Messenger is come to thee our will and pleasure is that thou send us by him thy head unto Constantinople In vain was it to dispute the command of his Lord and thus the miserble man perished 3. William the Conquerour for his game and the pleasure he took in hunting enforested thirty miles in Hamshire pulled down thirty six Parish Churches and dispeopled all the place chasing the inhabitants from the places of their inheritance But the just hand of God was visible and remarkable upon his posterity for this his grievous oppression for in this very New Forest his two Sons Richard by a pestilent air and King William Rufus by the shot of an Arrow and his Grandson Henry son of Duke Robert by hanging in a bough as Absolom came to their untimely ends 4. Anno Dom. 1570. at Ryâ— in Sussex there was a strange example of Gods judgements upon a covetous oppressive Gentleman and one that desired to grind the faces of the Poor This Gentleman living near the Sea had a Marsh wherein upon poles Fishermen used to dry their Nets for which he received of them yearly a sufficient sum of money but at length not being content with it he caused his servants to pluck up the poles not suffering the Fishermen to come upon his ground any longer except they would compound at a larger rate but it came to pass the same night that the Sea breaking in overwhelmed all his Marsh which saith Hollinshead continueth in that manner to this very day 5. Lucullus the Roman Consul visiting the Cities of Asia found the poor country afflicted and oppressed with so many evils and miseries as no man living could believe nor tongue express for the extream and horrible covetousness of the Farmers Customers and Roman Usurers did not only devour it but kept the people also in such miserable bondage and thraldome that Fathers were forced to sell their goodly Sons and Daughters ready for marriage to pay the interest and use money of that which they had borrowed to pay their fines withall yea they were forced to sell the Tables dedicated to the Temples the statues of their gods and other Ornaments and Jewels of their Temples and yet in the end they themselves were adjudged for bondslaves to their cruel Creditors to wear out their dayes in miserable servitude And yet the worst of all was the pain and torment they put them to before they were so condemned for some they imprisoned and cruelly racked others they tormented upon a little brazen Horse set them in the Stocks made them stand naked in the greatest heat of Summer and on the Ice in the deepest of Winter so that bondage seemed to them a relief of their miseries and a rest from their torments Lucullus found the Cities of Asia full of such oppressions whereof in a short time he exceedingly eased them 6. King Iohn of England was a great oppressour on a time a Jew refusing to lend this King so much mony as he required the King caused every day one of his great teeth to be pulled out by the space of seven dayes and then the poor Jew was content to give the King ten thousand marks of silver that the one tooth which he had left might not be pulled out The same King assaulting the chastity of the Daughter of Robert Fitzwater called Mawd the fair and by her repulsed he is said to send a messenger to give her poyson in a poached Egg whereof she died not long after he himself had but little better fate being poysoned at Swinestead Abbey 7. Luther reports that he being at Rome a great Cardinal died and left behind him great store of mony Before his death he had made his Will and laid it in a Chest where his mony was After his death the Chest was opened and therein by the mony was found written in Parchment Dum potui rapui rapiatis quando potestis I scrap'd together while I could That you should do so too I would 8. Five Brethren of the Marshalls successively Earles of Pembrook dyed issueless Which Mathew Paris attributeth to the judgement of God upon them for their Fathers iniquity who detained from the Bishop of Firning certain Manours which he had violently taken from him 9. Lewis the eleventh King of France having been a great oppressour of his Subjects by excessive Taxes and enforced Contributions when he grew old resolved to redress that and other mischiefs whereby they had been oppressed but was in a short time after this purpose prevented by death 10. Anno Dom. 1234. in the reign of King Henry the third there was a great dearth in England so that many people died for want of victuals At which time Walter Grey Arch-bishop of York had great store of Corn which he had hoarded up for five years together yet in that time of scarcity refused to relieve the poor with it but suspecting lest it might be destroyed with Vermine he commanded it to be delivered to Husband-men that dwelt in his Mannors upon condition to return him as much New Corn after Harvest but behold a terrible judgement of God upon him for his covetousness and unmercifulness to the poor When men came to one of his great Stacks of Corn near to the Town of Rippon there appeared in the sheaves all over the heads of Worms Serpents and Toads so that the Bayliffs were forced to build a high wall round about the Stack of Corn and then to set it on fire lest the venemous creatures should have gone out and poysoned the Corn in other places CHAP. XIII Of the bloody and cruel Massacres in several places and their occasions THe Naturalists tell us of a Serpent who is therefore called Haemorrhois that wheresoever he bites he makes the man all over bloody It seems his poyson hath a particular command over the blood so as to call it all into the outward parts of the body The vulgar rout and headstrong multitude when once it is enraged is such another kind of Serpent wheresoever the scene of its insolency is it makes it all over bloody This unbridled torrent bears all down before it and being transported with its own fury it knows no difference of age sex or degree till it hath converted a flourishing place into an Akeldama or a field of blood In the year 1506. in Lisbon upon the tenth day of April many of the City went to the Church of Saint Dominicks to hear Mass On the left side of this Church there is a Chapel much reverenced by those of the Country and called Iesus Chapel Upon the Altar there stands a Crucifix the wound of whose side is covered over with a piece of Glass Some of those that came thither to do their devotions casting their eyes upon this hole it seemed to them that a certain kind of glimmering light came forth of it Then happy he that could first cry a miracle and every one said that God
three years ten months and eleven dayes 35. Marcus the first a Roman brought in the singing of the Nicene Creed and the giving of the Pall to the Bishop of Ostia which when others have since fetched there they have paid sweetly for he sate two years eight months and twenty dayes â—6 Iulius the first a Roman Athanasius made hiâ— Creed in his time at Rome which was then aproved by Iulius and his Clergy He ordained Prothonotaries to Register the passages of the Chrch and sate fifteen years two months and six dayes 37. Liberius the first a Roman either through fer or ambition subscribed to Arrianism and Aâ—anasius his condemnation but recovered himself and sate six years three months and for dayes 38. Foelix the second a Roman condescended to communicate with the Arrians though he wâ—re none of them but afterwards in a tumâ—lt was made away by them he sate one yâ—â—r four months and two dayes 39. Damasus the first a Spaniard a friend to Sâ— Ierome who by his procurement much amendeâ— the Vulgar Latine edition He accursed Uâ—urers and appointed Gloria Patri c. to câ—ose up every Psalm he sate nineteen years three months and eleven dayes 40. Syricius the first a Roman he excluded tâ—ose that were twice marryed and admitted Monks into Holy Orders In his time the Tempe of Serapis was demolished and the Idol broken he sate fifteen years eleven months twenty five dayes 41. Anastasius the first a Roman he was carefuâ— to repress the errours of Origen was the first that brought in the standing up at the reading of the Gospel he sate three years and ten dayes 42. Innocentius the first an Albane a great sticklet against the Pelagians in his time Alaricus plundered Rome Innocentius being then at Ravenna he sate fifteen years