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 | Saint Alban and Saint Amphabel |  |
Tyme remembred of olde antiquite:
The same tyme whan Cesar Julius
Was passed out of Rome the cite
Ouer the Alpeys, in knyghthode famous,
By assent of fortune notable and glorious;
This marciall man, armed with plate and mayle,
Had ouer-ryden the boundes of Itayle,
The same tyme whan Cesar Julius
Was passed out of Rome the cite
Ouer the Alpeys, in knyghthode famous,
By assent of fortune notable and glorious;
This marciall man, armed with plate and mayle,
Had ouer-ryden the boundes of Itayle,
Brought the countres through his hygh renowne
Magre theyr myght to stande in obeysance
And ben subiectes to them of Rome towne:
All Germany conquered in substance;
Downe descendyng in to the realme of Fraunce
Daunted theyr pryde; and after dyd ordeyne
With a great armye to aryue vp in Briteyne.
Magre theyr myght to stande in obeysance
And ben subiectes to them of Rome towne:
All Germany conquered in substance;
Downe descendyng in to the realme of Fraunce
Daunted theyr pryde; and after dyd ordeyne
With a great armye to aryue vp in Briteyne.
Twyes put of, by recorde of Lucane,
At his arryuayle, of very force and myght,
By the prowesse of Cassybylan.
Touchyng the title, were it wronge or ryght,
Of the sayd Cesar, deme euery maner wyght
What that hym lust—for, inconclusyon,
Cause of his entre was false deuisyon
At his arryuayle, of very force and myght,
By the prowesse of Cassybylan.
Touchyng the title, were it wronge or ryght,
Of the sayd Cesar, deme euery maner wyght
What that hym lust—for, inconclusyon,
Cause of his entre was false deuisyon
Amonge them-selfe, wherby he gat that londe,
Made the Britons to be tributarie
To the Romayns, by statute and by bonde,—
None so hardy to be therto contrarye.
Cause of this conquest, to wryte and not tarye,
Was deuision, the cronycle ye may se,
Betwene Cassybylan and duke Androgee.
Made the Britons to be tributarie
To the Romayns, by statute and by bonde,—
None so hardy to be therto contrarye.
Cause of this conquest, to wryte and not tarye,
Was deuision, the cronycle ye may se,
Betwene Cassybylan and duke Androgee.
Ouer-maistred was Brutus Albion
By Julyus sworde,—remembred in scripture—
Recorde the gospell: where is deuision,
Frowarde discention, of case or auenture,
That region may no whyle endure
In prosperite;—for by discorde and tweyne
To subiection was brought all Bryteyne.
By Julyus sworde,—remembred in scripture—
Recorde the gospell: where is deuision,
Frowarde discention, of case or auenture,
That region may no whyle endure
In prosperite;—for by discorde and tweyne
To subiection was brought all Bryteyne.
Whan Cesar was put in possessyon,
Rather by force than by tytell or ryght,
Ordent statutes in that regyon.
And this was one: that no maner wyght
Sulde in that londe receyue thorder of knyght,
For worthynes, for mede nor fauour,
But by the handes of the emperour.
Rather by force than by tytell or ryght,
Ordent statutes in that regyon.
And this was one: that no maner wyght
Sulde in that londe receyue thorder of knyght,
For worthynes, for mede nor fauour,
But by the handes of the emperour.
And this was done / lest parauenture
Sondry persones enclothed with rudenes,
Not disposed of blode nor of nature,
Shulde not presume, of rurall boystousnes,
Though he had strength and hardynes,
To take vpon hym, / what euer that he be,
The sacrament of knyghtly dignite.
Sondry persones enclothed with rudenes,
Not disposed of blode nor of nature,
Shulde not presume, of rurall boystousnes,
Though he had strength and hardynes,
To take vpon hym, / what euer that he be,
The sacrament of knyghtly dignite.
An other cause, in order to deuise,
Was: / none suche shulde haue gouernance
Wherby he myght in many sondry wyse
Catche occasyon to make purueyance,
By force of kynred / or strength of allyance,
Through newe rebellyon, in token, worde or signe,
Agaynst the Romayns proudely to malinge.
Was: / none suche shulde haue gouernance
Wherby he myght in many sondry wyse
Catche occasyon to make purueyance,
By force of kynred / or strength of allyance,
Through newe rebellyon, in token, worde or signe,
Agaynst the Romayns proudely to malinge.
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And in suche case occasions to eschew,
The prudent Romains, castyng all thyng to-forne,
For comun profite thought it was moost dew,
Of high estate nor low degree borne
No man shulde, but if he were sworne
To the Romains with hert, body and might
Ay to be trew, / that shulde be made a knight;
The prudent Romains, castyng all thyng to-forne,
For comun profite thought it was moost dew,
Of high estate nor low degree borne
No man shulde, but if he were sworne
To the Romains with hert, body and might
Ay to be trew, / that shulde be made a knight;
By a decree concludyng in sentence,
With faith assured, as the statute bonde,
First they shulde appere in the presence
Of themperour, sent thither of eche londe,
Than take theyr othe, / next by touche of honde
To-forne the goddes assurance made of new,
For life or dethe to themperour to be trew.
With faith assured, as the statute bonde,
First they shulde appere in the presence
Of themperour, sent thither of eche londe,
Than take theyr othe, / next by touche of honde
To-forne the goddes assurance made of new,
For life or dethe to themperour to be trew.
This statute kept in euery region
Beynge subiect to Rome the citie,
Stretchynge theyr lordshyp and dominion
With theyr Imperiall marciall dignitie
Ouer the boundes of many countree.
So prouided by prudent policy,
To them was subiect all worldly chiualry,
Beynge subiect to Rome the citie,
Stretchynge theyr lordshyp and dominion
With theyr Imperiall marciall dignitie
Ouer the boundes of many countree.
So prouided by prudent policy,
To them was subiect all worldly chiualry,
Hauynge all kyngdomes redy to theyr honde,
Voide of rebellion, / whan they had ought a do.
A prince of knighthood they set in euery londe
For gouernaunce, A stewarde eke also,
Euery region to be ruled by hem two
In rightwisnes, / lawes they dyd ordaine
From wilfull surfettes / the comons to restraine;
Voide of rebellion, / whan they had ought a do.
A prince of knighthood they set in euery londe
For gouernaunce, A stewarde eke also,
Euery region to be ruled by hem two
In rightwisnes, / lawes they dyd ordaine
From wilfull surfettes / the comons to restraine;
First prouided of high discretion,
As Argus iyed in theyr inwarde intent,
To se there were no werre nor conspiration
Against the Emperour, neither thought nor ment,
To redresse all thyng by jugement,
These two estates of prudence to attende
At prime face all outrages to amende.
As Argus iyed in theyr inwarde intent,
To se there were no werre nor conspiration
Against the Emperour, neither thought nor ment,
To redresse all thyng by jugement,
These two estates of prudence to attende
At prime face all outrages to amende.
It hath ben sayn and writen here beforne
By olde expert Poesy called doctrine:
“Without (!) prynciples, / Leest aboue the corne
The wede wex ayenst good graine to maligne;
To late amonge is made a medicine
Whan that a sore wexith ded and corrumpable,
For lacke of surgiens is waxen incurable.”
