either side from what concerns my Masters life I will therefore contract the particulars and only tell you that every thing was disposed for the celebration of these sports the people were rank'd according to the customary order the Emperor plac'd on one side with the most considerable persons of the Senate and the Empress on the other with all the Princesses and noblest Roman Ladies when my Prince enter'd the Cirk armed and mounted very gallantly all his Armour offer'd the eye a mingled splendour of Gold and Jewels and the hand of Art had so curiously embellish'd the materials as it would long have kept the assistants gazing if the grace of him that bore him had not beckn'd their looks to a more delightful attention his Cask was shaded with twenty white feathers and through his Visour which was then half up there appear'd a face so noble and so amiably fierce as all the Spectators beheld it with respect and almost all their hearts voted in his favour but the acclamations of the people could take but little hold of his thoughts and despising all sorts of other objects he sent his eyes in search of the Princess whom they found seated at the Empress feet by the Princess Octavia's side where she shin'd like some great Star whose Master-light had half obscur'd the rest of the Celestial Spangles attracted the eyes of Rome and busied all mens thoughts with a just wonder at her beauty when I saw her in that estate I confess I was dazled as well as the rest and pos'd to find any thing strange in the effects which that marvel of beauty produc'd in my Masters spirit After he had spent some time in gazing upon her with all the affections of a Man that had lost his heart he was obliged to retire to another side and put himself in the head of his Troops after the example of Tiberius Marcellus Agrippa young Alexander and his Brother who already began to mingle themselves in those Exercises with the other Captains which were then preparing to begin the sports Never was any thing seen more pompous than Marcellus and his brave Mine had the help of all the Ornaments and advantages that the Roman Curiosity could invent nor was Tiberius behind him in the pride of Garb and Equipage he was Jewel'd all over with a marvellous profusion his Habit Casque and Armour were starr'd with a thousand flames which dazled all the Spectators opticks but for his most precious and remarkable ornament his Shoulders were covered with that fair Scarf which my Prince had seen Cleopatra wear the night before and the same which gave occasion to the discourse recited my Master no sooner saw but he knew it and that knowledge suddenly stabb'd it self through his heart with a mortal surprisal an universal shivering presently ran through all his Members and in one moment overthrew the force of his Reason he stood and gaz'd a while holding his Arms a-cross in the posture of a man that was Planet-struck upon that cruel object when the sound of the Trumpets which made the Amphitheatre eccho call'd him back to himself and made him demand a resolution of his spirit the first that presented it self to his incensed thoughts was to fly upon Tiberius and snatch away his life in the sight of the Emperor and all the Romans and change the Combat which was only design'd to wear the harmless livery of delight into a Crimson complexion but these tempestuous thoughts to which the first motions of his fury hurried him began already to overblow in his mind they were oppos'd with some remains of reason but more over-power'd with the fear of offending Cleopatra than any other consideration he had some thoughts publickly to reproach that Princess with the injustice she had done him but respect had still strength enough left to defer the effect of that resolution the last which he clos'd with was to retire from those sports where he had now neither force nor courage to appear like himself and take fresh advice of his thoughts without the interruption of so many spectators These deep Cogitations that suspended his sense and motion had swallow'd so much time as all the Troops had already chang'd their places and begun to joyn in the Exercise only his stood still in its place attending his order and example to move the young Alexander who was of his side had often call'd to him when taking him gently by the Arm My Lord said I do you not perceive that ours is the only Troop that is not Marched This brought him to himself and regarding him with a visage wholly chang'd Let us go Emilius said he I can do no more At these words after he had intreated Alexander to take his place he crowded through his own Squadron and leaning upon my shoulder retir'd towards one of the Gates Tiberius whose interest still kept an eye upon my Masters actions perceived him when he parted and taking commission from his haughty pride newly swoln with this present prosperity to brave him What Coriolanus cry'd he do you retreat do you quit the Lists These words had like to have put my Master past all consideration and provok'd him to a percipitate assault of that Rival with his Sword in his hand who had taken so much insolence from that advantage but a reserve of Judgment did then hold the hands of his passion and only turning towards him with a furious look and a pair of eyes that flamed with rage 'T is not to thee said he that I quit the Lists but to those marks of thy Fortune which thou art not worthy to bear and which I shall possibly find a time to make thee resign with thy life to boot I believe Tiberius who had turned his head another way did not well understand these last words but they were clearly over-heard by divers persons of his own party that might easily carry them to his ear and to that purpose my Master spoke them 'T is not unlikely interrupted Tyridates that they might be concealed by the discretion of those that heard them lest they should incense the Emperour with somenting a quarrel betwixt persons so considerable as your Master and Tiberius I am of the same belief reply'd Emilius In the mean time Sir let me intreat you would not think it strange it I a little amplifie some particulars that are not the most important in my Masters life though not altogether so trivial but you may possibly judge them worthy of your attention HYMEN'S PRAELUDIA OR Love's Master-Piece PART II. LIB II. ARGUMENT Coriolanus by an improvement of his jealous mistake and the receipt of an angry answer from Cleopatra falls into a desperate feaver Marcellus unridles Tiberius 's Plot cures the Malady and reconciles the Lovers Julia loosely deserts Marcellus and displaces her affection upon Corolianus her levity divides the friends till Coriolanus clears the suspition The enquiry of their fate from Trasillus begets an open Quarrel 'twixt him
Marcellus nor your Love to Cleopatra I was only desirous to try the temper of your heart and now I have seen how well it guards the fidelity you owe your friend and Mistress it shall heighten my esteem of your merits She brought forth these words with a constraint that my Master easily observed and though she strove to hide it by entring a discourse upon other subjects yet she followed it in so much disorder and confusion as perceiving it would ask some time to undistemper her reason she bad Coriolanus good night My Master went away better instructed than he desired in Julia's inclinations and though by her last words which despight had utter'd she seem'd to retract what before she had too easily offered yet he was not so ignorant as not to discover the truth he since did me the honour to tell me that he never resented any thing in his life with so much anxiety sadly reflecting upon his own impuissance to satisfie the Princess desires but much more upon Marcellus interests whom he now perceived so lightly forsaken and foresaw how cruelly he was us'd by Julia's lenity nevertheless he was unwilling to acquaint his friend with this unwelcome news and there resolved to stay till Julia's humour should change or Marcellus learn it from some other mouth nor would his discretion give him leave to let Cleopatra know of it as well to conceal the shame of Caesars Daughter and his friends Mistress as to forbear a Discourse that might betray the least appearance of vanity In the mean time he carefully fled all occasions of meeting Julia alone and that Princess perceived it with a despight that might well have banisht him her breast had her power been proportioned to her anger but she had force enough to hide her flames for a time and treat my Master with a more reserved carriage than was usual however he abated her no respect but still paid her his Civilities in as specious a manner as her quality could challenge only he was careful to escape both her entertainment and her