himself to the Study of Philosophy save only that leisure he had afforded him by a Disease that retained him in his house for whereas he was by that detained from the management of State Affairs he was thereby in a manner compelled to the Love and Study of Wisdom 12. Straton the Son of Corragus may seem to have fallen sick to his own good fortune and advantage for whereas he was descended of an Illustrious Family and abounded with Wealth yet he never used any exercise of his body till such time as he found himself to be afflicted with the Spleen Then he was put upon it to seek a remedy by Wrastling and other Exercises of the body And whereas at first he made use of these for the recovery of his health afterwards having attained to great perfection and proâ—iciency in bodily Exercises and intending to give some evidence thereof in one day he overcame at Wrastling and Whorlbats in the Olympick Games He also was Victor in the next Olympiade and so was he too in the Nemean Isthmian and Pythian Games 13. Philip King of Macedon was used to say that he took himself much beholden and bound unto the Athenian Orators for that by whetting their tongues and by giving out opprobrious and slanderous words against him they were the means to make him a better man both in word and deed For said he I strain my self and every day do my best endeavour as well in my sayings as doings â—e prove them lyars 14. Antigonus once in Winter time was driven to encamp in a place destitute of all provisions necessary for the life of Man by occasion whereof certain Soldiers not knowing that he was so nigh unto them spake very presumptuously of him and reviled him to purpose â—ut he opening the Cloth or Curtain of his Pavilion with his walking Staff If said he you go not further off to rail at me I will make you to repent it and so withdrew himself 15. Diogenes his hap was to be banished and driven out of his own Country yet this Exile of his was so far from proving evil to him that it was the chiefest occasion of his improvement as being thereby after a sort thrust upon and compelled to the Study and Profession of Philosophy 16. Zeno the Citiaean had but one small Ship left him and hearing news that both it and all therein was cast away drowned and perished in the midst of the Seas O Fortune said he thou hast done well to drive us again to put on the poor and simple habit of a Scholar and to send us back unto our Porch and School of Philosophy By these losses of his he was afterwards so great a gainer through his improvement in Philosophy that few if any of his time had a greater Reputation than he for Learning and Integrity so that when he died King Antigonus the Second who esteemed him above all other Philosophers said of him that the Theatre of his noble and glorious Acts was taken away for he desired that this man might above all others be the Spectator and Approver oâ— his Acts. CHAP. XXXIII Of the willingness of some Men to forgive Injuries received WHen Aristotle was asked what grew old soonest and what latest Beneâ—its said he and Injuries The wise Philosopher well understood that we are apt â—oon to forget a good turn but our memories are wonderful tenacious of any wrong or injury that we conceive hath been done to us Most men write down the one in Sand where every blast of Wind obliterates the Record but the other they take care to have engraven upon leaves of Adamant in Characters that scarce Time it self is able to deface The Heroes hereafter mentioned were of nobler minds and were doubtless as mindful of Obligations as they were forgetful of Indignities 1. King William the Conqueror seldom remembred Injuries after Submission for Edrick the first that rebelled against him he placed in Office near about him Gospatric who had been a factious man and a plotter of Conspiracies against him he made Earl of Glocester and trusted him with managing a War against Malcolme King of the Scots Eustace Earl of Boleyne who in the King's absence in Normandy attempted to seize upon Dover Castle he received after into great savour and respect Edgar who as next Heir to the Saxon Kings had often attempted by Arms to recover his right he not only after twice defection pardoned but gave him also an Allowance as a Prince Only Waltheof Earl of Northumberland and Northampton of all the English Nobility was put to death in all the time of the Kings Reign and not he neither till he had twice falsified his Oath of Allegiance 2. Doctor Cranmers gentleness in pardoning wrongs was so great that it grew into a Proverb do my Lord of Canterbury a shrewd turn and then you shall be sure to have him your friend while he lives 3. Augustus Caesar having taken Lucius Cinna the Nephew of Cn. Pompeius in Arms against him not only gave him his life but as a particular instance of his love restored him his estate entire This man was afterwards found in a conspiracy against him and being convicted of it he again gave him his life upon this condition that he might say I have hereâ—ofore pardoned thee as an enemy now I do the like to thee as a Traitor and a Parricide From henceforth let there be a friendship begun betwixt us and let us contend together whether I have with greatest sincerity given thee a double pardon or thou hast received it After this he received him into the number of his friends and made him Consul Elect for the year following an honour scarce to be given to them that had fought for the safety of his life much less to such as had sought both openly and privately to deprive him of it 4. Lycurgus had offended the money'd men in Sparta and therefore as he was once in the Forum or Market place there was a part of them that had raised up a faction against him who proceeded to that violence as with clamours and stones to drive him from thence and followed him as he withdrew himself The first in pursuit of him was Alcander a young man and somewhat of a hot and fierce though otherwise of no ill disposition he as Lycurgus turned back to him with his Staff struck out one of his eyes Lycurgus not daunted with the blow but turning to the people shewed his Citizens his face covered with blood and deformed with the loss of one of his eyes This wrought so much of modesty and sorrow in the Assembly that they yielded up Alcander to him and throughly affected with this unhappy acccident they waited upon him home Lycurgus with commendations dismissed them led in Alcander yet neither did or spake a word of ill to him but instead of that disposing otherwise of those that attended his body commanded Alcander to wait
of so great a number of Ships as he thought might ply thereabouts 6. The melancholy Searchers after the Philosophers Stone never dote so much upon their project as then when it hath deluded them and never slatter themselves with stronger hopes to be enriched by their art than when it hath brought them unto Beggary CHAP. XVI Of the Scoffing aâ—d Scornful Dispositions of some men and how they have been rewarded AT Boghar a City of the Zagathian Tartars there is a River which causeth to them that drink thereof a Worm in the Leg which if not pulled out or pared away procures a certain death to him that hath it The intemperate use of the Tongue though it be but a little member hath been and ever will be the occasion of drawing down danger and death upon the heads of inconsiderate persons Some men dig their Graves with their tongues as effectually as others do with their Teeth and which is worst of all not only their own but others also while the petulant speeches and provocations of one man have involved thousands in a destiny as undeserved as unexpected 1. King William the First of England when he was in years was very corpulent and by that means much distempered in his body Once he had retired himself to Roan in Normandy upon that occasion the French King hearing of his Sickness scoffingly said That he lay in Child-bed of his great Belly which so incensed King William that he swore by God's Resurrection and his Brightness his usual Oath that as soon as he should be Churched of that Child he would offer a thousand Lights in France And indeed he performed it for he entred France in Arms and set many Towns and Corn Fields in fire 2. Henry the Fifth King of England had sent his Embassadours to France to demand the surrender of that Crown and to signifie that if he was denied he would endeavour to regain it by Fire and Sword It 's said that about that time the Dauphin who in the King of France's sickness managed the State sent to King Henry a Tun of Tennis Balls in derision of this youth as fitter to play with them than to manage Arms which King Henry took in such scorn that he promised with an Oath it should not be long ere he would toss such Iron Balls amongst them that the best in France should not be able to hold a Racket to return them Nor was he worse than his word as the Histories of that time do manifest at large 3. Antigonus a potent King of Macedonia had lost one of his eyes it fell out on a time that Theocritus the Chian was by some dragged along that he might come before the King his Friends to comfort him told him that no doubt but he would experience the King's clemency and mercy as soon as he should come before his eyes What then said he you tell me it is impossible I should be saved alluding to the King's misfortune Antigonus being informed of this his bitter as well as unseasonable scoff caused him to be slain although he had before sworn he would spare him 4. Narses the Eunuch was of the Bed-chamber to Iustinus the Emperour and from a Seller of Paper and Books arrived to the honour to succeed the famous Belisarius in the place of Generalissimo after he had renowned himself by a thousand gallant actions at last whether through envy or his ill fortune or the accusation of the people he fell into the hatred of the Emperour Iustinus and his Empress insomuch that the Emperour sent him Letters full of disgrace and reproach advising him also therein that he should return to the Spindle and Distaff Narses was so incensed hereat that he swore he would weave them such a Web as that they should not easily undo again and thereupon to revenge the injury he conceived to be done him he called in the Lombards to the invasion of the Roman Territories which they had been long desirous of but had hitherto been restrain'd by himself and was the occasion of many miseries 5. When the Flemmings revolted from Philip de Valois they out of derision called him the found King and advanc'd a great Cock on their principal Standard the device whereof was that when he should crow the found King should enter into their City This so exasperated the great courage of Philip that he waged them war gave them Battel and defeated them with such fury that Froysard assureth us that of a huge Army of Rebels there was not one left who became not a Victime of his vengeance 6. When Romulus had set up some part of the Walls of Rome his Brother Remus in derision of his Brother's Works and the lowness of those his Fortifications leaped over them whereat Romulus was so incensed that he made his life the price of that which he supposed so great an insolence 9. P. Scipio Nasica the same who being Consul decreed a war against Iugurth who with most holy hands received Mother Idaea passing from the Phrygian Seats to our Altars who oppressed both many and pestilent Seditions with the strength of his authority who for divers years was the Prince of the Senate this man when he was young was a petitioner for the office of the Edileship and as the manner of the Candidates is griping the hand of one who had hardened it with labour in the Country he jestingly asked him if he was accustomed to walk upon his Feet this scoff being heard by them that stood near was carried amongst the people and was the cause of Scipio's repulse for all the Rural Tribes judging they were upbraided with poverty by him discharged their anger upon him in refusing to give him their Votes 8. Tigranes King of Armenia came against Lucullus with so great Forces that when he saw the Romans marching up by way of scorn and derision he said to them about him that if they came to make war they were to few if as Embassadors they were to many yet those few Romans so distressed him and his numerous Army that he was glad to cut off his Tiara and cast it away lest thereby he should be known in his flight it was found by a Soldier and brought to Lucullus who soon after took Tigranocerâ—a it self from him 9. Monica afterwards the Mother of S. Augustin in her younger years began by degrees to sip and drink Wine lesser draughts by wedges widening her Throat for greater till at last she could fetch off her whole ones Now it happened that a young Maid formerly her partner in potting fell at variance with her and as malice when she shoots draws her Arrow to the head called her Toss-pot and Drunkard whereupon Monica reform'd her self and turn'd temperate Thus bitter Taunts and Scoffs sometimes make wholesome Physick and the malice of Enemies performs the office of good will 10. A Roman Legate returning out of Asia was carried in his
behaviour how she carried her self in her Husband's absence and that she did not lust after other men for a woman had need to have an Overseer saith he to keep her honest they are bad by nature and lightly given and if not curbed in time as an unpruned tree they will be full of wild Branches and degenerate on the sudden 12. Procris having a jealous suspicion of her Husband Cephalus that he was enflamed with the love of some other woman followed him into the Woods and Fields where he went a hunting she hid her self in a Bush that she might privily observe what her Husband did and stirring in the Bush where she was Cephalus supposing it was some wild Beast shot an Arrow into it and slew her 13. Constantine the Great by his first Wife Minervina had a Son named Crispus a Prince endowed with all requisite accomplishments both of body and mind too nearly were these his perfections observed by the amorous eye of Faustina the Empress and his Mother in law for she solicited him to comply with her amours but he in a just detestation of so foul a crime shewed himself insensible of all her alâ—urements whereupon the incens'd Empress aâ—cused him to her Husband as one that sought to undeâ—minâ— her chastity The Emperour transported with the jâ—alousie he had conceiv'd againâ—â— his Son commandâ—d the innocâ—nt Prince to be slain without admitting him so much as audience whereas he might clear himself Afterwards coming to understand in what manner both himself and his Son had been betrayed by his Wife he also caused her to be put to death 14. Cardinal Hypolito d' Este pulled out the eyes of his own Brother Iulio in a pang of jâ—alousie and because there was such a sweetness in them as he perceiv'd was over-pleasing in the eyes of his Mistress CHAP. XXI Of the Commiseration Pity and Compassion of some men to others in time of their Adversity IT is reported of S. Augustine that he could not refrain himself from tears when he read in Virgil of the loves and death of Queen Dido although he knew well that the whole story was but a fiction which the Poet had devised of his own Brain Certainly the most generous persons are soonest stirred to a sympathy with others in their sufferings and the calamity or fall of their Enemies are wont to leave upon them none of the lightest impressions 1. When Alexander the Great found Darius murdered by his own servants though he was his Enemy yet could he not refrain from weeping and putting off his own Coat he covered the body of Darius with it and cloathing him with Royal Ornaments he sent him to his Mother Sisigambris to be interred amongst his Ancestors in a Royal manner 2. Nero the Emperour in the first five years of his Reign was comparable even with Augustus himself especially in Princely Pity and Compassion insomuch as being requested to set his hand to a writ for the execution of a Malefactour Quam vellem me nescire literas said he how do I wish that I could neither write or read 3. Camillus with the Roman Army after ten years siege took the City of Veiae in Italy by storm and when Camillus from the top of the Castle saw the infinite Riches which the Soldiers took by plundering the City he brake out into tears for very pity to behold what miseries the Inhabitants had willfully brought upon themselves 4. Flavius Vespasianus the Emperour was of so merciful and compassionate a disposition that he never rejoyced at the death of any though his enemies Etiam justis suppliciis ingemuit he used to sigh and weep when any were condemned by him for their faults though never so justly 5. Lucullus the Roman General pursuing Mithridates came to the rich and stately City of Amisus where Callimachus was Governour under Mithridates Callimachus seeing he could not hold out set the City on fire and fled Lucullus would fain have quenched the fire but could not by force or fair words prevail with the Soldiers to do it Lucullus entring the City the next morning and beholding the great desolation and deformed ruines which the â—iâ—e had made he burst out into tears and turning to his Fâ—iends said That he had often thought Sylla happy in that when he dâ—sired â—o sâ—â—e the City of Athens the Gods had granted him his desire But said he whereas I desired to have saved this City of Amisus fortune by disappointing my purpose and design hath brought me to the disreputation of Mummius who caused the burning of the City of Corinth 6. M. Marcellus the Consul shed tears at his entrance of the City of Syracuse which he had newly taken not so much for joy that he had performed so glorious an exploit as for many things which recurred to his thoughts enough to excite his compassion to so great and splendid a City which was speedily to be converted into ashes He called to mind the famous victories which they of Syracuse had gain'd over the Athenians by Sea and Land how they had broke in pieces the Attick Navy overthrown two famous Generals and routed their numerous Armies he recalled to his memory the Wars that Syracuse had had with Carthage the power that Dionysius the Father and Son had sometime enjoyed then he thought of Hiero a King who not long before reigned there who was the most faithful of all their Allies unto the Romans and highly honoured by them now to think that a City once so famous at this time so rich should on the sudden have all its Buildings and Furniture for peace and war consumed this drew tears from his eyes 7. Iulianus the Emperour departed from Constantinople against the Persians with a mighty Equipage and passing over the Bosphorus from Chalcedon he passed on to Nicomedia He deeply sigh'd and wept at his entrance into this City calling to mind that heretofore he had been brought up in the Palace of this City at that time large in the circumference and sumptuous in the Buildings but now at this time miserably wasted and shaken in pieces by the fury of an Earthquake that had lately been therein 8. Solyman the Magnificent Emperour of the Turks when he had taken Rhodes after he had receiv'd the great Master with as much humanity as could be expected from an Enemy he dismissed him and when he was gone from him I pity said he the miserable old man and it grieves me to see him being thrâ—wn out of his own house to depart thus sorrowfully from us 9. Agesilaus the King of Sparta being inform'd that in a great Battle near Corinth few of the Spartans were fallen but very many of the Corinthians and Athenians and the rest of the Confederatâ—s were there slain The King made no sign of joy to appear for so great a victory but with a deep sigh Poor Greece said he who hast lost in Civil Wars so many
Lord Buckhurst was bred in Oxford took the degree of Barister in the Temple afterwards travelled into foreign parts was detained a time prisoner at Rome when his liberty was procured for his return into England he possessed the vâ—st inheritance left him by his Father whereof in a short time by his magnificent prodigality he spent the greatest part till he seasonably began to spare growing near to the bottom of his estate The story goes that this young Gentleman coming to an Alderman of London who had gained great pennyworths by his former purchases of him was made being now in the wane of his wealth to wait the coming down of the Alderman so long that his generous humour being sensible of the incivility of such attendance resolved to be no more beholding to wealthy pride and presently turn'd a thrifty improver of the remainder of his estate Others make him the Convert of Queen Elizabeth who by her frequent admonitions diverted the torrent of his profusion indeed she would not know him till he began to know himself and then heaped places of honour and trust upon him creating him Baron of Buckhurst in Sussex anno Dom. 1566 sent him Embassador into France 1571 into the Low Countries 1576 made him Knight of the Order of the Garter 1589 Treasurer of England 1599 he was also Chancellour of the University of Oxford Thus having made amends to his House for his mispent time both in encrease of estate and honour being created Earl of Dorset by King Iames he died April 19 1608. 10. Henry the Fifth while Prince was extremely wild the companion of riotous persons and did many things to the grief of the King his Father as well as to the injury of himself in his reputation with the subject but no sooner was he come to the Crown but the first thing that he did was to banish all his old companions ten miles from his Court and presence and reform'd himself in that manner that he became a most worthy and victorious King as perhaps ever reigned in England 11. S. Augustine in his younger time was a Manichee and of incontinent life he reports of himself that he prayed for continency but was not willing to be heard too soon for saith he I had rather have my lust satisfied than extinguished But being afterwards converted by the Ministry of S. Ambrose he proved a most excellent person as well in Learning as in all sorts of Virtues 12. The Ancients in old time attributed unto King Cecrops a double nature and form and that upon this ground not for that as some said of a good clement and gracious Prince be became a rigorous fell and cruel Tyrant but on the contrary because having been at first and in his youth perverse passionate and terrible he proved afterwards a mild and gentle Lord. 13. Gelon and Hiero in Sicily and Pisistratus the Son of Hippocrates were all Usurpers and such as attained to their Tyrannical Dominion by violent and indirect means yet they used the same virtuously and howsoever they attained the Sovereign Command and for some time in their younger years managed it injuriously enough yet they grew in time to be good Governours loving and profitable to the Common-wealth and likewise beloved and dear unto their Subjects for some of them having brought in and established excellent Laws in their Country and causing their Subjects to be industrious and painful in tilling the ground made them to be civil sober and discreet whereas before they were noted for a tatling playful and idle sort of people 14. Lydiades was a Tyrant in the City of Megalapolis but in the midst of his usurped Dominion he repented of his Tyranny and making conscience thereof he detested that wrongful oppression wherein he had held his Subjects in such sort that he restored his Citizens to their ancient Laws and Liberties yea and aâ—terwards died gloriously fighting manfully in the Field against the enemy in defence of his Country 15. Ceno Valchius King of the Western Saxons in the beginning of his Reign was an impious and debauched Prince whereupon he was expelled from his Kingdom and Government but at last being become a reformed man he was readmitted to his former command and he then ruled his Kingdom with great prudence justice and moderation 16. Offa King of the Mercians in the first flower of his age was immeasurable in his desires of acquiring wealth extreme ambitious of enlarging his Territories and highly delighted with the art of War and Military Discipline he was also all this while a contemner of all moral virtue but when he came to be of maturer and riper years he became famous and renowned for the integrity and modesty of his manners and the singular innocency of his life 17. Iohannes Picus Mirandula visited the most famous Universities of France and Italy and was so great a Proficient that while as yet he had no Beard he was reputed a perfect Philosopher and Divine Being ambitious and desirous of Glory he went to Rome where he proposed nine hundred Questions in all Arts and Sciences to dispute upon which he challenged all the Scholars of all Nations with a new kind of liberality promising to defray the charges of any such as should come from remote parts to dispute with him at Rome He stayed at Rome upon this occasion a whole year In the mean time there wanted not some that privily detracted from him and gave out that thirteen of his Questions were heretical so that he was constrain'd to set forth an Apology and while he studied to excuse himself of errours that were falsly objected to him he fell into others that were greater and worse for he entangled himself in the love of fair rich and noble women and at last was so engaged in quarrels upon this account that he thought it high time to forsake those youthful vanities whereupon he threw into the fire his Books of Love which he had writ both in the Latine and Hetruscan Languages and relinquishing the Dreams of prophane Philosophy he wholly devoted himself to the study of the sacred and holy Scriptures CHAP. III. Of punctual observation in matters of Religion and the great regard some men have had to it THe Athenians consulted the Oracle of Apollo demanding what Rites they should make use of in matters of their Religion The answer was the Rites of their Ancestors Returning thither again they said the manner of their Forefathers had been often changed they therefore enquired what custom they should make choice of in so great a variety Apollo replyed the best This constancy and strictness of the Heathens had been â—ighly commendable had their Devotions been better directed In the mean time they shame us by being more zealous in their Superstition than we are in the true Religion 1. Paulus Aemilius being about to give Battel to Perses King of Macedon at the first Break of Day made a Sacrifice to
concerning his Love to Truth 17. Euricius Cordus a German Physician hath this honour done to his memory It is said of him that no man was more addicted to truth than he or rather no man was more vehemently studious of it none could be found who was a worser hater of ing and falshood he could dissemble nothing nor bear that wherewith he was offended which was the cause of his gaining the displeasure oâ— some persons who might have been helpful to him if he would but have sought their favour and continued himself therein by his obsequiousness Thus much is declared in his Epigrams and he saith it of himself Blandire nescis ac verum Corde tacere Et mirare tuos displicuisse libros Thou canst not flatter but the truth dost tell What wonder is 't thy Books then do not sell. Paulus Lutherus Son to Martin Luther was Physician to Ioachimus the Second Elector of Brandenbuog and then to Augustus Duke of Saxony Elector It is said of him that he was verè 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a lover of liberty and freedom of Speech far from â—lattery and assentation and in all points like unto that Rhesus in Euripides who saith of himself Talis sum et ego rectam sâ—rmonum Viam secans nec sum duplex vir Such a one am I that rightly can Divide my Speech yet am no double man The virtues of this Luther were many and great yet I know not any wherein he more deservedly is to be praised than for this honest freedom of speaking wherein he mightily resembled his Father 19. When I lived at Vtricht in the Low Countries the Reply of that valiant Gentleman Colonel Edmonds was much spoken of There came a Country-man of his out of Scoâ—land who desiring to be entertained by him told him that my Lord his Father and such Knights and Gentlemen his Cousin and Kinsmen were in good health Colonel Edmonds turning to his friends then by Gentlemen said he believe not one word he says My Father is but a poor Baker in Edinburg and works hard for his living whom this Knave would make a Lord to curry favour with me and make you believe that I am a great man born when there is no such matter CHAP. V. Of such as have been great Lovers and Promoters of Peace THere is a certain Fish which Aelian in his History calls the Adonis of the Sea because it liveth so innocently that it toucheth no living thing strictly preserving peace with all the offspring of the Ocean which is the cause it is beloved and courted as the true darling of the Waters If the frantick world hath had any darlings they are certainly such as have been clad in Steel the destroyers of Cities the suckers of humane blood and such as have imprinted the deepest scars upon the face of the Universe These are the men it hath Crown'd with Lawrels advanc'd to Thrones and â—latter'd with the misbecoming Titles of Heroes and Gods while the Sons of peace are remitted to the cold entertainment of their own vertues Notwithstanding which there have ever been some who have found so many Heavenly Beauties in the face of Peace that they have been contented to love that sweet Virgin for her self and to Court her without the consideration of any additional Dowry 1. The Inâ—abitants of the Island Borneo not far from the Moluccas live in such detestation of war and are so great Lovers of peace that they hold their King in no other veneration than that of a God so long as he studies to preserve them in peace but if he discover inclinations to war they never leave till he is fall'n in Battle under the Arms of his Enemies So soon as he is slain they set upon the Enemy with all imaginable fierceness as Men that fight for their liberty and such a King as will be a greater Lover of peace Nor was there ever any King known amongst them that was the perswader and Author of a war but he was deserted by them and suffer'd to fall under the Sword of the Enemy 2. Datanes the Persian being employed in the besieging of Sinope received Letters from the King commanding him to desist from the Siege Having read the Letter he adored it and made gratulatory sacrifices as if he had received mighty favours from his Master and so taking Ship in the very next Night he departed 3. The Emperour Leo who succeeded Martianus having given to Eulogius the Philosopher a quantity of Corn one of his Eunuchs told him that such kind of largess was more fitly bestowed upon his Soldiers I would to God said the Emperour that the state of my Reign was such that I could bestow all the stipends of my Soldiers upon such as are learned 4. Constantinus the Emperour observing some differences amongst the Fathers of the Church called the Nicene Council at which also hmself was present At this time divers little Books were brought to him containing their mutual complaints and accusations of one another All which he received as one that intended to read and take cognizance of them all But when he found that he had received as many as were intended to be offered he bound them up in one bundle and protesting that he had not so much as looked into any one of them he burnt them all in the sight of the Fathers giving them moreover a serious exhortation to peace and a Cordial Agreement amongst themselvrs 5. It is noted of Phocion a most excellent Captain of the Athenians that although for his military ability and success he was chosen forty and five times General of their Armies by universal approbation yet he himself did ever perswade them to peace 6. At Fez in Africk they have neither Lawyers nor Advocates but if there be any controversies amongst them both parties Plaintiff and Defendant came to their Alsakins or Chief Judge and at once without any further appeals or pitiful delays the Cause is heard and ended It is reported of Caesar to his great commendation that after the defeat of Pompey he had in his custody a Castle wherein he found divers Letters written by most of the Nobles in Rome under their own hands sufficient evidence to condemn them but he burnt them all that no Monument might remain of a future grudge and that no man might be driven to extremities or to break the peace through any apprehension that he lived suspected and should therefore be hated 8. Iames King of Arragon was a great enemy to contentions and contentious Lawyers insomuch as having heard many complaints against Semenus Rada a great Lawyer who by his Quirks and Wiles had been injurious as well as troublesome to many he banished him his Kingdom as a man that was not to be endured to live in a place to the Peace of which he was so great an enemy 9. I read of the Sister of Edward the Third King of
mind that with so true a generosity had preserved and yielded up the Kingdom to his Nephew 15. Titus Pomponius Atticus a Patrician of Rome would contribute nothing amongst those of his rank to Brutus and Cassius in their war upon Augustus but after that Brutus was forcibly driven from Rome he sent him one hundred thousand Sesterces for a present and took care that he should be furnished with as many more in Epirus contrary to the custom oâ— most other men while Brutus was fortunate he gave him no assistance but after he was expell'd and laboured under adverse fortune he administred to his wants with a bounty to be wondred at 16. Tancred the Norman was in Syria with Boemund his Uncle Prince of Antioch it fortun'd that Boemund was taken Prisoner in a fight with the Infidels Three Years Tancred governed his principality in his behalf in which time having enlarged his Territories and augmented his Treasure with a great sum he ransom'd his Uncle and resign'd up all into his hands 17. Ferdinand King of Leon by the instigation of some slanderous Informers was brought to make war upon Pontius Count of Minerba an old friend of his Fathers and had already taken divers places from him Sanctius the Third King of Castile and Brother to Ferdinand being inform'd hereof gathered a mighty Army and marched out with them against his Brother Ferdinand that least of any thing expected any such matter and terrified with the coming of so sudden and unlook'd for an Enemy mounting his Horse with a few of his followers came into the Camp of his Brother and told him he put himself into his hands to deal with him as he saw good as one whose only hope it was this way to preserve his Kingdom to himself but Sanctius that was a just King and a good Brother despising all the proffers he made him told him that he had not taken up arms for any desire he had to wrest his Kingdom out of his hands and annex it to his own but his sole design was that whatever had been taken away from Count Pontius should be restored him seeing he had been a great friend to their common Parent and had most valorously assisted him against the Moors This was gladly yielded to by Ferdinand and as soon as it was done Sanctius returned to his own Territories 18. Emanuel the first King of Portugal levied a most puissant Army with a design to pass into Africa where victory seemed to attend him when as being upon his march and just ready to transport his Army over those straits which divide Spain and Mauritania the Venetians dispatch Embassadors to intreat succours from him as their Ally against the Turk who had now declared war against them This generous Prince resolutely suspended his hopes of conquest to assist his ancient friends suddenly altered his design and sent his Army entirely to them deferring his enterprise upon Algiers to another season 19. The Venetians had leagu'd themselves with the Turks against the Hungarians they aided them to the ruine of that Kingdom and reduced that Country almost to a desolation and having been the cause of the death of two of their Kings of which the great Hunniades was the last yet notwithstanding seeing themselves afterwards all in flames by the Turks their Allies They sent Ambassadors to Hungary to implore succours from the famous Matthias Corvinus Son to Hunniades who after he had afforded them an honourable Audience and reproach'd them with their unworthy and hateful proceedings did yet grant them the succours which they had sought at his hands 20. Renatus Duke of Lorrain with fire and sword was driven out of his Dukedom by Charles the last Duke of Burgundy afterwards by the help of the Swissers he overcame and slew in Battel him from whom he had received so great a calamity With great industry he sought out the body of Charles amongst the multitude of the slain not to savage upon his Corps or to expose it to mockery but to bury it as he did at S. Georges in the Town of Nancy he and his whole Court followed it in mourning with as many Priests and Torches as could be procured discovering as many signs of grief at the funeral of his enemy as if it had been that of his own Father CHAP. XVI Of the Frugality and Thriftiness of some men in their Apparel Furniture and other things THe Kings of India used to dry the bodies of their Ancestors which done they caused them to be hung up at the Roof of their Palace in precious Cords they adorned them with Gold and Jewels of all sorts and so preserved them with a care and reverence little short of veneration it self of the like ridiculous superstition are they guilty who make over-careful and costly provisions for those bodies of theirs which will ere long be breathless and stinking carkasses They are usually souls of an over delicate and voluptuous constitution and temper that are so delighted with this kind of luxury whereas the most worthy men and persons of the greatest improvements by reason and experience have expressed such a moderation herein as may almost seem a kind of carelesness and neglect of themselves 1. Of Lewis the Eleventh King of France there is found in the Chamber of Accounts Anno 1461. Two Shillings for Fustian to new Sleeve his Majesties old Doublet and Three Half-Pence for Liquor to grease his Boots I chuse rather to call it his Frugality than Covetousness in as much as no man was more liberal of his Coin than himself where occasion did require as Comine who wrote his History and was also of his Council doth frequently witness 2. Charles the Fifth Emperour of Germany was very frugal especially once being to make a Royal Entrance into the City of Millain there was great preparation for his entertainment the Houses and Streets were beautified and adorned The Citizens dress'd in their richest Ornaments a golden Canopy was prepared to be carried over his head and great expectation there was to see a great and glorious Emperour But when he entred the City he came in a plain Black Cloth Cloak with an old Hat on his Head so that they who saw him not believing their eyes asked which was he laughing at themselves for being so deceived in their expectations 3. The meanness of the Emperour Augustus his furniture and houshold stuff doth appear to this day in the Beds and Tables that are left the most of which are scarce so costly as those of a private person It is said he used not to lye in any bed but such as was low and moderately covered and for his wearing Apparel it was rarely any other than such as was home spun and such as was made up by his Wife Sister Daughter and Grand-Children 4. Though the Ornament of the Body is almost a peculiarity to the Female Sex yet not only one woman but the whole family of
