with him gat nothing because he asked nothing whereupon the next time he played he threw the Ball to all but Alexander the King marvelling at it asked him why he threw not the Ball to him Forsooth said Serapion because you asked it not Alexander laughing at the jest sent him a liberall Gift As he was travelling through the Deserts of Persia himself and his Army were in great straits for want of water One of his Souldiers having two Sons ready to die of thirst sought up and down and at last found a little water wherewith he filled a leather Bottell and was running with it to his Sons but meeting Alexander by the way he filled it out into a dish and profered it to him Alexander asked him whither he was carrying it the man told him that his two Sons were ready to die with thirst But said he pray you Sir do you drink it For if my Sons die I can get more but if you die we shall not have such an other King Alexander hearing this gave him the water again and bid him carry it to his Sons Alexander in his younger dayes was so moderate and temperate that he would often open his chests and look upon his Garments to see if his mother had not provided him either delicate or superfluous Apparell Also when the Queen of Caria to shew her great love to him sent him daily variety of Dishes and Dainties and at last sent her Cooks and Bakers to him he returned them back again saying That he had no need of their service for his Master Leonidas had provided him better Cooks by teaching bim to dine and sup Frugally and sparingly Also when he had any rare and dainty Fruits or Fishes sent him from the Sea he used to distribute them amongst his Friends reserving very little or none for his own use One craving a small gift of him he gave him a whole City and when the Poor man said That it was too much for him to receive Yea said Alexander but not for me to give As he was advanceing to Conquer a Kingdom in India Taxilis who was King thereof came and met him saying O Alexander What need we fight if thou comest not to take away my food and water for which its only fit for wise men to fight If thou seekest after Riches if I have more than thou I will give thee part of mine if thou hast more than I I will not refuse part of thine Alexander being much taken with his speech said to him Go to I will contend with thee in bounty and so they mutually gave and received many Gifts At last Alexander gave him a Thousand Tallents which much grieved his Friends and rejoyced the Barbarian He shewed an admirable Example of his Chastity in the heat of his youth when having taken the Mother Wives and Daughters of Darius women of admirable beauty yet neither by word nor deed did he profer them the least indignity thinking it a greater honour to overcome himself than his Adversaries And when he looked upon other Captive Ladies that excelled in stature and beauty he merrily said Persides oculorum dolores esse That the Persian women were a disease of the eyes and yet he looked on them but as one so many Statues When he was informed that two of his Captains under Parmenio had ravished two of the Persian Ladies he wrote to him to enquire after the matter and if he found it true he should cut off their Heads as of Beasts born for the hurt of mankind He also sent him word that himself was so far from contemplating the Beautâ— of Darius his Wife that he would not so much as suffer her to be commended in his presence and that he was so carefull of their Chastity that they lived in his Camp shut up in their Tent as if they had been in a Temple At the Death of Ephestion his Favourite he did not only clipp the haire of his Horses and Mules but plucked down also the Battlements of the City walls that they might seeme to mourne for his Miâ—ions Death shewing now deformity instead of their former Beauty Porus an Indian King fighting valiently against him received many wounds and at last being overcome and falling into his enemies hands they brought him to Alexander who hearing of his coming went forth with some of his Friends to meet him and asked him what he would have him to do for him Porus answered My only desire is that thou use me like a King Alexander admiring his magnimity replyed This I will do for my own sake but what wouldest thou have me doe for thine Porus answered That all was contained in his former demand of Kingly usage Alexander was so pleased with this that he restored him to his Kingdom and gave him an other bigger than his own FINIS THE LIFE DEATH OF CHARLES THE GREAT KING of FRANCE AND EMPEROR of GERMANY By Sa. Clarke sometime Minister in St Bennet Finck London LONDON Printed for William Miller at the Gilded Acorn in St Pauls Church-yard near the little North Door 1665. THE LIFE DEATH OF CHARLES the GREAT King of FRANCE and Emperor of GERMANY PEPIN sirnamed The short the 23d King of France a wise and valiant Prince had two Sons Charles and Caroloman and five daughters Birthe who was maried to Milon Earl of Mans by whom she had great Rowland Hiltrude maried to Rene Earl of Genes by whom she had the renowned Oliver Rohard Adeline Idubergue Ode and Alix Pepin being toiled out with great Wars much broken with the care of Publike affairs and now grown Old that he might imploy his last dayes in the maintenance of Justice and Peace the burden of War he laid upon his Eldest Son Charles a wise and a valiant young Prince of whose modesty and obedience he was well assured And then retiring to Paris he was not long after surprised with sicknesse in which he recommended his two Sonnes to the Estates of France to give them portions at their pleasures and so ended his dayes Anno Christi 768. He was a Religious Prince wise moderate valiant loving to his Subjects and beloved of them happy in his Father and his Children and in his Government An excellent Patterne for other Princes who by his Example hold it for an undoubted Maxim That the strongest Fortress and best security for a Prince is the love of his Subjects and the surest bond of his Authority a respect gotten and preserved by virtue Pepin being dead the Estates of France assembled together and by their joynt consents divide the Kingdom betwixt his two Sons Charles and Caroloman by equal portions Brother 's these were of divers humors who had certainly ruined each other by this equality of power had not the death of Caroloman within three years after divolved the Goverment of the whole Realm upon Charles Charles was endowed with singular gifts both of Body and Mind which
