write_v many_o learned_a and_o elaborate_a work_n in_o either_o tongue_n at_o length_n in_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 1555_o in_o the_o month_n of_o october_n be_v of_o the_o age_n of_o twenty_o nine_o year_n she_o die_v in_o hedelburgh_n saint_n hâ—lena_n may_v among_o these_o be_v here_o apt_o register_v helena_n for_o thus_o stow_n harding_n faâ—ian_n and_o all_o our_o modern_a chronicler_n report_v of_o she_o constantius_n a_o great_a roman_a consul_n be_v send_v into_o britain_n to_o demand_v the_o tribute_n due_a unto_o rome_n immediate_o after_o who_o arrival_n before_o he_o can_v receive_v a_o answer_n of_o his_o embassy_n coill_n who_o be_v then_o king_n die_v therefore_o the_o briton_n the_o better_a to_o establish_v their_o peace_n deal_v with_o the_o roman_a ambassador_n to_o take_v to_o wiâ—e_n helenâ—_n the_o daughter_n of_o the_o late_a decease_a king_n a_o young_a lady_n of_o a_o attractive_a 〈◊〉_d adorn_v with_o rare_a gift_n and_o endowment_n of_o the_o mind_n 〈◊〉_d learning_n &_o vertâ—â—_n the_o motion_n be_v no_o soon_o make_v but_o accept_v so_o that_o constantius_n have_v receive_v the_o british_a tribute_n return_v with_o his_o new_a bride_n to_o rome_n and_o be_v after_o by_o the_o senate_n constitute_v chief_a ruler_n of_o this_o kingdom_n after_o twenty_o year_n quiet_a and_o peaceful_a government_n which_o be_v think_v her_o wisdom_n constantius_n die_v and_o be_v bury_v at_o york_n in_o his_o time_n be_v saint_n albon_n martyr_v at_o verolam_n since_o call_v saint_n alban_n as_o john_n lidgate_n monk_n of_o bury_v testify_v who_o in_o english_a heroical_a verse_n compile_v his_o history_n constantius_n say_v he_o the_o young_a succeed_v his_o father_n constantius_n as_o well_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o england_n as_o diverse_a other_o province_n a_o noble_a and_o valiant_a prince_n who_o mother_n be_v a_o woman_n religious_a and_o of_o great_a sanctimony_n this_o young_a prince_n be_v bear_v in_o britain_n and_o prove_v so_o mighty_a in_o exploit_n of_o war_n that_o in_o time_n he_o purchase_v the_o name_n of_o magnus_n and_o be_v style_v constantine_n the_o great_a a_o noble_a protector_n and_o defender_n of_o the_o true_a christian_n faith_n in_o the_o six_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n he_o come_v with_o a_o potent_a army_n against_o maxentius_n who_o with_o greeous_a tribute_n and_o exaction_n then_o vex_v and_o oppress_v the_o roman_n and_o be_v upon_o his_o march_n he_o see_v in_o a_o vision_n by_o night_n the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n shine_v in_o the_o air_n like_o fire_n and_o a_o angel_n by_o it_o thus_o say_v constantine_n in_o hoc_fw-la signo_fw-la vinces_fw-la i._n constantine_n in_o this_o sign_n thou_o shall_v conquer_v and_o overcome_v with_o which_o be_v great_o comfort_v be_v soon_o after_o invade_v and_o defeat_v the_o army_n of_o maxentius_n who_o fly_v from_o the_o battle_n be_v wretched_o drown_v in_o the_o river_n tiber._n in_o this_o interim_n of_o his_o glorious_a victory_n helena_n the_o mother_n of_o constantine_n be_v on_o pilgrimage_n at_o jerusalem_n there_o find_v the_o cross_n on_o which_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n be_v crucify_v with_o the_o three_o nail_n with_o which_o his_o hand_n and_o foot_n be_v pierce_v ranulphus_fw-la amplify_v this_o story_n of_o helena_n somewhat_o largely_o after_o this_o manner_n that_o when_o constantine_n have_v surprise_v maxentius_n his_o mother_n be_v then_o in_o britain_n and_o hear_v of_o the_o success_n of_o so_o brave_a a_o conquest_n she_o send_v he_o a_o letter_n with_o great_a thanks_n to_o heaven_n to_o congratulate_v so_o fair_a &_o wish_v a_o fortune_n but_o not_o yet_o be_v true_o instruct_v in_o the_o christian_a faith_n she_o commend_v he_o that_o he_o have_v forsake_v idolatry_n but_o blame_v he_o that_o he_o worship_v and_o believe_v in_o a_o man_n that_o have_v be_v nail_v to_o the_o crosse._n the_o emperor_n write_v again_o to_o his_o mother_n that_o she_o shall_v instant_o