from the Turkish Pyrates and being answered with scorn by the Dey or King of Tunis who in a Bravado bid him look upon his Castles of Golleta and Ferino which defended the Town Blake entred upon a valiant and resolute Attempt for he came boldly to Anchor with the Admiral Vice-Admiral and Rere-Admiral within Musket shot of the Castle though the shore was planted all along with great Guns and never left till he had fired nine gallant Ships in the Port of Ferino they being all that were there and at length came off with great glory and renown and little loss of his own side Bakers Chronicle p 681. XXII Epaminondas with his Thebans having given the Spartans a great overthrow at Leuctra went presently to Lacedemon and made an attempt upon the City itself at which time a valiant young man of Lacedemon called Isadas being neither defended with Armour nor Apparel but being stark naked and his body anointed with Oyl with his Sword in his hand did wonders both in the judgment of his Citizens and of his very Enemies of whom he slew all that he met and yet never received any wound himself and after the fight was ended the Senate crowned him as a reward of his Valour and then fined him a thousand Drachma's for exposing himself to such danger without his Armour this Epaminondas in another Battel that he fought against the Lacedemonians and Arcadians was sorely wounded with a Dart and being carried into his Tent after the Battel was ended the Chirurgions coming to him told him that when the Dart was drawn forth of his body he must needs die whereupon he called his Esquire to him and asked him if he had not lost his Shield he told him no and withal shewed it to him then he asked him if his Army had got the Victory they told him yea Then said he it is now time for me to leave my life and so bid them pull out the Dart whereupon his Friends cryed out grievously and one of them said to him O Epaminondas thou diest without Children to whom he answered No truly for I shall leave two Daughters behind me that is my two great Victories at Leuctra and this of Mantinea and so the Dart being pluckt out he gave up the Ghost Plutarchs Lives XXIII Neither ought we to forget that immoveable Christian Constancy and Courage which has appeared in some pious and resolved Souls for the true Faith and Religion in all Ages of which Historians are not silent The Emperor Trajan returning from the Parthian War when he came to Antioch he commanded a gratulatory Sacrifice to be made to the Heathen Gods for his good success at which Ignatius was required to be present but he even before Trajans face did justly and truly reprove his Idolatry for which cause he was delivered to ten Soldiers by them to be carried to Rome there to be cast to the wild Beasts concerning which himself thus writes From Syria till I came to Rome I had a battel with Beasts as well by Sea as by Land night and day being bound among ten Leopards so he called those ten Soldiers who the more kindness they received from me the more cruel they were unto me but now through exercise I am well acquainted with their injuries and am taught every day more and more to bear the Cross of Christ would to God I were once come to the Beasts that are prepared for me and I wish that they may fall upon me with all their violence whom also I will provoke without delay to devour me and not to abstain from me as they have from many before me Pardon me I pray you I know how much this will turn to my advantage I am Gods Corn and when the wild Beasts have ground me with their Teeth I shall be his Whitebread now I begin to be a Disciple of my Master Christ I neither regard things visible nor invisible so I may gain Christ let the fire the Cross the breaking of my Bones quartering of my Members crushing of all my Body yea and all the Torments that the Devil and Man can invent fall upon me so I may enjoy my Lord Jesus Christ This Ignatius saw Christ in the flesh being about 12 years old when he was Crucified and it is recorded that when he was a Child our Saviour would take him up in his Arms and shew him to his Disciples it may be he was one of those little Children that were brought to Christ that he should touch them or that little Child whom Jesus took and set in the midst of his Disciples to teach them Humility he saw Christ after his Resurrection as himself writes in one of his Epistles Ego vero post Resurrectionem c. Truly I did see him after his Resurrection in the flesh and do believe that it is he c. He used to say There is nothing better than the peace of a good conscience that good and wicked men are like true and counterfeit money the one seems good is not the other both seems is good that the Lyons Teeth are but like a Mill which though it bruiseth yet wasteth not the good Wheat only prepares fits it to be made pure Bread let me saith he be broken by them so I may be made pure Manchet for Heaven his usual saying was My Love is Crucified meaning either Christ the object of his Love or that his affections were crucified to the world he suffered Martyrdom in the eleventh year of Trajan at Rome 111. Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. XXIV Polycarpus being brought before the Proconsul Herod he told him that he had wild Beasts to devour him unless he recanted Bring them forth said Polycarp for I have determined with my self not to repent nor to turn from the better to worse it is more fit for you to turn from evil to that which is just good I will said the Proconsul tame thee with fire since thou so little regardest wild Beasts You threaten me said Polycarp with Fire which lasts but for anhour is quickly quenched but are ignorant of the everlasting Fire at the day of Judgment of those endless Torments which are reserved for the wicked but why make you all these delays Appoint me to what death you please I am ready to undergo it When he was again urged to reproach our Blessed Saviour Polycarp answered Fourscore and six years have I served Christ neither hath he offended me in any thing and how then can I revile my King that hath thus kept me when they brought him to the Fire they would have nailed him to the stake Nay said he let me alone as I am for he that hath given me strength to come to this Fire will also give me patience to persevere therein without your fastening me with Nails Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. XXV Dyonisius the Areopagite being brought before Sisimus the Praefect because he refused to Worship their Idol Gods was beaten
with many and cruel blows and threatned to be beheaded to which he answered You worship such Gods as will perish like dung upon the Earth but as for me come life come death I will worship none but the God of Heaven and Earth Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. XXVI St. Origen when he was but seventeen years old his Father being carried to Prison had such a fervent mind to suffer Martyrdom with him that he would have thrust himself into the Persecutors hands had it not been for his Mother who in the night time privately stole away his Cloths and his very shirt also whereupon more for shame to be seen naked than for fear of death he was forced to stay at home yet he writ thus to his Father Pray Sir be sure you do not change your Resolution for my sake Clarks Mar. XXVII Valence the Emperor being an Arrian sent Messengers to St. Basil to persuade him to imbrace that Heresy they gave him good words and promised him great Preferment if he would do it but he answered Alas Sir these Speeches are fitter to catch little Children that look after such things than such as me who being taught and instructed by the Holy Scriptures had rather suffer a thousand deaths than that one syllable or tittle of Gods Word should be altered the Governor being in a rage threatned him with confiscation of his Goods Torments Banishment and Death Basil replied He need not fear Confiscation that had nothing to lose nor Banishment to whom Heaven only is a Country nor Torments when his Body may be dashed in pieces by one blow nor Death which is the only way to set him at liberty and I wish it would fall out so well on my side that I might lay down this Carcase of mine in the Quarrel of Jesus Christ and in the defence of his Truth The Praefect told