next after that in Rhetoric fine,  
Which teacheth how the talk to file:  
I gate some knowledge in short time,  
And could persuade within a while.   

I thirdly learned Logic well,  
An art that teacheth to dispute:  
To answer wisely or refel,  
distinguish, prove, disprove, confute.   

Then after that of number, I  
The skilful art likewise attained:  
Wherein of Mathematics lie.  
Full many points I after gained.   

And Music mild I lernde that teltes,  
Tune, time, and measure of the song:  
A science sweet the rest excels,  
For melody her notes among.   

But sirtly I the dame of arts,  
Geometry of great engine  
Employed, with all her skilful parts:  
Thereby some greater gifts to win.   

So last I lernde Astronomy,  
A lofty art that paste them all:  
To know by motions of the sky,  
And fired stars, what chance might fall.   

This pleasant art allured me,  
To many fond inventions then:  
For judgements of Astrology,  
Delights the minds of wisest men.   

So doth the art Physiognomy,  
Depends on judgement of the face:  
And that of metoposcopy,  
Which of the forehead tells the grace.   

And chiromancy by the hand,  
Conjectures of the inward mind:  
Eke Geomancy by the land,  
Doth divers many farlies find.   

Augurium eke was used of old  
By hyrdes of future things presagde:  
And many things thereby they told,  
Were skilful, learned, wise and agds.   

But Magic for it, seemid fweete,  
And full of wonders made me muse:  
For many feats I thought it meet,  
And pleasant for a prince to use,   

Three kinds there are, for nature's skill,  
The first they Natural do name:  
In which by herbs and stones they will,  
Work wonders things, are worthy fame.   

The next is Mathematical,  
Where Magic works by nature so:  
That brazen heads make speak it shall,  
Of wood birds, bodies fly, and go.   

The third Veneficall by right,  
Is named for by it they make:  
The shapes of bodies cbaunge in sight,  
And other forms on them to take.   

What need I tell what Theurgy is,  
Or Necromancy you despise:  
A devilish art, the feenes by this,  
Seem called, and conjured to arise.   

Of these too much I learned then,  
By those such secret arts profeste:  
For of the wise and skilful men,  
Whom Fame had praised I gate the best.   

They promised for to teach me so,  
The secrets of dame nature's skill:  
That I need never taste of woe,  
But always might foresee it still.   

Wherefore inflamed with their love,  
I brought away the best I could:  
From Greece to Britain land to prove,  
What feats for me devise they would.   

Of which were four Philosophers,  
For passing skill excelde the rest:  
Physicians and Astronomers,  
In Athens all they were the best.   

My father hard of my return,  
Of my success in learning there:  
And how the grecians did adorn,  
My wits with arts that worthy were.   

He heard likewise what store I brought,  
Of learned greeks from Aticke soil:  
And of my labour learning sought,  
With study, travail, pain and toil.   

I likewise heard he builded here,  
Three towns while absent thence was I:  
By south he foundid Winchester,  
By Cast he built Cantorbury.   

By West full bigve he built the last,  
On hill from waters deep below:  
Called Shaftesbury on rocks full fast,  
It stands and gives to Seas a show.   

These caused we both might well rejoice  
He for because I gate such same:  
And I, for that by all men's boyce,  
His facts deserved immortal name.   

What needs much talk the peers, and all  
The commons eke with one assence:  
Extolled my name especial,  
Which had my youth in learning spent.   

I was received with triumphs great,  
With pageants in each town I passed:  
And at the court my princely seat.  
Was by my fathers joined fast.   

The nobles than desired to have,  
On me their children wait and tend:  
And royal gifts with them me gave,  
As might their powers thereto extend.   

But here began my cause of care,  
As all delights at length have end:  
Bemixte with woes our pleasures are,  
Amidste my joys, I lost a friend.   

My father, nine and twenty years,  
This time had reigned and held the crown:  
As by your chronicles appears,  
When fates, on us began to frown.   

For even amidst his most of joy,  
As youth, and strength and honours fade:  
Sore sickness did him long annoy,  
At last, of life an end it made.   

Then was I chose king of this land,  
And had the crown as had the rest:  
I bore the sceptre in my hand,  
And sword that all our foes oppressed.   

Eke for because the greeks did bse,  
Me well in Greece at Athens late:  
I bade those four I brought to choose,  
A place that I might dedicated.   

To all the Muses and their arts,  
To learning's use for evermore:  
Which when they sought in divers parts,  
At last they found a place therefore.   

Amidst the realm it lies melnfghe,  
As they by art and skill did prove:  
An healthful place not low nor bigve,  
An wholesome soil for their behove.   

With water streams, and springs for melles:  
And meadows sweet, and baleyes green:  
And woods, groves, quaries, all things else  
For students weal, or pleasure been.   

When they reported this to me,  
They prayed my grace that I would bussde,  
Them there an bntuer sitle,  
The fruits of learning for to yelne.   

I built the schools, like Atikes then,  
And gave them lands to maintain those:  
Which were accounted learned men,  
And could the grounds of arts disclose.   

The town is called Stamforde yet,  
There stand the walls until this day:  
Foundations eke of schools I set,  
Bide yet not maintained in decay.   

Whereby the land received store,  
Of learned clerks long after that:  
But now give ear I tell the more,  
And then my fall, and great mishap.   

Because that time Apollo was,  
Surmised the God that gave us wit:  
I built his temple brave did pass,  
At Troynovant the place is yet.   

Some say I made the baths at Bath:  
And made therefore two tons of brass:  
And other twain seven salts that have  
In them, but these be made of glass   

With sulphur field, and other things,  
Wyide fire, saltgem, salt peter eke:  
Salt armoniac, salt 〈◊〉,  
Salt common, and salt Arabecke.   

Salt niter mirid with the rest,  
In these four tons by portions right:  
Four wells to say them in were dressed,  
Wherein they boil, both day and night.   

The water springs them round about,  
Doth rise for aye and boileth still:  
The tons within and eke without,  
Do all the wells with vapours fill.   

So that the heat and cleansing power,  
Of Sulphur and of salts and fire:  
Doth make the baths each pointed hour,  
To help the sickly health desire.   

These baths to soften sinews have,  
Great virtue and to scour the skin:  
From morphew white, and black to save,  
The bodies faint, are bathed therein.   

For lepry, scabs, and sores are old,  
For scurfs, and botch, and humours fall:  
The baths have virtues many fold,  
If God give grace to cure them all.   

The joints are swelled, and hardened milt:  
And hardened liver palseis pain,  
The pox and itch, if work thou wilt,  
By help of God it heals again.   

Shall I renege I made them then:  
Shall I deny my cunning 〈◊〉  
By help I had of learned men,  
Those worthy wells in grateful 〈◊〉   

I will do so: for God gave grate,  
Whereby I knew what nature wrought:  
And lent me lore to find the place,  
By wisdom where those wells I sought.   

Which once confessed to here my harm,  
Eschew the like if thou be wise:  
Let never will thy wits becharme,  
Or make the change of kind devise.   

For if the fish would learn to go,  
And leave to swim against his bre:  
When he were quite the waters fro,  
He could not swim you may be sure.   

Or if the beast would learn to fly,  
That had no plumes by nature lent:  
And get him wings as erst did I,  
Would not think you it him 〈◊〉   

Though Magic Mathematical,  
Make wooden birds to fly and sore:  
Eke brazen heads that speak they shall,  
And promise' many marvels more,   

Yet sith it swerves from Nature's will,  
As much as these that I recite:  
Refuse the fondness of such skill,  
Doth aye with death the proof requited.   

I deemed I could more sooner frame,  
Myself to fly then birds of wood:  
And meant to get eternal fame,  
Which I esteemed the greatest good.   

I decked myself with plumes and wings,  
As here thou seest in skilful wise:  
And many equal poising things,  
To aid my flight, to fall or rise.   

Thou thinckste an art that seldom bsde,  
In hand I took, and so it was:  
But we no danger then refused,  
So we might bring our feats to pass.   

By practise at the length I could,  
'Gainst store of wind with ease arise:  
And than which way to light I should,  
And mount, and turn I did devise.   

Which learned but not perfectly,  
Before I had there of the sleight:  
I new aloft but down fell I,  
For want of skill again to light.   

Upon the temple erst I built,  
To God Apollo, down I fell:  
In fiters broisde for such a guilt,  
A just revenge requited well.   

For what should I presume so high,  
Against the course of nature quite:  
To take me wings and say to flpe,  
A fool no fowl in feathers dight.   

