in the Isle of Anglesey These saith J. Caesar in his Commentaries had the office of sacrificing of discussing points in Religion of educating youth determining differences with full power to exclude those from Sacrifice who disobeyed their precepts and sentence To make the people valiant they strove to arm them against the fear of death by teaching That mens Souls could not dye but passed out of one body into another They were likewise Astrologers and not altogether ignorant of one Eternal and Almighty God All their Learning was written in the Greek Tongue of which the Brittish language retains many words to this day But as all things degenerate so these Druides in time grew very barbarous for they use to stab men to death and by their falling bleeding or dismembring pretended to foretel things to come for which and many other wicked practices this Sect was extirpated in Gallia and long after in Brittain by King Lucius when he had received the Gospel Bardus the Son of Druis succeeded and was much admired by his People for inventing Songs and Musick and such as excelled therein he constituted into an Order of Philosophical Poets or Heraulds calling them by his own name Bards and J. Caesar reports he found some of them here at his arrival Their business was to record the noble exploits of their valiant Captains in Songs and Ditties which they sung to their Instruments at the solemn Feasts of their Grandees and were so highly esteemed that when two Armies were even ready to ingage if a Bard had stept between both Parties would have held their hands to hear his advice till he were out of danger of whom Lucan thus sings Vos quoque qui fortes animas belloque peremptus c. Then you brave Bards securely sung The Praises of dead Peers In lofty strains so to prolong Their Fame for many years And because these Poets were neither repugnant to the Roman civility nor the Christian Religion they alone above all other Sects were suffered to continue long after the birth of Christ nay some report there are many of them to be found in Wales to this day still called Barthes and an Island near that Countrey is named Bardsey upon that account After Bardus death the people neglecting the Laws of their Predecessors and falling into Luxury were easily subjected by Albion the Giant said to be the Son of Neptune the Sea God and the same with Naphthuim mentioned by Moses the Son of Cham who had by his wife Amphitrea four Sons to each of whom he gave an Island Albion the youngest landed in England which he quickly subdued arriving in light Ships covered over with beasts skins and called the Countrey by his own name so that the race of the Samotheans being extinguished the Succession was changed from the Family of Japhet to that of cursed Cham Having named the Isle Albion he and his Companions were called Giants though not as some think from their stature which yet was much larger than now but Gigantes or Sons of the Earth many huge bones discovered in our age demonstrating that they were much taller than we are now As Albion conquered Brittain so his Brother Berguin commanded in Ireland and the Orkneys These two had notice that the Great Hercules their Cozen after he had subdued Spain resolved to pass into Italy against their Brother Lestrigo to revenge the murther of his Father Osyris whom these Sons of Cham had slain though he was their uncle as being Brother to Neptune and to add to their barbarity had divided his carcase each preserving a piece of his flesh as a monument of their victory Upon this account Hercules whom Moses calls Laabin proclaiming War against them having first destroy'd the Tyrants Tryphon and Busiris in Egypt Anteus in Mauritania and the Gerions in Spain he leads his Armies thence toward Italy both the Brothers joined to oppose him and near Rhodanus a terrible Battel was fought wherein Hercules doubting of success his Souldiers having spent all their arrows he commanded them to throw stones whereof there were plenty at their enemies by which they obtained an entire victory killing Albion and Berguin in the field with most of their Forces which made the Poets feign that Jupiter assisted his Son Hercules by throwing down stones from Heaven Albion being thus slain the people at home having no Governor fell into all kind of disorders and seemed to differ little from wild beasts till the arrival of the daughters of Danaus of whom ancient Historians give this Account Belus the son of Epaphus had two sons Danaus and Egyptus both Kings of Egypt Danaus ruled the upper Region and by divers wives had fifty daughters and his brother Egyptus happened likewise to have 50 sons who desiring the Dominion of the whole Countrey earnestly required the daughters to be married to his sons But Danaus having notice by an Oracle That he should receive his death by a son in law refused the proposal whereupon his brother made War upon him and drove him out of his Kingdom who imbarquing himself and his daughters in some small Boats arrived in Greece and dispossessing Gelenor King of Argos of his Realm by the assistance of his own subjects who hated him he reigned there with so much glory that the Greeks were after called Danai from his name Egyptus his brother vext that he should escape sent his Sons with a great Army to pursue their uncle with commission not to return till they had either slain Danaus or obtained his daughters in marriage who thereupon coming into Greece were so successful that he was forced to give them up and married they were but Danaus bent upon revenge gave every one a dagger charging them after their husbands were asleep to kill them all and that he would certainly be the death of her who should refuse They all obey his will but Hypermenestra over whom love prevailed more than fear of her Fathers severity who awake't her husband Lynceus and advising him to fly back to Egypt for safety Danaus having notice of the disobedience of Hypermenestra resolved to have put her to death but was hindred by the Argives yet kept her close Prisoner He then endeavoured to get husbands for his daughters but they were so abhored for their treachery that it was hard to procure them Lynceus arriving safe in Egypt his Father was so incensed at the murder of his other sons that he sent him back with strong Forces against his uncle who prevailed and soon dispatcht him setting his wife at liberty and subduing the whole Kingdom of the Argives and then sending for Danaus daughters he judged them not worthy to live for their cruelty yet being his wives sisters he would not put them to death but commanded they should be put into a Ship without Sails or Oars and so left to the mercy of the wide Ocean Who after many dangers were at length cast happily upon this Isle of Albion where getting ashoar and
