THE HISTORIE OF Aulus Vitellius,

AS touching the Originall and beginning of the Vitellii, Chap. 1 some write this, others that; and all as contrary as may be: reporting it partly to be auncient and noble; and in part now start up and obscure, yea and very base and beggerly. Which I would suppose to have hapned by meanes of the flatterers and backbiters both, of Vitellius the Emperour: but that I see there is sometime variance and diversity about the very condition of that family. A little booke there is extant of one (a) Q. Eulogius* Extat Q. E [•…] logij, &c. his making, written unto Q. Vitellius, Questor to Augustus C [•…] Sar of sacred memorie: wherein is contained thus much, That the Vitellij descended from Faunus K. of th [•…] Aborigines and Lady Vitellia (who in many places Page 230 was worshipped for a Goddesse) raigned over all Latium: That the of-spring remaining of them, remooved out of the Sabines Country to Rome, and were taken into the ranke of the Patritij: That many monuments giving testimonte of this race, continued a long time, to wit, the high (*) * Or causey. way Vitellia reaching from (*) * An hill on the other side of Tiberis, ad. oyning to Rome by a bridge. Ianiculum to the sea: likewise a Colonie of the same name, the defence and keeping whereof against the Aequiculi, they in times past required, with the strength onely. and puissance of their owne family: Moreouer, that afterwards in the time of the Sam [•…] ites warre, when a garrison was sent (*) * B. the Romaines: into Apulia, some of the Vitellij remained behind at Nuceria: and their progenie many a yeere after returned to Rome and recovered their Senatours degree.

Contrariwise, more Authors there be, who have left upon record, that their2 Stock-father was a Libertine. Cassius Severus, and others as well as hee, doe write That the same man was also a very (*) * Sutorem veteramentarium. Cobler: whose sonne having gotten more by (*) * Or proscribed and outlawed: chaffering (a) at a price for the confiscate goods of men (*) * Sectionibus & cognituris: condemned, and by games arising of (a) undertaking mens suites, of a common naughty pack, the daughter of one Antiochus a Baker, begat a sonne, who proved afterwards a Gentleman of Rome. This dissonance of opinions I leave indifferent for men to beleeve which they will. But, to the purpose; Puelius Vitellius borne in Nuceria, (whether he were of that auncient linage, or descended from base parents and Grandfathers) a Romaine Gentleman doubtlesse, and a Procuratour under Augustus of his affaires, left behind him foure sonnes, men of qualitie all and right honourable persons; bearing also their Fathers (*) * Which as Onuphrius sa [•…] t. was [〈◊〉] . surname: and distinguished onely by their forenames, Aulus, Quintus, Publius and Lucius. Aulus died even when he was Consull: which dignity he had entredA, V, C: 785 upon with Domitius the Father of Nero Cæsar: a man very sumpteous otherwise in his house and much spoken of for his magnificent suppers. Quintus was displaced from his Senatours estate, what time as by the motion and perswasion of Tiberius there passed an Act: That such Senatours as were thought insufficient should be culled out and removed. Publius a Companion and Dependant of Germanicus, accused and convicted Cn. Piso his (*) * Of Germanicus C [•…] sar: mortall enemie, and the man who murdred him: And after the honourable place of Praetour, being apprehended among the Complices of Seianus ConspiracieA, V, C. 773 and committed to the keeping of his (*) * Aulus. brother, with a penknife cut his owne veines: and after that, not so much repenting that hee sought his owne death, asA, V, C, 788 overcome with the earnest intreatie of his friends about him, suffred his wounds to be bound up and cured: but in the same (*) * Or [〈◊〉] of liberty and duresse. imprisonment hee died of sicknesse. Lucius, after his Consulship being (*) * Or [〈◊〉] Provost of Syria with passing fine slightsA V, C, 788 and cunning deuises trained and entised forth Art Abanus King of the Parthians,A, V, C. 787 796 800 80 [•…] 797 not onely to parly with him, but also to worship and adore the Standard, of the Romaine Legions. Soone after, together with Claudius the Emperour, he bare two ordinarie Consulates, one immediatly upon another, and the Censureship also: likewise the charge of the whole Empire, whiles Claudius was absent in the expedition of Britaine, he sustained: an harmlesse person; active and industrious: howbeit blemished with a very badname, for the love (b) he bare unto a Libertine woman: whose spettle mixed with honey he used as a (*) * A Collution, remedie (and that not closely and seldome but every day and openly) washing therewith* [〈◊〉] . his (*) * Or salute after a devout manner. pipes and throat. He was besides of a wonderfull glavering nature and given to flatteries. He it was, that first by his example brought up the order to (*) * Caligula. adore Caius Cæsar as a God, what time as being returned out of Syria, he durst not Page 231 come into his presence otherwise than with his head (*) * Which be the reuerer [•…] t gestures vsed in worshipping the Gods See, Plin, l [•…] b, 28. cap. 2. covered, turning himselfe about, and then falling downe prostrate before him at his feete. And because he would omit no artificiall meanes to curry favour with Claudius, a Prince so (b) addicted to his wife & freed men, he made suit unto Meslallina, as if it had beene for the greatest gift shee could bestow upon him, to doe him the grace that he might have the D’offing of her shoes: and the (c) right foote pumpe which he had drawne off, hee caried in his bosome continually betweene his gowne and inward clothes, yea, and many times would kisse the same. The golden images also of Narcissus and Pallas hee reverently honoured among his domesticall Gods. This was a word likewise of his, when he did congratulate Claudius at the exhibiting of the (*) * So called, because they were sole͏̄nized but once in an hundred, or an hundred & 1. veeres Secular plaies, Sep factas. i. Many a time may you this doe. He died of a (d) palsey, the very next day, after it tooke him: leaving behind him two sonnes, whom Sextilia his wife a woman for her vertue highly approved, and of no meane parentage descended, bare unto him. Them he saw both, Consuls, and that in one yeere, yea and the same throughout; for that the younger succeeded the elder for sixe moneths: When hee was departed this life, the SenateA, V, C, 768 graunted unto him the honour of a publick funerall: a statue likewise before the Rostra with this Inscription, Pietatis immobilis erga principem. i. (*) * [〈◊〉] (a man). Of constant devotion and irremoveable pietie to his Prince.

