Nero Cæsar, or Monarchie depraued An historicall worke. Dedicated, with leaue, to the Duke of Buckingham, Lord Admirall. By the translator of Lucius Florus.

XV. THE DEATH OF AGRIPPINA AVGVSTA.

THe great reason which TIBERIVS CAE∣SAR might haue to depresse, and extin∣guish AGRIPPINA GERMANICI, may well be gatherd by the qualities of AGRIP∣PINA AVGVSTA, her owne true daughter for ambition. She was a mother (as VIND EX speakes in PHILOSTRATVS) whom it was no shame for a sonne to ••kill, that sonne being NERO; and she her selfe affirmed at her death no lesse. But the reason of that speech may bee al∣most assigned, because her selfe was rather an in∣fernall furie then a matron, who with such waste of all conscience, and of all common honestie, af∣fected supreme command. If one wickednes there∣fore might authorise another, none could con∣demne him as impious, for killing that woman, who meerely for prowd ends did most alluringly offer her body to the lustfull embraces of him who scarcely twenty yeares before was bred ther∣in? This one curse was wanting to the fulnesse of her other impieties, hauing formerly traded her selfe in manifold incests with CALIGVLA CAESAR her brother, & with her vncle CLAV∣DIVS. Violation of naturall reuerence betweene the mother, and the sonne was equall; AGRIP∣PINA'S by prostitution of her selfe, NERO'S by destroying her. As for the manner of her end, that busie APOLLONIVS of TIANA (whom PHILOSTRATVS would faine belye into

somewhat more excellent then humane) misstook the storie, where hee saith, shee was drownd by an artificiall ship wracke. For shee escaped the waues, and oares, and died at her sonnes commande∣ment by the swords of immissiue souldiers.

§. I. The causes for which Nero resolued to destroy his Mother.

BVt the whole wide world from the time in which it first did rise out of nothing till this instant, affording perhaps no such case as hers, I should deale amisse to wrap the narration vp in the like breuitie as the rest, or not to vnfold the parts, that my readers may haue her last act entire, as that example of celestiall iustice, which euened all scores with wickednesse, and left no tally vn∣strucken. The chiefe impulsiues therefore which moued the sonne to hate and persecute to death the author of his life, and empire (concubinarie loue growne farre more potent in him then filiall

pietie) were securely to bring about his marriage with POPPAEA SABINA, whereunto shee was a constant enemy, in fauour of his present wife OCTAVIA, and then (as the lesser care) to assure to himselfe the ROMAN scepter, which he feared lest AGRIPPINA in her furie and of∣fense would seeke to wrest away. A Lady, not vnlikely to effect it, considering her spirit, friends, and blood, the daughter of GERMANICVS, & heire generall, by her mother, to AVGVSTVS CAESAR She had threatned it, and for but threat∣ning it, and that but onely in an expostulatorie passion, she had bene formerly accused to her son, but shee brought her selfe off from the danger, with the mischiefe and ruine of her accusers, by her parentall priuiledges stoutly vrged, and such mitigations as SENECA, and BVRRHVS tempered together on her behalfe. Yet the impres∣sion, which that accusation left, was not totally wiped out with her apologies. For a cowardly minde is euermore credulous to the worse, and imagination multiplies feares when vitiated with such suspitions as the malice of others will not suffer to be withdrawne. The art of POPPAEA; who pretending care for NERO'S safetie, plide him vpon the weake side with terrifying sugge∣stions, and neuer gaue ouer till their deadly ar∣rowes (being holpen home to their marke with her amorous enchantments) had driuen all regard to naturall duties quite away, and left her with him in the state of a most abhorred enemy. On the other side AGRIPPINA did rise, and swell most violently against all barres to that sole tu∣torship which shee affected ouer her sonne. For SENECA himselfe, though a man of her owne

choyce and placing about him, was growne such an eye-sore vnto her, vpon enuy at his authoritie, that shee forbare not to vpbraide him with his professorian tongue, as a comparatorie abatement. Which vnreuerent and foolish contumely sorted well with the rest of her behauiours, and her for∣mer contempt of wisedome. POPPAEA there∣fore could want no colour to continue the pre∣tenses of her care for his persons preseruation. And hereupon he finally determined to cut a mo∣ther off, to please a stranger in bloud, and I would adde, not onely a stranger, but an adulterous lewd dame, sauing as that is a circumstance which cannot aggrauate the fact, considering AGRIP∣PINA worser. Nor was this determination made (some thinke) without SENECA'S conniuen∣cie, if not also with his consent and impulsion, which TACITVS affirmeth not (as things to him vncertain all of them) but DIO CASSIVS doth.

§. II. Meanes thought, and agreed-vpon for the secret de∣struction of Agrippina.

