better should enjoy it Neither were the resolutions of his Army less prosaging good fortune than his own who forgetting their Wives and Children and the War which was so far from their own Countrey assured to themselves the Persian Gold and all the riches of the East as if already in their possession When they drew near the Asian Shoar Alexander first threw a dart as into an Enemies Countrey and leaping ashoar in his Armour vaulted twice or thrice into the Air He there again sacrificed praying That those Countreys might willingly receive him as King He did the same at Ilium upon the Tombs of those who fell in the Trojan War Advancing afterward towards the Enemy he made Proclamation That none of his Souldiers should plunder since they ought to spare their own goods and not destroy what they came to possess In his Army were thirty Two thousand Foot and Four Thousand five Hundred Horse and a Fleet of one hundred eighty two Ships With which inconsiderable Force it may seem wonderful he durst undertake to overcome all the Western World especially since his Army did not consist of stout young men in the Flower of their Youth but chiefly of Old Souldiers some of whom by the Laws of War ought for their age to have been discharged from further Service being such as served both his Father and Grand-Father whereby they now seem'd Select Masters of War rather than private Souldiers there being no File-leader who was not sixty years old the Order of the Camp being so excellent as it appeared like the Senate of some ancient Commonwealth therefore in the Battle no man thought of flight but of Victory having no hope in the nimbleness of their Feet but in the strength of their Arms. On the other side Darius King of Persia confident of his strength affirmed he would have nothing done by Policy or Circumvention since it was not suitable to his Grandeur to steal a Victory and therefore thought it more honourable to admit the Enemy to enter his Countrey than to fall upon him on the Borders The first Battle was in the Plain of Adrastum where an Army of six hundred thousand Persians were overcome as much by the Policy of Alexander as the courage of the Macedons great was the slaughter of the Enemy whereas he lost only nine Footmen and one Hundred and Twenty Horse whom to incourage the rest he caused to be honourably buried and Statues were erected for them as for some memorable Commanders bestowing great Priviledges on their Relations and kindred After this Victory the greatest part of Asia submitted to him He also made many Wars with the Lieutenants of Darius whom he overcame not so much by Arms as the Terror of his name While he was thus Victorious he understood by a Captive that a Treason was contrived against him by Alexander Son in law to Antipater then the Kings Lieutenant in Macedonia but fearing if he should put him to death it might occasion some Tumult in Macedon he only confined him to Prison in Bonds After this he advanced to Gordium scituate between both the Phrygias which City he desired to be Master of not so much for the plunder as because he heard that in the Temple of Jupiter which was within it there was consecrated the Plough of Gordius the knots of whose cords if any could unlose the Oracle of Old had presaged he should reign over all Asia The Original of the Story was this When Gordius was ploughing in this Countrey with his Oxen great flights of Birds of all sorts flew round about him who going to the Southsayers and Astrologers of the next City to know the meaning he met at the Gate a Virgin of admirable Beauty and asking her whether he should go to be resolved of his doubt she having some knowledge her self in the Art by the instructions of her Parents told him That the Kingdom and Government of that Countrey was presaged to him thereby and offered him to be a companion of his good fortune by giving her self in Marriage to him He was unwilling to refuse so fair a condition which seemed the first felicity of his Kingdom After this Marriage a Sedition arose among the Phrygians and counsel being asked what would put an end to these mischiefs the Oracle replied That there was a necessity of a King And being again demanded who he should be answer was made That they should make him King whom they should find with a Plough entring into Jupiters Temple Gordeus was the man whom they presently saluted as their King who consecrated to Regal Majesty in that Temple the Plough by which the Kingdom was conferred upon him After him reigned his Son Midas who being instructed by Orpheus in the Solemnities of Worshipping their Gods he filled all Phrygia with Religion and Ceremonies by which during his life he was thought safer than by Arms. Alexander soon took the City and entring the Temple inquired for the Plough which being shewn him when he could not discover the ends of the Cords lying hid amongst the multiplicity of the foldings he gave a violent interpretation to the sense of the Oracle and cutting the cords asunder with his sword the knots were undone and he found the ends lying undiscovered in the Mystery of the Twists Mean while he heard of Darius approach with a formidable Army and fearing the danger of the Streights of Taurus he marcht speedily over that Mountain his Foot going five hundred Furlongs without Respite Coming to Tarsus and being taken with the pleasant River Cydnus running through that City he disarmed and covered with dust and sweat threw himself into it which was so very cold that it caused a Chilness and benuming in every joint which rendred him Speechless and made his condition very dangerous and the more because he had received letters that day from Cappadocia that Philip his chief Physician in whom he put most confidence was corrupted by Darius to destroy him However the case being desperate he ordered him to prepare a potion and having received the Cup he delivered these Letters to him and stedfastly beheld him as he drank the Physick and observing no alteration in his countenance in reading them he became more cheerful and in four days was perfectly recovered And now Darius advanced toward him with Three hundred thousand Foot and One hundred thousand Horse and though the multitude of his enemies did somewhat disturb him yet when he reflected what mighty Actions and what notable Conquests over many Nations he had performed with as few men he resumed his former courage but thought it necessary by no means to delay fighting least some discouragement might happen to his Soldiers and therefore riding through the midst of his Troops he by several Speeches and Orations endeavoured to confirm their valour teling them The World had no Souldiers comparable to them and that this one Battle would put an end to their labours but their glory and renown would remain for
Philip that he did not care to have his own Countrey so much as mentioned being overcome with the same vices which were the overthrow of his Enemies yet he politickly permitted his Souldiers to marry those Women who were their Captives to make the War less tedious and their desires to abate of returning home and likewise that Macedonia might be the less exhausted with recruitâ— if young Souldiers born in the Camp should succeed their Old Fathers The Parthians being next subdued Andragoras a noble Persian was made their Govenor from whom the Kings of Parthia deriv'd their original In the mean time Alexander excercised his rage on his own men more like an Enemy than a King especially on those who upbraided him for subverting the Customs of his Countrey for which offence old Permenio next in dignity to the King and his Son Philotas though upon other pretences were put to death upon which murmurs rose throughout the Camp in compassion to these innocents and secrets whispers that they could hope for little better to themselves which being told Alexander he declared he would send some into Macedonia to give an account of his Conquests desiring his Souldiers to write freely to their Friends who were glad of such an opportunity This done he commanded the Letters to be secretly brought him whereby having discovered every mans opinion of him he reduced those who had writ severely into one Company with an intent either to destroy or distribute them into Colonies in the furthest parts of the World. He then subdued the Dracans and divers other Nations inhabiting at the foot of Mount Caucasus when Bessus one of the Favorites of Darius was brought bound in chains who not only betrayd but kill'd his King whom Alexander delivered to the brother of Darius to be tormented in revenge of his Treason And to leave his name in those remote Countreys he built a City which he named Alexandria on the River Tanais within seventeen days making a Wall about it of six miles compass and transplanting thither the people of three Citys adjacent built by Cyrus He likewise built