not to consent and take great counsell for the restoring of the king vnto his kingdome And at the last the king made such prouision of shippes and of warlyke armour with such a huge hoast of men as though they would haue eaten vp at on byt the whole countrey of the Raellyans and not by force of armes to haue conquered them The kinges prouision was an hoast of men of a hundred thousand and fiue thonsand Nauie of shippes And hauing landed they marched towardes the highe countrey of the Raellyans which when he drewe neare they deuyded the hoaste into thrâ—e partes The one part the king of the Trebonyans tooke charge of him selfe the other part he committnd to Hellepatrus and the other part to Hellidorus Thus their hoastes being deuided into three leuerall partes went thrée seuerall wayes and yet not farre one from another for as one of them went forwardes so the other hoast went crosse the one on the right syde the other on the left syde of the armye royall And thus marchingâ— forewardes they kylled man woman and chylde burnt and spoyled without any compassion The king of the Hircans hauing prouided also a great hoast of men almost double to the Trebonyans for that he had choose the best men both of the Hircans and also of the Raellyans Pytching from the Trebonyans in the dystaunce of ten myles notwithstanding the king of the Hircans being very fearefull both in that he had falsely vsurped the kingdome murthered Hellepatrus his wyfe and chyldren mayntained rebelles againste theyr soueraigne king doubted that the ende thereof woulde bee naught so that these armyes being in araye the king of the Hircans sent Harroldes to the hoasts of the Trebonyans with letters to vnderstande their quarrell whiche letters were in this maner WE vnderstade that you haue entred this lande you famous souldiours of the Trebonians and haue vtterly spoiled and vndone our borderers kylled them and burnt vp their houses goods we are verie sorie to geue such occasion of crueltie to any nation wee being heere but as guides helpers and succorors to this poore countrey whereas they were oppressed thorowe a wretched king one Hellepatrus who for his shamefull extorcion they haue banished If your tytle bee to the kingdome the people care not who bee their king so that they maie saufelye enioye their owne And wee Hircans that are their patrones and defendours wyll geue vp our right to any king that wyll sweare vnto vs righteously to gouerne them But thus much we craue of you that if your quarrel may be ended with quietnes to take your owne asking Aske what you wyll you shall haue it at our handes so that this seely countrey of the Raellyans maie be preserued AS soone as the Trebonyans had receaued these Letters and read them forthwith they hanged the Harroldes of the Hircans and most terribly put them to death Forthwith they hauing this deuyce in theyr heads practised that a huge hoaste of Elephantes shoulde bee put in harnesse and a great holow cowpe of yron hanged secreatelye about the neckes of the sayde Elephantes and to fyll the sayde hollowe cowpes full of â—ybble stones in the night vnawares were soddainly dryuen vppon the hoast of the Hircans for that they were all at rest suspecting nothing but looking the returne of the Harroldes were sodaynly rowsed with the noyse and force of the Elephantes With amazednesse taking them selues to flight were dispersed and slaine saue onely the king of the Hircans who was taken a lyue and brought vnto the king of the Trebonyans who tyed a great chaine round about his neck and sent him to Hellepatrus lâ—â— in the manner of a Dogge and byd the messengers tell Hellepatrus that hée had sent him the worme of the Hircans which dyd deuowre the fyrre trees of the Raellyans Forthwith these three hoasts marched forwardâ— and pursued vpon the dispersed Hircans slewe burned and spoyled in all quarters and places of the lande thorowout so that none went frée that if he stoode in the destaunce or rebelous disobedience of Hellepatrus theyr lawfull king but he was slayne and his goodes brunt When the king of the Trebonyans had purged the lande with kylling and burning thosâ— that were left alyue were myserably scourged with whyppes and the king of the Hircans himselfe was drawne thorow the lande lyke a dogge and most myserably whypped with roddes so in the â—nde of all these tormentes the sayde king of the Hircans was most myserablyâ— pryâ—ked to death with néedles Hellepatrus and the king of the Trebonyans went into the holye Alsephon and rendered humble thankes for their victory before the Image where alsó they saw the crowne of thystles hanging as gréene as euer it was in the begynning and the Scepter gallantly shyning These comfortes dyd put great ioye and comfort in the hartes 〈◊〉 Hellepatrus and his sonne nowe the king of the Trebonyans would not continew in that countrey but desired to returne homewarde notwithstanding Hellepatrus was very desyrous to haue had him tarryed styll and to haue made his habitation there The king of the Trebonyans wyâ—ed Hellepatrus to continew great sharpnesse towardes the Raellyans for so shoulde they best keepe them in order And so the king of the Trebonyans departed but most parte of the souldiours of the Trebonyans continewed within the lande of the Raellyans dyd inhabite there but alwayes such deuision was betwéen them and the Raellyans that not one of them coulde abyde another But as the king of the Trebonyans taking his iorney homewarde passing ouer the high hylles Arnolla his Charriot by great mysfortune breaking be him selfe also hauing a fore fall brake his necke King Hellepatrus vnderstanding hereof sent vnto those hylles where the dead coarse laye for it was but in the borders of the Raellyans to bring the dead carkase vnto him which presently as soone as it was brought â—e buryed it in the holy Alsephon and erected a sumptuous tombe ouer it with these Epigrams written ouer the same ¶ The knot is loosde by death Assured friend adew Oh fortunes cruell fate Such mischiefe to ensew The truest friend That liude in open sight That euer was In warre the noblest knight Oh faithfull friendshippes trust A king of worthie name That nowe is turnde to slymie dust Let praise blowe out thy fame A friende moste sure That neuer failde For to endure Thy friendshippe neuer quailde THis Hellepatrus the King being restored to his kingdome againe lyued very quietly and suffred both the Raellians and Trebonyans to inhabite together he droue the Hircans quite out of the lande and woulde not suffer so much as a lyttle childe to continue there the king perceyuing the fyckle alterations of Fortune dyd agrée verie quietly with his Lande the kinge grewe somewhat to age and vsed great company kéeping and geuen to excessiue dronkennesse and therefore he could not rule them with such puissancie as before he had done the king him selfe not onely became a great
