Bossu having no Children made him his Heir and gave him the Earldom of Bullen which occasioned him to have that Strname who by his Heroick Actions hath rendred himself one of the Worthies of the World He was naturally inclined to all sorts of Virtue much whereof was owing to his happy education under the exact care of a wise Father and a Mother of extraordinary merit who with a diligence unusual to her Sex had her self studyed and therefore infused into him all sort of curious Learning and is said to have predicted the future greatness of her three Sons for one day as the Earl her husband demanded of her what she had hid in her lap being playing with the Children she very seriously answered that she had there three Great Princes one Duke one King and one Earl which was afterwards verified in the admirable Fortunes of these three Princes for Godfrey was Duke of Lorrain and King of Jerusalem Baldwin was King of the same Realm after Godfrey and Prince of Edessa and Eustace whom some say was the elder Brother was Earl of Bullen after the death of his Father It is likewise related that she had a strange dream before the Birth of Prince Godfrey for the Sun seemed to descend from the sky and fall into her lap and she saw her little Son sitting on a Throne in the midst thereof But this is certain that she used to relate with much pleasure after the Glorious success her Sons had in the Holy-War that long before there was any discourse thereof Prince Godfrey used to say That he would one day take a Voyage to Jerusalem not for Devotion only as a Pilgrim but as a Captain and Conqueror at the head of an Army to chase the wicked Infidels from that Holy place After his Uncles death the Emperor Henry the Fourth pretending that the Dutchy of the lower Lorrain for want of Heirs Male devolved to him conferred it on his Son Conrade leaving Godsrey nothing there but the Marquisate of Antwerp and on the other side Albert Earl of Namur his kinsman and the Bishop of Verdun endeavoured to deprive him of Bullen and Verdun So that before he was seventeen years of age he was compelled to an early Valour for recovering his Right which he did by vanquishing their joint Porces and conquering Earl Albert in a single combat And then he assisted the Emperor Henry in his Wars in Italy and Germany though he had injuriously dealt with him who was at length so much overcome by his extraordinary merit and the considerable services he had performed that he again put him into possession of Lorrain his Mothers inheritance which he had detained from him thirteen years and likewise gave him his fister Adelaida in marraige Godfreys aflairs being in so good a Posture the Voyage for the Holy Land was proclaimed which he imbraced with such earnestness and generosity that he sold almost all his Estate to the Bishops of Leige and Verdun to raise Forces so that by an odd adventure the Princes improverished themselvess to serve Jesus Christ and the Priests inriched themselves with the spoils of these Temporal Princes chusing rather to make use of that money which like them they should have imployed in this Holy Expedition to advance their present fortunes which they saw these Princes so generously part with for the Love of God Godfrey being hereby provided to raise Souldiers his fame and repuration soon furnished him with military men from all parts many Princes and Gentlemen also his Friends serving under him as Volunteers He was now about thirty five years old and so excellently qualified both in Person and mind for a Captain and a Souldier that he obtained an absolute Empire over those Spirits who voluntarily submitted to his conduct But Peter the Hermite addressing himself to him Godfrey perceiving he should be clogged with a multitude of unprofitable people who followed that Priest and were more like to cause a Famine than give any real assistance he ordered that they should march under their own Leader and Peter being a Gentleman who before his turning Hermit had born arms the desire of glory induced him to believe that he might lawfully undertake such a military command without affronting the order of Priesthoed or imbracing the World which he had renounced but he soon found by woful experience what it was to exceed the Bounds of his Profession for his Soldiers in their march living upon free Quarter were most of them knockt on the head by the Inhabitants before they got to Constantinople In August 1096. Godfrey with an Army of ten thousand Horse and seventy thousand Foot well appointed and attended with many Princes and Nobles of the first Quality marched into Germany and passing over the vast Countries of Bulgaâ—ia he at length arrived at Philipolis in Thracia where some differences with Alexis the Greek Emperor being composed he at length came to Constantinople whither the rest of the Christian Princes and their Forces following soon after it was resolved first to Besiege Nice the Capital City of Bythinia and Duke Godfrey advancing before as far as Nicomedia and having levelled the ways over the Mountains from that Town to Nice they invested that place May 16. Godfrey with his Brother Baldwin took the Right hand over against the Principal Gate of the City where it was most strongly Fortified May 24. A general Assault was given upon several Quarters at once and the Combat was continued all day till night parted them and the next morning again renewed with extraordinary fury though without effect the Besieged being not only gallant men but in hourly expâ—ctation of relief from Soliman the Turkish Emperor to whom they had dispatcht an Express to inform him of their condition and the Sultans Letters in Answer to them whereby he assured them of certain relief the next morning being intercepted by the Christians they accordingly made Provision to receive him The Turks early in the morning descended from the Mountains and dividing into two great Bodies one of them assaulted Godfreys Quarter which lay next to that of Reymond Earl of Flanders but were received by both these Princes with so much vigor that they were presently put into disorder and forced to a hasty flight yet the Besieged continued to make an obstinate defence among whom there was one Valiant Turk who for his great Bulk and extraordinary Strength seem'd a Giant that defended one of the Towers which were assaulted by Count Raymond he had been often repulsed but still renewed the Attack making terrible havock among the Christians and intollerably insulting over those who fell under his Arms and exposing himself naked to a vast number of Arrows that were shot at him he with both his hands fell to throwing down Stones of a prodigious bigness upon those who attempted to undermine the Wall though he had above twenty Arrows sticking in his Breast and looked as if he were bristled with them Godfrey coming from his
Godfreys Squadron made a most woful destruction among them and their lamentable cries at length obliged the Governor to open the Gates and receive the small remainder into Antioch One of the Principal Turks of a Stature much exceeding others transported with fury to observe that Godfrey killed all who came within the reach of his terrible Sword he ran up to him foaming with rage and with his broad-Sword discharged so terrible a blow on the Duke that he split his Shield in two pieces which he had opposed to secure his head when Godfrey raising himself upon his Stirrups gave him such a furious stroke that his Sword falling on his right Shoulder passed quite through his Breast to his left side and made that half of his body tumble to the ground while the other remaining in the Saddle was carried by the Horse quite through the Town making such a fearful spectacle as struck Consternation and Horror in all the beholders Night coming on the Defendants throwing whole showers of Arrows from the Walls hindred the further pursuit of the Victory The Christians lost above a thousand men but it is almost impossible to count the loss of the Turks which was so great that they partly stopped the River with their dead Bodies After this great Victory the Besieged were more closely blocked up and some time after Antioch was surprized by Stratagem by the Christian Princes which was followed by another great Victory wherein the Enemy lost an hundred thousand Horse and an incredible number of Foot. And then the Princes assembled to consult concerning the principal Enterprize which was that of Jerusalem during which Godfrey or Geoffry de la Tour going out upon a party as he frequently did he heard the terrible roaring of a Lion who seemed rather to cry out for some dreadful mishap befallen him than in sollowing the Prey to devour it and without a moments deliberation he broke away from those that would have held him toward the next Wood and ran directly to the noise where he saw a horrible Serpent of prodigious magnitude who having wound himself about the Legs of a Lion had prevented him from defending himself and darted many blows at him with his Tongue to kill him with his Poyson who thereupon struck the Serpent such a blow with his Sword that he killed him without hurting the Lion and after that cut the wreaths of the Serpent wherewith he was intangled when the poor Lion saw himself at liberty he came in the most expressive manner and with the greatest submission to render thanks to his deliverer couching down and licking his Feet and afterward would never forsake him but sollowed him like a faithful Dog without offending any but his Enemies upon whom by a sign given he would be sure to fall and was always with him in the Combat and Chase and never failed to provide Venison for his Master a marvellous instance of natural gratitude and a reproach to Mankind who oft prove ingrateful to their Benefactors though indued with all the force of reason The Christians now marching with all speed toward Jerusalem took Rama in their way and then marching to Emaus about two Leagues and an half from Jerusalem they from thence had a fair prospect of the lofty Towers of the Holy City which filled the hearts of the Princes Officers Souldiers and the whole Troop of Pilgrims with great Joy and then coming up to it that they might avoyd a tedious seige like that of Antioch it was resolved to attack the place by main force though those within were more numerous than the Christian Army who were not above Twenty Thousand Foot and fifteen Hundred Horse the rest of that vast number of three Hundred Thousand men who came into Asia being either dead with diseases or slain in the several encounters the Christians therefore coming up close to the Walls raised up their scaling Ladders and mounted to the top from whence with mad courage they threw themselves into the Town where they desperately fought hand to hand with the Saracens who were amazed at this more than heroick boldness and no doubt if they had had more Ladders Jerusalem had been that day taken but since one Ladder could mount a very few men a Retreat was sounded after having lost a great many brave Souldiers in that rash attempt who yet sold their Lives so dear that twice as many of the Saracens fell with them Duke Godfrey concerned at this miscarriage resolved for the future to assault the Town with proper Engines of War which he managed with such extraordinary success that making a great breach in the Walls he threw himself into the Town with such admirable courage that the other Princes following him they in short time all entred and took full possession putting all the Insidels to the Sword and killing the very Children in the Arms of their Mothers thereby if it were possible to extinguish the whole race of Turks In short a most terrible vengeance was taken upon them and the Houses being plundred the whole Army found themselves inriched beyond imagination The richest Booty was found in the Temple of Solomon from whence was taken an inestimable Treasure of Gold Silver and Jewels which the Princes generously presented Duke Godfrey as the Person to whose only courage and conduct it was due Eight days after this happy conquest the Princes and Lords assembled to re-establish the ancient Government of Jerusalem by giving it a King Divers were proposed and it was offered to Robert Duke of Normandy Son to William the Conqueror but he designing to return home as soon as possible declined it telling the Assembly That it was most evident they ought to chuse that Person whose Piety Modesty Frudence Justice Valour and Success had appeared in many occasions That Person whose strength of Age Body Nobility Greatness and Majesty worthy of an Empire conspired to rank him among the greatest Princes that ever were and My Lords sayd he all these extraordinary qualities render themselves so conspicuous in the Person who possesses them that it may seem unnecessary to name him and God himself seems to have nominated him in giving him these surpassing advantages above the rest of mankind whom he hath chosen like a second David to be King of Jerusalem It is the Illustrious Godfrey of Bullen Duke of Lorrain whom the Prince had no sooner named but the whole Assembly interrupted him crying out with the same mind and voice Godfrey Godfrey long live Godfrey the most puissant and pious King of Jerusalem And notwithstanding all the resistance of that modest Prince he was obliged to consent to the Election which seemed confirmed to him by Divine approbation And the very same day he was conducted to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and there proclaimed King amidst the acclamations of the whole Army and all the Christians of the Countrey who came flocking in to inhabit the City of Jerusalem He was there presented with a
The History of the Nine Worthies OF THE WORLD Three whereof were Gentiles I. Hector Son of Priamus King of Troy. II. Alexander the Great King of Macedon III. Iulius Caesar First Emperor of Rome Three Jews IV. Ioshua Captain General of Israel V. David King of Israel VI. Iudas Maccabeus a Valiant Commander Three Christians VII Arthur King of Brittain VIII Charles the Great Emp. of Germany IX Godfrey of Bulloign King of Jerusalem Being an Account of their Glorious Lives Worthy Actions Renowned Victories and Deaths Illustrated with Poems and the Picture of each Worthy By R. B. Licensed and Entred according to Oâ—dâ—â— London Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside 1687. BY Arms and Virtue these to Honour rose By both they Conquer'd and ore'came their Foes Whereby of Worthies they obtain'd the name Whose Acts are registred in the Book of Fame Though they are Dead their Deeds will never But still be Famous to Posterity TO THE READER HAving often heard and read of the Nine Worthies and not meeting with any particular Relation of them I thought it might be worth my while to search out who they were and found that the Ancients celebrated the memory of nine Renowned Persons for the most Worthy Hero's in the Ages wherein they lived Three whereof were Gentiles Hector Son of Priamus King of Troy Alexander the Great King of Macedon and Conqueror of the World and Julius Caesar the first Emperor of Rome Three were Jews Joshua Captain General and Leader of the Hebrews into the Land of Canaan David King of Israel and Judas Maccabeus a Valiant Jewish Champion against the Tyranny of Antiochus And the last three were Christians Arthur the famous King 〈◊〉 Bâ—â—â—â—ain who valiantly defended his Countrey against the Saxons Charlemaign or Charles the Great King of France and Emperor of Germany and Godfrey of Bulloign called King of Jerusalem so memorable for his Gallant Atchievements in recovering the Holy Land from Sarazens and Infidels Having discovered their names I next endeavoured to collect from the most credible and Authentick Authors what I could meet with of the Worthy Actions and exploits whereby they obtained the Great Title of Worthies which I have done in as brief a method as such notable Deeds could be contained in which I now present to my Countreymen both for their Information and Delight not doubting but it will be acceptable especially since a Couragious Prince of our own Nation has been dignified with this mighty Honour If it please as I hope it may I shall be very well satisfied with the pains I have taken in gathering these Remarks out of other Voluminous Histories R. B. The History of Hector of Troy the First Worthy of the World. REnowned Hector Priams Valiant Son Deservedly the Name of Worthy won His Countries miseries he did foresee And therefore first ingag'd unwillingly But when his Fathers Glory call'd him forth He then displaid his Gallantry and worth His Thundring Arm no Graecian could withstand All fled and trembled where he did command At length at unawares he lost his Life Achilles thus betwixt them ends the strife Troy and his Fathers House soon after fell As Hellon and Cassandra did foretell THough the Poets have mingled and corrupted the History of the Destruction of Troy with their Fictions and Fables as they have most other true Storys of former Ages yet it is most certainly related by Ancient Historians of undoubted veracity that the Ruin of this famous City was occasioned by means of a Wooden Horse as is commonly believed And that Hector the Son of King Priamus of whom we now write the Life was a renowned and Valiant Captain and lost his Life in defeâ—ce of his Father and his Country But for the better understanding the Story we will look farther back and consider the original of this once Magnificent City Troy was hertofore one of the most Noble Câ—our of Asia Minor as well for its Largeness and â—iches as for that renowned War which it managed against the Armies of Greece It was scituate in Phrygia a Province stretching it self upon the Coast of the Aegean Sea near the Hellespont called now the River of Constantinople over against the Chersonesus of Thracia and the Island Tenedos which was not far distant from it The River Scamander which proceeded from Mount Ida ran by the Walls thereof and joining with the Râ—ver Simois they both together empty themselves into the Sea near the Promontory called Sigeum The first who built this City and commanded there in Chief was Dardanus the Son of the King of Corinth When his Elder Brother was dead a dispute arose between him and his other Brother about the Succession part of the People favouring one and the rest the other but Dardanus having at length defeated and killed his Brother Jasius He with his Favourites were forced for their security to take Shipping and fly into Phrygia where he married the Daughter of King Teucer with whom he jointly reigned in that Countrey which was then named Teuoria and afterward Dardania by which name also the City of Troy was then called This happened about the time that Moses left the leading of the People of Israel to Joshua about seven hundred years before the building of the City of Rome and six hundred and fifty years after the first foundation of the Assyrian Monarchy Dardanus left his Kingdom to his Son Erichthonius who begat Tros When he was possest of the Kingdom he called the City after his own name Troja and the Countrey round about Troas This Tros had several Sons the eldest was named Ganimedes and having War with Tantalus King of Phrygia he took his Son Ganimedes Prisoner and sent him as a present to Jupiter King of Crete now called Candia and this gave occasion to the Fable that Ganimedes was ravished by Jupiter His second Son was Assaracus who was Father of Capys of whom came Auchises the Favourite of Venus who had by him Aeneas born upon the banks of the River Simois But the Heir of his Crown was Ilus who altered the name of Troy to Ilium which he mightily inriched Laomedon succeeded his Father Ilus he fortified Troy with Walls by the assistance of Apollo and Neptune who being both fallen into displeasure with their Prince and seeing themselves reduced to extream poverty in a strange Countrey far from their possessions which were in Crete they resolved to enter themselves into the service of King Laomedon to help to build the Walls of his City They wrought long for this ungrateful King but when they saw no hopes of the reward promised them with an Oath for their labours but that he was so unworthy to refuse it he was afflicted with many diseases so that to be delivered he was forced to expose his own Daughter Hesione to be devoured by a Sea Monster it being required of them to deliver up a Virgin every year to be destroyed by them The King was extreamly
