Th emperour Marcus had many doughters , The childerne of Marcus . Verissimus . and .ii. sonnes onely , of whome the yonger named Verissimus , by myschaunce died in his tender age . The other named Commodus , Commodus . the father broughte vp with great diligence and care . And hauynge goten from all partes excellente learned men , waged them with large stipendes , that they shoulde euery man for hys parte , garnysshe the maners and disposicion of hys Sonne . He maryed his doughters at their rype age , vnto the best of the Senatours , choosyng to his Sonnes in lawe , not suche as coulde shew furthe large pedegrues of their auncestrie , or suche as vaunted them selues of their great treasoure , but those which excelled in perfecte modestie of maners , and Innocencie of lyfe . For that he esteamed , to be the onely , perfecte , and stable , rychesse of the mynde .

¶ He forgate no vertue , The good disposicion of Marcus . wherin he exercised not hym selfe : beyng so studious of the antiquitie of learnyng , that in the same , he might be compared , to the best eyther of the Greekes , or of the Romaynes . For profe hereof , there are many thinges bothe spoken , and writen , by hym , commen euen vnto our tyme . He was so curteis , that he would gentely take euery commer vnto hym by the hande : not permytting , that any man shoulde be forbidden by his garde , the approching vnto his person . And he onely , amonges all the Emperours , vsed the study of Sapience , not in woordes , or knowledge of decrees , but in grauitie of maners , and continencie of lyfe . Wherby it came to passe , that the same age and tyme , brought furthe a great encrease of wyse men , for communely , men are wont to folowe the lyues and maners of their prynces . But now , as touching the notable actes by hym done , aswell at Rome , as elles where , how he behaued hym selfe also , towardes the Barbarous nacions enhabytinge the Easte , and the Northe , the same are contayned in the monumentes of many excellent learned men . But those thinges , whyche ( after the death of Marcus , by all ages . ) I bothe sawe and harde , ( whereof many by experience my selfe knewe , as one traded in common affayres , and princes businesse ) I haue taken vpon me to wryte .

Pannonie . ¶ Whyles the olde Emperour Marcus soiourned amonges the Pannoniens , a very greuous disease came vpon hym , not onely worne wyth age , but also sore broken wyth continuall trauaile and care . Wherfore , when he perceyued no remedy but death , he beganne greatly to doubte in hym selfe , lest hys Sonne , ( who was but then entered the fyrst yeres of his Adolescencie ) eyther throughe vehemencie of hys youthe , Adolescencie . or elles throughe an inordynate lycence , whyche he should haue after hys fathers deathe , leuynge all good exercise , and study aparte , wold addycte him selfe to dronkennesse , and superfluous ryot . For he knewe well , that the myndes of yonge men , easily declyne , to immoderate superfluytie , from laudable and honest dysciplyne . He was troubled besydes , wyth the memory of many princes , whiche beyng but yonge men , tooke vpon them the gouernaunce of royaulmes : as well of Dionisius the Tiraunt of Sicile , Dionisius . ( whose intemperatenes of lyfe was so great , that he endowed with richest rewardes , th inuentours of newe pleasures : as also of them whyche succeaded Alexander , of Macedonie : who dyd so shamefullye and Tiranouslye raygne , that they purchased to hys kyngedome , a notorious obloquy . For Ptolomeus , fell into so detestable lyfe , Ptolomeus . that contrarye to the lawes of the Macedoniens , and all the Greekes , he was entangled , with th incest mariage of hys owne Syster . Antigonus also , Antigonus . Bacchus ( to represent the GOD Bacchus ) was wonte , in steade of the Macedonien Diademe and crowne to were a Garlande of yuie , and for a sceptre , to carye a thystell . The olde man was vexid besydes , wyth late examples , as of Nero , Nero. who abstayned not from the murdering of hys owne moother , and made hym selfe as a laughynge stocke , vnto all the people . He remembred Domytian , Domitian who lefte nothynge vndone that he thoughte to appertayne vnto extreame Crueltye . Wherefore , wayeng wyth hym selfe thiese ymages of tyrannye , he was tossed betwene hope and feare . The nygh nacion of the Germaynes , encreased also hys perplexitie : for he hadde not throughly broughte them in subiection , but some he had taken into hys frendshyppe , and the reste , he had vanquysshed by force of batayle . Many of the same were escaped , and hydde them selues , for feare of the prynce . Wherefore he doubted greately leaste after hys deathe , they woulde rebelle agayne , in settynge at noughte the youthe of hys Sonne : for he knewe , the nature of the barbarous people , was to be sturred wyth euery small tryfle . Beynge turmented wyth thiese troublesome waues of care , he caused as manye hys friendes , and kynsmen as were then in his company to repayre vnto his presence , and at theyr commynge togythers , hauyng commaunded hys Sonne to stande before them , he lyfted hym selfe somewhat vpon hys pylowe , and made this oracion vnto them .

