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of_o his_o pay_n and_o he_o do_v it_o without_o the_o least_o shame_n or_o fear_v in_o the_o world_n his_o next_o exploit_n be_v to_o expose_v to_o sale_n the_o office_n and_o command_n with_o the_o great_a infamy_n that_o ever_o man_n do_v sell_v they_o much_o cheap_a to_o any_o that_o be_v ready_a for_o a_o ill_a action_n abandon_v the_o good_n and_o the_o life_n of_o the_o people_n of_o the_o province_n to_o they_o who_o buy_v the_o government_n and_o transfer_v to_o they_o all_o the_o power_n which_o the_o emperor_n have_v grant_v he_o of_o pill_v and_o plunder_v with_o impunity_n as_o soon_o as_o ever_o they_o have_v pay_v their_o money_n so_o that_o what_o ever_o they_o receive_v of_o the_o blood_n and_o life_n of_o the_o subject_a be_v immediate_o convey_v into_o the_o coffer_n of_o the_o emperor_n there_o be_v likewise_o diabolical_a council_n and_o convention_n about_o the_o destruction_n of_o city_n hold_v in_o the_o chief_n court_v in_o constantinople_n and_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o by_o public_a allowance_n for_o from_o that_o time_n officer_n be_v create_v with_o the_o title_n of_o collector_n and_o distribute_v into_o the_o province_n to_o raise_v money_n under_o pretence_n of_o justice_n but_o in_o reality_n to_o reimburse_v themselves_o of_o what_o they_o have_v give_v for_o their_o place_n which_o they_o levy_v upon_o such_o as_o be_v culpable_a with_o most_o merciless_a cruelty_n at_o length_n peter_n himself_o among_o those_o who_o he_o employ_v in_o his_o exaction_n have_v try_v many_o find_v some_o who_o cheat_v he_o and_o lay_v up_o for_o themselves_o and_o this_o be_v not_o his_o misfortune_n alone_o but_o every_o man_n who_o have_v bear_v the_o say_a office_n before_o and_o after_o he_o the_o master_n of_o the_o office_n and_o such_o as_o have_v be_v advance_v for_o their_o money_n or_o present_n the_o overseer_n of_o the_o emperor_n particular_a demesn_n and_o in_o few_o word_n all_o the_o magistrate_n not_o only_o in_o 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the_o inhabitant_n of_o those_o province_n to_o convey_v it_o themselves_o to_o the_o port_n where_o they_o be_v to_o ship_v it_o with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n and_o carry_v it_o by_o sea_n to_o consantinople_n have_v experiment_v in_o their_o passage_n all_o the_o danger_n that_o can_v be_v incur_v in_o a_o sullen_a and_o outrageous_a sea_n when_o they_o be_v arrive_v through_o all_o those_o difficulty_n and_o have_v perfect_v their_o voyage_n they_o have_v but_o a_o three_o part_n of_o their_o due_n pay_v they_o for_o their_o pain_n and_o the_o loss_n they_o receive_v be_v so_o great_a and_o considerable_a they_o have_v better_o have_v give_v away_o their_o corn_n and_o twice_o as_o much_o more_o yet_o all_o this_o provision_n be_v too_o small_a for_o the_o sustenance_n of_o so_o populous_a a_o city_n several_a person_n go_v to_o complain_v to_o the_o emperor_n and_o remonstrate_v the_o true_a state_n of_o affair_n the_o soldier_n who_o be_v in_o great_a arrear_n and_o have_v no_o money_n to_o furnish_v themselves_o with_o victual_n begin_v to_o murmur_v and_o repine_v and_o to_o hold_v such_o meeting_n and_o assembly_n in_o the_o town_n as_o seem_v to_o presage_v a_o sedition_n which_o be_v ready_a to_o break_v out_o hereupon_o the_o emperor_n conceive_v a_o displeasure_n against_o peter_n for_o his_o maladministration_n resolve_v to_o take_v away_o his_o place_n not_o only_o because_o of_o the_o present_a inconvenience_n but_o because_o he_o be_v assure_v he_o be_v very_o rich_a and_o have_v heap_v up_o vast_a sum_n by_o his_o violence_n and_o oppression_n but_o theodora_n oppose_v it_o be_v a_o great_a friend_n to_o barzame_n by_o reason_n as_o i_o imagine_v of_o his_o wicked_a inclination_n and_o the_o insupportable_a cruelty_n wherewith_o he_o treat_v the_o subject_n for_o as_o she_o herself_o be_v natural_o cruel_a and_o inhuman_a she_o take_v particular_a care_n to_o have_v such_o people_n to_o execute_v her_o design_n as_o be_v absolute_o conformable_a to_o her_o own_o pernicious_a disposition_n some_o there_o be_v notwithstanding_o who_o affirm_v that_o peter_n force_v theodora_n to_o be_v his_o friend_n by_o virtue_n of_o certain_a charm_n though_o she_o be_v natural_o his_o enemy_n the_o truth_n be_v all_o his_o life_n long_o he_o have_v apply_v himself_o much_o to_o enchantment_n and_o necromancy_n hold_v great_a correspondence_n with_o the_o manichean_o because_o they_o study_v they_o much_o and_o be_v open_a favourer_n of_o