Albions England A Continued Historie of the same Kingdome, from the Originals of the first Inhabitants thereof: With most the chiefe Alterations and Accidents theare hapning, vnto, and in the happie Raigne of our now most gracious Soueraigne, Queene Elizabeth: Not barren in varietie of inuentiue and historicall Intermixtures: First penned and published by William Warner: and now reuised, and newly inlarged by the same Author: Whereunto is also newly added an Epitome of the whole Historie of England |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IIII. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| 2. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
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| XIIII. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
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| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
CHAP. XIX.
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| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXI. |
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| XXVI. |
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| XXVIII. |
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| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
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| XXXIII. |
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| XXXIIII. |
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| XXXVII. |
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| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
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| XLIIII. |
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| XLIIII. |
| XLV. |
| XLVI. |
| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
| L. |
| LI. |
| LII. |
| LIII. |
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| LIIII. |
| LV. |
| LVI. |
| LVII. |
| LVIII. |
| LIX. |
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| LXI. |
| LXII. |
| LXIII. |
| LXIIII. |
| LXV. |
| LXVI. |
| LXVII. |
| LXVIII. |
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| LXIX. |
| LXX. |
| LXXI. |
| LXXII. |
| LXXIII. |
| LXXIIII. |
| LXXV. |
| 13. |
| LXXVI. |
| LXXVII. |
| LXXVIII. |
| LXXIX. |
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CHAP. XIX.
Albions England |  |
CHAP. XIX.
The Cosen of great Constantine, in Rome and here succeeds:
Betwixt the Brutes, the Scots, and Pichtes continuall trouble breeds:
And long the regiment of this Land the Romanes did inioy,
Transmitting Captaines euermore as Foes did here anoy.
But Rome it selfe declined now, and Brutaine was opprest,
No longer were the Scottish Spoyles by Romaine Swords redrest.
Then ends the Tribute, then began new troubles, worser farre
Then Tribute: for the Scots and Pichtes inferre consuming warre.
The Brutons, vnder Rome secure, as men that did relie
On others, were disabled now by Martiall meanes to trie
The fame of fight: but Captainelesse, confusedly they deale,
And giue a wretched instant of an headles Common-weale.
And whom so many Romaine Peers, grand-Captaines of such might,
Of whom nine Emperors themselues in persons here did fight,
Could hardly foyle, were fronted now, euen of a barbarous Foe,
And at the point (a wondrous change) their Countrey to forgoe.
Such fruit hath ease, such policie did serue the Romaines turne,
Who, waining Martiall minds, themselues the quietlier here soiorne.
Betwixt the Brutes, the Scots, and Pichtes continuall trouble breeds:
And long the regiment of this Land the Romanes did inioy,
Transmitting Captaines euermore as Foes did here anoy.
But Rome it selfe declined now, and Brutaine was opprest,
No longer were the Scottish Spoyles by Romaine Swords redrest.
Then ends the Tribute, then began new troubles, worser farre
Then Tribute: for the Scots and Pichtes inferre consuming warre.
The Brutons, vnder Rome secure, as men that did relie
On others, were disabled now by Martiall meanes to trie
The fame of fight: but Captainelesse, confusedly they deale,
And giue a wretched instant of an headles Common-weale.
And whom so many Romaine Peers, grand-Captaines of such might,
88
Could hardly foyle, were fronted now, euen of a barbarous Foe,
And at the point (a wondrous change) their Countrey to forgoe.
Such fruit hath ease, such policie did serue the Romaines turne,
Who, waining Martiall minds, themselues the quietlier here soiorne.
The Brutons thus dispoyl'd of Armes, and courage in effect,
Of Prince, of Captaines, and aduise, their busines to direct:
Dispatch the Legate to the Land Diminutiue in name
To Brutaine: where the Legate thus his Ambassie did frame:
The back-slide of our helplesse friends, the down-fall of our state,
Our lacke of Prince, of people, and our wealth, not now as late,
The sauage dealing of our Foes, consuming ours and vs,
Is cause (right mightie King) that we approch thy presence thus.
