A knowledge for kings, and a warning for subiects conteyning the moste excellent and worthy history of the Raellyans peruerted state, and gouernment of their common wealth: no lesse rare, then strange ... First written in Latine, by Iames Glaucus a Germaine: and now translated into enlgish by VVilliam Cleuer scholemaster. By speciall recorde, this monument was two thousande yeares of antiquity: and so dusked and forworne with age, that being in a plaine writte[n] letter, could scarce be read ... I with my painefull indeuour haue now renewed it into fresh memorye.

❧ Howe the Raellyans began their fyrst estate, and of their great Idolatrie to the Asse of Adamant in the holie * 1.1 Alsephon, &c.

VVHereas the Ra∣ellyans inhabyting in a certayne desert grounde of the Assyrians, exiled for theyr disobedience, & dissent of not puttinge on the naturall lawes and ciuile ordinaunces of the Sci∣thians, were from their originall and natyue countrey quite dryuen out.

For as the Scythians were a plaine people, ignoraunt and altogether vnskyl∣full of the pompous magnyficent consti∣tucions of other princes: so were they wholly directed in the footesteppes of ver∣tue, after the documentes of nature: they lyued in the most playnest simplicitie of this lyfe: they were people that although of small vnderstanding of the eternall gouernaunce, yet theyr lyues and good manners were not the worst: they had

in contempt, the deuice of noueltyes: As they began with good order, so they conti∣nued, and so they ended. Theyr cloathing was of beastes skinnes: theyr dyet of the naturall fruites, which the earth brought forth by course of kinde.

Among these Scithians, there were som obstinate and vnruly people, and such whiche woulde not put on so harde and straite kinde of lyfe: were contented ra∣ther then to endure the same, to become banished men, forlorne of theyr owne countrey: and to seeke theyr habitation else where. There was a certaine wyl∣dernesse called Ramanna, which was a waste grounde, vnhabited, belonging to the Assyrians: with the east, bordering vpon Aries: vpon the south, Carmanill: vpon the west, the Medes: vpon the north, the Hircans. These Raellyans were contented at the first to become tributa∣ries to the Assyrians, not onely to inha∣bite that grounde: but also to plant the same, with all manner of fruitefull en∣crease. But after good space of tyme, the Raellyans growing to great wealth, and secure pleasure of all prosperous fe∣lycitie,

were able to traffique prouision of marchandyze to all countreys rounde a∣bout them: dyd buye and freelye pur∣chase the priuiledge of their countrey and lande of the Assyrians: which they the rather compassed to bring to passe, for that the Assyrians repined at theyr wal∣lowing in wealth, and great happinesse which the Raellyans grewe vnto: as also because the Assyrians beganne to ex∣tort, and with cruell vexation to oppresse them: practysed the spaedier to auoyde such inconuenience which might ensue.

Theyr owne brittle foundation wayed and considered after theyr owne hartes desire was established, and all thinges brought to passe, euen as they wished for: they with one consent and agree∣ment, for the more surer fastening, and grounding of theyr estate by the counsell and aduise of the chiefest and wysest men of the Raellyans: gathered together with one agreement, to choose a King: thinking thereby theyr gouernaunce, not onely to become ciuile: but also theyr estate bet∣ter and happyer, and that theyr countrey shoulde the rather he dreaded.

And also that they all throwing themsel∣ues vnder the obedience, & scepter of one man, shoulde become one: whereas eue∣ry mans opinion bearing swaye, there was many factions, treasons, conspira∣ries, which dyd ensue: one enuying ano∣thers estate, within them selues.

Therefore as they thought best, to re∣duce this their popular estate, in one vni∣fourme gouernaunce: thorow which de∣termination, great grudging arose, most part of them, thought it vnnecessarie to throwe theyr neckes vnder the gouer∣naunce of one man: and the rather for that before theyr forefathers had refused theyr obedience vnto the Scithians, a people of theyr owne fleshe, and blood: And also for that they were called Rael∣lyans, which name came of theyr banish∣ment: which if nowe they shoulde pro∣strate them selues to a King, might well againe be called Scithians, after theyr olde name, and countrey, from whence theyr ofspring yssued. And so in continu∣aunce of tyme, the Assyrians posteritie woulde pretende a tytle to theyr gouer∣naunce, and this theyr estate shoulde bee

come very daungerous. Whereas now euery man is ready to defende his owne estate, and euery mans particular condi∣cion of lyfe, is generall to all the whole countrey. And he that enuyeth eyther the estate of the countrey, or the prospe∣ritie of his neighbour, is a plaine enemie vnto him selfe, and his owne famylie. This hath béene heretofore the gouer∣naunce, and therefore séeing we prospere and florishe, that all countreys rounde a∣bout vs reuerence vs, feare vs, and craue helpe at our handes: why shoulde we so greatly abandone our great libertie, whi∣che hath béene deryued, from the stoute magnanimitie of our forefathers, to bee cowardly loste in vs theyr posteritie, and chyldren?

These and such lyke persuasions were in the hartes of the common people of the Raellyans: Notwithstanding the pru∣dent elders of the countrey, woulde not desist theyr opinion: but that theyr coun∣trey, coulde not bée saufegarded by any better meanes, then by electing and cho∣sing of a King.

Nowe whereas the Scithians hauing

in their countreye, as a moste precious iewell, an Asse of Adamant stone, sump∣tuously portrayed with golde, and preci∣ous orna〈…〉〈…〉es, for adorning and set∣ting forth of the same: These Raellyans when they first departing from their own countrey of Scithia, dyd steale this Asse of Adamant stone from the Scithians, & transported the same, into the wyldernes of Ramasa: where nighe adioyning vn∣to a fountaine called Rempollos, in the sayde wyldernesse, they buylded in the maner of a holy Sanctuary, a place called Alsephon, which was as much to saye in their language, a place of lybertie: In this religious place of lybertie, called Alsephon, they put this Asse of Adamant stone, and by practise they coniured a lying spirite, within the sayde Asse, tho∣rowe the euent and successe, whether it were good or bad, of any thing that was reuealed vnto them by this Asse of Ada∣mant stone, they woulde obeye, and holde it for trueth.

This strife betwéene the commen peo∣ple and the prudent elders of the Lande, for the electing and choosing of a Kinge, for

that it coulde not bée otherwayes descri∣bed: shoulde be ended in the holye Alse∣phon before this Asse: whereas a great gathering together was m••de of the wy∣sest people, and best places of the Lande, to yelde their voyces or consent, for the choosing of a King.

This controuersie growing to suche a wounde, which festered more sharper in their hartes, then the languishing disease Lossorna doth in the ioyntes and partes of man: yet notwithstanding, such was the reuerent feare, and blinde heathnish estimation, both for that custome which ouercasteth and shaddoweth all thinges, had forgotten the very begynning of this Asse, helde the same in the worshippe of a God, the whole multitude durste not but wholly geue consent, both for feare and loue: whiche wholly as this relygious Image reuealed the substance of the cause, so to be content, to establishe theyr estate.

For as they feared this Image, in re∣spect of the diuers plagues, & mischiefes that might fal vpon their estate & contrey:

euen so, for the pure zeale and blind loue of vaine worship, not one of them woulde fall awaye, or once wring aside in that duetie, that they thought might be done to so holy and reuerent an Image: for health, sicknesse, riches, pouertie, all ma∣ner of earthlie increase: yea the renowne of theyr countrey (as they beléeued be∣gun) continued, and ended thorowe this Image.

Wherefore this deuise was prouided, that all the people, which although they were of two seuerall opinions in minde: notwithstanding, they shoulde be gathe∣red all in one, in this holye Alsephon. Where before this holy Image the Asse, this wounded controuersie should bee cu∣red: and as herein they were all content, so the two sortes of people dyd chuse two seuerall Orators, to decyde theyr two se∣uerall causes: the one how that it was ne∣cessarie, that the lande shoulde be gouer∣ned by a King: so the others opinion was, that their estate was nowe happiest, and therefore moste vnnecessary to haue a King: The common sorte of people dyd those an excellent Orator, one Harman∣nus,

that should set downe the opinion of the common people: and the prudent Senators dyd chuse for theyr Orator, one Alectros: As these causes and opinions were very skylfully handled, so was the controuersie lefte before the Image, by the Determyner of the holy Alsephon to be ended.

❧ The oration of Har∣mannus the Orator, in the behalfe of the common people, for that they would not haue a gouernor.

IMaye not flatter or fable in this holye religious Alsephon, for that this Image of all blessednesse and renowne, in the eares, eyes, and hartes of all the people this daie, wyll reueale the sincere as••eueration of a faithfull Ora∣tour, aswell for that it standeth vppon the commoditie of a common vvealth: as also for that I speake before this holye Image, in whome onely consisteth the power and dominion of reuengement, or

rewarde of vertuous demerites, vvhich if for hier or vvages: for praise, or singular e∣stimation, I shoulde exalt either my selfe, or the cause, then no doubte I looke for euer to bee plagued with the pestiferous plagues that is due to a flatterer, or such a one that respecteth his owne gaines. But if the sinceritie of righteous vertue doo witnesse a good hart, and a holy intention to all goodnesse: the profite of a common wealth: the continuaunce of the olde ma∣ners of our fathers: the cutting of, of sects or opinions: the healing of soares: the curing of diseases: the inriching of my countrey: the quieting of the people: the bynding of charitie: the protection and defence of good order: and the stop∣ping of the mouthes of euyll enemies. Then also not onelye this holye Image wyll beholde the innocencie of my hart: but the people, whose feruent zeale this daye haue chosen mee, to bee an Orator in their defence (as vnworthie of the same) wyll geue out theyr showte and crye of consent. Our realme and coun∣trey was firste begunne of the Scithians

blood: vvhich although fleshlye na∣ture dyd ioyne them to bee of naturall consanguinitie: yet in maners there was great difference. For as the Sci∣thians were barbarous, and lyued in a sa∣uadge and rude maner of lyfe, plaging their carkases', bothe outwardly and in∣wardlie: Our fathers being of hautie and noble stomackes, hauing a wonder∣full and highe speculation in the giftes of nature: so they woulde not teare theyr fleshe, and pyne their bellyes, whiche should be honoured. And therevppon it came to passe, that our fathers refusing their obedience, were banished: and for a monument of renowne, transported this holye Image whiche hath directed and taught them, in all honourable nobilities, and reuerent adorations, vnto this daye. In this holye Alsephon, hath all good vertues beeneset forth, and taught vn∣to our elders, and lefte vnto vs: vvhy shoulde wee thus fall at variaunce then within our selues for a Kinge?

VVhat shall other bordering countreies here about vs report? Some of them wyll saye that we cannot agree within our sel∣ues.

And is it not commonlie seene, that kingdomes whiche is diuided within it selfe, doeth soonest decaie, and fall to de∣struction: and the concorde of the people, is the best defence of a countrey, and the happiest gouernance of a cōmon wealth? Our fathers haue brought vs to this hap∣pie inheritaunce: why shall vve now seeke our owne woe, to correcte our fathers actions? VVhat shall other countreies saye? beholde this kingdome howe it al∣tereth from the begynning of theyr fa∣thers: Oh vnhappie children, the cur∣sednesse of your estate, hath deserued some great plague from the first begyn∣ning, and nowe shall be reuealed in this generation.

If we haue a king, our goodes and our possessions are not our owne, we shall be oppressed with taxes as our forefathers were vnto the Assirians: If our forefa∣thers could haue endured obedience, why would they haue refused theyr owne kin∣dred and countrey, the Scithians? vvhy did they raunsome their tribute whiche they paide vnto the Assirians, vnto theyr great charges, not being growne to the

thirde parte of the wealth, as we nowe ares but because they woulde freely at theyr owne lybertie enioye theyr owne goodes without controlement, and make vs their heyres freemen?

I praye you, prudent Senators of the Raellyans, hea••ken vnto me which speake before this Image? can there be nowe an alteration of this our estate? but that diuers sundrie vexations wyll lurke, and secreetelye lye hydde in the hartes of the people? Doo you not knowe howe harde and straunge a thing it is to remoue olde and auncient customes? Doo you not see, the people, thorowe this lyttle stryfe, are readie to holde vp the sworde one a∣gainst another? vvhiche if this your enterprise doo ensue, presently looke for vtter destruction, in short tyme after to followe. It is harde to grafte a wylde thistle in a Rosemarie stocke: it is a more harder matter to plant the weake braun∣ches of the nettles, in the highe fyrre trees of this wyldernesse: The growthe of many yeares hath strengthned the fyrre tree, as the sweete heate of sommer hath caused the stinging blossomes of the

nettles gallantlie to shew forth their frise∣led faces: so the colde winter hath quite withered the same away againe. Let vs re∣mēber what pleasure the Hircans, the Tre∣bonians, obtained through their renowne they got in lyuing at their ownely bertie? and what mischiefe and destruction they fell vnto, when as they gaue consent to thrust their neckes vnder the yoake of o∣bedience to be ruled: wheras before, euery man did rule at his owne pleasure: This their vnhappie estate of lyfe, maye make your estate of lyfe happie: if they in not taking hede, may cause you to take hede: If they in falling to destruction, maye cause you to winne renowne: and keepe it. Then thinke and perswade with your selues, it is farre better to lyue in the plea∣sure of free men to be rulars, then to fall to destruction by slauish bondage to bee ruled.

This, oh holye Image, witnesse that I haue spoken nothing but that which my harte witnesseth to bee true, and the sin∣ceritie of an vnfayned minde can neuer but persist in the same: this (I hope) you

all are fullie perswaded in the strength of this my Oration.

Here endeth Harmannus his Oration.

❧ Howe Alectros, the O∣rator for the Elders, confuteth Har∣mannus his Oration, and what per∣swasions hée vseth for the establishing of a King.

