for the dead Emperours he was numbred amongst their Gods 28. When the Emperour Iulianus departed out of Antioch to march against the Persians where he lost his life being much displeased with that City for some seditious words and actions that had been amongst them turning himself to the people I will come hither no more said he And when he sacrificed to Mars near the City of Câ—esiphon and perceived that the entrails afforded no sign of prosperity he said he would sacrifice to Mars no more supposing when he spake that both these should remain in his choice but he was deceived they were as prâ—sages that he should be hindred both from the oâ—e and the other by death 29. Clodovaeus King of France when he had determined to wage War in Spain with Alarick King of the Goths before such time as he would begin to march against him he sent Messengers with Presents to the Shrine of St. Martin commanding them that upon their entrance of the Temple they should observe such things as might aâ—â—oâ—d a conjecture touching the event of the suture War Entring therefore the Temple they heard the Monks who were at their Vespers singing those words in the Psalms Thou O Lord hast gâ—rded me with strength to the battel They took this as a presage of felicity to the King and departed who also hereupon full of hope undertook the War and having routed the Enemy compelled him to fly 30. Anibal was commanded back from Italy into Africa to look to the Carthaginian Affairs nearer home which at that time went but ill with them and drawing near the African shore he caused one of the Mariners to ascend the top of the Mast and thence to discover in what manner the Country did appear and what he should first observe therein He tells Anibal that he saw an old ruinated Sepulchre Anibal abominating this answer for that he thought the place ominous to land at turned aside and put his Forces ashore near the Town of Leptis whence sending a Hâ—rald to Scipio the Roman General he demanded a personal Treaty with him in which he offered Conditions of Peace which being refused by Scipio he was constrained to decide the matter by Battel where he was overthrown and the whole Force and Power of the Carthaginians broken with him 31. The Emperour Dominitianus the day before he was slain when some Mushrooms were sent him for a Present he commanded that they should be kept for him till the next day adding if I may have leave to enjoy them then turning to them who stood about him he told them that the day following the Moon would be in Aquarius and that an Action should follow thereupon that should give occasion to the whole World to discourse upon it In like manner when he had scratched a Pustule upon his Forehead till such time as the blood dropt out of it I could wish said he that this is all the blood that shall be shed and that this little might suffice By all these words presaging that his end was not far off whether occasioned by some prediction he had met with or some evil abodement of his own mind or that they all proceeded casually from him 32. Pope Paul the Second upon that very day he had promoted Franciscus Ruvenus to a Cardinalship when by accident he was speaking of it I have this day said he chosen my Successour the event made it appâ—ar that he had spoken the truth For Pope Paul being dead Franciscus Ruverus succeeded him in the Popedom by the name of Sixtus the Fourth 33. Leonardus Ruverus was Cousin to the forementioned Cardinal being his Brothers Son and upon the account of his poverty and mean parts was the mockery of his Country For when any man called him he told them they ought to call him the Count and if in a way of jest any man at any time propounded a Wife to him he would say that he would not marry any other than such a one as was the Kinswoman of a King And the Fortune of his Uncle brought all that to pass which he used to say of himself for being honouâ—ed with the Dukedom and Earldom of the City Sora and especially being raised to the Dignity of the Roman Prefect he afterwards had for his Wife the Niece of Ferdinando King of Naples 34. The day before the Battel of Actium Octavianus Augustus went out of his Tent to take view of the Ships and meeting a Muletter he asked him his name who told him his name was Eutychus or good Fortune and being asked his Asâ—es name it was he said Nicon or Victory Octavianus took it for a good Omen that the names seemed to favour him so much and soon after he had that Victory that made him Lord of the whole Roman Empire without any Competitor able to stand against him 35. Richard the Second King of England being at Flint-Castle and having received in thither Henry the Duke of Lancaster he was by him conveyed thence to Chester Being about to remove they loosed a Grey-hound of the Kings as was usual whensoever the King got on Horse-back which Grey-hound used to leap upon the Kings shoulders and fawn upon him exceedingly Being loosed at this time he leapt upon the Duke of Lancaster and fawned upon him in the same manner as he used to do upon his Master The Duke asked the King what the Dog meant or intended It is an ill and an unhappy Omen to me said the King but a fortunate one to you for he acknowledges thee to be the King and that thou shalt reign in my stead This he said with a presaging mind upon a light occasion which yet in short time came to pass accordingly 36. The Swissers being besieged by the French in Novaria and both parts being intent upon the Battel to be the Sun being now ready to set all the Dogs of the French left their Camp and in a great Body made to Novaria where received by the Swissers they licked their legs shook their tails as if the Swissers were already become their Lords They therefore received it as a good Omen presaging that by an unfortunate Battel the French should lose the Lordship over them as indeed the success was 37. There was a noted Beggar in Paris called Mauritius who used to say he should be a Bishop and although he was never so hungry or in want yet would he not receive an alms at the hands of any man who before-hand as 't is usual to jest went about to make him promise that he would never be a Bishop This man from this abject condition came at last to be Bishop of Paris 38. Dr. Heylin in his Life of William Laâ—d Archbishop of Canterbury mentions these as the sad presages of his fall and death On Friday night the 27. of December 1639. there was raised such a violent tempest that many of the Boats which were drawn to Land
and oyl and though they run sixty miles together yet they no way incorporate but the Danow is clear and pure as a well while the Sava that runs along with it is as troubled as a street channel After the manner of these Rivers it is with some brethren though bred up together and near enough each other in respect of their bodies yet their minds have been as distant from each other as the Poles are which when opportunity hath served they have shewed in the effects of an implacable hatred 1. Sir George Sonds of Kent had lately two Sons grown up to that age wherein he might have expected most comfort from them but in the year 1655. the younger of them named Freeman Sonds having no apparent cause or provocation either from his Father or Brother did in a most inhumane and butcherly manner murder the elder as he lay sleeping by him in his bed he clave his head and brains with a Cleaver and although this was his mortal wound yet perceiving him to groan and sigh as one approaching unto death he stabbed him with a Stilletto seven or eight times in and about the heart as the sorrowful Father witnesseth in his Printed narrative of the whole and when he had finished this black and bloody tragedy he went to his aged Father then in bed and told him of it rather glorying in it than expressing any repentance for it Being apprehended he was presently after condemned at Maydstone Assizes and accordingly executed 2. Eteocles was the Son of Oedipus by his own Mother Iocasta their Father the King of Thebes had ordered it that Eteocles and his other Son Polynices after his departure should reign yearly by course But Eteocles after his year was expired would not suffer his Brother to succeed whereupon Polynices being aided by Tydeus and Adrastus made war upon his Brother they meeting together with their forces in the field were slain by each other in the battle their dead bodies were also burned together when the flame parted it self as if it seemed to declare such a deadly hatred betwixt them that as their minds being alive so neither could their bodies being dead agree This their antipathy was propagated to their posterity breaking out into many outragious and bloody wars Unto such ends doth the providence of God often bring an incestuous brood that others may be instructed thereby 3. Upon the death of Selymus the second which happened Anno 1582. Amurath the third succeeded in the Turkish Empire