euery thyng How Rome was made the iiii yere in dede Of Acham that tyme of Italy kyng Whiche doth agre the yeres accomptyng That LondoÌ„ before Rome was raised first Foure hundred and twenty yeres iust ¶ Also Galfridus reherseth plain How many kynges successiuely One after other here did remain Of one dissent lyne and progeny Fully an hundred as he doth specifie Recon from Brute doune to Cadwaladre And thus of the kynges was the hole nuÌ„bre ¶ From Cadwalader the yere accomptyng As diuerse auctours doth specify Untill this tyme doune dissendyng Till our moste noble theight kyng Henry Of thesame stocke lyne and progeny As by dissent the yeres doth appere Fully eight hundred fiftie and eight yere ¶ Then to accompt the yeres the numbre Sithen Brute toke his first possession Equally deuide them asunder Recordyng to the computacion And ye shall finde by plain discription Two thousand sixe huÌ„dred lxvi yeres plain Sithin Brute began the yere of his reigne ¶ Thus for yeres tyme and continuaunce For bloud birthe and high parentage For nobilitee and mightie puissaunce For vigoure strength and manfull corage Let vs compare with Rome and Cartage With all other notable citees For our renoumed olde antiquitees ¶ What should I more of this report Sithe stories olde doth it renewe Whose list therto hymself resorte As I haue saied shall finde it trewe Set out at large as it is dewe Honor reuerence with all other thynges As doth appertayne to worthy kynges ¶ Wherfore let vs Integratly intende Our moste famous kyng for to aduance Like his desertes his grace to commende In his high and mightie gouernance Blessed are we happy his ouâ—… chance To be borne vnder so noble a kyng To se his grace ouer vs reignyng ¶ Whiche hath prouided for our redresse Neuer none like before this daie Let vs in Wales the truth confesse And for his grace moste hertely praie Long to continewe God graunt he maie With rest and peace emongest vs here Saue our Quene our prince his doughter dere ¶ The Autour COnsideryng fortunes mutabilitee Now vp now doune as the whele goth a To day a prince of muche nobilite bout To morowe in daÌ„ger staÌ„dyng in great doubt This hath happened the worlde throughout Well moste none of the first bloud and lyne In any region reigneth at this tyme. ¶ Emong all princes of excellence Foâ—…ength of tyme bloud and progeny Let vs preferre the highe magnificence Of our moste royall theight kyng Henry Whiche at this houre by grace of the deity Possesseth the same kyngdome and powre Like as did Brute his first progenitoure ¶ Though doble fortune in tyme long past His noble bloud for to incumbre Her traiterous traynes a brode did cast With foren kynges to kepe them vnder In diuerse places sente in an numbre Yâ—…t God would not of his deuine grace The Troyans bloud should lose their place ¶ As shall appere by this dissente Brifely set out this present tyme By auctours good famous and excellent As stories olde doth determine Though for a tyme thei wer in ruine Not possessyng their in heritaunce God of his might hath now made assurauÌ„ce ¶ But sithe it wer all to tedious Their auncient names for to prescribe I will be briefe and compâ—…ndious By numbre to accompt this tribe All foren kynges foâ—… to deuide Onely a fewe of the Brutes to name As thei wer worthy of laude and fame FINIS ¶ A Genelogie of the Brutes Osiris the firste kyng of Egipt in Genesis called Misraem Also kyng of Italie Labus or Libus called grâ—…a Hercules Kyng of Egipte Italie Almayne Phenice Pâ—…rigie Libie Argis Grece Affricke Gall Seltike and Tuscan Tusâ—…us the sonne of Hercules Kyng of Italie ¶ Atheus the sonne of Tuscus Kyng of Italy ¶ Blascon the sonne of Altheus kyng of Italye ¶ LomblablascoÌ„ the soÌ„ne of Blascon Kyng of Italye Iaseus Kyng of Italy Armonia the third brother Dardanus the secoÌ„d sonne of LoÌ„bloblascon kyng of Dardine in Phrigie Erictonius the soÌ„ne of Dar dayne the second Kyng of Dardayne Troos the soÌ„ne of Eryctonyus changed the name of Dardaine and called it Troy. The yong sonne Ganimides whiche Tantalus betrayed Ilion sonne of Trois kyng of Troye Laomedon sonne of Ilion kyng of Troy. Priamus the sonne of Laomedon the laste Kyng Assaracus the seconde soonne of Troys Lapis tâ—…e soonne of Assararus a Prince of Troye Anchisis the sonne of Lapis a prince of Troy. ¶ Eness the sonne of Anchisis kyng of Italy ¶ Ascanius the sonne of Eneas and of Lheusa dou ghter of Priamus Kyng of â—…roy ¶ Siluius brother of Ascanius sonne of Eneas and of Lauina ¶ Brute the firste Kyng of Britayne sonne of Siluius Posthumus Lambre Prince of Wales â—…banactus of Scotland ¶ Lotrynus the sonne of Brute the seconde Kyng of Britayne ¶ Belinus the soonne of Donwallo the twentie and one Kyng of Britayne Lassibelan soonne of Hely the three score and seuen Kyng of Brâ—…ayne â—…mbelyne the soonne of Timen cius the. 