ALBION'S England. Or Historical Map of the same Island: prosecuted from the lives, Acts, and Labours of Saturn, jupiter, Hercules, and AEneas: originals of the Brutons, and Englishmen, and Occasion of the Brutons their first arrival in Albion. Continuing the same History unto the Tribute to the Romans, Entry of the saxons, Invasion by the Danes, and Conquest by the normans.  
With Historical Intermixtures, Invention, and Variety: proffitably, briefly, and pleasantly, performed in Verse and Prose by William Warner.  
Imprinted at London by George Robinson for Thomas Cadman, dwelling at the great North-door of S. Paul's Church at the sign of the Bible.   

To the right Honourable, my very good Lord and Master: Henry Carey, Barron of Hunsdon: Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter: Lord Chamberlain of her majesties most Honourable Household: Lord Governor of Berwick: Lord Warden of the East Marches for and anempst Scotland: Lord Lieftennant of Suffolk and Norfolk: Captain of her majesties Gentlemen Pensioners: and one of her highness most Honourable Privy Council.  
THis our whole Island, aunchiantly called Brutaine, but more anchiantly Albion, presently containing two Kingdoms, ENGLAND, and SCOTLAND, is cause (right Honourable) that to distinguish the former, whose only Occurrants I abridge, from the other, remote from our History, I intitell this my Book ALBION'S ENGLAND. A Subject, in troth (if self conceit work not a partial judge) worthy your Honourable Patronage: Howbeit basely passed under so bad an Author. But for great Parsonages gratfully to entertain the good wills of bad workmen, is answerable to themselves, and animating to feeble Artistes. I therefore secure of your honours Clemency, and herein not unlike to Phaoton, who at the first did fearfully admire even the Pallas of Phoebus, but anon fearless adventure even the presence of Phoebus, having dedicated a former Book, to him that from your Honour deriveth his Birth, now secondly present the like to your Lordship: with so much the less doubt, and so much to more duty, by how much the more I esteem this my latter labour of more value, and (omitting your high Tytelles) I own, and your Lordship expecteth especial duty at the hands of your Servant. And thus (right Honourable) hoping better than I can perform, and yet fearing lesser than I may offend, desirous to please, desperate of praise, and destitute of a better Present, I make tender only of good will, more I have not, for your honours good word, less I hope not.  
Your Lordship's most dutiful and humble Servant, W. Warner.   

To the Reader.  
WEll know I, that Pearls low-prised in India are precious in England: that even Homer was slightly authorized in Greece, but singularly admired elswheare: and that, for the most part, the best Authors find at home their worst Auditors: how beit whatsoever Writor is most famous, the same is therefore indebted to his native Language: Neither prefer I above three speeches before ours, for more sententious. Only this error may be thought hatching in our English, that to run on the Letter, we often run from the Matter: and being over prodigal in Similes, we become less profitable in Sentences, and more prolixtious to Sense.  
Written have I already in Prose, allowed of some: and now (friendly Reader) offer I Verse and Prose, attending thine indifferent Censure. In which, if grossly I fail (as not greatly I so fear) in Verity, Brevity, Invention, and Variety, profitable, pathetical, pithy, and pleasant, so far of shall I be from being oppynionat of mine own labours, that myself will also subscribe, to prescribe the same for obsurd and erroneous. But in vain is it either to entreat or fear the courteous or captious: the one will not cavil, nor the other be reconscyled.  
My labour is past, and your liking to come: and things hardly founded, may easily be confounded: Arrogancy is Lynx-eyed into advantage: Envy capiable of the least error: and inconsiderate and self conceited Readers, to detract from other men's Travails, deal as did sacraligious Denys in the Heathen Temples, who to strip the Idols of their golden Ornaments, alleging the same for Summer to hot, and for Winter to cold, so enriched himself, and rob the Saint. But such are good minds, and the Contraries of these men in reading of Books, as were the Pagans in reverencing their Gods, sacrafising as devoutly to a wooden Jupiter, as to a golden Jupiter: to an Ox, a Cat, or unreverent Priapus, as to the Sun, the Stars, or amiable Venus: devotion and discretion being evermore senseless in ditraction. Of the latter sort therefore I crave pardon, presupposing their patience, to the former, presupposing impatience, I offer pardon: resting to either, and to you all, in good will such as I should:  
Yours. W. W.   

ALBION'S ENGLAND. ¶ The first Book of ALBION'S England.  

CHAP. I.  

I Tell of things done long ago, of many things in few:  
And chiefly of this Elyme of ours, the Accidents pursue.  
Thou high Director of the same assist my Artless pen,  
To write the gests of Brutons stout, and acts of Englishmen.  
When arked Noah, and seven with him the empty worlds remain,  
Had left the instrumental mean that landed them again:  
And that both man and beast, and all did multiply with store,  
To Asia Sem, to Africa Cham, to Europe japheth bore  
Their Families. Thus triple wise the world divided was:  
one language common unto all: until it came to pass  
That Nembroth son to Chus, the son of Cham, old Noah his son,  
In Chaldia (never seen before) an Empire had begun  
As he and his audacious crew the Tower of Babel rear,  
Pretending it should check the clouds, so to avoid the fear  
Of following floods, the Creator of creatures beheld  
The climbing tops of cloud-high Towers, and more to be fulfilleth.  
To cut of which ambitious plot, and quash their proud intent  
Amongst a world of people there he sundry speeches sent,  
So that, unable to confer about the work they went,  
The Tower was left unfinished: and every man withdrew  
Himself apart, to join with those whose language best he knew:  
And thus confused tongues at first to every nation grew.  
THE Babylonian Saturn though his buildings speed was bad,  
Yet found the means that under him he many nations had.  
He was the first that ruled as king, or foreign lands subdued,  
Or went about into the right of others to intrude:  
Ere this aspiring minds did sleep, and wealth was not pursued.  
His son jove Belus after him succeeded: he purveyed  
For dreadful wars, but aweless death his dreadful purpose staid,  
Then Ninus prosecutes the wars prevented Belus sought,  
And filled the wronged world with arms, and to subjection brought  
Much people, yet not capable of such his novile fight,  
From Caldia to Assyrea he translates the Empire quite:  
And caused fire on horses backs before him ever borne  
To be adorned for a God. Thus out of use was worn  
In Caldia and Assyria to the honour rightly due  
To high jehova, God indeed. Idolatry thus grew  
From Ninus first: he first of all a Monarchy did frame,  
And built in fomous Niniveh, that bore the bvilder's name.  
His warlike wife Simeramis, her husband being dead,  
And son in nonage, feigning him she ruled in his steed:  
Delating in a males attire the Empire new begun:  
The which, his years admitting it, she yielded to her son.  
Thus Cham his brood did borgon first and held the world in awe:  
But japheth's Line to jabans' land from Assur doth me draw.   

Much praise is spoke of Thessaly and Pegasus his springs,  
and how the nymphs of Moena in Tempe did great things,  
And how that Cecrops and his seed did honour Athens so,  
As that from thence are said the Springs of Sciences to flow.  
Not only arts but Chivalry from Greece derive we may:  
Whereof (omitting many things) my muse alonely say  
How Saturn, jove, and Hercules did fill the world with ●auie  
Of justice, prowess, and how they both men and Monsters tame:  
And so from these derive the mean how Brute to Albion came.  
In Create did flourish in those days (the first that flourished so)  
Vranos: he in wealth and wit all others did outgo.  
This took to Wife (not then forbade) his Sister Vesta fair,  
The crooked Titan did to him an comely Saturn baer.  
The elder of deformities in making and for mind,  
with Parents and the people too, did lesser like find:  
The younger by the contraries gave handsel in his prime  
Of many virtues, honouring their Owners elder time.  
Away slips age: death spareth none: Vranos leaves the stage:  
His body (now deprived of pomp) interred the worms do gage.  
Well may a rich man's Hearse want tears, but heirs he shall not miss,  
To whom that he is dead at length no little joy it is.  
This error notwithstanding did Vranos Sons lament:  
Yet scarce the Father's Ghost from grave to heaven or hell was sent,  
But that his heirs did fall at odds about the vacant Rain:  
and Titan chafes disabled then the Sceptre to sustain.  
Each eye did follow Satur's form, each heart applauds his fame,  
and to conclude, with whole consent he wins away the game.  
Yet for because the Birthright should enure to Titan still,  
In Mars his Church did Saturn vow his Issues Males to kill.  
Not meanly glad was Saturn then his head possessed of Crown,  
When, of his building, he was Lord of many a peopled Town,  
He giveth laws, his laws are kept, he bids, and all obey,  
and equally beloved and feared he wealds a kingly sway:  
He teacheth men (untaught before) to ear the lusty land:  
and how to pierce the pathless air with shaft from Bowman's hand:  
God Dis did quail to see his gold so fast conveyed from hell  
& fishes quaked 〈…〉 amidst their floods did dwell  
Who loves not 〈…〉 did not the king of Create excel?  
But what avail or Towns, or Laws, or what do Subjects move?  
Sheaves, Shafts, or Ships, or Gold, or all? king Saturn is in love.  
He loves, and is beloved again: yet so might not suffice,  
In former vow to Titan made his pain of pleasure lies:  
But no man from the Monarch Love by wealth or weapon flies.  
Cybella, fair Cybella is espoused to her brother:  
and as do Venus killing Birds so love they one another.  
In Coiture she doth conceive: one son is borne, and slain:  
And Saturn of the handsel hard doth malcontent remain.    

CHAP. II.  
THE Son had compassed all the Signs, & cybel brought to light  
Her second Breed, a smiling boy, & jupiter he hight:  
Together with the Queen of Gods (so junos' style we wright.)  
The infant smiled at his birth: but cybel (joy bereft)  
And Vesta, whom Vranos had an heavy widow left,  
Did both lament: for Saturn willed the new-born Babe should die,  
Both to acquit him of his vow, and frustrate Destiny.  
For at the Oracle he had, his wife a son should bear,  
That should expel him from his Realm: his vow therefore and fear  
Did hasten on (unwillingly) the slaughter of his son:  
For which (his sorrows granting speech) his moan he thus begun.  
And want not stately crowns their cares? With pomp have Princes pain?  
Ah, die he must, & die he shall, else may not Saturn rain.  
Yet, might a Sceptres want suffice, I gladly would resign:  
But sworn by Styx and wreakful Mars at perjuries repine.  
Then far be it that they repine, lest I too late repent:  
It doubles sin, if sin by sin we practise to prevent.  
From this time forth, Melancholy, for Surname Saturn had:  
No mirth could wrest from him a smile, each smile would make him sad.  
His servants fear his solome fits, when if they ought recite.  
He either answers not at all, or from the matter quite.  
Unpeopled rooms and pathless ways did fit his humour best:  
And then he sighs, and sheddeth tears when all things else did rest.  
Who so could cite a Tragedy was foremost in his credde:  
For, balking pleasant company, on sorrows did he feed.  
Death likes him, that mislikes himself, in gesture robes and all  
He shows himself like to himself: and hence it doth befall  
That men to Melancholy given we Saturnists do call.  
His wife and Sister kissing oft her Nephew and her son,  
(For she his Aunt and Mother was) with Vesta seek to shun  
The voted father's deadly doom: to kill so sweet a child  
Their eyes and very souls abhor: who (nothing so unmild)  
do weeping kiss his laughing mouth, in mind the Babe to save:  
Howbeit fear of Satur's wroth contrary council gave.  
But when in hast the Babe his heart was sent for by and by,  
So Saturn wild, so cybel must, and Vesta not deny,  
It was a woe to hear their woe, and death to see them die.  
Unhollowed wretch, than cybel said, in womb why did I bear  
This double Burden? happy Twins, save that my Twins they are.  
So that my teeming with these throws had ending well were I:  
Or would I might not give them life, that living forthwith die.  
Thy Sceptre (Saturn) is not worth performance of thy vow:  
Thy conscience doth a scruple hold that Gods nor men allow.  
From Gods, from men, from brutish beasts, from nature nought doth grow  
But fosters what it bringeth forth: thou only dost not so.  
Thy sons alone for slaughters serve, and I mean while their mother  
Am Saturn's wife, less proud of it then that he is my brother.  
Unhappy cybel borne to bear, and therefore borne to woe,  
And fruitless fertile to a man that soweth not to more.  
Now tears had drowned further speech, till she as one bestrought  
Did cry that with a knife the Babe should to her bed be brought:  
Myself (quoth she) will be his death, with whom myself will die:  
For so may Saturn save and shun his vow and destiny.  
But it did Vesta contermaund: yet Satur's will must stand,  
For jove must die, or they not live. A Damsel there at hand  
Was then enforced to that charge. Thrice touched her knife his Skin,  
But thrice his smiles did cause her tears: she fourthly did begin:  
And fourthly ended as before. Betid me death or life,  
Live still (at least for me) she said: and casting down the knife,  
She kissed that sweet and pretty mouth that laughed on her lips,  
And brings him back to Cybel's bed. Her heart, revived, skips,  
reviving life where reckoned death had wrought repentant tears.  
The father fronted with a guile, at length the damsel bears  
The infant unto Oson town: and in her Lady's name,  
Entreats Melissus daughters twain to nourish up the same.  
Up to mountain bear they him, and in a secret Cave  
A mountain Goat did give him milk, and so his life they save.  
His Nurses, sounding Simbals once to drown the Infants cry.  
A many Bees (the Muse's birds) into the Cave did fly,  
Where making Honey, Saturn's son did long time live thereby.   

CHAP. III.  

IT doth remain of jupiter, as bow (but then a lad)  
From Epire to Pelasgis him the lords Epyrotes had,  
To fetch their pledge Lycaon held, when time of truce had end:  
Lycaon feigning to consent, that did not so intent,  
Next day as though he would dismiss the Legates with estate,  
Did make to them a solemn feast: when having slain of late  
His noble pledge, he brings his limbs and setteth them before  
His Countrymen to feed upon in saused dishes store.  
The Strangers and his Subjects too abhorring such a sight,  
Sat gazing each in others face, bereft of speech and spirit:  
Until that lusty jupiter, a Stripling to behold,  
Did take the limbs dismembered so, and with a courage bold  
Did show them through Pelasgis streets, declaring by the way  
The murder of their bloody king: which did so much dismay  
The Citizens, that even they detesting such unright,  
Did rise in arms against their king: where youthful jove did fight  
So valiantly, that by his force Lyacon took his flight.  
And after did by robberies, by blood, and Rapines live:  
For which to him a Wolvish shape the Poets aptly give.   

IN Fpyre and Pelasgis thus jove first his honour won:  
But greater things untouched are by this same Worthy done.  
And partly, in the monstrous war that Titan and his Crew  
Did hold with Saturn, when by search of Issues males he knew  
The which his brother had alive, against their Covenant made:  
When, Titan Victor, fast in hold was vanquished Saturn laid,  
Together with his wife and friends: where sorrow much they passed,  
Till jupiter did understand his parentage at last.  
He therefore landing took in Create, with well provided men:  
And slew his uncle Titan, and the Giant Tiphan then,  
With most part of the Titanoies, and sets his father free:  
By means whereof they reconcile, and well a while agree.   

NOt brooking then Apollo's fault, in that he entertained  
The Remnant of the Titanoies, that after wars remained,  
Apollo was by jupiter enforced for to fly  
His kingdom Paphos, and to live exiled in Thessaly:  
Where love, but chiefly penury, constrained him to keep  
(Until he was restored home) the king Admetus' sheep.  
And for his Son disdainfully envied jove his praise  
jove was the same physicians death, that dead to life could raise:  
Whose fame grew thus. As Asculap an herdsman did espy,  
That did with easy fight enforce a Basalique to fly.  
(Albeit naturally that beast doth murder with the eye.)  
Apollo's son perceiving him with Garland on his head,  
Imagines (as it was in deed) some herb such virtue bred:  
And for a proof he caused him to cast the wreath away,  
When straight the beast her only eyes the silly man did slay.  
Then Asculap himself did take the wreath, and puts it on,  
And by that means he overcame the Basalique anon.  
In herbs that deeper force is hid then Science may contain  
I find, said he, an herb by herb into his mouth did strain  
That lay for dead, an herb at last reviving him again.  
Henceforth, men thought him more than man, when by his wondrous skill  
He rendered life to many like, so winning great good will.  
But as he waxed famous thus, he famous waxed proud,  
Disdaining all, yea jove himself for Peer he disaloud.  
Until that Satur's angry son revenged it by death:  
Correcting justly each abuse, as Rector on the Earth.  
THe Sons renowned thus added grace unto the Father's name,  
But shadows wait on substances, and envy follows fame.  
Even Saturn, pompous Saturn, rid by jupiter of Foes  
And fear of Titan, did renew his superstitious woes  
As touching former Oracle: and hastis summons sent  
Throughout his Realm to muster men, in purpose to prevent  
By death of jove his destiny. The men of Create repined  
To put on armour to his ill whom they had found so kind:  
But will they nill they so they must, for so their king assigned.  
And Saturn with his armed troops into Arcadia went,  
Where jupiter, forewarned of his father's ill intent,  
Entreated peace, to him denied: so that perforce he must  
Defend him from his froward Sire, or rather foe unjust.  
There might ye see king Saturn fight like to a Lion wood,  
Whilst jupiter did bear his blows, and spares his father's blood:  
and him that foo-like would him slay, he friendly did defend,  
Desiring Saturn to retire, till words were to no end.  
The wilful man pursuing blood, jove ceaseth to persuade,  
And rushing in amongst his foes so hot a skirmish made,  
That every blow sets blood on broach, and so in little space,  
Even he who late he did entreat, is followed now in chase  
By Arcas and his company: for jove refraind the flight,  
Because against his countrymen he had no will to fight.  
Whilst luckless Saturn did escape by flight and fortune then,  
And wandered long in uncouth Seas, deprived of wealth and men,  
victorious jupiter was crowned with glory king of Create:  
And Saturn now arrived at Troy, for succour did entreat.  
Ganymaedes, king Trois son was sent in Satur's aid:  
A worthy knight, and valiant war to jupiter he made.  
But he and his were chased back even to their City walls,  
For who so stood with jupiter, by jupiter he falls.  
And there the Trojan Paragon Ganymides was ta'en,  
Twixt whom and jupiter thenceforth sound friendship did remain.  
Then Saturn did the second time to Seas with shame retire,  
And never after durst by war against his son conspire:  
But sailing into lower Realms, in Italy did dwell:  
And hereof it is said his son did chase him into hell.   

Mean while, less joyous of his fame then jealous of his freaks,  
Her wrong Queen juno on the Trulls of jupiter she wreaks.  
Which was the cause that all too late, he purposing return  
To rescue Danae (in whose love he amorously did burn)  
Was cast by storms into the Seas, that forthwith took the name  
of him whom for his Piracies jove vanquished in the same.  
Ye might have seen AEgaeon there with wreakful wrath imflamed  
At sight of jove, at whose decay he long in vain had aimed.  
And how that jove had now the worst, and in a trice again  
The Giant with his twice three Barks in hazard to be ta'en.  
The Centaurs show them valorous, so did Ixeon stout,  
and brave Ganymaedes did deal his baleful dole about:  
But when courageous jupiter had beaten to the ground  
AEgaeon, and in self-same Chains wherein he often bound  
The harmless souls that crossed those Seas himself in fetters lay,  
ye might have said, and truly said, that then did end the fray.  
So many were his high exploits, whereof such wonder bread,  
That for the same the Heathen folk do deify him dead.  
Which since they are so manifold, I many overpass:  
And though Amphitruo blush to hear how he deceived was,  
And that Alcmene pinch my tongue, possessed with bashful shame,  
Yea though that jupiter himself my lavish tongue shall blame,  
Yet since that jealous juno knows already of the same,  
I dare not tell how jupiter so cunningly beguiled  
his love Alcmene, that by him she traveled great with child  
Of Hercules: whose famous acts I orderly shall tell,  
Whereof the first, but not the least, in Cradle-time be fell.    

CHAP. FOUR  

Queen juno, not a little wrath against her husband's crime  
By whom she was a Cockqueane made, did therefore at the time  
In which Alcmene cried for help to bring her fruit to light,  
Three nights and days enchant her throws: and (of a Devilish spite)  
Intended both the Lady's death, and that wherewith she went:  
Till Galinthis unwitching her did junos' spells prevent.  
Howbeit cankered juno still pursuing her intent,  
Two poisoned Serpents got by charms into the chamber brought  
Where Hercules in cradle lay, and thinking to have wrought  
A Tragedy, did let them lose: who smelling out their pray,  
skaerd Hercules his brother that in self same cradle lay.  
But Hercules, as Children use with little whelps to play,  
Did dally childishly with them, and no whit did dismay:  
Until at last his tender flesh did feel their smarting stings,  
And then displeased betwixt his hands the Snakes to death he wrings.  
Amphrituo an the Thebans all of this same wonder tell:  
And years permitting Hercules did with Euristeus dwell.  
This King by spiteful junos' means, did set him task on task,  
But Hercules performed more than both of them could ask.  
Yea, yet a good Lad, for Activeness the world did lack his like,  
To Wrestle, Ride, Run, Cast, or Shoot, to Swim, Shift, or Strike,  
As witness (his invention first) those solemn active Plaios.  
That were on Mount Olympus tried, where he had prick and praise.  
For which his Novel, and himself, in those not having Peers,  
The Grecians by th' Olimpides kept reckoning of their years.   

KIng Atlas daughters in the Isles of Hesperae did hold  
A many Sheep: and Poets feign their fleeces were of Gold:  
(For rareness then of Sheep and Wool in figures so they saw)  
Euristeus pricks his People on this novile Prize to gain.  
The Greeks apply their sweeting Oars, and sailing do persist  
Until they reach the wished shore: where ready to resist  
their entrance to the closed Isles an armed Giant stayed,  
Whose grim aspects at first approach made Hercules afraid.  
Now buckle they, and boisterous blows they give and take among.  
A cruel sight, But Hercules had victory ere long.  
The Giant slain, Philoctes took the vanquisher in hand:  
An harder task had Hercules then pausing now to stand.  
Most dreadful was their doubtful fight, both lay about them round,  
Philoctes held the harder fight by keeping higher ground.  
The Son of jove perceiving well that prowess not availed,  
Did feign to faint: the other thought that he in deed had quailed,  
And left th'advantage of his ground, and fiercely smites his Foe:  
But Hercules, whose policy was to contrive it so,  
Renewing fight most eagerly, so strikes, and strikes again,  
That to endure the doubled force his valiant Foe had pain.  
Who, yielding to his victors will, did find in him such grace,  
As Hercules did thenceforth use his friendship in each place.  
Hesperides, the goodly Nymphs, their keepers chance lament:  
But Hercules did comfort them, and cure their discontent:  
And shipping them of Rams & Ewes a parcel, thence he went.   

IN coasting back by newbuilt Troy, he saw a moneful sort  
of people, clustering round about their yet unconquered Port.  
He musing much, and striking Sail, did boldly ask wherefore  
They made such dole: Laomidon then standing on the shore  
Did tell the cause: the cause was thus. Laomedon ere than  
To rear the stately walls of Troy (a costly work) began,  
And wanting pay to finish up the work he had begun,  
Of Neptune's and of Phoebus' Priests (the Gods of Sea and Son)  
He borrowed money, promising repayment of the same  
by certain time which thereunto he did expressly name.  
The walls are built, the time is come, the Priests their money crave,  
Laomedon forswares the debt, and naughty language gave.  
Forthwith the Sea (the Devil then did many wonders show)  
Began to swell, and much of Troy with violence overfloe:  
And thereupon the swealtie Sun (the wasteful Sea retired)  
So vehemently did shine upon the Oesie plasshes myerd,  
That thereof noisome vapours rose, and of those vapours spread  
Such plagues, as scarce the living might give burial to the dad.  
Repentant then, their wreathed king to holy Delphos goes.  
Where at the Oracle he knew his wrongs to cause suc wees:  
And how the Gods of Sun and Seas, offended do require  
Each month a Virgin, to appease a seaish Monsters ire:  
Wherefore to save their common weal, the Trojans did agree  
One Virgin, as her Lot did light, should pay that monthly fee.  
Now after many murdered Maids (for monthly at one day,  
The fearful Monster at the Port expects his wont prey)  
The lot fell to Hesione the daughter of the king,  
whom to the Port to be devoured with tears the Trojans bring.  
When Hercules thus understood the hard occasion why  
The guiltless Lady should have died, he purposing to try  
his valiantness, (for what was it that Hercules would fly)  
Did ask the king what gift should grow to him that should both free  
His daughter, and his kingdom of that monthly bloody fee.  
The king, whom now at doubted hope of proffered help made glad,  
made promise of two milk-white Steeds as chiefest gems he had.  
Brave Hercules, whose venturous heart did only hunt for fame,  
Accepts th'assumpsit, and prepares the fiend like fish to tame.  
Anon the dreadful Devil drives the Sea before his breast,  
and spitting mighty waves abroad, disgorgde from monstrous chest,  
Lift'st up his ugly head above the toubled waves to catch  
The trembling Lady, for which pray his yaning jaws did watch.  
But he, whose strength exceeded sense, with iron Club in fist.  
Did bootless long with bruising wait the boisterous Whale resist:  
The greater strokes, the fiercer was the Monsters aweless fight:  
So that the Greeks and Trojans all misdoubt their dreadless knight.  
Still Hercules did lay on load, and held the fight so long,  
That in the end the Sea retired, and left the fish among  
The bared sands: and so for want of water, not of strength,  
Good fortune honours Hercules with victory at length.  
Now when the king, his Troyans, and the Grecians had beheld  
The substance of the ugly Shape, even dreadful being killed,  
they bring the Champion to the town with triumphs, gifts, & praise:  
And who but he beloved in Troy, whiles that in Troy he stays.  
Alone the king (a man no doubt predestinate to ill)  
Observing how his Subjects bore to Hercules good will,  
and fearing lest their love to him might turn himself to hate,  
And seeing now himself and land in prosperous estate,  
unfriendly did exclude his friend from out his city strong,  
Whilst with his Greeks he hunts abroad, mistrustless of such wrong:  
and when the Champion and his men did from their sport return,  
Not only did gainsay in Troy that longer they sojourn,  
But also (impudent in guiles) withhild the Corsers twain,  
Which Hercules so dearly won, in hazard to be slain.  
Alcmena's son abashed then to find so lewd a meed,  
In lieu of well deserved love, was choleric in deed:  
and made a vow (if life gave leave) he would such vengeance take  
on Troy, that even the stones thereof for dread of him should quake,  
and that the living Trojans than should say, and justly say,  
That they were happy whom the plague and Monster made away:  
and threatening so the trothless king did leave the hated Port,  
And shortly did arrive at Thebes, and feasts in Creon's Court.   

THence brought he war, and wrack to Troy, & in his army kings:  
And by the way Larnessas' walls unto the ground he flings,  
And setteth Tenedos on fire, whose fearful flames espied,  
gave Sommance unto careless Troy for worse to provide.  
Before the Greeks had reached Troy the Trojans by the way  
did bid them battle: many men on either part decay:  
The sounding armours crack with blows, whilst piercing arrows fly,  
This lieth dead, that fame is maimed, and more at point to die.  
Heads, arms, and armour fly about, and bodies swim in blood,  
and fresh supplies did fall with them on whom they fight stood.  
But Hercules, above the rest, bestirred himself so well,  
That still before his baleful Club by Shoks the Trojans fell.  
Who, fainting now, seek to retire into their fensive Town:  
where Hercules their Porter was, and rudely knocks them down.  
Thus won be Troy, and sacked Troy, and Channels flowed blood,  
Nor did he breath whilst any part of all the City stood,  
Save stately Ilion: in the same a many Ladies were,  
Whose piteous tears wrought Hercules that only place to spare.  
As for the false Laomedon he secretly was fled,  
And valiant Pryamus his son to Greece was captive led.    

CHAP. V.  