at his entrance upon which he caused his five Brothers Mustapha Solyman Abdala Osman and Sianger without all pity or commiseration to be strangled in his presence and gave order that they should be buried with his dead Father an ordinary thing with Mahometan Princes who to secure to themselves the Empire without rivalship doubt not to pollute their hands with the blood of their nearest relations It is said of this Amurath when he saw the fatal bow-string put about the neck of his younger Brother that he was seen to weep but it seems they were Crocodiles tears for he held firm to his bloody purpose 4. Petrus King of Spain having reigned some time with great cruelty purpling his hands in the blood of his Nobles At last his Brother Henry took up arms against him Anno Dom. 1369. He had hired auxiliary forces out of France against Petrus and having met him in the field a bloody battle was fought agreeable to the pertinacious hatred of the two Brethren The victory resting on the side of Henry and his Brother made prisoner being brought before him Petrus with a Dagger wounded Henry in the face the other endeavouring to repay it with interest both grapled together having thrown each other to the ground But others coming in to the help of Henry he quickly became the superiour and having slain his Brother with many wounds he succeeded in his Kingdom 5. Extream was the hatred that was betwixt Bassianus and Geta the two sons of Severus the Emperour which soon betrayed it self upon the death of their Father they could not agree about the partage of the Empire nor did they omit any means whereby they might supplant each other they endeavoured to bribe each others Cooks and Butlers to poyson their Masters but when both were too watchful to be thus circumvented at last Bassianus grew impatient and burning with ambition to enjoy the Rule alone he set upon his Brother Geta gave him a deadly wound and shed his blood in the lap of Iulia their Mother and having executed this villany threw himself amongst the souldiers told them that he had with difficulty saved his life from the malice of his Brother and having parted amongst them all that Severus his Father had been eighteen years heaping up he was by them confirmed in the Empire 6. Anno 1080. Boleslaus King of Poland having slain his Brother S. Stanislaus Bishop of Cracovia at the very Altar as he was in the celebration of the Mass he suddenly fell into a frenzy and such a degree of madness that he laid violent hands upon himself It is said of this King that he grew into a vehement hatred of the Bishop his Brother upon the account of that freedom he took in reproving him for those horrible crimes he frequently committed 7. Tosto and Harold the sons of Earl Godwin falling out Tosto secretly hyed himself into the Marches of Wales and near the City of Hereford at Portaslith where Harold had a house then in preparation to entertain the King he slew all his Brothers servants and cutting them piece-meal into gobbets some of their limbs he salted and cast the rest into the vessels of Meath and Wine sending his Brother word that he had furnished him with powdred meats against the Kings coming thither 8. Robert Duke of Normandy was chosen King of Ierusalem but refused that in hopes to have England but it is observed that he never prospered after his Brother Rufus got the Crown and when he was dead Henry Beauclerke his youngest Brother ascended the throne and conquered Normandy on the Vigil of St. Michael he also put out the eyes of Robert his Brother and kept him prisoner in Cardiff Castle twenty six years where for grief conceived at the putting on of a new Robe too little for the King and therefore sent to the Duke to wear he grew weary of his life as disdaining to be mocked with his Brothers cast Cloaths and cursing the time of his unfortunate nativity refused thenceforth to take any sustenance and so pined himself to death 9. Alphonsus Diazius a Popish Spaniard hearing that Iohn Diazius his Brother had renounced Popery and was become a professor of the Reformed Religion fell into so deep a hatred of him that like another Cain he slew his Brother with his own hands for which he was not only not punished but highly applauded by the Romanists for his heroical atchievement but he
of her Friends to receive the Kings Oath which he immediately gave them in an ancient Temple touching the Altar and Images of the gods cursing himself with horrid and utmost execrations if he did not sincerely desire the marriage of his Sister if he did not make her his Queen and her Children his Heirs and no other Arsinoe now full of hopes comes to an enterview and conference with him who in his countenance and eyes carried nothing but love he marries her sets the Diadem upon her head in sight of the People and Souldiery and calls her Queen Arsinoe overjoyed went before to Cassandrea a well fortified City where her Treasures and her Chilren were this was the only thing he sought she brings in her Husband to receive and feast him there the Wayes Temples and Houses were adorned sacrifices offered her Son Lysimachus of sixteen and Philip of thirteen years old were commanded to go meet their Unkle whom he met and greedily embraced without the Gates and brought along with him Being entred the Gate and Castle he layes aside his Mask and resumes his own countenance and affections having brought in his Souldiers he immediately commands the Royal youths to be slain and that in the lap of their Mother whither they had fled she the more miserable in this that she might not dye with them having in vain interposed her self betwixt them and the Swords of their Executioners was driven into exile with the allowance only of two Maids to attend her there But Ptolomy did not long triumph in his victory for an inundation of Gauls breaking into Macedonia overcame and took him cut off his head and fixing it at the end of a Spear carried it about to strike terrour into others 6. In the raign of Queen Elizabeth there was in the City of London one Ann Averies Widow who forswore her self for a little mony that she should have paid for six pound of Flax at a shop in Woodstreet upon which she was suddenly surprised with the justice of God and fell down immediately speechless casting up at her mouth what nature had ordained to pass another way and in this agony died 7. Mclech Bahamen a King that commanded many Hills and Dales in Gelack and Taurus was looked upon by the Covetous and ambitious eye of Shaw Abbas King of Persia he sent therefore Methicuculi Beg with an Army of Cooselbashawes to perfect his designs upon him commanding his General not to descend thence without victory Bahaman having intelligence hereof after he had like an experienced Souldier performed all other things requisite put Himself his Queen two Sons and ten thousand able men in a large and impregnable Castle victualled for many years not fearing any thing the Persian could attempt against him Methicuculi having viewed this inaccessible Fortress and finding force not valuable turns Politician summons them to a Parlee which granted he assaults them with protestations of truce and friendship entreating the King to descend and taste a Banquet swearing by Mortis Alli the head of Shaw Abbas by Paradise by eight Transparent Orbes he should have Royal quarter come and go as pleased him By these Paynim attestations and rich presents he so allured the peaceful King that was unused to deceit that at last he trained the King and his two Sons to his treacherous Banquet whereat upon a sign given three Cooselbashes standing by at one instant with their slicing Scimitars whipt off their heads e're this villany was spred abroad by vertue of their Seals he caused the men above to descend and yield up the Castle unto him some receiving mercy others destruction By this detested policy he yoked in slavery this late thought indomitable Nation 8. Stigand thrust himself into the Archbishoprick of Canterbury and with it held Winchester he raised the Kentish men against William the Conqueror who thereupon bore a grudge against him underhand procured Legates from Rome to deprive him and he was likewise clapt up in the Castle of Winchester and hardly used even well near famished which usage was to make him confess where his treasure lay But he protested with Oaths that he had no mony yet after his death a little Key was found about his neck the lock whereof being carefully sought out shewed a note or direction of infinite treasures hid under ground in divers places he dyed in the year 1069. 