A Chronycle with a Genealogie declaryng that the Brittons and Welshemen are lineallye dyscended from Brute. Newly and very wittely compyled in Meter.
The preface. To the hyghe and moste excellente Prince Edwarde the six [...], Kynge of Englande, Fraunce and Irelande, and in yearthe the supreme heade of the Churche of Englande and Irelande: Arthur [...]elton wyssheth continuall peace, helthe of bodye, and prosperous successe.
AS the worthy, prudent Secretary
In those daies, named Danucius
Wrote volumes large, of, famous memory
Onely to prefer, and make glorious
The name of his Lord, called Aurelius
Thinkyng it sinne, rebuke and shame
Out of his boke, to seclude his name.
¶ Eucolpius, euen in like case
Preferred, Alexander Seuerus
Whiche in his tyme, so worthy was
The Romain Tato, with Citus Liuius
Aduaunced the name, of [...]easar Iulius
Thus one after other, their time Did apply
To that entent, good fame shuld not dy.
¶ Euen so most mighty, and gracius prince
[Page] Under support of your benigne grace,
I mindyng sleuth, vtterly to conuince
As most vnworthy, folowyng their trace
Your redoubted father, in euery lyke case
For to aduaunce, my wittes will frame
With the most worthiest, to set out his name
¶ After shall intreate, of his magnificence
His lawes, statutes, his Ciuil ordinaunce
His mighty powre, his wonderfull prudence
His iust iudgemētes, his rightfull gouernāce
Namely to speake of very true substance
His graces lawes, most godly deuised
Lately into Wales, to vs there commised
¶ With a certayne true comparison
Whiche was most worthiest, of Antiquitie
The Romains, with their foundacion
Ether the Brutes, with their posteritie
And of their Cities, the soueraigntie
Which of them twayne, shuld other surmoūt
London or Rome, as after shall recount.
¶ With an extract, or a Genealogy
Conueiyng his, and your most noble discent
As auncient Aucthors, putteth in memory
From the fyrst age, to this time present
Accordyng to their myndes, & true iudgement
Who wrote the same, in time long paste
To that intent, it shuld indure and last.
¶ Consideryng the high magnificence
Of your father, most clerely did shyne
[Page] Passing al other, in princely excellence
None to be compared before his tyme
Al men perceiue, your nature doth inclyne
To amplify the same, more out at large
Surmoūting the steps of your fathers stage
¶ In whom consisteth, our confidence
Our hope, our trust, our consolacion
Wherin nature, sheweth an euidence
Accordyng to our expectacion
To folowe the same, by inclinacion
With your mother, most gracious Quene
Whose vertue plaine, in your face is sene.
¶ Thus God of his deuine myght
Hath indued, your most noble maiestie
As appeareth to euery mannes syght
Whose incomperable dexterstie
In learnyng, hauyng a soueraigntie
Passyng all other, by reporte of name
Consideryng your age, this is the fame.
¶ The procedynges, of yournoble age
Doth vs encourage, your subiectes trewe
Well perceauyng, your verteous courage
Most godly stories, for to insewe
Which doth insence: my hert doth renewe
To dedicate, this vnworthy litell boke
Unto your highnes, therevpon to lake.
¶ Whiche was begon, in your fathers time
Unto whose highnes, I minded the same
But death alas, his life did vptwyne
[Page] Before I coulde my purpose well frame
Preuenting al thinges, but his worldly fame
Whiche may not passe, wither, nor yet decaie
His famous report, indure shal alway.
¶ O ye infernal systers of the darcke nighte
With Cerberus in Hel, as Poetes doth fain
Of all nobilitie, the quenchers of lighte
Whose crueltie, no wight can restrayne
Ye cut the thred, ye parte in twayne
The life of man, without respecte
The poore ye spare, the noble reiecte.
¶ Cursed be ye, ye doughters of Hell
Whiche are in number, counted but three
Cloto, Lachesis, and Atropos the fell
Ye might haue spared, your crueltie
A littel tyme, of our felicite
Untill our king, most noble of corage
Had proceded into moo yeares of age.
¶ What I haue written in sentence playne
In laude or prayse, of your father dere
Unto your highnes, let it remayne
As though it did, to your grace appere
Written of your selfe, as matter clere
With no lesse zeale, obedience and loue
Then duetie may obserue, increase and moue
¶ I do confesse, and this is trewe
If Cato the sage, or prudent Tully
With their fyled tonges, and sentence new [...]
Were here again his grace to magnify
[Page] As they dyd the Romains glorify
Yet shulde they not, as in this case
Worthely geue prayse, vnto his grace
¶ All thynges remembred as of my parte
Most humbly desireth, your noble grace
With constant wyll, and faithfull heart
To pardon my boldenes, foly and trespace
Consideryng alway, as in this case
That euery trewe heart, inforced is
To rendre his loue, duetie and seruice.
The ende of the preface.
The Chronicle of the Brutes.
IN the Golden tyme when al thynges florished
As it were, by deuyne prouidence
And that nature in manne was stablished.
Hauyng reason, wisdome and science
By gifte of the high magnifycence
To vnderstand, determine and knowe
The Heauens aboue, and the earth alowe.
¶ Then the wyse, sage and auncient
By great industry and diligent laboure
By sobre respecte and great aduisement
Made lawes, statutes, with other good order
Man to stablyshe, onely by fauoure
Them to conducte, sauely to bryng
Unto knowledge, wisdome and learnyng.
¶ Thus by politike moderacion
Without rigoure, or cruel ordinaunce
Prynces notable, of intencion
Hauyng poure and mightye gouernaunce
Established lawes, by discrete purueyaunce
Onely theyr subiectes, to keepe in awe
Dreadyng God, and fearyng his lawe.
Such Princes, kinges & famous Emperors
[Page] Of duetie ought to be magnified
Not onely as worthy Lonqueroures
But as men with grace nutrified
Whose actes are worthy to be specified
Enrolled vp with golde pearle and stone
Registred in a boke, them selfes alone.