sight when the place was void of witness Julia for a time feigned her self very well satisfied and meeting him one day in a Gallery that belonged to Livia's Lodgings notwithstanding he was accompanied with two or three of his friends Coriolanus said she passing by him there is seldome safety in presumption you lately passed a serious construction upon what was meant in Jest pray disabuse your self and be not so lightly seduced by an erroneous opinion My Master would have replyed had she given him time but she passed by him so swiftly as he had not the leisure to shape an answer and he was a little troubled at the manner of these words though he found some cause of satisfaction in them Thus Julia persevered in her behaviour for some daies still treating my Master with a cold indifference and her Spirit wanting resolution to endure too much violence herinclinations got the victory of her anger and she began to speak at the eyes in such accents as soon gave Coriolanus intelligence her resentments were dissipated but as before he stop'd his ears at her words so now he shut his eyes at her glances and composed all his actions with so much Caution towards her as if her spirit were not hardy beyond Example she could never have had the confidence to bring her affection again into the Scene She repented of all she had said to revoke the first Declaration and desirous to repair that breach meeting him one day at Court she drew him to a window and when respect had drawn those that stood near to a greater distance advancing her head towards him in a languishing manner speaking so low as none could over hear her Coriolanus said she think it no more a mockery when you are told that Julia loves you for believe it 't is a perfect truth My Master was surprized at these words yet not so deeply as to be unfurnished of a ready answer Madam said he I am now grown so well acquainted with your intentions as I cannot be any more mistaken and since this sport does divert you I should be loath to oppose the pleasure you take in pursuing it Julia was sorry she had lent my Master weapons to defend himself against her and having now no time to explain her self further she only tryed to perswade him with a fiery blush that her words were serious and that she had displayed her naked thoughts but with too much truth However the Prince concludes to personate an ignorance arms her own discourse against her self and still feigns an interpretation of her words and actions as the effects of Raillery in the mean time as it became him as well in reference to her birth as Marcellus affection he still treated her with his usual deferrence and because in that point he deemed it not fit to disoblige her he could not so cunningly evade her company but she oft engag'd him in long discourses and then used so little skil in concealing her affection as few persons frequented their company that had not already discovered it Marcellus as the most interessed took the impression deeper than all the rest and receiving dayly symptoms from Julia's deportment that no longer permitted him to doubt her inconstancy the blindness of his passion made him stumble upon a Jealousie that Julia not only loved Coriolanus but was beloved again by him this belief had no sooner got credit with him but it produced effects that had like to have dragged him to his Tomb and when he called to mind those rare proofs he had given Coriolanus of his amity he could not reflect upon the ingratitude of which his thoughts had now pronounced him guilty without falling into a mortal Agony his cruel jealousie for some days made him flie the sight of that unfaithful friend and seek out solitude in the most untrodden places discoursing his woes to himself in the saddest fashion that grief could invent My Master who could never endure to be long out of his sight sought him on all sides and understanding one day that he was retired alone into those Allyes of the Pallace Garden that verge upon the Tiber he followed him thither without a companion and at last found him laid upon one of the seats of an Arbour in the most unfrequented part of the Garden At my Masters approach he suddenly started up and discovered such a wild troubled look as my Prince no longer able to suffer him in that condition Marcellus said he what strange change is this what sadness is it that sits thus lowring on your brow and why do you fly from the person of the world that loves you dearest At these words Marcellus only nodded his head twice without returning an answer keeping his eys still fixed upon the earth in so sad a posture as it put my Master into a grand confusion Coriolanus deeply touched at his behaviour took him in his arms and earnestly prest him
Julia than his Pen had given him I have tyed my self so strictly to my Masters adventures as I half forgot to follow the thred of Marcellus his unlucky love to Julia but I will now comprise in a few words what happen'd in our absence wherewith my Master was partly acquainted by his friends letters and more fully instructed from his own mouth at our return The spight that Marcellus took to see himself so lightly abandoned by Julia kindled such a resentment against her as would doubtless have quench'd his Passion if a just anger could have over-matcht it but if he had too little power to exile at least he had enough for a time to restrain it and keep the fond effects of his love in hold which that giddy Princess had so ingratefully abused In effect he began to retire his observances so coldly as instead of keeping up the custome of wasting whole days in her attendance he now scarce render'd her two visits in two weeks in lieu of seeking occasions to find her alone he fled them openly and when he was obliged to entertain her he did it with a respect mingled with so much coldness as it was easie to perceive he rather treated her as the Daughter of Augustus and so as many reasons advis'd him did homage to her quality than as a person to whom he had tyed himself by any other chain than the consideration of her fortune Julia who observed his behaviour and was not ignorant of the cause did at first so little regard it her thoughts being only bent at Coriolanus who was still fresh in her memory as she paid his personated coldness with one so real and remarkable as it was quickly observ'd and grown the discourse of most of the Courtiers who pass'd their Judgements upon it according to several conjectures by this scornful carriage of Julia the anguish of poor Marcellus was so augmented as his body took infection from his mind and shared a part of the malady which so decrested the looks of that lovely Prince as though the Emperor who was one of the first that discovered it did often examine his Nephews melancholy he had still a reserve of discretion to conceal his daughters inconstancy and though Agrippa was particularly touched with the torments of Marcellus had told the Emperor that it doubtless proceeded from some petty breach between the Princess and him yet they found it impossible to clear that discovery by Marcellus's confession In fine the sad estate of that abused Prince from day to day received such sensible aggravations as they began to find a feeling in Julia's spirit whose affection though faded in the flower was still alive in the root besides the despight she took to see her self so disdained by Coriolanus made her resolve to call home those partial glances and clearing her soul of all the violence affection had kindled she began to open her eyes afresh upon that deserving Prince and repented she had left him for a man who had openly misprized her to this I may add that the Princess Seribonia her Mother who reputed as she was yet lived in Rome at a considerable height and was often visited by her Daughter understanding the scurvy use she gave Marcellus and well knowing her advancement depended upon her complacence to the Emperors will sharply checked her for the little care she took to conform her self to it and representing Livia's dangerous power with Caesar which in all probability would powerfully carry his affections along the stream of her own blood and leave her no more than the naked name of Augustus Daughter disposed her no longer to despise the means of preserving her interests in fine whether by a real return of her affection the care of her own advancement or her indignation against my Master Julia resolved to recall Marcellus to her favour and that once concluded she was so little able to bridle her revived flame as she was ready to throw her self at his feet and vent it in all the submissive ways she could find to regain him at the first discovery of her design he slighted the nets her kindness spread and as Julia had given him a just