The first I find exempted in our storie Is noble _Arthur_, Albion’s ancient glorie, Who heere at home subdues the Saxon kings: Then forren nations in subiection brings, The Roman host with _Lucius_ for their guide To his victorious sword do stoope their pride: But home-bred broiles call backe the conquering king, Warres thunder 'bout the Britaine coasts doth ring, _Gawin’s_ firme loyaltie at his last breath, _Arthur’s_ last conquest, wounds and timelesse death, The truth of which, that we may heare, let fame Summon his ghost to come and tell the same. ANOTHER ARGUMENT. Fame sounds her trumpe, king _Arthur_ doth ascend Tels _Mordred’s_ treason, death, and his owne end. [Illustration] 1. No age hath bin, since nature first began To worke Ioue’s wonders, but hath left behind Some deeds of praise for Mirrours vnto man, Which more then threatful lawes in men inclind, To tread the paths of praise excites the mind, Mirrours tie thoughts to vertues due respects, Examples hasten deeds to good effects. 2. 'Mongst whom, that I my storie so renown’d May for a Mirrour to the world commend, Summon’d the first by fame’s shrill trumpets sound: Loe, I am come on earth to find a friend, Who his assistance vnto me may lend, And with his pen paint out my historie A perfect Mirrour of true maiestie. 3. In which the truth of my corrupted storie, Defac’d by fleeting time’s inconstant pen I will declare, nor to aduance my glorie Will I present vnto the view of men Ought, but the scope of what the truth hath ben: Meane time thou pen-man of Mnemosynie, Giue heedfull eare vnto my tragedie. 4. As from aire-threatning tops of cedars tall The leaues, that whilome were so fresh and greene, In healthlesse autumne to the ground do fall, And others in their roomes at spring are seene: So proudest states amongst the states of men Now mount the loftie top of fortune’s wheele, Now fall againe, now firmely stand, now reele. 5. Foure times the state of this same noble Ile Hath changed been by froward fate’s decree, And on foure nations fortune’s front did smile, Gracing thir high attempts with victorie Ouer this empire of Great Britanie: Yet none but one the scepter long did sway, Whose conquering name endures vntill this day. 6.