The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 2

by Unknown

[ THE FIFTH NOUELL.]

Lvcivs one of the garde to Aristotimvs the Tyrant of the cittye of Elis, fell in loue with a fayre mayden called Micca, the daughter of one Philodemvs, and his cruelty done vpon her. The stoutnesse also of a noble matron named Megistona in defence of hir husbande and the common wealth from the tyranny of the said Aristotimvs: and of other actes done by the subiectes vppon that Tyrant.

You haue heard, or as it were in a manner, you haue beeholden the right images and courteous conditions of two well conditioned persons mutually ech towards other obserued: in the one a Princely mind towards a Noble Gentleman his subiecte: in the other a duetieful obedience of a louing vassal to his soueraigne Lord and Maister: in both of them the true figure of Liberality in liuely orient colours described. Now a contrary plotte, grounded vpon extreame tiranny, is offred to the viewe, done by one Aristotimus and his clawbacks againste his humble subiects of the City of Elis, standyng in Peloponessus, a country of Achaia (which at this tyme we cal Morea.) This Aristotimus of nature was fierce and passing cruell, who by fauour of king Antigonus was made Tyran of that City: and like a Tyran gouerned his countrye by abuse of his aucthority with newe wronges, and straunge crueltyes vexing and afflicting the poore Cityzens and all hys people: which chaunced not so much for that of himself he was cruel and tyrannous, as for that his counsellours and chiefe aboute him were barbarous and vicious men, to whom he committed the charge of his kyngdome and the guarde of his person: but amonges all his mischiefes wrongfully done by him which were innumerable, one committed agaynst Philodemus (the same which afterwarde was the cause of the depriuation of his lyfe and kingdome) is specially remembred. This Philodemus had a daughter called Micca, that not onely for hir chast qualityes and good condicions whiche vertuously flourished in hir but for her extreame and goodly beautye, was in that citty of passing fame and admiration. With this fayre maiden one of the Tyrant’s guarde called Lucius fel in loue, if it deserue to be called loue, and not the rather, as the end ful wel declared, a most filthy and beastly lust: this Lucius was deerly beloued of Aristotemus, for the fiendish resemblance and wicked nerenesse of his vile and abhominable condicions: and therfore feared and obeied as the Tyrante’s owne person: for which cause this Lucius sent one of the yeomen of the kinge’s chamber to commaunde Philodemus at an appoynted hour, al excuses set apart, to bring his daughter vnto him. The parentes of the mayden hearing this sodayne and fearful mesuage, constrayned by Tyrante’s forse and fatal necessity, after many tears and pittious sighes, began to perswade their daughter to be contented to goe with him, declaringe vnto her the rigour of the magistrate that had sente for hir the extremety that would be executed, and that ther was no other remedy but to obay. Alas, how sore agaynst their willes, with what trembling gesture, with what horror the good parentes of this tender pusill were affected, to consider the purpose of that dreadefull message, all dere fathers and naturall mothers can tell. But this gentle mayden Micca which was of nature stoute, and yet vertuously lessoned with sundry good and holsome instructions from hir Infante’s Age was Determined rather to Dye, then to suffer her selfe to be Defloured. This vertuous Mayden fell downe Prostrate at her Father’s Feet, and clasping him fast about the Knees, louingly did pray him, and Pitifully besought him, not to suffer hir to bee haled to so filthy and vile an office, but rather with the piercing blade of a two edged sword to kill her, that therby she might be rid from the violation of those fleshly and libidinous varlets, saying, that if her virginity were taken from hir, she should liue in eternal reproch and shame. As the father and daughter were in these termes, Lucius for the long tariance and delaye, dronke with the Wine of lechery, made impacient and furious, with cursed speede posted to the house of Philodemus, and finding the maiden prostrate at her father’s feete weeping, her head in his lappe with taunting voice and threatning woordes commaunded presently without longer delay she should ryse and go with him: She refusing his hasty request, and crying out for Father’s help, who (God wot) durst not resist, stoode still and would not goe: Lucius seeing hir refusal ful of furie and proude disdaine, began furiously to hale hir by the garments, vpon whose struggling he tare hir kirtle and furnitures of hir head and shoulders, that hir alablaster necke and bosome appeared naked, and without compassion tare and whipte hir flesh on euery side, as the bloud ranne downe, beating that tendre flesh of hirs with manifold and greuous blowes. O vile tirant, more wood and sauage than the desert beast or mountaine Tigre: could cruelty be so deepely rooted in the hart of man which by nature is affected with reason’s instinct, as without pity to lay handes, and violently to hurt the tendre body of a harmlesse Maidee? Can such inhumanity harbor in any that beareth aboute him the shape of man? But what did this martyred maiden for all this force? Did she yeld to violence, or rendre hir self to the disposition of this mercilesse man? No surely. But with so great stoutnesse of mind, she suffred those impressed wounds, that no one word sounding of sorrow, or womanly shriech was heard to sound from hir delicate mouth: howbeit the pore father and miserable mother at that rueful and lamentable sight, moued with inward grief and natural pity, cried out aloude. But when they sawe that neyther playnt nor fayre speech coulde deliuer their Daughter out of the hands of that cruell monster, they began with open cryes and horrible exclamation to implore helpe and succour at the handes of the immortall Gods, thinking that they were vnworthely plaged and tormented. Then the proud and most barbarous wretch, moued and disquieted by cholers rage and fume of chafinge Wyne, sodaynly catched the most constant virgin by the hayre of the head, and in her father’s Lap did cut her white and tender throte. O detestable fact, right worthy iust reuenge. But what did this vnfaythfull and cruell Tyrant Aristotimus, when by the blustering bruit of people’s rage he heard of this vengeable murder, not only he shewed himselfe contented wyth the fact, but had him in greater regard than before, and towards them which made complaint hereof, greater cruelty and mischyefe was done and executed. For in open streat, lyke beastes in the Shambles, they were cut and hewed in peeces, which seemed to murmur at thys bloudy and vnlawfull act: the rest were banished and expelled the cytty. Eight hundred of these exiled persons fled into Etolia (a prouince adioyninge to Epirus, which now is called Albania.) Those people so banished out of theyr country, made instant sute to Aristotimus to suffer Wyues and chyldren to repayre to them: but theyr suite was in vayne, their peticions and supplycations seemed to be made to the deafe, and dispersed into the wyndes: notwithstandinge, within few dayes after, he caused by sound of trumpet to be openly proclaymed, that it should be lawful for the wyues and chyldren of the banished to passe wyth their baggage and furniture to theyr husbands in Ætolia. This Proclamation was exceeding ioyfull to al the women whose husbands were exiled, which at the least by common report were the numbre of 6 hundreds: and for more credite of that Proclamation, the wicked Tyrant did ordayne, that al the company should depart vpon a prefixed day. In the meane time, the ioyful Wyues glad to visit their poore husbands, prepared horse and wagon, to cary theyr prouisions. The appoynted day of their departure out of that City being come, all of them assembled at a certayne gate assygned for their repayre, who that time together resorted with their little children in their hands bearing vpon theyr heads theyr garments and furnitures, some on horseback, and some bestowed in the wagons according as ech of theyr states required: when al things wer in a readinesse to depart, and the gate of the City opened, they began to issue forth. They wer no soner gone out of the City walles, and had left behind them the soile of theyr natiuity, but the Tyrants guard and Sergeants brake vpon them, and before they were approched they cried out to stay and go no further vpon pain of theyr liues. So the pore amazed women, contrarry to the promise of the Tyrant, wer forced to retire. Which sodain countremaund was sorowful and woful vnto the afflicted flock: but there was no remedy, for procede they could not. Then those Termagants and villains caught theyr horse by the bridles, and droue back again theyr wagons, pricking the pore oxen and beasts with theyr speares and Iauelins, that horrible it is to report the tyrany vsed towards man and best, in such wyse as the pore miserable women (God wot) contrary to their desyres, were forced in dispyte of theyr teeth to retourn. Som alack fell of theyr horse wyth theyr little babes in theyr lappes, and were miserably troden vnder the horsefeete, and ouerrun with the wheles of the wagons theyr brains and guts gushing out through the weight and comberance of the cariage, and (which was most pitiful) one of them not able to help an other, and much lesse to rescue theyr yong and tendre sucking babes, the vyle sergeants forcing ech wight with theyr staues and weapons maugre theyr desirous mindes to reenter the City. Many died by the constrained meanes out of hand, many were troden vnder the horsefeete, and many gasping betwene life and death: but the greatest soart of the litle infants were slaine out of hand, and crusht in pyeces: those whych remayned alyue, were commytted to Pryson, and the goods which they caryed wyth them altogyther seased vpon by the tyrant. Thys wycked and cruell facte was most intollerable and greeuous vnto the Cytyzens of Elis, wherevppon the holy dames consecrated to the God Bacchus, adorned and garnyshed wyth theyr pryestly Garments, and bearyng in theyr Handes the sacred mysteryes of theyr God, as Aristotimus was passyng through the Streete garded with hys Souldyers and Men of Warre, wente in processyon to fynde hym oute. The Sergeauntes for the reuerence of those religious women disclosed, and gaue them place to enter in before the Tyrant. He seing those Women apparelled in that guise, and bearing in their hands the sacred Bachanal mysteries, stoode stil, and with silence heard what they could say: but when he knew the cause of their approch, and that they wer come to make sute for the poore imprisoned women, sodainly possessed with a diuelish rage, with horrible hurly burly, bitterly reprehended his garrison for suffering those women to come so neare him. Then hee commaunded that they should be expelled from that place without respect, and condemned euery of them (for their presuming to intreat for such caitiue prisoners) in II. Talents a piece. After these mischiefs committed by the tyrant, Hellanicus one of the pryncipal and best esteemed persons of the City, although that he was decrepite, and for age very weake and feeble, cared not yet to aduenture any attempt what soeuer, so it might extend to the deliuery of his countrey from the vnspeakable tyranny of most cruel Aristotimus. To this gray haired person, bicause he was of aged yeares, void of children which were dead, this Tyrant gaue no great hede ne yet emploied any care, thinking that he was not able to raise any mutine or tumult in the City. In the mean space, the Citizens, which as I haue sayd before, were banished into Etolia, practysed amongs them selves to proue their Fortune, and to seeke al meanes for recouery of their countrey, and the death of Aristotimus: wherfore hauing leuied and assembled certaine bands of Souldiers, they marched forth from their bannished seat, and neuer rested till they had gotten a place hard adioyning to their City, where they might safely lodge, and with great commodity and aduantage besige the same, and expel the tyrant Aristotimus. As the bannished were incamped in that place, many citizens of Elis daily fled forth, and ioyned with them, by reason of which auxiliaries and daily assemblies they grew to the ful numbre of an army: Aristotimus certified hereof by his espials was brought into a great chafe and fury, and euen now began to presage his fall and ruine: but yet meaning to foresee hys best aduantage, went vnto the pryson where the Wyues of the banished were fast inclosed, and bicause he was of a troublesome and tyrannical nature, he concluded with him self rather to vse and intreat those wiues with feare and threates, than with humanity and fayre wordes: being entred the pryson, hee sharpely and wyth great fiercenesse commaunded them to write vnto their husbands that besieged him without, earnestly to persuade them to giue ouer theyr attempted warres: “Otherwyse (sayd he) if ye do not follow the effect of my commaundement, in your own presence I wil first cause cruelly to be slayne al your little Children, tearyng them by piece meale in pieces, and afterwardes I wyll cause you to be whipped and scourged, and so to dye a most cruel and shamefull death.” At which fierce and tyrannycal newes, there was no one woman amongs them that opened theyr mouthes to answer him: the most wycked and vile tyrant seing them to be in such silence, charged them vpon theyr liues to answer what they were disposed to doe: but although they durst not speake a word, yet with silence one beholding eche other in the face, fared as though they cared not for hys threats, more ready rather to dye than to obey his comaundement. Megistona then, which was the wife of Timolion, a matrone aswell for hir husband’s nobility as hir owne vertue, in great regard and estimation, and the chief amongs all the Women, who at his comming in would not rise, but kept her place, nor vouchsafing to doe any reuerence or honor vnto hym, and the like she bad the rest: in this wyse sitting vpon the ground with vnlosed tongue and liberty of speach, stoutly she answered the tyrant’s demaund in this manner: “If there were in thee, Aristotimus, any manly prudence, wisedome, or good discretion, truly thou wouldest not commaund vs poore imprisoned women to write vnto our husbands, but rather suffer vs to goe vnto them, and vse more moderate wordes and myld behauiour, than wherewith of late thou diddest entertaine vs, by scoffing, mocking, and cruelly dealyng with vs, and oure pore children: and if now thou being voyd of all hope, doest seeke to persuade by our meanes likewise to deceiue our husbands, that be come hither to put theyr Lyues in Peryll for our deliveraunce, I assure the thou vainly begilest thy selfe, for wee henceforth do purpose neuer to bee deceyued of the: wee require thee also to thinke and stedfastly beleeue, that our husbands heades bee not so mutch bewitched with Folly, as despysing their Wyves and Chyldren, Neglecting their duetyes towards them, wyll, being in this forwardnesse, abandon their preseruation and geeve ouer the Liberty of theyr countrey: think also that they little esteme or wey the regard of vs, and theyr children, in respect of the great contentation they shal attaine by vnyoking the liberty of theyr countrey from thy pride and intollerable bondage, and which is worst of al, from that tyranny which neuer people felt the like: for if thou were a king as thou art a tyrant, if thou were a Gentleman borne of noble kind as thou arte a slaue, proceding from the deuil, thou wouldest neuer execute thy cursed cruelty against a feble kind, such as women be, and werest thou alone ioyned in singular combat with my valyant and dere beloued husband, thou durst not hand to hand to shew thy face: for commonly it is seene, that the Courtly Ruffyan backed on wyth such mates as he is himself, careth not what attempt he taketh in hand, and stares with hayre vpright, loking as though he would kil the deuyll, but when he is preast to seruyce of the field, and in order to encountre with his Prynce’s foe, vpon the small sway by shocke or push that chaunceth in the fight, he is the first that taketh flyght, and laste that standeth to the face of hys ennimy. Such kind of man art thou, for so long as our husbands wer farre of, absent fro theyr Country, not able to rid vs from thy thral, thou wroughtest thy malyce then against theyr wyues at home, doyng the greatest cruelty towardes them and theyr suckyng babes, that euer deuyl could do vpon the damned sort, and now thou seest them arriued here vnder our country walles, thou flyest and seekest help at women’s hands, whose power if it serued them according to their willes, would make thee tast the fruit of thy commytted smart.” And as she would haue proceded further in hir liberal talk, the Caytife tyrant not able to abyde any further speach, troubled beyond measure, presently commaunded the litle child of hir to be brought before him, as though immediatly he would haue killed him, and as his seruants sought him out, the mother espied him playing amongs other children, not knowinge for his small stature and lesse yeres, wher he was becom, and calling him by his name, said vnto him: “My boy, come hither, that first of al thou mayst lose thy life, to feele the proufe and haue experience of the cruel tyranny wherin we be, for more grieuous it is to me to see the serue against the nobility of thy bloud, than dismembred and torn in pieces before my face.” As Megistona stoutly and vnfearfully had spoken those words, the furious and angry tyrant drew forth his glistring blade out of the sheath, purposing to have slaine the gentlewoman, had not one Cilon the familiar freend of Aristimus stayd his hand, forbidding him to commit an act so cruel. This Cilon was a fayned and counterfayt frend of the tyrant, very conuersant with other his familiar frends, but hated him with deadly hatred, and was one of them that with Hellanicus had conspired against the tyrant. This gentleman then seeinge Aristotimus wyth so great fury to waxe wood agaynst Megistona, imbraced him, and sayd, that it was not the part of a gentleman proceeding from a Race righte honourable, by any meanes to imbrue hys Handes in Woman’s bloud, but rather the signe and token of a cowardly knyght, wherfore he besought him to stay his hands. Aristotimus persuaded by Cilon, appeased his rage, and departed from the imprisoned women. Not long after, a great prodige and wonder appeared in this sort: before supper the tyrant and his wyfe withdrue themselues into their chamber, and being there, an Egle was seene to soare ouer the tyrante’s palace, and being aloft, by little and little to descend, and letting fal from her tallands a huge and great stone vpon the top of that chamber, with clapping wings and flying noyse soared vp againe, so far as she was cleane out of sight from them that did behold hir. With the rumor and shouts of those that saw this sight, Aristotimus was appalled, and vnderstanding the circumstance of the chaunce, hee sent for his diuine to declare the signification of this Augurye, which greatly troubled his minde. The Southsayer bad him to be of good chere, for that it did portend the great fauour and loue which Iupiter bare vnto him. But the prophet of the City whom the Cytizens had wel tryed and proued to be faithfull and trusty, manifested vnto them the great daunger that hong ouer the tyrant’s head, sutch as the lyke neuer before. The confederats which had conspired wyth Hellanicus, made great speede to prosecute theyr enterprise, and the next night to kil the tyrant. The very same night Hellanicus dreamed that he saw his dead sonne to speak vnto him these woords: “What meane you father this long tyme to sleepe, I am one of your sonnes whom Aristotimus hath slayne, know you not that the same day you attempt your enterpryse, you shalbe captaine and prince of your country?” By this vision Hellanicus confirmed, he rose bytimes in the morninge, and exhorted the conspirators that day to execute the benefit of their country. That time Aristotimus was certified how Craterus the Tyrant of another Citty, with a great army, was comming to his ayde agaynst the Banished people of Elis, and that hee was arriued at Olympia, a Citty betweene the mount Ossa, and the mountayne Olympus. With whych newes Aristotimus beinge incouraged, thought already that he had put to flight and taken the banished persons, which made him to aduenture hymselfe abroade wythout Guard or garrison, accompanied only wyth Cilon and one or two of his familiar frendes, the very same time that the conspiratours were assembled to do the facte. Hellanicus seeing the time so conuenient to deliuer his beloued countrey by the death of the traiterous tirant, not attending any signe to be geuen to his companions (although the same was concluded vpon) the lusty old man liftinge vp his handes and eyes vnto the heauens, with cleare and open voyce cried out to his companions and sayd: “Why stay yee, O my Cityzens and louinge countrymen, in the face of your Citty to finish this good and commendable act?” At whych words, Cilon was the first which with his brandishing blade killed one of those that wayted vpon the Tirant. Thrasibulus then and Lampidus assayled Aristotimus, vpon whose sodayne approche, he fled into the Temple of Iupiter, where hee was murdred with a thousand wounds vpon his body, accordingly as he deserued. He beinge thus deseruedly slayne, his body was drawen vp and down the streetes, and proclamation of liberty sounded vnto the people: whereunto ech Wyght assembled, amonges whom the imprisoned Women also brake forth, and reioysed with their countrey deliuerers of that egregious enterprise, by fires and bankets outwardly disclosinge their exceedinge great ioy wythin, and in mid of their mirth the people in great thronges and companies ranne to the Tyrant’s Palace, whose Wyfe hearinge the people’s noyse, and certified of her husband’s death, inclosed her selfe in a chamber with her two daughters, and knowinge how hatefull she was vnto the Citizens, with a fastned cord vpon a beame she hong hir selfe. The chamber dores being broke open, the people viewed the horrible sight of the strangled Lady, wherewithall not mooued they tooke the two tremblinge Daughters of the Tyrant, and caryed them away, purposinge to Rauish and Violate the same, firste to saciate their lust with the spoyle of theire virginitye, and afterwardes to kyll them (those gentlewomen were very beautiful and mariageable) and as they were about to do that shamefull deede, Megistona was told thereof, who accompanied with other Matrons sharpelye rebuked theire furye sayinge: that vncomely it were for them which sought to establishe a ciuill state, to do such a shameles act as tyrant’s rage would scarce permit. Vpon that noble matron’s auctoritye and interception, they ceassed from their filthy fact: and then the woman tooke the virgins out of the people’s handes, and brought them into the chamber where there strangled mother was. And vnder standing howe it was decreede that none of the tyrante’s bloude should rest a liue: shee turned her face to the two yonge gentlewomen and sayde: “The chiefest pleasure which I can do vnto you, resteth in this choyse, that it shall be lauful for eyther of you to chose what kind of death you list, by knyfe or halter, if you wil to dispatch your liues from the headles peoples greatter fury, vppon whose two whyte and tender bodyes if they do seaze the goddes do knowe and we do feare the cruelty and great abuse which they do mean to vse, I thinke not for despyte of you, but for the iust reuenge of your most cruell father’s actes, for the tyrannous life of whom the goddes do thunder downe the boltes of their displeasure, afflicting his nearest blood and bestbeloued wyfe and children, with vengeance poured from heauens.” Vppon the sentence of this the fatall ende, the elder mayden of the twayne vnlosed a gyrdle from her middle, and began to tye the same to hang hir selfe, exhorting her yonger sister to do the lyke: and in any wise to beware by sparing of her life, to incur the beastly rage of the monstruous people, which cared not to do ech vile and filthy act, vnworthy theyr estate. The yonger sister at those wordes, layd handes vpon the fastened corde, and besought hir right earnestly first of al to suffer hir to die. Wherevnto the elder aunswered: “So long as it was lawfull for me to liue, and whiles we led our princely time in our father’s courte, and both were free from enimie’s danger, all things betwene vs two were common and indifferent, wherefore the gods forbid (that now the gates of death be opened for vs to enter, when with the Ghostes of our deere Parentes our soules amids the infernall fieldes be predestined to raunge and wander) that I shoulde make denyall of thy request. Therfore goe to good sister mine, and shrink not when thou seest the vgly face of her, that must consume vs all: but yet (dere sister) the deadly sight of thee before my selfe, will breede to me the woe and smart of double death.” When she had so sayd, she yelded the coller to her sister, and counselled hir to place the same so neere the necke bone as shee could, that the sooner the halter’s force might stop her breath. When the vnfearefull yonger sister was dead, the trembling hands of the dredlesse elder maid vntied the girdle from her neck, couering in comely wise her senselesse corps. Then turning hir self to Megistona, she humbly prayd hir not to suffer their two bodies to be seene naked, but so sone as she could, to bury them both in one Earthly graue, referring the frutes of their virginity to the mould wherof they came. When she had spoken these wordes, without any stay or feare at all, with the selfe same corde she strangled herselfe and so finished her fatal dayes. The guiltlesse death of which two tender maydes there was none of the citizens of Elis (as I suppose) so stonye hearted and voyde of Nature’s force, ne yette so wrothe agaynst the tyrant father, but did lament, as wel for the constant stoutenes and manner of their death, as for their maydenlyke behauiour and right honest petitions made to that noble matrone Megisthona, who afterwardes caused the other dames to bury those two bodyes in one graue. O how happy and famous had these two sisters bene, if they had not bene the daughters of so wicked and cruell a father? But parentes offence or childrens trespas ought not to deface the vertuous dedes of their posterity.

[ THE SIXTH NOUELL.]

The maruaylous courage and ambition of a gentlewoman called Tanaqvil, the Queene and wife of Tarqvinivs Priscvs the fift Roman king, with his persuasions and pollicy to hir husbande for his aduauncement to the kingdom, her lyke encouragement of Servivs Tvllivs, wherein also is described the ambition of one of the II. daughters of Servivs Tvllivs the sixt Roman king, and her cruelty towards her owne natural father: with other accidents chaunced in the new erected common welth of Rome, specially of the last Romane king Tarqvinivs Svperbvs, who with murder atteined the kingdome, with murder maynteined it, and by the murder and insolent lyfe of his sonne was with al his progeny banished.

Ancus Marcius beynge the fourthe king (after Romulus the first builder of that Cittye) there came to dwell in Rome one Lucumo, a lusty gentleman, ryche and desirous of honour, who determined to continue his habitation there. The same Lucumo was the son of one Demaratus, a Corinthian, that for sedition fled his owne countrye, and dwelt in Hetruria amonge the stocke of the Tarquines: and after he was maried he begat II. sons, one of them was this Lucumo, and the other was called Aruns. Lucumo was heire to his father, for that Aruns died before leauing his wife gret with child, the father not knowing that his daughter in law was with child, gaue nothing in his wil to his nephew: for which cause the child was called Aruns Egerius . Lucumo being the sole heire of his father, maried a noble woman named Tanaquil, and bicause the Thuscans could not abide to see a straunger grow to abundance of welth and authoritie, shee despised hir owne countrey rather than she would suffer her husband in any wise to be dishonoured. Wherfore she deuysed to forsake the Tarquinians and to dwel at Rome, where she thoughte among that honourable sorte and new erected state that her husband beyng stout and valiant should attayne some place of resiaunce. For she shall be called to remembrance that Tatius the Sabine, Numa borne of the stocke of Curetes and Ancus, broughte forthe by a Sabine woman all straungers, did rayne and became noble and mightye. Thus ambicion and desire of honoure easily doth perswade any deuyse: wherfore carying with them all their substance they repaired to Rome. It chaunced when they came to Ianiculum, as he and his wife were sitting in a Wagon, an Eagle hooueringe hir wings ouer Lucumo, sodenly toke away his Cappe, which don she soared ouer the Wagon with great force, then she retourned againe, as though he had bene commaunded by some Celestyall prouidence, and aptly placed his cappe againe vpon his head, and then soared away vp into the element. Tanaquil conceiuing this act to be some Augurie or Prophecie, being cunning in that knowledg (as commonly all the people of Hetruria be) imbraced hir husband and willed him to be of good cheere and to expect great honour. And as they were ymagining and consulting vpon these euentes, they entred the City, and when they had gotten a house for him and his family, he was called Tarquinius Priscus. His riches and great welth made him a noble man amonges the Romanes, and through his gentle entertainment and curteous behauioure, he wanne the good willes of many, in so much as his fame and good reporte was bruted through out the pallace. At length he grew in acquaintance with the king him selfe, who seeing his liberall demeanor and duetifull seruice, esteemed him as one of his familiar and nere frends, and both in his warres and also at home he imparted to him the secrets of his counsell, and hauing good experience of his wisedom, by his laste will and testament appointed him to be tutor of his children. Ancus raigned XXIIII. yeres, a man in peace and Warre, in pollicy and valiance with any of his predecessours comparable: his children were very yong, and for that cause Tarquinius was more instant to summon a parliament for creation of a kyng. When the day was come he sente the young children abroade a huntyng, and then ambiciously presumed to demaunde the kyngdome, beinge the first that euer attempted the like. For the better conciliation and obteynyng of the peoples good will, hee vttered his oration: “I do not presume to require a straunge or newe thynge: that was neuer before put in practyse, nor yet am the first, but the third stranger and foraine borne that affected and aspired this gouernment: for which consideration there is no cause why any man ought to muse or maruell more than behoueth. It is euidently knowen that Tatius, not onely being a stranger but also an ennemy, was made king. Numa also was made king, being altogether a Forraine and Stranger borne, not through his owne request, but rather voluntarily accited and called thereunto by the Romaynes: but for my parte, after I was able to gouerne my selfe, I repayred to dwell at Rome with my Wyfe, my Children, and all my substance, where I haue spent the chiefest portion of my lyfe, specially after it was mature and able to execute ciuile magistery, which I chose rather to bestowe at Rome than at home in myne owne country. I haue learned the Romane rites and lawes, aswell sutch as be meete to serue abroade in the warres, as also necessary to be practised at hoame, at the handes of mine olde maister Ancus Martius your late king, a mayster right worthy and famous in all poynctes to bee followed: I shewed myselfe an humble and obedient subiect to the kyng and in frendship and familiarity toward others, I contended with the kyng himselfe.” When he had spoken those woordes, which in deede were very true, wyth the whole consent of the people he was saluted kynge: and as all thynges succeeded his Noble request, euen so after hee was settled in hys kyngdome, hee gaue himselfe to amplifie the common wealth: he chose an hundred graue persons, whych he called the Fathers of the lesser Countryes. He warred first with the Latines, and wan the Citty of Appiolas, who bryngyng from thence a greater spoyle and booty than was looked for, ordayned richer and more gorgeous Playes than any of hys predecessours: hee buylded certayne Galleries and other places of assembly aboute the Forum, hee walled the City round about wyth Stone: and as he was doing these things, the Sabines interuented him vpon the sodayne, in so much as they were passed the Ryuer of Anienes before the Romane hoste was in a readynesse: whych was an occasion of great feare and styrre at Rome. In the ende after the battayles were ioyned betweene them both, a cruell and blouddy slaughter was commytted, the victorye falling to neyther parte. Then the Romanes sought meanes to renue theyr force, by addyng to theyr armye a further bande of horsemen. Wherefore Tarquinius sent to the Rammenses, Titienses, Luceres: to the bandes that Romulus had conscribed, hee added other new troupes of horsemen, purposing that the same should contynue in memorye of him after hys death: and bicause Romulus dyd the same without aduyse of the Southsayers, one Accius Nauius, the notablest Prophecier in those Dayes, wythstode that constitutyon, affyrmyng that it was not lawfull for him eyther to appoynt a newe order or to alter the olde, except the byrdes and auguries did assent thereunto: wherewith the kynge was displeased and deluding that Scyence, said: “Go to M. Southsayer: tell me now” (quod he) “is it possible to bring that to passe which I haue now conceiued in my mynd?” “Yea,” quod the Southsayer, “if you tel me what it is.” “Then” quod Tarquinius, “I haue deuised that thou shalte pare thine owne skin with a raser: therfore take thys knyfe and doe as thy byrdes doe portend and signifie.” And as it was reported he pared his owne Skin in deede: in memory whereof an Image of Accius was erected, with his Head couered: after that tyme there was nothing attempted without those auguries. Notwithstandyng, Tarquinius proceeded in hys constytutyon, and added to the Centurias an other number, for that 1800 horsemen wer conteyned in the three Centuriæ: the latter addytion was called also by the same name, whych afterward were doubled into VI. Centurias. When hys Numbre was thus increased, once again he ioyned battell wyth the Sabines, who by a notable pollicy recouered a great victory: and bicause the Sabines doubled a fresh onset without any order of battell or good aduysement, they were ouerthrowen, and then constrained to make petition for peace: the City of Collatia, and the Country confining vpon the same, was taken from the Sabines. The Sabine warres beinge in this sorte ended, Tarquinius in tryumphaunt maner retourned to Rome. At that time a prodyge and myraculous wonder chaunced to bee seene in the Palace. The head of a Chyld whose name was Seruius Tullius lying a slepe in the palace, was seene to burn. The kyng was brought to see that myracle: and as one of his seruaunts was going to fetch water to quench the fire, he was stayed by the Queene, who commaunded that the child should not once be touched vntyll he awaked of hymselfe: and so soone as hee rose from sleepe, the fire vanyshed: then she tooke hir husbande aside, and sayd: “Doe you see this Chyld whom we haue very basely and negligently brought vp? I assure you sir (sayd she) he wil be the onely safeguard and defender of this our doubtfull state, and will be the preseruer of our household when it is afflycted: wherefore let vs make much of him, that is lyke to be the ornament and a worthy stay to all our famyly.” After that they had accompted him amongs the Number of theyr Chyldren, and traded him vp in those Arts, which excyte all good dispositions to aspyre vnto houour, the pleasure of the Gods appeared in shorte tyme: for the child grew to a royall behauior, in so much, as among all the Romane youth there was none more mete to mary the daughter of Tarquinius. This Seruius Tullius, was the sonne of one Seruius Tullius that was a Captaine of a towne called Corniculum, at the apprehension whereof, it chaunced that the sayd Tullius the father was slayne, leauing his wife great with child: the mother being a captiue and bondwoman was delyuered of hir Child at Rome, in the house of Priscus Tarquinius. After Tarquinius had raigned 38 yeres, the yong man began to grow to great honor and estimation, aswell with the kinge himselfe, as also with the Fathers. Then the Romanes conceiued a hateful indignation against the king, for that he being put in trust to be the tutor and gouernour of Ancus children, displaced them from theyr ryght inheritance, and specially for that he himself was a stranger, fearyng also that the kingdome should not return again to the election of themselues, but degenerat and grow into seruile bondage. They also caled to remembrance, that the city continued one hundred yeres after the sublation of Romulus, an intier kingdome within one city, and that it was a shame for them to suffer a bondeman, borne of seruile kind, to possesse the same, and would redounde to their perpetuall ignominie, hauing the progenie of Ancus aliue, to suffer the same to be open to strangers, and bondmen: wherefore they determined to defend the griefe of that iniury, and to be reuenged rather vpon Tarquinius, than upon Seruius. In fine, they committed the execution of that fact to two shepherds chosen out for that purpose: who deuised this pollicy: before the entry into the Palace they fell togyther by the eares, vpon whych fray al the kinge’s officers assembled and repaired thither to know the cause of theyr falling out, when they were parted, they appealed to the king, with such exclamation as they were heard to the Palace: beyng called before the king, both of them fell to brauling, and one of them striued of purpose to hinder the tale of the other. The king’s sergeant rebuked them, commaunding them to tel theyr tales in order: when they were a lyttle quieted, one of them beginneth to discourse the tale. And as the king was attentife to heare the plaintif, the other tooke vp a hatchet and threw it at the kyng, and leauing thee weapon stickinge in the wound, they conueyed theymselues out of the dores. Those that wayted vpon the kynge, made hast to releeue him, and the Sergeantes followed to apprehend the malefactors. Wyth that a hurly burly rose amongs the people, euery man maruellinge what the matter shoulde be. Tanaquil commaunded the Palace Gates to be shut, and seeketh remedy to cure her husband, as though some hope fayled of his recouery, she called Seruius before her (whych maried her daughter) and shewed vnto him her dead husband, holdinge him fast by the right hande, shee intreated hym that he would not suffer the death of his father in the law to be vnreuenged, to the intent he might not be ridiculous to the traytours, saying to him further these wordes: “If thou bee a man of thy handes (O Seruius) the kyngdome is thyne and not theirs, which thus cruelly by the handes of other haue committed thys abhominable fact: wherefore put forth thy self, and the Gods be thy guide: for they did portend this noble head to be the gouernour of this city, at such tyme as they circumfused the same with a fire descending from aboue. Let that heauenly flame excite thy courage: be throughly awaked: we beyng straungers sometimes haue raigned. Thinke and consider what thou art, and not from whence thou camest: if the strangenesse of the case do affray the, my counsel from time to time shall relieue thee.” The cry and stirre of the people being vnmesurable, that one could scarse heare an other, Tanaquil opened the windowes that had their prospect to the new way (for the king dwelt at the temple of Iupitor Stator) and then spake to them in thys wyse: “Be of good cheere (good people) the king is but amazed with the sodainesse of the stroke, the wound is not very deepe, for euen nowe he is come agayne to hym selfe, and the wounde being opened and dressed there is good hope of life: I trust within these fewe dayes you shall see hym: in the meane time, I pray you to shewe your obedyence to Seruius Tullius, who is appointed to execute the lawes, and to doe all other affayres in the absence of my husbande.” Seruius occupyinge the state and authoritye of the kyng, executed the lawes in some cases, and in other some made the people beleue that he would consult with the king him selfe. The death of the king was concealed and kept close a certaine space til such tyme as Seruius had gathered his force about him. After the death of the kynge was disclosed, Seruius beinge garded with a strong garrison, toke vpon him to be king, not by the consente of the people, but by the will of the Fathers. The children of Ancus vnderstanding that the kyng was aliue, and that Seruius power and force was greate, conveyed themselues in exile to Suessa Pometia: and leaste the children of Tarquinius should attempte lyke enterpryse against him, as the children of Ancus did agaynst Tarquinius, hee maryed II. of his daughters to Lucius and Aruns the chyldren of Tarquinius. But yet the deuise of man could not breake the necessity of fate and constellatyon, for the hatred conceiued in desire of ambicious gouernment, made all thyngs vnstable and vnfaythfull amongs domestical frends: but yet to quyet and pacyfye the present tyme, warre was renued with the Veientes, and other Cytyes of Hetruria: wherein the Fortune and valiance of Tullius excelled: for when he had given an ouerthrow to the ennimy, least the people’s and fathers good wil should be withdrawne, he retourned to Rome: who then attempted and broughte to passe a notable worke in the common wealth. He instituted a certaine yerely taxe and reuenew, to satisfie and discharge all charges susteined in the time of peace and warre, with sundry other notable lawes and deuises for the defence of the publique state. After that he had mustered the whole numbre of the Citizens in the field called Martius, the same amounted to LXXX.M. and as Fabius Pictor saith, there were so many that were able to beare armure. Then the hilles Quirinalis, Viminalis and Exquiliæ, were added to the Citye. He compassed the town round about wyth a vamure, enuironyng the same with a double trench. He deuyded the Romanes into V. bandes called Classes, and into Centurias, whych bee bandes of an hundred men. He also builded a temple to Diana, with the helpe and assistance of the Latine people. Amongs the Sabines there chaunced an Oxe in the House of an Husbande Man to bee broughte forth, of an huge bignesse and maruellous shape (the hornes whereof were placed at the porche of Diana’s temple for a monument long time after.) The Southsayers prophecie that where the same Oxe shoulde be first sacrificed to Diana, there the Chyefe empire and principall gouernement should remaine: which prophecie came to the knowledge of the Chyefe minister of Diana hir Temple. One of the Sabin’s expecting for a day mete to be employed in that sacrifice, brought the sayde Oxe to Rome to the Temple of Diana, placing the same before the altar. The chiefe Minister calling to remembrance the oracle, and saw that the greatnesse of that sacrifice should be famous, spake to the Sabine these wordes: “What dost thou meane (thou impure Straunger) to prepare sacrifice to Diana, before thou bee purified and clensed in the lyuelye Riuer of Tiber? Here belowe in this valley the sayde riuer doth runne: go get the hence and wash the.” The Sabine attached with a religious feare, goeth downe to the Riuer, and while he is washing himselfe a Romane doth offer the Sacrifice, which was right acceptable both to the kyng and his country. The king althoughe that of longe tyme he had raigned, yet vnderstoode that the elder Tarquinius which was maried to one of his daughters, did bragg and report eftsones that his father in law obteined the gouernment and kingdom without the consent of the people: wherfore the king through his lyberalyty by dyuyding the conquest atchyeued of the Ennymye amongs the common people, conciliated theyr fauor and good wils: in so much as he affirmed that he would raign in despite of them all, and that there was no king at any tyme that raigned with a more generall consent: all whych did nothing diminish the hope and desire of Tarquinius. He had a Brother whose name was Aruns, being of a quiet and gentle disposition. Both they married two of the king’s daughters, which were of manners and conditions very vnlike. The yonger daughter being the wife of Aruns, the sharper shrewe, and fiercer of nature, seeing that hir husbande was nothing giuen or plyant to match with hir vngracious deuice or ambicious stomack, attempted hir brother, whose condicion was correspondent to hirs, and sayd vnto him, that he was a Man in deede, and one worthy to be accompted to be borne and proceede of the bloud Royall. Then she began to contemne hir sister, for that she hauing such a man to hir husbande, would suffer him to neglect so meete and iust occasion for recouery of the kingdom. Their natures being of one disposition, as commonly one myschyefe procureth an other, al things began to be disquieted throughe the attempt of that vngracious woman. To be shorte, they two deuysed meanes, that Aruns hys Brother, and the Elder Tullia hir sister were slain: which done, they two maried together. The wicked woman ceased not daylye to animate and prouoke hir husbande from one parricide to an other. And amongs all hir wicked talke and cruel instigations, she vsed these words: “If thou be that man vnto whom I thinke I am maryed, then I wil call the both husband and king: but if thou bee not hee, then the alteratyon is chaunged to the worse, and cruelty is matched with cowardise. But why doest thou not put thy selfe in a readinesse? Why thou commest not nowe from Corinthe, or from the Hetrurian Tarquines, to atchieue and conquere newe kingdoms as thy father did. The familiar Gods and the Gods of thy countrey, the nobility of thy father, and thy royal bloud, thy stately seate within thine own house, and thy name Tarquinius, do create and make kyng. But if in al these occasions thou dost wante stomacke, why dost thou make the whole Citye conceyue a false opinion of thee? Why dost thou not shewe thyselfe to be the sonne of a king? Auoide hence I say, and go to the Tarquinians, or to Corinth, retire again to thy firste lynage: thou dost rather resemble thy brother’s effeminate hart, than the valiant stomacke of thy father.” With these wordes and sutch like, she pricked forward hir husbande, and she hir self could in no wise bee quiet. Then Tarquinius went forth to the fathers of the lesser countries, and called to theyr remembraunce the benefites vnto them by hys father extended, desiring the like to bee shewed and rendered vnto hym, he allured the yonger sort of the City by giftes and other lyberall rewardes, promising them if he atteined his purpose, more frankly to recompence them. By this meanes the king became odious and offensiue to the people. Tarquinius seeing his time, guarded with a bande of Men, entred the market place, wherewith the common people were greatly abashed, then he mounted into the palace, and placed himselfe in the royal seate of the same, causinge the Fathers to be cited before hym by the haraulde, vnto whom he repeted the petigree of Seruius, and his first entrance into the kingdom. As he was speaking these wordes, Seruius in great haste repayred to the Palace, and findyng Tarquinius sitting in his place, sayd to him these wordes: “Why? what is the matter Tarquinius (quod he?) Howe darest thou be so bolde so long as I am liuing to call the Fathers, or yet presume to sit in my seat?” Wherunto Tarquinius fiercely replyed: “That hee possessed but the roume of his father, which was more mete for a king’s sonne and heyre, than for suche a bondeman as hee was, and that hee had long enough abused his lordes and maisters.” Wherwithal a great hurly burly and tumult began to rise by the fautors of both parts, so that he was like to attaine the Garland, which best could daunce for it. Tarquinius forced to giue the laste aduenture, beynge more lusty and stronger than the other, tooke Seruius by the myddle, and caryinge hym oute of the Courte, threwe hym downe the Staires, whyche done, hee caused the Senate to retourne into the Palace. Then the kynge wyth all hys trayne of Offycers, and other hys seruaunts ranne away, and as they were flying, hee was slayne by those that Tarquinius sent after to pursue hym, in the streete called Cyprius. Tullia vnderstandyng that Seruius hyr father was slayne, she bashed not in hir Wagon to come into the market place before all the assemblye there, called hir husband out of the Court, and boldly was the first that called him king. But being rebuked and commaunded by him to auoid out of that greate throng of people, she retired home agayn, and when she was paste the vpper ende of the said strete called Cyprius, the wagoner dryuing toward the right hand to the Hill called Exquiliæ, hee stayed the Wagon, and shewed his Ladye the bodye of hyr Father, lyinge starke dead in the streete. In memory of which shamefull and vnnatural fact, long tyme after ther contynued a Monument: for the same strete was called Vicus Sceleratus. Some report that she caused the wagon to be dryuen ouer the dead corps of hir father, wyth the bloud of whom and hir husband, hir wagon being contaminated, she presented the same to hir Gods: after which abhominable beginnings, like end ensued. This Seruius Tullius raigned XLIIII. yeres. Then Tarquinius began to raigne, vnto whom Superbus was added for his surname: this wicked sonne in law would not suffer the dead body of Seruius to be buried. His conscience being pricked with the abhominable gaine of hys kyngdom, fearying also least other might conceiue like example, he guarded his person with a band of armed men, executing all thinges wyth force and tyranny, contrary to the aduyse and consents of the Senate and people. He caused the fautors and frendes of Seruius to be put to death, whereby the numbre of the Fathers was diminished, whose places he suffred none other to supply, of purpose to bring that honourable order to contempt. He gouerned the common welth by his own domestical and priuate Counsel: War, peace, truce, society of the Cyties adioining, he vsed as he list, without any further assent. The Latines he specially regarded, to the intent that through forreine aide hee might raign in more surety at home, with the chief of which country he ioyned affinity. One Octauius Manilius, a Tusculan born, was the prince and chief ruler of that country, descending from the stock of Vlisses, and the Goddesse Circes, if the same be true, vnto whom Tarquinius gaue his daughter in mariage: by reason wherof he conciliated great alliance and frendes. Tarquinius beinge of great authority among the Latines, appointed them vppon a day to assemble at a woode called Ferentina, there to intreat of matters concerninge both the states. To which place the Latines repaired vpon the breake of the day, but Tarquinius came not thither till the Sunne was set. During whych time many things were in talke. There was one amonges them called Turnus Herdonius, whych in Tarquinius absence had inueyed vehemently agaynst hym, affirminge that it was no maruell though he was called Superbus by the Romanes. For what prouder mock could be inforced to the Latines, than to make them wayt a whole day for his pleasure. “Dyuers Princes and Noblemen (quod he) that dwel far of, be come according to the appointment, and he which first allotted the day, is not present. Heereby it most euidently appeareth in what sort he will vse vs if he myghte once attayne the soueraynty. And who doubteth in thys so manyfest apparance, but that he went about to affect the Dominion of the Latines? If the Romanes haue had iust cause to beleeue him, and if their Kyngdome had ben but gotten and not violently rapt and stolne by parricide, then the Latines mighte also beleeue hym, who being but a straunger to them, had no great cause to beleeue hym. Hys owne subiects do repent the time that euer he bare rule: For some be slayne and heaped vpon the dead bodies of other, some be banished, some haue lost their goods: what other frutes than these maye the Latine people expecte and look for? Therefore if they would be ruled, he required euery man to returne home to his own house, and geue no more attendaunce for the day of Counsel, than he doth which first appoincted the same.” These wordes and sutch like, this sedicious and desperat man declared: Whose talke Tarquinius interuented, and vpon his comming euery man conuerted him selfe to salute him. Then Tarquinius began to excuse his long tariaunce, for that he was appoynted an arbitrator betwene the father and the sonne, for whose reconciliation he was forced to stay that longe space, and to spend the time of that day. Wherefore he appoynted the next day. The conceit of which excuse Turnus could not kepe secret, but sayd: that a matter betwene the father and the sonne might be ended in few wordes: for if the childe would not be obedient to his father, some mischyef must needes lyght vppon him. Tarquinius vnderstanding these inuections made againste hym by Turnus, immediatly deuyseth meanes to kil him, to the intent he myght inculcate like terror to the Latines, that he did to his owne subiects. And bicause he was not able to sort his purpose to effect by secrete malice, he attempted to accuse him of Treason, and suborned (by means of diuers of the Citty of Aricia) his owne man whom with gold he had corrupted to bring in a forged accusation, whych was that his maister had prepared in one night a number of men with Munition and weapon to distroy the Nobility of the Latines, of purpose to recouer the principalitye of the same. This matter began to be suspicious, by reason of the Tumult made the day beefore against Tarquinius, and therefore the people the soner did credit the case. In fine, Turnus was condempned, and therefore a new kind of death deuised for him. Who being laide vpon a Hurdle his face vpward, was throwen into the water of Ferrentina. This execution being done Tarquinius reuoked the Latines to Counsel, wherein he praised them for their Iustice extended vpon Turnus, and then spake these wordes: “I may by an old order and constitution iustlye say thus mutch vnto you. The whole nation of the Latines descending from the City of Alba are bounde to obserue that truce which the Albanes wyth all their colonies annexing themselues to the Romane Empyre in the tyme of Tullius Hostilius, were firmely obliged to accomplishe. The renouation whereof will nowe conduce more aduauntage and vtylity to them al, than euer it did beefore. For throughe this Truce the Latines shall possede and participate parte of the prosperous successe of the Romane people. Better it were in this sort to ioyne themselues togither, than to see Destruction of either Cities, Depopulacions and spoiles of their countries, whych in the time of Ancus (my father then raygnyng) he suffered. The like also (if you do forsake this offer) ye may styll expecte and suffer.” The Latines herevnto were soone perswaded, a Day was appointed when the lustiest sorte of theyr Countrie should be ready armed at the wood called Ferrentina. Being ioyned in order of battel, they marched towardes the Volsciens, and wanne the Citye of Suessa Pometia, the spoile wherof Tarquinius solde for XL. Talents, imploying the same vpon the Temple of Iupiter. Afterwards he assaulted the Gabinians, and when he saw he coulde not by force obteyne the same, he surmised a pollicy. Who seeming to bend him self wholy vpon the building of the Capitole and to set aside the affaires of his warres, deuised with his sonne Sextus, which was the youngest of the three, that he should runne to the Gabinians, and complayne of his father’s intollerable crueltye, whych accordingly he did. Who shewinge hymselfe as a voluntarye exyle, sayd that hys father had conuerted hys tyrannye from other, and began to execute the same vpon his owne freendes, and that he was also weary of the presence of his owne chyldren going about to remoue hys domesticall conuersants oute of hys house, as he had done the like out of the Court, to the intent hee would leaue no ofspring or heyre behinde him to possesse his kingdome: adding further, that he was escaped euen through the midde of his father’s weapons and fury, thincking no place better for his safegarde and refuge, than to seeke succour amongs his ennimies. “And bicause (quod he) ye shall not be deceiued, he is euen now preparing of warres against you, and purposeth vpon the sodaine to set vpon you. Now if there be no place of abode for me your humble suppliant amongs you, I must needes wander through Italy, and first I will attempt the Volscians, afterwardes the Æquians and Hernicians, tyll sutch tyme as I finde some Nation willing to defend the poore Chylde from the cruell and wicked furye of the Father: and perchaunce (quod he) ye shall wynne hym that may bee an Instrument and courage vnto you all, to represse that proude kyng and cruell Natyon.” The Gabinians delyberating what was best to be done in this case, the young man seemed as though he were offended, and would in al hast depart, and seeke refuge of others, then they curteously interteined him: thys yong man was had in great estimation amongs them, throughe craftye and vaine persuasions, makyng them belieue that he would conduct their army euen vnder the walles of Rome, with sundry other fained instigations to brynge him self the more in credit. At length he was chosen captain of theyr warres, and recouered sundry victories for the Gabinians: whereby the foolishe Nation both of the lower and chiefest sort, beleeued that their captayne was sent vnto them by the prouidence of the Gods. He susteined perill and payne in like sort as the common Souldier did, liberally deuidinge his spoiles and booties amongs them. He was so well beloued, that hys father Tarquinius at Rome was of no greater authority than hee was among the Gabinians. When he thought that he had recouered force enough to answer his father’s expectation, he sent a post to Rome to know his father’s pleasure, although the gods had giuen him sufficient authority amongs the Gabinians. And bycause Tarquinius was doubtful of the trust and fidelity of the messenger, hee would aunswer nothing by worde of mouth, but carying the messenger into a garden, hard adioyning his house, with a wand which he caried in his hand, he cut of the heads of the highest Poppies that grew in the garden, meanyng therby that he shoulde dispatche the heads of the chiefest and principal in the City. Whervpon the messanger without answere by mouth returned. But by declaryng those signes and circumstances which his father vsed in the garden Sextus conceiued his meaning. Then like a naturall sonne, following the steppes of his father, he cut of the heads of the Gabinian nobility, wherupon som ran away, vpon whose departure the goods as wel of them as of other that were put to death were deuided. The state of the Gabinians being in this doubtful case, void of al counsell and succour, at length was surrendred to the Romanes. Then Tarquinius concluded peace with the Æquians, and renued a truce with the Thuscanes and wholly bent him self to the affayres of the City. This Tarquinius was the father of him that rauished the noble Lady Lucretia: the lamentable history whereof, is recited in my former Tome, by the end of which stock, remembred in that history, and begining of the same described in this Nouell, may be gathered, what fruyctes Ambytyon and lothsome luste bryng forth. For Tarquinius Priscus repairing out of Hetruria, to dwell at Rome, by the ambycyous wyll of hys wyfe aspired and atchyeued the kyngdome, whych was by the sundry deuyce of Tullia, the daughter of Seruius Tullius mainteyned, and by the libidinous desire of Sextus Tarquinius, the sonne of Superbus the 6 Romane kynge ended, and the whole race expelled and euerlastingly banished out of that Citty. So meete an example for those that breath, and longe after the Rightes, titles, and Kyngdomes of other, as may bee read in any Author. For although the Springe appeare very fresh and lusty, of some degenerate grifft planted vpon some auncient stock, yet the fruyct most commonly in taste eateth somwhat sower, and the Rellishe in mouth not altogether so pleasaunt, as that whych both in soyle and stocke, is duely planted.

[ THE SEUENTH NOUELL.]

The vnhappy end and successe of the loue of King Massinissa, and Queene Sophonisba his wyfe.

If men would haue afore consideration of theyr owne doings, before they do attempt the same, or els premeditate and study the scope and successe thereof, I do verely beleeue that a numbre would not cast themselues headlong into so many gulfs of miseryes and calamityes as they do, specially Noblemen, and Prynces, who oftentymes doe exceede in temerity and rashnesse, by lettynge the Raynes of theyr own Lustes, to farre to raunge at large, wherein they deepely Plunge thymselues to theyr great Preiudice and Dishonour, as teacheth thys goodly hystorie ensuinge, whych declareth that there was a Prynce called Massinissa, the Sonne of Gala kynge of Massæzali, (a people of Numidia): who warfaring with the Carthaginians in Spaine agaynst the Romaynes, hauinge first fought honourably agaynst kynge Syphax in Numidia, it chaunced that Gala hys Father dyed, vppon whose death hys Kyngdome was inuaded and occupied by other, wherefore sustayninge stoutly the surges of aduersity combatinge wyth hys Enemyes, sometymes getting part of hys Kyngdome, and sometymes losinge, and many tymes molestinge both Syphax and the Carthaginians, was in dyuers Conflicts lyke to be taken or slayne. Wyth these hys trauels, impacient of no payne and trouble, he became very Famous and Renoumed, that amonges the people of Affrica, he acquired the name and title of a valiant and puissant Souldier, and of a pollitique and prouident Captain: afterwards he was generally welbeloued of the Souldiers, bicause not like the king’s sonne or a prince, but as a priuate souldier and companion, his conuersation and vsuall trade of life was amongs them, calling euery man by his propre name, cherishing and esteeming them according to their desert, obseruing neuerthelesse a certaine comelinesse of a Superiour. This Massinissa by meanes of one Syllanus being in Spayne, priuely entred acquaintance and familiarity with that Scipio which afterwardes was surnamed Affricanus, and who in those dayes with the authoritie of Proconsul in that prouince, victoriously subdued the Carthaginians: the same Massinissa entred league with the Romanes and inuiolably so long as he liued obserued amity with the Romane people, and lefte the same to his children and posteritie as an inheritance. When the Romanes began warres in Affrica, spedily with that power he was able to make, he repaired to his old friend Scipio: within a whyle after Syphax beyng ouerthrowen in battell and taken, Massinissa and Lælius were sent to surprise the chief city of that kingdom, which sometimes were king Syphax owne, called Cirta. In that city remayned Sophonisba, the wyfe of Syphax and daughter to Hasdrubal of Giscon, who had alyenated hir husband from the Romanes, being in league with them, and by hir persuasions went to aide and defend the Carthaginians. Sophonisba perceiuing that the ennimies were entred the City of Cirta: and that Massinissa was going towardes the palace, determined to meete him, to proue his gentlenesse and curtesie, whereupon in the middes of his Souldiers thronge, whych were already entred the Palace, she stoutly thrust, and bouldlye looked round aboute, to proue if she could espye by some signes and tokens the personage of Massinissa. She amongs that prease perceeiued one for whose apparel, armure and reuerence don vnto him, semed vnto hir that without doubt the same was the king: and therefore incontinently kneeled downe before him, and pitiously began to speake in this manner: “For so mutch (O puissante prince) as felicity and good fortune, but specially the fauour of the Gods immortall haue permitted, that thou shouldest recouer thine auncient kingdome descended vnto the by righte and lawfull inheritaunce, and therewithall hast taken and vanquished thine ennimy, and now hast me at thy wyll and pleasure to saue or spyll, I poore wretched myserable woman brought into bondage from Queenelyke state, whilom leading a delycate life in Princely Courte, accompanyed with a royall traine of beautifull dames, and nowe at thy mercifull disposition, doe humbly appeale to thy mercye and goodnesse, whose Princely maiesty and comfortable aspect, chereth vp my woefull heart to loke for grace, and therefore am bold thus to presume with most humble voice to implore and crie out, beseechyng thee to reach me hither thy victorious handes to kisse and salute.” This Lady was a passing fayre gentlewoman, of flourishing age and comely behauiour, none comparable vnto her within the whole region of Affrica: and so much the more as hyr pleasant grace by amiable gesture of complaint did increase, so much the heart of Massinissa was delyted, who being lusty and of youthly age (according to the nature of the Numides,) was easily intrapped and tangled in the nettes of Loue: whose glutting eyes were neuer ful, nor fiery hart was satisfied in beholding and wondring at hir most excellent beauty: not foreseeing therefore, or taking heede of the daungerous effect of beautie’s snares, his heart being so fiercely kindled with the swingyng flames of loue, who causing hir to rise, exorted hir to prosecute hir supplication: then she began to procede as foloweth: “If it may be lawfull for me thy prysoner and bondwoman (O my soueraign lord) to make request, I humbly do beseech thee, by thy royal maiesty, wherein no long time past my husband and I were magnificently placed in so kynglike guise as thou art now, and by that Numidicall name, common vnto thee and my husbande Syphax, and by the sauinge Gods and Patrons of this City, who with better fortune and more ioyfull successe do receyue thee into the same, that expelled Syphax out from thence: it may please thy sacred state, to haue pity on me. I require no hard and difficult thinge at thy handes, vse thine imperiall gouernement ouer me, sutch as law of armes and reason of Warre require: cause me if thou wilt, to pyne in cruel pryson, or do me to sutch death with torments, as thou list to vse, the sharp, fierce and cruel death that any wight can suffre, or Perillus Bull shall not be dreadfull vnto me, but more deare and acceptable than wonted life in pleasures led: for no death shal bee refused of mee, rather than to be rendred into the proud handes of the most cruell Romanes. Rather had I tast the trust of a natiue Numidie, borne with me in Affrike soyle, than the faith of straungers kinde: I know full well that thou dost knowe what curtesy a Carthaginian and daughter of Hasdrubal, shal surely looke for at the Romanes hands: whose mind is fearfull of nothing more than of theyr pride and glory intollerable: if thou (my lord) haddest sisters of thine own, or daughters of thy royal bloud brought forth think that they may chaunce (if fortune frown) to slide into the Pit of aduerse lucke, so well as I am nowe: of that forme Fortune’s wheele is made, whych we dayly see to be vnstable, turninge and dyuers, that now peace and now warre it promiseth, now euill it threatneth, now mirth, now sorrow it bringeth, now aduauncinge aloft, now tumbling downe the clymbers up. Let Syphax bee cleare and liuely Example to thee, whych coulde neuer finde any stedfast stay vnder the Moone’s Globe. He was the mightiest and the richest kinge that raigned in Affrica, and now is the most miserable and vnlucky wight that liueth on Land. The Gods graunt that I bee no Prophet or Diuiner of future euill, whose omnipotency I deuoutly beseech to suffer thee and thy posterity in Numidie land and most happyly to raygne. Vouchsafe then to deliuer me from the Romanes thraldome, which if thou bee not able safely to bryng to passe, cause death (the ease of al woe) to be inflicted vpon me.” In speaking those words, she tooke the kynge’s right hande and many times sweetly kissed the same. And then her teares turned to pleasant cheare, in sutch wise as not onely the mynde of the armed and victorious Prynce was mooued to mercy, but straungely wrapped in the amorous Nets of the Lady, whereby the victour was subdued by the vanquyshed, and the Lord surprysed of his Captiue, whom with tremblinge voyce thus he aunswered: “Make an end, O Sophonisba, of thy large complaynt, abandon thy conceyued feare, for I wil not onely ridde the from the Romayne handes, but also take thee to my lawfull wyfe (if thou therewyth shalt be content) whereby thou shalte not leade a prisoner’s life, but passe thy youthfull dayes and hoarye age (if gods doe graunt thy life so long) as Quene vnto a king, and wife vnto a Romane frend.” When he had sayd so with weeping teares, he kissed and imbraced hir. She by the countenaunce, Sygnes, Gestes, and interrupted Woordes, comprehendyng the Minde of the Numide king to be kindled with feruent loue: the more to inflame the same beemoned her self with such heauinesse, as the beastly heartes of the Hircane Tygres would haue bene made gentle and dispoiled of al fiercenesse, yf they had beheld her: and againe she fel downe at hys feete, kissinge the armed Sabbatons vppon the same, and bedewinge them with hir warme teares. After many sobbes and infinite sighes, comforted by him, she sayd: “O the the glorie and honor of all the kynges that euer were, bee or shall bee hereafter: O the safest aide of Carthage mine vnhappy countrey without desert, and now the present and most terrible astonishment: if my hard fortune and distresse after so great ruine might haue bene relieued, what greater fauour, what thing in all my life, coulde chaunce more fortunate, vnto me, than to bee called wife of thee? O, I blessed aboue all other women to haue a man so noble and famous to husband. O mine aduenturous and most happy ruine. O my moste fortunate misery, that such a glorious and incomparable mariage was prepared for me: but bicause the Gods be so contrary vnto me, and the due ende of my life approcheth (my deare soueraygne lorde) to kindle againe in me, my hope half dead, or rather consumed and spent, bicause I see myself wrapped in a state, that in vayne against the pleasures of the Gods, I go about to molest thee: a greate gift (and to say truthe) a right great good turne, I make accompte to haue receiued of thee, if mine owne death I should procure by thee, that dyinge by thy means or with thy handes, (whych were more acceptable,) I shoulde escape the feare of the Romaynes thral and subiection, and this soule deliuered of the same, should streight passe into the Elysian fieldes. The final scope of this my humble plaint, is to ryd me from the hands of the Romanes, whose thraldom to suffer I had rather die. The other benefit which thou dost frankly offer to me pore wretch, I dare not desire, mutch lesse require the same, bicause the present state of my mishap dareth not presume so high. But for this thy pity and compassion ioined with louing regard and mind toward me, mightye loue with al the other Gods reward and blesse thy gotten kingdom in long raign, enlarging the same with more ample bounds to thine eternal renoum and praise: and I do not only render humble thanks for this thy kynd and louing enterteinment, but also yeld my self thine own, so long as lyfe gouerneth this caitif corps of mine.” These words wer pronounced with such effect, as Massinissa was not able for pity to hold his teares, which watred so his comely form, as the dew therof soaked into his tender heart, and not able a long time to speake, at last thus hee sayd: “Gyue ouer (O my quene) these cares and thoughts, dry vp thy cries and plaints, make an end of all these dolorous sutes, and reioyce, that frowarde Fortune hath changed hir mind: the Gods no doubt with better successe, wil perfourm the rest of thy liuing dais. Thou shalt henceforth remain my Quene and wife, for pledg whereof the sacred Godheads I cal to witnesse. But if perchaunce (which the thundring mighty God aboue forbid) that I shalbe forced to render thee the Romanes prisoner, be well assured, that on liue they shall not possesse the.” For credit and accomplishment of this promisse, and in signe of his assured faith, he reached his right hand to Sophonisba, and led hir into the inner lodging of the king’s Palace, wher afterward Massinissa with himself considering how he might perform hys promised faith, vexed and troubled with a thousand cogitations, seing in a maner his manifest ouerthrow and ruine at hand, prouoked with mad and temerarious loue, the very same day in open presence he toke hir to wife, solemnizing that mariage, which afterwardes bred vnto hym great vexation and trouble, meanynge by the same to haue dyscharged Sophonisba from the Romanes rule and order. But when Lælius was come and hearde tell thereof, hee fretted and chafed, and wyth threatnynge Wordes commaunded Massinissa to send his new maried wife (as the booty and pray of the Romanes) together wyth Syphax, to their captaine Scipio. Notwithstanding, vanquished with the supplications and teares of Massinissa, referring the matter wholy to the iudgement of Scipio, he dispatched Syphax with the other prisoners and bootie, to the Romane campe, and he himself remained with Massinissa for the recouerie of other places of the kingdome, minding not to returne before the whole prouince were brought vnder the Romane subiection. In the meane time Lælius gaue intelligence vnto Scipio, of the successe of Massinissa his mariage: who knowing the same to be so hastilye celebrated, was maruellouslye offended and troubled in Minde, mutche maruellynge that Massinissa woulde make sutch posthast before the comming of Lælius. Yea and vpon the very first day of his entrie into Cirta, that hee would consummate that vnaduised wedding: and the greater was Scipio his displeasure towards Massinissa, for that the loue which he had conceiued of that woman, was vnsemely and dishonest, wondering not a little that he could not find out some Lady within the region of Spain of semblable beauty and comlinesse, to please and content his honest and commendable intent: wherfore he iudged Massinissa his fact to be done out of time, to the preiudice and great decay of his honor and estimation. Howbeit like a wise and prudent personage he dissembled his conceiued gryefe, expecting occasion for remedye of the same. Now the time was come that Lælius and Massinissa were sent for to the Campe. But to declare the teares and lamentable talke, the great mone and sighes vttered betwene this new maried couple, time would want, and tediousnesse would ouercome the Reader. He had scarce lyen with his beloued two or thre Nyghts, but Lælius (to their great grief and sorow) claymed hir to bee hys prysoner. Wherfore verye sorowfull and pensiue hee departed, and retourned to the Campe. Scipio in honourable wyse accepted him, and openly before his Captaines and men of warre, gaue thanks to Lælius and him, for theyr prowesse and notable exploites. Afterwards sending for him vnto his Tent, he said vnto him: “I do suppose (my dere frend Massinissa) that the vertue and beneuolence which you saw in me did first of all prouoke you, to transfrete the straits, to visite me in Spaine, wherein the good will of my valiaunt frend Syllanus did not a little auaile, to sollicite and procure amity betwene vs. And the same afterwards inducing your constant minde, to retire into Affrica, committed both your selfe and all your goods into my hands and keeping. But I well pondering the quality of that vertue whych moued you thereunto, you beinge of Affrica, and I of Europa, you a Numidian borne, and I a Latine and Romane, of diuers customes and language different, thought that the temperance and abstinence from venerial pleasures which you haue sene to bee in me, and experience therof wel tried and proued, (for the which I render vnto the immortal Gods most humble thankes) would or ought to haue moued you to follow mine example, being vertues which aboue all other I doe most esteme and cherish. For he that well marketh the rare giftes and excellent benefits wherwith dame Nature hath arraied you, would thinke that ther should be no lacke of diligence and trauell to subdue and ouercome the carnall appetytes of temporal beauty: which had it bene applied to the rare giftes of nature planted in you, had made you a personage to the posterity very famous and renoumed. Consider wel my present time of youth, full of courage and youthly lust, which contrary to that naturall race I stay and prohibite. No delicate beauty, no voluptuous delectation, no feminine flattery, can intice my youth and state to the perils and daungers whereunto that heedelesse age is most prone and subiect. By which prohibition of amorous passions, temperatly raigned and gouerned, the tamer and subduer of those passions, closing his breast from lasciuious imaginations, and stopping his eares from the Syrenes, and Marmaydes, of that sexe and kinde, getteth greater glorye and fame, than wee haue gotten by our victory agaynst Syphax. Hanniball the greatest ennimy that euer we Romanes felt, the stoutest gentleman and captain without peere, through the delites and imbracements of women effeminated, is no more the manlike and notable emperor that hee was wont to be. The great exploits and enterprises which valyantly you haue done in Numidia, when I was farre from you, your care, readinesse, animosity, your strength and valor, your expedition and bold attemptes, with all the reste of your noble vertues worthy of immortal praise, I might and could perticulerly recite, but to commend and extol them my heart and minde shall neuer be satisfied, by renouacion wherof I should rather giue occasion of blushing, than my selfe could be contented to let them sleepe in silence. Syphax as you know is taken prisoner by the valyance of our men of warre, by reason whereof, him selfe, his wife, his kingdome, hys campe, landes, cities, and inhabitants, and briefly all that which was king Syphax, is the pray and spoile to the Romane people, and the king and his wife, albeit she was no Citizen of Carthage, and hir father, although no captayn of our ennimies, yet we muste send them to Rome, there to leaue them at the pleasure and disposition of the Romane Senate and people. Doe you not know that Sophonisba with her toyes and flatteries did alienat and withdraw king Syphax from our amitie and friendship, and made hym to enter force of armes against vs? Be you ignoraunt that she, full of rancor and malice aganyst the Romane people, endeuoured to set al Affrica against vs, and now by her fayre inticementes hath gayned and wonne you, not I say our ennemy, but an ennymy so farre as shee can, with her cruell Inchauntments? What Damage and hurt haue lyghted vppon dyuers Monarches and Prynces through sugred Lippes and Venemous Woordes, I wyll not spend tyme to recite. With that prouocations and coniured charmes shee hath already bewitched your good nature, I wyl not now imagine, but referre the same to the deepe consideration of youre wisdome. Wherefore Massinissa, as you haue bene a Conquerer ouer great nations and prouinces, be now a conquerer of your own mind and appetites, the victorie whereof deserueth greater prayse than the conquest of the whole world. Take heede I say, that you blot not your good qualities and conditions, with the spots of dishonor and pusillanimitye. Obscure not that fame which hitherto is aduaunced aboue the Regyon of the glytterynge Starres. Let not thys vyce of Femynine Flatterye spoyle the desertes of Noble Chyualrye, and vtterly deface those merytes with greater ignomynie than the cause of that offence is worthye of disprayse.” Massinissa hearynge these egree and sharpe rebukes, not onely blushed for Shame, but bytterly Weepinge, sayde: that hys poore prisoner and wyfe was at the commaundement of Scipio. Notwithstanding, so instantly as Teares coulde suffer hym to speak, he besoughte hym, that if it were possible, hee woulde gyue him leaue to obserue hys faythe foolishlye assured, bicause hee had made an othe to Sophonisba that with life shee shoulde not bee delyuered to the Handes of the Romanes. And after other talke betweene them, Massinissa retired to hys pauylyon, where alone wyth manifolde sighes, and most bytter teares and plaintes, vttered wyth sutch houlinges and outcryes, as they were hearde by those whych stoode neare hande, hee rested al the daye bewailynge hys presente state: the most part of the nyghte also hee spent with lyke heauynesse, and debating in hys mind vpon diuers thoughts and deuises, more confused and amazed than before, hee could by no meanes take rest: somtimes he thought to flee and passe the straights commonly called the Pillers of Hercules, from thence to saile to the Fortunate Islandes with his wife: then agayne hee thoughte with hir to escape to Carthage, and in ayde of that City to serue agaynst the Romanes, somtimes hee proposed by sworde, poyson, halter, or som such meanes to end his life and finish his dolorous days. Many times hee was at pointe by prepared knife and sworde to pierce his heart, and yet stayed the same, not for feare of death, but for preseruation of his fame and honor. Thus thys wretched and miserable louer burned and consumed in loue: tossing and tumbling him selfe vppon his bedde, not able to find comfort to ease his payne, thus began to say: “O Sophonisba, my deare beloued wyfe, O the life and comfort of my life, O the deynty repast of my ioy and quiet, what shall become of vs? Alas and out alas I crye, that I shall see no more thine incomparable beauty, thy surpassyng comely face, those golden lockes, those glistering eyes which a thousand times haue darkned and obscured the rayes and beames of the Sunne it self: Alas I say, that I can no longer be suffred to heare the pleasaunt harmonye of thy voice whose sweetenesse is able to force Iupiter himselfe to mitigate his rage when with lightning Thunderbolts and stormie claps in his greatest furie he meaneth to plague the earth. Ah that it is not lawfull any more for me to throw these vnhappy armes about thy tender neck, whose whitenesse of face entermingled with semely rudds, excelleth the Morning Roses, which by sweete nightly dewes doe sproute and budde. The Gods graunt that I doe not long remaine on liue without thy sweete haunt and company, which can no longer draw forth this breathing ghoste of myne, than can a Bodye lyue wythoute like Breathe in it. Graunt (O Myghty Iupiter) that one graue may close vs twaine to liue among the ghostes and shadowes that be already past this world for like right louing fitts, if intent of life be ment to mee without thy fellowship and delectable presence. And who (O good God) shal be more blisful amongs the Elysian fields, wandryng amids the spirites and ghostes of departed soules, than I, if there we two may iette and stalke amonge the shadowed friths and forests huge, besette with Mirtle trees, odoriferous and sweete? that there we may at large recount and sing the sweete and sower pangs of those our passed loues without anye stay or let at all: that there I say we may remembre things already done, reioycing for delights and sighing for the paines. There shall no harde hearted Scipio bee found, there shal no marble minded captain rest, which haue not had regard of Loue’s toyes, ne yet haue pitied bitter payns, by hauing no experience what is the force of loue. He then with ouer cruell wordes shall not goe aboute to persuade me to forsake thee, or to deliuer thee into the Romanes handes, to incurre miserable and most cruell bondage: he shal there neuer checke me for the feruent loue I beare thee: we shal there abide without suspition of him or any other: they can not seperate vs, they be not able to deuide our sweetest companye. I would the Gods aboue had graunted me the benefite, that hee had neuer arriued into Affrica, but had still remayned in Sicilia, in Italy or Spayne. But what stand I vpon these termes, O I fole and beast? what meanes my drousie head to dreame sutch fansies? if he hadde not passed ouer into Affrica, and made war against kinge Syphax, how should I haue euer seene my faire Sophonisba, whose beauty farre surmounteth eche other wight, whose comelines is withoute peere, whose grace inspeakable, whose maners rare and incomparable, and whose other qualities generally disparcled throughoute dame Nature’s mould by speach of man can not bee described? If Scipio had not transfraited the seas to arriue in Affrike soile, how should I, (O onely hope and last refuge of my desires) haue knowen thee, neither should I haue bene thy feere, ne yet my wife thou shouldest haue ben, but great had ben thy gaine and losse not much, neuer shouldest thou haue felt the present painfull state, wherein thou art, thy life (whereof most worthy no doubt thou art) shoulde not haue lien in ballance poize, or rested in doubtfull plight, which now in choyse of enimies thrall thou maist prolong, or else in Romanes handes a praye or spoile by captiue state. But I beseech the gods to preuent the choyce to be a Romane prysoner. And who can thinke that Scipio euer ment to graunt me the life of one, and goeth about to spoile me of the same? Did not he giue me the pardon of one, when he sent me to besiege the City of Cirta, where I found fayre Sophonisba which is my Life? A straunge kinde of pardon, by giuing me a pardon to dispossesse me of the same. Who euer hard tel of such a pardon? So much as if he said to me, thus: ‘Massinissa, go take the paine to cause the city yeld, and ransack it by force, and I wil pardon thee thy lyfe. And not wyth the onely benefit, but with Cræsus goods I wil inrich thee, and make thee owner of the happy soyle of Arrabia, and when I haue so done and rased the walles by myne indeuor, wherein myne onely lyfe and ioy did rest, at my retourne for guerdone of that Noble fact, in steede of lyfe hee choppeth of my head, and for fayre promyse of golden mountes, hee strips me naked, and makes mee a Romane slaue: accordynge to whych case and state he deales wyth me. For what auailes my Lyfe, if in gryefe and sorrowes gulffe I drown the pleasures of the same? Doth not he berieue my life and bredes my death by diuiding me from my fayre Sophonisba? Ah Caitife wretch, what lucke haue I, that neither storme nor whirle Wynde could sende him home to Italian shore, or set him packing to Sicile land? what ment cruell Scipio, when so sone as Syphax was taken, he did not streight way dispatch him to Rome, to present the glorious sight of the Numidian king to the Romane people? If Scipio had not beene here, thou Sophonisba frankly hadst bene mine: for at Lælias hands I could haue found some grace: but surely if Scipio did once see Sophonisba, and reclined his eyes to viewe hir perelesse beauty, I doubt not but he would be moued to haue compassion vpon hir and me, and would iudge hir worthy not onelye to be queene of Numidia but of all the prouince besides. But what, do I make this good accompt? The common prouerbe sayth, that he which counteth before his hoste, must recken twice: and so perhaps may be my lot: for what know I if Scipio did wel view hir, whether himselfe would be inamored of hir or not, and so utterly depriue me of that Iewel? He is a man no doubt as others be, and it is impossible me think, but that the hardnesse of his heart must bow to the view of such a noble beauty. But (beast as I am) what mean these wordes? what follies doe I vaunt by singing to the deafe, and teachyng of the blynd? O wretch, wretch, nay more than myserable Wretch. Marke the words of Scipio, he demaundeth Sophonisba, as a thing belonging vnto him, for which cause he sayeth that she is the pray and part of the Romane spoile: but what shall I do? shal I gyue hir vnto hym? He wyll haue hir, hee constraynes me, he exhortes mee, hee prayes mee, but I know full well wherevnto those intreaties tend, and vnder the Grasse what lurking Serpent lieth. Shal I then put into his hands mine own Sophonisba? But before I so doe, the armipotent God aboue, with his flashing fires and flamming brands shall thunder me downe into the depthe of Hell. The gapyng ground receiue my corps, before I yeld to that request, the trampling steedes of sauage kinde do teare my members in thousand gobbets, the desert beastes consume my flesh, the rauening gripes and carrain kites pick out my tongue and eyes, before I glutte his rauenous mind with that demaund to break the fayth which by holy othe I haue promised to performe. O curssed caitif, but what shall I doe then? it behoueth to obey, and in despite of my teeth to do that which the Romane Emperour commaundeth. Alas, by thinking vpon that straight and needefull lot, I die a thousand deaths: wherfore of euils to chose the least of twaine, and to preserve my plighted faith, O swete Sophonisba, thou must die, and by meanes of thy beloued feere, shalt voyd the yoke of Romanes thral, for so it pleaseth vnmindeful Ioua to appoynt. The wretched Heauens by cruel fate haue throwen their lot, that I of mine owne mischiefe shal be the minister. And so (O life most deere) I shall performe the effecte to kepe the fayth whych last of all before thy face I did confirme.” By this speach and maner of talke, the good Prince bewayled his case, excogitating by what meanes he myght doe to death the thing which aboue al the world he loued best: at length it came vnto his minde to sende hir a draught of poysoned drink, which deuise he had no sooner founde, but he was driuen into a new kinde of fury, and kindled with disdayne, his braynes were on fire with extreme madnesse, and as though Sophonisba had bene before him, hee talked and raued in Bedlemwyfe: somtimes with taunts he checked hir to hir teeth, sometimes lamented hir vnfortunate state, sometymes with pawes displayed, he seemed to rampe into hir face, and then agayne into amorous toies his passions droue him forth. When I doe thinke what kinde of a man Massinissa was, who in deede was a crowned and most noble king, and who with sutch prudence gouerned his new conquered and recouered kingdoms, and so constantly perseuered in amity of the Romane people, I pray to God to graunt my frendes and myselfe also, not to enter into so intricat and louesome Labyrinth, wherein this Noble Prince was tangled, and wyth more temperaunce to gouerne our beloued things. Butretourning gayne to this afflicted gentleman Massinissa. He sent vnto his beloued wyfe and Queene a pot of poyson to rid hir of hir life: but yet staying his messenger, he cried out these words: “God forbid that I should commit this infamous murder vpon hir whom I most deerely loue, I would rather conuey hir into the extreme partes of the vnknowen sandy Coaste of Libia, where the countrey is full of venomous beasts and crawling poysoned Serpents, in which we shalbe safe and sure from the danger of cruell and inexorable Scipio, by which meanes he shall neuer see the rare and diuine beauty, which the serpents once beholding, will mitigate and asswage their bitter poyson, and for whose sake they will not annoy ne yet hurt me hir louing husband and companion: wherefore let vs make hast to flee thither, to auoide the bondage and death prepared for vs: and if so be we be not able to cary with vs gold and siluer, yet shal we not want there some reliefe to maintayn our liues: for better it is to feede on bread and water, then to liue in perpetual thraldome. And liuing with thee (sweete wyfe) what pouerty and beggery am not I able to sustayne? The stormes of exile and penury, I haue already suffred: for beinge driuen out of my kingdome many times, I haue repayred to obscure dens and caues, where I haue hidden my selfe, and liued in the Wildernesse among the sauage Beasts. But what meane I thus to say of my selfe, whom no misaduenture can affray or myslyke? But thou deare wyfe whych hast ben trayned vp and nourished amongs the delicacies and bankets of the Court, accompanied wyth traynes of many fayre and noble ladies, lining lyke a Queene in al kinde of pleasures and delights: what shall I doe wyth thee? I know thy heart will not suffer thee to follow me, and yet if the same would serue thee, from whence shall I procure present shippinge? Vpon the Sea the Roman fleete beares swinge, vpon the land Scipio wyth hys Army occupieth euery Coast, and is generall Lord of the field. What then shall I most miserable and vnfortunate caitife do? for whilest I am thus makinge my bitter playnts, the night is past away, day light approcheth, and the bright shining mornyng begynneth to cleare the earth. And behold yonder commeth the General’s messanger for Sophonisba, whom I must eyther deliuer into his hands or else commit her to present slaughter, beinge assured that she had rather make choise to dy, than fall into the Laps of the cruell Romans.” Whereupon he determined to send hir the poyson, and for very sorrow fell downe vpon the ground like a man halfe deade. Afterwards being come agayne to him selfe, he cursed the Earth, the Ayre, the Fyre, Heauen, Hell, and all the Gods of the same, and exclaming in lamentable wyse he called vnto him one of his most faithfull seruants, who according to the custome of those dayes, alwaies kept poyson in store, and sayde vnto him: “Receyue thys Cuppe of Golde, and deliuer the same with the poyson, to Queene Sophonisba now abiding within the City of Cirta, and tel hir that I with greatest good will would fayne haue kept the mariage knot, and the firste fayth whych I plighted vnto hir, but the Lorde of the Fielde, in whose power I am, hath vtterly forbidden the same. I haue assayed all possible meanes to preserue hir my Wyfe and Queene at liberty, but he which commaundeth me, hath pronounced such hard and cruell sentence, as I am forced to offend my self, and to be the minister of mine own mischief. Thys poyson I send hir with so dolefull Message, as my poore hearte (God knoweth) doth only fele the smart, being the most sorowfull present that euer was offred to any fayre Lady. This is the way alone to saue hir from the Romanes handes. Pray hir to consider the worthines of hir father, the dygnity of hir countrey, and the royal maiesty of the II. kings hir husbands, and to do as hir mynd and wil shall fansie best. Get the hence with all possible spede, and lose no tyme to do thys Message: for thou shalt cary the bane and present death of the fairest Ladye that euer Nature framed wythin hir fayrest mould.” The seruaunt with this commaundment did departe, and Massinissa lyke a Chylde beaten with the rodde, wept and cried. The messenger being come to the Queene, and giuing hir the cup with the poyson, declared his cruell ambassage. The Queene took the poysoned Cuppe, and sayd vnto the messenger: “Geeue the king thy mayster myne humble thankes, and say vnto hym, that I receyue and Drynke thys Poyson wyth a wyll so good, as if hee had commaunded me to enter in Tryumph wyth Laurel Garlande ouer myne ennymyes: for a better gifte a husbande can not gyue to wyfe, than accomplyshment of assured fayth the funeralles whereof shall bee done wyth present obsequie.” And sayinge nothynge else vnto the messenger, shee tooke the Cuppe, and mynglynge well together the poyson wythin, shee vnfearfully quafft it vp: and when she had dronke it shee delyuered the messenger hys Cuppe agayne, and layed hir selfe vpon hir bed, commaunding hir gentlewomen in comely wyse to couer hir wyth Clothes, and withoute lamentation or Sygne of feminine minde, shee stoutly waighted for approching death. The Gentlewomen which wayted vpon hir, bewayled the rufull state of their Maystresse, whose plaints and scriches were heard throughout the palace, whereof the brute and rumor was great. But the good Queene vanquished with the strong force of the poyson, continued not long before she died. The messanger returned these heauie newes vnto Massinissa, who so sorowfully complained the losse of his beloued wife, in such wise as many tymes hee was lyke to kyll hymselfe, that hys Soule might haue accompanied the ghost of hir, whych was beloued of hym aboue all the dearest things of the Worlde. The valyant and wyse capitayne Scipio vnderstanding the newes hereof, to the intente Massinissa shoulde not commit any cruelty agaynst hymselfe, or perpetrate other vncomely deede, called hym beefore him, and comforted hym wyth the sweetest wordes he could deuise, and frendly reproued him. The next day in the presence of al the army hee highly commended him, and rewarded him wyth the kyngdome of Numidia, geuing hym many rych Iewels and treasures, and brought hym in great Estimation amonges the Romaynes: whych the Senate and people of Rome very well approued and confirmed with most ample Priuileges, attributinge vnto hym the title of kynge of Numidia, and freende of the Romaynes. Sutch was the ende of the vnhappy loue of kynge Massinissa, and of the fayre and lucklesse Queene Sophonisba.

[ THE EIGHTH NOUELL.]