Chap. XXX.

Maximian, having thus forfeited the respect due to an emperor and a father-in-law, grew impatient at his abased condition, and, emboldened by impunity, formed new plots against Constantine. He addressed himself to his daughter Fausta, and, as well by entreaties as by the soothing of flattery, solicited her to betray her husband. He promised to obtain for her a more honourable alliance than that with Constantine; and he requested her to allow the bed-chamber of the emperor to be left open, and to be slightly guarded. Fausta undertook to do whatever he asked, and instantly revealed the whole to her husband. A plan was laid for detecting Maximian in the very execution of his crime. They placed a base eunuch to be murdered instead of the emperor. At the dead of night Maximian arose, and perceived all things to be favourable for his insidious purpose. There were few soldiers on guard, and these too at some distance from the bed-chamber. However, to prevent suspicion, he accosted them, and said that he had had a dream which he wished to communicate to his son-in-law. He went in armed, slew the eunuch, sprung forth exultingly, and avowed the murder. At that moment Constantine showed himself on the opposite side with a band of soldiers; the dead body was brought out of the bed-chamber; the murderer, taken in the fact, all aghast,  

while Constantine upbraided him for his impiety and enormous guilt. At last Maximian obtained leave that the manner of his death should be at his own choice, and he strangled himself.  

Thus that mightiest sovereign of Rome—who ruled so long with exceeding glory, and who celebrated his twentieth anniversary—thus that most haughty man had his neck broken, and ended his detestable life by a death base and ignominious.  

XXX. Sic amisso imperatoris ac soceri honore, humilitatis impatiens, alias rursus insidias machinatus est. Quia semel habuit impune, vocat filiam Faustam, eamque nunc precibus, nunc blandimentis sollicitat ad proditionem mariti, alium digniorem virum pollicetur, petit cubiculum patens relinqui, et negligentius custodiri sinat. Pollicetur illa facturam, et refert protinus ad maritum. Componitur scena, qua manifesto facinus teneretur. Supponitur quidam vilis eunuchus, qui pro Imperatore moriatur. Surgit ille nocte intempesta: videt omnia insidiis opportuna. Rari excubitores erant, et ii quidem longius; quibus tamen dicit 0242B vidisse somnium, quod filio suo narrare vellet. Ingreditur armatus, et spadone obtruncato, prosiliit gloriabundus, ac profitetur quod admiserit. Repente se ex altera parte Constantinus ostendit cum globo armatorum. Profertur e cubiculo cadaver occisi: haeret manifestarius homicida, et mutus stupet: Quasi dura silex, aut stet Marpesia cautes;impietatis ac sceleris increpatur. Postremo datur ei potestas liberae mortis: Ac nodum informis leti trabe nectit ab alta.

Ita ille Romani nominis maximus Imperator, qui per longum temporis intervallum cum ingenti gloria 0243A viginti annorum vota celebravit, eliso et fracto superbissimo gutture, vitam detestabilem turpi et ignominiosa morte finivit.