GAlerius Trachilus , The yeare of the Citty . 821. and Silius Italicus being Consuls : Caius Juius Vindex , Lieutenant of Gallia Lugdunensis , perc●iuing that priuate conspiracies against the person of Nero had bene often intended and euer discouered , determined to giue the first onset in armes , and openlie goe to he field . Vindex was by his father of a Senatours house , by birth French and extract from the line of their ancient kings , of bodie puissant , quicke of c●nceit , of a readie dispatch , skilful in armes and bolde to attempt ▪ his prouinc peaceable , and therefore vtterlie disfurnisht of forces : no Legion , no garrson vnder his gouernement . Notwithstanding as in a bodie corrupt , & ful●fill humors , the first paine that appeareth , bee it neuer so slender , drawes o● the rest , discloseth olde aches & straines , actuateth what els is vnsound in ●he bodie : so in a state vniuersally disliked , the first disorder dissolueth the whole ▪ yea & oft so it happeneth in both , the disease that grew first , & gaue c●use to the other , being recured , the rest notwithstanding worke out the final ●estruction . Now Vindex , before he declared himselfe , wel weighing the weak●esse of his estate , & withal his owne person vncapable of the Empire , as be●ng but a stranger , without followers , without frendes or allies among the ●obility , deliberated to cast it on some other man of more reputation , who a●● by nearenesse & strength might second his attempt . Corbulo was lately mu●dred by Nero ; Vespasian far of warring in Iewry : Suetonius Paullinus at h●me without army , the most famous men of that age for militar matters . Of ●igh Germany Verginius Rufus was Lieutenant , with three Legions , nex● neighbour to Vindex , only of a meane gentlemans house . In lowe Germany F●eius Capito with fower Legions , & Clodius Macer in Africke with a compe●nt army , neither of them likely to repaire that which Nero had ruined . Th●re remained then in armes Seruius Sulpitius Galba , a man of great wealt● & ancient nobilitie , who had beene eight yeares Lieutenant in nearer Spa●ne , to the reasonable contentment of the cuntrey , with an host of one Legion , & ●e Aides belonging thereto . Vpon him Vindex finally resoluing , dispatcheth ●●to Spaine , & other cuntreies adioining , secrete letters , declaring his purpos●●o the Lieutenants . Galba , in whom age had abated the heate of ambition , exp●rience and dangerous times engendred a warie and fearefull proceeding , ●ought as then vpon nothing lesse then diademes and kingdomes , hauing g●●en himselfe ouer , for certaine yeares past , to an idle and obscure kinde of ●ife , sequestred as it were , and retired from affaires for feare of Ner● vnder whom to doe ill was not alwaies safe , alwaies vnsafe to doe ●ell , and of doing nothing no man constrained to yeelde an account . Whereupon the letters arriuing , he stoode much amazed , diuided in minde what course h●e should follow , to trust them ? peraduenture it was but a traine . to disclose ●hem and sende them to Nero ? that were indeede to put in his head an eternal ielosie , & himselfe into a needlesse peril : & perhaps also there might be good meaning . Whereupon in so doubtfull a case , the extremes seeming danger●us , he tooke the meane way , suppressing the letters , and not entring into the ●ause any further , reseruing to gouerne himselfe in the rest , as euents and ●ccurrents should leade and direst him . The other Lieutenants sent all their letters to Nero , betraying Vindex , betraying the cause , whereof themselues none were partakers .

