Romes Monarchie, Entitvled The Globe of Renowmed Glorie Briefly comprehending the first foundation and building of Rome by Romulus: The principall warres and conquests of the Romanes after the time of their first choosing Consuls, till Iulius Caesar attaining soly to the Empire, and from him more briefly to Nero. Where in small compasse is described, manie most noble, and vertuous acts, atchieued in their said warres, and conquests; strange Tragedies, secret practises and policies, Ambition, hate, and reuenge: and how insurrections, rebellion, strife, ciuill discord and discention preuailing, was the onely plague, ruine, and vtter destruction of many great Monarchies, Kingdomes, Cities, and Countries. Translated out of the French and Italian histories by E. L |
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 | Romes Monarchie, Entitvled The Globe of Renowmed Glorie |  |
Romes Monarchie.
Il premio é meritato
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE, MOST WORTHIE
for vertues, Master Alderman Slany, Lord
Maior of the citie of London: the right Worshipfull Master
Thomas Low, and Master Leonard Halliday, Aldermen and
Sheriffes of the same citie: and to the right Worshipfull the rest
of the Aldermen their brethren, and other the
Magistrates in authoritie there: long life, bealth, and
all good happes in this life, and after
eternall felicitie.
CAP. 1.
The building of Carthage, and Rome, the expelling of Romes Kings, and first choosing of Cousuls there, the ouerthrow of 300. Romaines being all of one name, and familie, called Fabians.
Of
Priams pompe, his pallace or his towne,
Srong Troy, the wals, or how those warres began
Which ten yeres held, by Grecians last beat down:
Or whether side the praise or glorie wanne
Is not here ment at all, vpon to scanne:
Yet will my muse (in meane style) pen I imploy
Or warres to write long after that from Troy,
Srong Troy, the wals, or how those warres began
Which ten yeres held, by Grecians last beat down:
Or whether side the praise or glorie wanne
Is not here ment at all, vpon to scanne:
Yet will my muse (in meane style) pen I imploy
Or warres to write long after that from Troy,
Æineas came into Italia soyle:
But, leauing him and farther on to passe:
Excepting too, what euer iarre or broyle,
Did after chance till Rome yfounded was
By Romulus, whose birth is counted base:
Thus much is sayd, because Æneas line,
Is brought by writ, in Cæsars seate to shine:
But, leauing him and farther on to passe:
Excepting too, what euer iarre or broyle,
Did after chance till Rome yfounded was
By Romulus, whose birth is counted base:
Thus much is sayd, because Æneas line,
Is brought by writ, in Cæsars seate to shine:
For, when Augustus, surnam'de Cæsar, sate
Sole with the Scepter in th'imperiall throne,
Virgil, to praise his high discent, and state,
In his Æneidos, makes it to him knowne,
How Troian race the world then rul'de alone,
Old Priams stocke (of Troy that famous king)
In him most fresh, ore all the earth did spring.
Sole with the Scepter in th'imperiall throne,
Virgil, to praise his high discent, and state,
In his Æneidos, makes it to him knowne,
How Troian race the world then rul'de alone,
Old Priams stocke (of Troy that famous king)
In him most fresh, ore all the earth did spring.
But memorie, and fame of nations olde,
Swift time makes ende, as was as of beginning.
Romes base commence in writing is enrolde,
To be at first, a webbe of slender spinning;
And yet at last had all the world winning,
As floudes at first come slylie creeping in,
So at full sea, to ebbe do straight begin.
Swift time makes ende, as was as of beginning.
Romes base commence in writing is enrolde,
To be at first, a webbe of slender spinning;
And yet at last had all the world winning,
As floudes at first come slylie creeping in,
So at full sea, to ebbe do straight begin.
So worketh time of euery thing the change:
O Rome whose wings sometime the earth orespread,
Thy glories gone, thy fame still lasting, strange,
Thy captaines that did raise thy state are dead,
Both Pompee, and Cæsars aspiring head,
With many moe, their monarchies and all:
Whom Time hath rais'de, and likewise made to fall.
O Rome whose wings sometime the earth orespread,
Thy glories gone, thy fame still lasting, strange,
Thy captaines that did raise thy state are dead,
Both Pompee, and Cæsars aspiring head,
With many moe, their monarchies and all:
Whom Time hath rais'de, and likewise made to fall.
But, what so fates and destinie allottes,
Fortune will not gainsay, or backe withholde
What subiect is vnto her staines and spottes,
Nought can auaile, no mines, or mounts of golde.
And what againe in fauour she doth holde,
Shall mount, and weare both diademe, and crowne,
And vnlook'te for, as fast come tumbling downe.
Fortune will not gainsay, or backe withholde
What subiect is vnto her staines and spottes,
Nought can auaile, no mines, or mounts of golde.
And what againe in fauour she doth holde,
Shall mount, and weare both diademe, and crowne,
And vnlook'te for, as fast come tumbling downe.
Proofe of thse things by Carthage first of twaine,
Whose plotted seate queene Dido did beginne,
By graunt obtain'de, and so much ground did gaine
To build vpon, in reach of a bulles skinne,
Which she cut small in pieces long and thinne:
In lengthes stretcht out, it farre orespead the field
In circuite, there the walles she gan to build
Whose plotted seate queene Dido did beginne,
By graunt obtain'de, and so much ground did gaine
To build vpon, in reach of a bulles skinne,
Which she cut small in pieces long and thinne:
In lengthes stretcht out, it farre orespead the field
In circuite, there the walles she gan to build
With houses braue, high towers, temples fayre,
The stately Forte, which Birsa had to name:
Whose toppes high mounted, seem'de to touch the ayre:
For strength and wealth the world it had for fame.
Yet for all that, the Romaines it orecame,
The citie sackt, and raz'de the walles to ground:
Whose match ech way, on earth was thē scarse found.
The stately Forte, which Birsa had to name:
Whose toppes high mounted, seem'de to touch the ayre:
For strength and wealth the world it had for fame.
Yet for all that, the Romaines it orecame,
The citie sackt, and raz'de the walles to ground:
Whose match ech way, on earth was thē scarse found.
Of Rome, the walles and buildings first of all,
Olde writtes record, that Romulus began
To found the same, whose meane estate, some call
Him shepheard borne, or else a bare heardsman
Nurst by a wolfe; but he such glory wan,
As fates decree the chance of euery thing,
His power grew so, as lastly made him king.
Olde writtes record, that Romulus began
To found the same, whose meane estate, some call
Him shepheard borne, or else a bare heardsman
Nurst by a wolfe; but he such glory wan,
As fates decree the chance of euery thing,
His power grew so, as lastly made him king.
And after him, if histories say true,
Two hundreth yeares, adde fortie foure withall,
Sixe kings more raign'de, ech one in order due,
The last of which, his pride did cause to fall:
And name of king did euer after thrall,
To rule, or rainge, that famous citie in,
Who called was that time, the proud Tarquin.
Two hundreth yeares, adde fortie foure withall,
Sixe kings more raign'de, ech one in order due,
The last of which, his pride did cause to fall:
And name of king did euer after thrall,
To rule, or rainge, that famous citie in,
Who called was that time, the proud Tarquin.
Their Kings expel'd, two Consuls next bare sway,
Whose office was t'endure for a yeare,
Iunius Brutus to the state a stay,
Chiefe cause the Tarquins Romes kings chased were;
His owne two sonnes, no whit he did forbeare
For to be head, with others, seeking meane,
Their Tarquins kings for to restore againe.
Whose office was t'endure for a yeare,
Iunius Brutus to the state a stay,
Chiefe cause the Tarquins Romes kings chased were;
His owne two sonnes, no whit he did forbeare
For to be head, with others, seeking meane,
Their Tarquins kings for to restore againe.
A noble deed of iustice, right, and zeale:
O happie place where rulers vpright stand.
A worthy member of a publique weale:
A president for euery state and land,
Vice to correct with rod of iustice hand.
Thus Consuls two, in place of kings did guide
The state of Rome, which after stretched wide.
O happie place where rulers vpright stand.
A worthy member of a publique weale:
A president for euery state and land,
Vice to correct with rod of iustice hand.
Thus Consuls two, in place of kings did guide
The state of Rome, which after stretched wide.
During which time, discordes did often rise
At home, and forth, Toscane the countrie hight
That then made warre, but Rome did them despise,
Three hundreth Romaines went with them to fight:
All of one name cal'd Fabians, put to flight
Their armie, and they all slaine, left no more
Of that name but a child, who did restore
At home, and forth, Toscane the countrie hight
That then made warre, but Rome did them despise,
Three hundreth Romaines went with them to fight:
All of one name cal'd Fabians, put to flight
Their armie, and they all slaine, left no more
Of that name but a child, who did restore
Their house againe: which chaunce to Rome did fall
Thirtie three yeares, after their kings decay,
And after that three hundreth yeares in all
Of Romes building, things at vncertaine stay,
By reason brawles did often them affray:
From them Ambassage to the Grecians went,
Who lawes to Rome in brassie tables sent.
Thirtie three yeares, after their kings decay,
And after that three hundreth yeares in all
Of Romes building, things at vncertaine stay,
By reason brawles did often them affray:
From them Ambassage to the Grecians went,
Who lawes to Rome in brassie tables sent.
CAP. 2.
The third and fourth alteration of officers in Rome, where, after many changes the Consuls were of continuance vntill Iulius Cæsar.
In meane estate was Rome at that same time,
Wanting both wittes, and men of wisedomes lore
To make them lawes: but things that be in prime
Come to be ripe, though it be long before:
In Greece that time were wisemen plenteous store,
That in all kind of Artes profound did florish,
Romes weake estate with wisedome they did norish.
Wanting both wittes, and men of wisedomes lore
To make them lawes: but things that be in prime
Come to be ripe, though it be long before:
In Greece that time were wisemen plenteous store,
That in all kind of Artes profound did florish,
Romes weake estate with wisedome they did norish.
Those lawes brought home the publike state, & weale,
Rechanged was from Consuls two as then
To Decemuirs supremely that did deale
With euery cause, as much to say Tenne men:
But this new change, was altered soone agen:
Appius Claude, one of that number tho
Committing rape, that gouernment did orethrow.
Rechanged was from Consuls two as then
To Decemuirs supremely that did deale
With euery cause, as much to say Tenne men:
But this new change, was altered soone agen:
Appius Claude, one of that number tho
Committing rape, that gouernment did orethrow.
A magistrate, to doe an act so vile:
The people would no longer them permit,
Consuls againe were chose, who but a while
Did last, but yet againe began to flit
Their officers, for so it was thought fit:
Two Tribunes then were chose, whose power and might
Was Consul like, the peoples wrong to right.
The people would no longer them permit,
Consuls againe were chose, who but a while
Did last, but yet againe began to flit
Their officers, for so it was thought fit:
Two Tribunes then were chose, whose power and might
Was Consul like, the peoples wrong to right.
This time also which was three hundreth yeare,
And fifteene since the citie first was founded,
An office was which onely one did beare,
Which seemes to be, on great authoritie grounded:
Dictator calde, who caus'de to death be wounded
Spurius Melius, who sought to be Romes roye,
His house and name, for euer to destroye.
And fifteene since the citie first was founded,
An office was which onely one did beare,
Which seemes to be, on great authoritie grounded:
Dictator calde, who caus'de to death be wounded
Spurius Melius, who sought to be Romes roye,
His house and name, for euer to destroye.
Two yeares next after gouernment againe,
To warlike Tribunes, came seruing in warre
Abroade, at home, as fortune list to raigne,
To stint all striues of mutinie and iarre:
And to keepe off, the enemie a farre:
Which did endure about some seuentie,
In all which time, men worthie many were.
To warlike Tribunes, came seruing in warre
Abroade, at home, as fortune list to raigne,
To stint all striues of mutinie and iarre:
And to keepe off, the enemie a farre:
Which did endure about some seuentie,
In all which time, men worthie many were.
Amongst them all one Furius Camille,
For vertue past all those, supplied that place,
For seruice good, he was requited ill:
He in exile, was forct to take his race,
Although sometime he Consull were in grace.
Ingratitude so raignes in peoples mindes,
For doing good, with ill requitall findes.
For vertue past all those, supplied that place,
For seruice good, he was requited ill:
He in exile, was forct to take his race,
Although sometime he Consull were in grace.
Ingratitude so raignes in peoples mindes,
For doing good, with ill requitall findes.
Causelesse exilde, the Senate him recalde,
Whose vertue sau'de all Rome from spoyle and sacke
By French men wrought, and therefore was restalde
In dignitie, for putting them to wracke.
Thus fortune plaies with men, now forth, then backe:
Dictator he was after in two yeares,
Vertue supprest, at length more great appeares.
Whose vertue sau'de all Rome from spoyle and sacke
By French men wrought, and therefore was restalde
In dignitie, for putting them to wracke.
Thus fortune plaies with men, now forth, then backe:
Dictator he was after in two yeares,
Vertue supprest, at length more great appeares.
A worthy wight eke Manlius ycalde,
Soone after that, the Capitall did guard,
Against the French: who welnie hap it thralde,
In doing which, he had an hard reward:
Suspicion foule, his fame and glory bard:
(Sans proofe) suppos'd he would Romes state distaine:
For which he was cast from rocke Tarpeiane.
Soone after that, the Capitall did guard,
Against the French: who welnie hap it thralde,
In doing which, he had an hard reward:
Suspicion foule, his fame and glory bard:
(Sans proofe) suppos'd he would Romes state distaine:
For which he was cast from rocke Tarpeiane.
Decreed it was, not any of his race
Or noble house, thenceforth should beare the name
Of Marc, which seem'de as then a great disgrace:
But to rehearse againe Camillus fame,
Who seuen times of Tribune had the name:
To leade the Romaines vnto battell bolde,
Had good successe, and died very olde.
Or noble house, thenceforth should beare the name
Of Marc, which seem'de as then a great disgrace:
But to rehearse againe Camillus fame,
Who seuen times of Tribune had the name:
To leade the Romaines vnto battell bolde,
Had good successe, and died very olde.
CAP. 3.
Of Romes seueritie in iustice, of their constancie for the common wealthes cause, the time of Alexander the great his being, and of the Romaines warres against Pirrhus, King of Epirotes.
Romes age was now three hundreth foure score,
Also nine yeares, when Captains there was sound
Most valiant, wise, the like was nere before:
Who in assaults, their enemies brought to ground:
Themselues not dreading death, or deadly wound.
Too long it were their names all to recite,
Who in defence of Romes estate did fight.
Also nine yeares, when Captains there was sound
Most valiant, wise, the like was nere before:
Who in assaults, their enemies brought to ground:
Themselues not dreading death, or deadly wound.
Too long it were their names all to recite,
Who in defence of Romes estate did fight.
And in the same vs'de iustice for small crime,
Amongst all which one of them doe I finde
Terquatus nam'de, chiefe Consull at that time:
His onely sonne (a thing faire out of kinde)
He caus'd to die, for fighting (vnassin'de)
Against his foe, which he orecame in fight,
Though well he did, law could not him acquight.
Amongst all which one of them doe I finde
Terquatus nam'de, chiefe Consull at that time:
His onely sonne (a thing faire out of kinde)
He caus'd to die, for fighting (vnassin'de)
Against his foe, which he orecame in fight,
Though well he did, law could not him acquight.
What lawes were made, were duely executed,
Such men they were, Heroicall of minde:
For dastards they disdain'd to be reputed,
For countries weale, dutie and loue did binde
Their deaths to seeke, rather then lines to finde:
For to aduance the Romaines state and name,
Willing died many, to gaine perpetuall fame.
Such men they were, Heroicall of minde:
For dastards they disdain'd to be reputed,
For countries weale, dutie and loue did binde
Their deaths to seeke, rather then lines to finde:
For to aduance the Romaines state and name,
Willing died many, to gaine perpetuall fame.
One Decius Mus, did vow to lose his life
In fight against the Latines, Romaines foes,
For countries cause, which he perform'd, in strife
With them that time, which made the Latines lose
The field that day, receiuing bloodie blowes.
One of selfe name after his sonne also
In such like cause, his life did cke forgoe.
In fight against the Latines, Romaines foes,
For countries cause, which he perform'd, in strife
With them that time, which made the Latines lose
The field that day, receiuing bloodie blowes.
One of selfe name after his sonne also
In such like cause, his life did cke forgoe.
Although that he were Consull at that time:
About which time as written I doe finde,
The Monarch great was then in chiefest prime:
Macedo king, stout Alexanders minde,
Whose conquests great, were but a puffe of winde:
For when he had maistred the world all,
At Babylon by poyson had his fall.
About which time as written I doe finde,
The Monarch great was then in chiefest prime:
Macedo king, stout Alexanders minde,
Whose conquests great, were but a puffe of winde:
For when he had maistred the world all,
At Babylon by poyson had his fall.
Against the state of Rome he did intend
To haue made warre, if Asia once subdued,
Then next through all Europa to have wend,
His hands yet more in blood to have imbrued:
But fates by death his purpose did seclude,
At 12. yeares raigne, and 33. yeares age,
His part being playd he left vaine worlds stage.
To haue made warre, if Asia once subdued,
Then next through all Europa to have wend,
His hands yet more in blood to have imbrued:
But fates by death his purpose did seclude,
At 12. yeares raigne, and 33. yeares age,
His part being playd he left vaine worlds stage.
His force against, (but death you heare forbad)
Papirius was for Romaines chieftaine chose,
Whose valiantnesse great fame attayned had,
In giuing foyle to Samnites cruell foes
To Romaines, tho in danger like to lose
Their army all, vnder their Consuls twaine,
Papirius force did victorie obtaine.
Papirius was for Romaines chieftaine chose,
Whose valiantnesse great fame attayned had,
In giuing foyle to Samnites cruell foes
To Romaines, tho in danger like to lose
Their army all, vnder their Consuls twaine,
Papirius force did victorie obtaine.
Dictator he that office after bare,
And earnest was in martiall discipline,
Expert, and quicke, in warlike feates his care
Was euermore, that souldiers should encline,
Not nice to be, to lodge, or dyet fine,
But valiant, stout, and to endure all toyle,
Which made them oft to giue their foes the foyle.
And earnest was in martiall discipline,
Expert, and quicke, in warlike feates his care
Was euermore, that souldiers should encline,
Not nice to be, to lodge, or dyet fine,
But valiant, stout, and to endure all toyle,
Which made them oft to giue their foes the foyle.
In this time loe of Romes encreasing fame,
In Saragosse the Tyrant then did raigne,
Whom to aduise with precepts good there came:
Diuine Plato who hardly scapt vnslaine,
This tyrants acts was had in such disdaine:
In histories who list to reade shall see,
His hatefull life vpheld by tyrannie.