Theyr owne brittle foundation wayed and considered after theyr owne hartes desire was established and all thinges brought to passe euen as they wished for they with one consent and agreement for the more surer fastening and grounding of theyr estate by the counsell and aduise of the chiefest and wysest men of the Raellyans gathered together with one agreement to choose a King thinking thereby theyr gouernaunce not onely to become ciuile but also theyr estate better and happyer and that theyr countrey shoulde the rather he dreaded And also that they all throwing themselues vnder the obedience scepter of one man shoulde become one whereas euery mans opinion bearing swaye there was many factions treasons conspiraries which dyd ensue one enuying anothers estate within them selues Therefore as they thought best to reduce this their popular estate in one vnifourme gouernaunce thorow which determination great grudging arose most part of them thought it vnnecessarie to throwe theyr neckes vnder the gouernaunce of one man and the rather for that before theyr forefathers had refused theyr obedience vnto the Scithians a people of theyr owne fleshe and blood And also for that they were called Raellyans which name came of theyr banishment which if nowe they shoulde prostrate them selues to a King might well againe be called Scithians after theyr olde name and countrey from whence theyr ofspring yssued And so in continuaunce of tyme the Assyrians posteritie woulde pretende a tytle to theyr gouernaunce and this theyr estate shoulde bee come very daungerous Whereas now euery man is ready to defende his owne estate and euery mans particular condicion of lyfe is generall to all the whole countrey And he that enuyeth eyther the estate of the countrey or the prosperitie of his neighbour is a plaine enemie vnto him selfe and his owne famylie This hath béene heretofore the gouernaunce and therefore séeing we prospere and florishe that all countreys rounde about vs reuerence vs feare vs and craue helpe at our handes why shoulde we so greatly abandone our great libertie whiche hath béene deryued from the stoute magnanimitie of our forefathers to bee cowardly loste in vs theyr posteritie and chyldren These and such lyke persuasions were in the hartes of the common people of the Raellyans Notwithstanding the prudent elders of the countrey woulde not desist theyr opinion but that theyr countrey coulde not bée saufegarded by any better meanes then by electing and chosing of a King. Nowe whereas the Scithians hauing in their countreye as a moste precious iewell an Asse of Adamant stone sumptuously portrayed with golde and precious orna 〈…〉 es for adorning and setting forth of the same These Raellyans when they first departing from their own countrey of Scithia dyd steale this Asse of Adamant stone from the Scithians transported the same into the wyldernes of Ramasa where nighe adioyning vnto a fountaine called Rempollos in the sayde wyldernesse they buylded in the maner of a holy Sanctuary a place called Alsephon which was as much to saye in their language a place of lybertie In this religious place of lybertie called Alsephon they put this Asse of Adamant stone and by practise they coniured a lying spirite within the sayde Asse thorowe the euent and successe whether it were good or bad of any thing that was reuealed vnto them by this Asse of Adamant stone they woulde obeye and holde it for trueth This strife betwéene the commen people and the prudent elders of the Lande for the electing and choosing of a Kinge for that it coulde not bée otherwayes described shoulde be ended in the holye Alsephon before this Asse whereas a great gathering together was mâ—de of the wysest people and best places of the Lande to yelde their voyces or consent for the choosing of a King. This controuersie growing to suche a wounde which festered more sharper in their hartes then the languishing disease Lossorna doth in the ioyntes and partes of man yet notwithstanding such was the reuerent feare and blinde heathnish estimation both for that custome which ouercasteth and shaddoweth all thinges had forgotten the very begynning of this Asse helde the same in the worshippe of a God the whole multitude durste not but wholly geue consent both for feare and loue whiche wholly as this relygious Image reuealed the substance of the cause so to be content to establishe theyr estate For as they feared this Image in respect of the diuers plagues mischiefes that might fal vpon their estate contrey euen so for the pure zeale and blind loue of vaine worship not one of them woulde fall awaye or once wring aside in that duetie that they thought might be done to so holy and reuerent an Image for health sicknesse riches pouertie all maner of earthlie increase yea the renowne of theyr countrey as they beléeued begun continued and ended thorowe this Image Wherefore this deuise was prouided that all the people which although they were of two seuerall opinions in minde notwithstanding they shoulde be gathered all in one in this holye Alsephon Where before this holy Image the Asse this wounded controuersie should bee cured and as herein they were all content so the two sortes of