him that he was mad I wish said he that I may be for ever thus mad Clarks Examples XXVIII The same Emperor Valence coming to the City of Edessa perceived that the Christians did keep their Assemblies in the Fields for their Churches were pulled down and demolished whereat he was so inraged that he gave the President Methodius a box on the Ear for suffering such their Meetings commanding him to take a Band of Soldiers and to scourge with Rods and knock down with Clubs as many as he should find of them this his order being proclaimed there was a Christian Woman who with a Child in her Arms ran with all speed toward the place and was got amongst the ranks of those Soldiers that were sent out against the Christians and being by them asked whither she went and what she would have she told them That she made such hast lest she and her little Infant should come too late to be partakers of the Crown of Christ amongst the rest of those that were to suffer When the Emp. heard this he was confounded desisted from his enterprize and turned all his fury against the Priests and Clergy Wanly Hist Man p. 214. XXIX St. Chrysostom stoutly rebuked the Empress Eudoxia for her Covetousness telling her That she would be called a second Jezabel and when she sent him a threatning Message Go tell her said he I fear nothing but Sin and when she confederating with his other Enemies had procured his banishment as he went out of the City he said None of these things trouble me for I said before within my self if the Queen will let her banish me the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof if she will let her saw me asunder the Prophet Isaiah was so used if she will let her cast me into the Sea I will remember Jonah If she will let her cast me into a burning fiery Furnace or to the wild Beasts the three Children and Daniel were so dealt with If she will let her stone me or cut off my head I have St. Stephen and John the Baptist for my blessed Companions If she will let her take away all my goods and substance naked came I out of my Mothers Womb and naked shall I return thither again He was so beloved that on a time when he was like to be silenced the people cried out we had better want the shining of the Sun then the Preaching of Chrysostom Clarks Lives p. 78. XXX In the persecution of the Church under the Arrian Vandals who committed all manner of Cruelties upon the true Christians there were a great number condemned to be burnt in a Ship to which they were accompanied by a multitude of their Brethren being led like innocent Lambs to the Sacrifice and looking upon their weighty Chains and Irons wherewith they were loaded as rare Jewels and Ornaments they went with all cheerfulness and alacrity to the place of Execution even as though they had gone to a Banquet singing praises with one voice unto the Almighty as they went along the Streets saying This is our desired day more joyful to us then any Festival behold now is the accepted time now is the day of Salvation when for the faith of our Lord God we suffer death that we may not lose the Garment of Faith and Glory The People likewise with one voice cried out Fear not O Servants of God neither dread the Threats of your Enemies die for Christ who died for us that he might redeem us with the price of his saving blood Amongst them was a little Boy to whom a subtle Seducer said why hastest thou my pretty Boy unto death let them go they are mad take my Counsel and thou shalt not only have life but great advancement in the Kings Court to whom the Lad answered You shall not get me from the fellowship of these Holy Men who bred me up and with whom I have lived in the fear of God and with whom I desire to die and with whom I trust I shall obtain the Glory to come and so being all put into the Ship they were burnt together Clarks Martyr XXXI Among others who were terribly tormented they tortured Women and especially Gentlewomen stark naked openly without all shame and particularly a young Lady called Dyonisia whom they saw bolder and more beautiful than the rest they first commanded her to be stripped stark naked and made ready for the Cudgels who spake stoutly to them saying I am assured of the love of God vex me how you will only my Womanhood disclose you not But they with the greater rage set her naked upon an high place for a publick spectacle then did they whip her till the streams of blood did flow all over her body whereupon she boldly said Ye Ministers of Satan that which you do for my reproach is to me an honour And beholding her only Son that was young and tender and seemed fearful of Torments checking him with a Motherly Authority she so incouraged him that he became more constant than before to whom in the midst of his terrible Torments she said Remember O my
despoiled of all and turned out a begging yea all Persons were forbid to harbour or relieve him Acts and Monum Vol. 1. XXXIV St. Jerom discovered his Christian Resolution by this Speech If said he my Father stood weeping on his knees before me and my Mother hanging on my neck behind and all my Brethren Sisters Children Kindred and Kinsfolks howling on every side to retain me in a sinful life I would fling my Mother to the ground despise all my Kindred run over my Father and tread him under my feet that I might run to Christ when he calleth me After his Condemnation by the cruel Papists he said I after my death will leave a remorse in your Consciences and a Nail in your hearts and I here cite you all to answer to me before the high and just Judge within an hundred years when he was brought forth to Execution they prepared a great and long paper painted about with red Devils which when he beheld throwing away his Hood he put on this Miter upon his head saying Our L. Jesus Christ when he suffered death for me the most wretched Sinner did wear a Crown of Thorns upon his head and I for his sake will willingly wear this Cap As he went to his suffering he sang some Hyms and coming to the place of Execution he was bound to the stake and so fire was set to him which he endured with admirable valour for standing at the stake bound and the Executioner kindling the fire behind him he bid him kindle it before his face For said he if I had been afraid of it I had not come to this place having had so many opportunities offered me to escape it The whole City of Constance admired his Christian Courage and Resolution At his giving up the Ghost he said Hanc animam in flammis offero Christe tibi This Soul of mine in flames of fire O Christ I offer thee XXXV Many Christians being assembled together in a Church Maximinus the Tyrant Emp commanded it to be surrounded with armed Men and set on fire but first proclaimed that whosoever desired life should come forth and worship the Idols whereupon one stepping up into a Window answered in the name of all the rest We are all Christians and will do service to none but the true God Upon which speech the fire was kindled and there were burnt many Thousands of Men Women and Children In Thebaide so many Christians were slain that the Swords of the Tormentors grew blunt and they were so tired that they were fain to sit down and rest them while others took their places and yet the Martyrs were no whit discouraged but to the last gasp sung Psalms of Praise unto God Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. XXXVI Theodosius the Great a Christian Emperor having in Aegypt abolished their Heathenish Sacrifice and Worship upon pain of Confiscation and death the People fearing that the omission of their accustomed Superstitions would make the River Nilus which they honoured as a God keep in his streams and not water the Land as formerly they thereupon began to mutiny whereupon the President writ to the Emperor beseeching him for once to gratify the People by conniving at their Superstition to whom he Heroically answered That it was better to continue faithful and constant to God than to prefer the over flowing of Nilus and the fertility of the Earth before Piety and Godliness and that he had rather Nilus should never overflow than that they should make it rise by Sacrifices and Inchantments Sozomen XXXVII Benevolus was offered preferment by Justina the Empress an Arrian if he would be an instrument