¶ Like as the Romains wyse & circumspect
In tyme long past, their fame to aduaunce
All notable thynges, as in effecte
Made by statutes, or Liuill ordynance
Registered was, for a remembraunce
Their Senate onely to magnify
By fam' report, as thei thought thē worthy.
¶ The Romaines most commended Leasar
The Troians Hector the famous knyghte
The Percians, great Alexander
The Grekes Achilles, for manhode & myght [...]
The Larthagiens, to maintain their righte
Affirmyng Hanniball, their lodesterre
Thus euery one, his tyme dyd preferre.
¶ And we Arthur most worthyest of all
Ought to remember, in our fantasy
Passyng all other, in deedes marciall
Like Mars him selfe, shinyng in glory
In his triumphes, conquest and victory
As the story of him do the recounte
All other kinges in his time dyd surmount.
AS that tyme is past, and worne out
This tyme present, we must put in vre
[Page] That in time to come, there be no doute
But that this tyme, that time may assure
For time once past, is without recure
Wherfore this tyme, let vs intende
The time to come, may this time cōmende.
¶ Let the Romains, aduannce their Leasar
The Troian Hector, their famous knyght
The Percian their great Alexander
The Greke Achilles, for strength & myght
The Larthagiens, to maintain their 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
[Page] Directyng my style, this present tyme
In worde and sence, straight as a lyne
With Rome, Carthage, Thebes & other m [...]
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
[Page] 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
Alcibiades of Athenes.
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
[Page] Causeth subiectes, them selfes to endeuer
Where gentlenes is, in loue to perceu [...].
¶ By his gentlenes, our wrōges 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
[Page] 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 Englād
¶ Like as Minos, that famous kyng
Somtime raignyng, in the land of Crete
Minos king 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
[Page] 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.
[Page] ¶ 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, to spoyle and waste
By colour or craft, suthe meanes to caste
Them to kepe in thraldome and bondage
Where they ought, no dewtie nor seruage.
¶ Yet some there were, by way of exaction
[Page] Under pretence, of suche rialte [...]
By craft, and subtill collusion
Onely to deceiue, the porealtee
Affirmyng vnder suche libertee
All men to take, that there shoulde passe
Out of their way, to fine for their trespasse.
¶ A lacke that suche ingratitude
In mannes mynd shuld be comprehended
A poore man, beyng destitude
Oute of his way, nothyng offended
The oppression, before entended
Compound they must, be it right or wronge
Or els inforced to some pryson stronge.
¶ Suche was the custome, without defence
Playnely to yelde, or money to pay
Foly it was, to speake of indigence
For ready money, wolde then a away
(And further) some dothe report and say,
They must agre, and be at a poynt
As the Foster wold, or els lose a ioynte.
¶ Worthy Edippus the famous yōg knight
Which was so lusty, and freshe of courage
ppus of b [...]
So strong, so hardy, so full of myght
Had neuer so dredefull, a passage
Nor in the lengthe of all his voyage
Founde none so monsterus a beast
In mountayne, wodde chace or forest.
Spynx the serpent whiche was so odible
So monsterus, so fearefull to see
[Page] So fyerse, so cruell, and so terrible
Deuouryng all thyng without pitie
Was neuer so full of crueltie
Men for to spoyle, for siluer or golde
in story founde, that euer was tolde.
¶ This Edippus with full pure entent
Goyng towarde Thebes, that famous citie
Of aduenture met this cruell Serpent
Uppon the mountayne, called Phocie
Of his manfull, Magnamitee
There he slewe this monsterous beast
S [...]ttyng the countrey, and Thebes at rest
¶ But our Edippus, refuge and Champion
Our comforte our ioye and hear [...]es solace
Our noble, most famous of renoune
Our kyng most worthiest that euer was
Onely by prudence, hath brought to pas
A thousande hath slayne, as in effecte
Whiche of suche cryme, by force wer detecte.
Our mountains, our wodes, ourchases gret
From suche exactions, are made full playne
No raucnous prayes, now can they geate
They must of force, their fury restrayne
They may no longer, suche purpose attayne
There is no helpe for their refute
But leaue their custome, and olde pursute.
¶ There shall no crafte, nor yet colusion
No fayned tales, no falce pretence
No colour, deceipte, or adulacion
[Page] Be taken nowe for their defence
Lyke as they are, suche lyke recompence
So that the truthe shalbe defended
When the vniuste shalbe condempned.
¶ Hathe not his grace, of his mere goodnes
Moste pryncely, our causes to renewe
Brought vs from all wrongfull dures
Suche abusions, onely to subdew
And further all offenders to pursewe
Hathe stablyshed vs by prudent purueiaunce
Them to Chastise, for their misgouernaūce.
¶ Hercules the strong, and pereles knyghte
[...]uses of [...] or E [...].
Of whō the Poetes, so muche dothe faine
Had neuer more vertue force or myght
Then hath our kyng, Lorde and soueraygne
Yet dyd he wonderfull thinges attayne
In his conquest triumphes and victory
As the stories of hym do the specify.
¶ Busiris Antheus and Gereon
Of Egipte, Libie, also of Spayne
All thre kynges by succession
Can witnesse this story playne
Diomed in Trace, as kyng did raygne
Cacus Nessus and Cerberus the great
Also the Lyon, and the Bulle of Crete.
¶ Abcor the Serpent, odious and blacke
Most outragious wylde and sauage
The monsterus messe, of Archades lake
deuouryng all thynges in their rage
[Page] Hercules with most knyghtly visage
Slewe them all, suche was his grace
None might wtstād, his knighthod to deface.
¶ These tirantes great, by odius cryme
Accused were, of thefte and robbery
Bryngyng the countrey, vnto ruine
Spoilyng the people, of malice and enuy
Delityng in murder, and tiranny
Whiche caused Hercules, maugre their wyll
Them to betray, and after to kyll.
