Poly-Olbion by Michaell· Drayton Esqr

The fourth Song. (Book 4)

* THE ARGVMENT.

England and Wales striue, in this Song, To whether, Lundy doth belong: When eithers Nymphs, to cleere the doubt, By Musick meane to try it out. Of mightie Neptune leaue they aske: Each one betakes her to her taske; The Britaines, with the Harpe and Crowd: The English, both with still and loud. The Britaines chaunt King Arthurs glory▪ The English sing their Saxons storie. The Hills of Wales their weapons take, And are an vprore like to make, To keepe the English part in awe. There's heaue, and shoue, and hold, and draw; That Severne can them scarce divide, Till Iudgment may the Cause decide.

THis while in Sabrin's Court strong factions strangely grew, Since Cornwall for her owne, and as her proper due, Claim'd Lundy, which was said to Cambria to belong, Who oft had sought redresse for that her ancient wrong: But her inveterate Foe, borne-out by Englands might, O're-swaies her weaker power; that (now in eithers right) As Severne finds no Flood so great, nor poorelie meane, But that the naturall Spring (her force which doth maintaine) a 1.1From this or that shee takes; so from this Faction free (Begun about this Ile) not one was like to bee. This Lundy is a Nymph to idle toyes inclin'd; And, all on pleasure set, doth whollie giue her mind To see vpon her shores her Fowle and Conies fed, §. And wantonlie to hatch the Birds of Ganimed. Of trafique or returne shee neuer taketh care: Not prouident of pelfe, as many Ilands are:

A lustie black-brow'd Girle, with forehead broad and hie, That often had bewitcht the Sea-gods with her eye. Of all the In-laid Iles her Soueraigne Seuerne keepes, That bathe their amorous breasts within her secret Deepes (To loue hera 1.2 Barry much and Silly though shee seeme, The Flat Holme and the Steepe as likewise to esteeme) This noblest British* 1.3 Nymph yet likes her Lundy best, And to great Neptunes grace preferres before the rest. Thus,b 1.4 Cambria to her right that would her selfe restore, And rather then to losec 1.5 Loëgria, lookes for more; The Nymphs of either part, whom passion doth invade, To triall straight will goe, though Neptune should disswade: But of the weaker sex, the most part full of spleene, And onely wanting strength to wreake their angry teene, For skill their challenge make, which euerie one profest, And in the learned Arts (of knowledges the best, And to th'heroïck spirit most pleasing vnder skie) Sweet Musick, rightlie matcht with heauenlie Poësie, In which they all exceed: and in this kind alone They Conquerers vow to be, or lastlie ouerthrowne. Which when faire Sabrine saw (as shee is wondrous wise) And that it were in vaine them better to advise, Sith this contention sprang from Countries like alli'd, That shee would not be found t'incline to either side, To mightie Neptune sues to haue his free consent Due triall they might make: When he incontinent His Trytons sendeth out the challenge to proclaime. No sooner that divulg'd in his so dreadfull name, But such a shout was sent from euerie neighboring Spring, That the report was heard through all his Court to ring: And from the largest Streame vnto the lesser Brooke, Them to this wondrous taske they seriouslie betooke: They curle their Ivory fronts, and not the smallest Beck But with white Pebles makes her Tawdries for her neck; Lay forth their amorous breasts vnto the publique view, Enamiling the white, with veines that were as blew; Each Moore, each Marsh, each Mead, preparing rich array To set their Riuers forth against this generall day. Mongst Forrests, Hills, and Floods, was ne're such heaue and shoue Sinced 1.6 Albion weelded Armes against the sonne of Ioue. When as the English part their courage to declare, Them to th'appointed place immediatly prepare. A troupe of stately Nymphs proud Avon with her brings (As shee that hath the charge of wisee 1.7 Mineruas Springs) From Mendip tripping downe, about the tinny Mine. And Ax, no lesse imploy'd about this great designe,

Leads forth a lustie Rout, when Bry, with all her throng (With very madnes swolne that she had stai'd so long) Comes from the boggie Mears and queachy fens below: That Parret (highly pleas'd to see the gallant show) Set out with such a traine as bone so great a sway, The soyle but scarcely serues to giue her hugenesse way. Then the Deuonian T••we, from Dertmore deckt with pearle, Vnto the conflict come••; with her that gallant Girle §. Cleere Towridge, whom they fear'd would haue estrang'd her fall: Whose comming, lastlie, bred such courage in them all, As drew downe many a Nymph from the Cornubian shore, That paint their goodlie breasts with sundrie sorts of Ore. The British, that this while had stood a view to take What to her vtmost power the publique Foe could make, But slightlie weigh their strength: for, by her naturall kind, As still the Britan heares a braue and noble mind; So, trusting to their skill, and goodnes of their Cause, For speedie Triall call, and for indifferent Lawes▪ At length, by both allow'd, it to this issue grew; To make a likely choise of some most expert crew, Whose number comming neere vnto the others dowre, The English should not vrge they were o're-borne by powre. §. Yet hardlie vpon Pows•• they dare their hopes to lay, For that shee hath commerce with England euery day: §. Nor Rosse; for that too much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Aliens doth respect; And following them, forgoes her ancient Dialect; Thea 1.8 Venedotian Floods, that ancient Britans were, The Mountaines kept them backe, and shut them in the Reare: But Brecknock, long time knowne a Country of much worth, Vnto this conflict brings her goodly Fountaines forth: For almost not a Brooke ofb 1.9 Morga•••• nor Gwent, But from her fruitfull wombe doe f••••ch their hie descent. For Brecan, was a Prince once fortunate and great (Who dying, lent his name to that his nobler seat) With* 1.10 twice twel••e daughters blest, by one and onely wife: Who for their beauties rare, and sanctiue of life, To Riuers war•• transform'd; whose pureness doth declare How excellent they were, by beeing what they are: Who dying virgins all, and Riuers now by Ea••••, To tell their former loue to the vnmaried state, To Seuerne ships this course o•• which now their forme doth beare; Ere shee was made a flood, a virgin as they were. And from the Irish seas with feare they still doe fli•••• So much they yet delight in mayden companie•• Then most renowned Wales thou famous ancient place, Which still hast been the Nurse of all the British ••ace,

Since Nature thee den••es that purple-cluster'd Vine, Which others Temples chafes with fragrant sparkling Wine; And being now in hand, to write thy glorious praise; Fill me a bowle of Meath, my working spirit to raise: And ere seuen Bookes haue end, I'le strike so high a string, Thy Bards shall stand amaz'd with wonder, whilst I sing; §. That Taliessen, once which made the Riuers dance, And in his rapture raiz'd the Mountaines from their trance, Shall tremble at my Verse, rebounding from the skies; Which like an earth-quake shakes the Tomb wherein he lies. First our triumphing Muse of sprightly Vske shall tell, And what to euery Nymph attending her, befell: VVhich Cray and Camlas first for Pages doth retenne; VVith whom the next in place comes in the tripping Breane, VVith Isker; and with her comes Hodny fine and cleere, Of Brecknock best belov'd, the Soueraigne of the Sheere: And Grony, at an inch, waits on her Mistress heeles. But entring (at the last) the Monumethian fields, Small Fidan, with Cledaugh, increase her goodly M••nie, Short Kebby, and the Brooke that christneth Abergeny. VVith all her wa••ry ••••••ine, when now at las•• she came Vnto that happie Towne which beares her * 1.11onely name, Bright Birthin, with her friend faire ••h••y, kindly meet her▪ VVhich for her present haste 〈◊〉〈◊〉 scarcely time to greet her: But earnest on her way, she needsly will be gone; So much she longs to ••ee the ancient Carl••••n. When Avon commeth in then which amongst them all A finer is not found betwixt her head and fall. Then Eb••ith, and with her slides S••owy; which forelay Her progresse; and for ••ike keepe entrance to the Sea. When Munno, all this while the•••• (for her owne behoofe) From this their great recourse had strangely stood aloofe, Made proude by Monmouth•• name appointed her by Fate, Of all the rest herein obserued speciall st••r••. For once the Bard•• foretold she should produce a a 1.12 King, VVhich euerlasting praise to his 〈…〉〈…〉 should bring, VVho by his conquering sword should all the land ••••rprise, Which twixt the b 1.13 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the 〈…〉〈…〉 She therefore is allow'd 〈…〉〈…〉 by he••▪ They winne the goodly 〈…〉〈…〉 home strongly she doth stirre Her powerfull helpe 〈…〉〈…〉 which 〈…〉〈…〉 had de••ide, Because her selfe so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 England 〈…〉〈…〉 But b••ing by Munn•• 〈…〉〈…〉 she goe••. Which when as Thr••ggy 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her self•• she 〈…〉〈…〉 throwes Into the wa••ry throng, with many 〈…〉〈…〉 Repairing to the Welch, their number vp to ••••ll.

