[537] So I my brother’s life away did take. N. [538] Procur’d the slaughter. N. [539] This. N. [540] They would not so aspire to Princes place. N. [541] From bale to blisse and downe from heauen to hell. N. [542] Touch not the Prince, crowne, scepter, &c. N. [543] THE AUTHOUR. Next after Porrex came an other such, Had all his body quite in peeces rent: A desperate man, his life bewayling much: Which for he seemed sorely to lament, I was the rather him to heare content: That I might also note his story here, From like attempts of vices you to feare. [Here follows the tragedy of Kimarus, as at p. 208.] [544] The author has followed the authority of the Polichronicon in making Porrex the survivor. In the chronicle by Harding and other authorities their destiny is reversed; though generally it is stated, that the conqueror obtained the kingdom through the powerful aid of the king of France. Upon the story of these brothers was founded the tragedy of Gorboduc, produced by Norton and Sackvile in 1561, which was one of the earliest legitimate productions of the English drama. The murderous events of their history seem not to have been considered sufficient to maintain the interest of the play, and the traditionary tale was deviated from by making the old king Gorboduc survive his sons, and to fall a sacrifice with the queen, to the rage of the multitude. But this accumulation of horror was in taste with the times, and Sir P. Sidney describes the piece as “full of morality, which it doth most delightfully teach, and thereby obtain the very end of poetry.” [545] The three formed part of a pentarchy, whereon the chronicles are uniform as to the obscurity. [546] Not in the first edition. [547] Right ouerrunnes. N. [548] After comes. N. [549] If good be gaine. N. [550] The grape growes on the vine and not the hop. N. [551] Of this now spoken, this would I inferre, Men may by might a kingdome long withhold Not due to them: but they far better were To yeeld vnto the right, what reason would. Good mettals bides the touch, which tries the gold, When copper counted counterfeit in cast, Is deem’d but drosse and called in at last. N. [552] I am that Pinnar, who when Brutus blood Extincted was in bloodie Porrex raigne, Amongst the Princes in contention stood, Who in the Britaine throne by right should raigne: Mongst whom by might a part I did obtaine, That part of Albion call’d Logria hight, I did long time vsurpe against all right. N. [553] Stater who stept into the Scottish throne, And Rudacke, that vsurpt the Cambrian crowne, Their minds to mine did frame and ioyn’d in one, To keepe the Cornish Prince stout Cloten downe, Twixt whom and vs in fighting, for renowne Faire Ladie Albion Europes wondred Ile, Rob’d of her beautie was, alas the while. N. [554]