The Unfortunate Politician, Part 4
The Fourth Booke.
1. BUT, great designes,An. Dom. 1182 like wounds, if they take Arie, corrupt. This project, against Andronicus, could not be covertly carried, because consisting of a medly of persons, of different tempers, and un-suiting soules, having private intents, to themselves, not cordiall, uniting their affections, but only Freinds, for the time being, against the common Foe: So that, through the Riftes, and chinks of their severall aimes and ends, which could not be joynted close together, the vigilancie of Andronicus An. Dom. 1182.did steale a glymps of their designe, apprehensive enough to light a candell for himselfe form the sparke of the smallest discoverie.
2. And now, let him alone to prevent their proceedings, by cutting both them and theirs off (that no mindfull heire might succeed to their spite) and that with all posible speed; for hee steer'd his actions, by the compas of that character, which one made of him, as followeth.
I love at leasure, favours to bestow:
And tickle men by dropping kindnesse slow,
But my revenge, I in one instant spend,
That moment which begings it, doth it end.
Halfe doing undoe's many, 'tis a sinne
Not to be soundly sinfull; to begin,
And tire; I'le do the work. They strike in vain,
Who strike so, that the stricken might complain.
.3 Mamalus was the first who was brought to Execution, on this manner. A mighty fire wasAn. Dom. 1182. made, and to provoke the Tyrannie thereof (as if that pure Element of it selfe had been too fine and slender, effectually to torment him) they made the flame more stiffe, and stuffie, by the mixture of pitch and brimstone. Then Mamalus was brought forth starke naked, insomuch that all ingenuous beholders, out of a modest Sympathy, conceived, that they saw themselves naked, in seeing him: and therefore, (as much as lay in their power) they covered him, by shutting their eyes. When the Souldiers with Pikes, were provided to thrust Mamalus into the fire, whil'st many Spectatours durst not expresse their pittie to him, out of pittie to themselves; lest commiserating of him, should be understood complying with him; but were cautious to confine theirAn. Dom. 1182. Compassion, within the Compasse of their brest, that it should not sallie forth, into their eyes, and outward gestures.
4. Betwixt this Dilemma of Deaths, the sharpe Pikes of the Soldiers on the one side, & furie of the fire, on the other; he preferred the former, not as most honourable, and best complying with a militarie Soule; (not being at leasure alasle, in time of torment, to stand on termes of credit,) but as least painfull. But the Soldiers denied him this choyce, and forc'd him into the fire; and then hearing his Shreekes, even those who refus'd, out of favour, to give any pitie to his person, could not, out of justice, denie the payment of some compassion, (bound there-unto, by the Specialtie of Humanitie) unto his miserable condition.
5. Meane time, Andronicus An. Dom. 1182.was a spectatour, tickling himselfe with delight, only offended, that the sport was so short, and Mamalus dead too soone. The stench of whose burning flesh (offensive to others) was a perfume to him, who had the Roman-Nose of Caligula, Nero, Domitian, and such Monsters of crueltie. And, as he pleased his owne Smell, with the Odour of Revenge; his Sight, with beholding the execution; his Eare with the Musicke of his enemies dying Groanes: So, there wanted not those that wish't, that his other Senses, were also imployed, according to his deserts, his Touch, and Tast, that they migh feelingly partake of the torture of the fire. Thus died Mamalus, scarce twenty four yeares of Age, before the Bud of his youth had opened into a flower; having in his parts, not only promises,An. Dom. 1182. but some Assurance, that the hopes of his future worth, should be plentifully performed, had not this untimely Accident prevented it.
6. Lapardas acted next on the Scaffold, though not condemned todeath, but to have his Eyes bored out: His Extraction was Noble, State Greate, Pride greater; to maintain which, he contrived the Advancing of Andronicus to the Throne: the under ground Foundation of whose Greatnes, was closely laid, by Lapardas, whil'st he left the vilible Structure thereon, to others. Like a Mole he conveyed his train, closly spurring on Basilius (who posted of himself,) to Act in odious Projects, whil'st himselfe sculk't unseen; hoping, if matters held, to be rewarded by Andronicus, for his secret Service; if they miscaried, to provide for his own safety; seeing none could challenge him,An. Dom. 1182. of any appearing open ill Action, wherein he was engaged.
7. But quickly he fell off of his speed in serving Andronicus, whether, because he conceived his deserts found not a proportionable Reward: or, because he bare a love to the person of Alexius: or, because he was not perfectly bad, and fainting in the way of wickednesse, could not keep pace therein, with the fast and wide strides of Andronicus: or, which is most probable, he slowly perceived his Errour, that Tyrants plucke downe those staires, whereby they ascend to their greatnesse: and then, too late, began to unravell, what he weaved beforer. True it was, he had assisted Andronicus, so long, that he had offended all the side of Isaacius, and had deserted him so soone, that he dis-ingaged all the partie of Andronicus, and so was unhappy, not to have theAn. Dom. 1182. cordiall Affections of either.