concerned that the Lot should fall upon his Daughter but Hercules travelling that way came to Laomedon and offered to deliver her by destroying the Monster if the King would give him for a reward some Noble Horses called for their excellency The Horses of the Sun then in his Stables in Troy. The promise was made but perfidious Lâ—omedon stood not to it after Hesione was set at liberty which so much incensed Hercules that he besieged the City of Troy took and plundred it kill'd Laomedon and carryed his Son into Captivity who was afterward redeemed by the Trojans and for that cause was named Priamus which in Greek signifies Redeemed To effect this Hercules had the assistance of his Friends and Allies especially of Telamon the King of Salames and Father of Ajax He carryed away all Laomedons wealth with Hesione his Daughter who was married to King Telamon Priamus being redeemed by his Subjects and established in the Kingdom began to inlarge his Dominions and to render the City of Trey far more famous than ever it was before for he rebuilt all the Walls adorning them with Forts and Bastions which were then called Pergama His Wives name was Hecuba Daughter of the King of Thracia She had by him many Sons as Hector Polites Deiphobus Helenus the Southsayer Troilus Paris and Polydorus and three Daughters named Polyxena Cassandra and Creusa His Court and Pallace were full of pomp and glory and he lived in this prosperous Estate many years but when he espoused the quarrels of the Asian People against Greece thereby ingaging himself in the publick enmity of his Country and suffered Paris to affront the Grecians he brought up on himself and his subjects utter Ruin and Destruction and was at last so unhappy to behold with his own Eyes the total desolation of the City of Troy which had lasted only three hundred years as Herodotus a faithful Historian hath related When Hecuba was with Child of Paris she dreamed she was bringing into the World a Firebrand that should kindle the flames of War in that Countrey and cause a general Destruction therein It was the custom of the Heathens when any strange accident happen'd to consult the Oracles and enquire from them what they ought to do When Priamus therefore understood his Wives Dream he sent to take advice with the Oracle who informed him that this Child would be the cause of the Ruin of his Countrey To prevent this as soon as he was born the King delivered him into the hands of a Souldier named Archelaus that he might cast him into the woods to be devoured of the Wilde Beasts and thereby avoid the mischief which threatned his Kingdom But the Mother seeing the Child so beautiful and well shaped was moved with compassion sent him to Mount Ida to the Kings Shepherd where he was brought up as his Son this mean education did not take from him the generous qualities and inclinations which he had received from his illustrious birth for on every occasion he made appear to all the World a great Courage Prudence and Justice and all other virtues worthy of a Prince so that he proved as Valiant as he was handsome Insomuch that the Poets feigned Juno Pallas and Venus agreed to chuse him sole Arbitrator and Judge of their Concerns in a difference between them which was this At the Marriage of Peleus and Thetis whilst these Goddesses were merry at the Feast the Goddess of Discord cast into the middle of the Company a Golden Apple with this Inscription For the Fairest and most Beautiful Each of these Ladies claimed it as their own and because they could not agree they resolved to leave it to the judgment of Paris who was corrupted with the Charms and Promises of Venus For she had ingaged to procure him the handsomest Lady in the World whereupon he despised the Riches of Juno and the Wisdom of Pallas and pronounced his sentence in favour of Venus whereby he provoked the Wrath of these Goddesses against himself and all his Nation This is the Fable After in a Publick Assembly he declared who he was for the Nobles and Gentry of the Countrey being met near the City to see the sport of Wrastling when every one strove to express his Strength and Courage he likewise went forth and threw to the ground many who undertook to ingage with him Hector the Son of Priamus among the rest did try his strength and was also overcome But this disgrace so inraged him against Paris that he resolv'd to kill him esteeming him no better than a Countrey Clown In his Anger he had taken away his Life had not Paris to prevent it shewn him certain small Jewels which Queen Hecuba his Mother had delivered to the Shepherd his Tutor and thereby declared himself to be his Brother King Priamus who had already admired his Address and Courage in the Combats was ravished with joy to understand the strange preservation of such an Excellent Son He therefore imbraced him brought him to his Pallace and gave him a Train of Attendants suitable to his Quality having forgot the Oracle foretold he was to be ruin of his Kingdom and Country He was at first renowned for his Justice and Civil behaviour but vice overcame his Generous Disposition and the Pleasures of the Court and sudden change of his condition altered his Temper and Carriage so that he had two natural Sons by Oenone Daphnis and Ideus who were as obscure as their Father was Famous King Priamus thinking himself now strong enough to encounter his old Enemies the Graecians assembled his Nobility to Court to whom he spake to this purpose My Lords You cannot forget the cruel injuries we have undeservedly received from the Greeks who lately invaded our Countrey and barbarously murdered your Parents and Friends as well as mine Having likewise carried away Captive Hesione my most Fair and Beloved Sister whom they still retain among them as a common Strumpet You must needs remember how they battered down this Famous City overthrowing and ruining the Walls Houses and Pallaces thereof even to the very ground and robbed us of all our Riches and Wealth wherewith Troy did then abound I therefore think it very just and reasonable that by the assistance of the Gods who resist the Proud and Insolent we ought to join together and endeavonr to take vengeance of them for those many wrongs we have received since our City is now so well peopled with valiant Soldiers and that we have Arms and Riches enough to furnish a compleat Army You know likewise we have made Alliances with divers great Princes our Neighbours who no doubt will assist us if we should have occasion for their help So that my opinion is we ought now to seek Redress for all our wrongs But since the fortune of War is uncertain and none call tell the Event thereof and though the dishonour of my Noble Sister be a very great Affront to me yet before I begin the
War I will send some Prudent Person fairly to demand the Restitution of Hesione which if granted I will be content to remit all their other Affronts The whole Council approved of this his Resolution and Anthenor one of his Princes was instantly dispatcht to Salamine to King Telamon and being admitted into his presence he thus Addressed him Sir Priamus King of Troy hath sent me to your Highness to desire you would please to restore him his Sister Hesione whom contrary to the Laws of Honour you detain as your Concubine it being no way proper to your glory thus to abuse the Daughter and Sister of a King who issues from a more Noble Family than your self Yet if you please to send her back my Master is willing to pass by all other Indignities and Damages which he hath received from you or yours King Telamon upon hearing this Message fell into an extreme Passion and fiercely replyed Friend whatever you are I cannot but much admire at the weakness of Priamus with whom I have no Correspondence nor Amity and whom I have not the least cause to fear nor grant his request Thy King ought to remember that I and others my Confederates came into his Country to revenge an injury which his Father Laomedon offered to some of our Allies and because I was the first who entered the City of Troy with great danger of my Life and Effusion of my Blood Hesione of whom thou speakest was bestowed upon me as the recompence of my Victory to use her at my pleasure and since she is so Noble and Beautiful a Lady I am very unwilling to be deprived of what is so delightful to me and whom I obtained with so much pains and danger go therefore and tell Priamus that he is never like to recover her but with the point of his Sword Neither can I think that thou art a very discreet Person to undertake such a Voyage with so great peril of thy Life and to bring such an Errand into a Countrey where thou and thy Countreymen are mortally hated I command thee therefore to go hence with all speed as thou hopest to escape a severe and cruel death Anthenor instantly took Shipping and carried the same Message to King Peleus then to King Castor and Pollux and lastly to Duke Nestor all of them Graecian Princes who all defied Priamus with the utmost contempt and scorn especially Nestor who all inraged said Thou vile wretch were it not for my Nobility I would cause thy Tongue to be pluckt out of thy mouth for presuming to utter such things before me and in despight of thy King would see thee torn piecemeal by Wild-Horses Anthenor doubting he might be as good as his word returned immediately to Sea and sailed toward Troy where at length after many dangers he arrived in safety And then in the Company of several Noblemen he presented himself before King Priamus all the Barons of the Realm and all the Kings Sons being present to hear what Tydings he brought To whom Anthenor gave a full Account of his Embassy and of all that happened to him during his Voyage At the recital whereof Priamus was very much disturbed and by their opprobious Speeches he perceived that it was impossible to recover his Sister without bringing on himself the utmost force and fury of the Graecians Soon after he again assembled his Nobility to his Palace of Ilium to whom he thus spake My Lords you may remember that by your advice I sent Anthenor into Greece to demand the return of my Sister by all fair means possible you likewise are sensible what injurious answers they gave to my proposals and how little they value the wrongs we have received insomuch that they threaten us with new mischiefs which Heaven forbid should ever fall upon us But since we have a strong and well fortified City and several considerable Princes firmly confederate with us in my opinion we are in a Capacity to revenge these reiterated damages Therefore if you think fit we will send our Forces privately into their Countreys where finding them utterly unprovided of defence we shall be able in some measure to right our selves upon them Neither ought you to be discouraged because they have been lately so victorious against us since it often happens that the Conquerors at length are vanquished by the Conquered All present were satisfied with this determination and being all dismist he called all his Sons who were not present at the debate to whom he again declared his intention with tears in his eyes to this purpose Dear Sons you ought never to forget the death of your Grand-father Laomedon nor the servitude of your Aunt Hesione whom the Greeks our inveterate Enemies abuse at their own pleasure which methinks should stir up thoughts of revenge in your minds but if this do not move you yet you ought to endeavour it for my Satisfaction who have brought you up with the utmost care and diligence and who am ready to dye with sorrow and vexation in reflecting on the multiplied injuries I have received from them And thou my Wise and Valiant Son Hector thou who art the Eldest of thy Brethren I require thee chiefly to undertake this matter thou shalt be the Principal Commander in executing this my will and all the rest will gladly obey thee yea the whole Kingdom will willingly submit to thy Conduct whom they know to be so valiant and couragious and therefore upon thee I must lay all the burden of this War and discharge my self thereof not doubting but by thy prudence and valour all will be brought to an happy effect and thy Father be revived in his old Age with the reports of thy growing glory To this speech Hector returned this mild and discreet answer Dear Father and my Soveraign Lord I am satisfied that there are none of your Sons but are sufficiently inclined to require satisfaction for any wrongs offered us or any of our Family according to the quality of the Person abused so doth the injury appear greater It is natural to men to seek redress of injuries yea the very Beasts by nature strive to do the same Neither Most Dear Father is there any of your Sons who ought more sensibly to resent the Murder of our Lord and Grandfather than I who am the eldest But I beseech you before you undertake this enterprise to consider seriously what may be the Issue and Event thereof otherwise you may have cause to repent that ever it was begun I speak not this out of Contradiction or Cowardise but only to induce your Highness to take mature advice and deliberation in the matter You know that all Africa and Europe are Subject to the Greeks and that they abound with stout and valiant Souldiers so that our strength in men at Arms is not comparable to theirs Why therefore should we who live in peace and quietness disturb our own Welfare and Prosperity Hesione is not of so much value that
we should indanger all our Lives and Estates only for her sake She hath been already a long time in Greece and I think it were better she should spend the rest of her days which cannot be many in that Countrey than that we should run such great hazards to fetch her home again I again declare Dread Sir I speak not this for fear or want of Courage but because the chance of War is uncertain and lest fortune by this adventure should confound and destroy our Realm or at least cause us to wish a thousand times that we had never undertaken so dangerous an Enterprize When Paris heard Hector thus declare his mind he was much concerned and standing up say'd Dread Lord I beseech you hear me one word To what ill end can this undertaking against the Greeks possibly come Are we not furnished with as gallant and couragious Knights as any in the World Yes certainly and are able to defy the greatest force can be brought against us Go on therefore I intreat you with your design in sending some Men and Ships to Land and Forrage in Greece and if you please to accept of my Service I shall most readily undertake this imploy not doubting but to do them very great damage and to bring away some Noble Lady by exchanging of whom you 〈…〉 your Sister Hesione without further troubâ—â—â— Deiphobus the third Son confirmed what Paris had say'd but Helenus the fourth who was a Priest or Southsayer smartly replied Mighty Father and Soveraign beware that the thirst of revenge do not bring upon you greater mischiefs You know very well I understand and can foretel things to come as you have often experienced The Gods forbid that it should ever happen Paris should be sent into Greece for if you make an assault upon them I now declare and presage you shall see this Honourable City destroyed by them and your Trojans and all your Children killed be therefore perswaded not to adventure upon what will certainly end in utter desolation with the death of your self and Queen and we that are your Children shall not escape For if Paris go into Greece all these evils shall surely come upon you The King was much disturbed at these words and for some time all stood silent when Troylus his youngest Son briskly answered My noble Lords why are you discouraged for the words of this cowardly Priest who you know doth as naturally hate War and Fighting as he loves good eating and drinking Who can believe that any man knows future events unless they are revealed to him by the Gods it were then great folly in us to concern our selves about his dreams If Helenus be afraid let him go into the Temple and sing Service and let us Dear Lord and Father revenge by force of Arms the injuries we have received from the Greeks send your Ships therefore instantly and doubt not but your valiant Subjects will procure you sufficient satisfaction from your enemies The whole Assembly approving this advice they broke up and Priamus presently dispatcht his two Sons Paris and Deiphobus to raise Forces in Panonia though Cassandra his Daughter Sirnamed the Prophetess upon hearing this their resolution like one frantick thus cryed out O Noble City of Troy what Fury hath moved thy Citizens to bring thee to ruin and desolation How soon wilt thou be overthrown and destroyed even unto the ground O Queen Hecuba for what crime hast thou deserved to see the lamentable death of all thy Children Why dost thou not prevent Paris from going into Greece which will be the cause of so many deplorable mischiefs She then ran to her Father and drowned in tears humbly besought him by no means to proceed in this enterprize because by her Science she certainly foresaw horrible effects would undoubtedly follow But neither the disswasions of Hector nor Helenus nor the admonitions of Cassandra could prevail in the least upon the mind of Priamus nor stagger his resolution as if inevitable destiny had absolutely designed the ruin both of himself and his Kingdom In the Spring Paris and Deiphobus returned with three Thousand stout Soldiers and were soon after imbarqued in twenty Ships accompanied with Aeneas Anthenor and Polidamas and Landing at Sparta were received by Menelaus King thereof with all expressions of kindness and civility and when his Affairs did require his presence in Crete now Candia he left Paris at his Pallace in his absence but the Affection of this King was requited with a notable Treason and Ingratitude For Paris having secretly Contracted a Friendship with Helena his Queen the Sister of Castor and Pollux and accounted then one of the greatest Beauties in the World he Debauched her and when he saw a favourable opportunity he rifled his Pallace plundered the City of Argos and carried all away Captive with Helena and her two Ladies of Honour and at length brought them all to Troy The next Morning he married her in the Chief Temple of that City King Priamus received his Sons and their Booty with great joy remembring his hard usage from the Greeks during his Captivity and because they had utterly ruined his City in the Reign of his Father Laomedon in hope likewise hereby to recover his Sister Hesione out of their hands When Cassandra heard and saw the rejoicing at the Marriage of Paris which lasted eight days throughout the whole City she like a Frantick Woman cryed out O unhappy Trojans what madness is it to rejoice at this Wedding which will bring so many evils Your selves and your Children shall be slain this Famous City shall be utterly destroyed O unhappy Mothers you shall see your sucking Babes torn in pieces before your Eyes O most unfortunate Mother and Queen Hecuba where wilt thou find Tears enough to weep for the Murder of thy Children O blind and foolish people why do you not send Helena home again before the Swords of your Enemies be sheathed in your Bowels do you believe that her King and Husband will not seek Revenge Yes certainly and woful will his vengeance be unto you O unhappy Helena thou wilt be the cause of sad calamities to this our Countrey King Priamus hearing her thus crying commanded her silence which she refusing was cast into Prison where she continued many days Happy had it been for him and his people too had they believed this warning of hers which might have prevented those desolations that will be read with pity to the end of the World. Menâ—laus who was at that time with King Nestor at Epirus hearing the news of the carrying away his Wife and ruin of his City was exâ—reamly disturbed and sent to Agamemnon King of Mycene his brother to come to him who arriving and understanding the affair he was mightily concerned for this disgrace of Menelaus which obliged him to acquaint the Princes of Greece with this notable affront which all the Nations had received by this Action They all agreed to consult about this business in
