of civility doe vaunt Since Greekes growne barbarous basely are inclin'd All vertue vanish'd is all good forgot O carelesse Heavens wretch'd Earth Cho. what loads thy minde Nun. A multitude of murders Cho. what Nun. what not Cho. We know that since our Soveraigne lost his breath Th' earth hath beene bath'd with many a crimson flood Perdiccas did procure Meleagers death And his owne Souldiers drown'd his breath with blood Th'Athenians prey Leonatus did remaine And by Eumenes subtiltie dismai'd Neoptolemus and Craterus were slâ—ine Then by his owne Eumenes was betrai'd Phil. Man with his skill against his knowledge strives Where death his way attends that way he tends And t' Atropos the fatall razor gives To cut the threed on which his life depends When Asia's victor after all his warres Great Babylon to view had bent his mind Both I and others studious of the Starres Did shew that there his ruine was design'd And to his successors we oft have showne The meanes by which their fate might be controul'd Yet was our skill contemn'd and they o'rethrowne As we fore-told and as they now have told Nun. They have told much and yet I must tell more Their newes were evill yet were they not the worst Cho. And have the Heaven reserv'd more plagues in store As if we yet were not enough accurst Nun. As th' earth in pride the Heavens in plagues abounds Our highest hopes have perish'd but of late Cho. Then wound our eares by hearing others wounds That pittie now may tread the steps of hate Nun. Our Queene Olympias raging with revenge All Macedonie did with murders fill Which from her part the people did estrange Whilst rigor onely limited her will So that when fierce Cassander sought her wreake She did mistrust the Macedonians mindes And for the time the nearest strength did take There till the storme was past to waite faire winds But soone Cassander did the Towne enclose And as she held him out did hold her in That like a Captive guarded by her foes She knew not by what way a way to winne And when lives scant provision did decay Then did bare walles but small refuge afford She Scylla scap'd to be Charybdis prey Who fell on famine flying from the sword Straight like pale Ghosts faint Souldiers did remaine Whose bowels hunger like a Harpie teares And with couragious words the Queene in vaine Did raise their sprite the belly hath no eares All languishing did then begin to fade As if too weake to beare themselves about Legges fail'd the body and the necke the head Then whilst the flesh fell in bones bursted out And when that meates which common are were spent Then Horses Dogs Cats Rats all serv'd for food Of which no horrour th'eaters did torment For what not poyson was all then seem'd good Some mouthes accustom'd once with dainty meates Wish'd what they oft had loath'd vile crums soule flouds And Ladies which had liv'd in pompous states Fed as brought up with wolves amidst the woods Yea must by those whom they themselves had nurst Oft by the off-springs death the Parent liv'd And which was worst whilst brests were like to burst None could give comfort all themselves were griev'd Such was their state no friend be wail'd his friend No wife her husband no nor Syre his sonne For apprehending their approaching end All with compassion of themselves were wonne The dead mens smell empoyson'd them who liv'd Whilst first made faint by a defrauded wombe Heapes were of breath and but all both depriv'd That all the towne in end was but a tombe Cho. Life is the subject of distresse and griefe That still affords us matter to be mone And we by death can onely have reliefe To live and to be wretch'd are both but one Yet foolish worldlings toss'd with endlesse care Though at too deare a rate would still buy breath And following feathers wavering through the ayre Love life though wretch'd more then a happy death Nun. When thus the world Olympias plagu'd did spy All sought Cassander though for severall ends Cho. All as a pest them who are wretch'd doe flye Ecclipsed fortune threatens losse of friends Nun. And she considering that she could not long Hold out the siege since victuals were grown scant Did send as weake for peace vnto the strong Cho. Thus time and travell all things once may daunt Nun. Then did Cassander know that need constraind Her so to bow as every way diseas'd And though he her request not quite disdain'd Yet the appointment was such as he pleas'd For all the favour that she could procure Was leave to live a private person still And yet of that she could not be made sure Which did depend upon the Victors will Then whilst Cassander sought his enemies ends Huge numbers with him alwaies did abide Cho. Yet might have many followers and few friends Friends by the touch-stone of distresse are try'd Nun. But though the Queen was rendred in this sort A promise given that life should be preserv'd The tyrant with her sprite could not comport But from his faith for her confusion swerv'd The Macedonians were together brought There to consult what did concerne their Queene Of whom when as a number deepely thought Both what she was and what she once had beene Even as Cassander had suborn'd them all Their parents came whom she had damn'd to death And did her rigour to remembrance call By which the multitude was mov'd to wrath Whilst from their brests all pitty quite was barr'd They did conclude their Queene behov'd to dye Cho. Durst Subjects damne their Soveraign and not heard So still may clouds obscure the worlds bright eye Nun. Yet did Cassander put false every way A maske of pitty on a cruell minde And offred her a ship to flye away As if to death against his will assign'd Nor was this course for her delivery fram'd But onely as by chance that she might drowne So for her death that he might not be blam'd But onely Neptune who had drunke her downe Yet she a Princesse of a mighty spright Whose lofty courage nothing could o're-come Said ere she scap'd by such a shamefull flight That she would heare the Macedonians doome But when Cassanders counsell was contemn'd Lest that the multitude had chang'd their minde When they remembred whom they had condemn'd And did the fulnesse of his purpose finde To rid her soone from paine and him from feare He sent some bands from pitty most estrang'd Yet she ' against fortune did a banner beare And not her heart no not her count'nance chang'd She constant still though mon'd would never mone Whose stately gesture brav'd their bold attempt And did unite her vertues all in one To grace disgrace and glorifie contempt She on two Ladies shoulders lean'd her armes And with a Majestie did march to death Like Alexander once amid'st th' altarmes As if in triumph to abandon breath The height of vertue admiration brings At this great magnanimity amaz'd
ground that never failes None can be throughly blest before the end I may compare our state to table-playes Whil'st Iudges that are blinde give onely light Their many doubt the earnest minde dismayes Which must have happy throwes then use them right So all our dayes in doubt what things may chance Time posts away our breath seems it to chace And when th' occasion comes us to advance It of a thousand one can scarce embrace When by a generous indignation mov'd Two fight with danger for a doubtfull praise Whil'st valour blindely but by chance is prov'd That ones disgrace anothers fame must raise O! what a foole his judgement will commit To grace the one with a not gain'd applause Where fortune is but to give sentence yet Whil'st bloudy agents plead a doubtfull cause This world a field is whereas each man fights And arm'd with reason resolutely goes To warre till death close up the bodies lights Both with externall and internall foes And how can he the Victors title gaine Who yet is busied with a doubtfull fight Or he be happy who doth still remaine In fortunes danger for a small delight The wind-wing'd course of man away fast weares Course that consists of houres houres of a day Day that gives place to night night full of feares Thus every thing doth change all things decay Those who doe stand in peace may fall in strife And have their fame by infamy supprest The evening crownes the day the death the life Many are fortunate but few are blest Croe. I see this Grecians sprite but base appeares Which cannot comprehend heroicke things The world of him more then he merits heares At least he knowes not what belongs to Kings Yet fame his name so gloriously array'd That long I long'd to have him in my house But all my expectations are betray'd I thinke a Mountaine hath brought forth a Mouse Act 2. Scene 2. Solon Aesope THis King hath put his trust in trustlesse toyes Whil'st courting onely temporary things And like a hooded Hawk gorg'd with vaine joye At randon flyes born forth on follys wings O how this makes my griefe exceeding great To see ones care who lives for dead things such Whil'st shew-transported mindes admire his state Which I not envy no but pitty much Thus wormes of th' earth whil'st low-plac'd thoughts prevaile Love melting things whose shew the body fits Where soule 's of clearer sight doe never faile To value most the treasure of good wits Those worldly things doe in this world decay Or at the least we leave them with our breath Where to eternity this leades the way So differ they as farre as life and death Aesope And yet what wonder though he wander thus Whom still by successe treacherous fortune blindes Though this indeed seem somewhat strange to us Who have with learning purifi'd our mindes Was he not borne heire of a mighty state And us'd with fortunes smiles not fear'd for frownes Doth measure all things by his owne conceit A great defect which fatall is to Crownes Then from his youth still trusting in a Throne With all that pride could crave or wealth could give Vs'd with entreaties and contrould by none He would the tongue of liberty deprive Though to his sight I dare not thus appeare Whose partiall judgement farre from reason parts I grieve to see your entertainment here So farre inferiour to your owne deserts That matchlesse wisedome which the world admires And ravish't with delight amazed heares Since not in consort with his vaine desires Did seeme impleasant to distemper'd eares Eares which can entry give to no discourse Save that which enters fraughted with his praise He can love none but them that love his course And thinkes all fooles who use no flattering phrase This with the great ones doth the gods displease Though spreading all her heavenly treasures forth They if not in their livery them to please Doe vertue vilifie as of no worth Solon I care not Aesope how the King conceiv'd Those my franke words which I must alwaies use I came not here till he my comming crav'd And now when come will not my name abuse Should I his poys'nous Sycophants resemble Whose silken words their Soveraigne doe o'rethrow I for his Diadem would not dissemble What hearts doe thinke the tongues were made to show And what if I his humour to content The worlds opinion lost by gaining ones He can but give me gifts which may be spent But nought can cleere my fame if darkned once That so he might my reputation raise If I sooth'd him it would procure my shame Whil'st those who vitious are our vertues praise This in effect is but a secret blame Though as a simple man he me despise Yet better simply good then doubly ill I not my worth by others praises prize Nor by opinions doc direct my will That praise contents me more which one imparts Of judgement sound though of a meane degree Then praise from Princes voyd of princely parts Who have more wealth but not more wit then he Aesope Who come to Court must with Kings faults comport Solon Who come to Court should truth to Kings report Aesope A wise man at their imperfections winkes Solon An honest man will tell them what he thinkes Aesope So should you lose your selfe and them not save Solon But for their folly I no blame would have Aesope By this you should their indignation finde Solon Yet have the warrant of a worthy minde Aesope It would be long ere you were thus preferr'd Solon Then it should be the King not I that err'd Aesope They guerdon as they love they love by guesse Solon Yet when I merit well I care the lesse Aesope It 's good to be still by the Prince approv'd Solon It 's better to be upright though not lov'd Aesope But by this meane all hope of honour failes Solon Yet honesty in end ever prevailes Aesope I thinke they should excell for vertue rare All men in wit who unto men give lawes Kings of their kingdomes as the centers are To which each weighty thing by nature drawes For as the mighty rivers little streames And all the liquid pow'rs which rise or fall Doe seeke in sundry parts by severall seames The Oceans bosome that receives them all It as a Steward of the tumid deeps Doth send them backe by many secret veynes And as the earth hath need of moisture keeps These humid treasures to refresh the Plaines Thus are Kings brests the depths where daily flow Cleare streames of knowledge with rare treasures charg'd So that continually their wisedomes grow By many helpes which others want enlarg'd For those who have intelligence ov'r all Doe commonly communicate to Kings All th' accidents of weight that chance to fall Which great advantage Greatnesse to them brings They jealously dispos'd comment on mindes And these who Arts or Natures gifts enhaunce Whose value no where else a Merchant findes Doe come to Kings as who may them advance No doubt
oft times sinke downe in a Sea of shame It may be fear'd our King at last Whil'st he for nothing is afraid Be by prosperity betray'd For growing thus in greatnesse still And having worldly things at will He thinks though time should all things waste Yet his estate shall ever last The wonder of this peopled round And in his own conceit hath said No course of heaven his state can cast Nor make his fortune to be ill But if the gods a way have lay'd That he must come to be uncrown'd What sudden feares his minde may fill And in an instant utterly confound The state which stands upon so slippery ground When such a Monarchs minde is bent To follow most the most unwise Who can their folly well disguise With sugred speeches poisnous baits The secret canker of great States From which at first few disassent The which at last all do repent Then whil'st they must to ruine go When Kings begin thus to despise Of honest men the good intent Who to assure their Soveraignes seats Would faine in time some help devise And would cut off all cause of woe Yet cannot second their conceits These dreadfull Comets commonly fore-go A Kings destruction when miscarried so Act. 3. Scene 1. Croesus Adrastus WHat fancies strange with terrour strike my soule The tortur'd captive of distrustfull feares Huge cares suggesting harme my joyes controul Whose minde some comming crosse charactred beares And credulous suspition too too wise To fortifie my feares doth meanes invent Whil'st sudden trouble doth my sprite surprise A presage sad which boasts some bad event I thinke the soule since an immortall brood Hath by inheritance an heavenly power Which some fore-knowledge gives of ill and good But not the meanes to scape a fatall houre Though with this mortall vaile when made halfe blinde Not well fore-seeing what each time forth brings Yet it communicates unto the minde In cloudy dreames true though mysterious things Imagination wonderfull in force The judgement oft foiles with confusion so That then they prove things presupposed worse Ere time distress'd man multiplies his woe For as the shadow seemes more monstrous still Then doth the substance whence the shape it takes So the conjecture of a threatned ill More then it selfe some to be troubled makes This alteration too seemes more then strange Which suddenly so moved hath my minde I see more then I thought all states may change When heaven pursues th' earth no defence can finde My soule all pleasure is already loathing This hath indeed so deep impression left A dreame a fancy froth a shadow nothing Hath all my mirth even in a moment reft Adrast Whence mighty Soveraigne can this change proceed Which doth obscure the rayes of Princely grace Those who are school'd in woe may clearly reade A mighty passion written in your face And if a stranger may presume so farre What friend is false or who are fear'd as foes For I imagine in what state you are A secret sympathie imparting woes Two strings in divers Lutes set in accord Some say th' one onely touch'd both give a sound Even so souls tun'd to griefe the like afford Whose airie motions mutually do wound Croe. No doubt it must disburden much the minde A Secretary in distresse to have Who by his owne anothers griefe can finde Where glad mindes scorne what they cannot conceive And I Adrastus would the cause declare With which I so torment my soule in vaine But yet I blush to tell my foolish care The fond illusion of a drowsie braine Adrast As bodies temper'd are or souls inclin'd All dreames by â—ight th' imagination makes Or else th' impression thoughts worke in the minde By which when wakening one most travell takes Croe. By sleepe arrested as o're-come by death In Natures bosome I imbrac'd true rest And in that Masse where nothing mov'd but breath Lifes faculâ—ies sleep for a time supprest Then whil'st the sprite most pow'râ—ull did remaine Since least distress'd by this terrestriall part Adrast Souls at such times their strength so strongly straine That oft their burdens as astonish'd start Croe. To rarifie the aire from vapours pow'rs When first Aurora rose from Tithons bed Ere Phoebus blushing stole from Thetis bowres This apprehension in my braine was bred I onely have two sonnes and th' one you see The signe of Natures indignation beares And from his birth-day dumbe is dead to me Since he can give no comfort to mine eares The other Atis all my lifes delight In whom the treasures of my soule are kept I thought vaine be my thought in the twi-light I know not whether yet I wak't or slep't Whil'st he was sporting void of worldly cares And not in danger which could threaten death A pointed toole of iron fell unawares And from his body banish did his breath Whil'st the pale carkase did upbraid mine eyes The horrour of the sight my sense re-call'd Which when I thinke of yet my courage dyes Such an exceeding feare my sprite appall'd This touch'd my state so much it hath me mov'd To match my Sonne in marriage at this time With vertuous Coelia whom he dearely lov'd That both might reape the pleasure of their prime And if the heavens his o're throw have decreed By destiny which cannot be revok'd So may we have behinde some of his seed Ere in his blossome all our hopes be choak'd Thus ere his soule lodge in the lightlesse shade Some of his off-spring may content my minde I cannot hold him altogether dead Who leaves his Image in some one behinde And though we do what ever seemes the best To disappoint those but surmiz'd annoyes Yet for all this my minde hath never rest Some secret terrour doth disturbe my joyes Adrast Ah Sir if such a dreamed ill as this Hath plung'd your soule even in the depths of griefe Unhappie I who waile a thing that is Whil'st hope though rack'd dare promise no reliefe Though all those dreadfull fancies took effect Which heavy chance th' almighty Iove with-hold None can compare them no in no respect With those mis-fortunes which my state enfold For though your Sonne dye by anothers hand You shall but waile his death and not your crime The heavens of me my brothers bloud demand His fate my fault mourne must I all my time Croe. In what strange forme could this disaster fall From which there flow salt flouds of just distresse Tell on at length the fatall cause of all A greater griefe makes one forget the lesse Adrast My sorrows ground I smother'd still till now As too offensive food for dainty cares But since of such discourse you do allow I le tell a tale that may move stones to teares Of Phrygian Princes my great Father come Had in my growing age a tender care That all my education might become One whom he might for mighty hopes prepare As yet foure lustres scarcely had begun To grace my witness'd sex with blooming cheeks When I fond youth that
lab'rinth could not shunne Whence backe in vaine the straying Entrer seeks I lov'd O fatall love unlovely fate The vertuously faire yet fairest Dame That ever was enshrin'd in soules conceit Or ditties gave to grace the sounds of fame Straight were my fancies to her beauties ty'd None can paint passions but in feeling mindes I burn'd freez'd doubted hop'd despair'd liv'd dy'd With actions chang'd as oft as Autumnes windes Yet many conflicts past 'twixt hopes and feares To feast at least to nurce my starv'd desires She granted had a truce unto my teares And temper did with equall flames my fires For as she was the most esteemed Saint Whose image Love erected in my minde So when her cares had harbour'd once my plaint It pitie first and then did favour finde But ah triumphing in mine owne conceit As one whose love his Lady did preferre I was corrivall'd O disastrous fate By one who lov'd but was not lov'd by her He looking as I look'd faw what I saw Saw Natures wonder and the worlds delight And straight as that blinde god blinde guide did draw Still like a Lizard liv'd upon her sight Then labour'd he that Iewell straight to wonne Whose matchlesse worth he priz'd above his breath And loath'd all light which flow'd not from that Sunne As life without her had beene worse then death Yea Fortune seem'd to favour his desire And where to build high hopes did give him groundâ— The Nymph her parents daily did require That she might furnish physick for his wounds Of my distracted thoughts strange was the strife Who threatned thus with eminent mishap Was like to lose a thing more deare then life Whil'st others striv'd my treasure to entrap The man who sought my joyes to undermine I could not justly wish his state o're-throwne Nor blame the sprite that sympathiz'd with mine I envi'd not his lot but wail'd mine owne Now in my beast a mighty rage did raigne Which forc'd my soule with inward wounds to bleed Some fancies fear'd what once his love might gaine Since it was possible that he might speed Then others call'd her constancy to minde Which would not yeeld by such assaults though prov'd Yet forc'd to feare the frailty of her kinde A hearing woman may in time be mov'd Thus toss'd with doubts amidst a deep of woe Which with suspition did my joyes supplant I blam'd the thoughts that durst accuse her so As vertues patterne could one vertue want And â—or I hop'd his toils no further wrought Affliction oft affection doth enflame She of her sex who was the wonder thought Would thus not wrong the glory of her name Though in my absence they had oft assai'd That from her minde they might have me remov'd The Sunne burns hotest when his beames are stay'd The more they cross'd her love the more she lov'd For finding that delay no end affords And how faire Generals onely flow'd from Art She did upbraid him with disdainefull words To raze those hopes that had abus'd his heart Love is a joy which upon paine depends A drop of sweet drown'd in a sea of sowres What folly doth begin oft fury ends They hate for ever who have lov'd for houres When all his arguments prov'd of no force Straight with disdaine his soule in secret burn'd And what he thought was ill to make farre worse That Apostate to furie favour turn'd Through love preposterous procreating hate His thoughts amongst themselves could not agree Whil'st what was best he deeply did debate To see her dead or then enjoy'd by me What said he when he first had mus'd a space So hard it is to quench affections fires Shall I disfigure that Angelike face And cloud those beauties which the world admires Shall she by me be to confusion brought To whom I vows and prayers did impart To whom I sacrifiz'd each secret thought And on her beauties altar burn'd my heart Or shall I see her in anothers pow'r And in his bosome laid upbraid my losse Whil'st both with scornfull smiles then death more sowre To point me out for sport report my crosse That sight which sometime did me sweetly charme Should it become a cause of griefe to me No none who live shall glory in my harme Since she will not be mine she shall not be The hatefull love having vow'd her death Did with a cup of poyson drowne my joyes The fairest body from the sweetest breath Was parted thus O ocean of annoyes That Monster Fame whose many mouthes and eares Must know but not conceale a rare thing long And prodigall of ill most chiefly beares The worst news first inform'd me of this wrong For neighbouring neare the most unhappy part That had beene spoyl'd of such a noble guest As death had hers the furies seiz'd my heart Whose paine did spring from that which bred her rest How huge a weight did first confound my soule No tongue can tell it still my minde torments Rage did of griefe the outward signes controll When great windes blow the fire the smoak worst vents Whil'st generous furie did disguise my griefe I ranne transported with a mighty rage Bent by revenge or death to get relife A tragicke actor for a bloudy stage For I was come no sooner to the place Whereas I thought the Murtherer to have found But I did meet O ruine and disgrace Too deare a friend to catch and enemies wound Ah! passions dimn'd mine eyes wrath led my hand I was no more my selfe Griefe had me kill'd The first by Night who did before me stand As one whose breast with rage Alecto fill'd By chance encount'ring ere he spake a word I bath'd his bosome with a crimson floud And in his breast did drowne the cruell sword That in anothers body drank my bloud But when a Torch had partly rob'd the night Proud of suppos'd revenge ah bitter gaine I saw I knew black knowledge cruell sight My brother was the man whom I had slaine O bitter losse which nothing can repaire My soule with tow such monstrous deeds annoy'd Griefe rage spite shame amazement and despaire Gall'd toss'd burn'd dash'd astonish'd and destroy'd The thought of my offence doth grieve me most Yet am I sometime by loves verdict cleans'd And straight my brothers violated ghost By dreadfull dreames doth bragge to be reveng'd Croe. Now whil'st this great disaster did occurre What had the author of your anguish done Adrast He having heard this lamentable stirre Who self-accusing thoughts convicted soone Straight wounded by a wonderfull remorse Led by mad love or desp'rate feare to death He bent to follow her or dreading worse Stab'd by himselfe dy'd to defraud my wrath Croe. Those strange mishaps your enemies eyes must weet And force compassion from your greatest foe Since many monstrous circumstances meet To make a horrid harmony in woe But what doth touch ones selfe most force doth finde For ills when felt then heard griefe more abounds This extasie hath so o're-whelm'd my minde A melancholy huge all mirth confounds
