Succours or Victuals John Lord of Vienna who there commanded for the King began to treat about the surrender of it desiring only that they might give it up with the safety of their Lives and goods which conditions being offered to Edward the Third King of England who by the space of eleven months had straitly besieged it he being exceedingly inraged that so small a Town should alone stand out against him so long and withal calling to mind that they had often galled his Subjects by Sea he was so far from accepting their Petition that contrariwise he resolved to put them all to the Sword had he not been diverted from that Resolution by some grave Counsellors then about him who told him That for having been faithful and Loyal Subjects to their Soveraign they deserved not to be so sharply dealt with Whereupon King Edward changed his first parpose into some more clemency promising to receive them to mercy upon condition That six of the principle Townsmen should present him the Keys of the Town bare-headed and bare-footed and with Halters about their Necks and to leave their lives to his mercy Hereof the Governor having notice he presently goes into the Market-place commanding the Bell to be tolled for assembling the People who being met he acquainted them with the Articles which he had received touching the yielding up of the Town and the assurance of their lives which could not be granted but with the death of six of the Chief of them with this news they were exceedingly cast down and perplexed when on a sudden there rises up one of their own Company called Stephen Petre one of the richest and most sufficient Men of the Town who thus spake aloud to the Governour Sir I thank God for the Goods he hath bestowed upon me but more that he hath given me this present opportunity to make it known that I prize the lives of my Countrymen and Fellow-Citizens above my own At the hearing of which Speech and sight of his forwardness one John Daire and four others after him made the like offers not without abundance of Prayers and Tears from the common People who saw them so freely and readily sacrifice their Lives for the publick good and instantly without more ado they address themselves to the King of England with the Keys of the Town with no other apprehension but to be put to death to which though they held themselves assured thereof they went as cheerfully as if they had been going to a Wedding yet it pleased God to turn the heart of the English King and at the request of the Queen and some of the Lords they were all sent back again safe and sound Daniels Hist Engl. p. 240. XCVII When Charles the Seventh King of France marched toward Naples they of the City of Florence set open their Gates to him as supposing they should thereupon receive the less damage by him in their City and Territories adjoining but the King being entred with his Army demanded the Government of the City and a sum of Money to secure their Liberties and Estates in this strait four of the principal Citizens were apppointed to transact and manage this affair with the Kings Ministers amongst these was Petre Caponis who having heard the rigorous terms of their composition recited and read by the Kings principal Secretary he was so moved that in the sight and presence of the King he snatched the Paper out of his hands and tore it in pieces crying out Now sound you your Trumpets and we will ring our Bells Charles astonished at the resolution of the man desisted from his design and thereupon it became a Proverb Gallum a Cock or a Frenchman a Capo victum fuisse The French Cock was overcome by a Capon Zuinglius Theat p. 256. XCVIII The Tartars in their invasion of China were prosperous on all sides and had set themselves down before the Walls of the renowned and vast City of Hunchen the Metropolis of the Province of Chekiang where the Emperor Lovangus was inclosed Lovangus his Soldiers refused to fight till they had received their Arrears which yet at this time he was not able to pay them it was upon this occasion that his heart not able to bear such a desolation of the City and Subjects as he foresaw he gave such an illustrious example of his humanity and tenderness to his People as Europe scarce ever saw for he mounted upon the City Walls and calling to the Tartarian General upon his Knees he begged the life of his People Spare not me said he I shall willingly be a Sacrifice for my Subjects And having said this he presently went out to the Tartars Army and was by them taken by which means this noble City was preserved though with the destruction of the mutinous Army for the Tartars caused the City to shut the Gates against them till they had cut in pieces all that were without and then entred triumphantly into it not using any force or violence to any Martinius Hist China p. 281. XCIX In the year 393. from the building of Rome whether by an Earthquake or other means it is uncertain but the Forum or Market-place of Rome was opened and almost half of it was fallen in to a very strange depth great quantities of Earth were thrown into it but in vain for it could not be filled up the Soothsayers therefore were consulted with who pronounced That the Romans should devote unto that place whatsoever it was wherein they most excelled Then Martius Curtius a Person of admirable valour affirming That the Romans had nothing besides Arms and Virtue wherein they excelled he devoted and gave up his own life for the safety of his Country and so armed on Horseback and his Horse well accoutred he rode into the gaping Gulf which soon after closed itself upon him Livys Hist p. 122. C. When the Graecians of Doris sought counsel from the Oracle for their success in the Wars against the Athenians it was answered That then undoubtedly they should prevail and become Lords of that State when they could obtain any victory against them and yet preserve the A thenian King living Codrus the then King of Athens by some intelligence being informed of this answer withdrew himself from his own Forces and putting on the habit of a common Soldier he entred the Camp of the Dorians and killing the first he encountred was himself forthwith cut in pieces falling a willing sacrifice to preserve the liberty of his Country Rawleigh's Hist World p. 420. CI. Cleomenes King of Sparta being distressed by his Enemy Antigonus King of Macedon sent to Ptolomy King of Aegypt for help who promised it upon condition to have his Mother and Child in pledg of his Fidelity Cleomenes was a long time ashamed to acquaint his Mother with these conditions and though he went oftentimes on purpose to let her understand it yet when he came he had not the heart to discover it to her which she
suspecting asked his Friends if her Son had not something to say to her whereupon he told her the business when she heard it she laughing said How comes it to pass thou hast concealed it so long come come put me streight into a Ship and send me whither thou wilt that this body of mine may do some good unto my Country before crooked Age consume it without profit Cratisiclea for so was her name being ready to depart took Cleomenes into the Temple of Neptune imbracing and kissing him and perceiving that his heart yearned for sorrow of her departure O King of Sparta said she let no man for shame see when we come out of the Temple that we have wept and dishonoured Sparta whilst she was with Ptolomy the Achaians sought to make peace with Cleomenes but he durst not because of his pledges which were with King Ptolomy which she hearing of writ to him That he should not spare to do any thing that might conduce to the honour and safety of his Country though without the consent of King Ptolomy for fear of an old Woman and a young Boy Plutarchs Lives CII Darius the Son of Hystaspis had sent Ambassadours to Sparta to demand of them Earth and Water as a token of their Subjection to him who were so inraged thereat that they took the Ambassadours and cast some of them head-long into a Dangeon others into Pits and bid them take from thence the Earth and Water they came for after which they had no prosperous Sacrifices and having for a long time endured great calamities they at last met in a full Assembly wherein it was proposed whether any would die or venture their lives for the good of Sparta upon which Sperthies and Balis who were of birth and equal Estate with the best freely offered themselves to undergo such punishment as Xerxes the Son of Darius who then reigned should inflict for the death of his Ambassadours The Spartans sent them away as Persons hastening towards their death being come to Susa they they were admitted into the presence of Xerxes where first they refused to adore him and then told him That the Spartans had sent them to suffer death in lieu of those Ambassadours whom they had put to death at Sparta Xerxes replied That he would not do as the Spartans had done who by killing Ambassadours had confounded the Laws of all Nations that therefore he would not do what he had upbraided them with nor would he by their death absolve the Spartans from their guilt Herodotus lib. 7. CIII A Spartan Woman had five Sons in a Battel which was fought near unto that City and seeing one that came out of the Fight she asked him how affairs went All your five Sons are stain said he Vnhappy wretch replied the Woman I ask thee not of their Concerns but of that of my Country as to that all is well said the Soldier then said she let them mourn that are miserable for my part I esteem my self happy in the prosperity of my Country Plutarchs Lives CIV Sylla being overcome by Marius in a Battle commanded all the Citizens of Praeneste to be slain excepting one only who was his intimate Friend but he hearing the bloody Sentence pronounced against the rest stepped forth and said That he scorned to live by his favour who was the destroyer of his Country and so went forth amongst the rest which were slain Fulgoszlib 5. CV Having thus discovered the effects of love in the extensive acceptation thereof I shall next proceed to relate some of the choicest instances of the most intire Friendship and because saithful Friends may seem in this Age to be gone on Pilgrimage as Bishop Mâ—rton says we must therefore be content to borrow Presidents from the Histories of former Ages Titus Volumnius a Gentleman of Rome was the friend of Marcus Lucullus who was slain by the command of Mark Anthory because he had followed the Party of Brutus and Cassius and though he had a sufficient time to provide for himself by flight yet he remained by the body of his dead Friend and lamented him with such abundance of sighs and tears that particular notice was taken of him by the Officers they therefore dragged him to Anthony unto whose sight and presence he was no sooner come but Command me Sir said he to be forthwith carried to the body of Lucullus and to be thereslain for I ought not to survive him since I was the only Person who persuaded him to take that unfortunate side He easily prevailed with Antonius to grant his request he was therefore led to the place he desired where when he came he kissed the right hand of Luculius took up his head that was cut off and put it into his Bosom and then stretched out his own neck to receive the blow of the Executioner Valer. Maxim lib. 4. CVI. Cambyses King of Persia making War