night coming on both sides retired In the next fight many gallant Commanders were killed but the Trojans lost more than the Greeks But in the seventh Battle though Hector was very much disswaded from fighting that day both by his Father Priamus and his Wife Andromache who seeing him Armed fell at his Feet together with her two little Sons humbly intreating him to disarm himself since she had drearned the night before that if he went out that day he should certainly be slain and said she If you will not do it for my sake yet have compassion on your Dear little Children and do not expose both them and me to a Cruel Death or cause us by your death to be carried into slavery in a strange Countrey But her reasons not in the least prevailing his Mother Queen Hecuba and Queen Hellena with all his Sisters came to him with tears in their Eyes and begged him not to go out yet all to no purpose for taking his Horse he was just going into the fight which was already begun when his Father Priam seizing his Horse by the Bridle prevented him and made him return but he would by no means be perswaded to disarm The Battle was very bloody to the Trajans and by the obstinate Valour of the Greeks they were beaten back to the City Gates and Margetton one of Priamus natural Sons was slain by Achilles which when Hector heard he was so inraged that putting on his helmet he privately got away into the Fight where he soon dispatcht several of the most forward Greek Captains and again restored the Battle by his presence so that the Greeks lay dead on all sides When Achilles observed Hector to make such havock of his Commanders he concluded that all his indeavours or hopes of success would be in vain whilst Hector lived and therefore taking a Noble Graecian with him call'd Policceus they came upon him with the utmost fury imaginable but Hector soon dispatcht the Nobleman Achilles resolving to revenge his Death assaulted him couragiously but Hector threw a dart at him with such violence that it wounded him in the thigh Achilles retired to bind up his wound and then returning to the Battle with a very great Spear wherewith he vowed to be the death of Hector he found him carrying a Graecian Prince very richly armed out of the Field having thrown his shield behind him for his ease and thereby left his breast uncovered Achilles observing his advantage without being perceived by Hector came suddenly up to him and thrust his Spear into his Body wherewith this Gallant Worthy fell instantly dead to the ground King Memnon who was present seeing Hector slain fell upon Achilles with his utmost force striking him to the ground and wounding him very dangerously but his Souldiers laid him upon his Shield and so carried him into his Tent The Trojans were wonderfully discouraged at his death and retired into the City with much sorrow and lamontation But who can express the grief of his Father Mother Wife and Kindred they tore their garments and faces and were for a long time as it were distracted for grief Hector being buried with much funeral Pomp and State the Trojans fell upon the Greeks and cut off abundance of them in revenge of his death To conclude there were many slain and much blood Spilt in the frequent Sallies of the besieged and Memnon whom the Trojans put their trust in next to Hector being likewise slain they were much terrified yet was Achilles soon after killed by Paris at which they began to take courage again and express their Joy but it lasted not long for Pyrrhus the Son of Achilles being arrived from Greece succeeded his Father in all his Offices and had no less success in the Encounters although he was very young He revenged his death upon the Trojans in many Battles in one of which he killed Paris At last the besieged were so unhappy as to see their Palladium upon which they superstitiously believed the safety of their City did depend stolen and carryed away privately by Ulisses and Diomedes You must know that Troy was first built by Dardania and afterward inlarged by his great Grand-son Ilus who named it Ilium This Prince made his Prayer to the Gods that they would please to give him some sign whether they did approve of the Building this City Immediately at his words saith the Story there fell down from above the Palladium which was an Image of three Cubits long holding in one hand a Lance and in the other a Spindle with a Distaff The Statue no sooner toucht the Earth but it began to march in the presence of the King. The Oracle afterward inform'd him that Troy should never be taken nor destroy'd whilst that remained safe Ulisses and Diomedes stole secretly into the Citadel of Troy through a Gutter and carried away the Palladium This caused King Priamus to come to an Agreement with the Greeks but had no mind to restore Helena who was Married to Deiphobus his Younger Son after the death of Paris Aeneas and Anthenor were Commissioned to Treat with the Enemy who concluded a Peace for a certain sum of Money and a quantity of Provisions which the Trojans were to furnish the Greeks for their return home This Peace was but a cheat that the Greeks might surprize them with less difficulty When they raised the Siege they pretended to leave behind them a Present for Minerva to appease her Wrath as if they had displeased her by Stealing away and prophaning the Palladium for that purpose they caused a Wooden Horse of a Prodigious bigness to be made In the Belly of it they shut up a great many of the stoutest and ablest Soldiers of the Army and left it before the Walls of the City and retired with their whole Forces as if for good and all but they went no farther than the Isle of Tenedos expecting to see the success of their Enterprize The Besieged immediately go out of their City where they had been shut up so long they visit all the quarters of the Graecian Camp they admire this great Wooden Horse At length they consult whether they should carry it into their City Some were for it others suspected some deceit among whom one Lacoon cast his Lance against it but seemed to be instantly punished for two dreadful Serpents immediately killed him and his two Children This Accident caused them all to resolve to drag this Wooden Engine into Troy. But they were far more eager when they heard the Relation and discourse of one Sinon a Fellow taught by Vlisses for this purpose and taken as a spy by the Trojans who told them That when the Fleet was ready to set sail toward Greece the Gods had demanded a Graecian to be sacrificed to them that the Voyage might be prosperous and that Vlisses his mortal Enemy having caused the Lot to fall upon him he was forced to run away and hide himself Thus persisting in his
dissimulation he told them that the design of the Greeks was to reconcile themselves to the Goddess Pallas and therefore they had dedicated unto her this Horse which they had caused to be made so large that it might not enter within the Walls of the City and that the Trojans might not make use of it to their advantage and to the prejudice of the Greeks This Discourse removed out of their minds all Jealousie and Suspition and caused them to resolve to break down a part of the City Wall to carry in this great Horse Every one imployed himself in this Work with all their â—ower and diligence and having drawn it into the midst of the City they all departed to Drink Dance and make merry wherein they continued till night and were then overcome with Wine and Sleep When Sinon saw things in this posture he opened the Belly of the Horse to let out the Soldiers who had been there shut in and then he made a Fire to give notice to the Greek Army who hastening back without noise entered by the breach lately made in the Wall and soon disperst themselves into every part of the City to burn and plunder it Pyrhut went directly to the Pallace where he Massacred King Priamus and all his Sons and his Daughter Polixena The rest of the poor Inhabitants had no Quarter granted them but were all cruclly murdered without respect to Quality Sex or Age And thus after ten years Siege this Famous City was destroyed and burnt to the ground about three hundred years after it had been built by Dardanus and about two thousand eight hundred years from the Creation of the World. Helena the occasion of all this desolation returned with her Husband to Sparta where she lived till his death She being afterwards banished by the Sons of Menelaus fled to Rhodes to Queen Polixena her old Acquaintance who suffered her to be hang'd on a Tree for her Infamous and Wicked Life The History of Alexander the Great the Second Worthy of the World THE Second Worthy was Great Alexander That Valiant Captain and renown'd Commander He in his youth did the known World subdue And wept beeause he found no more to do He was a Prince that had a Mighty Mind And to all Glorious Actions was inclin'd With Thirty Thousand men he put to slight Six hundred thousand Persians and quite Destroy'd that Potent Monarchy which long Had Triumpht over Nations Great and Strong Yet he who others could subdue by wine Was Conquered and did his Life resign ALexander the Great was the Son of Philip King of Macedon and Olympias His Father after he subdued Greece and was acknowledged their Captain General listed the Auxiliaries of ever City by whom he was to be assisted against any Invasion or to lead them forth against any Nation for it was not doubted but that the Empire of the Persians was the design of those great preparations the number of foot were two Hundred Thousand and fifteen Thousand Horse besides which he had an Army of Macedonians and another of the barbarous Nations who were conquered and borderers upon his Kingdom In the Spring he sent Parmenio Amyntas and Attalus whose Sister he had lately Married having divorc Olympias upon suspition of incontinency into that part of Asia which was under the power of the Persians But while the Auxiliaries of Greece were drawing into a Body he celebrated the Nuptials of Cleopatra his Daughter and Alexander whom he had made King of Epirus The day was remarkable for the magnificence of the Two Kings the one Marrying the other giving his Daughter in Marriage Neither was there wanting the delight of Enterludes and Masks to the beholding whereof when King Philip passed without a Guard between the two Alexanders his own Son and his Son in Law Pausanias one of the Nobility being suspected by none Killed Philp as he was going through the croud and made the day destined to mirth and Marriage black with the lamentation of a funeral This Pausanias about the fourteenth year of his age was inforced to be a Prostitute or Sodomite to Attalus to which indignity this ignominy was added that Attalus having afterwards brought him into the Banquet and made him drunk did not onely expose him to his own lust but to all his guests and rendred him a common laughing stock among them which Pausanias resenting with great indignation often complain'd of it to Philip but finding that he was both deluded and delayed in his just complaints likewise that his adversary was honoured with a new addition of power greatness he converted his anger against Philip himself that revenge which he could not have on his adversary he took on his unrightous Judge Pausanias was seized and crucified for the Fact. As there were divers Nations in the army of Philip so he being slain there were divers agitations of minds in them In these distractions the coming of Alexander was a Soveraign remedy who in a very obliging Speech quieted their minds and procured to himself a very great esteem from them He was then but twenty years old and gave exceeding hopes of a growing Vertue He freed the Macedonians from all Tributes whatsoever unless a discharge from the War wherewith they were extreamly satisfied declaring that they had only lost the Person but not the Vertue or valour of their King He caused all who were guilty of his Fathers death to be slain at his Funeral He awed many Nations who were ready to rebel and marching privately into Greece called the Magistrates of all the Citys to Corinth by whom he was made General in the place of his Father after which he proceeded in his preparations for the Persian War begun by his Father during which he had notice that the Athenians Lacedemonians and Thebans had revolted to the Persians by the treachery of Demosthens the Orator who corrupted him with a great sum of gold But upon Alexanders approach they soon returned again to their obedience the Thebans only persisting who were thereupon quickly subdued their City levelled to the ground and their Citizens sold for Captives Alexander being now wholly intent upon the War in Asia put to death all his Kindred or friends that he imagined might nourish any aspiring thoughts After which having drawn his Army all into one Body he speedily imbarqued them and being come within sight of Asia inflamed with an incredible ardor of Spirit he erected 12 Altars where he made his Vows to the Gods of War He then divided all his Patrimony and Kingdom which he had in Macedonia and Europe amongst his Friends alleaging That Asia was sufficient for himself And before any of his Ships Sailed he offered Sacrifices desiring Victory in this War in which he was to be the Revenger of Greece so often invaded by the Persians whose Empire was grown Old and Ripe for change it being now high time that the Turn should again come about when others who would use their power
better should enjoy it Neither were the resolutions of his Army less prosaging good fortune than his own who forgetting their Wives and Children and the War which was so far from their own Countrey assured to themselves the Persian Gold and all the riches of the East as if already in their possession When they drew near the Asian Shoar Alexander first threw a dart as into an Enemies Countrey and leaping ashoar in his Armour vaulted twice or thrice into the Air He there again sacrificed praying That those Countreys might willingly receive him as King He did the same at Ilium upon the Tombs of those who fell in the Trojan War Advancing afterward towards the Enemy he made Proclamation That none of his Souldiers should plunder since they ought to spare their own goods and not destroy what they came to possess In his Army were thirty Two thousand Foot and Four Thousand five Hundred Horse and a Fleet of one hundred eighty two Ships With which inconsiderable Force it may seem wonderful he durst undertake to overcome all the Western World especially since his Army did not consist of stout young men in the Flower of their Youth but chiefly of Old Souldiers some of whom by the Laws of War ought for their age to have been discharged from further Service being such as served both his Father and Grand-Father whereby they now seem'd Select Masters of War rather than private Souldiers there being no File-leader who was not sixty years old the Order of the Camp being so excellent as it appeared like the Senate of some ancient Commonwealth therefore in the Battle no man thought of flight but of Victory having no hope in the nimbleness of their Feet but in the strength of their Arms. On the other side Darius King of Persia confident of his strength affirmed he would have nothing done by Policy or Circumvention since it was not suitable to his Grandeur to steal a Victory and therefore thought it more honourable to admit the Enemy to enter his Countrey than to fall upon him on the Borders The first Battle was in the Plain of Adrastum where an Army of six hundred thousand Persians were overcome as much by the Policy of Alexander as the courage of the Macedons great was the slaughter of the Enemy whereas he lost only nine Footmen and one Hundred and Twenty Horse whom to incourage the rest he caused to be honourably buried and Statues were erected for them as for some memorable Commanders bestowing great Priviledges on their Relations and kindred After this Victory the greatest part of Asia submitted to him He also made many Wars with the Lieutenants of Darius whom he overcame not so much by Arms as the Terror of his name While he was thus Victorious he understood by a Captive that a Treason was contrived against him by Alexander Son in law to Antipater then the Kings Lieutenant in Macedonia but fearing if he should put him to death it might occasion some Tumult in Macedon he only confined him to Prison in Bonds After this he advanced to Gordium scituate between both the Phrygias which City he desired to be Master of not so much for the plunder as because he heard that in the Temple of Jupiter which was within it there was consecrated the Plough of Gordius the knots of whose cords if any could unlose the Oracle of Old had presaged he should reign over all Asia The Original of the Story was this When Gordius was ploughing in this Countrey with his Oxen great flights of Birds of all sorts flew round about him who going to the Southsayers and Astrologers of the next City to know the meaning he met at the Gate a Virgin of admirable Beauty and asking her whether he should go to be resolved of his doubt she having some knowledge her self in the Art by the instructions of her Parents told him That the Kingdom and Government of that Countrey was presaged to him thereby and offered him to be a companion of his good fortune by giving her self in Marriage to him He was unwilling to refuse so fair a condition which seemed the first felicity of his Kingdom After this Marriage a Sedition arose among the Phrygians and counsel being asked what would put an end to these mischiefs the Oracle replied That there was a necessity of a King And being again demanded who he should be answer was made That they should make him King whom they should find with a Plough entring into Jupiters Temple Gordeus was the man whom they presently saluted as their King who consecrated to Regal Majesty in that Temple the Plough by which the Kingdom was conferred upon him After him reigned his Son Midas who being instructed by Orpheus in the Solemnities of Worshipping their Gods he filled all Phrygia with Religion and Ceremonies by which during his life he was thought safer than by Arms. Alexander soon took the City and entring the Temple inquired for the Plough which being shewn him when he could not discover the ends of the Cords lying hid amongst the multiplicity of the foldings he gave a violent interpretation to the sense of the Oracle and cutting the cords asunder with his sword the knots were undone and he found the ends lying undiscovered in the Mystery of the Twists Mean while he heard of Darius approach with a formidable Army and fearing the danger of the Streights of Taurus he marcht speedily over that Mountain his Foot going five hundred Furlongs without Respite Coming to Tarsus and being taken with the pleasant River Cydnus running through that City he disarmed and covered with dust and sweat threw himself into it which was so very cold that it caused a Chilness and benuming in every joint which rendred him Speechless and made his condition very dangerous and the more because he had received letters that day from Cappadocia that Philip his chief Physician in whom he put most confidence was corrupted by Darius to destroy him However the case being desperate he ordered him to prepare a potion and having received the Cup he delivered these Letters to him and stedfastly beheld him as he drank the Physick and observing no alteration in his countenance in reading them he became more cheerful and in four days was perfectly recovered And now Darius advanced toward him with Three hundred thousand Foot and One hundred thousand Horse and though the multitude of his enemies did somewhat disturb him yet when he reflected what mighty Actions and what notable Conquests over many Nations he had performed with as few men he resumed his former courage but thought it necessary by no means to delay fighting least some discouragement might happen to his Soldiers and therefore riding through the midst of his Troops he by several Speeches and Orations endeavoured to confirm their valour teling them The World had no Souldiers comparable to them and that this one Battle would put an end to their labours but their glory and renown would remain for
