they all hate vs in regard of your alliance In those places on no side can I turn my visage but I shall behold many hostile remembrances of our Auncestors seruice Can they then take compassion of him who was once their capitoll enemy No my Lordes Micipsa taught vs to crouch to no men but to the Roman people yea to defie strange leagues and alliances Your friendships were Bulwarkes impregnable to secure vs. If fortune should frowne vppon this Empire then I know our estate were also desperate but by your owne prowesse and the fauours of the Gods your Common-weale flourisheth in wealth and increase prosperity tryumpheth in your Citties and loyaltie in your Prouinces blessings which make easie the reliefe of your associate VVhereof I despaire not but onely feare least the priuate insinuation of Iugurth of whom you haue yet made small triall peruert the iudgement of some whom as I heare with tooth and naile he seuerally laboureth to worke to corrupt to inueigle not to passe any decree in his absence without hearing his answers obiecting that my complaints are false my flight dissimulation and that I might haue stayed with security in any kingdom if it had so beene my pleasure O! I would to God I might but liue to see the same man who hath by his impious treacherie inwrapped me in this conflict of miseries in like case dissembling that these humane Controuersies might at some one time or other be referred either to your decisions or to the iustice of the immortall Gods That so being now proud and famosed for his villanies and as a man exposed to all calamities he might suffer the deserued reward of his impieties committed against our Father of murther inflicted vppon our Brother and of Treason the source of my miseries Deerest Brother although thy death were vntimelie and thou of life bereaued by him whom of all men liuing it worst beseemed yet am I of opinion that this thy misfortune is rather to be ioyed at theÌ„ lamented For with thy life thou lost but thy kingdom of flight of banishment of pouerty al such afflictions Sic Virg. â— terqâ— quaterque beâ—ti Queis ante ora patrum Troia sub montibus altis Contigiâ— oppetere which oppresse my very soule thou art insensible But I vnhappy maÌ„ throwne headlong out of my Patrimony into an Ocean of miseries wander the world as a spectacle of humaine change vncertaine what course to run Shall I reuenge thy wrongs Alas I am not of power Shall I doe good to our Country Ah! My life and death slandeth at the deuotion of others for death I wish It were an honourable period to my misfortunes rather then by affecting of longer life to make shew that in loue thereof beeing quite spent with miseries I liued content to brooke his insolent iniuries But as I am I haue neither pleasure to liue nor meanes to die without impeachment of mine honour And therefore thrice-Honourable Lords I adiure you by your children parents Sueto Neque me neque liberâ—â— meos chariores habebo quam c. yea by the maiesty of the Roman Empire to put redresse to my miserable estate to preuent these wronges and not to suffer this your kingdome of Numidia to bee ruinated by Treason and the blood of our family After the King had made an end of his speech the Agents of Iugurth more confident in their gold then the goodnesse of their cause Callidè tacent ê™ iussu Iugurthae made this short reply That Hyempsall was slaine by certaine Numidians for his crueltie That Adherbal had begun the warre vnprouoked and being ouercome Quia natura sâ—rox superbus re vera erat fell to complaints hauing no further means to prosecute his enuy That Iugurth humbly petitioned the Lords of the Counsell would be pleased to make no other construction of his vpright carriage Vnde laudatissimus redierat then of such as he shewed in their seruice at Numantia neither yet to preferre the words of his enemie Iugurthae mores Scipioni imperatori populâ—que Romano iampridem noâ—i essent before his deeds Which ended both parties are commanded to depart the Court. Whereupon the Lords demaund opinions The fauourites of Iugurth and with them the maior part of the Senate traduced by gifts made small account of Adherbals complaints The deserts of Iugurth they aduanced with fauour commendation allowance and thankes no lesse outstriuing by all meanes possible to extenuate so apparant a treason and villany committed by a Stranger then if they had bin pleading in a righteous cause to reap glory and commendation But in opposition some fewe to whom right and indifferencie were more respectiue then rewards gaue sentence with Adherbal That he was to be succoured and the murder of Hyempsal to be seuerely punished Amongst theÌ„ of especiall note was Emilius Scaurus a Gentleman stout of courage factious and ambitious of rule honour and riches but close and cunning of carriage This man after he had obserued the infamous abhominable bribery of Iugurth fearing as in like cases happeneth that free speech against the abuses