two months and twenty five dayes 43. Zosinues brought the use of Tapers into the Church forbad Priests to drink in publick or servants to be received into the Priesthood he sate one year three months and twelve dayes 44. Bonifacius the first a Roman the son of Iocundus a Priest he was chosen in a hubub and sedition of the Clergy was shrewdly opposed by Eulalius the Deacon but at last carryed it against him he sate three years eight months and seven dayes To whom there succeeded 45. Coelestinus the first a Campanian he it was that sent Germanus and Lupus hither into England Paladius into Scotland and Patrick into Ireland he first caused the Psalms to be sung in Antiphony he sate eight years ten months 46. Sixtus the third he was accused by one Bassus for getting a Nun with Child but was acquitted by the Synod and his accuser sent into Exile he built much and therefore had the title of Inrichâ—r of the Church he sate eight years 47. Leo the first disswaded Attila from sacking Rome Peter and Paul terrifying the Hunno while Leo spake to him In his time the Venetians setled themselves in the Gulph now so famous he sate twenty one years one month and thirteen dayes 48. Hilarius the first in his time was the rectifying of the Golden Number by Victorinus of Aquitaine and the bringing in of the Letany by Mamerius Claudius of Vienna he sate seven years three months and ten dayes 49. Simplicius the first a Tiburtine he took upon him the jurisdiction of the Church of Ravenna decreed that none of the Clergy should hold a Benefice of any Lay-man he sate fifteen years one month and seven dayes 50. Foelix the third Son of a Roman Priest decreed that no Church should be consecrated but by a Bishop opposed the proposal of Union by the Emperour Zeno to the great confusion of the Eastern and Western Churches sate eight years 51. Gelasius the first an African ordered the Canon of Scripture branding counterfeit books that before passed â—or Canonical or Authentical banished the Manichees and burnt their Books he sate four years eight months and seventeen dayes 52. Anastasius the second a Roman excommunicated Anastasius the Greek Emperour for favouring the Heretick Acatius whose heresie afterwards himself favoured he sate one year ten months and twenty four dayes 53. Symmachus the first a Sardinian carryed it against Laurentius his Competitor he was a Lover of the poor and bountiful to the exiled Bishops and Clergy he sate fifteen years six months and twenty two dayes 54. Hormisda the first the Emperour Iustinus sent him his Embassadours with the confirmation of the authority of the Apostolick seat he condemned the Eutychians in a provincial Synod and sate nine years and eighteen dayes 55. Iohannes the first a Tuscan a man of great learning and piety was cast into prison by Theodorick and there killed with the stench and filth of it he sate two years and eight months 56. Foelix the fourth a Samnite excommunicated the Patriarch of Constantinople divided the Chancel from the Church commanded extream Unction to be used to dying men he sate four years two months and thirteen dayes 57. Bonifacius the second a Roman decreed that no Bishop should choose his Successor and that the Pope if it might be should be chosen within three dayes after his Predecessors death he sate two years two dayes 58. Iohannes the second a Roman condemned Anthemius the Patriarch of Constantinople was sirnamed Mercury for his eloquence Writers say no more of him but that he sate two years and four months 59. Agapetus the first a Roman sent Embassador by King Theodatus to pacifie Iustinian the Emperour for the death of the Noble and Learned Queen Amalasuntha he sate eleven months and nineteen dayes 60. Sylverius a Campanian was deposed by the Empress for refusing to put out Menna and restore Anthemius her Favourite he dyed in exile having sate one year five months and twelve dayes 61. Vigilius the â—irst for breach of promise to the Empress was fetched to Constantinople there with a halter about his neck drawn about the streets and banished he sate seventeen years seven months and twenty dayes 62. Pelagius the first ordained that Hereticks and Schismaticks should be punished with temporal death that no man for mony should be admitted into Orders he sate eleven years ten months and twenty eight dayes 63. Iohannes the third in his time the Armenians did receive the faith of Christ he was setled in his Chair by Narses and sate twelve years eleven months and twenty six dayes 64. Benedictus the first a Roman in his time the Lombards forraged Italy the grief of this and other the Calamities of Italy was the death of this Pope when he had sate four years one month and twenty eight dayes 65. Pelagius the second a Roman was made Pope in the siege of the City by the Lombards without the Emperours consent which election he sent Gregory to excuse he sate ten years two months and ten dayes 66. Gregorius the first sirnamed the Great called himself Servus servorum Dei sent Austin into England to convert the Eastern Saxons withstood the claim of Universal
his Tiara and Robe of State for the Bishops Miter But his Courtiers prevented him saying that he was a meer Impostor and Enchanter instead of an Ambassador All Greece made vows for his safe return from thence but he never came back again 17. C. Iulius Caesar learned of Apollonius Molon at Rhodes he is said to be admirably fitted for the City Eloquence and had so improved his parts by his diligence that without all question he merited the second place in point of Eloquence the â—irst he would not have as one that intended rather to be the first in Power and Armes Cicero himself writes to Brutus that he knew not any to whom Caesar should give place as one that had an Elegant Splendid Magnificent and Generous way of Speaking And to Cornelius Nepos Whom saith he will ye prefer before this man even of those who have made Oratory their busineCâ—ess who is more acute or frequent than he in sentences who more Ornate or Elegant in words He is said to have pronounced his Orations with a sharp voice and earnest motion and gesture which yet was not without its comliness CHAP. VIII Of the most famous Greek and Latine Historians BY the singular providence of God and his great goodness it was that where the prophetick history of the Holy Scriptures breaks off there we should have an immediate supply from elsewhere and we may almost say that in the very moment where they have left there it was that 1. Herodotus the Halicarnassian began his History who relates the Acts of Cyrus and the affairs of the Persian Monarchy even unto the War of Xerxes the Histories of the Kingdoms of Lydia Media and especially of Aegypt are set down by him An account he gives of the Ionians the City of Athens and the Spartan and Corinthian Kings excelling all prophane Writers of History both in the Antiquity of the things he treats of the multitude of Examples and the purity and sweetness of his Stile His History is continued for the series of two hundred and thirty years from Gyges the King of Lydia the contemporary with Manasses King oâ— Iudah to the flight of Xerxes and Persians out of Greece which was in the year of the world 3485. Herodotus himself flourished in the beginning of the Peloponnesian war which was about the year of the world 3540. 2. Thucydides the Athenian immediately succeeds him who imbraceth in his History the space of seventy years that is from the flight of Xerxes unto the twenty first year of the Peloponnesian war for although he professedly describes only that war betwixt the Athenians and Peloponnesians wherein himself was a General yet by way of digression he hath inserted an account of those fifty years that are betwixt the end of Herodotus his History and the beginning of this war Here he explains the affairs of Cities as the former had done of Monarchies and hath framed so illustrious and express an Image of all those things that usually happen in the government of a Common-wealth hath so lively represented the miseries that attend upon war especially a civil and intestine one hath composed his many Orations with that artifice and care that nothing can be thought more sinewy and agreeable unto all times in the world than his History 3. Xenophon the Attick Bee whose unaffected sweetness and elegancy of Stile is such that Antiquity admiring thereat said the Graces had framed and directed his Speech He beginning at the end of Thucydides hath in seven Books comprehended the events of forty years wars betwixt the principal Cities of Greece as far as to the battle of Mantinea and the year of the world 3600. 