reason would fulfill Their worke should serve their will Are we not heires of death In whom there is no trust Who toss'd with restlesse breath Are but a dramme of dust Yet fooles when as we erre And heavens doe wrath contract If they a space deferre Iust vengeance to exact Pride in our bosome creepes And misinformes us thus That Iove in pleasure sleepes Or take no care of us The eye of heaven beholdes What every heart enfoldes The Gods digest no crime Though they delaying long In the offenders time Seeme to neglect a wrong Till others of their Race Fill up the cup of wrath Whom Ruine and disgrace Long time attended hath And Gyges fault we feare To Croesus charge be lay'd Which Iove will not forbeare Though it be long delay'd For O! sometimes the Gods Must plague sinne with sharpe Rods. And loe how Croesus still Tormented in his minde Like to Reeds on a hill Doth quake at every winde Each step a terrour brings Dreames doe by Night afflict him And by day many things All his Thoughts doe convict him He his Starre would controule This makes ill not the worst Whilst he wounds his own soulâ— With apprehensions first Man may his fate foresee But not shunne heavens decree Act. 4. Scene I. Adrastus Croesus Chorus CAN Heaven behold one stand to staine these times Yet to the Stygian streames not headlong hurld And can th'arth beare one burden'd with such crimes As may provoke the wrath of all the world Why sends not Iove to have my course confin'd A death-denouncing flash of rumbling Thunder Else roaring terrour clouds of circling winde By violence to teare me all a sunder What corner yet unknowne from men remoov'd Both burn'd with rage and freezing in despayre Shall I goe now possesse to be approv'd Where none but monsters like my selfe repaire I 'le goe indeede whom all the world detests Who have no intrest in the fields of blisse And barbarize amongst the brutish beasts Where Tigers rage Toades spue and Serpents hisse But though in some vast Zone I finde a field Where melancholy might a monarch be Whilst silent deserts not one person yeeld To shrinke for horrour when beholding me Yet of my deeds which all the world doe tell This cannot raze the still proclaimed Scroule Since in my brest I beare about my hell And cannot scape the terrours of my soule Those fearfull Monsters of confus'd aspects Chimaera Gâ—rgon Hydra Pluto's Apes Which in the world wrought wonderfull effects And borrow'd from th' infernall shades their shapes Their devillish formes which did the world amaze Not halfe so monstrous as my selfe I finde When on mine owne deformities I gaze Amid'st blacke depths of a polluted minde No but my minde untainted still remaines My thoughts in this delict have had no part Which but by accident this foule fact staines My hands had no commission from my heart Yet whether it was fortune or my fate Or some Hel-hag that did direct my arme The Lydians plague I have undone this State And am the instrument of all their harme Then mountaines fall and bruise me by your rounds Your heights may hide me from the wrath of Heaven But this not needes since mee my fault confounds With my offence no torment can be eaven Ah! of what desert shall I now make choice To flie the count'nance of an angry King I know the venging sword of Croesus voice To wound my soule hostes of rebukes doth bring The patterne of distresse I 'le stand alone A memorable monster of mishap For though Pandora's plagues were all in one All were too few so vile a wretch to trap Cho. O how the king is mov'd at Atis death His face the portrait of a passion beares With bended eyes crost armes and quivering breath His Princely robe he desperately teares Loe with a silent pittie-pleading looke Which shewes with sorrow mixt a high disdaine He whilst his soule seemes to dissolve in smoke Straies twixt the corpes and him who hath it slaine Croe. Thou ruthlesse tyrant ruine of my blisse And didst thou so disguise thy devillish nature To recompence my curtesies with this Ah cruell wretch abominable creature Thy Tigrish mind what wit could well detect Inmortall brests so great barbarity What froward Sprite could but such spight suspect In hospitality hostility Did I revive thee when thy hopes were dead When as thy life thy parents had not spar'd And having heap'd such favours on thy head Is this Is this Chor. He would say the reward Adrast. I grant what you alledge and more is true I have unto the height of hatred runne A blood-stain'd wretch who merit not to view The rolling Circles nor the Rayie Sunne No kind of art I purpose now to use To colour this my crime which might seeme lesse Whilst painted with a pitifull excuse No it is worse then words can well expresse Nor goe I thus to aggravate my crime And damne my selfe to be absolv'd by others No no such Rhetoricke comes out of time I 'le not survive his death as earst my brothers O! had that high disaster kill'd me straight As then indeed I di'd from all delight I had not groan'd charg'd with this inward weight But slept with shadowes in eternall night Yet must I die at last though late growne wise This in my mind most discontentment breedes A thousand torturing deaths cannot suffice To plague condignely for so hay nous deeds If that revenge th' Elysian Guests delights The tombe of Atis shall exhaust my blood No fitter offering for infernall sprites Then one in whom they raign'd while as he stood The furies oft in me infus'd their Rage And in my bosome did their Serpents place Whose indignation laboring to asswage Huge hellish horrours spoil'd my thoughts of peace Croe. I find poore wretch when I have search'd and seene The fatall meanes which did inflict this wound That not thy malice but my fault hath beene Of that which grieves us both the reall ground Whilst barely with a superficiall wit Wee weigh the out-side of such strange events If but the mediate meanes our judgements hit We seeke not the first cause that much contents But when prodigious accidents fall out Though they amaze our mindes and so they must The cause of all comes from our selfe no doubt Ah! man hath err'd the Heavens are always Iust In judgement now whilst entring with my soule Those partiall thoughts which flatterd me declin'd Loe marking of past wrongs the burd'nous scroule Free from false colours which did mocke my minde O! then I see how heaven in plagues exceedes Whilst vengeance due save ruine nought can end Thus once the Gods must ballance worldlings deedes Both what we did and what we did intend Sonne Sonne my faults procured have thy fall For guilty of thy blood I gave the wound Which gave thee death and whose remembrance shall My life each day with many deaths confound Of Iove injust the Statutes I contemne And if I were confronted with
joyes remaine Which did exceed at least did equall theirs But chiefly Iuno did despight it most Who through a jealousie still jarres with Iove That body-prison'd soules of that could boast Which she although heavens Queen had not above Thus even for envy of our rare delights The fatall Sisters by the heavens suborn'd Of my soules treasure clos'd the lovely lights By which they thought the earth too much adorn'd O but he is not dead he lives in me Ah but I live not for I dy'd in him How can the one without the other be If death have set his eyes mine must looke dimme Since to my sight that Sunne no more appear'd From whom my beauties borrowed all their rayes A long eclipse that never shall be clear'd Hath darkened all the poynts of my sad dayes Aye me I live too long he dy'd too soone Thus still the worst remaine the best depart Of him who told how this curs'd deed was done The words like swords shall ever wound my heart Fierce tyrant death who in thy wrath did'st take One halfe of me and left one halfe behinde Take this to thee or give me th' other backe Be wholly cruell or be no way kinde But whil'st I live beleeve thou canst not dye O! even in spite of death yet still my choice Oft with the inward al-beholding eye I thinke I see thee and I heare thy voyce And to content my languishing desire To ease my minde each thing some helpe affords Thy fanci'd forme doth oft such faith acquire That in all sounds I apprehend thy words Then with such thoughts my memory to wound I call to minde thy lookes thy words thy grace Where thou didst haunt yet I adore the ground And where thou stept O sacred seemes that place My solitary walkes my widow'd bed My driry sighes my sheets oft bath'd with teares These shall record what life by me is led Since first sad newes breath'd death into mine eares Though for more paine yet spar'd a space by death Thee first I lov'd with thee all love I leave For my chast flames which quench'd were with thy breath Can kindle now no more but in thy grave By night I wish for day by day for night Yet wish farre more that none of both might be But most of all that banish'd from the light I were no more their constant change to see At night whil'st deeply musing of my State I goe to summe with sighes my wonted joyes An agony then in a sad conceit Doth blot the blubred count with new annoyes When Sleep the brother most resembling death Of darkenesse childe and father unto rest Doth bound though not restraine confused breath That it may vent but not with words exprest Then with my sprite thou dost begin to speake With sugred speeches to appease my griefe And my bruis'd heart which labour'd long to breake Doth in this comfort fain'd finde some reliefe Yea if our soules remain'd united so This late divorce would no way vexe my minde But when awaking it augments my woe Whil'st this a dreame and me a wretch I finde If never happy O thrise happy I But happy more had happinesse remain'd Yet then excessive joy had made me dye Since such delights what heart could have sustain'd Why waste I thus whil'st vainely I lament The pretious treasure of that swift past-time Ah pardon me deare love for I repent My lingring here my fate and not my crime Since first thy body did enrich the Tombe In this spoil'd world my eye no pleasure sees And Atis Atis Loe I come I come To be thy mate amongst the Myrtle trees Chorus Loe all our time even from our birth In misery almost exceeds For where we finde a moments mirth A month of mourning still succeeds Besides the evils that Nature breeds Whose paines doe us each day appall Infirmaties which frailty sends The losse of that which fortune lends And such disasters as oft fall Yet to farre worse our states are thrall Whil'st wretched man with man contends And every one his whole force bends How to procure anothers losses But this torments us most of all The minde of man which many a fancy tosses Doth forge unto it selfe a thousand crosses O how the soule with all her might Doth her celestiall forces straine That so she may attaine the light Of natures wonders which remaine Hid from our eyes we strive in vaine To seeke out things that are unsure In Sciences to seeme profound We dive so deepe we finde no ground And the more knowledge we procure The more it doth our mindes allure Of mysteries the depth to sound Thus our desire we never bound Which by degrees thus drawn on still The memory may not endure But like the Tubs which Danaus daughters fill Doth drinke no oftner then constrain'd to spill Yet how comes this and O how can Cleare knowledge thus the soules chiefe treasure Because of such a crosse to man Which should afford him greatest pleasure This is because we cannot measure The limits that to it belong But bent to tempt forbidden things Doe soare too high with Natures wings Still weakest whil'st we thinke us strong The heavens which hold we do them wrong To try their grounds and what thence springs This crosse upon us justly brings With knowledge knowledge is confus'd And growes a griefe ere it be long That which a blessing is when rightly us'd Doth grow the greatest crosse when once abus'd Ah! what avaiels this unto us Who in this vaile of woes abide With endlesse toyles to study thus To learn the thing that heaven would hide And trusting to too blinde a guide To spy the Planets how they move And too transgressing common Barres The constellation of the starres And all that is decreed above Whereof as oft the end doth prove A secret sight our wel-fare marres And in our brests breeds endlesse warres Whil'st what our horoscopes foretell Our expectations doe disprove Those apprehended plagues prove such a hell That then we would unknow them till they fell This is the pest of great estates They by a thousand meanes devise How to fore-know their doubtfull fates And like new Gyants scale the skies Heavens secret store-house to surprise Which sacrilegious skill we see With what great paine they apprehend it And then how foolishly they spend it To learne the thing that once must be Why should we seeke our destiny If it be good we long attend it If it be ill none may amend it Such knowledge but torments the minde Let us attend the heavens decree For those whom this ambiguous Art doth blinde May what they seeke to flye the rather finde And loe of late what hath our King By his preposterous travels gain'd In searching out each threatned thing Which Atis horoscope contain'd For what the heavens had once ordain'd That by no meanes he could prevent And yet he labours to finde out Through all the Oracles about Of future things the hid event This doth his raging minde
all dangers which might make us thralls For Cyrus had proclaim'd a great reward To him whose steps first trod the conquer'd walls And this companion seeing without stay One in his sight that craggie passage clime Straight on his foot-steps followed all the way And many a thousand hasted after him Then all that durst resist were quickly kill'd The rest who fled no where secure could be For every street was with confusion fill'd There was no corner from some mischiefe free O what a piteous clamour did arise Of ravish'd virgins and of widow'd wives Who pierc'd the heavens with lamentable cryes And having lost all comfort loath'd their lives Whil'st those proud Victors would themselves have stain'd With all the wrongs that Pride or power could use They by a charge from Cyrus were restrain'd And durst no more their captives thus abuse Chor. No doubt but high mishaps did then abound Whil'st with disdaine the Conqu'rours bosome boyld As some the sword disgrace did some confound Not onely houses Temples too were spoyld What misery more great can be devis'd Then is a Cities when by force surpris'd But whil'st that stately Towne was thus distress'd What did become of our unhappy King Nunt. Then when the Enemy had his state possest And that confusion seaz'd on every thing He scarcely first could trust his troubled sight The Fortune past transported had him so Yet having eyes who can deny the light He saw himselfe inferiour to his foe And apprehending there whil'st left alone How that his judgement long had beene betray'd As metamorphos'd in a marble stone His ravish'd thoughts in admiration stray'd But such a weight of woes not us'd to beare He first was griev'd then rag'd and last despair'd Till through excessive feare quite freed from feare He for his safetie then no further car'd And never wishd he so to have long life But death farre further was affected now Still feeking danger in the bounds of strife So he were sure to dye he car'd not how Whilst furies thus were fostred in his brest Him suddenly a Souldier chanc'd to meet As insolent as any of the rest Who drunk with bloud ran raging through the street And wanting but an object to his ire He sought to him and he to him againe I know not which of them did most desire The one to slay the other to be slaine But whil'st so base a hand towring aloft Did to so great a Monarch threaten death His eldest Sonne who as you have heard oft Was barr'd from making benefit of breath I cannot tell you well nor in what forme If that the destinies had so ordain'd Or if of passions an impetuous storme Did raze the strings that had his tongue restrain'd But when he saw his Syre in danger stand He with those words a mighty shout did give Thou furious Stranger stay hold hold thy hand Kill not King Croesus let my Father live The other hearing this his hand retyr'd And call'd his Kings commandement to minde High were those aymes to which his thoughts aspir'd Whom for great fortunes this rare chance design'd Now when that Croesus who for death long long'd Was quite undone by being thus preserv'd As both by life and death then doubly wrong'd Whil'st but by fates for further harme reserv'd He with sad sighs those accents did accord Now let the heavens do all the ill they can Which would not unto me the grace afford That I might perish like a private man Ah must I live to sigh that I was borne Charactring shame in a dejected face Ah must I live to my perpetuall scorne The abject object pointed for disgrace Yet this unto his soule more sorrow bred He scorne pretending state as King array'd Was with great shouts ridiculously led Backe to the Tent whereas their Emp'rour stay'd Then that he might his misery conceive Those robes so rich were all exchang'd with chains And prisons strictnesse bragg'd him with the grave So soone as death could make a choice of paines They caus'd in haste a pile of wood to make And in the mid'st where all men might him spie Caus'd binde the captive King unto a stake With fourteene others of the Lydians by There as if offerings fit to purge the state Foes sought with flames their ruine to procure Though Iove prepostrous piety doth hate No sacrifice is sweet which is not pure Now whil'st the fire was kindling round about As to some pow'rfull God who pray'd or vow'd With eyes bent up and with his hands stretch'd out O! Solon Solon Croesus cry'd aloud Some hearing him to utter such a voice Who said that Cyrus curious was to know When dying now what deity was his choice Did him request his last intent to show His exclamation was said he on one With whom he wish'd their frailty so to see That all who ever trusted in a Throne Had but conferr'd a space as well as he Then there he told what Solon had him showne Whil'st at his Court which flourish'd then arriv'd How worldly blisse might quickly be o're-throwne And not accomplish'd was while as one liv'd Whil'st forth salt flouds attending troupes did powre He shew how much the wise-man did disdaine Those who presum'd of wealth or worldly pow'r By which none could a perfect blisse obtaine This speech did Cyrus move to ponder much The great uncertainty of worldly things As thinking that himselfe might once be such Since thrall'd to Fortunes throne like other Kings Then such a patterne standing him before Whom envy once then pitie did attend He to our King did liberty restore And with his life did Solons fame extend Yet him the fire still threatned to devoure Which rising high could hardly be controll'd But O devotion then appear'd thy pow'r Which to subdue the heavens makes worldlings bold To quench the flames whil'st divers toild in vaine Iove mov'd by prayer as Croesus did require The azure Cisterns open'd did remaine And clouds fell downe in flouds to quench the fire Then whil'st the Souldiers did the Citie sack To save the same as to his Countrey kinde The hopelesse Croesus thus to Cyrus spake With words which pitie melted from his minde Great Prince to whom all Nations now succumbe And do thy yoke so willingly embrace That it some comfort gives to be o're-come By one whose glory graces our disgrace Since now I am constrain'd your thrall to be I must conforme my selfe unto my fate And cannot hold my peace whereas I see That which may wrong the greatnesse of your state Your state is spoil'd by not suspected pow'rs If this rich Citie thus do rest ore-throwne Which now no more is mine but is made yours And therefore Sir have pittie of your owne Yea though the losse of such a populous Towne Both rich and yours your minde could nothing move Yet thinke of this which may import your Crowne A peece of policy which time will prove The haughty Persians borne with stubborne mindes Who but for poverty first followed you
Their matchlesse worth in armes large Asia findes Their feare is falne upon all Nations now But if you suffer them in such a sort To be made rich with plenteous Lydia's spoiles Not able then their conquest to support The vanquish't by their fall the victor foils Let not vain pleasures entertaine their sights Rest wealth wealth pride pride warre warre ruine breeds Whil'st faint through pleasures weakened with delights No thought of honour from base breasts proceeds Then Cyrus straight approving what he spake His souldiers were from pretious spoyls restrain'd Whil'st he the tenth part did pretend to take A fatall off'ring for the Gods ordain'd This is the summe of our disastrous state We must a Stranger serve as thrall'd long since With losse of all which he possest of late Our King bought breath a poore thing for a Prince Chor. O wretched people O unhappy King Our joyes are spoyl'd his happinesse expir'd And no new chance can any comfort bring Where destinies to ruine have conspir'd Go wofull messenger hold on thy course For to have heard too much it irks our eares And we shall note of this thy sad discourse With sighs each accent and each point with teares Croesus Loe I who late did thunder from a Throne Am now a wretch whom every one disdaines My treasure honour state and freedome gone No kinde of comfort no nor hope remaines And after me let none whom greatnesse shrouds Trust tumid titles nor ostentive shows Sailes swolne with windes whil'st emulating clouds That which puffes up oft at the last o're-throws O! had this pretious wit enrich'd my minde Which by experience I have dearly bought Whil'st fortune was within my Court confin'd And that I could not thinke a bitter thought Then satisfi'd with Soveraignty ear'st prov'd I had disdain'd new dangers to embrace And cloath'd with majestie admir'd and lov'd Had liv'd with pleasure and had dy'd in peace But what more wonderfull in any State Then power when courted that is free from pride But chiefly those who live securely great They oft may erre since Fortune is their guide What could the world afford or man affect Which did not smooth my soule whil'st I was such Whom now the changing world doth quite neglect By prospr'ing plagu'd starv'd onely with too much Long lull'd asleep with scornfull Fortunes lyes A slave to pleasure drown'd in base delights I made a covenant with my wandring eyes To entertaine them still with pleasant sights My heart enjoy'd all that was wish'd of late Whil'st it the height of happinesse did cloy Still serv'd with dainty but suspected meat My soule with pleasure sicke was faint for joy All which much care what might procure mine ease My will divin'd obsequiously devis'd And who my fancy any way could please As prais'd by me was by all others pris'd Save serving me none else could have deserv'd Of whom what ever came was held of weight My words and looks were carefully observ'd And whom I grac'd were had in honour straight For pompe and pow'r farre passing other Kings Whil'st too secure with drowsie thoughts I slumbred My coffers still were full of pretious things Of which as wealth least weigh'd gold scarce was numbred I rear'd rare buildings all embost with gold Made ponds for fishes forrests for wilde beasts And with vain thoughts which could not be controll'd Oft spent the day in sport the night in feasts I toss'd the Elements with power like Ioves Driv'd water up aire downe a pleasant change For stately fountains artificiall groves As common things were not accounted strange With me what more could any Monarch crave In all the parts of pompe none could compare My Minions gallant Counsellours were grave My guards were strong my Concubines were faire Yea whil'st light Fortune my defects supply'd I had all that could breed as now I finde In others wonder in the owner pride So puffing up the flesh to spoyle the minde Thus with delight long pressing pleasures grapes With Fortune I carrows'd what men deare hold But ah from misery none alwayes scapes One must be wretched once or yong or old Then weary to be well and tyr'd of rest To waken trouble I th' occasion sought And yet to cloake the passions of my brest Did with devotion long cloud what I thought Of all the Oracles I did enquire What was to come of this intended warre Who said as seem'd to second my desire That I a mightie Monarchie should marre Those doubtfull words I wresting to my will In hope to breake the hauty Persians pow'rs Did ruine quite whil'st all succeeded ill What many a age had gain'd even in few houres And this may be admir'd as more then strange I who disdain'd an equall of before What cannot Fortune do when bent to change Then servants lesse must dreame content no more What eye not bigge with scorne my state surveyes Whom all do pittie now or worse do blame And bound even to my foe for some few dayes Which borrowed are with th'intrest of my fame Though this sweet gale of life-bestowing windes Would seeme a favour so it seemes to some Who by the basenesse of their muddie mindes Shew from what vulgar stock their kinde doth come I scorne unlike my selfe thus to be seene Though to my comfort this appear'd to tend As if misfortunes past had onely beene A Tragick entry to a Comick end Of all that plague my State what greater pest Then servile life which faints from th' earth to part And hath in one united all the rest To make me dye each day yet live to smart Life in my brest no comfort can infuse An En'mies gift could never come for good It but gives time of misery to muse And bathe my sorrows in a bitter flood Ah! had my breath straight vanish'd with my blisse And clos'd the windows that gave light to life I had not borne to misery submisse The height of those mishaps which now are rife Whil'st with a thousand sighs I call to minde The death of Atis and mine owne disgrace In such an aâ—ony my soule I finde That life to death would willingly give place But since I see reserv'd for further spight I with sad thoughts must burâ—en yet my soule My memory to my distracted spright Of all my troubles shall present a scroule Of which while as th' accounts I go to cast When numbring my misfortunes all of late I will looke backe upon my pleasures past And by them ballance my now haplesse state Chorus IS' t not a wonder thus to see How by experience each man reeds In practis'd volumes penn'd by deeds How things below inconstant be Yet whil'st our selves continue free We ponder oft but not apply That pretious oyle which we might buy Best with the price of others paines Which as what not to us pertaines To use we will not condescend As if we might the fates defie Still whilst untouch'd our state reamines But soon the heavens a change may send No perfect blisse before