¶ Here must ye note, marke this ryght well
As Diodorus, affirmeth it playne
Also Sainct Ierome, likewyse doth tell
How that there were, Hercules twayne
Whiche were ryght noble, stories be playne
But Hercules, named Egipcius
Was he that dyd, these dedes meruaylous.
¶ Not Hercules, called Alcides
Whiche the Greekes, so highly do commend
Sonne of Iupiter, this is douteles
To whose powre he myght not extend
Who euer wyll the cause defend
Loke in the fifth boke, of Antiquities
Of Birosus, the Ethimologies.
¶ As in a treatise, lately compyled
After my simple, and rude deuice
As auncient Aucthors, hathe comprysed
In time long past, right famous and wyse
Whiche to set forth, I did enterpryse
[Page] Where ye may see, of these nobles twayn
For the cōmon welth which toke most payn.
¶ Of this Hercules, Called Egipcius
Came the notable, and famous lignage
Downe to Troy, and so to Brutus
Unto this day, with all the surplusage
To our most noble, ryall of courage
Henry the eyght, elect by grace deuine
Of the same discent, stocke blud and lyne.
¶ Whiche onely nowe, for our redresse
With like vygoure, and manfull myght
As a kyng, of wisedome perelesse
Consideryng all thynges of ryght
Suche tiranny hath appealed out of syghte
By his royall powre, and heart most cōstant
As at this tyme, to vs is apparaunt.
¶ Where are become, these tirauntes great
So insaciate, of their desyre
Whose [...]auin some time, no man could set
So [...]raged was, their mortall yre
Who durst denay, what they did require
To burne or spoyle, all was one thyng
Suche was their vse, custome and liuyng.
¶ The trewe man abrode, he might not pas
But must of force, with them compounde
Like as they wold, geue more or las
Or els they wolde, his wealthe confounde
With some distres, to beate or wounde
His cattell steale, or goodes to spoile
Thus wolde the Thefe, the true man defo [...]e.
[Page] ¶ yf they were taken, as seldome was sene
They wolde alledge, for theyr defence
The Lord of the soyie myght them redeme
And of this roialtee, with them dispence
Suche was their vse, and vyle pretence
Paiyng therfore, their fine accustomed
From all daungier, to be franchysed
¶ The partie nothyng herein suffysed
Must nedss of force, his wrong sustayne
Goddes people vtterly despysed
The trewe man the losse, the thefe the gayne
Restitucion none should they attayne
Fiue pounde and a peny, paid for the fyne
The Thefe goeth quite, for fault and crime.
¶ And yet alas, one custome we had
Whiche as I thincke, all grace dyd expell
I suppose neuer none halfe so bad
Ingendred in the pitte of Hell
The pryce of a man, was knowen to well
Yf he ware [...]layne, the paiment should be
Lyke as he was, in byrthe or degre.
¶ O custome vnkynde, causer of distresse
Whose terrible plage, infecteth the Ayre
Mannes lyfe with murdre, to represse
Consideryng Christ, mannes solle to repayre
Became man, of a Uirgyn fayre
Onely for loue. man to redeme
Alas that man, with murdre shuld be sene.
¶ Murdre of truthe, is intollerable
[Page] Murdre before God, calleth for vengeaunce
Murdre to man, is abhominable
Murdre to nature, is a defiaunce
Murdre to lyfe, is a discontinuance
Murdre to grace, is playne a rebell
Murdre at the first, began sure in Hell.
¶ This was our coūtrey 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 communicaciō
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
[...]iꝰ Sarda [...]all.
The beginnyng of slouthe and Idlenesse
[Page] 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 surmount [...]
Thy vicious life, be [...]th full witnesse
She was thy lady and chiefe mastresse
To whom thou didst, thy self abounde
Whiche was the cause thy person to cōfoūd
¶ For Arbachus, of vertues respecte
[...]cou Arbachu
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 v [...]e
For custome all moste, turneth to nature.
¶ Note where idlenesse, doth oft remayne
Fare well all verteous businesse
For idlenesse, inflameth the brayne
[Page] 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 comm [...]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 delu [...], 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 w [...]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 frui [...]e, was scant and bare
Our countree voyde, laie halfe in wast
I dare allege, and surely declare
[Page] Now at this tyme we maie well spare
If there should chaunce, a tyme of nede
With corne and cattaile, our neighbors fe [...]
¶ 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
[...]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
[Page] [...]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 thentent, 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 t [...]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
[Page] His subiectes to kepe, preserue and aduance.
¶ Reken Lesar, with his triumphes all
Alexander, Hecto [...], 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 commēded
Frō vicious life, their subiectes hath defēded.
¶ 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.
[Page] 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
[...]idorus.
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
[Page] 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 reboūde
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
[Page] Wordes of reproche, spoke again right
Menne should abhorre, and cleane reiecte
To breue my tyme, this is theffecte
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
[Page] 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
Whē 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
[Page] 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
[...]hree crounes of gold, sumteously wrought
A Lion sette, on his helmet a lofte.
¶ Also G [...]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
[Page] 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 & assēt
Again you Romains, with hert most veruēt
¶ 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
[Page] 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 cōquest, 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▪ xxiii. Chapiter, the seuenth boke
There maie ye se, by plain discripcion
The yere of our Lorde, who list to loke
A [...] xi hundred foure score, his body vp toke
Translated into Glastinbury
By the famous kyng, the second Henry.
[Page] ¶ 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 grounde, his body to hide
Sometyme in Britaine, famously reignyng
God of his mercie, for hym prouide
His solle vnto rest, to be his guide
For a more concordaunce of yearthly fame
For euermore, florishe mought his name.
¶ But ye Romains so full of pride
Will in no wise, to this assent
In couerture, all thynges to hide
Of ambicion, and froward intent
In all your stories, this is full ment
Nothyng to touche, or matter to frame
Whiche should rebounde, to your rebuke or
(shame
¶ Youre olde enmite, rancor and debate
Will not permit, the Brutes to aduaunce
By cause your noble Imperiall estate
By theim was brought, vnto vtteraunce
At your hard walles, suche was your chaūce
The honor ye lost, your knightes māly slain
By princes notable, kynges of Britain.
