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bold enough to be marked with the comely mark of golden liberty
among the prophetic creatures； who enjoy the rank as reasoning
beings next to the angels； refuse not the inspiration of the
understanding ass； to that day dumb； which would not carry forward
the tiara'd magician who was going to curse God's people； but in
the narrow pass of the vineyard crushed his loosened foot； and
thereby felt the lash； and though he was； with his ungrateful
and furious hand； against right justice； beating her innocent
sides； she pointed out to him the heavenly messenger holding the
naked sword； and standing in his way； though he had not seen him。＇
* Notwithstanding this remark of Gildas； the Britons must have
shown great bravery and resolution in their battles against the
Saxons； or they would not have resisted their encroachments so
Long。 When Gildas was writing； a hundred years had elapsed； and
The Britons still possessed a large portion of their native country。
Wherefore in zeal for the house of God and for his holy law；
constrained either by the reasonings of my own thoughts； or by
the pious entreaties of my brethren； I now discharge the debt so
long exacted of me； humble； indeed； in style； but faithful； as I
think； and friendly to all Christ's youthful soldiers； but severe
and insupportable to foolish apostates； the former of whom； if I
am not deceived； will receive the same with tears flowing from
god's love； but the others with sorrow； such as is extorted from
the indignation and pusillanimity of a convicted conscience。
2。 I will； therefore； if God be willing； endeavour to say a few
words about the situation of Britain； her disobedience and subjection；
her rebellion； second subjection and dreadful slaveryof her
religion； persecution； holy martyrs； heresies of different kinds
of her tyrants； her two hostile and ravaging nationsof her first
devastation； her defence； her second devastation； and second
taking vengeanceof her third devastation； of her famine； and
the letters to Agitius*…of her victory and her crimesof the
sudden rumour of enemiesof her famous pestilence…of her counsels
of her last enemy； far more cruel than the first…of the subversion
of her cities； and of the remnant that escaped； and finally； of
the peace which； by the will of God； has been granted her in
these our times。
* Or Aetius
II。 The History
3。 The island of Britain； situated on almost the utmost border
of the earth； towards the south and west； and poised in the divine
balance； as it is said； which supports the whole world； stretches
out from the south…west towards the north pole； and is eight
hundred miles long and two hundred broad＇1＇； except where the
headlands of sundry promontories stretch farther into the sea。
It is surrounded by the ocean； which forms winding bays； and is
strongly defended by this ample； and； if I may so call it；
impassable barrier； save on the south side； where the narrow sea
affords a passage to Belgic Gaul。 It is enriched by the mouths
of two noble rivers； the Thames and the Severn； as it were two
arms； by which foreign luxuries were of old imported； and by
other streams of less importance。 It is famous for eight and
twenty cities； and is embellished by certain castles； with walls；
towers； well barred gates； and houses with threatening battlements
built on high； and provided with all requisite instruments of
defence。 Its plains are spacious； its hills are pleasantly
situated； adapted for superior tillage； and its mountains are
admirably calculated for the alternate pasturage of cattle； where
flowers of various colours； trodden by the feet of man； give it
the appearance of a lovely picture。 It is decked； like a man's
chosen bride； with divers jewels； with lucid fountains and abundant
brooks wandering over the snow white sands； with transparent
rivers； flowing in gentle murmurs； and offering a sweet pledge
of slumber＇2＇ to those who recline upon their banks； whilst it
is irrigated by abundant lakes； which pour forth cool torrents
of refreshing water。
＇1＇ The description of Britain is given in very nearly the same
terms； by Orosius； Bede； and others； but the numbers denoting
the length and breadth and other dimensions； are different in
almost every MS。 Copy。
＇2＇ 〃Soporem〃 in some MSS。； 〃saporem〃 in others； it is difficult
from the turgidity and superabundance of the style to determine
which is the best meaning。
4。 This island； stiffnecked and stubbornminded； from the
time of its being first inhabited； ungratefully rebels； sometimes
against God； sometimes against her own citizens； and frequently
also； against foreign kings and their subjects。 For what can
there either be； or be committed； more disgraceful or more
unrighteous in human affairs； than to refuse to show fear to God
or affection to one's own countrymen； and （without detriment to
one's faith） to refuse due honour to those of higher dignity； to
cast off all regard to reason； human and divine； and； in contempt
of heaven and earth； to be guided by one's own sensual inventions？
I shall； therefore； omit those ancient errors common to all the
nations of the earth； in which； before Christ came in the flesh；
all mankind were bound； nor shall I enumerate those diabolical
idols of my country； which almost surpassed in number those of
Egypt； and of which we still see some mouldering away within or
without the deserted temples； with stiff and deformed features
as was customary。 Nor will I call out upon the mountains； fountains；
or hills； or upon the rivers； which now are subservient to the
use of men； but once were an abomination and destruction to them；
and to which the blind people paid divine honour。 I shall also
pass over the bygone times of our cruel tyrants； whose notoriety
was spread over to far distant countries； so that Porphyry； that
dog who in the east was always so fierce against the church； in
his mad and vain style added this also； that 〃Britain is a land
fertile in tyrants。〃* I will only endeavour to relate the
evils which Britain suffered in the times of the Roman emperors；
and also those which she caused to distant states； but so far as
lies in my power； I shall not follow the writings and records of
my own country； which （if there ever were any of them） have been
consumed in the fires of the enemy； or have accompanied my exiled
countrymen into distant lands； but be guided by the relations of
foreign writers； which； being broken and interrupted in many places
are therefore by no means clear。
* Gildas here confuses the modern idea of a tyrant with that
of an usurper。 The latter is a sense in which Britain was said
to be fertile in tyrants； viz。 In usurpers of the imperial dignity。
5。 For when the rulers of Rome had obtained the empire of the
world； subdued all the neighbouring nations and islands towards
the east； and strengthened their renown by the first peace which
they made with the Parthians； who border on India； there was a
general cessation from war throughout the whole world； the fierce
flame which they kindled could not be extinguished or checked by
the Western Ocean； but passing beyond the sea； imposed submission
upon o