of corrupted greatnesse might procure enuie contained his humors from their accustomed Liberty 8. Notwithstanding in Senate the greater part preuailed Meed and fauour ouerswayed Equity and an order recorded that ten Commissioners should be sent into the prouince of Micipsa to make a diuision thereof betweene Adherbal and Iugurth The president of this Embassie was L. Opinius a man Honourable by birth and great in Senate who beeing Consull after the deaths of C. Graccus and M. Flaccus made sharp and cruell vse of that victory which the Nobility gained against the Commons Him at Rome his professed aduersary Iugurth notwithstaÌ„ding entertaineth with especiall curtesie 9. By Largesse and promises hee likewise suborneth him to set more by profit then fame faith or reputation he attempteth the residue by like cunning Some he worketh a few made more Conscience of Honesty then of Money In the diuision of the kingdome the portion thereof that bordereth Mauritania populous and firtill is assigned to Iugurth the other part fairer in shew then profit but beautified with hauens and adorned with costly buildings was giuen to Adherbal CHAP. 2. 1. The description of Affricke 2. The first inhabitants ORder calleth vpon mee briefely to discourse of the scituation of Affrique as also to shew what Nations liued with vs in warre or amity But as for those places countries which either for their extream rough mountaines or vast deserts lie vnfrequented I wil but point at randon the residue I will discourse of in shortest maner In the diuision of the Terrestriall Globe some attribute vnto Affrick a third part othersome speaking onely of Asia and Europe containe Affrique in Europe Westward it boundeth vpon the Mediterranean and Ocean seas Eastward vpon those steepe mountaines which the inhabitants tearme Catabathmon The sea is stormy the shores without hauens the soile firtill
another mans goods is to bee bountifull doing to do deeds vnlawfull vnseemely c is to be valourous In such extreames doth the 〈◊〉 now stand Well let vs tolerate their abuses because they are inueterate and time hath made them fashionable let men be wastfull of that which is none of their owne Let vs be mercifull vnto Theeues and robbers of our publique treasure yet I pray you let them not likewise bee prodigals of our blouds and we by foolish pitty extended to a few desperats vndoo millions of honest Cittizens I confesse that C. Caesar hath shewed great learning before this Honourable Court in his distinctions of life and death supposing as I conceit that the receiued Opinions of hell are false or that euill doers seperated from the good and destinated to places obscure vile stinking vncleane and full of horror And so drawing towards an end he woulde haue their goods forfeited and their bodies committed to safe custody in the Borroughes of our associates fearing belike that if they remained in Rome they might happen to be rescued either by popular commotions or waged multitudes as though forsooth all euill disposed persons resided onely in Rome none lay dispersed throughout the townes of Italy Surely wise men know that rash violent attempts are easiest affected where least meanes of opposition are feared And therefore if his feares arise vpon such like surmises his plot is ridiculous Or if he onely in so vniuersall an apprehension of feare feare nothing at all because I am so much the rather induced to bee fearefull both of mine owne safety and of yours also Therefore Honourable Lords whensoeuer it shall bee your pleasures to ratifie your Iudgement against Lentulus his associats beleeue it with constancy that then you vndo Cateline and disperse his confederates the sooner ye doe it the sooner you breake them Delay is dangerous it hopeth it resolueth Neuer let it enter your Opinions that by armes our forefathers augmented our Patrimonies For if that were true then at this day would it proue farre more glorious in that time hath giuen vs not onely aduantage but also surplusage of Allies of Cittizens of warlike furnitures and Horsses of seruice No no my Lords of those vertues which made them so powerfull and so fortunate wee haue not one left vs Thrift in Priuate Iustice in Publicke free Language in Parliament Liues spotlesse Mindes vnpassionate In lieu whereof wee possesse Ryot and Auarice In times of Seruice pretensed pouertie to serue our owne turnes aboundance and plentie We admire Riches and embrace Sloth betweene Vertue and Vice we put no difference Ambition incrocheth where desert onely should haue preheminence And no maruell for euerie one of vs holde Counsels apart At home wee vvorke for our priuat interests heere we speake for Meed or fauour So on all sides the Common-vvealth wringeth But no more of these greeuances Our fellow-Cittizens and those discended of most Noble families haue conspired the inuasion of their Countrey They haue done their vtmost in the quarrell to ingage the French a Nation alwaies in