Not for we are in blood allied, or that whil'st Fortune smil'd,
Your Ancestors had rule from vs, not for the Dames defil'd
At Cullin, who withstanding lust for it did loose their liues,
That els to Conon and his Knights had liued noble wiues,
We are emboldned in our suit, though all of these might mooue:
But for our former wants, O King, and for thine owne behooue,
Great Brutaine doth submit it selfe thy Subiect (if thou please:)
Or els dispose it at thy will. Prouided we haue ease
Against such Foes, as would not saue our liues to haue our Land:
Whom to conclude (except thou helpe) we neuer may withstand.
Of Prince, of Captaines, and aduise, their busines to direct:
Dispatch the Legate to the Land Diminutiue in name
To Brutaine: where the Legate thus his Ambassie did frame:
The back-slide of our helplesse friends, the down-fall of our state,
Our lacke of Prince, of people, and our wealth, not now as late,
The sauage dealing of our Foes, consuming ours and vs,
Is cause (right mightie King) that we approch thy presence thus.
Not for we are in blood allied, or that whil'st Fortune smil'd,
Your Ancestors had rule from vs, not for the Dames defil'd
At Cullin, who withstanding lust for it did loose their liues,
That els to Conon and his Knights had liued noble wiues,
We are emboldned in our suit, though all of these might mooue:
But for our former wants, O King, and for thine owne behooue,
Great Brutaine doth submit it selfe thy Subiect (if thou please:)
Or els dispose it at thy will. Prouided we haue ease
Against such Foes, as would not saue our liues to haue our Land:
Whom to conclude (except thou helpe) we neuer may withstand.
The King Aldroen pittying much the cause of his Allies,
Arm'd thence his brother Constantine, a Captaine stout and wise.
He chasing hence the Scots and Pichtes, with glory wore the Crowne,
And through his vertue stayed vp a kingdome sinking downe.
Arm'd thence his brother Constantine, a Captaine stout and wise.
He chasing hence the Scots and Pichtes, with glory wore the Crowne,
And through his vertue stayed vp a kingdome sinking downe.
Within a while did Vortiger the Duke of Cornewale raigne,
When Constans Sonne of Constantine he traitrously had slaine.
The Scots did ruffle then anew, nor did the King affye
In Brutones, for they hated him, and reason had they why:
And Saxon Fleetes from Germanie in Armor here arriue,
Through whose support the King in wars against the Scots did thriue.
The Foe by Hengest foyled thus, he and his brother git
The chiefest credit with the King, but few gaine-saying it,
Necessitie of Souldiers here so well for them did fit.
And Hengests Daughter intertain'd King Vortiger so well,
That to misliking of his wife and liking her he fell:
And sotted thus in forren Loue, did wed the Saxon Wench:
Which wrought vnto the Saxons weale, but to the Brutes offence:
For whatsoere the Queene did aske, the King would not deny,
Vntill his Subiects ran to Armes, and made the Saxons flie.
They putting downe the Father, then did set vp Vortimer,
He poisoned by his Stepdame, they restored Vortiger:
With this condition, that he should no Saxons intertaine.
But Hengest (hearing from the Queene that Votimer was slaine,
And Vortiger his Sonne-in-lawe re-kinged) did resaile
With Saxon forces: though with fraud, not force he did preuaile.
For thus by pollicy he did the Brutons circumuent:
He craued Parlie, as a man that were to quietnes bent,
The place appoynted, Parlantes him in simple meaning meet
Farre from their Armie all vnarm'd, whom Saxon Traitors greet
With deadly wounds by hidden kniues, & held the King with them,
Confounding so the Brittish Oste. Nor cease they to contemne
Both Christian rights, and ciuill Rule, subuerting either twaine:
And what they would of Vortiger through fearefull threats they gaine:
And plant themselues in Southfolke, Kent, and elsewhere at their will:
And rufling runne throughout the Land oppressing Brutons still.
