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A11028 Romes monarchie, entituled the globe of renowmed glorie Briefly comprehending the first foundation and building of Rome by Romulus: the principall warres and conquests of the Romanes after the time of their first choosing consuls, till Iulius Cæsar attaining soly to the Empire, and from him more briefly to Nero. VVhere in small compasse is described, manie most notable, and vertuous acts, atchieued in their said warres, and conquests; strange tragedies, secret practises and policies, ambition, hate, and reuenge: and how insurrections, rebellion, strife, ciuill discord and discention preualing, was the onely plague, ruine, and vtter destruction of many great monarchies, kingdomes, cities, and countries. Translated out of the French and Italian histories by E.L. E. L., fl. 1596. 1596 (1596) STC 21296; ESTC S110727 39,057 82

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time men worthie many were Amongst them all one Furius Camille For vertue past all those supplied that place For seruice good he was requited ill He is exile was forest to take his race Although sometime he Consull were in grace Ingratitude so raignes in peoples mindes For doing good with ill requitall findes Causelesse exilde the Senate him recalde Whose vertue sau'de all Rome from spoyle and sacke By French men wrought and therefore was restalde In dignitie for putting them to wracke Thus fortune plaies with men now forth then backe Dictator he was after in two yeares Vertue supprest at length more great appeares A worthy wight eke Manlius ycalde Soone after that the Capitall did guard Against the French who welnie hap it thralde In doing which he had an hard reward Suspicion foule his fame and glory bard Sans proofe suppos'd he would Romes state distaine For which he was cast from rocke Tarpeiane Decreed it was not any of his race Or noble house thenceforth should beare the name Of Marc which seem'de as then a great disgrace But to rehearse againe Camillus fame Who seuen times of Tribune had the name To leade the Romaines vnto battell bolde Had good successe and died very olde CAP. 3. Of Romes seueritie in iustice of their constancie for the common wealthes cause the time of Alexander the great his being and of the Romaines warres against Pirrhus King of Epirotes ROmes age was now three hundreth fourescore Also nine yeares when Captains there was found Most valiant wise the like was nere before Who in assaults their enemies brought to ground Themselues not dreading death or deadly wound Too long it were their names all to recite Who in defence of Romes estate did fight And in the same vs'de iustice for small crime Amongst all which one of them doe I finde Torquatus nam'de chiefe Consull at that time His onely sonne a thing farre out of kinde He caus'd to die for fighting vnassin'de Against his foe which he orecame in fight Though well he did law could not him acquight What lawes were made were duely executed Such men they were Heroicall of minde For dastards they disdain'd to be reputed For countries weale dutie and loue did binde Their deaths to seeke rather then liues to finde For to aduance the Romaines state and name Willing died many to gaine perpetuall fame One Decius Mus did vow to lose his life In fight against the Latines Romaines foes For countries cause which he perform'd in strife With them that time which made the Latines lose The field that day receiuing bloodie blowes One of selfe name after his sonne also In such like cause his life did eke forgoe Although that he were Consull at that time About which time as written I doe finde The Monarch great was then in chiefest prime Macedo king stout Alexanders minde Whose conquests great were but a puffe of winde For when he had maistred the world all At Babylon by poyson had his fall Against the state of Rome he did intend To haue made warre if Asia once subdued Then next through all Europa to haue wend His hands yet more in blood to haue imbrued But fates by death his purpose did seclude At 12. yeares raigne and 33. yeares age His part being playd he left vaine worlds stage His force against but death you heare forbad Papirius was for Romaines chieftaine chose Whose valiantnesse great fame attayned had In giuing foyle to Samnites cruell foes To Romaines tho in danger like to lose Their army all vnder their Consuls twaine Papirius force did victorie obtaine Dictator he that office after bare And earnest was in martiall discipline Expert and quicke in warlike feares his care Was euermore that souldiers should encline Not nice to be to lodge or dyet fine But valiant stout and to endure all toyle Which made them oft to giue their foes the foyle In this time loe of Romes encreasing fame In Saragosse the Tyrant then did raigne Whom to aduise with precepts good there came Diuine Plato who hardly scapt vnslaine This tyrants acts was had in such disdaine In histories who list to reade shall see His hatefull life vpheld by tyrannie Strange were his acts too many to be tolde Here in this place but for to make the rest To be supposde from one I cannot hold Of Barbar