The Unfortunate Politician, Part 3
The third BOOK.An. Dom 1181.
1. THE newes of Andronicus his being chosen joynt-Emperour, no sooner arrived at the eares of Maria Caesarissa, but shee was drowned in a deluge of griefe: being beholden to nature that she could vent her selfe in teares; seeing that sorrow, which cannot bleed in the eyes, doth commonly fester in the heart. And when her Nurse lovingly chid her, for excessive sadnesse, she pleaded her sex, which can scarce doe any thing without over-doing; so that Feminine passions, must either not be full, or over-flow.An. Dom. 1181.
2. But Anger, soon after having got the conquest of her owne grief, with furious speed she repaired to the place, where the Lords of the Combination were assembled, & ther she abruptly vented her self in these Expressions.
3. Greece is growne barbarous, and quite bereft of its former worth; not so much as the ruines of valor left in you, to reach forth unto posterity, any signes that you were extracted from brave ancestors. Time was when the Grecian Youth, adventured for the Golden-Fleece, you may now adventure for the Asses Skin, the dull Embleme of your owne Conditions: The merry Greek, hath now drowned the Proverbe of the valiant Greek. Tame Traytors all! that could behold an Usurper, Mate and check your lawfull Emperour, and neither wag hand or tongue in opposition. Did my father ManuelAn. Dom. 1181. for this, impaire his owne, to raise your estates? He made you honourable and great: Oh that hee could have made you gratefull! The best is, your very sin will be your punishment. And though your practice hath beene so base, your judgement cannot be so blinde as to believe, that your Channells of Nobility can have a stream, when the Fountaine of Honour is dammed up, by your unworthinesse.
3. The Lords, though by their Silence they seemed first to swallow her words, yet the expression of Tame Traitors would not goe downe their Throats; the largest soules being narrowest in point of credit, and soonest choakt with a disgrace. Mamalus therefore in the behalfe of the rest; Madam (said he) sufficeth it now for us, barely to deny your speech. Had you been a man, An. Dom. 1181.we should have proceeded to defie the Speaker. What your passion, now condemnes in us for base; your judgement will not onelyonly acquit, for right, and approve, for safe: but even commend for honourable, and advantageous for our Master Alexius. Our Lives and Lands, are at the sole dispose, and the cruell mercy of our enemies. We are instantly undone, if we whisper the least and lowest syllable of Loyalty, and utterly disabled from any future service to Alexius. We conceive it therefore better, for a time, to bow to our foes, rather than to bee broken by them: To spare in words, and spend what wee please, in thoughts. We want not a will, but wait a time, to expresse our Reallity to the Emperour, with most safety to our selves, and effect for him, in a season, least subject to suspition.
5. Pacified with these words,An. Dom. 1181. she was contented to attend the performance of the Promise, in time Convenient; though never living so long, as to behold it, being prevented by violent Death. For now Andronicus began freely to rage in Innocent bloud, cutting off such Nobles as hee thought would oppose him. Something like truth was alledged against them, to stop the Clamours of the multitude. And Power never wants pretences, & those legall, to Compasse what it doth desire. They were indicted of Conspiracy against Andronicus; and Knights of the Post, (of the Devils owne dubbing) did depose it against them. Yea, silence was not enough to preserve mens Innocence: some being accused that their Noses did wrinkle, or their Eyes winke, or their Fore-heads frowne, or their Fingers snapAn. Dom. 1181. Treason against Andronicus.
6. In this his Epidemical cruelty, it was much, that a famous Iester of the Court escaped his furie. Of this Fellow, his body downwards was a Foole, his Head a knave, who did carefully note, and cunningly vent, by the priveledges of his Coate, many State-Passages, uttering thē in a warie twilight, betwixt sport & earnest. But belike, Andronicus would not break himselfe by stooping to so low Revenge, and made Conscience in breaking the antient Charter of Iesters, though wronging the Liberty of others, of greater Concernment.
