Works, Book 2

Works · Book 2

The Secund buke Contening the Building of Babilon be Nimrod. And quhow King Ninus began the firſt Monarchie, of thare Idolatrie. And quhow Semiramis Gouernit the Impyre, Efter hir Huſband King Ninus.

❧ FATHER I pray ȝow to me tell.

The Firſt Infortune that befellCourteo.

Immediatlie efter the flude

And quho did firſt ſched ſaikles blude

And quho Idolarrie began?

(Quod he) I ſall do as I can.

Efter the Flude, I find no hiſtorieExperien

Worthy to put in memorie

Tyll Nimrod began to King,

Aboue the peple as ane King,Gene. x.Gen 10

Quhilk wes the principall man of one

That beildar wes of Babilone.

That hiſtorie Maiſter wald I knaw

(Quod I) geue ȝe the ſuthe wald ſchaw,

Quhy, and for quhat occaſiounCourteou

Thay beildit ſic one ſtrang Doungeoun?

Than ſaid to me Experience

I ſall declare with diligenceExperien

Thoſe Queſtionis, at thy command.

Bot firſt Sone, thow mon vnderſtand

Of Nimrod, the Genealogie,

His ſtrenth curage, and Quantite.

Quhowbeit Moyſes in his firſt Buke,

That hiſtorie lichtlie did ouer luke,

Of hym no more, he doith declare

Except he was ane ſtrang Huntare

Bot vtheris Clerkis curious

As Oroſe doith, and Ioſephus,

Diſcryuis Nimrod at more lenth,

Boith of his ſtature, and his ſtrenth,

This Nimrod was the fourt perſoun

Frome Noe belyne diſcending doun.

Noe generit Cham, Cham generit Chus,

And Chus Nimrod, the ſuthe bene thus.

This Nimrod grew ane man of micht,

That tyme in erth, wes none ſo wicht.

He wes ane Gyant, ſtout and ſtrang

Pet force wyld beiſtis he doun thrang,

The peple of that hole Regioun

Come vnderunder his Dominioun.

No man thare wes in all that land

His ſtalwartnes that durſt ganeſtand.

No maruell wes thocht he wes wicht,

Ten Cubitis large, he wes of wicht.

Proportionat in lenth and breid,

Efferand to his hicht we reid.

He grew ſo greit and glorious,

So prydefull, and preſumptuous,

That he come Inobedient

To the greit God Omnipotent.

This Nimrod was the principall man

That firſt Idolatrie began.

Than gart he all the peple call

Gene. xi.Gen 11To his preſence boith greit and ſmall,

And in that greit Conuentioun

Did propone his Intentioun.

My freindis (ſaid he) I mak it knawin

The greit vengeance that God hes ſchawin,

In tyme of our fore Father Noe

Quhen he did all the warld diſtroy.

And dround thame in ane furious flude,

Quharefore, I think we ſuld conclude

Quhow we may mak one ſtrang defence

Aganis ſic watteris violence

For to teſiſt his furious Ire

Contrair boith to flude and fyre.

L…t vsus go ſpy ſum pleſand feild

Quhare one ſtrang bigging we may beild,

One Cietie, with ane ſtrang Dungeoun

That none Ingyne may ding it doun,

So hich, ſo thik, ſo large, and lang

That God till vsus ſall do na wrang.

It ſall ſurmont the planetis ſemn.

That we frome God may wyn the heuin.

Thoſe peple with one ferme intent

All tyll his counſell did conſent

And did eſpy ane pleſand plais

Hard on the flude of Euphrates,

The peple thare did thame repair

In to the plaine feilde of Sinear,

Quhilk now of Chaldie beris the name

Quhilk did lang tyme flureis in fame.

Thare greit Fortres, thā did thay found

And kaiſt tyll thay gat ſouer ground.

All fell to work, baith man and Chylde

Sum holkit clay, ſum brint the tyld.

Nimrod, that curious Campioun

Deuyſar wes of that Dungeoun.

Na thing thay ſpairit thare laubouris

Lyke beſy beis vponupon the flouris,

Or Emmettis trauelling in to Iune

Sum vnderunder wrocht, and ſum aboue,

With ſtrang Ingenious Maſonerie

Vpwart thare work did fortifie,

With brynt tyld ſtonis, large and wicht

That Tour thay raiſit to ſic hicht

Abufe the airis Regioun,

And Iunit of ſo ſtrong faſſioun

With Syment maid of pick and ter

Thay vſit none vther morter.

Thocht fyre or watter it aſſailit

Contrair that Dungeoun nocht auailir.

The land about wes fair and plane.

And it rais lyke ane hich montane.

Thoſe fuliſche peple did intend

That to the Heuin it ſuld aſcend

So greit one ſtrenth wes neuer ſene

In to the warld with mannis ene.

The wallis of that work thay maid

Two and fiftie faldome braid.

One faldome than, as ſum men ſayis

Mycht bene twa faldome in our dayis.

One man wes than of more ſtature

Nor two be now, thareof be ſure.

¶ Ioſephus baldis opinioun

Say and the hicht of this Dungeoun

Of large paſis of meſure bene

Fyue thouſand, aucht ſcore, and fourtene.

Be this rakning, it is full richt

Fyue mylis, and ane half in hicht.

Ane thouſand pais, tak for ane myle

And thow ſall find it neir that ſtyle

This toure in compas round about

Wer mylis ten, withouttin dout,

About the Cetie of Staidis

Foure houndreth, and four ſcore I wis.

And be this noumer in compas

About thre ſcore of mylis it was,

And as Oroſius reportis

Thare wes fyue ſcore of braſin portis.

The Tranſlatour of Oroſius

In tyll his Cronicle wryttis thus,

That quhen the Sonne is at the hicht

At none, quhen it dois ſchyne maiſt bricht

The ſchaddow of that hiduous ſtrenth

Ser myle and more, it is of lenth.

Thus may ȝe Iuge in to ȝour thocht

Geue Babilon be hich or nocht.

❧ How God maid the Diuerſite of Languagis, and maid Impediment to the Buildaris of Babilon.

THAN the greit God Omnipotent

To quhome all thingis bene preſent

That wes, and is, and euer ſalbe

Ar preſent tyl his Maieſte,

The hid ſecretis of mannis hart

Frome his preſens may nocht depart

He ſeand the Ambitioun

And the prydefull Preſumptioun

Quhow thir proude peple did pretend

Vp throuch the heuinnis till aſcend

Quhilk wes greit folie tyll deuyſe

Sick one preſumptuous interpryſe.

For quhen thay wer moſt diligent

God maid thame ſick impediment

Thay wer conſtraynit with hartis ſore

Frome thyne depart and beild no more:

Sick Languagis on thame he laid

That none will quhat ane vther ſaid.

Quhare wes bat ane Language afore

God ſend thame languagis threſcore.

At that tyme all ſpak Hebrew,

Than ſum began for to ſpeik Grew,

Sum Duche, ſum language Sarazyne

And ſum beget to we… Latyne.

The Maiſter men, ga… to go wyld.

Cry and for treis, thay brocht thame tyld,

Sum ſaid bryng mortar heir atonis

Than brocht thay to th…me ſtokis ād ſtonis.

And Nimrod thare greit Campioun

Ran rage and lyke ane wyld Lyoun

Manaſſing thame with wordis rude

Bot neuer one worde thay vnderſtude,

Afore thay fand hym gude and kynd

Bot than thay thocht hym by his mynd,

Quhen he ſo furiouſlie did flyte

Than turmit his pryde in to diſpyte.

So dirk Gelipſit wes his glore

Quben thay wald wirk for hym no more.

Behald quhow God wes ſo gracious.

To thame quhilk wer ſo outragious.

He nother braik thare leggis nor armes,

Nor ȝit did thame none vther harmes,

Except of toungis diuiſioun

And for fynall concluſioun

Conſtraynit thay wer for tyll depart

Ilk cumpanie in one ſyndrie art.

Sum paſt in to the Orient,

And ſum in to the Occident,

Sum ſouth, ſum north, as thay thocht be…

And ſo thare policie left waiſt.

Bot quhow that Ciete was repairit

Heir efter it ſalbe declairit.

Of the firſt inuention of Idolatrie. Quhow Nimrod compellit the Peple tyll adorne the Fyre in Chaldea:

Courteou.NOVV Schir (ſaid I) ſchaw me the mā

Quhilk firſt Idolatrie began?

Experien.¶ That ſall I do, with all my hart

My Sone (ſaid he) or we depart.

Quhen Nimrod ſaw his purpoſe failit

And his greit laubour nocht auailit,

In maner of Contemptioun

Departit furth of that Regioun,

And as Oroſius doith reherſe

He paſt in to the land of Perſe.

And mony one ȝeir, did thare remane

And ſyne to Babilon come agane

And fand huge peple of Chaldie

Remanand in that greit Citie

That wer glaid of his returning

And did obey hym as thare king.

Nimrod his Name for tyll auance

Amang thame maid new ordinance:

Say and I think ȝe ar nocht wyis

That to none God makis Sacrifyis.

Than to fulfill his fals deſyre,

He gart be maid ane flammand fyre,

And naid it of ſic breid and hicht

He gart it birn botth day and nicht

Than all the pepill of that land

Adorit the fyre, at his command,

Proſte thit on kneis and facis

Beſeik and thare new God of gracis,

To geue thame more occaſioun

He maid thame greit perſwaſioun,

This God (ſaid he) is maiſt of micht

Schaw and his bemison the nicht.

Quhen Sonne, and Mone, at baith obſcure

His heuinly brichtnes dots indure.

