The wonders of the little world, or, A general history of man in six books : wherein by many thousands of examples is shewed what man hath been from the first ages of the world to these times, in respect of his body, senses, passions, affections, his virtues and perfections, his vices and defects, his quality, vocation and profession, and many other particulars not reducible to any of the former heads : collected from the writings of the most approved historians, philosophers, physicians, philologists and others / by Nath. Wanley ...

CHAP. XII. Of the singular Love of some Ser∣vants to their Masters.

WE do not look for Figs from Thorns, nor to gather Grapes from the tops of Thi∣stles; nor can we expect any thing from men that live under the continued frowns of the world, and whose Souls are humbled by bondage and servitude, but what is agreeable to their abject condition, want of education and converse: yet as we have sometimes seen Apes in Silk, and men in Rags, and that a Jewel of great value may casually be found upon a Dunghil, so we may sometimes read of such eminent fidelity and virtue in men of base degree and low estate, that fortune may seem to have treated them injuriously, that did not allot them as great advantages as the Masters they lived under.

1. Publius Catienus Philotimus was left by his Ma∣ster the Heir of his whole Estate, yet did he resolv•• to die with him, and therefore cast himself alive into that Funeral Fire which was prepared to burn the dead body of his Master.

2. The Tyrians having maintained long Wars against the Persians, were much weakened thereby, which occasioned their Slaves (being many in num∣ber) to rise up against their Masters, whom they put all to the Sword, together with their children, and then seised upon their Houses, together with their Wives, whom they married. Only one of these Slaves being more merciful than the rest, spared his Master Straton and his Son, and hid them. The Slaves having thus got possession of all, consulted together to chuse a King, and agreed that he that could first discern the Sun at his Ri∣sing, should be King. Whereupon this fore-men∣tioned Slave consulted with his Master about the business; who advised him, when others looked into the East, that he should look into the West: and accordingly when they were all assembled in the Fields, and every man's eyes were fixed upon the East, he only looked Westward, for which he was well scoffed at by his companions: but pre∣sently he espyed the Sun-beams shining upon the high Towers and Chimneys in the City, and so challenged the Kingdom. His companions would needs know who taught him this wit, at last he told them; whereupon fetching out old Straton, they gave him not only his life, but elected him their King, who having once been a Master, and free born, they thought was fittest to rule all the rest that was Slaves.

3. Grimoaldus Duke of Benevento was invited by Gondibert King of the Lombards to assist him a∣gainst Partharis his Brother, he came accordingly, and having ejected the one, he slew the other Bro∣ther he came to defend, and so made himself King of Lombardy; and when he knew that Partharis was retreated to Cacanus Duke of Bavaria, he wrought so that he was expelled from thence. Partharis not knowing whither to betake himself in safety, comes as a suppliant, and commits him∣self to the faith of Grimoaldus. But he observing that numbers of the Ticinensians flocked daily to visit him; and fearing lest by the favour of the peo∣ple, he should some time or other recover the King∣dom, not regarding his Oath, he resolved to make him away, and that he might perform it with less noise and tumult, he intended first to make him drunk, and then send his Guards to cut his Throat, while he lay buried in wine and sleep. This counsel of his was not so privately carried, but that it came to the ear of Partharis, he therefore commands his Cup-bearer to give him water all a∣long instead of Wine (knowing then he could not indulge his Genius) lest his troubled head should prove unmindful of the danger he was in; nor could he abstain altogether from drinking, lest Grimoaldus his spies should discover that he had intimation of his intentions. The better there∣fore to colour the matter after large drinking, he caused himself to be carried by his servants into his Chamber, as to sleep out his debauch. There he consults Hunnulphus his most faithful Servant, who thought it not safe to go forth, since the ser∣vants of Grimoaldus stood watching at the Gate. But in regard necessity compelled, and that there was no other way of escape, he orders it thus, he covers his head and shoulders with the skin of a Bear, which was there by chance, after the manner of a Rustick, and lays upon his back a mattress, as if he was a Porter to carry it away, and then with good blows of a Cudgel, drive him out of the Chamber: by this artifice he passes unknown through the Guards, and accompanied with one servant got safe into France. When about Mid∣night the Guards came to kill Partharis, they were opposed by Hunnulphus, who besought them not to disturb the rest of his Master, now sleeping, but to suffer him to sleep out his large compotation he had that night; twice they were thus put back, but the third time they broke by force into the Chamber, and not finding Partharis, whom they had determined to kill, they enquire of Hunnulphus what was become of him, who told them plainly he was fled, and confessed that he was himself con∣scious to his slight. Grimoaldus admiring his fide∣lity, who, to save his Master, had cast himself in∣to such manifest danger of his life, freed him from the punishment that all cryed he was worthy of, with many promises, alluring him, that from thenceforth he would change Masters, and serve him with the like fidelity, as he had done the for∣mer.