4. Diodorus Siculus hath set forth his Bibliotheque or an universal history of almost all the habitable world accurately distinguished by times and years in forty Books In the five first of which he discourses the original of the world the Egyptian Assyrian Libyan Greek Antiquities and the affairs of other Nations before the Trojan War The other thirty five contain a Series of years no less than 1138. from the Trojan War to Iulius Caesar of all these there are but fifteen Books extant his sixteenth Book almost immediately follows Xenophon in which he treats of Philip of Macedon who began to Reign Anno Mumd 3604. From thence he passes to Alexander and his Successours and in the end of his twentieth Book which is the last of his extant he reaches to the year of the World 3664. which year falls directly into the tenth Book of Livy and upon the four hundred fifty second year from the building of Rome 5. Titus Livius born at Padua was the Prince of the Latin History excelling all Latin Writers in the admirable gravity copiousness and beauty of his Speech He hath written a continued History of seven hundred forty six years from the building of Rome in the year of the World 3212. to the fourth year before the birth of Christ which was the thirty seventh year of Augustus Now although of fourteen Decades or one hundred and forty Books of Livy there are only three Decades and half a fifth left yet the Arguments of the rest of the Books and the Series of the principal Histories may easily be observed from Florus his Epitome Livy died the twenty first year after the birth of Christ. 6. Câ—esias Gâ—idius a famous Historian of the Assyrian and Persian Affairs about the year of the World 3564. in the Expedition of Cyrus the younger against his brother Artaxerxes was taken Prisoner and for his skill in Physick was received into the Kings House and Family where out of the Royal Commentaries and Records he composed the ancient History of the Kings of Assyria Babylon and Persia in twenty Books having brought it down from Ninus as far as the seventh year after the taking of Athens by Lysander 7. Plutarchus of Cheronaea flourished about the year of our Lord 100. the ample Treasury of the Greek and Latin History he wrote about fifty Lives of the principal men amongst the Greeks and Romans full of the best matter wise sentences and choice rules of life The Greek Lives he begins with Theseus King of Athens and ends with Philopoemenes General of the Achaeans who died one hundred and eighty years before the birth of Christ. The Roman Captains he describes from Romulus as far as to Galba and Otho who contended for the Empire in the seventeenth year after the birth of Christ. 8. Arrianus of Nicomedia flourished Anno Christi 140. and in eight Books wrote the Life and Acts of Alexander the Great his Affairs in India are handled most copiously by him of all other the whole is wrote in a singular sweetness and elegancy of stile 9. Dionysius Halicarnassaeus wrote accurately the Roman History the Original of the City Magistracy Ceremonies and Laws are faithfully related by him and his History continued to the beginning of the first Punick War and the four hundred eighty ninth year from
himself a Subject to the King of Spain he was executed at Tyburn where being cut down half dead after his privy members were cut off he rushed on the Executioner and gave him a blow on the ear to the wonder of the by-standers 5. It is said of Crassus Grandfather to that Crassus who was slain in the Parthian War that he was never known to laugh all his life time and thereupon was called Agelastus or the man that never laught 6. Antonia the Wife of Drusus as it is well known never spit and Pomponius the Poet one that had sometimes been Consul never belched 7. It is memorable which is recorded of a King named Wazmund and was the Founder of Warwick Town that he had a Son named Offa tall of stature and of a good constitution of body but blind till he was seven years old and then saw and dumb till he was thirty years old and then spake 8. In the first year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth died Sir Thomas Cheney Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports of whom it is reported for a certain that his pulse did beat more than three quarters of an hour after he was dead as strongly as if he had been still alive 9. George Nevil fourth Son of Richard Nevil Earl of Salisbury was consecrated Bishop of Exeter when he was not as yet twenty years of age at twenty five he was made Lord Chancellor of England and discharged it to his great commendation his ability supplying the luck of age in him 10. When I was in Italy that Paradise of the World the outward skin of a Lady of Verona though lightly touched did manifestly sparkle with fire This spectacle so worthy of the research of the inquisitive and curious is faithfully exposed to the World by the publick Script of Petrus à Castro the learned Physician of Verona in his Book de Igne lambente whom I shall follow in the relation of this story The illustrious Lady Catherina Buri the Wife of the noble Io. Franciscus Rambaldus a Patritian of Verona of a middle age indifferent habit of body her universal temper hot and moist her liver hot and dry and so abounding with bilious and black blood with its innate fervour and an age fit for adustion increased by vehement grief This noble Lady the Creator endued with so stupendous a Dignity and Prerogative of Nature that as oft as her body was but lightly touched with linen sparks flew out plentifully from her limbs apparent to her domestick Servants as if they had been struck out of a flint accompanied also with a noise that was to be heard by all Oftentimes when she rubbed her hands upon the sleeve of her smock that contained the sparkles within it she observed a flame with a tailed ray running about as fired exhalations are wont to do insomuch that her Maids were oftentimes deluded supposing they had left fire in the bed after warming of it in Winter in which time also fire is most discernible This fire was not to be seen but in the dark or in the night nor did it burn without it self though combustible matter was applied to it nor lastly as other fire did it cease within a certain time but with the same manner of appearance of light it shewed it self after my departure out of Italy 11. I have read saith Rossâ— of one who had a horn grew upon his heel a foot long which being cut off grew again and would doubtless have still renewed if the tough and viscous matter had not been diverted and evacuated by Issues Purges and Phlebotomy 12. Fernelius saith he saw a Girl that lived in near neighbourhood to him the ligaments of whose joynts were so very loose that you might bend and turn any of them this or that way at your pleasure and that it was so with her from the time of her birth 13. Sir Iohn Mason born at Abington bred at All souls in Oxford died 1566. and lies buried in the Quire of St. Pauls I remember this Distick of his long Epitaph Tempore quinque suo regnantes ordine vidit Horum à Consiliis quatuor ille fuit He saw five Princes which the Scepter bore Of them was Privy Counsellor to four That is to Henry the Eighth Edward the Sixth Q. Mary and Q. Elizabeth 14. Thomas Bourchier successively Bishop of Worcester Ely and Archbishop of Canterbury and Cardinal by the Title of St. Cyriacus in the Baths being consecrated Bishop of Worcester An. 1435. the fourteenth of Henry the Sixth he died Archbishop of Canterbury 1486. the second of King Henry the Seventh whereby it appears that he wore a Miter full fifty one years a term not to be parallel'd in any other person he saw the Civil Wars of York begun and ended having the honour to marry King Henry the Seventh to the Daughter of King Edward the Fourth Nor is it the least of wonders that he lost not himself in the Laâ—yrinth of such intricate times 15. Sir Thomas Frowick was made Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in the eighteenth year of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh four years he sate in his place accounted the Oracle of the Law in his Age though one of the youngest men that ever enjoyed that Office He 〈◊〉 reported to have died floridâ juventute before full forty years old so that he was Chief Justice at thirty five he died 1506. Octob. 