The historie of Great Britannie declaring the successe of times and affaires in that iland, from the Romans first entrance, vntill the raigne of Egbert, the West-Saxon prince; who reduced the severall principalities of the Saxons and English, into a monarchie, and changed the name of Britannie into England.

CHAP. XIIII.

The Romans prepare themselves to fight. The Oration of Agricola the Generall vnto his Souldiers.

AS the Roman Cohorts drew togither, and discovered themselves, while some of the boldest pressed for∣ward, the rest put themselves in aray, and Agricola (albeit his souldiers were glad of that day) and could scarce with words have bin with-holden; yet supposing it fit to say somwhat, he encouraged them in this wise:

Fellow Souldiers, and Companions in Armes, your faithfull diligence and service, these eight yeares, so painfully performed, by the vertue and fortune of the Roman Empire, hath at length conque∣red Britannie. In so many journies, so many battailes we were of necessity to shew our selves, either valiant

against the enemie, or patient and laborious, above, and against Nature it selfe. In all which exploits, we have both of vs so carried our selves hitherto, as nei∣ther I desired better Souldiers, nor you other Cap∣taine. We have exceeded the limits, I, of my prede∣cessors, and you likewise of yours. The end of Bri∣tannie is now found, not by fame and report, but we are with our armes and pavillions, really invested thereof. Britannie is found, and subdued. In your marching heeretofore, when the passage of Bogges, Mountaines, or Rivers troubled and tyred you, how often have I heard the valiant Souldier say; When will the Enemie present himselfe? When shall wee fight? Loe, now they are put out of their holes, and heere they are come. Loe now your wish: Loe heere the place for tryall of your vertue, and all things likely to follow, in a good and easie course, if you win: contrarywise all against you, if you loose. For, as to have gone so much ground, escaped the woods and Bogs, and passed over so many armes of the sea, are honourable testimonies of your forwardnesse: so, if we flie, the advantages we have had, will become our greatest disadvantage. For wee are not so skilfull in the Country: we have not the like store of provi∣sion: we have onely hands and weapons, wherein our hopes, our fortune, and all things else are inclu∣ded. For mine owne part, I have beene long since resolved, that to shew our backes, is dishonourable, both for Souldier and Generall, and therefore a com∣mendable death is better then life with reproach, (Surety and Honor commonly dwelling together;) Howbeit, if aught should mis-happen in this enter∣prize, yet this will be a glory for vs, to have dyed e∣ven in the vttermost end of the world, and of Na∣ture.

If new Nations and Souldiers vnknowne, were in the field, I would, by the example of other Ar∣mies, incourage you: But now I require you, onely to recount your owne victorious exploits, and to aske counsell of your owne eyes. These are the same men, which the last yeare assailed one Legion by stealth in the night, and were sodainely, and (in a manner) by the blasts of your mouthes, overthrowne. These, of all the other Britans, have beene the most nimble in running away, and by that meanes, have escaped the longest alive. For, as in forrests and woods, the stron∣gest beasts are chased away by maine force, and the cowardly and fearefull scared onely by the noyse of the Hunters: so, the most valiant of the Brittish nati∣on, we have already dispatched; the rascall heird of dastardly cowards onely remaineth. And loe, wee have now at length found them, not as intending to stay and make head against vs, but as last overtaken, and by extreame passion of feare, standing like stocks, and presenting occasion to vs in this place, of a wor∣thy and memorable victory. Now therefore, make a short worke of our long warfare, and to almost fiftie yeares travaile, let this day impose a glorious end. Let each of you shew his valour, and approove to your Country, that this army of ours could never justly be charged, either with protracting the warre, for feare, or vpon false pretences, for not accomplishing the Conquest.