¶ It is not to be meruayled at , The oracion of Marcus vpon hys death bed that you are sorowfull and pensyfe , beholding me in this plighte : for it is the nature of man , to bewaile the misfortune of other . And those thinges we see with our eyes , doo prouoke muche more compassion and pitie . Besydes this my reason is commune with you : for in the recompence of the good wyll I haue heretofore borne you , I hope and as of duty loke for a mutuall beneuolence at your handes . And at this presente it is so happened , that I must make profe , whether I haue in vayne so longe to fore exhybited honour vnto you , ( hauing you alwayes in estimacion ) and employed all my diligent studie towardes your welthe : And you in recompencing the same to shewe your selues not vnmyndefull of the benefytes you haue receyued : ye see my son whom your selues haue norished , entering nowe the first boundes of his youthe . And ( as it were ) in the swolowe and waues of mortall lyfe , wanting gouernours : lest the through ignoraunce , beyng drawen from his ryghte course , he acquaynte himselfe with disordered exercyses . Be you therfore , ( for me but one ) many fathers vnto hym , in garnyshing his maners , wyth prompting , and minystring holsome preceptes vnto hym : for , neyther maye the aboundaunce of treasour , satisfie the sensual lustes of tyranny , neyther can the Emperoure , be assuredly defended by the bande of his garde , enuyroning hys person , except , he haue the good willes of those whom he gouerneth . For euermore they raigne longe , and peaceably , by whom no feare through cruelti , but loue through gentlenes , is powred into the hartes of the Citezyns : neyther they whome force constrayneth , but those which of their free wylles obey , are eyther in doing or suffering , exempt from all suspicion of flatery . The same do not at any tyme , ( except they be outragiously handeled ) grudge , or impugne , the rule of their superiours . But it is very harde for a man , which lyueth in moost inordinate licence , to gouerne him self , and bridle his affections . Wherfore , yf ye wil be Authours of well lyuing vnto him , and oftentimes admonyshe him of those thinges he presently heareth , ye shal with that one labour , bothe make hym a good prynce vnto your selfes , and all other , and also deserue the participation of our memorye , whiche with this one poynt ye maye make immortall . Whyles th emperour Marcus was speaking thiese wordes , his vitall spirite began so sodeinly to fayle , that furthwyth , he was enforced to cease his talke , and slyde downe into his bed agayne . Then so greate compassion , perced the heartes of all that were present , that many of them , beyng through sorowe almost berafte their ryght senses , raysed a dolorouse clamour . He hauyng languysshed , onely a day and a nyght after ended hys lyfe : leuing behinde him , a great wante , and desyre , of hym selfe , vnto men of that age , & vnto their posterite , a perpetuall renowne of vertue . When the fame of his death , was spreadde abroade , an incredible lamentacion was , aswel amongest the hole armye selfe , as the common people : So that no man within the Romaine dominion , receiued this message , without abundaunt sheading of teares . And bewayleng the losse of him , with one accorde , some called hym a good father , other some a bening Emperour , Certayne a moost valyaunt Capitayne , and many a ryghteous and moderate prynce : And truely , there was none of them deceyued . Nowe after a fewe dayes passed , when the funerall obsequies were performed , it seamed good vnto his frendes , to bryng the yonge Emperour vnto the army , that he myght , both speake vnto the souldiours , and ( as the vsage of newe Emperours is ) in distributyng of money largely amongest them establyshe theyr myndes , ( as it wer by obligacion ) vnto him . It was therfore commaunded , that the souldiours , accordynge to the olde custome , shoulde repayre togithers in the fielde : After whose assemblie , Th emperour Commodus came furthe , and hauing finyshed the diuine ceremonies , ascended th emperiall throne , ( for the same purpose ) in the myddes of the campe erected : Where hauing about hym his fathers frendes , ( who were many excellent lerned men ) he spake these wordes , or muche lyke that ensue .

