A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Treatise · Chapter 34

A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners · Treatise · Chapter 34

p. 261CHAP. XXXIV. Examples of Fortitude, Valour and Magnanimity.

WHil'st a people walk in obedience to God, he hath promised, that they shall chase their enemies, who shall fall before them on the sword: and that five of them shal chase an hundred, and an hundred of them shal put ten thousand to flight, Lev. 26. 7, 8. Whence it appeares, that the spirit of courage and valour is from the Lord; who by small, and weak meanes doth many times effect great, and wonderfull things, that the glory of all may be his. We have had much experience hereof, in these unhappy, bloody, civil warres: wherein our great victories, and successes, have been obtained, and carried on most happily, when the enemy hath been most elated, and our selves most weak, and almost in despaire: neither is this any new thing, but according to Gods dealings in former times, as these following Scriptures, & Examples will more clearly evince. Exhorted to, Joshua 1. 6, 7. & 23. 6. Phil. 1. 28. 1 Peter 3. 6.

Scripturall examples. Abraham, Gen. 14. 14. Jacob, Gen. 48. 22. Jephthah, Judg. 11. 1. Gideon, Judg. 6. 12. David, 1 Sam. 16. 18, 50. 2 Sam. 17. 8. Davids Worthies, 2 Sam. 23. 8, &c. and 20. 24, 39. Jehoiadah, 2 Sam. 23. 20. Cherethites, and Pelethites, 1 King. 1. 8, 44. the Sons of Ulam, 1 Chron 8. 40. Barak. Sampson, &c. Heb. 11. 32. Saul, 1 Sam. 9. 1, 2. Joab, 2 Sam. 11. 6. Abishai, 2 Sam. 23. 18. Jeroboam, 1 King. 11. 28. Jonathan, 1 King. 1. 42. Abner, 1 Sam. 17. 55. & p. 26226. 15. the sons of Perez, Neh. 11. 6. Jehu, 2 Kings 9 24. Others, 1 Sam. 2. 15. 1 Chron. 12. 2 Chron. 17. 16, 17. & 26. 13, 14.

In and for Religion: Azariah, and the Priests, 2 Chron. 26. 17. Shadrach, &c. Dan. 3. 12, 16, 17. Daniel, Chap. 6. 10. Joseph, Matth. 27. 57. Peter, and John, Acts 4. 19. Steven, Acts 6. 8, 10. and 7. 52. Paul, Acts 13. 10. and 17. 17. and 19. 30. and 21. 13. Elijah, 1 King. 18. 15, 18, 40. Micaiah, 1 Kings 22. 14, 19. Jehoiadah, 2 King. 11. 4. Elisha, 2 Kings 3. 13.

Other examples: Darius sent a very great Army of 1Horse and foot in 600 Gallies against the Athenians, charging his Commanders to destroy the City, and bring all the people captives to him; accordingly they …ailed into Attica, where landing, they made grievous spoile of all before them, thinking that Athens would have submitted so soon as they came near them: but the Athenians choosing Miltiades for their Generall, sent him forth with ten thousand Citizens, and one thousand Auxiliaries; who marching to Marathon, about two leagues from Athens, encountered with the great Army of the Persians, charging them so furiously, that they prevented the throwing of their darts, and enforced them to run away like sheep to their Navy, and after a great carnage, they burnt and took many of their ships also: At this time Themistocles being a very young man, shewed much valour, and dexterity in the battel. Justin.

Also in this battel Cynaegirus an Athenian, shewed 2such incomparable valour, that pursuing the Persians to then ships; when some of them were putting off from the shore, he caught hold of one of the ships with his right hand, holding it till his hand was cut off, then did he lay hold on it with his left hand, till that also was p. 263cut off, and then he caught hold of it with his teeth. Iustin.

Xerxes sending his Ambassadours to Lacedaemon, and 3Athens, requiring them to send him earth and water in token of their homage; they out of greatnesse of spirit, scorning the message, took his Ambassadours, and threw some of them into a Jakes, others into a pit of water; bidding them to take earth and water from thence, if they pleased to carry to their Lord. Pezel. Mel. Hist.

The Lacedemonians in their publick feasts had alwayes 4three dances.

