Chap. 5.
Syria conquered by Chosroes; Chosroes, by He∣raclius the Grecian Emperour.
THe next remarkable alteration happened under Phocas the Emperour, who (saith* 1.1 Tyrius) had a nature answering his name, which signifieth a Seil, or Sea-calf: for as that fish (little better then a monster) useth lazily to lie sleeping and sunning it self on the shore; so this carelesse usurper minded nothing but his own ease and pleasure,* 1.2 till at last he was slain by Heraclius his successour: as seldome tyrants corpses have any other balm at their buriall, then their own bloud. Phoeas his negligence betrayed the Empire to forrein foes, and invited Chosroes the Persian to invade it,* 1.3 who with a great army subdued Syria and Jerusalem. A conquest little honourable, as made against small resistance,* 1.4 and used with lesse moderation: for besides many other cruelties, he sold many thousands of Christians to the Jews their old enemies, who in revenge of their former grudg, put them not onely to drudgery, but to torture. Chosroes to grace his triumph carried the Crosse away with him, forced all the Christians in Persia to turn* 1.5 Nestorians, and demanded of Heraclius the Grecian Emperour, that he should renounce his religion, and worship the* 1.6 Sun. Thus we see how light-head∣ed this Pagan did talk, being stark drunk with pride. But the Christian Emperour entring Persia with great forces, quelled at last this vaunting Sennacherib: for to him might he well be compared,* 1.7 for pride, cruelty, blasphemous demands, and the manner of his death, being also slain by Siroes one of his sons. Heraclius returning took Jerusalem in his way, and there resto∣red