government of these three sonnes & their off-spring, about 300. yeares. Together with Bastolentis, arrived in Ireland certaine godlesse people of the stocke of Nemrod, worthily tearmed a gyant, as one that in bodily shape exceeded proportion, & used his strength to winne soveraigntie, & to oppresse the vveake with rapine and violence: That linage (Chams breed) grew to great numbers, & alway bethought them of getting mastery, wheresoever they tarryed. One cause was their bodily force answerable to their hugenesse of quantity: [1] another the example of Cham Zoroastes, that magitian, and Nemrodus, Ninus his Nephew, which two in themselves and their progenies, were renowned throughout the world, as victorious Princes over two mighty Kingdomes Ægypt and Assyria. Thirdly they maligned the blessings bestowed upon Sem and Iapheth, counting it necessary for themselves, to stirre, and prevent Dominions, lest the curse of slavery prophesied by Noe should light upon them, as notwithstanding it did at last.
Thus irked, they began to kicke at their Governours, and taking head, set up a King of their owne faction, nourishing the same, and annoying the Subjects incessanthe, the successe on both sides was variable, quarrels increased, the enemie caught handfast, & every day bred a new skirmish. It seemed intolerable, & very necessity compelled them to try their whole force
- ↑ Clem, recognit. l. 4.