THe execution was vndertaken by ANI∣CETVS, who hauing beene a bondman, & put about NERO to teach him GREEK, was afterwards manumitted by him, and created Admirall of the ROMAN nauie at MISENVM. The plague of planting seruile natures about young Lords, and noble persons, to forme their first educations (a thing most worthely noted by QVINCTILIAN, in his conference of Ora∣tors,

as a pestilent errour) fell vpon the empresse AGRIPPINA not vniustly. That execution neuerthelesse was not needing to be by him vn∣dertaken, till three seuerall attempts to poison her, had first miscarried; her prouisions, and discoue∣ries more actiue, then their practises auaileable. Open force was with one consent condemned as improper, and dangerous. From thence it grew that drugs were employd about the vvorke, and vvhen they returned vaine, their vtmost consul∣tations could propound nothing for the purpose, but if there might bee somevvhat deuised vvhich should resemble, or imitate a casualtie. There vvere therefore vvho in her ovvne house contri∣ued a loose or hanging roofe, vvhich falling in a moment should pash, and oppresse her in her bed. A most villanous deuice, but hauing chincks to come out at, she escaped. After this, and vvhile in∣uention stuck, it hapned, that among the shovves, and amphitheatral pageants, a kind of ship-vvork, or nauall frame vvas presented to the people (vvho vvere courted by their princes, and greatest magistrates vvith such like toyes) so cunningly ioincted, that the hold or body thereof sodenly flying open, did put forth certaine vvilde beasts a∣liue, at the discretion of their maister, and readily closed againe. This originall produced vpon drie land, vvas reputed a patterne most fit to be tran∣slated to their vses at sea, for effecting, and colou∣ring the accidentall drovvning of AGRIPPI∣NA. For it might vvell passe (the secret being kept smotherd among themselues) vvithout any proba∣ble scandal, then onely that vvhich the common fortune of that vnstable element vvould both handsomly beare, and ansvver. And novv there

wanted nothing but conuenient time, and place, to conspire for their ends with the vse of this per∣nicious engine.

§. III. The time, and place for execution of the deed, with a partil description of the trap-galley.

AGRIPPINA, being out with her sonne, and he with her, was then vpon refresh∣ment, and recollection of her selfe at AN∣TIVM, a pleasant sea-towne in old LATIVM, and a ROMAN colony, about thirtie small I∣TALIAN miles from ROME, famous for sump∣tuous buildings, and for a goodly temple dedica∣ted to equestrall FORTVNE, the tutelary god∣desse of the place, and of the cheualry of ROME, but specially affected for delicious retirements: where NERO himselfe was borne: but that be∣ing no part of ANTIVMS glory was thus farre profitable thereunto, that hauing no good port, nor rode for ships, NERO (to his birth-place in∣dulgent, but to her who bare him vnherbarous) caused an hauen to be forced by hand at an huge charge. For what he did in that kinde was rather excessiue, then not magnificent. At the same time, he remained at BAIAE; another, but a more volup∣tuarie seate, situated also vpon the sea, though shel∣tred in the bottome of a bay, from the open rage of windes, and waues, about fourescore miles from ANTIVM, where hee meant to welcome the spring of the yeare, and to keepe those famous

feasts of MINERVA, which for that they lasted fiue dayes were stiled QVINQVATRVS, or QVINQVATRIA. These considerations offe∣ring themselues to be examined, it was agreed v∣pon, that all of them serued their turn, if AGRIP∣PINA could be but wonne to come. A taske not hard for NERO to performe, who was a much greater maister at malicious counterfaiting (an in∣separable property of base, and dangerous na∣tures) then euer he tooke himselfe to be at musick. Therefore with most officious letters he inuiteth her from ANTIVM thither, as to an entire at∣tonement, to bee sealed and ceremoniated at the ioyous celebration of those sacred solemnities, o∣uer-guilding his hookes with religion. Meane∣while the trap-galley was prepared for the seruice with such outward pompe, and brauery as be∣came the maiesties of the host, and guest, he CAE∣SAR AVGVSTVS, and she AVGVSTA do∣wager. The forme of a galley, or row-barge may appeare in this coigne, stamped in the name of the GENIVS of the PEOPLE OF ROME, for gratulation of NERO'S comming home, and that cabin or chamber hereof which is toward the sterne, was the place in AGRIPPINA'S galley where

the trap was set. There her sumptuous couch was prouided. The bales, and supports were so fitted (for the whole roome it selfe was nothing else but a trap) that vpon a signe giuen (they giuing way) the roofe should sodainly fall, together with that end of the vessell, perpendicularly downe into the sea. And that the roofe, when it fell, might both sinke it selfe, & all the enginous part, a vast weight of lead was secretly spred, and sheeted ouer vpon the conuex top of the tilted cabin. So that when the bolts, or pins were vpon the warning strucken out, she must either of necessitie be braind (as they conceiued) with the vnexpected ruine, or her bo∣dy be deuoured in the deepes, or both. Nor in this consultation was it any part of their care, what should become of the other people aboord, for a greater number would haue been sacrificed to the seruice without any remorse in NERO, and they who could swim might so bee safe, whatsoeuer became of the galley. This trecherous deuice lear∣ned at first as a sport, but practised here to do mis∣chiefe, was afterwards vsed to a magnificent, and more innocent purpose. For XIPHILINE out of DIO writes, that seuen hundred wilde beasts were enclosed in a like fabricke, raised vpon the sandy floore of the amphitheater at ROME, which were put foorth out of the opening sides of the ship, at the pleasure of the keepers. Some haue written that the Emperor SEVERVS, (for it was in his dayes) did perhaps represent the ARKE OF NOAH herein. That a ship, or other vessell, may so be built by the direction of an enginéer, as vp∣on a sodaine to part in sunder, and shut againe, is apparent.