As learning find and cunning finds,  
To such have wit the same to use:  
So she confounds, and mars the minds,  
Of those her secrets seem t'abuse.   

Well then deserts required my fall,  
Presumption proud, deprived my breath:  
Renown bereft my life and all,  
Desire of praise, procured my death:   

Do let alureing arts alone,  
They pleasant seem yet are they vain:  
Among an hundredth scarce is one,  
Doth aught thereby but labour gain.   

Their cunning casts are crafty cares,  
Devices vain devised by men:  
Such witched wiles are Satan's snares,  
To train in fools, despise them then.   

Their wisdom is but wily wit,  
Their sageness is but subtlety:  
Dark dreams devised for fools are fit,  
And such as practise pampestry.   

Thou seest my fall and eke the cause,  
Unwisely I good gifts abused:  
Lo here the hurt of learned saws,  
If they be mrested or misuide.   

Then writ my story with the rest,  
May pleasure when it comes to view:  
Take heed of counsels all is best,  
Beware, take heeds farewell adieu.   

Farewell, will students keep in mind,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉:  
Else May they chance like fate to find,  
For why, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.    
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   


The Author.  

WHen Bladud thus had ended quite his tale,  
And told his life as you have heard before:  
He took his flight and then a Lady pale,  
A pearde in sight, berayed with bloody gore:  
In hand a knife of sanguine dye she bore:  
And in her breast a wound was pierced wide,  
So freshly bled, as if but than she died,   

She staid a while, her colour came and went,  
And doubtful was that would have told her pain:  
In woeful sort she seemed to lament,  
And could not well her tongue from talk refrain,  
For why her griefs unfold she would right feign,  
Yet bashful was: at length an end to make,  
Her Morpheus wild, and then thus wife she spoke,    

Cordila shows how by despair when she was in prison she slew herself. the year before Christ. 800.  

If any woeful might have cause, to mail her more;  
Or griefs are passed do prick us Princes tell our fall:  
By self likewise must needs constrained eke do so,  
And show my like misfortunes and mishaps withal.  
Should I keep close my bevy haps and 〈◊〉  
Then did I wrong: I wronged myself and thee,  
Which of my facts, a witness true mayst be.   

A woman yet must blush when bashful is the case,  
Though truth bid tell the tale and story as it fell:  
But sith that I mislike not audience time nor place  
Therefore, I cannot still keep in my counsel well:  
Not greater case of heart than griefs to tell,  
It daunteth all the dolours of our mind,  
Our careful hearts thereby great comfort find.   

For why to tell that may recounted be again,  
And tell it as our cares may compass case:  
That is the salve and medicine of our pain,  
Which cureth corseys all and sores of our disease:  
It doth our pinching pangs, and pains a pease:  
It pleads the part of an assured friend,  
And tells the trade, like vices to amend.   

Therefore if I more willing be to tell my fall,  
And show mishaps to ease my burdened breast and minder  
That others haply may avoid and shun like thrall,  
And thereby in distress more aid and comfort find.  
They may keep measure where as I declined,  
And willing be to fly like bruit and blame:  
As I to tell, or thou to writ the same.   

For sith I see the priest to hear that wilt record,  
What I Cordila tell to ease my inward sinart:  
I will recite my story tragical each word,  
To the that giust an ear to hear and ready art,  
And jest I set the horse behind the cart,  
I mind to tell each thing in order so,  
As thou mayst see and show whence sprang my wo.   

My grandsire Bladud height that found the Baths by skill,  
A feathered king that practised for to fly and soar:  
Whereby he felt the fall God wots against his will,  
And never went, rood, reigned nor spoke, nor flew no more,  
Who dead his son my father Leire therefore,  
Was chosen king, by right apparent heir,  
Which after built the town of Leircestere.   

We had three daughters, first and eldest height Gonerell:  
Next after by'r, my sister Ragan was begot:  
The third and last was, I the youngest named Cordell,  
And of us all, our father Leire in age did dote.  
So minding her that loud him best to note,  
Because he had no son t'enjoy his land:  
He thought to give, where favour most he fande.   

What though I youngest were, yet men me judged more wise  
Than either Gonorell, or Ragan had more age,  
And fairer far: wherefore my sisters did despise  
My grace, and gifts, and sought my praise t'swage:  
But yet though vice 'gainst virtue die with rage,  
It cannot keep her underneath to drown,  
But still she flits above, and reaps renown.   

Yet nevertheless, my father did me not mystic:  
But age so simple is, and easy to subdue:  
As childhood weak, that's void of wit and reason quite:  
They think there's naught, you flatter feigned, but all is true:  
Once old and twice a child, 'tis said with you,  
Which I affirm by proof, that was defined:  
In age my father had a childish mind.   

He thought to wed us unto nobles three, or Peres:  
And unto them and theirs, divide and part the land:  
For both my sisters first he sent as first their years  
Required their minds, and love, and favour t'understand.  
(Quoth he) all doubts of duty to abande,  
I must assay and eke your friendships prove:  
Now tell me each how much you do me love.   

Which when they answered, they loud him well and more  
Than they themselves did love, or any worldly wight:  
He praised them and said he would again therefore,  
The loving kindness they deserved in fine requited:  
So found my sister's favour in his sight,  
By flattery fair they won their father's heart:  
Which after turned, him and me to smart.   

But not content with this he minded me to prove,  
For why he wonted was to love me wonders well:  
How much dost thou (qd he) Cordile thy father love:  
I will (said I) at once my love declare and tell:  
I loud you ever as my father well,  
Not otherwise, if more to know you crave:  
We love you chief for the goods you have.   

Thus much I said, the more their flattery to detect,  
But he me answered thereunto again with Ire,  
Because thou dost thy father's aged years neglect,  
That loud the more of late then thy deserts require,  
Thou never shalt, to any part aspire  
Of this my realm, among thy sisters twain,  
But ever shalt bndotid aye remain.   

Then to the king of Albany for wife he gave  
My sister Gonerell, the eldest of us all:  
And eke my sister Ragan for Hinnine to have,  
Which then was Prince of Camber and Cornwall:  
These after him should have his kingdom all  
Between them both, he gave it frank and free:  
But naught at all, he gave of domry me.   

At last it 〈◊〉 that king of France to here my fame,  
My beauty brave, was blazed all abroad each where:  
And eke my virtues praisoe me to my father's blame  
Did for my sister's flattery me 〈◊〉 favour bear.  
Which when this worthy king my wrongs did hear,  
He sent embassage liked me more than life,  
T'entreat he might me have to be his wife.   

My father was content withal his heart, and said,  
He gladly should obtain his whole request at will  
Concerning me, if nothing I herein denayed:  
But yet he kept by their 〈◊〉 hatred still,  
(qd he) your prince his pleasure to fulfil,  
I grant and give my daughter as you crave:  
But naught of me for dowry can she have.   

King Aganippus well agreed to take me so,  
He deemed that virtue was of dowries all the best:  
And I contented was to France my father 〈◊〉  
For to departed, & 〈◊〉 t'enjoy some greater rest.  
I married was, and then my joys encreaste,  
I gate more favour in this prince his fight,  
Then ever princess of a princely wight.   

But while that I these toys evioyd, at home in France  
My father Leire in Britain warred aged old,  
My sisters yet themselves the more aloft t'advance,  
Thought well they might, be by his leave, or sans so bold:  
To take the realm & rule it as they would.  
They rose as rebels void of reason quite,  
And they deprived him of his crown and right.   

Then they agreed, it should be into parts 〈◊〉  
Divided: and my father threescore knights & squires  
Should always have, attending on him still at call.  
But in sit months so much increased hateful Ires,  
That Gonerell denied all his desires,  
So half his guard she and her husband refte:  
And scarce aloud the other half they left.   

Eke as in Scotland thus he lay lamenting fates,  
When as his daughter so, sought all his utter spoil:  
The meaner upstart gentiles, thought themselves his 〈◊〉  
And betters eke, see here an aged prince his foil.  
Then was he sane for succour his, to toil.  
With all his knights, to Cornwall there to lie:  
In greatest need, his Raganes love to try.   

And when he came to Cornwall, Ragan them with foye,  
Received him and eke bitten husband did the like:  
There he abode a year and lived without a noy,  
But then they took, all his retinue from him quite  
Save only ten, and showed 〈◊〉 daily spite,  
Which he bewailed 〈◊〉 durst not strive,  
Though in disoayne they last aloud but five.   

On this he deemed him, self was far that tyine unwise,  
When from his daughter Gonerell to Ragan he:  
Departed erst yet each did him poor king despise,  
Wherefore to Scotland once again with bit to be  
And bide be went: but beastly cruel she,  
Bereaude him of his servants all save one,  
Bade him content himself with that or none.   