against the Aegyptians overthrew them in a great Battel and took the Royal City and therein the King Psammenitus and all his Family and Nobles after which he kept him Prisoner in the Suburbs and then caused the Daughters of the Nobility and among them the Kings Daughter clothed in ragged Apparel to fetch water in Tankards from the River which when their Parents saw they all broke forth into grievous weeping only Psammenitus with his Eyes fixed upon the ground shewed no sign of sorrow Then did Cambyses cause the Noblemens Sons and amongst them the Son of Psammenitus to be led to execution tied together by the Necks with Ropes Bridles put into their mouths hereupon their Parents again broke forth into grievous Lamentations only Psammenitus stood quiet as before but presently after seeing an old man his intimate Friend begging in the Streets he broke forth into grievous Lamentations which Cambyses observing sent to him to know what was the reason that he when he saw his Daughter so abused and his Son led to death he mourned not but now when he saw this poor man that was no kin to him begging he made such heavy moan To whom Psammenitus answered My Domestick evils were greater than that I could express my sorrow for them but the calamity of my Friend deserves my tears for that now in his old age from an high estate he is brought to such extream poverty Herodotus Hist CVII I think saith Mr. Hakewell that no former Histories of the Graecians or Romans can afford such another example of constant and faithful Friendship as that betwixt Barbadicus and Trivisanus two Gentlemen of Venice in memory whereof there is a large inscription in Latine in that City allowed by Authority in 1627. This example was held so strange that several learned men have published Narratives thereof one of which take as follows Nicholas Barbadicus and M. Trivisanus two Patricians of Venice of great reputation in respect of their own Virtues the splendor of their Families and the Dignities and Offices they had honourably born in the
sometimes create sudden shifts he espying the Ladder against the wall presently apprehends what had been whispered of Fryer Johns love to the Knights Lady and lifting him on his Shoulders by the help of the same Ladder he carries him into the Porch of the Knights Hall and there sets him afterward secretly conveying himself back into the Monastery the same way he came not in the least suspected by any while this was doing the Knight being perplexed and troubled in Conscience could by no means sleep but calls up his Man and bids him go listen about the walls of the Monastery forth he goes out of his Masters Chamber and having passed the length of the Hall designing to go through the yard he finds Fryer John sitting upright in the Porch and starting at the sight he runs back affrighted and almost distracted and speechless tells the news to his Master who being no less astonished could not believe it to be so but rather his mans Fantasy till he himself went down and became an Eye-witness of this strange object At which being extreamly concerned he ressects on himself that murder is one of the crying sins and such a one as cannot be concealed yet recollecting his Spirits he resolves to try a desperate adventure and put the discovery upon chance he remembers he had an old Stallion then in his Stable one of those he had used in Service in the French Wars and likewise a rusty Armour in his Armory these he commands instantly to be brought with a Case of rusty Pistols and a Lance the Horse is sadled and Caparison'd the Armour is put upon the Fryer and he fast bound in his Seat with strong new Cords the Lance is tied to his wrist and the lower end put into the rest his Head-piece is clasped on and his Beaver is put up being thus accoutred like a Knight compleatly armed Cap-a-pe they designed to turn him out of the Gates both he and his Horse without any Page or Esquire to try a new Adventure whilst these things were thus fitting Fryer Richard in the Monastery was no less perplexed in his mind than the Knight about the Murther and much dreading the strictness of the Law summons all his wits about him to prevent the worst and at length concludes with himself that it is his best and safest way to fly for his life he likewise remembers that there was in the Fryery a Mare imployed to carry Corn to and from the Mill which was about half a mile from the Monastery and being somewhat fat and doubting his own footmanship he thinks it better to trust to four legs then two and therefore calls up the Baker that had the charge of the Beast and tells him he understands that there was Meal that morning to be fetcht from the Mill which was grinded by that time therefore if he would let him have the Mare he would save him that labour and bring it back before morning the Fellow being willing to save so much pains caused the back Gate to be opened the Fryer gets up and rides out of the Monastery Gate just at that instant when the Knight and his Man had turned out the Fryer on Horseback to seek his fortune the Horse presently scents the Mare and after her he gallops Fryer Richard looking back was amazed to see an armed Knight follow him much more when by the light of the Moon and the Beaver flying up he perceived that it was Fryer John who was thus armed and thereupon away flies he through the Streets and after him or rather after the Mare speeds the Horse a great noise there was in the City insomuch that many being awakened out of their morning sleep looked out at their Windows at length it was Fryer Richards ill fate to ride into a certain turn-again Lane which had no passage through there Fryer John overtakes him the Stone-Horse covers the Mare which causes a terrible noise among the rusty Armour Fryer Richards guilty conscience accuses him and he cries out aloud Guilty of the Murder at the noise of Murder the People being amazed ran out of their Beds into the Street they apprehend Miracles and he confesses Wonders but withal he freely tells them of the horrid and inhumane Act he had committed in murdering one of his own Convent the former Grudge that was between them is generally known and the apparent Justice of Heaven the rather believed Fryer John is dismounted and sent to his Grave Fryer Richard is committed to Prison he is Arraigned and in pursuance of his own Confession is condemned But before his Execution the Knight knowing his own guilt and concern in the business he posts instantly to the King makes his voluntary Confession and hath his life and estate for his former good Services granted to him Fryer Richard is released and this notable Accident still remains upon Record Hist Women II. In the reign of Queen Mary Sr. Walter Smith of Shirford in Warwickshire being grown an aged man at the death of his wife considered of a Marriage for Richard his Son and heir then at mans Estate and to that end made his mind known to Mr. Thomas Chetwin of Ingestre in Staffordshire who entertaining the motion in the behalf of Dorothy his Daughter was contented to give five hundred pound with her But no sooner had the old knight seen the young Lady but he became a suiter for himself offering five hundred pound for her besides as good a joynture as she should have by his Son if the Match had gone forward this so wrought upon Chetwin that he effectually persuaded his Daughter and the Marriage ensued accordingly it was not long ere her affections wandring she gave entertainment to a young Gentleman of about Twenty two called Robinson of Drayton Basset and being impatient of all that might hinder her full enjoyment of him she contrived how to be rid of her husband having therefore corrupted her waiting Gentlewoman and a Groom of the stable she resolved by their help and the assistance of Robinson to strangle him in his bed and though Robinson came not the designed night she no whit staggered in her Resolution for watching her husband till he was fallen asleep she called in her complices and casting a long Towel about his neck caused the Groom to lye upon him to keep him from strugling whilst her self and the maid straining the Towel stopped his breath having thus dispatched the work they carried him into another room where a close stool was placed upon which they set him an hour after the maid and Groom were got silently away and to conceal the business this Lascivious bloody woman made an outcry in the house wringing her hands plucking her hair and weeping extreamly pretending that missing him sometime out of bed she went to see what the matter was and found him in that posture by these feigned shews of sorrow she prevented all suspition of his violent death and not long after went to London
thing Mahomet commanded him the Author of that Counsel forthwith to do so Moses taking the Child from the Nurse strangled it with pouring water down the throat thereof The young Lady understanding the death of her Child as a Woman whom fury had made past fear came and in her rage reviled the Tyrant to his very face shamefully upbraiding him for his inhumane cruelty when Mahomet to appease her fury requested her to be content for that it stood with the policy of his State and willed her for her better contentment to ask whatsoever she pleased she should forthwith have it but she desiring nothing more but in some sort to be revenged desired to have Moses the Executioner of her Son delivered unto her bound which when she had obtained she presently struck him into the Breast with a Knite crying in vain upon his unthankful Master for help and proceeding in her cruel execution cut an hole in his right side and by piecemeal cut out his Liver and cast it to the Dogs to eat to that extremity did she resent the death of her beloved Son Knowls Turkish Hist XXIV Aegeus stood upon an high Rock whence he might see a great way upon the Sea in expectation of the return of his Son Theseus from Creet having made him promise at his departure That if all things went well with him at his return his Ship should be set forth with Sails and streamers of a white colour to express the Joyfulness of his return The old man after his long watching at last did discern the Ship making homewards but it seems they had forgot to advance the white Colours as they had promised when therefore Aegeus saw nothing but black concluding that his Son had miscarried in his journey and was dead not able to endure the grief he had conceived thereof he threw himself into the Sea from the top of the Rock whereon he stood and so died Langii Polyanth p. 848. XXV Solon was a Person famous throughout all Greece as having given Laws to the Athenians he being in his Travels came to Miletum to converse with Thales one of the wise men of Greece these two walking together upon the Market-place one comes to Solon and tells him That his Son was dead being afflicted with this unexpected as well as unwelcome news he fell to tearing of his beard hair and cloths and fowling of his face in the dust immediately a great confluence of People came about him whom he entertained with howlings and tears when he had lain long on the ground and delivered himself up to all manner of expressions of grief unworthy the Person he sustained so renowned for gravity and wisdom Thales bid him be of good courage for the whole of the Relation was but a contrivance of his who by