Latin scholar-- please give me a translation

[_MCB]

I found a Latin copy. History of the kings of England, by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

http://books.google.com/books?id=LBw2AAAAMAAJ

Just Book V, chapter II. page 142 on adobe reader, p. 60-61 in the book. I am wondering just how accurate the one I am working from is.

[_MCB]

This is the translation I have:

The Romans after this declared to the Britains, that they should not be able for the future to undergo the fatigue of such laborious expeditions; and that it was beneath the dignity of the Roman state, to harass so great and brave an army, both by land and sea, against base and vagabond robbers: But rather they ought to apply themselves to the use of arms, and to fight bravely in defending to the utmost of their power, their country, riches, wives, children, and what is dearer than all these, their liberty and lives. As soon as they had given them this exhortation, they commanded all the men of the island, that were fit for war, to appear together at London,l because the Romans were about to return home. When therefore they were all assembled, Guethelin the Metropolitan of London had orders to make a speech to them, which he did in these words.
“Though I am appointed by the princes here present to speak to you, I find myself ready to burst out into tears, than disposed to make an eloquent oration. It is a most sensible affliction to me, to observe the weakness and orphan state into which you have fallen, since the time that Maximus drew away with him all the forces and youth of this kingdom. You that were left were people wholly unexperienced in war, and taken up on other employments, as tilling the ground, and several kinds of mechanical trades. So that when your enemies from foreign countries came upon you, as sheep wandering without a shepherd, they forced you to quit your folds, till the Roman power restored you to them again. Must your hope therefore always depend upon foreign assistance? And will you never use yourselves to handle arms against a band of robbers, that you are by no means stronger than yourselves, if you are not dispirited by sloth and cowardice. The Romans are now tired with the continual voyages, wherewith they are harassed to defend you against your enemies: They rather choose to remit to you the tribute you pay them, than undergo any longer this fatigue by land and sea. What though you were only the common people at the time when we had soldiers of our own, do you therefore think that manhood has quite forsaken you? Are not men in the course of human generation often the reverse of one another? Does not a ploughman beget a soldier, and a soldier a ploughman? Does not the same diversity happen in a mechanic and a soldier? Since then in this manner one produces another, I cannot think it possible for manhood to be lost among them. As then you are men, behave yourselves like men: Call upon the name of Christ, that he would please to inspire you with courage to fefend your liberties.”
No sooner had he concluded his speech, than the people raised such a shout, that one would have thought them on a sudden inspired with courage. (p. 164-165)

Aaron Thompson, 1718 That is early enough to not be influenced by the Book of Mormon.