THe skilfullest cunning that lewde O∣ratours vse vvith fayre vvordes, and most solempne protestations to drawe the eares of men to heare them, and the eyes of men to beholde them, and the mindes of the people to thinke vppon their nyce ballauncing speache: as this holie Alsephon being a place of Religion, subuerted thorovve flattering O∣ratours, to be a place of impudent behauiour,

thorow vvhich it is manifest, that orations of renowne are turned to shame and rebuk of An•• vvheras before this Image of all blessed∣nesse, which nowe soundeth both in the eares and hartes of the people, shall be reuealed the vnhappie ••nrsednesse of a faithlesse Orator, vvhiche both neglecteth the commoditie of a common vvealth, and countrey: and also his bolde desperate careles minde, daring to incur into the dominion and power of reuenge, be∣fore this holie Image, vvhich neither for hyer or vvages, for praise or singular estima∣tion, vvill rewarde shameles demerites: It is to bee seene before this holie conuocation, that he vvhich boasteth either his owne vvicked∣nesse, or maintaineth the malicious naughti∣nesse of so vile a cause: I vvishe and desire that according to des••rtes he maie be plagued vvith the pestiferous plagues that is due to such a flatterer, or suche a one that respecteth both his ovvne gaine, and the breache of the knot of concorde. For surelie the sinceritie of righteous vertue vvill neuer vvitnesse other∣vvyse: but a corrupt harte, and an vnsauerie m••nde, a peruer e intention to all impietie, the vndoing of a common vvealth, the depra∣nation of the auncient meaninges and ma∣ners

of our forefathers: the tying and knit∣ting together of sects and opinions: the vvouu∣ding of the vvhole: the breeding of diseases: the impouerishing of the countreie: the disqui∣eting of the people: the dispersing of charitie: the subuersion of good orders: the opening the mouthes of euill enemies: then no doubte this holie Image vvill beholde the corrupte vvickednesse of his harte. But the people vvhose foolishe zeale this daie haue chosen a golden sheathe for a vvodden knife: a levvd•• Oratour in so cauilling a cause most fit: If his boldnesse bee brasened, and countenaunce hardened, and their hartes putrified vvith stynking stomackes, let them geue out their shoute and crie of one consent: In deede our realme and countreie tooke their beginning of the Scithians blood, in vvhich it is most true that fleshlie nature, and naturall consangui∣nitie did allie our forefathers: but in maners oure forefathers vvere feared, both for their courage and contenaunce: our forefathers vvoulds not suffer the pinching penurie of the Scithians, for that they had a further sight in the giftes of nature: vvhich vvas not in re∣spect they refused their obedience, vntill such time as the Scithians desired to liue rather

lyke slaues, then to plant their landa, and in putting their countreie to bee fertile with all excellent increase: they being denied of this lybertie, of planting, setting, and in vsing the commoditie of the earth, refused both their obedience and countreie:

For a monument of great fame, as the Chro∣nicles of our countreie reporte: the Scithians dyd geue this holy Image vnto our fathers, in remembraunee that they vvere once inha∣biters of that lande: and as some other vvry∣tors of our monumentes doo saie: the Scy∣thians did geue this Asse vnto our fathers: for that they shoulde the vvyllinger departe: But doo you not knowe vvhat the Prophesie of the olde Prophete Raellon, vvhiche in keeping his Goates in the vvyldernesse, vvas vvoont to sing:

¶ The Prophesie.

¶ Our fathers came from Scithian land, who on an Asse dyd ryde: That Asse doth proue to be a God, our noble King discyde.

¶ But when this Asse on thystles féede, then shall this lande in woefull care: Haue want, and wretched neede.

IF I doo not thinke this Image able to doo euerie thing, so I shoulde prophane this blessed Image to speake the contrarie: but by the vvays to declare the Shepheardes Pro∣phesie: for this holie Image doeth knowe both vvhat hath come to passe, and vvhat shall come to passe: This Prophesie doeth de∣clare that our fathers vvoulde that in tyme, vvee shoulde haue a king: and vvhere it is saide, that an Asse shoulde feede on grasse, vvhiche is nothing but the possibilitie of this Image able to doo all thinges: Yea, able to come from the holie place Alsephon: not one∣lie to destroie this vvicked Oratour, but also the vvhole countreie of the Raellyans. As all thinges are possible vvith this holie Image, so nothing is vnpossible: vve must therefore needs thinke of great plagues to be powred vpon vs, if vve doo notobeye the voyce of this reuerent Image, vvhiche hath yeelded all honourable renowne vnto our fathers: And therefore it is our partes to geue due adoration thervnto:

But it is no maruaile that we thussall at va∣riance within our selues, since that such gree∣die Cratours doo blowe in the eares of the con mon people, both for their owne gaines, and also for the raysing of tumultes: we maie haue iust occasion to surmise that such prat∣ling Oratours doo practise for their owne gaine, with the confines and borders rounde about vs: or else to set vs one against another, at ciuile dissentions: that the wide gappe of mischeuous rebellion maie be opened. For these busie practisers, are deriders and dis∣turbers of kingdomes, and common weales: to the ende, the same might approch to destruc∣tion for their owne pray: such is their craftie pollicie, to pretende a concorde to the people, for a defence of their countrie: when as alto∣gether they woulde be contented, that by such wylie sacke and siege, to deliuer them vp to be ra••sa••ked of their lyues, goodes, and Coun∣trye. Our fathers indeed, brought vs to this happie inheritaunce, but howe vnhappie woulde it fall out to their children, if such vnhappie fellowes, and lewde Oratours, which are the refuse of the people, dare pre∣sume to correcte the golden counsaile of the wysest of this Realme, gathered together this

daye? the one seeking and caring for the wealth of this Realme: and the other the woe∣full estate, that eyther they woulde continue vs in: or else leade vs vnto? which although our fathers neuer before were gouerned vn∣der a King, is there good reason that wee shoulde nowe bee abridged of a kinglie go∣uernment? As who shoulde sa••e, that eue∣rie age by succession, is not to be gouerned ac∣cording to the maners of men: Our fathers were but the first founders of this lande, they contented them selues with modestie and pa∣tient contentation: although in their inst qua∣rell, full of courage, yet other waies very qui∣et, and contented: for because they were but straungers, vntill they were growne into ac∣quaintaunce: neither was their lande so po∣pulous then, as it is nowe. And for that wee woulde place and settle our lande vnder a King, is not to correcte our fathers noble actions: but to ratifie and confirme them to become more stronger, and more noble: For had they liued vntyll this daie, they woulde haue done the same. Shall we respect what other countreies doo saie? for this establishing of our countreie, in an vniforme order, cau∣seth them to quake for feare, least we shoulde

increase the confines, borders, and boundes of our lande: In deede, if vvee should headlong hurle our selues into mischiefe, in continuing vvithout a King, in that they might inuade our lande, our vnhappinesse vvoulde make them happie: and our curs••dnesse vvould cause them to become blessed: And then secreete spite vvhich hath lurked in their stomackes from the beginning, in enuying our prospe∣rous felycitie shoulde deserue, and offer iuste occasion to bee reuenged, to be plagued by them outwardlie. If vve haue a King, vvee shall be the happyer assured of our owne goodes and possessions: if thorovve iniurious vvrong vvee bee oppressed, to vvhome shall vvee make our refuge for redresser or reformation, but onelie vnto the King: if the King doo exact or taxe vs as our forefathers were, with the Assyri∣ans: we shall be comforted of the King, with the lyke hope, of assuraunce as our forefathers were of the Assyrians: for as the Assyri∣ans stoode bounde by faithfull oathe, to de∣fende the tributarie people the Raellyans: So shall the King in lyke sort stande bounde by outwarde recognisaunce of oathe, to de∣fende and maintaine vs his subiectes, and

countreie: Our fathers neuer refused obe∣dience, for that they came from theis owne countreie, was for iuste cause, in that they woulde occupie both their bodies and mindes, which the Scithians were neuer geu•• vnto, in setting and planting, the fruites and increase of the earth: and the Scithians were the poo∣rer, and lyued in more slauishe life: for that they woulde not plant their countreies with fruites, and exercise their people with vses and occupations: So the Assyrians perceauing the gentle maners and good vsage of our fore∣fathers, their great pollicte they had to en∣riche their lande by setting and planting:

And also perceauing howe that they began to storishe in worldlie wealth, did offer the free purchase of their countreie, which they did inhabite, and to raunsome their tribute: VVhiche although they were not growne to so full a wealth, as wee are, so was their people fewer: and therefore in all re∣spectes of lesser chardge, and according to the measure of quantitie: comparing their little chardge, and lyttle vvealth, to our great chardge, and great wealth: they might more sauf••lie lyue at lybertie, to enioye

their owne: then wee are able, with the best pollicie, and warlike prouision to defende our owne. For as nothing is more in hazard then vvealth: so nothing is more feared then vvealth: for as the poore countreies doo enuie vs, so vvoulde they neuer seeke to con∣quere vs, but for our vvealth.

And againe, for that they perceiuing our florishinge estate of riches, howe doo, they feare vs? Our fathers did leaue vs a free possessions: not that vve shoulde diminishe the the same: but vvith a famous nobilitie, and honourable renowne encrease it.

O you prudent Senatours of the Raelly∣ans hearken vnto mee: vvhich also vnfay∣••edlie, and purelie speake before this Image: shall not the alteration of this our estate turne to the best, both for that our countreie shall be saufegarded: good lawes and consti∣tutions published: our goodes preserued: the people quieted: and reduced to ciuile subiec∣tion? If that enuious vexations do lurke and lye hyd in the hartes of the people? there is no better way to vnroote olde customes, and plant good orders, (such as are agreeing with the old opiniōs of our forefathers, perticular and ne∣cessarie to our common wealth: and so as ne∣cessary

to endure cōtinually:) then ciuile auc∣thoritie. It is not vnknowne, but that old and auncient custome, being neuer so straunge to remoue, by ciuile gouernance it taketh place: And where thorowe lyttle strife, the people are readie to holde vp the sworde, one against another: their aucthoritie must be made the stranger, and more forceable to endure. I doubte not but that this happie estate shall both presently and prosperously ensue to re∣nowne: and such as are enemies herevnto, shal vtterlie in short tyme be destroyed: and our estate and common wealth, shall for long time be preserued. Indeed, the wild thistle for that it choaketh good corne, is to be cut downe: but the Rosemary stocke is to be preserued as ne∣cessarie and holesome: The weake stincking nettles are to be cut downe: but the fir trees of the wildernesse are to be preserued for a com∣mon wealth. If we call to remembraunce the wofull pleasure (as Harmannus wylleth vs) of the Hircans and Trebonians, the miserable penurie they brought vnto their lande, in ly∣uing at their owne lybertie, and myschiefe and destruction: their frowarde awkarde sto∣mackes did worke in them: for their ciuile vvarres and horrible dissentions that they

vvere subiect vnto, when as they fel at discord with their King? as also such was their mal∣lice, that one of them became odious vnto ano∣ther. Indeed it is truely spoken, that their vn∣happy estate of life, may make our estate of life happy: for if the remembrance of their rebel∣lions, worke in our harts obedience and duety: if their ignoraunce, worke in vs knowledge: if they for disobeying, and rebelling against their King, came to ruine: let vs vvith obeying, duetifullie acknowledge our Soue∣raigntie, and maie be long and euermore made happie and prosperous subiectes, to winne re∣nowne and keepe it: For in hauing a King, degrees of men are knowne: euerie man is preserued in his owne estate: the whole lande chieflie maintained in a most prosperous safe∣garde: This you may well perceiue it is farre better to haue a king to bee ruled, then to liue at lybertie, one man to destroie another.

This O sanctified Image, witnesse, euen with thy deuine strength, and maiesticall power, that whether Harmannus, or Alectros haue spoken either flatteringlie, for their owne priuate gaine and praise, or against thy renowne, or the renowne of this lande and

countreie: presentlie to bee strooke with such infernall plagues, as continueth, and resteth in thy holinesse to strike such horrible male∣factours.

¶ Here endeth Alectros his Oration.

❧ Of the great discenti∣on and h••rlie burlie, that fell among the people in the holie Alsephon.

PResently after the ende of these Ora∣tions, there grewe such dissention in the holy Alsephon: on both sydes, partes were taken: so that not one man, that was in the holye Alsephon, coulde assure himselfe, to goe away with the hope of his owne lyfe. There was for the space of two howres, suche a showte, with roa∣ring and myserable crying of the people: rending their cloathes, scratchinge theyr skinnes, pulling their heayrre from theyr headdes, that the lyke was neuer hearde before.

So that the prudent Elders of the land, had veryly thought, that present destruc∣tion, and wastfull subuersion of their countrey, had in that woofull instant run vppon them. In the middest of this hur∣lye, burlye, such was theyr desperate pe∣rylous mischiefe: that one Rosmonna, a vyllanous Ruffyan, dyd run very vehe∣mently with an edgde toole, in careles maner, purposing to kyll Alectros the O∣ratour: and with the excéeding thrust and strife that was among them, the holy I∣mage was throwne downe: Whereat they being all amased, kepte silence••, and reuerentlye knéeled downe, and with greate teares acknowledged their bold∣nesse, and shamelesse disorder: in that they durste enterprise suche vnreuerent practises before this holy Image: foorth∣with the Image with the force of the ly∣ing spyrite that was within, was erected and set vp againe of it selfe.

In the ende of this controuersie, iudge∣ment was geuen by the consent of the people, that Rosmonna shoulde be han∣ged. And as touching their contro∣uersie, for that the people were deuided,

they woulde for the present tyme, referre the arbiterment thereof vnto the Deter∣myner of the holy Alsephon: And present∣lie after, that they with one consent had executed Rosmonna to death, came to heare the full ende, and fynal determyna∣tion of this controuersie: for they were al weryed with yrksomnesse of ciuile crie and showte of the people with, the clamo∣rous noyse, murmuringes, grudginges, that one of them had against another: which moued them the rather, and wyl∣linger to make an ende, fearing least their countrey woulde drawe to ciuile warres, and so in the ende come to desolation.

¶ The Determyners O∣ration, for the appeasing of the people.

MY friendes and countrey men: I am sorie, and the inwarde griefe of my harte plungeth sorrowfull teares in myne

eyes: First to see you my countrey men, friendes, and neighbours, to fall at such variance, to hazarde your selues and your goodes, in suche a matter: about which you neede not so much to trouble your heads, or yet your raginge wittes to bee discouered, by such greeuous. agonies: vvhether it be necessarie, or vnnecessary, this lande to be gouerned by a King, per∣ceiuing the myserable mischiefe alreadie kindled with the whoate fyrebrandes of mallyce, in the hartes of the people.

I woulde rather with wholsome water of good counsaile, squenche the same: then to put the drye stickes of the wyldernesse to increase it, or the gunpowder of the Assyrians to cause it more raginglie to flame out.