people dyd chuse two seuerall Orators to decyde theyr two seuerall causes the one how that it was necessarie that the lande shoulde be gouerned by a King so the others opinion was that their estate was nowe happiest and therefore moste vnnecessary to haue a King The common sorte of people dyd those an excellent Orator one Harmannus that should set downe the opinion of the common people and the prudent Senators dyd chuse for theyr Orator one Alectros As these causes and opinions were very skylfully handled so was the controuersie lefte before the Image by the Determyner of the holy Alsephon to be ended ⧠The oration of Harmannus the Orator in the behalfe of the common people for that they would not haue a gouernor IMaye not flatter or fable in this holye religious Alsephon for that this Image of all blessednesse and renowne in the eares eyes and hartes of all the people this daie wyll reueale the sincere asâ—eueration of a faithfull Oratour aswell for that it standeth vppon the commoditie of a common vvealth as also for that I speake before this holye Image in whome onely consisteth the power and dominion of reuengement or rewarde of vertuous demerites vvhich if for hier or vvages for praise or singular estimation I shoulde exalt either my selfe or the cause then no doubte I looke for euer to bee plagued with the pestiferous plagues that is due to a flatterer or such a one that respecteth his owne gaines But if the sinceritie of righteous vertue doo witnesse a good hart and a holy intention to all goodnesse the profite of a common wealth the continuaunce of the olde maners of our fathers the cutting of of sects or opinions the healing of soares the curing of diseases the inriching of my countrey the quieting of the people the bynding
many suppose I am brought to great ioye and lifted vp to many folde renowne yet many sorowes and cares do approch more nearer mee then all the world doth see A King must not only be careful for his owne estate but also of his people and countrey If the one miscary the other cannot doe well The glory of the one is the renowne of the other if the people be disobedient vnruly and that neither the feare of this holy Image or the authoritie of their King or the obedience that is incident in them selues howe many sicknesses and diseases doeth weaken and infeable a Kinge euen vnto death A Kinge is incombred with the whole gouernaunce and charge of the common wealth not onely for their saufegarde but also for their wealth profite and commodytie their sorrowe is my sicknesses in mee and in my personne is the whole lande and countreie if I bee the marke that euerye countreie and nation or hatefull enemie shooteth at howe can I thinke my selfe in any happie saufetie or that I am exalted to suche renowne as the whole lande speaketh of As I woulde be loathe to forsake and leaue of the good wâ—ll that Ladie Fortune-hath bestowed vpon mee so if I maye bee discharged and vnburthened of this great and waightie charge which both by this holye Image the Elders and commons of the lande I am brought vnto so I shoulde haue thought my priuate estate of lyfe to bee more saufe But seeing it is thus come to passe and that I perceaue great wyllingnesse and forewarde zeale to further the successe hereof with the lyke obedience that both presentlye remayneth in you and so as the best is alwayes to bee thought lyke to continue whiche as you doo make mee your Kinge and gouernour and strengthen me with all the right title state and intrest that is in you So I beseeche you continue good subiects do not offer no iuste occasion that through rigorus iustice I should alter your obedient opinions conceiued of me For as a King ought to be a seely lamb in righteous iudgment toward his good people so he ought to be a Lion in executinge of iustice towardes his wicked people especially when occasion is offered Although we haue receiued some sharpe newes from Delphicus Appollo yet I hope all thinges shal turne to the best which the rather will come to passe through your obedience duty towards me in my administration of rightuous gouernment towards you I am that Kyng that this day most dearely doth loue his subiects I beseeche you once againe for no occasion of my mislykinge towards you you are the people of whom I presume and boldly saye that at this instant do loue me your kinge I trust such will be your vsage and reuerent care that I shall haue no occasion offered me to hate you I therfore in you and you in me are many dispersed members at this present day of Coronation knit in one body If one lytle sinew of this bodie do breake a great infraction is lyke to ensewe much more if one ioynt do breake the whole bodie wyll become decrepite and laine such is the knitting of this bodie that if onely 〈◊〉 be rotten many members are put in hazarde to putrifaction good subiectes therfore let vs knit our selues at this daie that wee our countreie and goodes maie be preserued our renowne well spoken of other countreies put in dreade of our loue and quietnesse ¶ Here endeth the Kinges Oration ⧠Here sheweth howe the King was sworne vnto the Commens and passed forth the daie of his Coronation with many pleasures AFter the ende of this Coronation the Elders of the Lande dyd eracte an oathe of the King and they cryed with a lowd voice Holy Image defend our king Fyrst they propowned that he shoulde defende the honour of the holye Image vertuously and shoulde gouerne righteously that neither for fauour of the one or hatred to the other he should deny iustice neyther by strength power or aucthority should extort of them but with equity to mayntaine and vphold the Scepter of his kingdome And lastly to defende them from the inuasion of forraigne enemies This his chardge being at an ende the people showted with lowde voice and the Trumpets blew with other instrumeÌ„ts ordayned for that day and purpose Now lastly setting the Crown vpon the Kings head fowre seuerall tymes one after another but in the end they left the Crowne remayning vpon the kings head styll vntyl night