A chronicle with a Genealogy declaring that the Britons and Welshemen are lineally descended from Brutus. Newly and very wittily compiled in Meter. The preface. To the high and most excellent Prince Edward the six●…, King of England, France and Ireland, and in earth the supreme head of the Church of England and Ireland: Arthur ●…elton wisheth continual peace, health of body, and prosperous success. AS the worthy, prudent Secretary In those days, named Danucius Written volumes large, of, famous memory Only to prefer, and make glorious The name of his Lord, called Aurelius Thinking it sin, rebuke and shame Out of his book, to seclude his name. ¶ Eucolpius, even in like case Preferred, Alexander Severus Which in his time, so worthy was The Roman Tato, with Citus Livius Advanced the name, of ●…easar julius Thus one after other, their time Did apply To that intent, good fame should not die. ¶ Even so most mighty, and gracius prince Under support of your benign grace, I minding sleuth, utterly to convince As most unworthy, following their trace Your redoubted father, in every like case For to advance, my wits will frame With the most worthiest, to set out his name ¶ After shall entreat, of his magnificence His laws, statutes, his Civil ordinance His mighty power, his wonderful prudence His just judgements, his rightful governance Namely to speak of very true substance His grace's laws, most godly devised Lately into Wales, to us there commised ¶ With a certain true comparison Which was most worthiest, of Antiquity The Romans, with their foundation Ether the Brutes, with their posterity And of their Cities, the sovereignty Which of them twain, should other surmount London or Rome, as after shall recount. ¶ With an extract, or a Genealogy conveying his, and your most noble descent As ancient Authors, putteth in memory From the first age, to this time present According to their minds, & true judgement Who wrote the same, in time long paste To that intent, it should endure and last. ¶ Considering the high magnificence Of your father, most clearly did shine Passing all other, in princely excellence None to be compared before his time All men perceive, your nature doth incline To amplify the same, more out at large Surmounting the steps of your father's stage ¶ In whom consisteth, our confidence Our hope, our trust, our consolation Wherein nature, showeth an evidence According to our expectation To follow the same, by inclination With your mother, most gracious Queen Whose virtue plain, in your face is seen. ¶ Thus God of his divine might Hath endued, your most noble majesty As appeareth to every man's sight Whose incomparable dexterstie In learning, having a sovereignty Passing all other, by report of name Considering your age, this is the fame. ¶ The proceedings, of yournoble age Doth us encourage, your subjects true Well perceiving, your virtuous courage Most godly stories, for to ensue Which doth incense: my heart doth renew To dedicated, this unworthy little book Unto your highness, thereupon to lake. ¶ Which was begun, in your father's time Unto whose highness, I minded the same But death alas, his life did uptwyne Before I could my purpose well frame Preventing all things, but his worldly fame Which may not pass, wither, nor yet decay His famous report, endure shall always. ¶ O ye infernal sisters of the dark night With Cerberus in Hell, as poets doth fain Of all nobility, the quenchers of light Whose cruelty, no wight can restrain You cut the thread, ye part in twain The life of man, without respect The poor ye spare, the noble reject. ¶ Cursed be ye, ye daughters of Hell Which are in number, counted but three Cloto, Lachesis, and Atropos the fell You might have spared, your cruelty A little time, of our felicity Until our king, most noble of courage Had proceeded into more years of age. ¶ What I have written in sentence plain In laud or praise, of your father dear Unto your highness, let it remain As though it did, to your grace appear Written of yourself, as matter clear With no less zeal, obedience and love Then duty may observe, increase and move ¶ I do confess, and this is true If Cato the sage, or prudent Tully With their fyled tongues, and sentence new●… Were here again his grace to magnify As they did the Romans glorify Yet should they not, as in this case Worthily give praise, unto his grace ¶ All things remembered as of my part Most humbly desireth, your noble grace With constant will, and faithful heart To pardon my boldness, folly and trespass Considering always, as in this case That every true heart, enforced is To render his love, duty and service. The end of the preface. The Chronicle of the Brutes. IN the Golden time when all things flourished As it were, by divine providence And that nature in man was established. Having reason, wisdom and science By gift of the high magnificence To understand, determine and know The Heavens above, and the earth allow. ¶ Then the wise, sage and ancient By great industry and diligent labour By sober respect and great advisement Made laws, statutes, with other good order Man to stablish, only by favour Them to conduct, safely to bring Unto knowledge, wisdom and learning. ¶ Thus by politic moderation Without rigour, or cruel ordinance princes notable, of intention Having power and mighty governance Established laws, by discrete purveyance Only their subjects, to keep in awe Dreading God, and fearing his law. Such Princes, kings & famous Emperors Of duty aught to be magnified Not only as worthy Lonqueroures But as men with grace nutrified Whose acts are worthy to be specified Enrolled up with gold pearl and stone Registered in a book, themselves alone. ¶ Like as the Romans wise & circumspect In time long passed, their fame to advance All notable things, as in effect Made by statutes, or Livill ordinance Registered was, for a remembrance Their Senate only to magnify By fam' report, as they thought them worthy. ¶ The romans most commended Leasar The troyans Hector the famous knight The Percians, great Alexander The Greeks Achilles, for manhood & myght●… The Larthagiens, to maintain their right Affirming Hannibal, their lodesterre Thus every one, his time did prefer. ¶ And we Arthur most worthiest of all Aught to remember, in our fantasy Passing all other, in deeds martial Like Mars himself, shining in glory In his triumphs, conquest and victory As the story of him do the recount All other kings in his time did surmount. AS that time is past, and worn out This time present, we must put in ure That in time to come, there be no doubt But that this time, that time may assure For time once past, is without recure Wherefore this time, let us intend The time to come, may this time commend. ¶ Let the Romans, advance their Leasar The Trojan Hector, their famous knight The Percian their great Alexander The Greek Achilles, for strength & might The Larthagiens', to maintain their right Only preferring, their Hannybail Yet have we one, passing them all. ¶ Which we aught of duty and reverence Most humbly, his grace to magnify Salute in heart, word and sentence Somewhat of him to exemplify I mean our king, most famous Henry Our natural Lord, our supreme head Most renowned, and most to be dread. ¶ Like as Lato, the prudent counsellor Written volumes large, of famous report princes notable, only to prefer Among the Romans, virtue to support Whose example, is to our comfort Following the same, vice to confound Thus of our duty, surely are we bound. ¶ Wherefore I will my pen advance Meekly thereto myself incline With most diligent attendance Directing my style, this present time In word and sense, strait as a line With Rome, Carthage, Thebes & other m●… As far as the best, his fame to go. ¶ Like as Phebes, in the midday spear His radiant beams, most pure and bright Illustreth out, both fresh and clear Piercing the dews, by force of might I illumining all manner of sight Comforting fruits, flowers herbs & grass So doth our king, all other kings pass. ¶ I would to Chryst that my edition According to my judgement Might take effect, like my intention In things condign worthy or equivolent Unto his grace, this time present Then would I, the truth declare Which am enforced with terms rude & bore ¶ Yet nevertheless, my inward desire Without any more loquacity Greatly I seek, as reason doth require For to approve, his noble majesty Of all other kings, to have the sovereignty As son and air, to lusty dame nature Resembling her person shape and figure. ¶ I dare allege, as in this case That nature sought, time opportune When she first formed, his noble grace Only by respect, of gentle Fortune All other causes, for to contune Assured together, by promise bound That in his parson, no fault were found. ¶ Thus hath nature, by great advisement With circumspect deliberation Full like a Goddess, pure and excellent