AfterdrainingmanycapaciousbowlsofRhaetianorFalernianwine，hecalledfortheskullofCunimund，thenoblestandmostpreciousornamentofhissideboard。ThecupofvictorywasacceptedwithhorridapplausebythecircleoftheLombardchiefs。"Fillitagainwithwine，"exclaimedtheinhumanconqueror，"fillittothebrim:carrythisgoblettothequeen，andrequestinmynamethatshewouldrejoicewithherfather。"
　　Inanagonyofgriefandrage，Rosamondhadstrengthtoutter，"Letthewillofmylordbeobeyed!"and，touchingitwithherlips，pronouncedasilentimprecation，thattheinsultshouldbewashedawayinthebloodofAlboin。Someindulgencemightbeduetotheresentmentofadaughter，ifshehadnotalreadyviolatedthedutiesofawife。Implacableinherenmity，orinconstantinherlove，thequeenofItalyhadstoopedfromthethronetothearmsofasubject，andHelmichis，theking'sarmor—bearer，wasthesecretministerofherpleasureandrevenge。Againsttheproposalofthemurder，hecouldnolongerurgethescruplesoffidelityorgratitude；butHelmichistrembledwhenherevolvedthedangeraswellastheguilt，whenherecollectedthematchlessstrengthandintrepidityofawarriorwhomhehadsooftenattendedinthefieldofbattle。Hepressedandobtained，thatoneofthebravestchampionsoftheLombardsshouldbeassociatedtotheenterprise；butnomorethanapromiseofsecrecycouldbedrawnfromthegallantPeredeus，andthemodeofseductionemployedbyRosamondbetrayshershamelessinsensibilitybothtohonorandlove。ShesuppliedtheplaceofoneofherfemaleattendantswhowasbelovedbyPeredeus，andcontrivedsomeexcusefordarknessandsilence，tillshecouldinformhercompanionthathehadenjoyedthequeenoftheLombards，andthathisowndeath，orthedeathofAlboin，mustbetheconsequenceofsuchtreasonableadultery。InthisalternativehechoserathertobetheaccomplicethanthevictimofRosamond，^21whoseundauntedspiritwasincapableoffearorremorse。Sheexpectedandsoonfoundafavorablemoment，whentheking，oppressedwithwine，hadretiredfromthetabletohisafternoonslumbers。Hisfaithlessspousewasanxiousforhishealthandrepose:thegatesofthepalacewereshut，thearmsremoved，theattendantsdismissed，andRosamond，afterlullinghimtorestbyhertendercaresses，unboltedthechamberdoor，andurgedthereluctantconspiratorstotheinstantexecutionofthedeed。Onthefirstalarm，thewarriorstartedfromhiscouch:hissword，whichheattemptedtodraw，hadbeenfastenedtothescabbardbythehandofRosamond；andasmallstool，hisonlyweapon，couldnotlongprotecthimfromthespearsoftheassassins。ThedaughterofCunimundsmiledinhisfall:hisbodywasburiedunderthestaircaseofthepalace；andthegratefulposterityoftheLombardsreveredthetombandthememoryoftheirvictoriousleader。
　　[Footnote21:TheclassicalreaderwillrecollectthewifeandmurderofCandaules，soagreeablytoldinthefirstbookofHerodotus。ThechoiceofGyges，mayserveastheexcuseofPeredeus；andthissoftinsinuationofanodiousideahasbeenimitatedbythebestwritersofantiquity，Graevius，adCiceron。
　　Orat。proMilouec。10]
　　ChapterXLV:StateOfItalyUnderTheLombards。
　　PartII。
　　TheambitiousRosamondaspiredtoreigninthenameofherlover；thecityandpalaceofVeronawereawedbyherpower；andafaithfulbandofhernativeGepidaewaspreparedtoapplaudtherevenge，andtosecondthewishes，oftheirsovereign。ButtheLombardchiefs，whofledinthefirstmomentsofconsternationanddisorder，hadresumedtheircourageandcollectedtheirpowers；andthenation，insteadofsubmittingtoherreign，demanded，withunanimouscries，thatjusticeshouldbeexecutedontheguiltyspouseandthemurderersoftheirking。Shesoughtarefugeamongtheenemiesofhercountry；andacriminalwhodeservedtheabhorrenceofmankindwasprotectedbytheselfishpolicyoftheexarch。