Nowe after the fynal end of all these triumphes renowned plesures the king arose with al the Elders departed for the present vnto a sumptuous banquet prouided for the daye of Coronation In the ende whereof the king with the Elders went vnto the Theatre where they dyd see the yong men of all the Realme shew Royal actiuity of many and sundry Marshall feates of Armes thus the day being almost spent and night drawing on returned to the holy Alsephon where they hanged the Garland of Thystles which was the kinges Crowne and in lyke maner delyuered vp the Scepter and thankes being rendered vnto the holy Image departed ⧠Here is shewed howe the King fell at discorde with his subiects his subiects confederated with the King of the Hircans to inuade their lande Hellepatrus the king of the Raellyans was banished and restored vnto his kingdome by the King of the Trebonians with the myserable death that the King of the Trebonyans was executed to AFter this the king being established in his kingdome confirmed king of of the Raellyans with all the assuraunce that might be the king being of a hautye and lustye nature â—oulde not beare the murmurations of theÌ„ common people but for verye small trifles dyd hang drawe them with executing them to many other sauadge and cruell deaths such was his crueltie that no king was feared lyke vnto Hellepatrus The king seeing his estate sure his subiectes reduced to obedience and that all thinges fell out as he wished for then he procéeded to enriche his unperial Crowne with lands and lyuinges at which generally the subiectes repyned and beganne to repent them selues that euer they had made him king Insomuch the king with such crueltie began to taxe them and brought sore yoakes and burthens vpon them as many of them fled from their owne countrey so many of them yeelded them selues and set good faces of the matter although their hartes were ful of cankered mischiefe and poysoned mallice towards the king The king calling all the chiefs and rychest of the lande together in mouing them to resigne all their lands and lyuinges vnto the imperiall Crowne of his kingdome and to become his tennauntes At which they being all sore amazed for that euerie man helde but according to the cusrome of the countrey denyed the kinges request The king Hellepatrus taking sore displeasure by the aduise of some certaine flatterers about him put many of the chiefe Elders of the lande to death
Raellians vvith the Kinges consent sent Embassadors vvith ritche giftes vnto Delphicus Apollo fo 20. ¶ The crowne Garlande and the golden Scepter vvith the Oracle that they receiued by the Embassadours from Delphicus Apollo fo 21 ¶ The noble royall Coronation of Hellepatrus king of the Raellyans with the triumphant feates of chiualry and the kings Oration vnto his subiects fo 23. ¶ Howe the crowne Garlande and the Scepter were hanged vp in the holye Alsephon which was a prognostication of the fatall destruction of the kingdom of the Raellians fo 25. ¶ How Hellepatrus beginning to taxe his subiects they conspired treason confederated with the King of the Hircans and banished Hellepatrus from his owne countrey wife and children fo 26. ¶ Of the miserable death of Hellepatrus his vvife and children being left behind among the Raellians fo 27. ¶ How Hellepatrus with his sonne Hellidorus making their refuge vnto the land of the Trebonians for the space of sixe yeares were richly succoured Hellepatrus opening his griefes vnto the king of the Trebonians was promised to be restored home againe into his countrey fo 29 ¶ The vâ—age and behauiour of the two Kings in the time of their banishment fo 30. ¶ Howe the Kinge of the Trebonians vvith the most vvarlike prouision that euer vvas hard of restored Hellepatrus vnto his kingdome fo 31 ¶ Of the hanging of the two Harrroldes of the apprehending and taking of the King of the Hircans of his sore and terrible punishment because he vsurped the kingdome of the Raellians and lastly how he vvas miserably prickt to death vvith neadles fo 32. ¶ Of the establishinge of Hellepatrus againe into his kingdome fo 33. ¶ Of Hellepatrus quiet security being geuen to idolatry dronkennesse and lechery in his olde age vvas poisoned to death by a harlot fo 34 ¶ The noble Funerall of Hellepatrus vvith the Ascalons Oration of the mortalitie of mans life fo 36 ¶ The burning and straunge fire that vvas seene in the Alsephon vvith a crying voyce the night before his Coronation fo 37. ¶ Howe Hellidorus neuer laughinge in his life succeeded his Father Hellepatrus in the gouernment of the lande of the Raellians the manner of his Coronation vvith his sharpe Oration to his subiectes fo 38. ¶ Howe Hellidorus reuenged his fathers death fol. 41. ¶ Howe Hellidorus continuing his idolatry there arose a Prophete among the Raellians vvhich not onely cried out against the present Idolatry of the king and his subiectes but made an Oration vppon the terrible iudgements of the hiest goueruaunce and howe the Prophete vvith the true zeale of vertue brake their Asse of adamant stone fo 43 ¶ The cyuile death and punishment 〈◊〉 the King vsed vppon his subiectes for vvithholding awaie the deedes and writinges vvhich specified how the Lande vvas holden vvhich vvas purchased of their forefathers from the Assyrians fo 44. ¶ Howe Hellydorus lusting after mariage vvith shamful concupiscense vvas blinded vvith an harlot vvith the Kinges amorous vvanton Letters and the harlots aunswer againe ib ¶ Howe the Ascalon rayling against the Prophete vvith many peruerse perswasions continued the Kings blindnes in idolatry fol. 49. ¶ Of the death of the Prophet fo 50. ¶ A persecution thorow the Lande of the Raellians for beleeuing the Prophetes doctrine ib. ¶ Howe the Ascalon vvith the consent of a vvitch conspiring together did steale awaie the Garlande and the Scepter out of the Alsephon vvhich being the â—oâ—titude and magnanimitie of the King and the kingdome being now lost the King vvas married vnto that harlotte Sebona fo 53. ¶ The mariage of the King vnto Sebona the Asealons