The Avncient Order, Societie, and Unitie Laudable, of Prince Arthure and his Knightly Armory of the Round Table. With a Threefold Assertion frendly in fauour and furtherance of English Archery at this day. Translated and Collected by R. R. [i.e. Richard Robinson] |
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THE SECOND ASSERTION and ys Prophane Hystoricall.
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 | The Avncient Order, Societie, and Unitie Laudable, of Prince Arthure |  |
THE SECOND ASSERTION and ys Prophane Hystoricall.
Pass on my penne from Pristine soyle of sacred Parnasse mount,
And raunge the Rurall prophane feeldes to shew of what account.
The Bow and Shaft haue beene to fore in learned Writers dayes:
Let Claudianus first infer thereof his frendly praise:
Hee saith that Nature first of all the vse of Shooting gaue,
In the Porpentyne, that beast, who seemes sharp prickes to haue,
Which strongly smyte what so they hit: whereby some learned men
In finding this did imitate with Bowes and shafts as then.
And raunge the Rurall prophane feeldes to shew of what account.
The Bow and Shaft haue beene to fore in learned Writers dayes:
Hee saith that Nature first of all the vse of Shooting gaue,
In the Porpentyne, that beast, who seemes sharp prickes to haue,
Which strongly smyte what so they hit: whereby some learned men
In finding this did imitate with Bowes and shafts as then.
Pliny referres to Scythes, this, the Sonne of Iupiter.
Plato, Chalimachus and Galen more Noble writers ferr
Affirme Apollo, paterne chief and Patrone first to bee,
Of Shooting in the AEthnickes dayes: as they in one agree.
So Ouid iumpes with their accord, wen lo in that his fable,
Hee telles how th'earth brought Python forth a serpent admirable
What tyme the Delyan God which neuer vsde before that drift,
Th'art of Shooting, but at Deare and Roes which ronne so swift:
A thousand shaftes dyd spend vppon that vgly monster theare,
And none of them but forst the bloud to issew out of her.
So that his quyuer almost voyde, he naild her to the grounde,
And dyd her nobly at the last by shooting sharp confounde:
Wherfore that he more famous might make this his enterprise,
A great and solempne game he dyd thencforth himself deuyse
Which of the Serpent slaine the name of Pythians sports did beare,
Who for mastry in feats of force should oken garland weare.
Plato, Chalimachus and Galen more Noble writers ferr
Affirme Apollo, paterne chief and Patrone first to bee,
Of Shooting in the AEthnickes dayes: as they in one agree.
So Ouid iumpes with their accord, wen lo in that his fable,
Hee telles how th'earth brought Python forth a serpent admirable
What tyme the Delyan God which neuer vsde before that drift,
Th'art of Shooting, but at Deare and Roes which ronne so swift:
A thousand shaftes dyd spend vppon that vgly monster theare,
And none of them but forst the bloud to issew out of her.
So that his quyuer almost voyde, he naild her to the grounde,
And dyd her nobly at the last by shooting sharp confounde:
Wherfore that he more famous might make this his enterprise,
A great and solempne game he dyd thencforth himself deuyse
Which of the Serpent slaine the name of Pythians sports did beare,
Who for mastry in feats of force should oken garland weare.
Moreouer, Ouid doth declare Apollo, after that
With Cupid (for his Archery) the god of loue did chat:
And seemed to chyde him as a childe with martiall might to mell
Thy bowe and shafts more meete (saith he) are with me for to dwell,
But Cupid thought this vncouth speech, and to contend with him
Did nothing bash (at beast saith he) I graunt that bow of thyne
Thou freely vse: And so at thee his shafts shall spend my Bowe,
And looke how much inferiour is eche beast to God, so knowe
And holde for truth, that euen so much thy glory lesse shall bee
In shootings noble exercyse, then myne is in degree:
Apollo afterwardes approued these Cupides words most trewe
When he was wounded with his shafte as sequell did ensewe
When hee, which God of phisicks arte and surgery was calde,
Could make no medicyn for releef of himself so enthralde,
In Daphnes loue: who for because a Virgin shee would bee,
He proffering kisses sweete in vaine, the Goddes then prayed shee,
Th'earth might rather her deuoure all quick euen as she was.