3 Aulus Vitellius the sonne of Lucius, and Emperour, was borne the (*) * 24 September eighth day before the Calends of October: or, as some will have it, the (*) * 7th, Of September. seventh day before the Ides of September, when Drusus Cæsar and Norbanus Flaccus were Consuls. His (*) * Or fortune by the Horoscope of his Natiuity. Nativity foretold by the Astrologers, his parents had in such horrour; that his father endevoured alwaies what he could, that no Province whiles he lived should be committed unto him: and his mother what time he was both sent unto the Legions and saluted (*) * Or Emperour Lord Generall, straight-waies lamented as if then he had beene undone for ever. His childhood & flower of youth hee spent at Capreae among the Strumpets and Catamites that Tiberius kept there: Himselfe noted alwaies with the surname of (*) * A deuiser of new fashions & formes of filthy vncleannes Spintria, was thought also by suffring the abuse of his owne body to have beene the cause of his fathers rising and advauncement.

4 All the time also of his age ensuing stained as he was with all manner of reproachable villanies, so hee caried a principall sway above others in the Court, growen into familiar acquaintance with Caius for his love to chariot running, and with Claudius for his affection to dice-play: but in greater favour he was a good deale with Nero, both in the selfe same regards afore-said, as also for this especiall demerite, in that being president at the solemnity called Neroneum, when Nero was desirous to strive for the prise among the Harpers & Musicians, but yet durst not promise so to do, (notwithstanding all the people called instantly upon him) and thereupon went out of the Theater: hee pretending that hee was sent Embassadour unto him from the people persisting still in their earnest request, had called him back and so brought him in the end to be entreated.

5 Through the favourable indulgence therefore of three Emperours, being advaunced not onely to right honourable offices of State, but also to as high Sacerdotall dignities, he managed after all these the Proconsulate of Africk, & executed the charge of surveying and supravising the publick works: but with mind and reputation both, far unlike. For in his Province he demeaned himselfe for two yeeres Page 232 together with singular innocencie and integrity; as who after his brother succeeded in his stead, staied there still in quality of his Lieutenant. But in his office within the Citie, he was reported to have secretly stollen away, the oblations, gifts and ornaments of the Temples; to have embecilled and chaunged some of them; yea, and in lieu of gold and silver to have foisted in Tinn and Copper.

