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AFter the decease of Theodorick, Clovis, his eldest sonne, began his Reigne in his minority, Anno Domini 689, having Pepin for Mayre of his Palace, who was surnamed Heristel, sonne of Ansigise, under whom France, that heretofore seemed to bee divided,
and (as it were) dismembred, seemed now to be as an entire body, as former∣ly it had beene, and began to recover its pristine lustre and honour, which it had in a manner lost by the precedent divisions, and intestine dissentions; which also had given an occasion to the Aquitans and Gascognes to range apart under the government of one proper and peculiar Prince, whom they styled Duke; an occasion that Roderic of Toledo tooke to make men∣tion of one called Loup who was about that time.
Clovis reigned (according to the Contivator of Gregory of Tours, Ado, and Sigebert) onely foure yeares, al∣though Aimoynus, through the de∣fault of Writers, acknowledgeth but two yeares. And it seemes that in his time the Saxons and Swedes, who upon the occasion of the precedent Warres by the succession of times, had withdrawne themselves out of the obedience to the French, were by
Pepin summoned to their duty. And because they made him know that they would not performe any such thing but upon compulsion, hee pas∣sed over the Rhine with an Army a∣gainst them, wherewith hee gave them such downe-right knocks, that he beate them into a subjection ac∣cording to his desire. By the meanes whereof France for some space of time continued in peace, recovering by lit∣tle and little its authority and renowne amongst other Nations and strangers. Wherefore Clovis had no leasure to en∣joy a long content, because hee dyed, although young, (as it is said) leaving the succession to his brother Childebert, An. Dom. 692. The place of his death or interrment is not mentioned in any Authors.
This King reigned but foure yeares, and therefore his Character may bee drawne by the Embleme of the Sunne rising, with a faire and cleare aspect, but
presently over-cast with thick clouds, having this Motto, Orior & morior.
As the Sunne which fairely rose, Is hid with clouds that doe enclose The cleare beames, while that it doth shew A sorrow, weeping teares of dew: So this King rose to a Crowne, And setting soone in death, went down Leaving the Spheare of Majesty: His Motto this; I rose to dye.