X 4 325 That the Faery Queene: Cant.IX. Cant. X. A chronicle of Briton kings, From Brute to Uthers rayne. And rolls of Elfin Emperours, Till time of Gloriane. [1] W H h o now shall giue give vnto unto me words and sound, Equall vnto unto this haughty enterprise? Or who shall lend me wings, with which frõ from ground My lowly verse may loftily arise, And lift it selfe vnto unto the highest skyes? More ample spirit, 1590.bk2.II.x.1.6. then: than then than hetherto was wount, Here needes me, whiles the famous auncestryes Of my most dreaded Soueraigne Soveraigne I recount, By which all earthly Princes she doth far surmount. [2] Ne vnder under Sunne, that shines so wide and faire,Whence all that liues lives , does borrow life and light, Liues Lives ought, that to her linage may compaire, Which though from earth it be deriued derived right, Yet doth it selfe stretch forth to heuens hevens hight, And all the world with wonder ouerspred overspred ; A labor huge, exceeding far my might: How shall fraile pen, with feare disparaged, Conceiue Conceive such soueraine soveraine glory, and great bountyhed? [3] Argument worthy of Mœonian quill, Or rather worthy of great Phoebus rote, Whereon the ruines of great Ossa hill,And triumphes of Phlegræan Ioue Jove he wrote,326ButThe Second Booke ofCant.X.That all the Gods admird his lofty note. But if some relish of that heuenly hevenly lay His learned daughters would to me report, To decke my song withall, I would assay, Thy name, O soueraine soveraine Queene, to blazon far away. [4] Thy name O soueraine soveraine Queene, thy realme and race, From this renowmed Prince deriued derived arre, Who who Whom mightily vpheld upheld that royall mace, Which now thou bear’st, to thee descended farre From mighty kings and conquerours in warre, Thy fathers and great and thy great Grandfathers of old gold , Whose noble deeds aboue above the Northern starre Immortall fame for euer ever hath enrold; As in that old mans booke they were in order told. [5] The land, which warlike Britons now possesse, And therein haue have their mighty empire raysd, In antique times was saluage salvage wildernesse, Vnpeopled Unpeopled , vnmannurd unmannurd , vnprov’d unprov’d vnprou’dunprov’d vnproudunprovd , vnpraysd unpraysd , Ne was it Island then, ne was it paysd Amid the Ocean waues waves , ne was it sought Of merchaunts farre, for profits therein praysd, But was all desolate, and of some thought By sea to haue have bene from frõfrom ftõftom the Celticke mayn-land brought. [6] Ne did it then deserue deserve a name to haue have , Till that the venturous Mariner that wayLearning his ship from those white rocks to saue save ,Which all along the Southerne sea-coast lay, Threatning vnheedy unheedy wrecke and rash decay, For ſafetysafety ſafeties ſakesafeties sake that same his sea-marke made, And namd it Albion. But later day Finding in it fit ports for fishers trade, Gan more the same frequent, and further to inuade invade . 327 And the Faery Queene. Cant.X. [7] But far in land a saluage salvage nation dwelt, Of hideous Giaunts, and halfe beastly men, That neuer never tasted grace, nor goodnes felt, But like wild beastes lurking in loathsome den, And flying fast as Roebucke through the fen, All naked without shame, or care of cold, By hunting and by spoiling liueden liveden liued thenlived then ; Of stature huge, and eke of corage bold, That sonnes of men amazd their sternesse to behold. [8] But whence they sprong, or how they were begott, Vneath Uneath is to assure, vneath uneath to wene That monstrous error, which doth some assott, That Dioclesians fifty daughters shene Into this land by chaunce haue have driuen driven bene, Where companing with feends and filthy Sprights Through vaine illusion of their lust vnclene unclene , They brought forth Geaunts & and such dreadful wights, As far exceeded men in their immeasurd mights. [9] They held this land, and with their filthinesse Polluted this same gentle soyle long time: That their owne mother loathd their beastlinesse, And gan abhorre her broods vnkindly unkindly crime, All were they borne of her owne natiue native slime; Vntil Until that Brutus anciently deriu’d deriv’d From roiall stocke of old Aſ⁀ſaracsAssaracs AſſaraosAssaraos line, Driuen Driven by fatall error, here arriu’d arriv’d , And them of their vniust