in time exercise great cruelties against them The Israelites little regarded these threats of the Almighty but were wholly corrupted both Magistrates and People which caused a dreadful mutiny and commotion among themselves upon this occasion A certain Levite who lived in the Tribe of Ephraim having married a wife of incomparable beauty out of the City of Bethlem in Judah he loved her intirely but suspecting that she had not the same affection toward him much difference arose between them which increased so far that the woman leaving him went and dwelt with her Father The husband quickly followed her and by reason of his extraordinary kindness to her was soon reconciled and being treated by her Parents four days with much respect on the fifth he designed to return home but proceeded not on his Journey till toward noon by reason of the unwilling farewel the Father and Mother took of them He had a Servant with him and an Ass whereon the woman rode having travelled about 30 furlongs and approaching Jerusalem the Servant advised him to take up his lodging thereabout lest some disaster might befall them so near an enemies Country but he unwilling to lodge among the Canaanites resolved to travel 20 furlongs further to some City of the Benjamites and accordingly came to Gibeah late in the night where they found none to receive them till at length an old man coming out of the Country being an Ephraimite by birth but dwelling in that City meeting him asked him whence he came and how he was so late without a lodging he replied he was a Levite who having brought his wife from her Parents was returning to his house among the Ephraimites the old man having a respect to his Tribe entertained him into his house But certain young men of the City having observed the woman were even ravished with her beauty and resolved to assault the house and seize upon her The old man earnestly requested them to depart and offer no violence to Strangers but they furiously demanded to have the woman delivered or else threatned further mischief neither could his alledging the worthiness of her birth and parentage the dignity of her husband being a Levite nor the Villany of the Fact deter them but they still persisted in their menaces to murther him and his Family if he did not instantly satisfy their brutality In this extremity the old man thought it less inconvenient to prostitute his own daughter to their lawless desires than that his Guest should suffer any outrage But this would not in the least content them so that their rage increasing they violently seized on the woman and carried her away to their own lodgings where having abused her all night about break of day they thrust her out of doors who being exceedingly disturbed at this horrid usage and ashamed to appear before her husband after this unfortunate accident she fell down dead at the door of the house where he lay In the morning her husband finding her in that posture imagined that she was only asleep and endeavoured to awake and comfort her since what had been done was without her consent and by the brutality of those miscreants but at length perceiving there was no life in her he with much perturbation of mind laid the dead Carcass upon his Ass and carried it to his own house where being arrived he divided it into twelve peices which he sent to the twelve Tribes of Israel commanding the Messenger to relate the occasion and manner of his wives death and how horridly she had been abused The Tribes were much disturbed at this unheard of outrage and assembling together in Siloe before the Ark they resolved instantly to take arms and utterly destroy the Gibeonites as their mortal and implacable Enemies But the Elders restrained their wrath by representing to them the reasonableness of first sending to demand satisfaction for this notorious abuse which being denied they might then justly proceed to punish them with severity Accordingly some persons were sent to require the delivery of those young men that had perpetrated this wickedness against the woman that they might suffer the Law according to their demerits but the Gibeonites peremptorily deny to yield them up since the whole Tribe of Benjamin wherein this City of Gibeah was scituated resolved to joyn with them in defence of these profligate Wretches This Report being brought to the rest of the Tribes they solemnly bound themselves by Oath to each other that none should give their Daughters in marriage to a Benjamite but would mutually assist each other in the total extirpation of that Tribe and accordingly they put themselves into arms and in a short time brought an Army of four hundred thousand into the Field The Host of Benjamin was about twenty six thousand and the first Battel was fought near Gibeah wherein the Benjamites put the Israelites to flight and slew two and twenty hundred many escaping by the darkness of the night The Benjamites returned joyfully to their City but the Israelites were very much discourag'd by this unexpected disaster Yet hoping for better Success they renewed the fight next day wherein the Benjamites again