this experiment had desired to try whether it was convenient for a wise man to marry and have Children as Solon had persuaded him to do but that now he was sufficiently satisfied it was no way necessary seeing he perceived that the loss of a Child might occasion a Person famous for wisdom to discover all the signs of a madman Sabel Exercit. lib. 3. XXVI Charles the Great was so great a lover of his Sons and Daughters that he never dined and supt without them he went no whither upon any Journy but he took them along with him and when he was asked why he did not marry his Daughters and send his Children abroad to see the world his reply was That he was not able to bear their absence Zuinglius Theat vol. 1. XXVII Artobarzanes resigned the Kingdom of Cappadocia to his Son in the presence of Pompey the Great the Father had ascended the Tribunal of Pompey and was invited to sit with him in the Royal Seat but as soon as he observed his Son to sit with the Secretary in a lower place than his Fortune deserved he could not endure to see him placed below himself but descending from his Seat he placed the Diadem upon his Sons Head and bid him go and sit in that place from whence he was newly risen at these words tears fell from the Eyes of the young man his body trembled the Diadem fell from his Head nor could he endure to go thither where he was commanded and which is almost beyond all credit he was glad who gave up his Crown and he was sorrowful to whom it was given nor had this glorious strife come to any end unless Pompeys Authority had joined itself to the Fathers will for he pronounced the Son a King commanded him to take the Diadem and compelled him to sit with him in the Throne Valer. Maxim p. 152. XXVIII Socrates was one day surprized by Alcibiades childishly sporting with his Son Lamprochus and when he was sufficiently derided by Alcibiades upon that account You have not said he such reason as you imagine to laugh so profusely at a Father playing with his Child seeing you know nothing of that affection which Parents have for their Children contain your self then till you come to be a Father your self when perhaps you will be found as ridiculous as I now seem to be Lang. Polyan p. 847. XXX Agesilaus was above measure indulgent to his Children and the Spartans reproached him that for the love of his Son Archidamus he had concerned himself so far as to hinder a just Judgment and by his intercession for the Malefactors had involved the City in the guilt of being injurious to Greece he used also at home to ride upon an Hobby-horse with his little Children and being once by a Friend of his found so doing He intreated him not to discover that act of his to any man till such time as he himself was become the Father of Children Plutarchs Lives XXXI And though it may be we may not find so many instances in History of the Love Reverence and Piety of Children to their Parents yet we read of some in all Ages who have this way intituled themselves to the promise of God and have thereby had a kind of earnest given them of being worthy and prosperous Persons as may be seen in divers of the following Examples Marcus Coriolanus having well deserved of the Commonwealth of Rome was yet unjustly condemned whereupon he fled to the Volsci at that time in Arms against Rome and being made their chief Commander he presently rendred himself very formidable to the Romans Ambassadours were sent to appease him but to no purpose the Priests met him with intreaties in their Pontifical Vestments but were also returned without effect the Senate was astonished the People trembled as well the Men as the Women bewailing the destruction that now was sure to fall upon them Then Volumnia the Mother of Coriolanus taking Volumnia his Wife along with her and also his Children went to the Camp of the Volsci whom as soon as the Son saw being one that was an intire lover of his Mother he made hast to imbrace her she
before his Father who had also a Father in Heaven by whom he hoped to be forgiven and if he would please to grant him his life he would assure him to be ever after a Loyal and Obedient Son who lived and would continually live in a constant forrow for what was past and if he intended to deal otherwise with him he yet desired him to remember That he was his own flesh and blood and that though the offence were only his yet the just Father must needs bear a part of the punishment inflicted upon the guilty Son but that in shewing mercy no inconvenience could ensue and that if he should be inexorable he should lose the most Obedient Son that ever Father had having ended these and many other words to the same effect he with great humility prostrated himself upon the Earth expecting his Fathers Sentence either of Life or Death this struck so great an impression into the Emperors heart to hear and see his Son shew such humility and to shed so many tears that he could not forbear to do the like and commanding him to arise from the ground with joy mixed with tears both from himself and his Attendants he immediately pardoned him and restored him to his Grace and Fatherly love and to the same Offices and Dignities he had before and from thence forward the Son continued constant in that Loyalty and Duty which he owed to his Father and Soveraign Lord so long as they lived together Imperial Hist p. 423. XXXVII A Son of the Lord Montpensier an Italian going to Puzzuolo to visit the Sepulcher of his Father was so overcharged with Passion that after he had washed all the parts of his Monument with his lamentable Tears he fainted and fell down dead upon the Sepulcher of his Father Guichardine Ital. Hist p. 261. XXXVIII Decimus Emperor of Rome had a purpose and earnest desire to set the Crown upon the head of his Son Decius out he utterly refused it saying I fear lest being made an Emperor I should forget that I am a Son I had rather be no Emperor and a dutiful Son than an Emperor and such a Son as hath forsaken his due obedience let then my Father bear the Rule and let this be my Empire to obey with all humility whatsoever he shall command me By this means the Solemnity was put off and the young Man was not Crowned unless you will say that his signal Piety towards his Parent was a more glorious Crown to him than that which consisted of Gold and Jewels Valer. Maxim lib. 4. XXXIX In the Civil Wars of Rome between Augustus and Mark Anthony as it often falls out that Fathers Sons Brothers Brothers take contrary part so in that last Battel at Actium where Augustus was Conqueror when the Prisoners as the Custom is were counted up Metellus was brought to Octavianus whose face tho much changed by anxiety and imprisonment was known by Metellus his Son who had been on the contrary part withtears therefore he runs into the imbraces of his Father and then turning to Augustus This thy Enemy said he hath deserved death but I am worthy of some reward for the service I have done thee I therefore beseech thee instead of that which is owing me that thou wouldst preserve this man and cause me to be killed in his stead Augustus moved with this piety though a great Enemy gave to the Son the life of the Father Lonic Theat 273. XL. Demetrius the King of Asia and Macedonia was taken Prisoner in Battel by Seleucus King of Syria after which Antigonus his Son was the quiet possessour of his Kingdom yet did he change the Royal Purple into a mourning habit and in continual tears sent abroad his Ambassadours to the Neighbouring Kings that they would interpose in his Fathers behalf for the obtaining of his Liberty he also sent to Seleucus and promised him the Kingdom and himself as an hostage and security if he would free his Father from Prison after he knew that his Father was dead he set forth a great Navy and went out to receive the body of the deceased which by Seleucus was sent toward Macedonia he received it with such mournful Solemnity and so many tears as turned all men into wonder and compassion Antigonus stood in the Poop of a great Ship built for that purpose cloathed in black bewailing his dead Father the Ashes were inclosed in a golden Urn over which he stood a continual and disconsolate Spectator he caused to be sung the Virtues and Noble Atchievements of the deceased Prince with voices form'd to Piety and Lamentation the Rowers also in the Gallies so ordered the stroaks of their Oars that they kept time with the mournful voices of the others in this manner the Navy came near to Corinth so that the Rocks and Shores themselves seemed to be moved to mourning Plutarchs Lives Thus far of Paternal and Filial Love let us proceed to that between Brethren XLI It is usually counted rare to see Brothers live together in mutual love and agreement with each other and it is likewise commonly observed that their Animosities have been managed with greater rancour bitterness than if they had been the greatest Strangers on the other side where this Fraternal Love has rightly seated it self in the Soul it has appeared as real and vigorous as any other sort of Love whatsoever of which there want not very remarkable Instances In the year 1585. the Portugal Ship called St. Jago was cast away upon the Shallows near St. Lawrence and towards the Coast of Mosambique here it was that divers Persons had leapt into the great Boat to save their lives and finding that it was overburdened they chose a Captain whom they swore to obey who caused them to cast Lots and such as the Lot fell upon to be cast overboard there was one of those that in Portugal are called New Christians who being allotted to be cast overboard into the Sea had a younger Brother in the same Boat that suddenly rose up and desired the Captain that he would pardon and make free his Brother and let him supply his place saying My Brother is elder and of better knowledge in the World than I and therefore more fit to live in the World and to help my Sisters and Friends in their need so that Thad rather die for him than live without him at which request they saved the elder Brother and threw the younger at his own desire into the Sea who swum at least six hours after the Boat and though they held up their hands with naked Swords willing him that he should not once come to touch the Boat yet laying hold thereon and having his hand half cut in two he would not let go so that in the end they were constrained to take him in again both these Brethren I knew saith my Author and have been in company with them Linschotens Voyages p. 147. XLII When the Emperor
