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. XXV.

BUT Belisarius kept Vitigis in an honourable restraint, and sent away such Goths as inhabited this side the Poe, to their own houses, to possesse them freely; fearing from thence no hostility, nor that the Goths would gather head in those parts, because much of the Army was there Garrison'd. And these Goths were glad to go home, whereby the Romans in Ravenna were secure, having equall numbers. The Treasures in the Palace he seised, with intent to carry them to the Emperour; But neither himselfe plundred any Goth, nor suffered o∣thers; leaving them their Estates according to the Accord. The Captaines of For∣tresses, hearing Ravenna and Vitigis to be in the Romans hands, sent to Belisarius offers of surrendring the same upon Composition. He gave them assurances, and received Tarvisium, and another strong Hold: Cesina and Emilia he had taken in before with Ravenna; and the Goths Garrison'd in those places, upon assuran∣ces given, came into Beli••arius, and staid with him. ••••debad also, Governour of Verona, having his Children Prisoners in Ravenna, sent to Belisarius to the same purpose; but he would not put himselfe into his hands there. In the mean time some Commanders had traduced Belisarius to the Emperour falsly with usurpation; Who not beleiving the accusation, but the Persian war pressing him, sent for Beli∣sarius to make an Expedition that way. Belisarius left the charge of Italy with Bes∣sas and John, and some others; and he directed Constantianus to come to Ravenna from Dalmatia. But the Goths inhabiting beyond the Poe, hearing how Belisarius was called home, at first made no account of it, not thinking that he would less esteem a Kingdome then his faith to Justinian: But afterward seeing his preparations to be gone, their cheif men continuing in those parts, went into Picenia to Ʋraeas, sisters Sonne to Vitigis, and after much lamenting, spake thus.

There is none a greater cause of these miseries of our Nation, then your self. We had long since deposed your uncle, so cowardly and unfortunate a Prince, as formerly we did Theodatus the sisters Son of Theoderick, if we had not (respecting your valour) given him the Title, but in Effect put the Kingdome into your hands. But now our then see∣ming good counsell, appeares our folly, and the cause of these Calamities. The best Goths are consumed by the war, and the best of the remainder Belisarius is carry∣ing, away with all our Treasures; and no man doubts, but we shortly being few, & enemies, shal suffer the same. In this extremity a glorious death is better, then to be∣hold our wives and children led Captives to the uttermost bounds of the earth; and might we have you in the head of us, we may yet do something worthy the name of valour.

Ʋraeas made this answer▪ I am of your opinion to chuse danger before sla∣very;

but to make me King I hold it in no fort convenient. For being the Nephew of Vitigis, a man so unlucky, the Enemy may despise me, supposing Fortunes ever

to run in a blood. Besides I shall seem dishonest to intrude upon my Uncle, and thereby have many male-contents. My Sentence is, to make Ildebad King in this danger, a man accomplisht in Virtue, and very valiant, whole Uncle Theudis, King of the Visigoths, in likely-hood will enter into this War for his sake, where∣by we may dispute it with more hope.

This advise of Ʋraeas seemed best; and forthwith Ildebad was sent for from Verona, whom they invested with the purple Robe, and proclaimed King, recommending unto him their Affaires

Ildebad be∣ing thus made King, assembled the Goths, and spake thus: Fellow Souldiers, we have had experience of many Wars, and in likely-hood shall not run rashly now into this; Experience brings Wit; and wit is never Foole-hardy. It is fit now to consult of our present Estate, by calling to mind the former Accidents. Men by an affected forgetfulnesse of things past, and so by foolishly keeping high thoughts, have been ruined in their greatest occasions. Vitigis, without your opposing him, hath put himselfe into the Enemies hands; you being tired with crosse Fortunes, and chusing rather (quietly sitting at home) to obey Beli∣sarius, then to hazard. But he being going to Constantinople, now you resolve to stir; whereas you should consider, that men speed not alwaies in the way they expect, that often the Event beyond Imagination is contrary to the apparance; Fortune and Repentance commonly doing best, unlookt for, which is not un∣likely, may be now the case of Belisarius. Wherefore our best way is, to send first to know his mind, and to perswade him to what was lately accorded, and so to enter into action.

This counsell of Ildebad they all conceived to be best, and im∣mediately sent Ambassadours to Ravenna; who put Belisarius in mind of his Agreement, blamed his infringing the same, and reproached him for not blushing to be thus a Voluntary Slave, and to prefer Servitude before a Kingdome. Many such Provocations they used, and animated him to accept the Government, assu∣ring him that Ildebad would willingly give place, lay at his feet the Purple Robe, and salute him, Belisarius, King of the Goths and Italians. The Ambassadours spake thus, thinking that Belisarius would not be so scrupulous, as to reject the Title of a King. But he, contrary to their expectations, plainly refused it, saying; that during the Emperour Justinians life, he would not intrude upon such a Title. They hearing this, instantly departed, and reported it to Ildebad. And Belisarius took his Journey towards Constantinople, the Winter ending, and the fifth yeare of this War, written by Procopius.