Oration vpon the mariage daie in the praise of the Queene fo 54. ¶ Howe King Hellydorus in the morning after he had lyen vvith the Queene looking forth of his vvindowe dyd behold an Asse eate Thystles according to the olde Prophesies of the Raellyans neuer in his lyfe before dyd laugh fell nowe to a laughter and vvas turned to an asse fol. 56. ¶ Howe the King of the Assyrians after King Hellidorus vvas turned to an asse dyd conquere the Lande of the Raellyans and put Queene Sebona and the Ascalou to death vvith pricking them vvith neadles fol. 58. ¶ The Kinge of the Assyrians ryding a hunting in a thicked of thornes his houndes vverried Hellidorus the king being in the fourme of an Asse to death fo 59 ¶ The vvords that King Hellidorus spake being in the fourme of an Asse at the verie instaunt of death fo 60. ¶ Of the noble renowned sumptuous Sepulcher vvith the Epigrams that the Assyrians buylded in the vvyldernesse ouer the carkase of King Hellidorus ib. FINIS ⧠Howe the Raellyans began their fyrst estate and of their great Idolatrie to the Asse of Adamant in the holie Alsephon c. VVHereas the Raellyans inhabyting in a certayne desert grounde of the Assyrians exiled for theyr disobedience dissent of not puttinge on the naturall lawes and ciuile ordinaunces of the Scithians were from their originall and natyue countrey quite dryuen out For as the Scythians were a plaine people ignoraunt and altogether vnskylfull of the pompous magnyficent constitucions of other princes so were they wholly directed in the footesteppes of vertue after the documentes of nature they lyued in the most playnest simplicitie of this lyfe they were people that although of small vnderstanding of the eternall gouernaunce yet theyr lyues and good manners were not the worst they had in contempt the deuice of noueltyes As they began with good order so they continued and so they ended Theyr cloathing was of beastes skinnes theyr dyet of the naturall fruites which the earth brought forth by course of kinde Among these Scithians there were som obstinate and vnruly people and such whiche woulde not put on so harde and straite kinde of lyfe were contented rather then to endure the same to become banished men forlorne of theyr owne countrey and to seeke theyr habitation else where There was a certaine wyldernesse called Ramanna which was a waste grounde vnhabited belonging to the Assyrians with the east bordering vpon Aries vpon the south Carmanill vpon the west the Medes vpon the north the Hircans These Raellyans were contented at the first to become tributaries to the Assyrians not onely to inhabite that grounde but also to plant the same with all manner of fruitefull encrease But after good space of tyme the Raellyans growing to great wealth and secure pleasure of all prosperous felycitie were able to traffique prouision of marchandyze to all countreys rounde about them dyd buye and freelye purchase the priuiledge of their countrey and lande of the Assyrians which they the rather compassed to bring to passe for that the Assyrians repined at theyr wallowing in wealth and great happinesse which the Raellyans grewe vnto as also because the Assyrians beganne to extort and with cruell vexation to oppresse them practysed the spaedier to auoyde such inconuenience which might ensue
our realme and countreie tooke their beginning of the Scithians blood in vvhich it is most true that fleshlie nature and naturall consanguinitie did allie our forefathers but in maners oure forefathers vvere feared both for their courage and contenaunce our forefathers vvoulds not suffer the pinching penurie of the Scithians for that they had a further sight in the giftes of nature vvhich vvas not in respect they refused their obedience vntill such time as the Scithians desired to liue rather lyke slaues then to plant their landa and in putting their countreie to bee fertile with all excellent increase they being denied of this lybertie of planting setting and in vsing the commoditie of the earth refused both their obedience and countreie For a monument of great fame as the Chronicles of our countreie reporte the Scithians dyd geue this holy Image vnto our fathers in remembraunee that they vvere once inhabiters of that lande and as some other vvrytors of our monumentes doo saie the Scythians did geue this Asse vnto our fathers for that they shoulde the vvyllinger departe But doo you not knowe vvhat the Prophesie of the olde Prophete Raellon vvhiche in keeping his Goates in the vvyldernesse vvas vvoont to sing ¶ The Prophesie ¶ Our fathers came from Scithian land who on an Asse dyd ryde That Asse doth proue to be a God our noble King discyde ¶ But when this Asse on thystles féede then shall this lande in woefull care Haue want and wretched neede IF I doo not thinke this Image able to doo euerie thing so I shoulde prophane this blessed Image to speake the contrarie but by the vvays to declare the Shepheardes Prophesie for this holie Image doeth knowe both vvhat hath come to passe and vvhat shall come to passe This Prophesie doeth declare that our fathers vvoulde that in tyme vvee shoulde haue a king and vvhere it is saide that an Asse shoulde feede on grasse vvhiche is nothing but the possibilitie of this Image able to doo all thinges Yea able to come from the holie place Alsephon not onelie to destroie this vvicked Oratour but also the vvhole countreie of the Raellyans As all thinges are possible vvith this holie Image so nothing is vnpossible vve must therefore needs thinke of great plagues to be powred vpon vs if vve doo notobeye the voyce of this reuerent Image vvhiche hath yeelded all honourable renowne vnto our fathers And therefore it is our partes to geue due adoration thervnto But it is no maruaile that we thussall at variance within our selues since that such greedie Cratours doo blowe in the eares of the con mon people both for their owne gaines and also for the raysing of tumultes we maie haue iust occasion to surmise that such pratling Oratours doo practise for their owne gaine with the