TRAGEDY OF DARIVS Act 1. Darius WHat thund'ring pow'r grown jealous of my state Which having daunted th' earth perchance heaven fears Thus arm'd with lightning breathing flames of hate Big with disdaine high indignation beares Long smooth'd of all whilst I pale cares despis'd In fortunes lap asleep of greatnesse dream'd Even in that calme my state a storme surpris'd And ere I wak't my ruine was proclam'd Thus I whose onely name did terrour give As Idoll of the world ador'd over all With crosses compass'd such a wretch doe live That who admir'd my might admire my fall Ah then indeed I fell when gallants stood And Phoenix like renew'd their lives by death Who having seal'd their force and faith with bloud Would rather dye then draw a borrowed breath Yet I not I did view not venge though neare Those monstrous mountaines of my Subjects slaine Though even my enemies must my courage cleare Which flames of fury lightned forth in vaine Through greatest dangers death I did pursue Till heapes of slaughtred bodies barr'd my way And chang'd my Chariot to a scarlet hue Ere wounded honour could be drawne away O how I envy yet their happy Ghosts Who dy'd whilst hope of victory remain'd And in the presence of two famous hosts To praise their valour even their foes constrain'd Shall I survive that memorable shame Which Persia's glory with disgrace confin'd No rather let me dye and let my name As vaine quite vanish raz'd from every minde Starre-boasting Babylon all Asia's Queene Blush to behold thy King in such a state That by the gazing world he now is seene A scorned futer humbly to entreate But not turn'd vassall as by pow'r appall'd Though all my Empire to a period come Yet none shall vaunt that ever I was thrall'd Hearts holding courage are not quite o're-come Should I whose Soveraignty so oft was sworne Be seene submisse to scape a minutes paines No let them bow who but to bow were borne For Darius this indignity disdaines Since I was once judg'd worthy to command Shall I descend a Subjects state to try No whilst a sword yeelds homage to this hand I scorne to grant a greater man then I. Brave sprites who now possesse the pleasant bow'rs And glorious Gardens of th' Elysian Plaines For if deserts may move th' infernall pow'rs That happy shade your shadowes now containes Those fatall fields where I did leade you forth Your bodies bury but enlarge your fames Men shall adore the relickes of your worth And Trophees reare to your immortall names I 'le sacrifice as Incense to your soules His dying sighes and sorrowing Parents teares Who now whilst none his prospering pride controules Our conquer'd Ensignes in his triumph beares For it may ease your Ghosts to heare his grones Whilst burden'd earth rebounding backe doth send A wailing eccho rais'd from woods and stones With wounded words to shew that Armies end Why spend I speeches to disturbe your rest As but with words an idle speaker pleas'd A mighty fury hath enflam'd my brest And I will rage till by revenge appeas'd Did I that strong Cadusian first afront Who durst advance himselfe to brave our bands Then turn'd applauded and in high account Charg'd with his spoiles the honour of my hands What could I then all kinde of doubt remov'd Alone adventure to an Armies shame And should I now that ancient praise disprov'd With squadrons compass'd lose that glorious name Blinde fortune O! thy stratagems are strange Which spoile my pow'r and staine my honour too And having made my state the stage of change Hast acted all was in thy power to doe Loe I who late of swarming troups did boast Neere left alone have fortunes fraud disclos'd And those made captives whom I fancy most To vaunting Victors are by fates expos'd O torment but to thinke death to beleeve That any may my dearest part annoy And I wretch'd I not able to releeve Mine eyes chiefe jewell and my hearts chiefe joy Deare object of my thoughts my life my love Sweet Spring of my delights my one my all Bright image of th'excellencies above What do'st thou breath and com'st not when I call And can I be and not be where thou art Hath heaven the force me from thy face to barre Or are my hands growne traitours to my heart That they should shrinke from doing what it dare O! could my minde but distribute a space Those emulating thoughts which tosse my brest To pointlesse ciphers who but spend a place Then I alone might animate the rest Since in this great disgrace I chanc'd to fall Now nothing rests to raise my fame forlorne But by some desperate course to hazard all I 'le live with praise or by my death flye scorne Some prosp'rous issue afterward may purge This crime which fortune hath impos'd on me This crime that carryes with it selfe a scourge No greater torment then the want of thee But fortunes course what mortall can restraine Who Diadems through dust for sport doth roule A stranger now o're my delights doth raigne And may extort the treasures of my soule Now not till now I apprehend my harmes When I imagine how my best belov'd Must entertaine mine enemy in her armes And I so farre from offering ay de remov'd A host of furies in my brest I finde Which doe my soule with dreadfull horrours fill Whilst Melancholy musters in my minde Strange apprehensions that affright me still And this surmiz'd disgrace grown throughly strong Reades hourely in mine eares a hatefull scroule Of an imagin'd yet a helpelesse wrong Such poison'd thoughts like Serpents sting my soule Blinde love beguiles me not sharpe sighted feares With reason fed doe make suspition live Would God that I had neither eyes nor eares Which to the heart intelligence might give This aggravates the weight of my despaire When doubt objects to breake loves last defence How he is yong and fierce she yong and faire He to offend she subject to offence From wronging me both cannot long abstaine Her beauty is sufficient to allure His bravery is sufficient to obtaine Captaines will force and Captives must endure O Alexander tender my renowne Though thus thou travell to usurpe my throne I rage to have a rivall in my Crowne But in my love I can comport with none That boundlesse flame which in thy bosome boyles If quench'd with ought save bloud as base I blame My fortunes take but spare her honours spoiles Which not thy glory yet must breed our shame But pardon deare that which griev'd thoughts burst â—orth More bright thy fame that darkened is my state By many meanes men may approve their worth A woman onely with a wretched mate Chast mindes still pure doe then most firmely stand When fortifi'd with wedlockes sacred band Yet let me doubt or let me leave to love To feare the worst it is affections part I doubt not of thy truth yet it may prove Thy face betray thy faith thy hap thy heart But on thy
title to his body claim'd The sorrowing Souldiers swarm'd about his bed With looks once fierce then for compassion fram'd But he whom victory had still array'd With others past this battell bent to even Did look like one whom all the world obey'd And boasted shortly then to take the heaven Whil'st lightning comfort to afflicted bands He stretch'd them forth to kisse in severall parts By Sword then Scepter his more honour'd hands On which it seem'd they melted all their hearts Last unto them those gen'rous words he told Yet to my life my death doth bring no blot Thus to dye yong in yeares in glory old Of all our Family is still the lot And since no worlds are resting to o're-come Life serves for nought I did an Empire found Liv'd warr'd and raign'd all done for which I come Then goe great Ghost not griev'd below the ground No further Weighing what belong'd to life He with a count'nance constant even in death As too victorious in that fatall strife The ayre perfuming spent th' imperious breath But through the Campe when that it once was knowne That from the world that world of worth was gone What anguish was it cannot well be showne I had my part yet had not all alone O! let that day which makes my dayes all night Be registred amongst the dismall dayes Whose melancholy and portentuous light With some disaster still the world dismayes And Babylon curst be thy fatall towers Once seate of Monarchs Mistresse of the earth But from hence-forth a slave to forraine pow'rs Still burden'd be thy bounds with bloud and dearth Olym. You need not use those execrations more Though Babylon of breath that Prince depriv'd Yet as an Oracle had told before In Macedonie was his death contriv'd Antipater had heard how divers times The King against him had been mov'd to wrath And damn'd as guilty of opprobrious crimes His sonne in law Lincestes unto death Then he was told the King did strictly try How his Lievtenants had their places us'd Still making all as traitours straight to dye Who had the same in any sort abus'd Thus he who well did know his owne misdeeds Had learn'd by others what he might expect As whose ambitious brest in pride exceeds And alwayes did a Sovereignty affect But when Craterus was to have his place And he requir'd the Army to attend He thought that thus Time would some means embrace To plague his pride with a deserved end Then to prevent that which I thinke was still More fear'd by him then purpos'd by the King With guilty thoughts oft exercis'd in ill He sought what might to death his Soveraigne bring And this the traitour compass'd at the last As I alas have learn'd although too late When to my sonne his sonne Cassander past As to congratulate his prosp'rous state Then in his company he did retaine A poyson powerfull where it was employ'd Whose violence no metall could restraine But in a horsâ—s hoofe was still conveighâ—d He and his brother fit occasion watchâ—d And for their Prince a cup of poyson made Thus he who never could by force be match'd By treason loe O cruell fate lyes dead Rox. And could or durst those traitors be so bold The pillar of all worth to undermine But Madame ah Antipater of old Against your greatnesse alwaies did repine And I remember on a time he sent A messengâ—r of minde to make you bow Who to your Sonne a letter did present Full of invectives to discredit you The King whilst reading what it did comprise Did smile with scorne then to Hephestion say In writing of such things he is not wise Which straight one mothers teare will wipe away Olym. I oft inform'd my sonne strange waies devis'd How that disloyall man striv'd to be great But as a womans wit mine was despis'd And construed still unto the sense of hate Yet of my Sonne I thought the deeds were such That all men them admir'd none envy could And that none durst his sacred person touch Whom men ador'd and Iove as his did hold How oft have I those bitter throwes allow'd By which I brought that demi-god to light And well I might of such a birth be proud Which made me glorious in the peoples sight Though divers too as I have some time knowne To draw his love from me did wayes prepare Yet were their slights by dutious love o're-throwne And I respected with a reverend care His tender love to me was much extold Then when he sought to stablish a decree That with Immortals I might be enrold And as a Goddesse honours have to me Ah! how can I this tragicke time survive Who lost a sonne so great a sonne so kinder And all the meanes which make me now to live Is with revenge a hope to ease my minde Rox. His love to you it could not but abound By nature parents of their owne are lov'd Since those to whom he by no band was bound Of his humanity the fruits have prov'd His clemency did make his state more sure Then all the terrours rising from his name Which whilst he liv'd did publike love procure And after death a never dying fame Old Sisigambis lifting up her heart Of her owne sonnes the death who bad surviv'd To Alexander did that love impart Wâ—ich was to Darius due while as he liv'd But when these tidings wounded had her eares That heaven from th' earth had rob'd that praise of men Whilst all dissolv'd in flouds of bitter teares She hated life as never spoil'd till then Her widow'd nephew groning at her feet Who of Hephestion did the death bewaile In depths of woe she drown'd with teares did fleet Till that o're-whelm'd her strength began to faile Then barr'd from food she groveling did abide Till that lifes course then hastened fast was runne Thus she surviv'd her sonne yet with him dy'd In whom she found the kindnesse of a sonne Olym. If but when hearing this his tragicke end A stranger once his Captive dy'd for griefe Ah shall his mother yet on hope depend As such a losse might looke for some reliefe And yet I will for 't were a great disgrace To me the mother of that matchlesse man Like other women to give fortune place And faintly yeeld as vulgar wretches can Though griefe at first must mollifie me once Or as unnaturall I might be admir'd Yet will I not still burst my brest with grones Then that of me more courage is requir'd I 'le not degener from my generous kinde Faint-hearted Hindes brought never Lyon forth Nor yet a Mother of an abject minde Had never borne a Monarch of such worth And O! who knowes but once the time may come That I to venge my selfe a meanes may have Whilst those vile traitors ruin'd are by some Who with their bloud may bath their Soveraigns grave Now on Perdiccas I repose my trust Who with Eumenes would our wrongs red resse Their valour ventring in a cause so just By all appearance promise
mov'd The Macedonians all abhorre your name Who at that time so proud a Conquerour provâ—d Thâ—ir great mens slaughter having wing'd your fame Eum. No fortune past so puffes up my conceit That it contempt of further danger brings Nor am I now dejected so of late But I intend to doe farre greator things He by prosperity made never proud Who knows the fâ—â—ilty of this â—arthly frame Can hardly by adversity be bow'd The Sunne although eclips'd remaines the same Worth should by th' events not be thrall'd to wit On th' accidents as th' essence did depend The fault of fortune cannot blemish it On which oft times disasters may attend Though fortune stumbling right concurre with worth Or yet if crosses bragge a gallant minde Both like themselves are alwaies sparkling forth In every state some tokens of their kinde Now at this time o're-match'd by num'rous pow'rs I kept my courage though I lost the field And vaunt no more of this for some few hour's May once to me the like advantage yeeld Nor is it long since that to fortune deare The world had never me but victor spy'd Though I protest by all th'Immortals here Press'd by necessity not mov'd by pride Proud Neoptolemus that traytour still Not worthy of a Macedonians name He to betray the hoste and me to kill Had labour'd long to his eternall shame But I of Craterus lament the fall Whom for his vertue I did dearely love And was constrain'd I Iove to witnesse call For my defence that refuge last to prove Anti. How fortun'd you your forces to dispose So well to scape that storme of threatned harmes For then you had to deale with mighty foes Who were in warre growne hoarie under armes Eum. When Neoptolemus did clearely spy That all his treason to the light was brought He where our foes were camp'd with haste did flye A foolish traitour who was false for nought There he inform'd or mis-inform'd my foes That by good successe growne secure of late I in my Tent did carelesly repose Though not by force to be o're-com'd by fate And to Antipater he further told That Macedonians if they at that time Of Craterus the count'nance did behold All willingly would yeeld themselves to him Now they had labour'd earnestly before That I abandon would Perdiccas part And did protest that they would give me more Then yet I had or hop'd for in my heart But love born free cannot be thrall d nor bought More then a shamefull peace I like just strife To generous mindes more deare then honour nought And ere I leave my faith I 'le lose my life Thus when despair'd that I would prove their friend They sought in time to plague me as a foe Where love could not begin that hate might end And came in haste to have surpris'd me so But Neoptolemus to crosse by slight The Macedonians I for him did bend And Craterus concealing from their sight To match with him caus'd troupes of strangers tend This policy which none could justly blame I with my selfe in secret did conspire And had my shirt beene privy to the same It should have beene an offring to the fire When deaths first game with danger playd was past I Neoptolemus did toile to finde And he me too which happ'ned at the last Two will doe much to meet when of one minde Then whilst we met for whom both th' armies warr'd Whose fortune did depend upon our hands All was perform'd that force or fury dar'd Whilst both were bent t' abate the others bands And yet the heavens would not betray my trust Foule treason never had a fairer end But smil'd upon my cause as which was just And did destruction to the traitour send For forc'd by him whose force he did despise Though fighting fiercely long he lost his breath As one more strong then true more stout then wise Whose greatest honour was his honest death But weakened with huge wounds almost I div'd In seas of bloud even quite from knowledge stray'd Yet by so great a victory reviv'd My courage grew more then my strength decay'd I having finish'd thus this fatall strife Did come where Craterus his course had runne Even in the confines plac'd 'twixt death and life The one neere gone the other not begun He with great valour had resisted long As all Briareus hands had mov'd his sword And did his Masters memory no wrong Whilst with his courage not his fortune stor'd What life refus'd to gaine by death he thought For life and death are but indifferent things And of themselves not to be shun'd nor sought But for the good or ill that either brings With endlesse glory bent to change his breath Of desp'rate valour all the pow'r was prov'd And for great Captaines no more glorious death Then to dy fighting with a minde unmov'd When it appear'd where victory did tend That armies courage with their Captaine fell And whilst I safely might be seene a friend I went where death his Spirits did expell And whilst I told how both to be betrayd By Neoptolemus were brought about My woe with teares I to the world bewray'd Milde pitty and true kindenesse must burst out Ah if the newes of this that I expresse Had come in time unto Perdiccas eares He might have liv'd their pride now to represse Who by his fall were first divorc'd from feares Ant. The humour of that man was too well knowne Could he have parted other men from pride Whose soule was sold a slave unto his owne And for the same forc'd by his followers dy'd Eum. The proud must still be plagu'd by prouder ones There must be had sharp steel to smooth rough stones Ant. No vice then pride doth greater hate procure Which foes doe scorne and friends cannot endure Eum. Yet Majesty must not it selfe deject A lofty carriage doth procure respect Ant. A haughty gesture shewes a tyrants heart All love a courteous count'nance voyd of Art Eum. Yet manners too submisse as much condemn'd Doe make Kings scorn'd and Captains be contemn'd Ant. A humble port kinde looks words smooth and soft Are meanes by which great mindes may mount aloft Eum. Those are indeed for such as raise their flight They may doe more whose course is at the height Imperious formes an Empire must defend Ant. Thus hastned was Perdiccas to his end Eum. That worthy man had many faire designes But vertue still by envy is pursu'd Though as a Candle in the night best shines It in a vitious age may best be view'd There was a man who scorn'd secure delights As still despising paine attemptive bold A brave observer of the antient Rites Steele strictly grasping prodigall of gold He lov'd to have the Souldiers of his band Chus'd at the Musters not in markets bought And would not flatter where he might command More meet to have then seeke that which he sought But Souldiers now in this degener'd age Are fawn'd on by faint mindes brib'd in such sort That all the reynes
my heart gave groanes No Romans bloud was shed but I shed teares But how could any elevated spright Who had for honour hazarded his blood Yeeld willingly by foes outragious spight To be defrauded of th' expected good When as a multitude of battels wonne Had made Romes Empires and my glory great And that the Gauls oft vanquish'd had begun To beare the yoke which they disdain'd of late Then glorious Pompey my proud sonne-in-law And Cato who still cross'd what I design'd From favouring me the people did with-draw And had a successour for spight assign'd Not that he should succeed in dangerous broils But even through envy as they had ordain'd That he might triumph so of all my toils And rob the glory which I dearly gain'd With such indignity who could comport When prizing honour dearer then the light No whil'st my soule rests soverainge of this fort None shall have powâ—r to rob me of my right And yet by Iove who all the world commands To use such violence I did mislike And would have oft abandon'd all my bands If that mine enemies would have done the like But yet the multitude which floting still As waves with windes are carried with conceits With nought but my disgrace would bound their will And I committed all unto the fates Yet when at Rubicon I stood perplex'd And weigh'd the horrour of my high attempt My stormy soule a thousand fancies vex'd Which resolution buried in contempt Ant. Nought in a Captaine more confounds his foes Then of a ventrous course the swift effects Since so quite crush'd ere they their thoughts dispose All good advice a care confus'd neglects Though when you march'd to Rome your pow'r was small The sudden news so thundred in each eare That as if heaven had falne upon them all If bred amazement and th' amazement feare Some secret destiny as then was seene Doth guide mens actions and their judgement bounds Those who by hosts could not have frighted beene A shadow or a rumour oft confounds All hastie dangers so surprise the minde That feare prevents the resolutions power Or else the fates make curious Reason blinde When heavens determin'd have a fatall houre Great Pompey loe who was growne ag'd in armes And had triumph'd o're all the worlds three parts Whil'st quite discourag'd by imagin'd harmes Fled Rome though without reach of th' enemies darts As to a torrent all gave place to you And whom they call'd a rebell made their Lord Your successour Domitius forc'd to bow Did trust your favour more then feare your sword When in th' Iberian bounds you did arrive There Adversaries who did vainly vaunt Had all th' advantage that the ground could give Of victuals plenty which with us were scant Yet the celerity that you had us'd Did so discourage their disordred band That as Iove in their breasts had feare infus'd They had no strength against our strokes to stand And when Romes Generall with brave legions stor'd Seem'd to possesse all that his soule requir'd Whil'st us to daunt both famine and the sword The Sea the Land and all in one conspir'd Then for your offices they did contend As those who of the victory were sure And where they might th' affaires of state attend In Rome for lodgings fondly did procure Yet memorable now that day remaines When all the world was in two Armies rang'd Whil'st Mars went raging through th' Aemathian plaines And to despaires high expectations chang'd When Pompeys partie had the battell lost As Lyons do their prey you did pursue The scattred remnant of that ruin'd host On which new heads still like a Hydra grew Though victory in Africke fatall seem'd To any Army that a Scipio led Yet you shew'd there for worth in warre esteem'd That Rome a better then a Scipio bred And all our Enemies were confounded thus Who us in number ever did surmount But Caesar and his fortune were with us Which we did more then many thousands count Caes The sweetest comfort which my conquests gave Was that I so might do to many good For every day some Romanes life I save Who in the field to fight against me stood Thus may my minde be judg'd by the event Who even when by my greatest foes assail'd To winne the battell never was more bent Then prompt to pardon when I had prevail'd Not covetous of bloud of spoyls nor harmes I even when victor did insult o're none But layd aside all hatred with my Armes A foe in fight a friend when it was gone Of clemency I like the praise more then Of force which mortals with affliction lodes Strength oft may prove the worst thing that 's in men And pity is the best thing in the Gods Sterne Cato still affecting to be free Who either death or life if given disdain'd Thy death I envy who didst envy me The glory that I saving thee had gain'd Yet I to Rents and dignities restore Even those who long my ruine had design'd And O! it doth delight my minde farre more By benefits then by constraint to binde Ant. I would have all my foes brought to their ends Caes I rather have my foes all made my friends Ant. Their bloud whom I suspect'd should quench all strife Caes So might one do who lik'd of nought but life Ant. Still life would be redeem'd from dangers forth Caes Not with a ransome then it selfe more worth Ant. Then life to man what thing more deare succeeds Caes The great contentment that true glory breeds Ant. Men by all meanes this blast of breath prolong Caes Men should strive to live well not to live long And I would spend this momentary breath To live by fame for ever after death For I aspire in spight of fates to live Ant. I feare that some too soone your death contrive Caes Who dare but lodge such thoughts within their mindes Ant. Those whom the shadow of your Greatnesse blindes Caes The best are bound to me by gifts in store Ant. But to their Countrey they are bound farre more Caes Then loath they me as th' Enemy of the state Ant. Who freedome love you as usurper hate Caes I by great battels have enlarg'd their bounds Caes By that they thinke your pow'r too muchy abounds Caes From doing wrong yet I refraine my will Ant. They feare your powe'r because it may do ill Caes The present state still miscontentment brings To factious mindes affecting matters strange Which burdens to themselves do loath all things And so they change regard not what they change In populous Townes where many do repaire Who at their meeting what they please do touch They further then their bounds extend their care The idle who do nothing must thinke much Loe Rome though wasted all with raging warres Whil'st private grudge pretended publike good Equality still rude engendring jarres Did prove too prodigall of Roman blood Though yet now at the last attaining rest Whil'st all obeying one may banish teares It if constrain'd even scorns as bad