All that thou sees't and readest is Divâ—â—â— Learning thus vs'd is water turn'd to winâ— Well may wee then despaire to draw his 〈◊〉 View heere the case i th Booke the Jewell finâ— P V. A. 〈…〉 THE LIFE DEATH OF ALEXANDER the Great The first Founder of the GRECIAN EMPIRE Represented by the Brazen belly of that Image Dan. 2. 32. and by a Leopard with four wings Dan. 7. 6. and by a He-Goat with a great horn between his eyes Dan. 8. 5. AS ALSO The LIFE and DEATH of CHARLES the GREAT Commonly called CHARLEMAGNE The first Founder of the FRENCH EMPIRE By SA CLARKE sometime Minister in St Bennet Fink London LONDON Printed for William Miller at the Gilded Acorn in St Pauls Church-yard near the little North Door 1665. Licensed to be Printed Roger L'Estrange THE LIFE DEATH OF ALEXANDER the Great The first Founder of the GRECIAN EMPIRE Represented by the Brazen belly of that Image Dan. 2. 32. and by a Leopard with four wings Dan. 7. 6. and by a He-Goat with a great horn between his eyes Dan. 8. 5. By Sa. Clarke sometime Minister in St Bennet Fink London Promotion comes neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South But God is the Judge He putteth down one and setteth up another Psal. 75. 6 7. LONDON Printed for William Miller at the Gilded Acorn in St Pauls Church-yard near the little North Door 1665. THE LIFE DEATH OF ALEXANDER the Great KING OF MACEDONIA ALEXANDER surnamed the Great was the Son of Philip King of Macedonia and of his Queen Olympias He was born on the sixth day of our June called by the Macedonians Lous Upon the very same day that the Temple of Diana in Ephesus was burned down whereupon the Priests Magicians and South-sayers ran about the City crying that some great Plague and mischief to Asia was surely born that day Three messengers came to King Philip presently after he had won the City of Potidaea upon the same day who brought him great Newes the first that Parmenio his Generall had won a notable Battel of the Illyrians the second that his Horse had won the prize at the Olympian Games and the third that his wife Olympias had brought him a Son that was named Alexander born at Pella in Macedonia Philip being marvellous glad to hear these newses the Southsayers much added to his joy assuring him that his Son that was thus born should be invincible He had naturally a very fair white colour mingled with red which chiefly appeared in his face and breast His skin had a marvellous sweet savour and his breath was very sweet which shewed his excellent constitution He was naturally hot and Cholerick which made him to be addicted to drink and hasty and yet was chast withall His Father was very carefull of his Education and therefore gat for him excellent Tutors as Leonidas which had the chiefest Government of him Then Lysimachus an Acarnanian and Aristotle the Best Philosopher of his time to whom Philip allowed a very Honourable stipend He delighted much in hunting divers kinds of wilde Beasts and playing at the Staff On a time while he was young Ambassadors were sent to his Father from the King of Persia and it fell out that Philip was in some journey out of his Kingdom Alexander therefore intertained them familiarly not using any childish questions to them nor enquiring about trifling and triviall matters but what distance it was from one place to another and which way they went into the higher places of Asia Also about the King of Persia himself how he behaved himself towards his enemies and what power he had c. insomuch as they were ravished with delight to hear him judging him to be of great Courage and of a Noble minde and one that was like to attempt great enterprises When at any time news was brought him that his Father had taken some famous City or had won some great Battel he was no whit glad to hear it but would say to his play-fellows Sirs My Father will do all I shall have nothing left me to Conquer with you that will be ought worth Upon a time Philonicus a Thessalian brought a brave Horse called Bucephalus to sell unto King Philip demanding thirteen Talents for him and they went into the Field to try him But the Horse was found to be so unruly and churlish that they which should have ridden him said that he would never be made serviceable For he would let no man get upon his Back nor abide any of the Gentlemens voices that were about Philip but would yerk at them with his heels whereupon Philip being afraid bad them take him away as a wilde untamable and unprofitable Beast which they had done accordingly had not Alexander that stood by said O Gods what a Horse do they turn away for lack of skill and courage to handle and break him Philip heard what he said but held his peace Alexander often repeating those words and seeming sorry that the Horse should be sent back Philip said Why doest thou controll them that have more skill and experience than thy self and that know better how to handle a Horse than thou doest Alexander answered and yet me-thinks I could handle him better than all they have done But if thou canst do no more than they replied Philip what wilt thou forfeit for thy folly I am content said Alexander to forfeit the price of the Horse Every one laughed to hear his answer and the match was made between the Father and the Son Then ran Alexander to the Horse and took him by the Bridle and turned him towards the Sun It seems he had observed how mad the Horse was to see his own shadow which was before always before his eyes as he stirred too and fro Then Alexander speaking gently to the Horse and clapping him on the back with his hand till he had left his fury and sâ—orting softly let fall his Cloke from him and lightly leaped on his back and so gat up without any danger and holding the reins of the Bridle hard without striking or stirring the Horse made him to be gentle enough And when he perceived that the fury of the Horse was calmed he put him forward and began to Gallop Then he put him to his full carrier spurring and switching him Philip at first seeing his sons confidence began to fear lest he should catch any hurt But when he saw him readily to turn the Horse at the end of his carrier and shewing bravery for what he had done all the Spectators gave a great shoot for joy and the Father fell a weeping for joy and when Alexander was allighted from the Horse his Father went and kissed him saying O Son thou must have a Kingdom that is meet for thee for Macedonia is not sufficient for thee Considering also that he was not to be rigorously dealt with and that by gentle means and perswasions
