And was named Guer Leir by the King.
These Lines, considering the Age he lived in, (which Arnoldus Vion saith, was about the Year 1346.) may pass with some praise, but others say he flourished a Century of years afterwards, viz. 1513. which if so, they are hardly to be excused, Poetry being in that time much refined; but whensoever he lived, Bale saith, he was (the Diamond in the Ring) Pro ea ipsa ætate, admodum pius.
HAVILLAN.
Should we forget the learned Havillan, our Book would be thought to be imperfect, so terse and fluent was his Verse, of which we shall give you two Examples, the one out of Mr. John Speed his Description of Devonshire, speaking of the arrival of Brute.
The God's did guide his Sail and Course, the Winds were at command,
And Totness was the happy shore where first he came on land.
The other out of Mr. Weever his Funeral Monuments in the Parish of St. Aldermanbury in London, speaking of Cornwal.
There Gyants whilome dwelt, whose Clothes were skins of Beasts;
Whose Drink was Blood; Whose Cups, to serve for use at Feasts,