Sister Was Honour'd much as she was Marcus Daughter Because she with his Mother wept and kist her 'T was Crime enough to bring her to the Slaughter His Wife he kill'd that little harme had done With Severus and Pertinax his Son 34. Lucilla's Son and all the Royall Bloud With Presidents he kill'd and Procurators And all that erst for Brother Geta stood Or any waies his Favorites or Fautors Whole nights to kill and slay he did not stick And buried eke the vestall Virgins quick 35. At Last to make his Cruelty the more At Circen sports where he himselfe was set A deed was done like never was before His Souldiers kill'd Spectators that were met A Chari'ter some silently did scoff This was pretence enough to cut them off 36. Thus having plai'd these mad and Div'lish prancks Perhaps some guilt of Concience might him sting Upstarts as one expecting little Thanks And to the North he now will have a fling E're Long he did Arrive on Ister Banks That better in a Rope deserv'd to swing Sometimes at Race sometime in Chasing Beast Sometime in Judgment sate but that the Least 37. This People he Accounts his fellow Souldiers And for his Guard the strongest of them chose Off Cast the Roman habit from his Shoulders And Cassocks wore with Silver Trim'd like those Then yellow Perwig of the German Fashion Which made him deare to them in Estimation 38. Nor did the Roman Army this disgust Because he was in gifts to them profuse And often labour'd with them in the dust And digg'd and delv'd in Trenches for their use Then Bridges built and Stones and Morter carry As if he were a Workman Manuary 39. He Junkets left and sparing was of Diet Contenting him with woodden Cups and Platters And fellow Souldier was to him more quiet Then Princely state he thought of no sucâ— matters A little Wheat he tooke to knead in Cakes One to suffice that in the Embers bakes 40. Thus for a while he quiet as a Loach Disdained not with them to goe on Foot He rarely rid on Horsback or in Coach His Arms he bore most willingly to boot Th' Imperiall Standard also he would carry Which made the strongest Bearer often weary 41. Then of a Souldier good and Brave Commander With Barb'rous people thus he got a Name And marvell much it was to a By-Stander How such a timbred man should doe the same But of the rest if you delight to heare The Canto next will make it soone appear CANTO XIV The ARGUMENT Anton ' of Achilles and Alexander Will act the part and offer at their shrine To quarrell Massacre and woe doth wander Great Parthia's Daughter serves him to combine More murther yet he conjures and is slain Macrinus chose great fight and Peace again 1. MAlitious Pride why dost thou still outrage By thy suggest was Abel kill'd of Cain Some doe commit the like in ev'ry age So Geta here by bloudy Brother slain Though we forget what formerly hath past Yet blood for blood will vengeance have at last 2. Now Antonine from Ister Bank departs And takes his journey downe along by Thrace Great Alexanders Statues he imparts To them at Rome and ev'ry other place Pictures Intire Ridiculous were set That you might see how both their Faces met 3. His habit chang'd from that of Ister Banks With Macedonian Turban now hee 's drest His Sould'ers also stiled the Phalanx And Captaines call'd as Alexanders erst Then Spartan youths he sent for neere at hand Them term'd Laconick and Pitanite Band. 4. Securing Townes to Pergum next he went Some Physick there to take for health his will is To Illium then his second march be bent To grace the Tomb of Fame renown'd Achillis The which he deckt with Garlands trim and Flowers Patr'clus lackt for whom he poutes and Lowers 5. Yet that he might this Heroe seem to Act This part he plaid amongst his other pranks His Faestus dy'd some said it was his Fact For which his Friends did give him little thanks Howe're the Corps to feed his fond desire Was brought to Fun'rall Pile and set on fire 6. Then Beasts he kill'd a Violl to the same Effusing Wines and praying to the Winds But People laugh when haire is thrown in flame Bush naturall was so thin he little finds Gen'rals he Scilla and Haniball affected Whose Images and Statues he erected 7. Through Asia thus he minded these Affaires And then in state from Illium he departs Yet in his way to Antioch he repaires Whom they receive perhaps not with their hearts To Alexandria next he makes his Rhodes Their Heroe to revere but more their gods 8. There Sacrifices of whole Hecatombs He order gave for him should be prepar'd This hit the Alexandrians o're the Thumbs Whose Cockbraines wist not how the blow toward Yet joy they make and entertainment such For any Prince was never made so much 9. Sweet Musick Aromaticks and Perfumes Light Torches Gelsoms Odours and Musk Roses Arabian Spices and the Richest Gums The Emp'rour and his Army Round incloses Who first to Sacrifice in Temple went Then Incense makes and hundreds Oxen brent 10. Next offer'd he at Alexanders Shrine His Purple Robe and Rings with Parrag