Quhen mennis memberis ſufferis cald

Fyre warmis thame euin as thay wald.

Than cryit the Peple at his deſyre

Thare is no God except the fyre.

Or thare was ony Imagerie

Began this firſt Idolatrie.

At that tyme, thare wes none vſage

To …arue, nor for to paynt Image.

Than maid he Proclamatioun

Quho maid nocht adoratioun

To that new God, without remede

In to that fyre ſuld ſuffer dede.

I finde no man in to that land

His tyrannie that durſt ganeſtand

Bot Abraham, and Aram, his brother

That diſobeyit, I find none vther

Quhilk dwell and war, in that countrie

With thare Father calit Thare.

Thir brether Nimrod did repreue,

Sayand tyll hym, Lord with ȝour leue,

This fyre is bot ane Element,

Pray ȝe to God Omnipotent

Quhilk maid the Heuinnis be his micht,

Sonne, Mone, and ſterris, to geue licht.

He maid the fiſchis in the ſeis

The erth, with beiſtis, herbis, and treis,

And laſt of all, for to conclude

He maid man to his ſimilitude.

To that greit God geue pryſe and glore

Quhoſe Ring induris euermore.

Than Nimrod in his furious Ire.

Thir brether boith keſt in the fyre,

Abraham be God he wes preſeruit,

Bot Aram in the fyre he ſteruit.

Quhen Thare, hard his Sone wes dede

He did depart out of that ſtede,

With Abraham, Nachor, and thare wyuis,

As the Scripture at lenth diſcryuis.

And left the land of Chaldea

And paſt to Meſopotamia,

And dwelt in Tharan all his dayis

And deit thare, as the ſtory ſayis

The lyfe of Abraham I ſuppoſe

No thing langis tyll our purpoſe.

In to the Bibill thow may reid

His verteous lyfe, in word and deid.

Now to the, I hauehave ſchawin the man

That firſt Idolatrie began.

Of the greit Miſerie And ſcathis that cummis of Weiris: And quhow king Ninus began the firſt weiris, and ſtraik the firſt Battell.

FATHER I pray ȝow with my hartCourteou.

Declare to me or we depart

Quho firſt began thir mortall weiris

Quhilk euerilk faithful hart effeiris

And eueryevery policie doun thrawis

Expres agane the Lordis lawis?

Sen Chriſt our King Omnipotent

Left Pece in tyll his Teſtament,

Quhow dois proceid this cruelte

Aganis Iuſtice, and Equire?

In land qubar ony weiris bene

Greit Miſerie thare may be ſene.

All thing on erth, that God hes wrocht

Weir, dois diſtroy, and puttis at nocht,

Citeis, with mony ſtrang Doungeoun

Ar brint, and to the erthboung doun.

Virginis, and Matronis ar deflorit

Templis, that rychelie bene decorit

Ar brint and all thare Preiſtis ſpulȝeit,

Pure Orphelenis vnderunder feit ar fulȝeit,

Mony auld men maid Childerles

And mony Childer fatherles,

Of famous Sculis the Doctryne

Baith Naturall Science, and Deuyne,

And eueryevery vertew trampit doun

No Reuerence done to Religioun.

Strenthis deſtroyit alluterlie,

Fair Ladyis forſit ſchamefullie.

Ȝoung Wedowis ſpulȝeit of thare Spouſis

Pure Lauboraris houndit frō thare houſis,

Thare dar no Merchand tak on hand

To trauell nother be ſey nor land,

For boucheourꝭ quhilk dois thame cōfound.

Sum murdreiſt bene, & ſum ar dround.

Craftiſmen of curious Ingyne

Alluterlie put to rewyne,

The Beſtiall reft, the Commonnis ſlane

The land but laubouring dois remane.

Of Policie the perfyte warkis

Beildingis, Gardingis, pleſand parkis,

Aliuterlie diſtroyit bene,

Greit Grangis brynt thare may be ſene.

Ryches bene turnit to pouerte

Plente in tyll penurite.

Deith, Hounger, Derth, it is weill kend

Of weir, this is the fatall end.

Iuſtice turnit in tyrrannie

All pleſour in aduerſitie.

The Weir allutetlie doun thrawis

Baith the Ciuill, and Cannoun lawis

Weir, generis Murthour, and miſcheif,

Sore lamenting without releif.

Weir doith diſtroy Realmes and Kingis,

Greit Princis weir to preſoun bringis.

Weir, ſcheddis mekle ſaikles blude.

Sen I can ſay of Weir na gude,

¶ Declare to me Schir geue ȝe can

Quho firſt this Miſerie began?

Ane ſchort Deſcriptioun of the Four Monarcheis. And quhow King Ninus began the firſt Monarchie. ☜✚☜

OF Weiris (ſaid he) the greit outrage

Began in to the ſecund age,Exp…

Be ciuell, prydeful couetous kingi…

Reuaris but richt of vtheris ringis.

Quhowbeit Cayn afore the flude

Wes firſt ſchedder of ſaikles blude,

Ninus wes firſt and principall man

Quhilk wrangous conqueſſing began.

And was the man withoutein faill

In erch, that ſtraik the firſt battaill,

And firſt Inuentit Imagerie

Quhate throuch came greit Idolatrif.

☞We moſt knaw, or we forther wend

Of quhome king Ninus did diſcend.

Ninus geue I can rycht defyne

He wes frome Noe, the fyft belyne.

Noe generit Cham, Cham generit Chus,

And Chus Nimrod, Nimrod Belus,

And Belus Ninus but leſing

Of Aſſyria the ſecund king.

And beildar of that greit Cite

The quhilk was callit Ninius

And wes the firſt and principall man

Quhilk the firſt Monarchie began.

Courteou.☞ Father (quod I) declare to me

Quhat ſignifyis ane Monarchie?

Experien.The ſuith (ſaid he) Sone geue thow knew,

Monarchie, bene ane terme of Grew

As quhen ane Prouince principall

Had hole power Imperiall

Duryng thare Dominationis

Abufe all kingis and Nattonis

One Monarchie, that men dois call.

Of quhome I find four principall

Quhilk hes roung ſen the warld began.

Courteo.Than (ſaid I) Father geue ȝe can,

Quhilk four bene thay, ſchaw me I pray ȝow

Experien.My Sone (ſaid he) that ſall I ſay ȝow

¶Firſt rang the Kingis of Aſſyrianis:

Secundlie rang the Perſianis:

The Greikis thridlie, with ſwerd and fyre

Perforce obtenit the thrid Impyre.

The fourt Monarchie, as I heir

The Romanis brukit mony ane ȝeir.

Lat vsus firſt ſpeik of Ninus king,

Quhow he began his Conqueſſing.

☞The auld Greik Hiſtoriciane

Diodorus, he wryttis plane

At richt greit lenth, of Ninus king,

Of his Impyre, and Conqueiſſing,

And of Semitamis his wyfe

That tyme the luſtieſt on lyfe.

It wer to lang to put in wryte

Quhilk Diodore hes done indyte,

Bot I ſall ſchaw as I ſuppoſe

Quhilk maiſt belangis thy purpoſe.

Quhen Nimrod, Prince of Babilone

Out of this wrechit warld wes gone

And his Sone Belus deid alſwa,

The firſt King of Aſſyria,

This Ninus quhilk wes ſecund king

Tryumphantlie began to ring,

And wes nocht ſatifyit, nor content

Of his a win Regioun, nor his rent,

Thynk and his glore for till aduance

Be his greit peple and puiſſance,

Throuch Pryde, Couetyce, and vane glore

Did hym prepare to conqueis more.

And gatherit furth ane greit Armie

Contrate Babilon, and Chaldie,

Quhare of he had ardent deſyre

Tyll Iune that land till his Impyre,

Quhowbeit he had thareto no richt

Bot by his tyranie and micht,

Without in feir of God or man

His Conqueſſing thus he began.

☞His peple beand in array

To Chaldea tuke the reddy way

Quhen that the Babilonianis

To gether with the Chaldeanis,

Hard tell King Ninus wes cummand

Maid proclamationis throuch the land,

That ilk man efter thare degre

Suld cum and ſaif thare awin countre.

Quhowbeit thay had no vſe of weir

Thay paſt fordwart withouttin feir,

And put thame ſelfis in gude ordour,

To meit king Ninus on the bordour,

In that tyme ȝe ſall vnderſtand

Thare wes no harnes in the land

For tyll defend, nor tyll Inuaid,

Quharethrow more ſlauchter thair wes maid

Thay faucht throw ſtrenth of thate bodeis

With gaddis of Irne, with ſtonis and treis.

With ſound of horne, & hidduous cry

Thay ruſchit to gither ticht rudely,

With hardy harte, and ſtrenth of handis

Tyll thouſandis dede lay on the landis.

Quhare men in battell naikit bene

Greit ſlauchter ſone thare may be ſene.

Thay faucht ſo lang and cruellie

And with vncertane victorie,

No man mycht Iuge that ſtude on far

Quho gat the better, nor the war.

Bot quhen it did approche the nicht

The Chaldeanis thay tuke the flicht.

Than the king and his companie

Wer richt glaid of that victorie,

Becauſe he wan the firſt battell

That ſtrikkin wes in erth but faill.

And peceable of that Regioun

Did take the hole Dominioun.

Than wes he King of Chal…ea

A…ſwe…ll as of Iſſyria.

As for the King of Arabi….

I… his conqueſt maid hym ſupplie

¶ Of this ȝit wes he nocht content

Bot to the Realme of Mede he went.

