A Romayne Captayne I in _Britayne_ armoure clad,[937] Disguis’d therfore, in field did sley their noble King: I ventred in their host, and I my purpose had To venture so for Countrye’s sake a worthy thing; But who so wenes to win by slaughter high renowne, Hath often times the fate to fall by slaughter downe. 2. Euen so my selfe that slewe, short time my ioyes did last, In flight I taken was, and hewde in pieces small; Which downe the cleeues they did into the waters cast, And by my name as yet the hauen and harbor call: Who thinkes by slaughter’s prayse, to winne immortall fame By treason vile perchaunce encurres a shrouding sheete of shame.[938] How Clavdivs Tiberius Drusus, Emperour of Rome, was poysoned by his wife Agrippina, the yeere of Christ, 56. 1. Say not the people well, that Fortune fauours fooles, So well they say[939] which name her beetle blinde; I neede not tell what[940] I haue learnde at schooles, But may by proofe expresse my foolish minde:[941] My mother by her prouerbs me a foole defyn’de, Which often sayd when any foolishly had done, In faith you are as wise as _Claudius_ my sonne. 2. It pleased her not onely so to name me sot, But also me a monster[942] oft she nam’de, Unperfect all, begun by nature, but begot, Not absolute, not well, nor fully fram’de,[943] Sith thus my mother often me defam’de,[944] What meant the men of _Rome_, which so elected me, A foole, a monster foule, their gouernour to be. 3. Th’Emperiall bloud perdy was[945] partely cause, That I (vnfit therefore) attaynde the throne,[946] And yet the _Senate_[947] tooke a while the pause, Determin’de to abolish[948] euery one Of _Cæsar’s_ linage,[949] as their mortall fone: For why they could[950] receiue no quiet reste, But still by vs were[951] cruelly oppreste. 4. The souldiers which me founde where I me hid[952] In place obscure,[953] vnfit for _Cæsar’s_ grace, They brought me forth,[954] there me proclayme they did, Because I seemde[955] much meekenesse to embrace, And could dissemble [eke to serue the place, Whereby the warriours were to me enclin’de, Supposing I was meeke, of gentle minde: But they herein and Fortune both were blinde.][956] 5.