would he nere be trim'd or drest For feare the razor should his life arest His daughters aye with nutshels burning bright Should sindge his beard and so his head to dight But now returne to noble Rome againe After the death of Alexander great Fortie two yeares one Pirrhus that did raigne Epirotes King the Romanes state did threate His armie did their forces oft defeate Yet ere two yeares were gone and ouerpast He sought their peace and friendship at the last To which request the Senate would haue graunted But Appius Claude full seauen times elected Consull then old and blind their purpose daunted Of cowardise the Senate he detected In publique speech he Pirrhus peace reiected Fabritius eke gainst Pirrhus stout did stand Friendship with him to hold would at no hand Though Pirrhus did to him great presents send With offers mo for to reuolt and turne Vpon his side Fabritius would not bend For presents ne for promises once spurne Against Romes state such loue in him did burne To countries weale O patterne pretious stone For this our age to looke nay gaze vpon Yet more what did this noble heathen knight But Machiauels from whom all mischiefs springs Worke contrary he voyd of hate or spight No stabbing blades or murdring dags in brings No banketting nor phisicke poysonings Nor no such parts vile practises most euill Bred first in hell inuented by the diuell But he sends to Romes enemie Pirrhus king A runnagate a rogue a periur'd slaue A souldier of his owne who promising By poyson or some other meanes in graue The Romanes should Pirrhus dead see or haue Fabritius n'wold to this foule deede consent But him fast bound to Pirrhus prisoner sent When Pirrhus saw the Romanes friendship hee Could not obtaine by treaties or reward Determined by warre the end to see With martiall men he stood vpon his guard And Elephants to combat strong prepar'd He was the first to Italy that brought Those beasts who bare mē on their backs that fought But to encounter Pirrhus haughtie pride And mightie force a noble Romane knight Dentatus cal'd with Romanes him beside For Romes estate who did not flye but fight They Pirrhus and his power discomfit quight Dentatus for his worthie valour showne Had triumph braue which through all Rome was knowne Vntill this warre which Pirrhus lastly made Fiue hundreth yeres the romaines had welnie Broyles still at home and often ouerlayd With neighbours nere people of Italie Doubtfull their chaunce and fortunes they did trie The Latines oft the Samnites Toscanes other One
Bythinia made him hye in hast In Pontus bounds shutting him vp full fast From whence also in fight was driuen away Flying for ayde to the king of Armenia Lucullus still did after him pursue And oftentimes with both the powers did fight Of those two kings who thought for to subdue Lucullus force when each in others sight Were come the Romanes oreprest them by might The Kings enforsed to forsake the field Their people most were slaine and fled some yeeld But here by meanes of mutinie and iarre In Romanes campe which did Lucullus let With Pontus king to make an end of warre Whereby he might the gaine of glorie get The Senate did a message send to set Lucullus home and in his roome did place Pompee those warres of Mithridate to chase Who late before great fame and credite gainde In vanquishing by sea the nauie strong Of Pirats stout who had with power attainde The soueraigntie of all the coasts along From Spayne to Hellespont there all among Those Isles yet further did their force extend By land also which Pompee brought to end The ouerthrow of whom did much preuaile For Romes welfare and for the common state So hard beset till then they could not saile Out from their shores but brought now to this rate Pompee prepar'd himselfe for Mithridate To Asia sped making his power there strong Those warres to end which Rome had vexed long Which entred too he prosecuted so As in short space Mithridate was bereft Of hope for ere to rise his state vnto When once his forces were asunder cleft Small was the succour tho vnto him left For after being besieged by his sonne Pharnaces cal'd his life he yeelded done Killing himselfe O fury foule despayre That doest inspire thy selfe in soules distrest But what is life say such a blast of ayre Foule honors seate chiefe cause of great vnrest The meane estate is ten times happier blest O pride of Rome Ambitions patterne left Which neuer will from following race be rest But yet a while behold this mightie king Stout Mithridate how fortunes frowning spight Did at the last his warres and conquests bring To wretched state that fortie yeares with might Most valiantly did with the Romanes fight And victor oft their Captaines many led With him each where captiu'd so well he sped Treasons he scapte and murmurings many a one Of body strong to walke on foote or ride No wound did euer make him shrinke or grone To shun the warres at any time or tide Gaynst poysoning he poyson did prouide Wherewith when as he would his life haue ended No power at all by poyson was extended His sonne as is rehearst Pharnaces nam'de Vsurping now his crowne and dignitie Mythridate saw