¶ I am fully perswaded , The oracion of Commodus . that the dolour of this calamite , is common to me with you : And that you are no lesse sorowfull , then my selfe . For during my fathers lyfe , I neuer behaued my selfe as superiour vnto you , for that he loued vs all equally , and dyd more wyllingly call me companion , then Sonne : bicause he esteamed the one , to be a name of nature , and the other , he reckened to be the participacion of vertue . And often times , he caried me in his armes , whiles I was an infante , delyuered me into your handes , and ( as I might saye ) gaue me wholy vnto your custodie , and fidelyte . Wherefore , I doubt not , but that ye wyll exhibyte vnto me your fauour , for myne elders , oughte to repute me as their sonne : and myne equalles in age , I may lustly call companyons in armes : for euen soo , dyd my father loue vs all as one , & prouyded to haue vs enstructed in all exercyses of vertue and learnyng . Nowe after hym , hath fortune , gyuen me for a prince vnto you : not a straunger , ( as some hath bene before me , ) nor one whyche vaunteth hym selfe of a conquered Empyre : but I was onelye borne vnto you , and brought vp in the verye Imperyall Palayce : And as soone as I was out of my moothers wombe , thymperyall purple receyued me , in so muche that I was no sooner a man , then a Prynce . Ponderynge therefore these thynges in your myndes , loue & embrace your ryghtful Emperour , not gyuen , but borne vnto you . For my father is taken vp intoo the heauens , & made companyon wyth the Goddes : And vntoo vs , the regymente of the earthe , and gouernaunce of mortall causes doo appertayne . What successe and effect they shall come vnto , it resteth in youre power : If ye wyll therefore , valyauntly fynisshe the resydue of the warres , and enlarge the Romayne Empyre , vnto the great Ocean : ye shal not onely purchase vnto your selues , exceadynge muche glorye : but also , duely requyte , the memorye of our commune parente . And beleue verelye , that he nowe heareth vs , and presently beholdeth what we doo : And let vs accompte our selues mooste happye , for that we haue suche a witnesse of our good dedes . As for the actes , ye haue vnto thys daye , valyauntly and prosperously atcheued , are attrybuted vntoo hys prudente gouernaunce : But what you shall hereafter notablye brynge to effecte wyth me , that is to saye , wyth a yonge man your Emperour , the same shall wynne vntoo youre selues , as it were , a peculier fame , as well of truth , as of prowesse : whereby ye shall brynge myne age in more estymacyon , wyth executing boldely oure affayres . And the Barbarous people , beyng in the begynnynge of thys newe pryncypalitye throughlye repressed , wyll not hereafter ouer boldelye aduaunce theym selues , in despysyng my youthe : but being ones taught by theyr owne peryls , wyl he restrayned and kepte vnder , wyth contynuall awe and feare . When he had thus muche spoken , he dystrybuted amonges the Souldyours , a greate summe of money , ( that he myghte thereby confyrme their heartes faythefull , and louynge towardes hym ) and then retourned into hys Palayce . By a lytle space after thys , all thynges were ruled by hys fathers frendes , who were at no tyme absente wyth theyr prudent counsayle , giuyng hym as muche lybertie withall , as they thoughte suffycyent , for the preseruacyon of his healthe . But anone after , certayne of th emperours housholde crepte by lyttle and lyttle forwarde , omyttynge nothynge vndoone , that myghte corrupte the good dysposycyon of the yonge Emperoure . For the table parasytes , The table of parasites . who measured felicytie by theyr belies ▪ and fylthye lustes , enfourmed hym often tymes of the Cytie pleasures , nowe , recytynge those thynges whyche were delectable too be hearde , or seene there . And then extollynge wyth prayse , the abundaunce of all thynges . They dyspraysed besydes the bankes of Histria , Histria . as vnprofytable at all seasons , for that it had no pleasaunt apple trees , or other fruite , & was enuyroned wyth contynual colde & cloudes . Wylt thou neuer , O Emperour ( sayde they ) leaue drynkynge of water digged , & congeled togyther as yse . Shal other men enioye the clere well springes , the pleasaunt colde of the runnynge ryuers , and the holsome ayre of Italye ? By these allurynges to wantonnesse , they easely enflammed the yonge mans mynde wyth vehemente desyre of those plesures . Wherfore furthwyth : hauynge called hys frendes togyther , he dyssymuled not , that he was verye desyrous of hys natyue countrey : But yet fearynge to declare , the very cause of hys sodeyn alteracyon of mynde , he fayned that he stoode in greate doubte , leaste any ryche manne of the nobylytie , woulde take possessyon , of the Imperyall Palayce : And thereupon gatherynge vntoo hym