Q Valerius Maximus his collections of the memorable acts and sayings of orators, philosophers, statesmen, and other illustrious persons of the ancient Romans, and other foreign nations, upon various subjects together with the life of that famous historian / newly translated into English.

LIB. I.

The PROLOGUE TO AUGUSTUS TIBERIUS CAESAR.

I Have resolved with thy self, to collect together the Deeds and Sayings of most note, and most worthy to be re∣membred, of the most emi∣nent persons both among the Romans and other Nations, taken out of the most approved Authors, where they lie scattered at such a distance, that makes them hard to be known; to save them the trou∣ble of a tedious search, who are willing to fol∣low their Examples. Yet I have not been over-desirous to comprehend all: For who in a small Volume is able to set down the Deeds of

many Ages? Or what wise man can hope to deliver the order of Domestick and Forraign story, which our Predecessors have done in such happy stiles, either with greater care, or more abounding Eloquence? Therefore, Caesar, thy Countries onely safety, thee I invoke in the be∣ginning of my Ʋndertaking, whom the con∣sent of Gods and men hath ordain'd the great Commander both of Sea and Land; by whose Divine providence those Vertues, of which I am to discourse, are most favourably cherish'd, Vices most severely punish'd: For if the an∣tient Orator: did well to begin from the Om∣nipotent Jove, if the most excellent Poets did always call some particular Numen to assist 'um; much the rather does my little Work, fly to your protection: For other Gods we adore onely in Opinion, you we behold equal to your Fathers and your Grand-fathers Stars in brightness, whose resplendent Lustres have ad∣ded not a little to the Ceremonies of our Reli∣gion. Others we receive for Gods, Caesars we make such. And because it is my intention to begin with the worship of the Gods, I shall dis∣course briefly of the nature thereof.

CHAP. I. Of Religion.

OBSERVED BY

• 1. The people of Rome.
• 2. Lucius Metellus, High-Pri••••••
• 3. Titus Gracchus.
• 4. Colledge of Priests.
• 5. Q. Fabius Dictator, and C. Flaminius Mr. of the Horse.
• 6. Pub. Crassus High-priest.
• 7. The Disciple of Aemilia the Vestal Nun.
• 8. Marcellus junior, Consul.
• 9. Lucius Furius Bibaculus.
• 10. Lucius Albinius.
• 11. C. Fabius Dorso.
• 12. Q. Petillius Spurinus Praetor.
• 13. Lucius Tarquinius the King.
• 14. Marcus Attilius Regu∣lus.
• 15. The Roman Senate.

NEGLECTED BY

• 16. C. Terence Varro.
• 17. Appius Caecus, and the Family of Potinius.
• 18. A Roman Souldier, and Brennus the Gaul.
• 19. P. Turullius Admiral.
• 20. Q. Fulvius Flaccus Censor.
• 21. Q. Pleminio Legat for the Pretor.

Forraign Examples of Religion observ'd or neglected.

• 1. Pyrrhus King of Epirus.
• 2. Massanisa King of Numi∣dia.
• 3. Dionysius the Elder of Sicilie.
• 4. Thymasitheus Prince of the Liparitans.
• 5. The Souldiers of King Alexander.
• 6. Perseus.
• 7. Athenians.
• 8. Diomedon an Athenian Captain.

OBSERVED.

1. OUr Ancestors appointed that the set and solemn Ceremonies should be ordered by the know∣ledge

of the High-Priests; the right Administration of these Ceremonies, and authority for so doing, the observations of the Augurs, the Predictions of Apollo, should depend upon the Books of the Sibyls; but that the mysteries or Wonders should be unfolded accor∣ding to the Rules of the Hetrurian Discipline: For by the antient Institutions, when we were to com∣mend any thing to the Gods, we gave our selves to Prayer; when any thing was earnestly to desired of the Gods, then to Vows; when any thing to be p••••••, to Thanksgiving; when enquiry after future suc∣c••ss was made, to obtain by Request; when any so∣l••mn Sacrifice was to be done, to sacrifice: By which ••••ans the significations of Wonders and Thunders were likewise discovered.

So great also was the care of our Ancestors, not onely to observe, but to increase Religion, that by decree of Senate, ten of the Sons of the chief men were sent out of their most flourishing and opulent City to the several people of Hetruria, to learn the Order and Discipline of Ceremonies.

1. And when they had resolved to worship Ceres after the Greek manner, they sent for Calcitana, or, as others say, Calliphimia, from Vilia, which had not yet recei∣ved the name of a City, to be their Priestess, that they might not want a skilful Governess of the antient Ce∣remonies of the Goddess: To whom having in the City a most stately Temple dedicated, and being warn'd in the Sibyls Books to appease the ancient Goddess Ceres in the time of Gracchus Tumult, they sent ten persons to Enna, where they believed her Sacred My∣steries were first instituted, to make an Atonement for themselves. And many times our Emperours and Commanders having obtained great Victories, have ••••one themselves to Pessinuntes, there to perform their ••••ows to the Mother of the Gods.

2. Metellus High-Priest, when Posthumius the Con∣sul, and also a Flamin of Mars, desired Africa for his Province to make War in, commanded him under a penalty not to depart the City, thereby to desert his Functions; believing that Posthumius could not safely ad∣venture himself in Martial Combats, when the Cere∣monies of Mars were neglected.

3. Praiseworthy was the Reverence of the Twelve, but more to be extoll'd, the obedience of the Twenty four Fasces: for Titus Gracchus sent Letters to the Colledge of Augurs out of his Province, by which he gave them to understand, that having perus'd certain Books belonging to the Sacred Mysteries of the peo∣ple, he found that the Tabernacle was erroneously ta∣ken at the grand Consular Assemblies for Election, which he had caus'd to be made; which thing being reported to the Senate, by command thereof C. Figulus returning out of Gallia, Scipio Nasiea from Corsica, both laid down their Consulships.

4. For the same reason, P. Cloelius of Sicilie, M. Corne∣lius Cethegus, in C. Claudius, for that the Entrails were less reverently brought to the Altars of the Gods than they ought to have been, at several times, and in seve∣ral Wars, were commanded and compelled to leave the Flaminship. And because a Bee fell upon the head of Sulpicius while he was sacrificing, he lost the Priest∣hood.

5. The peeping of a Mouse being overheard, was the reason that Fabius Maximus quitted the Dicta∣torship, and C. Flaminius ceased to be Master of the Horse.

6. To this we may add, that P. Licinius High-Priest thought fit to give the lash to a Vestal-Virgin, for that one night she had been negligent of the Holy fire.

7. But Vesta her self sav'd the Hand-maid of Emi∣lia the Vestal, who had let the fire out; for while she

was worshiping, and had laid her Vail which was very rich upon the Hearth, presently the fire caught hold thereof.

8. No wonder then that the indulgence of the Gods was so great in preserving and increasing their Empire: for such a scrupulous care seemed to exa∣mine the smallest concernments of Religion, so that our City is to be thought never to have had her eyes off from the most exact worship of the Gods. And therefore when Marcellus, five times Consul, having taken Clastidium, and after that Syracuse, would have in performance of his Vows, erected a Temple to Ho∣nour and Vertue: He was opposed by the Colledge of Priests, who deni'd that one Domicil could be rightly dedicated to two Gods. For if any Prodigy should happen, it would remain doubtful to which Deity should be made Address: nor was it the custome to sacrifice at once to two Deities, unless to some in par∣ticular. Upon which Admonition of the Priests, Marcellus in two several Temples set up the Images of Honour and Vertue; whereby it came to pass, that neither the authority of so great a man was any hin∣drance to the Colledge, nor the addition of expence any impediment to Marcellus, but that all Justice and Observation was given to Religion.

9. Lucius Furius Bibaculus hath hardly any Ex∣ample to parallel him, unless that of Marcellus: Nor is he to be deprived of the praise of a••most pious and religious minde, who while he was Pretor, being com∣manded by his Father, Principal of the Colledge of the Salian Priests, carried the Ancilia, six Lictors go∣ing before him; though he might have pleaded an excuse from that duty, by vertue of his place. But our City valued Religion above all things, preferring it before the authority of all soveraign Majesty: there∣fore their Emperours have not scrupled to obey in Sa∣cred

things; believing they should the more easily ob∣tain the sole command of humane things, if they were constantly and truly obedient to the Divine power.

10. Which resolution hath been also bred up in the breasts of private persons. For when the City was taken by the Gauls, and that the Quirinal Flamen and the Vestal Virgins were forced to carry the Sacred things, taking every one a share of the burthen, ha∣ving now pals'd the Sublician Bridge, and ready to descend the Rock that leads to Janiculum; they were spied by Alvanius, who was driving a Cart wherein he had put his Wife and Children, who no sooner saw them in that condition, but regarding publick Reli∣gion more than private Charity, commanded them to alight; and then placing the Holy things, and or∣dering the Vestal to get in, he left his own intended Journey, and drave them till he came to the Town of Caere; where, because they were curteously and re∣verently received, we testifie our thanks, and honour the memory of their Humanity: for thence it came to be instituted, that those Sacred Rites were called Ceremonies, because the Ceretans worshipped and obser∣ved them as well in the low as flourishing state of the Commonwealth: And that Mean and Country Cart, on a sudden the receptacle of so much Honour, came to equal, if not out-vie, the glory of a Trium∣phal Chariot.

11. About the same time, memorable was the Ex∣ample of observ'd Religion which Caius Fabius Dorso gave us: for when the Gauls besieged the Capitol, lest the accustomed Sacrifice of the Fabii should be put by, clad in a Gabin habit, and carrying the Sacred things in his hands and upon his shouldiers, he at length pass'd through the midst of the Enemy to the Quiri∣nal-Hill, where having performed what was to be done, he returned to the Capitol with Divine Adora∣tion

of his victorious Atchievement, as if he had been a Victor indeed.

