Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/86

 night, till day: And in this irregularity, she believed the little time which she had, was suf­ficient to dispatch all affairs which concerned the whole Government of the Empire. If the Emperor imployed any man, without Theodoraes advice, the poor man was sure to die in dis­grace, when he was once out of office.

Justinian was very proper Man to expedite business, not only for his continual watchings (as I said before) but for the temper of his mind, and his easiness of access, which was so great; he gave people liberty to come to him, which he did not know, and that, not only to speak, to him, but to converse with him in pri­vate. With the Empress it was quite contrary, For to her the greatest Lords could not be ad­mitted, but with much attendance, and a great deal of trouble: When at length she vouchsafed to come to them, she came to them into a little close Chamber, where they were crammed toge­ther like so many Footmen, which she did to a­vert or prevent any evil designs. They received her all standing, and holding up their heads, with their faces uncovered, to be surveyed by the Eunuchs, who were going and coming all the while. Some indeed she admitted into her Chamber, but it was very rarely, and after they had waited sufficiently: When they did come in, they presently withdrew (by way of re­spect) having first kissed her feet; but they durst not deliver any Petition, nor begin any Discourse, till she vouchsafed to command them. The Se­nate went together most ignominiously and slavishly