A Continvance of Albions England :: :: University of Virginia Library

To Austin, first of Kentish Saints, doe lend your eares a while:
Not to his Legend (so absurd as, reade, would make yee smile,
Or rather good men grieue that stuffe so grosse should men beguile)
But of that Saint, whom Gregorie the Pope sent to this Isle,
So mou'd by feature that at Rome he saw in Englishmen,
Or Pagan Saxones, newly cal'd by name of English then.

Note, diuers hundred yeeres before that Lucius here was King,
The Britons had receiu'd the faith, and though did Saxons bring
Hither with them their Paganisme and Christians did oppresse,
Amongst the then Welsh-Britons was the Gospell nerethelesse,
And Primatiue Church-Practise of trew Faith, for why? as yet
From Popes was no corruption brought, nor any from them fet.
But as their first Apostle, from Christs first Apostles, brought
Immediat Christianitie, at Bangor was it taught
Sincerely so, aboue those Clerkes till Primacie was sought
By Austin, then Romes Agent, fam'd such wonders to haue wrought,
As, if his Legend be no Lie (to deeme the best we ought)
Meere Exorcismes (for Miracles were ceast) they may be thought.
But sith not only Fathers in their bookes be falsefide,
But euen the sacred Scriptures, to vphold the Papall pride,
This Austin and his fellow Saints may also be belide.
Of whom be reuerent Censure, that for most were men deuout,
Though in their Legends (others works) meere Fables are set out.

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For is it probable his Staffe should make three furlongs flight,
Of selfe accord, from out his hand, and where as it did light
Should sourd a plentious Wel, not seen or heard of ere that night?
Or that, for being mockt at Stroud in Kent or other where,
Their following Births had Thorne-backe Tayles, & so held many a yere?
Or that, to instant due of Tythes, he bidding, prest to Masse,
All there accurst to voyde the Church, incontinent should passe
From out his Graue a shrowded Ghost, who being questiond? why
Said he in Hell for Tythe-fault curst yeeres seuen score ten did lie:
Whom Austin bids to bring him where the Priest that curst him lay,
Whose soule, at least in Paradise, did Austins call obey:
And in the sight of many, by the Saints direction did
Assoyle the Ghost accurst, whence both in restfull Graue abid.
When, had the Priest so likt, the Saint had him to life restorde:
And many wondrous Lies like these, that Legend doth afforde.
Howbeit thus, he, other Saints, and Lay-men are abusde
By Rome, that to her Treasurie so to haue gainde hath vsde.
But of that Sea, in this her Saint, taxt of inchristian Glorie,
Euen by the then Bangorian Clerkes, is our digressed Storie.

At Bangor was the Academe of Christian Learning then,
An house of twentie hundred and moe regular good Men.
These had as yet but heard of Popes and Austins Preaching, how
Most English-Saxons and their Kings his Baptisme did allow:
And that he also meant to Plant Romes Nouelties in Wales,
Wherefore at last this Councell in their Chapter-house preuailes:
That if he came, as fitted Christ his Seruant, humbly meeke,
He should be then receiued, and obtaine what he did seeke:
If contrarie, they held not his Religion worth a Leeke.
But could a Monke, then Primate of all England, that also
Affected to be such for France, till Rome sent Answer no:
For Gregorie (said to haue been the basest did fore-goe,
And best of following Popes) to such Supremacie was Foe,
Nor further would than nationall that should one Sea orefloe.

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For then had Church-pride chipped Shell, for Antioch not for Rome,
In Question of Supremacie, gainst which that Pope did doome.
Though shortly Popes themselues did for themselues so labour it,
As to their Papacie that Stile vnchristianly they git:
And with so much Incharitie exact the same ere-since,
As not disturbed by that Schisme hath not been State or Prince.
But many yeeres twixt them and vs hath been Imbarment such,
As seldome Tibers Bottomes Here, vnlesse at Tyborne tuch.
And neuer into better Ports may them their Pilots put,
That with so odious Fraites as theirs through any Seas shall cut.
But in that Synod could, I say, our Austin then appeare,
Without his siluer Crosse at least, Crosier, & stately Cheare,
Pall, Mitre, and Pontificials, such as such Prelates weare?
No, but also an haughtie minde he to that Synod brought:
Wherefore the Brittish Clergie did conclude his Doctrine nought.
And angrie Austin, threatning them with Euils that effected,
Wherein (a badge of Papisme) was his Forwardnes suspected,
Departed, and the Brittish Church in primatiue Profession
Proceeded, till did Slaughter make therein a forst Decession.
If then was such, and such was then, as since was worser euer,
From Rome vsurpious, bloodie, proud, hereticall then seuer
Ye Creatures of Hers, kist with a kisse of Iudas moule,
Her blessing is a cursing to purse, bodie, sense, and soule.