offence so he expected a reparation which he saw she was ready to tender that might ballance her inconstancy being one day in the Emperors Chamber where dividing himself from the rest of the company he was retir'd alone to the corner of a chimny against which he lean'd in a deep meditation when the Princess regarding his melancholy posture and not sorry to meet that occasion of discourse she went to him and finding him so busied with his thoughts as they had not suffered him to see her though she stood at his Elbow she put a handkerchief which she held in her hand before his face and perceiving that action had scarce brought him to himself What 's the subject of your musing Marcellus said she iterating her familiar gesture What is it you dream of this last rowsing brought the Prince to himself and taking notice of Julia's words The subject of my musing answered he is possible the same that sets your ordinary thoughts to their task I dream'd of Coriolanus That word brought warm blood into Julia's face and willing to let him see that it stung her to the quick You are not deep enough in my heart said she to divine my thoughts 't is because I am there too seldom reply'd the sad Marcellus that I know them so well but he that has banished me thence has done it so innocently as I have no reason to accuse him He brought forth these words with so melancholy an Aire as whatever cause the Princess found to soment anger she saw more to invite pity and to let him know as much If you were in a better humour said she we might possibly find a cure for your Error but that care will be taken when you are more reasonable At these words seeing Mecenas and Domitius approach with some other persons that came to joyn company she quitted him only she left him a glance or two at parting that were sweetened on purpose to give him intelligence that he might boldly renew his hopes of her affection and by that action finished her victory of his resentments for though the cause did still weigh heavy upon his heart yet she had got such an ascendent there as would not permit a perseverance in the violence he offered to himself In stead of evading as formerly he now sought occasions to entertain the Princess which that very evening he found it not hard to obtain since the whole Court carried a complacence to his intentions and Julia her self desired it with equal ardour It was in her own Chamber where she first restored him that liberty and the rest of the company when they saw them enter a particular discourse respectively withdrawing themselves to a fit distance he had as much distance as he could wish to serve his design Julia her self was the
made him do many a days Pennance for crossing her humour but in effect she lov'd him and valuing him alone above all the rest together at last she releas'd her self entirely to him and by the frequent testimonies of her love against which the Soul of Marcellus had no Rampire she left no place in his breast to shelter Jealousie and to compleat the cure of that which referr'd to my Master she often spoke to Cleopatra in his favour always took his part against Tiberius and appeared not less concern'd than Marcellus in his hopes of happiness by that Princess affection upon these terms were Marcellus and Julia when we return'd to Rome and my Master had the story at length from the mouth of his friend which his Letter had succinctly and but confusedly told him In the mean time all things were prepared for the ruine of my Masters pretences and Tiberius by the assistance of Livia had made his party so strong with Augustus as he searce harbour'd any doubt of Cleopatra's possession the very next day after our arrival the Empress went to visit her in her lodgings a strain beyond the maxims of her ordinary gravity which did not often permit her consent to those civilities and having found her in her Chamber in company of some Ladies that often haunted it after she had saluted her in an imperious fashion I am come to see you said she as well to testifie the esteem and affection I have for you as to tell you some news which if you receive with an apprehension suited to former appearances must needs rejoyce you the Princess presently perceiv'd Livia's design and understood it with displeasure but as she was advised by divers reasons to avoid all occasions of disobliging her she compel'd her thoughts to a respective answer and endeavouring to expect her resentment of Livia's condescention Madam said she I am sensible as I ought of the favour wherewith you have honour'd me and with a due respect shall welcome the news you are pleased to bring with assurance that I can learn nothing from your mouth but what must be glorious for me and worthy of your own bounty Though I have promised it for news added the Empress after she had taken a seat 't is no more but the confirmation of a thing which you know already I need not say 't is my desire you should call me Mother since you are not now to understand it not tell you that the Emperor does encourage the hopes of Tiberius for report has spread it wide enough but I will assure you that his heart did never hatch a desire so passionate and he resolved it so firmly as nothing will be capable to divert him The Daughter of Antony was mortally afflicted at this discourse but not willing to study long for a reply Madam said she this is not the day wherein Caesar and your self first began to oblige me with your bounty but though I confess you tender me a most advantagious fortune yet I have learn'd to hope from your goodness that you will not resolve to appoint me my Destiny without giving me the priviledge of a free suffrage for my own disposal The Emperor did believe reply'd Livia you were to rational to disapprove his design to wed you to my Son and he has judgeâ— Tiberius considerable enough by his birth the qualities of his Person and the grandeur of his actions to win your consent without other assistance which you will possibly accord to the honour he has of so near and so great an alliance I consider Tiberius reply'd Cleopatra both as the Son of the Empress my Soveraign and as a Prince that merits a greater fortune but he must very highly oblige me to conquer my consent by his services rather than by the authority of those persons who have an absolute puissance over me Is it possible answer'd Livia that since Tiberius resign'd you his liberty he has not deserved your acceptance nor avow of his services and has so unluckily mispent his industry for many years that it cannot pay the purchase of what we desire he has merited much more than what you are pleased to mention answer'd Cleopatra but if he has not yet obtained that I must call it an effect of my mis-hap and not his since having guided my apprehension with yours to the survey of all those advantages he possesses it has only taught me highly to esteem and truly respect him without leaving the impression of a particular desire of a farther submission to his This discourse extreamly netled the Empress who is the proudest Princess upon earth and not able to dissemble it It is indeed an effect of your unhappiness said she rather than that of Tiberius which has given you this repugnance against him and had he taken the counsel of his Mother and his nearest friends he would doubtless have addressed his thoughts to some other place that might have invited him with more advantage to his fortune not that you possess not a large portion of natures fovours nor that your birth is not illustrious but the Destinies have not favoured your family and as your condition is now plac'd without an extraordinary indulgence of fortune you could not rationally raise your hopes so high as Tiberius is able to place you Cleopatra felt her self stung with these words but she had power enough left to tame her displeasure to this calm and untroubled answer the Son of the Empress my Lady and Mistress may doubtless raise his ayms to such pretences as are better conform'd to his fortunes than those he has had for reliques of such a downfal house as ours but the son of Drusus had not possible offended his ambition by Courting the Daughter of Antony and Cleopatra and though Fate has used us cruelly the memory of that alliance betwixt Caesar and Antony is yet too fresh to leave the Parents of Tiberius any blushes at his desire to mingle with our blood nor would I be understood Madam as if I thought not my self bound to the care you have taken to remove his affection and since in your judgement as well as mine I am unworthy of that condition to which Tiberius would raise me I should be deeply indebted to your goodness would you direct him to some other choice that might better know how to merit and acknowledge it Were his obedience in my power answer'd the cholerick Empress do not doubt but it should be heartily employ'd as you would have it but since the Emperor is pleased to favour Tiberius or rather you in the thoughts he has for him it would be as hard for me to reverse the resolutions he has taken probably for your sake more than his as I find it impossible to vanquish the blind passion of my Son In the mean time I hope you conform yours to the will of those you ought to obey and I advise you for your own Interest as well as ours to make this just aversion the