12. Great also was the care of preserving Religion among our Ancestors, where Publius Cornelius and Baebius Tamphilus were Consuls: For the Labourers that were digging a Field of Petillius the Scribe, at the foot of Janiculum, delving somewhat deeper than ordinary, found two little Stone-chests; in one where∣of was a Writing, declaring, That it was the body of Numa Pompilius Son of Pomponius: In the other were seven Books in the Latine Tongue, treating of the right of the High-Priest; and as many in Greek, dis∣coursing of Wisdom. For the preservation of the La∣tine Books they took especial care; but the Greek one, (for there seemed to be some things therein prejudicial to their Religion) Lucius Petillius the Pretor by decree of Senate caus'd to be burnt in a publick Fire made by the Officers belonging to the Sacrifices: for the an∣tient Romans could not endure that any thing should be reserved in the City, which might he a means to draw the minds of men from the worship of the Gods.

13. Tarquinius the King caus'd Marcus Tullius the Duumvir to be fow'd in a Sack after the antient man∣ner, and to be thrown into the Sea, for that he had for a Bribe delivered to Petronius Sabinus a certain Book containing the Mysteries of the Civil Sacred things committed to his keeping. Most justly, see∣ing that violation of Trust deserves the same punish∣ment among men, as from the Gods.

14. But as to those things which concern the Ob∣servation of Religion, I know not whether Atilius Regulus have not excelled all that ever went before him, who of a famous Conquerour being now become a Captive, through the wiles and ambushments of Hannibal and Xantippus the Lacedaemonian, he was

to the Senate and people of Rome, to try if he could get himself, being but one, and old, redeemed for several young and noble Carthaginians; who when he came, advised the Senate to the contrary, and went back to Carthage, well knowing to what cruel and inveterate Enemies he returned; but he had sworn so to do, if he could not obtain the release of their Captives. Surely the Immortal Gods had rea∣son to have mitigated their fury; but that the glory of Atilius might be the greater, they permitted the Car∣thagians to take their own inhumane courses: As they who in the third Punick War would severely recom∣pence the death of so noble a Soul with the destructi∣on of their City.

15. How much more religious toward the Gods did our Senate shew themselves? which, after the fa∣tal overthrow of Cannae, decreed that no women should mourn longer than thirty days, to the end the Rites of Ceres might be by them performed. For now the greatest part of the men lying slain upon the bloody accursed Earth, there was no Family in the City that did not partake of the general Calamity. And there∣fore the Mothers and Daughters, Wives and Sisters of the slain were compelled to put off their Mourning-weeds, and put on their White-garments, and to per∣form the office of Priests. Through which constan∣cy of observing Religion, forc'd the Deities themselves to blush, and be ashamed of raging any more against such a Nation, that could not be drawn from adoring them that with so much cruelty destroy'd them.

NEGLECTED.

16. It is believ'd, that the reason why Varro fought with so much ill success at Cannae against the Carthagini∣ans, was through the wrath of Juno: for when he made

publick the Circensian Games, being Aedil, he set a young Player of extraordinary beauty to watch in the Temple of Jupiter: which Fact being call'd to mind after some years, was expiated with Sacrifices.

17. Hercules also is reported to have very severely revenged the abuse of his Worship: for when the Fa∣mily of the Potitii had intrusted his Ceremonies, the Ministry whereof belonged to them as it were by in∣heritance, to be performed by servants and persons of mean degree, of which Appius the Censor was the oc∣casion; all the flower of the Family, who were a∣bove thirty young men, di'd within the space of one year; and the Name of the Potitii, that was branch'd into twelve Families, was almost extinct; Appius also the Censor was stricken blinde.

18. A sharp Revenger also was Apollo, of an injury done to himself, who at the Sack of Carthage being spoil'd of his Rode of Gold, never ceas'd till the hands of the sacrilegious Souldier were sound cut off among the broken pieces of his Image. Brennus, Captain of the Gauls, entering into the Temple of Delphos, by Destiny was compelled to lay violent hands upon himself.

19. Nor was his Son Aesculapius a less violent Re∣venger of contemned Religion, who not enduring to behold a Wood consecrated to his Temple cut down by Turullius to build Ships for the use of M. Antonie, by a strange power so ordered it, that Turullius was by the command of Caesar, being judged to death while he was in the midst of his business, executed in the very Wood: And so the God ordain'd it, that being there remarkably slain by Caesar's Souldiers, that with the same death he expiated the loss of those Trees that were cut down, and secured the safety of those that were standing.

20. Nor did Q. Fulvius Flaccus go unpunished,

who in his Censorship translated the Marble Tiles from the Temple of Lacinian Juno to the Fane of Fortuna Equestris, which he was, then building at Rome: for he no sooner had done it, but he fell mad, and for very grief expired, hearing that of his two Sons, both Souldiers in Illyria, one of them was dead, the other slain; by whose mishap the Senate being warned, or∣dered the Tiles to be carried back to Locri.

21. Much after the same manner did they punish the covetousness of Q. Pliminius, Legate to Scipio, in robbing the Treasure of Proserpina: for when he was brought in Fetters to Rome, before he could come to his Tryal, he died in Prison of a most filthy Disease. The Goddess, by command of the Senate, had not onely her Money restored, but double the sum.

Forraign Examples of Religion, observed or neglected.

1. As to the Fact of Pleminius, it was well punish'd by the Conscript Fathers. But against the sordid Vi∣olencies of King Pyrrhus, the Goddess her self defen∣ded her self well enough: for the Locri being com∣pelled to give him money out of her Treasury, while he was sailing upon the Sea laden with his impious Prey, by force of a mighty Tempest his whole Navy was cast away upon the shoar adjoyning to the said City; where the money being found entire, was re∣stored to the most sacred Treasury of the Goddess.

2. But the Act of Massanisa was of another na∣ture, whose Admiral having landed in Melita, and ta∣ken out of the Fane of Juno certain Ivory-teeth of an immense proportion, and given them as a Present to the King; Massanisa no sooner understood from whence they came, but he commanded them to be carri∣ed back in a Galley with five Oars, and put in the place

whence they were taken, having caus'd certain Words to be carved upon them, signifying that the King had taken them ignorantly, and willingly restored them.

3. Dionysius, born at Syracuse, us'd to make Jests of his Sacriledges, of which he committed more than we have now room to recount: for having plundered the Temple of Juno at Locri, and satling upon the Sea with a prosperous gale, laughing to his friends, he said, What a pleasant Voyage have the Gods granted to us Sacrilegious Robbers! Having taken also a Cloak of Massie gold from Jupiter Olympian, which Hiero the Turant had dedicated to him out of the spoils of the Carthaginians; and throwing over the Statue a Wool∣len-mantle, told his Companions, That a Cloak of Gold was too heavy in the Summer, too cold in the Winter; but a Woollen Cloak would serve for both Seasons. The same person commanded the Golden beard of Esculapius to be taken from his Statue in his Temple at Epidaurum, saying, It was not convenient for Apollo the Father to be without a Beard, and the Son to have so large a one. He also took away the Silver and Golden Tables out of other Temples, where finding certain Inscriptions, after the manner of Greece, that they be∣longed to the good Gods, then said he, Through their goodness we will make use of them. He also took away the little Statues of Victory, Cups and Crowns which they held in their hands being all of Gold, saying, He did but borrow them, not take um quite away: say∣ing, It was an idle thing, when we pray to the Gods for good things, not to accept um when they hold um forth to us. Who in his own person though he were not re∣warded according to his deserts, yet in the infamy of his Son, he suffered after death what in his life-time he had escaped.

4. For the avoiding whereof, Tim••sitheus Prince of the Liparitans by his wisdom provided for his own

and his Countries safety: for when certain of his Sub∣jects, using Pyracy, had taken a Golden cup of a very great weight, and that the people were gathered to∣gether to divide the spoil, understanding that it was consecrated to Apollo Pythian in lieu of their Tenths by the Romans, he took it from them, and carefully sent it to Delphos.

5. Milisian Ceres, when Miletum was taken by A∣lexander, and that several Souldiers were broken into the Temple to plunder it, on a sudden depriv'd them all of their sight.

6. The Persians coming to Delos with a Navy of a thousand Ships, behaved themselves more irreligiously than rapaciously toward the Temple.

7. The Athenians banish'd Diagoras the Philoso∣pher, because he adventured to affirm that he knew not whether there were any Gods or no; or if there were any, of what nature they were. They also con∣demned Socrates, because he endeavoured to introduce a new Religion. They endured Phidias when he af∣firmed that it was better to make the Statue of Miner∣va of Marble rather than of Ivory, by reason it was more lasting; but when he added, that it was also cheaper, they commanded him silence.

8. Diomedon, one of the ten Captains who at Ar∣ginusa won a great Victory to the Athenians, but to himself the reward of Condemnation; being now led to his undeserved Execution, spake nothing else, but onely that the Vows which he had made for the safety of the Army might be performed.

CHAP. II. Of Feigned Religion.

ROMANS.

• 1. Numa Pompilius.
• 2. P. Scip. African the grea∣ter.
• 3. L. Cor. Sulla.
• 4. Q. Sertorius.

FORRAIGNERS.

• 1. Minos King of Crete.
• 2. Pisistratus, Athenian.
• 3. Lycurgus, Spartan.
• 4. Zaleucus of Locri.