That Remny when 〈…〉〈…〉 Nymphe•• of Gw••••••▪ On this appointed match, were 〈…〉〈…〉 Where shee of ancient time had 〈…〉〈…〉 The Monumethian 〈…〉〈…〉 Intreats the Taffe along 〈…〉〈…〉 With whom cleere Cun•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 Camb•••••••• Lasse: Then 〈…〉〈…〉 with 〈…〉〈…〉 hold•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 way, And Ogmore, that would yet 〈…〉〈…〉 soone as they, By Avon called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 when 〈…〉〈…〉 anon (To all the neighbouring Nymp•••• fo•• her r••re 〈◊〉〈◊〉 known; Besides her double head, to helpe her streame that ••ath Her handmaids, Melta sweet, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hepsey, and Tragath) From Brecknock forth doth brea••e▪ then Dulas and Cl••daugh, By * 1.14 Morgany doe driue her through her watry a 1.15 saugh; With Taw•••• taking 〈…〉〈…〉 ••he Cambria•• power: §. Then Lhu and Logar, giuen to strengthen them by G••wer▪ Mongst whom, 〈…〉〈…〉 there were, that in their sacred rage Recorded the Descent••, and acts of euerie Age. Some with their nimble loy••ts that strooke the ••a••••ling string; In fingering some 〈…〉〈…〉 but one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vs'd to sing Vnto the others Ha••p••: of which you both might find Great plentie, and of both ••xcelling in their kind, §. That at the Stethva oft obtain'd a Visitors praise, Had wonne the Siluer H••rpe, and wor••e Apollos ••ayed: Whose Verses they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from those first golden ••imes, Of sundry sorts of Feet, and sundly su••e•• of Rimes. In b 1.16 Englins some there were that on their subiect straine; Some Makers that againe affect the lofti••r vaine, Rehearse their high 〈…〉〈…〉 Cowiths: other-some In Owdells theirs express••▪ as matter haps to come; So varying still their Moods, obseruing yet in all Their Quantities, their Rests, their Geasures metricall: For to that sacred skill they most themselues apply▪ Addicted from their births so much ••o Poësie, That in the Mountaines those who sen••ce haue seene a Booke, Most skilfully will * 1.17 make, as though from Art they tooke. And as Loëgria spares not any thing of worth That any way might set her goodly Riuers forth, As stones by nature out from the C••r••••bian Strond; Her Dertmore sends them Pearl••▪ Rock vincent, Diamond: So Cambria, of her Nymphs especiall ••are will haue. For Conwy sends them Pearle to make them wondrous braue▪ The sacred c 1.18 Virgins d••ell, her mosse most sweet and rare, Against infectious damps for Pomander to weare: And d 1.19 Goldeliff of his Or•• in plen••ious sort allowes, To spangle their are yets, and deck their amorous•• routes▪

And lastlie, holie De•• (whose pray're were highly priz'd, As one in heauenlie things deuou••lie exercis'd Who, a 1.20 changing of his Fourds, by divination had Fore-told the neighboring folke of fortune good or bad) In their intended course sith need•• they will proceed, His Benediction sends in way of happy speed. And though there were such haste vnto this long-lookt howre, Yet let they not to call vpon th'Eternall Power. For, who will haue his worke his wished end to winne, Let him with hartie prayer religiouslie beginne. Wherefore the English part, with full deuou••intent, In meet and godlie sort ••o Glastenbury sent, Beseeching of the Saints in Avalon that were, There offring at their Tombes for euerie one a teare, §. And humblie to Saint George their Countries Patron pray, To prosper their designe now in this mightie day. The Britans, like deuout, their Messengers direct To Dauid, that he would their ancient right protect. Mongst Hatterills loftie hills, that with the clowds are crown'd, The Vally b 1.21 Ewias lies, immur'd so deep and round, As they belowe that see the Mountaines rise so hie, Might thinke the stragling Heards were grazing in the skie: Which in it such a shape of solitude doth beare, As Nature at the first appointed it for pray're VVhere, in an aged ••ell, with mosse and Ivie growne, In which, not to this day the Sunne hath euer showne, That reuerent British Saint in zealous Ages past, To contemplation liu'd, and did so trulie fast, As he did onelie drinke what crystall Hod••ey yeelds, And fed vpon the L••••ks he gather'd in the fields. In memorie of whom, in the reuoluing yeere The Welch-men on his day that sacred herbe doe weare: Where, of that holie man, as humblie they doe craue, That in their iust defence they might his furtherance haue. Thus either, well prepard the others power before, Conuenientlie be'ing plac't vpon their equall shore; The Britans, to whose lot the O••set doth belong, Giue signall to the Foe for silen•• to their Song. To tell each various Straine and turning of their Rimes, How this in compasse falls, or that in sharpeness climes (As where they rest and rise, how take it one from one, As euery seuerall Chord hath a peculiar Tone) Euen Memorie her selfe, though striuing, would come short: But the materiall things Muse helpe me to report. As first, t'affront the Foe, in th'ancient Britans right, With Arthur they begin, their most renowned Knight;

The richness of the Armes their well-made a 1.22 Worthie wore, The temper of his sword the (try'd Escalaboure) The bignes and the length of Rone, his noble Speare; With Pridwin his great Shield, and what the proofe could beare; His Baudrick how adorn'd with stones of wondrous price, §. The sacred Virgins shape he bore for his deuice; These monuments of worth, the ancient Britans song. Now, doubting least these things might hold them but too long, His warres they tooke to taske; the Land then ouer-layd With those proud German powers: when, calling to his ayde His kinsman Howell, brought from Britany the lesse, Their Armies they vnite, both swearing to suppresse The Saxon, heer that sought through conquest all to gaine. On whom he chanc't to light at Lincolne: where the Plaine Each where from side to side lay scatter'd with the dead. And when the conquer'd Foe, that from the conflict fled, Betooke them to the woods, hee neuer left them there Vntill the British earth he forc't them to forsweare. And as his actions rose, so raise they still their veine, In words, whose weight best sute a sublimated straine. §. They sung how he, him selfe at Badon bore that day, When at the glorious Gole his British Scepter lay: Two daies together how the battell stronglie stood: b 1.23 Pendragons worthie sonne who waded there in blood, Three hundred Saxons slew with his owne valiant hand. And after (cald, the Pict, and Irish to withstand) How he, by force of Armes Albania ouer-ran, Pursuing of the Pict beyond Mount Calidon: There strongly shut them vp whom stoutly he subdu'd. How Gillamore againe to Ireland he pursu'd So oft as he presum'd the envious Pict to ayde: And hauing slaine the King, the Country waste hee laid. To Goth-land how againe this Conqueror maketh-forth With his so prosp'rous powers into the farthest North: Where, Island first he wonne, and Orkney after got. To Norway sayling next with his deere Nephew Lot, By deadlie dint of sword did Ricoll there defeat: And hauing plac't the Prince on that Norwegian seat, How this courageous King did Denmarke then controle: That scarcelie there was found a Countrie to the Pole That dreaded not his deeds, too long that were to tell. And after these, in France th'adventures him befell At Paris, in the Lists, where he with Flollio fought; The Emperor Leons power to raise his Siege that brought. Then brauelie set they sorth, in combat how these Knights On horseback and on foote perform'd their seuerall fights:

As with what maruailous force each other they assaild, How mighty Flollio first, how Arthur then prevail'd; For best advantage how they trauersed their grounds, The horrid blowes they lent, the world-amazing wounds, Vntill the Tribune, tyr'd, sanke vnder Arthurs sword. Then sing they how hee first ordain'd the Circled-board, The Knights whose martiall deeds farre fam'd that Table-round; Which, truest in their loues; which, most in Armes renown'd: The Lawes, which long vp-held that Order, they report; §. The Pentecosts prepar'd at Carleon in his Court, That Tables ancient seate; her Temples and her Groues, Her Palaces, her Walks, Baths, Theaters, and Stoues: Her Academie, then, as likewise they prefer: Of Camilot they sing, and then of Winchester. The feasts that vnder-ground the Faërie did him make, And there how he enioyd the Lady of the Lake. Then told they, how him selfe great Arthur did advance, To meet (with his Allies) that puissant force in France, By Lucius thither led; those Armies that while-ere Affrighted all the world, by him strooke dead with feare: Th'report of his great Acts that ouer Europe ran, In that most famous Field he with the Emperor wan: As how great Rython's selfe hee slew in his repaire, Who rauisht Howells Neece, young Hellena the faire; And for a Trophy brought the Giants coat away Made of the beards of Kings. Then brauelie chanted they The seuerall twelue pitcht Fields he with the Saxons fought: The certaine day and place to memorie they brought; Then by false Mordreds hand how last hee chanc't to fall, The howre of his decease, his place of buriall. When out the English cry'd, to interrupt their Song: But they, which knew to this more matter must belong, Not out at all for that, nor any whit dismay'd, But to their well-tun'd Harps their fingers closelie laid: Twixt euery one of which they plac't their Countries Crowd, And with courageous spirits thus boldly sang aloud; How Merlin by his skill, and Magiques wondrous might, From Ireland hither brought the Stonendge in a night: §. And for Carmardens sake, would faine haue brought to passe, About it to haue built a vvall of solid Brasse: And set his Fiends to work vpon the mightie frame; Some to the Anvile: some, that still inforc't the flame: But whilst it was in hand, by louing of an Elfe (For all his wondrous skill) was coosned by him selfe. For, walking with his Fay, her to the Rocke hee brought, In which hee oft before his Nigromancies wrought:

And going in thereat his Magiques to haue showne, Shee stopt the Cauerns mouth with an inchanted stone: Whose cunning strongly crost, amaz'd whilst he did stand, Shee captiue him convay'd vnto the Fairie Land. Then, how the laboring spirits, to Rocks by fetters bound, With bellowes rumbling groanes, and hammers thundring sound, A fearefull horrid dinne still in the Earth doe keepe, Their Master to awake, suppos'd by them to sleepe; As at their work how still the grieued spirits repine, Tormented in the Fire, and tyred at the Mine. VVhen now the British side scarce finished their Song, But th'English that repyn'd to be delay'd so long, All quicklie at the hint, as with one free consent, Strooke vp at once and sung each to the Instrument; (Of sundry sorts that were, as the Musician likes) On which the practic'd hand with perfect'st fingring strikes, Whereby their height of skill might liueliest be exprest. The trembling Lute some touch, some straine the Violl best In sets which there were seene, the musick wondrous choice: Some likewise there affect the Gamba with the voice, To shew that England could varietie afford. Some that delight to touch the sterner wyerie Chord,* 1.24 The Cythron, the Pandore, and the Theorbo strike: The Gittern and the Kit the wandring Fidlers like. So were there some againe, in this their learned strife Loud Instruments that lov'd; the Cornet and the Phife, The Hoboy, Sagbut deepe, Recorder, and the Flute: Euen from the shrillest Shaw me vnto the Cornamute. Some blowe the Bagpipe vp, that plaies the Country-round: The Taber and the Pipe, some take delight to sound. Of Germanie they sung the long and ancient fame, From whence their noble Sires the valiant Saxons came, Who sought by Sea and Land Adventures farre and neere; And seizing at the last vpon the Britans heere, Surpriz'd the spacious Ile, which still for theirs they hold: As in that Countries praise how in those times of old, §. Tuisco, Gomers sonne, from * 1.25 vnbuilt Babell brought His people to that place, with most high knowledge fraught, And vnder wholsome Lawes establisht their aboad; Whom his Tudeskt since haue honor'd as a God: Whose cleare creation made them absolute in all, Retaining till this time their pure Originall. And as they boast themselues the Nation most vnmixt, Their language as at first, their ancient customes fixt, The people of the world most hardie, wise and strong; So gloriously they show, that all the rest among

The Saxons of her sorts the very noblest were: And of those crooked Skaines they vs'd in vvarre to beare, Which in their thundring tongue, the Germans, Handseax name, §. They Saxons first were call'd: whose farre extended fame For hardiness in warre, whom danger neuer fraid, Allur'd the Britans here to call them to their ayde: From whom they after reft Loëgria as their own, Brutes ofspring then too weake to keepe it beeing grown. This told: the Nymphs againe, in nimbler straines of wit, Next neatly come about, the Englishmen to quit Of that inglorious blot by Bastard William brought Vpon this conquered Ile: then which Fate neuer wrought A fitter meane (say they) great Germany to grace; To graft againe in one, two Remnants of her ra••e: Vpon their seuerall waies, two seuerall times that went To forrage for themselues. The first of which shee sent §. To get their seat in Gaul:* 1.26 which on Nuestria light, And (in a famous warre the Frenchmen put to flight) Possest that fruitfull place, where onely from their name §. Call'd North-men (from the North of Germanie that came, Who thence expeld the Gaules, and did their roomes supply) This, first Nuestria nam'd, was then call'd Normandy. That by this meanes, the lesse (in conquering of the great) Be'ing drawne from their late home vnto this ampler seat, Resyding heere,* 1.27 resign'd what they before had wonne; §. That as the Conquerors blood, did to the conquered runne: So kindlie beeing mixt, and vp together growne, As seuered, they were her••; vnited, stil her owne. But these mysterious things desisting now to show (The secret works of heauen) to long Descents they goe: How Egelred (the Sire of Edward the last King Of th'English Saxon Line) by nobly marying With hardie Richards heire, the Norman Emma, bred Alliance in their bloods. Like Brooks that from one head Beare seuerall waies (as though to sundry Seas to hast) But by the varying soyle, int'one againe are cast: So chanced it in this the neernes of their blood. For when as Englands right in question after stood, Proud Harould, Goodwins heire, the Scepter hauing wonne From Edgar Etheling young, the outlaw'd Edwards sonne; The valiant Bastard this his onelie colour made, With his braue Norman powers this kingdome to invade. Which leauing, they proceed to Pedigrees againe, Their after-Kings to fetch from that old Saxon straine; From Margarit that was made the Scottish Malcoms Bride, Who to her Grandsire had courageous Ironside:

Which out-law'd Edward left; whose wife to him did bring This Margarit Queene of Scots, and Edgar Etheling: That Margarit brought forth Maud; which gracious Macolme gaue To Henry Beuclarks bed (so Fate it pleas'd to haue) §. Who him a daughter brought; which heauen did strangely spare: And for the speciall loue he to the mother bare, Her Maude againe he nam'd, to th'Almain Emperor wed: Whose Dowager whilst shee liu'd (her puissant Caesar dead) She th'Earle of A••ion next to husband doth prefer. The second Henry then by him begot of her, Into the Saxon Line the Scepter thus doth bring. Then presently againe prepare themselues to sing The sundry foraine Fields the English-men had fought. Which when the Mountaines sawe (and not in vaine) they thought That if they still went on as thus they had begon, Then from the Cambrian Nymphs (sure) Lundy would be won. And therefore from their first they challeng'd them to flie; And (idly running on with vaine prolixitie) A larger subiect tooke then it was fit they should. But, whilst those would proceed, these threatning them to hold, a 1.28 Black-Mountaine for the loue he to his Country bare, As to the beautious Vske, his ioy and onely care (In whose defence t'appeare more sterne and full of dread) Put on a Helme of clowds vpon his rugged head. Mounchdeny doth the like for his beloued Tawe: VVhich quicklie all the rest by their example drawe: As Hatterell in the right of ancient Wales will stand. To these three Mountaines, first of the Erekinnian Band, The Monumethian Hills, like insolent and stout, On lostie tip-toes then began to looke about; That Skeridvaur at last (a Mountaine much in might, In hunting that had set his absolute delight) Caught vp his a 1.29 Country Hooke; nor cares for future harmes, But irefully enrag'd, would needs to open Armes: Which quicklie put b 1.30 Penvayle in such outrageous heat, That whilst for verie teene his hairelesse scalpe doth sweat, The Blorench looketh bigge vpon his bared crowne: And tall Tomberlow seemes so terribly to frowne, That where it was suppos'd with small adoe or none Th'event of this debate would easely haue been known, Such strange tumultuous stirres vpon this strife ensue, As where all griefes should end, old sorrowes still renue: That Severne thus forewarn'd to looke vnto the worst (And findes the latter ill more dangerous then the first) The doome she should pronounce, yet for a while delay'd, Till these rebellious routs by iustice might be stay'd;

A period that doth put to my Discourse so long, To finish this debate the next ensuing Song.

Illustrations.

OVer Seuerne (but visiting Lundey, a little Ile twixt Hartland and Gouen point) you are transported into Wales. Your ••rauels with the Muse are most of all in Monmouth, Glamorgan, and the South maritime shires.

And wantonly to hatch the Birds of Ganymed.

Walter Baker a Canon of Osney (interpreter of Thomas de la Moores life of Edward the II.) affirmes, that it commonly breedes Conies, Pigeons, & struco∣nas, quos vocat Alexander Necha•••••• (so you must read,a 1.31 not Nechristuna, as the Francfort print senselesly mistooke with Conday, for Lundey) Ganymodis aues. What he meanes by his Birds of Ganymed, out of the name, vnlesse Eagles or Ostriches (as the common fiction of the Ca••amits rauishment, and this French Latine word of the Translator would) I collect not. But rather read also Pala∣medis aues. ••. Cranes) of which b 1.32 Necham indeed hath a whole Chapter: what the other should be, or whence reason of the name comes, I confesse I am ignorant.

Cleare Towridge whom they feard would haue estrang'd her fall.

For she rising neere Hartland, wantonly runnes to Hat••erlay in Deuon, as if she would to the Southerne Ocean; but returning, there at last is discharged into the Seuerne Sea.

Yet hardly vpon Powse they dare their hopes to lay.

* 1.33Wales had c 1.34 her three parts, Northwales, Southwales, and Powis. The last, as the middle twixt the other, extended from Cardigan to Shropshire; and on the Eng∣lish side from Chester to Hereford (being the portion of Anarawd, sonne to great Roderique) beares this accusation, because it comprehends, for the most, both Nations and both tongues. But see for this diuision to the VII. Song.

Nor Rosse for that too much she aliens doth respect.

Vnder Henry I a Colony of Flemings driuen out of their country by inunda∣tion, and kindly receiued here in respect of that alliance which the K. had with their Earle (for his mother Maude wife to the Conqueror, was daughter to Baldwin Earle of Flanders) afterward vpon difference twixt the K. and Earle Ro∣bert, were out of diuers parts, but especially Northumberland, where they most of all (as it seemes by Houeden) had residence, constrained into Rosse* 1.35 in Pen∣broke, which retaines yet in name and tongue expresse notes of being aliens to the Cambro-Britains. See the Author in his next Song.

That Taliessen once which made the Riuers dance.

Taliessin (not T••lesin, as Bal•• cals him) a learned Bard, stiled d 1.36 Ben Beirdh .i. the chiefest of the Bards, Master to Merlin Syluester, liued about Arthurs reigne, whose acts his Muse hath celebrated.

With Lhu and Lhogor giuen, to strengthen them by Gower.

Twixt Neth and Lhogor in Glamorgan is this Gower, a little prouince, exten∣ded into the Sea as a Cherronesse; out of it on the West, rise these two Riuers meant by the Author.

That at the Stethua oft obtaind a Victors praise.

Vnderstand this Stethua to be the meeting of the British Poets and Min∣strels, for tryall a 1.37 of their Poems and Musique sufficiencies, where the best had his reward, a Siluer Harpe. Some example is of it vnder Rees ap Griffith, Prince of Southwales, in the yeare M.C.LXX.VI. A custome so good, that, had it beene iudiciously obserued, truth of Storie had not beene so vncertain: for there was, by suppose, a correction of what was faulty in forme or matter, or at least a cen∣sure of the hearers vpon what was recited. As (according to the Roman vse▪ it is b 1.38 noted, that Girald of Cambria, when he had written his Topography of Ireland, made at three seuerall dayes seuerall recitals of his III. distinctions in Oxford; of which course some haue wisht a recontinuance, that eyther amendment of opinion or change of purpose in publishing, might preuent blazoned errors. The sorts of these Poets and Minstrels out of Doctor Powels interserted anno∣tations vpon Caradoc Lhancaruan, I note to you; first Beirdhs, otherwise Pryd∣uids (called in Athenaeus, Lucan & others, Bards) who▪ somwhat like the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 among the Greeks, * 1.39 fortia virorum illustrium facti•• hero••cis composita versibus cum dulcibus lyrae modulis c 1.40 cantitarunt, which was the chiefest forme of the an∣cientest musique among the Gentiles, as d 1.41 Zarlino hath fully collected. Their charge also as Heraulto, was to describe and preserue pedegrees, wherein their line ascendent went from the Petruccius to B. M. thence to Syluius and Asca∣nius, from them to Adam. Thus Girald reporting, hath his B.M. in some co∣pies by e 1.42 transcription of ignorant Monkes (forgetting their tenent of perpe∣tuall virginity, and f 1.43 that relation of Theodosius) turned into * 1.44. Beatam Mariam, whereas it stands for Belinum Magnum (that was Heli, in their writers, father to L••d and Cassibelin) to whom their genealogies had alwayes reference. The se∣cond are which play on the Harp and Crowd; their musique for the most part came out of Ireland with Gruffith ap Conan Pr. of Northwales, about K. Stephens time. This Gruffith reformed the abuses of those Minstrels by a particular sta∣tu••, extant to this day. The third are called Atcaneaid; they sing to instru∣ments playd on by others. For the Engly••s, Cy••dhs and A••dls; the first are couplets interchanged of XVI. & XIIII. feet calld Paladiries & Pensels, the second of equall tetrameters, the third of variety in both rime and quantity. Subdiuision of them, and better information may be had in the elaborat insti∣tutions of the Cumraeg language by Dauid ap Rees. Of their musique an∣ciently, out of an old writer read this:* 1.45 Non vniformitter, vt alibi, sed multipliciter multis{que} modis & modulis cantilena•• emittunt, ade•• vt, turbâ canentium, quo•• vide∣as capita to•• a••dias carmina, discrimina{que} vocum varia, in vnam deni{que}, sub B. mol∣lis dulcedine blanda, consonantiam & organica•• conuenientia melodiam. A good Musician will better vnderstand it, then I that transcribe it. But by it you see they especially affected the mind composing Dorique (which is shewed in that of an old g 1.46 author, affirming that* 1.47 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Western people of the world constituted vse of musique in their assemblies, though theh 1.48 Irish (from whence they learned) were wholly for the sprightfull Phrygian. See the next Canto.

And humbly to S. George their Countries Patron pray.

