ashore into Ireland. These are the Picts, a people from their cradle dissentious, land-leapers, mercilesse, sowre and hardy, being presented to the King, they craved Interpreters, [1] which granted, Roderick their Chieftaine uttered for him and his, the request in this manner.
Not as degenerate from the courage of our auncestors, but inclining our selves to the bent and svvaye of fortune, we are become suppliants to Ireland, that never before have humbled our selves to any, Looke Sir King, eye us well, It is not light prowesse that hath caused these valiant bodies to stoop. Scithians we are, and the Picts of Scithia, great substance of glory lodgeth in these two names, what shall I tell of the civill Tumult that hath made us leave our home? or rippe up old Historyes to make strangers bemoane us? Let our vassailes and children discourse it at large and leysure, if perhaps you vouchsafe us any leysure in the Land: To which effect and purpose your infinite necessities pray your favours. A King of a King, Men of Men, Princes can consider how neere it concerneth their honour and surety to proppe up the state of a King defaced by Treason, and men will remember nothing better beseemeth the nature of man, then to feele by compassion the griefes of men. Admit we beseech you these scattered reliques of Scithia, If your Realmes bee narrow, we are not many. If the
- ↑ Ioh. Maior. de gest. Scot. l. 1. c. 10.
