It being thus, that nothing but universall confusion, and destructive broyls of war, appeared then in all parts; more ancient, and far more propitious times, must be sought out for designing a structure, so exquisite in the composure as this: even such a flourishing Age, as when _Architecture_ in rare perfection, and such _People_ lookt upon, as by continuall successe, attaining unto the sole power over _Arts_, as well as _Empires_, commanded all. I say, such _Times_, and _Persons_, because those things, which accord not with the course of time, which by a generall consent of Authors agree not; which by the approved customes of ancient Ages, and votes of learned men, are not received and allowed, and consequently no ways probable; I easily admit not of.
Another fiction there is concerning _Stoneheng_, not to be past over; and though the cause upon which it’s grounded, be far more ancient then the government of _Ambrosius_, or aforesaid slaughter of the _Britains_: neverthelesse, in respect it is a new conceit, not thirty years being past since hatch’t, I suppose this the most proper place to discourse thereof, having ended with _Geffrey Monmouth_, _Polydore Virgill_, and their followers.
The Author thereof is _Anonymus_, unlesse known in being Translator of _Lucius Florus_. His opinion, (in his _Nero Cæsar_) _Stoneheng_ the Tomb of _Boadicia_ (formerly remembred) Queen of the _Iceni_. His reasons, first, because that memorable battell betwixt her, and _Suetonius Paulinus_ fought upon a Plain. Secondly, in respect the _Britans_ buried her magnificently. For confirming this, he tels us, _Had the pretieus volumes of the_ Cornelian _Annals, and_ Dio Cassius, _and_ John Xiphiline _been within the spheare of_ Geffrey Monmouths _studies, not_ Aurelus Ambrosius, _nor those four hundred and sixty Noblemen of_ Britain, _murthered in_ Vortigerns _reign, should have carried away with him the fame of this materiall wonder, but magnanimous_ Boadicia. It seems, he would not be behinde-hand with _Monmouth_; for, as the one finding no story more famous then of _A. Ambrosius_ and the slaughtered _Britans_, fathered _Stoneheng_ upon them: so, to make the inventive faculty, as apparently predominant in himself; this other, respecting _Boadicia’s_ heroicall actions, would as willingly make the world beleeve this _Antiquity_ her Monument.