Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/25

 Iren. True it is that thereby they bound themselves to his lawes and obedience, and in case it had beene followed upon them, as it should have beene, and a government thereupon setled among them agreeable thereunto, they should have beene reduced to perpetuall civilitie, and contained in continuall duty. But what bootes it to break a colte, and to let him straight runne loose at randome. So were these people at first well handled, and wisely brought to acknowledge allegiance to the Kings of England: but, being straight left unto themselves and their owne inordinate life and manners, they eftsoones forgot what before they were taught, and so soone as they were out of sight, by themselves shook of their bridles, and beganne to colte anew, more licentiously than before.

Eudox. It is a great pittie, that so good an opportunity was omitted, and so happie an occasion fore-slacked, that might have beene the eternall good of the land. But doe they not still acknowledge that submission?

Iren. No, they doe not: for now the heires and posterity of them which yeelded the same, are (as they say) either ignorant thereof, or do wilfully deny, or steadfastly disavow it.