C

An EPIGRAM.

RIES Sylvia to a reverend dean,
What reason can be given,

1

Since marriage is a holy thing,

That there are none in heaven?

There are no Women, he reply'd;
She quick returns the jest――
Women there are, but I'm afraid
They cannot find a Priest.

WH

The KINGS of Europe.

A JEST.

HY pray, of late, do Europe's kings
No jester in their courts admit?

They're grown fuch stately folemn things.
To bear a joke they think not fit.

But tho' each court a jefter lacks,

To laugh at monarchs to their face; All mankind behind their backs

Supply the honest jester's place.

THE

THE

CHRONICLE

OF THE

KINGS

O F

ENGLAND,

FROM

The Norman CONQUEST unto the

prefent Time.

WRITTEN

In the Manner of the ancient Jewish Historians.

R 2

THE

PREFACE.

CATHAN BEN SADDI, a fervant of
God, of the boufe of Ifrael, to all
and every of his readers, whether
Few or Gentile, greeting.

Notwithstanding that many have taken in band to write the biftory of England, it feemed good unto me alfo, most excellent reader, to set forth in order fome things that have happen'd Since the conquest of William the Norman.

Now this I have chofen to do in the manner. of our forefathers, the ancient Jewish historians, as being not only the most concife, but most venerable way of writing.

Howbeit, I would not that thou shouldft be offended, or take in evil part, that I have adR 3 ventured

ventured to imitate thofe fublime originals; nei

ther let it enter into thine heart, that I have done this thing in fport, or wantonness of wit; for verily I abound not therewith, as thou wilt undoubtedly perceive.

Nevertheless, in perusing this delectable biStory, thou wilt meet with abundant matter both for information and amusement, and peradventure alfo for inftruction.

And it fall come to pass when thou readeft of the foolish kings that have ruled the land, then shall thy foul be troubled, and thou shalt fay within thyself, how fmall a portion of fenfe fufficeth to govern a great kingdam !

But when thou readeft of the kings that were wife and great, then fhall thy heart be glad, and thou shalt compare the passed times with the prefent, and rejoice therein, and laugh exceedingly.

Moreover thou wilt find, that the end of the firft was bitterness and fhame, but the end of the laft was glory and honour: Thefe fhall be fet up as a light unto kings in all ages, but thofe as a warning from generation to generation.

THE