(155)
This news arriving at Constantinople, the Venetes began to assemble in the streets, and to murmur highly at their usage; they complained to the Emperor, of the violences which had been exercised against their Brethren, and threatned to revenge themselves upon Leo and Malthanes. But Leo by a magnificent present, prevented the execution of the Order which Justinian had passed, and abated so much of the ardor which he had always shown for that faction, that the Process was stopped; and when Malthanes came to Court a while after, the Emperor received him very honorably, and treated him as kindly as he could wish: But the Venetes inraged, having set upon him as he was passing from the Emperors apartment, wounded him severely, and had certainly killed him, had not some of their own party, whom Leo had corrupted with his Money, preserved him.
Is there any man living, that thinks not that State in an unhappy condition, where the Prince suffering himself to be bribed and corrupted with Money, leaves offences unpunished; and where the Malecontents are so audacious as to attempt a Magistrate in the Palace, and before the eyes of their Emperor? In short, Malthanes and his assasins remained equally unpunished, which may easily insinuate the temper of Justinian: Yet for further eviction, and to show how much he applied himself to the good of the Commonwealth, I shall only add his behavior towards the Posts and the Spies.