Augustus had taken Adiatoriges a Prince of Cappadocia together with his Wife and Children in War and had led them to Rome in Triumph he gave order that the Father the elder of the Brothers should be slain The designed Ministers of this Execution were come to the place of restraint to this unfortunate Family and there inquiring which of the Brethren was the eldest there arose a vehement and earnest contention between the two young Princes each of them affirming himself to be the Elder that by his death he might preserve the life of the other when they had long continued in this pious Emulation the Mother at last not without difficulty persuaded her Son Dyetentus that he would permit his younger Brother to die in his stead as hoping that by him she might be more probably maintained Augustus was at length certified of this great example of Brotherly love and not only lamented that act of his severity but gave an honourable support to the Mother and her surviving Son Heywoods Hist Women XLIII Heliodorus the Brittain had afterward the Sirname of Pius upon this occasion the People provoked with the Cruelty and Avarice of Archigallus had deposed him and raised Heliodorus to the Throne of his Brother one time when the King went on hunting he accidentally met with his Brother Archigallus in a Wood whose altered visage and ragged cloths gave sufficient evidence of his afflicted condition as soon as the King knew him though he was not ignorant how he had sought his Restoration both by force and fraud yet he lovingly imbraced him and caused him privately to be conveyed into the City The King pretended he was sick and giving forth that he would dispose of the Affairs of the Realm by his last Will and Testament he called his Nobles together he then signified that he would confer in private with each of them singly and as every man entered into his Chamber he caused him to be laid hold on threatning him with death if he would not consent to the sparing of his Brother and that he should resign the Throne and Kingdom to him having by this means gained an universal assent he then opened the business in the presence of them altogether so that Archigallus was restored to the Kingdom and he dying in few years Heliodorus succeeded him with equal Justice and Glory Fulgosus Examples p. 634. XLIV There was a Soldier in the Camp of Pompeius who in the War with Sertorius perceiving a Soldier on the other side to press hard upon him he sought with him hand to hand and having slain him he went about to strip him of his Arms which when he had done he found it was his Brother who had fallen under him whereupon having a long time curst his unhappy Fate he carried his dead Brother into the Camp and having covered the Body with a precious Garment he laid the Corps upon the Funeral Pile and put fire to it which done he immediately drew the same Sword wherewith he had slain his Brother and thrust it into his own Breast and so falling prostrate upon the dead Body of his Brother they were both burned together Valerius Maximus p. 146. XLV There was a report though a false one that Eumenes King of Asia was slain by the fraud of Perseus upon the news whereof his Brother Attalus seized upon the Crown and married the Wife of his Brother but being informed of Eumenes his return he went forth to meet him not without apprehensions of fear in regard of what he had done in his absence Eumenes made no shew of his displeasure only whispered him in the Ear That before he married another Mans Wife he should besure her Husband was dead This was all and not long after dying though by his Wife he had a Son of his own yet he left the Kingdom to his Brother together with the Queen his Wife Attalus on the other side that he might not be surpassed in Brotherly love though he had many Children by his own Wife yet he educated that Son she had by Eumenes to the hope of the Kingdom and when he came of sufficient Age freely resigned up all to him and lived a private life many years after Burtons Melancholy p. 564. XLVI Darius King of Persia being extreamly provoked by Crimes of an extraordinary nature had pronounced Sentence of death upon Ithaphernes his Children and the whole Family of them at once the Wife of Ithaphernes went to the Kings Pallace and there all in tears was so loud in her mournful Lamentations that her cries coming to the Kings Ear moved him in such manner to compassion that the King sent her word That with her own he gave her the life of any single Person whom she would make choice of among the condemned the Woman begged the life of her Brother Darius wondred that she should rather ask his life than that of her Husband or any of her Children and therefore asked her the reason who replied That since her Father was dead she could never hope for a Brother more if she should lose this but that her self being but young as yet might hope for another Husband and other Children Darius was moved with this answer and being inclined to Brotherly love as well as prudence he gave her also the life of her eldest Son Heywoods Hist Women XLVII Tiberius being at Ticinum and hearing that his Brother Drusus lay sick in Germany he immediately put himself on an hasty Journey to give him a visit he passed the Alps and the Rhine and changing his Horse night and day he travelled outright two hundred miles with only one Person in his Company as his Guide Drusus though at that time labouring for life being informed of his coming commanded his Legions with their Ensigns to march out and meet him and to salute him by the Title of Imperator or Emperor he ordered a Praetorial Tent to be erected for him on the right hand of his own and gave him the Confular and Imperial name at the same time yielding this honour to his Brother and his Body to death Valerius Maximus p. 146. XLVIII Great was the love of Timolaeon the Corinthian to his Brother for when in a Battel with the Argives he saw his Brother fall down dead with the wounds he had received he leaped over the dead body of his Brother and with his Shield he protected the body as it lay and though in this enterprize he was sore wounded himself yet would he not retreat into any place of safety till such time as he had seen the dead body of his Brother carried off from the Field Fulgosus lib. 5. XLIX Neither has the extraordinary Love of Servants toward their Masters wanted great Examples some of whom have discovered eminent Fidelity and Virtue so that Fortune may seem to have treated them injuriously not to allot them as great advantages as their Masters they lived under for we read that the Servant of Vrbinius Panopion knowing
with many and cruel blows and threatned to be beheaded to which he answered You worship such Gods as will perish like dung upon the Earth but as for me come life come death I will worship none but the God of Heaven and Earth Acts and Mon. Vol. 1. XXVI St. Origen when he was but seventeen years old his Father being carried to Prison had such a fervent mind to suffer Martyrdom with him that he would have thrust himself into the Persecutors hands had it not been for his Mother who in the night time privately stole away his Cloths and his very shirt also whereupon more for shame to be seen naked than for fear of death he was forced to stay at home yet he writ thus to his Father Pray Sir be sure you do not change your Resolution for my sake Clarks Mar. XXVII Valence the Emperor being an Arrian sent Messengers to St. Basil to persuade him to imbrace that Heresy they gave him good words and promised him great Preferment if he would do it but he answered Alas Sir these Speeches are fitter to catch little Children that look after such things than such as me who being taught and instructed by the Holy Scriptures had rather suffer a thousand deaths than that one syllable or tittle of Gods Word should be altered the Governor being in a rage threatned him with confiscation of his Goods Torments Banishment and Death Basil replied He need not fear Confiscation that had nothing to lose nor Banishment to whom Heaven only is a Country nor Torments when his Body may be dashed in pieces by one blow nor Death which is the only way to set him at liberty and I wish it would fall out so well on my side that I might lay down this Carcase of mine in the Quarrel of Jesus Christ and in the defence of his Truth The Praefect told him that he was mad I wish said he that I may be for ever thus mad Clarks Examples XXVIII The same Emperor Valence coming to the City of Edessa perceived that the Christians did keep their Assemblies in the Fields for their Churches were pulled down and demolished whereat he was so inraged that he gave the President Methodius a box on the Ear for suffering such their Meetings commanding him to take a Band of Soldiers and to scourge with Rods and knock down with Clubs as many as he should find of them this his order being proclaimed there was a Christian Woman who with a Child in her Arms ran with all speed toward the place and was got amongst the ranks of those Soldiers that were sent out against the Christians and being by them asked whither she went and what she would have she told them That she made such hast lest she and her little Infant should come too late to be partakers of the Crown of Christ amongst the rest of those that were to suffer When the Emp. heard this he was confounded desisted from his enterprize and turned all his fury against the Priests and Clergy Wanly Hist Man p. 214. XXIX St. Chrysostom stoutly rebuked the Empress Eudoxia for her Covetousness telling her That she would be called a second Jezabel and when she sent him a threatning Message Go tell her said he I fear nothing but Sin and when she confederating with his other Enemies had procured his banishment as he went out of the City he said None of these things trouble me for I said before within my self if the Queen will let her banish me the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof if she will let her saw me asunder the Prophet Isaiah was so used if she will let her cast me into the Sea I will remember Jonah If she will let her cast me into a burning fiery Furnace or to the wild Beasts the three Children and Daniel were so dealt with If she will let her stone me or cut off my head I have St. Stephen and John the Baptist for my blessed Companions If she will let her take away all my goods and substance naked came I out of my Mothers Womb and naked shall I return thither again He was so beloved that on a time when he was like to be silenced the people cried out we had better want the shining of the Sun then the Preaching of Chrysostom Clarks Lives p. 78. XXX In the persecution of the Church under the Arrian Vandals who committed all manner of Cruelties upon the true Christians there were a great number condemned to be burnt in a Ship to which they were accompanied by a multitude of their Brethren being led like innocent Lambs to the Sacrifice and looking upon their weighty Chains and Irons wherewith they were loaded as rare Jewels and Ornaments they went with all cheerfulness and alacrity to the place of Execution even as though they had gone to a Banquet singing praises with one voice unto the Almighty as they went along the Streets saying This is our desired day more joyful to us then any Festival behold now is the accepted time now is the day of Salvation when for the faith of our Lord God we suffer death that we may not lose the Garment of Faith and Glory The People likewise with one voice cried out Fear not O Servants of God neither dread the Threats of your Enemies die for Christ who died for us that he might redeem us with the price of his saving blood Amongst them was a little Boy to whom a subtle Seducer said why hastest thou my pretty Boy unto death let them go they are mad take my Counsel and thou shalt not only have life but great advancement in the Kings Court to whom the Lad answered You shall not get me from the fellowship of these Holy Men who bred me up and with whom I have lived in the fear of God and with whom I desire to die and with whom I trust I shall obtain the Glory to come and so being all put into the Ship they were burnt together Clarks Martyr XXXI Among others who were terribly tormented they tortured Women and especially Gentlewomen stark naked openly without all shame and particularly a young Lady called Dyonisia whom they saw bolder and more beautiful than the rest they first commanded her to be stripped stark naked and made ready for the Cudgels who spake stoutly to them saying I am assured of the love of God vex me how you will only my Womanhood disclose you not But they with the greater rage set her naked upon an high place for a publick spectacle then did they whip her till the streams of blood did flow all over her body whereupon she boldly said Ye Ministers of Satan that which you do for my reproach is to me an honour And beholding her only Son that was young and tender and seemed fearful of Torments checking him with a Motherly Authority she so incouraged him that he became more constant than before to whom in the midst of his terrible Torments she said Remember O my
