[1] This is noted by writers to be a token of great wisedome in this noble king, that would not go a|bout to catch more than he might well gripe. Exam|ples of bountious liberalitie, and great clemencie he shewed manie, and the same verie notable; so that in maner he alone amongst all other kings was found to be one, subiect to none, or at the least, to verie light and small faults. But yet he was not void of euill haps: for whereas, during the terme of fortie yeares space he reigned in high felicitie, and as one happie in all his dooings: so in the rest of his time that fol|lowed, he felt a wonderfull change in fortune (whom writers compare to the moone for hir variablenesse,Prosperitie vnstable. and often alterations, as neuer at a staie, saieng,

Vultus fortunae variatur imagine lunae,

Crescit, decrescit, in eodem sistere nescit)

shewing hir selfe froward to him in most part of his proceedings: for such is the state of this world, sel|dome dooth prosperitie continue, and guide the sterne of our worldlie dooings, as it well appeared by this noble prince. For in the first yeares of his reigne, af|ter he once began to gouerne of himselfe, he recoue|red that which had béene lost in Scotland, by great victories obteined against his aduersaries in that land, and passed further into the same, than euer his grandfather king Edward the first had doone before him, subduing the countrie on each hand, so that he placed gouernors, and bestowed offices, lands, and li|uings in that realme at his pleasure.