known I did not believe she durst call any other than my self yet knowing it depended upon her choice and distrusting her humour I did not present my self as I should have done at another time but the Emperour himself made a sign to me to advance I rose from my place to obey him and approached to Julia but she saved me the labour and when I was near enough to give her my hand she turned her self another way and called Drusus to come and render her that office The greatest part of the persons that were in the Temple interessed themselves in the affront which I received and if Livia Tyberius and those of their party were satisfied in it not only Octavia and they that took my part but Augustus himself was so troubled at it that had it not been out of respect to the sacredness of the place he had publickly made his displeasure appear For my part I was so much moved at it that I was quite out of countenance and not daring for divers considerations to express in publick my resentment to the Daughter of Caesar I retired to my place full of choler and confusion and a little after not being able to stay any longer in a place wherein I had received this affront I slipt into the press and got out of the Temple without staying till the end of the Sacrifice When I was come to my lodging I quitted my self of those who had taken the pains to accompany me thither upon my entreaty that they would grant me an hours liberty to do some business and a little after knowing that the most affectionate among them partly imagining my intention would not be far from me to avoid the trouble of visits which I could not have endured in the bad humour I then was and the obstacles which might cross my design I went down secretly by a private pair of stairs into the Garden and from thence attended by one Squire only I went to the house of Sulpicia a Roman Lady of eminent quality one whom you know and in whom I had very great confidence It was before her that I highly exclaimed against the infidelity of Julia and made my complaint freely as well of this last injury as of those which had preceded and did violently out with all which lay upon my heart Sulpicia did all she could possible not to excus the inconstancy of Julia for she was one of the first to condemn her but to hinder me from taking the effects thereof so much to heart and to moderate in part the transports wherewith I was troubled If I were Marcellus said she to me I would deal after another manner than you do and the spirit of Julia will better be reduced by marks of indifferency and coldness than by this boiling humour and these violent resentments whereinto you precipitate your self And if I were Sulpicia answered I to her I should give this counsel to my friends but seeing I am Marcellus interessed in my repose and in my honour and to my misfortune still passionate for that unfaithful Princess I cannot contain my self within that coldness and that indifferency which you express My love is not extinguished for being injured and it is through the indignation of Heaven that these effects of ingratitude have not been able to banish it out of my mind I have not ceased from loving her though I have forborn in part to render her the devoirs to which I was daily obliged and if I have supported with moderation the secret testimonies of her change the publick ones have wronged me too much for me to be able to dissemble them After these words and some other discourses that I had with Sulpicia I called for paper and without consulting any more with my former respect in my transport I wrote these words to Julia. MARCELLUS to the Princess JULIA AS long as you injured but my love only I supported your inconstancy with patience enough and I have not demanded any reparation for it because I believe that by preferring Drusus before me you had sufficiently punished your self you are obliged to me besides for this that forsaken as I was I have alwaies out of love to you kept secret what I could not discover but to your disadvantage and confusion but since you have been forward to publish it your self and that to the infidelity which only wronged my love you have been pleased to add an injury which wrongs my courage and my honour you must not think it strange if I grant that to my honour that possibly I owed not to my love and that I seek the satisfaction which it demands of me by those waies which hitherto the respect and consideration I had for you hindred me from After I had written this Letter I gave it to the Squire who waited upon me with order to carry it to Julia the same day and after his departure staying a while longer but in vain to find out some means to execute my design with little noise I took at last an horse and a foot-man from Sulpicia's house and without any other company I went out to seek Drusus and to make him draw his sword wheresoever I could meet him I went directly to his house but having understood at his gate that he was not returned since he went forth to go to the Capitol and that he had dined with Mecenas I went to pass by Mecenas his house and by good fortune as I came near the gate I saw Drusus come out there a horse-back attended only by persons on foot who were not capable to hinder the effect of my resolution I no sooner saw him but my resentment violently re-inforcing it self I could hardly forbear running upon him with my Sword in my hand yet I moderated my self as much as I possibly could and accosting him with a visage wherein he might read part of my intentions Drusus said I to him I have a moments business with you Drusus did not stand to make himself farther intreated to hearken to me but withdrawing twelve or fifteen paces from those who attended him What do you desire of me sayes he to me when we were at liberty of speaking without being over-heard I desire said I to make you know that you have gained by your fortune only what could be due to none but my self by the way of merits and services and that after the knowledge you had of my designs for Julia and my engagement to her you could not employ your self in her service nor serve your self against me with the inconstancy of her spirit without declaring your self my Enemy and giving me just occasion of proceeding to extremities with you I am not obliged replyed Drusus without being troubled to consider your interests to my own prejudice and since that which you have done against us for the Enemies of our Family there hath been no amity between us which might hinder me from following my inclinations and seeking my own advantages out of
remembrance of Cleopatra since I dare assure you in his stead that the Empire of the whole World would be inconsiderable to his spirit in respect of your affection I was very joyful to observe in this Prince so many testimonies of affection for Coriolanus and being willing to hold him longer upon this point But is it possible said I to him that you perceive no diminution of your friendship towards that Prince for that which he hath caused in an Empire destined for you and when it shall come into your own hands will you not behold him with an evil eye that hath dismembred it of two so great Kingdoms I have already told you added Marcellus that the possession of the Empire is a thing whereof I have very little assurance through the change which may happen in Cesars humor or Dominion but the gods are my Witnesses that were it offered to me to day I should receive thereby no greater joy than to part it with my Friend and I shall say no more when I tell you that him to whom I would yield Cleopatra I would easily give the whole Empire Ah my Brother replied I blushing at this Discourse Cleopatra is not a price considerable in respect of the Empire and though your bounty had made her so she would have been very sorry to have made you lose with the dignities which you possess the happiness you injoy in the person of Julia. I spake thus because at that time he stood upon very good terms with Julia and it was believed that the Emperor would shortly cause the Celebration of their Marriage We were upon this point when we were interrupted by the Princess Julia her self who did me the honour to visit me and as she then desired to testifie