7. Of such as were brought to Publicke Execution, it was strange to behold, the difference of their demeanour. Some, who were able to be miserable, with an undaunted minde, did become their afflictions, and by their Patience made their miseriesAn. Dom. 1181. to smile, not bowing their Soules beneath themselves, only appealing for Iustice in another world. Others did foolishly rage, and ramp, mustring whole Legions of Curces, as if therewith to make the Axe turne Edge. And then seeing no Remedie but Death, their Soules did not bow by degrees, but fell flat in an instant; of Lions, turning Calves, halfe dead with feare, received the fatall stroake of the Executioner. So many were confusedly hudled to death, it is hard to ranke them in order, only wee will insist on some principall Persons,
8. First, Maria Caesarissa, and her husband (whether it was Conscience or Manners, not to part man and wife:) And because Andronicus durst not, for feare of the People, bringe them to publick death, their Physitian An. Dom. 1181was brib'd with Gold, which he conceived cordiall for himselfe; And thereupon he did quickly purge out both theire Soules by Poyson, (an unsuspected way,) which robs men of their lives, and yet never bids them to stand.
9. Next followed Xene the Mother Empresse being accused of high Treason for attempting to be tray the City of Belgrade, to Bela King of Hungarie. A pack't councell condemn'd her to death, which though otherwise vitious, was generally bemoaned; as most innocent in this particular. But, Andronicus the Emperour, cunningly derived the whole hatred hereof, on yong Alexius (whose Power he never used, or owned, but onelyonly to make him the Cloak-father for odious Acts) vrging him to signe the warrant, for her execution. In the stout refusall whereof, Alexius An. Dom. 1181.shew'd more Constancy then was expected to come from him, clearely answering all Arguments, herein shewing himselfe a childe in Affection, and more then a childe in Judgement. Whereupon some ground their presumptions, that his soule deserved better breeding, and that hee was not to bee censured for weaknesse of Capacity; but rather his friends to bee condemned, for want of care, and himselfe to bee bemoaned, for lack of Education. Hee flatly told Andronicus, that Nero was recorded Monster to all Ages, for killing his Mother: And that hee would never consent to her death, that gave him life.
10. But he proceeded to aggravate the Crime of Xene, Belgrade being such a piece of strength, that it was a wholeAn. Dom. 1181. Province in effect. And though but a Towne in Bulke, was a Kingdome in benefit. All Greece awfully attending the fortune thereof. Hee minded Alexius, that Fathers of Countries, should know no Mothers; but that Soveraignes affections are onelyonly of kin to the good and safety of their Subjects. Besides, (saith he) you need not scruple so much at her death, who is dead whilst living, and hath been many yeares drowned in Luxurie. So that what was cruelty in Nero, will be Exemplary Justice in you.
11. Alexius rejoyned, that if his Mother Xene was so drowned in Luxurie, the more need she had to drowne her sins in penitent Teares, except it were conceiv'd Charity to kill both her soule and body. That Princes were not to owne private affections,An. Dow. 1181. where they were destructive to the Common good, but might and must, where they consisted with the publike safety. Or else to become a Prince, would be all one, as to leave off to be a man. Grant Belgrade a strong Place▪ it was still in their owne possession, and her intended Treason succeeded not. And therefore he conceiv'd it a middle and indifferent way, that she should be depriv'd of liberty for Plotting of Treason, and yet be permitted to live because the Plot took no effect: A Cloister should be provided, whereto she should bee close confin'd, therein to doe Pennance for her former enormities. And in this Sentence, he conceived that hee impartially divided himselfe betwixt the affection of a Childe, and severity of a Judge.An. Dom. 1181.