unjust possession depriu’d depriv’d . [10] But ere he had established his throne, And spred his empire to the vtmost utmost shore, He fought great batteils with his saluage salvage fone; In which he them defeated euermore evermore , 328 Locrine The Second Booke of Cant.X. And many Giaunts left on groning flore, That well can witnes yet vnto unto this day The westerne Hogh, beſprincledbesprincled beprincled beſprinkledbesprinkled beſprincledbesprincled with the goreOf mighty Goëmot, whome in stout fray Corineus conquered, and cruelly did slay. [11] And eke that ample Pitt, yet far renownd, For the large leape, which Debon did compell Coulin to make, being eight lugs of grownd,grownd; Into the which retourning backe, he fell;fell:fell, But those three monſtrousmonstrous monſtronsmonstrons stones doe most excell Which that huge sonne of hideous Albion,Whose father Hercules in Fraunce did quell, Great Godmer threw, in fierce contention,At bold Canutus; but of him was slaine anon. [12] In meed of these great conquests by them gott, Corineus had that Prouince Province vtmost utmost west,To him assigned for his worthy lott,Which of his name and memorable gestHe called Cornwaile, yet so called best: And Debons shayre was, that is Deuonſ⁀hyre Devonſ⁀hyre Deuonshyre Devonshyre Deuon ſ⁀hyre Devon ſ⁀hyre Deuon shyre Devon shyre Deuonſ⁀hyre Devonſ⁀hyre Deuonshyre Devonshyre DeuonshyreDevonshyre :But Canute had his portion from the rest,The which he cald Canutium, for his hyre;Now Cantium, which Kent we comenly inquyre. [13] Thus Brute this Realme vnto unto his rule subdewd, And raigned long in great felicity, Lou’d Lov’d of his freends, and of his foes eschewd, He left three sonnes, his famous progeny, Borne of fayre Inogene of Italy; Mongst whom he parted his imperiall state, And Locrine left chiefe Lord of Britany. At last ripe age bad him ſurrendersurrender ſurtendersurtender ſurrendersurrender late His life, and long good fortune vnto unto finall fate. 329 And the Faery Queene. Cant. X. [14] Locrine was left the soueraine soveraine Lord of all; But Albanact had all the Northerne part, Which of him selfe Albania he did call; And Camber did possesse the Westerne quart,Which Seuerne Severne now from Logris doth depart: And each his portion peaceably enioyd enjoyd , Ne was there outward breach, nor grudge in hart, That once their quiet gouernment government annoyd, But each his paynes to others profit still employd. [15] Vntill Untill a nation straung, with visage swart, And corage fierce, that all men did affray, Which through the world thẽ then swarmd in euery every part, And ouerflow overflow ’d all countries far away, Like Noyes great flood, with their importune sway, This land inuaded invaded with like violence, And did themselues themselves through all the North display: Vntill Untill that Locrine for his Realmes defence, Did head against them make, and strong munificence. [16] He them encountred, a confused rout, Foreby the Riuer River , that whylome was hightThe ancient Abus, where with courage stout He them defeated in victorious fight, And chaste so fiercely after fearefull flight, That forst their Chiefetain, for his safeties sake, (Their Chiefetain Cheifetain Chiefetain Humber named was aright,) aright), Vnto Unto the mighty streame him to betake,Where he an end of batteill, and of life did make. [17] The king retourned proud of victory, And insolent wox wax wox through vnwonted unwonted ease, That shortly he forgot the ieopardy jeopardy , Which in his land he lately did appease, 330 The The Second Booke of Cant.X. And fell to vaine voluptuous disease: He lou’d lov’d faire Ladie Estrild, leudly lou’d lov’d ,Whose wanton pleasures him too much did please,That quite his hart from Guendolene remou’d remov’d , Frõ From Guendolene his wife, though alwaies faithful prou’d prov’d . [18] The noble daughter of Corineus Would not endure to bee so vile disdaind, But gathering force, and corage valorous, Encountred him in batteill well ordaind, In which him vanquisht she to fly constraind: But she so fast pursewd, that him she tooke, And threw in bands, where he till death remaind; remaind Als his faire Leman, flying through a brooke, She ouerhent overhent , nought moued moved with her piteous looke. [19] But both her selfe, and eke her daughter deare, Begotten by her