his wracke in such sort fram'de Fearing to fall in farther miserie Into the Romaines hands by trecherie Drew forth the venim which he euer bare About his sword began it to prepare Two of his daughters being fast him by Did pray the King that they might first of all Take taste thereof the potion for to trie Loathing their liues to see their fathers fall He would not yeeld but they would needes enthral Themselues to death and dranke and present dyed The selfe same thing by Mythridate was tryed But would not worke his body long before He so prepar'de against all poison strong For to withstand all treason enuie bore Against his state who sought all meanes by wrong T'abridge his dayes but fortune made him long Happie to liue vnhappie for to die From Empire so to fall in miserie Vanquisht with griefe which long before his hart Ne bodie could the Romanes legions great Orecome by practise policie or art And now quoth he loe what doth me most freate Faithles souldiers children vnkind entreate Me too my friends vnfaithfull to me are These foes I flye rather then life to spare Vnto a Duke that stood vnto him neere Quoth he to me thou euer hast been iust From huing any longer rid me cleere Lest Romanes tread my glorie in the dust Ore me a king to triumph as they lust Since poyson will not end my wretched life Helpe me by bloudie stroke to cease all strife The Duke bewayled Mithridate with teares Yeelding his helpe to rid him of his woe To his right breast with trembling hand he beares The bloudie blade that did his life vndoe Mithridate with a stroke draue it into His breast when as the liuely sprite outbrast Thus this great king fortune with spight downe cast What therefore bootes long life with troubled state Though riches wealth and honor men possesse What doth auaile long life without debate In pleasure ioy neuer to feele distresse In weale or woe let life be more or lesse Death is all one at first as tarie long Since dye we must mid woes small ioyes among CAP. 11. The disturbance of Romes estate by the conspiracie of Catiline Ierusa'ems tribute to Rome warres by Iulius Caesar in Germany France and England by Pompé the King of Egypt was restored to his kingdome LIke as the day when fresh Aurora spreds Her curtaines large expelling darke nights shade Bright Phoebe doth rise from chamber and vnbeds Himselfe abroad with blasing rayes doth glade Aslant the earth where length of shadowes made By mistie cloudes all vanish quite away Rough winds arise it proues a stormy day Through heate perhaps a thunderclap may sound Or els rough Aeol raise a mightie wind With flouds of raine fast powring on the ground That heards of cattell scarse can finde Shilter to saue their bare backs thinly linde When as those beasts that feeding lye in stall Recks not the storme how great so ere it fall So fareth fates faire weather now foule proue Stormes past there comes a quiet calme againe Seasons and times such earthly chances moue So Romes high state now whole then sicke with paine In worldly life cares be our daily gaine Lawes for the good of common weales firme seated Through ciuill strife their right vse are defeated As Pompee had those broyles and iarres late ended Seditious fire began to light againe Now Catiline by coniuration bended A number moe their countries peace to staine The state of Rome to spoyle ambitious braine But Cicero who Consull was that time Detected them of that most heynous crime But Catiline to Toscane came by flight Gathering fresh crewes of wretches all forlorne Gainst whom Anthonius Consull went to fight By whose great valour in pieces cut and torne The rebels were vnhappie wretches borne But fates to men doe aye alot such chance That by wrong meanes themselues thinke to aduance And in this yeare fine Cicero Consull was Ierusalem and all Iudea land Great Pompees power atchieu'de and brought to passe Did tribute pay vnto the Romaines hand Octauian eke as you shall vnderstand Who Emperour was in processe following here Receiu'de his birth at Rome in this same yere Fiue yeares after Gabinius and Piso
yeares age being no more What one did euer match thee since or before For noble mind for valour bountie loue Whose good successe did raise the Romanes state For constancie which mishaps could not moue For honour shew'de to wretched Mythridate Himselfe his race to many in like state Thy vertues blazde thy noble disposition But cruell mindes made thereof prohibition The stately triumpn Rome did make to thee Declare thy fame when thou didst backe returne With captiu'de kings conquer'd thy victorie As bright as sunne or blazing lampe did burne Which sight to see made them with griefe to mourne When in a chariot shining bright all gold Set rich with stones their eis might thee behold To sit and when their scepters and their crownes Their royall roabes with ornaments and all Their stately wealth their iewels spoyle of townes Siluer and gold with statues high and tall Of beaten gold yet more to shew their thrall Their armours and their weapons broad in sight They prisoners all orecome by thee in fight Triumphing thus with much more in like sort Romes youth went