17. 16. That was great and excellent in Socrates that whatever fell out of joy or otherwise he returned with the same countenance he went forth with and was never seen to be more merry or melancholy than at other times in any alteration of times or affairs 17. In the Reign of King Iames in the year 1613. on the 26. of Iune in the Parish of Christ-Church in Hampshire one Iohn Hitchel a Carpenter lying in bed with a young child by him was himself and the child burnt to death with a sudden Lightning no fire appearing outwardly upon him and yet lay burning for the space of almost three days till he was quite consumed to ashes 18. Lucius Fulvius being Consul of the Tusculani who at that time rebelled he deserted them and was thereupon made Consul at Rome and so it fell out that in one and the same year in which he was an Enemy to Rome he triumphed at Rome and a Consul over those to whom he had been Consul 19. It is said of Charles Earl of Valois that he was the Son of a King Brother to a King Uncle to a King and Father to a King and yet no King himself 20. There was amongst the Magnesians one Protophanes who in one and the same day won the Prize in the Olympick Games both at Wrastling and other Games when he was dead certain Thieves opened his Sepulchre and went into it hoping to have found something to prey upon after which
brought to the Olympick Games and there as victor in the Race gain'd the Crown in the forty and sixth Olympiad saith Bocchus 15. The news of the defeat of the Persians by the Romans in their Country was quickly brought unto the Emperour Theodosius the younger by a man he had whose name was Palladius one that had rare gifts both outwardly in body and inwardly in mind he was able in three days to ride in such Post as was to be wondred at unto the furthest places and bounds of the Roman and Persian Dominions and back again in so many days to Constantinople Moreover he went with marvelous great speed throughout the World whither soever the Emperour sent him So that a wise man said once of him This fellow with his celerity maketh the Empire of Rome which is very wide to be narrow and strait When the King of Persia heard of him he could not chuse but wonder 16. They have Casqâ—is or Posts in Peru which are to carry tydings or Letters to which purpose they had Hoâ—ses a league and a half asunder and running each man to the next they would run fifty leagues in a day and a night 17. The Ruâ—he are a Tribe of the Arabians not rich but in agility of Body miraculous and account it a shame if one of their Footmen be vanquished by two Horsemen nor is any amongst them so slow that he will not out go any the swiftest Horse be the journey never so long 18. Brison was a famous runner of Races and reputed of great swiftness with this man Alexder the Great contended one time for the Victory in Footmanship Brison intending to please the King seem'd to saint and to lag behind and thereby to yield the honour of the course unto him but the King being advertised hereof was mightily offended and displeased with him about it 19. Iphiclus the Son of Phylacus and Clymenes hath wonderful things spoken of his swiftness of Foot especially by the Poet Hesiod by whom he is said I suppose by an Hyperbole to run over the Ears of standing Corn and by Demaracus to be able to walk upon the Sea CHAP. XXVIII Of Men of Expedition in their Iourneys and quick dispatch in other Affairs THe English Ambassador had prevailed with the Turkish Sultan to introduce some of our Musitioners into the Seraglio that he might hear a more excellent sort of Musick than as yet he had been acquainted with but they were so long in tuning their Instruments that whether he thought that the best they could make or that he would not allow himself any further leisure up he rose and departed He who made such haste in his Recreations was no doubt as enpedite in his business as the following in their Journeys and other Affairs 1. Titus Sempronius Gracchus a smart young man set out from Amphissa and with change of Horses upon the third day arriv'd at Pella 2. M. Cato with wonderful speed came from Hidruntum to Rome upon the fifth day 3. Iulius Caesar with incredible expedition made often such journeys that in his Litter he would travel at the rate of one hundred miles a day He came from Rome to Rhodanus saith Plutarch upon the eighth day that is about 800 miles 4. Icelus the freedman of Galba out went him far for as Plutarch saith to bring his Patron the news of Nero's death and to congratulate his arrival to the Empire he went from Rome and upâ—n the seventh day came to Clunia which is almost the middle of Spain 5. Mâ—thridates saith Appianus with change of Horses measured one thousand furlongs in one day that is one hundred twenty five Roman miles 6. Beyond him went Hambal as saith the same Appianus who being overthrown by Scipio with one in his company came in two days and two nights to Adrumetum whiâ—h is about three hundred seventy and five mâ—les that is in a day and a night one hundred eighty seven miles and a half 7. Yet was he also outstrip'd by that Messenger which was sent by Mâ—ximus to the Senate of Rome to carry news of Maximinus his death He ran saith Capitolinus with that post haste that changing Horses upon the fourth day from Aquileia he got to Rome seven hundred ninety seven miles which is almost two hundred miles for day and night 8. Tiberius Caesar when his Brother Drusus lay sick in Germany changing his Chariot Horses only three times in a night and a day dispatch'd a Journey of two hundred miles and dead he accompanyed his Corps out of Germany to Rome all the way on foot 9. Iohn Lepton of Kepwick in the County of York Equite one of the Grooms of the privy Chamber to King Iames undertook for a wager to ride six days together betwixt York and London being sevenscore and ten miles and he perform'd it accordingly to the greater praise of his strength in acting then his discretion in undertaking it He first set forth from Aldersgate May the 20 th being Munday Anno Dom. 1606. and accomplish'd his journey every day before it was dark After he had finish'd his Journey at York to the admiration of all men Munday the 27 th of the same Month he went from York and came to the Court at Greenwich to his Majesty upon Tuesday in as fresh and chearful a manner as when he first began 10. In the year 1619. the 17 th of Iuly of King Iames his Reign one Bernard Calvert of Andover rode from St. Georges Church in Southwark to Dover from thence passed by Barge to Callice in France and from thence return'd back to St. Georges Church the same day setting out about three a clock in the morning and return'd about eight a clock in the evening fresh and lusty 11. Osterly House in Middlesex was built in the Park by Sir Thomas Gresham who there magnificently entertain'd and lodg'd Q. Elizabeth her Majesty found fault with the Court of this House as too great affirming that it would appear more handsome if divided with a Wall in the middle What doth Sir Thomas but in the night time sends for Workmen to London Money commands all things who so speedily and silently apply their business that the next morning discover'd the Court double which the night had left single before its questionable whether the Queen next day was more contented with the conformity to her fancy or more pleas'd with the surprize and sudden performance thereof 12. Sir Thomas More was Lord Chancellor of England in which place he demeand himself with great integrity and with no less expedition In testimony of the latter it is recorded that calling for the next cause it was return'd unto him there are no more to be heard all suits in that Court depending and reading for hearing being finally determin'd whereupon a Rythmer had this When More some years had Châ—nc'lor been No more suits did remain The same shall