Philip that he did not care to have his own Countrey so much as mentioned being overcome with the same vices which were the overthrow of his Enemies yet he politickly permitted his Souldiers to marry those Women who were their Captives to make the War less tedious and their desires to abate of returning home and likewise that Macedonia might be the less exhausted with recruitâ— if young Souldiers born in the Camp should succeed their Old Fathers The Parthians being next subdued Andragoras a noble Persian was made their Govenor from whom the Kings of Parthia deriv'd their original In the mean time Alexander excercised his rage on his own men more like an Enemy than a King especially on those who upbraided him for subverting the Customs of his Countrey for which offence old Permenio next in dignity to the King and his Son Philotas though upon other pretences were put to death upon which murmurs rose throughout the Camp in compassion to these innocents and secrets whispers that they could hope for little better to themselves which being told Alexander he declared he would send some into Macedonia to give an account of his Conquests desiring his Souldiers to write freely to their Friends who were glad of such an opportunity This done he commanded the Letters to be secretly brought him whereby having discovered every mans opinion of him he reduced those who had writ severely into one Company with an intent either to destroy or distribute them into Colonies in the furthest parts of the World. He then subdued the Dracans and divers other Nations inhabiting at the foot of Mount Caucasus when Bessus one of the Favorites of Darius was brought bound in chains who not only betrayd but kill'd his King whom Alexander delivered to the brother of Darius to be tormented in revenge of his Treason And to leave his name in those remote Countreys he built a City which he named Alexandria on the River Tanais within seventeen days making a Wall about it of six miles compass and transplanting thither the people of three Citys adjacent built by Cyrus He likewise built twelve Citys amongst the Bactrians and Sogdians wherein he placed all whom he found seditious in his Army After this one Holyday he called his chief Captains together to a Banquet where mention being made of the exploits perform'd by Phillip Alexander preferred himself above his Father and extolled his own Atchievements to the skies the greatest part of his guests assenting thereto but Clytus an Old Commander upon confidence of the Kings Friendship still persisted to magnifie the actions of Philip which so inflam'd Alexander that snatching a spear from one of the Guard he killed him at the Feast and insulted over his Dead body but his Passion being abated he heartily repented of that rash action lamenting his innocent Old Friend whom Wine and Gluttony had thus destroyed and would have done execution upon himself for the same had not his Friends prevented him Yet melting into tears he imbraced the dead Body handled his wounds and confessed to him his madness as if alive and taking the spear again into his hands he had certainly slain himself if the attendants had not interposed This resolution to dye continued with him several days after The remembrance of his Nurse who was Sister to Clytus still renewed his griefe for making her so cruel a recompence for the nourishment she had given him and that being a young man and a Conqueror he should requite her who brought him up in her arms with Bloud and Murder He then reflected on the disgrace this act would procure him both in his own Army and the Conquered Nations appearing now more terrible among his Friends at a Banquet than being armed in the face of his Enemies then Permenio and Philotas and all the Princes he had destroyed in Macedon represented themselves to his memory for which he abstained four days from eating a bit of meat till he was at last prevaild on by the Prayers of the whole Army desiring him not so much to resent the death of one as thereby to destroy them all nor to forsake those whom he had brought into the utmost parts of the East among barbarous and cruel Nations sufficiently provoked by his invasions The perswasions of Calisthenes the Philosopher and his familiar acquaintance prevailed much upon him being bred up with him in the School of Aristotle and whom he sent for on purpose to record his Conquests and Victorys Having therefore resolv'd to pursue the War he took several Nations who submitted to him into his protection Yet not long after to render himself still more hateful he commanded That he would not only be Worshipped but adored which was the only thing he had forborn in his proud imitation of the Persian Kings Calisthenes was the most resolute opposor of this innovation which ruined both him and divers other Princes of Macedon who were all put to death under pretence of Treason Yet would not the Macedons submit to adoration but retained their ancient custom of saluting their King. He next marcht into India to bound his Empire with the Ocean and the farthest East and to make himself and his Army more renowned he covered the trappings of their Horses and the arms of his Souldiers with Silver When he came to the City of Nysa the in habitants made no resistance because of their religious confidence in the assistance of their God Bacchus by whom that City was built which he commanded should be spared that he might follow the footsteps of their Deity He then led his Army to see the Holy Hill of Bacchus which was clothed with Vines and Ivy so naturally and elegantly as if adorned by the hand and industry of the Planter From hence he marcht to the Hills of Dedalus and the kingdom of Queen Cleophis who yeilding to him without resistance received back her Kingdom redeeming it by exposing her self to his pleasure and obtaining that by wantonness which she could never have recovered by force of Arms She called her Son then begotten by him Alexander who after enjoy'd the Kingdom of the Indians she was afterward called by her subjects The Royal Harlot Having marcht almost through all India he came at length to a Rock as wonderful for its bigness as ascent into which many Nations fled for security and understood that Hercules was by an Earthquake hindred from taking it Being thereupon transported with ambition to transcend the Actions and labours of Hercules he with almost infinite difficulty and danger became came Master of it and took into his protection all the Nations thereabout One of the Indian Kings named Porus was as admirable for his strength of Body as greatness of Mind who having notice of Alexanders advance prepared an Army to entertain him The Battles being joyned he damanded of the Macedons their King being resolved as a private Enemy to fight with him hand to hand Alexander made no delay to answer him and in the first
to keep as it were a Parliament of the whole World some Magicians advised him not to enter that City affirming it would be fatal to him therefore declining it he turn'd aside to Bersia a City heretofore unpeopled on the other side Euphrates where he was importuned by Anaxarchus the Philosopher to despise the Presages of the Magicians as false and uncertain and if proceeding from Destiny or Nature not to be prevented Going therefore to Babylon after a while he again prepared a Solemn Feast which he had for some time intermitted where he devoted himself absolutely to mirth both day and night After which Thessalus his Physician invited him and his Companions to another debauch where taking the Cup into his hand in the middle of his draught he groaned as if he had been struck through with a Sword and his Body became so extream tender that he complained if but touched as though he had been wounded His Friends said his disease was occasioned by excess of Wine though it were really Treason the infamy whereof the power of his Successors did suppress The Author of this Treason was Antipater who when he beheld his dearest friends commanded to death his Son in law slain and himself who had performed such considerable Service in Greece disrespected and accused by his Mother Olympias of many insolencies and likewise considered his late severity to his Lieutenants and expected the same treatment to make sure work with the King he suborned his son Cassender with his Brother Philip and Jolla who used to minister to him to poison him So great was the strength of the Poyson that it could not be contained in Iron Brass nor any thing but a Horses hoof Cassander was bid to intrust none but Thestalus so that when the Feast was in his house after Philip hast tasted the Kings Cup having the poyson ready in cold Water they put it into the Wine Four days after Alexander finding Death certainly approaching said He believed it was the fate of his Family to dye about thirty years Old. After which he pacified his Souldiers who were ready to mutiny suspecting he perisht by Treason being therefore brought into the highest place of the City he admitted all into his presence and gave them his right hand to kiss and when all wept he appear'd without the least trouble comforting those who impatiently lamented his courage being now as invincible against death as formerly against his Enemies The Souldiers departing he askt his Friends about him If they thought they should have another King like him When all holding their Peace he confidently presaged as if he had seen it with his Eyes That Macedon should lose much bloud in his quarrel and many Thousand Lives would be sacrificed at his Funeral He then commanded his Body to be buried in the Temple of Jupiter Hammon and then fainting away his Attendants demanded whom he would constitute heir of his Empire he only answered To the most Worthy So great was the vigor of his mind that though he left behind him his Son Hercules his Brother Arideus and his Wife Roxane big with Child yet forgetting those Obligations he only nominated The most Worthy to be his Heir as if it were unreasonable that any but a valiant man should succeed a Conqueror With these words as if the Spirit of Discord had been sent among them his chief Captains instantly grew jealous of each other and privately sought to gain the favour of the Soldiers to themselves On the sixth day being Speechless he gave his Ring off his Finger to Perdâ—ccas which for the present pacified the growing dissentions for though by voice he was not nominated Heir yet by choice he seemed to be so Alexander deceased being Thirty three years and one mouth Old a man endewed with a mighty Spirit above other men whose Mother Olympias dream't when he was conceived that she had commerce with a God and by his Actions he after seemed to be above the condition of Mortal men There appeared also many Presages of his future greatness on his Birth-day for two Eagles flying all that day round about the Palace setled at last upon the battlements of his Fathers Court seeming to prognosticate to him the two Empires of Europe and Asia and on the same day his Father received the glad tydings of two Victories one in Illyria and another in the Olympick race whither he sent some Charlots drawn with four Horses which portended to the Infant the Victory over all the World. He was of admirable apprehension and learning and was educated under Aristotle the most famous Philosopher Being invested in his Fathers kingdom he commanded himself to be called King of all Countreys and Lord of the World So great a confidence had his Souldiers in his good fortune that he being present they scared not though unarmed the force of any Enemy He never encountred any Adversary whom he did not overcome nor besieged any City which he did not take nor invaded any Nation over whom he did not Triumph and therefore deservedly gain'd the name of Alexander the Great and one of the Worthies of the World. Yet was this Great Conqueror at length destroyed not by the valour of his Enemies but the Villany and Treason of his own Friends and Subjects He lived in the Year of the World 3611 before Christ 337 years The History of Julius Caesar first Emperor of Rome The Third Worthy of the World. GReat Julius Caesar next attain'd the Name Of the Third Worthy Whose immortal Fame Remains still fresh in the Records of time He to the Empire of the World did clime And what he Conquer'd by his Sword in Fight He with his Pen did elegantly write At length through many wounds his Soul hence fled And he who ner'e before was Conquered In War He who with slaughter strew'd So many Lands With his own bloud imbru'd The Seat of wronged Justice And fell down A Sacrifice t' appease the incensed Gown Julius Caesar of the Noble Family of the Juliâ— so called as some think from Julus Ascanius the Son of Aeneas from whom they were ambitious to have descended and Caesar because it is said he was cut out of his Mothers Womb though others derive it a Caeso Elephanto from his Grandfathers killing an Elephant He was but Sixteen years old when his Father died and yet was designed the next year to be High-Priest of Jupiter and having divorced himself from his first wife whose birth was not so eminent as his Fortune he married Cornelia daughter of Cinna who had been four times Consul by whom he had his daughter Julia Sylla used all possible arguments to have separated him from her but not prevailing he pursued him as an Enemy and designed to arrest him At length by the intercession of the Vestal Virgins and some of his kinsmen he obtained pardon though Sylla then cryed out by way of prediction Take him then since you will needs have him but know the person for whom
hand of God his mortal Enemy was now delivered into his power by whose death he might put an end tâ— all his Calamities But David by a strong inspiration from God resolved in his heart never to lay his hands upon Gods Anointed and contenting himself with only cutting off the Skirts of his Garment he went out of the Cave after Saul and cryed after him with a loud voice saying Behold my Lord my Father and my King the innocence of my hands and be no more filled with vain and false suspitions of poor David you cannot be ignorant that God at this time had put me into your power and that I could have taken away your life to have saved my own but God by his grace hath preserved me from such ill thoughts and hath secured you from all danger I had never yet any intent to hurt you though you cease not to persecute and torment my life with a thousand afflictions Alas my Lord what is it you desire Against whom are you come forth with so great a strength of Arms and Horses against a poor dead Dog a miserable little Beast I beseech the living God to be Judge between us and to make you sensible of the goodness of my cause Saul was so amazed with this action that he ran to him and imbracing him weeping said This O David is a sure sign whereby I know for certain thou shall reign after me so great a goodness not being able to be rewarded but by an Empire I only beseech and intreat you to have pity on my poor Children after my death and not to revenge upon them the injuries I have offered you Hereupon he swore to deal peaceably with him for the future But the Spirit of Saul was unequal and oft departed from reason for a long season Whereupon David resolved to go out of the Kingdom to Achish King of the Philistines a Sworn Enemy to Israel since he could not besecure any where else yet did he never bear arms against the people of God At last the fatal day of Saul drew near and he saw the Philistines came upon him with their utmost strength and being troubled in mind in the confusions of a disturbed Spirit he sought to the Divine Oracles to learn his destiny in this pressing necessity but this unhappy Prince sought after the dead in vain having trod under feet the admonitions of the Living and therefore he applies himself to the Witch of Endor who by Samuels appearance foretold the routing of his Army his own death and likewise his Childrens sad Fate at which he was so affrighted that he fell into a Swound Being recovered he went to his Army and the next morning perceived the Philistines wonderfully increased and resolv'd to fight And his own people exceedingly weakened and seeming to carry misfortune in their faces The Enemies gave the onset with very great violence and overthrew the foremost of the Israelites wherein Jonathan with his two Brethren sealed the last proofs of their valour with their bloud and death in the sight of their miserable Father who seeing he could not dye so soon as he desired suffered himself to fail upon his own Sword vomiting forth his Soul and bloud with ragings and griefs unspeakable While this unhappy Battel was fought David was pursuing the Amalakites who in his absence had sackt the Town of Ziglag the place of his retiring whom he overtook loaden with their prey and regained his two Wives Ahinoam and Abigail whom they had taken away As he came from this Battle a young Amalekite presents himself and brings him the news of the death of Saul and Jonathan and his other Sons affirming that he himself had stood by at the death of the King and had helped him to die by his own command Whereat David moved with extream grief tore his garments wept fasted and made a funeral Lamentation over Saul and Jonathan Causing likewise the Amalekite to die who by his own confession was accessary to the death of the King And though David at this time might have taken possessesion of the Kingdom yet upon prudent deliberation he thought it not convenient to be too hasty Whereupon Abner a chief Captain without losing time seeing there yet remained a Son of Saul alive named Ishbosheth aged forty years though of little courage and less understanding he made him presently come into the Camp and caused him to be proclaimed the true and lawful Successor of Saul not so much for the love he bore him or the esteem of his sufficiency as intending to reign by him and over him All the People swore Allegiance to Ishbosheth except the Tribe of Judah from whom David sprung which joyning together in favour of him crowned him King in Hebron where he reigned seven years before he possest the whole Kingdom of Israel Afterward Abner laying aside his war-like humor fell in love with a Concubine of Sauls named Rispah whereat Ishbosheth being offended Abner for one poor word spoken in a very mild manner entred into a rage against the King and said It was to use him as a Dog to quarrel with him for a woman after so great Services as he had done for the Crown and from whom he held both his Life and Kingdom The poor Prince held his peace and durst not answer a word to this bold Fellow and was pitifully devoured by his own Servant Abner grew so hot with anger that he dispatcht Messengers to David to desire his friendship and promiseth to bring the whole Kingdom of Ishbosheth into his hands David answered That he was willing to make peace with him if he would cause his Wife Michol to be restored to him whom they had married to another after his departure which was readily agreed to and performed Mean time Abner powerfully sollicites the people of Israel to betake themselves to David since God had committed their safety and rest into his hands who would unite all the Tribes under one Monarchy which would make him a happiness to his people helpful to his friends and terrible to his Enemies This Discourse prevail'd very much on the Principal ones of the Nation who saw small hopes of Ishbosheth he being disparaged both by Nature and Fortune Soon after Abner meets David at Hebron who made him a Feast hearkned to his Propositions and conducted him back with honour Joab who was at that time absent soon understood the coming of Abner and being jealous that the Friendship of a man who seem'd to draw a whole Kingdom after him might much prejudice his interest he enters roughly into the Kings Chamber telling him that Abner was but a deceiver who came to spy out his secrets and that he ought to have secured him when under his power And since David seeing him in such a rage answered nothing Joab without Authority sends a message to Abner to return to Hebron under colour of treating more fully with David He lightly believed it and came back the same way when