AT home returned, Queen juno craves his company at Create,  
Whom, there arrived, with heartless joy his Stepdame did entreat.  
What? hearest thou not my son (quoth she) how Argive folk complain  
Of Lions three, that in their fields both men and herds have slain?  
And this she said, as knowing him to seek such hard affairs.  
To win him to which desperate fight no Corpse nor cost he spares.  
When this was said, enough was said, and half was yet behind  
When Hercules did vow redress, and juno had her mind.  
He joys to hear of that exploit, such was his venturous heart,  
And thanking juno for her news did so from thence departed.  
Philoctes now and Hercules in Nemea Forest be,  
Long seeking what they could not find, till crying from a tree  
an Herdsman said, friends shift away, or else come up to me:  
Lest that those cruel Lions three now ranging in this wood,  
which have devoured those Herds I had, and with my Manies' blood  
Imbrud their fierce devouring chaps, and forced me to climb  
This Tree, where I (unhappy man) on leaves have fed long time,  
may, all too soon, with tearing teeth destroy you in like case,  
The quaking Herdsman scarce had said thus much, when as a pace  
from out a Thick the Lions three on Hercules did run,  
Philoctes, trustless of his Prowse, by climbing did then shun.  
And now the Rampant Lions great, whose only view would quail  
An hundred knights, though armed well, did Hercules assail.  
And sometimes with their churlish teeth and pinching paws again  
So grievously endanger him, that near he faints with pain.  
Howbeit (glory checking grief) he twain had now dispatched:  
The third, and dreadfulst of the three, though many a blow he catched,  
yet neither Club nor Sword had force to harm his hardened hied  
Until that (weapons laid apart) by strangling hands he died.  
Not Hercules himself conceaude more joy of this success  
Then did Philoctes, who erewhile did hope of nothing less.  
The Paster, poor Meloreus, like as Hercules he him wild  
Uncaest the Lions, fearing long to touch them being killed:  
And in his Cottage to the knights a Country feast he held,  
The Argives, hearing of this deed, with Triumphs him entreat,  
And offer all: but leaving all he doth return to Create.  
Whom golzing juno, 'gainst her mind, with cost did entertain,  
and with a tongue repugnant quite to her malicious vain  
Commends his deeds, when rather she did wish he had been slain.  
and therefore with an harder task his labour did renew:  
But what was it that manhood might, and he would not pursue?   

IN Egypt was a grievous drought: the cause thereof unknown:  
which to redress, their Devilish Gods an Oracle had shown.  
Do offer up strange blood, they bid, and so avart our ire,  
Busiris prone before to blood, had now his hearts desire:  
No sooner Stranger touched the shore, but them the barbarous king  
To fry in flames before his Gods for Sacrifice doth bring.  
Yea custom added worse to ill, his Subject and his friend  
(when Strangers miss) supply the flames: his murders had no end.  
Howbeit, with these Butcheries the drought did still remain:  
For in Busiris was the blood that should redeem the rain.  
The Gods did mean (which they not mind) that lewd Busiris he  
an Alien borne, that Stranger was, who dead, no drought should be.  
A Noble man of junos' kin Busiris late had slain,  
For loss of whom the crafty Queen did often sorrows feign.  
Cease (Madam) saith Hercules, not long the time shallbe,  
But I his tyranny shall end, else they give end to me.  
Her sorrows did not tith her icy, when he had given consent  
To undertake that deathful task: for death was it she meant.  
Now Hercules in Egypt meets Busiris and his Crew,  
When suddenly with main assault on him the Giant flew:  
Supposing to have dealt with him as he had done before  
with other Strangers: Hercules alonely, and no more  
to take his part, with skathfull strokes bestirred his Club so well,  
In battering of the Tyrant's bones, that strengthless down he fell.  
Then did he kill and chase away his lewd and cruel train,  
Till hearing of no further foe, he cometh back again:  
and taketh up the wretched king, that crieth out for aid:  
And on the Altar, where himself had Strangers often laid,  
Himself was made a Sacrifice: and as his blood did stain  
the Altar, even at the same time there fell a joyful rain.  
With ended drought, and Tyrant's death, a common joy befell:  
And all in Mimphis entertain the unknown Champion well:  
From thence returning back to Thebes he there awhile did dwell.   

King Creon's daughter Megara, at Thebes he did espouse:  
To countenance their wedding feast did want nor knights, nor prows.  
Which triumphs ended, when the knights should thence departed away,  
Pirithous to his wedding bids them all: and names the day  
Wherein to meet at Thessaly: to which did all consent,  
and at the time concluded of at Thessaly convent.  
Amidst their cheer, the solemn feast the Centaurs did disquiet:  
Whom by no means, the nobles there the patience might entreat:  
For they an hundred Giants strong, with drinking whitteled well,  
amongst their cups, from words to blows, and worse dealings fell:  
And (too outrageous at the last, fierce Eurytis their Guide),  
Unreurentlie they ravish thence Hippodame the Bride.  
But Hercules not brooking it, to arm himself begun,  
and all alone in rescue of the rapted Bride did roam.  
By this time did Ixeons' Seed stand still in battle ray,  
When he, but one against them all, began a bloody fray.  
Each arrow that with aiming hand from sturdy bow he sent,  
Did answer by the death of one, the Sender his intent.  
Whilst Hercules with deadly bow had store of Centaurs slain,  
and, wanting arrows, with their blood his valiant Club did stain,  
The Bridegroom and the other knights came to the ceasing fight,  
When all were foiled, excepting twelve that save their lives by flight.  
Alonely Lycus yielded him a prisoner, and lives:  
And living unto Hercules much after sorrow gives:  
But Nessus, that escaped then, in time him worser grieves.    

CHAP. VI  

THE glory of this high attepmt, and saving of the Bride,  
They all ascribe to Hercules: and whilst they here abide,  
To exercise his Piracies as Pluto king of Hell,  
(Such was the lewdness of his life, and place where he did dwell  
That he and it were titeled so) lay hovering near the shore,  
And saw the folk of Cicilie their Gods with rights adore:  
This roving king, with armed Guards of his disordered Crew  
did come a land, to make their Pray: but (for to outward view)  
They feign devotion, none suspect the ill that did ensue.  
Anon a wreathing Garlands sweet hard at her mother's side  
King Pluto saw Proserpina: and liking whom he spied:  
Concluding with his company how to convey her thence,  
Betwixt his boisterous arms he took the fair and fearful wench:  
and do what the Sicilians might he setteth her a board:  
and to his guilty Sails the Air did gentle Gaeles afford.  
A number eyes in Cicelie for her did weep, in vain:  
For her, her mother Ceres and her Loves-mate did complain,  
Herself (sweet Lady) of her moan did find no mean God wots  
Though This to please did say and give what might be said or got.  
Embarked then, with him his Harp did woeful Orpheus take,  
and to Molossa Pluto's Realm with speedy Sails did make.  
Where he, unknown, at gate of Hell did harp such Music sweet,  
as lumpish Cerberus could not but shake his monstrous feet:  
His foul and warped ill favoured face, or o'erhung with coal-black hairs,  
his Horslike teeth, his lolling lips, his Doglike hanging cares,  
His hooked nose, his scowling eyes, his filthy knotted Beard,  
and what not in his ugly shape? But presently appeared  
More milder than his common mood, and lesser to be feared.  
This hellish Porter deeming that such music would delight  
his weeping Mistress did convey the harper to her sight.  
Where Pulto swore by dreadful Styx if Orpheus bid by play  
But make her laugh, what so he asked he should receive for pay.  
Anon such heavenly Harmony on skilful Harp he played,  
That she her husband's music knew, and joyful was she made,  
And Orpheus did a watchword give, and she to laugh began:  
And for reward to have from thence his wife he asked then.  
Although it galled Pluto's soul his sweet heart to forego,  
Yet for to quit him of his oath he yields it shall be so:  
With this condition, that before they fully passed Hell,  
He should not backwards look on her, what chance soe'er befell.  
Now as they pass through blind byways, he fearing lest per chance  
she ere or lag returns a look: and who should mark that glance  
but Cerberus, that purposely for such advantage waits:  
Who still detaining her, did shut her Husband out the gates.  
When Ceres heard of this mischance, she Sicily leaves anon,  
And knowing all the Knights of Grece to Thessaly were gone,  
She thither goes in hope of help: where presently she meets  
with Thaeseus and Pirithous, whose salutings she regreetes  
they wondering what the noble Queen of Cicill there should make:  
Become inquisitive thereof: to whom sad Ceres spoke  
first of Proserpina her grief, and then of Pluto's guile:  
For her she weeps, of him she rails, and moveth them mean while,  
The mother of false Dis his rape had more behind unsaid,  
When AEgeus and Ixion's Sons did jointly offer aid.  
About the desert parts of Greece there is a valley low,  
To which the roaring waters fall that from the mountains flow:  
So Rocks overshadow it that scarce a man may view  
the open air: no Sun shines there. Amidst this darksome Mew  
doth stand a City, to the same belongs one only Gate,  
But one at once may come thereto the entrance is so strait,  
Cut out the rough main stony Rock: this City did belong  
to Pluto, and because that he was ever doing wrong,  
And kept a thievish Rabble that in mischiefs did excel,  
His Citizens were Devils said, and City named Hell.  
When to this cities ruthless gate were come the friendly Knights,  
Fierce Cerberus did rouse himself, and scarcely barking bites:  
He thought the world had lacked the man that thither durst repair:  
And troth to say, not one till then to do the like did dare.  
Now fiery sparks from thundering strokes in dark did give them light,  
And Ceres Champions valiantly maintain their venturous fight.  
But stout Pirithous, too too bold, a deadly wound he catched:  
And Theseus, though Combattan-like he long the Hellhound matched,  
Yet with his fellow had he fallen, who flying fears to cope.  
Expecting nothing less than life, but hap exceeded hope.  
For Hercules at Thessaly did fear so hard event:  
Whence launching out, he made in show as if to Thebes he went  
But with Philoctes all his train and Licus home he sent.  
And he himself to aid his friends did to Molossa go,  
Where like as did his mind presage, he found it very so.  
For even as currish Cerberus with gory blows did chase  
the wounded and the weary Knight, came Hercules in place.  
An unexpected happy sight to Theseus at that tide:  
Whom Cerberus forsaking then at Hercules he flide:  
Upbraiding him with threatening words, and like himself did rave,  
And reached him many a crabbed rap with his presumptuous glaive.  
The Danter then of Trespasses perceiving Theseus dry  
his grievous wounds, and at his feet Pirithous dead to lie,  
Desirous to revenge them both lays lusty load about,  
And with his still victorious Club did Cerberus so clout,  
That, quite dismayed at such a match, he reeling to the ground,  
Did send from out his Doggish throat a loud and devilish sound:  
But when the victor sure enough the vanquished had bound,  
He leaving Theseus weak without into the City went:  
Whereas he found the wicked King, and Citizens that spent  
their fruitless time in vices foul, and dealings most unjust,  
As those that in their Porter's strength reposed all their trust.  
With these did Hercules play Rex, and leaving Dis for dead,  
Not one escapes his deadly hand that dares to show his head.  
Whole thousands then did breathe their last, and who had seen the sight,  
Might well have said it Hell indeed: for every thing outright,  
Besides that sullen Mew itself, did give a figure plain  
of self same Hell, where damned Souls abide in endless pain.  
Save howlings out and shuddering fear can nought to ear or sight,  
With grievous groans of dying Ghosts: & so much more their spite,  
By how much more he found them then in pleasures and delight.  
This horror hanging. Hercules in buskling up and down  
In Pluto's Palace, to her joy Proserpina he found:  
And told her of enlargement thence. And then in harrowed Hell  
(Pirithous buried) he, nor she,, nor Theseus' longer dwell.  
But weighing Anchor with the Queen of Cicels Daughter went  
To Thessaly: where present griefs pretended joys prevent,  
For, hearing of Pirithous death, not one but did lament.  
Hippodame (a widow now) especially bewails  
Her overhardie Husband's death. But weeping less prevails  
Than doth Revenge: for Hercules unto her doom commits  
Her griefs Contriver, Cerberus, almost besides his wits  
For fear of death his due desert: whom causing ' to be bound  
both hands and feet, and to be dragged along the ragged ground,  
A knavish Skull of Boys and Girls did pelt at him with stones,  
And laying on with staves and whips did break both flesh & bones.   

WHen Hercules should pass to Hell as hath before been said,  
And that Philoctes of his men he had Lieutenant made,  
And as Philoctes with his charge on Seas to Thebes did pass,  
He met Androdamus: the King of Chalcedon he was.  
Androdamus, not knowing yet his cozen there enthralled,  
(For Lycus was his cozen) to the Thaebane Pilots called  
To Ken of whence and where they would. But ere the thebans might  
Give answer, Lycus clogged with chains on hatches stood upright  
And cried, Androdamus behold and secure me thy friend,  
That shamefully, unless thou help, am like my life to end.  
I Captive am to Hercules, and thus to Thebes must go:  
Give aid therefore. Androdamus defers not doing so,  
But setteth on Philoctes, that himself and ship defends  
And part of Calcedons he slew, and part to Sea he sends:  
But where the number tripold there for them the Battle ends  
When Lycus was discharged of bands, and stout Philoctes bound,  
He told what scathe the centaurs late in Thessaly had found.  
Amongst the slain he named some allied to the King:  
For which the savage Tyrant swore revenge on Thebes to bring:  
And sailing thence prevailed there by coming unawares.  
And putteth all to sack and sword, nor old nor young he spares.  
He slayeth Creon, and in hold fair Megara was cast:  
And leaving Lycus King in Thebes, from Thebes the Tyrant past.  
Whilst Lycus thus did Lord it there, the error of his eye  
Did vex his heart: but Megara his lust did chastened fly.  
And Hercules by now had news how things at Thebes fell out,  
And how that Lycus there was Lord, and none for him durst rout.  
Disguised than he thither comes and to the Palace went:  
Whom, when the Porters would have staid, his rags he of did rend,  
And shows himself like to himself, nobly in vain he spent  
that sets not breath or blood abroach. This uproar Lycus heard,  
And thinking that some private Fray had fallen amongst his Guard,  
Presuming that his presence would appease the growing heat,  
Did cast his haughty arms abroad, as who would say be quiet,  
Or here am I that can aswell command it as entreat,  
Which Hercules so suddenly chopped off that (yet unmist)  
He thinking to have used Arms, was armeles ere he witted.  
Then Hercules, our Hercules is come all Thebes it cried,  
Now shake we of our servile Yoke & follow him our Guide:  
And so they did, till none were left to hold on Licus side.  
The Medley ended, Hercules did bring the Centaur bound  
To Prison: whereas Megara in misery he found:  
For Licus, spéedles in his lust, against her so had frowned.  
Yea (more revengeful) seeing her embraced by his Foe,  
And hoping nothing less than life to vex them ere he go  
He said: thou dootest overmuch to entertain that Whore,  
The falsest Lady under heaven, for let me live no more,  
If Megaera (I speak by proof) embraced so of thee:  
Hath not offended divers ways, and common been to me.  
Then Hercules supposing that his speeches had been true,  
Sweapt of the lying Centaurs head, and that in choler slew  
(To credulent) his guiltless wife: but dead, her death did rue  
FOr loss of her, and slaughtered friends, he vexed at the heart  
did then from Thebes (an heavy man) to Foreign lands departed,  
Distressed in the Trojan Rhode he secure sought for pay:  
To which (his people's triple plague) Laomedon said nay:  
And to provide their second scourge sailed Hercules away.  
And coming back with jasons Prize from Colchos he complains  
of churlish king Laomedon, and so an Army gains.  
At Troy the Greekish Peers and he did land their armed men:  
Whom to resist Laomedon did range his Battles then.  
The Troyans' they bestirred them well, the Grecians stood not still,  
Laomedon fights valiantly, and many a Greek did kill.  
Till Hercules (digesting ill to see his Foe pursue  
such good success) encounters him, whom easily he slew.  
And having slain the traitorous king he ceaseth not to die,  
his Thaebane Club in Phrygian blood, till all began to fly.  
But with the Troyans', Telamonius, and Hercules both twain,  
And by their valour all the Greeks the gates and City gain:  
And kill who so of Troy they caught, and razed to the ground  
the City, whilst that house by house, or stone on stone they found:  
And venturous Telamonius, for that he entered first the gate,  
For Prize had fair Hesione, of Troy the latest fate.  
For Priamus to quit her Rape, long after sent his Son  
To ravish Helen from the Greeks. So thirdly war begun:  
Hesione the cause to Troy, and Helen to the Greeks,  
And all did work that Trojan Brute the Albion's Climate seeks.     

THE SECOND BOOK ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. VII.  

THE twice sacked Town the Grecians then did merrily forsake,  
And Hercules for new affairs, did land in Egypt take.  
There in a port he did espy a Fleet of Ships from far.  
Well fraught with men, Munition, and what pertains to war.  
When Affer (he chief Captain was of that same Fleet) did spy  
the Ensigns of the famous Greek, he knew them by and by:  
And entertaining on his knees the Owner of the same,  
Rejoiced to behold the man so honoured by fame.  
With Affer sailed Hercules to Libya, to put down  
the Giant king Antaeus, that had aided to the crown  
of Egypt 'gainst th' Egyptians wills Busiris lately slain  
by Hercules, in whose conduct they doubt not to obtain,  
And taking land in Libya now, and having in their sight  
the threatened City of the Foe, his Tents did Affer pight,  
And girts it with a sudden Siege. The Giant then did shake  
his hideous head, and vowed revenge, yea sharp revenge to take.  
But issuing out his City gates he found the Foe so hot,  
That, notwithstanding such his brags, the worst Antaeus got:  
For Hercules did canvas so his carcase, that at length  
he did retire himself and men, as trustless of his strength.  
His Libions slain, and he not sound, Antaeus' truce did crave:  
For grant whereof unto his Foes mean time he victuals gave:  
And whilst the Month of truce did last the Giant, bruised sore,  
Did heal his wounds, and to his part solicits aiders more,  
Mean while the Greek to Mauritan did pass unknown of all,  
and there in king Antaeus' aid he found supplies not small:  
And for he looked soldier-like they brought him to the king,  
who offered pay: not so (quoth he) I mean another thing,  
Discharge these Bands, or else I will discharge thee of thy breath,  
That all alone to thee and thine oppose me to the death.  
When Atlas knew him Hercules, that conquered of late  
The Island which his daughters held, and brought to latest fate  
His Giant that defended them, and captivated then  
His friend Philoctes, he twixt fear and fierceness waxed wan.  
And look how fast the rattling hail upon an house doth fall,  
So fast they lay on Hercules, that holdeth wag 'gainst all.  
and as the Smith with Hammer beats his forged metal, so  
he dubs his Club about their pates and fleas them on a roe.  
And whilst (not daring to look down) by heaps on him they fly,  
Some stumbling on the bodies dead are smouldered so and die:  
Some sliding in the slippery blood, wherewith the place did swim,  
were strangled so: some others whilst disorderedly at him  
They fret and soyne, are crowded on by those that hindmost be,  
and with their weapons spoil themselves and fellows two or three:  
Some others with the wounding points of broken weapons die:  
and others daring with their Foe their bootless force to try,  
were in a moment slain by him: and thus in little space,  
Without Resistants Hercules had Lordship of the place.  
And maugre swords or studied Stars brought Atlas to the Seas,  
whereas Philoctes did in time his pensiveness appease:  
And to his friend comemnds the Foe for bounty, which at last  
himself did find: and when as time his grief had overpast,  
The same that for Astrology the Skies Support was said,  
In such his Science Hercules a perfect Artist made.  
The Month of truce by this had end, and Hercules returns  
To Affer, that encamped at the Lybian walls sojourns,  
A second battle then begun. Antaeus' like a Baer  
Bestirs himself amongst his Foes: whilst Hercules did fair  
as roughly with contrary blooes, till none to fight did dare.  
But humbly all submitting themselves subdued by his might:  
He gave them grace, and stayed there to do them law and right.  
Mean time Anteus, lately fled, returns from Mauritain,  
And with a mighty Troop of moors renewed fight again.  
And all the Fields with Carcases of mangled men were filled,  
And numbers failed to the moors that Hercules then killed.  
But when Anteus saw his men to lessen more and more,  
Resolving or to win the Spurs or lose himself therefore,  
He makes a bloody path until the Thaebane he espied,  
And finding him, bestow on me thy blows the Giant cried,  
That am both able to endure and to repay the same,  
A Fly is not an Eagles pray, nor Mouse a Lion's game.  
My death might countenance thy deeds (if that it so would be)  
But make account that I anon will triumph over thee.  
In saying which he smites his Foe, performing wondrous might:  
And body unto body they with equal damage fight.  
But Hercules disdaining that so long Antaeus stands  
with him in combat, gripping him betwixt his angry hands,  
Did crush his Carcase in the air that life did leave him so:  
And thus did reap a Monarchy, and rid a mighty Foe.  
Then Hercules (Antaeus' dead) with ease he overcame  
all Libya, with the Provinces & Kingdoms of the same:  
And maketh Affer King of all that bears the doers name.   

IN expedition of which war when Hercules would dwell  
no longer time, but purposed to bid his friend's farewell,  
A warlike Wench, an Amazon, salutes him by his name,  
And said know Hercules (if it thou knowest not by fame)  
how that the Scythian Ladies, late expelled their native Land  
by King of Egypt, have contrived amongst themselves a band,  
And with the same have conquered all Asia, Egypt, and  
all Capadocia. Now that for we victors understand  
the Africanes are our Allies, and minding to proceed  
In further conquests, tendering them, thus is therefore decreed:  
That you two Champions shall elect, and they will also send  
two Ladies, that for victory shall with your Knights contend.  
And if your Champions vanquish ours, than we will tribute pay:  
And if that ours do vanquish yours, than you shall us obey.  
But hope not so, more profit gives our bounty then our blows,  
And uninforced tribute may procure you friendly Foes:  
Then Hercules, admiring much the Challengers, did yield  
two adverse Knights the morrow next should meet them in the field.  
And mounted well on Corsers twain next light by dawn of day  
Into the Liestes came Hercules and Theseus. Mid the way  
upon a brace of milk white Seeds the two Viragoes meet  
the Knights: and each the other did with civil Congees greet.  
Then either part retiring back began to make their race,  
And couching well their valiant Spears did run a wondrous pace.  
With Menalippe Hercules the sight did undertake,  
And Theseus with Hippolyta did his Encounter make.  
They meeting, either part both horse and load to ground were cast,  
Whereat the Africanes did muse and Scythians wear aghast.  
Unhorsed thus, disdainfully each Knight defendant took it:  
And either Lady so disgraced as scornfully did brook it.  
Then settle they to handy Arms, the which was long and fierce,  
And with their cutting weapons did both Helms and harness pierce.  
But Hercules, though never matched so hardly in his life,  
Disarms at length his Scythian Task, and ended was their strife,  
But Theseus with his Combattesse in doubtful battle fights,  
Till, blushing at the Maiden's blows, he checks his mending spirits.  
And laid so hardly to her charge, not able to sustain  
his fresh-got force, that he also the second Prize did gain.  
Antiope, a third unto those warlike Sisters twain,  
Beholding how sinisterly the double fight had passed,  
Makes sorrow, whilst the Africanes rejoice for it as fast,  
The Scythians to the Africanes did Homage then, and pray  
their Ladies might be ransomed. Which suit did Theseus stay,  
For he through Lance, his Foe through love went Uanquisher away.  
And therefore when th' Athenian Knight and Amazon were matched  
in marriage, Menelippe then from Durance was dispatched.  
And Hercules: (than which to him no greater Prize could be)  
had Queen Antiope her Bealt and Armour for his fee,  
And sets the Dames of Thermodon from other ransom free.  
And Theseus with Hippolyta at Athens landing takes,  
And Hercules to Calydon a dismal usage makes.   

THere did King Oeneus bounteously receive so great a Guest:  
Where scarcely had he any time from passed toils to rest,  
But that proud Achelous sent Ambassidors to know  
If that King Oeneus on him his daughter would bestow,  
If not to threaten wreakful wars: which much abashed the King,  
Till Hercules, who then was come about the self same thing,  
(For love to Deianira both Compettitors did bring)  
Expelled fear by offering aid to back him from the Foe:  
By means whereof unsatisfide away the Legates go.  
The Tyrant Achelous then, with all Epirus force  
invades the bounds of Calydon, and spoil without remorse.  
But Hercules he leading forth his Army got the day,  
And well was he amongst his Foes that fastest ran away.  
They & their King, with hard escape, immure themselves at length  
within a Castle near the Sea, a Hold of wondrous strength,  
The thebans then as resolute to spoil both Foe and Fort,  
Did burn his Foes forsaken ships left riding in the port:  
And with a few beset the Hold. When Achelous he  
so slender watch about the walls of Enemies did see,  
He scorned that so weak a siege should pen him up so strait,  
He having ten for one of them, did issue out the Gate  
against the Greeks, that willingly his coming did await.  
Espying Hercules, he cried, lo yond same devil is he  
that drove us out of Calydon: who so of mine he be  
that slayeth him, shall be inritcht with great rewards by me.  
But he that made such offers large, did offer them in vain:  
For when his men saw Hercules approaching them amain  
With fiery eyes, and angry looks, and dreadful Club insist,  
They thought it needles to assail, and bootless to resist.  
And every man retired back into the hold again,  
Where many days, attemting slight, they cowardly remain.  
From war at length they fell to wiles. There lay upon the shore  
a broken Hoy, that had not brooked the Seas of long before:  
The Mast they boring full of holes, in every hole did stick  
a burning Torch, and launched it out in night when clouds were thick.  
No sooner was the fiery keel a floot upon the waves,  
And that the Greeks espied it, but each man rashly craves  
the viewing of so strange a sight. Their Captain that did smell  
the presupposed Stratagem, did range his army well,  
And marching near the guileful light, did find ambushments there,  
That playing on advantage thus (prevented though) appear.  
Occasion happening, Hercules would not admit the same,  
But took them as he found them now, and fights it out by aim.  
When Achelous he beheld his guild by guile to fail,  
Well might he chafe, be harder chance his courage might not quail.  
For look how fierce and boistrouslie a chafed Bull doth fight,  
So Acheleus lustily on either side did smite:  
And by his only prows then a many knights were slain,  
Whilst Hercules with like success his Opposites did pain.  
And now, by chance, amidst the brunt the valiant Wooers twain  
do single, and togethers tug, and as two Lions strong  
each one desiring others blood did hold a Combat long,  
king Achelous minding her for whom began that broil,  
To conquer where he did contend annexed hope to toil.  
Alcmena's Son remembering to whose cause he did defend,  
Even hers on whom his being and his very soul depend,  
So charged his Contrary with knocks, and used his Club so well,  
That vanquished (though valorous) king Achelous fell.  
Thepirotes when they saw their king a Captive led away,  
Their hearts were done: and Hercules subdued them ere day.  
And Achelous in exile did end his latter days:  
And all AEtolia was filled with Hercules his praise,  
To whom the king did give to Wife fair Deianira, she  
the pleasing prize of that his prows, and dearly earned Fee,  
Who after of her own decay, and his, the mean should be;  
The Centaur Nessus was the man that made her err so much:  
Of which her error, but his sin, the circumstance is such.    

CHAP. VIII.  