6 Hee tooke to wife Petronia the daughter of one that had beene Consull, by whom hee had a sonne with one eye named Petronianus, Him being by his (*) * Deceased: mother ordained her heire upon condition that he were freed once out of his fathers power, he manumised in deede: but soone after (as it was thought) killed: having charged him besides with parricidie, and pretending withall, that the poison which was provided to worke that mischiefe; hee upon remorse of conscience had drunke himselfe. After this, bewedded Galeria Fundana, whose father had beene Pretour: and of her body also begat children of both sexes: but the male child had such an impediment of stutting and stammering, that little better he was than dumbe and tonguelesse.

By Galba, sent he was contrary to all expectation into the Low-Countries7 of Germanie: furthered as it is thought by the voice and favour of T. Vinius a man in those daies most mighty; and unto whom long before, he had been wonne by favourizing the (*) * Venetae, which Galba likewise with them favoured. faction (a) unto which they both were equally affected: but that Galba professed plainly, that none were lesse to be feared than those who thou [•…] ht of nothing but their victuals onely, and that his greedy appetite and hungry belly might bee satisfied and filled with the plenteous store that the ProvinceA, V, C. 821 did yeeld. So that evident it was to every man, that he chose him in contempt rather, than upon any speciall grace. This is for certaine knowne, that when he was to goe forth, he wanted provision for his iourney by the way; and for the maintenance of his family was driven to those hard shifts and extremities, that muing up his wife and children (whom he left at Rome) in a little upper (*) * For in such, tenants dwelt, whereas the Lord himselfe kept beneath. lodging that he (*) * Tooke for rear. rented: and let out his owne dwelling house for the rest of the yeere: yea, and tooke from his mothers eare a pearle, which he laid to gage: and all for to defray the charges of that voiage. As for a number verily of his Creditours, who waited for him as ready to stay his passage: and among them, the Sinuessanes and Formains, whose publick imposts, tollage, and revenewes he had intercepted and converted to his owne use, he could not be rid of; but by terrifying them with an action of the case: seruing one of them, and namely a Libertine (who very eagerly demaunded a debt) with processe upon an action of batterie, as if he had stricken him with his heele; and would not withdraw the suit before he had extorted from him fiftie thousand Sesterces. In his comming toward the Campe, the armie maliciously bent against the Emperour, and ready to intertaine any revolt and chaunge of State, willingly and with open armes received him, as a gift of the Gods presented unto them from heaven above; the sonne of one thrice Consull; a man in the vigour and strength of his yeeres; of a gentle disposition besides, and of a frank and prodigall heart. Which opinion and perswasion, being of old conceived and settled in mens heads, Vitellius had augmented by some fresh proofes lately given of himselfe: kissing all the way as hee went along every meane common Souldiour that hee met: so courteous and affable above all measure, to the very mulitiers and wayfaring passengers, in every Inn and baiting place, that he would Page 233 in a morning betimes aske them one by one, whether they had yet broken their fast? and shew unto them even by his belching, that hee had beene at his breakfast already.

8 Now when hee was entred once into the Camp, no suit denied he to any man: nay, of his owne accord hee tooke off their marks of ignominie who stoode in disgrace; dispensed with those that were obnoxious to the Lawes for wearing poore and sullied garments; and forgave condemned persons their punishments. Whereupon, before one moneth was fully come and gone, without all respect either of day or time, when the very evening was now shooting in, suddainly by the Souldiours called forth he was out of his bed-chamber: and clad as he was inA, V, C. 822 his domesticall and home apparrell, saluted by the name of Imperator, and caried round about through the most frequented and populous (*) * Vic [•…] s, or [〈◊〉] of Colonia Agrippina where all this was done, as some write. townes, holding in his hand the naked sword of Iulius (Dictator) of famous memorie: which beeing taken out of the temple of Mars, was at the first gratulation presented by one unto him. Neither returned he into the (*) * The L. Generals lodging. Pretorium, before the dining roome was on a light fire, by occasion of the chimney there, where it first caught. And then verily, when all besides were amazed and in great perplexity upon this adverse and ominous accident; Be of good cheere, quoth hee, it hath shined faire upon us: and no other speech at all made hee unto his Souldiours: After this, when the armie also of the higher Province, consented now by this time with the other, (that armiel meane which had revolted before from Galba & sided with the Senate): the surname of Germanicus generallie offred unto him hee gladly accepted; the addition of Augustus he put off; and the stile of Cæsar hee utterly for ever refused.