Then yeelde vnto Apolloes loue: But see the altered case,
Well saith this God, sith thou my loue thus scornefull doost abuse,
Into my Tree thou changd shalt be, and thee Ile alwaies vse
Thou shalt adorne my golden lookes, and eke my pleasant harp,
Thou shalt adorne my Quyuer full of arrowes keene and sharp.
The valiant Knights and Emperours thou shalt adorne also.
Before the Capitoll eke stand, with triumphes stately show
For Conquerours and victors such, as valiant acts haue done,
Before Augustus Pallaice doore, as braue as is the sunne.
With Cupid (for his Archery) the god of loue did chat:
And seemed to chyde him as a childe with martiall might to mell
Thy bowe and shafts more meete (saith he) are with me for to dwell,
But Cupid thought this vncouth speech, and to contend with him
Did nothing bash (at beast saith he) I graunt that bow of thyne
Thou freely vse: And so at thee his shafts shall spend my Bowe,
And looke how much inferiour is eche beast to God, so knowe
And holde for truth, that euen so much thy glory lesse shall bee
In shootings noble exercyse, then myne is in degree:
Apollo afterwardes approued these Cupides words most trewe
When he was wounded with his shafte as sequell did ensewe
When hee, which God of phisicks arte and surgery was calde,
Could make no medicyn for releef of himself so enthralde,
In Daphnes loue: who for because a Virgin shee would bee,
He proffering kisses sweete in vaine, the Goddes then prayed shee,
Th'earth might rather her deuoure all quick euen as she was.
Well saith this God, sith thou my loue thus scornefull doost abuse,
Into my Tree thou changd shalt be, and thee Ile alwaies vse
Thou shalt adorne my golden lookes, and eke my pleasant harp,
Thou shalt adorne my Quyuer full of arrowes keene and sharp.
The valiant Knights and Emperours thou shalt adorne also.
Before the Capitoll eke stand, with triumphes stately show
For Conquerours and victors such, as valiant acts haue done,
Before Augustus Pallaice doore, as braue as is the sunne.
This Poët eke full conningly in couert wise doth shewe,
Examples vertues to embrace, and vyces to eschewe.
As where he doth on fained Goddes and Goddesses there treat,
Sometimes he toucheth their reuenge, for crimes and vyces great.
Like, as when Ioue had companie of the Nymphe Parhâsis,
A Knight of Phœbus troupe, which bare, a bowe sometyme ywis,
She drawyng neare a certaine wood vnbending there her bowe,
Layde her quyuer vnder her head, and coucht her selfe a low,
Soone Iupiter spyed her and, with her stroue for some play,
(In'haste her quyuer almost forgot) as then she fled away.
Whome when Dyana so discryde, as she was following deare,
By Iunœs iustice was transformd into an vggly Beare.
Examples vertues to embrace, and vyces to eschewe.
As where he doth on fained Goddes and Goddesses there treat,
Sometimes he toucheth their reuenge, for crimes and vyces great.
Like, as when Ioue had companie of the Nymphe Parhâsis,
A Knight of Phœbus troupe, which bare, a bowe sometyme ywis,
She drawyng neare a certaine wood vnbending there her bowe,
Layde her quyuer vnder her head, and coucht her selfe a low,
Soone Iupiter spyed her and, with her stroue for some play,
(In'haste her quyuer almost forgot) as then she fled away.
Whome when Dyana so discryde, as she was following deare,
By Iunœs iustice was transformd into an vggly Beare.
Phebus hearing that his loue Coronis, on a time.
The fairest Nymphe in Thessaly, with one Isthis had lyne.
A Gentleman although he were, Phebus this brookt not well.