twelve Citys amongst the Bactrians and Sogdians wherein he placed all whom he found seditious in his Army After this one Holyday he called his chief Captains together to a Banquet where mention being made of the exploits perform'd by Phillip Alexander preferred himself above his Father and extolled his own Atchievements to the skies the greatest part of his guests assenting thereto but Clytus an Old Commander upon confidence of the Kings Friendship still persisted to magnifie the actions of Philip which so inflam'd Alexander that snatching a spear from one of the Guard he killed him at the Feast and insulted over his Dead body but his Passion being abated he heartily repented of that rash action lamenting his innocent Old Friend whom Wine and Gluttony had thus destroyed and would have done execution upon himself for the same had not his Friends prevented him Yet melting into tears he imbraced the dead Body handled his wounds and confessed to him his madness as if alive and taking the spear again into his hands he had certainly slain himself if the attendants had not interposed This resolution to dye continued with him several days after The remembrance of his Nurse who was Sister to Clytus still renewed his griefe for making her so cruel a recompence for the nourishment she had given him and that being a young man and a Conqueror he should requite her who brought him up in her arms with Bloud and Murder He then reflected on the disgrace this act would procure him both in his own Army and the Conquered Nations appearing now more terrible among his Friends at a Banquet than being armed in the face of his Enemies then Permenio and Philotas and all the Princes he had destroyed in Macedon represented themselves to his memory for which he abstained four days from eating a bit of meat till he was at last prevaild on by the Prayers of the whole Army desiring him not so much to resent the death of one as thereby to destroy them all nor to forsake those whom he had brought into the utmost parts of the East among barbarous and cruel Nations sufficiently provoked by his invasions The perswasions of Calisthenes the Philosopher and his familiar acquaintance prevailed much upon him being bred up with him in the School of Aristotle and whom he sent for on purpose to record his Conquests and Victorys Having therefore resolv'd to pursue the War he took several Nations who submitted to him into his protection Yet not long after to render himself still more hateful he commanded That he would not only be Worshipped but adored which was the only thing he had forborn in his proud imitation of the Persian Kings Calisthenes was the most resolute opposor of this innovation which ruined both him and divers other Princes of Macedon who were all put to death under pretence of Treason Yet would not the Macedons submit to adoration but retained their ancient custom of saluting their King. He next marcht into India to bound his Empire with the Ocean and the farthest East and to make himself and his Army more renowned he covered the trappings of their Horses and the arms of his Souldiers with Silver When he came to the City of Nysa the in habitants made no resistance because of their religious confidence in the assistance of their God Bacchus by whom that City was built which he commanded should be spared that he might follow the footsteps of their Deity He then led his Army to see the Holy Hill of Bacchus which was clothed with Vines and Ivy so naturally and elegantly as if adorned by the hand and industry of the Planter From hence he marcht to the Hills of Dedalus and the kingdom of Queen Cleophis who yeilding to him without resistance received back her Kingdom redeeming it by exposing her self to his pleasure and obtaining that by wantonness which she could never have recovered by force of Arms She called her Son then begotten by him Alexander who after enjoy'd the Kingdom of the Indians she was afterward called by her subjects The Royal Harlot Having marcht almost through all India he came at length to a Rock as wonderful for its bigness as ascent into which many Nations fled for security and understood that Hercules was by an Earthquake hindred from taking it Being thereupon transported with ambition to transcend the Actions and labours of Hercules he with almost infinite difficulty and danger became came Master of it and took into his protection all the Nations thereabout One of the Indian Kings named Porus was as admirable for his strength of Body as greatness of Mind who having notice of Alexanders advance prepared an Army to entertain him The Battles being joyned he damanded of the Macedons their King being resolved as a private Enemy to fight with him hand to hand Alexander made no delay to answer him and in the first
Royal Crown richly adorned with Pearls and precious Stones which he absolutely refused with this Zealous answer Why should I bear the name of a King in a place where my Saviour hath been crowned with reproaches should I take the Scepter in my hand where he hath taken the Cross upon his Shouldiers Should I suffer a Crown of Gold upon my head where he hath received a Crown of Thornes Sure I should then hold my self for vanquished if such a vanity should be victorious over my heart It is God that hath inspired us with these designs It is he that hath conducted and crowned us with success I pretend therefore to no other honours than to lay all honours at the seet of the Cross of Christ But though he would not take upon himself the name of King yet it was constantly given him as all Historians of that time and Posterity have ever since done to this very day and certainly never any King better deserved to wear that glorious Title which he adorned with so many Royal Actions The Sultan of Egypt coming too late to relieve Jerusalem advanced now with a formidable Army to besiege it against whom Godfrey and his Souldiers marched with much courage and resolution over whom they obtained an intire Victory with richer pillage than any time before in the whole War the Enemy losing thirty thousand upon the place and as many more in the pursuit After this Battle the Princes and great Lords who followed them believing they had fully accomplished their vow of recovering the Holy Land took their leaves of King Godfrey to return to their respective Countries leaving him only three hundred Horse and about two thousand Foot with which few Troops the King to inlarge the Frontiers of his new Kingdom conquered the places which were yet untaken round about Jerusalem And now after so many Toils being fallen sick he caused himself to be removed to the City where July 8. 1100. In the fortieth year of his age and the first of his Reign he rendred his glorious Soul into the hands of his Almighty Redeemer by a most Religious death his brother Baldwin succeeding K. of Jerusalem in his stead He was a Prince in whom all Virtues Christian Civil and Military met in the highest point of humane perfection without mixture of any default so that it will remain difficult to find another like him to whom without Flattery the same praises may be given and which induced future Ages to bestow on him the honourable Title of one of the Worthies of the World. FINIS There are newly Published seventeen very useful pleasant and necessary Books all sold by Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside I. 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our dearest bloud and life In the mean time the Kings Commissioners pressing every one to declare himself one of the Jews whether induced by terror or reward steps forth from among the people to sacrifice according to the command of the King wherewith Matthias inflamed with Zeal was so displeased that he and his Sons fell upon him and hewed him in pieces they also slew Apollos the Kings Captain and other Souldiers who withstood them Then he overthrew the Altar and with a loud voice said All that are affected to the Laws of their Fathers and the Service of God let them follow me Whereupon many of them retired with their Wives and Children into the Desarts and Caves but were soon pursued and overtaken by the Kings Captains who again renewed their perswasions to them to offer Sacrifice to the Idols which the Jews absolutely refusing and resolving rather to die than commit such Impiety these bloudy Persecutors assaulted them on the Sabbath day and burnt them in their Caves who neither resisted nor defended themselves lest they should prophane the Sabbath Some thousands of Men Women and Children were there destroyed yet divers escaped who joyned themselves with Matthias and chose him for their Captain who then inform'd them that they might lawfully fight on the Sabbath if they were assaulted else they were guilty of their own deaths And having assembled a sufficient number he destroyed the Heathen Altars and slew