selves to be wiser then the Gods, or any other men whatsoever; may
thinke ill of it, and more brutishly then beasts, condemne their
working in two kinds, which would be offensive to mee. The one is,
your detaining of Sophronia from mee, of whom you have no power, but
what pleaseth mee. The other, is your bitter threatnings against
Gisippus my deare friend, to whom you are in duty obliged. In both
which cases, how unreasonablie soever you carrie your selves, I intend
not at this time to presse any further. But rather let mee counsell
you like a friend, to cease your hatred and disdaine, and suffer
Sophronia to be delivered mee, that I may depart contentedly from
you as a kinsman, and (being absent) remaine your friend: assuring
you, that whether what is done shall please or displease you, if you
purpose to proceed any otherwise: I will take Gisippus along with me,,
and when I come to Rome, take such sure order, to fetch her hence, who
in justice is mine, even in meere despight of you all, and then you
shall feele by sound experience, how powerfull is the just indignation
of the wronged Romanes."
When Titus had thus concluded his Oration, he arose with a sterne
and discontented countenance, and tooke Gisippus by the hand,
plainly declaring, that he made small account of all the rest that
were in the Temple; and shaking his head at them, rather menaced
then any other wise seemed to care for them.
They which tarried, when they were gone, considering partly on the
reasons alleadged by Titus, and partly terrified by his latest
speeches; became induced, to like well of his alliance and amitie,
as (with common consent) they concluded: that it was much better to
accept Titus as their kinsman (seeing Gisippus had made manifest
refusall thereof) than to lose the kinred of the one, and procure
the hatred of the other. Wherefore they went to seeke Titus, and
said unto him, they were very well contented that Sophronia should bee
his Wife, hee their deare and loving kinsman, and Gisippus to
remaine their much respected friend. And embracing one another, making
a solemne feast, such as in the like cases is necessarilie required,
they departed from him, presently sending Sophronia to him, who making
a vertue of necessity, converted her love (in short time after) to
Titus, in as effectuall manner, as formerly shee had done to Gisippus,
and so was sent away with him to Rome, where she was received and
welcommed with very great honour.
Gisippus remaining still at Athens, in small regard of eyther theirs
or his owne friends: not long after by meanes of sundry troublesome
Citizens; and partialities happening among the common people, was
banished from Athens, and hee, as also all his familie, condemned to
perpetuall exile: during which tempestuous time, Gisippus was become
not onely wretchedly poore, but wandred abroad as a common begger;
in which miserable condition he travelled to Rome, to try if Titus
would take any acknowledgement of him. Understanding that he was
living, and one most respected among the Romanes, as being a great
Commander and a Senator: he enquired for the place where hee dwelt,
and going to be neere about his house, stayed there so long, till
Titus came home, yet not daring to manifest himselfe, or speake a word
to him, in regard of his poore and miserable estate, but strove to
have him see him, to the end, that hee might acknowledge and call
him by his name; notwithstanding, Titus passed by him without either
speech, or looking on him: Which when Gisippus perceived, and making
full account, that (at the least) he would remember him, in regard
of former courtesies, done to him: confounded with griefe and
desperate thoughtes, hee departed thence, never meaning to see him any
more.
Now, in regard it was night, he having eaten nothing all that day,
nor provided of one penny to buy him any food, wandred he knew not
whether, desiring rather to die than live; hee came at last to an
old ruinous part of the City, over-spred with briers and bushes, and
seldome resorted unto by any: where finding a hollow Cave or vault, he
entred into it, meaning there to weare away the comfortlesse night,
and laying himselfe downe on the hard ground, almost starke naked, and
without any warme garments, over-wearied with weeping, at last he fell
into a sleepe.
It fortuned that two men, who had beene abroad the same night,
committing thefts and robberies together; somwhat very earlie in the
morning, came to the same Cave, intending there to share and divide
their booties, and difference happening betweene them about it, hee
that was the stronger person, slew there the other, and then went away
with the whole purchase.