Eke at what time he asked of each to have his guard,  
To garoe his grace where so he walked or went:  
They called him doting fool and all his hests debarred,  
Demanded if with life he could not be content,  
〈◊〉 he to late his rigour did repent,  
'Gainst me and said, Cordila now 〈◊〉:  
I find the 〈◊〉 thou 〈◊〉 me to to true.   

And to be short, to France he came alone to me,  
And told me how my sisters him our father used:  
Then I besought my king with tears upon my knee,  
That he would aid my father thus by them misused  
Who naught at all my humble best refused:  
But sent to every cost of France for aid,  
Wherewith my father home might be conveyed.   

The soldiers gathered from each quarter of the land,  
Came at the length to know the king his mind & will:  
Who did commit them to my father's aged hand,  
And I likewise of love and reverent mere goodwill  
Desired my king, he would not take it ill,  
If I departed for a space withal:  
To take a part, or ease my father's thrall.   

This had: I partid with my father from my fere,  
We came to Britain with our royal camp to fight:  
And manly fought so long our enemies banquisht were  
By martial feats, and force by subjects sword and might.  
The british kings were fain to yield our right,  
And so my father well this realm did guide,  
Three years in peace and after that he died.   

Then I at Leircester in janus temple made,  
His tomb and buried there his kingly regal corpse,  
As sundry times in life before he often bade:  
For of our fathers will we then did greatly force,  
We had of conscience eke so much remorse,  
That we supposed those children's lives to ill:  
Which broke their father's testament, and william.   

And I was queen the kingdom after still to hold,  
Till five years paste I did this Island guide:  
I had the britains at what beck & bay I would,  
Till that my loving king mine Aganippus died.  
But then my seat it faltered on each side,  
Two churlish Imps began with me to far,  
And for my crown wadgde with me mortal war.   

The one height Morgan th'elder son of Gonerell  
My sister, and that other Conidagus height  
My sister Ragans son, that loud me never well:  
Both nephews mine, yet would against me Cordel fight,  
Because I loud always that seemed right:  
Therefore they hated me, and did pursue,  
Their aunt and queen as she had been a jewe.   

This Morgane was that time the prince of Albany,  
And Comdagus king of cornwall and of Wales:  
Both which, at once prousded their artillery,  
To work me woeful woe, & mine adherentes bales:  
What need I fill thine ears with longer tales ':  
They did prevail by might and power so fast  
That I was taken prisoner at last.   

In spiteful sort, they used then my captive corpse,  
No favour showed to me, ertincte was mine estate.  
Of kindred, princess blood, or peer was no remorse,  
But as an abject vile and worse they did me hate,  
To lie in darksome dungeon was my fate:  
As 'twere a thief mine answers to abide,  
'Gainst right and justice, under jaylours' guide.   

For liberty at length I suid, to subjects were:  
But they kept me in prison close devoid of trust,  
If I might once escape, they were in dread and fear,  
Their fawning friends with me would prove untrue and 〈◊〉.  
They told me take it patiently I must,  
And be contented that I had my life:  
sith with their mothers I began the strife.   

Whereby I saw might nothing me prevail to pray,  
Or plead, or prove, defend, excuse or pardon crave.  
They heard me not, despised my plaints, sought my decay,  
I might no law, nor love, nor right, nor justice have:  
Not friends, no faith, nor pity could me save:  
But I was from all hope of licence bard,  
Condemned my cause like never to be herd.   

Was ever lady in such woeful wreckful woe:  
Deprived of princely power, bereft of liberty,  
Deprived in all these worldly pomps, hit pleasures fro,  
And brought from wealth, to need distress, and misery:  
From palace proud, in prison poor to lie:  
From kingdoms twain, to dungeon one no more:  
From Ladies waiting, unto vermin store.   

From light to dark, from wholesome air to lothsam smell:  
From odewr sweet, to sweat: from ease, to grievous pain:  
From sight of princely wights, to place where thieves do dwell:  
From dainty beds of down, to be of straw full fain:  
From dove's of heavenly hew, to dens of deign:  
From greatest haps, that worldly wights achieve:  
To more distress than any wretch alive.   

When first I left the crown of France, tid me eralte,  
And eke my noble king, mine Aganippus true:  
And came to England for their beynous facts, and fault:  
Which from his right and kingdom quite our-father threw,  
To take this realm, to reign and treason knew:  
I think of all misfortunes was the worst,  
Or else I deem, was some of us accursed.   

For mark my hapless fall that draws at length to end,  
As in this prison vile, on live I lingering lay:  
When I had mourned long, but found no faithful friend  
That could me help, or aid, or comfort any way,  
Was served at meat, as those their kings betray,  
With fare God wots was simple, bore and thin,  
Can not sustain the cories it entered in.   

And when the sighs, & tears, & plaints nigh burst my heart,  
And place, and stench and fare night poisoned every poor:  
For lack of friends to tell my seas of guiltless smart,  
And that mine eyes had sworn to take sweet stepe no more,  
I was content such cares oppressed me sore,  
To leave my food, take mourning plaints and cry,  
And lay me down, let grief and nature try.   

Thus as I pining lay my carcase on couch of straw,  
And felt that pain erst never creature earthly knew:  
Me thought by night a gryzely ghost in darks I same,  
Eke nearer still to me with stealing steps she drew.  
She was of colour pale, a deadly hew:  
Her clotheses resembled thousand kinds of thrall,  
And pictures plain, of hastened deaths withal.   

I musing lay in pains and wondered what she was,  
Mine eyen stood still, mine hair rose up for fear an end.  
My flesh it shaken and trembled: yet I cried alas,  
What wight art thou, a foe or else what fawning 〈◊〉  
If death thou art, I pray thee make an end:  
But th'art not death: art thou some fury 〈◊〉  
My woeful corpse with pains to more 〈◊〉   

With that she spoke I am (qd she) thy friend Despair  
Which in distress eacue worldly wight with speed do aid:  
I rid them from their foes, if I to them repair,  
To long from thee by other caitiffs was I stayed.  
Now if thou art to die no whit afraid,  
Here shalt thou choose of instruments, 〈◊〉  
Shall rid thy restless life, of this be bold.   

And therewith all she spread her garments lap aside,  
Under the which a thousand things I saw with eyes:  
Both knives, sharp sword, poynadees all bedyde  
With blood, and paysons priest which she could well devise.  
There is no hope (qd she) for thee to rise,  
And get thy crown or liberty again:  
But for to live, long lasting pining pain.   

Lo here (qd she) the blade that Did ' of Carthage hight,  
Whereby she was from thousand pangs of pain let passes:  
With this she 〈◊〉 hit self, after Aeneas flight:  
When he to sea from Tyrian shores departed was.  
Do chouse of these thou seest from woes to pass,  
Or bid the end prolong thy painful days,  
And I am pleased from thee to get my ways.   

With that was I (〈◊〉 wretch) content to take the knife,  
But doubtful yet to die, and fearful feign would bide:  
So still I lay in study with myself at bate and strife.  
What thing were best of both these deep extremes untried.  
My hope all reasons of despair denied,  
And the again replied to prove it best  
To die, for still in life my woes increased.   

She called to mind, the joys in France I whilom had:  
She told me what a troop of Ladies was my train,  
And how that Lords of France and britains both were glad,  
Of late to wait on me and subjects all were feign.  
She could I had been Queen of kingdoms twain,  
And how my nephews had my seat and crowue:  
I could not rise, for ever fallen down.   

A thousand things, beside resited then despair:  
She could the woes in wars, that I had heaped of late:  
Rehearsed the prison boil, in steed of Pallas fair:  
My lodging low and mouldy meats my mouth did hate,  
She showed me all the dungeon where I sat,  
The dankeishe 〈◊〉, the 〈◊〉 and had me smell:  
And bide the savourif I like it well.   

Whereby I wretch 〈◊〉 of comfort quite and hope,  
And pleasures passed compared with present pains I had:  
For fatal my fearful hand did grope,  
Despair in this to aid my 〈◊〉 limbs was glad,  
And gave the blade to end my woes she had.  
I will (quoth I) but first with all my heart:  
I'll pray the Gods, revenge my woeful smart.   

If any wrong deserve the wreck I pray you skies,  
And stars of light, if you my woeful plight do rue:  
O Phoebus clear I thee beseech and pray like wise,  
Bear witness of my plaints well known to Gods are true.  
You see from whence these injuries they grew,  
Then let like vengeance hap and light on those:  
Which undeserved were my deadly foes.   

