The historie of Great Britannie declaring the successe of times and affaires in that iland, from the Romans first entrance, vntill the raigne of Egbert, the West-Saxon prince; who reduced the severall principalities of the Saxons and English, into a monarchie, and changed the name of Britannie into England.

CHAP. XVIII.

Agricola returneth to Rome, and is admitted to the pre∣sence of Domitian the Emperour. He betaketh him∣selfe to a retired life. He is poysoned. Salustius Lucul∣lus his successor in the Government of the Province, protecteth Arviragus the British Prince. He is put to d••ath by the commandement of Domitian.

AGricola, lest his comming to Rome should have bin noted, by reason of the multitude, of people, which would have gone out to see, and meete him, did warily cut off the occasion of that curtesie, entring the Citie by night; and by night, (as he was commanded) came to the pallace, where being admit∣ted to the Princes presence, and received with a short salutation, and no further speech, he sorted himselfe with other Gentlemen of his ranke, carrying himselfe ever after very temperately and warily in al his actions, as knowing the present state of those times, and the dan∣gerous inclination of the Emperour himselfe, who be∣ing (as all other Princes are commonly) more fearefull and jealous of the good, then the bad, envied in him, those vertues, and that honourable reputation, where∣of himselfe was not capable; Yet, as good deserts can∣not be hid, (true worthinesse shining even in darknesse it selfe:) so the retired life which Agricola led, did no∣thing diminish his glorie, but rather, like water sprink∣led vpon a burning fire, increased, and continued the heate thereof. Diverse times was he accused in his absence (which ministred to his ill willers oportunitie of working his disgrace,) and as often in abse••ce was he acquited, the opinion onely of his good deserts, and

no matter of crime giving the occasion, while such as highly commended him to the Emperor, (seeming his friends, but being (indeed) the most pestilent kind of enemies) procured vnder-hand his perill and ruine in the end. Howbeit, the ill successe of the Roman ar∣mies in diverse Provinces at that time, serving as a foile to set out his honourable actions, drew him perforce into glorie: and Domitian made pretences of his pur∣pose to employ him, thinking thereby to satisfie the people, who then complained of the want of good Leaders. But Vertue, that never continueth long time in prosperous estate, (as being the common object of envie,) hastened the death of Agricola, who (as the con∣stant fame went,) was made away by poyson, and that not without the Emperours knowledge, and consent. These things concerning Agricolaes government in Bri∣tannie, I have set downe particularly, as they are re∣ported by Cornelius Tacitus, who writ the storie of his life, which remaineth to the world, as a perpe∣tuall monument of the doings of the one, and the wri∣tings of the other.

Salustius Lucullus succeeding Agricola, left little me∣morie of himselfe, by doing any thing here, either for that no occasion was then offred to shew himselfe in action, or else, for that the fame of so worthie a pre∣decessor blemished his reputation. For having held the office but a short time, he was by commaunde∣ment of Domitian put to death, for suffering certaine Speares of new fashion, to be called by his owne name.

About this time Arviragus a Britan by birth, and education, did governe (as King) part of the Ile of Bri∣tannie, the Romans accounting it a poynt of policie to permit the Britans sometimes to be ruled by Princes of

their owne Nation, whose ayde and counsaile, they might vse (vpon occasions) to the pacifying of rebelli∣ons, and the establishing of their owne greatnesse; For the common people, (whose affection doth oft times sway the fortunes of great Princes) are much more easily brought vnder the obedi∣ence of their own Country-men, then of strangers.