12. But Andronicus who was resolved to have no denyall, highly commended him for his filiall care of his Mothers soule: Yet, said he, for the benefit thereof, fifty Friers at my own proper charges, shall bee appointed, which after her Death, Night and day, shall dauly pay their prayers in her behalfe, whose suffrages are as well knowne above, as her Prayers are strangers there: it being to bee presumed, that whilst shee is living, the Heavens will be deafe to her, which so long have beene dumbe to them. Speake not of her Project that it tooke no effect; for had it succeeded, none would have called it Treason, but have beheld it under a more favourable Notion. He minded Alexius that hee had sufficient power of himselfe, being joyntEmperour to put her to death, but that he would in no case depriveAn. Dom. 1181. him of this Peerelesse Opportunity of Eternizing his memory to Posterity, and securing the State by his necessary Severity. For all hereafter would be deterred from attempting of Treason, as despairing of pardon, when they beheld the Exemplary justice on his own Mother.
13. Alexius still persisting in his denyall, Andronicus at last fell to flat menacing, yet so cunningly carryed it, that his threats did not seeme to proceed from any anger, but from love to the person, and griefe for the perversenesse of Alexius. Hee protested he would no more break his sleep, he would steere the State no longer; Let even the Windes and the waves hereafter bee the Pilots to that crazie vessell. He call'd the Heavens to witnesse, (before whom heeAn. Dom. 1181. entred a Caveat to preserve his owne Innocence,) how he had tendred happinesse to Alexius, but could not force it upon him, who wilfully refused it. In a word, so passionate he was, and so violent was the streame of his importunity, that the young Emperour, either out of weaknesse, or wearinesse to swimme against it, was at last carryed away with the Current thereof, and subscribed the Warrant.
14. To divert whose minde from musing upon it, a solemne Hunting in the Countrey was contrived, that there he might take his pleasure. In a Forrest not farre off a stately Stagge was lodged, ambitious (as they told him) to fall by the hand of an Emperour, or else to bee dubbed an Hart Imperiall, if chancing to escape. All things being ready, Alexius is carried thither; butAn. Dom. 1181. withall, those are sent along with him, which hunted this Hunter, markt all his motions, learnt the language of his looks, and hands, with the different Dialects of his severall fingers, so that hee could not speake a word, or make signe to any of his faithfull servants, but presently it was observed, and if materiall, reported to Andronicus. None of his friends durst shew any discontent. If any was seen sadly to wag his head, it was a certaine signe that that head stood but loose on his shoulders, and by the next returne, the newes would bee, 'that 'twas fallen off: so miserable was the condition of this Prince, and of all his followers.
But Andronicus had a Hinde to hunt at home, and must provide for the Execution of Xene. An. Dom. 1181.And now to enter the tender yeares of his sonne Manuel, for great Actions, he thought first to bloud him with an Empresse, in private delivering the Warrant unto him. Behold here an unexpected accident! This good Childe of a bad Father, (Grace can cut off the oldest, and strongest Entaile of Wickednesse) refused the Employment, alledging, there was no such dearth of hangmen, that a Prince need take their Office; and that it was against his Conscience, her Crime being rather pack't than prov'd, seeing shee was never brought to answer for her selfe: Here-at his Father mad with rage, rated and reviled him. Bastard, thou wert never true Eagles Bird, whose eyes are dazled at the Sunne of Womans Beautie. What? doth thy Cowardice take Sanctuary at Conscience? He An. Dom. 1181.never climbes a Throne that stands on such poore pretences. What if she never appeared to answer? where the fact it selfe doth Cry, it is needlesse for the offendor to speake: Narrow-hearted foole! A Cottage is fitter for thee than an Empire. Have I pawned mine owne soule, to found thy greatnesse, and am I thus requited? and so abruptly brake off into weeping.