9. Elfrid a Noble man intending to have put out the eyes of King Ethelstan his treason being known was apprehended and sent to Rome where at the Altar of St. Peter and before Pope Iohn the tenth he abjured the fact and thereupon immediately fell down to the earth so that his Servants bore him to the English School where within three dayes after he dyed the Pope denying him Christian buryal till he knew King Ethelstan's pleasure 10. From Basham in Sussex Earle Harold for his pleasure putting to Sea in a small Boat was driven upon the Coast of Normandy where by Duke William he was detained till he had sworn to make him King of England after Edward the Confessors death he afterwards without any regard to his oath placed himself in the Throne Duke William thereupon arrived at Pensey and with his Sword revenged the perjury of Harold at Battel in the same County and with such severity that there fell that day King Harold himself with sixty seven thousand nine hundred seventy and four English men the Conquerour thereby putting himself into full possession 11. Ludovicus King of Burgundy made war upon the Emperour and being taken prisoner by him the Emperour gave him his liberty having first made him swear that he should never more make war upon him Ludovicus was no sooner free in his person but as if he had been free of his oath too he came upon the Emperour with greater preparations and a stronger Army than before But he was overcome the second time and lost all his eyes also were plucked out and upon his forehead from ear to ear were these words imprinted with a hot Iron This man was saved by Clemency and lost by Perjury 12. In the reign of the Emperour Ludovicus the Son of Arnulphus Adelbert Palatine of the Oriental France was accused of having slain the Emperours Son and thereupon was closely besieged by the Emperour in the Castle of Aldenburg near Pabeberg but the Castle was so well fortified both by Art and Nature that the Emperour despaired of forcing it or prevailing with the defenders of it to surrender themselves Hatto the Bishop of Mentz goes to Adelbert who was his near Kinsman and therefore the more liable to be overreached by his fraud and invites him to treat with the Emperour and that if things should not prove to his own mind he swore to him that he would see him safe returned into his Castle of Strength Adelbert accepts of the motion the Bishop and he went out of the Gates when the Bishop looking upon the Sun
Lord Thomas Seymour Admiral of England the other was the Dutchess of Sommerset Wife to the Lord Protector of England Brother to the Admiral These two Ladies falling at variance for precedence which either of them challenged the one as Queen Dowager the other as Wife to the Protector who then governed the King and all the Realme drew their Husbands into the quarrel and so incensed the one of them against the other that the Protector procured the death of the Admiral his Brother Whereupon also followed his own destruction shortly after For being deprived of the assistance and support of his Brother he was easily overthrown by the Duke of Northumberland who caused him to be convicted of Felony and beheaded 9. A famous and pernicious faction in Italy began by the occasion of a quarrel betwixt two Boys whereof the one gave the other a box on the Ear in revenge whereof the Father of the Boy that was stricken cut off the hand of the other that gave the blow whose Father making thereupon the quarrel his own sought the revenge of the injury done to his Son and began the Faction of the Neri and Bianchi that is to say Black and White which presently spread it self through Italy and was the occasion of spilling much Christian blood 10. A poor distressed wretch upon some business bestowed a long and tedious Pilgrimage from Cabul in India to Asharaff in Hircania where e're he knew how the success would be he rested his weary limbs upon a Field Carpet choosing to refresh himself rather upon the cool Grass than be tormented by those merciless vermine of Gnats and Muskettos within the Town but poor man he fell à malo in pejus from ill to worse for lying asleep upon the way at such time as Sha Abbas the Persian Monarch set forth to hunt and many Nobles with him his pampered Jade winded and startled at him the King examines not the cause but sent an eternal Arrow of sleep into the poor mans heart jesting as Iphicrates did when he slew his sleepy Sentinel I did the man no wrong I found him sleeping and asleep I left him The Courtiers also to applaud his Justice made the poor man their common mark killing him an hundred times over if so many lives could have been forfeiâ—ed 11. Anno 1568. the King of Sian had a white Elephant which when the King of Pegu understood he had an opinion of I know not what holiness that was in the Elephant and accordingly prayed unto it He sent his Ambassadors to the King of Sian offering him whatsoever he would desire if he would send the Elephant unto him but the King of Sian would not part with him either for love mony or any other consideration Whereupon he of Pegu was so moved to wrath that with all the power he could make he invaded the other of Sian Many hundred thousand men were brought into the field and a bloody Battle was fought wherein the King of Sian was overthrown his white Elephant taken and he himself made tributary to the Monarch of Pegu. 12. A needy Souldier under Abbas King of Persia draws up a Catalogue of his good services and closing it in his pressing wants humbly intreats the favour and some stipend from his god of war for such and such his exploits The poor man for his sawciness with many terrible bastinadoes on the soles of his feet was almost drubbed to death Besides Abbas enquires who it was that wrote it the Clerk made his apology but the King quarrelled at his scurvy writing and that he should never write worse makes his hand to be cut off CHAP. XLIII Of such as have been too fearful of death and over desirous of Life A Weak mind complains before it is overtaken with evil and as Birds are affrighted with the noise of the Sling so the infirm soul anticipates its troubles by its own fearful apprehensions and falls under them before they are yet arrived But what greater madness is there than to be tormented with futurities and not so much to reserve our selves to miseries against they come as to invite and hasten them towards us of our own accord The best remedy against this tottering state of the soul is a good and clear Conscience which if a man want he will tremble in the midst of all his armed guards 1. 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 on this manner Removing his Friends he gave the custody of his body to some strangers and Barbarians and being in fear of Barbers he taught his Daughters to shave him and 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 filmes of Wallnut kernels Whereas he had two Wives Aristomache and Doris he came not to them in the night before the place was throughly searched and though he had drawn a large and deep Moat about the Room and had made a passage by a wooden Bridge himself drew it up after him when he went in Not daring to speak to the people out of the common Rostrum or Pulpit 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 that the Boy smiled he commanded them both to be slain one for shewing the way how he might be killed and the other for approving it with a smile At last overcome in Battle by the Carthaginians he perished by the treason of his own Subjects 2. Heraclides Ponticus 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 always two of his men by him that 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 carryed in a Litter hanging near to the ground for fear of falling 3. The Cardinal of Winchester Henry Beaufort commonly called the Rich Cardinal who procured the death of the good Duke of Gloucester in the reign of King Henry the sixth was soon after struck with an incurable disease and understanding by his Physicians that he could not live murmuring and repining thereat as Doctor Iohn Baker his Chaplain and Privy-councellor writes he fell into such speeches as these Fye will not death be hired Will mony do nothing Must I dye that have so great Riches If the whole Realm of England would save my life I am able either