9 And soone after, when newes came unto him that Galba was slaine; having settled the State of Germanie, he divided his forces thus; sending one part thereof (*) * Vnder the conduct of Fabius Valens by the Alpes and of Caecina, over the Apennine. before, against Otho; and minding [•…] o leade the rest himselfe. Vnto the armie which was sent before, there hapned a fortunate and luckie signe: For on the right hand, all on a suddaine flew an Eagle toward them: and when shee had fetched a compasse round about the Standerds and Ensignes, hovered softly before them as they marched on the way. Contrariwise, as himselfe removed and set forward, the Statues on horseback, erected in many places for him, all at once suddainly brake their legges and tumbled downe: and the guirland of Lawrell, which most devoutly he had done about (his head) fell from it into a running river. Within a while after, as he sate iudicially upon the Tribunall to minister Iustice at (*) * In Fraunce within the province Narbo [•…] . Vienna, a Cock first settled upon his shoulder, and anone perched upon his very head. Vpon which prodigious sights, ensued an event correspondent thereto. For the Empire which by his Lieutenants was confirmed and established unto him, he by himselfe was not able to hold.

10 Of the victorie before Bebriacum and the death of Othg, he heard whiles hee was yet in Gaule: and without delay, whosoever belonged to the Pretorian Cohorts, hee by vertue of one edict cassed and discharged all, for the most daungerous precedent and example that they had (*) * In betraying Galba th [•…] ir Soveraigne. given, commaunding them to yeeld up their armour into the (*) * Or Tribunes. Marshals hands. As for those hundred & twenty, whose Page 234 Supplications exhibited unto Otho hee had found, such I meane as claimed rewards for their good service in killing Galba, hee gave commaundement they should be sought out and executed every one. A worthy beginning I assure you, and a magnificent: such as might give good hope of an excellent Prince, had hee not menaged all matters else, according to his owne naturall disposition and the course of his former life, rather than respecting the maiestie of an Emperour. For no sooner put he himselfe in his iourney, but he rode through the midst of Cities in Triumphant wise: and passed along the great rivers in most delicate barges, garnished and adorned with Coronets of sundry sorts: Fating at his table most sumptuously and served with all manner of dainty Viands: observing no discipline either of houshold servitour or of Souldiour: but turning the outrages, villanies and licentious prankes of them all to aiest: who, not content with their ordinary diet allowed and provided for them in every place where they came at the common charges of the State; looke what slaves or Aliens it pleased them, they manumised and made free: but paied as many as withstoode them with whipping cheere, blowes, knocks, bloudie wounds oftentimes yea, and otherwhiles with present death. When hee came into the fields where the (*) * Before Bebri [•…] , or Bretiracum. battaile was fought: and some of his traine loathed and abhorred the putrified corruption of the dead bodies, he stuck not to harten and encourage them with this cursed speech: That an Enemie slaine had a very good smell, but a Citizen farre better. Howbeit to qualifie and allay the strong savour and sent that they cast, hee poured downe his throat before them all, exceeding great store of strong wine, and dealt the same plentifully about, (*) * Some conclude ye former p [•…] iode heare, and begin a new sentence thus Pars vanitate &c, with like vanitie &c. with as much vanity as insolent pride. When he beheld the Stone, under which Otho lay interred, with an Inscription (*) * M Othonis, Plu [•…] arch. in his memoriall: Worthy was he of such a monument, quoth hee. And the very same dagger wherewith he had killed himselfe, he sent to Colein for to be dedicated unto Mars. Certes, upon the top of the Apennine Hill, hee celebrated a sacrifice, with a (*) * Or Mausolem Vigil all night long.

11 At length hee entred the Citie with warlike sound of trumpet, in his coate. armour, and with a sword girt unto him, among (*) * Or wake. Ensignes, Banners and Flags: his followers and dependants clad in militarie cassocks, and the armour of all his fellow Souldiours discovered in open view. Thus neglecting more and more from time to time, all Law of God and man, upon the very disasterous day (a) Alliensis, he was enstalled in the Sacerdotall dignity of High Priest. Hee ordained, that the solemne assembly (*) * Or among the Standards and other Ensignes inter sig [•…] a et Bexilla, for Election of Magistrates should be held every tenth yeere; and himselfe bee perpetuall dictatour. And to the end that no man might doubt what patterne hee chose to follow for government of Common-weale, calling a freqvent number of the publick Priests about him in the middle of Mars field, hee sacrificed to the Spirit and ghost of Nero: and at a solemne feast openly put the Harper in minde singing as he did to his great contentment, for to say somewhat also of (*) * Or Folk mote. Domitius (b): And as he began to chaunt Neroes Canticles, he was the first that leapt for ioy and clapped his hands withall.i. Nero.

