The Roman historie containing such acts and occurrents as passed under Constantius, Iulianus, Iovianus, Valentinianus, and Valens, emperours. Digested into 18. bookes, the remains of 31. and written first in Latine by Ammianus Marcellinus: now translated newly into English. Wherunto is annexed the chronologie, serving in stead of a briefe supplement of those former 13. bookes, which by the iniurie of time are lost: together with compendious annotations and coniectures upon such hard places as occurre in the said historie. Done by Philemon Holland of the citie of Coventrie, Doctor in Physicke.

CHAP. III. Valentinian before the whole armie is pronounced soveraigne ruler of the Empire, whiles some can hardly brooke it, whom he in a grave Oration rebuketh and represseth.

WHen this day was past, unmeet (as some think) for important affaires, and the evening now came on, ordained it was, and proclamation made under paine of death, by the motion of Sallustius the Prae∣fect, and the readie assent of all men, That no person in place of high authoritie, or suspected to aspire unto great matters, should the next morning goe forth of dores in honourable habite. And when with the irkesome wearinesse of many, who were vexed with vaine vowes, at length the night was ended, and day begun, all the souldiors assembled together, and Valenti∣nian went forth into the plaine field: where being permitted to mount up to the Tribunall erected on high, in shew of a Parliament assembly, and with most for∣ward good will of all that were present, he was pronounced as a grave personage, Governour of the Empire. And anon being invested in regall robes, crowned al∣so and styled [Augustus] with ample praises, such as sweet noveltie could devise, he addressed himselfe to make a premeditate speech, and as he put forth his arme, that he might speake more readily, there arose a great mumbling, with a noyse of the Centuries, Maniples, and all the Cohorts, urging instantly, that out of hand there might a second Emperour bee declared with him. Which albeit many thought was done by the corruption of some few, in favour of those that had been rejected, yet by this one thing it seemed they were utterly deceived, because the crie went not as voices purchased with money, but like an uniforme accord of the whole multitude wishing and willing one thing; as fearing much by the fresh example

they had of late, the frailtie and brittlenesse of high fortunes. Then from secret whisperings it appeared evidently, that there was a more violent tumult raysed of the armie, making a mightie noise; and doubted it was, what the soldiors confident boldnesse might prove, which otherwhiles breaketh out into mischievous actions. Which Valentinian fearing more than all others, least it should come to passe in∣deed, holding happily up his right hand as a most hardie and redoubted prince, daring to rebuke some of them as seditious and stubborne, delivered his mind without interruption of any in this manner. Most valiant defendors of the provinces, I reioyce and acknowledge now, and ever shall, that your vertues have conferred upon me, as the worthiest of all others, the rule of the Romane world, without any hope or de∣sire at all of mine. That therefore which lay in your power to doe, when there was not yet any Governour of the Empire elected, yee have profitably and with glorie performed, in taking him to the highest pitch of honour, whom from the prime of his youth, even to this ripenesse of yeares, yee knew by experience to have lived in much honour and integri∣tie. Wherefore listen (I pray you) with quiet and peaceable eares, what after mine opi∣nion in plaine and simple words delivered, is expedient for the Common-weale. That there ought against all chaunces whatsoever a colleague to be ioyned in fellowship of au∣thoritie, sundrie considerations so requiring, I neither make doubt nor gainesay, as who even my selfe also, being a man, feare heapes of cares and sundrie changes of acci∣dents. But we must with our whole power endevour to have peace, by which even the least things become mightie: and that will easily bee obtained, if your patience, ioyned with equitie, shall willingly yeeld that unto me which belongeth unto my charge. For, as I hope, Fortune (the adiutrice of good purposes) will give the same unto me, see∣king diligently (so much as I am able to effect and attaine unto) after a temperature and moderation. For, as wise and learned men define this point, not onely in the matter of an Empire, where the greatest dangers are, and those happening most often, but also in private and dayly affaires, when any wise man hath iudged a stranger meet for his friendship, he ought then to take him, and not when he hath taken him, then to iudge of him. Thus much promise I, with hope of more prosperous proceedings. As for you, re∣taining still your constant and faithfull doings, while Winters repose giveth leave, re∣paire the vigour of mind and bodie both, who forthwith are to receive your due, for de∣claring and saluting me Augustus. The Emperour having ended this speech, which an unexpected authoritie had made more confident, woon them all to his mind: and they following his way and advice, who a little before with most earnest voice required another thing, conducted him (environed round about with standards and banners, royally also guarded with companies of divers degrees and states, and now terrible to see to) into the palace.