prevailed with the slaughter of eighteen thousand of the Israelites who thereupon left their Camp and retired to Bethel The day after they fasted and humbled themselves before God beseeching him to appease his wrath toward them and that he would at length give them victory over their Enemies which the Lord assured them by the mouth of Phinehas the High Priest they should obtain the next day Hereupon they divided their Army into two parts one whereof they laid in ambush near the City of Gibeah and with the other marched against the Benjamites who issued out with assurance of the same success as before and the Israelites thereupon retiring confirmed them in their error so that proceeding with much fury they were at length drawn quite out of the City few or none being left therein since all hoped to be sharers in the spoil and prey when on a sudden the Israelites making a stand and falling upon them and at the same time giving notice to the ambush to come on who quickly appeared with a great shout the Benjamites were instantly incompassed and though they made the best defence they were able yet in a short time were all slain except six hundred who desperately fought their way through the midst of their enemies and escaped to the Mountains all the rest being about Twenty five thousand falling that day and the City of Gibeah was burnt and all the women and children therein killed using the like severity against the rest of the Cities of Benjamin The fury of the Israelites being by this bloudy slaughter appeased they began to consider that by their rage they had almost extinguished one of the Tribes of their Brethren and repenting of their severity they considered of some way to prevent their total destruction whereupon remembring that the men of Jabesh Gilead
unfortunate Lucretia go for revenge To the Kings Family It is they have injur'd me To my own Friends It is I have injured them O ye Gods of Hospitality it is you I call upon but to what purpose call I on you since you have permitted it Revenge me you Infernal Powers but why invoke I you since you were his assistants in this horrid crime I my self will revenge my self and will by my own death take greater vengeance on this my Enemy than by living I will dye not to lessen my own faults but to aggravate his villany not because I have sinned but to shew that she did not subject her self to sense who voluntarily deprives her self of sense I will die that I may not live in such wretched times that make life a shame and to be born is the greatest misfortune my fall shall ease your thoughts and make my revenge happy and I who will not live an example of dishonour to Women will die an example of courage to men Ah poor Lucretia what a cruel Guest Didst thou receive How was thy House unblest And by mistake how sadly didst thou prove Thy Table fed a Serpent not a Dove As she uttered these last words she plunged a knife into her breast and fell down dead thereon Her Father and Husband surprized at this sudden stroke set out a loud cry Daughter Dear Daughter old Lucretius cryes That life was mine which thou hast here depriv'd If in the Child the Fathers Image lyes Where shall I live now Lucreece is unliv'd Collatinus her husband seconds these Lamentations My Dear Lucretia in whose breast doth lye My Life is fled unto Eternity She 's dead She 's dead and Oh! if that were all In time I might endeavour to recall My Grief but she 's ah what I speak's too true Ravisht by Death ay and by Tarquin too Brutus while they where full of greif drew forth the bloudy knife out of Lucretia's wound and said I swear by this bloud which was so chast before the wicked Ravisher stained it and ye Gods be ye all witnesses of my vow and resolution that I will endeavour to extirpate Tarquin the proud his wife and all his Race with sword fire or any other violent means that I have power to use nor will suffer them nor any other King to have any Authority or Dominion in Rome At these words Collatine and Lucretius the husband and Father and likewise Valerius were even astonished to see the dull disposition of Brutus so soon altered they therefore threaten nothing but revenge and their Laments are turned into indignation resolving to follow the resolutions of Brutus who thus incited them to endeavour to root out the wicked Family of the Tarquins from among them In prosecution whereof they carried the body of the bleeding Lucretia into the Market place where they endeavoured to inflame the people with the prefence of so dismal an object which occasioned every one to exclaim against the cruelty and violence of the Tarquins yet had not this woful sight nor the doleful cryes of her Father and husband so much effect upon them as the earnest excitations of Brutus who with all manner of eloquence and zeal perswaded them to act as became men and Romans who were sollicitous for the liberty of their Countrey by taking Arms against their common Enemy Upon which the brisk young men immediately assembled ready armed and having left sufficient Guards at the Gates of Collatia to prevent any Intelligence from going to Tarquin the rest followed Brutus their Commander to Rome where being arrived the people of that City were much alarm'd and seeing such considerable Persons command them thought it was no rash attempt they had undertaken So that the multitude running from all parts to the Market place the Cryer summoned them to appear before the Tribune which Office Brutus himself at that time happened to bear Being assembled he made a very ingenious and pathetick speech to them wherein he discovered much more sense and understanding than he had ever before pretended to in words to this effect Most Noble Romans will you still suffer this ravenous cruel lustful tyrant To what end do you bring up your Sons To what purpose do you give education to your daughters Wherefore do you heap up riches for a Cruel wretch which will kill your Sons for a Lascivious Tyrant