just himselfe more strong Then Caesar thought who for no justice car'd And since discovering what he cloak'd so long Said that the other and not he was snar'd Thus Caesar conquer'd all but Cato's minde Who to a tyrant would not owe his breath But in such sort his famous course confin'd Then Caesars life more glorious was his death Those great men thus brought to disastrous ends The author of their death make me despise Who to usurpe all pow'r while as he tends By treading good men downe doth strive to rise Now made most great by lessening all the great He proudly doth triumph in Rome o're Rome And we must seeme to like the present state Whose doubtfull breath depends upon his doome Yet had I not enlarg'd my griefes so long To you whom Caesar doth pretend to love Save that I know touch'd with the common wrong A just disdaine all generous mindes must move Dec. Had Caesar willingly resign'd his Armes And rendred Rome her liberty at last When as from fores he fear'd no further harmes But had repair'd his just displeasures past More then for all that could be done for me He should have had and Altar in my best As worthy for his vertuous deeds to be Fear'd by the bad and honour'd by the best But since though conqu'ring all the world by might He to himselfe a slave would make Rome thrall His benefits are loathsome in my sight And I am griev'd that he deserves to fall My fancies move not in so low a sphere But I disdaine that one Romes Crowne requires Yet it is best that with the time we beare And with our pow'r proportion our desires Though first dissembling so your minde to try I told what fame to Caesars praise relates Yet was I pleas'd that moe were griev'd then I All miscontented men are glad of Mates Cic. Since tyranny all liberty exiles We must our sleves no more our selves disguise Then learne to maske a mourning minde with smiles And seeme to like that which we most despise Yet all our deeds not Caesars humour please Who since mistrusting once esteemes us still When dumb disdainefull flatterers when we praise If plaine presumptuous and in all things ill Yea we whose freedome Caesar now restraines As his attenders all his steps must trace And know yet not acknowledge his disdaines But still pretend an interest in his grace Though all my thoughts detest him as a foe To honour him a thousand meanes I move Yet but to save my selfe and plague him so No hate more harmes then it that lookes like love His pride is by prepost'rous state growne such That by the better sort he is abhorr'd The gods are jealous and men envy much To see a mortall man so much ador'd Dec. Well Cicero let all meanes be entertain'd That may embarke us in his bosomes deepes Till either willingly or then constrain'd He justly quite what he unjustly keepes Exeunt Chorus THis life of ours is like a Rose Which whilst rare beauties it array Doth then enjoy the least repose When Virgin-like make blush we see Of every hand it is the prey And by each winde is blowne away Yea though from violence scap'd free Thus time triumphs and leades all thrals Yet doth it languish and decay O! whilst the courage hottest boiles And that our life seemes best to be It is with dangers compast still Whilst it each little change appalles The body force without oft foiles It th' owne distemp'rature oft spoiles And even though none it chance to kill As nature failes the body falles Of which save death nought bounds the ioyles What is this moving Towr in whith we trust A little winde clos'd in a cloud of dust And yet some sprites though being pent In this fraile prisons narrow bounds Whilst what might serve doth not content Doe alwaies bend their thoughts too high And ayme at all the peopled grounds Then whilst their brests Ambition wounds They feed as fearing straight to dye Yet build as if they still might live Whilst famish'd for fames empty sounds Of such no end the travell ends But a beginning gives whereby They may be vex'd worse then before For whilst they still new hopes contrive The hoped good more anguish sends Then the possess'd contentment lends As beasts not taste but doe devoure They swallow much and for more strive Whilst still their hope some change attends And how can such but still themselves annoy Who can acquire but know not how t' enjoy Since as a ship amidst the deepes Or as an Eagle through the ayre Of which no way th' impression keepes Most swift when seeming least to move This breath of which we take such care Doth tosse the body every where That it may hence with haste remove Life slips and sleepes alwayes away Then hence and as it came goes bare Whose steppes behinde no trace doe leave Why should heaven-banish'd soules thus love The cause and bounds of their exile As restlesse strangers where they stray And with such paine why should they reave That which they have no right to have Which with them in a little while As summers beauties must decay And can give nought except the grave Though all things doe to harme him what they can No greater enemie then himselfe to man Whilst oft environ'd with his foes Which threatned death on every side Great Caesar parted from repose As Atlas holding up the Starres Did of a world the weight abide But since a prey to foolish pride More then by all the former warres He now by it doth harm'd remaine And of his fortune doth diffide Made rich by many Nations wreake He breaking through the liquid barres In Neptunes armes his Minion forc'd Yet still pursu'd new hopes in vaine Would the ambitious looling backe Of their inferiours knowledge take They from huge cares might be divorc'd Whilst viewing few more pow'r attaine And many more then they to lacke The onely plague from men that rest doth reave Is that they weigh their wants not what they have Since thus the great themselves involve In such a labyrinth of cares Whence none to scape can well resolve But by degrees are forward led Through waves of hopes rockes of despaires Let us avoyd ambitions snares And farre from stormes by envy bred Still seeke though low a quiet rest With mindes where no proud thought repaires That in vaine shadowes doth delight Thus may our fancies still be fed With that which Nature freely gives Let us iniquity detest And hold but what we owe of right Th' eyes treasure is th' all-circling light Not that vaine pompe for which pride strives Whose glory but a poysnous pest To plague the soule delights the sight Ease comes with ease where all by paine buy paine Rest we in peace by warre let others raigne Act 3. Scene 1. Caius Cassius Marcus Brutus NOw Brutus now we need no more to doubt Nor with blinde hopes our judgement to suspend That flatt'rers credit loe is quite worne
distresse strikes deeper in my heart Thy griefe lifes joy makes me neglect mine owne Brut. Thou must deare love that which thou sought'st receive Thy heart so high a saile in stormes still beares That thy great courage doth deserve to have Our enterprise entrusted to thine eares This magnanimitie prevailes so farre That it my resolution must controule And of my bosome doth the depths unbarre To lodge thee in the centre of my soule Thou seest in what estate the State now stands Of whose strong pillars Caesar spoyl'd the best Whil'st by his owne preventing others hands Our famous Father fell amongst the rest That proud usurper fondly doth presume To re-erect detested Tarquins throne Thus the worlds Mistresse all-commanding Rome Must entertaine no Minion now but one All those brave mindes who mark where he doth tend Swell with disdaine their Countries scorne to see And I am one of those who soone intend His death or mine procur'd to be made free Port. And without me canst thou resolve so soone To try the danger of a doubtfull strife As if despair'd and alwayes but undone Of me growne weary weary of thy life Yet since thou thus thy rash designe hast showne Leave Portia's portion venter not her part Endanger nought but that which is thine owne Go where thou lik st I will hold still thy heart But lest by holding of thy best part back The other perish't aggravate my grones Who would be so thought guilty of thy wrack Take all thy Treasure to the Seas at once Like Asia's Monarchs wife who with short haires Sad signes of bondage past still where he past To weare away or beare away thy cares I 'le follow thee and of thy fortune taste These hands which were with mine own bloud imbru'd To strike another may more strength afford At least when thou by th' enemies art pursu'd I 'le set my selfe betwixt thee and each Sword But if too great a priviledge I claime Whose actions all should be dispos'd by thee Ah! pardon Brutus and but onely blame This streame of passions that transported me Brut. Thou ask'st what thou shouldst give forgive deare Mate This ventrous course of mine which must have place Though it make Fortune Tyrant of our State Whose fickle foot-steps Vertue grieves to trace And wonder not though thus to thee I prove Since private duties now all pow'r have lost I weigh not glory profit pleasure love Nor what respect may now import me most So to the land of which I hold my life I may performe that worke which I intend Let me be call'd unkinde unto my wife Yea worst of all ingrate unto my friend As an instinct by Nature makes us know There are degrees of duty to be past Of which the first unto the Gods we owe The next t' our Countrey to our friends the last From Rome of old proud Tyrants bent to drive Did th' author of my race with ardent zeale Make those to dye whom he had made to live And spoil'd himselfe to raise the Common-weale To settle that which Caesar now o're-throws Though vertues nurserie stately whil'st it stood He with the Tyrant inter-changing blows On Glories Altar offered Fame his bloud And did that man to crosse the common foe Then damne his Sonnes to death and with dry eyes And is his speciall heire degener'd so In abject bondage that he basely lyes No his posterity his name not staines But even to tread his steps doth fast draw neare Yet of his sprit in us some spark remaines Who more then life our liberty hold deare Port. Then prosecute thy course for I protest Though with some griefe my soule the same approves This resolution doth become thy brest In honours spheare where heavenly Vertue moves And do this enterprise no more deferre What thee contents to me contentment brings I to my life thy safety do preferre But hold thy honour deare above all things It would but let the world my weaknesse see If I sought my delights not thy desires Though griefe it give and threaten death to me Go follow forth that which thy Fame requires Though Nature sexe and education breed No power in me with such a purpose even I must lend help to this intended deed If vows and pray'rs may penetrate the heaven But difficulties huge my fancie findes Nought save the successe can defray my feare Ah! Fortune alwayes frownes on worthy mindes As hating all who trust in ought save her Yet I despaire not but thou may'st prevaile And by this course to ease my present grones I this advantage have which cannot faile I le be a free-mans wife or else be nones For if all prosper not as we pretend And that the Heavens Romes bondage do decree Straight with thy liberty my life shall end Who have no comfort but what comes from tâ—â—â— My Father hath me taught what way to dye By which if hindred from encountring death Some other meanes I though more strange must try For after Brutus none shall see me breathe Brut. Thou for my cause all others earst didst leave But now forsak'st thy selfe to joyne with me Ore generous love no pow'r weake passions have Against thy minde thou dost with mine agree I le since by thee approv'd securely go And vilipend the dangers of this life Heavens make my enterprise to prosper so That I may once prove worthy such a wife But ah of all thy words those grieve me most Which bragge me with the dating of thy dayes What though I in so good a cause were lost None flies the fate which stablish'd for him stayes Do not defraud the world of thy rare worth But of thy Brutus the remembrance love From this faire prison strive not to breake forth Till first the fates have forc'd thee to remove Port. The heavens I feare have our confusion sworn Since this ill Age can with no good accord Thou and my Father ah should have beene borne When Vertue was advanc'd and Vice abhorr'd Then ere the light of Vertue was declin'd Your worth had reverenc'd beene not throwne away Where now ye both have but in darknesse shin'd As Starres by night that had beene Sunnes by day Brut. My treasure strive to pacifie thy brest Lest sorrows but sinistrously presage That which thou would'st not wish and hope the best Though Vertue now must act on Fortunes Stage Exeunt Chorus THen liberty of earthly things What more delights a generous brest Which doth receive And can conceive The matchlesse treasure that it brings It making men securely rest As all perceive Doth none deceive Whil'st from the same true courage springs But fear'd for nought doth what seemes best Then men are men when they are all their owne Not but by others badges when made knowne Yet should we not mispending houres A freedome seeke as oft it falls With an intent But to content These vaine delights and appetites of ours For then but made farre greater thralls We might repent As not still pent In stricter bounds
presage my fall It a sooth-sayer likewise hath divin'd The Sacrifice prodigious seemes to all So that till this disastrous day be gone All company I purpose to disuse And to the Senators will send some one To paint my absence with a faire excuse Dec. Brut. Doe not repose on superstitious signes You to suspect the people thus to bring Whilst Soveraigne-like you limit their designes Seeme not a tyrant seeking to be King How can we satisfie the worlds conceâ—t Whose tongue still in all eares your praise proclaimes Or shall we bid them leave to deale in state Till that Calphurnia first have better dreames If that this day you private would remaine The Senate to dissolve your selfe must goe And then incontinent come backe againe When you have showne to it some reverence so Caes With thy advise as pow'rfull I agree The Senatours shall have no cause to grudge A little space all part a space from me And I 'le be shortly ready to dislodge Caesar alone VVHence comes this huge and admirable change That in my brest hath uncouth thoughts infus'd Doth th' earth then earst yeeld terrors now more strange Or but my minde lesse courage then it us'd What spightfull fate against my state contends That I must now to fancied plagues give place By toes not mov'd afraid amongst my friends By warre secure endanger'd but by peace When strongest troopes to fight with me did come Then did my heart the highest hopes conceive I warr'd with many many to o're-come The greatest bâ—ttels greatest glory gave As th' enemies numbers still my courage grew Through depths of dangers oft times have I past Yet never did those boundlesse labours rue To have none greater first none equall last When bragging Gauls mov'd by their neighbours fals Had from the fields no from my fury fled And hid themselves with Armes their Armes with walles Whilst I my troupes before Alexia led Then though there swarm'd forth from the bounds about Huge hosts to compasse me enflam'd with wrath That the besiegers all besieg'd about Seem'd drawne by danger in the nets of death No way I who could with the pride comport That those Barbarians by vaine vaunts bewray'd Did re-assault th' assaulters in such sort That words by wounds wounds were by death repayd Of those within the towne to ease their toyles Till quite o're-com'd their comming was not knowne Who straight upbraided by the barb'rous spoiles Did yeeld themselves as if with them o're-throwne By liquid legions whilst with tumid boasts The Trident-bearer striv'd my spoiles to beare Though threatned thrise amid'st his humid hosts Still courage scorn'd to thinke of abject feare I us'd those Pyrats who had me deceiv'd Still as my servants thundring threatnings forth And gave them money more then they had crav'd Whose ignorance too meanely priz'd my worth Yet gathering ships I stay'd not long a shore But trac'd their steps though they not pav'd the way And taking them as I had vow'd before By nought but death their ransome would defray Then when without th' advice of others mindes Through hoary waves I past alone by night Whilst in a little Barke against great windes That even the Pilot lookâ—t not for the light The waves themselves asunder seem'd to teare That in their gravell I might chuse a grave And cry stall arches did above me reare That I a Tombe fit for my state might have Whilst dangers seem'd to merit Caesars death As Neptune rais'd his head I rais'd my heart And she wing what I was with constant breath To weake Amiclas courage did impart Was I not once amid'st large Nilus slote Whilst me to wound a wood of darts did flye Yet swim'd so carelesse of my enemies shot That in my hand I held some papers dry With open dangers thus in every place I whilst oft compass'd both by Sea and Land Did undismay'd looke horrour in the face As borne for nought but onely to command But since a world of victories have fill'd With Trophees Temples Theaters with my praise That bath'd with balme which glories bayes had still'd With friends in peace I look'd to spend my dayes The chambers musicke now afrights me more Then Trumpets sounds when marching in the field And Gowns though signes of peace worse then before The pompous splendour of a flaming shield Those thoughts of late which had disdain'd to doubt Though I alone had march'd amongst my foes Loe whilst amongst my friends well back'd about They then the eyes more danger now disclose If any chance to meet a number brings I insurrections feare from common wrath Yea if two talke a part of private things Straight I suspect that they conspire my death â—â—en sudden rumours rise from vulgar smoake â—â—ilst th' inward motions roule my restlesse eyes I at â—â—â—ch corner for an ambush looke Aâ—â—â—start astonish'd lest some tumult rise When light first lightning doth encourage toyles I still despaire to re-enjoy the night And when mine eyes th' umbragious darkenesse spoils I never looke to grace them with the light For when the light with shadowes makes a change To flatter mortals with a dreame of rest What ugly Gorgons what Chimera's strange Doe bragge the little world within my brest The time which should appease impetuous cares Doth double mine who view most when quite blinde I apprehend huge horrours and despaires Whilst th' outward objects not distract my minde Now of my conquests what delight remaines Where is the peace pursu'd by many a strife Have I but taken paine to purchase paines And sought by dangers for a dangerous life Is this the period of aspiring pow'rs In promis'd calmes to be most plagu'd by stormes Lurke poys'nous Serpents under fairest flow'rs And hellish furies under heavenly formes It will not grieve my ghost below to goe If circumvented in the warres I end As bold Marcellus by Romes greatest foe Who gave his ashes honour as a friend Or like t' Epaminondas in his death O! would the Gods I had amidst alarmes When charg'd with recent spoiles been spoil'd of breath Whilst I to Pluto might have march'd in armes Yet life to end which nought but toyles affords I 'le pay to death the tribute that it owes Straight with my bloud let some come dye their swords Whose naked brest encounter shall their blowes But ah how have the furies seaz'd my brest And poyson'd thus my sprite with desp'rate rage By horrid Serpents whilst quite barr'd from rest No kinde of comfort can my cares asswage No Atropos yet spare my threed a space That to the Stygian streames ere walking downe I may of honour have the highest place And if I fall yet fall beneath a Crowne VVhilst eares are bended to applauding shouts My thoughts divided are within my brest And my toss'd soule doth flote between two doubts Yet knowes not on what ground to build her rest The Senators they have this day design'd To shew the world how they esteeme my worth Yet doe portentuous signes perturbe my minde By
current doth o'reflow my minde VVhich never dream'd that which the soule annoyes But did in all a satisfaction finde I scorne vaine shadowes of conceited feares As one whose state is built on marble grounds In all my horoscope no cloud appeares My blisse abounds my pleasures passe all bounds Aesope That Grecian Sir is at the Court arriv'd VVhole wisedome fame through all the world records Croe. And to extoll my state have you not striv'd VVhil'st bent to sooth his eares with courteous words Aesope In all the parts where he hath chanc'd to be In forrain bounds or where he first saw light He never did such stately wonders see As since this Court enriched hath his sight VVhen regall shewes had ravish'd first his eye As mountains nurslings little simple swaines VVho us'd with infant flouds them never spy Sport portative like Serpents through the Plaines When one of them first comes to view the vailes And wanton water-Nymphs there wondring sees The rarenesse of the sight so much prevailes That rillets rivers seeme the rivers Seas So all the guards that garnisht Solons way Did to his minde a great amazement bring The gallants golden statues made him stay Each Groome a Prince each Esquire seem'd a King And now he comes to gaine your long'd-for sight Whom in his minde no doubt he doth adore He gaz'd on those who held of you their light Sunne of this soile he must admire you more Now he o're all will spread your praises forth A famous witnesse of your glorious raigne The record of one wise man is more worth Then what a world of others would maintaine Solon Great Prince doe not the loving zeale reject VVhich a meane man yet a good minde affords And who perchance doth more your good affect Then those who paint their love with fairer words Croe. Thy love sage Grecian gratefull is to us Whom fame long since acquainted with thy worth So that we long long'd for thy presence thus To spy the Spring which sent such treasures forth Would God that many such would here resort Whose vertues beames would shine in every brest VVhose count'nance grave would grace so great a Court And like a Lampe give light unto the rest Solon Spare courteous King that undeserved praise I am but one who doe the world despise And would my thoughts to some perfection raise A wisedome-lover willing to be wise Yet all that I have learn'd huge toyles now past By long experience and in famous Schooles Is but to know my ignorance at last Who think themselves most wise are greatest fooles Croe. This is the nature of a noble minde It rather would be good then be so thought As if it had no ayme but fame to finde Such as the shadow not the substance sought Yet forc'd to give that which thou wilt not take The world what thou hold'st down doth raise more high That which thy face thus shunnes shines on thy back Praise followes them who what they merit flye And how I thinke on th' earth no creature lives Who better can instruct what I would learne Then thou to whom franke Nature largely gives A minde to see a judgement to discerne Solon To satisfie your suit my dutious care Shall it or then my ignorance disâ—lose Croe. Loe you have seene my pomp my treasures rare And all the strength on which my thoughts repose Solon Those be but dreams of blisse which fortune brings To breake by bending foolish mortalls mindes I saw but sencelesse heapes of melting things A waving wealth expos'd to many windes This but the body serving to decore As foolish owners it it th' owners spends Where mindes more circumspect seek better store Of wealth from danger free that never ends Croe. I wot not what you meane whil'st thus in love With fain'd Ideas of imagin'd blisse By fancies drawn such portraits doe but move Sicke braines to dreame that which indeed they misse But more I have then their conceits can show Whose rich conjectures breed but poore effects And I beseech you did you ever know A man more blest then I in all respects Solon I Tellus knew a man whom Athens lov'd Who to doe good at no occasion fail'd And in my judgement hath most happy prov'd Since while he liv'd belov'd whil'st dead bewail'd And last that he might reape all fruits of blisse His Countries beaten bands neere put to flight By him encourag'd scorn'd to be submisse Who dy'd victorious in two Armies sight More glorious now then when he was alive As he in heaven on earth his happy rest To trace his steps who led by Vertue strive Heires of his worth and honour'd by the best Croe. Since this first place a private person gaines Whose fortunes treasure in short time was told Now next in ranke who registred remaines Whose happinesse you most accomplish'd hold Solon Of Cleobis and Bitons vertuous way The prosp'rous course doth to my thoughts approch Their mother wanting on a solemne day The horses which were us'd to draw her Coach Them to supply the place love kindely rais'd Who drew her to that place of publike mirth Whil'st both of them abundantly were prais'd They for their piety she for her birth This charitable worke when brought to end Both dy'd whil'st offering incenie to the Gods Who favour'd so to draw them did intend From further danger of afflictions rods O happy mother who with true delight Of labours past such pleasant fruits enjoy'd And happy children who did thus acquite The mothers paine and dyed whil'st well imploy'd Ah ah our lives are fraile doe what we can And like the brittle glasse breake whil'st they glance Then oft the heavens to curbe the pride of man Doe inter-sowre our sweets with some sad chance Croe. Is there no place appointed then for me Or is my state so abject in thine eyes That thou do'st thinke me blest in no degree As one whose best in fortunes ballance lyes Or think'st thou me of judgement too remisse A wretch expos'd to want to scorne or paines The bastard childe of fortune barr'd from blisse VVhom heavens doe hate and all the world disdaines Are those poore creatures then to be compar'd With one who may consume such in his wrath Who as I please doe punish or reward Whose words nay ev'n whose lookes give life or death Solon Let not your judgement thus from reason shrinke To glose on that which simply comes from me They who doe freely speake no treason thinke One cannot both your friend and flatterer be To us who Grecians are the Gods doe grant A moderate measure of an humble wit So that our Country yet did never want Some whom the world for wise men did admit And yet amongst us all the greatest number Whil'st living looke not for a perfect rest Though Fortunes minions in her bosome slumber And seeme to some whom this world blindes most blest Yet ov'r all mortall states change so prevailes We alterations daily doe attend And hold this for a
