_The Life of ROBERT of Glocester._


We will begin first with _Robert_ of _Glocester_, so called, because a
Monk of that City, who flourisht about the Reign of King _Henry_ the
Second; much esteemed by Mr. _Cambden_, who quotes divers of his old
_English_ Rhythms in praise of his Native Country, _England_. Some (who
consider not the Learning of those times) term him a Rhymer, whilst
others more courteously call him a Poet: Indeed his Language is such,
that he is dumb in effect, to the Readers of our Age, without an
Interpreter; which that ye may the better perceive, hear these his
Verses of _Mulmutius Dunwallo_, in the very same Language he wrote
them.

A Kynge there was in Brutayne Donwallo was his Nam,
Staleworth and hardy, a man of grete Fam:
He ordeyned furst yat theeues yat to Temple flowen wer,
No men wer so hardy to do hem despit ther;
That hath he moche such yhold, as hit begonne tho,
Hely Chyrch it holdeth yut, and wole ever mo.

Antiquaries (amongst whom Mr. _Selden_) more value him for his History
than Poetry, his Lines being neither strong nor smooth, yet much
informing in those things wherein he wrote; whereof to give you a taste
of the first planting Religion in this Land by King _Lucius_,

Lucie Cocles Son after him Kynge was,
To fore hym in Engelonde Chrestendom non was,
For he hurde ofte miracles at Rome,