Stones His Belt his Scarfe and choisest Jewels fine Then laid them all upon the Tombed bones The People overjoy'd Feast day and night But little dreame what Feast for them is dight 11. This was but Colour and his plausibility For them to Massacre was his intent At Rome he heard this Peoples incivility How they for Brothers death to scoff were bent And so their cutting quips and wonted jeering Of him and his came often to his hearing 12. The jests of Open truth most keenely bite And men resent them ever at the worst This turn'd his fury into such despite They now have cause to think themselves accurst While they with Plaies and Sports doe squib and flash Through dire revenge must ay endure the lash 13. The manner thus when Festivall was over As he had Trained some in Phalanx Order Their gallant youths he wils them to discover Both of their owne and Regions that doe border He Macedon and Spartan had before Now Alexandrian should make one more 14. Regarding late the Honour he had done Unto their City and their Heroes Tombe They to this project were the sooner won So bring themselves unto a Fatall doome Submitting thus to be at his dispose Them all unarm'd his Souldiers doe inclose 15. These Dullards then were taken in a Toile The Watch-word once dispers'd amongst the Rout With Havock great the Souldiers kill and spoile Some cut off Heads some scatter limbs about To Murther young and old they doe not stick Some thrown in pits and some they bury quick 16. Some Souldiers eke receive deserved hire For grapled once with them of equall strength They hale and pull and wallow in the mire Then in one grave together lie at length The slaughter
rescue him from lovers fond embrace In pieces he was pul'd with Ardent love And so left dead upon this very place To salve this matter some say mighty Iove From both did take him by indulgent grace And hereupon he Honour had divine Bearing the Cup when Iove carouseth Wine 19. The Phrygian orgies in this Pessinus Of old were celebrate with lasting Fame And on the banks of the River Gilus Whence gelded priests of goddesse had their name Who drinks thereof shall goe a gelded elfe Come there who list I mean to save my selfe 20. Now when the Roman state began to flourish If goddesse Pessinus they could obtain Apollo told their Empire she would cherish To overtop the rest with might and main To Pgrygia then did they dispatch Embassage Who gently entertain'd the Roman message 21. Being extracted from Aeneas line There were of kin by right Descent of blood The Image then they sent to them in fine To blame were they if it had been withstood To Tiberi mouth at length this Ship did come Which was the only part then long'd to Rome 22. All suddenly the vessell stuck so fast As if with-held by some supernall power In vaine they hal'd and pul'd till at the last A Vestall Virgin came in lucky houre Who was accus'd for losing her virginity Wherefore she fervent prai'd to the divinity 23. That if she were not guilty of the crime The gods would please to take some pity on her And send her strength at this most needfull time To cleare the vessell for to save her Honour Then she besought the people not to grudg If goddesse Pessinantia were her Judg. 24. Whom they admit her girdle then untide The people heard what Orisons she us'd The goddesse would command the Ship to slide If she were free of that she was accus'd When to the Ship her girdle she had bound She pul'd it to the shore both safe and sound 25. The Romans now the goddesse much admire With whom you are acquainted in this story And eke the Virgin chast as they desire Now she is cleare I hope you are not sory This tale is long whereof I have no more Some it may please that heard it not before 26. And now to Commodus we make repa're Who had good cause to double his Life-guard For since Maternus Treason did him scare He them commanded to keep strickter ward To Suburb-house he went or Country farme Leaving the Court for feare of further harme 27. Both Rome and Italy were much infested With pestilence which did them sore torment And strangers there that for their Traffick rested Great cause they had their fortunes to lament For men and beasts destroi'd by some ill influence Did make the City smart through so much confluence 28. The Prince by his Physitians was perswaded That to Laurentum he should make repaire For so the plague might better be evaded There Laurell was with coole and temperate aire A Seate that stands in Register for Fame Of Laurell did Laurentum take the name 29. There fragant sents and pleasant shade of Baies Which would availe against the fierce infection The Citizens were also shew'd some waies How to prepare a praevalent confection Their eares wherewith and nostrils to anoint Such Odours sweet the Doctors did appoint 30. They reason thus if senses praepossesse No fulsome aire so soon therein can enter Nor shall they be inforc'd to such distresse But they abroad to exercise may venter Yet did this plague