Now Vindex certaine daies after the ●alends of March , though not fullie assured , yet hoping well of Galbaes int●●t , and presuming good lucke to so good a meaning , assembled them of his pro●●nce , such chieflie as were chiefe in their cuntrey for credit , and chiefly had bene touched in goods or in honour . To whom recounting in order the tyrannis of Nero , namelie his paring of “ “ Gallia . France to the quicke , to the vtter destruc●ion of so many men , the vniuersal decay of so goodlie a cuntrey , he exhorteth hem all to take armes , to succour themselues , to succour the Romans , and to free the whole world from so heauie a yoke . Or if , which the gods forbid in so ●ood a cause , yet let vs ( quoth he ) sell him our liues in the fielde with honour seeing wee cannot possesse them with safetie . For another Prince ( our brok●n state , and age voide of vertue , not bearing a free common wealth ) wee ha●e here at hande a man of great birth , great wealth , and great forces , one t●at hath made honourable proofe of himselfe , at home , and abroad , in al resp●cts worthy the place , Galba Lieutenant of “ “ Hispania Tar●●●onensis . Arragon . Jf you like of the ma , there remaineth then onely wee muster the cuntrey to the most that wee m●y , without whose swordes all talke of warre is but vaine , and this per●icious . His demands being all accorded by common consent , he leuieth a ●ower , many men , & fewe soldiers , taken vp on the sodaine , not disciplined , ●ot trained to the order of seruice ; he publisheth edicts diffaming the person & gouernment of Nero. Then causing Galba to be proclaimed , he writes h●● a letter , now or els neuer , to declare himselfe in fauour of mankind agai●st that monster of nature , to furnish the bodie of an hundreth thousand Fren●h men in armes , and more if neede were , of a head . The Sequani , Aedui , Aruerni , Remi , and the flowre in a maner of France , were all of the party conferring men , horse , armour , money , and what els was requisite for ser●ice in fielde . Ruf●nus , Flauius , Asiaticus with others were appointed capt●ines , & Vienna seate of the warre ; whose next neighbours , & ancient enemi●s , the Lugdunenses banded themselues against them , & the cause , or the ca●se for their sakes . Many conflicts betweene them , & skirmishes during the warre , so thicke , and so hoatly pursued , that one might perceaue much priuate choler passe vnder the shadow of publicke pretences . The Lingones likewise and Treueri , and some other citties , forsaking their fellowes , lincked themselues with the Legions confining . Three Legions , as before it is saied , with their Aides , Verginius had in his charge ; who seeing all France on a fire , and that now of force he must either rebell with the rest , or warre with the rebels ( for so they were stiled till they preuailed ) in priuate beholder , for publicke respects misliking of Nero , no admirer of Galba , with Vindex proceeding highly displeased , the example beeing vnseene , that a prouin●e should be a Princemaker , thus vnresolued , resoluing this onely , that he would not be resolued by others , determined to stande on his garde , and gather●d his men about him in hast , valiant soldiers and expert in seruice , and likely to sway where they went .

Of the other side the Lieuten●nt of Aquitania , against the troubles of France , requested the assistance of Galba his neighbour , who then at new Carthage kept a law day : but amne hee perceiued how that hee had taken a wrong adresse . For Galba receiuing the letters of Vindex , and being aduertised that warrant was out f●r his death to the Procuratours , had debated the matter afresh with his f●endes . Some vnwilling to plaie their state at a cast , wisht him to staie & at●ende to what head the humours in Rome new stirred would gather : as for the Procuratours they might be preuented , and warned is halfe armed To Titus Vinius , then Lieutenant of the Legion , and anone chiefe in fauour with Galba , that course seemed vnsafe . Armed indeede ( quoth he● ) for a while against a Procuratour or two . nay , put case wee could hang vp these few in our places , shal wee liue , doe you thinke , for lacke of a hangman ? giue vs armes against Nero , & then wee are armed . But perhaps , sith nothing is past on our part , he maie be perswaded to call in his sentenc● againe . Euen good Princes are ielous of soueraine points , and that string being touched , haue a quicke eare . They haue bought it ful deere which ig●orantlie haue sat in their chaire of estate , that haue worne their diademe to keepe it from wetting , or vpon like occasion . Germanicus , as some here ma● remember , because one or two in the armie had onelie a purpose to salute h●m Prince , was neuer well brooked , till by his owne death he had paied the pr●ce of other mens rashnesse . Corbulo , euen that Corbulo , which had quieted ●ermanie , subdued Armenia , broken the Parthian spirits , brought Arsaces ●ne on his knees before Nero , after he had so highlie deserued at his handes , i● cost him his life , that some men in secrete thought him a man fit to succeede . Wee are , as they saie , openly proclaimed , we haue an armie in field . shall he then repent it , that neuer repented but when he did well ? Let him looke that list for succours from Rome , where libertie is lost , fit men to free others . Galba and Vindex their swordes and their armies must purchase our freedome . This opinion preuailing , as possible to prooue , but of force to be followed , a daie was appointed by Galba , therein to dispatch the freeing of slaues . The cuntrey came in at the daie suspecting the matter , apt to