to debauch your daughters for an avaritious taskmaster who will rob you of your wealth If you bear with Tarquin or any of his Race in hopes they may amend 't is vanity If because you fear him 't is madness A Tyrant is a Monster who is by nature intended only for a scourge to men and therefore none can be safe under him he equally fears and hates both good and wicked men and despiseth lukewarmness and indifferency What is it you expect perhaps the old kings death Who can imagine the Sons will be better than the Father Their tempers are composed of the bloud of two wicked ones They are educated by a Tyrant born in the proud commanding family of the Tarquins and therefore like to be altogether as insupportable as their parents Tarquins lust is not extinguished by Lucretias death 't will be more raging if it remain unpunish't the calamities of other persons may be a lesson to you and he who can learn by others harms though he may want experience yet he is certainly more happy Let your bosoms then be no more exposed to the loss of bloud for increasing the grandeur and dominion of that City which belongs to another And for which you will be rewarded with nothing but bloud and wounds Are you not aware that you conquer Nations only to reduce them under Tarquins tyranny That by bringing others into bondage you make your own slavery the greater No longer then suffer your hands which were formerly accustomed to noble deeds and to bring home glorious Triumphs for adorning your Capitol to be basely imployed in emptying Vaults and removing Uncleanness Courage Noble Citizens deceive your selves no longer through ignorance of your own power but henceforth learn to know your own strength delay no longer in such an enterprize wherein delaying may be your ruin Now you have one to lead you need not fear to want followers all mens wills are alike opposite to Tyrants only few are so daring as to begin I will be your Head to drive out Tarquin I will be your companion in forming your liberty I will be the first in danger and the last in happiness Brutus his words make a sudden impression upon the People and he who would have them follow him need use no other inchantment but the name of Liberty which carries an universal influence with it though very few truly understand what it is The incensed multitude unanimously resolve to abrogate Tarquins power and banish him with his Wife and Children Whilst Brutus and his youthful Volunteers went to Ardea to inflame the Army against the King He
seeking for food by hunting Deer they met with some of the Inhabitants who were rude and Savage Giants living more like Devils than men yet finding no others they had commerce with them from whom proceeded a generation not unlike their Parents yet none of these Ladys were named Albina as some conjecture so that the Island was called Albion from the Giant aforementioned And thus you have the History of the Inhabitants of this land before Brute of which you may judge as you please I now proceed to Brutes arrival hither of whom we find recorded that he was the son of Julius whose Father was Aeneas of Troy So that the Abionists being gone off the stage the Trojans next succeeded Brute being about twenty five years old was hunting with his Father in the Forrest whom by misfortune he killed with an arrow in shooting at a Deer for which he was banished his Countrey of Italy and in the company of several young Trojans arrived in Greece where they found divers of their Countreymen in slavery who joining with them they took several Forts and Castles and then sent a Letter to Pandrasus the King of the Countrey to this effect Brute Leader of the remnant of the Trojan people to Pandrasus King of the Greeks sends greeting Because several of the Noble bloud of Dardanus have received high affronts and have not been treated according to their merits therefore they have chosen to live freely in woods and Forrests rather than comply with the pride of ingrateful men and have contented themselves with herbs and raw flesh to avoid the yoak of thraldom which they must otherwise be subject to And if this course of life offend your Highness yet they are not to be blamed but pardoned since every Captive Slave desires to be restored to his former freedom and liberty If then you have any compassion for our condition suffer us to remain quietly within these woods which we have got into our possession and if not then suffer us quietly to depart out of your Countrey into some other place Pandrasus was much furprized with their Letter and request but considering their small number he resolved to root them out before they should increase and marching with his Forces to that purpose as he passed neer the Town Sparatinum toward the Woods Brute suddenly issued out thence with three thousand men and assaulted them with such fury that they fled hoping to save themselves in the adjoining River of Akalon but were so hotly pursued that many were drowned Antigonus the Kings brother made a stand with some Grecians hoping to renew the battel but the Trojans pressing on them took him Prisoner slaying and dispersing the rest After which Brute put 600 men into the Town and returning to the rest in the woods was received with extream joy Pandrasus vext at his ill success raised another Army wherewith he came before the Town in hope to have taken it by storm but Brutes men held it very valiantly till wanting provisions they sent to him for speedy relief who being too weak to ingage in open Field came suddenly in the night upon the Kings Camp being directed by a Prisoner he had taken where to make the easiest approach so that he encountred them with much advantage and overthrow their whole Forces taking Pandrasus himself Prisoner whereby the War was ended and soon after an absolute peace concluded by which The King was obliged to give Brute his daughter Innogen in marriage with a sufficient Dowry in gold and silver To furnish him