Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/150

 from those parts, took a particular kindness and affection to Ephestus, whilest he, to continue and advance it, did as I shall relate.

The Emperor Dioclesian had ordained a year­ly distribution of Corn to the poor of Alexan­dria, which from that very time was constantly observed, the poor having received it, in those times, and left it afterwards to their posterity. But Ephestus stopped this distribution, and caused two thousand Barrels of Corn (which was the usual quantity to be disposed among the people) to be secured in the Emperors Granaries, pre­tending, That the Alexandrines had enjoyed it by Usurpation, and contrary to all Justice, and the interest of the State. The Emperor ap­proved what he had done, confirmed it by Pro­clamation, and had a higher esteem for Ephestus then before, whilest the poor people of that City, whose hopes of livelihood depended much upon so considerable a relief, was by this unparalleld cruelty reduced to the greatest ex­tremity; and they were the more sensible of it, because it fell out at a time when there was great scarcity in Egypt. But Justinian committed so many cruelties of this nature, it would tire any man to number them: Wherefore I shall only select out of that vast number, some few which I conceive will be sufficient to convince posterity of his fraud, hypocrisie, contempt of God, his Priests, and his Laws, how he persecuted those who were most religious and devout; and that he had neither shame nor modesty, nor care of the State, his whole thoughts being bent upon contriving