¶ For shame a wake, beginne of newe
[Page] Recante your fayned fantasie
To Master [...]olidorus.
Confesse your faulte, all is vntrewe
Make some excuse, with honestie
Affirme the slepe, was in your iye
Feble with watche, heuy was your hed
Ye wist not well, what ye wrote or said.
¶ And thus maie ye, your self excuse
Referryng it, vnto ignorance
Your old errours, clene to refuse
Resityng playne, as matter insubstance
All that ye did, was of inconstance
Affeccion moued so muche your intent
For to write trewe, ye could not assent.
¶ Sithe ye so largely, in your pretence
Here tofore; haue vs frequented
Ia amplifiyng, your cruell insence
Again vs moste fraudently inuented
Though herin my spirites be incensed
You to requite, in writyng so large
Take it a worth, myne is the charge.
¶ For he that will, causeles procure
Or it inuent, thynges of defame
He maie well iudge, beyng right sure
Men will requite hym, euen with the same
Likewise again, in borde or in game
As the cause is, seke out the grounde
Slandered report, clene to confounde
¶ Ye are vnueritabl, in your reporte
Unshamefast, auctours to deny
[Page] And we very lothe, for to supporte
Fables vntrewe, to inuent a lye
Let Boccas by iudge, if ye will apply
Whiche of vs twaine, moste haue offended
Or in this case, worthiest to be commended.
¶ Where ye alledge, and vs accuse
That we in battaill, are feble and faint
No fetes of armes, that we can vse
But must of force, of very constraint
Intreate of peace, as towardes attaint
Your slandered reporte, to your infame
Shall euer increase, in hinderyng your name
¶ I will appeale, as in this case
Recorde to take, of Titus Liuius
Let hym verify, how all thynges was
In the tyme of noble Camillus
Dictatour of Rome with famous Lucius
Consuls electe, as for that yere
With Emilius, the story is full clere.
¶ Eutropius an auctoure full trewe
Likewise plainly, doth defyne
As in the story, before doth insewe
The famous Brutes, as in their tyme
Beyng of discente, bloud birthe and lyne
Of noble Brute, their fury to withstande.
Rome inclosed, with moste mighty Englāde
¶ If ye list by clere, computacion
Plainly to knowe, the yeres and the tyme
How long it was, after Romes foundacion
[Page] Three hūdred thre score, puttyng therto nyne
The first fall, the wofull ruyne
Of Rome that euer, I did of rede
Neuer before, standyng in suche feare & drede
¶ Oh ye Romains, full of presumpcion
Remembre your birthe, stocke, and your line
And of your citee, the first foundacion
Accomptyng A milius your parentyne
With Rea his sister, the feminyne
And Aldre last, truly to discus
The two brethren, Remus and Romulus:
¶ Ye beganne with robery and pilage
And we by marciall dissipline
Ye froward of birthe, bloud and linage
And we right noble, famous of line
Accompt bothe male, and feminyne
Ye in fayned, fables to inewe
And we in forced, to stories trewe.
¶ Thynges grounded on wrong maie not
Scripture therof, maketh mencion (indure
An euill beginnyng, who maie assure
Therof to make, a good foundacion
For where nothyng is, but fraude & treason
Murdre riote, with foule aduoutry
The ende must nedes, be full of misery.
¶ Though fortune fauor, a tyme to aduāce
In her assence, climyng a lofte
With a pretence, of faire countenance
As hath been proued, in tymes full ofte
[Page] In her returne, fallyng un [...]fte
She hath agayne, with [...]wnyng there
Dusked the weather, before pure and clere:
¶ Where ar no we, your famous Emperors
Your triumphant knightes, stately ridyng
Your notable wise Senatoures
Your Cons [...]ers, your Citie guidyng
Your pr [...]ctes Dictatours, clerely shining
Are they not [...]onsumed, frus [...]rate and gone
And ye from fauoure, almost left alone▪
¶ Your noble Ma [...]che called Aurelius
Which was of Rome, the famous Emperor
Marcus Aurelius
Criyng out, with voice most piteous
Cursyng the tyme, the day and houre
When Rome beganne, fir [...] for to flowre
Triumphyng in pompe, also in pride
Which caused vertue, from Rome to deuide.
¶ Did not he also, piteously complayne
Saiyng of truthe, Rome shal be cōfounded
Of very Justice, the Goddes cannot refrain
But of equitie, must be condempned
For like he said, as Rome was commended
Aboue all other, most worthiest of name
The time shall come, of reproche and shame.
It must procede, by iustfull sentence
Consideryng al thynges of ryght
Where opp [...]ssion is done by violence
It may not indure, by force of myght
Example good, to euery wight
[Page] Beholde ye Romains, this present tyme
Are ye not almost, brought vnto ruine.
¶ Considre well, your first begynnyng
Of Remus and Romulus, brother & brother
Remus and Romulus
An accident, of very euill liuyng
If ye note well, Rea their mother
Sacred to Uesta, it was no other
Professed there, onely to Chastitee
Hir lyfe duryng, to liue in virginitie.
¶ The Temple by her, defiled was
The story playne, beareth full witnesse
And she againe, for her trespasse
By her brother, cruell and merciles
Uoyde of all succoure, beyng remediles
Died in prison, recure was there none
Her chyldren sole, left alone.
Their father not knowen, for birth or linage
Fostered they were, without al reuerence
Of a shee Wolfe, full wilde and sauage
The children froward, cruell of corage
Of very hatred, ire and disdayne
The elder brother, the yonger hath slayne.
¶ Lyke as their vncle, named Emilius
His brother slewe, with fraude and treason
So in like case, most cruell Romulus
Against all kynd, and naturall reason
His brother slewe, for his possession
Thus of Rome, was the Antiquitie
Murdre vpon murdre, voyde of all pitie.