Withherdaughter，theheiressoftheLombardthrone，hertwolovers，hertrustyGepidae，andthespoilsofthepalaceofVerona，RosamonddescendedtheAdigeandthePo，andwastransportedbyaGreekvesseltothesafeharborofRavenna。LonginusbeheldwithdelightthecharmsandthetreasuresofthewidowofAlboin:hersituationandherpastconductmightjustifythemostlicentiousproposals；andshereadilylistenedtothepassionofaminister，who，eveninthedeclineoftheempire，wasrespectedastheequalofkings。Thedeathofajealousloverwasaneasyandgratefulsacrifice；and，asHelmichisissuedfromthebath，hereceivedthedeadlypotionfromthehandofhismistress。Thetasteoftheliquor，itsspeedyoperation，andhisexperienceofthecharacterofRosamond，convincedhimthathewaspoisoned:hepointedhisdaggertoherbreast，compelledhertodraintheremainderofthecup，andexpiredinafewminutes，withtheconsolationthatshecouldnotsurvivetoenjoythefruitsofherwickedness。ThedaughterofAlboinandRosamond，withtherichestspoilsoftheLombards，wasembarkedforConstantinople:thesurprisingstrengthofPeredeusamusedandterrifiedtheImperialcourt:
　　hisblindnessandrevengeexhibitedanimperfectcopyoftheadventuresofSamson。Bythefreesuffrageofthenation，intheassemblyofPavia，Clepho，oneoftheirnoblestchiefs，waselectedasthesuccessorofAlboin。Beforetheendofeighteenmonths，thethronewaspollutedbyasecondmurder:Clephowasstabbedbythehandofadomestic；theregalofficewassuspendedabovetenyearsduringtheminorityofhissonAutharis；andItalywasdividedandoppressedbyaducalaristocracyofthirtytyrants。^22
　　[Footnote*:Hekilledalion。HiseyeswereputoutbythetimidJustin。Peredeusrequestinganinterview，Justinsubstitutedtwopatricians，whomtheblindedBarbarianstabbedtotheheartwithtwoconcealeddaggers。SeeLeBeau，vol。x。p。
　　99。—M。]
　　[Footnote22:SeethehistoryofPaul，l。ii。c。28—32。IhaveborrowedsomeinterestingcircumstancesfromtheLiberPontificalisofAgnellus，inScript。Rer。Ital。tom。ii。p。124。
　　Ofallchronologicalguides，Muratoriisthesafest。]
　　WhenthenephewofJustinianascendedthethrone，heproclaimedanewaeraofhappinessandglory。TheannalsofthesecondJustin^23aremarkedwithdisgraceabroadandmiseryathome。IntheWest，theRomanempirewasafflictedbythelossofItaly，thedesolationofAfrica，andtheconquestsofthePersians。Injusticeprevailedbothinthecapitalandtheprovinces:therichtrembledfortheirproperty，thepoorfortheirsafety，theordinarymagistrateswereignorantorvenal，theoccasionalremediesappeartohavebeenarbitraryandviolent，andthecomplaintsofthepeoplecouldnolongerbesilencedbythesplendidnamesofalegislatorandaconqueror。
　　Theopinionwhichimputestotheprinceallthecalamitiesofhistimesmaybecountenancedbythehistorianasaserioustruthorasalutaryprejudice。Yetacandidsuspicionwillarise，thatthesentimentsofJustinwerepureandbenevolent，andthathemighthavefilledhisstationwithoutreproach，ifthefacultiesofhismindhadnotbeenimpairedbydisease，whichdeprivedtheemperoroftheuseofhisfeet，andconfinedhimtothepalace，astrangertothecomplaintsofthepeopleandthevicesofthegovernment。Thetardyknowledgeofhisownimpotencedeterminedhimtolaydowntheweightofthediadem；and，inthechoiceofaworthysubstitute，heshowedsomesymptomsofadiscerningandevenmagnanimousspirit。TheonlysonofJustinandSophiadiedinhisinfancy；theirdaughterArabiawasthewifeofBaduarius，^24superintendentofthepalace，andafterwardscommanderoftheItalianarmies，whovainlyaspiredtoconfirmtherightsofmarriagebythoseofadoption。Whiletheempireappearedanobjectofdesire，Justinwasaccustomedtobeholdwithjealousyandhatredhisbrothersandcousins，therivalsofhishopes；norcouldhedependonthegratitudeofthosewhowouldacceptthepurpleasarestitution，ratherthanagift。Ofthesecompetitors，onehadbeenremovedbyexile，andafterwardsbydeath；andtheemperorhimselfhadinflictedsuchcruelinsultsonanother，thathemusteitherdreadhisresentmentordespisehispatience。Thisdomesticanimositywasrefinedintoagenerousresolutionofseekingasuccessor，notinhisfamily，butintherepublic；andtheartfulSophiarecommendedTiberius，^25hisfaithfulcaptainoftheguards，whosevirtuesandfortunetheemperormightcherishasthefruitofhisjudiciouschoice。