deadlie hatred of the Roman name The Captaine of the Warre in person braueth you at your gates and yet you stand looking one vppon another doubtfull and irresolute what to do with those whom you haue apprehended within your wals Shall I enforme you Then thus They are young Gentlemen deceiued thorough foolish Ambition Let them find fauor yea let them depart armed without doubt this your lenity and pittie vppon the next occasions shall turne you to miserie The maine is bitter ful of horror but you feare it not Yes iwis and that extreamelie why then like cowards and men of basest would stand you still straining curtesie who shal march formost Well I know the reasons Now as in former times in most iminent dangers you trust that the immortall Goddes vvill turne all to the best Fooles that vvee are To think that the Gods will be won by Womanish vovves and idle Sacrifices without watching without pains-taking and good Counsel Where these stand ioyntly imployed al things come to happie ends At Sloth and Cowardice the heauenly powers are offâ—nded In the daies of our Ancestors A.M. Torquatus adiudged his sonne to death for that against the commaund of his generall he had happilie fought vvith his enemie And he most vvorthie young Gentleman accordinglie suffered the punishment of rash valour And do you now aske what shall be done vnto these most mercilesse Traitors Sir their fore-passed life merriteth some mittigation Bee it so Deale fauourably with Lentulus for the honour of his house if he at any time fauoured his owne good name his calling Gods or men Let the adolescencie of Cethegus be a Motiue of mercy if this be not the second rebellion wherein hee hath beene interessed What should I say for Gabinius Sâ—atilius Ceparius If they had bin men of any moderation they woulde neuer haue ingaged their estates in such dangerous complots against their country Honourable Lords if I could discerne any meane hopes I could be vvell content to see you moderatelie beaten vvith your ovvne negligences for that you regard not good Counsel But since we are beleaguered on euerie side Cateline houereth ouer our heads with an armed power his associates are within our wals euen in the heart of our Cittie and nothing can be dispatched in Counsell with secrecie weightie inducements of speedie resolution For these reasons and for that most Honourable Fathers the Common-wealth hath runne into apparant danger by the practises of these Traiterous Cittizens alreadie convicted by the Testimonies of T. Vulturtius and the Allobroges themselues haue confessed their intentions to kill to burn and to commit manie other lamentable and vnspeakeable outrages against the Citty and this state My censure is that More maioruÌ„ punishment bee inflicted vpon them as vpon Traitors condemned of high Treason by their owne confession Cato being set downe the Consuls with the greater part of the Senate approued his sentence and highly praised his courage And while one accuseth the other of faint remisse courage Cato obtaineth the atributes of Great and Excellent According to his censure they passe a Decree And because these two M. Cato and C. Caesar men of excellent parts but of diuers Natures liued in my time I thinke it not admisse to adde vnto this my discourse a Comparison of their liues and actions A Comparison of M. Cato and Ca. Caesar. IN discent in yeares and eloquence they were almost equall in greatnesse of mind and populer commendation alike but diuersly Caesar affected the Sir-name of Great by Largesse Bountie Cato by Integritie of life Caesar became famous for his curtesie and gentlenesse Cato for his sterne carriage and seuerity Caesar grew popular by giuing by forgiuing by releeuing Cato by contraries The one profest refuge to the oppressed the other inexorable to offenders The one was praised for affability the other for grauity Caesars chiefest felicity was to
Spaine thou hast reuiued the remembrance of our deceased Progenitors Masâ—inissae qui claruit sub Hasdrubaie Aboue all a worke most difficult thy Vertues haue ouertopped Enuy. And now for that I perceiue that my life draweth towardes an end I admonish and adiure thee by this right hand and the allegiance which thou owest to thy countrey Quam ad tunc tenuit that thou estrange not thy loue and seruice from these thy kinsmen whom by fauor and adoption I haue created thy Brethren neither couet thou in gouernment to admit of strangers rather then of those who are allied vnto thee in blood and parentage Loyall friends not the armed Souldier nor the Richest Treasure are the surest guards of Kingdomes True friendship which thou canst neither allure by practise nor buy with gold is purchased by respect fidelity And who I pray thee should be more indeered then one Brother to another Or what stranger shall that man find confident who proueth a Traytour to his owne blood Surely if you continue vertuous I bequeath you a strong Kingdome if yee turne euill a weake