When Constans Sonne of Constantine he traitrously had slaine.
The Scots did ruffle then anew, nor did the King affye
In Brutones, for they hated him, and reason had they why:
89
Through whose support the King in wars against the Scots did thriue.
The Foe by Hengest foyled thus, he and his brother git
The chiefest credit with the King, but few gaine-saying it,
Necessitie of Souldiers here so well for them did fit.
And Hengests Daughter intertain'd King Vortiger so well,
That to misliking of his wife and liking her he fell:
And sotted thus in forren Loue, did wed the Saxon Wench:
Which wrought vnto the Saxons weale, but to the Brutes offence:
For whatsoere the Queene did aske, the King would not deny,
Vntill his Subiects ran to Armes, and made the Saxons flie.
They putting downe the Father, then did set vp Vortimer,
He poisoned by his Stepdame, they restored Vortiger:
With this condition, that he should no Saxons intertaine.
But Hengest (hearing from the Queene that Votimer was slaine,
And Vortiger his Sonne-in-lawe re-kinged) did resaile
With Saxon forces: though with fraud, not force he did preuaile.
For thus by pollicy he did the Brutons circumuent:
He craued Parlie, as a man that were to quietnes bent,
The place appoynted, Parlantes him in simple meaning meet
Farre from their Armie all vnarm'd, whom Saxon Traitors greet
With deadly wounds by hidden kniues, & held the King with them,
Confounding so the Brittish Oste. Nor cease they to contemne
Both Christian rights, and ciuill Rule, subuerting either twaine:
And what they would of Vortiger through fearefull threats they gaine:
And plant themselues in Southfolke, Kent, and elsewhere at their will:
And rufling runne throughout the Land oppressing Brutons still.
The King and Brutons fled to Wales, and Feend-got Marlin theare
Bewraied more then I beleeue, or credit seemes to beare:
As shewing how the Castell worke, rear'd daily, fell by night,
By shaking of two Dragons great that vnderneath it fight,
With other wonders, tedious if not trothlesse to resight.
Bewraied more then I beleeue, or credit seemes to beare:
As shewing how the Castell worke, rear'd daily, fell by night,
By shaking of two Dragons great that vnderneath it fight,
With other wonders, tedious if not trothlesse to resight.
90
Aurelius Ambrose, brother to King Constans murdred late,
From either Bruton hauing aid, wonne so the kingly state:
And, ere that Hengest or his Sonne stout Octa he subdew'd,
First to reuenge his Brothers death he Vortiger pursew'd.
In vaine the Welsh wild Mountaines fence the Flier from his Foe,
Or Gerneth Castell, when as flames throughout the buildings goe:
In midst whereof the wretched King did end his daies in woe.
From either Bruton hauing aid, wonne so the kingly state:
And, ere that Hengest or his Sonne stout Octa he subdew'd,
First to reuenge his Brothers death he Vortiger pursew'd.
In vaine the Welsh wild Mountaines fence the Flier from his Foe,
Or Gerneth Castell, when as flames throughout the buildings goe:
In midst whereof the wretched King did end his daies in woe.
The
Brutons thus had peace a while, till Vortigerus Sonne,
And Gutllamour the Irish King, in new Conflicts begonne:
Whom, whil'st that Vter valiantly in Wales to wracke did bring,
His Brother Ambrose did decease, and Vter then was King.
And Gutllamour the Irish King, in new Conflicts begonne:
Whom, whil'st that Vter valiantly in Wales to wracke did bring,
His Brother Ambrose did decease, and Vter then was King.
What Vter did by Marlins Art, in compassing his will
Vpon the Wife of Garolus, transfigured by skill
Into the likenesse of her Lord, on whom he got a Sonne,
Renowmed Arthur, or to name the Acts by Vter donne,
Were much and needlesse: onely note he was a valiant Prince.