By olde expert Poesy called doctrine:
“Without (!) prynciples, / Leest aboue the corne
The wede wex ayenst good graine to maligne;
To late amonge is made a medicine
Whan that a sore wexith ded and corrumpable,
For lacke of surgiens is waxen incurable.”
Semblably / in kyngdomes and cities
Stormy troubles for to set aside
Meued sodeinly amonge the comonties,
At the begynnyng, / in all haste to prouide
Them to reforme / no lenger to abide,
For first meuers, / as law and right obserued,
Punysshe them duely / as they haue deserued,
Stormy troubles for to set aside
Meued sodeinly amonge the comonties,
At the begynnyng, / in all haste to prouide
Them to reforme / no lenger to abide,
For first meuers, / as law and right obserued,
Punysshe them duely / as they haue deserued,
Like theyr desertes, / receiue theyr rewarde,
Cherisshe the trew robbers to redresse:
The prince of knightes / and also the stewarde
Ordeined were / by law of rightwisnesse,
As the statute plainly dyd expresse,
Like true Juges / and kepers of the law
Of high prudence / all riot to withdraw.
Cherisshe the trew robbers to redresse:
The prince of knightes / and also the stewarde
Ordeined were / by law of rightwisnesse,
As the statute plainly dyd expresse,
Like true Juges / and kepers of the law
Of high prudence / all riot to withdraw.
And (by) the reporte of Cronicles that ben olde,
Auctorised by great aduisement:
As a Diademe / or a crowne of golde
Is of a kynge called the ornament,
So to a prince doth long a garment
Frengid with golde, / that people high and lowe
By that difference theyr stewarde might knowe;
Auctorised by great aduisement:
As a Diademe / or a crowne of golde
Is of a kynge called the ornament,
So to a prince doth long a garment
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By that difference theyr stewarde might knowe;
The prince of knightes vsed a pallion
For a prerogatife in especiall.
He and the Stewarde by election
Of themperour / in party and in all
Toke theyr charge, / priuate and generall; /
No man so hardy / paine of dethe rebell
Against theyr power, to vsurpe no quarell.—
For a prerogatife in especiall.
He and the Stewarde by election
Of themperour / in party and in all
Toke theyr charge, / priuate and generall; /
No man so hardy / paine of dethe rebell
Against theyr power, to vsurpe no quarell.—
That same tyme was reignyng in Britaine
Kyng Seuerus, / a famouse knightly man;
Who cast hym fully to do his busy paine
To please the Emperour Dioclesian:
Sent his sonne, / named Bassian,
With a thousande and fiue hondred yonge of age,
Lordes sonnes, / fresshe / and lusty of courage;—
Kyng Seuerus, / a famouse knightly man;
Who cast hym fully to do his busy paine
To please the Emperour Dioclesian:
Sent his sonne, / named Bassian,
With a thousande and fiue hondred yonge of age,
Lordes sonnes, / fresshe / and lusty of courage;—
Som of this nombre were borne in Britaine,
Some in wales, / & some in Cornewaile. /
And amonge all, / if I shall nat faine,
There was one / of stature and entaile
As ferre as kinde coulde her crafte preuaile,
By her fauour / gaue to his person
A prerogatife to be set aloon;
Some in wales, / & some in Cornewaile. /
And amonge all, / if I shall nat faine,
There was one / of stature and entaile
As ferre as kinde coulde her crafte preuaile,
By her fauour / gaue to his person
A prerogatife to be set aloon;
A goodly man / and but yonge of age, /
A princes sonne of wales, / as I fynde,
Called Amphiball, / gracious of visage,
In whom there was non errour founde in kynde
By disposition, / nought was left behynde, /
In myn Author / as it is compiled,
To all languages his tongue was filed.
A princes sonne of wales, / as I fynde,
Called Amphiball, / gracious of visage,
In whom there was non errour founde in kynde
By disposition, / nought was left behynde, /
In myn Author / as it is compiled,
To all languages his tongue was filed.
And for he was borne of high kynred,
He was sent furth-with notable apparaile
Like his estate, / with many a riche wede,
Not forgettyng harnesse of plate and maile
Curiously forged / after moost fresshe entaile,
As was moost likely in euery mannes sight
To them that shulde receiue the order of knight.
He was sent furth-with notable apparaile
Like his estate, / with many a riche wede,
Not forgettyng harnesse of plate and maile
Curiously forged / after moost fresshe entaile,
As was moost likely in euery mannes sight
To them that shulde receiue the order of knight.
And while they were assembled euerichone,
It was a paradise / vpon hem to se!
Lyke as I fynde, / amonge hem there was one,
A lordes sonne, / excellyng in beautie,
Borne in the citie of Verolamy,
Called Albanus, / right semely of stature,
To all vertue disposed by nature.
It was a paradise / vpon hem to se!
Lyke as I fynde, / amonge hem there was one,
A lordes sonne, / excellyng in beautie,
Borne in the citie of Verolamy,
Called Albanus, / right semely of stature,
To all vertue disposed by nature.
The said Albon, / by discent of lyne
Borne to be gentill of condition,
By aspectes of grace, / whiche is diuine,
Predestinate by election
For to be called of his region
Prothomartyr, / whan he the faith hath take
And shed his blood for Jesu Christes sake;
Borne to be gentill of condition,
By aspectes of grace, / whiche is diuine,
Predestinate by election
For to be called of his region
Prothomartyr, / whan he the faith hath take
And shed his blood for Jesu Christes sake;
Gracious he was in euery mannes sight,
Well beloued / and a likely man.
With his felowship toke the way aright,
Towarde Rome / rode with Bassian,
Come to the presence of Dioclecian.
And for they weren so likely in shewynge,
He passingly was glad of theyr cummynge.
Well beloued / and a likely man.
With his felowship toke the way aright,
Towarde Rome / rode with Bassian,
Come to the presence of Dioclecian.
And for they weren so likely in shewynge,
He passingly was glad of theyr cummynge.
A chosen people / out piked for the nones,
Right well besene / and manly of theyr chere,
Arayed in golde, / perle / and precious stones,
As princes children / souereigne and intere
Them demeanynge in porte and in maner,
That, if it shall shortly be comprehended
In them was nothynge for to be amended.
Right well besene / and manly of theyr chere,
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As princes children / souereigne and intere
Them demeanynge in porte and in maner,
That, if it shall shortly be comprehended
In them was nothynge for to be amended.
This Briton people / likely for the werres
Stode in comparison amyd all nacions
As dothe the sonne amonge heuenly sterres;
Alike to theyr birthe weren theyr condicions—
High blood requireth thrugh all nacions
To resemble in high or low parage
Fully accordynge / like to theyr lignage;
Stode in comparison amyd all nacions
As dothe the sonne amonge heuenly sterres;
Alike to theyr birthe weren theyr condicions—
High blood requireth thrugh all nacions
To resemble in high or low parage
Fully accordynge / like to theyr lignage;
To high kynred longeth high noblesse—
On high mountaines stande Cedrysse grene;
To princes children perteineth high prowesse—
As amonge stones the Ruby is moost shene,
The tarage of trees by the frute is sene:
Semblably nature dyd so ordeine
There to make knowen the blood of Britaine.