The first of old men, who sang: We have been young, and strong, and valiant heretofore, Till crooked age did hold us back, and bid us do no more.

The second of young men, who sang: We yet are young, bold, strong, and ready to maintaine That quarrel still against all men, that do on earth remain.

The third of children, who sang: And we do hope as well to passe you all at last, And that the world shall witnesse be ere many yeares be past. In their warres they assaulted their enemies very fiercely, and never gave over till the flight of their enemies had assured them of the victory, and then they quickly, and quietly retreated into their camp judging it unworthy their manhood, and an ignoble action, to kill, and hew in pieces men once scattered, and out of order: this much surthered their victories, their enemies being upon their flight, secured from further danger. Plut.

When Alexander M. had put Calisthenes to death, 5he suspected Lysimachus, another of his brave Captaines, because he had been a familiar friend to Calisthenes, and thereupon caused him to be cast naked to a most fierce Lion; but when the Lion came roaring p. 264upon him, Lysimachus wrapped his shirt about his arme, and thrusting his hand into the Lions mouth, and taking fast hold of his tongue, he slew the Lion, which Alexander being informed of, having his valour in admiration, he not only forgave him, but esteemed him more highly then ever before. Q. Cur.

Alexander M. being very swift of foot when he was 6young, some of his followers asked him if he would not runne in the Olympick games? Yea truly, said he, of Kings will contend with me therein. Justin.

When he heard of any great City that his father 7had taken, he used to be very sorrowfull, and to say to his companions, My father will take away all occasions from me of atchieving any great matters.

A gallant horse called Bucephalus being proffered 8to King Philip, and prized at eight thousand seven hundred crownes, he refused to give it, because he would let none get upon his back: Alexander being by, and seeing their error, in setting him so that their shadow frighted him, he would needs lay the price of the horse with his father, that he would back him: and accordingly turning him on the other side where the horse might not see his shadow, he mounted on his back, and rode him up and down: His father wondering at his Magnanimity, when he alighted, kissed him, and said: O my sonne, thou must seek out some other Kingdomes, for Macedonia is too little for thee. Diod. Sic. Q. Cur.

Porus an Indian King, fighting valiantly against Alexander, 9received many wounds, and at last falling into his enemies hands, they led him to Alexander, who hearing of his coming▪ went forth with some of his friends to meet him: and asked him what he would have him to do for him? Porus answered, Only that thou use me like a King: Alexander being taken with p. 265his Magnanimity, said, This I will do for mine one sake, but what shall I do for thee, for thy sake? Porus answered, That all was contained in his former demand of Kingly usage: This so pleased Alexander, that he restored him to his Kingdome, and gave him another bigger then his own. Q Cur.

Demetrius the son of Antigonus fighting against Ptolomaeus 10King of Egypt, was overthrowne in the battel, and losing his carriages, he lost all his furniture, and apparel with them: but Ptolomaeus sent him back these, together with his friends that were taken prisoners, saying, That he fought with him only for glory, and Empire: Demetrius was so affected herewith, that he prayed to the gods to give him an opportunity that he might not be long in Ptolomaeus his debt, but might requite him with the like courtesie: which shortly after fell out, for in another battel Demetrius overcame Ptolomy, and rejoyced not so much for what he had gotten, as that hereby he could retaliate Ptolomies kindnesse, which accordingly he did by a free release of all his captives. Plut.

Julius Caesar was of a most magnanimous resolution, 11insomuch as being forewarned of the conspiracy that was made against him in the Senate, he answered, Morise quàm timere malle, that he had rather die then admit of feare. Plut.

Subrius Flavius, a Tribune of the Praetorian souldiers, 12having (with others) conspired the death of Nero; the conspiracy being discovered, Nero asked him, why contrary to his oath, and duty, he had made one against him? he stoutly answered: Because I hated thee: and yet there was not one in thine army more loyal then my selfe, all the while thou deservedst love; but after thou hadst murthered thy mother, and wife, and hadst turned Charioteer, Stage-player, and Boutefeux, I could no p. 266longer endure thee. Suet. Sulpicius, Afer, a Centurian, and another of the conspirators, to the like question, returned this blunt answer, Because, saith he, there was no other way to help thee, but to rid thee out of the world. Suet.