his own Posts to inform her of the danger and safety of her Son Though his Brother Domitian did manifestly conspire against him yet he did him no harm nor lessened him in any thing but dealt with him by entreaties that he would bear him a friendly mind and after all nominated him his colleague and successor in the Empire But all this goodness wrought little with this unnatural Brother for soon after he was empoysoned by him to the great loss of all mankind 4. Acacius Bishop of Amada was renowned and much spoken of for a notable work of mercy which he wrought in those days when the Romans had taken seven thousand Persian Captives at the winning of Azazâ—na and to the grief of the Persian King would not restore them but kept them in such condition that they were almost all starved for want of food Acacius lamented their estate and condition called his Clergy together and said thus unto them Our God hath no need either of Dishes or Cups for he neither eateth nor drinketh wherefore seeing the Church hath many precious things both of Gold and Silver bestowed of the free will and liberality of the faithful It is requisite that the Captive Soldiers should be therewith redeemed and delivered out of Prison and Bondage and that they also perishing with Famine should with some part thereof be refreshed and relieved This said he commanded the Vessels and gifts to be melted made money thereof and sent the whole price partly to redeem Captives out of Prison and partly to relieve them that they perished not with famine Lastly he gave the Persians necessary provisions for their voyage and sent them back to their King This notable act of the Renowned Acacius brought the King of Persia into great admiration that the Romans should endeavour to vanquish their enemies by both ways viz. wars and well-doing whereupon he greatly desired the sight of Acacius and Theodosius the Emperour commanded the Bishop to gratifie the King therein 5. When Pericles the noble Athenian lay a dying the better sort of the Citizens and his Friends that sate about him were discoursing amongst themselves of those virtues wherein he excelled his riches and eloquence his famous exploits the number of his victories as having erected Nine Trophies while he had the command of the City These things they were recounting amongst themselves as supposing that he no longer understood them but was now become senseless Pericles heard all that had passed and I wonder said he that you so celebrate those deeds of mine in which Fortune doth challenge a part and which are common to other Leaders and yet in the mean time pass over with silence that which is the greatest and most excellent of them all namely that none of my Fellow Citizens have ever put on mourning through my means And indeed it was worthy of high commendation that he retained so much of humanity and clemency in the midst of so many bitter enmities he was perpetually exercised with and that he had never shewed himself implacable to any enemy whatsoever in so great a power as he so long together had enjoyed 6. One Guydomer a Viscount having found a great treasure in the dominions of Richard the First surnamed Câ—ur de Lion for â—ear of the King fled to a Town of the King of France for his safeguard Thither Richard pursued him but the Town denyed him entrance going therefore about the Walls to â—ind out the fittest places to assaâ—lt it one Bertram de Gurdon or as others call him Peter Basile shot at him with an empoysoned Arrow from a strong Bow and therewith gave him a wound in his Arm in the Eye saith Fuller which neglected at first and suffered to rankle or as others say handled by an unskilful Chirurgeon in four days brought him to his end Finding himself past hope of recovery he caused the party that had wounded him to be brought before him who being asked what had moved him to do this fact Answered that King Richard had killed his Father and two of his Brothers with his own hand and therefore he would do it if it were to do again Upon this insolent answer every one looked that the King should have adjudged him to some terrible punishment when contrary to their expectations in a high degree of clemency he not only freely forgave him but gave special charge he should be set at liberty and that no man should presume to do him the least hurt commanding besides to give him an hundred shillings to bear him away This was done Anno 1199. in the ninth year of this Kings Reign and the forty fourth of his Age. Dying he bequeathed his heart to Roan his body to be buried at Fount Everard and his Bowels at Chalons or as others at Carlisle in England 7. Charilaus the King of Sparta was of so mild and gentle a disposition that Archelaus his associate in the Kingdom used to say to those that spake high in the commendation of the young man How is it possible that Charilaus should be a good man seeing he is not able to be severe even against those that are wicked 8. Q. Fabius Maximus was of that meek and mild disposition throughout his whole life that he was commonly called the Lamb. 9. Augustus Caesar walking abroad with Diomedes his freedman a wild Boar had broken the place of his restraint and seemed to run directly towards Augustus The freedman in whom at that time there was more of fear than of prudence consulting his own safety took hold of the Emperour and placed him before himself for which yet Augustus never discovered any sign of anger or offence that he had taken He also managed the Common-wealth with that clemency and mercy that when in the Theatre it was recited O Dominum aquum bonum O Gracious and Good Governour all the people turned their eyes upon him and gave him their applause both with word and gesture 10. C. Iulius Caesar was not more famous for his valour in overcoming his enemies than he is for his clemency wherein at once he overcame both them and himself Cornelius Phagita one of the bloody emissaries of Sylla in the civil dissentions betwixt him and Marius industriously hunted out Caesar as one of the Marian party from all his lurking holes at last took him and was difficultly perswaded to let him escape at the price of two Talents when the times changed and that it was in his power to be severely revenged of this man yet he never did him the least harm as one that could not be angry at the Winds when the Tempest was over L. Domitius an old and sharp enemy of his held Corsinium against him with thirty Cohorts there were also with him very many Senators Knights of Rome and the flower or strength of the Pompeian party Caesar besieged the Town and the Soldiers talked of rendring both the Town and themselves to Caesar
darkness but the best oâ— it is they have found fairer respects from the greatest of Princes yea and the most barbarous Nations 1. I dwelt saith Mâ—rtinus Martinius in the City of Venxus in a fair House the City and People being all in a â—umult by reason of the Tartar 's approach Assoon as I understoed it I fixed over the fairest Gate of the House a Red Paper very long and broad with this Inscription upon it Here dwells the European Doctor of the Divine Law likewise at the entrance of the greater Hall I set out my greatest and fairest bound Books to these I added my Mathematical Instruments Perspective and other Optick Glasses and what else I thought might make the greatest shew and withal I placed the Picture af our Saviour upon an Altar erected for that purpose by which fortunate Stratagem I not only escaped the violence and plunder of the common Souldiers but was invited and kindly entertained by the Tartarian Vice-Roy 2. Alexander the Great having found amongst the Spoils of King Darius his Perfumier or Casquet of sweet Ointments richly embelished with Gold costly Pearls and Precious Stones when his Friends about him shewed him many uses that curious Cabinet might be put to It shall serve said he for a Câ—se for Homer 's Works also in the forcing and Saccage of the City of Thebes he gave express commandment that the Dwelling House and the whole Family of Pindarus the Poet should be spared he caused also the City where Aristotle his Master had been born to be rebuilt and seeing a Messenger coming to him with a chearful countenance as one that brought him good News What said he canst thou tell me that Homer is alive again 3. Dionysius the Tyrant though otherwise proud and cruel being advertized of the coming of Plato that great Philosopher sent out a ship to meet him adorned with goodly streamers and himself mounted a chariot drawn with four white horses gave him the reception of a great King at the Haven where he disembarked and came on shore 4. Pompey the Great after he had ended the War with Mithridates went to visit Posidonius that Renowed Professor of Learning and when he came to his house gave straight Commandment to his Lictours that they should not after their usual manner with all others rap at the door This Great Warrior to whom both the East and West parts of the World had submitted veil'd as it were the Roman fasâ—es and the Ensigns of his Authority before the door of this Philosopher 5. The Kings of Aegypt and Macedon gave a singular testimony how much they honoured Menander the Comical Poet in that they sent Embassadors for him and a Fleet to waft him for his more security though he more esteemed of his private studies then all the honours designed for him by the bounty and savour of these great Princes 6. In the first Publiâ—k Library that ever was erected in Rome there was also set up the Statue of M. Varro that Learned man and for his greater Honor it was also done while he himself was yet living 7. Pomponius saith in his fourth book of the Pandects By reason of the desire I have to learn which to this seventy and eight year of mine age I have ever looked upon as the best account to desire to live I am mindful of this sentence which is said to be one of Iulians Though I had one foot in the grave yet should I have a desire to learn something 8. Claudius Caesar eraz'd the name of a Greek Prince out of the Roll of the Judges because he understood not the Latine Language and sent him to travel 9. Solon the Athenian travelled as far as Aegypt Cyprus nay survey'd all Asia and this for no other reason then the desire he had to encrease his knowledge which was so great and constant that it was his saying By learning every day something I am grown old About the time of his death when he lay languishing npon his bed he raised up his head to hearken to some friends of his discoursing at his bed side and when they asked him to what purpose he did so he gave that Noble answer that I may die the more Learned 10. Theodosius the younger continually turn'd over the Greek and Latine Historians and that with such eagerness that whereas he spent the day in Civil and Military affairs he set apart the night for the Lecture of them and that neither himself might be disturbed in his reading nor any of his servants constrain'd to watch with him he caused a Candlestick to be made with that artifice as to supply the light with oyl of its own accord as oft as there was any want 11. The Greek Emperor Leo was exceeding bountiful to Learned Men and when once an Eunuch of his told him that such expences were sittest to be made upon his men of War I would said he it might come to pass in my time that the Salaries of the Soldiers might be spent upon the Professors of the Liberal Arts. 12. Alphonsus that great King of Naples was wont to say he had rather suffer the loss of his Kingdoms and he had seven then the least part of his Learning nor did he love it only in himself but others it is to this King that we are indebted for Laurentius Valla Antonius Panormitanus Bartholomaeus Faccius Georgius Trapezuntius Ioannes Aurispa Ievianus Pontanus and a considerable number of Juniors to them He set up Universities and erected or adorned Libraries up and down in his Kingdoms and a choice book was to him the most acceptable present of all other In his Ensigns he carried Pourtray'd an Open Book importing that knowledge drawn from thence became Princes when he heard the King of Spain should say that Learning was below Princes he said angrily it was the voice of an Ox and not a Man As for himself he read Caesar and Livy with great diligence he translated the Epistles of Seneca into Spanish with his own hand so conversant in the Sacred Writings that he said he had read over the Old and New Testament with their glosses fourteen times all this he did being stricken in years for he was fifty before he intermedled with studies his improvement therein having been neglected in his younger time and yet we may say of this Prince how great a man was he both at home and abroad a greater both in virtue and fortune Europe hath not seen 13. The Emperor Charles the fifth being at Genoa was entertained with an Oration in Latin and when he found that he could not fully comprehend the sense of it with a sad countenance he made this ingenuous confession that he now underwent the punishment of his youthful negligence and that his Master Hadrianus was but too true a Prophet when he told him as he often had that one day he would surely repent it Paulus Iovius who was
Philip the fair afterwards seeing himself persecuted by Charles of Valois by an inexcusable temerity threw away his life For Charles sharply asking of him an account of the Treasures of the deceased King he freely answered It is to you Sir I have given a good part of them and the rest hath been employed in the Kings affairs Whereupon the Prince giving him the lie the other took the unseasonable boldness to reply By God Sir it is you your self this insolency sent him to the Gallows at Mountfaucon which he had caused to be built in his greatest authority 2. At Sir Henry Wotton's first going Embassadour into Italy as he passed through Germany he stayed some daies at Augusta where having been in his former Travels well known by many of the best note for learning and ingenuity with whom he passing an evening in merriment was requested by Christopher Flecamore to write some sâ—nâ—ence in his Albo a Book of white paper which for that purpose many of the German Gentry usually carry about them Sir Henry consenting to the motion took an occasion from some accidental discourse of the present company to write a pleasant definition of an Embassador in these words Legatus est vir bonus peregrè missus ad mentiendum Reipublicae causa which Sir Henry could have been contented should have been thus Englished An Embassadour is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his Country but the word for lie being the hinge upon which the conceit should turn was not so expressed in Latin as would admit of so fair a construction as Sir Henry thought of in English Yet as it was it slept quietly among other sentences in this Albo almost eight years till by accident it fell into the hands of Gasper Schioppius a Romanist a man of a restless spirit and malicious Pen who with Books against King Iames Prints this as a principle of that Religion professed by the King and his Embassadour Sir Henry Wotton then at Venice and in Venice it was presently after written in several glass windows and spitefully declared to be Sir Henry Wotton's This coming to the knowledge of King Iames he apprehended it to be such an over-sight such a weakness or worse in Sir Henry as caused the King to express much wrath against him and this caused Sir Henry to write two Apologieâ— one to Velserus one of the chieâ—s of Augusta in the universal language and another to King Iames which was so ingenuous clear and so choicely eloquent that His Majesty at the receipt thereof said Sir Hâ—nry Wotton had commuted suâ—ficiently for a greater offence 3. Lewis the eleventh King of France one of the most Politick Princes that France ever had being at Wars with his own brother Charles Duke of Normandy Francis Duke of Britanny and Charles Duke of Burgundy and desiring greatly to separate the last from the other two that he might thâ— better be revenged on them solicited him by his Embassadours to come to conâ—erence with him which the Duke yielded unto so that the meeting might be in a Town of his own in the Frontiers of Flanders and France for his better security wherewith the King was well contented The meeting therefore being appointed at Peronne whither the Duke was come with his Army and safe-conduct sent to the King by a Letter of the Dukes own hand the King went thither without any forces or guard to shew the confidence he had in the Duke to oblige him the more and to gain his good will But the Duke seeing now his enemy in his power and understanding at the same time that Leige ws revolted from him by the solicitation of certain Embassadours oâ— the King took him prisoner and would not release him untâ—l he hâ—d recovered the Town of Leige whither he forced him to accompany him with no small danger of his Person and in the end having made him grant to some hard conditions in favour of his Confederates against whom the King had especially plotted that Conference and Treaty he released him Now who sees not how grossly this Politician â—rred wherein it might be presumed that a man of any experience could not have been deceived First that having employ'd his Agents to stir up the Town of Lâ—ige against the Duke he did not counteâ—mand it when he resolved to put himself into his hands and then that he would upon any security or safe-conduct put himself to the courtesie and mercy of his enemy without urgent and inevitable necessity 4. Thomas Ruthal was by King Henry the seventh â—or his great abilities preferred to be Bishop of Durham King Henry the eighth made him of his Privy Council notwithstanding the hatred which Cardinal Woolsey bare unto him It happened that King Henry employed him as a Politick person to draw up a Breviate of the State of the Land which he did and got it fairly transcribed but it fell out that instead thereof he deceived with the likeness of the cover and binding Presented the King with a Book containing the Inventory of his own Estate amounting to an invidious and almost an incredible summ of one hundred thousand pounds Woolsey glad of this mistake told the King he knew where a mass of money was in case he needed it This broke Ruthals heart who had paid the third part of the cost of making the Bridge of Newcastle over Tyne and intended many more Benefactions had not death on this unexpected occasion surprized him Anno Dom. 1523. 5. The Duke of Ossuna a little man but of great fame and fortune was revoked from being Vice-Roy of Naples the best employment the King of Spain hath for a subject upon some disgust and being come to this Court where he was brought to give an account of his Government being troubled with the Gout he carried his sword in his hand instead of his staff the King misliking the manner of his posture turned his back to him and so went away Thereupon he was over-heard to mutter Esto es para servir muchachos This it is to serve Boyes This coming to the Kings oaâ— he was apprehended and committed Prisoner to a Monastery not far off where he continued some years until his Beard came to his girdle then growing very ill he was permitted to come to his house in Madrid being carried in a bed upon mens shoulders where he died about the year 1622. 6. When Pope Iulius the second attempted to deliver Italy from the Vltra Montani he sent an Italian Embassadour to the King of England to perswade him to take Arms in his behalf against the King of France and the Embassadour having delivered all that he had in charge to say answer was given in the behalf of the King That he was most ready and willing to defend the Pope but that an Army was not so soon to be made ready for that the English by reason of their long Peace had in a manner lost the use
Martialis one of his Centurions with the Execution by whom the Emperour was slain at Edessa as he was going to make water 3. Natholicus King of Scotland sent a great favorite of his to enquire of a famous Witch what should be the success of a War which he had in hand and other things concerning his person and estate to whom she answered That Natholicus should not live long and that he should be killed by one of his own servants and being further urged to tell by whom She said that the Messenger himself should kill him who though he departed from her with great disdain and reviled her protesting that first he woâ—ld suffer ten thousand deaths yet thinking better upon the matter in his return and imagining that the King might come to know of the Witches answer by some means or other and hold him ever after suspected or perhaps make him away resolved to kill him which he presently after performed Thus was that Prince punished for his wicked curiosity in seeking by such unlawful means to know the secret determinations of God 4. Such was the fatally venturous curiosity of the elder Pliny that as the younger relates he could not be deterred by the formidableness of the destructive flames vomited by Vâ—suvius from endeavouring by their light to read the nature of such Vulcanian Hills but in spight of all the disswasions of his friends and the affrighting eruptions of that hideous place he resolved that flaming wonder should rather kill him than escape him and thereupon approached so near that he lost his life to satisfie his curiosity and fell if I may so speak a Martyr to Physiologie 5. Alipius the intimate friend of St. Augustine went to Rome to improve himself in the study of the Law and one day was unwillingly drawn to accompany them to a sword-Play Though saith he you may compel my body yet my eyes and mind you can lay no force upon And therefore when he came to the Theatre he sat with his eyes closed but hearing a mighty shout of the people overcome with curiosity and trusting to himself that he was able both to see and despise whatsoever it should be he opened his eyes and saw the blood that was drawn drinking up with the sight the same immanity wherewith it was shed and beheld by others so that falling into a present delight and approbation of that bloody pleasure he not only returned thither often himself but drew others to the same place upon the like occasion 6. Nero the Emperour about the sixty sixth year of Christ possessed at once with a mad spirit of cruelty and I know not what kind of foolish curiosity that he might have the lively representation of the burning of Troy caused a great part of the City of Rome to be set on fire and afterwards to conceal himself from being thought the author of so great a villany by an unparalleled slander he cast the guilt of so horrid a fact upon the Christians whereupon an innumerable company of those Innocents were accused and put to death with variety of most cruel tortures 7. In the Land of Transiane there was a Prince tributary to the King of Pegu and his near Kinsman named Alfonge who married a sister of the Prince of Tazatay her name was Abelara one of the greatest beauties in the Eastern parts they lived a sweet and happy life with intire affection and for their greater felicity they had two Twin sons who in their under-growth discovered something of great and lofty and appeared singularly hopeful for the future These Infants having attained their ten years loved so cordially they could not live asunder and the ones desire still met with the others consent in all things but the Devil the enemy of concord inspires a curiosity into the minds of the father and mother to know their fates and to their grief they were told the time should come when these two Brothers that now loved so fondly should cut one anothers throats which much astonished the poor Princes and filled them with fearful apprehensions The two Princes being come to their fifteen years one said to the other Brother it must needs be you that must murther me for I will sooner die a hundred deaths than do you the least imaginable harm The other replied Believe it not good brother I desire you for you are as dear and dearer to me than my self But the father to prevent the misfortune resolved to separate them whereupon they grew so troubled and melancholy that he was constrained to protract his design till an occasion happened that invited all three the father and two sons to a War betwixt the Kings of Narsinga and Pegu upon title of Territories but by the mediation of Bramins a peace was concluded upon condition these two young Princes should espouse the two daughters of the King of Narsinga and that the King of Pegu on him that married the elder should confer all the Countries he took in the last War with the Kingdom of Martaban and the other brother besides the Kingdom of Tazatay should have that of Verma the Nuptials consummated each departed to his Territory Lands spaciously divided Now it fell out that the King of Tazatay was engaged in a sharp War with the King of Mandranella and sent to the two brother Princes for aid who both hastened unknown to each other with great strength to his assistance He from Verma came secretly to Town to visit a Lady once their ancient Mistress and the other brother being on the same design they met at the Ladies gate by night not knowing one another where furious with jealousie after some words they drew and killed each other One of them dying gave humble thanks to God that he had prevented the direful Destiny of his Horoscope not being the Assasine of his brother as 't was prejudicated hereupon the other â—inding him by his voice and discourse drawing near his end himself crept to him and embraced him with tears and lamentations and so both dolefully ended their daies together The father being advertised of it seeing his white hairs led by his own fault to so hard fortune over-born with grief and despair came and slew himself upon the bodies of his sons and with the grief and tears of all the people were buried all three in one Monument which shews us the danger of too great curiosity CHAP. XXII Of the Ignorance of the Ancients and others THere never was nor is there ever like to be in this World a beauty of that absolute compleatness and perfection but there was some Mole to be discerned upon it â—r at least some such thing as might have been wished away It is not therefore the design of this Chapter to uncover the nakedness of our Fathers so as to expose it to the petulancy of any but rather to congratulate those further accessions of light and improvements in knowledge which these latter Ages have attained unto
a speedy dismission from that Province which had fallen to him as Questor that he might seek out occasions for great Enterprizes as soon as might be 12. Pericles was cited to the Assembly by the angry Athenians for that he had spent so much Treasure upon publick Works and Ornaments in the City he mildly replied Doth it therefore repent you O Citizens I shall then make you this Proposition Let my name be inscribed upon each of these Works and I will defray the expences therein at my own cost and charge At this all the Assembly cryed out That he should go on in the name of the gods and that he should not desist from expences upon that account behold an honourable contest for Glory betwixt him and the people 13. Trajanus the Emperour did openly and almost every where aim at this for whether he made any new Work or repaired any that was old even upon the most inconsiderable things he caused his name to be inscribed insomuch that thereupon some in a scoffing manner termed him the Wall Flower or Pellitory on the Wall 14. Alexander the Great took Calisthenes along with him a man famous for wisdom and eloquence on purpose to write the History of his Exploits and by his writings to spread abroad the glory of his Name He also cherished Aristotle upon the same account and gave him a most liberal and magniâ—icent allowance of eighty Talents towards the compleating of that one Book of his History of Animals hoping his Name would thereby be perpetuated When he came to Sigaeum and beheld there the Tomb of Achilles he sigh'd and cry'd out O fortunate young man who hadst a Homer to Trumpet out thy fame So also meeting with a Messenger who by his gesture and countenance seemed to have some joyful matter to relate What good News hast thou said he is Homer alive again By that saying expressing his ardent desire to have had the most excellent Writer to have been the describer of his Acts and the publisher of his Praises 15. Commodus that blemish of the Empire was yet desirous of a great name and fame abroad so that he called the City of Carthage after his own name Commodiana He took off Nero's head from the Colossus and set his own upon it instead of the other He also caused some Months to be called after him But we find that fortune hath still opposed them that have sought Glory in an oblique line For though in brave persons such as Alexander Iulius Augustus their names do yet continue in Cities and Months Yet not so to Nero Caligula Commodus and others their like For soon after their death all those things were extinguished from whence they hoped for an eternity 16. Pausanias one of near attendance upon the person of Philip King of Macedon on a time asked Hermocles which way a man might suddenly become famous Who replied If he did kill some Illustrious Person for by this means it would come to pass that the glory of that man should redound to himself hereupon he slew Philip and indeed he obtained what he sought for he rendred himself as well known to posterity by his Parricide as Philip did by his vertue 17. There went a fame of a certain Indian that he had such a peculiar skill in shooting that he could at pleasure pass his Arrows through a Ring set up at a convenient distance this man was brought Prisoner and presented to Alexander the Great who desired him to give him an instance of his Art in that kind The Indian refused whereat Alexander was so incensed that he commanded he should be led away and slain while he was leading on to the place of his intended punishment he told the Souldiers That he had for some time disaccustomed himself from shooting and that fearing through want of exercise that he should not perform what he desired he had therefore refused the Emperours command This was told again unto Alexander who thereupon not only commanded he should be set at liberty but also gave him many gifts admiring the greatness of his Spirit that had rather die than lose any of that reputation he had formerly gained 18. Nero the Emperour was possessed with a desire though an inconsiderate one of eternity and perpetual fame and thereupon abolishing the old names of many things and places he gave them others from his own name The Month April he would have called Neroneus and he had determined to have named Rome it self Neropolis or Nero's City 19. Aelius Adrianus the Emperour was of an eager but various disposition he covered the impetuousness of his mind with a kind of Artifice feigning Continence Courtesie and Clemency and on the other side dissembling and concealing as he could that burning desire that he had after Glory He envyed great Wits both living and dead he endeavoured to extenuate the glory of Homer and gave order to celebrate the memory of Antimachus in his stead whereas many had not so much as heard of his name before He persecuted even such Handicrafts men as excelled in any particular thing many of which he depressed and crushed and many of them he caused to be slain For whereas he himself was desirous to be accounted superexcellent in all things he hated all others that had made themselves remarkable in any thing Having bought peace of divers Kings by private presents he boasted that he had done more sitting still than others by their Forces and Arms. 20. Pompey the Great pursued the Pirates in the Piratick War into Creet where when he found they were opposed by Metellus the Pretor in that Island inflamed with an over desire of Glory he defended them against Metellus with his own Forces that he might have no Roman copartner with him in the Piratick Victory CHAP. XXXVII Of the intolerable Pride and haughtiness of some Persons THe Pride of the Jesuites is as generally as justly taxed who being the youngest of all other Orders and therefore by Canon to go last will never go in Procession with other Orders because they will not come behind them An unworthy tumour of the soul this vice is and such a misbecoming blister that seldom or never is observed to rise upon those minds that are truly noble and generous at least not till they are intoxicated and put besides themselves by an over-liberal draught out of the luscious cup of fortunes Continued prosperity and affluence of all things has indeed unhinged the souls of many that were otherwise brave men and made them do things that signified they had no sentiments of mortality left within them so that Memento â—e esse hominem might seem no more than what is necessary to some that are mentioned in the following Examples 1. Dominicus Sylvius Duke of Venice marryed a Gentlewoman of Constantinople she was plunged into sensuality with so much profusion that she could not endure to lodge but in Chambers full of delicious
according to his sentence 7. Cicero flying for his life was pursued by Herennius and Popilius Lena this latter at the request of M. Caelius he defended with equal care and eloquence and from a hazardous and doubtful cause sent him home in safety This Popilius afterwards not provoked by Cicero in word or deed of his own accord asked Antonius to be sent after Cicero then proscribed to kill him Having obtained licence for this detestable employment with great joy he speeded to Cajeta and there commands that person to stretch out his throat who was not to mention his dignity the Author of his safety and in private to be entertained by him with little less than veneration There did he with great unconcernedness cut off the head of the Roman Eloquence and the renowned right-hand of peace With that burden he returned to the City nor while he was laden with that execrable portage did it ever come into his thoughts that he carried in his Arms that head which had heretofore pleaded for the safety of his 8. Parmenio had served with great fidelity Philip the father of Alexander as well as himself for whom he had first opened the way into Asia He had depressed Attalus the Kings enenemy he had alwaies and in all hazards the leading of the Kings Vanguard he was no less prudent in counsel than fortunate in all attempts a man beloved of the men of War and to say the truth that had made the purchase for the King of the Empire of the East and of all the glory and fame he had After he had lost two of his sons in the Kings Wars Hector and Nicanor and the other lost in torments upon a suspicion of Treason This great Parmenio Alexander resolved to deprive of life by the hands of murderers without so much as acquainting him with the cause and would choose out no other to expedite this unworthy business but the greatest of Parmenio's friends which was Polydamus whom he trusted most and loved best and would alwaies have to stand at his side in every fight He and Cleander dispatched this great man as he was reading the Kings Letter in his Garden in Media So fell Parmenio who had performed many notable things without the King but the King without him did never effect any thing worthy of praise 9. Philip King of Macedon had sent one of his Court to Sea to dispatch something he had given him in command but a storm came and he was shipwrack'd but saved by one that lived there about the Shore in a little Boat wherein he was taken up He was brought to his Farm and there entertained with all civility and humanity and at thirty daies end dismissed by him and furnished with somewhat to bear his charges At his return he tells the King of his Wrack and dangers but nothing of the benefits he had received The King told him he would not be unmindful of his fidelity and dangers undergone in his behalf He taking the occasion told the King he had observed a little Farm on the Snore and besought him he would bestow that on him as a monument of his escape and reward of his Service The King orders Pausanias the Governour to assign him the Farm to be possessed by him The poor man being thus turned out applied himself to the King told him what humanity he had treated the Courtier with and what ungrateful injury he had returned him in lieu of it The King upon hearing of the Cause in great anger commanded the Courtier presently to be seised and to be branded in the sorehead with these Letters Hospes ingratus The ungrateful Guest restoring the Farm to its proper owner 10. When the Enmity brake out betwixt Caesar and Pompey Marcellinus a Senatour and one of them whom Pompey had raised estranged himself so far from his party unto that of Caesars that he spake many things in Senate against Pompey who thus took him up Art thou not ashamed Marcellinus to speak evil of him through whose bounty of a mute thou art become eloquent and of one half starved art brought to such a plenty as that thou art not able to â—orbear vomiting Notably taxing his ingratitude who had attained to all his Dignity Authority and Eloquence through his favour and yet abused them all against him 11. Henry Keeble Lord Major of London 1511. besides other Benefactions in his life-time rebuilded Aldermary Church run to very ruines and bequeathed at his death one thousand pounds for the finishing of it yet within sixty years after his bones were unkindly yea inhumanely cast out of the Vault wherein they were buried his Monument plucked down for some wealthy Person of the present times to be buried therein Upon which occasion saith Dr. Fuller I could not but rub up my old Poetry which is this Fuller to the Church Vngrateful Church o'rerun with rust Lately bury'd in the Dust Vtterly thou hadst been lost If not preserv'd by Keeble's cost A thousand pounds might it not buy Six foot in length for him to lye But outed of his quiet Tomb For later Corpse he must make room Tell me where his dust is cast Though 't be late yet now at last All his bones with scorn ejected I will see them recollected Who fain my self would Kinsman prove To all that did Gods Temples love The Churches Answer Alas my innocence excuse My Wardens they did me abuse Whose Avarice his Ashes sold That goodness might give place to gold As for his Reliques all the Town They are scatt'red up and down Seest a Church repaired well There a sprinkling of them sell. Seest a new Church lately built Thicker there his Ashes spilt Oh that all the Land throughout Keeble's dust wâ—re thrown about Places scatt'red with that sâ—ed Would a crop of Churches breed 12. Anno 1565. upon the fifth of February one Paulus Sutor of the Village of Breswâ—il near the City of Basil came into the house of Andreas Hager a Bookseller he was then old and sick and had been the others Godfather at the Font and performed to him all the good offices that could be expected from a father Being entred his house he told him he was come to visit him as one that esteemed him as his father But as soon as the Maid was gone out of the Parlor that attended upon the sick man he caught up a hammer gave him some blows and then thrust him through with his knife As soon as the Maid returned with the same fury he did the like to her and then sâ—ising the Keys he searched for the prey intended he found eight pieces of plate which afterwards in want of money he pawned to a Priest of St. Blasms who suspecting the man sent the plate to the Senate at Basil by which means the Author of the detestable murder was known he was searched after taken at the Village of Hagenstall brought prisoner to Basil where he had his legs and arms broken
he added the Estates thereof to the house of Austria He was coursely used in the Low Countries by a company of rude Mechanicks detained in Prison which he endured with patience and after nine Months freed himself with admirable prudence He was joined Emperour with his Father in his Fathers life-time with whom he Reigned seven years and after his decease he Reigned alone twenty five years more his Motto was Tene mensuram respice finem 97. Charles the â—iâ—th this man was the glory of the House of Austria a Puissant Prince he liked three Books especially Polybius's History Machiavel's Prince and Castalion's Courtier In fifteen Wars which he waged for the most part he was successful the last of which was by Cortez and Pizarro in the newly discovered parts of America where in twenty eight Battels he beâ—ame Master of so many Kingdoms Near home he took Rome by the Duke of Burbon captivated the French King Francis in the Battel of Pavia frighted Solyman the Turk from Vienna setled Muly Hassen in his Kingdom in Africk he defeated Barbarossa that formidable Pirat and took Tunis By the Popes continual instigations he carried a hard hand towards the Protestants whose patience and perseverance with intervenient crosses abated his edge at last Wearied at length with the Worlds incessant troubles he devested himself of all Imperial Authority and retired to a Monastery his Motto was Plus Vltra opposite to that of Hercules He Reigned thirty and seven years 98. Ferdinand the first Arch-Duke of Austria the brother of Charles King of Hungary and Bohemia elected King of the Romans by the procurement of Charles Anno 1531. upon whose resignation he was chosen Emperour Anno 1558. a compleat and judicious Prince Under him in the treaty of Passaw was granted Liberty of Conscience to the Professours of the Augustane Confession which much startled the Fathers of the Trent Council as also did the grant to the Bohemians for receiving the Supper in both kinds He subdued Iohn Sepusius Vaywode of Transylvania and strongly kept back the Turk from encroachments upon his Dominions his Motto was Fiat Iustitia pereat mundus 99. Maximilian the second the son of Frederick elected King of the Romans in the life of his Father Anno 1562. succeeded in the Empire after his decease He was constant to the Tenent that mens Consciences are not to be forced in matters of Religion In his time began the Wars in the Low Countryes chiefly occasioned by the Spanish cruelty executed by the Duke of Alva the Civil Wars in France the Massacre of the Protestants began at Paris the famous defeat was given to the Turks in the Sea-sight at Lepanto he Reigned twelve years married his two daughters to two Puissant Princes Elizabeth to Charles the ninth King of France and Anna his eldest to Philip King of Spain his Motto was Dominus providebit 100. Rodolphus the second the eldest son of Maximilian a Prince much addicted to Chymistry he granted liberty of Religion to the Protestants had great Wars against the Turks with whom in the year 1600. he concluded a Peace but being undermined by his brother Matthias was forced to surrender to him the Kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia and to content himself with Austria and the Empire only In his time Henry the fourth King of France was stab'd by Ravilliac and the Gunpowder Treason was hatched here in England his Motto was Omnia ex voluntate Dei 101. Matthias brother of Rodolphus King of Hungary Bohemia and Arch-Duke of Austria succeeded in whose time were sown the seeds of that terrible War which had almost destroy'd the Empire the Protestants standing for their Priviledges in Bohemia were withstood by some of the Emperours Council of whom they threw Slabata and Fabritius Smesantius with a Secretary out of a Window at Prague his Motto was Concordia lumine major Having no children he declared 102. Ferdinand the second of the House of Gratz to be Emperour this Prince was more zealously affected to the See of Rome than any of his Predecessours and a great enemy of the Protestant Religion occasioning thereby that long and bloody War in the Empire of Germany The King and Queen of Bohemia forsaken of their States are forced to â—ly he is proscribed and put out of his Elâ—ctâ—rship Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden like a tempest falls upon Germany and frâ—es divers oppressed Princes but at last was slain in the Battel at Lutzen uncertain whether by the â—nemy or the Treason of his own his Motto was Legitime certantibus 103. Ferdinand the third son of Ferdinand the second broke the great power of the Swedes who were called in for the support of the German liberty against the violent resolutions of Ferdinand the second For he overthrew them at the Battel of Norlingen This Prince is the twelfth Emperour of the House of Hapsburg anâ— the ninth of the House of Austria without intermission The cause of which is to be attributed to Charles the fifth who procured in his life-time that his brothâ—r might be chosen King of the Romans as his Successour in the Empire A Policy which hath ever since been continued by his Successours and the Germans are the more willing to hâ—arken to it because the Austrian Princes are not only Natives but also better able to back the Empire in its compleat Majesty than any other of the Nation The Motto of this Emperour is Pietate Iustitia In the Collection of these Emperours I have made use of Suetonius Zonaras Carion ....... Heylen Sympson Prideaux and others CHAP. II. Of the Eastern Greek and Turkish Emperours 1. COnstantinus aged thirty one in the year 306. took upon him the care of the Empire he overcame Maxentius and Licinius restored Peace to the Church took Byzantium and having enlarged it called it Constantinople and New Rome He died in Nicomedia Anno 337. aged sixty five Gault tab Chronogr p. 279. 2. Constantius his son succeeded him in the East he favoured the Arrians hearing that Iulianus his Kinsman conspired against him he made Peace with Sapores the Persian King and moved towards him but in his march seised with a Fevor he died Anno 361. Gaulter tab Chron. p. 283. 3. Iulianus succeeded Sirnamed the Apostate son of Constantius the brother of Constantine the Great at first a Christian afterwards a professed enemy of the Gospel fortunate in his Wars against the Almanes Franks and other Transalpine Nations whilest he was a Christian. Prodigiously slain in the Persian War when become a Persecutor aged thirty eight his Motto was Pennis suis perire grave he Reigned but one year and eight months dying he threw his blood up into the Air saying Satiare Nazarene Zon. tom 3. fol. 119. 4. Iovian or Iovinian chosen by the Army a Religious Prince made Peace with the Persian setled the affairs of the Church who being dead Valentinian one of mean birth but great abilities in War was elected Emperour he Reigned
