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yet (he thought) no printer would lightly be so hot to put any bible in print, at his own charge, and then hang upon a doubtful trial, whether the first copy of his translation was made before Wicliffe's days, or since: for (says he,) if it be made since, it must be approved before the printing." This approbation, however, sir Thomas himself intimates, was not to be obtained.

FABIAN.

ROBERT FABIAN, or FABYAN, was born in London, though in what particular year is not mentioned. Being brought up to trade, he became an opulent merchant, was ultimately chosen one of the aldermen of the city, and in the 9th of Henry VII. had the honour of being elected one of the sheriffs. He died in 1512.

For the period in which he florished, he was a man of some learning. In his knowledge of the Latin, he was excelled by no layman of his time. He likewise wrote poetry in English, Latin, and French; but his favourite pursuit was the study of history; and he compiled a Chronicle, by which his name has descended to posterity. Of this Chronicle, stiled, "The

Concordaunce of Stories," the following account is given in the Biographia Britan

nica:

"It was first printed in London, in 1516, fol. by R. Pynson, and afterwards by William Rastell, 1533, fol. in neat and small black types, and on good paper. At the conclusion of each part, there is a hymn to the Virgin Mary, (omitted in the following editions.) And at the end of all, 'Thus endeth Fabian's Chroni cle. Printed by William Rastell, and fynyshed the laste daye of December, in the yere of our Lorde, M. V. C. and xxxiii.' There are also at the end five leaves, which bring down the history to the beginning of king Henry VIII. but are omitted in subsequent editions, particularly in one of the year 1559, now before us. The whole work is divided into two volumes: whereof the first begins at Brute, and ends at the death of our Henry II. and Philip II. king of France. The second volume, which is the most valuable of the two, contains the Chro nicles of England and of France, from the beginning of the reign of king Richard I. until the end of the reign of Charles IX. of France; that is, till the year 1504, the 20th of king Henry VII. And it appears by the conclusion,

that it was finished by the author, November 7th, 1504. The second volume begins with an account of the wards of London, and the pa rish churches in each ward; and then are set down the bailiffs of that city under every year, from the time they were appointed, that is, from 1190, until the year 1209, when the two bailiffs were converted by king John, into a mayor and two shireves. Of these the author gives exact lists, under each year, as far as his Chronicle reaches. He comprehends, as it is said in the title-page, the Chronicles of England and of France; not altogether, or under the respective years, but in distinet chapters or articles, denoted in the beginning by the words Anglia and Francia.-We are told that Cardinal Wolsey, caused as many copies of this book as he could come at, to be burnt, because the author had made too clear a discovery of the clergy. As for the character it bears, 'tis called by one who was a good judge,

a painful labour, to the great honour of the city, and of the whole realm.' He is very particular in the affairs of London, many good things being noted by him (which concern the government thereof,) hardly to be had elsewhere. In the beginning of his seventh part,

he observes Ralph Higden's method of making his years commence at Michaelmas; and is in other respects a great follower of that author."

The story of king Lear, and his three daugh. ters, as related in the first book of Geoffrey of Monmouth, and which has been immortalized by Shakespeare, we find detailed also in Fabian; chapters 14, 15, and 16.

Lear, the son of Baldud, was made ruler over the Britons, the year of the world 4338. This Lear was noble of conditions, and guided his land and subjects in great wealth. He made the town of Caerleyr, now called Leyceter, or Leycester. And albeit that this man held long the principality of Britain, yet of him is nothing left worthy memory, except that Gaufrid saith, that he received of his wife three daughters only, without any son, which were named Conorilla, Ragan, and Cordelia; the which he much loved, but most specially he loved the youngest, Cordelia by name.

When this Lear, or Leyth, after some writers, was fallen in competent age to know the mind of his three daughters, he first asked Conorilla, the eldest, how well she loved him; the which, calling her Gods to record, said she loved him more than her own soul. With this answer her father being well contented, demanded of Ragan, the second daughter,

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