at Aken and his Motto was Vnita virtus valet 71. Henry the second Duke of Bavaria declared to be Emperour by the Princes Electors a wise valiant and good Emperour he subdued all his Rebels and expelled the Saracens out of Italy In his time Swaine King of Denmark invaded England and subdued it to his obedience he Reigned twenty two years say some eighteen saith Platina his Motto is Ne quid nimis 72. Conrade the second Duke of Franconia elected three years after the death of Henry in the interregnum many Cities of Italy desirous of Liberty deserted their subjection to the Emperour but Conrade was a wise and valiant Warriour and soon reduced them to their wonted obedience his Symbol was Omnium mores tuos imprimis obserâ—a he was buried at Spires 73. Henry the third Sirnamed Niger he removed three seditious Antipopes and appointed for the true Pope Clemens the second he married the daughter of Canutus the Dane then King of England Reigned seventeen years and died in the thirty fifth year of his age his Motto was Qui litem aufert execrationem in benedictionem mutat 74. Henry the fourth son of the former in whose daies the Popes began to usurp Authority over the Emperours insomuch that Leo the ninth having received the Popedom at the Emperours hands repented himself of it put off his Papal Vestments went to Rome a private person and was there new chosen by the Clergy This was done by the perswasion of a Monk called Hildebrand who being afterwards made Pope by the name of Gregory the seventh Excommunicated this Henry the first Prince that was ever Excommunicated by a Pope of Rome he was valiant wise and eloquent his son being stirred up against him he died partly of sickness and partly of sorrow his Motto Multi multa sciunt se autem nemo 75. Henry the fifth succeeded his Father went to Rome to be Crowned Emperour by Pope Paschalis the second The Pope would not consent to his Coronation except he did first give over all right of Election of the Pope and all right of investment of Bishops by Staff and Ring the Emperour griev'd with the proud carriage of the Pope laid hands upon him and his Cardinals and compelled them to perfect his Coronation and to confirm his Priviledges of Electing Popes and investiture of Bishops But the Emperour once returned into Germany the Pope revok'd all he had done and Cursed the Emperour who hearing what was done march'd to Rome with an Army the Pope fled into Apulia the Emperour departed into Germany again when wearied with his seditious Bishops over affectionate to the Pope he bought some Peace by yielding up his rights and was the last Emperour of the House of Franconia his Motto was Mortem optare malum timere pejus 76. Lotharius Duke of Bavaria seised on the Empire without any Election was reconciled to the German Princes by the means of St. Bernard Contention being betwixt Innocentius and Anacletus for the Popedom the Emperour with an Army established Innocentius he Reigned thirteen years his Motto was Audi alteram partem 77. Conrade the third Duke of Sueve and Sisters son to the Emperour Henry the fifth was Elected Emperour The Dukes of Saxony and Bavaria Rebelled against him whom he easily subdu'd After which he led an Army against the Turks and Saracens but was betrayed by the deceitful promises of Emanuel the Greek Emperour who sent him to the Siege of Iconium Meal mingled with Lime whereby the Army was empoysoned huge numbers of them died so that Conrade left the Siege of Iconium and went back to Thracia He Reigned fifteen years his Motto Pauca cum aliis tecum multa 78. Frederick the first Sirnamed Barbarossa Duke of Sueve Crowned at Rome by Adrian the fourth and not long after Excommunicated by Pope Alexander the third to whom he was fain at last to submit himself the Pope insolently treading on his neck and abusing the words of Scripture Super Aspidem Basiliscum ambulabis conculcabis leonem draconem the Emperour answered Non tibi sed Petro the proud Pope reply'd Et mihi Petro. The Emperour not willing to give any further occasion of offence held his peace and so was absolv'd and his son then Prisoner at Venice for love of whom he had done all this set at Liberty He went after to the Holy Land where he discomfited the Turks in three great Battels there he died being drown'd in a River into which he went to bathe himself he Reigned thirty and nine years was buried at Tyrus his Motto was Qui neseit dissimulare nescit regnare 79. Henry the sixth his son was declared Emperour Crowned by Pope Celestine the second who took Constantia the daughter of Rogerius out of a Monastery and gave her to him in Marriage with both Sicilyes in a way of Dowry Whereupon Henry took Tancredus the young King of Sicily put out his eyes thrust him into a Monastery and used great cruelty against the Bishops and other Inhabitants of Sicily the Pope did Excommunicate him for this but he went to Rome acknowledged his fault and obtained his pardon together with a confirmation of the Kingdom of Sicily After this the Pope solicited him to the holy War in his Journey towards Asia he died at Messina his Motto was Qui nescit tacere nescit loqui 80. Philip Duke of Sueve brother of Henry the sixth took on him the Imperial Title contrary to the mind of Innocentius the then Pope For this the Pope did Excommunicate him and caused the Bishop of Colen and other Electors to make Otho Duke of Saxony Emperour between whom and Philip were fought divers Battels but Philip so defended himself that he held the Crown Imperial all his life-time in despite of both In the end Peace was made betwixt the Emperour and the Pope not long after which the Emperour was cruelly murdered in his own Chamber by Otho Count Palatine he Reigned ten years his Motto was Satius est currere quam malè currere 81. Otho the fourth Duke of Saxony and Bavaria who married the daughter of Philip and was appointed his Successour was Crowned Emperour by Pope Innocent the third he neglecting the usual largess at his Coronation the Romans abused his Servants whereupon he departed Rome in great discontent fell upon certain Towns belonging to the Pope for whiâ—h he was Excommunicated and vanquished in Brabant by the Faction raised up against him he relinquished the Empire to his Competitor he Reigned nineteen years his Motto was Anser strepit inter olores 82. Frederick the second King of Sicily and Naples son to Henry the sixth was consecrated and called Augustus by Pope Honorius the third where he admitted what constitutions the Pope would who notwithstanding supported his Rebels against him The Emperour did expostulate the unseemliness of the deed with him who thereupon was so chafed that he Cursed and Excommunicated the Emperour but they were reconciled Then
and may be a King but there is a Caput Algol which hinders it And what is that said the Baron Ask me not said la Brosse what it is I must know it replied he In the end he said to him My Son it is that he will do that which shall make him lose his head Whereupon the Baron beat him cruelly and having left him half dead he went down and carried with him the key of the Garret door whereof he afterwards brag'd He had also conference with one Caesar who was a Magician at Paris who told him that only a back blow of the Bourguignon would keep him from being a King He remembred this prediction being a Prisoner in the Bastille and intreated one that went to visit him to learn if the Executioner of Paris was a Bourguignon and having found it so he said I am a dead man and soon after was beheaded for his Conspiracy 23. Upon St. Nicholas day in the year 1422. Queen Katherine Wife to King Henry the Fifth was brought to bed of a Son at Windsor who was by the Duke of Bedford and Henry Bishop of Winchester and the Countesse of Holland christned by the name of Henry whereof when the King had notice out of a prophetick rapture he said Good Lord I Henry of Monmouth shall small time reign and much get and Henry born at Windsor shall long time reign and lose all but Gods will be done 24. On the 30. day of October 1485. was Henry the Seventh with great Solemnity anointed and crowned King of England and even this was revealed to Cadwallader last King of the Britains 797 years past that his Off-spring should reign and bear dominion in this Realm again 25. Although Henry the First came not to the Crown of England by the gift of his Father the Conqueror as his Brother William did yet he came to it by the Prophecy of his Father for when his Father made his Will and divided all his Estate in Land between his two eldest Sons giving to Henry his youngest only a Portion in Money with which division he perceived him to be much discontentend he said unto him Content thy self Harry for the time will come that thy turn shall be serv'd as well as theirs His prediction was accomplished August the 5. An. 1100. he being then crowned in Westminster 26. The Great Cham Cublai intending to besiege the Metropolis of the Province of Mangi made one Bajan Chiusan the General of his Army which name signifies the light of an hundred eyes the Queen that was within the Walls of the City with a Garrison sufficient hearing the name of the General not only delivered the City but also the whole Province into the hands of Cublai for that she had before heard it predicted by the Astrologers that the City should be taken by him that had an hundred eyes 27. Thrasyllus the Mathematician was in the Retinue of Tiberius when he lived at Rhodes as an Exile and though under that cloud and that Caius and Lucius were both alive whose pretences were before his yet he constantly told him that he should be Emperour Tiberius believed him not but suspecting he was suborned by his Enemies to betray him into dangerous words he determined privily to make him away He had a house in Rhodes in which there was a Tower built