those who had forsaken their Religion commanding them to circumcise their Children and driving from every place those whom Antiochus had appointed to see the Laws executed Having thus governed one year he fell sick and perceiving his death to approach he sent for his five Sons John Simeon Judas Maccabeus Eleazer and Jonathan whom he earnestly exhorted to follow his steps its maintaining the Law of God and fighting for their Countrey assuring them of the divine assistance which never fails those who love and fear God but taking pleasure in their virtues will grant them favour to recover their former liberty and peace And saith he God will establish you in the possession of your ancient Laws and though our bodies are mortal and subject to death yet the memory of our virtuous actions will remain to eternity never doubt therefore to venture your lives in so good a Cause but above all I exhort you to love and concord and whatever you find any one most apt and fitted for let him prosecute the same without contradiction from the rest I charge you to obey your brother Simeon a politick and valiant man in what ever he shall Counsel you but make Judas Maccabeus your Captain who is couragious and strong for he shall revenge the injuries and outrages that have been done to our Nation and shall put your Enemies to flight Assist him therefore like men of valour and such as fear God and thereby you shall be sure to prevail Soon after Matthias gave up the Ghost and Judas Maccabâ—us was made General who by the assistance of his Brethren and other Jews drove the Enemy out of the Country and cleansed the Land of Idolatry Which when Apollonius the General of Antiochus in Samaria heard he invaded Judea Against whom Maccabeus went forth and in a terrible Battle overthrew and killed Apollonius taking his Camp and therein a very rich Booty together with his Sword. After this Seron Governour of Coelosyria with the assistance of many Apostate Jews marcht against Judas to Bâ—thoron who observing his Souldiers discouraged by their great numbers and because they had fasted so long and were thereby disabled he incouraged them saying That Victory did not consist in numbers of men but in their Devotion toward God who had so assisted their Forefathers that with small Forces they had often defeated many thousands of their Enemies They were hereby so prevail'd upon that without sear of their multitude they ran all upon Sevon routed his Army and slew him together with eight hundred of the Syrians the rest escaping by flight Antiochus inraged at this defeat commanded Lysias the Governour of Egypt to go with a very strong Army and conquer Judea and then to sell the Inhabitants for Slaves to those that would give most and utterly to destroy and ruine Jerusalem Lysias having this command sent Prolomy Nicanor and Gorgias men of great Authority about the King with Forty thousand Foot and Seven thousand Horse to invade Judea who marching to the City of Emaus greatly increased their Forces Judas having viewed the Camp and number of his Enemies exhorted his Souldiers to repose their confidence and hope of Victory in God alone appointing likewise a Fast to humble themselves before God by supplications and prayers in such a time of extream danger and assuring them that God would have compassion on them and strengthen them to put their Adversaries to shamâ— Next day he mustered his Army discharging all who were newly married or had lately bought Possessions according to the Law and then spake thus to the rest Countrymen and Companions we had never more occasion to express our Courage and contemn Dangers than at this present For if you now fight valiantly you may in this one Battle recover your Liberties whereby you will have opportunity again to serve the True God and live a happy life But if you prove Cowards in this Encounter you will be branded with perpetual Infamy and indanger the utter extirpation of your Nation Consider therefore that if you fight not you must die and on the contrary assure your selves that in fighting for your Religion Laws and Liberties you shall obtain Immortal Glory Be ready Theerfore in the morning to give your mortal Enemies Battle Immediately news was brought him that a strong party of Horse and Foot were design'd to falâ— on him that night whereupon Maccabeus suddenly resolved to break into the Enemies Army the same night while they were so divided Having therefore refreshed himself and his Army and leaving many Fires in his Camp to deceive the Enemy he marcht all night to seek them out Gorgias finding the Jews had forsaken their Camp imagined that they were fled to the Mountains for fear and deligently pursued them But in the morning Judas with only three thousand men ill armed shewed himself to the Enemy at Emaus and having observed their posture he perswaded his men To fight Valiantly since he was certain God would deliver their Enemies into their hands and thereupon causing his Trumpets to sound he fell upon them with such fury and resolution that being absolutely affrighted and surprized they instantly gave ground and having slain such as resisted he pursued the rest to the Plains of Idumea In this fight three thousand of the Enemy were Killed yet would he not suffer his Souldiers to take the spoil telling them that they were still to fight with Gorgias and his Army whom when by Gods help they had beaten they should then securely inrich themselves with the booty Gorgias and his
continually crawling out so that he rotted above ground with such an intollerable stink that none could come near him neither could himself indure it And thus this vile Person who had insolently boasted he would make Jerusalem a common Burying place and the streets thereof run with the Bloud of Gods People by his just Judgment ended his life in extream misery Before his death he made Philip his Cheif Captain Governor of his Kingdom requiring him to be very careful of his Son Antiochus Then was Antiochus proclaimed King and Sirnamed Eupator About which time the Apostate Jews in garrison at Jerusalem did much mischief slaying those unawares who came to Worship and offer Sacrifices in the Temple Judas hereupon resolved to cut them off and accordingly besieged the Fort with his Army when some of the beseiged escaping by night went and desired Antiochus not to suffer those to perish who for his Fathers sake had forsaken their God and their Religion who thereupon sent a mighty Army of an hundred thousand foot twenty thousand Horse and thirty two Elephants under Lysias their Captain to relieve them who sate down before Bethsura a strong City but were valiantly resisted by the inhabitants who fallied out and burnt the Engines prepared for battery Whereupon Judas raising his seige before the Castle of Jerusalem marched toward the Enemy who preparing to meet him Antiochus then present caused his Elephants to march first through the narrow passage where Judas was incamped each Elephant having a thousand Foot and an hundred Horse for his guard with a Tower on his back furniâ—â—â— with Archers The rest of his Forces were ordereâ—â—â— march by the Mountains and with great shouts to aâ—â—â—l their Enemies and by uncovering their brazen and golden Bucklers to dazel the eyes of the Jews Yet was Judas no way disturbed but incouraging his Army slew six hundred of the Forlorn Hope Eleazer the Brother of Judas seeing a huge Elephant with Royal trappings and judging the King was on him having with a noble courage slain those about him thrust his Sword into the belly of the Beast who suddenly falling slew him with his weight Judas observing the great strength of the Enemy matcht back to Jerusâ—lem Antiochus following him and taking Bethsura by Treaty for want of provisions and dispairing of relief they having the Kings Oath that no violence should be offered them yet he thrust them out of the City and put a Garrison therein He lay long before the Temple of Jerusalem the besieged defending it gallantly only they wanted Victuals the Land not having been tilled for seven years before whereupon divers secretly fled and few remain'd to defend the Temple when by Gods providence Antiochus had news that Philip his Fathers Governor was coming out of Persia to make himself Lord of his Countrey Whereupon Antiochus sent an Herald to Judas promising the Jews peace and the liberty of their Religion Which Judas accepting and taking the Kings Oath for the true performance thereof he surrendred up the Temple to Antiochus who entring the same and finding it so impregnable a place he contrary to his Oath commanded the Wall that incompassed it to be levell'd and so returned to Antioch with Onias the High Priest whom by the counsel of Lysias be put to death because he had advised his Father to inforce the Jews to forsake their Religion A just reward for so wicked a Fact. Philip having Conquered