Mardonius being left with a great Army in Greece, 13after Xerxes his returne into Asia; he sent Ambassadors to the Athenians, perswading them to make peace with him making many golden promises to them, if they would do it: the Lacedaemonians hearing of it, sent their Ambassadors also to them, to disswade them from it, shewing how dishonourable it would be to them, and dangerous to all Greece: and the better to prevaile, they sent them word that whereas their houses had been burnt, and their harvest spoiled by the Persians, they would provide for their wives, and children, so long as the warre lasted. To the Persian Ambassadors, the Athenians answered, that they scorned so long as the Sunne kept his course to make any friendship with the Persians, whom they hoped by the assistance of the gods to drive out of their Countrey. To the Lacedaemonians they answered, that knowing the valour of the Athenians, they marvelled why they should suspect their complying with the Persians, assuring them, that the greatest promises in the world could not make them unfaithful to their Countrey, nor to agree with the Persians whil'st there was any one of them alive, and for their proffer to provide for their wives, and children, they gave them hearty thanks for the same, but withall told them, that they hoped they should be able to provide for them themselves, and therefore would not be burthensome unto others. Herod.

King Porsenna making warre against the Romanes, 14the Consul Publicola, …allied out against him, betwixt p. 267whom began an hot skirmish neer Tyber; and the enemies exceeding in number, Publicola fighting valiantly, was wounded so dangerously, that he was carried away by his souldiers, which so discouraged his Army, that they fled towards the City, the enemies pursuing them to the wooden bridge, whereby Rome was in danger to be taken: But Horatius Cocles, with two other young Noblemen, made head upon the bridge against them. till the bridge was broken down behinde them: then Cocles, armed as he was, and hurt in the hip with a pike, leaped into Tyber, and swam to the other side of the river: Publicola admiring his valour, gave him an annual pension for his life, and so much land as he could compasse about in a day with a plough. Plut.

Whil'st Porsenna besieged Rome, a citizen called 15Mutius, devising how he might kill him, disguised himselfe, and went into his army, and speaking the Tuscan language perfectly, was admitted into the Kings presence, but not knowing him, he drew his sword, and slew one that was neer him, mistaking him for the King: hereupon he was apprehended, and Porsenna calling for a pan of coales, caused his right hand to be held over it, till the flesh fried, and the sinewes shrunk, yet did Mutius all the while look upon the King with an undaunted countenance; which Porsenna wondering at, caused the fire to be removed, and his sword to be restored to him, which he taking with his left hand, was thence called Scaevola. Plut.

Aristomenes King of the Messenians, was a very gallant, 16and valiant man, who in a battel against the Corinthians, slew one hundred men with his own hands: the like he did in divers other battels; whereupon he used to offer to Jupiter a sacrifice called Hecatomphonia, or Centicidium. Pausan.

p. 268See the example of Xenophon, in Ingratitude,

Epaminondas with his Thebans, having given the 17Spartans a great overthrow at Leustra, went presently to Lacedaemon, and made an attempt upon the City it selfe, at which time a valiant young man of Lacedaemon called Isadas, neither defended with armour, nor apparrel, but being stark naked, and his body anointed with oile, and his sword in his hand, did wonders both in the judgement of his citizens, and of his very enemies, of whom he slew all that he met, and yet never received any wound himselfe: and after the fight was ended, the Ephori crowned him as a reward of his valour, and then fined him a thousand Drachma's for exposing himselfe to such danger without his armour. Plut.

Epaminondas in another battel that he fought against 18the Lacedaemonians, and Arcadians, was sorely wounded with a dart, and being carried into his tent, after the battel was ended, the Chyrurgeons coming to him, told him that when the dart was drawn forth of his body he must needs die; whereupon he called his Squire to him, and asked him if he had not lost his shield? he told him, No, and withal shewed it to him: Then he asked if his army had gotten the victory? they told him. Iea. Then, said he, it's now time for me to leave my life, and so bade them pull out the dart; whereupon his friends cried out grievously, and one of them said to him, O Epaminondas, thou diest without children: To whom he answered, Nay truly, for … shall leave two daughters behinde me, viz. my two great victories, one a… Leuctra and this at Mantinea, and so the dart being pulled out, he gave up the ghost. Plut.