those_o art_n as_o barzame_n be_v of_o they_o though_o theodora_n understand_v all_o this_o and_o more_o she_o love_v he_o never_o the_o less_o on_o the_o contrary_n she_o engage_v in_o his_o interest_n with_o more_o kindness_n and_o zeal_n have_v have_v herself_o in_o her_o youth_n great_a conversation_n with_o sorcerer_n and_o magician_n and_o place_v much_o confidence_n in_o their_o art_n and_o many_o time_n make_v very_o much_o use_v of_o it_o it_o be_v believe_v likewise_o that_o it_o be_v not_o alogether_o her_o flattery_n and_o complacency_n which_o give_v she_o such_o influence_n upon_o justinian_n but_o her_o magic_n and_o intelligence_n with_o the_o devil_n for_o justinian_n be_v not_o so_o cunning_a nor_o of_o a_o nature_n so_o flexible_a to_o good_a to_o defend_v himself_o against_o her_o stratagem_n and_o wile_n of_o this_o kind_n on_o the_o contrary_a his_o mind_n be_v entire_o corrupt_v by_o cruelty_n and_o avarice_n he_o be_v every_o moment_n expose_v so_o much_o to_o subtlety_n and_o flattery_n that_o in_o thing_n of_o great_a importance_n he_o turn_v easy_o with_o the_o wind_n there_o be_v no_o trust_n or_o reliance_n upon_o he_o for_o the_o best_a friend_n or_o near_a relation_n that_o he_o have_v for_o in_o short_a he_o be_v the_o most_o light_a unconstant_a and_o uncertain_a man_n in_o all_o thing_n that_o ever_o be_v know_v so_o that_o the_o sorcerer_n who_o be_v very_o busy_a about_o he_o with_o their_o charm_n and_o particular_o theodora_n find_v no_o great_a difficulty_n to_o arrive_v at_o their_o end_n the_o humour_n and_o inclination_n of_o peter_n as_o i_o say_v before_o wrought_v so_o much_o upon_o theodora_n and_o gain_v he_o the_o favour_n of_o that_o princess_n so_o effectual_o that_o the_o emperor_n have_v with_o much_o ado_n remove_v he_o from_o his_o prefectship_n she_o prevail_v with_o he_o not_o long_o after_o to_o make_v he_o high_a treasurer_n of_o the_o empire_n have_v take_v that_o place_n from_o john_n who_o have_v be_v put_v into_o it_o but_o little_o before_o this_o john_n be_v original_o of_o palestine_n a_o man_n of_o that_o mildness_n justice_n and_o generosity_n he_o know_v not_o how_o to_o exercise_v the_o little_a frugality_n of_o a_o private_a family_n and_o for_o injury_n he_o have_v never_o do_v it_o to_o any_o person_n alive_a but_o the_o more_o grateful_a he_o be_v in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o
by_o the_o way_n confess_v the_o truth_n in_o what_o ever_o be_v ask_v he_o theodosius_n have_v notice_n of_o what_o have_v pass_v retire_v into_o the_o church_n of_o s._n john_n which_o be_v of_o great_a veneration_n than_o any_o other_o in_o ephesus_n but_o that_o will_v not_o serve_v his_o turn_n for_o the_o bishop_n called_z andrew_z be_v corrupt_v with_o money_n deliver_v he_o up_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o photius_n on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o empress_n receive_v advertisement_n from_o antonina_n and_o fear_v some_o ill_a accident_n may_v befall_v she_o send_v order_n to_o bellisarius_fw-la to_o come_v back_o with_o she_o to_o the_o court_n this_o order_n come_v no_o soon_o to_o the_o ear_n of_o photius_n but_o he_o send_v theodosius_n into_o sicily_n where_o his_o army_n be_v in_o its_o winter_n quarter_n to_o those_o who_o convey_v he_o he_o give_v instruction_n to_o carry_v he_o as_o private_o as_o possible_a to_o deliver_v he_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o sicilian_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v arrive_v and_o to_o tell_v no_o body_n where_o they_o have_v dispose_v he_o caligonus_n he_o take_v along_o with_o himself_o and_o all_o the_o wealth_n of_o theodosius_n and_o carry_v they_o to_o constantinople_n then_o it_o be_v that_o the_o empress_n theodora_n will_v give_v a_o example_n to_o all_o mankind_n by_o recompense_v the_o service_n of_o antonina_n by_o action_n of_o great_a cruelty_n and_o crime_n of_o great_a infamy_n than_o her_o own_o antonina_n not_o long_o before_o have_v betray_v john_n of_o cappadocia_n to_o the_o empress_n but_o the_o empress_n out_o do_v she_o in_o the_o requital_n for_o she_o cause_v several_a person_n to_o be_v put_v into_o antoninaes_n hand_n who_o notwithstanding_o that_o they_o be_v innocent_a be_v all_o of_o they_o put_v to_o death_n in_o brief_a many_o friend_n and_o relation_n both_o to_o photius_n and_o bellisarius_fw-la who_o only_a guilt_n be_v acquaintance_n with_o they_o be_v drub_v and_o convey_v away_o where_o no_o body_n can_v ever_o hear_v of_o they_o other_o be_v banish_v by_o she_o and_o for_o no_o other_o crime_n