death by Andronicus was in a popular election proclaimed his Successour deposed by Alexius his own brother and his eyes put out 63. Alexius Angelus deprived his brother and excluded his Nephew from the Empire but it held not long 64. Alexius Angelus the second the son of Isaac Angelus being unjustly thrust out of his Empire by his Uncle Alexius had recourse to Philip the Western Emperour whose daughter he had married so an Army was prepared to restore him On the approach whereof Alexius the Usurper fled and the young Emperour seated in his Throne was not long after slain by Alexius Ducas in revenge whereof the Latins assault and win Constantinople make themselves Masters of the Empire share it amongst them the main body of the Empire with the Title of Emperour was given to 65. Baldwin Earl of Flanders first Emperour of the Latines Reigning in Constantinople was taken in Fight by Iohn King of Bulgaria and sent Prisoner to Ternova where he was cruelly put to death 66. Henry the brother of Baldwin repelled the Bulgarians out of Greece and died a Conquerour 67. Peter Count of Auxerre in France succeeded in the Empire after his decease was cunningly entrapped by Theodorus Angelus a great Prince in Epirus whom he had besieged in Dyracchium but of an enemy being perswaded to become his Guest was there murdered by him 68. Robert the son of Peter having seen the miserable usage of his beautiful Empress whom a young Burgundian formerly contracted to her had most despitefully mangled cutting off both her Nose and Ears died of hearts grief as he was coming back from Rome whither his melancholy had carried him to consult the Pope in his Affairs 69. Baldwin the second son of Robert by a former Wife under the protection of Iohn de Brenne the Titulary King of Ierusalem succeeded in his Fathers Throne which having held for the space of thirty three years he was forced to leave it the City of Constantinople being regained by the Greeks and the poor Prince compelled in vain to sue for succours to the French Venetians and other Princes of the West When Constantinople was lost to the Latines the Empire of the Greeks was transferred unto Nice a City of Bythinia by Theodorus Lascaris Son-in-law to Alexius the Usurper there it continued till the Empire was restored to the Greeks in the person of 70. Michael the eighth Sirnamed Palaeologus extracted from the Comnenian Emperours most fortunately recovered Constantinople the City being taken by a Party of fifty men secretly put into it by some Country Labourers under the ruines of a Mine This Prince was present in person at the Council of Lyons at the perswasion of the Pope he admitted the Latin Ceremonies into the Churches of Greece for which he was greatly hated by his Subjects and denied the honour of Christian burial 71. Andronicus the second vexed with unnatural Wars by his Nephew Andronicus who rebelled against him 72. Andronicus the third first Partner with his Grandfather afterwards sole Emperour 73. Iohn Pelaeologus son of Andronicus the third in whose minority Contacuzenus his Protector usurped the Empire and held it sometimes from him and sometimes with him till the year 1357. and then retired unto a Monastery leaving the Empire unto Iohn during whose Reign the Turks first planted themselves in Europe 74. Andronicus the fourth the son of Iohannes Palaeologus 75. Emanuel Palaeologus brother of Andronicus the fourth in his time Bajazet King of the Turks did besiege Constantinople but found such notable resistance that he could not force it 76. Iohn the second son of Andronicus the fourth 77. Iohn the third son of Emanuel Palaeologus was in person at the Council of Florence for reconciling of the Churches in hope thereby to get some aid from the Western Christians but it would not be 78. Constantinus Palaeologus the brother of Iohn the third in his time the famous City of Constantinople was taken by Mahomet the Great Anno Dom. 1452. The miserable Emperour being lamentably trod to death in the Throng who had in vain gone from door to door to beg or borrow money to pay his Souldiers which the Turks found in great abundance when they took the City It had in vain been besieged by King Philip of Macedon siding with Niger in his War against Severus the Emperour it endured a Siege of three years against all the Forces of the Romans The Caliph Zulciman had besieged it and was forced to desist with the loss of three hundred thousand men but now it stooped under the weighty Scepter of 79. Mahomet the second Sirnamed the Great and first Emperour of the Turks he Conquered the two Empires of Constantinople and Trebisond twelve Kingdoms and two hundred Cities He had mighty Wars with the two renowned Captains Huniades and Scanderbeg in Hungary and Epirus from whom he received divers overthrows He left the Siege of Belgrade with dishonour as he also was compelled to do that of the Rhodes By Achmetes Bassa he Landed an Army in Apulia foraged all the Country took the City of Otranto by assault to the terrour of Sixtus the fourth then Pope and of all Italy Being passed over into Asia to go against the Caramanian King a daies journey short of Nicomedia a City in Bythinia at a place called Geivisen he fell sick and died as some say of the Cholick as others of poyson having lived about fifty two years and thereof Reigned thirty one in the year of our Lord 1481. He was of an exceeding courage and strength of a sharp wit and thereunto very fortunate but withal he was faithless and cruel in his time the death of eight hundred thousand men 80. Bajazet the second subdued the Caramanian Kingdom and part of Armenia and drove the Venetians from Moraea and their part of Dalmatia Invaded Caitbeius the Sultan of Aegypt by whom the Arabians and Mountainers of Aladeules his subjects he was divers times shamefully overthrown and enforced by his Embassadours to conclude a Peace He bribed the Bishop of Rome to the empoysoning of his brother Zemes thither fled for security This Prince by nature was given to the study of Philosophy and conference with learned men more than to the Wars which gave encouragement to his son Selymus to raise himself to the Throne as he by the Treason of the great Bassa's of the Court shortly did and then caused his father to be poysoned by his Physician a Jew when he had Reigned thirty years this Prince died in the year of our Lord 1512. 81. Selymus having poysoned his father subverted the Mamalukes of Aegypt bringing it with Palestine Syria and Arabia under the yoke of the Turks He invaded the Kingdom of Persia subdued and slew Aladelues the Mountainous King of Armenia reducing his Kingdom into the form of a Turkish Province He repressed the Forces of the Hungarians by a double invasion and intending to turn all his Forces upon the Christians he was suddenly seised with a Cancer
Quenstedt Dial. p. 434. Patrit de instit reipub lib. 2. tit 6. p. 90. 6. Stesichorus was born at Himera a City in Sicily a Lyrick Poet some of whose Poems are yet extant writ in the Dorick Dialect his Works declare the strength of his wit while he sings of great Wars and noble Chieftains and with his Harp sustains the burden of an Epick Verse he preserves the due dignity of his persons both in their speech and actions and had he retained himself within bounds he might have seemed the next to a Rival with Homer but he is too copious and luxuriant he flourished Olymp. 54. Vid. Quintil. Instit. orator lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 468. Quenstedt dial p. 399. 7. Phocyllides a Philosopher and Poet was born at Miletum a City in Caria he wrote in Heroick Verse as also some Elegies was contemporary with Theognis and flourished Olympiad 59. Quenstedt dial p. 477. 8. Theognis born in Maegara or Maegaris a City in Sicily heretofore called Hybla he was Gnomographus whose Sentences are cited by almost all Greek Authors that are of any great name Vossius saith he was born not in the Sicilian but Attick Maegaris as may clearly be collected from Theognis himself He is said to live in the time of King Croesus but so long survived him that he reach'd the beginning of the Persian War he flourished Olympiad 58. Quenstedt dial p. 402. Voss. de Poet. Graecis cap. 4. p. 21. 9 Epimenides was born at Gnossus a City in Crâ—â—t a Philosoper and Epick Poet hence the Apostle when he cites him calls him Titus 12. A Prophet of your own He wrote a Book of Oracles saith St. Ierom and was contemporary with Solon so that he flourished Olymp. 45. Quenstedt dial p. 429. 10. Anacreon was born in Teos a place in the middle of Ionia he was one of the nine Lyricks and both in his Writings and whole manner of life petulant wanton He was familâ—ar with Polycrates the Samian Tyrant whom he also celebrated in his Verses Though aged he fell in love with Bathyllus a young Boy oâ— whose hard-heartedness he complains he lived about the 64 Olympiad Patrit de instit Reipub. lib. 4. tit 11. p. 169. Voss. de Poet. Graecis cap. 4. p. 22. Quenstedt dial p. 482. 11. Simonides is of somewhat a slender stile otherwise he is commendable for the propriety and a kind of pleasantness in his Speech he had a peculiar faculty in the exciting of men to pity and compassion insomuch that in this respect he is by some preferred before all the Authors of his time he was a Lyrick Poet wrote Iambicks and was born in the Isle of Amorgus divers others there were of this name but none more eminent than this in Poetry Quintil. de Instit. orat lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 468. Carol Steph. in voce 12. Aeschylus was born in the City of Athens the first Author of Tragedies say the ancient Greek Writers whence Horace personae pallaeque repertor honestâ—â— Aeschylus modicis instravit pulpita tignis Et docuit mag numque loqui nitique cothurno He fought valiantly in the Battel of Marathon his Poems were sublime and grave and he therein Grandiloquus usque ad vitium saith Quintilian flying into Sicily in the fifty eighth year of his age an Eagle as he sat on a Rock drop'd from her tallons a Tortoise upon his bare head by the stroke of which he died He flourished Olymp. 74. Horat. de Arte Poet. vers 279. Voss. de Poetis Graecis cap. 4. p. 25. Quenstedt dial p. 421. Quintil. instit orator l. 10. c. 1. p. 468. 13. Pindarus born at Thebes a City in Boeotia of all the nine Lyricks saith Quintilian Pindarus is far the superiour in Spirit Magnificence Sentences Figures happily copious both in things and words and therefore Horace thinks him inimitable Pindarum quisquis studet aemulari Iâ— Vle ceratis ope Daedaâ—â—â Nititur pennis vitreo daturus Nomina ponto Monte decurrens velut amniâ— imbres Quem super not as alâ—â—re ripas Fervet immensusque ruit profundo Pindarus ore He also made some Tragedies Epigrams and other things and flourished Olympiad 75. Voss. de Poet. Graec. cap. 5. p. 29. Quintil. instit orator lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 468. Horat. Ode 11. lib. 4. Quenstedâ— dial p. 411. 14. Sophocles was a Tragedian born in Athens he was called the New Syren The Flower of Poets and the Bee from the sweetness of his Speech he was by some thought to excel Euripides in the Majesty of his Stile and Quintilian will not determine which was the better Poet he flourished Olympiad the 83. Voss. de Poet. Graecis cap. 4. p. 26. Quenstedt dial p. 422. Quintil. instit orator lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 468. 15. Euripides a noble Tragick Poet was born at Athens a Poet of excellent wit saith Vossius Cicero much esteemed him he was a familiar friend to King Archelaus from whom as he returned home he was torn in pieces by Dogs his Tomb is near Athens He contended with Euphorion and Sophocles was Scholar to Anaxagoras in Physicks to Prodicus in Rhetorick and to Socrates in Morals he flourished Olympiad 83. Voss. de Poet. Grâ—â—c cap. 6. p. 36. Quenstedt dial p. 422. Quintil. instir orator lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 468. 16. Aristophanes was a famous Comick Poet but of his Country nothing is certain some say he was an Athenian others a Rhodian and some an Aegyptian he is at this day the only Greek Comedian extant but scarce extant in the fourth part of him he is said to be the excellent Exemplar of the Attick Lepidity as one in whom all the ornaments of that Tongue are contâ—ined A sharp observer and reprover of Vices he flourished Olympiad 96. Quenstedt Dial. p. 424. 17. Menander son of Diopithes and Scholar of Theophrastus the ancient Comick Poet he lived in Athens Plutarch compares him with Aristophanes and for weight in Sentences elegance and beauty of expression and for wit he prefers before him this Prince of Comicks as he is by some called He wrote one hundred and eight Comedies of all which besides a few Verses nothing remains but the memory he flourished Olympiad 118. Quintil. de Instit. orat lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 469. Gell. noâ—t Attic. lib. 3. cap. 16. p. 109. Voss. de Poet. Graec. cap. 8. p. 57. Quenstedt dial p. 424. 18. Theocritus was of Coos and went thence to Syracuse his sweet Poems are yet extant and taught in Schools he wrote Bucolicks in the Dorick Dialect Suidas notes that of old there were three Poets Writers of Bucolicks this Theocritus Moschus the Sicilian and Bion of the City of Smyrna Our Poet lived in the time of Ptolemaeus Lagus and Ptolomaeus Philadelphus A. ab V. C. 475. Olympiad 123. Quenstedt dial p. 397. Voss. de Poet. Graec. cap. 8. p. 61. Quintil. de instit orator lib. 10. cap. 1 p. 467. 19. Aratus was born at Soli or Sâ—loe a Town of Cilicia afterwards called
the Princes and people and so obtained the Kingdom which done he turned his Arms against the Carthaginians themselves and warred with them in Africa with such success as he became very formidable to that Republick 15. C. Marius came of Parents that were of the lowest and meanest of the people so that at first he was a private Souldier on â—oot afterwards a Centurion and then a Tribune and when he assayed to get up to some Honour and Office in the City he was frequently rejected with scorn at last he rather broke into the Senate than came in And yet this low and loathed Marins was the man that subdued Africa led King Iugurth that dreadful Enemy of the Romans in Triumph and as if this was little when the City and all Italy trembled at the Invasion of the Cimbrians this was the man that defended both overthrew the Enemy was Consul that is supreme Magistrate in Rome seven times and dyed in the seventh 16. Iphicrates that noble General of the Athenians who overcame the Spartans in Battel and repressed the fierce courage of the great Captain Epaminondas was arrived to that height of reputation that when Artaxerxes the King of Persia had a purpose to war upon Egypt he sought to him to be General in that Expedition and yet this man who was thus highly courted by one of the greatest Monarchs of the World is well known to be the Son of no other than a poor Cobler 17. Aurelius Dioclesianus was chosen Emperour both by the Senate of Rome and also by the joynt Suffrage of the whole Army he swayed the Scepter of the Roman Empire long a Prince of great Spirit and exceeding fortunate yet was he of so low and abjâ—ct a Parentage that some have said he was the Son of a Notary or Serivener and others of a freed man 18. Bonosus the Emperour was not only no Citizen of Rome but a very stranger born in Britain his Father was poor and kept a small School to keep him alive yet the Son of this man of so low a degree was advanced to a Dignity comparable with that of the greatest Princes of the World 19. Pope Iohn the twenty second of that name ascended to the Papacy by a just estimate of his Learning and Vertue he broke the fierce courage and pride of the Emperour Ludovicus Bavarus and after he had performed many notable Exploits dying he left the Church much increased in its riches and equally improved in its reputation and yet it is well known that this man a French man by Nation had no other than a Currier for his Father and who in so mean a way provided a livelihood for himself and family CHAP. VIII Of wonderful and sudden Changes in the Fortunes and Conditions of many illustrious Persons THE Emperours of Constantinople had in their Palace a secret Chamber which they called the Purple in which the Empresses for a ceremonious Formality were brought to bed and delivered thinking by this means to abolish the acerbities which are as it were affixed to our condition But these pretty Prophyrogenitae so these Children of the Emperors were called were notwithstanding born with a Cross saluted life with tears and gâ—oans as well as others and many of them were so overwhelmed with disasters both in their own persons and families that he who was of the meanest birth in all their Empire would have been very loth to have exchanged conditions with them Upon the top of the Mountain Potosi in India there always hangs a Cloud it rises in form of a Pyramid and is three leagues high there is a Cloud over pyramidical Fortunes too with which they are oftentimes fatally overâ—cast When Constantine had shewed all the Glory and Splendour of Rome to a certain Persian King Mâ—ra quidem haec said he sed ut video sicut in Persia sic Romae homines moriuntur These are brave things but yet I see men dye at Rome as well as in Persia. The mightiest possessions cannot secure their owners from the most unexpected revolutions Omnia sunt hominum tenui pendentia filo Et subito casu quae valuere ruunt All humane things on slender threads depend And sudden chance brings greatness to its end 1. A Favourite of Ptolomy King of Egypt was mounted to so high a degree of Honour that he had but two discontentments in this life the one that he could grow no more so great he was already become the other that the King with all his Revenues seemed to him too poor to add any increase of riches Few days aâ—ter this miserable Creature was surprised by King Ptolomy courting a Mistress of his for which contempt in that instant the Lady was enforced to drink poyson and the unfortunate Courtier was hanged before his own Lodging 2. Henry the Fourth Emperour of Germany having been often worsted in Battel was at last reduced to such exigents that he had not wherewith to buy him bread but was forced to come to the great Church at Spires which he himself had built and there beg to be a Chorister that so he might get a small stipend to keep him from starving but could not obtain it which repulse caused him to speak to the standers by in the words of lamenting Iob Chap. 19.21 Have pity upon me O my friends for the hand of God hath touched me The weight of these miseries brought him shortly after to his grave but he found none so humane as to put him in for he lay five years unburied no man daring to do it because the Pope had forbidden it to be done This wonderful change in the state of so great a person fell out about Anno 1106. 3. The great King Henry the Fourth of France was as remarkable an example of the lubricity and instableness of mundane affairs and of the â—andy foundation whereon the highest pomp and purposes of men are grounded as almost any Age can parallel For this illustrious Prince having a most potent and irresistible Army composed of 40000 Combatants all choice men led by veterane Commanders and the most expert Europe could afford in a perfect equipage having also a Mount of Gold as high as a Lance estimated at sixteen millions to maintain this Army having assured his Confederates abroad setled all things at home caused his Queen to be crowned in the highest magnificence that could be and appointed her Regent in his absence behold this mighty King amongst these Triumphs of his Queens being to go next day to his Army when his spirits were at the highest elevation and his heâ—rt swelling with assurances rather than hopes of success and glory going one afternoon to his Arsenal he was stop'd in a small street by so contemptible a thing as a Colliers Cart and there from amongst the arms of his own Nobles he was thrust out of the World by the meanest of his own Vassals Ravilliac who with a prodigious hardiness putting
in the Judge or other circumstances as may lay no great imputation upon such as have not the gift of infallibility But when men that sit in the place of God shall through corruption or malice wilfully prevaricate and knowingly and presumptuously oppress the innocent in such cases the supreme Judge oftentimes reserves the decision of the Cause to be made at his own Bar and thereupon hath inspired the injured persons to give their oppressors a summons of appearance which though at prefixed days they have not been able to avoid 1. In the Reign of Frederick Aenobarbus the Emperour and the year 1154. Henry was Archbishop of Mentz a pious and peaceable man but not able to endure the dissolute manners of the Clergy under him he determined to subject them to some sharp censure but while he thought of this he himself was by them before-hand accused to Pope Eugenius the Fourth The Bishop sent Arnoldus his Chamberlain to Rome to make proof of his innocency but the Traitor deserted his Lord and instead of defending him traduced him there himself The Pope sent two Cardinals as his Legates to Mentz to determine the cause who being bribed by the Canons and Arnoldus deprived Henry of his Seat with great ignominy and substituted Arnoldus in his stead Henry bore all patiently without appealing to the Pope which he knew would be to no purpose but openly declared that from their unjust judgment he made his Appeal to Christ the just Judge there I will put in my Answer and thither I cite you the Cardinals jestingly replied When thou art gone before we will follow thee About a year and half after the Bishop Henry died upon the hearing of his death both the Cardinals said Lo he is gone beforâ— and we shall follow after their jest proved in earnest for both of them died in one and the same day one in a house of office and the other gnawing off his own fingers in his madness Arnoldus was assaulted in a Monastery butcher'd and his carcass cast into the Town-ditch 2. Ferdinand the Fourth King of Spain was a great man both in peace and war but something rash and rigid in pronouncing Judgment so that he seemed to incline to cruelty About the year 1312. he commanded two Brothers Peter and Iohn of the noble Family of the Carvialii to be thrown headlong from an high Tower as suspected guilty of the death of Benavidius a Noble person of the first rank they with great constancy denied they were guilty of any such crime but to small purpose When therefore they perceived that the Kings ears were shut against them they cryed out they died innocent and since they found the King had no regard to their pleadings they did appeal to the divine Tribunal and turning themselves to the King bid him remember to make his appearance there within the space of thirty days at the furthest Ferdinand at that time made no reckoning of their words but upon the thirtieth day his Servants supposing he was asleep found him dead in his bed in the flower of his age for he was but twenty four years and nine months old 3. When by the counsel and perswasion of Philip the fair King of France Pope Clement the Fifth had condemned the whole Order of the Knights Templars and in divers places had put many of them to death at last there was a Neapolitan Knight brought to suffer in like manner who espying the Pope and the King looking out at a window with a loud voice he spake unto them as followeth Clement thou cruel Tyrant seeing there is now none left amongst mortals unto whom I may make my appeal as to that grievous death whereunto thou hast most unjustly condemned me I do therefore appeal unto the just Judge Christ our Redeemer unto whose Tribunal I cite thee together with King Philip that you both make your appearance there within a year and a day where I will open my Cause Pope Clement died within the time and soon after him King Philip this was An. 1214. 4. Rodolphus Duke of Austria being grievously offended with a certain Knight caused him to be apprehended and being bound hand and foot and thrust into a Sack to be thrown into the River the Knight being in the Sack and it not as yet sown up espying the Duke looking out of a window where he stood to behold that spectacle cryed out to him with a loud voice Duke Rodolph I summon thee to appear at the dreadful Tribunal of Almighty God within the compass of one year there to shew cause wherefore thou hast undeservedly put me to this bitter and unworthy death The Duke received this summons with laughter and unappalled made answer Well go thou before and I will then present my self The year being almost spent the Duke fell into a light Feaver and remembring the appeal said to the standers by The time of my death does now approach and I must go to Judgment and so it fell out for he died sooner after 5. Francis Duke of the Armorick Britain cast into prison his Brother Aegidius one of his Council who was falsely accused to him of Treason where when Aegidius was almost famished perceiving that his fatal hour approached he spyed a Franciscan Monk out of the window of the prison and calling him to confer with him he took his promise that he would tell his Brother that within the fourteenth day he should stand before the Judgment-seat of God The Franciscan having found out the Duke in the Confines of Normandy where he then was told him of his Brothers death and of his appeal to the high Tribunal of God The Duke terrified with that message immediately grew ill and his distemper daily increasing he expired upon the very day appointed 6. Severianus by the command of the Emperour Adrianus was to die but before he was slain he called for fire and casting Incense upon it I call you to witness O ye Gods said he that I have attempted nothing against the Emperour and since he thus causelesly pursues me to death I beseech you this only that when he shall have a desire to die he may not be able This his appeal and imprecation did not miss of the event for the Emperour being afflicted with terrible tortures often broke out into these words How miserable is it to desire to die and not to have the power 7. Lambertus Schasnaburgensis an excellent Writer as most in those times tells That Burchardus Bishop of Halberstadht in the year 1059. had an unjust controversie with the Abbot of Helverdense about the Tiths of Saxony these the Bishop would take from the Monks and by strong hand rather than by any course of Law sought to make them his own It was to small purpose to make any resistance against so powerful an Adversary but the injured Abbot some few days before his death sent to Frederick the Count Palatine and intreated him
and precious sort of Wine brought of it to the Pope and while he was drinking his Son Borgia came in and drank also of the same whereby they were both poysoned but the Pope only overcome with the poyson dyed his Son by the strength of youth and Nature and use of potent remedies bore it out though with long languishing 9. Hermotimus being taken Prisoner in War was sold to Panionius of Chios who made him an Eunuch This base Merchant made a traffick of such dishonest gain for all the fair Boys he could lay his hands on at Fayrs or in the Ports for his money he handled in this sort and afterwards carried them to Sardis or to the City of Ephesus where he sold them for almost their weight in Gold Hermotimus was presented amongst other Gifts to King Xerxes with whom in process of time he grew into greater credit than all the other Eunuchs The King departing from Sardis to make War upon the Grecianâ— Hermotimus went about some affairs into a quarter of the Country which was husbanded by those of the Isle of Chios where finding Panionius he took acquaintance of him and in a large conference recounted to him the large benefits he enjoyed by means of his adventure promising him to promote him to great wealth and honour if he would remove himself and his family to Sardis Panionius gladly accepted of this offer and a while after went with his wife and children Hermotimus assoon as he had him and his in his power used these words to him O thou most wicked man of all the wickedest that ever were in the world that usest the most vile and detestable traffick that can possibly be devised what hurt or displeasure didst thou or any of thine receive of me or any that belong to me that thou shouldst bring me into that case wherein I am and of a man that I was make me neither man nor woman Didst thou think that the Gods were ignorant of thy practices Dost thou not see how they doing right and justice have delivered thee wicked Wretch into my hands that thou mayst not find fault with the punishment I shall inflict upon thee After these and such like reproaches he caused Panionius his four Sons to be brought into his preâ—ence and compelled the miserable Father to gueld them all one after another with his own hands and after that was done the children were also forced to gueld their own father 10. Alboinus King of the Lombards having in a great Battel overcome and slain Cunimundus King of the Gepidae married Rosamund Daughter of the dead King On a time at a Feast he drank to her out of the Skull of her dead Father which he had caused to be made into a Cup the offended Lady resolved to be revenged and knowing that Helmichild a Knight of Lombardy was in love with a Lady in her attendance she caused him to be brought into a dark Chamber in pretence of there enjoying his Mistress her self lay in the bed to receive him and afterwards that he might know what he had done she caused the window to be set upon and then told him that unless he would kill Alboinus her Husband she would discover all he had acted with her Hâ—lmichild overcome with her threats and his own fears in the night slew Alboinus as he lay in his bed The Murder committed both of them fled to Ravenna where she also intended to destroy Helmichild by a present poyson He had drank off a part of it and finding that the deadly operation of it began to insinuate and creep along his veins he drew his Sword and enforced Rosamund to drink off the rest of the potion she had prepared for him and so by that means they both of them dyed together 11. Eutropius the Eunuch was the Minion and Darling of the Court in the Reign of Arcadius the Emperour he sold places of Honour Justice and the Laws gave and took away Provinces as he pleased at last was made Consul then was he accused of a Conspiracy against the Emperour the Emperour gave order for his death but he was fled into a Temple or Sanctuary and it is remarkable that he was the first who had made a Law that any guilty person might be taken out of a Sanctuary per force by virtue of which Law himself was dragged out and slain 12. Clisthenes was the first amongst the Athenians who made a Law for the banishment of persons and it was not long before he himself suffered the same penalty by his own Law 13. Gryphus King of Egypt had scarce recovered the Kingdom of his Father and newly overcome the dangers abroad before he saw himself ready to be ensnared at home by his own Mother One day as he came from hunting she presented him with a poysoned Cup but he forewarned of the ambush counterfeiting the mannerly Son prayed his Mother to begin which she refusing he pressed her to it and withal plainly told her what he had heard of the poyson reproving her sharply and swearing that to clear her self of such an accusation there was no way for her but to swallow down the drink The miserable Queen overwhelmed with the conscience of her own offence drank the poyson whereof she presently dyed 14. In the year 1477. there was cast in the City of Tourâ— a very great piece of Ordnance which was carried to Paris where being mounted and placed without the Walls by St. Anthonies Port it was often discharged At last as they were loading it with an iron Bullet of fifty pounds weight by some accident the powder in the Piece took fire which beginning to vomit forth the furious Ball the chief Founder of the Piece Iohannes Manguaus and fourteen other men that stood near him were so rent and scattered abroad that scarce could there be found any little pieces of their bodies The Bullet after all grasing a great way off killed a poor Fowler as he was laying his Nets for Birds six other men being only stricken with the wind of the Gun and the stench of the powder fell extremely sick 15. Marius one of the thirty Tyrants in the Reign of Galienus was chosen Emperour by the Souldiers on the one day reigned as Emperour the second and was slain by a Souldier on the third who striking him said This is with a Sword which was made by thy self for this Marius had afore time been a Cutler 16. The Emperour Henry the Fourth used to go often to Prayers in St. Mary's Church in the Mount Aventinâ— Pope Gregory the Seventh who carried a watchful eye over all the actions of this Prince commanded one to take notice of the place where he was wont to pray and got a certain Fellow with promise of great recompence to get up upon the top of the Church and there upon the Beams to place certain huge stones which should be so fitly laid that with the least touch they should
never more be seen Till More be there again 13. In Fabius Vrsinus a Child but of eleven years of age there was so rare a mixture of invention and memory that he could unto five or six several persons at the same time dictate the words and matter of so many several Epistles some serious some jocular all of different arguments returning after every short period from the last to the first and so in order and in the conclusion every Epistle should be so close proper and coherent as if it alone had been intended 14. Philip de Comines Knight and Lord of Argènton Privy Counsellour to Lewis the eleventh King of France was a person of those rare and quick parts that he often indited at one time to four Secretaries several Letters of weighty affairs with as great facility and readiness as if he had but one matter in hand 15. Anthony Perenot Cardinal Granvel was of so nimble a wit that he sometimes tired five Secretaries at once with dictating Letters to them and that in several tongues for he understood seven languages exactly none of that age surpassed him for eloquence he was Bishop of Arras at twenty four years of age and had audience in the Council of Trent for the Emperour Charles the Fifth where he made a quick and elegant Oration 16. Sir Thomas Lakes was born in the Parish of S. Michael in Southhampton and through several under offices at last preferred Secretary of Estate to King Iames incredible his dexterity in dispatch who at the same time would indite write discourse more exactly than most men could severally perform them Men resembled him to one of the Ships Royal of Queen Elizabeth called the Swiftsure such his celerity and solidity in all affairs He fell at last for the faults of others into the King's displeasure yet even then when outed of his Secretaries place King Iames gave him this publick Eulogy in open Court That he was a Minister of State fit to serve the greatest Prince in Europe 17. For vigour and quickness of spirit I take it that Caius Caesar Dictatour went beyond all men besides I have heard it reported of him that he was wont to write to read to indite Letters and withal to give audience to suiters and hear their causes all at one time And being employed as 't is well known in so great and important affairs he ordinarily indited Letters to four Secretaries at once and when he was freed from other greater business he would other whiles find seven of them work at one time 18. Henricus ab Heer 's mentions a young man of fourteen years of age who used to dictate to four of his School-fellows four different Verses and at the same time made a fifth himself He was called the youth with the great memory he afterwards applyed himself to Physick wherein he is a Practitioner saith he this year 1630. 19. It is said of Adrian the Emperour that he used to write dictate hear others discourse and talk with others at the same time and that he so comprehended all publick accounts that every diligent Master of a Family understood not so well the affairs of his own private house 20. King Henry the Seventh had occassion to send a Messenger to the Emperour Maximilian about a business that required haste he thought none more â—it for this employment than Mr. Thomas Woolsey then his Chaplain he call'd him gave him his errand and bade him make all the speed he could Woolsey departed from the King at Richmond about noon and by next morning was got to Dover and from thence by noon next day was come to Calis and by night was with the Emperour to whom declaring his message and having a present dispatch he rode that night back to Calis and the night following came to the Court at Richmond the next morning he presented himself before the King who blamed him for not being gone the matter requiring haste To whom Woolsey answered That he had been with the Emperour dispatched the business and shewed the Emperour's Letter The King wondred much at his speed bestowed presently upon him the Deanery of Lincoln and soon after made him his Almoner This was the first rise of that aâ—terwards great Prelate Cardinal Woolsey CHAP. XXIX Of the Fatness and Vnwieldiness of some Men and the Lightness of the Bodies of others ERasmus tells us of the Gordii that whereas other Nations were used to make choice of their Kings for some real excellency or virtue they had in them above others these people had a custom to advance him to the Throne of their Kingdom who was the fattest and most corpulent that could be found perhaps being of a peaceable disposition of themselves they would have their Princes whom they could no otherwise restrain to be clogged at least with Fetters of fiesh lest they should prove over active and more stirring than was conducing to their quiet I know not what ease can be expected from him who is become a burden to himself as some of the following persons were 1. Zacutus speaks of a young man who was grown to that huge thickness and fatness that he could scarce move himself much less was he able to go or set one step forward he continually sate in a Chair oftentimes he was oppressed with that difficulty of breathing that he seem'd to be choaked he was in perpetual fear of being suffocated or that he should speedily die of an Apoplexy Convulsion Asthma or Syncope How he was afterwards cured by Zacutus himself may be seen in that observation of his cited in the Margin 2. Polyeuctus Sphettius was a man of great corpulency he one time made a long Oration amongst the Athenians to perswade them to enter into a war with King Philip of Macedon In the speaking of which by reason of the heat and his own fat he had frequent recourse to a Bottle of Water which he had about him for that purpose When he had ended Phocion rose up And my Masters said he is it fit to give credit to this man concerning the management of a war What think you would become of him in the midst of a Battel when his Helmet and Brest-plate were on seeing he is in such danger of death with the bare labour of speaking 3. Dionysius the Son of that Clearchus who was the first Tyrant in Heraclea by reason of his voluptuous life and excessive feeding became so corpulent that by reason of his fat he was pressed with difficulty of breathing and in a continual fear of suffocation whereupon his Physicians appointed that as oft as he fell into any profound sleep they should prick his sides and belly with very long and sharp Needles he felt nothing while they passed through the fat but when they touch'd upon the sensible flesh then he awaked To such as demanded Justice he gave answers opposing a Chest betwixt him and them to cover