upon a Rock which was washed by the Sea hither he brought him accompanied by a Servant of his own of great strength resolved to cast him headlong from thence When therefore they were come up Tell me said he by all that is dear unto thee if that is true which thou hast hitherto so confidently affirmed to me concerning the Empire It is said Thrasyllus a certain truth and such is the pleasure of the Stars If then said Tiberius you have such assurance of my Destiny what say you of your own Presently be erected a Scheme and considering the situation and distance of the Stars he began to fear look pale and cryed out I am in doubtful and hazardous state and the last end of my life seems nearly to approach At this Tiberius embraced him and told him he doubted not his skill in predictions acquainting him with his design against his life The same Thrasyllus not long after walking with Tiberius upon the shore of Rhodes having discovered a Ship under Sail afar off told him that Ship came from Rome and therein were Messengers with Letters from Augustus concerning his return which also fell out accordingly 28. Apollonius Tyanaeus was at Ephesus in Asia reading a Lecture in a Grove there a great space both of Land and Sea interposed betwixt him and Rome when he began to speak low and then more slowly streight he looked pale and stood silent at last stepping hastily on some paces as one transported O brave Stephanus said he strike the Tyrant kill the Murderer thou hast struck him thou hast wounded him thou hast slain him This spoke in publick was carefully gathered up the time diligently observed and as it was after well known that Domitian the Emperour was slain in Rome that day and the same hour of the day by one Stephanus that was of his Bed-chamber 29. Diocletian being in Gallia with the Roman Army and at that time but a Knight of Rome and of a slender Fortune paid his quarters but indifferently his Hostess upbraided him that he paid her too sparingly and he on the other side jestingly replied that he would discharge his Reckoning more bountifully assoon as he should be Emperor the Woman who was a Witch told him that he should be Emperour assoon as he had slain the Boar he thereupon betook himself to hunting and had killed many wild Boars yet still found himself never the nearer at last Numerianus the Emperour being slain by the fraud of Aper his Father-in-law Diocletian slew Aper in the Council his name in English is a Boar and thereupon was elected Emperour 30. William Earl of Holland upon the death of Henry Lantgrave of Hassia and King of the Romans was chosen King in his stead after which he warred upon Frisia and subdued it when near unto a City there he light upon a Tomb adorned with great curiosity of Workmanship and asking who was intombed therein he was told by the Inhabitants that at present there was not any body interred therein but that by a secret Fate it was reserved for a certain King of the Romans The King having assured his new Conquest was marching out of Frisia and rode himself before with few of his Attendance to seek out a convenient place for the quartering of his Army when it chanced that his Horse breaking into the Ice overthrew him There were certain fugitive Frisons that lay hid in the reeds thereabouts who observing his misfortune brake out upon him and before any could come in to his assistance he was partly slain by them and partly choaked with his Helmet about him in
quest and pursuit of him CHAP. V. Of the Sense of Feeling the delicacy of it in some and its abolition in others also what Vertue hath been found in the touch of some Persons WHereas in the other senses men are very much excelled and discernibly surpass'd by the bruit Beasts yet the judgement of touch is noted to be more accurate in us than in most other Creatures It is true that this sense is the most abject and inferiour of all other as perceiving nothing but what is conjoyned to it nor that neither but by a medium that is intrinsick and therefore some will not think it matter of much commendation that we are so perfect in this when so comparatively dull in all other senses Howsoever that be methinks I cannot but extremely admire the Histories of those persons wherein this sense hath discover'd it self in its uttermost excellency 1. Meeting casually with the deserved famous Dr. I. Finch extraordinary Anatomist to the now Great Duke of Tuscany and inquiring what might be the chief rarity he had seen in his late return out of Italy into England He told me it was a man of Maestricht in the Low Countries who at certain times can discern and distinguish colours by the touch with his finger I propos'd divers scruples particularly whether the Doctor had taken care to bind a Napkin or Handkerchief over his Eyes so carefully as to be sure he could make no use of his sight though he had but counterfeited the want of it To which I added divers other questions to satisfie my self whether there were any likelihood of collusion or other tricks But I â—ound that the judicious Doctor having gone far out of his way purposely to satisfie himself and his learned Prince about this wonder had been very watchful and circumspect to keep himself from being impos'd upon and that he might not through any mistake in point of memory misinform me he did me the favour at my request to look the notes he had written for his own and his Princes information The sum of which Memorial was this That having been inâ—orm'd at Utrecht that there liv'd one some miles distant from Maestricht who could distinguish colours by the touch When he came to the last named Town he sent a messenger for him and having examin'd him he was told upon enquiry these particulars That the mans name was John Vermaesen at that time about thirty three years of age that when he was but two years old he had the Small Pox which rendred him absolutely blind that at this present he is an Organist and serves that office in a publick Quire That the Doctor discoursing with him over night he affirm'd he could distinguish colours by the touch but that he could not do it unless he were fasting any quantity of drink taking from him that exquisiteness of Touch which is requisite to so nice a sensation that hereupon the Doctor provided against the next Morning seven pieces of Ribbon of these seven colours Black White Red Blew Green Yellow and Grey but as for mingled colours this Vermaesen would not undertake to discern them though if offer'd he would tell that they were mix'd That to discern the colour of the Ribbon he places it betwixt the thumb and forefinger but his most exquisite perception was in his thumb and much better in his right thumb than in the left That after the blind man had four or five times told the Doctor the several colours though blinded with a Napkin the Doctor found he was twice mistaken for he call'd the White Black and the Red Blew but still he before his errour would lay them by in pairs saying That though he could easily distinguish them from all others yet those two pairs were not easily distinguished amongst themselves Whereupon the Doctor desir'd to be told by him what kind of discrimination he had of colours by his touch To which he gave a reply That all the difference was more or less asperity For says he Black feels as if you were feeling needles points or some harsh sand and Red feels very smooth That the Doctor having desir'd him to tell him in order the difference of colours to his touch he did as follows Black and White are most asperous or unequal of all colours and so like that 't is hard to distinguish them but Black is the most rough of the two Green is the next in asperity Grey next to Green in asperity Yellow is the fifth in degree of asperity Red and Blew are so like that they are as hard to distinguish as Black and White but Red is somewhat more asperous than Blew So that Red hath the sixth plaec and Blew the seventh in asperity 2. I know there are many will esteem it a fabulous and feigned thing and I my self should blush to set down the following History in writing to the World were it not now well known to all that are in Rome Iohannes Gambassius Volaterranus from his first youth for twenty years together wrought as a Statuary and made Statues with great fame and reputation to himself Soon after he fell stark blind and for ten years intire lay idle and never work'd yet daily revolving in his mind to find out a way whereby he might recal and retain that glory he had gain'd in the framing of Statues He therefore so supply'd the want of his Eyes with the vigor of his mind that he attempted a deed unheard of in the Memory of all ages He undertook to frame of Clay the Effigies of Cosmo the Great Duke of Hetruria and Tuscany taking for his Pattern a Marble Statue of the same Cosmo which he diligently felt and handled He made it so lively and like that all men were amaz'd at this new Miracle of Art Excited therefore with the excellency of the Work and the acclamations and applause of such as had beheld it he came to Rome in that ample Theatre to present a specimen of his Art It was anno 1636. where first he fram'd the Statue of Pope Vrban the Eight to such an exact resemblance of him as was to the admiration of all men and presented it to Vrban himself He afterwards made the Statues of Duke Braccianus of Gualdus and divers others When he lay sick near St. Onuphrius and I then his Physician he often promised me his workmanship in my own which I utterly refused that my sâ—ight service should not be rewarded with so over great a recompence When most men were amaz'd at this Miracle and suspected that he was not blind he was commanded to work in a dark Chamber wherein he was lock'd up where he finish'd divers pieces unto a perfect likeness lively and strangely expressing the proper beauty of every face the particular kind the grave affable chearful or sad as indeed they were and to speak it in a word he express'd them almost speaking and the hidden manners in their lineaments and thereby convinced all men of