On high mountaines stande Cedrysse grene;
To princes children perteineth high prowesse—
As amonge stones the Ruby is moost shene,
The tarage of trees by the frute is sene:
Semblably nature dyd so ordeine
There to make knowen the blood of Britaine.
Vpon the Emperour this people (as I tolde)
Were a waityng, / as they were of degree.
Beynge pope in those dayes olde
Zepherinus, / whiche kept in Rome his see;
And whan that he behelde the great beaute
Of this people that comen were of newe,
Within hym selfe / sore he gan to rew;
Were a waityng, / as they were of degree.
Beynge pope in those dayes olde
Zepherinus, / whiche kept in Rome his see;
And whan that he behelde the great beaute
Of this people that comen were of newe,
Within hym selfe / sore he gan to rew;
Musynge in his hert / thus he gan complaine
Full secretly / with sighes lamentable:
“Halas (quod he), this people here of Britaine,
In all theyr port and maners moost notable,
So fresshe, / so semely / and so honourable,
Halas full ofte vpon the day, he saith,
Why stant this people in errour from our faith!”
Full secretly / with sighes lamentable:
“Halas (quod he), this people here of Britaine,
In all theyr port and maners moost notable,
So fresshe, / so semely / and so honourable,
Halas full ofte vpon the day, he saith,
Why stant this people in errour from our faith!”
The Pope / of ruthe and compassion
Considerynge with mercifull pitie:
Ganseke wayes, / fyndynge occasion,
To get leyser and oportunitie
How this people / excellyng in beautie
Might by his labour / thrugh spirituall vertue
Receiue baptisme by grace of Christe Jhesu.
Considerynge with mercifull pitie:
Ganseke wayes, / fyndynge occasion,
To get leyser and oportunitie
How this people / excellyng in beautie
Might by his labour / thrugh spirituall vertue
Receiue baptisme by grace of Christe Jhesu.
The lorde aboue, consideryng thentent
Of zepheryn in especiall,
Suche a grace to hym he hath sent,
By influence very celestiall,
To further his purpose, / that he hath Amphiball
In Christes faith / grounded by his saw
And conuerted vnto Christes law.
Of zepheryn in especiall,
Suche a grace to hym he hath sent,
By influence very celestiall,
To further his purpose, / that he hath Amphiball
In Christes faith / grounded by his saw
And conuerted vnto Christes law.
Amphibalus, as ye haue herde the case,
A semely man, / god beyng then his guide,
First by the pope / when he baptised was,
Lefte his treasure, / his pompe / and his pride
For Christes sake, / with pouertie chose to abide,
Forsoke the worlde, / kept hym-selfe secree,
Of great perfection / lyued in pouerte.
A semely man, / god beyng then his guide,
First by the pope / when he baptised was,
Lefte his treasure, / his pompe / and his pride
For Christes sake, / with pouertie chose to abide,
Forsoke the worlde, / kept hym-selfe secree,
Of great perfection / lyued in pouerte.
Other there weren that made no delayes,
Of zepheryn, / herynge his preachynge,
To be baptised deuoutly in thoo dayes.
But whan the rumour and the knowlegyng
Cam to the Emperour, / without more tarienge
Thrugh all the citie commaunded them be sought,
To his presence / by force to be brought.
Of zepheryn, / herynge his preachynge,
To be baptised deuoutly in thoo dayes.
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Cam to the Emperour, / without more tarienge
Thrugh all the citie commaunded them be sought,
To his presence / by force to be brought.
By londe and see / his ministers left nought
To serche hem out; / but in no manere
They were nat caught: but than cam to þe thought
Of Dioclecian / to worke as ye shall here:
Them of Britaine / to make them to appere
Vpon a morow, / when Phebus shone full bright,
They of his hande to take order of knight.—
To serche hem out; / but in no manere
They were nat caught: but than cam to þe thought
Of Dioclecian / to worke as ye shall here:
Them of Britaine / to make them to appere
Vpon a morow, / when Phebus shone full bright,
They of his hande to take order of knight.—
Of antiquitie, / as put is in memory,
When themperour shulde knightes make,
They dyd assemble beside an oratory
That reised was / and bylt for martis sake;
In whose worshyp all night they shulde wake;
The next morow / after the maner
At Phebus vprist / they shulde appere—
When themperour shulde knightes make,
They dyd assemble beside an oratory
That reised was / and bylt for martis sake;
In whose worshyp all night they shulde wake;
The next morow / after the maner
At Phebus vprist / they shulde appere—
The oratory in compas rounde and large
Beside a temple of Bellona the goddesse.
Where Dioclecian shulde giue first the charge
Of hole assuraunce, to auoide all doublenes,
First to kepe theyr bodies in clennesse,
For life or death / bothe in peace and werre
The comon profite of thempire to preferre.
Beside a temple of Bellona the goddesse.
Where Dioclecian shulde giue first the charge
Of hole assuraunce, to auoide all doublenes,
First to kepe theyr bodies in clennesse,
For life or death / bothe in peace and werre
The comon profite of thempire to preferre.
Next this charge / themperour anon right
In all his moost imperiall maiestie,
Like theyr rightes, / girt them with swordes bright,
So as they weren of state and of degree;
Obseruaunces kept of authoritie:
First chargynge them that they shulde entende
Chiefly theyr goddes to worship and defende,
In all his moost imperiall maiestie,
Like theyr rightes, / girt them with swordes bright,
So as they weren of state and of degree;
Obseruaunces kept of authoritie:
First chargynge them that they shulde entende
Chiefly theyr goddes to worship and defende,
Of theyr temples to saue the liberties,
Prestes of that law in right to make stronge,
Wydowes, / maydens, / pore folke in cities
Suffre in no wise no man to do them wronge,
Appease debates that haue endured longe,
For comun profite, / as moost soueraine good,
In theyr defence / redy to spende theyr blood,
Prestes of that law in right to make stronge,
Wydowes, / maydens, / pore folke in cities
Suffre in no wise no man to do them wronge,
Appease debates that haue endured longe,
For comun profite, / as moost soueraine good,
In theyr defence / redy to spende theyr blood,
Withdraw theyr hande from lucre and couetise,
Specially to eschewen idlenes
Pursue armes for knightly excercise,
In causes knowen / grounded on rightwisnes
Gyue theyr Captaines suche trouthe and stablenes
And in suche case / rather knightly dye
Than theyr statutes to breke or disobey;
Specially to eschewen idlenes
Pursue armes for knightly excercise,
In causes knowen / grounded on rightwisnes
Gyue theyr Captaines suche trouthe and stablenes
And in suche case / rather knightly dye
Than theyr statutes to breke or disobey;
Of comon profite deuised an ymage,
Called Knighthood / an arme of theyr defence
To holde vp trouthe, / suffre non outrage,
Cherishe the pore, / do no violence,
After theyr wages / gouerne theyr expence,
Full assuraunce / made with mouth and hande
Susteine trouthe / bothe on see and lande,
Called Knighthood / an arme of theyr defence
To holde vp trouthe, / suffre non outrage,
Cherishe the pore, / do no violence,
After theyr wages / gouerne theyr expence,
Full assuraunce / made with mouth and hande
Susteine trouthe / bothe on see and lande,
Make prouidence that no derision
Fall vnwarely on high or low estate—
Whiche caused hath / great dissolution,
Made many a region to be infortunate—
For where as a strife continueth / or debate,
By experience of many great citie,
The light is eclipsed of theyr felicitie.