a great deal of affection to Marcellus of whose joy for the advantages of his Friend she was not ignorant she would not lose this occasion to let me see that her sentiments were conformable to those of the Prince she loved though those who desired to stand well in Cesars favour durst not visit me at this time which was to me a time of disgrace but Julia might do it more commodiously because I lodged in the house of her Aunt Octavia whom she saw almost daily and for whom the Emperor made extraordinary deferences She testified to me at that time a hundred marks of satisfaction which would have rendered her very criminal before Cesar had they reached his ear and as her spirit was very quick and ready she forgat nothing which might perswade that she had very much interest in the fortune of Juba Marcellus testified much acknowledgment for this bounty and it seemed that this meeting gave stronger bands to their love Tiberius came to see me on the morrow but made no mention of Coriolanus not daring sufficiently to constrain his thoughts to testifie any joy at this good success and having a spirit too subtile to speak before me against a Prince for whom my esteem and affection were publick yet could he not some dayes after but touch upon it and finding me in my ordinary coldness towards him I will not believe said he that the ill-assured hope of a Crown hath added any thing to the disdain which you have always shewed towards me and as your Courage is too great to raise your self by things that are below you so you have too much judgment to believe that Coriolanus can resist the puissance of the Emperor armed against him or that his condition is better upon that tottering Throne than it was here in Rome when he was honoured by the Amity and Protection of Cesar It is not Fortune replied I for which I esteem men and the change which Coriolanus hath and may receive can add nothing to the sentiments which I have for him Nevertheless you see replied Tiberius that the thoughts of his love possess not the upper place of his spirit and he appears sufficiently hot and busied about the Conquest of a Crown to give you reason to believe that his strongest endeavours are not for the Service of Cleopatra I will believe it so well as you replied I smiling and I shall have but little reason to blame him for preferring a Crown before the possession of Cleopatra who doubtless is not of value sufficient to be put in the Balance against a Crown Ah! Madam added Tiberius were the Empire of the whole World offered to me without doubt I should despise it for you and you do me an infinite injury in case you entertain any other thought of the affection of Tiberius I will believe said I coldly that you are very generous and that you give a sufficiently great proof thereof in visiting a disgraced person or rather a person who by the Command of Caesar is forbidden to go out of her Apartment It is just replied Tiberius turning it into Gallantry that she who enchains so many persons should once in her life make tryal of the condition of Prisoners and you ought not to think it strange that Caesar should make sure of an Enemy by securing his better part in frecing himself by such a Hostage from the most dangerous of his practices I could not but laugh at this Discourse and beholding Tiberius a little more maliciously than I had done before If as you say replied I the highest endeavours of Coriolanus are not for the Service of Cleopatra and if he preferreth the interest of a Crown before his affection to me the Emperor troubles himself with an unnecessary precaution in detaining me and there is little appearance that a man hot and busied in the Conquest of a Kingdom would lose his advantages to promote an interest of far less importance Tiberius was a little confounded to be so taken by his own words but his nimble spirit would have soon assisted him if in that moment the Princess Octavia and her Daughters had not entred my Chamber and with them Emilia Sulpitia and the fair and wise Cipassis whom Julia a little before had drawn from the condition of a Slave into which she was fallen through the misfortune of War placing her amongst the most beloved of her Maids I give you this slight mention of that stranger because beside the advantages of her beauty which is excellent she is one of the most vertuous and most reasonable persons I ever knew in my life and one of those in whom during the misfortune lately arrived to me I have found my greatest consolation But laying aside the Subject of this little digression that I may come to the expected issue of my discourse I must acquaint you that some time after the last Victory of Juba and his establishment Volusius Praetor of Mauritania whom he had overcome and taken Prisoner and whose liberty he had granted since his Coronation arrived at Rome Before he came it was doubted after what manner he would be received and many who knew that the Mauritania's were lost partly through his fault as well
I dye I shall quarrel at Augustus all he can do is to put me to an ordinary death a thing I have often defied in occasions hazardous enough but you would make it such to me by your fatal resolution as no courage can endure without falling into the worst of despair Consider that to the injuries you do me you add an irrepairable offence against Heaven and that all nature is concerned in your cruelty when you destroy what the Gods and she had made most beautiful in the Universe that Heaven Earth all Nations all ages will blame me for the injury I do them and that thousands such lives as mine ought not to be preserved with the least danger of yours And thou cruel Friend added he turning to Marcellus thou who consirmest her in this fatal resolution by the cruel example thou gavest her wert thou not satisfied with the miseries which I should at my death derive from the considerations of my Love but must aggravate them by the effects of an unfortunate friendship or is it not to heighten the cruelty of Augustus rather than to assure me of thy friendship that thou art guilty of this barbarism towards me Example of inhumanity what wouldst thou reduce me to What is there in the loss of this wretched life that can in any degree recompence the world for what I deprive of it when it is that which was most precious in it Wouldst thou not give me a dearer and more noble demonstration of thy friendship in diverting Cleopatra from her fatal design and in living to serve and comfort her in the misfortunes whereto she may be reduced then in tormenting my eyes just when they are to be closed to eternal darkness with the delightful spectacle of the death of Cleopatra and Marcellus To these Expostulations the exasperated son of Juba added a many others which his affliction furnished his tongue withal but if those to whom he addressed them were moved thereat it was with something contrary to what he would have had them produce and that fair Cleopatra looking on him with eyes drier than his own though not wholly free from tears Trifle not away Coriolanus said she to him in complaints and fruitless resentments the small remainder of our lives and if it be any satisfaction to thee to be assured that Cleopatra loves thee enjoy it to the last gasp without troubling her as thou dost by a torment thou to no purpose inflictest on thy self Consider that thou art unjust and cruel to thy self in thy desires and if thou believest I really love thee nay so well as to dye with thee reflect what my life would signifie to me after the loss of thine Or to what wouldest thou expose me when thou desirest I should continue it after thy death Shall I live to forget thee shall I live to marry Tiberius can that hope comfort thee or if after thy death I prove constant in the affection I have for thee shall I live to bewail thy loss to my grave or dost thou think that condition happier for me than the death I would suffer with thee Consider Coriolanus that grief distracts thee and that thou canst not desire I should survive thee without doing me an injury in imagining me either capable of comfort or that I can forget thee or which is worse make me too unfortunate by condemning me to eternal degrees Forbear therefore to press me any further who with the consent of my Brothers that hear us have not given thee the name of Husband but with a resolution never to forsake thee but endeavour to prevail with Marcellus whose fortunes should be happy if with time he may overcome the grief he may conceive at the loss of his Friend He hath not the same reasons which I have to alledge to thee and hath no doubt those obligations to Julia which I have not to any I shall leave in the world behind me Represent to Drusus what may be expected from him by Antonia to