Commendation of Welshmen, A

sig: A3

LOue and desire

Dooeth me require

So effectually

I can no lesse

Of gentilnesse

But graunt it willyngly.

Some payne to take

For desires sake

And herty assuraunce

With yncke and penne

The gentill Walshmenne

Their fame to aduaunce.

As shall insewe

Matter full trewe

By storis euiedent

Of auctours olde

Bothe write and tolde

Famous and excellent

Trustyng in this

No man there is

sig: [A3v]

My purpose will disdayne

If my reporte

Maie them comforte

I shalbe glad and fayne.

When I consider

And call together

To my remembraunce

The regalitee

The nobilitee

The redoubted puissaunce.

The high parentage

The fearce corage

The actes moste marciall

The princely fame

The worthie name

The bloud imperiall.

The ciuilitee

The vtilitee

The high magnificence

The policie

sig: A4

The industrie

The noble aduertence

¶Of there progenitours

Most mightie conquerours

The enimyes to decline

Excelling farre

In strength of warre

That were before there tyme

¶Whose worthye fame

Inhauncid there name

As men of lustie corage

Like princes great

Kyngdomes to geat

For them and ther lynage

As noble brute

In his persute

And acte triumphal

To his estate

Kyngdomes gate

And made them Imperiall

sig: [A4v]

First to begynne

Their birthe their kynne

Their generacion

Then to conuoy

From noble Troy

The whole procreacion.

¶Ye must then loke

In the fifth boke

Of the antiquities

Where Birosus

And Isodorus

In their Ethimolegies.

¶Affirmeth playne

As authours twayne

That after Noe his flood

The first famouse kyng

In Egipte reignyng

Was called Osiris the good. Osiris the furst [k]ynge in E[g]ypt[e] the se[c]onde sonne of shame. Egypte] Egyptk 1546 Egypte] Egyptk 1546

¶But yet Moses

In Genesis

sig: A5

Nameth hym Mizraim

A prince of fame

The first of name

That conquest did begynne.

¶By force of strengthe

He gate at lengthe

To his dominion

The worlde rounde

Except the grounde

Dewe vnto Babilon

¶Moste circumspecte

In this effecte

Accoumpte the nobles all

He was the furst

In Egipt iust

Emonges the people rurall.

With greate industrie

And labour of bodie

The plough there did inuent

100

To eare and sowe

sig: [A5v]

In countres lowe

Idlenes to preuente

¶To graffe and to plant

In places skante

105

Vynes most holsum and good

He taughte them playne

The barley grayne

To norishe the lustie bloud

¶Hys tyme before

110

They hadde no store

But acornes and leves grene

No other frute

For ther refute

Emonge them was ther sene

115

¶Till Osyris

Of hys goodnes

Applied bothe sence and mynd

In such distres

For ther redres

120

Some remedy to fynd

sig: [A6]

Auctors doth accorde

He went abrode

Hys vertues onely to shewe

In straunge regions

125

Whose affecctions

Toke place in yeres fewe

Fyrst to Berbarye

A famose contrye

The people grosse and rude

130

Standyng in affryke

Them did he seke

There blyndnes to exclude

Then to Almayne

He toke the playne

135

That kyn[g]dome to aduaunce kyngdome] kyndome 1546

Wher in lyke wyse

He dyd practise

All-thing for their plesaunce

Then at the instaunce

140

Of the Italians

sig: [A6v]

With mightie apparell

The cruell Titans

Put to vtteraunce

By fearcenes of battell

145

¶Full shortlie than

Doune to Tuscan

He went with all his men

To a citee strong

Large and long

150

Where he reigned yeres ten.

¶Called Vitarbie

Thus laboured he

The people to conducte

From place to place

155

Of princely grace

Onely them to instructe.

¶Then into Grece

A countree fearce

A_long the seas he went

160

Vnto a prouince

sig: [A7]

Of greate excellence

With like famouse intent.

¶As auctours do witnes

Named Pilloponnes

165

Where stode the strong citee

Called Argeos

Of noblenes

Hauyng the souereintee.

¶Where he vnfayned

170

Famously reigned

XXXvii. yeres iust

Till at the last

The yeres gone past

To Egipt he had a lust.

175

¶Prepared home

Where cruell Typhon

As saieth Diodorus

His brother vntrewe

By treason hym slewe

180

Of mynde malicious.

sig: [A7v]

¶ Bocas confesseth

Also expresseth

How the people rurall

Changed Osiris

185

Into Sirapis

And so they dyd hym call

Affermyng playne

Howe he certayne

In heuen was stallid

190

In suche maner wyse

Affter ther guyse

A God was he called

¶ Labyn or Libus

Called great Hercules Hercules or Libus sonne of Osiris.

195

The sonne of Sirapys

As auctours saythe

His fathers death

Reuengid shortly thys

Sent a deffyaunce

200

To all the gyauntes

sig: [A8]

Throughout the wor[ld]e rounde worlde] wordle 1546

Fyrst into Phenyce

Dyd he enterpryse

His enymyes to confounde

205

To hys estate

That lande he gat

In maner inuincible

By wonderfull strenghte

Percyd it at lengthe

210

And made it diuisible

Then into phrigie

A prouynce myghtie

Wher he slewe Tipheus

A gyaunt stronge

215

Were it right or wronge

And gaue hym to A[c]hus Achus] Arhus 1546

Whiche he begate

Beyng associate

With a lady fayre and bryght

220

Called Omphale

sig: [A8v]

Whiche did preuaile

Moste pleasaunt in his sight.

¶From thence to Affricke

Fearce cruell and quicke

225

Of herte coragious

Slewe the Giaunt

Mightie and puissaunt

Named greate Atheus.

¶In token of fame

230

Altered that name

Then called barbarie

After Libus

Named it thus

The greate lande of Libie.

235

¶For a memoriall

By art naturall

He made a piller strong

His conquest greate

Should not forgeate

240

The people there emong.

sig: B1

¶Then to Gaul_celtike

Full princely-lyke

His passage dyd he take

Wher great Iupiter

245

Dyd hym prefere

And moche there did him make

¶For more amitye

Gaue galathyae

A pryncesse of highe astate

250

Hys doughter dere

To be hys fere

Suche honour ther he gate

Wher he was crouned

Whose fame redoundyd

255

With galathy hys wyfe

In kyngdomes ferre

After that Iupiter

Had altered his lyfe

Then With hys armye

260

Into Italye

sig: [B1v]

Hym-selfe dyd aduaunce

Brake mountaynes hye

By strengthe of Bodye

And myghtye ordynaunce

265

And wher the waye was

Haynouse to passe

And wonder dificill

Brake them downe-right

By force of myght

270

Without tariyng any-while

¶But entred by strengthe

Where he at lengthe

As Byrosus doth witnes

His enymies slewe

275

His force to renewe

Manfully dyd them oppresse

Then downe he came

Vnto Tuscane

The Tytans to subdewe

280

For malyce alone

sig: B2

Of cruell Typhon

Of treytors moste vntrue

Wher for his sake

Suche slaughter dyd make

285

His enimyes to confounde

That ther dolefull crye

A_boue the skye

To the heauens did abounde

¶Suche was his grace

290

With-in shorte space

They were all ouerthrowen

Cleane out of fame

As thoughe their name

Had neuer bene knowen

295

¶Thus this noble man

Wholy became

Possessor of Italy

Fully yeres ten

Where he reigned then

300

As A prince stronge and myghty.

sig: [B2v]

¶Frome thense into spayne

Wher men dyd complayne

The great extorcion

Done by violence

305

Without resistence

In that famouse region

¶By gyauntes stronge

Whiche them amonge

The people dyd oppresse

310

Founde no refute

In ther persute

Ther wooes then to redres

Tyll greate Hercules

Of hys gentilnes

315

With moste manfull corage

Came downe with spede

In tyme of nede

To a_voyde ther outrage

Sought them about

320

Hauyng no doubte

sig: B3

Of their myghty puysaunce.