kingly Paramoure, The faire Sabrina almost dead with feare, She there attached, far from all succoure; The one she slew vponupon the present stoure, in that impatient ſtourestoure: in that impatient ſtourestoure, vponupon the present floure, But the sad virgin innocent of all,Adowne the rolling riuer river she did poure,Which of her name now Seuerne Severne men do call:Such was the end, that to disloyall loue love did fall. [20] Then for her sonne, which she to Locrin bore, Madan was young, vnmeet unmeet the rule to of sway, In her owne hand the crowne she kept in store, Till ryper yeares he raught, and stronger stay: During which time her powre she did displayThrough all this realme, the glory of her sex,And first taught men a woman to obay:But when her sonne to mans estate did wex,She it surrendred, ne her selfe would lenger vex. 331 With the Faery Queene. Cant.X. [21] Tho Madan raignd, vnworthie unworthie of his race: For with all shame that sacred throne he fild: Next Memprise, as vnworthy unworthy of that place,In which being consorted with Manild, For thirst of single kingdom him he kild. But Ebranck salued salved both their infamies With noble deedes, and warreyd on Brunchild In Henault, where yet of his victories Braue Brave moniments remaine, which yet that land enuies envies . [22] An happy man in his first dayes he was, And happy father of faire progeny: For all so many weekes, as the yeare has, So many children he did multiply; Of which were twentie sonnes, which did apply, Their mindes to prayse, and cheualrous chevalrous desyre: Those germans did subdew all Germany, Of whom it hight; but in the end their SyreWith foule repulse from Fraunce was forced to retyre,retyre. [23] Which blott his sonne succeeding in his seat, The second Brute, the second both in name, And eke in semblaunce of his puissaunce great, Right well recur’d, and did away that blame With recompence of euerlasting everlasting fame. He with his victour sword first opened, The bowels of wide Fraunce, a forlorne Dame, And taught her first how to be conquered; Since which, with sondrie spoiles she hath bene ransac-(ked. [24] Let Scaldis tell, and let tell Hania, And let the marsh of Estham bruges tell, What colour were their waters that same day, And all the moore twixt Eluersham Elversham and Dell, 332 The The Second Booke of Cant.X. With blood of Henalois, which therein fell. How oft that day did sad Brunchildis seeThe greene shield dyde in dolorous vermell? That not Scuith Seuith [blank] guiridh it he mote seeme to bee.But rather y Scuith gogh, ſigne of ſad crueltee. signe of sad crueltee. rather y Seuith gogh, ſigne of ſad crueltee. signe of sad crueltee. [blank] rather y Scuith gogh, ſigne of ſad crueltee. signe of sad crueltee. [25] His sonne king Leill by fathers labour long, Enioyd Enjoyd an heritage of lasting peace, And built Cairleill, and built Cairleon strong. Next Huddibras his realme did not encrease, But taught the land from wearie wars to cease. Whose footsteps Bladud following, in artes Exceld at Athens all the learned preace, From whẽce whence he brought them to these saluage salvage parts And with sweet science mollifide their stubborne harts. [26] Ensample of his wondrous faculty, Behold the boyling Bathes at Cairbadon, Which seeth with secret fire eternally, And in their entrailles, full of quick Brimston, Nourish the flames, which they are warmd vpon upon , That to theirher people wealth they forth do well,And health to euery every forreyne nation: Yet he at last contending to excellThe reach of men, through flight into fond mischief fell. [27] Next him king Leyr in happie peace long raynd, But had no issue male him to succeed, But three faire daughters, which were well vptraind uptraind , In all that seemed fitt for kingly seed: Mongst whom his realme he equally decreed To haue have diuided divided . Tho when feeble age Nigh to his vtmost utmost date he saw proceed, He cald his daughters; and with speeches sage Inquyrd, which of them most did loue love her parentage. 