My father oft exhorted both to peace, Declarde by stories olde what came by strife, Dehorted both from ciuill discord cease, But I sought meanes to rid him of his life. I banisht to _Sycilia_ isle my wife, Encreast mine hoste, reckt not my _British_ charge, But how I might enioy the empire large. 5. And first when as my father once was dead, I gaue my selfe to all reuenge of foes, The seruants late which stoode me not in stead, And some physicions which my treasons did disclose,[1136] Or such to saue their prince themselues dispose, Or reconcile vs brethren tooke sore payne, I causde them all without respect be slayne. 6. The captaines all likewise I brybed well,[1137] In _Britayne_ then desiring them to chuse Mee Emprour sole, and _Geta_ to repell:[1138] Which they to doe for dueties sake refuse. Our mother eke all meanes with vs did vse, Perswading vs to loue and concorde bende, To which dissemblingly I graunted[1139] in the ende. 7. Wee both in empire like from _Britayne_ passe, A truce concluded there, and hostage take: His reliques shrinde (as then the custome was) To _Rome_ therewith our voyage fast we make. And yet the malice could not so aslake: For in our iourneyes wee durst neyther trust, But seuerall courts and dyets keepe we must. 8. Both fearing poyson, force or treason wrought, Both crauing all the empire to enioy, Both working all the wayes that might be sought, To worke to each some secret great anoy, Both seeking how his partner to destroy. The brother which to brother should be stay, Endeuours how to make him quite away. 9. And those that bare of dignities degree, The officers, were diuersly distracte: Some fauourde _Geta_, some did fauour mee, In him no poynt of courtesie there lackte. He was of maners milde, of doome exact, To studies good addict, of comely grace, In warres and peace discharging well the place. 10. But I was rough, and violent, and fearce, Of fiery _Mars_ affected all to bloud: What neede I more my qualities rehearce, Which were so farre vnlike my brother’s good. On threatnings, force, and feare, my Empire stood, Whereby in deede of fauning friends I had, For feare or gayne were of my fauour glad. 11.