outragious make them die That men and beasts on heapes were seen to lye 31. A grievous dearth was also in the City Procur'd by one that once was sold a slave Cleander Phrygian greater was the pity That he had meanes to make himself so brave By cunning sleight so well he sung his ditty He had from Prince what he could wish or crave From Page to more degrees so well he far'd At length he made him Captaine of his guard 32. Rank of successe he was so puft with pride For Empire now he meant to turn and wind Great masse of treasure and of Corne beside Monopolies he got of every kind When Citizens the greatest want did ' bide He sought to win them all unto his mind With Donatives he would the souldiers gaine And commons should have plenty for their paine 33. A Gimnasse also and a statley Bath He did erect the people for to catch But yet such grudg to him the vulgar hath That they his craft and proud designe will watch Their liberties by him was brought in thrall They therefore now detest him great and small 34. In publike The'ter first they him disgrace Yet are not so content to vent their spleen But run with open mouth unto the place Whereas they thought their Prince was to bee seen And Justice they doe cry for more and more Untill the Subburbs all were in uproar 35. This while to wantonnesse the Prince was bent In inner private Roomes did not the tumult mind For that Cleander look'd how to prevent Who having plac'd the horsemen so behind They overthrew and wounded whom they list The City foot unarm'd could not resist 36. Whereon they to the City fled amaine Followed by Cornets of Cleanders horse Great numbers of the common people slaine And trampled under foot without remorse The Lanciers pursued to the City gate Killing outright such was the woefull state 37. The Citizens at home soone understood The slaughter made of neighbour was and friend From off house topps they throw both stones and mudd Tyles and firebrands they from above doe send The commons now that better understand Dart from aloft not fighting hand to hand 38. Their doores were shut themselves were out of Reach They killed some and many put to flight Others they wound and better manners teach Their heads rung noon though it was almost night Some were thrown down some from their horses leaps And tumbled on the stones that lay on heaps 39. The Bands of Foot that in the City sesse Did likewise come the Citizens to aid They flock together all make up a messe Which front the Troopers terribly afraid Yet none durst to the Emp'rour make addresse To tell him what was either done or said Till that Fadilla Commodus his sister Tooke heart of grace and told him of this stirr 40. To her they could not well deny accesse With haire dishev'lld and mourning weeds shee run And plainly told how they were in distresse Without some present help they were undone This Lady sister faire and seemely maid Fell at his feet and thus to him she said 41. Your Majesty with pleasures here is fill'd You little know our danger or your own Wee your flesh and blood like are to be kill'd Part of your force and Cities overthrown Such outrage as Barbarians would not offer Your servants acted have and more doe profer 42. He whom to greatest Honour you preferr'd Is now become your deep and deadly foe Cleander commons hath and
souldiers stirr'd They both of them against you now doe goe He hated is of one and lov'd of th' other Both are up in Armes killing one another 43. Your Royall City now with blood is fill'd And wee shall smart for this unâ—uly geere Unlesse you cause this sycophant to be kill'd Nor wee or you can be in safety here He author is of this most wicked part If not cut off your Majesty will smart 44. Thus having said her haire and garment rent Her Noble speech had put the rest in heart The Prince afraid and sory to be shent That he should be the cause of so much smart Without delay he for Cleander sent And taught him how to play so lewd a part Him he arrests and doom'd him to be dead So did this wicked traytor lose his head 45. Which fastned was and sent upon a Speare That all the commons and the rest might see Imagine well you may how glad they were More welcom unto them could nothing bee Then that which caused had this bloudy broyle Was sent to cease their cruell fight and toyle 46. The souldiers then perceiving he was slain Whose quarrell they so dreadfully had fought The Emp'rours favour they beseech againe Their lesson new they once more would be taught He was abused they discerned plaine Though this their knowledge is full dearly bought Yet better late then never is repentance Now they and commons both doe like the sentence 47. They also their revenge extended further Two sonns was all his children left behind Both them and his adherents they doe murther Left not a man that had to him inclin'd In this garboyle they must with him part stakes Their bodies dragg'd and thrown into a Jakes 48. Loe how ambition here hath plaid its part A man puft up beares