but_o for_o be_v intimate_a with_o they_o among_o the_o rest_n there_o be_v one_o theodosius_n who_o have_v accompany_v photius_n to_o ephesus_n she_o cause_v this_o theodosius_n to_o be_v apprehend_v and_o have_v seize_v upon_o his_o estate_n she_o give_v order_n to_o put_v he_o into_o a_o dungeon_n where_o no_o day_n be_v to_o be_v see_v and_o make_v he_o be_v tie_v up_o by_o the_o neck_n to_o a_o rackstaff_n so_o short_a that_o he_o be_v force_v to_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o posture_n without_o be_v able_a to_o turn_v himself_o so_o that_o he_o be_v force_v to_o eat_v and_o sleep_v and_o evacuat_a as_o he_o stand_v without_o any_o thing_n but_o his_o speech_n to_o discriminate_a he_o from_o a_o beast_n in_o this_o cruel_a condition_n he_o continue_v four_o month_n after_o which_o though_o the_o empress_n give_v he_o his_o liberty_n yet_o his_o spirit_n be_v depress_v with_o his_o affliction_n he_o die_v with_o the_o very_a thought_n of_o what_o misery_n he_o have_v suffer_v she_o constrain_v bellisarius_fw-la to_o reconcile_v himself_o with_o his_o wife_n in_o spite_n of_o his_o aversion_n and_o what_o ever_o he_o can_v do_v to_o prevent_v it_o photius_n have_v a_o thousand_o stripe_n with_o a_o stirrup-leather_n upon_o the_o reins_o and_o the_o shoulder_n to_o make_v he_o confess_v what_o he_o have_v do_v with_o theodosius_n and_o caligonus_n but_o though_o he_o be_v much_o weaken_v and_o deject_v with_o his_o usage_n have_v be_v natural_o tender_a infirm_a and_o exceed_v careful_a of_o his_o health_n which_o care_n till_o that_o time_n have_v preserve_v he_o from_o any_o considerable_a affliction_n yet_o he_o will_v never_o forfeit_v his_o oath_n nor_o discover_v his_o intrigue_n with_o bellisarius_fw-la though_o not_o long_o after_o it_o come_v out_o another_o way_n for_o theodora_n find_v out_o caligonus_n and_o return_v he_o to_o antonina_n and_o have_v get_v intelligence_n where_o theodosius_n be_v she_o send_v for_o he_o to_o constantinople_n and_o conceal_v he_o in_o her_o palace_n the_o next_o morning_n she_o send_v for_o antonina_n and_o tell_v she_o dear_a antonina_n this_o day_n i_o have_v be_v present_v with_o a_o jewel_n i_o conceive_v not_o to_o be_v match_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n if_o you_o have_v a_o curiosity_n to_o see_v it_o i_o be_o so_o far_o from_o refuse_v you_o that_o privilege_n i_o shall_v think_v myself_o happy_a to_o show_v it_o antonina_n not_o dream_v what_o it_o shall_v be_v be_v impatient_a to_o see_v it_o and_o the_o empress_n enter_v into_o the_o chamber_n of_o one_o of_o her_o eunuch_n bring_v out_o theodosius_n in_o her_o hand_n at_o the_o unexpectedness_n of_o the_o sight_n her_o joy_n put_v she_o into_o so_o sudden_a a_o amaze_n for_o some_o time_n antonina_n be_v not_o able_a to_o speak_v but_o be_v a_o little_a recollect_v she_o make_v a_o thousand_o expression_n of_o thankfulness_n to_o the_o empress_n call_v her_o excellent_a mistress_n incomparable_a benefactress_n and_o the_o preserver_n of_o her_o happiness_n in_o this_o world_n theodora_n keep_v theodosius_n in_o her_o palace_n and_o use_v all_o mean_n possible_a to_o re-establish_a he_o and_o put_v he_o at_o the_o head_n of_o the_o emperor_n army_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n entertain_v he_o with_o all_o kind_n of_o delight_n but_o divine_a justice_n which_o soon_o or_o late_a overtake_v all_o such_o criminal_o order_v it_o otherwise_o for_o he_o die_v not_o long_o after_o of_o a_o fit_a of_o the_o colic_n theodora_n have_v her_o dungeon_n so_o deep_a so_o private_a so_o remote_a and_o so_o horrible_o dark_a the_o night_n and_o the_o day_n be_v not_o possible_o to_o be_v distinguish_v in_o they_o in_o one_o of_o those_o dismal_a place_n the_o poor_a photius_n be_v keep_v close_o along_o time_n though_o i_o know_v not_o by_o what_o good_a fortune_n twice_o he_o have_v escape_v the_o first_o time_n he_o get_v into_o the_o church_n of_o our_o lady_n which_o be_v of_o principal_a veneration_n in_o constantinople_n and_o throw_v himself_o before_o the_o altar_n but_o the_o empress_n have_v notice_n fetch_v he_o out_o by_o violence_n and_o recommit_v he_o to_o his_o dungeon_n the_o second_o time_n he_o hide_v himself_o in_o a_o vault_n belong_v to_o sancta_fw-la sophia_n a_o place_n of_o no_o less_o esteem_n among_o the_o christian_n but_o she_o make_v no_o scruple_n to_o force_v he_o from_o thence_o there_o be_v no_o place_n so_o sacred_a that_o she_o be_v fearful_a to_o violate_v nay_o rather_o she_o boast_v and_o insult_v in_o her_o sacrilege_n be_v the_o place_n