But threw his garland from his head, his harp to th'ground eke fell.
His colour changed his fury flamed, his bow and shafts he takes,
To slay the Mother and the Childe, all meane and might he makes.
The fairest Nymphe in Thessaly, with one Isthis had lyne.
A Gentleman although he were, Phebus this brookt not well.
But threw his garland from his head, his harp to th'ground eke fell.
His colour changed his fury flamed, his bow and shafts he takes,
To slay the Mother and the Childe, all meane and might he makes.
Phebe or Diana she, the Goddesse of hunting game.
To bath her selfe in Cristall streame a wearied once came,
And being (with her troupe of Nymphes about her) in the deepe,
Her bowe and quyuer did betake to one of them to keepe,
With that comes Cadmus nephew by, a huntsman euen that way,
Whome wandringly (whiles to beholde this Goddesse) he did stay,
She cast an angry looke on him, as though she would haue shot,
A shafte at him, had her bow beene bent, as she had it not.
Yet Nathles water sprinckling she, his face, and head vppon
A paire of olde Hartes hornes, his head had growyng vp anon,
By which this metamorphose he, who was a Man of late,
And Huntsman two, to beast is like, whome his owne hounds did hate
So that of them he chased was vp hill and downe the dale,
Who after those his houndes before, did hallow lowd and hale:
With turne, and returne, skip and skud, they followe him as their pray,
Whose folly causd his fate so yll with finall death that day.
To bath her selfe in Cristall streame a wearied once came,
And being (with her troupe of Nymphes about her) in the deepe,
Her bowe and quyuer did betake to one of them to keepe,
With that comes Cadmus nephew by, a huntsman euen that way,
Whome wandringly (whiles to beholde this Goddesse) he did stay,
She cast an angry looke on him, as though she would haue shot,
A shafte at him, had her bow beene bent, as she had it not.
Yet Nathles water sprinckling she, his face, and head vppon
A paire of olde Hartes hornes, his head had growyng vp anon,
By which this metamorphose he, who was a Man of late,
So that of them he chased was vp hill and downe the dale,
Who after those his houndes before, did hallow lowd and hale:
With turne, and returne, skip and skud, they followe him as their pray,
Whose folly causd his fate so yll with finall death that day.
Salmasis Dianas nymph (but water fairy) went
Oft times vnto a certaine poole, to hunt was her intent:
Yet she with loue of Mercuries sonne surprisde, in pleasures past
Her youthfull yeares: (vnknowen to Phœbe) her sisters at the last
Would oft perswade her painefull life, which profit might procure,
Her idle time in casting dart, or shooting to enure.
But she neglecting their aduise a wanton still would be,
And striue with him her louer so, vntill both he and she
Were chaunged from their former shape, one monster made, and were
An Hermaphrodite which both man and woman did appeare.
Oft times vnto a certaine poole, to hunt was her intent:
Yet she with loue of Mercuries sonne surprisde, in pleasures past
Her youthfull yeares: (vnknowen to Phœbe) her sisters at the last
Would oft perswade her painefull life, which profit might procure,
Her idle time in casting dart, or shooting to enure.
But she neglecting their aduise a wanton still would be,
And striue with him her louer so, vntill both he and she
Were chaunged from their former shape, one monster made, and were
An Hermaphrodite which both man and woman did appeare.
Alpheys (a Riuer cald) described her race of auncient Loue,
Which would not leaue her, till she cride vnto Diana aboue,
Helpe Lady deare: for I thy true and trustie squyer (saith she)
Which haue thy Bow and arrowes oft times carried after thee,
Am now attacht of Cupids Knight, preserue my Uirgins state:
Therewith the Goddesse beeing mooued, a cloude did dissipate,
And couer so her Nymphe therewith, that she in safetie was.
Her Louer frustrate of his will, away from her did passe.