Child that we are Baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity let us not lose the Garment of our Salvation lest it be said cast them into utter darkness where is weeping and wailing and gnashing of Teeth for that pain is to be dreaded that never endeth and that life to be desired that always lasteth The Youth was so incouraged hereby that he persevered patient in all his sufferings till in the midst of his Torments he gave up the Ghost and many by this Ladies Exhortations and Example were converted to Christianity and animated in their sufferings Not long after Cyrillus the Arrian Bishop of Carthage stirred up Hunrick the Tyrant against the Christians telling him That he could never expect to enjoy his Kingdom in peace so long as he suffered any of them to live hereupon he sent for seven eminent Christians to Carthage whom he first assaulted with flattery and large promises of Honour Riches c. if they would imbrace his Faith but these Servants of Christ rejected all his offers crying out One Lord one Faith one Baptism saying also do with our Bodies what you please torment them at your will it is better for us to suffer these momentary pains than to indure everlasting Torments Before this Hunrick sent his Commissioners to impose the following Oath upon them under the utmost penalty You shall swear that after the death of our Lord the King his Son Hilderick shall succeed him in the Kingdom whereupon some cryed out we are all Christians and hold the Apostolical and only True Faith and seeing further into the subtlety of this Oath refused it other well meaning men offered to take it whereupon they were divided asunder and committed to custody the names of both Parties and of what Cities they were being taken in writing and soon after the King sent them this Message As for you that would have taken the Oath because you contrary to the rule of the Gospel which saith swear not at all would have sworr the Kings Will is that you shall never see your Churches nor Houses more but be banished into the Wilderness and there shall till the ground But to the refusers of the Oath he said Because you desire not the Reign of our Lord the Kings Son you shall therefore be immediately sent away to the Isle of Corse there to hew Timber for the Ships Clarks Martyr XXXII In the eighth Primitive Persecution under Valerianus Sixtus Bishop of Rome with his six Deacons were accused for being Christians whereupon being brought to the place of Execution they were all beheaded St. Lawrence also another Deacon following Sixtus as he went to Execution complained that he might not suffer with him but that he was secluded as the Son from the Father to whom the Bishop answered That within three days he should follow him bidding him in the mean time to go home and if he had any Treasures to distribute them among the Poor the Judge hearing mention of Treasures supposing that Lawrence had great store in his Custody commanded him to bring the same to him Lawrence craved three days respite promising then to declare where the Treasure might be had in the mean time he caused a great number of poor Christians to be gathered together and when the day of his answer was come the Persecutor strictly charged him to make good his promise but valiant Lawrence stretching out his Arms over the poor said These are the precious Treasures of the Church these are the Treasures indeed in which Christ hath his Mansion But O what Tongue is able to express the fury and madness of the Tyrants Heart how he stamped stared raved like one out of his wits his Eyes glowed like Fire his Mouth foamed like a Boar he grindeth his Teeth like an Hell-hound and then he bellows out Kindle the fire make no spare of Wood hath this Villain deluded the Emperor Away with him whip him with Scourges jerk him with Rods buffet him with Fists brain him with Clubs what doth the Traytor jest with the Emperor Pinch him with fiery Tongs gird him with burning Plates bring out the strongest Chains and Pireforks and the grate of Iron set it on the fire bind the Rebel hand and foot and when the grate is red hot on with him rost him broyl him toss him turn him upon pain of our high displeasure do every man his Office O ye Tormentors Immediately his command was obeyed and after many cruel Tortures this meek Lamb was laid I will not say upon a Bed of fiery Iron but on a soft down Bed so mightily did God work for his Servant and so miraculously did he temper this Element of Fire that it was not a Bed of consuming pain but of nourishing rest unto Lawrence so that the Emperor and not Lawrence seemed to be tormented the one broyling in the flesh the other burning in his heart when this Triumphant Martyr had been pressed down with Fire-forks for a great while in the mighty Spirit of God he spake thus to the Tyrant This side is now roasted enough Turn up O Tyrant Great And try whether roasted or raw Thou thinkst it's better meat By the couragious Confession of this worthy and valiant Deacon a Roman Soldier was converted to the same Faith and desired to be Baptized whereupon he was called before the Judge Scourged and afterward be headed Acts and Mon. XXXIII In the Arrian Persecution in Africa there was one Saturus a Nobleman eminent for Piety whom the Tyrant much laboured to withdraw from the Christian Profession but he refusing the King told him that if he presently consented not he should forfeit his House his Lands his Goods and his Honours that his Children and Servants should be sold and his Wife should be given to his Camel-driver or one of the basest of his Slaves but when threats prevailed not he was cast into Prison and when his Lady heard her doom she went to her Husband as he was praying with her Garments rent and her hair dishevel'd her Children at her heels and a sucking Infant in her Arms and falling down at her Husbands feet she took him about the Knees saying Have compassion O my sweetest of me thy poor Wife and of these thy Children look upon them let them not be made Slaves let not me be yoaked in so base a Marriage consider that what thou art required to do thou dost it not willingly but art constrain'd thereunto and therefore it will not be laid to thy charge But this valiant Soldier of Christ answered her in the words of Job Thou speakest like a foolish Woman thou actest the Devils part If thou truly lovedst thy Husband thou wouldst never seek to draw him to sin that may separate him from Christ and expose him to the second death know assuredly that I am resolved as my Saviour Christ commands me to forsake Wife Children House Lands c. that so I may enjoy him and be his Disciple And accordingly he was
Helmet ran with it to Alexander who took it and thanked him for his diligence but poured the water upon the ground though he was exceeding thirsty faying If I alone should drink it would make my Soldiers languish and accordingly they seeing his Temperance encouraged themselves by his Example and marched forward Quintus Curtius XXIX Charles the fifth Emperor 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 dressed in their richest Ornaments and a golden Canopy was prepared to be carried over his head and great expectation there was to see a great and glorious Emperor 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 Clarks Mirrour p. 233. XXX Mr. Hollingsheld writes that he knew an old Man who told of the former times in England and affirmed that if the Master of the House had a Matriss a Flock-bed and a sack of Chaff to rest his head on he thought himself as well lodged as the Lord of the Town For ordinarily they lay upon straw Pallets covered with Canvass and a round log of Wood under their heads instead of a Bolster saying that soft Pillows were fit only for Women in Child-bed and in a good Farmers House it was rare to find four pieces of Pewter and it was counted a great matter that a Farmer should shew five shillings or a Noble together in Silver Clarks Mirrour p. 1. XXXI Let us next remark the Affability and Humility of several Persons and certainly the greatest Examples of Courtesy and Humility have been found amongst them that have been truly Great and of the best merit according to the advice of the Comedian When Fortune doth us most caress And higher still advance Then should we most our selves suppress As subject unto chance XXXII Elizabeth was the Daughter of the King of Hungary and was Married to Lewis Earl of Thuringia yet in the midst of Riches and abundance she affected Poverty and Humility sometimes when she remained at home with her Maids she put on her meanest Apparel saying That she would never use any of her Ornament whatsoever if it would please the good and merciful God to put her into such a condition wherein she might freely dispose of her self and live according to her own inclinâ—…tion When she went to Church her manner was to place her self amongst the poorer sort of Women after the Death of her Husband she undertook a Pilgrimage according to the Superstition of those times wherein she gave to the poor and necessitous all that came to her hands to dispose of she built an Hospital wherein she made her self an Attendant upon the sick and poor and when by her Father she was recalled into Hungary she refused to go preferring this manner of life before the enjoyment of a Kingdom Zuinglius Theat p. 85. XXXIII Trajan the Emperor was a Person of such rare Affability and Humility that when his Soldiers were wounded in any Battle he himself would go from Tent to Tent to visit and take care of them and when Swaths and other Cloths were wanting to bind up their Wounds he did not spare his own linnen but tore them in pieces to make things necessary for the wounds of his Soldiers and being reproved for his too much familiarity with his Subjects he answered That he desired to be such an Emperor to his Subjects as he would wish if he himself were a private man Imper. Hist p. 144. XXXIV Upon the death of Pope Paul the Third the Cardinals being divided about the Election the Imperial party which was the greatest gave their Vote for Cardinal Pool an Englishman which being told him he disabled himself and wished them to chuse one that might be most for the Glory of God and the good of the Church upon this stop some that were no Friends to Pool and perhaps expected the place themselves if he were put off laid many things to his charge and amongst others