Quhare Farnus king of that countre

Did meit hym with ane greit Armie.

Bot King Ninus the Battell wan,

Quhare ſlane wer mony nobyll man.

And to that king wald geue no grace

Bot planelie in one publict place

With his ſeuin Sonnes, and his Ladie,

Cruellie did thame Crucifie.

Of that tryumphe he did Reiois,

Syne fordwart to the feild he gois

Than conqueiſt he Armenia,

Perſe, Egypt, and Pamphylia,

Cappadoce, Lide, and Mauritane,

Caſpta, Phrigia, and Hyrcane,

All Africa, and Aſia,

Except greit Inde, and Bactria,

Quhilk he did conques efterwart

As ȝe ſall heir or we depart.

Now wald I or we forther wend

That his Idolatrie wer kend.

Syue efter that without ſudiorne,

Tyll our purpoſe we ſall returne.

Quhow king Ninus Inuentit the firſt Idolatrie of Imagis.

NINVS one Image he gart maik,

For king Belus his Fatheris ſaik,

Maiſt lyke his father of ſigour

Of quantite and portratour.

Of fyne Gold, wes that figour maid

Ane craftie Croun apon his heid,

With precious ſtonis in tokning

His father Belus wes ane King.

In Babilon he ane tempyll maid

Of craftie work, baith hich and braid,

Quharein that Image gloriouſlie

Wes thronit vp tryumphantlie.

Than Ninus gaif ane ſtrait command

Tyll all the peple of that land

Alſweill in till Aſſyria

As in Sinear, and Chaldia,

VnderUnder his Dominatioun

Thay ſulde make Adoratioun

Apon thare kneis to that figour,

VnderUnder the pane of forfaltour.

Thare wes na Lord in all that land

His ſoummonding that durſt ganeſiand

Than ȝoung and auld, baith greit and ſmall

Till that Image thay prayit all

And changit his Name as I heir tell

From Belus, to thare gret God Bell

In that tempill he did deuiſe

Preiſtis for til mak Sacrifice,

Be conſuetude, than come ane law

None vther God that thay wald knaw

And als he gaif to that Image

Of Sanctuarie the Priuilege

For quhat ſum euer tragreſſour

Ane Homicide, or Oppreſſour

Seand that Image in the face

Of thare gilt gat the kyngis grace.

¶ Declare to me,Courteo. ſweit ſchir (ſaid I)

Wes thare no more Idolatry?

Efter that this fals Idole Bell

Wes thronit vp, as ȝe me tell.

¶ My Sonne (ſaid he)Experien. incontinent

The nouellis throuch the warld thay went

Quhow kyng Ninus, as I hauehave ſaid

Ane curious Image he had maid

To the quhilk all his Natioun

Maid deuote adoratioun

Than eueryevery Countre tuke conſait

Thay wald kyng Ninus conterfait

Quhen ony famous man wes deid

Sett vp one Image in his ſteid

Quhilk thay did honour frome the ſplene

As it Immortall God had bene

Imagis ſum maid for the nonis

Of fyne gold, ſum of ſtokis and ſtonis

Of ſyluer ſum, and Euer bone

With diuers names till eueryone

For ſum thay callit Saturnus

Sum Iuppiter, ſum Neptunus

And ſum thay callit Cupido

Thare God of lufe, and ſum Pluto

Thay callit ſum Mercurius

And ſum the wyndie Eolus

Sum Mars maid lyke ane man of weir

Enarmit weill with ſworde and ſpeir

Sum Bacchus, and ſum Apollo

Of names thay had ane houndreth mo.

❧Quhen one Lady of greit fame

Wes dede, for till exalt hir name

Ane Image of hir portratour

Walde ſett vp in ane Oratour

The quhilk thay callit thare goddes

As Venus, Iuno, and Pallas,

Sum Cleo, ſum Proſerpina

Sum Ceres, Veſta, and Diana,

And ſum the greit goddes Mynerue

With curious colouris thay wald carue

Amang the Poetis, thou may ſee

Of fals goddis, the genealogie.

☞ So thir abhominationis

Did ſpreid ouerthort al Nationis

Except gude Abraham, as we reid

Quhilk honourit God, in worde and deid

For Abraham had his beginning

In to the tyme of Ninus king

Ninus begane with tirrannie

And Abraham with humilitie

Ninus began the firſt Impyre,

Abraham, of weir, had no deſyre

Ninus began Idolatrie

Abraham in ſpreit and veritie

He prayit to the Lorde alone

Fals Imagerie, he wald hauehave none

Of him diſcendit, I heir tell

The twelf Tribis of Iſraell

Thir pepill maid adoratioun

With humyll ſupplicatioun

Tyll him quhilk wes of king is king

That heuin and erth, maid of na thing

Dede Imagis, thay held at nocht

That wer with mennis handis wrocht

Bot the almychtie God of lyfe,

My Sone now hauehave I done diſcryfe

Thir queſtionis at thy commande.

The quhilkis thow did at me demande.Courteo.

Quhat wes the cauſe (ſchir mak me ſure)

Idolatrie did ſo lang indure

Outthrouch the warlde ſo generallie

And with the Gentilis ſpecialle?Experien▪

(Quod he) ſum cauſis principall

I fynde in my memoriall

Firſt wes through Princis commandement

Quhilk did Idolatrie inuent

Syne ſingular profite of the Preiſtis

Payntourꝭ, Goldſmythis, Maſonis, wrichtis

Thir men of craft, full curiouſlie

Maid Imagis ſo pleſandlie

And ſauld thame for ane ſumptuous pryce

So be thare crafty Merchandyce

Thay wer maid riche abone meſure,

As for the Preiſtis, I the aſſure

Large profite gat ouerthort all landis

Throuch Sacrifice, and offerandis

And be thare fayned ſanctitude

Abuſit mony one man of gude,

Daniell, iii.As in the tyme of Daniell

The Preiſtis of this Idoll Bell

Quhen Nabuchodonoſor King

In Babilon royallie did ring

Thir preiſtis the king gart vnderſtand

That Image maid be mennis hand

He wes ane glorious God of lyfe

And had ſic ane prerogatyfe

That be his greit power deuyne

Wald eit Beif, Muttoun, Breid, and wyne

And ſo the king gart eueryevery day

Afore Bell on his aulter lay

Fourty freſche vedderis fat and fyne

And ſax greit Rowbouris of wicht wyne

Twelf greit Louis, of bowtit flour

Quhilk wes all eittin in one hour

Nocht he that Image deif and dum

Bot be the Preiſtis all and ſum

As in the Bibill thow may ken

Quhoſe noummer wer three ſcore and ten,

Thay, and thare wyfis euerilk daye

Eit all that on the Aulter laye

Than Daniell in concluſioun

Schew the King thare abuſioun

And of thare ſubteltie, maid him ſure

Quhow vnderneth the tempill flure

Throuch ane paſſage thay come be nicht

And eit that meit with candill licht.

¶ The King quhen he the mater knew

Thir preiſtis, with al thare wyffis he ſlew

Thus ſubtellie the kyng was ſylit

And all the peple wer begylit

My Sone (ſaid he) now may thou ken

Quhow be the Preiſtis, and craftiſmen

And be thare craftines and cure

Idolatrie, did ſo lang indure.

☞Behauld quhow Ihone Boccatius

Hes wryttin workis wounderous

Off Gentilis ſupperſtioun

And of thare greit abuſioun

As in his greit Buke thow may ſee

Of fals Goddis, the Genealogie

Of Demogorgon, in ſpeciall

Fore Grandſchir, tyll the Goddis all

Honourit amang Archadianis

And of the fals Philiſtianis

With thare greit deuylliſche god Dagon

With vtheris Idolis mony one

Bot I abhor the treuth to tell

Of the Princis of Iſraell

Choſin be God Omnipotent

iii. Reg. xi.1 Kgs 11Quhow thay brak his Commandement,

King Salomon, as the Scripture ſayis

He dotit in his lattrer dayis

His wantoun wyffis to compleis

He curit nocht God till diſpleis

And did commit Idolatrie

Worſchipping caruit Imagerie

As Moloch god of Ammonites

And Chamos, god of Moabites

Aſtaroth, god of Sydoniens

So for his inodediens

And fowll abhominatioun

Wer puniſt his ſucceſſioun

His ſonne Roboam, I heir tell

Tint the ten Trybis of Iſraell

For his Fatheris Idolatrie

As in the Scripture thou may ſee.

FINIS.

❧ Of Imagis vſit Amang Chriſtin Men.

FATHER ȝit ane thing I wald ſpeir?Courteo.

Behalde in eueryevery kirk and Queir

Throuch Chriſtindome in Burgh and land

Imagis maid, with mannis hand

To quhome bene geuin, diuers names

Sum Peter, & Paule, ſum Ihone, & Iames

Sanct Peter caruit with his keyis,

Sanct Michael with his wyngꝭ and weyis,

Sanct Katherine, with hir ſworde & quheill.

