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WE will begin first with Robert of Glocester, so called, because a Monk of that City, who flou∣risht about the Reign of King Henry the Second; much esteem∣ed by Mr. Cambden, who quotes divers of his old English Rhythms in praise of his Native Country,
England. Some (who consider not the Learning of those times) term him a Rhymer, whilst o∣ther more courteously call him a Poet: Indeed his Language is such, that he is dumb in effect, to the Readers of our Age, without an Interpreter; which that ye may the better perceive, hear these his Verses of Mulmutius Lunwallo, in the very same Language he wrote them.
A Kynge there was in Brutayne Donwallo was his Nam, Staleworth and hardy, a man of grete Fam: He ordeyned furst yat theeues yat to Temple flowen wer, No men wer so harby to do hem despit ther; That hath he moche such yhold, as hit begonne tho, Hely Chyrch it holdeth yut, and wole ever mo.
Antiquaries (amongst whom Mr. Selden) more value him for his History than Poetry, his Lines being neither strong nor smooth, yet much inform∣ing in those things wherein he wrote; whereof to give you a take of the first planting Religion in this Land by King Lucius,
Lucie Cocles Son after him Kynge was, To fore hym in Engelonde Chrestendom non was, For he hurde ofte miracles at Rome, And in meny another stede, yat thurgh Christene men come, He wildnede anon in hys herte to fonge Chrysten∣dom. Therefor Messagers with good Letters he nom,
That to the Pape Eleutherie hastelyche wende; And yat he to hym and his menne expondem sende, And yat he might seruy God wilned muche thereto, And seyd he wald noght be glader hyt wer ydo.
This English Rhymer or Poet, which you will have it to be, is said to have lived whilst he was a very old man, and to have died about the begin∣ning of the Reign of King John.