never_o so_o holy_a the_o people_n and_o the_o clergy_n abominate_v her_o impiety_n and_o make_v a_o thousand_o imprecation_n against_o she_o that_o commit_v they_o but_o neither_o the_o one_o nor_o the_o other_o have_v the_o courage_n to_o oppose_v they_o about_o three_o year_n photius_n have_v be_v recluse_n in_o this_o manner_n when_o the_o prophet_n zachary_n appear_v to_o he_o in_o a_o dream_n require_v he_o to_o escape_v and_o promise_v his_o assistance_n this_o vision_n have_v encourage_v he_o he_o get_v out_o of_o his_o dungeon_n as_o he_o can_v and_o have_v pass_v unknown_a through_o hundred_o of_o his_o persecutor_n he_o come_v at_o length_n to_o jerusalem_n where_o have_v shave_v he_o take_v the_o habit_n of_o a_o monk_n and_o evade_v the_o cruelty_n of_o theodora_n bellisarius_fw-la have_v neglect_v he_o in_o his_o persecution_n though_o he_o have_v swear_v solemn_o to_o assist_v he_o and_o his_o suffering_n be_v only_o for_o his_o sake_n no_o wonder_n if_o afterward_o god_n almighty_a desert_v in_o he_o all_o his_o affair_n be_v a_o while_n after_o send_v with_o a_o army_n against_o cosroes_n king_n of_o persia_n who_o be_v the_o three_o time_n ravage_v the_o province_n of_o the_o empire_n though_o he_o repel_v he_o with_o honour_n enough_o yet_o he_o be_v suspect_v of_o treason_n for_o bellisarius_fw-la continue_v in_o his_o camp_n instead_o of_o pursue_v cosros_n who_o in_o his_o retreat_n over_o euphrates_n have_v make_v himself_o master_n of_o callinicum_n a_o very_a populous_a city_n and_o take_v many_o roman_n prisoner_n in_o it_o give_v occasion_n of_o jealousy_n to_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v either_o want_n of_o fidelity_n or_o courage_n beside_o which_o miscarriage_n there_o be_v another_o accident_n which_o augment_v his_o disgrace_n the_o sickness_n be_v at_o that_o time_n in_o constantinople_n and_o many_o people_n die_v the_o emperor_n fall_v very_o ill_o among_o the_o rest_n and_o a_o report_n be_v raise_v that_o he_o be_v dead_a the_o report_n be_v general_a come_v at_o length_n to_o the_o army_n of_o bellisarius_fw-la and_o some_o of_o the_o chief_n officer_n begin_v to_o talk_v that_o if_o the_o people_n of_o constantinople_n be_v
see_v in_o rome_n any_o inscription_n of_o his_o name_n unless_o in_o such_o place_n where_o he_o be_v number_v among_o the_o other_o emperor_n nor_o do_v there_o remain_v in_o the_o whole_a roman_a empire_n any_o of_o his_o statue_n except_o one_o which_o be_v leave_v upon_o this_o follow_a occasion_n domitian_n have_v a_o princess_n to_o his_o wife_n so_o honourable_a and_o good_a she_o never_o do_v mischief_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o offend_v any_o person_n alive_a and_o always_o disapprove_v the_o crime_n of_o her_o husband_n so_o that_o be_v exceed_o belove_v after_o the_o death_n of_o domitian_n the_o senate_n send_v for_o she_o give_v her_o leave_n to_o make_v her_o demand_n and_o promise_v to_o grant_v they_o without_o difficulty_n the_o virtuous_a lady_n desire_v liberty_n to_o bury_v the_o body_n of_o her_o husband_n and_o erect_v a_o statue_n of_o brass_n for_o he_o where_o she_o shall_v think_v it_o convenient_a and_o the_o senate_n comply_v she_o contrive_v that_o of_o 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that_o be_v good_a he_o be_v excellent_a at_o invent_v new_a crime_n but_o the_o name_n of_o virtue_n he_o abhor_v these_o be_v his_o defect_n beside_o other_o vice_n which_o i_o omit_v and_o he_o surpass_v in_o such_o sort_n the_o common_a impiety_n of_o man_n that_o it_o may_v be_v say_v there_o be_v draw_v what_o ever_o be_v bad_a out_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n to_o make_v in_o his_o person_n a_o perfect_a composition_n of_o wickedness_n for_o beside_o what_o i_o have_v say_v his_o ear_n be_v always_o open_a to_o informer_n and_o traitor_n and_o he_o impose_v great_a penalty_n and_o punishment_n upon_o such_o as_o be_v accuse_v he_o never_o understand_v any_o cause_n that_o he_o judge_v but_o content_v himself_o with_o the_o accusation_n he_o give_v sentence_n without_o any_o reason_n and_o many_o time_n by_o one_o single_a word_n under_o his_o hand_n he_o give_v order_n sudden_o that_o town_n shall_v be_v ruin_v city_n shall_v be_v burn_v and_o whole_a country_n overrun_v so_o that_o if_o one_o will_v examine_v all_o that_o have_v happen_v in_o the_o roman_a empire_n from_o its_o foundation_n and_o compare_v it_o with_o this_o age_n he_o will_v find_v more_o murder_n commit_v by_o justinian_o order_n or_o permission_n then_o in_o all_o the_o age_n before_o he_o he_o