will not be knowne, he either cutteth of his glibbe quite, by which he becommeth nothing like himselfe, or pulleth it so low downe over his eyes, that it is very hard to discerne his theevish countenance. And therefore fit to be trussed up with the mantle.
Eudox. Truly these three Scythian abuses, I hold most fit to bee taken away with sharpe penalties, and sure I wonder how they have beene kept thus long, notwithstanding so many good provisions and orders, as have beene devised for that people.
Iren. The cause thereof shall appeare to you hereafter: but let us now go forward with our Scythian customes. Of which the next that I have to treat of, is the manner of raising the cry in their conflicts, and at other troublesome times of uproare: the which is very natural Scythian, as you may read in Diodorus Siculus, and in Herodotus, describing the maner of the Scythians and Parthians comming to give the charge at battles: at which it is said, that they came running with a terrible yell as if heaven and earth would have gone together, which is the very image of the Irish hubub, [o 1] which their kerne use at their
- ↑ which their kerne use &c] The kern is the Irish foot-soldier; and is also employed in this sense by Shakspeare. See likewise Gainsford's Glory of England, 4to. 1618, p. 149. " The name of Galliglas is in a manner extinct, but of KERN in great reputation, as serving them [the Irish] in their revolts; and proving sufficient souldiers; but excellent for skirmish." Again, p. 150. "They [the Irish] are desperate in revenge; and their kerne thinke no man dead, untill his head be off" Todd.