first next them the youthfull crew Neere mans estate then followed with great port Graue citizens next Senate did ensue Clad in their roabes of colour bloody hue Many sortes moe of people in their place Before and after in triumph then did trace In order due Those of his armie strong Some chiefe on horsebacke some on foote did goe Neuer the like triumph there was among Romes conquerours for any ouerthrow That giuen ws to countrie or to foe Yet loe alas such was his destenie Hated by friends and slaine by trecherie What mindes haue men in honours seate that sit High still to clime not knowing how soone they may When dread is least in daungers greatest flit And being once fallen soone wither and decay On mightie trees growes sundrie sortes of spray Whose rootes turn'd vp the danger is not small Whē tumbling down comes bark boughs twigs al. Pompee euen so oreturn'd by cruell fate By such as should haue him their succour lent His friends who loue did beare vnto his state Branches and boughes firme fixt to him and bent Were afterward cut off scattred and rent As here ensuing shall be shewed in place If well you note this high imperiall chace Caesar pursued and into Egypt came With power great the king that time in armes A quarrell had his sisters pride to tame Cleopatra for shunning future harmes On either part there was ofttimes alarmes Which to appease Caesar did them incite For him t'appeare as Iudge the cause to right In that he was Consull of Romane state And for before the former king that dyde Did league contract assenting to a rate The Senate with in friendship to abide But th'Egyptians with disdaine did slide From this offer tooke it in great disgrace Their king to pleade before a Consuls face Whereon in armes they drew them out of hand Sought meanes Caesar like Pompee to orethrow But he withstood them with his warlike band In dangers great yet last did make them know He Caesar was for victorie did blow Vpon his side the king dead he diuided Egypt in two and thus it was contriued Cleopatra ioynde with her younger brother Should both enioy the state and dignitie The one to be as mightie as the other Subiects to Rome euer after to bee This done Caesar departs and after hee Transportes his force and armie out of hand With speed most swift into Assyria land To Pontus next and there the king orethrew Pharnaces nam'de the sonne of Mythridate Rehearst before and afterwards he drew Armenia too and quieted that state With Gallogreece assigning them a rate Cappadoce Pont Bythinia also Romes league on paine of death not once forgoe This done to Rome fast making his returne The season cold in winters shortest dayes Desire of rule so made his heart to burne Setting a part all manner of delayes From Rome to Scicill Isle and there not stayes But taketh ship and sayles to Afrique coast With great desire t'encounter his en'mies hoast Pompees allies amongst whom Cato graue With other moe had raisde an armie great To take their parts king Iuba they doe craue Who did consent with them his foote to wet In doing of which he was set by his seate For Caesar had ore them the victorie The great'st part slaine the rest away did flie When Caesar had ended this chase of warres Returning backe triumphing with great spoyle In euery place made peace and ceast all iarres And to his enemies giuen vtter foyle To Rome he came and resting now from toyle He triumph had and did command each where The world throughout all nations did him feare Now here behold Romes Empire soueraigne Whose fame doth yet continue to this day The name of Caesar still it doth retaine And euer shall vntill the worlds decay The Scriptures by the Prophets so doe say Interpreted by learned clerkes diuine But now at height note how it did decline CAP. 13. The wounding to death of Iulius Caesar in the Senate house WHen bloud when fire whē slaughter spoyle sack Throughout the world had run to raise Rome hye Alas what woe what miserie and wrack Vile wretchednes and torments cruelly Her Empire causde causles many to dye Through treasons vsde with subtiltie and craft And slye deceits since in the world laft But richly clad in throne Imperiall As Phoebe in skies with maiestie doth shine Caesar did sit and in his hand the ball Or globe did hold for token or a signe As say he might the world all is mine Sole to command no match or mate had he Such was his minde gaining sole soueraigntie But here began hate enuie and disdaine The Monarch new his greatnes to despise His equals late now vassals he to raigne Alone and they as base before his eyes High minds secret the furies made to rise Not priuatly pretending of his harmes Nor publikely banding with men in armes But as he in th'imperiall seate did sit In parliament not dreading ought at all Pricks forth reuenge his enemies all fit The tree high growne with fatall axe to fall Least that his boughs spred large with shade might thrall Small vnder trees and wood that grew him neere Purpose pursued they would no longer beare Vnto him came in number eight or nine Each one a dagger bodkins some doe say What ere but there the thred they gan t'vntwine Of that great webbe begun so many a day Before and now iwoue begins away To weare and fret by piecemeale rag'd and torne As at this day base Bashrags doe it scorne Thus sunke the ship that floted with full saile Through stormes stird vp by furies plagues of hell Thus worthy Caesar worlds rule bids alhaile Leauing the trumpe of fame his praise to tell His vertue flyes his name mongst vs to dwell Vpon this globe what glorie more can be Vertue acts name left