confines and borders rounde about vs or else to set vs one against another at ciuile dissentions that the wide gappe of mischeuous rebellion maie be opened For these busie practisers are deriders and disturbers of kingdomes and common weales to the ende the same might approch to destruction for their owne pray such is their craftie pollicie to pretende a concorde to the people for a defence of their countrie when as altogether they woulde be contented that by such wylie sacke and siege to deliuer them vp to be raâ—saâ—ked of their lyues goodes and Countrye Our fathers indeed brought vs to this happie inheritaunce but howe vnhappie woulde it fall out to their children if such vnhappie fellowes and lewde Oratours which are the refuse of the people dare presume to correcte the golden counsaile of the wysest of this Realme gathered together this daye the one seeking and caring for the wealth of this Realme and the other the woefull estate that eyther they woulde continue vs in or else leade vs vnto which although our fathers neuer before were gouerned vnder a King is there good reason that wee shoulde nowe bee abridged of a kinglie gouernment As who shoulde saâ—e that euerie age by succession is not to be gouerned according to the maners of men Our fathers were but the first founders of this lande they contented them selues with modestie and patient contentation although in their inst quarell full of courage yet other waies very quiet and contented for because they were but straungers vntill they were growne into acquaintaunce neither was their lande so populous then as it is nowe And for that wee woulde place and settle our lande vnder a King is not to correcte our fathers noble actions but to ratifie and confirme them to become more stronger and more noble For had they liued vntyll this daie they woulde haue done the same Shall we respect what other countreies doo saie for this establishing of our countreie in an vniforme order causeth them to quake for feare least we shoulde increase the confines borders and boundes of our lande In deede if vvee should headlong hurle our selues into mischiefe in continuing vvithout a King in that they might inuade our lande our vnhappinesse vvoulde make them happie and our cursâ—dnesse vvould cause them to become blessed And then secreete spite vvhich hath lurked in their stomackes from the beginning in enuying our prosperous felycitie shoulde deserue and offer iuste occasion to bee reuenged to be plagued by them outwardlie If vve haue a King vvee shall be the happyer assured of our owne goodes and possessions if thorovve iniurious vvrong vvee bee oppressed to vvhome shall vvee make our refuge for redresser or reformation but onelie vnto the King if the King doo exact or taxe vs as our forefathers were with the Assyrians we shall be comforted of the King with the lyke hope of assuraunce as our forefathers were of the Assyrians for as the Assyrians stoode bounde by faithfull oathe to defende the tributarie people the Raellyans So shall the King in lyke sort stande bounde by outwarde recognisaunce of oathe to defende and maintaine vs his subiectes and countreie Our fathers neuer refused obedience for that they came from theis owne countreie was for iuste cause in that they woulde occupie both their bodies and mindes which the Scithians were neuer geuâ— vnto in setting and planting the fruites and increase of the earth and the Scithians were the poorer and lyued in more slauishe life for that they woulde not plant their countreies with fruites and exercise their people with vses and occupations So the Assyrians perceauing the gentle maners and good vsage of our forefathers their great pollicte they had to enriche their lande by setting and planting And also perceauing howe that they began to storishe in worldlie wealth did offer the free purchase of their countreie which they did inhabite and to raunsome their tribute VVhiche although they were not growne to so full a wealth as wee are so was their people fewer and therefore in all respectes of lesser chardge and according to the measure of quantitie comparing their little chardge and lyttle vvealth to our great chardge and great wealth they might
of these securyties and blinde knowledge of the eternall goueruaunce from about hauing no other vnderstanding saue onlye in that dombe Image the Asse which stoode in the Alsephon which their forefathers brought from the lande of Scithia there arose a great Prophete in the lande of the Raellyans of what countrey nation stocke or kyndred he came of or out of what place no man vnderstoode This Prophete lyued in a most straight kinde of lyfe he eate of the greene Figge leaues of the wyldernesse his garmentes were of a skinne of an vnknowne beast his Orations and outcryinges were not onely for the present wickednesse of the king and the people but he also tolde them that theyr present destruction was harde at hande that for Idolatry and worshipping of a dombe Asse would cause theyr king to be turned to an Asse and the kingdome of the Raellyans to be confouÌ„ded and inhabited of another people The king hearing hereof was sore amazed both at the boldnes and earnestnes of this Prophet feared his estate in which he stoode in knewe not what to doo for that many opinions sects and factions dyd swarâ—â—e in the Lande thorowe the doctrine of this Prophete Some of the people dyd not beleeue of this Image which theyr forefathers brought from the Lande of Scithia Some of them hated the Ascalon some of them coulde not abyde to come within the Alsephon almost none of them coulde abide the King Such was the estate of the Raellyans that of a thousand men there was a thousand opinions one contrary to another The king being very desirous to â—alke with this Prophete sent for him and intreated of him for that he hard that he was a Prophete and outeryed of the voyces and â—â—lâ—hie actions of the Raellyans woulde declare vnto him his present estate in which he stoode with the destruction that was immynent and hanging ouer his head For in