repair_v to_o rome_n and_o bring_v with_o her_o the_o most_o learned_a jew_n and_o wise_a doctor_n of_o what_o faith_n or_o belief_n so_o ever_o to_o hold_v disputation_n in_o their_o presence_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n helena_n bring_v with_o she_o to_o the_o number_n of_o sevenscore_o jew_n and_o other_o against_o who_o saint_n silvester_n be_v only_o oppose_v in_o this_o controversy_n the_o misbeliever_n be_v all_o nonplus_v &_o put_v to_o silence_n it_o happen_v that_o a_o jewish_a cabalist_n among_o they_o speak_v certain_a word_n in_o the_o ear_n of_o a_o mad_a wild_a bull_n that_o be_v break_v loose_a and_o run_v into_o the_o presence_n where_o they_o be_v then_o assemble_v those_o word_n be_v no_o soon_o utter_v but_o the_o beast_n sink_v down_o without_o motion_n and_o instant_o die_v at_o which_o accident_n the_o judge_n that_o sit_v to_o hear_v the_o disputation_n be_v all_o astonish_v as_o wonder_v by_o what_o power_n that_o be_v do_v to_o who_o silvester_n then_o speak_v what_o this_o man_n have_v do_v be_v only_o by_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n who_o can_v kill_v but_o not_o restore_v unto_o life_n but_o it_o be_v god_n only_o that_o can_v slay_v and_o make_v the_o same_o body_n revive_v again_o so_o lion_n and_o other_o wild_a beast_n of_o the_o forest_n can_v wound_v and_o destroy_v but_o not_o make_v whole_a what_o be_v before_o by_o they_o perish_v then_o say_v he_o if_o he_o will_v that_o i_o believe_v with_o he_o let_v he_o raise_v that_o beast_n to_o life_n in_o god_n name_n which_o he_o have_v destroy_v in_o the_o devil_n name_n but_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n attempt_v it_o in_o vain_a when_o the_o rest_n turn_v to_o silvester_n say_v if_o thou_o by_o any_o power_n in_o heaven_n or_o earth_n can_v call_v back_o again_o the_o life_n of_o this_o beast_n which_o be_v now_o banish_v from_o his_o body_n we_o will_v believe_v with_o thou_o in_o that_o deity_n by_o who_o power_n so_o great_a a_o miracle_n can_v be_v do_v silvester_n accept_v of_o their_o offer_n and_o fall_v devout_o on_o his_o knee_n make_v his_o prayer_n unto_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n when_o present_o the_o beast_n start_v up_o upon_o his_o foot_n by_o which_o constantius_n be_v confirm_v helena_n convert_v and_o all_o the_o jew_n and_o other_o pagan_a doctor_n receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o be_v after_o baptize_v and_o after_o this_o and_o upon_o the_o same_o occasion_n helena_n undertake_v to_o seek_v and_o find_v out_o the_o crosse._n ambrose_n and_o other_o say_v she_o be_v a_o innkeeper_n daughter_n at_o treverent_a in_o france_n and_o that_o the_o first_o constantius_n travail_v that_o way_n marry_v she_o for_o her_o beauty_n but_o our_o history_n of_o britain_n affirm_v she_o to_o be_v the_o fair_a chaste_a and_o wise_a daughter_n of_o king_n coil_n before_o remember_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o mind_n be_v much_o above_o the_o transitory_a gift_n of_o fortune_n much_o commendable_a in_o woman_n and_o a_o dowry_n far_o transcend_v the_o riches_n of_o gold_n and_o jewel_n great_a alexander_n refuse_v the_o beautiful_a daughter_n of_o darius_n who_o will_v have_v bring_v with_o her_o kingdom_n for_o her_o dower_n and_o infinite_a treasure_n to_o boot_v and_o make_v choice_n of_o barsine_n barsine_n who_o bring_v nothing_o to_o espouse_v she_o with_o save_o her_o feature_n and_o that_o she_o be_v a_o scholar_n and_o though_o a_o barbarian_a excellent_o perfect_a in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n who_o though_o poor_a notwithstanding_o derive_v her_o pedigree_n from_o king_n and_o upon_o that_o ground_n lycurgus_n institute_v a_o law_n that_o woman_n shall_v have_v no_o dower_n allot_v they_o that_o man_n may_v rather_o acquire_v after_o their_o virtue_n than_o their_o riches_n and_o woman_n likewise_o may_v the_o more_o laborious_o employ_v themselves_o in_o the_o attain_n to_o the_o height_n of_o the_o best_a and_o noble_a discipline_n