much of his Countrey Antiochus marcht against him fought with him and slew him Soon after Demetrius Son of Seleucus took Tripolis in Syria and declaring himself King invaded the Kingdom of Antiochus to whom the people generally submitting seized on Antiochus and Lysias and bringing them to Demetrius he caused them to be slain To this new King divers Jews banished for their impiety together with Alcimus the High Priest resorted accusing Judas Maccabeus his brethren and the rest of the Nation for killing their Friends and banishing such as were for Demetrius Who much moved with these reports sent a great Army under Bacchides a Valiant and Experienced General to destroy Judas and his Confederates He marching into Judea sent to Judas pretending to make peace with him who observing him to have such strong Forces would not trust to his false promises though some of the people did having his Oath for their protection but paid dear for their credulity for he slew threescore of them at one time Then going from Jerusalem he seized and put to death many Jews commanding the rest to obey Aleimus the High-Priest who by his feigned and familiar deportment drew many wicked Jews to join with him and then marched through the Countrey slaying all who were for Judas who seeing many upright men thus causlesly killed he with his Army went through the Land and flew all the Apostates that were of Alcimus his Faction He thereupon going to Demetrius made grievous complaints against Judas and shewing how dangerous it would be to the State if he went thus on Demetrius thereupon sent an Army against Judas under Nicanor commanding him not to spare any one of the Nation of the Jews Nicanor coming to Jerusalem offered no act of hostility but endeavouring to intrap Judas by subtilty sent him a peaceable Message protesting he deâ—gned no injury but came only to express the good affections of Demetrius to the Jewish Nation Judas and his Brethren deceived with these fair pretences entertained him and his Army and Nicanor saluting Judas whilst they were in discourse he gave a sign to his Souldiers to seize him but Judas discovering the Treason escaped from him and got to his Army Upon which Nicanor proclaimed open War against him and fought him near Caper-Salama where â—e obtained the Victory and constrained Judas to reâ—etreat into the Fortress of Jerusalem where Nicanor â—esieged him a while and then retired At which time certain of the Priests and Elders met him and having given him reverence they showed him the Sacrifices they intended to offer to God for the Kings prosperity But Demetrius blaspheming threatned them if they did not deliver Judas into his hands at his return he would destroy the Temple Hereupon the Priests wept abundantly beseeching God to defend the Temple and his True Worshipers from the outrage of their Enemies Nicanor coming near Bethhoron received a great supply of Souldiers out of Syria Judas likewise was not far off with about a thousand men yet exhorting his Souldiers to trust in God and not fear the multitude of their Enemies he couragiously encountred Nicanor where the Conflict was doubtful yet at last Judas had the advantage killing a great number of his Enemies Nicanor himself fighting valiantly was slain whereupon his Army fled and Judas speedily pursuing made a great slaughter and by sounding a Trumpet giving notice to the Neighbouring places the Inhabitants armed themselves and killed those that fled so that not one escaped from this Battle though they were at least Nine thousand men
After this the Jews had some rest But Alcimus the High Priest intending to beat down the old Wall of the Sanctuary was suddenly strucken by God became speechless and fell to the ground and having suffered grievous torments many days he died miserably Whereupon the People by general consent chose Judas Maccabeus High Priest who hearing of the great power and Victorys of the Romans sent two Persons to Rome to make them his Allies and Confederates and to write to Demetrius to give over his Wars against the Jews These Ambassadors coming to Rome were entertained by the Senate and an Alliance was concluded upon these conditions That none under the Romans should War against the Jews nor furnish their Enemies with Victuals Ships nor Silver That if any made War on the Romans the Jews should assist them That the Jews should neither add nor diminiâ—â— from this Association without the general consent of 〈◊〉 Romans and that what was thus concluded should contitâ— forever The death of Nicanor and the loss of his Army being reported to Demetrius he sent another undeâ— Bacchides who coming into Judea and hearing thaâ— Judas was incamped at Bethzeth he marched againâ—â— him with twenty thousand Foot and two thousanâ— Horse Judas had not in all above two thousand meâ—â— who seeing the vast number of their Foes were mucâ— afraid so that many forsaking the Camp fled away anâ— there remained with Judas only eight hundred meâ— and his Enemies pressed so hard on him that he lâ—â— no time to re-assemble his Forces yet he resolved 〈◊〉 fight with that small handful exhorting them to behavâ— themselves valiantly Who answering That they we not able to make head against so great an Army adviseâ— him to retire and stand on his guard till he had reâ—â— inforced himself Judas replied God forbid that the 〈◊〉 should see me turn my back upon mine Enemies though die and spend my last Bloud in this Battel yet will I neveâ— blemish my former Worthy actions by an ignominious flight And having again encouraged his Souldiers he commanded them to use their utmost courage againâ— the Enemy without any apprehension of danger Bacchides marshalled his Army in Battalia and caâ—â—sing the Trumpets to sound and his Souldiers to make 〈◊〉 great Shout he charged his enemies Judas did the like and encountred Bacchides upon which there ensued a most bloudy Fight which continued till Sun-set Judaâ—â— perceiving that Bacchides and the flower of his Army fought in the right wing drew his most resolute Souldierâ— thither who brake in upon them and forcing them to fly pursued them to Mount Aza But the left wing followed Judas and inclosed him on the back part so that finding himself in much danger he with his Followers resolved to sell their lives dearly and fight it out to the last He slew a great number of his Enemies â—ill at length he was so wearied with killing that he â—ell to the ground and was there slain upon which his â—ew remaining companions betook themselves to flight Simeon and Jonathan his Brothers recovered his Body and buried it at Modin all the people weeping and making great lamentation for the death of so valiant 〈◊〉 Commander for whatsoever Virtue hath of great whatsoever valour hath of generous met in the person of Judas Maccabeus to make a Marvel of his life and give â—mmortal memory to his Name In the space of six years be sustained the great and prodigious Forces of three Kings of Asia as you have heard opposing himself with a little flying Camp against Armies of forty sixty an hundred thousand men which he put into disorder and confusion He defeated nine Generals of the Infidels in ranged battles and combates killing some with his own hands and carrying away their Spoils so that of all his great Qualities Valour always held the upper rank and worthily entitled him to the name of a Worthy The History of Arthur King of Brittain The Seventh Worthy of the World. Arthur the Great and Worthy Brittish King Glory and Victory to his Realm did bring He th' Heathen Saxons often overcame Inducing them to own the Christian Name He while he lived upheld the Sinking State And Conquest seem'd upon him still to wait His Subjects Love he thereby doth attain And he must chuse one after him to Reign The Pictish King this Choice doth much resent As if to wrong him of his Rights they meant Both Kings ingage in Fight where both Kings dy'd With Thousands of their Subjects on each side THe Brittish Writers have related such Strange and Miraculous Actions and Adventures of this Worâ—hy Prince that many Intelligent Men have been apt to think that all which hath been written of his Heroicks deeds is meer Fiction and Invention yea some are of opinion that there never was any such Person but though Historians disagree about times and places some writing carelesly and others superstitiously yet they all agree upon the Predecessors and Successors of this Noble King but as it is most execrable Infidelity to doubt that there was a Joshua Wicked Atheism to question if there were a David and unreasonable to deny the being of Judas Maccabcus As it may be judged folly to affirm there was never any Alexander Julius Caesar Godfrey of Bullen or Charlemagne so we may be thought guilty of incredulity and ingratitude to deny or doubt the honourable Acts of our Victorious Arthur This is premised in