(28)
fondness of Bellisarius, who indulged his Wife in what ever she desired; so much was his love, beyond all limits of reason.
This fear being grounded upon so many appearances of truth, made a deep impression in the mind of John. From that time the affairs of the Emperor went utterly to wreck, as wanting a person that was able to buoy them; for Bellisarius finding the Goths extreamly successful, and advance in all their undertakings, he desired liberty to return out of Italy; which being granted by the Emperor, he took his leave of the Roman Troops without any trouble, and indeed of all Italy; the greatest part of which, he left in the hands of the Goths. Perusia was at that time distressed by a long siege, and being taken whilest he was in his journey to Constantinople, it endured all the miseries to which Towns that are taken by Assault, are usually exposed: But the State was not unhappy alone, Bellisarius had his private misfortunes in his own family. The Empress Theodora employed the utmost of her power to accomplish the match betwixt her Grandson Anastasius, and the Daughter of Bellisarius, obliging him to write continually to her Parents to expedite the business. The Parents to gain him, desired it might be protracted till they returned to Constantinople. The Empress suspecting their design, commanded them back, but they desired to be excused, and wrote word they could not stir out of Italy. She perceived their cunning immediately, and seeing Bellisarius had no other children, and that
