and audacitie to enterprise that by arte which nature had denied, and foolishly cast away the Princes wealth. For they had vndertaken to make a nauigable ditch from the lake Auerne, vnto the mouth of Tyber alōg the rough and hard shore, or through the opposite mountaines. Neither is there any other moisture to feede the waters, but the marshes of Pomptina: other places being vneuen craggie grounds, or drie; and if they could be wrought through, it would be an intollerable labour, and no cause why. Nero notwithstanding, desirous to bring incredible things to passe, laboured to digge the hils adioyning to Auerne: where remaine the markes of his vaine hope to this day. But the houses which were ruined were not built without order, here and there as when the Galli had fired them: but the streetes drawen by measure and proportion, with spatious and large waies; the buildings restrained to a certaine height, and the courts made wide, and galleries added to defend the front of the houses called Iles: which galleries Nero promised to builde at his owne charges, and deliuer them to their masters, the courts and floores made cleane. And gaue rewardes according to euerie mans degree and wealth: and prefixed a time, within which the housings finished, or Iles, their masters should receiue them. The marishes of Hostia were appointed to receiue the rubbish: and that the vessels which brought corne vp the riuer Tibris, should be loaden downe with rubbish: and that some part of the buildings themselues, without timber should be built with stone of Gabi and Albanum, which cannot be damnified with fire. Now, that water inter∣cepted by priuate men to their owne vse from the citie, might more aboun∣dantly flowe in manie publicke places, there were watchmen appointed to ouer∣see it: and that euerie man should haue some prouisions to quench fires: and that euerie house should be inuironed with his owne wals, and not common to his neigh∣bour. Which being ordained for the publicke commoditie, brought ornament to the new citie. Yet some were of opinion that the old fashion of building was more wholesome, bicause the narrownes of the waies, and height of the houses, could not so easily be pearced with the heat of the sunne. But now the streetes being open and wide, and vndefended from shadow they are scorched with greater heat. And these things were prouided by mans counsell. Anone after, purging sacrifices were sought for of the gods, & the Sibyls books perused; by aduertisement of which, praiers were offered to Vulcane and Ceres, and Proserpina; and Iuno made fauourable by the matrons, first in the Capitoll, then at the next sea. From which hauing drawen water, the Temple and the image of the goddesse was sprinkled, and the married wiues prepared banqueting beds, and watcht in the Temple in honour of the same goddesse. But the infamie was not wiped away, neither by mans helpe, nor lar∣gesse of the Prince, or pacifiyng of the gods; but that it was thought the fire came by commandement. Therefore to extinguish the rumour, Nero falsly accused and punished most grieuously certaine people, hated for their wickednes , which the common sort called Christians. The author of that name was Christ, who in Ti∣berius raigne was put to death vnder Pontius Pilat, Procurator of Iudaea. And their dangerous superstition suppressed for the time burst foorth againe: not onely tho∣rough Iudaea where it first began, but in the citie also: whither all wicked and shamefull things runne from all parts, and are solemnised and esteemed. First they were apprehended which confessed that religion; then by their detection, an infinite multitude were conuicted, not so much for setting the towne on fire, as for the hate of all men against them. Such as were condemned, were skorned and mocked, and couered in wilde beasts skins, and torne in peeces with dogs; or fastened on crosses; or burnt in fire: and when the day failed, they were burnt in the night to giue light.