Alexander what from him by Artemisa to Ptolomey what from him by Marcia and to Julius Antonius what from him in order to the continuance of an illustrious blood whereof he is the first As to what Julia may expect from me said Marcellus interrupting her it cannot dispence with me as to what I owe my friend These obligations are not inconsistent besides that I can owe no less than my self for the reparation of an injury I have done my self by persecuting a too faithful too unfortunate friend And I can owe no less than my self to the revenge of Augustus's cruelty who will needs sacrifice his life whom he loves as his son to his unjust resentments and cruel maxims For my part saies Drusus I am not any way to be pityed since I am Son and Brother to those who are the occasions of your ruine and that by this action I assure Antonia of what all the precedent of my life could never perswade her to And for us added Prince Alexander speaking for himself and Ptolomey we cannot expect any acknowledgment for our contempt of death for besides that we could with honour but engage our selves in the concernments of a brother and sister whom the Persecutor of our House would put to death with so much cruelty he had ordered us also to be secured haply with the same intention So that it is designed then cryes out the desperate Coriolanus all should perish and that my misfortune must drag both Cleopatra and Marcellus and Drusus and all the house of Anthony to inevitable death He struck a little at that consideration and at last assuming the discourse with an action more doleful What added he shall Cleopatra Marcellus and so many illustrious persons dye through my means and shall so many excellent lives be sacrified to one so wretched as mine No no Cleopatra no Marcellus you shall never see me exposed to the misfortune you threaten me with and I will prevent it though all the earth should contribute to my unhappiness I will never see the fair eyes of Cleopatra closed up by death nor shall I expect till that horrid enemy against whom our valour avails us nothing hath wrought any change in her countenance I despair not yet with the assistances of Heaven and my own courage to secure what Love and Friendship make so dear to me since I cannot imagine I shall want them in so just a design With those words he walked up and down one while in the Chamber another in a Gallery adjoyning to it and in that manner tormented himself till it was day not entertaining the least comfort from the discourses of either Cleopatra or Marcellus Cesario was in a condition not much different through the grief he was in for Candace and Artaban though loath to forsake such illustrious Friends was nevertheless resolved to force his way through ten thousand swords or receive his death from the points of them but he would find out Elisa and deliver
by the help of a large distance and a different employment but a strong resolution more exactly to ballance the Emperors favour and turn all my thoughts upon the Princess Julia who has already honoured me with more affection than I have merited At my return I dare promise you shall find me so perfectly chang'd as I shall conserve no other thoughts for Cleopatra but to prize her as a Princess that deserves my friends affection and both to confirm and assist her designs in your favour against all such persons as may plead pretences to the right you have in her Thus the noble Marcellus charactered his victorious friendship and at the close of his discourse left my Prince so ravished at his freedom and generosity as it cost him some time to put a shape to his resentments yet at last he replyed but in such language as did rather combat than gratulate his friends intention he was very loath to be out-done in generosity or put his desires upon a gentler Rack for his friend than he had already done for him this begat a kind contest betwixt them which lasted a great part of the day and it was fought on both sides against themselves with so much obstinacy as the repetition of particulars would but tire your attention at last it was but fit that Marcellus whose passion was of a latter date and less ardent than my Masters should keep the lists and that my Princes consent should quadrate to the Emperors intentions and Peoples desires by placing his friends heart in the Princess Julia's service but he could not quit him to his German Expedition without a resolution to bear him company and besides the consideration of their amity not being less tickled than he with desire of glory he concluded to carry his first Arms with him under Vinicius and dispos'd himself for his departure with such lively hopes as help'd to charm a part of his griefs for leaving Cleopatra Some Provinces in Germany newly risen in Rebellion had cut in pieces the Roman Garrisons and with two mighty Armies levy'd upon the banks of Dannbius not onely struck a terror into all the neighbouring Nations but swoln with success began to menace the Empire it self for this Expedition Coesar made choice of Vinicius a sage and experienced Captain to go in the head of the valiantest Legions and he was ready to begin to March when our two young Princes demanded leave of the Emperor to go gather the first flowers of their reputation in the Field I doubt not but you know this has been a Roman Custome and all those famous Commanders the World has talked so much of whose vertue gave Rome so vast a Dominion did first learn their Alphabet of War under the ancient Captains The two young Princes confirmed in this design threw themselves at the Emperors feet representing that now the arrival of their seventeenth year had brought them strength to charge through the incommodities of War it was time to begin with such actions as might instruct them to deserve his affection and coppy the glory of their Ancestors this request was easily obtained of the Emperor whose generous spirit highly applauded their brave resolution They presently put things in order for their parting but my Masters grand preparation was to divide himself from Cleopatra his passion was already grown to its full stature and the Princess still preserved him in her favour with particular improvements of good will yet she began to draw her self within the guard of a greater reservation than formerly and her increase of years taught her the severity to cut off those liberties by degrees which her flexible youth had allowed him The Princes fore-sight of this prepared him to endure it with patience instructing all his actions to express a respect to her so submissive as pleaded a true title to what he had gotten in her heart yet he could not defend himself from the stings of discontent at this separation and had not a greedy desire of glory been too strong for his grief every eye would have read it too plainly in his Visage The parting day being arrived he felt a necessity of all his courage to pronounce an untroubled farewell to his Princess but he gathered no slight satisfaction from his discovery by some infallible tokens that she was sensibly touched at this separation and betrayed a timerous Jealousie of those dangers to which he was going to expose his safety There are too many passages challenge a mention in my recital to allow me the leisure of enlarging my self upon the several discourses they enchanged at this parting and therefore I shall only content my self to tell you that my Prince after he had made fresh protestations of an eternal fidelity to the Princess obtained a promise from her fair mouth to preserve him in her thoughts with so vigorous a care as should weaken all the attempts of absence against her resolution to prefer him before all men but the parting words of Marcellus were very remarkable and after he had vowed at Cleopatra's feet that he despoiled himself for his friends sake of all those pretences that his love and services might have given him he spoke such things in my Princes behalf as though they did Truth no injury could spring from no other Fountain but a strong and perfect amity yet the sweetest of my Masters comforts at that parting was a permission by the command of Octavia and consent of the Empress her self to write to his Princess But I will hold you no longer the two Princes Marched away with a proud Equipage and I followed my Master in that expedition as I did in all the rest that succeeded it and joyning the Troops that attended them with the Consuls gross body we left Italy behind us and by large Marches quickly gained the Danubius we met no adventures by the way that will deserve to be dwelt upon and indeed my relation ought but slightly to pass away the morning of my Masters youth that it may more speedily arrive at these weightier actions of which his life has been composed I will onely tell you that his beginnings were miraculous that at his first encounters he did such things as ravished the Consul amazed the Soldiery and scarce found credit at Rome though several letters reported it Marcellus also at the first essay of his young valour bravely signalized it by actions worthy of an eternal memory and these two Princes in stead of Envy and Emulation did mutually interess themselves in each others glory Marcellus tasted no truer delight in his own than in the Reputation Coriolanus had gotten and Coriolanus could not listen to his proper praises with clearer satisfaction than to those that cryed up Marcellus his credit indeed 't is true my Master had the luck to perform some acts that made his Fame sound higher than his Friends and in the several encounters were made upon the banks of Danubius before the grand Battel he rendered