333 He the Faerie Queene. Cant.X. [28] The eldest Gonorill gan to protest, That she much more 1590.bk2.II.x.28.2. then: than then than her owne life him lou’d lov’d : And Regan greater loue love to him profest, 1590.bk2.II.x.28.4. Then: Than Then Than all the world, when euer ever it were proou’d proov’d ; But Cordeill said she lou’d lov’d him, as behoou’d behoov’d : Whose simple answere, wanting colours fayre To paint it forth, forth,, him to displeasaunce moou’d moov’d , That in his crown he counted her no hayre, But twixt the other twain his kingdom whole did (shayre. [29] So wedded th’one to Maglan king of Scottes,And thother to the king of Cambria, And twixt them shayrd his realme by equall lottes: But without dowre the wise Cordelia, Was sent to Aggannip of Celtica.Celtica Their aged Syre, thus eased of his crowne, A priuate private life ledd in Albania, With Gonorill, long had in great renowne, That nought him grieu’d griev’d to beene from rule deposed (downe. [30] But true it is that when the oyle is spent,The light goes out, and weeke is throwne away; So when he had resignd his regiment, His daughter gan despise his drouping day, And wearie wax of his continuall stay. Tho to his daughter Regan Rigan he repayrd, Who him at first well vsed used euery every way; But when of his departure she despayrd, Her bountie she abated, and his cheare empayrd. [31] The wretched man gan then auise avise to late, That loue love is not, where most it is profest, Too truely tryde in his extremest state;At last resolu’d resolv’d likewise to proue prove the rest, 334 But The Second Booke of Cant.X. He to Cordelia him selfe addrest, Who with entyre affection him receau’d receav’d , As for her Syre and king her seemed best; And after all an au army strong she leau’d leav’d , To war on those, which him had of his realme bereau’d. bereav’d. bereau’dbereav’d [32] So to his crowne she him restord againe, In which he dyde, made ripe for death by eld, And after wild, it should to her remaine: Who peaceably the same long time did weld: And all mens harts in dew obedience held: Till that her sisters children, woxen strong, Through proud ambition against her rebeld, And ouercommen overcommen kept in prison long, Till weary of that wretched life, her selfe she hong. [33] Then gan the bloody brethren both to raine: But fierce Cundah gan shortly to enuy envy His brother Morgan, prickt with proud disdaine, To haue have a pere in part of souerainty soverainty , And kindling coles of cruell enmity, Raisd warre, and him in batteill ouerthrew overthrew : Whence as he to those woody hilles did fly, Which hight of him Glamorgan, there him slew: Then did he raigne alone, when he none equall knew. [34] His sonne Riuall’ Rivall’ Rivall’ RiualloRivallo his dead rowme did supply, In whose sad time blood did from heauen heaven rayne: Next great Gurgustus, then faire Cæcily, In constant peace their kingdomes did contayne, After whom Lago, and Kinmarke did rayne; And Gorbogud, till far in yeares he grew: Then his Ambitious ambitious sonnes vnto unto them twayne, Arraught the rule, and from their father drew, Stout Ferrex and sterne Porrex him in prison threw. Y 335 And the Faery Queene. Cant. X. [35] But O, the greedy thirst of royall crowne, That knowes no kinred, nor regardes no right, Stird Porrex vp up to put his brother downe; Who vnto unto him assembling forreigne might,Made warre on him, and fell him selfe in fight: Whose death t’ auenge avenge , his mother mercilesse, Most mercilesse of women, Wyden hight, Her other sonne fast sleeping did oppresse, And with most cruell hand him murdred pittilesse. [36] Here ended Brutus sacred progeny, Which had seuen seven hundred yeares this scepter borne, With high renowme, and great felicity; felicitie. felicitie? The noble braunch from th’antique stocke was torne Through discord, and the roiall throne forlorne: Thenceforth this Realme was into factions rent, Whilest each of Brutus boasted to be borne, That in the end was left no moniment Of Brutus, nor of Britons glorie auncient. [37] Then vp up arose a man of matchlesse might, And wondrous wit to menage high affayres, Who stird with vpup pitty of the stressed plight Of this sad realme, cut into sondry shayres By such, as claymd thẽselues themselues thẽselves themselves Brutes rightfull hayres, Gathered the Princes of the people loose, To taken counsell of their common cares; Who with his wisedom won, him streight did choose Their king, and swore him fealty to win or loose. [38] Then made he head against his enimies, And Ymner slew, ofor Logris miscreate; Then Ruddoc and proud Stater, both