WHen over deep Euenus' Ford the passage did not fit,  
This Giant, of a Stature tall, did offer help to it.  
And Hercules forgetting him (for at the Centaurs Fray  
The same unslain, but not unskard, escaped then away)  
Did pray him to the farther shore with Deianir to wade,  
And so he did, whilst Hercules this side the River stayed.  
Whom junos' Breed on further banks his Passenger had set,  
Then lust and long conceived grudge to foul revenge did whet:  
Not Deianira could avoid a Rape, or little less:  
Or Hercules disjoind by Ford, give aid to her distress.  
One while, contrary to himself, full humbly he entreats,  
Anon, like Hercules indeed he did command with threats.  
But first nor latter might prevail, for Nessus hauled her thence?  
I may not follow, nor in slight is (Centaur) thy defence  
said Hercules, His deeds approve his latter saying true,  
For letting she a fatal Shaft the Ravisher he slew.  
And though the arrow galled him even at the very heart,  
Yet for a while he did endure the not enduring smart.  
And having brought his trembling Rape into a valley said:  
See Deianira how thy Love an end of me hath made.  
Yet is my death less grief to me then that thou shouldst bestow  
thyself on such a changing Churl as Hercules: I know  
(sweet Wench I know) he doth prefer contrary Loves to thee,  
Wherefore my grave (the less my grief) in this thy good shall be.  
Take this (he gave a folded cloth and to the bane therein  
he mixed somewhat of his blood) this same (quoth he) shall win  
To thee again thy Husband's love when he shall it estrange:  
For out of doubt, I know it I, he takes delight in change.  
When thou suspectest such a wrong, do boil a shirt with this:  
No sooner shall he wear the same (herein such virtue is)  
but that his novel Love will change and fall whence he did fly:  
Mean while do not the unction touch, lest so the virtue die.  
In all this time betwixt his arms he did the Lady clasp,  
And held her so, as Hawk a Pray, until his latest gasp.  
Then leaving him a lifeless Coarse, mistrusting nought his drift,  
She meaning simply took with her the Traitors poisoned gift,  
And Hercules by this had passed the River deep and wide:  
Who (Deianira first embraced) drew from the centaurs side  
the fatal Shaft that should the death of brave Achilles prove,  
In Phoebus' Church, by Paris hand, for polixena's love.   

THE Centaur left untombed there, He, She, and all their train  
are come to Lerna, whom the king did nobly entertain.  
There had he from the common tears the cruel havoc made  
by Lernan Hydra, whom in Fen not armies durst invade.  
His upper parts had human form, his neither Serpentine,  
The whole was monstrous, yet his wit more monstrous, but most fine,  
(For wit is monstrous when the same from virtue doth decline.)  
Such were his subtle arguments, and still supplies therein,  
That he by often loss of heads was feigned heads to win.  
And witty thus to others wrong confounded all he found,  
Propounding questions, and a word unanswered was a wound.  
The scourge of Tyrants hearing this, did promise death or aid,  
Whilst fearful Deianira did the contrary persuade.  
But woman's speech from weapons use might not withdraw him then,  
Till entering Palus he had rousd the Monster from his Den.  
disdainfully did Hydra take the presence of his Foe,  
And after subtle arguments too sturdy fight they go.  
Two blows at once with glaive and Tail made Hercules to reel,  
Who since he first had used arms the like did never feel,  
Not long he borrowed had the Loan, but Hydra had the like:  
So either twain repay their debt, and neither faintly strike.  
But who might stand with Hercules? By him the Monster fell:  
Who burning up his ugly shape did pass his soul to hell:  
Which happy fate of Hydra's fall left Lerna glad and well.  
From whence to Athens, and from thence to Lycia did he sail,  
Then to Hesperia Gerion's Realm his outrages to quail.   

HE by his triple tyranny (for Geron he was said  
threeheaded, in respect that him three other Giants aid)  
So spoiled and plagued the neighbour Realms with daily wrongs & war,  
That all the force of Africa his fury could not bar.  
In Gadira when Hercules his Pillars reared had,  
The which (our Western world not known) men farther land forbade,  
Then with victorious ships he sets on Gerion's chased Fleet:  
And secondly at Megida did either army meet.  
There Geron with his brothers twain the City did beset,  
And scornfully advance themselves as men not to be met.  
Providing therefore mural works, they threaten hot assault:  
Whilst Hercules contrary wars unto his soldiers taught.  
The Gates wide opened out he comes unto the Giants three,  
Your men he said are well at work, well met are also we.  
This less than Monster, more than man, a Fiend in human shape  
the Spaniard said, is he from whom I made so hard escape.  
Yet hardlier shalt thou now escape, said Hercules, and than  
between them four, three to one, A cruel fight began,  
And every of the Giants thought himself an overmatch  
to Hercules, who almost gave to one a quick dispatch,  
The second he dispatched in deed, who fell his latest fall.  
Then thousands came to rescue them, yet one he fights 'gainst all:  
Till Theseus with the other knights did march their Army out,  
And join to him, their Foes with them, and all make battle stout.  
Then Geron's brother fights again, and both did bath in blood,  
It was no fight where they fought, or standing where they stood.  
King Meleus, Theseus, Hispan, and Philoctes did no less:  
But sovereignly the Son of jove bestirred him in the press.  
The Giant Geron's brother then by him did breathe his last,  
And Geryon did retire his men into their Galleys fast.  
But where they land, there Hercules won landing, though he passed  
the Pikes: notwithstanding thousand Swords, and warding thousand slings  
himself alone, ere that his men to fight on shore he brings,  
Then Geryon, cursing heaven & earth, bestir ye friends he cried,  
Now is the time to live or die, let good or or bad betid,  
Do live as men, or die as men, see ten we are for one,  
What lets us then from victory, that victors have been known?  
Revenge yourselves, revenge your friends, revenge our common moan.  
Nor did he shrink from what he said, or said not as he wrought:  
His only deeds were manies death. Till Hercules he sought,  
Whom singling after combat long, of him his end he caught:  
So to subjection Hespera by Hercules was brought,   

NO better Spanish Cacus sped for all his wondrous strength,  
Whom Hercules from out his Realm debelled at the length.  
A richer King or Tyrant worse lived not in any Land,  
Nor any one 'gainst Hercules in hardy fight did stand.  
Yet chased by his Conqueror he was enforced to fly  
up to a Mountain in those parts: where as at point to die  
through famine, by his Magic Art he made the Mountain flame,  
And by that shift escaped his Foe long wondering at the same.  
Then fled the Giant night and day (for fear did lend him wings)  
And as about from place to place the wandering Tyrant flings,  
He on a Mount in Italy called Aventine did light,  
Where laboured Cacus did repose his wearied limbs all night.  
In this same Hill he found a Cave which fitting place espied,  
He did resolve in secrecy thenceforth himself to hide  
in that same Mount from sight of men. And being there alone,  
That words at least might vent his woes he maketh thus his moan.  
Ah wretch (quoth he) no longer King, that title now must change.  
Thou late wert fearful unto all, now fearing all must range.  
This ragged Cave must now suffice in stead of Royal seat,  
And though (alas) the place should please, yet want I what to eat.  
where be my solemn banquets now? where is my stately traien?  
My Tributes? nay my proper Goods? or do my friends remain?  
Not one I fear, proud wealth was such, that now in time of need  
I know not where so seek a friend in any hope to speed.  
And yet despair not, Picus lives, indebted much to me  
for great good turns: to him I will ere here I settled be,  
Thus drove he forth the dismal night, and up by peep of day  
he sped him unto Calabrei, for there king Picus lay.  
His daughters three of long before, and still did love him well:  
And whether with the king's consent, or not, it so befell  
he took them all to Auentin, and there with him they dwell.  
About his boisterous neck full oft their dainty arms they cast,  
Still plying him with kisses sweet, no sport was over passed  
That Cacus would and they might work: and more, their custom was  
by pleasant tales in order told the weary times to pass.  
And once especially it was concluded on a roe  
That each of them should tell her tale, the first beginning so.    

CHAP. IX.  
KIng Aganippus ere his death had with his Lords decreed  
his only daughter Daphles should in Empire him succeed.  
A fairer Lady lived not then, and now her like doth lack,  
And nature, think I, never will a second She compact.  
The king entombed, Daphles of his Sceptre was possessed:  
And one there was, a Noble man, that could it not digest.  
Who (for he was of fame and force) did bid her battle, and  
In doubtfall end of victory their civil quarrels stand.  
At length the Argive Maiden Queen she Doracles subdued:  
But (Cacus) of this Stratagem a Tragedy ensued.  
Now loves, not Lances came in ure, the man that lost the day,  
and lies in Chains, left her in cares: her Conquest was his prey.  
Full often did she blame herself for loving him her Foe,  
But oftener thought she it more blame not to have erred so.  
Thus whom in Camp she loathed late, in chains she loved now,  
And thought him sure, because so sure. To Prince's prisoners bow  
Thinks she: and watching fitting time unto the Prison went,  
Where at the door of such his Lodge a many tears she spent.  
But entering, when her eyes beheld the Image of her heart,  
To her still peerless, though his bands had altered him in part,  
She casting down her bashful eyes stodd senseless than a space,  
Yet what her songlesse love adiornd was extant in her face:  
And now the Gaoler left to her the Prisoner and the place.  
Then cheering careful Doracles let it suffice (quoth she)  
That I repent me of thy bands, and frankly set thee free.  
And let that Grace grace out the rest, for more remains behind  
then, being said, may decent seem to such as faults will find.  
Myself, my Land, my Love, my life, and all what so is mine  
possess: yet love, and save my life, that now have saved thine.  
Then 'sounds She at his sullen feet that yet abode in thrall:  
Which to avoid, he faintly rubs his Liver on his gall:  
And with his hand, not with his heart, did rear her sinking down,  
And feigning to approve her Choice, had promise of the Crown.  
But neither Crown, nor Country's care, nor She (worth all the rest)  
nor grace, nor duty, reconcile whom envy hath possessed.  
No sooner was he got at large, and wealth supplied his lack,  
But he to seek her over throw to foreign aids did pack.  
Demand not how the wronged Queen digested such her wrong,  
But ask if she, the tidings told, and hear them lived so long.  
She lived in deed, yet swooned oft, and swooning overpast,  
From her mistempered head she tears her lovely Tresses fast.  
And beateth on her ivory breasts, and casts her on the ground,  
And wrings her hands, and scricheth out, and slingeth up and down.  
Her Ladies pitying her distress had got their Queen to rest:  
From whencefoorth outward signs & sighs her inward grief expressed.  
Her sparing Diet, seldom sleep, her silence, and what not?  
Had framed her now right Loverlike, and held her so God wots:  
Who hearing where he made abode these lines to him she got.  
WHat fault of mine hath caused thy flight doth rest in clouds to me,  
But faultless have I heard of none, & faulty may I be.  
Yet not my Sceptre, but myself, have kingly Suitors sought:  
Did all amiss, save thou alone, that settest both at nought?  
At nought said I? Yea well I said, because so easily caught.  
But cite a Crime, and for it I will shed a million tears:  
And to be penitent of faults with it a pardon bears.  
Ah Doracles, if our extremes, thy malice and my love,  
The formers ever ill shall not the latters good remove.  
I hear thou dost frequent the wars, and war thou wilt with me,  
Forgetful that my Argive men impatient Warriors be:  
Sweet, hazard not the same to sword that Love doth warrant thee.  
Each Spear that shall but cross thy Helm hath force to crase my heart:  
But if thou bleed, of that thy blood my fainting soul hath part.  
With thee I live, with thee I die with thee I lose or gain,  
Live safe therefore, for in thy life consists the lives of twain.  
Most wisely valiant are those men that back their armed Steeds  
In beaten Paths, over boarded Tylthes to break their staffe-like reeds.  
Where not the dint of wounding Lance, but some devise of love,  
Sans danger, hath sufficient wait their manhoods to approve.  
Where brave Aspects of lovely Dames Tantara to the fight,  
Whose forms perhaps are wedgd in hearts, when Favours wag in sight.  
Whereas the victors' Prize is praise, and Trumpets sound each blow,  
Where all is well that seems but well, in courage or in show.  
Where Ladies doff their Champions Helms, & kiss where beavers hide.  
And parley under Canapies how well or ill they did.  
Retire therefore, sweet heart retire: or if thou wilt be armed,  
Then sight as these where all things make that all escape unharmd.  
Such manhood is a merriment: things present are regarded:  
Not thousand drams of blood in war, one drop is here rewarded.  
In few, the wars are full of woes, but here even words of war  
have braver grave than works themselves, for Courts from Camps be far.  
Then are the valiant, who more vain? Then Cowards who more wise?  
Not men that travel Pegasus, but Fortune's fools do rise.  
Me thinks I see how churlish looks estrange thy cheerful face,  
Me thinks thy gestures, talk, & gate, have changed their wont grace:  
Methinks thy sometimes nimble Limbs with armour now are lame:  
Methinks I see how scars deform where swords before did maim:  
I see thee faint with summers heat, and droop with Winter's cold:  
I see thee not the same thou art, for young, thou seemest old:  
I see not, but my soul doth fear, in fight thou art too bold:  
I sorrow lastly to have seen whom now I wish to see,  
Because I see loves Oratresse pleads tediously to thee.  
If words, nor weeping love, nor lives, if ease, nor toil in fight.  
May wain thee from a pleasing ill, yet come thou to my sight:  
Perchance my presence may dissuade, or partnership delight.  
But woe am I, dead paper pleads, a senseless thing of woe:  
It cannot weep, nor wring the hands, but say that she did so:  
And saith so uncredited, or if, then thought of corpse;  
Thus thus, because not passionate, to paper fails remorse.  
O that my griefs, my sighs, and tears, might muster to thy view,  
Then woes, not words, than pain, not pen, should vouch my writing true.  
Yet far thou well, whose farewell brings such fare ill unto me:  
Thy farewell lacks a welcome home, and welcome shalt thou be.  
These lines subscribed with her name, when Doracles did view,  
He was so far from liking them, that loathing did ensue.  
And, lest that hope should ease her heart or he not seem unkind,  
In written Tables be to her returned thus his mind.  
The Bees of Hybla Honey bear, but with their honey stings,  
And beauty doth not want a bait that to repentance brings.  
Content thee Daphles, Mooles take mads, but men know Mooles to catch  
& therefore wakes the Dawlian bird toward the sloeworms watch.  
I have perused I wots not what a scroll forsooth of love,  
As if to Dirus in his Tent should Cupid cast his glove.  
A challenge proper to such Sots as you would make of me,  
But I disdain to talk of love, much more in love to be.  
Nor think a Queen in case of love shall deny to consent,  
But hold the contrary more true, and it no consequent.  
For persons must in passions jump, else love it proveth lame:  
Nor think I of a woman's grant, but as a wooers game.  
Your Ser withstands not place and speech: for be she base or high,  
A woman's eye doth guide her wit, and not her wit her eye.  
Then senseless is he, having speech, that bids not for the best:  
Even Carters Malkins will disdain when Gentry will digest,  
The better match the braver mart and willinger is fought:  
And willing suit hath best event: so Vulcan Venus caught.  
I argue not of her estate, but set my Rest on this,  
That opportunity can win the coyest She that is.  
Then he that rubs her gamesome vain, and tempers toys with Art,  
Brings love that swimmeth at her eyes, to dive into her heart.  
But since the best at best is bad, a Shrew or else a Sheep,  
Just none at all are best of all, and I from all will keep.  
Admit I come, and come I then because I come to thee?  
No, when I come my coming is contrary sights to see.  
My leisure serves me not to love till fish as haggards fly.  
Till Sea shall flame, till Son shall freeze, till mortal men not die,  
And Rivers climbing up their banks shall leave their channels dry.  
When these shall be, and I not be, then may I chance to love:  
And then the strangest change will be that I a lover prove.  
Let Bevers hide, not busses hurt my lips, for lips unfit:  
Let skarred limbs, not careful loves, to honour, honour get.  
I scorn a face effeminate, but hate his bastard mind  
That borne a man propostrusly by Art doth alter kind:  
with figures, Ladylike, with locks, with looks, and gauds in print,  
With fashions barbing formless beards, and robes that brook no lint,  
With Spear in wrest like painted Mars, from thought of battle free  
With gate, and grace, and every gaude, so womanly to see,  
As not in nature but in name their manhood seems to be.  
Yea sooner than that maiden hears bud on his Boyish chin,  
The fury of the fiery God doth in the fool begin.  
And yet to win whom would be won these woe with lesser speed  
Than might be won a town of war: the crop not worth the seed.  
But let them travel till they tire, and then be rid for jaides,  
If Gamesters fair, if Souldirs mild, or Lovers true of maids.  
They love in sport, or leave in spite, or if they stoop to lure,  
Their kindness must have kindly use: faults only make them sure.  
Did fancy? Noah, did fury? yea, hang up the Thracian maid.  
The wonders seven should then be eight could love thee so persuade.  
But love or hate, far ill or well: I force not of thy fare:  
My welcome which thou dost pretend shall prove a thankless care.  
When Daphles heard him so unkind she held herself accursed:  
And little lacked of so well but that her heart did burst.  
And where she read the churlish scroll she fell into a sown,  
But, brought again, upon a bed herself she casteth down,  
Not rising more: and so her love and life together end.  
Or (if I so may guess) in death her soul did live his friend.  
The Queen interred, and Obbit kept (as she in charge did give)  
A Knight was shipped to Calydon, where Doracles did live,  
To offer him, as her bequest, the Argive Throne and Crown.  
Not that we force, or fear, (quoth he) thy favour or thy frown  
We move this peace, or make thee Prince, but Daphles swore us so,  
Who loving more than thou couldst hate, nor lived nor died thy Foe.  
And is she dead (quoth Doracles) that lived to my wrong?  
I gladly do accept these news expected for of long  
The Lord and Legate were embarked, and Ship ran under sail,  
Until into the Argive Strand the Mariners did hail.  
To Dirce by adoption there enthronized a King,  
He divers years good fortune had successive in each thing,  
All friends, no Foes, all wealth, no want, still peace, and never strife,  
And what might seem an earthly heaven to Doracles was rise.  
A Subject but a Noble man, did richly feast the King:  
And after meat presented him with many a sight and thing.  
There was a chamber in the which, portraitured to the quick,  
The Picture of Queen Daphles was: and deeply did it prick  
The King his conscience, and he thought her like did not remain,  
So, whom her person could not pierce, her picture now did pain,  
A Kissing Cupid, breathing love into her breast did hide  
Her wandering eyes, whilst to her heart his hand a death did guide.  
Non moereens morior, for the Mott, inchased was beside.  
Her courtesy and his contempt he calleth then to mind,  
And of her beauty in himself he did a Chaos find.  
Recalling eke his late degree, and reckoning his desert,  
He could not think, or faintly thought, his love to stern her heart:  
And to the maker of the feast did such his thoughts impart.  
And doubts your Grace the Feaster said, if Daphles loved or no?  
I wish (I hope I wish no harm) she had not loved so:  
Or you not loathed as you did, than she had lived yet:  
To what her latest speech did tend I never shall forget.  
Myself, with divers noble men whose tears bewrayed their care  
was present, when her dying tongue of you did thus declare.  
My hap (quoth she) is simply bad that cannot have, nor hope:  
Was ever wretch (I wretch except) held to so scant a scope,  
I see him rove at other marks, and I unmarkt to be:  
I find my fault, but follow it, whilst death doth follow me.  
Ah death (my Lords) despair is death, and death must ransom bliss,  
Such Ransom pleaseth Doracles, and Daphles Pliant is.  
Not bootless then (since breathless strait) sweet love doth flames contrive  
The which shall burn me up at once that now do burn alive.  
Alas (than did she pause in tears) that Doracles were buy,  
To take it from his eyes, not ears, that I for him do die:  
At least, perhaps, he would confess my love to be no lie.  
But (Want-wit I) offensive sights to Doracles I crave:  
Long live, dear heart, not minding me when I am laid in grave.  
And you (my Lords) by those same Gods whose sight I hope anon  
I conjure, that ye him invest your King when I am gone.  
Alonely say I lived and died to him a Lover true,  
And that my dying tongue did sound sweet Doracles adieu.  
A sigh concluding such her words, she closed up her eye:  
Not one of us beholding it that seemed not to die.  
Thus to your Grace I leave to guess how tragic Daphles died:  
In love, my Lord, yea loving you, that her of Love denied.  
The Picture, and this same discourse afford sufficient woe  
To him that maimed in his mind did to his Palace go.  
There Doracles did set abroach a world of things forgot.  
What meanest thou man? ah frantic man, how art thou overshot?  
(He said) to hate the substance then, and love the shadow now,  
Her painted board whose amorous breast did break whilst I not bow  
And couldst thou, churlish wretch, contemn the Love of such a Queen?  
O Gods, I grant for such contempt I justly bide your teen.  
Her only beauty (worthy jove, that now on me hath power)  
was worthy of far worthier love without a further dower,  
But gaze thou on her senseless sign whose self thou madest thy prey,  
And gazing perish for thy life is debt to her decay.  
Time going on, grief it grew on of dolour sprung despair.  
When Doracles to Daphles Tomb did secretly repair:  
There (tears a preface to the rest) these only words he spoke:  
Thy Love was loss, for loss my life in recompense do take  
Dear Daphles. So a daggers stab a Tragedy did make.  
Well did this Tragic matter sort to Cacus tragic vain:  
But merrier matter did behove such humours to restrain.  
That knew the second Sister well, who smiling ere she spoke,  
Began her turn, and of her Tale the next report I make.   

CHAP. X.  

A Proper Lad made Love (quoth she) unto a pretty Lass:  
In self-same house, foreworn with age, this Maiden's Grandam was.  
Her eyes were sunk into her head, her cheeks were lean and lank,  
Out stood her chin, into her mouth her bloodless lips they sank.  
Her toothless chaps disgraced her tongue in telling of a Tale,  
And suck she might a Teat for teeth, and spoonage to did fail,  
Her hair, since sixty years not black, was now or white or none,  
The substance or her wrinkled face was only skin and bone,  
Dim were her eyes, deaf were her ears, rank smelled it she could scent,  
A palsy made her feeling cease, down tastlesse food it went.  
Sight, hearing, scent, touch, taste, and all, thus failing with her strength,  
She to her chamber, bed, and chair, betook her at the length.  
But gold is loved till grave hath lodged her bags and she were one:  
And she must give the Maiden's dower, or else her dower is none.  
The young man though he loved the Maid on whom no love was lost,  
Yet did he love to live, and knew that marriage asketh cost.  
The oldes wives bags did let the Baves: with whom he smoothed so,  
That flattered, she fantised, her mouldy brains did cro●,  
What Devil I wot not made her dote, she doted on the man:  
Her rotten trunk and rusty face she finified than:  
And seethe what she could not see, her senseless Senses work,  
And underneath a wrinkled hiden wanton heart did lurk.  
Unkindly two she kisses gave, which he did kindly take,  
Supposing that her kindness was but for the Maiden's sake.  
Her crooked joints, which long ere then supported scarcely stood,  
She brought unto a wallowing pace, dis●ellowing so her blood:  
And all for love (surreverence Love) did make the chew her cud.  
Young Battus from his Omphida (for they were named so)  
Dislodged by the Grandam long, to work did roundly go.  
Desiring both the Maiden, and to marry her a Dower,  
The olde-wise nettled at his words, for all her love, did lower,  
And drying up what drained out in belching, thus did say.  
The thing (friend Battus) you demand I gladly not denay,  
But well you wots that I am old, and yet not all so old,  
But that the remnant of my life may spend the wealth I hold.  
As all are nearest to themselves, so to myself am I.  
And all shall lack ere I will lack: store is no sore we try.  
If you do like of Omphida, I not mislike the match:  
Love hath no lack, ye both are young, wealth comes to such as watch.  
You loving her, she to herself a dowry is, if not,  
My money shall not sell the Maid: a sinful sale God wots.  
For money shall not sell myself. And yet I cannot see,  
But that a comfort to mine age an honest match would be.  
My Goods beside do want a Guide, and often did I know  
Your youngers upon elder wives than I themselves bestow:  
And lived well and loved well But as I do not care  
for marriage, so an honest match I never will forswear.  
Well, Battus, take you Omphida: but if you money crave,  
My bags must only vent to him whom I myself shall have.  
Yet think not I mislike of you in that you have not sped,  
But think I wish no better match, if I myself should wed.  
Thus cunningly she closed with him, and he conceives her thought:  
Unequal was the Combat then that Love and Lucar wrought.  
The one was in her flowering age, the other too too old:  
The first with beauty did allure, the latter with her Gold.  
But storms (thought Battus) have their stops, not long the Crone can live,  
Or if my kindness length her life, my kindness God forgive.  
Resolving therefore on such hope, with easy suit he got  
Assurance to be wedded too the old deformed Trot.  
Medea charmed Aeson young, Battus Medea like,  
Did work no less a cuer upon this vain unwieldy Tike.  
Now on the bridle played she: yet as she laughs she looks  
With jealous eyes, if Omphida he blotted out his books.  
Yea she that could not move before, now crauleth every where,  
To pry if Battus play not false, and cause there was to fear.  
But all this while no marriage was, nor witness of their match:  
And well he knew that widows shrink, if men foreslow dispatch.  
So hastening what she hindered not, come was the wedding day.  
The Morning thawde the eavening frost, and slippery was the way:  
Yet habling on her rusty joints, to Churchward goes the Bride:  
Whose feet (her hearts unequal gides) could nothing else but slide.  
Then Battus kindly leadeth her, and ever as she trips,  
God bless thee Mouse the Bridegroom said, and smakt her on the lips.  
The oftener stumbled then his Beast, the oftener to be kissed:  
And thinketh in her gentle Choice herself not meanly blessed.  
But when the Priest had done his part, and that they homeward come,  
The Bride, for Battus, might salute the Pavement with her bomine.  
She reeled oft, and looked back: he saw, but would not see.  
At length she stumbled headlong down, hoist up again, quoth he:  
The second time she did the like, hoist Brock her goodman said:  
And thirdly falling, kindly bade her break her neck old jade.  
The old-wife took it to the heart, and home she went and died:  
But Battus, ere his first was sick, had owed his second Bryed.   

THis jest from Cacus strained a smile, but quickly was it done.  
Then, turning to her Sisters twain, the youngest thus begun.  
Ye, Sisters, severally have told how foes in love did fall,  
And age with youth: but I do say that Love can all with all.  
Examples we, whom Love hath brought from Court to live in Cave,  
And were there need of further proof, a thousand proofs I have.  
Can Latmus speak, it might accuse even Phoebe of a kiss:  
And of a Uotarie of hers to speak my purpose is.  
But first she cheered thus her friend (for Cacus sadly sits)  
Be merry man, thy pensiveness or pastimes badly fits.  
Be as thou art, not as thou wouldst, it will be as it is:  
Learn then to lack, and learn to live: for crosses never mis.  
Think Fortune newly hatched is flidge, and waggeth wing to fly:  
All suffereth change: ourselves, new borne, even then begin to die.  
Be resolute, not desperate: the Gods that made thee poor,  
Can, if they will (do wait their will) thy former state restore.  
At least let patience profit thee, for patience is a thing  
Whereby a Beggar gaineth of a discontented King.  
Know Destiny is Destiny. This Epitaph I reed,  
Though common-booked Poetry, yet not unworthy heed:  
Unborn, to know what I should be to Gods my mother prayed:  
A Mail quoth Phoebus, Female Mars, and juno neither said:  
An Hermophrodit was I borne. My death then asked she after:  
By Sword quoth juno, Tree quoth Mars, and Phoebus said by water.  
A River-shadowing tree I climbed: out slipped my Sword: I 'slid:  
By feet I hung, stand with my Sword, my head in water hid:  
Mail, Femaile, neither, hanging, Sword, & drowning I abide.  
Thus Cacus howsoever things from likelihoods dissent  
in birth, life, death, the Gods are first, the middle, and Event.  
And not what they can do they will, but what they will they can:  
And that they do, or do it not, behoves not us to skan.  
And saying so, and kissing to, her tale she thus began.    

CHAP. XI.  