[Page] ¶ Remembre Rome, thy olde abusion
Thy infamed, and cursed gouernance
Thy tiranny, and falce extorcion
Thy great adultrie, and foule daliaunce
Way these together, al in one balaunce
And thou shalt not fynd, any rightful sētence
Against the Brutes, to geue euidence.
¶ Who began fyrst, the Ciuill warres
Discord, discencion, troble and stryffe
The proud Romains, surmoūting the sterres
Whiche was the losse, of many mannes life
Marius & Silla, began the myschefe
Marius and Silla.
Foure thousand lay deade and slayne
Six hundred knightes, the story is playne
¶ Likewyse most dredefull and piteous
For to reherse, the woful distruction
Betwene Pompey, and Ceasar Julius
Thre hundred M. brought to confusion
Murdred & slain, through falce abusion
Ceasar Julius Pompeius.
Thus of the Romains, was ye gouernaunce
Let Boccas be iudge, of al their mischaunce.
¶ Who were the cruell, persecutours
Who subplanted, Christes religion
Who were the falce, conspiratours
Who were the traytours, to euery region
Who, wrought fraud, who wrought treasō
Who slewe the Appostles, Peter and Paul [...]
Who martered, all most the sainctes all.
¶ Who inuented, falce conspiracie
[Page] Who oppressed, the pore Innocent
Who slewe the worthy, Scipions thre
Oh cursed people, without al reuerence
Who conspired against the magnificence
Of Ceasar, most mightiest of estate
[...] Scipions [...]
By treason slaine, among your Senate.
¶ Oh cruell Rome, confesse thy outrage
Thy shameful murdre, thy foule abusion
Cry out and cōplaine, with al thy surplusage
Alacke alacke, through falce contradiction
In the was slayne, by cruell treason
The lantern the light, the prince of eloquence
Among you Romains, most of excellence.
¶ Of Rethorique, the famous oratour
In his daies, called sage Tullye
[...]ully
Chosen to be a gouernoure
Your common weale, onely to guyde
By meane of knighthode, also of Cleargy
Defended you, from proude Cataline
Which wold haue brought your citie to ruine
¶ With all his falce conspiratours
which to his treason, were fully consented
Punished those rebelles, and traitours
By prison strong, their bodies turmented
By force wherof, the commons assented
The prison to call, after his owne name
Tullian, the more to encreace his fame
¶ What shuld I say, of your treasons all
To amplify them, and set them at large
[Page] In murdre and riote, like fendes infernall
So monsterous ye are, of mind and corage
Of customes olde, as beastes full sauage
Innocentes to kill, vertue to confound
Of all sorowes, the rote and the ground
¶ Fourtene Emperours, in stories I fynde
One after other, there did insewe
To Christes faith, cruell and vnkynde
Innocent bloud, causelesse to pursewe
Onely twayne, no mo was founde trewe
All the rest, as tirantes inflamed
Woldin no wise, Christ to be named.
¶ Recorde I take, of that cursed man
To God alway, founde contrarius
Ualarian
Called in his day, cruell Ualerian
Uoide of all fauoure, most impiteous
Of Emperoures all, none more vngracious
Against Christes faithe, of mind and will
By persecucion, his sainctes to kyll.
But god of his grace, his power to wtdrawe
Sapor
Caused Sapor that time kyng of Perce
For all his froward, and cursed lawe
His imperiall powre, sone to suscesse
Toke him prisoner, in middes of the Prece
Made a fote stoole, of his cursed Corse
When euer he lyst, to mount on his Horsse.
¶ Likewise the tiraunt, named Domician
Proudest of all, recken any one
Domician
Persecuted many a Christian man
[Page] Into Pathmos, exiled Sainct Ihon
Thought him selfe, most worthiest alone
In his estate, proudly vp stalled
A God abrode, for to be called.
¶ Made a decree, of very presumpcion
In paine of death, no man to deny
But God aboue, knowyng his intencion
To punishe his pride, in his owne army
Caused his knightes, to wounde his body
With vnware death, the story to expresse
Denied of buriall, was his Carcasse.
¶ Most cruell infamed Maxence
Maxence
Likewyse our Faith, he did pursewe
Causeles with most cruell violence
Hauyng no respecte, to Christ Iesu
Slayne as a traytour, to God vntrewe
Of very disdayne, his life once past
His cursed troncke, into Cybre was cast.
¶ Galerius falseste of assent
Against Christes Faith, sought occasion
Galerius
Them to destroy, by furious iudgement
Whiche was at length, to his confusion
With sicknesse take, thus in conclusion
The Ayre corrupted, gan to putrify
Onely by stincke, of his carren body
¶ Also valence, the prowes Emperou [...]
Whiche in his rage, was so mercylesse
Ualence.
Against Hermites, them to deuoure
Liuyng in desert, and wildernesse
[Page] Slewe them all of very wilfulnesse
Consumed he was, by brennyng of Fyre
By the Gootes, which his death dyd conspire
¶ Most cursed of all, that I rehearse can
Among all your falce conspiratours
Iulian Apostita.
Was your Emperour, named Iulian
Whiche wrought by crafty inuencions
Called sprytes, by his Coniuracions
Did them worship, by way of sacrifice
Unto God most hatefull, in such maner wise
¶ With them he had, suche conuersacion
That they to hym, were fauourable
For his Ceremonies, and falce oblacion
Promisyng him, to be veritable
That he shoulde passe, in deedes honorable
Great Alexander, in triumphant victory
As in excellyng, his state and glory.
¶ Thus fell he into fayned fantasy
Trus [...]yng to Pluto, the God infernall
But then the Lorde most mighty
Disdayned his pryde, Imperiall
Send vnto him a knyght Immortall
Most Angelicke, in stele armed bryght
Roue hym to the hearte in his most myght.
¶ Among all other, that I can rede
Most vicious, and odiu [...] to heare
Was cursed Nero, without feare or drede
Uicius Nero.
