The second tome of the Palace of pleasure conteyning store of goodly histories, tragicall matters, and other morall argument, very requisite for delighte and profit. Chosen and selected out of diuers good and commendable authors: by William Painter, clerke of the ordinance and armarie. Anno. 1567.

Two Romane Queenes.

¶ The maruellous courage and ambition of a Gentlevvo∣man called TANAQVIL, the Quene & wife of TAR∣QVINVSPRISCVS the fifth Romane King, with hir persuasions and pollicie to hir husbande for his aduaunce∣ment to the kingdome: hir like encouragement of SIR∣VIVSTVLLIVS, wherin also is described the ambiti∣on of one of the. ij. daughters of SERVIVSTVLLIVS the sixt Romane King, and hir crueltie towards hir ovvne naturall father: with other accidents chaunced in the nevv erected common welth of Rome, specially of the last Ro∣mane Kyng TARQVINVS SVPERBVS, who with murder atteined the kingdom, with murder mainteined it, and by the murder and insolent life of his sonne, was with all his progenie banished.

The sixt Nouell.

ANcus Marcius being y^t fourth King (after Ro∣mulus the first builder of that Citie) there came to dwell in Rome one Lucumo, a lustie gentle∣man, rich, and desirous of honour, who determi∣ned to continewe his ha∣bitation there. Thesame Lucumo was the sonne of one Demarat{us} a Co∣rinthian, who for sediti∣on fled his owne countrie, & dwelt in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 amongs the stock of the Tarquines: and after he was maried he

begat two sonnes, one of them was this Lucumo, and the other was called Arnus. Lucumo was heire to his father, for that Arnus died before, leauing his wife gret with childe. The father not knowing that his daughter in lawe was with childe, gaue nothing in his will to his Nephewe: for which cause the childe was called Arnus Egerius. Lucumo being the sole heire of his father, ma∣ried a noble woman named Tanaquil, and bicause the Thuscans could not abide to sée a straunger growe to a∣bundance of welth and authoritie, she despised hir owne country rather than she would suffer hir husband in any wise to be dishonoured. Wherfore she deuised to forsake the Tarquinians, & to dwel at Rome, where she thou∣ght among that honorable sorte and newe rerected state, that hir husband being stout and valiant, should attaine some place of resiance. For she called to remembraunce that Tatius y^e Sabine, Numa borne of y^e stock of Curetes and Ancus brought forth by a Sabine woman, all stran∣gers, did raigne and became noble and mightie. Thus ambition and desire of honour easily doeth persuade any deuise. Wherfore, carrying with thē al their substance, they repaired to Rome. It chaunced when they came to Ianiculum, as he and his wife were sitting in a Wa∣gon, an Eagle hoouering hir wings ouer Lucumo, so∣denly toke away his cappe, which done, she soared o∣uer the wagon with great force, then she retourned a∣gaine, as though she had bene commaunded by some ce∣lestiall prouidence, & aptly placed his cappe againe vpon his head, and then soared away vp into the element. Ta∣naquil conceiuing this act to be some Augurie or Pro∣phecie, being cunning in that knowledge (as commonly all the people of Hetruria be) imbraced hir husband and willed him to be of good chere and to expect great honour. And as they were ymagining and consulting vpon these

euents, they entred the Citie, and when they had gotten a house for him and his familie, he was called Tarquini∣ns Priscus. His riches and great wealth made him a no∣ble man amongs the Romanes, and through his gentle entertainement and curteous behauiour, he wanne the good willes of many, in so much as his fame and good re∣port was bruted throughout the palace. At lēgth he grew in acquaintance with the King him selfe, who séeing his liberall demeanor and duetifull seruice, estéemed him as one of his familiar and nere srends, and both in his war∣res and also at home he imparted to him the secrets of his counsell, and hauing good experience of his wisedom, by his last will and testament appointed him to be tutour of his children. Ancus raigned. xxiiii. yeres, a man in peace and warre, in policie and valiance with any of his prede∣cessours comparable. His children were very yong, and for that cause Tarquinius was more instant to summon a parliament for creation of a king. When the day was come he sente the yong children abroade a hunting, and then ambiciously presumed to demaunde the kingdome, being the first that euer attempted the like. For the bet∣ter conciation and obteining of the peoples good will, he vttered this Oration:

I doe not presume to require a straunge or newe thyng, that was neuer before put in practise, nor yet am the first, but the third strāger and fo∣raine borne that affected and aspired to this gouernmēt. For which consideration there is no cause why any man ought to muse or maruell more than behoueth. It is eui∣dently knowen that Tatius, not onely being a stranger, but also an ennimie, was made Kyng. Numa also was made King, being altogether a foraine & stranger borne, not through his owne request, but rather voluntarily ac∣cited and called therevnto by the Romanes: but for my parte, after I was able to gouerne my self, I repaired to

dwell at Rome with my wyfe, my children, and all my substance, where I haue spent the chiefest porcion of my life, specially after it was mature and able to execute ci∣uile magisterie, which I chose rather to bestow at Rome than at home in myne owne countrey. I haue lerned the Romane rites and lawes, as wel such as be mete to serne abroade in the warres, as also necessarie to bée practised at home, at the hands of mine olde maister Ancus Mar∣tius your late king, a maister right worthie and famous in all pointes to bée followed. I shewed my selfe an hum∣ble and obedient subiecte to the King and in friendeship and familiaritie towarde others, I contended with the Kyng him selfe.

When hée had spoken those wordes, which in déede were very true, with the whole consent of the people, hée was saluted King. And as all things succéeded his Noble requeste, euen so after hée was set∣tled in his Kyngdome, hée gaue hym selfe to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the common wealth. Hée chose an hundred graue persons, whiche he called the Fathers of the lesser countries. He warred firste with the Latines, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Citie of Appiolas, who bryngyng from thence a greater spoyle and bootie than was looked for (ordeined richer and more gorgeous Playes than any of hys predecessoures. Hée builded certayne Galleries and other places of assem∣blie aboute the Forum, hée walled the Citie rounde a∣bout with stone. And as he was doing these things, the Sabines interuented him vpon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in so much as they were passed the Kyuer of Anienes before the Romane hoste was in a redinesse. Whiche was an oc∣casion of greate feare and stirre at Rome. In the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after the battailes were ioyned betwéene them bothe, a cruell and blouddie slaughter was committed, the victo∣rie fallyng to neyther parte. Then the Romanes sought meanes to renue their force, by addyng to their

armie a further bande of horsmen. Wherefore Tarqui∣nius sente to the Rammenses, Titienses, Luceres. To the bandes that Romulus had conscribed, hée added o∣ther new troupes of horsemen, purposing that the same should continue in memorie of him after his death. And bicause Romulus dyd the same without aduise of the Southsayers, one Accius Nauius the notablest Pro∣phecier in those daies, withstoode that constitution, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that it was not lawsull for him eyther to appoint a newe order, or to alter the olde, except the birdes and auguries did assent thervnto. Wherwith the king was displeased, & deluding that science, said:

Go to M. Soth∣sayer, tell me now (quod he) is it possible to bring that to passe which I haue now conceiued in my minde? Yea quod the Southsayer if you tel me what it is. Then quod Tarquinius, I haue deuised that thou shalt pare thine owne skin with a Raser.