a greate power of men , would , as oute of the strongest fortresse , chalenge vntoo hym selfe the princypall domynyon of all th empyre . For ( sayd he ) amonges the people , may easely be leuied a mighty & approued company of yonge men . Whiles he thiese causes moued , ( all the rest , hauing their eyes caste vpon the earth , with styll and sorowfull countenaunce ) Pompeianus , ( who in age was the moost auncient , and had maried Commodus eldest syster ) arose vp and sayed It is no meruayle , o Sonne and soueraigne , The oracion of pompeianus vnto Commodus . that you are holden wyth desyre of your countrey , for the very same desyre of seyng oure housholdes , dothe vrge and sturre vs also . But we represse that affection , for that th affaires we haue here in hande , requyre the fyrste parte , and lyeth vs more vpon to dispatche . As for the pleasures of the Citye , you shall longer enioye hereafter : And Rome is contynually , where the Emperour soiourneth . Nowe to gyue ouer the warre lately begonne , besydes that it is shamefull , it is also very peryllous : for thereby we minister occasion of audacitee , vnto the Barbarouse people : who wyll thinke , that we are not departed for cause of recreacion , but that we are fledde being daunted with feare . And vnto your selfe , howe gloriouse wyll it be , after ye haue vanquished all your enemies , and enlarged the boundes of your Empyre vnto the ocean , to retourne to Rome wyth tryumphe , and therin , to haue ledde bounde as captyues , the barbarouse kynges and Lordes ? for truly after this sorte , in the former worldes , did the Romaynes , were noble and famouse . There is no cause , why you shoulde feare that your affayres in the city , are in any hasarde . For euery principall senatour is here present wyth you , and the hole army , doth before your eyes defende your Empire : yea , and all your chiefest Treasoure , is with vs also . The memorie besides of your father , hath establysshed a stedfast and perfecte beneuolence towardes you , with all estates . When Pompeianus perswading hym to the better , had thus muche spoken , he did somewhat at that present , represse the wyll and endeuour of the younge Emperour : who fearyng the olde mans sayinges , hauing nothing wherwith he myght well replye , dismyssed the counsayle : promisyng , that he would more diligently at leysure , debate with hym selfe those thinges . Yet afterwarde ( hys seruauntes and parasites callynge more instantely vpon hym ) he made no further relacion vnto hys Counsailours . But ( hauyng sent his letters vnto Rome , and appointed whom he thought meete , to defende the bankes of Hister , and restreigne the attemptes of the Barbariens ) he caused furthwith his remouing to be proclaymed . Thei that were lefte behynde , diligently executed the offices appoynted them , and wythin a lytle space , broughte many in subiection . And some they ioyned by great gyftes in frendeshyp vnto them . The whiche was not verye harde to doo : For the Barbarouse people beyng naturally gready of money , and despysers of all daungers , do eyther gette their liuing wyth inuasions , and pylleng of their neyghbours , or elles for an appoynted salarie , sell their peace . The which thing Commodus perceyuyng , ( that he might with money ( wherof he had innumerable abundaunce ) purchase hym selfe securitee and quiet ) he denyed nothing vnto the demaunders . Now assone as the fame of hys setting forwarde was spredde in the armye , sodeynly a greate sturre was amonges all the Souldyours , euery man desyring to returne vnto Rome , and affecting the pleasures of the citye , to leue theyr enemyes countrey . And when it was blowen abroade , by reporte of purseuauntes and postes , that the Emperour was retourning to the Citye , an incredible ioye wandered amonges the common people , euery man conceuing in hym selfe , a singuler hope of th emperours presence , and trusting assuredly that he would folowe his fathers steppes . Hym selfe making speade in hys iourney , and passynge wyth a certayne feruencie of youthe , in his charyot throughe the myddes of all them cities , was receiued with princely reuerence , and ioyfull assemblies of the people , & welcomed , as one most acceptable , and wyshed for vnto them . And when he approched nygh vnto Rome , the hole Senate , and the Romayne commons , ( eche of them coueiting to preuent other ) crowned wyth lawrell , and caryeng all ●ynde of flowers , ( that the presente season of the yere ●yd minister ) met as farre as they coulde from the citye , their prince notable in the floure of youth and nobilitie of byrthe . For truely , they loued him with most feruent affection , beyng borne and brought vp amonges them ,

The nobilite of Commodus .

Faustina Commodus mother . Antonius puis . Hadrian Traian . The beautie of Commodus .