Whose shamful story, plainly doth appere
Consydre it well: ye Romains drawe nere
[Page] Suche do ye foster, nurrishe vp and bryng
Hatefull to God, most fro ward in liuyng
¶ Who was more vicious of nature
By constraint of his disposicion
Who was more vnsure, grace to recouer
Then was Nero, by inclinacion
More prouder of port, with fraude & treason
His wife his brother, causelesse he slewe
No matter of right, them to pursewe.
¶ This story right sore, doth him accuse
With his mother called Agripine
Like a ribauld her body shuld mysuse
In carnal knowlage, filthy as a swine
And further playnely to defyne
His mothers wombe, he corue vpon a day
To se the place, nine monethes where he la [...]e.
¶ This proud tirant, vnfortunate man
Morall Sene [...], causeles he slewe
[...].
Which was his maister when he began
Uirgins profest, he dyd pursewe
Beyng right chaste, stedfast and true
His Lecherus lust, onely to fulfyll
Rauished them of force, against their wyll
¶ Yet moreouer, this Fend infernall
Against Christes faithe, most dispiteous
[...]eter and [...]aule
Slewe the Apostles, Peter and Paule
For which vengeance, & deedes most lecherus
God gaue him ouer, as man vngracious
With a dagger, roue him selfe vnto the hert
[Page] Died for payne, anguishe and deadly smarte.
Thus God of his righte, tirātes can chastyce
Which wil rebell, against pore innocencie
Them to murdre, and will not aduertise
In Christ to haue, trewe confidence
They must of force, without assistence
Remayne with Cerberus, the Hell hound
Linked with Tātalus in chaines fast bound.
¶ Of our Emperours, a ful great number
I coulde resite froward of courage
Christes faithe, causeles to incumber
I will let pas, all the surplusage
No more to speake, of fraude and pyllage
Neither murdre, treason, with their infame
Set them together, with rebuke and shame.
¶ Can ye deny, but this is trewe
Why do ye then, vs Brutes accuse
We are right lothe, our faultes to renue
But sithe ye causeles, do vs misuse
As in report, ye cannot refuse
Grosse is his witte, worthy of infa [...]e
That will not defend, his countrey & name.
¶ If ye loke well, and iudge a ryght
Ye ought not vs, Welshmen disdayne
Sith we with all our force and might
Your holy men did entertayne
From your exile, and cruell payne
When that they durst, no where abyde
For their refuge, we did prouide.
[Page] ¶ For in the time, of your great outrage
When no man myght, your malice intreate
So wilfull were ye, of minde and corage
Christ and his lawes, sone to forget
His electe to kyll, malice and threate
Of very constraint, inforced to flee
So cruell and merciles, that time were ye.
¶ Helpe or redresse, none could they finde
Their carefull life, for to assure
Their inspyred heartes, their constant minde
Inforced were, lacke of recure
To seke abrode, their harde aduenture
Where that they might, with pure intent
Christes religion for to augment.
¶ Then into Wales, they dyd approche
Through Goddes prouidence, his myght to
Under many a strōg mighty roche (shewe
Builded their Chappels, in desertes lowe
In sondry places, as men doth knowe
As at this day, plainely doth appere
The places olde, euident and clere.
¶ This is no fayned inuencion
Neither yet no curious fable
Who lyst to loke, without suspection
Shall fynde it trewe, and veritable
Written by fathers, honorable
For a more concordant of Godly fame
Our Churches at this day, [...]reth their name
¶ Loke vp your stories, and sentence olde
[Page] Accompiyng the tyme, yeares and season
I dare affyrme, Beyng so bolde
To make herein, a comparison
With any Christen religion
For lengthe of time, bearyng good name
Concernyng out fayth, for any infame
¶ A thousand. 300. fowre score & twayne
Sithen it floryshed, fyrst with vs
In the time of many a proude Romayne
Martered was holy Euleutcrius
In whose tyme raigned Lucius
In Britaigne, the famous region
Then entered forth Christes religion
¶ This was in the yere of our Lorde
An hundred six and fiftye playne
After his byrthe, stories doth accord
Sithin the faythe, came fyrst into Britaygne
Among vs Brutes there to remayne
As at this day, ye may well see
Neuer accused, of Infidelite
¶ What place so constant, sure and stable
As at that tyme, myght there be founde
Like vnto Wales, none so veritable
No tiranny with vs, there did abounde
The Faith remayned, full hole and sounde
Accordyng to Christes religion
Without spot or gall, of infection.
To what place shuld they haue resorted
To haue had redresse, in this misery
[Page] Or where shuld they haue ben supported
Nether in Rome, neither in Italy
Nether in Spaine, Fraunce, or Germany
Brefely to conclude, this is manifest
From the sonne risyng, doune to the Weste.
Such tirantes that time had the gouernaūce
That no man durste Christ to confesse
Dispysed his lawes, and in that instaunce
In. xxx. daies, as Scripture doth witnesse
Twenty thousand slayne this is doutlesse
[...]clecian [...]ximian
By Dioclesian, raigning in the Easte
And Maximinian, do wne in the west.
¶ Who euer harde, of suche a sorte
So vngracious, and so vntrewe
As were the Romaynes, in their report
To blaspheme our Lord, Christ Iesu
Affirmyng plaine, this to be trewe
That Rome neuer ioyousely prospered
Sithin the faith, among them entered
¶ Loke in the time, of Arcadius
There may ye se, their false opinion
Beyng Emperour, with Honorius
[...]aidus [...]h hono [...]s.
Unto their Idolles hauyng affection
As sainct Austine, maketh relacion
In his boke called Ciuitate Dei
Where he confoundeth, their false Heresy.
¶ My hand quaketh, for fere and drede
My heart of truthe, beginneth to shrinke
When I beholde, this story to rede
[Page] The teares weate, distilleth my incke
Oh Lorde, to remember and thincke
The crueltie, mischefe, and endles paine
Among the Romains, that time did raigne
¶ Who shuld but morne, lament and wepe
Consideryng all thynges of ryghte
The vertuous with grace then replete
Put in exile, cleane out of syght
The tirauntes great, by force of myght
Persecuted the innocent bloudde
Thus with the Romains, that time it stode.