After the battel of Cheronaea wherein Philip K. of Macedon 19overcame the Athenians; after the victorie looking upon the dead bodies of his adversaries▪ he much p. 269commended them for their valour, for that all their wounds were in their fore-parts, and for that they died in those very stations which were assigned by their Captaines: Also when with his friends (in token of joy for the victory) he celebrated a drunken feast, and danced amongst the Captives, deriding them in their calamity, Damades one of those Athenian Captives, freely said to him, O King, now that fortune hath put upon thee the person of Agamem…on, art thou not ashamed to act the part of drunken Thersites? Philip wondering at his courage, set both Damades and all the rest of the Athenian captives at liberty, and sent them home without ransom, and buried the dead bodies of the slaine, and afterwards made peace with the Athenians. Diod. Sic.

The two Scipio's, brethren: Pub. and Cn. Cornelius▪ 20were famous for their warres in Spaine, and against the Carthaginians, so that they were called, Duo fulmina belli, the two thunderbolts of warre. Polyb.

Claudius Marcellus fought one and fifty battels, and 21was for his valour called Gladius Romani populi, the sword of the Romanes: as Fabius M. was called Clypeus, their buckler, for his policy. Plut.

Cato being but fourteen years old, used to go with 22his Master Sarpedon, to Sylla's house, to salute him: not farre off, was the executioners house, whither Sylla sent whom he pleased to be tormented, and slaine: Cato seeing this said to his Master, Why doth no man kill this tyrant Sylla? Sarpedon answered, Because they more fear him, then hate him: Cato replied, Why then will you not give me a sword, that I may kill him, and free my countrey from such a savage beast? Afterwards Pompey being returned out of the East with great glory after his victories, sought to oblige Cato to him, thinking to strengthen himself thereby, and for this end p. 270desired to marry with Cato's sister, which the maid much desired, but Cato liked not the motion, returning this answer: That he would not be ensnared with women: If Pompey did that which was just, and profit able for the Common wealth, he should easily have him for his friend, otherwise no bribes, or contracts should procure it. Suetonius.

Jotopata a City in Galilee, being besieged by the Emperour 23Vespasian, and the walls thereof sore shaken by the force of a great battering Ramme; one Eleazer a Jew in the City, took up an huge stone, and threw it with such violence upon the Ramme, that he brake off the head thereof: and then leaping down into the midst of his enemies, took up the same, and brought it into the City in despite of them all. Joseph. Hist.

George Castriot (alias Scanderbeg) Prince of Epirus, 24was inspired with such a spirit of valour by God, in defending his Countrey against the barbarous Turks, that in fighting against them, for very eagernesse of spirit, his blood would usually burst out of his lips: and with such violence he struck, that many of them he clave in sunder, from the head to the middle, and usually cut off an armed arme at a blow: and with his own hands he slew above …wo thousand of them at several times. Hist. of Turk.

The earth opening about Rome, the wizards resolving 25that it would not close againe, till the best thing the City had were cast into it: M. Curtius expounding that to be a martial man, leaped himselfe into it, armed at all points: whereupon the place was afterwards called, Lacus Curt…i. Livie.

A Romane Captaine being hindred in his march by 26the Augurs trifling stay to divine what the successe of their journey should be, by a bird that sat by the wayside: he took abowe, and killed the bird, saying: p. 271How should this silly bird read us our fortune, when she could not foretell her own? and so undauntedly marching on, he prospered never the worse for it.

Newes heing brought to the Grecians, of the huge 27Army that Xerxes had brought over into Greece, whose archers were so many (as it was reported) that the flight of the Persians arrowes would be so thick, as that they would darken the light of the Sunne: Dieneces a Spartan answered: It's good newes, for then we shall fight in the shade.

Before the great battel of Cannae, fought between 28the Carthaginians and Romanes, Hannibal sent his brother Mago to view the number, and countenance of the enemy; and at his returne asked him, what work they were like to have with the Romans? Work enough, answered Mago, for they are an horrible company: As horrible a company as they be (said Hannibal) I will warrant thee there is not one Mago amongst them, and therewith all fell a laughing, which his souldiers took for a certain signe of victory, which accordingly fell out▪ Sir Walt. Rawley.