Joab trecherously surprizing him killed him at the Gate of the City David was much perplexed hereat and uttered grievous Curses against Joab and his whole race and to deface the blemish of this Murder be assisted at the Funerals of Abner protesting against the cruelty of those who had taken away his Life and highly setting forth the praises of the dead yet he caused not process to be made against Joab conceiving that he was not able to destroy him in such a time when it was dangerous to provoke him After this Ishbosheth King of Israel was slain by two Murtherers Rechab and Baanah as he slept on his Bed at Noonday who cut off his Head and brought it to David at which this great King was so highly incensed abhorring this barbarous Fact that he instantly condemn'd them to death and their Heads and Feet being cut off they were hang'd up at the Fishâ—ood of Hebron The death of Ishbosheth the Son of Saul ended the difference between the two 〈◊〉 Houses and all the Tribes yielded universally to David So that now he began to Reign absolutely and to disscover the Admirable Qualities and Royal Virtues wherewith he was adorned And it is certain that of all the Kings of Judah none equall'd him in all kind of perfections He was one who feared God without Superstition was Religious without Hypocrisie Valiant without Sternness Liberal without reproaching any a good Husband without Covetousness Valiant without Insolence Vigilant without Unquietness Wise without Subtilty Courteous without Loosness Humble without Cowardliness Cheerful without too much Familiarity Grave without Fierceness and Kind without any Complement Above all he was all his Life very Zealous for Religion and wonderfully affected toward Divine things setling the Worship of God and composing Hymns for the people which have continued to all Ages and serve for perpetual Springs of Devotion even to this very day Yet did these Exercises no way diminish his Actions of Valour He overthrew the Philistines in two great Battels and made War on every side in the East against the Moabites and Amonites in the West against the Phoenicians on the South against the Amalekites Arabians and Idumeans and in the North against the Syrians Sabeans and Mesopotamians and was happy in all his Enterprizes Besides which he made Leagues with the Kings his Neighbours which he gained either by Friendship or Force He rendred Justice exactly to his Subjects favoured Arts Inricht and Fortified Towns Erected Stately Pallaces and brought the Kingdom of Judah out of Servility who had not yet known what Magnificence was He was honoured by the great Ones beloved by the Priests admired by the Wisest and almost adored by the People But as all light in mortal things hath a shaddow God suffered him to fall into a great offence which served to humble him and caused very much trouble in his House His mind being freed from the cares of War and Business he descried from the top of his Pallace a Woman that bathed her self in her Garden he inquired her name her Kindred and her Quality and becoming in Love thereby sends for her to his house and had Company with her How dear did this unhappy cast of his Eye cost him When a man once exceeds in this blind Passion he goes further than ever he designed She soon after sends word to David that she had Conceived and that her Husband having not seen her of a long time might have very ill apprehensions of her The honour of this lost Creature must now be covered the King sends for her Husband under some other pretence he comes from the Army is kindly entertained and David is earnest with him to go home and take his ease with his Wife but the good man refuses it saying That it was not fit for him to lye in a Bed when the Ark of God and his Captain Joab were under Tents He lies on the ground before the door of the Kings Chamber and so passeth the night having no desire but to return speedily to the Army Alas poor Vriah thou art made a harmless Sacrifice and wast but too faithful and therefore must water with thy bloud the guilt of thy Master David dictates a bloudy Letter to Joab to place Vriah in the Forlorn hope that he might be fairly rid of him and Vriah carries this deadly Letter Joab without inquiring obeys the Innocent Vriah is massacred and these false Lovers now think themselves secure David remains nine Months covered with this Filth and Bloud without coming to the knowledge of himself until Nathan the Prophet removes the Vail that blinded him who though he knew how dangerous it was to reprove a King and especially in such a case yet resolved to shew David his sin by uttering a Parable of a Rich Man that had great Store of Sheep who yet had violently taken away one only Ewe from a Poor Man which David finding very strange judged him worthy of death whereat the Prophet hits him home telling him He was the Man who had caused poor Uriah to be slain after he had taken Bathsheba from him David awaking as it were out of a dead sleep acknowledged his sin with a true humility and submitted himself to all the Chastisements it should please the great Judge to inflict upon him He was presently changed into another man and was exceeding Penitent his Heart bleeding and his Eyes weeping continually for his grievous offence and God beginning the punishments of his sin which yet he had pardoned as to his own person caused the Child Conceived in Adultery to dye A year after those pitiful Tragadies of his House which the Lord had threatned him with came upon him and filled his heart with terrors Amnon the eldest Son of David fell in love with his sister Thamar a very fair Princess and being in dispair of obtaining his desire falls sick The King his Father goes to see him to take order for his health who tells him There is but one medicine that will cure him which is that his sister Thamar should come and make him broth with her own hand wherein she had much skill This is easily granted and the innocent Maid goes to him who soon discovers his passion to her which she as violently opposed by reasons and tears Whereupon this barbarous Man proceeds to force and ravishes her which being past he entred into as furious a repentance and not enduring to behold her drives her out of his House with reproach and scoâ—â— she puts on morning attire and covers her head with ashes and at last discovers all to Absolom her brother by the same Mother who comforts her and promises revenge David hears of it but remembring his own offence durst not censure that of his Son especially since he loved him tenderly and feared to offend him Absolom seeing David did nothing in it resolved to do himself Justice with his own hands and having kepâ— his design secret two years to prevent suspition he makes
a Royal Feast to which he invites his Father and all his brethren David excuses himself and the other earnestly intreats that his eldest brother Amnon might supply his place to which his Father consents The brethren enter joyfully into the Hall where the Banquet was where Absolom had prepared a Bloudy Spectacle and horrible Sacifice he gives the word to his Servants that when his brother Amnon had drank plentifully they should take their opportunity to kill him without inquiring the cause since his Command was sufficient authority and security The Wine and good cheer having made them merry on a sudden drawn Swords glittered before their eyes Fear came upon all but the danger was only to Amnon who was suddenly Murthered his bloud leaping on his Brothers Table for a just revenge of his shameful lust The Brethren affrighted instantly fly and report brings the sad news to David that Absolon had slain all his Brethren The poor King casts himself on his face upon the ground weeping and all the Court tear their cloaths and put on Mourning when Jonadas certifies that none but Amnon was killed in revenge of the offence committed against Thamar David returns a little to himself and his other Children present themselves before him affrighted and weeping for that which had passed Absolon saves himself in the House of his Grand-Father by the Mother the King of Geshur where he remains three years without daring to see the King his Father who would no ways pardon this great Crime Joab labours to reconcile the Son to the Father by the mediation of a discreet Woman of Tekoah and at length prevails Absolon returns the King imbraces him gives him the kiss of peace and re-establishes him in the Court The Spirit of this Prince was high and tempestuous and being well made courteous liberal couragious and capable of great undertakings he entertained ambitious thoughts He saw his Father declining Adonijah his elder Brother too much a fondling and Solomon yet a Child unable to oppose him and therefore conceived the Kingdom could not slip out of his hands And the better to secure it he provided himself a guard of Souldiers and ceased not secretly to gain the hearts and good will of all his Fathers Subjects Never was any Prince more prodigal of his Courtesies whoever had any business with the King he called them to him imbraced them kissed them and enquired of their condition and suit and said There was no other mishop but that the King was old and tired with business and had not appointed any one to hear the Complaints of his Subjects and do them Justice but if one day he should have that charge due to him by his cirth he would give full satisfaction to every one By this means he made himself Conqueror of hearts and by the advice of Achitophel a great Politicion gets leave of David to perform a Vow in Hebron whither he goes accompanied with many of his Followers giving order to the rest of his Confederates that at the first sound of a Trumpet they should march to him which being done he caused himself to be crowned King in Hebron The news came quickly to David that his Son had revolted and got possession of Hebron and that all the Forces of the Kingdom ran to him This poor Prince at the tydings of this Rebellion thinks of nothing but flying and leaves his chief City to save himself in the by paths of the Wilderness He is the first that goes forth without a Horse to ride on upon his â—are feet with his head uncovered and tears in his Eyes marching thus like a true Penitent and adoring the Judgments of God which made him bear the enraged Tongue of Shimei with a deep patience and would not suffer him to be chastized for his horrid insolence Mean while Absolon entred Jerusalem without resistance where Achitophel to make the difference irreconcileable gave him the detestable Counsel to abuse his Fathers Concubines that were left in the Pallace After he had perform'd this Villany he contrives to surprize his Father at unawares which by Achitophels subtilty might have probably succeeded had not Hushai a secret Friend of Davids who joyn'd himself to Absolon on purpose to discover his designs prevented the Plot by this cunning speech That they should do nothing hastily since his Father was an old Captain and politick in War who had still in his Army men of Valour and Counsel and that it stood not with his honour to give Battle unless he were assured of the Victory for if at the first Encounter he should be repulsed it would be of dangerous consequence and might so discourage his men that his whole Army might be routed but if he would stay a while the People would gather to him as the Sand on the Sea shore and being in the midst of such a mighty Army nothing would be able to stand before him This Counsel being preferr'd before Achitophels he was so inraged that he goes instantly home and hangs himself by the most manifest Justice of God. After which Absolon thinking himself sufficiently strong passes over Jordan makes Amasa his chief Captain and designs to give Battle to his Earler David having had a little leisure to recollect and fortifie himself takes Courage again and dividing his Army into three parts appoints Joab Abishai and Ittai to command it He would have been present himself had not his Council disswaded him therefore encouraging his people and charging them strictly if they should gain the Victory to secure his Son Absolon without any hurt he retired out of the Camp. The Trumpets sound and the Armies approach Davids men having a good Cause ingage like Lions But the Rebels affrighted with their own guilt were soon disordered and put to flight so that one Party seemed to come only to kill and the other to be slain Twenty thousand falling dead on the place Absolon astonisht at this sudden change of Fortune gets on his Mule and flies through a Forrest where his head being caught within the branches of a Tree his Mule left him hanging between Heaven and Earth as a spectacle of the Vengeance of God for his ingratitude to so good a Father Of which Joab having notice struck him through with three Darts though forbidden by David and ten young Souldiers made an end of him the body was interred in a Pit under a great heap of Stones though he had built a stately Monument for himself which he called Absolons Place Behold the horrible end of an Evil Son and a Rebellious Subject sufficient to deter Posterity from such wicked practices to the end of the World. While this was doing David inclosed himself in a little Town expecting the Event and continually inquiring of the health of Absolon but when certain news came of his death he was pierced with so violent a grief that he could not be comforted losing all Courage and crying every moment O Absolon my Son Absolon Oh that this
our dearest bloud and life In the mean time the Kings Commissioners pressing every one to declare himself one of the Jews whether induced by terror or reward steps forth from among the people to sacrifice according to the command of the King wherewith Matthias inflamed with Zeal was so displeased that he and his Sons fell upon him and hewed him in pieces they also slew Apollos the Kings Captain and other Souldiers who withstood them Then he overthrew the Altar and with a loud voice said All that are affected to the Laws of their Fathers and the Service of God let them follow me Whereupon many of them retired with their Wives and Children into the Desarts and Caves but were soon pursued and overtaken by the Kings Captains who again renewed their perswasions to them to offer Sacrifice to the Idols which the Jews absolutely refusing and resolving rather to die than commit such Impiety these bloudy Persecutors assaulted them on the Sabbath day and burnt them in their Caves who neither resisted nor defended themselves lest they should prophane the Sabbath Some thousands of Men Women and Children were there destroyed yet divers escaped who joyned themselves with Matthias and chose him for their Captain who then inform'd them that they might lawfully fight on the Sabbath if they were assaulted else they were guilty of their own deaths And having assembled a sufficient number he destroyed the Heathen Altars and slew those who had forsaken their Religion commanding them to circumcise their Children and driving from every place those whom Antiochus had appointed to see the Laws executed Having thus governed one year he fell sick and perceiving his death to approach he sent for his five Sons John Simeon Judas Maccabeus Eleazer and Jonathan whom he earnestly exhorted to follow his steps its maintaining the Law of God and fighting for their Countrey assuring them of the divine assistance which never fails those who love and fear God but taking pleasure in their virtues will grant them favour to recover their former liberty and peace And saith he God will establish you in the possession of your ancient Laws and though our bodies are mortal and subject to death yet the memory of our virtuous actions will remain to eternity never doubt therefore to venture your lives in so good a Cause but above all I exhort you to love and concord and whatever you find any one most apt and fitted for let him prosecute the same without contradiction from the rest I charge you to obey your brother Simeon a politick and valiant man in what ever he shall Counsel you but make Judas Maccabeus your Captain who is couragious and strong for he shall revenge the injuries and outrages that have been done to our Nation and shall put your Enemies to flight Assist him therefore like men of valour and such as fear God and thereby you shall be sure to prevail Soon after Matthias gave up the Ghost and Judas Maccabâ—us was made General who by the assistance of his Brethren and other Jews drove the Enemy out of the Country and cleansed the Land of Idolatry Which when Apollonius the General of Antiochus in Samaria heard he invaded Judea Against whom Maccabeus went forth and in a terrible Battle overthrew and killed Apollonius taking his Camp and therein a very rich Booty together with his Sword. After this Seron Governour of Coelosyria with the assistance