showed her power, and mighty operation Nothing reserving, at his creation Which might his nobility advance Unto his birth she gave such attendance. ¶ With strength, beauty, and seemliness She hath amplified his courage Most renowned, for gentleness Therein he hath so great advantage Passing all other, his parentage Thus by report, preferred is his name Entitled in the book, of worthy fame. ¶ Gentelst of gentiles, grace to recure Like Alcibyades, that famous knight Of Athenes prince, their party to assure Alcibiades of Athenes. So is his grace, most gentelest in sight Whose inward respect, judging a right A prince of nature, that gentle is Of faithful subjects, can never miss. ¶ For like as gentleness, doth plain appear Only by natural inclination In countenance, in speech and cheer So doth the love, and hearty affection Exclude all manner of contention Causeth subjects, themselves to endeavour Where gentleness is, in love to perceu●…. ¶ By his gentleness, our wrongs are redressed By his gentleness, our love made perdurable By his gentleness, the truth out expressed Our hearts are made sure, and veritable His gentleness is so resemblable That all things to him, he doth accumulate Which to gentleness is appropriate. ¶ So that his grace, passeth all other An evident thing for to declare There reigned, never such another His subjects to keep, preserve and spare Wherefore we may in this compare All most one thing, as in degree His gentleness, to merciful pity. ¶ For that land dominion or regiment That hath a prince, of gentle nature God hath promised, long establishment In love together, they shall endure Wherefore in this, let us assure Sigh gentleness cometh of gift divine Let us to gentleness, our hearts incline. ¶ Thus are we bound, plainly to express His gentleness, only to discover conserving our wealth, and whole redress By his grace, lately put in ure Of his laws, now are we made sure Among the mountains hills and vales Now is it England, sometime called Wales. ¶ And further in this to report According to his merciful yousage Our abusions only to transport Hath devised with his counsel sage Wales to conduct from all bondage briefly to conclude, this to understand Privileged we are, with the laws of England ¶ Like as Minos, that famous king Sometime reigning, in the land of Crete Minos' king of Crete Full renowned for science and cunning Found out the laws, most wholesome & sweet Grounded on reason, with virtue replete ministering them, as a judge royal Among his subjects, by deeds equal. ¶ Providing before, in his advertence None should decline, as in this case For lack of knowledge, and experience So ready he was, their wealth to purchase Thus of his living, and bountiful grace Preparing in time, them to advance Only by law, and Civil ordinance. ¶ Though he were a king, with sceptre and To execute right, nothing disdained (crown For all his fame, his princely renown In judgement sat, his domes unfarned Love nor hate, his person constrained But like the desert, as then did appear His sentence gave, with right princely there. ¶ Methamorphosios, there may ye see Of Mines the princely governance Also of Scille void of all pity Her father slew with cruel veugeaunce Only of Minos, to have acquaintance And he again like a rightful king Gave sentence plain, her deed condemning. ¶ For to affirm and briefly conclude Our party in this, fully to sustain Unto Minos with like similitude Let us advance, our king and sovereign In all things that doth appertain Unto Justice, or good governance By law, reason or Civil ordinance. ¶ Was there ever yet, any prince living In Chronicle, story, or sentence plain His noble grace, in this resembling Or common wealth, for to sustain Or for our sake, undertook such pain As doth his grace, this present time Us to preserve from damnable crime. ¶ How far were we, out of our way For lack of Justice and good governance Was there ever any, before this day King or prince, of such remembrance Us to instruct, by law or ordinance Whereby we might, our folly redress Till now his grace, the truth to confess. ¶ Which by study, and diligent labour Most circumspectly, herein advised For to reform, our old behaviour His gracious laws, to us hath commised To the intent we should not be surprised By bondage enforced with cruelty From old customs, set us at liberty. ¶ We must of force, the truth confess We cannot well, ourselves excuse Our deeds plainly beareth witness Of our folly and great abuse Old customs had, loath to refuse Surely at the first, how they began Not pleasing to God, neither yet to man. ¶ For among all, some customs we had Which before God were intolerable As I suppose, all men being sad Will grant it, true and veritable A thing unjust false and flexible Though some affirmed their customs sure By Charter rial, ever to endure. ¶ Some Lords no doubt had great rialtie Conserved by kings, in times long passed In Forest and Chase, having liberty But not their subjects, to spoil and waste By colour or craft, such means to cast Them to keep in thraldom and bondage Where they aught, no duty nor servage. ¶ Yet some there were, by way of exaction Under pretence, of such rialte●… By craft, and subtle collusion Only to deceive, the porealtee Affirming under such liberty All men to take, that there should pass Out of their way, to fine for their trespass. ¶ A lack that such ingratitude In man's mind should be comprehended A poor man, being destitude Out of his way, nothing offended The oppression, before intended Compound they must, be it right or wrong Or else enforced to some prison strong. ¶ Such was the custom, without defence Plainly to yield, or money to pay Folly it was, to speak of indigence For ready money, would then a away (And further) some doth report and say, They must agree, and be at a point As the Foster would, or else loose a joint. ¶ Worthy Edippus the famous young knight Which was so lusty, and fresh of courage ppus of b●… So strong, so hardy, so full of might Haddit never so dreadful, a passage Nor in the length of all his voyage Found none so monsterus a beast In mountain, wood chase or forest. Spynx the serpent which was so audible So monsterus, so fearful to see So fierce, so cruel, and so terrible Devouring all thing without pity Was never so full of cruelty Men for to spoil, for silver or gold in story found, that ever was told. ¶ This Edippus with full pure intent Going toward Thebes, that famous city Of adventure met this cruel Serpent Upon the mountain, called Phocie Of his manful, magnanimity There he slew this monstruous beast S●…ttyng the country, and Thebes at rest ¶ But our Edippus, refuge and Champion Our comfort our joy and hear●…es solace Our noble, most famous of renown Our king most worthiest that ever was Only by prudence, hath brought to pass A thousand hath slain, as in effect Which of such crime, by force were detect. Our mountains, our woods, ourchases great From such exactions, are made full plain No raucnous prays, now can they get They must of force, their fury restrain They may no longer, such purpose attain There is no help for their refute But leave their custom, and old pursuit. ¶ There shall no craft, nor yet colusion No feigned tales, no false pretence No colour, deceit, or adulation Be taken now for their defence Like as they are, such like recompense So that the truth shallbe defended When the unjust shallbe condemned. ¶ Hath not his grace, of his mere goodness Most princely, our causes to renew Brought us from all wrongful dures Such abusions, only to subdue And further all offenders to pursue Hath stablished us by prudent purveyance Them to Chastise, for their misgovernance. ¶ Hercules the strong, and peerless knight ●…uses of 〈◊〉 or E●…. Of whom the poets, so much doth feign Had never more virtue force or might Than hath our king, Lord and sovereign Yet did he wonderful things attain In his conquest triumphs and victory As the stories of him do the specify. ¶ Busiris Antheus and Gereon Of Egipte, Libie, also of Spain All three kings by succession Can witness this story plain Diomed in Trace, as king did reign Cacus Nessus and Cerberus the great Also the Lion, and the bull of Crete. ¶ Abcor the Serpent, odious and black Most outrageous wild and savage The monsterus mess, of Archades lake devouring all things in their rage Hercules with most knightly visage Slew them all, such was his grace None might withstand, his knighthood to deface. ¶ These tyrants great, by odious crime Accused were, of theft and robbery bringing the country, unto ruin Spoiling the people, of malice and envy Deliting in murder, and tyranny Which caused Hercules, maugre their will Them to betray, and after to kill. ¶ Here must ye note, mark this right well As Diodorus, affirmeth it plain Also Saint Jerome, likewise doth tell How that there were, Hercules twain Which were