Two of the
verses under the emperors do not match the images; it is clear
that the pictures of Vespasian and Claudius are missing and seems
likely that originally there would have been 12 emperors.
According
to some, these emperors all visited Britain...
The verses
are interesting not only for the information they contain but
also the spelling and grammar:
1
JULI CAESAR
By civill
warrs unto the Empyre came
Bold Caesar, fortunes darlinge great in fame
The Roman Egle to the Kinges of France
And unto Englands Kingdome did advance
But when in greateness he grew on amaine
In senat house by Traytors he was slaine
2
AUGUSTUS
To all
the world, the Olive Branch of Peace
Augustus gained, by wch all warrs did cease
And Janus temple shut in all his dayes
Did much redound to his Immortall praise
Marc Antonie an Cleopatra Queen
Of Aegypte both, by him have conquerd been
3
TIBERIUS
A privat
life whilst in Augustus dayes
Tiberius ledd, of all men wan the Bayes
And to the top of virtue he did clyme
In Rome, even all his father Drufus tyme
But when as once the Scepter he did hold
Of Mighty Rome, to vice himself he sold
4
CAUIS CALIGULA
Thow neither
God, nor man, but Monster art
Whilst thou in life, soe vilely Act's thy part
Instead of Spoyles and Triumphe brought to land
Thou gather'ds Shells of fishes on the sand
And whilst in Bedd of Gold, thou hast bin tost
Thy Fame, thy life and all that's best was lost
? With Nero
Picture 6
CLAUDIUS
The office
of a soldiour once but sought
Unto the Roman Empyre though wert brought
And the bloud in battails wch was spent
In River Tyber, thou did'st represent
But when in Empyre long, thou sough'ts to stay
Thy life did Agrippina take away
7
GALBA
From Noble
birth did Caeser Galba spring
From others, Fame, not from himselfe did bring
If he great honors never had obtaind
Scorne & despite, by Baldnnesse had not gainde
Nor yet triumphing Foes such pranks had plaid
If in a lower state had Galba staid
8
OTHO
To sacrifice
at the Altar as he came
He thinks of bloud, and strives to Act the same
Lasciuious was this Otho all his raigne
By Cruelty and bloud, he nought did gaine
But as by death, soe by his life was try'd
By his owne hands this Caeser Otho dy'd
9
VITELLUS
When over
Otho's men the Fighte he'd gainde
Then oer Italia nigh a yeare he raigned
Idle and gluttonusse his dayes he spente
On pleasure, not on Conquest he was bente
Not thus could he the Empyres shores defend
By treacherie oercome he met his ende
? With Titus
picture 11
VESPASIAN When Rome
wth sword & famine was opprest
This Caesar came to bringe them joy & rest
The father of his cuntrey he was named
For piety & virtue both enfamde
Great honors to his cittey this man gave
For wth a tombe he had & peacefull grave |