Our Author (a iudgement day thus appointed twixt the Water-Nymphs) seemes to allude to the course vs'd of old with vs, that those which were to end their cause by combat, were sent to seuerall Saints for inuocation, as in our i 1.49 Law-annals appeares. For * 1.50 S. George, that he is patron to the English, as S. Di∣nis, S. Iames, S. Patrique, S. Andrew, S. Antony, S. Mark, to the French, Spanish, I∣rish, Scotish, Italian, Venetian, scarce any is, that knows not. Who he was & when the English tooke him, is not so manifest. The old Martyrologies giue, with vs, to the honor of his birth the XXIII. of April. His passion is supposed in Diocle∣tian's persecution. His country Cappadoce. His acts are diuers and strange, re∣ported by his seruant Pasicrates, Simeon Metaphrastes, and lately collected by Surius. As for his Knightly forme, and the dragon vnder him, as he is pictured in Beryth a Citie of Cyprus, with a yong maide kneeling to him, an vnwarranta∣ble report goes that it was for his martiall deliuery of the Kings daughter from the Dragon, as Hesione and Andromeda were from the Whales by Hercules, and Perseus. Your more neat iudgements, finding no such matter in true antiquity, rather make it symbolicall then truely proper. So that some account him an allegory of our Sauiour Christ; and our admired k 1.51 Spencer hath made him an embleme of Religion. So Chaucer to the Knights of that order.

—but for Gods pleasance And his mother, and in signifiance That ye ben of S. Georges liuerie Doeth him seruice and Knightly obeisance For Christs cause is his, well knowen yee.

Others interpret that picture of him as some country or Citie (signified by the Virgin) imploring his aide against the Diuell, charactered in the Dragon. Of him you may particularly see, especially in Vsuards martyrologie, and Baronius his annotations vpon the Roman Calendar, with Erhard Celly his description of Frederique Duke of Wittembergs installation in the Garter, by fauour of our present Soueraigne. But what is deliuered of him in the Legend, euen the Church of Rome l 1.52 hath disallowed in these words; That not so made as any scan∣dall may rise in the holy Roman Church, the passions of S. George, and such like, supposed to be written by heretiques, are not read in it. But you may better beleeue the Legend, then that he was a Couentry man borne, with his Caleb Lady of the woods, or that he descended from the Saxon race, and such like; which some English fictions deliuer. His name (as generally m 1.53 also S. Maurice and S. Sebasti∣an) was anciently cald on by Christians as an aduocat of victory (when in the Church that kind of doctrine was) so that our particular right to him (although they say n 1.54 K. Arthur bare him in one of his Banners) appeares not vntill Ed. III. consecrated to S. George the Knightly order of the Garter, o 1.55 soone after the victory at Caleis against the French, in which his inuocatiō was Ha S. Edward, Ha S. George. Some authority p 1.56 referres this to Richard Ceur de Lion, who sup∣pos'd himselfe comforted by S. George in his warres against the Turkes and Ha∣garens. But howsoeuer, since that he hath beene a Patron among others, as in that of Frederique the thirds institution q 1.57 of the quadripartit society of S. Georges shield, and more of that nature, you finde. And vnder Hen. VIII. it was enacted, r 1.58 that the Irish should leaue their Cramaboo and Butleraboo, words of vnlawfull patronage, and name themselues as vnder S. George, and the King of England. More proper is S. D••wy (we call him S. Dauid) to the Welsh. Reports of him af∣firm that he was of that country, vncle to K. Arthur (Bale and others say, gotten vpon Melaria a Nunne, by Xantus Prince of Cardigan) and successor to Du••rice

Archbishop of Caer-leon vpon V••ke (whereto a 1.59 along time the British Bishop riques as to their Metropolitique See were subiect) and thence translated with his nephewes consent the Primacie to Meneuia, which is now S. Deuies in Penbroke. He was a strong oppugner of the Pelagian heresie. To him our country Calendars giue the l. of March, but in the old Martyrologies I finde him not remembred: yet I read that b 1.60 Calixtus II. first canonized him. See him in the next Canto.

The sacred Virgins shape he bare for his deuice.

Arthurs c 1.61 shield Pridwen (or his Banner) had in it the picture of our Lady and his Helme an ingrauen Dragon. From the like forme was his father called V∣ter-pen-dragon. To haue terrible crests or ingrauen beasts of rapine (Herodotus and Strabo fetch the beginning of them, and the bearing of armes from the Ca∣rians) hath been from inmost antiquity continued; as appeares in that Epithet of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, proper to Minerua, but applyed to others in Aristophanes, and also d 1.62 in the Thoban warre. Either hence may you deriue the English Dragon now as a supporter, and vsually pitcht in fields by the Saxon, English, and Norman Kings for their Standard (which is frequent in Houeden, Matthew Paris, and Floril••gus) or from the Romanes, who after the Minotaure, Horse, Eagle, and o∣ther their antique ensignes tooke this beast; or else imagine that our Kings ioy∣ned in that generall consent, whereby so many nations bare it. For by plaine and good authority, collected by a great critique,e 1.63 you may finde it affirm'd of the Assyrians, Indians, Scythians, Persians, Dacians, Romanes; and of the Greekes too for their shields, and otherwise: wherin Lipsius vniustly findes fault with I∣sidore, but forgets that in a number of Greekef 1.64 authors is copious witnes of as much.

They sing how he himselfe at Badon bare the day.

That is Baunsedowne in Somerset (not Blackmore in Yorkeshire, as Polydore mis∣takes) as is expresly proued out of a ms. G••ldas g 1.65, different from that published by Iosselin.

That scarcely there was found a country to the pole.

Some, too hyperbolique, stories make him a large conqueror on euery ad∣iacent country, at the Muse recites▪ and his seale, which Leland sayes he saw▪ in Westminster Abbey, of redde wax pictur'd with a Mound, bearing a crosse in his left hand (which was first h 1.66 Iustinians deuice; and surely, in later time, with the seale counterfeited and applied to Arthur: no King of this Land, except the Confessor, before the Conquest i 1.67 euer vsing in their Charters more then subscription of name and crosses) and a Scepter fleury in his right, cals him* 1.68 Bri∣tanniae, Galliae, Germaniae, Daciae Imperator. The Bards songs haue, with this kind of vnlimited attribut so loaden him, that you can hardly guesse what is true of him. Such indulgence to fals report hath wrong'd many Worthies, and among them euen that great Alexander in prodigious suppositions (like Stichus k 1.69 his Geography, laying Pontus in Arabia) as Strabo often complains; & some idle Monke of middle time is so impudent to affirme, that at Babylon hee erected a columne, inscribed with Latine and Greeke verses, as notes of his victory; of them you shall tast in these two:

Anglicus & Scotus Britonum super{que} caterua Irlandus, Flander, Cornwalli••, & quo{que} Norguey.

Onely but that Alexander and his followers were no good Latinists (wherein, when you haue done laughing, you may wonder at the decorum) I should cen∣sure my lubbe••ly versifier to no lesse punishment then Marsyas his excor••ati∣on. But for Arthur, you shall best know him in this elogie. This is that Arthur of whom the Brittons euen to this day speake so idly; a man right worthy to haue been celebrated by true storie, not false tales, seeing it was he that long time vpheld his de∣clining country and euen inspired martiall courage into his country men; as the Monke of Malmesbury, * 1.70 of him:

The Pentecost prepar'd at Caer-leon in his Court.