God grant a mortal strife between them both may fall,  
That one the other may without remorse destroy:  
That Conidagus may, his cousin Morgan thrall,  
Because he first decreased my wealth, bereft my joy.  
I pray you Gods he never be a Roy.  
But caitiff may be paid with such a friend:  
As shortly may him bring, to sudden end.   

Farewell my Realm of France, farewell Adieu:  
Adieu mes nobles tous, and England now farewell:  
Farewell Madams my Ladies, car ie suis pardu:  
Il me fault aler, desespoir m'a donne confeil  
Demetuer, no more your Queen farewell.  
My nephews me oppress with main and might,  
A captive poor, 'gainst justice all and right.   

And therewithal the sight did fail my dazzling eyen,  
I nothing same save sole Dispayrebad me dispatch,  
Whom I 〈◊〉, she caught the knife from me I ween,  
And by her elbow carian death for me did watch,  
Come on (quoth I) thou hast a goodly catch,  
And therewithal Despair the stroke did strike:  
Whereby I died, a damned creature like.   

Which I alas lament, bid those alive beware,  
Let not the loss of goods or honour them constrasne:  
To play the fools, and take such careful cark and care,  
Or to despair for any prison pine or pain.  
If they be guiltless let them so remain,  
far greater folly is it for to kill,  
Themselves despairing, then is any ill.   

Sigh first thereby their enemies have, that they desire:  
By which they prove to deadly foes unwares a 〈◊〉:  
And next they cannot live, to former bliss t'aspyre  
If God do bring their foes in time to sudden end:  
They lastly as the damned wretches send,  
Their souls to hell, when as they undertake  
To kill a corpse: which God did lively make.   
Finis,    


The Author.  

NOw, when this desperate Queen had ended thus  
Her tale, and told what hapless grace she had:  
As of her talk some points I did discuss,  
In slumber fallen I waxed wondrous sad  
Her nephews dealings were me thought to bad:  
Which greude me much, but Morpheus bad let be,  
And therewithal presented one to me.   

Of stature tall a worthy princely wight,  
In countenance he soemde yet mourning still:  
His complete harness not so bravein sight,  
Nor sure as ours, made now adays by skill:  
But clampt together, joints but joined ill:  
Unfit, unhandsome, heavy, huge and plain.  
Unwieldy wearing, rattling like a chain.   

Wherethroughe he had received a deadly stroke,  
By sword, or other instrument of war,  
And down his thighs the blood by scythes did soak  
Which I perceived as he came a far.  
" Now sith (quoth he) to hear you present are:  
" I will declare my name, life, facts and fall.  
And therewith thus he 'gan to tell it all,    

Morgan tells how he wadgeing war with his cousin Conidagus was slain at the place yet called Glamorgan, the year before Christ. 766.  

I Wots not well what reasons I may use,  
To quite myself from blame, blame worthy I:  
Wherefore I must perforce myself accuse,  
I am in fault I can it not deny.  
Remorse of conscience, pricks my heart so nigh,  
And me torments with pangs of pinching pain:  
I can no longer, me from speech refrain.   

I am that Morgan son of Gonerell,  
Th'ungrateful daughter, of her father Leire:  
Which from his kingdom did him once expel,  
As by the British stories may appear.  
Regan, and she conspired both sisters were,  
But were subdued again, and caused to yield  
Their father's crown, Cordila won the field.   

I need not here the stories all recite,  
It were to long but yet I briefly shall,  
The cause Cordila aught her sister's spite,  
Was they procured her, and their father's thrall:  
Yet 'twas her chance at length t'outliue them all,  
Both sisters elder, and her father grave:  
And eke at length the kingdom all to have.   

That time was I of Albany the king,  
Called Scotland now and eke my cousin then  
Of Cornwall and of Wales, whom I did bring  
To war against Cordila and her men.  
We said we would our title win again:  
And that because our mothers had it yore,  
We meant to get it ours again therefore.   

I must confess I was the cause of war,  
I was not pleased with that was looted me:  
Even so our minds Ambitious often are,  
And blinded that we cannot reason see.  
We think no men, but Gods on earth we be,  
Yet worse are we than beasts, which know their kind:  
For we have naught but mischief often in mind.   

We think if so we may our wills attain:  
By right, or wrong, by might or malice we  
Can never live, like Fortune for to gain.  
Or if on foes, we once revenged be:  
If that our enemies fall, we chance to see,  
O then we joy we lift ourselves to sky,  
And on the poor, we crucifige cry.   

I deemed if once, I might put her adown:  
The kingdoms all, were Conidags and mine,  
And I could easily after win the crown:  
If also I, his state might undermine.  
I thought in deed to have it all in fine,  
By force, or fraud I meant my purpose bring  
To pass, I might be after Britain king.   

To speak in few, we waged war so long,  
Bainst her, at last we put her unto flight,  
We nephews for our aunt were far to strong,  
Pursued and coke, deprived her of her right.  
We thought it ours what so we wan by might,  
Cke so play 〈◊〉, traitors all do watch,  
To get by spoil, and count their own they catch,   

Not so contented were we with the pray,  
But fearing jest she should recover aid:  
I sent in haste to prison her away,  
And all recourse of messengers densyde.  
Thus when she saw her Majesty decayed,  
And that her griefs and sorrows daily grew:  
In prison at the length herself she slew.   

O caitiff vile should I constrained a Queen  
That justice meant, her kingdom to forsake,  
Nay traitor I, as now by proof is seen  
That would myself by bloodshed ruler make.  
How could revenge on me but vengeance take,  
Before the seat of God, her blood did call:  
For vengeance, and at length procured my fall.   

Lo here God's justice, see my treason see:  
Behold, and see to reign was my delight,  
And mark, and make a mirro here of me,  
Which afterward was served by justice right.  
We won the crown, between us both in fight:  
And then because I was the elder son,  
Of th'elder Queen I claimed all we won.   

So were my dealings naught, in peace and war.  
But for my force, and fortunes used in fight:  
I passed that time the britains all by far.  
I was of person fortitude and might,  
Both comely, tall, strong, seemly eke in sight,  
Whereby I won men's favour, glory, wealth:  
And puffed with pride, at length forgot myself.   

I said it was my right, the crown to have,  
But Conidagus stoutly it denied:  
Wherefore I went to Wales my right to crave,  
With all mine army and to have it tried.  
Where long we fought it stoutly on each side,  
Till at the last unto my woeful pain:  
I was deprived of kingdom quite, and slain.   

And for to keep in memory for ay,  
That there unfaithful Morgan lost his life,  
The place is called Glamorgan to this day.  
There was I pierced to death with fatal knife,  
There was the end of all my hateful strife:  
So Morgan where he thought to win the crown,  
Was at Glamorgan traitor stricken down.   

Thus mayst thou tell, how proud ambition proves,  
What hap have tyrants, what we traitors have:  
What end he hath, that cruel dealing loves:  
What subjects get the Diadem docrave,  
'tis better then to win: thine own to save,  
For so orethwartly trade of Fortune goes:  
When win thou wouldst, than art thou sure to loose.   
Finis.    


The author.  

WIth that Morganus quickly passed away,  
The night me thought likewise was far epast  
Whereby it wearied me so long to stay,  
But Morpheus bade me by de and see the last,  
" (qd he) the stories pass away as fast,  
" As doth the time, and sith thou'rt nigh th'end:  
" Thou nedste not grudge, so short a space to spend.   

And turning then, himself from me aside:  
He called the next which therewithal in sight,  
Appeared and all his breast with blood bedide,  
What chance (qd I) hath so thy corpse bedight,  
Thou worthy prince, or what mishaps of fight?  
" I will (qd he) with all my heart unfold  
" My fatal fall, and therewithal he told.    

Forrex declares how he minding to kill his brother which ruled with him (that he might thereby reign alone) was by him slain. About the year before Christ. 491.  

PRide moves the minds, of stately wights  
Such haughty hearts to have,  
And causeth us for glory hayne,  
That is not ours to crave.   

Pride plucks out reason forth her place,  
And planteth will in stead:  
She puffs our minds with vain desires,  
Our fancies foude to feed.   

Whereby we grow so obstinate,  
And so ambitious ill:  
That us at length our bravery bids,  
In all things use our william.   

Ambition thinks that lawful is,  
Which likes her fancy best:  
And demes she aught to have her forth,  
And swinge before the rest.   

She loves no mates, controlment she  
And warning doth despise:  
She demes herself in all her deeds,  
And actions wonders wise.   

