Anglorum speculum, or The worthies of England, in church and state Alphabetically digested into the several shires and counties therein contained; wherein are illustrated the lives and characters of the most eminent persons since the conquest to this present age. Also an account of the commodities and trade of each respective county, and the most flourishing cities and towns therein.

Proverbs.

I. Talaeth, Talaeth, that is Fine, Fine: When Ro∣derick divided Wales betwixt his three Sons, he or∣dered that each of them should wear upon his Bonnet or Helmet, a Coronet of Gold, set with pretious Stones, called in British Talaeth, and they from thence, Ytri trwys••c Talaethioc, that is, three Crowned Princes. Now it is applyed to the uppermost part of the head attire of Children, yea the English men have that which they call the Crown of a Cap. II. B•• Arthur and 〈◊〉〈◊〉; That is, Arthur was not but whilst he was; 'Tis Ho∣nourable for old Men, if they can truly say, we have been brave Fellows. III. Ne Thorres Arthur Nawdd gwraig; that is, King Arthur did never violate the re∣fuge

of a woman; For that King was the Mirrour of Manhood. By the Woman's Refuge, many understand her Tongue, and no valiant Man will revenge her words with his blows. IV. Calen y Sais wrah Gimro; That is, the Heart of an Englishman towards a Welshman. This was invented whilst England and Wales were at deadly Feude, and is applyed to such who are possessed with prejudice, or only carry an outward complyance with Cordial Affection. V. Ni Cheitw Cymbro oni Gollo; That is, the Welshman keeps nothing until he hath lost it: When the British recovered their lost Castles from the English, they doubled their diligence and va∣lour, keeping them more tenaciously then before. VI. A fo Pen, bid Bont; That is, He that will be a Head, let him be a Bridge. This is of a fictitious Original. Benigridan a Welsh General is said to have carried his Army (one by one we must imagine) on his back, over a River in Ireland, where there was neither Bridge nor Ferry. These Proverbs are generally used in VVales. Note that in this Principality of VVales, there was an ancient Play, wherein the stronger put the weaker into a sack, whence the English By-word, He is able to put him up in a Bag. VII. Na difanco y Beriglawr; That is, Vilifie not thy Parish Priest. This may be lookt up∣on as a true penitential Proverb, since the Citizens of Llan-Badern-Vaure (that Lland-Badern the great) cru∣elly slew their Bishop, which City and Bishoprick af∣terwards dwindled into nothing.