allyes, This of Albany newly nominate,336AfterThe Second Booke ofCant.X.And that of Cambry king confirmed late, He ouerthrew overthrew through his owne valiaunce; Whose countries he redus’d to quiet state, And shortly brought to ciuile civile gouernaunce governaunce , Now one, which earst were many, made through vari-(aunce. [39] Then made he sacred lawes, which some men say Were vnto unto him reueald reveald in vision, By which he freed the Traueilers Traveilers high way, The Churches part, and Ploughmans portion, Restraining stealth, and strong extortion; The gratious Numa of great Britany: For till his dayes, the chiefe dominion By strength was wielded without pollicy; Therefore he first wore crowne of gold for dignity. [40] Donwallo dyde (for what may liue live for ay?) And left two sonnes, of pearelesse prowesse both;That sacked Rome too dearely did assay, The recompence of their periured perjured oth, And ransackt Greece wel tryde, whẽ when they were wroth; Besides subiected subjected France, and Germany, Which yet their praises speake, all be they loth, And inly tremble at the memory Of Brennus and Belinus Bellinus , kinges of Britany. [41] Next them did GurgiuntGurgunt , great Belinus Bellinus sonne In rule succeede, and eke in fathers praise; He Easterland subdewd, and Denmarke wonne, And of them both did foy and tribute raise, The which was dew in his dead fathers daies: He also gaue gave to fugitiues fugitives of Spayne,Whom he at sea found wandring from their waies,A seate in Ireland safely to remayne,Which they should hold of him, as subiect subject to Britayne. Y 2 337 Till the Faerie Queene. Cant.X. [42] After him raigned Guitheline his hayre, The iustest justest man and trewest in his daies, Who had to wife Dame Mertia the fayre, A woman worthy of immortall praise, Which for this Realme found many goodly layes, And wholesome Statutes to her husband brought: Her many deemd to haue have beene of the Fayes,As was Aegerie, that Numa tought: Those yet of her be Mertiã Mertian lawes both nam’d & and thought. [43] Her ſonnesonne ſonnessonnes SisillusSifillusSifillus after her did rayne, And then Kimarus, and then Danius; Next whom Morindus did the crowne sustayne, Who, had he not with wrath outrageous, And cruell rancour dim’d his valorous And mightie deedes, should matched haue have the best: As well in that same field victorious Against the forreine Morands he exprest; Yet liues lives his memorie, though carcas sleepe in rest. [44] Fiue Five ſonnessonnes ſonnesonne he left begotten of one wife, All which successiuely successively by turnes did rayne; First Gorboman a man of vertuous life; Next Archigald, who for his proud disdayne, Deposed was from princedome souerayne soverayne , And pitteous Elidure put in his sted; Who shortly it to him restord agayne, Till by his death he it recouered recovered ; But Peridure and Vigent him disthronized. [45] In wretched prison long he did remaine, Till they outraigned had their vtmost utmost date, And then therein reseized was againe, And ruled long with honorable state, 338 So The Second Booke of Cant. X. Till he surrendred Realme and life to fate. Then all the sonnes of these fiue five brethren raynd By dew successe, and all their Nephewes late, Euen Even thrise eleuen eleven descents the crowne retaynd, Till aged Hely by dew heritage it gaynd. [46] He had two sonnes, whose eldest called Lud Left of his life most famous memory, And endlesse moniments of his great good: The ruin’d wals he did reædifye Of Troynouant Troynovant , gainst force of enimy, And built that gate, which of his name is hight, By which he lyes entombed solemnly. He left two sonnes, too young to rule aright, Androgeus and Tenantius, pictures of his might. [47] Whilst they were young, Cassibalane their Eme Was by the people chosen in their sted, Who on him tooke the roiall Diademe, And goodly well long time it gouerned governed , Till the prowde Romanes him disquieted, And warlike Cæsar, tempted with the name Of this sweet Island, neuer never conquered, And enuying envying the Britons blazed fame, (O hideous hunger of dominion) hether came. [48] Yet twise they were repulsed backe againe, And twise renforst, backe to their ships to fly, The whiles with blood they all the shore did staine, And the gray Ocean into purple dy: Ne had they footing