of some vile service What saith he do you promise me an higher place for a reward of Iniquity nay take this away that I have already with all my heart so that I may keep a good conscience And thereupon he threw his Girdle at her feet which was the Ensign of his Honour Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. XXXVIII It is said of Luther that he alone opposed all the world he used to say Let me be counted proud or passionate so I be not found guilty of sinful silence when the cause of God suffereth Madness in this case is better than mildness Moderation here is meer sottishness yea it is much worse He being cited by an Herald of Arms to appear before the Coun. at Wormes many of his Friends persuaded him not to adventure himself to such a present danger to whom he answered That he was resolved and certainly determined to enter into Wormes in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ although he knew that there were as many Devils to resist him as there were Tiles to cover the Houses in Wormes His Christian Courage was extraordinary and therefore when Melancthon knowing the rage of the Papists and the Emperors threats to subvert the Gospel was much troubled at it gave himself wholly up to grief sighs and tears Luther writ thus to him In private conflicts I am weak and you are strong but in publick conflicts you are found weak and I strongâ—r because I am assured that our cause is just and true if we fall Christ the Lord and Ruler of the world falleth with us and suppose he fall I had rather fall with Christ than stand with Caesar I extreamly dislike your excessive cares with which you say you are almost consumed that these reign so much in your heart it is not from the greatness of your dangers but from the greatness of your incredulity if the cause be bad let us recant it and flie back if it be good why do we make God a Lyar who hath made us these great promises cast thy care upon the Lord c. Be of good comfort I have overcome the world If Christ be the Conqueror of the world why should we fear it as if it would overcome us A man would fetch such sentences as these upon his knees from Rome to Jerusalem be not afraid be couragious and cheerful sollicitous for nothing the Lord is at hand to help us When King Henry the Eighth of England had writ bitterly against Luther Let the Henries says he the Bishops the Turk and the Devil himself do what they can we are Children of the Kingdom worshipping and waiting for that Saviour whom they and such as they spit upon and crucify Erasmus writes thus If saith he Luther commending the Kings good intention had proceeded by strong Arguments without violating Kingly Majesty in my judgment he had taken a better course for the defence of his cause for what made Luther use these words in his Book come hither my Lord Henry and I will teach you to this Luther replies If any man saith he be offended at my sharpness against the King let him know that in that Book I deal with senseless Monsters who contemned my best and most modest writings and by my Humility and Modesty were more hardned in their Errors Besides I abstained from bitterness and Lies with
up in his Gown and Shoes as he was and laying his Body by that of his Wives burnt them both together the Sepulcher of these Two is yet to be seen at Tarentum and is called The Tomb of the Two Lovers Valer Max. lib. 4. XVI And though the Female be the weaker Sex yet such has been the fidelity and incredible strength of affection in some that they have oft-times performed as great things as the most generous Men they have despised death in the most dreadful shapes and all sorts of difficulties by an invincible Love to their Hushands in the greatest extremity Of which Histories are not silent for we râ—ad that Eumenes burying the dead that had fallen in the Battel of Gabine against Antigonus amongst others there was found the Body of Ceteas the Captain of those Troops that had come out of India this man had two Wives who accompanied him in the Wars one which he had newly married and an other whom he had married some years before but both of them bore an intire love to him for whereas the Laws of India require that one Wife shall be burnt with her dead Husband both these offered themselves to death and strove with that ambition as if it had been some glorious prize they sought after before such Captains as were appointed their Judges the younger Wife pleaded That the other was with Child and that therefore she could not have the benefit of that Law The elder alledged That whereas she was before the other in years it was also fit that she should be before her in Honour since it was customary in other things that the Elder should have place The Judges when they understood by Midwives that the Elder was with Child passed Judgment that the younger should be burnt which done she that had lost the cause departed rending her Diadem and tearing her Hair as if some grievous calamity had befallen her the other full of Joy at her Victory went to the Funeral Fire magnificently drest up by her Friends and led along by her Kindred as if to her Wedding they all the way singing Hymns in her Praises When she drew near the fire taking off her Ornaments she delivered them to her Friends and Servants as tokens of Remembrance they were a multitude of Rings with variety of precious Stones Chains and Stars of Gold c. This done she was by her Brother placed upon the combustible matter by the side of her Husband and after the Army had thrice compassed the Funeral Pile fire was put to it and she without a word of complaint finished her life in thell ames Diod Siculus lib. 9. XVII Arria the Wife of Cecinna Paetus understanding that her Husband was condemned to die and that he was permitted to chuse what manner of death liked him best she went to him and having exhorted him to depart this life couragiously and bidding him farewel gave her self a stab into the Breast with a Knife she had hid for that purpose under her Cloaths then drawing the Knife out of the wound and reaching it to Paetus she said The wound I have made Paetus smarts not but that only which thou art about to give thy self Camer Spare hours Whereupon Martial hath an Epigram to this purpose When Arria to her Husband gave the Knife Which made the wound whereby she lost her life This wound dear Paetus grieves me not quoth she But that which thou must give thyself grieves me XVIII The Prince of the Province of Fingo in the Kingdom of Japan in the East-Indies hearing that a Gentleman of the Country had a very beautiful Woman to his Wife got him dispatched and having sent for the Widow some days after her Husbands death acquainted her with his desires she told him she had much reason to think her self happy in being honoured with the Friendship of so great a Prince yet she was resolved to bite off her Tongue and murder her self if he offered her any violence but if he would grant her the favour to spend one month in bewailing her Husband and then give her liberty to make an entertainment for the Relations of the Deceased to take her leave of them he should find how much she was his Servant and how far she would comply with his affections it was easily granted a very great Dinner was provided whither came all the Kindred of the deceased the Gentlewoman perceiving the Prince began to be warm in his Wine in hopes of enjoying her promise she desired liberty to withdraw into an adjoyning Gallery to take the Air but as soon as she was come into it she cast her self headlong down in the presence of the Prince and all her dead Husbands relations and so put an end to her life Mandelsloes Travels XIX In the Reign of the Emperor Vespasian there was a Rebellion in France the chief Leader of which was Julius Sabinus they being reduced the Captain was sought after to be punished but he had hid himself in a Vault or Cave which was the Monument of his Grand-father he caused a report to be spread of his death as if he had voluntarily poysoned himself and the better to persuade men of the truth of it he caused his House to be set on fire as if his body had therein been burnt he had a Wife whose name was Eponina she knew nothing of his safety but bewailed his death would not be comforted there were only two