Frome place to place

Dyd them inchace

By longe contynuaunce

325

¶By knyghtly strengthe

Gate them at lengthe

Wher they myght not astert

As a prynce royall

He slewe them all

330

With a coragyouse hert

¶After whose death

Diodorus saythe

In hys Antiquyties

Who Lyste to loke

335

In the .v. boke

That thys noble hercules

¶Dyd there remayne

Tyll death certayne

Hys bodye dyd oppres

340

Wher he dothe lye

sig: [B3v]

Full sumtuoslye

As Auctors bere witnes

His Sepulture

In such manere

345

Raysed was with pillers hye

That men myght se

Of euery degre

The place as they pas by

And yet the same

350

In token of fame

Euermore for to encrease

Ys called thys daye

As Spanyardes saye

Gaades le Hercules

355

After came Tustus

A prince ful famouse

Sonne to great hercules Tustus sonne of Hercules.

As next heyre of bloud

Notable and good

360

Full of al gentilnes

sig: [B4]

¶Whiche in Italy

Reigned quyetly

Without let or dysturbaunce

Right welbeloued

365

No cause mouyd

Of hys misgouernaunce

Next Altheus

Sonne of Tustus

Of Italy was kinge Altheus son[ne] of Tustus.

370

A Prince of renowne

With Scepter and crowne

All his tyme then lyuyng

Then Comboblaston

The sonne of Blaston

375

Whiche was sonne of Altheus Comboblaston sonne of blaston whiche Blaston was sonne of Altheus and ded his father liuynge

For his worthynes

And passing goodnes

Was made then Coritus

¶Whiche was a name

380

Of worthie fame

sig: [B4v]

Excellyng all other

As at that daye

As who wolde saye

A second Iupyter.

385

Thys noble kynge

Recorde of wrytyng

By Electra hys wyfe

Had princes thre

Of noble degre

390

All borne in hys lyfe

The fyrst Iaseus

The nexte dardanus Dardanus the seconde sonne of Comboblaston buylded the Cytie of derdane

The th[i]rd Armonya third] thrd 1546

Dardanus then

395

With all hys men

Wente in-to phrigia

A prouence stronge

Myghtie and Longe

Full of all pleasaunce

400

Stondyng in Asia

sig: [B5]

Called dardanya

Hys name onely to avaunce

His people and he

Raysed a Citie

405

With towres wonderfull hye

Wallid it aboute

Hauyng no doubte

Of any foren enemye

¶When it was walled

410

Then was it called

Dardane after Dardanus

In all Asya

Or in phrigya

Was none halfe so famouse

415

¶This Citie play[n]e playne] playme 1546

Was made certayne

The yere for to acco[m]pte accompte] acconpte 1546

Of Moyses

A .C. doubtles

420

Xiiii. more dyd A_mounte

sig: [B5v]

¶Next Dardanus

His sonne Erictonius [E]rictonius [so]nne of dar[da]nus.

There toke possession

Of ryght enteryng

425

As Lorde and kinge

By dewe succession

¶Then Troos the famouse

Sonne of Erictonius [T]roos the [s]onne of Eric[to]nius chaun[g]ed the name [o]f dardane and [c]alled it Troy

Of all Phrigia was kyng

430

For myghtye puyssaunce

And greate aboundaunce

All other surmounting

¶ Eusebius

Affirmyth vs

435

This kyng had sonnes thre

The fyrst Ilius

The next Assaracus

The thyrd as in degre

The yongest of al

440

Whiche men dyd call

sig: [B6]

Worthy Ganymydes

Whom Tantalus

Most auericious

Of pitie all merciles

445

¶Falselye dyd persewe

A traytore vntrewe

With couetyse ful replete

Toke monye and hire

His death to conspire

450

Of Iupiter kyng of Crete

¶ Troos this famousse kyng

Sore Lamenting

This foule ingratitude

Of mortall hate

455

And soden debate

Reysed a multitude

¶Of herte dolorus

Droue Tantalus

Oute of highe phrigie

460

Forcing hym at leng[t]he lengthe] lenghe 1546

sig: [B6v]

By pryncely strength

Out of Paphlagie

Diodorus

Also Birosus

465

Affermyth verely

That Tantalus

Full vngracious

Dyed myserablye

For his offence

470

And vile pretence

So ofte-tymes frequented

Poetes do fayn

That he certayn

In hell shuld be tourmented

475

Wyth hunger and thurst

Hauyng a lust

Alwayes vnto hys meate

His belly emptie

With dyshes plentie

480

And yet nothyng coulde eate

sig: [B7]

¶In drynke dyd Swyme

A_boue the Chynne

His body hote and drye

All was in waste

485

Non could he taste

Yet for thurst redy to die

Ouid doth shewe

In wordes fewe

And playnely doth vs tell

490

Howe he shulde Lye

With-out mercy

In the depe lake of hell

¶When cruell Tantalus

Moste inpituouse

495

Was brought to subi[ec]cion subieccion] subicecion 1546

And that noble Troye

Dyd fully enioye

Tantalus possecion

Kyng of highe phrygia

500

In all Asya

sig: [B7v]

Was none so myghtie a kinge

So muche redoubtid

So well assured

So muche honor incresing

505

His Citie playne

Called Dardaine

As auctours write and saye

Was called than

Of euery man

510

The great Citie of Troye

Only after his name

To increase his fame

As a prince most fortunate

The country aboute

515

Standyng in doubte

Obayed his noble estate

¶And thus was he

Of magnanimytie

Redoubted on euery side

520

None was so boulde

sig: [B8]

Other yonge or olde

His force that durst abide

¶Next this famouse kinge

After insuweing

525

Was his sonne Ilius

He had a brother

Of father and mother

Namyd Assaracus Assaracus t[he] yonger son[ne] of Troos

Of full noble blodde

530

Famouse and good

His sonne called was Capis Capis son[ne] of Assaracu[s]

Stories doth deuise

Capis Likewyse

Was father to Anchises Anchises son[ne] of Capis.

535

¶ Anchises was

Father to Eneas Eneas sonn[e] of Anchises.

As saint Augustine doth record

Who liste to loke

In the .xviii. boke

540

Called the Cite of God

sig: [B8v]

¶Where he endyteth

Playnly resiteth

The herde and dredfull chaunce

Like as he fande

545

By se and Lande

Throughe fortunes ordinaunce

How he also

Went to appollo

To the Ile_of_delphos

550

Whiche by miracle

At his Oracle

Shewed hym the whole purpos

Howe he shuld be

555

Of souereintye

Full notable increasing

And that his fate

Was predestinate

In Italy to be kyng

560

This Eneas

Graundfather was

sig: C1

Vnto noble young brute

As shall appere

Afterward here

565

The stocke the braunche and frut

From dardanus

As gaulfridus

The story dothe recompte

Whose regalite

570

In great Asiie

All other did surmounte

Of Iupiters blood

Notable and good

Whose name was stellified

575

As poetes do fame

In heuen certayne

There to be deified

His marciall warres

Surmounting the starres

580

Made hym celestiall

After pagan guyse

sig: [C1v]

In suche maner wyse

With ther goddes to be coequal

In Libie land

585

His temple did stand

Freate with gold pearle and stone

By deuine Oracle

His taber[n]acle

Made ther ful long agone

590

Of whose succession

By conputacion

Of ther parentage

Perceaue maye ye

That welshmen be

595

Of the same stocke and lynage Of the femenyne sexe by Galathea, whiche was doughter to greate Iubyter of Gaul_celtik and wife to Hercules and mothere to Tustus

¶As stories olde

Bothe writen and toulde

Maketh relacion

Affirminge playne

600

The tyme the raigne

And the Cituacion

sig: C2

¶From Iupiters lyne

Downe to declyne

To worthye Dardanus

605

Consequentely

And finally

To noble Priamus

¶The laste Kyng of Troy

Whose inward ioye

610

Was cleane disconsolate

Whe[n] the grekes fell

By treason cruell

Appallid his estate A digressio[n] treating of [the] Destruction of Troye

Heare to digresse

615

I must confesse

The wofull desolacion

Of noble Troye

The soden decaye

And newe transmutacion

620

The Greekes warres

A_boue the stares

sig: [C2v]