vindication of our Hero and his immortal name and fame whereby he justly gained the Title of the Seventh Worthy of the World. Now to his History After this Kingdom had for above four hundred and eighty years been subject to the Romans which began by the Conquest that Julius Caesar made here in the Reign of Cassibelan King of the Brittains seventeen years before the birth of our Blessed Saviour and ended in the time of the Emperor Gratianus three hundred seventy six years after Christ Vortigern of the bloud Royal of the Brittish Kings by usurpation and the Murther of Constance the Son of Constantius seized upon the Crown who growing odious and hateful to his Subjects both for his wicked life and ill got Soveraignty he was forced to send to Germany for the Saxons to aid and support him The Saxons at this time possest the third part of Germany holding all the Countreys between the River Rhine and Elbe bounded on the North by the Baltick Sea and the Ocean and governed by twelve Princes who elected a Soveraign Leader and General in time of War This being so sparious populous and near a Countrey well furnisht with Shipping which the Brittains wanted yielded always plentiful supplies to the undertakers of this action who were first Two brothers Hengist and Horsa After they had continued here a while as hired Souldiers and observed the weakness both of Prince and People their number dayly increased At first they had only the Isle of Thanet allowed them to inhabit but soon after the whole County of Kent
of Body and Beautiful Armor of their Enemies The Persians were amazed to think how often so many thousands of them had been overcome with so few Soldiers Alexander bid his Soldiers Not be troubled at the multitude or strength of their Enemies but to consider this was the third time they had fought with them and that they were never the more valiant for flying away so often that they ought to despise an Army shining with Gold and Silver since their Iron would soon purchase it to themselves Then both Armies ingaging the Macedonians in contempt of the Enemy so often conquered threw themselves upon the Swords of their Adversaries and the Persians desired rather manfully to dye than be again defeated seldom more bloud was shed in any Fight Darius seeing his Forces routed would willingly have died himself but those next him compelled him to fly some perswaded him to break down the Bridge of Cydnus and stop the Enemies progress who answered That he would not provide for his safety so dishonourably by expesing so many thousands of his own Soldiers to the fury of the Enemy who ought to be allowed the same way to escape which lay open to himself Alexander was still personally present in the greatest difficulties and where the Enemy stood firmest he clapt in amongst them and made the most pressing dangers more his own than his Soldiers In this Battle he gained to himself the whole Empire of Asia in the fifth year of his reign so happily that none after durst Rebel the Persians whose Empire had continued so many years now patiently enduring the Yoke of Servitude His Soldiers refresht and rewarded the Booty being so great that they were thirty days in dividing it he found hid eleven thousand Talents and then took Persepolis the Chief Seat of the Kingdom renowned for many years and full of the spoils of the World which were now discovered in the destruction thereof At this place eight hundred Greeks who had been formerly taken Captive by the Persians came to Alexander with their dismembred Bodies desiring him as he had delivered Greece so he would likewise them from the Cruelty of their Enemies The King granted them to return home but they rather chose to be seated in some Plantation there least instead of joy they should present to their Parents the lamentable and loathed spectacle of themselves Mean time Darius was seized on by his own Kinsmen and Fettered in Golden Chains in a Parthian Town called Taneas thinking thereby to purchase savour of the Conqueror Alexander pursuing him full speed came to the same Town next day and was inform'd that Darius was by night carried away in a close Waggon Therefore ordering his Army to follow he pursued him with only seven thousand Horse encountring several dangers by the way and having run many miles without gaining any Intelligence of him he staid to refresh his Troops when one of his Soldiers going to the next Spring found Darius there bleeding through many wounds but yet alive who observing the Soldier to be a Persian Captive he said It was some comfort to him in his deplorable Misfortunes that he should speak to one who understood him and should not breath forth his last words in vain He desired him to represent to Alexander his real sense of the many obligations received from him which he was sorry he had not the happiness to return since he had demeaned himself toward his Mother and Children not as an Enemy but a King and that he was more happy in an Adversary than in his own kindred since Alexander had spared the Lives of his near Relations whereas his own Life was taken away by his Kinsmen to whom he had given both Life and Kingdoms for which he should receive that recompence which was due to a Conqueror All the return he could make him for his repeated savours was as a dying man to beseech the Powers above and the Powers below and the Gods that dispose of Scepters to bestow upon him the Empire of the whole World. For himself he desired to have rather a solemn than a sumptuous Funeral As to his death the revenge ought to be exemplary it being not only Alexanders but the common cause of all Kings and would be as dishonourable as dangerous to be passed over since hereby he might both declare his Justice and procure his future safety and in hope of his performing it He gave the Soldier his right hand the only pledge of the Faith of a King and soon after gave up the Ghost Alexander coming thither and hearing this Relation having beheld the miserable condition wherein he was with tears lamented his death so unworthy his former grandeur and commanded his Body to be Buried like a King among the Tombs of his Predecessors Alexander after this honoured the Souldiers he lost in pursuit of Darius with great suneral expences dividing fifteen thousand Talents among their surviving Companions He now received Intelligence that after his departure almost all Greece combined to recover their liberty in his absence the Lacedemonians leading the Van who despising the Peace with Philip and Alexander Agis their King became General of this War which insurrection Antipater supprest in the beginning though with great blood shed on both sides Agis making terrible slaughter of his Enemeis and sometimes driving whole Troops before him After the death of Darius Alexanders Souldiers did not doubt but the War was quite finished expecting nothing but a speedy return to their own Countrey and in their imagination already imbraced their Wives and Children when Alexander calling a General Council declared unto them That they had gained nothing by so many famous victories if their more Eastern Enemies were yet untouched neither did he make War to conquer the Person but the Empire of Darius and that those were to be pursued who fled away and revolted from him Having by this speech revived the courage of his men he subdued the Mardians and Hircanians In this place Thalestris or Minothea Queen of the Amazons addressed her self to him attended with three hundred Thousand Women having travelled twenty five days through many terrible Nations only as she sayd To have a son by so great a Conqueror Her countenance and the cause of her coming were the subject of much wonder both for the strangeness of her habit and request To satisfie which the King took thirty day leasure and when she thought she was with Child she took her leave and departed Alexander now assumed the habit and Diadem of the King of Persia as if tranformed into the fashions and Customs of the Conquered and to prevent envy commanded his friends likewise to wear long Robes of gold and purple and to imitate their Riot also he divided the night by turns among troops of Concubines admired both for birth and beauty adding thereto Feasts and Plays to compleat his Luxury which caused great indignation among his Commanders to see him so far degenerate from his Father