it was observ'd to succeed with the Patient according to his prognostick CHAP. VII Of the sense of Smelling the curiosity of it in some and how hurt or lost in others BY some one or other of the Beasts man is excelled and surpassed in every of the Senses but in this of Smelling by the most of them It is true we may better spare this at least in the perfection of it than any of the four other notwithstanding which there are manifold uses of it as in other things so for the recreation of the spirits and the preservation of life 1. That is wonderful which is reported of the Indians that at the first coming of the Spaniards thither the Natives could smell Gunpowder at a distance after the manner of our Crows and thereby knew if there were any that carried Guns near unto them 2. There was one Hamar who was a Guide to a Caravan as 't is vulgarly called that is a multitude of men upon their journey these wandered to and fro in the Lybian Sands and whereas he through disease or other accident wanted his sight there being no other who knew the way in those solitudes he undertook the conduct of that almost despairing company He went first upon his Camel and at every miles end he caused the fresh sand such as had any footsteps impressed upon it to be reached up to him and by the wonderful sagacity of his smell when they had now wandered yet further in that sandy and barren wilderness at least forty Italian miles he then told them that they were not far from an inhabited place At first no man believ'd this prediction of his in regard they knew by Astronomical Instruments that they were four hundred and eighty miles distant from Aegypt and fear'd they had rather gone backward than forwards but when in this fear they had journyed more than three days they beheld three Castles inhabited and before unknown to any man The inhabitants were almost utterly unarm'd who perceiving the Caravan as an unaccustomed sight they made haste to shut up their Gates and prepare for defence denying them water which was the only thing they sought After a light conflict the Castles were easily taken where having provided themselves of water they again set forwards This Story is set down by Leo Affricanus from whom I have translated this out of the Italian Tongue saith Camerarius 3. There was one born in some Village of the Country of Liege and therefore amongst Strangers he is known by the name of Iohn of Liege I have been inform'd of this story by several whom I dare confidently believe that have had it from his own mouth and have question'd him with great curiosity particularly about it when he was a little boy there being wars in the Country the Village of whence he was had notice of some unruly scattered Troops that were coming to pillage them which made all the people to â—lie hastily to hide themselves in the Woods that joyned upon the Forest of Ardenne there they lay till they understood that the Soldiers had fired the Town and quit it Then all return'd home excepting this Boy whose fears had made him run further into the Wood than any of the rest and afterwards apprehended that every body he saw through the Thickets and every voice he heard was the Soldiers Being thus hid from his Parents and sought for some days in vain they return'd without him and he liv'd many years in the Woods feeding upon Roots and wild Fruits and Mast. He said that after he had been some time in this wild habitation he could by the smell judge of the taste of any thing that was to be eaten and that he could at a great distance wind by his Nose where wholsome Fruits and Roots did grow In this state he continued shunning men with as great a fear as when he first ran away until in a very sharp Winter necessity brought him to that confidence that leaving the wild places of the Forest he would in the Evening steal amongst the Cattel that were fothered especially Swine and thence gleaned wherewithal to sustain his miserable life he was espyed naked and all overgrown with hair and being believ'd to be a Satyr wait was laid to apprehend him but he winded them as far off as any Beast could do At length they took the wind of him so advantageously that they catched him in a snare At his first living with other people a woman took compassion of him seeing he could call for nothing and supplyed his wants to her he applyed himself in all his occurrents and if she were gone abroad in the Fields or to any other Village he would hunt her out presently by his scent in such sort as Dogs use to do that are taught to hâ—nt dry foot This man within a little while after he came to good keeping and full feeding that acuteness of smelling left him which formerly governed him in his tasting I imagine he is yet alive to tell a better story of himself than I have done for I have from them who saw him but a few years agone that he was an able strong man and likely to live yet a good while longer 4. Of another man I can speak assuredly my self who being of a very temperate or rather spare diet could likewise perfectly discern by his smell the qualities of whatsoever was afterward to pass the examination of his taste even to his Bread and Beer 5. Cardanus confesses of himself that he had always some smell or other in his Nose as one while of Frankincense straight of Brimstone and soon after of other things he saith the cause of it was the exquisite subtlety of his sense the thinness of his skin and the tenuity of his humours 6. That did always seem a wonderful thing to me nor do I know the certain cause of it why some men can smell things that smell well but stinking things will not touch upon their sense nor are they able to perceive them Such a strange property as this is known to be in my honoured Uncle Mr. Iacobus Fiâ—chius the senior Regius Professor of Physick in our University 7. I know a woman saith Schottus who throughout the whole time of her life never had any such smell as to perceive the odour of any one thing whatsoever 8. Christopherus Heersard an Apothecary an industrious and skillful person in his employment told me not long since that by reason of his too frequent use of Camphire preparing and handling it in his Shop he had utterly depriv'd himself of his smell and that from thenceforth he must resolve to want that sense all his other being left entire unto him 9. In the utmost marches of India Eastward about the source and head of the River Ganges there is a Nation called the Astomes for that they have no mouths all hairy over the whole body yet cloathed with the soft Cotton
Theatre he gave order to his Soldiers and they kill'd no less than seven thousand of the Citizens Upon which St. Ambrose the Bishop of Milain would not suffer him to enter the Church till he had shewed the manifest signs of an unfeigned repentance 7. The Emperour Nerva who was otherwise of a weak stomach and often cast up his meat which he had newly eaten fell into a huge passion with one whose name was Regulus and while he was in a high tone thundring against him was taken with sweats fell into a fever and so dyed in the sixty eighth year of his age 7. The Sarmatian Embassadors cast themselves at the feet of the Emperour Valentinian the First imploring peace he observing the meanness of their apparel demanded if all their Nation were such as they who reply'd It was their custom to send to him such as were the most noble and best accoutred amongst them When he in a rage cry'd out It was his misfortune that while he Reign'd such a sordid Nation as theirs could not be content with their own limits and then as one struck with a dart he lost both his voice and strength and in a deadly sweat fell down to the Earth he was taken up and carryed into his Chamber where seis'd with a violent Hick-up and gnashing of Teeth he dyed December anno 375. in the fifty fifth year of his age and the twelfth of his Empire 9. Victor Pisanus the Venetian Admiral famous for his exploits understanding that his Vice-Admiral through cowardise had suffered ten Ships of the Genoeses to escape out of the Sipontine Haven fell into such a passion as put him immediatly into a Fever whereof he dyed 10. Clitus was a person whom Alexander held very dear as being the Son of his Nurse and one who had been educated together with himself He had sav'd the life of Alexander at the battle near the River Granicus and was by him made the Prefect of a Province but he could not flatter and detesting the effeminacy of the Persians at a Feast with the King he spake with the liberty of a Macedonian Alexander transported with anger slew him with his own hands though when the heat was over he was difficultly restrain'd from killing himself for that fault which his sudden fury had incited him to commit 11. Caelius the Orator was certainly the most passionate person of all other Mortals for having ask'd his Client divers questions and he agreeing with him in all things he questioned about in a great heat he cry'd out in open Court Say something contrary to me that so we may be two A man of a harsh temper how could he possibly endure an injury who was not able to bear obsequiousness it self 12. The Emperour Commodus in a heat of passion caus'd the Keeper of his Bath to be thrown into a burning Furnace â—or no other reason but that entring into the Bath he found it somewhat too warm for him 13. Matthias Corvinus King of Hungary being spent with the pains of the Gout and taken with a Palsey in both his Legs lay at Vienna and one Palm Sunday enquiring for some fresh Figs of Italy for the second course finding that they were already eaten up by the Courtiers he fell into such a rage as brought him into an Apoplexy whereof he died the day following in the forty seventh year oâ— his age and the year of our Lord 1490. 14. Anno 1418 Wâ—nceslaus King of Bohemia being highly incensed against his Cup-bearer for that knowing of a tumult raised by the Hussites in Prague under Zisâ—a their Leader he had concealed it drew his Dagger with intention to stab him The Nobles attending laid hold on the King took away his Dagger that he might not pollute his Royal Hands with the blood of his servant While he was thus in their hands the King through extreme anger fell into an Apoplexy whereof he died in a â—ew days 15. Muccius Fortia had from his birth an impediment in his speech such as that not without great diâ—â—iculty he could deliver his mind till one time being in an extreme passion he was so mov'd and laboured with that earnestness to speak that fâ—om thenceforth he spake with far greater freedom 16. In that War which the Goths waged with Belisarius there was one of the Soldiers in the Regiment of Constantine a military Tribune who had forcibly taken a Sword of great value from a Roman Youth Belisarius sharply reprov'd Constantine that he suffered things to be done with that insolence by the Soldiers under his command threatening him withal in case the Sword was not speedily found out and restored Constantine resented this in so heynous a manner that in the greatness of his rage not considering either the Dignity of his General or the hazard of his own life he drew out his Dagger intending to sheath it in the Breast of Belisarius but he was immediately laid hold upon and presently hanged 17. It is the custom in Rome that upon Ashwednesday the Pope sprinkle ashes upon the heads of the Prelates saying Remember thou art but Ashes and into Ashes thou shalt return Pope Boniface the Eighth who was an utter enemy to the Gibelline Faction being to do this and coming to Porchetus Spinola the Archbishop of Genoa who was supposed to be of that party instead of casting the Ashes upon his head in great anger he threw them into his eyes and thus inverted the usual words Remember that thou art a Gibelline and that with the Gibellines thou shalt return to Ashes 18. Valerius Publicola upon the expulsion of the Tarquines from Rome expected that he should have been elected Colleague with Brutus in the Consulship but when he found that Lucretius Collatinus was preferred before him he conceived such an indignation thereat that he made resignation of all the honours which he had before that time receiv'd he quitted the dignity of a Senator gave over patronizing any causes and renounced all sorts of Clients nor thenceforth would he exercise any publick office in the Common-wealth 19. This one strange thing is reported of Scanderbeg the King of Epirus that whensoever he he was upon the point ready to charge the Enemy and likewise in the heat and â—ury of the Fight besides other unusual changes and appearances of change and alteration in his countenance his neather lip would commonly cleave asunder and yield forth great abundance of blood A thing oftentimes marked and observed of him not only in his Martial Actions and Exploits but even in his civil Aâ—â—airs whensoever his choler did abound and that his anger did exceed its ordinary bounds 20. Carolus de Gontault Duke of Byron a Peer and Marshal of France and Governour of Burgundy was found the Chief of those that had conspired the death of the King Henry the Fourth and thereupon anno 1602 had sentence of death passed upon him to have
to be composed and set right which did hang and were ready to fall for weakness Then having admitted his Friends to come to him he asked them whether they thought he had acted well in this enterlude of life and withal added this as a Plaudite Now clap your hands and all with joy shout out After this he dismissed them all and whiles he questioned with some that were new come from the City concerning the Daughter of Drusus then sick suddenly amongst the kisses of Livia and in these words he gave up the Ghost Live mindful of our wedlock Livia and so farewel 16. Albertus Magnus five years before his death desired of God that he might forget all that he had learned in the studies of humanity and prophane Authors that he might give up himself entirely to devotion and the practice of piety The Lord Cordes a French Commander so sore longed to gain Calice from the English that he would commonly wish that he might lie seven years in Hell so that Calis were in the possession of the French 18. Aelfred King of the West Saxons being naturally inclined â—o incontinency desired that God would send him such a Disease as might repress and hinder his lust but not unsit him for the managing the Affairs of his Kingdom and he accordingly had the Disease called the Ficus the Hemorrhoids or Piles 19. When Darius was informed that Sardis was set on â—ire by the Ionians and Athenians he contemned the Ionians because he thought he might easily be revenged of their Rebellion but he called â—or a Bow and shot up an Arrow towards Heaven and in so doing O Jupiter said he grant it may come to pass that I may be avenged of the Atheninians And so mortal a hatred did he conceive against them that whensoever he sate down to eat he had one of those that ministred unto him who was ordered to say My Lord remember the Athenians 20. When Augustus Caesar was fifty four years of age he is said to have prayed to the Gods that he might have the valour of Scipio the favour of Pompey and the fortune of Caius Caesar Which said he is the overcomer in all great matters CHAP. XII Of Hope how great some have entertained and how some have been disappointed in theirs THe Poet Hesiod tells us that the miseries and calamities of mankind were included in a great Tun that Pandora took off the Lid of it sent them abroad and they spread themselves in great quantities over all Lands and Seas but that at this time Hope only did remain behind and slew not all abroad But underneaâ—h the upmost Brim and Ledge it still abode And this is that which is our principal Antidote which keeps our hearts from bursting under the pressure of evils and that slattering mirrour that gives us a prospect of I know not what greater good 1. When Alexander was resolved upon his Expedition into Persia he parted his Patrimony in Macedonia amongst his Friends to one he gave a Field to another a Village to a third a Town and to a â—ourth a Port and when on this manner he had distributed his Revenues and consigned them over to several persons by Patent What is it O King said Perdiceas that you have reserved for your self My Hopes replyed Alexander Of those hopes then said he we who are your followers will also be partakâ—rs And thereupon refused that which the King had before assured unâ—o him and his example therein was followed by divers there present 2. A certain Rhodian for his over freedom in speech was cast by a Tyrant into a Cage and there kept up as a wild Beast to his great pain and shame at once for his Hands were cut off his Nostrils slit and his Face deformed by several wounds upon it In this his extremity he was advised by some of his Friends to shorten his life by a voluntary abstinence from all food But he rejected their counsel with great indignation and told them while a man is alive all things are to be hoped for by him 3 Aristippus a Socratick Philosopher by shipwrack was cast upon the Rhodian Shore having lost all that he had walking alone upon the Shore he found certain Geometrical Figures that were traced upon the Sands upon sight of which he returned to his company and required them with a cheerful countenance to hope the best For said he even here I have met with the footsteps of men C. Marius was a man of obscure Parentage and Birth and having merited commendation in military affairs he purposed by that way to advance himself in the State and Republick And first he sought for the place of the Aedileship but he soon perceived that his hope in that matter was altogeger frustrate He therefore petitioned sor the minor Aedileship upon the same day but though he was refused in that also yet he laid not his hope aside but was so far from despairing that he gave out that for all this he hoped to appear one day the chief and principal person in all that great City The same person being driven out of the City by Sylla proscribed and his head set to sale for a great sum of money when he being now in his sixth Consulship was compelled to wander up and down from place to place in great hazards and almost continual perils he at this time chieâ—ly supported himself with the hope he had in a kind of Oracle he had received that told him he should be Consul the seventh time Nor did this hope of his prove in vain for by a strange turn of fortune in his Affairs he was again received into the City and elected Consul therein 5. C. Iulius Caesar the Dictator after the Civil Wars were ended had great things in his design and which he hoped to accomplish he intended to make war with the Parthians and hoped to overcome this done his purpose was through Hircania by the Caspian Sea and Mount Caucasus and by the way of Pontus to invade the Scythians then having conquered all the Nations about Germany and Germany it self to return through France into Italy and so to leave the Roman Empire on all sides surrounded with the Sea In the mean time while preparation was made for this Expidition he endeavoured to dig through the Corinthian Isthmus After this he had determined to receive the Rivers Anien and Tiber in vast Ditches and turning them towards Circeium to bring them near Tarracina into the Sea that there might be thence a secure and ready passage for Merchants to the City Besides this he hoped to drain the Fens and Marish Grounds in Nomentana and thereabouts and make them firm lands and pasture capable of receiving many thousands of Husbandmen and withal to make Havens in the Sea nearest to the City by framing Moles to cleanse the foul and hazardous Shores of Ostia and to make Ports and Block-Houses and places of receipt
do it He asked him again and again but he persisted in his denial he therefore takes him up into a high part of the House and threatens to throw him down thence unless he would promise to assist them but neither so could he prevail with him whereupon turning to his companions We may be glad said he that this Merchant is so young for had he been a Senatour we might have despaired of any success in our suit 3. When Alcibiades was but yet a child he gave insâ—â—nâ—e of that natural subtlety for which he was afterwards so remarkable in Athens â—or coming to his Unâ—le Pâ—ricles and â—inding him sitting somewhat sad in a retiring Room he asked him the cause of his trouble who told him he had been employed by the City in some publick Buildings in which he had expended such sums of money as he knew noâ— well how to give account of You should therefore said he think of a way to prevent your 〈◊〉 câ—llâ—d to accouâ—â— And thus that great and wise 〈◊〉 being dâ—stitute of counsel himself made me of this wâ—ich was given him by a child for he involved Athens in a foreign War by which means they were not at leisure to consider of accounts 4. Themistocles in his childhood and boyage bewrayed a quick spirit and understanding beyond his years and a propensity towards great matters he used not to play amongst his equals but they found him employing that time in framing Accusatory or Defensive Orations for this and that other of his Schoolfellows And therefore his Master was used to say My Son thou wilt be nothing indifferent but either a great Glory or Plague to thy Country For even then he was not much affected with Moral Precepts or matters of accomplishment for urbanity but what concern'd providence and the management of affairs that he chiefly delighted in and addicted himself to the knowledge of beyond what could be expected from his youth 5. Richard Carew Esquire was bred a Gentleman Commoner at Oxford where being but fourteen years old and yet three years standing in the University he was called out to dispute ex tempore before the Earls of Leicester and Warwick with the matchless Sir Philip Sydney Ask you the end of this contest They neither had the better both the best 6. Thucydides being yet a Boy while he heard Herodotus reciting his Histories in the Olympicks is said to have wept exceedingly which when Herodotus had observ'd he congratulated the happiness of Olorus his Father advising him that he would use great diligence in the education of his Son and indeed he afterwards proved one of the best Historians that ever Greece had 7. Astyages King of the Medes frighted by a dream caused Cyrus the Son of his Daughter Mandane as soon as born to be delivered to Harpaâ—us with a charge to make him away He delivers him to the Herdâ—man of Astyages with the same charge but the Herdsman's wife newly delivered of a dead child and taken with the young Cyrus kept him instead of her own and buried the other instead of him When Cyrus was grown up to ten years of age playing amongst the young Lads in the Country he was by them chosâ—n to be their King appointed them to their several Oâ—â—ices some for Builders some for Guards Couâ—tiers Messengers and the like One of those Boys that played with them was the Son of Aâ—â—embaris a Noble Person amongsâ— the Mâ—des who not obeying the commands of this new King Cyrus commanded him to be seised by the rest of the Boys and that done he bestowed many stripes upon him The Lad being let go complain'd to his Father and he to Astyages for shewing him the bruised Shoulders of his Son Is it thus O King said he that we are treated by the Son of thy Herdsman and slave Astyages sent for the Herdsman and his Son and then looking upon Cyrus How darest thou said he being the Son of such a Father as this treat in such sort the Son of a principal person about me Sir said he I have done to him nothing but what was fit for the Country Lads one of which he was chose me their King in play because I seemed the most worthy of the place but when all others obeyed my commands he only regarded not what I said for this he was punished and if thereupon I have merited to suffer any thing I am here ready to do it While the Boy spake this Astyages began to take some knowledge of him the figure of his â—ace his generous deportment the time of Cyrus his exposition agreeing with the age of this Boy he concluded he was the same which he soon after made the Herdsman to confess But being told by the Magi that now the danger was over for having played the King in sport they believed it was all that his dream did intend So he was sent into Persia to his Father not long after he caused the Persians to revolt overcame Astyages his Grandfather and transferred the Empire of the Medes to the Persians 8. Thomas Aquinas when he went to School was by nature addicted to silence and was also somewhat more fat than the rest of his Fellow-Scholars whereupon they usually called him the dumb Ox but his Master having made experiment of his wit in some little Disputations and finding to what his silence tended This dumb Ox said he will shortly set up such a lowing that all the world will admire the sound of it 9. Origines Adamantius being a young boy would often ask his Father Leonidas about the mystical sense of the Scriptures insomuch that his Father was constrain'd to withdraw him from so over early a wisdom Also when his Father was in prison for the sake of Christ and that by reason of his tender age for he was but seventeen and the strict custody of his Mother he could not be companion with him in his Martyrdom he then wrote to him that he should not through the love of his children be turned from the true faith in Christ even in that age discovering how undaunted a Preacher Christianity would afterwards have of him 10. Grimoaldus a young noble Lombard was taken with divers others at Forum Iulii by Cacanus King of the Avares and contrary to sworn conditions was lead to death perceiving the perfididiousness of the Barbarians in the midst of the tumult and slaughter he with his two Brothers brake from amongst them but he being but a very youth was soon overtaken by the pursuer was retaken by a Horseman and again by him led to death But he observing his time drew his little Sword slew his Guardian overtook his Brethren and got safe away By this his incredible boldness he shewed with what spirit and wisdom he would after both gain and govern the Kingdom of Lombardy 11. Q. Hortensius spake his first Oration in the Forum at Rome when he was but nineteen years of
Pontius Pilate being sent by Tiberius to be Governour over the Jews caused in the Night time the Statue of Caesar to be brought into Ierusalem covered which thing within three days after caused a great Tumult amongst the Jews for they who beheld it were astonished and moved as though now the law of their Country were prophaned for they hold it not lawful for any picture or Image to be brought into the City At their lamentation who were in the City there were gathered together a great multitude out of the Fields adjoyning and they went presently to Pilate then at Cesarea beseeching him earnestly that the Images might be taken away out of Ierusalem and that the Law of their Country might remain inviolate When Pilate denied their suit they prostrated themselves before his house and there remained lying upon their faces for five days and nights never moving Afterwards Pilate sitting in his Tribunal was very careful to call the Jews together before him as though there he would have given them an answer when upon the sudden a company of Armed Soldiers for so it was provided compassed the Jews about with a Triple Rank The Jews were hereat amazed seeing that which they expected not Then Pilate told them that except they would receive the Images of Caesar he would kill them all and to that end made a sign unto the Soldiers to draw their Swords The Jews as though they had agreed thereto fell all down at once and offered their naked Necks to the stroke of the Sword crying out that they would rather lose their lives than suffer their Religion to be prophaned Then Pilate admiring their constancy and the strictness of that people in their Religion presently commanded the Statua's to be taken out of the City of Ierusalem When King Ethelred and his Brother Alfred had encountred the Danes a whole day being parted by the Night early the next morning the Battel was renewed and Alfred engaged in fight with the Danes sent to his Brother to speed him to their help but he being in his Tent at his Devotions refused to come till he had ended Having finished he entred the Battel relieved the staggering Host and had a glorious Victory over his Enemies Fulco Earl of Anjou in his old Age minding the welfare of his Soul according to the Religion of those days went in Pilgrimage to Ierusalem and having bound his Servants by oath to do what he should require was by them drawn naked to Christs Sepulchre The Pagans looking on while one drew him with a wooden yoke put about his Neck the other whipt him on the naked Back he in the mean time saying Receive O Lord a miserable perjur'd and run away Servant vouchsafe to receive my Soul O Lord Christ. 30. Pompey having taken Ierusalem entred into the Sanctum Sanctorum and although he found a Table of Gold a sacred Candlestick a number of other Vessels and odoriferous drugs in great quantity and two thousand Talents of Silver yet he touched nothing thereof through the Reverence he bore to God but caused the Temple to be purged and commanded the Sacrifices to be offered according to the Law 31. When the Duke of Saaony made great preparations for war against a Pious and Devout Bishop of Magdeburg The Bishop not regarding his defence applied himself to his Episcopal function in the visiting and the Well Governing of his Church and when it was told him that the Duke was upon his March against him He replied I will take care of the Reformation of my Churches and leave unto God the care of my Safety The Duke had a Spy in the City who hearing of this answer of the Bishops gave his Master a speedy account thereof The Duke having received this Information did thereupon dismiss his Army surceased from his expedition saying he would not fight against him who had God to fight for him 32. Hannibal having given a great overthrow to the Romans and slain the Consul Flaminius the people were extremely perplexed and chose Fabius Maximus Dictator who to lay a good foundation for his Government began with the service of the Gods Declaring to the People that the loss they had received came through the rashness and wilful negligence of their General who made no reckoning of the Gods and Religion and therefore he perswaded them to appease the Gods and to serve and honour them And he himself in presence of the people made a solemn vow that he would sacrifice unto the Gods all the encrease and fruits that should fall the next year of Sheep Sows Milch-kine and of Goats throughout Italy CHAP. IV. Of the Veracity of some Persons and their great Love to Truth and hatred of Flattery and Falshood THe Persians and Indians had a Law that whosoever had been thrice convicted of speaking untruth should upon Pain of death never speak word more all his life after And Plato saith it is only allowed to Physicians to lye for the comfort of the Sick that are under their custody and care But all other men are obliged to a severe and strict observance of truth notwithstanding which there hath been so great a scarcity of the true Lovers of it that 1. It is said of Augustus Caesar that after a long inquiry into all the parts of his Empire he found but one man who was accounted never to have told lye For which cause he was deemed capable and worthy to be the chief Sacrificer in the Temple of Truth 2. Epaminondas the Theban General was so great a Lover of Truth that he was ever exceeding careful lest his tongue should in the least digress from it even then when he was most in sport 3. Heraclides in his History of the Abbot Idur speaks of him as a person exremely devoted to Truth and gives him this threefold commendation Tâ—at he was never known to tell a Lye that he was never heard to speak ill of any man and lastly that he used not to speak at all but when necessity required 4. Cornelius Nepos remembers of Titus Pomponius Atticus a Knight of Rome and familiar friend to M. Cicero that he was never known to speak an untruth neither but with great impatience to hear any Related His uprightness was so apparent that not only private men made suit to him that they might commit their whole Estates to his trust but even the Senate themselves besought him that he would take the management of divers Offices into his charge 5. Xenocrates the Philosopher was known to be a man of that fidelity and truth in speaking that whereas no mans Testimony might be taken in any cause but upon oath yet the Athenians amongst whom he lived gave to him alone this priviledge that his evidence should be lawful and good without being sworn 6. The Duke of Ossura as he passed by Barcelona having got leave of Grace to release some Slaves he went
with the Army thou submit to his Dominion and acknowledge him as Emperour my life depends upon thy answer Consider what thou owest to him that gave thee life To this his Son Vsanguincus return'd He that is not faithful to his Soveraign will never be so to me and if you forget your duty and â—idelity to our Emperour no man will blame me if I forget my duty and obedience to such a Father I will rather dye than serve a Thief and immediately sent an Ambassador to call in their aid to subdue this usurper of the Empire 7. Gelon the Tyrant of Sicilia as soon as he heard the Persians under Xerxes had passed the Hellespont sent Cadmus the Son of Scythes who had before been the Tyrant of Coos and voluntarily resign'd it to Coos with three Ships a mighty Summ of money and instructed with a pleasing Embassy giving him in charge to observe which way the victory should fall that if the Persian should prevail he should then deliver him the Money and earth and water for such places as were under the dominion of Gelon but if the Greeks prov'd victorious he should return back with the money This Cadmus although it was in his power to have perverted this vast sum to his own use yet would he not do it but after the Greeks had obtain'd a Naval Victory he returned back into Sicily and restored all the money 8. Sanctius King of Castile had taken Tariffa from the Moors but was doubtful of keeping it by reason both of the Neighbourhood of the enemy and the great cost it would put him to there was with him at that time Alphonsus Peresius Guzman a noble and rich person a great man both in peace and war he of his own accord offered to take the care of it and to be at part of the charge himself and the King in the mean time might attend other affairs A while after the Kings Brother Iohn revolted to the Moors and with Forces of theirs suddenly sate down before Tariffa the besieged feared him not but relyed upon their own and their Governours valour only one thing unhappily fell out the Son and only Son of Alphonsus was casually taken by them in the fields him they shewed before the Walls and threatned to put him to a cruel death unless they speedily yielded the Town the hearts of all men were mov'd only that of Alphonsus who cryed with a loud voice that had they a hundred of his Sons in their power he should not thereupon depart with his Faith and Loyalty And saith he Since you are so thirsty of blood there is a Sword for you throwing his own over the wall to them away he went and prepared himself to go to dinner when upon the sudden there was a confused noise and cry that recalled him he again repairs to the wall and asking the reason of their amazement they told him that his Son had been done to death with barbarous cruelty Was it that then said he I thought the City had been taken by the Enemy and so with his former tranquillity return'd to his Wife and his Dinner The Enemies astonished at the greatness of his Spirit departed without any further attempt upon the place 9. Flectius a noble man was made Goveâ—nour of the City and Castle of Conimbra in Portugal by King Sanctius Anno 1243. This Sanctius was too much swayed by his Wise Mencia and over addicted to some Court Minions by reason of which there was a conspiracy of the Nobles against him and the matter was so far gone that they had got leave of Pope Innocent to translate the Government of the Kingdom to Alphonsus the Brother of Sanctius Hereupon follow'd a War the minds of most men were alienated from their natural Prince but Flectius was still constant enduring the Siege and arms of Alphonsus and the whole Nation nor could he any way be swayed till he heard that Sanctius was dead in Banishment at Toletum â—or whom now should he fight or preserve his faith they advised him therefore to â—ollow fortune yield himself and not to change a just praise for the Title of a desperado and a madman Flectius heard but believed them not he therefore beg'd leave of Alphonsus that he himself might go to Toletum and satisfie himself It was granted and he there found that the King was indeed dead and buried and therefore that he might as well be free in his own conscience as in the opinion of men he opened the Sepulchre and with sighs and tears he delivers the very keys of Conimbra into the Kings hands with those words As long O King as I did judge thee to be alive I endured all extremiâ—ies I fed upon Skins and Leather and quenched my thirst with Vrine I quieted or repressed the minds of the Câ—tizens that were enclining to Sedition and whatsoever could be expected from a faithful man and one sworn to thy interest that I perform'd and persisted in Only one thing remains that having delivered the Keys of the City to thine own hands I may return freed of my oath and to tell the Citizens their King is dead God send thee well ia another and a better Kingdom This said he departed acknowledg'd Alphonsus for his Lawful Prince and was ever faithful to him 10. When the Portugals came first into the East Indies the King of Cochin called Trimumpara made Peace and a League of Amity with them Soon after there was a conspiracy against a new and suspected Nation especially the King of Calecut who was rich and strong in Soldiers he drew his forces and friends together and sent to him of Cochin in the first place that he would deliver up those few Portugals and himself from â—ault and all them from fear But he replied that he would lose all rather than falsifie his Faith When any of his subjects perswaded him to yield them up he said he esteemed them worse enemies than the King of Calecut for he did endeavour to take away only his Kingdom or Life but they would take from him the choicest virtues That his life was a short and definite space but the brand of perfidiousness would remain for ever In the mean time the King of Calecut wars with him overcomes drives him from his Kingdom and enforces his retreat unto an Island not far off In his flight he took no greater care for any thing then to preserve those few Portugals nay when thrust out though his enemy offered him his Kingdom again upon condition he would surrender them he constantly refused it and said that his Kingdom and Scepter might be taken from him but not his faith 11. Sextus Pompeius had seiz'd upon Sicilia and Sardinia and made a hot war upon the Trium-Virate and people of Rome and having pressed them with want and scarcity had reduced them to treat with him of peace Octaviâ—nus Caesar therefore and Antonius met him about Misenum with their Land Forces he being