Fall vnwarely on high or low estate—
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Made many a region to be infortunate—
For where as a strife continueth / or debate,
By experience of many great citie,
The light is eclipsed of theyr felicitie.
Of olde custome / knighthood toke non hede
Vnto theyr owne singuler auaile,
Withdrew theyr hande from guerdon and fro mede,
Wrought nothyng but by wyse counsaile,
The hed of maters peysed with the taile—
This is to saine: / there shulde no Romaine knight
Begyn no quarell / nor ende against right;
Vnto theyr owne singuler auaile,
Withdrew theyr hande from guerdon and fro mede,
Wrought nothyng but by wyse counsaile,
The hed of maters peysed with the taile—
This is to saine: / there shulde no Romaine knight
Begyn no quarell / nor ende against right;
For the Romaines in theyr election
Chose to that order / folke iust and stable,
Manly of hert and of condition
Sober, / nat hasty, / feithfull, / honourable,
For comon profite preued profitable,
Benigne of porte, / not proude / but debonaire,
That worde and worke for nothynge be contraire;
Chose to that order / folke iust and stable,
Manly of hert and of condition
Sober, / nat hasty, / feithfull, / honourable,
For comon profite preued profitable,
Benigne of porte, / not proude / but debonaire,
That worde and worke for nothynge be contraire;
Take no quarell grounded on falshed,
Specially the pore not to oppresse,
Flee Tiranny, / eschew blood to shed
Of innocentes by wilfull sturdynesse—
Blood cryeth vengeaunce to god of rightwisnesse,
Fals homicides / contrary to nature
God suffreth them no while for to endure—
Specially the pore not to oppresse,
Flee Tiranny, / eschew blood to shed
Of innocentes by wilfull sturdynesse—
Blood cryeth vengeaunce to god of rightwisnesse,
Fals homicides / contrary to nature
God suffreth them no while for to endure—
All thyng odible to euery gentill knight,
Hatefull murder not support nor mainteine,
Theyr office is, / as they are bounde of right,
Maidens, / widowes / and pore folk to susteine,
Fraude and extorcion anon, while it is grene,
In knightly wise to serche out the offence
And chastice it by marciall violence—
Hatefull murder not support nor mainteine,
Theyr office is, / as they are bounde of right,
Maidens, / widowes / and pore folk to susteine,
Fraude and extorcion anon, while it is grene,
In knightly wise to serche out the offence
And chastice it by marciall violence—
Then tonge and hert by one accorde shall draw—
On theyr promesse stedfastly to abide,
Of antiquitie / Romains set a law
To punisshe periury—/ spare non homicide,
Represse of Tirauntes the vengeable pride,
If nede fall, theyr life and blood to spende
The right of goddes and temples to defende.
On theyr promesse stedfastly to abide,
Of antiquitie / Romains set a law
To punisshe periury—/ spare non homicide,
Represse of Tirauntes the vengeable pride,
If nede fall, theyr life and blood to spende
The right of goddes and temples to defende.
In token wherof, / who toke thorder of knight,
This was the vsage of olde antiquitie:
He shulde first be shaue of very right,
Token, to auoide all superfluitie,
Of vicious lyuynge / & all dishonestie
Shauen away by vertuous deligence
All olde outrages out of theyr consciences.
This was the vsage of olde antiquitie:
He shulde first be shaue of very right,
Token, to auoide all superfluitie,
Of vicious lyuynge / & all dishonestie
Shauen away by vertuous deligence
All olde outrages out of theyr consciences.
They had of custome also this maner:
Romaine knightes of yeres yonge and grene
To entre a bath of water cristall-clere,
Frō all ordures to wasshe theyr bodies clene:
whiche bath / plainly it dyd mene,
As bokes olde / notably don expresse:
Vnto knighthode longeth all clennesse,
Romaine knightes of yeres yonge and grene
To entre a bath of water cristall-clere,
Frō all ordures to wasshe theyr bodies clene:
whiche bath / plainly it dyd mene,
As bokes olde / notably don expresse:
Vnto knighthode longeth all clennesse,
First / specially by attemperaunce
Voide all surfettes, / lyue in sobernesse,
By prudence and vertuouse gouernaunce
Mainteine trouthe, chastise all falsnesse,
Restreine theyr courage from riotous excesse,
Dishonest speche and ribaudry to flee,
Eschew auoutry, liue chaste, like theyr degree.
Voide all surfettes, / lyue in sobernesse,
By prudence and vertuouse gouernaunce
19
Restreine theyr courage from riotous excesse,
Dishonest speche and ribaudry to flee,
Eschew auoutry, liue chaste, like theyr degree.
Clennesse longeth to euery gentill knight,
As theyr bathyng dothe plainly specifie;
Thrugh theyr perfectiō / was made to Mars aright,
Whilom Romains by prudent policie
Had in custome theyr bodies to applie
To serue Diana, / that was the cast goddesse,
That Venus had with them non intraunce.
As theyr bathyng dothe plainly specifie;
Thrugh theyr perfectiō / was made to Mars aright,
Whilom Romains by prudent policie
Had in custome theyr bodies to applie
To serue Diana, / that was the cast goddesse,
That Venus had with them non intraunce.
Venus, / to vertues contrarious,
Causeth in youth flesshely insolence,
Giueth great occasion to folkes couragious,
Of theyr nature loueth riot and exspence,
Withdraweth in knighthode marciall diligence;—
For whiche the bathe was made for a figure
To wasshe away of Venus all ordure;
Causeth in youth flesshely insolence,
Giueth great occasion to folkes couragious,
Of theyr nature loueth riot and exspence,
Withdraweth in knighthode marciall diligence;—
For whiche the bathe was made for a figure
To wasshe away of Venus all ordure;
If they be wedded, / holde them to theyr wyues,
If they be syngle, no woman to opresse—
For in suche case began the blody striues
Betwene Troy & Grekes, the story berith witnesse,
Caused many a knight to dye in distresse:
For by thauoutry of Paris and Eleine
Grekes & Troyans theyr mischiefes dyd cōplaine.
If they be syngle, no woman to opresse—
For in suche case began the blody striues
Betwene Troy & Grekes, the story berith witnesse,
Caused many a knight to dye in distresse:
For by thauoutry of Paris and Eleine
Grekes & Troyans theyr mischiefes dyd cōplaine.
After this bath, / tokened by chastite,
Fully made faire / and voide of vnclennesse,
With a white shirte he shulde clothed be,
To signifie the chefe founderesse
Of all vertues / that called is mekenes,
Clene of entent, / without whom, certaine,
All other vertues stande but bareine;
Fully made faire / and voide of vnclennesse,
With a white shirte he shulde clothed be,
To signifie the chefe founderesse
Of all vertues / that called is mekenes,
Clene of entent, / without whom, certaine,
All other vertues stande but bareine;
For, who so lyst in bokes for to rede,
Chaste in vertue / expert for to be,
Moost redy way is, / his purpose for to spede,
Set his foundacion vpon humilitie;
She berith vp all / and hath the souereynte,
Whose buildyng euer, / the grounde if it be sought,
Goeth euer vpwarde / and descendeth nought.