To brefe my sentence, the truthe to tel
With vs in Wales, none were opprest
No tirauntes great, with vs did dwelle
There was the place, of peace and rest
Christ and his lawes, for to degest
None durst approche, that to deny
Agayne our faithe, once to reply.
¶ How may ye then, with vs compare
Or why do ye, Welshmen defame
Let your owne stor [...]es, the truthe declare
Ye are defectiue, euen in the same
As in reproche, worthy of blame
Innocentes, gyltlesse to accuse
In that your selfe, most dothe abuse.
¶ Of your nobles, and Emperours all
With Constantine, make no comparison
For his magnificence Imperiall
Borne in Britaygn, that famous region
[Page] He was the fyrste, of hearty affection
That dyd decree, al men to dye
Christ and his lawes that wolde denye.
¶ Unto the Churche, for Christes sake
Excelled all other, before his time
The Romayne Temples, newely did make
Dedicated them by sentence deuine
To the honor of God, and the orders nyn [...]
With most mere and pure deuocion
Gaue to the Church, the fyrst possession
¶ To that intent, from all indigence
The ministers, shuld stande at reste
God for to serue, with due reuerence
All worldly thoughtes to be represt
Uertue to increace, this is manifest
All solitary, there for to abyde
For the loue of Chryst, this did he prouide.
Gaue goodes & treasure with ornamēts large
Amplifyde all thynges, with great expence
Made a decree, and gaue in charge
That all men shuld, with due reuerence
To Christes crosse, kepe his obedience
And was the fyrst, in Banner and Shylde
Crosses to peynt, that bare in felde.
¶ Oh most famous Coustantine
To whom no Romayne might attayne
Whose goodnesse the worlde did inl [...]ine
Borne in England, then called Brytaygne
Sonne of S. Helin, the story is playne
[Page] From Troy linially, downe discended
In Christes Churche, most to be commeded.
¶ But nowe a lacke, all is reuersed
Onely through fayned perfection
For doubtles, vertue was repressed
When Constantine, first of affection
To Peters Churche, gaue such possession
Then obedience, beganne to rebell
Whiche caused pride, Humilitee to expell
¶ O Rome Rome, chāge thi soil, remoue thy
Barrē & bare, fruteles is thy groūd (place
The bish of Rome
Yet vnto this day, for lacke of grace
Littell vertue, in the there doth abound
I dare alledge, this world so rounde
May not suffyce, this present houre
So satisfye thy head and gouernoure
¶ The cruell Emperours, by force of warre
Myght neuer suche ryches attayne
Kingdomes to spoile, countreis to marre
As at this time the cause is playn [...]
With so smal trauayl, and so great gayne
Suche Policie there is inuented
By seale and wax, and parchment indented
¶ Solles for to saue, ded gone and past
But God alone no wight can tell
Whether they be free, or in payne caste
In Paradice, Heauen, or in Hell
Yet for money, those solles wil they sell
By auctoritee of Peter and Paule
[Page] Pardon forgeue, and release them all
¶ Thus Lord thy might, thei wold [...]draw
To whom mercy, onely doth appertaigne
As though they might, in heuen make a lawe
At their pleasure, solles to detayne
Some to release, and some to remayne
Like as they wolde, for mede or hyre
Some to acquite, some leaue in the fire.
¶ Oh Lorde aboue, a damnable offence
Among thy people, suche erroures to bryng
Against all trewthe, and godly reuerence
[...]. [...].
To haue a trust, in any other thyng
There is 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.
[Page] ¶ 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 mean [...]
Then in the bloud, of Christ Jesus
The immuculate lābe, 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 [...]
[Page] 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 Iosi [...], 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, shalbe 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
[Page] Thy olde mercie, newly to recorde
Our princes herte, inwardly doth mou [...]
Suche abusions, to reiecte and reproue
Thy lawes, Lorde, long out of remembrāc [...]
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
A [...]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 Polido [...]
Your conscience, onely to discharge
Whiche of long tyme, hath been obliui [...]
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
[Page] 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 cōstraint, 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
[Page] 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 [...]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
[Page] Wordes of defame, ye maie well thinke
Men will requite, euen to the pittes brink [...]
¶ 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 thē twaine, should other surmoūt
Of antiquitee, their yeres to accompt.
¶ Also their stocke, birthe, and their lyne
As [...]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 thē 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 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 Londō before Rome, was raised first
[Page] 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 nūbre.
¶ 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 hūdred. 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.
[Page] ¶ 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 ou [...] 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 ye whele goth a
C
To day a prince, of muche nobilite (bout
To morowe in dāger, stādyng 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.
[Page] ¶ Emong all princes, of excellence
Fo [...]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
Y [...]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 assuraūce
¶ But sithe it wer, all to tedious
Their auncient names, for to prescribe
I will be briefe, and comp [...]ndious
By numbre, to accompt this tribe
All foren kynges, fo [...] 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 Diodorus Secul [...]s, Birosus the Laldy in the. v. boke of his anti quities, Busebius Tibule, and Boc cas affirmith Osiris, was called Si [...]pis the God in Egipte.the firste kyng of Egipt, in Genesis called Misraem Also kyng of Italie.Hercules sonne of Osiris
- Labus or Samct Iherom in the [...]r of Gen [...] [...]is, Diodorus Biro [...]us, affirmentl this Hercules to do the. rii. nota ble labores. And not Hercules Al cides whiche the Grekes affirmeth to be their Lhampion.Libus called gr [...]a Hercules Kyng of Egipte, Italie, Almayne, Phenice, P [...]rigie, Libie, Argis, Grece, Affricke, Gall Seltike and Tuscan.
- Tus [...]us the sonne of Hercules Kyng of Italie.
- [Page] ¶ Atheus the sonne of Tuscus Kyng of Italy.
- ¶ Blascon the sonne of Altheus kyng of Italye.