1. NƲma Pompilius, that he might oblige his peo∣ple to the observance of Holy things, feigned to have familiarity by night with the Goddess Egeria; and that by her direction onely, the worship of the Gods which he propos'd was instituted.

2. Scipio, sirnamed the African, never went about any private or publick business, till he had been for some while in the Fane of Jupiter Capitoline; and was therefore thought to have been begot by Jove.

3. Lucius Sulla, when he resolved to give Battel, embracing a little Image of Apollo, which was taken out of the Temple of Delphos, in the sight of all his Souldiers, desired the Deity to bring to pass what he had promised.

4. Q. Sertorius had a tame white Hart, which he taught ••o follow him over all the cragged Mountains of Lusitania▪ by which he feigned himself instructed what to do▪ or what not.

FORRAIGN.

1. Minos ••ing of Crete was wont to retire him∣self

every ninth year into a deep and antiently-conse∣crated Den; and there staying some time, brought forth new Laws, which he there feigned were deliver∣ed to him by Jupiter.

2. Pisistratus, to recover the Tyranny of Athens, which he had lost, made as if Minerva her self had led him into the Castle; deceiving the Athenians by shewing an unknown woman who was called Phya, in the habit of Minerva.

3. Lycurgus perswaded the people that the Laws which he compos'd for the grave City of Lacedaemon, were made by the counsel of Apollo.

4. Zaleucus, in the name of Minerva, was accoun∣ted the wisest man among the Locrians.

CHAP. III. of Forraign Religion rejected.

• 1. By the Roman people.
• 2. P. Cornelius the Pretor.
• 3. Lucius Emilius Paulus.

THe new Custom which was introduced among the Feasts of Bacchus, when it grew to Mad∣•••••••••• was quite taken away. Lutatius, who finished 〈…〉〈…〉 Punick War, was forbid by the Senate to go 〈…〉〈…〉 to consult Fortune; judging it meet that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••••••s of the Commonwealth should be gover∣•••••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their own national Omens, and not those of 〈…〉〈…〉 Countries.

〈…〉〈…〉 Cornelius Hispallus, a forraign Pretor, in the 〈…〉〈…〉 at Popillius Laenas and M. Calpurnius were 〈…〉〈…〉, by Edict commanded the Caldeans to depart 〈…〉〈…〉 Italy, who by their trivial tricks, and false in∣terpretations

of the Stars, cast a gainful Mist before their eyes.

3. The same person banished those who with a counterfeit worship of Jupiter Sabazius sought to cor∣rupt the Roman Customs.

Lucius Emilius Paulus the Consul, when the Senate had decreed that the Temples of Isis and Serapis should be destroyed, and that none of the Workmen durst lay hands upon the Work, laying his Consular habit aside, and taking a Hatchet, was the first that broke open the Gates.

CHAP. IV. Of Luckie Signes.

Which the ROMANS took.

• 1. Atius Navus the Augur.
• 2. T. Gracchus, Son of Ti∣tus Tribune.
• 3. P. Claudius Pulcher, and L. Jun. Pullus. Consul.
• 4. Lucius Metellus High-priest.
• 5. M. Tullius Cicero.
• 6. M. Junius Brutus Pro∣consul.

FORRAIGN.

• 1. Alexander the Great.
• 2. King Dejotarus.

1. LƲcius Tarquinius the King having a minde to adde other Troops of Horse to the Troops which Romulus had fortunately enroll'd, being oppoed by the Augur, in a great fury asked him, If that which he thought of might be done? Who answering, That it might, the King commanded him to ••••eave a Whet-stone with a Rator; which was no sooner brought, but Atius by an incredible act, made the King admire the Effect of his Profession.

2. Titus Gracchus designing Tumult and Sedition, sought for Lucky Signes at home; which fell out ve∣ry sad, and contrary to his Expectation: for as he was going out of doors, he stumbled in such sort, that he broke one of his Toes. Then three Crows cawing on the wrong side, let fall a piece of a Tile just before him: But he contemning all these Signes, and being expelled the Capitol by Scipio Nasica the High. priest, was knock'd on the head with a piece of Chair of State.

3. P. Claudius, in the first Punick War, being ready to joyn Battel, yet being willing to know the Signes after the old Custome, when he that kept the Birds told him that the Chickens would not come out of the Penns, commanded them to be cast into the Sea, saying, If they will not eat, let um drink; together with Junius his Colleague, lost the Roman Navy for ne∣glecting the Lucky Signes: Of which two, one fell by the Sentence of the People, the other prevented the ignominy of Condemnation by killing himself.

4. Metellus the High-priest travelling for Tuscula∣num, two Crows flew directly toward his face, as if they went to stop his journey, yet hardly prevail'd with him to return. The next night the Temple of Vesta was burnt, and Metellus sav'd the Palladium out of the fire.

5. M Cicero had his death foretold by an unlucky Signe: for being at the Village of Cajeta, a Crow strook off the Gnomon of a Sun-dial before his face, and by and by flying toward him, held him by the hem of his Garment, till his Servants came and told him that certain Souldiers were come to kill him.

6. M. Brutus having rallied the remains of his Army against Caesar and Antonius, two Eagles flew, one from one Camp, and the other from the other, and encountring one another, the Eagle which came out of Brutus Camp being worsted, fled.

FORRAIGN.

1. Alexander being about to build a City in Egypt, Diocrates the Architect for want of Chalk laid out the streets with Meal: By and by a vast number of Birds from the next Lake, devoured the Meal; of which the Egyptian Priests made this Interpretation, That that City should in time afford great store of Provision to Strangers.

2. King Dejotarus, who was very prosperous in his Actions, was preserv'd by the sight of an Eagle: for seeing the place whence she came out, he would by no means go in there; and the house fell the next night e∣qual with the ground.

CHAP. V. Of Omens.

Which the ROMANS took.

• 1. The Fathers Conscript.
• 2. M. Furius Camillus Di∣ctator.
• 3. L. Aemilius Paulus Con∣sul.
• 4. Caecilia Metelli.
• 5. C. Marius in Exile.
• 6. Cn. Pompeius Pro-Con∣sul.
• 7. M. Brutus Pro-Consul.
• 8. C. Cassius Pro-Consul.
• 9. Q. Petillius Consul.

FORRAIGN.

• 1. The Prienians.
• 2. Apolloniates.

THe observation of Omens is founded upon a cer∣tain touch of Religion, as depending not up∣on any fortuitous Chance, but upon Divine Provi∣dence.

1. Whereby it came to pass, that when the City was destroyed by the Gauls, and the Senate was con∣sulting whether they should remove to Veii, or rebuild their own Walls, some Cohorts returning from Gar∣rison, a Centurion crying out in the place for publick Assemblies to his Eagle-bearer, Fir your Ensigne, we'll stay here in good time: the Senate hearing his voice, took it for a good Omen, and left off their designe of going for Veii. In how few words was the Domicil of the future Empire of the World designed? The Gods disdaining that the Roman Name sprung from happy Omens, should change its Seat, or that the glo∣ry of Victory it self should lie buried in the Ruines of a City already neer decay'd.

2. The Author of this most famous Work, Camil∣lus, while he was praying, that if the happiness of the people of Rome seemed to any of the Gods to be too great, that they would satisfie their Envy by any mis∣chief done to himself, at the end of his Prayer sud∣denly stumbling sell down; which Omen is thought to have related to the Condemnation which he after∣wards underwent. But deservedly did Victory and the Prayers of this great man strive together for praise: nor was the strife of his Vertue less, that he increased the Good fortune of his Country, wishing all its evil fortune might fall upon his own head.

3. How memorable was that which befel L. Paulus the Consul! who being by lot designed to make War with Perseus King of Macedon, in his return to his house met his youngest Daughter at the door, and ob∣serving her to look something sad, kiss'd her, and de∣manded the cause of her discontent; who answered, That Persa was dead: that was the name of a little Dog which she highly esteemed, which di'd a little be∣fore. Paulus laid hold of the Omen, and upon a for∣tuitous saying, built the hopes of his future Tri∣umphs.

4. But Cecilia the Wise of Metellus, when her Si∣sters Daughter required after the antient custom those Nuptial-Rites due to a Virgin of ripe years, gave oc∣casion to the Omen her self: for the Virgin having stain in a certain Chappel for that purpose, and hear∣ing no body speak to her minde, wearied with long standing, she desired of her Aunt to let her have some place to fit down; to whom her Aunt repli'd, I freely give thee my Seat: Which saying proceeding out of Kindness, prov'd ominous in the Event, for not long after Cecilia dying, Metellus married the Virgin of whom we speak.

5. The observation of Omens was certainly the preser∣vation of Caius Marius, at what time he was adjudged an Enemy by the Senate, lying at the house of one Fannia at Minturnae for his security: For he observed an Ass-colt when he gave him Meat, that neglecting that, he ran still to the water. At which sight thinking that what was now offered by the Providence of the Gods, was to be followed, being himselt otherwise very skilful in Religious Interpretations, he desired of the Multitude that came to his aid, that he might be con∣ducted to the Sea: and so getting aboard a little Ship, he sailed into Africk, and so avoided the Victorious Arms of Sylla.

6. Pompey the Great at the Battel of Pharsalia be∣ing overthrown by Caesar, and seeking to save himself by flight, directed his Course to the Island of Cyprus, to gather more Forces there; and approaching the City of Paphos, and viewing a stately Edifice, he asked the Pilot the name of it; who answering, That it was called Kings Evil, presently lost all that little hope which he had remaining: nor could he dissemble it; turning his head another way, and weeping, betray'd the grief which he conceived from so dire an Omen.

