[THE INDUCTION.
“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.]