should think meet The Generous Emperour so abhorred this Villany that immediately he sent an express to Mysias to let him know the danger he was in By this action wherein so much of true Nobility did appear Mysias who before had not yielded to Conrade his Arms was perfectly subdued He goes to the Emperour lays his Crown at his foot and submits to the payment of the former Tribute 4. Dromichetes King of the Getes had overcome in Battel and also taken prisoner King Lysimachus who had causelesly and unprovoked invaded him yet though he had such just occasion to have dealt severely with him over-passing the injury he had received by his assault he familiarly as other Kings their treasures shewed him the poverty of himself and his people saying that he was very well contented therewith That done he gave him his liberty and presented him with such gifts as he could and withal at parting gave him this counsel that for the future he should not make war upon such people the conquest of whom would yield him no profit but rather use them as Friends 5. When Pyrrhus King of Epirus warred upon the Romans the King's Physician called Nicias sent a Letter to Fabricius the Roman Consul and General promising him therein to poison Pyrrhus Fabritius detesting to be rid of his Enemy in so base a way and desirous that the treacherous servant might meet with his due reward sent back the Letter to Pyrrhus himself withal advising him to take heed to himself for that as it seemed he was but an ill Judge of his Friends or Enemies The King having found out the Treason hanged up his Physician as he well deserved and sent back all the Prisoners to Fabritius without ransom but the generous Consul would not receive them in that manner but sent him an equal number of his which he had formerly taken 6. One of the Emperours of China going his progress met with a certain company leading away some other prisoners he caused his Coach to stop and enquired what the matter was which as soon as he understood he fell into a passionate weeping They who accompanied him began to comfort him and said one amongst them Sir in a Common-wealth there must be chastisements it cannot be avoided so have the former Kings your Predecessors commanded it to be so have the Laws ordained it so doth the Governmet of the State require it The Emperour replyed I weep not to see these men prisoners nor to see them chastised I know very well that the good without rewards are not encouraged and without chastisument the wicked are not retain'd that correction is as necessary to the Government of a Kingdom as Bread is for the nourishment and sustenance thereof but I weep because my time is not so happy as that of old was when the virtues of the Princes were such that they served as a Bridle to the people and their example was sufficient to restrain the whole Kingdom 7. Alphonsus the Twelfth King of Spain was driven out of his Kingdom by his Son Sancius and reduced to those Straights that he was enforced to offer to pawn his Crown to Abenyuza the King of Morocco for a great sum of money But Abenyuza as a noble and most generous Prince hearing of Alphonsus his extremity sent first his Embassadors to endeavour a reconcilement betwixt the Father and the Son that not succeeding he not only assisted him with moneys but also with a great Army and with his own treasure at his own cost he reinstated him in a great part of his Kingdom That which renders this action the more truly generous is that neither diversity of Religion nor the memory of those Wars that had long and bitterly been waged betwixt this Alphonsus and him could hinder him from lending him both men and money from venturing his own person in his behalf crossing the Seas in favour of him and exposing himself to foreign Nations and divers hazards in an affair whereof he could expect no profit to himself 8. The Bassa of Natolia leading a parcel of Turks as the Forerunners of Bajazet's Army was entrapped by an ambush of the Prince Ciarcan most of his Soldiers cut in pieces himself taken prisoner and sent to Tamerlane he demanded the reason why Bajazet shewed such contempt of his Army which he should find strong enough to abate his pâ—ide The Bassa replyed that his Lord was the Sun upon earth which could endure no equal that he was astonied to see how he had enterprised so dangerous a journey to hinder the fortune of his Lord and that he committed great â—olly in going about to resist the same I am said Tamerlane sent from Heaven to punish his rashness and to confound his pride Then changing his discourse he asked if his Master did come resolv'd to bid him Battel Assure your self said he there is nothing more he desireth and would to God I might acknowledge your goodness in giving me leave to assist my Lord at that Battel Good leave have thou said Tamerlane go thy ways and tell thy Lord that thou hast seen me and that in the Battel he shall find me on Horseback where he shall see a Green Ensign displayed And so gave the Bassa both his liberty and a fair Horse well furnished although he well knew he was shortly to use both against himself 9. There was amongst the Hugonots Faction one Iohn Poltrot Sieur de Mereborne of a Noble Family near Angoulesme this man lay in wait for the life of Francis Duke of Guise and upon the twenty fourth of February 1563 performed his wicked intention for the Duke being against Orleance retired that Evening unaâ—med to his Lodging Poltrot mounted on a swift Gâ—nnet discharged a Gun at him laden with three Bullets which all three hit him on the right Shoulder and passing through the body so wounded him that he died on the third day after his hurt But the proceedings of the Queen Mother were much different for when soon after this a Hugonot Captain commonly called La Motte having offered himself to find a means to kill Andelot she causing him to be apprehended by her Guards sent him bound to the same Andelot that he might punish him as he pleased himself and surely there are few examples of the like generous actions in any of our modern stories 10. The Emperour of China called Vamlie had no child by his Lawful Empress but had two Sons one by a Maid of Honour which was the eldest and another young Son by one of the Queens his Concubines This Son he loved very much and by reason of the particular affection he bore him he would by all means leave him the Kingdom saying that by reason he had no Sons by his Empress the succession was not of right to any of the rest but that it belonged to him to elect whom he pleased and because the elder was the Son of a Servant he chose rather
Divine Device O Admirable Frame Whereby through th' Ocean in the darkest night Our hugest Carracks are conducted righâ— Whereby w' are stor'd with trouchman guide and lamp To search all corners of the watry camp Whereby a Ship that stormy heav'ns have whirld Near in one night unto the other world Knowes where she is and in the card descries What degrees thence the Aequinoctial lyes It may well be then that Flavius the Milevitan was the first inventor of the guiding of a Ship by the turning of the needle to the North but some Germane afterwards added to the compass the 32 points of the wind in his own language whence other nations have since borrowed it 4. The Instrument of perpetual Motion was invented by Cornelius van Drebble a German here in England and by him presented to King Iames. 5. Sayling Coaches were invented by Simon Stevinius in the Netherlands of which wonderful kind of Coaches we are told that Peireskius made tryal in the yeare 1606. Purposing to see Grotius sayth Gassendus he diverted to Scheveling that he might satisfie himself in the carriage and swiftness of a Coach a few years before invented and made up with that Artifice that with expanded sayles it would â—ly upon the shore as a ship upon the Sea He had formerly understood that Count Mannice a little after his victory at Neuport had put himself thereinto together with Francis Mendozâ— his prisoner on purpose to make tryal thereof and that within two hours they arrived at Putten which is distant from Scheveling 14 leagues that is 40 miles and more He had therefore a mind to make experiment of it himself and he would often tell us with what admiration he was seised when he was carried with a quick wind and yet perceived it not the Coaches motion being as quick as it self When he perceived that he flew over ditches and passed the interposed waters scarce touching the superâ—icies of them How those that travelld before seemed to come towards them as things that were at the remotest distance were almost in a moment left behind and other things of the like nature 6. In the Reign of Leo Isauricus Caliph Zulciman besieged Constantinople for the space of three years where by Cold and Famine 300000 of the Saracens were consumed At this seige was that fire invented which were for the violence of it call wild-sire and the Latines because the Greekes were the Authors of it call Graecus Ignis by this invention the Ships of the Saracens were not a lâ—ttle molested It was invented by Callâ—â—icus Anno 678 7. The Lydians were the first inventors of Dice Ball Chesse and the like games necessity and hunger inâ—orcing them thereunto Ingenii largitor venter Famine sharpens the brain as well as the stomach In the time of Atys the Son of Manes the Lydians were vexed with it and then devised these games every second day playing at them they beguiled their hungry stomachs Thus â—or twenty two years they continued playing and eating by times But then seeing that themâ—elves were more fruitful in getting and beaâ—ing children then the soil was at that time fruitful in bringing forth sustenance to maintain them They sent a Colony into Italy under the conduct of Tyrrhenus the Son of Atys who planted in that Country first called Tyrrhenia and since Tuscany 8. The Phenicians by reason of their Maritime situation were great adventurers at Sea trading in almost all parts of the then known world they are said to have been the first Navigatours and first builders of Ships they first invented open vessells the Aegyptians Ships with decks and gallyes with two banks of Oars upon a side Great Ships of burden were first made by the Cypriots Cock-boats and Skiffs by the Illyrians or Liburnians Brigantines by the Rhodians Frigatts or light Barks by the Cyrenians men of War by the Phamphilians As for tackle the Boeotians invented the Oar Dâ—edalus of Creet Masts and sayles Anacharsis grappling hooks the Tuscans anchors The Rudder helm and art of steering was the invention of Typhis the chief Pilot in the famous Argo who noting that a Kite when she slew guided her whole body by her tayl effected that in the devices of Art which he had observed in the works of Nature 9. The Sicilians were heretofore famous for many notable inventions Pliny ascribes to them the finding out of hourglasses and Plutarch of military Engines brought to great perfection by Archimedes that Countreyman Palamedes the son of Nauplius is said to have first instituted centinels in an army and was the first inventor of the watch-word the battle ax was first found out by Penihesilea Queen of the Amazons who came to the seige of Troy in ayd of King Priamus where she was slain by Pyrrhus the Son of Achilles 10. The dying of Purple was first inâ—ented at Tyrâ— and that as Iulius Pollux sayth by a meer accident a Dogg having seised upon the Fiâ—h calld Conchilis or Purpura had thereby stained his lips with that delightful colour which gave the occasion of its seeking and it was afterwards the richest and most desirable colour to persons of greatest quality for ages together 11 The Inhabitants of Sidon are said to be the first makers of Glass the materials of the work being brought hither from the Sands of a River running not far from Ptolomais and only made fusible in this City About Anno. Dom 662. one Benault a forraign Bishop but of what place I â—ind not brought the mystery of making glass into England to the great beautifying of our houses and Churches 12. For Verses and writing in that way Aristotle ascribes the first making of pastoral Eclogues to the Sicilians Arion an excellent Musiâ—ian and eminent Poet is said to be the first inventor of Tragoedies and the Author of the verse called Dithyrambick Sappho an Heroick woman and calld the tenth Muse was the Author of the verse called Sapphick and be it here remembred that the first Bishop of Sherborn when taken out of the Bishoprick of Winchester by King Ina which was Adâ—lme kinsman to the King was the first of our English Nation who wrote in Latine and the first that taught Englishmen to make Latine verse according to his promise Primus ego in patriam mecum modo vita supersit Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas If life me last that I doe see that native soil of mine From Aon tops I l'e first with me bring downe the Muses nine 13. Unto the Flemings we are indebted for the making of Cloth which we learnt of them and also for Arras hangings Dornix the making of Worsted Sayes and Tapestries they restored Musick and found out divers musical Instruments To them belongeth also the invention of Clocks Watches Chariots the laying on of Colours with oyl and the working of Pictures in Glass 14. Brachygraphy or the Art of Wâ—iting by short Characters is said by Dion to be invented
scarce speak or stand on his feet and utterly unfit to speak by an hour-glass so molested by a Cough as he was he replied That which a man doth with a willing mind is no way troublesome to him suffer me to speak and walk so long as the strength of my body will permit for so soon as I shall betake my self to my bed I shall not be pulled from thence till such time as four bearers come to carry me into the Church-yard 13. Conradus Gesnerus was a man of infinite study diligence and industry in searching aâ—ter the knowledge of all the parts of Nature but particularly he bent himself to observe those things that were delivered concerning metalls plants and living creatures and the noble Historian Thuanus saith of him most truely That to his last breath he was inflamed with an incredible desire and endeavour after the advancement of learning so that when he was seized with the plague and that his strength began to desert him he rose out of his bed not to dispose the affairs of his house and family but to set in order the papers in his study that what he could not set forth in his life-time might aâ—ter his death be made publick to the benefit of the common wealth 14. Aeleas a King of Scythia used to say that he thought himself no better then his horsekeeper when he was Idle 15. Dionysius the Elder being asked if he was at leisure and no business at present The Gods forbid said he that ever it should be so with me for a bow as they say if it be over-bent will break but the mind if it be over-slack CHAP. XLVI Of the Dexterity of some Men in the Instruction of several Creatures MAn is seldome so unfortunate a teacher as when he hath himself for his Scholar but should he employ at home that ingenuity and industry which he sometimes makes use of abroad what a wonderful proficient would he be in all kind of Virtue For there is scarce any thing that may seem so difficult but his care and constancy hath overcome as the following examples will be sufficient to account for 1. The Count of Stolberge in Germany had a Deer which he bestowed on the Emperour Maximilian the second that would receive a Rider on his back and a Bridle in his mouth and would run a race with the fleetest Horse that came in the field and outstrip them too Martial also mentions a Deer used to the bridle Hic erat ille tuo domitus Cyparisse capistro An magis ille tuus Sylvia cervus erat 2. At Prague the King of Bohemia's palace Mr. Morrison saw two tame Leopards that would either of them at a call leap behind the huntsman when he went abroad a hunting and sit like a dog on the hinder parts of the horse and would soon dispatch a deer 3. Seneca speakes of a tame Dragon that took meat from the hands of Tiberius and else where Repentes â—uter pocula sinusque innoxio lapsu dracones tame Dragons that crept up and down amongst their Cups and in their Bosomes and did them no hurt 4. Scaliger saw a Crow in the French Kings Court that was taught to fly at Partridges or any other fowl from the Falconers fist 5. Elephants have bin taught not only to dance upon the Earth but in the air also dancing upon the rope The manner of teaching them to dance is thus they bring some yong Elephant upon a floor of earth that hath bin heated underneath and they play upon a Cittern or Tabour while the poor beast lifts up his stumps very often from the hot flower more by reason of the heat then any desire to dance And this they practise so often until the beast hath got such a habit of it that when ever he hears any musick he falls a dancing Busbequius saw a dancing Elephant in Constantinople and the same Elephant playing at ball tossing it to another man with his trunk and receiving it back again 6. Michael Neander saw in Germany a Bear brought from Poland that would play on the Tabour and dance some measures yea dance within the compass of a large round Cup which he would afterwards hold up in his paw to the spectatours to receive money or some other boon for his pains 7. A Baboon was seen to play uppon the Guitar and a Monkey in the King of Spains court was very skillful at chesseplay saith Belâ—hazar Castilion de aulico 8. Cardinal Ascanio had a Parrot that was taught to repeat the Apostles Creed verbatim in Latin and in the Court of Spain there was one that could sing the Gamut perfectly If at any time he was out he would say Nova Bueno that is not well but when he was right he would say Bueno va now it is well As Iohn Barnes an English Fryer relates in his book de Aequivocatione 9. The Elephant is a creature of a very docible and capable nature to learn almost any thing they have bin taught by their keepers to adore the King saith Aristotle to dance to throw stones at a mark to cast up arms into the air and receive them again in their fall to walk upon ropes which Galba was the first that exhibited at Rome saith Suetonius And these things they learn with that care that they have been often found practising in the night what had been taught them in the day They write too saith Pliny speaking of one who wrote in the Greek tongue Ipse ego haec scripsi Spoliae Celtica dicavi I my self saw saith Aelian one of them writing Roman Letters upon a tablet with his trunk and the letters he made were not ragged but straight and even and his eyes were fixt upon the tablet as one that was serious and intent upon his work In the playes that Germanicus Caesar shewed at Rome in the reign of Tiberius there were twelve Elephants six males and six females these were cloathed in histâ—ionical habits as men and women At the command of their keeper they danced in the cirque and performed all the Gestures of a Mimick At last they were brought where they were to feast a table was covered with all kind of dainties and Gobletts of Gold with other little cups of wine plac'd and beds covered with purple carpets after the manner of the Roman eating for them to lye upon Upon these they lay down and at the signal given they reached out their Trunks to the table and with great modesty fell to eating no ravening or desire of the best or bigger part but they eat and drank as a sort of civil men would doe 10. In the time of the war betwixt Augustus Caesar and M. Antonius when there were uncommon chances and no mean rewards of the victory all the world stood at gaze which way Fortune would incline it self There was then a poor man at Rome who purposing to provide for himself against
so perished together with their Houses and Relations 5. Ptolemaeus ruling over the Cyprian Cities and hearing that Nicocles the Paphian King did closely hold correspondence with Antigonus he sent Argaeus and Callicrates his Friends with command that they should put Nicocles to death as fearing the defection of other Cities besides that of Paphos These came to Cyprus and having received some Troops of Menelaus the General there they beset the Palace of Nicocles and having declared the Kings commands they demanded Nicocles to death He at first would have excused the matter but when he saw that would not serve his turn he slew himself Axiothea the wife of Nicocles being informed of the death of her Husband did then slay her Daughters that were Virgins that they might not fall into the enemies hands She also perswaded the Wives of Nicocles his Brethren with her to murther themselves though Ptolemy had granted them impunity Their Husbands seeing this set fire upon the Palace and slew themselves by this means the Royal Family of the Paphians was utterly distinguished 6. The Tacchi a people in Asia rather then they would be captivated to the Greeks threw themselves down headlong from the Rocks the very women throwing down their own children first and then casting themselves upon them 7. Philip King of Macedon had beseiged the City of Abydus and straitly beset it both by Sea and Land when the inhabitants defended it against him with great courage till at last the Enemy had undermin'd and overthrown the outward wall and were now by their mines approaching that other wall which the Inhabitants had made up within instead of the former Then the besieged apprehensive of their danger sent Embassadors to Philip offering him the surrender of their City upon condition that the Rhodians and Soldiers of Attalus should be freely dismissed and that every freeman should have liberty to depart whither he pleased Philip returned them this answer that either they should resolve to surrender at discretion or else fight it gallantly They of Abidus made desperate by these means consulted together and resolved upon this course to give liberty to all slaves that they might assist them with greater cheerfulness to shut up all their wives in the Temple of Diana their Children and Nurses in the publick Schools to lay all their silver and gold upon a heap in the Market place and to put their most precious furniture into two Galleys This done they chose out fifty persons of strength and Authority whom in presence of all the Citizens they caused to swear that as soon as they should perceive the enemy to be Master of the inward Wall they should kill all their Wives and Childrenâ— burn the Galleys and cast the Silver and Gold into the Sea They all swore to defend their liberty to the last breath and indeed when the Walls were fallen all the Soldiers and Inhabitants maintained the ruines of them with that obstinacy that few remained alive or unwounded And when the City was taken Philip was amazed to see the rest kill their Wives and Children cast themselves headlong from houses and into pits and running upon any kind of death so that few of that City could be perswaded to out-live the loss of their liberty unless such as were bound and by force preserved from doing violence upon themselves 8. At Numantia in Spain four thousand Soldiers withstood forty thousand Romans for fourteen years together in which time having often valiantly repulsed them and forced them unto two dishonourable compositions at last when they could hold out no longer they gathered all their Armour money and goods together and laid them on an heap which being fired they voluntarily cast themselves also into the flames leaving unto Scipio nothing but the bare name of Numantia to adorn his triumph with 9. The City of Saguntum had been besieged by Annibal for the space of nine months in which the famine was so great that the inhabitants were enforced to eat mans flesh At last when they could hold out no longer rather than they would fall into the hands of their enemies they made a fire in which themselves and their City was consumed to Ashes 10. Perdiccas made war upon Ariarathes King of Cappadocia although he had no way provoked him yet although he overcame the King in Battle he carried thence nothing but hazards and wounds instead of rewards for the slying Army being received into the City each man slew his Wife and Children set fire on their houses and furniture of them and having laid upon one heap all their riches at once and consumed them to ashes they then threw themselves headlong from Towers and high places into the flames so that the victorious enemy enjoyed nothing of theirs besides the sight of those flames which devoured the spoils they hoped to have divided amongst them 11. When Brutus had besieged the City of the Xanthii in Licia they themselves set fire on their own City some of them leapâ—d into the flames and there perished others fell upon their own swords A woman was seen hanging from the roof of her house with an infant newly strangled about her neck and in her right hand a burning torch that she might that way have burnt down the house over her CHAP. LI. Of such as in highest Fortunes have been mindful of Humane frailty THe Lamae who are the Priests of the Tibitenses when they prepare to celebrate prayers they summon the people together with the hollow whispering sounds of certain pipes made of the bones of dead men They have also Rosaries or Beads made of them which they carry always about them and they drink continually out of a Skull Being asked the reason of this Ceremony by Anthony Andrada who first found them out one that was the chiefest among them told him that they did it ad fatorum memoriam they did therefore pipe with the bones of the dead that those sad whispers might warn the people of the swift and invisible approach of death whose musick they term'd iâ— The Beads they wore did put them in mind of the frail estate of their bodies their drinking in a skull did mortifie their affections repress pleasures and imbitter their tast lest they should relish too much the delights of life and certainly these great and excellent persons hereafter mentioned did therefore carry along with them the commemoration of death as finding it a powerful Antidote against those excesses and deviations whereunto the nature of man especially in prosperity has so notable a proneness 1. Maximilianus the first Emperour of Germany for three years some say two caused his Coffin made of Oak to be carried along with him in a Wagon before he felt any sickness and when he drew near to his death he gave order in his last will that they should wrap up his dead body in course linen without any embowelling at all and that they should stop his
mouth nostrils ears and all open passages of his body with unslaked lime this was the only embalming and conditure he required and that for this purpose that his body might by this eating and consuming thing be the sooner resolved into its earth 2. Saladine that great Conquerour of the East after he had taken Ierusalem perceiving he drew near unto death by his last Will forbad all funeral pomp and commanded that only an old and black Cassock fastned at the end of a Lance should be born before his body and that a Priest going before the people should aloud sing these verses as they are remembred by Boccace Vixi divitiis regno tumidusque trophaeis Sed pannum heu nigrum nil nisi morte tuli Great Saladine the Conqu'rour of the East Of all the State and Glory he possess'd O frail and transitory good no more Hath born away than that poor Shirt he wore 3. The Emperour Severus after many wars growing old and about to dye called for an Urn in which after the ancient manner the ashes of their burnt bodies were to be bestowed and after he had long looked upon it and held it in his hands he uttered these words Thou said he shalt contain that man whom all the world was too narrow to confine Mors sola fatetur Quantula sint hominum Corpuscula 'T is only death that tells How small he is that swells 4. Philip King of Macedon had a fall and after he was risen perceiving the impression of his body upon the sand Good Gods said he what a small parcel of earth will contain us who aspire to the possession of the whole world 5. Luther after he had successfully opposed the Pope and was gazed and admired at by all the world as the invincible Champion of the true Christian faith not long before his death sent a fair Glass to Dr. Iustus Ionas his friend and therewith these following verses Dat vitrum vitro Jonae vitrum ipse Lutherus Se similem ut fragili noscat uterque vitro Luther a Glass to Jonah Glass a Glass doth send That both may know our selves to be but Glass my Friend 6. Antigonus lay sick a long time of a lingring disease and afterwards when he was recovered and well again We have gotten no harm said he by this long sickness for it hath taught me not to be so proud by putting me in mind that I am but a mortal man And when Hermodorus the Poet in certain Poems which he wrote had stiled him the Son of the Sun he to check that unadvised speech of his He who useth to empty my Close-Stool said he knoweth as well as I that it is nothing so 7. Croesus that rich King of Lydia shewed unto Solon his vast riches and asked of him who it was that he could esteem of as an happier man than he Solon told him that riches were not to be confided in and that the state of a man in this life was so transitory and liable to alteration and change that no certain judgment could be made of the felicity of any man till such time as he came to dye Croesus thought himself contemned and despised by Solon while he spake to him in this manner and being in his great prosperity at that time thought there was little in his speech that concerned him But afterwards being overthrown by King Cyrus in a pitcht battle his City of Sardis taken and himself made prisoner when he was bound and laid upon a pile of wood to be publickly burnt to death in the sight of Cyrus and the Persians then it was that he began to see more deep into that conference he heretofore had with Solon And therefore being now sensible of the truch of what he had heard he cryed out three times O Solon Solon Solon Cyrus admired hereat and demanded the reason hereof and what that Solon was Croesus told him who he was and what he had said to him about the frailty of man and the change of condition he is subject to in this life Cyrus at the hearing of this like a wise Prince began to think that the height of his own fortune could as little excuse from partaking in this fragility as that of Croesus had done and therefore in a just sense and apprehension of those sudden turns which the destinies do usually allot to mankind he pardoned Croesus set him at liberty and gave him an honourable place about him 8. Antiochus at the first stood mute and as one amazed and afterwards he burst out into tears when he saw Achaeus the Son of Andromachus who had married Laodice the Daughter of Mithridates and who also was the Lord of all that Country about the Mountain Taurus brought before him bound and lying prostrate upon the earth That which gave the occasion to these tears of his was the consideration of the great suddenness of these blows which Fortune gives and how impossible it is to guard our selves from them or prevent them 9. Sesostris was a Potent King of Aegypt and had subdued under him divers nations which done he caused to be made for him a Chariot of gold and richly set with several sorts of precious Stones Four Kings by his appointment were yoked together herein that they instead of Beasts might draw this Conquerour as oft as he desired to appear in his glory The Chariot was thus drawn upon a great Festival when Sesostris observed that one of the Kings had his eyes continually fixed upon the wheel of the Chariot that was next him He then demanded the reason thereof the King told him that he did wonder and was amazed at the unstable motion of the wheel that rowled up and down so that one while this and next that part was uppermost and the highest of all immediately became the lowest King Sesostris did so consider of this saying and thereby conceived such apprehensions of the frailty and uncertainty of humane affairs that he would no more be drawn in that proud manner 10. Xerxes Son of Darius and Nephew to Cyrus after five years preparation came against the Grecians to revenge his Fathers disgraceful repulse by Miltiades with such an Army that his men and Cattel dried up whole Rivers he made a Bridge over the Hellespont where looking back on such a multitude considering mans mortality he wept knowing as he said that no one of all those should be alive after an hundred years CHAP. LII Of such as were of unusual Fortune and Felicity MEn in a Dream find themselves much delighted with the variety of those images of things which are presented to their waking fancies that felicity and happiness which most men count so and please their thoughts with is more of imaginary than real more of shadow than substance and hath so little of solidity and stableness in it that it may be â—itly looked upon as a dream All about us is so liable to the blows of fortune
Upon which Lipsius justly cries out I know not what I should herein chiefly wonder at whether that a man could so do or so speak 5. Solyman the Magnificent Emperour of the Turks having obtained a Victory over the Germans finding amongst the Captives a Bavarian Souldier a man of an exceeding high Stature he caused him to be delivered to his Dwarf to be by him slain whose head was scarce so high as the others knees and that goodly tall man was mangled about the legs for a long time by that apish Dwarf with his little Scimiter till falling down with many feeble blows he was at last slain in the presence of Solyman who took marvellous pleasure in this scene of cruelty 6. Mahomet the Great first Emperour of the Turks after the winning of Constantinople fell in love with a most beautiful young Greekish Lady called Irene upon whose incomparable perfections he so much doted that he gave himself up wholly to her love But when he heard his Captains and chief Officers murmured at it he appointed them all to meet him in his great Hall and commanding Irene to dress and adorn her self in all her Jewels and most gorgeous apparel not acquainting her in the least with any part of his design taking her hand he led this miracle of beauty into the midst of his Bassaes who dazzled with the brightness of this Illustrious Lady acknowledged their errour professing that their Emperour had just cause to pass his time in solacing himself with so peerless a Paragon But he on a sudden twisting his left hand in the soft curls of her hair and with the other drawing out his crooked Scimiter at one blow struck off her head from her shoulders and so at once made an end of his love and her life leaving all the assistants in a fearful amaze and horror of an act of that cruelty 7. Novellus Carrarius Lord of Padua enflamed with an ambition of greater Rule took away by poyson William Scaliger the Lord of Verona and Vincentia though a familiar friend of his And to enjoy Verona the more securely having betrayed into his power Antonius and Bruno his two sons he caused them also to be slain Being in the City of Vincentia he fell in love with a Maid of singular beauty and required her parents to send her to him but being refused he sent his Guards to fetch her when brought he basely violated her chastity two daies after he caused her to be cut in small pieces and sent her so back in a Basket to her Parents The father amaz'd with the atrocity of the fact represented the whole to the Senate beseeching their assistance in so great an injury The Senate having deliberated upon the matter sent the body of the Maid so inhumanely mangled to the Venetians declaring that they did commit themselves to their care and Patronage The Venetians took upon them their defence and having wearied out Carrarius with war at last pen'd him up in Padua and compelled him to yield himself being taken they strangled him together with his two sons Francis and William 8. Vitoldus Duke of Lithuania was a man of a truculent and cruel disposition if he had destin'd any to death his way was to cause them to be sew'd up in the skins of Bears and so expose them to be torn in pieces by doggs In all his Military expeditions he never was without a Bow in his hand and if he saw any Souldier to march out of his rank he used to shoot him dead with an arrow This fierceness of his that Nation though otherwise haughty and a contemner of death did so stand in awe of that many under his dominion at his command without expectation of an Executioner either hang'd or poyson'd themselves 9. Perotine Massey her Husband was a Minister in Q. Maries Reign he fled out of the Land for fear but she with her mother was condemn'd to be burnt as Hereticks which was done Iuly 18. 1556. she was near the time of her delivery and by force of the flame her young child burst out of her belly this babe was taken out alive by W. House a by-stander and by the command of Elier Gosseline the Bayliff supreme Officer in the then absence of the Governour of the Island Guernsey cast again into the fire and therein consumed to ashes here was a Spectacle without precedent a cruelty built three Generations high for the Grandmother Mother and Grandchild suffered all in the same flame at the same time 10. Demetrius the King of Syria after he had overcome Alexander the Jew in a Battel he led the Prisoners taken in that fight to Ierusalem where he caused eight hundred of them in the midst of the City to be Crucified the sons in the very sight of the mothers and after commanded the mothers themselves to be slain 11. In the Reign of King Edward the sixth upon the alteration of Religion there was an Insurrection in Cornwall and divers other Countries wherein many were taken and Executed by Martial Law The chief Leaders were sent to London and there Executed The Sedition being thus supprest it is memorable what cruel sport Sir William Kingston made by vertue of his Office which was Provost Martial upon men in misery One Boyer Major of Bodmin in Cornwall had been amongst the Rebels not willingly but enforced To him the Provost sent word that he would come and dine with him for whom the Major made great Provision A little before dinner the Provost took the Major aside and whisper'd him in the ear That an Execution must that day be done in the Town and therefore required that a pair of Gallows should be set up against dinner should be done The Major failed not of his charge presently after dinner the Provost taking the Major by the hand entreated him to lead him to the place where the Gallows was which when he beheld he asked the Major if he thought them to be strong enough Yes said the Major doubtless they are Well then said the Provost get you up speedily for they are provided for you I hope answered the Major you mean not as you speak In faith said the Provost there is no remedy for you have been a busie Rebel and so without respite or defence he was hang'd to death Near the said place dwelt a Miller who had been a busie actor in that Rebellion who fearing the approach of the Martial told a sturdy Fellow his servant that he had occasion to go from home and therefore bad him that if any came to enquire after the Miller he should not speak of him but say that he was the Miller and had been so for three years before So the Provost came and called for the Miller when out comes the servant and saith He was the man The Provost demanded how long he had kept the Mill These three years answered the servant then the Provost commanded his men to lay hold
adorning of those Baths which he had Founded And saith Herodian deceasing in the eighteenth year of his Reign he left to his Children and Successours such a summ of money as none before him had done and so great an Army as no force could be able to resist 15. The Tribute called Cunigosteura and Fanolehe was by the institution of Charles the Great Every measure of Bread-corn paid yearly five pence every man who by reason of sickness or age desired an exemption from the War was fined at the same summ nor were the Churches or Church-men themselves freed of Contribution in this kind This Prince had with him an account of all Farms Stipends Fields Meadows Vineyards Villages the annual Rents and value of all these with the Tributes imposed upon them as also a stated account of great and small Cattel and number of servants not only so but he had the very houshold-stuff of all Prefects Presidents Prelates Monks and Nuns written down and Registred 16. King Athelstan imposed as a Tribute on the Prince of North Wales to pay three hundred Wolves yearly which continued three years and in the fourth there was not one Wolf to be found whereby the Province was cleared of infinite trouble and danger the great abundance of them had formerly occasioned 17. Ludovicus Sfortia sent F. Marchesius to the Genoans to demand of them a mighty Tribute The Genoans received the Embassadour with all manner of civility they led him into a Garden and there shewed him the herb Basil it is the Emblem of an afflicted Common-wealth they desired him to take some of that weak Herb and smell to it he did so and told them that it smelt very sweet they then wished him that he would press and rub it betwixt his fingers and so smell to it he did so And now saith he it stinks In like manner said the Genoans if the Prince deal graciously and mercifully with us he will oblige us to all chearfulness and readiness in his service but if he shall proceed to grind and oppress us he will then find the bitter and troublesome effects of it 18. The Plane Tree was first brought over the Ionian Sea into the Island Diomedia to beautifie the Tomb of Diomedes from thence translated into Sicily and so at length brought into Italy and planted as a singular rare and special Tree but now it is carryed as far as Terwin and Tourney in France where it is counted an appurtenance to the very soil that payeth Tribute insomuch as people that will but walk and refresh themselves under the shadow of it must pay a Tribute and Custom thereupon to the people of Rome 19. Dionysius the elder exacted a vast summ of money of the Syracusans and when he saw that they lamented pretended poverty and desired to be freed of it he then appointed a new Impost or Tax to be laid upon them and this he caused to be collected twice or thrice At last when he had commanded the same should be paid again and that he observed thereupon that the people laugh'd and as they walked together cast out sharp words and jests upon him he gave order that the Tribute should be demanded no more for saith he since they begin to contemn us it is a sign that they have no money at all left 20. Licinius the Prefect of Gallia proceeded so far in his avaricious design that whereas the Gauls were to pay theiâ— Tribute every Month he ordained that there should be fourteen Months accounted to the year December he said was indeed the Tenth Month but after that he would have two other to succeed which he called the Augusti for the eleventh and twelâ—th Months for these interposed Months he required the same Tribute to be paid as in any other two of the year 21. Drusus had imposed a Tribute upon the Frisons a small one and agreeable to their poverty it was that for Military uses they should pay a certain number of Ox Hides not determining either the measure or strength of them Olennius was afterwards made Governour of that people and he chose out certain Bulls Hides according to the measure and strength of which their Tribute should be accepted if otherwise not This was hard to other Nations but especially to the Germans who had Forests indeed of mighty Beasts that were wild but had few Herds of them at home and therefore they first delivered up thier Oxen themselves afterwards their Lands and at last not able to pay their Tribute they gave up their own bodies those of their Wives and Servants to be Slaves in lieu of it Hereupon began first complaints and then indignation and because they were not able to remedy these things by a just War they seized upon those Souldiers that were appointed to collect the Tribute and hung them upon Gibbets 22. Antigonus laid heavy Impositions upon the Nations of Asia and when one told him that Alexander did not use to do so he said it was true indeed for Alexander did only Mow Asia and that he was to gather the Stubble 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the name of a Tribute that was imposed upon the Astrologers and such as were figure-setters and by that appellation they used to reproach such as consulted the Mathematicians and Calculators of Nativities 23. Every three years the Aethiopians were wont to pay by way of Tribute unto the Kings of Persia as Herodotus saith two hundred Billets of the Timber of the Ebony Tree together with Gold and Ivory the yearly Tribute of which last was twenty great and Massy Elephants Teeth 24. Mausolus King of Caria had sundry subtil and injurious waies whereby he used to extort money from his Subjects he feigned that another King demanded Tribute of him which he was not able to pay and that therefore he must be supplyed by the purses of his people he got a great summ from the Myllacenses pretending that their Mother City was to be invaded by the enemy and whereas it wanted a Wall he had not wherewith to build one By Condalus his Lieutenant he divers waies drained and exhausted the people for such Cattel as were given him he left in the hand of the Donours for some years and then demanded them together with all the increase of them within such a time as they were first given he sold the Fruits of such Trees at a price as hung over any part of the Kings High-waies he demanded a Tributary Drachm for the burial of any Souldier that deceased And whereas the Lycians rejoyced and delighted in their hair he feigned an Edict from the King That they should have it cut off unless every man should redeem his at a certain rate by him at pleasure imposed CHAP. XXXIII Of Cheats and the extraordinary boldness of some in their Thefts THe Emperour Aurelius Alexander saith Lampridius was so perfect a hater of all Thieves that if he chanced but to see