right noble, stories be plain But Hercules, named Egipcius Was he that did, these deeds marvelous. ¶ Not Hercules, called Alcides Which the greeks, so highly do commend Son of jupiter, this is doubtless To whose power he might not extend Who ever will the cause defend Look in the fifth book, of Antiquities Of Birosus, the Ethimologies. ¶ As in a treatise, lately compiled After my simple, and rude device As ancient Authors, hath comprised In time long passed, right famous and wise Which to set forth, I did enterprise Where ye may see, of these nobles twain For the common wealth which took most pain. ¶ Of this Hercules, Called Egipcius Came the notable, and famous lineage Down to Troy, and so to Brutus Unto this day, with all the surplusage To our most noble, rial of courage Henry the eight, elect by grace divine Of the same descent, stock blood and line. ¶ Which only now, for our redress With like vigour, and manful might As a king, of wisdom peerless Considering all things of right Such tyranny hath appealed out of sight By his royal power, and heart most constant As at this time, to us is apparent. ¶ Where are become, these tyrants great So insatiate, of their desire Whose ●…auin some time, no man could set So ●…raged was, their mortal ire Who durst denay, what they did require To burn or spoil, all was one thing such was their use, custom and living. ¶ The true man abroad, he might not pass But must of force, with them compound Like as they would, give more or 'las Or else they would, his wealth confound With some distress, to beat or wound His cattle steal, or goods to spoil Thus would the Thief, the true man defo●…e. ¶ if they were taken, as seldom was seen They would allege, for their defence The Lord of the soyie might them redeem And of this royalty, with them dispense Such was their use, and vile pretence Paiing therefore, their fine accustomed From all danger, to be franchysed ¶ The party nothing herein sufficed Must nedss of force, his wrong sustain God's people utterly despised The true man the loss, the thief the gain Restitution none should they attain Five pound and a penny, paid for the fine The Thief goeth quite, for fault and crime. ¶ And yet alas, one custom we had Which as I think, all grace did expel I suppose never none half so bad Engendered in the pit of Hell The price of a man, was known to well If he ware ●…layne, the payment should be Like as he was, in birth or degree. ¶ O custom unkind, causer of distress Whose terrible plague, infecteth the Air Man's life with murdre, to repress Considering Christ, man's soul to repair Become man, of a Uirgyn fair Only for love. man to redeem Alas that man, with murdre should be seen. ¶ Murdre of truth, is intolerable Murdre before God, calleth for vengeance Murdre to man, is abominable Murdre to nature, is a defiance Murdre to life, is a discontinuance Murdre to grace, is plain a rebel Murdre at the first, began sure in Hell. ¶ This was our country brought in defame Slandered and noised, for our outrage All true men of this reaported shame God knoweth who had the pylage The poor man, but small advantage The Thief his pleasure, on mountain & hill If he had money, might walk at his will. ¶ Thus the slander ran far abroad All most to our great desolation As though we all had been of one accord No diversity in their opinion such was the rumour and communication No thing reserving in their judgement Between a Thief and the Innocent. ¶ And thus full oft, we bore the blame causeless, of truth nothing offended Nor by consent, worthy of infame Yet by report we were suspended As though we had, thereto intended Idleness was cause, as in effect Why we were had in such respect. ¶ O thou vicious Sardanipall ●…ius Sarda●…all. The beginning of sloth and Idleness Whose example all wealth doth appall Delighting in sin and wretchedness With surfeites great, the body to oppress Which brought in theft and robbery Murder, riot, also adultery. ¶ Who list the story, to account Shall well perceive, in sloth and idleness 〈◊〉 other before thee, thou didst surmount●… Thy vicious life, be●…th full witness She was thy lady and chief mistress To whom thou didst, thyself abound Which was the cause thy person to confounded ¶ For Arbachus, of virtues respect ●…cou Arbachu As a prince of excellent wisdom Did thee menace, chastise and correct For thy froward, abomination Idleness was cause, and occasion Why thou vicious sardanapal From thine estate, had so great a fall ¶ For like as virtuous business Inventeth things right laudable So doth riot and idleness Increase mischenes intolerable One thing mark, which is veritable Put idleness, clean out of v●…e For custom all most, turneth to nature. ¶ Note where idleness, doth often remain Far well all virtuous business For idleness, inflameth the brain And bringeth in new-fangledness Sequestrith the heart, from all goodness And aldre last, note this for ever God from man, it doth clean deceiver. ¶ Idleness, caused our abusion By idleness, increased our infame Till now of late, by politic reason Of our king, most gracious of name Which hath brought us into a new frame So that we feel, by worldly business There comm●…th gain, and moderate richesse ¶ Thus hath our wise worthy Arbachus Suppressed our folly and customs rude Lausing our hearts, to be desirus To follow the sage, multitude Idleness utterly to 〈◊〉 Labouring abroad, our food to get leaving by our hands, and bodily sweat. ¶ To dig and delu●…, to ear and sows To graff or piant, in rough or plain On mountains high, or vales low Little we force, for labour and pain So that we may, our w●…lth attain Tendering so much our business That we forget, the vice of idleness. ¶ For where of truth, with us late past Both corn and frui●…e, was scant and bore Our country void, lay half in waist I dare allege, and surely declare Now at this time we may well spare If there should chance, a time of need With corn and cat-tail, our neighbours fe●… ¶ And thus daily, we do prevail In our increase, both cataile and corn Thanks be to God, all is quoche quail The chaff the weeds, a way are shorn Never so well, since we were borne Our country made plain, and habitable Which seemed before, irrecurable. ¶ And further, of his benign grace Through his most merciful assent Our common wealth, for to purchase Hath remitted, of pure intent Two thousand marks, of yearly rent Before paid, in silver and gold Taxed among us, of customs old. ¶ Yet hath our Trojan, most mighty emye Planted us, with prudent Latons (roure ●…o be our precedent and governor Associate with noble Sipious With diverse more, of high discretions For to augment, our common weal Granted by commission, under his scale. ¶ In sundry parts, for our redress As did some time, the noble senate consuls prefects, of great sadness dictators full famous, of estate Decemusres, wisdom to approbate ●…rauersyng the countries round about Where suspect persons, were had most in- (doubt. ¶ To that intent, our civility Were not suppressed, for lack of governance Neither is enforced, by tyranny But redused, to a Civil substance According to the use, and continuance Of English laws, in time long passed Whereof we be now, made sure and fast. ¶ Thus charge upon charge, daily doth in- Unto his grace, in manner importable (sew Inventing laws, and statutes new gentle and soft, by mean treatable To th'intent, it should be perdurable Among us for ever, this is the mean Uncorrupted to keep us pure and clean. ¶ Thus a king of vigilant respect showeth unto us, this constant love As a father, in this effect Tendering his child, vice to remove Without rigour, our folly doth reprove Caring not for treasure or expense But to withdraw, the cause of our offence. ¶ For to compare, and brief t●…e time Account all stories, that ever was Enforce yourself, thereto to incline Reed where ye list, your time to pass And ye shall not find, that ever there was A king of better remembrance His subjects to keep, preserve and advance. ¶ reckon Lesar, with his triumphs all Alexander, Hecto●…, or Achilles Edippus, or worthy Hannibal Minos the judges, or great Harcules Or yet Arbachus, of knighthood peerless Let them come all, their virtue to declare Yet shall they not, with his grace compare. ¶ For these princes, these conquerors great Set their mind, and full attendance countries to subdue, & kingdoms to get Only by strength and mighty puissance And some again, to take their chance jeopard their persons, to get them a name As beasts wild, to make them tame. ¶ And thus they wrought all by fantasy As fortune list, the party assure To win or loose, put in jeopardy Hap as it would, all inaduenture Goods, lands, life, body and treasure But those kings, are most to be commended Fron vicious life, their subjects hath defended. ¶ As our noble, and most famous king Appointed by grace, of the deite Most circumspect, in