I humblie beseeche you my good coun∣trey men, to quiet your hartes, and pacifie the griefe of your mindes: I am sorie that it shoulde bee thought, yea, to haue muche more so iuste occasion to speake, that the Raellyans are of suche rude conuersation, and lewde behauiour: Yea, before this blessed Image so vnre∣uerently,

and ryotouslie to behaue them selues. If you woulde not abstaine for your owne sakes, for your fathers sakes, or for wisedome sake, which a∣boundauntly is grafted with in your noble stomackes: I saye, if none of these thinges can restraine you: then looke vp and beholde this holy Image, which hath power in one howre, yea, in one mo∣ment, to stryke you to death and destruc∣tion: Repent this your vnreuerent careles wickednesse: call to remembraunce this Image, which with my consent, shall de∣termine this controuersie: For that it hath guided our fathers from the lande of Sci∣thia, and hath seene al the actions, deedes, monuments, purchases and determinatiōs of all those thinges that haue beene done, or thought to be done, from the Reellyās first begynning vntyll this present daye: This Image therefore knoweth what is most profitable and necessarie for this our countrey and common wealth: And as I coulde reueale the inward affection of my harte: so I wyll suspende my iudgement, vntyll this Image hath pronounced a iu∣dicyall determination of the same.

Repent good countreymen: repent, bee sorye: and no doubte but that this Image, wyll both heare and behold you, in the in∣staunt of his blessed oportunitie: ease your sighes: addresse your calamities: pacifie your dislentions: quiet your countrey: sende health to your boddies: with com∣fort stop your eyes, from those miserable teares that doth bleare you with fundrie myseries. This my countreymen, I hope you bee all prefixed in this blessed pur∣pose of quietnesse, and to haue your cause fullie ended and finished, by the mouth of this holie Image.

¶ Here endeth the Determyners Oration.

¶ How the Ascalon of the Alsephon did require an aunswere from the Image, whether they shoulde haue a King, or no.

AFter the Determyner had ended this mylde and curteous Oration: the

people were not onely perswaded vnto quiet repentannce, and sorrowfull com∣punction: but the determination was made, and they all wholy agréede vnto the same: The Ascalon whiche was the Sacryficer shoulde watche the good leasure of the blessed aunswere of the the Image. For he that was alwaies, the Ascalon of the holy Alsephon it belonged vnto his office, not onelye to watch ouer the people, for to espye their feruent zeale towards this Image, but also it was not lawfull for any man to speake vnto this blessed Image in any sute, but firste he shoulde come and pay the thirdes of al his increase vnto the Ascalon of which he had taken commoditie of a monthe afore. And than the Ascalon shoulde be a medi∣ator for hym and vtter his cause. And as answer was receiued, so answere was made againe. And héerein, both for appeasinge the wrathe and displeasure of the Image for the former contenci∣on, as also for the stirringe forwarde of the Ascalon to be zelous in their cause, they gaue of the best of all their increase, to be sacrificed before the Image: And

the Ascalons fées and duety was doubled: when they had all departed, leauing the holy Ascalon with his officers in the holy Al••ephon, making humble peticions be∣fore this blessed Image: About the twelfth howre of the night, the Image beganne vehemently to roare: thunders, lyght∣ding••, rayne, wyndes, earthquakes, with many other straunge tempestes: the lyke before that instaunt, dyd neuer so fore trouble the lande of the Raellyans. The holy Lampe that dyd dayly burne in the Temple went out, the Alsephon was dar∣kened, the people brought into most sor∣rowfull calamitie, and wretched mysery, thorowout the lande: thorowe whiche trembling feare, many dyed: hayle stones dyd driue the Tents of the lande to much ••uyne. After these sore troubles, the Elders of the lande proclaymed a faste, thorowout the countrey, for the space of twentie dayes. After the ende of the fast, and sacrificiall idolatries: the holy Ascalon all this tyme wayting the good leysure of the Image, at the length, receaued an answere: which although it might seeme a very delectable answere to••

the Ascalon and the people, for that the * 1.2 lying spyrite in the Image dyd deceaue them with many idolatries: so would not leaue of, vntyll they were brought to vt∣ter subuersion: the Image speaking in a chaungeable voyce, sometymes high, sometymes lowe, sometymes whorse, sometymes shyrle, after this maner.

¶ This countreie must enioye a King, and orders straight they must obey: Take heede the thistle doo not sting, to worke your woefull iust decay.

Your fathers came from Scithian land, this fruitefull fielde for to possesse: They brought a poyson in their hande, one shall destroye both more and lesse.

VVhen your King shall laugh and smyle, * 1.3 to see an Asse on thistles feede: Then looke for spoyle within a whyle, to bring your lande to wretched neede.

The strongest Bull the kingdome win, Good hap with all the thread shall spin, Let fortie men their Bulles bring in.

The Bull that first in fight doth slay, This land, his maister shall obay.

VVith Scepter sure this kindome take, For thee thy heire right kings I make.

In the morning very early, all the pru∣dent Elders, with the cōmons of the land resorted to this holy Alsephon: some came to make supplycations to this Image, for the cruell tempestes that was the same night before, some came to heare of the newes, which the reuelation of the holy Image (as touching their Kinge) had set forth: and some came for very enuy they had against this new order of choosinge a King, to raise tumultes and mischeuous sedition. But when the holy Ascalon had read before the people, what the Image had pronounced: they were then al quiet. Some were quieted for ioye, that their purpose was at an end: some were quie∣ted for sorrowe, for that they durste not speake against the Image. This determi∣nation for choosing of a King, was a per∣fect finall ende.

¶ HOW THE KINGE was chosen by the consent of the whole Realme, as wel the Elders as the commons.

THese great troubles beinge appeased, and quietnesse established: the pru∣dent Elders laying their heads together, for the present choosing of their King vsed many wayes: yet in the end, they agréed and fully consented in one opinion, as the holy Image had reuealed: which for that it was an impossible thinge that euerye mans Bull should be brought: they were therfore all generally setled in this one minde according as the Image had vtte∣red: that fortie of the Auncientes of the inhabitours, whose fathers first entered the lande, and were the first founders of their frutes and pleasures which they did enioye, should bring his Bul. When they had builded a goodly theatrée for the buls to fyght in, and euery man had clodded his Bull with a harnesse of brasse, with long pikes of pron sticking forth at euery

place of the saide Bulles, nothinge was couered saue their hornes, mouthes and legs, whiche were at frée lybertye: One Hellepatrus a riche Gentleman of that Countrye, put vnto his Bul betweene the skin and the Harnesse a number of lytle sharp shorte needles fastened vnto the in∣ward parts of the Harnesse: the Bull be∣ynge both couragious, fierce and lustye, and also vehemently pricked forwardes with the bitter greife of these néedles, came vpon the Theater with such admy∣rable force, that the saide Bull presentlye kylled six other Bulles, in the presence of all the Elders of the Lande. Incontinent all the aforesaide Elders made low reue∣rence vnto Hellepatrus, and saluted hym King. And as he gaue great thankes vnto them all: so with great singing, and play∣ing of swéete Instruments, with all roiall pomp they went to the holy Alsephon to render thanks to the blessed Image. Whē all the Elders of the Land. w^t the consent of the Cōmons had strengthened the au∣thorytie of his kingdome: some for feare, and some for lone: then the day of Coro∣nation was appointed with great proui∣sion,

and assemblye of people: with suche magnificent and royall pompe as the lyke was neuer hard in any kingdom before: such prouision of wines: such store of im∣broydered costly garments: such store of oyles: such store of kids: with dates, oren∣ges, pumgranets, yea that cost coulde not be thought but prouision was made for it. But yet there rested an other ambiguitie * 1.4 which cumbersomly dyd hang in y^e minds both of the King, the Elders and the com∣mons of the land: which was, with what Crowne the Kinge shoulde be crowned: Some saide a Crowne of Golde: some said of Siluer: some saide of Brasse: some of I∣ron: some other saide a Crowne of Ada∣mant stone imbroydered with Gold: for Ada mant stone was thought to be y^e most precious ornament that their Land was furnished withal. This doubt increasing greater and greater with what Crowne the Kinge shoulde be crowned withall: they went into the holy Alsephon, where petition was made vnto the Ascalon, to intreate, and make supplycation vn∣to the holye Image: Bothe with

what scepter the King should be souerain¦ted and with what crowne crowned. The Ascalon made vehement peticion vnto the Image for the space of foure nights, and could receaue no other aunswer but this:

¶ Let them go, To Delphicus Apollo.

The Ascalons Declaration vnto the Elders concerning the answer of the Image.

After this answer was pronounced, the Ascalon declared vnto the elders: that there was some gret secret counsel which lay hid vnto the holy Image: for that he could receaue no other answer, but com∣maunded to goe, to Delphicus Appollo: Then the King, and the prudent elders of the land tooke great consultation of the matter, and chose two wise learned Im∣bassadours, with a great garrison of men to assyst them vnto Phocides: where they shoulde aske counsell of the Oracle. After these two Imbassadours were fur∣nished forwardes with spéedy appoynt∣ment

for their returne: they comminge to Phocides, after some pause had, with as much expedition as belonged to such a hasty businesse, they layd downe beneth the foote of the hill Parnassus their giftes and fat of the earth, to be carried vp to the Temple of Appollo, being sent from the King and Elders of the Raellians, they pitching their pauilion betweene the faire cleare fountaine Helicon, and the hil Parnassus.

The Oracle.

VVhat wallowing wealth haue we to yeld a∣gain? what pearles or precious golde? Our skill your hononrs high shall main: our blisse if we vnfolde.

At first great grace reueale in vs, some hope behinde, In this your common weale: your seede great want shall finde.

An Asse portraied in stone, shall reape your kingly state: VVith scepter strong shall he beholde, your hapand cruell fate.

VVhen as this Asse doth croppe, the thist'es sharpe and keene: Then falleth downe the sturdie proppe, and withe had neaer beene.

A Garlande gaie on thistles sharpe, on which your fate shall lye: VVhich shall be greene and nouer warpe, for moiste or yet for drie.

VVhen that your sober King, that laughter neuer had: Shall geue him selfe to laugh and sing, which earst before was sad.

Then Venus shewes her colloured fac〈…〉〈…〉 h•••• fate can not hee scape: Then oke beholde a king to daie, tomorro we an•• Asse in shape.

In holie Alsephon hang vp this garland gay, For it shall florish with gallant greene, vntyll your fatall daye.

After the Oracle was finished, the Embassadours departed to refreshe

them selues, within Hellicon: but on the * 1.5 morrowe, they approched néere the hyll Parnassus, vnto the temple Apollo: where the Oracle commaunded them to retyre vnto the fountaine Castatius, where a Nymphe dyd delyuer into the Embassa∣dours bandes, the Garlande of thistles, and the Scepter, on which the Asse was portrayed: And forthwith they réturned home, into theyr owne countrey.

This theyr speedy iourney being at an ende, the King not onely receyued at their handes, the Oracles voyce: but also the Garlande, and the Scepter: with rendring great thankes for theyr kind∣nesse, and richly rewarding them other∣wayes.

Notwithstanding, both the Oracle, the Garlande, and also the Scepter, dyd sore amaze the king, and Elders of the lande: Insomuche that the Elders reo¦pented that euer they had chosen a king: and the king him selfe repented that hoe had taken the gouernment vppon him.

Yet for that they had intricated

them selues so déepe in the matter, they would not reuoulte, but proceeded in the seriousnesse of their purpose: and appoin∣ted day of the Coronation. Vppon whiche day he dyd assure his faith to his subiects, and hys subiectes lykewise to him.

The coronation of Hel∣lepatrus King of the Raellians in the ho¦ly Alsephon.

WHen the day of Coronation was come, the sumptuous stagies were set vp: And with all noble renowne the fame of the Theater most costly hanged for the prouision of such a sumptuous and statly assembly. The fowntaine that ran by the holy Alsephon was for that space conuerted to run with cleare and swéete wine: such singinge of ditties: such Ora∣tions were made in the praise of the king, such minstrelsye vppon shawmes, fluts & Timbrels, that the lyke triumphes was neuer hard or séene before among the Ra∣ellyans.

Such feasting and banqueting, that for

fine delicatnesse thereof: I can make no comparison: except amonge the Aleran∣drians, in whom all the swéete daintyes of the world are flowyng: There was ca∣ryed ouer the King a Canapy of imbroi∣dered wrought gold (it is a stately tale to tell) for that present day, there was neuer before in any nacion, the lyke famous roi∣altie comparable to the Raellyans. The King with all the aforesayd royaltie mar∣ched towardes the holy Alsephon: which when the King had taken his place, in the presence of all the Elders and Commons of the Lande, began to speake after this manner.

The Kinges Oration.

MOst deare Elders & louing subiects of this Countrye and Lande: in whom I finde the faith of subiectes: the truthe of men, and the loue of vertue: which not onely was approued by your generallvoi∣ces in choosing mee your King: but also your petitions to this holy Image and La∣dy Fortune: that I should glister and

brightly shine in their eyes, that of so ma∣ny excellent personages, co••…••…ly courtly ci∣uilians indued with all the vertues & gifts of honour, by her well lyking (in me) as in one out of time to be brought to beare the Scepter of this Kingdome. And al∣though many suppose. I am brought to great ioye, and lifted vp to many folde re∣nowne, yet many sorowes and cares do ap∣proch more nearer mee then all the world doth see: A King must not only be careful for his owne estate, but also of his people and countrey: If the one miscary, the other cannot doe well. The glory of the one is the renowne of the other: if the people be disobedient & vnruly, and that neither the feare of this holy Image, or the au∣thoritie of their King, or the obedience that is incident in them selues: howe ma∣ny sicknesses and diseases, doeth weaken and infeable a Kinge, euen vnto death: A Kinge is incombred with the whole gouernaunce and charge of the common wealth, not onely for their saufegarde, but also for their wealth, profite and com∣modytie, their sorrowe is my sicknesses:

in mee and in my personne, is the whole lande and countreie: if I bee the marke that euerye countreie and na∣tion, or hatefull enemie shooteth at: howe can I thinke my selfe in any hap∣pie saufetie? or that I am exalted to suche renowne, as the whole lande spea∣keth of? As I woulde be loathe to for∣sake and leaue of, the good w••ll that Ladie Fortune-hath bestowed vpon mee, so if I maye bee discharged and vnbur∣thened of this great and waightie charge, which both by this holye Image: the Elders, and commons of the lande: I am brought vnto: so I shoulde haue thought my priuate estate of lyfe to bee more saufe.