Ane Hynd ſett vp beſyde ſanct Geill

It war to lang, for till diſcryue

Sanct Francis with his woundis fyue,

Sanct Tredwall als thare may be ſene

Quhilk on ane preik hes baich hir ene,

Sanct Paul weill payntit with ane ſworde

As he wald fecht at the firſt worde,

Sanct Apolline on alter ſtandis,

With all hir teith, in tyll hir handis,

Sanct Roche weill ſeiſit men may ſee

Ane byill new brokin on his thee,

Sanct Eloy he dois ſtaitly ſtand

Ane new horſe ſcho in till his hand

Sanct Niniane of ane rottin ſtok

Sanct Doutho borrit out of ane blok,

Sanct Androw with his Croce in hand,

Sanct George vponupon ane horſe rydand,

Sanct Anthonie ſett vp with ane ſow,

Sanct Bryde weill caruit with ane kow,

With coiſtlie colouris fyne and fair

Ane thouſande mo, I mycht declare

As ſanct Coſme and Damiane,

The Sowtaris ſanct Criſpiniane,

All thir on altare ſtaitly ſtandis

Preiſtis cryand for thare offerandis,

To quhome we Commonnis on our kneis

Dois worſchip all thir Imagereis,

In Kirk, in Queir, and in the cloſter

Prayand to thame our Pater noſter,

In Pilgramage frome town to town

With offerand, and with oriſoun

To thame ay babland on our beidis

That thay may help vsus in our neidis

Quhat differis this declare to me

Frome the Gentilis Idolatrie?

Experien.¶Gyff that be trew that thou reportis

It gois richt neir thir ſamyn ſortis

Bot we be counſall of Clargie

Hes lycence to mak Imagerie

Quhilk of vnlernit bene the bukis

For quhen lauit folk vponupon thame lukis

It bringis to rememberance

Of Sanctis lyuis the circumſtance,

Quhow the faith for to fortifie

Thay ſufferit paine richt pacientlie,

Seand the Image of the Rude

Men ſulde remember on the Blude

Quhilk Chriſt in till his Paſſioun

Did ſched for our Saluatioun,

Or quhen thou ſeis ane portrature

Of blyſſit Marie Virgine pure

One bony Babe vponupon hir knee

Than in thy mynde remember thee

The wordis quhilkꝭ the Propheit ſaid,

Quhow ſcho ſulde be baith Mother & maid.

Bot quho that ſittis doun on thair kneis

Pray and tyll ony Imagereis

With Oriſone or offerand

Kneland with cap in to thare hand

No difference bene I ſay to thee

Frome the Gentiles Idolatrie.

¶Rycht ſo of diuers Nationis

I reid the abhominationis

Quhow Grekis maid thair deuotioun haill

To Mars to ſaif thame in battaill

Till Iuppiter, ſum tuke thare vayage

To ſaue thame frome the ſtormis rage

Sum prayit to Venus, frome the ſplene

That thay thare luffis micht obtene

And ſum to Iuno, for ryches

Thare pilgramage thay wald addres.

¶So dois our coummoun populare

Quhilk war to lang for till declare

Thare ſuperſtitious pilgramagis

To mony diuers Imagis

Sum to ſanct Roche with diligence

To ſaif thame frome the peſtilence

For thare teith to ſanct Apolline,

To ſanct Tred well, to mend thare ene,

Sum makis offer and to ſanct Eloy

That he thare horſe may weill conuoy,

Thay ryn, quhen thay hauehave Iowellis tin…

To ſeik ſanct Syith or euer thay ſtint,

And to ſanct Germane to get remeid

For Maladeis in to thare heid,

Thay bryng mad men on fute and hors

And byndis thame to ſanct Mongois cros.

To ſanct Barbara thay cry full faſt

To ſaif thame frome the thonder blaſt

For gude Nouellis as I heir tell

Sum takis thare gait to Gabriell.

Sum wyffis ſanct Margaret dois exhort

In to thare byrth thame to ſupport

To ſanct Anthony to ſaif the ſow,

To ſanct Bryde to keip Calf and kow,

To ſanct Sebaſtiane, thay ryn and ryde

That frome the ſchot he ſaif thare ſyde

And ſum in hope to get thare haill

Rynnis to the auld Rude of Kerraill.

Quhowbeit thir ſimple pepill rude,

Thynk thare intentioun be bot gude,

Wo be to Preiſtis I ſay for me.

Quhilk ſuld ſchaw thame the veritie.

Prelatis quhilkis hes of thame the cure

Sall mak anſweir thairof be ſure

On the greit day of Iudgement

Quhen no tyme beis for to repent

Quhare manyfeſt Idolatrie

Sall puniſt be perpetuallie.

Ane exclamatioun Aganis Idolatrie.

IMPRVDENT Peple, Ignorant & blind

Be quhat reaſone, Law,Experien. or auctoritie

Or quhat autentick Scripture can ȝe find

Leſum for till commit Idolatrie

Quhilk bene to bow ȝour body or ȝour kne

With deuote humyll adoratioun

Till ony Idoll maid of ſtone or tre

Geuand to thame offer and or oblatioun.

Quhy do ȝe giuegive the honour laude and glore,

Pertenyng God, quhilk maid al thing of not,

Quhilk wes, and is, and ſalbe euer more,

Tyll Imagis be mennis handis wrocht

O fulyſche folk, quhy hauehave ȝe ſuccour ſocht

Of thame quhilk can not help ȝow in diſtres

Ȝit reaſonably reuolf in to ȝour thocht

In ſtok, nor ſtone, can be none holynes.

In the deſert the peple of Iſraell

Moyſes remanyng in the mount Synay

Thay maid ane moltin Calf of fyne mettell,Exodi. .xxxii.

Quhilk thay did honour as thare god verray

Bot quhen Moyſes deſceudit I heir ſay

And did conſider thare Idolatrie

Of that peple, three thouſand gart he ſlay

As the Scripture at lenth dois teſtifie.

Daniell. xiiii.¶Becauſe the holy Propheit Daniell,

In Babilon Idolatrie repreuit

And wald not worſchip thare fals idoll Bell,

The hole peple at him wer ſo aggreuit

To that effect, that he ſuld be miſcheuit

Delyuerit him to rampand Lyonis ſeuin,

Bot of that dangerous den, he wes releuit

Throuch mirakle of the greit God of heuin.

¶Behauld quhow Nabuchodonoſor king,

In to the vaill of Duran, did prepare

One Image of fyne gold, one m̄ualloꝰ thing

Dani. iii.Thre ſcore of cubitis hich, and ſax in ſquare

As more cleirlie, the Scripture dois declare

To quhome all peple be proclamatioun

With bodyis bowit, and on thare kneis bare

Rycht humillie thay maid adoratioun.

¶Ane greit wounder, that day wes ſene alſo

Quhow Nabuchodonoſor, in his Ire

Tuke Sidrach, Miſach, and Abednago

Quhilk wald not bow thare kne at his deſyre

Tyll that Idoll, gart caſt thame in the fyre

For to be brynt, or he ſterit of that ſtede

Quhen he beleuit, that wet brynt bone & lyre,

Wes not cōſumit ane ſmall hair of thair hede

☞The Angel of the Lord wes w^t thame ſene

In that hate furneis paſſing vp and doun

In tyll ane roſie Gatth, as thay had bene

None ſpot of fyre, diſtayning cot nor goun,

Nf victorie thay did obtene the croun

And wer to thame, that maid adoratioun

To that Idoll, or bowit thare body doun

Ane witneſſing of thare Dampnatioun.

Quhat wes the cauſe at me thou may demād

That Salomon vſit none Imagerie

In his triumphat Temple for till ſtand?

Of Abraham, Yſac, Iacob, nor Ieſſe,

Nor of Moyſes, thare ſauegard throuch y^e ſee

Nor Ioſue, thare vailȝeand Campioun?G…od … Dea…

Becauſe God did command the contrarie

Thay ſulde not vſe ſic ſuperſtitioun.

¶Behald quhow the greit God omnipotent

To preſerue Iſraell frome Idolatrie

Directit thame ane ſtrait commandement

Thay ſuld nocht mak, none caruit Imagerie

Nother of gold, of ſiluer, ſtone, nor tre

Nor giuegive worſchip till ony ſimilitude,

Beand in heuin, in erth, nor in the ſee

Bot onelie till his Souerane celſitude.

The Propheit Dauid, planely did repreue.

Idolatrie to thair confuſioun

In grauit ſtok, or ſtone, that did beleue,

Declaryng thame thare greit abuſioun

Spekand in maner of deriſioun.

Quhow dede Idolis be mēnis hādis wrocht

Quham thay honourit, with humill oriſoun

Wer in the merket daylie ſauld and bocht.

¶ The Deuillis feand the cuyll conditioun.

Of the Gentilis, and thare vnfaithfulnes

For tyll agment, thare ſuperſtitioun

In thoſe Idolis, thay maid thare entres,

And in thame ſpak, as ſtoryis dois expres

Than men beleuit of thame to get releif

Aſkand thame help, in all thare beſynes

Bot finallie that turnit to thair miſcheif.

☞ Traiſt weill in thame, is none Diuinitie.

Quhē reik & rouſt, thair fair colour dois faid

Thocht thay hauehave feit one fute thay cā not fle

Quhowbit y^e tempil birn aboue thare heid

In thame is nother freindſchip nor remeid

In ſic figuris quhat fauour can ȝe find?

With mouth & citis, & ene thocht thay be maid

All men may ſee, thay at dum, deif, & blind.

Quhowbeit yai fal doun flatlingis on y^e flure

Thay hauehave no ſtrenth thare ſelf to rais agane

Thocht rattonis ouir yam rin yai tak no cure

Howbeit thay brek yair nek yai fell no paine

Quhy ſuld mē Pſalmis to thame ſing or ſane

Sen growand treis, that ȝeirly beris frute

Ar more to praiſe, I make it to the plane

Nor cuttit ſtockis wanting baith crop & rute.