Surmounting in there pryde

Supposinge they myght

With cruell fight

625

The heuens to deuide

¶And thus they wrought

The story oute sought

As virgell dothe witnes

A temple ther was

630

Sacred to pallas

The mightie great goddes

¶Made by craft entrayle

As it were deuinale

By heuenly influence

635

Within troy towne

To the high renowne

Of her magnyficences

¶The grekes fraudolent

Of mynde violente

640

There treason to practise

Fayned a pretence

sig: [C3]

By deuine incence

To make a sacrifyes

¶Byfore pallas

645

In hope of grace

To please her deitie

Thus they conspired

And ofte desired

To entre the Citie

650

The Tro[ia]nes iust Troianes] Trones 1546

Did not mistrust

There fraudolent treason

Like there pretence

Gaue them licence

655

To make ther oblacion

¶And thus Elas Elas: =Helas

With gile and trespas

As wolues raging wood

Hauyng Libertie

660

Within the Citie

Distroyed the noble blod

sig: [C3v]

Farre in the night

When that no wight

Ther treason did suspecte

665

The grekes vntrewe

Furthe did Persue

To furnyshe ther effecte

Brake out at large

All in a rage

670

Their fury to declare

Fretyng for ire

With sworde and fire

Consumyd the Cite bare

The Troians at rest

675

With paynes opprest

For watche feble and faynt

Nothing then knewe

What shuld ensewe

Of ther mortall constraynt

680

Or they could wake

Ther Cite was take

Ther kyng cruelly slayne

sig: C4

Ther Temples spoyled

Ther goddes defoyled

685

Ther houses bare and playne

Alas for pitie

Full wooe is me

This story to beholde

When I aduerte

690

Ther soden smerte

It maketh my herte colde

Oh noble Hector

The chiefe protector

The Troians to defend

695

The veray loodsterre

In peace or warre

For manhode most to commend

¶Against whose might

No grekishe knight

700

His person myght assure

With spere or shilde

In Campe or filde

sig: [C4v]

His stroke that might endure

Alas for payne

705

Yet was he slayne

By pretensid treason

His death conspired

And longe desired

By faulse instigacion

710

For cruell Achylles

Of pitie marceles

Or he could well aduerte

His backe all bare

With a staffe square

715

Percyd his manfull herte

¶His helme vnlaced

His coyffe vnbrased

His shilde lyeng on the ground

As he did repaire

720

To take the Ayre

Gaue hym his [m]ortall wounde mortall] uortall 1546

O[h y]e cruell grekes Oh ye] Oghe 1546

sig: [C5]

Cursid by your chekes

With all youre cursed treason

725

Scla[n]dered is youre name

To your eternall shame

For youre abhominacion

And thou Achilles

Most wreche of wreches

730

Prouers of mynd and will

Against all right

So famouse a knight

With treason for to kill

Who will not assent

735

The death to lament

Of so princely a man

Which was doubtles

Of knighthod pereles

Accompte sithe the wor[ld]e began worlde] worrdle 1546

740

¶As in Troys boke

Who list to loke

Shall se the surp[lu]sage surplusage] surphisage 1546

sig: [C5v]

The magnanimitie

The nobilite

745

Of him and his parentage

The imperiall blo[u]d

Most famouse and good

Of nature Celestiall

As poetes do fayn

750

They came certayne

Of the Goddes immortall [Bi] the blynde [w]orlde they [w]er caled god[de]s for excel[ly]ng in feates [o]f noblenesse

¶They were declared

Whith goddes compared

Throughe ther magnificence

755

The truethe knowen well

Bicause they did excell

In pryncely excellence

¶What shuld I write

Or further indite

760

This proces lamentable

The dolefull destres

The mortall heuines

sig: [C6]

Of Priamus most notable

¶Or yet of Eccuba

765

Or wife Cassandra

Their importable payne

Or of Polexena

The floure of Asia.

Which was so cruelly slayne

770

Of lustie Troylus

Or yonge Dephebus

Or of the blood fraternall

Paris or Helenus

A case most peteous

775

Of greekes slayne were thei al

¶Or what should I saye

Of the grekes decaye

And mortall aduenture

Sithe that the ayre

780

In ther repayre

Turned darke and obscure

Cruell Neptunus

sig: [C6v]

Waxed contrarius

Dangerus to be_holde

785

Eolus a_lofte

Raging full ofte

With stormes wete and colde

Vlcanus then

Oute of his den

790

Forgid the tho[n]ders greate

With firie leuin

Downe from heauen

Vnto Cerberus seate

¶The goddes playne

795

Had such disdayne

At ther shamefull outrage

Of very despite

Them to acquite

Send such froward passage

800

¶Ther shippes tossed

And all to_frussed

By sturdy violence

sig: [C7]

Vpon rockes grounded

There people drowned

805

For all ther resistence

But nowe to procede

My purpose to sp[ede] spede] spyed 1546

Like as I furst begane

To showe the distent

810

And birthe excellent

Of the gentile Welshmen

¶After that Troy

Was broughte to decaye

B[y] fortunes violence By] Bp 1546

815

And that ther was

As in that case

No helpe of resistaunce

But that the Cite

By grekyshe crueltye

820

Was consumed all bare

As I sayde fyrst

By treason vniust

sig: [C7v]

The truth to declare

Then the noble blood

825

Auncient and good

Of Priamus discent

By knyghtlye corage

Toke ther voyage

By sober aduisement

830

To sundry regions

With ther prouisions

And marciall apparell

There states to renewe

Kyngdomes to Subdewe

835

Onely by force of Battell

As lustye yonge Franco

Whiche was also

The sonne of noble Hector

Sette meeris and bandes meeris and bandes: 'meres (boundary-markers) and bounds'

840

In sondre landes

As Kynge and Emperoure

¶Fyrst into hungary

sig: [C8]

With his Chiualry

His stonderds displayeng

845

Then into Fraunce

With his ordinaunce

His armye conuaiyng

¶Subdwed the Gaules

Brake towres and walles

850

Brought them to hys purpose

And for more fame

Altered that name

And called them francos

¶B[u]t Galfridus

855

And Eusebius

Dothe playnly reporte

That Faramundus

Sonne of Marconinus

That name did fyrst transporte

860

Affyrmyng playne

That he certayne

Beyng of the Troianes blood

sig: [C8v]

In token of Loue

Did it remoue

865

And thus the mattier stood

Likewise Turcus

The sonne of Troilus

Entered phaso_the_lesse

As Antonius

870

And E[u]tropius

Berith therto witnesse

¶Gate ther stronge piles

For all ther wiles

Ther castelles and ther towers

875

Slewe them certayne

In the filde playne

Like mightie conqueroures

¶Also Elenus

Sonne of Pria[m]us Priamus] Prianus 1546

880

By manfull occacion

Within shorte space

The land of Trace

sig: D1

Brought to subuercion

Noble Eneas

885

From Troy dyd pas

With myghtie prouisions

With speres and shildes

Perced the fildes

Of sundrie regions

890

¶By se and by lande

Dyuerse chauncys fande

Virgill dothe vs assure

By violente rage

Arryuid at Cartage

895

By soden aduenture

¶His shippes nere loste

Driuen to that cost

By dredfull violence

Wher Dido the Quene

900

Most goodly besene

Reioysed his presence

¶Then with his host

sig: [D1v]

The countreys did cost

By prudent pollicye

905

In his defence

By highe prouidence

To the frontes of Italie

Wher by hys manhod

And famouse knighthood

910

After many strong battel

Slewe Turocelyne

In helpe of Latyne

One of the kinges of Itaill

¶For his worthynesse

915

He weddid doubtlesse

The Doughter of Latinus

Called Lauina

Next after Chensa

The Doughter of Priamus

920

As Sabellicus

And Eusebius

Affermith bothe playne

sig: D2

That this is trewe

He had Issewe

925

Of these princesses twayne

Fyrst of Chensa

Borne in Asia

Was his sonne Astanias

Next in Italye

930

Successiuelye

Siluius_Posthumus Siluius_posthumus sonne of Eneas posthumus] posthumuis 1546 posthumus] posthumuis 1546