At Caer-leon in Monmouth, after his victories, a pompeous celebration was at Whitsontide, whether were inuited diuers Kings and Princes of the neigh∣bouring coasts; he with them, and his Queene Guineuer, with the Ladies kee∣ping those solemnities in their seuerall conclaues. For so the British storie makes it according to the Troian custome, that in festiuall solemnities, both sexes should not sit together. Of the Troians I remember no warrant for it: but among the Greekes one Sphyromachus a 1.71 first instituted it. Torneaments and jousts were their excercises, nor vouchsafed any Lady to bestow her fauour on him, which had not beene thrice crown'd with fame of martiall performance. For this order (which herein is delineated) know, that the old Gaules (whose customes and the British were neere the same) had their Orbicular tables to a∣uoyd controuersie of presedency (a forme much commended by a late b 1.72 wri∣ter for the like distance of all from the Salt, being center, first, and last of the furniture) and at them euery Knight attended by his Esquire (* 1.73 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Athe∣naeus c 1.74 cal•• them) holding his shield. Of the like in Hen. III. Matthew Paris, of Mortimers at Kelingworth, vnder Ed. I. and that of Windsor, celebrated by Edw. III. Walsingham speakes. Of the Arthurian our Histories haue scarce mention. But Hauillan's Architrenius, Robert of Glocester, Iohn Lidgat Monke of Bury, and English rimes in diuers hands sing it. It is remembred by Leland, Camden, Volateran, Philip of B••rgomo, Lily, Aubert Mir••••, others, but very diuersly. White of Basingstok•• defends it, and imagines the originall from an election by Arthur and Howell K. of Armorique Britaine of six of each of their worthiest Peeres to be alwayes assistant in counsell. The antiquity of the Earledome of d 1.75 Mansfeld in old Saxony is hence affirmed, because Heger Earle thereof was honored in Arthurs Court with this order; places of name for residence of him and his Knights were this Caer-leon, Winchester (where his Table is yet sup∣pos'd to be, but that seemes of later date) and Camelot in Somerset. Some put his number XII. I haue seene them anciently pictur'd XXIV. in a Poeticall sto∣rie of him; and in Denbighshire, Stow tels vs, in the parish of Lansannan on the side of a stonie hill is a circular plaine, cut out of a maine rocke, with some XXIV. seats vnequall, which they call Arthurs Round Table. Some Catalogues of armes haue the coats of the Knights, blazoned; but I thinke with as good warrant as e 1.76 Rablais can iustifie, that Sir Lancelot du Lac rostes horses in hell, and that * 1.77 Tous le••ch••ualiers de la Table ronde esto••ent poures gaigne-deniers tirans la ram••pur passer les riuers de Coccyte, Phlegeton, Styx, Acheron, & Lethe quand Mossieurs les diables se voulent esbatre sur leaucome font les Basteliers de Lyonet gondoliers de Venise, Mais pour chacune passade il••n' ont qu'un Nazarde & sur le soir qu••lque merceau de pain chaumeny. Of them, their number, exploits, and prodigious performances you may read Caxtons published volume, digested by him into XXI. bookes, out of diuers French and Italian fables, From such I abstaine, as I may.

And for Caermardhin's sake—

Two b 1.78 Merlins haue our stories: One of Scotland commonly titled Syluester, or Caledonius liuing vnder Arthur; the other Ambrosius (of whom before) borne of a Nunne (daughter to the K. of Southwales) in Caermardhin, nor na∣ming the place (for rather in British his name is Merdhin) but the place (which in Ptolemy is Maridunum) naming him; begotten, as the vulgar, by an Incubus. For his buriall (in supposition as vncertaine as his birth, actions, and all of those too fabulously mixt stories) and his Lady of the Lake it is by liberty of profes∣sion laide in France by that Italian c 1.79 Ariosto: which perhaps is as credible as som more of his attributes, seeing no perswading authority, in any of them, re∣ctifies the vncertainty. But for his birth see the next Song, and, to it, more.

Tuisco Gomers sonne from vnbuilt Babel brought.

According to the d 1.80 text, the Iews affirm that All the sonnes of Noah were dispersed through the earth, and euery ones name left to the land which he possessed. Vpon this tradition, and false Berosus testimony, it is affirmed that Tuisco (sonne of Noah, gotten with others after the e 1.81 floud vpon his wife Arezia) tooke to his part the coast about Rhine, and that thence came the name of Teutschland and Teutsch, which we call Dutch, through Germany.f 1.82 Som make him the same with Gomer, eldest sonne to Iaphet (by whom these parts of Europe were peo∣pled) out of notation of his name, deriuing Tuiscon or Tuiston (for so Tacitus calls him) from The hoodt son .i. the eldest sonne. Others (as the author here) suppose him sonne to Gomer, and takeg 1.83 him for Aschenaz (remembred by Moses as first sonne to Gomer, and from whom the Hebrewes call the Germans h 1.84 Aschenazim) whose reliques probably indeed seeme to be in Tuisco, which hath beene made of Aschen either by the Dutch prepositiue article die or lie, as our the (according to Derceto for i 1.85 Atergatis, which should be Adargada in C••esias; and Danubius for Adubenus in Festus, perhaps therein corrupted, as Ioseph Scaliger obserues; as Theudibald for Ildibald in Procopius, and Diceneus for Ceneus among the Getes) or through mistaking of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in the He∣brew, as in Rhodanim 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for k 1.86 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 being Dodanim, and in Chalibes and Alybes for Thalybes from Tubal by taking 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; for in ruder manuscripts by an im∣perfect Reader, the first mistaking might be as soone as the rest. I coniecture it the rather, for that in most Histories diuersity with affinity twixt the same-meant proper names (especially Easterne as this was) is ordinary; as Megaby∣zus in C••esias is Bacabasu•• in Iustin, who cals Aaron, Aruas, and Herodotus his Smerdis, Mergidis, Asarhadon, Coras and Esther in the Scriptures are thus Sar∣danapalus, Cyrus, & Amestris in the Greek stories, Eporedorix, Ambriorix, Arimi∣niu••, in Caesar and Suetòn, supposed to haue beene Frederique, Henry, Herman: diuers like examples occurre; and in comparison of Arrian with Q. Curtius very many; like as also in the life of S. Iohn the Euangelist, ancientlyl 1.87 written in Arabique you haue Asubasianuusu, Thithimse, Damthianuusu for Vespasian, Ti∣tus, Domitian, and in our stories Androgeus for Caesars Mandubratius. From Tuisco is our name of Tuesday; and in that too, taking the place of Mars (the most fiery Starre, and obserue with all that against the vulgar opinion the pla∣netary account of dayes is very m 1.88 ancient) discouers affinity with Aschenaz, in whose notation (as n 1.89 some body obserues) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies fire.

They Saxons first were call'd—

So a Latine rime in a 1.90 Engelhuse also;

Quippe breuis gladius apud illos Saxa vocatur, Vnde sibi Saxo nomen traxisse puta••ur.

Although from the Sacans or Sagans a populous nation in Asia (which were al∣so Scythians, and of whom an old b 1.91 Poet, as most others in their Epithe••s and passages of the Scythyans,

* 1.92 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

A faculty for which the English haue had no small honor in their later warres with the French) both Goropius with long argument in his Becceselana, our iudi∣cious Camden and others will haue them, as it were, Saca••'s-sonnes. According hereto is that name of c 1.93 Sacasena, which a colony of them gaue to part of Arme∣nia and the d 1.94 Sasones in Scythia on this side of Imaus. Howsoeuer, the Authors conceit thus chosen is very apt, nor disagreeing to this other, in that some com∣munity was twixt the name of Sacae or Sagae, and a certaine sharp weapon called Sagaris, vsed by the Amazons, Sacans, and Persians, as the Greeke e 1.95 stories in∣forme vs.

The Britains here allur'd to call them to their aide.