that he was not without suspition of Lutheranisme nor without blemish of Incontinence but he cleared himself so handsomely that he was now more importuned to take the place than before and therefore one night the Cardinals came to him being in Bed and told him they came to adore him which is a circumstance of the new Popes Honour but he being awakened out of his sleep and acquainted with it made answer That this was not a work of darkness and therefore required them to forbear till next day and then to do as God should put it into their minds but the Italian Cardinals attributing this his Humility to a kind of stupidity and sloth in Pool looked no more after him but the next day chose Cardinal Montanus Pope who was afterward named Julius the Third I have read of many that would have been Popes but could not I write this man one that could have been Pope but would not Loyd's State Worthies XXXV Among other Virtues of the Lord Cromwell aforementioned his Humility was admirable of which the following Relation is one instance On a time as he was riding in his Coach with Archbishop Cranmer through Cheapside he there espied a poor Woman of Hounsloe to whom he was indebted for certain old Reckonings to the value of forty shillings he caused her to be called unto him where questioning with her what her name was and where she lived and withal asking her whether he was not somewhat indebted to her she said yes but she never durst call upon him for it though now she stood in great need of it He thereupon presently sent her to his House with one of his men and when he came from the Court he did not only discharge his debt but gave her an yearly pension of four pound and a Livery every year after so long as she lived Clarks Lives p. 21. XXXVI In the Reign of Theodosius the Emperor there happened a great tumult in Thessalonica a rich and populous City of Macedonia amongst the People against the Magistrates and Governors under the Emperor and their Fury grew so great that they slew them which when Theodosius understood he was so incensed against them that he caused his Soldiers to put ten thousand of the common people to death making no difference between the guilty and innocent St. Ambrose hearing of it when the Emperor came to Church as his manner was Ambrose set himself at the Church door and that his Repentance might be as publick as his Offence he told the Emperor That he should not enter there making a learned Oration to him wherein he opened his fault and then Excommunicated him all which the Emperor heard with great patience and returning to his Pallace he
by the neighbours who starting out of their beds and breaking open the doors found them in the very act before the body was cold for which they were apprehended and laid in Prison Fettered with heavy Chains After their condemnation for this horrid fact the morning before the time appointed for Execution the Father strangled himself and the Mother was carried by the Devil out of the Dungeon in the Prison and her body was found dead in a stinking ditch with her neck broken asunder Beards Theater p. 72. XXX In 1620 There was a young Gentleman whose name was Duncomb that fell in love with a Gentlewoman to whom he vowed his heart and promised Marriage but her fortune not answering his Fathers humour he threatned to disinherit him if he married her and the better to alienate him from her he sent him as a Souldier in the Earl of Oxfords Regiment into Germany hoping that time and absence might wear out those Impressions that his present fancy had fixed upon him charging him at his departure never to think of her more lest with the thoughts of her he lost him for ever The young man being now long absent from her and having his heart full with the remembrance of her could not contain himself but let her know that no threats or anger of Parents should ever blot her memory out of his thoughts which he illustrated with many expressions of love and affection but the careless young man writing at the same time to his Father superscribed his Fathers Letter to his Mistriss wherein he renounced her and his Mistrisses Letter to his Father wherein he admired her the Father swoln with rage and anger against his Son sent him a bitter Letter back again full of threats and whether that or the shame for his mistake that she should see he renounced her whom he professed to Love did overcome his reason is not known but he hereupon killed himself to the great grief of all the English there and by this example Parents may see what it is to be too rigid to their Children for it was not the young mans hand but the old mans hard heart that killed him Hist Great Brit. p. 140. XXXI There was a Peasant a Macedonian by Nation named Rachoses who being the Father of seven Sons perceived the youngest of them played the little Libertine and unbridled Colt he endeavoured to reclaim him by fair words and reasons but finding him to reject all manner of good Counsel he bound his hands behind him carried him before a Magistrate accused him and required that he might be proceeded against as an Enemy to Nature The Judges who would not discontent this incensed Father nor hazard the life of this young man sent them both to the King which at that time was Artaxerxes The Father went thither with a resolution to seek his Sons death where pleading before the King with much earnestness and many forcible reasons Artaxerxes stood amazed at his Courage But how can you my Friend said he endure to see your Son die before your face he being a Gardiner by Trade As willingly said he as I would pluck away Leaves from a rank Lettice and not hurt the root The King threatned the Son with death if his Carriage were not better and perceiving the old mans zeal to Justice of a Gardiner made him a Judge Causins H. Court p. 112. XXXII Epaminondas the Theban being General against the Lacedemonians it fell out that he was called to Thebes upon the Election of Magistrates at his departure he commits the care and government of the Army to his Son Stesimbrotus with a severe charge that he should not fight till his return The Lacedemonians that they might allure the young man to fight reproach him with dishonour and Cowardice he impatient of these Contumelies contrary to the commands of his Father ingages in a Battel wherein he obtained a signal Victory The Father returning to the Camp adorns the Head of his Son with a Crown of Triumph and afterward commanded the Executioner to take it off from his Shoulders as a violator of Military Discipline Plutarch XXXIII Philip the Second King of Spain out of an unnatural and bloody zeal suffered his eldest Son Don Carlos to be murthered by the Fathers of the Hellish Inquisition because he favoured the Protestant Religion which when the Pope heard of he abusively applied that Text of Scripture to him He spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all Acts and Monum XXXIV One of the Sons of Pyrrhus King of Epyrus being but a Boy asked his Father one day to which of his Sons he would leave his Kingdom to whom Pyrrhus answered To him that hath the sharpest Sword an answer not much unlike that Tragical Curse of Oedipus toward his Children Let them for me divide Both Goods and Rents and Lands With glittering Swords and bloody blows By force of mighty hands XXXV In the year 1551. at a Town called Weidenhasten in Germany Nov. 20. A cruel Mother inspired by the Devil shut up all her doors and began to murder her four Children in this manner she snatcht up a sharp Ax and first set upon her eldest Son being but eight years old searching him out with a Candle behind an Hogshead where he had hid himself and immediately notwithstanding his lamentable Prayers and Complaints clove his Head in two pieces and chopped off both his Arms next she killed her Daughter of five years old in the same manner another little Boy of three years seeing his Mothers madness hid itself poor innocent behind the Gate whom as soon as this Tyger espied she drew out by the hair of the head into the floor and there cut off his Head the youngest lay crying in the Cradle but half a year old him she without all compassion pluckt out and murdered in the same manner these Murders being committed this Devil incarnate for surely no Humanity was left in her to take punishment of her self for the same cut her own Throat and tho she lived nine days after and confessing her horrid Crimes died with abundance of Tears and great repentance yet we see how it pleased God to arm her own hands against her self as the fittest Executioner of Vengeance Beards Theat p. 225. XXXVI Fausta the Wife of Constantine the Great fell in love with Constantine her Son in Law whom when she could not persuade unto her Lust she accused unto the Emperor as if he had solicited her Chastity for which this innocent young man was condemned and put to death but the truth being afterward discovered Constantine ordered her to be put into an hot Bath and suffered her not to come forth till the heat had choked her revenging upon her own head her Sons death and her own Unchastity Idem p. 225. XXXVII Robert de Beliasme delighted much in Cruelty an Example whereof he shewed on his own Son who being but a Child and playing with him the Father for
caused the Body of the young man for whom his Father Petitioned to be divided into two parts commanding that one half of his Carcase should be laid on the right and the other half on the left hand of the Highway by which the Army was to march Rawleighs Hist World LXXXIV It is remarkable what is reported by Zonaras of the Emperor Basilius Macedo who being hunting wherein he much delighted a great Stag turned furiously upon him and fastened one of the Branches of his Horns into the Emperors Girdle and lifting from his Horse carried him a distance off to the great danger of his life which when a Gentleman in the Train espied he drew his Sword and cut the Emperors Girdle by which means he was preserved and had no hurt at all but observe his reward the Gentleman for this Act was questioned and adjudged to have his head struck off because he presumed to expose his drawn Sword so near the Person of the Emperor and so he by an high Act of Ingratitude was put to death accordingly Heywood of Angels p. 528. LXXXV 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 Shipwracked but saved by one who 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 days end was 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 on his behalf he taking the occasion told the King he had observed a little Farm on the shore 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 Governor 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 ingrateful injury he had returned him in lieu of it The King upon hearing the Cause in great Anger commanded the Courtier presently to be seized and to be branded in the fore-head with these letters with a hot Iron Hospes Ingratus The Vngrateful Guest And then restored the Farm to the right owner Lonic Theat LXXXVI Pope Adrian the sixth having built a fair Colledge at Lovain in Flanders caused this Inscription to be written upon the Gates of it in letters of gold Trajectum plantavit Lovanum rigavit Caesar dedit Incrementum with an unworthy allusion to that of St. Paul to the Corinthians that is Vtrecht planted me for there he was born Lovain watered