¶Of Whom is discendid

As is pretendid

By Titus_Liuius

935

Who lyst to rede

The story in-dede

Of Brutus_Albinus

Most noble brute Brute sonne of Siluius of whom disscendid the king of Brittayne linially vnto Cadwalydir

The seede, the frute

940

The name and language

The playne discent

The norishement

sig: [D2v]

Of the welshmens linage

Thus maye ye se

945

That welshmen be

Of the blood imperiall

Of nature fre

Cosyns in degre

To the goddes immortall

950

Of Iupiters lyne

Next to declyne

To worthie Dardanus

Consequentlie

And fynallye

955

To noble Priamus

¶Then to Eneas

Whiche father was

To Siluius_posthumus

By computacion

960

Of his succession

Came most noble brutus

¶As sonne and heyre

sig: D3

Of parson fayre

Wondre delyuer and light

965

Strong of bodye

As Hector hardie

In stele armyd bright

¶This noble brute

In his persute

970

And actes most marciall

Entred into grece

Subdued a pece

By his power imperiall

A kyng ther was

975

Named Pandras

A prince right excellent

Vnto whose myght

Ther was no wight

To hym equiuolent

980

Hauing in seruitude

A multitude

Of the Troians blood

sig: [D3v]

vii.M. in numbre

For to incumbre

985

With them so sore it stoode

For the deathe doubtles

Of Achilles

Accusid of that cryme

That they shulde be

990

Of one degre

Consenting at that tyme

This story out sought

This were they brought This: Thus? See OED this, adv.

In thraldome and bondage

995

Dayly constra[yn]ed constrayned] constranyed 1546

Mortally payned

By force of ther seruage

¶Till noble Brute

For ther refute

1000

Full lyke a worthye knight

Deuisid at large

Them to discharge

sig: D4

For all his cruell myght

Prefixid a daye

1005

His streng[t]he to assaye strengthe] strenghe 1546

As fortune lyst to prouide

By battell stronge

Be it right or wronge

The quarell to abyde

1010

Wher kyng Pandras

Constrayned was

By knightlye violence

The felde to forsake

His parsonne take

1015

For all his assistence

¶His Lordes distressid

His knightes repressid

With many mortall wound

His standerds displayed

1020

Cut and arayed

Beaten vnto the harde ground

And thus Pandras

sig: [D4v]

Constrayned was

Of Brute to seke his peace

1025

Gaue gooddes and treasure

Out of all measure

His fauoure to in_crease

His loue more to wynne

Gaue faire Genogynne

1030

His doughter to him most dere

Vnto his wife

Whiche in her lyfe

As in stories doth appere

Had sonnes thre

1035

Of noble degre

All kinges of worthie fame

As Antonius

And Eutropius

Affirmeth bothe the same

1040

The fyrst Lotrinus

Then Albanactus

The thyrd Cambre named was

sig: [D5]

Whiche by Election

For his porcion

1045

Into wales did pas Cambre bru[te] his sonne Kinge of w[al]lys

¶To the encrese of fame

After his owne name

Called it Cambria

But now by vsage

1050

Of corupte language

Named is wallia

As more playnely

And effectually

Herafter shall appere

1055

But fyrst to discus

Of noble Brutus

The story and manere

¶After that Pandras

Restorid was

1060

To his former estate

His peace assured

His kingdome receaued

sig: [D5v]

He thought hym fortunate

Brute in like wise

1065

It did suffice

His fury to asswage

The Troians fre

From Captiuite

Thraldome and bondage

1070

¶The lande he forsoke

The sees he then toke

With his shippes long and large

Storid with treasure

Out of all measure

1075

By force of their pillage

Then furthe he sayled

Greatlie preuayled

By helpe of Neptunus

Suche was his grace

1080

With-in shorte space

Passid the sees dangerus

¶Landed at Totnesse

sig: [D6]

Like as the goddesse

Diana had promised

1085

Predestinate

To his estate

This land holy comysed

¶Within this region

Called Albion

1090

Wher Gyauntes did dwell

As I do finde

Of Cerberus kinde

Fearce odius and cruell

¶Engendred they weare

1095

By sprites of the ayre

Or by some fyndes infernall

So terryble

So horryble

Were they of nature all

1100

For all ther stature

Or dredfull figure

Brute nothyng abasshed

sig: [D6v]

By furiouse strengthe

Slewe them at lengthe

1105

And thys land possessed

¶As storyes olde

Bothe write and toulde

Recomptith more at large

Who list to loke

1110

Gaulfridus boke

Shall se the surplusage

This shall suffice

The sage and wyse

To haue in memorie

1115

Thinges so farre past

It were in wast

A_gayne to specyfie

¶Then to remembre

Yong lusty Cambre

1120

Whom Brute to wales did send

Ther to remayne

As soueraygne

sig: [D7]

That contre to defend

Of whose succession

1125

By computacion

Of stories euidente

Rem[ay]nith the blood Remaynith] Remyanith 1546

Most notable and good

Euen nowe this tyme present

1130

Neuer was it myxed

Nether yet altered

With any straunge nacion

Nether foreyne kyng

By might vsurping

1135

Therof had possession

The Romaynes great

Whose power dyd threat

The worlde vnyuersall

Might neuer them wyn

1140

By craft or engyn

To ther estate royall

¶Nether Saxon nor Dane

sig: [D7v]

Nor yet foren name

Might their force declyne

1145

With-in Cambres land

The Brutes to withstond

By marciall discipline

Yet more to their fame

Ther blood ther name

1150

Ther contre ther language

W[a]s neuer mixid Was] Wes 1546

Nether yet possessid

With any straunge parentage

Further to declare

1155

I dare compare

For ther perfeccion

Euen as who saith

For the trewe fayth

Of Cristes relygion

1160

¶For lengthe of tyme

Did neuer declyne

To infidelite

sig: [D8]

But constaunt and sure

Alway in vre

1165

Syth the tyme of Lucy

The fyrst Cristen kyng

In britayne reynyng

The yeres for to accompte

A .M. thre hundred

1170

Lxxx. full nombred

and x more did amounte

Syth they began

To be Chrystian

In the tyme of Ele[u]therius

1175

Whiche dyd electe

Byshoppes in effecte

By consent of Lucius

¶Thus they assured

Long haue endured

1180

By deuine prouidence

Nether infectid

Nether suspected

sig: [D8v]

Of corrupte conscience

¶Ther fayth to forsake

1185

But Christ to take

For a full satisfaction

As scripture sayth

Firmely by fayth

Of his blessid passion

1190

Thus the noble brutes

Receaued the frutes

Of ther perfection

In tyme longe past

Ryght ferme and fast

1195

Without mutacion

¶ CCCC. yeres playne

XXX. and twayne

The tyme fully accompting

Were they Cristenyd

1200

Surely stablyshid

Before saynt Austyns comming

¶This story tried

sig: E1

Cannot be denied

With all the circumstaunce

1205

The ghostly liuing

Playnly conferryng

To goddes highe ordinaunce

Sythen Lucis tyme

Did neuer declyne

1210

From ther intellygence

As in this case

Suche is ther grace

By goddes highe prouidence

Likewyse syth Brute

1215

Did institute

Cambre fyrst into wales

Ther to remayne

In roughe and playne

Among mountaynes and vales

1220

¶Yet vnto this daye

Perceyue ye maye

The same stocke and lynage

sig: [E1v]

Of one dissent

This is euident

1225

Without thraldom and bondage

Wholy possessid

Neuer repressid

By knightly violence

Cuntre or name

1230

Neuer toke shame

They be of suche excellence

¶Sithe so noble men

From Troy as then

Of blod are descendid

1235

Me-thinke of truthe

Ther lustie yowthe

Ought to be comendid

Then reason wolde

Surely I shulde

1240

Ther honor aduaunce

My-selfe prepare

Matter to declare

sig: E2

Of ther princly ordinaunce

As Titus_Liuius

1245

And Eutropius

Affirmyth to be trewe

That noble Belyn

Honor to wyn

The Romaynes did persewe

1250

When Lucius

And Emilius

Were consulles of honour

Also Camillus

Namyd furius

1255

Was of rome dictatour

¶Then noble belyn

The Citie to wyn

With standertes displayed

Like Marse for myght

1260

In stele armyd bryght

His britons conuayid

¶Aboute the towne

sig: [E2v]