when he was first apprehended perceiving how the matter was like to go had so wounded himself that he lived no longer than to give his last groan in the Kings presence Then was Philotas sent for and charged with the suspition which his silence might justly breed His answer was that when the Treason was revealed to him by Nicomachus he judged it to be but frivolous and therefore forbore to acquaint Alexander with ir till he could procure better information This errour of his if it were but an Errour though Alexander for the notable services done by his Father Parmenio and his Brother Nicanor lately dead and by Philotas himself had freely pardoned him and given him his hand for assurance Yet by the instigation of Craterus he falsified his Princely promise and made the Enemies of Philotas his Judges Craterus indeed perswaded himself that he could never find a better occasion to oppress his private enemy than by pretending Piety and Duty to his Prince Whence a Poet saith See how these Great men clothe their private hate In these fair colours of the Publick good And to effect their ends pretend the State As if the State by their affection stood And Arm'd with Power and Princes Jealousies Will put the least conceit of discontent Into the greatest rank of Treacheries That no one action shall seem innocent Yea Valour Honour Bounty shall be made As accessaries unto ends unjust And even the service of the State must lade The needful'st undertaking with distrust So that base vileness idle Luxury Seem safer far than to do worthily Now the King following the advice of Craterus had resolved the next day to put Philotas to the Torment yet in the very evening of the same night in which he was apprehended he called him to a Banquet and discoursed as familiarly with him as at any other time But when in the dead of the night Philotas was taken in his lodging and that they which hated him began to binde him he cried out upon the King in these words O Alexander the malice of mine enemies hath surmounted thy mercy and their hatred is far more constant than the Word of a King Many circumstances were urged against him by Alexander himself and this was not the least not the least offence indeed against the Kings humour who desired to be adored as a God that when Alexander wrote unto him concerning the title given him by Jupiter Hammon he answered That he could not but rejoyce that he was admitted into the Sacred fellowship of the Gods and yet he could not but withall grieve for those which should live under such a one as would exceed the nature of man This said Alexander assured me that his heart was estranged and that he despised my Glory Philotas was brought before the multitude to hear the Kingâ— Oration against him He was brought forth in vile Garments and bound like a Thief where he heard himself and his absent Father the greatest Captain in the World accused and also his two other Brothers Hector and Nicanor who had lost their lives in these Wars wherewith he was so overcome with grief that for a while he could utter nothing for tears and sorrow had so wasted his Spirits that he sank between those that led him In the end the King asked him in what Language he would make his defence He answered In the same wherein it had pleased the King to accuse him which accordingly he did to the end that the Persians as well as the Macedonians might understand him But here of the King made this advantage perswading the Assembly that he disdained the language of his own Country and so withdrawing himself he left him to his merciless enemies This proceeding of the Kings Philotas greatly lamented seeing the King who had so sharply invieghed against him would not vouchsafe to hear his answer For hereby his enemies were emboldned against him and all the rest having discovered the Kings mind and resolution contended amongst themselves which of them should shew the greatest hatred towards him Amongst many Arguments which he brought for his own defence this was not the least that when Nicomachus desired to know of Dimnus of what quality and power his partners in the conspiracy were seeming unwilling to adventure himself amongst mean and base Companions Dimnus named unto him Demetrius of the Kings Bed-Chamber Nicanor Amyntas and some others but spake not a word of Philotas who being Master of the Horse would greatly have graced the cause and encouraged Nichomacus And to make it more cleer that he knew nothing of their intents there was not any one of the Conspirators that in their torments would accuse him Yet at the last himself being put to extream torments by the devise of his professed enemies Craterus Cenus Ephestion and others Philotas accused himself hoping that they would have slain him immediatly But he failed even in that miserable hope and suffering all that could be inflicted on flesh and blood he was forced to confess not what was true but what might best please them who were far more merciless than Death it self Cruelty is not a humane vice It is unworthy of man It s even a beastly rage to delight in blood and wounds and casting away the nature of man to become a savage Monster Now whilst Alexanders hands were yet died in blood he commanded that Lyncestes Son in Law to Antipater who had been three years in Prison should be slain The same dispatch had all those that were accused by Nicomachus But Parmenio was yet living Parmenio who had served with great fidelity as well Philip the Kings Father as himself Parmenio that first opened Alexanders way into Asia That had cast down Attalus the Kings enemy That had always and in all hazards the leading of the Kings Vaunt-gard That was no less Prudent in Counsell then successfull in all his enterprises A man beloved of the men of War and to say the truth he that had purchased for the King the Empire of the East and of all the Glory and fame which he had attained to That he might not therefore revenge the Death of his Son though not upon the King for it was unlikely that he would have stained his fidelity in his â—â—â—â—ge having now lived seventy years yet upon thâ—â— who by base Flattery had possessed themselves of the Kings affection It was resolved that he should die also and Polydamus was imployed in this business a man whom of all others Parmenio trusted most and loved best Who to be short finding him in Media and having Cleander and other Murtheres with him slew him as he was walking in his Garden and reading the Kings letters This was the end of Parmenio saith Curtius who had performed many notable things without the King but the King without him did never effect any thing worthy of Praise These things being ended Alexander marched on with his Army and subdued the Araspitans
