How Guidericus refused to paye tribute vnto Claudius Cæsar: howe he subdued Galba: how hee became desyrous to winne all the worlde: spoyled France, Germany, and a great part of Italy: and lastly, how hee was miserably slayne in a tempest of thunder, euen at what time hee shoulde have dealt with Cæsar. This History is a synguler ensample of God’s vengeance against pride and arrogancy. 1. On staylesse top of honour’s high renowne, With busye brayne to builde a bower there, Is donne to fall at fortune’s froward frowne, Whose turning wheele, the hyest fyrst dooth feare, And them below it vpwardes styl dooth reare. Let them therefore for good estate that striue, With sailes halfe hoyst in happy hauen arive. 2. I prest to tell my suddayne yll successe, Amidst the meane which dyd not dayne to dwell, To higher state whilst I dyd mee addresse, By chaunging chance of fortune’s force, I fel Euen suddaynly from heauen to hatefull hell: From heauen (I saye,) I fell from that my blysse, To hatefull hell, I meane, to wretchednesse. 3. _Guidericus_ which rul’de the _Brittayne_ lande, I am the same, of _Simbaline_ the sonne, _Cassiuelane_ my grandsyer dyd withstand Sir _Cæsar’s_ force, tyll _Parcæ_ had vndone The fatal knot and twist that they had sponne. Euen then to soone the _Romanes_ did oppresse This realme, which I to ryght did me addresse. 4. Which that I myght the better bring about, The three estates in court to _parle_, I In hast did call, amongst which royal route, As one who ment for welthe of commonty, Howe to restore their ancient libertie, Pronounst the speache which here I shal recite, Which moued much there manly mindes to fight. 5. The emperour of _Rome_ hath sent, you see, Ambassatours, the tribute to obtayne, Which _Theomant_ subdued, did agree To pay, but I such greement do disdayne. Shal I to _Rome_ a tribute slaue remayne, Because they did subdue this realme of yore? Shal we buy yoke with tribute euermore? 6. Shall we this badge of beastly blemishe beare? Shall _Troians_ we to _Troians_ tribute yeelde? Of _Brutus’_ bloude, a prince withouten peare, We do descend, whose father fyrst dyd buylde In _Italy_: he _Alba Longa_ fyl’de, And furnishte fine with princely byldinges braue, He was entombde next good _Aeneas’_ graue. 7.