I Speak not of the Argive Nymph that had the jealous Sire,  
To whom, shut up in brazen Tower, jove passage had for higher.  
Not of Europa, Semele, or Maia, will I dwell:  
Not of your Foe his bastardy, or Leda's rape I tell:  
Not of King Ceus Daughter's fault, or other freak of jove  
speak I: save of th'- Arcadian Nun with whom he thus did rove.  
Calysto was as fair a Maid, as fair as one might be,  
Her father King Lycaon flayed, jove chanced her to see:  
And seeing liked, liking loved, and loving made it known  
To her (sweet Lass) for father's loss that maketh then her moan.  
Take patience wench said jupiter: with thee shall all be well,  
Thy father's deeds have their deserts, but thou in peace shalt dwell.  
I am his Victor, but thyself art Uictoresse of me:  
Do grant me love, my zeal is more than fatherly to thee.  
The restless clouds that mantling ride upon the racking Sky,  
The scouring winds that sightless in the sounding air do fly,  
The thrifty Earth that bringeth out and broodeth up her breed,  
The shifting Seas whose swelling waves on shrinking shores do feed,  
Shall fall, and fail, ere I be false (Lycaon's Imp) to thee:  
Of hearty Love this kiss (he kissed) an happy handsel be.  
But hapless terms are these, quoth she, unfitting to a Thrall:  
Yet, in respect of that I feel, I hear them not at all.  
A friend (ah friendless name I Friend) it being as it is,  
A friend I say, much more a foe (and more, and worse than this,  
The son of Saturn) should, and shall, that speed and hearing miss.  
Do rid, ah rid mine eyes of tears, and set my heart at rest,  
By taking life, not making Love: the former likes me best:  
Or if that poor Calistos life shall lengthen to her woe,  
Grant that among Diana's Nuns a votary I go:  
For neither fits it now to love, or ever shall it so.  
What viewed jupiter this while, not pleasing to his sight?  
Or what unuiewed did he guess, not adding to delight?  
Not excellent, but exquisite, was all to mind and eye:  
Save she the handsel of this love, did him of Love deny.  
It greens that Nature's Paragon in Cloister, not in Court,  
Should lose the beauty of her youth, and he thereby his sport.  
But constant in her chaste pretence, he grants that would gainsay:  
And seated in Religion now, with Phoebe did she stay,  
Blame jupiter of other Loves, of this do set him clear:  
It was his first, and first is firm, and toucheth very near.  
He did forego, but not forget Calysto in her Cell:  
When setting higher thoughts apart, the Frithes did please him well:  
He takes his Quiver and his Bow, and where she hunts, hunts he:  
And sacrificed to his eyes that day he did her see.  
About the Quarry, Chase, and Toils, Dogs, Bows, the Stand, and all  
he useth double diligence: so often did befall.  
Not only sight of her his Saint he got, but also talk,  
Whilst thus for his Calistos love, he haunted Phaebees' walk.  
But sight and talk accrue to love, the substance must be had:  
And for to bring his drift about, he virginlike is clad.  
His nonage kept his Beard from bloom, no Wench more fair than he,  
Whom at her Nunnarie a Nun Diana takes to be,  
And with his Sisters brotherly do guess him to agree.  
Thus feigns Lycaon's Conqueror a Maid, to win a Maid:  
His hands too wool, and Arras work, and woman's Chares he laid,  
That not so much as by the tongue the Boy-wench was bewrayed.  
Yet thought is free, he sees, and smiles, and longs perhaps for more:  
No marvel, for that Sisterhood had goodly Lady's store:  
Scarce one for birth and beauty to was there unworthy him,  
Yet chiefly to Calistos vain he formed life and limb.  
And Sisterlike they single oft, and chat of many things,  
But that Calisto mindeth love no likelihood he wrings.  
So jove not once durst mention jove, and force was sin and shame,  
But love is hardy. Thus it happed: by long pursuit of game.  
She weary resteth in the Thicks, where sitting all alone,  
He seeing her is resolute or now to end his moan,  
Or for so sweet a bodies use, to leave his soul in love.  
And Nymph-like sits him by the Nymph, that took him for no man:  
And after smiles, with nearer signs of loves assault began.  
He feeleth oft her ivory breasts, nor maketh coy to kiss:  
Yet all was well, a Maiden to a Maiden might do this.  
Than ticks he up her tucked Frock, nor did Calysto blush,  
Or think abuse: he tickles to, no blab she thinks the Bush.  
Thus whilst she thinks her sister Nun to be a merry Lass,  
The Wanton did disclose himself, and told her who he was.  
Away the Virgin would have fled, whom he withhild by force:  
Thy love (sweet Nymph) hath urged this shift, well worthy thy remorse  
he said: nor scorn with me a King to join thyself a Queen:  
Or do but Love, and I will live in Phaebees' Cells unseen:  
And there in beds, in bushes here (my feignings fit so well)  
we may enjoy, what Love enjoins, and none our 'scapes shall tell.  
She would not love, he could not leave: she wrangleth, and he wooeth:  
She would resist, he did persist and sport denied doth,  
That done, which could not be undone, what booteth discontent?  
As God be pleased, as not be eased: away Calysto went  
To Cloister, jupiter to Court: nor much she did repent,  
Until her growing womb disclosed an ante-cedent fault,  
Then in the Chapter house she told of jupiters' assault.  
Diana, and her virgens all, admiring that escape,  
Did gird at her, maligning jove for such his subtle Rape.  
And who more ready to control, than Athalanta was?  
Whom shortly Meleager brought unto the self same pas.  
The Lady Abyss did discharge Calysto from her Cell:  
And, silly Nymph, she great with child some otherwhere must dwell.  
Pelasgis it was jupiters', and he her cause of blame,  
The King her father in exile, herself in this defame,  
What then remained? even secracie, to hide herself from shame.  
Keep close (quoth she) from world ye woods mine error, jove his crime:  
And settling there in simple Cave, did wait her childing tyme.  
At length was hairy Arcas borne: no sooner could he go,  
But that his wildness esked to his wretched Mother's woe.  
No beast so strong that he would shun, and man he never saw,  
Nor yet his vexed mother cold from fierceness him withdraw.  
Seven years, the Daughter of a King, she lived thus in Cave,  
Not wanting grief, but wanting all that poorest wretches have.  
And (worst of all) her savage son, whose manners did agree  
Unto his birthplace, hourly threats his mother's death to be:  
And angry once, pursued her so long from place to place,  
That even into the City gates he followed her in chase.  
The people when they did behold so fair a Nymph in flight,  
A Baer-like Arcas in pursuit, (for being naked quite,  
His skin was swart and hairy) they did wonder at the sight.  
And some that would his passage stop, he rudely casteth down,  
And spares no spoil: until the sight was noised through the town.  
Then out came jupiter in Arms, whom when Calysto knew,  
Help jove (she cried) for lo thy son his mother doth pursue.  
He knew his Leiman at the first, and joyed of her sight:  
Then kiss they, when the Savage boy by force did leave to fight.  
Calysto lived Ladylike, yea junos' Rival now:  
And Arcas, nobly managed, such virtues him endow,  
That (jove consenting) him for King Pelasgis did Allow.  
A Son well worthy such a Sire: and for his prows and fame,  
Pelasgis then, of Arcas, took Arcadia to name.   

BUt rather might these Ladies fair by any pleasant tail,  
Or dazzling toy of masshing love, (sweet Consorts to prevail)  
Dissuade outrageous Cacus from unpatientness of mind:  
Who in his greatest tyrannies did chiefest pleasures find.  
He sleas the harmless Passengers, from eldest soul to child,  
He burns and spoils the neighbour parts, and women he defiled:  
And to his Cave (Troponius Cave) did bring the spoils he gains,  
In which (except to do more harm) he secretly remains.  
Whilst none did pass, that did repass unspoiled or unkild  
(None knowing how) all Italy with fear thereof was filled.  
But, lo and help: when Hercules had slaughtered outright  
Ten Giants of Cremona Kings, and put th-eleaventh to flight,  
From thence the Worthy did arrive with his victorious band  
At King evander's City, that by Auentin did stand.  
Amongst a many richer Spoils, though none to him so rare,  
He brought a sort of Spanish kine. Evander taking care  
(Because the like misfortune oft had happened there before,)  
Lest Hercules should lose: his Cows, of which he made such store,  
Gave counsel that within the walls they might be kept all night.  
And better to approve his words) with tears he did recite  
The murders, thefts, and cruelties, without compassion maid  
Upon his Subjects, and their goods: by whom could not be said,  
But that the gods (for so they guess) for sin them so invade.  
I am resolved, quoth Hercules, where gods do vengeance crave,  
It is not strong or fensive walls that any thing can save:  
My Cows shall therefore graese abroad: if mortal man it be,  
Then know, a Tyrant is my Task, his blood the Taskers fee.  
The cattle graesing then abroad (as was his use always)  
The Giant left his cruel Den, to seek his cursed preys.  
The Moon not wanting of her light, the Cows he did espy:  
And knowing them, he also knew his feared Foe was nigh.  
And for much better fear had been, than malice at that tide:  
But hardly shunneth policy, what destinies provide,  
He might have lurked a while in Den: but of a peevish spite,  
Eight of the Kine with fastened cords, by policy and might,  
he dragged backward by their tails into his devilish Nest:  
Then stopping up the subtle hole, did lay him down to rest.  
Now Hercules (the rather pricked by king evander's talk)  
Into the fields to see his Kine by prime of day did walk.  
Where missing eight, he could not guess which way they should be gone:  
A many therefore had in charge, to search them out anon.  
The Searchers following every sign, great store of footings found.  
Descending from Mount Aventine, into the lower ground:  
But for the footings did descend, and not ascend, they thought  
of no such cunning as in deed, in Aventine was wrought.  
Alcaeus Grand-sonne searching long the Thefts he could not find,  
Was much disquieted in himself, and angry in his mind:  
And chase when he should departed, he twice or thrice did shake,  
A Tree that grew on Aventine: which rooted up did make  
So large a vent, that one might view the hollow Cave below,  
And Cacus with his Leash of wives, they were disclosed so.  
Whom, when the Greek espied there, O graceless King he said,  
Whose Tyrannies have made the Realms of Hespera afraid,  
Whose cruelties have been the cause of all the less thou hast.  
What moveth thee in Italy to prosecute such waste?  
Thinkest thou, whom neither mighty Realms, nor royal Guards of men  
Can late defend, now to escape, enclosed thus in Den,  
The just revengement of the Gods? no, no, the Heavens we see,  
Have brought to light a wretch so lewd, even by a senseless Tree:  
And since that neither wealth nor want to goodness may thee win,  
A grievous death, condignly, shall cut off thy grounded sin.  
To it did Cacus answer thus, dost thou pursue me still?  
Who only art the chiefest cause of these my doings ill.  
Not suffering me to live the rest of my unhappy days  
Among the fruitless rocks, a wretch in misery always.  
Cease further prate, said Hercules, in troth it grieveth much,  
To see a King in this Distress but since thy life is such  
As neither in adversity, nor prosperous estate,  
Thou canst afford one jot of good, I purpose to rebate  
Thy wicked days by worthy death, prepare therefore to die.  
When Cacus saw he must perforce so hard a combat try,  
He by enchanted flames again endeavoured to fly.  
But Hercules deluded once by that devise before,  
Had learned now for being so deceived any more:  
And casting fear a side did leap into the flaming Cave,  
And so by Art did conquer Arte. The Giant then to save  
Himself, did take his Axe in hand, where Hercules and he  
Courageously bestir themselves, until they did agree  
To try it out in open air. So doleful was their fight,  
That Looker's on could not discern to whether best should light.  
The frighted Ladies did their best to help their fight friend:  
But Hercules had victory, and Cacus had his end.    

CHAP. XII.  

FOr Giants of Cremona slain, and Cacus ridded so,  
The Latin Princes praise on him and presents did bestoe.  
Where Rome is now, Pallantia then, evander he did frame  
A Temple, and to Hercules did dedicate the same:  
And he (entreated thereunto) in Italy did stay:  
To honour whom did Princes come from far and every way.  
King Faunus had affairs abroad, when from Laurentum came  
His wife Marica, Facua some this lovely Queen do name.  
From liking, did she fall in love with Hercules, and he  
More ready to have made demand, then like to disagree,  
conceiving her by circumstance, so coupled by contract,  
That, had King Faunus never lived, Latinus had not lacked:  
Yet home came Faunus, fathering his late Corivals act.  
But whether gotten lawfully, or thus in love forbade,  
Latinus, Brute his Grandams Sire, was son unto a God.   

WHilst that in love of this same Queen, and laud of all beside,  
The vanquisher of Vulcan's son in Italy abides,  
Of Calabries a mighty Host King Picus he provides.  
And in revenge of Cacus, swore his Slayer should be slain:  
But he, ere long, that so did swore, unswared it again:  
When, chased home into his holds, there sparred up in gates,  
The valiant Thaebane, all in vain, a following fight awaits.  
He, for dispatch, did feign himself a Legate to the King,  
And him the Porters, as the same, before their Tyrant bring.  
Then, shaking of his civil Robes, his shining Arms appear:  
And renting down an Iron spar, both Prince and people fear.  
Some ran to Armour, other some did fight with him their last:  
Both Court and City in the end did lay upon him fast.  
There Picus, worthily, did win of valiantness a name:  
Yet Hercules more valiantly by death doth Picus tame.  
And to attend their King his ghost, he sendeth flock by flock:  
His fury was as fire to fern, his foes as waves to Rock:  
Nor did his lions Spoil give place to darting or to knock.  
Mean time his men assault without, whilst he assails within:  
Then fights he to beat down the Gates, and so the Goal did win.  
Within the King his ransacked Court he jole espies,  
Whose tears, then mounting from her heart, dismount them from her eyes.  
King Picus (now a lifeless corpse) was father of this maid:  
In vain therefore did Hercules her pensiveness disswayde.  
Nor could he but lament her faate, and love so sweet a face,  
Whose person also did contain the type of female grace.  
At first she was so far from love, she rather seemed to hate,  
Yet could she not so give the Check, but that she took the Mate.  
Then either's love, was either's life: poor Deianira she  
was out of commons, yea of thought: an other had her fee.   

WIth this so fair and portly wench, he sailed into Thrace:  
And hears how Diomedes did tyrannize in that place.  
No Stranger escapes unraunsomed: but Ransom wanting, than  
He casteth them, as provendor, to Horses eating men.  
A Guard of Tyrants like himself, attending on him still,  
Who richly did maintain themselves, by such their doings ill.  
The Scourge of such was moved, not to be removed now  
by jole, whose loving tears such labours disallow.  
With Diomedes and his Guard in Forrest did he meet:  
Who with their common Stratagim the Stranger think to greet.  
Hands of, commanded Hercules, for Horse I am no hay,  
All Strangers Ransom once for all, my coming is to pay:  
Which said, himself against them all began a noble fray.  
The sturdy Thracians, mighty men, did hardly lose their ground:  
But, than the King, a mightier man not any where was found.  
These all at once assail, and strike, and thunder on his Shield:  
But number fitted to his force, unwonted so to yield.  
For with his Club he skuffles then amongst their Curates so,  
That speedy death was sweeter dole, then to survive his blo.  
Well mounted comes the King himself, whom he dismounts anon,  
But, rescued to his Horse again, away he would be gone.  
Less haste, he said, I Hearts out run, nor shalt thou me out ride:  
Out stripping so the man-fead horse, he toppled o'er his side  
The monstrous King, that rescules to flying people cried.  
Who, lying all to frusshed thus, the son of jove did bring  
His cruel jades, that soon devour their more than cruel King.  
The Thracians all submit themselves, and joy their Tyrant's death:  
And think some God had left the Heavens, to secure men on earth,  
From such, as what they would they will, and what they will they can,  
And what they can they dare and do, and doing none withstan.  
Nor thought they better of the man then did his deeds approve,  
That never was a Conqueror unto his own behove,  
But to establish virtuous men, and Tyrants to remove.  
This common Soldier of the world with jole did land  
in Lycia: and, the earth in peace, discharged there his band.  
Sweet busses, not sharp battles, than did alter man and mind:  
Till he, as others, sorrow in security did find.  
From Assur went the Empire then, when Tonos he had time  
To court his Trulls: Arbaces so espying place to climb.  
Secure in Tomyris her flight, was valiant Cyrus slain.  
From Capua, not from Cannas, grew the brave Carthagians vain.  
The same to whose victorious Sword a second world was sought,  
That Macedon in Court, not Camp, to traitorous end was brought.  
A Lover, not a Soldier, went Achilles to his grave.  
And Caesar not in steel, but silk, to Rome his farewell gave.  
Even so, this second unto none, superior unto all,  
To whom did sooner Causes cease, than Conquests not befall,  
This Monster-Master Hercules, this Tyrant-Tamer, he  
Whose light Exploits did leave the Earth, from spoil & Spoilers free,  
In pleasures did perish now, that did in perils thrive:  
A grievous Task I undertake his dying to revive.    

CHAP. XIII.  

WHen Deianira understood her husbands back return,  
She thought it strange, that he from her so strangely did sojourn:  
Explorers sent to search the cause, return was made that he  
Did loiter in a Stranger's love: and jole was she  
That ever hanged at his lips, and hugged was of him,  
And that, his armour laid apart, in silk he courts it trim.  
The daughter of th'- Atolian King did little less then rave:  
And can the churl (quoth she) prefer in love a captive Slave  
Before his wife? whom late he feigned inferior unto none:  
Ah Hercules thou art a man, thy manhood thus is known.  
Fie, may a foreign Strumpits arms so fasten on his neck.  
As he (the Rector of the Earth) must bow if she do beck?  
Oh how unlike to Hercules, is Hercules in this?  
But, leaving men to nature's fault, in her the lewdness is:  
No man so chaste, but such as she may work to do amiss.  
Thus whilst her overplus of love to jealousy did grow,  
She simply minds the spiteful gift that Nessus did bestow.  
And, for he dying spoke the words, she held it as her creed  
That it could win him to herself: of which (now having need)  
She useth part: and sent a Shirt so boiled as she bade  
To Hercules: and Hercules was of the Present glad:  
Confessing her his only wife: And whilst he did repent  
His breach of love, on Oeta Mount to sacrifice he went.  
Philoctes Paeans valiant Son, and Lichas he that brought  
The poisoned Shirt, were present there: but of no treason thought:  
Nor Deianira's self (good Soul) till trial made it plain,  
When as his body and the fire gave moisture to the bain.  
His stoutness hide such torments long, as else could none abide,  
Yea till the bane his Bowels and his very Marrow fried.  
But when his torments had no mean, the Altar down he throes,  
And from his martyred body rends the gory smoking clothes,  
And striving to strip of the Shirt he teareth flesh from bone,  
And left his breaking Synooes bare, his Entrails every one  
Did boil, and burst, and show themselves where lumps of flesh did lack,  
And still the murderous Shirt did cleave unto his mangled back.  
Espying Deianira's Squire, that quaking stood, he said,  
And art thou wretch the Instrument of my destruction maid?  
Whom swinging then about his head, he slinged down the hill:  
And so did silly Lichas die, that purposed no ill.  
Then running down from hill to Plain, from Plain to hill again,  
He rends up Rocks and mighty Hills in error of his pain:  
Till, sadly leaning on his Club, he sighing, vows that none  
Should be the death of Hercules, but Hercules alone.  
And to his friend Philoctes took his Arrows and bis Booe,  
And gladly to the hallowed fire as to his bead did go.  
Where lying down, and taking leave with reared hands to sky,  
The Earth's Protector so, in peace, amidst the flames did die.  
Philoctes, near or gone with grief, his Ashes did convey  
To Italy, in shrined in his Temple there to stay:  
And woeful Deianira hears of Hercules decay.  
His Ghost she voucheth and the gods to witness, that her mind  
Was guiltless of a traitorous thought: nor think me so unkind,  
(Sweet Husband) as to have the will to overlive thee here,  
But that my ghost, before thy ghost itself of guile shall clear:  
And now I come, ah now I come, forgive ye gods the deed  
She said: and piercing so her breast, a breathless Corpse did bleed.   

AS Greeks lament their Champion's loss, so did the Phrygians joy:  
And Priamus did fortify his stately City Troy.  
Twice Hercules had raised it, and thirdly was it reared  
By Priam, strong in wealth, and walls, through Asia loved and feared.  
He called to mind Laomedon whom Hercules had slain,  
His Sister too Hesione, that Captive did remain  
in Salamis with Telamonius: and well he was apaid,  
In that the doer of the same lived not the Greeks to aid.  
His Sister therefore not restoorde, his Legates ask it,  
By stealing of the Spartan Queen did Paris cry them quit.  
Twelve hundred fifty five warshippes, with men & Armour fraughted,  
By seventy Kings & kingly Peers, from Greece to Troy were brought,  
To win her thence. King Priamus (besides his Empire great)  
Had aiders Princes thirty three: less Lords I not repeat,  
Nor Sagitar, that in this War did many a valiant feat.  
Ten years, ten months, and twice six days, the siege they did abide:  
Eight hundred sixty thousand Greeks, by Trojan weapons died:  
Six hundred fifty six thousands of Troyans' fight men,  
Besides the slaughtered at the sack, by Greacians perished then:  
And (if that Hector, Troilus, and Paris, so we name)  
Fell forty Kings: omitting more, of little lesser fame.  
Mislike, and civil quarrels, when the Greacians homewards drew,  
Did well near waste the remnant Kings that Phrigia did subdue.  
Thus secure Troy was over-set, when Troy was over stout,  
And over rich, was overrun, and tardy looked about.  
The Greekish Ships with Phrygian Spoils through Xant & Samoys roe:  
For now Antenor had betrayed Palladium to the foe,  
And with Palladium Priamus AEneas sought to hide  
From Pyrrhus Polyxena, she for whom Achilles died,  
Wherefore upon Achilles' Tomb herself was after slain,  
What time old Hecuba descried young Polydore his bain:  
For which AEneas banished hoysts sails, 'tis said, to wind,  
And, after many perils, rule in Italy did find.   

AENeas dead, Aschanius reigned: Aschanius dead, his brother  
Posthumus Silvius did succeed. Lavinia was his mother,  
Her Sire Latinus, Faunus his, and Picus him begot,  
And Saturn him: from mother thus Posthumus lacked not  
The noblest blood. On Father's side his pedigree was thus:  
jove had Dardanus: and the same begot Erictheus:  
He Tros: Tros, Assaracus: he Capys: and the same  
Anchisis: he AEneas had: of him Posthumus came:  
And he was father unto Brute: and thus the Brutons bring  
Their petegrée from jupiter, of pagan Gods the King:  
And add they may, that Brute his Sire of Venus' son did spring.  
Thrice five degréees from No was Brute, and four times six was he  
from Adam: and from japhets' house doth fetch his petegrée.  
Posthumus Silvius perrishing in Chase amongst the brakes,  
Mistook for Game, by Brute his son: Brute Italy forsakes.  
And to assosyate his Exile, a many Troyans' more  
At all adventures put to Seas, uncertain where to go:  
To whom did Fortune, Fortune-like, become a friend and foe.  
Till Brute, with no less pain and praise than had his Grandsire late  
achieved Latium, landing here, suppressed so the state  
Of all the Féend-bread Albinests, huge Giants fierce and strong,  
Or race of Albion, Neptune's son (else some derive them wrong)  
That of this Isle (un-scotted yet) he Empire had ere long.     

THE THIRD BOOK OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. XIIII.  

NOw, of the Conqueror, this Isle had Brutaine unto name,  
And with his Trojans Brute began manurage of the same.  
For raised Troy, to rear a Troy, fit place he searched then:  
And views the mounting Northern parts: These fit (quoth he) for men  
That trust as much to flight, as fight: our Bulwarks are our breasts,  
The next Arivals here, perchance, will gladlier build their nests.  
A Troyans' courage is to him a fortress of defence.  
And leaving so, where Scots be now, he southward maketh thence:  
Whereas the earth more plenty gave, and air more temprature,  
And nothing wanted that by wealth or pleasure might allure.  
And more, the Lady Flood of Floods, the river Thamis, it  
Did seem to Brute against the foe, and with himself to fit.  
Upon whose fruitful banks therefore, whose bounds are chief said,  
The wantles Counties Essex, Kent, with which the wealthy Glayde  
Of Hertfordshire for cities store affords no little aid,  
Did Brute build up his Troynovant, enclosing it with wall:  
Which Lud did after beautify, and Luds-towne it did call  
That now is London: evermore to rightful Princes true,  
Yea Prince and people still to it as to their Storehouse drew,  
For plenty and for popilous the like we no where view.  
Howbeit many neighbour towns as much ere now could say,  
But place for people, people, place, and all for sin decay.  
When Brute should die thus to his sons he did the Isle convey.  
To Camber Wales, to Albanact he Albany did leave,  
To Locrine Brutaine: whom his Queen of life did thus bereave.   

THe furous Hun, that drowning there to Humbar left his name,  
The King did vanquish, and for spoil unto his Navy came.  
Where Humbars Daughter, Patragon for beauty, such a Dame  
As Love himself could not but love, did Locrine inflame,  
That Guendoleyne, the Cornish Duke his daughter, locrin's Queen,  
Grew in contempt: and, Coryn dead, his Change of Choice was seen.  
To Cornwell goes the wrathful Queen to seize her father's Land,  
From whence she brought, to work revenge, of warriors stout a band:  
And bids her husband battle, and in battle is he slain:  
And for their son in Nonage was, she to his use did rain.  
The Lady Estrild locrin's Love, and Sabrin, wondrous fair,  
Her Husbands and his Leimans' imp, she meaning not to spaier,  
Did bring unto the Water, that the Wenches name doth baier.  
There binding both, and bobbing them, then trembling at her ire,  
She said: if Scythia could have held the wandering King thy Sire,  
Then British waters had not been to him deserved bain:  
But Estrild, snout-fair Estrild, she was spared, forsooth, to train  
With whorish tricks a vicious King: but neither of you twain,  
Thou stately Drab, nor this thy Brat, a bastard as thyself,  
Shall live in triumph of my wrong: first mother, and her Elf,  
Shall fish in Flood for Humbars' soul, and bring him news to hell,  
That locrin's wife on locrin's Whore revenged her so well.  
They lifting up their lily hands, from out their lovely eyes  
power tears like Pearls, and wash those Cheeks where nought save beauty lies:  
And seeking to excuse themselves, and mercy to obtain,  
With speeches good, and prayers fair, they speak and pray in vain.  
Queen Guendoleyne so bids, and they into the Flood are cast,  
Whereas amongst the drenching waves the Lady's breath their last.  
As this his Grandam, such appeared Mempricius, madan's son,  
Whose brother Manlius traitorously by him to death was done.  
And since of noble Brute his line prodigious things I tell,  
I skipping to the Tenth from him, will show what befell.  
ABout a thirty years and five did Leit rule this Land,  
When, doting on his Daughters three, with them he fell in hand  
To tell how much they loved him: the Eldest did esteem  
Her life inferior to her love, so did the Second deem:  
The Youngest said her love was such as did a child behove,  
And that how much himself was worth, so much she him did love.  
The foremost two did please him well, the youngest did not so:  
Upon the Prince of Albany the First he did bestoe,  
The Middle on the Cornish Prince: their Dowry was his Throne,  
At his decease: Cordellas' part was very small, or none.  
Yet for her form, and virtuous life, a noble Gallian King  
Did her, undowed, for his Queen into his Country bring.  
Her Sister's sick of Father's health, their Husbands by consent  
Did join in Arms: from  so by force the Sceptre went:  
Yet, for they promise pensions large, he rather was content.  
In Albany the quondam King at eldest Daughters Court  
Was settled scarce, when she repines, and lessens still his port.  
His second Daughter then, he thought, would show herself more kind,  
To whom, he going, for a while did frank allowance find.  
Ere long, abridging almost all, she keepeth him so lo,  
That of two badds, for betters choice he back again did go.  
But Goneril at his return, not only did attempt  
Her father's death, but openly did hold him in contempt.  
His aged eyes power out their tears, when holding up his hands,  
He said: O God, who so thou art, that my good hap withstands,  
Prolong not life, defer not death, myself I overlive,  
When those, that own to me their lives, to me my death would give.  
Thou Town, whose walls roof of my wealth, stand evermore to tell  
Thy Founders Fall, and warn that none do fail as Leir fell.  
Bid none affy in Friends, for say, his Children wrought his wrack:  
Yea those, that were to him most dear, did loath and let him lack.  
Cordelia, well Cordelia said, she loved as a Child:  
But sweeter words we seek then sooth, and so are men beguiled.  
She only rests untried yet: but what may I expect  
From her? to whom I nothing gave, when these do me reject.  
Then die, nay try, the rule may fail, and Nature may ascend:  
Nor are they ever surest friends, on whom we most do spend.  
He ships himself to Gallia then: but maketh known before  
Unto Cordelia his estate, who ruth him so poor,  
And kept his there arrival close, till she provided had  
To furnish him in every want. Of him her King was glad,  
And nobly entertained him: the Queen, with tears among,  
(Her duty done) conferreth with her father of his wrong.  
Such duty, bounty, kindness, and increasing love, he found  
In that his Daughter and her Lord, that sorrows more abound  
For his unkindly using her, then for the others crime:  
And Kinglike thus in Agamps' Court did Leir dwell, till time  
The noble King his Son-in-law transports an Army great,  
Of forcie Gauls, possessing him of dispossessed Seat,  
To whom Cordeilla did succeed, not reigning long in queate.  
Not how her nephews war with her and one of them slew th'other  
Shall follow: but I will disclose a most tyrannous mother.    