Which would not leaue her, till she cride vnto Diana aboue,
Helpe Lady deare: for I thy true and trustie squyer (saith she)
Which haue thy Bow and arrowes oft times carried after thee,
Am now attacht of Cupids Knight, preserue my Uirgins state:
Therewith the Goddesse beeing mooued, a cloude did dissipate,
And couer so her Nymphe therewith, that she in safetie was.
Her Louer frustrate of his will, away from her did passe.
Ceypheys Lordes within his Court a while at quiet were,
But when a sodaine rumour they (I wot neare what) did heare,
Ceyphey affirmed himselfe to be no occasioner of the same,
One Atis nimble with the dart, but which did better frame
In handlyng Bowe and shaft, forthwith at Persey gan to bend,
Whom Pallas shrouded with her shield, and did from harme defend.
Then Persey tooke a fierbrand and dasht in Atis face,
Beebattering him about therewith that slaine outright he was:
Whose death Lycab of Assur Land reuengd with Atis Bowe,
And with his shaftes, that Persey then quite dead he laide alowe.
Of discord and dissention here loe thus they rewed the end,
With mischiefe they are ouermacht which mischiefe doe pretend.
And though the partie which begins, when he hath mischiefe done
Hath his pertaker euill, yet God his wrath can no man shone:
[illeg.] what the guyltlesse want in power, the same performe God will,
And take their quarrell as his owne, the Killers for to kill.
But when a sodaine rumour they (I wot neare what) did heare,
Ceyphey affirmed himselfe to be no occasioner of the same,
One Atis nimble with the dart, but which did better frame
In handlyng Bowe and shaft, forthwith at Persey gan to bend,
Whom Pallas shrouded with her shield, and did from harme defend.
Then Persey tooke a fierbrand and dasht in Atis face,
Beebattering him about therewith that slaine outright he was:
Whose death Lycab of Assur Land reuengd with Atis Bowe,
And with his shaftes, that Persey then quite dead he laide alowe.
Of discord and dissention here loe thus they rewed the end,
With mischiefe they are ouermacht which mischiefe doe pretend.
And though the partie which begins, when he hath mischiefe done
Hath his pertaker euill, yet God his wrath can no man shone:
And take their quarrell as his owne, the Killers for to kill.
Phebus bright and Mayas sonne (saith Ouid) both tyme when
Came th'one from Delphos, and th'other from the mount Cyllen.
Apollo Phebus yet so close could step to Chyon, where
He pleasure tooke which was forspoke by Mercury his Compere
Which Chyon in Appolloes eares dispraysing Dame Dyane,
Herselfe vnto hym to preferre, it so to passe then came.
Phebe offended therwithall, her venging Bow streight bent
And shot her through the toung as for her worthie punishment:
Came th'one from Delphos, and th'other from the mount Cyllen.
Apollo Phebus yet so close could step to Chyon, where
He pleasure tooke which was forspoke by Mercury his Compere
Which Chyon in Appolloes eares dispraysing Dame Dyane,
Herselfe vnto hym to preferre, it so to passe then came.
Phebe offended therwithall, her venging Bow streight bent
And shot her through the toung as for her worthie punishment:
Of Ouid I omit here more, as touching tales to write,
And now to other Wryters passe of Archery which recyte.
And now to other Wryters passe of Archery which recyte.
Apollo, Cheefest of Archers was by Poets doome enstalde
Whome they the Bearer of the Bow and mighty Shooter calde,
Whereupon Claudianus saith.
Mars Clipeo melior, Phebus prestantior arcu: In English. vizt.
Mars with ye Buckler better was: But Apollo him with the Bow did passe.
And Valerius Flaccus: saith.
Arcupotens aduerte precor nunc denique Apollo.
Apollo mighty Archer how? Turne thee I pray thee to mee now.
Whome they the Bearer of the Bow and mighty Shooter calde,
Whereupon Claudianus saith.
Mars Clipeo melior, Phebus prestantior arcu: In English. vizt.
Mars with ye Buckler better was: But Apollo him with the Bow did passe.