7. To M. Brutus an Event befitting the Murther

which he had committed, was designed him by an O∣men: For after that wicked deed, as he was celebra∣ting his Brith-day, and studying for some convenient Greek Verse, by accident he pitched upon one in Hom.

Me cruel Fate and Son of fair Latona slew.

Which God being by Caesar and Antonius given for the Signe, seemed as it were to be the occasion of his overthrow.

8. With such a strange Ejaculation, the Fortune of Cassius amazed his ears, who when the Rhodians begg'd of him that they might not be deprived of all the I∣mages of the Gods, made answer, That he had left the Sun: for having lost the Field in Macedon, he was not onely forced to leave the Effigies of the Sun, which he had granted them as suppliants, but also the Sun it self.

9. Worthy of remark is that Omen under which Petillius fell in the Ligurian War: for being to assail a Mountain that was called Letho, he boasted in his Exhortation to his Souldiers, saying, This day I will take Lethum or Hell: And fighting inconsiderately, confirmed by his death the truth of his fortuitous Speech.

FORRAIGN.

1. To our own, we may adde two Forraign Exam∣ples of the same nature. The Samians when the Prie∣nenses sent to them for aid against the Carians, instead of Ships and Men, puffed with Arrogance, sent them a little Skiff; which the Samians interpreting as an Aid sent from Heaven, willingly received, and by a true Prediction of the Fates, found her to be the Captain of the Victory.

2. Nor did the Apolloniates repent; for being press'd by the Illyrian War, and craving aid of the Epidam∣nians, they answered, That they would lend the River Aeas, running by the Walls, to their assistance. They replied, We accept your Gift: and so gave the River the first place in the Army, as to their Captain. After which having unexpectedly vanquish'd their Enemies, attributing the success to the accepting the Omen, thenceforward they sacrificed to Aeas as a God, and made him their Captain in all their Battels.

CHAP. VI. Of Prodigies.

Which fell out among The ROMANS.

• 1. To Servius Tullius.
• 2. Lucius Marcius Centuri∣on.
• 3. People of Rome and Vei∣entines.
• 4. L. Sulla Pro-Consul.
• 5. The people of Rome at divers times.
• 6. C. Flaminius Consul.
• 7. C. Hostilius Mancinus.
• 8. T. Gracchus Pro-Consul.
• 9. M. Claudius Marcellus Consul.
• 10. Cn. Octavius.
• 11. M. Licinius Crassus, Pro-Consul.
• 12. Cn. Pompey the Great.
• 13. Julius Caesar Dictator.

FORRAIGN.

• 1. Xerxes King of Persia.
• 2. Midas King of Phrygia, an Infant.
• 3. Plato the Philosopher, an Infant.

OF Prodigies also, whether prosperous or unluckly, it is no way from our purpose to discourse.

1. While Servius Tullius was an Infant and asleep, his Attendants beheld a flame upon his head; which Prodigy Tanaquil the Wise of Tarquinius Priscus ad∣miring,

she brought up Servius, who was the Son of a Servant, instead of her own Son, and advanced him to the Throne.

2. Equal happiness in Event did that flame promise which blaz'd upon the head of Lucius Marcius, Cap∣tain of the two Armies, which the deaths of P. and Cn. Scipio's had much weakned in Spain, while he was speaking to his Souldiers: for upon the sight of that, the Souldiers before fearful, now encouraged to reco∣ver their wonted Fortitude, with the slaughter of 38000 men, and a great number of Prisoners, they took two Camps of the Carthaginians crammed with spoil.

3. Also when after a long and sharp War the Veii could not be taken, though besieg'd within their own Walls, and that the delay was no less terrible to the be∣siegers than the besieged, the Gods themselves open'd the way to an unexpected Victory: for on a sudden the Lake Albanus, neither augmented by any showers, nor assisted by the inundation of any other Stream, rose far above its usual hight. To know the reason whereof, Messengers were sent to the Oracle at Delphos, who brought for answer, That they should let the wa∣ters that over swelled the Lake into the Fields: For so the Veii would come into the power of the Romans. Which before the Messengers could bring back, a Southsayer of the Veii, taken by one of our Souldiers and brought into the Camp, had also declared; so that the Senate double admonished, both obey'd the Gods, and got possession of the City.

4. Nor was this which follows an Omen of bad success: Lucius Sulla Pro-Consul in the Confederate War, while he was sacrificing before the Pretorium in the Country of Nolas, on a sudden beheld a Snake glide from the lower part of the Altar; at the sight whereof, by the advice of Posthumus the Southsayer, he led forth his Army, and

got the strong Camp of the Samnites: which Victory was the first foundation and step to his future great∣ness.

5. Chiefly to be admired are those Prodigies which hapned in our City, P. Volumnius and Ser. Sulpitius being Consule. An Ox his Lowing being chang'd in∣to Humane Speech, exercised the minds of all people with the strangeness of the Accident. Little pieces of Flesh also fell like showers of Rain from the Sky, of which a great part was d••voured by the Birds; the r••st lay many days upon the ground, neither offensive to the smell, nor irksome to the sight.

At the beginning of another Tumult, Monster•• of the same nature were to be seen. A Childe of half a year old in the Cow-market, proclaimed a Triumph. Another Childe was born with an Elephants head.

In Picenum it rain'd Stones. In Gaul a Woolf came and took a Sword out of the Centinels Scabbard. Bloody Ears of Corn dropt among the Sheaves, as men were reaping neer Antium. The Waters of Ce∣rite were mix'd with Bloud. And before the second Punick. War, an Ox was heard to speak, Look to thy self. O Rome.

6. Cains Flaminius being inauspiciously made Con∣f••l, when he was preparing to fight with Hannibal at the Lake of Thrasymene, commanded the Ensignes to be taken up, when immediately his Horse stumbling, he was thrown to the ground and pitched upon his head: and nothing regarding this Prodigy, when the Ensigne-bearers told him they could not stir the En∣••••••nes, threatned to punish um if they did not dig um 〈…〉〈…〉 But of this rashness of his, would onely he ••••••elf, and not whole people of Rome had felt 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••••leful success: for in that Battel 15000 Romans 〈◊〉〈◊〉 slain, 6000 taken, and 20000 put to flight. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••••ss body of the Consul, Hannibal sought for, to

have buried it, who had done what in him lay to bury the Roman Empire.

7. The headlong obstinacy of Caius Flaminius, C. Hostilius Mancinus followed with a vain obstinacy, to whom these Prodigies hapned as he was going Consul for Spain. Being resolv'd to sacrifice at Lavinium, the Pullets being let out of the Bin, flew to the neigh∣bouring Wood, and though sought for with all dili∣gence imaginable, could never be found: And when he was about to go abroad in the Port of Hercules, whither he went afoot, he heard a strange Voice, cry∣ing, Stay, Mancinus: With which affrighted, and in his return putting into Genoa, and there going aboard a little Boat, a Snake of a prodigious bigness appeared, and suddenly vanished out of sight. Which three Prodigies he equalled with the number of Calamities which befell him; an unfortunate Battel, a shameful Truce, and a most dismal Surrender.

8. The sad Event of Gracchus, a most dangerous Citi∣zen, who being an inconsiderate person, and being fore∣warn'd, would take no advice or counsel, makes his rashness less to be wondered at: For when being Pro-Consul, he was sacrificing among the Lucans, two Snakes on a sudden creeping out of some hidden place, having eaten the Liver of the Beast which he had sacri∣ficed, retir'd to their lurking holes. And whereas by reason of this accident the Sacrifice was renew'd, the same Prodigy happen'd again. The third Sacrifice be∣ing slain, and the Entrails more diligently lookt to, neither could the Serpents be driven away when they came, nor be hinder'd in their flight; which though as the Southsayers affirm'd, it signified that the Gene∣ral was to be careful of his own safety, yet was not Gracchus so careful, but that by the treachery of Fla∣vius, at whose house he lay, he was drawn to a place where Mago hid himself with an armed power, who slew him naked and without defence.

The misfortune of the Consuls, equal Errour, and an end not differing from that of Titus Gracchus, draws me to the memory of Marcellus. He inflam'd with the glory of having taken Syracuse, and first of any driven Hannibal from the Walls of Nola, having resolv'd either to overthrow the Carthaginians, or at least to drive um out of Italy; and to that end pur∣posing with a most solemn Sacrifice to inquire into the will and pleasure of the Gods; The first Beast that was slain before the fire, the Liver was found without a head; the next had a Liver with a double head: which being view'd, the Southsayer with a sad countenance said, That the Entrails did not please him: the first were altogether bad, the second were not so good. Thus Marcellus being admonish'd not to do any thing rashly, the next night adventuring to go out with a few men to view the Enemies Camp, environ'd by a multitude of his Enemies in the Country of the Brutii, by his death occasion'd much sorrow and detriment to his Country.

10. As for Octavius the Consul, as he feared a most direful Omen, so he could not avoid it; for finding the head of the Image of Apollo broken, and so pitch'd in the ground that it could not be pull'd up, being at that time in Arms against his Colleague Cinna, he from thence prognosticated his own ruine; in the midst of which fear he came to a sad end, and then the fix'd head of the Image was easily set in its place.

11. Nor must we pass over in silence Marcus Crassus, who is to be reckon'd one of the greatest losses of our Empire, who was warn'd by many and most remark∣able blows of Fate, before so great a ruine.

As he was drawing his Army out of Carrae against the Parthians, he had a mourning Garment brought him; whereas they should have brought him either a white or a purple Robe, when he was going to battle.

