Herodians of Alexandria his imperiall history of twenty Roman caesars & emperours of his time / First writ in Greek, and now converted into an heroick poem by C.B. Staplyton.

CANTO XV.

The ARGUMENT.

Macrinus writes the Senate him confirms, He afterwards commits a s••ttish Errour, Then Maesa subtle Lady stands on terms, Bassian called Antonine made Emp'rour; Macrinus flies, pursu'd by Antonine, And shortly after headlesse is Macrine.

1.

NOthing but black Designes to murther still, Wee know we have a dire and ghastly Foe; The serpent old that wrought our former ill, Doth yet persist to work our Thrall and woe: Then let us pray to keep us from the power Of Lyon fierce, that will his prey devoure.

2.

You heard how former Antonine had end, Another of the Name will soone appeare; Still sad revenge on Murther doth attend, But to Macrinus Lend a while your eare: How he to Roman Senate did direct His Letters seal'd, which spake to this effect:

3.

I count it needlesse many words to use;* 1.1 You know if I my Office did neglect, Or else in conversation was profuse, When I was chose Praetorian* 1.2 Praefect; To me and such the Prince himself Commits, And for your sakes I bare his frantick Fits.

4.

When he through flatt'rers did you Tyrannise, And me of Lenity did often Tax, Resist I would not him in any wise, Lest he in ferall Choller worse should wax; The Parthick Warr that like was to undoe us, By perfect League I have confirmed to us.

5.

My Government shall cause no bloudy strife, Then of my Rise I hope you will approve; You ought to prise a good and vertuous life ••Fore Nobles that to help you never move:* 1.3 What's got by Commodus or Antonine, Or such as wholly to their Lusts incline?

6.

From Fathers they derive their Rule and Right, But those on whom the Empire you conferr Will not abuse their splendor or their might, Or scornfully the meaner sort deterr: Such as the Rule doe gain by mod'rate Actions, Most carefull are in all their great Transactions.

7.

Your Counsell and Assistance I will crave In all Affaires that may concern the State, Good Marcus Rule and Pertinax in grave Shall you restore in what you lost of late; More praise hath he that raiseth first his Fame, Then he that boasts the Race from whence he came.

8.

This Letter read each one bestow'd his Vote, Imperiall Honours they to him decreed; Yet not so glad Macrinus was aflote, As Antonine had got deserved meed: For full account they make now he is dead, To scape the danger hanging o're their head.

9.

Accusers false and such as were unjust; If Servants or Informers so invent, Were all of them upon the Gallowes trust, Macrinus for a year was so intent: But Souldiers all disbanded or sent home He should have caus'd,* 1.4 and then have gone to Rome.

10.

Upon Macrinus there they call and cry, But he at Ant'och staid to trim his beard; His Garb and Speech he used sparingly As Marcus wont, which formerly you heard: Yet in his manners he was nothing like him, Which made both Souldiers and the rest dislike him

11.

Austere the one and of a Temp'rate Diet, But he to Masques and Revels was inclin'd, With Jewels dect of vaine excesse and Riot, Effaeminate, much like to Women kind: Of Paralell in him there is no signe With Marcus Sage, or Warlike Antonine.

12.

The Souldiers eke were pinch'd with courser fare, While he in Silks and Cates did much abound; Now for his Rule they doe no longer care, His Fate is neer and Fortune turneth round: To leave his charge there can be no Evasion, And Maesa subtle Lady gives Occasion.

13.

From Country of* 1.5 Phaenitia came this Cone, That Long in Roman Court had led her Life, To Empresse Julia (Sister she alone) Antonin's Mother, and Severus Wife; One dead, the other kill'd, she went from Rome, With all her goods Macrinus sent her home.

14.

In flourishing Estate she got much Wealth, And now in age doth back againe return; Two Sons there were as she sayes, got by stealth. Which to her Daughters twain were also born: They Striplings were as yet, not able men, Bassian fourteen and Alexander ten.

15.

Phaenitians built an Altar to the Sun, Adorn'd with Silver, Gold and precious Stones, To worship which they oft devoutly run, These two young men were Priestlings both at once; This god no Image had but Massie Stone. At bottom round, at top sharp like a* 1.6 Cone.

16.

This Stone of Coleur black had shining spots, And Figures some, not made by humane Art, But fell from Heaven, it seems they are such sots; In Priestly Office Bassian plaid his part, His upper Coats Imbroid'red were with Gold, A Crowne upon his head you might behold.