〈◊〉 and nyne Kyng of Britayne ¶ Lucius the soonne of â—…oelles the seuenty and foure Kyng of Britayne CoÌ„stantine the great sonne of S. Helin the iiiâ—… score kyng of Britaygne Constantine th third of that name the. lxxâ—…iiii kyng of Britaygne Arthur the gret in the yere of our lord 400. lxxx was that lxxxxii kig of Britayne Tadwallader the hunderde kynge of Britaygne and the last kyng of Brytayne Idwall sonne of Tadwallader prince of Northe Wales Tewdwr Mawre the great Prynce of Wales was the ten the Prynce Edmond Earle of Richemonde sonne of Owen and Quene Katherine Henri the seuenth sonne of Edmond Earle of Richmond Henry the eyghte sonne of Henry the seuenth Edwarde the sixt sonne of Hen ry the eight whom Eod preserue THese Auctours olde with one accorde This famous line coÌ„ueigheth streight To ouâ—… most drad soueraigne Lorde By the grace of God Henry the eyght â–ª To Edward our price our tresure of weight Whom God aboue their enemies represse Send them long life with plenteous successe FINIS Alcibiades of Athenes Minos king of Crete ppus of bâ—… â—…uses of 〈◊〉 or Eâ—… â—…iê° Sardaâ—…all â—…cou Arbachu â—…idorus To Master â—…olidorus Marcus Aurelius Remus and Romulus Marius and Silla Ceasar Julius Pompeius 〈◊〉 Scipions 〈◊〉 â—…ully Ualarian Sapor Domician Maxence Galerius Ualence Iulian Apostita Uicius Nero. 〈◊〉 â—…eter and â—…aule â—…clecian â—…ximian â—…aidus â—…h honoâ—…s The bish of Rome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 C Diodorus Seculâ—…s Birosus the Laldy in the. v. boke of his anti quities Busebius Tibule and Boc cas affirmith Osiris was called Siâ—…pis the God in Egipte Hercules sonne of Osiris Samct Iherom in theâ—…r of Genâ—…â—…is Diodorus Biroâ—…us affirmentl this Hercules to do the. rii nota ble labores And not Hercules Al cides whiche the Grekes affirmeth to be their Lhampion Birosus in his v boke of antiquities I hoÌ„ de Utter by commeÌ„tator of Birosê° saieth he had 3 sonnes Iaseus Dardanus Ar monia Eusebius saith that Dardanê° began too reigne the yere of the worlde iii. thousande seuen hun dred xxiii the age of Moses i. hundred and. xiiii Loke in Diodorus seculus the fifte boke for Erictonius Diodorus writeth ex pressely that Troye exiled Tan talus out of hyghe Phrigee beyng kig there Iliê° Assaracus Ganimâ—… des soÌ„nes of Trois Hector the valiaÌ„t the soÌ„ne of priamê° Looke in sainct Au â—…en the twentye Chapiter of the seuentene booke of the Litee of God. Loke in Eusebius and Sabellicus Kyng of Italy Kyng of Italy Brute of the noble bloud of â—…roye loke i Fasciculus TemporuÌ„â—… liâ—…a Chri stâ—… when Helâ—… was prieste in Israell also loke Galfride Betwene Lotrsnus and Bellinuâ—… wâ—…â—…viii kingâ—… Belinus with helpe of his brother Brâ—… ouercame the Bomâ—… Loke 〈◊〉 Aâ—… the xx boâ—… â–ª ¶ Betwene Belinê° and Lassibelan were 〈◊〉 â–ª 〈◊〉 â–ª geâ—… In LassibelaÌ„s time Iulius Le far came into this lande with his Romayns Next Lassibelan was Tinencius kyng In 〈◊〉 time IESVS CHRIST was borne of the glorious virgyn Mari Betwene â—…imbelyn and Lucius was foure Kynges ¶ Lucius was the first Christen Kyng in the yere of our lord an huÌ„dred fiftye and fiue yere Looke in Gyldas Emperoure of Rome Monarche and presydente of euery region of ChristeÌ„dome Betwene CoÌ„stantine the Emperour and Constantyne the third was four kynges in Britayne This Con stantine dâ—…aue oute of Britany the Scotts Danes Norweges Pictes and hunes with the Romains whi the sore oppressed Bry taygne Betwene Constantine the thyrde and Arthure was but foure kinges in Britaigne Of Arthur the greate loke in Fasciculus TeÌ„porum in Li nea Christi iiii huÌ„drede lxiiii in Policâ—…onicon xxiii Chapter and in Galfride Betwene der was ix Arthur and kynges in Cadwala-Britaygne Loke in Fabian whych affirmeth he slew Lotha riê° his brother Edryâ—…us and Ithelwolde three of the Saxons kiges Loke also of Gal fridus The mortal plages infectioÌ„ of pestilence and scarsnes of victaylles draue Tadwallader to Rome Idwall came into Wales by commandemeÌ„t of Cadwalader to defende the Brytons agaynste the SaxoÌ„s Of this Idwal Walshmen had their name Betwene Idwal Twdwr Mawr was there eyght princes successiuely This price chased the Saxons Danes and Pictes froÌ„ the borders of Wales with all other foreyn enemyes Betwene Tewdwr Maure and Edmonde Earle of Richmond wer of lineall discente fully xi betwene Tadwaller and EdmoÌ„d xxi This famê° Edmond of the veraye true lyne of Tadwalader dyrectly half brother to kig Henri vi whose mother was doughter to the French Kyng and wyfe to the famous Kyng Henry the fifth This noble Kynge was called the second Salomon Henry the eyght moste christeÌ„king King of En glaÌ„d FraÌ„ce and Ireland and of the Church of England and IrelaÌ„d the first supreme Heade ¶ Imprinted at LondoÌ„ in the parishe of Christes Church within new gate by Richard Grafton Prynter to our soueraigne lorde Kyng Edward the. VI. 1547. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum
