[THE INDUCTION.
“It was great pitie,” quoth Memorie, vnto Inquisition, “that thys man liued in the tyme of blinde ignorance, when neyther vertue nor religion were knowen. Beleeue me, if he coulde haue conteyned himselfe within the limites of his owne countrey, or if too much courage had not moued him to so great interpryses, surely euen he had restored the Britaines vnto auncient libertie, and might haue liued long without paying any tribute.” “You haue said,” quoth Inquisition, “he might haue had a very glorious day ouer the Romans, if he had not desired Rome; for when Claudius Cæsar had him abroade, he did not presently incounter with Guidericus, as he supposed he woulde haue donne, but remembring how Scipio Africanus layd siege vnto Carthage, did draw Hannibal out of Italy, he imitating his grand chieftayne and predecessor, fyrst brought Britayne vnto his obedience, then he inuaded Guidericus, with whom God being displeased, he was destroyed as you haue harde. After whom the Britaines were greeuously oppressed by the Romans, and dayly inuaded by the Scots and Pictes whiche Lodrike their king brought out of Scithia, insomuch that at this time the Britaynes were compelled to sende vnto the Emperour Bassianus for aide; who sent vnto them the Roman Seuerus, with a great power. And then how Carassus, a Britayne, not nobilis, but altogeather ignotus, did both redeeme his countrey from the Pictes and Romans, and also obteyned the crowne and raygned eight yeares, thys story following shal declare: who although he felt the fall of his own follie yet surely his story is very profitable, chiefly for all such as doo suffer suspicion to seduce them, as the diligent noting of the processe wyll declare.”]