CHAP. VII. The Embassies of several Barbarous Nations, and the Gifts [bestowed on them] by the Em∣perour.
FOr, from all places Embassies arrived conti∣nually [at his Court,] and brought him such presents as were of greatest value amongst themselves. In so much that, even We our selves hapned on time to see * 1.1 various shapes of Bar∣barians, standing in order before the a 1.2 Court-Gate of the Imperial Pallace. Whose garb and manner of dress was different and changeable; and the hair both of their head and beard much unlike. Their aspect grim, barbarous, and ter∣rible; and their Bodily Stature of an immense greatness. Some of them had ruddy counte∣nances; the faces of others were whiter than snow. In othersome of them there was a middle temperature of colour. For the Blem∣myae, Indi, and Aethiopes (who [as b 1.3 Homer says,] are divided two ways, and live in the out-skirts of the earth;) were to be seen a∣mongst those forementioned Barbarians. Each o•• these persons (c 1.4 in such manner as we see it commonly painted in Tables) brought severally to the Emperour such presents as were of great∣est value amongst themselves. Some [pre∣sented him with] Crowns of Gold; others, with Diadems beset with pretious Stones; others, with yellow-hair'd boyes; others, with Barbar••••k Garments d 1.5 interwoven with Gold and Flowers; others, with Horses; others, with Bucklers, long Spears, Arrows, and Bowes. By which pre∣sents they demonstrated, that they made an offer of their Service and confederacy of Arms to the Emperour, if he pleased. The Emperour re∣ceived and * 1.6 kept the presents brought by each of them, and remunerated them with so many and such great Favours, that in an instant of time the persons who had brought these presents were extraordi∣narily enrich. Moreover▪ he e 1.7 grac't the emi∣nenter persons amongst them with Roman dig∣nities: in so much that, very many of them forgat to return into their own Country, and † 1.8 chose to make their Residence here amongst us.