and his people with a Navy of Ships well provided of all necessarys and Lastly That they should freely depart the Countrey whither they pleased to seek adventures This being performed Brute with his wife and people imbarqued and after two days sail arrived at an Island called Leogitia now unknown to modern Geographers where they consulted with an Oracle or Idol of Diana Brute kneeling and holding a bowl of Wine prepared for sacrifice in his right hand and the Bloud of a white Hind in the other thus addrest himself to the Goddess Diva potens nemorum terror Sylvestribus apis c. Thou Goddess that in Woods And Groves dost take delight Who dost pursue the foaming Boar That flies thy dreadful sight Thou who dost soar aloft And glidest through the Sky Who div'st into the dismal Cells That in dark earth do lie Declare to us our Fate Direct us in our way Where we may habitations find And where to make our stay Where thou desirest we Temples to thee should build Where Virgins may thy Praises sing Who are in Musick skil'd After this Prayer and performing the Ceremonies of Pagan Superstition Brute expecting an answer chanced to fall asleep when the Goddess appearing made him this return Brute sub occasum solis trans Gallia regna c. Brute farther west beyond The Gallic shore is found A noble Island which the Sea Doth quite incompass round Where Giants once did dwell But now are rooted out There 's room enough to plant thy self And all thy warlike Rout. Sail thither then with speed Possess it as thy due A lasting seat for thee and thine Where Troy shall rise anew Kings of thy Noble Race In after times shall rise Who all the world shall conquer and Their Fame shall reach the Skies Having thus Complemented the Lady and received this gentle answer in the same language he courted her Brute when he awak't remembred his Dream and began to question whether it were a Vision or the real Advice of the Goddess who had thus spoken to him with Humane Voice whereupon consulting his Companions it was unanimously concluded to be the counsel of the Divine Oracle at which there was much rejoicing and bonefires made wherein wine milk and other superstitious ingredients were thrown which done they instantly went a ship-board in hope of the promised success and sailing westward arrived at the streights of Gibarlter where on the Spanish Coasts they met with another company of Trojans who were descended from Antenor after his escape from the Siege of Troy Their Captain was called Corineus a man of great wisdom and valour with whom upon consideration of their Countrey they joined and made one entire body these new comers adventuring their Fortunes with them Sailing Eastward they came to the mouth of the River Loyre in France and landed in the Dominions of a King called Goffarius Pictus because his people painted their faces and bodies wherein consisted their gallantry and the Countrey from thence it is thought is called Poictou to this day part of Scotland being named Pictland upon the same account Goffarius having notice of their arrival sent to know how they durst presume to come into his Land without licence The Messengers addrest themselves to Corineus whom they found with two hundred of his Company that came with him from the Ships hunting Venison in a Forrest for sustaining their lives and giâ—â—ng Corineus some disdainful words he endeavoured
in the Woods leaving two Sons Mempricius and Manlius He is said to have built Madan Castle now Doncaster IV. Mempricius at the beginning of his reign had much trouble from his brother Manlius who out of an ambitious mind of ruling provoked the Brittains to rebellion and the war was long and bloudy But Manlius under pretence of treating being slain he reigned more peaceably which yet produced as bad an effect for being quiet he ran into all manner of debauchery ravishing the Wives and daughters of his Subjects and at length grew so unnatural in his lust that he forsook his wives and Concubines and fell into the abominable sin of Sodomy Whereby he became odious to God and man and met with the fate of his Father being slain by Wolves in the forrests after twenty years reign V. Ebrank his Son by his lawful wife was his Successor he had as is said twenty one wives on whom he begot twenty sons and thirty daughters He built many Cities in his own kingdom and elsewhere He sent his daughters into Italy to be married to some noble Trojans whom his sons conducted thither and in their return conquered part of Germany that impeded their passage and planted themselves there Ebrank built Caerbrank now York and Maidens Castle in Scotland now Edenburgh After which he invaded Gallia now France and subduing the Galles returned home with great riches and having reigned forty years died and was buried at York VI. Brute Greenshield his Son was King after him in the year of the world 2009. Asa being then King of Judah and Baasha of Israel He always wore a Green Shield from whence he took his Sirname and prosecuted his Fathers Conquests in France which he wholly subdued and then dying VII Leil his Son built the City of Carleil after his own name and repaired Caerleon now Chester which was built before Brutes coming by a famous Giant named Leon Gaur In the beginning of his reign he was very good and virtuous but afterward degenerated into all kind of voluptuousness whereby he caused great divisions and disturbances among his Subjects which continued during his life He was buried at Carlisle and left the Government to his Son. VIII Lud or Hudibras who appeased the dissentions raised in his Fathers reign and reduced the Realm to quietness he built Kaerkin now Canterbury Câ—â—rguent now Winchester and Mount Palondour now Shaftsbury In his reign Aquila a learned man writ his Prophecies of which some fragments now remain in Latin. Having reigned thirty nine years he left his kingdom to his Son. IX Bladud who was famous for Astronomy and Necromancy by which means