But seeing it is thus come to passe, and * 1.6 that I perceaue great wyllingnesse and forewarde zeale, to further the successe hereof: with the lyke obedience, that both presentlye remayneth in you: and (so as the best is alwayes to bee thought) lyke to continue: whiche as you doo make mee your Kinge and gouernour,

and strengthen me with all the right, title, state and intrest, that is in you: So I be∣seeche you continue good subiects, do not offer no iuste occasion that through rigo∣rus iustice, I should alter your obedient opinions, (conceiued of me:) For as a King ought to be a seely lamb, in righteous iudg¦ment toward his good people: so he ought to be a Lion in executinge of iustice to∣wardes his wicked people: (especially) when occasion is offered. Although we haue receiued some sharpe newes, from Delphicus Appollo, yet I hope all thinges shal turne to the best: which the rather will come to passe, through your obedience & duty towards me, in my administration of rightuous gouernment towards you: I am that Kyng, that this day most dearely doth loue his subiects. I beseeche, you once a∣gaine (for no occasion of my mislykinge towards you) you are the people, of whom I presume and boldly saye, that at this in∣stant, do loue me your kinge: I trust such will be your, vsage and reuerent care, that I shall haue no occasion offered me to hate you. I therfore in you, and you in me,

are many dispersed members at this pre∣sent day of Coronation, knit in one body: If one lytle sinew of this bodie do breake, a great infraction is lyke to ensewe: much more if one ioynt do breake, the whole bodie wyll become decrepite, and laine: such is the knitting of this bodie, that if onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be rotten, many members are put in hazarde to putrifaction: good sub∣iectes therfore let vs knit our selues at this daie: that wee, our countreie, and goodes, maie be preserued, our renowne well spo∣ken of: other countreies put in dreade of our loue and quietnesse.

¶ Here endeth the Kinges Oration.

❧ Here sheweth howe the King was sworne vnto the Commens, and passed forth the daie of his Corona∣tion, with many pleasures.

AFter the ende of this Coronation, the Elders of the Lande, dyd eracte an oathe of the King: and they cryed with a

lowd voice: Holy Image defend our king.

Fyrst they propowned that he shoulde defende the honour of the holye Image vertuously, and shoulde gouerne righte∣ously: that neither for fauour of the one, or hatred to the other, he should deny iustice: neyther by strength power or aucthority, should extort of them: but with equity to mayntaine and vphold the Scepter of his kingdome: And lastly, to defende them, from the inuasion of forraigne enemies.

This his chardge being at an ende: the people showted with lowde voice, and the Trumpets blew, with other instrumēts ordayned for that day and purpose: Now lastly, setting the Crown vpon the Kings head, fowre seuerall tymes, one after ano∣ther, but in the end they left y^e Crowne re∣mayning vpon the kings head, styll vntyl night. Nowe after y^e fynal end of all these triumphes & renowned plesures: the king arose, with al the Elders, & departed for y^e present, vnto a sumptuous banquet, pro∣uided for the daye of Coronation: In the ende whereof, the king with the Elders went vnto the Theatre, where they dyd see the yong men of all the Realme, shew Royal actiuity of many and sundry Mar∣shall

feates of Armes: thus the day being almost spent, and night drawing on, re∣turned to the holy Alsephon: where they hanged the Garland of Thystles, which was the kinges Crowne: and in lyke maner delyuered vp the Scepter, and thankes being rendered vnto the holy I∣mage, departed.

❧ Here is shewed howe the King fell at discorde with his sub∣iects: his subiects confederated with the King of the Hircans, to inuade their lande: Hellepatrus the king of the Ra∣ellyans, was banished, and restored vnto his kingdome by the King of the Trebonians: with the myserable death that the King of the Trebonyans was executed to.

AFter this, the king being established * 1.7 in his kingdome, & confirmed king of of the Raellyans, with all the assuraunce that might be: the king being of a hau∣tye and lustye nature, ••oulde not beare the murmurations of thē common peo∣ple: but for verye small trifles, dyd hang & drawe them, with executing them

to many other sauadge and cruell deaths: such was his crueltie, that no king was feared lyke vnto Hellepatrus: The king seeing his estate sure, his subiectes redu∣ced to obedience, and that all thinges fell out as he wished for: then he procéeded to enriche his unperial Crowne with lands and lyuinges: at which (generally) the subiectes repyned, and beganne to repent them selues, that euer they had made him king. Insomuch, the king with such crueltie began to taxe them, and brought sore yoakes and burthens vpon them: as many of them fled from their owne coun∣trey: so many of them yeelded them sel∣ues, and set good faces of the matter, al∣though their hartes were ful of cankered mischiefe, and poysoned mallice towards the king. The king calling all the chiefs and rychest of the lande together, in mouing them to resigne all their lands and lyuinges vnto the imperiall Crowne of his kingdome, and to become his ten∣nauntes. At which, they being all sore amazed, for that euerie man helde, but according to the cusrome of the countrey, denyed the kinges request: The king

Hellepatrus taking sore displeasure, by the aduise of some certaine flatterers a∣bout him, put many of the chiefe Elders of the lande to death: inuaded his owne countrey with such terrors, that those which woulde not obey him, were slaine, and executed to a most shamefull tyran∣nous death. Some of them were put to fyne: some of them put to perpetuall im∣prisonment: some of them bonds••aues, and dyd serue in the kinges Garison: When in this maner the king had paci∣fied his lande with sworde and fyre, and with the cruellest terror, that euer was hearde of: He then assuring him selfe to be most saufest, was most in ieopardie: for those whiche were most earnest to make him king, vnto those was hée a more sharper enemie, then vnto the rest. The cause hereof, was for that, they be∣ing so earnest to haue a king, not that they fauoured any one man to bee theyr king: but for that euery man hoped af∣ter the kingdome him selfe: the king perceyuing euery mannes greedy desyre, gaue but certayne outward thankes vnto them: but dyd attribute the successe of

his good lucke vnto Ladie Fortune, and that holy Image. For as the King per∣ceaued howe his people hated him: so he dyd not squenche their hatered with leni∣tie, or by any execrable méekenesse: but with more greater vengeaunce and cru∣eller tyrannie.

The people had him in suche horrible disdayne, that whereas they hauing not delyuered theyr wrytinges, and auncient monumentes of recorde, which was be∣twéene their fathers, and the Assyrians, when they purchased the lande: so they practised with the King of the Hircans, that if hée woulde make warres vppon theyr king: they woulde not onely assist him, but also they woulde delyuer vp in∣to his handes, the monumentes and wrytinges, of the free purchase of the lande, which was betwéene their fathers and the Assyrians.

The King of the Hircans woulde pre∣sently haue had the same wrytinges, but they woulde not agrée therevnto, before he had ouercome and vanquished theyr king, by battayle: thorowe the great secreate suite of the Raellyans, the King of the Hircans was content to satisfy••

theyr desyre: and appoynted an hoast of twentie thousande soldiours, to inuade the lande of the Raellyans: but the people had so condicioned with the King, that all those Raellyans which woulde submytte themselues vnto the Hircans, and be con∣tent to go in battayle against theyr King, shoulde be in saufetie both of their lyues, landes, and goodes: So the King of the Hircans hauing landed his great armie of men, in the lande of the Raellyans: the Raellyans for the most parte, made theyr refuge vnto him: and submytted them selues, and offered not onely theyr bodyes, but their landes and goodes, and all that euer they had, to be at his com∣maundement: Hellepatrus king of the Raellyans, séeing his woful misery draw on: his people forsaking him: his owne housholde seruauntes denying him: his estate to bée the most myserablest of all men: ānd that speedily his enemies dra∣wing on, had no other helpe for him selfe, but to flye, and to become a straunger in another lande: forthwith fled into the lande of the Trebonians, where he dwelt for the space of fiue yeares.

In the meane whyle the lande of the Ra∣ellyans was gouerned by the king of the Hircans, and as the Raellyans lyued as they lysted them selues, to be at free ly∣bertye, so they proued within that space to be verie riche and welthie, and began to abound againe withall maner of plen∣tifull pleasures. The king when he fled, tooke Hellidorus his sonne with him: and lefte Abdona his wife and other children in the lande of the Raellyans: which af∣ter the departing of Hellepatrus, most miserably the Hircans tormented Abdo∣na the Queene and her children, in most terriblye burning them to death. This banishment, dyd not so muche vexe the king, as the death and losse of his wyfe, with the resydue of his children: whereas naturall affection dyd moue him to sor∣rowe: so the remembraunce of reuenge, dyd comfort him on the contrary: Nature and reuenge working together, practised many wayes: yet no better way woulde serue his turne, then to open his griefe vnto the king of the Trebonians: the king of the Trebonians being at mortall detestation with the king of the Hircans,

declared vnto the king, howe the Elders and commens of his lande, had chose him king, and confirmed the same with as strong and forceable auchority as might be deuised: it was also ratified before a blessed Image in his lande, which theyr fathers brought from the lande of Scithia: howe with an Oracle from Delphicus A∣pollo, the maner of his Coronation was appointed. And that both the Scepter and Crowne of his kingdome were hanged vp in the holye Alsephon before the blessed Image: which they durst not for feare of eternall plagues once diminish the same. And as he thought, the strength of his kingdome, dyd consist both in the Scep∣ter, and also in the Crowne garlande of thystles. After they had made mee theyr king, and also royally put mee in antho∣ritie, and also had crowned, and soueraig∣ned mee with the aforesayde Crowne and Scepter: I afterwardes, but demaun∣ding their obedience, which was due vn∣to mee: and that they woulde geue mee such ryghtes and possessions vnto my im∣periall Crowne, as they promysed: they not onely denyed mée of the one, but they

rebelled against mée for the other: and practising with the king of the Hircans, haue dryuen mee from my kingdome, and spoyled mée of my landes and goodes: and most greeuouslye haue bereft mee of my wyfe and chyldren: for most trayte∣rously haue they put them to death.

¶ The supplycation of Hellepatrus vnto the king of the Trebonyans.

O Noble King, that beareth the armes of defence, looke vppon my innocen∣cie: beholde my pittifull complayn••: see the wretchednesse of my griefe: nothing doth rewe my harte to such a terrour, and grieuous horrour, as this wicked murthe∣ring of my wyfe and children.

❧ The King of the Tre∣bonians aunswered his pittyfull com∣playnt in this maner.

Dareth that wicked worme of the Hircans, Feede on the firre trees of the Raellyans?

I Wyll surelye cleare and purge thy lande, and restore thée to as muche pleasure, as euer thou haddest in thy lyfe before: yea, and muche more: and I am glad that so good occasion is offered mée, against that wynding Snake of the Hircans: Hellepatrus, and Hellidorus his sonne were succoured, and very rich∣ly mayntained among the Trebonyans. And as Hellepatrus dyd geue him selfe to great excessyue drinking, among the Trebonyans: so the Trebonyans were a very inordinate people in drynking. Hellydorus, although geuing him selfe to an accustomed order of myldnesse, for that he in all his lyfe neuer laughed: so he practised him self to y^e great actiuitie of the Trebonyans: for the Trebonyans were verye actiue and nymble people, in the feates of Armes, & most strongly woulde they fight, when they were excessiuely o∣uercome with drynking: But the king of the Trebonians, and the people practised many pleasant deuises, to moue Hellydo∣rus to laughter: but such was his myldnes, that it coulde neuer be brought to passe:

Whylst the Raellyans pleasure increa∣sed, and their estate beganne to be sure a∣gaine: Hellepatrus and the king of the Trebonyans ceased not to consent, and take great counsell for the restoring of the king vnto his kingdome. And at the last, the king made such prouision of shippes, and of warlyke armour: with such a huge hoast of men, as though they would haue eaten vp at on byt, the whole countrey of the Raellyans, and not by force of armes to haue conquered them.

The kinges prouision was an hoast of men of a hundred thousand, and fiue thon∣sand Nauie of shippes: And hauing lan∣ded, they marched towardes the highe countrey of the Raellyans: which when he drewe neare, they deuyded the hoaste into thr••e partes: The one part the king of the Trebonyans tooke charge of him selfe: the other part, he committnd to Hel∣lepatrus: and the other part to Hellidorus.

Thus their hoastes being deuided into three leuerall partes, went thrée seuerall wayes: and yet not farre one from ano∣ther: for as one of them went forwardes, so the other hoast went crosse: the one on

the right syde, the other on the left syde of the armye royall. And thus marching•• forewardes, they kylled man woman and chylde: burnt and spoyled without any compassion.

The king of the Hircans hauing pro∣uided also a great hoast of men, almost double to the Trebonyans, for that he had choose the best men, both of the Hir∣cans, and also of the Raellyans. Pyt∣ching from the Trebonyans, in the dy∣staunce of ten myles: notwithstanding, the king of the Hircans being very feare∣full, both in that he had falsely vsurped the kingdome: murthered Hellepatrus his wyfe and chyldren: mayntained re∣belles againste theyr soueraigne king: doubted that the ende thereof woulde bee naught: so that these armyes being in a∣raye, the king of the Hircans, sent Har∣roldes to the hoasts of the Trebonyans, with letters to vnderstande their quar∣rell: whiche letters were in this ma∣ner.

WE vnderstade that you haue entred this lande (you famous souldiours

of the Trebonians, and haue vtterly spoi∣led and vndone our borderers: kylled them, and burnt vp their houses & goods: we are verie sorie to geue such occasion of crueltie to any nation: wee being heere but as guides, helpers and succorors to this poore countrey: whereas they were op∣pressed thorowe a wretched king, one Hellepatrus, who for his shamefull extor∣cion, they haue banished. If your tytle bee to the kingdome: the people care not, who bee their king, so that they maie saufelye enioye their owne. And wee Hircans that are their patrones and defendours, wyll geue vp our right to any king that wyll sweare vnto vs, righteously to gouerne them: But thus much we craue of you, that if your quarrel may be ended with quietnes, to take your owne asking: Aske what you wyll, you shall haue it at our handes, so that this seely countrey of the Raellyans maie be preserued.