☞ Of Edinburgh, the greit Idolatrie,

And manifeſt abhominatioun,

On thare feiſt day, all Creature may ſee

Thay beir ane alo ſtok Image throw y^e toui…

With talbrone, trumpet, ſchalme, & clarioun

Quhilk hes bene vſit, mony one ȝeir bigone

With preiſtis, and freris, in to proceſſioun

Siclyke as Bel wes borne throuch Babilon.

Eſchame ȝe nocht ȝe ſeculare preiſtis & freris

Till ſo greit ſuperſtitioun to conſent?

Idolateris ȝe hauehave bene mony ȝeris

Expres agane the Lordis commādement.

Quharefor brether I counſale ȝow repent

GiueGive no honour, to caruit ſtok, nor ſtone

GiueGive laude and glore, to God Omnipotent

Allanerlie, as wyſelie wryttis Ihone.

Fy on ȝow Freiris, that vſis for to preche.

And dois affect to ſick Idolatrie

Quhy do ȝe nocht the Ignorant peple teche

Quhow ane dede Image caruit of one tre

As it wer holy ſuld nocht honourit be?

Nor borne on Burges backis vp and doun.

Bot ȝe ſchaw planelie ȝour Hypocriſie

Qhen ȝe pas formeſt in proceſſioun.

☞Fy on ȝow foſteraris of Idolatrie,

That till ane dede ſtok dois ſick reuerence

In preſens of the peple, publikelie.

Feir ȝe nocht God, to commit ſic offence?

I counſale ȝow, do ȝit ȝour diligence

To gar ſuppreſſe ſic greit abuſioun

Do ȝe nacht ſo, I dreid ȝour recompence

Salbe nocht ellis bot clene confuſioun.

Had ſanct Frāces, bene borne out throw y^e tōn

Or ſanct Dominis, thocht ȝe had not refuſit

With thame, till hauehave pa… in proceſſioun

In tyll that caſe, ſinn wald hauehave ȝow excuſit.

Now mē may ſee, quhow that ȝe hauehave abuſit

That nohill toun, throuch ȝour Hypocriſie,

The peple crowis y^e thay may richt weill vſit

Quhen ȝe pas with thame in to companie.

Sum of ȝow hes bene quiet counſallouris,

Prouokand Princis, to ſched ſaikles blude

Quhilk neuer did ȝour prudēt predeceſſouris

Bot … lyke furious Phariſeis denude

Of cheritie, quhilk rent Chriſt on the rude

For Chriſtis flok, without malice or Ire.

Conuertit fragill faltouris I conclude

Be Goddis worlde, without ſwerd or fyre.

Mathew xviii.Matt 18Reid ȝe not quhow, y^e Chriſt hes geui cōmād,

GiueGive thy brother doſth oucht the till offend,

Than ſecreitlie correct him hand for hand

In freindlie maner, or thou forther wend.

GiueGive he wil nocht heir the, than mak it kend

Tyll one or two, be trew narratioun.

Gyf he for thame, will not his mys amend

Declare him to the Congregatioun.

¶ And giuegive he ȝit remanis obſtinate

And to the holy kirk Incounſalabill

Than like ane Turk hald him excōmunicate

And with all faithfull folk abhominabill,

Baniſing him, that he be no more abill

To dwell amang the faithfull cumpanie

Quhen he repentis, be nocht vnmerciabill

Bot him reſaue againe richt tenderlie.

Bot our dum Doctours of Diunitie,

And ȝe of the laſte fonde Religioun,

Of pure Tranſgreſſouris, ȝe hauehave no pitie

Bot cryis to put thame to confuſioun,

As cryit the Iowis, for the effuſioun

Of Chriſtis blude in to thair hiruand Ire

Crucifige, ſo ȝe with one vnioun

Cryis fy, gar caſt that faltour in the fyre.

Vnmercifull memberis of the Antichriſt.Mathew xv. Ephi. vi.Matt 15

Extolland ȝour humane traditioun

Contrar the Inſtitutioun of Chriſt

Effeit ȝe nocht Diuine punitioun

Thocht ſum of ȝow be guds of conditioun

Reddy for to reſaue new recent wyne

I ſpeik to ȝow auld Boiſis of perditioun,

Returne in tyme, or ȝe tyn to rewyne.

iii. Reg. xviii.1 Kgs 18As ran the peruerſt Prophetis of Baall,

Quhilkis did conſent, to the Idolatrie

Of wickit Achab, king of Iſraell

Quhoſe noumer wer four hundreth & fyftie,

Quhilkis honourit that Idoll oppinlie

Bot quhen Elias, did preue thare abuſioun

He gart the peple ſlay thame cruellie

So at one hour come thare confuſioun.

❧ I praye ȝow prent in ȝour remembrence.

Quhow the reid Freiris, for thare Idolatrie

In Scotlād, Inglād, Spaine, Italy, & Frāce

Vpō one day, wer puniſſit pietouſlie.

Behald quhow ȝour awin brether now laitly

In Duchelād, Inglād, Dēmark, & Noroway

Ar trampit doun, with thare Hypocriſie,

And as the ſnaw ar meltit clene away.

I meruell y^t our Biſchoppꝭ thinkꝭ no ſchame

To giuegive ȝow freiris ſick preeminence,

Till vſe thare office, to thare greit defame

Preching for thame, in oppin audience.

Bot michtane biſchop eik til his awin expens

For ilk Sermon ten Ducatis in his hand,

He wald or he did want that recompens

Go preiche him ſelf, baith in to burgh & land.

¶ …ain to ſee gude Reformatioun,

From tyme we get ane faithful prudent king

Quhilk knawis y^e trueth, and his vocatioun

All Publicanis, I traiſt he will doun thring

And wyll nocht ſuffer in his realme to ring

Corruptit Scrybis, nor fals Phariſience,

Agane y^e trueth, quhilk planely dois maling

Till that king cum, we man tak pacience.

Now fairwell freindis, becauſe I cā not flyte

Quhowbeit I culd ȝe man hald me excuſit

Thocht I againe Idolatrie Indyte,

Or thame diſpyte that will nocht ȝit refuſit,

I pray to God, that it be no more vſit

Amang the rewlaris of this Regioun.

That commoun peple be no more abuſit

Bot gif him glore, that bair the cruell croun.

Quhilk teichit vsus, be his diuine Scripture

Tyll richt prayer, the perfyte reddy way

As wryttis Mathew, in his ſext Chepture

In quhat maner, and to quhō we ſuld pray,

Ane ſchort compendious oriſone euerilk day,

Moſt proffitabill, for baith body and ſaull,

The quhilk is nocht directit I heir ſay

To Ihon, nor Iames, to Peter, nor to Paul.

¶Nor to none vther of the Apoſtlis twelf

Nor to no Sanct, nor Angell in the Heuin,

Bot onelie tyll our Father God him ſelf

Quhilk Oriſone it doith contene full euin

Moſt proffitabill for vsus petetionis ſeuin.

Quhilk we lawid folk, the Pater Noster call.

Thocht we ſay pſalmes, nyne, ten or ellewin,

Of all prayer this bene the principall.

Be reſoun of the maker, quhilk it maid,

Quhilk wes the Sone of God, our ſaluiour

Be reſoun als, to quhome it ſulde be faid,

Till the Father of heuin, our Creatour,

Quhilk dwellis nocht in tempill nor in tour.

He cleirlie ſeis our thocht, will, and intent

Quhat nedis vsus, at vtheris ſeik ſuccour

Quhen in all place, his power bene preſent.

Ȝe Princis of the preiſtis, that ſulde preche

Quhy ſuffer ȝe ſo greit abuſioun

Quhy do ȝe nocht the ſempill peple teche

Quhow, & to quhome, to dres thair oriſoun

Quhy thole ȝe thame, to ryn frō toun to toun

In pilgramage, till ony Imagereis

Hopand to get thare ſum Saluatioun

Prayand to thame, deuotlie on thare kneis.

This wes the practik of ſum Pilgramage.

Ouhen Fillokis in to Fyfe, began to fon

With Ioke, & Thome, thā tuke yai thair vayage

In Angus, to the feild chapel of dron

Than Kittok thare als cadye as ane Con

Without regard other to Syn or ſchame

Gaue Lowrte leif, at laſer to loup on

Far better had bene, till hauehave biddin at hame.

☞ I hauehave ſene pas, one merualloꝰ multitude

Ȝoung men & wemen, flyngand on thair feit

VnderUnder the forme, of fenȝeit ſanctitude

For till adorne, ane Image in Loreit,

Mony come with thare marrowis for to meit

Committand thare foull Fornicatioun

Sum kiſſit the claggit taill of the Armeit,

Quhy thole ȝe this abhominatioun?

❧ Of Fornicatioun and Idolatrie

Apperandlie ȝe take bot litill cure,

Seand the maruellous Infelicitie

Quhilk hes ſo lang done in this land indure

In ȝour defalt, quhilk hes the charge & cure

This bene of treuth, my Lordis w^t ȝour leue

Sic pilgramage hes maid mony ane hure

Quhilk gyf I pleſit, planelie I mcht preue,

☞ Quhy mak ȝe nocht, the ſcripture manifeſt

To pure pepill, twiching Idolatrie?

In ȝour preching, quhy hauehave ȝe nocht expreſt

Quhow many Kingis of Iſraell cruellie

Wer puneiſſit be God, ſo rigorouſlie?

As Ieroboam, and mony mo but dout

For worſchipping of caruit Imagerieiii. … xii.

War frome thare Realmes rudlie rutit out.

¶ Quhy thole ȝe vnderunder ȝour Dominioun,

Ane craftie Preiſt, or fenȝeit fals Armeit

Abuſe the peple of this Regioun

Onelie for thare particular profeit?