found at last perdie, Had not Androgeus, false to natiue native soyle, And enuious envious of Vncles Uncles soueraintie soveraintie , Betrayd his countrey vnto unto forreine spoyle: Nought els, but treason buttreason , from the first this land did foyle.foile.foyle Y 3 339 Yet the Faery Queene. Cant. X. [49] So by him Cæsar got the victory, Through great bloodshed, and many a sad assay, In which himselfe was charged heauily heavily Of hardy Nennius, whom he yet did slay,But lost his sword, yet to be seene this day. Thenceforth this land was tributarie made T’ambitious Rome, and did their rule obay, Till Arthur all that reckoning defrayddid defray ; Yet oft the Briton kings against them strongly swayd. [50] Next him Tenantius raignd, then Kimbeline, What time th’eternall Lord in fleshly slimeEnwombed was, from wretched Adams lineTo purge away the guilt of sinfull crime: O ioyous joyous memorie of happy time, That heauenly heavenly grace so plenteously displayd; (O too high ditty for my simple rime.) rime). Soone after this the Romanes him warraydwrrayd;For that their tribute he refusd to let be payd. [51] Good Claudius, that next was Emperour, An army brought, and with him batteile fought, In which the king was by a Treachetour Disguised slaine, ere any thereof thought: Yet ceased not the bloody fight for ought; For Aruirage Arvirage his brothers place supplyde, Both in his armes, and crowne Both in armes, and crowne In armes, and eke in crowne , and by that draught Did driue drive the Romanes to the weaker syde, That they to peace agreed. So all was pacifyde. [52] Was neuer never king more highly magnifide, Nor dredd of Romanes, 1590.bk2.II.x.52.2. then: than then than was Aruirage Arvirage , For which the Emperour to him allide His daughter Genuiss’ in marriage: 340 O famous The Second Booke of Cant.X. Yet shortly he renounst the vassallage Of Rome againe, who hether hastly sent Vespasian, that with great spoile and rage Forwasted all, till Genuissa gent Persuaded him to ceasse, and her lord to relent. [53] He dide; and him succeeded Marius, Who ioyd joyd his dayes in great tranquillity. Then Coyll, and after him good Lucius, That first receiued received Christianity, The sacred pledge of Christes Euangely Evangely : Yet true it is, that long before that dayHither came Ioseph Joseph of Arimathy,Who brought with him the holy grayle, (they say)And preacht the truth; but since it greatly did decay. [54] This good king shortly without issew dide, Whereof great trouble in the kingdome grew, That did herselfe in sondry parts diuide divide , And with her powre her owne selfe ouerthrew overthrew , Whilest Romanes daily did the weake subdew: Which seeing stout Bunduca, vp up arose, And taking armes, the Britons to her drew; With whom she marched streight against her foes, And them vnwares unwares besides the Seuerne Severne did enclose. [55] There she with them a cruell batteill tryde, Not with so good successe, as shee deseru’d deserv’d ; By reason that the Captaines on her syde, Corrupted by Paulinus, from her sweru’d swerv’d : Yet such, as were through former flight preseru’d preserv’d , Gathering againe, her Host she did renew, And with fresh corage on the victor seru’d serv’d : But being all defeated, saue save a few, Rather 1590.bk2.II.x.55.9. then: than then than fly, or be captiu’d captiv’d , her selfe she slew. Y 4 341 Faire the Faery Queene: Cant. X. [56] O famous moniment of womens prayse, Matchable either to Semiramis, Whom antique history so high doth rayse, Or to Hypſiphil’Hypsiphil HyſiphilHysiphil ’, or to Thomiris: Her Host two hundred thousand numbred is; Who whiles good fortune fauoured favoured her might, Triumphed oft against her enemis; And yet though ouercome overcome in haplesse fight, Shee triumphed on death, in enemies despight. [57] Her reliques Fulgent hauing having gathered,Fought with Seuerus Severus , and him ouerthrew overthrew ;Yet in the chace was slaine of them, that fled:fled: fledfled fled;fled; fled:fled: So made them victors, whome he did subdew. Then gan Carausius tirannize anew, And gainst the Romanes bent their proper powre, But him Allectus treacherously slew,And tooke on him the robe of Emperoure: Nath’lesse the same enioyed enjoyed but short happy howre: [58] For Asclepiodate him ouercame overcame , And left inglorious on the vanquisht playne, Without or robe, or rag, to hide his shame. Then afterwards he in his stead did raigne; But shortly was by Coyll in batteill slaine: Who after long debate, since Lucies tyme,Was of the Britons first crownd Soueraine Soveraine : Then gan this Realme renew her passed prime; He of his name Coylchester built of stone and lime. [59] Which when the Romanes heard, they hether sent Constantius, a man of mickle might, With whome king Coyll made an agreement, And to him gaue gave for wife his daughter bright, bright. 