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CHAP. XI. Iulianus preparing a number of sacrifices unto Mars, was terrified with an ominous signe. Leaving therefore the siege of Ctesiphon, he forrayeth and wa∣steth the countries round about: and not well advised, set∣teth on fire and consumeth all his ships, save only twelve of a lesser sort.
AFter the feare was past, and the enemies bodies troden, on heaps as they lay, underfoot, the souldiors, embrued as they were with the bloud that they had justly shed, being assembled before the Emperours pavi∣lion, gave him his due prayse and rendred hartie thankes, for that un∣knowne in everie place, whether he were a leader or a souldior, hee had atchieved then so fortunat a victory, as that with the killing of two thousand and five hundred Persians more or lesse, there were but threescore and ten of our men lost their lives: who also for his part, calling most of them by their names, whom himselfe as an eie witnesse and judge saw to have performed with resolute heart any brave service, re∣warded them with Naval, o Civik, and Campe-Coronets. And being now fully persuaded, that the like prosperous successes would shortly hereafter follow, hee made preparation of many sacrifices to Mars the Revenger: and whereas ten most beautifull bulls were to this purpose brought in place, nine of them, before they were presented to the altars, of themselves fell downe dead in most heavie and fear∣full manner; and the tenth, who brake his bonds and got away, was hardly brought backe againe, and being slaine, shewed ominous signes of ill lucke. At the sight whereof Iulianus falling into a grievous fit of indignation, cryed out, and sware by Iupiter, That he would now offer no more sacrifice unto Mars, neither did hee ever sacrifice againe, as being surprised soone after by speedie death. And so, after hee had debated in counsell with the principall captaines and officers of the armie, as touching the besieging of Ctesiphon, concluded it was according to the advise and mind of some, who knew it was an adventurous and unreasonable peece of ser∣vice to take that enterprise in hand; for that both the citie by the verie scituation thereof inexpugnable, was defended, and also thought verily it was, that the king would be there out of hand with a dreadfull power: So the better opinion tooke place, the utilitie whereof, when he a most prudent prince had approoved, hee sent Arintheus with a power of light appointed footmen to forray and spoyle the coun∣tries lying round about, which were rich in cattell and corne, who with like indu∣strie was to pursue the enemies also, that being lately put to rout and dispersed, lay hidden in thicke over-growne wayes and holes, wherewith they were so well ac∣quainted. But he againe of a greedie humor at all times to bee encroaching and gaining more, little weighing their words that willed the contrarie, and rebuking the chiefe leaders and officers, because for sloth and desire of ease, they gave coun∣sell to forgo the kingdomes of Persia which were in maner alreadie conquered; lea∣ving the river on his left hand, by the direction of unluckie guides that led the way, determined with speedie pace to take the Mediterranean wayes, and, as it were, with the deadly and cursed firebrand of Bellona, commaunded fire to be put under the ships, and to burne them all, save twelve of the lesse sort, which he gave order to be carried in carts, as meet for the joyning of bridges. And hee thought herein, that he had taken a profitable course, for feare (forsooth) that a navie being left be∣hind,