she dissembled them as well as she was able and desirous to indear the purchase to Marcellus with a little difficulty she plaid the politick Tyrant and made him suffer Marcellus complain'd and sigh'd away some time for these feigned rigours of Julia but at last she unmask'd her sentiments and after she had received some months tribute of sufferings and services she shewed him her acknowledgement and affection at as full a magnitude as he could vertuously desire nothing was refus'd him that might justly be demanded of Augustus daughter and her confessions were the freer because she knew the Emperor not only approv'd them but that she could not more dearly oblige him than in the person of his Nephew he almost spent his whole day in her company and his life wheel'd away with as much delight as his wishes could fathom for though some of the cheifest Romans with divers Kings Sons that were brought up at Rome were his Rivals yet they all submitted to his Fortune and paid so deep a respect both to him and the Emperor as they durst not shock his intentions with the least appearance the Senate and People to whom as I have already told you Marcellus was the darling and delight were tenderly concern'd in his happiness and joyfully hop'd to see the Daughter and Throne of their Emperor one day possest by the person of the World that was dearest to them their hopes were founded upon their likely-hoods and doubtless might arrive at their aim there being but few persons under Heaven whose fortunes would shew envy so faire a mark as those of Marcellus if Julia with one of the rarest beauties and the most vivacious and subtill wits had not the most wavering and inconstant heart upon Earth of this she has given the World so much experience as while you resided there you could not chuse but meet it in many a Roman mouth She began with a person who of all the stock of mankind was farthest from cause and consent to wrong Marcellus I confess he is master of so many bewitching qualities as might well produce the same effects upon a constant heart and by this reason I might possibly excuse a part of Julia's first revoltings but they have since been followed by so many others without ground or reason as all that can be alledged in her defence is too weak to justifie her My Master as the dearest friend Marcellus had was he that had the easiest access to her of all the Court and rendring her greater respects for Marcellus sake than were due from him to the Daughter of Augustus it oblig'd her to requite him with an esteem beyond all the other Princes that were educated in the Emperors Court he daily exchang'd long Discourses with her but talked of no other Subject but his friend and because he was acquainted with most of his thoughts they still furnished him with matter to entertain the Princess The love she bare Marcellus made her treat my Prince for a time in terms that were reasonable but at last she ty'd her thoughts too fast to the consideration of his incomparable qualities and by little and little from a particular esteem she proceeded to good will and from thence was insensibly conducted into loves territories had not any other spirit but hers thus suffered it self to be taken her whole life would have kept it a secret and she might have borrowed reasons from the grandeur of her birth the Emperors Command and Marcellus his services puissant enough to do violence upon her self and shut it up in her breast for ever but her soul was of another temper and ever impatient of Constraint and Tyranny nevertheless she had yet modesty enough to dissemble it though not so covertly but if she betray'd not her infidelity to a publick notice she could not so cozen the Advertancy of interessed persons Marcellus was the first that percieved it for my Masters regards were so fixt to Cleopatra as he had much ado to allow the lightest reflection to any thing else and finding Julia's behaviour much colder towards him than it was accustomed he often demanded the cause but the promptitude and artifice of her wit never fail'd in finding pretences to paint the truth she was loath to break with him knowing how highly it would displease Caesar and what she was to expect from his anger besides its possible her breast might still keep some sparks unquenched that were of his kindling but the impression of this new image had so alter'd her as if she had not finished the ruine of all those thoughts that once held him dear yet she took no delight to see him and only tasted content in the company of Coriolanus One evening Marcellus discoursing with her by her bed side a liberty which the higher powers had allowed him and perceiving her thoughtful and melancholy Madam said he has your goodness given me no right to the knowledge of those inquietudes that have lately disturb'd you have not I share enough in your pains and pleasures to to be led unto their Fountains I perceive you muse I hear your sighs and your face characters an unquiet mind Is it just my Divine Princess if I have any title to your thoughts I could be longer kept a stranger to them and if any thing perplexes you where will you find a comfort so readily as in that person of the world that does most participate of your Passion The earnest sollicitation of Marcellus awak'd Julia from her dumps and regarding him with an Ayrie something more affable Do not you know said she briskly that we cannot alwayes be of the same humour and this alteration you remark in mine may it not as well proceed from my present temperament as any cause of affliction I will believe what you will have me replyed Marcellus but either all conjectures shoot very wide or else your temperament cannot so suddenly bring forth effects so contrary to your ordinary humour Your belief is at liberty said Julia without so much as turning her face to Marcellus and since you repose so little in me you may seek for that in your own conjectures which you cannot find in my Discourse This cold Answer froze the very soul of poor Marcellus and beholding the Princess with an eye that sent out part of his thoughts before-hand Ah! Madam said he what have I done by which of my actions have I merited your anger You have done nothing to me replyed the Princess but at present I find you a little too pressing and since you are melancholy as well as I pray take it not ill if I change your company for a persons whose mirth may divert my sadness She spake these words just as she saw my Master enter the Chamber where he had not trod many steps when rising from Marcellus with a face that had changed in a moment the Sence of Sadness into Gaiety she advanced towards Coriolanus and offering him her hand with a free kind of action