4. The Babylonians sought to recover their li∣berty, and to shake off the Persian Yoak, whereof Darius being advertised, prepared an Army to re∣cover that City and State revolted, but ••inding the same a difficult work, he used the service of Zopy∣rus, who for the love he bare Darius, did cut off his own Ears and Nose, and with other wounds fresh bleeding, he seemed to flie to the Babylonians for succour, to whom he accused the cruelty of Darius, who for having given him advice, to give over the Siege of their City, had in this sort dis∣membred and deformed him; whereupon the Ba∣bylonians gave him that credit, as they trusted him with the disposition and commandment of their greatest Forces, which when Zopyrus had ob∣tain'd, after some colourable overthrows given to the Persians upon sally, he delivered the City into Darius his hand, who had lain be••ore it twenty months, and used to say, that he had rather have Zopyrus unhurt than twenty Babylons besides that he had gained.

5. M. Antonius an excellent Oratour, being ac∣cused of incest, his servant (the witness deposing that he carried the Lanthorn before his Master when he went to commit this Villany) was appre∣hended; and to extort a confession from him he was torn with Scourges, set upon the Rack, burnt with hot irons, all which notwithstanding he would not let fall a word whereby he might injure the fame or life of his Master, although he knew him guilty.

6. There was a Citizen of Rome condemned by the proscription of the Triumvirate, who in fear of his life had fled and hid himself in a Cave of the Earth: one of his servants observed the ap∣proach of them that were sent to murder him; and having thereupon advised him to retire to the low∣est and most secret part of the Cave, he himself put on his Master's Gown, pretending to the pur∣suers, that he was the person whom they sought after, being desirous to save the life of his Patron, with the loss of his own. But one of his Fellow-servants betrayed him in this officious design, so the Master was fetched out of his hiding place, and slain. When this was known to the people of Rome, they would not be satisfied till the betrayer of his Master was crucified, and he that attempted to save him was set at liberty.

The servant of Vrbinius Panopion knowing that the Soldiers commissioned to kill his Master were come to his Hou••e in Reatina, changed cloaths

with him, and having put his Ring upon his Fin∣ger, he sent him out at a postern door, but went himself to the Chamber, and threw himself upon the Bed, where he was slain in his Masters stead. Panopion by this means escaped: and afterwards, when the times would permit it, erected a noble monument with a due inscription in memory of the true fidelity of so good a servant.

8. Antistius Restio was proscribed by the Tri∣umvirate, and while all his Dom••stick Servants were busied about the plunder and pillage of his House, he conveyed himself away in the midst of night with what privacy he could; his departure was observed by a servant of his, whom not long before he had cast into Bonds, and branded his face with infamous characters; this man traced his wandring footsteps with such diligence, that he overtook him, and bare him company in his ••light; and at such time as the other were scramb∣ling for his Goods, all his care was to save his life, by whom he had been so severely used; and though it might seem enough that he should forget what had passed, he used all his art to preserve his Pa∣tron; for having heard that pursuers were at hand, he conveyed away his Master, and having erected a Funeral Pile, and set fire to it, he s••ew a poor old man that passed that way, and cast him upon it. When the Soldiers were come, and asked where was Antistius: pointing to the fire, he said, he was there burning, to make him amends for that cruel∣ty he had used him with. The Soldiers that saw how deep he was stigmatized, thought it was pro∣bable enough, believ'd him; and by this means Antistius obtained his safety.

9. Cornutus having hid himself, was no less wit∣tily and faithfully preserved by his Servants in those difficult days of Marius and Sylla; for they having found the body of a man, set ••ire about it; and being asked of such as were sent out to kill their Master, what they were about? with an officious lye they told them they were performing the last offices for their dead Master, who, hearing this, sought no further after him.

10. Caepio was adjudged to death for conspiring against the life of Augustus Caesar, but his Servant in the night carried him in a Chest out of the City, and brought him by Night-Journies from Ostia to the Laurentine Fields, to his Father's Villa or House of Pleasure. Afterwards, to be at the fur∣ther distance from danger, they took Ship, but being by force of a tempest driven upon the Coast of Naples, and the servant laid hold on, and brought before the Centurion; yet could he not be perswaded either by Bribes or Threats to make any discovery of his Master.

11. Aesopus the freed man of Demosthenes; be∣ing conscious of the adultery his Master had com∣mitted with Iulia, and being exposed to the wrack, bare the tortures thereof a long time with invin∣cible patience; nor by any menaces of pain could he be wrought upon to betray his Master, chusing rather to endure all things, than to bring his life or reputation into question.

12. Hasdrubal managed the War of the Cartha∣ginians in Spain, and what by force and fraud had made himself the Master of most of it; but having slain a certain Noble Man of Spain, a servant of his, a Frenchman by birth, was not able to endure it, but determined with himself to revenge the death of his Lord, though at the price of his own li••e. Whereupon he assaulted Hasdrubal, and slew him, he was taken in the fact, tormented, and fastened to a Cross; but in the midst of all his pains he bore a countenance that shewed more of joy than of grief, as one that was well satis••ied that he was se∣cure in his premeditated revenge.