deferring his wickednesse the terrible daye of vengeaunce woulde be worse but in the amending his lyfe he might become the better lyuer and teache his people such vertue as best standeth for the saufegarde of his countreye to appease the displeasures and angers that are ready and at hande for theyr destruction for howe can we amende those vices of which we are perswaded to be vertues and no vices The Prophete desired the king both to harken to his counsell and warning that might best sauegard himselfe and profit his countrey The Prophetes Oration vnto king Hellydorus IF that long continuance hath brought the showers of fruictfulnesse ouer this whoale countrey vvhereby you vvallowing in such pleasures and voluptuous ryotof your bodies doo neglect the blasted my series that your mindes are darkened vvithall in the night of ignoraunce vvhich if your bodies be satisfyed and your mindes vnquiet your bodies out of daunger and your mindes in daunger your bodies quiet and your mindes out of quiet howe can you accoumpt your pleasures happie your ioyes reastfulnes for your mindes doo premeditate the actions of your bodies yea your minde is the teacher of your bodies and that which your minde purposeth your bodies doo bring the same in action howe can your bodies do good and perfect affectes when your minde being full of filthie and lewde endeuours replenished vvith al defectes ignorant of that which it ought to know howe can your boddies bring in practise the perfection of goodnesse or the knowledge of vertue if your mindes lusting after vvickednesse do rule your bodies then vertue is drowned and ouerwhelmed vvith the darknesse of sensualitie I tell thee O King thylande is full of Idolatrie they knowe not the reache of the hiest gouernaunce And if they vvorshippe a doltishe God an Asse in vvhich is the spirite of lying and er 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ror howe can there be any light or bright shine of felicitie for an Idolatrous God can not rule the minde although in the blinde purpose of phantasie that God miraculouslie can deceaue your minde for as the highest eternall gouernaunce suffereth your mind to be led so the same gouernaunce can both ransacke your minde and breake your God to a thousande fitters But if your minde vvere in the knowledge of that eternall gouernaunce as it is not neither doeth that knowledge come to any but to those vvhich before are destined therevnto so hauing that knowledge neyther your dombe Asse coulde allude you nor your manifold vices seduce you to the toppe of vengeance and mountaine of wrath and then headlong to throw you to destruction but such is the practise of the lying spirite of errour first to blinde you in Idolatrie and in the worship of a false God which shrowdeth the high pathe of vertue from our eyes to leade you to wallowing lust and such filthinesse which the bodie desireth VVherefore the lying spirite doth first winne and intyce the people to Idolatrie to the ende they shoulde not knowe any other righteousnesse vntyll confusion were hotely powred vpon their headdes least that the true righteous eternitie opening the winges of comfort shoulde drawe them from the dongeon of fleshlie vices which is diffycult to bee done in you for that you are setled in olde custome and long vsage of wickednesse I saye O King Hellidorus consider howe many troubles haue nearelie touched thy fathers estate and thine in this Realme and countreie of the Raellyans â–ª how hathâ— this come to passe but onelie for lacke of the ayde and succour of the chiefe eternall gouernment vvhose breath is able to kyll thee and all the vvhole lande thou vvylt saie thou and thy fathers hitherto haue preuailed in all your tribulations vvyll you attribute the cause hereof to your owne vvarlilce policie learning riches friendes great hoastes but it is not these thinges that haue deliuered you although these thinges might be instrumentes that you vvorke by the hiest gouernaunce did suffer your deliueraunce to be vvrought for that a heauier and more intollerable confusion shoulde ouerthrowe and destroie you Although thy Father Hellepatrus escaped the handes of the Hircans yet was he deliuered into the hands of a shamefull harlotte to be poysoned to death As your dombe Asse is not able to deliuer you so neither can he helpe you but the eternall gouernaunce can doo both that is helpe you and deliuer you the inwarde inuocation draweth repentaunce from the harte it is vertue that is geuen from aboue and no man can repent vvithout this vertue vvhere the mystes of sinne haue ouerwhelmed this vertue there the highest gouernance hath no inwarde vvorke and this being dismembred vvith lewde luste there is no actuall application first leaue thy blinde zeale in vvorshipping this Asse enter into the secreates of thy harte for remorse adioyne an inwarde speculation vvhich sheweth a more bryghter lyghte in an howie then euer thy father or thou diddest see in all your liues before The ende of the Prophetes Oration AFter these wordes of the Prophete the King was verie wrathfull and full of malyce suche a boyling
more saufâ—lie lyue at lybertie to enioye their owne then wee are able with the best pollicie and warlike prouision to defende our owne For as nothing is more in hazard then vvealth so nothing is more feared then vvealth for as the poore countreies doo enuie vs so vvoulde they neuer seeke to conquere vs but for our vvealth And againe for that they perceiuing our florishinge estate of riches howe doo they feare vs Our fathers did leaue vs a free possessions not that vve shoulde diminishe the the same but vvith a famous nobilitie and honourable renowne encrease it O you prudent Senatours of the Raellyans hearken vnto mee vvhich also vnfayâ—edlie and purelie speake before this Image shall not the alteration of this our estate turne to the best both for that our countreie shall be saufegarded good lawes and constitutions published our goodes preserued the people quieted and reduced to ciuile subiection If that enuious vexations