342 Who The Second Booke of Cant.X. Fayre Helena, the fairest liuing living wight; Who in all godly thewes, and goodly praise, Did far excell, but was most famous hight For skil in Musicke of all in her daies, Aswell in curious instruments as cunning laies. [60] Of whom he did great Constantine begett, Who afterward was Emperour of Rome; To which whiles absent he his mind did sett, Octauius Octavius here lept into his roome, And it vsurped usurped by vnrighteous unrighteous doome: But he his title iustifide justifide by might,Slaying Traherne, and hauing having ouercome overcome The Romane legion in dreadfull fight:So settled he his kingdome, and confirmd his right. [61] But wanting yssew male, his daughter deare, He gaue gave in wedlocke to Maximian, And him with her made of his kingdome heyre, Who soone by meanes thereof the Empire wan, Till murdred by the freends of Gratian; Then gan the Hunnes and Picts inuade invade this land, During the raigne of Maximinian; Who dying left none heire them to withſtand,withstand, withſtand.withstand. But that they ouerran overran all parts with easy hand. [62] The weary Britons, whose war-hable youth Was by Maximian lately ledd away, With wretched miseryes, and woefull ruth, Were to those Pagans made an open pray, And daily spectacle of sad decay: Whome Romane warres, which now fowr hundred (yeares, And more had wasted, could no whit dismay; Til by consent of Commons and of Peares, They crownd the secõd second Constantine with ioyous joyous teares, teares: 343 Through the Faery Queene. Cant.X. [63] Who hauing having oft in batteill vanquished Those spoylefull Picts, and swarming Easterlings, Long time in peace his realme established, Yet oft annoyd with sondry bordragingsbordragings. Of neighbour Scots, and forrein Scatterlings, With which the world did in those dayes abound: Which to outbarre, with painefull pyonings From sea to sea he heapt a mighty mound, Which from Alcluid to Panwelt did that border bownd. [64] Three ſonnessonnes ſonessones ſonnessonnes he dying left, all vnder under age; By meanes whereof, their vncle uncle Vortigere Vsurpt Usurpt the crowne, during their pupillage; Which th’Infants tutors gathering to feare, Them closely into Armorick did beare: For dread of whom, and for those Picts annoyes, He sent to Germany, straunge aid to reare, From whence eftsoones arriued arrived here three hoyes Of Saxons, whom he for his safety imployes. [65] Two brethren were their Capitayns Capitaines Captains , which hight Hengist and Horsus, well approu’d approv’d in warre, And both of them men of renowmed might; Who making vantage of their ciuile civile iarre jarre , And of those forreyners, which came from farre, Grew great, and got large portions of land, That in the Realme ere long they stronger arre, Then they which sought at first their helping hand, And Vortiger have forſthave forst enforſtenforst enforc’t the kingdome to aband. [66] But by the helpe of Vortimere his sonne, He is againe vnto unto his rule restord, And Hengist seeming sad, for that was donne, Receiued Received is to grace and new accord, 344 But The Second Booke of Cant. X: Through his faire daughters face, & and flattring word, Soone after which, three hundred Lords he slew Of British blood, blood,, all sitting at his bord; Whose dolefull moniments who list to rew,Th’eternall marks of treason may at Stonheng vew. [67] By this the sonnes of Constantine, which fled, AmbroſeAmbrose AmbriſeAmbrise and Vther Uther did ripe yeares attayne, And here arriuing arriving , strongly challenged The crowne, which Vortiger did long detayne: Who flying from his guilt, by them was slayne, And Hengist eke soone brought to shamefull death. Thenceforth Aurelius peaceably did rayne,Till that through poyson stopped was his breath; So now