The thinges which God committeth to man’s charge.]
[THE INDUCTION.
“It is requisite,” quoth Memory, “that now you seeke for Edmund Ironside’s father, I meane Egelrede, of some writers called Etheldrede, who as his predecessor, Alurede, had but one vice, so hee had neuer a vertue. In whose time the Danes dyd more then ouerrunne England, for they ruled and raigned ouer the whole realme, and although a very valiant impe proceeded out of his raynes, who for his ablenesse to indure paynes and trauayle, was surnamed Ironside; yet had not William, duke of Normandy, nephew vnto the saide Edmunde, made a conquest therof, the Danes no doubte had ruled it euen vnto this day. It is necessary, therfore, that we heare this man’s complaynt.” “I haue hym here,” quoth Inquisition, “but I haue no minde to heare him speake, for seeing he dyd dispise all vertue and learnyng, it is to be thought that hee wyll tell a crooked tale, such a one as wil (I feare except it be fyled after him) deforme all the rest. But I wyl take paynes to polish that which he roughly doth frame.” “Not at all,” quoth Memorie, “the browne byl is a goodly weapon: and let it suffise if the matter wyll beate downe vice, let the meeter delight as it may.” “Seeing you saye so,” quoth Inquisition, “I am content that by the example of his death, he may admonish all the worlde to flee the fall which he felt.” Wherewith he stepped forth, and saide as foloweth.]
THE COMPLAYNT OF EGELREDE.
How Egelrede for his wickednesse was diuerslye distressed by the Danes, and lastly dyed for sorrow, [seeing himselfe not able to deale with Canutus.][1233]
1.
The minde and not the man dooth make or marre,
For as the stearne dooth guide the Argocy:
So by their mindes all men they guyded are:
From out the minde proceedeth fantasie,