high and lofty sayle With all his flies and Fautors in that art Now fortune smil'd and then anon did faile Shee careth for Cleander not a f But him despis'd and turn'd her fickle taile Whom shee from low degree of late preferr'd Againe debas'd and all their matter marr'd CANTO V. The ARGUMENT Both Credulous and cruell is the Prince Rome fired is and Prodigies appeare Undecent sports of folly him convince A goddesse strange and gifts of the new yeare Faire Marcia his Selected Concubine With others doe conspire his death in fine 1. HOw practise some to gain their wicked ends When once the Reines into their hands are put They post too fast outrunning all their friends So Tyrant-like they play the greedy gut This was the case of covetous Cleander When he so far from Loyaltie did wander 2. Now Commodus is needlesly afraid Lest Commons rude new matters should attempt But counsell wise perswaded him and said His presence straight would quash the late contempt To City then he went to cleare the cause And there received was with great applause 3. Thus having past such sharp and threatning pikes A while he did in Palace him repose Yet friend and foe eftsoone he kils and strikes So jealous was of ev'ry Brute that rose He credit gave to ev'ry Accusation Though ne're so false such was the Alteration 4. To sensuall pleasures he was whole enslav'd That took up all his time both day and night Himself not like a Prince he now behav'd All Noble acts he did abandon quite All persons good he banish'd as insidious And kept Buffoones debauched and perfidious 5. He Coaches ran and skirmish'd with wild beasts More then became the Splendor of a King In rioting and all voluptuous Feasts With fawning Parasites his Court did Ring Strange sights amaz'd the City full of feare Stars did at noon as in the night appeare 6. With blazing Comets of a wondrous length All Creatures much contrary to their kind To bring forth monsters had unusuall strength Yet that which most afflicts the peoples mind And made them fear their mischiefe would come 〈◊〉 Was this ensuing hideous disaster 7. That stately Temple dedicate to Peace In Rome the like was no where to be found Storme there was none and tempests all did cease Quite burned was unto the very ground Whether by fire above or fire below Or little shake of earth no man did know 8. This sumptuous Temple was both Rich and Strong With Donaries most curiously Adorn'd Of Silver-bright and Massie Gold among No marvaile therefore if the wealthy mourn'd For Treasure Prime that did to them belong And herein kept was melted quite or burn'd This fatall night like had not been before Astonish all and made the Rich men poore 9. Here was both private and a publike losse Which sad event all rufully Deplore Yet when this Stately Fabricke burned was The flaming fire encreased more and more To buildings Chiefe it made a further Rape The goodly Fane of Vosta did not â—scape 10. Palladium Image that was secret kept By Romans held in sacred veneration From Troy they say was either brought or lept And therefore had the greater estimation Not seen before the Vestall Virgines carry And through the Sacred Street to th Palace harry 11. In City perish'd many Famous Pieces The Fire could not be quench'd in sundry daies Till that the raine from Heaven fell in fleeces Then for Coelestiall Aid they all give praise In this conceipt among them were no odds The fire begun and ended by the gods 12. The Temple Burnt thus consecrate to Jove Some said did shew their future ill successe And that calamities would still encrease Some others hop'd it might be but a guesse Yet this Conjecture prov'd not only bare As in Succeeding Bookes I will declare 13. These dire mishaps the Citizens surround And fall so thick in one anothers neck They sowrely looke think Commodus the ground His dismall deeds he careth not to check The base Exploits which doe so publick sound Are Pregnant ever at his Call and Beck His vaine excesse is known to all Notorious Nor doth he vaile it but is more vain glorious 14. Yea to such drunken dotage he was growne He now refused flat his Fathers Name Abjuring Marcus and what was his owne He Hero'les is of Jove deriving Fame From Roman habit he so oft was in He thrust himself into a Lyons skin 15. Sometimes a massy Club in hand he bore Which made him in Extremity ridiculous Then Purple Amazonian Robe he wore With Pearl and Gold Embroydered perspicuous One was a garb for Females fit to weare The other more then Masculine Austere 16. He daily thus invented new Attire New Names he gave to Months within the year Leaving the old as Fancy did require Such as his Surname would more proper beare The most whereof to Herc'les he referr'd As Heroe Chief who ought to be preferr'd 17. His Statues also he would have Erected About the City and at Senate Dore An Archer like that he might be suspected Ready to shoot to terrifie the More Which at his end the Senate to deface Brought Liberty Her Image there did place 18. Now