8. On the Scaffold hee spake little, expecting that the paine would kill him, confessing he ow'd a Death, to Nature, and a violent Death, to Justice, and forgave all the world, save his owne selfe. Beholding the Sunne; Farewell (said hee) Life of my life, my night must bee at my noone; and then laying his hands on his eyes: Must I loose you thus? was it because I shot forth wanton Glances? Or, beheld Rivalls, with envious lookes? Or, adored the Shine of gold; that I must thus lose you? Or, was it, because I acted in a darke way, to advance the crueltie of a Tyrant; that now all my endeavours are seene by the world, and I must be blinde? However, Gods justice appeares clearest to mee, in the losse of my Eyes. Thus was Lapardas tortured: and though some may thinkAn. Dom. 1182. that Andronicus swerved from his Principle, taking away onelyonly light, not life, from him, and thereby rather more en raging him for, than wholly disabling him from, revenge; yet wee may bee assured, that Tyrant did never so doe his workes by the halfe, but that hee strook out their Teeth, whose Eyes hee bored out, so securing their persons, that he put them past power of doing him mischiefe.
9. During this raging cruelty of Andronicus; wee may commend, in Theodorus the Patriark, rather his successe, than Policie, (his simple goodnesse being incapable of the later) who seasonably withdrew himselfe from Constantinople, to a private place he had provided in the Isle of Terebynthus: here hee had built him an handsome house, equallyAn. Dom. 1182. distant from Envy and Contempt, Bravery and Basenesse, so that if Securitie and sweetnesse had had a mind to dwell together, they could not have found a fitter place for that purpose. Severall Reasons moved him to his speedy removall, besides the avoiding the fury of Andronicus. First, because Basilius undermined him at the Court in his Patriarkship, Theodosius being absent thence, when present there; bearing onelyonly the name and blame, when the other had the power and profit thereof.
10. Secondly, to avoid the sight of People, conceiving every Eye which did behold, did accuse him, as a principall cause of their miseries, for helping Andronicus to the Empire. In whom Theodorus had been strangely mistook, as the bestAn. Dom. 1182. men are soonest deceived with the painted Piety, and pensive looks of Hypocrites, counting all Gold that shines, all sooth, that is said; betraid by their owne charitie into a good opinion of others. Lastly, it grieved him to see ignorance and impiety so rampant, base hands committing dayly Rapes on the Virgin Muses; so that they might now even ring out the Bell, for dying learning, and sadly toll the knell for gaping Religion. Wherefore, as Divines solemnly observe, to goe off of the Bench, just before the sentence of condemnation is pronounced upon the Malefactor; so this Patriark, perceiving the City of Constantinople, Cast, by her owne guiltinesse, and by the confession of her crying sinnes against her self; thought it not fit for him to stay there, till divine Justice shouldAn. Dom. 1182. passe a finall fatall doome upon the place, (which he every minute expected) but embraced this private opportvnity of departure.
11. Soon after his retiring, he ended his life: we not enquire into his decease, if wee consider his age, accounting now fourescore and foure Winters. And well might his yeares bee reckoned by Winters, as wanting both Springs, and Summers of Prosperity, living in constant affliction. And yet the last foure yeares, made more wounds in his heart, than all the former, plow'd wrinkles in his face. He dyed not guilty of any wealth, who long before, had made the poore, his Heires, and his owne hands, his Executors. After hearty Prayers, that Religion might shine when he was set, falling into a pious Meditation; heeAn. Dom. 1182. went out as a Lampe, for lack of Oyle: no warning Groane was sighed forth to take his last farewell, but even he smiled himselfe into a Corps; enough to confute those, that they bely death, who call her grim and grizely; which in him seemed lovely and of a good Complexion. The few servants hee left, proportioned the Funerall, rather to their Masters Estate, than Deserts, supplying in their sorrow, the want of Spices and Balme, which surely must bee so much the more pretious, as the Teares of men are to bee preferr'd before Gums, which are but the weeping of Trees.
12. The Patriarks place was quickly supplyed by Basilus the Bishop, so often mentioned, preferred to the place by the Emperour. A Patron and Chaplaine excellently met; for what oneAn. Dom. 1182. made Law, by his List; the other endeavoured to make Gospel, by his Learning. In stating of any Controversie, Basilius first studied to find out, what Andronicus intended or desired to doe therein: and then, let him alone to draw that Scripture, which would not come of it selfe, to prove the lawfulnesse of what the other would practice. Thus, in favour of him, he pronounced the legality of two most incestuous matches; and this Grecian Pope, gave him a dispensation to free him from all Oathes of Allegiance, which hee had formerly sworn to Manuel or Alexius: for this was the Humour of Andronicus, to have Religion along with him, so farre as it lay in his way, courting the company of pious pretence, (if possibly they might be procured) to countenance his designes: ButAn. Dom. 1182. in case they were so foule, that no glosse of Justice could be put upon them; hee disdained that Pietie which would not befriend him, and impudently acted his pleasure in open opposition of all Religion.