Chaste in vertue / expert for to be,
Moost redy way is, / his purpose for to spede,
Set his foundacion vpon humilitie;
She berith vp all / and hath the souereynte,
Whose buildyng euer, / the grounde if it be sought,
Goeth euer vpwarde / and descendeth nought.
As a shirt the body next doeth touche,
With whose touche the body is nat offended,
So mekenes (on authors I me auouche)
Among vertues is souereinly commended;
She and pacience of one stocke be discendyd,
Yet in som case, / reken nigh & ferre,
Peace hath conqueryd more than hath the werre.
With whose touche the body is nat offended,
So mekenes (on authors I me auouche)
Among vertues is souereinly commended;
She and pacience of one stocke be discendyd,
Yet in som case, / reken nigh & ferre,
Peace hath conqueryd more than hath the werre.
By prudent writyng & humble pacience
Kynge Dindinus was nat recheles
To notifie the surquidrous science (!)
Of Alisaunder / thrugh mekenes, doubtles,
To Brigmannus / mekenes brought in peas;
Meke language appeasyd the rygour
Of this forsayd famous conquerour.
Kynge Dindinus was nat recheles
To notifie the surquidrous science (!)
Of Alisaunder / thrugh mekenes, doubtles,
To Brigmannus / mekenes brought in peas;
Meke language appeasyd the rygour
Of this forsayd famous conquerour.
Whiche considered, / the Romains vnderstode
This noble vertue of humilitie
Was in some case nedefull to knighthode,
Moost expedient to euery comontie,
Them to preserue longe in prosperitie.
Very mekenes vsed in prudent wyse
Is nat atwited with no cowardise,
This noble vertue of humilitie
Was in some case nedefull to knighthode,
Moost expedient to euery comontie,
Them to preserue longe in prosperitie.
Very mekenes vsed in prudent wyse
Is nat atwited with no cowardise,
20
As to knighthode longeth gentilnes,
Thyng appropried to his religion,
Voide of surfettes, / founded on mekenes,
As a lambe in chambre, / in bataile a lion:
Where place and tyme gaue iust occasion
By manly suffraunce / benigne of face & chere,
And play the lyon when tyme dothe require.
Thyng appropried to his religion,
Voide of surfettes, / founded on mekenes,
As a lambe in chambre, / in bataile a lion:
Where place and tyme gaue iust occasion
By manly suffraunce / benigne of face & chere,
And play the lyon when tyme dothe require.
By the processe of theyr obseruaunces
Next the shirt of mekenes for more spede
They had a custome, / with sundry circumstaunces,
Of high prowesse, from hem to auoide drede,
In a mantell / for to be clad of rede,
To recompence the white shirt of mekenesse
With Martis colour / by knightly high prowesse.
Next the shirt of mekenes for more spede
They had a custome, / with sundry circumstaunces,
Of high prowesse, from hem to auoide drede,
In a mantell / for to be clad of rede,
To recompence the white shirt of mekenesse
With Martis colour / by knightly high prowesse.
This rede mantell, / so as the mater stode,
Touchyng the colour / dyd plaiinly specifie
They shulde nat drede for to spende theyr blode
For comon profite vpon any partie
By profession of theyr chiualrie—
For this cause, to auoide all drede,
They vsyd of custome a mantell of fyne rede;
Touchyng the colour / dyd plaiinly specifie
They shulde nat drede for to spende theyr blode
For comon profite vpon any partie
By profession of theyr chiualrie—
For this cause, to auoide all drede,
They vsyd of custome a mantell of fyne rede;
This colour rede / token of high prowesse,
To susteine and holde vp trouthe and right,
Nor entremete of wronges nor falsnesse,
For loue nor hate of no maner wight
To no party / for fauour cast theyr sight,
Indifferent / stande egall as a lyne,
By non occasion to wronge to decline.
To susteine and holde vp trouthe and right,
Nor entremete of wronges nor falsnesse,
For loue nor hate of no maner wight
To no party / for fauour cast theyr sight,
Indifferent / stande egall as a lyne,
By non occasion to wronge to decline.
A thyng ferre of / fro knightly desires,
Straunge and forein to theyr professions,
For to appere at cessions or at shires
By maintenaunce of fals extorcions
Or to supporte by theyr protections
Causes vnlefull, / by brocage surmitted beforne,
To make Jurrours falsly to be forsworne—
Straunge and forein to theyr professions,
For to appere at cessions or at shires
By maintenaunce of fals extorcions
Or to supporte by theyr protections
Causes vnlefull, / by brocage surmitted beforne,
To make Jurrours falsly to be forsworne—
A thynge (god wote) this day to moche abused,
Experience in dede, as it is saine;
They haue no colour of right to be excused
Saue to theyr client / the partie to susteine;
But if they had before ben wasshen clene,
Bathyd, as I said, / in vertues also made faire,
To suche places they shulde haue no repaire.
Experience in dede, as it is saine;
They haue no colour of right to be excused
Saue to theyr client / the partie to susteine;
But if they had before ben wasshen clene,
Bathyd, as I said, / in vertues also made faire,
To suche places they shulde haue no repaire.
It is a maner of apostasie
A knight in peace to play the lion,
Nat accordynge vnto chiualrie
To draw his sworde / vsynge extorcion;
The pore compleine for opression,
A thyng contrary by signes manifolde
To them that were spores of golde,
A knight in peace to play the lion,
Nat accordynge vnto chiualrie
To draw his sworde / vsynge extorcion;
The pore compleine for opression,
A thyng contrary by signes manifolde
To them that were spores of golde,
Sporis of golde, / rounde and sharpe to ride.
So as golde is metall moost souereigne,
Right so worshyp to knighthode is chief guide
To high noblesse / by manhode to attaine.
A sworde also Romains dyd ordeyne
In foure causes plainly to be draw,
After the rightes of the paynym law:
So as golde is metall moost souereigne,
Right so worshyp to knighthode is chief guide
To high noblesse / by manhode to attaine.
A sworde also Romains dyd ordeyne
In foure causes plainly to be draw,
After the rightes of the paynym law:
As I tolde erste, / the first, for defence
Of theyr goddes / and next for the fraunchise
Of theyr temples, / that no violence
Be done to them in no maner wise,
As ferre as theyr power and might may suffise;
And the seconde, / neuer to be present
Where dome shall passe of fals iugement;
Of theyr goddes / and next for the fraunchise
Of theyr temples, / that no violence
Be done to them in no maner wise,
21
And the seconde, / neuer to be present
Where dome shall passe of fals iugement;
The thirde point, / toforne as I haue tolde:
Widowes, / maidens / to helpe them in theyr might,
Punysshe robbers / and tirauntes that ben bolde
To spoile the people by theyr frowarde might—
This was vsed / when Albon was made knight;
The last charge, for a conclusion,
Neuer to bere armes against Rome towne.
Widowes, / maidens / to helpe them in theyr might,
Punysshe robbers / and tirauntes that ben bolde
To spoile the people by theyr frowarde might—
This was vsed / when Albon was made knight;
The last charge, for a conclusion,
Neuer to bere armes against Rome towne.
Other articles, / mo than I can tell,
Tolde and remembryd by Dioclecian,
Notable in knighthode / by them that dyd excell,
When themperour to dubbe hem first began.