ingross_v the_o estate_n of_o other_o people_n with_o incredible_a avarice_n he_o sequester_v they_o without_o any_o pretence_n and_o when_o he_o have_v they_o in_o his_o power_n he_o think_v of_o they_o no_o more_o but_o give_v they_o away_o in_o extravagant_a largess_n to_o the_o barbarian_n or_o spend_v they_o in_o ridiculous_a building_n and_o to_o conclude_v in_o few_o word_n he_o have_v no_o money_n himself_o and_o will_v suffer_v no_o body_n else_o to_o have_v any_o discover_v in_o that_o that_o it_o be_v not_o covetousness_n alone_o which_o excite_v he_o to_o those_o thing_n but_o malice_n and_o envy_n so_o that_o have_v exhaust_v the_o whole_a treasure_n of_o the_o empire_n he_o be_v occasion_n of_o the_o universal_a impoverishment_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o this_o as_o near_o as_o i_o can_v be_v the_o character_n of_o justinian_n if_o he_o may_v be_v describe_v by_o the_o pen._n i_o shall_v now_o speak_v of_o his_o wife_n and_o give_v a_o account_n of_o her_o birth_n education_n manner_n and_o by_o what_o accident_n she_o come_v to_o be_v empress_n and_o how_o she_o assist_v the_o emperor_n towards_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o empire_n there_o be_v at_o constantinople_n a_o man_n call_v acacius_n who_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o beast_n which_o the_o faction_n of_o the_o prasinians_n cause_v to_o be_v keep_v for_o the_o show_v in_o the_o amphiteat_a this_o acacius_n die_v of_o the_o sickness_n under_o the_o reign_n of_o anastatius_fw-la leave_v behind_o he_o three_o daughter_n comitone_n theodora_n and_o anastatia_n the_o elder_a not_o above_o seven_o year_n old_a their_o mother_n find_v herself_o a_o widow_n begin_v to_o look_v out_o for_o another_o husband_n who_o may_v manage_v her_o affair_n at_o home_n and_o exercise_v her_o charge_n but_o asterius_n be_v superintendent_n of_o the_o show_n which_o the_o prasinians_n make_v and_o be_v bribe_v by_o money_n take_v her_o husband_n office_n from_o she_o and_o give_v it_o to_o he_o who_o have_v corrupt_v he_o for_o those_o place_n be_v perquisites_n to_o the_o superintendant_o and_o depend_v whole_o upon_o they_o the_o mother_n of_o theodora_n see_v the_o people_n assemble_v one_o day_n to_o behold_v the_o combat_n of_o the_o beast_n present_v she_o three_o daughter_n before_o they_o with_o crown_n of_o flower_n upon_o their_o head_n and_o bracelet_n of_o the_o same_o and_o beg_v of_o they_o that_o they_o will_v continue_v their_o father_n office_n to_o they_o but_o the_o prasinians_n refuse_v it_o by_o common_a consent_n on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o venetes_n have_v lose_v the_o officer_n which_o have_v the_o care_n of_o their_o beast_n give_v it_o to_o the_o mother_n and_o her_o three_o daughter_n to_o recompense_v what_o they_o have_v lose_v with_o the_o frasinians_n the_o mother_n find_v herself_o reestablish_v present_v her_o daughter_n upon_o the_o stage_n one_o after_o another_o as_o they_o grow_v up_o and_o occasion_n be_v offer_v comitone_n the_o elder_a be_v already_o famous_a among_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o courtesan_n and_o theodora_n the_o second_o wait_v upon_o she_o as_o her_o maid_n with_o little_a sleeve_n and_o short_a coat_n carry_v her_o chair_n upon_o her_o back_n when_o her_o sister_n go_v into_o company_n but_o when_o she_o come_v to_o maturity_n and_o her_o beauty_n begin_v to_o be_v celebrate_v her_o mother_n devote_v she_o to_o the_o theatre_n and_o a_o while_n after_o she_o take_v her_o place_n among_o the_o courtesan_n which_o the_o ancient_n call_v the_o barefeet_n for_o
condemn_v they_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o one_o witness_v who_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v some_o child_n or_o some_o servant_n which_o have_v be_v suborn_v against_o their_o master_n and_o when_o he_o have_v get_v one_o of_o those_o he_o desire_v no_o far_a evidence_n those_o who_o be_v convict_v of_o this_o crime_n be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o mockery_n in_o the_o world_n have_v their_o privity_n cut_v off_o in_o a_o most_o cruel_a and_o ignominious_a manner_n at_o first_o they_o act_v not_o with_o the_o same_o extremity_n against_o they_o all_o the_o heat_n of_o their_o fury_n extend_v itself_o more_o particular_o against_o those_o who_o be_v of_o the_o faction_n of_o the_o prasinians_n extraordinary_o rich_a or_o in_o the_o displeasure_n of_o the_o emperor_n he_o can_v not_o endure_v astrologer_n but_o appoint_v the_o magistrate_n depute_v for_o the_o punishment_n of_o felon_n