of many Apostate Jews marcht against Judas to Bâ—thoron who observing his Souldiers discouraged by their great numbers and because they had fasted so long and were thereby disabled he incouraged them saying That Victory did not consist in numbers of men but in their Devotion toward God who had so assisted their Forefathers that with small Forces they had often defeated many thousands of their Enemies They were hereby so prevail'd upon that without sear of their multitude they ran all upon Sevon routed his Army and slew him together with eight hundred of the Syrians the rest escaping by flight Antiochus inraged at this defeat commanded Lysias the Governour of Egypt to go with a very strong Army and conquer Judea and then to sell the Inhabitants for Slaves to those that would give most and utterly to destroy and ruine Jerusalem Lysias having this command sent Prolomy Nicanor and Gorgias men of great Authority about the King with Forty thousand Foot and Seven thousand Horse to invade Judea who marching to the City of Emaus greatly increased their Forces Judas having viewed the Camp and number of his Enemies exhorted his Souldiers to repose their confidence and hope of Victory in God alone appointing likewise a Fast to humble themselves before God by supplications and prayers in such a time of extream danger and assuring them that God would have compassion on them and strengthen them to put their Adversaries to shamâ— Next day he mustered his Army discharging all who were newly married or had lately bought Possessions according to the Law and then spake thus to the rest Countrymen and Companions we had never more occasion to express our Courage and contemn Dangers than at this present For if you now fight valiantly you may in this one Battle recover your Liberties whereby you will have opportunity again to serve the True God and live a happy life But if you prove Cowards in this Encounter you will be branded with perpetual Infamy and indanger the utter extirpation of your Nation Consider therefore that if you fight not you must die and on the contrary assure your selves that in fighting for your Religion Laws and Liberties you shall obtain Immortal Glory Be ready Theerfore in the morning to give your mortal Enemies Battle Immediately news was brought him that a strong party of Horse and Foot were design'd to falâ— on him that night whereupon Maccabeus suddenly resolved to break into the Enemies Army the same night while they were so divided Having therefore refreshed himself and his Army and leaving many Fires in his Camp to deceive the Enemy he marcht all night to seek them out Gorgias finding the Jews had forsaken their Camp imagined that they were fled to the Mountains for fear and deligently pursued them But in the morning Judas with only three thousand men ill armed shewed himself to the Enemy at Emaus and having observed their posture he perswaded his men To fight Valiantly since he was certain God would deliver their Enemies into their hands and thereupon causing his Trumpets to sound he fell upon them with such fury and resolution that being absolutely affrighted and surprized they instantly gave ground and having slain such as resisted he pursued the rest to the Plains of Idumea In this fight three thousand of the Enemy were Killed yet would he not suffer his Souldiers to take the spoil telling them that they were still to fight with Gorgias and his Army whom when by Gods help they had beaten they should then securely inrich themselves with the booty Gorgias and his
After this the Jews had some rest But Alcimus the High Priest intending to beat down the old Wall of the Sanctuary was suddenly strucken by God became speechless and fell to the ground and having suffered grievous torments many days he died miserably Whereupon the People by general consent chose Judas Maccabeus High Priest who hearing of the great power and Victorys of the Romans sent two Persons to Rome to make them his Allies and Confederates and to write to Demetrius to give over his Wars against the Jews These Ambassadors coming to Rome were entertained by the Senate and an Alliance was concluded upon these conditions That none under the Romans should War against the Jews nor furnish their Enemies with Victuals Ships nor Silver That if any made War on the Romans the Jews should assist them That the Jews should neither add nor diminiâ—â— from this Association without the general consent of 〈◊〉 Romans and that what was thus concluded should contitâ— forever The death of Nicanor and the loss of his Army being reported to Demetrius he sent another undeâ— Bacchides who coming into Judea and hearing thaâ— Judas was incamped at Bethzeth he marched againâ—â— him with twenty thousand Foot and two thousanâ— Horse Judas had not in all above two thousand meâ—â— who seeing the vast number of their Foes were mucâ— afraid so that many forsaking the Camp fled away anâ— there remained with Judas only eight hundred meâ— and his Enemies pressed so hard on him that he lâ—â— no time to re-assemble his Forces yet he resolved 〈◊〉 fight with that small handful exhorting them to behavâ— themselves valiantly Who answering That they we not able to make head against so great an Army adviseâ— him to retire and stand on his guard till he had reâ—â— inforced himself Judas replied God forbid that the 〈◊〉 should see me turn my back upon mine Enemies though die and spend my last Bloud in this Battel yet will I neveâ— blemish my former Worthy actions by an ignominious flight And having again encouraged his Souldiers he commanded them to use their utmost courage againâ— the Enemy without any apprehension of danger Bacchides marshalled his Army in Battalia and caâ—â—sing the Trumpets to sound and his Souldiers to make 〈◊〉 great Shout he charged his enemies Judas did the like and encountred Bacchides upon which there ensued a most bloudy Fight which continued till Sun-set Judaâ—â— perceiving that Bacchides and the flower of his Army fought in the right wing drew his most resolute Souldierâ— thither who brake in upon them and forcing them to fly pursued them to Mount Aza But the left wing followed Judas and inclosed him on the back part so that finding himself in much danger he with his Followers resolved to sell their lives dearly and fight it out to the last He slew a great number of his Enemies â—ill at length he was so wearied with killing that he â—ell to the ground and was there slain upon which his â—ew remaining companions betook themselves to flight Simeon and Jonathan his Brothers recovered his Body and buried it at Modin all the people weeping and making great lamentation for the death of so valiant 〈◊〉 Commander for whatsoever Virtue hath of great whatsoever valour hath of generous met in the person of Judas Maccabeus to make a Marvel of his life and give â—mmortal memory to his Name In the space of six years be sustained the great and prodigious Forces of three Kings of Asia as you have heard opposing himself with a little flying Camp against Armies of forty sixty an hundred thousand men which he put into disorder and confusion He defeated nine Generals of the Infidels in ranged battles and combates killing some with his own hands and carrying away their Spoils so that of all his great Qualities Valour always held the upper rank and worthily entitled him to the name of a Worthy The History of Arthur King of Brittain The Seventh Worthy of the World. Arthur the Great and Worthy Brittish King Glory and Victory to his Realm did bring He th' Heathen Saxons often overcame Inducing them to own the Christian Name He while he lived upheld the Sinking State And Conquest seem'd upon him still to wait His Subjects Love he thereby doth attain And he must chuse one after him to Reign The Pictish King this Choice doth much resent As if to wrong him of his Rights they meant Both Kings ingage in Fight where both Kings dy'd With Thousands of their Subjects on each side THe Brittish Writers have related such Strange and Miraculous Actions and Adventures of this Worâ—hy Prince that many Intelligent Men have been apt to think that all which hath been written of his Heroicks deeds is meer Fiction and Invention yea some are of opinion that there never was any such Person but though Historians disagree about times and places some writing carelesly and others superstitiously yet they all agree upon the Predecessors and Successors of this Noble King but as it is most execrable Infidelity to doubt that there was a Joshua Wicked Atheism to question if there were a David and unreasonable to deny the being of Judas Maccabcus As it may be judged folly to affirm there was never any Alexander Julius Caesar Godfrey of Bullen or Charlemagne so we may be thought guilty of incredulity and ingratitude to deny or doubt the honourable Acts of our Victorious Arthur This is premised in vindication of our Hero and his immortal name and fame whereby he justly gained the Title of the Seventh Worthy of the World. Now to his History After this Kingdom had for above four hundred and eighty years been subject to the Romans which began by the Conquest that Julius Caesar made here in the Reign of Cassibelan King of the Brittains seventeen years before the birth of our Blessed Saviour and ended in the time of the Emperor Gratianus three hundred seventy six years after Christ Vortigern of the bloud Royal of the Brittish Kings by usurpation and the Murther of Constance the Son of Constantius seized upon the Crown who growing odious and hateful to his Subjects both for his wicked life and ill got Soveraignty he was forced to send to Germany for the Saxons to aid and support him The Saxons at this time possest the third part of Germany holding all the Countreys between the River Rhine and Elbe bounded on the North by the Baltick Sea and the Ocean and governed by twelve Princes who elected a Soveraign Leader and General in time of War This being so sparious populous and near a Countrey well furnisht with Shipping which the Brittains wanted yielded always plentiful supplies to the undertakers of this action who were first Two brothers Hengist and Horsa After they had continued here a while as hired Souldiers and observed the weakness both of Prince and People their number dayly increased At first they had only the Isle of Thanet allowed them to inhabit but soon after the whole County of Kent
was made over to them upon condition they should defend the Land against the Picts and Scots And in short time greater priviledges were granted them upon Vortigerns marrying the daughter of Hengist an exceeding beautiful Lady who was brought over on purpose to steal away the heart of a dissolute Prince so that by thaâ— alliance and the fruitfulness of the Countrey so many 〈◊〉 this populous and Military Nation came in that Kent iâ— a little while grew too narrow for them and Hengist 〈◊〉 extend their power into all parts of the Kingdom perswaded Vortigern to plant a Colony of them in the Nortâ— beyond Humber to be a continual guard against all invasions on that side Which being granted he sends foâ— Occa his Brother and his Son Ebusa to manage that design and hereby the Saxons came to possess Kent and Northum beland which contained all the Countrey from the Riveâ— Humber to Scotland And now of Servants they became Masters contemâ—ing their Entertainers and committing many insolencies whereupon the Brittish Nobility combine together and resolve to depose Vortigern the Author of this inconsiderate admission of Strangers and to chuse Vortimer 〈◊〉 Son in his stead a Prince of great worth who whilâ— he lived gave them many fierce encounters but all prevailed not for the Saxons being possest of the chief Gaâ—â— of the Land which lay open to their own Countrey 〈◊〉 receive continual supplies from thence without resistanâ—â— had the advantage to weary them all out at last And beside force they are said to have used treachery in murthering three hundred of the Brittish Nobility at Ansbury where they innocently met to treat of a peace with them took their King Prisoner and would not release â—im but upon granting them three Provinces more Also the long life of Hengist a Politick General who â—ved almost forty years made much for the setling â—heir Dominion here which was not effected withâ—ut a great deal of labour and much effusion of â—loud For the Brittaines being by continual Wars made exâ—ert in Military discipline grew at length so inraged to â—e their Countrey ravished from them by Forreigners â—hat they sold their Liberties and Inheritance at a very â—ear rate Wherein much must be attributed to the courage â—nd gallantry of their Leaders from whom the Spirit and alour of a people doth usually proceed of whom none â—re more worthy to be remembred than Aurelius Ambrosius â—e last of the Romans and our worthy Prince Arthur â—e Noblest of the Brittains A man in conduct and vaâ—ur almost above a man and worthy of eternal memoâ—y who while he stood bore up the sinking state of his â—ountrey He was the Son of Vter Pendragon by the â—ir Igrene and during his life had continual War â—ith the Saxons and the Picts and Scots who were someâ—â—mes confederate with them In the beginning of his â—eign the two Kings of these two Nations seemed to envy â—s advancement to the Crown of Brittain Loth King 〈◊〉 the Picts having married the elder sister of Aurelius â—mbrosius and Vortigern and Conran King of Scots â—â—e younger and because Arthur was begot out of wedâ—ck though his Mother was after married to Vter â—â—ey thought it more reasonable the Kingdom should deâ—end to their Sisters Son than to him Whereupon Loth â—â—nt Ambassadors to the Brittish Lords and Nobility reâ—iring that according to the ancient Laws and Cusâ—â—ms of this Realm they should receive him as King who â—nd Married the Sister and Heir of the two brethren Amâ—osius and Vter their last Kings The Erittains received â—is Message with great scorn disdaining to think of subâ—iting to a stranger and dispatching the Ambassadors â—ith many reproaches against Loth and the Picts they proclaimed Arthur King of the Realm who raising a potent Army marched instantly against the Saxons hoping to engage them before the Picts should join which doubtless they would do suddenly Having therefore procured more aid from Armorica or little Brittain in France they met with the Saxons within ten Miles of London whom they vanquisht in two set battels and obliged them to pay Tribute and receive such Governors over them as Arthur should appoint with several other very hard conditions to the great rejoicing of the Brittains for such prosperous and happy success under their new elected King. After this the Brittains easily took London where Arthur continued for some time in consultation with his Nobility and Commanders how they should proceed it their Wars against the rest of the Saxons Having aâ— length prepared a mighty Army Arthur resolved to geâ— against those beyond Humber in the North with whom the Picts had concluded a League whereby they were obliged to assist each other against their Common Enemies the Brittains Arthur marching into Yorkshire incamped near the Enemy who were already joined together and resolving to fight the next day he appointed Howel Commander of the French Brittaines to ingage the Picts while himself dealt with the Saxons The battel was very furious and for some time the Victory was doubtful but at length the Picts were put to flight which the Saxons perceiving and thinking themselves unable to bear the whole Force of the Brittains they likewise left the Field and fled with all speed toward York Arthur pursuing them beseiged that City almost three months the Saxons valiantly defending it and making brisk sallies upon the Besiegers but at length provisions growing very scarce they were just ready to have surrendred when notice was given them that a strong Army of Picts and Saxons were coming to their relief together with Occa who escaping into Germany from the last battel was newly arrived with fresh Forces in the River of Humber whereupon the Saxons refused to treat any further not doubting but the Brittains would be quickly forc't to raise the seige and be glad to get off with their own lives Arthur having Intelligence of these Succors and judging it no wisdom to stay for their coming considering how many of his Souldiers were diseased and sick by lying so long in the Field raised his seige and went into Wales where leaving the French Brittains to quarter that Winter he with his choice Troops marched to London to prevent any disturbance from the Kentish Saxons or others In the Spring having mustered his Forces he proceeded against Colgern and Occa the two Saxon Generals who coming out of Northumberland wasâ—ed and destroyed the Brittish borders with their usual Cruelty Whereupon Arthur encountring them twice in â—attel overcame in both and then again beseiging York 〈◊〉 at length got possession thereof by means of a Brittain who living among the Saxons within the City privately â—et in some Brittains in the dead of the night who breaking open the gates gave entrance to the whole Army Arthur would not suffer many of the Saxons to be slain but â—ardoned all who beg'd quarter thereby to gain a repuation of Clemency amongst his adversaries The Britains having thus gotten York many skirmishes