16. Manuel Modestly returned: I am sorry Sir, you should pawne your soule for my sake, but however I am resolved not to loose mine owne. Whosoever climbes a Throne without Conscience, never sits sure upon it. I had rather succeed to your private paternall possession, then to an ill-gotten Empire. Nor am I daz'led at the Lustre of her beauty, but at the clearenesse of her Innocence; all men being generally Compurgators An. Dom. 1181.for her Integrity herein. Employ me, and trie my valour in any other service. Command, and I will fetch the Lions onelyonly heire out of his Den, both insight and spight of Sire and Dam; onelyonly herein I desire to be excused, and I hope deserve not to be accounted a Coward for fearing to commit a sinne. How much Andronicus was bemadded here-at, may easier be conceived, than exprest, to receive a finall repulse from his owne Sonne, insomuch as at the last he was faine to make use of Hagio Christophorites Stephanus, Captaine of the Guard (who alone of all the Lords of the Combination, stuck to him, and was respected of him) and hee verie fairely tooke order to dispatch her, stifling her (as some say) betwixt two Pillowes.
17. The next Newes which tooke possession of the Tongues and Eares of People, was theAn. Dom. 1181. cruell and barbarous death of young Alexius: whilst, the vulgar did wonder that he dyed so soone, and the wise did more admire that he lived so long; and the difference was not great betwixt him that was now but a Ghost, and whilst living, but a shadow *… 2 lib. parag. 9.Basilius went too far to fetch a fit Paralell out of the Roman Historie, to compare An-dronicus and Alexius with old Fabius and sprightfull Marcellus; who might have met in the same Story farre nearer, (because later by 100 yeares) a more lively resemblance in the Consulship of Julius Caesar and Bibulus, whereof the one did all, the other drankeall.
18. The manner of Alexius his death was, that hee had his neck broken with a Bow-string; the punishment in that place, (as still amongst the Turkes) much used: and in this Tyrants Reigne,An. Dom. 1181. the string did cruelly strangle more at home, than the Bow did valiantly kill abroad. This Bow-string (to make a short digression) was an Instrument whereon Andronicus used to play, and sportingly to make much Mirth and Musick thereon to himselfe, calling it his medicine for all Malladies. For whereas (said he) Purges were base, Vomits worse, Cupping painfull, Glisters immodest, bloud-letting Cruell; this Bowstring had all the opposite good qualities unto them. And the same did quench the heat of Feavers, draine the moisture of Dropsies, cure Plurisies without piercing a veine, stay the Vertigo, heale the Strangurie, by opening the Urine, and onelyonly stopping the breath. This being one base humour of Andronicus, (unworthy Civility and Christianity) to breake iests on menAn. Dom. 1181. in miserie, just as they were to dye. As for the Corps of Alexius (on whom he had practised with his foresaid Medicine,) they were most unworthily handled, and dead Bodies, though they cannot bee hurt, may bee wrong'd, especially of such eminent persons.
19. Now to refresh the Reader a-mid'st so many murders, and Massacres; it will not be amisse, to insert an unexpected Marriage. Alexius left Anna an Empresse Dowager. And some days after her husbands death, he addressed himself a Sutor unto her, being to encounter with invincible disadvantages. First he came reaking with the bloud of slaine Alexius. And what hope could hee have that shee would embrace that Viper, that had stung her other-selfe to death! Secondly the disproportion of his Age, being past 70.An. Dom. 1181. and what motly colour'd Marriage, would it make to joyne his gray to greene! his cold November being enough to kill her flourie May. Notwithstanding all this, he had formerly been so flesh't with fortune, he conceived he could never bee leane afterwards; and knew that in matters of this nature, confidence in attempting, is more than halfe the way to successe.
20. First, He possess'd himselfe of her judgement, and made her beleeve, that all his former undertakeings, were in service to her, grieving that Alexius did not valewe the Pearle he wore. He protested there was nothing about him, but his haires, which were dyed white, not by his Age, but by his Carefulnesse for her preservation. Then, He assaulted her affection, principally pressing that Argument, which was never propounded to a meereAn. Dom. 1181. woman, & returned with a deniall, namely, assuring her of power & greatnes, promising she should be the Conduit, through which al his favours should passe, and all his people under his command, should be blest or blasted by her Influence, neither were gifts wanting, & those of the largest size, bestowed on her servāts, (who promoted his cause) and the dullest Bodies worke on the most subtile Soules, by the mediation of such Spirits.