In Saragosse the Tyrant then did raigne,
Whom to aduise with precepts good there came:
Diuine Plato who hardly scapt vnslaine,
This tyrants acts was had in such disdaine:
In histories who list to reade shall see,
His hatefull life vpheld by tyrannie.
Strange were his acts, too many to be tolde
Here in this place: but for to make the rest
To be supposde, from one I cannot hold:
Of Barbar would he nere be trim'd or drest,
For feare the razor should his life arest:
His daughters aye with nutshels burning bright,
Should sindge his beard, and so his head to dight.
Here in this place: but for to make the rest
To be supposde, from one I cannot hold:
Of Barbar would he nere be trim'd or drest,
For feare the razor should his life arest:
His daughters aye with nutshels burning bright,
Should sindge his beard, and so his head to dight.
But now returne to noble Rome againe.
After the death of Alexander great
Fortie two yeares, one Pirrhus that did raigne
Epirotes King. the Romanes state did threate:
His armie did their forces oft defeate,
Yet, are two yeares were gone and ouerpast,
He sought their peace and friendship at the last.
After the death of Alexander great
Fortie two yeares, one Pirrhus that did raigne
Epirotes King. the Romanes state did threate:
His armie did their forces oft defeate,
Yet, are two yeares were gone and ouerpast,
He sought their peace and friendship at the last.
To which request the Senate would haue graunted:
But Appius Claude full seauen times elected
Consull, then old and blind, their purpose daunted,
Or cowardise the Senate he detected,
In publique speech he Pirrhus peace reiected.
Fabritius eke gainst Pirrhus stout did stand,
Friendship with him to hold, would at no hand.
But Appius Claude full seauen times elected
Consull, then old and blind, their purpose daunted,
Or cowardise the Senate he detected,
In publique speech he Pirrhus peace reiected.
Fabritius eke gainst Pirrhus stout did stand,
Friendship with him to hold, would at no hand.
Though Pirrhus did to him great presents send,
With offers mo, for to reuolt and turne
Vpon his side, Fabritius would not bend
For presents, ne for promises, once spurne
Against Romes state, such loue in him did burne
To countries weale, (O patterne pretious stone
For this our age to looke, nay gaze vpon.)
With offers mo, for to reuolt and turne
Vpon his side, Fabritius would not bend
For presents, ne for promises, once spurne
Against Romes state, such loue in him did burne
To countries weale, (O patterne pretious stone
For this our age to looke, nay gaze vpon.)
Yet more, what did this noble heathen knight?
(But Machiauels, from whom all mischiefs springs,
Worke contrary) he voyd of hate or spight,
No stabbing blades, or murdring dags in brings,
No banketting, nor phisicke poysonings:
Nor no such parts, vile practises most euill,
Bred first in hell, inuented by the diuell.
(But Machiauels, from whom all mischiefs springs,
Worke contrary) he voyd of hate or spight,
No stabbing blades, or murdring dags in brings,
No banketting, nor phisicke poysonings:
Nor no such parts, vile practises most euill,
Bred first in hell, inuented by the diuell.
But he sends to (Romes enemie) Pirrhus king
A runnagate, a rogue, a periur'd slaue,
A souldier of his owne, who promising
By poyson, or some other meanes, in graue
The Romanes should, Pirrhus,dead, see, or haue:
Fabritius n'wold to this foule deede consent,
But him fast bound, to Pirrhus prisoner sent.
A runnagate, a rogue, a periur'd slaue,
A souldier of his owne, who promising
By poyson, or some other meanes, in graue
The Romanes should, Pirrhus,dead, see, or haue:
Fabritius n'wold to this foule deede consent,
But him fast bound, to Pirrhus prisoner sent.
When Pirrhus saw the Romanes friendship, hee
Could not obtaine by treaties, or reward,
Determined by warre the end to see:
With martiall men he stood vpon his guard,
And Elephants to combat strong prepar'd:
He was the first, to Italy that brought
Those beasts, who bare mē on their backs that fought.
Could not obtaine by treaties, or reward,
Determined by warre the end to see:
With martiall men he stood vpon his guard,
And Elephants to combat strong prepar'd:
He was the first, to Italy that brought
Those beasts, who bare mē on their backs that fought.
But to encounter Pirrhus haughtie pride
And mightie force, a noble Romane knight,
Dentatus cal'd, with Romanes him beside,
For Romes estate, who did not flye, but fight.
They Pirrhus, and his power discomfit quight:
Dentatus for his worthie valour showne,
Had triumph braue, which through all Rome was knowne
And mightie force, a noble Romane knight,
Dentatus cal'd, with Romanes him beside,
For Romes estate, who did not flye, but fight.
They Pirrhus, and his power discomfit quight:
Dentatus for his worthie valour showne,
Had triumph braue, which through all Rome was knowne
Vntill this warre which Pirrhus lastly made,
Fiue hundreth yeres the romaines had welnie
Broyles still at home, and often ouerlayd
With neighbours nere, people of Italie:
Doubtfull their chaunce, and fortunes they did trie:
The Latines oft, the Samnites, Toscanes, other,
One gaining now, then loosing, straight the tother.
Fiue hundreth yeres the romaines had welnie
Broyles still at home, and often ouerlayd
With neighbours nere, people of Italie:
Doubtfull their chaunce, and fortunes they did trie:
The Latines oft, the Samnites, Toscanes, other,
One gaining now, then loosing, straight the tother.
But in the ende, their home warres brought to cease,
Some vanquisht, some by truce, and friendship bound;
Romes fame did now begin for to increase,
Against Carthage to make warre, meanes they found:
A stately towne, seated on Libiaground:
More auncient t'was then Rome, by many yeares,
As by record of writers it appeares,
Some vanquisht, some by truce, and friendship bound;
Romes fame did now begin for to increase,
Against Carthage to make warre, meanes they found:
A stately towne, seated on Libiaground:
More auncient t'was then Rome, by many yeares,
As by record of writers it appeares,
CAP. 4.
The first beginning of the warres with Carthage, Attilius Regulus chiefe Captaine taken prisoner, sent to Rome to treate for peace, but perswaded warre, returning to Carthage was put to death.
Great was the fame throughout the world spread
Of mightie Carthage, rich, exceeding fayre,
Whose wealth, and pompe, was cause her ruine bred,
At such time when at highest in the ayre,
Her glorie grew, then fell it to appayre.
By which is showne, all earthly honours state,
Fall of it selfe, or else brought downe by fate.
Of mightie Carthage, rich, exceeding fayre,
Whose wealth, and pompe, was cause her ruine bred,
At such time when at highest in the ayre,
Her glorie grew, then fell it to appayre.
By which is showne, all earthly honours state,
Fall of it selfe, or else brought downe by fate.
Chiefe leader first of Romaines to this warre,
Attilius Regulus had the onely charge;
His army prest, no mishap could him barre,
On shipboard came, with many a boate, and barge,
And hoysing sayles, sea roome, and winde at large,
Neede was there none, once for to ship an oare
Vntill such time, they came to Afrique shore.
Attilius Regulus had the onely charge;
His army prest, no mishap could him barre,
On shipboard came, with many a boate, and barge,
And hoysing sayles, sea roome, and winde at large,
Neede was there none, once for to ship an oare
Vntill such time, they came to Afrique shore.
Where taking land, such fauour fortune lent,
As in short space, they many citties tooke:
With Carthage oft, all good haps backward went,
Their force decreasd, and countrie them forsooke,
Their chieftaines slaine, their souldiers durst not looke
Out at their gates, so hard they were beset,
And to triumph, naught did the Romaines let.
As in short space, they many citties tooke:
With Carthage oft, all good haps backward went,
Their force decreasd, and countrie them forsooke,
Their chieftaines slaine, their souldiers durst not looke
Out at their gates, so hard they were beset,
And to triumph, naught did the Romaines let.
From Carthage then Ambassadors did wend
(For one, that could an armie rule and guide)
To Lacedemon, who, did vnto them send
A captaine stout, in warlike feates well tryed
Xantippo namde, who neuer once denyed
To fight for them, with all the skill he may,
And Romaines force, to giue repulse or slay.
(For one, that could an armie rule and guide)
To Lacedemon, who, did vnto them send
A captaine stout, in warlike feates well tryed
Xantippo namde, who neuer once denyed
To fight for them, with all the skill he may,
And Romaines force, to giue repulse or slay.
But here (behold) of warre, the lot, and chaunce,
The Romaines had the ouerthrow in deede;
They, who but late in triumphes did aduance,
Doe flye, lye slaine, and wounded, some doe bleede:
Who winneth oft, hath sometimes euill speede,
Attilius tane, and many him beside,
In prison pent like fortune to abide.
The Romaines had the ouerthrow in deede;
They, who but late in triumphes did aduance,
Doe flye, lye slaine, and wounded, some doe bleede:
Who winneth oft, hath sometimes euill speede,
Attilius tane, and many him beside,
In prison pent like fortune to abide.
And Xantippo of Carthage for his deede,
Rewarded was, (wo worth wretches ingrate)
To giue him giftes, and honour, they agreede,
With louing speech, as seemed his estate:
But little knew he, of their inward hate:
Towards his ship, they brought him with glad cheare,
And after, dealt with him as you shall heare.
Rewarded was, (wo worth wretches ingrate)
To giue him giftes, and honour, they agreede,
With louing speech, as seemed his estate:
But little knew he, of their inward hate:
Towards his ship, they brought him with glad cheare,
And after, dealt with him as you shall heare.
On shipboord come, they laude him to the skies,
And taking leaue, doe leaue great giftes behinde:
The Master, they did charge in any wise,
All secretly t'agree vnto their minde;
This thing therefore vnto him they assignde,
That in the night, Xantippo the should slea,
And after, drowne his carcasse in the sea.
And taking leaue, doe leaue great giftes behinde:
The Master, they did charge in any wise,
All secretly t'agree vnto their minde;
This thing therefore vnto him they assignde,
That in the night, Xantippo the should slea,
And after, drowne his carcasse in the sea.
But (now) returne to Attilius againe,
Whom Carthage kept in prison sure and fast,
They did with him accord for to obtaine,
The Romaines loue, and peace now at the last:
And to forget all warre and discord past,
Ambassadors to Rome they straight did send,
Attilius with them must likewise wend.
Whom Carthage kept in prison sure and fast,
They did with him accord for to obtaine,
The Romaines loue, and peace now at the last:
And to forget all warre and discord past,
Ambassadors to Rome they straight did send,
Attilius with them must likewise wend.
But first they tooke an oath and made him sweare,
For to returne their prisoner backe againe:
(If loue and peace to them denyed were)
And at their pleasure, so still to remaine.
Attilius here, all promise breakers staine,
Whose vowes & words, are not performde in deedes;
Fayre flowers in shew, proue but ilsauouring weedes.
For to returne their prisoner backe againe:
(If loue and peace to them denyed were)
And at their pleasure, so still to remaine.
Attilius here, all promise breakers staine,
Whose vowes & words, are not performde in deedes;
Fayre flowers in shew, proue but ilsauouring weedes.
Ah Regulus, thy fame shall aye endure,
Who free at home out of thine enmies hands,
Wouldst not to liue in Rome, their peace procure,
But rather chuse to lie in cruel bandes,
For Countries cause to leaue lyfe, goodes, and landes:
Thy constancie in word, and valiant minde,
A patterne is for men of noble kinde.
Who free at home out of thine enmies hands,
Wouldst not to liue in Rome, their peace procure,
But rather chuse to lie in cruel bandes,
For Countries cause to leaue lyfe, goodes, and landes:
Thy constancie in word, and valiant minde,
A patterne is for men of noble kinde.
And where the Carthaginians, thought that he
Would treate for peace, perswaded otherwise
The Senate, not to peace with them t'agree:
Warre noble Romaines, Carthage peace dispise,
By league with them, no profite will arise
Romes state vnto, they yeeld, and he againe
To Carthage went, and payd the price with paine:
Would treate for peace, perswaded otherwise
The Senate, not to peace with them t'agree:
Warre noble Romaines, Carthage peace dispise,
By league with them, no profite will arise
Romes state vnto, they yeeld, and he againe
To Carthage went, and payd the price with paine:
Where being returnd, he raunsome payd by death,
For countries cause, which he did not refraine:
Most cruelly they causd to stop his breath,
By rolling of a barrell downe a mayne
An hill most high, vnto his grieuous payne,
Sped thicke with nayles, where he was closde within,
Most cruelly piercing his tender skin.
For countries cause, which he did not refraine:
Most cruelly they causd to stop his breath,
By rolling of a barrell downe a mayne
An hill most high, vnto his grieuous payne,
Sped thicke with nayles, where he was closde within,
Most cruelly piercing his tender skin.
During this warre, good hap the Romaines had
By Sea, at first, vnder their Consull stout
Duillius, made Carthaginians glad
To flie, and Hanno put into a doubt:
Though truce of times was taken them throughout:
Both secretly committing vnder hand,
Vile partes at Sea, when peace was on the land.
By Sea, at first, vnder their Consull stout
Duillius, made Carthaginians glad
To flie, and Hanno put into a doubt:
Though truce of times was taken them throughout:
Both secretly committing vnder hand,
Vile partes at Sea, when peace was on the land.
Yet in th'end, full peace tweene them tooke place:
But long it did not last, for vnquencht hate
Not cleane extinct, will secret worke disgrace:
And, so fares still the course of worldly state:
Enuie, friendlike, with fayre smoth speech can mate
His mortall foe, and deadly foes, we see,
How ere in heart, outward seeme to agree.
But long it did not last, for vnquencht hate
Not cleane extinct, will secret worke disgrace:
And, so fares still the course of worldly state:
Enuie, friendlike, with fayre smoth speech can mate
His mortall foe, and deadly foes, we see,
How ere in heart, outward seeme to agree.
Such entercourse, tweene Rome, and Carthage was,
Each other to conuince by pollicie:
For twentie yeares, and vpwards, there did passe
Strange stratagems, with many secrets slye:
Ambition causde them many maystries trie,
That, in th'end the peace was broken quight,
and taking armes, the fall againe to fight.
Each other to conuince by pollicie:
For twentie yeares, and vpwards, there did passe
Strange stratagems, with many secrets slye:
Ambition causde them many maystries trie,
That, in th'end the peace was broken quight,
and taking armes, the fall againe to fight.
CAP. 5.
The second warre of Carthage, by Publius Scipio, Hannibal the Carthaginian Captaine in Italie, his returne to Carthage, is ouercome and flieth.
About this time Cornelius Scipio,
Sardignia Isles, and Corsica, he tooke
With other holdes the Carthaginians fro:
This second war, most nere their welfare shooke,
That forst they were about them for to looke:
But Hannibal, who now their chiefetaine was,
Brought them great hope, and much relieu'd their case.
Sardignia Isles, and Corsica, he tooke
With other holdes the Carthaginians fro:
This second war, most nere their welfare shooke,
That forst they were about them for to looke:
But Hannibal, who now their chiefetaine was,
Brought them great hope, and much relieu'd their case.
The cittie Sagunt, he besiegde most strong:
Came into Spayne, and after into Fraunce,
And with his armie, marched all among
The Alpie hilles and lastly did aduaunce
His ensignes, spread (so fortune leades the daunce)
In Italy, the Romaines to pursue,
Vext with home warres, which done, began a new
Came into Spayne, and after into Fraunce,
And with his armie, marched all among
The Alpie hilles and lastly did aduaunce
His ensignes, spread (so fortune leades the daunce)
In Italy, the Romaines to pursue,
Vext with home warres, which done, began a new
Stout Hannibal his warre; of which to reade
His battailes three, against the Romaines won,
Shall see, and heare of many a worthy deede,
At large of him, by Rome, and Carthage done,
But Hannibal, did cause his enmies shun
Three times the field, the names, of places three:
Tecyn, Trasimene, the third, floud Trebie.
His battailes three, against the Romaines won,
Shall see, and heare of many a worthy deede,
At large of him, by Rome, and Carthage done,
But Hannibal, did cause his enmies shun
Three times the field, the names, of places three:
Tecyn, Trasimene, the third, floud Trebie.
Quintus Fabius, Dictator was create,
The Carthaginians force to stop or staye,
His valour did withstand their running state,
And Hannibal a while did keepe at baye:
But after that againe, held on their way
To Cannas field, where Romaines him withstoode,
And, where the earth, was glutted with their blood.
The Carthaginians force to stop or staye,
His valour did withstand their running state,
And Hannibal a while did keepe at baye:
But after that againe, held on their way
To Cannas field, where Romaines him withstoode,
And, where the earth, was glutted with their blood.
Such slaughter there, the Romaines did sustaine,
As put all Rome, into a wondrous fray,
Deuoyd of hope, for euer to regaine,
So great a losse, in minde to flie away,
And leaue the citie at vncertaine stay:
But Scipio young, of courage wise, and stout,
Both comfort gaue, and draue away all doubt.
As put all Rome, into a wondrous fray,
Deuoyd of hope, for euer to regaine,
So great a losse, in minde to flie away,
And leaue the citie at vncertaine stay:
But Scipio young, of courage wise, and stout,
Both comfort gaue, and draue away all doubt.
Now Hannibal whom fortune fauour'd so,
Had at command the countrie all about;
The summer past, to winter he did go
To Capua, with Carthaginian rout,
Where idlenes infected valour stout:
Abundance bred their bane, cloyd with delight:
His armie all was welny orethrowne quight.
Had at command the countrie all about;
The summer past, to winter he did go
To Capua, with Carthaginian rout,
Where idlenes infected valour stout:
Abundance bred their bane, cloyd with delight:
His armie all was welny orethrowne quight.
But whilst he lay within Italia soyle,
He Romanes force had welny vanquisht quight:
Yet Asarubal receiu'd a mightie foyle
By Romanes Consuls, that with him did fight,
Bringing new succours for to reuenge the spight
To Carthage done, whilst Hannibal with chance,
By fortune might against Romes walles aduance.
He Romanes force had welny vanquisht quight:
Yet Asarubal receiu'd a mightie foyle
By Romanes Consuls, that with him did fight,
Bringing new succours for to reuenge the spight
To Carthage done, whilst Hannibal with chance,
By fortune might against Romes walles aduance.
But
Scipio this while stout, bold and wise,
Whose valour great, is spoken of before,
Had good successe in Spayne, whose fame did rise
Throughout all Rome: and to augment it more,
In getting Spayne, which place his father bore,
And vncle both, to Rome did come at last,
Where for desert, in Consulship was plast.
Whose valour great, is spoken of before,
Had good successe in Spayne, whose fame did rise
Throughout all Rome: and to augment it more,
In getting Spayne, which place his father bore,
And vncle both, to Rome did come at last,
Where for desert, in Consulship was plast.
