KING EDGAR a.d. 



973- 



Imperiall Brittish monarchic, yet at the least some such 

 notable portion thereof, as (al circumstances duely and 

 justly apperteining to peace & amitie with forrein princes [I- 7-] 

 being offred & used) this may become the most peace- 

 able, most rich, most puissant, & most florishing mon- 

 archic of al els (this day) in christendome. Peaceable, I 

 say, even with the most part of the selfe same respects 

 that good king Edgar had (being but a Saxon) and by 

 sundry such meanes, as he chiefly in this Empire did put 

 in proofe and ure triumphantly, whereupon his sirname 

 was Pacificus, most aptly and justly. This peaceable 

 king Edgar had in his minde about six hundred yeeres 

 past, the representation of a great part of the selfe same 

 Idaea, which from above onely, & by no mans devise 

 hath streamed downe into my imagination, being as it 

 becommeth a subject carefull for the godly prosperitie 

 of this British Empire under our most peaceable Queene 

 Elizabeth. 



For, ^dgarus pacificus, Regni sui prospiciens utilitati, Flores 

 pariter & quieti, quatuor millia octingentas sibi robustas Historiarum. 

 congregavit naves e quibus mille ducentas, in plaga Angliae 

 Orientali, mille ducentas in Occidentali, mille ducentas in 

 Australi, mille ducentas in Septentrionali pelago con- 

 stituit, ut ad defensionem regni sui, contra exteras nationes, 

 bellorum discrimina sustinerent. 



O wisedome imperiall, most diligently to be imitated, 

 videlicet, prospicere, to foresee. O charitable kingly parent, 

 that was touched with ardent zeale, for procuring the 

 publike profite of his kingdome, yea and also the peaceable 

 enjoying therof. O, of an incredible masse of treasure, 

 a kingly portion, yet, in his coffers remayning : if then he 

 had, (or late before) any warres, seeing no notable taxe, or 

 contribution publike is historically mentioned to have bene 

 for the charges levied : if in peace he himselfe flourished 

 so wealthily : O marveilous politicall, & princely prudencie, 

 in time of peace to foresee, and prevent, (and that most 

 puissantly, and invincibly) all possible malice, fraude, force, 

 and mischiefe forrain. O most discreet liberalitie to such 

 I 17 B 