She hath desire of this and that,  
To get by crouch or claw:  
By right or wrong she 〈◊〉 not,  
She useth will for law.   

No kind, or country she regards,  
No mother, father she:  
Nor wife, or husband, kithe or kin:  
But envies each degree.   

For if thy heart Ambition have,  
Thy greedy mind to fill:  
Thou wilt not stick thy dearest friend,  
or nearest kin to kill.   

But as the proverb says that Pride,  
Must needs at length have fall:  
Though we suppose of strength and power,  
We have the devil and all.   

Even so I say Ambition makes,  
Us often climb so high:  
At leng th' we fall, we come to naught,  
And drowned in darkness lie.   

This may I Forrex well 〈◊〉,  
By proof to true I find:  
Wherefore I pray the with the rest,  
Do put my faults in mind.   

My father old height Gorboduge,  
Reigned three score years and three:  
And at his death gave all his land,  
Tween Porrex proud and me.   

five years we held, it so in peace,  
In rest me ruled well:  
But at the last by pride and wrath,  
We foul at discord fell.   

We each encrotchte on others parts,  
For rule we lived at strife:  
And each did seek occasion ay,  
To reave the other's life.   

I made this count I elder was,  
By birth the realm was mine:  
By war, or wrong, or blood I ment,  
To have it all in fine.   

And he although he younger were,  
Esteemed his state so sure  
As mine: and thought it his, if he  
My death might once procure,   

My mother eke, that loud me more,  
Although he younger was:  
By divers means did help me still,  
To bring my feats to pass.   

Whereby I thought myself so sure,  
To have my purpose sped:  
As I required if once I might,  
Get of his crafty head.   

See here what faith what friendship is,  
What love what favour we:  
Do show to any wight alive,  
If once aloft me be   

To fathers, we are faithless oft:  
To brothers, butchers vile:  
Of sister's small account we make,  
And wedded wives exile.   

If any kithe, or 〈◊〉, we have,  
By whom we vantage may:  
We care not by what cruel means,  
Their lives we take away.   

But for to get the seat alone,  
And for to win the crown:  
We care not whom, nor when, nor home:  
So we may get them down.   

O brutish beasts! nay worse than those,  
For they are still consent:  
With that they have what ever them,  
Hath God or Nature sent.   

But we do gape, and gaze for glore:  
We prowl, and poll, and pill,  
And swear, and stare, and strive, & fight,  
And one another kill.   

And all for pomp, and glory great,  
For name, renown, estate:  
Not caring of the commons cry,  
Or Gods eternal hate.   

If I had had, the gifts of grace,  
I never would have sought:  
By any means such worldly trash.  
With brother's blood to bought.   

But as I meant even so I sped,  
So bloody butchers thy:  
When most I deemed my purpose sure.  
He was to good for me.   

For as I thought his blood to shed,  
I compaste was about,  
So that for thousand kingdoms, I  
Can not with life scape out.   

He perste my heart, what skills it scythe,  
My mind was even as bad:  
For why what measure I him ment,  
Myself like measure had.   

And so all such, as murder mean,  
Intend, or treason use:  
Shall at the length, like end attain,  
Or worse they cannot choose.   
FINIS.    


The Author.  

WHen as king Forrex thus had told his tale,  
Me thought he stayed no whit but went his way.  
Then came a mangled corpse as full of bale,  
And or he nearer came made half a stay.  
" (qd Morpheus) come for shame thou nedste not stay,  
" As bad as thou have told their tales before,  
" And so must thou and divers other more.    

Porrex recites how for the slaughter of his brother, he was slain by his own mother and her maidens, as he lay sleeping. About the year before Christ. 491.  

FRom darksome deunes, where cruel Cain, 
Genes. 4.   
And others like do lie:  
Whose bloody blades were bathed in blood,  
Poor caitiff thence come I   

Where Typhon is his brother slew, 
Annius.   
Osiris in despite:  
And where their sister Isis is,  
Did him again requited.   

Where Dardanus to rule alone, 
Virgil.   
His brother made away:  
Etheoclus, Polinicus, 
In culi.   
At once did others slay.   

Where Helenus king Priam's son: 
Servius. 3. Aeneid. Ovid in Iben.   
His brother Theon killed.  
Medea eke in bloody wise:  
Her brother's blood that spilled.   

Where Tydeus is in hunting shoot 
Statius   
His brother through the side  
Polites eke his brother's heart  
With sword that opened wide.   

And where as that Cambyses is, 
Herodotus.   
His sister once that slew.  
And Polipontes king that made, 
Gel. lib. 4.   
His brother treason rue. 
cap. 3.    

And cruel where Odores is,  
Which mercy did deny:  
To Mithridate his brother dear,  
That did for pardon cry.   

Eke where Learchus is that did, 
Herodotus,   
His brother sick destroy:  
With poison deadly hoping so,  
To make himself a Roy.   

And where that wretch Mamertes lies, 
Ouidin Iben.   
His brother's sons that spilled.  
And Sisapho tormenting him,  
For such an heinous 〈◊〉.   

Where Rhesus and Caduidus are, 
Plutarch. Laert. Volater.   
with shafts their brethren slew,  
And Philadelphus Ptolomae,  
his brother's death did brew.   

Where Philopater Ptolemy, 
Volater.   
his father made away:  
And after that his brother with  
his dearist friends did slay.   

And where Ardieus tyrant vile, 
Plato 10. de rep.   
his aged father stroyde.  
And after that his elder bro.  
their kingdoms to enjoy.   

Where Mithridatus beastly king, 
Caelius.   
of Pontus feels annoy:  
Which mother his and brother eke,  
six children did destroy.   

Where is Antiochus the great, 
Volat.   
His brother brought to grave:  
That he might only reign alone,  
and all the kingdom have.   

Where Romulus that Remus stew, 
Livius. Lucan. ovid.   
of romans first had fall:  
Though 〈◊〉 brother first he were,  
presumed to scale the wall.   

And where Mempricius lewd doth lie, 
Flores Hist.   
a Britain Prince that slew,  
His brother Manlius fearing jest,  
he were to him untrue.   

Where jugurth eke that bastard is,  
his brethren brought to grave: 
Sallust.   
That after them Numidia,  
he might for kingdom have.   

And where a Thousand are beside,  
which were to long to tell:  
Their parents dear and brethren slew,  
and now in darkness devil.   

From thence I came a Britain yore,  
named Porrex once a king  
Again: to show what vices me,  
To sudden death did bring.   

Now list a while and then do writ,  
what I thee tell: that others may,  
Themselves in such attempts as these,  
from bloody acts, as brethren stay.   

My brother Forrex five years space,  
and I this kingdom held:  
Between 〈◊〉 both the common weal,  
we scace did wisely weld.   

At length we fond fell at 〈◊〉,  
so Princes bide no mate,  
Nor make, nor partners, with to reign  
but bear their equals hate.   

The heir because I youngest was,  
thought his by right the crown:  
But I esteemed the half was mine,  
and all if he were down.   

Whereby O brothel, butcher eke,  
not brother I did stay:  
My brother for to have it all,  
and get his right away.   

Such are the acts of delesse youths,  
Such are their studies still:  
Which care not what offence they make,  
So they their fancies still.   

But as it is unjustice, and  
an heinous act to use:  
Such murder, slaughter, parricide  
and justice all refuse.   

So jove the just at length requites,  
our deeds: and makes us rue,  
We ever were, to God, or man  
or nature's 〈◊〉 untrue.   

For when I deemed the crown was mine:  
which had my brother slain.  
O grief to tell my mother, and  
her maidens wrought my pain.   

Both for my fault, and for she loud,  
my brother Forrex still:  
With all her maids she came by night,  
my sleeping corpse to kill.   

And I that slombring sleeping lay,  
though many dreams fortold,  
My hapless fall: could never wake,  
the meaning to unfold,   

But last supposing with myself,  
I cruel Tigers saw,  
With ravening fierceness, rend their 〈◊〉  
against dame Nature's law.   

She came on me to fill my dream,  
before my eyes could wake,  
And with a dagger reft my life:  
for Forrex slaughters sake,   

Much like Agave and her mates, 
Virgil in 〈◊〉.   
she and her maidens got:  
Them tools therefore, and hewed my corpse,  
as small as flesh to pot.   

Or Progne Queen her children slew, 
ovid. 6. metamor.   
and he wde their members small:  
In wrathful ite made Tereus feed,  
and fill himself withal.   

Or like Medea monster Queen, 
Virgil. 8. Aegl.   
her jasons sons that killed:  
Because she was forsaken when,  
his purpose was fulfilleth.   

