You that haue heard or read the worthie factes Of _Nennius_ here, (though[751] rudely pende by mee) Learne so to fight, let so your[752] noble actes By those that after come, recounted bee: I may full well reioyce he spake to mee, For if I had not stayde to heare him then, I thinke he scarce had come to speake agen.[753] 9. But next me thought appeared plaine in sight A noble Lorde, which once had lost his head, Of person tall, well set, a comely wight, Whome proude despite aliue to slaughter lead: Thus wise he wilde me penne how earst he spead, Perswading me, perdy, to write agen His fall, amongst the _Britayne_ noble men. Howe the Lord Irenglas cosen to king Cassibellane was slayne by the Lord Elimine cosen to Androgeus Earle of London, about the yeere before Christ, 51. 1. Amongst the rest that whilome sate aloft, Amongst the rest, that once had happie chaunce, Amongst the rest, that had good Fortune oft, Amongst the rest, that coulde themselues aduaunce, Amongst the rest, that led in warres the staunce,[754] And wanne the palme, the prayse, renowne, and fame, [(Yet after fell in proofe to trye the same)] Leaue in thy booke a place to put my name. 2. [Which, _Higgins_, if thou shalt, and write therein This tale I tell, no doubt thou shalt me please; Thy selfe likewise thereby maist profit win; For why, who writes such histories as these, Doth often bring the Readers hearts such ease, And[755] when they sitte, and see what he doth note, And lessons learne to saue his[756] armour coate, Well fare his heart (say they) this worke that wrote. 3. Perhaps thou answere wilt and eke confesse, They may in deede giue thankes, and that is all: They can (saist thou) I thinke giue scarcely lesse, For such a gifte a guerdon farre too small: Well, yet doe write, content thy selfe withall, Thou must the ende that God appoyntes abide: Though they ingratefull be of reason wide, Thou must not therefore this thy talent hide. 4. This I obiect not that I thinke is so, But if it erst haue chaunced so to hitte, Thou shouldst not therefore let these stories go, Which may perchaunce so exercise thy witte, And may so frame thy phrases fine and fitte, Though now no other gifte then thankes thou haue: Yet shall thy verses liue, thy name to saue, And spread thy prayse, when thou art layde in graue. 5.