over looking His subjects to keep, in a conformite One law, one king, one divinity One faith, one hope, one erudition One mind, one will, and one intention. Never none like, account the time Sens Brutus, our first progenitoure Born by dissent, of right noble line Being prince, king, and goveronure Unto our parents, chief protector Through whose manful magnanimity They were delivered, from old captivity. ¶ As famous auctors, most seriously With a sincere opposition In time long past right willingly By a loving emulation Only for our, eridution Hath related, as after shall ensue Moore exactly, matter constant and true. ¶ Some what herein, doubtless am I moved For to express, my fantasy Not of impatience, much grieved But that some, hath judged wrongfully As in reproach, of our country denying plain, most noble Brutus Our antecessor our stock and our fruit. ¶ A book of late, there was compiled By Polidorus, in Italy borne ●…idorus. Nothing to us reconciled But rather written, in hatred or scorn Yet shall we say, if he had sworn We Welshmen, with him shall compare For old antiquities, the truth to declare. ¶ His slanderous style, to exterminate Reject, avoid, and clean put a way Which is so subtle, and intricate Thinking thereby, our fame to decay None will so report, I dare well say Having wit, reason or intelligence Other to justice, minding advertence. ¶ Not contented this to deny But would of force, our name appall Cleave to extinct, out of memory As though we were, reiectes of all Knowing not, our descent natural From whence we came, nor of what line Us to infame, this is his crime. ¶ Me think of truth, to much ye err In your reproach, spoke of disdain Affirming plain, in time of war We Welshmen, no honour to attain Neither yet in peace, true to remain Your barbarous words, back doth rebound To your infame, all things doth sound. ¶ It is unmeet, a man of your age Accounted sad, wise and discrete So violently, abroad to rage's Matters to pen, which is unmeet With words untrue, with terms onswete Or things deny which auctors old In time long passed, both wrote and told. ¶ Who shall but think, your sentence light As things in vain, to none effect Words of reproach, spoke again right men should abhor, and clean reject To breve my time, this is theffect Your slanderous words, affirmeth plain To rise of ire, hatred or disdain. ¶ If ye of force, will us pursue Only through your ingratitude Blame us nothing, your words eschew Beware hurt not, a multitude Jest some perchance, with sentence rude justly again, like your offence Even with the same, will you recompense. ¶ We speak to you, Master Polidorus Whose ingratitude, we greatly complain You go about, to raze out the flowers Of our parents, as things in vain And yet of truth, ye cannot refrain But generally, us to accuse No indifferency, herein ye use. ¶ We Welshemen say for our defence That ye romans, surmounting in pride With your Imperial magnificence Supposing thereby, the heavens to divide Came long after, our noble tribe So that we may, writ of your estate Not ye of us, ye came all to late. ¶ How should ye know, our antecessors Our stock, our line, our progeny Our most mighty conquerors sith ye be of much less memory Writing nothing, almost plainly But what doth rebound, to your estate Magnifiing the pomp, of your Senate. ¶ By cause your author, Titus Livius Of noble Brutus maketh no mention Being perchance, somewhat oblivius Or knew not, of that succession Therefore ye make no description But only of your kings of Italy Which reigned there, successively. ¶ As appeareth, by story evident Called Fasciculus Temporum Where little is, to us pertinent But to the first, of your succession Having the regal possession Briefly doth pass, all other things Only doth writ, but of a few kings. ¶ Though he forgot, this noble prince Or listed not, his fame to convey Yet shall he not his name convince Nor this his honour, to pull away Fasciculus Temporum, plainly doth say That Brutus began, first to excel When Heli was priest, and judge of Israel ¶ Holy Eusebius, doth testify Also saint Bede, maketh mention That noble Brutus of the age, five and thirty Entered first into this region Which was before Christ's incarnation A thousand. i C. twenty and twain And after Troy. xliii. years plain ¶ Galfridus affirmeth assuredly That noble Brutus, in his years green Like Marce for strength, fierce and hardy In Grece most princely was seen won there crown, sceptre and diadem From Panderus, of Achilles' blood His daughter, his treasure, with all his good. ¶ And further the Greeks to deface That day he did, the field recure Most princely, met them in the face Whose knightly strokes, they might not in- A shield he bore, the field of azure (dure three crowns of gold, sumteously wrought A Lion set, on his helmet a loft. ¶ Also G●…ydo, do Collumpnia Doth verify, this to be true That he did honour the goddess Diana Passing the seas, fortune to ensue Where he had answer, his joys to renew Being right young, should supply the place with sceptre & crown, his enemies to enchase ¶ Ranulphus, a man of perfection Writeth right plain, as in this case How noble Brutus, within this region Landed first, by a special grace Predestinate before, was that place As Diana the mighty Gods Had promised, naming it Totnesse. ¶ Also the Flower, of histories Named Peter Pactaviences With many noble writers Alloweth the very same senses To much of truth, are their offences Which will alone, such things deny That auctors old, do writ and verify. ¶ Martinus super Cronicas Vtropius, and Sabellicus Affirmeth plain, how all thing was In the time of Brenne and Belenus Of the descent, of noble Brutus How they entered, first into Italy Having at Rome gates, a noble victory. ¶ This story to amplify and augment The sixth year of Artaxarses the king As jacobus Phillippus doth assent Over the Persians, that time reigning These princes. two. with standards displaiing As brother with brother, of one mind & assent Again you Romans, with heart most fervent ¶ Had a battle strong, as is expressed Where your Senate, Tribunes & Dictator's By knightly force, were clean oppressed Your praetors, consuls and governors Your lusty manful, young soldiers Your valiant knights, in steel armed bright All were taken, slain or put to flight. ¶ You cannot well, these auctors deny For all your vain, stentation Your city spoiled, all went a wry Make thereof a true declaration You were right feign, by composition A peace to take, this is no nay Else to yield up, or soon fly away. ¶ Noble Arthur the famous Brutus Of the same line, and true succession Which by his conquest, and princely pursuit vanquished full many a region Son of Uter, called Pendragon Chronicles, plainly doth it specify Yet ye romans, this prince will deny ¶ Look in Fasciculus Temporum The time of bishop, Hilarius In lina Christi, accounting the sum Four hundred sixty & four, truly to discus Then flourished Arthur, that was victorious With his own hand, in one day he slew Four hundred & sixty, if that story be true. ¶ Also behold Poli cronicon The▪ xxiii. Chapter, the seventh book There may ye see, by plain description The year of our Lord, who list to look A●… xi hundred four score, his body up took Translated into Glastinbury By the famous king, the second Henry. ¶ In the thirty year, or there about Of our sovereign, king Henry th'eight You blinded Romans, to put out of doubt The cause made plain, perfect and straight A cross was found, of full great weight In Glastenbury, with letters of gold graven full deep, with this sentence old. ¶ Here lieth Arthur, the worthy king Deep in the ground, his body to hide Sometime in Britain, famously reigning God of his mercy, for him provide His soul unto rest, to be his guide For a more concordance of earthly fame For evermore, flourish might his name. ¶ But ye Romans so full of pride Will in no wise, to this assent In coverture, all things to hide Of ambition, and froward intent In all your stories, this is full meant Nothing to touch, or matter to frame Which should rebound, to your rebuke or (shame ¶ Your old enmity, rancour and debate Will not permit, the Brutes to advance By cause your noble Imperial estate By them was brought, unto utterance At your hard walls, such was your chance The honour ye lost, your knights manly slain By princes notable, kings of Britain. ¶ For shame a wake, begin of new recant your feigned fantasy To Master ●…olidorus. Confess your fault, all is untrue Make some excuse, with honesty Affirm the sleep, was in your eye Feeble with watch, heavy was your head You witted not well, what ye wrote or said. ¶ And thus may ye, yourself excuse Referring it, unto ignorance Your old errors, clean to refuse Resiting plain, as matter insubstance All that ye did, was of inconstance Affection moved so much your intent For to writ true, ye could not assent. ¶ Scythe ye so largely, in your pretence Here tofore; have us frequented ja amplifying, your cruel incense Again us moste fraudently invented Though herein my spirits be incensed You to requited, in writing so large Take it a worth, mine is the charge. ¶ For he that will, causeless procure Or it invent, things of defame He may well judge, being right sure Men will requited him, even with the same Likewise again, in board or in game As the cause is, seek out the ground Slandered report, clean to confound ¶ You are unveritable, in your report Unshamefast, auctors to deny And we very loath, for to support Fables untrue, to invent a lie Let Boccas by judge, if ye will apply Which of us twain, moste have offended Or in this case, worthiest to be commended. ¶ Where ye allege, and us accuse That we in battle, are feeble and faint No fetes of arms, that we can use But must of force, of very constraint Entreat of peace, as towards attaint Your slandered report, to your infame Shall ever increase, in hindering your name ¶ I will appeal, as in this case Record to take, of Titus Livius Let him verify, how all things was In the time of noble Camillus' dictator of Rome with famous Lucius Consuls elect, as for that year With Emilius, the story is full clear. ¶ Eutropius an author full true Likewise plainly, doth define As in the story, before doth ensue The famous Brutes, as in their time Being of discente, blood birth and line Of noble Brutus, their fury to withstand. Rome enclosed, with most mighty England ¶ If ye list by clear, computation Plainly to know, the years and the time How long it was, after Rome's foundation Three hundred three score, putting thereto nine The first fall, the woeful ruin Of Rome that ever, I did of read Never before, standing in such fear & dread ¶ O ye Romans, full of presumption Remember your birth, stock, and your line And of your city, the first foundation Accounting A milius your parentyne With Rea his sister, the feminine And Aldre last, truly to discus The two brethren, Remus and Romulus: ¶ You began with robbery and pillage And we by martial discipline You froward of birth, blood and lineage And we right noble, famous of line Account both male, and feminyne You in feigned, fables to inewe And we in forced, to stories true. ¶ Things grounded on wrong may not Scripture thereof, maketh mention (endure An evil beginning, who may assure Thereof to make, a good foundation For where nothing is, but fraud & treason Murdre riot, with foul adultery The end must needs, be full of misery. ¶ Though fortune favour, a time to advance In her assence, climbing a loft With a pretence, of fair countenance As hath been proved, in times full oft In her return, falling un●…fte She hath again, with ●…wnyng there Dusked the weather, before pure and clear: ¶ Where are no we, your famous Emperors Your triumphant knights, stately riding Your notable wise senators Your Cons●…ers, your City guiding Your pr●…ctes dictators, clearly shining Are they not ●…onsumed, frus●…rate and gone And ye from favour, almost left alone▪ ¶ Your noble Ma●…che called Aurelius Which was of Rome, the famous Emperor Marcus Aurelius crying out, with voice most piteous Cursing the time, the day and hour When Rome began, fir●… for to flower Triumphing in pomp, also in pride Which caused virtue, from Rome to divide. ¶ Did not he also, piteously complain saying of truth, Rome shall be confounded Of very Justice, the Gods cannot refrain But of equity, must be condemned For like he said, as Rome was commended Above all other, most worthiest of name The time shall come, of reproach and shame. It must proceed, by justful sentence Considering all things of right Where opp●…ssion is done by violence It may not endure, by force of might Example good, to every wight Behold ye Romans, this present time Are ye not almost, brought unto ruin. ¶ Considre well, your first beginning Of Remus and Romulus, brother & brother Remus and Romulus An accident, of very evil living If ye note well, Rea their mother Sacred to Uesta, it was no other Professed there, only to chastity Her life during, to live in virginity. ¶ The Temple by her, defiled was The story plain, beareth full witness And she again, for her trespass By her brother, cruel and merciless Void of all succour, being remediless Died in prison, recure was there none Her children sole, left alone. Their father not known, for birth or lineage Fostered they were, without all reverence Of a she Wolf, full wild and savage The children froward, cruel of courage Of very hatred, ire and disdain The elder brother, the younger hath slain. ¶ Like as their uncle, named Emilius His brother slew, with fraud and treason So in like case, most cruel Romulus Against all kind, and natural reason His brother slew, for his possession Thus of Rome, was the Antiquity Murdre upon murdre, void of all pity. ¶ Remember Rome, thy old abusion Thy infamed, and cursed governance Thy tyranny, and false extortion Thy great adultery, and foul dalliance Way these together, all in one balance And thou shalt not find, any rightful sentence Against the Brutes, to give evidence. ¶ Who began first, the Civil wars Discord, dissension, trouble and stryffe The proud Romans, surmounting the stars Which was the loss, of many man's life Marius & Silla, began the mischief Marius and Silla. Four thousand lay dead and slain Six hundred knights, the story is plain ¶ Likewise most dreadful and piteous For to rehearse, the woeful destruction Between Pompey, and Ceasar Julius Three hundred M. brought to confusion Murdered & slain, through false abusion Ceasar Julius Pompeius. Thus of the Romans, was the governance Let Boccas be judge, of all their mischance. ¶ Who were the cruel, persecutors Who subplanted, Christ's religion Who were the false, conspirators Who were the traitors, to every region Who, wrought fraud, who wrought treason Who slew the Apostles, Peter and Paul●… Who martered, all most the saints all. ¶ Who invented, false conspiracy Who oppressed, the poor Innocent Who slew the worthy, Scipions three O cursed people, without all reverence Who conspired against the magnificence Of Ceasar, most mightiest of estate 〈◊〉 Scipions 〈◊〉 By treason slain, among your Senate. ¶ O cruel Rome, confess thy outrage Thy shameful murdre, thy foul abusion Cry out and complain, with all thy surplusage Alack alack, through false contradiction In the was slain, by cruel treason The lantern the light, the prince of eloquence Among you Romans, most of excellence. ¶ Of Rhetoric, the famous orator In his days, called sage tully ●…ully Choose to be a governor Your common weal, only to guide By mean of knighthood, also of Clergy Defended you, from proud Catiline Which would have brought your city to ruin ¶ With all his false conspirators which to his treason, were fully consented Punished those rebels, and traitors By prison strong, their bodies tormented By force whereof, the commons assented The prison to call, after his own name Tullian, the more to increase his fame ¶ What should I say, of your treasons all To amplify them, and set them at large In murder and riot, like fiends infernal So monstruous ye are, of mind and courage Of customs old, as beasts full savage Innocentes to kill, virtue to confounded Of all sorrows, the rote and the ground ¶ fourteen Emperors, in stories I find One after other, there did ensue To Christ's faith, cruel and unkind Innocent blood, causeless to pursue Only twain, not more was found true All the rest, as tyrants inflamed Woldin no wise, Christ to be named. ¶ Record I take, of that cursed man To God always, found contrarius Ualarian Called in his day, cruel Ualerian Uoide of all favour, most impiteous Of Emperors all, none more ungracious Against Christ's faith, of mind and will By persecution, his saints to kill. But god of his grace, his power to withdraw Sapor Caused Sapor that time king of Perce For all his froward, and cursed law His imperial power, soon to suscesse Took him prisoner, in mids of the Prece Made a foot stool, of his cursed Corpse When ever he list, to mount on his Horse. ¶ Likewise the tyrant, named Domician Proudest of all, reckon any one Domician Persecuted many a Christian man Into Pathmos, exiled Saint John Thought himself, most worthiest alone In his estate, proudly up stalled A God abroad, for to be called. ¶ Made a decree, of very presumption In pain of death, no man to deny But God above, knowing his intention To punish his pride, in his own army Caused his knights, to wound his body With unware death, the story to express Denied of burial, was his Carcase. ¶ Most cruel infamed Maxence Maxence Likewise our Faith, he did pursue Causeless with most cruel violence Having no respect, to Christ jesus Slain as a traitor, to God untrue Of very disdain, his life once past His cursed trunk, into