How Queene Hellina was empresse of all the worlde. This storie dooth declare how happye they bee, which liue in the feare and loue of God.[1179] 1. Men’s due desertes ech reader may recite, For men of men doo make a goodly show, But women’s workes can neuer come to light, No mortall man their famous factes may know, No writer wyll a litle time bestowe, The worthy workes of women to repeate, Though their renowne and due deserts be great. 2. For I by byrth to _Coel_ daughter deare, King _Lucy_ was my good grand-mother’s sonne, My father dead, I rulde his kyngdome heere, And afterwarde the world so wide I wonne. I empresse was of all vnder the sunne, I liued long, I dyde with perfect blisse, Yet writers will repeate no word of this. 3. But now at last I haue obtayned leaue, My spotlesse life to paynt in perfect white: Though writers would al honour from me reaue, Of al renowne they would depriue me quite, Yet true report my deedes shal burnishe bright, And rubbe the rust which did me much disgrace, And set my name in her deserued place. 4. From _Roman_ rule who _Brittayne_ did redeme? Who planted first God’s woorde in _Brittayne_ land? Who did so much virginitie esteme? Who did the force of forrayn foes withstand? Who al the world subdude without a band Of martial men? who did these noble actes? I _Hellina_, haue done these famous factes. 5. And now haue here the storye of my state: The _Brittayne_ queene inheritage me crownde, Euen then when _Romans_ had so great debate Amongst themselues for _Caracalla’s_ wounde, An emperour, who highly was renownde, As then at _Rome_, whose death vndoutedly, Diminishte much the _Roman_ emperie. 6. The _Romans_ then were storde with ciuile strife, And many realmes against them did rebell, Their trouble turn’d me to a quiet life, My commonweale did prosper passing well, When al the worlde agreed like deuils in hel, Then I and myne becalmde from hatred’s blast In happy hauen harboured were at last. 7. Then I a mayd of tender youthful yeares, Reporte did say, of beutie fresh and fayre, Refusde the sute of many noble peeres, Which dayly did vnto my court repayre: What though there were vnto my crowne no heire? Yet I who did regard my comons good, Refusde to linke my selfe with forrayne blood. 8.