to eternitie CAP. 14. The fortunate and prosperous raigne of Octauius Augustus Caesar in whose time our Sauiour Christ was borne WHen Summers heat with parching flames had burnd The earths fresh coate deckt sweet by Flora queene Whose colours gaye to russet browne was turnd Through drought fire hot each pleasant field was seene Bare backt deep scortcht with chawnes in steede of green Ceres vncrownde her garland withered ripe Pan haruest home to Swaines had playd with pipe Fruites falling fast Autum the same did hye Cleare dayes began to be o'recast with cloudes Turning to mists and raine descends the skye Birds couerts seeke and beasts together crowdes Close from the cold in house by fire shrowdes The rustique sort and greater swaynes beside Content perforce the winters wrath to bide Whilst chilling colde with many a bitter blast Disroabes the trees and bating quight the ground When Saturne with his cruell lookes doth cast A mantle thicke the colour seene and found White euery where but skies blacke low all round This globe vpon and when's depending seene Trees leau'd with yce in liew of Sommers greene When whistling windes do sheere the tender skinne And razor like piercing doth make a raze On seelie creatures barely clad and thinne Nye staru'de with cold looking with rueful grace Doe wish the spring to hasten on a pace Which doth ensue when Phoebe warme beames doth show His force from high to dying things below Then from his hole the seelie flye doth creepe For ioy to feele the warmth approaching nye Each creature else whom winters wrath made weepe Reioyce cloudes past beholding cleere the skye Beastes caues fruites earth fowles naked bushes flie Mounting towards ayre and all doe seeme to sing The sweetest time of all is in the spring Which season chaunst when Caesars burning sunne And haruest toyle began to end and drew Both Autumne and his winter course in one Dispoyling him of all his prime gaynd hue Octauius spring began the world anew So fresh a spring as neuer was before Vpon the earth nor euer shall be more Caesar thus slaine his glory laied downe low His force that late did through the world flie Ambitious mindes doth point and as t'were show Their vading ioy when they haue toucht the skie Great is their fall that seeke to climbe on hie Restlesse their mindes besides their bodies toyle Consuming time themselues with cares do spoyle Octauius who was Caesars sisters sonne The birth of whom recounted is before Such loue belike had of the souldiers wonne Of Legions he did gather a great store Reuengement of his vncles death he bore Secret in mind but seemde as though that he Tooke armes to fight against Mare Antonie In fauour of the publique state and weale But ere t'was long th'empire did diuide With him and Lepidus they three to deale In causes all before them to be tried Triumuirates so cald for to decide Matters of warre of peace contention strife What euer els concerned goods or life Marc Antonie at this time bare such sway As by his power he gaue commandement Marcus Tullius Cicero for to slay Who late in warres with power against him went This same was he that was so eloquent But now behold how enuy sowed seede Quarrels betweene the Triumuirates to breede For Lepidus deposde his office fro Vpon suspition of some trecherie Esteem'd Octauius for his mortall foe Reuengde to be drew to him Antonie To Egypt-ward they both in hast did flie Where Antonie tooke after vnto wife Cleopatra which bred foule hate and strife Cupid blind god the Romanes heart did wound At sight of this Egyptian stately dame Agreeing both conuenient time was found To quench desires heate and burning flame Strange may it seeme to some the noble fame These two liu'd in with honour wealth at will All pleasures sought their minds for to fulfill Fine sumptuous feastes delights with triumpes braue What daintie thing was thought on was not had Gold pearle stone attyre that hart could craue Nothing did want that might their minds make glad Sportes were deuisde t'expell all causes sad This life they led but Antonie to blame For one part plaid which wrought his end with shame Octauius sister he had espousde before Casting her off th'egyptian tooke to wife Which now at last grew to a canker sore A cause that moued Caesar vnto strife When Antonie amidst this pleasant life With his rich queene of Egypt wearing crowne Dread set apart fortune began to frowne Caesar his armie into Egypt lead Egyptians force the Romanes made to flie Hast and away who fast did runne best sped Cleopatra and her braue Antonie Their high estate brought downe by destinie Force and hope faylde their welfare to regaine Excesse was turn'd to penurie and paine Recalling both their