Among other / the Briton Bassian,
Son of Seuerus, / in Britaine kynge,
Gan thus abraide, / his conceite declarynge:
Tolde and remembryd by Dioclecian,
Notable in knighthode / by them that dyd excell,
When themperour to dubbe hem first began.
Among other / the Briton Bassian,
Son of Seuerus, / in Britaine kynge,
Gan thus abraide, / his conceite declarynge:
“My lorde, (quod he), with supporte of your grace,
Sithe it is pleasure to your magnificence,
As ye haue shewed / here present in this place,
Of your imperiall famous excellence
Singuler fauour, / royall diligence,
As greatest lorde / called on see and lande,
To make vs knightes with your owne hande:
Sithe it is pleasure to your magnificence,
As ye haue shewed / here present in this place,
Of your imperiall famous excellence
Singuler fauour, / royall diligence,
As greatest lorde / called on see and lande,
To make vs knightes with your owne hande:
Lowly besechynge to condescende and se
Of your notable prudent policie,
Graunt vs goodly of your high maieste
The first fruites of your chiualry—
Mars our patron / knightly to magnifie
In your presence / with Justes or tournay
Or som other famous marciall play;
Of your notable prudent policie,
Graunt vs goodly of your high maieste
The first fruites of your chiualry—
Mars our patron / knightly to magnifie
In your presence / with Justes or tournay
Or som other famous marciall play;
To haue in armes knightly excercise,
Our grene youthe and courages to amende,
To lerne the maner and the Romain guise
In palestre, / day by day to entende:
So þat ye lyst of grace to condiscende,
Graunt vs fredom / and a place to assigne,
Of your imperiall support moost benigne!”
Our grene youthe and courages to amende,
To lerne the maner and the Romain guise
In palestre, / day by day to entende:
So þat ye lyst of grace to condiscende,
Graunt vs fredom / and a place to assigne,
Of your imperiall support moost benigne!”
The Emperour considerynge first theyr cheres,
Coude them great thāke for theyr knightly request
And commended greatly theyr desires;
Set a day / and helde a royall feest,
All nacions to come at the leest,
As themperour freely dyd ordeine,
To haue adoo with knightes of Britaine.
Coude them great thāke for theyr knightly request
And commended greatly theyr desires;
Set a day / and helde a royall feest,
All nacions to come at the leest,
As themperour freely dyd ordeine,
To haue adoo with knightes of Britaine.
With Romaine knightes / first they had ado
By cōmaundement of Dioclecian,
Durynge þe vtas, / the story telleth so;
Amonge all Albon, that knightly man,
With his Cosyn, called Bassian,
Gree of the felde gyuen to them twaine
Among Romains and knightes of Britaine.
By cōmaundement of Dioclecian,
Durynge þe vtas, / the story telleth so;
Amonge all Albon, that knightly man,
With his Cosyn, called Bassian,
Gree of the felde gyuen to them twaine
Among Romains and knightes of Britaine.
Of Ficulnius cam many a worthy knight,
Of Spaigne, / of Cipre, / and also of Sardine,
And of Almaine, / in stele armed bright.
Mars was present / the felde to enlumine.
But among all / to the Briton line
The souerein price aboue euerichone
Was by heraldes giuen to Albon.
Of Spaigne, / of Cipre, / and also of Sardine,
And of Almaine, / in stele armed bright.
Mars was present / the felde to enlumine.
But among all / to the Briton line
The souerein price aboue euerichone
Was by heraldes giuen to Albon.
22
His name worthy to be put in memory—
He quit hym selfe so like a manly knight!
Graunted to hym the price and the victory
Thrugh his desert, / of very trouthe and right;
Called in Rome the lanterne and the light
Of knightly prowes, / and Phebus soueraine
Thrugh all Italie, / and day-sterre of Britaine.
He quit hym selfe so like a manly knight!
Graunted to hym the price and the victory
Thrugh his desert, / of very trouthe and right;
Called in Rome the lanterne and the light
Of knightly prowes, / and Phebus soueraine
Thrugh all Italie, / and day-sterre of Britaine.
Of blessed Albon / the armes in his shelde
Square on his shulders, by antiquitie:
Of fyne asure, sothely, was the felde,
Therin of golde depicte was a sautree—
In whose story / at Leicester who list se,
After his passion, / as I affirme dare,
In his cote-armour / kyng Offa sothely bare—
Square on his shulders, by antiquitie:
Of fyne asure, sothely, was the felde,
Therin of golde depicte was a sautree—
In whose story / at Leicester who list se,
After his passion, / as I affirme dare,
In his cote-armour / kyng Offa sothely bare—
Of whose mynster he after was founder,
As the Cronicle maketh mencion,
A manly knight, / a noble gouernour;
In his dayes / thrugh many a region
His name sprad / and his high renowne;
Vnder these armes, / as put is in memory,
In euery felde had alway the victory—
As the Cronicle maketh mencion,
A manly knight, / a noble gouernour;
In his dayes / thrugh many a region
His name sprad / and his high renowne;
Vnder these armes, / as put is in memory,
In euery felde had alway the victory—
A-forne prouided (I trow of yore agoon)
By grace of god and heuenly influence
And by the merite of the glorious saint Albon—
Had in knighthood marciall excellence;
And for to acquite hym, by vertuouse prouidence
To this martir, / called saint Albon,
Of that minster laid the first stoon,
By grace of god and heuenly influence
And by the merite of the glorious saint Albon—
Had in knighthood marciall excellence;
And for to acquite hym, by vertuouse prouidence
To this martir, / called saint Albon,
Of that minster laid the first stoon,
After whose hande / masons dyd wyrche—
He bare the cost, / of great deuocion;
The said armes he left vnto the chirche,
This kyng Offa, / as made is mencion;
And finally, / by myne opinion,
By these armes / againe all that dothe them wrong
With helpe of Albon they shall be made stronge.
He bare the cost, / of great deuocion;
The said armes he left vnto the chirche,
This kyng Offa, / as made is mencion;
And finally, / by myne opinion,
By these armes / againe all that dothe them wrong
With helpe of Albon they shall be made stronge.
The felde of Asure betokeneth stedfastnes,
The Sautree / lyke a crosse of saint Andrue;
The colour heuenly shall giue them perfitnes,
By the holy crosse / force in our lorde Jesu
From day to day / to encreas all in vertue;
The Prothomartir, / theyr patron saint Albon,
Shall them defende fro theyr mortall foon.—
The Sautree / lyke a crosse of saint Andrue;
The colour heuenly shall giue them perfitnes,
By the holy crosse / force in our lorde Jesu
From day to day / to encreas all in vertue;
The Prothomartir, / theyr patron saint Albon,
Shall them defende fro theyr mortall foon.—
After these iustes and famous tournement
Fully accomplisshed, / tolde here in sentence,
Bassian / disposed in his entent
To awaite a tyme of intiere diligence
Of the Emperour to aske goodly licence
With the Barons / beyng in Rome towne
Home to retourne to Brutes Albiowne.
Fully accomplisshed, / tolde here in sentence,
Bassian / disposed in his entent
To awaite a tyme of intiere diligence
Of the Emperour to aske goodly licence
With the Barons / beyng in Rome towne
Home to retourne to Brutes Albiowne.