His noble mind, bent to his cities good,
Required Afrique might be him assignde,
For publique weale to loose his life and bloud:
But his desire impediments did finde:
Old Fabius sharply did resist his mind:
Who gaue aduise rather at home to stay.
Gainst Hannibal with force to take the way.
Required Afrique might be him assignde,
For publique weale to loose his life and bloud:
But his desire impediments did finde:
Old Fabius sharply did resist his mind:
Who gaue aduise rather at home to stay.
Gainst Hannibal with force to take the way.
But Scipio then contrarying Fabius will,
Declar'd his mind in open audience
The Senate too, to grant him their good will:
For it will proue by good experience,
In Afrique if we fight for Romes defence,
Neede will driue Carthage call home Hannibal:
Who it denies, I know such hap will fall.
Declar'd his mind in open audience
The Senate too, to grant him their good will:
For it will proue by good experience,
In Afrique if we fight for Romes defence,
Neede will driue Carthage call home Hannibal:
Who it denies, I know such hap will fall.
For he who is their chiefest hope and stay,
And he on whom their saftie doth depend,
Long time they will, ne can, misse him away:
So shall our warres in Italy have end:
To his aduise the Senate did attend,
Debating much, some loth, yet was assignde
For Carthage warre, which greatly pleasde his minde.
And he on whom their saftie doth depend,
Long time they will, ne can, misse him away:
So shall our warres in Italy have end:
To his aduise the Senate did attend,
Debating much, some loth, yet was assignde
For Carthage warre, which greatly pleasde his minde.
But first to
Scicil Isle must take his course,
And there prepare to furnish full his neede,
To rig vp ships, t'abide the waters sourse:
Prest in each poynt, away go'th he with speede,
Though all the Senate scarse thereto agreede:
Yet loe this warre grew to so glorious fame,
As none so much encreast the Romanes name.
And there prepare to furnish full his neede,
To rig vp ships, t'abide the waters sourse:
Prest in each poynt, away go'th he with speede,
Though all the Senate scarse thereto agreede:
Yet loe this warre grew to so glorious fame,
As none so much encreast the Romanes name.
So much preuail'd Scipio his vertue there,
As Carthaginians gaine to losse did fall:
By meanes whereof so hard beset they were,
As Carthage towne was welny brought in thrall,
Enforced to reuoke home Hannibal.
The Senat now found Scipios saying true,
Away, he went that meant Rome to subdue.
As Carthaginians gaine to losse did fall:
By meanes whereof so hard beset they were,
As Carthage towne was welny brought in thrall,
Enforced to reuoke home Hannibal.
The Senat now found Scipios saying true,
Away, he went that meant Rome to subdue.
Who then had for the space of sixteene yeares,
Infested all Italia about:
Put Rome and Romaines oft in deadly feares:
And brought their state to many a dreadfull doubt,
Deliuered now from troubles which did sprout
And spring each day, by meanes of such a foe,
Hannibal gone joy did expell all woe.
Infested all Italia about:
Put Rome and Romaines oft in deadly feares:
And brought their state to many a dreadfull doubt,
Deliuered now from troubles which did sprout
And spring each day, by meanes of such a foe,
Hannibal gone joy did expell all woe.
But ere that he from Italie did passe,
Carthage to Rome Ambassadors did send
For to have peace, which thing concluded was:
Yet secretly their warres they did intend,
Each kinde of way they did repayre and mend,
Their armies that did armes and victuals want,
Which warres among them had made very scant.
Carthage to Rome Ambassadors did send
For to have peace, which thing concluded was:
Yet secretly their warres they did intend,
Each kinde of way they did repayre and mend,
Their armies that did armes and victuals want,
Which warres among them had made very scant.
But Hannibal no sooner was arriu'd,
At Carthage tho, but did dislike the peace:
Of hope he should be sure to be depriu'd,
And purpose too, if that the warres should cease:
Displeasde he seemde, but did his force encrease.
Braue Scipio to meete vpon the field,
Whose noble minde did neuer meane to yeeld.
At Carthage tho, but did dislike the peace:
Of hope he should be sure to be depriu'd,
And purpose too, if that the warres should cease:
Displeasde he seemde, but did his force encrease.
Braue Scipio to meete vpon the field,
Whose noble minde did neuer meane to yeeld.
Their Armies tweene, light skirmish oft did chaunce:
Hannibal was for victuals hard beset,
He who but late to warre would needes aduaunce:
Secret seekes peace, prouisions for to get,
Obtaind, performde, conditions did not let
On Carthage side, but people all cride out
We are betrayde among these champions stout.
Hannibal was for victuals hard beset,
He who but late to warre would needes aduaunce:
Secret seekes peace, prouisions for to get,
Obtaind, performde, conditions did not let
On Carthage side, but people all cride out
We are betrayde among these champions stout.
And iarring thus themselues full oft among,
Now taking truce, and then doe breake againe:
They crie a fresh, these Captaines doe vs wrong,
Whose outrage rulers seeke for to restraine:
Things running thus, the magistrates are fayne
The peace to breake, commaunding Hannibal
To trie by fight, what fortune will them fall.
Now taking truce, and then doe breake againe:
They crie a fresh, these Captaines doe vs wrong,
Whose outrage rulers seeke for to restraine:
Things running thus, the magistrates are fayne
The peace to breake, commaunding Hannibal
To trie by fight, what fortune will them fall.
Both armies lay each in th'others sight:
King Malsinissa was on Romaines side:
Who league with Scipio made before in spight
Of Carthage, who denyed him his bride:
(A noble mayde in prime of beauties pride)
First his from them, but after did her mary
Another to, the cause that made him vary.
King Malsinissa was on Romaines side:
Who league with Scipio made before in spight
Of Carthage, who denyed him his bride:
(A noble mayde in prime of beauties pride)
First his from them, but after did her mary
Another to, the cause that made him vary.
This ciuill strife with many others moe,
The citie in, and countrie all about,
Was cause at last of Carthage ouerthrow:
In steede of reason, will, did rule the rout:
Tweene magistrates also foule hate did sprout,
Rage, insolence, and often death most vile:
Thus foule reuenge did high, and low beguile.
The citie in, and countrie all about,
Was cause at last of Carthage ouerthrow:
In steede of reason, will, did rule the rout:
Tweene magistrates also foule hate did sprout,
Rage, insolence, and often death most vile:
Thus foule reuenge did high, and low beguile.
But Hannibal hearing of Romaines strength,
Of Scipioes bountie, clemencie, and fame,
His noble minde, with more, sought meanes at length
To speake with him ere they to battaile came,
It chaunst, and loe, furie seemde to enflame
Hannibal, who, in wordes was somewhat tart:
Threatning each other, a sunder they doe part.
Of Scipioes bountie, clemencie, and fame,
His noble minde, with more, sought meanes at length
To speake with him ere they to battaile came,
It chaunst, and loe, furie seemde to enflame
Hannibal, who, in wordes was somewhat tart:
Threatning each other, a sunder they doe part.
The time being come when both their armies met,
Great was the slaughter made on either side:
But Romaines did the victorie there get,
Making their foes to dye with woundes full wide.
Hannibal fled, he durst not longer bide:
The losse so great, that Carthaginians craue
Peace once againe, with Romaines for to haue.
Great was the slaughter made on either side:
But Romaines did the victorie there get,
Making their foes to dye with woundes full wide.
Hannibal fled, he durst not longer bide:
The losse so great, that Carthaginians craue
Peace once againe, with Romaines for to haue.
Scipio agreed, Romes Senate did consent:
Whilest peace endured, many things did chaunce,
Here to recyte, too long were verament;
But Romaines did their honors still aduaunce,
And Carthage welfare, backwardly did glaunce.
Scipio to Rome returnde, did triumph gayne,
And for surname, was called Africane:
Whilest peace endured, many things did chaunce,
Here to recyte, too long were verament;
But Romaines did their honors still aduaunce,
And Carthage welfare, backwardly did glaunce.
Scipio to Rome returnde, did triumph gayne,
And for surname, was called Africane:
For that those warres attayned had such fame,
And profite great brought vnto Romaines state,
The countrey whole had Africa to name
By him subdued, ordeynde thereto by fate:
Thus time we see, brings all things to their date,
Destroying oft, and raising vp againe,
Yeelding some store, others doth pinch with paine.
And profite great brought vnto Romaines state,
The countrey whole had Africa to name
By him subdued, ordeynde thereto by fate:
Thus time we see, brings all things to their date,
Destroying oft, and raising vp againe,
Yeelding some store, others doth pinch with paine.
CAP. 6.
The warres of the Romaines with the Macedonians, the conquest of Asia, the death of Scipio African, Romes Ambassador putteth the great King of Assiria in feare with his speech, the conquering of Macedonia and Dalmatia.
Peace on this wise, again to Carthage granted:
Rome had home-broyles, warres greater outward grew.
The Macedonian King gainst Romaines vanted,
Whose proude attempt, with Grecians to subdue,
Quintus Flaminius, led forth the warlike crue
Of Romaines, tho subduing that same King,
And Grecians; all subiects to Rome did bring.
Rome had home-broyles, warres greater outward grew.
The Macedonian King gainst Romaines vanted,
Whose proude attempt, with Grecians to subdue,
Quintus Flaminius, led forth the warlike crue
Of Romaines, tho subduing that same King,
And Grecians; all subiects to Rome did bring.
He charge gaue to this King of Macedo,
Phillip by name, neuer once warre to moue
Gainst Romaine state, which he agreed vnto,
Performing it with dutie and with loue:
To Romaines he a friend did after proue,
For ayde he gaue with all his power and might,
When Romaines would at any neede to fight,
Phillip by name, neuer once warre to moue
Gainst Romaine state, which he agreed vnto,
Performing it with dutie and with loue:
To Romaines he a friend did after proue,
For ayde he gaue with all his power and might,
When Romaines would at any neede to fight,
Antiochus the great Assiria king,
Came with great power, the Romaines to withstand:
This Phillip then, most willingly did bring
His force, and ioyn'de with those of Romaines band:
Glabrio for Rome obtain'd the vpper hand.
Antiochus fled to Egypt ward with speede,
Raysing more force, to doe some other deede.
Came with great power, the Romaines to withstand:
This Phillip then, most willingly did bring
His force, and ioyn'de with those of Romaines band:
Glabrio for Rome obtain'd the vpper hand.
Antiochus fled to Egypt ward with speede,
Raysing more force, to doe some other deede.
Phillip, and he (t'is said) descended were
From those, who, when great Alexander dead,
In kingdomes did diuide his whole Empiere,
Partage of which, great warres, and discord bred,
Betweene all those to that succession led:
With cruell fightes, each other long did thrall,
As last, the Romaines came t'enioy them all.
From those, who, when great Alexander dead,
In kingdomes did diuide his whole Empiere,
Partage of which, great warres, and discord bred,
Betweene all those to that succession led:
With cruell fightes, each other long did thrall,
As last, the Romaines came t'enioy them all.
Thus Romes triumphing glorie high did growe,
Her power was great by sea, and eke by land:
With sack, and spoyles of cities they did flowe:
Nations not any, might Romaines force withstand,
Kings, and countries, far off did at their hand
Desire ayde, amongst all which, did come
Ambassadors from Egypt vnto Rome.
Her power was great by sea, and eke by land:
With sack, and spoyles of cities they did flowe:
Nations not any, might Romaines force withstand,
Kings, and countries, far off did at their hand
Desire ayde, amongst all which, did come
Ambassadors from Egypt vnto Rome.
Praying to guarde young Ptolomé their King,
Now vext with warres, and like to haue the chase,
With power which Antiochus did bring,
From Kingly seate, and crowne him to displace:
The Senate gaue consent to right his case,
Sending vnto Antiochus, to cease
His warre, and suffer Ptolomé liue in peace:
Now vext with warres, and like to haue the chase,
With power which Antiochus did bring,
From Kingly seate, and crowne him to displace:
The Senate gaue consent to right his case,
Sending vnto Antiochus, to cease
His warre, and suffer Ptolomé liue in peace:
Which he obeyde, but yet to haue a fleece
Of Romaines spoyle, and to reuenge late spight,
Did leade along his armie into Greece,
Procurde by meanes of Hannibal, in fight
From Carthage force, by Scipio put to flight
(As is rehearst before) from whence he fled,
Antiochus too, with succour to be sped.
Of Romaines spoyle, and to reuenge late spight,
Did leade along his armie into Greece,
Procurde by meanes of Hannibal, in fight
From Carthage force, by Scipio put to flight
(As is rehearst before) from whence he fled,
Antiochus too, with succour to be sped.
But into Greece, the Romanes Armie brought,
Encountred him, with whom ‘was Hannibal:
Orethrew thē both, & brought their powers to naught:
Here Carthage captaine had a second fall,
Antiochus eke receiued a farther thrall:
By sea also, Rome got the vpper hand,
Expeld him thence into Assiria land.
Encountred him, with whom ‘was Hannibal:
Orethrew thē both, & brought their powers to naught:
Here Carthage captaine had a second fall,
Antiochus eke receiued a farther thrall:
By sea also, Rome got the vpper hand,
Expeld him thence into Assiria land.
Lucius Scipio, was chiefe this warre that led,
Brother vnto Scipio calde African:
And for because so happilie he sped,
The surname of Asiatique he wan:
But speake againe of Scipio African,
Lieutenant to his brother in this war,
At his returne to Rome, there fell a iar.
Brother vnto Scipio calde African:
And for because so happilie he sped,
The surname of Asiatique he wan:
But speake againe of Scipio African,
Lieutenant to his brother in this war,
At his returne to Rome, there fell a iar.
The Tribunes of the people, did molest
Through enuie (sure) the glorie he had won:
By meanes whereof, in quiet for to rest,
From Rome he went, (their mallice for to shun)
To Lyterne, till their heate of rage was done:
But there as some doe say (such was his chaunce)
This worthy man, death wounded with his launce.
Through enuie (sure) the glorie he had won:
By meanes whereof, in quiet for to rest,
From Rome he went, (their mallice for to shun)
To Lyterne, till their heate of rage was done:
But there as some doe say (such was his chaunce)
This worthy man, death wounded with his launce.
Whose losse full many did lamenr, (no doubt)
So braue a man to dye at such an age,
For fiftie yeares he was not all full out:
Thus doe we see, the valiant bold and sage,
When time brings death, cannot withstand his rage,
Rome happie thou, to breede so braue a wight,
Vnhappie folke, his virtue so to quight.
So braue a man to dye at such an age,
For fiftie yeares he was not all full out:
Thus doe we see, the valiant bold and sage,
When time brings death, cannot withstand his rage,
Rome happie thou, to breede so braue a wight,
Vnhappie folke, his virtue so to quight.
Hereby is seene the fruites of enuie still,
Who ne're workes good, but euill euer more:
Virtue she seekes for to destroy and kill,
Things that are whole, she hurtes, and maketh sore,
Those that are good, the enuious doe abhore:
Which thing hath been, and euer more will be,
Bright virtue blamde, by foule iniquitie.
Who ne're workes good, but euill euer more:
Virtue she seekes for to destroy and kill,
Things that are whole, she hurtes, and maketh sore,
Those that are good, the enuious doe abhore:
Which thing hath been, and euer more will be,
Bright virtue blamde, by foule iniquitie.
Where state and welth increaseth day by day,
By valour of the vertuous, and the stout,
Enuie there rootes, and takes such hold and stay,
In secret wise, brauing among the rout:
And with pretence each cause is good, (no doubt)
Infecting sore such places that so florish,
Vnder the cloake of virtue, vice doth nourish.
By valour of the vertuous, and the stout,
Enuie there rootes, and takes such hold and stay,
In secret wise, brauing among the rout:
And with pretence each cause is good, (no doubt)
Infecting sore such places that so florish,
Vnder the cloake of virtue, vice doth nourish.
With pollicie, and practise slie, they frame
Their brasen face, and adders tongues to bite:
They glose, and faine, and flatter without shame,
With forged lies, they faith, and truth doe spite,
And where as once their venym vile doth light,
They doe not cease, to puffe with poysoned breath,
Like Cockatrice, to bring them to their death.
Their brasen face, and adders tongues to bite:
They glose, and faine, and flatter without shame,
With forged lies, they faith, and truth doe spite,
And where as once their venym vile doth light,
They doe not cease, to puffe with poysoned breath,
Like Cockatrice, to bring them to their death.
(Alas the while) so Rome did Scipio lose:
During which time, Ætolia people were
Taken, to be the Romanes vtter foes:
But Fuluius, whose noblenesse was cleare,
Subdued and brought them vnder Romanes feare:
Thus still their fame, did euery day increase,
Held warres abroad, at home the liu'd in peace.
During which time, Ætolia people were
Taken, to be the Romanes vtter foes:
But Fuluius, whose noblenesse was cleare,
Subdued and brought them vnder Romanes feare:
Thus still their fame, did euery day increase,
Held warres abroad, at home the liu'd in peace.
Antiochus, (who late rehearst before)
To whom for ayde, stout Hannibal did flie:
Enforst to keepe his countrey, and no more
His fortune, with the Romanes force to trie:
His kingly life, away from him did hye,
Vnto the King (then) of Bythynia
Hannibal went, for ayde on him to stay:
To whom for ayde, stout Hannibal did flie:
Enforst to keepe his countrey, and no more
His fortune, with the Romanes force to trie:
His kingly life, away from him did hye,
Vnto the King (then) of Bythynia
Hannibal went, for ayde on him to stay:
Which thing when as the Romanes vnderstoode,
To Prusias sent, (Bythinia King so hight)
To render him, it should be for his good,
If not, t'were meanes to worke him great dispight,
The Romanes would redresse the wrong with might:
Thus Hannibal, was nere his ending dayes,
Whose noble acts won euerlasting praise,
To Prusias sent, (Bythinia King so hight)
To render him, it should be for his good,
If not, t'were meanes to worke him great dispight,
The Romanes would redresse the wrong with might:
Thus Hannibal, was nere his ending dayes,
Whose noble acts won euerlasting praise,
And fame beside, for euer during still:
But foule dispayre, (did much appayre the same)
In ougly shape who now came him vntill:
Monster most vile, whose actes aye end with shame,
With in his minde such deepe conceites did frame,
As they alone together, musing sate
Of glorie past, and now his wretched state.
But foule dispayre, (did much appayre the same)
In ougly shape who now came him vntill:
Monster most vile, whose actes aye end with shame,
With in his minde such deepe conceites did frame,
As they alone together, musing sate
Of glorie past, and now his wretched state.
Hope banisht was, dispayre did bring in feare,
And he fear'd most to fall in Romanes hands:
When him before, most ougly shapes appeare:
Hell seemed loose, and round about him stands,
Griefe, sorrow, care, thought, miserie with bandes,
Ruine, decaye, woe, wrack, and endles strife,
Slaunder, disfame, and shame to rid his life.