And Valerius Flaccus: saith.
Arcupotens aduerte precor nunc denique Apollo.
Apollo mighty Archer how? Turne thee I pray thee to mee now.
Hyppochoon, Mnestion, and Eurytion all three
Were Archers, which (as Virgill saith) contendted valiantly,
Euen for the garland all at ones, when pastymes funerall
By AEneas were celebrate for his Father naturall,
Namley Anchyses: when AEney forsaking Affrica,
And sayling so through Italy, came into Silicia.
Were Archers, which (as Virgill saith) contendted valiantly,
Euen for the garland all at ones, when pastymes funerall
By AEneas were celebrate for his Father naturall,
Namley Anchyses: when AEney forsaking Affrica,
And sayling so through Italy, came into Silicia.
Eke Coryney of Italy (saith Virgill) shot full well,
But Asyla the Troyan dyd in shooting farre excell.
But Asyla the Troyan dyd in shooting farre excell.
Acastus, hee the Hunter was, an Archer tall and good,
Who went with Meleager for to kill the Bore in wood.
Which spoylde the Cuntry Caledon (of whome Ouid pardy
Saith) fierce Leucippus, and Acast with shafts so Noble hee.
Who went with Meleager for to kill the Bore in wood.
Which spoylde the Cuntry Caledon (of whome Ouid pardy
Saith) fierce Leucippus, and Acast with shafts so Noble hee.
Parys an Archer strong so was, that hee did ouerthrowe
Achilles with one shaft onely and wounded him also.
Achilles with one shaft onely and wounded him also.
The same Paris is of himself so said to make good proof,
His shaft was not more to be feard, then when she flew aloof.
His shaft was not more to be feard, then when she flew aloof.
Lycota conning Archer, was more conningly cast downe
Mopsus of Crete for shootings skill of Silius hath renowne
Ilerdes such an Archer was whose shaft so surely aymed,
That Birdes hye houering in the ayer, he killed more then maymed,
Ne was hee onely warryer stout, but huntsman skilfull so
In euery course that hee could kill the hynde, the bucke or doo.
That Birdes hye houering in the ayer, he killed more then maymed,
Ne was hee onely warryer stout, but huntsman skilfull so
In euery course that hee could kill the hynde, the bucke or doo.
Alcon an Archer was of Crete, whose child a Dragon fell
Perforce had caught away from him: at which hee did leuell,
His shafts with such deliuery sure, that hee the Dragon slew,
His childe harmelesse and from that beast did manfully reskew.
Perforce had caught away from him: at which hee did leuell,
His shafts with such deliuery sure, that hee the Dragon slew,
His childe harmelesse and from that beast did manfully reskew.
Enarus, was an Archer so endewed with strength and art,
Hee bent his Bowe with such a force, nought could his shoot reuert.
Hee bent his Bowe with such a force, nought could his shoot reuert.
Deucaleon, Hypereseus Sonne, by Hypso the Nymphe was
An Archer which in shooting farre did others much surpasse.
An Archer which in shooting farre did others much surpasse.
AEthalides an Orator was, which for his eloquent tonque
Men dyd beleeue of Mercury, hee was the onely sonne,
And that this Man in Archery had fortune ioyned with fame,
Valerius Flaccus in his booke doth verify the same.
Men dyd beleeue of Mercury, hee was the onely sonne,
And that this Man in Archery had fortune ioyned with fame,
Valerius Flaccus in his booke doth verify the same.
Catenos, hee a Souldiour did his shaft so surely leuell.
That birdes hye mounting in the skye hee downe starck dead could fel.
That birdes hye mounting in the skye hee downe starck dead could fel.
Toco a certen Souldiour was an Archer of such skill,
Although in Cuppes his tongue could walke more voyd of wit thē wil,
That hee at banquets oft would boast an apple very small
A farre of held he fech of could euen his first shaft withall.