12 Having in this manner begun his Empire, a great part thereof he administred no otherwise, than according to the advise & pleasure of the basest Stage.plaiers Page 235 and chariotiers that could be found: but especially of Asiaticvs, a freed man of his owne. This Asiaticvs when he was a very youth had in mutuall filthines with him abused his owne bodie: and afterwards lothing that abominable sinne, runne his way Now, finding him once at Puteoli selling of a certaine drinke made of (*) * Poscam, [•…] ycraton. water and Vineger; first he laied him by the heeles, and hung a paire of fetters at his feete: but foorthwith (*) * Statimq [•…] solv. t. loosened him and intertained him as his derling againe. After which a second time being offended with his contumacy & malapert (*) * Ferocitatem or furacitatem [•…] . the euerie. stubbornnesse. hee sold him to one of these common fencers that went from mar ket to market, and by occasion that he was vpon a time put of to the last place in a sword fight for to play his prises: at unwares he privily stole him away: and no* In manner of mount bankes. sooner was hee gone into his province but he manumised him. The first day of his Empire, as he sat at supper, hee dubbed him knight of Rome: and gave him the golden Ring: notwithstanding that the very morning before, when all the souldiers intreated in his hehalfe, he detested so foule a blot to disteine and discredite the worshipfull degree of knighthood.

13 But being given most of all to excessiue bellie cheere and crueltie; he devided repast into three meales every day at the least, and sometime into foure, to wit, Breakefast, Dinner, Supper and (*) * After supper. rere-bankets; able to beare them all very well, hee used to (a) vomit so ordinarily. Now his manner was to send word that hee would breake his fast with one (freind) dine with another, &c. and all in one day. And everie one of these refections, when it stood them in least, cost (*) * 3125. [•…] ling. 40000 Sesterces. But the most notorious and memorable supper above all other was that, which his brother mace for a welcome at his first comming (to Rome) at which by report were, served up to the Table before him two thousand severall dishes of fish the most daintie & choisest that could be had, & seven thousand of foule. And yet, even this (as sumptuous as it was) himselfe surpassed at the dedication of that (*) * Or charger. platter, which for the huge capacitie therof he vsed to call the targuet of Minerva. and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . i. the sheild of the Cities (*) * Mineru [•…] protectresse. In this he hudled and blended together the livers of (b) (*) * Scaroru [•…] , Giltheads: the delicate braines of Phesants & Peacockes: the tongues of the Birds Phoenicopterie: the tender small guts of Sealampries fet as farre as from the Carpathian sea and the straights of Spaine, by his* Per [〈◊〉] actrir [〈◊〉] Hen di [•…] d [•…] . Captaines over Gallies. And, as a man that had not onely a wide throat of his owne to devour much, but also as greedie a stomach to feede both unseasonably and also grossly of what ever came next hand, he could not so much as at anie sacrifice whensoever, or in any iourny wheresoever forbeare but amonge the altars snatch up by and by the flesh, the parched corne also and meale even from the very hearth, and eate the same: yea and at every victualling house by the way side, fall to viands piping hote, yet reaking and not cooled one iote; and not spare so much as meats dressed the day before and halfe eaten alreadie.