　　TheceremonyofhiselevationtotherankofCaesar，orAugustus，wasperformedintheporticoofthepalace，inthepresenceofthepatriarchandthesenate。Justincollectedtheremainingstrengthofhismindandbody；butthepopularbeliefthathisspeechwasinspiredbytheDeitybetraysaveryhumbleopinionbothofthemanandofthetimes。^26"Youbehold，"saidtheemperor，"theensignsofsupremepower。Youareabouttoreceivethem，notfrommyhand，butfromthehandofGod。Honorthem，andfromthemyouwillderivehonor。Respecttheempressyourmother:youarenowherson；before，youwereherservant。
　　Delightnotinblood；abstainfromrevenge；avoidthoseactionsbywhichIhaveincurredthepublichatred；andconsulttheexperience，ratherthantheexample，ofyourpredecessor。Asaman，Ihavesinned；asasinner，eveninthislife，Ihavebeenseverelypunished:buttheseservants，andwepointedtohisministers，whohaveabusedmyconfidence，andinflamedmypassions，willappearwithmebeforethetribunalofChrist。I
　　havebeendazzledbythesplendorofthediadem:bethouwiseandmodest；rememberwhatyouhavebeen，rememberwhatyouare。Youseearoundusyourslaves，andyourchildren:withtheauthority，assumethetenderness，ofaparent。Loveyourpeoplelikeyourself；cultivatetheaffections，maintainthediscipline，ofthearmy；protectthefortunesoftherich，relievethenecessitiesofthepoor。"^27Theassembly，insilenceandintears，applaudedthecounsels，andsympathizedwiththerepentance，oftheirprincethepatriarchrehearsedtheprayersofthechurch；Tiberiusreceivedthediademonhisknees；andJustin，whoinhisabdicationappearedmostworthytoreign，addressedthenewmonarchinthefollowingwords:"Ifyouconsent，Ilive；ifyoucommand，Idie:maytheGodofheavenandearthinfuseintoyourheartwhateverIhaveneglectedorforgotten。"ThefourlastyearsoftheemperorJustinwerepassedintranquilobscurity:hisconsciencewasnolongertormentedbytheremembranceofthosedutieswhichhewasincapableofdischarging；andhischoicewasjustifiedbythefilialreverenceandgratitudeofTiberius。
　　[Footnote23:TheoriginalauthorsforthereignofJustintheyoungerareEvagrius，Hist。Eccles。l。v。c。1—12；Theophanes，inChonograph。p。204—210；Zonaras，tom。ii。l。xiv。p。70—
　　72；Cedrenus，inCompend。p。388—392。]
　　[Footnote24:DispositorquenovussacraeBaduariusaulae。
　　SuccessorsocerimoxfactusCura—palati。—Cerippus。
　　BaduariusisenumeratedamongthedescendantsandalliesofthehouseofJustinian。AfamilyofnobleVenetiansCasaBadoero
　　builtchurchesandgavedukestotherepublicasearlyastheninthcentury；and，iftheirdescentbeadmitted，nokingsinEuropecanproduceapedigreesoancientandillustrious。
　　Ducange，Fam。Byzantin，p。99AmelotdelaHoussaye，GouvernementdeVenise，tom。ii。p。555。]
　　[Footnote25:Thepraisebestowedonprincesbeforetheirelevationisthepurestandmostweighty。CorippushascelebratedTiberiusatthetimeoftheaccessionofJustin，l。
　　i。212—222。YetevenacaptainoftheguardsmightattracttheflatteryofanAfricanexile。]
　　[Footnote26:Evagriusl。v。c。13hasaddedthereproachtohisministersHeappliesthisspeechtotheceremonywhenTiberiuswasinvestedwiththerankofCaesar。Thelooseexpression，ratherthanthepositiveerror，ofTheophanes，&c。，hasdelayedittohisAugustaninvestituraimmediatelybeforethedeathofJustin。]
