Page:An Inquiry into the Authenticity of certain Papers and Instruments attributed to Shakspeare.djvu/51

Rh them wepon withal; but verely thay lyvyn in the most extreme povertie and myserye, and yet thay dwellyn in one the most fertile realme of the world: wher thrugh the French Kyng hath not men of his owne realme, able to defend it, except his Nobles, which beryn non such impositions, and therfor thay ar ryght likely of their bodys; by which cause the said Kyng is compellid to make his armys and retennys for the defence of his land, of straungers, as Scotts, Spaniards, Arragonars, men of Almayn, and of other nacions; els al his ennymys might overrenne hym; for he hath no diffence of his own, excepte his castells, and fortrasis. Loo this the frute of hys Jus Regale. Yf the realme of England, which is an ile, and therefor may not lightly get socoures of other londs, were rulid under such a lawe, and under such a prince, it would conquere, robbe, and devouer yt; which was well prouvyd in the tyme of the Brytons, whan the Scotts and the Pyctes so bette and oppressyd this lond, that the people therof soughte helpe of the Rumayns, to whom they had byn tributorye. And whan thay could not be defendyd by them, they sought helpe of the Duke of Brytayne,