And he fear'd most to fall in Romanes hands:
When him before, most ougly shapes appeare:
Hell seemed loose, and round about him stands,
Griefe, sorrow, care, thought, miserie with bandes,
Ruine, decaye, woe, wrack, and endles strife,
Slaunder, disfame, and shame to rid his life.
Enuie, reuenge, hate, discord, and disdayne,
Mallice, and scorne, pride would not be behinde:
The pride of Rome so pincht his heart with paine,
Because reuenge did not fall to his minde:
And now dispayre againe his eyes did blinde,
(When as these furies, had his spirites possest,
More greater yet, t'augment his great vnrest.)
Mallice, and scorne, pride would not be behinde:
The pride of Rome so pincht his heart with paine,
Because reuenge did not fall to his minde:
And now dispayre againe his eyes did blinde,
(When as these furies, had his spirites possest,
More greater yet, t'augment his great vnrest.)
Shewed him his armies, and his victories,
His glorious pompes, his triumphes, wealth and all
Carthage great losse, how Rome did him dispise:
The wracke eke of his brother Asdrubal,
After all this, his owne mishaps, and fall
From so great height, and lastly, now to light
Into their hands, whom he did alwaies spight.
His glorious pompes, his triumphes, wealth and all
Carthage great losse, how Rome did him dispise:
The wracke eke of his brother Asdrubal,
After all this, his owne mishaps, and fall
From so great height, and lastly, now to light
Into their hands, whom he did alwaies spight.
Midnight was come, and euery thing at rest:
When sightes yet strange, more monstrous did appeare,
(As t'is with all by foule dispayre possest:
Tost, and turmoyld, with horror, dread, and feare,)
And long before the day gan for to cleare,
In vision saw great battailes, thousands slaine,
Huge heapes of dead, whose blood the earth did staine
When sightes yet strange, more monstrous did appeare,
(As t'is with all by foule dispayre possest:
Tost, and turmoyld, with horror, dread, and feare,)
And long before the day gan for to cleare,
In vision saw great battailes, thousands slaine,
Huge heapes of dead, whose blood the earth did staine
Before him seem'd t'appeare great flames of fire,
Where in dispayre bad him goe end his life,
Murder fast by (inflamde with rage and ire,)
To kill him, readie with a bloodie knife:
Waters to drowne himselfe and rid all strife:
The Romaines hands t'escape, there is no hope;
Hang thy selfe (quoth dispayre) here is a rope.
Where in dispayre bad him goe end his life,
Murder fast by (inflamde with rage and ire,)
To kill him, readie with a bloodie knife:
Waters to drowne himselfe and rid all strife:
The Romaines hands t'escape, there is no hope;
Hang thy selfe (quoth dispayre) here is a rope.
Beholde this chamber wherein thou doest lye:
A thousand wayes there is to end thy woe,
See there a tower stately, standing hye,
Thy selfe from top thereof thou soone mayst throw,
Here, stab thy selfe thy valour greate to show:
Or cut thy throate, or braynes do knocke from head,
No ioyes in lyfe, in best case when th'art dead.
A thousand wayes there is to end thy woe,
See there a tower stately, standing hye,
Thy selfe from top thereof thou soone mayst throw,
Here, stab thy selfe thy valour greate to show:
Or cut thy throate, or braynes do knocke from head,
No ioyes in lyfe, in best case when th'art dead.
Dispayre at length the victory did gayne,
And Hanniball did geeue consent to dye:
Distressed he past hope, did thinke life vaine,
With shame to liue, that late in honours hye
Did sit, and now to dwell in miserie,
With them who were his cruell deadly foes:
He prayed dispayre some way else to dispose.
And Hanniball did geeue consent to dye:
Distressed he past hope, did thinke life vaine,
With shame to liue, that late in honours hye
Did sit, and now to dwell in miserie,
With them who were his cruell deadly foes:
He prayed dispayre some way else to dispose.
His wretched life, those former meanes rehearst
He liked not, (when sighing breath'd for ayre:
Both head and heart, of Hannibal quick pearst)
Then what saiest thou vnto a potion fayre?
A bolle of wine, carrouse, drinke to despayre,
Sorrowes are drie; this draught will quench all strife:
Thus poysoned, he did leaue his loathed life.
He liked not, (when sighing breath'd for ayre:
Both head and heart, of Hannibal quick pearst)
Then what saiest thou vnto a potion fayre?
A bolle of wine, carrouse, drinke to despayre,
Sorrowes are drie; this draught will quench all strife:
Thus poysoned, he did leaue his loathed life.
Ah wretched state, vaine worldes vading ioyes.
High for to be, auailes nothing at all,
Thy pompes and glorie, are but trifeling toyes,
For record take we, worthy Hannibal,
And many moe whom fortune hath made fall:
She lifteth high, and smileth, when a frowne,
Makes Cesar hop besides his seate and crowne.
High for to be, auailes nothing at all,
Thy pompes and glorie, are but trifeling toyes,
For record take we, worthy Hannibal,
And many moe whom fortune hath made fall:
She lifteth high, and smileth, when a frowne,
Makes Cesar hop besides his seate and crowne.
Antiochus dead, Antiochus againe
Succeeded him, who likewise vndertooke
In Egypt, chiefe next to the King to raigne,
Yet vnder age, his state to ouer looke:
But th'Egiptians, would not this thing brooke,
They seeing his sleights, and where about he went,
To Rome in hast, once more for succour sent.
Succeeded him, who likewise vndertooke
In Egypt, chiefe next to the King to raigne,
Yet vnder age, his state to ouer looke:
But th'Egiptians, would not this thing brooke,
They seeing his sleights, and where about he went,
To Rome in hast, once more for succour sent.
Popilius Lenas charge the Senate fro,
Ambassage went, with that great King to speake,
By Romanes power, he coniur'd him to goe,
And his great siege from Alexandria breake;
Antiochus fear'd himselfe to be too weake,
Desired time, to be aduis'd thereon
To answer him, to stay, or else be gone.
Ambassage went, with that great King to speake,
By Romanes power, he coniur'd him to goe,
And his great siege from Alexandria breake;
Antiochus fear'd himselfe to be too weake,
Desired time, to be aduis'd thereon
To answer him, to stay, or else be gone.
Popilius then a rod held in his hand,
With haughtie looke beheld the King in face,
And round about, in place where he did stand,
A circle on the ground therewith did trace:
Antiochus (quoth he) say on a pace,
Ere I out of this circle set one foote;
Straight answer me, delayes shall nothing boote.
With haughtie looke beheld the King in face,
And round about, in place where he did stand,
A circle on the ground therewith did trace:
Antiochus (quoth he) say on a pace,
Ere I out of this circle set one foote;
Straight answer me, delayes shall nothing boote.
This Scarbrough warning put the King in feare,
Which made him to Popilius straight agree,
His siege forthwith in all the hast to reare,
And Egypt all, to leaue in vnitie.
By writers loe these things recorded be,
To shew what might, and rule, the Romanes bare
By destinie, or through their vertues rare.
Which made him to Popilius straight agree,
His siege forthwith in all the hast to reare,
And Egypt all, to leaue in vnitie.
By writers loe these things recorded be,
To shew what might, and rule, the Romanes bare
By destinie, or through their vertues rare.
For at this time, their rule did stretch so farre,
Inuading still the world euery where,
Who did not yeeld themselues, the rod of warre
Should draw out blood, and bring them vnder feare:
The world, they seemde in sunder for to teare,
Raigning alone, as soueraignes, and chiefe,
As after here, it shall be shewed in briefe.
Inuading still the world euery where,
Who did not yeeld themselues, the rod of warre
Should draw out blood, and bring them vnder feare:
The world, they seemde in sunder for to teare,
Raigning alone, as soueraignes, and chiefe,
As after here, it shall be shewed in briefe.
Phillip King of Macedo (who but late
Rehearsed is) ambitiouslie now bent,
To liue as King within his owne estate,
Did thinke himselfe too straight shut vp and pent,
Of promise made before time did relent:
League with the Romanes brake, and purposde warre
If he had liu'd, but death his course did barre.
Rehearsed is) ambitiouslie now bent,
To liue as King within his owne estate,
Did thinke himselfe too straight shut vp and pent,
Of promise made before time did relent:
League with the Romanes brake, and purposde warre
If he had liu'd, but death his course did barre.
But (loe) his sonne,
that next him did succeede,
Incited oft to take that cause in hand,
As heyre vnto the warre, at last agreed,
Of Macedons he raisde a mightie band:
Emilius Paulus, did his power withstand,
Orethrew his hoast, and prisoner tooke him tho
With wife, and children, greatly to their woe.
Incited oft to take that cause in hand,
As heyre vnto the warre, at last agreed,
Of Macedons he raisde a mightie band:
Emilius Paulus, did his power withstand,
Orethrew his hoast, and prisoner tooke him tho
With wife, and children, greatly to their woe.
Return'd to Rome, triumphing with his praye,
Where, for surname, Macedonique was cal'd
Still after that, and from that selfe same daye,
Macedo state to Rome was full instal'd,
Dalmatia after, also was enthral'd
By Nasica, Cornelius, so namde,
Whose force was such, as he those people tamde.
Where, for surname, Macedonique was cal'd
Still after that, and from that selfe same daye,
Macedo state to Rome was full instal'd,
Dalmatia after, also was enthral'd
By Nasica, Cornelius, so namde,
Whose force was such, as he those people tamde.
CAP. 7.
The third and last warre of Carthage, when the City was quight subuerted andrazed to the ground.
When time by fates, vnto his period reacheth,
To top of wealth, or bottome of all woe,
A rule most firme vnto the world teacheth,
Nature, ne arte, can alter or forgoe,
Vnlesse that he most high diuine say no:
Who ruleth fates, who guideth time and all,
Who builded first, and last shall make to fall.
To top of wealth, or bottome of all woe,
A rule most firme vnto the world teacheth,
Nature, ne arte, can alter or forgoe,
Vnlesse that he most high diuine say no:
Who ruleth fates, who guideth time and all,
Who builded first, and last shall make to fall.
Sixe hundreth yeares and fower (now) it was,
Since building first of noble Rome began.
Carthage once more deuisde to bring to passe,
To regaine that, which late the Romaines wan:
Force they prepare, with all the speede they can,
Their neighbours vexe, with Massinissa King,
The Romaines friend, and thus them selues they bring
Since building first of noble Rome began.
Carthage once more deuisde to bring to passe,
To regaine that, which late the Romaines wan:
Force they prepare, with all the speede they can,
Their neighbours vexe, with Massinissa King,
The Romaines friend, and thus them selues they bring
To vtter ruine: for now it was debated
In Senate house, to saue, or to destroy
Carthage, when at the last it was dilated
For Romaines weale, to make cleare all annoy,
After that time chiefe, magistrate, or roy,
Should gouerne more, or dwelling there be found,
Commission was, to raze it quite to th'ground.
In Senate house, to saue, or to destroy
Carthage, when at the last it was dilated
For Romaines weale, to make cleare all annoy,
After that time chiefe, magistrate, or roy,
Should gouerne more, or dwelling there be found,
Commission was, to raze it quite to th'ground.
Bellonaes face now fround with tyrannie,
Behold th'ambitions, rightly in their kinde,
That to aspire, regardes no miserie,
Or woes, or wracke of others, so their minde
Suffised be, which with a blast of winde
Is ouerturnde, and vanisheth away,
Not knowing how soone may come their own decay.
Behold th'ambitions, rightly in their kinde,
That to aspire, regardes no miserie,
Or woes, or wracke of others, so their minde
Suffised be, which with a blast of winde
Is ouerturnde, and vanisheth away,
Not knowing how soone may come their own decay.
But such the nature and condition, is
Of earthly mindes,t'enioy what they delight,
Forward to run, not thinking ought amisse,
Should them betide, or once their purpose spight,
And certes we see, oft times doth run out right
Without a stop, or any stay at all,
Those things decreed, by destenie to fall.
Of earthly mindes,t'enioy what they delight,
Forward to run, not thinking ought amisse,
Should them betide, or once their purpose spight,
And certes we see, oft times doth run out right
Without a stop, or any stay at all,
Those things decreed, by destenie to fall.
As here the Romaines, purposing this war.
All doubtes debated, into Afrique sent
To Libia coast, when Carthage saw a far
Romes force, and knowing the Senates full intent,
Amazde they were, now this, then that way bent:
One part resolu'd their cittie to defend,
With fame, their liues, and miseries to end.
All doubtes debated, into Afrique sent
To Libia coast, when Carthage saw a far
Romes force, and knowing the Senates full intent,
Amazde they were, now this, then that way bent:
One part resolu'd their cittie to defend,
With fame, their liues, and miseries to end.
The league, of peace some seeke to hold, their ire
Some sue t'asswage, and to that ende doe make
Long suites and plaintes: (and last with teares desire)
Bringing pledges, in fauour them to take,
But all in vaine, denied, with griefe they quake
Distressed thus, prouisions all were scant,
Of friends abroad, they had as great a want.
Some sue t'asswage, and to that ende doe make
Long suites and plaintes: (and last with teares desire)
Bringing pledges, in fauour them to take,
But all in vaine, denied, with griefe they quake
Distressed thus, prouisions all were scant,
Of friends abroad, they had as great a want.
Onely a few, but discord caus'd their wrack,
When warres first gan, then brake they vnitie:
One side, forwards did draw, the other back,
Which thing now last, wrought all their miserie:
Famine, with plagues, murder, and trecherie,
Which to recure, was now (alas) too late,
When first their folly, last brought their finall fate.
When warres first gan, then brake they vnitie:
One side, forwards did draw, the other back,
Which thing now last, wrought all their miserie:
Famine, with plagues, murder, and trecherie,
Which to recure, was now (alas) too late,
When first their folly, last brought their finall fate.
Censorino, Martio, and Mamilio were
Chiefe in this warre, who carthage first beset:
Whose fortunes, for the space of foure yere
Was losse most part, small honour did they get:
Though toyle they tooke, in colde, in drie, and wet,
Till Scipio young, who was th'adopted sonne
Of Scipio, that before had Afrique wonne.
Chiefe in this warre, who carthage first beset:
Whose fortunes, for the space of foure yere
Was losse most part, small honour did they get:
Though toyle they tooke, in colde, in drie, and wet,
Till Scipio young, who was th'adopted sonne
Of Scipio, that before had Afrique wonne.
Seem'd for to tread, and trace, the steps aright
Of his great Vnckle, or else his Graundsire:
For in these Carthage last warres, did acquight
Himselfe so well, the army did admire
His seruice there, a Trybune then no higher,
Whose virtue did mongst them such glorie gaine,
As sole Empire, by Romes voyce did obtaine.
Of his great Vnckle, or else his Graundsire:
For in these Carthage last warres, did acquight
Himselfe so well, the army did admire
His seruice there, a Trybune then no higher,
Whose virtue did mongst them such glorie gaine,
As sole Empire, by Romes voyce did obtaine.
Ore all th'army at siege of Carthage tho:
But thereto would the Senat not assent,
'The people by treaties desired so,
Or else perforce, would cause them to consent:
Clayming olde custome, lastly were content,
Applauding much, their captaine newly chose,
For Rome to fight gainst their long mortall foes.
But thereto would the Senat not assent,
'The people by treaties desired so,
Or else perforce, would cause them to consent:
Clayming olde custome, lastly were content,
Applauding much, their captaine newly chose,
For Rome to fight gainst their long mortall foes.
When Scipio (thus) had of this warrefull charge,
Within the campe, he framed orders new:
In friendly sort, he made vnto them large
A speach, commending of their valor true,
Eke what requir'd, in souldiers to be due:
Purging from them the vicious, idle all,
Who through corruption, might th'armiethrall.
Within the campe, he framed orders new:
In friendly sort, he made vnto them large
A speach, commending of their valor true,
Eke what requir'd, in souldiers to be due:
Purging from them the vicious, idle all,
Who through corruption, might th'armiethrall.
Which done preparde by sea, and eke by land,
For the assault, which to defend, with might
The Carthaginians, lost time on no hand,
But fought, and wrought t'offend by day and night:
To Romanes they did many waies worke spight:
But all in vaine, since fates would haue it so,
That Romanes force, the citie should o'rethro.
For the assault, which to defend, with might
The Carthaginians, lost time on no hand,
But fought, and wrought t'offend by day and night:
To Romanes they did many waies worke spight:
But all in vaine, since fates would haue it so,
That Romanes force, the citie should o'rethro.
But like as time of euery thing makes end,
So now of Carthage, fast came on the fine,
Besiegde with out, with in themselues they bend
To iarre (alas) of vtter ruine a signe:
Strength fayld, and with dispayre, they gan to pine:
Yet long, and oft, they did the Romanes grieue,
Whom Scipio by his valor did relieue.
So now of Carthage, fast came on the fine,
Besiegde with out, with in themselues they bend
To iarre (alas) of vtter ruine a signe:
Strength fayld, and with dispayre, they gan to pine:
Yet long, and oft, they did the Romanes grieue,
Whom Scipio by his valor did relieue.
Succour by land and sea, from them he tooke,
Brake downe the walles, entred the citie in:
When terror (loe) the Carthaginians snooke,
Like people mad, to runne the doe begin,
In desperate case, to loose all, or all win,
Killing, and kild, at length the Romanes gaine,
The maistrie, and the citie to obtaine.
Brake downe the walles, entred the citie in:
When terror (loe) the Carthaginians snooke,
Like people mad, to runne the doe begin,
In desperate case, to loose all, or all win,
Killing, and kild, at length the Romanes gaine,
The maistrie, and the citie to obtaine.
Which to beholde, what heart but would lament,
To see how Carthage stoode in wofull case,
Her stately fort cal'd Birsa, torne, and rent,
And houses sackt before the owners face:
Huge flames of fire, rising in many a place,
A woefull thing for to beholde with eye,
Smoake dim the ayre, and flames to reach the skie.
To see how Carthage stoode in wofull case,
Her stately fort cal'd Birsa, torne, and rent,
And houses sackt before the owners face:
Huge flames of fire, rising in many a place,
A woefull thing for to beholde with eye,
Smoake dim the ayre, and flames to reach the skie.
Great was the slaughter, made by Romaines all,
In euery streete, ran murder, blood, and fire,
The sillie babes, from mothers breastes doe fall,
Husbands, and wines asunder doe retyre,
Brothers, and friendes, and sisters, pay the hyre
Of death, (alas) a griefe it was to see,
The cities ruine, and their great miserie.