to_o ride_v up_o and_o down_o upon_o their_o camel_n through_o the_o city_n of_o constantinople_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v beat_v upon_o their_o shoulder_n with_o rod_n and_o expose_v they_o public_o as_o a_o spectacle_n of_o contempt_n though_o they_o be_v ancient_a and_o in_o other_o thing_n very_o honest_a man_n to_o be_v reproach_v with_o nothing_o but_o that_o have_v such_o knowledge_n in_o the_o star_n they_o shall_v remain_v in_o that_o town_n the_o tyranny_n of_o these_o action_n cause_v great_a number_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n to_o forsake_v their_o own_o country_n and_o betake_v themselves_o not_o only_o into_o the_o country_n of_o the_o barbarian_n but_o into_o such_o nation_n as_o be_v at_o great_a distance_n from_o the_o dominion_n of_o rome_n in_o every_o province_n and_o in_o every_o town_n great_a number_n be_v to_o be_v see_v from_o several_a country_n which_o have_v be_v harrass_v by_o their_o friend_n with_o as_o much_o cruelty_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v their_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n and_o this_o course_n do_v justinian_n 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principal_a servant_n and_o by_o their_o mean_n have_v cause_v all_o this_o vast_a wealth_n to_o be_v convey_v private_o out_o of_o the_o ship_n he_o make_v they_o set_v it_o on_o fire_n in_o the_o hold_v and_o pretend_v to_o their_o master_n that_o it_o happen_v by_o accident_n and_o have_v consume_v all_o his_o great_a treasure_n which_o he_o intend_v for_o egypt_n not_o long_o after_o zeno_n die_v and_o the_o emperor_n seize_v upon_o the_o remainder_n of_o his_o estate_n produce_v a_o fraudulent_a will_n which_o all_o the_o world_n know_v to_o be_v forge_v by_o the_o same_o artifice_n he_o get_v possession_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o tatian_n and_o demosthenes_n and_o hilaras_n the_o three_o principal_a man_n in_o the_o senat._n there_o be_v many_o other_o likewise_o who_o heir_n he_o make_v himself_o not_o by_o any_o real_a will_n but_o by_o counterfeit_a conveyance_n as_o for_o example_n he_o make_v himself_o heir_n to_o denis_n who_o estate_n be_v near_o liban_n and_o of_o john_n the_o son_n of_o basil_n the_o governor_n of_o edessa_n who_o bellisarius_fw-la deliver_v against_o his_o will_n in_o hostage_n to_o the_o persian_n as_o i_o have_v mention_v in_o my_o other_o book_n after_o he_o have_v be_v some_o time_n with_o the_o persian_n cosroes_n will_v not_o discharge_v he_o without_o a_o ransom_n pretend_v bellisarius_fw-la have_v not_o perform_v according_a to_o the_o article_n upon_o which_o the_o say_a john_n be_v give_v in_o pledge_n whereupon_o his_o grandfather_n be_v then_o live_v he_o treat_v for_o his_o redemption_n and_o have_v prepare_v two_o thousand_o livre_n of_o silver_n in_o order_n thereunto_o the_o emperor_n have_v advertisement_n and_o that_o the_o money_n be_v convey_v and_o lay_v ready_a at_o dara_n will_v not_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v pay_v but_o object_v that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v permit_v that_o the_o barbarian_n shall_v go_v away_o with_o so_o much_o money_n of_o the_o roman_n and_o while_o that_o be_v in_o controversy_n john_n die_v of_o a_o disease_n of_o which_o he_o have_v be_v languish_v a_o long_a time_n when_o he_o be_v dead_a the_o governor_n of_o dara_n a_o creature_n of_o the_o emperor_n counterfeit_v a_o writing_n from_o the_o say_v john_n by_o which_o the_o emperor_n be_v make_v heir_n to_o all_o his_o estate_n and_o assure_v the_o world_n it_o be_v his_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n but_o beside_o these_o false_a will_n and_o counterfeit_a conveyance_n it_o be_v scarce_o credible_a how_o many_o people_n give_v he_o their_o estate_n free_o and_o bona_fw-la fide_fw-la before_o the_o sedition_n break_v out_o by_o degree_n he_o take_v away_o their_o whole_a estate_n from_o the_o family_n of_o victoriatus_n which_o be_v report_v very_o rich_a but_o when_o those_o trouble_n begin_v he_o cause_v most_o of_o the_o senator_n good_n to_o be_v sell_v and_o of_o all_o descend_v from_o patrician_n family_n he_o take_v the_o great_a part_n and_o appropriate_v it_o to_o himself_o leave_v as_o a_o false_a image_n of_o his_o clemency_n the_o ten_o only_a to_o such_o as_o be_v in_o possession_n and_o that_o only_o to_o continue_v they_o liable_a to_o his_o tax_n for_o which_o those_o poor_a people_n be_v use_v with_o great_a cruelty_n by_o his_o officer_n and_o collector_n and_o much_o deject_v at_o