the Gods Their providence as partiall would condemne Who in such sorte doe exercise their rods He thus now kill'd with life to let me goe May breed reproch to all the pow'rs divine But ah they knew no death could grieve me soe As that which through his heart was aim'd at mine Now all the world those deities may despise Which strike the guiltlesse and the guilty spare Cease haplesse man to plague thy selfe thus wise I pardon thee and pittie thy despaire Adrast. O rigorous judgement O outragious fate Must I suruive the funeralls of my fame All things which I behold vpbraide my state Too many monuments of one mans shame All and none more then I my deeds detest Yet some waile want of friends and I of fâ—es To purge the world of such a dangerons pest Which still contagious must taint hearts with woes To wound this brest where all hells hosts do raigne Seiz'd with just feare none dare a hand forth stretch Else this base charge as odious doe disdaine To deale with Death in favour of a wretch Or must I yet till more detested stand And fill the world with horrour of my name What further mischiefe can require my hand Must it ingrave on others graves my shame Or would some bastard thought lifes cause debate Which in the blasted field of comfort gleanes No no in spite of Heaven I 'le force my fate One when resolv'd to die cannot want meanes Proud Tyrant Death and must thou make it strange To wrap my wearied soule in further strife Vnlesse my courage with my fortune change Though nothing else I can command my life But this ay me all hope of helpe devowres What gaines my soule by death in those sad times If potent still in all her wonted pow'rs Shee must remember of my odious crimes What though un-bodied she the world forsake Yet from her knowledge cannot be divorc'd This will but vexe her at the shadowie lake Till even to grone the God of Ghosts be forc'd But welcome death and would the Gods I had Lesse famous or more fortunately liv'd Then knowne if good and kept obscure if bad Of comfort quite I had not beene depriv'd Ah! have I liv'd unnaturall I to be My brothers murtherer who me dearely lov'd Ah! have I liv'd with my owne hands to kill A gallant Prince committed to my charge And doe I gaze on the dead bodie still And in his fathers sight my shame enlarge Ah! have I liv'd whilst men my deeds doe scan To be the obiect of contempt and hate Of all abhorr'd as a most monstrous man Since thought a Traitouror farre worse ingrate Yet with my blood I 'le wash away this staine Which griefe to you to me disgrace hath brought Would God my name from mindes â—ight â—aâ—'d remaine To make my life as an unacted thought Brave Atis now I come to pleade for grace Although thou frown'st on my affrighted Ghost And to revenge thy wrong this wound embrace Thus thus I toile to gaine the Stygian coast Cho. Loe how he wounds himselfe despising paine With leaden lights weake legs and head declin'd The bodie beates the ground as in disdaine That of her members one hath prov'd unkind The fainting hand falles trembling from the Sword With his selfe slaughtering blow for shame grown red Which straight the blood pursues with vengeance stor'd To drowne the same with the same floods it shed Who of those parties can the combat show Where both but one one both strooke and sustain'd Or who triumphs for this most strange o'rethrow Where as the victor lost the vanquish'd gain'd Croe Curs'd eyes what suddaine change hath drown'd your lights And made your mirthfull objects mournefull now Ye that were still inur'd to stately sights Since seated under an imperiall brow Ah! clouded now with vapours drawn from cares Are low throwne down amid'st a hell of griefe And have no prospect but my soules despaires Of all the furies which afflict me chiefe O dead Adrastus I absolve thy Ghost Whose hand I see some destiny did charme Thou hated by the heavens wast to thy cost A casuall actour not intending harme No doubt some angry God hath laid this snare And whilst thy purpose was the Boare to kill Did intercept thy shaft amidst the Aire And threw it at my Sonne against thy will Ah! Sonne must I be witnesse of thy death Who view thee thus by violence to bleede And yet want one on whom to poure my wrath To take just vengeance for so vile a deede This wretch whose guiltlesse minde hath clear'd his hand Loe for his errour griev'd unforc'd doth fall And not as one who did in danger stand For still he liv'd till I forgave him all Thus have I but the heavens on whom I may Blast forth the tempest of a troubled minde And in my soules distresse I grieve to say That greater favour I deserv'd to finde Act 4. Scene 1. Sandanis Croesus WHy spend you Sir with sighes that Princely breath Whence Soveraignty authority should take O weake revenge for one when wrong'd by death To yeeld him homage prostrated in blacke That Tyrant pale so hatefull unto us Whose fatall shaft so great a griefe hath bred Where he triumphs should you reare trophees thus And weare his livery as his captive led No though he might this outward blisse o'rethrow And you save you of all things else might spoile Yet whilst of one who yeelds no signe you show You are victorious and he gets the foile Those floods of sorrow which would drown your soule In brests more base might better be excus'd Since wanting sprite their passions to controule As from their birth still to subjection us'd But you in whom high thoughts by nature grow To this decay how is your vertue come I blush to see my Soveraigne brought so low And Majestie by misery o'recome Nor doe I thus to make you stupid strive As one unnaturall wanting sense to smart No none a Prince of kindnesse can deprive The honour'd badge of an Heroicke heart That pow'r supreme by which great States doe stand Affections order should but not undoe And I could wish you might your selfe command Which though you may not well yet seeme to doe Croe. I will not here rehearse enlarging woes On what just reasons now my griefe I ground But still will entertaine my comforts foes Whilst many a thousand thoughts my soule doe wound What pensive pensill ever limm'd aright The sad conceipts of soule-consuming griefe Ah! words are weake to shew the swelling height Of th' inward anguish desperate of reliefe Though many monarchs jealously despise The rising Sunne that their declining staines And hate the Heyre who by their fall must rise As griev'd to heare of death or others raignes My love to Atis otherwise appear'd Whome whilst for him I did my cares engage I as a Father lov'd as king not fear'd The comfort not th' encombrance of mine age And had he me as reason would surviv'd Who glanc'd and
But Alexander having heard our cryes Sent one to learne the cause that mov'd our woe Who finding whence our errour did arise Gave full assurance that it was not so Then he himselfe did to our Tent resort And with the mildest words he could conceive Your Mother Wife and Children did exhort Such terrours vaine since but surmiz'd to leave And he protested that they should expect No harme of him their courage to appall Then all things did with great regard direct That no man might endammage them at all Thus when they were against all dangers arm'd I thinke for feare for who would not have fear'd Lest such rare graces might his minde have charm'd He never more before her face appear'd Else generous vertue jealous of each thing Which tempting reason senses might allure What rare restraint in a victorious King He fled what fault or scandall could procure He doth his fame above all things preferre And will not be where it may blemish finde Nor give his eyes commodity to erre Lest thoughts impure might strive to staine his minde He whil'st that she was sicke did loath delight And gravely griey'd all pompe and pleasure left Dar. O hatefull heaven that with such hellish spight The worlds chiefe treasure Natures glory reft Tir. When he beheld deaths triumph in that face Which had triumph'd o're such a Monarchs heart With witness'd woe even passionate a space The lookers on did much commend his part And when some time his dolour had o're-come Her funerall rites solemnly to decore He us'd such honour as might well become The Persian pompe in prosp'rous times before Dar. O pow'r supreame that of great states disposest And ratifi'st thy will with fearefull thunder Who as thou pleasest placest and deposest Vncertaine worldlings now above now under I pray thy Deitie in my soules distresse If that th' inhabitants of heaven can heare The plaints of them who this low point possesse Or that th' immortals can give mortals care This favour last I onely doe require Establish first the Scepter in my hand But if through my desert or thy desire The race of Cyrus must no more command Since angry heaven so high a hate contracts That I must needs my Diadem forgoe Let him succeed who proves in all his acts So milde a Victor and so just a foe Act 4. Scene 2. Darius Artabazus Nabarzanes Patron Bessus IF joyn'd by fates with men of dastard mindes Who to a noble death base life preferr'd I should not waste my words amongst the windes But labour would that time might be deferr'd Though still resolv'd your course confirmes me much Whom no disaster could divorce from me What man can doubt whom heavens doe backe by such When bragg'd with bondage fighting to be free My courage swels to see you marching forth Whose force and faith which all the world doth sing Oft clear'd by proofe though fortune envy worth Might serve to make farre more to keepe a King He gives our rebels Townes not mov'd by love Each Prince though using them all traitours hates But that their course to take this might you move His turne once serv'd so forfeiting your states Ye to my fortune have not had regard As of my peace so partners of my warres Which though that I might not Iove would reward And all the world extoll you to the starres How long shall I a vagabond remaine And flye a stranger who my right would reave Since by one battell we may re-obtaine All that we lost or lose all that we have Like some vile traitors whom I will arraigne To hold me up shall I goe cast me downe Must Darius onely by entreaty raigne No none hath pow'r to give or take my Crowne I shall not my authority survive Nor will I proffer a submissive breath My hand shall hold a Scepter while I live My hand shall beare a Diadem till death If those franke thoughts which doe possesse my soule Such flames of courage kindled have in you A Macedonian shall not us controule Nor with disdainefull smiles brag whil'st we bow My state may testifie fraile fortunes change May she not him o're-whelme as well as mee At least our hands beare death if not revenge Brave mindes when no more rests may still dye free Now call your valorous ancestors to minde Whom from the Grecians tribute still requir'd And of whose deeds rare monuments we finde Whose merits make their memories admir'd Shall of your deeds posterity be dumbe Which doth your fathers names though dead adore I am resolv'd my triumph or my tombe A Laurell or a Cypresse shall decore Art What doubtfull silence thus your thoughts detaines We need advise with nought but with our swords He who the Persians wonted worth retaines Will answer now with deeds and not with words Let us accompany our King in Armes Through bloudy squadrons to this fatall strife No profit can be had without some harmes By slaughter onely we must looke for life And when our host as I hope doth prevaile Our Country shall have peace we praise of right And if our fortune not our courage faile We dye with honour in our Soveraignes sight Let us if vanquish'd scorne base breath to buy A noble death may greater glory give Doe to o're-come and yet not feare to dye 'T is needfull that we fight not that we live Nar. My words will first your Majestie displease Yet duty makes me speake where silence spilles The best Physitian cures a sharpe disease With some sowre potion that corruption killes And skilfull Pilots when they feare a storme To save the ship will cast out pretious things You in some sort may imitate their forme For else a tempest totall ruine brings Since bent against the Gods how can we speed To all our actions fortune is oppos'd We must of force some other way proceed So have the heavens of our affaires dispos'd Give Sir the state at least your titles place On some more happy man not in effect But with your shadow cloath him for a space Till he your Realmes from ruine may protect This storme once calm'd that now disturbes your state And Asia free from any forraigne hoste He shall with haste resigne the Soveraigne seat These Kingdoms gain'd againe which you have lost All Bactria yet abides at your command The Indians loe would dye to doe you good Yea many thousand thousands armed stand Bent for your State to offer up their bloud What should we rush like beasts to needlesse strife Be well prepar'd and then your fortune try Brave mindes should death despise not loathing life For feare of danger cowards crave to dye But vertue first all hopes accounts doth cast And of each meane to helpe maturely thinkes Then when all else is done death is the last The which to meet true courage never shrinkes Now for the time let Bactria be our seate To Bessus for the forme your Crowne resigne Who when he once hath re-advanc'd your state Shâ—ll with your foes o'rethrow
up break And let eye-flatt'ring shows our wits enchaunt All perish'd are ere of their pomp men speak Those golden palaces those gorgeous Halls With furniture superfluously faire Those stately Courts those skie-encountring walls Do vanish all like vapours in the ayre O! what affliction jealous greatnesse beares Which still must travell to hold others downe Whil'st all our guards not guard us from our fears Such toile attends the glory of a Crowne Where are they all who at my feet did bow Whil'st I was made the Idoll of so many What joy had I not then what have I now Of all once honour'd and now scarce of any Our painted pleasures but apparrell paine We spend our nights in feare our dayes in dangers Balls toss'd by Starres thrals bound to Fortunes raigne Though known to all yet to our selves but stranges A golden Crowne doth cover leaden cares The Scepter cannot lull their thoughts asleep Whose souls are drown'd with flouds of cold despaires Of which base vulgars cannot sound the deep The Bramble grows although it be obscure Whil'st loftie Cedars feele the blust'ring windes And milde Plebeian souls may live secure While mighty tempests tosse Imperiall mindes What are our dayes but dreames our raigne a glance Whil'st Fortunes feaver makes us rage and rave VVhich with strange fits doth to a height advance Till ere paine us we first our life must leave For glist'ring greatnesse by Ambition lov'd I was the wonder of all gazing eyes But free from shadows reall essence prov'd States just proportion ruine onely tryes Loe charg'd with chains which though they be of gold My states distresse diminish not the more When this prepost'rous honour I behold It but upbraids me what I was before And what was I before as now I see Though what afflicted was not clearly knowne But still in fetters whilst appearing free And in a labyrinth of labours throwne Was I not forc'd to serve a thousand humours To scape the censure of a Criticke storie Still clog'd with cares enrag'd with many rumours O glorious bondage and ô burd'nous glory That dignity which deifi'd me late And made the world doe homage to my name Doth not oppose that which pursues my state But by fall gives feathers unto fame My best was but a momentary blisse Which leaves behind this ever-lasting sting That of all woes no woe is like to this To thinke I was and am not now a king No man with me in all th'accomplish'd joyes That satisfie the soule could once compare No man may match me now in sad annoyes Or any crosse which can provoke despaire Thrice fortune did my gallant troups entrap And I to fall did desperately stand Yet could not be so happy in mishap As to have di'd by some renowned hand But for my greater griefe disgrace and scorne The mindes of men so apt are to deceave They whom aloft my favours wings had borne Evâ—â— they have made their Master thus a slave Ah! did nor death in prison from me reave The â—â—â—â—red Soveraigne of my soules desires And I wretch'd I not present to receave The 〈◊〉 â—olâ— kisse that should have quench'd my fires Yet o thrice happie thou who hast not liv'd To beare a burden of this great disgrace More then a thousand deaths this had thee grievd To know I di'd and di'd in such a case Ah! doe the pledges of our mutuall love The onely comfort that the fates have left Rest prison'd yet and may I not remove Mâ— mother thence as of all power quite reft My paines are more then with my pleasures even Since first my head was burden'd with a Crowne Was I exalted once up to the Heaven That to the Center Iove might throw me downe My ample Empire and my Princely birth My great magnificence and vaine excesse All cannot yeeld my minde one minutes mirth To ease me now in this my great distresse Loe here reduc'd vnto the worst of ills Past helpe past hope and onely great in griefe Two abject vassals make me waite their willes Not looking no nor wishing for reliefe If that my honour had beene first repair'd Then what though death had this fraild fortresse wonne I waile my life since for disgrace prepar'd Not that it ends but that it was begunne What fatall conflict can my count'nance marre Though me to bragge death all his horrours bring I never shall wrong Majestie so farre As ought to doe that not becomes a king Chorus SOme new disaster daylie doth fore-show Our comming ruine wee have seene our best For fortune bent as wholy to o'rethrow Throwes downe our king from her wheeles height so low That by no meanes his state can be redrest For since by armes his pow'r hath been represt Both friends and servants leave him all alone Few have compassion of his state distrest To him themselves a number false doth show So foes and faithlesse friends conspir'd in one Fraile fortune and the fates with them agree All runne with Hatchets on a falling tree This Prince in prosp'rous state hath flourish'd long And never dream'd of ill did thinke farre lesse But was well follow'd whilst his state was strong Him flattering Syrens with a charming song Striv'd to exalt then whilst he did possesse This earthly drosse that with a vaine excesse He might reward their mercenarie love But now when fortune drives him to distresse His favourites whom he remain'd among They straight with her as hers their faith remove And who for gaine to follow him were wont They after gaine by his destruction hunt O more then happie ten times were that king Who were vnhappie but a little space So that it did not utter ruine bring But made him prove a profitable thing Who of his traine did best deserve his grace Then could and would of those the best embrace Such vulturs fled as follow but for prey That faithfull Servants might possesse their place All gallant minds it must with anguish fling Whilst wanting meanes their vertue to display This is the griefe which bursts a generous heart When favour comes by chance not by desart Those minions oft to whom kings doe extend Above their worth immoderate good-will The buttes of common hate oft hit in end In prosp'rous times they onely doe depend Not upon them but on their fortune still Which if it change they change them though they fill Their hopes with honour and their chests with Coyne Yet if they fall or their affaires goe ill Those whom they rais'd will not with them descend But with the side most stronge all straight doe joyne And doe forget all what was given before When once of them they can expect no more The truth hereof in end this strange event In Bessus and Narbazenes hath prov'd On whom their Prince so prodigally spent Affection Honour Titles Treasure Rent And all that might an honest minde have mov'd So bountyfull a Prince still to have lov'd Who so benignely tendred had their state Yet Traitours vile all due respects remov'd
his hand a little space When dying like a Torch whose waxe is spent In spite of payne even with a princely grace His hands still seem'd directing as he went Alex. Who could refraine from teares to heare declar'd The huge mishapps which all at once did light Have subiects slaine their Prince whom strangers spar'd Vs hath he fled that perish thus he might I for his fall am wonderfully sorry Whom first I forc'd but last would have maintain'd I envie death because it rob'd the glory Which I by giving him his life had gain'd Hep. Since death hath put a period to his woes That favour which to him you would extend Let it with furie flame against his foes For your designes can have no fairer end So shall you both the peoples love obtaine Whilst by your meanes reveng'd their Soveraigne rests And likewise may the more securely raigne The state well purg'd from such contagious pests If but one vertue did adorne a king It would be justice many great defects Are vail'd thereby whereas each vertuous thing In one who is not just the world suspects Alex. Though this your Counsell nor yet his request Had not the pow'r to penetrate my eare A generous stomach could not well digest So great a wrong which courage stormes to beare My sprite impatient of repose disdaines That they so long their infamie survive But I will punish with most grievous paines The monstrous Treason that they did contrive What doe they thinke though back'd with numbrous bands That Bactria is a bulwarke for mine Ire Flie where they list they cannot scape my hands My wrath shall follow like consuming fire Such damned soules the heaven cannot receave I le force Hells dungeons as Alcides did And they on th' earth no bounds but mine can have I 'le search them out though in the center hid And when as threatning now I once may strike Betwixt the bending boughs of some strong tree To Traitours terrours who intend the like They shall by violence dismembred be Poll. Sir may it please you to extend your care That some his funerall offices performe Alex. Goe presently and every thing prepare As best becomes the military forme Act 5. Scene 2. Sisigambis Nuntius Chorus THIS looke alas hath charg'd my soule with feares Speak for my life doth on thy lippes depend Thy count'nance ah a dolefull copie beares Of some sad summons to denounce my end Starve not my eares which famish for thy words Though they when swallow'd may but make me burst Nun. The message madame which my soule affords Must once be knowne and once knowne still accurst Sis. Be not a niggard of ill newes Nun. And why Sis. Fame will tell all the world Nun. But first to you Sis. Tell soone Nun. Your sonne is dead Sis. Then let me die Cho. Her joyes and pleasures all are perish'd now Sis. Why opens not the Earth straight to devoure A hopelesse caitive who all good hath lost The longer that I live my griefe growes more As but to mischiefe borne kept to be crost Would God this masse where miserie remaines A weight of Earth from sight of men might keepe Or that the Seas all raging through the plaines Would make my tombe amid'st their tumid deepe O Alexander hast thou rob'd his life Yet entertain'd me still in hope to finde him Why did'st thou not first kill this poore old wife Who was not worthie to have liv'd behind him That I should live till thou my Sonne had'st slaine Was all thy kindnesse for this cause imploi'd Nun. You wrong that Prince for he with hast in vaine Came him to helpe whom others had destroi'd Sis. What impious thoughts durst dreame so vile a deed A monarchs murther Asia's glories end Nun. Two whom he rais'd did his confusion breed He found his friend his foe his foe a friend Sis. Tell on thy message messenger of death And loade my minde with mountaines of distresse That tears may drowne my sight sighs choake my breath Whilst sorrow all my sences doth possesse Nun. When Alexander who at peace repin'd Did save submission hold all offers vaine Bent of sterne Mars to try the doubtfull minde A generall muster Darius did ordaine And in one battell bent to venture all He caus'd his will be publikely proclaim'd Whilst two vile Traitours did conspire his fall Who Bessus and Narbazanes were nam'd Those two in councell did discover first Some portion of the poison of their heart Which caus'd the king suspect but not the worst Yet with a sword he sought to make them smart But having scap'd what first was fear'd from rage They seem'd so much their errour to lament His indignation that they did asswage False hypocrits pretending to repent Whilst Artabazus as an honest man Who judg'd of others by his vpright minde No fraud conceav'd sought more to scape then scan What they with craft to compasse Crownes design'd Cho. A mind sincere is ever least suspitious These think all faultie who themselves are vitious Nun. They urg'd him with the king to interceed That in his favour he would give them place And did protest that by some valorous deed They labour would to gaine againe his grace Then Artabazus came and told the king That in the battell he might try their faith And both before his majestie did bring Who when submisse did quickly calme his wrath With hands stretch'd up to Heaven and humbled knees With teares like those which Crocodiles doe shed Woe in their face and pitie in their eyes Did for compassion though from rigour pleade The king of nature milde did them receave And them who thus but for the forme complain'd Not onely all relenting quite forgave But wept in earnest too whil'st they but fain'd When in his Coach from all suspition free With count'nance sad long following on behinde As still pretending supplicants to be They bow'd to him whom they were bent to binde The Grecian Captaine curiously neare When mark'd a suter crav'd what he requir'd By pregnant proofes did evidently cleare What treason was against his state conspir'd He told what way their purpose might be tri'd And how the Bactrians were for trouble bent Then for his safety pray'd him to provide By straight with him retyring to his Tent But in the King who did neglect his state No kinde of care this friendly offer bred So that it seem'd he by some pow'rfull fate Was head-long forward to confusion led The Greeke past thence despairing him to save Who thus all meanes to help himselfe refus'd With subtle words then Bessus there did crave To purge himselfe and errours past excus'd Old Artabazus happ'ning to approach The King to him did Patrons speech report Who then perceiv'd what danger did encroach And wish'd he would where Greeks were strong resort But in his breast this purpose firmly plac'd That from his Subjects he would never flie With mutuall teares they tenderly embrac'd And parted there like two who went to dye Now silent night in