Cybre was cast. ¶ Galerius falsest of assent Against Christ's Faith, sought occasion Galerius Them to destroy, by furious judgement Which was at length, to his confusion With sickness take, thus in conclusion The Air corrupted, 'gan to putrefy Only by stink, of his carrion body ¶ Also valence, the prows Emperou●… Which in his rage, was so merciless Ualence. Against hermits, them to devour Living in desert, and wilderness Slew them all of very wilfulness Consumed he was, by brenning of Fire By the Gootes, which his death did conspire ¶ Most cursed of all, that I rehearse can Among all your false conspirators julian Apostita. Was your Emperor, named julian Which wrought by crafty inventions Called spirits, by his Conjurations Did them worship, by way of sacrifice Unto God most hateful, in such manner wise ¶ With them he had, such conversation That they to him, were favourable For his Ceremonies, and false oblation Promising him, to be veritable That he should pass, in deeds honourable Great Alexander, in triumphant victory As in excelling, his state and glory. ¶ Thus fell he into feigned fantasy Trus●…yng to Pluto, the God infernal But then the Lord most mighty Disdained his pride, Imperial Sand unto him a knight Immortal Most Angelic, in steel armed bright Rove him to the heart in his most might. ¶ Among all other, that I can read Most vicious, and odiu●… to hear Was cursed Nero, without fear or dread Uicius Nero. Whose shameful story, plainly doth appear consider it well: ye Romans draw near Such do ye foster, nourish up and bring Hateful to God, most fro ward in living ¶ Who was more vicious of nature By constraint of his disposition Who was more unsure, grace to recover Then was Nero, by inclination Moore prouder of port, with fraud & treason His wife his brother, causeless he slew No matter of right, them to pursue. ¶ This story right sore, doth him accuse With his mother called Agripine Like a ribald her body should misuse In carnal knowledge, filthy as a swine And further plainly to define His mother's womb, he corue upon a day To see the place, nine months where he la●…e. ¶ This proud tyrant, unfortunate man Moral Sene●…, causeless he slew 〈◊〉. Which was his master when he began Virgins professed, he did pursue Being right chaste, steadfast and true His Lecherus lust, only to fulfil Ravished them of force, against their will ¶ Yet moreover, this Fend infernal Against Christ's faith, most dispiteous ●…eter and ●…aule Slew the Apostles, Peter and Paul For which vengeance, & deeds most lecherus God gave him over, as man ungracious With a dagger, rove himself unto the heart Died for pain, anguish and deadly smart. Thus God of his right, tyrants can chastise Which will rebel, against poor innocency Them to murder, and will not advertise In Christ to have, true confidence They must of force, without assistance Remain with Cerberus, the Hell hound Linked with Tantalus in chains fast bound. ¶ Of our Emperors, a full great number I could recite froward of courage Christ's faith, causeless to encumber I will let pas, all the surplusage Not more to speak, of fraud and pillage Neither murdre, treason, with their infame Set them together, with rebuke and shame. ¶ Can ye deny, but this is true Why do ye then, us Brutes accuse We are right loath, our faults to renew But sith ye causeless, do us misuse As in report, ye cannot refuse Gross is his wit, worthy of infa●…e That will not defend, his country & name. ¶ If ye look well, and judge a right You aught not us, Welshmen disdain Sigh we with all our force and might Your holy men did entertain From your exile, and cruel pain When that they durst, no where abide For their refuge, we did provide. ¶ For in the time, of your great outrage When no man might, your malice entreat So wilful were ye, of mind and courage Christ and his laws, soon to forget His elect to kill, malice and threat Of very constraint, enforced to flee So cruel and merciless, that time were ye. ¶ Help or redress, none could they find Their careful life, for to assure Their inspired hearts, their constant mind Enforced were, lack of recure To seek abroad, their hard adventure Where that they might, with pure intent Christ's religion for to augment. ¶ Then into Wales, they did approach Through God's providence, his might to Under many a strong mighty roche (show builded their Chapels, in deserts low In sundry places, as men doth know As at this day, plainly doth appear The places old, evident and clear. ¶ This is no feigned invention Neither yet no curious fable Who list to look, without suspection Shall find it true, and veritable Written by fathers, honourable For a more concordant of Godly fame Our Churches at this day, ●…reth their name ¶ Look up your stories, and sentence old Accompiing the time, years and season I dare affirm, Being so bold To make herein, a comparison With any Christian religion For length of time, bearing good name Concerning out faith, for any infame ¶ A thousand. 300. four score & twain Sithen it flourished, first with us In the time of many a proud Roman martyred was holy Euleutcrius In whose time reigned Lucius In Britain, the famous region Then entered forth Christ's religion ¶ This was in the year of our Lord An hundred six and fifty plain After his birth, stories doth accord Sithin the faith, came first into Britaygne Among us Brutes there to remain As at this day, ye may well see Never accused, of infidelity ¶ What place so constant, sure and stable As at that time, might there be found Like unto Wales, none so veritable No tyranny with us, there did abound The Faith remained, full hole and sound According to Christ's religion Without spot or gall, of infection. To what place should they have resorted To have had redress, in this misery Or where should they have been supported Neither in Rome, neither in Italy Neither in Spain, France, or Germany briefly to conclude, this is manifest From the son rising, down to the West. Such tyrants that time had the governance That no man durst Christ to confess despised his laws, and in that instance In. thirty. days, as Scripture doth witness Twenty thousand slain this is doubtless ●…clecian ●…ximian By Dioclesian, reigning in the east And Maximinian, downe in the west. ¶ Who ever hard, of such a sort So ungracious, and so untrue As were the Romans, in their report To blaspheme our Lord, Christ jesus Affirming plain, this to be true That Rome never ioyousely prospered Sithin the faith, among them entered ¶ Look in the time, of Arcadius There may ye see, their false opinion Being Emperor, with Honorius ●…aidus ●…h hono●…s. Unto their Idols having affection As saint Austin, maketh relation In his book called Civitate Dei Where he confoundeth, their false Heresy. ¶ My hand quaketh, for fere and dread My heart of truth, beginneth to shrink When I behold, this story to read The tears wet, distilleth my ink O Lord, to remember and think The cruelty, mischief, and endless pain Among the Romans, that time did reign ¶ Who should but morn, lament and weep Considering all things of right The virtuous with grace then replete Put in exile, clean out of sight The tyrants great, by force of might Persecuted the innocent blood Thus with the Romans, that time it stood. To brief my sentence, the truth to tell With us in Wales, none were oppressed No tyrants great, with us did dwell There was the place, of peace and rest Christ and his laws, for to digest None durst approach, that to deny Again our faith, once to reply. ¶ How may ye then, with us compare Or why do ye, Welshmen defame Let your own stor●…es, the truth declare You are defective, even in the same As in reproach, worthy of blame Innocentes, guiltless to accuse In that yourself, most doth abuse. ¶ Of your nobles, and Emperors all With Constantine, make no comparison For his magnificence Imperial Born in Britaygn, that famous region He was the first, of hearty affection That did decree, all men to die Christ and his laws that would deny. ¶ Unto the Church, for Christ's sake Excelled all other, before his time The Roman Temples, newly did make Dedicated them by sentence divine To the honour of God, and the order's nyn●… With most mere and pure devotion Gave to the Church, the first possession ¶ To that intent, from all indigence The ministers, should stand at rest God for to serve, with due reverence All worldly thoughts to be repressed Virtue to increase, this is manifest All solitary, there for to abide For the love of Chryst, this did he provide. Gave goods & treasure with ornaments large Amplifyde all things, with great expense Made a decree, and gave in charge That all men should, with due reverence To Christ's cross, keep his obedience And was the first, in Banner and Shield Crosses to paint, that bore in field. ¶ O most famous Coustantine To whom no Roman might attain Whose goodness the