the_o sadness_n of_o their_o life_n which_o be_v so_o unquiet_a to_o they_o they_o will_v have_v choose_v to_o have_v be_v put_v to_o death_n which_o will_v have_v deliver_v they_o from_o a_o thousand_o calamity_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o these_o unmerciful_a prince_n do_v not_o fall_v into_o my_o thought_n or_o any_o body_n else_o of_o my_o opinion_n as_o man_n but_o as_o evil_a spirit_n and_o pernicious_a plague_n act_v by_o common_a consent_n towards_o the_o destruction_n of_o all_o people_n and_o drive_v on_o with_o uncontrollable_a fury_n to_o ruin_v the_o whole_a world_n in_o short_a though_o of_o late_a age_n several_a person_n have_v make_v themselves_o terrible_a and_o be_v natural_o of_o that_o humour_n or_o bring_v to_o it_o by_o the_o consequence_n of_o affair_n as_o by_o the_o desolation_n of_o some_o country_n the_o destroy_n of_o some_o town_n or_o the_o depopulate_v some_o province_n yet_o there_o be_v never_o any_o go_v so_o near_o the_o subvert_v not_o only_o the_o government_n of_o the_o empire_n but_o the_o whole_a oeconomy_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o species_n of_o mankind_n as_o justinian_n and_o theodora_n it_o be_v true_a fortune_n contribute_v to_o their_o design_n and_o add_v much_o to_o the_o misery_n which_o be_v endure_v for_o at_o the_o same_o time_n there_o happen_v so_o many_o ill_a accident_n as_o earthquake_n sickness_n and_o inundation_n of_o river_n that_o it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a but_o what_o be_v do_v by_o the_o emperor_n and_o empress_n proceed_v as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n from_o some_o supernatural_a agent_n moreover_o it_o be_v report_v that_o justinian_o mother_n shall_v often_o declare_v to_o the_o principal_a of_o her_o 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empire_n upon_o his_o death_n the_o emperor_n put_v in_o constantine_n who_o have_v indeed_o some_o notion_n of_o the_o law_n but_o be_v so_o young_a he_o never_o have_v plead_v beside_o which_o he_o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o impudent_a thief_n in_o nature_n justinian_n love_v he_o better_o than_o he_o have_v love_v any_o before_o if_o to_o speak_v truth_n he_o ever_o love_v any_o body_n so_o that_o he_o make_v he_o superintendent_n in_o those_o affair_n and_o chief_n minister_n of_o all_o his_o injustice_n and_o tyranny_n with_o these_o advantage_n constantine_n in_o a_o short_a time_n get_v a_o vast_a estate_n but_o his_o insolence_n be_v insupportable_a for_o he_o affront_v any_o man_n who_o come_v to_o he_o without_o some_o considerable_a present_n and_o when_o any_o bribe_n be_v give_v to_o have_v their_o business_n dispatch_v they_o be_v oblige_v to_o intrust_v it_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o servant_n for_o none_o be_v suffer_v to_o come_v near_o or_o speak_v with_o he_o but_o when_o he_o be_v with_o the_o emperor_n or_o return_v from_o he_o and_o then_o he_o will_v not_o vouchsafe_v they_o time_n to_o explain_v themselves_o for_o fear_v of_o be_v detain_v one_o moment_n and_o gain_v nothing_o by_o it_o in_o this_o manner_n justinian_n make_v use_v of_o his_o quaestor_n the_o captain_n of_o his_o guard_n beside_o the_o usual_a sum_n pay_v annual_o to_o the_o emperor_n more_o than_o 3000_o livre_n in_o gold_n which_o money_n be_v not_o to_o be_v raise_v either_o according_a to_o law_n or_o ancient_a custom_n but_o be_v account_v to_o justinian_n as_o drop_v out_o of_o the_o air_n for_o which_o reason_n i_o conceive_v it_o be_v call_v the_o aerial_a tribute_n though_o it_o may_v more_o proper_o have_v be_v name_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o cunning_a and_o impiety_n of_o the_o prince_n who_o under_o the_o title_n of_o tribute_n give_v occasion_n to_o the_o captain_n to_o squeeze_v the_o estate_n of_o those_o under_o he_o without_o control_n upon_o pretence_n that_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o pay_v it_o into_o the_o emperor_n though_o their_o own_o expense_n and_o manner_n of_o live_v be_v suitable_a to_o the_o majesty_n of_o a_o king_n the_o emperor_n let_v they_o alone_o in_o this_o manner_n till_o they_o have_v cram_v their_o own_o coffer_n and_o get_v immense_a riches_n together_o then_o take_v advantage_n of_o some_o complaint_n against_o they_o he_o charge_v they_o with_o some_o crime_n of_o which_o they_o can_v not_o ready_o clear_v themselves_o and_o seize_v upon_o all_o they_o have_v get_v as_o he_o serve_v john_n of_o cappadocia_n all_o who_o be_v ever_o in_o that_o office_n enrich_v themselves_o vast_o