Therfore take this knife & doe as thy birdes doe portend and signifie. And as it was re∣ported he pared his own skin in déede. In memory wher∣of an Image of Accius was erected, with his head 〈◊〉〈◊〉. After that time there was nothing attempted with∣out those auguries. Notwithstanding, Tarquinius pro∣céeded in his constitution, and added to the Centurias an other number, for that. 1800. horsemen were conteined in the thrée Centuriae. The later addition was called also by the same name, which afterward were doubled into vj. Centurias. Whē his numbre was thus increased, once againe he ioyned battel with the Sabines, who by a no∣table pollicie recouered a great victorie. And bicause the Sabines doubled a freshe onset without any order of bat∣tell or good aduisement, they were ouerthrowen, and then constrained to make peticion for peace. The citie of Collatia, and the Coūtrie confining vpon the same, was taken from the Sabines. The Sabine warres being in

this sortended, Tarquinius in triumphant maner 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Rome. At that time a prodige and miraculous 〈◊〉〈◊〉 chaunced to be séene in the Palace. The head of a childe whose name was Seruius Tullius lying a sléepe in the palace, was séene to burne. The king was brought to sée that miracle. And as one of his seruants was going to fetch water to quēch the fire, he was staid by the Quene, who commaunded that the childe should not once be tou∣ched vntill he awaked of himselfe. And so soone as he rose from sléepe, the fire vanished.

Then she tooke hir husband aside, and said: doe you sée this childe whom we haue ve∣rie basely and negligently brought vp? I assure you sir (said she) he wil be the only safegard and defender of this our doubtfull state, and will be the preseruer of our hous∣hold when it is afflicted. Wherefore let vs make much of him, that is like to be the ornament and a worthie stay to all our familie.

After that they had accompted him a∣mongs the number of their children, & traded him vp in those Arts, which excite all good dispositions to aspire vn∣to honoure, the pleasure of the Gods appeared in short time: For the child grew to a royal behauior, in so much, as among all the Romane youth, there was none more méete to mary the daughter of Tarquinius. This Seruius Tullius was the sonne of one Seruius Tullius that was a Captain of a towne called Corniculum, at the apprehen∣sion whereof, it chaunced that the sayd Tullius the father was 〈◊〉〈◊〉, leauing his wife great with child: the mother being a captiue and bonde woman was deliuered of hir childe at Rome, in the house of Priscus Tarquinius. After Tarquinius had raigned. xxxviij. yeres, the yong man be∣gan to growe to great honor and estimation, aswell with the king himself, as also with the Fathers. Then the Ro∣manes conceiued a hateful indignation against the king, for that he being put in trust to be the Tutor & gouernor

of Ancus children, displaced them from their right inhe∣ritance, and specially for that he himself was a stranger, fearing also that the kingdom should not return againe to the election of themselues, but degenerat and grow in∣to seruile bondage. They also called to remembrāce, that the Citie continewed one hundred yeres after the subla∣tion of Romulus, an intier kingdome within one Citie, and that it was a shame for them to suffer a bondman, borne of seruile kind, to possesse the same, and would re∣bound to their perpetual ignominie, hauing the progenie of Ancus aliue, to suffer the same to be open to straun∣gers and bōdmen. Wherfore they determined to defend the griefe of that iniurie, and to be reuenged rather vpon Tarquinius, than vpon Seruius. In fine, they committed the execution of that fact to two shepherds chosen out for that purpose. Who deuised this pollicie. Before the en∣trie into the Palace they fell togither by the eares, vpon which fray all the kings officers assembled and repaired thither to know the cause of their falling out, when they were parted, they appealed to the king, with such excla∣mation, as they were heard to the Palace. Being called before the king, both of them fell to brawling, and one of thē striued of purpose to hinder the tale of the other. The kings sergeant rebuked them, commaunding them to tel their tales in order. Whē they were a litle quieted, one of thē beginneth to discourse the tale. And as the king was attentife to heare the plaintif, the other toke vp a hatchet & threw it at the king, and leauing the weapon sticking in the wound, they conueied themselues out of the dores. Those that waited vpon the King, made hast to relieue him, and the sergeants followed to apprehende the male∣factors. With that a hurlie burlie rose amōgs the people, euery man maruelling what the matter shoulde be. Ta∣naquil commaunded the palace gates to be shut, and sée∣keth

remedie to cure hir husbande, as though some hope of life had bene remaining. When hope failed of his re∣couerie, shée called Seruius before hir (which maried hir daughter) and shewed vnto him hir dead husbande, hol∣ding him fast by the right hande, shée intreated him that he would not suffer the death of his father in lawe to be vnreuenged, to the intent he might not be ridiculous to the traitours, saying to him further these words:

If thou be a man of thy hands (O Seruius) the kingdom is thine and not theirs, which thus cruelly by the hands of other haue committed this abhominable facte. Wherefore put forth thy selfe, and the Gods be thy guide: For they did portende this noble head to be the Gouernour of this ci∣tie, at such time as they circumfused the same with a fire descendyng from aboue. Let that heauenly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 excite thy courage. Be throughly awaked. We being straun∣gers sometime haue raigned. Thinke and consider what thou art, & not from whence thou camest. If the strange∣nesse of the case doe affray thée, my counsel from time to time shall relieue thée.

The crie and stirre of the people being vnmesurable, that one could scarse heare an other, Tanaquill opened the windowes that had their prospect to the new way (for the King dwelt at the temple of Iu∣piter Stator) and then spake to them in this wise:

Be of good chéere (good people) the King is but amazed with the sodainesse of the stroke, the wound is not very depe, for euen nowe he is come againe to him selfe, and the wounde being opened and dressed, there is good hope of life: I trust within these fewe days you shall sée him. In the meane time, I pray you to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 your obedience to Seruius Tullius, who is appointed to execute the lawes, and to doe all other affaires in the absence of my hus∣bande.

Seruius occupying the state and Authoritie of the Kyng, executed the lawes in some cases, & in other some

made the people beleue that he would consult with the King him self. The death of the King was concealed and kept close a certaine space, till such tyme as Seruius had gathered his force about him. After the death of the King was disclosed, Seruius being garded with a strong Gar∣rison, toke vpon him to be King, not by the consent of the people, but by the will of the Fathers. The chil∣dren of Ancus vnderstanding that the King was aliue, and that Seruius power and force was greate, conuey∣ed them selues in exile to Suessa Pometia. And least the children of Tarquinius shold attempt like enterprise against him, as the children of Ancus did against Tar∣quinius, hée maried. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. of his daughters to Lucius and Aruns, the children of Tarquinius. But yet the deuise of man could not breake the necessitie of fate and constel∣lation, for the hatred conceiued in desire of Ambicious gouernment, made all things vnstable and vnfaithfull a∣mongs domestical frends. But yet to quiet and pacifie the present time, warre was renued with the Veientes, and other Cities of Hetruria: wherein the fortune and va∣liāce of Tullius excelled. For when he had giuen an ouer∣throw to the ennimie, least the peoples and fathers good wil should be withdrawne, he retourned to Rome: who then attempted and brought to passe a notable woorke in the common wealth. He instituted a certen yerely taxe & reuenew, to satisfie and discharge all charges susteined in the time of peace and warre, with sundrie other notable lawes and deuises for the defense of the publique state. After that he had mustered the whole numbre of the Ci∣tizens in the field called Martius, the same amounted to lxxx. M. And as Fabius Pictor saith, there were so many that were able to beare armure. Then the hilles of Qui∣rinalis, Viminalis and Exquiliae, were added to the citie. He compassed the town round about with a vamure, en∣uironing

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the same with a double trench. He deuided the Romanes into. v. bands called Classes, and into Centu∣rias, which be bandes of an hundred men. He also buil∣ded a Temple to Diana, with the helpe and assistance of the Latine people. Amongs the Sabines there chaunced an Oxe in the house of an husbande man to be brought forth, of an huge bignesse and maruellous shape (the hor∣nes whereof were placed at the porche of Dianas temple for a monument long time after.) The Soothsayers pro∣phecied, that where the same Oxe shoulde be first sacrifi∣ced to Diana, there the chief Empire and principall go∣uernement should remain: which prophecie came to the knowledge of the chiefe minister of Diana hir Temple. One of y^t Sabins expecting for a day mete to be employed in that sacrifice, brought the sayde Oxe to Rome to the Temple of Diana, placing the same before the Altar. The chiefe Minister calling to remembrance the oracle, and saw that the greatnesse of that sacrifice should be fa∣mous, spake to the Sabine these words.