But such as was his noble Sonne, was not before or since.
Yeat blazing Arthur, as haue some, I might be ouer-seene:
He was victorious, making one amongst the Worthies neene:
But (with his pardon) if I vouch his world of Kingdomes wonne,
I am no Poet, and for lacke of pardon were vndonne.
His Scottish, Irish, Almaine, French, and Saxone Battels got,
Yeeld fame sufficient: these seeme true, the rest I credit not.
But Bruton is my taske, and to my taske I will retire:
Twelue times the Saxon Princes here against him did conspire,
And Arthur in twelue Battels great went vanquishor away:
Howbeit Saxon forces still amongst the Brutons stay.
Vpon the Wife of Garolus, transfigured by skill
Into the likenesse of her Lord, on whom he got a Sonne,
Renowmed Arthur, or to name the Acts by Vter donne,
Were much and needlesse: onely note he was a valiant Prince.
But such as was his noble Sonne, was not before or since.
Yeat blazing Arthur, as haue some, I might be ouer-seene:
He was victorious, making one amongst the Worthies neene:
But (with his pardon) if I vouch his world of Kingdomes wonne,
I am no Poet, and for lacke of pardon were vndonne.
His Scottish, Irish, Almaine, French, and Saxone Battels got,
Yeeld fame sufficient: these seeme true, the rest I credit not.
But Bruton is my taske, and to my taske I will retire:
Twelue times the Saxon Princes here against him did conspire,
And Arthur in twelue Battels great went vanquishor away:
Howbeit Saxon forces still amongst the Brutons stay.
This King to entertaine discourse, and so to vnderstand
What Accidents in after-times should happen in this Land,
He with the Brutish Prophet then of Sequelles fell in hand.
Of sixe long after-Kings the man, not borne of humane seede,
Did Prophesie, and many things that came to passe indeed.
What Accidents in after-times should happen in this Land,
He with the Brutish Prophet then of Sequelles fell in hand.
Of sixe long after-Kings the man, not borne of humane seede,
91
Now Arthur, chiefe of Chiualrie, had set his Crowne at stay,
And to his Nephew Mordred did commit thereof the sway,
When with his Knights (the wonders of the world for Martiall deeds)
Beyond the seas in forren fights he luckely proceedes:
Till faithlesse Mordred cal'd him backe that forward went with fame,
For at his Vncles Diadem he traiterously did aime.
Twise Arthur wonne of him the field, and thirdly slewe his Foe,
When, deadly wounded, he himselfe, victorious, died so.
And to his Nephew Mordred did commit thereof the sway,
When with his Knights (the wonders of the world for Martiall deeds)
Beyond the seas in forren fights he luckely proceedes:
Till faithlesse Mordred cal'd him backe that forward went with fame,
For at his Vncles Diadem he traiterously did aime.
Twise Arthur wonne of him the field, and thirdly slewe his Foe,
When, deadly wounded, he himselfe, victorious, died so.
Interred then with publique plaints, and issules, ensewes
A drouping of the Brittish state: the Saxon still subdewes,
Howbeit worthy Kings succeed: but destiny withstood
The auncient Scepter to iniure in Brutes succeeding blood.
Vnlou'd Careticus was he that lost the Goale at length:
Whenceforth, in vaine, to win their losse the Brutons vse their strēgth.
Yea God, that as it pleaseth him doth place or dispossesse,
When foes, nor foiles, nor any force, their courage might suppresse,
Seem'd partiall in the Saxon Cause, and with a Plague did crosse
The Brutons, that had els at least rebated from their losse:
For Cadwane, and Cadwallyn, and Cawallader, the last,
But not the least for valorous of Brittish Princes past,
Brought out of Wales such Knightly wars as made their foes agast.
The Plague (worse spoyler then the Wars) left Cambre almost waste,
Which to auoid, the remnant Brutes vnto their ships did haste.