His request was graunted anon
By Dioclecian, / made non exception,
Saue onely thus: / he sayd that Albon
Shall not departe by no condicion—
To hym he had so great affection
For high noblesse and semelynes alone—
He shulde abyde / and awaite on his persone—
By Dioclecian, / made non exception,
Saue onely thus: / he sayd that Albon
Shall not departe by no condicion—
To hym he had so great affection
For high noblesse and semelynes alone—
He shulde abyde / and awaite on his persone—
To Albon / egali in fayrnes
With Dioclecian, / non so great as he,
Of manly force and hardynes,
Famouse in knighthode / like Judas Machabe,
As Scipion / of prudent aduyse was he,
Of chere benigne, / discrete and vertuous,
Gyuyng councell right sad and compendious,
With Dioclecian, / non so great as he,
Of manly force and hardynes,
Famouse in knighthode / like Judas Machabe,
As Scipion / of prudent aduyse was he,
Of chere benigne, / discrete and vertuous,
Gyuyng councell right sad and compendious,
23
Mars in armes, / with Mercury eloquent
Amonge Romaine knightes / rekened yonge & olde;
For whiche the Emperour by great aduisement
Of prouidence (toforne as I haue tolde)
Before all other / Albon he hath withholde,
On hym to awaite and abide day and night,
Of his empire / as for moost worthy knight.
Amonge Romaine knightes / rekened yonge & olde;
For whiche the Emperour by great aduisement
Of prouidence (toforne as I haue tolde)
Before all other / Albon he hath withholde,
On hym to awaite and abide day and night,
Of his empire / as for moost worthy knight.
Whan Bassian had his leue take
Of Dioclecian, / with knightes of Britaine,
The Emperour for Albons sake
At theyr departynge list nat for to faine
To make hem chere. / and after, in certaine,
For his pleasaunce, / as saith the croniclere,
Fully complete / Albon abode seuen yere.
Of Dioclecian, / with knightes of Britaine,
The Emperour for Albons sake
At theyr departynge list nat for to faine
To make hem chere. / and after, in certaine,
For his pleasaunce, / as saith the croniclere,
Fully complete / Albon abode seuen yere.
This mean-while (myne author writeth thus)
When this prince was come home in dede
Into his contree: A knight, Carauseus,
Greatly disposed to kyll and blood to shede,
Of the Romains gate licence (as I rede)
And of the Cenate by great auctorite,
To be made keper of the Brittisshe see.
When this prince was come home in dede
Into his contree: A knight, Carauseus,
Greatly disposed to kyll and blood to shede,
Of the Romains gate licence (as I rede)
And of the Cenate by great auctorite,
To be made keper of the Brittisshe see.
Bassianus by iust succession
At his comyng-home to Britaine, / anon right
Was crowned kynge of that region,
His father dede, / a full notable knight,
Called Seuerus, / whiche in the peoples sightes
Great fauour had. / but Bassian in that Ile
(The story saith) reigned but a while:
At his comyng-home to Britaine, / anon right
Was crowned kynge of that region,
His father dede, / a full notable knight,
Called Seuerus, / whiche in the peoples sightes
Great fauour had. / but Bassian in that Ile
(The story saith) reigned but a while:
By Carauseus (of whome I tolde beforne)
This Bassian was slaine traitrously;
Ceptre and crowne this yonge prince hath lorne,
Carauseus vsurpyng moost falsly
To be crowned kynge of that party,
Hauyng no title to the regally
But a fals traine of murder and tiranny.
This Bassian was slaine traitrously;
Ceptre and crowne this yonge prince hath lorne,
Carauseus vsurpyng moost falsly
To be crowned kynge of that party,
Hauyng no title to the regally
But a fals traine of murder and tiranny.
On Bassian thus when he was awroke
By intrusion to the kyngdom vsurpynge,
To the Romains had his othe broke
And in Britaine toke vpon hym to be kynge,
The Romaine tribute, the whiche was hangynge
To themperour, / he falsly can deny;
Graunted also within Albany
By intrusion to the kyngdom vsurpynge,
To the Romains had his othe broke
And in Britaine toke vpon hym to be kynge,
The Romaine tribute, the whiche was hangynge
To themperour, / he falsly can deny;
Graunted also within Albany
To the pictes for to haue a dwellynge-place—
The whiche now is called Scotlonde.
And from Rome they bode no longer space,
A Cenatour cam downe with mighty honde,
Called Allectus, / the malice to withstande
Of Carauseus, with Romaine champions—
Brought in nombre fully thre legions.
The whiche now is called Scotlonde.
And from Rome they bode no longer space,
A Cenatour cam downe with mighty honde,
Called Allectus, / the malice to withstande
Of Carauseus, with Romaine champions—
Brought in nombre fully thre legions.
This Carauseus—in story as I fynde—
Whiche traitrously had murdred Bassian,
Slaine by Allectus, / his name put out of mynde;
Romaine knightes / with many a manly man,
For to accomplisshe theyr purpose they began,
Brought Britons thrugh theyr renowne
Almoost by force vnto subiection.
Whiche traitrously had murdred Bassian,
Slaine by Allectus, / his name put out of mynde;
Romaine knightes / with many a manly man,
For to accomplisshe theyr purpose they began,
Brought Britons thrugh theyr renowne
Almoost by force vnto subiection.
To theyr socour, / hopynge it shulde auaile
Against Romaines to make resistence,
Asclepeodot, / duke of Cornewaile,
They chose of new / to stande at defence.
Whiche thrugh his manly knightly excellence
Slew Allectus of very force and might
And put his felow Galles to the flight.
Against Romaines to make resistence,
Asclepeodot, / duke of Cornewaile,
They chose of new / to stande at defence.
24
Slew Allectus of very force and might
And put his felow Galles to the flight.
The proude Romains he dyd so encombre:
They might afore hym abyde in no maner;
He slew of them at London so great a nombre
Thrugh his knighthode / beside a ryuer—
After whose name, / as saith the Cronicler,
Is called there as Romains did blede
Vnto this day / Walbroke, as I rede,
They might afore hym abyde in no maner;
He slew of them at London so great a nombre
Thrugh his knighthode / beside a ryuer—
After whose name, / as saith the Cronicler,
Is called there as Romains did blede
Vnto this day / Walbroke, as I rede,
In memory of that discomfiture.
The noble Britons / after that bataile
Of one assent / did theyr busy cure,
The same day, / armed in plate and maile,
Proudly to chose the duke of Cornewaile,
Asclepeodot, / they(r) purpose to attaine,
To crowne hym kynge / and lorde of all Britaine.
The noble Britons / after that bataile
Of one assent / did theyr busy cure,
The same day, / armed in plate and maile,
Proudly to chose the duke of Cornewaile,
Asclepeodot, / they(r) purpose to attaine,
To crowne hym kynge / and lorde of all Britaine.
This mighty duke, / knowynge theyr intent,
Agreed well vnto theyr election;
To be crowned, / that wolde he nat assent,
But auctoritie from Rome were sent downe
By themperour to Brutes Albion.
For whiche / caused Dioclecian
To Britaine to sende Maximian (!).
Agreed well vnto theyr election;
To be crowned, / that wolde he nat assent,
But auctoritie from Rome were sent downe
By themperour to Brutes Albion.
For whiche / caused Dioclecian
To Britaine to sende Maximian (!).