Patrimony By Vnity small thinges are multiplyed by Dissention the greatest kingdomes are ruinated Beleeue me Iugurth it is thy Office for that thou art eldest in yeares and experience to take care that nothing happen contrary to these my latest Counsels for in all controuersies the man that is most powerfull though hee receiue an iniury yet will it be supposed that he hath giuen it because he is best able to do it Againe you my sonnes see that you Honour and aduance this your worthy Kinsman Imitate and out-strippe hins in vertue least it be said by me that I haue adopted brauer Children then I haue begotten Although Iugurth conceited that the King spake not this from his heart hauing his mind busied vpon farre higher different cogitations yet for the present he gaue courteous and gracious language Within a fewe dates after Micipsa dyed CHAP. 2. 1. The Roytelets assemble about partition of the Kingdome 2. Hiempsal disgraceth Iugurth 3. His reuenge 4. And preparation to warre 5. His course after victory 6. Adherbals Accusation 7. Iugurths excuse 8. Order taken to content both Parties 9. The yssue AFter the three Roytelets according to the custome of their Auncestors had Royally interred the body of Micipsa they apointed a time of meeting ther to take order for their further affaires Where Hiempsal the youngest of three but by Nature the proudest now as before time scorning the base discent of Iugurth by his mother tooke place vpon the right hand of Adherbal that Iugurth might not sit in the midst which amongst the Numidians is accounted the most Honourable place Neither could he by his Brothers earnest importunity without apparant discontent be perswaded to remoue on the other hand Where amongst many particulars proposed of gouernement Iugurth affirmed that whatsoeuer Micipsa had decreed fiue yeares before his death ought to be of no validity for that by reason of his aged years during those times his sences had failed him Wherewithall Hyempsal was well pleased for within the space of these three yeares last past quoth hee you were adopted as co-heire into the Kingdome Which words tooke deeper impression in the heart of Iugurth then any man present would haue suspected 3 This disgrace from this time forwarde prouoked Iugurth irresolute betweene wrath and feare to study and plot in his minde how to surprize Hyempsal by Treason Which determination working but to slow effects and his inraged passion nothing the lesse by time asswaged he now resolueth to dispatch it vpon any occasion At their first meeting shewed you before to auoide all causes of contention they tooke Order to diuide the Treasure and to limit out euery man the bounds of his portion A time certaine is set downe to perfect both these Decrees but with order to haue the diuision of the money first dispatched Whereuppon the Roytelets seuerally remoue to places neerely adioyning to that place where the Treasures were stored Hiempsal tooke vp his lodging by great chaunce in his house who was Captaine of the Guard to Iugurth a man very inward and gracious with his maister Him by fortune thus making a fit Instrument for Treason Iugurth solliciteth by massie promises corrupteth without deniall importuneth to forge and deliuer him the counterfeit keyes of his house for the true keyes were nightly carried vp into Hiempsals Chamber The remainder as occasion serued himselfe with his armed retinue would take order to dispose of The Numidian speedily executeth his masters commands and according to his instructions at night giueth entrance vnto Iugurths Souldiers who were no sooner in possession of the house but they disperse themselues some to seeke the King some to murder Hiempsals seruants others to make good their entrance in case any person made resistance This done they left no secret place vnransaked they broke vp Presses and diued into euery blind corner confounding all places with noise and vprore and at last lighted vppon Hiempsal hidden in the lodging of a poore Maide-seruant whether the sudden apprehension of feare and ignorance of the place in the beginning of the tumult had frighted him to flye vnto The Murderers as they had in commaund strike off his head and present it to Iugurth The fame whereof in a trice flyeth ouer all Affrique 4. Adherbal and the Subiects of Micipsa stand astonished at the report of so haynous a treacherie The people in generall fall to partes-taking The greater number continue constant to Adherbal the men of Warre follow Iugurth Whereupon without further delay he raysest the strongest forces he can hee seizeth vppon Townes some by force and some by faite speeches hee vniteth them to his former portion and casteth in his mind how to become sole-Lord of Numidia Adherbal notwithstaÌ„ding that he had sent his messengers to Rome to informe the Lordes of the Senat of the death of his Brother and his particuler misfortunes yet seeing himselfe well accompanied with armed troopes he doubteth