solicited thereto by Eva an Anchoresse he sat three years one month and four daies 190. Clemens the fourth the greatest Lawyer in France had before his Election a Wife and three Children sent Octobonus into England to take the value of all Church Revenues he sat three years 191. Gregory the tenth an Italian held a Council at Lions wherein was present Michael Paleologus the Greek Emperour who acknowledged there the Procession of the Holy Ghost from Father and Son this Pope sat four years two months and ten daies 192. Adrianus the fifth a Genoway before called Octobonus and Legate here in England in the daies of Henry the third he died before he was consecrated in the fortieth day of his Popedom 193. Iohannes the twenty second a Spaniard and Physician though a Learned man yet unskilled in Affairs he did many things with folly enough he sat but eight months 194. Nicholaus the third first practised to enrich his Kindred he raised a quarrel betwixt the French and Sicilians which occasioned the Massacre in the Sicilian Vesper he sat three years 195. Martinus the fourth a French man he kept the Concubine of his Predecessour Nicholas removed all Pictures of Bears from the Palace lest his Sweet-heart should bring forth a Bear sat four years 196. Honorius the fourth confirmed the Augustine Friers and caused the white Carmelites to be called Our Ladies Brethren he did little more but died having sat two years and one day 197. Nicholaus the fourth preferred persons solely upon respect to their vertue and died of grief to see Church and State in a remediless combustion having sat four years one month 198. Celestinus the fifth an Hermit was easily perswaded to quit the Chair the Cardinals perswading it was above his ability so he resigned was imprisoned and died he sat one year and five months 199. Bonifacius the eighth by his general Bull exempted the Clergy from being chargeable with Taxes and Payments to temporal Princes first set forth the Decretals and instituted the Feast of Iubilee 200. Benedictus the eleventh a Lombard was a man of great humility desired to compose all Brawls but was poysoned in a Figg as some say having sat eight months and seventeen daies 201. Clemens the fifth first made Indulgences and Pardons saleable he removed the Papal See from Rome to Avignon in France where it continued for seven years he sat eight years 202. Iohannes the twenty third he Sainted Thomas of Aquine and Thomas of Hereford challenged Supremacy over the Greek Church and died having sat nineteen years and four months 203. Benedictus the twelfth a man of that constancy as by no means to be sway'd from that which he judged to be right he died in the seventh year and third month of his Papacy 204. Clemens the sixth a dreadful Pestilence in Italy was in his time so that scarce a tenth man remained alive he died having sat ten years six months and twenty eight daies 205. Innocencius the sixth a Lawyer burnt Iohn de Rupe scissâ for foretelling shrewd things of Anti-Christ he sat nine years 206. Vrbanus the fifth a great Stickler for Popish Priviledges he confirmed the Order of St. Brigitt being poysoned as 't is thought he died having sat eight years and four months 207. Gregorius the eleventh returned the Papal Chair again to Rome he Excommunicated the Florentines and sat seven years five months 208. Vrbanus the sixth Gunpowder was Invented in his time he made fifty four Cardinals held a Jubilee to gather money and died having sat eleven years and eight months 209. Bonifacius the ninth scarce thirty years old when made Pope very ignorant and a great seller of Church Livings he sat fourteen years and nine months 210. Innocentius the seventh demanded the Moiety of Ecclesiastical Benefices both in France and England but was stoutly denied he sat but two years 211. Gregorius the twelfth swore to resign for the peace of the Church but collusion discerned betwixt him and Benedict both were outed 212. Alexander the fifth a Cretan a man of great Sanctity and Learning he deposed Ladistaus King of Naples and Apulia and sat but eight months 213. Iohannes the twenty fourth of Naples by his consent a Council was Assembled at Constance where himself was deposed 214. Martinus the fifth condemned Wickcliffè burnt Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prague his Followers he sat fourteen years odd months 215. Eugenius the fourth a Venetian refused to appear at the Council of Basil who thereupon deposed him he sat sixteen years 216. Nicholaus the fifth of Genoua in his time the Turks took Constantinople he built the Vatican and died in the eighth year of his Papacy 217. Calistus the third a Spaniard sent Preachers throughout Europe to animate Princes to War against the Turks sat but three years 218. Pius the second an Italian approved of the marriage of the Clergy and turned out divers Cloystered Nuns and sat six years 219. Paulus the second exceeded all his Predecessours in Pomp and Shew enrich'd his Miter with all kind of precious Stones honoured the Cardinals with a Scarlet Gown and reduced the Jubilee from fifty to twenty five years 220. Sixtus the fourth ordained a Guard to attend his Person was the first Founder of the Vatican Library and brought in Beads sat thirteen years 221. Innocentius the eighth of Genoua much given to excess in drinking and venery he sat seven years and ten months 222. Alexander the sixth first openly acknowledged his Nephews as they call their Bastards to be his sons was incestuous with his daughter and gave himself to the Devil he sat eleven years 223. Pius the third sought to hunt the French men out of Italy but died in the interim of an Ulcer in his Leg having sat twenty five daies 224. Iulius the second more Souldier than Prelate passing over a Bridge of Tyber threw his Key into the River and brandished his sword Excommunicated Lewis of France and sat nine years three months 225. Leo the tenth burnt Luther's Books declaring him an Heretick Luther did the like at Wittenberge with the Popes Canon Law declaring him for a Persecutor Tyrant and the very Antichrist 226. Adrian the sixth a Low-Country man made shew at his entrance of Reformation but was diverted the Lutherans began to spread and the Turks to approach these and other things broke him so that he died in his second year 227. Clemens the seventh of Florence in his time Rome was Sack'd and the Pope made Prisoner by the Duke of Burbon the Popes Supremacy cast off in England by King Henry the eighth some say he died of the lowsie disease 228. Paulus the third called the Council at Trent prostituted his Sister committed incest with his daughter poysoned her husband attempted the chastity of his Neece found in the act he was marked by her husband he was a Necromancer 229. Iulius the third gave his Cardinals Hat to a Sodomitical boy called Innocentius in his time Casa