　　[Footnote27:TheophylactSimocattal。iii。c。11declaresthatheshallgivetoposteritythespeechofJustinasitwaspronounced，withoutattemptingtocorrecttheimperfectionsoflanguageorrhetoric。Perhapsthevainsophistwouldhavebeenincapableofproducingsuchsentiments。]
　　AmongthevirtuesofTiberius，^28hisbeautyhewasoneofthetallestandmostcomelyoftheRomansmightintroducehimtothefavorofSophia；andthewidowofJustinwaspersuaded，thatsheshouldpreserveherstationandinfluenceunderthereignofasecondandmoreyouthfulhusband。But，iftheambitiouscandidatehadbeentemptedtoflatteranddissemble，itwasnolongerinhispowertofulfilherexpectations，orhisownpromise。Thefactionsofthehippodromedemanded，withsomeimpatience，thenameoftheirnewempress:boththepeopleandSophiawereastonishedbytheproclamationofAnastasia，thesecret，thoughlawful，wifeoftheemperorTiberius。WhatevercouldalleviatethedisappointmentofSophia，Imperialhonors，astatelypalace，anumeroushousehold，wasliberallybestowedbythepietyofheradoptedson；onsolemnoccasionsheattendedandconsultedthewidowofhisbenefactor；butherambitiondisdainedthevainsemblanceofroyalty，andtherespectfulappellationofmotherservedtoexasperate，ratherthanappease，therageofaninjuredwoman。Whilesheaccepted，andrepaidwithacourtlysmile，thefairexpressionsofregardandconfidence，asecretalliancewasconcludedbetweenthedowagerempressandherancientenemies；andJustinian，thesonofGermanus，wasemployedastheinstrumentofherrevenge。Theprideofthereigninghousesupported，withreluctance，thedominionofastranger:theyouthwasdeservedlypopular；hisname，afterthedeathofJustin，hadbeenmentionedbyatumultuousfaction；andhisownsubmissiveofferofhisheadwithatreasureofsixtythousandpounds，mightbeinterpretedasanevidenceofguilt，oratleastoffear。Justinianreceivedafreepardon，andthecommandoftheeasternarmy。ThePersianmonarchfledbeforehisarms；andtheacclamationswhichaccompaniedhistriumphdeclaredhimworthyofthepurple。Hisartfulpatronesshadchosenthemonthofthevintage，whiletheemperor，inaruralsolitude，waspermittedtoenjoythepleasuresofasubject。Onthefirstintelligenceofherdesigns，hereturnedtoConstantinople，andtheconspiracywassuppressedbyhispresenceandfirmness。Fromthepompandhonorswhichshehadabused，Sophiawasreducedtoamodestallowance:Tiberiusdismissedhertrain，interceptedhercorrespondence，andcommittedtoafaithfulguardthecustodyofherperson。ButtheservicesofJustinianwerenotconsideredbythatexcellentprinceasanaggravationofhisoffences:afteramildreproof，histreasonandingratitudewereforgiven；anditwascommonlybelieved，thattheemperorentertainedsomethoughtsofcontractingadoublealliancewiththerivalofhisthrone。
　　Thevoiceofanangelsuchafablewaspropagatedmightrevealtotheemperor，thatheshouldalwaystriumphoverhisdomesticfoes；butTiberiusderivedafirmerassurancefromtheinnocenceandgenerosityofhisownmind。
　　[Footnote28:ForthecharacterandreignofTiberius，seeEvagrius，lv。c。13。Theophylact，l。iii。c。12，&c。
　　Theophanes，inChron。p。20—213。Zonaras，tom。ii。l。xiv。p。
　　72。Cedrenus，p。392。PaulWarnefrid，deGestisLangobard。l。
　　iii。c。11，12。ThedeaconofForumJuliappearstohavepossessedsomecuriousandauthenticfacts。]