Iohn Argentine a Scholar of Oxferd came and challenged the whole University of Cambridge to dispute with him What his fortune in this immodest attempt was is not remembred nor himself after found advanced either in Church or Common-wealth Also in 1531 and the twenty fourth of King Henry the Eight came two Oxford men George Threckmorton and Iohn Aschwell to Cambridge challenging all that University to dispute with them on these Questions An Ius Civile sit praestantius Medicinâ An Mulier morti condemnata bis suspensa ruptis laqueis tertio suspendi debeat Five Cambridge-men undertook the Disputation viz. Iohn Redman Nicolas Ridley Iohn Rokesby Elizaeus Price and Grissith Tregarn repairing to the School these Disputants so pressed Throckmorton that finding him to fail they followed their advantage and would never suffer him to recover himself Wherefore Aschwell his partner who was to answer on the second Question declined it by dissembling himself sick who had he not been sick of a conceited soul had never come thither on that occasion 2. A Sultan's Wife or Concubine if you please to â—all her having â—ed too high in a lustâ—ul Bravado petitioned the King that was Sha Abbas of Persia for help her good man proving too weak to conquer her a dangerous Impudence the King finds it to reflect upon himself old at that time and Master of four thousand Concubines he promises her a present satisfaction he calls his Physicians and when Phlebotomy was held too mean a remedy they give an Assinego an opiate lustful potion which enrages the Beast who by a forced connexion basely glutted her and withal deprived her of her life 3. Philip Melancthon had given unto him many pieces of ancient Coin in Silver and Gold divers of which he used to part with to such as came to view them One time he had got together a great heap of them which for the Impression inscriptions and Images were most pleasing to him These he shewed to a Foreigner that came to visit him and perceiving that he was much delighted with the contemplation and sight of them he bade him chuse out one or two of those he was most taken with and did most chiefly desire I desire them all said the Stranger Now although Philip was offended with so immodest and impudent a desire yet he parted with them all that he might satisfie the covetousness of a Shameless Spectator C. Caligula the Roman Emperour did encrease the immanity of his Actions by the atrocity of his words He used to say that there was nothing in his nature that he did so much approve of and for which he esteemed himself so praise-worthy as his Shamelesness 5. The Mosynaei a people in Pontus used to lie with their women in the broad and open sight of the day and in the presence of as many as would make themselves the Spectators of such a Scene of Immodesty 6. C. Fimbria was a man of a profligate Boldness and Impudence and ready upon all occasions for any mischievous design He slew Crassus and in the Funerals of Caius Marius he procured that Q. Scaevola a worthy and most religious person should be wounded and when he understood that the weapon had not made a deep entrance into his body he appointed him a day wherein he would accuse him before the people All men admired whereof he would accuse the Chief Priest and the most worthy Citizen amongst them expecting to hear his crime he said he accused him that he had not received the whole Sword into his body 7. It was concluded by Richard the Third then Protector and his Council that Doctor Shaw should in a Sermon at Pauls-Cross signifie to the people that neither King Edward himself nor the Duke of Clarence were lawfully begotten nor the children of the Duke of York but begotten in adultery upon the Dutchess their Mother And also that the Lady Lucy was verily the Wife of King Edward and so the Prince and the rest of the King's Children were all Bastards Accordingly this shameless Doctor next Sunday took for his Text Bastard Slips shall not take deep root and thence proceeded as he was directed It was also ordered that the Protector should come in as by accident when he was to say these words following But the Lord Protector the very noble Prince the special pattern of Knightly Prowess as well in all Princely Behaviour as in the lineaments and favour of his visage representeth the very face of the noble Duke his Father this is the Father 's own figure this is his own countenance the very print of his visage the very sure undoubted Image the plain express likeness of that noble Duke But it fell out that through overmuch haste he had spoken all this before the Protector came in yet beholding him coming he suddenly left the matter in hand and without any deduction thereto out of all order and frame he began to repeat those words again This is the very noble Prince and soon But the people were so far from crying King Richard that they stood as if they had been turned into stones for wonder of this shameful Sermon But the Preacher that had so little shame at the present had enough of it after for Sermon ended he gate him home and never after durst look out but kept him out of sight like an Owl and enquiring of an old Friend what people talked of him he was answered that every mouth spake him much shame which so struck him to the heart that within few days after he withered and consumed away 8. The Argive women fell into a general madness the men in this extremity sent to Melampus a Physician desiring that he would undertake the cure of that strange Disease the Physician said he would undertake the cure but withal demanded one half of the Kingdom for himself as soon as he had completed it The Argives refused these hard conditions but the Frenzy of their Wives continuing they again sent unto him but then this impudent Physician blushed not to require of them over and besides a third part of the Kingdom for his Brother which insolent terms they were constrained to yield to in this their perplexity 9. L. Antoninus Commodus the Emperour was of that impudent and shameless Behaviour that he doubted not to sit and drink in the very Senate House and in presence of the Senators cloathed in womens apparel and renouncing his own name he called himself Hercules and the Son of Iupiter 10. Walter Bishop of Hereford in the days of William the Conquerour attempting to force the chastity of a woman who being a Sempstross was out of pretence of cutting out work brought up into his Chamber was by her with her Scissars thrust into the Belly with which he died 11. Luther relates that Carolastad was promoted Doctor of Divinity eight years before he had any of the Bible and that afterwards conferring the
upon him and minister unto him The young man did it with great ardor and obedience and then being an eye witness of the sobriety and meekness and other virtues of the man he began to admire him and from thenceforth spake nothing but in his praises 5. Lucius Murâ—ena though but the year before he had been accused by Cato of canvassing and bribery wherein his life had been in the utmost hazard had he not been defended by Cicero the Father of Roman Eloquence yet forgetting this he interposed his own body for the safety of Cato when his death was intended by Metellus the Tribune of the people and though he might have seen himself revenged by the hand of another yet thought it more glorious to defend his enemy than suffer it 6. Anno 1541. Robert Holgate afterwards Arch-Bishop of York obtained a Benefice where Sir Francis Askâ—w of Lincolnshire dwelt by whom he was much molested and vexed with continual suits of law upon which occasion he was sain to repair to London where being he found means to be the Kings Chaplain and by him was made Arch-Bishop of York and President of the Council in the North during which time the said Knight hapned to have a Suit before the said Council and doubted much that he should find hard measure from the Arch-Bishop whose Adversary he had been but the other forgetting all forepassed injuries afforded him all the favour that he might with justice 7. When Timoleon the Corinthian had freed the Syracusans and Sicilians from the Tyrants that did oppress them one Demaenetus a busie Orator took the boldness in an open assembly of the people to charge him with I know not what miscarriages wâ—ilst he was General in the Wars Timoleon though he had power to punish him yet answered him not a word only turning to the