d them to the Sea-coasts of
_Spain_, which they very much infested with their Depredations." And
therefore the Emperor _Justinian_, when he explains to the _General
Governor_ of _Africk_ the duty of his Office, makes mention of those
_Franks_ which were seated in a certain part of _Gallia_, bordering upon
_Spain_.
But we find a very memorable Passage; which highly sets forth the great
Glory of their war-like Atchievements, in another place of that
Panegyrick; _viz._ That a small Body of _Franks_, which _Probus_, the
Emperor had overcome and carried captive into _Pontus_, seiz'd on some
Ships, wandred all about the Sea-coasts of _Graecia_ and _Asia_, invaded
_Sicily_, took _Syracusa_, and afterwards laden with Booty, return'd
into the Ocean thro' the _Streights_ of _Gibraltar_. "Recursabat in
animos sub _Divo Probo_ & paucorum ex _Francis_ Captivorum incredibilis
audacia, & indigna foelicitas: qui a Ponto usque correptis navibus,
Graeciam Asiamque populati, nec impune plerisque Lybiae littoribus
appulsi, ipsas postremo navalibus quondam victoriis nobiles ceperant
Syracusas: & immenso itinere permensi, Oceanum, qua terras rupit
intraverant: atque ita eventu temeritatis, offenderant, nihil esse
clausum piraticae desperationi quo navigiis pateret accessus."
And, as farther Arguments of what I have been proving, may be added all
those Places in several Authors, which inform us that the Habitations of
the _Franks_ were Bordering upon the _Batavians_. The same
_Rhetorician_, in his Speeches to _Maximianus_ and _Constantine_,
says,--"Many thousand _Franks_, who had crossed the _Rhine_, and invaded
_Batavia_, with other Countries on this Side, were slain, driven out, or
carried away captive."
Besides there is a notable Instance in _Corn. Tacitus_, lib. 20. where
speaking of the Neighbourhood of _Frisia_ and _Batavia_ to each other,
he mixes the _Caninesates_ among them, whose Custom in Electing their
Kings was, (as I shall hereafter shew) the very same with that of the
Franks.--"Ambassadors (says he) were sent to the _Caninesates_, to
persuade them to enter into the Confederacy: That People inhabit one
part of the Island, equal as to their Descent, Laws and Valour, to the
_Batavians_; but inferior in Number.--And again--_Brinnio_ being set
upon a Shield (according to the Custom of the Country) and hoisted up on
Men's Shoulders, was chosen their Commander." Which Words will prove of
no small Authority for us, when we come h
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