Like these was she nay worse for why,  
this ended Brutus' line:  
Brought me to end and her to shame,  
Though first the fault were mine.   

Bid those beware that ween to win,  
by bloody acts the crown:  
Jest from the height they feel the fall,  
of topsy turuye down.   

For if when they suppose themselves,  
aloft to touch the sky,  
There chance a storm there is no hold,  
to stay themselves so high.   

But faster far, more swiftly they,  
and with more swinge descend:  
Then ever erst they could with all,  
their force to climb contend:  
Do bid them then in all their deeds,  
mark well the fineall end.   
Finis,    


The Author.  

NExt after Porrex came another such,  
Had all his body quite in pieces rend:  
A desperate man, his life bewailing much.  
Which for he seemed sorely to lament,  
I was the rather him to hear content:  
That I might also note his story here,  
From like attempts of vices you to fear.    

Kimarus shows how for his evil life he was devoured by wild beasts, the year before Christ 321.  

NO place commends the man, unworthy praise:  
Not title of estate; doth stay up vices fall:  
Not wicked wight, to woe can make delays:  
Not lofty looks preserves the proud at all:  
Not brags or beast, no stature high and tall:  
Not lofty youth, no swearing, staring 〈◊〉:  
No bravery, banding, cogging, cutting out.   

Then what avails, to have a princely place:  
A name of honour, or an high degree:  
To come by kindred, of a noble race:  
Except we princely, worthy, noble Bee:  
The fruit declares the goodness of the tree.  
Do brag no more, of birth or lineage than:  
Sigh virtue, grace, and manners make the man.   

Myself might brag and first of all begin,  
Mulmutius made and constituted laws:  
And Belinus and Brenne his sons did win,  
Such praise their names to be immortal cause.  
Gurgunstus Redbearde with his sober saws,  
The son of Beline and my grandsire grand:  
Was fortunate what ere he took in hand.   

His son my grandsire Guintheline did pass,  
For virtues praise, and Martia was his wife,  
A noble Queen that wise and learned was,  
And gave herself to study all her life,  
Devising laws, discussed the ends of strife,  
Among the britains, to her endless Fame:  
Her statutes had of Martian laws the name.   

My father eke was sober, sage and wise,  
Cicilius height king Guintheline his son,  
Of noble Princes than my stock did rise:  
And of a Prince of Cornwall first begun,  
But what thereby of glory have I won:  
Can this suffice to answer eke for me,  
I came by parents of an high degree:   

Or shall I say Kimarus I was king:  
Then might I live as lewdly as I lust:  
Not sure I cannot so 〈◊〉 the sting,  
Of shame that pricks such Princes are bniuft:  
We rather should unto our virtues trust,  
For virtue of the ancient blood and kin,  
Doth only praise the parties she's within.   

And nobles only borne, of this be sure,  
Without the virtues of their noble race:  
Do quite and clean themselves thereby obscure,  
And their renown and dignities deface:  
They do their birth, and lineage all abase:  
For why in deed they ever aught so well,  
In virtues grave: as titles brave ercell.   

But often (God wots) they far as erst did I,  
They think if once they come of Princely stock:  
Then are they placed safe, and sure so high  
Above the rest as founded on a rock.  
Of wise men's warnings all they make a mock:  
Their counsels grave, as abject reeds despise:  
And count the brave, men gracious, worthy wise.   

This kingdom came to me by due descent,  
For why my father was before me king:  
But I to pleasure all and lust was bend,  
I never recked of justice any thing:  
What purpose I did mean to pass to bring,  
That same t'accomplish I withal my might  
Endevorde ever, were it wrong or right,   

I deemed the greatest joys, in earthly hap:  
I thought my pleasures ever would abide:  
I seemed to sit, in Lady Fortune's lap:  
I recked not all the world, me thought beside:  
I did by lust myself, and others guide:  
Where by the fates to work my bane withal,  
And cut me of, thus wise procured my fall.   

As I was always bend to bunting still,  
(Yet hunting was no vice to those I had)  
When I three years had ruled this realm at 〈◊〉,  
In chase a chance did make my heart full sad:  
Wild cruel beasts as desperate and mad,  
Turned back on me, as I them brought to bay:  
And in their rage, my sinful corpse did slay.   

A just reward, for so 〈◊〉 a life,  
Not worse a death than I deserved yore.  
Such wrecks in th'end to wretches all are rife:  
Who may and will not call for grace before.  
My wilful deeds were naught, what wilt thou more:  
My wanton wildness, witless, heedless toys:  
By brutish beasts bereaved me of my joys.   
FINIS.    


The Author.  

ON this Kimarus left me all alone,  
And so did Morpheus, than I thought to rest:  
But yet again he came presenting one,  
For audience likewise making his request,  
A worthy prince, he ware a warlike crest:  
A blade in hand, he bloody rusty boar,  
Was all his harness from his shoulders tore.   

His arms, and hands were all imbrued in blood,  
So was his breast, but all the rest beside,  
Seemed rayed with matter vile, or slimy mud,  
With read and yellow as it were bedide:  
You scarcely could the sight thereof abide:  
Yet sith he seemed some worthy wight to be,  
It brought by far less squemishnes to me.    

Morindus a bastard, declares how he was 〈◊〉 to the kingdom, warred cruel, and at last was devoured by a monster, the year before Christ. 303.  

LEt me likewise declare my facts and fall:  
And eke recite what means this slimy glere:  
You need not fain so quaint a look at all,  
Although I seem so fulsome every where.  
This blade in bloody hand pardie I bear,  
And all this gore bemingled with this glue:  
In witness I my deadly enemy 〈◊〉.   

Then mark my tale beware of rashness boil,  
I am Morindus once was Britain king:  
On whom did sweetly lady Fortune smile,  
Till she me to her top of towers did bring.  
My fame both far and near she made to ring,  
And eke my praise exalted so to sky:  
In all my time, 〈◊〉 famous none then I   

Some say I was by birth, a 〈◊〉 base:  
Be gotten of the prince his concubine.  
But what I was, declared well my grace:  
My fortitude, and stature princely mine:  
My father 〈◊〉 that came of princely line,  
King Danius gave not so base degree,  
Nor yet the noble britains unto me.   

For 〈◊〉 of arms, and warlike points I pass:  
In courage stout, there lived not then my peer:  
I made them all, that knew my name aghast,  
And heard how great my enterprises were,  
To shrink, and slynke, and shift aside for fear:  
All which at length, did me such glory bring,  
My father dead, the britains made me king.   

But see how blind we are, when Fortune smples,  
How senseless we, when dignities increase:  
We ever use ourselves discreetly whiles  
We little have, and love to live in peace.  
Small fauters facts, with mercy we release:  
We use no rigour, rancour, rapine such:  
As after, when we have our wills to much.   

For while that I, a subject was no king,  
While I had nothing, but my facts alone:  
I studied still, in every kind of thing  
To serve my prince and underfange his fone:  
To use his subjects friendly, everyone:  
And for them all, adventures such to take,  
As might them all my person favour make.   

But when I once, attained had the 〈◊〉,  
I waxed cruel, tyrannous and fell:  
I had no longer mind of my 〈◊〉:  
I used myself to ill, the truth to tell:  
O base degree in happy case fult well!  
Which art not puste with pride, vainglory hate:  
But art beneath, content to bide thy fate.   

For I aloft, when once my heat was in:  
Not reigned by reason, ruled all by might:  
Ne prudence rekte, right, strength, or mean a 〈◊〉:  
But with my friends, in anger all would fight:  
I 〈◊〉, killed, stew who ever were in sight:  
Without respect, remorse, reproof, regard,  
And like a mad man, in my fury fared.   

I deemed my might, and fortitude was such:  
That I was able thereby conquer all.  
High kingdoms seat, encreaste my pomp so much:  
My pride me thought, impossible to fall.  
But God confounds our proud devices all,  
And brings that thing wherein we most do trust:  
To our destruction, by his judgement just.   

For when three years I ruled had this 〈◊〉,  
Without all rule, as was my rulesse life:  
The rumour ran abroad within a while,  
And chief in the Norweste country rife:  
A monster came from 〈◊〉 seas, brought grief,  
To all my subjects in those coasts did devil,  
Devouring man, and 〈◊〉 a monster fell.   

Which when I knew for trought I strait prepared  
In warlike wise myself to try the case:  
My haste thereto a courage bold declared,  
For I alone would enter in the place.  
At whom with spear on horse I fetched my race.  
But on his scales it enter could no more:  
Then might a bulrush on a brazen door.   