Gisippus having heard and seene the manner of this accident, was not
a little joyfull, because he had now found a way to death, without
laying any violent hand on himselfe; for life being very loathsome
to him, it was his only desire to die. Wherfore, he would not budge
from the place, but taried there so long, till the Sergeants and
Officers of justice (by information of him that did the deede) came
thither well attended, and furiously ledde Gisippus thence to prison.
Being examined concerning this bloudy fact, he plainly confessed,
that hee himselfe had committed the murder, and afterward would not
depart from the Cave, but purposely stayed for apprehension, as
being truely toucht with compunction for so foule an offence: upon
which eremptorie confession, Marcus Varro being then Praetor, gave
sentence that he should be crucified on a Crosse, as it was the usuall
manner of death in those dayes. Titus chancing to come at the same
time into Praetorium, advisedly beholding the face of the condemned
man (as hee sate upon the bench) knew him to bee Gysippus, not a
little wondring at this strange accident, the povertie of his
estate, and what occasion should bring him thither, especially in
the questioning for his life, and before the Tribunall of justice.
His soule earnestly thirsting, by all possible meanes to helpe and
defend him, and no other course could now be taken for safetie of
his life, but by accusing himselfe, to excuse and cleare the other
of the crime: hee stept from off the judgement bench, and crouding
through the throng to the Barre, called out to the Praetor in this
manner. Marcus Varro, recall thy sentence given on the condemned man
sent away, because hee is truely guiltlesse and innocent: With one
bloudie blow have I offended the Gods, by killing that wretched man,
whom the Serjeants found this morning slaine, wherefore Noble Praetor,
let no innocent mans bloud be shed for it, but onely mine that have
offended.
Marcus Varro stood like a man confounded with admiration, being very
sorrie, for that which the whole assistants had both seene and
heard, yet hee could not (with honour) desist from what must needs
be done, but would performe the Lawes severe injunction. And sending
for condemned Gisippus backe againe, in the presence of Titus, thus he
spake to him. How becamest thou so madly incensed, as (without any
torment inflicted on thee) to confesse an offence by thee never
committed? Art thou wearie of thy life? Thou chargest thy selfe
falsly, to be the person who this last night murdered the man in the
Cave, and there is another that voluntarily also doth confesse his
guiltinesse.
Gisippus lifting up his eyes, and perceiving it was Titus, conceived
immediately, that he had done this onely for his deliverance, as one
that remembred him sufficiently, and would not be ungratefull for
former kindnesses received. Wherefore, the teares flowing abundantly
down his cheekes, he said to the Judge Varro, it was none but I that
murdered the man, wherefore, I commiserate the case of this Noble
Gentleman Titus, who speakes now too late for the safety of my life.
Titus on the other side, said. Noble Praetor, this man (as thou seest)
is a stranger heere, and was found without any weapon, fast asleepe by
the dead body: thou mayst then easily perceive, that meerely the
miserable condition wherein he is, hath made him desperate, and he
would make mine offence the occasion of his death. Absolve him, and
send me to the Crosse, for none but I have deserved to die for this
fact.
Varro was amazed, to observe with what earnest instance each of them
strove to excuse the other, which halfe perswaded him in his soule,
that they were both guiltlesse. And as he was starting-up, with full
intent to acquaint them: a yong man, who had stood there all this
while, and observed the hard pleading on either side; he crowded
into the Barre, being named Publius Ambustus, a fellow of lewd life,
and utterly out of hopes, as being debauched in all his fortunes,
and knowne among the Romaines to be a notorious theefe, who verily had
committed the murder. Well knew his conscience, that none of them were
guilty of the crime, wherewith each so wilfully charged himselfe:
being therefore truely toucht with remorse, he stept before Marcus
Varro, saying.
Honourable Praetor, mine owne horrid and abominable actions, have
induced me thus to intrude my selfe, for clearing the strict
contention betweene these two persons. And questionlesse, some God
or greater power, hath tormented my wretched soule, and so
compunctually solicited me, as I cannot chuse, but make open
confession of my sinne. Here therefore, I doe apparantly publish, that
neither of these men is guilty of the offence, wherewith so wilfully
each chargeth himselfe. I am the villaine, who this morning murdered
the man in the Cave, one of no greater honesty then my selfe, and
seeing this poore man lie there sleeping, while we were dividing the
stolne booties betweene us; I slew my Companyon, because I would be
the sole possessor. As for Noble Lord Titus, he had no reason thus
to accuse himselfe, because [he] is a man of no such base quality: let
them both then be delivered, and inflict the sentence of death on me.