With suche renowne

And knightly ordinaunce

1265

That the Romaynes playne

That daye were slayne

For all the[r] myghtie puyssaunce ther] the 1546

¶The felde forsaken

The Senatours taken

1270

Spoyled of ther araye

Like Goddes for riches

So greate excesse

Had they of them that daye

¶The Citie oppressid

1275

Ther goodes distressid

The Romaynes infortunate

This noble Belyn

Honor to wynne

Vpon them was Lauriate

1280

This was in the yere

As dothe appeare

By playne descryption

sig: E3

Thre hundrid thre score

Puttyng to fyue moore

1285

After Romes fo[u]ndacyon

In_contynent then

This noble Bren

His fame more to aduaunce

Into Gallacia

1290

And Macedonia

He toke his chaunce

Also to Galetes

Where he slewe Sostes

Ther Prince and gouernoure

1295

Thus of the Grekes Grekes] Grekees 1546

In spite of their Chekes

He became a conquerour

Then furthe he went

With his army bent

1300

To the mounte Pronasus

To a Temple large

Standing vpon a stage

sig: [E3v]

As writith polycarpus

¶Sacrede to Appolyn

1305

As clarkes determyn

Namyd also delphicus

Spoylid his riches

To his great increse

Made him full glorius

1310

¶With whiche abundaunce

And mighti substaunce

Full lyke a famouse Knight

Raysid Cities olde

Feble and colde

1315

Ruynous in all mennes sight

As Mediolana

And Papia

In the fruntes of Lombardye

Likewyse verona

1320

Standing in Gallia

With towres pleasaunt and hye

¶ Cremona

sig: E4

Mantua

Also Burganum

1325

And vincencia

The Cetie Sie[n]a

With the Citie Conum

Thus Titus_Liuius

Playnly doth discus

1330

A Romayne of greate fame

As Polycarpus

And EutroPius

Afferme both the same

Thus of the blood

1335

Notable and good

I coulde worthly expresse

Kinges of renowne

With Sceptre and crowne

A great nomber doubtlesse

1340

¶As noble Arthur

The cheiffe victour

Prouid at all assayes

sig: [E4v]

Whose Marciall knightes

Quenchid the Lightes

1345

Of all other in those dayes

¶The Romaynes can tell

Howe it befell

In the tyme of Lucius

Ther Emperoure slayne

1350

With many a Proud Romaine

The britons victorius

Also in Fraunce

Froll had Like chaunce

Which was so good a knight

1355

To death was Wounded

His people confounded

Onli throughe Arthurs might

Also Denabus

Great and monstruous

1360

Whose power none might with_stand

Arthure hym slewe

His force to renewe

sig: E5

Fought with hym hand to hand

Like-wise the Saxones

1365

Whose exacciones

He myght no-wyse abide

Ther cruell rage

For to asswage

Manfully he dyd prouide

1370

Twelue battelles stronge

He had them amonge

Like a famous champion

By strength imperiall

He was victore of all

1375

Brought them to subiection

¶Auctores do expresse

Bering full wyttnesse

Of his magnificence

With his owne hand

1380

Their might to withstande

Of knightly excellence

¶Slewe in one daye

sig: [E5v]

Brekyng ther arraye

Two hundrid and fourtye Iust

1385

Throughe his manfull myght

Constrayned were ryght

In his mercy to trust

Accompte also

Noble Malgo

1390

The sonne of dame nature

Whose Angelicke face

For beutie was

Like an heuenly creature

¶That man and beast

1395

Gladly wold rest

Also Birdes in the ayre

His face to beholde

As it was toulde

He was so passing fayre

1400

Ther was no kyng

Of natures formyng

To his equiuolent

sig: [E6]

So strong of body

So fearce and hardy

1405

In armes so excellent

The Saxones cruell

With many sore batell

Did him right sore inchace

But yet ther rigour

1410

His princely honore

Myght neuer deface

The magnanymytie

The nobilite

Of this most princely name

1415

Auctors dothe expres

The Iles_orcades

To Brytayne furst he wan

Now to Cadwalader Cadwalader the last kyng[e] of Brute by Linage

To furnyshe my matter

1420

That famose worthy king

The last of dyscent

sig: [E6v]

A Prince Excellent

Ouer the Britones raynyng

¶ Fabian dothe write

1425

And playnly resite

His actes ryght glorius

Affirming them trewe

Howe that he slewe

A king called Lotharius

1430

Whiche was king of kente

That tyme present

By marciall dyssiplyne

And afterwarde

With strokes harde

1435

The mattier to determyne

¶ Edericus his brother

It was noon other

By force was lykwyse slayne

Helpe or redresse

1440

Was none doubtlesse

Yet were thei kinges both twa[i]ne twaine] twanie 1546

sig: [E7]

¶Also Athelwold

Manfull and boulde

Which was of Sowthsex king

1445

Thought hym full sure

Hable to indure

His batell conueiyng

Agaynst Cadwaladre

Of inwarde displeasure

1450

Hatred and cruelnes

Mette in the felde

With speare and shilde

Of very wilfulnes

¶ Athelwolde that daie

1455

Who-euer sayd naye

With many mortall wounde

Lay ded and slayne

The Saxones playne

Beaten downe to the ground

1460

¶The Brutes victoriouse

The Saxones tymerouse

sig: [E7v]

The felde durst not abide

For dread and feare

Fled here and there

1465

Abrode on euery side

¶Thus Cadwalader

The reuenger

Of ther ambicion

Brought them full lowe

1470

Ther faultes to knowe

Under his subiection

Also Galfridus

Playnly dothe discus

Affirmyng more at large

1475

Howe that the Saxones

By composicions

Of all ther baronage

Helde of Cadwaladre

As of ther gouernoure

1480

By waye of loue and finage

Like their degrees

sig: [E8]

By giftes and fees

As of his patronage

This princely manne

1485

This Christian

This worthy famouse king

Stories doth recompte

He did surmounte

All other Liuing

1490

¶To whome god aboue

In token of loue

Made demonstracion

By his Angell playne

That he certayne

1495

Shulde leaue his region

Suche mortalite

Suche aduersitie

Suche plages of pestilence

Suche infeccion

1500

Suche corru[pc]cion corrupccion] corrucpcion 1546

By heuenly influence

sig: [E8v]

¶That tyme ther was

That he Alas

Of force was constrayned

1505

With wofull herte

Must nedes departe

His subiectes were so payned

¶Frutes vpon the grounde

None coulde be founde

1510

In helpe of their redresse

The Earthe all bare

The people in care

Sorowe and heuinesse

The Brutes expelled

1515

No lenger dwelled

With-in this region

The Saxones playne

Did it attayne

For them and ther succession

1520

¶No resistence

Nether yet defence

sig: F1

Of the Brutes was ther made

Awaye they wente

By one assent

1525

Euen as the Angell bade

Without comforte

As men amorte

Lackyng consolacion

Hauyng no lust

1530

But onlye a trust

Of their expectacion

In the prophesy

Whiche did specifye

The holy translacion

1535

Of Cadwaladre

Frome Rome hidre

By Santificacion

¶That when his bones

Were translated ones

1540

In-to this region

Then shulde the Brutes

sig: [F1v]

Receaue ther frutes

And fyrst possessyon

This did the Angell

1545

Graciously tell

In ther wofull distres

That his noble blode

Auncyent and good

Shuld reuiue in his successe

1550

¶Whiche shulde restore

To them moche more

Of consolacion

By speciall grace

Than euer was

1555

Of ther succession

¶This noble king

Goddes will perceiuing

Called his son Iuory

Likewise send for

1560

His cosen Iuor

Resityng these wordes on hye

¶Take heare he sayde

sig: F2

Be not dysmaide

My folkes and my nauye

1565

Passe ye into wales

Amonge hilles and vales

Be ye lordes of that contrye

Se that no wronge

Come them emonge

1570

For lacke of nobilite

And that the Saxones

By false compaccions

Worke no dishonestie

Agaynst the Brutes

1575

To hurte the frutes

Of their fidelitie

Be constaunte and sure

Manfully indure

Youre owne regalytie

1580

¶These wordes ones past

His eyes he cast

Sayeng lorde thy will be done

sig: [F2v]