it_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o can_v be_v too_o much_o amplify_v to_o encourage_v virtue_n and_o discourage_v vice_n to_o persuade_v both_o man_n and_o woman_n to_o instruct_v their_o mind_n more_o careful_o than_o they_o will_v adorn_v their_o body_n and_o strive_v to_o heap_v and_o accumulate_v the_o riches_n of_o the_o soul_n rather_o than_o hunt_v after_o pomp_n vainglory_n and_o the_o wretched_a wealth_n of_o the_o world_n the_o first_o be_v everlasting_o permament_n the_o last_o daily_a and_o hourly_o subject_a to_o corruption_n and_o mutability_n horace_n in_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o maecenas_n say_v vitius_fw-la argentum_fw-la est_fw-la auro_fw-la virtutibus_fw-la aurum_fw-la silver_n be_v more_o base_a and_o cheap_a than_o gold_n and_o gold_n than_o virtue_n to_o encourage_v which_o in_o either_o sex_n plautus_n in_o amphit_n thus_o say_v virtus_fw-la praemium_fw-la est_fw-la optimum_fw-la virtus_fw-la omnibus_fw-la rebus_fw-la anteit_fw-la profecto_fw-la etc._n etc._n virtue_n be_v the_o best_a
fire_n upon_o who_o smooth_a brow_n can_v â—it_n a_o frown_n she_o can_v make_v flint_n seem_v feather_n bare_a board_n down_o i_o will_v now_o trouble_v thy_o patience_n gentle_a reader_n scold_n with_o a_o discourse_n that_o have_v in_o it_o more_o mirth_n than_o murder_n and_o more_o sport_n than_o spite_n and_o yet_o a_o touch_n of_o both_o a_o mad_a fellow_n new_o marry_v have_v only_o one_o young_a child_n by_o his_o wife_n of_o some_o quarter_n old_a who_o he_o dear_o and_o tender_o love_v as_o be_v his_o first_o but_o he_o be_v much_o give_v to_o good_a fellowship_n and_o she_o altogether_o addict_v to_o spare_v and_o good_a housewifry_n still_o when_o he_o use_v to_o come_v merry_a from_o the_o tavern_n where_o he_o have_v be_v frolic_a with_o his_o boon_n companion_n she_o be_v as_o spare_v of_o his_o purse_n as_o prodigal_a of_o her_o tongue_n for_o she_o be_v little_o better_a than_o a_o scold_n will_v often_o upbraid_v he_o with_o his_o expense_n that_o what_o he_o waste_v at_o the_o tavern_n be_v better_o bestow_v at_o home_n that_o he_o spend_v both_o his_o money_n &_o time_n and_o that_o be_v so_o often_o drink_v it_o be_v prejudicial_a both_o to_o his_o body_n and_o estate_n with_o many_o such_o matron-like_a exhortation_n but_o always_o conclude_v her_o admonition_n with_o a_o vow_n that_o if_o ever_o he_o come_v home_o again_o in_o that_o pickle_n she_o will_v happen_v what_o can_v come_v fling_v the_o child_n into_o the_o moat_n for_o the_o house_n be_v moat_a about_o it_o happen_v about_o some_o two_o day_n after_o that_o he_o revel_v till_o late_a in_o the_o evening_n in_o a_o cold_a frosty_a winter_n night_n and_o she_o have_v intelligence_n by_o her_o scout_n where_o he_o be_v then_o drink_v and_o make_v no_o question_n but_o he_o will_v come_v home_n flustre_v she_o command_v her_o maid_n to_o convey_v the_o infant_n to_o the_o further_a part_n of_o the_o house_n and_o to_o wrap_v the_o cat_n in_o the_o blanket_n and_o put_v it_o in_o the_o cradle_n and_o there_o to_o sit_v and_o rock_n it_o present_o home_n come_v the_o husband_n she_o fall_v to_o her_o old_a lesson_n and_o begin_v to_o quarrel_v with_o he_o and_o he_o with_o she_o ill_a word_n beget_v worse_o and_o much_o lewd_a language_n there_o be_v betwixt_o they_o when_o the_o woman_n on_o the_o sudden_a step_v to_o the_o cradle_n have_v spy_v her_o advantage_n i_o have_v long_o say_v she_o threaten_v a_o mischief_n and_o that_o revenge_n i_o can_v work_v on_o thou_o come_v dog_n come_v devil_n i_o will_v inflict_v upon_o the_o brat_n in_o the_o cradle_n and_o instant_o snatch_v it_o up_o in_o her_o arm_n run_v with_o it_o to_o the_o moat_n side_n and_o fling_v it_o into_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o water_n revenge_n which_o the_o poor_a affright_a man_n follow_v she_o and_o see_v leave_v to_o pursue_v she_o and_o cry_v save_o the_o child_n o_o save_v the_o child_n in_o that_o bitter_a cold_a night_n leap_v up_o to_o the_o elbow_n in_o water_n and_o