13. But whilst this Basilius was thus hot about his secular affaires; there wanted not an aged Hermite, who took him to taske, and soundly told him his owne, though it made but small impression in him. Meeting him at advantage; Hermites, you know, saith he, hate both Luxury & Complement. In plain truth, I must chide you, that seeing, earth is but your Inne, and heaven your Home; you mistake the first, for the latter. Mans soule is so intent on its present object, that it is impossible, it should attend two callings at the same time, but must needs make default in the pursuance An. Dom. 1182.of one of them. Your temporall intermedling drawes the envy of the Laity, for whose love you should rather labour. Nor are you stor'd with forraign Observations, really to enable you for such undertakings. Say not that you may meddle with temporall State-affaires, and yet not entangle your selfe with them, seeing the world is such a Witch, it is impossible to doe the one without the other. Observe those Clergy-sticklers on the Civill Stage, and you shall seldome finde them Crowned with a quiet death. Remember your Predecessour Chrysostome, who did onelyonly Pray, and Preach, and Read, and Write, thereby made happy in the despight of his Enemies: For though twice expell'd his Patriarkship, hee was twice restor'd with greater honour: so that it was not want of Policy, which lost, An. Dom. 1182but store of Piety, which caused him to recover his place againe. I speake not this, out of any repining at the lustre of your preferment, who envy outward Honour no more than the shining of a Glo-worme, but meerely out of love to your person, and desire of your happinesse.
14. But Basilius, in some passion returned, I perceive you are lately broken loose out of your Cell, which makes you more fierce and keen, like Hawkes when they are first un-hooded, and newly restored to the light. Know, Sir, one may well attend two Callings, if they bee sub-ordinate, as the meanes and the end. All my secular Businesse is in order to the good of the Church. The love of the Laity unto us, without some awe mingled with it, can neither be long-lasting, or much serviceable. My Education hath admitted An. Dom. 1182.me into generall Learning, and made mee capable of any imployment. I deny not the World to be a Witch, but I know how to arme my soule with holy Spells against all her Inchantments. Whereas you say, one cannot meddle with worldly matters, but must intangle himselfe therewith, it is all one, as if you should affirme, that a temperate man cannot eate meate but he must surfet. Proofes from the event, argue not the justice or injustice of the Act; and nothing can be inferred from the ill successe of our medling in secular affaires. To your instance of Chrysostome, I oppose the example of Augustine Bishop of Hippo, who set in full brightnes, and yet kept a Court in his owne house, where he umpir'd and decided all temporall controversies. You trample on that which you call pride in me, with that which An. Dom. 1182.is so in your selfe. And all this proceeds out of spight, because you cannot turne your Cowle into a Mitre.
15. But Basilius was deafe to all these perswasions, and joyning with Hagio-christophorites Stephanus, (chiefe Enginier for Andronicus) advanced all cruell designes. And now Mamalus and Lapardus being executed, all others were possest with a Panick feare: and no wonder when the string is broken, if the Beads be scattered. It being feared, that the Plot miscarryed, they strove to make themselves innocent, by first making others guilty. And yet it was vaine to take the pains who should start quickest, when they all met even at the Post: For Andronicus took order that they were all alike executed.
16. There were two of his Creatures, Trypsycus, and Hagiochristophorites An. Dom. 1182.Stephanus, who onelyonly fell out, who should bee most officious to him: Each had the other in jealousie, fearing his Rivall would engrosse the Emperour unto him. Especially, Stephanus, was fearefull of Trypsycus; understanding that Andronicus wrote private Letters unto him, stiling him, his Beloved friend, with other expressions, which spake more intimacy than Stephanus was willing to heare. This Trypsycus had been a dangerous Promoter in all company, Representing to Andronicus every syllable spoken against him, to the disadvantage of the speaker: and as one saith, (I conceive rather in the Language of the times, than his owne) Every man then was to give an account of every idle Word. It happened therefore that oneAn. Dom. 1182. was procured, who accused TRYPSYCUS for jeering of JOHN the Emperours eldest Sonne for Deformed, and that he scattered some loose expressions▪ bewailing the Miserie of the Times. Now, though the grear Service which TRYPSYCUS had done, might deserve to over-weigh so light an Offence; it cost him his Life, Confiscation of his goods and Ruine of his Posterity.
17. Now hath STEPHANUS roome to Domineere alone in the favour of ANDRONICUS, sending him to seize on ISAACIUS, who for the present was got out of his Covent. It was past the skill of the Spannel to catch him, who dived for the instant, but we shall find him in due time above water, and that to purpose.