And ſpeciallie that Armeit of Laureit

He pat the Commoun pepill in beleue

That blind gat ſicht, & crukit gat thare feit

The quhilk that Palȝard no way cā appreue

Ȝe maryit mē that hes trim wantoun wyffis

And luſty douchteris of ȝoung & tender age,

Quhois honeſtie ȝe ſuldel lufe as ȝour lyfis

Permit thame nocht to pas in pilgramage

To ſeik ſupport at ony ſtok Image,

For I hauehave wittin, gude wemē pas fra hame

Quhilk hes bene trappit with ſic luſtis rage,

Hes done returne baith w^t gret ſyn & ſchame.

Get vp, thow ſlepis all to lang, O Lord.

And mak ane haiſtie Reformatioun

On thame quhilk dois tramp dōn thy gratious word

And hes ane deidly indignatioun

At thame quhilk makis trew narratioun

Of thy Goſpell, ſchawing the veritie.

O Lorde I mak thee ſupplicatioun

Support our faith, our hope, and Cheritie.

FINIS.

How king Ninus Beildit the gret Citie of Niniue. And quhow he Vincuſt Zoroaſtes the King of Bactria.

THIS Ninus of Aſſyria King

Quhen he had maid his Conqueſing

To Beild ane Citie, he him dreſt

Chuſing the place, quhare he thocht beſt

Quhare he had firſt Dominioun

In Aſſyria his awin Regioun

Thocht Aſſur as the Scripture ſayis

Quhilk come afore King Ninus dayisGene. x.Gen 10

And foundit that famous Citie

The quhilk was callit Niuiue

Bot as reherſis Diodore

Ninus that Citie did decore

So maruellous Triumphantlie

As ȝe ſall heir Immediatlie

VponUpon the flude of Euphrates

Quhilk to behauld, greit wounder wes.

Ane houndreth and fyftie ſtagis

That Citie wes of lenth I wis.

The wallis ane houndreth fute of hicht

No wounder was thocht thay wer wicht,

Sic breid abufe the wallis thare was

Thre cartis mycht ſydlingis on thame pas,

Four hundreth ſtagis, and four ſcore

In circute but myn or more

Of towris about thoſe wallis I wene

Ane thouſand, and fyue houndreth bene.

Of hicht two houndreth fute and more

As wryttis, famous Diadore.

☞ The Scripture makis mentioun

Quhen God ſend Ionas to that toun

…a iiiTo ſchaw thame of his puniſchement

Outthrouch the Citie quhen he went

Thre dayis Iornay, till him it wes

The Bibyli ſayis, it wes no les.

Experien.My Sone, now hauehave I ſchawin to thee

Of the buildyng of Niniue

For the agmenting of his fame

Ninus gart call it efter his name.

Quhen he that greit Citie had endi…

To conques more ȝit he intendit,

And did depart frome Niniue

And raſit vp ane greit Armie

Of the maiſt ſtalwart men and ſtout

Of all his Regionis round about,

In greit ordour tuke thare Iornay

Towart the Realme of Bactria.

Of wicht fute men, I vnderſtand

He had ſeuintene hundreth thouſand

Without horſmen, and weirlyke cartis

Quhome he ordourit in ſindry partis

Quhilk till diſcryue I am nocht abill

Quhoſe noumer bene ſo vntrowabill.

Zoroaſtes, that nobill King

Quhilk Bactria, had in gouerning,

That prudent Prince, as I heir tell

Did in Aſtronomie precell

And fande the Art of Magica

With Naturall Science mony ma

Seand king Ninus on the feild

Fordwarte he come, with ſpeir and ſcheild.

Four houndreth thouſand men he wes

In his Armie thare wes no les.

And met king Ninus on the bordour

Rycht vailȝeantlie, and in gude ordour.

On the Vangarde of his Armie

On thame he ruſchit rycht rudelie.

And of thame ſlew as I heir ſay

Ane houndreth thouſand men that day.

The reſt that chapit war vnſlane

To Ninus greit oiſt fled againe.

Of that king Ninus wes ſo noyit,

He reſtit neuer tyll he diſtroyit

All hole that Regioun vp and doun

And frome the king did reif the croun,

And maid the Realme of Bactria

Subiectit tyll Aſſiria.

And in that ſamyn land I wis

He tuke to Wyfe Semiramis.

Quha (as myne Auctour dois diſcryue)

Was than the luſtieſt on lyue.

That beand done without ſudgeorne

Tyll Niniue he did returne

With greit tryumphe of victorie

As myne auctour dois ſpecifie

Boith Occident and Orient

War all till him obedient.

It wald abhor the till heir red

The ſaikles blude that he did ſched.

Quhen he had roung as thou may heir

The ſpace of thre and fourty ȝeir

Be and in his excellent glore

The dolent deith did him deuore.

In quhat ſorte I am nocht certane

Sum Auctor ſayis that he wes ſlane

And left tyll bruke his Heritage

One lytle Babe of tender age

Ȝoung Ninus wes the Chyldis name

Quhilk efter fluriſchit in greit fame.

Sum ſayis that be his wyffis treaſoun

King Ninus deit in preſoun,

As I ſall ſchaw, or I hyne fair

Quhow Diodore hes done declair.

Of the wounderful Deidis of the Quene Semiramis.

NINVS luffit ſo ardentlie,

Semiramis his fair Ladie

Thare wes no thing ſcho wald command

Bot all obeyit wes fra hand

Scho ſeand him ſo Amorous,

Scho grew proude and preſumptuous,

And at the king ſcho did deſyre

Fyue dayis to gouerne his Impyre.

And he of his beneuolence

Did grant hir that preeminence

With Sceptour, Crown, and Rob Royall

And hole power Imperiall,

Tyll fyue dayis wet cum and gone

That ſcho as king ſuld regne alone.

Than all the Princis of the land

Duryng that tyme maid hir ane band

With bankat Royall merilie

Scho treatit thame triumphantlie

So the firſt day the peple all

Come tyll hir ſeruyce bound and thrall

Bot or the ſecund day wes gone

Scho tuke ſick glore to regne allone

Be one decreit maid thame amang

The king ſcho put in preſone ſtrang

I reid weill of his preſonyng

Bot nocht of his deliueryng

Quhow euer it wes in tyll his flouris

He did of deth ſuffer the ſchouris

And mycht nocht lenth his lyfe one hour

Thocht he wes the firſt Conquerour.

Quhoſe Conqueſſing for to conclude

Wes nocht but greit ſcheddyng of blude

Now hauehave ȝe hard of Ninus King

Quhow he began, and his ending

Quhowbeit myne auctor Diodore

Of him haith wryttin mekle more.

Princis for w…angous conqueſſing

Doith mak oft tymes ane euyll ending.

Thocht he had lang proſperitie

He endit with greit miſerie.

Of king Ninus Sepulture.

THE Quene ane Sepulture ſcho maid

Quhare ſcho king Ninus bodie laid,

Of curious crafty wark and wicht,

The quhilk had ſtaidis nyne of hicht

And ten ſtaidis of breid it wes

Diodore ſayis it wes no les.

For aucht ſtaidis one myle thow tak

And thare efter thy noummer mak.

So be this compt, it wes full richt

One myle, and als ane ſtaid of hicht

Except the tour of Babilone

So hich one werk, I reid of none.

Semiramis this luſty Quene

Conſidering quhat danger bene

To hauehave ane king of tender age

Quhilk micht nocht vſe no Vaſſalage.

Scho tuke one curageous conſait

Think and that ſcho wald mak debait

Geue ony maid Rebellioun

Contrar hir Sone, or his Regioun,

Quhome ſcho did foſter tenderlie

And kepit hym full quietlie

Scho laid apart hir a win cleithing

And tuke the Rayment of ane King.

Quhen ſcho wes in till armour dicht

Micht no man knaw hir be one knicht,

Scho vailȝeantlye went to the weir

And to geue Battell tuke no feir

Dantyng all Realmes round about

That all the warld of hir had dout

More fortunate in hir conqueſſing

Nor wes hir Huſband Ninus king.

❧ Babilon ſcho did fortifie,

Templis and towris triumphandlie

So pleſandlie did thame prepair

Quhilk in the erth had no compair

Quhowbeid Nimrod, of quhome I ſpak

The hydduous doungeoun he gart mak

And of the Citie the foundement

To quhome God maid Impediment.

Quhare Nimrod left thare ſcho began

And put to wark mony one man.

Of all the Realmes round about

Of moſte Ingyne ſcho ſocht thame out

Scho had wirkand with tre and ſtonis

Twelf houndreth thouſand men at onis

Go reid the buke of Diodore

And thow fall find the noumer more.

On euerilk ſyde of Euphrates

That nobill Citie beildit wes

And ſo that ryuer of renown

Ran throuch the midpart of the toun.

Ouerthort that tlude ſcho briggis maid

Of maruellous ſtrenth boith lang and braid.

Thay wer fyue ſtaidis large of lenth

On euerilk Brig ſcho maid one ſtrenth.

The circuite as I ſaid afore

Four houndreth ſtaidis, and foure ſcore.

The wallis hicht quha wald diſcryue

Thre houndreth fute, thre ſcore and fyue.

Sax Cartis micht pas rycht eſalie

Abufe the wallis of that Citie,

Sydlingis without Impediment.

Conſydder be ȝour Iugement

Geue thoſe wallis wer hich or nocht

And alſo curiouſlie wer wrocht

As Diodore hes done defyne

Quhilk doith tranſcend my rude Ingyne.