Father he was somewhat more pleasant than usual Those that sate at Table with him wondred at it at last he told them what had befallen him and thereupon was so derided by all that at once he should be cheated of brain and mony that for meer grief within some few days after he died CHAP. XXXIV Of persons of base birth who assumed the names of Illustrious Persons THey say there is a Pool in Comagena that sends forth a mud that burns in such manner as that it is no way to be quenched till a quantity of earth be cast upon it and Virgil hath it of the Bees those little Birds that when they swarm and have furiously commenced a civil war amongst themselves cast a handful of dust upon them and they return to their wonted quietness Hi motus animorum atque haec certamina tanta Pulveris exigui jactu compressa quiescunt Their fierce resolves and bloody battles cease When dust is thrown and they return to peace The mud and dregs of men are sometimes so inflamed with a passionate desire after greatness that they cannot rest till they are forced to their old obscurity or laid down in the dust of death 1. Andriscus was of so mean a condition in Macedonia that he had no other way to sustain himself but by his daily labour yet this man suddainly feigned himself to be Philip the Son of King Perseus and the feature of his face was somewhat like his He said it and others believed it or at least pretended they did especially the Macedonians and Thracians out of weariness of the Roman Government which with the novelty and rigour of it displeased them He had therefore speedily gathered mighty forces with which he overthrew a Roman Praetor at last he was overcome by Metellus led in chains to Rome and there triumphed over 2. Lambert Symnel pretended himself to be Richard Duke of York the second Son of Edward the fourth and thereupon came to claim the English Crown after a terrible battle fought in his quarrel he was taken alive and by order of King Henry the seventh put first into his Kitchin to turn the Spits and was afterwards advanced to be his Falconer in which office he lived and dyed 3. Amurath the second having newly ascended the Throne of his Father Mahomet at Thessalonica an obscure fellow crept as it were out of a Chimneys Corner took upon him the name and person of Mustapha the Son of Bajazet who was slain many years before in the great battle at Mount Stella against Tamerlain This counterfeit Mustapha animated by the Greek Princes set so good a Countenance upon the matter with such a Grace and Majesty that not only the Country people but men of great place and calling repaired to him as their Natural Prince and Soveraign so that in a short time he was honoured as a King in all parts of the Turkish Kingdom in Europe Amurath to repress this growing mischief sent Bajazet Bassa with a strong Army into Europe where he was forsaken of his Army and for safety of his life compelled to yield up himself to Mustapha Much trouble he afterwards created to Amurath at last being entrapped by the policy of Eivaces Bassa he sled when none pursued being taken he was brought bound to Amurath then at Adrianople by whose order he was hanged from the battlements of one of the highest Towers in the City and there left to the Worlds wonder 4. Herophilus a Farrier by challenging C. Marius who had been seven times Consul to be his Grandfather gained such a reputation to himself that divers of the Colonies of the Veterane Souldiers divers good Towns and almost all the Colledges made choice of him for their Patron So that C. Caesar having newly oppressed Cn. Pompeius the younger in Spain and admitting the people into his Gardens this man was saluted in the next Cloysters by almost as great a Company and unless Caesar had interposed the Republick had had a wound imprinted upon it by so base a hand but Caesar banished him from the sight of Italy yet after his death he returned and then entred into a Conspiracy of killing all the Senators upon which account by their command he was executed in Prison 5. In the reign of Augustus Caesar there was one who pretended that he was born of his Sister Octavia and that by reason of the extream weakness of his body he to whom he was set forth kept him as his own Son and sent away his own Son in his room but while he was thus carried with the full sayls of impudence to an act of the highest boldness he was by Augustus adjudged to tug at an Oar in one of the publick Gallies 6. In the reign of Tiberius there was one Clemens who was indeed the servant of Agrippa Posthumus the Grandchild of Augustus by Iulia and whom he had banished into the Isle Planasia but soon after by fraud and fame became Posthumus himself For hearing of the death of Augustus he with great courage went to bring forth his Master by stealth out of the Isle and so to recommend him to the Germane or other Armies but sayling slowly and finding that Agrippa was already slain he took his name upon him came into Etruria where he suffered his Hair and Beard to grow then gave out what he was sometimes shewed himself in private then went he to Ostia and thence into the City where he was applauded in divers Companies At last Tiberius having notice thereof by the help of Salustius Crispus at a convenient time caused him to be suddenly apprehended his mouth stopped and brought to the Palace where Tiberius asking him how he came to be Agrippa How came you said he to be Caesar He was secretly made away having expressed great constancy in his torments for he would not discover one of those that were in the Conspiracy with him 7. Demetrius Soter who reigned in Syria being for a certain and just cause offended with them of Antioch made War upon them they fearing the worst fly to new remedies set up a base person whom they salute for Alexander the Son of Antiochus and encourage him to seek after his Fathers Kingdom of Syria what through the hatred of Demetrius and the desire of novelty this new Alexander was generally followed and embraced he admires himself at his new fortune and the Troops he commanded he fought with Demetrius and not only overcame but slew him upon the place By this means he became the peaceable possessor of all Syria for nine years and ten months when giving up himself to all kinds of debauchery he was set upon by the young son of Demetrius now grown up overthrown and slain the end of this Scenick and imaginary King 8. In Germany Anno 1284. in the Reign of Rudolphus of Hapsburg the then Emperour there arose one who gave out himself to be the old Emperour Frederick who had been
to walk with them day by day without the Walls he did it often and by degrees trained them so far onwards that he brought them unawares into the danger of the Roman Stations where they were all taken He bids them lead him to Camillus he was brought into his Tent where standing in the middle I am said he the Master of these Boyes and having a greater respect to thee than to my relation I am come to deliver thee the City in the pledges of these Children Camillus heard him and looking upon it as a base action he turned to them about him War said he is a cruel thing and draws along with it a multitude of injuries and wrongs yet to good men there are certain Laws of War nor ought we so to thirst after Victory as to purchase it at the price of unworthy and impious actions A great Captain should relye upon his own vertue and not attain his ends by the treachery of another Then he commands his Lictours to strip the School-master and having tyed his hands behind him to deliver rods into the hands of his Scholars to whip and scourge the Traytor back into the City The Faliscans had before perceived the Treason and there was an universal mourning and out-cry within the City for so great a Calamity so that a concourse of Noble persons both men and women like so many mad creatures were running to and fro upon the Walls when came the Children driving with lashes their Master before them calling Camillus their Preserver and Father The Parents and the rest of the Citizens were astonished at what they beheld and having the justice of Camillus in great admiration they called an Assembly and sent Embassadours to let him know That subdu'd by his vertue they rendred up themselves and theirs freely into his hands 5. Agathocles was very prosperous in Africk had taken all the rest of the Cities and shut up his enemies in Carthage alone about which he lay when he invited Ophellas the Cyrenian to join with him promising that the Crown of Africk should be his Ophellas won with this hope came to him with great Forces and was together with his Army chearfully received and provided for by Agathocles but soon after a great part of his power being gone forth to Forage and Ophellas but weak in the Camp he was fallen upon and slain in the fight and his whole Army by vast promises won to the Colours of Agathocles But observe how successful this treachery proved It was not long e're Agathocles was forced to fly out of Africa his Army lost and two of his sons slain by the fury of the mutinous Souldiers and which is worthy of observation this was done by the hands of them that came with Ophellas and in the same Month and day of the Month that he had treacherously slain Ophellas both his friend and his Guest 6. Ladislaus Kerezin a Hungarian trayterously delivered up Hiula a strong place to the Turks and when he looked to receive many and great Presents for this his notable piece of Service certain Witnesses were produced against him by the command of Sâ—lymus himself who deposed That the said Ladislaus had cruelly handled certain Musulmans that had been Prisoners with him Whereupon he was delivered to some friends of theirs to do with him as they should think good They inclosed this Traytor stark-naked in a Tun or Hogâ—head set full of long sharp nails within side and rolled it from the top of a high Mountain full of steepy downfals to the very bottom where being run through every part of the body with those sharp nails he ended his wretched life 7. Leo Armenius Emperour of Constantinople was slain by some Conspiratours in the Temple there and Michael Balbus set up to succeed in his room He also dead Theophilus his son was advanced to the Imperial place of his father who was no sooner confirmed in his Empire but he called together the whole Senate into his Palace and bids those of them that assisted his father in the slaughter of Leo to separate themselves from the rest which when they had chearfully done turning to the Prefect over Capital offences he commanded him to seise and carry them away and to execute condigne punishment upon them 8. When the Emperour Aurelian marched against Thyana and found the Gates of the City shut against him he swore he would make such a slaughter that he would not leave a Dog alive in the whole City The Souldiers enticed with the hope of spoil did all they were able to take it which one Heracleon perceiving and fearing to perish with the rest betrayed the City into their hands Aurelian having taken it caused all the Dogs in the City to be slain But gave to all the Citizens a free pardon as to life except only the treacherous Heracleon whom he caused to be slain saying He would never prove faithful to him that had been the betrayer of his own Country 9. Solyman the magnificent employed one in the Conquest of the Isle of Rhodes promising the Traytor to give him for his wife one of his daughters with a very great Dowry He after his service done demanding that which was promised Solyman caused his daughter to be brought in most Royal Pomp assigning him the Marriage of her according to his desert The Traytour could not keep his Countenance he was so transported with joy Thou seest said Solyman I am a man of my word but for as much as thou art a Christian and my daughter thy Wife that shall be is a Mahumetan by birth and profession you cannot so live in quietness and I am loth to have a Son-in-law that is a not Musulman both within and without and therefore it is not enough that thou abjure Christianity in word as many of thy Sect are wont to do but thou must forthwith doff thy skin which is Baptized and uncircumcised Having so said he commanded some that stood by to flea alive the pretended Son-in-law and that afterwards they should lay him upon a bed of Salt ordaining That if any Mahumetan skin came over him again in place of the Christian that then and not before his promised Spouse should be brought unto him to be marryed the wretched Traytor thus shamefully and cruelly sâ—outed died in most horrible torments 10. The Venetians put to death Marinus Falierus their Duke for having conspired against the State and whereas the Pictures of their Dukes from the first to him that now liveth are represented and drawn according to the order of their times in the great Hall of the General Council yet to the end that the Picture of Falier a pernicious Prince might not be seen amongst other of those Illustrious Dukes they caused an empty Chair to be drawn and covered over with a black Veil as believing that those who carryed themselves disloyally to the Common-wealth cannot be more severely punished than if their names be covered
untimely death 8. Herod overcome with pain troubled with a vehement Cough and almost pined with fasting was determined to hasten his own death and taking an Apple in his hand he called for a Knife and then looking about him lest any stander by should hinder him he lifted up his Arm to strike himself But Achiabus his Cousin ran hastily unto him and stayed his hand and presently there was great lamentation made throughout all the Kings Palace as if the King had been dead His Son Antipater then in Prison having speedy news hereof was glad and promised the Keepers a piece of money to let him go but the chiefest of them did not only deny to do it but also went and immediately acquainted the King with it Herod hearing this commanded his guard to go and kill Antipater and bury him in the Castle called Hircanium Thus was that wicked man cast away by his own temerity and imprudence who had he had more patience and discretion might probably have secured both his life and the Kingdom to himself for Herod out-lived his death but five dayes 9. Anthony being at Laodicea sent for King Herod to answer what was objected against him touching the death of Young Aristobulus He was an impotent Lover of his Wife Mariamne and suspecting that her beauty was one cause of his danger before he went he committed the care of his Kingdom to Ioseph his Unkle withall leaving him order to kill Mariamne his Wiâ—e in case he should hear that any thing evil had befallen him He had taken his journey and Ioseph in Conversation with the Queen as an argument of the great love the King bare her acquainted her with the order he had left with him Herod having appeased Anthony returâ—ed with honour and speaking to the Queen of the truth and greatness of his love in the midst of Embraces Mariamne said to him It was not the part of a Lover to give commandment that if any thing should befall thee otherwise than well with Anthony I should presently be done to death No sooner were these words out of her mouth but the King entred into a strange passion and giving over his embraces he cryed out with a loud voice and tore his hair saying that he had a most evident proof that Ioseph had committed adultery with her for that he would not have discovered those things which had been spoke to him in secret except they had greatly trusted the one the other and in this emotion or rage of Jealousie hardly contained he from killing his Wife yet he gave order that Ioseph should be slain without admitting him audience or justification of his Innocency Thus Ioseph by his imprudent revealing of a dangerous secret unwarily procured his own death 10. The Emperour Probus a great and excellent Prince having well nigh brought the Empire into a quiet and peaceable from a troublesome and turbulent posture was heard to say that he would speedily take such a course that there should be no more need of Men of War This Speech was so distasted by the Souldiers that they conspired against him and procured his death CHAP. LIV. Men of unusual misfortune in their Affairs Persons or Families THe Ancients accounted him for a fool who being himself but a man would yet upbraid another of his kind with his calamity or misfortune For what reason can any man have to boast of his own estate or to insult over anothers unhappiness when how pleasant a time soever he hath for the present he hath yet no assurance that it shall so continue with him until the evening and though he be never so near unto good fortune yet he may possibly miss it as did the three Princes in the following Example 1. Anastasius Emperour of Constantinople being greatly hated and foreseeing he could not make much longer abode in the world he began to reflect on his Successours desiring to transfer to the Throne one of his three Nephewes whom he had bred up having no male issue to succeed him There was difficulty in the choice and he having a soul very superstitious put that to the lot which he could not resolve by reason for he caused three Beds to be prepared in the Royal Chamber and made his Crown to be hanged within the Tester of one of these Beds being resolved to give it to him who by lot should place himself under it this done he sent for his Nephews and after he had magnificently entertained them commanded them to repose themselves each one chusing one of the Beds prepared for them The eldest accommodated himself according to his fancy and he hit upon nothing the second did the same he then expected the youngest should go directly to the Crowned Bed but he prayed the Emperour he might be permitted to lye with one of his Brothers and by this means not any of them took the way of the Empire which was so easie to be had that it was not above a pace distant Anastasius amazed well saw God would transfer the Diadem from his Race and indeed Iustin succeeded a stranger to his blood 2. Anne Momorancy was a man of an exquisite wit and mature wisdom accompanied with a long experience in the changes of the World by which Arts he acquired happily for himself and for his Posterity exceeding great wealth and the chief dignities of the Kingdom himself having attained to be Constable of France But this man in his military commands had alwayes such ill fortune that in all the wars of which he had the Government he ever remained either a loser or grievously wounded or a Prisoner which misfortunes were the occasion that many times his fidelity was questioned even in that last action where fighting he lost his life he wanted not accusers 3. Thomas Tusser while as yet a Boy lived in many Schools Wallingford St. Pauls and Eaton whence he went to Trinity-hall in Cambridge when a man he lived in Staffordshire Suffolk Norfolk Cambridgeshire and where not He was successively a Musician Schoolmaster Serving-man Husbandman Grasier and Poet more skilful in all than thriving in any Vocation he traded at large in Oxen Sheep Dairies Grain of all kinds to no profit whether he bought or sold he lost and when a Renter impoverished himself and never enriched his Landlord yet hath he laid down excellent Rules of Husbandry and Huswifery so that the observer thereof must be rich in his own defence He spread his Bread with all sorts of Butter yet none would stick thereon yet I hear no man charge him with any vicious extravagancy or visible carelesness but imputing his ill success to some occult cause in Gods Counsel 4. The Emperour Sigismumd passing a River his Horse stood still and pissed in it which when one of his Servants perceived that rode not far before him he said jestingly the Horse had directly the same quality with his Master Caesar heard him and bade him explain the meaning of what
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
he led an Army into Asia where he recovered the Possession of the Realm of Ierusalem At his return again Excommunicated not long after poyson'd 83. Contradus the fourth son of Frederick last Emperour of the House of Schwaben subdu'd his Rebels in Apulia and the Kingdom of Naples but he was soon cut off by his brother Manfred who caused him to be empoysoned after he had Reigned two years 84. Rodolphus the first by the joint consent of the Princes Electors Assembled at Frankfort was chosen Emperour he was the raiser of the Austrian Family had deadly War with Ottocarus King of Bohemia whom he overthrew and slew in Battel he Reigned eighteen years was buried at Spires his Motto was Melius bene imperare quam imperium ampliare 85. Adolphus Count of Nassau was chosen Emperour he was unfortunate in all things he went about and therewith so needy and poor that when he had received money of King Edward the first of England to aid him against the French he spent the money upon his Houshold and had not wherewith to fulfil his promise when time required He was overthrown by Albert Duke of Austria in the Fields of Spire and there slain having Reigned six years his Motto was Animus est qui divites facit 86. Albert son of Rodulphus the Emperour himself being Duke of Austria in his time happened seven things remarkable As 1. The removal of the Papal seat from Rome to Avignion 2. The subversion of the Knights Templars 3. The setling of the Knights of St. Iohn in the Rhodes 4. The Scaligers in Verona 5. Estei in Ferrara 6. The first Jubilee at Rome in the West And 7. The beginning of the Ottomans in the East He Reigned ten years and was slain by his brothers son his Motto was Quod optimum illud jucundissimum 87. Henry the seventh Earl of Luxemburg a pious prudent and valorous Prince having composed matters in Germany he hastened to do the like in Italy where he omitted no opportunity to give all content Yet he was tumultuously driven out of Rome by the Faction of the Vrsini and through hatred of the Florentines poysoned in the Eucharist by one Bernard an hired Monk that passeth for his Motto which he uttered upon the first feeling of the operation of the poyson Calix vitae Calix mortis 88. Lewis the fourth Duke of Bavaria Crown'd at Aix in the wonted manner he was opposed by Frederick Dâ—ke of Austria who was chosen by another Faction cruel Wars were between the Competitours wherein at last Lewis overcame took the other Prisoner then came to this agreement Both to keep the Title of Emperours but Lewis to have the right and power after which he was Excommunicated and the Electors commanded to chuse a new Emperour which they obeyed his Motto was Sola bona quae honesta 89. Charles the fourth son of Iohn King of Bohemia and Grandson to Henry the seventh against him were set up Edward the third of England Frederick of Misui and Gunter of Swartzburg whereof the first waved the dignity with such trouble the second was brib'd off with money the third made away by poyson Charles was Crowned with the Iron Crown at Millaine As he was Learned himself so was he a savourer of Learning Founded the University of Prague was the Author of the Golden Bull called Lex Carolina which requires Emperours to be good Linguists to confer themselves with Embassadours and prescribes the Solemnity of their Election he Reigned thirty two years procured at the hands of the Princes Electors That his son Wenceslaus should be proclaimed King of the Romans in his own life-time his Motto was Optimum est alieâ—â frui insaniâ 90. Wenceslaus granted divers Priviledges to the Norimbergers for a Load of Wine Executed Barthold Swartz for inventing Gunpowder a man very unlike his Father for he was sluggish and careless more inclin'd to riot excessive drinking and voluptuous pleasures than to any Princely vertue In his time Bajazet the Great Turk was enclosed in an Iron Cage by Tamberlain This Emperour for his beastliness was deprived of the Imperial Dignity by the Princes Electors he Reigned twenty two years his Motto was Morosophi moriones pessimi 91. Rupertus Duke of Bavaria and Count Palatine was elected in his place and from him came the four Palatine Families Heidleberg Neuberg Simmeren and Swibrooke He passed into Italy for the recovery of the Dukedom of Millaine sold by Wenceslaus but was well beaten by Iohn Galeazzes and so returned In his time two Popes were deposed by the Council of Pisa his merciful Motto was Miseria res digna misericordiâ he Reigned ten years 92. Iodocus Barbatus Marquess of Moravia and Uncle to Wenceslaus of whom I find so little that by divers he is not so much as mentioned in the Series and Succession of the Emperours 93. Sigismund brother of Wenceslaus King of Hungary and Bohemia and Earl of Luxembourg was Crowned at Rome on Whitsunday 1432. He travelled exceedingly for establishing the Peace of Christendom distracted at that time with three Popes at once a great promoter of the Council of Constance He is reported nine times to have assailed the Turk but never with success for though he was a Prudent Witty Learned Noble Prince yet was he ever unfortunate in his Wars at home and abroad he Reigned twenty seven years his Motto was Cedunt munera fatis 94. Albertus the second Duke of Austria Son-in-law of Sigismund whom he succeeded in all his Estates and Titles excepting only Luxembourg for his liberality justice and manhood in Wars he was greatly renowned he subdued the Bohemians carried a heavy hand over the Jews and Hussites subdued Silesia and the people of Moravia Governed eight years his Motto was Amicus optima vitae possessio 'T is thought he â—urfeited upon Melons and died thereof in his time the Hungarians and other Christians received from the Turks that terrible blow in the Fields of Varna 95. Frederick the third Duke of Austria the son of Ernestus of Austria and next heir of Albert the second he procured the calling of the Council of Basil for the Peace of Christendom travelling for that cause to Rome he was there declared Emperour being a person of agreeable accomplishments to so high a Calling In his time Printing was Invented by Iohn Gutenberg at Mentz the Noble Scanderbeg defended with great valour his Dominions against all the Forces of the Turks Constantinople was taken by Mahomet and made the chief Seat of the Turkish Empire The Emperour Frederick Reigned fifty and three years his Motto was Rerum irrecuperabilium foelix oblivio 96. Maximilian son of Frederick Duke of Austria so great a Scholar that he spake Latine and other Tongues elegantly and in imitation of Iulius Caesar wrote his own Acts. Scaligers testimony of him was That he excelled all his Predecessours great stirs he had with the Venetians whom at last he brought to submit by his marriage with Mary of Burgundy
seven Months twenty two daies his Motto was Scopus vitae Christus 5. Valens the brother of Valentinian made Partner with him in the Empire ruled in Constantinople and the East Valentinian took more delight in Rome and the Western Parts a great Patron of the Arrian Faction who first brought the Goths on this side the River Danow to the destruction of himself and the Empire he Reigned fourteen years his Motto was Alienus ab irâ alienus à Iustitiâ 6. Gratian St. Ambrose was much esteem'd by him distressed by the Goths he made Theodosius Partner in the Empire with him and was treacherously murdered by Andragathius by the command of the Tyrant Maximus his Motto was Non quam diu sed quam benè In his time was a great Earthquake at Alexandria saith Cedrenus 7. Theodosius a Spaniard defeated Maximus vanquished the Goths utterly supprest the Pagan superstitions humbled himself by Penance and Tears for the rash massacring the Citizens of Thessalonica and strengthened the Church of God with good Laws and Ordinances his saying was Eripere telum non dare irato decet 8. Arcadius his eldest son succeeded him in the East Ruffinus his Tutor sought to betray him to the Goths but was timely discovered to his ruine after which Eudoxia his Wife and Gaina his General ruled him at their pleasure his Symbol was Summa cadunt subito he Reigned twelve years three months and odd daies 9. Theodosius the second made Peace with the Goths called the Council of Ephesus against Nestorius overthrew Atila by his General Aetius was a lover of Learning and died by a fall from his Horse his Motto was Tempori parendum he died aged about fifty years having Reigned the most part of them 10. Martianus an able experienced Souldier succeeded his Master by the Marriage of Pulcheria his Masters Sister he called the Council of Chalcedon against Dioscorus his Motto was Pax bello potior 11. Leo a Thracian elected by the joint consent of Senate and Souldiery a worthy man and so propense to mercy that his Motto was Regis clementia virtus He was a great favourer of Learning and the Learned 12. Zeno as mishapen in body as untoward in manners a Tyrant and great drinker in one of his drunken fits he was buried alive by his Empress Ariadne In his time Constantinople was almost wholly destroyed by fire in which amongst other things perished one hundred and twenty thousand Volumes of good Manuscripts his Motto Malo nodo malus cuneus 13. Anastasius a mean Officer of the Court by favour of the Empress created Emperour a great Patron of Eutyches in his time the burning Glasses of Proclus saved the besieged City by firing the enemies Navy fortunate in his Wars with the Persians and Arabians his Motto was Mellitum venenum blanda oratio 14. Iustinus the son of a Thracian Shepherd a Patron of the Orthodox Clergy though himself had no Learning Much ado he had with Theodorick the persidious Arrian Goth the ruine of Antioch by Earthquake almost brake his heart his word was Quod pudet hoc pigeat He Reigned but four years and twenty daies 15. Iustinian recovered Africk from the Vandals by Belisarius and Italy from the Goths by Narses and reduced the Laws of Rome into form and method his Motto was Summum jus summa injuria 16. Iustinus the second instituted the Exarchate of Ravenna and lost a great part of Italy to the Lombards a covetous Pelagian and one that had nothing of worth in him his Motto was Libertas res inestimabilis 17. Tiberius a Christian and a worthy man liberal to the poor happy in finding of hidden Treasures and who repressed the daring boldness of the proud Persian Cosroes his Motto was Stips pauperum Thesaurus divitum 18. Mauritius drave the Hunnes out of Pannonia recovered Mesopotamia from the Persians lost the love of the Souldiery by refusing to ransom some Prisoners at an easie rate his Motto Quod timidum idem crudele 19. Phovas a common Souldier in a Military Tumult chosen Emperour murdered his Master with his Wife and Children made Pope Boniface supreme Bishop or Head of the Church was slain in a popular Tumult his Motto Fortunam citius reperias quam retineas 20. Heraclius chosen by a general consent repaired the ruines of the Empire vanquished the Persians recovered Hierusalem brought home the Cross to Constantinople turns Monothelite and incestuous with his brothers daughter his Motto A Deo victoria 21. Constantinus the second or Constans unfortunate in his Wars against the Saracens defaced and plundered Rome of all its choicest Ornaments and Ransacking the Isle of Sicil was there slain by the women his Motto Parendum necessitati 22. Constantinus the third Pogonatus his son repulsed the Saracens made Peace with the Bulgarians held the great Council in Trullo against the Minotheliâ—es where the Pope was condemn'd his word was Quod cito fit cito perit 23. Iâ—stinian the second his son subdu'd Mesopotamia Armenia and some part of Persia made the Saracens tributary was dethroned by Leontius restored by Trebellis Prince of Bulgaria afterward murdered at the Altar his Motto waâ— Multi nimium nemo satis 24. Philippicus Bardanes Admiral of the Navy elected by the Souldiers an enemy of Images which he caused to be cast out of the Church where began that bloody Controversie of the East and Western Churches his Motto Fortuna cito reposcit quae dedit 25. Anastatius the second principal Secretary to the former thrust himself into the Empire was forced to relinquish it by that Army he had raised against the Saracens in which Tumult the City was sack'd and spoiled his Motto was Si non des accipit ultro 26. Theodosius the third in this Tumult made Emperour by the Souldiers hearing of the approach of Leo Commander of the Eastern Armies resigned the Empire and to save his life took Orders his Motto was Patientia remedium malorum 27. Leo Isauricus the Saracens in his time for more than two years besiege Constantinople but forced to leave it by Famine and other disasters having lost three hundred thousand men at this Siege Wild-â—ire was invented a great enemy to Images whereupon Excommunicated by the Pope yet he Reigned long and died honourably his Motto was Occulti inimici pessimi 28. Constaminus the fourth his son was Sirnamed Coproaimus for that when he was Baptized he berayed the Font zealous also against Images which created him much trouble his Motto was Quid sine pectore corpus 29. Leo the third his son an enemy of Images and fortunate in his Wars against the Saracens his word Quò fortuna si non uteris 30 Constantinus the fifth son of Leo and Irene first governed with his Mother by whom at last he was supplanted and being deprived of sight he died of melancholy his word said to be Mulieri imperare res desperata 31. Irene wife of Leo the third for her better support in her Estate
in the Reins of his back whereby he rotted above ground and died near unto the City Chiurli in the same place where he had formerly unnaturally assaulted his aged Father Bajazet a man he was of a fierce bloody and faithless disposition he died 1520. 82. Solyman Sirnamed the magnificent surprised Rhodes Belgrade and Buda with a great part of Hungary Babylon Assyria Mesopotamia spoiled Austria sharply besieged and assaulted Vienna it self took the Isle of Naxos and Paros and made them Tributaries to him War'd upon the Venetians and invaded the Islands of Corfu and Malta besieging the Town of Sigeth upon the Frontiers of Dalmatia he there fell sick of a looseness of his belly upon which he retired for recovery of his health to Quinque Ecclesiae a City near Sigeth and there died the fourth of September Anno 1566. having lived seventy six years and Reigned thereof forty six a Prince more just and true to his word than any other of his Predecessours but a great terrour unto all Christendom 83. Selymus the second an idle and effeminate Emperour by his Deputies took from the Venetians the Isle of Cyprus and from the Moors the Kingdoms of Tunis and Algiers Over this Emperour the Christians were Victorious in that famous Sea-fight called the Battel of Lepanto where of the enemies Galleys were taken an hundred threescore and one forty sunk of burnt and of Galliots and other small Vessels were taken about sixty besides the Admiral Galley which for beauty and riches had none in the whole Ocean to compare with it Selymus spent with Wine and Women died Decemb. 9. 1574. A man of a heavy disposition and of the least valour of all the Othoman Kings 84. Amurath the third took from the disagreeing Persians Armenia Media and the City Tauris and the Fort Gaino from the Hungarians To rid himself of all Competitors he at his first coming to the Crown caused his five Brethren to be all strangled in his presence He himself was a Prince unactive managing the Wars by his principal Bassa's Mustapha Sinan Osman and Ferat The insolent Ianizaries made such a tumult at Constantinople that the Emperour for grief and anger fell into a fit of the Falling Sickness which vexed him three daies and three nights his death not long after followed the 18 Ian. Anno 1595. when he had lived fifty one years and thereof Reigned nineteen At the time of his death such a sudden and terrible tempest arose that many thought the World would then be dissolved 85. Mahomet the third took Agria in Hungary which Kingdom in all likelihood had been lost if he had pursued his Victory at the Battel of Keresture he was never but then in any Battel and then was so frighted that he durst never see the face of an Army afterwards great harm was done him by Michael the Vayvod of Valachia and the Army of Sinan Bassa utterly routed by the Prince of Transylvania He was altogether given to sensuality and pleasure the marks whereof he still carried about with him a foul swollen unweildy overgrown body and a mind thereto answerable no small means of his death which fell out at the end of Ianuary in the year of our Lord 1604. when he had lived about forty four years 86. Achmet who the better to enjoy his pleasures made peace with the German Emperour and added nothing to his Empire Cicala Bassa his General was overthrown by the Persians and divers of his Armies under several Bassa's cut off by the fortunate Rebel the Bassa of Aleppo This Prince was of good constitution strong and active he would cast a Horse-man's Mace of nine or ten pounds weight farther than any other of his Court He was much given to sensuality and pleasure had three thousand Concubines one reason perhaps of his death at thirty years having Reigned fifteen 87. Mustapha brother to Achmet succeeded which was a Novelty never before heard of in this Kingdom it being the Grand Signiors Policy to strangle all the younger brothers howsoever this Mustapha was preserved either because Achmet being once a younger brother took pity on him or because he had no issue of his own body and so was not permitted to kill him It is said Achmet once intended to have shot him but at the instant was seised with such a pain in his arm and shoulder that he cryed out Mahomet would not have him die he carried himself but insolently and cruelly and was deposed 88. Osman succeeded his Uncle Mustapha and being unsuccessful in his War against Poland was by the Ianizaries slain in an uproar and Mustapha again restored yet long he enjoy'd not his Throne for the same hand that raised him did again pluck him down 89. Morat or Amurath the fourth brother of Osman of the age of thirteen years succeeded on the second deposition of his Uncle Mustapha he proved a stout and masculine Prince and bent himself to the reviving of the ancient discipline To the great good of Christendom he spent his stomach on the Persians from whom he recovered Babylon 90. Ibraim the brother of Morat preserved by the Sultaness his mother in his brothers life and by her power deposed again for interdicting her the Court He spent a great part of his Reign in the War of Creet against the Venetians but without any great success 91. Mahomet the fourth now Reigning was the son of Ibraim Lord of all this vast Empire containing all Asia and Greece the greatest part of Slavonia and Hungary the Isles of the Aegaean Sea and a great part of the Taurican Chersonese in Europe most of the Isles and Provinces in Asia and in Africk of all Aegypt the Kingdoms of Tunis and Algiers with the Ports of Snachem and Erocco nor is their stile inferiour to so vast an Empire Solyman thus stiling himself to Villerius great Master of the Rhodes at such time as he intended to Invade that Island i. e. Solyman King of Kings Lord of Lords and high Emperour of Constantinople and Trabâ—sond the most mighty King of Persia Syria Arabia and the Holy Land Lord of Europe Asia and Africa Prince of Meccha and Aâ—â—ppo Ruler of Hierusalem and Soveraign Lord of all the Seas and Isles thereof It remains That I acknowledge to whom I have been beholden in the making up this Catalogue of the forementioned Princes which I acknowledge to have borrowed from Mr. Prideaux his Introduction to History Carion's Chronology Dr. Heylin's Cosmography Knowles his Turkish History Zuingerus Nicaetas Zonaras Gaulterus Symson and such others as a slender Country Library would admit of CHAP. III. Of the Bishops and Popes of Rome and their Succession 1. SAint Peter was Crucified at Rome with his head downwards and was buryed about the Vatican in the Aurelian way not far from the Gardens of Nero having sat saith Platina in that See twenty five years He together with the Apostle Paul was put to death in the last year of Nero's Reign and was succeeded by 2.