he is reported to have made those hot Baths in the City of Caerbran now called Bath and was so addicted to the study of Magick and other strange practices that he taught them to his people and to magnify his Skill therein undertook to fly in the air but his Skill failing he fell upon the Temple of Apollo in Troynovant now London and was dasht to peices after he had reigned twenty years X. Lear his Son undertook the Government after him a Prince of a gallant temper and ruled with much justice He built the Town of Caerlier now Leicester upon the River Sore It is related he had three daughters named Gonerilla Regan and Cordilla whom he loved very tenderly especially the youngest and growing aged without an Heir he resolved to try the affection of his daughters and to leave the Kingdom to her who should express most fatherly kindness to him He therefore demanded of the first how much she loved him who with great earnestness called Heaven to witness That she loved him above her own life was very ready to lose it for preserving his With which reply he was well satisfied and askt the same question of the second who with mighty attestations assured him That her affection was beyond expression and that she valued him above all things in the World Lastly he required Cordilla the youngest to declare what kindness she had for him who replied Knowing the extream love and parental indulgence you have always born to me I do solemnly and from my conscience protest I ever did and ever shall love you as a natural Father and no otherwise Lear was much discontented at her answer and therefore soon after married his two eldest daughters one to the Duke of Cornwall and the other to the Duke of Albany and ordained that after his death the Kingdom should be divided between them but reserved nothing for Cordilla Yet it happened that Aganippus King of Gallia now France hearing of her beauty wisdom and virtue sent to her Father to desire her in marriage who answered He might marry if he pleased without a Dowry since all his land was already disposed to her elder sisters Aganippus notwithstanding for her excellent qualities made her his Queen He was one of the twelve Kings that then ruled in Gallia Lear was now very aged and the two Dukes thinking it very long before they enjoyed the Kingdom taking arms deprived him of the Government only allowing him a certain revenue during life but after a while they grew weary and much diminished his allowance yea his two daughters who made such zealous profession of love now thought much of what their Father enjoyed so that he went from the eldest to the second to whom he represented the unnaturalness of her sister who used him as ill as the other and at last reduced him to so mean a condition that he had not one servant to wait on him At length wearied with their affronts and abuses he fled secretly into France to seek relief of his youngest daughter Cordilla having notice of the arrival of her Father in so mean and wretched a state she sent him privately some money to provide necessaries and to retain a number of servants that he might appear at Court honourably attended according to his former dignity whither being come he was received with all manner of respect and honour by the King and his daughter wherewith he was exceedingly comforted and gave them an account of the bad treatment he had received from his other daughters upon which Aganippus raised a great Army and conveyed them over into Brittain in a gallant navy of Ships together with King Lear for recovering his Kingdom who had made an agreement that Cordilla should succeed after his decease since her sisters by their disobedience had forfeited their former right In short time they landed in Brittain Cordilla being with them and meeting with the two Dukes they ingaged in battel and put them to flight the Dukes being both slain and Lear thereupon restored to his Kingdom who reigned two years after and then died after he had ruled in all forty years and was buried in a vault under the Chanel of the River Soar near Leicester XI Cordilla being admitted Queen of the Realm reigned very happily five years at the end of which her two Nephews
beheaded at Antioch and Herod thereby secured in the Throne Hyrcanus being carried Captive to the Parthians he there continued peaceably little moved with all the horrible changes he had met with However he was much respected by the Jews that fled thither for security from their own Countrey who gave him as great reverence as if he were still their King though now in Captivity in a strange Land Herod hearing of it and fearing the consequence sends great gifts and earnest Letters to the Parthian King beseeching him to send home Hyrcanus his Father and Benefactor that he might share the Scepter with him and have the comfort of so faithful a Friend and Counsellor The King of Parthia sensible what interest Herod had with the Romans give Hyrcanus leave to go whither he pleased who resolved to return to Jerusalem though disswaded by his most faithful friends and was there received with much seeming kindness by Herod who had now all the Royal Family of Judea in his own power Alexandra the daughter of Hyrcanus a woman of an imperious Spirit was Wife to Alexander aforementioned by whom she had two Children Aristobulus and Mariamne This daughter was reckoned one of the greatest beauties in the World and admired by many Neighbour Princes and therefore could hardly escape the observation of Herod who required her in marriage of her Grand-father and Mother who having neither courage nor power to deny and hoping she might incline him to be kind to the Royal bloud gave her to him for a Wife though she her self were sensible that she was hereby delivered into the paw of the Lyon who might seem to take delight in her beauty but would at length destroy her Yet perferring obedience to her Parents before her own safety she seem'd contented with their determination