wade_v till_o he_o bring_v out_o the_o mantel_n and_o with_o much_o pain_n come_v to_o the_o shore_n and_o still_o cry_a alas_o my_o poor_a child_n open_v the_o clothes_n at_o length_n the_o fright_a cat_n cry_v mew_v be_v at_o liberty_n leap_v from_o betwixt_o his_o arm_n and_o run_v away_o the_o husband_n be_v both_o amaze_v and_o vex_v the_o woman_n laugh_v at_o her_o revenge_n and_o retire_v herself_o and_o the_o poor_a man_n be_v glad_a to_o reconcile_v the_o difference_n before_o she_o will_v yield_v to_o allow_v he_o either_o fire_n or_o dry_a linen_n consider_v this_o i_o think_v it_o be_v not_o amiss_o answer_v of_o a_o gentleman_n who_o be_v persuade_v by_o a_o friend_n of_o his_o not_o to_o marry_v with_o such_o a_o gentlewoman_n to_o who_o he_o be_v a_o suitor_n his_o reason_n allege_v be_v because_o she_o have_v no_o quick_a and_o voluble_a tongue_n neither_o be_v she_o of_o any_o fine_a wit_n or_o capacity_n to_o who_o he_o instant_o replyde_v i_o desire_v to_o have_v a_o woman_n to_o be_v my_o wife_n that_o shall_v have_v no_o more_o tongue_n to_o answer_v i_o to_o a_o question_n than_o yea_o or_o nay_o or_o to_o have_v more_o wit_n than_o to_o distinguish_v her_o husband_n bed_n from_o another_o man_n another_o woman_n have_v a_o husband_n who_o customable_o come_v drink_v home_o and_o shrink_v from_o his_o stool_n or_o chair_n will_v oft_o fall_v upon_o the_o floor_n and_o there_o lie_v along_o &_o still_o when_o she_o call_v he_o to_o bed_n he_o will_v answer_v she_o let_v i_o alone_o the_o tenement_n be_v i_o own_o and_o i_o may_v lie_v where_o i_o list_v so_o long_o as_o i_o pay_v rend_v for_o the_o house_n some_o few_o night_n after_o come_v home_o in_o the_o like_a tune_n and_o sit_v asleep_a in_o a_o chair_n before_o the_o chimney_n his_o wife_n be_v go_v to_o bed_n present_o the_o man_n fall_v into_o the_o fire_n the_o maid_n cry_v out_o to_o her_o mistress_n oh_o mistress_n my_o master_n be_v fall_v and_o lie_v in_o the_o fire_n even_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o the_o fire_n she_o lay_v still_o and_o turn_v she_o on_o the_o other_o side_n say_v so_o long_o as_o he_o pay_v rend_v for_o the_o house_n he_o may_v lie_v where_o he_o please_v but_o to_o more_o serious_a business_n for_o i_o have_v now_o do_v sport_v of_o english_a virago_n and_o of_o joan_n de_fw-fr pucil_n guendolyne_n of_o guendoline_n the_o wife_n of_o king_n locrine_n and_o daughter_n to_o corinaeus_n duke_n of_o cornwall_n i_o shall_v take_v more_o occasion_n to_o speak_v at_o large_a in_o the_o discourse_n of_o the_o beautiful_a estreld_v elphleda_n be_v sister_n to_o king_n edward_n before_o the_o conquest_n surname_v the_o four_o elphleda_n she_o be_v wife_n to_o etheldredus_n duke_n of_o mercia_n who_o assist_v her_o husband_n in_o the_o restore_n of_o the_o city_n of_o chester_n after_o it_o have_v be_v destroy_v and_o demolish_v by_o the_o dane_n encompass_v it_o with_o new_a wall_n he_o be_v general_a to_o the_o king_n in_o all_o his_o expedition_n against_o the_o dane_n in_o the_o last_o battle_n that_o he_o fight_v against_o they_o at_o a_o place_n call_v hall_n toten_n hall_n in_o staffordshire_n he_o give_v they_o a_o mighty_a averthrow_n but_o a_o great_a at_o wooddensfield_n where_o be_v slay_v two_o king_n two_o earl_n and_o of_o the_o soldier_n many_o thousand_o which_o be_v of_o the_o dane_n of_o northumberland_n in_o this_o battle_n be_v the_o king_n and_o elphleda_n both_o present_a soon_o after_o this_o victory_n etheldredus_n die_v and_o she_o govern_v many_o year_n after_o he_o in_o all_o mercia_n or_o middle_a england_n except_o in_o the_o two_o city_n of_o london_n and_o oxford_n which_o the_o king_n her_o brother_n reserve_v to_o himself_o she_o build_v many_o city_n and_o town_n and_o repair_v other_o as_o thatarne_v brimsbury_n the_o bridge_n upon_o severne_n tamworth_n lichfield_n stafford_n warwick_n shrewsbury_n watrisbury_n edisbury_n in_o the_o forest_n beside_o chester_n which_o be_v since_o uttery_n deface_v and_o 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