of his freed men who were privy to it they pitying their Lady who was determined to die and in order thereunto had abstained from all manner of meat for three days together thereupon they declared her purpose to her Husband and besought him to save her that loved him so well it was granted and she was told that her Sabinus lived she came to him where they lived with secrecy and undiscovered for the space of nine years together she conceived and brought forth Children in that solitary Mansion at last the place of their abode came to be known they were taken and brought to Rome where Vespasian commanded they should be stain Eponina producing and shewing her Children Behold O Caesar said she these I have brought forth and brought up in a Monument that thou mightest have more suppliants for our Lives O cruel Vespasian that could not be moved with such words as these well they were both led to death and Eponina joyfully died with her Husband who had been before buried with him for so many years together Lipsius Monitor lib. 2. XX. Portia the Daughter of Cato and Wise of Marcus Brutus when she conjectured by the fleepless and disturbed nights of her Husband that he had conceived some great thing in his mind and concealed it from her in suspition of her weakness she to give her Husband an instance of her Constancy and Secrecy made her self a deep wound in her Thigh with a Razor upon which there followed a stream of blood weakness and a Feaver When Brutus
to her good liking which done Theodorick called them again they supposing it had been to applaud their excellent Justice now done hastned thither full of joy being come the King asked of them How cometh it to pass you have performed that in two days which had not been done in three years They answered the recommendation of your Majesty made us finish it How replies the King when I put you into Office did I not consign all Pleas and proceedings to you and particularly those of Widdows You deserve death so to have spun out a business in length three years space which required but two days dispatch and that instant he commanded the heads of all the Judges to be struck off Causins Holy Court p. 90. XC In the Reign of the Emperor Constantius Acindinus the Praefect of Antioch had a certain Person under custody for a pound of Gold to be paid into the Exchequer threatning him That in case he paid it not by a certain day he should aie the death The man knew not where to have it and now the fatal day drew near he had a beautiful Wife to whom a rich man in the City sent word that for a nights lodging he would pay in the Gold She acquaints her Husband who for the safety of his life readily gave her leave she renders her self up to the rich man who at her departure gave her only a pound of Earth tyed up in a bag instead of the promised Gold she inraged at her injury together with this cheat added thereto complains to the Praefect and declares to him the truth of the whole matter who finding that his Threats of her Husband had brought her to these extremities pronounced Sentence on this manner The pound of Gold shall be paid out of the goods of Acindinus which was himself the Prisoner shall be free and the Woman shall be put into the possession of that Land from whence she received Earth instead of Gold Lonic Theat p. 476. XCI The Emperor Leo Armenus going out of his Pallace was informed by a mean Person that a Senator had ravished his Wife and that he had complained of his injury to the Praefect or Judge but as yet could have no redress The Emperor commanded that both the Praefect and the Senator should be sent for and wait his return in his Pallace together with their accuser being come back he examined the matter and finding it true as the man had represented he displaced the Praefect from his Office for his negligence and punished the Crime of the Senator with death Lipsius Monitor p. 250. XCII King Turquin being banished Rome for the rape of Lucretia Brutus and Collatinus Husband to Lucretia were chosen Consuls and in the time of their Consulship Tarquins Agents had corrupted two of the most ancient Families in Rome the Aquilians who were Nephews to Collatine and the Vitellians who were allied to Brutus and two of his Sons were drawn into this Treason by them the Conspiracy being at last discovered the Consuls met in the publick place and sent for the Conspirators and there before all the People discovered the Treason the People being much amazed hung down their heads only some few of them thinking to gratify Brutus moved that they might be banished but Brutus calling his Sons by Name asked them what they could answer for themselves and when being confounded they held their peace he said to the Serjeants They are in your hands do Justice then did the Serjeants tear off their cloths bound their hands and whipt them with Rods which sad spectacle moved the People to pity so that they turned away their faces but the Father never looked off nor changed his severe countenance till at last they were laid flat on the ground and had their heads struck off then did Brutus depart and left the Execution of the rest to his Fellow Consul but Collatine shewed more favour to his Kindred being solicited thereto by his Wife and their Relations Valerius a Nobleman of Rome seeing this partiality exclaimed against him for it saying That Brutus spared not his own Sons but Collatine to please a few Women was about to let manifest Traytors to their Country escape Hereupon the People called for Brutus again who being returned to his Seat spake thus For mine own Children I judged them and saw the Law executed upon them but for these others I leave them freely to the Judgment of the People whereupon they all cried out Execution Execution and accordingly their heads were presently struck off Plutarchs Lives XCIII The love of Queen Elizabeth to her People in general and her tender care over the poor and oppressed in particular was admirable and incomparable Fler Ears were always open to their Complaints and her Hands stretched forth to receive their Petitions her manner was always to recommend their Causes to her Council and Judges whom she used thus to charge Have a care of my People you have my Place do you to them what I ought to do they are my People yet every one oppresseth them and spoileth them without mercy They cannot help themselves nor revenge their own quarrel see to them I pray you see to them for they are my charge them therefore I charge you with even as God hath committed them to me I care not for my self my life is not dear unto me my care is for my people if you knew the care I have for them you might easily discern that I take no great Joy in wearing a Crown Clarks Mirrour p. 370. XCIV An English Merchant had sold a great quantity of Cloth to one of the Turks the next year when the Merchant came again the Turk told him That he was mistaken in the measure of his Cloth and that there was so much over-measure as came to fifteen pounds more and that he had put it into a bag that it might be ready against he came next the Merchant told him that he had got enough by him and said much good may it do you the Turk replied Sir take it or else I will otherwise dispose of it for it is none of mine XCV When Sysamnes one of the chiefest of the Persian Judges had given an unjust Judgment Cambyses the King caused him to be flead alive and his skin to be hung over the Judgment Seat and having bestowed the Office of the dead Father upon Otanes the Son he willed him to remember That the same partiality and injustice would deserve the same punishment Rawleigh's Hist World p. 37. XCVI Neither ought we to forget nor conceal the names of those who have discovered such a signal Love to their Country that they have not valued to redeem the lives of their Countrymen and Fellow Citizens at the price of their own of which the following relations are very considerable instances The Town of Calice during the Reign of Philip de Valois of France being brought to those streights that now there was no more hope left either of
