the Frontiers. The Picts dwelt in the middle: Soone after the peace betweene them, went suspitions & the diversities of people, place, custome, language, with the memorie of old grudges stirred up such inward jealousies and hate, that it seemed they were easie to kindle, & as in such factions, there never wanted drifte to drive a tumult, so it happened that certaine of the Nobilitie of the Scotts resciant next them had with Some difficultie, received out of Greece a Molossian Hound, [1] which breede both in swiftnesse of foote, and and in sweetnesse of opening, was reputed peerelesse.
This Hound, a willfull Gentleman, a Pict, stole home, and therewith gratified his Prince, glad of the novelty, and little thoughtfull of the displeasure.[2] Contrarywise the Irish, wood for anger at this dishonour, and injury, assembled in poste haste under Eugenius their King, and after brawling, fell to spoyle, and so to blowes; whereof parts and stomackes being even, the fortune was variable [3] In this division they scambled out a few yeares, untill the malice of Carassus a Brittaine forced a quietnesse betweene them to abuse their helpe against th' Empire. But hee was shortly slaine by Alectus the Romane Captaine, and hereupon the old sore waxed rawe: To heape the mischiefe, a Brittish Lord named Maximus, aspiring