Honry the fifth King of England, before the battel at 29Agincourt, hearing of the great, and warlike preparations of the French, was somewhat perplexed: but on… Captain Gam standing by, said, That if there were …s… many, there were enow to be killed, enow to be taken prisoners, and enow to runne away: which resolute speec… much cheared up the King. Eng. Hist.

At the siege of Belgrave in Hungary by the Turks▪ 30a certaine Turke getting upon the walls advanced his Ensigne upon them, whereby the City was in great danger of being lost: but a Bohemian souldier running to him, caught him fast about the middle, and calling to the Governour of the City (who was not farre from him) asked if he might be saved, if he should p. 272cast himselfe down from the wall with that dog? (so so he called the Turke:) to whom the Governour answered. Yea, without doubt: whereupon e…tsoones he tumbled himselfe with the Turke in his armes from off the wall, and so died with him, and by his death saved the lives of all in the City. Turk. Hist.

The Romanes being ready to joyne battel with the 31Albanes, that they might avoid bloodshed, agreed that the victory should be determined by three against three: Now there were in each campe three brethren born at one birth, of equal years, who were to be the Champions: The three Horatii for the Romanes, and the three Curiatii for the Albanes: who after a doubtfull conflict, two of the Horatii being slaine, the third (pretending feare) ran away, and thereby drew his adversaries asunder, who (by reason of their wounds) could not runne with equal speed: which being perceived by him, he turned back, and slew them one by one in single fi…ht before they could joyne together, whereby the day fell to the Romanes. Sir Walt. Raw. Hist,

The Tacchi, (a people in Asia) rather then they 32would be captivated to the Greeks, threw themselves down headlong from the rocks; the very women throwing down their own children first, and then casting themselves upon them.

Cato, when the last battel was fought betwixt Julius 33Caesar, and the Senators of Rome, who stood for the liberty of their countrey: Caesar having wonne the day, Cato cast himselfe into the Sea at Utica, choosing …ather to drown himselfe, then to survive his countreys liberty. Lucan.

Darius the Persian Monarch invading Scythia, sent 34unto the King thereof to yield himselfe as his subject; whereunto the Scythians returned him this Hieroglyphical p. 273answer: sending him back by his Ambassadors▪ a bird, a frog, a mouse, and five arrows: which was diversly interpreted by Darius his Captaines: But Gobrias, one of his Princes, truly interpreted them thus: O ye Persians, get ye wings like birds, or dive under the water like frogs, or creep into holes of the earth like mice, or ye shall not escape our arrowes.

Socrates knowing that there was but one God: in 34his Apology for his life, said, That if they would grant him his life upon condition to keep that truth to himselfe, and not to teach it unto others, he would not accept of his life upon such a condition.

Breda in the Low-Countreys being by treachery 35delivered to the Prince of Parma, Anno 1580. was againe recovered by the Prince of Orange, Anno 1590. by an hardy, and dangerous enterprise, which Captain Charles of Haraugiere made with seventy two resolute souldiers, who being hidden in a boat full of turfes, entering at noon day, in a thousand dangers of their lives, if they had been discovered, they lay still all the day, and the night following, coming suddenly forth of the boat, they cut in pieces the Corps Dugard, giving entrance to the Prince, and Earle of Hohenlo, with their troops which lay not farre off; whereupon the Garrison fled, and the Towne was yielded by composition. Belg. Com. Wealth. p. 292.

In an assault made by the Turks, upon the suburbs 36of Alba Regalis in Hungary, many of the Turks having scaled the Italian Fort, a tall Hungarian woman, whose courage farre exceeded the weaknesse of her sexe, thrust in amongst the souldiers, and with a great sithe in her hand, at one blowe, struck off two of the Turks heads, which so encouraged others, that the Turks were repelled thereby. Turk. Hist. p. 741.

At Numantia in Spaine foure thousand souldiers p. 27437withstood fourty thousand Romanes for fourteene yeares together, in which time having often valiently repulsed them, and forced them unto two dishonourable compositions; at last when they could well hold out no longer, they gathered all their armour, money, and goods together, and laid them on a heap, which being fiered, they voluntarily buried themselves in the flames also: leaving unto Scipio nothing but the bare name of Numantia to adorne his triumph with.