as one that esteemed him as a Father but as soon as the Maid that attended upon the sick man was gone out of the room he caught up a Hammer gave him some blows and then thrust him through with a Knife as soon as the Maid returned he with the same fury did the like to her and then seizing the Keys he searched for his intended Prey he found eight pieces of Plate which afterward for want of money he pawned to a Priest of St. Blasius who suspecting the man sent the Plate to the Senate at Basil by which means the Author of the detestable murther was known he was searched after taken and brought Prisoner to Basil where after Condemnation he had his Legs and Arms broken upon the Wheel and his head while he was yet alive being tied to a part of the Wheel he was burnt with flaming Torches till in horrible Tortures he gave up the Ghost Lonic Theat XCI I shall conclude this Chapter with the Charity of Henry Keeble Lord Mayor of London in 1511. who besides other great Gifts in his life-time re-builded Aldermary Church which was run to ruines and bequeathed at his death a thousand pounds for the finishing of it yet within sixty years after his bones were unkindly yea inhumanely cast out of the Valut wherein they were buried His Monument was pluckt down for some wealthy Person of those present times to be buried therein Upon which occasion saith Dr. Fuller I could not but rub up my old Poetry which is this Fuller to the Church Vngrateful Church o're run with rust Lately buried in the Dust Vtterly thou hadst been lost If not preserv'd by Keebles cost A Thousand pounds might it not buy Six foot in length for him to lie But outed of his quiet Tomb For later Corpse he must make room Tell me where his dust is east Though 't be late yet now at last All his bones with scorn ejected I will see them recollected Who fain my self would Kinsman prove To all that did Gods Temple love The Churches Answer Alas my Innocence excuse My Wardens they did me abuse Whose Avarice his Ashes sold That Goodness might give place to Gold As for his Reliques all the Town They are scatter'd up and down Seest a Church repaired well There a sprinkling of them fell Seest a New Church lately built Thicker there his Ashes spilt Oh that all the Land throughout Keebles Dust were thrown about Places scatter'd with that seed Would a Crop of Churches breed Fuller's Worthies p. 33. CHAP. V. The Tremendous Consequences of Cowardice Barbarity and Treachery THese three evil Qualities or vicious Inclinations of the Mind are much of the same kind for Cruelty and Treachery do commonly proceed from base Cowardly Dispositions As touching Cowards that is such as preserving their Lives or Estates before their Country's welfare and that either will not or dare not stand coâ—ragiously in defence of it in time of Danger they were alwaies reckoned to deserve the greatest punishments and therefore the Romans did sharply chastise them and endeavoured to render them odious for they were commanded and sworn never to eat their meat but standing Nay they were accounted so hateful amongst them that when Hannibal offered the Roman Senate eight thousand Captives to be redeemed they refused his offer saying That they were not worthy to be redeemed who had rather be basely taken than die honestly and valiantly I. The Senate of Rome indeed dealt more favourably with the Captives which King Pyrrhus took for they redeemed them but with this mark of contumel and disgrace that they were degraded from all their Offices and Honours until by getting a double Victory they had won their Reputation again Beards Theatre II. Titias a Captain of Horsemen in Sicilia being overcharged with too great a number of Enemies delivered up his Arms to them which was counted so heinous a Crime that Calpburnius Piso his General pronounced this Sentence against him That he should go barefooted before the Army wearing a Garment without seams and that he should have society with none but such as were guilty of the same fault and from a General over Horsemen he was degraded and made a common Souldier Idem III. How did the Roman Senate correct the Cowardise of Caius Vatienus who that he might prevent his being ingaged in the Wars of Italy cut off all the Fingers of his left hand Why they seized upon his Goods and cast him into perpetual Imprisonment that he might thereby consume that life in Bondage and Fetters which he refused to hazard in the defence of his Country Idem IV. Fulgosus saith That among the Germans it was judged so dishonourable to lose a Shield in War that whosoever happened to do it was suspended from any Civil Office in the State and likewise forbid to enter into any of their Temples insomuch that many he saith killed themselves to avoid the infamy and shame thereof Idem V. The People called Daci punished Cowards on this manner They suffered them not to sleep but with their heads to the feet of the Beds and besides they by a Law ordained that they should be Slaves and Subjects to their own Wives What more vile disgrace could there be than this And yet the Lacedemonians used them more reproachfully for with them it was a dishonour to marry into the stock of a Coward any man might lawfully strike them without punishment and they went with their Cloths rent and their Beards half shaven Idem VI. Artaxerxes after the Battel was ended which he sought with his Brother Cyrus punished one of his Commanders called Arbaces for his cowardliness by compelling him to carry a Whore on his back stark naked all the day long about the Market-place And another that had basely yielded himself to his Enemies and yet boasted that he had slain two men he caused his Tongue to be bored thorow in three several places with an Awl Plutarch VII It is likewise a token of a weak mind and an infirm Soul to anticipate troubles by their own fearful apprehensions before they arrive which is oftentimes occasioned by a too great fearfulness of death and being over-desirous of life which kind of Cowardize hath occasioned great mischiefs and miseries as by the following Examples appears VIII Lewis the Eleventh King of France when he sound himself sick sent for one Fryer Robert out of Calabria to come to him to Toures this man was an Hermite and famous for his Sanctity and while in his last sickness this Holy man lay at Plessis the King sent continually to him saying That if the Hermite pleased he could prolong his life The King had reposed his whole confidence in Mounsieur James Cothier his Physician to whom he gave monthly Ten thousand Crowns in hope he would lengthen his life Never man saith Philip Comines feared death more than he nor sought so many waies to avoid it as he did moreover saith he in all his life-time he
had given commandment to all his Servants as well to my self as others we should only move him to confess himself and dispose of his Conscience but never to mention nor sound in his Ear that dreadful word Death knowing that he should not be able patiently to bear that cruel Sentence His Physician aforementioned used him so very roughly that a man would not have given his Servant such sharp language as he usually gave the King and yet the King so much feared him that he durst not command him out of his presence for though he complained to divers of him yet he durst not change him as he did all his other Servants because this Physician said once thus boldly to him I know that one day you will command me away but swearing a great Oath he added you shall not live eight daies after it which word put the King into so great a fear that he ever after flattered him and bestowed such gifts upon him that he received from him in five months time Fifty four thousand Crowns besides the Bishoprick of Amiens for his Nephew and other Offices and Lands for him and his Friends Philip Comines Hist IX Mecenas the great Friend and Favourite of Augustus was so soft and effeminate a Person that he was commonly called Malcinus he was so much afraid of death that saith Seneca he had often in his mouth this saying All things are to be endured so long as life it continued Of whom these Verses are to be read Make me lame on either hand And of neither foot to stand Raise a Bunch upon my back And make all my Teeth to shake Nothing comes amiss to me So that life remaining be X. Heraclides writes of one Artemon a very skilful Engineer but withal saith of him that he was of a very timerous disposition and foolishly afraid of his own shadow so that for