But when that I extended had my state From learned Athens to the barbarous Iâ—des Still my tumultuous troups my pride did hate As monstrous mutinies unmask'd their mindes I so my name more wonderfull to make Of Hercules and Bacchus past the bounds And whil'st that Memnons Sunne-burnt bands did quâ—ke Did write my worth in many a Monarchs wounds Kings were my Subjects and my servants Kings Yet my contentment further did require For I imagin'd still more mighty things And to a greater greatnesse did aspire The spatious carriere of the speedy Sunne All quickly thrall'd like lightning I o're-ran Yet wept and wish'd more worlds t' have been wonne As this had wanted roome to ease one man No wonder I was thought a God by some Since all my aymes though high as heaven prevail'd And what man save my selfe did still o're-come Of all my fancies never project fail'd This made me thought immortaliz'd to be Which in all mindes amazement yet contracts I led blinde Fortune and she courted me As glad to grace the greatnesse of my acts Yet I have found it a more easie thing To conquer all whereon the Sunne ere shin'd Then mine owne selfe and of my passions King To calme the tumults of a stormy minde What comfort justly could my soule receive Of all my Conquests past if that even then Whil'st I triumph'd to wrath and wine a slave I scap'd not scandall more then other men Ah! seazing without right on every state I but my selte too great a Monarch made Since all men gap'd to get the golden bait Which by my death seem'd easie to be had Whil'st from humanity too much divorc'd My deeds all hearts with feare and horrour fill'd I who by foes could never have beene forc'd By friends did fall yet not over-com'd but kill'd But now I see the troublous time draws neare When they shall keep my obsequies with blond No wonder too though such a warriours beere At last doth swimme amidst a scarlet floud For as my life did breed huge broils o're all My death must be the cause of monstrous cumbers And it doth best become a strong mans fall To be renown'd by ruining of numbers The Snake-tress'd Sisters now shall never need Their fatall fire-brands loathsome Pluto's pests Nor inspirations strange whose rage doth breed A thirst of murther in transported brests Ambitions flames may from my ashes shine To burne my Minions mindes with high desires Each of their sprits that hath a spark of mine To ruine all the world may furnish fires The Beauties of the Earth shall all look red Whil'st my Lievtenants through that pride of theirs With Armes unkinde huge streames of bloud do shed By murthering of my heires to be my heires Is this that Greatnesse which I did designe By being eminent to be o're-throwne To ruine first my selfe then root out mine As conquering others but to lose mine owne O happie I more happie farre my race If pleas'd with that which was our ancient rent I manag'd had th' Aemaethian pow'r in peace Which was made lawfull by a long discent Then farre sequestred from Bellona's rage I had the true delights of Nature tri'd And ag'd with honour honour'd in my age Had left my Sonne secure before I dy'd And he inheriting a quiet state Which then because lesse great had beene more sure Had free from envy not beene harm'd by hate Which of most States the ruine doth procure But since they will en-earth my earthly part Which now no badge of majestie retaines To roaring Phlegeton I must depart Farre from the lightsome bounds of th'aiery plainâ—â— And must I there who did the world surmount Arrested by the Monarch of the Ghosts To Rhadamanthus render an account Of all the deeds done by my ravenous hosts There whil'st with Minos Aeacus sits downe A rigorous Iudge in hels most horrid Court With me who passe his Nephew in renowne Though of his race he no way will comport O what pale Ghosts are here together brought Which were of bodies spoil'd by my Decree And first Parmenio without whom I nought But who did many great things without me At the tribunall of Tartarian pow'rs He aggravates ingratitude too great And whil'st the raging Tyrant foaming lowres All whom I wrong'd for vengeance do entreat Yet guilty thoughts torment me most of all No sprit can be by plaguing furies pin'd Though charg'd without with snakes within with gall As by the stings of a remording minde If it be true that drowsie Lethes streames In darke oblivion drowne all things at last There let me bury farre from Phoebus beames The loath'd remembrance of my labours past Exit Chorus VVHat strange adventures now Distract distressed mindes With such most monstrous formes When silence doth allow The peace that Nature findes And that tumultuous windes Do not disturbe with stormes An universall rest When Morpheus hath represt Th' impetuous waves of cares And with a soft sleepe bindes Those Tyrants of the brest Which would spread forth most dangerous snares To sink affliction in despaires Huge horrours then arise The Elements to marre With most disastrous signes Arm'd Squadrons in the skies With lances throwne from farre Do make a monstrous warre Whil'st furie nought confines The Dragons vomit fire And make the Starres retire Cut of their Orbes for feare To satisfie their ire Which heavens high buildings not forbear But seem the Crystall Towres to teare Amidst the ayre fierce blasts Doe boast with blustring sounds To crush this mighty frame Which whilst the tempest lasts Doth rent the stately rounds To signifie what wounds To all her off-springs shame Shall burst th' earths veynes with bloud And this all-circling floud As it the heavens would drowne Doth passe the bounding bounds And all the scalie brood Reare roaring Neptunes foamie Crowne Whilst th' earth for feare seems to sinke downe Those whom it hid with horrour Their ashy lodgings leave To re-enjoy the light Or else some Panicke terrour Our judgement doth bereave Whilst first we misconceive And so prejudge the sight Or in the bodies stead The genius of the dead Turnes backe from Styx againe Which Dis will not receive Till it a time engendring dread Plague whilst it doth on th' earth remaine All else with feare it selfe with paine These fearefull signes fore-show All nations to appall What plagues are to succeed Since death hath layd him low Who first had made us thrall We heard that straight his fall Our liberty would breed But this proves no reliefe For many O what griefe The place of one supply And we must suffer all Thus was our comfort briefe O! rarely doe usurpers dye But others will their fortune try Act 2. Scene 1. Perdiccas Meleager Ptolomie Antigonus Eumenes WHat eye not big with teares can view this host Which hath in one ah as the end doth prove A King a Captaine and a brother lost Crown'd follow'd try'd by right for worth in love I thinke amongst us all there is not one Whom divers
rejoyce That who rais'd many did prevent this storme For if he had not thus declar'd his will Yee Mars his Minions should have liv'd at jarres Whil'st emulation amongst equals still Had made sterne Trumpets thunder civill warres What huge disorders threatned to burst forth If that our Soveraigne had no Prince design'd Who oft hath beene a witnesse of our worth And can weigh vertue in a vertuous minde I see consenting signes applaud my speech Rise doe Perdiccas that which they decree Whil'st modesty doth Majesty impeach Though thou crav'st not this Crowne this Crowne craves thee Meleag. I wonder not though thus Perdiccas shrinke To take this place still brag'd with new alarmes The Sunne must make nights ugly bird to winke This Scepter weighs too much for so weake armes The Gods will never grant nor men agree That such a one should tyrannize o're us Though vulgar mindes might yeeld his thralls to be His betters scorne to bow so basely thus He would have us Roxanes birth t' attend Which though it come to passe as some expect He can exchange or cause be brought to end As bent to like all meanes when one effect Thus would he temporize to our great scorne Till time might helpe to further his designes No Kings Perdiccas likes but babes unborne He labours well in undiscovered Mynes I need not now insist to tell at large What brave men are amid'st this martiall band Who better doe deserve so great a charge Both for their skill and courage to command Yet are the best not worthy to succeed That man admir'd who never can be match'd The thought of whom must make our mindes to bleed Whose adversaries this advantage watchâ—d But if that great man did consent so soone That our obedience should be thus abus'd Of all that ever yet he would have done I thinke this onely ought to be refus'd That valorous band whose worth the world oft prov'd Then whil'st their glory shinâ—d through silver shields By all that Monarchs deeds when no way movâ—d As conquer'd would have left the conquer'd fields And when despising such a Princes throne To whom his ancestors their Scepter brought What reverence would they beare to such a one Who all this time was as their equall thought To those who o're their equals raise their state Advancement envy breeds and envy hate If such with all would rest familiar still This in contempt the Soveraigne title brings And if they second not their Subjects will Men cannot beare with them as with borne Kings Our lofty bands some lofty minde must tame Whose Princely birth doth procreate regard Whose Country may confound each slandrous clayme As one with whom none else can be compar'd Loe Alexanders brother Philips sonne Who alwayes was a partner of our paine Can there be any else below the Sunne O're Macedonians who deserves to raigne And I must wonder what so strange offence Hath forfeited his title maymâ—d his right That any now with a disguis'd pretence Dare wrong him thus even in his peoples sight Ptol. None needs to wonder much though we neglect One whose election might procure our shame His mothers basenesse justice mâ—ght object Whom bastardy secludes from such a claime But yet had Nature purg'd the spot she made We with his birth the better might comport If like his Syre fierce squadrons fit to leade His parts were such as might the State import He falsifies his race of wit so weake That all his inward wants are soone perceivâ—d All of his judgement in derision speake By which great things can hardly be conceiv'd And though his body might from paines be spar'd Whose constitution is not very strong But with infirmities so farre impair'd That it alive cannot continue long Yet since in State he never hath beene school'd His ignorance would racke him still with feares Whilst he who rul'd still needing to be rul'd Spoke but wâ—th others tongues heard with their eares A K ng inconstant great conâ—usion makes Whâ—m â—ll mistrust and most amid'st a Campe Whilst soft like waxe he each impression takes A lâ—â—tle labour changing still the stampe Ah shoulâ— our lives depend upon his breath Who of himselfe cannot discerne a crime But for each rash report damnes men to death Then yeelds a fruitlesse pitty out of time Thus whilst some alwaies must his judgement sway Which still doth harbour in anothers head Of Sycophants this Prince may be the prey Who where they list him as quite blinde will leade And since but base that they may be the best Such still will toyle that we may be o'rethrowne And to the credu ous King may meanes suggest To taint our fame lest it obscure their owne What griefe were this to us whilst such as those Might make their vantage of th' all-pow'rfull breath And that our actions ballanc'd by our foes Were guerdon'd with disdaine or else with death Me. Since private hopes your judgements doe bewitch I 'le leave this counsell where no good can please Come follow me all those who would be rich Few have regard poore souldiers to your ease Perd. That shall prove best which first I went about Though some would wrest my words from what I thought Loe Meleagers spite doth now burst out Like flaming fires which burne themselves to nought Thus naughty mindes which never dreame but ill Doe construe all things to a crooked sense What I propos'd reposing on your will He would interpret for a great offence And thus puff d up this parting hence of his To many former faults hath added one By his seditious words incens'd ere this The souldiers are to sacke the treasure gone Ant. With one consent then let us all conclude That Alexanders race when borne must raigne So shall we stablish still that sacred bloud Which rais'd our state and may it best maintaine And let us now before we part appoint Who shall command till that the babe be borne And circumspectly ponder every point That successe so our Councell may adorne Eum. I heare a tumult rais'd amongst the Tents And Arideus is proclaimed King To which the multitude soone chang'd consents As bent for all whose course a change may bring The foot-men are to indignation mov'd In this assembly that they want a seat Where our proceedings they might have approv'd As knowing all that did concerne the state They soone forget their Prince exspecting spoiles That dare revolt from what we all advis'd Thus too much liberty breeds many broiles And makes the giver still to be despis'd The want of discipline all things confounds Their deeds want order and their pride all bounds Perd. And dare they then against that fortresse rise Where Alexanders Ensignes are displaid Or violate the walles where as he lyes May not his shadow make them all afraid What how comes this and dare they then presume To bragge their Captaines and abuse their Armes Armes armes just wrath these Rebels must consume Our count'nance will them curbe sound sound th' alarmes
particular thing Which by your selfe I long to heare disclos'd Lysim When wise Calistenes for no request With superstitious customes could comport But with franke words all flattery did detest He was abus'd and in a barbarous sort So plaguing him no doubt the King did ill Yet to prosperity we must impute Those fatall faults which follow fortune still As of great mindes a kinde of bastard fruit We should in Kings as loth their state to touch Speake sparingly of vice praise vertue much But I whose soule that wise man dearely lov'd Whilst his perfections spying thus injur'd To tender passions by compassion mov'd Would his reliefe have willingly procur'd But when my credit fail'd all hope quite past That I could purchase grace in any sort I desp'rate physiâ—ke did afford at last That if his life was ill it might be short The King â—nrag'd that I had thus presum'd To limit his revenge by giving death That by a Lyon I should be consum'd Did throw my doome out of the depths of wrath But when with rowling eyes the Lyon roar'd He by my strength as strengthlesse was o're-thrown Which to the King whose did then remord My constancy and courage both made knowne So that incontinent I was set free By this rare proofe esteem'd amongst the strong And with a minde from inward rancour free As he his wrath so I forgot the wrong For whilst alone he through a Forrest rang'd A prey expos'd yet did no danger dreame Some at that time had former wrongs reveng'd If but for mischiefe bent to gaine a names Yet that which others did attempt in vaine And tyrâ—d by travell of a surfet dy'd I did performe and brought him backe againe As swiftly running as his horse could ride And of that deed my sprite rests well appaid For since that time my Soveraigne held me deare Which afterwards he to the world bewraid Whilst by this meanes his favour did appeare VVhen unawares my brow he chanc'd to wound To stay my bloud which striv'd to dye his Launce He with his Diadem my Temples crown'd A happy signe though comming but by chance And O! who knowes but once before I dye Some good event may second the presage Seleu. What hinders us but we should fortune try And for a Crowne our travels straight engage Those bended mindes which ayme at Greatnesse still Growne popular of purpose to be prais'd Doe winde themselves every mans good will And would seeme humble that they may be rais'd What counterfeited friends seale trustlesse bands VVhilst in the generall cause that wit pretends Though never joining hearts all joyne their hands And worke one way yet worke for divers ends Yea those whose mindes move in the sphere of State Have purchas'd pow'rs as purpos'd for the fields VVith jealous mindes their rivals to abate VVhilst equals all none to another yields Yet with suspended thoughts they doubtfull stand And their designes to venture doe forbeare Least all the rest joyn'd by a generall band Doe him o're-throw who first gives cause of feare But he may speed who for a Crowne doth thirst And free from feare with courage doth advance Some to be second doubting to be first Will make their course depend upon his chance And by a battell if that one prevail There will rich hopes at easie rates be sold Whil'st those seek help whose Fortune then doth faile As first by hope last by despaire made bold All this to me great cause of feare affords Lest that we two protract the time too long And wounded be before we draw our swords All at such times must do or suffer wrong Lysi No chance of late hath brought me so to bow But I have throwne some thoughts at those high hopes Yet in my minde that man do most allow Who doth with judgement moder are fancies scopes Those Provinces which are to us assign'd As calme in minde we manage must a space Till all attempt that which they have design'd By enterchanging damage and disgrace Then living but like those whose force is small From which the world no great thing can expect We shall professe a favour to them all As who nought else save publicke peace affect Yet then our thoughts shall not have leave to sleep But subtle plots must circumspectly frame Those whom we feare at variance still to keep So alwayes strengthning us and weakening them If wrongs provoke or when occasion claimes Like cunning wrestlers at th'Olympick games Who exercise themselves to be more strong And when themselves have thus prepar'd the way Whil'st that their pompe doth beare a lower sayle For at the last their force must much decay Since all must alwayes lose though one prevaile Then prompt to tempt that which we now contrive By ruining the remnant that remaines We may possesse the state for which they strive Thus they the toils and we shall get the gaines Exeunt Chorus O Happy was that guiltlesse age When aâ— Astraea liv'd below And that Bellona's barbarous rage Did not all order quire o'rethrow Then whil'st all did themselves content With that thing which they did possesse And gloried in a little rent As wanting meanes to make excesse Those could no kinde of want bemone For craving nought they had all things And since none sought the regall Throne Whil'st none were Subjects all were Kings O! to true blisse their course was set Who got to live not liv'd to get Then innocency naked liv'd And had no need nor thought of Armes Whil'st spightfull sprits no meanes contriv'd To plague the simple sort with harmes Then snaring laws did not extend The bounds of Reason as they do Strife oft begun where it should end One doubt but clear'd to foster two By conscience then all order stood By which darke things were soone discern'd Whil'st all behov'd there to be good Where as no evill was to be learn'd And how could any then prove naught Whil'st by example vertue taught Then mortals mindes all strong and pure Free from corruption lasted long By innocency kept secure When none did know how to do wrong Then sting'd with no suspitious thought Men mischiefe did from none expect For what in them could not be wrought In others they would not suspect And though none did sterne laws impart That might to vertue men compell Each one by habite in his heart Had grav'd a law of doing well And all did wickednesse forbeare Of their free-will and not for feare The first who spoyl'd the publike rest And did disturbe this quiet state Was Avarice the greatest pest Which doth of darknesse fill the seat A Monster very hard to daunt Leane as dry'd up with inward care Though full of wealth for feare of want Still at the borders of despayre Scarce taking food for Natures ease Nor for the cold sufficient clothing She whom her owne could never please Thinks all have much and she hath nothing This daughter of sterne Pluto still Her fathers dungeon strives to fill That Monster-tamer most renown'd
To make me seeme not worthy of his place That he preferr'd a Stranger to his Sonne As bent to cloud the glory of his race Thus since in such a sort he did neglect The Sonne who should his name from death exempt As dis-regarded for some great defect All other men may have me in contempt But ere his age attain'd the fatall date He saw my brows with lawrell boughs array'd And spy'd my skill in warre and wit in state Which grew as much as his had then decay'd Nor can my courage so be brought to bow But Polypercon shall by proofe finde soone That in my Fathers will I Will allow Not what he did but what he should have done And since by him high dignities were wonne I minde to prosecute what he began For though I would so great a Fathers Sonne Can not securely live a private man Loe Polypercon by our pow'r repell'd From Macedonie hath retyr'd dismay'd And for the feare of us hath beene compell'd To rest beholding for anothers aid Let him not think that shadows though of Kings Can match my pow'r with these his borrow'd bands A doubtfull flight all fram'd with others wings Will never beare him from Cassanders hands And though Olympias count'nanc'd once his cause As from Epirus come to ruine me Now of her owne misfortune she must pause Since brought of late unto a low degree Lysim And yet Olympias once did prosper well When first she touch'd the Macedonian bounds Whil'st Polypercon proudly did repell all those who durst resist with words or wounds Though Philip and Euridice his Queene To give them battell bent in time arriv'd The Macedonians when they had her seene As their owne Queene to do her honour striv'd And haplesse Philip whil'st constrain'd to yeeld There for a Kings did take a captives state And with his mate though flying from the field Was follow'd by their force and by her fate Then â—id her husband and her selfe give place Whose brows of late a Diademe had borne But then throwne downe in depths of black disgrace Were made of pride the prey the butt of scorne Cass Those were the means which did them first entrap But have you heard how after they were thrall To plague the world with horrour and mishap The proud Olympias tyrraniz'd o're all Lys Some doubtfull rumors did frequent each 〈◊〉 Such as rash Fame confus'dly durst unfold But yet by favour hid or else for feare The truth of all it may be was not told Cass When thus the Tygresse happ'ned to surprise Those wretched souls as ravish'd in a dreame Her heart at first seem'd scarce to trust her eyes She surfetted her sight so with their shame But when she saw by reason of her pow'r That she might safely let her rage burst out She them about caus'd build a lightlesse Tower Press'd by whose walls they scarce could turne about And in that dungeon as entomb'd they stood With high disgrace t' appease more high disdaines Farre from all comfort whil'st a little food Their life prolong'd but to prolong their paines But for misfortune pity last doth pleade As envy doth prosperity oppose The Macedonians then indifferent made On murmur'd rumours doubtfully did glose The peoples grudge Olympias did perceive And of just fury fearing the effect She straight resolv'd lifes remnant to bereave From weakened pow'rs which did no lesse expect And when some Thracians basely bent for bloud As she had charg'd with mercenary spight Had murdred Philip and his Queene imbru'd With these red streames that drown'd her lifes delight She sent to her whose soule in griefe did sinke As messengers of death to bragge her brest A sword a cord and an empoyson'd drink A Tyrants presents yet a wretches best Those seene the Queene unmov'd this speech did make As one who had imbrac'd some great reliefe Fit gifts for her to give for me to take Since she exceeds in hate and I in griefe And tell the Tyrant that I gladly dye That once the angry gods to venge my death May thunder forth that judgement which I spie With bloud must choak that bloudy womans breath Last looking on her Lord who there lay slaine Once partner of his joy then of his woe Whil'st that his Roses did her Lillies staine She kiss'd his wounds as taking leave to goe Lest Time her Resolution had betray'd Her snowie necke not us'd with such a chaine Her girdle grasp'd then dy'd no way dismai'd And if she sigh'd she sigh'd but for disdaine Lysi This barbarous act my breast with griefe dotâ— sâ—ing Can spight so much transport the meekest kinde And yet on th' earth there 's no more cruell thing Then malice raging in a womans minde Cass But yet this sacrifice could not asswage The boyling thoughts of her unbounded will For entring thus she rioted in rage As dogges that once get bloud would alwayes kill Each light occasion kindling still her wrath The Soveraignty she shamefully abus'd And put my brother Nicanor to death Though for no crime condemn'd no not accus'd To some when dead an hate by her was borne Whose cruelty no floud of bloud confin'd Of Iolas the Tombe prophanely torne She robbing th' earth with ashes stain'd the winde To be Cassanders friend was such a crime As none could scape who ever favour'd me Thus huge disorders did abound a time Where laws not valued are all things are free When having heard of this outragious pride Which made my native soyle contemn'd to be I those indignities could not abide Whose shame and danger did ayme most at me So that at last mov'd by my Countries care As much as by particular respects I with great speed an Army did prepare To punish or prevent the like effects But when I was to Macedony come To fortifie a Towne she did designe Which I enclos'd and quickly did o're-come Whil'st famine forc'd the Fortresse to resigne Then to necessity weake pride gave place Her lofty courage was constrain'd to bow So that she rests depending on our grace To be dispos'd as it shall please us now Lysim This chance the world to wonder may invite Loe there a Queene who had though now distress'd The rarest Fortune and the greatest sprite That ever any of her sex possess'd The widow'd Empresse who first bragg'd the Indes Or proud Thomiris though both prais'd have beene Or th' Amazons all borne with martiall mindes Have never beene more stout then was this Queene Her lifes first progresse did but prove too sweet Whom once the world with treasures striv'd to blesse But now sad soule foil'd under Fortunes â—eet Her misery no creature can expresse Cass Those were but Fortunes gifts which made her great Whil'st treacherous shows by shallow wits were prais'd Her imperfections did but staine the State Where her not hers but others merits rais'd When first that Dame with famous Philip match'd Her cunning carriage was not free from blame But though she then with Argos eyes was watch'd As was suppos'd soone forfeited