　　WiththeodiousnameofTiberius，heassumedthemorepopularappellationofConstantine，andimitatedthepurervirtuesoftheAntonines。AfterrecordingtheviceorfollyofsomanyRomanprinces，itispleasingtorepose，foramoment，onacharacterconspicuousbythequalitiesofhumanity，justice，temperance，andfortitude；tocontemplateasovereignaffableinhispalace，piousinthechurch，impartialontheseatofjudgment，andvictorious，atleastbyhisgenerals，inthePersianwar。Themostglorioustrophyofhisvictoryconsistedinamultitudeofcaptives，whomTiberiusentertained，redeemed，anddismissedtotheirnativehomeswiththecharitablespiritofaChristianhero。Themeritormisfortunesofhisownsubjectshadadearerclaimtohisbeneficence，andhemeasuredhisbountynotsomuchbytheirexpectationsasbyhisowndignity。Thismaxim，howeverdangerousinatrusteeofthepublicwealth，wasbalancedbyaprincipleofhumanityandjustice，whichtaughthimtoabhor，asofthebasestalloy，thegoldthatwasextractedfromthetearsofthepeople。Fortheirrelief，asoftenastheyhadsufferedbynaturalorhostilecalamities，hewasimpatienttoremitthearrearsofthepast，orthedemandsoffuturetaxes:
　　hesternlyrejectedtheservileofferingsofhisministers，whichwerecompensatedbytenfoldoppression；andthewiseandequitablelawsofTiberiusexcitedthepraiseandregretofsucceedingtimes。Constantinoplebelievedthattheemperorhaddiscoveredatreasure:buthisgenuinetreasureconsistedinthepracticeofliberaleconomy，andthecontemptofallvainandsuperfluousexpense。TheRomansoftheEastwouldhavebeenhappy，ifthebestgiftofHeaven，apatriotking，hadbeenconfirmedasaproperandpermanentblessing。ButinlessthanfouryearsafterthedeathofJustin，hisworthysuccessorsunkintoamortaldisease，whichlefthimonlysufficienttimetorestorethediadem，accordingtothetenurebywhichheheldit，tothemostdeservingofhisfellow—citizens。HeselectedMauricefromthecrowd，ajudgmentmorepreciousthanthepurpleitself:thepatriarchandsenateweresummonedtothebedofthedyingprince:hebestowedhisdaughterandtheempire；andhislastadvicewassolemnlydeliveredbythevoiceofthequaestor。
　　Tiberiusexpressedhishopethatthevirtuesofhissonandsuccessorwoulderectthenoblestmausoleumtohismemory。Hismemorywasembalmedbythepublicaffliction；butthemostsinceregriefevaporatesinthetumultofanewreign，andtheeyesandacclamationsofmankindwerespeedilydirectedtotherisingsun。
　　TheemperorMauricederivedhisoriginfromancientRome；
　　^29buthisimmediateparentsweresettledatArabissusinCappadocia，andtheirsingularfelicitypreservedthemalivetobeholdandpartakethefortuneoftheiraugustson。TheyouthofMauricewasspentintheprofessionofarms:Tiberiuspromotedhimtothecommandofanewandfavoritelegionoftwelvethousandconfederates；hisvalorandconductweresignalizedinthePersianwar；andhereturnedtoConstantinopletoaccept，ashisjustreward，theinheritanceoftheempire。Mauriceascendedthethroneatthematureageofforty—threeyears；andhereignedabovetwentyyearsovertheEastandoverhimself；^30expellingfromhismindthewilddemocracyofpassions，andestablishingaccordingtothequaintexpressionofEvagriusaperfectaristocracyofreasonandvirtue。Somesuspicionwilldegradethetestimonyofasubject，thoughheproteststhathissecretpraiseshouldneverreachtheearofhissovereign，^31andsomefailingsseemtoplacethecharacterofMauricebelowthepurermeritofhispredecessor。Hiscoldandreserveddemeanormightbeimputedtoarrogance；hisjusticewasnotalwaysexemptfromcruelty，norhisclemencyfromweakness；andhisrigideconomytoooftenexposedhimtothereproachofavarice。Buttherationalwishesofanabsolutemonarchmusttendtothehappinessofhispeople。Mauricewasendowedwithsenseandcouragetopromotethathappiness，andhisadministrationwasdirectedbytheprinciplesandexampleofTiberius。ThepusillanimityoftheGreekshadintroducedsocompleteaseparationbetweentheofficesofkingandofgeneral，thataprivatesoldier，whohaddeservedandobtainedthepurple，seldomorneverappearedattheheadofhisarmies。YettheemperorMauriceenjoyedthegloryofrestoringthePersianmonarchtohisthrone；hislieutenantswagedadoubtfulwaragainsttheAvarsoftheDanube；andhecastaneyeofpity，ofineffectualpity，ontheabjectanddistressfulstateofhisItalianprovinces。