the most part of his time he never stirred out of his house That he had alwaies two of his Men by him who held a brazen Target over his head for fear lest any thing should fall upon him and if upon any occasion he was forced to go from home he would be carried in a Litter hanging near to the ground for fear of falling Plutarch Vit. XI The Emperor Domitian was in such fear of receiving death by the hands of his followers and in such a strong suspition of Treason against him that he caused the Walls of the Galleries wherein he used to walk to be set and garnished with the stone Phengites to the end that by the light thereof he might seeall that was done behind him Suetonius Hist XII Antigonus observing one of his Soldiers to be a very valiant man and ready to adventure upon any desperate piece of Service and yet withal taking notice that he looked very pale and lean would needs know of him what he ailed And finding that he had upon him a secret and dangerous disease he caused all possible means to be used for his recovery which when it was effected the King perceived him to be less forward in Service than formerly and demanding the reason of it he ingenuously confessed that now he felt the sweets of life and therefore was loth to lose it Clarks Mirrour p. 354. XIII Caligula the Emperor was so exceedingly afraid of death that at the least Thunder and Lightning he would wink close with both Eyes and cover his head all over but if the Thunder were very great and extraordinary he would run under his Bed He fled suddenly by night from Messina in Sicily being affrighted with the noise smoak and roaring of Mount Aetna being once in a German Chariot in a streight passage where his Army were forced to march very close together and one happening to say that if any Enemy should now appear it would make a very great hurliburly he was presently so affrighted with the apprehension of the Danger that getting out of the Chariot he mounted his Horse and finding the way filled up with Slaves and Carriages he again dismounted and was from hand to hand conveyed over mens heads till he came on the other side of the water Soon after hearing of the revolt of the Germans he provided to fly and prepared Ships for his flight comforting himself in this that if the Conquerors should come into Italy and possess themselves of the City of Rome yet he should have some Provinces beyond Sea where he might still live Sueton. Hist XIV What a miserable life Tyrants have by reason of their continual fears of Death we have exemplified in Dionysius the Syracusan who finished his thirty eight years rule in this manner removing his Friends he committed the Custody of his Body to some Strangers Barbarians being in fear of Barbers he taught his Daughters to shave him when they were grown up he durst not trust them with a Rasor but taught them how they should burn off his Hair and Beard with the white films of Walnut Kernels and whereas he had two Wives Aristomache and Doris he came not to them in the night before the place was thoroughly searched and though he had drawn a large and deep moat of water about the room and had made a passage by a wooden Bridge yet he himself drew it up after him when he went in and not daring to speak to the People out of the common Rostrum or Pulpit appointed for that purpose he used to make Orations to them from the top of a Tower when he played at Ball he used to give his Sword and Cloak to a Boy whom he loved and when one of his familiar Friends had jestingly said You now put your life into his hands and the Boy smiling thereat he commanded them both to be slain one for shewing the way how he might be killed and the other for approving of it with a smile At last being overcome in Battle by the Carthaginians he perished by the Treason of his own Subjects Wanly Hist Man XV. And this introduces another particular namely the barbarity and bloody mindedness of some Persons Theodorus who was Tutor to Tiberius the Roman Tyrant observing in him while he was a Boy a sanguinary nature and disposition which lay hid under a shew of meekness and a pretence of clemency was used to call him a lump of Clay steeped and soaked in blood and this his prediction of him did not fail in the event this being that savage Tyrant who thought that death was too light and easy a punishment for hearing that Carnulius being in his disfavour had cut his own Throat Carnulius said he hath escaped me and to another who begged of him to die quickly he told him He was not so much in his favour Yet even this cursed Artist in Villany hath been since out-acted by Monsters more overgrown than himself XVI It is in this kind a memorable example that Seneca relates of Piso who finding a Soldier to return from forraging charging him to have slain
Ancestors and dâ—…ing their Wealth and Wives amongst the mercenary Soldiers he had hired withal he sent Murderers after such as he had banished not suffering any place of retreat to be safe to them he had also framed an Engine or rather an Image of his Wife which after her name he called Apega with admirable Art it was fashioned to her resemblance and was clothed in such costly Garments as she her self used to wear as oft as the Tyrant cited before him any of the rich Citizens with a design to milk them of their Money he first with a long and very civil Speech used to represent to them the danger that Sparta was in the number of the Soldiers he kept about him for their safety and the great charge he was at in sacred and civil affairs if they were wrought upon by this means it sufficed but if otherways and that they would not part with their money he then used to say Possibly I am not able to persuade you yet it is likely that Apega may and then with a shew of familiarity he takes the man by the hand and leads him to this Image which rises and imbraces him with both Arms she draws him to her Breasts in which and likewise in her Arms were sharp iron Spikes and Nails though hidden within her cloths herewith she griped the poor wretch according to the pleasure of the Tyrant who laughed at his cruel death Rawleighs Hist World XXIV Not many years since there was a notable piece of inhumane Villany discovered in the City of Naples which was this There was one Francisco Severino a publick Notary that had a Sister who was a young Widow but he being to pay her six hundred Ducats toward her Dowry instead thereof he clapt her up together with a little Daughter of hers into a dark Cave betwixt four Walls where he fed them with Bread and Water and some few roots for seventeen years together the Widow had also a Son under the care of an Uncle all that while who being come to Age demanded of this Notary his Mothers Dowry thinking she had been dead the rumor hereof flying among the People who were then in Arms they rushed into the Notaries House and the Woman in the Cave hearing an extraordinary noise began to shriek which being heard the People broke down the Wall where they found two Women like Savages with long dishevel'd hair hanging about their Shoulders whereupon the Villany being discovered the Notary was put to exemplary punishment Howels Hist Naples XXV Sha Sefi a late Emperor of Persia when he came into the World had his hands all bloody which his Grand-Father Sha Abbas hearing of said That this Prince would often bath his hands in blood and so it proved for as soon as he came to the Crown he made away Rustan-Can the Generalissimo of his Army and several other Lords he caused to be cut in pieces and slew with his own hands all his own Relations and what other Person soever he was any way distrustful of by this means so accustoming himself to blood that when he was incensed he spared none he caused the Eyes of his only Brother to be put out and two of his Uncles after he had put out their Eyes he caused them to be cast down headlong from an high Rock saying That having lost the benefit of their Eyes they were useless to the World He dispatched Isa Can another of his Uncles after he had cut off the heads of his three Sons upon a Trivial occasion saying That he could now never be faithful to him at least it was impossible he should love him after he had dealt so by him In 1632. He having forced the Turks to raise the Siege before Bagdat