The souldiers so allurde, perceiuing all my minde,[1148] (And slaughter blazde by those in house that fled) I was by them proclaymde and th’Emprour[1149] sole assinde, And hee an enmy namde that now was deade. All night in temple forth with vowes I led, Next day to _Senate_ house with th’ [armed] hoste I gate, And seruice done, thus wise in [th’empire] throne I spake: “I know right well (quoth I) domestique slaughters hatefull seeme, And euen the name thereof makes men full euill[1150] of parties deeme: For why, th’vnhappy slayne moues milder men to mercy still, And noble Peeres are enui’de when compel’de theyr foes they kill, The vanquisht iniur’de seeme, and victours deem’de vniustly ill. But who so euer shall this case it selfe with trueth perpende Not partially that deemes, ensearching what hee did pretend: Hee shall perceiue and finde it better farre and needefull more To wrecke the wrong, then wincke thereat, and after smarte therfore. For, to the slayne beside his woe, there comes a dastarde’s name, The victour hath beside his health, of fortitude the fame. But certis how by poysons hee, and all meanes sought my spoile, You may right soone by tortures try without of farder toyle, And therefore I commaunded all his seruaunts present bee. That you the trueth may know when their confessions plain you see: While I was at my mother’s house, he brought with swords his traine, Forwarnd, so armde, by fight my foe, I haue mine enmy slain. Sith hee about a mischiefe went, no brother’s harte that bore, To take reuenge on such, is due: as custome telles of yore. The founder right of _Rome_, not with his brother flouting bare: I leaue to speake what _Germanique_ and _Titus_ erst did dare, And _Marcus_ wise and milde his daughter’s husband did not spare. But I, for mee when poysons were and swords to slay mee drest, Reueng’de my foe, (of foe the name his workes assign’de him best) Therefore thanke you the gods, that they one prince preserued you, Beholde the same, him loyall loue, to him bee iust and true: For euen as loue aboue, amongst the gods doth rule alone, So hee in earth the empire all, alottes and giues to one.” 26. Thus hauing sayde alowde, with irefull moode, And bloudy countnaunce cast about the place, Th’assembly pale and trembling, fearefull stoode, And I retourn’de to th’pallace thence a space. My brother’s householde then I made a way a pace,[1151] His friends, his seruaunts all, young, olde, and new, And th’infantes eke, without respect I slewe: 27.