In euery streete, ran murder, blood, and fire,
The sillie babes, from mothers breastes doe fall,
Husbands, and wines asunder doe retyre,
Brothers, and friendes, and sisters, pay the hyre
Of death, (alas) a griefe it was to see,
The cities ruine, and their great miserie.
Some with the sword, some midst the flame to burne:
A spectacle most horrible to rue,
Both magistrates, and people, dying, mourne,
Of former welfare, their ilfare last to view:
Scipio himselfe shed teares, with griefe that grew,
To see the ruine of that citie olde,
Late rich and fayre, welnie laid flat on molde.
A spectacle most horrible to rue,
Both magistrates, and people, dying, mourne,
Of former welfare, their ilfare last to view:
Scipio himselfe shed teares, with griefe that grew,
To see the ruine of that citie olde,
Late rich and fayre, welnie laid flat on molde.
Continued had seuen hundreth yeares and more,
Flourisht most braue, with plentie of each thing,
And had commaund, ore kingdomes, cities store,
Rul'de eke by sea, as chiefe imperiall King,
With store of ships, that riches home did bring,
All in short space consumde, and ruinde quight,
Subiect vnto blinde fortunes cruell spight.
Flourisht most braue, with plentie of each thing,
And had commaund, ore kingdomes, cities store,
Rul'de eke by sea, as chiefe imperiall King,
With store of ships, that riches home did bring,
All in short space consumde, and ruinde quight,
Subiect vnto blinde fortunes cruell spight.
Which well may shew, the state of kingdomes all,
Though nere so rich, so'populous and stout:
But fortune can, and hath made them to fall,
And welnie razde, both names and places out,
Recount we will, some chiefe among the rout;
What is become, of Troyes pompe and pride,
Of Priam King, and all his power beside.
Though nere so rich, so'populous and stout:
But fortune can, and hath made them to fall,
And welnie razde, both names and places out,
Recount we will, some chiefe among the rout;
What is become, of Troyes pompe and pride,
Of Priam King, and all his power beside.
Assiria that Monarchie so great,
The Persian, Mede, and Macedonian King
In battaile that Darius stout did beate,
And all the world, did subiect to him bring,
Carthage may here draw with them in one string:
Thus worketh time, change, and chance, of each thing,
Base, high to raise, more faster downe to bring.
The Persian, Mede, and Macedonian King
In battaile that Darius stout did beate,
And all the world, did subiect to him bring,
Carthage may here draw with them in one string:
Thus worketh time, change, and chance, of each thing,
Base, high to raise, more faster downe to bring.
Thus Carthag (loe) came to her finall ende,
Razde to the ground; to Rome rich spoyles were brought
That were of choyse and Scipio eke did send
Scicilians too, braue statutes finely wrought,
And ornaments, the Carthaginians, cought
Long since from them, which antique were and olde,
Which they by force, from them also did holde.
Razde to the ground; to Rome rich spoyles were brought
That were of choyse and Scipio eke did send
Scicilians too, braue statutes finely wrought,
And ornaments, the Carthaginians, cought
Long since from them, which antique were and olde,
Which they by force, from them also did holde.
In Rome was joy for this great victorie,
With high and low, Scipio did triumph gayne,
His prayses were extended to the skie,
With peoples voyce, and sound of trumpes amayne,
For surname (also) was giuen him Africane:
Because an end he made of so great warre,
Where by Romes gloriy strercht exceeding farre.
With high and low, Scipio did triumph gayne,
His prayses were extended to the skie,
With peoples voyce, and sound of trumpes amayne,
For surname (also) was giuen him Africane:
Because an end he made of so great warre,
Where by Romes gloriy strercht exceeding farre.
CAP. 7.
The conquest of Achaia, the razing of the city Corinth, warres in Portugall, Spayne, and with the slaues in Scicilia, the razing of Numanitia in Spaine.
VVhen all these warres of Carthage ended were,
Th'acayan people gathered head amaine,
In Greece, and there an armie they did reare
Against Romes state, whose brauing to restraine,
Lucius Mummius Consull, leaue did gaine
To fight with them, of Romes force was he chiese,
Who them o'rethrew vnto their paine and griefe.
Th'acayan people gathered head amaine,
In Greece, and there an armie they did reare
Against Romes state, whose brauing to restraine,
Lucius Mummius Consull, leaue did gaine
To fight with them, of Romes force was he chiese,
Who them o'rethrew vnto their paine and griefe.
Their countrey subject vnto Rome they yeelded,
Corinth chiefe citie principall of Greece:
Hundreth of yeares full many, had been builded,
With sack and spoyle, his souldiers did it fleece,
Burning the same, left standing not one peece:
And after razde the same quight with the ground,
No dwelling left, in it for to be found.
Corinth chiefe citie principall of Greece:
Hundreth of yeares full many, had been builded,
With sack and spoyle, his souldiers did it fleece,
Burning the same, left standing not one peece:
And after razde the same quight with the ground,
No dwelling left, in it for to be found.
About which time, in Portugall there was,
A person stout, Viriatus cal'd by name,
But meane of birth, yet so it came to passe,
That from a shepheard, grew to so great same,
And with his force, the Romanes oft did tame,
But he by treason slaine, and not by fight,
Which causd that countrey, fall to Romanes right.
A person stout, Viriatus cal'd by name,
But meane of birth, yet so it came to passe,
That from a shepheard, grew to so great same,
And with his force, the Romanes oft did tame,
But he by treason slaine, and not by fight,
Which causd that countrey, fall to Romanes right.
Not far from thence, in Spayne a town did stand,
Numanitia cal'd, which long time warres did hold
With Romanes force, fighting with equall hand:
Both one, and other, gaynde as fortune would:
The Romanes tooke disdaine, a poore towne should
Braue them so long, and not to haue it tane:
Thither was sent stout Scipio African,
Numanitia cal'd, which long time warres did hold
With Romanes force, fighting with equall hand:
Both one, and other, gaynde as fortune would:
The Romanes tooke disdaine, a poore towne should
Braue them so long, and not to haue it tane:
Thither was sent stout Scipio African,
At whose aproach, disorder great was found
The army in, that at the siege did lie,
Which he reformde, and then by trumpets sound,
With sharpe assault Numantiaes force did trie:
Did take the same, the people mercie crie,
His souldiers spoyl'd, and sacked euery place,
And afterward did clearely it deface.
The army in, that at the siege did lie,
Which he reformde, and then by trumpets sound,
With sharpe assault Numantiaes force did trie:
Did take the same, the people mercie crie,
His souldiers spoyl'd, and sacked euery place,
And afterward did clearely it deface.
About this time within Scicilia isle,
Bondmen, and slaues, did make a great vprore,
Them to appease was vsed many a while,
Their number did increase, still more and more:
But yet an armie, was rais'd vp before,
For to subdue their power and their strength,
Whom Consul Fuluius pacified at length.
Bondmen, and slaues, did make a great vprore,
Them to appease was vsed many a while,
Their number did increase, still more and more:
But yet an armie, was rais'd vp before,
For to subdue their power and their strength,
Whom Consul Fuluius pacified at length.
CAP. 9.
The second warres in Asia; the death of Scipio African: Warres with Iugurth King of Numidia, and warres in Germanie, France, and other places.
Soone after this, in Asia warre was mou'd,
On the behalfe of Attalus the King,
Who by his will had giuen to be prou'de,
His kingdome, crowne, and euery royall thing,
The Romanes too; but one a plea did bring
Against that case namde Aristonicus:
But Rome replyed, and brought an action thus:
On the behalfe of Attalus the King,
Who by his will had giuen to be prou'de,
His kingdome, crowne, and euery royall thing,
The Romanes too; but one a plea did bring
Against that case namde Aristonicus:
But Rome replyed, and brought an action thus:
With armed men to trie the matter out:
Aristonious orecome, and brought to yeld;
Perpenna Consul with his Romane rout
Captiued him, in battaile on the field;
Which yeare following, to death (too soone) did yeeld
Scipio, as he within his house tooke rest,
Strangled t' was thought, by some whom he lou'd best.
Aristonious orecome, and brought to yeld;
Perpenna Consul with his Romane rout
Captiued him, in battaile on the field;
Which yeare following, to death (too soone) did yeeld
Scipio, as he within his house tooke rest,
Strangled t' was thought, by some whom he lou'd best.
Not much aboue fiftie sixe yeares of age,
(Loe valiant wightes, foule fortunes cruell spight)
Rome was perplext with dolor, griefe, and rage:
And as some write, in skies appear'd a sight,
It's said the sonne kept not his course aright,
How ere it was, the losse was great to Rome,
So time brings too, all earthly things their doome.
(Loe valiant wightes, foule fortunes cruell spight)
Rome was perplext with dolor, griefe, and rage:
And as some write, in skies appear'd a sight,
It's said the sonne kept not his course aright,
How ere it was, the losse was great to Rome,
So time brings too, all earthly things their doome.
In France ensuing, after this also,
The Consull Fabius gain'd a battell great:
And Gracchus, Tribune of the people, tho
A man most rare, on matters graue to treate,
By Enuies rage, some did him cruell threate:
For slaine he was, about diuiding lands:
The wise we see, cannot shun malice hands.
The Consull Fabius gain'd a battell great:
And Gracchus, Tribune of the people, tho
A man most rare, on matters graue to treate,
By Enuies rage, some did him cruell threate:
For slaine he was, about diuiding lands:
The wise we see, cannot shun malice hands.
And now began the warres of Iugurth stout,
Which Salust doth at large most plainly show,
Where may be seene great matters brought about,
And of the rest before past on a row
In other workes, who will them reade may know:
Why this small worke was writ, one cause was chief,
Romes rising high to be declar'd in brief.
Which Salust doth at large most plainly show,
Where may be seene great matters brought about,
And of the rest before past on a row
In other workes, who will them reade may know:
Why this small worke was writ, one cause was chief,
Romes rising high to be declar'd in brief.
But Iugurths warre, (which next did fall in chase)
Calphurnius first did take the same in hand,
Who Consull was, and after him had place
Cecilius Metellus, strongly mand:
But lastly Marius, with his warlike band
Orethrew his host, with many a deadly wound,
Ending the warre, had Iugurth prisoner bound.
Calphurnius first did take the same in hand,
Who Consull was, and after him had place
Cecilius Metellus, strongly mand:
But lastly Marius, with his warlike band
Orethrew his host, with many a deadly wound,
Ending the warre, had Iugurth prisoner bound.
During which warre with this Numidian king,
The Germanes high, and low, gan to molest
Italia soyle, and mightie troopes did bring,
In France also, that countrie to infest:
The Romanes had by them vnquiet rest,
Great slaughter oft, amongst them they did make,
Chief Captaines many, were forst their liues forsake.
The Germanes high, and low, gan to molest
Italia soyle, and mightie troopes did bring,
In France also, that countrie to infest:
The Romanes had by them vnquiet rest,
Great slaughter oft, amongst them they did make,
Chief Captaines many, were forst their liues forsake.
But Marius, Consull foure times now chose,
Gaue them repulse, and last their power orethrew:
The Almanes hie, were slaine and soone did lose,
At Aix in Prouence, where their strength they drew:
In Lombardie, at Lysieres, did rue
The other sort, which done, afresh did grow
New warres, that ouer all Italie did flow.
Gaue them repulse, and last their power orethrew:
The Almanes hie, were slaine and soone did lose,
At Aix in Prouence, where their strength they drew:
In Lombardie, at Lysieres, did rue
The other sort, which done, afresh did grow
New warres, that ouer all Italie did flow.
Those people that vpon the soyle did dwell,
In sundrie partes, which often heretofore
Be nam'de, began againe for to rebell:
With much adoe appeasde was their vprore,
And being reduc'de to quiet, as before:
Swift time that doth begin, and end all thing,
A dangerous warre, against Romes state did bring.
In sundrie partes, which often heretofore
Be nam'de, began againe for to rebell:
With much adoe appeasde was their vprore,
And being reduc'de to quiet, as before:
Swift time that doth begin, and end all thing,
A dangerous warre, against Romes state did bring.
CAP. 10.
The warres with Mithridate King of Pontus, upon which grew the ciuill warres in Rome, betweene Sylla and Marius: of warres in Portugall, and the vtter ouerthrow of Mythridate the great, King of Pontus.
In Kingdomes rule, most strange is fortunes chance,
Fleeting, vnsure, not to be thought with hart:
Euents each day, both to, and'fro, do glance:
Sores thought well salu'd, els where vnknowen do smart
Trust treason proues, and plaies a tragique part
With secret sleights: Ambition worketh wiles,
Faith proueth fraudes, and friendships are but guiles.
Fleeting, vnsure, not to be thought with hart:
Euents each day, both to, and'fro, do glance:
Sores thought well salu'd, els where vnknowen do smart
Trust treason proues, and plaies a tragique part
With secret sleights: Ambition worketh wiles,
Faith proueth fraudes, and friendships are but guiles.
Mythridate King of Pontus, valiant, stout,
With armie strong, did giue two Kings the foile,
Gaue them the chase, their seate and kingdome out:
One of Bythinia, the other of the soyle
Of Gappadoce, their countries both did spoile:
Which warre, so sore the state of Rome did trouble:
First strife, next hate, and after murders double.
With armie strong, did giue two Kings the foile,
Gaue them the chase, their seate and kingdome out:
One of Bythinia, the other of the soyle
Of Gappadoce, their countries both did spoile:
Which warre, so sore the state of Rome did trouble:
First strife, next hate, and after murders double.
These wretched Kings distressed thus with woe,
In league and friendship, were with Romanes knit
Vnto their aide, perforce did drive them to:
But here marke fortune when she list to flit,
Who frowning seemde, on Romanes side to sit,
For warres abroade, to hurt them did begin,
And iarres more ill, at home themselues within.
In league and friendship, were with Romanes knit
Vnto their aide, perforce did drive them to:
But here marke fortune when she list to flit,
Who frowning seemde, on Romanes side to sit,
For warres abroade, to hurt them did begin,
And iarres more ill, at home themselues within.
Strife did arise two captaines stcut,
Which after grew to warre, and deadly wound:
Note here the fruites sedition bringeth out,
And where likewise ambition taketh ground:
The bodies sicke, whereas the heades vnsound.
Rome had good cause to looke both pale and wan,
Neuer so plagude, since first their state began.
Which after grew to warre, and deadly wound:
Note here the fruites sedition bringeth out,
And where likewise ambition taketh ground:
The bodies sicke, whereas the heades vnsound.
Rome had good cause to looke both pale and wan,
Neuer so plagude, since first their state began.
Stout Mythridate with kings chase not content,
But farther runnes, into the Romanes land;
Long t'was before the Senate could consent,
Who for this warre, as leader chiefe should stand:
On partes they were, on this side, and that hand,
Sylla some chose, because of noble race,
Some Marius, rather to supply the place.
But farther runnes, into the Romanes land;
Long t'was before the Senate could consent,
Who for this warre, as leader chiefe should stand:
On partes they were, on this side, and that hand,
Sylla some chose, because of noble race,
Some Marius, rather to supply the place.
Betweene these two, began Romes wofull state:
(Here may be seene what ciuill discords breede)
Sylla had prest his armie at Romes gate,
Marius constrain'd to flye away with speede,
Perforce was such, and so hard grew his meede,
In a small boate, as fast as he could hye,
To Afrique coast, away from Rome did flye.
(Here may be seene what ciuill discords breede)
Sylla had prest his armie at Romes gate,
Marius constrain'd to flye away with speede,
Perforce was such, and so hard grew his meede,
In a small boate, as fast as he could hye,
To Afrique coast, away from Rome did flye.
So Sylla had of Pontus warre the charge,
And thither marcht with Mithridate to fight,
Absent from Rome: Cynna, whose power was large
That time Consull, began the state to spight,
Stirring vp strife, but was soone put to flight
By Octauian, who in office with him was,
Out of the citie to Cynna gaue the chase.
And thither marcht with Mithridate to fight,
Absent from Rome: Cynna, whose power was large
That time Consull, began the state to spight,
Stirring vp strife, but was soone put to flight
By Octauian, who in office with him was,
Out of the citie to Cynna gaue the chase.
Marius on this returned from exile,
His power with Octauian did vnite,
In Rome committing many parts most vile:
Wrong bare the sway, and did orepresse the right,
Murder, and theft, was done in open sight:
They Consuls chose, and did what ere they lust,
Their will was law, that euery thing discust.
His power with Octauian did vnite,
In Rome committing many parts most vile:
Wrong bare the sway, and did orepresse the right,
Murder, and theft, was done in open sight:
They Consuls chose, and did what ere they lust,
Their will was law, that euery thing discust.
Sylla this while in warre gainst Mithridate,
The Romanes losse, in part did get againe:
Hearing of Romes foule broyles and troubled state,
Fast homeward hied, to ease that grieuous paine:
And when he had, for most orecome and slaine
His enemies, that gainst him did resist,
Bare sway alone, and then did what he list.
The Romanes losse, in part did get againe:
Hearing of Romes foule broyles and troubled state,
Fast homeward hied, to ease that grieuous paine:
And when he had, for most orecome and slaine
His enemies, that gainst him did resist,
Bare sway alone, and then did what he list.
Thus one gap stopt, a worser breach is made,
One tempest past, a fouler storme doth rise:
One drowning scapte, a gulfe more ill to wade:
One ill foreseene, a vilder blinds the eyes:
One foe found out, a crueller lurking lyes:
One canker heal'd, out breakes more pestlent sore:
Marius was ill, Sylla could be no more.
One tempest past, a fouler storme doth rise:
One drowning scapte, a gulfe more ill to wade:
One ill foreseene, a vilder blinds the eyes:
One foe found out, a crueller lurking lyes:
One canker heal'd, out breakes more pestlent sore:
Marius was ill, Sylla could be no more.
For when the winde tempestuously doth blow,
Oreturning towers, houses trees and all:
Those harmes past ore, incontinent doth flow
A mightie floud, by raine continuing fall,
Drencheth vp beasts on fields, and in the stall,
Drowning both corne, and fertile medow ground,
One common losse doth make a grieuous wound.
Oreturning towers, houses trees and all:
Those harmes past ore, incontinent doth flow
A mightie floud, by raine continuing fall,
Drencheth vp beasts on fields, and in the stall,
Drowning both corne, and fertile medow ground,
One common losse doth make a grieuous wound.
Marius windlike at first did blow and rage,
Which tempest little calm'd, scarse ouerpast:
Sylla not bent, that so it should asswage:
But after blasts, brings flouds of raine as fast,
The woolfe full pancht, the beare take his repast:
Who hunger bides? but weaker beasts among
The rauening sort, opprest by open wrong.
Which tempest little calm'd, scarse ouerpast:
Sylla not bent, that so it should asswage:
But after blasts, brings flouds of raine as fast,
The woolfe full pancht, the beare take his repast:
Who hunger bides? but weaker beasts among
The rauening sort, opprest by open wrong.