people he said that he thanked the Gods for granting him that thing which he had so often requested of them in his prayers which was that he might once see the Syracusans to have full power and liberty to say what they would 8. C. Iulius Caesaer when perpetual Dictator and flourishing in the same and glory of his great exploits was aspersed with an indelible infamy by the verses which Catullus of Verona had made and published of him and Mamurra but upon his submission he not only did him no harm but received him to his Table and as a certain sign of his being reconciled he lodged with his Father as he used to do 9. King Philip of Macedon besieged the City of Methon and as he walked about viewing the place one from the Walls shot an Arrow at himâ— whereby he put out his right eye which yet he took so patiently that when the Citizens a few days after sent out to treat with him about the surrender he gave them honourable terms and after they had put the City into his hands took no revenge of them for the loss of his eye 10. Pope Sixtus the Second was accused by Bassus a Patrician of many grievous Crimes unto Valentiniâ—nus the younger the Emperour and his Mother Placidia before whom he cleared his unspotted innocency which done he interceded with tears that Bassus might not be sent into exile according to his banishment though he could not prevail with the Emperour therein Afterwards when Bassus was dead he not only honoured his Funeral with his presence but also with his own hands helped to commit him to his interrment 11. Epaminondas through the envy of the Nobles was not chosen General in a war that needed a most skilful leader nor was he only laid aside but another was chosen in his stead who was but little seen in the military art This brave man little moved with the indignity listed himself as a private Soldier It was long e're the ill conduct of the new General had brought the Army into a real and almost inextricable strait and when all looked about enquiring for Epaminondas he mindless of the injury of his former unworthy repulse came chearfully forth and having delivered the Army from the hazard it was in brought it back with safety into his Country 12. There was an ancient feud betwixt Henry of Methimnia Duke of Asincica of the Family of the Guzmans and Roderigo Ponze de Leon Marquess of Gades and whereas the Marquess had consulted with others about the surprisal of Alama from the Moors of Granado and had determin'd of the expedition he would not that the Duke should be acquainted with or have any share in the glory of that action But he was speedily besieged by the King of Granado in that Town and whereas he sent all about for assistance the Duke was again neglected Notwithstanding all which the gallant Duke burying in oblivion the memory of all forepast injuries called together all the Soldiers in his government or that were mercenaries under him entreated his friends and so enflamed others with his exhortations that having with great celerity mustered a very great Army he came to the seasonable succours of Alama raised the Siege and set the Marquess with all others with him in freedom from the fears of any enemy and afterwards when the Marquess came first to him with acknowledgments of so great a benefit and tendred him his greatest thanks Let these things pass Marquess said he neither indeed does it become good men to be mindful of former fallings out and especially in a cause where Religion is concern'd but rather if any such thing has heretofore been betwixt us let us sacrifice them to our Country and the Christian name and give them no longer any place in our remembrance And since things have at this time so fortunately succeeded for us both let us joyfully celebrate this day and let it remain as an eternal witness of our reconciliation This said they embraced lodged together that night and lived ever afterwards in a mutual and sincere friendship 13. Alphonsus the elder King of Sicily used to wear upon his fingers Rings of extraordinary price and to preserve the lustre of the stones when he washed used to give them to him that stood next to hold He had once delivered them to one who supposing the King had forgotten them converted them to his own use Alphonsus dissembled the matter put on others and kept his wonted course after some days being to wash the same man stood next him that had the former and put forth his hand as to receive the Kings Rings who pulled his hand back and whispered him in the ear that when he should restore the former he would trust him with these A Speech worthy of a liberal and humane Prince and one endued with so great a mind as he was 14. Q. Metellus that fortunate man in the flower of all his glory was seiz'd upon by Catinius Labeo Tribune of the people and dragg'd to the Mount Tarpeius to be thrown headlong from thence and scarce was there another
them a Mule adorned with the richest Trappings to carry them home to their several Houses Now to enquire with what delicates he treated these Guests whom he so liberally rewarded for their Company is a curiosity only befitting such persons as rather desire to hear of things monstrous than any ordinary instances of luxury 2. Not long since there was a Prelate stranger whose name I will conceal for the honour of his profession who one day invited to a feast all the Nobility of Avignon as well Men as Women where for a beginning of his Pompe at the very entry into the Hall where the Feast was appointed lay spread upon a curious board a great Beef with his head cut off and his entrails taken out having in his belly a whole Hart or Deer of the like dressing stuffed full of little Birds as Quailes Partridges Larks Pheasants and other like the same being so cunningly conjoyned in the belly of the second beast that it seemed some excellent Mathematician had been the Workman thereof But that which made the matter both strange and wonderful was that all the Birds so assembled did roast and turn all alone upon a broach by certain Compass and Conduits without the help of any man For the first course his Guests were presented with store of curious Pastry wherein were inclosed many little Birds quick who as soon as the Crust was taken off began to fly about the Hall There were besides sundry sorts of silver Plate full of Jelly so subtilly conveyed that a man might have seen in the bottom a number of little Fishes quick swimming and leaping in sweet water to the great delight and pleasure of the Assistants Neither is it less strange that all the Fowls which were served upon the Table were larded with Lamprey though it was in a season when they cost half a Crown apiece But that which seals up the Pomp of this proud Prelate was that there was reserved as many quick birds as he was served with dead Fowls at his Table so that if there were a Pheasant sent up dressed there were Gentlemen appointed who presented another alive and all to shew the magnificence of the Priest The consummation of his delights was that the Gentlemen which served him had their faces covered with a Veil lest their breath should offend him or his meat All which I have set down not for imitation but rather that all good Christians should detest this prodigious example of unheard of Luxury 3. Anno Dom. 1470. in the tenth year of King Edward the fourth George Nevill brother to the great Earl of Warwick at his installment into his Arch-bishoprick of York made a prodigious Feast to all the Nobility most of the prime Clergy and many of the great Gentry wherein by his Bill of Fare three hundred quarters of Wheat three hundred and thirty Tuns of Ale one hundred and four Tuns of Wine one Pipe of Spiced Wine eighty fat Oxen six wild Bulls one thousand and four Weathers three hundred Hoggs three hundred Calves three thousand Geese three thousand Capons three hundred Piggs one hundred Peacocks two hundred Cranes two hundred Kids two thousand Chickens four thousand Pidgeons four thousand Rabbets two hundred and four Bittours four thousand Ducks four hundred Hersews two hundred Pheasants five hundred Partridges four thousand Woodcocks four hundred Plovers one hundred Curleus one hundred Quails one thousand Egrets two hundred Rees above four hundred Bucks Does and Roe-bucks one thousand five hundred and six hot Venison Pasties