The history of Polybius the Megalopolitan The fiue first bookes entire: with all the parcels of the subsequent bookes vnto the eighteenth, according to the Greeke originall. Also the manner of the Romane encamping, extracted from the discription of Polybius. Translated into English by Edward Grimeston, sergeant at armes.

A Parcell of the Deedes and Posterity of Ptolomy.

FInally who will not wonder, that Ptolomy had not proui∣ded to giue aide to these men during his life, seeing there were some which were ready to succour them? But when Death surpriz'd him, hee left a young Infant, to whom by right of nature, he had indeauoured, as they say, with both hands to preserue him the Crowne: Then encouraging one ano∣ther, they make hast to practise a Villany, and to murther this Infant, and to diuide his principallity among them. The which they do not after the manner of Tyrants, who pretend some colour for their in∣famy: But carry themselues afterwards so impudently and brutishly, as that which they speake of the life of Fishes is due vnto them. Of whom they say, that although they be of one kind, yet the defeate of

the smaller feeds and entertaines the life of the greater. Wherefore who will not thinke to see a great execration against the Gods, and a cruelty towards men, and likewise a great auarice of the said Kings, seeing this paction and agreement as in a glasse? What is hee who for these causes hauing accused Fortune in humane affaires, doth not like∣wise consider that shee hath since made them to suffer worthy punish∣ments, and left to posterity a good example for the amendment of their course of liuing, as hauing propounded vnto these Kings such an igno∣minious punishment? For when they had transgrest the agreements a∣mong themselues, and diuided the Infants Principality, all things did iustly proue hurtfull and opposite vnto them, which they had wicked∣ly resolued against their Kinsfolkes and Neighbours, by the bringing in of the Romans? for that the one and the other being suddainly vanqui∣shed, they were not onely forced to abate their couetousnesse of ano∣ther mans goods: but being made subiect to tributes, they were con∣strained to obey the Commandments of the Romans. Finally, For∣tune hath in a short time disposed of the Reigne of Ptolomy, making the Potentates of the others, and their successours, some of them to bee banished and miserable, involuing some in a manner in the like Disasters.