former liues to count Now feeling want reliefe to them was strange No hope againe vnto their state to mount Despaire throughout their sences all did range Working vile meanes their wretched liues to change With griefe of which so nipped both their hartes As loathing life the same to death impartes The Empire sole Octauius then did sway Antonie dead peace through the world was Fortie foure yeares he raigned day by day And in the twentith nine it came to passe That Iesu Christ our onely Messias Was borne for vs of a pure virgine Our soules from hell for to redeeme and winne The Monarch now long resting without warre Nation not any durst once striue gainst Romes state By sea or land neere hand or yet a farre The first that did were Germanes full of hate People that time louing strife and debate But subiects Caesar brought them vnder yoke So fortunate he was and bare such stroke Some say that oft reuoluing in his minde The burden great of gouernment he bare Determind once the same to haue assignde To others to discharge him of that care But priuate being knew not how t'would fare To leade that life might be vnto him strange Doubting besides of Romes estate the change Of noble minde with vertues fully fraught Peace to obserue both liberall bountie free To learned men who vertue sought and taught For in his time most higest in degree And perfect fine it's written for to bee The Latin tongue but now corrupt vnpure To that was then which we haue now in vre When as the terme of fortie foure yeares Expired was Caesar at vtmost date Of life did leaue as by record appeares In quiet peace his high Imperiall state A thing no doubt ordainde before by fate So for to be for good of all mankinde As learned clarkes in holy writ doe finde CAP. 15. The raigne of Tyberius next Emperour OCtauius dead whose name Augustus was Next did succeed Tyberius to the state His sonne adopt and kinsman in like case It's sayd the Senate humbly did him treate Vnwilling for to rule his braines to beate To take the state on him at
of their Caprichios may mistake the sence the good vertuous and well disposed spirits will construe the best the other will shew their kinde what faults soeuer there be espied my intent is to surprise vertue and subingate vice Praying the almightie to send loue peace vnitie and concord among all faithfull Christian Princes and their subiects in Christ Iesu that as all that beare that name from him in outward shew so all may both inwardly and outwardly follow him simply in manner of life and doctrine for the benefite of themselues in the life to come Farewell Romes Monarchie CAP. 1. The building of Carthage and Rome the expelling of Romes Kinges and first choosing of Cousuls there the ouerthrow of 300. Romaines being all of one name and familie called Fabians OF Priams pompe his pallace or his towne Srong Troy the wals or how those warres began Which ten yeres held by Grecians last beat down Or whether side the praise or glorie wanne Is not here ment at all vpon to scanne Yet will my muse in meane style pen I imploy Of warres to write long after that from Troy Aeneas came into Italia soyle But leauing him and farther on to passe Excepting too what euer iarre or broyle Did after chance till Rome yfounded was By Romulus whose birth is counted base Thus much is sayd because Aeneas line Is brought by writ in Caesars seate to shine For when Augustus surnam'de Caesar sate Sole with the Scepter in th'imperiall throne Virgil to praise his high discent and state In his Aeneidos makes it to him knowne How Troian race the world then rul'de alone Old Priams stocke of Troy that famous king In him * most fresh ore all the earth did spring But memorie and fame of nations olde Swift time makes ende as was as of beginning Romes base commence in writing is enrolde To be at first a webbe of slender spinning And yet at last had all the world winning As floudes at first come slylie creeping in So at full sea to ebbe do straight begin So worketh time of euery thing the change O Rome whose wings sometime the earth orespread Thy glories gone thy fame still lasting strange Thy captaines that did raise thy state are dead Both Pompee and Caesars aspiring head With many moe their monarchies and all Whom Time hath rais'de and likewise made to fall But what so fates and destinie allottes Fortune will not gainsay or backe withholde What subiect is vnto her staines and spottes Nought can auaile no mines or mounts of golde And what againe in fauour she doth holde Shall mount and weare both diademe and crowne And vnlook'te for as fast come tumbling downe Proofe of thse things by Carthage first of twaine Whose plotted seate queene Dido did beginne By graunt obtain'de and so much ground did gaine To build vpon in reach of a bulles skinne Which she cut small in pieces long and thinne In lengthes stretcht out it farre orespead the field In circuite there the walles she gan to build With houses braue high towers temples fayre The stately Forte which Birsa had to name Whose toppes high mounted seem'de to touch the ayre For strength and wealth the world it had for fame Yet for all that the Romaines