ryghte Onely preferryng their Hannybail Yet haue we one passyng them all ¶ Whiche we ought of duety and reuerence Most humbly his grace to magnify Salute in heart worde and sentence Somwhat of hym to exemplify I meane our kyng most famous Henry Our naturall Lord our supreme hed Most renoumed and most to be dred ¶ Lyke as Lato the prudent counceler Wrote volumes large of famous report Prynces notable onely to preferre Among the Romaynes vertue to supporte Whose example is to our comforte Folowyng the same vice to confounde Thus of our dutie surely are we bounde ¶ Wherfore I wyll my pen aduaunce Mekely thereto my selfe incline With most dilygent attendaunce Directyng my style this present tyme In worde and sence straight as a lyne With Rome Carthage Thebes other mâ—… As farre as the best his fame to goo ¶ Lyke as Phebes in the midday spere His radiant beames moste pure and bryghte Illustreth out bothe freshe and cleare Persyng the dewes by force of might I illuminyng all maner of syght Comforting frutes flowers earbes grasse So doth our king al other kynges passe ¶ I wold to Chryst that my edicion Accordyng to my iudgement Myght take effecte like my intencion In thynges condyng worthy or equiuolent Unto his grace this tyme present Then wolde I the truthe declare Which am inforced with termes rude bare ¶ Yet neuerthelesse my inwarde desyre Without any more loquacitee Greatly I seke as reason doth requyre For to approue his noble maiestie Of all other kinges to haue the soueraintee As sonne and ayre to lusty dame nature Resemblyng her person shape and fygure ¶ I dare alledge as in this case That nature sought tyme oportune When she first formed his noble grace Onely by respecte of gentell Fortune All other causes for to contune Assured to gether by promise bounde That in his parson no faulte were founde ¶ Thus hathe nature by great aduisemente With circumspecte deliberacion Full lyke a Goddesse pure and excellent shewed her powre and mighty operacion Nothyng reseruyng at his creacion Whiche myght his nobilitee aduaunce Unto his byrthe she gaue suche attendaunce ¶ With strength beawtie and semelynesse She hath amplyfyed his courage Most renoumed for gentlenesse Therin he hathe so great aduauntage Passyng all other his parentage Thus by report preferred is his name Intitled in the boke of worthy fame ¶ Gentelst of Gentyles grace to recure Like Alcibyades that famous knyghte Of Athenes prince their party to assure So is his grace most gentelest in syghte Whose inwarde respecte iudgyng a ryghte A prynce of nature that gentle is Of faythfull subiectes can neuer mysse ¶ For like as gentlenes doth playne appere Onely by naturall inclinacion In countenaunce in speache and cheare So dothe the loue and hearty affection Exclude all maner of contencion Causeth subiectes them selfes to endeuer Where gentlenes is in loue to perceuâ—… ¶ By his gentlenes our wroÌ„ges ar redressed By his gentlenes our loue made pardurable By his gentlenes the truth out expressed Our heartes are made sure and veritable His gentlenes is so resemblable That al thinges to him he doth accumulate Whiche to gentlenes is appropriate ¶ So that his grace passeth all other An euident thyng for to declare There reigned neuer suche another His subiectes to kepe preserue and spare Wherfore we may in this compare All most one thyng as in degree His gentlenes to mercyfull pitie ¶ For that lande dominion or regiment That hathe a prince of gentell nature God hathe promised long stablishment In loue together they shall indure Wherfore in this let vs assure Sith gentlenes commeth of gyft deuine Let vs to gentlenes our heartes incline ¶ Thus are we bounde plainly to expresse His gentlenesse onely to discure conseruyng our wealth and whole redresse By his grace lately put in vre Of his lawes nowe are we made sure Among the mountaynes hilles and vales Now is it England somtime called Wales ¶ And further in this to reporte Accordyng to his mercifull yousage Our abusions onely to transporte Hath deuised with his counsayl sage Wales to conducte from