world did inl●…ine Born in England, then called Brytaygne Son of S. Helin, the story is plain From Troy lineally, down descended In Christ's Church, most to be commeded. ¶ But now a lack, all is reversed Only through feigned perfection For doubtless, virtue was repressed When Constantine, first of affection To Peter's Church, gave such possession Then obedience, began to rebel Which caused pride, humility to expel ¶ O Rome Rome, change thy soil, remove thy Barren & bore, fruitless is thy ground (place The bish of Rome Yet unto this day, for lack of grace little virtue, in the there doth abound I dare allege, this world so round May not suffice, this present hour So satisfy thy head and governor ¶ The cruel Emperors, by force of war Might never such riches attain Kingdoms to spoil, countries to mar As at this time the cause is playn●… With so small travail, and so great gain Such Policy there is invented By seal and wax, and parchment indented ¶ Solles' for to save, dead gone and passed But God alone no wight can tell Whether they be free, or in pain cast In Paradise, Heaven, or in Hell Yet for money, those souls will they cell By authority of Peter and Paul Pardon forgive, and release them all ¶ Thus Lord thy might, they would ●…draw To whom mercy, only doth appertaigne As though they might, in heaven make a law At their pleasure, souls to detain Some to release, and some to remain Like as they would, for meed or hire Some to acquit, some leave in the fire. ¶ O Lord above, a damnable offence Among thy people, such errors to bring Against all truth, and godly reverence 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. To have a trust, in any other thing There is no help, no other meaning Let this in our hearts, fast be graved Only by Christ's blood, our souls are saved. ¶ And yet (O Lord) how far do they err Thy majesty is all full of mercy No sinner doubtless, wilt thou debar Being penitent, contrite and sorry These covetous heads, clean contrary The poor soul, wrapped in woe and pain Without money, shall lie still and complain. ¶ What charity herein is extended When two souls in pain, lieth together Perchance both in one case have offended The one for money, his joy shall recover The other for lack, shall lie still for ever Such is their charity, in time of need Their worldly pomp, to set forth and feed. ¶ If cruel Nero, had now afrende That would disbource, and pay at large So to compound, and make an end For all his sins, and fell outrage I think his soul, might walk at large Considering pardons, are so plenty By mean whereof, hell is empty. ¶ O Lord God, what wonderful pride Is it on earth, gods to be called Equal with thy grace, solles to divide As though they were, in heaven stalled Thy enemy's Lord, they may be called Which will thy people, such errors bring For their profit, our souls deceiving ¶ Is there any other, manner of mean●… Then in the blood, of Christ Jesus The immuculate lamb, most pure and clean The son of God, which doth forgive us If we knowledge, our deeds vicius Christ it is, that giveth remission By the mercy, of his blessed passion. ¶ The Apostle blessed saint Peter Neither yet inspired holy saint Paul The very true, and sincere preacher Ever pardoned any soul at all The spirit once past, the body mortal That only to God, reserved is His divine power, consisteth in this. ¶ O glorius God, how much are we 〈◊〉 Unto thy divine majesty These errors great for to confound Avoiding the danger, of this infirmity In the time of our necessity Like as sometime, surely it befell Unto thy elect, of Israel. ¶ Which so tenderly, hast cared for us That nothing might be, for our salvation But by thy pity, most glorious Thou hast of thy godly affection Prepared the same, for our redemption As in the old law, appeareth full well By Iosi●…, than king of Israel. ¶ For when thy laws, were clean suppressed By the space of many hundred years By josia again were redressed Dedicated to thy heavenly spears abolished their frowning cheers In worshipping their false Idolatry Thy glorious name, newly to magnify. ¶ By reason whereof, this prince deserved A name of renown, to him most excellent By thy grace Lord, only reserved Which to his name, shallbe permanent Never none to him, equivolent reigning as king over Israel Lord unto thee, this is known right well ¶ So in likewise, most merciful Lord This present hour, of thy tender love Thy old mercy, newly to record Our prince's heart, inwardly doth mou●… Such abusions, to reject and reprove Thy laws, Lord, long out of remembranc●… Are now reduced, to thy godly ordinance. ¶ By our most noble, Henry th'eight Through thy incomparable goodness All things Lord, is made pure and straight A●…holished is all wickedness In especial Lord, this is doubtless The power of Rome, so long misused Our king hath now utterly confused. ¶ Now to return, where I began So to conclude, and brief my style Between the Brutus, and the Roman No terms to seek, my tongue to file No matter more, now to compile The time to tract, do I intend But close up my book, and make an end. ¶ But first to you, master Polido●… Your conscience, only to discharge Which of long time, hath been obliui●… Against us Brutes, in writing so large Your spirits incensed, all in a rage By your yeporte, us to infame Your pen to rash, your terms out of frame ¶ Where is become, your bounden duty Our antecessors, this to deface sith it pleaseth, the high Majesty Of our most noble, the kings good grace. Not to disdain, as in this case To be counted, of the same stock and line Down by dissent, to this present tyme. Who were more worthy, then were these three Hercules, Hector, and Arthur the king For their princely magnanimity Was never none, to them resembling In bodily strength, all other surmounting Lions, Dragons, monstruous and wild By manly constraint, made them tame & mild ¶ These princely men, these worthies three Whose knightly force, for to prefer poets do feign, a singularity For their manhood, and strength in war Should be transformed, into a star As it were, by a divine grace In the Crystal sky, to take their place. ¶ To bring you, from all ambiguity Unto the truth, of this succession By a dissent, and a genealogy Without any vain, ostentation I purpose with an honest emulation Here to conclude, who so list to look Set together, at the end of my book. ¶ But yet because, I have expressed As here tofore, somewhat all large Our old abuses, newly redressed Perchance ye will lay, them to my charge saying therein, ye have advantage So that we cannot, the thing deny But with the Prophet, to say peccavi. ¶ We do confess, our simplicity Like as it was, in time of Israel To live with milk, yerbes and honey For great excess, we take no travel Neither for pomp, or rich apparel We Welshmen plain, that do deny Which is often, much used in Italy. ¶ But as David, with grace replete In time of saul, the famous king Disdained not, his sheep to keep About the fields, them pastoring Likewise do we, ourselves conferring Disdain not, herdsmen to be Which is apart, of our civility. ¶ We use no figs, in pees ●…tage or meat Which in Italy, is often frequented Without suspect, together we eat No poisons with us, is there invented And ye again, contrary incensed With poison strong, this is insubstance The greater estate, the less of assurance. ¶ Withdraw your pen, Master Polidorus Your vain report, and flying fantasy Your terms gross, and matter slanderus Not more in this, to amplify But what may stand, with honesty Words of defame, ye may well think Men will requited, even to the pits brink●… ¶ Herein to make, a degression After the mind, of josephus In the years, and computation Between noble Brutus, and Romulus And of their cities, stately and sumptuous Which of them twain, should other surmount Of antiquity, their years to account. ¶ Also their stock, birth, and their line As ●…usebius, and also saint Bede Plainly doth define and determine Brutus to be, most ancient in deed Four hundred and twenty years as I read So that London, was a city of fame When Rome, nor Romulus bear no name. ¶ Look up your stories, and mark them well When Brutus began, his foundation Ely was judge, and priest in Israel next ensuing, after Samson As holy scripture, maketh mention Which was before Christ, M. C. xxii. year As in the stories, more plainly doth apere ¶ And thus Eusebius, also saint Bede Affirmeth plain, in every thing How Rome was made, the iiii. year in deed Of Acham that time, of Italy king Which doth agree, the years accounting That London before Rome, was raised first Four hundred and twenty years just. ¶ Also Galfridus, rehearseth plain How many kings, successively One after other, here did remain Of one dissent, line and progeny Fully an hundred, as he doth specify reckon from Brutus, down to Cadwaladre And thus of the kings, was the hole numbered. ¶ From Cadwallader, the year accounting As diverse auctors, doth specify Until this time, down dissending Till our most noble, th'eight king Henry Of the same stock, line and progeny As by dissent, the years doth appear Fully eight hundred fifty and eight year. ¶ Then to account, the years & the numbered Sithen Brutus, took his first possession Equally divide, them asunder Recording to the computation And ye shall find, by plain description Two thousand six hundred. lxvi. years plain Sithin Brutus began, the year of his reign ¶ Thus for years, time and continuance For blood, birth, and high parentage For nobility, and mighty puissance For vigor, strength, and manful courage Let us compare, with Rome and Cartage With all other, notable cities For our renowned, old antiquities. ¶ What should I more, of this report sith stories old, doth it renew Whose list thereto, himself resort As I have said, shall find it true Set out at large, as it is dew Honour reverence, with all other things As doth appertain, to worthy kings. ¶ Wherefore let us, Integratly intend Our most famous king, for to advance Like his deserts, his grace to commend In his high and mighty governance Blessed are we, happy his ou●… chance To be borne under, so noble a king To see his grace, over us reigning. ¶ Which hath provided, for our redress Never none like, before this day Let us in Wales, the truth confess And for his grace, most heartily pray Long to continue, God grant he may With rest and peace, amongst us here Save our Queen, our prince, & his daughter (dear. ¶ The Autour. Considering, fortune's mutability Now up now down, as the wheel goeth a C To day a prince, of much nobility (bout To morrow in danger, standing in great doubt This hath happened, the world throughout Well moste none, of the first blood and line In any region, reigneth at this tyme. ¶ Among all princes, of excellence Fo●…ength of time, blood and progeny Let us prefer, the high magnificence Of our most royal, th'eight king Henry Which at this hour, by grace of the deity Possesseth the same, kingdom and power Like as did Brutus, his first progenitoure. ¶ Though double fortune, in time long past His noble blood, for to incumbre Her traitorous trains, a broad did cast With foreign kings, to keep them under In diverse places, sent in an numbered Y●…t God would not, of his divine grace The Trojans blood, should loose their place. ¶ As shall appear, by this dissent Brifely set out, this present time By auctors good, famous and excellent As stories old, doth determine Though for a time, they were in ruin Not possessing their in heritance God of his might, hath now made assurance ¶ But sith it were, all to tedious Their ancient names, for to prescribe I will be brief, and comp●…ndious By numbered, to account this tribe All foreign kings, fo●… to divide Only a few of the Brutes to name As they were worthy, of laud and fame. FINIS. ¶ A genealogy of the Brutes. Osiris' Diodorus Secul●…s, Birosus the Laldy in the. u book of his anti quities, Busebius Tibule, and Boc case affirm Osiris, was called Si●…pis the God in Egipte. the first king of Egypt, in Genesis called Misraem Also king of Italy. Hercules' son of Osiris Labus or Samct Iherom in the●…r of Gen●…●…is, Diodorus Biro●…us, affirmentl this Hercules to do the. rii. notable labores. And not Hercules All cides which the Greeks affirmeth to be their Lhampion. Libus called gr●…a Hercules King of Egipte, Italy, Almaigne, Phenice, P●…rigie, Libie, Argis, Grece, Africa, Gall Seltike and Tuscan. Tus●…us the son of Hercules King of Italy. ¶ Atheus the son of Tuscus King of Italy. ¶ Blascon the son of Altheus king of italy. ¶ Lomblablascon Birosus in his. v book of antiquities. I hom de Utter by commentator of Birosus, saith he had. 3 sons, jaseus, Dardanus & Armonia. the son of Blascon King of italy. jaseus King of Italy. Armonia the third brother. Dardanus Eusebius saith that Dardanus began too reign, the year of the world. iii thousand seven hundred. xxiii. the age of Moses. i. hundred and. xiiii. the second son of Lombloblascon king of Dardine in Phrigie. Erictonius Look in Diodorus seculus the fift book for Erictonius. the son of Dar deign the second King of Dardayne. Troos the son Diodorus writeth expressly that Troy, exiled Tan talus out of high Phrigee, being king there. Ilius Assaracus & Ganymedes, sons of Trois. of Eryctonyus, changed the name of Dardaine and called it Troy. The young son Ganimides' which Tantalus betrayed. Ilium son of Trois king of Troy. Laomedon son of Ilium king of Troy. Priamus Hector the valiant the son of priamus the son of Laomedon the last King. Assaracus the second son of Troy's. Lapis t●…e son of Assararus a Prince of Troy. Anchisis' the son of Lapis a prince of Troy. ¶ Eness the Look in saint Au ●…en the twenty Chapter of the seventeen book of the Litee of God. son of Anchisis' king of Italy. ¶ Ascanius the Look in Eusebius and Sabellicus. son of Aeneas and of Lheusa daughter of Priamus King of Italy. King of ●…roy. ¶ Silvius brother of Ascanius son of King of Italy. Aeneas, and of Lavina. ¶ Brutus the Brutus of the noble blood of ●…roye look i Fasciculus Temporū●… li●…a Chri st●… when Hel●… was priest in Israel & also look Galfride, first King of Britain son of Silvius Posthumus. Lambre Prince of Wales. ●…banactus of Scotland. ¶ Lotrynus the son of Brutus the second King of Britain. Between Lotrsnus and Bellinu●… w●…●…viii king●…. ¶ Belinus Belinus' with help of his brother Br●… overcame the Bom●… Look 〈◊〉 A●… the xx. bo●…. the son of Donwallo the twenty and one King of Britain. ¶ Between Belinus and Lassibelan were 〈◊〉▪ 〈◊〉▪ ge●…. Lassibelan In Lassibelans time julius Lemot far came into this land with his romans. son of Hely the three score and seven King of Br●…ayne. Next Lassibelan was Tinencius king. ●…mbelyne the In 〈◊〉 time JESUS CHRIST was borne of the glorious virgin Mari son of Timen cius the. 〈◊〉. and nine King of Britain. Between ●…imbelyn and Lucius was four Kings. ¶ Lucius the ¶ Lucius was the first christian King in the year of our lord an hundred fifty and five year. Look in Gyldas. son of ●…oelles the seventy and four King of Britain. Constantine the great son of S. Emperor of Rome Monarch and presydente of every region of Christendom. Helin, the iii●…. score king of Britaygne. Between Constantine the Emperor and Constantyne the third, was four kings in Britain. Constantine th' This Con stantine drove out of Britain the Scotts Danes. Norweges picts, and hunes with the Romans, why the sore oppressed Britain. third of that name the. lxx●…iiii. king of Britaygne. Between Constantine the third and Arthure, was but four kings in Britain. Arthur the great Of Arthur the great look in Fasciculus Temporum in Li nea Christi iiii. hundrede lxiiii. in Polic●…onicon xxiii. Chapter, and in Galfride. in the year of our lord. 400. lxxx was that lxxxxii. kig of Britain. Between der was. ix. Arthur and kings in Cadwala-Britaygne. Tadwallader the Look in Fabian which affirmeth he slew Lotharius, his brother Edry●…us, and Ithelwolde, three of the Saxons kiges: Look also of Gal fridus. hunderde king of Britaygne, and the last king of britain. The mortal plagues infection of pestilence and scarceness of victaylles drove Tadwallader to Rome. Idwall son of Idwall came into Wales by commandment of Cadwalader to defend the Brytons against the Saxons. Of this Idwal Walshmen had their name. Tadwallader, prince of north Wales. Between Idwal & Twdwr Mawr was there eight princes successively Tewdwr Mawre This price chased the Saxons, Danes and picts, from the borders of Wales with all other foreign enemies. the great Prince of Wales, was the ten the Prince. Between Tewdwr Maure and Edmonde Earl of Richmond were of lineal discente fully, xi. between Tadwaller and Edmond. xxi Edmond Earl This famus Edmond of the very true line of Tadwalader directly half brother to king Henri. vi. whose mother was daughter to the French King and wife to the famous King Henry the fifth. of Richemonde son of Owen and Queen Katherine. Henri the seventh This noble King was called the second Solomon. son of Edmond Earl of Richmond. Henry the eight Henry the eight most christenking, King of En gland, France and Ireland, and of the Church of England and Ireland, the first supreme Head, son of Henry the seventh Edward the sixth son of Henry the eight whom Eod preserve. THese auctors old, with one accord This famous line, conveigheth straight To ou●… most dread, sovereign Lord By the grace of God, Henry the eight▪ To Edward our price, our treasure of weight Whom God above, their enemies repress Sand them long life, with plenteous success. FINIS. ¶ Imprinted at London in the parish of Christ's Church within new gate by Richard Grafton, printer to our sovereign lord King Edward the. VI 1547. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.