Dei or some History He was also a great Friend to Learning and therefore erected three Universities One was Padua in Italy another was that at Boulognia the third was that in Paris whereunto he was excited by our Countryman Alâ—win who was his Tutor His Sons he caused to be trained up in the Study of the Liberall Arts and his Daughters to Learne to sow and practice good Huswifery He alwayes wore a short Sword at his Girdle in the Pummel whereof was engraven his Coat of Armes with which he Sealed all his Lawes c. And used to say Behold the Sword which shall defend my Lawes and that shall be drawn and imployed against those that break them In the year eight hundred and four The King of the Scots entered into the first League which was between the two Kingdoms of France and Scotland which was confirmed by succeeding Kings which occasioned one of them to adde unto their Coat of Armes a double streak of Gules with Flower de Lisses round their Escutchion to shew that their alliance with France conduced much to the support of their Kingdome FINIS His Parentage His Birth His Education His early wisdom Bâ—cephalus broken by Alexander His mildness He comes to his Kingdom He slays his Fathers murtherers He in-tends war against Persia. He subdues the Grecians And other Nations And the Thebans A brave Example His vision He goes into Asia His cruelty Gods Justice Darius his Pride His victory at Granick He wins many Cities and Countries The Queen of Caria Adopts him He Cuts the Gordian knot He Conquers the Islands Memnon dies Good Counsel neglected The Streights of Cilicia taken Darius his Army The manner of his march His Pride and Folly Alexander beats Darius Darius his cruelty and Folly Alexanders Chastity Darius flies Alexanders great success A notable Example Darius desires peace which Alexander rejected Tyre attempted and taken Alexanders rigor Darius his second message Rejected by Alexander Gaza besieged and taken Alexanders cruelty He goes to Jerusalem and worships the High Priest His vision His favor to the Jews Egypt delivered to him His journey to Jupiter Hammon Zach. 14. 18. His Pride The power of the Gospel Alaxandria built He passeth Euphrates And Tygris Base cowardize Darius his new Army An Eclipse frightens the Macedonians Darius his Wife died Proposals to Alexander Alexanders answer His ambition His Valour They prepare to fight A Battel Darius beaten and flyes Arbela taken and much Treasure Babylon taken Base cruelty Susa taken Gross folly Alexandor beaten Barbarous cruelty Persepolis taken A foolish enterprise Alexander turns Drunkard Persopolis burnt Darius his last Army The Treason of Bessus The fidelity of the Greeks Dariuâ— discharges his Attendants Darius made a Prisoner and abused Gods Justice Alexander pursues him Darius is wounded His last words Alexanders Ambition He goes into Hyrcania Diverse submit to him Queen of the Amazons comes to him He affects a Deity For which he is scorned of his Friends He burns all the Spoils Rebellion against him Treason against him It s discovered to Alexander Philotus accused Alexanders dissimulation Philatas accused by the King Philotus condemned and tortured to death Alexanders cruelty Parmenio murthered Alexander marches forward Builds a City Wants water Bessus taken Alexanders cruelty Bessus slain He is wounded He is wounded 〈◊〉 He builds a City Menedemus slain A Rebellion Clytus slain The effect of drunknesse Dreadfull stormes His Ambition Calisthenes speaks against it And is tormented to Death He marches into India His Feasts to Bacchus He conquers many Countries His Prodigallity He sends to Porus. A Battel Porus beaten He is restored to his Kingdom His Policy He builds two Cities His Conquests He builds a City He wants food His Debauchedness He Punishes his Officers He visits the Sepulchre of â—â—rus His cruelâ—y Calanus burnt himself His marriage and â—easting Harpalus slain His Army discontented He sends for Antipater Ephestion dies Alexander dies His Will The vanity of all earthly things The confusions after his Death Gods Justice His Character His love to his Mother His Ambition Flattery He degenerated after his victories His bounty His Temperance His Chastity King Pepins Children Pepins death His Character Charles made King His Education His Valour and other vertues His Endowments Carolomans envy The State of Rome Severall Popes chosen Steven confirmed Didiers Policy The Popes Secretaries hanged The Pope sends for K. Charles Troubles in Guienne Charles subdues Hunalt Charles his Policy and Clemency Charles his marriage Carolomans death Câ—arles his second mariage Pope Adrian Didiers Policy He makes Warre against the Pope Hunalts ingratitude The Pope sends to Charles for aid Charles Arms against Didier Didier prospers in his Wars Charles calls a Parliament Enters Italy and beates Didier Charles besieges Pavia Verona The Italians submit to him Verona taken And Pavia Didier taken Prisoner Charles his moderation A Councel at Rome New troubles in Italy But suppressed Charles his Wars with the Saxons The cause of it Charles calls a Parliament The Saxons overcome And converted Charles his Wars in Spaine Charles circumvenâ—ed Charles calâ—s a Parliament His great preparations His entry into Spain Pampelune taken Milon defeated Aigoland entred France Charles returnes Aigolans Policy Aigolands dissimulation Charles returnes into Spain Aigoland overthrown and slain The Sarazins Rally â— Gyant slain A Treaty of Peace A Traytor Charles returns into France Rowland assaulted His Valor His Death Charles overcomes the Sarazins Returns into France A Rebellion in Italy His Wars in Bavaria His Victories His education of his Children A Sedition in Rome The Pope freed out of Prison Flies to Charles Charles goes to Rome Clears the Pope upon his Oath The State of the Easterne Empire Contention about Images A Counsel from them Câ—arles against Images An unnatural Mother Irene treats with Charles Irene hated and deposed Nicephorus succeeds her He treats with Charles His large Dominions His title to the Empire Naucler An agreement betwixt Charles and the Pope Charles is envied Zonar Nicephorus is slain The Saxons oft rebell Charles his Prudence Crantz in Saxon. Bishopricks erected Troubles in Italy War with the Venetians Charles makes his Will He gives Laws to his Subjects Infidels beaten And the Bohemians and Polanders His War with the King of Denmarke Pepin dies And Charles New enemies rise up His love to the Church He called five Councels His Ecclesiastical Constitutions A Councel at Frankfurt His Temperance His Exercises His Charity His last Wars His preparation for Death He makes His Will His virtues His large Dominions His Character His Zeale His blemishes His Epitaph The time of his Death His Wives and Children His devotion His care of his Children His league with Scotland
