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CHAP. IIII. The besieged when they saw once the warlike engine called Helepolis, yeeld themselves un∣to Iulianus: who having driven backe the avant-curriers of the Persians, reneweth the auncient discipline of warre against certaine Tribunes and souldi••rs; and by making an Oration, laboureth to keepe his armie in order and dutifull allegeance.
THese devices being thus in hast and in tumultuarie manner practi∣sed, when he perceived well, that the working about the Frames called b Vineae, and the raising of mounts (considering other ur∣gent occasions) was most laborious, painefull and combersome, he willed with all speed the commaunding engine named c He∣lepolis to be built: by meanes whereof (as I have before shewed) king Dem••trius woon many townes, and was therefore sirnamed Poliorcetes. To this huge frame, like to overtop the battlements of the high towers, the defendants ca∣sting their eye advisedly, and throughly considering it, besides the firme resolution of the assailants, all on a suddaine fell to prayer and entreatie, standing as they did, spred all over the towers and battlements of the wals, and with stretched out armes protesting openly the Romanes protection, they requested life and pardon. And when as they saw the works were given over, and the pioners attempting no farther matter, which was a sure signe of quietnesse and rest, they required to have libertie of conference with Ormisda. Which obtained, Mamersides captaine of their Garri∣son souldiors, being let down by a rope, and sent unto the Emperour, so soone as he requested life and impunitie for himselfe and his consorts, and the same upon an as∣sured covenant, was permitted to returne unto them. And when he had reported what he had done, the whole multitude of both sexes one with another, now that he had wrought them all according to his mind, upon a peace concluded by religi∣ous oathes, after the gates were set open, went forth, crying with one voice, That a saving Genius andtutelar Angell, even Caesar, a mightie and mercifull prince, shone from heaven upon them. Now these that thus yeelded, amounted to the number of 2500. For the rest of the multitude suspecting the siege aforehand, had embarked them∣selves in small vessels, and passing along the river, departed. Within this citadell was found very great store of armour and victuals: out of which, when the winners had taken sufficient to serve their owne turnes, the remaines they burnt, together with the place. The next morrow after these exploits atchieved, heavie news came unto the Emperour, as he was leisurely and in peace taking his repast, namely, That Sure∣na the Persian Commaunder, was come unawares, had set upon three troupes, a part of our fore-riders, but slaine very few of them, and among those a d Tribune, whom when he had laid along dead, he tooke away one banner: and forthwith, be∣ing moved in a great fit of anger, he sped himselfe apace with a companie in armes, and with weapon in hand; and the very hast he made was it that wrought him the most safetie. Now, after he had discomfited the said Brigands, and put them to a shamefull foyle, the other two Tribunes that were left alive, he cassed & discharged from their militarie oath, as slouthfull and lazie cowards: but ten of those souldiors that ran away he condemned to suffer death, following herein the lawes of aunci∣ent discipline. To conclude, after the citie, as hath beene sayd, was burnt downe,