The history of the warres of the Emperour Justinian in eight books : of the Persian, II, Vandall, II, Gothicke, IV / written in Greek by Procopivs of Caesarea ; and Englished by Henry Holcroft, Knight.

CHAP. XVI.

BUT Belisarius begirt the Town with his Army, hoping to incommode the Enemy from the River, and to take them by Famine. The Goths for a while were in no absolute wants, and though furnished very barely, yet they indured beyond expectation, having not Food to satisfie, but to keep alive only; and their Provisions being failed, they fed upon Hides, and Skins soa∣ked in water, and upon vain hopes, which Albilas their Commander gave them, a man of great Reputation with the Goths.

The Summer being come, the Corn in all those parts grew of it selfe, but not in such quantity as formerly; being not covered under Furrowes by the Plow and Harrow; but lying upon the Face of the Land, which could yeild so but small Crop: And none being to reap it, much shed, and never grew again. The same happened in Emilia, that the Inhabitants went all into Picenia, which being up∣on the Sea, they thought the Famine not to be so much there: Which seised al∣so upon Tuscany; but there the Mountainers grinded Acornes, and made bread, which bred all kind of Diseases in many; but some recovered and lived. But in Picenia 50000. Roman Husbandmen at least perished, and more on this side the Jonian Gulfe. I have seen their Countenances, and manner of deaths. They grew lanck, and pale, the Flesh wanting Food (according to the old saying) feeding on it selfe; Choler prevailing spred a wan Complexion over their Bodies: And as the Disease grew, all moisture forsook them; the Skin was hard like a tanned Hide, and lookt as if it cleft to the bones; afterwards they became black-coloured, and like Lincks much burnt. Their Countenance were hideous, like mad-men; and as most dyed for want of Sustenance, so some with greedy feeding: whose heat be∣ing quenched within, if they were nourished to satisfaction, and not by little, and little, like Babes new born, being not able to digest the meat, they dyed. Some for∣ced by the Famine fed upon one another. Two Women in a Village beyond. Ari∣minum were reported to have eaten 17. men, they onely were left alive in the place, and so Passengers lodged in their Cottage, whom they killed sleeping, and eat them. As they were attempting the like upon the 18. he waked, and finding out the truth, killed them both. Many being pincht with this Famine, went where there was Grasse, and stooping to gather it, but being not strong enough to pull it up, they fell upon their hands, and dyed with the Grasse in their mouths. None buried any, nor had the least thought of Funeralls: The very ravenous Fowles, that feed on dead bodies, would not touch them, there being no flesh left to allure them, which the Famine had consumed all. So grievous was that Famine.

But Belisarius sent Martinus and Ʋliaris with an Army against Ʋrbias and the Goths, whom he heard to besiege Millan. They encamped and stayd upon the Poe a dayes journey from Millan, and spent much time in consulting about their passage over the River. Which Mundilas understanding, sent one Paulus a Roman to them; who slipt by the Enemy and finding no Boats upon the Poe stript himselfe,

and in great danger swam over the River. Coming to the Roman Campe he told the

Commanders Martinus and Ʋliaris, that they did unjustly, and not befitting their reputations, to come there in pretence to serve the Emperour, but in effect to augment the Goths power. That Millan, the cheife of the Italian Cities for big∣nesse, wealth, and populousnesse, being a Bulwark for the whole Roman Empire against the Germans, and other Barbarians, is now in perill with Mundilas and the Emperours Forces, and yet by them neglected. The wrong they did the Em∣perour, he would forbeare to aggravate, time not allowing many words, but demanding speedy succour, whilst yet some hope is left. That therefore they must instantly releive Millan; if they delayed it, Our fortunes (quoth he) will be after the bitterest sufferings to perish, and yours, to betray the Emperours Soul∣diers to the Enemy.. Seeing such are justly sayd to betray, not onely who open their Gates to an Enemy, but who having meanes to rescue their best Freinds be∣seiged, by preferring a backward security before hazarding, abandon them to the Enemy.

Paulus spake in that sort, and Martinus and Ʋliaris promised him to fol∣low immediately, and so sent him away; who entred Millan by night, revived the Souldiers and other Romans, and made them yet more cheerfull in their Faith to the Emperour.