Most suppose them sent to by the Britons much subiect to the irruptions of Picts and Scots, and so inuited hither for aide: but the stories of Gildas and Nennius haue no such thing, but onely that there landed of them (as banished their country,* 1.96 which Geffrey of Monmouth expresses also) III. long boates in Kent with Horse and Hengist Captaines. They afterward were most willingly requested to multiply their number by sending for more of their country men to helpe K. Vortigern, and vnder that colour, and by Ronix (daughter to Hen∣gist, and wife to Vortigern) her womanish subtilty, in greater number were here planted. Of this, more large in euery common storie. But to beleeue their first arriuall rather for new place of habitation, then vpon embassage of the Britons, I am perswaded by this, that f 1.97 among the Cimbrians, Gaules, Gothes, Dacians, Scythians, and especially the Sacans (if Strabo deceiue not; from whom our Saxons) with other Northerne people, it was a custome vpon nume∣rous abundance to transplant colon••es: from which vse the Parthians (sent out of Scythia, as the Romans did their g 1.98 Ver Sacrum) retaine that name, signifying banished (sayes Trogus;) not vnlikely, from the Hebrew Paratz h 1.99, which is to separat, and also to multiplie in this kind of propagation, as it is vsed in the pro∣mise to Abraham, and in Isay's consolation to the Church. Here being the maine change of the British name and State, a word or two of the time and yeare is not vntimely. Most put it vnder CD.XL.IX. (according to Bedes copies and their followers) or CD.L. of Christ; wheras indeed by apparant proofe it was in CD.XXVIII. and the IV. of Valentinian the Emperor. So Prise and Camden (out of an old fragment annexed to Nennius) and, before them, the author of Fa∣sciculus Temporum haue placed it. The errour I imagine to be from restoring of wooren out times in Bede and others, by those which fell into the same error with Florence of Worcester and Marian the Scot, who begin the receiued Chri∣stian accompt but XII. yeares before the Passion, thereby omitting XXII. For although Marians published Chronicle (which is but i 1.100 a defloration by Robert of Lorraine Bishop of Hereford vnder Hen. I. and an Epitome of Marian) goes neere from the ordinary time of Incarnation vnder Augustus, yet he layes it al∣so,

according to the Roman Abbot Dionysius in the XXIII. yeare following,* 1.101 which was rather by taking aduantage of Dionysius his error then following his opinion. For when he (about Iustinians time) made his Period of D.XXXII. yeares of the golden number and cycle of the Sunne multiplied, it fell out so in his computation that the XV. Moone following the Iewes Passeouer, the Dominicall letter, Friday, and other concurrents according to Ecclesiasticall tradition supposed for the Passion could not be but in the b 1.102 XII. yeare after his birth (a lapse by himselfe much repented) and then supposing Christ liued XXXIV. yeares, XXII. must needes be omitted; a collection directly against his meaning; hauing only forgotten to fit those concurren••••. This accompt (in it selfe, and by the Abbots purpose, as our vulgar is now, but with some little difference) erroniously followed, I coniecture, made them, which too much desired correction, adde the supposed Euangelicall XXII. yeares to such times as were before true, & so came CCCC.XXVIII. to be CCCC.XL.IX. & CCCC.L. which White of Busingstoke (although ayming to be accurat) vniustly followes. Subtraction of this number, and, in some, addition (of addition you shall haue perhaps example in amendment of the C.L.VI. yeare for K. Lucius his letters to PP. Eleutherius) will rectifie many grosse absurdities in our Chronologies, which are by transcribing, interpolation, misprinting and creeping in of anti∣chronisme•• now and then strangely disordered.

To get their seat in Gaule which on Nuestria light.

And a little after.

Call'd Northmen from the North of Germany that came.

What is now Normandy is, in some, stil'd Neustria and Nuestria corruptly, as most think, for Westria, that is West-rich .i. the west Kingdome (confined anci∣ently twixt the Mense and the Loire) in respect of Austrich or Dostrich .i. the East Kingdome,* 1.103 now Lorraine, vpon such reason as the Archdukedome hath his name at this day. Rollo sonne of a Danish Potentate, accompanied with diuers Danes, Norwegians, Scythians, Gothes, and a supplement of English, which he had of K. Athelstan, about the yeare D.CCCC. made transmigration into France, and there, after some martiall discords, honored in holy tincture of Christianity with the name of Robert, receiued c 1.104 of Charles the Simple with his daughter (or sister) Gilla this Tract as her dower, contayning (as before) more then Normandy. It is d 1.105 reported, that when the Bishops at this donation requi∣red him to kisse the Kings foote for homage, after scornefull refusall, he com∣manded one of his Knights to do it; the Knight tooke vp the Kings legge, and in strayning it to his mouth, ouerturned him; yet nothing but honourable re∣spect followed on eyther part.

That as the Conquerors bloud did to the conquered runne.

Our Author makes the Norman inuasion a reuniting of seuered kindred, ra∣ther then a conquest by a meere stranger, taking argument as well from identi∣tie of countryship (being all Germans by originall, and the people of e 1.106 the Cim∣brica Ch••rsonesus, now Danmarch, anciently called Saxons) as from contingen∣cie of blood twixt the Engle-Saxon Kings, & the Norman Dukes thus expressed:

* 1.107

[illustration]

Obiect not that Duke Robert got the Conqueror vpon Arletta (from whom perhaps came our name of Harlot) his Concubine, nor that a 1.108 Consanguinitatis & aedgnationis iura à patre tantum & legitimis nuptijs oriuntur, as the Ciuill Law, and vpon the matter the English also defines; but rather allow it by law of Nature and Nobility, which iustifies the bastards bearing of his fathers coat, distinguisht with a Bend sinister: Nicholas Vpton cals it * 1.109 Fissura, eò quod finditur à patriâ haereditate, which is but his conceit: and read Heuters tract de liberâ ho∣minis natiuitate, where you shall finde a kind of legitimation of that now dis∣gracefull name Bastard, which in more antique times was, as a proud title, in∣serted in the stile of great and most honorable Princes. Pretending this con∣sanguinity, S. Edward's adoption, and K. Harolds oth, aided by successfull armes the Norman acquired the English Crowne; although William of b 1.110 Poiters af∣firmes, that on his death bed he made protestation, that his right was not here∣ditary, but by effusion of bloud, and losse of many liues.

Who him a daughter brought,c 1.111 which heauen did strangely spare.

After composition of French troubles Hen. I. returning into England, the Ship, wherein his sonnes William and Richard were, twixt Barbefleu and South-hampton was cast away, so that heauen onely spared him this issue Maude the Empresse, married, at last, to Geffrey Plantagenest Earle of Aniou,* 1.112 from whom in a continued race through Hen. II. (sonne to this Maude) vntill Rich. III. that most Noble surname possessed the royall Throne of England.

Notes

• a 1.1

  From Eng∣land or Wales.
• a 1.2

  Certaine little Iles lying with∣in Seuerne.
• * 1.3

  Severne.
• b 1.4

  Wales.
• c 1.5

  England.
• d 1.6

  Albion, Nep∣tunes son, war∣red with Her∣cules.
• e 1.7

  The Bathes. All these Ri∣uers you may see in the third Song.
• a 1.8

  Floods of North-wales.
• b 1.9

  Glamorgan & M••mouthshires.
• * 1.10

  A supposed metamorpho∣sis of Bretans daughters.
• * 1.11

  Mo••mouth.
• a 1.12

  Henry the fift stiled of Mon∣mouth.
• b 1.13

  A maritime hill in Caernar∣nan Shire.
• * 1.14

  Glamorgan.
• a 1.15

  A kind of Trench.
• b 1.16

  Englins, Co♉iths, and A♉dells, British formes of verses. See the Illustrati∣ons.
• * 1.17

  A word, vsed by the Anci∣ents, signify∣ing to versify.
• c 1.18

  Saint Wini∣frids Well.
• d 1.19

  A glistring Rock in Mon∣mouthshire.
• a 1.20

  See the eight Song.
• b 1.21

  In Monmouth∣shire.
• a 1.22

  Arthur, one of the nine Worthies.
• b 1.23

  K. Arthur.
• * 1.24

  The sundry Musiques of England.
• * 1.25

  Gen. 11.8.9.
• * 1.26

  The Normans and the Saxons of one blood.
• * 1.27

  The Normans lost that name and became English.
• a 1.28

  These & the rest following, the famousest Hills in Breck∣nocke, Glamor∣gan, and Mon∣mouth.
• a 1.29