at a private meeting of his Lords they said among themselves That since in his tender Age he had committed so many Cruelties it was likely that in time he would extirpate all the Grandees of Persia Scinel-Chan presently discovered this to him advising him to secure himself against them by taking away those of most credit among them the Tyrant replied Thy advice is good and I will begin with thee for thou art a Person of the greatest Age and Authority among them and therefore must needs be of the Conspiracy And presently after he killed him with his own hands he slew his Lord High Chancellor within a few days after by running him into the Body with a Cymiter and then caused his head to be cut into small bits and thus he dealt with most of the rest who were at the Meeting aforesaid when he came to Casbin he sent for all the Lords and Governors of his Provinces to come to him they all obeyed save two who thought it enough to assure the King of their Fidelity by sending each of them one of their Wives and one of their Sons but he being not satisfied herewith sent their Wives to the publick Bawdy-Houses and exposed their Sons to the Sodomitical brutality of his Grooms and common Hangmen then he sent for Immanuel Can Governor of Shiras and as soon as he came he caused his head to be cut off and the heads of his fifteen Sons these unparallel'd Cruelties frighted all that came near him and put some upon a Resolution to shorten his days by Poyson in which some of the Ladies in the Seraglio had an hand which coming to his knowledge he revenged himself the night following causing a great Pit to be made in the Garden wherein he buried forty Women alive some Ladies and among them his own Mother Ambas Tra. p. 265. XXVI Innumerable are the Examples of Barbarity in the world let us therefore add a few instances of the Perfidiousness and Treachery of some men there is nothing under the Sun that is more detestable than a Traytor who is commonly followed with the Execrations and Curses of those very men to whom his Treason hath been most useful so that it is seldom but these perfidious ones meet with their just rewards from the hands of their own Patrons however the vengeance of Heaven where the Justice of men fails doth visibly fall upon them XXVII The City of Sfetigrade in Hungary being defended against Amurath the second Emperor of the Turks was then watered but with one great Well in the midst of the City into which a traiterous Person having contracted for a mighty reward to cause the City to be yielded up to the Turks had cast a dead Dogs this had been no great matter to other men but he well knew that the Garrison consisted of the Soldiers of Dibra who as they were the most valorous of all Epirus so were they more Superstitious then the Jews about things clean and unclean and he knew they would starve die any kind of death nay deliver up the City rather than drink of that polluted water nor was he deceived for it was soon delivered upon certain conditions he that corrupted the water was rewarded with three
sometimes create sudden shifts he espying the Ladder against the wall presently apprehends what had been whispered of Fryer Johns love to the Knights Lady and lifting him on his Shoulders by the help of the same Ladder he carries him into the Porch of the Knights Hall and there sets him afterward secretly conveying himself back into the Monastery the same way he came not in the least suspected by any while this was doing the Knight being perplexed and troubled in Conscience could by no means sleep but calls up his Man and bids him go listen about the walls of the Monastery forth he goes out of his Masters Chamber and having passed the length of the Hall designing to go through the yard he finds Fryer John sitting upright in the Porch and starting at the sight he runs back affrighted and almost distracted and speechless tells the news to his Master who being no less astonished could not believe it to be so but rather his mans Fantasy till he himself went down and became an Eye-witness of this strange object At which being extreamly concerned he ressects on himself that murder is one of the crying sins and such a one as cannot be concealed yet recollecting his Spirits he resolves to try a desperate adventure and put the discovery upon chance he remembers he had an old Stallion then in his Stable one of those he had used in Service in the French Wars and likewise a rusty Armour in his Armory these he commands instantly to be brought with a Case of rusty Pistols and a Lance the Horse is sadled and Caparison'd the Armour is put upon the Fryer and he fast bound in his Seat with strong new Cords the Lance is tied to his wrist and the lower end put into the rest his Head-piece is clasped on and his Beaver is put up being thus accoutred like a Knight compleatly armed Cap-a-pe they designed to turn him out of the Gates both he and his Horse without any Page or Esquire to try a new Adventure whilst these things were thus fitting Fryer Richard in the Monastery was no less perplexed in his mind than the Knight about the Murther and much dreading the strictness of the Law summons all his wits about him to prevent the worst and at length concludes with himself that it is his best and safest way to fly for his life he likewise remembers that there was in the Fryery a Mare imployed to carry Corn to and from the Mill which was about half a mile from the Monastery and being somewhat fat and doubting his own footmanship he thinks it better to trust to four legs then two and therefore calls up the Baker that had the charge of the Beast and tells him he understands that there was Meal that morning to be fetcht from the Mill which was grinded by that time therefore if he would let him have the Mare he would save him that labour and bring it back before morning the Fellow being willing to save so much pains caused the back Gate to be opened the Fryer gets up and rides out of the Monastery Gate just at that instant when the Knight and his Man had turned out the Fryer on Horseback to seek his fortune the Horse presently scents the Mare and after her he gallops Fryer Richard looking back was amazed to see an armed Knight follow him much more when by the light of the Moon and the Beaver flying up he perceived that it was Fryer John who was thus armed and thereupon away flies he through the Streets and after him or rather after the Mare speeds the Horse a great noise there was in the City insomuch that many being awakened out of their morning sleep looked out at their Windows at length it was Fryer Richards ill fate to ride into a certain turn-again Lane which had no passage through there Fryer John overtakes him the Stone-Horse covers the Mare which causes a terrible noise among the rusty Armour Fryer Richards guilty conscience accuses him and he cries out aloud Guilty of the Murder at the noise of Murder the People being amazed ran out of their Beds into the Street they apprehend Miracles and he confesses Wonders but withal he freely tells them of the horrid and inhumane Act he had committed in murdering one of his own Convent the former Grudge that was between them is generally known and the apparent Justice of Heaven the rather believed Fryer John is dismounted and sent to his Grave Fryer Richard is committed to Prison he is Arraigned and in pursuance of his own Confession is condemned But before his Execution the Knight knowing his own guilt and concern in the business he posts instantly to the King makes his voluntary Confession and hath his life and estate for his former good Services granted to him Fryer Richard is released and this notable Accident still remains upon Record Hist Women II. In the reign of Queen Mary Sr. Walter Smith of Shirford in Warwickshire being grown an aged man at the death of his wife considered of a Marriage for Richard his Son and heir then at mans Estate and to that end made his mind known to Mr. Thomas Chetwin of Ingestre in Staffordshire who entertaining the motion in the behalf of Dorothy his Daughter was contented to give five hundred pound with her But no sooner had the old knight seen the young Lady but he became a suiter for himself offering five hundred pound for her besides as good a joynture as she should