he 6 Romane kynge
ended, and the whole race expelled and euerlastingly banished
out of that Citty. So meete an example for those that breath,
and longe after the Rightes, titles, and Kyngdomes of other, as
may bee read in any Author. For although the Springe appeare
very fresh and lusty, of some degenerate grifft planted vpon
some auncient stock, yet the fruyct most commonly in taste
eateth somwhat sower, and the Rellishe in mouth not altogether
so pleasaunt, as that whych both in soyle and stocke, is duely
planted.

THE SEUENTH NOUELL.

_The vnhappy end and successe of the loue of King Massinissa, and
Queene Sophonisba his wyfe._

If men would haue afore consideration of theyr owne doings,
before they do attempt the same, or els premeditate and study
the scope and successe thereof, I do verely beleeue that a
numbre would not cast themselues headlong into so many gulfs of
miseryes and calamityes as they do, specially Noblemen, and
Prynces, who oftentymes doe exceede in temerity and rashnesse,
by lettynge the Raynes of theyr own Lustes, to farre to raunge
at large, wherein they deepely Plunge thymselues to theyr great
Preiudice and Dishonour, as teacheth thys goodly hystorie
ensuinge, whych declareth that there was a Prynce called
Massinissa, the Sonne of Gala kynge of Massaezali, (a people of
Numidia): who warfaring with the Carthaginians in Spaine agaynst
the Romaynes, hauinge first fought honourably agaynst kynge
Syphax in Numidia, it chaunced that Gala hys Father dyed, vppon
whose death hys Kyngdome was inuaded and occupied by other,
wherefore sustayninge stoutly the surges of aduersity combatinge
wyth hys Enemyes, sometymes getting part of hys Kyngdome, and
sometymes losinge, and many tymes molestinge both Syphax and the
Carthaginians, was in dyuers Conflicts lyke to be taken or
slayne. Wyth these hys trauels, impacient of no payne and
trouble, he became very Famous and Renoumed, that amonges the
people of Affrica, he acquired the name and title of a valiant
and puissant Souldier, and of a pollitique and prouident
Captain: afterwards he was generally welbeloued of the
Souldiers, bicause not like the king's sonne or a prince, but as
a priuate souldier and companion, his conuersation and vsuall
trade of life was amongs them, calling euery man by his propre
name, cherishing and esteeming them according to their desert,
obseruing neuerthelesse a certaine comelinesse of a Superiour.
This Massinissa by