Although in Cuppes his tongue could walke more voyd of wit thē wil,
That hee at banquets oft would boast an apple very small
A farre of held he fech of could euen his first shaft withall.
Aspares one inhabitant in Garamantia Lande,
By fyne deliuering of his shafts, is praisde for eye and hand.
By fyne deliuering of his shafts, is praisde for eye and hand.
Euritus, King of Ochaly, and Father of Ioles,
The art of shooting taught vnto the valiant Hercules.
The art of shooting taught vnto the valiant Hercules.
Hercules, a Shooter such did shew himselfe to bee
So strong in stroke, so sure sure in ayme, so certen with the eye,
Hee Centaur Nessus ouerthrew though from him farre hee stood:
And of the hartes (as swifte as winde) hee bathde his shafts in blood,
Besides these hee the Harpyas (a Rauenous byrde by kinde)
Could cause to tumble out of the ayer, as fethers tost with winde.
So strong in stroke, so sure sure in ayme, so certen with the eye,
Hee Centaur Nessus ouerthrew though from him farre hee stood:
And of the hartes (as swifte as winde) hee bathde his shafts in blood,
Besides these hee the Harpyas (a Rauenous byrde by kinde)
Could cause to tumble out of the ayer, as fethers tost with winde.
Comodus the Emperour, Sonne of Marck and Faustine, was
So sure a Shooter coumpted, that when beasts aloof did passe,
Or swiftly ronne he neuer mist, but one or other sure,
He slew with shafte, and none escapte nor could his stroke endure:
But wat his eye once destned had if so hee might yt see,
The same was sure with Bow and shaft his pryzed pray to bee.
So sure a Shooter coumpted, that when beasts aloof did passe,
Or swiftly ronne he neuer mist, but one or other sure,
He slew with shafte, and none escapte nor could his stroke endure:
The same was sure with Bow and shaft his pryzed pray to bee.
Domitian the Emperour hee in shooting so excelld,
That now and then a childe which forth his fingers streched held,
He made his marcke twixt fingers twaine aloof held vp and wyde:
The Childe vnharmed was, and eke his shafts did surely glyde.
Againe two honderth beastes hee did with arrowes kill most sharp,
Some of their heads two shafts had like the hornes of a wilde hart.
That now and then a childe which forth his fingers streched held,
He made his marcke twixt fingers twaine aloof held vp and wyde:
The Childe vnharmed was, and eke his shafts did surely glyde.
Againe two honderth beastes hee did with arrowes kill most sharp,
Some of their heads two shafts had like the hornes of a wilde hart.
Eight Contreyes, Geta, Scithia, and with them the Ithurians,
The Parsij, Parthi, Sarmati, Cretii, Arimaspyans,
And almoste all the Countreyes of the worlde towardes the east
Were noted much in archery to haue their skill encreast.
And these by seuerall Epithets had seuerall properties,
Eche one his owne pertaining to this shootings exercyse,
The Poets terme the Ithuryan Bowe: the Parthyans shafts they name:
The Getian string, and Quyuers eke were attribute by fame
Unto them of Sarmatia, and so semblably ensewed
In all the other Contreyes their owne propertyes renewed.
And though in shooting eche of these skilfull and practized were,
The Parthyans yet and Persians cheef prick and praise did beare:
So excellent Archers were they deemed, that as they ranne the way,
They shot behinde them, that therwith their Enemies they could slaye:
And turning euen from them they could so hurt them which pursewed,
As if with wachfull eyes they had euen face to face them vewed.
Whereof Lucane the Poet thus mencyoneth.
Ocyor & missa Parthi post terga sagitta: That is in English.
More swifter then Parthyan shaft so quick: behind their backe which is let slip
The Parsij, Parthi, Sarmati, Cretii, Arimaspyans,
And almoste all the Countreyes of the worlde towardes the east
Were noted much in archery to haue their skill encreast.