four thousand cold Venison Pasties one thousand dishes of Gelly parted four thousand dishes of plain Gelly four thousand cold Custards two thousand hot Custards three hundred Pikes three hundred Breams eight Seals four Porpuses and four hundred Tarts At this Feast the Earl of Warwick was Steward the Earl of Bedford Treasurer the Lord Hastings Comptroller with many more Noble Officers Servitors one thousand Cooks sixty two Kitcheners five hundred and fifteen But seven years after the King seized on all the Estate of this Archbishop and sent him over Prisoner to Callis in France where Vinctus jacuit in summâ inopiâ he was kept bound in extreme poverty Justice thus punishing his former Prodigality 4. Anno Dom. 1543. Muleasses King of Tunis frighted by the coming of Barbarossa as he was passing out of Sicilia to have met the Emperour at Genoa he was by contrary Winds driven first to Cajeta and afterwards to Naples where he was by the Vice-Roy honourably received and an house appointed for him richly furnished The Neapolitans wondring at the strange attire of the people with the manner of their feeding and curious plenty of all manner of sweet perfumes For into every dish they put in odours of exceeding price so that it was well known that a Peacock and two Pheasants dressed after the Kings Kitchin cost above an hundred Duckats so that not only the dining-room when they were carv'd up but all the house was so filled with the strange and fragrant smell that all they that dwelt near thereabouts were partakers of unusual and delicate perfumes 5. Clodius Aesopus the Tragedian had a huge Charger or Platter wherein he served up at the board all manner of singing birds and such as could imitate the voice of man the birds cost him six hundred Sesterces apiece and the whole Charger six hundred thousand and this he did not that herein he sought to sooth his pallate but only to have a name that he had eaten the resemblers of mans voice 6. A. Vitellus had a famous Platter which for the huge bigness of it was called Minerva's Buckler in this he blended together the Livers of Gilt-heads the brains of Pheasants and Peacocks the Tongues of Phenicopters and the milts of Lampreys brought from the Spanish and Carpathian Seas by the Masters of his Ships and Galleys This Platter is said to have cost a Million of Sesterces all of massy Silver and was long preserved till Adrian the Emperour caused it to be broken in pieces and scattered about This Vitellius Feasted usually three times sometimes four a day every sitting being valued at four hundred thousand Sesterces and he was able with the more ease to go through all these courses of eating by a continual custom of vomiting which it seems amongst these Belly-gods was a continual practice 7. L. Lucullus was a great Statesman whom M. Tullius and Pompey the Great meeting by chance in the Market-place out of a desire to know what his daily fare might be they invited themselves to sup with him that night but upon condition he should give no warning thereof for that they desired not to put him to charge He began at first to put them off with excuses for that time wishing them rather to agree on the next day but they importuning him for the present he demanded of them whether then they would suffer him to give order in what room they should sup That they
and to celebrate the wisdom and goodness of the great Creator who hath not been so liberal in his impartments to our Progenitours but that he hath reserved something wherewith to gratifie the modest inquiries and industrious researches of after-times 1. That there were any such men as Antipodes was in former times reckoned a matter so ridiculous and impossible that Boniface Archbishop of Mentz happening to see a Tractate written by Virglius Bishop of Saltzburg touching the Antipodes not knowing what damnable Doctrine might be couched under that strange name made complaint first to the Duke of Bohemia and afterwards to Pope Zachary Anno 745. by whom the poor Bishop unfortunate only in being Learned in such a time of ignorance was condemned of Heresie Even S. Austin and Laâ—tantius and some other of the ancient Writers condemn this point of the Antipodes for an incredible ridiculous fable and venerable Bede esteemed it for no better 2. The famous King Ethelbert had this Epitaph set upon him which in those daies passed with applause Rex Ethelbertus hic clauditur in Polyandro Fana pians certus Christo meat absque Meandro King Ethelbert lies here Clos'd in this Polyander For building Churches sure he goes To Christ without Meander 3. And how low Learning ran in our Land amongst the native Nobility some two hundred years since in the Reign of King Henry the sixth too plainly appears by the Motto on the sword of the Martial Earl of Shrewsbury which was Sum Talboti pro occidere in imicos meos the best Latin that Lord and perchance his Chaplains too in that Age could afford 4. Rhemigius an Interpreter of St. Paul's Epistles Commenting upon these words A vobis diffamatus est sermo tells us that diffamatus was somewhat improperly put for divulgatus St. Paul being not very solicitous of the propriety of words Whereupon Ludovicus Vives demands What shall we say to these Masters in Israel who know not that St. Paul wrote not in Latin but in Greek 5. It appears by the rescript of Pope Zacchary to Boniface a German Bishop that a Priest in those parts baptized in this form Baptizo te in nomine patria filia spiritua sancta And by Erasmus that some Divines in his time would prove that Hereticks were to be put to death because the Apostle saith Haereticum hominem devita which it seems they understood as if he had said De vitâ tolle 6. Du Pratt a Bishop and Chancellour of France having received a Letter from Henry the eighth King of England to King Francis the first of France wherein amongst other things he wrote Mitto tibi duodecem Molossos I send you twelve Mastiff Doggs the Chancellour taking Molossos to signiâ—ie Mules made a Journey on purpose to Court to beg them of the King who wondring at such a Present to be sent him from England demanded the sight of the Letter and smiling thereat the Chancellour finding himself deceived told him that he mistook Molossos for Muletos and so hoping to mend the matter made it worse 7. The ignorance of former Ages was so gross in the point of Geography that what time Pope Clement the sixth had elected Lewis of Spain to be the Prince of the Fortunate Islands and for his aid and assistance therein had Mustered Souldiers in France and Italy our Country-men were verily perswaded that he was chosen Prince of Britain as one of the Fortunate Islands And our very Leiger Embassadours there with the Pope were so deeply settled in this opinion that forthwith they with-drew themselves from Rome and hasted with all speed into England there to certifie their friends and Country-men of the matter 8. The head of Nilus was to the Ancients utterly unknown as witnesseth Herodotus Strabo and Diodorus Siculus to which Ovid alludes Nilus in extremum fugit perterrituâ— orbem Occuluitque caput quod adhuc laâ—et Nile sled for fear to the Worlds utmost bound And hid his head which cannot yet be found But saith Pererius upon Genesis as many other things are found out unknown to the Ancients so likewise amongst others the head-spring of Nilus and that in vast Marishes near the Mountain of the Moon not far from the famous Promontory of Good Hope where is the utmost bound of the Continent according to the Latitude of the Globe of the earth Southward 9. It is very observable and indeed admirable that neither Herodotus nor Thucydides nor any other Greek Author contemporary with them have so much as mentioned tâ—e Romans though then growing up to a dreadful power and being both Europeans And for the Gauls and Spaniards the Grecians as witnesseth Budaeus in his Book De Asse were so utterly ignorant of them that Ephorus one of the most accurate Writers took Spain which he calls Iberia to be a City though the Cosmographers make the circuit of it to contain above 1136 French Miles 10. The Ancients held that under the middle or burning Zone by reason of excessive heat the earth was altogether uninhabitable but it is now made evident by experience that there is as healthful temperate and pleasant dwelling as any where in the World as appears by the relations of Benzo Acosta Herbert and others 11. They were also altogether ignorant of the New World which is known to us by the name of America or the West Indies till such time as it was discovered by Christopher Columbus a Genoan Anno 1492. 