great And did such monstrous cruelties commit In plaguing Philip and his Queene of late Loe now brought low to taste the like estate Must take such entertainment as she gave And yet good reason that it should be so Such measure as we give we must receive Whil'st on a Throne she proudly earst did sit And with disdainefull eyes look'd on her foe As onely vanquish'd by her pow'r and wit She did not weigh what doth proceed from fate O O! th'Immortals which command above Of every state in hand the Rudder have And as they like can make us stay or go The griefe of others should us greatly move As those who sometime may like Fortune prove But as experience with rare proofes hath showne To look on others we have Linx his eyes Whil'st we would have their imperfections knowne Yet like blinde Moles can never marke our owne Such clouds of selfe-regard do dimme our sight Why should we be puff'd up when foes do fall Since what to day doth on another light The same to morrow may our state surprise Those that on this inconstant constant Ball Do live environ'd with th' all-circling skies Have many meanes whereby to be o're-throwne And why should dying worldlings swolne with wrath So tyrannize o're an afflicted wight Since miseries are common unto all Let none be proud who draw a doubtfull breath Good hap attends but few unto their death Act. 5. Scene 1. Aristotle Phocion LOg have I us'd that light which cleares my minde On Natures labours curiously to look And of all creatures finding out the kinde Have read strange wonders in the worlds great book I mark her course by contraries maintain'd Whose harmony doth most subsist by strife And of all creatures in the same contain'd How various is the mystery of life But as all things are subject unto change Which partners are of th' elementall pow'rs So roll'd about with revolutions strange The state of man rests constant scarce for houres Loe what doth fame more frequently report Then sudden risings and more sudden falls I thinke the world is but a Tenis-court Where Fortune doth play States tosse men for Balls Pho. And never any age show'd more then this The wavering state of soule-ennobled wights Who soare too high to catch an aiery blisse Whil'st lowest falls attend the highest flights That matchlesse Monarch who was borne it seem'd To shew how high mortality attaines Hath not from death th'adored flesh redeem'd But paine hath made an end of all his paines And those brave bands which furnish'd Fame with breath Whil'st all the world their valorous deeds did spie Rest now confounded since their Soveraignes death Like Polyphemus having lost his eye And they are like that teeth-ingendred brood Which took their life out of a Monster dead Whil'st each of them would drinke the others bloud Since that great Dragons death who was their head Ar. So change all things which subject are to sight Disorder order breeds and order it Next light comes darknesse and next darknesse light This never-changing change transcends our wit Thus health and sicknesse poverty and state Dishonour honour life and death with doubt Still inter-changing what a true deceit All link'd together slide by turnes about To worldly states the heavens a height appoint Where when they once arrive they must descend And all perfections have a fatall point At which Excellency it selfe must end But as all those who walke on th' earth are cross'd With alterations happ'ning oft and strange The greatest States with greatest stormes are toss'd And sought of many must make many a change Nor speake I this by speculation mov'd As gathering credit out of ancient scroules No I have liv'd at Court and oft have prov'd Nothing below more vex'd then great mens Soules The Tyrant honours thralls while as they mone Their plaints to vulgar eares loath to impart They all the weight of woes must beare alone Where others of their griefe lend friends apart Their verie rising o're us to the height Which seemes their best is worst for being Lords They never know the truth that comes to light When franke society speakes naked words Whilst sadnesse oft seemes Majestie Time tels How deare they buy their pompe with losse of rest Some but three furies faine in all the hels There are three thousand in one great mans brest Phoc. I thinke all Monarchies are like the Moone Which now eclips'd now under cloud now cleare Growes by degrees and is when full undone Yet Aeson-like renew'd doth re-appeare For loe they first but small beginne to shine And when they once their Spherick forme obtaine Doe coldly languish and till chang'd decline Yet falne in other realmes doe rise againe Assyria once made many nations bow Then next all power was in the Persians hand And Macedonians last grown Monarchs now Amongst themselves divided cannot stand Ar. A secret fate alternatly all things Doth in this circle circularly leade Still generation from corruption springs That some may live of force some must be dead Each Element anothers strength devours Th' aire to the fire succumbes the fire to raine The waters strive to drowne the Earth with showres Which it by vapours vomits out againe Thus wâ—th a Gordian knot together bound All things are made un-made and made againe Whilst ruine founds perfection doth confound Free from some change no State can long remaine But what in th' earth more dangerously stands Then Soveraignty though râ—ted at such worth Which like the stormy Gods tumultuous bands Doth flie from th' East to West from South to North Phoc. A long experience now makes this not strange That mighty States whose reines one only leades Be oft distracted and constrain'd to change As too great bodies for so little heads Since every common-wealth where all mens wits Doe joyne in one to breed the publike ease Hath many fevers and pestiferous fits Which physick oft oft poison must appease For ah the multitude more rash then wise A Hydra-headed beast which humor blindes Doth passionately praise or else despise As some prepost'rous fancies move their minds From vice and vertue oft like danger flowes Whilst th' one breeds envie and the other hate As jealousie or emulation growes Those oft are crush'd who doe support a state Ar. Whilst some their betters others equals scorne The popular authority decayes And when it dies the Monarchie is borne Whose violence disorders fury staies The raines of state it with most ease doth swaie Of power as joyn'd in one the strongest kind Still whilst it humbly high doth bold a way Twixt tyrannie and too remisse a minde But though States rul'd by one may flourish long Whilst one can well command and all obey Whilst guerdon goodnesse vengeance followes wrong That vertue cherish'd vice is made decay Yet if nought else Time doth great States orecome And all are bounded by some fatall houre What mis-adventures many wayes may come To dissipate the most united pow'r O! huge mishaps a Monarchie may marre
As at the image of their antient Kings Or then some Goddesse all the Souldiers gaz'd But ah some forced by the tyrant striv'd To spoile unnaturall Natures fairest frame And twixth th' Alabaster Balles they driv'd Th' unwilling swords that straight grew red for shame Then she in worth who did all else excell Would neither word nor teare nor sigh forth send But spread her garments o're her whilst she fell As of her honour jealous to the end Cho. O strange barbarity most monstrous deed Could men a woman Subjects kill their Queene And could her fortune past no pitty breed Who ever gave the wound that not her seene The ugly Author of those odious evils Of punishment afraid must still be sad His brest a hell his thoughts all turn'd to divels Through horrour of himselfe must make him mad Nun. And yet the plague of these detested times Doth by more mischiefe aggravate our grones Cho. No end in sinne crimes are maintain'd by crimes Who fall in depths must touch the bottome once The path of honour hath but narrow bounds On which who step attentive must remaine Since rais'd so high above the vulgar grounds That who thence fall can never rise againe Nun. Thus now Cassander since he cannot winne True reputation but lives tainted still Imbark'd in mischiefe sailes the depths of sinne So if not lov'd as good yet fear'd as ill Though by his meanes his ruthlesse eyes have seene Fates as it were from fortunes bosome take His King by poyson by the sword his Queene Even yet himselfe more guilty still to make He prosp'ring in impiety grew proud And murdred both his Masters Sonne and Wife Thus he who all the world by birth-right ow'd Could have no part of it no not his life Yet could Roxanaes death not ease his minde Nor her yong sonne too soone made Platoes guesâ— But to undoe all Alexanders kinde That to revenge the rest there might none rest By treason he as all his deeds are done Cau's Hercules his brothers steppes to trace Who was great Alexanders bastard sonne And th' onely remnant of that great mans race Loe thus Cassander enemy to all good Whose soule so much for Macedonie longs Hath to the Scepter swim'd through Seas of bloud Yet O weake right since builded but on wrongs Cho. O how ambition doth abuse the great Who with enough not pleas'd still strive for more Loe how our Soveraigne seem'd to raise his state Yet made it but to fall whilst starv'd with store And since his Trophees rear'd in severall fields Both him and his have to confusion brought Then what is all the good that greatnesse yeelds Which makes it selfe seeme much to be made nought Thus though the mountaines make a mighty show They are but barren heapes borne up aloft Where Plains are pleasant still though they lye low And are most fertile too though trod on oft Greatnesse is like a cloud in thy'ayrie bounds Which some base vapours have congeal'd above It brawles with Vulcan thundring forth huge sounds Yet melts and falles there whence it first did move Phil. Since that worlds conqu'ror then whilst farre from feare By too much power press'd so soone was dead Why doe his Captaines strive who now should beare The Diadem that crush'd so strong a head O! when my minde is ravish'd through the starres To search the secret secrets of the fates What treasons murthers mutinies and warres Are threatning to o'rethrow usurped seates That false Cassander who betraid his Lord And spoil'd the princely race in mischiefe chiefe A traitour both of heaven and earth abhorr'd Shall live but with disgrace and dye with griefe His sonnes in wickednesse himselfe t' exceed Shall make the woman dye whom ade them live Then both when drunke with bloud to death shall bleed And none of theirs their funerals shall survive When rash ambition should be cool'd by age Lysimachus shall by Seleucus dye Nor shall Seleucus long enjoy the Stage But by like violence shall breathlesse lye And subtile Ptâ—lâ—mies degener'd race Long onely famous for infamous things Shall end and to the pride of foes give place Whilst a lascivious Queene confusion brings Amigonâ—â— shall be in battell kill'd His Sonne a captive perish with disgrace And after that it Greece with bloud hath fill'd In th' end destruction doth attend that race The last in pow'r though of their line not bred A niggard and a dastard beaten downe Shall through a strangers towne a Captive led Of Macedonie bound the old renowne Chorus VVHat damned furies thus tosse mortals mindes With such a violent desire to raigne That neither honour friendship duty bloud Nor yet no band so sacred is as bindes Ambitious thoughts which would a kingdome gaine But all is buried in blacke Lethes floud That may the course of Soveraignty restraine Which from the brest doth all respects repell And like a torrent cannot be gaine-stood Yea many would a Scepter to obtaine In spite of all the world and loves owne wrath March through the lowest dungerons of the hels And from a Diademe would breath with pow'r Though all deaths engines brag'd them every houre Yet though such restlesse mindes attaine in th' end The height to which their haughty hearts aspir'd They never can embrace that dreamed blisse Which their deluded thoughts did apprehend Though by the multitude they be admir'd That still to pow'r doth shew it selfe submisse Yet by the soule still further is requir'd Which should seale up th' accomplishment of joy Thus partiall judgements blindely â—yme amisse At things which stand without our reach retir'd Which whilst not ours as treasures we define But not the same whilst we the same enjoy Some things a farre doe like the Glow-worme shine Which look't too neere have of that light no signe No charge on th' earth more weighty to discharge Then that which of a kingdome doth dispose O! those who manage must the reynes of state Till their pale Ghost imbarke in Charons Barge They never need t' attend a true repose How hard is it to please each wans conceit When gaining one they must another lose Thus hardly Kings themselves can evenly beare Whom if severe as cruell subjects hate Contempt dare to the milde it selfe oppose Who spare in time as niggards are despis'd Men from too franke a minde exactions feare Though in all shapes as Proteus us'd disguis'd Kings by some scandall alwaies are surpris'd Yet one might well with every thing comport Which on opinion onely doth depend If further danger follow'd not by deeds But every Monarch Loe in many a sort Death laid in ambush alwaies doth attend Of some by mut'nous swords the life forth bleeds By unsuspected poyson others end Which whilst they alwaies labour to prevent A thousand deaths within their breasts life breeds Loe this is all for which the great contend Who whilst their pride themselves and others spoiles With their dominions doe their cares augment And O vaine man who toylâ—st to double toyles Though
the best This word necessity so wounds the eares The insolent with vile seditious words Who trembled whil'st they heard the Trumpets sound Stirre now their tongues as we did then our swords And what Mars spar'd make Mercury confound The people thus in time of peace agree To curbe the great men still even in that forme As in calme dayes they do disbranch the Tree Which shrowded them of late against a storme But now I look'd brave deeds appeasing spight That bursted Envy should for anguish dye Darke shadows as asham'd do vanish quite When at his height bright Phoebus cleares the skie And though their hatred deeply they disguise Yet can they not so hide enflam'd desires But that their spight rests sparkling through their eyes And boasts to burst out straight in open fires Ant. Since first great Caesar I discern'd thy worth On all thy actions I did still attend And what some whisper must speake freely forth Franke admonitions do become a friend The men who do suspect that you aspire Of government the present forme to change All in their soules your ruine do conspire And their affections farre from you estrange Since chast Lucretia by proud Tarquin stain'd Wash'd with her bloud the violated bed Whil'st by his pow'r Rome basely was constrain'd All to obey which his curst braine had bred This government which some tyrannicke call Doth sound so odious in the peoples eares That they as Tyrants vile detest them all Whose greatnesse gives them any cause of feares Caes I not affect the title of a King For love of glory or desire of gaine Nor for respect of any private thing But that the State may by my travels gaine You know Sibylla's books which never faile In many mindes have an opinion bred That o're the Parthians Rome cannot prevaile Till by a Prince her valorous Bands be led For as confusion is the fruit we finde Of those affaires which divers thoughts dispose So Soveraignty match'd with a gallant minde Breeds reverence in ones owne feare to his foes And O! it grieves me that these steps of ours Have trod so oft on many a millions necks Whil'st yet the Parthian vilipends our pow'rs And all our victories not vanquish'd checks Ah! should a Generall of the Roman race Be by Barbarians kill'd and not reveng'd And should his Ensignes signes of our disgrace Rest in the ranke of conquer'd relicts rang'd No no wretch'd Crassus now thy selfe content I le pacifie thy Ghost with Parthians spoyles My boyling fancies have beene alwayes bent To match the matchlesse daunt th' undaunted soiles Ant. With victories quite cloi'd will you not then Your safety once more then new warres respect Caes No though I have surmounted other men My fancies yet do greater things affect In emulation of my selfe at last I even with envy look on my owne deeds And bent to make the new surpasse things past Now to my minde stale praise no pleasure breeds Ant. The world hath seene thee great man for Romes good In danger oft of many a dangerous shelfe Whil'st for her glory thou engag'd thy bloud Of others carefull carelesse of thy selfe Caes Though whil'st in th'Aprill of my blooming age I from the vulgar rate redeem'd my name Some with my deeds did burden youths hot rage And an ambitious appetite of Fame Yet since the coldnesse of declining yeares Boasts to congeale the bloud which boil'd of late Whil'st loe my life the Sunne of glory cleares Who now of all the world am knowne most great I cannot covet that thing which I have I have all honour that can be requir'd And now as that which wants would onely crave To taste the pleasures of a life retyr'd But save to serve the State for nought I strive For O! neglecting th' ecchoes of renowne I could content my selfe unknowne to live A private man with a Plebeian gowne Since Anthonie thus for the state I care And all delights which Nature loves disdaine Go and in time the peoples mindes prepare That as the rest I may the title gaine Yet indirectly at the first assay To what their doubtfull mindes do most incline But as without my knowledge that they may All marke your minde and yet not thinke of mine Exeunt Act. 2. Scene 2. Cicero Decius Brutus DId I survive th' impetuous Scilla 's rage And in a torrent of destruction stood Whil'st Tyrants did make Rome a tragicke stage Through a voluptuous appetite of bloud Scap'd I confusion in a time so bad Of liberty and honour once to taste That bondage now might make my soule more sad By the remembrance of my fortunes past What though I once when first by Fame made knowne From Catilines strange treason did preserve This Towne when free from foes thrall'd by her owne Since now the world from equity doth swerve A sparke of that conspiracy I spie As yet not quench'd to have our state imbroil'd Which Rome to burne makes many flames to flie Thus one was spar'd that we might all be spoil'd O worthy Cato in whose matchlesse minde Three rarely match'd things Nature did reveale Wit Honesty and Courage which design'd A Citizen for Plato's common-weale Whil'st courteous Pompey did things as a friend Thou as a wise-man spoke and still fore-told To what all Caesars deeds would turne in th' end If that his pride were not in time controld And had we him as wisely thou advis'd Given to the Germans whom he had injur'd We had not now beene thus like slaves despisd To see Rome's glory and our owne obscur'd But yet I may disbending former cares A space comport with that proud Tyrants pow'r Age gives assurance by my hoarey haires Ere he Romes freedome death will me devour But all whose youth and sprite might have attain'd Those dignities which Caesar hath undone O! ye have lost as much as he hath gain'd Whose rising hopes must be retrench'd so soone Dec. Though if novations at the first seeme strange Yet oft experience approbation brings And if with upright thoughts we weigh this change From thence the safety of our City springs As doth a ship when toss'd by severall windes More danger runne whil'st Pylots do contest So was our City vex'd by differing mindes Who did interpret laws as pleas'd them best Whil'st for one sicknesse divers drugges are us'd Whose pow'rs repugnant in digestion jarre Th' impatient patients perish when abus'd So did we long whil'st cross'd by civill warre But now great Caesar from tempestuous windes Romes scattered ruines recollects of late A Pilot meet to calme tumultuous mindes A fit Physitian for an aguish State Cic. The State from stormes secure by drowning proves Now whil'st despaire doth doubtfull feares appease He with the life the sicknesse quite removes Thus is the Physick worse then the Disease This Common-weale as all the world did spie Was by proud spirits in civill warres involv'd Yet like black Clouds which would obscure the skie These tumid humours suddenly dissolv'd And no disgrace unto the state redounds
out We must in time attempt and not attend That race of victors which did Realmes appall Ah vanquish'd by their victories at last Are by their too much liberty made thrall Since all their strength but down themselves doth cast And we who by our birth aym'd at great things Of the worlds mistresse mighty minions once Who might have labour'd to give lawes to Kings Lawes from a King must looke for now with grones For such of Caesar is the monstrous pride That though he domineers even at this houre And to his Clients kingdomes doth divide With an unlimited tyrannicke pow'r Yet of Dictator he disdaines the name And seekes a tyrants title with the place Not for his honour no but for our shame As onely bent bragge of our disgrace Marc. Brut. I thought to see that man as others are Walke re-apparrell'd with a private gowne As one who had unwillingly made warre To stand himselfe not to cast others downe So Silla though more inhumane then he Whilst having all to what his heart aspir'd The Soveraignty resign'd and set Rome free When expectations date was quite expir'd By Caesars worth we must thinke that he too Will render freedome to this captiv'd state When first the world hath view'd what he might doe His thoughts are generous as his minde is great Though insolencies oft from courage flow His dying fury sparkles but a space High thoughts which Mars inspires nought can bring low Till one have us'd the purity of peace Those who by violence to all things tend Scâ—râ—â— can themselves to quietnesse conforme Their stately carriage and franke words offend Whil'st peace cannot comport with warres rude forme I hope that Caesar setling civill broyles When worne by custome from intestine rage Will strive to mitigate his Countries toyles And all those flames which burn'd his brest asswage Ca. Cassius Thus of his course you by your owne conceiv'd As if like thoughts of both did bound the will Ah honest mindes are with least paine deceiv'd Those who themselves are good dreame not of ill To sound of some the still unsound device Their inclination must your judgement sway The square of vertue cannot measure vice Nor yet a line when straight a crooked way So Caesar rising may usurpe the State He cares not by what force nor by what sleight O! one may soone deceive men and grow great Who leaves religion honesty and right When as the Senators no more their owne Came to that Tyrant whom ambition blindes And by high honours shew'd how they had shownâ— To gratifie his greatnesse gratefull mindes He in a Chayre imperiously plac'd Not daign'd to rise nor bow in any sort As both of them had but their due embrac'd When he a haughty they a humble port But if he thus ere we be throughly thrall'd Dare so disdainefully such great men use When in a regall Throne by us enstall'd Then will he breake that which he now doth bruise Was he not first who ever yet began To violate the sacred Tribunes place And punish'd them for punishing a man Who had transgress'd the lawes in time of peace The lawes which doe of death all guilty hold Whose actions seeme to tyranny inclin'd So earnest were our Ancestors of old To quench a tyrants light before it shin'd And shall our Nephewes heires of bondage blame Vs dastard parents who their hopes deceiv'd Who saw who suff'red who surviv'd such shame Not leaving dead what we when borne receiv'd By Caesars friends to an assembly brought The Senators intend to call him King Brut. I 'le not be there Cass But what if we be sought To ayde as Pretors such a publike thing Brut. I will resist that violent decree None of Romes Crowne shall long securely boast For ere that I live thrall'd I 'le first dye free What can be kept when liberty is lost Cass O! with what joy I swallow up those words Words worthy of thy worth and of thy name But Brutus doe not feare this cause affords In danger many but few mates in fame When Anthony proud Caesars image crown'd By silent sorrow all the people told In what a depth of woes their thoughts were drown'd That bondage-bragging Comet to behold What doe those scroules throwne in thy chaire import Which what thou art to brave thy courage brings Be those the fancies of the vulgar sort No none but noble mindes dreame of great things Of other Pretors people looke for showes And distributions whose remembrance dyes Whilst bloudy Fencers fall with mutuall blowes And Africkes monsters doe amaze their eyes But from thy hands they liberty attend By birth-right due the glory of thy race And bent for thee their bloud will frankely spend So thou succeed in thy great Parents place He Rome redeeming Tarquin did o'rethrow Though from his birth obey'd and without strife A rising tyrant then bring boldly low To what extinguish'd was who would give life Brut. I weigh thy words with an afflicted heart Which for compassion of my Country bleeds And would to God that I might onely smart So that all others scap'd what mischiefe breeds Then never man himselfe from death did free With a more quiet and contented minde Then I would perish if I both could be To Caesar thankefull to my Country kinde But though that great mans grace to me enlarg'd May chalenge right in my affections store Yet must the greatest debt be first discharg'd I owe him much but to my Country more This is my brest hath great dissension bred I Caesar love but yet Romes enemy hate And as Iove lives I could be mov'd to shed My bloud for Caesar Caesars for the State I for my fathers death loath'd Pompey long Whilst just disdaine did boyle within my brest Yet when he warr'd to venge the common wrong I joyn'd with him because his cause was best A minde to raigne if Caesar now reveale I will in time precipitate his end Thus never arm'd but for the Common-weale I help'd a foe and now must hurt a friend Cas Lest of his favour thou the poyson prove From swallowing of such baites in time now spare No tyrant trust me can intirely love Nor none who for himselfe doth onely care He by this course doth cunningly intend Thy vertue slack'd to undermine thy minde Thy well-knowne courage purpos'd to disbend Thus though with silken bonds he would thee binde This of each tyrant is the common tread To wreake all those in whom most worth he findes Or whilst that terrours tosse his jealous head By subtilty to snare the greatest mindes As for the Pretor-ship when we did strive Then both were held in hope that so deceiv'd Each th 'others harmes might study to contrive Through emulation and disdaine conceiv'd Thus subtile Caesar by such sleights hath toild To sow dissension that we both might pause Of private wrongs and by such meanes imbroil'd Still courting him neglect the common cause But nought must make us th' one t'another strange Who should in time