Sylla his en'mies sharply did pursue,
Some banisht were, and on their goods set price,
Their children eke that after should ensue,
He quite despoyl'd for euer to arise
Office, or rule to beare in any wise:
No man what ere might safe enioy his state,
Or life, if once against him he bare hate.
Some banisht were, and on their goods set price,
Their children eke that after should ensue,
He quite despoyl'd for euer to arise
Office, or rule to beare in any wise:
No man what ere might safe enioy his state,
Or life, if once against him he bare hate.
So farre forth was his heart enflam'd with ire,
Marius being dead, part of his carkasse tho,
(Such furie did his raging mind inspire)
He causde into a riuer to be throw:
Behold revenge to mortall men a foe,
Neere satisfied, vntill she haue her will,
Of will restrainde, with griefe her selfe doth kill.
Marius being dead, part of his carkasse tho,
(Such furie did his raging mind inspire)
He causde into a riuer to be throw:
Behold revenge to mortall men a foe,
Neere satisfied, vntill she haue her will,
Of will restrainde, with griefe her selfe doth kill.
Thus Sylla got the victorie at length,
Dictator made, and had the chiefest place
For to command, and now againe in strength:
Rome gan to grow, and mutinies to race,
But yet farre of, an Exile in disgrace
With Sylla, nam'de Sertorius stout and fierce,
With warre did seeke the Romanes state to pierce.
Dictator made, and had the chiefest place
For to command, and now againe in strength:
Rome gan to grow, and mutinies to race,
But yet farre of, an Exile in disgrace
With Sylla, nam'de Sertorius stout and fierce,
With warre did seeke the Romanes state to pierce.
In Portugall an armie he did wage,
Got many townes, in warres hauing great skill:
For to appease this vnlookt for outrage,
Pompee had charge, to worke therein his will:
Betweene these two, each part much bloud did spill,
After great fights, Sertorius was slaine
In treason foule, with craft caught in a traine.
Got many townes, in warres hauing great skill:
For to appease this vnlookt for outrage,
Pompee had charge, to worke therein his will:
Betweene these two, each part much bloud did spill,
After great fights, Sertorius was slaine
In treason foule, with craft caught in a traine.
A few yeares after, Pompee this had wrought,
All Spayne he got, and in that time also
Bythinia king, to earth by death was brought,
Heire to his crowne, he made the Romanes tho:
But Mithridate king of Pontus sayd no:
Who occupied Bythinia all the while,
That Marius, and Sylla, made the broyle.
All Spayne he got, and in that time also
Bythinia king, to earth by death was brought,
Heire to his crowne, he made the Romanes tho:
But Mithridate king of Pontus sayd no:
Who occupied Bythinia all the while,
That Marius, and Sylla, made the broyle.
Against whose pride, Lucullus Consull went
And foyld him oft, speeding so at the last,
His armie all in piecemeale cut and rent,
And from Bythinia made him bye in bast,
In Pontus bounds, shutting him vp full fast,
From whence also, in fight was driuen away,
Flying for ayde to the king of Armenia.
And foyld him oft, speeding so at the last,
His armie all in piecemeale cut and rent,
And from Bythinia made him bye in bast,
In Pontus bounds, shutting him vp full fast,
From whence also, in fight was driuen away,
Flying for ayde to the king of Armenia.
Lucullus still did after him pursue,
And oftentimes with both the powers did fight
Of those two kings, who thought for to subdue
Lucullus force: when each in others sight
Were come, the Romanes oreprest them by might,
The Kings enforsed to forsake the field,
Their people most were slaine, and fled, some yeeld.
And oftentimes with both the powers did fight
Of those two kings, who thought for to subdue
Lucullus force: when each in others sight
Were come, the Romanes oreprest them by might,
The Kings enforsed to forsake the field,
Their people most were slaine, and fled, some yeeld.
But here by meanes of mutinie and jarre
In Romanes campe, which did Lucullus let,
With Pontus king to make an end of warre,
Whereby he might the gaine of glorie get,
The Senate did a message send to set
Lucullus home, and in his roome did place
Pompee, those warres of Mithridate to chase.
In Romanes campe, which did Lucullus let,
With Pontus king to make an end of warre,
Whereby he might the gaine of glorie get,
The Senate did a message send to set
Lucullus home, and in his roome did place
Pompee, those warres of Mithridate to chase.
Who late before,
great fame and credite gainde,
In vanquishing by sea the nauie strong
Of Pirats stout, who had with power attainde
The Soueraigntie of all the coasts along
From Spayne, to Helle spont, there all among
Those Isles: yet further did their force extend
By land also, which Pompee brought to end.
In vanquishing by sea the nauie strong
Of Pirats stout, who had with power attainde
The Soueraigntie of all the coasts along
From Spayne, to Helle spont, there all among
Those Isles: yet further did their force extend
By land also, which Pompee brought to end.
The ouerthrow of whom did much preuaile,
For Romes welfare, and for the common state:
So hard beset till then, they could not saile
Out from their shores: but brought now to this rate,
Pompee prepar'd himselfe for Mithridate,
To Asia sped, making his power there strong,
Those warres to end, which Rome had vexed long.
For Romes welfare, and for the common state:
So hard beset till then, they could not saile
Out from their shores: but brought now to this rate,
Pompee prepar'd himselfe for Mithridate,
To Asia sped, making his power there strong,
Those warres to end, which Rome had vexed long.
Which entred too, he prosecuted so,
As in short space, Mithridate was bereft
Of hope, for ere to rise his state vnto,
When once his forces were asunder left,
Small was the succour tho vnto him cleft:
For after being besieged by his sonne
Pharnaces cal'd, his life he yeelded done,
As in short space, Mithridate was bereft
Of hope, for ere to rise his state vnto,
When once his forces were asunder left,
Small was the succour tho vnto him cleft:
For after being besieged by his sonne
Pharnaces cal'd, his life he yeelded done,
Killing himselfe. O fury foule despayre
That doest inspire, thy selfe in soules distrest:
But, what is life, say such? a blast of ayre:
Foule honors seate, chiefe cause of great vnrest.
The meane estate is ten times happier blest.
O pride of Rome, Ambitions patterne left,
Which neuer will from following race be reft.
That doest inspire, thy selfe in soules distrest:
But, what is life, say such? a blast of ayre:
Foule honors seate, chiefe cause of great vnrest.
The meane estate is ten times happier blest.
O pride of Rome, Ambitions patterne left,
Which neuer will from following race be reft.
But yet a while, behold this mightie king
Stout Mithridate, how fortunes frowning spight,
Did at the last, his warres and conquests bring
To wretched state, that fortie yeares with might,
Most valiantly did with the Romanes fight,
And victor oft, their Captaines many led
With him each where captiu'd, so well he sped.
Stout Mithridate, how fortunes frowning spight,
Did at the last, his warres and conquests bring
To wretched state, that fortie yeares with might,
Most valiantly did with the Romanes fight,
And victor oft, their Captaines many led
With him each where captiu'd, so well he sped.
Treasons he scapte, and murmurings many a one:
Of body strong, to walke on foote, or ride;
No wound did euer make him shrinke, or grone,
To shun the warres, at any time or tide:
Gaynst poysoning, he poyson did prouide,
Wherewith when as he would his life haue ended,
No power at all, by poyson was extended.
Of body strong, to walke on foote, or ride;
No wound did euer make him shrinke, or grone,
To shun the warres, at any time or tide:
Gaynst poysoning, he poyson did prouide,
Wherewith when as he would his life haue ended,
No power at all, by poyson was extended.
His sonne (as is rehearst) Pharnaces nam'de,
Vsurping now his crowne and dignitie,
Mythridate saw his wracke in such sort fram'de,
Fearing to fall, in farther miserie,
Into the Romaines hands by trecherie,
Drew forth the venim, which he euer bare
About his sword, began it to prepare.
Vsurping now his crowne and dignitie,
Mythridate saw his wracke in such sort fram'de,
Fearing to fall, in farther miserie,
Into the Romaines hands by trecherie,
Drew forth the venim, which he euer bare
About his sword, began it to prepare.
Two of his daughters being fast him by,
Did pray the King that they might first of all
Take taste thereof, the potion for to trie,
(Loathing their liues to see their fathers fall)
He would not yeeld, but they would needes enthral
Themselues to death, and dranke and present dyed,
The selfe same thing, by Mythridate was tryed
Did pray the King that they might first of all
Take taste thereof, the potion for to trie,
(Loathing their liues to see their fathers fall)
He would not yeeld, but they would needes enthral
Themselues to death, and dranke and present dyed,
The selfe same thing, by Mythridate was tryed
But would not worke, his body long before
He so prepar'de, against all poison strong,
For to withstand all treason, enuie bore
Against his state, who sought all meanes by wrong
T'abridge his dayes, but fortune made him long
Happie to liue, vnhappie for to die,
From Empire so to fall in miserie.
He so prepar'de, against all poison strong,
For to withstand all treason, enuie bore
Against his state, who sought all meanes by wrong
T'abridge his dayes, but fortune made him long
Happie to liue, vnhappie for to die,
From Empire so to fall in miserie.
Vanquisht with griefe, which long before his hart,
Ne bodie could, the Romanes legions great
Orecome, by practise, policie, or art,
And now (quoth he) loe what doth me most freate:
Faithles souldiers, children vnkind entreate
Me too, my friends vnfaithfull to me are:
These foes I flye, rather then life to spare.
Ne bodie could, the Romanes legions great
Orecome, by practise, policie, or art,
And now (quoth he) loe what doth me most freate:
Faithles souldiers, children vnkind entreate
Me too, my friends vnfaithfull to me are:
These foes I flye, rather then life to spare.
Vnto a Duke that stood vnto him neere,
(Quoth he) to me thou euer hast been iust,
From liuing any longer rid me cleere,
Lest Romanes tread my glorie in the dust,
Ore me a king to triumph as they lust:
Since poyson will not end my wretched life,
Helpe me by bloudie stroke to cease all strife.
(Quoth he) to me thou euer hast been iust,
From liuing any longer rid me cleere,
Lest Romanes tread my glorie in the dust,
Ore me a king to triumph as they lust:
Since poyson will not end my wretched life,
Helpe me by bloudie stroke to cease all strife.
The Duke bewayled Mithridate with teares,
Yeelding his helpe, to rid him of his woe:
To his right breast, with trembling hand he beares
The bloudie blade, that did his life vndoe:
Mithridate with a stroke, draue it into
His breast, when as the liuely sprite outbrast:
Thus this great king, fortune with spight downe cast,
Yeelding his helpe, to rid him of his woe:
To his right breast, with trembling hand he beares
The bloudie blade, that did his life vndoe:
Mithridate with a stroke, draue it into
His breast, when as the liuely sprite outbrast:
Thus this great king, fortune with spight downe cast,
What therefore bootes long life with troubled state,
Though riches, wealth, and honor men possesse?
What doth auaile long life, without debate,
In pleasure, ioy, neuer to feele distresse?
In weale, or woe, let life be more or lesse,
Death is all one, at first, as tarie long,
Since dye we must, mid woes small ioyes among.
Though riches, wealth, and honor men possesse?
What doth auaile long life, without debate,
In pleasure, ioy, neuer to feele distresse?
In weale, or woe, let life be more or lesse,
Death is all one, at first, as tarie long,
Since dye we must, mid woes small ioyes among.
CAP. 11.
The disturbance of Romes estate by the conspiracie of Catiline, Ierusa'ems tribute to Rome, warres by Iulius Cæsar in Germany, France and England, by Pompé the King of Egypt was restored to his kingdome.
Like as the day (when fresh Aurora spreds
Her curtaines large) expelling darke nights shade:
Bright Phœbe doth rise from chamber and vnbeds
Himselfe abroad, with blasing rayes, doth glade
Aslant the earth: where length of shadowes made:
By mistie cloudes, all vanish quite away
Rough winds arise, it proues a stormy day.
Her curtaines large) expelling darke nights shade:
Bright Phœbe doth rise from chamber and vnbeds
Himselfe abroad, with blasing rayes, doth glade
Aslant the earth: where length of shadowes made:
By mistie cloudes, all vanish quite away
Rough winds arise, it proues a stormy day.
Through heate perhaps, a thunderclap may sound:
Or els rough Æol raise a mightie wind,
With flouds of raine fast powring on the ground:
That heards of cattell scarse can finde
Shilter to saue their bare backs (thinly linde)
When as those beasts that feeding lye in stall,
Recks not the storme, how great so ere it fall.
Or els rough Æol raise a mightie wind,
With flouds of raine fast powring on the ground:
That heards of cattell scarse can finde
Shilter to saue their bare backs (thinly linde)
When as those beasts that feeding lye in stall,
Recks not the storme, how great so ere it fall.
So fareth fates: faire weather now foule proue,
Stormes past, there comes a quiet calme againe,
Seasons and times such earthly chances moue:
So Romes high state now whole, then sicke with paine.
In worldly life, cares be our daily gaine:
Lawes, for the good of common weales firme seated,
Through ciuill strife their right vse are defeated.
Stormes past, there comes a quiet calme againe,
Seasons and times such earthly chances moue:
So Romes high state now whole, then sicke with paine.
In worldly life, cares be our daily gaine:
Lawes, for the good of common weales firme seated,
Through ciuill strife their right vse are defeated.
As Pompee had those broyles and iarres late ended,
Seditious fire began to light againe:
Now Catiline by coniuration bended
A number moe (their countries peace to staine)
The state of Rome to spoyle, ambitious braine:
But Cicero who Consull was that time,
Detected them of that most heynous crime.
Seditious fire began to light againe:
Now Catiline by coniuration bended
A number moe (their countries peace to staine)
The state of Rome to spoyle, ambitious braine:
But Cicero who Consull was that time,
Detected them of that most heynous crime.
But Catiline Toscane came by flight,
Gathering fresh crewes of wretches all forlorne:
Gainst whom Anthonius, (Consull) went to fight,
By whose great valour in pieces cut, and torne
The rebels were, (unhappie wretches borne)
But fates to men, doe aye alot such chance,
That by wrong meanes, themselues thinke to aduance.
Gathering fresh crewes of wretches all forlorne:
Gainst whom Anthonius, (Consull) went to fight,
By whose great valour in pieces cut, and torne
The rebels were, (unhappie wretches borne)
But fates to men, doe aye alot such chance,
That by wrong meanes, themselues thinke to aduance.
And in this yeare fine Cicero Consull was
Ierusalem, and all Iudea land,
(Great Pompees Power atchieu'de and brought to passe)
Did tribute pay vnto the Romaines hand:
Octauian eke as you shall vnderstand,
(Who Emperour was in processe following here)
Receiu'de his birth, at Rome in this same yere.
Ierusalem, and all Iudea land,
(Great Pompees Power atchieu'de and brought to passe)
Did tribute pay vnto the Romaines hand:
Octauian eke as you shall vnderstand,
(Who Emperour was in processe following here)
Receiu'de his birth, at Rome in this same yere.
Fiue yeares after Gabinius, and Piso
Consuls were chose, when as the Swysers bold,
Did cast their course, by Prouence for to go
Farder in France, whereas they ment to hold
Their biding place (say nay who so would)
By reason of the fertile soile and ground,
Great foyson there of fruites, in season found.
Consuls were chose, when as the Swysers bold,
Did cast their course, by Prouence for to go
Farder in France, whereas they ment to hold
Their biding place (say nay who so would)
By reason of the fertile soile and ground,
Great foyson there of fruites, in season found.
Whom to forbid t'abide or there to rest,
Iulius Cæsar raisde an armie strong,
Commaunded by the Senate Soone was prest:
And in short space the Swysers came among,
Their power most dead, on earth he laid along,
And after that to Arioust also,
An Almane King he gaue like ouerthrow.
Iulius Cæsar raisde an armie strong,
Commaunded by the Senate Soone was prest:
And in short space the Swysers came among,
Their power most dead, on earth he laid along,
And after that to Arioust also,
An Almane King he gaue like ouerthrow.
Besides these two, he other battailes fought,
In parties moe of Germanie, and France,
Neere riuer Rhyn, his enemies he brought
Subiect, which farre his glory did aduance:
From thence with power, ore Ocean seas did glance,
And did arriue among the Brytanes then,
With whom to fight, he found them matchlesse men:
In parties moe of Germanie, and France,
Neere riuer Rhyn, his enemies he brought
Subiect, which farre his glory did aduance:
From thence with power, ore Ocean seas did glance,
And did arriue among the Brytanes then,
With whom to fight, he found them matchlesse men:
But yet in fine, he did subject that Isle
Ere he return'd, and letters thence did write
To Rome, (which were conueyed in short while)
The first day of September to recite,
To Cicero, which he receiu'de in sight
Vpon the nine and twentith of the same:
From England, in a month those letters came.
Ere he return'd, and letters thence did write
To Rome, (which were conueyed in short while)
The first day of September to recite,
To Cicero, which he receiu'de in sight
Vpon the nine and twentith of the same:
From England, in a month those letters came.
Cæsar from thence return'd againe to France,
Had good successe, the countrie quiet brought
Ere it was long, thus fortune' can aduance,
Those whom she meanes at length to bring to nought:
About this time, th'egiptians Rome besought
To aide their king, expeld his countrie fro
By Archelaus, worker of his woe.
Had good successe, the countrie quiet brought
Ere it was long, thus fortune' can aduance,
Those whom she meanes at length to bring to nought:
About this time, th'egiptians Rome besought
To aide their king, expeld his countrie fro
By Archelaus, worker of his woe.
Vnto the Senate Pompee sute did make,
The king distrest, for to restore againe:
Gabinius charge thereof must vndertake,
He Archelaus, perforce did constreine
For to depart, vpon a grieuous paine:
So Ptolome receiu'd againe his crowne,
And royall seate, by Pompees high renowne.
The king distrest, for to restore againe:
Gabinius charge thereof must vndertake,
He Archelaus, perforce did constreine
For to depart, vpon a grieuous paine:
So Ptolome receiu'd againe his crowne,
And royall seate, by Pompees high renowne.
CAP. 12.
The Ciuill warre betweene Cæsar and Pompee Cæsars quieting, the state of Egypt, his quicke expedition through diuers other countries his attaining to the Empire.
Like as two Lions long without their pray,
And comming where they hunger may sustaine,
Both being fierce, they will agree no way
In friendly sort, to part the spoile in twaine,
High stomackt both, both thinke the whole to gaine,
Doe fall at strife, one for the others part,
Where one, or both, doerue their rage with smart.
And comming where they hunger may sustaine,
Both being fierce, they will agree no way
In friendly sort, to part the spoile in twaine,
High stomackt both, both thinke the whole to gaine,
Doe fall at strife, one for the others part,
Where one, or both, doerue their rage with smart.