AS soone as the Trebonyans had re∣ceaued these Letters, and read them: forthwith they hanged the Harroldes of the Hircans, and most terribly put them

to death. Forthwith they hauing this deuyce in theyr heads, practised that a huge hoaste of Elephantes shoulde bee put in harnesse: and a great holow cowpe of yron, hanged secreatelye about the neckes of the sayde Elephantes: and to fyll the sayde hollowe cowpes, full of ••ybble stones, in the night vnawares, were soddainly dryuen vppon the hoast of the Hircans: for that they were all at rest, suspecting nothing, but looking the returne of the Harroldes, were sodaynly rowsed with the noyse and force of the Elephantes: With amazednesse, taking them selues to flight, were dispersed and slaine: (saue onely the king of the Hir∣cans) who was taken a lyue and brought vnto the king of the Trebonyans, who tyed a great chaine round about his neck, and sent him to Hellepatrus, l•••• in the manner of a Dogge, and byd the mes∣sengers tell Hellepatrus, that hée had sent him, the worme of the Hircans, which dyd deuowre the fyrre trees of the Raellyans: Forthwith, these three hoasts marched forward••, and pursued vpon the

dispersed Hircans: slewe, burned and spoyled in all quarters and places of the lande thorowout, so that none went frée: that if he stoode in the, destaunce or rebel∣ous disobedience of Hellepatrus, theyr lawfull king: but he was slayne, and his goodes brunt. When the king of the Trebonyans had purged the lande, with kylling and burning: thos•• that were left alyue, were myserably scourged with whyppes: and the king of the Hircans himselfe, was drawne thorow the lande lyke a dogge, and most myserably whyp∣ped with roddes: so in the ••nde of all these tormentes, the sayde king of the Hircans was most myserably•• pry••ked to death with néedles: Hellepatrus, and the king of the Trebonyans went into the holye Alsephon, and rendered humble thankes for their victory before the Image, where alsó they saw the crowne of thystles han∣ging as gréene as euer it was in the be∣gynning: and the Scepter gallantly shy∣ning.

These comfortes dyd put great ioye and comfort in the hartes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hellepatrus and his sonne: nowe the king of the

Trebonyans would not continew in that countrey, but desired to returne home∣warde: notwithstanding, Hellepatrus was very desyrous to haue had him tar∣ryed styll, and to haue made his habitati∣on there.

The king of the Trebonyans, wy••ed Hellepatrus to continew great sharpnesse towardes the Raellyans, for so shoulde they best keepe them in order: And so the king of the Trebonyans departed, but most parte of the souldiours of the Tre∣bonyans continewed within the lande of the Raellyans, & dyd inhabite there: but alwayes such deuision was betwéen them and the Raellyans, that not one of them coulde abyde another. But as the king of the Trebonyans taking his iorney home∣warde, passing ouer the high hylles Ar∣nolla, his Charriot by great mysfortune, breaking, be him selfe also hauing a fore fall, brake his necke: King Hellepatrus vnderstanding hereof, sent vnto those hylles, where the dead coarse laye, (for it was but in the borders of the Raellyans) to bring the dead carkase vnto him, which presently as soone as it was brought, ••e

buryed it, in the holy Alsephon, and erec∣ted a sumptuous tombe ouer it with these Epigrams written ouer the same.

¶ The knot is loosde by death, Assured friend adew: Oh fortunes cruell fate, Such mischiefe to ensew: The truest friend That liude in open sight: That euer was, In warre the noblest knight.

Oh faithfull friendshippes trust, A king of worthie name: That nowe is turnde to slymie dust, Let praise blowe out thy fame: A friende moste sure, That neuer failde: For to endure, Thy friendshippe neuer quailde.

THis Hellepatrus the King being resto∣red to his kingdome againe: lyued ve∣ry quietly, and suffred both the Raellians and Trebonyans to inhabite together: he droue the Hircans quite out of the lande,

and woulde not suffer so much as a lyttle childe to continue there: the king percey∣uing the fyckle alterations of Fortune, dyd agrée verie quietly with his Lande: the kinge grewe somewhat to age, and vsed great company kéeping, and geuen to excessiue dronkennesse: and therefore he could not rule them with such puissan∣cie, as before he had done: the king him selfe, not onely became a great dronkard, but also polluted with great lecherie: of all women, he loued the straunge women of Trebonia, for they were very bewtiful women: so also were they of light conuer∣sation. Thus the king being bothe drowned in dronkennesse, ouerwhelmed with lecherie, indoted with olde age: these thrée enemies were more crueller, then all the hoast of the Hircans. For as the king had béene bannished from his countreye, and nowe restored againe: so now drowned in dronkennesse, ouer∣whelmed with lecherie: indoted with olde age: being banished from all perfect vnderstanding, there was no hope to restore him to the perfection of his fla∣grant fourmer florishing wittes againe.

The people of the Raellyans perceauing the kinges myserable estate: the wyues of the Raellyans desiring carnall copula∣tion with the Trebonyans, secréetely in the night as they laye together, dyd kyll the Trebonians: and by secreate meanes vnknowne to the king, dyd weaken and infeeble the Garyson, and soldiours of the Trebonyans, which dyd there continew: such was the wickednes of these women: that one bewtifull fayre Dame, practy∣sing with the rest, howe, and by what meanes they might quite ouerthrowe the Trebonyans, and roote them out: who shewing her selfe very laciuious, & wan∣ton in the manner of a nyce harlotte at a banquet, in the presence of the king, with many songes, and whoorishe dittyes, tho∣rowe which the king was delyghted, not onelye with that maner of pleasure, but also with the bewtie of the woman: for as the king was verye desirous to heare the woman singe: so at the great request of the King, shee song this Dittye, as fol∣loweth: and also dyd delyuer vnto the King to drinke, a cup full of poyson.

¶ Our wyse and noble king, In warre a famous knight: His sturdie strength to passe did bring, To winne his proper right. So worthie a man as nouer was seene, The hardiest knight that euer hath beene.

The dayntiest dishe that man doth loue, Or Venus in her shoppe doeth sell: Of all sweete meate that comes aboue, Hellepatrus such flesh loues well. This readie cuppe of pleasaunt wine, VVith loue shall bleare your wanton eyne.

The death of Hellepatrus the King.

THe King receauing the cup, and drin∣king, presently fell downe dead: and swelled so much that his skyn brake, and his fleshe stancke so vehemently, that hee was lyke to haue poysoned all the people rounde about him: there creapte and crawled out of the fleshe of Hellepatrus, great wormes with blacke beads: his tongue hanged out of his mouth: his eyes started out of his head: be was most my∣serable

to beholde. After he was embaw∣med with many swéete Odiferous spy∣ces: and thereby the strength of his cor∣ruptions stayed: then was he intombed in Leade, and brought into the holye Alsephon, where he was layde, with these Poesies written vppon his Tombe, ouer him.

¶ The glistering gallaunt flower gaie, VVhen vvinter comes it fades avvaie: This life that honours great haue gotte, So svviftlie comes and goe by lotte.

O death vvhich cut this royall king: VVhose life such cruell feare did bring? VVho hath obeyed this earth and claie, VVhen death did come, thou didst obeie.

The honours great, vvhere pompe doth rest, So lodgde vvithin thy graue: The slimie vvormes did build their neast, Thy kinglie fleshe to haue,

In vvars abrode to serue thou hadst goodskil. At home in peace thou wast a staye to holde vp orders styl.

These lynes vpon thy rombe shall stande, That praise maie shev•• vvith glistring fame: Thou ruldste this noble Lande.

THe coarse being layde in the graue, with great mourning, and lamentable sounding of Trumpettes: with solempni∣tie accustomable in the death of a King, the Ascalon of the holye Alsephon, dyd make the funerall Oration vnto Helly∣dorus the yonge Prince, and the people, after this manner.

The funerall Oration.

THis daie we being al assembled hither, to finishe a noble and worthie remem∣braunce of our King: vvhich before this Image, vvhat I speake necessarie to profite your mindes vvith the exer∣cise of vertue, it is the testimony of the life of this Kinge heere departed, and also of the vnfaynednesse of a good hart in mee: the mortalitie of mannes lyfe

is plainlie seene: that although we florishe, with neuer so much renowne, & the glory of this lyfe, being bewtified with many great giftes of worldly pleasures: yet you may perceiue the fynal ende hereof, is losse * 6.1 both of these pleasures, and also of this life: you ma••e also perceaue, although we striue to clyme either to a higher estate of life, or to continue in one estate it selfe: howe or in what sort so euer we lyue: whe∣ther wee striue for more? or whether wee content our selues with lesse? death is the ende of all: contentions, en〈…〉〈…〉es, displea∣sure: yea, the wrath of a King is confoun∣ded by death: our good and euyll life, is set forth by death: the one of them is the starre light of vertue: the other is the sha∣dowe of corruption and vice.

VVhat haue wee to trust vnto, whilst we li••e heere? some saie riches? honours? kingdomes? power and soueraigntie? But I saie, our vertuous life being the deme∣rites of goodnesse in this life: are the fe∣lycities, and ioyfull happinesse that wee finde in another life: wee haue sorrowes and paines in this life: but for our good ac∣tions,

euerlasting renowne in another life: * 6.2 Then let vs lyue well, that wee maie dye well: our good death, sheweth our good life: our good life is the vnspeakeable treasure that vve are rewarded with: In this life vve haue sicknesse, in another life health: in this life sorrowe, in another life ioye: in this life, daunger of many worldly misfortunes, but in another life, the rewarde of many fortunes.

O howe happie is death: this kingdome hath beene translated vnto this King, by worldlie fortune: you might perceaue how sinylinglie fortune dealth vvith him. In the beginning, vvhat a heape of my∣series and troubles shee brought vppon his headde, shee bannished him from his countreie, and kingdome: And contra∣rie to the expectation of all the Raellyans, restored him home againe to his king∣dome: shee hath preserued him vntyll this instaunt: VVhat a horrible fact, a vvicked vvoman, by murthersome prac∣tise hath committed? Shall I tell vvhe∣ther Fortune knewe of any of these e∣uentes or no? I shoulde but trouble your

myndes, and vexe your hartes in spea∣king: And winne no commoditie vn∣to my selfe, but hatered of his poste∣rytie, towardes mee for euer: vvher∣fore in these iudiciall causes, I vvyll vse silence, and saie nothinge: but onelie this: O yonge Prince Hellydo∣rus, in thee is perceaued great toward∣nesse of vvitte and learning: and sure∣lie the Gods haue hydde in thy noble stomacke, some maruaylous secreate, vvhich is not for mee to intreate of: for vvhich, neither I'or any man lyuinge coulde euer in thy lyfe tyme, perceaue thee laughe, or shewe any token of ge∣sture, tending therevnto: might I tell the opinion of some men, who saie: that vvhereas any man hauing any speciall gifte, no man hauing the lyke, that man is eyther loued, or feared for the same: I hope vppon the best, that all the people of the Raellyans shall loue thee (O noble Kinge) suche I hope vvyll bee thy vertues, that vvee shall all glorie in thy noble renowned actions: you maie perceaue and learne by this

dead coarse your Father, the brittle staie of this lyfe: you maye perceaue by your Fathers troubles hee had in his life time: the sorrowes and calamities that a Kinge is ordained vnto: and by the ende and death of this your deare Father, the daunger and perryl, that a Kinge is subiecte vnto, through maly∣cious subiectes:

O noble Hellydorus, let the example of your Fathers troubles, vvarne you: his good deedes teache you: the vntrusti∣nesse of Fortune, put the thought of meekenesse in your harte: that all the re∣nownes, soueraignties, pompeous glo∣ries, Princelie fame, oppression, tyranny is both ended by death, and rewarded by death.

¶Here endeth the funerall Oration.

❧ Here is declared the sorrowe that the Raellyans made for the death of Hellepatrus: the straunge sight that was seene in the Alsephon: and what ioye they made in the ende of their sorrow, for the crowning of Hellydorus to bee King.

AFter the funerall Oration of the As∣calon was fynished, the people all fell on their faces, and threwe duste in the ayre, as the manner of the buryalles of the Raellyans was. After the ende of the buryall of Hellepatrus: Hellvdorus * 6.3 the kinges sonne, after his dayes of mor∣ning were ended, was happely crowned to succeede his Imperiall Crowne. And in the night before his Coronation, the Crowne of Thystles dyd burne all the night long, in the toppe of the holy Alse∣phon: And in the myddes of the flame, there was seene a man stryking with a sworde, and speaking: Oh Raellyans, a burthen vvyl vvaie you downe: this noyse

was hearde all night long. In the mor∣ning verye earlie, the King and Elders, and the people came to blew this terrible and fearefull sight: but it was squen∣ched of it selfe, no man knewe howe: and the Garlande crowne of Thystles flori∣shed as greene as euer it dyd before: the Raellyans dyd attrybute this sight to the best, after their delightes and affections: some sayde it was a triumphaunt sight, to renowne the daye of a Coronation, but when it was ouerpassed, they remembred not, neyther cared they any more of the matter: but ascribed all signes, wonders, and tokens to the best, vntyll their fynall destruction came vpon them: Thus after∣wardes vppon the same daye, Hellydorus the King was crowned, in the same or∣der, forme and maner, as his father Hel∣lepatrus was: But for that I wyll not vse so much speache in so short a matter, I wyl ouerpasse the exceeding tryumphes of the Raellyans, vppon the Coronation daye: Yet I thinke it very necessary to set downe the Oration that Hellydorus made vnto the people.

❧ The Oration of Hel∣lydorus the King.