In Earthe vs by

As in heuen hye

1585

Farre surmounting the sonne

Whose deuine powre

Is gouernoure

Of all creatid thinges

Be it visible

1590

Or inuisible

It is thy hande-workynges

¶And nowe good Lorde

I will accorde

Thy pleasure to fulfyll

1595

This lande forsake

A newe to take

Sythe it is thy will

The wordes once sayde

Mekely he obayed

1600

Of mynd will and consent

With a benynge loke

His leaue he toke

sig: [F3]

And so to Rome he went

¶Where in shorte space

1605

God of his grace

By his eternall myght

His solle magnyfied solle: =soul

Also sanctified

To his celestiall syght

1610

¶Nowe to accomplyshe

Also to furnyshe

My mynd and intencion

Ye haue harde tell

Howe the Angell

1615

Made demonstration

¶Ther shulde a king

Floryshe and spryng

Of the same succession

By sentence deuine

1620

Of Cadwaladers lyne

In the fourth generacyon

sig: [F3v]

Whiche shulde restore

Thinges past before

By his magnyficence

1625

And for his fame

Men shuld hym name

The prince of excellence

¶Whose wisdome clere

Shuld so apere

1630

Throughe euery regyon

Men shulde hym call

For gyftes naturall

The seconde Salomon

To verifye

1635

This mystery

With stories euident

Nature declareth

The dede compareth

All things equiuolente

1640

The Last famose king

Ouer vs rainyng

sig: F4

Namid the seuynth henry

Was euen the same

Whose princely name

1645

Was had in suche memory Henry ye vii of Cadwaladers line righ[t]full kyng of Britayne called Englond

¶Predestinate

And animate

By heuenly influence

For to fulfyll

1650

The deuine will

Of the highe magnyficence

¶Yet in his youth

Of very trueth

Floryshing in yeres grene

1655

In most cruell wyse

His mortall enimyes

As it was playnely sene

¶Did hym persewe

With treason vntrue

1660

Fraudulently inuented Fraudulently] Fraundulently 1546

Gaue monye and hyre

sig: [F4v]

His death to conspire

If fortune had consented

Supposyng therby

1665

The prophesy

Cleane to extermynate

As god aboue

They wolde remoue

His workes to violate

1670

Was not his grace

As in this case

In wonderfull daunger

When they conspired

And fully desired

1675

The ayde of euery straunger

¶Put in Exile

Alacke the while

Sondrie waies were outsought

His lief vncertayne

1680

Beynge in Brytayne

Wher the treason was wrought

sig: [F]5

What conspiracion

What cur[s]ed treason cursed] cured 1546

Or who can breuyate

1685

Whiche God aboue

Of his deuine loue

Listithe to anymate

This noble Prince

For to conuince

1690

Passid ther raged myght

God wolde in nowyse

Ther false interp[r]yse interpryse] interpyse 1546

Shuld depriue his princeli right

As dyd appere

1695

The storie clere

Of this most princely man

With spere and shilde

A[t] Bosworthe_filde At] As 1546

The honour there he wan

1700

Kynge Rich[a]rd slayne Richard] Richrd 1546

And he certayne

sig: [F5v]

The filde hathe receaued

Thus god aboue

Of very loue

1705

His kingdom hathe assured

For of his lyne

This present tyme

A kyng is discendid

With septer and croune

1710

In Citie and towne

Most highly commendid

¶I meane pardy

Most noble Henry

Called th'eight of that name

1715

Whose gyftes naturall

A_boue princes all

Bereth awaye the fame Henry the viii. sonne of Henry the vii kyng of England, in whom is ful[f]illid the mis[t]ery of Cadwaladers [t]ranslation

Who can magnyfye

Or yet verefye

1720

His condigne worthynes

His amitye

sig: [F6]

Liberalitie

And bountifull goodnes

¶In all affectes

1725

To his subiectes

Most graciouse and kinde

In ther defence

With his expence

Redie of herte and mynd

1730

Oh famouse Troy

Reioyce this daye

Most fortunate and good

All ye that be

As in degre

1735

Extracte of the same blood

Geue la[u]des on hye

To god most myghtie

Whiche hathe resus[c]itate resuscitate] resustitate 1546

So noble a king

1740

Youre hertes exityng

As men most fortunate

sig: [F6v]

For this is he

Ye maye well se

Whose bones are translated

1745

By sentence deuyne

Frome Rome this tyme

Newly seperated

¶Accordingly

As the prophesy

1750

Afore had expressed

When Cadwaladers bones

Translated were ones

All thinges shulde be redressed Cadwalader bones translated by seperation by_twene Rome and vs

¶ God of his grace

1755

As in this case

Hathe made a seperacion

Betwene Rome and vs

Whose dedes monsterus

Were abhomynacion

1760

Ther great abuses

And long mysv[s]es mysvses] mysves 1546

sig: [F7]

Their folie and their pride

The[r] deception ther] the 1546

Ther collusion

1765

Oure kyng myght not abyde

¶Ye knowe full well

I nede not tell

Ther greate exactions

Nor howe they wroughte

1770

Kingdomes to haue broughte

Vnder ther Subiections

¶Nether to debate

The mortall hate

Whiche they haue conspired

1775

In especiall

To be Lordes of all

Wrongfully haue desired

¶Pretending doubteles

Muche holynes

1780

By sentence Angelicall

To speake as the crede

sig: [F7v]

Yet were they in-dede

Very fendes infernall

There lawes preferring

1785

As concernyng

The papall iurisdiccion

Whose vsurped power

Wolde be gouernoure

Of euery region

1790

Aboue king or prince

Their myght to conuince

If they wolde not obaye

With Curses greate

They would them threate

1795

Ther honor to decaye

¶But god most iust

As I sayde fyrst

Hath made a seperacion

Geuing oure king

1800

Grace and learning

To preferre his relygion

sig: [F8]

And not to trust

In vayne hope and luste

Of mannes tradicions

1805

As thoughe they myght

In heuen of right

Make ther condicions

To saue or spill

What solle they wyll

1810

Without exception

As they were deuine

At season and tyme

By meane of ther pardones

¶Suche thinges abusid

1815

Oughte to be refusid

By deuine ordinaunce

And not to trust

In thinges vniust

Wher is non assuraunce

1820

¶Ther is but one

To god alone

sig: [F8v]

That is appropriate

Synnes to remeue

Pardon to gyue

1825

And sowles to anymate

¶Tradicions papall

Hath broughte vs all

Allmost to subuercyon

Hauing more trust

1830

In thynges vniust

Then in Cristes passion

¶But god aboue

In token of loue

Hathe vs reconsiled

1835

As it befell

In Israell

When the lawes were commysed

To Iosia

Which of Iudea

1840

Was kinge and gouernoure

As in this case

sig: G1

Of speciall grace

Stode in goddes highe fauoure

Because he wolde

1845

No-bodie shulde

Do vniust reuerence

To stocke or stone

But in god alone

To haue all confidence

1850

He sende through-out

Israell aboute

Goddes Lawes to magnyfie

In especiall

Commaunding all

1855

To beware of idolatrie

¶Likewise it was

When Ezechias

The worthye famouse king

Of pure intent

1860

The Brasen serpent

The people deluding

Vnto the ground

sig: [G1v]