it orecame The citie sackt and raz'de the walles to ground Whose match ech way on earth was thē scarse found Of Rome the walles and buildings first of all Olde writtes record that Romulus began To found the same whose meane estate some call Him shepheard borne or else a bare heardsman Nurst by a wolfe but he such glory wan As fates decree the chance of euery thing His power grew so as lastly made him king And after him if histories say true Two hundreth yeares adde fortie foure withall Sixe kings more raign'de ech one in order due The last of which his pride did cause to fall And name of king did euer after thrall To rule or rainge that famous citie in Who called was that time the proud Tarquin Their Kings expel'd two Consuls next bare sway Whose office was t'endure for a yeare Iunius Brutus to the state a stay Chiefe cause the Tarquins Romes kings chased were His owne two sonnes no whit he did forbeare For to be head with others seeking meane Their Tarquins kings for to restore againe A noble deed of iustice right and zeale O happie place where rulers vpright stand A worthy member of a publique weale A president for euery state and land Vice to correct with rod of iustice hand Thus Consuls two in place of kings did guide The state of Rome which after stretched wide During which time discordes did often rise At home and forth Toscane the countrie hight That then made warre but Rome did them despise Three hundreth Romaines went with them to fight All of one name cal'd Fabians put to flight Their armie and they all slaine left no more Of that name but a child who did restore Their house againe which chaunce to Rome did fall Thirtie three yeares after their kings decay And after that three hundreth yeares in all Of Romes building things at vncertaine stay By reason brawles did often them affray From them Ambassage to the Grecians went Who lawes to Rome in brassie tables sent CAP. 2. The third and fourth alteration of officers in Rome where after many changes the Consuls were of continuance vntill Iulius Caesar IN meane estate was Rome at that same time Wanting both wittes and men of wisedomes lore To make them lawes but things that be in prime Come to be ripe though it be long before In Greece that time were wisemen plenteous store That in all kind of Artes profound did florish Romes weake estate with wisedome they did norish Those lawes brought home the publike state weale Rechanged was from Consuls two as then To Decemuirs supremely that did deale With euery cause asmuch to say Tenne men But this new change was altered soone agen Appius Claude one of that number tho Committing rape that gouernment did orethrow A magistrate to doe an act so vile The people would no longer them permit Consuls againe were chose who but a while Did last but yet againe began to flit Their officers for so it was thought fit Two Tribunes then were chose whose power and might Was Consul like the peoples wrong to right This time also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 three hundreth yeare And fifteene since 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●●rst was founded An office was which onely one did beare Which seemes to be on great authoritie grounded Dictator calde who caus'de to death be wounded Spurius Melius who sought to be Romes roye His house and name for euer to destroye Two yeares next after gouernment againe To warlike Tribunes came seruing in warre Abroade at home as fortune list to raigne To stint all striues of mutinie and iarre And to keepe off the enemie a farre Which did endure about some seuentie In all which
high to be declar'd in brief But Iugurths warre which next did fall in chase Calphurnius first did take the same in hand Who Consull was and after him had place Cecilius Metellus strongly mand But lastly Marius with his warlike band Orethrew his host with many a deadly wound Ending the warre had Iugurth prisoner bound During which warre with this Numidian king The Germanes high and low gan to molest Italia soyle and mightie troopes did bring In France also that countrie to infest The Romanes had by them vnquiet rest Great slaughter oft amongst them they did make Chief Captaines many were forst their liues forsake But Marius Consull foure times now chose Gaue them repulse and last their power orethrew The Almanes hie were slaine and soone did lose At Aix in Prouence where their strength they drew In Lombardie at Lysieres did rue The other sort which done afresh did grow New warres that ouer all Italie did flow Those people that vpon the soyle did dwell In sundrie partes which often heretofore Be nam'de began againe for to rebell With much adoe appeasde was their vprore And being reduc'de to quiet as before Swift time that doth begin and end all thing A dangerous warre against Romes state did bring CAP. 10. The warres with Mithridate King of Pontus vpon which grew the ciuill warres in Rome betweene Sylla and Marius of warres in Portugall and the vtter ouerthrow of Mythridate the great King of Pontus IN Kingdomes rule most strange is fortunes chance Fleeting vnsure not to be thought with hart Euents each day both to and