all bondage Brefely to conclude this to vnderstand Priuileged we ar with the lawes of EnglaÌ„d ¶ Like as Minos that famous kyng Somtime raignyng in the land of Crete Full renoumed for science and connyng Founde out the lawes most holsome swete Grounded on reason with vertue replete Ministryng them as a iudge royall Among his subiectes by deedes equal ¶ Prouidyng before in his aduertence None shoulde declyne as in this case For lacke of knowledge and experience So ready he was their welthe to purchace Thus of his liuyng and bountifull grace Preparyng in tyme them to aduaunce Onely by lawe and Ciuil ordinaunce ¶ Though he wer a kyng with scepter and To execute right nothig disdained croune For all his fame his princely renoume In iudgement sate his domes vnfarned Loue nor hate his person constrayned But like the deserte as then did appere His sentence gaue with right princely there ¶ Methamorphosios there may ye se Of Mines the princely gouernaunce Also of Scille voyde of all pitie Her father slewe with cruell veugeaunce Onely of Minos to haue acquaintaunce And he agayne like a ryghtfull kyng Gaue sentence plain her dede condempning ¶ For to affyrme and brefely conclude Our partie in this fully to sustayne Unto Minos with lyke similitude Let vs aduaunce our kyng and souerayne In all thynges that dothe appertayne Unto Justice or good gouernaunce By lawe reason or Ciuill ordynaunce ¶ Was there euer yet any prince liuyng In Chronicle story or sentence playne His noble grace in this resemblyng Or common welthe for to sustayne Or for our sake vndertoke suche payne As dothe his grace this present tyme Us to preserue from damnable cryme ¶ Howe far were we out of oure way For lacke of Justice and good gouernaunce Was there euer any before this day Kyng or prynce of suche remembraunce Us to instructe by lawe or ordinaunce Wherby we myght our foly redresse Till now his grace the truthe to confesse ¶ Whiche by study and diligent laboure Most circumspectly herein aduised For to reforme our olde behauiour His gracious lawes to vs hath commised To the entent we shulde not be supprised By bondage inforced with crueltee From olde customes set vs at lybertee ¶ We must of force the truthe confesse We cannot well our selues excuse Our deedes playnely beareth witnesse Of our folly and great abuse Olde customes had lothe to refuse Surely at the fyrste howe they began Not pleasyng to God nether yet to man. ¶ For among al some customes we had Whiche before God were intollerable As I suppose all men beyng sadde Will graunt it trewe and veritable A thyng vniuste falce and flexable Though some affirmed their customes sure By Charter Riall euer to indure ¶ Some Lordes no doute had great rialtie Conserued by kinges in times long past In Forest and Chace hauyng libertie But not their subiectes
a discontinuance Murdre to grace is playne a rebell Murdre at the first began sure in Hell. ¶ This was our couÌ„trey brought in defame Sclaundred and noysed for our outrage All trewe men of this reaported shame God knoweth who had the pylage The poore man but small aduauntage The Thefe his pleasure on mountayn hyll Yf he had money myght walke at his wyll ¶ Thus the slaunder ranne far abrode All most to our greate desolacion As thoughe we all had ben of one accorde No diuersitee in their opinion Suche was the rumoure and communicacioÌ„ No thyng reseruyng in their iudgement Betwene a Thefe and the Innocent ¶ And thus full ofte we bare the blame causeles of truethe nothyng offended Nor by consent worthy of infame Yet by report we were suspended As though we had therto intended Idelnesse was cause as in effecte Why we were had in suche respecte ¶ Oh thou vicious Sardanipall The beginnyng of slouthe and Idlenesse Whose example all welth dooth appall Delightyng in synne and wretchednesse With surfeites great the body to oppresse Whiche brought in thefte and robery Murder riote also aduoutry ¶ Who list the story to accompte Shall well perceiue in sloth and idlenesse 〈◊〉 other before the thou didst surmountâ—… Thy vicious life beâ—…th full witnesse She was thy lady and chiefe mastresse To whom thou didst thy self abounde Whiche was the cause thy person to coÌ„fouÌ„d ¶ For Arbachus of vertues respecte As a prince of excellent wisedome Did thee manace chastice and correcte For thy froward abhominacion Idlenesse was cause and occacion Why thou vicious Sardanapall From thyne estate had so greate a fall ¶ For like as verteous businesse Inuenteth thynges right laudable So doth riote and idlenesse Increase mischenes intollorable One thyng marke whiche is veritable Put idlenesse clene out of vâ—…e