I Am to speake more sharper in al respectes, as touching the gouer∣naunce of this Realme: then euer my Father did, your obstinate disobedi∣ence that was to wards my Father, with the pestilent enuie that in all his life tyme did lurke in your naughtie hartes, doth moue me to craue of this blessed Image, both to heare me: and also to be a testimony that it standeth me vpon, to be both carefull, vvise, and more extreame then euer my Father vvas: carefull to behold your cro∣ked conspiracies: vvise to gouerne so diso∣bedient and vnruly people: and vvith all extremitie to subdue your vvretched en∣uious hartes: VVhen in steede of louing subiects, are stinging Adders of the vvyl∣dernes: I tell you plaine, I haue smal trust in any of you all: for I do know vvhen the Raellians doo shew great ioye and trium∣phaunt mirth towards their King: then

haue they som mischeuous practises most thiefly lurking in their cankred stomacks to stinge like Snakes, or Adders: But as I vvyll vvhet my sword more sharper, then euer my Father did. So I saie good people looke to your obedience. And if your practising mischiefe be secreate, deale cleanlie and vvisely, that I haue no vnder∣standing thereof. For if it come to light, I vvyll laie more burthens of punishments vpon your backs, then there vvere neadles thrust into the flesh and skin of the King of the Hircans: You banished my Father, I hope your power shal neuer be such, that your abilitie shal reach to do the like vnto me: For as I am not destitute of friends, so also haue I iust experience of the vilitie of the Raellians: my Father you poisoned, I hope thorow the power of this holie I∣mage, you shal neuer be able to touch me, vvith the best finger you haue: but as tou∣ching my Fathers death, and the manner thereof: I vvill not nowe speake of so sorrowwfull a ruthe, vppon so royall a daie: but I heare vvishe and desire you, to become honeste Subiectes: I doo

not desire you, in that I feare you, but for your owne saufegarde: for as you shal find mee a quiet King, vntyl you disquiet mee: so in disquieting me, the most cruellest ty∣raunt that euer raigned: vvhat pleasures or lybertie did you get, thorow your wic∣ked dealinges towardes my father: your vvarres vvasted your goodes, kylled your fathers and mothers, and hath brought you their children into most contemptu∣ous ignominie, to be accompted the most vnrulest people that lyueth, and thereby growne to be poorer then your fathers neede to haue left you: Lyue vvel and or∣derlie, I vvyl promise before this holy Image, neuer to oppresse you vvith taxe nor tribute, you shal enioye your owne quiet••e: I vvyl defende you from for∣raigne inuasion: I vvyl not misuse you any vvaie: But if your dealinges be con∣trarie: in none of these vvyl I keepe pro∣mise: I vvyl also deale on the contrarie: O you Raellyans, remember my vvordes vvel, and print them, vvith a punche, of good vnderstanding iu-your hartes, that they maie neuer be forgotten: that I lyke a

gentle gracious King, maie be carefull, pi∣tifull, louing towardes you: and you in all obedience and duetie, to bee carefull, and well pleasing of mee: In this, as in boun∣den duetie, I vvyl be mindful of you: rea∣die to heare your supplications, and vvith kingly modestie, to reforme al such things as be out of order.

¶ Here endeth the Kinges Oration.

❧ Here is shewed howe the King passed forth his Coronation with feasting, and actiue tryumphe, fell sicke, and recouering his health, reuenged the death of his father, Hellepatrus.

AFter the ende of this Oration, the King departed to his banquet, and the Actiuities were shewed vpon the Thea∣ter: The King in the presence of the people, with such puissancie, dyd shew the courage, and Marshal renowne of a king In so much, that he was not onely mar∣ueylous

to beholde: but also greatly drea∣ded in the eyes of the people.

After thankes was rendred vnto the holy Image, and great peticions made: the king departed vnto his Pallace, and with a heate and colde that he tooke, in shewing his renowned chyualrie, fel sicke vppon a Feuer: for which cause tooke him selfe vnto his Chamber, for the space of twentie dayes after, and neuer came abroade, nor no man coulde speake with him: saue his Phisitions, and such Gentlemen that were of his priuie cham∣ber. After his health was recouered, and beganne to be strong againe, the re∣remembraunce of the murthering of his Father coulde not be put awaye: so the offence was neyther forgeuen nor for∣gotten: For as he had the woman in holde, which had so shamefully commyt∣ted this murther. So he vppon the reco∣uery of his health, fell to the examination of this naughty woman. And she vpon her strayght imprisonment, and strayghter examination: apprehended the chiefest of the Elders of the land, with theyr wiues: which when the king had fullye knowne,

and with perfect instructiō was acquain∣ted with theyr murthersome practises, dyd not incontinently sende for them, by his men of warre: fearing least they ha∣uing any ynkling hereof, would flie into another Lande: for no man was priuie to the examynares confession, saue onely Hellidorus him selfe: dyd after a curte∣ous manner in the waye of friendshippe, sende for them, and theyr wiues, one af∣ter another, to come and speake with him. which so soone, as any of them made their appearaunce, were presently sent vnto prison without further examination.

And thus he dealt with all of them. one after another, vntyll he had apprehended euerie one of them, when these deuises were accomplished: the king vppon very prudent pollycie, sent for all the nearest kindred and friends of these murtherers, and talked vnto them after this sort.

¶ The Kinges vvordes vnto the murthe∣rers kyndred and friendes.

MY friendes and subiectes, I thought it good and necessarye to sende for

you being Raellyans and wyse men, and as I hope trustie subiectes: Such reports haue beene geuen out. of your obedience: whiche moueth mee to presume of that good fame and honest report that is spred in all places of this Lande, of your true and iust dealinges, towardes this Impe∣ryall Crowne: For which cause I am perswaded, that not for the dearest kyn∣dred or friendes that you haue among the Raellyane, wyll aducnture your lyues, landes, and goodes, for theyr sakes:

If in treasons towardes this Crowne, there were any such of your kyndred and friendes, to be founde guiltie, would take theyr parts: Or that their deathes should cause any sorrowe to pearce your haries, they being perfectlye knowne, and once founde Traytours. You knowe my fa∣ther your late king of famous memorie, was most trayterously murthered, and shamefully put to death, doo you not think it was plaine and presumptuous treason? yea, such a murther is not to be suffered among common persons, much lesse in a King: doo you not thinke the doers hereof are worthy to suffer the strayghtest death

that maye be deuised. And the people aunswered:

O Noble King, if their kindred vvere neuer so deare vnto vs, vvee vvoulde doo the best that lyeth in vs, not onelie to apprehende them: but also to put them to death.

HEllidorus spake againe, indéede they are not onely of your neare kyndred, but also of your very friends, and such which you of all men and women haue had in greatest acceptation. And I of my owne prudencie, haue apprehended them alreadie: which if they can cleare them selues, from that which they be ap∣prehended of: they shall be as free, as euer they were. And also I wyll recom∣pence them for theyr vniuste imprison∣ment. Wherefore for that they are your kyndred & friends, you shall be assistants in iudgement with mée, when they are arraygned to be guiltie of this murther or no: These men durst not deny the King his request: they were verye sorye that they shoulde be vrged therevnto: partly

because some of thē were not scarce cleare from the murther: other some hanged backe for kyndred sake: other some, for ignorant simplicitie, not knowing what belonged to such a soddaine prouocation, woulde gladly haue reuolted, not onelye their promise if they durst, but also to haue * 7.1 dispatched them seines quite from the matter it selfe: But such was the polli∣cie of the King, that the death of so many of the best, woulde séeme more terrible to the rest, & he lesse grudged at them therin, for that they were condempned and ad∣iudged by their owne kyndred: surely, surely there laye as much secreate mis∣chiefe in the hartes of these, theyr kindred towardes the King, as in the murtherers them selues, but they durst not vtter it: this woman that was principall vnto this murther, was first brought before the King, and the Elders: and her examina∣tion being read: the other forthwith were sent for, one after another: the mat∣ter being nearely systed, and thorowly tried to the vttermost, they were al found guiltie, and adiudged to dye for the mur∣thering of king Hellepatrus: This was

the death of the wicked woman, from the toes of her féete, vnto her sholder partes, one ioynt was cut péecemeale, one from another: There was two thousande men and women of the Raellyans, that were put to death in another maner, as this: Whoate ouens were heated for the same purpose, and the men were put therin: there were neare adioyning, whoate fur∣naces of boyling leade, wherin the graue women were cast, a most lamentable ruth, in the presence of many wéeping eyes, were skalded to death.

This terrible iustice of the King, dyd stryke suche a horror in the hartes of his subiectes: that they not onely feared the kinges presence, but also they were in doubte to speake of him: thus the king thorowe extremitie, obtayned quietnesse: and thorowe wisedome and pollicie ruled his kingdome, he kepte them in such obe∣ence & awe, that of all Princes that were then lyuing, Hellidorus was of his people most feared.

¶ How the King put ma∣ny to death, for concealing the vvrytinges that were betweene their forefathers, and the Assyrians, when the Lande was firste purchased: And also of a Prophete that ryseth among the Raellyans, and cryeth out of their Idolatrous Image, the Asse, in which was all their trust: The saide Pro∣phete is put to death, by Hellydorus the King.

HEllidorus hauing squenched the na∣turall reuenge of his fathers death: established his kingdom, & subdued his people to great feare: then they began by lyttle and lyttle, to inquyre after the monumentes and wrytinges that were betweene their forefathers, and the Assy∣rians, for the purchasing of that lande. The secreate inquisitours of the King, handeled the matter in such sorte, from one to another, vntyll the matter was apparant, where and in whose custodie

the wrytinges remayned. As many suffered death for concealing the matter, so many suffered death for the conuaying of them: and he in whose custodie they were founde, suffered a most straunge and strayght death: Thus, as the King coulde gette nothing at their handes tho∣rowe gentlenesse: so he had what he woulde, thorowe croaked crucluesse. And lastlye, they so muche obeyed, and reuerently f〈…〉〈…〉ed him, that Hellydorus could not so soone be named among them: but they would make lowe courtesie, and lowe submyssion of theyr bodyes: the King being bothe in riches and Royall pompe, with great soueraigne feare: in so much that he thought him selfe the sau∣fest king that lyued. In the myddest of these securyties, and blinde knowledge of the eternall goueruaunce from about: hauing no other vnderstanding, saue on∣lye in that dombe Image the Asse, which stoode in the Alsephon: which their forefa∣thers brought from the lande of Scithia: there arose a great Prophete, in the lande of the Raellyans: of what coun∣trey,

nation, stocke, or kyndred he came of, or out of what place, no man vnder∣stoode: This Prophete lyued in a most straight kinde of lyfe, he eate of the greene Figge leaues of the wyldernesse: his garmentes were of a skinne of an vn∣knowne beast: his Orations and outcry∣inges, were not onely for the present wic∣kednesse of the king and the people, but he also tolde them that theyr present de∣struction was harde at hande: that for I∣dolatry and worshipping of a dombe Asse, would cause theyr king to be turned to an Asse: and the kingdome of the Raellyans to be confoūded, and inhabited of another people. The king hearing hereof was sore amazed both at the boldnes, and ear∣nestnes of this Prophet: feared his estate in which he stoode in: knewe not what to doo: for that many opinions, sects and fac∣tions dyd swar••••e in the Lande, thorowe the doctrine of this Prophete: Some of the people dyd not beleeue of this I∣mage, which theyr forefathers brought from the Lande of Scithia: Some of them hated the Ascalon: some of them coulde not abyde to come within the Al∣sephon:

almost none of them coulde abide the King: Such was the estate of the Ra∣ellyans, that of a thousand men, there was a thousand opinions, one contrary to ano∣ther: The king being very desirous to ••alke with this Prophete, sent for him, and intreated of him for that he hard that he was a Prophete, and outeryed of the voyces, and ••••l••hie actions of the Raelly∣ans, woulde declare vnto him, his present estate in which he stoode, with the destruc∣tion that was immynent, and hanging ouer his head: For in deferring his wickednesse, the terrible daye of venge∣aunce woulde be worse: but in the amen∣ding his lyfe, he might become the better lyuer: and teache his people such vertue, as best standeth for the saufegarde of his countreye, to appease the displeasures and angers, that are ready, and at hande for theyr destruction: for howe can we a∣mende those vices, of which we are per∣swaded to be vertues, and no vices.

The Prophete desired the king both to harken to his counsell and warning, that might best sauegard himselfe, and profit his countrey.

The Prophetes Oration vnto king Hellydorus.

IF that long continuance hath brought the showers of fruictfulnesse, ouer this whoale countrey: vvhereby you vval∣lowing in such pleasures, and voluptuous ryotof your bodies, doo neglect the bla∣sted my series, that your mindes are darke∣ned vvithall, in the night of ignoraunce: vvhich if your bodies be satisfyed, and your mindes vnquiet, your bodies out of daunger, and your mindes in daunger: your bodies quiet, and your mindes out of quiet: howe can you accoumpt your pleasures happie? your ioyes reastfulnes? for your mindes doo premeditate the ac∣tions of your bodies: yea, your minde is the teacher of your bodies: and that which your minde purposeth, your bodies doo bring the same in action, howe can your bodies do good and perfect affectes, when your minde being full of filthie and lewde endeuours, replenished vvith al defectes:

ignorant of that which it ought to know? howe can your boddies bring in prac∣tise the perfection of goodnesse, or the knowledge of vertue: if your mindes lusting after vvickednesse, do rule your bodies: then vertue is drowned, and o∣uerwhelmed vvith the darknesse of sen∣sualitie.

I tell thee O King, thylande is full of Idolatrie, they knowe not the reache of the hiest gouernaunce. And if they vvorshippe a doltishe God, an Asse: in vvhich is the spirite of lying and er〈21 letters〉〈21 letters〉ror, howe can there be any light, or bright shine of felicitie? for an Idolatrous God, can not rule the minde, although in the blinde purpose of phantasie, that God miraculouslie, can deceaue your minde: for as the highest eternall gouernaunce suffereth your mind to be led: so the same gouernaunce, can both ransacke your minde, and breake your God to a thou∣sande fitters. But if your minde vvere in the knowledge of that eternall gouer∣naunce, as it is not: neither doeth that knowledge come to any, but to those vvhich before are destined therevnto: so

hauing that knowledge: neyther your dombe Asse coulde allude you: nor your manifold vices seduce you to the toppe of vengeance, and mountaine of wrath, and then headlong to throw you to destructi∣on: but such is the practise of the lying spirite of errour, first to blinde you in Ido∣latrie, and in the worship of a false God, which shrowdeth the high pathe of ver∣tue from our eyes: to leade you to wal∣lowing lust, and such filthinesse which the bodie desireth. VVherefore the lying spi∣rite doth first winne and intyce the people to Idolatrie, to the ende they shoulde not knowe any other righteousnesse: vntyll confusion were hotely powred vpon their headdes, least that the true righteous e∣ternitie opening the winges of comfort, shoulde drawe them, from the dongeon of fleshlie vices: which is diffycult to bee done in you, for that you are setled in olde custome and long vsage of wickednesse. I saye, O King Hellidorus, consider howe many troubles haue nearelie touched thy fathers estate, and thine, in this Realme and countreie of the Raellyans▪ how hath••

this come to passe, but onelie for lacke of the ayde and succour of the chiefe eternall gouernment, vvhose breath is able to kyll thee and all the vvhole lande: thou vvylt saie, thou and thy fathers hitherto haue preuailed in all your tribulations: vvyll you attribute the cause hereof, to your owne vvarlilce policie, learning, riches, friendes, great hoastes: but it is not these thinges that haue deliuered you: although these thinges might be instrumentes, that you vvorke by the hiest gouernaunce, did suffer your deliueraunce to be vvrought, for that a heauier, and more intollerable confusion, shoulde ouerthrowe and de∣stroie you: Although thy Father Hellepatrus escaped the handes of the Hircans, yet was he deliuered into the hands of a shamefull harlotte to be poyso∣ned to death: As your dombe Asse is not able to deliuer you, so neither can he helpe you: but the eternall gouernaunce can doo both, that is, helpe you, and deliuer you: the inwarde inuocation draweth repentaunce from the harte, it is vertue that is geuen from aboue, and no man

can repent vvithout this vertue: vvhere the mystes of sinne haue ouerwhelmed this vertue: there the highest gouernance hath no inwarde vvorke, and this being * 8.1 dismembred vvith lewde luste, there is no actuall application: first leaue thy blinde zeale in vvorshipping this Asse, enter in∣to the secreates of thy harte for remorse, * 8.2 adioyne an inwarde speculation, vvhich sheweth a more bryghter lyghte in an howie, then euer thy father, or thou did∣dest see in all your liues before.