CHAP. XV.  

GOrbodugs double Issue now, when eighteen Kings were passed,  
Held jointly Empire in this Land: till Porrex, at the last,  
Not tied so by brotherhood, but that he did disdain  
A fellow King, (for never can one Kingdom brook of twain)  
Did levy secret bands, for dread whereof did Ferrex fly,  
And out of Gallia bringeth War, in which himself did die.  
Then Porrex only reigned here, and ruled all in peace:  
Till Iden, mother Queen to both, her fury did increase  
So fiercely, as she seeks revenge even in the highest degree.  
Why liveth this (quoth she) a King? in grave why lieth he?  
die Iden, die: nay die thou wretch, that me a wretch hast maid:  
His ghost, whose life stood in thy light, commandeth me of aid.  
Nor want I (Ferrex) will to aid: for why the Gods I see  
Defer revenge, nor with a Devil the devils disagree.  
The heavens, me thinks, with thunderbolts should press his soul to hell,  
Or Earth give passage, that at feast with men he might not dwell:  
But I myself, even I myself, their slackness will supply,  
And mother's name, and Nature both to such a Son deny.  
Dead night was come, when Iden found the King her son a sleep,  
And all was still: not then as now did Guards their Princes keep.  
Admit they had, who would have feared such mischief in a mother?  
She whispering softly, sleep thy last, yea sleep as doth thy brother,  
Did gash his throat: who starting up, when strength & speech were gone,  
Lifts up his fainting hands, and knew the Tyrantisse anon:  
And maketh signs, as who would say, ah mother, thou hast done  
a deed, as never mother erst did practise on her Son.  
But name of Son, nor signs did serve him still which wounds she plies,  
Nor (more than Monster) did it please that simply so he dies,  
But that his body, piecemeal tore, about the Lodging flies.  
And thus from noble Brute his line the Sceptre than did pass:  
When of his blood for to succeed no heir surviving was.   

Four Dukes at once, in civil broils, seiunctly after rain:  
Near when, the Scots (whom some accuse by Antedates to gain)  
Did settle in the Northern Isles. These people bring their line  
from Cecrops, and that Pharo, he that ever did decline  
from Moses, seeking Heber's house from Egypt to convey.  
His daughter Scota, Gathelus their Duke brought thence away,  
When Pharos sin to jacobs' Seed did near that Land decay.  
And Cecrops son brought then from thence (as Scots enforce the same)  
The Stone that jacob slept upon, when Angles went and came.  
Of it was made their fatal Chair: of which they bear in hand,  
That wheresoe'er the same is found, the Scots shall brook that land:  
At Westminster that Monument doth now decaying stand.  
In Lusitania Gathelus did first his Kingdom found:  
And of his race (of Scota, Scots) when Spanish Scots abound,  
Arrive in Ireland, and in it a second Empire ground.  
And thirdly, when their broodie Race that Isle did over-store,  
Amongst the Islands Hebredes they seek out dwellings more.  
These Irish, sometime Spanish scott's, of whence our now- Scots be,  
Within the Isles of Albion thus, whilst Brutaines disagree,  
Did seat themselves, and nestle too amongst the Mountain grounds:  
What time a Scythian people, Pichtes, did seize the middle bounds  
Twixt them and us: and these did prove to Brutaine double wounds.  
The Penthland people and the Scots allying, friendly live,  
Until the Pichtes, by British wiles, contrary cause did give.  
Then from their Captains fell the Scots, and choose to them a King:  
And Fergus out of Ireland did the Chair of Marble bring:  
In which, installed the first Scotch King in Albion, so he wrought,  
That Pichtes & Scots, than up in Arms, were to atonement brought.  
Three valiant people thus at once in Albion Empire hold,  
Brutes, Scots, and Pichtes: the latter twain less civil, but as bold.  
The Pichtes were fierce and Scythian like: much like the Irish now  
The Scots were then: courageous both: nor them I disallow  
That wright they feed on humane flesh, for so it may be well,  
Like of these men their bloody minds their native Stories tell:  
But to our British business now, to show what there befell.  
Not how the tri-partited Rule unto his quartarne Rain  
Donwallo, after forty years, did Monarchize again:  
Not what precedent Kings in France, and Denmark, did obtain  
Speak I. From Porrex forty Kings in silence shall remain:  
Save only valiant Brennus, and his brother Belyne: they  
Unpraised for their wars and works shall not escape away.    

CHAP. XVI.  

THese Brothers, thirsting amplier reins, did martially contend,  
Till Brenn his force was not of force his brothers to defend.  
To Norway sails he, where he got an Army, and a Prize,  
The Prince of Norway's Daughter: whom he winneth in this wise.  
The King of Denmark stood with him, until the States decreed  
That both should plead before their Prince, and better Pleador speed.  
And when the Norgane Prince and Peers were seated for their strife,  
The King of Danes beginning first, thus pleaded for a wife.  
Not yet a King, King philip's Son with none but Kings would cope,  
His reason was, inferior strife of glory gives no hope.  
I am a King, and grant the Prize in question worthy me,  
But grudge that my Compettitor a banished man should be.  
Do grant him what he hath foregone, and nevermore shall git,  
Yet were he but a Demi-king, to challenge me unfit.  
Dunwallos' younger Son, that hath his Brother to his Foe,  
And worthily, his treacheries have well deserved foe.  
And yet (audacious that he is) he blusheth not to hear  
The troth of his untruth, nor yet an here Repulse doth fear.  
Would she for whom I must contend, were not to me the same  
She is, or he that stands with me a man of better fame.  
But since in this unequal Plea I must myself imbace,  
Know, Norway's, that my pleaded cause concerns your public case.  
It is the King of Denmark doth your Prince his daughter crave,  
And note, it is no little thing with us Ally to have.  
By League, or Leigure, Dansk can fence, or front you, friend, or foe,  
Our Neighbourhood doth fit to both, your welfare or your woe.  
combine therefore in needful League our near conjoined States:  
I may your good, nought less can he that thus with me debates.  
He is a Bruton (if Exile allow we call him so)  
And far from aiding you, that knows himself not to bestoe.  
Admit he were received home, what Empire doth he sway?  
A sorry Islands Moiety, and far from hence away.  
Her Dowry is your Diedeme: what jointer can he make?  
Not any: give not then to him, from whom ye cannot take.  
And Lady (She for whom they strove was present) well I wots,  
My love doth claim a greater debt, than so to be forgot.  
I wish (mine Opposite his want) that Arms might give the right,  
It is not dread, but doomed (sweet wench) that thus with tongue I fight.  
Proud Bruton (frowning so on Brenn) disclaim in her my dew,  
Else thou repining shalt repent: do make thy choice a new.  
At least amend thine Error, and mine Envy shall have end:  
I need not force so weak a Foe, seek thou so strong a friend.  
Norway's consent, and Lady, be no Conter-mande to this:  
Descent not Brenn: conclude her mine: else my Conclusion is,  
If not for worth, by force perforce to win her from you all,  
Yea though our banished Copsmate could his British Succours call.  
The King of Danes concluded thus: and after silence short,  
The Brutaine Heros veiled, and did answer in this sort.  
Most gracious Norgane Peers, you hear the over-tearming taunts  
Of this Appelant, that himself, and Sceptre over-vaunts.  
It lesser grieveth he should grudge that I with him corive,  
Then this so parramptorie speech in youx despite to wive.  
It grieves, in troth, not for myself, but for he beardeth you,  
And seems disdainful of your aid, that doth so proudly owe.  
How captiously he derogates from me, and mine estate?  
And arrogates unto himself, to bring me so in hate.  
How daintily his eyes endure so base and Objects view?  
How desperately doth he conclude, and threateneth me and you?  
Well, bark he, bite he, brags nor blows shall dare me to defend  
A Challenge, where so brave a Prize stands for the Wagers end.  
Nor think (vainglorious that thou art) me lesser than a King,  
Or greater than by suit, or sword, to prise so rare a thing.  
upbraid me not with banishment, nor Belyns quarrel touch,  
Nor yet my Petite Signory: nor more than troth by much.  
These present Nobles know the cause for which I hither come:  
Not as an Exile, but for aid, and they assure me some.  
Then know, the cause is honest when their Honours give supplies:  
As capable are they of troth, as thou art apt for lies.  
My Brother's Kingdom seems, forsooth, an Overmatch to mine,  
My Kingdom, Cutlake, therefore is an Under-match to thine?  
Nay, give (and so I hope ye will) the Prize to me, and than,  
Let Cutlake with his Crown of Dansk uncrown me, if he can.  
Then he, disabling me to make a jointer, happily,  
With Denmark such a jointures want (if wanting) should supply.  
But neither have I such a lack, nor hold I such a love,  
As that her Dowry (not in quest) before herself doth move.  
He harpeth as himself would have, that maketh love his Staile:  
Else would he sew in milder sort, and, sewing, fear to fail.  
For, Lady, see your lovers Plea: your love, saith he, is debt:  
And if not words, nor worthiness, than Armour shall you get.  
Brave words, and fit to fear, not feed, a courted Ladies vain.  
But say he cannot owe in print, but Soldier-like and plain:  
Nor I, in sooth, more loves my heart then can my tongue explain.  
Conclude we therefore Soldier-like, and let a Combat yield  
Unto the hardy of us twain the honour of the field.  
If not: then, if my Lords so please, or she thereto agree,  
Although thou shouldst by force of Arms subdue her hence to thee,  
Yet from thy strongest Hold in Dansk I would thy Conquest free.  
Lo here my Gage (he terred his Glove) thou knowst the victor's meed:  
(So did he pause, his Pledge untouched, and then did thus proceed)  
Then fret thy fill, and worse thy worst: deliver, Lords, your wills:  
Ye have experience how this same with brags, not battle, kills.  
He threateneth only, I entreat, he claimeth her of dew,  
I wish, and hope for to deserve. The Counsel than withdrew  
themselves apart: and soon for Brenn a verdict did ensue.  
The Dane enraged failed thence, and rigged out a Fleet,  
And did with Brenn, resayling home, at great advantage meet.  
Their Ships did grapple, and their swords did sunder life from limb:  
So fought they, as their Ships did seem in Seas of blood to swim.  
But multitude oppressed Brenn, he hardly did escape,  
His Lady will be, nill he, left the King Denmark's Rape.  
Not meanly insolent the Danes hoist up their home-meant Sails:  
But after many crabbed Flaws, and long contrary gales,  
The Kings and Norgane Lady's Ship was tossed to the coast  
Of Brutaine: where, imprisoned, King Belyn was their Host:  
Until, sufficient Pledges had that Denmark it should pay  
Continual Tribute to the Brutes, he them dismissed away.  
Howbeit Brenn, received now amongst the Gauls, did threat  
For Norgane Lady him withheld his Brother's self and Seat:  
For Time, allaying Love, did add unto domestic hate.  
He with the Cenovesean Gauls, whose Prince his heir of late  
He had espoused, did invade the Empire of his Brother:  
And almost did their Battles join, when thus entreats their Mother.  
I dare to name ye Sons, because I am your Mother, yet  
I doubt to term you Brothers, that do Brotherhood forget.  
These Prodigeys, their wrathful Shields, forbodden Foe to Foe,  
Do ill beseem allied hands, even yours allied foe.  
O, how seem Oedipus his Sons in you again to strive?  
How seem these Swords in me (ay me) jocasta to revive?  
I would Dunwallo lived, or ear death had loft again.  
His Monarchy, sufficing Four, but now to small for Twain.  
Then either would you, as did he, employ your wounds elswheare:  
Or for the smalenes of your Power agree at least for fear,  
But pride of rich & rome-some Throones, that wingeth now your darts,  
It will (I would not as I fear) work sorrow to your hearts.  
My Sons, sweet Sons, attend my words, your Mother's words attend,  
And for I am your Mother, do conclude I am your friend:  
I cannot council, but entreat, nor yet I can entreat  
But as a Woman: and the same whose blood was once your meat.  
Hence had ye Milk (She baerd her Paps) these Arms did hug ye oft:  
These filed hands did wipe, did wrap, did rock, and lay ye soft:  
These Lips did kiss, or Eyes did weep, if that ye were unqueat,  
Then ply I did, with Song, or Sighs, which Dance, with tongue, or Teat.  
For these kind Causes, dear my Sons, disarm yourselves: if not,  
Then for these bitter tears, that now your Mother's Cheeks do spot:  
Oft urge I Sons and Mother's Names, Name's not to be forgot.  
Send hence these Soldiers: ye, my Sons, & none but ye would fight:  
When none should rather be at one, if Nature had her right.  
What comfort, Beline, shall I speed? sweet Brenn, shall I prevail?  
Say yea (sweet Youths) ah yea, say yea: or if I needs must fail,  
Say no: and then will I begin your Battle with my baiel.  
Then than some Stranger, not my Sons, shall close me in the Earth,  
When we by Armour oversoon shall meet, I fear, in death.  
This said, with gushing tears eftsoons she plies the one and other,  
Till both did show themselves at length Sons worthy such a Mother:  
And with those hands, those altered hands, that lately threatened blooes,  
They did embrace: becoming thus continual friends of foes.  
Glad was the Queen: and Beline held sole Empire: more he had  
From Denmark Tribute: and to this a greater honour add,  
His daughter Cambra, wedded to the Almaigne Prince, gave vain  
Unto the Cimbrians, holding Rome so long and warlike game.  
Some (if no Error) give to him for foreign Conquests fame.  
His Valour, War, and Peace o'er-passed: now speak we of the Knight,  
That this side and beyond the Alps subdued all by fight.  
The stateliest Towns in Italy had Brenn their Builder, and  
Even Rome, the terror of the World, did at his mercy stand.  
The Senate, giving to the Earth eax-while both war and peace,  
Can not themselves, their City, scarce their Cappitoll release.   

THeir Gander Feast, what Manlius and Camillus did therein,  
How This the Cappitole, & That from Brenn his Spoils did win,  
I pretermit. The thrée-topt Mount Parnassus had below  
Apollo's Temple, whether men for Oracles did go.  
This, with the God and Goods the Gauls did put to sack and spoil:  
And whilst, encamped here, they kept such sacraligious coil,  
The God, or rather Devil, whom th'almighty did permit,  
His Deity profaned, to deceive the world in it,  
With Tempests, Earthquakes, Stench, & Sights, so cried the Spolers quit,  
That most did perish, few disparse, and all were out of heart,  
Yea Brenn himself discouraged did change in every part.  
He looking after, and upon, the scattered, and the slain,  
Did seem a second Cadmus, save less patiented of his pain.  
And, shaming to be seen to weep, devoured sightles tears:  
And in these words his hearty griefs did number to their Ears.  
Sweet Soldiers leave me to myself, it likes me that ye leave me,  
More takes your tarriance from my health then can these plagues bereave me.  
Each of these Mass of Courses dead, hath been a death to me,  
Deliver then mine Eyes of you, too many deaths I see.  
survive, and tell the Western World what we exploited have:  
How that to Rome, amidst her Roof, the Maiden Sack we gave.  
Tell of our Battles, Booties, and our Buildings: lastly tell  
(An honour to our Overthrow) that we at Delphos fell  
By wounds divine, no humane Arms. But God, who so thou be,  
Less is thy courage then thy means, else wouldst thou cope with me,  
As Pluto with Alcides did, and Mars sometimes with men:  
Do me like honour, and these Graves shall lightly grieve me then.  
But thou full little darest so. Nay I do dare to much,  
That with my so unhallowed tongue thy Deity dare touch.  
Ah, see these Slaughters, and reserve alive this small Remain,  
Let last me, and only me, eke to the number slain.  
But bootless to a ruthless God I see my prayers spent,  
As haughtelie dost thou revenge, as humbly I repent.  
Well (God of Delphos) since our tears, this Incense, nor these Graves,  
Appease thine ire, parsist to plague this flesh, that henceforth craves  
No pity: to the Hebrew God, of power exceeding thine,  
(Men say) appeal I, and bequeath the Souls of me and mine:  
Accept my simple Legacy, O Godhood most divine,  
Said Brenn. And with a self-wrought wound did perish: and his men  
Departing, won, and left the name to Gallo-Grecia then.  
The righteous Gorboman might add fresh Subject to our Muse,  
But skipping to his Father's Sons, of them it thus ensues.   

Five years had Archigallo reigned, when, hated doing wrong,  
He was deprived of his Realm, and lived vagrant long,  
And fearing all that friended none, kept close the Woods among.  
There Elidurus hunting found his wretched Brother, and  
They gazing each in others face, with sighs and weepings stand.  
A King, as Elidurus is, once was I thinks his brother,  
A wretch, as Archigallo is, I may be thinks the other.  
The lowly King alights anon, and when they had embraced,  
Then Archigallo secretly in Ebranks Town was placed:  
In which, the King commanding so, the Nobles did convent,  
To whom did Elidurus thus inform of his intent.  
If Fortune had been cross (my Lords) to me, or any fear  
Of Armour were approaching us, I should perchance appear  
Faint, and falsehearted in my charge, but ever lacked the one,  
Nor hath the other likelihood, for quietler ruleth none.  
Yet Kings may think their heads to weak their Dyademes to sustain,  
For endless cares concur with Crowns, a bitter sweet is Rain:  
Howbeit, Subjects falsely judge their Princes blessed are,  
When both of peace and perils they contain to common care,  
And yet for this they grudgingly from Pounds a Penny spare.  
Not these, my Lords, make me disclaim in it which all pursue,  
But justice bids my Brother's right I should commend to you.  
This one Request includes, I know, exceeding dangers twain,  
To me, if for a private life I change a public Rain,  
To you, if whom ye have deprived ye shall bestoore again.  
But for I have done right, no wrong, though justice wants not foes,  
And though unto a Magistrate digrading bringeth woes,  
Yet to the bad a conscience good may save itself oppoes.  
Nor be ye fearful of revenge, that did no more than right:  
Even Archigallo will confess his sin, and clear your spite:  
Whose restitution (were he wrong) at least shall you acquire.  
You hazard less, re-kinginge him, than I unkinged to be,  
And Danger over-dares, if it from justice disagree.  
Then, good my Lords, do right his wrong, at leastwise do him right,  
Whose smart, no doubt, hath wrought in him a reconsciled sprite.  
Just Gorboman his brotherhood, succeeding in their Line,  
Then Archigallo should be King, to him let me resyne.  
So much the King did urge this Text, that Archigallo reigned:  
And Elidurus willingly in private life remained:  
The one restored, for his late depriving nothing moved,  
The other (wonders tell I now) dis-crowned yet beloved.  
Ten years did Archigallo rain, beloved well, and died:  
And Elidurus once again the Kingly Throne supplied:  
Until his Brother's secondly depoose him of his rain,  
But they deceasing, thirdly he was crowned King again:  
And so, until his Dying day, with honour did remain.  
A many Kings whose good or bad no Wrighter hath displayed  
Did follow: Lud, and Hely, for their stately buildings maid  
Rest chief famous: nor forget King Bledgabred I shall,  
Whom Brutons did their Glée-god for his skill in Music call.  
The next whose days gave famous deeds, Cassivelan is said:  
Whom Caius julius Caesar did with Armour thus invayde.    

CHAP. XVII.  

THis Conqueror of Gallia, found his Victory prolonged  
By British succours, and for it, pretending to be wronged,  
Did send for Tribute: threatening else to bring the Brutons War.  
The former going forward first, the Albinests to bar  
A common foe, concur as friends: and now was come the Spring,  
When Caesar out of War-wonne France victorious troupes did bring.  
But easier won the Grecians land at Pargama by much,  
Then got the Latins footing here, their Contraries were such.  
ye might have seen of Hector's race, ten thousand Hectors here,  
With policy on either part, the Romans buying deer  
The bloody Shore: the water yet less dearer than the land  
To them, whom valiantly to proof the Islanders withstand.  
Oft battle they, the Brutons still victorious, and in vain  
Their foes were valiant: only here was Caesar's force in wain.  
And as our men unto his men were as tempestuous Thunder,  
So did his ankred Ships on Seas by Tempest dash in sunder.  
But twice (qd Caesar) Fortune, thou wert opposite to mine,  
But thirdly here, to Caesar's self thou (wontles) dost decline.  
Conveying than his weary men into his wasted Ships,  
To Gallia, there to Winter them, he miscontented slips.  
Of this same victory did spring security and strife,  
The Scots and Pichtes did sunder hence, the Brutons,, over ryffe  
In Largesse, making frolic Cheer, a quarrel than aroes  
Betwixt the king and Luds false Son, and they disjoin as foes:  
That Caesar slips Advantage such were error to suppooes.  
Even of the Brutons some there were recalling back the Foe,  
And Winter past, with doubled power he back again did roe.  
The Romans more, the Brutons they far fewer than before,  
Offend, defend, fight for, fence from, to win, and ward the Shore.  
But Caesar landed: and ensewed continual cruel fight,  
Thrice put the fierce Cassivelanes the Caesarines to flight:  
And still the King encouraging in every wing appears,  
So giving needles spurs to sight, his Soldiers brooked not fears:  
Nor little did the Cornish Bells offend the Roman ears.  
When Caesars oft successes fight had tired him and his,  
Inringed with his mayhmed Camp, the Roman speaketh this:  
Are these same Bands, those self-same Bands, that never fought in vain?  
And ye the men, that following still my Standard, still did gain?  
Even these, and ye, are very those: nor can I discommend  
Your manhoodes, that with lesser work, brought greater Wars to end.  
But not, as was my wont to wright, the Senate now shall reed,  
I came: I saw: I overcame: such Foes forbidden such speed.  
Nor let the Senate muse, for Troy with Troy doth here contend:  
This warlike people (fame is so) from whence sprung we descend.  
Yea, if AEneas had not left the Phrygian Gods to us,  
And Greeks Palladium shipped to Greece, this Fortune foiling thus,  
I would have thought those very Gods had followed our annoy:  
But them have we, these only have undaunted hearts from Troy.  
But what? shall Caesar doubt to fight against so brave a Foe?  
No, Caesar's Triumphs with their Spoils shall give the braver shoe.  
Ye Gods that guide our Capital, Mount Palatin thou Throne  
Of stately Rome, ye Followers too of her affairs each one,  
Delay not, but deprive me quite my Triumphs, now in hand,  
Nor let me live, if so I leave unconquered this Land:  
This Land, the last of Western Isles, an Isle unknown ere this,  
Which famous now, through Caesar's fight, and our misfortune is.  
Enough, my fellow friends in Arms, enough we Romans have  
To seek revenge: your Conquest is a Country rich and brave:  
And (which persuadeth victory) in Troynovant there be,  
That hold that City to our use: the Brutons disagree,  
No Scot or Pichte assisting them in rhese our Wars I see.  
Their civil strife will prove their scourge, how stout soe'er they seem,  
And perpetuity doth fail in every thing extreme.  
Not Fortune still is good or bad, and now let be our day:  
To long we live, if that so long we shall on trifles stay,  
Said Caesar: and with such his words did so inflame his men,  
That with less patience did they live, then linger battle then.  
The Romans bid the Bace, and then did cruel War begin:  
And little wanted, that the Brutes the better did not win.  
But Caesar so foresaw Supplies, and Succours here and there,  
Persuading this, dissuading that, controlling flight and fear,  
That, after many Romans slain, the Brutons took their flight  
To Southern Shoores: whereas to proof Cassivelan did fight  
With oft Erruptions out of Woods: until the traitorous Knight,  
The Earl of London yields his Charge and City to the Foe,  
Through which disloyal president did other cities foe:  
And then with hard-won Tribute hence the Conqueror did go.   

BUt he, that won in every War, at Rome in civil rob  
Was stabbed to death: no certainty is underneath the Globe.  
The good are envied of the bad, and glory finds disdain,  
And people are in constancy as April is in rain:  
Whereof, amidst our serious pen, this Fable entertain.  
An Ass, an Old-man, and a Boy, did through a City pass,  
And whilst the wanton boy did ride, the old-man led the Ass:  
See yonder doting fool, said Folke, that crauleth scarce for age,  
Doth set the boy upon his Ass, and makes himself his Page.  
Anon the blamed Boy alightes, and lets the Old-man ride,  
And, as the old-man did before, the boy the Ass did guide:  
But passing so, the people than did much the old-man blame,  
And told him, Churl, thy limbs be tough, the Boy should ride for shame.  
The fault thus found, both man and boy did back the Ass and ride,  
Then that the Ass was overcharged each man that met them cried.  
Now both alight, and go on foot, and lead the empty Beast,  
But then the people laugh, and say, that one might ride at least.  
With it they both did undershore the Ass on either side,  
But then the wondering people did that witless prank deride.  
The old-man seeing by no ways he could the people please,  
Not blameless then, did drive the Ass and drown him in the Seas.  
Thus whilst we be, it will not be, that any pleaseth all:  
Else had been wanting, worthily, the noble Caesar's fall.    

CHAP. XVIII.  

AVgustus, quailing Antony, was Emperor alone:  
In whose un-foed Monarchy our common health was known.  
The Brooser of the Serpent's head, the Woman's promised Seed,  
The Second in the Trinity, the Food our souls to feed.  
The vine, the Light, the Door, the Way, the Shepherd of us all,  
Whose Manhood joined to Deity did Ransom us from thrall,  
That was, and is, and evermore will be the same to his,  
That sleeps to none that wake to him, that turns our Curse to bliss,  
Whom, yet unseen, the patriarchs saw, the Prophets have foretold,  
Th'apostles preached, the Saint's addore, and Martyrs do behold,  
The same (Augustus Emperor) in Palestine was borne,  
Amongst his own, and yet his own bid cross their Bliss in scorn:  
Bi-formed janus then in Mewe: so would this Prince of peace,  
That Caesar's Edict every where should Mars his envy cease.   

THen reigned here King Cymbelin, King Theomantius son:  
Next him Guiderius, that withheld the Tribute Caesar won.  
The Romans that, in our respect, neglected Misia, Spain,  
Armenia, France, and Syria, than Recusants of their Rain,  
Not by their Captains, but himself the Emperor of Rome,  
Into relapsed Brutaine with imperial Ensigns come.  
Then hotter than the Punic Wars to Romans did begin:  
And Claudius looseth valiantly all that the Brutons win.  
But Romish Hamo, from whose death Southampton had that name,  
In British Arms salutes the King, and slew by guile the same.  
Duke arviragus, using then the Armour of the King,  
Maintained fight, and won the field ere Brutons knew the thing.  
This hardy Knight, his Brother slain, was Crowned in his place:  
And with his winnings, also won the Emperor to grace:  
Who sending for his Daughter fair Genissa, so did end  
The Wars in Wedding: and away did Claudius Caesar wend.  
But arviragus after this revolted, and to stay  
The havoc made of Romans here came succours every day.  
His Queen Genissa, childing died, when his Revolt she knew:  
And Voada, divorced late, became his Queen of new.  
Then he, that at jerusalem the fatal siege begun,  
Was sent from Rome: and warring here, the wont Tribute won:  
And through his gentle victory, bound arviragus still  
A friend to Caesar, whom the King adopted heir by will.  
I here omit the dismal War in the Isle of Nona made  
Against the Romans, whom the Priests the Drudes invade  
With banning words, and women, with their hair untrussed, stand  
With brands of fire in furious wise about their desperate band:  
The King deceased, Voada and her two Daughters, they  
Abused by the Roman Lords, do hotter wars assay.   