  Welch-hook.
• b 1.30

  So named of his bald head.
• a 1.31

  Tho. dela Moore emen∣datus.
• b 1.32

  De rerum na∣tural. lib. 1.
• * 1.33

  Tripartit di∣uision of Wales.
• c 1.34

  Girald descript cap. 2. & Powel ad Caradoc. Lancharuan.
• * 1.35

  So called per∣haps because it is almost ini∣sled within the Sea, and Lhogor as Rosay in Scotland▪ ex∣pressing almost an Ile▪ Bucha∣nan. hist. ••. in Eugenio 4.
• d 1.36

  Pris. in de∣script. Walli••.
• a 1.37

  Antiquis hu∣iusmodi certa∣mina fuisse doce∣m•••• a sch••least, Aristoph. & D. Cypriano serm. de Alcator. Censure vpon bookes publi∣shed.
• b 1.38

  Camd. in Epist. Fulconi Greuil. ad edit. Anglie. Norm. &c.
• * 1.39

  Did sing the valiant deeds of famous men to the swee••e melody of the Harpe.
• c 1.40

  Amnian Mar∣celin. hist. 15.
• d 1.41

  Parte seconda cap. ••. & ••.
• e 1.42

  Da••. Pouel. ad Girald▪ descript. cap. 3.
• f 1.43

  Suid. in I••••.
• * 1.44

  S. Mary For the Harp and other mu∣sique instru∣ments, their forme and anti∣quity▪ see to the VI. Song •• whether a spe∣ciall occasion compeld it. Quantity of the Bards verses.
• * 1.45

  Forme of the British musique.
• g 1.46

  Mar••ian, Heracl••ot••i•• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.47

  To make them gentle natur'd.
• h 1.48

  Girald. Topog. dist. 3. cap. 11.
• i 1.49

  30. Ed. 3. fol. 20.
• * 1.50

  Tropelophor{us} dict{us} in menol•• gie Grate apud Baronium, sorte 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 fiue 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 quid n. Trope∣••ophorus?
• k 1.51

  Faery Q lib. 1.
• l 1.52

  C. Sancta Rom. eccles. 3. dist. 15. Gelasi•••• PP.
• m 1.53

  Ord. Rom. de diuin. of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a∣pud Baronium in martyrolog.
• n 1.54

  Harding cap. 72.
• o 1.55

  Th. d•• Walsing. A.M. C.C.C.L. & XXIV Ed. III. Fabian puts it before this yeare, but erro∣niously.
• p 1.56

  Ex antiq. ma. ap. Camd. in Berks••••••.
• q 1.57

  M.CD.XXCVIII. Die ge scelsch ast S. Georgen schilts. Martin. Crus. anual. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. part. ••. lib. 9.
• r 1.58

  ••••. Hen. •• in statuti•• Hiberni∣cis.
• a 1.59

  Polychronic. lib. 1. cap. 52.
• b 1.60

  Bal. cent. 1.
• c 1.61

  Nennius. histor. Galfred. lib. 6. cap. ••. & lib. 7. cap. 2. Beginning of armes and crests.
• d 1.62

  Aeschyl. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Euripid in Phoeniss. The Dragon supporter and Standard of England.
• e 1.63

  Lips. com. ad Polyb 4. dissert. 5.
• f 1.64

  Pindar. Pythie∣ni••. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Homer. Iliad. suid. Epa∣minond Hesiod. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Plutarch. Ly∣sand. Euripid in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• g 1.65

  Camden.
• h 1.66

  Suid in Iusti∣nian. No seales be∣fore the Con∣quest.
• i 1.67

  Ingalph••s.
• * 1.68

  Emperour of Britaine, Gaule, Germany, and Danmarke; for so they falsly turned Da••ia.
• k 1.69

  Plaut. in Sti∣che.
• * 1.70

  Knights and Ladies sate in seuerall rooms.
• a 1.71

  Scholast. ad Arist ephan. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. & Suidas. Round Tables.
• b 1.72

  Gemos. halo∣graph. lib. 3. cap. 9.
• * 1.73

  A••migeri▪ which is exprest in the word Schilpors in Paul Warn••red. lib. ••. de gest. Lo••gobard. cap. ••••.
• c 1.74

  Dipnosoth. lib. ••.
• d 1.75

  Hoppenrod & spangberg. apud Ortc••••••m in Mansfeld. Many places in Wales in hills and rockes, ho∣nor'd with Ar∣thurs name. Pris desens. hist. Brit. & Cadair Arthur .i. Arthurs Chaire in Brecknock G••rald. I••in. Camb. cap. 2. & Arthurs Ouen in S••ul••ng of Scotland.
• e 1.76

  Liure 2. ch••pit. 30.
• * 1.77

  The Knights of the Round Table vse to ferry spirits o∣uer Styx, Ache∣ron, and other riuers, and for their fare haue a fillip on the nose and a peece of moul∣dy bread.
• b 1.78

  Girald. I••iner. Camb. 1. cap. 8.
• c 1.79

  Orland. Furi••s. cant. 3. See Spencers Fa••ry Q. lib. 3. cant. 3.
• d 1.80

  Gen. 10.
• e 1.81

  Munsier. Cosm. lib. 3.
• f 1.82

  Goropius in Indo••••ythic.
• g 1.83

  Iodo••. Willich. comm. ad Tacit. Germaniam. & Pantaleon lib. 1. ••••••sopograph.
• h 1.84

  E••ias Leuit. in Thi••••b. Arias Mont. in Pel••g.
• i 1.85

  Strab. lib. 〈…〉〈…〉 & •••• de aiijs quae hic congeri∣mus.
• k 1.86

  ••roughton in concent. praes.
• l 1.87

  Pet. Kirstenius Grammaticae Arabic•• sub∣in••••••it.
• m 1.88

  Scal••••. in pro∣legom. a•• emen∣dat. temp.
• n 1.89

  Melancthon ap. Becan. in Indoscyth.
• a 1.90

  Ap. Camdenum
• b 1.91

  Dionys Afer. in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The English from their ori∣ginall, excellent Archers. See the VIII. Song.
• * 1.92

  The shoo∣ting Sac•• none can teach them Art: For what they loos't at, neuer scapes their dart.
• c 1.93

  Strabo lib. ••••.
• d 1.94

  Ptolem. geo∣graph. lib. ••. cap. ••••.
• e 1.95

  Herodot. Poly∣hymn. Xenoph. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Strabo lib. ••.
• * 1.96

  See the 8. Song
• f 1.97

  Iustin. lib. 24. & 41. Herodot. Clio. Wasingh. Hypodig. Neust. Gemetie••ēs. lib. 1. cap. 4. Sabnis & Graecis morem hunc suisse me∣mini legisse me apud Varron••m & Columellam.
• g 1.98

  Festus in ••od. & Mamertinis.
• h 1.99

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gen. 28. 14. Iesai. 54.3.
• i 1.100

  Malmesb. lib. 4. de Pontificib.
• * 1.101

  Mistakings in our Chronolo∣gies.
• b 1.102

  Paul. de Mi∣dleburg•• part. 2. lib. 5.
• * 1.103

  Westrich.
• c 1.104

  Paul. Aemili{us} hist. Franc. 3.
• d 1.105

  Guil. Gemiti∣cens. lib. 2 cap. 17. An vnmanner∣ly homage.
• e 1.106

  Marcian. He∣ra••leot. in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.107

  G••miticens. lib. 7. cap. 36. & lib. 3. cap. 18.
• a 1.108

  ff. vnde cogna∣ti l. 4. spurius. & tit. de grad. affin. l. 4. non sacile. § 8. Sciendum.
• * 1.109

  Right of blood and kin∣dred comes on∣ly by lawfull marriage.
• b 1.110

  A diuision, because he is separated from his fathers in∣heritance. M.LX.VI.
• c 1.111

  Histor. Cado∣mens.
• * 1.112

  Plantagenest.