not the aduenture of his welfare vpon the hazard of a battell But comming vnto tryall his army was defeated himselfe glad to flye into his owne prouince from whence he tooke his way towards Rome 5 Now Iugurth being Maister of his desires peaceable Lord of al Numidia reuoluing in his mind the future scandall of this heynous murther saw none of whom he should need to stand in feare of but the Roman people To mitigate whose wrath no hopes remained but such as Mony and the auarice of the Nobilitie afforded Wherfore to preuent stormes on that side hee within a few dayes after dispatcheth his Ambassadors towards Rome plentifully loaden with Gold and Siluer giuing them instructions First to present his ancient acquaintance Secondly to drawe in New And lastly to bee sparing towardes no man so hee were in place to countenance his practises So ariuing at Rome according to the direction of their Lord
noueltie and the tumult a foot gaue matter of consent good liking The Romans stood amazd at the sodennes of the vprore not knowing what course of safety to take were in an extreame extasie To fly vnto the town castle where their colours shields were remaining was to run vpon their deaths a garison of enemies already in possessioÌ„ had shut the gates denied retrait Boyes and women cast stones such like stuffe vpon their heads in abundance from the toppes of houses No man could preuent these vncertaine blowes no nor the valiantest soldier come to be reuenged on this weake and cowardly rable so that good and euill cowards valiant souldiers in this medly died like deaths in great numbers Of al the Italians Turpilius the Gouernour escaped alone vntouched through all the barborous Numidians and their closed gates Whether it so happened by the fauour of his hoast by ransome or by chance wee neuer could discouer onely thus much a man may say that Turpilius shewed himselfe a base and inconstant fellow in preferring at such a pinch disgracefull life before a bed of fame CHAP. 21. 1. Vacca recouered 2. Turpilius beheadded MEtellus beeing giuen to vnderstand of the regaining of Vacca was somwhat mooued at the accident Ne signum virili animo indignum ostenderet and retired out of sight But vppon the digestion of wrath and griefe at last he hasteneth with extraordinary diligence to take reuenge vppon so disloyall a treason By Sunne-set he taketh the fielde with the Legion with which he wintered and as many light Horse-men Numidians as he possibly could rayse The next day about the third howre hee arriued in a cortaine plaine incircled about with indifferent heigh Banks Here to his Souldiers growne weary by their long march and refusing to passe further hee discouereth his intention That Vacca was not aboue a mile distant That they were obliged in duety to vndergoe the remainder of the iourney with patience if it were but to inflict deserued punnishment vpon Traytors for the miserable death of such their loyall and valiant fellow-Cittizens So by these speeches as also by permission of prey hauing regained their courages in the fore-front he placâ—th his Horsemen and commandeth his Foot-men to march close without discouering their ensignes The people of Vacca obserued that the company approached theyr Towne at first as indeede it was suspected Metellus and shut their Gates But afterwards for that they neither wasted and those that came first to view were their Countrey-men the Numidians changing opinion they supposed it to bee Iugurth and needs would issue to congratulate their friends and fellowes Vpon signal giuen the horse-men and foot beate back the vulgar people towards the Citie some sieze vpon the gates and some vpon the bulwarkes Thus wrath hope of spoile can make wearied bodies forget lazines The Vaccenses had only two dayes to reioyce for their Treason The Citie being greate and rich was sacked and punished Turpilius the gouernor the sole man as we told you that escaped Non ex vrbe quaâ—â—m lex Portâ—a vâ—â—bat ad supplicium posci vt ante Caesar. was called before the Generall to answer the reuolt PraefectuÌ„ decet per vigilem esse nemini credere sed arceÌ„ semper tenere He made some excuses but was condemned to be whipped with rods and then to be beheaded For hee was a Citizen of Italie CHAP. 22. The treason of Bomilchar discouered and the party executed ABout this time Bomilchar by whose sollicitation Iugurth had condisceÌ„ded vnto the composition nowe disauowed for pretexts of feare began to grow ielous of the King and the King of him Bomilchar deuiseth newe occasions practiseth to put his intended promise to Metellus in execution night and day wearieth his mind vpon the proiect and at last vpon mature deliberation associateth one Nabdalsa a welthy Gentleman and one welbeloued of his conntreymen into the conspiracy His place was commonly to march somwhat disioyned from the Kings troopes and to execute those directions which Iugurth either for wearines or vpon imploiment of other