What dost thou meane (thou impure Straunger) to prepare sacrifice to Diana, before thou bée purified and clensed in the liuely Riuer of Tyber? Here belowe in thys valley the sayde riuer doth runne.

Goe get thou hence and wash thée. The Sabine attached with a religious feare, goeth downe to y^t Riuer, and while he is washing of himselfe a Romane doth offer the Sacrifice, which was right acceptable both to the king and his countrie. The king although that of long time he had raigned, yet vnderstoode that the elder Tarquinius which was maried to one of his daughters, did bragge and report 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that his father in law ob∣teined the gouernmēt and kingdom without the consent of the people: wherfore the king through his liberalitie by diuiding the conquest atchieued of the ennimy amōgs the common people, conciliated their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and good wils.

In so much as he affirmed that he would raigne in des∣pite of them all, and that there was no King at any time that raigned with a more generall consent: All which did nothing diminish the hope and desire of Tarquinius. He had a brother whose name was Aruns, being of a quiete & gentle disposition. Both they maried two of the kings daughters, which were of maners and conditions verie vnlike. The yonger daughter being the wife of Aruns, the sharper shrewe, and fiercer of nature, séeing that hir husband was nothing giuen or pliant to match with hir vngracious deuice or ambicious stomack, attempted hir brother, whose condicion was correspondent to hirs, and sayd vnto him, that he was a man in déede, and one wor∣thie to be accompted to be borne and procede of the bloud royall. Then she began to contemne hir sister: for that she hauing such a man to hir husband, would suffer him to neglecte so mete and iust occasion for recouerie of the Kingdome. Their natures being of one disposition, as commonly one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 procureth an other, al things be∣gan to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the attempt of that vngra∣cious woman. To be shorte, they two deuised meanes, that Aruns his brother, and the Elder Tullia hir syster were 〈◊〉〈◊〉: which done, they two maried together. The wicked woman ceased not dayly to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and prouoke hir husband from one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to an other. And amōgs all hir wicked talke and cruel 〈◊〉〈◊〉, she vsed these words:

If thou be that man vnto whom I thinke I am maried, then I wil cal 〈◊〉〈◊〉 both husband and King: But if thou be not he, then the alteration is chaunged to the worse, and crueltie is matched with cowardise. But why doest thou not put thy selfe in a readinesse? Why thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not nowe from 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or from the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Tarquines, to atchieue and conquere newe kingdoms as thy father did. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gods, and the Gods of thy

countrey, the nobilitie of thy father, and thy royal bloud, thy stately seate within thine own house, and thy name Tarquinius, doe create and make thée Kyng. But if in all these occasions thou dost wante stomacke, why 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thou make the whole Citie conceyue a false opinion of thée? Why dost thou not shewe thy selfe to be the sonne of a King? Auoide hence I say, and goe to the Tarqui∣nians, or to Corinth, retire again to thy first linage: thou dost rather resemble thy brothers effeminate heart, than the valiant stomacke of thy father.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 these wordes and such like, she pricked forward hir husbande, and shée hir selfe coulde in no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bée quiet. Then Tarquinius went forth to the fathers of the lesser countries, and cal∣led to their remembrance the benefites vnto them by his father extended, desiring the like to bée shewed and ren∣dred vnto him: he allured the yonger sort of the Citie by gifts and other liberall rewardes, promising them, if hée atteined to his purpose, more frankly to recōyence them. By this meanes the King became odious and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the people. Tarquinius séeing his time, guarded with a bande of armed men, entred the market place, where∣with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 people were greatly abashed, then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mounted into the palace, and placed him self in the royal seate of the same, causing the Fathers to be cited before hym by the Haraulde, vnto whome he repeted the peti∣grée of Seruius, and his first entrance into the kingdom.