But though this marriage might seem somewhat to fortifie his Title to the kingdom yet Herod was unquiet whilst so many others appeared to have more right thereto and already shewed his disaffection to these his new Allies For Hyrcanus being uncapable of holding the High Priest-hood because of his deformity in the loss of his ears all mens eyes were upon Aristobulus brother to Mariamne a Person of excellent hopes and bred up in the Court whereby he was accomplished for this great Office But Herod doubting he had already too much favour with the People designed to prefer another Jew named Ananel whom he had found out beyond Euphrates Mariamne perceiving by this how her family was affronted and what an indignity it would be for her brother to be deprived of that honour which by nature and kindred he seemed designed for being of a generous mind addressed her self to Herod telling him That her brother was the only hope of her house which yet was so decayed that he had no reason to be suspected of attempting the Crown If he would bestow the High Priests Office on him he would make him his Creature who was yet so young that any impression might be made upon him and that this act would indear him in the affections of his Subjects to be so kind to a Grandson of Hyrcanus whose virtue they had always admired Herod was perswaded by these pressing reasons from so sweet a Tongue and constituted young Aristobulus High Priest dismissing Ananel who at present did officiate Alexandra the mother was so transported at the news that she wept for joy and freely declared to Herod That she was ambitious of no more advancement for her Son and did absolutely renounce all pretensions to the kingdom and could now dye very well satisfied since she was so happy to see her daughter a Queen and her Son High Priest At the feast of Tabernacles Aristobulus then but seventeen years old entred into his Office and was much reverenced by the Jews who had a great opinion that he would equal if not exceed his Predecessors They remembred that his Grandfather Hyrcanus was but like a Statue and Aristobolus was carried in Chains to Rome like a Gally-slave and his Father Alexander and Uncle Antigous had lost their lives by opposing forreign Servitude and hoped that this young Prince who had escaped so many Shipwracks was reserved for some notable Service to his Countrey Herod whose jealousy never slept observing with what affection the people received him caused Spies to be set upon him his Sister and Mother so that they could not stir out of the Palace but he had notice of it Mariamne was so discreet as not to discover much resentment at this unkind usage but her mother Alexandra not enduring this Royal confinement resolved to endeavour her freedom and therefore writes to Cleopatra the renowned Queen of Egypt who upon many accounts had an aversion to Herod complaining of the calamities she suffered from him and intreating her assistance in order to their deliverance or that she would afford them a sccure retreat into her kingdom till the storm of Herods jealousy was over-blown Cleopatra invited her to come with all speed into Egypt with her Son and that she should think it her glory to be instrumental in serving so great a Princess whereupon she resolved secretly to depart with Aristobulus her Son not daring to impart the secret to her daughter Mariamne least the tenderness of her Nature should divert her from so perillous an attempt She then caused two Coffins to be made in which she contrived her self and Son should be carried out in the night and put into a Bark prepared for that purpose which should instantly sail into Egypt but one of her Servants discovering the design to Herod he took no notice thereof till it was put in execution and then seizing the Coffins surprized them both yet seemed not much concerned but pretended to pardon her out of the greatness of his Spirit though the chief cause was the fear of disobliging Cleopatra whom he knew would highly resent it however he inwardly resolved to make away Aristobulus after some time that it might not be suspected to be any act of revenge in him When the Feast was over Herod went to Jericho where he was entertained at the house of Alexandra and feigned to have buried all past actions in oblivion entertaining Aristobulus with much endearedness and playing like a young man with him at several sports wherewith they exercised themselves so long that being all in a great heat they concluded to cool their bodies in the adjoining River which was shaded with Trees and pleasant Arbors Aristobulus by the persuasions of Herod went in likewise when Herods Confederates whom he had hired to commit the murther came toward him and pretending to hold him in sport under water they never left him till he was stifled therein The news coming to Jerusalem the whole City was drowned in tears and the women made woful lamentations over the dead body and all thought themselves concern'd in this publick loss but especially Alexandra the mother who was so inraged at this unspeakable mischief especially since