Alexander was at hand and that he would at lest make shew of forgeting the offence which the King being of a gentle disposition easily yeilded to Then came Bessus to the King and made his submission But Patron who commanded a Brigade of four thousand Greeks which had in all the former Battels served Darius faithfully and had alwayes made their retreat in despit of the Macedonians offered himself to Darius to guard his Person protesting against the Treason of Bessus But God had otherwise determined of the Empire and therefore so far was the King infatuated that he ever rejected their Counsel from the begining of the War who were most faithfull to him And now hearkened to Bessus who told him that the Greeks with Patron their Captain were corrupted by Alexander and practiced the division of his faithfull servants Yet even this while Bessus had corrupted and drawn to himself thirty thousand of the Army promising them all those things by which the lovers of the world and themselves are wont to be allured to wit Riches honour and Safety Now the day following Darius plainly discovered the purposes of Bessus and being overcome with passion as judging himself unable to make head against these ungratefull and unnatural Traitors he prayed Artabazus his faithfull servant to depart from him and to provide for his own safty In like mannor he discharged the rest of his attendants all save a few of his Eunuchs For his Gaurds had voluntarily abandoned him His Persians being most base cowards durst not undertake his defence against the Bactrians though they had four thousand Greeks to assist them who of themselves were able to beat both the Parties But it s most true That him that forsakes himself will no man follow It had been far more manlike and King-like to have died in the head of those four thousand Greeks who offered him the disposall of their lives to which Artabazus also perswaded him than to have lain upon the ground bewailing himself and suffering himself to be bound like a slave by those ambitious Monsters that laid violent hands on him whom neither the consideration of his former great estate nor the Honour he had conferred upon them nor the trust he had reposed in them nor the world of benefits he had bestowed on them could move to pitty No nor his present adversity which above all things should have prevailed with them could pierce their viperous and ingratefull hearts Darius thus forsaken was bound by them and laid in a Cart covered with Hides of Beasts that he might not be discovered and to adde despite and derision to his adversity they bound him with Chaines of Gold and so drew him amongst their ordinary Carriages For Bessus and Naburzanes perswaded themselves that they might redeem their lives and be setled in their Provinces that they held either by delivering him a Prisoner to Alexander or if that hope failed to make themselves Kings by his murther and then to defend themselves by force of Armes But their expectations were frustrate in both For it was against the Nature of God who is most just to suffer such villany to go unpunished yea though against an Heathen King and an Idolator Alexander hearing that Darius was retreated towards Bactria not daring to abide his coming hastned after him by a violent march and because he would not force his Footmen beyond their strength he mounted on Horseback certain select Companies of them and those which were best Armed and with six thousand other Horse he rather ran than marched after Darius Now such as hated the Treason of Bessus secretly forsook him and gave intelligence to Alexander of all that had happened informing him of the way that Bessus took and how neer he was unto him Hereupon Alaxander again doubled his pace and his Vantguard being come within sight of Bessus his Reare Bessus brought a Horse to the Cart where Darius lay bound perswading him to mount thereon and to save himself by flight But the unfortunate King refusing to follow those that had betraied him they cast Darts at him and gave him some mortall wounds they wounded also the Beasts that drew him and slew two poor servants that attended his Person This done they all fled that could and left the rest to the mercy of the Macedonians Polystratus a Macedonian in his pursuit after Bessus being extream thirsty as he was refreshing himself with some water that he had found out espied a Cart drawn by wounded Beasts that were now scarce able to go whereupon he searched it and there found Darius bathed in his own blood and by a Persian Captain that Polystratus had he understood that it was Darius and was informed of that Barbarous Tragedy Darius also seemed greatly comforted if dying men ignorant of the living God can be comforted that he vented not his last sorrowes unheard but that by this Macedonian Alexander might be informed of the truth and take vengeance on those Traitors who had dealt no lesse unworthily than cruelly with him recommending the revenge thereof to Alexander by this messenger beseeching him to pursue the Traitors not for Darius his sake but for his own Honour and for the safety of all that did or should hereafter weare Crowns He also having nothing else to present to Alexander rendred him thanks for his Kingly Grace and favour used to his Wife Mother and Children desiring the immortall Gods to subject to him the Kingdom of the whole World As he was thus speaking importunate Death pressing out his few remaining spirits he desired a little water which Polystratus presented unto him after which he lived but to tell him that of all the good things which of late he was Master of he had nothing remaining but his last breath wherewith to desire the Gods to reward his compassion The Macedonians began now to hope that their travels were neer an end and therefore every man was preparing for his return whereof when Alexander was informed he was much troubled at it For the bounded Earth suffized not for his boundlesse ambition Many Arguments he therefore used to draw on his Army farther into the East But that which prevailed most was that Bessus a base Traitor to his Master Darius having at his devotion the Hyrcanians and Bactrians would in a short time if the Macedonians should now returne make himself Lord of the Persian Empire and reap the fruit of all their former travels In conclusion Alexander wan their consents to go on Which done leaving Craterus with certain Regiments of Foot and Amyntas with six thousand Horse in Parthia he entred not without some opposition into Hyrcania For the Mardons and other Barbarous Nations defended certain passages for a while But at last prevailing he passed the River of Zioberis which taking its rise in Parthia empties it self into the Caspian Sea It runneth under the ledg of Mountains which bound Parthia and Hyrcania where hiding it self under
