The Canterbury tales and Faerie queene &c., &c., &c., ed. for popular perusal with current illustrations and explanatory notes, by D. Laing Purves.

CANTO X.] TiE FAERIE QUEEN. 397
The noble branch from th' antique stock was in fleshly slime enwombedwas, from wretched
torn Adam's line to purge away the guilt of sinful
Through discord, and the royal throne forlorn.1 crime." Slain by treachery in the invasion of
Thenceforth this realm was into factions rent, Claudius, Kimbeline was succeeded'by ArviWhilst each of Brutus boasted to be born, ragus, who compelled the Romans to seek peace,
That in the end was left no monument obtained the Emperor's daughter in marriage,
Of Brutus, nor of Britons' glory ancient. and renounced the vassalage of Rome. Brought
into subjection by Vespasian, he died; then
Then up arose a man of matchless might, r M, " after m g
reigned 1Karius, Coill, and "after him good
And wondrous wit to manage high affairs, Lucius, that fist r d Chri ianity;.^.~..^' ~ ~1.1 3Lucius, that first received Christianity;"
Who, stirr'd with pity of the'stressed plight
though long before that day Joseph of ArimaOf this sad realm, cut into sundry shares.
Of this sad realm, cut into sndry shas thea had come hither, bringing the Holy Grail,
By such as claim'd themselves Brute's rightful Te d f Lcius
and preaching the truith. The death of Lucius
heirs,
ather'd the pris of te p e 2 without children gave the Romans an opporGather'd the princes of the people loose 2
tunity of profiting by the divisions of the BriTo taken counsel of their common cares;
tons; which seeing, Boadicea took arms and
Who, with his wisdom won, him straight did to ch see, oadiea tk ars and
- o's ^ attacked the Romans, but was defeated, and
choose
slew herself rather than be made captive.
Their king, and swore him fealty to win or lose.
O famous monument of women's praise!
Then made he sacre'd laws, which some men say Matcliable.either to Semiramis,
Were unto him reveal'd in visi6n; Whom antique history so high doth raise,
By which he freed the traveller's high-way, Or to Hypsipyl', or to Tomyris: 7
The Church's part, and ploughman's porti6n, Her host two hundred thousand number'd is;
Restraining stealth and strong extorti6n; Who, while good fortune favoured her might,
The gracious Numa of great Brittany:3 Triumphed oft against her enemies;
For, till his days, the chief domini6n And yet, though overcome in hapless fight,
By strength was wielded without policy: She triumphed on death, in enemies' despite.
Therefore he first wore crown of gold for dignity.
Fulgent, Carausius, Allectus, Asclepiodatus,
The wise and good Donwallo, dying, left two interposed between Boadicea and Coill-the first
sons of peerless prowess, as sacked Rome and crowned sovereign of the Britons since Lucius'
ransacked Greece assayed-" Brennus and Be- time. Under Coill the realm began to "renew
linus, kings of Brittany." Next came Gurguht, her passid prime;" and " he of his name CoylGuitheline, Sifillus, Kimarus, Danius, Morin- chester built of stone and lime." He gave to
dus, his five sons in turn, then all the sons of Constantius his daughter Helena, most famous
these five brethren, and all their grandsons- for her skill in music; and of her was begotten
thrice eleven descents in the same family, till Constantine, afterwards Emperor of Rome.
aged Hely by due heritage gained the crown. Octaviuq usurped the place of the absent ConLud, his eldest son, rebuilt the ruined walls stantine, and gave his daughter to Maximian;
" of Troynovant,4'gainst force of enemy, and during whose reign the Huns and Picts began
built that Gate which of his name is hight, by to invade the land. The weary Britons were
which he lies entombed solemnly." Cassibel- worn out by miseries under the new invaders,
anus was chosen by the people to reign instead of and gladly, "by consent of Commons and of
Lud's young sons; and during his reign " war- Peers, they crown'd the second Constantine
like Caesar, tempted with the name of this with joyous tears." He often vanquished in
sweet Island never conquered," came hither battle "the spoilful Picts, and swarming Easterwith his Romans. lings," and pacified the realm; building, against
Yt. t r r sid c aain the incursions of the Scots, "a mighty mound,
Yet twice they were repulsed back again, which from Alcluid to Panwelt did that
And twice enforc'd back to their ships to fly; o rtd t
The while with blood they all the shore did stain,border bound." Vortigern usurped the crown.And the gray ocean into purple dye: Sti, during the pupilage of his two nephews-the sons
And the gray ocean into purple dye:
Nor had they footing foud at lt, p e, of Constantine; and, fearing their attempts to
Nor had they footing found at last, pardie,5
Had not Androgeus, false to native soil, reinstate themselves, he sent to Germany strange
Had not Androgeus, false to native soil,'A'-.,J ii,.~ vL aid to rear. "Three hoys of Saxons," under
And envious of uncle's sov'reignty,
nt, Jd. enios co unce'sno reignt y i' Hengist and Horsus, arrived; and their leaders. Betray'd his country unto foreign spoil.
Betrayd his country unto foreign spoil took advantage of the divisions of the Britons
Naught else but treason from the first this land to ok advantage of the he Britons
did foi^! 6 to drive Vortigernfrom the kingdom. Restored
by the help of his son Vortimere, he received
The chronicle now entered upon historical Hengist back into favour, through the fair face
ground. After Cassibelanus reigned Tenantius; and flattering word of his daughter Rowena.
"then Kimbeline, what time th' Eternal Lord But now the fugitive sons of Constantine, having
1 Left vacant. 2 Scattered, divided. Cyrus when he threatened to invade her territory,
3 That is, in Britain he played the part that Numa overthrew and slew him, and ordered his severed head
Pompilius did in ancient Rome. 4 London. to be thrown into a vessel full of human blood-with
o Assuredly. 6 Defeat, baffle. the\ bitter exhortation to the dead prince to satiate
7 Queen of the Massagetie, who marched against himself with the gore for which he had thirsted.