§. IIII. Agrippina feasted by Nero at Baiae, and put aboord the trap-galley vpon her returne.

BVt such was NERO'S impatience against his mothers life, that he could not stay for an of∣fered opportunity to depriue her of it, but must consult how to hasten it; and his enuie against her cōtentment was so great, that althogh he was wel pleased with her solitary courses, yet because hee foūd it was a solace to her, he must of force entice her to perish by his practises, vnder shew of infinit good affection. His letters therefore, falser then the gally (as hauing a more hollow secretary to endite them, then this had cunning ship-wrights to fa∣shion it) comming quickly to her hands, did not difficultlie allure her out of ANTIVM; glad, poore woman, of fauour, and either crediting his faire words (which seemed to breathe nothing v∣pon her but the flowers of delight and loue) or as thinking it best to pretend credulitie. Withall, in his ordinarie discourses, NERO gaue it out (as if he were turnd good childe) that the displeasure of parents ought to be born, & their minds appeased with obsequious behauiours; to beget, and raise a rumour thereby that all was well againe betweene them, so to quash the contrary fame, of which the world was full. Himselfe, vpon notice of her ap∣proach, mett her in person vpon the shore, and waited vpon her to BAVLI, with all the shewes of honour, and deare regards: and while this face of amitie lasted, went with her (saith DIO) in the deceitfull vessell it selfe, to benumbe

her all ouer with securitie. Nor did he pause long vpon the execution of his plot: for that very night she was inuited from her repose at BAVLI, to the fatall supper at BAIAE. But she, vnfortunate Lady, hauing secret intelligence that certain destruction lay quoild aboord (as a snake in flowers) in that pompous preparation, resolud not to goe to court by sea, but commanding a chaire to bee mounted, auoided the voyage, and was carried thither so. BAVLI (as PLINIE describes it) was seated betweene BAIAE, and lake LVCRINVS▪ and TACITVS contradicts him not, as placing it betweene cape MISENVM, and the bay of BAIAE, where he saith the sea winding inward doth wash the foot thereof. ORTELIVS, and MERCATOR doe both of them vnderstand it so, and accordingly assigne it in their mapps be∣tweene the inmost poinct of the port of AVGVS∣TVS, where the ROMAN nauie rode at anchor, & the bottome of the BAIAE. Which either TA∣CITVS also saith, or he is not vnderstood of mee where he writes, that AGRIPPINA, in here∣scape from drowning, was carried into lake LV∣CRINVS, & so to her manour. Vpon her cōming to court, she found such exquisite welcomes, such cheare, and che••refulnesse, in refutation of fore∣warnings (which NERO would haue her thinke were malignantly instilled) that all her iealousies were charmd fast a sleepe by degrees, and she re∣ceiued down deepe into her as an infallible truth, that nothing at all was meant towards her but good, and faire. And they verily vvho vvere not vvithin the conscience of the secret, but liued so safe, and happy as to sit spectators only, vvould easily haue svvorne that all vvas gold in those

shovves of loue vvhich vvere so double-guilded. But her cunning enemies (NERO their chiefe) hauing obserued vvith vvhat distrust of the vva∣ter she came to BAIAE, to make it sure she should returne in the trap-galley, hee commanded the maister of her owne LIBVRNICA, or priuate barge, to bruise, and boulge it (saith SVETONIVS) as by some mischance, that the same being there∣by made vnseruiceable, he might in sted thereof obtrude that vnsound, and false-bottom'd bote at her departure. And hauing foold her into full be∣liefe of his sincerenesse with viler dissimulations then his trecheries were prodigious, he held her a∣mong meates, and cups with varieties of enter∣tainments till somewhat late in the night. When now yet at last there was a kinde of necessitie to part, he most officiously vshered her to her boates side, where ANICETVS (her assured foe) with all humble reuerence, tooke her in vnder his charge, without any other of her people, but onely CREPEREIVS GALLVS, and ACERRO∣NIA POLLA. But neither the sea (saith DIO) was willing to concurre to such an artificial parricide; for the water proued wondrous calme at the time (a circumstance which no wit of man could mai∣ster) nor the heauens to conceale it; for the skie was awake with store of starre-light (saith TACI∣TVS) as to conuince the fact.

§. V. The trap in the galley miscarrying, Agrippina regains the shore; her two chiefe attendants di∣uersly slaine.