14 Being forward enough to put to death and punish any man, what cause soever was pretended; Noble men, his schoole fellowes, and play-feeres in times past, (whom by al faire meanes & flattering allurements he had enticed & drawn to the societie as it were of the Empire with him) by sundrie sorts of fraud & trechery, he killed & one above the rest he made away with poyson, which he raught unto him with his owne hand in a draught of cold water, that he called for lying in a fit of an Page 236 ague. As Vsurers, (*) * As our Scriuenars and Atturneyes do, for other men. takers of bonds and obligations, and publicanes, who ever at any time had demanded of him either at Rome debt, or by the way as he travailed toll and custome, hee hardly spared one. And one of them, whom even as he came to salute him and doe his dutie, he had delivered over to the executioner for to suffer death, hee called straightwaies backe againe: and when all that were by praised him for his clemencie, he commanded the said partie to bee killed before his face, saying with all, That he would feede his eyes. At the execution of another, he caused two of his sonnes to beare him companie; for nothing in the world, but because they presumed to intreat for their fathers life. Ther was besides a gentlema͏̄ of Rome who being haled away to take his death, cryed alowd unto him. sir I have made you my heire. Him he compelled to bring foorth the writing tables containing his last will: and so soone as he red therein that a freed man of the Testatours was nominated fellow heire with him, he commanded both Maister and man to be killed. Certaine Commoners also, for this onely that they had railed alowd uppon the faction of the (*) * Of Chariotru͏̄ [•…] ers: venetae factionis. watchet liverie, he slew: being thus conceited, that in daring so to doe, they had him in contempt and hoped for a day. Yet was he to none more spitefully bent than to the wiseards and Astrologers. Was any of them presented and enformed against? he made no more a do, but without hearing what he could say for himselfe, bereaved him of his life. Net led he was and exasperate against them, for that after an edict of his, wherein he gave commandement that all iudiciall Astro logers should depart out of Rome and Italie before the first of October: presently, there was a writing or libell set up in open place to this effect, that the (*) * i. Astrologers Chaldaeans made this Edict, as followeth, Bonvm Factvm &c. We Give Warning By These Presents, Vnto Vitellivs Germanicvs, That By The Calends Of The Said October, He Be Not (*) * Or first day. Extant In Any* Or to bee se [•…] ne Place Wheresoever. Suspected also hee was to be consenting gun to his owne mothers death, as if hee had straightly forbidden that any food should be ministred unto her lying sicke: induced thereto by one (*) * Not in Rome and Italy. [•…] ely, as before he denounced vnto them Catta, a wise woman, (in whom hee rested as in an Oracle.) That then and not before, hee should sit sure in his Emperiall Throne and continue very long, in case he overlived his* Or by a wise woman of that country where the people Catta inhabit. in Germanie mother. And others report, how his mother her selfe wery of the present state, and fearing what evill dayes were toward, obtained at her sonnes hand poison, and that without any great intreatie.

15 In the eight moneth of his Empire, the armies of Maesia (*) * Moesiarum because there was the high & the low. both the one and the other, as also at Pannonia revolted from him: likewise, of the forces beyond sea, those of Iurie and of Syria, and some of them sware alleageance unto Vespasian who was present among them. To retaine therefore the love & favour of all other men he cared not what largesses he made both in publike & private, beyond all measure. Hee mustred also and levied souldiers within the City, with this covenant and faire (*) * Or offer. condition, That all voluntaries should by vertue of his promise, have not onelie their discharge from service after victorie, but also the availes & fees due unto olde souldiers for serving out their full time, But afterwardes, as the enemie came hotely uppon him both by land and sea, on the one side he opposed his brother with the fleete and younge untrained souldiers, together with a crewe of sworde fencers; on the other, what forces hee Page 237 had abovt Bebriacum and the Captaines there: And in everie place, being their disco͏̄fited in ope͏̄ feild or privily betrayed, he capitulated & covenanted with Flavivs Sabinvs brother of Vespasian, (to give up all) reserving his owne life, & a 100. millians of sesterces. And foorthwith upon the verie staires of the Palace professing openly before a frequent assemblie of his souldiers; how willing he was to resigne up that emperiall dignity which hee had received against his will, when they all gaine said it, hee put of the matter for that instant; and but one night beetweene, even the next morning by breake of day, hee came downe in poore and simple array to the Rostra; where, with many a teare, he recited the same words out of a little written skrow. Now, as the souldiers & people both, interrupted him a second time and exhorted him not to cast downe his heart, promising also with their utmost endeavour, and striving a vie who should do best to assist him. hee tooke courage againe and pluckt up his spirits: So that now (*) * Nihil iam metuen [•…] , some read metuentes, to this sense, that he chased then fearing no such thing. fearing nothing at all hee came with a sodaine power and violently chased Sabinvs and the rest of the Flavians into the Capitoll: & there having set on fire the Temple of Ivpiter Optimvs Maximvs vanquished & slew them: whiles himself beheld both the fight & the fire out of Tiberivs his house, (*) * The faction of Flavius Vespatianus. sitting ther at meat & making good cheere. Not long after repenting what hee had done, and laying all the fault vpon others, hee called a publicke assembly: where hee sware & compelled all the rest to take the same oth. That he and they would respect nothing in the world before the common peace. Then loosened he his (*) * For yee must reme͏̄ber how much hee was given to gourmandise dagger (a) from his side, and raught it first to the Consul, the͏̄ upon his refusal to the other Magistrates; & anon to the Senatours one after another. But when none of them all would receive it, hee departed, as if hee ment to bestow it in the Chappell of Concord. Now when some cryed out* Pugionem or rapier a pungendo q [•…] a puncti [•…] potius quam caesim vulnerat. unto him. That himselfe was Concord, hee came backe againe, and protested, that hee not onely retained still the blade with him, but also accepted the surname of Concord.