The Souldiers march'd sad and silent to their places, whereas they were wont to run with loud acclamati∣ons: One of the Eagles could scarcely be pull'd up out of the ground; the other being pull'd up, turn'd it self the quite contrary way to which it ought to have been carried. These Prodigies were very great, but the Calamities of the overthrow were far greater; the slaughter of so many fair Legions, so many Ensignes, so much of the glory and beauty of the Roman Militia trodden to the ground by the Horse-men of the Bar∣barians, hopeful Young men besprinkled with the bloud of their Parents, and the body of their Com∣mander among the promiscuous heaps of the Slain, thrown a common Prey to the Fowls of the air. I wish I could speak what were more delightful; I re∣late the truth. Thus the Gods contemn'd, become fu∣rious in their Anger; thus the Counsels of men are chastized, when they think to outbrave Celestial Ad∣monishments.

12. For the mighty Jove had abundantly warn'd Cn. Pompey, that he should not try the utmost hazard of War with Caesar, casting his Lightning full in the faces of his Battalions marching from Dyrrachium, covering his Ensigns with swarms of Bees, affrighting his whole Army with Nocturnal Terrours, and the flight of the Sacrifices from the Altars: But the Laws of invincible necessity would not suffer a mind, other∣wise remote enough from folly, to weigh those Prodi∣gies with a due consideration. And therefore while he extols his large Power, his Wealth above private use, and all those Ornaments which from his Youth he had contracted even to Envy, in the space of one day he lost um all. In the Temples of the Gods, the Statues turn'd of themselves. Such a noise of men shouting, such clattering of Arms, was heard at Anti∣ochia and Ptolemais, that the Souldiers ran to the Walls:

Such a noise of Drums in the most secret places of Per∣gamus: in the Temple of Victory a Palm suddenly sprang up under the Statue of Caesar, in the Pavement between the Stones. Whereby it is plain that the Gods did favour Caesar, and fain would have recover'd Pom∣pey o••t of his Errour.

13. To thy Altars and most Holy Temples I ad∣dress my self, most Divine Julius, that thou would'sr savourably suffer the falls of so many great men to lie hid under the defence and tuition of thy Example: for we read that thou, the same day thou sa••'st in the Gol∣den Seat clothed with Purple, that thou might'st not seem to have despised the honours which the Senate had with so much diligence designed, and with so much duty offered, before thou would'st publickly shew thy wish'd-for presence to the people, didst spend some time in that religious worship which was shortly to be given to thee; and offering a far Ox which wanted a heart, the Southsayer told thee, the Omen concern'd thy life, and care of thy own preservation: Then was that M••rther committed by those persons, who while they sought to ravish thee from the number of Men, translated thee to the number of the Gods.

FORRAIGN.

Let us conclude the Domestick Relation of such Prodigies with this Example, left by dilating farther upon those of the Romans, I should seem to transfer disagreeing Customs from the Temples of the Gods to private Habitations: I shall therefore touch upon For∣raign Presidents, which being related in Latine, as they are of less authority, yet they bring with them some∣thing of a grateful variety.

1. In the Army of Xerxes which he had amassed up against Greece, a Mare is said to have brought forth a

Hare, before the Army had yet pass'd the Mountain Athos: by which kind of monstrous birth, the event of such vast preparations was plainly shewed: For he that had covered the Sea with his Fleets, the Land with his Armies, was forc'd, like the most timorous Animal, with shameful flight to recover his own Kingdom.

Before he had ruin'd Athens, while he was ad∣vising how to invade Lacedaemon, a most wonderful Prodigy hapned while he was at supper: For the Wine being poured forth into the Cup, more than once, twice, or thrice, nay a sourth time, was changed into Blood. Whereupon the Magi being consulted, ad∣vised him to desist from his purpose. And had he had the least foo••••••p of Reason in his vain breast, he might have prevented his ruine, being so often warn'd to take heed of Leenidas and the Spartans.

2. While Midas, to whose Scepter all Phrygia once was subject, was a child, a company of Ants laid a heap of Wheat in his mouth as he lay asleep. His Pa∣rents desiring to know what the meaning of the Pro∣digy should be, the Augurs answered, That he should be the richest of all men: Nor was the Prediction vain; for Midas exceeded all the Princes of his time, in plenty of Gold and Silver.

3. I should have by right and deservedly preferr'd Plato's Bees before Midas's Emmets; for they were onely Prognostications of frail and fading, these of so∣lid and eternal Felicity; while they brought Honey and laid it upon the lips of the little Infant, sleeping in his Cradle. Which thing being reported, the Interpre∣ters of Prodigies declared, That a most singular grace of Ʋtterance should hereafter drop from his mouth. But to me those Bees, not bred upon Hymettus cover'd with fragrant flowers of Thyme, but on the verdant Heliconi∣an Hills of the Muses, flourishing with all sorts of learn∣ing, seem'd to distil into his mouth the sweetest nourish∣ment of Eloquence.

CHAP. VII. Of Dreams.

Of the ROMANS.

• 1. Artorius Physician to Augustus.
• 2. Calpurnia.
• 3. P. Decii, T. Manlii Con∣sul.
• 4. Of T. Atinius.
• 5. Cicero in Exile.
• 6. C. Sempronius Grac∣chus.
• 7. Cassius Parmensis.
• 8. Arterius Rufus a Roman Knight.

FORRAIGN.

• 1. Annibal.
• 2. Alexander.
• 3. Simonides.
• 4. Croesus.
• 5. Cyrus.
• 6. Himera.
• 7. The Mother of Dion. Ty∣rant.
• 8. Amilcar.
• 9. Alcibiades.
• 10. An Arcadian.

NOw because I have touched upon the Riches of Midas, and the Eloquence of Plato, I will shew you how the quiet and safety of many men has been shadowed out under several representations.

1. And where shall I sooner begin, than from the most sacred memory of Divine Augustus? His Physi∣cian Artorius being asleep, the night before the day wherein the Romans fought one against the other in the fields of Philippi, the appearance of Minerva admo∣nish'd him to warn Augustus, then lying very ill, that not withstanding his sickness he should not abstain from the Battel: Which Caesar hearing, caus'd himself to be carried in a Litter into the Field, where, while be laboured above his strength for the Victory, his Camp was taken by Brutus. What other can we think then,

but the Divine Benevolence so ordain'd it, that a per∣sonage destined to immortality, should not be subject to a Fate unworthy his Divinity?

2. Nor was it onely the Dream of Artorius that gave warning to Augustus, who had a natural perspi∣cacity and vigour to judge of every thing, as a fresh and domestick President: For he had heard that Cal∣purnia the Wise of his Parent Julius, the last night that he lived upon earth, dream'd that she saw her Husband lie stabbed and bleeding in her bosom; and being affrighted with the strangeness of the Dream, was an earnest suiter to him to abstain from going to the Senate the next day: but he, lest he should have been thought to have been mov'd with a womans dream, went the rather to the Senate-house, where the Murtherers quickly laid violent hands upon him. It is not needful to make any comparison between the Father and the Son, both equal in their Divinity: for the one had made way for himself to Heaven by his own works, the other was to let the world enjoy his Vertues a long time. Therefore the Gods were one∣ly willing that the first should know the approaching change, which the other was to defer; it being enough that one Honour should be given to Heaven, and ano∣ther promised.

3. Admirable also was that Dream, and famous in the Event, which the two Consuls Decius Mus, and Manlius Torquatus dream'd, when they lay incamped not far from the foot of the Mountain Vesuvius, at the time of the Latin War, which was very sharp and dangerous: For a certain person foretold to both of them, that the Manes and Terra Mater claim'd as their due the General of one side, and the whole Army on the other: But that which Captain soever should assail the forces of the Enemy, and devote himself a Victim for the good of his Army, should obtain the Victory.

This the Entrails of the Sacrifices confirmed the next morning to both Consuls, who endeavoured either to expiate the misfortune, if it might be averted, or else resolv'd to undergo the determination of the Gods. Therefore they agreed, that which Wing should begin to faint, the other should with his own life appease the Fates, which while both undauntedly ventured to perform, Decius hapned to be the person whom the Gods required.

4. The Dream which follows, seems to concern publick Religion. A certain Master o•• a Family ha∣ving caused his Servant to be whipped, and brought him to the punishment of the Fork in the Flaminian Circus, at the time of the Plebe••an Plays, a little before the Show was about to begin, Jupiter, in a Dream, commanded Titus Atinius, one of the Vulgar, to tell the Consuls, That he that bad danc'd before the last Circensian Games, did no way please him; and that un∣less the fault were expiated by an exact restoration of the Plays, there would ensue not a little vexation and trou∣ble to the City. He fearing to involve the Common-wealth by Religion to his own disadvantage, held his peace. Immediately his Son, taken with a sudden fit of sickness, died. Afterwards being ask••d by the same God in his sleep, Whether he thought himself pu∣nished enough for the neglect of hit Command? yet re∣maining obstinate, was strucken with a general weak∣ness of body: At length, by the advice of his friends, being carried in a Horse-litter to the Consuls Tribunal, having fully declared the cause of his misfortunes, to the admiration of all men recovering his former strength, he walked afoot to his house.

5. Nor must we pass over in silence, that when M. Cicero was banished the City, by the Conspiracy of his Enemies, He diverting himself in a certain Village in the Country of Atinate, and falling asleep in the field,

as he thought himself wandring through strange pla∣ces and uncouth Regions, he thought he met C. Marius in his Consuls Robes, who asked him, What he made there wandring with so sad a Countenance? Whereup∣on Cicero making his condition known to him, the Consul took him by the right hand and delivered him to the next Lictor, to conduct him to his own Mo∣nument, telling him, That there there was a more joyful hope of his better condition laid up for him. Nor did i•• otherwise fall out; for the Senate made a Decree for his return in the Temple of Jupiter built by Marius.

