For even if the Britons could have supported themselves against the superior abilities and efforts of Hengist, it might have added to their honor, but would have contributed little to their safety.

The news of his success had roused all Saxony.
Five great bodies of that adventurous people, under different and independent commanders, very nearly at the same time broke in upon as many different parts of the island.

They came no longer as pirates, but as invaders.

Whilst the Britons contended with one body of their fierce enemies, another gained ground, and filled with slaughter and desolation the whole country from sea to sea.

A devouring war, a dreadful famine, a plague, the most wasteful of any recorded in our history, united to consummate the ruin of Britain.