“Beholde,” quoth _Memorye_, “the effect of vertue and godlynesse. If contentation of the mind be perfecte happinesse, as some philosophers haue defynde it, then no doubt this queene was most happy, and happy is hee who can imitate her in her happynesse. But not long time after her there lyued a king, named _Vortiger_, who for his vice was as diuerslye afflicted, as this woman for her vertue was blessed. I doo remember the wickednesse of this man was exceeding great. Haue you found hym out, _Inquisition_?” “Is not this he, good _Memory_?” quoth _Inquisition_, “I founde hym both sitting and sighing amongst the misserable, and it would appeare that hee is ashamed to make rehearsall of thinges past.” “It is euen he,” quoth _Memorie_, “you may know him by his fyry lookes; for though it be long since hee liued yet he beareth about with hym the badge of his destruction. Note you his story with dilygence, (good _Inquisition_,) for this is hee who subuerted the commonweale of _Brittayne_. And you, sir prince, I doo coniure you, by the duty you owe vnto me, who doo know all thinges, that you doo heere repeate vnto vs the whole story of your estate.” Wherewith he with smoking sighes, greatly against his wyl, saide as followeth.] THE COMPLAYNT OF VORTIGER. How Vortiger destroyed the young kyng Constantine, and howe he obteyned the crowne: [howe the abusyng of his prosperitie brought hys realme so lowe, that he was constrayned to hyre souldyers to defend hymselfe from his enimyes] and how after many miseries, he was miserably burnt in his castle, by the brethren of Constantine.[1187] 1. By quiet peace of _Ianus_ ioylitie, Their happy hauens with forewinds forst some haue,[1188] By wrackful warres of _Mars_ his crueltie, With much ado some get the goale they craue, But subtyl sleightes, and fetches boulstred braue, My haplesse hand dyd hyt with leueled lyne, The aymed marke, the more mishap was myne. 2. By giftes of grace some men haue happy hap, By blessed byrth to kyngdomes borne some be: Succession sets some men in Fortune’s lap, By wisedome, wyt, and prudent policie: Some clyme aloft by trustlesse treacherie: And courage dooth a multitude aduaunce, Driftes finely filde they dyd my state inhaunce. 3. I _Vortiger_, by byrth was borne a lorde, Kyng _Constantine_ his coosin did me call, I cride amayne, and clapt his crowne aborde, And for a tyme til fortune forst my fall, With restlesse blesse I sate in stately stall: But men of warre of much more might then I, For my desert my carefull corpes did fry. 4.