and_o get_v incredible_a estate_n only_o two_o be_v to_o be_v except_v phocas_n who_o i_o mention_v in_o my_o other_o book_n a_o person_n of_o great_a honesty_n and_o so_o accomplish_a virtue_n he_o can_v not_o be_v reproach_v with_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v gain_v in_o that_o place_n and_o bassus_n who_o succeed_v he_o be_v the_o other_o but_o they_o continue_v not_o long_o in_o their_o command_n be_v person_n who_o govern_v too_o well_o and_o can_v not_o frame_v themselves_o to_o the_o custom_n of_o that_o age_n and_o because_o i_o shall_v never_o conclude_v shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o be_v particular_a in_o every_o thing_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o the_o emperor_n do_v the_o same_o with_o every_o officer_n he_o have_v and_o all_o the_o other_o magistrate_n in_o constantinople_n through_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o town_n in_o the_o empire_n justinian_n put_v the_o chief_a office_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o worst_a man_n he_o can_v find_v to_o the_o end_n that_o he_o may_v have_v pretence_n to_o take_v from_o they_o what_o they_o shall_v get_v and_o impropriate_a it_o to_o his_o own_o use_n and_o indeed_o a_o honest_a man_n with_o but_o common_a sense_n will_v not_o have_v accept_v they_o and_o hazard_v his_o
people_n the_o more_o odious_a he_o become_v to_o justinian_n and_o theodora_n who_o no_o soon_o have_v notice_n of_o the_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n of_o their_o officer_n but_o they_o turn_v their_o thought_n whole_o upon_o way_n of_o remove_v they_o not_o be_v able_a to_o endure_v person_n so_o opposite_a to_o their_o own_o natural_a temper_n peter_n as_o i_o say_v before_o succeed_a john_n in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o treasury_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o a_o thousand_o misery_n toparticular_a person_n have_v embezzle_v the_o fund_z which_o of_o a_o long_a time_n have_v be_v raise_v by_o a_o ancient_a and_o laudable_a custom_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o several_a poor_a family_n send_v part_n of_o it_o to_o the_o emperor_n and_o keep_v the_o rest_n for_o himself_o whereby_o he_o acquire_v vast_a riches_n while_o they_o die_v with_o hunger_n who_o have_v nothing_o else_o to_o maintain_v they_o but_o those_o annual_a contribution_n beside_o which_o he_o coin_a money_n of_o gold_n much_o less_o than_o the_o former_a and_o make_v it_o currant_n by_o proclamation_n these_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o justinian_n be_v the_o person_n who_o manage_v all_o the_o office_n and_o public_a employment_n i_o shall_v now_o speak_v of_o the_o method_n which_o he_o use_v to_o ruin_v all_o people_n of_o estate_n though_o to_o exhibit_v their_o misery_n there_o needs_o in_o strictness_n no_o more_o than_o what_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o the_o governor_n of_o province_n and_o collector_n who_o have_v private_a and_o peremptory_a instruction_n to_o ruin_v all_o people_n who_o estate_n be_v in_o land_n the_o roman_a emperor_n be_v former_o accustom_v to_o remit_v to_o the_o people_n the_o arrear_n of_o such_o money_n as_o be_v owe_v to_o the_o exchequer_n that_o such_o of_o they_o as_o be_v unable_a to_o pay_v may_v not_o be_v in_o fear_n all_o their_o life_n long_o nor_o the_o treasurer_n have_v opportunity_n to_o raise_v money_n where_o many_o time_n it_o be_v not_o due_a but_o 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reduce_v in_o short_a cabades_n invade_v the_o territory_n of_o the_o emperor_n and_o return_v every_o way_n victorious_a but_o his_o son_n cosroes_n produce_v great_a consternation_n by_o burn_v and_o kill_v all_o where_n ever_o he_o pass_v with_o his_o army_n and_o yet_o those_o of_o the_o east_n who_o have_v be_v expose_v so_o often_o to_o the_o incursion_n of_o the_o huns_n the_o persian_n and_o sarazius_n and_o ruin_v by_o their_o army_n and_o the_o roman_n who_o be_v settle_v in_o several_a part_n of_o europe_n have_v many_o time_n feel_v the_o hostility_n of_o the_o barbarian_n those_o i_o say_v who_o have_v suffer_v so_o much_o for_o their_o affection_n to_o the_o state_n find_v more_o cruelty_n in_o justinian_n then_o among_o all_o the_o barbarian_n his_o edict_n and_o imposition_n complete_n that_o ruin_n which_o the_o enemy_n have_v but_o begin_v i_o shall_v now_o recite_v what_o be_v the_o content_n of_o those_o edict_n those_o who_o estate_n be_v in_o land_n be_v by_o 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