The ende of the Prophetes Oration.

AFter these wordes of the Prophete, the King was verie wrathfull, and full of malyce, suche a boyling heate of veration was kyndled in his harte, that inwardlie he chafed at the Prophet, and at the last brake forth in these wordes.

Thou hast the name of a Prophete: * 8.3 such a bolde talker as thou art, with bu∣sying thy selfe in such thinges, as doo not belong vnto thée, maye worke thy owne wee: thou thinkest to wynne credite, and

get honour in this countrey, among the Raellyans, thou art deceaued in thy owne thought: but take héede lest thou wyn the displeasure & wrath of a king, and so death vnto y^t wretched writhen carcase of thine: For although thou cāst boldly pratle vnto mée, yet I doo not beléeue thy doctrine, nor relygion: so neyther wyll I condempne it, before the Ascalon of the holy Alsephon, disputeth with thée: who is better seene in such matters then my selfe? Forthwith the king commaunded the Prophet to be brought into the Alsephon, where the As∣calon and the Prophete, in the presence of the king and the people talked together.

¶ The Ascalon spake vnto the Prophete after this sort.

PErceyuing the great sedition that is sowen in this Realme, by a false Pro∣phete: the sectes & scysmes increased: that not only it behoueth our soueraigne Lord the King, to looke vnto him selfe: but it standeth vpon my office and duety, to con∣fute such falsities and opinions, in the ho∣nour and glory of this holy Image, which our fathers brought from the land of Sci∣thia, and hath preserued our countrey and

people, with the fruitefull increase of all plenteousnesse: this is necessarye to the people to be spoken: to take héede of such lying fellowes which vndercreepe our go∣uernance: for whosoeuer speaketh against this holye Image, speaketh against the king himselfe: and whosoeuer toucheth the soueraygnty of the king, is a traitour, and worthy to dye. A••ter many of these thun∣dring wordes of 〈…〉〈…〉e Ascalon: the Prophet beganne to speake: the king commaunded to stop his mouth: and the more the king cryed, stop, stop, stop: so the Prophet cryed the more: O wrathfull vengeaunce, that wyll shortly be due vnto the Raellyans: and with mighty force, the Prophete ran vnto the Image, the Asse: and forceable vpon a soddaine, brake it to many péeces: The king foaming, roaring, & crying: hold him, hold him: commaunded the Prophete to be tyed and bound: for that (as he sayde he was some mad fellow out of his wyts. But the people in the lyke maner, were at such contention, that one was ready to kyll another, some belde vpon the relygi∣on of the Image: some helde vppon the doctrine of the Prophete: none of them all loued the king, except the Ascalon: whose

commodytie consisted vppon the sacrifice of the Alsephon. The king and his gary∣son without further iudgement, dyd cutte the innocent Prophete to a thousand pee∣ces: and such was the wickednesse of this tyrannous murther, that he which might haue a hacke at the innocent fleshe of this holy Prophete, thought he dyd good ser∣uyce to that idolatrous Image, and theyr tyrānous king. Euen presently vpon the * 8.4 death of the Prophete, there arose lyght∣nings, tempestes, the fruites of the earth were burnt with wylde fyre: A great fa∣mine did arise thorow out the land: many people thorow the scarcesity thereof my∣serably without compassion dyed. Short∣lye after these verations and troubles: as the Prophetes death not being forgotten, so many continued stedfast and beleeued on his doctrine: for which doctrine, the king vsed great persecutiō thorowout the whole Lande: The death of the Martyrs * 8.5 were in this maner: theyr skynnes were flaine from theyr fleshe: they most quietly & patiently forsaking this lyfe. After the ende of this cruell tyrannous persecuti∣on: he thynking his Lande quite purged & ryd from the blemishes of the Prophetes

doctrine, for that some of them were sub∣dued by death: some by banishment, and some by conuersion: so thinking his king∣dome to be established more surer then e∣uer it was before, grew to his old security & wickednesse of life, deuowred in tyrāny, and drouned in idolatry: for y^t be peeced the broken idolatrous Asse again to worship: thorow which idolatry he was poysoned in the filthy stinch of al horrible vices and corruption that in steede of innocency, cruell tyrannye and all oppression were planted in his ha••te.

Here is shewed how the King fell in loue with one Sebona a har∣lotte, married her: and was turned to an Asse: and how the Assirians did repossed the Land of the Raellians by conquest.

AFter the King wasin his olde custom of idolatry & all other corruptions, the lande pacified, and prefixed in the wicked obedience of that peeced God, the broken Asse: the King also in doting in loue, was led with variable affections: led with the nordinate lust of bewty: hunting in the

wicked concupiscence of diuerse women, was rauished, with the special delectation of one woman: wheras the fine amorous Ladies of the Raellyans, perceauing the Kings lasciuious inclinatiō, deuised with them selues howe they might best set out themselues in sale before the King: Some with gallant imbrothered garments, and the costly silke of the Hircans: woulde shew them selues, with the flying wantō countenances of Louers to catche & snare the King with their abhominable delites: some with daunsing, some with singing pleasant Ditties: So that sundry women had sundry delytes, one contrary to ano∣ther: whose sundry contraryeties ouerca∣sted the king, with contrary impolutions. Sebona a bewtifull dame, & the comlyest creature that euer lyued, eyther among the Hircans, eyther among the Trebony∣ans, or Raellyans the acceptablest of all: Notwithstanding, she had bene the most whore, & shamelesse harlot, that euer raig∣ned: this Sebona for bewty, gorgeous ap∣parell, sweete smelles, singing, daunsing, with al the deuises of a louer, most delited y^e kinges fantasie. This Sebona in respect of all other women, was a bright burning

starre in the dark clowdes of Cupids thū∣dring tempests: the king neyther respec∣ting honesty. vertue, or immaculate vir∣ginity, which are the bandes and knots of true mariage, would in al haste chose this filthy whore Sebona, to be his wife: wher∣as shee thorow the counsel of some certain of her friends, was perswaded to present her selfe very lytle in the kings presence: Her bewty would appeare y^e brighter, the kinges loue the whotter, and their purpo∣ses brought to passe the sooner. The King languishing in the heauy agonies of loue, wrote vnto Sebon a after this manner.

The Kinges letters to Sebona.

O Sebona, the worthy Louer of the Ra∣ellyans, which with the arrowe of thy beutie. hast shotte and woūded my desire, that al comforts eyther of my kingdome, cōmon vvelth, riches, possessions, renown, soueraigntie, do not so much pleasure or comfort mee, as thy beutie. I that did con∣quer, am now conquered my selfe: I that did worship an holy Image, do now vvor∣ship beutiful Sebona: I that did rule a king∣dome, am now ruled by a vvoman: I that did subiect my people and Land, am now brought in subiection my selfe: O pitifull

Sebona: the Phisition of my diseases: the comfort of all my troubles: the ease of all my griefes, vnderstand my sorrowes: fulfil my mind: restore him that is banished frō al pleasures, to find some ioy: thy loue shal be thy renownathy beutie shalbe thy plea∣sures and vvealth: the comely nesse of thy bodie, shalbe rular of this Land and coun∣trey. Let me receaue some comfort againe of these earnest letters: or else if I be forsa∣ken my svveete Sebona: as thou before hast vvounded mee, so presently novve hast thou killed me: as thou hast punished me, so novv hast thou brought me to vtter destruction. Heare the pittifull crie of a King, that desireth to revvard thy Loue in making thee a Queene.

The ende of the kinges letters.

AFter these letters were receaued by Sebona: that whore, and filthy harlot, had counsell by her neare friends, neyther to send, or go, or write: or by any meanes to geue y^e King any comfort of his letters, for as they surmysed, the King practysed rather to satissye his affection & voluptu∣ous lust, then to tye himself to y^t immacu∣late renowned, glory, vertuous mariage:

and in estraunging her self in the mater, the kinges earnest desire woulde both in∣crease towards her, and also would the readyer indue her in the estate of y^e king∣dome: which if she would laciuiously an∣swere the kings wanton letters, the king would vse ••er as a harlot, to serue his pre∣sent affection, and also suspect her light behauiour to be the lewder. But the king perceauing her contemptuous straunge Loue, or rather whorish polycie, neyther in sending vnto him, neyther answering his letters, or yet in comforting his amo∣rous agonies, with her presence, beganne not onely to hate her, but also vtterly to renounce her: which partly might pro∣ceede of his kingly stomacke, partly of his voluptuous lust had with diuers other in∣famous harlots squenched in the stinking lake of concupiscence: so it came to passe that Sebona & her friends were very sory, for that theyr polycie, was pretudiciall, both to the king & them selues: to the king in not hauing his purpose, and to them selues, both for that they had lost y^e kinges fauour, & the commodity that might haue rysen thereby: they thought they woulde not omyt so happy opportunity being of∣red,

for a lowring countenaunce. This Sebona who had bene the Ascalons whore of the holy Alsephon, practised with the a∣foresayde Ascalon, what was to be done. The Ascalon respecting the famylyaritye that had passed betwéene them, the Asca∣lon could not deny Sebonaes request, con∣sidering also that if shée were preferred, his renowne woulde bee also increased: practised with an olde woman that was a witche, and also in tyme past Sebonaes bawde: for which cause wyllinger to fur∣ther the matter, and with the best indeuor that consisted in her, to doo good vnto Sebo∣na: By sorcery (this olde ryuen witch) did vnderstand, both where y^e gouernment of the kingdome, and the preseruation of the king dyd consist: which was in the gréene Garland that hanged vp in the holy Alse∣phon: which so long as the Garland hangd there, no euyl fate, or infortunate cōdicion of life could approch the kings person: but so soone as y^e garland was deflowred, the kings renowne, riches, honor, glory, pōpe, fame, were fully & wholy in the power of thē that had gotten the same the Ascalon neyther respecting the holines of the func∣tion, the office of the place, neyther the

sanctimonyall reuerence due to the place: nor the feare of the holy Image: nor his duety to the king: or yet the commodity that might redown to the common welth: practifed with this filthy whore Sebona to rauish this holy Alsephon with sacriledge, and to steale this florishing gréene Gar∣lande of Thistles. And as soone as they had burned the sayd Garland of thistles, the king perceyued a force to goe from him: in the audacity of his countenance: of which before he was bolde, became nowe shamefast: in his strength: of which before he was mighty, was now weake: in his stomacke: of which before he was coragi∣ous, was nowe full of cowardnes: in his wisdom: of which before he was prudent, was now foolish. Thus the king in y^e eyes of al men, was marue••lously altred, & his complexion changed: so that in steede of a king, you would haue adiudged him a pri∣soner: in steede of a rular, you would haue adiudged him a wretche: in stéede of a knight of armes, you would haue adiudg∣ed him a ca••••••fe of calamity. The king being thus bestract of all the partes of his body: his friends, & seruauntes that were about him, marueyled at his sodaine alte∣ration:

som attributed y^e cause thereof, vn∣to som priu••e disease in his inward parts: some sayde it was inward thought: some said it was y^e force & cruelty of loue, which vehemently perplexed him, for y^e beutiful Sebona: Thus as euery mans iudgement was ready, so euery man had an inwarde lyking or dysliking of y^e king: some spake as he would haue it: some spake for y^t the kings saufegard was their cōmodity: and som spake indifferētly: Thus euery mans affection being bewrayed, in y^e mydst of al which conflicts, Sebona & her friends vn∣derstāding y^e kings great affliction & hea∣ped miseries which more and more with∣out consolation increased, was persuaded to write vnto y^e king: whose letters by the aduise of the Ascalon were in this sort.

MY right soueraigne gratious Lord, as * 10.1 one vnworthy of the fauor of a king, did from your maiesty receaue most accep∣table letters: by which I not only perceiued your gracious opinion conceiued of so vn∣worthy a wretche as I am: but also the fer∣uent flames of Loue, which the vnsquench∣able fire of Cupid, had ragingly kindled in your gratious minde. And also since that, vnderstanding the great alteration and abatement that is fallen vppon your

grace, the emptinesse of such a hungry tree as I am, not worthy to bee fedde by such a sweete barke, and delectable rinde, as the bright personage of so comly a gentlemā, may be ashamed to present my self before your grace: my vnworthinesse considered. But chiefly I feared your letters were ra∣ther the dalying pleasures of a King: then the faithfull affection of loue: which since vnderstanding the great anguishes of lur∣king loue, that haue assaulted your royall noble hart: I sorrowed, and was in a heauie hate with my selfe: for that I had not long before this haue aunswered your worthie writings: not deserued to be writtē, to such a vnthankfull creature as I am: Although feare and shamefastnesse haue skalded my harte, that I durst not write in time: so I trust my letters do not come to so worthy & fauourable a king out of time: which if any sorrow of sicknesse be fallen vpō you, and the Phisition of your health & chi∣rurgion of your soares.