21. Now, whether it was out of Childishnesse, not being full fourteene, or out of feare, being farre from her friends, and her Person in his power; or out of pride, loath to abate of her former State; she assented to his desire. But to speake plainely, he sheweth him selfe to have store of leisure, and want of worke, who is imployed to finde a Root in Reason, for all the fruit thatAn. Dom. 1181 growes from Francie: Sufficeth it, she loved him, affirming it, it was no wonder, that he should take a poore Ladies Affections captive, whose valour in the Field, had subdued the most manly of his Enemies.
22. To make this story passe for probable, we may fellow it, with the like in our English Chronicles. RICHARD the, Third, though not so old, more ugly, then ANDRONICUS, obtained the love, and was matried to the Countesse of Warwicke, the Relictt of Prince Edward (sonne to King Henry the sixt) whom the same Richard had slaine at Teuxbury, she knowing so much, and he not denying it, They were Namesakes, both Ann's, and when they had cast up their Audit, both, I beleeve, might equally boast of their Bargains.
23. But Andronicus who wasAn. Dom. 1181. never unseasonably Amorous (but had his Lust subordinate to his Ambition and cruelty, when they gave him leave, and leasure to prosecute his pleasure) was not softned by the Dalliance of Marriage, to remit any thing of his former Tyranny. He protested that he counted the day lost, wherein he had not kill'd or tortur'd some eminent Person: Or else, so planett-struck him with his frownes, that he enjoyed not himselfe after. He never put two men together to death after the same way; as not consisting with his state to weare one torture threed-bare, but ever appeared in exchange, & variety of new māner of punishments. And if any wonder, that there was not a generall insurrection made against this monster of mankind, to rend him from the Earth; Know that he had one humour, that did muchAn. Dom. 1181. helpe him, in being sterne and cruell to Noble men; but affable and courteous to poore people, and so still kept in with the vulgar. Besides, many stately Structures he erected, and sweetned his cruelties with some good acts for the Publick. Now, that we might not seem to have weeded the life of Andronicus, or to be a kin to those flyes, which travelling by many fragrant Flowers, onelyonly make their residence, on some sore, or Dunghill, wee will recount some of his good deeds, and pitty it was, that they had not proceeded from a better Author.
24. Hee surveyed the Walls of Constantinople, and mended them, wheresoever the chinkes thereof did call for reparation. Hee pluckt downe all the buildings without (yet so, that the owners sustained no losse thereby) for feare in case of an enemiesAn. Dom. 1181. invasion, those houses might serve them for Ladders to scale the City with more ease. Thus all Constantinople was brought within the compasse of her Walls, (as she remaines at this day) not like many ill proportioned Cities in Europe, which groane under over-great Suburbs (so that the Children over-top the Mother) and branch themselves forth into out-Streets, to the impairing of the root, both weakning and impoverishing the City it selfe. Hee bestowed great cost in adorning the Porphyrie Throne, which an Usurper did provide and beautifie, for a lawfull Prince to sit upon it. Hee brought fresh Water, (a Treasure in that place) through a Magnificent Aqueduct, into the heart of the City, which after his death, was spoyled out of spight (as private Revenge in a furious fit, oft impairesAn. Dom. 1181. the publike good) people disdaining to drink of his water, who had made the streets runne with bloud. His benefaction to the Church of forty Martyrs amounted almost to a new founding thereof, intending his Tombe in that place, though it was arrant presumption in him, who had denyed the right of Sepulture to others, to promise the Solemnity thereof unto himselfe.