- ¶ Lomblablascō Birosus in his. v boke of antiquities. I hō de Utter by commētator of Birosꝰ, saieth he had. 3 sonnes, Iaseus, Dardanus & Ar monia.the sōne of Blascon Kyng of Italye.
- Iaseus Kyng of Italy.
- Armonia the third brother.
- [Page] Dardanus Eusebius saith that Dardanꝰ began too reigne, the yere of the worlde. iii. thousande seuen hun dred. xxiii. the age of Moses. i. hundred and. xiiii.the secōd sonne of Lōbloblascon kyng of Dardine in Phrigie.
- Erictonius Loke in Diodorus seculus the fifte boke for Erictonius.the sōne of Dar dayne the second Kyng of Dardayne.
- Troos ye sōne Diodorus writeth ex pressely yt Troye, exiled Tan talus out of hyghe Phrigee, beyng kig there. Iliꝰ Assaracus & Ganim [...] des, sōnes of Trois.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.
- [Page] Laomedon sonne of Ilion kyng of Troy.
- Priamus Hector the valiāt the sōne of priamꝰthe sonne of Laomedon the laste Kyng.
- Assaracus the seconde soonne of Troys.
- Lapis t [...]e soonne of Assararus a Prince of Troye.
- Anchisis the sonne of Lapis a prince of Troy.
- [Page] ¶ Eness the Looke in sainct Au [...]en the twentye Chapiter of the seuentene booke of the Litee of God.sonne of Anchisis kyng of Italy.
- ¶ Ascanius the Loke in Eusebius and Sabellicus.sonne of Eneas and of Lheusa dou ghter of PriamusKyng of Italy.Kyng of [...]roy.
- ¶ Siluius brother of Ascanius sonne of Kyng of Italy.Eneas, and of Lauina.
- [Page] ¶ Brute the Brute of the noble bloud of [...]roye loke i Fasciculus Temporū [...] li [...]a Chri st [...] when Hel [...] was prieste in Israell & also loke Galfride,firste Kyng of Britayne sonne of Siluius Posthumus.
- Lambre Prince of Wales.
- [...]banactus of Scotland.
- ¶ Lotrynus the sonne of Brute the seconde Kyng of Britayne. Betwene Lotrsnus and Bellinu [...] w [...] [...]viii king [...].
- ¶ Belinus Belinus wt helpe of his brother Br [...] ouercame ye Bom [...] Loke [...] A [...] ye xx. bo [...] ▪the soonne of Donwallo the twentie and one Kyng of Britayne.¶ Betwene Belinꝰ and Lassibelan were [...] ▪ [...] ▪ ge [...].
- [Page] Lassibelan In Lassibelās time Iulius Le far came into this lande with his Romayns.soonne of Hely the three score and seuen Kyng of Br [...]ayne.Next Lassibelan was Tinencius kyng.
- [...]mbelyne the In [...] time IESVS CHRIST was borne of the glorious virgyn Marisoonne of Timen cius the. [...]. and nyne Kyng of Britayne.Betwene [...]imbelyn and Lucius was foure Kynges.
- ¶ Lucius the ¶ Lucius was the first Christen Kyng in the yere of our lord an hūdred fiftye and fiue yere. Looke in Gyldas.soonne of [...]oelles the seuenty and foure Kyng of Britayne.
- [Page] Cōstantine the great sonne of S. Emperoure of Rome Monarche and presydente of euery region of Christē dome.Helin, the iii [...]. score kyng of Britaygne.Betwene Cōstantine the Emperour and Constantyne the third, was four kynges in Britayne.
- Constantine th This Con stantine d [...]aue oute of Britany the Scotts Danes. Norweges Pictes, and hunes with the Romains, whi the sore oppressed Bry taygne.third of that name the. lxx [...]iiii. kyng of Britaygne.Betwene Constantine the thyrde and Arthure, was but foure kinges in Britaigne.
- Arthur the gret Of Arthur the greate loke in Fasciculus Tē porum in Li nea Christi iiii. hūdrede lxiiii. in Polic [...]onicon xxiii. Chapter, and in Galfride.in the yere of our lord. 400. lxxx was yt lxxxxii. kig of Britayne.Betwene der was. ix. Arthur and kynges in Cadwala-Britaygne.
- [Page] Tadwallader the Loke in Fabian whych affirmeth he slew Lotha riꝰ, his brother Edry [...]us, and Ithelwolde, three of the Saxons kiges: Loke also of Gal fridus.hunderde kynge of Britaygne, and the last kyng of Brytayne.The mortal plages infectiō of pestilence and scarsnes of victaylles draue Tadwallader to Rome.
- Idwall sonne of Idwall came into Wales by commandemēt of Tad walader to defende the Brytons agaynste the Saxōs. Of this Idwal Walshmen had their name.Tadwallader, prince of Northe Wales.Betwene Idwal & Twdwr Mawr was there eyght princes successiuely
- Tewdwr Mawre This price chased the Saxons, Danes and Pictes, frō the borders of Wales with all other foreyn enemyes.the great Prynce of Wales, was the ten the Prynce.Betwene Tewdwr Maure and Edmonde Earle of Richmond wer of lineall discente fully, xi. betwene Tadwaller and Edmōd. xxi
- [Page] Edmond Earle This famꝰ 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.of Richemonde sonne of Owen and Quene Katherine.
- Henri the seuenth This noble Kynge was called the second Salomon.sonne of Edmond Earle of Richmond.
- Henry the eyghte Henry the eyght moste christēking, King of En glād, Frāce and Ireland, and of the Church of England and Irelād, the first supreme Heade,sonne of Henry the seuenth
- Edwarde the sixt sonne of Hen ry the eight whom Eod preserue.
[Page] THese Auctours olde, with one accorde
This famous line, cōueigheth streight
To ou [...] most drad, soueraigne Lorde
By the grace of God, Henry the eyght▪
To Edward our price, our tresure of weight
Whom God aboue, their enemies represse
Send them long life, with plenteous successe.
FINIS.