he had Married Caesars Daughter for whose sake he had put away his own wife though he had three Children by her and they were wont in Passion to call him Adulterer But his greatest affection was for Servitia the Mother of Brutus presenting her with a Pearl of a very vast value suffering her to purchase Lands at a very low rate Nor did he abstain from the Ladys in the Provinces where he commanded if we may believe what the Souldiers sung at his Gallick Triumph Look to your Wives our bald-pate Fornicator Will cuckold you See therefore to the matter His Money 's spent in France He 's now come home At the Old Rate to borrow more at Rome He was likewise inamoured of several Queens as Eunoe wife of the King of Mauritania and others but his chiefest Passion was for Cleopatra with whom he would oft entertain himself till next morning passing with her in the same Barge or Pleasure-boat into Egypt almost as far as Ethiopia and had doubtless gone through had not his Army mutined and refused to follow him He after invited her to Rome and sent her back with many Honours and Rewards He permitted her to call a Son of hers by his name who its said did exactly resemble him That he was temperate in drinking his very Enemies confess Cato's saying was That he was the only sober man ever went about to subvert the Government of the State. In his Diet he was so indifferent that being at a publick Entertainment where ill Oyl was brought up instead of good the rest refusing to touch it he eat very heartily lest otherwise he should upbraid his Host of poverty or neglect He abstained from no way of getting Money in his Civil and Military Commands and maintained his Civil Wars Triumphs and shews by all manner of Rapine and Sacriledge In Eloquence and Martial Conduct he excelled the best of his Predecessors none being more pungent nor frequent in his Sentences or more Neat and Elegant in his words He writ the Commentaries of his own Actions in the Wars of France and against Pompey in so Judicious Eloquent and Modest a Stile as justly makes it a question whether he writ or fought with the greater Spirit At his Weapon and riding the Great Horse he was excellently expert and in labour most indefatigable marching constantly at the head of his Army both on Horseback and a foot always with his head bare in all weathers His diligence was so incredible that upon an expedition he would go fifty Leagues a day in a Hackney Chariot swimming over Rivers if any were in his way or else passing over with blown Bladders so as he out-ran all Intelligence of him In his Martial undertakings it is doubtful whether he used more Caution or Courage he never marched his Army in any dangerous ways till he had first throughly discovered them Before his landing in England he himself surveyed the Ports and Acesses to go into that Island Having notice that his Camp was Besieged in Germany he passed the Enemies Guards disguised like a Frenchman and came safe to their relief No Religious scruple ever hindered his designs when he went against Juba the Beast ran away just as it was to be Sacrificed which was thought an ill Omen yet he valued it not As he was getting out of the Ship he fell to the ground but perverting the bad presage he cried out I take possession of thee O Africk When he saw any Battle doubtful he dismounted his Troopers and sent away all their Horses and his own first that it being impossible to escape they might either Fight or Dye He rid upon a most remarkable Horse whose Feet were almost like a Mans the Hoofs being cloven to the Toes he bred him up from a Colt with great care because the Astrologers declared That Horses Master should have the Empire of the World Neither would the Horse suffer any Body upon him but Caesar who back't him himself He several times restored the Battle when it was almost lost by opposing himself against them that fled taking them by the Throats and forcing their Faces toward the Enemy After the Battle of Pharsalia going to Sea in a Bark by himself he met with ten of the Enemies Ships and stoutly commanded them to yield which they instantly performed At the Siege of Alexandria as he was attempting the Bridge the Enemy made a desperate Sally and forced him into a Boat into which others throwing themselves he leapt into the Sea and swam two hundred paces to the next Ship though he held his left hand above water to preserve some Papers and haled his Generals Robe after him with his Teeth lest it should fall into his Adversaries hands He considered his Souldiers neither by their Qualities nor Wealth but their Courage and Strength using them all alike with the same severity and indulgence and would oft give them false Alarms If they were at any time discouraged with the report of the number of their Enemies he would not lessen but increase their number above what was true As upon the approach of Juba whose power was terrible to them he called them together and said Know that in few days Juba will be here with ten Legions thirty Thousand men at Arms an hundred Thousand Horse and three hundred Elephants Therefore let every one forbear to inquire or concern himself further for I am sufficiently informed and if any presume to discourage you I will put him into the oldest Ship I can get expose him to the mercy of the Winds and Flouds He neither took notice of all faults nor punished them alike Those that were seditious or deserted their Colours he punisht severely After a Victory he would abate his strict Discipline suffering all their Riot and Luxury boasting often That his Souldiers could fight in their very perfumes He used to call them his Companions and Fellow Souldiers and kept them always brave in Arms shining with Gold and Silver that they might fight more stoutly if but to save their Armor he loved them so well that hearing of the defeat of his party under Titurius he let his Beard and Hair grow for indignation till he was throughly revenged By which obliging carriage his Souldiers had such an entire affection for him that when he first undertook the Civil wars there was not a Captain in his Legions but offered to find him a Horse out of their own pay neither did any forsake him and though taken by the Enemies and offered their lives to take up Arms against him chose rather to dye They indured hunger and other extremities of War with extraordinary constancy and when repulsed at Dyracchium they came and offered themselves to be punished So that Caesar had more trouble to comfort than correct them During his ten years War in Gaul they never mutined in his Civil Wars but seldom and then returned presently to their duty After he had made himself Emperor he advanced Persons of
favour had been done for me that I might have died for thee Every one cast down his Eyes for pity and the whole Victory was turned into sorrow Joab always bold and insolent toward his Master reproaches David thinking thereby to justify his own fault telling him That he would put to confusion all his faithful Servants who had that day saved his Life his House and Kingdom that he seemed of a very strange nature to hate those that loved him and love them that hated him since it was plain that if all his good Captains and Souldiers had perished to save the life of one Rebellious Son he would have been very well satisfied Further he swore to him by the Living God That if he did not rise and entertain those who returned from the Battel there would not one man remain with him before morning which would prove a greater displeasure than had ever yet happened to him He presses him so vehemently that the King without daring to answer a word rose up and did all he required By degrees his great grief diminished and the rejoicings of the people who came to carry him back to Jerusalem in triumph made him forget his loss and endeavouring to bring back all to him he pardoned them with unspeakable meekness being ready to give Joabs place to Amasa Absolons chief Captain But Joab quickly prevented this by killing with his own hand him who was designed his Successor After this he pursued Sheba a Captain of the Rebels who retired into Adela which being besieged by Joab a Woman of great discretion and credit with the people perswaded them to slay him and throw his head over the Wall which put an end to this whole bloudy War. After Davids re-establishment in his Kingdom he reigned about Eleven years in full peace and in continual exercises of Piety and Justice and assembling the States of his Realm he made his Son Solomon whom he had chosen to be confirmed King in his stead He lived near seventy two years reigned forty and died a thousand thirty two years before the Birth of our Saviour and about three thousand from the Creation of the World leaving vast Treasures for building the Temple as an Eternal Monument of his Devotion and Understanding It was a special favour to him that Jesus Christ should be born of his Line and that his Birth was revealed to him so long before it was known to the world He oft sets it down on the â—ide of his Psalms and was in an Extasie in Contemplation by the foretast of this happiness Men usually take their Nobility and Names from their Predecessors but David drew his from a Son who is the Father of Glory and Author of Eternity All things were great in Davids Person but the height of all this greatness is that from his Family there was given to us a Jesus The