16 Hereupon hee mooved and advised the Senate, to send Embassadours together with the vestall virgins to craue peace, or else some longer time to Consult vppon the point. The next morrow, as he stood expecting an answere, word was brought unto him by his espall, that the enemie approched. Immediatly therfore shutting himselfe close within a (*) * Or Licter. bearing chaire, accompanied with two persons onely his (*) * that made his deinty pastry works & sweet meates: meete groo [•…] s to accompanie such a glutten. baker and his Cooke, secretly hee tooke his way to the Aventine (hill) and his fathers house: minding from thence to make an escape into Campania. Soone after, uppon a flying and headlesse rumour That peace was obtained, he suffred him selfe to be brought backe to the Palace. Where, finding all places solitary and abandoned: seeing those also to slinke from him and slip away who were with him, he did abovt him a (*) * Or bandelier girdle full of golden peeces of coine, and fled into the Porters lodge, having first tied a ban.dog (a) at the doore & set against it the bedsteed* 15 Sbilling peec [•…] s and better. and bedding thereto. • Or the vaward

17 By this time had the Avantcurriers of the (Flavians) maine armie broken into the Palace: and meeting noe bodie searched as the manner is, everie blind corner. By them was hee plucked out of his lurking hole: and when they asked who hee was? (for they knewe him not) and where, upon his knowledge Vitellivs was? he shifted them of with a lie: After this beeing, once knowen, Page 238 hee intreated hard (as if he had somewhat to deliver concerning the life and safetie of Vespasian) to be kept sure in the mean season, though it were in some prison: & desisted not untill such time as having his hands pinnioned fast at his backe, an halter cast about his necke, and his apparell torne from his bodie, he was haled halfe naked into the (*) * Or market place. Forum. Among many skornefull indignities offred un to him hoth in deede and word throughout the Spatious street (*) * Sacr [•…] via, reach [•…] th from the palace to the Forum. sacra via from one end to the other, whiles they drew his head backward by the bush of his haire (as condemned malefactours are wont to be serued) and set a swordes point under (*) * As a gag. his chinne. And all to the end he might shew his face and not hold it down: whiles some pelted him with dung and durtie mire, others called him with open mouth (*) * Or firebrand bec [•…] use he burnt the Capi [•…] oll Incendiarie and (*) * Or Platter Knight, for his gormandize & image platter aforesaid. Patinarium and some of the common sorttwitted him also with faults and deformities of his bodie: (For, of stature hee was beyond measure tall: a red face he had, occasioned for the most part by swilling in wine, and a grand fat paunch besides: hee limped somewhat also by reason that one of his thighes was enfeebled withe the rush of a chariot against it, what time he serued Caivs as his henxman at a Chariot running) and at the last upon the staires Gemoniae with* Caligula. A, V, C, 8 [•…] 2. many a small stroke all to mangled he was and killed in the end: and so from thence drawne with a drag into the River Tiberis.

18 Thus perished he with his brother and sonne togither, in the 57. yeere of his age. Neither falsified he their coniecture who had fore told him, that by the prodi gious signe which befell unto him (as we have said) at Vienna, nothing else was por tended, but that he should fall into the hands of some (a) Frenchman. For, dispatched he was by one Antonivs Primvs a Capitaine of the adverse part: who being borne at Tolosa, was in his childhood surnamed (*) * Or Bec [•…] o a beak in English, which may somewhat con firme the learned c [•…] niecture of him, who gues [•…] eth that b [•…] th our auncient nation and language were extract from G [•…] ule Beccvs which in the French tongue signifieth a Cockes-bill.