For custome all moste turneth to nature ¶ Note where idlenesse doth oft remayne Fare well all verteous businesse For idlenesse inflameth the brayne And bryngeth in newe fanglenesse Sequestrith the herte from all goodnesse And aldre last note this for euer God from man it doth cleane deceiuer ¶ Idlenes caused our abusion By idlenes increased our infame Till now of late by politicke reason Of our kyng moste gracious of name Whiche hath brought vs into a new frame So that we fele by worldly businesse There commâ—…th gayne and moderat richesse ¶ Thus hath our wise worthy Arbachus Suppressed our foly and customes rude Lausyng our hertes to be desirus To folowe the sage multitude Idlenes vtterly to 〈◊〉 Laboryng abrod our fode to gete Leuyng by our handes and bodely sweate ¶ To digge and deluâ—… to eare and sows To graffe or piant in rough or playne On mountayns hie or vales lowe Litle we force for labor and payne So that we maie our wâ—…lth attayne Tenderyng so muche our businesse That we forget the vice of idlenesse ¶ For where of truthe with vs late past Bothe corne and fruiâ—…e was scant and bare Our countree voyde laie halfe in wast I dare allege and surely declare Now at this tyme we maie well spare If there should chaunce a tyme of nede With corne and cattaile our neighbors feâ—… ¶ And thus daily we do preuaile In our increase bothe cataile and corne Thankes be to God all is quoche quaile The chaffe the wedes a waie are shorne Neuer so well sens we wer borne Our countree made playne and habitable Whiche semed before irrecurable ¶ And further of his benyng grace Through his moste mercifull assent Our commune welth for to purchace Hath remitted of pure intent Two thousande markes of yerely rent Before paied in siluer and golde Taxed emong vs of customes olde ¶ Yet hath our Troian most mighty emye Planted vs with prudent Latons roure â—…o be our president and gouernour Associate with noble Sipious With diuerse mo of high discressions For to augment our common weale Graunted by comission vnder his scale ¶ In sundery partes for our redresse As did some tyme the noble senate Consules prefectes of greate sadnesse Dictatours full famous of estate Decemusres wisedome to approbate â—…rauersyng the countries rounde aboute Where suspecte persones wer had moste in doubte ¶ To that intent our ciuility Wer not suppressed for lacke of gouernance Nether is inforced by tyrrany But redused to a Ciuile substance Accordyng to the vse and continuance Of Englishe lawes in tyme long past Wherof we bee now made sure and fast ¶ Thus charge vpon charge daily doth in Unto his grace in maner importable sewe Inuentyng lawes and statutes newe Gentill and softe by meane tretable To th entent it should bee pardurable Emong vs for euer this is the meane Uncorrupted to kepe vs pure and cleane ¶ Thus a kyng of vigilant respecte Sheweth vnto vs this constant loue As a father in this effecte Tenderyng his childe vice to remoue Without rigoure our foly doth reproue Caryng not for treasure or expence But to withdrawe the cause of our offence ¶ For to compare and brefe tâ—…e tyme Accompt all stories that euer was Inforce your self thereto to inclyne Rede where ye list your tyme to pas And ye shall not finde that euer there was A kyng of better remembrance His subiectes to kepe preserue and aduance ¶ Reken Lesar with his triumphes all Alexander Hectoâ—… or Achilles Edippus or worthy Haniball Minos the Iudges or greate Harcules Or yet Arbachus of knighthod pereles Let theim come all their vertue to declare Yet shall thei not with his grace compare ¶ For these princes these conquerors great Set their mynde and full attendance Countrees to subdewe kyngdoms to geate Onely by strength and mightie puysance And some again to take their chance Ieopard their persones to get theim a name As beastes wilde to make theim tame ¶ And thus thei wrought all by fantasy As fortune list the party assure To win or lose put in ieopardy Hap as it would all inaduenture Goodes landes life body and treasure But those kynges are moste to be commeÌ„ded FroÌ„ vicious life their subiectes hath defeÌ„ded ¶ As our noble and moste famous kyng Appoyncted by grace of the deite Moste circumspecte in ouer lokyng His subiectes to kepe in a conformite One lawe one kyng one deuinite One faithe one hope one erudicion One mynde one will and one intencion Neuer none like accompt the tyme Sens Brute our first progenitoure Borne by dissent of right noble lyne Beyng prince kyng and goueronure Unto our parentes chiefe protectoure Through whose manfull magnanimite Thei wer deliuered from olde captiuite ¶ As famous auctours moste seriously With a sincere opposicion In tyme long past right willyngly By a louyng emulacion Onely for our eriducion Hath related as after shall insewe More exactly matter constaunt and trewe ¶ Some what herin doubtles am I moued For to expresse my fantasy Not of impacience muche greued But that some hath iudged wrongfully As in reproche of our country Deniyng playne moste noble Brute Our antecessor our
