CHAP. XII. Valentinian setteth the Burgundians upon the Alemans, who being gone forward as farre as to the bankes of Rhene, and finding no helpe of Roman succours, re∣turne into their native countrey: But Theodosius setting up∣on the Alemans dispersed in Rhetia, partly killeth them, and partly sendeth them into Italy for to dwell about the Po.
AFter these affaires so fortunately performed, Valentinian tossing sundrie thoughts in his mind, was verie carefully perplexed, revolving full many wayes and casting about, by what meanes he might take downe and quell the pride of the Alemans, and their king Macrianus, who without all measure and end, with restlesse stirres and broyles troubled the Roman State. For, this fierce and cruell nation ever since the first beginning and rising thereof, how ever they were abated with the varietie of accidents and chaunces, yet grow eftsoones so, as that a man would thinke they had not for many ages beene once touched. But as the Emperour had the approoving of one counsell after ano∣ther, at the length he resolved upon this, That the Burgundians, a warlike nation, puissant for their huge multitude, and therefore dreadfull to all their neighbours, should be raysed up in armes for the rooting of them out. And many times hee wrot unto their kings by certaine trustie and secret messengers, That at a fore-ap∣pointed time they should sodainely invade and surprise them, promising that him∣selfe also in person passing over the Rhene with the Roman forces, would encoun∣ter them, being once affrighted, and seeking to avoid this unlooked-for power of armed men. These letters of the Prince were thankefully and gladly received in two respects: First, for that the Burgundians knew themselves to bee of auncient time an ofspring descended from the Romans: and againe, because they contested oftentimes with the Alemans about the salt-pits, and about their bounds: where∣upon they sent most chosen and picked bands: which, before that our souldiors were assembled together, being gone forward as farre as to the bankes of Rhene, whiles the Emperour was busily occupied in raysing of forts, terrified our men ex∣ceeding much. Wherefore, after they had stayed a small while, when as neither Valentinian came at the day appointed according to promise, nor they could per∣ceive any thing done that was undertaken, they dispatched embassadours to the Court, requiring they might have some ayd sent unto them: intending otherwise to returne home into their owne countrey, least they should expose their back parts naked to the enemies. Which when they perceived by circumstances to be deny∣ed, and that the Emperour trifled out the time, they departed from thence with in∣dignation. When their kings and princes understood this, as if they had beene de∣luded