and bodies, insomuch
that the richer a man was amongst them, the more cost he bestowed in
[Sidenote: Agathyrsi, otherwise called Picts, of painting their bodies.
_Marcellus Plinie. Herodotus li.4_.]
painting himselfe; and commonlie the haire of their head was red, or (as
probable writers say) of skie colour. Herodotus calleth them [Greek:
chrysothorous] bicause they did weare much gold about them. They vsed
their wives in common, and bicause they are all supposed to be brethren,
there is no strife nor discord among them. Of these Agathyrsi, it is
recorded by the said Herodotus, that they refused to succour the
Scythians against Darius, giving this reason of their refusall; bicause
they would not make warre against him who had doone them no wrong. And
of this people dooth the poet make mention, saieng,

[Sidenote: _Virg. Aeneid. 4_.]
Cretesq; Dryopesq; fremunt pictiq; Agathyrsi.

[Sidenote: _Caesar com. li. 5_.]
To paint their faces not for amiablenesse, but for terriblenesse, the
Britons in old time vsed, and that with a kind of herbe like vnto
plantine. In which respect I see no reason why they also should not be
called Picts, as well as the Agathyrsi; seeing the denomination sprang
[Sidenote: _P. Mart; com. part 2. sect. 60_.]
of a vaine custome in them both. And here by the way, sithens we have
touched this follie in two severall people, let it not seeme tedious to
read this one tricke of the Indians, among whom there is great plentie of
pretious stones, wherewith they adorne themselves in this maner; namelie,
in certein hollow places which they make in their flesh, they inclose and
riuet in precious stones, and that as well in their forheads as their
cheekes, to none other purpose, than the Agathyrsi in the vse of their
painting.

The countrie of Poictou (as some hold) where the said Goffarius reigned,
tooke name of this people: & likewise a part of this our Ile of Britaine
now conteined within Scotland, which in ancient time was called Pightland
[Sidenote: Pightland or Pictland.]
or Pictland, as elsewhere both in this historie of England, and also of
Scotland may further appeare. But to our purpose.

[Sidenote: Goffarius sendeth vnto Brute.]
When Goffarius the king of Poictou was aduertised of the landing of these
strangers within his countrie, he sent first certeine of his people to
vnderstand what they ment by their comming a land within his dominion,
without licence or leaue of him obteined. They that were