Octavius Caesar, to whom tydings was brought of this rare
accident, commanding them al three to be brought before him; would
needs understand the whole History, in every particular as all had
happened, which was substantially related to him. Whereupon,
Octavius pleased them all three: the two noble friendes, because
they were innocent, and the third, for openly revealing the very
truth.
Titus tooke home with him his friend Gisippus, and after he had
sharpely reproved him for his distrust, and cold credence of his
friendship: he brought him to Sophronia, who welcomed him as lovingly,
as if he had bin her naturall borne brother, bemoaning his hard and
disastrous fortune, and taking especiall care, to convert all passed
distresses, into as happy and comfortable a change, fitting him with
garments and attendants, beseeming his degree both in Nobility and
vertue. Titus, out of his honourable bounty, imparted halfe his
lands and rich possessions to him, and afterward gave him in marriage,
his owne Sister, a most beautifull Lady, named Fulvia, saying to him
beside. My deare friend Gisippus, it remaineth now in thine owne
election, whether thou wilt live here still with me, or returne
backe to Athens, with all the wealth which I have bestowed on thee.
But Gisippus, being one way constrayned, by the sentence of banishment
from his native City, and then againe, in regard of the constant love,
which he bare to so true and thankefull friend as Titus was: concluded
to live there as a loyall Roman, where he with his Fulvia, and Titus
with his faire Sophronia, lived long after together in one and the
same house, augmenting daily (if possible it might be) their amity
beyond all other equalizing.
A most sacred thing therefore is (ordiall amity, worthy not onely of
singuler reverence, but also to be honoured with eternall
commendation, as being the onely wise Mother of all magnificence and
honesty, the Sister of Charity and Gratitude, the enemy to hatred
and avarice, and which is alwayes ready (without attending to be
requested) to extend all vertuous actions to others, which she would
have done to her selfe. Her rare and divine effects, in these contrary
times of ours, are not to be found between two such persons, which
is a mighty fault, and greatly checketh the miserable covetousnesse of
men, who respecting nothing but onely their particular benefit; have
banished true Amity, to the utmost confines of the whole earth, and
sent her into perpetuall exile.
What love, what wealth, or affinity of kindred, could have made
Gisippus feele (even in the intyrest part of his soule) the fervent
compassion, the teares, the sighes of Titus, and with such efficacy as
plainely appeared: to make him consent, that his faire elected Spouse,
by him so dearely esteemed, should become the wife of his Companion,
but onely the precious league of Amity?
What Lawes, what threatnings, what feares, could cause the yong
armes of Gisippus to abstaine embraces, betaking himselfe to
solitary walkes, and obscure places, when in his owne bedde, he
might have enjoyed so matchlesse a beauty (who perhaps desired it so
much as himselfe) but onely the gracious title of Amity? What
greatnesse, what merits or precedence, could cause Gisippus not to
care, for the losse of his kindred, those of Sophronia, yea, of
Sophronia her selfe, not respecting the dishonest murmurings of base
minded people, their vile and contemptible language, scornes and
mockeries, and all to content and satisfie a friend, but onely
Divine Amity?
Come now likewise to the other side. What occasions could compell
Noble Titus, so promptly and deliberatly, to procure his owne death,
to rescue his friend from the crosse, and inflict the pain and shame
upon himselfe, pretending not [to] see or know Gisippus at all, had it
not bin wrought by powerfull Amity? What cause else could make Titus
so liberall, in dividing (with such willingnesse) the larger part of
his patrimony to Gisippus, when Fortune had dispossest him of his
owne, but onely heaven-borne Amity? What else could have procured
Titus, without any further dilation, feare or suspition, to give his