Made hym rebounde

In peces great and small

1865

Brake the hy[e] aulters hye] hyl 1546

Of ther forefathers

With theyr foule Idoles all

Euen from iudea

Vnto Aza

1870

The Philystines lande

Nothing wolde suffer

To goddes displeasure

To be grauen or stande

Whose constancy

1875

God most mightie

Had in remembraunce

Send his Angell

In his quarell

Agaynst the Assiryans

1880

By his deuine might

He flewe in one night

C.lxxx. thousand and fyue

From Iudea

sig: G2

Unto Assiria

1885

The reste home he did driue

¶Like-wise oure kinge

His herte referring

To goddes highe prouidence

Suche thinges abusid

1890

Hathe nowe confused

By heuenly influence

¶Whiche had infected

And sore detected

Christes relygion

1895

By shrining of bones

And kneling to stones

Made by mannes inuencion

¶Magnyfieng them

Whiche were mortall men

1900

Of nature terrestriall

With like reuerence

And confidence

As to god Celestiall

Whose golden shrynes

sig: [G2v]

1905

Trycked with vines

Most curiously Wroughte

With pardones plentie

Made purses emptie

In sondrie places sought

1910

Suche Idoles greate

So richely freate

With golde pearle and stone

Lifte vp on hye

To magnyfye

1915

As it were god alone

¶Oure Iosias

Oure Ezechias

By permyssion deuine

In this effecte

1920

Most circumspecte

Beholdyng this present tyme

¶Hath brought to passe

Like as it was

In tyme of Is[ra]ell Israell] Isarell 1546

1925

Trusting in one

sig: G3

In god alone

According to the gospell

For sacrifice

In such a wyse

1930

To god onlye is dewe

Ther is no other

Faithe to recouer

But only throughe Iesu

¶O Lorde oure god

1935

Withdrawe thy rodde

Correcte vs not in thy Ire

By thou petiouse By: =Be

Lorde vnto vs

We humbly the desire

1940

Thy eares inclyne

This present tyme

Harken to oure clamoure

As it befell

In Israell

1945

In the tyme of ther doloure

Be mercyfull Lorde

sig: [G3v]

Let pytie accorde

With thy bountyfull grace

Oure sinnes remeue

1950

Pardon forgiue

Oure folie and trespasse

¶To magnifie

Suche Idolatrie

Lord we knowledge oure offence

1955

Agaynst thy lawe

For to withdrawe

Frome thy magnificence

To haue a trust

Or yet a lust

1960

In any grauen picture

Whiche thou defendest

Also commaundyst

To bowe to no figure

This lorde most mightie

1965

We knowe assuredly

By thy deuyne insence

To the deitie

sig: G4

Of thy magestie

Belongith all reuerence

1970

As concerning

The true meaning

Of oure saluacion

Ther is but one

That suffered alone

1975

For oure redempcion

Oure inwarde fayth

As saynt Paule sayth

Shuld be in Christ_Iesu

Let this be graued

1980

We are not sauid

But onlye by his vertue

Nether yet rectified

By sayntes sanctified

In any maner case

1985

Saue ther good liuing

Example geuing

To folowe the same trace

¶Of truethe oure techers

sig: [G4v]

Also oure preachers

1990

Which were in tyme long past

Toke full great payne

And all in vayne

Ther laboure spent in wast

¶Leuing the epistell

1995

Also the gospell

Most Euangelicall

Treting of pardones

With inuencions

And Cerimones papall

2000

¶But oure famouse king

Right well perseuing

The great ingratitude

The sencis pure

Of holy Scripture

2005

Hyd from the multitude

For oure redres

Of his goodnes

With most princely corage

Hath deuised

sig: [G5]

2010

Also comysed

Oure conscience to discharge

Set out at long

Oure vulger tong

The scripture for to knowe

2015

The seed the grayne

The verite playne

Oure fayth only to showe

It is consonant

Not repugnaunt

2020

To goddes deuine ordinaunce

But all men shulde

Who-euer wolde

For ther owne assuraunce

Labour the scripture

2025

His lyfe to assure

The commaundementes to kepe

Thoughe so[m]e repine some] sone 1546

And determyne

Aff[i]rming it vnmete Affirming] Affrming 1546

2030

That we lay-men

sig: [G5v]

Shuld laboure our pen

Or scripture beholde

More then the clergie

Shulde vs specifye

2035

By Auctoritie toolde

Prouided in this

No man there is

Beyng of leude lernyng

Shall interprise

2040

In any wyse

Vnto the expounding

Oh noble Henry

Of kinges most worthye

Doubteles to be magnyfied

2045

Goddes owne chosen knight

By whose deuine might

All thynges are rectified

¶Our faith stablyshe[d] stablyshed] stablyshe 1546

Errors abolishid

2050

The gospell set out at large

Nothing is hyd

sig: [G6]

Wherof is nede

Oure conscience to discharge

O blessed lorde

2055

To vs accorde

We humblye the desire

As in this case

Of speciall grace

Who-euer will conspire

2060

¶Agaynst oure king

In hindering

Of honor this his reame

Ther faulse intent

Lorde thou will preuent

2065

Aduoyding the dangere cleane

¶Let not our enimyes

In any wyse

Agaynst vs lorde preuaile

Confuse ther ire

2070

Burnyng as fire

In ther malice let them quayle

¶Like as it was

sig: [G6v]

When Ezechias

With humble peticion

2075

Made his complaynt

Of verye constraynt

And hertie affection

¶To thy deitie

That of thy pitie

2080

Thou woldist thy powre extend

A_gainst the furies

Of his enimyes

His kingdome to defend

¶Lorde incontinent

2085

Thy Angell thou sente

His wooes to redres

The Assirianes playne

Laye ded and slayne

Throughe thy mightifulnes

2090

¶So in like case

Of thy deuine grace

Preserue our famouse king

Oure enymies withstand

sig: [G7]

And saue this lande

2095

Oure god euerlastyng

Come furthe ye brutes

The seed the frutes

Of mightie Sirapys

In Egipte stalled

2100

A god ther called

In the Citie Memphis

¶Wher he is deified

Also stellified

After the pagan guyse

2105

With his wyfe Isis

The mightye goddes

So callid in Likewise

Of whose successe

Came hercules

2110

The famouse Champion

And so to conuay

Downe vnto Troy

With all ther succession

¶Considre then

sig: [G7v]

2115

Ye gentle welshemen

How god for you hath wrough[t] wrought] wrough 1546

Euen the same tyme

That veray lyne

To youe agayne hath brought

2120

¶For this is he

Whose maiestie

All thinges hath redressed

Assuredly

As the Prophesi

2125

Afore had expressid

¶Was ther euer king

So moche tendering

Youre welth to aduaunce

Or for your sake

2130

Suche paynes did take

With so assured constaunce

¶Ye knowe pardie

As well as I

What he hath deuised

2135

Onlie for youe

sig: [G8]

Statutes made newe

And lawes wholy commysed

To that intente

You shulde assent

2140

To youre ciuilite

One lawe one loue

One God aboue

And one prencely magestie

Your-selues indeuore

2145

Wholly to_gether

With perfect assuraunce

With vs to praye

These wordes to saye

With inwarde affyaunce

2150

God most gloryouse

Lorde Christ_Iesus

Our hope and oure assistence

Oure mediatoure

Oure gouernoure

2155

And oure hertes confidence

¶Preserue oure Kyng

sig: [G8v]

His grace sending

Honor and victori

Good Lyfe and longe

2160

Here vs amonge

With helthe of his body

¶And afterward

Yong Prince Edwarde

To supply his regalle place

2165

With lyke wisdome

As had Salomon

In euery maner case

¶Most gracious lord

To vs accorde

2170

Of thy bountyfull goodnes

Thy power extend

Oure prince defend

As thou didest yong Ioas

¶Whiche did inclyne

2175

By grace diuine

To thy magnyficence

In his yeres grene

sig: H1

As it was sene

By heuenly influence

2180

¶Of very truethe

His tender youthe

The lawes to fortyfye

The house [o]f Ball of] af 1546

With his ydolles all

2185

Distroyed vtterly

¶His grauen pictures

His golden figures

Most curyously wroughte

Beaton to doust

2190

His temple vniust

Prosterate doune he brought

Thus let oure Prince

Vtterly conuynce

All false Idolatrye

2195

Thy lawes supporte

Oure hertes to comforte

Thy name to gloryfye

¶Let not Babilon

sig: [H1v]