happened between them and the Saxons thereabout but Winter â—oming on they gave up themselves to drinking banuetring and other voluptuous pleasures so that when they harcht into the Field next Summer they were unable to â—ndure the labours and Fatigues of War and for several ears performed very little Service At length Arthur concluded a League with Loth King of â—icts whereby it was agreed That Arthur during his life â—ould be King of Brittain and after his discease the Kingâ—on should descend to Mordred the eldest son of Loth and his â—eirs That the Picts should at all times assist the Brittains against the Saxons and should freely possess all such Lands as â—bey recovered from them beyond the River Humber â—hat they should duly observe the League which was maâ—â— between them and the Scots That Mordred should marry the Daughter of Gawolan a Noble Brittain and next to Arthur himself That the Children of this marriage should be brought up by their Grand-father in Brittain till they came to years of discretion That Gawan the Brother of Mordred should serve King Arthur in his Wars for which he should receive large possessions and rewards Arthur having concluded this League and being desirous to purge this Island of the Heathenish Saxons he sent to the Kings of Scotland and Pictland requiring them That for the advancement of Christs Religion which they professed and owned they should forthwith assemblâ— their Forces and meet him at Tynmouth at a day appointed that so they might join together and march against their commoâ— Enemies the Saxons These two Kings presently consented to this so reasonable request and in a few days meeting with the Brittains they presently marcht altogether against the Saxons whom they understood were already in the Feild under Occa their General ready to receive them Both Armies approaching each other Colgern Duke 〈◊〉 Northumberland rid up to the very Front of the Picts Army where he severely reproached Loth and his Nobility 〈◊〉 their breach of Friendship with the Saxons and told theâ— he did not doubt but suddenly to see some just judgmenâ— fall upon them for their Treachery and Falshood 〈◊〉 thus joining with their former Enemies against theâ— most trusty Friends and constant Allies The Pictish King being mayed hereat commandeâ— his Standards to advance neither were the Saxons idâ—â— so that the Skirmish began which Arthur perceiving commanded the Brittans to ingage so that there immediately followed a terrible slaughter The Scots in thâ— right wing killing Childrick an eminent Saxon Captain quickly discomfited them on that side Colgern earnesly desiring to be revenged of King Loth rushed in up him with such violence that at the first encounter threw him to the ground but instantly two Pictish Heremen coming on one side of Colgern ran him quite throuâ—â— the body Loth soon recovered himself but Colgern beâ— dead his men were so disheartned that they presenâ— ran away Arthur perceiving the main battel of 〈◊〉 Saxons was now left naked pressed â—n so violently up Ocea that having received a desperate wound 〈◊〉 escaped out of the battle but being at length brought to the Sea side he got into a Ship and escaped into Germany This Victory being thus obtained the Saxons were forc'd to submit themselves to King Arthur who offered them pardon as to life and goods if they would turn Christians and never hereafter ingage against their Neighbours the Brittains Scots and Picts which if they would not consent to he commanded them that leaving their Arms and goods behind they should upon pain of death depart the Kingdom within fourteen days Hereupon many Saxons went over to Germany others pretending to be Christians still remained hoping for better fortune Several who continued after the time appointed and refused to be baptized were put to death according to the proclamation so that very few were thought to profess he Christian Faith sincerely All things thus quieted in Northumberland Arthur repaired several Churches in York and other places which had been ruined and defaced by the barbarous Infidels Next year he had notice that the Saxons who inhabited the Isle of Wight joining with those in Kent had fallen upon the Brittains on that side the Thames killing and destroying a great number of them whereat being much moved he hasted toward Lonaon with his Forces resolving utterly to root out the East and South Saxons since his Subjects could never be secure so long as that wicked generation remained amongst them In pursuance of the League he had Twenty Thousand Picts and Scots in this expedition Eugenius Nephew to King Congal and Mordred Son of King Loth being their General Then marching forward he incamped in the Field near the Thames and himself with some of his Nobility going to London caused prayers to be made to Almighty God three days together for their good success against the Saxons on the fourth day Divine Service being celebrated by the Bishop of London and a Sermon preached in the Market place he committed himself and his whole Army to the tuition and protection of Jesus Christ and then issuing out of the City he exhorted his Souldiers to be of good courage since they were to fight in a just quarrel against Pagans and the implacable enemies of the Christian Faith. Morderd and Gawolan his Father in Law marched in the front with five thousand Horse and being come within five miles of the Saxons Camp there came Ambassadors to King Arthur desiring him not to proceed any further since if he pleased they were willing to depart the Land with their goods and substance without further molesting the Brittains ever hereafter But Arthur would not consent hereto neither would so much as allow them a Truce for three days which they earnestly desired only he told them that he would not march above two miles that day so that if they came again next morning he would in the mean time consult with his Nobility and Captains what answer to give to their request Whilst the Brittains were busied about the news these Ambassadors brought the Saxons suddenly marching out of their Camp fell with much violence upon the Forces of Mordred and Gawolan of whom they killed a great number in that surprize though by their exhortations their men made the utmost resistance so small a company could against the multitude of their Enemies by whom being at length opprest they were forced to fly not resting till they came to the rest of the Army Mordred and Gawolan by the help of fresh Horses made their escape without hurt though many of their followers were killed in the Fight and Chase The Saxon Ambassadors being not yet gone out of the Camp were hereupon secured till next morning and then sent back with this answer That the Brittains were resolved for the future never to treat with any Messengers free the Saxons about Peace since it is apparent they designed nothing but treachery and falshood having contrary to the Laws of Arâ—â— unworthily fallen upon the
Brittish Ferces whilst their Ambassadors pretended to make an Accommodation that therefore they should expect nothing from Arthur but the utmost reveng and the most cruel Severities of War in recompence of their wicked infidelity They had no sooner received this answer but forty other of the Principal Saxons arrived who endeavoured to excuse what had happened over night laying all the blame on some few rash heady fellows who knew nothing of the proceedings of the Commanders of the Army nor of their sending Ambassadors to them But Arthur suspecting this to be another subtle trick of the Saxons commanded these Messengers as well as the former to be secured in the Marshals Tent whilst he himself in the second Watch of the night marched privately against the Enemy dividing his Army into three parts and having goue about three miles they fell upon the Saxons Out-guards e're they were aware which caused such a tumult and confusion amongst them one calling and crying out upon another that the most valiant among them were dismayed Mordred desirous to revenge his last overthrow fell in fiercely among them But some having by this time armed themselves made resistance defending themselves amidst the Carts and Carriages and thereby for a while stopt the violence of the Brittains others unable to resist broke out of the Camp and fled but being pursued by the Brittish Horse a great number perisht in the next River chusing drowning rather than to fall into the hands of their merciless Adversaries who that day gave no Quarter It was thought this Bloudy Battle and so great a slaughter of such a multitude of Saxons would have utterly disabled them that they should never after have been troublesome to the Brittains Arthur having thus vanquished his Enemies dismist all the Ambassadors in his Camp upon condition they would return back to Germany but suffered the rest of the meaner Saxons to remain still in the Land provided they would turn Christians and pay a yearly Tribute The Scots and Picts who had assisted him in this War he treated with much State and Magnificence at London giving them all possible respect and honour and dismissing them with rich Presents and Princely rewards It is written of King Arthur that in one Battle against the Saxons with his Sword named Callibourn he slew above eight hundred of them if it be possible to be true In twelve set Battles besides Skirmishes he is said to have return'd Victor from the slaughter of the Saxons The names of which places are said to be The first at the mouth of the River Gleyn The second third fourth and fifth near the River Douglas in Lenox The sixth at the River Bassus The seventh in the Wood Calidon The eight near the Castle of Guinien The ninth at Carlion in Wales The tenth by the Sea-side in a place called Rithwood The eleventh upon a Hill named Agued Cathergain The twelfth at Bath or Bathen Hill. Whilst these things were acted in Brittain Conranus King of Scotland was Murthered in his Bed-chamber by the Treason of Donald Governor of Athol in the twentieth year of his Reign and the sixteenth of Arthurs Dominion over Brittain After whom succeeded Eugenius his Nephew About this time some Authors ascribe to Arthur the obtaining of many glorious Victories against the Irish Danes Norwegians and other Northern Nations yea some affirm that he subdued most part of Germany the Low Countries Normandy France the Romans and the people of the East the credit whereof seems very doubtful Only it is certain as Hector Boetius affirms that Arthur lived in the days of Justinian the Emperor about which time the Goths Vandals Burgonians and French invaded and ruin'd divers parts of the Roman Empire yet we find no mention of K. Arthur acting any thing among them But notwithstanding his wonderful Atchievements it is related Lucius Hiberus the Roman Legate demanded of him a Tribute for Brittain which he not only denied but also threatend to have a Tribute from Rome as appears by his Letters sent to the Senate to this purpose Vnderstand you of Rome that I am King Arthur of Brittain and freely it hold and shall hold and at Rome hastily will I be not to give you Truage or Tribute but to require Truage of you for Constantine who was Hellens Son and other of my Ancestors Conquered Rome and thereof were Emperors and what they had I hope to recover by Gods grace And accordingly saith the story he set forward against Lucius Hiberius who with great power and vain confidence came marching against him where after a long and bloudy fight the Romans were discomfited their General kill'd and his slain Body sent to the Senate for a Tribute from Brittain King Arthur to increase the Courage of his Soldiers is said to have instituted the Order of the Knights of the Round Table to which none were admitted but such of the Nobility as were most renowned for Virtue and Courage they were in all the number of one hundred and fifty the Chiefest of them being Sir Lancelot Sâ—r Tristram Sir Lamrock Sir Gawin and others They were all recorded for Knights of great Renown and had not King Arthurs Valour been most transcendent each of them might have passed for no less than a Worthy These things are related of him of which the Reader may credit as much as he please To pass therefore these questionable matters let us proceed to what is more certain After the Brittains were delivered from the terror of the Saxons and had for some time enjoyed peace and quietness they grew Rich and Wealthy and then began to repent of the League they had made with Loth King of the Picts whereby it was agreed that Mordred his Son should succeed they now resolving that no Forreigner should Reign over them and therefore addressing themselves unanimously to King Arthur they humbly beseech him since he had no Sons to nominate a Successor of their own Nation to govern them after his decease Arthur finding it in vain to contradict this their resolution since they absolutely refused to be ruled by a Stranger advised them to find out one of the Bloud-Royal themselves whom for his Wisdom Valour and Nobility they were willing should Reign over them and he for his part promised to ratifie and confirm their Election The Nobility and Commons thereupon met together with great joy and at length agreed upon Constantine the Son of Cador Duke of Cornwal a virtuous and comely young Gentleman and induced with all Princely qualities who being brought by the Peers of the Realm into the Council Chamber and presented to Arthur he gladly accepted their Choice and forthwith caused Constantine to be Proclaimed Heir Apparent to the Crown by the name of Prince of Brittain who being thus preferr'd behaved himself with that discretion and gallantry that the Brittains entertained a very high opinion of his worth and future Government Mean time Loth King of the Picts deoâ—asing Mordred his Son succeeded him
Shinbone reached above the knee of a very tall man his skull was so large that the place between his eyes was a span broad in which there appeared some signs of wounds and bruises The Body of his wife Gynever was likewise buried with him the Hair of her head was curiously plaited and shin'd like burnisht Gold but being toucht instantly fell to dust The Abbot who by the Kings command searched for the Grave removed both their Bones to the great Church and there buried them in a sair double Tomb of Marble laying the Body of the King at the head thereof and the Queen 's at the feet above six hundred years after they were first buried and in the year of our Lord. 1191. I shall conclude the life of this Worthy Prince with an Ephitaph written in me â—â—ry of him by John Leland a Monk in Latin and translated into English many years since by Nicholas Roscock which you shall have in the Poetry of those times Saxonicas toties qui fudit Marte cruento Turmas peperit spoliis sibi nomen opimis c. Who vanquished the Saxon Troops With Battles bloudy broils And purchas 't to himself a name With Warlike Wealthy Spoils Who with his shivering shining Sword The Picts so oft dismayed And an unweildy servile Yoke On Necks of Scots hath laid Who Frenchmen puft with pride and who The Germans fierce in fight Discomfited and beat the Danes With strong and martial might Who of that murdering Mordred did The Vital breath expel That horrid cruel Monster great That bloudy Tyrant fell Here liveless Arthur lies intomb'd Within this stately Hearse Famous for Strength and Chivalry And ' gainst his Enemies fierce Whose glorious Acts and Victories Through all the World do fly And whose most worthy Fame and Name Doth reach the very Sky Therefore you Noble Progeny Of Brittish Line and Race Never forget your Emperor Great Of thrice renowned Grace But place upon his sacred Tomb Your Rosie Garlands gay Whose fragrant smell may witness well Your duties you display Grass and He◠〈…〉 Near Camelon 〈…〉 The Hist of Charles the Great K. of France and Emp. of Germany The Eight Worthy of the World. HE well deserv'd the name of Charlemagne That to such mighty Glory did attain Who all his Enemies having overcome Was own'd and Crown'd Great Emperor of Rome Virtue and Valour he still mixt so well 'T was hard to say in which he did excell The Christian Faith he always did defend And against Saracens did oft contend The Huns and Pagans too he conquered His name alone fill'd them with fear and dread Yet all his fury he layd by if they Would Idols leave and the True God obey THE Ancient French Historians relate that the original Habitation of this now Potent Nation was in that part of Germany which lay nearest Gaul now called France and having together with the Romans obtained a great victory against the Alans Enemies to the Empire in the Reign oâ— Valentinian they got possâ—ssion of a great part of Gaul as a fruit of their Conquest which they held by their Sword not doing any homage for it but to their own valour Pharamond laid the first Stone in the Building of this great Monarchy Clodion prosecuted this design Merovee made it appear above ground Clovis adding the profession of Christ to his own and Predecessors valour so won the Hearts of the Gauls the Natives of this Countrey who were generally Christians that he procured voluntary obedience from them and an assured possession of his new Conquests uniting both Nations into one and giving Law to the Conquered with such wisdom and discretion that the name of France was generally received in Gaul The race of Pharamond continued successively in France during the Reign of one and Twenty Kings for about one hundred and twenty years At which time nine or ten Idle Kings as the French History calls them succeeding each other the Kingdom was thereby reduced to a multitude of dangers and inconveniences which gave occasion to Charles Martel to lay the Foundation of a new race of Kings from his own Posterity who being first Mayor or Governor of the Pallace was chosen Prince of the French and upon this account is reckoned the 22 King of France He was a man of great wisdom and courage and managed all Aâ—â—â—rs of War and State during the Reigns of the three last Kings In the time of Thierry the Second the Saracens or Turks issuing out of Asia into Africa and Spain possest themselves of many mighty Kingdoms and Provinces under the command of Abderamen their King and afterward invaded France with an Army of four hundred thousand men but by the admirable conduct and valour of Martel this vast multitude was utterly vanquished three hundred seventy five thousand Barbarians being slain in the Field and their King found dead in a heap of Carcasses not wounded but smothered by the multitude that fled the French lost fifteen hundred and among them many of their Nobility and Gentry The Care and Toil of great Affairs together with his Age having much broken Martel and the weakness of Childerick the last King of the first Race giving him incouragement he resolves so to dispose of things as to leave the Kingdom to his Children and therefore observing that Childerick loved no man neither any man him and that Pepin Ins own Son was beloved of all both for his own and Martels sake as the Protector of their Liberty whereas Childerick did not regard the common good but spent his time in folly and voluptuousness Martel therefore at his death left France to the Government of Pepin whom he knew to be stout and of a great Spirit After his death the Friends of Pepin proclaimed his merits in all places but Religion and the Reverence and Devotion the French Nation naturally bear to Kings seemed to be insuperable difficulties to his advancement to the Crown Childerick had already Reigned nine years only in appearance under Martel and four more under Pepin who to remove the last scruple represented to the People that their Allegiance was vowed to true Kings and not to Kings in imagination and disguise that they were sworn to maintain a Religious Just Merciful Diligent and Active King able to withstand their Enemies to punish the wicked to defend the good and to protect the Christian Law according to the express words thâ— French Kings are Sworn to in their Coronation-Oath Why then should they think themselves bound to a vicious King who was negligent and careless of himself and his Subjects since the Conâ—â—ct between them was limited and the French were only obliged to obey him who being endued with many Royal Virtues persorms the Office of a true King. These reasons were plain and easily received by all men as absolutely necessary for the common good though most of thera who seemed thus convinced had an Eye to their particular advantage by the favour of Pepin As to the
