Page:Secret History of the Court of the Emperor Justinian 1674.djvu/89

 own part, I would cheat no body, it would not be suitable to my quality; but my debtors are not of my mind, for not having had my birth nor education, they are not so careful of paying, but seek out all ways to defraud me.

My most humble request therefore is, That you would vouchsafe me your favor in so just a cause, and rescue me from the misfortunes with which I am incumbred, and by no fault or provocation of my own.

This was his Speech to the Empress, who instead of answering, began to sing, O Patrician, you have a very great rupture, and all her Eunuchs joyned with her in the Song. The Senator persisting in his Supplications, and adding new Reasons to his former, Theodora replied in the same Dialect, and her Quire of Eunuchs struck in with the Chorus, and made up the Consort. At length the poor Gentleman, much afflicted at so cruel a piece of derision, made his reve­rence to the Empress as was usual, and re­tired.

A good part of the year, Theodora resided in the Suburbs upon the Sea-shore, and most com­monly in that part called Herroteum, where her servants and attendants, which followed her per­son endured great incommodity; not so much by the dearness of Provisions, but by the dangers which they frequently incurred in passing the streight, by the great Tides, sudden Inundati­ons, or the surprises of Sea-monsters, which are frequent in that place: But they considered not these dangers, if they could but add any Rh