receiue anie new impression . And Galba hauing placed of purpose , before his Tribunall , a manie of images of great personages executed or banisht in Neroes time , and fetched from exile a young nobleman , out of the next ilands , to stande by his seate , his armie about him , spake in this wise . My fellow soldiers and frendes , we are at this present assembled to enfranchise our bondmen , to bestowe vpon others that great benefit of libertie and freedome , which wee our selues , whom both nature and fortune hath freed , this long time haue smallie enio●ed . The life J haue led hitherto will sufficientlie discharge me from anie aspiring conceite , and mine owne conscience beareth me witnes , that I speake not vpon anie malice , or priuate respects . It greeues mee to say : but it helpes not to ●ide that which euerie man seeth . hath euer bondman vnder a cruell maste● passed a yeare of harder seruice , then we haue done fourteene vnder Nero ? ●hat kind of exaction hath he not proued to supply with extortion that which with shame he hath spent ? what kinde of cruelty hath he not practised ? if wee should conceale or seeke to suppresse it , these dumbe stones would declare ●hem . Beholde , poisoned his father and brother , abused & slaine his owne mother , murdered his wife , his master , & what els soeuer valiant or vertuous in Senate , in city , in prouince , without anie difference of sex , or of age . I neede not to speake of the sorrowful sighes & bitter teares of so many young gentlemen bereft of their fathers , so manie wiues robbed of their husbands , so many g●eat men depriued of their cuntrey , which crie vengeance vpon such a Prince . 〈◊〉 Prince ? nay , an incendiarie , a singer , a fidler , a stageplaier , a cart driuer , a ●rier , no Prince , nay no man , that hath a man to his husband , & a man to his wife , but a monster of mankinde ; against whom what Vindex in France h●th already intended I am sure you doe know , & I , for my part , am most sory 〈◊〉 heare . The whole course of my former life hath bene otherwise remoued from ambition in court , from aiming too high : & this little that remaines of my d●ies I could hartilie wish were spent in more ease . But sith , I know not by wh●● my misfortune , some haue imposed vpon me a part , which I neuer ment to s●staine , & least of al at this age , I will not refuse , if you also approue it , to sacrifice this olde carcase of mine for the wealth of my cuntrey , not as Emperor , 〈◊〉 Augustus which sacred names I adore a far of , not daring to approch them , ●●t as — The speech was not finished , when the soldiers , & people , with one c●mon voice interrupting , saluted him Emperour . Galba commending their zeale to the good of the Empire , and accepting the substance refused the name , tearming himselfe Lieutenant of the Senate and people of Rome . Next care was to muster more men , to make good the reuolt . the cuntrey was prest , and souldiers came in of all handes . new Legions and Aydes were enrolled , and to helpe at a neede , a shippe of Alexandria , laden with armor , without master , without mariner , without passenger , arriued at the port : which accident , besides that the wrecke came in in good season , increast to the cause reputation , as though against Nero the gods had furnished weapons from heauen . Then he ordeined a counsell in forme of a Senate elected out of the chiefest and grauest men of his traine , and a garde of young gentlemen to watch and warde at his lodging , he publisheth edicts , & sendes them abroade to euery prouince , exhorting them all to take armes , & concurre in common against the common enemie . Many reuolted from Nero & came to the side : M. Saluius Otho with the first , then Lieutenant of “ “ Lusitania . Portingall , bringing his iewels & plate , which Galba made into money .

Jn high Germanie , the soldiers considering the weakenesse of Nero ; that France had alreadie rebelled ; that Spaine made a Prince ; that the rest of the cuntreies were likelie to follow , if not all for the same , yet all against Nero ; viewing their owne forces , and strength now vnited , which before lay dispersed in troupes and in bandes , strangers to Galba , and greatly disdaining that one simple Legion should impose them a Prince , finallie concluded to make it their benefite , and bestowe the Empire themselues . A fit man they needed not seeke farre off : Verginius Rufus the Lieutenant , though of a gentlemans house , and no higher , in strength of bodie , matters of action , and all other things excelled Galba . in birth what if Galba were better ? Catulus the toppe of his kinne fled dishonourablie awaie in the Cimbrian warre , where Marius , baselier borne then Verginius , worthilie stucke to it , and saued the state . Hereupon they goe , and breake downe tumultuously the images of Nero , salute Verginius Prince , inscribing his name in the banners . Verginius seeing the matter growe to a tumult , and being vnable to resist their violence , shewed to yeeld in some degree against Nero , but not for himselfe , much lesse any other named abroade . For his part hee saied he had no neede of the place , which all men beside so greatly desired : nor was not to suffer , but such as by order of Senate should be appointed . that they were the men , to whom that election belonged , whose right hee would surelie maintaine against whomsoeuer . The soldiers being in part thus appeased , he commandes the inscription to be defaced , and with his whole armie entreth France , pretending to warre against Vindex . The citty of Bezanson , which first refused to receiue him , he straightway beseegeth . Vindex to succour