BEhold the successe. The galley now had not long beene off at sea, nor farre from shore, but the deadly signe was giuen. At which the en∣gine immediatly flew off, and had performed the effects for which it was ordaind, but that the props, and stayes of the forepart being by chance more stubborne then to yield to the crush (the life it selfe of the wicked mysterie) AGRIPPINA, and her woman of honour, remaind vntoucht. Their postures were the cause, for the empresse lying at length vpon a pallet, & ACERRONIA leaning backeward at her feet, the timbers ouer head fell not low enough to reach her; to the sad disaduantage of her easier end. An heauy hap sur∣prised CREPEREIVS GALLVS, who stan∣ding vpright, not farre from the sterne, was in∣stantly strucken dead with the hinder end of the falling roofe; it draue of it selfe so violently down. ANICETVS beholding the fraud thus acciden∣tally defeated, did neuerthelesse without remorse, obstinately pursue his cruell purpose, and so both shee, and ACERRONIA were howsoeuer tum∣bled out into the sea, by ouerturning the galley, but somewhat leasurably, as in a tumult where the most part being vninstructed for the drift, hin∣dred the forwardnesse of guiltie parties. AGRIP∣PINA is now in the sea, I cannot say the waues,

for there were in it none other at all then those which the motion of the galley, and the tragicall vprore caused. And who would imagine that her lifes defense had not beene a part of the speciall constant care of heauenly prouidence, who had seene the deliuerance of her out of so dreadfull danger? But it soone appeared by the vndelayed se∣quell, that her vnwomanly vices merited shee should perish more tormentedly, and more ex∣amplarly. The instant escape notwithstanding was worthely to be admired. For she being full of wine (saith DIO CASSIVS) as returning from a most imperiall feast (her last) consequently more apt to speake, yet nothing but silence in swim∣ming preserued her aliue for the present, and shee at last got to shore, from out of the tempest of strokes, and blowes aim'd at her hed erroneously. She the rather escaped by the change of the aire, which sodenly thickned at that moment. An ac∣cident which they must grant, who would not make DIO vnnecessarily encounter TACITVS. ACERRONIA was beaten to death with poles, and oares, and with what other ship-tooles came to hand, while crying out for helpe, as if her selfe had bene the emperours mother, she ignorantly did her last best seruice for her lady, by giuing her opportunitie to slide away, vsing that name for a protection, which was the marke it selfe of mor∣tall hatred. Neither did AGRIPPINA passe free from harme, for she had a wound inflicted vpon her shoulder, the certaine badge, and earnest of her final, and forthwith-ensuing murther. The darker parts of this matchlesse storie I haue had a speciall care to enlighten, not without encombrance; be∣cause the text of the CORNELIAN ANNALS

is at this place holden somewhat depraued, and o∣ther credible moniments are not to be sung at first sight within agreement to TACITVS.

§. VI. Maine doubts, touching Agrippina's escape, not to be cleared out of Tacitus, Suetonius, or Dio, attempted to be cleared otherwise.

IN this water-scene of AGRIPPINA'S tra∣gedy, nothing did euer trouble mee so much, vvith the shevv of improbabilite, as to con∣ceiue, hovv so tender, and delicate a lady should saue her selfe by svvimming, from among so ma∣ny deadly enemies, till the skiffes, or vvherries, came to the rescue, though the shore (saith TA∣CITVS) vvas neere at hand. For I neuer heard that the ladies of ROME did practise svvimming since CLAELIAS time. This speculation moued one TARCAGNOTA, an ITALIAN, to vvrite in his histories, that she saued her selfe, vp∣on a peece of vvood. Nor vvas that a vvodden or poore deuice had he named some other vvarrant for it, beside his ovvne. I my selfe could thinke vpon other vvayes also, hovv to remoue the scru∣ple, but that it is not all one to penne a historie, as to vvrite a poem; vvhere all things are permitted to phansie, and vvhere nothing. IVLIVS CAE∣SAR saith excellently vvell, that the immortall gods (to speake his ovvn vvords) haue an hand or stroake in all things, but specially in those vvhich

cannot be carried by reason. Which seemes to bee verified in this strange escape, for I cannot ansvver to my selfe this doubt of her swimming by any thing which remaines in TACITVS, and doe therefore the rather incline to follow a poets au∣thoritie of those times, who in my opinion is not a poet in that particular. The tragedy of OCTA∣VIA (NERO'S wife) passing among those of SE∣NECA'S, affirmes vnto vs, that when AGRIP∣PINA was whelmed out of the galley into the water, she sunke, and rose againe, padling with her hands to keepe her selfe aloft. In that estate some cheard her vp in her faintings with their voices, and held her vp in her sinkings with their offici∣ous hands, till (as that tragedian writes) shee mett with assured succours by such of her seruants who for her sake despised death and danger. Her maruailous escape was enough a lone to make her seeme doubly venerable, both as AVGVSTA, and as preserued by the speciall fauour of the immor∣tall gods, the peculiar friends (as TACITVS saith elsewhere) of the CLAVDIAN family; whose lineall of-spring by the fathets side she was. Another greater point, not lesse dimme, or mistie then the former (for any thing which TACI∣TVS hath registred for clearing it) was the for∣tune of the galley it selfe, which though by his narrations it doth well appeare not to haue beene dissolued (at leastwise not vpon the sodaine) yet DIO CASSIVS most credibly reports, that it was dissolued, and the same ancient tragicke poet (who was contemporanie to the fact, whi∣ther he was SENECA or no) describes the foun∣dring of the vessell, and a face of manifest ship∣wracke, some vpon planks, and rafters, others