This ciuill warre which now began to rise
Tweene Cæsar stout, and Pompee cald the great:
Sheweth lion like, the grudge that smothring lies
Within the heart, which canker like doth eate:
Vntill such time reuenge, breakes out in heate,
And sets on fire, from smoake vnto a flame,
Neuer extinct without some foule disfame.
Tweene Cæsar stout, and Pompee cald the great:
Sheweth lion like, the grudge that smothring lies
Within the heart, which canker like doth eate:
Vntill such time reuenge, breakes out in heate,
And sets on fire, from smoake vnto a flame,
Neuer extinct without some foule disfame.
This ground whereon this grudge began to grow,
The cause thus fell, stout Cæsar was reiected
Consull to be, vntill he did bestow
His armie, and his office last elected:
But hate hath meanes, that spight shall be detected,
Although small cause important thereto long,
Right set aside, bate workes by open wrong.
The cause thus fell, stout Cæsar was reiected
Consull to be, vntill he did bestow
His armie, and his office last elected:
But hate hath meanes, that spight shall be detected,
Although small cause important thereto long,
Right set aside, bate workes by open wrong.
But this conceipt Cæsar held in his mind:
To yeeld his strengthes, then naked should he bee,
Where now before, might hap then come behind:
Yet neuerthelesse, ye yeelded to agree,
If Pompee would, release as well as he,
His power also, which Pompee would not yeeld.
Hasted to France againe, and from the field
To yeeld his strengthes, then naked should he bee,
Where now before, might hap then come behind:
Yet neuerthelesse, ye yeelded to agree,
If Pompee would, release as well as he,
His power also, which Pompee would not yeeld.
Hasted to France againe, and from the field
Bronght on his armie, came in Italie:
Tooke many townes by loue, and composition:
Pompee this hearing, with Consuls both did flie,
Cæsar pursued, (there was no prohibition)
But ere he came, to make with them condition,
Embarqute they were, on sea boord, vnder sayle
And out of sight, might bid to them alhayle.
Tooke many townes by loue, and composition:
Pompee this hearing, with Consuls both did flie,
Cæsar pursued, (there was no prohibition)
But ere he came, to make with them condition,
Embarqute they were, on sea boord, vnder sayle
And out of sight, might bid to them alhayle.
For want of ships to serue his warlike turne,
He thought not good there long while for to stay:
But backe againe to Rome made his returne
From Durazo, (from whence they fled away)
At Rome held court long after, day by day,
Framing complaints, gainst those that did him wrong,
And offring peace the Romane state among.
He thought not good there long while for to stay:
But backe againe to Rome made his returne
From Durazo, (from whence they fled away)
At Rome held court long after, day by day,
Framing complaints, gainst those that did him wrong,
And offring peace the Romane state among.
He perceiuing the Senate made small count
Of what he spake, from Rome in hast he sped:
And ere t'were long at Marcels did dismount,
Whereas the towne gainst him did make head:
But he by sea an armie caus'de be led,
Left it besiegde by water, and by land,
And into Spaine did iourney out of hand:
Of what he spake, from Rome in hast he sped:
And ere t'were long at Marcels did dismount,
Whereas the towne gainst him did make head:
But he by sea an armie caus'de be led,
Left it besiegde by water, and by land,
And into Spaine did iourney out of hand:
Where Pompees captaines did vnto him render,
With all their forces, at his commaund to bee,
And with them hasted, whereas hope was slender,
At Marseiles towne, ere he came sought t'agree
And yeeld to him, which done, way goeth hee
To Rome againe, and in his absence was
Dictator made, (through fates so brought to passe.)
With all their forces, at his commaund to bee,
And with them hasted, whereas hope was slender,
At Marseiles towne, ere he came sought t'agree
And yeeld to him, which done, way goeth hee
To Rome againe, and in his absence was
Dictator made, (through fates so brought to passe.)
The people (eke) the more to raise his fame,
Elect him Consull, with Seruilius matched:
And when he had set euery thing in frame,
For publike weale, to Thessalie dispatched,
And there a time to fight, with Pompee watched,
Did him orecome, slew all his power welnie;
Pompee enforst to Egypt for to flie:
Elect him Consull, with Seruilius matched:
And when he had set euery thing in frame,
For publike weale, to Thessalie dispatched,
And there a time to fight, with Pompee watched,
Did him orecome, slew all his power welnie;
Pompee enforst to Egypt for to flie:
Where raigned then, Ptolome his sonne that late,
(Before rehearst) by Pompees meane who was,
Restorde againe into his royall state,
In hast by flight Pompee to him did passe,
In hope he would with curtesie (alas)
Requite with aide, and succour, at his neede
Him now distrest, for that his former deede:
(Before rehearst) by Pompees meane who was,
Restorde againe into his royall state,
In hast by flight Pompee to him did passe,
In hope he would with curtesie (alas)
Requite with aide, and succour, at his neede
Him now distrest, for that his former deede:
But he to whom, Pompee this pleasure did,
Was dead, and now this King was but a childe,
Who scarcely would to Pompee welcome bid:
Of hope and succour being thus beguilde,
Ingratitude, (who is a monster vilde)
Within the harts of the Egyptians grew,
Doubting mishap, in treason they him slew.
Was dead, and now this King was but a childe,
Who scarcely would to Pompee welcome bid:
Of hope and succour being thus beguilde,
Ingratitude, (who is a monster vilde)
Within the harts of the Egyptians grew,
Doubting mishap, in treason they him slew.
Vile wretches that durst on him so lay hand,
Whose noble hart relieu'd your wretched state:
Did you not feare, the breach of league and band
With Romanes made, but could ye him so hate
That was your friend, though destinie and fate
Did on him trowne, so in his bloud t'embrue
Your cruell handes: but you his death shall rue.
Whose noble hart relieu'd your wretched state:
Did you not feare, the breach of league and band
With Romanes made, but could ye him so hate
That was your friend, though destinie and fate
Did on him trowne, so in his bloud t'embrue
Your cruell handes: but you his death shall rue.
Cæsar shall not let vnreuenged goe,
Your barbarous part, though he his enemie bee:
The day shall come wherein you shall crie woe,
Ruying your state with wracke, and miserie,
For doing of so foule a villanie,
In killing him, the worlds flower chiefe,
Whom Cæsar (loe) bewailes with teares, and griefe.
Your barbarous part, though he his enemie bee:
The day shall come wherein you shall crie woe,
Ruying your state with wracke, and miserie,
For doing of so foule a villanie,
In killing him, the worlds flower chiefe,
Whom Cæsar (loe) bewailes with teares, and griefe.
Presenting of his head, thinke you to finde
Pardon, and peace? no, no Egyptians base
Sprong from the stocke of some vile rascall minde:
No maruaile though like rogues the world ye trace,
Let not the earth affoord you byding place;
But wander ye, as wretches all forlorne,
Your ofspring curst, and those before you borne.
Pardon, and peace? no, no Egyptians base
Sprong from the stocke of some vile rascall minde:
No maruaile though like rogues the world ye trace,
Let not the earth affoord you byding place;
But wander ye, as wretches all forlorne,
Your ofspring curst, and those before you borne.
No doubt those plagues shall light vpon you all:
The Romanes who your kings oft succour gaue,
Shall raze their seate, and euer after thrall
Their name, and make both king, and queene a slaue,
And farther yet, this curse eke shall you haue,
Craft, and deceipt, and theft shall be your trade,
Vntill the gallowes, end of all haue made.
The Romanes who your kings oft succour gaue,
Shall raze their seate, and euer after thrall
Their name, and make both king, and queene a slaue,
And farther yet, this curse eke shall you haue,
Craft, and deceipt, and theft shall be your trade,
Vntill the gallowes, end of all haue made.
Ah worthy wight, Pompee the Phœnix rare,
Starre of the world, before and euer since:
Both memorie, and fame, shall aye declare
Thy noble artes whose prowesse did conuince,
Full many a realme, and prouince, king, and prince,
At twentie fiue yeares age being no more:
What one did euer match thee since, or before.
Starre of the world, before and euer since:
Both memorie, and fame, shall aye declare
Thy noble artes whose prowesse did conuince,
Full many a realme, and prouince, king, and prince,
At twentie fiue yeares age being no more:
What one did euer match thee since, or before.
For noble mind, for valour, bountie loue,
Whose good successe did raise the Romanes state:
For constancie which mishaps could not moue,
For honour show'de to wretched Mythridate,
Himselfe his race, to many in like state:
Thy vertues blazde thy noble disposition,
But cruell mindes, made there of prohibition.
Whose good successe did raise the Romanes state:
For constancie which mishaps could not moue,
For honour show'de to wretched Mythridate,
Himselfe his race, to many in like state:
Thy vertues blazde thy noble disposition,
But cruell mindes, made there of prohibition.
The stately triumph Rome did make to thee,
Declarde thy fame, when thou didst backe returne
With captiu'de kings conquer'd, thy victorie
As bright as sunne, or blazing lampe did burne:
Which sight to see, made them with griefe to mourne,
When in a chariot shining bright, all gold,
Set rich with stones, their eis might thee behold.
Declarde thy fame, when thou didst backe returne
With captiu'de kings conquer'd, thy victorie
As bright as sunne, or blazing lampe did burne:
Which sight to see, made them with griefe to mourne,
When in a chariot shining bright, all gold,
Set rich with stones, their eis might thee behold.
To sit, and when their scepters, and their crownes,
Their royall roabes, with ornaments, and all
Their stately wealth, their jewels, spoyle of townes,
Siluer, and gold, with statues high and tall
Of beaten gold, yet more to shew their thrall:
Their armours, and their weapons, broad in sight,
They prisoners all, orecome by thee in fight.
Their royall roabes, with ornaments, and all
Their stately wealth, their jewels, spoyle of townes,
Siluer, and gold, with statues high and tall
Of beaten gold, yet more to shew their thrall:
Their armours, and their weapons, broad in sight,
They prisoners all, orecome by thee in fight.
Triumphing thus, with much more in like sort,
Romes youth went first, next them the youthfull crew
Neere mans estate, then followed with great port,
Graue citizens, next Senate did ensue
Clad in their roabes, of colour bloody hue:
Many sortes moe of people in their place,
Before and after, in triumph then did trace
Romes youth went first, next them the youthfull crew
Neere mans estate, then followed with great port,
Graue citizens, next Senate did ensue
Clad in their roabes, of colour bloody hue:
Many sortes moe of people in their place,
Before and after, in triumph then did trace
In order due: Those of his armie strong,
Some chiefe, on horsebacke, some on foote did goe,
Neuer the like triumph there was among
Romes conquerours, for any ouerthrow,
That giuen was to countrie, or to foe,
Yet (loe)(alas)such was his destenie,
Hated by friends, and slaine by trecherie.
Some chiefe, on horsebacke, some on foote did goe,
Neuer the like triumph there was among
Romes conquerours, for any ouerthrow,
That giuen was to countrie, or to foe,
Yet (loe)(alas)such was his destenie,
Hated by friends, and slaine by trecherie.
What mindes haue men in honours seate that sit,
High still to clime, not knowing how soone they may
When dread is least in daungers greatest flit,
And being once fallen, soone wither and decay,
On mightie trees growes sundrie sortes of spray,
Whose rootes turn'd vp, the danger is not small,
Whē tumbling down comes bark, boughs, twigs, & all.
High still to clime, not knowing how soone they may
When dread is least in daungers greatest flit,
And being once fallen, soone wither and decay,
On mightie trees growes sundrie sortes of spray,
Whose rootes turn'd vp, the danger is not small,
Whē tumbling down comes bark, boughs, twigs, & all.
Pompee euen so oreturn'd by cruell fate
By such as should haue him their succour lent,
His friends who loue did beare vnto his state,
Branches, and boughes, firme fixt to him and bent,
Were after ward cut off, scattred, and rent,
As here ensuing shall be shewed in place,
If well you note, this high imperiall chace.
By such as should haue him their succour lent,
His friends who loue did beare vnto his state,
Branches, and boughes, firme fixt to him and bent,
Were after ward cut off, scattred, and rent,
As here ensuing shall be shewed in place,
If well you note, this high imperiall chace.
Cæsar pursued, and into Egypt came
With power great, the king that time in armes,
A quarrell had his sisters pride to tame
Cleopaira, (for shunning future harmes)
On either part there was ofttimes alarmes,
Which to appease, Cæsar did them incite
Fore him t'appeare, as Iudge the cause to right.
With power great, the king that time in armes,
A quarrell had his sisters pride to tame
Cleopaira, (for shunning future harmes)
On either part there was ofttimes alarmes,
Which to appease, Cæsar did them incite
Fore him t'appeare, as Iudge the cause to right.
In that he was Consull of Romane state:
And for before the former king that dyde
Did league contract, (assenting to a rate)
The Senate with, in friend ship to abide:
But th'Egyptians, with disdaine did slide
From this offer, tooke it in great disgrace,
Their king to pleade, before a Consuls face.
And for before the former king that dyde
Did league contract, (assenting to a rate)
The Senate with, in friend ship to abide:
But th'Egyptians, with disdaine did slide
From this offer, tooke it in great disgrace,
Their king to pleade, before a Consuls face.
Whereon in armes they drew them out of hand,
Sought meanes Cæsar, like Pompee to orethrow:
But he withstood them with his warlike band,
In dangers great: yet last did make them know
He Cæsar was, for victorie did blow
Vpon his side, the king dead, he diuided
Egypt in two, and thus it was contriued.
Sought meanes Cæsar, like Pompee to orethrow:
But he withstood them with his warlike band,
In dangers great: yet last did make them know
He Cæsar was, for victorie did blow
Vpon his side, the king dead, he diuided
Egypt in two, and thus it was contriued.
Cleopatra, ioynde with her younger brother,
Should both enioy the state and dignitie,
The one to be as mightie as the other,
Subiects to Rome, euer after to bee:
This done, Cæsar departs, and after hee
Transportes his force, and armie out of hand,
With speed most swift into Affyria land.
Should both enioy the state and dignitie,
The one to be as mightie as the other,
Subiects to Rome, euer after to bee:
This done, Cæsar departs, and after hee
Transportes his force, and armie out of hand,
With speed most swift into Affyria land.
To Pontus next, and there the king orethrew,
Pharnaces nam'de, the sonne of Mythridate,
(Rehearst before) and afterwards he drew
Armenia too, and quieted that state:
With Gallogreece, assigning them a rate.
Cappadoce, Pont, Bythinia also,
Romes league on paine of death not once forgoe.
Pharnaces nam'de, the sonne of Mythridate,
(Rehearst before) and afterwards he drew
Armenia too, and quieted that state:
With Gallogreece, assigning them a rate.
Cappadoce, Pont, Bythinia also,
Romes league on paine of death not once forgoe.
This done, to Rome fast making his returne,
The season cold, in winters shortest dayes:
Desire of rule so made his heart to burne,
Setting a part all manner of delayes,
From Rome, to Scicill Isle, and there not stayes,
But taketh ship and sayles to Afrique coast,
With great desire t'en counter his en'mies hoast.
The season cold, in winters shortest dayes:
Desire of rule so made his heart to burne,
Setting a part all manner of delayes,
From Rome, to Scicill Isle, and there not stayes,
But taketh ship and sayles to Afrique coast,
With great desire t'en counter his en'mies hoast.
Pompees allies: amongst whom, Cato graue
With other moe, had raisde an armie great
To take their parts, king Iuba they doe craue,
Who did consent with them his foote to wet,
In doing of which he was set by his seate:
For Cæsar had ore them the victorie,
The great'st part slaine, the rest away did flie.
With other moe, had raisde an armie great
To take their parts, king Iuba they doe craue,
Who did consent with them his foote to wet,
In doing of which he was set by his seate:
For Cæsar had ore them the victorie,
The great'st part slaine, the rest away did flie.
When Cæsar had ended this chase of warres,
Returning backe, triumphing with great spoyle,
In euery place made peace, and ceast all iarres,
And to his enemies giuen vtter foyle:
To Rome he came, and resting now from toyle,
He triumph had, and did command each where
The world throughout, all nations did him feare.
Returning backe, triumphing with great spoyle,
In euery place made peace, and ceast all iarres,
And to his enemies giuen vtter foyle:
To Rome he came, and resting now from toyle,
He triumph had, and did command each where
The world throughout, all nations did him feare.
Now here behold Romes Empire soueraigne,
Whose fame doth yet continue to this day:
The name of Cæsar still it doth retaine,
And euer shall vntill the worlds decay:
The Scriptures by the Prophets so doe say,
Interpreted by learned clerkes diuine:
But now at height, note how it did decline.
Whose fame doth yet continue to this day:
The name of Cæsar still it doth retaine,
And euer shall vntill the worlds decay:
The Scriptures by the Prophets so doe say,
Interpreted by learned clerkes diuine:
But now at height, note how it did decline.
CAP. 13.
The wounding to death of Iulius Cæsar in the Senate house.
When bloud, when fire, whē slaughter, spoyle & sack,
Throughout the world had run to raise Rome hye,
(Alas) what woe, what miserie, and wrack,
(Vile wretchednes, and torments cruelly
Her Empire causde, causles many to dye)
Through treasons vsde, with subtiltie and craft,
And slye deceits since in the world laft.
Throughout the world had run to raise Rome hye,
(Alas) what woe, what miserie, and wrack,
(Vile wretchednes, and torments cruelly
Her Empire causde, causles many to dye)
Through treasons vsde, with subtiltie and craft,
And slye deceits since in the world laft.
But richly clad in throne Imperiall,
(As Phœbe in skies with maiestie doth shine)
Cæsar did sit, and in his hand the ball,
Or globe did hold, for token or a signe,
(As say he might the world all is mine)
Sole to command, no match or mate had he:
Such was his minde, gaining sole soueraigntie.
(As Phœbe in skies with maiestie doth shine)
Cæsar did sit, and in his hand the ball,
Or globe did hold, for token or a signe,
(As say he might the world all is mine)
Sole to command, no match or mate had he:
Such was his minde, gaining sole soueraigntie.
But here began hate, enuie, and disdaine,
The Monarch new, his greatnes to despise,
His equals late, now vassals, he to raigne
Alone, and they, as base before his eyes:
High minds, secret, the furies made to rise:
Not priuatly pretending of his harmes,
Nor publikely banding with men in armes.
The Monarch new, his greatnes to despise,
His equals late, now vassals, he to raigne
Alone, and they, as base before his eyes:
High minds, secret, the furies made to rise:
Not priuatly pretending of his harmes,
Nor publikely banding with men in armes.