do lurke and lye hyd in the hartes of the people there is no better way to vnroote olde customes and plant good orders such as are agreeing with the old opinioÌ„s of our forefathers perticular and necessarie to our common wealth and so as necessary to endure coÌ„tinually then ciuile aucthoritie It is not vnknowne but that old and auncient custome being neuer so straunge to remoue by ciuile gouernance it taketh place And where thorowe lyttle strife the people are readie to holde vp the sworde one against another their aucthoritie must be made the stranger and more forceable to endure I doubte not but that this happie estate shall both presently and prosperously ensue to renowne and such as are enemies herevnto shal vtterlie in short tyme be destroyed and our estate and common wealth shall for long time be preserued Indeed the wild thistle for that it choaketh good corne is to be cut downe but the Rosemary stocke is to be preserued as necessarie and holesome The weake stincking nettles are to be cut downe but the fir trees of the wildernesse are to be preserued for a common wealth If we call to remembraunce the wofull pleasure as Harmannus wylleth vs of the Hircans and Trebonians the miserable penurie they brought vnto their lande in lyuing at their owne lybertie and myschiefe and destruction their frowarde awkarde stomackes did worke in them for their ciuile vvarres and horrible dissentions that they vvere subiect vnto when as they fel at discord with their King as also such was their mallice that one of them became odious vnto another Indeed it is truely spoken that their vnhappy estate of life may make our estate of life happy for if the remembrance of their rebellions worke in our harts obedience and duety if their ignoraunce worke in vs knowledge if they for disobeying and rebelling against their King came to ruine let vs vvith obeying duetifullie acknowledge our Soueraigntie and maie be long and euermore made happie and prosperous subiectes to winne renowne and keepe it For in hauing a King degrees of men are knowne euerie man is preserued in his owne estate the whole lande chieflie maintained in a most prosperous safegarde This you may well perceiue it is farre better to haue a king to bee ruled then to liue at lybertie one man to destroie another This O sanctified Image witnesse euen with thy deuine strength and maiesticall power that whether Harmannus or Alectros haue spoken either flatteringlie for their owne priuate gaine and praise or against thy renowne or the renowne of this lande and countreie presentlie to bee strooke with such infernall plagues as continueth and resteth in thy holinesse to strike such horrible malefactours ¶ Here endeth Alectros his Oration ⧠Of the great discention and hâ—rlie burlie that fell among the people in the holie Alsephon PResently after the ende of these Orations there grewe such dissention in the holy Alsephon on both sydes partes were taken so that not one man that was in the holye Alsephon coulde assure himselfe to goe away with the hope of his owne lyfe There was for the space of two howres suche a showte with roaring and myserable crying of the people rending their cloathes scratchinge theyr skinnes pulling their heayrre from theyr headdes that the lyke was neuer hearde before So that the prudent Elders of the land had veryly thought that present destruction and wastfull subuersion of their countrey had in that woofull instant run vppon them In the middest of this hurlye burlye such was theyr desperate perylous mischiefe that one Rosmonna a vyllanous Ruffyan dyd run very vehemently with an edgde toole in careles maner purposing to kyll Alectros the Oratour and with the excéeding thrust and strife that was among them the holy Image was throwne downe Whereat they being all amased kepte silenceâ— and reuerentlye knéeled downe and with greate teares acknowledged their boldnesse and shamelesse disorder in that they durste enterprise suche vnreuerent practises before this holy Image foorthwith the Image with the force of the lying spyrite that was within was erected and set vp againe of it selfe In the ende of this controuersie iudgement was geuen by the consent of the people that Rosmonna shoulde be hanged And as touching their controuersie for that the people were deuided they woulde for the present tyme referre the arbiterment thereof vnto the Determyner of the holy Alsephon And presentlie after that they with one consent had executed Rosmonna to death came to heare the full ende and fynal determynation of this controuersie for they were al weryed with yrksomnesse of ciuile crie and showte of the people with the clamorous noyse murmuringes grudginges that one of them had against another which moued them the rather and wyllinger to make an ende fearing least their countrey woulde drawe to ciuile warres and so in the ende come to desolation ¶ The Determyners Oration for the appeasing of the people MY friendes and countrey men I am sorie and the inwarde griefe of my harte plungeth sorrowfull teares in myne eyes First to see you my countrey men friendes and neighbours to fall at such variance to hazarde your selues and your goodes in suche a matter about which you neede not so much to trouble your heads or yet your raginge wittes to bee discouered by such greeuous agonies vvhether it be necessarie or vnnecessary this lande to be gouerned by a King perceiuing the myserable mischiefe alreadie kindled with the whoate fyrebrandes of mallyce in the hartes of the people I woulde rather with wholsome water of good counsaile squenche the same then to put the drye stickes of the wyldernesse to increase it or the gunpowder of the Assyrians to cause it more raginglie to flame out I humblie beseeche you my good countrey men to quiet your hartes and pacifie the griefe of your mindes I am sorie that it shoulde bee thought yea to haue muche more so iuste occasion to speake that the Raellyans are of suche rude conuersation and lewde behauiour Yea before this blessed Image so vnreuerently and ryotouslie to behaue