read over also St. Augustines works whom he loved and preferred before all the other Doctors of the Church He resided also at Paris that he might have oportunity of conferring with learned men There he erected a goodly University which he furnished with as learned meâ— as those times could afford and endowed it with great priviledges For he had an exceeding great care to make it a Nurcery for the holy Ministry that from thence the Church might be supplyed with able Teachers whence also grew so many Colleges of Chanâ—ons with sufficient revenues annexed thereunto Thus Charlemagne spent three years happily in the only care of his Soul leaving an illustrious example to all Princes to moderate and ennoble their greatnesse with Piety and so to enjoy their Temporal estates as in the mean time not to neglect their eternal concernments and to think of their departure out of this Life in time Foreseeing his Death whereunto he prepared himself by these exercise he made his last Will and Testamont leaving his Son Lewis the sole heir unto his great Kingdoms and bequeathed to the Church much Treasure But all things and Persons in this World have an end His Testament was but the Harbinger to his Death for presently after he was taken with a pain in his side or Pluresie and lay sick but eight dayes and so yielded up his Spirit unto God that gave it Anno Christi 814. and of his age seventy one and of his Raign forty seven including fifteen years of his Empire His Body was interred in a sumptuous Church which he had caused to be built in the City of Aquisgrave or Aix la Capelle where he was born and his memory was honored with a goodly Epitaph He was one of the greatest Princes that ever lived His vertues are a patterne to other Monarchs and his great successes the subject of their wishes The greatnesse of his Monarchy indeed was admirable For he quietly enjoyed all France Germany the greatest part of Hungary all Italy and a good part of Spain At the time of his Death he was in peace with the other Kings of Spain as also with the Kings of England Denmark Balgarie with the Emperor Leo of Constantinople and withall the Princes of that time This Noble Prince was endued with so many excellent virtues that we read of very few in antient Histories that excelled him so that he may be justly compared with the best of them For in Martial Discipline in Valour in Dexterity in feats of Armes there are none that exceeded him He obtained as many Victories fought as many Battles and subdued as many fierce and Warlike Nations as any one we read of and that both before and after that he was Emperor He was tall of Stature very well proportioned in all his members passing strong of a fair and grave countenance Valiant mild mercifull a lover of Justice liberall very affable pleasant well read in History a great Friend of Arts and Sciences and sufficiently seen into them and a man who above all loved and rewarded learned men He was very Charitable in his Kingdoms yea in his very Court he harboured and relieved many Strangers and Pilgrims In matters of Faith and Religion he was very Zealous and most of the Wars which he made were to propagate and enlarge the Christian Faith He being misled by the darknesse of the times wherein he lived superstitiously honoured and obeyed the Church of Rome and the Pope that was Bishop thereof together with other Bishops and Prelates commanding his Subjects also to do the like He was also very devout and spent much of his time in Prayer Hearing and Reading In his Diet he was very temperate and a great enemy to riot and excesse and though he was Rich and Mighty yet fed he his Body with what was necessary and wholesome not rare costly and strange And yet his virtues were not without their blemishes as the greatest commonly are not without some notable vices For in his Younger dayes he was much given to women adding Concubines to his lawful Wives by whom he had divers Children But this was in the time of his youth For afterwards he contented himself with his Wife and for a remedy of this imperfection though he was three or four times a Widdower yet he ever maried again the Daughter of some great Prince or other To conclude all he was an excellent Emperor that loved and feared God and dyed when he was very Old and full of Honour leaving Lewis the weakest of his Sons the sole heir of his great Empire but not of his virtues So that this great building soon declined in his posterity He had engraven upon his Sword Pro Deo Religione For God and Religion He used to set his Crown upon the Bible as our Canutus sometime put his Crown upon the Rood both of them thereby intimating that as all honour was due to God so true Religion was the best Basis of Government and that Piety was the best Policy The Epitaph which I spake of was this Sub hoc conditorio situm est Corpus Caroli Magni atque Orthodoxi Imperatoris qui Regnum Francorum nobiliter ampliavit per annos Quadraginta septem foelicite tenuit Decessit Septuagenarius Anno Domini 814. Indictione 7. Quinto Calend. Febru Under this Tomb lieth the body of Charles the Great and Catholick Emperor who most Nobly enlarged the Kingdom of the French and most happily ruled it for the space of forty and seaven years He died in the seventy and one year of his age In the year of our Lord eight hundred and fourteen the seventh Indiction on the fifth Calends of February He had five Wives the first was called Galcena the Daughter of the King of Galistria by whom he had no Children The second was Theodora the sister or as others say the Daughter of Dâ—diâ—r King of Lombâ—rdy whom he kept not long but repudiated her for sundry reasons The third was Hildeb anda Daughter of the Duke of Suevia whom he loved exceedingly and had by her three Sons viz. Charles his eldest whom he made King of the greatest and best part of France and Germany Pepin his second whom he made King of Italy Bavaria c. Lewis his youngest to whom he left the Empire intire his Brothers being both Dead in their Fathers Life time This Lewis was surnamed Debonaire or the Courteous He had also three Daughters the eldest was called Rothruda the second Birtha and the youngest Giselia who would never marry His fourth Wife he had out of Germany called Fastrada And his fifth and last was also a German Lady called Luithgranda of the Suevian Race by whom he had no Children He shewed his love to Religion by having one during his Meale-times that either read to him some part of the Holy Scriptures or else some part of Saint Augustines Books especially that De Civitate