Hist of Judas Maccabeus a Valiant Commander of the Jews The Sixt Worthy of the World. This Valiant Worthy for his Countreys Cause And in defending of Gods Truth and Laws Was still ingag'd and often with a few He Thousands of his Enemies did subdue Their Number nor their strength he did not fear Hoping that God would still for him appear Who fought his Battels And would ne're comply To wicked Heathenish Idolatry At length forsook by almost all his men His Courage would not suffer him even then To fly away but being with killing tir'd He dearly sold his life and so expir'd AFter the death of Alexander the Great his Army and Dominions were divided between his Captains among whom Seleucus made himself King of Syria And afterward Antiochus Epiphanius reigned in Asia who being invited by some Apostate Jews to come to Jerusalem he incamped before it and by his Faction within had the gates opened and the City betrayed to him about the year of the World 3796. and before the Nativity of Christ 168. He robbed the Temple and carried away the Golden Table Candlestick and Censers with all the other vessels dedicated to God leaving nothing of any value behind him and raising such an horrible persecution against the Jews that the Heavens seemed to weep and the Earth to blush with Bloud It was a sport to that barbarous man to prophane Holy things and a continual exercise to flea and roast men alive or to throw them into boiling Caldrons for no other crime but persisting in the True Religion as he did by the Seven Sons of the Maccabees whose courage and constancy out-brav'd all his most exquisite Tortures He overturned the Altars upon the bleeding Priests strangled the Children in the bosom of their sighing Mothers the Flames devoured the sacred and prophane Buildings without distinction and the Houses that now seemed but Dens of Beasts represented so hideous a spectacle as gave more desire to die than courage to live Amidst these desolations was found a gallant Old man named Matthias a Priest the Father of many Sons all men of valour who went out of Jerusalem to retire himself to the City of Modin where he assembled his Family resolving to oppose themselves against the fury of the Tyrant but was quickly summoned to render up himself and all his men and to offer Incense to their Pagan Idols But this virtuous man calling his people together spake thus to them We should be too much in love with Life to keep it with the loss of the True Religion I am sorry that ever I was born in such an Age as to have seen the disasters of my Nation and the desolation of the Holy Jerusalem abandoned to the hands of Rapine and to impious prophanation Her Temple hath been the Object of all reproaches and those Vessels of Glory that served for the Ministry of the Living God have been taken away by violence We have seen our Streets covered with dead Bodies and the little Children with their Throats cut lying upon the Carcasses of their Fathers And what Nation hath not possessed our Inheritance and enriched themselves with our Spoils The holiness of the Temple hath not stayed Sacriligious hands neither hath this famous City been able to preserve it self from Flames After this what pleasure can we have in Life unless it be to revenge the quarrel of God I am promised all the honours and priviledges I can reasonably hope for if I will obey King Antiochus and joyn with those Apostates who have so basely betrayed their Faith but God forbid that I should ever fall into so odious a compliance When almost all my Nation have conspired to forsake the Law of their God and accommodate themselves to the times and their Princes will I can answer for my self my Children and my Brethren and can assure my self they will never commit so vild a crime Let all those who have a Zeal for True Religion joyn themselves with us and know that among so many miseries there is nothing better than to proceed in the ways of Religion and Glory though with the loss of
was made over to them upon condition they should defend the Land against the Picts and Scots And in short time greater priviledges were granted them upon Vortigerns marrying the daughter of Hengist an exceeding beautiful Lady who was brought over on purpose to steal away the heart of a dissolute Prince so that by thaâ— alliance and the fruitfulness of the Countrey so many 〈◊〉 this populous and Military Nation came in that Kent iâ— a little while grew too narrow for them and Hengist 〈◊〉 extend their power into all parts of the Kingdom perswaded Vortigern to plant a Colony of them in the Nortâ— beyond Humber to be a continual guard against all invasions on that side Which being granted he sends foâ— Occa his Brother and his Son Ebusa to manage that design and hereby the Saxons came to possess Kent and Northum beland which contained all the Countrey from the Riveâ— Humber to Scotland And now of Servants they became Masters contemâ—ing their Entertainers and committing many insolencies whereupon the Brittish Nobility combine together and resolve to depose Vortigern the Author of this inconsiderate admission of Strangers and to chuse Vortimer 〈◊〉 Son in his stead a Prince of great worth who whilâ— he lived gave them many fierce encounters but all prevailed not for the Saxons being possest of the chief Gaâ—â— of the Land which lay open to their own Countrey 〈◊〉 receive continual supplies from thence without resistanâ—â— had the advantage to weary them all out at last And beside force they are said to have used treachery in murthering three hundred of the Brittish Nobility at Ansbury where they innocently met to treat of a peace with them took their King Prisoner and would not release â—im but upon granting them three Provinces more Also the long life of Hengist a Politick General who â—ved almost forty years made much for the setling â—heir Dominion here which was not effected withâ—ut a great deal of labour and much effusion of â—loud For the Brittaines being by continual Wars made exâ—ert in Military discipline grew at length so inraged to â—e their Countrey ravished from them by Forreigners â—hat they sold their Liberties and Inheritance at a very â—ear rate Wherein much must be attributed to the courage â—nd gallantry of their Leaders from whom the Spirit and alour of a people doth usually proceed of whom none â—re more worthy to be remembred than Aurelius Ambrosius â—e last of the Romans and our worthy Prince Arthur â—e Noblest of the Brittains A man in conduct and vaâ—ur almost above a man and worthy of eternal memoâ—y who while he stood bore up the sinking state of his â—ountrey He was the Son of Vter Pendragon by the â—ir Igrene and during his life had continual War â—ith the Saxons and the Picts and Scots who were someâ—â—mes confederate with them In the beginning of his â—eign the two Kings of these two Nations seemed to envy â—s advancement to the Crown of Brittain Loth King 〈◊〉 the Picts having married the elder sister of Aurelius â—mbrosius and Vortigern and Conran King of Scots â—â—e younger and because Arthur was begot out of wedâ—ck though his Mother was after married to Vter â—â—ey thought it more reasonable the Kingdom should deâ—end to their Sisters Son than to him Whereupon Loth â—â—nt Ambassadors to the Brittish Lords and Nobility reâ—iring that according to the ancient Laws and Cusâ—â—ms of this Realm they should receive him as King who â—nd Married the Sister and Heir of the two brethren Amâ—osius and Vter their last Kings The Erittains received â—is Message with great scorn disdaining to think of subâ—iting to a stranger and dispatching the Ambassadors â—ith many reproaches against Loth and the Picts they proclaimed Arthur King of the Realm who raising a potent Army marched instantly against the Saxons hoping to engage them before the Picts should join which doubtless they would do suddenly Having therefore procured more aid from Armorica or little Brittain in France they met with the Saxons within ten Miles of London whom they vanquisht in two set battels and obliged them to pay Tribute and receive such Governors over them as Arthur should appoint with several other very hard conditions to the great rejoicing of the Brittains for such prosperous and happy success under their new elected King. After this the Brittains easily took London where Arthur continued for some time in consultation with his Nobility and Commanders how they should proceed it their Wars against the rest of the Saxons Having aâ— length prepared a mighty Army Arthur resolved to geâ— against those beyond Humber in the North with whom the Picts had concluded a League whereby they were obliged to assist each other against their Common Enemies the Brittains Arthur marching into Yorkshire incamped near the Enemy who were already joined together and resolving to fight the next day he appointed Howel Commander of the French Brittaines to ingage