fro do glance Sores thought well salu'd elswhere vnknowen do smart Trust treason proues and plaies a tragique part With secret sleights Ambition worketh wiles Faith proueth fraudes and friendships are but guiles Mythridate King of Pontus valiant stout With armie strong did giue two Kings the foile Gaue them the chase their seate and kingdome out One of Bythinia the other of the soyle Of * Cappadoce their countries both did spoile Which warre so sore the state of Rome did trouble First strife next hate and after murders double These wretched Kings distressed thus with woe In league and friendship were with Romanes knit Vnto their aide perforce did driue them to But here marke fortune when she list to flit Who frowning seemde on Romanes side to sit For warres abroade to hurt them did begin And ●arres more ill at home themselues within Strife did arise two captaines stout Which after grew to warre and deadly wound Note here the fruites sedition bringeth out And where likewise ambition taketh ground The bodies sicke whereas the heades vnsound Rome had good cause to looke both pale and wan Neuer so plagude since first their state began Stout Mythridate with kings chase not content But farther runnes into the Romanes land Long t'was before the Senate could consent Who for this warre as leader chiefe should stand On partes they were on this side and that hand Sylla some chose because of noble race Some Marius rather to supply the place Betweene these two began Romes wofull state Here may be seene what ciuill discords breede Sylla had prest his armie at Romes gate Marius constrain'd to flye away with speede Perforce was such and so hard grew his meede In a small boate as fast as he could hye To Afrique coast away from Rome did flye So Sylla had of Pontus warre the charge And thither marcht with Mithridate to fight Absent from Rome Cynna whose power was large That time Consull began the state to spight Stirring vp strife but was soone put to flight By Octauian who in office with him was Out of the citie to Cynna gaue the chase Marius on this returned from exile His power with Octauian did vnite In Rome committing many parts most vile Wrong bare the sway and did orepresse the right Murder and theft was done in open sight They Consuls chose and did what ere they lust Their will was law that euery thing discust Sylla this while in warre gainst Mithridate The Romanes losse in part did get againe Hearing of Romes foule broyles and troubled state Fast homeward hied to ease that grieuous paine And when he had for most orecome and slaine His enemies that gainst him did resist Bare sway alone and then did what he list Thus one gap stopt a worser breach is made One tempest past a fouler storme doth rise One drowning scapte a gulfe more ill to wade One ill foreseene a vilder blinds the eyes One foe found out a crueller lurking lyes One canker heal'd out breakes more pestlent sore Marius was ill Sylla could be no more For when the winde tempestuously doth blow Oreturning towers houses trees and all Those harmes past ore incontinent doth flow A mightie floud by raine continuing fall Drencheth vp beasts on fields and in the stall Drowning both corne and fertile medow ground One common losse doth make a grieuous wound Marius windlike at first did blow and rage Which tempest little calm'd scarse ouerpast Sylla not bent that so it should asswage But after blasts brings flouds of raine as fast The woolfe full pancht the beare take his repast Who hunger bides but weaker beasts among The rauening sort opprest by open wrong Sylla his en'mies sharply did pursue Some banisht were and on their goods set price Their children eke that after should ensue He quite despoyl'd for euer to arise Office or rule to beare in any wise No man what ere might safe enioy his state Or life if once against him he bare hate So farre forth was his heart enflam'd with ire Marius being dead part of his carkasse tho Such furie did his raging mind inspire He causde into a riuer to be throw Behold reuenge to mortall men a foe Neere satisfied vntill she haue her will Of will restrainde with griefe her selfe doth kill Thus Sylla got the victorie at length Dictator made and had the chiefest place For to command and now againe in strength Rome gan to grow and mutinies to race But yet farre of an Exile in disgrace With Sylla nam'de Sertorius stout and fierce With warre did seeke the Romanes state to pierce In Portugall an armie he did wage Got many townes in warres hauing great skill For to appease this vnlookt for outrage Pompee had charge to worke therein his will Betweene these two each part much bloud did spill After great fights Sertorius was slaine In treason foule with craft caught in a traine A few yeares after Pompee this had wrought All Spayne he got and in that time also Bythinia king to earth by death was brought Heire to his crowne he made the Romanes tho But Mithridate king of Pontus sayd no Who occupied Bythinia all the while That Marius and Sylla made the broyle Against whose pride Lucullus Consull went And foyld him oft speeding so at the last His armie all in piecemeale cut and rent And from