the towne and leuie the siege , or bid him battaile , if it might be no better , with twenty thousand men commeth against him . Lying encamped not farre asunder , there passed letters betweene them : whereupon they secretely met and conferred togither , none els being present of neither side . Their conclusion was frendly , doubtlesse to ioine against Nero : some thought , to set downe Galba also ; and it was not vnlikelie . Thus departing as frendes , ech to his campe , Vindex secure as in a quarrell alreadie composed , and nothing attending lesse then the shocke , meaning to enter the towne , and repose his armie , with all his men made towards the gates . The souldiers of Germanie lying at the walles , and perceiuing the armie approche , marching , as it seemed , directly vpon them , not priuy to their Generals purpose , or not willing to loose so faire an occasion , ranne out without bidding , and falling vpon them at vnawares and in disarray , not able on a sodaine to remedie the errour , as men newly trained , and vnexpert in warre , slew them al in a maner , and spoiled the cariage . Vindex seeing the vnluckie successe of this vnlooked for battaile , hauing lost in a maner the flowre of all France , & suspecting fraude of Verginius side , as though he ment to entrappe him , and sende him to Nero , ranne himselfe vpon his owne sworde . manie comming after bestowed their blowes vpon the dead carcase , seeking a coulour for praise or rewarde if Nero preuailed . After this slaughter , the soldiers pressed Verginius againe to accept of the Empire , and embassages came almost from euery quarter requiring the same , with assured promise of all possible assistance , if not , readie to returne to Neroes obedience : but Verginius bewailing the heauie mishappe of his vnfortunate frende , reiecteth the speech , & marcheth forward in France . This ende had Iulius Vindex , a man in the course of this action more vertuous then fortunate ; who hauing no armie prouided , no legion , no souldier in charge , whiles others more able lookt on , first entred the lists , chalenging a Prince vpholden with thirty legions , rooted in the Empire by fower descents of ancestours , and fourteene yeares continuance of raigne , not vpon priuate dispaire to set in combustion the state , not to reuenge disgrace or dishonour , not to establish his owne soueraignety , things which haue mooued most men to attempt ; but to redeeme his cuntrey from tyranny and bondage , which onely respect he regarded so much , that in respect he regarded nothing his owne life or security . For when it was shewed him , that Nero by publicke edict had prized his heade at a a That is , about fourescore thousand pound . ten thousand thousand sesterces ; Well , quoth he againe , and he that killes Nero , and brings me his head , shall haue mine in exchange . And though in this action fortune gaue vertue the checke , and by a strange accident , which mans wisedome could not foresee , ouerturned the enterprise , yet must wee confesse , that vindex first stirred the stone , which rowling along tumbled Nero out of his seate .

Of Vindex reuolt the first newes came to Nero at Naples , about the twentieth of Marche : whereof hee made shewe so lightlie to set , that hee would not vouchsafe once to intermitte his accustomed pastimes and pleasures , but rather seemed to reioice , and embrace the occasion , as falling out fittlie to conuert to his cofers by the law of armes the spoile of so large and so welthy a cuntrey : at supper also receiuing more letters of fresher aduise , and certainer danger , he wished them onelie ill chance , which thus by rebelling had troubled his drincking , and so for eight daies hee neither wrote letter , nor gaue out order for anie dispatch . At length through Vindex edicts , so thicke and so biting , beeing awaked , hee warned the Senate by letter to auenge his cause , and the common wealthes , excusing his absence by reason of sicknesse . In Vindex edicts , supporting the rest patientlie , one thing aboue all troubled him most , that his skill was impeached in playing : wherein hee thought surelie there was not his peere ; eft soones demaunding of them about him , whether , without flatterie , they knew anie in that profession more skilfull then him . by this then so manifest an vntrueth , in an arte that hee had so painfullie laboured , so perfittlie learned , hee willed them to esteeme of the rest . The Senate , receiuing the letters , flattering and fearing , adiudged Vindex a traitour , the selfe same men which soone after bestowed the like vpon Nero . But vrged by newes vpon newes , at last in a fright hee repaired to Rome : where not calling Senate , nor people together , but some principall men to the Palace at an vnseasonable houre of the night , as to consult of vrgent affaires , hee shewed them certaine conceits , and new strange deuises of musicke by water instruments , discoursing of the maner and difficultie of eche , and that hee had founde out a waie to make them sounde both sweeter and lowder , and shortlie ment to produce them in stage , if Vindex would giue him leysure to doe it . But hearing that Galba and Spaine had rebelled , hee tare his clothes , beat his head , and would in no wise receiue anie comfort , till such time as the Senate by decree had declared Galba enemie to the state . Then resuming courage , and somewhat reuiued with some rumours out of Germanie , hee returned to his ryot and carelesse licentious life , and putting Galbaes seruants in prison seized his goods and set them to sale . The like did Galba with Neroes in Spaine , and founde a greate deale more readie chapmen .