own time and King Canutus the sixth almost to the year of Christ 1200. but more like a Poet than Historian commonly also omitting an account of the time 30. Conradus Abbot of Vrsperga a Monastery in Suevia as worthy of reading as any of the German Writers hath described the Affairs of Germany beginning two hundred years after the Flood and carrying on his relation to the twentieth year of Frederick the second that is Anno Dom. 1230. 31. Iohannes Aventinus wrote the Annals of the Boii and memorable matters of the Germans in seven Books beginning from the Flood and continuing his History to Ann. 1460. 32. Iohannes Nauclerus born not far from Tubinga hath an intire Chronicon from the beginning of the World to his own time and the year of our Lord 1500. in two Volums 33. Albertus Crantzius hath brought down the History of the Saxons Vandals and the Northern Kingdoms of Denmark Sweden Gothland and Norway to Ann. 1504. 34. Iohannes Sleidanus hath faithfully and plainly written the History of Luther especially and the contests about matters of Religion in the Empire of Germany the Election and Affairs of Charles the fifth Emperour and other of divers of the Kings of Europe from Anno Dom. 1517. to Ann. 1556. 35. Philippus Comineus wrote five Books of the Expedition of Charles the eighth into Italy and Naples and eight Books of the Acts of Lâ—wis the eleventh and Charles Duke of Burgundy worthy to be read of the greatest Princes 36. Froisardus wrote the sharp Wars betwixt the French and English from Anno 1335. to Ann. 1400. 37. Hiâ—ronymus Osorius wrote the Navigation of the Portugals round Africa into India and the Acts of Emanuel King of Portugal from Anno 1497. to his death in twelve Books 38. Antonius Bonfinius in four Decades and an half hath wrote the History of the Hungarian Kings to the death of Matthias the son of Huniades and the beginning of the Reign of Vladislaus 39. Polydor Virgil hath wrote the History of England in twenty six Books to the death of Henry the seventh 40. Iustinus flourished Anno Christi 150. and wrote a compendious History of most Nations from Ninus the Assyrian King to the twenty fifth year of Augustus compiled out of forty four Books of Trogus Pompeius a Roman Ecclesiastical Writers I have here no room for but am content to have traced thus far the steps of David Chytraeus in his Chronology whose help I have had in the setting down of this Catalogue CHAP. IX Of the most famous and ancient Greek and Latin Poets THE Reader hath here a short account of some of the most eminent of Apollo's old Courtiers as they succeeded one another in the favour of the Muses not but that those bright Ladies have been I was about to say equally propitious to others in after-times nor is it that we have given these only a place here as if our own Land were barren of such Worthies Our famous Spencer if he was not equal to any was superiour to most of them of whom Mr. Brown thus He sung th' Heroick Knights of Fairy Land In lines so elegant and such command That had the Thracian plaid but half so well He had not left Eurydice in Hell But it is fit we allow a due reverence to Antiquity at least be so ingenuous as to acknowledge at whose Torches we have lighted our own The first of these Lights 1. Orpheus was born in Libethris a City of Thrace the most ancient of all Poets he wrote the Expedition of the Argonauts into Colchis in Greek Verse at which he was also present this Work of his is yet extant together with his Hymns and a Book of Stones The Poets make him to be the Prince of the Lyricks of whom Horace in his Book De Arte Poeticâ Sylvestres homines sacer interpresque deorum Caedibus foedo victu deterruit Orpheus Dictus ob hoc lenire Tygres rabidosque leones His Father was Oeagrus his Mother Caliopea and his Master was Linus a Poet and Philosopher Orpheus is said to have flourished Anno Mundi 2737. Vid. Quenstedt Dial. de Patr. vir illustr p. 453. Voss. de Nat. Constit. artis Poet. cap. 13. sect 3. p. 78. Patrit de Instit. reipub l. 2. tâ— 6. p. 83. 2. Homerus the Prince of Poets born at Colophon as Cluverius doubts not to affirm but more Cities besides that strove for the honour according to that in Gellius Septem urbes certant de stirpe illustris Homeri Smyrna Rhodos Colophon Salamis Ios Argos Athenae Many are the Encomiums he hath found amongst learned men as The Captain of Philosophy The first Parent of Antiquity and Learning of all sorts The original of all rich Invention The Fountain of the more abstruse Wisdom and the father of all other Poets à quo cen fonte perenni Vatum Pieriis ora rigantur aquis Of him this is part of Quintilians Charaâ—ter In great things no man excelled him in sublimity nor in small matters in propriety In whom saith Paterculus this is an especial thing that before him there was none whom he could imitate and after him none is found that is able to imitate him He flourished Anno Mund. 3000. Vid. Quenstedt dialog p. 483. Gell. Noct. Attic. lib. 3. cap. 11. p. 104. Quintil. instit orator lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 466. 3. Hesiodus was born at Cuma a City in Aeolia bred up at Ascra a Town in Boeotia a Poet of a most elegant genius memorable for the soft sweetness of his Verse called the son of the Muses by Lipsius the purest Writer and whose labours contain the best Precepts of Vertue saith Heinsuis Some think he was contemporary with Homer others that he lived an hundred years after him I find him said to flourish Anno Mundi 3140. Vid. Quintil. instit orat lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 466. Vell. Pâ—tercul hist. lib. 1. ...... Voss. de Poet. Graec. cap. 2. p. 9. Quenstedt dial p. 478. 4. Alcaeus a famous Lyrick Poet was born in the Isle of Lesbos in the City of Miâ—ylene whence now the whole Isle hath its name what Verses of his are left are set forth by Henricus Stephanus with those of the rest of the Lyricks Quintilian saith of him That he is short and magnificent in his way of speaking diligent and for the most part like Homer he flourished Olymp. 45. Vid. Quenstedt dialog p. 433. Quintil. instit orat lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 468. 5. Sappho an excellent Poetress was born in the Isle of Lesbos and in the City of Eraesus there she was called the ninth Lyrick and the tenth Muse she wrote Epigrams Elegies Iamâ—icks Monodies and nine Books of Lyrick Verses and was the Invetress of that kind of Verse which from her is called the Sapphick she attained to no small applause in her contention first with Stesichorus and then with Alcaeus she is said to flourish about the 46 Olympiad Voss. Instâ—t Poet. lib. 3. cap. 15. p.
Pompeiopolis he was Physician to Aâ—tigonus King of Macedon a most Learned Poet and one that wrote divers things amongst others a Book of Astronomy called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in which he elegantly describes in Heroick Verse the whole frame of the Celestial Sphere the Image Figure rise and set of all the Stars therein which was Translated into Latin by Cicero and others Chytraeus saith he was of Tarsus and that St. Paul his fellow Citizen cites in his Sermon at Athens an Hemistick of this his fellow Citizen he flourished in the time of Ptolomaus Philadelphus Olympiad 124. Chytr de Poet. lect p. 217. Voss. de Poet. Graec. cap. 8. p. 63. 20. Lycophron was a Grammarian and Tragick Poet born at Chalcis heretofore a rich Town in Euboea he was one of the seven which they call the Pleiades the rest were Theoâ—ritus Nicander Callimachus Apollonius Aratus and Homerus junior he wrote many Tragedies which are all lost all that is extant of him is his Alexandra or Cassandra an obscure Poem he flourished Olympiad 127. Voss. de Poet. Graec. cap. 8. p. 64 Quenstedt dial p. 432. 21. Oppianus born in Anazarbus as some in Corycus saith Suidas both Cities of Cilicia was a Grammarian and Poet sweet generous and incomparable saith Rosinus He wrote Halieutica or of Fishes and Fishing five Books and four of Hunting all which are extant Alexander Sâ—vâ—rus so much delighted in them that for every Verse he gave him a Stater of Gold upon which they were called Golden Verses Quenstedt dial p. 499. 22. Musaeus the same who wrote the Loves of Hero and Leander though he is said by Iulius Scaliger to be before Homer himself Yet saith Vossius nothing is more manifest than that he lived under the Caesars and that after the fourth Age and is therefore in old Books called Musaeus the Grammarian Voss. de Poet. Graec. Pap. 9. p. 81. 1. Quintus Ennius born at Rudiae say some at Tarentum say Eutropius and Eusebius from him Virgil the Phoenix of the Latin Poets borrowed not a few Verses and with some light change transferred them into his own Poems Once being found reading of Ennius and ask'd what he was about I am said he gathering of Gold out of Ennius his Dunghil Ennius hath the first place amongst the Latin Epick Poets he wrote the Roman War in Heroick Verses he died of the Gout at past seventy years of age was buried in the Monument of the Scipio's in the Appian way a mile from the City he â—â—ourished A. ab V. C. 570. Voss. p. 4. 2. Pacuvius was born at Brundusium he was a Tragedian of great account and the son of Ennius his sister he liv'd at Rome where he painted and sold Plaies thence he went to Tarentum where he died almost ninety years of age Voss. de Poet. Latin cap. 1. p. 6. 3. Plautus was by birth from Vmbria through a scarcity that was at Rome he was fain to hire out himself to a Baker to work at his hand-mill where as oft as he had leisure from his work he wrote and sold his Comedies he flourished in the latter end of the second Punick War and in the succeeding seventeen years and died in the 149 Olympiad Voss. de Latin Poet. cap. 1. p. 8. 4. Publius Terentius the most elegant Writer of Latin Comedy was born at Carthage betwixt the second and third Punick War He served Terentius Lucanus a Senatour in Rome by whom for his wit and person he was not only civilly treated but soon obtained his freedom Cicero saith he was the best Author of the Latin Tongue and his bosom companion because he used frequently to read in him he wrote six Comedies and flourished Olympiad 151. but died in Arcadia Quenstedt dial p. 671. Voss. de Lat. Poet. cap. 3. p. 41. 5. C. Lucilius was born at Suessa Arunca a Town in Italy he was a Writer of Satyres yes the chief of the Latin Satyrists saith Tully a Learned man and a very ingenious person of a sharp wit a man of excellent life himself and a stinging accuser of the villanies of others he was the Great Uncle of Pompey the Great and war'd under Scipio Africanus in the Numantine War he died at Naples in the â—orty sixth year of his age in the 160 Olympiad A. Gell. noct Attic. lib. 18. cap. 8. p. 490. Voss. de Lat. Poet. cap. 2. p. 9. Quintil. de instit orator lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 472. Plin. nat hist. lib. 1. cap. p. Quenstedt dial p. 379. 6. Titus Lucretius Carus he wrote a Book of the nature of things according to Epicurus his doctrine in whose foot-steps he trod all his Philosophy tends to the extirpation of Religion and himself frequently confesses That he wrote what he did for that purpose that he might free men from the burden of Religion and the fear of the gods by a Philtre or Love-potion he was made mad and in the forty fourth year of his age slew himself he flourished Anno ab V. C. 680. and about 174. Olympiad Voss. de Poct lat cap. 1. p. 13. Quenstedt dial p. 362. 7. M. Annaeus Lucanus was born at Corduba in Spain I. Scaliger saith of him That he is long and the father of tediousness but Quintilian gives him this Character That he is ardent and sprightful remarkable for his Sentences and rather to be numbred amongst Oratours than Poets An excellent describer he is of the Civil War betwixt Caesar and Pompey a great speaker and full of Heroick Spirit being found in the Conspiracy of Piso he cut his veins and bled to death he flourished Anno Christi 62. Voss. de Poet. Lat. cap. 3. p. 41. Quintil. de Instit. orator lib. 10. cap. 1. p. 471. Quenstedt dial p. 10. 8. Publ. Virgilius Maro is by general consent The Prince of the Latin Poets he was born at Andes a Village near unto Mantua in Italy Iul. Scaliger saies of him That he ought to be the Pattern Rule beginning and end of all Poetical imitation Iosephus Scaliger saith He not only excess all humane ingeny but hath raised himself to a kind of equality with nature it self his Bucolicks Georgicks and Aeneads are in every hand He died at Brundusium his bones were translated to Naples and buried about two miles from the City with an Epitaph of his own making Thus Mantua me genuit Calabri rapuere tenet nunc Parthenope cecini Pascua Rura Duces he flourished Anno ab V. C. 728. Voss. de Poet. Lat. cap. 2. p. 26. Quenstedt dial p. 299. 9. Q. Horatius Flaccus the Prince of the Latin Lyrick Poets was born at Venusâ—â—m in Italy he is saith Quintilian the chief at noting the manners of men very pure and accurate worthy almost alone to be read he rises high sometimes is full of jucundity and various Figures and hath a most happy boldness in words he died at Rome aged about fifty and flourished in the Reign of Augustus Anno ab V. C. 735. Voss. de
pieces wherein he discovered the excellency of his Art but amongst the chief was that of a man with his sword in his hand and his Shield stretched out before him ready prepared for the Fight his eyes seem to sparkle with fire and the whole frame and posture of his body is represented so threatening as one that is intirely possessed with a Martial fury 2. Nicias exceedingly delighted himself in his profession of Painting and withal was so intent upon it that when he Painted Necya he frequently forgot to eat his meat and used to ask his servants Whether he had dined or not When this incomparable piece of Art was finished King Ptolomy sent to purchase it of him at the price of sixty Talents but he refused to part with it though for so vast a summ 3. Conon Cleoneus was the man that perfected the Art of Painting whenas before his time it was but rudely and inartificially exercised and therefore his Pictures were sold at a price above any other Artists in that Age wherein he lived he was the first that drew Pictures side-waies 4. Bularchus Painted in a Table the Battel of the Magnetes with such rare skill that Candaules King of Lydia paid willingly for it as much gold as it came to in weight 5. Polygnotus the Thasian was the first that Painted women in gorgeous and light apparel with their Hoods and other head attire of sundry colours His Invention it was to paint Images with the mouth open to make them shew their teeth and represented much variety of countenance far different from the stiff and heavy look of the Visage before-time of his Workmanship is that Picture in a Table which now standeth in the stately Gallery of Pompeius of a man upon a Scaling Ladder with a Target in his hand but done with that art and dexterity that whoever looketh upon it cannot tell whether he is climbing up or coming down he also beautified the great Gallery of Athens with the History of the Trojan War and being requested by Elpinice the daughter of Miltiades to Paint her amongst the Trojan women he did it so exquisitely that it seemed to be alive 6. Apollodorus the Athenian who lived in the ninety third Olympiad brought the Pencil into a glorious name and especial credit Of his making there is a Priest at his devotion praying and worshipping another of Ajax all on a flaming fire with a flash of Lightning which at this day is to be seen at Pergamus as an excellent piece of work and to speak truth before his daies there can hardly be shewed a Table which any man would take pleasure to look long upon 7. Zeuxis of Heraclea lived about the ninety fifth Olympiad of him the forementioned Apollodorus said That he had stolen the cunning from all the rest in process of time he grew to vast wealth by the only means of his excellent hand at last he resolved to work no longer for money but to give away all his Pictures his Alomena Penelope Pan Helena are famous pieces Much speech there is of a Wrastler or Champion of his wherein he pleased himself so well that he subscribed to it Invisurus aliquis facilius quam imitaturus sooner envyed than equalled Another stately piece there is of his Workmanship Iupiter sitting upon the Throne of his Majesty with all the other Gods standing by and making court unto him The imperfection of this Artist was that the head and joints of his Pourtraictures were somewhat of the biggest 8. Parrhasius was born at Ephesus he was the first that gave true Symmetry to his Pictures that best couched the hair of the head and expressed the lovely grace and beauty about the Mouth and Lips he was bold openly to challenge Zeuxis for the victory in this Art Zeuxis brought upon the Stage a Tablet wherein clusters of Grapes were so lively represented that the Birds of the Air came flocking to them Parrhasius to shew his Workmanship brought a Tablet wherein he had only depainted a Curtain but so lively that Zeuxis in a glorious bravery because the Birds had approved of his Handy-work said to him in scorn Come Sir away with your Curtain that we may see your goodly Picture but perceiving his error he was mightily abashed yielded him the Victory and said Zeuxis hath beguiled poor Birds but Parrhasues hath deceived Zeuxis a professed Artist 9. Timanthes had an excellent wit and was full of rare invention he it was that made the famous Picture of Iphigenia wherein was represented that innocent Lady standing by the Altar ready to be slain for Sacrifice he had painted by her Chalchas the Priest looking sad Vlysses sadder but her Uncle Menelaus above the rest full of an extream sorrow and having in these spent all the signs whereby the Pencil was able to express a real hearts grief being yet to pourtray her own Father Agamemnon he drew his Visage covered with a Veil leaving it to the imagination of the Spectators to conceive of an unexpressible grief and extraordinary sorrow that was in him to behold his Daughter bathed in her innocent blood He painted a Cyclops lying a sleep and little elvish Satyrs by him with long Perches taking measure of one of his Thumbs But his picture of a Prince was thought to be most absolute the majesty whereof is such that all the Art of painting a man seemeth to be comprized in that one Pourtrait this piece remaineth at this day within the Temple of Peace in Rome 10. Pamphilus a Macedonian was the first of all Painters that was skilled in Arithmetick and Geometry without which he judged it impossible to be a perfect Painter he was renowned for drawing a Confraternity or Kindred the battle fought before Phlius and the victory of the Athenians He taught none his skill under a talent of silver for ten years together and thus much paid Apelles and Melanthus to learn his Art 11. Apelles surmounted all that ever came before or followed him giving his Pictures a certain lovely and inimitable grace Having heard of the fame of Protogenes he sailed to Rhodes on purpose to see him but finding him absent from his Shop he took a Table and drew therein a fine and small line athwart it Protogenes at the sight of it said Apelles had been there and he himself drew a second with another colour in the midst of it and so left it Apelles upon his return drew a third with a distinct colour so small as left no possibility for a fourth which when Protogenes saw he confessed he had met both with his Match and Master This Table was kept a long time and better esteemed than any other rich or curious work till it was destroyed by fire in the Palace of Caesar in the Palatine Hill Being abused by one in the Court of King Ptolomy whose name he knew not nor could see in the presence he took a coal from the hearth and
were sung in honour of Christ and instead thereof ordered some in honour of himself to be sung in Churches by women In the Synod of Antioch he was convicted by Malchion a Presbyter and condemned Anno 273. This Heresie was also embraced by Photinus a Galatian Bishop of Syrmium and propagated by him Anno 323. and thence they took the name of Photinians 10. Manes a Persian by birth and a Servant by condition was father of the Manichaean Sect he was flea'd alive for poysoning the King of Persia's son yet his wicked opinions raged in the World for three hundred and forty years after his death He held two principles or Gods one good one bad condemned eating of flesh eggs and milk held that God had members and was substantially in every thing how base soever but was separate from them by Christs coming and the elect Manichaeans He rejected the Old Testament and curtailed the New by excluding Christs Genealogy He held Christ was the Serpent which deceived our first Parents denied the divinity and humanity of Christ saying That he feigned to die and rise again and that it was really the Devil who truely was Crucified He denied the Resurrection and held Transmigration He affirmed that he was the Comforter whom Christ promised to send they Worshipped the Sun and Moon and other Idols They condemned Marriages and permitted promiscuous copulation they rejected Baptism as needless and all works of Charity they taught that our will to sin is natural and not acquired by the Fall that sin is a substance and not a quality communicated from Parents to Children they say they cannot sin deny the last Judgement and affirm that their souls shall be taken up into the Globe of the Moon 11. Arrius whence sprang the Arrians was a Libyan by birth by profession a Presbyter of Alexandria his Heresie brake out two hundred and ninety years after Christ and over-ran a great part of the Christian World They held Christ to be a Creature that he had a mans body but no humane soul the divinity supplying the room thereof they also held the Holy Ghost a Creature proceeding from a creature that is Christ their Doxology was Glory be to the Father by the Son in the Holy Ghost they re-baptized the Orthodox Christians This Heresie was condemned by the Council of Nice under Constantine And Arrius himself in the midst of his Pomp seised with a Dysentery voided his Guts in the draught and so died 12. Macedonius Bishop of Constantinople gave name to the Macedonians they held that the Holy Ghost was a creature and the servant of God and that by the Holy Spirit was meant only a power created by God and communicated to the creatures This Heresie sprung up or rather was stiffly maintained under Constantius the son of Constantine three hundred and twelve years after Christ and was condemn'd in the second Oecumenical Council at Constantinople under Theodosius the Great The Hereticks were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macedonius himself being deprived by the Arrian Bishops died private at Pylas 13. The Aerians so called from Aerius the Presbyter who lived under Valentinian the first three hundred and forty years after Christ he held that there was no difference betwixt a Bishop and a Presbyter that Bishops could not ordain that there should be no set or Anniversary Fasts and they admitted none to their communion but such as were continent and had renounced the World they were also called Syllabici as standing captiously upon words and syllables The occasion of his maintaining his Heresie was his resentment that Eustathius was preferred before him to the Bishoprick 10. Florinus or Florianus a Roman Presbyter lived under Commodus the Roman Emperour one hundred fifty three years after Christ hence came the Floriani they held that God made evil and was the Author of sin whereas Moses tells us that all things which he made were very good They retained also the Jewish manner of keeping Easter and their other Ceremonies 15. Lucifer Bishop of Caralitanum in Sardinia gave name to the Luciferians he lived under Iulian the Apostate three hundred thirty three years after Christ. He taught that this World was made by the Devil that mens souls are corporeal and have their being by propagation or traduction they denied to the Clergy that fell any place for repentance neither did they restore Bishops or inferiour Clarks to their dignities if they fell into Heresie though they afterwards repented 16. Tertullianus that famous Lawyer and Divine was the leader of the Tertullianists he lived under Severus the Emperour about one hundred and seventy years after Christ. Being Excommunicated by the Roman Clergy as a Montanist he fell into these heretical Tenets That God was corporeal but without delineation of members that mens souls were not only corporeal but also distinguish'd into members and have corporeal dimensions and increase and decrease with the body that the original of souls is by traduction that souls of wicked men after death are converted into Devils that the Virgin Mary after Christ's birth did marry once they bragged much of the Paraclete or Spirit which they said was poured on them in greater measure than on the Apostles they condemned War amongst Christians and rejected second Marriages as no better than Adultery 17. Nestorius born in Germany and by fraud made Patriarch of Constantinople was the head of the Nestorians he broached his Heresie under Theodosius the younger four hundred years after Christ he taught that in Christ were two distinct Persons the Son of God and the Son of Mary that the Son of God in Christ's Baptism descended into the son of Mary and dwelt there as a lodger in a House he made the humanity of Christ equal with his divinity and so confounded their properties and operations A great part of the Eastern Bishops were of his perswasion his Heresie was condemned in the Council of Ephesus under Theodosius the younger in which Cyrill Bishop of Alexandria was President and the Author Nestorius deposed and banished into the Thebean Desarts where his blasphemous Tongue was eaten out with Worms Zeno the Emperour razed to the ground the School in Edessa called Persica where the Nestorian Heresie was taught 18. Eutyches Abbot of Constantinople from whence came the Eutychians in the year after Christ 413. set forth his Heresie holding opinions quite contrary to Nestorius to wit That Christ before the Union had two distinct natures but after the Union only one to wit the divinity which swallowed up the humanity so confounding the properties of the two natures affirming That the divine nature suffered and died and that God the Word did not take from the Virgin humane nature This Heresie condemned first in a Provincial Synod at Constantinople was set up again by Dioscurus Bishop of Alexandria at last condemned in the General Council of Chalcedon under Marcian the Emperour 19. Eunomius Bishop of Cyzicum embraced the
was easily slain In the mean time Fleance so prospered in Wales that he gained the affection of the Princes Daughter of the Country and by her had a Son called Walter who â—lying Wales returned into Scotland where his descent known he was restored to the Honors and Lands of his House and preferred to be Steward of the House of Edgar the Son of Malcolme the Third sirnamed Conmer King of Scotland the name of Steward growing hence hereditary unto his Posterity From this Walter descended that Robert Steward who succeeded David Bruce in the Kingdom of Scotland the Progenitor of nine Kings of the name of Stewart which have reigned successively in that Kingdom 3. Oliver a Benedictine Monk of Malmesbury was much addicted to the Mathematicks and to Judicial Astrology a great Comet happened to appear in his â—â—e which he entertained with these expressions Venisti Venistâ— multis matribus lugendum malum Dudum te vidi sed multò jam terribilius Anglicae minans prorsus excidium Art thou come Art thou come thou evil to be lamented by many mothers I saw thee long since but now thou art much more terrible threatning the English with utter destruction Nor did he much miss his mark herein for soon after the coming in of the Norman Conqueror deprived many English of their lives more of their Laws and Liberties This Oliver dyed 1060. five years before the Norman Invasion and so prevented by death saw not his own prediction performed 4. Agrippa the Son of Aristobulus was accused to Tiberius Caesar and by his command cast into bonds standing thus bound amongst others before the Palace gates by reason of grief he leaned against a Tree upon which there sate an Owl A certain German that was also in bonds beholding the Bird inquired of a Souldier what Noble man that was who told him that it was Agrippa a Prince of the Jews The German desired he might be permitted to come nearer to him it was granted when he thus said Young man this sudden and unexpected mutation of Fortune doth torment and perplex thee but in a short time thou shalt be freed of these bonds and raised to a dignity and power that shall be the envy of all these who now look upon thee as a miserable person know also that whensoever thou shalt see an Owl pearch over thy head after the manner of this now present it shall betoken to thee that thy fatal end draweth nigh All this was fulfilled for soon after Tiberius dyed Caius succeeded who loosed the bonds of Agrippa and placed the Crown of Iudaea on his head there he reigned in great splendour when one day having ended a Royal Oration he had made to the people with great acclamation and applause turning back his head he spyed the fatal Owl sitting over his head whereupon he was seised with torments of the belly carried away and in few days dyed 5. When Flavius Vespasianus made War in Iudaea amongst the noble Captives there was one called Ioseph who being cast into bonds by his order did nevertheless constantly affirm that those shackles of his should in a short time be taken off by the same person who had commanded them to be put on but by that time he should of a private man become Emperour which soon after fâ—ll out for Nero Galba Otho and Vitellius the Emperors being slain in a short space Vespasian succeeded and commanded Iosephs setters not to be unlocked but for the greater honour to be broken off 6. Manahem a Jew an Essaean beholding on a time Herod the Ascalonite at School amongst the rest of the youth saluted him King of the Jews Herod supposing he either mocked or knew him not told him he was one of the meanâ—r sort Manahem smiling and giving him a gentle blow or two Thou shalt reign said he and prosperously too for so is the pleasure of God and remember then these blows of Manahem which may admonish thee of mutable Fortune but I foresee thou wilt be unmindful both of the Laws of God and man though otherwise most fortunate and illustrious Herod lived to fulfil all this 7. Iudas of the Sect of the Essaeans amongst the Jews being not used to fail in his predictions when he beheld Antigonus the Brother of Aristobulus the Brother of Aristobulus to pass by the Temple of Ierusalem of whom he had predicted that he should that day be slain in the Tower of Strato he turned to his friends wishing that himself might dye since he was alive The Tower of Strato said he is six hundred furlongs off so that my prediction is not possible to be fulfilled on this day as I pronounced but scarce had he finished his discourse when news comes that Antigonus was slain in a Cave that was called the Tower of Strato and thus the prediction was fulfilled though not well understood by him who was the Author of it 8. While Iulius Caesar was sacrificing Spurina a Soothsayer advised him to beware of the Ides of March when therefore they were come and that there was no visible appearance of danger Caesar sent for Spurina Well said he the Ides of March are come and I see nothing in them so formidable as thy caution to me would seem to import They are come indeed said Spurina but they are not past that unhappy accident which was threatned may yet fall out nor was he mistaken for upon the same day Iulius was slain in the Senate house by Brutus and Cassius and the rest of their Complices 9. When Vitellius the Emperour had set forth an Edict that the Mathematicians should at a certain day depart the City and Italy it self there was a Paper affixed to a publick place wherein was writ that the Cha daeans did predict good Fortune for before the day appointed for their departure Vitellius should no where be found nor did it miscarry in the event Vitellius being slain before the day came 10. Proclus Larginus having in Germany predicted that Domitian the Emperour should dye upon such a day was laid hold upon and for that cause sent to Rome where when before Domitian himself he had affirmed the very same he was sentenced to death with order to keep him till the day of his prediction was past and then that on the next he should dye in case what he had foretold of the Emperour proved false but Domitian was slain by Stephanus upon the very day as he had said whereupon the Soothsayer escaped and was enlarged with great honour 11. Ascletarion was one singularly skilled in Astrology and he also had predicted the day and hour of Domitians death and being asked by the Emperour what kind of death he himself should dye I shall shortly said he be torn in pieces by Dogs the Emperour therefore commands that he should be slain forthwith publickly burnt and to mock the vanity and temerity of his Art he ordered that the ashes of his body should be