THe noble Scot King Corbred, he confeddrats with the King  
of Pichtes, and they and British Peers to field their Armies bring,  
To aid the Queen of Brutes: that like the Amazonian Dame  
That beating down the bloody Greeks in Priam's succour came,  
Had pight her javelen at her feet, when entered in among  
The fierce confederates, thus she spoke amidst the scylent throng:  
My state and sex, not hand or heart, most valiant friends, withhild  
Me wretched Cause of your repair, by wicked Romans i'd,  
From that revenge which I do wish, and ye have cause to work:  
In which, suppose not Voada in female fears to lorke.  
For lo myself, unlike myself, and these same Ladies fair  
In Armour, not to shrink an inch where hottest doings are.  
Even we do dare to bid the Base, and you yourselves shall see  
Yourselves to come behind in Arms, the Romans too that be  
Such Conquerors, and valiantly can womankind oppress,  
Shall know that British women can their Romish wrongs redress.  
Then arm ye with like courages as Ladies shall present,  
Whom ye, nor wounds, nor death, the praise of Onset shall prevent.  
Nor envy that our Martial rage exceeds your manly ire,  
For by how much more we endewer, so much more we desire  
Revenge on those, in whose default we are unhallowed thus,  
Whilst they forget themselves for men, or to be borne of us.  
Ye yield them Tribute, and from us their Legions have their pay:  
Thus were to much, but more than thus the haughty Tyrant's sway.  
That I am Queen, from being wronged doth nothing me protect:  
Their Rapes against my Daughters both I also might object:  
They Maids deflower, they Wives enforce, and use their wills in all,  
And yet we live deferring fight, inferring so our fall.  
But valiant Brutons, venturous Scots, and warlike Pichtes I err,  
Exhorting, whom I should dehort your fierceness to defer.  
Less courage more considerate would make your Foes to quake:  
My heart hath joyed to see your hands the Roman Standards take,  
But when as force, and Fortune failed, that you with teeth should sight,  
And in the faces of their Foes your women in despite  
Should fling their sucking Babes, I held such valentnes but vain:  
Enforced flight it is no shame, such Flyers fight again.  
Well, here ye are, that with the King my valiant Brother dead  
the Latins, wondering at your prows, through Rome in triumph lead:  
Ye Mars-stard Pichtes of Scythian breed are here Coleagues: and more,  
Ye Dardan Brutes, last named, but in valour meant before:  
In your Conduct, most knightly Friends, I supersede the rest:  
Ye come to fight, and we in sight to hope and help our best.  
Scarce did this brave Bellona end, when as the Battles join,  
And life and death was bought and sold with courage, not with coin.  
Above the rest the Queen of Brutes through blood did cut her way,  
Six thousand Ladies Lyons-like exploiting like a Fray:  
Till Cattus with his Roman Arms subdued, flayed away.  
Of Romans seventy thousand died, of Brutons then were slain  
Twice fifteen thousand, and the rest their ceased freedom gain.  
When valiant Plancius, President in Gallia, heard such news,  
He waffes an Army out of France, and Voada pursewes.  
The Albinestes to aid the Queen assemble at her call,  
And then began a second War, nor was the slaughter small.  
The Brutons, barring flight, had closed themselves with Wanes about,  
In which the awls women stood, surveying who was stout,  
Controlling Cowards, and among did fill the air with din:  
But, valiant though the Brutones were, the day the Romans win.  
In vain the furious women then on Sons and Husbands call,  
Themselves with Sons and Husbands did by adverse weapons fall.  
Queen Voade past help, and hope, betook herself to flight:  
Till looking back, unfollowed then, and having in her sight  
The senseless Troukes of slaughtered friends, she leaning on her Lance  
Did power forth tears, and grew at length impatient of the chance,  
And said: myself, my trusty friends, will with my dearest blood  
Keep Obite to your happy Gosses, that for your Country's good  
Be as you be, and I will be: no Roman sword shall boast  
Of my dispatch, So on her Lance she yielded up her Ghost.  
Her Daughter then, for to revenge her friends upon her foes,  
Assisted by the vanquished, against the victors' roes,  
And slaughtering through the Roman Tents the brave Virago goes:  
Till Plancius, ever provident of perils, brought supplies,  
What time Vodicia, urging wounds, with constant courage dies.   

SUch business hanging, Lucius here the first baptized King  
died issueless: and for the Crown did long contention spring.  
At length Constantius Caesar (for the Brutons yielded so)  
Did Helen, Colis daughter wed: of her do praisings go  
For finding of the holy Cross, and her devotion raier:  
From These proceeded Constantine, the most undoubted hair  
Both to the Roman Monarchy, and this his Parent's Ream.  
He turned the Empiers' ebbing pomp into her flowing stream,  
And was a Prince religious: yet (with reverence be it said)  
If less religious, than not he the Empire had decayed,  
By largesse to a pompous Priest, Appostolique ere then,  
But now intruding even on God, insulting over men.  
Nor sparest thou his native Realm that seized thee of Rome,  
Admit his frankness were a fault (as is their common doom,  
That say he made a Paul a Salve, that made a Priest a Prince,  
And in that grace the empires grace disgraced ever since)  
Find thou no fault, with such a fault whereby he fitted thee:  
But if thou wilt ungrateful prove, ungracious cease to be:  
A traitors Tutor is a. K. nor force we such a. T.  
Let such a Prelate bless or ban, with Candle Book or Bell,  
He cannot raise himself to heaven, nor rid a knave from hell.  
vain are his Bulls, engendering Calves, sent hither from his Stalls,  
To feed (mad Fools) the Fowl, that by his name the Sender calls.  
Nor think he dreamt this in vain, that dreamt thus of late:  
One seemed to have passed Styx, and entering Pluto's gate,  
saw Hecate new canonised the Sourantisse of Hell:  
And Pluto bade it holiday, for all which there did dwell.  
Starve Minos, and grin Radymant, descend their dusky rooms:  
The Docket to was clear of Ghosts, adjourned to after dooms:  
The Furies, and the deadly Sins, with their invective Scrolls  
Depart the Bar: the fiends rake up their ever burning Coals:  
The Elves, and Faries, taking fists did hop a merry Round:  
And Cerberus had lap enough: and Charon leisure found:  
The airy spirits, the walking Flaures, and Goblins great & small,  
Had there good cheer, and company, and sport the Devil and all.  
To Tantalus the shrinking flood nor starting fruit were such:  
Nor Tityus his bowels did the hungry Uultur touch:  
Upon his Stone sat Cisaphus: Ixeon on his Wheel:  
The Belides upon their tub: no wont toil they feel.  
Till in this antic Festival, these last rescyted five,  
Of dignities, for duties there, they earnestly did strive:  
And then the quarrel grew so hot that hell was hell again,  
And flocking Ghosts did seu'rally their Fauctors part maintain.  
With Cisaphus took part the Ghosts of minds that did aspire,  
And by ambitious climbing fell, deserts unlike desire.  
With Tantalus held starved Ghosts, whose pleasure was their pain,  
Whose ever Hordes had never use, and gettings had no gain.  
To Belides assisted Souls of Unthriftes, whose supplies  
Did pass from them a Sea through Cives, whose wastes no wealths suffice.  
Unto Ixeon stood their Sprights that had their lusts for law,  
Rebellants to a common good, and sinning without awe.  
To Tityus lastly joined Ghosts, whose hearts did empty hate  
As Toads their poison, growing when it seemeth to abate.  
About fly Apples, Stones, & tub, the Wheel was tumbled down,  
The Uultur girds, no Ghost but had at least a broken crown.  
This skufling and confederacy in hell made such a rear,  
That, wontles of such brawls and blows, Proserpina did fear.  
But Pluto, laughing, told his Bride to Ela it was faith:  
To morrows din should prove that same to be a civil day:  
In peace, these were their practices on earth, and here in hell  
(Save that their Souls have never peace) we find them as they fell.  
They work to me, each of these five, though daily count I ask,  
Do newly number Million Souls, whose torments is their task.  
The Queen of Such, not free of fear, replied thus again,  
And yet, me thinks, that Pluto should have pity on their pain.  
He lours: and Feast with Fray had end, and drink did every Soul  
Of Lethe: who, their joys forgot, even yet in torments howl:  
Nay Pluto must be Pluto still, and so I will (quoth he,)  
For this same only day the Ghosts indebted are to thee:  
For as the like shall never come, so never like befell,  
But henceforth all, yea Prince, and Pope, shall ever find it hell:  
So dreamt one: but overlong fantasies I dwell.    

CHAP. XIX.  

THe cozen of great Constantyne in Rome and here succéedes:  
Betwixt the Brutes, the Scots, and Pichtes, continual trouble breeds:  
And long the regiment of this Land the Romans did enjoy,  
Transmitting Captains evermore as Foes did here annoy.  
But Rome itself declined now, and Brutaine was oppressed,  
No longer were the Scottish Spoils by Roman sword redressed.  
Then ends the Tribute, than began new troubles, worse far  
Than Tribute: for the Scots and Pichtes infer consuming war.  
The Brutons, under Rome secure, as men that did rely  
On others, were disabled now by Martial means to try  
The fame of fight: but Captaineles, confusedly they deal,  
And give a wretched instant of an headless Commonweal:  
And whom so many Roman Peers, Grand-Captaines of such might,  
Of whom Nine Emperors themselves, in persons here did sight,  
Can hardly foil, were fronted now even of a barbarous Foe:  
And at the point (a wondrous change) their Country to forego.  
Such fruit hath ease, such policy did serve the Romans turn,  
Who, waning Martial minds, themselves the quietler here sojourn.  
The Brutons thus disposed of Arms, and courage in effect,  
Of Prince, of Captains, and advise, their business to direct,  
Dispatch their Legate to the Land Deminative in name  
To Brutaine: where the Legate thus his Embassy did frame:  
The backslide of our helpless friends, the downfall of our state,  
Our lack of Prince, of people, and our wealth not now as late,  
The savage dealing of our Foes, consuming ours and us,  
Is cause (right mighty King) that we approach thy present thus.  
Not for we are in blood allied, or that whilst Fortune smiled  
Your Ancestors had rule from us, not for the Dames defiled  
At Cullin, who withstanding lust for it did lose their lives,  
That else to Conon and his Knights had lived noble wives,  
We are emboldened in our suit: though all of these might move:  
But for our former Wants, O King, and for thine own behove,  
Great Brutaine doth submit itself thy Subject (if thou please.)  
Or else dispose it at thy will: provided we have ease  
Against such foes, as would not save our lives to have our Land:  
Whom to conclude (except thou help) we never may withstand.  
The King Aldroen pitying much the Cause of his Allies,  
Armed thence his brother Constantine, a Captain stout and wise.  
He chasing hence the Scots and Pichtes, with glory wore the Crown,  
And through his virtue stayed up a Kingdom sinking down.   

WIthin a while did Vortiger the Duke of Cornwalle rain,  
When Constans son of Constantine he traitorously had slain.  
The Scots did ruffle then anew, nor did the King affy  
In Brutons, for they hated him, and reason had they why:  
And Saxon Fleets from Germany in Armour here arrive,  
Through whose support, the King in wars against the Scots did thrive.  
The Foe by Hengist foiled thus, he and his Brother get  
The chiefest credit with the King, but few gainsaying it,  
Necessity of Soldiers here so well for them did fit.  
And Hengests Daughter entertained King Vortiger so well,  
That to misliking of his wife, and liking her he fell:  
And sotted thus in foreign love, did wed the Saxon Wench:  
Which wrought unto the Saxons weal, but to the Brutes offence.  
For whatsoe'er the Queen did ask, the King would not deny,  
Until his Subjects ran to Arms, and made the Saxons fly:  
And, putting down the Father, than did set up Vortimer,  
Who, poisoned by his Stepdame, they restored Vortiger:  
With this condition, that he should no Saxons entertain.  
But Hengist hearing from the Queen that Vortimer was slain,  
And Vortiger his Sonne-in-lawe re-kinged did resail  
With Saxon forces: though with fraud, not force, he did prevail.  
For thus by policy he did the Brutons cirumvent:  
He craved Parley, as a man that were to quietness bend:  
The place appointed, Parlants him in simple meaning meet  
far from their Army all unarmed, whom Saxon Traitors greet  
With deadly wounds, by hidden knives, and held the King with them:  
Confounding so the British Oste. Nor cease they to contemn  
Both Christian rights, and civil Rule, subverting either twain:  
And what they would of Vortiger through fearful threats they gain.  
And plant themselves in Southfolke, Kent, and elsewhere at their will:  
And ruffling run throughout the Land oppressing Brutons still.  
The King and Brutons flayed to Wales, and Feend-got Marlyn there  
Bewrayed more, than I believe, or credit seems to bear:  
As showing how the Castle work reared daily, fell by night  
By shaking of two Dragons great that underneath it fight,  
With other wonders, tedious, if not trothless, to recite.  
Aurelius Ambrose, brother to King Constans murdered late,  
From either Bruton having aid, won so the Kingly state:  
And, ere that Hengist or his son stout Octa he subdued,  
First to revenge his Brother's death he Vortiger pursewed.  
In vain the Welsh wild Mountains fence the flyer from his Foe,  
Or Gerneth Castle, when as flames throughout the buildings go:  
In midst whereof the wretched King did end his days in woe.   

THe Brutons thus had peace awhile, till Vortigerus Son,  
And Guillamour the Irish King, in new Conflicts begun:  
Whom, whilst that Uter valiantly in Wales to wrack did bring,  
His brother Ambrose did decease, and Uter then was King.  
What Uter did by Marlyns Art, in compassing his will  
Upon the Wife of Garolus, transfigured by skill  
Into the likeness of her Lord, on whom he got a son  
Renowned Arthur: or to name the Acts by Uter done,  
Were much and needles: only note he was a valiant Prince,  
But such as was his noble Son, was not before or since.  
Yet blazing Arthur, as have some, I might be overseen:  
He was victorious, making one amongst the Worthiest men.  
But (with his pardon) if I vouch his world of Kingdoms won,  
I am no Poet, and for lack of pardon were undone.  
His Scottish, Irish, Almain, French, and Saxone Battles got,  
Yield fame sufficient: these seem true, the rest I credit not.  
But Brutone is my task, and to my task I will retire:  
Twelve times the Saxone Princes here against him did conspire,  
And Arthur in twelve Battles great went Uanquishor away:  
Howbeit Saxone forces still amongst the Brutons stay.  
This King to entertain discourse, and so to understand,  
What Accedents in after-tymes should happen in this Land,  
He with the British Prophet then of Sequelles fell in hand.  
Of six long after Kings the man, not borne of humane seed,  
Did Prophesy, and many things, that came to pass in deed.  
Now Arthur, chief of Chivalry, had set his Crown at stay,  
And to his Nephew Mordred did commit thereof the sway,  
When with his Knights, the wonder of the world for Martial deeds,  
Beyond the Seas in foreign fights he luckily proceeds:  
Till faithless Mordred called him back that forward goes with fame,  
For at his Uncle's diadem he traitorously did aim.  
Twice Arthur won of him the field, and thirdly slew his Foe,  
When deadly wounded, he himself victorious died foe.   

INterred then with public plaints, and issueless, ensues  
A drooping of the British state: the Saxon still subdewes,  
Howbeit worthy Kings succeeded: but Destiny withstood  
The aunciant Sceptre to enure in Bruts succeeding blood.  
unloved Careticus was he that lost the Goal at length:  
Whenceforth, in vain, to win their loss the Brutons use their strength.  
Yea God, that as it pleaseth him, doth place or dispossess,  
When foes, nor foils, nor any force, their courage might suppress,  
Seemed partial in the Saxon Cause, and with a Plague did cross  
The Brutons, that had else, at least, rebated from their loss:  
For Cadwane, and Cadwallyne, and Cadwallader, the last  
But not the least, for valorous, of British Princes passed,  
Brought out of Wales such knightly Wars as made their foes aghast.  
The Plague (worse spoiler than the Wars) left Cambre almost waste,  
Which to avoid, the remnant Brutes into their Ships did haste.  
Cadwallader, in leaving thus his native Shore he fixed  
His eyes from whence his body should, and with his sighs he mixed  
His royal tears, which giving place, he speaketh thus betwixt.  
Sweet Brutaine (for I yet must use that sweet, and ceasing name)  
Adieu, thy King bids thee adieu, whose flight no weapons frame:  
But God commands, his Wroth commands, all countermand is vain,  
Else, for thy love, to die in thee were life to thy Remain.  
Thus times have turns, thus Fortune still is flying to and fro:  
What was not, is: what is, shall cease: some come, and others go:  
So, Brutaine, thou of Nation and of name endewrest change,  
Now balking us whom thou hast bread, and brooking people strange.  
Yet (if I shoot not past mine aim) a world of time from me,  
part of our blood, in highest pomp, shall England's glory be:  
And chief, when unto a First succeeds a second She.  
But, leaving speeches ominous: Cadwallader is woe,  
That seeing death determines grief, he dies not on his foe.  
Ah, Fortune faileth mighty Ones, and meaner doth advance:  
The mightest Empire Rome hath change, than Brutaine brook thy chance:  
Let it suffice thou wert before, and after Rome in fame:  
And to endure what God intends were sin to count a shame.  
Nor vaunt, ye Saxons, of our flight: but if ye needs will vaunt,  
Then vaunt of this, that God displaced whom you could never daunt.  
This said, the tears controlled his tongue, & sails wrought land from sight:  
When (save a Remnant small) the Isle was rid of Brutons quite.     

THE FOURTH BOOK OF ALBION'S ENGLAND.  

CHAP. XX.  
THE Brutons thus departed hence, Seven Kingdoms here begun:  
Where diversly in divers broils the Saxons lost and won.  
King edel and King Adelbright in Diria jointly rain:  
In loyal concord during life these Kingly friends remain.  
When Adelbright should leave his life, to edel thus he says:  
By those same bonds of happy love, that held us friends always,  
By our by-parted Crown, of which the Moiety is mine,  
By God, to whom my Soul must pass, and so in time may thine,  
I pray thee, nay I Conjure thee, to nourish as thine own  
Thy niece my Daughter Argentile, till she to age be grown,  
And then, as thou receivest it, resign to her my Throne.  
A promise had for this Bequest, the Testator he dies:  
But all that edel undertook, he afterward denies.  
Yet well he fosters for a time the Damsel that was grown  
The fairest Lady under heaven: whose beauty being known,  
A many Princes seek her love, but none might her obtain:  
For grippell edel to himself her Kingdom sought to gain,  
And for that cause, from sight of such he did his Ward restrain.  
By chance one Curan, son unto a Prince in Dansk did see  
The Maid, with whom he fell in love as much as one might be.  
Unhappy Youth, what should he do? his Saint was kept in Mew,  
Nor he, nor any Nobleman admitted to her view.  
One while in Melancholy fits he pines himself away,  
Anon he thought by force of Arms to win her if he may,  
And still against the King's restraint did secretly inveigh.  
At length the high Controller Love, whom none may disobey,  
Embased him from lordliness, unto a Kitchen Drudge:  
That so at least of life or death she might become his judge.  
Access so had to see, and speak, he did his love bewray  
And tells his birth: her answer was she husbandless would stay.  
Mean while the King did beat his brains his booty to achieve,  
Not caring what became of her, so he by her might thrive:  
At last his resolution was some Peasant should her wive.  
And (which was working to his wish) he did observe with joy  
How Curan, whom he thought a Drudge, scaped many an amorous toy.  
The King, perceiving such his vain, promotes his Uassall still,  
Lest that the baseness of the man should let perhaps his will.  
Assured therefore of his love, but not suspecting who  
The Lover was, the King himself in his behalf did owe.  
The Lady, resolute from love, unkindly takes that he  
Should bar the Noble, and unto so base a Match agree:  
And therefore, shifting out of doors, departed thence by stealth,  
Preferring poverty before a dangerous life in wealth.  
When Curan heard of her escape, the anguish in his heart  
Was more then much, and after her from Court he did depart:  
Forgetful of himself, his birth, his Country, friends, and all,  
And only minding (whom he missed) the Foundress of his thrall.  
Nor means he after to frequent or Court, or stately Towns,  
But solitarily to live, amongst the Country grownes.  
A brace of years he lived thus, well pleased so to live,  
And Shepheard-like to feed a Flock, himself did wholly give.  
So wasting love, by work, and want, grew almost to the Waene:  
But than began a second Love, the worse of the twaene,  
A Country wench, a Neatheards' Maid, where Curan kept his Sheep  
Did feed her drove: and now on her was all the Shepherds keep.  
He borrowed, on the working days, his holy Russets oft:  
And of the Bacons fat, to make his Startup's black and soft:  
And lest his Tarbox should offend he left it at the Fold:  
Sweet Growte, or Whigge, his Bottle had as much as it might hold:  
A Shéeve of bread as brown as Nut, and Cheese as white as Snow,  
And wildings, or the Seasons fruit, he did in Skrippe bestow:  
And whilst his py-bald Cur did sleep, and Shéephooke lay him by,  
On hollow Quills of oaten Straw he piped melody.  
But when he spied her his Saint, he wiped his greasy Shoes,  
And cleared the drivel from his beard, and thus the Shepherd owes.  
I have, sweet Wench, a piece of Cheese as good as tooth may chaw:  
And bread, and wildings, souling well: and therewithal did draw  
His Lardrie: and in eating, see you Crumpled Ewe (quoth he)  
Did twin this fall, and twin shouldst thou if I might tupp with thee.  
Thou art to elvish, faith thou art to elvish, and to coy:  
Am I, I pray thee, beggarly that such a Flock enjoy?  
I wis I am not: yet that thou dost hold me in disdain  
Is brim abroad, and made a gibe to all that keep this Plain.  
There be as acquaint (at least that think themselves as acquaint) that crave  
The Match, which thou (I wots not why) master, but mislik'st to have.  
How wouldst thou match? (for well I wots, thou art a female) I,  
I know not her that willingly with Maidenhead would die.  
The Ploughman's labour hath no end, and he a Churl will prove:  
The Craftsman hath more work in hand, then fitteth unto love:  
The Merchant traffaquing abroad, suspects his wife at home:  
A Youth will play the Wanton, and an old-man prove a Mome:  
Then choose a Shepherd. With the Sun he doth his Flock unfold,  
And all the day on Hill or plain he merry chat can hold:  
And with the Sun doth fold again, then jogging home betime,  
He turns a Crabb, or tunes a Round, or sings some merry rhyme:  
Nor lacks he gléefull tails to tell, whilst that the Bowl doth troth:  
And sitteth singing careaway, till he to bed hath got:  
There sleeps he sound all the night, forgetting Morrow caeres,  
Nor fears he blasting of his Corn, or uttering of his wares,  
Or storms by Seas, or stirs on Land, or crack of credit lost,  
Not spending franklier than his flock shall still defray the cost.  
Well wots I, sooth they say, that say: more quiet nights and days  
The Shepherd sleeps and wakes then he whose cattle he doth graize.  
Believe me Lass, a King is but a man, and so am I:  
Content is worth a Monarchy, and mischiefs hit the high.  
As late it did a King and his, not dying far from hence:  
Who left a Daughter, (save thyself) for fair, a matchless wench:  
(Here did he pause, as if his tongue had made his heart offence.)  
The Neatresse longing for the rest, did egg him on to tell  
How fair she was, and who she was. She boor (quoth he) the bell  
For beauty: though I clownish am, I know what beauty is,  
Or did I not, yet seeing thee, I senseless were to mis.  
Suppose her beauty Hellens-like, or Helen's somewhat less,  
And every Star consorting to a puer complexion guess.  
Her Stature comely tall, her gate well graced, and her wit  
To marvel at, not meddle with, as matchless I omit.  
A Globe-like head, a goldlike hair, a Forehead smooth and high,  
An even-nose, on either side stood out a graish Eye:  
Two rosy Cheeks, round ruddy Lips, white just set teeth within,  
A Mouth in mean, and underneath a round and dimpled Chin.  
Her snowish Neck, wlth bluish Uaynes, stood bolt upright upon  
Her portly Shoulders: beating Balls, her vained Breasts, anon  
Add more to beauty: wand-like was her Middle, falling still,  
And rising whereas women rise: but overskip I will,  
What Males in females overskip, imagine nothing ill.  
And more, her long and limber Arms, had white and azure Wrists:  
And slender Fingers answer to her smooth and lily Fists.  
A Leg in print, and pretty Foot: conjecture of the rest,  
For amorous Eyes, observing form, think parts obscured best.  
With these (oh thing divine) with these, her Tongue of speech was spaer:  
But speaking, Venus seemed to speak the Ball from Ide to baer.  
With Pallas juno, and with both herself contends in face:  
Where equal mixture did not want of mild and stately grace.  
Her smiles were sober, and her looks were cheerful unto all:  
And such as neither wanton seem, nor waward, melt, nor gall.  
A quiet mind, a patiented mood, and not disdaining any:  
Not gibing, gadding, gaudy, and her faculties were many.  
A Nymph, no tongue, no heart, no Eye, might praise, might wish, might see,  
For Life, for Love, for Form, more good, more worth, more fair, than she:  
Yea such an one, as such was none, save only she was such:  
Of Argentile to say the most, were to be scylent much.  
I knew the Lady very well, but worthless of such praes,  
The Neatresse said: and muse I do, a Shepherd thus should blaze  
The Coote of Beauty. Credit me, thy latter speech bewrays  
Thy clownish shape, a coined show. But wherefore dost thou weep?  
(The Shepherd wept, and she was woe, and both did silence keep.)  
In troth, quoth he, I am not such as seeming I profess:  
But then for her, and now for thee, I from myself digress.  
Her loved I, (wretch that I am, a Recreant to be)  
I loved her, that hated love: but now I die for thee.  
At Kirkland is my Father's Court, and Curan is my name,  
In edel's Court sometimes in pomp, till Love controlled the same:  
But now. What now? dear heart how now? what ailest thou to weep?  
(The Damsel wept, and he was woe, and both did silence keep.)  
I grant, quoth she, it was too much, that you did love so much:  
But whom your former could not move, your second love doth touch.  
Thy twice beloved Argentile, submitteth her to thee:  
And for thy double love presents herself a single fee:  
In passion, not in person changed, and I my Lord am she.  
They sweetly surfecting in joy, and scylent for a space,  
When as the Ecstasy had end, did tenderly embrace:  
And for their Wedding, and their wish, got fitting time and place.  
Not England (for of Hengist than was named so this Land)  
Than Curan had an hardy Knight, his force could none withstand:  
Whose Shéephooke laid a part, he then had higher things in hand.  
First, making known his lawful claim in Argentile her right,  
He warred in Diria: and he won Brenitia too in fight:  
And so from treacherous edel took at once his life and Crown,  
And of Northumberland was King: long reigning in renown.   

CHAP. XXI.  

THe Saxons that, in these Descents, derive from Gods, and men,  
jove, Minos, Geta, Flokwald, Flyn, Fredwolfe, Fraeloffe, Woden,  
Each as I name them others Son, not only Conquer here,  
But with their wandering Armies spoil the World through out well near.  
The English Saxon Kings oppress the mightier ones the weak:  
Each trifling cause sufficing here, there love and leagues to break.  
One seizeth of his Neighbour's Realm, and is disseazd erelong:  
For Empire some, for Envy some, and some to right their wrong  
Contend unto their common loss, and some like like Monsters rain:  
As Sigbert, who for tyranny did banishment sustain.  
He wandered unbewayled long, a man whom men exempt  
From house, and help, pursuing him with capital contempt.  
Forlorn therefore, with drooping limbs, and dropping eyes, in vain,  
He friendless walks the fruitless Woods, and foodles did complain.  
A Swinheard meeting him by chance, and pitying his estate,  
Employed this Western King, unknown, on his affairs to wait.  
Nor did the needy King disdain such room, for such relief:  
An Under-Swinheardship did serve, he sought not to be chief.  
But when by speech, and circumstance, his Master understood  
His Servant was the sometimes King: blood cries (quoth he) for blood:  
My guiltless Master in thy pomp, thou Tyrant didst slay:  
Nor, unrevenged of his death, thou shalt escape away.  
With that he took a Libbat up, and beateth out his brains:  
And dead (so odious Tyrants be) not one for him complains.   