Haue dominion

2200

Ouer vs for thy pitie

Defend vs lorde god

Frome the cruell rode

Of their captiuitie

¶Let our prince furnishe

2205

And fully fynyshe

What his father hath begonne

As was deuised

Somtyme comysed

To Salomon dauides sonne

2210

And so at length

With bodely strength

Lorde thou wyll hym aduaunce

Hable to withstand

With myghtie hand

2215

His enimies puissaunce

As had hercules

Of whose noblenes

Doubtles he is descendyd

As auctors olde

sig: H2

2220

By storyes tolde

Famousely haue commendid

Heare maye ye se

That welshmen be

Of right noble dyscent

2225

It dothe appere

By stories clere

And mattier euident

Who may compare

Or further declare

2230

By any prescription

Accompte the parentyne

Also the feminyne

With ther procreacion

¶To be more worthie

2235

Being creatures earthlye

And of nature terrestriall

Seth Noye his flod

Alway ther blode

Hathe byne imperiall

2240

¶Here to digresse

sig: [H2v]

I must confesse

More matter in substaunce

Whiche nowe I fynde

Long oute of mynde

2245

For lacke of remembraunce

Of noble Hercules

The sonne of Osires

Most myghtie champion

Whose incomperablenesse

2250

Excellyth doubtles

All naturall reason

Non maye be comparid

Nether yet declared

Vnto thy excellence

2255

Accompte stories all

None shalbe equall

With thy magnifycence

¶This was that Hercules

That noble poetes

2260

So highlye doth commende

And not Hercules

sig: [H3]

Called Alcydes

Whiche the grekes do pretend

To be so mightie

2265

Hauing victorye

In the fruntes of Archadie

Sonne of Iupiter

His name to preferre

Borne of faire Alannena

2270

But Diodorus

Also Birosus

The chaldie affirmeth playne

That this hercules

Named Alcides

2275

Was the last of the twayne

But Hercules_Aegipcius

Named Libicus

As saynt Ierome writeth

In the .x. of Genesis

2280

Was sonne of Osiris

As he playnly affirmeth

¶Whiche did interpryse

sig: [H3v]

In most knightly wyse

The .xii. notable labours

2285

Diodorus_Secalus

Also writyth thus

Whith other famous auctours

That this hercules

By his noblenesse

2290

In the woodes of Nemia

Slewe the great Lion

For lyke occasion

The serpent called Nidra

Which lay of longe tyme

2295

By force of rauyne

In the fennes of Lerna

Also the bore

Deuouring the stoore

In the Land of Archadia

2300

By violent strength

Caught hym at length

In spite of Erimanthus

Vpon his sholders square

sig: [H4]

He did hym beare

2305

To the kynge Euresthius

Like-wise did preuayle

In strength of battayle

Agaynst a greate nomber

Called Centauries

2310

Half-men halfe-horses

Which semyd to be a wonder

The fyfthe industry

By swiftnes of body

His person aduancyng

2315

Caught the great harte

Whose hornes by arte

Were gilte for his runnyng

Also Simphalides

Birdes of cruell lyknes

2320

Consumyd the frutes bare

Like fendes infernall

For a memoryall

He lef[t] not one to spare left] lefl 1546

The seuenth wonder was

sig: [H4v]

2325

Howe he coulde bring to pas

The clansing of A[u]geus hall

So noble a riuer

For to deceuer

Whi[c]h Pingo poetes did cal Which] Whith 1546

2330

¶The eight was the bul

The see at the full

Oute of Crete into grece

Howe he shulde bring

By see swymyng

2335

And yet deface no pece

¶ Diomedes

All mercyles

His rigour to accomplyshe

His horses playne

2340

He fedde certayne

Onlye with mannes fleshe

Tyll Hercules

Toke Diomedes

His crueltie to abate

2345

Made those horses greate

sig: [H5]

His fleshe to eate

Regarding not his estate

¶Whiche he before

Had kept in store

2350

Full wilde and monsterus

To his greate fame

He made them tame

Gaue them to E[u]ristheus

¶Then into Spayne

2355

He toke the payne

Gereon to subdewe

Of very dispite

Hym to acquyte

His sonnes twaine ther he slew

2360

¶After to hell

As poetes do tell

Downe he is discended

Where Theseus

And Pirithus

2365

He shortly defendid

Them to discharge

sig: [H5v]

Setting at large

Frome all daunger and payne

Brought Cerberg bounde

2370

Whiche was the hell-hounde

Lincked fast in a chayne

The twelueth and the last

Accompting them paste

Of this most princely man

2375

When his noblenes

Frome Hesperides

The golden Apples wan

Slewe the dragon

Which did enuiron

2380

The gardayne round aboute

Whose looke odible

Was so terrible

All men of him had doubte

Thus in knightly wise

2385

He did interpryse

To his Eternal fame

None so worthye

sig: [H6]

Of memorye

To haue prayse laude or name

2390

¶Of this Hercules

In knighthode pereles

With noble Galathee

The only doughter

Of greate Iupiter

2395

Named also Selce

¶Came the famose blode

After Noe his flode

To the troyanes linage

Downe by descent

2400

Princes excellent

With all ther parentage

¶Who was more worthie

Stronger of bodye

Then was Ector of Troy

2405

Yf Stories be trewe

A thousand he slewe

Of Grekes in one daye

Of this Hercules

sig: [H6v]

Came Olimpiades

2410

The famose mightie quene

Mother to Alexander

The grete conquerour

In her tendre yeres grene

Cesar Julius

2415

Most victorius

His enymies to confounde

Came of Eneas

Whiche so noble was

Among the Romaynes founde

2420

¶Also Constantyne

Sonne of saynt Elene

Of the same succession

Borne in this lande

The holy-crosse founde

2425

By deuine inspiracion

This noble Emperour

Was hole gouernoure

Monarch and president

Of euery region

sig: [H7]

2430

Throughout Cristendome

From the Est to the occident

¶Called by grace

To that highe place

By heuenly influence

2435

Of hert most constaunt

Slewe the Tyraunt

Whiche named was Maxence

¶A thousand mo

I coulde also

2440

Verefy and expres

Of the same blod

Princes right good

Full of all noblenes

¶But nowe a ende

2445

I do intende

My leue of you to take

Desiring this

All-thing amys

To pardon for my sake

2450

¶I must be breue

sig: [H7v]

Least that repreue

Accuse me and my penne

And thus to you

I say a_diewe

2455

Fare-well ye gentel welshmen

FINIS.

sig: [H8]

The aucthoure.

MOste gentle reder

This litell vulgre

In my ful humble wise

I you desire

Hertely requyre

That ye will not dispise

¶Nether yet disdain

This litle pain

Voyd of presumpcion

Lately set oute

There is no doubte

Equall of affeccion

¶Let your phantacie

Iudge me honestly

As one vnreproued

Thyncke not that I

Of flattery

Herin shuld be mouid

¶Of consience

No fayned sence

Haue I here pretendid

Nor nothyng told

But aucthours olde

Before haue commended

¶I do confesse

The rude grosnesse

Of my remembraunce

Not vigilaunt

Or consonaunt

To other mens vtteraunce

¶For to expres

The worthines

Of so Auncyent men

But that good wyll

Mouith me still

To occupie my pen.

¶My englishe rude

Of gratitude

I trust ye will excuse

And not disdayne

My sentence playne

Or causles it refuse

¶The Musis nyne

Did farre declyne

Wher I was nutriefied

Ther dulcet wel

No tast nor smell

In me was rectified.

¶Wherfore I must

In Chaff and dust

Mi-selfe labour and toyle

Giue them the price

Whose sentence wise

With tearmes can tricke and file

sig: [H8v]

Go barberouse boke, Rusticall and rude

Full vnworthy thankes for to haue

Oneles of benyng gratitude benyng: =benign

Gentell reporte listithe the to saue.

Nether arte thou pure, sincer, or graue

Confesse thy faulte, Blushe out for shame

Thy wittes are past[,] thy termes out of fram[e]. past, thy] past thy, 1546; frame] fram 1546

MDXLVI.

Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum.