THE HISTORIE OF Nero Claudius Cæsar,

OVt of the Domitian stocke and name, there sprung two famous families, to wit, the Caluini and the Aenobarbi: These Aenobarbi have for the first Author of their originall,A, V, C, 536. and surname likewise, L. Domitius: whome, as he returned [•…] Castor and Pollux resembling two yong men. in times past homeward out of the countrey, two yong men twinnes, carying with them a venerable presence and countenance more then ordinary, encountred, by report, and commanded to relate unto the Senate and People of Rome, newes, of that victorie whereof as yet they stood in doubt: and for the better assurance of their divine maiestie stroke his cheekes so, as that therewith they made the Page 179 (*) * [〈◊〉] , i, Pilum, [〈◊〉] hayre of blacke, (*) * Or ruddy. redd, and like in colour to (*) * Or Copper brasse. Which marke and badges continued also in his posterity; and most of them have such (*) * Or ruddy. red beardes, Moreover, having borne seuen Consulships, triumphed likewise and beene Censors twice, & therwith bin chosen into the ranke of the Patritij, they remainedA, V, C. 593 632 658 660 700 722 785 632 639 663 al in the same surname. Neither were they knowen by any other forenames than Cneus & Lucius: & the same in variety worth the noting and obseruation: onewhile continuing either of the saydnames in three persons together: otherwhiles changing alternatively one after another in every descent. For, we have heard say, that the first, second and third of these Aenebarbi were forenamed Lucii: and againe, the three next following them in order were Cnei. All the rest no otherwise then by turnes one after another had their forenames, first Lucii and then Cnei. That many persons of this house descended should be knowen, I suppose it very pertinent and materiall: whereby it may the better appeare, that Nero degenerated from the Vertues of his Auncestors so, as yet he caried away & resembled the vices of them all, as infused into him and inbred by nature.

2* Atavus eius, his Gra͏̄dfather 4, degrees of. To fetch the beginning therefore, of this or discourse somewhat farther of his great Grandfathers Grandfather Cn. Domitius, beeing in his Tribunate much offended at the (*) * High Priests. Pontifies, for electing any other but himselfe into his fathers place, transferred the right and power of subrogating priests in the roome of those that were deceassed, from their Colledges to the bodie of theA, V, C, 632 people. But in his Consulship having vanquished the Allobroges and the Arverni, he rode through his (*) * Gallia Narb [•…] nensis. province mounted upon an Elephant, whiles the whole multitude of his souldiours attended upon him in a traine after the mannerA, V, C. 696 of a solemne triumph. This Domitius it was, whom Licinius Crassus the oratour in a certaine declamation sayd, It was no mer [•…] aile he had a brasen beard whose face was made of Iron, and heart of lead. His sonne being PretourA, V, C. 700 was the man, who as (*) * Iul, Cæsar Dictator Cæsar went out of his Consulship (which he was thought to have borne against the (*) * Approbation of the gods Auspicia and the lawes) conuented him before the Senate to be by them examined, tried and censured. Afterwards when he was Consull he attempted to fetch him backe, Lord Generall as he was of an armie, from his forces in Gaule: and being by the aduerse (*) * The Pompeians. faction nominated his successour in that province, was in the beginning of the civil warre taken prisoner before Corfininum: From whence being dismissed and set at libertie, after he had by his comming to the Massiltans streightly beleagured, much strengthened them, sodainely he forsooke them: and in the end, at the battaile of, Pharsalia lost his life; A man not very constant and resolute, but with all of a fell and savage nature. Being driven to utter despaire, he was so much afraid of death, which for feare he had desired, that after a drawght of poyson hee repented the taking there of and cast it up againe; yea and enfranchised his Phisitian, who wittingly and of purpose had so tempered it that it might do him no great harme. And what time as Cn. Pompeius put to question what should be done to those Neuters that stood indifferent and sticked to no part? He alone opined, That they were to be reckoned enemies & proceeded against accordingly

3 Hee left behind him a sonne, worthy without question, to be preferred before Page 180 all others of his name and li [•…] age. This man being among those that were privie to Cæsars death, and of that conspiracy, standing condemned (though guiltlesse) by the law (*) * Which Q. Padius made against the mur derers of Cæsar Paedia, when he had betaken himselfe to Cassius andA, V, C. 720 Brutus his neere kinsfolke, after the end of them both, held stil in his hand the fleet committed before time to his charge, yea and augmented the same: Neither yeelded he it up to M. Antonius before his owne side was every where quite overthrowen: which he then did of his owne accord; and so, as that Antonius took himselfe highly beholden unto him therfore. He only also of all those who by vertue of the like law stood condemned, being restored into his native countrey, went through the most honorable offices of state: Soone after likewise, when civil dissension was kindled againe and renewed, being in quality of Lieutenant to the said Antonie, what time the soveraigne Empire was offered unto him by those who were ashamed of (*) * The present state governed according to his wil and pleasure. Cleopatra, not daring to accept thereof nor yet to refuse it resolutely, by occasion of sodaine sicknesse wherewith he was surprised, went and sided with Augustus, and within few dayes after departed this life: being himselfe also noted with some infamie: For, Antonie gave it commonly forth, That for the love A, V, C, 723. of one Seruilia Nais whom he kept, he fled to Augustus side.

4 From him came that Domitius, who soone after had the name abroade to have beene the (*) * Dicis causa. i. by an imaginarie bargaine of sale to have bought them to the behoofe & use of the heyre chapman of Augustus goods and substance left by his wil and testament: a man no lesse renowmed in his youth for good skill in ruling of Chariots & running with them a race, as afterwards for the triumphant ornaments achieved by the Germaine warre; but arrogant of spirit, wastefull in expence, and therewith cruel. When he was Aedile he forced L. Plancus that had beene (*) * Censorium, not Censorem. Censor, to give him the way. Bearing the honorable offices of Preture and Consulate, hee produced upon the stage to acte a Comicall and wanton Enterlude, the gentlemen and dames of Rome. He exhibited baiting of wilde beastes both in the cirque and also in every quarter of the City, yea and a shew of sword-fight: but with so great cruelty, that Augustus was compelled of necessitie to restraine him by an edict, since that no secret warning nor admonition at his hands would prevaile.

5 Of Antonia the elder, hee begat the father of Nero: an impe in all the parts of his life ungracious and detestable. For accompanying (*) * Sonne of M. Agrippa and Iulia, adopted by [〈◊〉] . Caius Caesar in his youth into the East-parts, where he killed a freed-man of his owne, becavse he refused to quaffe as much as he was commanded, being discharged therfore out of the cohort of his friends, he led his life never a whit more mode stly: but both within a village standing upon the street Appia, sodainely put his horses to gallop, and not unwittingly rode over a little child and trode him to death: and also at Rome in the midst of the Forum plucked a Romane gentlemans eye out of his head, for chiding him somewhat over boldly. So false and perfidious beside, that he defrauded not onely the bankers and money changers of the prices of such commodities as they had bought up, but also when he was Pretour put the runners with Chariots besides the prises of their victories. For which prankes, reproved he was merily even by his owne sister (Lepida) and upon complaint made by the Masters of the foure (a) factions hee Page 181 enacted, That from thence-forth ever after, the said prises should be presently payed. Being accused likewise for (*) * Morbo aqu [•…] inter cut is: that kind of drop [•…] y where in water runneth between the fell and the flesh all the bodie over, [〈◊〉] legm [•…] tias in Greeke. treason to the State and many adulteries, as also for incest committed with his sister Lepida a little before the decrease of Tiberius, yet escaped he the danger of Law by the alteration of the times, and died at Pyrgae of (b) the * Dropsie, when Agrippina daughter [•…] o Germanicus had brought him a sonne named Nero.

6 This Nero was borne at Antium, nine moneths after that Tiberius departed this world, eighteene daies before the Kalends of Ianuarie, iust as the Sunne was newly risen, so as his beames (*) * Or shone light well neere upon him before they could (*) * Dio say [〈◊〉] , hee was compassed with the funne beames: and yet no sunne appeared aboue the Horizon. touch the earth. As touching his (*) * Or [〈◊〉] . Horoscope, many men straightwaies gave many guesses and coniectures of fearefull events. And even a very word that his father Domitius spake, was taken to be a presaging osse. For when his friends by way of gratulation wished him ioy of his sonne new born: he said, That of himselfe and Agrippina there could nothing come into the world but accursed, detestable and to the hurt of the weale publick. Of the same future infortunity there appeared an evident signe upon his (a) naming day: For Caius Cæsar (Caligula) when his sister (Agrippina) requested him to give the Infant what (*) * Forename. name he would, looking wistly upon Claudius his Vnkle, (by whom afterwards being Emperour (the child) was adopted), said he gave him his name. Neither spake hee this in earnest, but merily in boord: and Agrippina scorned and reiected it, for that as then, Claudius went for a foole, and one of the laughing stocks of the Court. At three yeeres of age he became fatherlesse: and being his fathers heire but of one third part, yet could not he touch so much as that, full and whole, by reason of Caius his coheire who had seized upon and caught up before-hand all the goods. and for that his mother also was soone after confined and packt away, he being in manner destitute of all helpe and very needy, was fostered in his Aunt Lepidaes hous [•…] under two Paedagogues, a dauncer and a Barber. But when Claudius was come once to the Empire, hee not onely recovered his (*) * Fathers goods patrimonie, but also was enriched by the inheritance of Crispus Passienus his mothers husband, that fell unto him. And verily through the grace and power of his mother now called home againe and restored to her estate, hee flourisned & grew so great, that commonly it was bruted abroad, That Messallina the wife of Claudius sent some of purpose to take the opportunity of his noones sleep and so to * Her Sonne smuddre and strangle him, as the onely Concurrent of Britannicus, and one that eclipsed the light of his glorie. Now in the tale it went, besides. that the said parties tooke a fright at a Dragon issuing out of his pillow, whereupon they fled backe and forsooke the enterprise. Which fable arose upon this, That there was in deede found the (*) * Or skinne slough of a serpent in his bed about the bo [•…] sters. And yet, this slough he enclosed within a bracelet of gold (as his mother willed him) and wore it a good while after, upon his right arme: and at length, wearie of any memoriall and monument of his mothers flung it away: but in his extreamity and despaire of his estate sought for the same againe, in vaine.

7 In his tender yeeres, and whiles hee was yet a boy of no full growth, hee Page 182 acted at the Circeian Games the warlike Troy fight most resolutely, with great favour and applause of the people. In the (*) * Vndec [•…] mo: some reade rather tertio et decimo, in the thirteenth: eleventh yeere of his age adopted he was by Claudius & put to schoole unto Annaeus Seneca, even then a Senatour, for to be trained up in good literature. The report goes, that Seneca, the next night following, dreamed as hee lay in bed, That hee was teaching (*) * Caligula. C. Cæsar: and shortly after Nero proved his dreame true, bewraying the fell stomacke and shrewd nature of the said Prince, by the first experiments that he could give thereof. For when his brother Britannicus saluted him after he was once adopted, (as his wonted manner was before) by the name of Aenobarbus, hee went about to lay this imputation upon him before his Father, that he was some Changeling and no sonne of his as he was reputed. His Aunt Lepida likewise being in trouble, hee deposed against, in the open face of the Court, thereby to gratifie his mother her heavie friend, and who followed the suite hotly against her. Being honourably brought into the (*) * Or Hall of Iustice Forum, the day of his first plea and Commencement, hee promised publiquely for the people a Congiarie, and Donative for the Souldiours. Having proclaimed also a solemne (*) * Or running at tilt. Iusting, himselfe rode before the Pretorian Souldiours bearing a shield in his owne hand. After this, hee solemnly gave thanks to his Father in the Senate. Before whom being then Consull, hee made a Latine Oration in the behalfe of the Bononians, and for the Rhodians and Inhabitants of Ilium, another in Greeke. His first Iurisdiction hee began as (a) Provost of the Citie, during the celebration of the Latine holidaies: What time the most famous Advocates and Patrones in those daies strove a vie, who could bring before him most (*) * Or declarations. accusations and (*) * Drawne in large bookes: longest; not (as the manner was) such as were ordinarie and briefe: the expresse commaundement of Claudius forbidding the same, notwithstanding. Not long after, hee tooke to wife Octavia: and for the good health of Claudius, exhibited the Cirque Games and baiting of wild beasts.

8 Being seventeene yeeres olde, so soone as it was knowne abroad that ClaudiusA. V, C. [•…] 07 was dead, hee came forth to those (of the Pretorian Cohort) that kept watch and ward, betweene the sixth & the seventh (*) * Betweene noone and one of the clock. houre of the day: For by reason that the whole day beside was ominous and dismall, there was no time thereof thought more auspicate and convenient than it, to enter upon the Empire: and so before the Pallace staires being proclaimed and saluted Emperour, he was in a Licter brought to the (*) * Pretorian. Camp: and hastily from thence, after a short speech made unto the Souldiours, conveied into the Curia. From whence he departed home in the evening. and of those exceeding and infinite honours which were heaped upon him, hee refused onely the Title in his stile of Pater (*) * Father of his Countrey. Patriae, in regard of his young yeeres.

Beginning then with a glorious shew of Piety and Kindnes, at the Funerals9 of (*) * The Emperour. Claudius, which were most sumptuously performed, he praised him in an Oration and consecrated him a God. In the memoriall of his owne Father Domitius, he did him right great honour. His mother he permitted to have the whole regiment of all matters as well publick as private. The very first day also of his Empire, when the Tribune of the (*) * Or corps de guard. Sentinels, asked of him a watchword, he gave unto him this Mot, Optima mater (my best mother) and afterwards Page 183 many a time she accompanied him through the Streetes, in his owne Licter. He planted a Colonie at Antium, enrolling therein the old Souldiours out of the Praetorian cohort, & ioyning with them (by translating their habitations) the richest Centurions who had beene Leaders of the formost bands: where also he made a (*) * Or haven. Pere, or most sumptuous peece of worke.

10 And to shew a surer proofe still of his towardnesse, after profession made to governe the Empire according to the prescript rule of Augustus, he omitted no occasion to shew either bountifulnesse or clemencie, no nor so much as to testifie his gentlenesse and courtesie. Those tributes and taxes which were any thing heavie he either abolished quite or abated. The rewards due unto Informers as touching the Law Papia, hee reduced to the fourth part onely of the penalty. Having dealt among the people (*) * Poppaea. 400 Sesterces for every poll: to as many Senatours as were most nobly descended (howbeit decaied and weakned in their estates) he allowed yeerely (*) * 3 l. [•…] S. 6 d. starling, a Romaine pound. Salaries, & to some of them (*) * Annuities 500000 Sesterces. Likewise for the Pretorian Cohorts hee ordained an allowance of Corne monethly (*) * More by a fourth part, tha͏̄ the State or worth of a Gentleman of Rome. gratis. And whensoever he was put in minde to subscribe & set his hand to a warrant (as the maner is) for the execution of any person condemned to die, hee would say, Oh, that I knew not one letter of the booke. Manie times he saluted all the Degrees of the Citie one after another, by rote & without* Without paying mony. booke. When the Senate upon a time gave him thanks, hee aunswered, (Doe so) when I shall deserve. To his exercises in Mars field he admitted the Co͏̄ mons also, yea and declaimed often publiquely before them. He rehearsed his owne verses likewise, not onely within house at home, but also in the Theater: and that with so general a ioy of as many as heard him; that for the said rehearsall, there was a solemne procession decreed: and some of his said verses written in golden letters were dedicated to Iupiter Capitolinus.

11 Many and sundry kindes of shewes he set forth: to wit, the Iuvenall (a) sports, the Circeian Games, and the Stage-playes: also a Sword fight. In the Iuvenall pastimes, he admitted old men even those of Consuls degree: aged women also and matrones to disport themselves. At the Circenses, he appointed places for the Gentlemen of Rome a part by themselves. where hee put also to runne a race for the prise chariots drawne with foure Camels. In the Stage plaies, (which beeing instituted for the eternizing and perpetuitie of his Empire hee would have to be called Maximi), very many of both (*) * Gentlemen and Senatours. degrees and sexes plaied their parts upon the Stage. A Romaine Gentleman of very good note & especiall marke, mounted upon an Elephant ranne downe a (*) * Per Catadr [•…] mum, for there were Elephanti [〈◊〉] , vide Galb ca [•…] . 6. ct Xiphilinum. rope. There was brought upon the Stage to be acted the (*) * Or Latine. Romaine Comaedie of Afranius entituled Incendium: and graunted it was unto the Actours therein to rifle all the goods and implements of the house as it burned, and to take the same as their owne. Scattered also abroad there were for the people (*) * Or gifts. Missils, during the whole time of those Plaies: to wit, a thousand birds every day of all kindes: Cates and viands manifold: Ticquets and Tallies for corne, apparell, gold, silver, pretious stones, pearles, pictures upon tables: slaves, labouring garrons and beasts also tamed: last of all, ships, Isles, lands and possessions, according to their Tallies.

Page 184These Games hee beheld from the top of the (*) * The fore [•…] stage. Proscenium. At the Swordfight12 which hee exhibited in the Amphitheatre built of Timber in one yeeres space within the ward of Mars field hee suffred not one man to be killed, no not so much as a guilty malefactour. Moreover, hee brought into the Lists for to fight at sharpe even (*) * Quadringenoi, rather quadragenoi. i. 40 S [•…] ceniosꝫ, rather Se [•…] genos. i: 60 according to [〈◊〉] Lipsi [•…] s. 400 Senatours and (*) * Or great fishes. 600 Gentlemen of Rome. Some of good wealth and reputation, out of the same degrees, he caused to come forthA. V, C, [•…] 10 into the Shew-place, for to kill wild beasts, and performe sundry services therto belonging. He represented also a Naval fight upon salt water from the Sea, with a devise to have sea (*) * Warlike. beasts swimming therein. Semblably, certaine Pyrrhick daunces in armour, sorted out of the number of young Springals: And after their devoir done, he gave freely unto every one of them patents & graunts to be enfranchized Citizens of Rome. (*) * Or, among. Betweene the arguments of these Pyrrhick daunces, devised it was, that a Bull should leape (a) Pasiphae hidden within a frame of wood (*) * To the likenesse of that which was devised by Daedalus. resembling an Heiffer, which was acted so lively, that many of the beholders beleeved verily it was so in deede. As for Icarus, at the first attempt to flie, hee fell presently downe hard by (*) * Of Nero. his owne (b) (*) * Or pavilion. Bed-chamber so that he bespreint him with bloud. For very seldome had he used to sit as President at these Games: but his manner was, to behold them as he lay upon his (*) * Or a pallet. bed. First through little loope holes: but afterwards setting the whole gallerie open from whence he looked. Hee was the first moreover that instituted at Rome, according to the Greeke fashion, Quinquennall games of three kinds, toA. V, C, 813 wit, of Musick and Poetrie, of Gymnick maisteries and of (*) * Or Horse running. Horsemanship: which Games he called Neronia. After he had dedicated the Baines, & a place therein for (c) Gymnick exercises, he allowed the oyle that went thereto both for the Senate and also for the Gentlemen. He ordained Maisters and Warden [•…] of all this Solemnity, especiall persons of Consular degree, chosen by lot to sit as over-seers in the (*) * Where they were wont to fit as Preside͏̄ts at other games and playes. place of Pretours, and then came downe himselfe into the (*) * In Orchestram, Sen [•…] tumꝫ aliter, p [•…] Orchestra ni [•…] scenam, by the Orchestra to the very stage. Orchestra and the Senatours quarter. And verily the victorious coronet for the Latine tongue, both in prose and verse, about which the best and most worshipfull persons had contended, when it was graunted unto him with their owne consents he received: and the harp presented unto him by the Iudges he adored, and commaunded that it should bee caried to the Statue of Augustus. At the Gymnick Games which he exhibited in the Septa, during the solemne preparation of the great Sacrifice (d) Buthysia, hee cut off the first beard that he had, which he bestowed within a golden box, adorned it with most pretious pearles and then consecrated it in (*) * To Iupiter Capitolinus: the Capitol. To the shew of wrestlers and other Champions he called also the vestall (e) virgins, because at Olympia the priestresses likewise of Ceres, are allowed to see the Games there.

13 I may by good reason, among other Shewes by him exhibited, reckon alsoA, V, C. 819 the entrance into Rome City, of Tiridates: whom being King of Armenia hee had sollicited by large promises. Now, when hee meant to shew him unto the people upon a set day appointed by an Edict, and was driven to put it off, (the weather was so clowdy) he brought him forth before them to be seene [•…] Or Market place. upon the best and most opportune day that hee could finde; having bestowed about the temples situate in the Forum, cohorts of Souldiours armed, and sitting himselfe upon his yvorie curule chaire of Estate before the Rostra in triumphall Page 185 habite, among the militarie Ensignes, banners, guidons and streamers. And as the King came up toward him by the ascent of the steepe pulpit, he admitted him first to his knees; and then raising up with his right hand kissed him: afterwards as he was making his praier unto him, having taken off his Tiara, he did (*) * Resembling a cap of maintenance, or as some thinke, a Turkish tuff [•…] or Turba [•…] . the diademe on. Whiles one who had been Pretour, pronounced unto the multitude the Suppliants words, as they were by an Interpretou [•…] delivered unto him. Being brought after this into the Theater & making supplication againe, he placed him on his right side next to himselfe. For which, he was with one accord saluted Emperour. and so bringing with him the Lawrell branch into the Capitoll, he shut both dores of double faced Ianus, temple, (*) * Which he had laid off again as it shold seeme, like as when he was vanquished by Corbito, he laid downe before the Image of Nero: as if no reliques of warre remained behind.

14 Foure Consulships he bare: the first for two moneths: the second & last for* [〈◊〉] [〈◊〉] residuo bello. three: the third for foure. The middle twaine he continued without any intermission: the rest he varied with a yeeres space betweene.A. V, C. 808 810 811 813

15 In his ordinarie Iurisdiction, he lightly gave no answer to the Proctours before the day following, & that was by writing. In extraordinary Commissions and trials this course he held, namely to decide every cause by it selfe one after another upon certaine daies of the Session; and to surcease quite the hudling up and debatements of matters one in the neck of another: So often as he went aside to consult, he did deliberate and aske advise of nothing either in co͏̄ mon or openly: but reading secretly to himselfe the opinions written by every counsellour; what liked his owne selfe, that pronounced hee, as if many more thought well of the same. For a long time hee admitted not the sonnes of Libertines into the Curia: and to those that were admitted by the Emperours his predecessours hee denied all honorable Offices. If there sued for Magistracies more then could speed, or were places void; to comfort their harts againe for delaying & making them to stay longer, he gave unto them the conduct of Legions. He graunted for the most part all Consulships for sixe moneths terme. And if one of the two Consuls hapned to die (*) * Somewhat before. about the Kalends of Ianuarie, hee substituted none in his steede: as misliking altogether the old precedent of Cannius Rebilus, who was Consul but (*) * Or rather, one peece of a day: See Iulius Cæsar cap. 76 one day. Triumphall ornaments he gave even unto those that had borne Questours dignity only: yea & to some of the Gentlemens degree; and verily not alwaies for any (*) * Or upon occasion of war. militarie service. His Orations (*) * Which else where be called Epistles. sent into the Senate concerning certaine matters, hee caused for the most part to be read and rehearsed by the Consuls, passing by the Questours (*) * Vnto whom properly it appertained. Office.

16 He devised a new forme of the City buildings: and namely, that before the (*) * A [•…] e Insulas. Aedifices standing by themselves, and other houses, likewise there should be (*) * Fo [•…] egates, or Gatehouses. Porches. From the Solars whereof, all Skarefires might be put by and (*) * Fro͏̄ the front of such Aedifices. and repelled. and those he (*) * Or promised rather to build. built at his owne charges. Hee had an intention once to set out and enlarge the walls of Rome, even as farre as to Ostia; and from thence by a Fosse to let the (*) * To bring an an arme of it thither. Sea into old Rome. Many matters under him were both severely punished and also restrained, yea and likewise newly ordained. Expences (*) * I [•…] costly and excessive fare at the table. in his daies had a gage and stint set upon them. The ( [•…] ) publick suppers were brought downe to small Collations. Forbidden it was that any thing (*) * Ne quid coct [•…] . sodden, but only pulse, and (*) * As Potherbe worts should be sold in Taverns and Cookes houses; where as before time, there was no maner of viands but it Page 186 was set out to sale. The Christians, a kinde of men given to a new, wicked and mischievous Superstition, were put to death with grievous torments. The sports of Chariotiers, wherein by an old and licentious custome they had been allowed to range up and downe, to beguile folke, to pilfer and steale in merriment, were prohibited. The (b) factions of the (*) * Cun [•…] ing Actours, playing all parts, and resembling all gestures. Pantomimi together with the Actours themselves were banished and sent away.

17 Against forgers of writings, then first came up this invention that no books or instruments should be signed unlesse they were boared and had a thred three times drawne through the holes. Provided it was, That in Wills the two (*) * Or uppermost. first (*) * Or ce [•…] ed tables. parts thereof should be shewed as blanks, unto those that came to seale the same: having the Testatours name onely written therein. Item, that no Clerk or Notarie, who was to draw and write another mans will, should put downe any Legacie for himselfe. Item, that they who had sutes depending in Court, should pay the certaine, due fee set downe by Law, for pleading of their causes: but for (a) the (*) * Pues or seats, some expound this of the Iudges B [•…] nch, as if their sentences should not be bought & sold. Benches nothing, considering the Chamber of the Citie allowed the same gratis and to be free: Item, that in the pleading & deciding of controversies all causes debated afore time before the Maisters of the Exchequer or Citie Chamber should bee removed unto the Common (*) * Or Pleas. Hall, to be tried before the Commissioners and Delegates called Recuperatores: Finally, that all appeales from the Iudges should be made unto the Senate.

18 Having no will, no motion, nor hope at any time, to propagate and enlarge the Empire, he thought once to have withdrawne the forces even out of Britaine: neither gave he over that intent of his, but onely for very shame; least he might be thought to deprave the glory of his Father (Claudius). Onely the realme of Pontus with the leave of Polemon (a), as also the Kingdome of the Alpes, by the death of King Cottius hee reduced into the forme of a Province.

19 Two voyages and no more he undertooke, the one to Alexandria, the other into Achaia. But his iourney to Alexandria hee gave over the very day of his setting forth. by occasion that he was disquieted at once, both with a religious scruple and also with some perill. For when hee had gone in procession about all the temples, & sitten downe within the Chappel of Vesta, as he was rising up, first the (*) * Iag. welt or fringes. hem or edge of his Gowne stuck to the seate: and after this, arose so darke a mist before his eyes, that uneth he could see & looke about him. In Achaia hee attempted to digge through (a) Isthmus, and in a frequent assembly made a speech unto the Pretorian Souldiours; exhorting them to begin the worke: and having given the signall by sound of trumpet, himselfe first brake up the ground with a (*) * [〈◊〉] . ligane, the same that D [•…] ella in Greeke with a do [•…] en bit. This by some Writers, was of gold. little spade: and when hee had cast up the earth, caried it forth upon his owne shoulders in a scuttle: Hee prepared also an expedition to the Caspian-gates: for which hee enrolled a [•…] newe Legion of Italian young Souldiours (*) * Senum pedu͏̄, some read seni [•…] milli [•…] m [〈◊〉] : [〈◊〉] of 6 thousand footmen. sixe foote high. This Legion hee called the Phalanx or Squadron of Alexander the Great: These particulars premised, partly deserving no blame, and in part worthy even of no meane praise, haue I collected together, that I might sever and distinguish them from his villanies Page 187 and wicked acts, whereof from hence forward I wil make report.

20 Among other arts & sciences, beeing in his childhood trained up in the skill also of musick: no sooner attained he to the Empire, but he sent for Terpnus the harper, renowmed in those dayes for his cunning above all other. Sitting by him as he played & sung, day by day after supper until it was far in the night, himselfe likewise by little and little began to practise and exercise the same: yea and not to let passe anie meanes, that expert professours in that kind were wont to do, eyther for preseruing or the bettering and fortifying of their voices: even to weare before him upon his brest a thin plate or sheet of lead: to purge by clystre & vomit: to absteine from apples and fruite, with all such meates as were hurtfull to the voice: so long, untill his proceedings stil drawing him on, (a smal and (*) * Or hoarse. rusty voice though he had) he desired to come forth and shew himselfe upon the open stage, having among his familiar companions this greeke proverbe evermore in his mouth, (a) That hidden musicke was nought worth. The first time that he mounted the stage was at Naples, where he gave not over singing, (albeit the Theatre was shaken & ready to fall by a suddaine earthquake) before he had finished the song begun. In the same place he chaunted often & many dayes together. Moreover, after some short time betweene taken to repaire his voice (as one impatient of keeping within house) from the baines (*) * At Naples. there he passed directly to the Theatre: and having in the midst of the Orchestra before a frequent multitude of people feasted and banquetted, made promise in the Greeke tongue, that if he had stippled a little and wet his whistle, he would ring out some note more fully and with a stronger brest. Now, beeing much delighted with the (*) * i. Ditties. Alexandrines praises in (*) * Tuned and composed to the rules and measures of Musick, in the praise of him, by the merchants of Alexandria See cap. 98, August. prict song, who newly in a second (b) uoiage had with their fleet conflowed to Naples, he sent for more of them out of Alexandria. And never the later he chose from all parts youths of Gentlemens degree, and not so few as 5000 of the lustiest and strongest young men out of the commons, who beeing sorted into (*) * Or crewes. factions should learne certaine kinde of shouts and applauses, which they tearmed (c) Bombos (a) Imbrices (e) and Testas: also that deft and trim boyes, such as had the (*) * Pinguissi [•…] co [•…] . (f) thickest bush of haire upon their heads, and were set out in most excellent apparell, and not without a ring on their left hands, should give their attendance upon him as he sung. The cheiftaines & leaders of these had for their stipend (*) * Necsine [〈◊〉] laevis or, cleanecontrarie, a [•…] [〈◊〉] an [•…] lo leves, i. wearing no wang [•…] at all. 400000. sesterces.

21 Esteeming so highly as he did of singing, he solemnized at Rome also againe the foresaid games called Neroneum before the day and (*) * A Knights living. time by order appointed. And when all the people called upon him for his (a) celestial voice, he made answere. That he verily would do them that pleasure (being so willing and desirous as * Every fifth yeares. they were to heare him): but it should be in his Hortyards. How beit, when the corps deguarde of the (Pretorian) Souldiers which at that time kept watch and ward seconded the praiers of the commmon people, willingly he promised to fulfill their minds out of hand in the very place; and without any farther delay caused his owne name to be written in the roll of other professed minstrels and fingers to the harpe. Thus having put his lot into the pitcher with the rest, hee entred the stage when his turne came: and withall the Capitaines of the Guard supporting his harpe after them the (*) * Or Colonels. tribunes militarie, and close unto them his Page 188 most inwarde friendes and Minions. Now when hee had taken up his standing, and ended his Proaeme, he gave publike notice and pronounced by the voice of Cluvivs Rufus, (no meaner man than of Consuls degree) that he would sing and act the storie of (*) * Wife of Amph [•…] on King of Thebes who priding her self in her faire issewe [•…] sonnes and as manie daughters durst compare with Latona, the mother of Apollo & Diana but she with her arrowes killed them al, & turned her into a stone. Niobe: and so continued hee well neere unto the tenth (*) * Foure of the clocke after noone. houre of the day: which done he differred the Musicke Coronet due for the present victorie, together with the residue of that gaming unto the next yeare following; and all because he might have occasion oftener to chaunt. But bethinking himselfe that the time was long, hee ceased not to come ever and anon abroade to shew his skill in open place. Hee stucke not also in (*) * Of other magistrates, who in respect of the Prince are accounted private. private shewes and games to doe his devoire, even among common Actors and Stage players: and namely, when one of the (*) * Larcius, Lydus Xiphilin. Pretours made offer of a milian of Sesterces. Hee sung moreover, disguised, Tragaedies of the worthies and gods: of noble Ladies likewise in olde time and of goddesses, having their visards framed & made to the likenesse of his own face & of some woman whom hee loved. Among the rest he chanced the tale of Canace (b) travailing in chila-birth: of (c) Orestes who killed his owne Mother: (d) of Oedipus that plucked out his owne eyes, and of Hercules (e) enraged. In the acting of which Tragaedie, the report goes, that a (*) * Or Masques. novice placed to keepe & guard the entrie of the stage, seeing him dressed and bound with chaines (as the argument* Or young untrained soul diers. of the sayd Tragaedie required) ran in a good to helpe him.

22 Exceedingly given hee was of a boy to delight in horsemanship, and with the love of charioting mightily inflamed: and very much would he be talking (forbidden though he were) of the Circeian games. And one time as hee was making mone, and bewailing among his skoole-fellowes, the hard fortune of a chariot driver one of the greene-coate faction, (*) * Or sore wou͏̄ ded & bruised wt the wheeles running over him. See, P [•…] in, [•…] at, Hist, lib, 28 cap, 17 drawen and dragged by his steedes, being chidden therefore by his schoole-master, he had a lye ready, and said that he spake of (*) * Who was likewise, Raptarus B [•…] gis as Virg [•…] l writeth. Hector. But, as about his first entrance to the Empire, his custome was daily to play upon a chess-bourd with ivory (*) * Or Chariots, to expresse those games Circe [•…] ses horses drawing in chariots, so he used to resort also (*) * Secrss [•…] , or by way of retyring and recreation. from his retiring place of pleasure, to all the Circeian games even the very least and meanest of them. First by stealth and priuily: afterwards in open sight; so as no man made doubt, but at such a day he would be sure alwaies there to be. Neither dissimuled he that hee was willing to augment the number of the prises. And therefore the shew of Chariot running was drawen out in length and helde untill late in the evening, by occasion of manie more courses than ordinarie: so as now the Masters of every faction deigned not to bring forth their (*) * Greges either agi [•…] atorum i. of chariot drivers: or equ [•…] rum quadrigarioris, i. of steeds both to one effecte. crues and companies unlesse they might run the (*) * Which was their greater gaine. whole day through. Soone after himselfe also would needs make one and be seene oftentimes to play the Chariotier. And when he had tryed what hee could doe, and performed, as it were, his first Actes in (private) hortyardes among verie slaves and the base commons, he proceeded to shew himselfe in the greatest Cirque in all Mens eyes, appointing one of his freedmen to put out a (white) towell for a signall, from the place where Magistrates are wont to doe it. But not content with this, that he had given good proofe of his progresse in these feats at Rome, hee goes, as I sayde before, into Achaia, moved especially upon this occasion. Those Cities and states where solemne gamings of musicke are usually held, had brought up a Page 189 custome to sende all the Coronets of harpe-players unto him. This he accepted so kindly, that he not onely admitted at the very first to his presence the Embassadors who brought the same, but also placed them among his familiar guestes at the table. And being requested by some of them to sing at supper time; and highly praised with excessive applause, he came out with this speech That Gracians were the onely skilfull Hearers, and the men alone worthie of his studies. Neither made he anie longer stay, but tooke his voyage: and no sooner was hee passed over the sea to (*) * A towne in Corcyra. Cassiope, but presently he began to sing at the altar there, of Ivpiter Casivs.

23 After this, he went to all the games of prise, one after another. For even those that usually are celebrated at most remote and distant times he commanded to be reduced all into (*) * Wherein he [•…] thither came one yeare, and some of them also to be (*) * Solemnized twice in the same yeare. iterated. At Olympia likewise hee caused, (contrarie to the manner and custome of that place) a game of musick to be held. And least whiles he was busied about these matters, anie thing might either call him away or detaine him: when he was aduertised by his freed-man Helivs, that the Citie affaires required his presence, hee wrot backe unto him in these words. Albeit your councell to mee at this present and your willing desire is, that I should returne with all speede, yet ought you to aduise me and wish rather, that I may returne worthy my selfe, that is to say, Nero. All the while hee was singing, Lawefull it was not for anye person to depart out of the Theatre, were the cause never so necessarie. Wherevpon reported it is, that some great bellied women falling into travaile were delivered upon the very skaffolds: yea and many men besides, wearie of tedious hearing and praysing him, when the towne gates were shut, eyther by stealth leapt downe from the walles, or counterfeiting themselues dead were caried forth as corses to bee buried. But how timorously, with what thought and anguish of minde, with what aemulation of his concurrents and feare of the Vmpiers, hee strove for the Mastery; it is almost incredible. His manner was to deale with his aduersaries, as if they had been but his aequals and of the same condition with him, in this sort: namely, to obserue, watch and mark their behaviours; to ly in the wind for to catch aduantage: to defame them vnder hand, other whiles to raile at them & given them hard tearms as they came in his way: yea and to corrupt with (*) * Thereby to make them telent and not to do their best. bribes and giftes such as excelled in skill and cunning. As for the Ivdges and Vmpiers aforesayde, hee woulde speake unto them in all reverence before he begun to sing, using these tearmes. That hee had [•…] one whatsoever was to be done: Howbeit, the issue and event was in the hand of For [•…] une: They therefore, as they were wisemen and learned ought to except and barre all chaunces and mishaps. Now upon their exhortations unto him for to be hold and venturous, he would indeed goe awaye from them better appaied, but yet for all that, not without pensive care and trouble of minde, finding fault also with the silence and bashfull modestie of some as if the same argued their discontended heavinesse and malitious repining, saying withall. That he had them in suspicion.

24 During the time that hee strove for to winne anie prise, so strictely Page 190 obeyed hee the lawes of the game, that hee never durst once spit and reach up fleame: and the very swet of his forehead hee wiped away with his (*) * Or slecue & not with anie handkercheife arme onely. Moreover in the (*) * Cha [•…] ting. acting of a Tragaedie, when he had quickly taken up his staffe (a) againe, which he happened to let fall, being much dismaied and in great feare, least for that delinquencie hee should be put from the stage: by no meanes tooke he heart againe, until an under actor or prompter standing by sware an oth that it was not espied and marked for the shoutes and acclamations of the people beneath. Now, whensoever he wan the victorie, he vsed to pronounce himselfe victour. For which cause, he contended also in every place for the (*) * Due to him that had the lowdest voice. Criers coronet. And to the end, there should remaine extant no memoriall or token of anie other victours (c) in these sacred games beside himselfe, hee commanded all their statues, and images to be overthrowen, drawen with a drag and so slung into sinkes and privies. Furthermore, he ran with chariots for the best game in many places, and at the Olympicke solemnities with one that had a teeme of tenne steedes, notwithstanding he reproved the very same in K. Mithridates as appeared by certaine verses of his owne making. But being once shaken and hoisted out of his Chariot and set therein againe, how be it not able to hold out, he desisted and gave over, before he had runne the race through. Yet was he crowned neverthelesse. After this, at his departure fro͏̄ thence, he enfranchised the whole Province throughout: and withall, the Iudges of these Games he endowed with the freedome of Rome, and rewarded with great summes of money. Which benefits of his himselfe published with his owne voice from the middle of the race, upon a day of the Isthmian games.

25 Beeing returned out of Greece hee entred Naples; mounted upon a Chariot drawne with white horses: For that, in the said Citie he had made profession first of his skill, in (musicke) and a part of the wall was cast downe against his comming, (as the manner is of all victours in those sacred games). Semblably rode he into Antivm, and from thence into Albanvm and so forward into Rome. But he entred Rome in the very same Chariot, wherein sometime Augustus had rode in triumph, clad in a (*) * Or Mantell. purple cloke, and the same garnished with starres embrodered in golde: wearing upon his head the (*) * Made of the wilde Olive branches. Olympicke Coronet, and bearing in his right hand the (*) * Of Lawrell. Pythisk: with a pompe and gallant shewe of the (*) * Isthmian, of Pine & Neme an of smallach or persley. rest before him, together with their titles and inscriptions testifying, where? and whom? in what kinde of songe or fabulous argment, hee had wonne: not without a traine also of (a) Applauders following his Chariot, after the manner of those that ride ovant in petie Triumph setting up a note, and crying with a lowde voice, That they were Augustians, and the souldiers of his triumph: From thence he rode forward, and having throwen downe the Arch of the greatest Cirque, he passed on through the Velabrum & market place, up to the Palatium and so to the temple of Apollo. To do him honor all the way as he went, were beasts killed for sacrifice, and saffron estsoones strewed along the streets. Birdes were let flie, ribbands also and tabels yea and sweete banketting junkets cast among. As for the sacred Coronets and guirlands aforesayde. He bestowed them in his owne bed-chamber round about his beds: likewise Page 191 his owne statues pourtraied in the habit of an (*) * Or Minstre [•…] harper, and with that marke stamped he his money. And after all this, (so farre was he from letting slacke and remitting one joce his ardent study of his musicke profession) that for the presentation of his voice he would never make speech unto his souldiours, (*) * [•…] . Per Nun [•…] by messengers sent betweenet but absent: or having (*) * when himself was present, another to pronounce his words for him; nor yet do ought in earnest or mirth without his (*) * A moder [•…] tour of his voice. Phonascus by, to put him in mind for to spare his pipes and hold his handkerchiefe to his mouth: and to many a man hee eyther offered friendship, or denounced enmitie, according as every one praised him more or lesse.

26 His unruly wildnesse, unbridled lust, wastfull riotousnesse, avarice and cruelty, he practised verely at first, by leasure closely, as the trickes of youthfull folly: yet so, as even then no man might doubt, that they were the inbred vices of nature, and not the errors of young age. No sooner was it twi-light & the evening shut in but presently he would catch vp a cap (a) on his head, and so disguised,* Or hood. goe into tavernes and victualling houses: walke the streetes playing and sporting all the way, but yet not without shrewd turnes and dooing mischiefe. For he vsed to fall upon those that came late from supper and knocke them soundly: yea and (if they strugled with him and made resistance,) to wound and drowne them in the sinkes and towne ditches to breake into petie shops also, and rifle them: For he had set up in his house at home a (*) * Or market. (b) faire, there to receive the price of the bootie which hee had gotten, and was to bee solde to who would give most and bid best therefore. But many a time at such brawles and skufflings aforesaied, he endangered his eyes, yea and his life too; being once beaten well neere to death by a certaine young (c) gentleman of Senatours degree, whose wife he had misused with uncleane handling. Whereupon, never after durst he goe abroad into the streets at that houre of the night, without his militarie Tribunes following after him aloofe and secretly. In the day time also, beeing caried close in (*) * Or Licter. a chaire into the Theatre, hee would be present in person, and from the vpper (*) * Or lost. part of the (*) * The forestage Proscaenium both give a signall to the seditious factions of players (setting them together by the eares) and also behold them how they bickered. Now when they were come once to plaine fight skirmishing with stones and fragments of broken seates, skaffolds, himselfe stucke not to fling apace (*) * Or among. at the people in so much as once he brake the pretours head.

27 But as his vices grewe by little and little to get head, he laide aside these wilde trickes by way of sport and in secret: and without all care of concealing and dissimuling the matter, broke out openly to greater outrages. His moales (a) hee drewe out at length: eating and drinking from noone to midnight, dowssed and fomented oftentimes in cesternes of hote waters, and in sommer season within bathes altered and made colde with snowe. His suppers hee tooke divers times abroade also in publike place, to wit, in the (*) * A broad place, wherein a Naval fight had somt [•…] ime been exhibited but then filled vp, yet it caried the former name still. Naumachia shut up and enclosed; or in Mars fielde; or else in the greatest cirque: where hee was serued and attended upon by all the common Queanes of the Citie, and stinking (b) strumpets of the stewes. So often as hee went downe the River Tiberis to Ostia, or sayled a long the Baian (*) * Or Bay. Creeke, there were provided in divers places of the strond and bankes, boothes to baite in, Page 192 conspicuous brothell houses and taverns; where stood maried dames after the manner of (e) hostesses and victualling wives calling unto him; some here, some there on both sides of the bankes, intreating him to land and turne in to them. His manner was also to give warning unto his familiar friends, and bid him selfe to supper: and one of them it cost in sweet meats. 4. (*) * Quadr [•…] gies, Hs. (e) millians of sesterces: and another a good deale more in rose water (e) and odoriferous oyles or perfumes of Roses from Syrtium.

28 Over and besides the unnaturall abusing of boyes free-borne; and the keeping of mens wives as his concubines, he forced also and defloured Rubria, a vestale Virgin. Acte a freed woman he went very neere to have (*) * Which had beene a great disparagement wedded as his lawefull wife: suborning certaine men who had beene Consuls, to avouch and forsweare. That she was of Roiall bloud descended. A boy there was named (a) Sporus, whose Genitories he cut out, & assayed therby to transforme him into the nature of a woman. Him he caused to be brought unto him as a bride, with a dowry, in a fine (yellow) ve [•…] le, after the solemne maner of mariage: not without a frequent and goodly traine attending upon him: Whom he maintained as his wife. Hereupon there goes abroad a pretie conceited jest of a pleasant fellow. That it might have beene wel and happie with the World, if his father Domitius had wedded such a Wife. This Sporus trimly set out with the jewels, decked with the ornaments of the Empresses, and caried in a licter, hee accompanied all about the shire-townes of great resort and market burroughes of Greece: yea and afterwards at Rome, up and downe the street Sigillaria, manie a time sweetly kissing him by the way. For, that he had a lust to ly with his owne mother, and was frighted from it by some depraving backefriendes of hers; for feare, least the proude and insolent dame might by this kind of favour grow too mightie, no man ever made doubt: especially after that he entertained among his Concubines an harlot, most like in all points (by rereport) unto Agrippina. It is affirmed moreover, that in times past, so often as hee rode in a licter together with his mother, hee played the filthy wanton, and was bewrayed by the markes and spottes appearing upon her vesture.

29 As for his owne body, Certes, he forfeited the honour thereof, prostituting it to bee abused so farreforth, as having defiled in manner all the parts of it, at the last, he devised a kind (as it were) of sport and game: that being covered all over in a wilde beastes skin, hee should be let loose forth of a (*) * Or grate. cage and then give the assault upon the privities of men and women both as they stood tyed fast to a stake: and when he had shewed his rage to the full, be killed, forsooth by (a) Doriphorus his freed man, unto whom him selfe also was weddedI wish that both S [•…] tonius and D [•…] o had in this place and such like been altogether silent. like as Sporus unto him: insomuch as hee counterfeited the noise and cries of maidens, when they bee forced and suffer devirgination. I have heard of divers, that he was fully perswaded, No man nor woman was honest, or in any part of their bodies pure and cleane, but most of them dissim [•…] led their vncleannesse and craftily hid it. As many therefore, as (*) * Confessed of themselues and their owne accord. professed unto him their obsoene filthinesse, he forgave all other faults and trespasses whatsoever.

30 The fruite of richesse and use of money, he tooke to be nothing else but lavish expense: thinking them to be very base niggards and mechanicall pinchpennies, that kept any account or reckoning what they spent and layde out: but such only passing rich and right Magnificoes, who mispent and wasted all. He praised and admired his uncle (*) * Quadri [•…] . e [•…] is [〈◊〉] . Take Sestertium here in the newter gender: otherwise, it were but a meane venture [•…] or such an one as Nero: as amounting not above 3 l, 2 S. 6 d. Where as now, it arise th to 3125. L Caius in no respect more, than for that hee had lashed out and consumed in a short space an huge masse of wealth, left unto him by Tiberius: Hee kept therefore no meane, nor made anye end of prodigall giving and making away all. Hee allowed unto (a) Tiridates a (thing almost incredible) 800000. Sesterces, day by day, for his expenses, and at his departure bestowed upon him not so little as one hundred millians. Menecrates the harper, and Spicillus the swordsenset hee enfeoffed in the livings, patrimonies and houses of right noble personages, who had triumphed. Cercopithecus, whom hee had enriched with the lands and houses, (as well within the Citie as Countrey) of Paneros the Vsurer, hee honoured like a Prince at his funerals; and enterred with the charges well neere of a royall sepulture. No garments did hee on his backe twice: At hazard when he played, he ventured no lesse than 400000 sesterces at a cast, upon every point or pricke of the chaunce. Hee fished with a golden (*) * Auratorete. Orosius saith more expresly, retibus aureis net (drawen and knit) with cords twisted of purple and crimsen silke in graine. He neuer by report when he made anie journey, had under a thousand carroches in his traine; His mules were shod with siluer. His mulitiers arraied in fine (red) Canusme cloth: and attended he was with a multitude of (*) * Horse men of Africke and Cappadocia. Mazaces and Curreurs gaily set out with their bracelets and riche Phalers.

31 In no one thing was hee more wastefull and prodigall then in building. Hee made an house, that reached from the Palatium to the Esquiliae: which at the first he called his (*) * As one would say, the passage from one hill to another. Transitorie: but when it had been consumed with fire and was reedefied hee named his golden aedifice. As touching the large compasse and receit, the rich furniture and setting out whereof, it may suffice [•…] Or fore-gate. to relate thus much. The porch was of such an heigth as therein might stand upright the geantlike image representing his owne person, an hundred and twentie foote high. So large was this house, as that it conteined (*) * Porticus triplices milliarias If a ma͏̄ expou͏̄d it thus: Galleries with three rows of pillets, or as many yles, a thousand foote in le͏̄gth, it wold be more consona͏̄t to the truth I suppose. And yet the proportion that followeth is very stra͏̄ge & answerable to the vul gar & received exposition. three galleries of a mile a peece in length. Item a standing poole like unto a sea, and the same enclosed round about with buildings in forme of Cities. It received moreover granings with cornefields, vineyards, pastures and woodes to them stored with a multitude of divers and sundry beasts both tame and wilde of all sorts. In all other parts thereof, alwaies laide over with golde, garnished with precious stones and (*) * Mother of pearle snels of pearle As for the parlours, framed they were with enbowed rovfs; seeled with pannils of Ivorie, devised to turne round & remoue so as flours might be skattered from thence: with a devise also of pipes & spouts to cast and sprinkle sweet oyles fro͏̄ alost. But of al these parlours & banqueting roomes, the principall and fairest was made rounde, to turne about continually both day and night, in manner of the (*) * Or heaven World. The banes within this house slowed with salte water derived from the sea, and with fresh from Page 194 the rivers Albulae This aedifice finished after such a fashion as this, when he (*) * Made his first entire into it after a solemn and festivall manner. dedicated, thus farre forth onely he liked, as that hee sayd, He now at length began to dwell like a man. Furthermore, hee began a (*) * Pisc [•…] nam. poole reaching from Misenvm to the (*) * (Or lake) Meere Avernvs, covered all above head, enclosed and enuironed with (*) * Or Walking places. Cloistures: into which all the hote waters that were in the Bathes of Baiae might bee conueied. Likewise he cast a (*) * Or ditch. fosse from the sayde Avernvs, as farre as to Ostia, and the same navigable: that men forsooth might saile in ships, and yet not be upon the sea. This caried in length 160. miles, and bare that breadth, as gallies with 5. ranks of oares might passe to and fro thereupon. For the performing of these workes, he had given commandement, that all prisoners wheresoever should be transported into Italie: and that no person attaint and conuict of anie wicked act, should be condemned otherwise, but to worke thereat.

To these outragious expenses, beside the trust and confidence he had in the32 revenewes of the Empire, put forward hee was upon a certaine unexpected hope also that he co͏̄ceived, of finding a world of wealth: & that through intelligence given unto him by a ge͏̄tleman of Rome, who assured him upon his knowledge,A, V, C, 818. that the rich treasure & old store of siluer and gold both, which Queene Dido flying out of Tyros caried away with her, lay buried in Affricke within most huge and vaste caves under the ground, and might be gotten forth with some small labour of those that would goe about it. But when this hope failed him and came to nothing, being now altogether destitute, & so far exhaust and bare of money, that of necessity even souldiours pay, and the fees due unto olde seruitours in the wars for their seruice must run on stil and be differred; he bent his mind to promoting of false imputations, to pilling also & polling. First and formost hee brought up this order, that out of the goods of freedmen deceased in steed of the one half, three 4 th parts should be exacted & gathered for him, of as many, I say as without publike cause bare that name, which anie of those families did, whereunto himselfe was allied. Afterwards, that their wils should be forfaite & confiscate, who were (*) * Remembred him not in their wils and made him not an heyre. unthankeful to the Prince. Item, that Lawiers should not escape free & go cleere awaie, who had drawen & written such wils: As also, that all deeds and words should bee brought within the co͏̄ passe of treason: If there could be found but anie promoter to give information. He called more over after a long time passed, for the rewards and Coronets due to victours, which ever at any times the Cities & States had presented or decreed unto him at the games of prise. And whereas hee had prohibited the vse of the (*) * Or violet in graine. Amethist & purple colours, he suborned one of purpose under hand to sell upon (*) * Or faire. a market day some few ounces therof, and thereupon made stay of all (*) * Who had bought the saide colours. occupiers & chapmen whatsoever, & laid them fast. Furthermore, having espied once (as he was singing) a dame of Rome fro͏̄ the skaffolds in the Theatre, arraied in purple forbidden by the (*) * Iulia: which C [•…] sar Dictator m [•…] e, See in Iul. C [•…] s. cap. 43 law, himselfe pointed at her (as it is verily thought) & shewed her to his (*) * Procters or Factours. Procuratours: & presently caused the woman to be haled from thence & turned out not only of her garments but also of all the goods shee had. He assigned an office to no man, but he used these words withall. Thou knowest what I have neede of. Also, Let us looke to this, that no man may (*) * Or possesse. have anie thing. To conclude, he robbed the Temples of many giftes and oblations: The Images likewise therein made of golde or siluer Page 195 he melted into a masse: and among the rest, even those of the * Tutelar godsApollo Nept une Iupiter Iun [•…] , Minerua. (of Rome): which soone after Gal [•…] A restored & erected againe in their places.

33 As touching his Parricides and murders hee began them first with Clavdius: of whose death although he were not principall author, yet he was privie and accessarie thereto. Neither dissimuled he so much, as who afterwards was wont by a greek (*) * Or Prouerbe by-word, to praise mushromes, (in which kinde of meat Claudius had taken his bane), as the (*) * 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 alluding to the deification after his death. foode of the gods. Certes, he abused him after hee was dead in most spitefull and contumelious manner, both in word and deede, every way: taunting and twitting him, one while with his folly, another while with his crueltie. For, in scoffing wife he would say of him that hee had left now (a) morari) anie longer among mortall men, using the first sillable of the sayd word long. And many of his decrees and constitutions he annulled as the acts of a doltish and doting man. Finally, he neglected the (*) * Bustu [•…] place (b) of his funerall fire: suffering it to be (*) * As the manner was for certaine daies before the ashes and reliques were gathered up empaled, but with sleight stuffe and low railes of timber. As for Britannicus, not so much for enuie that he had a sweeter and pleasanter voice than himselfe, as for feare least another day he should bee more gracious then he among men, in remembrance of his Father, he attempted to make him away by poison. This poison, Nero had received at the hands of one Locusta, a woman who appeached & brought to light divers confectioners of poysons: and seeing it wrought later than he looked it should doe, and prooved not to his mind, by reason that it mooved Britannicus to the stoole onely and caused a laske; he sent for the said woman, and beate her with his owne hands: laying hardly to her charge that in steede of a poyson she had given him a remedie and holsome medecine. Now when shee alleaged for her excuse that she gave him the lesse (*) * Iu quantitie. dose, thereby to colour and cloke the odious fact, which would have bred much ange [•…] and hatred: why! then belike quoth he, I am affraide of the lawe (*) * De Veneficiis. Ivlia. And so hee forced her before his face in his owne bed-chamber to compound and seeth a poison that should be most quicke and of present operation. And then having made triall thereof in a kid, after he saw once that the beast continued five houres before it dyed, he caused the same to be boyled againe and manie times more, and so he set it before a pig. And when the pig dyed presently upon the taking thereof, hee commanded it should be brought into his refection chamber, and given unto Britannicus as he sat at supper with him. No sooner had he tasted it but hee fell downe dead. Nero readily made a lye and gaue it out among the rest of his guests, that Britannicus was surprised by a fit of the falling sicknesse, as his manner was to be. But the next morrow, in all hast hee tooke order for his corps to bee caried forth to buriall, with no better funerals than ordinarie; and that, in an exceeding great storme of raine. Vnto the sayd Locusta, for her seruice done, he granted (*) * For her former practise of poisoning, by which she stoode conde͏̄ ned. impunitie: he endved her also with faire lands: yea and allowed her to have schollers for to be trained up under her in that feat.

34 His owne mother, for looking narrowly into him, & examining his words and deedes somewhat streightly; for seeming also to correct and reforme Page 196 the same, thus farre forth onely at the first he was grieved and offended with, as that eft-soones he made her odious to the world, pretending that he was about to resigne up the Empire (*) * As if she were the cause therof and depart to Rhodes. Soone after, he deprived her of all honour, dignity, and authority: and removing from about her the guard (*) * Militum, e [•…] German [•…] rum, Hen dia duo. of Germaine Souldiours that attended upon her person, hee banished her out of the same house with him, and so forth out of the precincts of the Palace: Neither cared he what he did, so he might molest and trouble her: suborning some of purpose, both to disquiet her whiles shee abode in Rome with suites and actions; and also when shee was desirous of repose and ease in a retiring place out of the way, to course her with reproachfull taunts and flouting scoffes as they passed that way either by land or sea. But beeing terrified with her threats and violent shrewdnesse, hee determined to kill and dispatch her at once. Having attempted it with poison thrice, and perceiving that shee was defended with Antidotes & preservatives; he provided a bed-chamber for her, with so ticklish an arched roufe over her head, as beeing easily unioincted, the frame there of might fall in peeces in the night, and light upon her as she lay a sleepe. When this dessigne could not be kept close, but was revealed by some of the complices privie thereto; hee devised a ship, so made, as that quickly it should cleave a sunder: that either by the wrack, or fall of the fore-deck aloft, she might come to a mischiefe and perish. And so, making a semblance of a Love-day and reconciliation, hee sent for her by most sweet and kinde Letters, training her unto Baiae, there to celebrate with him the solemnity of the (*) * A feast in the honour of Minerra, beginning five daies before the Ides of March. i. the 11 of March. Quinquatrian. And having given order before hand to certaine Maisters of Gallies for to split the (*) * Or Pinnace. Foise wherein she was embarqued, as if by chaunce they were run full upon her; he made it late ere he went to the feast, & sat long at it. Now when she was to returne back againe unto Bauli; in lieu of that vessell thus sha [•…] ken and crackt, he put unto her the other above said made with ioints and vices, easie to fall in pieces: and so, with a cheerefull countenance accompanied her (to (*) * Or to the staires. the water side) and at the parting also kissed her paps. All the time after, he lay awake in great trouble & feare, waiting for the issue of these enterprises. But when he understood that all went crosse, & that she was escaped to land by swimming; being altogether to seeke what course to take; as L. Agerinus, her freed-man brought word with great ioy, How she was escaped alive and safe; he conveied privily a dagger close (*) * Betweene his feete. Tacit. by him; and as if he had been suborned & hired secretly (by her) to kill him, caused the said Agerinus to be apprehended and bound with chaines: and withall, his mother aforesaid, to be murdred: pretending, as if by voluntary death she had avoided the odious crime thus detected, and so made her selfe away. Worse matter yet than all this & more horrible, is reported beside, and that by Authors of good credit and who will stand to it: Namely, That he ran in all hast to view the dead body of his mother when she was killed: that he handled every part & member of it: found fault with some, commended others: and being thirsty in the meane (*) * About midnight it was. time, tooke a draught of drink. Howbeit, notwithstanding hee was hartned by the ioyous gratulation of Souldiours, Senate, & People, yet could he not either for the present or ever after, endure the worme and sting of conscience for this foule fact; but confesse many a time, that haunted & harried he was with the apparition of his mothers ghost: tormented also with the scourges and burning torches of the Furies. Page 197 Moreover, with a sacrifice made by direction of magicians, he assaied to raise’ up her soule and spirite, and to intreate the same to forgive him. Verily as hee travailed through Greece, at the sacred Eleusine ceremonies (from the institution and professing wherein all impious, (a) godlesse, & wicked persons are by the voice of a cryer debarred) He durst not be present. To this patricidy of his mother, he adioyned also the murder of his (*) * D [•…] mitia by his fathers side. aunt. For when upon a time he visited her lying sicke of a (*) * Ex d [•…] ritia alui, alias enim cibum [•…] on transmutit, as Pl [•…] e writeth. 26. [•…] b. costive bellie, and she a woman now well stept in yeares in handling the tender downe of his beard new budding forth, chanced, (as the manner is) by way of pleasing speech, to say, Might I but live to (*) * As it she wold say if I might see thee once a man growen &c. for he came to be Emperour before he was 18 yeere olde. take up this soft haire when it fals, I would be willing to dye; he turning to those that stood next unto him, in derision and scoffing manner sayde, Mary & even streight wayes I will cut it of (for her sake), and so made no more adoe but (*) * You must suppose, he sent for the barber first &c. gave order unto the Phisitian to plye the sicke woman still with (*) * As purging was the cu [•…] e, so it was the colourable means vvherby she vvas killed. stronger purgatives. For, even before she was through dead, he laide sure hold of her goods, and suppressed her last wil that nothing might escape his clutches.

35 Besides (*) * The daughter of Claudius. Octavia, he maried afterwards two wives. to wit, (*) * Or Pompeia as some read Poppaea Sabina the daughter of (*) * Titus O [•…] us. Taurus, one who had beene Questor, & the wedded wife before of (*) * Rufius Cr [•…] spus. a romane Knight: then, Statilia Messallina, (*) * In the right line of desce͏̄r, neice in the third degree removed of (*) * Stal [•…] ius vvho i [•…] [〈◊〉] time built the great Amphit [•…] eatre in Rome, bearing his name A. V. C, 8 [•…] 5 Taurus, twice Consul, who had once triumphed. For to have & enioy her, he murdred her husband Atticus Vestinus then Co͏̄ sul, even during the time of that honorable Magistracie. Soone wearie he was of Octaviaes companie & forsooke her bed. And when some friends reproved him for. it he made answere, that the iewels & ornaments only of a wife ought to content her. Soon after, when he had assayed many times (but in vaine) to strangle her, he put her away, pretending she was barraine. But when the people misliked this divorse, and forbare not to raile upon him for it, he proceeded, even to confine & banish her quite. In the end he murdred her, under a colourable imputation of divers adulteries, charged upon her so impudently and falsely; That al generally who were by torture examined upon the point, stood stoutly to the very last in deniall, he suborned and brought in Anicetus his own Paedagogue against her; who should slander himselfe with her & confesse that by a wile he had abused her bodie. The twelfth day after the saide divorcement of Octavia, he espoused and maried the aforesaid dame Poppaea who͏̄ he loved intirely; and yet even her also he killed with a (*) * Who had brought him vp in his childhood, kicke of his heele, for that, being big with child and sickly withall, she had reviled him & given him shrewd words, for comming home so late one night, after his ru͏̄ning with chariots. By her he had a daughter named Clavdia Augusta, whom he buried when she was a very infant. There was no kinde of affinitie & consanguinity were it never so neere, but it felt the waight of his deadly ha͏̄d. Antonia, the daughter of Claudius, refusing after the death of Poppaea to bee his wife, he slew, under a pretense as if she went about to conspire against him and to alterA, V, C 8 [•…] 8 the state. Semblably, he killed all the rest, that were either allied unto him* Or s [•…] ne or of his kinred. Among whom, A. Plantius a young gentleman was one. Whose bodie, after he had by force filthily against kind abused before his death: Let my mother go now quoth he, & kisse my successors sweete lips: giving it out, That he was her welbeloved dearling, and by her set on to hope & gape after the Empire. His sonne in law Rufinus Crispinus, the son of (*) * His wife by [〈◊〉] Cris [•…] s a fo [•…] mer husband Poppaea being yet of tender Page 198 yeeres and a youth under age, because the report went of him, that in game he would play for (*) * Ducatus or Capta [•…] nships. Dukedomes and Empires, he gave order unto his owne seruants for to drowne in the sea, whiles he was there fishing. Tuscus his nources sonne he confined and sent away; for that being his procuratour in Aegypt, he had bathed in those baines which were built against his co͏̄ming. His Preceptor & Schoole-master Seneca he compelled (*) * To cut the master veines of arme [•…] and legs & so to bleed to death. to dye: albeit he had sworne unto him very devoutely, (when he made suite many times for a licence to depart the Court, and yeelded up therewith all his goods into his hands) That (*) * Seneca, he had no cause to suspect him: for he would rather loose his owne life then doe him anie h [•…] rt. Vnto Burrhus (*) * Eparchos Ton doruphoron. Capitaine (of the guarde) he promised a medicine to heale his swollen (*) * A squinancie. throat, and sent him the rank poison Toxicum for it. His (*) * Namely, Doriphorus & Pallas: Tacit. freedmen, that were rich and olde, whose favour, friendship & directions had stood him in good steede for procuring unto him in times past adoption, and afterwards the Imperial rule; he cut short every one by poyson, partly put into their meats and partly mingled with their drinks.

With no lesse cruelty raged hee abroad even against strangers and meere36 forainers. A blazing hairy starre, commonly thought to portend death and destruction to the highest poures, began to arise, and had appeared many nights together. Beeing troubled therewith, and enformed by Babilus the Astrologer, that Kings were wont to expiate such prodigious signes with some notable massacre, and so divert the same from themselues, & turne all upon the heads of their Peeres & Nobles, he thereupon projected the death of all the Noblest personages in the Citie. And verily, so much the rather, and, as it were, upon just cause, by reason of two conspiracies by him published & divulged abroad: of which, the former & the greater, bearing the name of (*) * And his frie͏̄d [•…] Pisoniana. Piso, was plotted and detected at Rome: the latter going under the name of (*) * And his adherents, Viniciana Vinicius at Beneventu͏̄. The conspiratours had their triall, and pleaded bound with threefold chaines: and as some of them confessed the action of their owne accord, so (*) * And, by name Sulpitius Asper. others said moreover, That he was beholden vnto them for it, because they could not possibly doe a cure upon him by any other meanes, (disteined as he was and dishonored with all kinde of wicked actes) but onely by death. The children of the conde͏̄ ned were expelled the Citie, and then, dispatched with poison or hungerstarued. It is for certaine knowen, that some of them with their paedagogues & booke-keepers tooke their bane all at one dinner togither, others were restrained for seeking and earning their daily food.

37 After this without all choise and respect, without all measure in his hand, he spared none: he put to death whomsoever it pleased him, and for what cause it skilled not. But not to make long relation of many, It was laid to Saluidienus Orcitus charge, that he had set and let three shops out of his house about the Foru͏̄, unto the Cities & States abroad for (their Embassadours) for to make their abode & conuerse in. To Cassius Longinus the lawier (a man bereft of both his eyes) objected it was, that in the antient pedigree of his own house and linage, he had set up againe the images of C. Cassius, one of the͏̄ that murdred Cæsar. To Paetas Thraseas, for having a sterne & severe countenance like a Paedagogue, When these with other were appointed once to dy, he allowed them no more then one houres respite to live after & because Page 199 no further delay might come between, he put unto the͏̄ Chyrurgians (in case they lingred and made no hast) to cure them out of hand, (for that was the term he used) meaning thereby, to cut their veines & let them bleed to death. It is verily thought also, that to a certain great (a) eater (*) * Polypha [•…] o cuidam. or glutton (an Aegyptian borne) that used to feed on raw flesh and whatsoever was given him, he had a great desire to cast men alive, for to bee quartered cut in peeces & devoured by him. Being lifted and puffed up, with these as it were, so great (*) * Or prosperity successes, he saide that no (*) * Or none of the Emperors knew. prince ever knew what he might do: and oftentimes he cast out many words betokening very significantly, that he would not spare the Senators remaining behind, but one day utterly rase that Order & degree out of the co͏̄mon-wealth, and permit the gentlemen of Rome & his freed-men (only to rule provinces & have the conduct of armies. Certes, neither at his comming home nor going* In Achaia, nere Corinth. forth any whether, vouchsafed he to kisse any one of them, no nor so much as once to resalute them: and when with formall complements he entred upon* Comprising therein the gentlemens degree: not Senatui, populoꝫ Rom. as the manner had beene. his worke of digging through Isthmus, he wished and praied alowd before a frequent audience, That the enterprise might speed well and turne to the weale of him selfe and the people of Rome, concealing and suppressing al mention of the Senate.

38 But yet for al that, he spared not the people nor forbare the very wals and buildings of his country the Citie. When one in common talke upon a time chaunced to say.

(a)“ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ”

Nay rather quoth he 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

“Whiles vital breath remains in me &c.”

And even so he did indeede: for being offended, as it were with the yl favoured fashion of the olde houses; as also with the narrow, crooked & winding streets; he set the citie of Rome on fire so apparantly, that many Citizens of Consuls degree, taking his (*) * Cubiculares i. the grooms of his chamber. chamberlaines in the maner with matches, touchwood and hurds in their messuages (within the Citie) would not once lay hand on them but let them alone: yea & certein garners and store houses about his golden Aedifice (for that the plot of ground on which they were situate, his mind stood most unto), were by war-engins forcibly shake͏̄, throwe͏̄ down & fired, by reason they were built with stone wals. For 6. dayes & 7. nights together raged he in this wise making havocke of all, and driving the common-people to take up their (*) * Or lodgings, Innes & shrowd themselues the while about the toumbs & moniments of the dead. During this time, beside an infinit number of (b) houses standing apart fro͏̄ others, the goodly aedifices & buildings of noble capitains in old time, adorned stil & beautified with the spoiles of enemies, the stately temples also of the gods, vowed & dedicated by the auntient kings first, & afterwards in the (*) * With the Carthaginians. punick & french wars; burned all, on a light fire: & in one word, whatsoever remained from old time worth the seeing & memorable was consumed. This fire, beheld he daily out of Maecenas (c) high toure: and taking ioy (as he sayd himselfe) at the beautiful flame that it made, chaunted the winning and destruction of Troie, in that Musitians habit wherein he was wont to sing upon the stage. And because he would not misse, but lay fast holde upon all the bootie and pillage which possibly hee, could come by, even from thence also, having promised free Page 200 leave to cast forth dead karkasses, and rid away the rammell of the ruines; looke what reliques remained of all their goods and substance unburnt, he permitted not one to goe unto it. Finally, not onely by receiving, but also by exacting Contributions from all parts, he beggered well neere the provinces and consumed the wealth of private persons.

To amend the matter well, vnto these harmes and reprochefull dishonors39 (of the State) so great as they were arising from the Prince, there happened also some other calamities by chance and fortune: to wit, a pestilence continuing one autumne, whereby thirtie (a) thousand burials were reckoned in the (*) * As we say in the Church booke. record of (*) * In whose tem ple were to be bought or hired, whatsoever pertained to funerals & burials. Varr [•…] Plutarch taketh her for Venus. Libitina; an unfortunate losse in Britaine, wherein two principall townes of great importance were sacked, with great slaughter besides of Romane Citizens and Allies: A shamefull disgrace received in the East by reason that the Romane Legions in Armenia were put under the yoke as Slaves, and Syria was hardly and with much adoe kept in tearmes of allegeance. But a wonder it was to see, and a thing especially to be noted, that amid all these infortunities hee tooke nothing lesse to the heart, than the shrewd checks and reviling taunts of Men: and was to none more milde, than to such as had provoked him, either with hard speeches, or opprobrious verses. Many infamous libels & defamatorie words, both in Greek and Latine, were publikely written, or otherwise cast and spred abroad against him, As for example these.

But no search made he after the authours hereof, and some of them being by the Appeacher conuented before the Senate, he would not suffer to sustaine any grievous punishment. As he passed by in the open street, Isidorvs the (*) * Whose son he was by adoption, for some re port, he tooke his poison in a cup of drinke & not in a mu shrom. Cynick, had checked him alowd in these tearmes, That he vsed to chaunt the calamities of (h) Navplivs very well, but disposed of his owne goods as badly. And Datvs, a plaier of the (*) * Who was thought to have perished in the sea and ind [•…] ede the hard’y esca [•…] ed drowning by swimming. Atellane Comaedies in a certein Sonet singing these words (i) hugiaine pater i. Farewel father. i: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . i. Farewel ther, had acted the same so significantly, as that hee feigned the one drinking and the other swimming, to expresse thereby the end * of C. Clavdivs and Agrippina: And in the last conclusion of all, with these wordes.

(k) Orcus vobis ducit pedes Now Pluto leadeth forth your feet. Page 201 in plaine gesture noted the Senate. The (*) * D [•…] tus. Actor & (*) * [〈◊〉] . Philosopher Nero did no more unto, but banish them Rome and Italie: either for that he set light by all shame and infamie; or els least in bewraying anie griefe, he might stir up and provoke pregnant wits to worke vpon him.

Well, the world having indured such an Emperour as this, little lesse than40 14. yeares, at length fell away & forsooke him cleane. And first the French began, following as the ringleader of their insurrection Iulius Vindex, who that very time governed the (*) * Of Caule. Province, as Propretour. Foretold it had been long agoe unto Nero by the Astrologers, That one day he should be left for lorne. Whereupon this saying was most rife in his mouth.

So that he might the better be excused and borne with all for studying & practising the art of minstrelsie and singing to the harpe, as a skil delightful unto him now a Prince, and needfull for him another day a private person. Yet some there were who promised unto him so forsake͏̄, the goverme͏̄t of the East parts: and others by speciall name the kingdome of Hierusalem: but most of them warranted him assuredly the restitution of his former estate. And being inclined rather to rest upon this hope, when he had lost Britaine and Armenia, & recovered them both againe: he thought himselfe discharged then and quit from the fatall calamities destined unto him. But sending one time to the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi, and hearing this answere from thence (a) That hee must beware of the yeare 73, as who would say, He was to dye in that yeare (of his owne age) and not before; and divining no whit of Galbahs yeeres; with so assured confidence hee conceived in his heart not onely long life but also a perpetuall and singular felicity, that when he had lost by ship wracke things of exceeding price, he stucke not to say among his familiars. That the (*) * As they did to Poly [•…] rates that mighty Tyrant of Samos: but it was not lo͏̄g before his fall and destruction. fishes would bring the same againe unto him. At Naples aduertised he was of the rebellion in Gaule. Which fell out to be the very same day of the yeare, on which he had killed his mother. But hee tooke this newes so patiently and carelesly, that hee gave suspicion even of joy and contentment: as if occasion had beene offered and presented thereby to make spoyle (by the lawe of armes) of those most rich & wealthy Provinces: and streight waies going forth into the (*) * Publike place of exercise. Gymnase, he beheld with exceeding great earnestnesse and delight the wrestlers and champions striving for the prise. At supper time also, being interrupted with letters importing more tumults and troubles still: Thus farre forth onely he grew into choller and indignation, as that he threatned (*) * Malum an Emphaticall and significant word in this place: like as in Livie, lib. 4. Ma [•…] u͏̄ militibus meis nisiquieverint. As if he had said, a mischiefe take these Rebels: or, mischiefe will come to them. mischiefe to them who (*) * Descissent, al. dedissent, as if mischief wold fall upon the authors heads had revolted. To conclude, for eight dayes together he never went about to write backe unto any man nor to give any charge or direction at all, but buried the matter quite in silence.

At the last, throughly mooved and netled with the contumelious edicts41 of vindex comming so thicke one in the necke of another, he exhorted the Senate, in a letter written unto them, to revenge him and the commonwealth: alleadging for an excuse the (*) * An infla͏̄m ation or swel ling in the throate. Squinsie whereof hee was sicke: and therefore could not himselfe be present in person. But nothing vexed him so much as this, That hee was by him blamed for an unskilfull* musician, and because in Page 202 steed of Nero, he called him (*) * Which was the name of his family, and so had he been called before his adoption. Aenobarbus. And verely as touching this name appropriate to his house and family; wherewith he was thus in contumelious manner twitted, he professed to resume the same, and to lay away the other that (*) * Nero Claudius Drusus came by adoption. All other reviling taunts and slaunders hee confuted as meere false, by no other, argument than this. That unskilfulnesse, forsooth, was obiected unto him in that very art, which he had so plainly studied and brought to so good perfection: and therewith asked them eftsones one by one, whether they had ever knowen a more excellent Musician than himselfe. But when messengers came still one after another, in great feare he returned to Rome. And having his hart lightned but a little in the way, with a vaine and foolish pr [•…] sage by occasion that hee espied and obserued engraven upon a monument, a certaine french souldiour with a Romane knight overmatched in fight and trailed along by the haire (of the head): he at this sight leapt for ioy and worshipped the heavens. Neither then verely, did hee so much as consult in publike with the Senate, or assemble the people: but onely call forth home to his house some of the chiefe and principall persons among them. And having dispatched in great haste this consultation, the rest of that day he led them all abovt to his musicall water instruments of a strange devise and fashion, not before knowen: and shewing every one by it selfe unto them, discoursing also of the reason and difficult workemanship of each one, he promised even anone to bring them all forth into the open Theatre, (*) * Which it seems he spake ironically, if simply, he mea neth, in case Vindex interupted not his sports and the publike felicitie. If Vindex would give him leave,

42 After that he understood besides, how Galba likewise & the provinces of Spaine were revolted, he fell downe at once: his heart was then daunted & cleane done: and so he lay a good while speechlesse in a traunce, and ready, as one would say, to goe out of the world. And so soone as he came againe to himselfe, he rent his clothes, beat and knockt his head, saying plainely That he was utterly undone: yea and when his nource came about him to comfort his poore heart, telling him, that the like accidents had befallen to other princes also before him, hee answered againe, That hee above all the rest suffred miseries never heard of nor knowen before: Thus in his life time to forgoe and loose his Empire. Neither yet for all this strucke he saile one whit in laying away or leaving out one jot of his ordinary riot and supine slouthfulnesse. Nay when some little inckling was given of good newes out of the provinces as he sat at a most sumptuous and plentifull supper; hee pronounced even with expresse gesture like a player, certaine ridiculous rimes, and those set to lascivious and wanton measures, against the chiefetaines of rebellion: and what were those? even stale stuffe and commonly knowen already. Being also secretly conueied into the Theatre he sent word unto a certaine Player acting his part with great co͏̄ tentment of them that sawe and heard him, That he did but abuse his (*) * In that hee plaied without a concurrent whereas himself but for his Businesses would haue put him down, occupations.

43 Immediatly upon the beginning of this feareful (*) * c Ocasioned by the Commotions & re volts abroad tumult, it is credibly thought that he intended manie designes and those very cruell and horrible: yet such as agreed well enough with his naturall humour: namely, to sende under hand successours and murderers of all those that were Commanders of armies & regents of Provinces; as if they all had conspired and drawen in one and the selfe same line. Item, to massacre all banished persons where soever; and the frenchmen Page 203 every one that were to be fou͏̄d in Rome: those because they should not band & combine with them that revolted: these, as complices with their owne contrie men, and their abbetters. Item to permit, the armies for to make spoyle and havocke of the Provinces in Gaule. Item to poyson all the Senate generally at some appointed feast. Last of all to fire Rome & let wild beasts loose among the people; that thereby there might be more adoe and greater difficulty to saue the Citie. But being skared from these designments, not so much vpon anie repentance, as despaire of their accomplishment: and perswaded withall, that necessarie it was to make a voyage and warlike expedition; the Consuls then in place he depriued of their goverment before the due time, and himselfe alone entred upon the Consulship in their roomes, as if forsooth, the destinies had so ordained, that Gaule could not be subdued but by a (sole) (*) * As sometime On Pomp [•…] ius ma [•…] nus was, for the like exploit. Consul. Having then taken into his hands the (*) * The Consular authoritie. knitches of rods, when after meat he withdrew himselfe aside out of his dining chamber, leaning upon the shoulders of his familiar friends, hee protested, that so soone as ever he was come into the Province: he would shew himselfe unarmed before the armies: and do nothing else but weepe. and after he had once by that meanes reclaimed the authors of the Revolt and brought them to repentance, sing merily, the day following, songs of triumph with them that reioyced with him. Which songs quoth hee ought with all speede even now to be composed for me.

44 In the preparation of this warlike voiage, his speciall care was, to choose forth meete wagons for the cariage of his musicall instruments; to cut & poll the concubines which hee caried out with him like men: and to furnish them with battaile axes and little bucklers after the Amazonian fashion. This done, he cited the Citie-tribes to take the militarie oth: and when no seruiceable me͏̄ would answere to their names, he enjoyned all Masters to set forth a certaine number of bond-seruants, neither admitted he out of the whole family & hovshold of every ma͏̄, but such only as were most approved, excepting not so much as their stewards or clarkes and secretaries. He commanded likewise all degrees to allow and contribute toward this expedition part of their estate according as they were valued in the Censors booke: and more than so, The tenants inhabiting private messuages and great houses standing by them selues, to pay out of hand in yearely pension to his exchequer. Hee exacted also with great (*) * Surlinesse. skornefulnesse and extremitie, good money rough and new coyned, siluer fine and full of risings: golde pure and red as fire. In so much, as most men openly refused the paiment of all contributions: demanding in a generall consent, that what monies soever promoters had received for their informations, should rather be required backe againe at their hands.

45 By the dearth likewise of corne, looke what hatred was conceived against the (*) * i. Cornemu͏̄ gers lucrantium gainers, the same grewe heavie upon him. For it fell out by chance that in this publicke famine word came of a (*) * Or the fleet [•…] it selfe, nauis proc [•…] asse as [〈◊〉] nave by the figure [〈◊〉] . Ship of (a) Alexandria, how it was arrived fraight with a kinde of dust for the wrestlers of Nero his court. Having thus stirred up & kindled the hatred of all the world against him, there was no contumelious despite but he sustained. To one statue of his, just behind the crowne of the heade, was set a* chariot with an Imprese in Greeke to this effect Page 204 Now (b) in truth, and not before is the combate. And againe, Now or never hale and drawe. To the necke of another, there was tyed a lether (*) * Al [•…] uding to his Chariot running. bagge, and there with this title, (*) * A Sachell ascopera What (d) could I doe? But thou hast deserued a verie (*) * Ego quid potui. lether (e) budge indeed. This writing also was fastned upon the (*) * Pillers Columnes, Now Culeum with his chaunting hee hath awakened the French. And by this time manie there were who in the night season making semblance of chiding and brawling with* Gallos et eum ca͏̄ta͏̄do excitasse. their seruants, called often for a Vindex.

46 Beside all this, he tooke affrights at the manife [•…] t (*) * Presaging foretokens portents as well newe as old, of dreams, of (a) prodigies and of (*) * Ominum. Osses. For where as before time, he was never wont to dreame, when he had murdred his mother once there appeared visions in his sleepe, him thought hee saw the helme of a ship wrested out of his hand as hee steered it: and that by his wife Octavia hee was haled into a very narrow and blinde place: one while that he was covered all over with a multitude of winged ants; another while, that the images of grave men descended of noble houses dedicated in Pompeius Theatre, went round about him, and debarred him from going forward. Also, that his ambling guelding, wherein hee tooke most delight, was in most parts transfigured into the forme of an ape: But having his head only sound and entier, did set up a lowde and shrill voice neighing. Out of the (*) * The stately sepulchre of Augustus. Mausoleum, when all the dores thereof flewe of their owne accord open, a voice was heard calling him by name. Vpon the (*) * First day. Calends of Ianuarie, his domesticall gods, garnished and adorned (as they weare), at the verie time when the sacrifice was in preparing, fell all downe. And as he was observing the signes by bird flight, Sporus* All this hapned upon the new-yeares day. presented him with a ring for a newe yeares gift: in the pretious stones whereof, was engraven the ravishing and carying away of Proserpina. At the solemne nuncupation of his vowes, when as a great and frequent number of all degrees were alreadie assembled together, the keyes of the Capitoll could hardly be found. What time as out of his inuective oration against Vindex these wordes were rehearsed in the Senate. That such wicked persons should suffer punishment, they all cryed out with one voice. [〈◊〉] Avgvste. i. Thou shalt so doe O Augustus. This also had beene obserued, that the last Tragaedie which he acted and sung in publike place, was Oedipus the banished, and iust as he pronounced this verse

“ 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ”

(*) * Decid [•…] sse or desisse i, stayed & gave over. he fell downe.

47 In this meanewhile, when newes came that all the other armies also rebelled, the letters delivered unto him, as hee sate at dinner hee tare in peeces, overthrewe the table, and two cuppes (of Chrystall) out of which he tooke the greatest pleasure to drinke, and which he called Homericos, for certaine verses of (*) * See the anno tation upon this place. (a) Homere engraven and wrought upon them, he dashed against the paved floure. Then, after he had received a poison of Locusta & put it up in a golden boxe, he went directly into the hortyards of the Seruitij: Page 205 where, having sent before his most trusty freed-servants unto O [•…] Tia for to rig and prepare a fleet to sea, He sounded the Tribunes and Centurious of the guard, whether they [•…] ould be are him company and flie with him, or no? But when some of them made it coy and kept some hasting: others in plaine termes refused; and one also cried out aloud,

“Vsque [〈◊〉] (b) [〈◊〉] est?”

He cast about, and thought of many and sundry shifts? Whether hee should goe as an humble suppliant unto the Parthians, or to Galba? or whether it were best for him, arraied all in blacke to come abroad into the Citie, and there in open place before the Rostra, with all the rusull and piteous moane that hee could possibly make, crave pardon for all that was past? and unlesse hee could turne the peoples harts unto (*) * And to suffer him for to inioy the Empire mercy, make suite to have if it were but the (c) Deputy-ship of Aegypt graunted unto him. Certes, found there was afterwards in his Cabinet a Speech of his owne penning, as touching this Argument. But men thinke hee was scared from this enterprise, as fearing least before he thither (*) * To the [〈◊〉] . could come, he should be pulled in peeces. Thus, putting off all farther cogitation of this matter unto the next day, and (*) * Or starting out of his sleep [•…] . awakened about midnight; when he understood that the guard of his Souldiours was retired and gone, hee leapt forth of his bed, and sent all about to his friends. But because no word was brought back from any of them, himselfe accompanied with a fewe about him went to every one of their lodgings: Where finding all dores shut, and no body to make him answere, he returned to his bed chamber. By which time, his Keepers also and Warders were slipt from thence: but they had stollen away first the hangings and furniture of his chamber, yea and set out of the way the box aforesaid with the poison. Then straight-waies he sought for Spicillus the (*) * Mirmill [•…] nems Sword fencer, or any other common hackster he cared not who, by whose hand he might receive his deaths wound. But finding none. Well, quoth he, And have I neither a friend, nor a foe? And so he runnes forth, as if he would have throwne himselfe headlong into Tiberis.

48 But having reclaimed once againe that violent moode, hee desired some more secret retyring place, wherein he might lurke a while and recall his wits together. And when Phaon his freed man made offer unto him of a Farme house of his, that he had by the Citie side, about foure miles off, betweene the high-waies Salari [•…] and [•…] umentana, bare footed as hee was and in his (*) * Single wastcoate. shirt hee cast over it a cloake all sullied and which had lost the colour. And so covering his head, and holding an hand kercheife before his face, to horseback hee went; having not above foure persons in his companie; of which* Sporus made one. And beingThe rest were Phaon Epaph [•…] oaitus and Neo [•…] . by & by affrighted with an Earthquake & lightning that flashed against his face, he heard with all, an out-crie & showt (from the Campe hard-by), of the Souldiours ossing all mischiefe at him & all good unto Galba: Yea, & one of the passengers that he met, saying, These be they that pursue Nero, as also another asking, What newes in Rome of Nero, Now by occasio͏̄ that his horse under him senting a dead carkasse that was throwne out in the way, started and flung at on side, his face was discovered, and himselfe knowne of one Missicius a Pretorian Souldiour, Page 206 who saluted him by his name. When they were come to the next Lane, turning out of the Rode way, their horses they forsooke and turned them up: and so among thic [•…] s of shrubs, rough bushes and briers, with much a doe through a narrow path within a reed plot, and not without (*) * For feare either of pricking his feete, or of being heard to goe. clothes spread under foote, he gat at length as farre as to the wall of the Country house above said over & against him. There, when the said Phaon perswaded him to bestow himselfe the meane while, within a pit, from whence sand had beene cast forth, Nay, quoth he, I will never goe quick (*) * Or into my grave. under ground: and so, after he had staied a little (while there was a secret way a making to let him into the ferme house), he laded up water with his owne hand out of a ditch under him, minding to drink: and this, quoth he, is Neroes (*) * Or sodde [•…] : decocted water. After this, because his cloake was torne among the bust [•…] es and briers afore said, he rid it from the pricky sprigs that were runne through* Plinie reporteth, lib 31, cap. 3. That Nero dev [•…] ed to [〈◊〉] water first, then within a glasse to let it stand in [•…] now, wherby it became exceeding cold: partly by the snow, & in part by the former decoction. A delicate d [•…] inke in the heate of Sommer. and stuck therein, and so creeping upon all foure through a straight and narrow hole digged in the wall for him, received hee was into the next backe roome: Where he laid him downe on a pallet made of a simple scant mattrice, and an olde over-worne cloake cast over it for a coverlet. Now when hunger came upon him, and thirst with all the second time, the browne and course bread verily which was offred unto him he refused; but of warme water he dranke a prety draught.

49 When as each one called then instantly on every side upon him, to deliver him selfe with all speede from the reproachfull contumelies and abuses, whereto hee was hourely subiect, he commaunded a grave to be made before his face, and gave a measure therefore according to the iust proportion of his body: and therewith, if any peeces of marble stone might be found about the house, to be laid in order: That water also and wood should bee gotten together for his dead body to be washed anone therewith: weeping at every word he spake, and inserting ever and anone this pittifull speech, Q [•…] alis (*) * Meaning his singular skill in Musicke. for which pittie it was he should ever die. artifex Pereo! What an excellent Artisane am I? and yet nowe must I die. Whiles some stay was made about these complements, Phaons (*) * Or else, what manner of artisane am I now become, thus to prepare mine owne funerall. Courrier brought certaine letters which hee intercepted and snatcht out of his hands. And reading therein that hee had his Dome by the Senate, To be an Enemie to the State: That he was laid for all about to be punished, More maiorum. More maiorum! quoth he, what kinde of punishment is that! and when he understoode, it implied thus much, That the man so condemned, should be stript all naked, his head (*) * Or Footman locked fast in a forke, and his body scourged with rods to death; he was so terrified therewith, That hee caught up (*) * Or rapiers. two daggers which hee had brought with him: and trying the points of them both how sharpe they were,* Or set he put them up againe, making this excuse, That the fatall houre of his death was not yet come. And one while he exhorted Sporus to begin for to [•…] ament, weepe* Acie: pro acumine mucrond [•…] o. and waile: another while he intreated hard, That some one of them would kill him selfe first, and by his example helpe him to take his death. Sometime also he checked and blamed his owne timorousnesse in these wordes. I live shamefully and in reproach, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . i. It becomes not Nero; it becomes him not. In such cases as these hee had neede to bee wise and sober: Goe to man, plucke up thy heart and rouse thy selfe. Nowe by this time approached the Horsemen neere at hand, who had a warrant and prec [•…] pt to bring him alive. Which when hee perceived, after hee had with trembling and Page 207 quaking uttered this verse.

“ (*) * Homer Iliad. X spoken by Nestor 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .”

“The trampling noise of horses swift resoundeth in mine eares.”

He set a (*) * Or rapier. dagger to his throat, whiles Epaphroditus his (*) * Or his Master of requests. Secretarie lent him his hand to dispatch him. When he was yet but halfe dead, a Centurion brake in upon him, and putting his cloake upon the wound, made semblance as if hee came to aide and succour him: Vnto whom he answered nothing but this. Too late. And is this your loyaltie and allegeance? In which very word he yeelded up his breath, with his eyes staring out and set in his head, to the great feare and horrour of all that were present. He had requested of the companie which attended upon him, no one thing more earnestly than this. That no man might have his head severed from the body but that in any wise he might be burnt whole. And Icelus a freed man of Galba, who not long before was delivered out of prison (into which he was (*) * By Nero [•…] cast at the beginning of the first (*) * Occasioned by the rebelli [•…] In Gaule and S [•…] aine. tumult) permitted (*) * For he might do al in al with Galba. See Galb. so much.

50 His funerals were performed with the charges of 200000 Sesterces. His corps was caried forth (to buriall) enwrapped within white cloathes of Tinsel, woven with gold wire betweene, the very same that hee had worne upon the Calends of Ianuarie. His reliques, Ecloge and Alexandra his two Nources, together14 with Acte his Concubine bestowed within the monument belonging to the house of the Domitii his Auncestors: Which is to be seene out of Mars field, situate upon the Knap of an hill within their Hortyards. In which Sepulcher his chest (*) * Or Cophi [•…] . made of Porphyrite Marble, with an Altar (as it were) or table of white Marble of Luna standing upon it, was enclosed round about with a fence of Thasian Marble stone.

51 Hee was for stature almost of (*) * Within a little of fixe foote. complet heighth. His body full of specks and freckles, and foule of skinne besides. The haire of his head somewhat yellow: His countenance and visage rather faire, than lovely and well favoured. His eyes gray and somewhat with the dimmest. His neck full and fat. His belly & paunch bearing out: with a paire of passing slender spindle shanks: but withall, he was very healthfull. For, being as he was so untemperate and most royotously given, in 14 yeeres space, he never fell sicke but thrice: yet so, as hee neither so: bare drinking of wine, nor any thing else that hee used to doe. About the trimming of his body and wearing of his cloathes so nice, as it was shamefull: in so much as hee would alwaies have the bush of his head laide and plaited by curles in degrees: but what time as he travailed in Achaia, hee drew it backward also from the crowne of his head (*) * As you may see in ye coines pictures of Otho the Emperour i. Statius calleth this suggestum com [•…] . [•…] . lib. [•…] , Syly. and wore it long. For the most part, he ware a dainty and effeminate pied garment called Synthesis: and with a fine Lawne neck Kercheif bound about his* haply in imitation of Apollo (who was Intousus, and is called by Homer therefore 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ) because there especially he professed Musick, whereof Apollo is the Patrone. neck he went abroad in the Streetes, ungirt, untrussed, and unshod.

52 Of all the Liberall Sciences in manner, he had a tast when he was but a child. But from the Studie of Philosophie his mother turned his minde; telling him, It was repugnant to one who another day was to bee a Soveraigne: and from the knowledge of auncient Oratours, his Maister Seneca withdrew him, because hee would hold him the longer in admiration of himselfe. And therefore, being of his owne accord readily enclined to Poetry, he made verses voluntarily and without paine. Neither did he (as some think) set forth other mens Poems as his owne. Page 208 There haue come into mine hands writing tables and bookes containing verses very famous and well knowne abroade, written with his owne hand: so as a man may easily see they were not copied out of other bookes, nor yet taken from the mouth of any other that indited them, but plainely penned as a man would say, by one that studied for them, and as they came in his head, so put them downe: so many blots and skrapings out, so many dashes and interlinings were in them.

No small delight he had beside in painting; and most of all in forging and moolding53 counterfaites. But aboue all, he was rauished and lifted up with popularity & praise of men: desirous therfore to imitate & equal them, who by any meanes plea sed the humours & contented the minds of the co͏̄mon people. There went an opinio͏̄ and speech of him, that after he had gained the Coronets for his musicall fears performed upon the stage, hee would at the next fiue yeares revolution, go unto the Olympicke games, and contend for the prise among the Champions there. For, he practised wrestling continually. Neither beheld he the Gymnicke games throughout all Greece otherwise, than sitting below within the (*) * Or the lifts Stadium, as the manner of the Iudges and Vmpires of such masteries: and if any (*) * Or couples matched. paires of them drew to farre backe out of the appointed place, to plucke them with his own hands into the middle againe. He had intended moreouer (since he was reputed to have equalled Apollo in singing and matched the Sun in charioting) to imitate also the worthie acts of Hercvles. And men say, there was a Lion prepared, which he, all naked should either with his club braine, or els with streight clasping beetweene his armes throttle and crush to death within the Amphitheatre, in the sight of all the people.

54 Certainely, a little before his ende he had openly made a vowe, That in case he continued stil in good and happie estate, represent he would likewise at the games, in his owne person after victory obtained, an Organist and player upon water instruments, upon the flute also and hauthors, yea and a bagpiper, and on the last day (of the said games) an actor of Enterludes: what time he would aaunce and gesture Turnus in Virgill. And some write, that Paris the actor was by him killed, as a concurrent that stood in his way and eclipsed his light.

55 A desire he had, (foolish and inconsiderate though it were) of aeternity and perpetuall fame. And therefore, abolishing the old names of many things & places, hee did upon them new, after his owne. The moneth Aprill also hee called Neroneus. He ment moreover to have named Rome, (*) * Neroes Citty. Neropolis.

All Religions whersoever he had in contempt, unlesse it were that onely of the56 (*) * Atergate or Astarte the [•…] ame som think that Iuno Syrian goddesse. And yet soone after he despised her so farre, that hee polluted (*) * Her image her with urine. by occasion that he was wonderfully addicted to an other superstition, wherein alone hee continued and perseuered most constantly. For having received in free gift, a little puppet representing a young girle, at the hands of a meane commoner, and (*) * or vnknowen to him. obscure person, as a remedy, forsooth, or desensative against altreacheries and secret practises: and therevpon straight waies chauncing to discouer a conspiracie; he held it for the soveraine deity above all, & persisted honoring & worshipping it every day with 3 sacrifices. Nay he would haue men beleeve, that he foreknew things to come by advertisement & warning given fro͏̄ her. Page 209 Some few moneths before he lost his life, he tooke regard also of the Skill in prying into beasts entrailes. Which he observed in deede, but never sped well therewith, nor gained thereby the favour of the Gods.

He died in the two and thirtieth yeere of his age; that very day of the yeere, on57 which in times past he had murdred his wife Octavia: & by his death broughtA, V, C, 821 so great ioy unto the people generally, that the Commons wore (*) * Or Bo [•…] ts, to t [•…] stifie freedome recoue [•…] ed. Caps, and ranne sporting up and downe throughout the Citie. Yet there wanted not some, who a long time after decked his Tombe with gay flowers that the Spring and Sommer doe affourd: and who, one while brought forth his Images clad in robes embrodred with purple gards before the Rostra: otherwhile published his Edicts, as if he had beene yet living and would shortly returne to the great mischiefe of his enemies. Moreover, Vologesus King of the Parthians, when he senthis Embassadours unto the Senate for to treat about the renuing of league and Alliance with them, requested this also very earnestly, That the Memoriall of Nero might be still solemnized. To conclude, when twenty yeeres after his decease (whiles I my selfe* Namely, to Calph [•…] Aspernas. to be executed for a lying counter, seit. was but a young man) one arose among them (no man knew from whence? nor of what condition?) who gave it out, That Hee was Nero, (so gracious was his name among the Parthians,) he was mightily upheld and maintained, yea and hardly delivered up againe.