have by his Son if the Match had gone forward this so wrought upon Chetwin that he effectually persuaded his Daughter and the Marriage ensued accordingly it was not long ere her affections wandring she gave entertainment to a young Gentleman of about Twenty two called Robinson of Drayton Basset and being impatient of all that might hinder her full enjoyment of him she contrived how to be rid of her husband having therefore corrupted her waiting Gentlewoman and a Groom of the stable she resolved by their help and the assistance of Robinson to strangle him in his bed and though Robinson came not the designed night she no whit staggered in her Resolution for watching her husband till he was fallen asleep she called in her complices and casting a long Towel about his neck caused the Groom to lye upon him to keep him from strugling whilst her self and the maid straining the Towel stopped his breath having thus dispatched the work they carried him into another room where a close stool was placed upon which they set him an hour after the maid and Groom were got silently away and to conceal the business this Lascivious bloody woman made an outcry in the house wringing her hands plucking her hair and weeping extreamly pretending that missing him sometime out of bed she went to see what the matter was and found him in that posture by these feigned shews of sorrow she prevented all suspition of his violent death and not long after went to London
setting so high a value upon her beauty that Robinson became neglected but within two years following this woful deed of darkness was brought to light in this manner the Groom before mentioned was entertained with Mr. Richaro Smith Son and heir to the murdered knight and attending him to Coventry with divers other Servants he became so sensible of his Villany that when he was in his Cups out of his good nature he took his Master aside and upon his knees besought him forgiveness for acting in the murder of his Father declaring all the circumstances thereof whereupon Mr. Smith discreetly gave him good words but wished some others he trusted to have an Eye upon him that he might not escape when he had slept and better considered what might be the issue thereof notwithstanding which direction he fled away with his Masters best Horse and haâ—…ing presently into Wales he attempted to go beyond Sea but being hindred by contrary winds after three Essays or trials to lanch out he was happily pursued by Mr. Smith who spared no cost in sending to several Ports that he was found out and brought Prisoner to Warwick as were also the Lady and her Gentlewoman all of them with great boldness denying the fact and the Groom most impudently charging Mr. Smith of endeavouring to corrupt him to accuse the Lady his Mother in Law falsly to the end he might get her great jointure but upon his arraignment being smitten with the apprehension of his guilt he publickly acknowledged it and stoutly justified what he had said to be true to the face of the Lady and her maid who at first with much seeming confidance pleaded their innocency till at length seeing the particular Circumstances thus discovered they both confessed the fact for which having Judgment to dye the Lady was burnt at a stake on Woolvey Heath near Shirford Lordship where the Country People to this day shew the place and the Groom with the maid suffered death at Warwick Dugdale of Warwickshire p. 37. III. The debauched life and fatal death of Sultan Ibrahim Father to the present Emperor of the Turks is very remarkable his Brother Sultan Amurath or Morat after a fever of eight days continuance caused by an excess of Debauchery in wine having on the 8 of February 1640 expired his last breath his Mother called Kiosem comforted her self with the thoughts that her son Sultan Ibrahim still lived and was the sole surviver and undoubted heir of the Ottoman family to whose succession that it might be the more facile and without disturbance she consulted with all the Grandees requesting their consent and assistance in the lawful promotion of her remaining Son to the throne of his ancestors for she had understood that Morat always abhorred the ill shaped body and weaker mind of his Brother envied him the dignity of the Ottoman Scepter and therefore had bequeathed the succession to the Tartar having in the heat of a debauch and fumes of his wine compelled his Bashas to swear to the performance of his Testament and therefore the Queen was forced to use very many arguments to persuade them of the danger and unlawfulness of rejecting the right heir with which being convinced they all cryed out Let Sultan Ibrahim live herewith the great Council breaking up the Viziers accompanied with all the Officers and attendants of the Seraglio went with shouts and loud acclamations to the Prison of Ibrahim to salute him Emperor for he poor Prince had now for four years remained a sad recluse in a dark room where he had received neither light nor air but what came from a little window which sometimes in favour was opened to him from above and what was worse the continual expectations and fear of death without Friends Conversation or hope rendred those apprehensions worse than death it self which dayly were represented him in that solemnity as might terrify a mind more constant and firm than his so soon as he heard the shouts and voices of a multitude near his door he immediately conceived that the fate was now come which he had so long expected and therefore he barred his door and denied to give entrance and when the viziers proclaimed him Empe. fearing it might be some artifice of his Brother to see with what joy he would entertain the news he answered That he did not so much as think of the Empire nor desire it but only prayed that Sultan Morat might live to whom he pretended not to be a Brother but a slave and when he perceived that they began to force the door though with terms of respect and observance he still endeavoured to keep it close for nature had taught him to conserve a life however miserable and void of Consolation he continuing thus resolute not to open reverence to his Person commanded them to forbear any ruder violence until the Queen Mother overhearing all this stir descended her self in Person and first causing the dead Corps of Sultan Morat to be extended before his door with gentle compellations and confident assurances she satisfied him of the death of his Brother the voice of his Mother began to dissipate his fears and being in part already convinced by his ears he adventured to peep at the door and giving then entire credence to his Eyes his heart and Spirits revived and so retiring back into his Chamber he willingly received the Congratulations of the Ministers and Souldiers which being past he readily applied his Shouldiers to the Coffin of his dead Brother and having bore his share of that dear burthen to the gate of the Seraglio he there resigned it to his Domestick Officers who buried him in the Sepulcher of Sultan Achmet From thence he took boat and passed to the Mosch of Jubs Seraglio where in eight days he compleated all the Ceremonies of his Coronation and afterward according to the custom of his ancestors he rode through the City to his great Paliace but whether it were for want of practice or by reason of a posture natural unto fools he sate so ridiculously on his saddle as moved rather the laughter than acclamation of the People In fine being entred the Seraglio he began to breath and enjoy the air of liberty with so much contentment and Satisfaction that he was unwilling to lose the least part of it by thinking or attending on business and as if he enjoyed sufficient committed all to the management of his Mother howsoever being desirous to handle something of Government he did it with so little grace dexterity that it plainly appeared that that Soul animated a body not fit to sway or weild a Scepter yet he indulged his luxurious and wanton appetite to the highest excess of sensuality for having been accustomed to a Prison and restraint he knew not how to enjoy the freedom he had recovered but by subjecting it to the imperious servitude of his lusts this humour the Viziers and great Ministers of state cherished in him by continual banquets