entombed lies at Stoneheng by the heath. [68] After him Vther Uther , which Pendragon hight, Succeeding There abruptly it did end,Without full point, or other Cesure right, As if the rest some wicked hand did rend, Or th’Author selfe could not at least attend To finish it: that so vntimely untimely breach The Prince him selfe halfe ſeemedseemed ſeemethseemeth to offend, Yet secret pleasure did offence empeach, And wonder of antiquity long stopt his speach. [69] At last quite rauisht ravisht with delight, to heare The royall Ofspring of his natiue native land, Cryde out, Deare countrey, O how dearely deare Ought thy remembraunce, and perpetual band Be to thy foster Childe, that from thy hand Did commun breath and nouriture receaue receave ? How brutish is it not to vnderstand understand , How much to her we owe, that all vs us gaue gave , That gaue gave vnto unto vs us all, what euer ever good we haue have . 345 Then the Faery Queene. Cant. X. [70] But Guyon all this while his booke did read, Ne yet has ended: for it was a great And ample volume, that doth far excead My leasure, so long leaues leaves here to repeat: It told, how first Prometheus did createA man, of many parts from beasts deryu’d deryv’d ,And then stole fire from heuen heven , to animateHis worke, for which he was by Ioue Jove depryu’d depryv’d Of life him self, and hart-strings of an Aegle ryu’d ryv’d . [71] That man so made, he called Elfe, to weetQuick, the first author of all Elfin kynd: Who wandring through the world with wearie feet, Did in the gardins of Adonis fynd A goodly creature, whom he deemd in mynd To be no earthly wight, but either Spright, Or Angell, th’authour of all woman kynd; Therefore a Fay he her according hight, Of whom all Faryes spring, & and fetch their lignage right. [72] Of these a mighty people shortly grew, And puissant kinges, which all the world warrayd, And to them selues selves all Nations did subdew: The first and eldest, which that scepter swayd, Was Elfin; him all India obayd, And all that now America men call: Next him was noble Elfinan, who laid Cleopolis foundation first of all: But Elfiline enclosd it with a golden wall. [73] His sonne was Elfinell, who ouercame overcame The wicked Gobbelines in bloody field: But Elfant was of most renowmed fame, Who all of Christall did Panthea build: 346 Beguyld The Second Booke of Cant.X. Then Elfar, who two brethren gyauntes kild, The one of which had two heades, th’other three: Then Elfinor, who was in magick skild; He built by art vpon upon the glassy See A bridge of bras, whose sound heuẽs heuens hevẽs hevens thunder seem’d to (bee. [74] He left three sonnes, the which in order raynd, And all their Ofspring, in their dew descents, Euen Even seuen seven hundred Princes, which maintaynd With mightie deedes their sondry gouernments governments ; That were too long their infinite contents Here to record, ne much materiall: Yet should they be most famous moniments, And braue brave ensample, both of martiall, And ciuil civil rule to kinges and states imperiall. [75] After all these Elficleos did rayne, The wise Elficleos in great Maiestie Majestie , Who mightily that scepter did sustayne, And with rich spoyles and famous victorie, Did high aduaunce advaunce the crowne of Faery: He left two sonnes, of which faire Elferon The eldest brother did vntimely untimely dy;Whose emptie place the mightie Oberon Doubly supplide, in spousall, and dominion. [76] Great was his power and glorie ouer over all, Which him before, that sacred seate did fill, That yet remaines his wide memoriall: He dying left the fairest Tanaquill,Him to succeede therein, by his last will: Fairer and nobler liueth liveth none this howre,Ne like in grace, ne like in learned skill;Therefore they hey they Glorian call that glorious flowre,Long mayst thou Glorian liue live , in glory & and great powre. 347 Is the Faery Queene. Cant XI. [77] Beguyld thus with delight of nouelties novelties , And naturall desire of countryes state, So long they redd in those antiquities, That how the time was fled, they quite forgate, Till gentle geutle Alma seeing it so late, Perforce their studies broke, and them besought To thinke, how supper did them long awaite. So halfe vnwilling unwilling from their bookes them brought, And fayrely feasted, as so noble knightes she ought.