he could not take from them He yielded Neustria to them by his own Authority without privity of the Estates so these Normans called it Normandy By this and some other things he fell into a deep hatred with the French upon which Charles fell sick and that sickness was accompanied with a distemper of the mind through jealousie conceived against his Queen Richarda After this the French and Germans dispossess him of the Empire and give it to Arnoul and the French reject him from the Regency of that Realm substituting in his room Eudes or Odo Duke of Angiers This poor Prince deposed from all his Dignities abandoned by every man in his prosperity had so ill provided from himself that he had not a house wherein to shrowd him banished the Court he was driven to a poor Village in Suevia where he lived some days in extreme want without any means of his own or relief â—rom any man In the end he dyed neither pitied nor lamented of any man in a corner unknown save for this to have been the Theatre of so extraordinary a Tragedy And surely for one of the greatest Monarchs of the World thus to dye without house without bread without honour without mourning and without memory is a signal instance of the Worlds vanity and inconstancy 18. Valerianus the Roman Emperour after he had reigned fifteen years commenced a War against Sapores King of Persia of which such was the unfortunate success That the Emperour was not only overthrown but also was brought alive into the hands of his Enemy Sapores carried him about with him in chains as a common Slave and joining derision to his adversity he made him his Footstool for as oft as he mounted his Horse he caused the miserable Emperour to bow down that he might tread upon his back for his more commodious ascent into the Saddle and after to be flead alive 19. Bajazet King of the Turks for his fierceness was sirnamed Gilderun that is Lightning a Prince of great Spirit and who for ten years space had been exceeding fortunate in his great Enterprises This great Monarch was invaded by Tamerlane the great Chan of Tartary overthrown in the Battel his Son Mustapha slain and he himself made Prisoner At the first the Victor gave him a civil reception and sitting together he thus said to him O Chan we are each of us exceedingly indebted to the Divine bounty I that thus lame have received thence an Empire extending from the Borders of India to Sebaste and thou who from the same hand hast another reaching from the same Sebaste to the Confines of Hungary so that we almost part the World it self betwixt us we owe therefore our praises to Heaven which I both have and will always be ready to render accordingly thou possibly hast been less mindful and of a more ungrateful disposition and therefore thou art brought into this calamity But let that pass and now my Chan tell me freely and truly what thou wouldst have done with me in case I had fallen under thy power Bajazet who was of a â—ierce and â—aughty Spirit is said thus to reply Had the Gods given unto me the Victory I would have inclosed thee in an â—ron Cage and carried thee about with me as a spectacle of derision to all men Tamerlane hearing this passed the same Sentence upon him three years almost the miserable Creature lived inclosed in this manner at last hearing he must be carried into Tartary despairing then to obtain his freedom he struck his head with that violence against the bars of his Cage that he beat his brains out 20. Iugurtha was a great and powerful King of Numidia had long withstood all the power of the Roman Arms but at last was taken by C. Marius and led in Triumph wherewith he was so affected that he began to dote and turn foolish After the Triumph was ended he was thrust into prison and when some had tore off his cloaths and shirt others snatched at the rich Ear-ring he had with that insolence and violence that they tore off together with it the tip of his ear that it hung by At last thus naked he was thrust into a Dungeon all stupid discovering his teeth as one betwixt grinning and laughing Iupiter said he how cold is your Bath There he lived six days till he was starved to death in a miserable manner 21. Never was there a more notable example of the vanity and inconstancy of all earthly things than in the Earl of Morton An. 1581. who was Regent of Scotland in the Minority of our King Iames and was reverenced of all men feared as a King abounding in wealth honour and multitude of friends and followers whereas not long after he was forsaken of all and made the very scorn of all men and being by the malice of his adversaries accused condemned and executed at Edenburgh had his Corps left on the Scaffold from the hour of Execution to Sun-setting covered with a beggerly Cloak every man fearing to shew any kindness or so much as to express a sign of sorrow His Corps was afterwards carried by some base Fellows to the common place of Burial and his Head fixed on the Toll-booth 22. Belisarius a noble and famous General under the Emperour Iustinian having with great success fought many Battels against the Persians Goths and Vandals in his old age by the malice and cruelty of the Empress had his eyes put out and fell into such extreme want that he was forced to beg by the Higy-way side Date obolum Belisario Give a half-penny to poor Belisarius whom vertue raised and envy hath thus made blind 23. King William the Second on the morrow after Lammas-day hunting in the New Forest of Hampshire in a place called Chorengham was unhappily slain in the midst of his sport For Sir Walter Tyrel shooting at a Deer his Arrow glanced upon a tree and hit the King full in the breast who hastily taking hold of so much of the Arrow as stuck out of his body brake it off and with one only groan fell down and dyed Whereupon the Knight and most of the Kings Followers hasted away and those few that remained laid his body in a Colliers Cart which being drawn by one silly lean beast in a foul and filthy way the Cart broke where lay the spectacle of worldly glory both pitifully goared and filthily bemired till thus drawn into the City of Winchester on the morrow after his death he was buried under a plain Marble stone 24. King Edward II. sirnamed Carnarvan being deprived of his Royal Crown and Dignity remained with Henry Earl of Leicester his Kinsman but the Queen suspecting his escape wrought so with her Son King Edward the Third that by his commandment the King was delivered thence into the hands of Thomas of Gurney and Iohn Maltravers Knights who brought him from Kenelworth to the Castle of Corffe from thence to Bristol
man shall well consider the vanity of the Greeks and how devoted to these sports and withal the mean birth and descent of Plato he will better understand the greatness of the honour done him which was never given to any King before or after 7. Phiâ—opoemen had also a singular honour from the Greeks in the Nemaean Plays for after he had obtained that famous Victory at Mantinea and mustered his Army where the Plays were celebrated there were divers Harpers and Singers and when one sung this Verse O Pylades through the gallantry of this Captain all the Grecian Cities were restored to liberty all the people fixed their eyes upon Philopoemen and with a loud and joyful shout testified they believed these Verses to agree with his vertue 8. The integrity and honesty of Zeno Yziaeus a Cyprian Philosopher was in such high estimation with the Athenians that they decreed him a golden Statue with a Crown upon it and also deposited the Keys of their City in his hands believing them more safe therein than in any of their own Temples 9. The innocency and justice of Phocion procured him as much of reputation and honour as learning or military vertue use to bestow on others for as oft as he was chosen and sent out by the Athenians as their General by Land or Admiral by Sea he was freely and chearfully received with the whole number of his Souldiers by the confederate Cities and Allies they set open their City-gates not as to an Athenian but as to a Citizen of their own City whereas when any other besides himself was sent out in that employment the Gates were shut and chained and the Watches kept upon the Walls as if some Enemy was near hand ready to surprize and betray them 10. In what honour Pompey the Great was amongst the Romans appears by that one action of theirs for when he was to be created Pretor in the Mithridatick War and that Roscius opposed him advising the people to chuse another to add Pompey as his Companion marking out with his finger whom he designed for that choice the people of Rome knowing the honour of Pompey was impeached if he should be made anothers Associate were universally moved with indignation and set up a shout with that earnestness that the Crows that flew over their heads fell down astonished in the midst of them nor would they depart the Assembly till they had obtained the Pretorship for Pompey alone and all other things which he thought necessary for his Expedition 11. Pherenice brought her Son to the Olympick Games to contend for a Crown there and when the Hellanodicae or Judges did prohibit her from beholding the Plays she insisted upon her right saying She had a Father and three Brothers all Victors in the Olympicks and had also brought thither her Son as a Champion with these reasons she overcame both the people and the Law it self which forbad a woman to be present and she alone was admitted to sit there 12. Augustus Caesar had the sirname of Pater Patriae the Father of his Country given him by the sudden and full consent of the Romans The better sort of the people were sent to him with this Title unto Antium and after because he would not accept it when he returned to Rome the whole body of the people met him with Wreaths of Laurel upon their heads The Senate decreed to Antonius Musa his Physician a Statue of Brass to be placed next to that of Aesculapius because by his means he was recovered of a dangerous disease Some Masters of Families left it in their Wills that their Heirs should cause them to be carried to the Capitol with a Sacrifice before them which should be there offered in testimony of their thanks that Augustus had survived them Some Cities of Italy made that day wherein he first came to them to be the beginning of their year Most of the Provinces besides Temples and Altars appointed Plays every five years and that almost in every Town The Kings his Friends and Confederates each of them in their Kingdoms built Cities after his name called Caesaria's And with joynt consent and at their common charge they resolved to finish the Temple of Olympick Iupiter begun in Athens of old and to dedicate it to his Genius They left their Kingdoms oftentimes and both at Rome and when he passed through the Provinces did him daily services gowned without Royal Ensigns after the manner â—f Clients The Knights of Rome did constantly celebrate his Birth-day two days together All degrees of persons did yearly cast a stipend into the Gulph of Curtius as a vow for his health and in the Calends of Ianuary they gave him a New-years gift although he were absent which amounted to huge sums though he would not admit that any single person should pay him above one single penny When he returned out of the Provinces they followed him not only with hearty wishes of prosperity but with Songs and Verses fitted to their Musick and it was precisely observed that upon the day of his entrance into Rome no kind of punishment should be inflicted upon any Malefactor 13. When M. Tullius Cicero was forced into Exile by the means of Clodius besides the whole body of the Senate there was above twenty thousane men that put on mourning Apparel and funeral Habit that thereby they might declare what sense they had of his calamity and that they were as much grieved as if it had fallen upon their own families and on the other side when by the means of Pompey and others he had liberty to return almost all Italy ran out of their Towns and Cities to behold and welcome him 14. The Emperour Constantine the Great being dead in Nicomedia the Souldiers that were of his Life-guard rent their garments threw themselves upon the ground and knocking their heads against the walls spared for no complaints that a mighty grief was able to prompt them to in such a case The Prefects Captains and rest of the Souldiers followed them therein in mournful tones crying out they had lost a Protector a Guardian a Father The Citizens like so many mad and distracted persons ran about the City howling by reason of the greatness of their grief which they were not able to contain others went up and down with silence hanging down their heads as men astonished all complaining they were now deprived of all the comforts of humane life At Rome the Senate and people had no measure in their grief and sadness for they shut up the Baths they came not either to the Markets or Plays but intermitted all those things which are wont to be observed in times of joy and prosperity And having lamented the loss of so great an Emperour and pronounced him a happy person that had closed up his life in so great a glory they added this also to the rest of his honours that he should be painted above
or Board for this Game was brought to Rome by Pompey amongst his Asiatick Spoils three foot broad and four foot long made up of two precious stones and all the men of several colours of precious stones 13. Divers great Wits have for their recreation chosen the most barren subjects and delighted to shew what they were able to do in matters of greatest improbability or where truth lay on the other side Thus the description of a War betwixt Frogs and Mice is written by Homer the commendation of a Tyrant by Polycrates the praise of Injustice by Phavorinus of Nero by Cardan of an Ass by Apuleius and Agrippa of a Fly and of a Parasitical life by Lucian of Folly by Erasmus of a Gnat by Michael Psellus of Clay by Antonius Majoragius of a Goose by Iulius Scaliger of a Shadow by Iamâ—s Doâ—â—a the Son of a Louse by Daniel Heinsius of an Ox by Libanius and of a Dog by Sextus Empiricus 14. Nicholaus the Third a Roman and Pope of Rome was so extremely delighted with hunting that he inclosed a Warren of Hares on purpose for his Holiness his recreation CHAP. XLV Of such People and Nations as have been scourged and afflicted by small and contemptible things or by Beasts Birds Insects and the like THE Sea called Sargasso though four hundred miles from any Land and so deep as no ground is to be found by sounding 〈◊〉 abounds with an herb called Sargasso like Sampire so thick that a Ship without a strong gale can hardly make her way As this great Sea is impedited by this contemptible weed so there is nothing so small and inconsiderable in our eyes but may be able to afflict us even then when we are in the fulness of our sufficiency 1. Sapores the King of Persia besieged the City of Nisibis but S. Iames the holy Bishop thereof by his prayers to God obtained that such an infinite number of Gnats came into his Army as put it into the greatest disorder these small creatures flew upon the eyes of their Horses and tormented them in such manner that growing furious they shook off their Riders and the whole Army was hereby so scattered and brought into conâ—usion that they were inforced to break up their Siege and to depart 2. About the year of our Lord 872. came into France such an innumerable company of Locusts that the number of them darkned the very light of the Sun they were of an extraordinary bigness had a sixfold order of wings six feet and two teeth the hardness whereof surpassed that of a stone These eat up every green thing in all the fields of France At last by the force of the winds they were carried into the Sea and there drowned after which by the agitation of the waves the dead bodies of them were cast upon the shores and from the stench of them together with the Famine they had made with their former devouring there arose so great a Plague that it is verily thought every third person in France dyed of it 3. Marcus Varro writeth that there was a Town in Spain undermined with Conies another likewise in Thessaly by the Mouldwarps In France the Inhabitants of one City were driven out and forced to leave it by Frogs Also in Africk the people were compelled by Locusts to void their habitations and out of Gyaros an Island one of the Cyclades the Islanders were forced by Rats and Mice to flye away Moreover in Italy the City Amyclae was destroyed by Serpents In Ethiopia on this side the Cynomolgi there is a great Country lyeth waste and desert by reason that it was dispeopled sometimes by Scorpions and a kind of Pismires called Solpugae And if it be true that Theophrastus reporteth the Treriens were chased away by certain Worms called Scolopendres 4. Myas a principal City in Ionia situate on an arm of the Sea assigned by Artaxerxes with Lampsacus and Magnesia to Themistocles when banished his own Country In after-times the water drawing further off the soil brought forth such an innumerable multitude of Fleas that the Inhabitants were â—ain to forsake the City and went with their bag and baggage to retire to Miletus nothing hereof being left but the name and memory in the time of Pausanias 5. Annius writes that an ancient City situate near the Volscian Lake and called Contenebra was in times past overthrown by Pismires and that the place is thereupon vulgarly called to this day The Camp of Ants. 6. The Neuri a people bordering upon the Scythians one Age before the Expedition of Darius into Scythia were forced out of their habitations and Country by reason of Serpents For whereas a multitude of Serpents are bred in the soil it self at that time there came upon them from the desert places above them such an abundance of them and so infested them that they were constrained to quit the place and to dwell amongst the Budini 7. In Media there was such an infinite number of Sparrows that eat up and devoured the seed which was cast into the ground that men were constrained to depart their old habitations and remove to other places 8. The Island of Anaphe heretofore had not a Partridge in it till such time an Astypalaean brought thither a pair that were male and female which couple in a short time did increase in such wonderful manner that oppressed with the number of them the Inhabitants upon the point were enforced to depart from the Island 9. Astypalaea of old had no Hares in it but when one of the Isle of Anaphe had put a brace into it they in a short time so increased that they destroyed almost all that the Inhabitants had sowed whereupon they sent to consult the Oracle concerning this their calamity which advised them to store themselves with Grey-hounds by the help of which they killed 6000 Hares in the space of a year and many more afterwards whereby they were delivered from their grievance 10. The Inhabitants of the Gymnesian Islands are reported to have sent their Ambassadours to Rome to request some other place to be assigned them for their habitations for that they were oppressed by the incredible number of Conies amongst them And the Baleares through an extraordinary increase of the same creatures amongst them did petition the Emperor Augustus that he would send them the assistance of a military force against these enemies of theirs which had already occasioned a famine amongst them 11. In the seventeenth year of the Reign of Alexander the Third King of the Scots such an in credible swarm of Palmer-worms spread themselves over both Scotland and England that they consumed the fruits and leaves of all Trees and Herbs and eat up the Worts and other Plants to the very stalks and stumps of them As also the same year by an unusual increase and swelling of the Sea the Rivers overflowed their banks and there was such an
upon the Wheel and his head being while yet alive tyed to a part of the Wheel he was burnt with â—laming Torches till in horrible tortures he gave up the Ghost 13. Furius Camillus was the great safety of Rome and the sure defence of the Roman power a person whom the Romans had stiled the second Romulus for his deserts of them yet being impeached by L. Apuleius a Tribune of the people as having secretly embezzelled a part of the Vâ—â—entine spoils by a hard and cruel sentence he was adjudged to banishment and that at that very time when he was in tears for the loss of a son of admirable hopes when he was rather to be cherished with comfort than opprest with new miseries Yet Rome unmindful of the merits of so great a man to the Funerals of the son added the condemnation of the father and all this for fifteen thousand Asses which was the poor summ he was charged with and banished for 14. Scipio Africanus the elder did not only restore the Common-wealth sore bruised and torn by the armes of the Punick War but brought in a manner the Queen of Africk upon her knees and even to deaths door whose most renowned acts yet the people of Rome rewarded by forcing him to live in a base obscure Village Linternum in Campania standing upon a forlorn Lake neither did he die altogether silent as being sentible of the bitterness of this his banishment but at his parting gave order that upon his Sepulcher should be Ingraven this Memorandum Ingrata patria neâ— ossa quidem mea â—abes Ungrateful Country that hast not so much as my Bones 15. Scipio Africanus the younger was to the former nothing inferiour in vertue nor his end less unhappy for after he had utterly razed those two great Cities of Numantia and Carthage which had long threatened ruine to Rome and its Empire he found one at home ready to spoil him of his life in his bed and sleep but no man in the Court of Justice that offered to revenge so horrid and execrable a murder 16. In latter times that great and famous Captain Gonsalvo after he had conquered the Kingdom of Naples and driven the French beyond the Mountains and brought all the Italian Princes to stand at the Spaniards devotion was most ungratefully called home by his Master the King of Spain where he died obscurely and was buried without any solemnity or tears 17. Miltiades a renowned Captain of the Athenians after that glorious Victory at Marathon and other great Services having miscarried in an Enterprize whereof the consequence was of small value he was â—ined â—iâ—ty Talents and being not able to pay it was kept bound in Prison though sore wounded in the thigh till his son Cymon to redeem his father paid the money and set him at liberty but he soon after died of his wounds 18. Theodatus was adopted and made partner and successour in the Kingdom by Amalasuntha Queen of the Goths as soon as she was deprived of her son Athalaricus who in reward of so great and noble a favour sent her to an Island in the Vulsinian Lake where she was put into Prison and not long aster strangled by his order putting her to an unworthy death by whose bounty he had received a Kingdom 19. Cardinal Charles Caraffa and Duke Iohn his brother were they that managed all affairs under Pope Paul the fourth He being dead Pius the fourth was made Pope and that chiefly by the favour and diligence of these Carassa's and as a reward of their good Service he made it his first business to over throw them he sent the Cardinal and his brother Duke together with Count Alifane and many others of their Kindred and Clients to Prison in the Castle of St. Angelo there were they nine months indurance and expectation of death At last by order from the Pope the Cardinal was hanged the Duke and Count beheaded and their dead bodies exposed as a publick spectacle to the people 20. Anaxagoras was of singular use to Pericles the Athenian in the Government of the Common-wealth but being now burdened with old age and neglected by Pericles that was intent upon publick affairs he determined by obstinate fasting to make an end of himself When this was told to Pericles he ran to the Philosophers house and with prayers and tears sought to withdraw him from his purpose entreating him to live for his sake if he refused to do it for his own The old man being now ready to expire O Pericles said he such as have need of the Lamp use to pour in oyl upbraiding him with the neglect of his friend who had been of such advantage to him 21. Belisarius was General of all the Forces under the Emperour Iustinian the first a man of rare valour and vertue he had overthrown the Persians Goths and Vandals had taken the Kings of these people in War and sent them Prisoners to his master he had recovered Sicilia Africk and the greater part of Italy he had done all this with a small number of Souldiers and less cost he had restored Military Discipline by his authority when long lost he was ally'd to Iustinian himself and a man of that uncorruped fidelity that though he was offered the Kingdom of Italy he refused it This great man upon I know not what jealousie and groundless suspicion was seiz'd upon his eyes put out all his house rifled his estate confiscate and himself reduced to that miserable state and condition as to go up and down in the common Road with this form of begging Give a half-penny to poor Belisarius whom vertue raised and envy hath overthrown 22. Scipio Nasica deserved as much by the Gown as did either of the Africans by Arms he rescued the Common-wealth out of the jaws of Tiberius Gracchus was the Prince of the Senate and adjudged the honestest person in all Rome yet his vertues being most unjustly undervalued and disesteemed by his fellow Citizens under pretence of an Embassage he retired to Pergamus and there spent the rest of his life his ungrateful Country not so much as finding him wanting or desiring his return 23. P. Lentulus a most famous man and a dear lover of his Country when in Mount Aventine he had frustrated the wicked attempts of C. Gracchus and in a pious fight wherein he had received many dangerous wounds had put to flight the Traytors Army he bare away this reward of that and other his gallant actions that he was not suffered to die in that City the Laws and peace and liberty whereof he had by his means settled So that forced by envy and slander to remove he obtained of the Senate an Employment abroad and in his Farewel Oration prayed the immortal Gods That he might never return again to so ungrateful a people nor did he but died abroad 24. Achmetes the Great Bassa was by the confession of all men the
best man of War and the most expert Captain amongst the Turks Bajazet made him the General of his Army against his brother Zemes where the conduct and valour of the General brought Bajazet the Victory At his return to Court this great Captain was invited to a Royal supper with divers of the principal Bassa's where the Emperour in token they were welcom and stood in his good grace caused a garment of pleasing colour to be cast upon every one of his Guests and a gilt Bowl full of Gold to be given each of them but upon Achmetes was cast a Gown of black Velvet all the rest rose and departed but Achmetes who had on him the Mantle of death amongst the Turks was commanded to sit still for the Emperour had to talk with him in private The Executioners of the Emperours wrath came stripped and tortured him hoping that way to gain from him what he never knew of for Bassa Isaac his great enemy had secretly accused him of an intelligence with Zemes but he was delivered by the Ianizaries who would no doubt have slain Bajazet and rifled the Court at his least word of command but though he scaped with his life at the present he not long after was thrust through the body as he sat at supper in the Court and there slain This was that great Achmetes by whom Mahomet the father of this Bajazet had subverted the Empire of Trapezond took the great City of Caffa with all the Country of Taurica Chersonesus the impregnable City of Croja Scodra and all the Kingdom of Epirus a great part of Dalmatia and at last Otranto to the terrour of all Italy CHAP. XLVIII Of the Perfidiousness and Treachery of some men and their just rewards THere is nothing under the Sun that is more detestable than a Traytor who is commonly followed with the execrations and curses of those very men to whom his Treason hath been most useful All men being apt to believe that he who hath once exposed his Faith to sale stands ready for any Chapman as soon as any occasion shall present it self It is seldom that these perfidious ones do not meet with their just rewards from the hands of their own Patrons however the vengeance of Heaven where the justice of men fails doth visibly fall upon them 1. Charles Duke of Burgundy gave safe conduct to the Constable the Earl of St. Paul and yet notwithstanding after he found that Lewis the eleventh King of France had taken St. Quintins and that he did solicite him either to send him Prisoner to him or else to kill him within eight daies after his taking according to the agreement heretofore made betwixt them he basely delivered him up to Lewis whom he knew to be his mortal enemy by whom he was beheaded But the Duke who heretofore was great and mighty with the greatest Princes in Christendom who had been very fortunate and successful in his affairs from thenceforth never prospered in any thing he undertook but was betrayed himself by one whom he trusted most the Earl of Campobrach lost his Souldiers his formerly gained glory Riches and Jewels and finally his life by the Swissers after he had lived to see himself deserted of all that had entred into any league with him 2. The Emperour Charles the fourth made War upon Philip Duke of Austria and both Armies were got near together with a resolution to fight but the Emperour perceiving he was far surmounted in force by the enemy determined to do that by subtilty which he could not by strength He caused three of the Dukes Captains to be sent for agrees with them to strike a fear into their Master that might cause him in all hast to retire Upon their return they tell the Duke That they had been out and particularly viewed the power of the Emperour and found it thrice as great as his own that all would be lost if he did not speedily retreat and that he had no long time to deliberate Then said the Duke Let us provide for our selves waiting for some better opportunity It is no shame for us to leave the place to a stronger than our selves So Philip fled away by night no man pursuing him The Traytors step aside to the Emperour to receive their reward who had made provision of golden Ducats all counterfeit the best not worth six-pence and caused great bags of the same to be delivered to them and they merrily departed But when employing their Ducats they found them to be false they return to the Emperour complain of the Treasurer and Master of the Mint The Emperour looking on them with a frowning countenance said to them Knaves as you are get ye to the Gallows there to receive the reward of your Treason false work false wages an evil end befall you They wholly confounded withdrew themselves suddenly but whither is not known 3. The Bohemians having gotten the Victory and slain Vratislaus they set his Country on fire and after finding a young son of his they put him into the hands of Gresomislas the Prince called also Neclas who pitying the child his Cousin committed him to the keeping of the Earl Duringus whose Possessions lay along by the River Egra and a person who a-fore-time had been much favoured by Vratislaus This Earl thinking to insinuate himself into the favour and good liking of Neclas as the child was one day sporting himself upon the Ice came upon him and with one blow of his Scimitar smote off his head and speeding presently to Prague presents it to Neclas all bloody saying I have this day made your Throne sure to you for either this Child or you must have died you may sleep henceforth with security since your Competitour to the Crown is disposed of The Prince retaining his usual gravity and just indignation at so cruel a Spectacle said thus unto him Treason cannot be mitigated by any good turns I committed this Child to thee to keep not to kill Could neither my command nor the memory of thy friend Vratislaus nor the compassion thou oughtest to have had of this Innocent turn away thy thoughts from so mischievous a deed What was thy pretence to procure me rest Good reason I should reward thee for thy pains of three punishments therefore chuse which thou wilt Kill thy self with a Poynard hang thy self with an Halter or cast thy self headlong from the Rock of Visgrade Duringus forced to accept of this Decree hang'd himself in an Halter upon an Elder tree not far off which ever after so long as it stood was called Duringus his Elder tree 4. In the War with the Falisci Camillus had besieged the Falerians but they secure in the Fortifications of their City were so regardless of the Siege that they walked Gowned as before up and down the Streets and often-times without the Walls After the manner of Greece they sent their Children to a common School and the treacherous Master of them used