Religion doth prize Which to promote she spar'd no cost nor pains Fully assur'd of Everlasting gains CLovis the husband of our worthy Heroine was King of France in the year of our Lord 485. And had scarce arrived to fifteen when he was seated on the Royal Throne a Prince of growing hopes born to build up that Great Monarchy where of his Predecessors had laid the foundation having the honour to be the first king who received the Christian Religion which was the choicest Jewel in his Crown France was at that time divided into several petty Royalties to which great priviledges were annexed yet acknowledging Clovis to be their Soveraign But this being little more than having the name and Title of King Clovis resolved if possible to become absolute Master of this goodly Countrey to obtain which he begins with the weakest and most obnoxious whereby he at length attained his end getting possession of the greatest part of Gaut and then having the County of Burgundy in his eye he desires Gombalt at that time Duke to let him have Clotilda the daughter of his younger brother Chilperick whom he had barbarously murthered to wife Gombalt was very averse to this alliance yet not daring to discover the real cause alleaged that his Niece had never the ambition to aim so high as to be Queen of France and besides there was one essential hindrance namely the diversity of their Religion it being a thing without example that a Christian Lady should marry an Heathen Prince which he could not permit to be done without manifest danger to her Soul and wounding his own honour to all posterity The French Ambassador replied That since his Master had a great respect for Clotilda he was very well pleased with her quality and that it was probable his Master by converse with a Princess of such admirable virtues and perfections might be at length induced to imbrace Christianity Gombalt said Matters of so great consequence ought not to be left at uncertainty And with this answer dismist the Messenger hoping he had now utterly prevented the match but Clovis transported with an entire affection to her soon returned an answer to this objection solemnly promising to renounce his Pagan Superstition and imbrace Christianity Whereat Gombalt was extreamly disturbed since he understood that in case he gave a denial the King of France would proceed to arms which might be fatal to his Countrey especially since many of the Burgundian Gentry were very conversant in the French Court and passionately desired this alliance as the greatest security and advantage to their Nation This business being of much importance was not thought fit to be concluded without the general consent of the States of the Countrey who being assembled to that purpose Gombalt endeavoured by many arguments to infuse jealousies into their minds of the great danger of being so nearly allied to so potent a Monarchy but found his allegations had little effect upon the Burgonians who unanimously concurred to have the marriage consummated as the surest bond of peace since the French were become so powerful it was dangerous to deny them any thing and it might therefore be feared that the entreaties of a Lover would be changed into the rage of a Conqueror That Clotilda whose Piety to God and love to her Countrey were both very eminent might by her worthy demeanor to her husband prevail upon him both to imbrace Christianity and to be very kind to her Nation Gombalt could not well find an answer to these convictive reasons but at length raised another scruple That Clotilda had vowed Virginity to Heaven and was resolved not to be married at all At this the Ambassador smiled desiring she might be called that her self might give him his answer Clotilda being asked the question replyed That she had never yet been so devout to make any vow of Virginity and though she were extreamly pleased with her present retirement yet if her Uncle thought fit to marry her to the King of France upon condidition he would become a Christian she would not be so undiscreet to refuse it At these words the Ambassador and his Attendants gave a loud shout declaring the marriage was concluded Gombalt dissembled his resentment fince he could not prevent the appointments of Heaven and therefore made speedy provision for her Journey into France saying Well Neice I now find you are of the humour of most other women and had rather be a Queen than continue with an Uncle your affectation of glory exceeding your devotion however I am very well satisfied with your choice and wish you all manner of content therein having alwaies made it my endeavour to advance your family according to my power And as for the death of your Parents I take God to witness no man was more concerned thereat than my self it being done by the advice of my Council to secure the peace and welfare of my Subjects and now I hope though you leave your Countrey you will not forget to perform all good Offices in your power for the benefit thereof After this he kissed her and taking his leave Clotilda began to weep though she had never more cause of Joy being now delivered out of the paw of the Lion and going to be the wife of a Great Monarch who expected her at Soissons with the utmost impatience and at her arrival was even transported at his happiness in the enjoyment of so absolute a beauty and so discreet a Princess He imbraced her with the most tender affection and was never weary of gazing on her She fell at his feet and told him She came to offer her service to him as her Lord and King and to be subject to all his commands He quickly takes her up kisses her and entertains her with the most indearing expressions of kindness The Nobility and People adored her even almost to Idolatry and nothing was to be seen in the Court but Feasting Comedies and all manner of diversions and demonstrations of satisfaction The Queen would not suffer her self to be too much elevated with these prosperities for she had still some kind of concernment how to manage the main affair which was the Conversion of her Lord and therefore during the preparations for solemnizing the Nuptials she offered divers occasions to him to discourse of Religion which he as politickly evaded but at length taking courage she resolved to discover her mind and spake thus to him I find your Majesty has so generous a soul that you bestow your bounty and liberality upon all the World and have therefore no reason to doubt your denial of one request that I shall make to you The King supposing she would ask some favour for one of her Attendants readily answered Madam Whatever you defire cannot be denied and therefore ask confidently what you please and it shall be granted Well then says she if your Majesty has that kindness for me which you seem to demonstrate I would beseech you that