“What _Constantine_ was this,” quoth _Inquisition_, “that was made away by this miserable _Vortiger_?” “Not _Helline’s_ sonne,” sayd _Memorie_, “but an impe descended out of her loines, who for his soft spirit was made a monke at _S. Swithens_ in _Winchester_; and afterward, his eldest brother being dead, he was taken out and made king. He made mention of two brethren,” sayd _Inquisition_, “who ariuing at _Totnesse_ did binde the said _Vortiger_ for making away the younge king, what were they, knowe you?” “Yea,” quoth _Memory_, “they were the brethren of the vnfortunate _Constantine_, who fled out of the realme for feare of that cruel _Vortiger_: and afterwarde obteyning succour beyonde the sea came with a nauie and obteyned the reuenge of their so deadly enemie. And when the eldest, called _Aurelius Ambrose_, had raygned nienteene yeares, he dyed, as some wryte, by poyson, without issue. Then the youngest, named _Vter Pendragon_, tooke vnto him the rule of this realm.” “_Vter Pendragon_,” quoth _Inquisition_, “doo you meane the great king _Arthur’s_ father? he is here, and hath sued vnto me to be a meanes that his fall might be knowne vnto the worlde.” “Let him,” saythe _Memory_, “speake his minde, for his story is exceedyng necessary for this present time.” Wherewith he bearing still about with hym his amorous lookes, said as foloweth.] THE COMPLAINT OF VTER PENDRAGON. Howe Vter Pendragon was inamoured with Duke Garelus wife, and howe by lawelesse loue he lost his kingdome. This example is most necessary for the present time.[1198] 1. We leade our liues by fancies fonde delight, For kingdomes some doo busy much theyr brayne, But _Cupid’s_ curse that wretched litle wight, That blinded boye vnto my pynching payne, Dubde me a knight of dayntie _Venus’_ trayne, Where beames of beautie brought me by and by, To cast my care to please my ladye’s eye. 2. O beautie braue, thy gladsome glittering gleames, With smilyng cheare and wildie winking eyes, Doth drowne with dole amidst the surging streames Of deepe despayre, the wightes which be most wyse: Aye me, my wit, my penne cannot deuise Of beautie braue to make a true discourse, To thinke thereof I feele my selfe the woorse. 3. I _Pendragon_ of _Britaine_ crowned king, The fretting force of beautie’s hateful hewe, Those frying flames I felt, that hateful sting, Which quickly me from crowne and kingdome threwe,[1199] Whil’st with delight I did thy vaunting vewe, I like the halke which sores in good estate, Did spye a stale, I stoopte, and tooke a mate. 4.