Although by _Bocas_ I haue whilom told my mind, And _Lydgate_ haue likewise translated wel the same, Yet sith my place in order here againe I find, And that my factes deseru’d in _Brytayne_ worthy fame, Let me againe renue to memory my name, Recite my mind, which if thou graunt to mee, Thou shalt therefore receiue a friendly fee, [And for my tale perhaps commended thou shalt bee. 2. But least thou seeme to doubt what Prince thou seest appeare, And wotst not well which way to winde or wrest his talke, As may both sound to like a perfect _English_ eare, And eke direct thy dreadfull pen which way to walke: Lest thou on this shouldst long diuine, or muse, or calke, I will the tell: but take in hand thy pen, First set thy selfe to write my wordes, and then A mirrour make yet more for Magistrates agen.] 3. If euer erst the fame of auncient _Romayne_ facts, Haue come to pearce thine eares before this present time, I thinke amongst the rest, likewise my noble actes Haue shewde them selues in sight, as _Phœbus_ fayre in prime. When first the _Romayne_ state began aloft to clime, And wanne the wealth of all the worlde beside, When first their force in warlike feates were tryde, [My selfe was victour hee that did the _Romaynes_ guyde.] 4. I, _Caius Iulius Cæsar Consull_, had to name, That worthie _Romayne_ borne, renownde with noble deedes, What neede I here recyte the linage whence I came, Or else in my great exploytes? perdy[809] t’s more then needes, But onely this to tell of purpose now proceedes, Why I a _Romayne_ Prince, no _Brytayne_, here Amongst these _Britayne_ Princes now appeere, [As if amongst the rest a _Britayne_ Prince I were.] 5. And yet because thou maist perceyue the story all Of all my life, and so deeme better of the end, I will againe the same to mind yet briefly call, To tell thee how thou maist me prayse or discommend: Which when thou hast, perdy,[810] as I recyte it, pend, Thou shalt confesse that I deserued well, Amongst them here my tragedie to tell, [By conquest sith I wanne this Ile before I fell.] 6. What neede I first recite my petegrue well knowne? No noble authour writes that can forget the same, My prayse I know in print through all the worlde is blowne, Ther’s no man scarce that writes, but he recytes my fame: My worthie Father _Lucius Cæsar_ had to name, _Aurelia_ eke[811] my mother also hight, Of _Caius Cotta_ daughter borne by right, [As fayre and wise a dame as euer saw the light.] 7.