NOt all so ill, yet cause of worse unto the English state  
Was Osbret of Northumberland: his love did win him hate.  
Enamoured on Lord Buerns wife, as tired in the Chase,  
pns left the Hounds, and with a few dismounts at Buerns Place.  
Her Husband absent, heartily his Lady entertains  
The King, and feasts him royally, not sparing costs or pains.  
But he that feed on Fancies food, and hungered whilst he eats,  
Thought Venus' sparer in her Loves, than Ceres in her Meats.  
The Train and table voided, than he taking her apart,  
Directs her by his tongue and tears, unto his loving heart.  
Delay, he sayeth, breedeth doubts, but sharp denial death:  
Or do not long surcharge my bliss, or soon discharge my breath:  
For if my prayers add no edge unto thy begged doom,  
The Uintage of my thristles love is blasted in the bloom.  
Be favour able to my fire: for thy sweet sake, be bold,  
I durst attempt even Hell (if hell so sweet a thing might hold.)  
Well, think her coy, or think her chaste, my Censure I suspend:  
Most women yield not at the first, yet yield they in the end.  
She gave repulses to his lust, and he Replies of Love:  
Not all the wright's Diana had, might Cupid's Plaint remove.  
She countermaunding his demand, he ceased Courting now,  
And did with her by violence, what virtues disallow.  
And then departed, leaving her in self-conceit disgraced:  
More trespassed than some would think, and yet perhaps as chaste.  
Home came her Lord, whose Brows had buds, and found his wife in tears:  
And (foolish thing) she told a troth: for which revenge he swears.  
But so the Man did prove a Beast, he better might have hid it,  
Some such are mystically domme, yet dombly do forbid it:  
His wife's Escapes done secretly if by the man detected,  
Shows hilled bumps (supposed bumps) mere horns, not horns suspected.  
At Denmark in his Cousin's Court, he telleth of his wrong:  
And gains against his sovereign Lord, of Danes an Army strong.  
Hunger, and Hubba, and himself, Conductors of this Host,  
Did with their foreign Forces land, and spoil the Northern cost.  
The vicious valiant Osbret, that had vanquished ere then  
The King and Kingdom of the Scots, though wanting Arms & men,  
Thought scorn his Foes should beard him so, & bar him up in walls,  
And therefore issuing out of York, upon the Danes he falls.  
A bloody Bargain then begun, no fight might fearcer be,  
And of the Danish part were slain for every English three.  
But manhood lost, and number won, the Danes they got the field:  
And Osbret died valiantly, that not to live would yield.   

Mean while the Danes with fresh Supplies arrive at every Shore,  
And war almost in every Shire, infesting England sore.  
With whom courageous Etheldred contended long in vain,  
By them was he, King Ella, and the holly Edmond slain.  
Nothing was done, but all undone, till King Alured he  
In danger of his royal self did set his Subjects free:  
For every day, in every place, the Danes did so increase,  
That he nor any English King enjoy one day of peace.  
Nor mightier men at Arms than they, might any where be found:  
Who in their divers Wars elsewhere, did divers Realms confound:  
For as the Goths, the Vandals, Huns, and Saxons erst did range,  
So now the Danes did plague the world, as sent by interchange.  
This Western and victorious King, and greatest Monarch here,  
Perceiving of this spoiled Isle a toward Rewen near,  
Disguised like a Minstrel poor, did haunt the Danish Tents,  
And with his feats and melody the Enemy presents:  
And of their sloth, their gluttony, and Counsels privy so,  
He took advantage, giving them a sudden overthrow.  
And slayeth Hubba, Hunger, and the Cause of their repaer,  
And putteth all to Sword and Seas, that unbaptised be.  
Yet to Northumberland returned fierce Gurmond with the Danes,  
Mean time did King Alured die, the Hatchet of their Tranes.  
But Adelstane (one King betwixt) not only cleared the Land  
Of Danes, but of all England had sole Empire in his hand.  
Thus of this long dismembered Realm was he the only King:  
In which, till Egelred his reign, did prosper every thing.  
He reigning, much of England then the Lordly Danes did hold,  
Exacting Tributes every year, and selling Peace for Gold.  
And (which no doubt did hatch those Plagues) the King a wicked one,  
Did enter by his Brother's blood, extorting thus his Throne:   

KIng Edgar that subdued the Scots, and slaughtered the Danes,  
And of the Welsh had Tribute Wolves, of whom it more remanes  
That, as it were in Triumph-wise, Eight Underkings did roe  
Him, Sterns-man, on the River Dee, with divers honours more,  
This Edgar by a former wife had Edward, by an other  
This Egelred, a Son unto a kind and cruel Mother:  
For as she labours to prefer her own by well and ill,  
So to destroy her Son-in-law she wanted means, not will.  
And means did hit. King Edward hunts, and hunting lost his Train,  
Whom Man-les at her Castle Corfe the Queen did entertain.  
He having seen to whom he came in courtesy to see,  
Made haste away in Quest of them that still a Hunting be:  
And mounted, when he should depart to him his Stepdame drinks,  
Whom pledging, him an hireling stabbed, and lifeless down he sinks.  
Thus Egelred obtained the Crown, but for his crowning so  
His subjects grudge, and he became the Preface to their woe.  
For when this proud and vicious King, was neither loved of his,  
Nor lived safely for the Danes, his secret Edict is,  
That suddenly, in one self hour, throughout the Land should pass  
A common slaughter of the Danes, which so performed was:  
And Welwyn, called Wealth-wyn then for promptness in that charge,  
Beginning, other Towns as it themselves from Danes enlarge.    

CHAP. XXI.  

THis common Massacre of Danes, was common mirth to all  
The English, whom they did oppress with slaveries not small.  
Compelling men by grievous draft as Beasts to plough their Land,  
Of whom the English as of Gods, or Fiends, in terror stand.  
The Husband durst not use his Wife, if liked of a Dane,  
Nor House, nor Goods, nor aught he had, for who resistes was slain.  
That pranks and feedeth daintily, this pines and fareth ill,  
And of his Sweat that hath the sweet, and is imperious still.  
Each house maintained such a Dane, that so they might prevent  
Conspiracies, if any were, and grope how minds were bend:  
Lord Dane the same was called then, to them a pleasing name,  
Now odiously Lurdane say we, when idle Mates we blame.  
When Swayne the Dacian King did hear his Danes were murdered so,  
With bitter vows, he shipped his men for England's overthrow:  
And landing, spaerd no Shrine, nor Saint, nor Sex, nor any State,  
Not wanting Aiders Englishmen, that held their King in hate:  
Especially false Edricus the Admiral deceives  
His King, and Country oftentimes, and Bribes of Swain receives:  
And Egelred his cowardisse encouraged the Foe,  
Till Swain at length, by Masses great, was bribed hence to go.  
But, making short return, the Peers of England that disdain  
Th'indignities of such a King, that did féebly rain,  
Submit them Subjects unto Swain: and Egelred did fly  
Unto the father of his Queen, the Duke of Normandy:  
And Swain, possessed of the Land, did shortly after die.  
His son Canutus present here, had Seazen of the Crown,  
Till Egelred, returning back, by Armour puts him down.  
Who scarcely giveth breathing time, but that he back resayles  
From Denmark, and by force, by friends, and Fortune here prevails:  
For in this War King Egelred did sicken, and decease:  
And then the broils (Canutus King) did for a time decrease,  
Till Edmund, son of Egelred, did interrupt that peace.   

COnferring Arms to Edmund's age, when Egelred did lie  
On Deathbed, to his Son he said: not quite forlorn am I,  
Whose life hath had so much of grief, thus graciously to die.  
Add more, thy virtues glad my death, yet two things grieve among,  
To leave my Kingdom thus in Wars, and thee for Wars so young.  
So may these troubles waer to none, as thou dost wax I pray,  
And so possess thy father's Seat, that all approve thy Sway.  
Not to be made a King (my Son) is so to make thee proud,  
For mildness fitteth Majesty, high minds are disaloude.  
See me thy father now a King, and by and by but earth,  
Nor think that every King hath hap to die a happy death.  
Let Nature for perfection mould a Paragon each way,  
Yet Death at least, on finest lumps of living flesh will pray:  
For Nature never framed it, that never shall decay.  
The bravest are as Blossoms, and the longest Liver dies,  
And dead, the lovelest Creature as the lothsomst Carrion lies.  
Then think not but that Kings are men, and as the rest miscarry,  
Save that their fame or infamy continually doth tarry.  
Deem past Examples Sentences, and (which did fail in me)  
Make use of those not now in use, for now will cease to be.  
Attempt not things beyond thy reach, join Fortune to thy will:  
Lest Phoebus' Chair do else surcharge rash Phaoton his skill.  
If Fortune help whom thou wouldst hurt, fret not at it the more:  
When Ajax stormed, then from him the Prize Ulysses bore.  
Try friends by Touch, a feeble friend may prove thy strongest Foe:  
Great Pompey's head to Caesar's hand it was betrayed so.  
Admit thou hadst Pactolian waves, to land thee Gold at will,  
Know, Croesus did to Cyrus kneel, and thou mayst speed as ill.  
Abandon lust, if not for sin, yet to avoid the shame:  
So Hogs of Ithacus his men the Latian Witch did frame.  
Be not to modie in thy wrath, but pause though Fist be bend:  
Oft philip's Son did rashly strike, and leisurly repent.  
Content thee with unthreatned Mean, and play not Aesop's Dog:  
The Gold that gentle Bacchus gave, was greedy Midas' Clog.  
Be valiant, not to venturous, but fight to fight again:  
Even Hercules did hold it odds, for one to strive with twain.  
Be not ambitiously a King, nor grudgingly decline:  
One God did root out Cis his stock, and raise up Jesse's line.  
jest not with edge tools, suffer Saints, let mighty Fools be mad:  
Note, Seneca by Nero's doom, for Precepts penance had.  
Have care to whom, of whom, and what to speak, though speech be true,  
That Miss made Phoebus contrary his Ravens Swanlike hue.  
He frameth torments to himself, that feeds a Tyrant's vain:  
Perillus was by Phalaris adjudged to selfe-taught pain.  
Praise not the beauty of thy wife, though she of form be sped:  
For Gyges, moved so, did grafted on Candaules his head.  
Shun jealousy that hartbreake Love, if Cat will go to kind:  
Be sure that Io hath a mean that Argus shallbe blind.  
Commit not Treasure with thy Child to greedy minded men:  
Thou leavest Polydore a Spoil, to Polymnestor then.  
Occurrants give occasions still of like, in which be sure  
To serve thy God, to save thyself, and well to all procure.  
Be virtuous, and assure thyself thou canst not then but thrive:  
In only Virtue is it said that men themselves survive.  
As for the vicious, such they are as is the heedless Fly,  
That kills itself, and hurts his sight, that hath her in his Eye.  
Farewell my Son: England farewell, thy never happy Prince  
Doth take his leave, an happy leave, if taken so long since.  
And, Edmund (burying not with me thy virtues, nor my speech)  
I bless thee in his blessed name whom I of bless beseech,  
Said Egelred: and shortly gave a quiet gasp or twain,  
And being dead, his noble Son succeeded him in Rain.   

THis like himself, even knightlike and an Englishman in deed,  
Did quicken England's quailing prows, and Mars-like did proceed.  
A braver Captain than was he not any Band might have:  
And yet a Mars did match this Mars, Canutus was as brave.  
These Wonders of that age for Arms, and Dirij of those days,  
Did often battle, equally to either's loss and prays.  
Now after many bloody Fields, when none might estimate  
The better or the worse part, a Knight that saw the state  
Then present, and by likelihoods presaged what might fall,  
Said (hearing it the differing Kings and Soldiers almost all:)  
We ever war, and never win, Edmund hath Fortitude,  
Canutus Fortune, neither thus of other is subdued.  
Death fears not us, nor for their lives our Contraries do crare:  
It follows then, that all must die, where all so desperate are.  
If all be slain, than who shall serve our Princes that survive?  
Or fence out Forrens? better one, than none of both should thrive.  
To thrive therefore, were not amiss, that seeing one of twain  
Will Owner all, that only they the quarrel do maintain.  
Or if Combattansie not please, the Land is rich and large,  
And they Coperciners may live, and us of death discharge.  
If Combat nor Partition be, then will this War revive,  
Till one, surviving all of us, wants one with whom to strive.  
This said, the Kings did mark and make a profit of the same,  
And did conclude by Combacie to lose or win the Game.  
Within a little Island near, round which the Armies stand,  
The Kingly Champions try their force, by fight hand to hand.  
They spur their Horses, break their Spears, and beat at Barriars long,  
And then, dismounting, did renew a Battle brave and strong.  
Whilst either King thus Martially defends, and did offend,  
They breathing, King Canutus said: we both I see shall end,  
Ere Empire shall begin to one: then be it at thy choice,  
To fight, or part. With it their Knights cry out with common voice,  
Divide most valiant Kings divide, enough ye have of sight:  
And so the Champions did embrace, forgetting Malice quite.  
Partition equally was made betwixt these Princes twain,  
And brotherlike they live and love: till by a deulish train,  
Earl Edricus, a Traitor to the Father and the Son,  
Did murder Edmund: and his head (supposing to have won  
The favour of Canutus so) presenting said (O King)  
For love of thee I thus have done. Amazed at the thing,  
Canutus said, and for that thou hast headed him for me,  
Thy head above all English heads exalted it shall be:  
The Earl was headed, and his head poolde up for all to see.  
Of England, Dansk, and Norway, than Canut was perfect Lord,  
And in his triple Regment all with virtue did accord.  
harold, and Hardiknought his Sons, each did succeed:  
Of either which small certain Fame of well or ill we reed,  
Save, by their reins, to Englishmen did grievous thraldom breed:  
But after Hardiknought his death, the Danes were chased hence,  
Not intermeddling with the State of England ever sense.    

CHAP. XXII.  

OF foresaid Egelred his Sons, Alured, and his brother,  
Was Edward King: (for Goodwyns guile had made away that other.)  
Religious, chaste, wise, fortunate, stout, frank, and mild, was he:  
And from all Taxes, wrongs, and Foes, did set his Kingdom free.  
By overruling of his Lords, entreating long the same,  
Lest, dying Issueless, he leave succession out of frame,  
He took to Queen a Damsel fair: howbeit, by consent,  
In vows of secret chastity their loving lives they spent.  
The Father of this Mayden-wife in sitting by the King,  
And seeing one that stumbled, but not falling, up did spring,  
He laughing said, the brother there the brother well hath eased,  
(His meaning was the Stumblers Feet.) And, hadst thou so pleased,  
So had my Brother, quoth the King, been easing unto me.  
The traitorous Earl took bread and said, so this digested be  
As I am guiltless of his death: these words he scarcely spoke,  
But that in presence of the King the bread did Goodwin choke.  
harold his son, by Hardi-knoghts late daughter him survives,  
He, crossed by contrary winds, in Normandy arrives.  
There Goodwyns Son did take an oath, Duke William urging so,  
To keep unto the Duke his use, when Edward hence should go,  
The Crown of England: claiming by Adoption, and by blood,  
But harold, after Edward's Death, not to his promise stood.  
And for he was in wealth, in friends, in blood, and Armour strong,  
And title had his Mother's right, he forced not the wrong:  
But arming him against the Duke, so urged unto wrath,  
Did seize the Crown unto himself, contrary to his Oth.  
Whilst William therefore works for War, King harold had not rest,  
For Harolde Hare-foote King of Danes and Norway's, much oppressed  
The English with his pusant Bands. But harold him assails,  
And, after fierce and doubtful fight, most valiantly prevails:  
And with the Norgayne Prince he slew his people almost all:  
When, for division of the Spoil, did much contention fall  
Betwixt the King and Englishmen: and many a noble Knight  
Not only murmur and malinge, but did forsake him quite.  
Such malice growing, William with his normans taking land,  
Found hot-spurr harold priest in Arms, his pusance to withstand:  
And either Battle Marshaled as either Captain wild,  
The King of England eagerly the Normane Host beheld,  
And with his cheerful speeches thus his men with courage filled.  
See (valiant Warr-friends) yonder be the first, the last, and all  
The Agents of our Enemies: they henceforth cannot call  
Supplies: for weeds at Normandy by this in Porches grow:  
Then Conquer these would Conquer you, and dread no further Foe.  
They are not stouter than the Brutes, whom we did hence exile:  
Nor stronger than the sturdy Danes, our victory erewhile:  
Not Saxony could once contain, or scarce the world beside  
Our Fathers, who did sway by Sword where listed them to bide.  
Then do not ye degenerate, take courage by descent,  
And by their burials, not abode, their force and flight prevent.  
Ye have in hand your Country's cause, a Conquest they pretend,  
Which (were ye not the same ye be) even Cowards would defend.  
I grant that part of us are flayed and linked to the Foe,  
And glad I am our Army is of Traitors cleared so:  
Yea pardon hath he to depart, that slayeth Mal-content:  
I prise the mind above the man, like zeal hath like event.  
Yet troth it is, no well or ill this Island ever had,  
But through the ill or well Support of Subjects good or bad.  
Not Caesar, Hengist, Swain, or now (which ne'ertheless shall fail)  
The Normane Bastard (Albion true) did, could, or can prevail.  
But to be selfe-false in this Isle a selfe-Foe ever is,  
Yet, wots I, never Traitor did his Treason's Stipend mis.  
Shrink who will shrink, let Armours wait press down the burdened Earth,  
My Foes with wondering eyes shall see I overprize my death.  
But since ye all (for all, I hope, alike affected be,  
Your Wives, your Children, lives, and Land, from Servitude to free)  
Are armed both in show and zeal, then gloriously contend.  
To win and wear the home-brought Spoils, of victory the end.  
Let not the Skinner's daughter's Son possess what he pretends,  
He lives to die a noble death that life for freedom spends.  
As harold heartened thus his men, so did the Normane his:  
And, looking wishly on the Earth, Duke William speaketh this.  
To live upon, or lie within, this is my Ground or Grave,  
(My loving Soldiers) one of twain your Duke resolves to have.  
Nor be ye normans now to seek in what ye should be stout,  
Ye come amidst the English Pikes to hew your Honours out,  
Ye come to win the same by Lance, that is your own by law,  
Ye come, I say, in rytious War revenging Swords to draw.  
Howbeit of more hardy Foes no passed Fight hath speed ye,  
Since Rollo to your now Abode with Bands victorious lead ye,  
Or Turchus, Son of Troyelus, in Scythian Fazo bread ye.  
Then worthy your Progenitors ye Seed of Priam's Son  
Exploit this business: Rollons do that as ye wish be done.  
Three People have as many times got and foregone this Shore,  
It resteth now ye Conquer it, not to be Conquered more:  
For Normane and the Saxon Blood conjoining, as it may,  
From that consorted Seed the Crown shall never pass away.  
Before us are our armed Foes, behind us are the Seas,  
On either side the Foe hath Holds of succour, and for ease.  
But that Advantage shall return their Disadvantage thus,  
If ye observe no Shore is left, the which may shelter us,  
And so hold out amidst the Rough, whilst they hael in for Lée,  
Whereas, whilst men securely sail, not seldom Shipwrecks be,  
What should I cite your passed Acts, or tediously incense  
To present Arms? your faces show your hearts conceive offence:  
Yea even your Courages divine a Conquest not to fail:  
Hope then your Duke doth Prophesy, and in that hope prevail.  
A People brave, a terren Heaven, hath Objects wroth your Wars  
Shall be the Prizes of your Prows, and mount your fame to Stars.  
Let not a traitors perjured Son extrude us from our right:  
He dies to leave a famous life, that doth for Conquest sight.  
By this the furious Battles join, a bloody day to either,  
And long they fight, the victory inclining unto neither:  
At length the English had the odds, who keeping close array,  
Unto the Duchy Forces gave no entrance any way.  
Then feigning fear, and Martially retiring as oppressed,  
The English so became secure, and follow on dispersed.  
To which advantage, furiously the normans did return,  
And got a bloody victory. In vain the English spurn  
Amidst the Pikes against the prick: King harold then was slain:  
From him began the normans sole, but soon conjoined rain:  
For second Henry, Mawde her Son, freed England's blood again.  
Since whence (and ever may they so) that Offspring ruled us:  
Of whose Conjunction in the Crown, the Genalogue is thus:  
King Edmund Irne side Issue had Edward the Our-law: he  
Had Margaret: Mawde by Mancholyn the King of Scots had she:  
Mawde to the Conqueror his Son first Henry Mawde did bear:  
This second Mawde, the Angeos wife, had second Henry heir.   

EDward, King Harold's Preregnant, of this same Change foretold,  
Who present, and succeeding times thus dying did unfold:  
It is a World, to note (quoth he) the ways that men adore,  
And how Hippocrasie hath bred of Godlike devils stoer,  
That speak to seem, that seem to shift, that shift to spoil by guile,  
That smooth, and sooth, and yet deceive with Scriptum est mean while:  
But let them heave their hands to Heaven, they have their hire in Hell,  
That seem devout to cloak deceit, and say, but do not well.  
The Rich are reckless in their wills, their liking is for law:  
The Poor repine, and Goods not theirs, by idle Shiftings claw.  
The Lords and Landed over-rent, and cunningly the same  
The Parasite doth overreach, and bears away the game.  
One riseth by an others fall, and some do climb so fast,  
That in the Clouds they do forget what Esymates they have passed.  
But Egell-winged minds that fly to nestle in the Sun,  
Their lofty heads have leaden heels, and end where they begun.  
It is a common point on which the aged grossly run,  
Once to have dared, said, and seen, more than was ever done.  
The Youth are foolishhardie, or less hardy than they ought,  
Effeminate, fantastical, in few, not few are nought.  
At Cypris not the wanton Saint, nar yet her wily Son,  
Did want their Orgies: nor at Rome did Vesta lack her Nun:  
The Lampsacens gave Priapus his filthy Rites: and Create  
To jove his Bulls: and Cicilie to Ceres tithed Wheat:  
The Thracians with their Bachinales did Lybers' Temple fill:  
And Italy did blood of Babes on Satur's Altars spill:  
And fatal wreaths of myrtle boughs were sacred unto Dys:  
In few, there was no pagan God his Sacrifice did miss:  
But Englishmen, nay Christian men, not only seem prophayne,  
But Man to Man, as Beast to Beast, holds civil duties vain.  
Yea Pulpits some, like peddlers packs yield forth as men affect,  
And what a Synod shall conclude a souter will correct.  
The rude thus hosting Literature, one schism begets an other,  
And grossly though a schism, yet hath each Sismatike his Soother.  
Mean while the learned want their Méede, and none with profit hears  
The tedious Dolt, whose artless tongue doth preach to weary Ears.  
Here could I enter in a Field of Matter more then much:  
But guess that all is out of frame, and long time hath been such,  
And what shallbe let time disclose. This only will I touch:  
A Green Tree cut from withered Stock, divided Furlongs three  
From proper Root, it shall rejoin, and after fruitful be:  
Thus said the King. And thus do some expound that prophesy:  
The Tree this Land, the Stock and Root the thralled English line:  
King Harold, and the William's twain, the Furlongs some define:  
Henry the Normane that begot one Mawde his English Queen,  
Mawde second Henry's Mother, was the Trees Return to green.   

KIng Stephen first, though not so firm, did in this Turn proceed▪  
But second Henry perfectly restalled Wodens Seed.  
Nor superstitiously I speak, but . H. the Letter still  
Might be observed ominous to England's good or ill.  
First Hercules, Hesione, and Helen, were the cause  
Of War to Troy, AEneas seed becoming so Outlaws.  
Humbar the Hun, with foreign Arms did first the Brutes invade.  
Helen to Rome's imperial Throne the British Crown convaed:  
Hengist and Horsus first did plant the saxons in this Isle.  
Hunger and Hubba first brought Danes that swayed here long while.  
At Harolde had the Saxone end, at Hardiknought the Dane.  
Henry's the first and second did restore the English Rain.  
Henry Letigious Lancaster and York unites in peace.  
Henry the Eight did happily Rome's Erreligion cease.  
Much more escapes this Catalogue. In Honour God increase  
Good double . H. this works Defence, her Council and Ally  
That ruleth us, and safe may rule long after I shall die.    
FINIS.   