The City of Saguntum having been besieged by 38Hannibal for the space of nine moneths, in which time the famine, was so great, that the inhabitants were inforced to eat mans flesh; at the last when they could hold out no longer, rather then they would fall into the hands of their enemies, they made a fire, in which themselves, and their City were consumed to ashes. Aug. de Civ. l. 3. c. 20.

Philip King of Macedon besieging Abidus, when the 39people saw that they could not escape: they first cast their goods into the Sea, and then killed their wives, and children, and themselves, leaving an empty City for him. Livi.

Martius the Romane General going against the Sarini 40(which were Gaules at the foot of the Alpes) rather then they would lose their liberty, they killed their wives, and children, and then cast themselves into the fire, and some of them which were surprized, starved themselves. Oros. l. 5.

The Isle of Goze neare unto Malta, being taken by 41the Turks, a certain Sicilian that had lived long there, and had married a wife, by whom he had two faire daughters, being then in state to be married, seeing this last calamity approaching, rather then he would see his wife, and daughters to be brought into shamefull servitude, having called them to him, he first …lew p. 275with his sword, his two daughters, and then their mother: this done, with an harquebuse, and a crosse bowe bent, (as clean bereft of senses) he made towards his enemies, of whom he slew two at the first encounter, and afterwards fighting a while with his sword, being invironed with a multitude of Turks, brought himselfe to the end of his most unhappy life. Pur. Pil. v. 2. p. 878.

Caesar entering into a boat in tempestuous weather, 42the waterman was afraid to put forth from the shoar: to whom he said, Perge contra tempestatem forti animo, Caesarem fers, & fortunam Caesaris: Beare up couragiously against the stormes, thou carriest Caesar, and Caesars fortune.

Godfrey of Bulloigne with his followers, in lesse then 43foure yeares conquered all the goodliest Provinces of Asia, and drove out the Turks: In that cruel conflict in Solomons Temple (as himselfe reports in a letter) his men by the great slaughter of the enemies stood in blood above the ankles: in a terrible battel at Ascalon, he slew an hundred thousand of the Infidels. Turk. History.

Huniades that Bulwarke of Europe, like a violent 44tempest, and impetuous torrent did so batter and beat down the enemies of Christ, that his name became dreadfull amongst the Turks, who used the same to fear their crying children withall: He fought five times upon one day with them, and five times foiled, and put them to slight: He killed that valiant Viceroy of Asia, Mefites Bassa, with his sonne, and twenty thousand Turks moe: At that famous battel of Vascape with fifteen thousand souldiers, he overthrew Abedin Bassa with fourescore thousand fighting men. Car. Lib. 5.

In the Reigne of King John of England, a controversie p. 27645arising betwixt him, and the King of France, about a Seigniory, and certain Castles: the King of France offered a Champion to fight for his right; whereupon King John. chose John Cursy Earle of Ulster: but when the French Champion heard of his exceeding great feeding, and mighty strength, he refused the combate: Then the King of France desired to see a stroak given by the hand of Iohn Cursy, and he set a strong and doughty good morion, or head-piece full of maile upon a great block; and taking his skeine or sword, he smote the morion through, from the crest downward, and his sword stuck so fast in the wood, that no other man but himselfe could pull it out, yet he himselfe did it with much facility. Camb. Brit. Ire. p. 154.

Ul…zales, and Caracoza, great Captaines amongst 46the Turks, landing their men in the Island of Curzola: Anthonius Contarenus, the Governour of the chiefe Towne, …led out in the night with the Townsmen also into the rocks for safety, so that there was not left in the Towne above twenty men, and eighty women: who with weapons in their hands came to the walls, desiring rather to die, then to fall into the hands of the Turks: and as the Turks approached to the walls, the women with stones, fire, and such weapons, beat them off with greater courage then could have been expected, in their weake sexe: which whil'st they were doing, it pleased God that a great storme arose suddenly, which so outragiously tossed the Gallies, that the Turks were glad to give over the assault, and to hie away to a place of more safety. Turk. Hist. p. 869.