Of Babilon the magnificence

To quhome ȝe walde geue no credence

Geue I at lenth wald put in wryte

Quhilk Diodore hes done indyte.

Compare of Citeis fynde I none

Tyll Niniue, and Babilone.

Frome Niniue, in Aſſyria

Tyll Babilon in Chaldea.

Be Briggis pleſandlie ȝe may pas

VponUpon the flude of Euphrates

Amang the fludis of Paradyce

This Euphrates may beir the pryce.

All warkis quhilkis the Quene began

Tranſcendit the ingyne of man.

The proude Quene Pentheſilea

The Princeſſe of Amazona

With hir Ladyis tryumphandlie

At Troy, quhilk faucht ſo vailȝeandlie

Nor ȝit the fair Madin of France

Danter of Inglis Ordinance,

To Semiramis in hir dayis

Wer no compare as bukis ſayis.

Except triumphand Iulius,

Strong Hanniball, or Pompeius,

Or Alexander the Conquerour

I find no greter weriour.

Wald I rehers as wryttis Clerkis

Hir wounderfull and vailȝand werkis,

It wer to me one greit laubour

And tedious to the Auditour.

Quhat ſcho did in Ethiopia.

And in the land of Media

Beildand Citeis, Caſtellis, and Towris,

Parkes, and Gardingis of pleſouris,

For the exalting of hir Name

And Immortall to mak hir fame

Of Iarcius, the hich Montanis

Scho gart ryue down, & mak thame planis,

Gret Orontes that Montane wicht

Twenty and fyue ſtaidis of hicht

Tyll hir Palice to draw ane Loch

By fors of men, ſcho raue it throuch.

¶Had ſcho kepit hir Chaſtitie

Scho mirht hauehave bene one A. per ſe.

Quhen ſcho had ordourit hir Impyre

Of Venus wark ſcho tuke deſyre

One ſecreit Manſioun ſcho gart mak

Quhare ſcho pleſandlie mycht tak

Ȝoung gentill men for hir pleſour

The quhilk ſcho vſit aboue meſour.

One man allone, micht nocht be abill.

To ſtanche hir luſt inſaciabill.

Quhen ſcho wes ſatiſfyit of one

Scho gart ane vther cum anone

The luſtieſt of all the land

Come quietlye at hir command

Quhen thay at lenth had lyin hir by

Scho ſlew thame all richt cruelly.

Quhen hir Sone come tyll age perfyte

Of hym ſcho tuke ſo greit delyte

Scho cauſit hym with hir to lye

Amang the reſt richt quietlye.

Sum ſayis throuch ſenſuall luſtis rage

Scho band hym in to Mariage

And held hym vnderunder tutorie

To vphald hir auctoritie.

❧How the Quene Semiramis with ane greit Armie, paſt to Inde, and Faucht with the king Staurobates. And of hir Miſerabill end. ☞(*)☜

QVHEN ſcho had lang tyme leuit in reſt

To conques more ſcho hir addreſtExperien.

Becauſe of diuers ſcho hard tell

How that the Inde Orientell

Precellit in greit commoditeis

As beiſtiall, cornis, and frutfull treis.

All kynd of Spyce delitious,

Gold, Syluer, ſtonis Precious

And quhow that plenteous land did beir

Corne, Frute, and Wyne, twyſe in the ȝeir.

With Oliphantis Innumerabill

In Battell wounder terribill.

Scho heirand this, and mekle more

Beleuand tyll agment hir glore

Gart mak ſtrait Proclamationis

In all, and ſindrie Nationis.

Schawand quhow it wes hir deſyre

All Princis vnderunder hir Impyre

In Egipt, and Arabia,

In Pers, in Mede, and Chaldea.

In Grece in Caſpia, and Hyrcane

In Capadoce, Lidia, and Mauritane.

In Armenie, and Phrigia,

In Pamphilie, and Aſſyria,

That ilk Land efter thair degre

Sulde bring till hir ane greit Armie

In all the gudelie haiſt thay may

And melt hir in tyll Bactria

Declaring thame that hir intent

Was tyll pas to the Orient,

And make weir on the king of Inde.

From tyme thay knew quhat wes hir mynde

Than be thare ſelfis ilk Regioun

Come fordwart with thare Garniſoun

Tryumphandlie, in gude array

Tyll Bactria tuke the reddy way

And maid thare Muſtouris to the Quene

Bot ſic one ſycht was neuer ſent,

In Battell ray ſo mony one man

Atonis, ſen God the warld began.

Bot Spanȝe, France, Scotland, Ingland,

Ducheland, Denmark, nor ȝit Ireland,

Wer nocht Inhabite in thoſe dayis,

Nor lang efter, myne Author ſayis.

¶Etheſias, he dois ſpecifie

The noumber of this greit Armie,

Say and thare come at hir command

Fute men, threttie houndreth thouſand,

Of hors men montit galȝeardlie

Fyue houndreth thouſand veralie.

Ane houndreth thouſand Cametlis wicht

On euerilk Cameill, raid ane knicht,

Prepairit till pas in to all partis

Thare wes ane hundreth thouſand Cartis.

Two thouſand bottis with hir ſcho caryis

On Hors, Camelis, and Dromodaryis.

Briggis for to mak ſcho did conclude

Ouerthort Indus, that furious flude,

Quhilk bene of Inde, the outmaiſt bordour,

On the quhilk flude, with richt gude ordour

Of hir Bairgis, ſcho briggis maid

Quhareon hir greit Oiſt ſaiflie raid.

❧Father I wald men vnderſtudeCorteou▪

Quhow ſic ane maruellous multitude

Mycht be atonis, brocht to the feild

Reddy to fecht, with ſpeit and ſcheid.

Sum men wyll Iuge, this bene ane fabill

The mater bene ſo vntrowabil?

☞It may weill be my Sone (ſaid he)

As be exempill we may ſee,Experien.

Quhow Dauid king of Iſraellii. San… xxiiii.

His peple gart noumer and tell

Be Ioab, his cheif Capitane

As holy Scripture ſchawis plane

Of fecht and men, in to that land

He fand threttene houndreth thouſand.

Sen Dauid, in that ſmall countre

Mycht hauehave raſit ſic one Armie.

To this Lady, it was no wounder

The quhilk had greter Realmes ane hunder

Nor Dauidis litle Regioun

Thocht ſcho had mony ane Legioun

Off men mo nor I tauld afore.

Tharefor my Sone, maruell no more

☞Staurobates, the king of Inde

Greitlie perturbit in his mynde

Heiring of ſick ane multitude

To make defence he did conclude.

And ſend ane Meſſage to the Quene

Pray and hir Maieſtie ſerene,

That ſcho wald of hir ſpeciall grace

Geue hym Licence to leue in peace

Failȝe and of that thocht he ſuld des

That he ſulde gar hir fecht or flee.

And tyll his God ane vow he maid

Geue no peace micht of hir be had,

And geue he wan the victorie

That he the Quene ſulde Crucifie.

At this boſting the Quene maid bourdis

Say and it ſall nocht be no wourdis,

Sall gar me pas, fra my purpoſe

Bot michtie ſtraikis as I ſuppoſe.

The Meſſinger ſchew to the King

Of hir preſumptuous anſwering

Than Staurobates wyſe and wicht

Come fordwart lyke anenobill knicht

With mony one thouſand ſpeir and ſcheild

Arrayit Royallie on the feild,

Think and he wald his land defend

Or in the Battell mak ane end.

☞ The Quene vponupon the vther ſyde

Full of preſumptioun and of pryde

Hir Baneris pleſandlie diſplayit

With hardy hart, and vneffrayit,

Apon Indus, that famous flude,

Thay met, quhare ſched wes mekle blude,

In Bote, in Balingar, and Bargis,

The twa Armeis on vtheris chargis.

Semiramis the Battell wan

Quhare drowait and ſlane wer mony one mā

So that the water of the flude

Ran reid myxit with mannis blude

The king of Inde, with all his micht

Frome Indus flude he tuke the flicht

Till his cheif Citie, he reteirit,

Quhare in his preſens thare appeirit

In Battell raye ane new Armie

Of richt Inuincible Cheualrie

With Elephantes, ane hiddous noumer

Quhilk efterwart maid mekle cummer.

Semiramis and hir cumpanie

In the meane tyme full cruellie

Diſtroyit the Bordouris of that land,

Tuke preſonaris, ma than ten thouſand.

Scho tuke ane curageous conſait.

Greit Elephantis to contrefait.

Scho had ten thouſand Oxin hydis

Weill ſe wit to gidder bak and ſydis

With mouth and noſe, teith, eiris and eine,

Quick Elephantis as thay had bene.

Rycht weill ſtuffit, full of ſtray and hay,

Quhare of the Indianis tuke affray.

Apon Camelis, and Dromodareis.

Thoſe fals figuris with hir ſcho careis,

Sere Indianis, quhen thay ſaw that ſicht

Efferitlie thay tuke the flicht.

For ſic one ſitht wes neuer ſene

Geue naturall beiſtis thay had bene.

The King himſelf, wes richt affeirit

Tyll he the veritie had ſpeirit,

And knew be his Exploratouris

Thay war bot fenȝeit fals figouris.

Than manfullie lyke men of weir

Fordwart thay come withouttin feir.

Richt ſo Semiramis the Quene

Qubilk for one man wes ay fyftene.

Thir two Armyis full cruellie

Thay ruſchit to gidder ſo rudelie

With hydduous cry, and trumpettis ſound

Till thouſandis dede lay on the ground.