stocke and our frute ¶ A boke of late there was compiled By Polidorus in Italy borne Nothyng to vs reconsiled But rather written in hatred or scorne Yet shall we saie if he had sworne We Welshmen with hym shall compare For olde antiquities the truth to declare ¶ His slanderous stile to exterminate Reiect auoyde and cleane put a waie Whiche is so subtle and intricate Thynkyng therby our fame to decaie None will so reporte I dare well saie Hauyng wit reason or intelligence Other to iustice myndyng aduertence ¶ Not contented this to deny But would of force our name appall Cleaue to extincte out of memory As though we wer reiectes of all Knowyng not our discent naturall From whence we came nor of what lyne Us to infame this is his cryme ¶ Me thinke of truth to muche ye erre In your reproche spoke of disdain Affirmyng plaine in tyme of warre We Welshemen no honor to attain Nether yet in peace trewe to remain Your barberous wordes backe doth rebouÌ„de To your infame all thynges doth sounde ¶ It is vnmete a man of your age Accompted sadde wise and discrete So violently abrode to rage Matters to penne whiche is vnmete With wordes vntrew with termes onswete Or thynges deny whiche auctours olde In tyme long past bothe wrote and tolde ¶ Who shal but thinke your sentence light As thynges in vain to none effecte Wordes of reproche spoke again right Menne should abhorre and cleane reiecte To breue my tyme this is th effecte Your slaunderous wordes affirmeth plaine To rise of ire hatred or disdayne ¶ If ye of force will vs persewe Onely through your ingratitude Blame vs nothyng your wordes exchewe Beware hurte not a multitude Lest some perchaunce with sentence rude Iustely again like your offence Euen with the same will you recompence ¶ We speake to you Master Polidorus Whose ingratitude we greatly complain Ye go aboute to rase out the floures Of our parentes as thynges in vain And yet of truthe ye cannot refrain But generally vs to accuse No indifferency herin ye vse ¶ We Welshemen saie for our defence That ye Romayns surmountyng in pride With your Imperiall magnificence Supposyng therby the heuens to deuide Came long after our noble tribe So that we maie write of your estate Not ye of vs ye came all to late ¶ How should ye knowe our antecessours Our stocke our line our progeny Our moste mightie conquerours Sithe ye bee of muche lesse memory Writyng nothyng almoste plainly But what doth rebounde to your estate Magnifiyng the pompe of your Senate ¶ By cause your auctoure Titus Liuius Of noble Brute maketh no mencion Beyng perchaunce somewhat obliuius Or knewe not of that succession Therfore ye make no discripcion But onely of your kynges of Italie Whiche reigned there successiuely ¶ As appereth by storie euident Called Fasciculus Temporum Where litle is to vs pertinent But to the first of your succession Hauyng the regall possession Breuely doth passe all other thynges Onely doth write but of a fewe kynges ¶ Though he forgate this noble prince Or listed not his fame to conuaie Yet shall he not his name conuince Nor this his honor to pulle awaie Fasciculus Temporum plainly doth saie That Brute beganne first to excell WheÌ„ Heli was prieste and Iudge of Israel ¶ Holy Eusebius doth testifie Also sainct Bede maketh mencion That noble Brute of the age fiue and thirty Entered first into this region Whiche was before Christes incarnacion A thousand i. C. twenty and twayne And after Troye xliii yeres playne ¶ Galfridus affirmeth assuredly That noble Brute in his yeres grene Like Marce for strength fearce and hardy In Grece moste princely was sene Wan there croune ceptre and diademe From Panderus of Achilles blud His doughter his treasure with all his gud ¶ And further the Grekes to deface That daie he did the felde recure Moste princely met them in the face Whose knightly strokes thei might not in A shilde he bare the felde of asure dure â—…hree crounes of gold sumteously wrought A Lion sette on his helmet a lofte ¶ Also Gâ—…ydo do Collumpnia Doth verifie this to be trewe That he did honor the goddes Diana Passyng the seas fortune to insewe Where he had answere his ioyes to renewe Beyng right yong should supply the place with scepter croune his enemies to inchase ¶ Ranulphus a manne of perfeccion Writeth right playne as in this case How noble Brute within this region Landed first by a speciall grace Predestinate before was that place As Diana the mightie Goddes Had promised namyng it Totnesse ¶ Also the Floure of histories Named Peter Pactauiences With many noble writers Alloweth the verie same sences To muche of truthe are their offences Whiche will alone suche thynges deny That auctours olde do write and verify ¶ Martinus super Cronicas Vtropius and Sabellicus Affirmeth playne how all thyng was In the tyme of Brenne and Belenus Of the discent of noble Brutus How thei entered first into Italie Hauyng at Rome gates a noble victorie ¶ This story to amplifie and augment The sixt yere of Artaxarses the kyng As Iacobus Phillippus doth assent Ouer the Persians that tyme reignyng These princes ii with standerdes displaiyng As brother with brother of one minde asseÌ„t Again you Romains with hert most verueÌ„t ¶ Had a battaill strong as is expressed Where your Senate Tribunes Dictators By knightly force wer clene oppressed Your Pretours Consules and gouernors Your lusty manfull young soldiors Your valiant knightes in stele armed bright All wer taken slain or put to flight ¶ Ye cannot well these auctours deny For all your vain stentacion Your citee spoyled all went a wry Make therof a true declaracion Ye wer right faine by composicion A peace to take ths is no naie Els to yelde vp or sone flie awaie ¶ Noble Arthur the famous Brute Of thesame line and true succession Whiche by his coÌ„quest and princely pursute Uanquished full many a region Sonne of Uter called Pendragon Chronicles plainly doth it specify Yet ye Romaines this prince will deny ¶ Loke in Fasciculus Temporum The tyme of Bisshoppe Hilarius In lina Christi accomptyng the sum Foure hundred sixty foure truly to discus Then florished Arthur that was victorious With his owne hande in one daie he slewe Foure hundred sixty if that story be true ¶ Also beholde Poli cronicon The â–ª xxiii Chapiter the seuenth boke There maie ye se by plain discripcion The yere of our Lorde who list to loke Aâ—… xi hundred foure score his body vp toke Translated into Glastinbury By the famous kyng the second Henry ¶ In the thirtie yere or there aboute Of our soueraigne kyng Henry theight Ye blinded Romains to put out of doubte The cause made plain perfect and streight A crosse was founde of full greate waight In Glastenbury with letters of golde Grauen full depe with this sentence olde ¶ Here lieth Arthur the worthy kyng Depe in the
no helpe no other meanyng Let this in our heartes fast be graued Onely by Christes blud our solles ar saued ¶ And yet O Lord how farre do they erre Thy maiesty is all full of mercy No sinner doutles wilt thou debarre Being penitent contrite and sory These couetous heades cleane contrary The poore solle wrapped in woo and payne Without money shal lie still and complaine ¶ What Charitee herein is extended When two solles in paine lieth together Perchance both in one case haue offended The one for money his ioye shall recouer The other for lacke shal lye styll for euer Suche is their Charitee in time of nede Their wordly pompe to set forth and fede ¶ If cruell Nero had now afrende That would disbource and paie at large So to compounde and make an ende For all his synnes and fell outrage I thinke his solle might walke at large Consideryng perdons are so plentie By meane wherof hel is emptie ¶ Oh Lorde God what wondrefull pride Is it on yearth goddes to be called Equall with thy grace solles to deuide As though thei wer in heuen stalled Thy enemies Lorde thei maie be called Whiche will thy people suche errors bryng For their profite our solles deceiuyng ¶ Is there any other maner of meanâ—… Then in the bloud of Christ Jesus The immuculate laÌ„be moste pure and cleane The sonne of God whiche doth forgeue vs If we knowledge our deedes vicius Christ it is that geueth remission By the mercie of his blessed passion ¶ The Apostle blessed sainct Peter Nether yet inspired holy sainct Paull The very trewe and sincere preacher Euer pardoned any solle at all The spirite once past the body mortall That onely to God reserued is His deuine power consisteth in this ¶ O glorius God how muche are we 〈◊〉 Unto thy deuine maiestie These errors greate for to confounde Auoydyng the danger of this infirmitie In the tyme of our necessite Like as sometyme surely it befell Unto thy electe of Israell ¶ Whiche so tenderly hast cared for vs That nothing mought be for our saluacion But by thy pitie moste glorious Thou hast of thy godly affeccion Prepared the same for our redempcion