The end of Sebonaes letters vnto the king.

AFter the king had receaued Sebonaes * 10.2 letters, was somwhat come vnto him selfe. & reuiued with a litle pleasure in the

myddest of so many sorrowes: lying vpon a couch of downed sylke, desired one of the Gentlemen of his priuie Chamber, to speake with Sebona: which sayde Gentle∣man brought Sebona in the kings presēce, who spake vnto her in this maner.

The Kings wordes to Sebona.

THe hatred that I conceaued of thée (in∣estimable * 11.1 sweete Sebona) is the faulte that I haue much offended thée with all, both for that Dame Nature hath skilfully approued her cunning in thée, so rashly to attempt an immaculate chaste virgin of shamefastnesse. As also to assault thy loue which is the vertue of renowne, spronge from the tree of honest lyfe, no easie or cō∣mon Loue speedily obtayned: for such are the gyftes of a vertuous Louer, not rea∣dily wonne lyke vnto euery lyght Louer, whiche vtter them selues to sale in the shoppe of dishonest lyfe.

As I am to craue pardon at thy handes: so I am to renew my earnest suite of vn∣squencheable loue towards thee: which as I must néedes confesse, since my letters written vnto thée: but within these fewe * 11.2 daies, the increase of loue is growne most fertyle in my hart towardes thee.

AFter the end of these & such lyke spea∣ches betweene the king & Sebona, they concluded vpon mariage: the day was ap∣pointed: the solempnity prouided for: the actiue feates of armes readily set foorth: stages & theatres addressed: commedies, tragedies, sonnets, sweete musicke were vpon the marriage day, before the kinges person, to delyght withall, set forth: Now when the mariage daye was come: the king & Sebona the Queene, with gloryous pompe, ryding towards the holy Alsephon to bee maryed by the Asealon, before the Image: which hauing entred the Alsephō, perceauing the want of the Garlande, in∣quired of the Asealon, where the crowne Garland was? The Ascalon answered, it was conueyed by some euyl disposed per∣son. The kinges corage was sore abated, his hart waxed frosen, his minde altered, his colour came and went: there was such transformation in him, that you woulde haue thought present death had besieged him: but notwithstanding, for that theyr comming was to be maryed, the solemp∣nization thereof was finished in this sort: * 11.3 The Ascalon dyd cutte an apple in the myddle, & delyuered one halfe to the king

to eate, and another half to the Quéene to eate: Forthwith the people cryed with a lowde voyce: Holy Image saue the King & Queene: such was the Raellyās order. And also for olde acquaintaunce that was betwene the Queene and the Ascalon: the sayd Ascalon would pronounce an Orati∣on in the praise of the Queene, which was after this manner.

¶ The Ascalons Oration in the praise of the Queene.

THe nobility and soueraigne renowne of the king, with al the condicion of his worthy vertues, is neyther vnknowne to mee, nor the people: for that we haue had great and long tryall of the same: since that it is a needeles thing to trouble you, with that you vnderstande alreadie. So at this present tyme it doeth not, but in the way of remembrance, belongeth to my of∣fice to speake of the same: I being appoin∣ted the holy Ascalon of this blessed Alse∣phon, wyl put you in duety of the solemp∣nization of this mariage, whiche is be∣tweene a King and Queene, the lyke was neuer seen in this land before: for that obe∣dience bynding vs, both to render thanks, and with great ioye of hartes to triumph:

are also muche bounde to set forth this presēt daie, with the greatest renown that maie be either thought or done: for that Hellidorus our king hath maried so vertu∣cus a Queen, a virgin of vnspeakeable cha∣stitie, the flower garland of this land of the Raellyans, am not to desist to praise her, both for that our king hath recouered his health thorow her: our lande is guerdoned thorow her: our people renowned thorow her: other nations put in feare thorow her: O Sebona most soueraigne Queene: thy bewty was the Phisition of our King: thy bewty is the bulwarke of this lande: thy wisdome is both the subiection, and direc∣tion of the people: Shall not this lande of the Raellians thorow this worthy Queen, obtaine double royaltie? is not this Sebona Queene of the Raellyans, the flagrantes flower that euer sweetelie and delicatlye sprong vp amōg the Raellians? as she hath vowed her chastitie to one man, so she shy∣neth in the eyes of all men: As she is to be beloued of all men: so she loueth but one man: and yet hateth no man: O precious iewell, the rarenesse hereof astonieth the hartes of all men, and yet comforteth the harte of one man: renowne is her victorie:

bewtie, is her praise: estimation, the duetie of her florishing fame: can any tonge set forth her deserued praise? beutie? renown? comlynes? al the qualities vvhich decorate her vvith inestimable soueraigntie? So my hart is not able to thinke any vertue com∣parable to the same. As touching this Garlande vvhich hanged vp in this Alse∣phon, and now taken awaie: the vvant her∣of O king let it not amaze thee: for this holy Image vvhich deliuered the beutifull * 12.1 chastitie and vertuous vvisedome of this Sebona, Queene of the Raellyans into thy handes, vvyll also delyuer that Traytour vvhiche tooke this florishing Garlande crowne avvaye out of the holy Alsephon? O king Hellidorus, as this vvor thy Sebona doth garnishe thy lande vvith all the flo∣rishing flowers of fame: so is she deckte vvith the pleasures of Venus odyferous smelling garden. O king beutifie her a∣gaine vvith loue, soueraigntie, condigne renowne, vvealth, fame, florishing plea∣sures, mete and fit for a Queene.

The ende of the Ascalons Oration.

AFter the ende of the Ascalons Orati∣on, the King and Queene repayring vnto theyr Court and princely Pallace,

where the swéete banquets of al pleasant dishes were ordayned, the daye passed out with feasting, daunsing, iustling, and all actiue feats of armes, mete for such a day & place: although in the middest of al these delyghts, the king was in another world: both for that dyuers deadly signes gaue out the vnhappy lucke of some aduerse mischiefe that banged in the clowdes of a fatall Prognostication: aswel for that the kings Elephants, Mules, Camels, roared and cryed all that day long, on which they were maryed: the stones in the stréetes slewe vp in the presence of the king: the ••auens and other byrds of the ayre, flew round about the king: besides all this, the kings minde was plunged within the in∣fernall lake of terrible perturbation: whē night was come, y^t king with a faint harte & wan countenance, washed in the basen and lauer of vnlustie lyfe: all his former ioye, corage, stoutnesse, vaine loue: was turned to anguish of hart, paines, sighes, and bitter teares: rested with his Quéene that night, in the bed of vnrestfulnesse, & ioyned together in the copulation of care∣fulnesse: & kyssed each other with the lyps of trayterous desolation: when it began

to waxe towards day, the vnhappy plea∣sures of the night being spent: the king being weryed with the doleful delyghtes, slept the woefull sléepe of destruction: And dreamed that he sawe in a fayre Medow, * 12.2 neare a ryuer syde, an Asse eating thistles, hauing a golden Scepter sticking in the hynder partes of the sayd Asse: wearing a florishing gréene garlande, betweene his long wyde eares: There was a whyte rough Beare, pulling the sayde garland & Scepter from the head & hynder partes of the sayd Asse: and the sayd Beare also dyd kyll the sayd Asse, and sucke out the blood of the sayd Asse, vntyl her belly was filled so full that it brake, and her guts hanged out of her belly. In the ende, there came a * 12.3 great flight of carrē Crowes, y^t fed vpō the Asse: and another flight of Aegles that did quite deuoure & eate vp the she Beare: At this terrible dreame, the king in many troubles of minde, dyd wake: and as he was telling of his dolefull dreame, of the fynal finishing of his lyfe: so ••e perceyued Titan gaue out her vnhappy luck & vnfor∣tunate mischiefe, y^t ruthfully in the instāt of one thought, was behight vnto king Hellydorus: In this apparant twinkling

of the day lyght: arose out of his weryed touche, and beholding the smelling plea∣sures of the morning, dyd sée the sorrow∣full sight of his fatall ende, which was to be performed & finished vp••n him, from the first Originall begynning and foun∣dation of the lande of the Scithians. Hel∣lydorus in beholding this aforesayd mor∣ninges pleasure, behold an Asse cropping and eating of Thystles: at the sight wher∣of, neuer laughing in his lyfe before: dyd now fall out to a laughter: Which laugh∣〈…〉〈…〉 wonderfull sight of the Queene and the officers of the Court, continued for the space of three nightes and dayes. And somewhat then he changed his voice to the braying of an Asse: which braying continewed for the space of sixteene daies and nyghtes after. In the meane whyle, by a Metaphorical transmutation, nature began to chaunge his shape: first his head, then his eares: and lastly all the parts of his body to an Asse: After this his being in the full forme of an Asse: wandred from the Court vnto the thicke wooddes, and desert places of the wyldernesse. This King. Hellydorus being chaunged, from

his Kinglie roabes, into an Asses skyn: from his crowned Garlande, into Asses eares: from his comely proportion, into the forme of a very Asse: from his kingly manners, into the manners of an Asse: the Queene by the counsell of the Ascalon beganne to take the gouernaunce of the Realme vppon her: but the people fell in hatered with her, and woulde not obeye: Wherevppon incontinent, thorowe this wretched amazednesse, they made cyuile inuasion one vppon another: insomuch that the Assyrians came and conquered the Lande of the Raellyans, from whence it was first deryued. So, the Assyrians la∣menting the infortunate hap of Hellydo∣rus: and for that noble minde they percey∣ued alwayes to bee in him: in reuenge whereof, they persecuted Quéene Sebona & the Ascalon, to a most terryble death: for they were pricked to death with néedles, as the king of the Hircans was, and their dead carkases were throwne lyke carren into the wyldernesse to bée deuowred of the Fowles of the ayre: the Lande of the Raellyans was inhabited of the Assyri∣ans, for euer after.

¶ Howe Hellidorus was hearde to speake after he was an Asse, and there was de∣uowred of houndes: the Assyrians for the loue that they did beare vnto him, did burie his carkase in the fourme of an Asse: and builded in the middest of the wyldernesse, a verie honorable Tombe ouer the same.

THe King of the Assyrians hauing con∣quered the Lande of the Raellyans, dryue out and dyspersed the people, the Lande was fully impeopled with the As∣syrians. The king of the Assyrians, after his being setled in the kingdome: on a tyme for pleasaunt recreation, dyd ryde forth a hunting into the wyldernesse: by∣chaunce in the sayde wyldernesse, in a great brake of bushes, his houndes found an Asse, which they coursed and bayted so sore, before any succour coulde drawe neare: that the sayd houndes had drawne the guts out of the Asses bellye: the bray∣ing of the Asse, & the noyse of the hounds, heing hearde of the King and his nobles, drewe neare: perceauing it was an Asse, tooke vp the houndes: and the Asse being halfe dead, spake vnto the king of the As∣syrians in this sort.

¶ The wordes of King Hellidorus, when he was an Asse.

O King of the Assyrians, I am Helly∣dorus that was once King of the Ra∣ellyans: heare mée: which although I am in the forme of an Asse: yet haue I the minde of a man: O idolatry dyd deuowre mée and my Lande: the blood of a holye Prophete doth crye out against mée: O my tyranny is turned to myserie: O my heauy fate, I was deceaued by a wicked woman, & subdued to wretchednesse: the forgetting of the eternall gouernance, and the blind worshipping of an Image, which was an Asse, hath transformed mee from a man to an Asse: O King of the Assyrians, as thy houndes haue wounded mée to death: yet honorablie bury my dead car∣kase: which although it be the shape of an Asse, yet it is the carkase of King Helly∣dorus, which hath a penitent hart. Pre∣sently dying, the king of the Assirians did burye the dead carkase, and builded a ve∣ry rytche gorgeous Tombe ouer it, in the myddest of the wyldernes, with these E∣pigrams written ouer the same: and an Asse portrayed in Adamant stone vppon the same.

The verses wrytten ouer King Hellydorus his Tombe.

Ah cruell fate, O noble King, Subdued by natures kind, Although in shape thou art an Asse: Thou wast a man in mynde.

Though wretched treason did translate, By steightes of Venus lust, Such was the hap and fruitles fate: In thee to be discust.

A noble king durst Nature race, The guerdon of thy right, To chaunge a king to be an Asse: VVhich did appeare so bright?

This king was beate with cruell roddes, Before his fatall day, In glorious pompe and wallowing wealth: There is no hope or staye.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Alsephon A sancna or holie place of their reli∣gion.
• * 1.2

  The De¦uyls prac¦tise first t•• deceaue with I∣dolat••ie wa••ch hi¦deth th world ••t vertue, smellin•• on all v¦ousnesse.
• * 1.3

  This the poy〈…〉〈…〉 of Idol〈…〉〈…〉 tri•• th〈…〉〈…〉 shall sub〈…〉〈…〉 u••et th〈…〉〈…〉 lande.
• * 1.4

  The strife for theyr Coronatiō was the e¦ternal pro¦uidence.
• * 1.5

  A costly Pallace was ••••yl∣ded ouer Hellycon, to lodge strangers.
• * 1.6

  Renowne respecteth not peryls.
• * 1.7

  It is the greatest policy that may be, to bridle af∣fection in the gouer∣nance of a kingdome.
• * 6.1

  Mortalitie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 changed by death, into im∣mortalitye.
• * 6.2

  Such was the opinion of immor∣talitie.
• * 6.3

  Hellepatrus 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 7.1

  They had ••te faces, 〈…〉〈…〉t colde ••rtes.
• * 8.1

  Securitie 〈…〉〈…〉ne.
• * 8.2

  Chastise∣ment for 〈…〉〈…〉e.
• * 8.3

  The kings wordes.
• * 8.4

  Vnseaso∣nablenes of the wea∣ther causeth scarsitie.
• * 8.5

  Persecuti∣on.
• * 10.1

  Sebonaes letters to the King.
• * 10.2

  The King sent for Sebona.
• * 11.1

  Voluptu∣ous Loue is 〈…〉〈…〉de.
• * 11.2

  The ende of the Kinges vvordes.
• * 11.3

  The man∣ner of the Raellyans 〈…〉〈…〉ages.
• * 12.1

  Sweete poyson.
• * 12.2

  The kings dreame.
• * 12.3

  The carren Crowes, or the A••••…••••…∣ans how rude. The Eagles, or the As••••…••••…∣ans them selues.