Semiramis had ſic one noummer.

Tyll ordour thame it wes greit cummer.

Than the greit Elephantis of Iude

Richt ſtrang and hardy of thare kynde

Ford wart thay come, and wald nocht ceis

Ty…l throuch the middis of the preis

Of the greit Oiſt, thay rudclie ruſchit

That men and hors till erd thay duſchit.

Thoſe fenȝeit beiſtis withouttin ſpreit

Wer fruſchit and fuilȝeit vnderunder feit.

The king of Iude with curage kene

Met with Semiramis the Quene,

He rydand on ane Elephand,

Bot ſcho with him faucht hand for hand,

And gaue the King ſo greit aſſay

That he wes neuer in ſic affray

To ſtraik at him ſcho tuke no feir

So weill ſcho vſit wes in weir.

His ſtrakis ſcho had bot lytle comptit

Wer nocht the king wes ſo weill montit

Ather at vther ſtraik ſo faſt

Tyll thay wer tyrit at the laſt.

The King he thocht him ſelf eſchamit.

With one woman to be befamit,

And wes determit nocht to flee

Thocht in that Battell he ſuld dee,

As man the quhilk diſparit bene

He rudely ran vponupon the Quene,

And throuch the arme gaif hir ane wound

Quhilk till hir hart gaue ſic one ſtound

That ſcho conſtranit wes to flee

Than all the reſt of hir Armie

Quhen thay perſauit that ſcho wes gone,

Tyll Indus flude thay fled ilk one.

The Quene ouerthort the flude ſcho raid

On briggis quhilks wer of botis maid,

With hir ane ſober cumpanie

Quhilk with hir fled affrayitlie.

The Indianis followit on the chais

Than on the Briggis come ſic one preis

Of fleand folkis, quhilk wes greit wounder

So that the Bargis brak in ſchonder.

Sum ſank, ſum doun the ryuer ran,

Than drownit thare, mony ane nobill man,

Quhilk wes greit pitie till deplore,

As wryttis famous Diodore.

And finallie for to conclude

Wes neuer ſched ſo mekle blude

At one tyme, ſen the warld began

Nor ſlane ſo mony one ſaikles man,

And all throuch the occaſioun

And the prydefull perſwaſioun

Of this ambitious wickit Quene

Sick one wes neuer hard nor ſene.

Staurobates the king of Inde,

Gretlye reioyſit in his mynde

Of this tryumphe and victorie

Semiramis with hart full ſorie

Seand ſa mony tane and ſlane

Tyll hir countrie returnit agane,

Lamentand fortunis variance

Quhilk brocht hir to ſo greit miſchance

Afore quhilk wes ſo fortunate

And than of conforte deſolate.

Hir Sone ane man of perfectioun

Conſiderand his ſubiectioun,

His libertie he did deſyre

That he micht gouerne his Impyre,

Seand his Mother vitious

And with that ſo ambitious

As myne Auctor dois ſpecifie

He ſlew his Mother cruellie

Quhat vther cauſe, or Intentioun

I fynd no ſpeciall mentioun.

Sum ſayis to be at Libertie

Sum ſayis, for hir Adulterie,

None vther cauſe I can defyne

Except Punitioun deuyne.

☞Of this fair Lady corageous

Behald the endyng dolorous

Quhilk wes bot twenty ȝeris of age

Quhen ſcho began hir Vaſſalage,

And rang tryumphandlie but weir

The ſpace of two and fourtie ȝeir

Quhen ſcho wes ſlane, ſcho wes thre ſcore

With ȝeris two, ſcho wes no more.

As Diodore, wrytis in his buke

His Cronicle, quho liſt to luke.

¶Of this Lady I mak ane end,

Thynkand no way, I can commend

Wemen for till be to manlie

Nor men for till be womenlie.

For quhy, it bene the Lordis mynd

All Creature tyll vſe thare kynd.

Men for tyll hauehave preeminence,

And wemen vnderunder obedience.

Thocht all wemen inclynit be

Tyll hauehave the Soueranetie.

As this Lady, quhilk wald nocht reſt

Till ſcho hir Huſband had ſuppreſt

Till that intent that ſcho micht ring

Allone to hauehave the gouerning.

¶ Ladyis no way I can comend

Preſumptuouſlie quhilk dois pretend

Till vſe the office of ane king

Or Realmes tak in gouerning.

Quhowbeit thay vailȝeant be and wicht

Going in Battell lyke ane knicht

As did proude Pentheſilea

The Princes of Amazona,

In mennis habite aganis reſoun.

Siclyke I thynk deriſioun

One Prince to be effeminate

Of knichtlie corage deſolate,

Neglect and his auctoritie,

Throuch beiſtlie ſenſualitie,

Accompanyit baith day and nichtis

With wemen more than vailȝeant knichtis

Sic kingis I diſcommend at all,

Exempill of Sardanapall.

Courteo.❧ Father (ſaid I) ſchaw me how lang

The ſucceſſioun of Ninus rang?

Experien.That ſall I do with diligence

My Sone (ſaid he) or I go hence.

Sell I hauehave ſchawin at thy deſyre

Quhat man began the firſt Impyre,

Now wald I it wer to the kend

Of that Impyre the fatall end.

Howking Sardanapalus for his Vitious lyfe, maid ane Miſeravill end.

BETVIX this Conquerour Ninus,

And ſenſuall Sadanapalus,

I can nocht find no ſpeciall ſtorie

Worthy to put in memorie,

Except quhilk I hauehave done diſcryfe,

Of Semirame, king Ninus wyfe.

Bot I can find no gude at all

To wryt of king Sadanapall,

Quhilk wes the ſext and threttie king

Belyne frome Ninus diſcending,

At lenth his lyfe for to declare

I thynke it is nocht neceſſare,

Becauſe that mony cunnyng clerkis

Hes hym diſcryuit in thare werkis

Quhow he wes laſt of Aſſirianis

Quhilk had the hole preeminans,

That tyme of the firſt Monarchie

In Cronicles as thow may ſee.

The laſt, and the moſt vitious king

Quhilk in that Monarchie did ring.

That Prince wes ſo effeminate

With ſenſuall luſt intoxicate,

He did abhor the cumpanie

Of his maiſt nobill Cheualrie,

That he mycht hauehave the more delyte

Till vſe his beiſtlie appetyte

Conuerſit with wemen nicht and day

And clothit hym in thare array

So that na man that hym had ſene

Culd Iuge ane man that he had bene.

So in Huredome and harlatrie

Did keip hym ſelf ſo quietlie,

The Prencis of Aſſiriens

Of hym thay could get no preſens.

Thus leuit he continuallie

Agane Nature Inordinatlie.

¶ Quhen to the Perſis and the Medis

Reportit wer his vitious dedis

With the Rewlaris of Babilone

Thay did conclude all in tyll one

Thay wald nocht ſuffer for til ting

Abufe thame ſic ane vitious king

Bot Arbaces, ane Duke of Mede

He darflie tuke on hand that dede.

¶ Bot firſt he come to Niniue

To ſee the king is Maieſtie

And tyll one of the kingis gard

He gaif ane ſecreit riche reward

Tyll put hym in ane quiet place

Quhare he mycht ſee the kingis grace

And be vnſene with ony wicht

Bot he ſaw nother king nor knycht

In tyll his Maiſteris cumpanie

Except wemen allanerlie.

And as ane woman he wes cled

With wemen counſalit and led

And ſchamefullie he wes ſittand

With ſpindle, and with Rock ſpinnand.

Quhen Arbaces that ſycht had ſene

His curage rais vp frome the ſplene

And thocht it ſmall difficultie

For tyll depryue his Maieſtie.

☞ Than raſit he the Perſianis

With Medis and Babilonianis

Ennarmit weill with ſpeir and ſcheildis

Tryumphandlie thay tuke the feildis

¶ The King raſit Aſſirianis

To gyther with the Caldeanis

And thame reſyſtit as thay micht

Bot fynallie he tuke the flicht

To ſaif hym ſelf in Niniue,

Than Segit thay that greit Citie

Continuallie two ȝeir and more

As wryttis famous Diodore

Tyll that the flude of Euphrates

Arais with ſic one furiouſnes

Quhare throuch ane grett part of the tonn

Be violence wes doungin doun.

Than quhen the king ſaw no remede

Bot to be takin or to be dede

As man diſparit full of Ire

Gart mak ane furious flammand fyre

And tuke his gold and Iowellis all

With Scepture, Croun, and Rob Royal,

With all his tender Seruituris

That of his Corps had greiteſt curis

To gidder with his luſtie Quenis

And all his wantoun Concubenis,

And in that fyre he did thame caſt

Syne lap hym ſelf in at the laſt

Quhare al wer brynt in poulder ſmall.

Thus endit king Sadanapall

Withouttin ony repentance

As may be ſene be this ſentence

Heir followyng, quhilk he did indyte

Afore his deith, in greit deſpyte

Quhilk is ane rycht vngodly thing

As ȝe may ſee, be his dyting.

Epitaphium Sardanapali.

❧ CVM te mortalem noris, preſentibus exple

Delitijs animum, poſt mortem nulla voluptas,

Et venere, & caenis, & plumis Sardanapali.

☞Now hauehave I ſchawin with diligens

The Monarchie of Aſſiriens

The quhilk at king Ninus began

And endit at this my ſcheant man

And did indure withouttin weir,

Ane thouſand, twa hundreth and fourty ȝeir

As dois indyte Euſebius.

Reid him, and thow ſall find it thus.