25. But that which gained him the greatest Reputation far and neare, even amongst those that never saw his face, was, an Edict for the saving of Ship-wrackt goods. There was amongst the Greeks a constant practice, founded in Crueltie, and strengthned by Custome; that if a Vessell was discovered in danger of drowning, those on the shore, like so many ravenous Vultures,An. Dom. 1181. flockt about that Carkasse, to pick out the eyes thereof, the wealth therein. These made all their Hay in foul weather, which caused them not onelyonly duely to wait, but heartily to wish for a Tempest: And as the wicked Tenants in the Gospel concluded to kill the Heire that so the Inheritance might bee their owne, These remorselesse men, to prevent future Cavills and clamours about the goods; dispatcht the Mariners, alwayes by wilfull neglecting their preservation, & too often by downe-right contriving their destruction. More cruell then the verie stocks and stumps of Trees, which growing by Rivers sides; commonly hang over the water, as if out of pity, tendring their service to such as are in danger of drowning, & stooping downe to reach their hands to help them to the shore.An. Dom. 1181. Now, Andronicus taking this barbarous Custome into Consideration, forbad it, for the time to come, on most terrible penalties, (and this Lion, if enraged, would by his loudnesse, roare Hearing into the deafe) and enjoyned all to improve their utmost endeavours, for the preservation of their persons. Hence followed such an alteration, that shipwrack't goods, if floating to land, safely kept themselves without any to guard them. Men would rather blow their fingers, than heat their hands with a rotten Planke▪ rather goe naked, than cover themselves with a rag of Shipwrackt Canvas: It was ominous to steale the least inch of of a Cable, lest it lengthned it selfe into an Halter to him that tooke it. All things were preserved equally safe, of what value soever,An. Dom. 1181. and untold Pearle, might lye on the Shore untoucht, like so many Oyster-shells. This dispersed the fame of his Justice and Mercy into forraigne parts: And as Sounds which are carried a-long by the Rivers side, having the advantage of hollow Banks, and the water to convey them, are heard sooner and quicker, then Sounds of the same lowdnesse, over the Land; So the Maritim Actions of Princes, concerning Trading, wherein Strangers, as wel as their owne Native Subjects are interessed, report them to the world in a higher Tone, and by a quicker passage, than any Land-lockt Action of theirs, which hath no further influence, but onelyonly terminates in their owne Kingdome. Yea this one ingratiating Decree of Andronicus, did set him up with so full stock withAn. Dom. 1181. Reputation, that upon the bare credit thereof, might now runne on skore, the committing of many Murthers, and never have his Name once called to Accompt for any injustice therein.
26. And as the Sea-men by water, so the Husband-men by land (and those wee know have strong Lungs, and stout sides) cryed up the fame of Andronicus, because he was a great preserver of Tillage, and Corne was never at more reasonable rates than in his Reigne. Hee cast a strict eye on all Customers and Tax-gatherers, and (as evill Spirits are observed to walk much about silver Mines) so Andronicus did incessantly haunt all publique receivers of money; and if finding them faulty; oh excellent sport for the people to see how those Sponges were squeezed! He allowed large andAn. Dom. 1181. liberal maintenance to all in places of Judicature, that want might not tempt them to corruption. Thus, even the worst of Tyrants light sometimes on good actions, either stumbling on them by chance, or out of love (not of vertue, but) of their owne security. They are wicked by the generall Rule of their lives, and pious by some Exceptions, just, by fits, that they may be more safely unjust when they please. And hereby Andronicus advanced himselfe to bee tollerable amongst Man-kinde.