Queen answered And I hope to see your Pope both which prophetick Complements proved true and within a short time one of another 3. I have spent some inquiry saith Sir Henry Wotton whether the Duke of Buckingham had any ominous presagement before his end wherein though ancient and modern stories have been infected with much vanity yet oftentimes things fall out of that kind which may bear a sober construction whereof I will glean two or three in the Dukes case Being to take his leave of my Lord his Grace of Canterbury then Bishop of London after courtesies of course had passed betwixt them My Lord says the Duke I know your Lordship hath very worthily good successes unto the King our Soveraign let me pray you to put His Majesty in mind to be good as I no ways distrust unto my poor Wife and Children At which words or at his countenance in the delivery or at both my Lord Bishop being somewhat troubled took the freedom to ask him if he had never any secret abodement in his mind No replied the Duke but I think some adventure may kill me as well as another man The very day before he was slain feeling some indisposition of body the King was pleased to give him the honour of a visit and found him in his bed where and after much serious and private conference the Duke at His Majesties departing embraced him in a very unusual and passionate manner and in like sort his Friend the Earl of Holland as if his soul had divined he should see them no more which infusions towards fatal ends have been observed by some Authors of no light Authority On the very day of his death the Countess of Denbigh received a Letter from him whereunto all the while she was writing her Answer she bedewed the paper with her tears and after a bitter passion whereof she could yield no reason but that her dearest Brother was to be gone she fell down in a swound her said Letter ended thus I will pray for your happy return which I look at with a great cloud over my head too heavy for my poor heart to bear without torment but I hope the great God of Heaven will bless you The day following the Bishop of Ely her devoted Friend who was thought the fittest preparer of her mind to receive such a doleful accident came to visit her but hearing she was at rest he attended till she should awake of her self which she did with the affrightment of a dream Her Brother seeming to pass through a field with her in her Coach where hearing a sudden shout of the people and asking the reason it was answered to have been for joy that the Duke of Buckingham was sick which natural impression she scarce had related to her Gentlewoman before the Bishop was entred into her Bed-chamber for a chosen Messenger of the Dukes death 4. Before and at the Birth of William the Conqueror there wanted not forerunning tokens which presaged his future Greatness His Mother Arlotte great with him dreamed her bowels were extended over all Normandy and England Also assoon as he was born being laid on the Chamber-floor with both his hands he took up rushes and shutting his little fists held them very fast which gave occasion to the gossipping Wives to congratulate Arlotte in the birth of such a Boy and the Midwife cryed out The Boy will prove a King 5. Not long before C. Iulius Caesar was slain in the Senate house by the Iulian Law there was a Colony sent to be planted in Capua and some Monuments were demolished for the laying of the foundations of new Houses In the Tomb of Capys who is said to be the Founder of Capua there was found a brazen Table in which was engraven in Greek Letters that whensoever the bones of Capys should be uncovered one of the Iulian Family should be slain by the hands of his own party and that his blood should be revenged to the great damage of all Italy At the same time also those Horses which Caesar had consecrated after his passage over Rubicon did abstain from all kind of food and were observed with drops falling from their eyes after such manner as if they had shed tears Also the Bird called Regulus having a little branch of Laurel in her mouth flew with it into Pompey's Court where she was torn in pieces by sundry other birds that had her in pursuit where also Caesar himself was soon after slain with twenty and three wounds by Brutus Cassius and others 6. As these were the presages of the personal end of the great Caesar so there wanted not those of the end of his whole Family whether natural or adopted which was concluded in Nero and it was thus Livia was newly married to Augustus when as she went to her Villa of Veientum an Eagle gently let fall a white Hen with a branch of Laurel in her mouth into her lap She received this as a fortunate presage and causing the Hen to be carefully looked after there came of her abundance of white Pullets The branch of Laurel too was planted of which sprang up a number of the like Trees from which afterward he that was to triumph gathered that branch of Laurel which during his Triumph he carried in his hand The Triumph finished he used to plant that branch also when it did wither it was observed to presage the death of that Triumpheâ— that had planted it But in the last year of Nero both all the stock of white Hens and Pullets dyed and the little wood of Laurel was withered to the very root the heads also of the Statues of the Caesars were struck off by Lightning and by the same way the Scepter was thrown out of the hands of the Statue of Augustus 7. Before the death of Augustus in Rome where his Statue was set up there was a flash of Lightning that from his name Caesar took away the first Letter C. and left the rest standing The Aruspices and Soothsayers consulted upon this and concluded that within an hundred days Augustus should change this life for AESAR in the Hetrurian Tongue signifies a God and the Letter C. amongst the Romans stands for an hundred and therefore the hundredth day following Caesar should dye and be made a God as they used to deiâ—ie their dead Emperours 8. While the Grandfather of Sergius Galba was sacrificing an Eagle snatched the bowels of the Sacrifice out of his hand and left them upon the branches of an Oak that grew near to the place Upon which the Augurs pronounced that the Empire though late was certainly portended thereby to his Family He to express the great improbability he conceived of such a thing replied That it would then come to pass when a Mule should bring forth Nor did any thing more confirm Galba in the hope of the Empire upon his Revolt from Nero than the news brought him of a Mule that
Iohn Thornborough preferred by Queen Elizabeth Dean of York and Bishop of Lymbrick in Ireland where he received a most remarkable deliverance in manner following Lodging in an old Castle in Ireland in a large room partitioned but with Sheets or Curtains his Wife Children and Servants in effect a whole Family these all lying upon the ground on Mats or such like in the dead time of the night the floor over head being earth and plaster as in many places is used and over-charged with weight fell wholly down together and crushing all to pieces that was above two foot high as Cupboards Table-forms Stools rested at last on certain Chests as God would have it and hurt no living creature In the first of King Iames 1603. he was consecrated Bishop of Bristol and from thence was translated to Worcester 16. In the Massacre of Paris one Merlin a Minister fled and hid himself in a Hay-mow where he was strangely nourished and preserved for all the time he lay there which was a fort-night together a Hen came constantâ—y and every day laid an Egg by him by which he was sustained 17. Chingius Chan first Emperour of the Tartarians slying from a Battel where he had unprosperously fought hid himself amongst bryers and shrubs to escape the pursuit of the Enemy An Owl sate upon the bush whereinto he had crept to preserve himself The Enemy passing that way and seeing an Owl to sit upon the bush declined the search of that place as supposing no man was there where a bird had pearched so securely and by this means Chingius escaped From that time forth an Owl was in great honour amongst the Tartars they looking upon it as a bird of fortunate presage and carrying the feathers of them in their Caps with great devotion 18. Leo Son to the Emperour Basilius Macedo was accused by Theodorus Sandabarenus a Monk as having designed upon the life of his Father and was thereupon cast into prison and was freed thence by these strange means The Emperour on a time feasted divers of the greatest Lords in his Court they were all sate when a Parrot that was hung up in a Cage in the Hall in a mournful tone cryed Alas alas poor Prince Leo it is like he had frequently heard Courtiers passing to and fro bewailing the Princes hard fortune in those terms and when he had often spoke these words the Lords at the Table were seised with such a sudden sadness that all of them neglected their meat the Emperour observed it and called to them to eat inquiring the reason why they did not When one of them with tears in his eyes replied How should we eat Sir being thus reproached by this bird of our want of duty to your Family the brute Creature is mindful of his Lord and we that have reason have neglected to supplicate your Majesty in the behalf of the Prince whom we all believe to be innocent and to suffer under calumny The Emperor moved with these words commanded to fetch Leo out of prison admitted him to his presence and restored him first to his favour and then to his former Dignity of Caesar. 