And these by seuerall Epithets had seuerall properties,
Eche one his owne pertaining to this shootings exercyse,
The Poets terme the Ithuryan Bowe: the Parthyans shafts they name:
The Getian string, and Quyuers eke were attribute by fame
Unto them of Sarmatia, and so semblably ensewed
In all the other Contreyes their owne propertyes renewed.
And though in shooting eche of these skilfull and practized were,
The Parthyans yet and Persians cheef prick and praise did beare:
So excellent Archers were they deemed, that as they ranne the way,
They shot behinde them, that therwith their Enemies they could slaye:
And turning euen from them they could so hurt them which pursewed,
As if with wachfull eyes they had euen face to face them vewed.
Whereof Lucane the Poet thus mencyoneth.
Ocyor & missa Parthi post terga sagitta: That is in English.
More swifter then Parthyan shaft so quick: behind their backe which is let slip
Cyaxares King of the Medes, which great Grandfather was
To Cyrus, kept of Scythians, (which did with Bowe surpas)
A sorte of shooters for the nonce, euen to enstruct and teache
His Sonne Astyages, that arte most skilfully to reache.
To Cyrus, kept of Scythians, (which did with Bowe surpas)
A sorte of shooters for the nonce, euen to enstruct and teache
His Sonne Astyages, that arte most skilfully to reache.
Cyrus a Childe, in this arte was so deligent educate,
That Xenophon who writ the same, would neuer haue nominate
The vse and proffit greatly so with Princely state to gree.
Had not nature experience and effect enforst to bee,
As Tully saith most congruent, not onely for to showe
What Cyrus did, but what a Prince by dewty ought to doo,
Both in pastimes for pleasure, and in seryous matters when
The same may proffet Prince, himself and also other men.
That Xenophon who writ the same, would neuer haue nominate
The vse and proffit greatly so with Princely state to gree.
Had not nature experience and effect enforst to bee,
As Tully saith most congruent, not onely for to showe
What Cyrus did, but what a Prince by dewty ought to doo,
Both in pastimes for pleasure, and in seryous matters when
Darius King of Persia, the first that name which bare,
Dyd shew how fit a thing it ought to bee, and nothing rare
A PRINCE to practize Archery, as for the same pretence
Hee left for worthy memory on his tombe this sentence.
Dyd shew how fit a thing it ought to bee, and nothing rare
A PRINCE to practize Archery, as for the same pretence
Hee left for worthy memory on his tombe this sentence.
DARIVS the King lyeth buried heare,
Which in shooting & ryding had neuer his peare.
Which in shooting & ryding had neuer his peare.
Theodosius the Emperour had commendations Dew,
Giuen him by Themistius his Philosopher trewe,
For three things which hee of a Childe did vse especially,
As Shooting, Ryding well on Horse, and feats of Cheualry.
Giuen him by Themistius his Philosopher trewe,
For three things which hee of a Childe did vse especially,
As Shooting, Ryding well on Horse, and feats of Cheualry.
Cyrus what time hee conquered in manner all the world,
Among his Persians made this Lawe, and left it sure enrould,
Their Children should from fiue yeares age vntill the yeare twenty
Learne three things well, To ryde, To shoot. Tell truth and neuer lye.
Among his Persians made this Lawe, and left it sure enrould,
Their Children should from fiue yeares age vntill the yeare twenty
Learne three things well, To ryde, To shoot. Tell truth and neuer lye.
Leo the Noble Emperour did full Christianly ordaine
A Law, eche man in time of peace should shooting so mentaine:
Till hee were xl. yeares of age, and that eche house priuate
Should haue a Bowe and xl. shafts in order like and rate,
Ready for eche vse of neede: The omitting of which Lawe
(Saith Leo) among the youth, hath beene th'effycient ouerthrawe
Of Romane glory erst so braue, with losse of a great deale
Of th'Empire selfe, and hynderance of our florishing publike veale.