plying their armes in sted of oares, these escaping, and others drowning. Nor could it in reason bee otherwise, euen by that which TACITVS him∣selfe tels vs, of ouersetting the galley, so to turne AGRIPPINA out into the deepes, whereby A∣NICETVS, and his complices being forced to prouide for their proper safeties, she was the more free to escape, vnder the protection of night, which came somewhat soone, because the vernall aequinox was as then but newly passed.

§. VII. Nero, after the newes of Aggippina's escape, giues present order for her death, in hope to make it seeme her proper act.

AFter this sort therefore she came safe to land, where shee prouides by surgery for the wound receiued on her shoulder, and be∣takes her selfe for ease, and refreshment to her chamber, from whence shee forthwith sends her trustie freed-seruant, LVCIVS AGERINVS, with a gratulatory message to her son at BAIAE, to signifie her happy escape. For she durst not seem to suspect any thing in it, saue meere mischance. But NERO CAESAR, whom expectation, and terror of conscience kept awake, was fully informed by ANICETVS, (long before AGERINVS could arriue) concerning the whole aduenture, and had already authorised him, as sherriffe, or superuisor of the execution. He tooke with him HERCV∣LEVS (the maister of the broken galley) and O∣LOARITVS

(a sea-captaine) as his slaughter∣men, or executioners, strengthned with troopes of mariners in armes, (for he durst not trust his soul∣diers) directly to accomplish by force what no finenesse could effect. That employment the ser∣uile ANICETVS, as in loyall zeale to his Lord, and patron, did not lesse feruently vndertake, then as if it had beene a thing most certaine, that either shee, or NERO must absolutely perish. And to this most sauage act SENECA, and BVRRHVS (I grieue to speake it) were not onely priuie, and con∣senting, but SENECA the authour also, vpon the same supposition of necessitie. Meanewhile, as if lucke did fauour the designe, AGERINVS en∣tring to deliuer his message, ANICETVS impu∣dently drops a naked sword betweene his legges, and presently apprehends him, as transmitted by her with that sword to murther CAESAR. So the poore fellow was immediatly created a property to countenance his ladies killing, and was execu∣ted ANICETVS, thus instructed, and fitted, sets for∣ward with al possible diligence, & where he found such people in the way as had flockt to the shore in great numbers frō the parts about, with lights, or torches, clambring the rocks, & cliffes, & peste∣ring the shores, to gaze at the wonder, hee driues them home, & left all places solitary, sauing where he went himself. And here it must not be forgottē that notwithstanding any power permitted by NERO to this instrument of ruine, and his brace of inhumane butchers, yet was it very farre from his intention to auow the fact, but to haue it bla∣zed, and beleeued among the vulgar, that his am∣bitious mother, conspiring to vsurp the empire, sent AGERINVS to murther him, & that vpon

his apprehension she finding her drifts discouered slue her selfe, to auoid the shame of a publicke conuiction for so capitall, and so vnnaturall a treason. Whatsoeuer therfore we reade afterwards touching ANICETVS, and his carriage, must all of it be interpreted by that chiefe intention. So there is no greatnesse of power, when it would ex∣tremely abuse it selfe, which is not glad to thinke of meanes how to auoid the note of wickednesse. An illustrious proofe of the hatefull deformities which are naturally seene in doing euill, and of the honourable beauties, and graces which do as na∣turally shine in the contrary.

§. VIII. The manner of Agrippina's murther exactly described.

ANICETVS therefore comming to the house, besets it round with part of his en∣trusted forces, to preuent all euasions either of persons, or reports, which might endanger, or publish the businesse till it was done. Finding the gates of the palace shut, he breakes them open, en∣ters, layes hold on such of the house as he meets, and stops not, till by way of surprise he rusheth vp to the very dores of her priuate lodgings, which the ROMANS (for the maiestie of such a person) reputed sacred, and inuiolable. There hee onely findes a few of her night-watch, and those, as it seemd, not arm'd (for NERO had taken away her guards of GERMANS before) the rest being fled for feare. In all which passages, ANICETVS