weighty affaires could not himselfe attend By these imploiments the man attained to wealth and reputation They both by ioint consent agree vpon the day the execution they referre to time and opportunity Nabdalsa retireth to his charge by commaundement appointed to affront the winter garrisons of the Romans so to awe them from wasting the adioyning territory without impediment At leisure the gentlemen by reuoluing the foulnesse of the fact kept not time To speake truth feare disswaded performance Bomilchar in like manner beeing desirous of dispatch and perplexed at the irresolution of his associate Consilium de iudicio faciendo least peraduenture by reuealing the olde Treason he might affect newe pardon by trusty Messengers conueyeth Letters vnto him wherein hee taxeth him of base feare and carelesnesse that he should remember his oath to the Gods by whom he had sworne and lastly to bee very circumspect least the rewardes of Metellus by his default turned not to their destruction He failed not in a manner to prophesie that the destruction of Iugurth was at hand the question onely rested in this whether it should be finished by their Vertue or the Generals good fortune and therefore he wished him to take counsell with his pillow whether hee had rather receiue a reward or vndergo a shamefull death Vpon the arriuall of these Letters by great aduenture Nabdalsa being wearied with trauell and exercise was cast vpon his bed where after he had wel weighed the words of Bomilchar first care and then sleepe the oppressors of perplexed consciences attached his sences His Secretary a Numidian trusty and gracious vnto his master and partaker of all his counsels excepting this last hearing of the deliuery of certaine Letters as at â—ormer times supposing that his seruice was expected entered the tent where finding his Lord sleeping and the letter carelesly laid vpon his pillow he took and read it He posteth to the King Nabdalsa awaking missing the Letter and by swifte messengers vnderstanding from point to point how matters were carried first commaundeth to pursue his Secretary but in vaine Whereupon he himselfe in person goeth vnto Iugurth craueth pardon and protesteth that what he had prepared and resolued to disclose his seruant had preuented With teares hee craueth reconcilement and in recompence of his former seruice hee beseecheth him not to bury the suspition of so foule a treason in further remembrance The king contrary to his acustomed humor beningly answereth that Bomilchar and many otherâ— whome hee knew were guilty of the conspiracy had suffered death and that not to exasperate any further dislike vppon this occasion Animus Tiranni nunquam quietus he had taken truce with his indignation After this disaster no day no night could affoord Iugurth any rest place men and time were suspitious vnto him He feared his subiects and enemies alike He looked strangely
mount Towers and quartereth out the works to the defence of his Pioners 4 The Townesmen labour as fast to frustrate these deuises on either side nothing could be better performed to conquer to defend The Romans almost out of heart by infinite labour and daily conflicts the fortieth day after their first ariuall gained only the towne the Fugitiues consumed the treasure For after they perceiued that the Ram played vppon the wall and that with them there was no way but one gold siluer and what euer mortall people account precious they stowed in the kings pallace and then loading their sences with wine and good cheere they fiered it themselues and the Pallace Thus the punishment which the conquered expected at their enemies hand they wreaked voluntarily vppon their owne carcases CHAP. 25. 1 Metellus succoureth Leptis 2 A digression vpon occasion of the strange death of two Carthaginean brethren 1 AS Thala was in saccage certain Ambassadors from Leptis arriued before Metellus intreating him to send a President with som coÌ„panies into their town for that one Amilchar a Noble man of the Citâ—y went about to alienat the allegiances of the inhabitantes from the Romans From this his insolencie neither the authority of the Magistrate nor the terrour of the laws could deterre him vnlesse they made hast the safety of the Towne with the loyalty of the Roman associates was greatly to be doubted of From the beginning of the Iugurthian warre the people of Leptis entred a league of confederacy with the Consull Bestia and after him they sent to Rome to perfect the Articles After the confirmation whereof they alwaies remained loyall confederats to the Roman people yea and performed their vtmost seruices to Bestia Albinus and Metellus In regard whereof at the first motion they obtained their request of Metellus who presently dispatched away foure Ligurian cohorts with C. Annius their Captaine The towne was first built by the Sidonians whoe as report goeth arriued there by shippinge being bannished their countrey for their ciuill dissentions