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. XXI.

NEverthelesse Martinus and John came back with their Troops, least the E∣nemy should set upon the Army before Auximum. Where the Goths hearing nothing of the Franks retreat, but despairing at the delayes from Ravenna, thought once more to importune Vitigis, but could not get by the Enemy. Seeing at noon one Burcensius, a Bessian by birth, and a Souldier of Narses the Armenian, standing Sentinell to keepe off the Towne from cutting Grasse; some came to parley with him, and agreed to give him a great Summe in hand to carry a Letter to Ravenna, and more at his returne with Letters from Viti∣gis. The man for the Money undertook the service, and presently put it in execu∣tion. He brought the Letters sealed up to Vitigis with all speed, which were thus.

You will perceive our estate, by enquiring who is the bearer of this Letter; there being no meanes for a Goth to get out of the Towne walls; and our best supply of Victuall is the Grasse that growes about them, which we cannot touch with∣out fighting and losse of men. To what conclusion this will bring us, you and the Goths in Ravenna are seriously to consider. Vitigis returned this answer: My best Freinds in the World! think not I am so dejected, nor come to that de∣gree of basenesse, as through sloth to abandon the Goths affaires; my owne journey was in readinesse, and Ʋraeas by my direction was coming from Millan with his Army; but an unexpected invasion of Franks stopt our preparations, whereof I am not to beare the blame: For things above humane power bestow this favour on the unfortunate, to make him unblameable; Fortune taking the whole imputation upon her selfe. But Theodebert being now gone, as we heare, we will shortly, God willing, be with you with our whole Army. And you must beare your Fortune valiantly, and suitably to the necessity. Thinke upon the ver∣tue for which we made choice of you to guard Auximum; and respect that gene∣rall opinion held of you by all the Goths, which set you there a Bulwark of Ra∣venna, and of their whole safety.

Vitigis with this Letter and good store of Money, dispatcht the man: Who com∣ing before Auximum pretended to his Companions a sudden sicknesse, which caused him to goe to a Church neer there for cure; and standing Sentinell where he was wont, he delivered the Letters unseene by the Romans. The reading whereof so raised their Spirits, though opprest with the Famine, that they would not yeild, al∣beit Belisarius much woed them to it: But having no newes of any Army from Ravenna, and being in extream want of Victuall, againe they sent Burcensius, writing onely, That they were able to struggle with the Famine five dayes, and no more; who brought them againe a Letter from Vitigis, holding them in suspence

with like hopes. The Romans also were weary of this long Siege in a barren desert Countrey, and troubled to see the Goths not to yeild, though in so much misery. Belisarius therefore sought to take some Enemy alive, from whom he might learne the ground of this obstinacy of the Goths. Valerianus promised to serve him there∣in; who had in his Troops Slavonians, that used to lye under some Stone or Bush, and to steale Enemies; a thing ordinarily practised by them by the River Ister, where their dwellings are, both upon Romans and Barbarians. Belisarius liking his way, and committing it to his care, he chose out a Slavonian, a tall lusty fellow, and valiant, and assured him a good reward from Belisarius to get an Enemy alive; and told him, That at the Grasse plat, which the Goths used to eat for want of food, he might doe it with ease. The Slavonian before day-breake, put himselfe neer the Towne walls, concealed in a Bush, and gathering up his feet close about him. By day-light a Goth came out to gather Grasse, suspecting nothing from the Bush; but had his eye upon the Camp, least any enemy might come from thence. The Sla∣vonian stealing behinde him, snatcht him up fast between his armes, & delivered him to Valerianus; who enquiring, from what confidence the Goths being so weake re∣fused to yeild, and wilfully endured so much distresse; the Barbarian told him all the story about Burcensius, desiring he might be brought face to face. Burcensius seeing himselfe discovered, concealed nothing; and Belisarius gave him to his Companions to use him as they pleased, who burnt him alive in the sight of the E∣nemy: And this fruit had Burcensius, of his covetousnesse. But Belisarius seeing the Goths still hold out, he had a designe upon their water, by that way thinking to take them in with most ease and advantage.