Scanderbeg was such a mirrour of manhood, and 47so terrible to the Turks, that nine years after his death, as they passed through Lyssa, where his body lay buried, they digged up his bones with great devotion; reckoning it some part of their happinesse, if they might but p. 277see, or touch the same: and such as could get any part thereof, were it never so little, caused the same to be set, some in silver, some in gold, to hang about their necks, thinking that it would animate their spirits, with extraordinary vigour. Paulus Jovius Illust. virorum.

A brave, and valiant Captaine, who had long with incredible courage withstood Dionysius the elder in defence 48of a City: at length falling into his hands, the Tyrant told him that the day before he had caused his sonne, and all his kinsfolke to be drowned: To whom the brave Captaine stoutly outstaring him, answered nothing, but that they were more happy then himselfe by the space of one day: afterwards he caused him to be stripped, and by his executioner to be dragged through the City most ignominiously, cruelly whipping him, and contumeliously scoffing at him; but he, as no whit dismayed, ever shewed a constant, and resolute heart: And with a chearfull, and bold countenance went on still, boldly recounting the honourable, and glorious cause of his death, which was that he would never consent to yield his country into the hands of a cruel Tyrant. Bolton.

Pompey in the time of a great dearth at Rome was transporting corne thither: but finding the sea rough, 49and dangerous, some would have disswaded him from adventuring himselfe in such weather, to whom he gallantly answered: It's necessary that corne should be carried to Rome, but not that I should live.

Antigonus hearing some of his souldiers reckoning how many their enemies were, to prevent their 50feares, steps in suddenly amongst them, saying, And how many do you reckon me for?

Valour of Women.

Zenobia the wife of Odenate King of the Palmyrenians, 51accustomed her selfe to all those many imployments p. 278which her husband used both in peace, and warre: She loved her husband exceedingly, but having once conceived by him, she would lie with him no more till after her delivery: she was very expert in the Orientall Histories, which she wrote, and left them for the use of posterity: She was very beautiful, and black sparkling eyes, and her teeth to white, that they seemed rather to be pearles then teeth: her husband being treacherously murthered, she took upon her the government, and having been formerly accustomed to the Warres, she fought often with the Romanes, Subdued Egypt. and drave out thence Probus the Romane president: At last she rather by compact yielded to, then by conquest was overcome by Aurelian the Emperour, whose sonne married her daughter, and many of her stock flourished in Rome long after. Lipsius.

Valour of Women.

Semiranus was of so manlike a disposition, that she 52waged warre with great felicity: she had in her Army three millions of foot, and fifty thousand horse, and about a thousand Chariots. As she was dressing her self, hearing of the defection of Babylon: in the same posture, with one part of her haire bound up, and the other loose, she presently went against it, and never dressed up her head till she had brought it into subjection. Pez. Mel. Hist.

Tomyris Queen of the Masigetes was a woman of 53an heroical disposition: When Cyrus King of Persia came with an huge Army against her, the (pretending fear) retired into certaine mountaines, into the stacts whereof, when Cyrus followed her, she set upon him, and after a bloody …ight, slew two hundred thousand of his men, and himselfe also, after which she caused his head to be cut off, and threw it into a bowle of blood, p. 279saying, Satia te sanguine, qu…m sitivisti, cujusque semper insatiabilis fuisti: Glut they selfe with blood, which thou hast alwayes thirsted after, and with which thou could'st never be satisfied. Justin.

Cowardize, Timerousnesse, Fearfulnesse.

In a great battel that was fought between Philip King 1of Macedon, and the Athenians at Cheronaea, wherein the liberty of Greece lay at the stake: Demosthenes the Athenian Orator, before there was any just cause for it, most cowardly ranne away, forgetting the inscription upon his shield, in golden letters, which was, Quod foelix, faustúmque sit; whereupon one meeting him, in scorne said to him, He that runnes away, may fight afterwards. Diod. Sic.

And it was told the house of David saying, Syria is 2confederate with Ephraim: and his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the winde. Isa. 7. 2.

Thy servant slew both the Lion, and the Beare, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them,

1 Sam. 17. 36.

Five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword,

Levit. 26. ….