Rome's Monarchy, ENTITLED THE GLOBE OF RENOWNED GLORY.  
Briefly comprehending the first foundation and building of Rome by Romulus: The principal wars and conquests of the Romans after the time of their first choosing Consuls, till julius Caesar attaining solely to the Empire, and from him more briefly to Nero.  
Where in small compass is described, many most noble, and virtuous acts, achieved in their said wars, and conquests; strange Tragedies, secret practices and policies, Ambition, hate, and revenge: and how insurrections, rebellion, strife, civil discord and dissension prevailing, was the only plague, ruin, and utter destruction of many great Monarchies, Kingdoms, Cities, and Countries.  
Translated out of the French and Italian histories by E. L.  
Il premio é meritato.  
AT LONDON Printed by the Widow Orwin, for Matthew Law. 1596.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, MOST WORTHY for virtues, Master Alderman Slany, Lord Mayor of the city of London: the right Worshipful Master Thomas Low, and Master Leonard Halliday, Aldermen and Sheriffs of the same city: and to the right Worshipful the rest of the Aldermen their brethren, and other the Magistrates in authority there: long life, health, and all good haps in this life, and after eternal felicity.  
RIght Honourable, and right Worshipful: Next unto the sacred Scriptures of almighty God, wherein is contained the only ground of our faith, belief, & salvation in Christ jesus, the knowledge of other Histories, are not of small importance to be weighed, and in some measure digested of all men, for divers causes if they be duly considered and examined: but most of all and especially with more regard and judgement of such as your Honour and Worships are, who for many considerate causes and other virtues, are called to the administering of justice in the public weal: I except vain fabulous inventions, & mean those philosophical works, which either are moral, or historical, tending to virtue, or suppressing vice. Among all which worthy volumes, as the numbers be many, and subjects sundry, the histories of the ancient Romans government is not of least esteem to be preferred with the chiefest: considering how from their mean original & base beginning, they acquised and got the sovereignty of the whole world. This brief translation (right Honourable and right Worshipful) written in French, describeth the principal wars and Conquests of the Romans, whose acts and gests, (concerning the government of their Commonwealth, with other matters in the large volumes contained) are not (I know) unknown to your Honour and Worships, and a great number more (by knowledge of which, is reaped no small profit:) but the multitude, or vulgar sort of our nation, not having those large volumes, neither can attain unto for value of price, or want of knowledge of the languages wherein some of them are written, may in this brief behold how those great monarchs in their said wars, stirred up by Ambition of rule and Empery, subdued the Nations of the world, only first, by flinging into the principalities of peaceable Princes, the fire of civil discord, strife, and descension: by means whereof when they had gotten that footing, then shortly after followed the ruin, decay, and utter overthrow of those Countries, and Kingdoms, their cities and people: and how when their Empire was at highest, through those furies kindled with hate and revenge among themselves, their great government fell to ruin and decay, (a thing most wonderful in the judgement of God) so that at this day of their great Conquests, there is no more mention left thereof, save only the bare name of Caesar: whose declining estate (God sparing me life) I mean to bring into as small a room and compass, as this, which showeth their increasing fame of worldly glory.  
My humble desire is, that this my poor unpolished labour may find that favour of your Honour and Worships to be accepted, and taken in good part, under your worthy protections, the rather in that they who are here mentioned, were Citizens and governors of a most renowned City like this, wherein you are Magistrates, & government thereof, for your virtues, committed unto you, whose minds whilst they lived, the world could not contain, do before your Honour & Worships in a few paper leaves muster themselves and their greatness, to the end that their great Conquests under your patronages, may first pass through this noble City, and after through the cities, towns and villages of her majesties dominions, to all her other faithful & true hearted subjects, by reading of which they may consider in these thundering days, the great threatenings of our mighty & mortal foe, the insatiable Monarch, whom the world's Empire will not suffice, Caesar like with his adherents, seeking daily by many crafty conveyances, treasons, treacheries, & other inhuman and unchristianlike means, to kindle the fire of strife & civil dissension among us, the easier to prevail, to the utter ruin, and overthrow, both of Prince, people and country, which God of his good grace, hath most mightily and miraculously defended a long time: let all true English hearts pray, that it will please him so to continue his gracious favour evermore towards us.  
What unity, love, concord, and peace is, (God's name be blessed) we may all say we have felt, do feel and know, and whilst the bands of them true and firmly lasteth, we shall be invincible: but if once they begin to dissolve, by perusing of this brief history, may be seen how many miseries follow.  
God preserve your Honour and Worships, and that it will please him to direct your hearts in all your actions, to increase in you virtue, which liveth when all worldly vanity else dieth, and send you long lives, to be most worthy members, for the advancement of this most noble flourishing Commonwealth and Monarchy, which God of his gracious goodness grant long to continue, under the government of the thrice happy and prosperous reign of the admirable Empress of the world, our most gracious Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth, over whom be the power of his mighty hand evermore extended. Amen.  
Your Honour, and Worships most humble to command: E. L.   

To the loving, courteous, and friendly Readers.  
AS in a little nook or corner of a Cabinet, a rich jewel or precious stone unpolished, may be couched: so in the compass of these few paper leaves is briefly comprehended the fame and memory of the most renowned conquerors of the world: the remembrance of whose great acts, ne can or will, ever be forgotten. Like an Apprentice or unskilful Artist, have I adventured the disrobing of their noble conquests out from the French copy, in English prose, and dividing the same into chapters, in some places augmented from the italian, enterfraught with some few mean poetical fictions, not altogether unfitting to the subject where they are placed. Faults are sooner found then amended, and therefore (Qui non fa, non falla: qui falla s'amenda) (if any have escaped, as who liveth not committing any) and that exceptions be taken as there may be, by some prying Pasciphil●s, howsoever the fineness of their Capriccios, may mistake the sense, the good, virtuous and well disposed spirits will construe the best, the other will show their kind: what faults soever there be espied, my intent is to surprise virtue, and subingate vice: Praying the almighty to send love, peace, unity and concord among all faithful Christian Princes, and their subjects in Christ jesus, that as all, that bear that name from him in outward show, so all may both inwardly and outwardly follow him, simply in manner of life and doctrine, for the benefit of themselves in the life to come.  
Farewell.   

Rome's Monarchy.  

CAP. 1.  
The building of Carthage, and Rome, the expelling of Rome's Kings, and first choosing of Cousuls there, the overthrow of 300. Romans' being all of one name, and family, called Fabians.  

OF Priam's pomp, his palace or his town,  
Srong Troy, the walls, or how those wars began  
Which ten years held, by Grecians last beat down:  
Or whether side the praise or glory wan  
Is not here meant at all, upon to scan:  
Yet will my muse (in mean style) pen I employ  
Of wars to write long after that from Troy,   

Aeneas came into Italia soil:  
But, leaving him and farther on to pass:  
Excepting too, what ever jar or broil,  
Did after chance till Rome yfounded was  
By Romulus, whose birth is counted base:  
Thus much is said, because Aeneas line,  
Is brought by writ, in Caesar's seat to shine:   

For, 
Who commanded the whole world.  when Augustus, surnam'de Caesar, sat  
Sole with the Sceptre in th'imperial throne,  
Virgil, to praise his high descent, and state,  
In his Aeneidos, 
Virg. Aene. lib. 6.  makes it to him known,  
How Trojan race the world then ruled alone,  
Old Priam's stock (of Troy that famous king)  
In him * most fresh, 
Oct August.  o'er all the earth did spring.   

But memory, and fame of nations old,  
Swift time makes end, as was as of beginning.  
Rome's base commence in writing is enrolled,  
To be at first, a web of slender spinning;  
And yet at last had all the world winning,  
As floods at first come slily creeping in,  
So at full sea, to ebb do strait begin.   

So worketh time of every thing the change: 
The spread eagle, the arms of the Emperor.   
O Rome whose wings sometime the earth o'erspread,  
Thy glories gone, thy fame still lasting, strange,  
Thy captains that did raise thy state are dead,  
Both Pompee, and Caesar's aspiring head,  
With many more, their monarchies and all:  
Whom Time hath raised, and likewise made to fall.   

But, 
Whatsoever is decreed by divine power, worldly policy cannot withstand.  what so fates and destiny allottes,  
Fortune will not gainsay, or back withhold  
What subject is unto her stains and spots,  
Nought can avail, no mines, or mounts of gold.  
And what again in favour she doth hold,  
Shall mount, and wear both diadem, and crown,  
And vnlook'te for, as fast come tumbling down.   

Proof of these things by Carthage first of twain,  
Whose plotted seat queen 
* Dido the new married wife of Sichaeus, whom the king of Tyrus slew, from whose cruel tyranny Dido fled into afric. 50. years before Troy's destruction.  Dido did begin,  
By grant obtain'de, and so much ground did gain  
To build upon, in reach of a bulls skin,  
Which she cut small in pieces long and thin:  
In lengths stretched out, it far orespead the field  
In circuit, there the walls she 'gan to build   

With houses brave, high towers, temples fair▪  
The stately Fort, which Birsa had to name:  
Whose tops high mounted, seemed to touch the air:  
For strength and wealth the world it had for fame.  
Yet for all that, the Romans' it o'ercame,  
The city sacked, and raz'de the walls to ground:  
Whose match each way, on earth was then scarce found.   

Of Rome, the walls and buildings first of all,  
Old writs record, that Romulus began  
To 
* Between 350. or 400. years after Troy's destruction, or Eeneas coming into Italy.  found the same, whose mean estate, some call  
Him shepherd borne, or else a bare herdsman  
Nursed by a wolf; but he such glory wan,  
As fates decree the chance of every thing,  
His power grew so, as lastly made him king.   

And after him, if histories say true,  
Two hundredth years, add forty four withal,  
Six kings more raign'de, 
1. Kings.  each one in order due,  
The last of which, his pride did cause to fall:  
And name of king did ever after thrall,  
To rule, or range, that famous city in,  
Who called was that time, the proud Tarquin.   

Their Kings expelled, 
2. Consuls.  two Consuls next bare sway,  
Whose office was t'endure for a year,  
junius Brutus to the state a stay,  
Chief cause the Tarquin's Rome's kings chased were;  
His own two sons, no whit he did forbear  
For to be head, with others, seeking mean,  
Their Tarquin's kings for to restore again.   

A noble deed of justice, 
justice.  right, and zeal:  
O happy place where rulers upright stand. 
justice duly and rightly executed, causeth a common wealth to flourish.   
A worthy member of a public weal:  
A precedent for every state and land,  
Vice to correct with rod of justice hand.  
Thus Consuls two, in place of kings did guide  
The state of Rome, which after stretched wide.   

During which time, discords did often rise  
At home, and forth, 
* A province in Italy near unto Rome, an ill neighbour to their state.  Toscane the country hight  
That then made war, but Rome did them despise,  
Three hundredth Romans' went with them to fight:  
All of one name called Fabians, put to flight  
Their army, and they all slain, left no more  
Of that name but a child, who did restore   

Their house again: which chance to Rome did fall  
Thirty three years, after their king's decay,  
And after that three hundredth years in all  
Of Rome's building, things at uncertain stay,  
By reason brawls did often them affray:  
From them embassage to the Grecians went,  
Who laws to Rome in brassy tables sent.    

CAP. 2.  
The third and fourth alteration of officers in Rome, where, after many changes the Consuls were of continuance until julius Caesar.  

IN mean estate was Rome at that same time,  
Wanting both wits, and men of wisdoms lore  
To make them laws: but things that be in prime  
Come to be ripe, though it be long before:  
In Greece that time were wisemen plenteous store,  
That in all kind of Arts profound did flourish,  
Rome's weak estate with wisdom they did nourish.   

Those laws brought home the public state, & weal,  
Rechanged was from Consuls two as then  
To Decemuirs supremely that did deal  
With every cause, as much to say Ten men:  
But this new change, was altered soon again:  
Appius claud, one of that number though  
Committing rape, that government did o'erthrow.   

A magistrate, to do an act so vile:  
The people would no longer them permit,  
Consuls again were chose, who but a while  
Did last, but yet again began to flit  
Their officers, for so it was thought fit:  
Two Tribunes then were chose, whose power and might  
Was Consul like, the people's wrong to right.   

This time also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 three hundredth year, 
L. Quintius Cincinnatus.   
And fifteen since 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●●rst was founded,  
An office was which only one did bear,  
Which seems to be, on great authority grounded:  
Dictator called, 
Dictator, which office had endured now already about 70. years.  who caused to death be wounded  
Spurius Melius, who sought to be Rome's roye,  
His house and name, for ever to destroy.   

Two years next after government again,  
To warlike Tribunes, came serving in war  
Abroad, at home, as fortune list to reign,  
To stint all strives of mutiny and jar:  
And to keep off, the enemy a far:  
Which did endure about some seventy,  
In all which time, men worthy many were.   

Amongst them all one Furius Camille,  
For virtue past all those, supplied that place,  
For service good, he was requited ill:  
He is exile, was forest to take his race,  
Although sometime he Consul were in grace.  
Ingratitude so reigns in people's minds, 
Ingratitude   
For doing good, with ill requital finds.   

Causeless exiled, the Senate him recalde,  
Whose virtue saved all Rome from spoil and sack  
By French men 
* Burguinions. Malice not of any continuance, but vanquished by virtue.  wrought, and therefore was restalde  
In dignity, for putting them to wrack.  
Thus fortune plays with men, now forth, then back:  
Dictator he was after in two years,  
Virtue suppressed, at length more great appears.   

A worthy wight eke Manlius ycalde,  
Soon after that, the Capital did guard,  
Against the French: 
The virtuous oftentimes are defamed by envy, & foiled.  who wellnigh hap it thralled,  
In doing which, he had an hard reward:  
Suspicion foul, his fame and glory bard:  
(Sans proof) supposed he would Rome's state distain:  
For which he was cast from rock Tarpeiane.   

Decreed it was, not any of his race  
Or noble house, thenceforth should bear the name  
Of Marc, which seemed as then a great disgrace:  
But to rehearse again 
* before mentioned.  Camillus' fame,  
Who seven times of Tribune had the name:  
To lead the Romans' unto battle bold,  
Had good success, and died very old.    

CAP. 3.  
Of Rome's severity in justice, of their constancy for the common wealths cause, the time of Alexander the great his being, and of the Romans' wars against Pyrrhus, King of Epirotes. 
About this time the care and charge of the common wealth came from the Tribunes to Consuls again.   

Romes' age was now three hundredth fourscore,  
Also nine years, when Captains there was found  
Most valiant, wise, the like was near before:  
Who in assaults, their enemies brought to ground:  
Themselves not dreading death, or deadly wound.  
Too long it were their names all to recite,  
Who in defence of Rome's estate did fight.   

And in the same used justice for small crime,  
Amongst all which, one of them do I find  
Torquatus named, chief Consul at that time:  
His only son (a thing far out of kind)  
He caused to die, for fight 
* out of the place he was charged to stand in.  (vnassin'de)  
Against his foe, which he o'ercame in fight,  
Though well he did, law could not him acquight.   

What laws were made, were duly executed,  
Such men they were, Heroical of mind:  
For dastards they disdained to be reputed,  
For country's weal, duty and love did bind  
Their deaths to seek, rather than lives to find:  
For to advance the Romans' state and name,  
Willing died many, to gain perpetual fame.   

One Decius Must, did vow to lose his life  
In fight against the Latins, Romans' foes,  
For country's cause, which he performed, in strife  
With them that time, which made the Latins lose  
The field that day, receiving bloody blows.  
One of self name after 
* 44. years after in a battle against the french Senonois.  his son also  
In such like cause, his life did eke forego.   

Although that he were Consul at that time:  
About which time as written I do find,  
The Monarch great was then in chiefest prime:  
Macedo king, 
Alexander the great.  stout Alexander's mind,  
Whose conquests great, were but a puff of wind:  
For when he had mastered the world all,  
At Babylon by poison had his fall.   

Against the state of Rome he did intend  
To have made war, if Asia once subdued,  
Then next through all Europa to have wend, 
In this time lived Homoer and Socrates.   
His hands yet more in blood to have imbrued:  
But fates by death his purpose did seclude,  
At 12. years reign, and 33. years age,  
His part being played he left vain world's stage.   

His force against, (but death you hear forbade)  
Papirius was for Romans' chieftain chose,  
Whose valiantness great fame attained had,  
In giving foil to Samnites cruel foes  
To Romans', though in danger like to lose  
Their army all, under their 
* T. Vetu●ius Caluin, and Spurius Post-humus albin. Consuls, who dishonourably had taken truce with the enemy, greatly to the Romans' disgrace.  Consuls twain,  
Papirius force did victory obtain.   

Dictator he that office after bare,  
And earnest was in martial discipline,  
Expert, and quick, in warlike fears his care  
Was evermore, that soldiers should incline,  
Not nice to be, to lodge, or diet fine,  
But valiant, stout, and to endure all toil,  
Which made them oft to give their foes the foil.   

In this time lo of Rome's increasing fame,  
In Saragosse the 
* Dionysius the tyrant of Syracuse.  Tyrant than did reign,  
Whom to advise with precepts good there came:  
Divine Plato who hardly scaped unslain,  
This tyrant's acts was had in such disdain:  
In histories who list to read shall see,  
His hateful life upheld by tyranny.   

Strange were his acts, too many to be told  
Here in this place: but for to make the rest  
To be supposed, from one I cannot hold:  
Of Barber would he near be trimmed or dressed, 
There are many would trust the barber to trim their beards if they had any.   
For fear the razor should his life arrest:  
His daughters aye with nutshells burning bright,  
Should singe his beard, and so his head to dight.   

But now return to noble Rome again.  
After the death of Alexander great  
Forty two years, one Pyrrhus that did reign  
Epirotes King, the Romans state did threat:  
His army did their forces oft defeat,  
Yet, ere two years were gone and overpast,  
He sought their peace and friendship at the last.   

To which request the Senate would have granted:  
But Appius claud full seven times elected  
Consul, then old and blind, their purpose daunted,  
Of cowardice the Senate he detected,  
In public speech he Pyrrhus' peace rejected.  
Fabritius eke 'gainst Pyrrhus' stout did stand,  
Friendship with him to hold, would at no hand.   

Though Pyrrhus did to him great presents send,  
With offers more, for to revolt and turn  
Upon his side, 
Constancy to the commonweal in a Magistrate.  Fabritius would not bend  
For presents, ne for promises, once spurn  
Against Rome's state, such love in him did burn  
To country's weal, (O pattern precious stone  
For this our age to look, nay gaze upon.)   

Yet more, what did this noble heathen knight?  
(But Machiavel's, from whom all mischiefs springs,  
Work contrary) he void of hate or spite, 
The heathen scorned them Machiavel's devices, now a days too much reigning.   
No stabbing blades, or murdering dags in brings,  
No banqueting, nor physic poisonings:  
Nor no such parts, vile practices most evil,  
Bred first in hell, invented by the devil.   

But he sends to (Rome's enemy) Pyrrhus king  
A runagate, a rogue, a perjured slave,  
A soldier of his own, 
Among Christians now a days treasons are rewarded, and traitors succoured.  who promising  
By poison, or some other means, in grave  
The Romans should, Pyrrhus, dead, see, or have:  
Fabritius n'wold to this foul deed consent,  
But him fast bound, to Pyrrhus' prisoner sent.   

When Pyrrhus saw the Romans friendship, he  
Can not obtain by treaties, or reward,  
Determined by war the end to see:  
With martial men he stood upon his guard, 
The first use in Italy of Elephants in war.   
And Elephants to combat strong prepared:  
He was the first, to Italy that brought  
Those beasts, who bare men on their backs that fought.   

But to encounter Pyrrhus' haughty pride  
And mighty force, a noble Roman knight,  
Dentatus called, with Romans him beside,  
For Rome's estate, who did not fly, but fight.  
They Pyrrhus, and his power discomfit quite:  
Dentatus for his worthy valour shown,  
Had triumph brave, which through all Rome was known.   

Until this war which Pyrrhus last made,  
Five hundredth years the romans had wellnigh  
broils still at home, and often overlaid  
With neighbours near, 
〈…〉 wars 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉. years ere they made any conquests abroad.  people of Italy:  
Doubtful their chance, and fortunes they did try:  
The Latins oft, the Samnites, tuscans, other,  
One gaining now, then losing, strait the t'other.   

But in the end, their home wars brought to cease,  
Some vanquished, some by truce, and friendship bound;  
Rome's fame did now begin for to increase,  
Against Carthage to make war, 
Libya a province in afric, where Dido built Carthage.  means they found:  
A stately town, seated on Libya ground:  
More ancient 'twas then Rome, by many years,  
As by record of writers it appears,    

CAP. 4.  
The first beginning of the wars with Carthage, Attilius Regulus chief Captain taken prisoner, sent to Rome to treat for peace, but persuaded war, returning to Carthage was put to death.  

GReat was the fame throughout the world spread  
Of mighty Carthage, 
Things at the highest, decaying highest.  rich, exceeding fair,  
Whose wealth, and pomp, was cause her ruin bred,  
At such time when at highest in the air,  
Her glory grew, then fell it to appair.  
By which is shown, all earthly honour's state,  
Fall of itself, or else brought down by fate.   

Chief leader first of Romans' to this war,  
Attilius Regulus had the only charge;  
His army priest, no mishap could him bar,  
On shipboard came, with many a boat, and barge,  
And hoisting sails, sea room, and wind at large,  
Need was there none, once for to ship an oar  
Until such time, they came to afric shore.   

Where taking land, such favour fortune lent,  
As in short space, 
Having first gotten a party in the country.  they many cities took:  
With Carthage oft, all good haps backward went,  
Their force decreasd, and country them forsook,  
Their chieftains slain, their soldiers durst not look  
Out at their gates, so hard they were beset,  
And to triumph, nought did the Romans' let.   

From Carthage then Ambassadors did wend  
(For one, that could an army rule and guide)  
To Lacedaemon, who, did unto them send  
A captain stout, in warlike feats well tried  
Xantippo named, who never once denied  
To fight for them, with all the skill he may,  
And Romans' force, to give repulse or slay.   

But here (behold) of war, the lot, and chance,  
The Romans' had the overthrow in deed; 
The chance of battle uncertain.   
They, who but late in triumphs did advance,  
Do fly, lie slain, and wounded, some do bleed:  
Who winneth oft, hath sometimes evil speed,  
Attilius ta'en, and many him beside,  
In prison penned like fortune to abide.   

And Xantippo of Carthage for his deed,  
Rewarded was, (woe worth wretches ingrate)  
To give him gifts, 
Ingratitude most vile.  and honour, they agreed,  
With loving speech, as seemed his estate:  
But little knew he, of their inward hate:  
Towards his ship, they brought him with glad cheer,  
And after, dealt with him as you shall hear.   

On shipboard come, they laud him to the skies,  
And taking leave, 
They murdered him, because at his return, the Lacedæmonians should not glory in the victory gotten by their Captain.  do leave great gifts behind:  
The Master, they did charge in any wise,  
All secretly t'agree unto their mind;  
This thing therefore unto him they assigned,  
That in the night, Xantippo the should slay,  
And after, drown his carcase in the sea.   

But (now) return to Attilius again,  
Whom Carthage kept in prison sure and fast,  
They did with him accord for to obtain,  
The Romans' love, and peace now at the last:  
And to forget all war and discord past,  
Ambassadors to Rome they strait did send,  
Attilius with them must likewise wend.   

But first they took an oath and made him swear, 
If the heathen held their word in matters of life and death, how much more ought christians in smaller moments.   
For to return their prisoner back again:  
(If love and peace to them denied were)  
And at their pleasure, so still to remain.  
Attilius here, all promise breakers stain,  
Whose vows & words, are not performed in deeds;  
Fair flowers in show, prove but ilsavouring weeds.   

Ah Regulus, thy fame shall aye endure,  
Who free at home out of thine enemies hands,  
Wouldst not to live in Rome, their peace procure,  
But rather choose to lie in cruel bands,  
For Country's cause to leave life, goods, and lands:  
Thy constancy in word, and valiant mind,  
A pattern is for men of noble kind.   

And where the Carthaginians, thought that he  
Would treat for peace, 
* And the exchange of prisoners on both sides.  persuaded otherwise  
The Senate, not to peace with them t'agree:  
war noble Romans', Carthage peace despise,  
By league with them, no profit will arise  
Rome's state unto, they yield, and he again  
To Carthage went, and paid the price with pain:   

Where being returned, he ransom paid by death,  
For country's cause, which he did not refrain:  
Most cruelly they caused to stop his breath,  
By rolling of a barrel down a main  
An hill most high, unto his grievous pain,  
Sped thick with nails, where he was closed within,  
Most cruelly piercing his tender skin.   

During this war, good hap the Romans' had  
By Sea, at first, under their Consul stout  
Duillius, made Carthaginians glad  
To fly, and 
* Hanno, Carthage Captain.  Hanno put into a doubt:  
Though truce of times was taken them throughout:  
Both secretly committing under hand,  
Vile parts at Sea, when peace was on the land.   

Yet in th'end, full peace tween them took place:  
But long it did not last, for unquenched hate  
Not clean extinct, will secret work disgrace:  
And, 
Daily practices of Machavellians  so fares still the course of worldly state:  
Envy, friendlike, with fair smooth speech can mate  
His mortal foe, and deadly foes, we see,  
How ere in heart, outward seem to agree.   

Such intercourse, tween Rome, and Carthage was,  
Each other to convince by policy:  
For twenty years, and upwards, there did pass  
Strange stratagems, with many secrets sly:  
Ambition caused them many masteries try,  
That, in th'end the peace was broken quite,  
And taking arms, the fall again to fight.    

CAP. 5  
The second war of Carthage, by Publius Scipio, Hannibal the Carthaginian Captain in Italy, his return to Carthage, is overcome and flieth.  

ABout this time Cornelius Scipio,  
Sardignia Isles, and Corsica, he took  
With other holds the Carthaginians fro:  
This second war, most near their welfare shook,  
That forced they were about them for to look:  
But Hannibal, who now their chieftain was,  
Brought them great hope, and much relieved their case.   

The city Sagunt, he besieged most strong:  
Came into Spain, and after into France,  
And with his army, marched all among  
The Alpie 
* Mountains parting France and Italy, of a wonderful height.  hills and lastly did advance  
His ensigns, spread (so fortune leads the dance)  
In Italy, the Romans' to pursue,  
Vexed with home 
* By the countries about Rome.  wars, which done, began a new   

Stout Hannibal his war; of which to read  
His battles three, against the Romans' won,  
Shall see, and hear of many a worthy deed,  
At large of him, 
Three times he gave the Romans' the repulse▪ and in the fourth, had a most mighty victory.  by Rome, and Carthage done,  
But Hannibal, did cause his enemies shun  
Three times the field, the names, of places three:  
Tecyn, Trasimene, the third, flood Trebie.   

Quinbus Fabius, Dictator was create,  
The Carthaginians force to stop or stay,  
His valour did withstand their running state,  
And Hannibal a while did keep at bay:  
But after that again, held on their way  
To Cannas' field, where Romans' him withstood,  
And, where the earth, was glutted with their blood.   

Such slaughter there, the Romans' did sustain,  
As put all Rome, into a wondrous fray,  
Devoid of hope, 
Publius Scipio, the son of Cornelius Scipio, before rehearsed.  for ever to regain,  
So great a loss, in mind to fly away,  
And leave the city at uncertain stay:  
But Scipio young, of courage wise, and stout,  
Both comfort gave, and drove away all doubt.   

Now Hannibal whom fortune favoured so,  
Had at command the country all 
* Hannibal had all Italy at commandment. The country being fertile they surfeited with the fruits, so that many died.  about;  
The summer past, to winter he did go  
To Capua, with Carthaginian rout,  
Where idleness infected valour stout:  
Abundance bred their bane, cloyed with delight:  
His army all was wellnigh o'erthrown quite.   

But whilst he lay within Italia soil,  
He Romans force had wellnigh vanquished quite:  
Yet Asdrubal received a mighty foil 
* near to the flood Metaurus by M. Livius and C. C. Nero.   
By Romans Consuls, that with him did fight,  
Bringing new succours for to revenge the spite  
To Carthage done, whilst Hannibal with chance,  
By fortune might against Rome's walls advance.   

But 
* Publius.  Scipio this while stout, bold and wise,  
Whose valour great, is spoken of before,  
Had good success in 
* Which place was assigned to him for the war. About this time his father and uncle were slain in lberia in the Carthagiman wars.  Spain, whose fame did rise  
Throughout all Rome: and to augment it more,  
In getting Spain, which place his father bore,  
And uncle both, to Rome did come at last,  
Where for desert, in Consulship was placed.   

His noble mind, bend to his cities good,  
Required afric might be him assigned,  
For public weal to lose his life and blood:  
But his desire impediments did find:  
Old Fabius sharply did resist his mind, 
One who had been oft Consul.   
Who gave advise rather at home to stay,  
'Gainst Hannibal with force to take the way.   

But Scipio then contrarying Fabius' will,  
Declared his mind in open audience  
The Senate too, to grant him their good will:  
For it will prove by good experience, 
Desire to revenge his uncle & father's death.   
In afric if we fight for Rome's defence,  
Need will drive Carthage call home Hannibal:  
Who it denies, I know such hap will fall.   

For he who is their chiefest hope and stay,  
And he on whom their safety doth depend,  
Long time they will, ne can, miss him away:  
So shall our wars in Italy have end:  
To his advise the Senate did attend,  
Debating much, some loath, 
* Of the Senate.  yet was assigned  
For Carthage war, which greatly pleased his mind.   

But first to 
* The common passage into afric & nearest from Italy, where he was but slenderly furnished at first for such a war.  Scicil Isle must take his course,  
And there prepare to furnish full his need,  
To rig up ships, t'abide the waters source:  
priest in each point, away goeth he with speed,  
Though all the Senate scarce thereto agreed:  
Yet lo this war grew to so glorious fame,  
As none so much increased the Romans name.   

So much prevailed Scipio his virtue there,  
As Carthaginians gain to loss did fall:  
By means whereof so hard beset they were,  
As Carthage town was wellnigh brought in thrall,  
Enforced to revoke home Hannibal.  
The Senate now found Scipio's saying true,  
Away he went that meant Rome to subdue.   

Who then had for the space of sixteen years,  
Infested all Italia about:  
Put Rome and Romans' oft in deadly fears: 
When he was sent for he had his army before Rome walls.   
And brought their state to many a dreadful doubt,  
Delivered now from troubles which did sprout  
And spring each day, by means of such a foe,  
Hannibal gone joy did expel all woe.   

But ere that he from Italy did pass,  
Carthage to Rome Ambassadors did send  
For to have peace, 
Subtle practices used generally now a days  which thing concluded was:  
Yet secretly their wars they did intend,  
Each kind of way they did repair and mend,  
Their armies that did arms and victuals want,  
Which wars among them had made very scant.   

But Hannibal no sooner was arrived,  
At Carthage tho, 
Hannibal, a sworn enemy to the Rom. by a vow at nine years of age, in the time of Amilcar his father.  but did dislike the peace:  
Of hope he should be sure to be deprived,  
And purpose too, if that the wars should cease:  
Displeased he seemed, but did his force increase.  
Brave Scipio to meet upon the field,  
Whose noble mind did never mean to yield.   

Their Armies tween, light skirmish oft did chance:  
Hannibal was for victuals hard beset,  
He who but late to war would needs advance:  
Secret seeks peace, provisions for to get,  
obtained, performed, conditions did not let  
On Carthage side, but people all cried out  
We are betrayed among these champions stout.   

And jarring thus themselves full oft among, 
Discord the sign of destruction, the plagues of common weals, and private mesnages.   
Now taking truce, and then do break again:  
They cry a fresh, these Captains do us wrong,  
Whose outrage rulers seek for to restrain:  
Things running thus, the magistrates are fain  
The peace to break, commanding Hannibal  
To try by fight, what fortune will them fall.   

Both armies lay each in th'other's sight:  
King 
* Massinissa, a King in the country, betrothed to the daughter of Asdrubal, given by the Carthagis. first to him, and after to Sysax, another King in the country there, to him married, and after, Massinissa married her again, when for fear to be taken of the Romans', poisoned herself.  Massinissa was on Romans' side:  
Who league with Scipio made before in spite  
Of Carthage, who denied him his bride:  
(A noble maid in prime of beauty's pride)  
First his from them, but after did her marry  
Another to, the cause that made him vary.   

This civil strife with many others more,  
The city in, and country all about,  
Was cause at last of Carthage overthrow:  
In steed of reason, will, did rule the rout:  
tween magistrates also foul hate did sprout,  
Rage, insolence, and often death most vile:  
Thus foul revenge did high, and low beguile.   

But Hannibal hearing of Romans' strength,  
Of Scipio's bounty, clemency, and fame,  
His noble mind, with more, sought means at length  
To speak with him ere they to battle came,  
It chanced, and lo, fury seemed to inflame  
Hannibal, who, in words was somewhat tart:  
Threatening each other, a sunder they do part.   

The time being come when both their armies met,  
Great was the slaughter made on either side:  
But Romans' did the victory there get,  
Making their foes to die with wounds full wide.  
Hannibal fled, he durst not longer bide:  
The loss so great, that Carthaginians crave  
Peace once again, with Romans' for to have.   

Scipio agreed, Rome's Senate did consent:  
Whilst peace endured, many things did chance,  
Here to recite, too long were verament;  
But Romans' did their honours still advance,  
And Carthage welfare, backwardly did glance.  
Scipio to Rome returned, did triumph gain,  
And for surname, was called African:   

For that those wars attained had such fame,  
And profit great brought unto Romans' state,  
The country whole had Africa to name  
By him subdued, ordained thereto by fate:  
Thus time we see, 
The nature of time.  brings all things to their date,  
Destroying oft, and raising up again,  
Yielding some store, others doth pinch with pain.    

CAP. 6.  
The wars of the Romans' with the Macedonians, the conquest of Asia, the death of Scipio African, Rome's Ambassador putteth the great King of Assiria in fear with his speech, the conquering of Macedonia and Dalmatia.  

PEace on this wise, again to Carthage granted:  
Rome had home-broyles, wars greater outward grew.  
The Macedonian King 'gainst Romans' vaunted,  
Whose proud attempt, with Grecians to subdue,  
Quintus Flaminius, led forth the warlike crew  
Of Romans', though subduing that same King,  
And Grecians, all subjects to Rome did bring.   

He charge gave to this King of Macedo,  
Philip by name, never once war to move  
'Gainst Roman state, 
* Nor to pass the limits of his country.  which he agreed unto,  
Performing it with duty and with love:  
To Romans' he a friend did after prove,  
For aid he gave with all his power and might,  
When Romans' would at any need to fight,   

Antiochus the great Assiria king,  
Came with great 
* Into Greece.  power, the Romans' to withstand:  
This Philip then, most willingly did bring  
His force, and joined with those of Romans' band:  
Glabrio for Rome obtained the upper hand.  
Antiochus' fled to Egypt ward with speed,  
Raising more force, to do some other deed.   

Philip, and he ('tis said) descended were  
From those, who, when great Alexander dead,  
In kingdoms did divide his whole Empiere, 
Civil discord, the overthrow of the Macedonian Monarchy.   
Partage of which, great wars, and discord bred,  
Between all those to that succession led:  
With cruel fights, each other long did thrall,  
As last, the Romans' came t'enjoy them all.   

Thus Rome's triumphing glory high did grow,  
Her power was great by sea, and eke by land:  
With sack, and spoils, of cities they did flow:  
Nations not any, might Romans' force withstand,  
Kings, and countries, fat off did at their hand  
Desire aid, amongst all which did come  
Ambassadors from Egypt unto Rome.   

Praying to guard young Ptolomés their King,  
Now vexed with wars, and like to have the chafe,  
With power which Antiochus did bring,  
From Kingly seat, and crown him to displace:  
The Senate gave consent to right his case,  
Sending unto Antiochus, to cease  
His war, and suffer Ptolomés live in peace:   

Which he obeyed, but yet to have a fleece  
Of Romans' spoil, and to revenge late spite,  
Did lead along his army into Greece,  
Procured by means of Hannibal, in flight  
From Carthage force, by Scipio put to flight  
(As is rehearsed before) from whence he fled,  
Antiochus too, with succour to be sped.   

But into Greece, the Romans Army brought,  
Encountered him, 
* Antiochus.  with whom `was Hannibal:  
O'erthrew them both, & brought their powers to nought:  
Here Carthage captain had a second fall,  
Antiochus eke received a farther thrall:  
By sea also, Rome got the upper hand,  
Expelled him thence into Assiria land.   

Lucius Scipio, was chief this war that led,  
Brother unto Scipio called African:  
And for because so happily he sped,  
The surname of Asiatic he won:  
But speak again of Scipio African,  
Lieutenant to his brother in this war,  
At his return to Rome, there fell a jar.   

The Tribunes of the people, 
Envy the enemy to all virtue.  did molest  
Through envy (sure) the glory he had won:  
By means whereof, in quiet for to rest,  
From Rome he went, (their malice for to shun)  
To 
* A house or manor of his in the country.  Lyterne, till their heat of rage was done:  
But there as some do say (such was his chance)  
This worthy man, death wounded with his lance.   

Whose loss full many did lament, (no doubt)  
So brave a man to die at such an age,  
For fifty years he was not all full out:  
Thus do we see, the valiant bold and sage,  
When time brings death, cannot withstand his rage,  
Rome happy thou, to breed so brave a wight,  
Unhappy folk, his virtue so to quite.   

Hereby is seen the fruits of envy still,  
Who ne'er works good, but evil evermore:  
Virtue she seeks for to destroy and kill,  
Things that are whole, she hurts, and maketh sore,  
Those that are good, the envious do abhor:  
Which thing hath been, and ever more will be,  
Bright virtue blamed, by foul iniquity.   

Where state and wealth increaseth day by day,  
By valour of the virtuous, and the stout,  
Envy there roots, and takes such hold and stay,  
In secret wise, braving among the rout:  
And with pretence each cause is good, (no doubt)  
Infecting sore such places that so flourish,  
Under the cloak of virtue, vice doth nourish.   

With policy, and practise sly, they frame  
Their brazen face, and adders tongues to bite:  
They gloze, and feign, and flatter without shame,  
With forged lies, they faith, and truth do spite,  
And where as once their venom vile doth light,  
They do not cease, to puff with poisoned breath,  
Like Cockatrice, to bring them to their death.   

(Alas the while) so Rome did Scipio lose:  
During which time, Aetolia people were  
Taken, to be the Romans utter foes:  
But 
* Marcus Fuluius.  Fuluius, whose nobleness was clear,  
Subdued and brought them under Romans fear:  
Thus still their fame, did every day increase,  
Held wars abroad, at home the lived in peace.   

Antiochus, (who late rehearsed before)  
To whom for aid, stout Hannibal did fly:  
Enforced to keep his country, and no more  
His fortune, with the Romans force to try:  
His kingly life, away from him did high,  
Unto the King (then) of Bythynia  
Hannibal went, for aid on him to stay:   

Which thing when as the Romans understood,  
To Prusias sent, (Bythinia King so hight)  
To render him, it should be for his good,  
If not, 'twere means to work him great despite,  
The Romans would redress the wrong with might:  
Thus Hannibal, was near his ending days,  
Whose noble acts won everlasting praise,   

And fame beside, for ever during still:  
But foul despair, (did much appair the same)  
In ugly shape who now came him until:  
Monster most vile, whose acts aye end with shame,  
With in his mind such deep conceits did frame,  
As they alone 
* Despair in distressed minds, solitary are not alone.  together, musing sat  
Of glory past, and now his wretched state.   

Hope banished was, despair did bring in fear,  
And he feared most to fall in Romans hands:  
When him before, 
Infernal plagues to earthly minds distressed.  most ugly shapes appear:  
Hell seemed lose, and round about him stands,  
Grief, sorrow, care, thought, misery with bands,  
Ruin, decay, woe, wrack, and endless strife,  
Slander, disfame, and shame to rid his life.   

Envy, revenge, hate, discord, and disdain,  
Malice, and scorn, pride would not be behind:  
The pride of Rome so pinched his heart with pain,  
Because revenge did not fall to his mind:  
And now despair again his eyes did blind,  
(When as these furies, had his spirits possessed,  
More greater yet, t'augment his great unrest.)   

showed him his armies, and his victories,  
His glorious pomps, 
The remembrance of pleasures past, pincheth when penury is victor.  his triumphs, wealth and all  
Carthage great loss, how Rome did him despise:  
The wrack eke of his brother Asdrubal,  
After all this, his own mishaps, and fall  
From so great height, and lastly, now to light  
Into their hands, whom he did always spite.   

Midnight was come, and every thing at rest:  
When sights yet strange, more monstrous did appear,  
(As 'tis with all by foul despair possessed:  
Tost, and turmoiled, with horror, dread, and fear,)  
And long before the day 'gan for to clear,  
In vision saw great battles, thousands slain,  
Huge heaps of dead, whose blood the earth did stain   

Before him seemed t'appear great flames of fire,  
Where in despair bade him go end his life,  
Murder fast by (inflamed with rage and ire,)  
To kill him, ready with a bloody knife:  
Waters to drown himself and rid all strife:  
The Romans' hands t'escape, there is no hope;  
Hang thyself (quoth despair) here is a rope.   

Behold this chamber wherein thou dost lie: 
Acts of distressed souls, possessed by despair, running through their senses.   
A thousand ways there is to end thy woe,  
See there a tower stately, standing high,  
Thyself from top thereof thou soon mayst throw,  
Here, stab thyself thy valour great to show:  
Or cut thy throat, or brains do knock from head,  
No joys in life, in best case when thou'rt dead.   

Despair at length the victory did gain,  
And Hannibal did give consent to die:  
Distressed he past hope, did think life vain,  
With shame to live, that late in honours high  
Did sit, and now to dwell in misery,  
With them who were his cruel deadly foes:  
He prayed despair some way else to dispose.   

His wretched life, those former means rehearsed  
He liked not, (when sighing breathed for air:  
Both head and heart, of Hannibal quick pierced)  
Then what sayest thou unto a potion fair?  
A bowl of wine, 
Hannibal poisoned himself.  carouse, drink to despair,  
Sorrows are dry; this draft will quench all strife:  
Thus poisoned, he did leave his loathed life.   

Ah wretched state, vain worlds vading joys,  
High for to be, avails nothing at all,  
Thy pomps and glory, are but trifling toys,  
For record take we, worthy Hannibal,  
And many more whom fortune hath made fall:  
She lifteth high, and smileth, when a frown,  
Makes Cesar hop besides his seat and crown.   

Antiochus' dead, 
The ambition of antiochus, King of Assiria, who also would govern the King of Egypt, being but yet a child, minding thereby to obtain the Kingdom to himself.  Antiochus again  
Succeeded him, who likewise undertook  
In Egypt, chief next to the King to reign,  
Yet under age, his state to over look:  
But th'egiptians, would not this thing brook,  
They seeing his sleights, and where about he went,  
To Rome in haste, once more for secure sent.   

Popilius Lenas' charge the Senate fro,  
embassage went, with that great King to speak,  
By Romans power, he conjured him to go,  
And his great siege from Alexandria break;  
Antiochus feared himself to be too weak,  
Desired time, to be advised thereon  
To answer him, to stay, or else be gone.   

Popilius then a rod held in his hand,  
With haughty look beheld the King in face,  
And round about, in place where he did stand,  
A circle on the ground therewith did trace:  
Antiochus (quoth he) say on a pace,  
Ere I out of this circle set one foot;  
Strait answer me, delays shall nothing boot.   

This Scarbrough warning put the King in fear,  
Which made him to Popilius strait agree, 
Rome's Ambassador, feareth the great King of Assiria with a word.   
His siege forthwith in all the haste to rear,  
And Egypt all, to leave in unity.  
By writers lo these things recorded be,  
To show what might, and rule, the Romans bore  
By destiny, or through their virtues rare.   

For at this time, their rule did stretch so far,  
Invading still the world every where,  
Who did not yield themselves, the rod of war  
Should draw out blood, and bring them under fear:  
The world, they seemed in sunder for to tear,  
Reigning alone, as sovereigns, and chief,  
As after here, it shall be showed in brief.   

Philip King of Macedo (who but late  
Rehearsed is) ambitiously now bend,  
To live as King within his own estate,  
Did think himself too strait shut up and penned,  
Of promise made before time did relent:  
League with the Romans broke, and purposed war  
If he had lived, but death his course did bar.   

But (lo) his son, 
* His breach of promise punished after in his son, called Perseus, solicited by his nobles, after his father's death, to take in hand this war.  that next him did succeed,  
Incited oft to take that cause in hand,  
As heir unto the war, at last agreed,  
Of Macedons he raised a mighty band:  
Emilius Paulus, did his power withstand,  
O'erthrew his host, and prisoner took him tho  
With wife, and children, greatly to their woe.   

Returned to Rome, triumphing with his pray,  
Where, for surname, Macedonique was called  
Still after that, and from that self same day,  
Macedo state to Rome was full installed,  
Dalmatia after, also was enthralled  
By Nasica, Cornelius, so named,  
Whose force was such, as he those people tamed.    

CAP. 7.  
The third and last war of Carthage, when the City was quite subverted and razed to the ground.  

WHen time by fates, unto his period reacheth,  
To top of wealth, or bottom of all woe,  
A rule most firm unto the world teacheth,  
Nature, ne art, can alter or forego,  
Unless that he most high divine say no:  
Who ruleth fates, who guideth time and all,  
Who builded first, and last shall make to fall.   

Six hundredth years and four (now) it was,  
Since building first of noble Rome began.  
Carthage once more devised to bring to pass,  
To regain that, which late the Romans' won:  
Force they prepare, with all the speed they can,  
Their neighbours vex, with 
* Who at this instant gave unto them a great overthrow, which weakened them sore to withstand this last war.  Massinissa King,  
The Romans' friend, and thus themselves they bring   

To utter ruin: for now it was debated  
In Senate house, to save, or to destroy  
Carthage, when at the last it was dilated  
For Romans' weal, to make clear all annoy,  
After that time chief, magistrate, or roy,  
Should govern more, or dwelling there be found,  
Commission was, to raze it quite to th'ground.   

Bellona's, face now frowned with tyranny,  
Behold th'ambitions, rightly in their kind,  
That to aspire, regards no misery,  
Or woes, or wrack of others, so their mind  

* Ambition is never sufficed till death.  Sufficed be, which with a blast of wind  
Is overturnde, and vanisheth away,  
Not knowing how soon may come their own decay.   

But such the nature and condition, is  
Of earthly minds, t'enjoy what they delight,  
Forward to run, 
The wise foreseeth destiny but fools fall in their folly.  not thinking ought amiss,  
Should them betide, or once their purpose spite,  
And certes we see, oft times doth run out right  
Without a stop, or any stay at all.  
Those things decreed, by destiny to fall.   

As here the Romans', purposing this war.  
All doubts debated, into afric sent  
To Libya coast, when Carthage saw a far  
Rome's force, and knowing the Senate's full intent,  
Amazed they were, now this, than that way bend:  
One part resolved their city to defend,  
With fame, their lives, and miseries to end.   

The league of peace some seek to hold, their ire  
Some sue t'assuage, and to that end do make  
Long suits and plaints: 
A great number of their Children according to the last trues.  (and last with tears desire)  
Bringing pledges, in favour them to take,  
But all in vain, denied, with grief they quake  
Distressed thus, provisions all were scant,  
Of friends abroad, they had as great a want.   

Only a few, but discord caused their wrack,  
When wars first 'gan, then broke they unity:  
One side, forwards did draw, the other back,  
Which thing now last, wrought all their misery:  
Famine, with plagues, murder, and treachery,  
Which to recure, was now (alas) too late,  
When first their folly, last brought their final fate.   

Censorino, Martio, and Mamilio were  
Chief in this war, who carthage first beset:  
Whose fortunes, for the space of four year  
Was loss most part, small honour did they get:  
Though toil they took, in cold, in dry, and wet,  
Till Scipio young, who was th'adopted son  
Of Scipio, that before had afric won.   

Seemed for to tread, and trace, the steps aright  
Of his great Uncle, or else his Grandsire:  
For in these Carthage last wars, did acquight  
Himself so well, the army did admire  
His service there, a tribune then no higher,  
Whose virtue did 'mongst them such glory gain,  
As sole Empire, by Rome's voice did obtain   

o'er all th'army at siege of Carthage tho: 
The people desired him for hope only of the former, Scipio who conquered Astique before.   
But thereto would the Senate not assent,  
The people by treaties desired so,  
Or else perforce, would cause them to consent:  
Claiming old custom, lastly were content,  
Applauding much, their captain newly chose,  
For Rome to fight 'gainst their long mortal foes.   

When Scipio (thus) had of this war full charge, 
The true pattern of a most noble Captain.   
Within the camp, he framed orders new:  
In friendly sort, he made unto them large  
A speech, commending of their valour true,  
Eke what required, in soldiers to be due:  
Purging from them the vicious, idle all,  
Who through corruption, might th'army thrall.   

Which done prepared by sea, and eke by land,  
For the assault, which to defend, with might  
The Carthaginians, lost time on no hand,  
But fought, and wrought t'offend by day and night▪  
To Romans they did many ways work spite:  
But all in vain, since fates would have it so,  
That Romans force, the city should o'rethro.   

But like as time of every thing makes end,  
So now of Carthage, fast came on the fine,  
Besieged with out, with in themselves they bend  
To jar (alas) of utter ruin a sign: 
Where Magistrates are not obeyed with a confusion cometh final destruction.   
Strength failed, and with despair, they 'gan to pine:  
Yet long, and oft, they did the Romans grieve,  
Whom Scipio by his valour did relieve.   

Secure by land and sea, from them he took,  
Broke down the walls; 
The end of disobedience to the Magistrates in a common wealth, is many miseries.  entered the city in:  
When terror (lo) the Carthaginians shook,  
Like people mad, to run the do begin,  
In desperate case, to lose all, or all win,  
Killing, and killed, at length the Romans gain,  
The mastery, and the city to obtain.   

Which to behold, what heart but would lament,  
To see how Carthage stood in woeful case,  
Her stately fort called Birsa, torn, and rend,  
And houses sacked before the owner's face:  
Huge flames of fire, rising in many a place,  
A woeful thing for to behold with eye,  
Smoke dim the air, and flames to reach the sky.   

Great was the slaughter, 
The nature of fury once conqueror.  made by Romans' all,  
In every street, ran murder, blood, and fire,  
The silly babes, from mother's breasts do fall,  
Husbands, and wives a sunder do retire,  
Brothers, and friends, and sisters, pay the hire  
Of death, (alas) a grief it was to see,  
The city's ruin, and their great misery.   

Some with the sword, some midst the flame to burn:  
A spectacle most horrible to rue,  
Both magistrates, 
The misery of disordered people, even their own enemies, do often lament to behold.  and people, dying, mourn,  
Of former welfare, their ilfare last to view:  
Scipio himself shed tears, with grief that grew,  
To see the ruin of that city old,  
Late rich and fair, wellnigh laid flat on mould.   

Continued had seven hundredth years and more,  
Flourished most brave, with plenty of each thing,  
And had command, 
On earth, nothing permanent.  o'er kingdoms, city's store,  
Ruled eke by sea, as chief imperial King,  
With store of ships, that riches home did bring,  
All in short space consumed, and ruined quite,  
Subject unto blind fortunes cruel spite.   

Which well may show, the state of kingdoms all,  
Though near so rich, so populous and stout:  
But fortune can, and hath made them to fall,  
And wellnigh razed, both names and places out,  
Recount we will, some chief among the rout;  
What is become, of Troy's pomp and pride,  
Of Priam's King, and all his power beside.   

Assiria that Monarchy so great,  
The Persian, Mede, and Macedonian King  
In battle that Darius' stout did beat,  
And all the world, did subject to him bring,  
Carthage may here draw with them in one string:  
Thus worketh time, change, and chance, of each thing,  
Base, high to raise, more faster down to bring.   

Thus Carthag (lo) came to her final end,  
razed to the ground; to Rome rich spoils were brought  
That were of choice 
* The image of Apollo, of fine gold pillars of gold, of the weight of 1000 talents, with innumerable other spoils, besides those taken by the soldiers.  and Scipio eke did send  
Scicilians too, brave statutes finely wrought,  
And ornaments, the Carthaginians, caught  
Long since from them, which antic were and old,  
Which they by force, from them also did hold.   

In Rome was joy for this great victory,  
With high and low, Scipio did triumph gain,  
His praises were extended to the sky,  
With people's voice, and sound of trumps amain,  
For surname (also) was given him African:  
Because an end he made of so great war,  
Whereby Rome's gloriy stretched exceeding far.    

CAP. 7.  
The conquest of Achaia, the razing of the city Corinth, wars in Portugal, Spain, and with the slaves in Scicilia, the razing of Numanitia in Spain.  

WHen all these wars of Carthage ended were,  
Th'acayan people gathered head amain,  
In Greece, and there an army they did rear  
Against Rome's state, whose braving to restrain,  
Lucius Mummius Consul, leave did gain  
To fight with them, of Rome's force was he chief,  
Who them o'erthrew unto their pain and grief.   

Their country subject unto Rome they yielded,  
Corinth chief city principal of Greece:  
hundredth of years full many, had been builded,  
With sack and spoil, 
Lucius Mummius, had for surname Achaique.  his soldiers did it fleece,  
Burning the same, left standing not one piece:  
And after razed the same quite with the ground,  
No dwelling left, in it for to be found.   

About which time, in Portugal there was,  
A person stout, Viriatus called by name,  
But mean of birth, yet so it came to pass,  
That from a shepherd, 
Portugal subject to Rome.  grew to so great fame,  
And with his force, the Romans oft did tame,  
But he by treason slain, and not by fight,  
Which caused that country, fall to Romans right.   

Not far from thence, in Spain a town did stand,  
Numanitia called, which long time wars did hold  
With Romans force, fight with equal hand:  
Both one, and other, gained as fortune would:  
The Romans took disdain, a poor town should  
Brave them so long, and not to have it ta'en:  
Thither was sent stout Scipio 
* 14. Years after Carthage destroyed, and in the 622. of Rome's foundation.  African,   

At whose approach, disorder great was found  
The army in, that at the siege did lie,  
Which he reformed, and then by trumpets sound,  
With sharp assault numantia's force did try:  
Did take the same, the people mercy cry,  
His soldiers spoiled, and sacked every place,  
And afterward did clearly it deface.   

About this time within Scicilia isle, 
When the foot will rise against the head, cut it off on the ground, any more to tread.   
Bondmen, and slaves, did make a great uproar,  
Them to appease was used many a while,  
Their number did increase, still more and more:  
But yet an army, was raised up before,  
For to subdue their power and their strength,  
Whom Consul Fuluius pacified at length.    

CAP. 9  
The second wars in Asia; the death of Scipio African: wars with jugurth King of Numidia, and wars in Germany, France, and other places.  

Soon after this, in Asia war was moved,  
On the behalf of Attalus the King,  
Who by his will had given to be proved,  
His kingdom, crown, and every royal thing,  
The Romans too; but one a plea did bring  
Against the case named Aristonicus:  
But Rome replied, and brought an action thus:   

With armed men to try the matter out:  
Aristonious o'ercome, and brought to yield;  
Perpenna Consul with his Roman rout  
Captived him, in battle on the field;  
Which year following, 
In the year of Rome, 625.  to death (too soon) did yield  
Scipio, as he within his house took rest,  
Strangled 'twas thought, by some whom he loved best.   

Not much above fifty six years of age,  
(Lo valiant wights, foul fortunes cruel spite)  
Rome was perplexed with dolour, 
Both the other, Scipio and this, died in the flower of their age.  grief, and rage:  
And as some writ, in skies appeared a sight,  
It's said the son kept not his course aright,  
How ere it was, the loss was great to Rome,  
So time brings too, all earthly things their doom.   

In France ensuing, after this also,  
The Consul Fabius gained a battle great:  
And Gracchus, Tribune of the people, though  
A man most rare, on matters grave to treat,  
By envies rage, some did him cruel threat:  
For slain he was, about dividing lands:  
The wise we see, cannot shun malice hands.   

And now began the wars of jugurth stout, 
jugurth K. of Numidia, a country in afric, appertaining sometime to the Carthaginians.   
Which Sallust doth at large most plainly show,  
Where may be seen great matters brought about,  
And of the rest before past on a row  
In other works, who will them read may know:  
Why this small work was writ, one cause was chief,  
Rome's rising high to be declared in brief.   

But jugurth's war, (which next did fall in chase)  
Calphurnius first did take the same in hand, 
Calphurnius.   
Who Consul was, and after him had place  
Cecilius Metellus, strongly manned:  
But lastly Marius, with his warlike band  
O'erthrew his host, with many a deadly wound,  
Ending the war, had jugurth prisoner bound.   

During which war with this Numidian king,  
The Germans high, and low, 'gan to molest  
Italia soil, 
Slaughter and overthrows of the Romans', by the Germans.  and mighty troops did bring,  
In France also, that country to infest:  
The Romans had by them unquiet rest,  
Great slaughter oft, amongst them they did make,  
Chief Captains many, were forced their lives forsake.   

But Marius, Consul four times now chose,  
Gave them repulse, and last their power o'erthrew:  
The Almains hie, were slain and soon did lose,  
At Aix in Provence, where their strength they drew:  
In Lombardie, at Lysieres, did rue  
The other sort, which done, afresh did grow  
New wars, that over all Italy did flow.   

Those people that upon the soil did dwell,  
In sundry parts, which often heretofore  
Be named, 
* The Latins Samnites, To scanes, Veientes, Eques, Falisques, and others, now such countries as areabout Rome, Florence, Genua, Mantua, Ferrara Sienna, and others.  began again for to rebel:  
With much ado appeased was their uproar,  
And being reduc'de to quiet, as before:  
Swift time that doth begin, and end all thing,  
A dangerous war, against Rome's state did bring.    

CAP. 10.  
The wars with Mithridate King of Pontus, upon which grew the civil wars in Rome, between Sylla and Marius: of wars in Portugal, and the utter overthrow of mithridate the great, King of Pontus.  

IN kingdoms rule, most strange is fortune's chance,  
Fleeting, unsure, not to be thought with heart:  
Events each day, both to, and fro, do glance:  
Sores thought well salved, elsewhere unknown do smart  
Trust treason proves, and plays a tragic part  
With secret sleights: Ambition worketh wiles,  
Faith proveth frauds, and friendships are but guiles.   

mithridate King of Pontus, valiant, stout,  
With army strong, did give two Kings the foil,  
Gave them the chase, their seat and kingdom out:  
One of 
* Two countries in Asia.  Bythinia, the other of the soil  
Of * Cappadoce, their countries both did spoil:  
Which war, so sore the state of Rome did trouble▪  
First strife, next hate, and after murders double.   

These wretched Kings distressed thus with woe,  
In league and friendship, were with Romans knit  
Unto their aid, perforce did drive them 
* The Romans.  to:  
But here mark fortune when she list to flit,  
Who frowning seemed, on Romans side to sit,  
For wars abroad, to hurt them did begin,  
And ●arres more ill, at home themselves within.   

Strife did arise two captains stout,  
Which after grew to war, 
Civil discord, the only mischief of all commonwealths, & which bringeth therein, destructions, sooner than any other plague.  and deadly wound:  
Note here the fruits sedition bringeth out,  
And where likewise ambition taketh ground:  
The bodies sick, whereas the heads unsound.  
Rome had good cause to look both pale and wan,  
Never so plagued, since first their state began.   

Stout mithridate with kings chase not content,  
But farther runs, into the Romans land;  
Long 'twas before the Senate could consent,  
Who for this war, as leader chief should stand:  
On parts they were, on this side, and that hand, 
Contention cause of hate and revenge.   
Sylla some chose, because of noble race,  
Some Marius, rather to supply the place.   

Between these two, began Rome's woeful state:  
(Here may be seen what civil discords breed)  
Sylla had priest his army at Rome's gate,  
Marius constrained to fly away with speed,  
Perforce was such, and so hard grew his meed,  
In a small boat, as fast as he could high,  
To afric coast, away from Rome did fly.   

So Sylla had of Pontus' war the charge,  
And thither marched with Mithridate to fight,  
Absent from Rome: 
One poison driven out by another, and yet the grief not cured.  Cynna, whose power was large  
That time Consul, began the state to spite,  
Stirring up strife, but was soon put to flight  
By Octavian, who in office with him was,  
Out of the city to Cynna gave the chase.   

Marius on this returned from exile,  
His power with Octavian did unite,  
In Rome committing many parts most vile:  
Wrong bare the sway, 
The fruits of civil discord.  and did o'erpress the right,  
Murder, and theft, was done in open sight:  
They Consuls chose, and did what ere they lust,  
Their will was law, that every thing discussed.   

Sylla this while in war 'gainst Mithridate,  
The Romans loss, in part did get again:  
Hearing of Rome's foul broils and troubled state,  
Fast homeward hied, to ease that grievous pain:  
And when he had, 
A quiet state the mean while.  for most o'ercome and slain  
His enemies, that 'gainst him did resist,  
Bare sway alone, and then did what he list.   

Thus one gap stopped, a worse breach is made,  
One tempest past, a fouler storm doth rise:  
One drowning scaped, a gulf more ill to wade:  
One ill foreseen, 
True is an old saying, seldom comes the better.  a vilder blinds the eyes:  
One foe found out, a crueler lurking lies:  
One canker healed, out breaks more pestilent sore:  
Marius was ill, Sylla could be no more.   

For when the wind tempestuously doth blow,  
Oreturning towers, houses trees and all:  
Those harms passed over, incontinent doth flow  
A mighty flood, by rain continuing fall,  
Drencheth up beasts on fields, and in the stall,  
Drowning both corn, and fertile meadow ground,  
One common loss doth make a grievous wound.   

Marius' windlike at first did blow and rage,  
Which tempest little calmed, scarce overpast:  
Sylla not bend, that so it should assuage:  
But after blasts, brings floods of rain as fast,  
The wolf full pancht, the bear take his repast:  
Who hunger bides? but weaker beasts among  
The ravening sort, oppressed by open wrong.   

Sylla his enemies sharply did pursue,  
Some banished were, and on their goods set price,  
Their children eke that after should ensue,  
He quite despoiled for ever to arise  
Office, 
Revenge joined with ire.  or rule to bear in any wise:  
No man what ere might safe enjoy his state,  
Or life, if once against him he bare hate.   

So far forth was his heart inflamed with ire,  
Marius being dead, part of his carcase tho,  
(Such fury did his raging mind inspire)  
He caused into a river to be throw:  
Behold revenge to mortal men a foe,  
near satisfied, until she have her will,  
Of will restrained, with grief herself doth kill.   

Thus Sylla got the victory at length,  
Dictator made, and had the chiefest place  
For to command, and now again in strength:  
Rome 'gan to grow, and mutinies to race,  
But yet far of, an Exile in disgrace  
With Sylla, named 
* Prescribed by Sylla.  Sertorius stout and fierce,  
With war did seek the Romans state to pierce.   

In Portugal an army he did wage,  
Got many towns, in wars having great skill:  
For to appease this unlooked for outrage,  
Pompee had charge, to work therein his will:  
Between these two, each part much blood did spill,  
After great fights, Sertorius was slain  
In treason foul, with craft caught in a train.   

A few years after, Pompee this had wrought,  
All Spain he got, and in that time also  
Bythinia king, to earth by death was brought,  
Heir to his crown, he made the Romans tho:  
But 
* Giving many overthrows to the Romans, during the civil wars.  Mithridate king of Pontus said no:  
Who occupied Bythinia all the while,  
That Marius, and Sylla, made the broil.   

Against whose pride, Lucullus Consul went  
And foiled him oft, speeding so at the last,  
His army all in piecemeal cut and rend,  
And from Bythinia made him high in haste,  
In Pontus' bounds, shutting him up full fast,  
From whence also, in fight was driven away,  
Flying for aid to the king of Armenia.   

Lucullus still did after him pursue,  
And oftentimes with both the powers did fight  
Of those two kings, who thought for to subdue  
Lucullus force: when each in others sight  
Were come, the Romans oreprest them by might,  
The Kings enforced to forsake the field,  
Their people most were slain, and fled, some yield.   

But here by means of mutiny and jar  
In Romans camp, which did Lucullus let,  
With Pontus' king to make an end of war,  
Whereby he might the gain of glory get,  
The Senate did a message send to set  
Lucullus 
* Lived often most sumptuously, etc. Not meddling any more in matters of the commonwealth  home, and in his room did place  
Pompee, those wars of Mithridate to chase.   

Who late before, 
* Pompee  great fame and credit gained,  
In vanquishing by sea the navy strong  
Of Pirates stout, who had with power attained  
The sovereignty of all the coasts along  
From Spain, to 
* Near unto Constantinople, or beyond, which come passeth the one side of all Europe.  Hellespont, there all among  
Those Isles: yet further did their force extend  
By land also, which Pompee brought to end.   

The overthrow of whom did much prevail,  
For Rome's welfare, and for the common state:  
So hard beset till then, they could not sail  
Out from their shores: but brought now to this rate,  
Pompee prepared himself for Mithridate,  
To Asia sped, making his power there strong,  
Those wars to end, which Rome had vexed long.   

Which entered too, he prosecuted so,  
As in short space, Mithridate was bereft  
Of hope, for ere to rise his state unto,  
When once his forces were asunder cleft,  
Small was the succour though unto him left:  
For after being besieged by his son  
Pharnaces called, his life he yielded done,   

Killing himself. 
Unconstancy of mind in miseries, engendereth despair.  O fury foul despair  
That dost inspire, thyself in souls distressed:  
But, what is life, say such? a blast of air:  
Fowl honours seat, chief cause of great unrest.  
The mean estate is ten times happier blest.  
O pride of Rome, 
Rome's ambition still continueth.  Ambitions pattern left,  
Which never will from following race be rest.   

But yet a while, behold this mighty king  
Stout Mithridate, how fortunes frowning spite,  
Did at the last, his wars and conquests bring  
To wretched state, that forty years with might,  
Most valiantly did with the Romans fight,  
And victor oft, their Captains many led  
With him each where captived, so well he sped.   

Treasons he scaped, and murmurings many a one:  
Of body strong, to walk on foot, or ride;  
No wound did ever make him shrink, or groan,  
To shun the wars, at any time or tide:  
'Gainst poisoning, he poison did provide,  
Wherewith when as he would his life have ended,  
No power at all, by poison was extended.   

His son (as is rehearsed) Pharnaces named,  
Usurping now his crown and dignity,  
mithridate saw his wrack in such sort framed,  
Fearing to fall, in farther misery,  
Into the Romans' hands by treachery,  
Drew forth the venom, which he ever bare  
About his sword, began it to prepare.   

Two of his daughters being fast him by,  
Did pray the King that they might first of all  
Take taste thereof, the potion for to try,  
(Loathing their lives to see their father's fall)  
He would not yield, but they would needs enthral  
Themselves to death, and drank and present died,  
The self same thing, by mithridate was tried   

But would not work, his body long before  
He so prepared, 
By this King, was invented the treacle now used, called by his name.  against all poison strong,  
For to withstand all treason, envy bore  
Against his state, who sought all means by wrong  
T'abridge his days, but fortune made him long  
Happy to live, unhappy for to die,  
From Empire so to fall in misery.   

Vanquished with grief, which long before his heart,  
Ne body could, the Romans legions great  
O'ercome, by practice, policy, or art,  
And now (quoth he) lo what doth me most fret: 
Friends, and his soldiers forsook him, by means of his son who usurped the crown.   
Faithless soldiers, children unkind entreat  
Me too, my friends unfaithful to me are:  
These foes I fly, rather than life to spare.   

Unto a Duke that stood unto him near,  
(Quoth he) to me thou ever hast been just,  
From huing any longer rid me clear,  
Lest Romans tread my glory in the dust,  
o'er me a king to triumph as they lust:  
Since poison will not end my wretched life,  
Help me by bloody stroke to cease all strife.   

The Duke bewailed Mithridate with tears,  
Yielding his help, to rid him of his woe:  
To his right breast, with trembling hand he bears  
The bloody blade, that did his life undo:  
Mithridate with a stroke, drove it into  
His breast, when as the lively spirit outbrast:  
Thus this great king, fortune with spite down cast.   

What therefore boots long life with troubled state,  
Though riches, wealth, and honour men possess?  
What doth avail long life, 
The longer life, the greater strife  without debate,  
In pleasure, joy, never to feel distress?  
In weal, or woe, let life be more or less,  
Death is all one, at first, as tarry long,  
Since die we must, mid woes small joys among.    

CAP. 11.  
The disturbance of Rome's estate by the conspiracy of Catiline, Ierusa'ems tribute to Rome, wars by julius Caesar in Germany, France and England, by Pompé the King of Egypt was restored to his kingdom.  

LIke as the day (when fresh Aurora spreads  
Her curtains large) expelling dark night's shade:  
Bright Phoebe doth rise from chamber and unbeds  
Himself abroad, with blazing rays, doth glade  
Aslant the earth: where length of shadows made:  
By misty clouds, all vanish quite away  
Rough winds arise, it proves a stormy day.   

Through heat perhaps, a thunderclap may sound:  
Or else rough Aeol raise a mighty wind,  
With floods of rain fast pouring on the ground:  
That herds of cattle scarce can find  
Shelter to save their bare backs (thinly lined)  
When as those beasts that feeding lie in stall, 
The weakest always goes to the wall.   
Recks not the storm, how great so ere it fall.   

So fareth fates: fair weather now foul prove,  
Storms past, there comes a quiet calm again,  
Seasons and times such earthly chances move:  
So Rome's high state now whole, then sick with pain.  
In worldly life, cares be our daily gain:  
Laws, 
Civil strife a destroyer.  for the good of common weals firm seated,  
Through civil strife their right use are defeated.   

As Pompee had those broils and jars late ended,  
Seditious fire began to light again;  
Now Catiline by 
* Gathereth a crew, discontented through idleness and voluptuousness.  conjuration bended  
A number more (their country's peace to stain)  
The state of Rome to spoil, ambitious brain:  
But Cicero who Consul was that time,  
Detected them of that most heinous crime.   

But Catiline to Toscane came by flight,  
Gathering fresh crews of wretches all forlorn:  
'Gainst whom Antonius, 
The reward of rebeliious persons disturbing the quiet estate of the common wealth.  (Consul) went to fight,  
By whose great valour in pieces cut, and torn  
The rebels were, (unhappy wretches borne)  
But fates to men, do aye allot such chance,  
That by wrong means, themselves think to advance.   

And in this year fine Cicero Consul was  
jerusalem, and all judea land,  
(Great Pompees pour achieved and brought to pass)  
Did tribute pay unto the Romans' hand:  
Octavian eke as you shall understand,  
(Who Emperor was in process following here)  
Received his birth, at Rome in this same year.   

Five years after Gabinius, and Piso  
Consuls were chose, when as the 
* A people in Germany.  Swysers' bold,  
Did cast their course, by 
* A Country in France very fruitful.  Provence for to go  
Farther in France, whereas they meant to hold  
Their biding place (say nay who so would)  
By reason of the fertile soil and ground,  
Great foison there of fruits, in season found.   

Whom to forbidden t'abide or there to rest,  
julius Caesar raised an army strong,  
Commanded by the Senate, 
julius Caesar, his first charge in warrein Germany.  soon was priest:  
And in short space the Swysers came among,  
Their power most dead, on earth he laid along,  
And after that to Ariovist also,  
And Almane King he gave like overthrow.   

Besides these two, he other battles fought,  
In parties more of Germany, and France,  
Near river Rhine, 
Caesar fortunate in all his wars.  his enemies he brought  
Subject, which far his glory did advance:  
From thence with power, o'er Ocean seas did glance,  
And did arrive among the Britons then,  
With whom to fight, 
Caesar in England.  he found them matchless men:   

But yet in fine, he did subject that Isle  
Ere he returned, and letters thence did write  
To Rome, (which were conveyed in short while)  
The first day of September to recite, 
Letters written to Rome from England.   
To Cicero, which he received in sight  
Upon the nine and twentieth of the same:  
From England, in a month those letters came.   

Caesar from thence returned again to France,  
Had good success, the country quiet brought  
E'er it was long, thus fortune can advance,  
Those whom she means at length to bring to nought:  
About this time, th'egiptians Rome besought  
To aid their king, expelled his country fro  
By Archelaus, worker of his woe.   

Unto the Senate Pompee suit did make,  
The king distressed, for to restore again:  
Gabinius charge thereof 
* Commanded by the Senate or council.  must undertake,  
He Archelaus, perforce did constrain  
For to departed, upon a grievous pain:  
So 
* The noble mind of Pompee to distressed Princes.  Ptolemy received again his crown,  
And royal seat, by Pompees high renown.    

CAP. 12.  
The Civil war between Caesar and Pompee Caesar's quieting, the state of Egypt, his quick expedition through divers other countries his attaining to the Empire.  

LIke as two Lions long without their prey,  
And coming where they hunger may sustain,  
Both being fierce, they will agree no way  
In friendly sort, to part the spoil in twain,  
High stomached both, both think the whole to gain,  
Do fall at strife, one for the others part,  
Where one, or both, do rue their rage with smart.   

This civil war which now began to rise  
tween Caesar stout, and Pompee called the great:  
showeth lion like, the grudge that smothering lies  
Within the heart, 
Where revenge taketh root, nothing but death can supplant it.  which canker like doth eat:  
Until such time revenge, breaks out in heat,  
And sets on fire, from smoke unto a flame,  
Never extinct without some foul disfame.   

This ground whereon this grudge began to grow, 
Hate will build on a small ground to be revenged   
The cause thus fell, stout Caesar was rejected  
Consul to be, until he did bestow  
His army, and his office last elected:  
But hate hath means, that spite shall be detected,  
Although small cause important thereto long,  
Right set aside, hate works by open wrong.   

But this conceit Caesar held in his mind:  
To yield his strengths, then naked should he be,  
Where now before, might hap then come behind:  
Yet nevertheless, ye yielded to agree,  
If Pompee would, release as well as he,  
His power also, which Pompee would not yield.  

* Caesa●….  Hasted to France again, and from the field   

Brought on his army, came in Italy:  
took many towns by love, and composition:  
Pompee this hearing, with Consuls both did fly,  
Caesar pursued, (there was no prohibition)  
But ere he came, to make with them condition,  
Embarqute they were, on sea board, under sail  
And out of sight, might bid to them all hail.   

For want of ships to serve his warlike turn,  
He thought not good there long while for to stay:  
But back again to Rome made his return  
From Durazo, (from whence they fled away)  
At Rome held court long after, day by day,  
Framing complaints, 'gainst those that did him wrong,  
And offering peace the Romance state among.   

He perceiving the Senate made small count  
Of what he spoke, from Rome in haste he sped:  
And ere 'twere long at 
* Or Marseilles, a town in in France, lying between Spain and Italy, on the sea coast.  Marcels did dismount,  
Whereas the town 'gainst him did make head:  
But he by sea an army caused be led,  
Left it besieged by water, and by land,  
And into Spain did journey out of hand:   

Where Pompees captains did unto him render,  
With all their forces, at his command to be,  
And with them hasted, whereas hope was slender,  
At Marseiles town, ere he came sought t'agree  
And yield to him, which done, away goeth he  
To Rome again, and in his absence was  
Dictator made, (through fates so brought to pass.)   

The people (eke) the more to raise his fame, 
Partly through fear of further trouble.   
Elect him Consul, with Servilius marched:  
And when he had set every thing in frame,  
For public weal, to 
* And Pharsalie where they fought.  Thessaly dispatched,  
And there a time to fight, with Pompee watched,  
Did him o'ercome, slew all his power wellnigh,  
Pompee enforced to Egypt for to fly:   

Where reigned then, Ptolemy his son that late,  
(Before rehearsed) by Pompees mean who was,  
Restored again into his royal state,  
In haste by flight Pompee to him did pass,  
In hope he would with courtesy (alas)  
Requite with aid, and succour, at his need  
Him now distressed, for that his former deed:   

But he to whom, Pompee this pleasure did,  
Was dead, and now this King was but a child,  
Who scarcely would to Pompee welcome bid:  
Of hope and secure being thus beguiled,  
Ingratitude, (who is a monster wild)  
Within the hearts of the Egyptians grew,  
Doubting mishap, in treason they him slew.   

Vile wretches that durst on him so lay hand,  
Whose noble heart relieved your wretched state:  
Did you not fear, the breach of league and band  
With Romans made, but could ye him so hate  
That was your friend, though destiny and fate  
Did on him frown, so in his blood t'embrue  
Your cruel hands: but you his death shall rue.   

Caesar shall not let unrevenged go,  
Your barbarous part, though he his enemy be:  
The day shall come wherein you shall cry woe,  
Ruying your state with wrack, and misery,  
For doing of so foul a villainy,  
In killing him, the world's flower chief,  
Whom Caesar (lo) bewails with tears, and grief.   

Presenting of his head, think you to find  
Pardon, and peace? no, no▪ Egyptians base  
Sprung from the stock of some vile rascal mind:  
No marvel though like rogues the world ye trace,  
Let not the earth afford you biding place;  
But wander ye, as wretches all forlorn,  
Your offspring cursed, and those before you borne.   

No doubt those plagues shall light upon you all:  
The Romans who your kings oft succour gave,  
Shall raze their seat, and ever after thrall  
Their name, and make both king, and queen a slave,  
And farther yet, this curse eke shall you have,  
Craft, and deceit, and theft shall be your trade,  
Until the gallows, end of all have made.   

Ah worthy wight, Pompee the Phoenix rare,  
Star of the world, before, and ever since:  
Both memory, and fame, shall aye declare  
Thy noble arts whose prowess did convince, 
Pomp but young, yet a great conqueror.   
Full many a realm, and province, king, and prince,  
At twenty five years age being no more:  
What one did ever match thee since, or before.   

For noble mind, for valour, bounty love,  
Whose good success did raise the Romans state:  
For constancy which mishaps could not move,  
For honour shew'de to wretched mithridate,  
Himself his race, to many in like state;  
Thy virtues blazed thy noble disposition,  
But cruel minds, made thereof prohibition.   

The stately triumpn Rome did make to thee,  
Declare thy fame, when thou didst back return  
With captived kings conquered, thy victory  
As bright as sun, or blazing lamp did burn:  
Which sight to see, made them with grief to mourn,  
When in a chariot shining bright, all gold,  
Set rich with stones, their eyes might thee behold.   

To sit, 
There was counted to be in silver 2200. talents, after our account in money, an infinite some.  and when their sceptres, and their crowns,  
Their royal robes, with ornaments, and all  
Their stately wealth, their jewels, spoil of towns,  
Silver, and gold, with statues high and tall  
Of beaten gold, yet more to show their thrall:  
Their armours, and their weapons, broad in sight,  
They prisoners all, o'ercome by thee in fight.   

Triumphing thus, 
Besides prisoners there were 314. pledges, children of Kings, and great Princes of countries by him over come, showed in the triumph, with the images & pictures of those slain in battle, to represent his victories.  with much more in like sort,  
Rome's youth went first, next them the youthful crew  
Near man's estate, then followed with great port,  
Grave citizens, next Senate did ensue  
Clad in their robes, of colour bloody hue:  
Many sorts more of people in their place,  
Before and after, in triumph than did trace   

In order due: Those of his army strong,  
Some chief, on horseback, some on foot did go,  
Never the like triumph there was among  
Rome's conquerors, for any overthrow,  
That given ws to country, or to foe,  
Yet (lo) (alas) such was his destiny,  
Hated by friends, and slain by treachery.   

What minds have men in honour's seat that sit,  
High still to climb, not knowing how soon they may  
When dread is least in dangers greatest flit,  
And being once fallen, soon whither and decay,  
On mighty trees grows sundry sorts of spray,  
Whose roots turned up, the danger is not small,  
When tumbling down comes bark, boughs, twigs, & al.   

Pompee even so o'erturned by cruel fate  
By such as should have him their succour lent,  
His friends who love did bear unto his state,  
Branches, and boughs, firm fixed to him and bent,  
Were afterward cut off, scattered, and rend,  
As here ensuing shall be showed in place,  
If well you note, this high imperial chase.   

Caesar pursued, and into Egypt came  
With power great, the king that time in arms,  
A quarrel had his sister's pride to tame  
Cleopatra, (for shunning future harms)  
On either part there was ofttimes alarms,  
Which to appease, Caesar did them incite  
For him t'appear, as judge the cause to right.   

In that he was Consul of Roman state:  
And for before the former king that died  
Did league contract, (assenting to a rate)  
The Senate with, in friendship to abide:  
But th'Egyptians, with disdain did slide  
From this offer, took it in great disgrace,  
Their king to plead, before a Consul's face.   

Whereon in arms they drew them out of hand,  
Sought means Caesar, like Pompee to o'erthrow:  
But he withstood them with his warlike band,  
In dangers great: yet last did make them know  
He Caesar was, for victory did blow  
Upon his side, the king dead, he divided  
Egypt in two, and thus it was contrived.   

Cleopatra, joined with her younger brother,  
Should both enjoy the state and dignity,  
The one to be as mighty as the other,  
Subjects to Rome, ever after to be:  
This done, Caesar departs, and after he  
Transports his force, and army out of hand,  
With speed most swift into Assyria land.   

To Pontus next, and there the king o'erthrew,  
Pharnaces named, 
The greatness of man's mind, atchieveth many enterprises, thought unpossible, which proveth true, that a man is but his mind.  the son of mithridate,  
(Rehearsed before) and afterwards he drew  
Armenia too, and quieted that state:  
With Gallogreece, assigning them a rate.  
Cappadoce, Pont, Bythinia also,  
Rome's league on pain of death not once forego.   

This done, to Rome fast making his return  
The season cold, in winter's shortest days:  
Desire of rule so made his heart to burn,  
Setting a part all manner of delays,  
From Rome, to Scicill Isle, and there not stays,  
But taketh ship and sails to afric coast, 
Cato slew himself at Utica, a city in afric, for that he would not fall into Caesar's hands.   
With great desire t'encounter his enemies' host.   

Pompees allies: amongst whom, Cato grave  
With other more, had raised an army great  
To take their parts, king 
* juba, a King in afric, his league with Rome.  juba they do crave,  
Who did consent with them his foot to wet,  
In doing of which he was set by his seat:  
For Caesar had o'er them the victory,  
The great'st part slain, the rest away did fly.   

When Caesar had ended this chase of wars, 
In his own person, ere he attained the sovereignty of Emperor, he had made war in three parts of the world, viz Asia, Africa & Europe, and from them all, returned victor.   
Returning back, triumphing with great spoil,  
In every place made peace, and ceased all jars,  
And to his enemies given utter foil:  
To Rome he came, and resting now from toil,  
He triumph had, and did command each where  
The world throughout, all nations did him fear.   

Now here behold Rome's Empire sovereign,  
Whose fame doth yet continue to this day:  
The name of Caesar still it doth retain,  
And ever shall until the world's decay:  
The Scriptures by the Prophets so do say,  
Interpreted by learned clerks divine: 
No sooner full sea, but ebb beginneth.   
But now at height, note how it did decline.    

CAP. 13.  
The wounding to death of julius Caesar in the Senate house.  

WHen blood, 
Ambition, cause of many miseries.  when fire, when slaughter, spoil & sack,  
Throughout the world had run to raise Rome high,  
(Alas) what woe, what misery, and wrack,  
(Vile wretchedness, and torments cruelly  
Her Empire caused, causeless many to die)  
Through treasons used, with subtlety and craft,  
And sly deceits since in the world laft.   

But richly clad in throne Imperial,  
(As Phoebe in skies with majesty doth shine)  
Caesar did sit, and in his hand the ball,  
Or globe did hold, for token or a sign,  
(As say he might the world all is mine)  
Sole to command, no match or mate had he:  
Such was his mind, gaining sole sovereignty.   

But here began hate, envy, and disdain,  
The Monarch new, 
Honers' seat full of dangers.  his greatness to despise,  
His equals late, now vassals, he to reign  
Alone, and they, as base before his eyes:  
High minds, secret, the furies made to rise▪  
Not privately pretending of his harms,  
Nor publicly banding with men in arms.   

But as he in th'imperial seat did sit  
In parliament, 
When dread is least, then is danger greatest.  not dreading aught at all,  
Pricks forth revenge, his enemies all fit:  
The tree high grown with fatal axe to fall,  
Lest that his boughs, spread large with shade might thrall  
Small under trees, and wood that grew him near,  
Purpose pursued, they would no longer bear.   

Unto him came in number eight or nine,  
Each one a dagger, bodkins some do say:  
What ere, but there, the thread they 'gan t'untwine  
Of that great 
* A relation to the fourth staff in the first Chapter of this book.  web, begun so many a day  
Before, and now iwove, gins away  
To wear and fret, by piecemeal raged and torn,  
As at this day base Bashrags 
* The Turks  do it scorn.   

Thus sunk the ship that floated with full sail,  
Through storms stirred up by furies plagues of hell:  
Thus worthy Caesar world's rule bids all-hail,  
Leaving the trump of fame, his praise to tell:  
His virtue flies, his name, 'mongst us to dwell:  
Upon this globe what glory more can be,  
Virtue, acts, name, left to eternity.    

CAP. 14.  
The fortunate and prosperous reign of Octavius Augustus Caesar, in whose time our Saviour Christ was borne.  

WHen Summers' heat, 
Summer the ripener of all fruits.  with parching flames had burnt  
The earth's fresh coat, decked sweet by Flora queen,  
Whose colours gay, to russet brown was turned,  
Through drought, fire hot, each pleasant field was seen  
Bare backed, deep scorched with chawnes, in steed of green  
Ceres uncrownde, her garland withered ripe,  
Pan, harvest home to Swains, had played with pipe.   

Fruits falling fast Autumn the same did high, 
Autumn, the gatherer & ●…orier.   
Clear days began to be overcast with clouds,  
Turning to mists, and rain descends the sky:  
Birds coverts seek, and beasts together crowds  
Close from the cold, in house by fire shrouds  
The rustic sort, and greater swains beside,  
Content perforce the winter's wrath to bide.   

Whilst chilling cold with many a bitter blast,  
Disrobes the trees, and bating quite the ground,  
When Saturn with his cruel looks doth cast  
A mantle thick, 
Winter the destroyer & spender.  the colour seen and found  
White every where, (but skies black) low all round  
This globe upon, and when's depending seen  
Trees leaved with ice, in lieu of summers green.   

When whistling winds do shear the tender skin,  
And razor like, piercing, doth make a raze  
On seely creatures, barely clad, and thin,  
nigh starved, with cold, looking with rueful grace,  
Do wish the spring to hasten on a pace,  
Which doth ensue: when Phoebe warm beams doth show  
His force from high, to dying things below.   

Then from his hole the seely fly doth creep, 
Spring the quickener again of all.   
For joy to feel the warmth approaching nigh,  
Each creature else, whom winter's wrath made weep,  
Rejoice clouds past, 
But this spring, the comfort of all Christians, the harvest hath been long, God grant many good labourers there in, that when Autumn cometh, winter following be not sharp.  beholding clear the sky:  
Beasts caves, fruits earth, fowls naked bushes fly,  
Mounting towards air, and all do seem to sing,  
The sweetest time (of all) is in the spring.   

Which season chanced when Caesar's burning sun  
And harvest toil, began to end, and drew  
Both Autumn, and his winter course in one,  
despoiling him of all his prime gained hue,  
octavius spring began the world anew:  
So fresh a spring as never was before  
Upon the earth, nor ever shall be more.   

Caesar thus slain, his glory laid down low,  
His force that late did through the world fly,  
Ambitious minds doth point, 
Planting with care and yet not knowing who shall enjoy that they have toiled for.  and as 'twere show,  
Their vading joy, when they have touched the sky:  
Great is their fall, that seek to climb on high,  
Restless their minds, besides their body's toil,  
Consuming time, themselves with cares do spoil.   

Octavius, who was Caesar's sisters son,  
(The birth of whom recounted is before)  
Such love belike had of the soldiers won,  
Of Legions he did gather a great store,  
Revengement of his 
* Iu. Caesar.  uncles death he bore  
Secret in mind, but seemed, as though that he  
took arms to fight, against Mare Antony.   

In favour of the public state and weal:  
But ere 'twas long, 
Inconstancy the change of many strange chances.  th'empire did divide  
With him, and Lepidus, they three to deal  
In causes all, before them to be tried:  
Triumvirates so called, for to decide  
Matters of war, of peace, contention, strife,  
What ever else, concerned goods, or life.   

Marc Antony at this time bore such sway,  
As by his power he gave commandment,  
Marcus Tullius Cicero, for to slay,  
Who late in wars with power against him went:  
(This same was he that was so eloquent)  
But now behold how envy sowed seed,  
Quarrels between the Triumvirates to breed:   

For Lepidus, deposed his office fro,  
Upon suspicion of some treachery, 
Dissension cause of destruction.   
Esteemed Octavius for his mortal foe:  
Revenged to be, drew to him Antony,  
To Egypt-ward they both in haste did fly,  
Where Antony took after unto wife  
Cleopatra, which bred foul hate and strife.   

Cupid (blind god) the Romans heart did wound, 
Liking and lust cause of dishonour   
At sight of this Egyptian (stately dame)  
Agreeing both, convenient time was found,  
To quench desires heat, and burning flame:  
Strange may it seem to some, the noble fame  
These two lived in, with honour, wealth at will,  
All pleasures sought, their minds for to fulfil.   

Fine sumptuous feasts, delights, with triumpes brave:  
What dainty thing was thought on, was not had:  
Gold, pearl, stone, attire, that heart could crave,  
Nothing did want, that might their minds make glad,  
Sports were devised, t'expel all causes sad,  
This life they led: but Antony to blame  
For one part played, which wrought his end with shame.   

octavius sister he had espoused before:  
Casting her off, th'egyptian took to wife,  
Which now at last grew to a canker sore,  
A cause that moved Caesar unto strife:  
When Antony, amidst this pleasant life▪  
With his rich queen of Egypt wearing crown:  
Dread set apart, fortune began to frown 
Sweet meat will have sour sauce    

Caesar his army into Egypt lead:  
Egyptians force the Romans made to fly,  
Hast and away, who fast did run best sped,  
Cleopatra, and her brave Antony,  
Their high estate brought down by destiny:  
Force, 
Delights with carelessness, brings wrack and wretchedness.  and hope, failed, their welfare to regain,  
Excess was turned, to penury and pain.   

Recalling both their former lives to count,  
Now feeling want, relief to them was strange:  
No hope again, unto their state to mount,  
Despair throughout their senses all did range,  
Working vile means, their wretched lives to change,  
With grief of which, so nipped both their hearts,  
As loathing life, the same to death imparts.   

The Empire sole Octavius then did sway;  
Antony dead, peace through the world was:  
Forty four years, 
Christ's birth, the spring of our joys.  he reigned day by day,  
And in the twentieth nine, it came to pass  
That jesus Christ, our only Messiah  
Was borne, (for us) of a pure virgin,  
Our souls from hell, for to redeem and win.   

The Monarch now long resting without war,  
Nation not any durst once strive 'gainst Rome's state,  
By sea, or land, near hand, or yet a far.  
The first that did, were Germans full of hate,  
People that time, loving strife and debate:  
But subjects Caesar brought them under yoke,  
So fortunate he was, and bore such stroke.   

Some say that oft revolving in his mind,  
The burden great of government he bore,  
Determined once, the same to have assigned  
To others, to discharge him of that care:  
But private being, knew not how 'twould far,  
To lead that life might be unto him strange,  
Doubting beside of Rome's estate the change,   

Of noble mind, 
The praise of Augustus.  with virtues fully fraught  
Peace to observe, both liberal, bounty, free  
To learned men, 
Constancy in virtue, maketh old age long happy.  who virtue, sought, and taught:  
For in his time, most highest in degree  
And perfect fine, (it's written for to be)  
The Latin tongue, but now corrupt, unpure  
To that was then, which we have now in ure.   

When as the term of forty four years  
Expired was, Caesar at utmost date  
Of life, did leave (as by record appears)  
In quiet peace his high Imperial state,  
A thing (no doubt) ordained before by fate  
So for to be, for good of all mankind,  
As learned clerks in holy writ do find.    

CAP. 15.  
The reign of Tiberius' next Emperor.  

octavius dead, (whose name Augustus was)  
Next did succeed Tiberius to the state,  
His son adopt, and kinsman in like case:  
It's said the Senate humbly did him treat,  
(Unwilling for to rule, his brains to beat,)  
To take the state on him, at last agreed:  
During whose reign, there chanced not worthy deed.   

Which was for profit of the public wealth:  
But left unto the Senate all the care,  
Seeing himself in rich estate, and health,  
Bend whole his mind to quiet life and fare,  
Occasion great th'empire did appair:  
For now both Parthia, Denmark, Poland, France,  
With other more, against Rome did advance.   

Thus may we see when as the flood is full,  
It falls again: so fares all worldly haps,  
Fruits first be ripe, before men do them pull:  
In seasons fair, sudden comes thunderclaps:  
In midst of joys, grief all our mirth upwraps;  
And now behold of Rome the morning shine,  
Past midday mark, gins for to decline.   

Divines do hold, 
Christ's death, our comfortable harvest, God grant us grace to gather thereby fruits, that in winter we die not, but live  that in the fifteenth year  
Tiberius reigned, our Saviour jesus Christ  
Did suffer death, (to make us sinners clear,  
To dwell with him that sits in throne most highest,  
Who helps us aye, when dangers we be nighest)  
Whose Empire stands, and ever shall endure,  
When world's pomp still fleeteth, never sure.    

CAP. 16.  
The reign of Caligula.  

Caligula.  
Tyberius' son, Caligula so called  
Succeeded next, a most pernicious child,  
Unto all vice he was a bondslave thralled,  
Most fit to dwell with savage men and wild,  
A life he led, that wicked was and wild:  
Great heaps of gold, Tiberius in his reign  
Had got, he spent in one year, lewd and vain.   

Claudius.  
Claudius' next him supposed his uncle, 
The Britons revolt from Rome's government.  he  
Came to England, reduced again that land  
That did revolt, from Romans sovereignty,  
The Britain's did resist him with strong hand:  
But he o'ercame them with his Roman band, 
Gloucester, so Claudius Cae●ar.   
And ere from thence did part, (unto his fame)  
A city built, and called it by his name.   

Nero.  
NExt him ensued Nero, when once again  
The Britons bold began to war anew; 
Virtue buildeth, vice plucketh down.   
The Romans they did pill, and put to pain:  
In France the Frenchmen also them o'erthrew:  
A mighty wind in many country's blue,  
In Syria, and also Armen●…,  
Their forces most, were beat and shrunk away.   

Last out of Spain old Galba did retire,  
Drawn on by 
* Who was governor of a province in France, for the Romans wrote letters into Spain. The only decay of the Empire was civil discord.  julius Vindex, who from France  
Persuaded him to Caesar's seat aspire,  
(See how Ambition mortal minds do lance)  
He was content, though old, (to follow chance)  
Did march to Rome, upon whose coming fled  
Nero, who was most wretchedly found dead.   

Whose story full at large may well be seen,  
In Tacitus in English fine translate,  
A worthy present for a King, or Queen,  
For noble Peers, or others of high state:  
His praise deserved, 
Virtues praise never dieth.  shall never come too late,  
Who did so well, in English it reduce  
For high degree, to serve for public use.   

Where is described Nero his monstrous life:  
A commonwealth, and state, in pieces torn:  
Where may be seen, 
Whose increase is mighty now a days.  what fruits do come of strife,  
How brood's of vice, each quiet state doth scorn,  
And seek to ruin: but subjects truly borne  
Fly civil discord, bringing woes and spoils:  
Most foul are fowls their own nests that befiles.   
FINIS.