Again I prousde, yet naught at all prevailed,  
To break my spear, and not to pierce his side:  
With that the roaring monster me assailed,  
So terrified my horse, I could not ride.  
Wherewith I lighted and with sword I tried,  
By strokes and tbrustes to find some open in:  
But of my fight he never passed a pin.   

And when I wearied was, and spent with fight:  
That kept myself with heed his danger fro,  
At last almost ashamed I wanted might,  
And skill to work the beastly monster woe  
I gate me nearer with my sword him to,  
And thought his flanks or underpartes to wound:  
If there from scales, might any place be found.   

But frustrate of my purpose, finding none,  
And eke within his danger entered quite:  
The grizely beast, strait seasoned me upon,  
And let his talentes, on my corpse to light,  
He gripped my shoulders, not resist I might:  
And roaring with a greedy ravening look,  
At once in jaws, my body whole he took.   

The way was large, and down he drew me in:  
A monstrous paunch for rowmthe & wondrous 〈◊〉  
But for I feite more softer there the skin,  
At once I drew, a dagger by my side;  
I knew my life, no longer could abide:  
For rammishe stench, blood, poison, slimy glere:  
That in his body, so abundant were.   

Wherefore I labouring to procure his death,  
While first my dagger diggeth about his heart:  
His force to cast me, wellnigh drew my breath,  
But as he felt within, his wounds to smart:  
I joyed to feel the mighty monster start.  
That roared, & belched, & groande, & plunged & cried.  
And cost me by and down, from side to side.   

Long so in pangs he plundgde, and panting lay  
And drew his wind, so fast with such a power:  
That quite and clean he drew my breath away,  
We both were dead well nigh within an hour.  
Lo thus one beastly monster did devour,  
another monster moodelesse to his pain:  
At once the realm was rid, of monsters twain.   

Here mayst thou see of fortitude the hap,  
Where prudence, justice, Temperance hath no place:  
How suddenly we taken are in trap,  
When we despise good virtues to embrace.  
intemperance doth all our deeds deface,  
And lets us heedless headlong run so fast,  
We seek out own destruction at the last.   

For he that hath of fortitude and might,  
And thereto hath a kingdom joined withal:  
Except he also guide himself aright,  
His power and strength prevaileth him but small,  
He cannot scape at length an hapless fall,  
Or God's revenge, example take by me:  
And let my death sufficient warning he.   
FINIS.    


The Author.  

I Can not thus depart to take my rest,  
For Morpheus bade me bide and hear the jaste.  
" (qd he) behind as yet, is one the best:  
" Do stay a while, give ear till he be past.  
And therewithal approtched one full fast,  
The worthiest wight I ever erst did see:  
These words he spoke, or like it seemed me,    

Nennius a worthy Britain, the very pattern of a valiant, noble, and faithful subject encountering with julius Caesar at his first coming into this Island, was by him death wounded, yet nevertheless he gate Caesar's sword: put him to flight: slew therewith Labienus a Tribune of the Romans, endured fight till his country men won the battle, died fifteen days after. And now encourageth all good subjects to defend their country from the power of foreign and usurping enemies. About the year before Christ. 50.  

I May by right some later writers blame,  
Of stories old, as rude or negligent:  
Or else I may them well unlearned name,  
Or heedless, in those things about they went:  
Some time on me, as well they might have spent:  
As on such traitors, tyrants harlots those,  
Which to their countries, were the deadliest foes.   

Ne for myself, I would not this recite,  
Although I have occasion good thereto,  
But sure me thinks, it is to great despite,  
These men to others and their countries do.  
For there are britains neither one nor two,  
Whose names in stories 〈◊〉 once appear:  
And yet their lives, examples worthy were.   

'tis worthy praise (I grant) to writ the ends  
Of vicious men, and teach the like beware:  
For what hath of virtue that commends,  
Such personrs lewd, as naught of virtues care:  
But for to leave out those praise worthy are:  
Is like, as if a man had not the skill,  
To praise the good but discommend the ill.   

I crave no praise, although myself deferude,  
As great a laud as any Britain yore:  
But I would have it told how well I served,  
My Prince and country, faith to both I bore:  
All noble hearts, hereby with couradge more:  
May both their foreign, foes in fight withstand,  
And of their enemies have the upper hand.   

Again to show how valiant then we were,  
(You britains good) to move your hearts thereby,  
All other Nations less in fight to fear,  
And for your country rather so to die  
With valiant haughty couradge as did I:  
Then live in bondage, service, slavery, thrall  
Of foreign powers, which hate your manhood all.   

Do give me leave to speak but even a while:  
And mark, and writ this story I the tell.  
By North from London, more than fifty mile:  
There lies the Isle, of Ely known full well:  
Wherein my father built a place to devil,  
And for because he liked well the same:  
He gave the place he Ely height, his name.   

〈◊〉 named the Isle of Ely yet pardie,  
My father named it so, yet writers miss.  
Or if I may be bold to say: they lie  
Of him, which tell that far untruthlike is.  
What truth (I pray you) seems to be in this:  
" He Ely loud, a goodly place built there: 
Lanquet. Stowe. Grafton,   
" Most it delighted, reigned not full a year.   

He reigned forty years as other tell, 
Flores Hist.   
Which seems as 'tis a tale more true by far:  
By justice guided he his subjects well,  
And lived in peace without the broils of war.  
His children's noble acts in stories ar.  
In vulgar tongue: but naught is said of me,  
And yet I worthy was, the yongste of three.   

His eldest son and heir was after king,  
A noble Prince and he was named Lud:  
Full politic and wise in every thing,  
And one that willed his country always good.  
Such uses, customs, statutes he withstood,  
As seemed to bring the public weals decay:  
And them abolished, brake, repealde away.   

So he the walls of Troy the new renewed,  
Enlarged them made, with forty towers about,  
And at the West side of the wall be viewed  
A place, for gates to keep the enemies out:  
There made he prisons for the poor bankrupt,  
〈◊〉 Ludgate yet for free men debtor, free  
From hurt, till with their creditors they 'gree.   

Some say the City also took the name  
Of Lud my brother: for he it reparde,  
And I must needs as true confess the same:  
For why that time no cost on it he spared.  
He still increased and peopled every ward:  
And bade them ay Kaer lord the city call,  
Or Ludstone, now you name it London all.   

At length he died, his children under age.  
The elder named was Androgeus,  
Committing both 〈◊〉 my brother's charge:  
The younger of them height Tennancius.  
The britains wanting aged rulers thus,  
Those for that time Cassibellane their king,  
My brother justice meant in every thing.   

The Roman then the mighty Caesar fought,  
Against the Galls and conquered them by might,  
Which done: he stood on shores where see he might  
The Ocean seas, and Britain clieves full bright.  
" (Quoth he) what Region lies there in my sight,  
Me thinks some Island in the seas I see:  
" Not yet subdued, nor banquisht yet by me ':   

With that they told him, we the britains were:  
A people stout, and fierce in feats of war.  
" (Quoth he) the Romans never yet with fear,  
" Of Nation rude, was daunted of so far:  
" We therefore mind, to prove them what they are.  
And there withal, the letters hither sent,  
By those Embassage brought, and thus they went.   
C. julius Caesar Dict, of Rome to Cassibellane king of Britain sendeth greeting.  

" SIth that the Gods have glven us all the 〈◊〉,  
" As subjects to our Roman Empire high:  
" By war, or as it seemed jove the best,  
" Of whom we Romans came and chiefly I   

" Therefore to you which in the Ocean devil,  
" As yet not underneath subjection due:  
" We send our letters greeting, weet ye well,  
" In warlike cases, thus we deal with you.   

" First that you as the other Regions pay,  
" Us tribute yearly, Romans we require:  
" Then that you will with all the force you may,  
" Withstand our foes, as yors with sword and fire.   

" And thirdly that by these, you pledges send,  
" T'assure the covenants once agreed by you.  
" So with your danger less, our wars may end:  
" Else bid we war, Cassibellane Adieu.  
Caesar.   

Not sooner were these Caesar's letters seen,  
But strait the king for all his nobles sent:  
He showed them what their ancestors had been.  
And prayed them tell in this their whole intent.  
He could them where about the Romans went,   

And what subjection was, how servile they  
Should be, if Caesar bore their pomp away.   

And all the britains even as set on fire,  
(My self not least 〈◊〉 was to fight)  
Did humbly him in joyful wise require:  
That he his letters would to Caesar writ,  
And tell him 〈◊〉 wet paste not of his spite.  
We passed as little, of the Romans we,  
And less: then they of us, if less might be.   