But as he in th'imperiall seate did sit
In parliament, not dreading ought at all,
Pricks forth reuenge, his enemies all fit:
The tree high growne with fatall axe to fall,
Least that his boughs, spred large with shade might thrall
Small vnder trees, and wood that grew him neere,
Purpose pursued, they would no longer beare.
In parliament, not dreading ought at all,
Pricks forth reuenge, his enemies all fit:
The tree high growne with fatall axe to fall,
Least that his boughs, spred large with shade might thrall
Small vnder trees, and wood that grew him neere,
Purpose pursued, they would no longer beare.
Vnto him came in number eight or nine,
Each one a dagger, bodkins some doe say:
What ere, but there, the thred they gan t'vntwine
Of that great webbe, begun so many a day
Before, and now iwoue, begins away
To weare and fret, by piecemeale rag'd and torne,
As at this day base Bashrags doe it scorne.
Each one a dagger, bodkins some doe say:
What ere, but there, the thred they gan t'vntwine
Of that great webbe, begun so many a day
Before, and now iwoue, begins away
To weare and fret, by piecemeale rag'd and torne,
As at this day base Bashrags doe it scorne.
Thus sunke the ship that floted with full saile,
Through stormes stird vp by furies plagues of hell:
Thus worthy Cæsar worlds rule bids alhaile,
Leauing the trumpe of fame, his praise to tell:
His vertue flyes, his name, mongst vs to dwell:
Vpon this globe what glorie more can be.
Vertue, acts, name, left to eternitic.
Through stormes stird vp by furies plagues of hell:
Thus worthy Cæsar worlds rule bids alhaile,
Leauing the trumpe of fame, his praise to tell:
His vertue flyes, his name, mongst vs to dwell:
Vpon this globe what glorie more can be.
Vertue, acts, name, left to eternitic.
CAP. 14.
The fortunate and prosperous raigne of Octauius Augustus Cæsar, in whose time our Sauiour Christ Was borne.
When Summers heat, with parching flames had burnd
The earths fresh coate, deckt sweet by Flora queene,
Whose colours gaye, to russet browne was turnd,
Through drought, fire hot, each pleasant field was seene
Bare backt, deep scortcht with chawnes, in steede of green
Ceres vncrownde, her garland withered ripe,
Pan, haruest home to Swaines, had playd with pipe.
The earths fresh coate, deckt sweet by Flora queene,
Whose colours gaye, to russet browne was turnd,
Through drought, fire hot, each pleasant field was seene
Bare backt, deep scortcht with chawnes, in steede of green
Ceres vncrownde, her garland withered ripe,
Pan, haruest home to Swaines, had playd with pipe.
Fruites falling fast Autum the same did hye,
Cleare dayes began to be o'recast with cloudes,
Turning to mists, and raine descends the skye:
Birds couerts seeke, and beasts together crowdes
Close from the cold, in house by fire shrowdes
The rustique sort, and greater swaynes beside,
Content perforce the winters wrath to bide.
Cleare dayes began to be o'recast with cloudes,
Turning to mists, and raine descends the skye:
Birds couerts seeke, and beasts together crowdes
Close from the cold, in house by fire shrowdes
The rustique sort, and greater swaynes beside,
Content perforce the winters wrath to bide.
Whilst chilling colde with many a bitter blast,
Disroabes the trees, and bating quight the ground,
When Saturne with his cruell lookes doth cast
A mantle thicke, the colour seene and found
White euery where, (but skies blacke) low all round
This globe vpon, and when's depending seene
Trees leau'd with yce, in liew of Sommers greene.
Disroabes the trees, and bating quight the ground,
When Saturne with his cruell lookes doth cast
A mantle thicke, the colour seene and found
White euery where, (but skies blacke) low all round
This globe vpon, and when's depending seene
Trees leau'd with yce, in liew of Sommers greene.
When whistling windes do sheere the tender skinne,
And razor like, piercing, doth make a raze
On seelie creatures, barely clad, and thinne,
Nye staru'de with cold, looking with ruefull grace,
Doe wish the spring to hasten on a pace,
Which doth ensue: when Phœbe warme beames doth show
His force from high, to dying things below.
And razor like, piercing, doth make a raze
On seelie creatures, barely clad, and thinne,
Nye staru'de with cold, looking with ruefull grace,
Doe wish the spring to hasten on a pace,
Which doth ensue: when Phœbe warme beames doth show
His force from high, to dying things below.
Then from his hole the seelie flye doth creepe,
For ioy to feele the warmth approaching nye,
Each creature else, whom winters wrath made weepe,
Reioyce cloudes past, beholding cleere the skye:
Beastes caues, fruites earth, fowles naked bushes flie,
Mounting towards ayre, and all doe seeme to sing,
The sweetest time (of all) is in the spring.
For ioy to feele the warmth approaching nye,
Each creature else, whom winters wrath made weepe,
Reioyce cloudes past, beholding cleere the skye:
Beastes caues, fruites earth, fowles naked bushes flie,
Mounting towards ayre, and all doe seeme to sing,
The sweetest time (of all) is in the spring.
Which season chaunst when Cæsars burning sunne
And haruest toyle, began to end, and drew
both Autumne, and his winter course in one,
Dispoyling him of all his prime gaynd hue,
Octauius spring began the world anew:
So fresh a spring as neuer was before
Vpon the earth, nor euer shall be more.
And haruest toyle, began to end, and drew
both Autumne, and his winter course in one,
Dispoyling him of all his prime gaynd hue,
Octauius spring began the world anew:
So fresh a spring as neuer was before
Vpon the earth, nor euer shall be more.
Cæsar thus slaine, his glory laied downe low,
His force that late did through the world flie,
Ambitious mindes doth point, and as t'were show,
Their vading ioy, when they haue toucht the skie:
Great is their fall, that seeke to climbe on hie,
Restlesse their mindes, besides their bodies toyle,
Consuming time, themselues with cares do spoyle.
His force that late did through the world flie,
Ambitious mindes doth point, and as t'were show,
Their vading ioy, when they haue toucht the skie:
Great is their fall, that seeke to climbe on hie,
Restlesse their mindes, besides their bodies toyle,
Consuming time, themselues with cares do spoyle.
Octauius, who was Cæsars sisters sonne,
(The birth of whom recounted is before)
Such loue belike had of the souldiers wonne,
Of Legions he did gather a great store,
Reuengement of his vncles death he bore
Secret in mind, but seemde, as though that he
Tooke armes to fight, against Marc Antonie.
(The birth of whom recounted is before)
Such loue belike had of the souldiers wonne,
Of Legions he did gather a great store,
Reuengement of his vncles death he bore
Secret in mind, but seemde, as though that he
Tooke armes to fight, against Marc Antonie.
In fauour of the publique state and weale:
But ere t'was long, th'empire did diuide
With him, and Lepidus, they three to deale
In causes all, before them to be tried:
Triumuirates so cald, for to decide
Matters of warre, of peace, contention, strife,
What euer els, concerned goods, or life.
But ere t'was long, th'empire did diuide
With him, and Lepidus, they three to deale
In causes all, before them to be tried:
Triumuirates so cald, for to decide
Matters of warre, of peace, contention, strife,
What euer els, concerned goods, or life.
Marc Antonie at this time bare such sway,
As by his power he gaue commandement,
Marcus Tullius Cicero, for to slay,
Who late in warres with power against him went:
(This same was he that was so eloquent)
But now behold how enuy sowed seede,
Quarrels betweene the Triumuirates to breede:
As by his power he gaue commandement,
Marcus Tullius Cicero, for to slay,
Who late in warres with power against him went:
(This same was he that was so eloquent)
But now behold how enuy sowed seede,
Quarrels betweene the Triumuirates to breede:
For Lepidus, deposde his office fro,
Vpon suspition of some trecherie,
Esteem'd Octauius for his mortall foe:
Reuengde to be, drew to him Antonie,
To Egypt-ward they both in hast did flie,
Where Antonte tooke after vnto wife
Cleopatra, which bred foule hate and strife.
Vpon suspition of some trecherie,
Esteem'd Octauius for his mortall foe:
Reuengde to be, drew to him Antonie,
To Egypt-ward they both in hast did flie,
Where Antonte tooke after vnto wife
Cleopatra, which bred foule hate and strife.
Cupid (blind god) the Romanes heart did wound,
At sight of this Egyptian (stately dame)
Agreeing both, conuenient time was found,
To quench desires heate, and burning flame:
Strange may it seeme to some, the noble fame
These two liu'd in, with honour, wealth at will,
All pleasures sought, their minds for to fulfill.
At sight of this Egyptian (stately dame)
Agreeing both, conuenient time was found,
To quench desires heate, and burning flame:
Strange may it seeme to some, the noble fame
These two liu'd in, with honour, wealth at will,
All pleasures sought, their minds for to fulfill.
Fine sumptuous feastes, delights, with triumpes braue:
What daintie thing was thought on, was not had:
Gold, pearle, stone, attyre, that hart could craue,
Nothing did want, that might their minds make glad,
Sportes were deuisde, t'expell all causes sad,
This life they led: but Antonie to blame
For one part plaid, which wrought his end with shame.
What daintie thing was thought on, was not had:
Gold, pearle, stone, attyre, that hart could craue,
Nothing did want, that might their minds make glad,
Sportes were deuisde, t'expell all causes sad,
This life they led: but Antonie to blame
For one part plaid, which wrought his end with shame.
Octauius sister he had espousde before:
Casting her off, th'egyptian tooke to wife,
Which now at last grew to a canker sore,
A cause that moued Cæsar vnto strife:
When Antonie, amidst this pleasant life
With his rich queene of Egypt wearing crowne:
Dread set apart, fortune began to frowne.
Casting her off, th'egyptian tooke to wife,
Which now at last grew to a canker sore,
A cause that moued Cæsar vnto strife:
When Antonie, amidst this pleasant life
With his rich queene of Egypt wearing crowne:
Dread set apart, fortune began to frowne.
Cæsar his armie into Egypt lead:
Egyptians force the Romanes made to flie,
Hast and away, who fast did runne best sped,
Cleopatra, and her braue Antonie,
Their high estate brought downe by destinie:
Force, and hope, faylde, their welfare to regaine,
Excesse was turn'd, to penurie and paine.
Egyptians force the Romanes made to flie,
Hast and away, who fast did runne best sped,
Cleopatra, and her braue Antonie,
Their high estate brought downe by destinie:
Force, and hope, faylde, their welfare to regaine,
Excesse was turn'd, to penurie and paine.
Recalling both their former liues to count,
Now feeling want, reliefe to them was strange:
No hope againe, vnto their state to mount,
Despaire throughout their sences all did range,
Working vile meanes, their wretched liues to change,
With griefe of which, so nipped both their hartes,
As loathing life, the same to death impartes.
Now feeling want, reliefe to them was strange:
No hope againe, vnto their state to mount,
Despaire throughout their sences all did range,
Working vile meanes, their wretched liues to change,
With griefe of which, so nipped both their hartes,
As loathing life, the same to death impartes.
The Empire sole Octauius then did sway;
Antonie dead, peace through the world was:
Fortie foure yeares, he raigned day by day,
And in the twentith nine, it came to passe
That Iesu Christ, our onely Messias
Was borne, (for vs) of a pure virgine,
Our soules from hell, for to redeeme and winne.
Antonie dead, peace through the world was:
Fortie foure yeares, he raigned day by day,
And in the twentith nine, it came to passe
That Iesu Christ, our onely Messias
Was borne, (for vs) of a pure virgine,
Our soules from hell, for to redeeme and winne.
The Monarch now long resting without warre,
Nation not any durst once striue gainst Romes state,
By sea, or land, neere hand, or yet a farre.
The first that did, were Germanes full of hate,
People that time, louing strife and debate:
But subiects Cæsar brought them vnder yoke,
So fortunate he was, and bare such stroke.
Nation not any durst once striue gainst Romes state,
By sea, or land, neere hand, or yet a farre.
The first that did, were Germanes full of hate,
People that time, louing strife and debate:
But subiects Cæsar brought them vnder yoke,
So fortunate he was, and bare such stroke.
Some say that oft reuoluing in his minde,
The burden great of gouernment he bare,
Determind once, the same to haue assignde
To others, to discharge him of that care:
But priuate being, knew not how t'would fare,
To leade that life might be vnto him strange,
Doubting besides of Romes estate the change,
The burden great of gouernment he bare,
Determind once, the same to haue assignde
To others, to discharge him of that care:
But priuate being, knew not how t'would fare,
To leade that life might be vnto him strange,
Doubting besides of Romes estate the change,
Of noble minde, with vertues fully fraught
Peace to obserue, both liberall, bountie, free
To learned men, who vertue, sought, and taught:
For in his time, most higest in degree
And perfect fine, (it's written for to bee)
The Latin tongue, but now corrupt, vnpure
To that was then, which we haue now in vre.
Peace to obserue, both liberall, bountie, free
To learned men, who vertue, sought, and taught:
For in his time, most higest in degree
And perfect fine, (it's written for to bee)
The Latin tongue, but now corrupt, vnpure
To that was then, which we haue now in vre.
When as the terme of fortie foure yeares
Expired was, Cæsar at vtmost date
Of life, did leaue (as by record appeares)
In quiet peace his high Imperiall state,
A thing (no doubt) ordainde before by fate
So for to be, for good of all mankinde,
As learned clarkes in holy writ doe finde.
Expired was, Cæsar at vtmost date
Of life, did leaue (as by record appeares)
In quiet peace his high Imperiall state,
A thing (no doubt) ordainde before by fate
So for to be, for good of all mankinde,
As learned clarkes in holy writ doe finde.
CAP. 15.
The raigne of Tyberius next Emperour.
Octauius
dead, (whose name Augustus was)
Next did succeed Tyberius to the state,
His sonne adopt, and kinsman in like case:
It's sayd the Senate humbly did him treate,
(Vnwilling for to rule, his braines to beate,)
To take the state on him, at last agreede:
During whose raigne, there chaunst no worthy deede.
Next did succeed Tyberius to the state,
His sonne adopt, and kinsman in like case:
It's sayd the Senate humbly did him treate,
(Vnwilling for to rule, his braines to beate,)
To take the state on him, at last agreede:
During whose raigne, there chaunst no worthy deede.
Which was for profit of the publique wealth:
But left vnto the Senate all the care,
Seeing himselfe in rich estate, and health,
Bent whole his minde to quiet life and fare,
Occasion great th'empire did appaire:
For now both Parthia, Denmarke, Poland, France,
With other moe, against Rome did aduance.
But left vnto the Senate all the care,
Seeing himselfe in rich estate, and health,
Bent whole his minde to quiet life and fare,
Occasion great th'empire did appaire:
For now both Parthia, Denmarke, Poland, France,
With other moe, against Rome did aduance.
Thus may we see when as the floud is full,
It falles againe: so fares all worldly haps,
Fruites first be ripe, before men doe them pull:
In seasons faire, sudden comes thunderclaps:
In midst of ioyes, griefe all our mirth vpwraps:
And now behold of Rome the morning shine,
Past midday marke, begins for to decline.
It falles againe: so fares all worldly haps,
Fruites first be ripe, before men doe them pull:
In seasons faire, sudden comes thunderclaps:
In midst of ioyes, griefe all our mirth vpwraps:
And now behold of Rome the morning shine,
Past midday marke, begins for to decline.
Diuines doe hold, that in the fifteenth yeere
Tyberius raignd, our Sauiour Iesu Christ
Did suffer death, (to make vs sinners cleere,
To dwell with him that sits in throne most highest,
Who helpes vs aye, when dangers we be nighest)
Whose Empire stands, and euer shall endure,
When worlds pompe still fleeteth, neuer sure.
Tyberius raignd, our Sauiour Iesu Christ
Did suffer death, (to make vs sinners cleere,
To dwell with him that sits in throne most highest,
Who helpes vs aye, when dangers we be nighest)
Whose Empire stands, and euer shall endure,
When worlds pompe still fleeteth, neuer sure.
CAP. 16.
The raigne of Caligula.
Caligula.
Tyberius sonne, Caligula so caldeSucceeded next, a most pernicious childe,
Vnto all vice he was a bondslaue thralde,
Most fit to dwell with sauage men and wilde,
A life he led, that wicked was and vilde:
Great heapes of gold, Tyberius in his raigne
Had got, he spent in one yeare, lewd and vaine.
Claudius.
Cl audius next him supposde his vncle, heCame to England, reduc'd againe that land
That did reuolt, from Romanes soueraigntie,
The Britaines did resist him with strong hand:
But be orecame them with his Romane band,
And ere from thence did part, (vnto his fame)
A citie built, and calde it by his name.
Nero.
Next him ensued Nero, when once againe
The Britons bold began to warre anew:
The Romanes they did pill, and put to paine:
In France the Frenchmen also them orethrew:
A mightie wind in many countries blew,
In Syria, and also Armenia,
Their forces most, were beat and shronk away.
The Britons bold began to warre anew:
The Romanes they did pill, and put to paine:
In France the Frenchmen also them orethrew:
A mightie wind in many countries blew,
In Syria, and also Armenia,
Their forces most, were beat and shronk away.
Last out of Spayne old Galba did retire,
Drawne on by Iulius Vindex, who from France
Perswaded him to Cæsars seate aspire,
(See how Ambition mortall minds doe launce)
He was content, though old, (to follow chaunce)
Did march to Rome, vpon whose comming fled
Nero, who was most wretchedly found dead.
Drawne on by Iulius Vindex, who from France
Perswaded him to Cæsars seate aspire,
(See how Ambition mortall minds doe launce)
He was content, though old, (to follow chaunce)
Did march to Rome, vpon whose comming fled
Nero, who was most wretchedly found dead.
Whose storie full at large may well be seene,
In Tacitus in English fine translate,
A worthie present for a King, or Queene,
For noble Peeres, or others of high state:
His praise deseru'd, shall neuer come too late,
Who did so well, in English it reduce
For high degree, to serue for publique vse.
In Tacitus in English fine translate,
A worthie present for a King, or Queene,
For noble Peeres, or others of high state:
His praise deseru'd, shall neuer come too late,
Who did so well, in English it reduce
For high degree, to serue for publique vse.
Where is describ'd Nero his monstrous life:
A common-wealth, and state, in pieces torne:
Where may be seene, what fruites doe come of strife,
How broods of vice, each quiet state doth scorne,
And seeke to ruine: but subiects truly borne
Flye ciuill discord, bringing woes and spoyles:
Most foule are fowles their owne nests that befiles.
A common-wealth, and state, in pieces torne:
Where may be seene, what fruites doe come of strife,
How broods of vice, each quiet state doth scorne,
And seeke to ruine: but subiects truly borne
Flye ciuill discord, bringing woes and spoyles:
Most foule are fowles their owne nests that befiles.
FINIS.
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