6. But C. Gracchus was most openly and apparently foretold, in a Dream, the mischief of an approaching mischance: for being asleep, he saw the shape of his Brother Titus, who told him, There was no way for him to avoid the same Fate which he had undergone, when he was driven out of the Capitol. This many related from the mouth of Gracchus himself, before he had under∣tak••n the Tribuneship, wherein he perish'd. And one Caelius a Roman Historian, said, He had heard much talk thereof while Gracchus was living.

7. But that which follows, far exceeds the dire Aspect of the foregoing Narration. Antonius having lost the Battel of Actium, Cassius Parmensis, who had taken his part, fled to Athens; where he fell asleep in the night, being tired with care and trouble: He thought there came to him a person of a very great stature, black Complexion, his Beard deformed, and long hanging Hair, who being ask'd what he was, answer∣ed, Cacodaemon. Being affrighted with so horrid a sight, and terrible a name, he called up his Servants, and demanded of them if they saw any one in such a habit, either come in or go out of the Chamber: Who affir∣ming that no such had come there, he again betook himself to his r••st; when immediately the same shape appeared to him again; where awaking altogether, he

called for a light, commanding the Servants to depart. But between this night and the loss of his head, which Caesar took from him, there followed a very short space of time.

8. But the Dream of Aterius Rusus, a Roman Knight, was more plainly hinted to him: for he dream'd one night, at a time when th••re was a great F••ncing-prize at Syracuse that he saw himself slain▪ which he told the next day to those that sate by him in the Play-house. It happened afterwards, that n••er to the Knights place, the Net-player was introduced with the Challenger, whose face when he saw, he said, that he was to be slain by the Net-player; and imme∣diately would have departed. They endeavouring by discourse to put away his fear, were the cause of the destruction of this miserable man. For the Net-play∣er being driven thither by his Antagonist, and cast up∣on the ground, as he lay along endeavouring to de∣fend himself, he ran Aterius thorough the body with his Sword.

FORRAIGN EXAMPLES.

1. The Dream also of Annibal, as it was detestable to the Roman bloud, so the prediction thereof was cer∣tain, whose waking not onely, but his sleeping was fa∣tal to our Empire. He had a Dream apposite to his purpose, and fitted to his wishes: for he fancied a young man of humane shape, taller than ordinary, was sent to him by Jupiter, to be his Guide and Conductor in his Invasion of Italy; by whose command at first he followed his Foot-steps, without casting his eyes ei∣ther one way or another: afterwards, our of the eager desire in mortals to do what is forbidden, looking be∣hind him, he saw a Serpent of an immense magnitude destroying all before it: After that he beheld prodigi∣ous

showers of Hail, with Thunder and dark Clouds. Being astonish'd, he asked, What that Monster meant? to which his Conductor, Behold, said he, the waste and devastation of Italy; therefore be silent, and commit the rest to Fate.

2. How gently was Alexander King of Macedon warn'd to take more care of his life, had Fortune ad∣vised him so well to avoid the danger! for he knew that the right hand of Cassander would be mortal to him, long before he felt it by the event: for he belie∣ved he should be slain by him, although he had never seen him. After some time, upon sight of him, be∣holding the resemblance of his nocturnal fear, so soon as he sound him to be the Son of Antipater, re∣peating the Greek Verse so much in favour of the cre∣dit of dreams, he banish'd from his thoughts all suspi∣tion of the Poyson prepared for him as was publickly believed by Cassander.

3. More indulgent were the Gods to the Poet Si∣monides, confirming their admonition by the strength of repeated advice: For he coming ashore and finding a dead body of a man, buried it; whereupon he was by the same body admonished, that he should not set sail the next day: which he believing, staid ashore; but those that went to Sea were all cast away. He was not a little glad that he had trusted his life to the security of a Dream, rather than to the mercy of the Sea: And being mindful of the benefit receiv'd, eter∣niz'd the memory of the person in a living Poem, rai∣sing him up a better Sepulchre in the memories of men, than that which he had bestowed upon him on the shore.

4. Of great Efficacy also was that apparition to Croesus in his sleep, which first occasion'd in him great fear, afterwards greater grief: For it seemed to him that Atys, one of his Sons, the most excellent for

strength of Body, and endowments of Mind, and his design'd Successor, was violently murder'd. There∣upon the Young-man, though he were usually sent to the Wars, was kept at home. He had also an Armo∣ry stor'd with all sorts of Weapons, and that was re∣mov'd from him. He had Companions that us'd to go armed: They were also forbid to come near him. Yet Necessity gave access to gri••f. For there being a Wild-Boar, of an incredible bigness, that wasted the till'd fields of Mount Olympus, and kill'd several of the Countrey-people, and the Royal aid being implo∣red, the Son extorted from his Father leave that he might be sent to deliver the people from their Cala∣mity: which he the more readily granted, because the mischief was not threatned from Teeth, ••ut from Iron. But while every one was intent and eag••r in killing the wild beast, obstinate Destiny p••rsisting in her in∣tended violence, directed a Spear into his Body, which was intended against the Boar, and chose particularly that the right hand of him should be only guilty of the Murder, to whose charge and tuition the Father had chiefly committed his Son: which being conta∣minated with the blood of Chance-medley, fearing his Country-god, at the prayer of the person, was re∣purify'd by Sacrifice.

5. Neither was Cyrus a small argument of the ine∣vitable necessity of Fate; whose Birth, to which the Empire of all Asia was promis'd, Astyages his Grand∣father by the Mothers side sought in vain to hinder, by the predictions of a Dream. He married his Daughter Mandane, for that he had dreamt that she had over∣whelm'd all the Nations of Asia with her Urine, not to one of the Nobles, lest the Right of Dominion might fall to his family, but to one of a small fortune among the Persians. When Cyrus was born he caus'd him to be expos'd, having dreamt that a Vine grow∣ing

out of the Secret Parts of Mandane, should cover all his Dominions. But he was frustrated in all his endeavours and humane Counsels, not being able to hinder the felicity of his Nephew, which the Gods had so fully determined.

6. While Dionysius of Syracuse liv'd a private life, Himera, a woman of no mean p••rentage, fancied in her Sleep ••hat she ascended into Heaven, and having there view'd the Seats of all the Gods, that she saw a strong man yellow-hair'd, scurfie countenanced, bound in Iron Chains to the Throne of Jove, and ••ying at his feet: and asking a young man who was her guide the meaning th••reof, she was told that he was the ill fate of Sicily and Italy; and when his chains should be taken off, many Towns would be ruin'd: which Dream she declared the next day. Afterwards seeing Dionysius, by the help of Fortune, an enemy to the Liberty of Syracuse and the lives of the Innocent, freed from his Cel••stial Chains, entring the Walls of the Himeraei, she cryed out, This was he that she had seen in her Dream. Which being related to Dionysius, he caused her to be put to Death.

7. Safer was the Dream of the Mother of the same Dionysius; who, when she had conceived him, fancied that she was brought to bed of a great Satyr: and con∣sulting the Interpreter of Prodigies, she understood that he should be the greatest and most powerful of all the Greeks of his time.

8. But Amilcar General of the Carthaginians, while he was besieging Syracuse, thought that he heard a voice proclaiming to him, that he should Sup the next day in that City. With great joy, as if victory were promis'd him from Heaven, he prepared his Army for the Assault; at which time dissention arising between the Carthaginians and Sicilians, the Syracusans sallied out, took his Camp, and brought him bound into the

City. Thus deluded by his Hope, not his Dream, he supp'd a Captive in Syracuse, not, as he had conceiv'd, a Victor.

9. Alcibiades also beheld his lamentable end in a Dream, no way fallacious. For being slain and unbu∣ried, he was covered with the same Apparel of his Concubines, which he had seen himself cloathed in, in his Sleep.

10. The following Dream, for its manifelf certain∣ty, though somewhat longer, craves not to be omit∣ted. Two familiar Arcadians travailing together came to Megara; one of which went to lye at his Friends house, the other at a common Inne. He that lay at his Friends house dreamt, that he heard his com∣panion intreating his help, for that he was abused by the Innkeeper, which he might prevent by his speedy presence. Leaping out of his Bed, he endeavoured to finde the Inne where his friend lay. But Fate con∣demning his humane purpose as needless, and be∣lieving what he had heard to be but a Dream, he went to Bed again and to sleep. Then the same person came wounded and beseech'd, that since he had neglected to assist him in his life-time, he would not delay to re∣venge his Death; for that his body slain by the Inne∣keeper, was carrying out at the Gate in a Cart, cover'd with Dung. His friend, mov'd by his Prayers, made haste to the Gate, and stopt the Cart which was de∣scribed to him in his sleep, apprehended the Inne∣keeper, and brought him to condign punishment.

CHAP. VIII. Of Miracles.

Among the ROMANS.

• 1. Castor seen in the Latin and Persian Wars.
• 2. Esculapius appearing in the shape of a Serpent.
• 3. Words spoken by Juno Moneta.
• 4. Words spoken by female Fortune.
• 5. Words spoken by a Syl∣van in the war of the Veii.
• 6. Mars seen in the Lucan War.
• 7. Penates returning from A ba to Lavinium of their own accord.
• 8. Julius Caesar seen after his death.
• 9. The Sepulchre of Pom∣pey miraculously found.
• 10. The Death of Appius Claudius, Pro-Consul, foretold by a Miracle.
• 11. The Scepter of Romu∣lus and Statues preserved from fire.
• 12. Men brought to their graves revive.

FORRAIGN.