Wherefore the joyful king again replied,  
Through counsel wise of all the nobles had,  
By letters he the Romans hests denied:  
Which made the britains haughty hearts full glad,  
Not doubt the Romans more then half were mad,  
To here his letters written, thus they went:  
Which he again to mighty Caesar sent.   
Cassibellane king of Brit. to C. julius Caesar Dictat. sendeth answer.  

" AS thou O Caesar writste, the Gods have given to thee.  
The West: so I reply, they gave this I stand me.  
Thou sayst you Romans and thyself of Gods descend:  
And darest thou then, to spoil our Trojan blood pretend:  
Again, though Gods have giune, thee all the world as thine:  
That's parted from the world, thou getst no land of mine.  
And sith likewise of Gods we came, a Nation free:  
" We own 〈◊〉 tribute, aid, or pledge to Rome or thee.  
" Retract thy will, or wadge thy war, as likes thee 〈◊〉:  
" We are to fight, and rather than to friendship priest.  
" To save our country, from the force of foreign strife:  
" Each Britain here, is well content to venture life.  
" We fear not of the end, or dangers thou dost tell:  
" But use thy pleasure if thou mayst, thus far thou well.  
Cassib.   

When Caesar had received his answer so,  
It 〈◊〉 him much: he fully strait decreed,  
To wadge us war, and work us Britain's woe:  
Therefore he hasted hither ward with speed.  
We britains eke, prepared ourselves with heed,  
To meet the Romans all in warlike wise:  
With all the force, and speed we might 〈◊〉.   

We britains then far deemed it meeter much,  
To meet him first at th'entry on this land:  
Then for to give an entry here to such,  
Might with our victuals here ourselves 〈◊〉.  
'tis better far thy enemy to abande,  
Quite from thy borders to a stranger soil:  
Then he at home, thee and thy country 〈◊〉.   

Wherefore we met him, at his entry in,  
And pitch our camps directly in his way:  
We minded sure to lose or else to win  
The praise, before we paste from thence away.  
So when that both the armies were in ray,  
And trumpets blast on every side was blown:  
Our minds to either each, were quickly known.   

We joined battle, fiercely both we fought:  
The Romans to enlarge their Empires same,  
And we with all the force and might we might,  
To save our country, and to keep our name,  
O worthy britains learn to do the same,  
We broke the rays of all the Roman host:  
And made the mighty Caesar leave his boast.   

Yet he the worthiest Captain ever was,  
Brought all in ray, and fought again a 〈◊〉  
His skilful soldiers he could bring to pass,  
At once for why his trainings all they knew.  
Not sooner I his noble corpse did view,  
But in I 〈◊〉 amongst the captains band,  
And there I fought with Caesar hand to hand.   

O God thou mightst have given a Britain grace,  
T'have 〈◊〉 the Roman Caesar noble then:  
Which sought his blood the britains to deface,  
And bring in bondage, valiant worthy men.  
He never should have gone to Rome again,  
To fight with Pompey, or his Peres to slay,  
Or else to bring his country in decay.   

It joyed my heart to strike on Caesar's crest,  
O Caesar that there had been none but we:  
I often made my sword to try thy breast,  
But Lady Fortune did not look on me.  
I able was me thought with Caesar's three,  
To try the case: I made thy heart to quake,  
When on thy crest with mighty strokes I 〈◊〉.   

The strokes thou 〈◊〉 me, hurt me naught at all:  
For why thy strength was nothing in respect,  
But thou had she bathed thy sword in poison all:  
Which did my wound, not deadly else infect.  
Yet was I or I parted thence bewrekte,  
I gate thy sword from thee for all thy feme:  
And made thee fly, for fear to eat the same.   

For when thy sword was in my Target fast,  
I made the fly, and quickly leave thy hold:  
Thou never must in all thy life so gast,  
Nor durst again be ever half so bold.  
I made a number Romans hats full cold,  
Fight, fight, you noble britains now (quoth I)  
We never all will vurevenged die.   

What Caesar though thy praise and mine be 〈◊〉  
pardie the stories scarce remember me:  
Though Poets all of the do make a God,  
Such simple fools in making Gods they be.  
Yet if I might my case have tried myth thee,  
Thou never hadst 〈◊〉 to Rome again:  
Nor of thy faithful friends, been beastly 〈◊〉.   

A number britains mightst thou there have seen,  
Death wounded fight, & spoil their spiteful 〈◊〉:  
Myself maind, slew and mangled more I ween,  
When I was hurt then twenty more of those.  
I made the Romans hearts to take their hose:  
In all the camp no Roman 〈◊〉 I spied,  
Dared half a combat 'gainst a Britain bide.   

At length I met a noble man they called  
Him Labienus, one of Caesar's friends,  
A Tribune erst had many britains thralled:  
Was one of Caesar's legates forth he sends.  
Well met (qd I) I mind to make the mends,  
For all thy friendship to our country crew:  
And so with Caesar's sword, his friend I slew.   

What need I name you every Britain here,  
As first the king the nobles all beside:  
Full stout and worthy wights in war that were,  
As ever erst the stately romans tried.  
We fought so long they durst no longer bide,  
Proud Caesar he for all his brags and boast:  
Flew back to ships, with half his scattered host.   

If he had been a God as sots him named,  
He could not of us britains taken foil:  
The Monarch Caesar might have been ashamed,  
From such an Island with his ships recoil,  
Or else to fly and leave behind the spoil:  
But life is sweet, he thought it better fly,  
Then bide amongst us britains for to die.   

I had his sword, was named Crocea mors,  
With which he gave me in the head a stroke,  
The venom of the which had such a force,  
It able was to pierce the heart of oak:  
Not medicines might the poison out revoke,  
Wherefore though scarce he pierced had the skin:  
In fifteen days my brains it rankled in.   

And then to soon (alas therefore) I died,  
I would to God he had retournde again:  
So that I might but once the dastard spied,  
Before he went I had the ferpent 〈◊〉.  
He played the coward cutthroat all to plain,  
A beastly serpent's heart that beast detectes:  
Which or he fight, his sword with bane infects.   

Well then my death, brought Caesar no renown:  
For both I gate thereby, eternal fame,  
And eke his sword to strike his friends a down:  
I slew therewith his Labiene by name,  
With prince, against my country foes I came:  
Was wounded, yet did never faint nor yield:  
Till Caesar with his soldiers fled the field.   

Who would not venture life in such a case:  
Who would not fight, at countries whole request:  
Who would not, meeting Caesar in the place,  
Fight for life, prince and country with the best:  
The greatest courage is by facts expressed.  
Then for thy prince with fortitude as 〈◊〉,  
And realms 〈◊〉: is praise, to live 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   

Now write my life when thou haste leisure and,  
Will all thy country men to learn by me,  
Both for their prince and for their native land:  
As valiant, bold and fearless for to be.  
A pattern plain of fortitude they see,  
To which directly if themselves they frame:  
They shall preserve, their country, faith and fame.     

The Author.  

WHen noble Nennius thus had ended talk,  
He vanished with so sweet an heavenly smell:  
Me seemed the graces all with him did walk,  
And what I heard of Music did excel.  
Like notes of Instruments no tongue can tell,  
With harmony, of such an heavenly 'noys:  
Me seemed they passed all our earthly joys.   

Their tunes declared the battle all so right,  
As if the britains and the Romans then,  
Had presently in hearing and in sight:  
A fresh the bloody battle all began.  
Me thought I heard the virtues of the man,  
By notes declared, and Caesar's dangers told:  
Moore plainly, then with eyes I might behold.   

But when they came to tell of Caesar's flight,  
I saw the romans fall me thought full fast,  
And all the Britain's, chase them even till night:  
Where with the sound of british trumpets blast.  
Made me so mad and mazed at the last:  
I looked about for sword or weapon I,  
To run with britains, cried they fly they fly.   

Their flight to ships, and foil the trumpets sound,  
And blue the victors triumphs at return:  
The noise wellnigh my senses did confounded,  
And made my heart with all their loves to borne.  
But when they 'gan the wounded britains mourn.  
With doubled wailing shrieks, such cries they sent:  
And sobs and sighs, wellnigh my heart they rend.   

Eke chiefly they at noble Nennius stayed,  
They seemed with doleful tunes their notes to rive,  
And suddenly his praise again they played;  
O worthy Nennius for thy facts alive,  
The trump of Fame was straightly charged revive,  
And keep, maintain and celebrated his praise:  
Which granted, all they vanished quite their ways.   

Vivit post funera virtus.   
Finis qd john Higgins.