13. Menenius was in the number of those that were proscribed by the Triumvirate; and when a servant of his perceived that his Master's House was enclosed with a company of Soldiers that came to kill him, he caused himself to be put into a Litter wherein his Master was used to be carried, and ordered some other of his Fellow-servants to bear him forth in it. The Soldiers supposing that it was Menenius himself, slew him there; where∣upon looking no further, his Master clad in a ser∣vile habit, had the means and opportunity to e∣scape into Sicily, where he was in safety under the protection of Pompeius.

14. The Hungarians had conspired against Sigis∣mund King of Hungary and Bohemia, but the plot being discovered, the principal persons were all taken, brought to Buda, and there beheaded. Stephanus Contus was the chief of these Conspira∣tors, who having thereupon lost his head, Chioka his Esquire lamented the death of his Lord with such outcries, that the King took notice of him, and said unto him, I am now become thy Lord and Master, and it is in my power to do thee much more good than can be expected from that headless Trunk. To whom the young man replyed, I will never be the servant of a Bohemian Hog, and I had rather be torn into a thousand pieces, than to desert a Master of so great a Magnanimity, as all the Bohemians toge∣ther are not able to equal. And thereupon he volun∣tarily laid down his head upon the Block, and had it severed from his Shoulders, that he might no longer survive his Master.

15. These are instances of such servants as no considerations whatsoever could move to disloyal∣ty, or infidelity towards their Master: such exam∣ples as these are few and rare, whereas the world is full of those of the contrary: and because I know nothing more pleasant wherewithal to shut up this Chapter, I will set down the story of one that was not altogether of ••o virtuous a humour as the fore∣mentioned; and it is this, Lewis the Twelfth go∣ing to Bayonne, lay in a Village called Esperon, which is nearer to Bayonne than Burdeaux. Now upon the great Road betwixt these two places, the Bay∣liff had built a very noble House; the King thought it very strange, that in a Country so bare and bar∣ren as that was, and amongst Downs and Sands that would bear nothing, this Bayliff should build so fine a House: and at Supper was speaking of it to the Chamberlain of his Houshold: who made answer that the Bayliff was a rich man, which the King not knowing how to believe, considering the wretched Country his House was seated in, he im∣mediately sent for him, and said unto him these words, Come on, Bayliff, and tell me why you did not build your fine House in some place where the Country was good and fertile. Sir, answered the Bayliff, I was born in this Country, and find it very good for me. Are you so rich, said the King, as they tell me you are? I am not poor, replyed the other, I have (blessed be God) wherewithal to live. The King then asked him how it was possible he should grow so rich in so pitiful a barren Country. Why very easi∣ly, replyed the Bayliff. Tell me which way then, said the King. Marry, Sir, replyed the other, be∣cause I have ever had more care to do my own business than that of my Masters, or my Neighbours. The De∣vil refuse me, said the King, (for that was always his oath) thy reason is very good; for doing so, and rising betimes, thou couldst not chuse but thrive.

Notes

• Sabellic. l. 3. c. 8. p. 161.
• Iustin. hist. l. 18. p. 193. Zuing. Theatr. vol. 3. l. 4. p. 722. Patric. de Regno. l. 1. tit. 11. p. 48, 49.
• Dinoth. me∣morab. l. 4. p. 301.
• Herodot. l. 3. p. 223. Heylen's Cosin. p. 785. Iustin. hist. l. 1. p. 26. Petr. Greg. l. 13. c. 1. 1. § 6. p. 508. Rawleigh. hist. world. l. 3. c. 5. § 2. p. 39. Dinoth. me∣morab. l. 4. p. 316.
• Val. Max. l. 6. c. 8. p. 169. Li••s. monit. l. 2. c. 13. p. 331.
• Xiphil. in Augusto. p. 27. Dinoth. l. 4. p. 293.
• Val. Max. l. 6. c. 8. p. 180. Lips. monit. l. 2. c. 131.332. Dinoth. l. 4. p. 300.
• Val. Max. l. 6. c. 8. p. 181. Lips. monit. l. 2. c. 13.332.
• Pl••t. in Mario. p. 431.
• Dinoth. l. 4. p. 300.
• Dinoth. l. 4. p. 248, 249.
• Lips. monit. l. 2. ••. 13. p. 131. Sa••••ll. Ex. l. 3. c. 8. p. 160. Liv. hist. l. 21. p. 190. Val. M••x. l. 3. c. 3. p. 78.
• Fulgos. Ex. l. 6. c. 8. p. 797.
• Zuing. Theatr. vol. 1. l. 2. p. 215.
• Commenta∣ries of Messire Bluize de Montluc. l. 7. p. 395.