A drouping of the Brittish state: the Saxon still subdewes,
Howbeit worthy Kings succeed: but destiny withstood
The auncient Scepter to iniure in Brutes succeeding blood.
Vnlou'd Careticus was he that lost the Goale at length:
Whenceforth, in vaine, to win their losse the Brutons vse their strēgth.
Yea God, that as it pleaseth him doth place or dispossesse,
When foes, nor foiles, nor any force, their courage might suppresse,
Seem'd partiall in the Saxon Cause, and with a Plague did crosse
The Brutons, that had els at least rebated from their losse:
For Cadwane, and Cadwallyn, and Cawallader, the last,
But not the least for valorous of Brittish Princes past,
Brought out of Wales such Knightly wars as made their foes agast.
The Plague (worse spoyler then the Wars) left Cambre almost waste,
Which to auoid, the remnant Brutes vnto their ships did haste.
Cadwallader, in leauing thus his natiue shoore, he fixt
His eies from whence his body should, and with his sighes he mixt
His royal teares, which giuing place, he speaketh thus betwixt.
Sweete Brutaine (for I yet must vse that sweet, and ceasing name)
Adew, thy King bids thee adew, whose flight no weapons frame:
But God commands, his wrath commands, all counter-maund is vaine.
Els, for thy loue, to die in thee were life to thy Remaine.
Thus tymes haue turnes, thus Fortune still is flying to and fro:
What was not, is: what is, shall cease: some come, and other goe:
So, Brutaine, thou of Nation and of name endurest change,
Now balking vs whom thou hast bread, and brooking people strange.
Yeat (if I shoot not past mine aime) a world of time from me,
Part of our blood, in highest pompe shall Englands glory be,
And chiefly when vnto a first succeeds a second She.
But, leauing speeches ominous, Cadwallader is woe,
That, seeing death determines griefe, he dies not on his foe.
Ah, Fortune faileth mighty ones, and meaner doth aduance:
The mightiest Empire Rome hath change, then Brutaine brooke thy chance:
Let it suffice thou wert before and after Rome in fame,
And to indure what God intends were sinne to count a shame.
Nor vaunt, ye Saxons, of our flight: but if yee needs will vaunt,
Then vaunt of this, that God displac'd whom you could neuer daunt.
This said, the teares cōtrould his tong, & sailes wrought land frō sight
When (saue a Remnant small) the Isle was rid of Brutons quight.
His eies from whence his body should, and with his sighes he mixt
His royal teares, which giuing place, he speaketh thus betwixt.
Sweete Brutaine (for I yet must vse that sweet, and ceasing name)
Adew, thy King bids thee adew, whose flight no weapons frame:
But God commands, his wrath commands, all counter-maund is vaine.
Els, for thy loue, to die in thee were life to thy Remaine.
92
What was not, is: what is, shall cease: some come, and other goe:
So, Brutaine, thou of Nation and of name endurest change,
Now balking vs whom thou hast bread, and brooking people strange.
Yeat (if I shoot not past mine aime) a world of time from me,
Part of our blood, in highest pompe shall Englands glory be,
And chiefly when vnto a first succeeds a second She.
But, leauing speeches ominous, Cadwallader is woe,
That, seeing death determines griefe, he dies not on his foe.
Ah, Fortune faileth mighty ones, and meaner doth aduance:
The mightiest Empire Rome hath change, then Brutaine brooke thy chance:
Let it suffice thou wert before and after Rome in fame,
And to indure what God intends were sinne to count a shame.
Nor vaunt, ye Saxons, of our flight: but if yee needs will vaunt,
Then vaunt of this, that God displac'd whom you could neuer daunt.
This said, the teares cōtrould his tong, & sailes wrought land frō sight
When (saue a Remnant small) the Isle was rid of Brutons quight.
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CHAP. XIX.
Albions England | |