seemes to haue intended nothing more then only to hinder AGRIPPINA from hearing of his approach, who mutually hating him, was known to her now to be her mortall enemy. Shee who till this instant lay deeply musing with her selfe, and grew more and more solicitous, that neither any messenger came from her sonne, no nor that euen AGERINVS, her owne messenger, did returne, sodainly heard all silent about abroad, which hap∣ned, because ANICETVS had frighted the people home, and then soone after molested her with this tumult, whereof as the reasons were to her vnknowne, so they were the certaine signes of some extreme calamitie at hand. In her chamber there was not any light at all but a small one, which thing did euen it selfe, make a show of somewhat in it like a funerall gloominesse, nor was any of all her people about her but one maid∣seruant onely, and she (of whom there was no rea∣son to looke for more fortitude then her men had discouered) being beckned out, did likewise for∣sake the roome, though her mistresse had sayd vn∣to her; And thou wilt also leaue me. But the iust cause of her departure immediatly appeared, for AGRIP∣PINA, casting her eye backe, sees ANICETVS enter with HERCVLEVS, and OLOARITVS. Their mercilesse minds, euery-where transparent in the fact, were not slightly foretold by their si∣lence, for it is not remēbred that any of one them spake a word. This gastly dumbe show, which was prouided for perdition, not for parlea, did not for all that make her speechlesse, but like a great lady cōtinuing mindful aswel of the empresse, as of the mother in her person, demanded the cause of their so rude, and vnseasonable entrance, saying by way

of preocupation, If their errand was to visite her from her sonne, they might returne, and tell him the ioyfull newes that she was well amended, if to commit the heinous deed, she did beleeue nothing bad, or hard of him, and was sure he neuer signd their warrant for her murther. But no∣thing moued herewith they cast themselues about her; HERCVLEVS with a short club (who not∣withstanding the affinitie of name had nothing in him of heroick HERCVLES) marshald him∣selfe at the beds head (as I conceiue it) the other two at the sides, for more are not named to haue entred. OLOARITVS, without further preface, beginning to vnsheathe his sword, it is not found that she either shrickt, or wept, or vainely begd for fauour, but in retractation of her pretended bet∣ter opinion, laide her bare belly open, and challen∣ged him to strike that, as deseruing it, for hauing brought forth monster NERO. Which while it gaue perhaps some little pause, or stop to the hand of OLOARITVS, troubled with the horror of such a voyce, and action, her selfe at the same time (for what time else more agreeable?) stepping sodainly (saith DIO) out of her bed, HERCVLEVS steyd her, by discharging a blow vpō her head with his churlish bat, and stonisht her, and the sword then finisht the worke with many foines She made what vvards, or fense she could; for othervvise she needed not to haue endured so many vvounds as she did, before she died. And it sorted properly vvith the matchlesse maiesty of her bloud, and the fiercenesse of her fiery spirit, to die as vnvvil∣lingly as she could, being it vvas that she could not die reuenged. Her deaths wound was in her brest, if the authour of the tragedy of OCTAVIA doth not therein vse his professions priuiledge.

§. VIII. Nero's behauiour, and words in priuate, vpon the view of Agriprina's corse; where the fame of their in∣cest is likewise scanned.

THe murther thus committed, the body was left where the breath departed, and NERO (waiting vpon the euent) had present word thereof. Many in those times, and they not vncer∣taine authours, saith SVETONIVS (who doth often couertly encounter with the iudgements, & inclinations of TACITVS) that he came in per∣son to the place where the corps lay, and (as if the rest of his doings had else been little, or nothing) beheld it crowner-like all ouer, praising this part, and dispraysing that, as if he had been to censure a statue. Which SEVERINVS BOETIVS in his booke of consolation, worthely marshalls at the foote of NERO'S inhumanities, as the greatest. And that he did not onely distinctly view, but both handle her limbs, and also tell her wounds, is testified by ZONARAS. There goes a rumour also that he saw her body opened, to behold the place of his conception. For which notwithstan∣ding there is no authenticke testimony that I can finde; nor other ground of coniecture (if that may be a ground) then a meere supposition, that shee was embowell'd before her burning. Sure I am, that no credible authour hath auouched it con∣cerning AGRIPPINA, whose funerall, & con∣fusion were so neere conioignd, as left small place and lesser vse for such a rituall office. They say moreouer, that while he was thus prophanely em∣ploid

he grew thirsty, and in sight of that piteous obiect, quencht his drowth with drinke, who should rather haue done it with his teares, & at the end of this vnnaturall suruey he gaue out such an odde farewell as was viler (saith DIO) then the murther it selfe, for thus he impenitently said, that Hee did not suppose hee had had so faire a mother. The sentence neuerthelesse doth in part acquite him from her incestuous familiaritie. For how was it strange to him that his mother should bee so handsome, if she had been his concubine? CLV∣VIVS RVFVS, a consularie man, alwayes at NERO'S elbow, & in a most nocent court a most innocent courrier, was likely enough both to know what he writ, and to write what he knew, and he hath assured vs, that NERO was vpon the point of yeilding to his mothers prophane al∣lurements, had not SENECA found meanes to terrifie him frō it. How it hapned, that his action not concurring with his will, the rumour of the crime should hold, other worthy authors haue cer∣tifide. For into his college of concubines he had receiued a common curtisan, onely because shee was reputed to be as like AGRIPPINA as like might be, and thereupon he would boast himselfe to his companions, that he had been with his mo∣ther▪ How farre in true case of conscience it was differing from actuall commission is not difficult to decide, being euery where esteemed within a small degree equiualent. Those other particulars, touching the inspection, are not therefore incredi∣ble because incomparablie barbarous, or because some writers (whō TACITVS had seene) deny it; for other noble authours, and constant fame con∣demne him, nor doth the cruell curiositie hereof