As he was speaking these wordes, Seruius in great hast repaired to the Palace, and finding Tarquinius sitting in his place, sayd to him these wordes. Why? what is the matter Tarquinius (quod he?) howe darest thou bée so bolde so long as I am liuing to call the Fathers, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet presume to sit in my seat?

whervnto Tarquinius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ly replied, That hée possessed but the roume of his fa∣ther, which was more mete for a Kings conne and heire,

heire, than for such a bondeman as he was, and that hée had long enough abused his Lordes and maisters: wher∣withall a great hurly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and tumult began to rise by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of both parts, so that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was like to attain y^t garland, which best could daunce for it. Tarquinius for∣ced to giue the last aduenture, being more lustie & stron∣ger than the other, toke Seruius by the middle, and cary∣ing him out of the Courte, threw him downe the staires, whiche done, hée caused the Senate to retourne into the Palace. Then the King with all his traine of Officers, and other his seruaunts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away, and as they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he was slain by those that Tarquinius sent after to pursue him, in the stréete called Cyprius. Tullia vn∣derstandyng y^t Seruins hir father was slaine, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bashed not in hir wagon to come into the market place before 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the assemblie there, called hir husband out of the Court, and boldly was the first that called him King. But being rebuked & commaunded by him to auoid out of that great throng of people, she retired home again, & when she was past y^t vpper end of the said strete called Cyprius, the wa∣goner driuing toward the right hād to the hill called Ex∣quiliae, he stayed the wagon, and shewed his ladie the bo∣die of hir father, lying 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dead in the strete. In memo∣ry of which shamefull and vnnatural fact, long time after there continued a 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For the same strete was called Vicus Sceleratus. Some report that she caused the wagō to be driuen ouer the dead corps of hir father, with the bloud of whom & hir husband, hir wagon being conta∣minated, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 presented the same to hir Gods. After which abhominable beginnings, like end ensued. This Seruius Tullius raigned 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 began to raign, vnto whom Superbus was added for his surname. This wicked some in law would not suffer the dead bo∣die of Seruius to be buried. His conscience being pricked

with the abhominable gaine of his kingdom, fearing also least other might conceiue like example, he guarded his person with a band of armed men, executing all things 〈◊〉〈◊〉 force and Tirannie, contrarie to the aduise and consents of the Senate and people. He caused the fautors & frends of Seruius to he put to death, whereby the numbre of the Fathers was diminished, whose places he suffered none other to supplie, of purpose to bring that honorable order to contempt. He gouerned the common welth by his own domesticall and priuate Counsell. Warre, peace, truce, so∣cietie of the Cities adioyning, he vsed as he list, without any further assent. The Latines he specially regarded, to the intēt y^t through forrein aide he might raigne in more suretie at home, with the chiefe of which countrie he ioy∣ned affinitie. One Octauius Manilius a Tusculan born, was the prince and chief ruler of that countrie, descēding from the stooke of Vlisses, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Circes, if the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be true, vnto whome Tarquinius gaue his daugh∣ter in mariage: By reason whereof he conciliated great alliance and frendes. Tarquinius being of great autho∣ritie amongs the Latines, appointed them vpon a day to assemble at a wood called Ferentina, there to intreate of matters concerning both the states. To which place the Latines repaired vpon the breake of the day. But Tar∣quinius came not thither til the Sunne was set. During which time many things were in talke. There was one amongs them called Turnus Herdonius, which in Tar∣quinius absence had inueyed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 against hym, affirming that it was no maruell though he was called Suporbus by y^t 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For what prouder 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could be inforced to the Latines, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to make thē wait a whole day for his pleasure.

Diuers princes and noble mē (quod he) that dwell a far of, be come according to the appoint∣ment, and he which first allotted the day, is not present.