the Picts while himself dealt with the Saxons The battel was very furious and for some time the Victory was doubtful but at length the Picts were put to flight which the Saxons perceiving and thinking themselves unable to bear the whole Force of the Brittains they likewise left the Field and fled with all speed toward York Arthur pursuing them beseiged that City almost three months the Saxons valiantly defending it and making brisk sallies upon the Besiegers but at length provisions growing very scarce they were just ready to have surrendred when notice was given them that a strong Army of Picts and Saxons were coming to their relief together with Occa who escaping into Germany from the last battel was newly arrived with fresh Forces in the River of Humber whereupon the Saxons refused to treat any further not doubting but the Brittains would be quickly forc't to raise the seige and be glad to get off with their own lives Arthur having Intelligence of these Succors and judging it no wisdom to stay for their coming considering how many of his Souldiers were diseased and sick by lying so long in the Field raised his seige and went into Wales where leaving the French Brittains to quarter that Winter he with his choice Troops marched to London to prevent any disturbance from the Kentish Saxons or others In the Spring having mustered his Forces he proceeded against Colgern and Occa the two Saxon Generals who coming out of Northumberland wasâ—ed and destroyed the Brittish borders with their usual Cruelty Whereupon Arthur encountring them twice in â—attel overcame in both and then again beseiging York 〈◊〉 at length got possession thereof by means of a Brittain who living among the Saxons within the City privately â—et in some Brittains in the dead of the night who breaking open the gates gave entrance to the whole Army Arthur would not suffer many of the Saxons to be slain but â—ardoned all who beg'd quarter thereby to gain a repuation of Clemency amongst his adversaries The Britains having thus gotten York many skirmishes
who hearing that Constantine was proclaimed Prince was much disturbed and sent Ambassadors to Arthur to complain that contrary to the honour of a King he by proclaiming Constantine his Heir had broken the League between himself and his Father and endeavoured to defeat him of his rightful Inheritance desiring him not so easily to consent to the perswasions of the Brittains as thereby to violate the Laws both of God and man and admonishing him yet to observe the League which he had solemnly sworn to and to perswade his Subjects to do the like lest they should provoke the wrath of Almighty God against them who is a just revenger of the breach of all Oaths Leagues and Covenants To this the Nobles of Brittain answered That the League concluded between Arthur and Loth endered but for their Lives and was determined upon the death of either of them and therefore Arthur had done nothing but according to the duty of a Prince who tendred the peace and happiness of his Subjects in providing one of their own Nation to succeed him thereby to prevent the Realm from falling into the hands of strangers which they could by no means suffer Therefore if the Picts loved their Weal Security it would be good for them to be contented with their own Bounds and Dominions since if they should attempt to gain other mens Estates and Territories they would be forced in a short time to see the mischievous Consequences of such ill advised undertakings The Ambassadors of Pictland returning with this Answer the whole Nation were so stirr'd with indignation that they resolved immediately to revenge their wrongs by open War But first they endeavoured to procure the Scots to assist them and sending Ambassadors to Eugenius then King of Scotland he readily agreed to their requests upon pretence that some Scotch Rebels who fled to Arthur were received by him and likewise suffered to make In roads into Scotland Arthur having notice of these Transactions and War being Proclaimed against him he first secured the Sea coasts with consâ—derable forces to prevent the Landing of the Saxons if they should attempt it And then marched with the rest of his Army as far as the River Humber near the Banks whereof he pitcht his Tents a place formerly fatal for the overthrow of the Brittains expecting the Scots and Picts who in a short time came up to them and both Armies were in sight ready to ingage each other when certain Bishops of all the three Nations riding to and fro took great pains to perswade the Kings to Peace and Concord especially since what they were going to try with the Sword and the loss of much Bloud and many Lives might as well be composed by an Amicable and Friendly Agreement Neither could they better gratifie the Saxons the common Enemies to the Christian Religion than by weakning and destroying each other to make way for them to Conquer all together Mordred and Eugenius were induced by these carnest exhortations to refer the differences to some indifferent Persons and presently to lay down their arms upon assurance that the League with King Loth should be faithfully observed Arthur was also content for his part to have agreed thereto but the other Brittains especially the Kindred and Allies of Constantine utterly refused it and gave divers reproachful words to the Bishops for their unseasonable interposing since they were already ranged in battel so that it might be doubted they designed to betray their Army to their Enemies under pretence of an unprofitable agreement After this both Parties ingaged with great fury but the Brittains had such disadvantage by the place where they stood which was full of Mire Bogs and Mosses that they could neither advantagiously defend themselves nor offend their Enemies yet the Battel continued a long time with the slaughter of so many men that the river Humbâ—r near which it was fought grew red with bloud and carried a multitude of dead bodies into the Sea. In the heat of the sight a subtil Scot cryed out with a loud voice in the Brittish tongue that Arthur and most of his Nobility were slain and it was therefore in vain to resist any longer or hope for Victory but better for every man to shift for himself and endeavour to make his escape This news wonderfully incouraged the Scots and Picts but the Brittains were so much astonished at it that the greatest partinstantâ— fled away Others judging it only a crafty device to discourage them continued to make the utmost resistance till they were overpowred and almost every man slain This Victory was veryhardly got and cost more lives than any other for many years before for of the Scots and Picts who won the Feild there were killed above Twenty Thousand together with King Mordred and abundance of the Nobility of both Nations Of the Brittains and their confederates in the fight and pursuit above thirty thousand fell and among them King Arthur himself and Gawan brother to Mordred who had such an intire affection for his Lord and Master Arthur that he fought couragiously on his side that day against his own brother Mordred Gawan and most part of the Brittish Nobility were likewise slain Next day the Camp was plundred and among other rich spoyls Guyniver King Arthurs Wife with a great number of other Ladys and Gentlewomen were taken Prisoners though she and some others were afterward redeemed upon ransom This Bloudy Battel was fought in the year of our Lord 542. the 26 year of the reign of King Arthur and so much weakned both the Picts Scots and Brittains that they could not recover their losses in man years The same year many strange Prodigies were seen The Grass and Herbs in Yorkshire were stained with Bloud Near Camelon a Cow brought forth a Calf with two heads and an Ewe brought forth a Lamb of both Sexes The Sun for several days appeared like Bloud The Sky was full of bright Stars at noon divers days together In Wales there was a Battel between the Crows and Magpies on one side and the Ravens on the other and great slaughter was made on each side The Body of this famous Worthy was buried at Glassenbury in Somersetshire in the Church yard and discovered in the reign of King Henry the second who being informed by a Welch Ministrel that could sing many Historys in Welch of the Acts of the ancient Brittains declared that Arthurs Body was there buried Sixteen foot deep between two Pillars lest his Enemies the Saxons should have found him Henry caused the place to be dug up After they had digged about seven Foot they found a mighty broad Stone with a leaden Cross fastened to that part which lay downward with this Inscription Hic jacet Sepultus inclytus Rex Arthurus in Insulae Avaloniae Here lieth the renowned King Arthur in the Isle of Avalonia His Body was inclosed in a great Tree made hollow whith being opened his Bones appeared of a very great bigness his