¶ An Addition, or Remain in Prose, to the Second Book of ALBION'S ENGLAND: containing a Breviat of the true History of AENEAS.  
ACcept him (friendly Reader) where he is, not where he ought: and as he speaketh, not as he should: misapplied he is not for Matter preceadent, howsoever the penning or misplacing may like or mislike for the English or Order. The Printers forwardness presented me of seating AEneas in his 〈…〉 I the Task to prosecute his History in Verse: howbeit rather hath my Remissness borrowed of Decorum and your patience, then that a Patriarch of our Brutones should be obruptly estranged. Of AEneas therefore it thus followeth:  

AEneidos.  
WHen the revengeful Flames of Troy, properly called Ilium, the then Metrapolitaine City of Asia, had perfected the more than Ten yearrs Siege of the Grecians expugning the same: then AEneas (howsoever by some authorities noted of disloyalty towards Priam) in this not unworthily surnamed virtuous, burdning his armed Shoulders with his feeble and most aged Father Anchises, that laboured also under his Loode of the Trojan Gods & sacred Relics, AEneas (as I say) with such his Burden, leading by the hand his Son Ascanius, of the age of twelve years, followed not only of the beautiful Creusa his wife, the Daughter of King Priam, but also of a many Trojans participating that common calamity, broke through the wasteful Flames, maugre the wrathful Foes, into the fields of Phrigia. There the Air emptied of downe-burnt Turrets, and filled with smoke of fixed Buildings, assured from their hearts more tears to their eyes, than the benefit of their present Escape could promise them comfort.  
Troy therefore not to be rescued, or Creusa, in this business lost and perishing, to be recovered, AEneas and his Followers embarking themselves in Simois, after long and weary Seafaring, arrived in a part of Thrace called Cressa, bounding on Mygdonia. Here AEneas purposing an end of his tedious sailings, and not meanly furnished of Treasure conveyed from Troy, laid Foundation of a City, after the Founder, called AEnea. This City going forward less effectually then was expected, AEneas supposing the Gods to be yet opposite to the Trojans, knocking down a milk-white Bull, pitched an Altar to do Sacrifice. near at hand were growing ultiers shrubbed Trees, the Boughs whereof, for the greater reverence and exornation of the present Solempnetie, he cutting and sliving down, perceived blood in great abundance issewing from the broken Branches: whereat long admiring, and with great terror and devotion intercessing the Gods, on his knees, to reveal the meaning of that miraculous Accident, at the length he heard a pitiful and feeble voice (for diversly, in those days, did the devils answer and give Oracles) thus answering.  
Reason were it (AEneas) that the Graves of the dead should privilege their bodies from the tyranny of the living: but by so much the less do I esteem my prejudice, by how much the more I know thee unwittingly injurious. Thou tearest AEneas, in these Branches thou tearest, the body of thy unfortunate Brotherinlawe Polydore, Son to the like starred Priamus. Troy as yet was only threatened, not besieged, when my Father (as thou knowest) delivered me with a world of Treasure to Polymnestor the barbarous King of this Country: here dangerless (as he pretended) to abide, as the Conseruor and restoration of his House & Empire, whatsoever should betide of him, his other Issue, or the wars beginning. But the Greeks prevailing, Auerice, and the declining State of Phrigia, emboldened my Garden (fearless of Revengers) to the murdering of me: which he traitorously accomplishing on this Shore, secretly raked me up in these Sands, without honour of better Sepulchre: and of my body (so hath it peased the Gods, and Nature) are sprung these Branches, in tearing of which thou tormentest me. Howbeit, in respect of my desire to profit thee by foretelling of thy Destiny, I account me happily harmed: For know (AEneas) that in vain thou dost build, where the Gods deny thine abode: leave therefore these defamed Costs, and prosperously plant the Remain of Troy, and thy Posterity, in the fertile Italian Clime.  
The voice thus ceased to speak, and AEneas, without further touch of the forbidden Shrubs, continuing his fear finished the Sacrifice, and after the Phrygian fashion solemnly held an Obits to the ghost of his murdered kinsman.  
THen by this admonishment, he and his trojans leaving the new reared City, disanker from Thrace in quest of behighted Italy. But no sooner had they put to Sea, then that the winds and the waves sollycited (a Poetical fiction) by the wife of jupiter, so tossed and turmoiled the disparcled Navy, that the horror of the circumstances, continually threatening their lives, left only hoped for death as the remain of all comfort. At length, these instruments of their long wanderings, and the causes of Anchises, and of many noble personages, their perishing, counterpleaded (as is fabled) by Venus, tossed their distackled Fleet to the shore of Libya.  
Near to the place of their arrival, stood the beautiful City of Carthage, which Elisa (whom the Phaenicians for her magnanimous dying, did afterwards name Dido) had newly builded: AEneas by a safe conduct received from her, repairing thither, found such royal entertainment, that in respect of the present solace, he had forgotten all passed sorrows, and his hart-spent Troyans', found bountiful supplies to all their late endured scarsities.  
In the meanwhile AEneas for parsonage the jovilist, for wellspoken the Mercurilist, and no less fortunate under Venus her constellation, with his comeliness so enticed the eyes, with his speeches so enchanted the ears, & with his virtues so inflamed the heart of the amorous Carthagian Queen, that hardly modesty dissented, that her tongue affirmed not the love, which her eyes outwardly blabbed, and her heart inwardly nourished. In th'end, not able longer to contain such extraordinary Passions, in this order she vented the same to the Lady Anna her Sister.  
My trusty Sister, quoth she, (then sighing out a pause) how many great Princes, since the decease of my late husband Sichaeus, and our departure from Tyrus, have in vain laboured a marriage with me, hath been unto thee no less apparent, then of me hitherto unapproved. But now (haled on I know not by what destiny) our newcome Guest AEneas the Trojan, whose matchless parsonage and knightly prowess I partially commend not, all confirming of him, no less than I can affirm, the same, even the same hath supplanted my chaste determinations of continual widowhood, with an amorous desire of a second marriage: howbeit, to determine without him, as I must, were to be deceived of him, as I may. What counsel? Myself (Anna) ah myself to motion love were immodesty, and to be silent less tolerable than death. I would (a violent no volentarie wish) that Elisa knew herself beloved of AEneas, AEneas not knowing himself so loved of Elisa.  
Her Sister with a cheerful countenance promising comfort, performed the same in this answer. Dum signs (quoth she) have their speeches: not any that observeth your looks, but easily aimeth at your love: greater is the wonder of your strict chastity, than it would be a novel to see you a Bigama: that privately peevish and curious, this publicly, common and commodious. Or ever Carthage be perfected in the air, Elisa may putrefy in the earth: What Monument then leavest thou to thy Tyrians, scarce warm in Africa, than a cities imperfect foundation? Which being already an eyesore to the wild and warlike Libyans, Barchaes, Getulians, and the rest of the Africans, shall then be utterly extinct, with the very name of the Foundress. But in matching with so great and valiant a Prince as is AEneas, thou shalt not only live with whom thou dost love, and by consorting thy Tyrians with his Troyans', strongly disappoint the envy of those Nations, but (for Nature hath not given thee such beauty to die barren) being a wife, become (no doubt) a mother, and by legistimat propagation so glad thy Subjects fearless of civil dissensions. Who can then dislike that Elisa should so love? Bury Sister the thoughts of Sichaeus with his dead bones, and prosperously prosecute and prevail in thy sweet passions of AEneas. Ply him with all provisions and amorous entertainments, only for his Shippe-workes sayne dilatory wants: and by Winter be past, he partly coming will (fear not) be perfectly reclaimed. This counsel of Anna, though it heaped as it were Athos on AEtna, yet was it praised and practised of Elisa: for Counsel soothing the humour of the counseled, howsoever unprofitable, is accounted plausable. Henceforward the Queen to be admired, not matched for her exquisite beauty, and rather borrowing of Art then scanting Nature, as brave in apparel, as beautiful in person, and voted, even in her better part, to the love of AEneas, so sorted all her devices to his best liking, that shortly himself laboured with her in one and the self same pain of wished for pleasure. omitting therefore the circumstances of their discourses, feastings, and all Poetical feignings, only proceed we, in few, to the Event of these their amorous Beginnings.  
A hunting was generally appointed: the Queen, AEneas, their Ladies, and Knights bravely mounted: the Stands were prewned: the Toils pitched: the Hounds uncopled: the Game roused a foot, and followed: when suddenly amidst the harbourless Desert in the hottest pursuit, the Sky, overcast with black Clouds, shewred down such flashes of lightning, volleys of Thunder, hailstones, and Rain, that glad was every of the Tyrians and Troyans', dispersing themselves, to shift for one, Elisa and AEneas, in the meanwhile, finding a Cave that sheltered them twain. Being there all alone, unknown of, and unsought for of their Servants. Opportunity the chief Actrisse in all attempts, gave the Plaudiat in Love his Comedy. Imagine short wooing where either party is▪ willing: their faiths plighted for a marriage to be solemnized (with kind kisses among) he did what harmed not, and she had what displeased not: A young AEneas should have been moulded, had he not been marred (as might seem) in the making. When this sweet Calm in the sharp storm, was with the Tempest thus overpassed, then came they both out, not such as they entered in: & were received of their Trains, attending their pleasures, not examining their pastimes: and so having continued the Chase, until night discontinued their sport, they retiring to Carthage, were sumptuously feasted of Elisa in her Palace. During these their Altion days (not generally liked of all) one there was, a Noble Trojan, that had these speeches to AEneas.  
Shouldest thou believe (far be it from AEneas so to believe) that the Oracles of our Gods, behighting us the Conquest of Italy, were superstitious, then believe also (undeceived mayst thou so believe) that our effeminate abode here is vain and slanderous: to attempt that former without an Oracle, yea with the loss of our lives, is honourable, because we are trojans: to entertain this latter, invited and dangerless, reproachful, because we are Troyans'. Ah (AEneas) have we shipped our Gods from home, to be witnesses of our wantonness here? Believe me, better had it been we had died in Phrygia men, then to live thus in Africa like women. Consider also the place whereinto we are now brought, and then conceive of the possibility of our here abode: shall I tell thee, were there not (if in the mean while no other Accident cross thy now bliss) were there not I say, an Elisa here to love thee, or were there not an AEneas to be beloved of her, no sooner should the first deceased of you be delivered of life, than the survivors of us Troyans' be denied this Land: and then, if we should prove so ungrateful as to resist our Relevors, yet having number we want Munition: for neither our ships be tackled, nor we armed, but at the delivery and appointment of the Tyrians. Learn therefore (AEneas) after so long pleasure in love, at the last profitably and politicly to love: and whatsoever thy play be in Africa, let henceforth the Main be Italy. Meanwhile command (most humbly we desire to be so commanded) that thy ships be secretly caulked, tallowed, ballaced, tackled, victled, and armed: and then (thy self also reform) wittingly or unwillingly to Elisa leave her and her effeminate City: with resolution nevertheless (if thou so please) at more leisure to love her. So effectually did AEneas listen to this motion, that giving order for the readiness and secret repairing of his Fleet, he promised a speedy and sudden departure: and his men not slipping opportunities, executed the same with as effectual diligence.  
It happened in this meanwhiles, the Queen to mount the high Turrets of her Palace royal, where looking towards the Rhode, she perceived how earnestly the Troyans' laboured in trimming, pavashing, and furnishing their Navy: then assuring herself not deceived, that she should be deceived, and descending as it were majestically mad, meeting with AEneas, she said.  
Before (AEneas) I beheld thy shypwracks and wants, I believed some God arrived at Carthage: yea when I knew thee but a man, yet hath my conceit honoured thee with a Deity: but now these thy inhuman Treacheries, not worthy the unworthiest Titles, argue so far of from a Godhood, as thou showest thyself less than a Man, and worse than a Devil. What hath Carthage not worthy AEneas? I assure thee, if any be so much, no City is more happy than Carthage. But the Queen pleaseth not AEneas: oh that AEneas had not pleased the Queen: then might I have bettered my choice for honour, or not have bewailed thy change for the dishonour. But (ungrateful) wilt thou indeed leave me? yea, then that thou meanest the contrary nothing more false, but to derive thy departure from any desert of mine, nothing less true. If therefore the life of Elisa, the love of Elisa, the land of Elisa, her wealth, thy want, her tears, thy vows, her distress, thy dishonour, the delights of this Shore, the dangers of those Seas, Carthage possessed, Italy unconquered, peace without war here, war without peace there, thy wracks past, the Winter to come, any evils whereof I warn thee, any good that I have wrought thee, and more good that I have wished thee, if any thing said, or more than I can say, hath or doth want Argument to seat thee in Africa, yet at the least for thine own safety, stay a more temperate season: urging in the meanwhile excuses, for thine unurged departure: and so I flattered, shall either patiented myself, or repent thy fleeting in a milder Ecstasy. I did (well may I forethink me so to have done) entertain thee beyond the degree of an Hostess, or the dignity of a Guest: and yet (ungrateful Guest to so kind an Holtis) for such welcome thou hast not pretended a farewell. Thus alas finding thy love less than it ought, I repent to have loved more than I should: and because thou appearest not the same thou wert, I am not reputed the same I am: but as the byworde of the Tyrians, the stale of the Troyans', and the scorn of the Africans, howbeit (in truth) the fayth-plyghted Wife of faithless AEneas. But who will so believe? nay believe not so who will, thy departure shall be my death, my death thy sin, thy sin the worlds speech, the worlds speech thy reproof, and thy reproof my purgation: for were thyself juror and judge of the more offensive, my credulencie, or thine inconstancy, the juror could not but give Uerdict for Elisa, and the judge sentence against AEneas: then (if not for my suit) yet for thine own sake, let me not plead tediously, and without grace, that plead so truly, and with more grief then for the quantity I may suffer, or for the quality thou canst censure.  
AEneas, not lightly gauled at her impatience, whom he still loved more than a little, howbeit lesser than his now regard of honour, thankfully acknowledged her great bounty, counterpleading to have pretended a departure without leave taken, vouching moreover the displeasure of his Gods for contempt of their Oracles, manifested by fearful Dreams and sundry visions, as also the urging of his trojans impatient of tarriance: so that he resting in Resolution, not to be won by wooing, or reclaimed by exclaiming, the Queen became spéechles and senseless, and was in a swoon conveyed from his presence: In which business he boarding his ships, in the dead of night hoisting up sails, left Carthage to seek Italy.  
THe Queen, not capable of any rest, by day appearing descried from a Turret the Rhode cleared of the Trojan Navy: than not willingly silent, nor able to speak, she stood as stood Niobe, after the fouretéenth revenge by Latona's Issue. Which her then, and after Extremities, to be glanced at, not judged of, briefly I thus decyfer: Imagine, (for unimagined, unacted) a substantial, & palpable appearance of Love, Wroth, Sorrow, and Despair, acting in their aptest habits, and extremest passions, and then suppose Elisa not only the same, but more fervently loving, more furiously wrathful, more confusedly sorrowful, and more impatiently desprett. Imagine lastly the first three imagined Actors, after long parts occupied, leaving the Stage to the fourth, as to the perfectest Imperfection: and then from such imagined Stratagem attend this actual Catastropha.  
A Wyzarde or witch (the too common Oracles of many too credulent women) had instructed the Queen, that an Emollation or burnt Sacrifice offered to the infernal Deities, of the Armour, Ornaments, and all what soever the Relics of AEneas, left behind him at his departure from Carthage, would effectually estrange the outrage of her passions, and extinct in her the very remembrance of AEneas. This Counsel (either for that at the first she believed it possible, or for that opportunity so offered itself to practise the thing she did purpose) Elisa entertaining, opened the same to Anna her Sister: who simply, unsuspitious of the sequel, provided secretly as was given her in charge, a pile of dry Faggots, crowned with Garlands for the dysmall Sacrifice: which, and Elisa herself in a readiness, AEneas his Armour being her eyes Object became in this wise her tongues Subject.  
With this quoth she (eyeing the Armour) the craking Trojan boasted to have buckled with the gallant Diomedes, not seldom to have offended the defenclesse Grecians, and after many loned blows at the sacking of Troy, valiantly to have boordded his thence-bent Navy: this Armour profitable to my prejudice, there defensive to him, to be here offensive to me, were it unnecessary to this Sacrifice, should nevertheless burn for the same trespass. This Cup, this Phrygian Cup, too guilty of too many Tyrian draughts, Assystaunts in forming me audatiously amorous, shall now occupy these cerimonial flames, as the then Accessary to a contrary fire. These Bracelets, and these earrings, by too often and offentious hands fastened, and loosed, with begged and granted kisses among, and now less precious by the giver his practice, shall also add Cinders to the repentant payment of mine overrated pleasure. Lastly are remaining only two Relics of that Recreant, this Sword, and Elisa herself. But what? didst thou (AEneas) leave this, and thine Armour in Carthage, as if in Italy thou shouldest encounter an other Elisa? inconsiderate that thou art, albeit such fearless Conflicts best beseem such effeminate Captains, yet no Climate can afford thee one so foolish, and therefore in no Country expect such Fortune. The Storm (ah from thence are these tears) sheltering us twain lately in one Cave, was (no doubt) ominous to these evils: for than should I have remembered, that like as Shelters are chiefly sought for in Storms, so men labour our favours only in extremities: but their lusts satisfied, or wants supplied, as of Shelters in Sunne-shyne they estimat our bounty, leaving thenceforth even to seem such as (in troth) they never were: but what is natural is of necessity, only let it be granted, he is a Man, and it followeth necessarily he is deceitful. Fly Traitor, AEneas fly, unfollowed and unfriended of Elisa: ever may the winds be contrary to thy Course, and the Seas not promise thee one hours safety: ever be thy Ship drowning, and thyself never but dying: often resail in a moment, whence thou wert sailing a month: let no blast from the Air, or Billow in the Sea, stir but to thy prejudice: and when no horror and mishap hath failed thee, with thy dead body to the uttermost plagued, perish also may thy Soul unpardoned. But lest mine incharitie prove less pardonable than his Injury, I that will not live to hear it so, heartily disclaim to have it so: pardon therefore ye Gods me desiring it, and him deserving it. Troth is it, this one Sacrifice shall give end to mine infinite sorrows: but not (alas) with these burnings rather found guilty of new beginnings, but with my heart's blood, the latest Ceremony wanting to this Exquisie. Scarcely had these words passed her mouth, when with AEneas his Sword she pierced her Breast: so performing on herself a Tragedy sought for, and to hers a terror unlooked for.  
WHilst Dido (so named of this her death, or, as have some not less probable of so preventing Hiarbas, minacing her marriage) was thus passionate, & did thus perish, AEneas after weary Seafaring, much sorrow many people and places seen and sailed from, arriving in Sicily, was joyfully entertained of his ancient friend King Acestes: and there (as the year before, at Drepaum) did solemnize an anniversary, at the Tomb of his father Anchises. The Masteries, feats, and active pastimes, tried here by the Trojan and Cicilian youth, with land & sea Skirmidges by running, riding, leaping, shooting, wrestling, and such like, with Bacing on foot and on horseback: this last a sport lately used of our English youths, but now peevishly perhaps, unpoliticly I am sure discontinued: Or how the Women of Troy (where of many were also imbarcked from thence) tired with the perils of the Sea, and enticed with the pleasures of Sicily, to prevent further sailing fired their Ships, not without great loss rescued: Or how AEneas building there the City Acesta, peopled the same with his women, and impotent Troyans': Or of the drowning, and Revise of Palinurus: & many Occurrants happening here, at Cuma, Caieta, and elsewhere I omit, as less pertinent than the hastening of AEneas into Italy.  
Wherefore shipping him from Sicily, I now land him in Latium: in which part of Italy reigned and was Resident in his City Laurentum the King Latinus, to whom AEneas addressed a hundred Knights, one of them delivering this Ambasie.  
Ignorant are we not most gracious King (for in that Title art thou famous, and in that trial may we prove fortunate) of thy Consanguinity with the Troyans', by noble discentes from Dardanus our ancient Progenitor: neither canst thou but know that Troy is sacked, and her people for the most part slaughtered: only know, (if already thou know'st it not) that AEneas our Duke, with a few his Followers, hitherto reserved to more infortunes, after more than seven years sailing, are lastly (and luckily I hope) arrived in thy Country. Howbeit of many unpeopled places, for pleasure and fertility most worthy manuring, have we abandoned the quiet possession: yea many the greatest Princes of Europe and Africa, have voluntarily desired our tarriance denied: only infinite Seas have we sailed, and more sorrows sustained to seek this Clime, from whence we Troyans' derive our originals, and whether our Gods have directed us by their Oracles. This thy Country in respect of the bigness, may easily afford room for a new Troy to be builded: A plot more spacious we do not ask, A smaller suit thou canst not grant, if with our present extremities thou also peise our purposed loyalties. Never were we thy foes, & ever will we continued thy friends. Seated we must be, and here we would be. We dare not disobey the Gods commanding it, nor would we discontent thee in demanding it: graciously therefore conceive of our Petition, and gratefully receive from AEneas these worthless Presents.  
Having thus said, he in the name of AEneas, presented the King with a most rich mantel or rob with an invaluable Crown of Gold, enchased with precious Stones: and with the late royal Sceptre of King Priamus: with a standing Cup, and other Treasure: which Latinus cheerfully receiving, returned the Troyans' this answer:  
Had not the Gods commanded your hither repair, which I gainsay not: or were we not of Alliance, wherein I disclaim not: Or my Kingdom not rome-some enough to receive you, as it is: Or had ye not brought precious and peaceable Presents, as ye have: yet to dismiss Wayfarers unrested and unrelieved, were contrary to the Gods of Hospitality, and (which they defend, that I should therein offend) Latinus his honour. Over fast he sitteth, that securely sitteth: for as he that is timorous hath too little providence, so he that is fearless hath too much presumption: yea less grievous are expected then unlooked for evils. I speak not this as I fear to fall, but as I foresee I may fall: for the unpearching of others should be for preachings to us. Privy am I unto your distress, applying the like possibility for me so to decline: for who is privileged from becoming such? and who is such that would not have succour? My dear Friends and Allies, sorry I am that ye have so ill cause to estrang yourselves from home, but glad that I am in so good case to entertain you here. Let AEneas seat him, and prosper ye in Italy: my land well may abide it, and myself brook it. Yea more: (for the Oracle of my mind consorts no doubt with those of our GOD'S) Lavinia my sole Daughter and heir, forbidden a Natives, and behighted a Strangers Marriage, hath found a Husband, and I a Sonne-in-lawe: at the least I wish it would be, and hope it will be. Make my thanks to AEneas for his Presents, and be you Masters of your Petitions.  
The Troyans' sumptuously feasted: every man on a given Corser bravely & richly mounted: dismissed: : & Latinus his answer and Present delivered: AEneas nevertheless, as far from being secure, as joyous of such Tidings, knowing the good speed of a Stranger, to be an Eyesore to the people, and therefore not careless suspicious of it that might causeless succeed, strongly inmured his Men in a newbuilt Fortress.  
In the meanwhile, their Arrival and Entertainment with Latinus, occupied and for the mostpart, offended all Italy. Enviously stormed Amata the Queen, that Lavina her Daughter and Darling should be wedded to a Stranger, an Exile (as she termed him:) and therefore, when she could not dissuade the King by flattery, she incensed his Nobles and Subjects to resist it, forcibly.  
On the otherside, Turnus, Prince of the Rutules, in person exceeding all for comeliness, and in Arms equal to any for his courage, to whom Lavinia was before promised in Marriage, as Mal-content as any for being thus circumvented by AEneas, therefore held a Counsel in his sumptuous City Ardea, situate in the territory of Latium, how to intercept the Troyans' by wiles, expel them by wars, weaken them by wants, disappoint AEneas, and possess himself of Lavinia. Often sent he Messengers, and sometimes Menaces, to advertise Latinus that he was promised he should, and to assure him he purposed he would enjoy her, or anger him. But by how much more Latinus was religiously unremoovable in his Resolution for AEneas, by so much the more did Turnus give lose reins to his heady anger: Howbeit sufficient matter wanted for his malice to work upon, until by evil hap his choler took advantage of his colour.  
Ascanius, with divers Trojan Gentlemen his Friends, and others his Attendants, Hunting in a Forest not far from their Fortress, by chance did encounter strike and chase a fair and well spread Stag, which the Children of one Tyrrhus the kings Ranger, and Steward of his Grounds, a Man of no mean account amongst the Latins, had from a Fawn nourished, & so entreated that, no Beast might be more tamer. This Stag thus strooken and followed of the Troyans', and taking the readiest way to the house of Tyrrhus, with bleeding hawnches entering the Hall, was first espied of Syluia or Ilia, a young Gentlewoman, in whose lap he sleeping had often laid his head, and at whose hands he had many a time taken browse, been kemed, and trimmed. She seeing the Stag in such plight, almost swooned ere she could weep, and wept ere she might speak, and spoke ere she was heard, and was heard ere she was pitied, and pitied ere she was comforted, and comforted only in promise of Revenge.  
At the winding of an Horn, came flocking thither in a trice, the Herdsmen, shepherds, Ploughmen, and Hinds: this Antic of Grooms, finding Almon the eldest Son of Tyrrhus, and their young Mistress Syluia grievously passionate, and their old fellow the Stag bloody and braying his last, question no farther what should be done, but were furiously inquisitive after the doers.  
In this meantime by evil hap, Ascanius & his Company drawing by Parsie after the Stag (which they knew not for tame) were entered the view of this School of enraged Clowns: who all at once and suddenly, with such weapons as they had or found nearest at hand, as staves, Shéep-hookes, Dung-forks, Flails, Plow-staves, Ares, Hedging-Betels, yea Lybbattes newly snatched from burning, and what not? fiercely assailed with down right blows the amazed Troyans': who not having leisure to ask questions, courageously entertain the unknown Quarrel. And so long and dangerously for either part continued this confusion of blows, and effusion of blood, that by now it was bruited at the Fortress, and at Laurentum, and was anon increased by rescue from either Faction: neither had this Skufling an end until night was begun: at what time the Latins, Rutules, and Troyans', left the wild medley, howbeit not discontinuing their malice.  
Of chief account amongst the Latins, were slain lusty Almon, and aged Galesus, a man of an honest and wealthy condition, whilst he unseasonably amongst blows, delivered unregarded persuasions of Peace.  
The wounded Corpse's of these twain, did Turnus' cause to be conveyed to the view of Latinus, as Arguments of their common damage: himself with an envious heart, and an enuective tongue, amplefying the same to the uttermost: not unasisted therein by the ireful Queen Amata, or un-furthered by the hurly-burly of the impatient people, all labouring the King to denounce Armour against the Troyans'.  
Latinus in this tumult of his Subjects, and travel of his Senses, assuring himself that AEneas was the man prophesied to the Marriage of Lavinia, and succession of Latium, Dissuaded, but might not Persuade with the heady multitude. In few, with such efficacy did she dead Corpse's invite it, the Queen entreat it, Turnus affect it, and the People follow it, that lastly, though against his mind, the King did suffer the Laurentines to rear on their Walls absolute Tokens of imynent Wars. Thus found Turnus that which he longed for, and AEneas no less than he looked for: and either sollyciting succours, were not long unfurnished of hardy Soldiers: yea, in respect of their multuous Armies, the Wars lately ceased at Troy, might now have been said revived in italy.  
But as in his wanderings, so in his wars, my purpose is brevity: either which the Lawriat Trumpeter of his glory hath so effectually sounded, that many might amplify, I could itterat, but not any can amend it: nevertheless in remembering of this History, I have also used other Authorities.  
IT followeth: After long Wars valiantly on either part performed, Many great Kings, Princes, and Parsonages perished: when lastly the Rutiles begun to be repentant of their wrong, and the Troyans' weary of the Wars, AEneas and Turnus meeting had these words. And first AEneas.  
Often Truces have we had (Turnus) for the burial of our dead, never Entreaties of peace for the welfare of those alive: only once (as I have been ever) didst thou seem (thou didst but seem) provident that no more should miscarry, offering me Combat, which I accepting have in vain expected: but since thy mind changed I wot not by what means, have changed the lives of I wot not how many. But now, even now (when for the palpable leasing thou shouldest not speak like Turnus, shouldest thou deny the better of the wars to abide with AEneas, and yet I still be AEneas, though playing upon that Advantage with Turnus) even now, I say, myself do request thee of that Combat, whereby further Bloodsheds may, happily, be concluded. Believe me, wert thou a Beggar, and I a Monarch, yet (so much do I emulate, not envy, thy glory) I would hazard all in a Combat, requested of so valorous a Competitor. But least (perhaps) I over-breath thy tickled Conceit with more selfelyking than is expedient, know Man, Turnus know, Nature, Beath, Art, Education, nor whatsoever are in any thing more beneficial to Turnus, then that justly be may envy as much or more in AEneas.  
To this answered the Rutule thus: Whether thou speakest this (AEneas) as insulting over my infortune, or as insolent of thine own felicity, or emulous (as thou sayest and I believe it) of my glory, trust me, (only if thus, in thy better success, to abandon thyself to such offered disadvantage be not indiscretion) never heard I wherein to derogate from thy policy: but say it indiscretion, yet by jupiter (AEneas) it is honourable indiscretion. Not to encounter so heroical (for in thee I envy not that Epitithon) a Combatant, is as contrary to my thought, as contenting to my very Soul, and as contenting to my Soul, as if AEneas were already conquered and Turnus Conqueror: either which I divine, at the leastwise I am determined to adventure: be provided therefore (AEneas) of courage, for thou provokest no Coward, but even Turnus, that would have asked no less, had he not doubted AEneas not to have dared to answer so much. Thus, and with these Conditions: that further wars should finish, that the Espousal of Lavinia, and Succession of Latium should be the Prize to the Victor, A Combat to be tried by these twain body against body was, upon Oaths taken and other Circumstances, ratefyed.  
Now were they Armed, Mounted, and did Encounter: their Coursers were breathless, the Riders Dysmounted, and buckled on Foot: both offended, either defended, and neither fainted. Lastly, not with unrequited blows, was Turnus Disarmed, the vanquished pleading for life, and the Victor not purposing his death, had he not espied on his Shoulders the sometimes Badrike of his once especial Friend Pallas, King Evander his Son, whom Turnus in Battle overcoming had put to Sword: then AEneas saying, only in this Spoil thou shalt not triumph, and only for his sake am I unentreatable, shoffed his Sword through his Breast, Turnus so ending the World, and AEneas the Wars.  
Then was he peaceably wedded to Lavinia, & shortly after possessed of Latium: After which, about three years he dying, left his Kingdom to Ascanius, and Lavinia with Child. She at her time, and at the house of the before remembered Tyrrhus, was delivered of Silvius Posthumus: so called of his being borne amongst the woods, after the death of his Father. To him (because in right, it was the Inheritance of Silvius from his Mother) did Ascanius voluntarily resign the Kingdom of Latium: and of him, for his honourable regiment, were all the after Latin Kings called Syluij: Finally he Hunting and mistaken amongst the Thickets for a Stag, was slain with an Arrow by his Sun Brutus. This Brutus, for sorrow and his safety, accompanied with many lusty Gentlemen, and others of AEneas his trojans Offsprings, embarking themselves, after long Sailing, arrived in this Island, then called Albion: whose Cyantlike Inhabitants (in respect of their monstrous making and incivil Manners said to have been engendered of devils) he overcoming, Manured their Country, and after his own name called it Brutaine. And thus having begotten Brutus an Original to our Brutons, I conclude this abridged History of his Grandfather AEneas.  
William Warner.   
Finis.   

¶ Imprinted at London by George Robinson for Thomas Cadman. Anno. Do. 1586.