It is scituated betweene two sandes and seemeth to deriue its name from the place For vppon the vtmost bounds of Affrica two baies extend themselues in hugenes vnequall in condition equall sometime as the winde standeth Nauigable at an other time dry and passable For as the Sea prooueth high and tempestuous so doe the waues driue the sands the people the rockie stones Thus the vse of the place dependeth vpon the casualites of the stormes The language of the people is changed by the proximitie of the Numidians but their lawes and religion remaine meerely Sidonian which they haue retained the better vncorrupted for that they liued farre remote from the Court many vaste desart countries lying between them and the inhabited partes of Numidia 2. And now sithence the affaires of the Leptitans hath drawen my pen into these Regions I thinke the worthy and memorable exploit of two Carthaginians there happening worth relation The very place enforceth me to write of the accident At what time the Carthaginians were Lords ouer the greater part of Affrique the Cyrenians were also a state rich and powerfull The vacable Countrey betweene them was sandye by colour or nature nothing discernable no riuer no mountaine distinguished their borders This indifferencie was cause of long wars to both parties wherein after they had wasted their Legions sunk torne their nauies and almost ruinated both their estates fearing least a third party taking the aduantage should prey aswell vpon the conqueror as the conquered by a mutuall truce they fel to agrement each party to send their ambassadors from home vpon a day prefixed looke where both chanced to meete there should bee the bondes of each others territory Two brethren named Phileni were sent from Carthage The Carthaginians made all possible hast the Lirenians iornied slowly whether to attribute the cause to negligencâ— or chance I cannot resolue For in these deserts the eies and faces of trauellers are no lesse molested with tempests of lands raised by the windes vpon these leuell barrain vast plaines then are the Marriners without compasse in outragious gustes at Sea These for want of true kenning might bee impediments to their speed Which when the Cirenians perceiued and for their negligence feared vpon their returne to be punished they cauilled at the Carthaginians charging theÌ„ that they had departed from home before the time appointed The matter became litigious The Cirenians were content to accept of any condition rather then to returne with imputation of priuate disgrace The Carthaginians aduow to refuse no condition so it were iust and reasonable The Cirenians make this ouerture That eyther the Carthaginians should suffer themselues to be buried aliue in the place which they desired to make the limit of their State or else to suffer them the Cirenians vpon like teaâ—mes to passe further on to the end of their intended voyage The Phileni accepted the match sacrificed their liues to the honor of their Country and there made choice to be buried To these Brethren the Carthaginians in that very place erected two alters at home they recorded their memories with other ceremonies Now returne I to my matter CHAP. 26. Iugurth flyeth to King Bocchus and procureth him to make Warre against the Romans AFter the losse of Thala Iugurth supposing that no place could affoord him sufficient security against the good conduct of Metellus with small attendance he resolueth to passe ouer the vast deserts to the Getuli a people rude and barbarous who before that time had neuer heard of the Roman name Of these he allureth a tumultuary multitude by little and little invreth them to discipline to follow their Ensignes to hearken to their commanders and finally to obserue all other points of souldiery Secondly by present entertainment and farre greater promises he procureth the fauourites of King Bocchus to bee a meanes to his Maiesty in fauour of so distressed a neighbour to begin the warre against the Romans His sure was the sooner and easier harkened vnto vpon occasion that in the beginning of this Warre the King had sent his Ambassadors to Rome to desire their loue friendship Which Ouerture most aduantagious for the time some few men blinde through Auarice and accustomed to make all suites saleable in the beginning frustrated Honesta et inhonesta Moreouer Iugurth had married the daughter of Bocchus but that bonde is little accounted of amongest the Moores and Numidians for that euery man according to his ability may haue as many wiues as him list some ten some more Kinges most of all who hauing theyr minds thus distracted by variety reckon no one for their lawfull spouse but account all alike vile and contemptible Both kings both Armies make their enterview in an appointed place with equal goodliking There they plight reciprocall oaths and Iugurth the more to exasperate the mind of Bocchus by his Oration Tearmeth the Romaines to be an iniust people of