Here ended _Brutus_ sacred progenie, xxxvi Which had seuen hundred yeares this scepter borne, With high renowme, and great felicitie;[786] The noble braunch from th’antique stocke was torne Through discord, and the royall throne forlorne: Thenceforth this Realme was into factions rent, Whilest each of _Brutus_ boasted to be borne, That in the end was left no moniment Of _Brutus_, nor of Britons glory auncient. Then vp arose a man of matchlesse might, xxxvii And wondrous wit to menage high affaires, Who stird with[787] pitty of the stressed plight Of this sad Realme, cut into sundry shaires By such, as claymd themselues _Brutes_ rightfull haires, Gathered the Princes of the people loose, To taken counsell of their common cares; Who with his wisedom won, him streight did choose Their king, and swore him fealty to win or loose. Then made he head against his enimies, xxxviii And _Ymner_ slew, of[788] _Logris_ miscreate; Then _Ruddoc_ and proud _Stater_, both allyes, This of _Albanie_ newly nominate, And that of _Cambry_ king confirmed late, He ouerthrew through his owne valiaunce; Whose countreis he redus’d to quiet state, And shortly brought to ciuill gouernaunce, Now one, which earst were many, made through variaunce. Then made he sacred lawes, which some men say xxxix Were vnto him reueald in vision, By which he freed the Traueilers high way, The Churches part, and Ploughmans portion, Restraining stealth, and strong extortion; The gracious _Numa_ of great _Britanie_: For till his dayes, the chiefe dominion By strength was wielded without pollicie; Therefore he first wore crowne of gold for dignitie. _Donwallo_ dyde (for what may liue for ay?) xl And left two sonnes, of pearelesse prowesse both; That sacked _Rome_ too dearely did assay, The recompence of their periured oth, And ransackt _Greece_ well tryde, when they were wroth; Besides subiected _Fraunce_, and _Germany_, Which yet their prayses speake, all be they loth, And inly tremble at the memory Of _Brennus_ and _Bellinus_, kings of Britany. Next them did _Gurgunt_[789], great _Bellinus_ sonne xli In rule succeede, and eke in fathers prayse; He Easterland subdewd, and Danmarke[790] wonne, And of them both did foy and tribute raise, The which was dew in his dead fathers dayes: He also gaue to fugitiues of _Spayne_, Whom he at sea found wandring from their wayes, A seate in _Ireland_ safely to remayne, Which they should hold of him, as subiect to _Britayne_.