me there he was bred up in Learning And Caesar gave the Increase for the Emperor had preferred him one that had observed this Inscription and withal his Ingratitude to reprove at once both that and his Folly writ underneath Hic Deus nihil fecit Here God did nothing Luthers Colloq p 305. LXXXVII Cardinal Charles Cariffa and Duke John his Brother 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 Caraffa's but as a reward of their good service he made it his first business to overthrow 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 in durance 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 Lipsius Mo. LXXXVIII Bellisarius was general of all the Forces under the Emperor Justinian the first a man of rare valour and virtue 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 Soldiers and less cost he had restored Military Discipline by his Authority when long lost he was allied to Justinian himself and a man of that uncorrupted Fidelity that though he was offered the Kingdom of Italy he resused it this great man upon I know not what Jealousy and groundless suspicion was seized 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 Bellisarius whom Virtue raised and Envy hath overthrown Fulgosus LXXXIX Achmetes the Great Turkish Bassa was by the confession of all Men the best Man of War and the most expert Captain amongst the Turks Bajazet made him 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 Emperor in token of their welcome and that they stood in his good grace caused a Garment of pleasing colours to be cast upon every one of his Guests and a gilt Bowl full of Gold to be given to 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 according to the Turkish Custom was commanded to sit still for the Emperor must talk with him in private the Executioners of the Emperors wrath came they stripped and tortured him hoping that way to gain from him what he never knew of for Isaac Bassa his great Enemy had secretly accused him of intelligence with Zemes but he was delivered by the Janizaries who would no doubt have slain Bajazet and rifled the Court at his least word of Command but though he escaped with his life at the present he not long after was thrust through the Body as he sate 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 Trapezund took the great City of Caffa with all the Country of Taurica Chersonesus the impregnable Cities of Croia Scodra and all the Kingdom of Epirus a great part of Dalmatia and at last Otranto to the terrour of all Italy Turk Hist p. 443. XC In 1565. Feb. 5. One Paul Sutor near Basil in Switzerland came to the House of Andreas Hager a Bookseller he was then old and fick and had been the Godfather of Paul at the Font and performed to him all the good Offices that could be performed by a Father being entred his House he told him he was come to visit him
ended his lascivious days which puts me in mind of the saying of a Wiser better King than he That there is little distance between the Prisons and the Graves of Princes this Example made a great Officer understand how K. Charles the Martyr was put to death for he discoursing with the chief English Interpreter at Constantinople not then calling to mind the Fate of Sultan Ibrahim demanded how and when K. Charles was put to death Sure said he Your King must have no Power or your People must be more Rebellious and Mutinous than other Nations of the world who durst commit an Act so horrid and vile as this see said he how our Emperor is revered and observed and how submissive and obedient half the world is to the Nod four great Monarch the Interpreter replied it would be to lious to recount to him the History occasion of this prodigious Fact but that the time it happened was some months after the death or murther of Sultan Ibrahim which was a sufficient item to the Grand Vizier to give him a perfect understanding of what he required The Poet makes Ibrahim speak thus of himself I that of Ottoman blood remain alone Call'd from a Prison to ascend a Throne My silly mind I bend to sift Delights Hating unpleasing business and Fights Till mad with wanton Loves I fall at first Slave to my own then to my Peoples Lust IV. Neither has Intemperance in Drinking been sometimes less fatal for we read that there was one at Liege in Germany who was addicted to daily drunkenness in his Cups as oft as he had emptied his pockets of his mony by playing at Cards he used to swear that he would be the death of his Wives Uncle because he refused to furnish him with more mony to play with this Uncle was a Canon a Person of great hospitality one night when he entertained a Letter carrier he was murdered by him together with a Neice a little Nephew of his All men admiring that the Canon was not present at Mattens or morning Prayer who never used to absent himself having long knocked at his doors in vain this Drunkard of ours having scarce digested his yesterdays Ale set up a Ladder to the Windows with others entred the House espying there three dead Corpse they raise the Neighbourhood with a lamentable cry amongst the whispers of whom when some said that the Drunkard was the Murtherer he was laid hold on cast into Prison and thrown upon the Rack where he saith that he doth not think that he did it that by reason of his dayly continual drunkenness he could affirm nothing of a certainty that he had sometimes a will or desire to kill the Canon but that he should never have touched his Niece or young Nephew well he was condemned and the Innocent wretch even in the presence of this execrable Letter-carrier was long wearied with exquisite Torments and at last died an unheard of death The Letter-carrier being again returned to Liege and not able to endure the hourly Tortures of a revenging God inflicted upon his Soul of his own accord presented himself before the Judges beseeching them that by a speedy death he might be freed from that Hell he felt here alive affirming that when he was awake though feldom when asleep the Image of the little Babe whom he had strangled presented itself to his Eyes shaking the furies whips at him with such flames as the Drunkard had perished in when he spake this at the Tribunal he continally fanned his face with his hands as if to discuss and abate the flames The thing being evident by the Goods taken and other discoveries he also the same year Aug. 23. was hanged till dead and then burnt at a stake Wanly Hist Man V. There was in Salisbury not long since one who in a Tavern in the midst of his carousing and healths drank also a health to the Devil saying That if the Devil would not come and pledg him he would not believe that there was either God or Devil whereupon his Companions being struck with horrour hastned our of the room presently after hearing an hideous noise and smelling a stinking savour the Vintner ran up into the Chamber and coming in he mist his Guest found the window broken the iron bar in it bowed all bloody but the man was never after heard of Cla. Mir p. 148. VI. In 1446. There was a Wedding near Zegbuick in Germany celebrated as it appears with such unheard of Intemperance and dissolute doings that there died of extream surfeiting no less than one hundred fourscore and ten Persons as well Women as Men. Stowes Annals p. 385. VII A Gentleman having been revelling abroad was returning home when it was late at night his head that was overladen with Wine proved too heavy for the rest of his body so that he fell down in the street not able to rise through the feebleness of his legs he had a Sword by his side when another coming that way hearing the voice of his Enemy at some distance suddenly snatcht out the Drunkards Sword having run it into the heart of his Adversary left it sticking in the wound in all hast conveyed himself away from the place The Watch at that time chanced to pass by who finding a man lie dead with a Sword in his body this drunken Person lying near him with his Scabbard empty they took him along with them to the Magistrate who having received such apparent Testimony against him committed him to Prison he was hanged for the Murther tho Innocent afterward the real Murtherer being to be hanged for some other matter confessed it was himself who had made use of his Sword to act his own private Revenge Wan VIII Lastly Ambition Pride has produced no less mischievous effects upon several Persons Caesar Borgia the Son of Pope Alexander was a most Ambitious man he caused his Brother to be murdered in the streets his dead body to be cast into the River Tyber then casting off his Priestly Robes Cardinals habit he took upon him the leading of his Fathers Army with exceeding Prodigality he ingaged to him many desperate Ruffians for the execution of his horrible devices having thus strengthened himself he became a terrour to all the Nobility of Rome he first drove out the honourable Family of the Columnii then by execrable Treachery poysoned or killed the chief Personages of the great Houses of the Vrsini Cajetani seizing upon their Lands Estates he strangled at once 4 Noblemen of the Camertes drove Guido Feltrius out of Vrbin took the City of Faventia from Astor Mar fredus whom heast beastly abused then strangled In his thoughts he had made himself Master of all Italy but was cast down when he least feared it being at Supper with the Pope his Father which was prepared on purpose for destroying several rich Cardinals by
not enduring delay caught up a Ladder and rearing it against the wall and holding his shield over his head began to mount it all which he performed with that celerity that before the Guard of the place had observed it he had gained the top the Enemy durst not approach to deal with him hand to hand but at a distance threw Javelins and Darts at him in such number that he was much oppressed by them the Macedonians endeavoured to mount upon two Ladders they had advanced but their number and weight that ascended caused them to break under them then was Alexander left destitute of any assistance but scorning to retire by the way that he came armed as he was he leaped into the midst of his Enemies and made a bold and couragious resistance on his right hand he had a Tree that grew near the wall and on the left the wall itself to keep him from being inviroroned and there he fought it with the stoutest of them many a blow he received upon his Helmet and Shield at last he had a wound under the Pap with an Arrow with the pain of which he was struck to the ground then the Indian that had given him the wound carelesly approaching too near him to strike him as he lay received Alexanders Sword into his Bowels and tumbled down by his side The King catching hold of a Bough that hung downward again recovered his standing and then began to challenge the best of them to the Fight in this posture he was found by Peucestes who by this time had got over the wall and after him a multitude of others by which means the Castle was taken and most of them put to the Sword Justin Hist lib. 12. XII Sir Robert Knowls was born but of mean Parentage in the County of Chester yet for his valiant behaviour was advanced from a common Soldier in the French Wars under King Edward the Third to be a great Commander and being sent General of an Army into France in despight of all their power he drove all the People before him like so many Sheep destroying