• 1. Erus Pamphilius revi∣ving after ten daies.
• 2. An Athenian deprived of his Memory.
• 3. A Woman suddenly struck dumb.
• 4. Egles the Samian dumb suddenly, rec••vering his Speech.
• 5. Gordias the Epirote born after the death of his Mother.
• 6. Jason Pheraeus cured of an Impostume.
• 7. Simonides the Poet e∣scaped the fall of a house.
• 8. The death of Daphidas the Sophister foretold by the Oracle.
• 9. The death of Philip King of Macedom fore∣told.
• 10. The death of Alexan∣der miraculously foretold.
• 11. The chance of a Rower.
• 12. The strange Teeth of King Prusias his Son.
• 13. Drypetine daughter to

• Mithridates born with a double order of Teeth.
• 14. The accurate Sight of Strabo Lynceus.
• 15. The hairy Heart of A∣ristomedes the Messenian.
• 16. The annual Fever of Antipater the Poet.
• 17. The equality of Poly∣stratus and Hippoclides in fortune.
• 18. Miracles of Nature.
• 19. The Serpent of Regu∣lus.

MAny Accidents also happen to men awake, and by day, as well as those which are invol∣ved in the clouds of darkness and dreams; which be∣cause it is hard to understand whence they proceed, or upon what reason grounded, are deservedly called Miracles.

1. Among the great multitude whereof, this first occurs. When Aulus Posthumius Dictator and Mani∣lius Octavius Captain of the Tuscans were in fight with great forces on both sides, at the Lake Regilius, and that for some time neither Party gave ground; Castor and Pollux taking the Romans side, overthrow the forces of the Enemy.

Also in the Macedonian War, P. Vatinius a Magi∣strate of Reate returning toward the City by Night, thought he met two beautiful Men sitting upon white Horses, who told him, that the day before Perseus was taken by Aemilius. Which when he related to the Senate, he was by them committed to Prison, as a contemner of their Majesty and Power. But after∣wards, when they understood by the Letters from Paulus that Perseus was taken the same day, he was not only delivered out of custody, but honoured with a gift of Land, and vacancy from bearing Office. It was also farth••r found, that Castor and Pollux did watch o••er the safety of the Common-wealth, and travail'd hard for the good of the same, for that they were s••en to wash themselves and their ho••ses in the Lake of

Juturna, and their Temple adjoyning to the Fountain open'd of it self, nor being unlockt by the hand of any person.

2. But then we may relate how favourable the rest of the Gods were to our City. For when our City was visited with a triennial Pestilence, and that nei∣ther through divine Compassion or humane Aid any remedy could be found ••or so long and l••sting a Cala∣mity; the Priests looking into the Sibyls Books ob∣serv'd, that ther•• was no other way to restore the City to its ••••••m•••• health, but by ••••tching the Image of Esculapius from Epidaurus. The City therefore send∣ing their Ambassadours thither, hop'd that by its au∣tho••••ty, the greatest then in the world, they might pr••vail to obtain the only remedy against their fatal misery. Neither did her hope deceive her. For her desire was granted with as much willingness, as it was r••quested with earnestn••ss. For immediately the Epi∣daurians carrying the Ambass••dours to the Temple of Esculapius; (distant from the City s••me five miles) de∣sired t••••m to take out of it whatever they thought convenient for the preservation of Rome; whose free benignity the god himself imitating by his celestial obedience, approv'd the courtesie of mortals. For that Snake, which but seldom or never seen but to their great benefit, the Epidaurians worshipt equal to Esculapius, b••gan to glide with a mild aspect and gentle motion through the chief parts of the City, and being three days seen to the religious admiration of all men, without doubt taking in good part the change of a more noble Seat, hasted to the Roman Galley, and while the Martiners stood affrighted at so unusual a sight, crept aboard the Ship, and peaceably folding its self into several rings, quietly remain'd in the Cabbin of Q. Ogulnius, one of the Ambassadours. The Legats having return'd due thanks, and being in∣structed

by the skilful in the due worship of the Ser∣pent, like men that had obtain'd their hearts desire, joyfully departed, and after a prosperous Voyage put∣ting in at Antium, the Snake, which had remained in the Ship, glided to the Porch of the Temple of Escu∣lapius, adorn'd with Myrtle and other Boughs, and twisted itself about a Palm-tree of a very great height, staying for three days in the Temple of Antium; the Ambassadours with great care setting by these things wherewith he used to be fed, for fear he should be unwilling to return to the Ship: after which he pa∣tiently suffer'd himself to be transported to our City. The Amb••ssadours landing upon the shore of Tiber, the Snake swam to the Island where the Temple was dedicated, and by his coming dispell'd the Calamity for remedy whereof he was sought.

3. Not less voluntary was the coming of Juno to our City. The Veientes being taken by Furius Ca∣millus, the Souldiers by command of the General going about to remove the Image of Juno Moneta, which was there in principal adoration, endeavour'd to re∣move it from the place where it stood. Among the rest, one of the Souldiers asked the Goddess in sport, whether she would go to Rome; to which the God∣dess replying she would, the jest was turn'd into ad∣miration. And now believing that they did not only carry the Image, but Juno her self, with great joy they placed her in that part of the Aventine Mountain, where now we see her Temple stand.

4. The Image also of the Womens Fortune, about four miles from the City upon the Latine Road, con∣secrated together with her Temple, at the same time that Coriolanus was diverted from the destruction of the City by his Mothers tears, was heard, not once, but twice to speak these words: In due manner have you seen me, Matrons, and in due manner dedicated me.

5. But Valerius Publicola Consul, after the expul∣sion of the Kings, waged War with the Veientes and Hetrurians, while the one sought to restore Tarquinius to his Kingdome, the other sought to retain their new-recover'd Liberty: At which time, while the Hetru∣rians and Tarquinius had the upper hand in the Right Wing, there hapned such a sudden Consternation, that not only the Victors began to fly, but also drew the Veientes, struck with the same fear, along with them. On a sudden a loud voice was heard from the adjoin∣ing Arsian Wood, said to be uttered from the mouth of a Sylvan: But one more of the Hetrurians shall fall: The Roman Host shall obtain the Conquest. The truth of the Miracle appeared by the number of the dead Bo∣dies told.

6. What say ye to the Assistance of Mars, which facilitated the Victory of the Romans, is it not worthy of lasting memory? When the Brutians and Lucans with most inveterate Hatred and great Forces sought the destruction of the City of Thurinum, C. Fabricius Luscinus Consul on the other side endeavouring with all his might to preserve the same, and that the event of things seemed dubious, the Forces of both sides being met in one place, and the Romans not daring to venture battle; a young man of a comely stature began to exhort them to take courage; and finding them not very forward, laying hold of a Ladder, he posted through the middle of the Enemies body to the opposite Camp, and setting up his Ladder scal'd the fortification; and then crying out with a loud voice, that there was a step to Victory rais'd, he drew ours to assail, the Lucans and Brutians to defend their own Camp, where after a sharp Conflict they were utterly overthrown. For by the impulse of his own Arms, he deliver'd um over to be slain and taken by the Romans; Twenty Thousand being slain, Five

Thousand taken, togeth••r with Statius Statilius Ge∣neral of both People, and Twenty Military Ensignes. The next day, when the Consul told the Souldiers that he had reserv'd a Crown for him who had shewed so much Courage in taking the Camp, and no young man was to be found to claim it, it was then known and believed that Mars had taken the Romans part. And among other demonstrations of the truth of the thing, there was a Head-piece found with two Plum••s, which had covered his sacred Head. Therefore by command of Fabricius there was a Supplication to Mars proclaim'd, and thanks return'd to him with great joy by the Souldiers crown'd with Lawrel, in testimony of the assistance which they had received from him.

7. I shall relate now what being known in that age was faithfully deliver••d to those which succeeded: Aeneas bringing his houshold-gods with him from Troy, placed them in Lavinium: From thence they were by his Son Ascanius remov'd to Alba, which himself had built: which lest it should seem a force put upon them by the hands of men, they resolv'd to testifie their good Will. Wherein I am not ignorant how opinion hesitates in the asserting the truth of the mo∣tion and voice of the Immortal Gods. However, be∣cause we do not make a relation of things new, but only repeat what has been d••liver'd, let the first Au∣thors vindicate the truth. It is our part not to refuse as vain, what the sacred Monuments of Story have consecrated for cer••ain.

8. Having made mention of that City, from whence our own had its first original, heavenly Julius the glorious offspring thereof com••s into our mind, whom C. Cassius (never to be named without remembring his publick Parricide) while he was labouring coura∣giously at the Battle of Philippe, saw above mortal

Stature, clad in a Purple Robe, and an angry Coun∣t••nance, making toward ••im with full speed; at which sight affrighted he fled, having first heard these words utter'd, What wouldst thou do more, if it be too little to have kill'd? Didst thou not murther Caesar. O Cassius? But no Deity can be prevail'd gainst; therefore by injuring him whose mortal body still burns, thou hast deserved to have a god so much thy enemy.

9. Lentulus passing by the shore where the Body of Pompey 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Great, murdered by the treachery of King Ptolemy, was then at the same time burning; altoge∣ther ignorant of his fall, cryed out to his Souldiers, How do we know but that Pompey may be now burning in yonder flame? Th•• Miracle was, that he should igno∣rantly speak so great a truth as it were by inspira∣tion.