scruple of Religion how they could be dispensed from their Oath of Allegiance Pepin assuring himself of good Friends at Rome sends thither two Bishops to Pope Zachary to represent to him the present State of France who being truly informed of the weakness of Childerick who was hated and contemned of all men and of the general resolution of the French to receive Pepin but chiefly moved with hopes of great Assistance from him against the Lombards his Capital Enemies He discharged the French from their Oath of Obedience to Childerick and all his Race Being thus freed from their Allegiance they Assemble the General Estates where it was concluded That to avoyd that Confusion in the Realm which was apparently grown by the negligence of former Kings Childerick should be rejected and Pepin chosen The one unworthy to reign by reason of his Vices and the other most worthy to be K. for his Royal Virtues But lest the Fundamental Law of Succession should be directly infringed and broken they derive the race of Pepin from Clovis the great King of France to whom he was acknowledged next Heir both by Succession and Virtue The Assembly hereupon commanded Boniface Archbishop of Mentz to declare to Pepin That in regard of his Virtues and their future hope of his worthy Goverment the French had by a free and gener al consent elected him King. And in prosecution of this Decree Pepin was instantly Crowned by the said Archbishop and then being raised upon a Target or Shield he was carried about the Assembly according to an ancient Ceremony of the French And by Virtue of the same Decree Childerick was deposed as unworthy of the Crown and afterward degraded shaven and confined to a Monastery there to pass the remainders of his days This Pepin called the Short the Twenty third King of France having reigned eighteen years with much glory and the great love and affection of his Subjects the strongest Foundation upon which a Prince can build his Authority died in the year 768. After his death the Estates of France being assembled concluded to divide the Realm between his two Sons Charles or Charlemagn the Elder and Caroloman the Younger Charles being Crowned at Worms and Caroloman at Soissons Writers have not set down the bounds of their Dominions since three years after their Fathers death the whole Kingdom came to Charles Brothers they were of different humors who by equality of power endangered the ruin of the Monarchy had not divine Providence united it in the Person of this great Prince Charles He was indued with excellent gifts both of body and mind of a Virtuous conversation and above all carefully educated in the Christian Religion for which he had much reverence all his life Charity Temperance Equity and Justice in relieving his People Fidelity to all and Modesty in using Victorles were the admirable effects of his knowledge and as remarkable in him as in any Prince whatever He naturally loved Learning and Learned men having been instructed in the Greek and Latin Tongues and likewise in Philosophy and the Mathematicks which Sciences he term'd his Pastimes and the Companions of his Sword wherewith he oft diverted himself He took delight in Poetry as some of his writings witness but especially in Histories wherein he was exceeding well read In Arms his Father Pepin was his School-master under whom he had great Commands which he discharg'd with such reputation that he well deserv'd the name of Great both for his Valour and Virtue There appeared in his Countenance a grave sweet Majesty in Personage he was Tall Strong and Patient of labour of a clear Spirit a sound Apprehension Memory and Judgment which never failed him in difficulties terrible to some and pleasing to others according to the occasion These Virtues gain'd him so much Repute that he was Beloved Respected and Obeyed of all men and having received a great Kingdom from his Father he inlarged it with wonderful success Charles â—â—rtel Pepin and this Great Charles seeming to have been raised up after each other to preserve the Christian name amidst the deluge of barbarous Nations and the ruin of the Roman Empire Caroloman was exceeding jealous of his Brothers greatness whom with grief he saw honour'd obey'd and belov'd by all the French which caused him to endeavour as much as possible to countermine his designs who had his eye upon Italy as the most proper Theater for his valour For after the death of Pepin the Church of Rome fell into great confusions by the practices of Didier King of Lombardy who having corrupted some of the Clergy caused Constantine brother to the Duke of Nepezo his creature and trusty friend to be chosen Pope and Phillipicus already elected to be violently deposed The other party resolving not to be imposed on by Didier by common consent chuse Stephen the Third a Sicilian to the Popedom who resolves to call in the King of France to his assistance upon which Charles first sends twelve Prelates to Rome to strengthen his party who unanimously confirm the Election of Stephen and depose Constantine raised by force and disorder Though Didier resolved not to be controlled yet cunningly dissembling his thoughts he sends to congratulate the Election of Stephen and renounces Constantine and pretending to desire the continuance of friendship proposes to come to Rome and confer with him in private The Pope who only made use of the French for necessity was easily perswaded by Didier to consent thereto who coming makes many Protestations of Obedience Paul Ephialte a Graecian was then Governor at Rome for the Emperor whom Didier so corrupted that having the Execution of Justice in his hands he causeth him to seize upon Christopher and Sergius the Popes two Secretaries in the presence of Stephen whom accusing of supposed crimes he infamously hanged their greatest offence being for favouring the French yea he proceeded to banish all the Citizens of Rome who were noted to be of the French Faction resolving to be Master of Rome in sâ—â—ght of the Pope Stephen observing the falshood of the Lombards flies again to Charlemagne for help who resolving to assist him Didier had so wrought with Caroloman his Brother that he found means to hinder him by raising a dangerous War in Guienne Though the County of Guienne depended on the Crown of France yet many Rebellions happened by the practices of the Noblemen who abusing the bounty of the French Kings that allowed them their ancient Priviledges were ambitious to be absolute Soveraigns themselves to cast off their dependance upon France Hunalt at this time was the principal Person in this Countrey whom Caroloman finding to be very desirous of being a Duke or Prince resolves to imploy him against his brother Charles Hunalt not doubting but to have credit enough with the People to make himself absolute if he were favoured by one of the Kings of France against the other Guienne was part of Charlemagnes Territories against whom Hunalt
designs to make open War but though the countenance of Caroloman might do much yet the Wisdom and Courage of Charles prevailed more for understanding his brothers secret practices he armed so suddenly that he seized several Great Towns and thereby all the Countrey adjoining submitted to him Hunalt finding himself prevented fled to a Nobleman in that Countrey called Loup his faithful and affectionate Friend to whom Charles instantly sends to deliver Hunalt into his hands as guilty of High Treason Who unable to resist sends him back with all his Family to whom Charles graciously grants both life and liberty and pardons Loup and all that obeyed him thereby ending a dangerous War without blows Caroloman finding his designs against his brother unsuccessful takes a Voyage to Rome under shew of Devotion though intending other matters His Mother Berthe accompanying him was honourably received by Didier King of the Lombards who then concluded a Marriage between her Son Charles and Theodora daughter to Didier one of the greatest enemies of his Sons good fortuno yet Charlemagne to please his Mother Married this Wife though he soon after put her away as disagreeable to his humour and affairs and likewise on suspition of incontinency so that what should have been a cause of love bred greater hate between these two Princes Carolomâ—â— having effected nothing at Rome only discovering his malicious Jealousy returns into France and soon after dies in the year of our Lord 770. Charles being now alone by his brothers decease quietly takes possession of his Dominions and then marries Hildegard daughter of the Duke of Sueve his own Subject by whom he had three Sons and three daughters Carolomans Jealousy died not with him for his Wife Birthe impatient of her condition retires with her two Sons to Didier who contrived with the Widdow to procure from Adrian then Pope a confirmation of her Sons in the Crown of France which the Pope absolutely refused At which time Hunalt forgetful of the mercy of Charles comes to Didier by whom he is received and made General of the Army against the Pope for denying the King of Lombardy's request who having no other weapons but Excommunication implores the aid of Charles who first sends Ambassadors to Didier requiring him to restore what he had taken from the Pope and to suffer him to live in peace Who insisting upon having the Children of Caroloman declared Kings of France His demands were thought so unreasonable that the Treaty is broke off and Charles instantly prepares for War and in a short time gives the Lombards two notable defeats And at length besieges him and all his Forces in Pavia which was soon surrendred and Didier falls into his hands who was sent Prisoner to Lyons and the Kingdom of the Lombards thereby utterly ruined During the Siege of Pavia a Council was held at Rome by Pope Adrian in favour of Charlemagne and for his merits toward the Church the right to bestow all Benefices in Christendom was said to belong to him Charlemagne being returned into France Aldegise the Son of Didier endeavoured to disquiet Italy by the aid of the Emperor Constantine and the practices of Rogand to â—om Charlemagne had given Friuli but all these Rebellions were soon supprest by the diligence of the French Goverâ—ors and Rogand being taken was beheaded by â—he Kings Command But the end of this War was the â—eginning of another in Germany whereof the Saxons were the Chief Authors with the assistance of some of their Neighbours this War continued thirty three years at divers times The Saxons in Germany were at this time Subject to the Crown of France under Martel and Pepin his Son and the desire of recovering their ancient liberty but especially of retaining their Pagan Superstition received from their Ancestors was the chief occasion of these tedious Troubles For Charles zealous for the Christian Faith endeavoured to oblige them to make profession thereof Upon this Controversy of Religion the Saxons made War eight times against him especially when they found him busied elsewhere and took Strasburg and several other Towns then in possession of the French whereupon Charles calling a Parliament at Worms leavied a great Army wherewith having vanquished the Saxons twice in one Month in the open Field he reduced them to their ancient Obedience yet used his Victoty with much Modesty and Wildom designing rather to show his Power than his Justice The Chief Commander among them was one Widichind who being by Charles perswaded without any violence to imbrace the Christian Religion by his means the greatest part of the Saxons were brought to the knowledge of the true God and into Obedience to the French Monarchy After this the Zeal for Religion gave some colour of necessity to the Heroical desire of Charlemagne to inlarge his Dominions by making War upon the Saracens or Moors in Spain who had then conquered a great part thereof which they divided into distinct Kingdoms yet all these petty Kings resolved to unite against Charles their common Enemy and to prevent all his designs they caused one of their Kings called Idbunala to insinuate into his Friendship and Charlemagne pushed on both by him and Alphonso sirnamed the Chast King of Navar and well affected thereto himself he brings his Forces into Spain and took the Cities of Pampelona and Saragosa plundering them and putting all the Saracens to the Sword. Encouraged by this success he marches on relying on his usual Fortune many small Towns in the way terrified by their example yielding upon composition and then giving part of his Army to be commanded by Milon his Brother in Law it happened that near Bayonne Aigoland a Saracen King took him at such advantage that he defeated him with the loss of forty thousand men Milon himself being slain Aigoland elevated with this Victory and Charles being far off he marches into Gascoign and besieges Agen to draw him home for the defence of his own Countrey who doubting the Fidelity of the Gascoins makes a speedy return but so tired that his Troops were altogether unserviceable which Aigeland being sensible of sends him a Proposal That to prevent bloudâ—hed and the unnecessary destruction of Mankind and since he understood that Charles would make Peace with them if they would imbrace the Christian Religion he desired the Tryal of the true Faith might be made only by some few Troops protesting to yield to that Religiâ—n which should overcome in the Combat The condition was accepted by Charles and the Christian Troop vanquished the Saracens Aigoland hereupon declares himself openly a Christian but intended nothing less and takes this occasion to break the Treaty He finds Charles at his Table eating with the Chief of his Followers for Kings used not then to eat alone and sees twelve poor men in very ragged Cloths near the Noblemens Table and demanding who those miserable Creatures were that fed by themselves was told They were the Messengers of God who replied Sure your
God is very poor himself since his Messengers are so very mean and contemptible and thereupon takes occasion to retire Charlemagne resolving to be revenged for this bold affront of the Saraeen raises an Army of an hundred and thirty thousand men wherewith he defeated Aigolands Forces at Pampelona and carried away the head of this prophane King as a Tropby of his Victory and afterward utterly defeated the remainder of his Forces The Saracens again Mustering a new Army Rowland Nephew to Charles marches against them with only twenty thousand men and being suddenly set upon in his passage over the Pyrenean Mountains he is over powerâ—d with numbers and retiring himself apart for some refreshment he there perishes for thirst by reason of the long and painful Combat he had indured yet not without revenge for he killed Marseilles one of their Kings with his own hand Charlemagne advertised of this unexpected loss returns suddenly and takes revenge on the Saracens killing a vast number of them and building Tombs for Rowland and those other valiant Commanders who died in the Bed of Honour and his other urgent Affairs in France requiring his presence he returned thither That the War in Spain ended with little success having disturbed Charles at divers times for fourteen years past At his return from Spain Charlemagne finds occasion to exercise his Valour first in Italy where Alde I se the Son of Didier again attempted to settle himself but was soon suppressed with much loss to the Lombard Rebels The like occasion bred a War in Germany For King Tasilon Son in Law to Didier by his Wives perswasions endeavours to shake off the Yoke and flies to Arms ingaging the Huns and other Nations against Charlemagne who suppressed them with such happy success that Tasilon being Vanquished and found guilty of Treason and Rebellion was according to the Salique Law condemned to lose his Estate whereby the Kingdom of Bavaria ended and was incorporated into the Crown of France The Huns from whom the Hungarians are derived together with the Danes Westphalians and divers other Nations who were united in this War against Charles were all brought under his Obedience their Countreys containing Hungary Valachia Bohemia Transilvania Denmark and Poland Thus the French Mâ—narchy grew great by the happy Valour of â—â—â—rlemagne France Italy Germany Spain and Hungary made the Romon Empire in the West and Charles being Master of these goâ—dly Provinces was in effect Emperor thereof and wanted only the Title which he obtained by this means Leo being then Pope of Rome a strange sedition was raised against him by Silvester and Gampul men of great credit in the Court of Rome who in a Solemn procession seize upon the Pope before St. Laurence Church they stript him of his Pontificial robes throw him to the ground tread him under their feet bruise his face with their fists and having drawn him ignominiously through the dirt they throw him into Prison But he continued not long there being freed by a Groom of his Chamber and recovering St. Peters Church he intreats Vingise Duke of Spoleto to free him from this miferable Captivity who presently marching to Rome carried him thence to Spoleto From whence he goes with all speed to France to Charles whom he found ingaged in many troubles who yet neglected all other affairs to assist Leo in this his great necessity And marching to Rome with a potent Army he speedily pacifies all disturbances and punishes the Popes Enemies according to Law Leo being thus put into possession of his Soveraignty declares Charles to be Emperor of the West which with the price of his bloud lost in opposing the furious incursions of barbarous Nations he had valiantly gotten possession of and accordingly Crowns him Emperor with the full consent of the Roman People who asisted at his Coronation crying with one general voice All happiness long life and Victory to Charles Augustus Crowned the Great and Peaceable Emperor of the Romans always happy and victorions This was performed in the year of our Lord 800. Italy having for thirty years past suffered horrible Confusions without Emperor without Laws and without order The Seat of the Roman Empire since Constantine the Great remained at Constantinople a City of Thrace convenient for the guard of the Eastern Provinces All the West being full of strangers who having expelled the Roman Name and Authority the force of the Empire remained in the East where the State was in a strange confusion by fatal differences Constantine Son to Leo the Fourth was then Emperor who together with the Empire was governed from his infancy by Irene his Mother At this time there was great division in the East about Images which had already continued eighty years the 〈◊〉 ops would needs bring them into the Christian Church but were always opposed by Constantines Predecessors but the Empress having assembled a Council at Nice it was there decreed by her consent and earnest desire That â—mages should be planted in Christian Churches for Devotion Charlemagne did not approve of this decree but writ or caused to be written a small Treatise against this Council to be seen at this day and called A Treatise of Charlemagn's touching Images against the Greek Synod The present Emperor Constantine retained the hereditary hatred of his Father and Grand-Father against them so that being now of age and in possession of the Empire he disanulled all those new decrees and caused images in all places to be beaten down yet he still shewâ—ed respect to his Mother allowing her great part of her former Authority which occasioned an horrible Tragedy to follow for being inraged both for his crossing her new opinion about Images and for the loss of part of her power She resolves to disposless him of the Emâ—ress and having corrupted the Chief Officers with her Sons Money she seized on him put out his eyes sent â—im into banishment where he soon after died for greif and took possession of the Empire for her self These unnatural Tragedies were acted in the East while Charlemagne by his great Valour erected an Emâ—ire in the West After Constantines death Irene sent to Charles to excuse her self disowning the Murther and charging it on some who had done it without her command and likewise treated with him about Marrying â—er his Empress being lately dead premising to consent he should be declared Emperor of the East and that â—he would resign up all her power to him but Charlemagne would not accept thereof the Nobility and People after this had such a publick derestation of her the Murtheress of her own Child that having sufâ—ered â—er three years Nicephorus a Noblemant of Greece affâ—â—ed â—y the Chief of the Couâ—â— and with the consent of the people makes himself Emperor and only Banishes Irent He afterwards Treats and Compounds with Charles thaâ— the Empire of the East continuing under his Command that of the West should remain to Charlemagne which being confirm'd by the general assent