12. Arch-Bishop Parker in his Antiquitates Britannicae makes relation of a French Bishop who being to take his Oath to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and â—inding the word Metropoliticae therein being not able to pronounce it he passed it over with Soit pour dict Let it be as spoken And others of the Clergy when they had most grossly broken Priscians head being taken in the fact their common defence was those words of St. Gregory Non debent verba coelestis oraculi subesse regulis Donati The wordâ— of the Heavenly Oracles ought not to be subject to the Rules of Donatus 13. King Alfred in his Preface upon the Pastorals of St. Gregory which he translated into English saith That when he came first to his Kingdom he knew not one Priest on the South side of the River Humber that understood his service in Latin or that could translate an Epistle into English 14. Archelaus King of Macedon was so ignorant in the things of nature that upon an Eclipse of the Sun amazed with fear he caused the Gates of the Palace to be shut up and the hair of his son to be cut off as he used in solemn mournings A further survey of the ignorance of the Ancients may be taken from a re-collection of some of the instances of the newly discovered Phaenomena at least if we believe Mr. Glanvile which are scattered as he saith under the heads of the Arts and Instruments which are as follow In
perfumes of the East she would not wash her self but in the dews of Heaven which must be preserved for her with much skill her Garments were so pompous that nothing remained but to seek for new stuffes in Heaven for she had exhausted the Treasures of Earth her Viands so dainty that all the mouths of Kings tasted none so exquisite nor would she touch her meat but with Golden Forks and precious stones God to punish this cursed Pride and superfluity cast her on a bed and assailed her with a malady so hideous so stinking and frightful that all her nearest Kindred were enforced to abandon her none stayed about her but a poor old woman throughly accustomed to stench and death the delicate Seniora was infected with her own persumes in such manner that from all her body there began to drop a most stinking humour and a kind of matter so filthy to behold and so noysom to the smell that every man plainly perceived that her dissolute and excessive daintiness had caused this infection in her 2. Tigranes King of Armenia had ever in his Court divers Kings that waited upon him four of which alwaies attended upon his Person as his Foot-men and when he rode abroad they ran by his Stirrup in their Shirts when he sat in the Chair of State they stood about him holding their hands together with countenances that shewed the greatest bondage and subjection imaginable shewing thereby that they resigned all their liberty and offered thâ—â—r bodies to him as their Lord and Master and wâ—â—e persons more ready to suffer than to do any thing 3. Sesostris King of Aegypt though otherwise a Prince of great vertues was yet of a most intolerable Pride For he caused â—our of his Captive Kings instead of Horses to draw his Chariot when he was disposeâ— to be seen and to ride in Triumph One of these â—our at such time as Sesostris was carried out to take the air cast his head continually back upon the two formost Wheels next him which Sesostris obsâ—rving asked him What he found worthy of his admiration in that motion To whom the Captive King answered That in those he beheld the mutability of all worldly things for that both the lowest part of the Wheel was suddenly carried above and becamâ— the highest and the uppermost part was as suddenly turned downwards and under all Which when Sesostris had judiciously weighed it helped to prick the blister of his Pride and he dismissed those Kings and all other from the like servitude in the future 4. Aldred Arch-bishop of York had a certain suit to William the Conquerour and having a râ—pulse therein the Arch-bishop in great discontent offered to depart The King standing in awe of his displeasure stayed him fell down at his feet desired pardon and promised to grant his suit The King all this while being down at the Arch-bishops feet the Noble-men that were present put him in mind that he should cause the King to arise Nay saith the Prelate let him alone let him find what it is to anger St. Peter 5. Anibal was so exalted with the Victory he had got at Cannas that aâ—â—erwards he admitted not any of his Citizens of Carthage into his Camp nor gave answer to any but by an Interpreter Also when Maherbal said at his Tent door That he had found out a way whereby in a few daies if he pleased he might sup in the Capitol he despised him So hard is it for felicity and moderation to keep company together 6. King Henry the second of England Anno Dom. 1170. caused his son Prince Henry at seventeen years of age to be Crowned King that he might in his own life-time participate in the Government with him And on his Coronation day for honours sake placed the first dish on the Table himself while the new King was sate down Whereupon the Arch-bishop of York said pleasantly to him Be merry my best Son for there is not another Prince in the whole World that hath such a Servitor at his Table To whom the young King scornfully answered Why do you wonder at this my Father doth not think that he doth more than becomes him for he being a King only by the Mothers side serveth me who have a King to my Father and a Queen to my Mother 7. Frederick the first Sirnamed Barbarossa in prosecution of Pope Alexander the third had sent his son Otho to pursue him with seventy five Galleys The Pope had saved himself at Venice and Otho was made Prisoner and carried to Venice by Cian the Venetian Admiral Whereupon Frederick grew more mild and accepted conditions of Peace prescribed by Alexander as that he should crave absolution on his knees and in his own person should lead his Army into Asia So Frederick comes to Venice and being prostrate at the Popes feet in a solemn Assembly he asketh pardon The Pope sets his foot on his neck and cries with a loud voice Super Aspidem Basiliscum ambulabis The Emperour moved with this disgrace answers Non tibi sed Petro The Pope replyed Et mihi Petro. This happened at Venice Anno 1171. in the presence of the Embassadours of the Kings and Princes and of the greatest States in Europe 8. Simon Thurway born in Cornwall bred in our English Universities until he went over unto Paris where he became so eminent a Logician that all his Auditors were his Admirers Most â—irm his memory and fluent his expression and was knowing in all things save in himself For prophanely he advanced Aristotle above Moses and himself above both But his Pride had a great and sudden fall losing at the same instant both language and memory becoming compleatly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without Reason or Speech Polydor Virgil saith of him Iuvene nihil acutius sene nihil obtusius whilst others add That he made an inarticulate sound like unto lowing This great Judgement befell him about the year of our Lord 1201. 9. Iulius Caesar after he had overcome Pompey was created Dictatour in the Month of Iuly whereupon he gave it his name whereas before it was called Quintilis The Dictatorship which was a Dignity only of six Months he took upon him for perpetuity He greedily accepted of the Title of Imperatour given him by the Senate He challenged to himself the Title of Pater Patriae he placed his own Statua amongst those of the Kings In the Senate he used a Seat of Gold to sit in he also permitted divine honours to be given to him Nay he was arrived to that excess of pride that he would have whatever he spake to be received as Law nor would he give the least respect unto any that came to him Through this insolency he fell into an inexpiable hatred and was slain in the Senate-house with twenty three wounds in the fifty sixth year of his age 10. The felicity and vertue of Alexander the Great was obscured by three