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VIEW OF THE STATE OF IRELAND.
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doe say, that the west and south was possessed and inhabited of Spaniards: [o 1]and Cornelius Tacitus doth also strongly affirme the same, all which you must overthrow and falsifie, or else renounce your opinion.
- ↑ and Cornelius Tacitus doth also strongly affirme the same,] Cornelius Tacitus in the life of Iulius Agricola saith thus. "Silurum colorati vultus, & torti plerumque crines, & positus contra Hispaniam, Iberos veteres trajecisse, easque sedes occupasse fidem faciunt." This he speaketh touching the Silures which inhabited that part of South-Wales, which now we call Herefordshire, Radnorshire, Brecknockshire, Monmouthshire, and Glamorganshire. And although the like reason may be given for that part of Ireland which lyeth next unto Spaine, yet in Tacitus we find no such inference. [i 1]. Buchanan indeed upon the conjecture of Tacitus hath these words. " Verisimile autem non est Hispanos relicta a tergo Hibernia, terra propiore, & coeli & soli mitioris, in Albium primuin descendisse, sed primum in Hiberniam appulisse, atque inde in Britannia, colonos missos." Which was observed unto me by the most learned bishop of Meth, Dr. Anth. Martin, upon conference with his Lordship about this point. One passage in Tacitus touching Ireland (in the same booke) I may not heere omit, although it be extra oleas. "Ouinto expeditionum anno (saith he) nave prima transgressus, ignotas ad tempos gentes, crebris simul ac prosperis praeliis domuit, eamque partem Britannia quae Hiberniam aspicit, copiis instruxit, in spem magis quam ob formidinem. Siquidem Hibernia medio inter Britanniain aque Hispaniam, sita, & Gallico quoque mari opportuna valentissimam imperij partem magnis invicem usibus miscuerit. Spatium ejus si Britannia comparetur, angustius, nostri maris insulas superat. Solum ccelumque & ingenia, cultusq; hominum haut multbrn a Britannia differunt, melius aditus portusq; per commercia & negotiatores cogniti. Agricola expulsum seditione domestica unum ex regulis gentis exceperat, ac specie amicitae in occasionem retinebat. Sapè ex eo audivi Legione una & modicis auxihjs debellari, obtinerique Hiberniam posse. Idque adversus Britanniam profuturum, si Romana ubique arma, & velut e conspectu libertas tolleretur."
Sir James Ware.
- ↑ Ber. Scot. Lib. 1.