Note 373 — How King Malin was slayne by his brother King Mempricius, the yeare before Christ, 1009.

Wherefore as eache did watch conuenient time, For to commit this haynous bloudy facte; My selfe was taken not accusde of crime, As if I had offendid any acte, But he as one that witte and reason lackte, Sayde traytour vile thou art to me vntrue; And therwithall his bloudy blade he drewe. Not like a king but like a cut throte fell; Not like a brother, like a butcher brute; Though twere no worse then I deserued well, He gaue no time to reason or dispute: To late it was to make for life my suite, “Take traytoure here (quoth he) thy whole deserte,” And therwithall he thrust me to the harte.