As in the olde lawe apereth full well By Iosiâ—… then kyng of Israell ¶ For when thy lawes wer clene suppressed By the space of many hundred yeres By Iosia again wer redressed Dedicated to thy heuenly speres Abholished their frounyng cheres In worshippyng their false Idolatry Thy glorious name newly to magnify ¶ By reason wherof this prince deserued A name of renowne to hym most excellent By thy grace Lorde onely reserued Whiche to his name shal be permanent Neuer none to hym equiuolent Reignyng as kyng ouer Israell Lorde vnto thee this is knowen right well ¶ So in likewise moste mercifull Lorde This present houre of thy tender loue Thy olde mercie newly to recorde Our princes herte inwardly doth mouâ—… Suche abusions to reiecte and reproue Thy lawes Lorde long out of remembraÌ„câ—… Are now reduced to thy godly ordinance ¶ By our moste noble Henry theight Through thy incomperable goodnesse All thynges Lorde is made pure and streight Aâ—…holished is all wickednesse In especiall Lorde this is doubtlesse The power of Rome so long misused Our kyng hath now vtterly confused ¶ Now to returne where I began So to conclude and briefe my stile Betwene the Brute and the Roman No termes to seke my tong to fyle No matter more now to compile The tyme to tracte do I intende But close vp my boke and make an ende ¶ But first to you master Polidoâ—… Your conscience onely to discharge Whiche of long tyme hath been obliuiâ—… Against vs Brutes in writyng so large Your spirites incensed all in a rage By your yeporte vs to infame Your pen to rashe your termes out of frame ¶ Where is become your bounden deutie Our antecessours this to deface Sithe it pleaseth the high Maiestie Of our moste noble the kynges good grace Not to disdaine as in this case To be compted of the same stocke and lyne Doune by dissent to this present tyme. Who wer more worthy then wer these three Hercules Hector and Arthur the kyng For their princely Magnanimitee Was neuer none to them resemblyng In bodely strength all other surmountyng Lions Dragons monsterous and wild By manly coÌ„straint made them tame milde ¶ These princely men these worthies thre Whose knightly force for to preferre Poetes do fayne a singularitee For their manhode and strength in warre Should be transformed into a starre As it wer by a deuine grace In the Cristall sky to take their place ¶ To bryng you from all ambiguitie Unto the truth of this succession By a dissente and a genelogie Without any vain ostentacion I purpose with an honest emulacion Here to conclude who so list to loke Set together at the ende of my boke ¶ But yet because I haue expressed As here to fore somewhat al large Our old abuses newly redressed Perchance ye will ley theim to my charge Saiyng therin ye haue aduantage So that we cannot the thyng deny But with the Prophete to saie peccaui ¶ We do confesse our simplicite Like as it was in tyme of Israell To liue with milke yerbes and hony For greate excesse we take no trauell Nether for pompe or riche apparell We Welshemen plaine that do deny Whiche is oft muche vsed in Italie ¶ But as Dauid with grace replete In tyme of Saull the famous kyng Disdained not his shepe to kepe Aboute the feldes them pastoryng Likewise do we our selfes conferryng Disdaine not herdmen to be Whiche is aparte of our ciuilite ¶ We vse no figges in pees â—…tage or meat Which in Italy is oft frequented Without suspecte together we eate No poysons with vs is there inuented And ye again contrary incensed With poyson strong this is insubstance The greater estate the lesse of assurance ¶ Withdrawe your pen Master Polidorus Your vain reporte and fliyng fantasy Your termes grose and matter slanderus No more in this to amplify But what maie stande with honesty Wordes of defame ye maie well thinke Men will requite euen to the pittes brinkâ—… ¶ Herin to make a degression After the mynde of Iosephus In the yeres and computacion Betwene noble Brute and Romulus And of their citees stately and sumpteous Which of theÌ„ twaine should other surmouÌ„t Of antiquitee their yeres to accompt ¶ Also their stocke birthe and their lyne As â—…usebius and also sainct Bede Plainly doth define and determyne Brute to bee moste auncient in dede Foure hundred and twenty yeres as I rede So that London was a citee of fame When Rome nor Romulus beare no name ¶ Loke vp your stories and marke theÌ„ well When Brute began his foundacion Ely was Iudge and prieste in Israell Nexte insuyng after Samson As holy scripture maketh mencion Whiche was before Christ M. C. xxii yere As in the stories more plainly doth apere ¶ And thus Eusebius also sainct Bede Affirmeth plain in