imprecations execrable words And yet then this though voluntar'ly vow'd Free from all bonds save that which vertue bindes More constantly no course was ere allow'd Till that the end must manifest our mindes And since so many frankely keep their faith What first intended to accomplish bent No doubt in spight of sickle fortunes wrath A happy successe shall our soules content Might some few Thebans from the Spartans pride By divers tyrants deaths redeem their Towne And one Athenian who his vertue try'd By thirty tyrants ruine get renowne And to the Greekes are we inferiours growne That where they have so many tyrants spoil'd There cannot one be by us all o'rethrowne Whose state yet staggering may be soon imbroil'd I am resolv'd and with my thoughts decree VVhat ever chance to come or sweet or sowre I shall my soile from tyranny set free Or then my selfe free from the tyrants pow'r Dec. Brut. By Lepidus invited this last night VVhilst Caesar went to suppe and I with him Of all deaths shapes to talke we tooke delight So at the table to beguile the time And whilst our judgements all about were try'd Straight Caesar as transported to the rest With a most sudden exclamation cry'd O! of all deaths unlook'd for death is best It from our selves doth steale our selves so fast That even the minde no fearefull forme can see Then is the paine ere apprehended past Sowre things ere tasted would first swallowed be The threatned destiny thus he divin'd It would appeare divinely then inspir'd For now I hope that he shall shortly finde That forme of death which he himselfe desir'd Cai. Cas Whilst of our band the fury flames most hot And that their will to end this worke is such Lest Caesars absence disappoint the plot Which would of some abate the courage much It Decius were exceedingly well done That to his lodging you addrest your way Him by all meanes to further forward soone Lest him some sudden chance may move to stay Dec. Brut. There where the Senate minds this day to sit Stand all prepar'd not fearing danger more And for the Sacrifice when all is fit I 'le bring an offring hallowed of before Exeunt Act 4. Scene 2. Caesar Calphurnia Decius Brutus LOng-lookt-for Time that should the glory yeeld Which I through Neptunes trustlesse raign have sought And through the dust of many a bloudy field As by all dangers worthy to be bought Thy comming now those lowring shadowes cleares My hopes horizon which did long o're-cast This day defrayes the toyles of many yeares And brings the harvest of my labours past The Senators a Messenger have sent Most earnestly entreating me to come And heare my selfe discern'd by their consent To weare a Crowne o're all excepting Rome Thus they devise conditions at this houre For him of whom Mars hath made them the prey As Subjects limit could their Soveraignes pow'r Who must have minde of nought but to obey But having pacifi'd those present things I minde to leade my valorous legions forth To th' orientall Realmes adoring Kings Who can afford all that is due to worth Then swimme my thoughts in th' ocean of delight Whilst on the pillow of soft praise repos'd Those eyes to gaze upon my glories light Which Envy open'd Admiration clos'd Cal. Ah though your fancies great contentment finde Whilst thus the world your vertue doth advance Yet a prepost'rous terrour stings my minde And braggs me with I know not what mischance My wavering hopes o're-ballanc'd are with feares Which to my soule sinistrous signes impart And om'nous rumours so assault mine eates That they almost make breaches in my heart Caes What do foil'd Pompeys floting followers strive To recollect their ruines from the dust Dare they who onely by my tollerance live More to their strength then to my favour trust Or do'st thou feare his sonnes dejected state Who steales infamous flying through those flouds Which his great father Admirall of late Did plant with ships till all their waves seem'd woods Or makes his brothers death his hopes grow more Since by them straited in a bloudy strife I who in all the battel 's given before Did fight for victory then fought for life Or whilst to march to Parthia I prepare Doth a suspition thus afflict thy sprite By Crassus fortune mov'd who perish'd there The scorned prey of the Barbarians spight To those with Cassius who from thence retir'd Amongst my bands a place I will allow Whose foes shall finde bad fate at last expir'd Though the same sheep another sheep-heard now Doe not imagine matters to bemone For whilst there stands a world can Caesar fall Though thousand thousands were conjur'd in one I and my fortune might confound them all Cal. No none of those my minde doth miscontent Who undisguis'd still like themselves remaine Vnlook't-for harmes are hardest to prevent There is no guard against conceal'd disdaine But in whom further can your trust repose Whom danger now o're all by all attends Where private men but onely feare their foes Oft Kings have greatest cause to feare their friends For since most trusted fittest to betray Those unto whom ones favour force affords Most dangerous ambushes with ease may lay Whilst falsest hearts are hid with fairest words And some report though privately yet plaine That Dolabella and Antonius now By your destruction doe intend to gaine That which you keep by making all men bow Caes No corpulent sanguinians make me feare Who with more paine their beards then th'en'mies strike And doe themselves like th'Epicurians beare To Bacchus Mars and Venus borne alike Their hearts doe alwaies in their mouthes remaine As streames whose murmuring showes their course not deep Then still they love to sport though grosse and plaine And never dreame of ought but when they sleep But those high sprites who hold their bodies downe Whose visage leane their restlesse thoughts records Whilst they their cares depth in their bosomes drown I feare their silence more then th 'others words Thus Cassius now and Brutus seeme to hold Some great thing in their minde whose fire oft smoaks What Brutus would he vehemently would Thinke what they list I like not their pale lookes Yet with their worth this cannot well agree In whom bright vertue seemes so much to shine Can those who have receiv'd their lives from me Prove so ingrate that they doe thirst for mine Dare Cassius match'd with me new hopes conceive At th' Hellespont who fortune durst not try And like a dastard did his Gallies leave In all save courage though more strong then I Shall I suspect that Brutus seekes my bloud Whose safety still I tendred with such care Who when the heavens from mortals me seclude Is onely worthy to be Caesars heire Cal. The corners of the heart are hard to know Though of those two the world the best doth deeme Yet doe not trust too much to th' outward show For men may differ much from what they seeme None oft more fierce then those
who look most milde Impiety sometime appeares devout And that the world the more may be beguil'd Even vice can cloath it selfe with vertues cote Though it would seem all hatred now laid downe They on your favour onely should depend Yet no respect can counterpoise a Crowne Ambition hath no bounds nor Greed no end Mov'd by vindictive hate or emulous pride Since some your person some your place pursue All threatned dangers to prevent provide And use for safety what to State is due Caes No armour is that can hold treason out Cal. To fright your foes with bands be back'd about Caes So dastard tyrants strive themselves to beare Cal. It better is to give then to take feare Caes No guard more strong then is the peoples love Cal. But nought in th' earth doth more inconstant prove Caes Guards shewing feare to charge me men might tempt Cal. Guards would put them from hope you from contempt Caes My brest from terrour hath been alwaies cleare Cal. When one least feares oft danger lurks most neare Caes I rather dye then feare at last life goes Cal. Yet death must grieve when forc'd by vaunting foes Caes I will not crosse my present pleasures so By apprehending what may chance to come This world affords but too much cause for woe And sorrowes still must harbour'd be by some By joyes in time we must embrace reliefe That when they end we in some measure may By their remembrance mitigate the griefe Which still attends all those on th' earth that stay I thinke the Senate is assembled now And for my comming doth begin to gaze Let me condignely once adorne my brow And feast mine eares by drinking in due praise Cal. Stay stay deare Lord retire thy steps againe And spare a space to prorogate whole yeares Let not this ominous day begin thy raigne WHich fatall and unfortunate appeares An Astrologian through the world renown'd Thy horoscopes just calculation layes And doth affirme as he by signes hath found That Marches Ides doe bragge to bound thy dayes Walke not abroad where harmes may be receiv'd By great necessity since no way forc'd For though his judgement may be farre deceiv'd In things that touch thy life suspect the worst Caes Whilst I reform'd the Calendar by fits Which did confound the order of the yeare I waded through the depths of all their wits Who of the starres the mysteries would cleare Those pregnant sprites who walke betwixt the Poles And lodge at all the Zodiackes severall signes Doe reade strange wonders wrapt in th' azure scroules Of which our deeds are words our lives are lines By speculation of superiour pow'rs Some Natures secrets curious are to know As how celestiall bodies rule o're ours And what their influence doth worke below Yea they sometime may brave conjectures make Of those whose parts they by their birth doe prove Since naturally all inclination take From Planets then predominant above And yet no certainty can so be had Some vertuously against their Starres have striv'd As Socrates who grew though borne but bad The most accomplish'd man that ever liv'd But of the houre ordain'd to close our lights No earth-clog'd soule can to the knowledge come For O! the destinies farre from our sights In clouds of darknesse have involv'd our doome And some but onely guesse at great mens falls By bearded Comets and prodigious Starres Whose sight-distracting shape the world appalls As still denouncing terrour death or warres The time uncertaine is of certaine death And that fantasticke man farre past his bounds With doubt and reverence they should manage breath Who will divine upon conjectur'd grounds Cal. But this all day hath prey'd upon my heart And from the same of cares a tribute claim'd Doe not despise that which I must impart Though but a dreame and by a woman dream'd I thought alas the thought yet wounds my breast Then whilst we both as those whom Morpheus weds Lay softly buried with a pleasant rest I in thy bosome thou within the beds Then from my soule strange terrours did with-draw Th' expected peace by apprehended harmes For I imagin'd no no doubt I saw And did embrace thee bloudy in mine armes Thus whilst my soule by sorrowes was surcharg'd Of which huge weight it yet some burden beares I big with griefe two Elements enlarg'd Th' ayre with my sighes the water with my teares Caes That which I heard with thy report accords Whilst thou all seem'd dissolv'd in griefe at once A heavy murmuring made with mangled words Was interrupted oft by tragicke grones The memory but not the judgement frames Those raving fancies which disturbe the braine Whilst night dissolves all dayes designes in dreames The senses sleeping soules would stirre in vaine From superstitious feares this care proceeds Which still would watch o're that which thou dost love And in thy minde thus melancholy breeds Which doth those strange imaginations move Cal. Ah in so light account leave off to hold Those fatall warnings which our mindes should leade To search darke matters till we may unfold What dangers huge doe hang above thy head With sacred Garlands he who things divines By th' intrails of the consecrated beast Doth in the offring see sinistrous signes And I entreat thee doe not hence make haste Caes When I in Spaine against yong Pompey went Thus the diviner threatned me before Yet did I prosecute my first intent Which with new lawrels did my browes decore Cal. And yet you hardly there as I doe heare From danger farre engag'd redeemâ—d your life But tokens now more monstrous doe appeare And I suspect farre worse then open strife Caes Lest I too much seeme wedded to my will As others counsels scorning to allow With jealous eyes I 'le search about me still And even mistrust my selfe to trust thee now Yet if I stay the Senators deceiv'd May my beginning straight begin to hate So might I perish seeking to be sav'd By flying it some fall upon their fate But here one comes who can resolve me much With whom I use to weigh affaires of weight Whence com'st thou Decius that thy haste is such Is ought occurr'd that craves our knowledge straight Dec. I come to tell you how the Senate stayes Till that your presence blesse their longing fight And to conclude what is propos'd delayes Since your applause can onely make it right They your contentment to procure intend And all their thoughts seeme at one object bent Save that amongst themselves they doe contend Who you to please shall rarest wayes invent Caes Then that no treasure to my soule more deare Which to enjoy from hence I long to part But yet I know not what arrests me here And makes my feet rebellious to my heart From thee deare friend I never doe conceale The weightiest secrets that concerne me most And at this time I likewise must reveale How â—â—avens by signes me with destruction boast To superstition though not earst inclin'd My wife by dreames doth now
pardon'd for their kinsmens cause Remission given for evill is a reward Ca. Cass We stand not vex'd like Malefactors here With a dejected and remorsefull minde So in your presence supplicants t' appeare As who themselves of death do guilty finde But looking boldly with a loftie brow Through a delight of our designe conceiv'd We come to challenge gratefulnesse of you That have of us so great a good receiv'd But if you will suspend your thoughts a space Though not the givers entertaine the gift Do us reject yet liberty embrace To have you free loe that was all our drift So Rome her ancient liberties enjoy Let Brutus and let Cassius banish't live Thus banishment would breed us greater joy Then what at home a Tyrants wealth could give Though some misconstrue may this course of ours By ignorance or then by hate deceiv'd The truth depends not on opinions pow'rs But is it selfe how ever misconceiv'd Though to acknowledge us not one would daigne Our merit of it selfe is a reward Of doing good none should repent their paine Though they get no reward nor yet regard I 'le venture yet my fortune in the field With every one that Rome to bondage draws And as for me how ever others yeeld I 'le nought obey but Reason and the Laws Cic. What fools are those who further travell take For that which they even past recovery know Who can revive the dead or bring time back That can no creature who doth live below Great Pompey now for whom the world still weeps Lyes low neglected on a barbarous shore Selfe-slaughtered Scipio flotes amidst the deeps Whom it may be Sea-monsters do devoure Of Libyan Wolves grave Cate feasts the wombes Whose death of worth the world defrauded leaves Thus some that did deserve Mausolean tombes Have not a title grav'd upon their graves And yet may Caesar who procur'd their death By brave men slaine be buried with his race All civill warre quite banish'd with his breath Let him now dead and us alive have peace We should desist our thoughts on things to set Which may harme some and can give help to none Learne to forget that which we cannot get And let our cares be gone of all things gone Those who would strive all crosses to o're-come To present times must still conforme their course And making way for that which is to come Not medle with things past but by discourse Let none seek that which doth no good when found Since Caesar now is dead how ever dead Let all our griefe go with him to the ground For sorrow best becomes a lightlesse shade It were the best that joyn'd in mutuall love We physicke for this wounded State prepare Neglecting those who from the world remove All men on earth for earthly things must care Cho. O how those great men friendship can pretend By soothing others thus with painted windes And seeme to trust where treason they attend Whilst love their mouth and malice fills their mindes Those but to them poore simple soules appeare Whose count'nance doth discover what they thinke Who make their words as is their meaning cleare And from themselves can never seeme to shrinke Loe how Antonius faines to quench all jarres And whom he hates with kindenesse doth embrace But as he further'd first the former warres Some feare he still will prove a foe to peace Now where Calphurnia stayes our steppes addresse Since by this sudden chance her losse was chiefe All visite should their neighbours in distresse To give some comfort or to share in griefe Act 5. Scene 2. Calphurnia Nuntius Chorus WHen darkenesse last imprisoned had myne eyes Such monstrous visions did my heart affright That quite dejected it as stupid dies Through terrours then contracted in the night A melancholy cloud so dimmes my brest That it my mind fit for misfortune makes A lodging well dispos'd for such a Guest Where nought of sorrow but th' impression lackes And I imagine every man I see My senses so corrupted are by feares A Herauld to denounce mishaps to me Who should infuse confusion in my eares O! there he comes to violate my peace In whom the object of my thoughts I see Thy message is charactred in thy face And by thy lookes directed is to me Thy troubled eyes rest rowling for reliefe As lately frighted by some uglie sight Thy breath doth pant as if growne big with griefe And straight to bring some monstrous birth to light Nun. The man of whom the world in doubt remain'd If that his minde or fortune was more great Whose valour conquer'd clemencie retain'd All Nations Subject to the Romane State Fraud harm'd him more then force friends more then foes Ah! must this sad discourse by me be made Cal. Stay ere thou further goe defray my woes How doth my love where is my life Nun. dead Cal. dead Cho. Though apprehending horrours in her minde Now since she hath a certaintie receiv'd She by experience greater griefe doth finde Till borne the passions cannot be conceav'd When as a high disaster force affords O how that Tyrant whom affliction bears Barres th' eares from comfort and the mouth from words And when obdur'd scornes to dissolve in teares Cal. Ah! since the lights of that great light are set Why doth not darknesse spread it selfe o're all At least what further comfort can I get Whose pleasures had no period but his fall O would the Gods I always might confine Flames in my brest and floods within my eyes To entertaine so great a griefe as mine That thence there might fit furniture arise Yet I disdaine though by distresse o'rethrowne By such externall meanes to seeke reliefe The greatest sorrowes are by silence showne Whilst all the Senses are shut up with griefe But miserie doth so tyrannick grow That it of sighes and teares a tribute claimes Ah! when the cup is full it must o'reflow And fires which burne must offer up some flames Yet though what thou hast sayd my death shall be Since sunke so deeply in a melted heart Of my lives death report each point to mee For every circumstance that I may smart Nun. What fatall warnings did foregoe his end Which by his stay to frustrate some did try But he who scorn'd excuses to pretend Was by the destinies drawne forth to die Whilst by the way he chanc'd to meet with one Who had his deaths-day nam'd he to him said The Ides of March be come but yet not gone The other answer'd and still constant stayd Another brought a letter with great speed Which the conspiracie at length did touch And gave it Caesar in his hand to reade Protesting that it did import him much Yet did he lay it up where still it rests As doe the great whom blest the world reputes Who griev'd to be importun'd by requests Of simple supplicants neglect the suites Or he of it the reading did deferre Still troubled by attendants at the gate Whilst some to show their credit would conferre To flatter
then dayes and yeares Which weare away this breath of ours so soone Whil'st Lachesis to no request gives eares But spinnes the threeds of life till they be done Yet foolish worldlings following that which flies As if they had assurance of their breath To fraile preferrement fondly strive to rise Which but a burden weighs them downe to death Nun. There 's none of us but must remember still How that the Gods by many a wondrous signe Did shew it seem'd how that against their will The destinies would Caesars dayes confine A monstrous starre amidst the heaven hath beene Still since they first against him did conspire The solitary birds at noone were seene And men to walke environ'd all with fire What wonder though the heavens at such a time Do brave the earth with apparitions strange Then whil'st intending such a monstrous crime Unnaturall men make Natures course to change Cho. Though all such things seeme wonderfull to some They may by Reason comprehended be For what beyond what usuall is doth come The Ignorant with wondring eyes do see Those bastard Starres not heritours of th' ayre Are first conceiv'd below then borne above And when fore-knowing things sprits take most care And by illusion superstition move Yet this no doubt a great regard should breed When Nature hath brought forth a monstrous birth In secret Characters where men may reade The wrath of heaven and wickednesse of th' earth The Naturallists and th' Astrologians skill May oft encountring manifest like care Since th' one looks back the other forward still One may tell what the other why things are Nun. Shall sorrow through the waves of woes to saile Have still your teares for Seas your sighs for winds To miserie what do base plaints availe A course more high becomes heroicke mindes None are o're-come save onely those who yeeld From froward Fortune though some blows be borne Let Vertue serve Adversity for shield No greater griefe to griefe then th' enemies scorne This makes your foes but laugh to see you weep At least these teares but for your selfe bestow And not for that great sprit whose spoyls heavens keep For he no doubt rests deified ere now Cal. I onely waile my life and not his death Who now amongst th'immortals doth repose And shall so long as I have bloud or breath To furnish forth the elements of woes I care not who rejoyce so I lament Who do to darknesse dedicate my dayes And since the light of my delight is spent Shall have in horrour all Apollo's rayes I will retyre my selfe to waile alone As trustie Turtles mourning for their Mates And my misfortune alwayes bent to mone Will spurne at pleasures as empoyson'd baits No second guest shall presse great Caesars bed Warm'd by the flames to which he first gave life I thinke there may be greater honour had When Caesars widow then anothers wife This had afforded comfort for my harmes If I ere chanc'd abandon'd thus to be Had had a little Caesar in mine armes The living picture of his Syre to me Yet doth that Idoll which my thoughts adore With me of late most strictly match'd remaine For where my armes him sometimes held before Now in my heart I shall him still retaine That though I may no pretious things impart Thy deitie may by me be honour'd oft Still offring up my thoughts upon my heart My sacred flame shall alwayes mount aloft Exeunt Chorus WHat fools are those who do repose their trust On what this masse of misery affords And bragging but of th' excrements of dust Of life-lesse Treasures labour to be Lords Which like the Sirens songs or Circes charmes With shadows of delight hide certaine harmes Ah! whil'st they sport on pleasures yâ—ie grounds Oft poyson'd by Prosperitie with Pride A sudden storme their floting joyes confounds Whose course is ordred by the eye-lesse guide Who so inconstantly her selfe doth beare Th' unhappie men may hope the happy feare The fortunate who bathe in flouds of joyes To perish oft amidst their pleasures chance And mirthlesse wretches wallowing in annoye Oft by adversitie themselves advance Whâ—l'st Fortune bent to mock vaine worldlings cares Doth change despaires in hopes hopes in despaires That gallant Grecian whose great wit so soone Whom others could not number did o're-come Had he not beene undone had beene undone And if not banish'd had not had a home To him feare courage gave what wondrous change And many doubts are solution strange He who told one who then was Fortunes childe As if with horrour to congeale his bloud That Caius Marius farie from Rome exil'd Wretch'd on the ruines of great Carthage stood Though long both plagu'd by griefe and by disgrace The Consul-ship regain'd and dy'd in peace And that great Pompey all the worlds delight Whom of his Theater then th' applauses pleas'd Whil'st praise-transported eyes endeer'd his sight Who by youths toyles should have his age then eas'd He by one blow of Fortune lost farre more Then many battels gayned had before Such sudden changes so disturbe the soule That still the judgement ballanc'd is by doubt But on a Round what wonder though things roule And since within a Circle turne about Whil'st heaven on earth strange alterations brings To scorne our confidence in worldly things And chanc'd there ever accidents more strange Then in these stormy bounds where we remaine One did a sheep-hooke to a Scepter change The nurceling of a Wolfe o're men did raigne A little Village grew a mighty Towne Which whil'st it had no King held many a Crowne Then by how many sundry sorts of men Hath this great State beene rul'd though now by none Which first obey'd but one then two then ten Then by degrees return'd to two and one Of which three States their ruine did abide Two by Two's lusts and one by Two mens pride What revolutions huge have hapned thus By secret fates all violently led Though seeming but by accident to us Yet in the depths of heavenly breasts first bred As arguments demonstrative to prove That weaknesse dwels below and pow'r above Loe prosprous Caesar charged for a space Both with strange Nations and his Countreys spoyls Even when he seem'd by warre to purchase peace And roses of sweet rest from thornes of toils Then whil'st his minde and fortune swell'd most high Hath beene constrain'd the last distresse to trie What warnings large were in a time so short Of that darke course which by his death now shines It speechlesse wonders plainly did report It men reveal'd by words and gods by signes Yet by the chaynes of destinies whil'st bound He saw the sword but could not scape the wound What curtaine o're our knowledge errour brings Now drawn now open'd by the heavenly host Which makes us sometime sharpe to see small things And yet quite blinde when as we should see most That curious braines may rest amaz'd at it Whose ignorance makes them presume of wit Then let us live since all things change below When rais'd most high â—s those who once may fall And hold when by disasters brought more low The minde still free what ever else be thrall Those Lords of Fortune sweeten every State Who can command themselves though not their fate FINIS