17.

His under Coats were also tissued over, A comely youth withall, of rare Aspect, Howe're a Priest he seemed like a Lover, His Garb and Beauty all of them Affect; With Pipe and Flute full often here he vapors, And round about the Altar frisks and Capers.

18.

The Souldiers lay the City then before,* 1.7 To Guard the Frontiers of Phaenitian Bounds, And they this Temple visit more and more, To see this stripling Dance his Priestly Rounds; Devotion part, but more his gesture call'd 'em, Then to his Mother Masa they extoll'd him.

19.

If that be true she told to them or not, Uncertaine is to some and in dispute; She said how Antonine this youth begot, Although another Father bore repute, That to her Daughters he did oft resort When with her sister she liv'd long at Court.

20.

And more she said, that she had Treasure great, Which she would give the Army, for consent To place her Nephewes in the Princely Seat; This Brute was nois'd and 'mongst their fellowes went, Who say, if she will feather so their Nests, Both she and hers shall be their welcome guests.

21.

To th' Camp away she hies in dark of Night, Her Children, Friends, her Goods, with Bag and Baggage, Before the Towne was privy to her flight, Some vagrant Troops conducted had her carr'age; Young Bassian was Proclaim'd at easie rate, And him they cloath in Purple Robe of State.

22.

With these their gods they brought provision store, Lest they perhaps be straightned with a Siege, Macrine at Antioch, as you heard before, Will not be pleas'd they have another Liege; Yet hope they have his Souldiers will combine, When as they know the Sons of Antonine.

23.

For they indeed are weary of the lash, The grudge they bare Macrinus is not New, And now they hope to have good store of Cash, They soone perswade themselves that all is true; Macrinus scorns the boys, the Souldiers blame, And Captaines sends these Rebels new to tame.

24.

When Julian that commanded his in Chiefe Came neer the Camp Approaching to the Wals, They mount aloft (to shew their mind in briefe) On Turret tops, and boldly to him Cals: Loe here the youth that is our Emp'rours Son, Come joyn with us or else you are undon.

25.

They shew withall their purses full of Chink, A bait no doubt Macrinus to betray, Howe're it causeth them without to think That all was true they heard their fellowes say; The youth they sweare is like their Emp'rour dead, So all agree and cut off Julians Head,

26.

The which they send for token to Macrinus: The Gates are ope their fellowes let them in, And now they cry, he shall no longer blind us, For all his threats we care not once a pin; We all together can withstand a Siege, And fight a Battell for our Soveraigne Liege.

27.

Macrinus then intends to force their Camp, Which they prevent by Marching to the Field; There furiously they 'gan to rage and stamp, Resolv'd to fight, and rather die then yield, But all was well, for Fortune leaves Macrine, His Souldiers fly and go to Antonine.

28.

And now he finds himselfe in desp'rate Case, Yet while his middle Battell firmly stood, His Purple Coat he 'gins for to Unlace, And flies himselfe with such as he thought good; Disguised thus away by stealth he went And hid himselfe, misfortune to prevent.

29.

Before they knew of this his sudden flight, His Guard that was the old Praetorian Band, Did stand awhile and bravely for him fight, Supposing he himselfe was neer at hand: But when no further Newes of him they heare, They all were struck into a Panick feare.

30.

But yet a••on of Hope they better sped, The Renegades that came to Antonine Assurance gave how that Macrinus fled, Then he proclaimes the Souldiers all are mine; But Chiefe to these he sendeth present word, They shall repaire to be of his own Guard.

31.

They to the Heralds credit gave and yeild, Forthwith he sends Macrinus to pursue, At* 1.8 Chalcedon he thought his nest to build, But him the Souldiers overtooke and slew; Some said in hast he meant to go to Rome, The Winds were crosse and brought him to his dome.

32.

For there at first he should have rendevoz'd, So having neither Fortune or Forecast, The Souldiers thus his Lenity abus'd, And brought him to this fearfull end at last; With him his Son young Caesar Diadumeine Was taken there, and with his Father slaine.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Macrinus Letter.
• * 1.2

  Or Generall of the Army.
• * 1.3

  Quid gens sine mente?
• * 1.4

  His Error.
• * 1.5

  Born in the City Emesa. See M. Sands description Journal, p. 207
• * 1.6

  Spire. See M. Selden de Dis Syric. Sint. c. 1.
• * 1.7

  Emesa.
• * 1.8

  A Sea-Town in view of Constantinople.