Hereby it most euidently appeareth in what sort he will vse vs if he might once atteine the soueraintie. And who can doubt in so manifest apparance, but that he went not about to affecte and aspire the dominion of the Latines? If the Romanes haue had iust cause to beléeue him, and if their kingdom had ben but gotten & not violently rapt and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 parricide, then the Latines might also be∣leue him, who being but a straūger to them, had no great cause to beleue him. His own subiects do repent the time that euer he bare rule: For some be slain and heaped vp∣on the dead bodies of other, some be banished, some haue lost their goodes: what other fruites than these may the Latine people expect and loke for?

Therfore if they wold be ruled, he required euery man to retourne home to his own house, and giue no more attendaunce for the day of the Counsel, than be doth which first appointed the same. This and such like, this, sedicious and desperate man de∣clared: Whose talke Tarquinius interuented, and vpon his comming euery man conuerted himself to salute him. Then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 began to excuse himselfe of his long 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for that he was appointed an arbitrator betwene the father and the sonne, for whose reconciliation he was forced to stay that lōg space, and to spend the time of that day. Wherfore he appoynted the next day. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of which excuse Turnus could not kepe secrete, but said: that a matter betwéene the father and the sonne might be ended in few woords: for if the childe would not be o∣bedient to his father, some mischief must néedes light vp∣on him. Tarquinius vnderstāding these inuections made against him by Turnus, immediatly deuiseth meanes to kil him, to the intent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might inculcate like terror to the Latines, that he did to his owne subiects. And bicause he was not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to sort his purpose and effect, by secrete ma∣lice, he attempted to accuse him of treason, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉

(by meanes of diuers of the Citie of Aricia,) his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man whom with gold he had corrupted to bring in a for∣ged accusation, which was, that his master had prepared in one night a number of men with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and wea∣pon to distroy the Nobilitie of the Latines, of purpose to recouer the principalitie of the same. This matter began to be suspicious, by reason of the Tumult made the day before against Tarquinius, and therefore the people the soner did credite the case. In 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Turnus was 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and therefore a new kind of death deuised. Who be∣ing laide vpon a Hurdle, his face vpward, was throwen into the water of Ferrentina. This execution being done Tarquinius reuoked the Latines to Counsell, wherein he praised them for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Justice extended vpon Turnus, and then he spake these woords:

I may by an old order and constitution iustlie say thus much vnto you. The whole Nation of the Latines descending from the Citie of Alba are bound to obserue that 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which the Al∣banes with all their colonies annexing themselues to the Romane Empire in the time of Tullius Hostilius were firmely obliged to accomplishe. The renouation whereof will nowe conduce more aduauntage and vti∣litie to them all, than euer it did before. For throughe this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Latines shall possede and participate 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the prosperous successe of the Romane people. Better it were in this sort to ioyne themselues togither, than to sée Destruction of either Cities, Depopulacions, and spoiles of their Countries, which in the time of Ancus (my Father then raigning) ye suffred.

The like also (if you doe forsake this offer) ye may still expect and suffer. The Latines here vnto were soone perswaded, a day was appoynted when the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sort of their Countrie should be redy armed at the wood called Ferrentina. Being ioy∣ned in order of battell, they marched towards the Volsci∣ens,

and wanne the Citie of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pometia, the spoile wherof Tarquinius solde for. xl. Talents, imploying the same vpon the Temple of Iupiter. After wards he assaul∣ted the Gabinians, and whē he saw he could not by force obteine the same, he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a pollicie. Who séeming to bend him selfe wholly vpon the building of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. and to set aside the affaires of his warres, deuised with his sonne Sextus, which was the yōgest of the thrée, that he should runne to the Gabinians, and complaine of his fathers intollerable crueltie, which accordingly he did.