ablude from the rest of his. A man who grew by degrees so infinitely wicked, that nothing can be fatherd so horrible vpon him, which his sutable manners would not render credible. Though he was not therefore to be slanderd, for our common prouerbe, A sinne to belie the deuil, is none of the worst. But his vsage of young BRITANNICVS in the very first bud of his empire, when he most affected, and most had need to seeme good, his v∣sage afterwards also of the detrunked heads of his innocent wife, OCTAVIA, and of CORNE∣LIVS SYLLA (to speake of nothing else) are as so many arguments to tell vs, that our authors do not probably wrong him in these most infamous reports concerning his behauiour ouer his mur∣therd mother. The case of BRITANNICVS a most competent parallel. AGRIPPINA was by nature NERO'S mother; BRITANNI∣CVS by nature his cousen german, and by adop∣tion his brother: AGRIPPINA by her practi∣ses procured the empire for NERO; BRITAN∣NICVS ought to haue had it as immediate heire: AGRIPPINA was murtherd in the fifth yeare of NERO'S reigne; BRITANNICVS in the very first. Compare the good man to himselfe in both these examples. It was not enough for him to poyson this prince, but to make sure he should be irremediablie sped, himself would see the hagg LOCVSTA, boyle the stuffe in his owne sight, and when the operation of the first confection vvas not found svvift enough, hee buffeted her vvith his ovvne hand, for pre∣suming to excuse it, as in fauour of his honour had it been made to vvorke to presently, adding vvords, in refutation of her vanity, nothing infe∣rior

in their horrour to those which vvere vsed o∣uer AGRIPPINA, for thus he replide, I am a∣fraid belike of the Iulian Law, meaning the lavv en∣acted by IVLIVS CAESAR against poysning. But to assure vs, that he euen vvantonly affected the heighth it self of all damnable deeds, we are to vnderstand, that vpon a second boyling, and triall of the liquor, when LOCVSTA now had fully pleased him, because it was immediately the bane of that beast to which they had giuen it, then loe, he farre outwent the licentious allegation of his priuiledged impunitie with other words, and actions. For he did not onely not punish her (ther∣in after a manner iust, because himselfe was the authour to her of the preparations) but highly ex∣tolled her, as a speciall instrument of his vses; yea more, he enfeoft her in lands, and lordships, and to prouide that the art might not perish, caused her to professe, and assigned schollers. Looke vp∣on this precursorie dramma of BRITANNICVS, and then doubt of the truth of his behauiour, and words, ouer mangled AGRIPPINA.

§. VII. A short speculation touching Agrippina's pedigree, and death.

THis was the end of IVLIA AGRIPPINA, the greatest, and most nobly borne lady vn∣der heauen, vnited by consanguinitie to all the emperours, from her kinsman IVLIVS CAESAR

downeward: AVGVSTVS her great grandfa∣ther by the mother, TIBERIVS her great vn∣ckle by the father, CALIGVLA her brother by the whole blood, CLAVDIVS so neare of kin vnto her, that he ought not to haue been her hus∣band, NERO her sonne, an emperour of her own creatiō, & which makes most for the glory of her authority, able to dedicate her incestuous vnckle a god; but this went beyond all for endearing her to the people, that she was the lawful daughter of GERMANICVS, who sauing onely as he was not consecrated diuine, stood otherwise adored in memorie for the opinion of his worth, and pittie of his fortune. O heighth, then from which neuer any lady fell lower! O depth, then into which ne∣uer any fell more headlong! of filiall impietie the most horrible example; of motherly dignitie the most terrible precipice! Her estate at her death most comfortlesse, for hauing measur'd the de∣grees of felicity by no other scale then the degrees of worldly fortune, and contemning euery other point in the sphere of things but the verticall, was sodenly thus bereft of all together, without so much as an honest ethnicke conscience, which might bee supposed to vsher her to the fields of blisse, ordaind euen in their beleefe, for a lasting reward to the vertuous. Euery-way therefore most vnhappy, euen in this also, that by not being drownd, her name lost those altars, rites, and tem∣ples, which her son had destinated to her memory, not so much for her honor, as to hide his proper crime; but most of all because her soule was not of the nature of an accident, whose sepa∣ration is extinction, nor like the snuffe of a ta∣per, to die with her body, but to remaine immor∣tall.

The truth whereof NERO felt, being conti∣nually haunted with her ghost, which no incanta∣tions, nor sacrifices could appease till his owne descended: for among his last words, when hee was to leaue this life for a worse, he cryed out in a sad Greeke verse, That his mother, wife, and father willd him die. A most famous warning to doe as iustice would, and not to thinke dully of God.