19. Guy Earl of Burgoigne Grandchild to Richard the Second Duke of Normandy grew sensible of his Right to the Dukedom of Normandy and joyning with Viscount Neele and the Earl Bessin two powerful Normans conspired the death of Duke William who afterward conquered England and they had effected it if a certain Fool about him had not stoln away in the night to the place where the Duke was and never left knocking and crying at the Gate till he was admitted to his presence willing him to flye for his life instantly or he would be murdered The Duke considering that being related by a Fool it was like to be the more probable and that there might be danger in staying none in going rode instantly away all alone toward Falais his principal Castle But missing his way he happened to pass where a Gentleman was standing at his door of whom he asked the way and was by him as knowing him directed Which he had no sooner done but the Conspirators came presently inquiring if such a one had not passed that way which the Gentleman affirmed and undertook to be their Guide to overtake him but leading them on purpose a contrary way the Duke by this means came safely to Falais From thence he journies to the King of France complains of his injuries who so aided him that he made him greater than he was before 20. Mr. Lermouth alias Williamson Chaplain to the Lady Anne of Cleve a Scotch man being cast into prison for the Truths sake as he was on a time meditating he heard a voice probably of an Angel saying to him Arise and go thy ways whereunto when he gave no great heed at the first he heard the same voice a second time Upon this he fell to prayer and about half an hour after he heard a voice the third time speaking the same words whereupon rising up immediately part of the prison-wall fell down and as the Officers came in at the outward gate of the prison he went out at the breach leaped over the prisonditch and in his way meeting a Beggar he changed his Coat with him and coming to the Sea-shore he found a Vessel ready to set sail into which he entred and escaped 21. The people of Sicily being oppressed by divers Tyrants craved assistance of the Corinthians who sent them for their succour a Captain of theirs called Timoleon a man famous for military Discipline and for moral Vertues Timoleon in a short time had such success that the Tyrants despairing either to overcome him or to defend themselves by force one of them called Icetes suborned a couple of desperate Villains to assassinate him who perswading themselves they might best perform it as he should be sacrificing to his Gods and wholly attentive to his devotions watched an opportunity for that purpose They found him one day in the Temple ready to sacrifice and drew near him to execute their design but as they were ready to strike him one of the standers by who suspected nothing of their intention upon a sudden gave one of the Conspirators such a mortal wound that he fell dead in the place The other seeing his Fellow killed and thinking the Conspiracy was discovered fled to the Altar took hold thereof craved pardon of the Gods and of Timoleon and promised that if he would save his life he would discover all the practice In the mean time he thaâ— killed the other Conspirator being â—led was taken and brought back calling God and man to witness that he had done nothing but a most just and lawful act in killing him that had killed his Father which being known to some that were present and testified by them to be true filled all the assistants with admiration of the divine Providence which by such an accident had not only
by policy to get it or by riches to buy it But the king of Terrors is not to be bribed by the Gold of Ophir it is a pleasure to him to mix the Brains of Princes and Politicians with common dust and how loth soever he was to depart yet go he must for he dyed of that disease as little lamented as desired 4. C. Mecaenas 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 All things are to be endured so long as life is continued of which those Verses are to be read Debilem facito mami Debilem pede coxa Tuber adstrue gibberum Lubricos quate dentes Vita dum superest bene est 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 5. The Emperour Domitian was in such fear of receiving death by the hands of his Followers and in such a strong suspicion 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 see all that was done behind him 6. Lewis the eleventh King of France when he found himself sick sent for one Fryer Robert out of Calabria to come to him to Toures the man was a Hermit 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 he pleased he could prolong his life He had reposed his whole confidence in Monsieur Iames Cothier his Physician to whom he gave monthly ten thousand Crowns in hope he would prolong his life Never man saith Comines feared death more than he nor sought so many wayes to avoid it as he did Moreover as he adds in all his life time he had given commandment to all his Servants as well to my self as others that when we should see him in danger of death we should only move him to confess himself and dispose of his Conscience not sounding in his ear this dreadful word Death knowing that he should not be able patiently to hear that cruel sentence His Physician aforesaid used him so roughly that a man could not have given his Servant so 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 notwithstanding that he complained to divers of him yet durst he 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 as you do all your other Servants but you shall not live eight days after it binding it with a great Oath which word put the King in such fear that ever after he 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 7. Rhodius being through his unseasonable liberty of speech cast into a Den by a Tyrant was there nourished and kept as a hurtful beast with great torment and ignominy his hands were cut off and his face disfigured with wounds In this wretched case when some of his Friends gave him advice by voluntary abstinence to put an end to his miseries by the end of his days he replied that while a man lives all things are to be hoped for by him 8. Cn. Carbo in his third Consulship being by Pompeys order sent into Sicily to be punished begged of the Souldiers with great humility and with tears in his eyes that they would permit him to attend the necessity of nature before he dyed and this only that he might for a small space protract his stay in a miserable life He delayed the time so long till such time as his head was severed from his body as he sate in a nasty place 9. D. Iunius Brutus bought a small and unhappy moment of his life with great infamy for Antonius having sent Furius to kill him when he was taken he not only did withdraw his Neck from the Sword but being also exhorted to lay it down with more constancy he swore he would in these words As I live I will give but some wretched delay to my fate 10. A certain King of Hungary being on a time very sad his Brother a jolly Courtier would needs know of him what ailed him Oh Brother said he I have been a great sinner against God and I fear to dye and to appear before his Tribunal These are said his Brother melancholy thoughts and withal made a jest of them The King replyed nothing for the present but the custome of the Country was that if the Executioner came and sounded a Trumpet before any mans door he was presently to be led to execution The King in the dead time of the night sends the Headsman to sound his Trumpet before his Brothers door who hearing it and seeing the messenger of death springs in pale and trembling into his Brothers presence beseeching him to tell him wherein he had offended Oh Brother replyed the King you have never offended me but is the sight of my Executioner so dreadful and shall not I that have greatly and grievously offended God fear that of his that must carry me before his Judgement-Seat 11. Theophrastus the Philosopher is said at his death to have accused nature that she had indulged a long life to Stags and Crows to whom it was of no advantage but had given to man a short one to whom yet the length of it was of great concern for thereby the life of man would be more excellent being perfected with all Arts and adorned with all kind of Learning he complained therefore that as soon as he had begun to perceive these things he was forced to expire yet he lived to the eighty fifth year of his age 12. Mycerinus the Son of Cleops King of Egypt set open the Temples of the Gods which his Father Cleops and Uncle Cephrenes had caused to be shut up he gave liberty to the people who were before oppressed and reduced to extremity of â—alamity He was also a lover and doer of Justice above all the Kings of his time and was exceedingly beloved of his people But from the Oracle of the City Buti there was this prediction sent him that he should live but six years and dye in the seventh He resented this message ill and sent back to the Oracle reproaches and complaints expostulating that whereas his Father and his Uncle had been unmindful of the gods and great oppressors of men yet had they enjoyed a long