Towns Castles and Cities in such a manner and number that long after in memory of this Act their sharp Points and Gable ends of overthrown Houses and Minsters were called Knowls his Miters after which intending to make himself as much beloved of his Country as he was feared of Forreign Nations he built the goodly fair Bridge of Rochester over the River of Medway with a Chappel and a Chancery at the East end thereof He founded also a Colledge with an Hospital adjoining thereto in the Town of Pontfract in Yorkshire He likewise built an Hospital in the City of Rome for the entertainment of English Travellers and Pilgrims which since is turned into a Seminary for our English Fugitives he died at his Mannor of Scone-Thorp in Norfolk in 1407. Clarks Mirrour p. 217. XIII In a dangerous battel against the Danes at a place called Longcarty the Scots beginning to retreat there was living hard by one Hay a man of exceeding strength and of an excellent Courage who suddenly caught up an Ox Yoak and together with his Sons flew into the Battel and so valiantly and fortunately behaved himself that what by frighting the Enemy and incouraging his Friends he reinforced the Scots who were ready to shrink and fly and obtained for them a great and glorious Victory The King with the States of the Kingdom ascribed the Victory and their own safety to his Valour and Prowess whereupon in that very place the most fruitful grounds were assigned to him and to his Heirs for ever who in testimony hereof have set over their Coat a Yoke for their Crest Camb. Britt XIV Gunhilda the Daughter of King Canutus was Married to the Emperor Henry the Third who being accused of Adultery and none sound to defend her cause at last an English Page a meer Boy and Dwarf who for the littleness of his stature was generally and jestingly sirnamed Mimecan this Champion adventured to maintain her innocency against a mighty Giantlike Combatant who in the fight at one blow cutting the sinews of his Adversaries Legs with another felled him to the ground and then with his Sword taking his Head from his Sholders he redeemed both the Empresses life and Honour Bakers Chronicle p. 17. XV. In a bloody Fight betwen Amurath the Third Emperor of the Turks and Lazarus Despot of Servia many thousands fell on both sides but in conclusion the Turks had the Victory and the Despot was slain Amurath after that great Victory with some few others of his chief Captains taking a view of the dead bodies which without number lay on heaps on the Field like Mountains a Christian Soldier sore wounded and all gore blood seeing him in a staggering manner arose as if it had been from death out of a heap of slain men and making toward him for want of strength fell down many times by the way as he came as if he had been a drunken man at length drawing nigh to him when they that guarded the Kings Person would have stayed him he was by Amurath himself commanded to come nearer supposing that he would have craved his life of him This magnanimous half dead Christian pressing nearer to him as if he would for honour sake have kist his feet suddenly stabbed him in the bottom of his Belly with a short dagger which he had under his Coat of which wound that great King and Conqueror presently died the name of this man was Miles Cobeletz who shortly after was hewn in pieces Turk Hist XVI King William the Second called Rufus being reconciled to his Brother Robert he assisted him to recover the Fort of Mount St. Michael which their Brother Henry did forcibly hold in Normandy during which Siege stragling one time alone upon the shoar he was set upon by three Horsemen who assaulted him so fiercely that they drove him from his Saddle and his Saddle from his Horse but he catching up his Saddle and withal drawing out his Sword defended himself till rescue came and being afterward blamed for being so obstinate to defend his Saddle It would have angred me said he to the very heart that the Knaves should have bragged they had won the Saddle from me Bakers Chron. p. 50. XVII George Castriot or Scanderbeg Prince of Epirus was inspired with such a Spirit of valour by God in defending his Country from the barbarous Turks that in fighting against them for very eagerness of Spirit his blood would usually burst out of his lips and he struck with such violence that he clave many of them asunder from the head to the middle and usually he cut off an Arm with Armour on at one blow and with his own hands he slew above two Thousand of them at several times he was such a mirrour of Manhood and so terrible to the Turks that nine years after his death as they passed through Lyssa where his body lay
buried they digged up his bones with great devotion reckoning it some part of their happiness if they might but see or touch the same and such as could get any part thereof were it never so little caused the same to be set some in Silver some in Gold to hang about their Necks thinking that it would animate their Spirits with extraordinary vigour and courage Clarks Mirrour p. 225. XVIII The Athenians under the command of Militiades had charged the Army of Darius at Marathon so â—ome that they were inforced to run away to their Navy at which time one Cynigyrus an Athenian shewed incomparable Valour for being in pursuit of the Persians to their Ships when some of them were putting off from the Shore he caught hold of one of the Ships with his right hand holding it till his hand was cut off then did he lay hold of it with his left hand till that also was cut off and yet then he catched hold of it with his Teeth nor did he leave till such time as the fleeting breath had withdrawn itself from his body and thereby disappointed the resolute intentions of his mind Justin Hist lib. 2. XIX The Romans being ready to join Battel with the Albanes that they might avoid bloodshed they agreed that the Victory should be determined three against three now there were in each Camp three Brethren born at one birth of equal years who were to be the Champions The three Horatii for the Romans and the three Curiatii for the Albanes after a doubtful conflict two of the Horatii being slain the third pretending fear ran away and thereby drew his Adversaries asunder who by reason of their wounds could not run with equal speed which being perceived by him he turned back and slew them one by one in single fight before they could join together whereby the Victory fell to the Romans Rawleigh's Hist World XX. Great was the Courage of the Hollanders in the year 1570. when Haerlem was besieged by the Duke of Alva's Army At this time the Citizens revived the ancient invention of Carrier Pidgeons and a while before they were blocked up they sent to the Prince of Oranges Fleet and to the nearest Towns of their own Party some of these Pidgeons which afterward being dispatched away when necessity required with Letters fastened under their Wings remembring their several Masters Houses they flew back to Haerlem whereby they received intelligence yet nothing was more admirable than the Townsmens valour who notwithstanding they had lost three great Armies that came to relieve them and had hardly any shelter within their Walls which were shot through in ten thousand three hundred and sixty places yet would they not hear of any Treaty or Conditions and when the Garrrison was brought to a small number both day and night upon the Walls they so performed the duties of many that if at any time the Spaniards did but chance to appear never so little above their Trenches they were in a moment taken off with Musket Bullets and those shot as for a Wager from many parts at once lastly though they were inforced by Famine to eat Mice old Shoes and every nasty thing yet they lost not their courage resolving to sally out and rather to die fighting than by yielding to mercy to have their Throats cut like Beasts which they had accordingly done but that as they marched out of the Port their Wives and Children with pitiful shrieks and imbraces stayed them yet when they had yielded to mercy that cruel Don Frederick Son to the Duke of Alva put to the Sword hanged and drowned nine hundred Soldiers and four hundred of the principal Townsmen which sad Spectacle continued many days Strada Wars of the Low Countries XXI Upon April 20. 1656. Blake performed a most noble Exploit at the Canaries to the honour of the English Nation not inferior to any Naval Atchievement of the ancient Greeks or Romans of which the following Relation written by an Eye-witness gives an account We were on Monday by break of day in the Offin of Sancta Cruz on the Isle of Tenariff and as soon as it was light we perceived by a signal from one of their Frigats abroad that the Spanish West-India Fleet was in the Bay whereupon after a short conference how to order the Attempt and Prayers we fell in among them and by eight a clock were all at an Anchor some under the Castle and Forts and others by their Ships sides as we could place our selves to keep clear of one another and best annoy the Enemy the Spaniards had there five or six Gallions whereof were the Admiral and Vice-Admiral with their Standards and Flags aloft and other considerable Ships to the number of sixteen some having Goods from the Indies still aboard them others had taken in Goods and Provisions to carry back thither again most of them were furnished with brass Ordnance and their whole complement of Seamen and Soldiers were aboard they were all close moared along the shoar which lies like an half Moon defended as far as the Ships rid by the Castle and surrounded besides with six or seven Forts and with almost a continued line of Musqueteers and great shot as the ground between admitted by which many of our men were slain so that we resolved to make quick work and in four hours time their men were beaten out and all their Ships put ashoar except the Admiral and Vice-Admiral who made the most considerable resistance about two a clock the Vice-Admiral was set on fire and the Admiral by some happy shot or other accident was suddenly blown up having as we perceived just before many men on board her by the evening all the rest of the sixteen were fired except two which sunk down right and had little but their Masts appearing above Water after which our Ships by the blessing of Heaven got safe off for though some riding near the shoar were sorely maimed and did require to be warped off others when we came to weigh Anchor drove with the wind which all the while did blow right into the Bay and one of our best Frigats struck though the enemy in the mean time supplied fresh men into the Forts for those we had killed and beaten out in the heat of the action and continually plied upon us from thence and also from the Castle till about seven a Clock at night yet notwithstanding all these disadvantages every Ship and Vessel belonging to our Fleet got clear off neither had we above fifty men killed in this service and one hundred and twenty wounded and the damage to our Ships so small that in two days we repaired them indifferently well for our present security which we had no sooner done but the wind turned to the South West which is not usual in those Islands and brought us in a short time to our former station about a year before this General Blake coming before Tunis demanded reparation for the Losses sustained