§. XI. The peoples inward iudgement of Nero's heinous fact against his mother in what sort out∣wardly exprest.

BVt whereas NERO calumniously intended to fasten vpon his mother the fame of her owne killing, it found so small beliefe, that the feare of his power, rather then the effects of his arts, pre∣uailed for his safetie. The secret friends therefore of AGRIPPINA (for who else rather?) and if not they, yet euen the common quarrell of nature against such exquisite wickednesse, found out partakers on behalfe of the world, to protest his guiltinesse, and to vexe his fame with the couert exercise of freedome. For about the necke of one of NERO'S statuas a leatherne sacke was hung, to vpbraid his paricide, the punishment whereof (in the ancient lawes of ROME) was to be trussed into such a male, with a cocke, a dogge, and a vi∣per, and so to be thrown all foure together quicke into Tiber. Another exposed an infant in the mar∣ket-place, with a scroll about the necke, like

the mott of an heroicall deuice, or instructiue morrall, which sayd thus much, that the parent would not foster it, for feare it should kill the mother. And when his other euill deserts were come to such a swolne excesse, that the people forlornly bemoaned the fortune of their cittie, as if the time were at that instant come, in which it was to be desolated, according to certaine blinde prophesies which being masked vnder the vene∣rable title of the Sybils (though euen the verses themselues pointed expressely to the nine hun∣dredth yeare from ROME built, which was a∣boue fourescore yeares off) NERO proclaimed, that in the Sibylls oracles there was no such line, & therefore it was a bastard; then they (as if sorrow had inspired them) vniuersally celebrated another verse, as truly one of Sibylls (nor any one of hers proued truer) the fatall argument whereof was this: That the last of AENEAS line to reigne in ROME, should bee his mothers murtherer.

§. XII. Of Agrippina's colonie, and commentaries; and of her buriall.

ANd though shee was, in all other respects, most vnfortunate, yet in one point shee sa∣crificed luckely to felicitie. For it was her act, during her ful-saild fortunes, to deduce a co∣lonie of ROMAN Citizens to plant them among the VBII, vpon the RHENE, which, beeing called of her name, The colonie of AGRIPPINA,

because it was her birth-place, while her father GERMANICVS serued in those parts, General of the ROMAN armies, doth at this day freshly florish; the chaire, and princely seat of the princi∣pal clergieman in GERMANIE, and first elector. As for her learned commentaries which shee left written touching the fortunes of her house, they are almost vtterly lost, sauing only as PLINIE the older, and CORNELIVS TACITVS haue cited out of them a fragment, or two, which are their only remaines, (our misfortune more then hers) for any thing knowne to mee to the contrarie. The very same night of her murther (such was the odious haste) shee was laid forth on a banqueting bed, and funerally burned, with∣out other herse, or greater solemnitie. So the old text of the twelue tables, wherein it was comman∣ded, that no man should plaine, or polish the wood vsed for the burning of bodies, seemes not in her case infringed. Neither, during all NERO'S dayes, was the earth which had beene broken-vp to make her funeral fire-pitt, cast in againe, or the ground it selfe either raild about, or otherwise enclozed. After his death, her houshold-people bestowed a simple sepulcher vpon her, in the place where TACITVS hath described it, neare the way to MISENVM, and the high-seated house of the dictator CAESAR, ouer-looking the bay of BAIAE. That very sepulcher, at this day extant, and called AGRIPPINA'S, is figured on the roofe, and sides with sphinxes, and griphons, but greatly sullied with the smoake of torches, and lights borne in by such as enter. GEORGE SAN∣DYS, as an eye-witnesse testifies it, in his generous trauails. Those figures seeme to haue beene the

badges, or symbols of her ancestrie. For AV∣GVSTVS CAESAR (saith PLINIE, & SVE∣TONIVS) vsed the sphinx in his signet, or seale of armes; and ANTONIVS AVGVSTINVS (whom some haue styled the prince of antiqua∣ries) hath published out of his treasurie a coigne with a sphinx, as one of that emperours coigns, who was her maternall ancestor.

To declare what the griphons signifie, some OEDIPVS, or oracle must be found; vnlesse perhaps they were the tesseras, or tokens of ho∣nor, belonging to the CLAVDII, her pater∣nal progenitours, as the sphinxes were of her mo∣thers kindered. If any would rather haue them stand for AGRIPPINAS inuectiues against POPPAEA SABINA, as a most faire, but a most cruel beast, and against NERO himselfe, as a most griping biformed monster, or to lock vp vnder them some other allusiue, or moral sense, I will not dispute the matter. The Sunne to vvhom they vvere antiently sacred must giue that more certaine light. My first diuination pleaseth my selfe best, as that which I repute most probable

And here the marueilous storie of AGRIP∣PINA AVGVSTA endeth, which I haue with alike faithfulnesse as care, drawne out of the most authenticke testimonies, and the clearest lights which the reason and nature of the things themselues would eliciently beare.