10. This was only the saying of a man; but that which came from the mouth of Apollo himself was more miraculous, a clear evidence of the Delphick Pre∣s••ge, which foretold the Death of Appius. He in the Civil War wherein Pompey had separated himself from his friendship with Caesar, through advice no less baneful to himself than disadvantageous to the Com∣mon-wealth, being willing to know the event of so great a Commotion; by his power in command (for he was Governour of Achaia) caus'd the chief Presi∣dent of the Delphick Oracle to descend into the inner∣most part of the holy Den, whence as more certain Answers are demanded, so the over-abundance of the divine exhalation becomes more noxious to those that give the Answer. The Virgin therefore through the impulse of the inspiring Spirit, with a most dreadful tone, among other obscure terms and aenigma's, thus return'd to Appius: The War concerns thee nothing, O Roman: Thou shalt have for thy lot, that part of Eu∣boea call'd Coela. He believing that Apollo had fore∣warned

him to avoid the danger of the War, retired into that Countrey which lies between Rhamnuns a noble part of the Countrey of Attica, and Caristus ad∣joining to the Chalcidic Bay, where consum'd with sickness before the battle of Pharsalia, he possessed the place assign'd for his burial.

11. These things may also be accompted as Mira∣cles; that when the Chappel of the Salii was burnt, there was nothing escap'd the fire but the Kings staff of Romulus. That the Statue of Servius Tullius remain'd untouch'd, when the Temple of Fortune was con∣sum'd by fire. That the Statue of Claudia, plac'd near the entry into the Temple of the Mother of the Gods, that Temple being twice consum'd by fire, once when Nasica Scipio and L. Bestia, another time when Servilius and Lamia were Consuls, stood firm upon its Basis and untouch'd.

12. The Funeral Pile of Acilius Aviola brought no small astonishment to our City, who being taken for dead both by the Physicians and by his Friends, when he had been laid out for some time upon the Ground, the Flame no sooner coming near his Body, but he rose up and affirmed himself to be alive, calling for the assistance of his Schoolmaster, who only re∣main'd with him. But being encompass'd with the flames, he could not be drawn thence.

13. Lucius Lamia also, a person of the Pretorian Order, is said to have spoken upon his funeral Pile.

FORRAIGN Examples.

1. But the fate of Erus Pamphilus has render'd the foregoing relations less miraculous; whom Plato af∣firm'd that after he was thought to have been slain in Battle, and had lain in the field ten days, when he came to be taken away and laid upon the funeral Pile,

he reviv'd, and related strange things, which he saw while he lay dead.

2. And since we are come to Forraign Examples, there was a certain learned Man at Athens, who ha∣ving received an unlucky hurt with a Stone upon his Head, though he retain'd his Memory as to all other things very perfect, yet forgot his Learning, which he had follow'd all his life time. A dire and fatal Wound in the Soul of him that was wounded, as if having of purpose sought out every sense, it had pitch'd upon that particularly wherein the Patient most de∣lighted, burying the singular Doctrine and Learning of the person in the perpetual grave of Envy. To whom if it were not lawful to enjoy those Studies, it had been better that he had never obtain'd a taste of them, than to want the sweetness of what he once had in poss••ssion.

3. But more lamentable is the narration of the fol∣lowing mischance. For the Wise of Nausimenes an Athenian hapning to take her Son and Daughter in the act of Incest, struck with horrour of so monstrous a sight, became suddenly dumb, so that she neither could express her present Indignation, nor ever after speak a word. They punish'd themselves for their own wicked act, with voluntary Death. Thus For∣tune that in a rage took from her her Speech, from them their Lives, was therein favourable to the Mo∣ther.

4. Aegles a Samian Wrastler born mute, when he saw the Rewards of a Victory, which he had won, taken from him, out of indignation for the injury done him, recover'd his Speech.

5. Famous also was the Birth of Gorgias an Epirote, a very strong man, who coming forth of his Mothers Womb as she was going to be buried, with his crying caus'd them that carried the Beer to stand, affording

a strange Miracle to his Countrey, as one that receiv'd his Birth and being from the Funeral-Pile or his Mo∣ther. For at the same moment she in her Death yields to fate, the other is taken into arms alive be∣fore he was born.

6. A fortunate Wound was that which a certain person gave to Phaerean Jason, endeavouring to have slain him. For striking at him with his Sword, he brake an Impostume in that manner, which could neither be broken nor cured by any skill'd in Physick, delivering him from an incurable Disease.

7. Equally belov'd of the immortal Gods was Si∣monides, who being sav'd from imminent danger, was also preserv'd from after-ruine. For while he was at Supper with Scopas at Cranon a City of Thessaly, news was brought him that two young men were at the door, earnestly desiring to sp••ak with him. When he came to the gate, he found no body there. But at the same mom••nt, the Roof of the Dining-room fell down, and kill'd both Scopas and all his Gu••sts. What greater wealth, than so much f••licity, which neither the rage of the Sea or Land could take from him?

8. I am not unwilling to adde to this the Story of Daphidas, that men may understand how profitable it is to sing the praises of the Gods, and obey the Divine Power. He being of their profession who are call'd Sophists, resolving to ask a frivolous question of the Oracle of Apollo, in derision demanded, Whether he should finde the Horse he had lost, when in truth he had none at all. To which the Oracle answer'd, That he should finde his Horse, but be kill'd with a fall off his back. B••ing upon his return, merry and laughing at the trick he had put upon the Oracle, he fell into the hands of Attalus the King, whom he had often abus'd with his scurrilous Verses, being out of his reach: And being by his command thrown headlong

down a Rock, which was call'd The Horse, he receiv'd the just reward due to one that would go about to cavil with the gods.

9. Philip K. of Macedon being also admonisht by the same Oracle to have a care of the violence of a Cha∣riot, caused all the Chariots in his Kingdom to be cut to pieces, and alwaies carefully shun'd that place in Boeotia which is call'd The Chariot; and yet he could not avoid that kind of death which was foretold him: for Pansanias that slew him, had a Chariot engraven in the Hilt of his Sword.

10. And this fatal Necessity which the Father could not avoid, was as severe to his Son Alexander. For Calanus the Indian b••ing about to throw himself, of his own accord, upon his Funeral-Pile, being ask'd by him whether he had any thing to command or tell him made no other reply, but I shall shortly see thee. Nor was his answer in vain, for the violent Death of Alexander speedily follow'd his violent decease.

11. These Royal Funerals are equal'd in Miracle by the fortune of a Rower in a Galley, who standing at the Pump in a small Tyrian Vessel, and by the vio∣lence of a Wave thrown out of the same, the force of a contrary Wave wash'd him into the Vessel again: congratulating and bewailing, at one time, his mi∣serable and happy condition.

12. What more? Are we not to believe that there are certain Mockeries of Nature in the Bodies of Men? tolerable indeed, because not horrid; yet no less miraculous, because unusual. The Son of Prusias King of Bithynia, bearing the same name with his Father, instead of an upper row of Teeth, had one continued Bone, though neither deformed nor unfit for use.

13. Dripetine also the Daughter of Mithridates, born of La••dice the Queen, having her mouth de∣formed with a double row of Teeth above and b••low,

was her Fathers Companion when he fled from Pom∣pey.

14. No less admirable were the Eyes of that per∣son, who is reported to have had so sharp a sight, that he was able to discover the Ships going out of the Port of Carthage, from the Promontory of Lilybaeum in Sicily.

15. More admirable than his Eyes was the Heart of Aristomenes the Messenian; which the Athenians by reason of his admirable subtlety causing to be cut out, (for they had often taken him, yet still by his cunning he escaped them) found to be all over hairy.

16. The Poet Antipater the Sidonian, every year on the very day of his Birth had a F••ver; and having lived to a great age, upon his Birth day died of a F••ver.

17. Here we may very conveniently take notice of Polystratus and Hippoclides, Philosophers, who were born the same day, followed the Precepts of the same Master Epicurus, possess'd the same Revenues, went to the same School, and living long Friends together, at length both died the same day. So equal was the fortune and friendship of their Society, that who would not think them born, bred, and deceas'd in the very bosome of divine Concord her self?

18. Why all this should come to pass, either to the Children of Kings, or to a most famous King himself, to a Prophet of a flourishing Wit, or be so remarkable in the Lives of Learned Men, or among the Vulgar sort, Nature it self, so fruitful in good or evil, hath never given a reason. No more than why among the wild Goats, which are bred in Crete, being wounded with darts, should fly for present help to the Herb Dittany, which being eaten immediately forceth the Dart and Poyson out of their Wounds. Or how it comes to pass that in the Island of Cephalenia, whereas all other beasts in other places are re••resh'd with drink∣ing

water, in that place they are wont to quench their thirsts by receiving the wind into their mouths. Or why at Crotona, in the Temple of Lacinian Juno, the ashes should remain undisturb'd, and not to be remov'd, what Wind soever blow. Or why one Fountain in Macedonia, another in the Countrey of Calenum, should have s•• much the property of Wine, as to intoxicate men. These things we do not so much admire, as think worthy of remembrance, being well ascertain'd, that Na••ure may well assume to herself the greatest share of knowledg, who has the painful charge of begetting all things.

19. And now seeing we are talking of things that exceed common reason, let us give a relation of that Serpent, which Livie has so elegantly described. For he saith, that upon the Banks of the River Bagrada in Africk so great a Serpent appear'd, as hindred the whole Army of Attilius Regulus from the use of the water: Many Sould••••rs she swallowed down her fi••••hy wide Mouth, many killed with the hideous bangs of her Tall: and when they could pierce her with no Dart or Spear, at length they were forced to plant their En∣gins of Battery against, and bruise her to pieces with huge Stones and Flints of massie weight; and to all both Horse and Foot seemed more terrible than Car∣thage it self. At what time the stream being defiled with her Blood, and the air infected with the stench of her Body, the Roman Camp was forced to remove. The Skin of this Monster, he saith, was 120 foot long, and sent to Rome.