Who shewing himselfe as a voluntarie exile, said, that his father had conuerted his tyrannie from other, and be∣gan to execute the same vpon his owne 〈◊〉〈◊〉: And that he was also weary of the presence of his owne children, going about to remoue his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conuersants out of his house, as he had done the like out of the Court, to the intent he would leaue no ofspring or heire behind him to possesse his kingdome: adding further, that he was escaped euen through the midde of his fathers wea∣pons and fury, thincking no place better for his safegard and refuge, than to séeke succour amongs his 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And bicause (quod he) ye shal not be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he is euen now preparing of warres against you, and purposeth vp∣on the sodain to set vpon you. Now if there be no place of abode for me your humble suppliant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you, I must néedes wander through Italie, and first I will attempt the Volscians, afterwardes the Aequians and Hernici∣ans, till such tyme as I finde some nation willing to de∣fend the poore chylde from the cruell and wicked furie of the Father. And perchaunce (quod he) ye shall winne him that may be an Instrument and courage 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you all, to represse that proude king and cruell Nation.

The Gabinians deliberating what was best to be done in this case, the yong man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as though he wer of∣fended,

and would in all hast depart: and séeke refuge of others, then they curteously interteined him. This yong man being had in great estimatiō amongs them, through craftie and vaine persuasions, making them beleue that he would conducte their armie euen vnder the walles of Rome, with sundrie other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to bring him self the more in credit. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 length he was chosen cap∣taine of their warres, and recouered sundry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the Gabinians. Wherby the foolishe nation both of the lower and chiefest sorte, beleued that their captaine was sent vnto them by the prouidence of the Gods. He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 perill and paine in like sort as the common souldier did, liberally deuiding his spoyles and booties amongs them. He was so well beloued, that his father Tarqui∣nius at Rome was of no greater authoritie than he was among the Gabinians. When he thought that he had re∣couered force enough to answere his fathers expectation, he sent a post to Rome, to know his fathers pleasure, al∣though the Gods had giuen him sufficient authoritie a∣mongs the Gabinians. And bycause Tarquinius was doubtfull of the trust and fidelitie of the Messanger, hée would aunswere nothing by worde of mouth, but cary∣ing the Messanger into a garden, harde adioyning his house, with a wand which he caried in his hande, he cut of the heads of the highest Poppies that were in the gar∣den: meanyng therby that he should dispatche the heads of the chiefest and principal in the Citie. Whervpon the messanger without answere by mouth returned. But by declaring those signes & circumstances which his father vsed, Sextus conceiued his meaning. Then like a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sonne, following the steppes of his father, he cut of the heades of the Gabinian nobilitie, whervpon som ran away, vpon whose departure the goodes as well of them as of other that were put to death were deuided. The

of the Gabinians being in this doubtful case, bolde of all counsell and succour, at length was surrendred to the Romanes. Then Tarquinius concluded peace with the Aequians, and renued a truce with the Thuscanes, and wholly bent him selfe to the affaires of the Citie.

This Tarquinius was the father of hym, that rauished the noble Ladie Lucretia: the lamentable historie wher∣of, is recited in my former Tome, by the ende of whiche stocke, remembred in that historie, and beginning of the same described in this. Nouell, may bée gathered, what fruits Ambition and lothsome lust bring forth. For Tar∣quinius Priscus repairing out of Hetruria, to dwell at Rome, by the ambicious will of his wife aspired and at∣chieued the Kingdome, which was by the sundrie deuice of Tullia, the daughter of Seruius Tullius mainteined, and by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 desire of Sextus Tarquinius, the sonne of Superbus the. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Romane King ended, and the whole race expelled & euerlastingly vanished out of that Citie, So mete an example for those, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & long after the rights, titles, & Kingdomes of other, as may bée read in any Author. For although the Spring ap∣peare very fresh and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of some degenerate grifft planted vpon some aūcient stock, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the fruite moste commonly in taste eateth somewhat so∣wer, and the rellishe in mouthe not altogether so pleasaunt, as that which bothe in soile and stocke, is duely planted.