The places where these were erected were Breme Verda Minda Paterborne Osnabourg Hildesem and Halberstad But though he gave the Bishops power of Governing yet the Nobles did not altogether loose the power of administring in Publike affairs At last because the Saxons revolted again he removed ten Thousand of them with their Wives and Children into Brabant and Flanders and sent some French to inhabit in their roomes Charlemagne lived fifteen years after that he had united the Romane Empire to the French Monarchy yet not without many troubles For Grimoald Duke of Beneventum sought to disturbe Italy in the behalf of the Lombards but Charles prevented it betimes imploying against him his Son Pepin a Worthy and a Valiant Prince and Grimoald being vanquished was entreated withall mildnesse and being restored to his Estate he became afterwards a very affectionate and obedient servant to Charlemagne who was a Prudent Conqueror that knew as well how to use as how to get a Victory After this it followed that for some attempts made by the Venetians against the Empire of Charlemagne in the behalf of the Emperor of Constantinople or as others say upon the false information of Fortunatus Patriarch of Grado that Charlemagne commanded his son Pepin King of Italy to make Wars against them which he accordingly began with great resolution and took the Cities and Fortresses which the Venetians held within the main land and at length besieged the City of Venice it self both by Sea and by Land to the relief whereof the Greek Emperor sent a Fleet about which Authors agree not for some say that Pepin wholly took Venice Others say that he only took some Islands thereof and that the Plac◠〈◊〉 is called Rioalto defended it self How ever it was this War continued long Obeliers and Becur two great Personages being the chief Commanders for the Venetians At last Peace was concluded betwixt them and the Venetians had liberty to live after their own Lawes and customs and the Venetians won great reputation for being able to defend themselves against so potent and Victorious an Enemy Charlemagne would have the Country which he had Conquered from the Lombards to be called Lombardy that by retaining their Name he might somewhat sweeten their servile condition in the ruin of their Estate But now Charlemagne finding himself old and broken and his Children Valiant Wise and Obedient he resolved to make his last Will and Testament wherein he divided his Kingdomes between his three legitimate Sons to wit Charles his Eldest Pepin and Lewis In which he made his eldest Son Charles King of the greatest and best parts of France and Germany To Pepin he gave the Kingdom of Italy and Bavaria with some other Provinces And to Lewis he bequeathed Provence and that part of France which bordereth upon Spaine together with some other Provinces But all succeeded after an other manner then he intended God the Soveraign disposer of Kingdoms having decreed otherwise to dispose thereof He endeavoured also to reduce all his Kingdoms under one Law making choise of the Roman Laws above all others both for the dignity of the Empire and because they seemed to him to be most Just and equal But the French being loath to alter any thing in their customary Laws desired and obtained of him that they might be governed by the same So as Gaul Narbonne which comprehends Daulphine Languedoc and Provence do use the written Laws as the ancient Provinces of the Romans and the rest of France observe their customary Laws It afterwards happened that a great Fleet of Infidels which inhabited Spaine with the aid and assistance of some Africans invaded the Isles of Sardinia and Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea for the 〈…〉 whereof the Emperor Charlemagne sent commandment to his Son Pepin that he should send thither against them a valiant Captain whose name was Buoaredus who took so good order as that he drove those Infidels out of those Islands and slew five thousand of them in one Battel And with no lesse good successe the Emperor undertook an other War against the Dukes of the Bohemians and Polanders which is a part of the ancient Sarmatia who infested the Countries under his Dominions against whom he sent his Son Charles with great Forces of Burgonias Saxons and Germans And this young Charles imitating his Father Warred valiantly and with discretion against them and coming first to a Battel with the Bohemians led by Leo their Duke he overcame them as he did also at other times and at last slew Leo their Duke the like successe he had also against the Polanders so as at length they all became his Fathers Subjects And for these Victories of Charlemagne he was so much feared and renowned through the World that a great King of the East and Amurath the greatest of all the Mahomatists sent their Ambassadors with rich Presents unto him desiring peace and friendship and the like did all Christian Kings Charlemagne thus living with honour and in tranquillity Godfrey King of Demark which was a dependance of the Realm of Germany and part of Charles his Portion as was hinted before made War against him This Godfrey was a mighty Prince and commanded over a large Dominion and with great Forces came into Friesland and Saxony where he did great harm Against whom the Emperor addressing himself though he was now Old and unweildy speedily departed with a great Army but by the way news was brought him that King Godfrey was dead and that his Army was returned into their own Country And upon the same day news came also that his Son Pepin who had raigned in Italy in great prosperity was dead in the City of Millan which was an occasion of great grief to the old Emperor Then did he return to the City of Aken or Aix unto which place Ambassadors came to him from Hermigius who succeeded Godfrey in the Kingdom of Denmark humbly desiring Peace The like came also to him from the Emperor of Constantinople and others also from Ambulat a King of the Moors who raigned in a great part of Spaine to all which he returned gracious answers and granted their Petitions withall giving hearty thanks to God for that he was generally so well esteemed of But after this Sunshine an other storme returned as the clouds return after the raine For it pleased God to take away an other of hs Sons called Charles who lay on the borders of Germany for the defence thereof so as now his whole hope rested in his third Son Lewis Thus man purposeth and God disposeth Thus the Sons die before the Father Thus we see the greatest cannot free themselves from the common calamities of mankind Thus both great Kings and great Kingdoms have their Period Crownes have their compasse Kingdoms have their date Fortune her frowns Felicity her fate Thus Charlemagne lost his Children and his great Empire her best support under God For these two
