CHAP. XV. Of those that are both cruell and disloyall.
NOw if it be a thing so unworthy and evill beseeming a Prince, as nothing more, to be stayned with the note of cruelty, how much more dishonourable is it, when with cruelty, disloyalty and falshood is coupled? and when he is not ashamed not onely to play the Tyran, but also the traitour, dissembler, and hypocrite; to the end hee may more freely poure out the ••ome of his rage against those that put confidence in him. This is one of the foulest and vilest blots that can be, wherewith the honour and reputation of a man is not one∣ly stayned, but blasted and blotted out, not ever to be recovered: for what perswasion can one have of such? Or who is so fond as to put affiance in them?
This was one of the notorious vices of King Saul, when maligning the prosperity of David, he cunningly promoted him to be Generall of his Ar∣my, and married him to one of his daughters, to this end, that by exposing him to the hazards & perils of warre, he might bring him to speedy destru∣ction; seeking besides other unlawfull means to put him to death by▪ but what was the end of this unjust murderer, we have declared in the former Chapter.
But above all that by treason and deceit made way unto their cruelty, the Emperour Antonius, surnamed Caracalla, was the chiefe▪ who to revenge himselfe more at full upon the Citizens of Alexandria in Aegypt, feyned as if he would come see their City, built by Alexander, and receive an Oracle from their god: Which when he approached neere unto, the Alexandrians prepared to entertain him most honourably: and being entred, he went first to visite their Temples where to cast more colours upon his treachery, hee offered many sacrifices, & in the mean while perceiving the people gathered together from all quarters to bid him welcome, finding opportunity fitting his wicked and traiterous enterprise, he gave commandement, that all the young men of the Citie should assemble together at one place; saying, That hee would acquaint them to range themselves in battell after the manner of the Macedonians, in honour of King Alexander. But whilest they thus assembled together in mirth and bravery, hee making as though he would bring them in array by going up and down amongst them, and holding them in talke, his army enclosed them on all sides: then with drawing himselfe with Kis guard, he gave the watch-word, that they should rush upon them; which was performed with such outrage, that the poor cre∣dulous people being surprised at unawares, were all most cruelly massacred. There might you see the most horrible, barbarous, and incredible butche∣ry of men that ever was heard of: for besides those that were actors in this bloody tragedy, there were others that drew the slaine bodies into great