And thus being made strong with such assistance, by consultation had with
them that were of most authoritie about him, wrote vnto the king of that
countrie called Pandrasus, in forme as followeth.

_A letter of Brute to Pandrasus, as I find it set downe in Galfride
Monumetensis._

"Brute leader of the remnant of the Troian people, to Pandrasus king of
the Gréekes, sendeth greeting. Bicause it hath beene thought a thing
vnworthie, that the people descended of the noble linage of Dardanus
should be otherwise dealt with than the honour of their nobilitie dooth
require: they haue withdrawne themselues within the close couert of the
woods. For they haue chosen rather (after the maner of wild beasts) to
liue on flesh and herbs in libertie, than furnished with all the riches
in the world to continue vnder the yoke of seruile thraldome. But if this
their dooing offend thy mightie highnesse, they are not to be blamed, but
rather in this behalfe to be pardoned, sith euerie captiue prisoner
is desirous to be restored vnto his former estate and dignitie. You
therefore pitieng their case, vouchsafe to grant them their abridged
libertie, and suffer them to remaine in quiet within these woods which
they haue got into their possession: if not so, yet giue them licence to
depart forth of this countrie into some other parts."

The sight of these letters, and request in them conteined, made Pandrasus
at the first somewhat amazed, howbeit deliberating further of the matter,
and considering their small number, he made no great account of them, but
[Sidenote: Pandrasus prepareth an armie to supress the Troian ofspring.]
determined out of hand to suppresse them by force, before they should
grow to a greater multitude. And to bring his intention the better to
[Sidenote: Sparatinum.]