Princes like Stars of the greater magnitude did shine bright by inheriting their Fathers virtues and Valor leaving behind them Lewis their Brother with large Territories and few vertues to Govern so great an Estate After the Death of these two great Princes many enemies rose up against old Charlemagne who seemed as it were to have lost his two Armes as the Sarazins in Spaine the Sclavonians and the Normans in the Northern Regions But he vanquished them all and brought them into his obedience and subjection old and broken as he was Charlemagne all his Life time held the Church in great reverence and had imployed his Authority to beautify it and bountifully bestowed his Treasure to enrich it But this great Plenty joyned with so long and happy a Peace made the Church-men to live losely Charlemagne being himself well instructed in Religion knowing of what great importance it was to have such as should instruct others to be sound in the Faith and holy and exemplary in their lives he at sundry times called five Councels in sundry Places of his Dominions For as yet the Popes had not challenged that Power to belong to them for the Reformation and good Government of the Church As at Mentz at Rheimes at Tours at Chaalons and at Arles and by the advise of these Ecclesiastical Assemblies he made and published many Orders for the good of the Church which were gathered together in a Book called Capitula Caroli Magni A worthy President for Princes who seek true honour by virtue whereof the care of Piety is the cheifest Foundation In the Preface to this Book he thus saith that he had appointed these Constitutions with the Advice of his Presbyters and Counsellers and that herein he had followed the Example of King Josias who endeavoured to bring the Kingdom which God had given him to the worship of the true God Some of his Constitutions are these He commanded to look to and to try the learning and Conversation of such as were admitted into the Ministry He forbad private Masses Also the Confusion of Diocesses requiring that no Bishop should meddle in an others Diocesse He forbad that any Books should be read publickly but such as were approved by the Councell of Calcedon He forbad the worshipping of Saints He commanded Bishops not to suffer Presbyters to teach the People other things then what are contained in or according to the holy Scriptures And Lib. 2. Ch. 3. he saith Although the Authority of the Ecclesiasticall Ministry may seem to stand in our Person Yet by the Authority of God and Ordinance of man it s known to be so divided that every one of you in his own place and order hath his own power and Ministry Hence its manifest that I should admonish you all and you all should further and help us He admonished Bishops especially to teach both by Life and Doctrine both by themselves and the Ministers that were under them as they would answer the Contrary in their accounts at the Great Day He Ordained that the Bishop of the first See should not be called the Prince of Priests or the highest Priest or have any such Title but only should be called The Bishop of the first See That none can lay another foundation then that which is laid which is Christ Jesus and that they which lay Christ for their foundation it s to be hoped that they will be careful to shew their Faith by bringing forth good Workes He held also a great Councel in the City of Frankfort of the Bishops of France Germany and Italy which himself honoured with his own presence where by generall consent the false Synod of the Greeks they are the words of the Originall untruly called the seventh was condemned and rejected by all the Bishops who subscribed to the condemnation of it This was that Coâ—cel spoken of before called by Irene at Nice wherein the bringing of Images into Churches for devotion was established In a Word if Charlemagnes medling with Italy and his advancing the Pope for confirming that which he had taken could be excused he was unto all Princes a patterne of magnificence of Zeal in Religion of learning eloquence temperance prudence moderation c. Alâ—win saith of him Charles was a Catholick in his Faith a King in power a High Priest in Preaching a Judge in his equity a Philosopher in liberal studies famous in manners and excellent in all honesty He was so temperat that notwithstanding his great revenues he was never served at the Table with above four dishes at a meal and those of such meat as best pleased his taste which he used to the same end for which God created them which was for sustenance and to support his Body not for shew and pomp His ordinary exercise was hunting when he was at leisure in time of War and in times of peace he attended to such as read Histories to him and sometimes he heard Musick with which he was much delighted having good skill therein himself He was very charitable and a bountifull Almes-giver and so carefull to provide for the poor Christians that in Syria in Africa and in Aegypt and in other Provinces of the infidels where Christians lived he found meanes to have Almes houses and Hospitalls erected and endowed for those that were Poor But there fell out a new accident which drew our Great Charles again to Armes in his old age and that was this Alphonso King of Navarr surnamed the Chast by reason of his singular and signall temperance in that kind did inform and advertise him that there was now a very fit oportunity and meanes offered for him utterly to subdue the Sarazins in Spain Charlemagne who infinitely desired to finish this work which he had so often attempted with no great successe gave ear to the information and advice whereupon he raises an Army and marches into Spain relying on the Spaniards favour and assistance they being Christians Indeed Alphonso meant plainly and sincerely but so did not his Courtiers and Nobles nor associates who feared Charles his forces no less then they did the Sarazins if Charles prevailed the most confident of Alphonso's servants and Officers doubted to be dispossessed of their places and Governments by a new Master and therefore they laboured to cross Alphonso and to countermand Charles but the Lot was cast his Army was in the Field and he was resolved to passe on But when he was entred into Spain he encountered with so many difficulties that being discouraged he returned back into France and so concluded and put a period to all his Warlie enterprises embracing again the care of the Church and of Religion as a fit subject for the remainder of his dayes Charlemagne was threescore and eight years old when he left the Wars after which he spent three whole years in his study to prepare himself for Death in which time he read much in the Bible and