Scottish Text Society publications > Third series > Works of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, 1490-1555 > Volume 1, 1938

OF THE MONARCHE.
257
[F 6a] Heir followith ane
SCHORTE DlSCRIPTIOUN OF THE FOUR MONARCHIS.
is- And quhow Kyng Nynus began
the First Monarchie.
*
expe[rience].
OF Weris (said he) the gret outtrage
Began in to the secunde aige.
Be creuell, prydefull, couytous kyngis,
Reuarris, but rycht, of vtherzs ryngis. 1950
Quhowbeit Cayam, afore the flude,
Wes first schedder of saikles blude,
Nynus was first and principal! man
Quhilk wrangus conquessing began,
And was the man, withouttin faill, 1955
In erth that straik the first battell,
And first Inuentit Imagerye,
Quhare throw came gret Idolatrye.
C We moste knaw, or we forthair wend,
Off quhome king Nynus did discend. i960
Nynus, gyf I can rycht defyne.
He was frome Noye the fyft, be lyne.
Noye generit Cham ; Cham generit Chus ;
And Chus, Nembroth ; Nembroth, Bellus ;
And Bellus, Nynus, but lesing, 1965
Off Assiria the secund king,
And beildar of thar gret Citie,
The quhilk was callit Nyniue,
[F 6b] And wes the first and principall man
Quhilk the first Monarchie began. I97°
COUk[TIOUR].
C Father (said I) declaire to me
Quhat signifyis one Monarchie.