The chefe cause, in sothe, of his cūmynge
(With other maters that were collaterall)
Into that londe, / was, for to crowne hym kynge,
There for to reigne in his estate royall.
And Dioclecian in especiall
Hath a conceite in the meane-while
With hym to sende Albon into that Ile—
(With other maters that were collaterall)
Into that londe, / was, for to crowne hym kynge,
There for to reigne in his estate royall.
And Dioclecian in especiall
Hath a conceite in the meane-while
With hym to sende Albon into that Ile—
Bothe for trust, / plainly to deuise,
And to gouerne notably that londe,
Parcell also to guerdon his seruise,
For trouth in knighthod in Albon that he fonde;
Ordeined hym, / and made hym suraunce in honde,
Prince of knightes / and stewarde soueraine
Vnder Romains / thrugh all Britaine.
And to gouerne notably that londe,
Parcell also to guerdon his seruise,
For trouth in knighthod in Albon that he fonde;
Ordeined hym, / and made hym suraunce in honde,
Prince of knightes / and stewarde soueraine
Vnder Romains / thrugh all Britaine.
He sent hym thither also for that entent,
For his wysdom and high discrecion,
With Maximian for to be present
At this solempne coronacion
Of Asclepeodot, / lorde of that region;
Albon as stewarde in that solempnitie
And prince of knightes receiue his dignitie,
For his wysdom and high discrecion,
With Maximian for to be present
At this solempne coronacion
Of Asclepeodot, / lorde of that region;
Albon as stewarde in that solempnitie
And prince of knightes receiue his dignitie,
By the byddyng of Dioclecian—
Like custome vsed of antiquitie—
Make his othe to Maximian
As prince and stewarde of moost auctoritie,
To themperour in his imperiall see,
As he was bounde by statutes olde and new,
For life or dethe / euer to be trew.
Like custome vsed of antiquitie—
Make his othe to Maximian
As prince and stewarde of moost auctoritie,
To themperour in his imperiall see,
As he was bounde by statutes olde and new,
For life or dethe / euer to be trew.
All thinges accomplished like as I haue tolde,
Maximian retourned is againe
With a tribute, / thre thousande pounde in golde,
Behynde of olde / denied of disdaine,
Whiche was withdraw—/ the story saith, certaine,—
To the Romains / the tyme of Carauseus,
A fals tiraunt, / cruell and furious.
Maximian retourned is againe
With a tribute, / thre thousande pounde in golde,
Behynde of olde / denied of disdaine,
Whiche was withdraw—/ the story saith, certaine,—
To the Romains / the tyme of Carauseus,
A fals tiraunt, / cruell and furious.
Come into Rome when Maximian
Returned was with all his chiualry:—
That tyme the pope named Poncian,
That busy was on that other party,
In Cecile and in Lombardy,
By deuout teachynge—/ as myne author saith—
To turne people vnto christes faith;
Returned was with all his chiualry:—
That tyme the pope named Poncian,
That busy was on that other party,
In Cecile and in Lombardy,
By deuout teachynge—/ as myne author saith—
To turne people vnto christes faith;
25
In that time, / made was non obstacle,
That yere in-dede / there was (as it was sene)
Thrugh christes law / turned by miracle
To the nombre of thousandes fully sixtene;
The chirche of christe / tender & very grene.—
When themperour hath the wonders saine,
Was greatly meued of malice and disdaine;
That yere in-dede / there was (as it was sene)
Thrugh christes law / turned by miracle
To the nombre of thousandes fully sixtene;
The chirche of christe / tender & very grene.—
When themperour hath the wonders saine,
Was greatly meued of malice and disdaine;
To christes faith had so great enuie,
When that he saw to his confusion
The nomber of christen encreace and multiplie:
Let call in haste by fals collusion
All the lordes of that region
And all the Cenates, afore hym to apere
At a certaine day, to treat of this matere.
When that he saw to his confusion
The nomber of christen encreace and multiplie:
Let call in haste by fals collusion
All the lordes of that region
And all the Cenates, afore hym to apere
At a certaine day, to treat of this matere.
Echone assemblyd in his high presence,
Byd cast theyr wyttes togyther / and take hede
And faythfully do theyr diligence
In this mater theyr purpose for to spede:
What was to done in so strait a nede—
For thynges that toucheth the welthe of the citie,
Must of wyse councell take first authoritie:
Byd cast theyr wyttes togyther / and take hede
And faythfully do theyr diligence
In this mater theyr purpose for to spede:
What was to done in so strait a nede—
For thynges that toucheth the welthe of the citie,
Must of wyse councell take first authoritie:
For this mater / touched one and all—
A thynge expedient for to be amended.
Whiche to amende, / first they dyd call
The pope in hast / that hath theyr lawe offendyd;
And to this pointe they be all condescended
To dampne hym by hasty iugement,
And all Christens that were of his assent,
A thynge expedient for to be amended.
Whiche to amende, / first they dyd call
The pope in hast / that hath theyr lawe offendyd;
And to this pointe they be all condescended
To dampne hym by hasty iugement,
And all Christens that were of his assent,
Banyssshe all christens out of Rome towne
And punysshe them by mortall crueltie,
Not onely there, / but in eche region,
With diuerse tourmentes / serched euery contree.
This statute made in Rome the citie,
Thrugh all the worlde a decree forthe sent:
They to be slaine / and theyr bodies brent,
And punysshe them by mortall crueltie,
Not onely there, / but in eche region,
With diuerse tourmentes / serched euery contree.
This statute made in Rome the citie,
Thrugh all the worlde a decree forthe sent:
They to be slaine / and theyr bodies brent,
Spare no place / where men dyd them know,
But them pursue vpon eche partie,
All theyr Chirches cast downe and ouerthrowe
Plaine with the groūde, / where men coude them espie.
Thus stode our faith in mortall ieopardie
Of miscreauntes, / foes to Christes law,
For drede of dethe that they haue them withdraw—
But them pursue vpon eche partie,
All theyr Chirches cast downe and ouerthrowe
Plaine with the groūde, / where men coude them espie.
Thus stode our faith in mortall ieopardie
Of miscreauntes, / foes to Christes law,
For drede of dethe that they haue them withdraw—
Against them the painems were so stronge—
Droue them for feare eche man fro his contree.
And Amphiball, that bare non armes of longe
Saue in knighthod of wilfull pouertie,
Constrained was with other for to flee:
Paciently / with trauayle / and with paine
Passynge the see, / came into Britaine.
Droue them for feare eche man fro his contree.
And Amphiball, that bare non armes of longe
Saue in knighthod of wilfull pouertie,
Constrained was with other for to flee:
Paciently / with trauayle / and with paine
Passynge the see, / came into Britaine.
Conueyed he was by grace and vertue
In his repaire homewarde (as I rede),
His safeconduite stronge in our lorde Jhesu—
Who so trusteth hym, / amys he may nat spede—
The holy goost dyd his brydell lede
To Verolamy, / whiche of antiquitie
Was in Britaine a great famous citie.
In his repaire homewarde (as I rede),
His safeconduite stronge in our lorde Jhesu—
Who so trusteth hym, / amys he may nat spede—
The holy goost dyd his brydell lede
To Verolamy, / whiche of antiquitie
Was in Britaine a great famous citie.
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