27. Wee could willingly afford to dwell longer under the Temperate Climate of his Vertues; but Travellers must on their journey. Comming now to the Torrid Zone of his Fury, which indeed was not habitable: His Foes hee executed, because they were his foes; and hisAn. Dom. 1181. friends, because they were his friends. For they that let out a Courtesie at Interest to a Tyrant, commonly lose the Principall: Witnesse Conto-Stephanus, the great Duke, Admirall of the Galleyes, who by betraying his trust, brought Andronicus to Constantinople, and now fairely had his eyes put out. As for Georgius-Dissipatus, Andronicus intended to roast him, being a Corpulent man, upon a Spit, affirming that such fat Venison wanted no Larding, but would baste it selfe, and meant to serve him up as a dainty dish in a Charger or Tray, to his Widdow, had not some intervening accident diverted it. He made a bloudy Decree, which had a traine of indefinite, and unlimited extent, and would reach as farre as the desire of the measurer: namely, that all suchAn. Dom. 1181. of the nobility which were, now, or should, hereafter, be cast into Prison; should bee executed without any legall Triall, with their Children and Kindred. Prince Manuel, (whose worst fault was, that Andronicus begat him) in vaine opposed this Decree, alleaging this to be the ready way for his Father to un-Emperour himselfe, by destroying that Relative Title, and leaving himselfe no Subjects.
28. But Andronicus had found Scripture, whereby to justifie his Act, and brought St. *Rom. 7. 19, 20.Paul for his Patron, whose practise and confession hee cited. For the Good that I would, I doe not; But the evill which I would not, that I doe. Now if I doe that I would not, it is no more I that doe it, but sinne that dwelleth in me. God keep us from Apocrypha-CommentsAn. Dom. 1181. on Canonicall Scripture: send us his pure Text without the glosse of Andronicus, who, belike, conceiv'd hee could not bee a perfect Tyrant, by onelyonly torturing of men, except also he did rack Gods Word, rending Text from Con-text, and both, from their true intent.
29. This Decree startles such Lords of the Combination as were left alive, together with Mamalus, principall Secretary to the late Emperour, and Alexius Ducas, the most Active, but not nearest, Prince of the bloud. These, meeting together, much bemoaned themselves, till Mamalus counting such puling passion beneath Masculine Spirits, thus uttered himselfe.
30. You late adorers of Andronicus, who did conceive it would pose the power of heavē to cure the State, save oncly by his hand, bee An Dom. 1181.your owne Judges, whether it be not just that they should dye of the Physicke who made a God of the Physitian. Diseases doe but their kind, if they kill, and, an evill expected, is the lesse evill: But no such Torment as to die of the remedie: OnelyOnly one helpe is left us, if secretly and speedily pursued. We know, Isaacius Angelus by birth and merit is intitled to the Crowne. True, hee lives privately in a Covent, but worth cannot bee hid, it shines in the darke; and Greatnesse doth best become them to weare it, by whom it is found, before it is sought for, as more deserved then desired by them: say not that he is of too milde a disposition; for, his soft temper will make the beter Pultis for our sore necks, long gauled with the yoke of Tyranny. And seeing we have thus long been unhappy under the extremities, the childe-hood of Alexius,An. Dom. 1181. and old yeares of Andronicus, let us try our Fortunes under the middle age of Isaacius: And no doubt we shall light on the blessed meane and happy temper of Moderation.
31. The motion found entertainment beyond beliefe. And yet Alexius Ducas offer'd it to their consideration; that so meek a Dove would never make good Eagle: Giving a Character, how a Prince should be accomplished with valour and experience, by insinuation designing himself. It is pleasant to heare a proud man speaking modestly in his owne praise, whilst the Auditors affect a wilfull deafenesse, and will not heare his whispering, and slenting expressions, till at last hee is faine to hollow downe-right Selfe-flattery into their Eares. Here it fared thus with Ducas, who thereby only, exposed himselfeAn. Dom. 1181. to contempt: and perceiving no successe, zealously concurr'd with the rest for advancing of Isaacius. All necessary particulars were politiquely contrived, each one had his taske appointed him: some, to seize on the ships, others, to secure the Pallace, make good the great Church: and the whole modell was exactly methodized, considering the vast Volumne thereof, which consisted of many persons of qualitie therein ingaged.