A Law, eche man in time of peace should shooting so mentaine:
Till hee were xl. yeares of age, and that eche house priuate
Should haue a Bowe and xl. shafts in order like and rate,
Ready for eche vse of neede: The omitting of which Lawe
(Saith Leo) among the youth, hath beene th'effycient ouerthrawe
Of Romane glory erst so braue, with losse of a great deale
Of th'Empire selfe, and hynderance of our florishing publike veale.
AEthiopians of the world the furdest Southward are,
Whose excellency in shooting, that same historie doth declare
When to their King, Cambyses King of Persia once did sende
Ambassadours with many gifts: Their subtill drifte and ende
Th'ethiopian King discust to prooue them very spyes,
And blamed their King Cambyses for such vniust enterpryse:
But princely intertaining them, a Fowe he tooke (which bent
And drawne by him vnbent againe) vnto their King hee sent
The same with greeting (and saith hee) deliuer it him from mee,
And say when any Persian can shoot in the same that hee,
Then set on AEthyopians, but in meane time let him yeelde
Thankes vnto God, that hath not giuen the Persians force in feelde
To conquer other mens Contreyes. The bowe when as it came
Among them, none at all was found which once could stirr the same:
Saue onely Smerdis Brother to Cambyses who, the string
Two fingers styrd, and furder could not, for the which doing,
Cambyses him so sore enuyed, as doth the story say,
That his owne Brother Smerdis hee therfore outright did slay.
Whose excellency in shooting, that same historie doth declare
When to their King, Cambyses King of Persia once did sende
Ambassadours with many gifts: Their subtill drifte and ende
Th'ethiopian King discust to prooue them very spyes,
And blamed their King Cambyses for such vniust enterpryse:
But princely intertaining them, a Fowe he tooke (which bent
And drawne by him vnbent againe) vnto their King hee sent
The same with greeting (and saith hee) deliuer it him from mee,
And say when any Persian can shoot in the same that hee,
Then set on AEthyopians, but in meane time let him yeelde
Thankes vnto God, that hath not giuen the Persians force in feelde
To conquer other mens Contreyes. The bowe when as it came
Among them, none at all was found which once could stirr the same:
Two fingers styrd, and furder could not, for the which doing,
Cambyses him so sore enuyed, as doth the story say,
That his owne Brother Smerdis hee therfore outright did slay.
Sesostris, the most mighty king that Ruled AEgipt Lande,
Ouercame a great part of the worlde, and that by Archers band
The Arabyans, Iewes, and Syrians hee brought in subiection,
And further into Scithia went, then elsse did any one:
Hee ouercame eke Thracya till the Coastes of Germany,
In token wheare of euery such obtained victory,
Images hee dyd erect after his owne likenes
In th'one hand Bow, in th'other shaft holding for to witnesse,
What weapons in his conquest, hee did vse in those his dayes,
Whereby he gained glory condigne, and eke a lasting praise.
Ouercame a great part of the worlde, and that by Archers band
The Arabyans, Iewes, and Syrians hee brought in subiection,
And further into Scithia went, then elsse did any one:
Hee ouercame eke Thracya till the Coastes of Germany,
In token wheare of euery such obtained victory,
Images hee dyd erect after his owne likenes
In th'one hand Bow, in th'other shaft holding for to witnesse,
What weapons in his conquest, hee did vse in those his dayes,
Whereby he gained glory condigne, and eke a lasting praise.
Tewcer amongst the Græcians for his shooting bare the bell
Who (when Hector the Græcyans ships by fire thought to quell:)
With his Bow droue them backe agen: Neither could noble Troy
Haue beene destroyd by Græcyans, if with shootings dire anoy
Of Hercules shaftes, it had not bene assaulted as it was,
Whereby the ruyn of the same the soner came to passe.
Who (when Hector the Græcyans ships by fire thought to quell:)
With his Bow droue them backe agen: Neither could noble Troy
Haue beene destroyd by Græcyans, if with shootings dire anoy
Of Hercules shaftes, it had not bene assaulted as it was,
Whereby the ruyn of the same the soner came to passe.
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