Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/346

 the Frontiers. The Picts dwelt in the middle: Soone after the peace betweene them, went suspitions & the diversities of people, place, custome, language, with the memorie of old grudges stirred up such inward jealousies and hate, that it seemed they were easie to kindle, & as in such factions, there never wanted drifte to drive a tumult, so it happened that certaine of the Nobilitie of the Scotts resciant next them had with Some difficultie, received out of Greece a Molossian Hound, which breede both in swiftnesse of foote, and and in sweetnesse of opening, was reputed peerelesse.

This Hound, a willfull Gentleman, a Pict, stole home, and therewith gratified his Prince, glad of the novelty, and little thoughtfull of the displeasure. Contrarywise the Irish, wood for anger at this dishonour, and injury, assembled in poste haste under Eugenius their King, and after brawling, fell to spoyle, and so to blowes; whereof parts and stomackes being even, the fortune was variable In this division they scambled out a few yeares, untill the malice of Carassus a Brittaine forced a quietnesse betweene them to abuse their helpe against th' Empire. But hee was shortly slaine by Alectus the Romane Captaine, and hereupon the old sore waxed rawe: To heape the mischiefe, a Brittish Lord named Maximus, aspiring