no longer to hide the cause of his affliction but Marcellus after he had staid a while in his first posture gave a sudden leap out of his arms and when he was gotten some five or six paces from him he drew his Sword and presenting the pommel to my Master Coriolanus saide he since thou art proved the most disloyal friend that ever infected the world and hast so cruelly belyed my opinion of thy vertue here finish thy Crime by my Death and pierce the heart of thy unfortunate friend that so unluckily trusted thy dissembled amity thou hast done that already that may clear all thy scruples of consenting to this and believe it this last piece of cruelty will merit a gentler censure than the former Marcellus spake in this manner and my Master however his discourse and action surprised him yet recovered himself so readily as his face scarce confessed the least astonishment and regarding Marcellus with a cold and composed look Since I am that base and faithless friend said he that has so perfidiously betraid your Confidence and Amity why do you offer me the wrong end of your Sword and not rather sheath it in my brest 'T is the heart of a Traitor that ought to feel the point and not of a deceived and guiltless Friend While the Prince of Mauritania spoke this he held his arms a cross upon his breast and beheld Marcellus with a mind so assured as it would have been easie for a person less dim'd with passion to have read in his looks the contents of his Innocence but Marcellus distracted with cruel jealousie could not be so soon disabused yet he grew so tender at the Discourse and Countenance of his friend as instead of pursuing his passionate obstinacy he set some tears the marks of weakness at liberty which presently over-flowed his visage and letting himself fall upon one of the Seats behind him Ah! Coriolanus cry'd he was I to expect my ruine of you did I not offer fairly to our friendship in quitting Cleopatra without releasing Julia too I had never bent my aims that way but to abandon that to you which I loved above my self my inclinations have since voted my design to please you and the Gods to reward my good intentions have given an after-birth of sweetness in that affection where my hopes looked no farther than a toyl for your repose and when by the help of time and my service I had gained some interest in the heart of that inconstant Princess you have carried her from me with a cruelty that suits not with your self and reduced me with Cleopatra and Julia to render up my life which must now become a sudden sacrifice to despair Marcellus had enlarged himself upon this subject if his sighs had not cut off the passage of his words and my Master who had not heard him all this time without letting in a grief to his Soul little short of his after he had wiped away some tears which he had no power to bridle Marcellus said he the estate you are in will scarce give me leave to upbraid you with the injury you do me and the injust opinion which has prepossest you may speak your excuse for the outrage you have offered me but I am comforted in this that every thing pleads my justification admit I could grow faint in my friendship to Marcellus yet still I love Cleopatra too well to change her for Julia and say my heart could draw off from Cleopatra yet my Marcellus is too powerful there for me to affront his pretences and now you force me to avow what respect and discretion devoted to silence if there be some levity in Julia's spirit the Gods can witness that in stead of indulging it I have still carefully rendered what amity required even when civility and good manners forbad it however I perceive my dear Marcellus in two things I am extreamly infortunate first that your friendship was not strong enough to defend me from the cruelty and injustice of your suspition and then that I wanted occasion to evidence mine in such clear proofs as yours was stamped in for in quenching for my sake the affection that Cleopatra kindled you inflicted rigour upon your self to strangle the passion but in flying the sight of Julia for the love of you I do no more than quit a person to whom bateing your interests I scarce carry a single good will would to Heavens could I do it without betraying my fidelity to Cleopatra that I had now as much affection for the Daughter of Augustus as you had for Antonyes I would find out a better way than I can now make use of in quitting a person that I do not love to witness my amity not inferiour to yours all that I can now do for your quiet and my devoir is to abandon not the love for that would be impossible to me and unprofitable to you but the sight of Cleopatra and since I cannot be near her without hurting you to remove my self beyond the reach of Julia's eye I am content to leave that Princess whose absence will not be a milder misery than what you offered While my Master spoke in this manner though Marcellus could not be cured of the grief that tormented him yet he felt some ease by the dissipation of his jealousie and reflecting at the same time upon the free and faithful disposition of his friend the cold composure of his late actions to Julia much short of the wonted deferrence he usually paid her and the strong passion he kept for Cleopatra which daily broke into clearer proofs he entertained a belief he might be innocent and suffering himself by these appearances with the help of that affection he bare him to be insensibly perswaded he repented his suspition and throwing his arms about his neck with a passionate and tender action Pardon dear Brother said he forgive the offence you have received from a spirit discomposed with its own misfortune and reduced by despair to interpret all things in the worst sense indeed I ought to have understood you better but you see that with the knowledge of my friends I have lost mine own and as my condition is now stated I am scarce Master of a reasonable motion I doubt not but your friendship is able to give proofs of a greater difficulty but I will never consent to accept those you offer and will rather suffer all things than condescend that you should absent your self from Cleopatra because you fly Julia no let the Gods keep my repose if nothing will redeem it but yours and let me rather be an eternal mark of Julia's disdain than recover her affection by your displeasure I shall never be displeas'd reply'd the son of Juba by suffering any thing for my friend nor will my misery be so great as your imagination shapes it since in leaving Cleopatra I shall travel at the same time for your happiness and mine own glory besides 't is not
first that began the parley and taking a hint from those sad looks which had dwelt upon his face What Marcellus said she will you wast the rest of your days in such a sullen humour as is insupportable to all those that come near you will you never dissipate these melancholly clouds that render your society ingratefull to all your friends Marcellus sigh'd at this dicourse and darting a passionate look at the Princess Ah Madam said he how easily your self is able to answer this question and how well you are acquainted with the source of that woe which changes my face and leads me to my Tomb had I a spirit that could efface these impressions as easily as yours I should have already found out a way to comfort and you no more have seen the marks of displeasure either in my face or actions I have ador'd you with a Religion that has taught you to understand your own puissance and the Gods are witnesses that since the moment I began to be yours I have tyed my thoughts so entirely to your service as I could never admit any other consideration you have by your former bounties which indeed were justified by the Emperors intentions favoured this rashness that has ruin'd me nor did you block up my way with an impediment that might wake the knowledge of my self or stay me upon the brow of that precipice from whence I am tumbled you suffered me to hope you permitted me to believe my self beloved by you and when that unlucky Errour had got such authority within me as I thought my self mounted to the tallest stair of my fortune without any apparition of a cause you have suddenly thrown me down ill-treated abandoned and banished me for a man who worthy as he is of your affection did never seek after it after this the greatest or rather the only mischief that could tread upon my spirit you wonder I can be sad and seem amazed at the appearance of a change in my visage no rather think it a miracle that so grand a disaster should do so little execution conclude it strange that the grief you have seen and caused should not ease me of this deplorable life which I still drag along and for default of that my own hands should not sacrifice all that is left of it to your inconstancy Marcellus could go no farther in his complaint it being stopped by a torrent of tears that drown'd the passage of his words at which the Princess was so tenderly touch'd as she had no power to refuse him those affections which before she had so liberally given him and though indeed she made use of Deceit and Artifice to excuse her levity I really believe she did then let her self go down the stream of compassion to her first inclinations she took one of Marcellus hands which she press'd between hers and after she had darted him a glance that penetrated his heart and freshly set loves wounds a bleeding Marcellus said she I find great cause by your discourse and actions to accuse you and had I a soul as prompt and prone to resentment as yours I should plot a revenge upon your unjust suspition and punish the vexations it has inflicted on my repose as well as yours but because the affection I bare you can neither consent to nor consist with vengeance and your jealousie had render'd me surer proofs of your affection than I should ever have drawn from your calmer thoughts I will forgive your reproaches and cure your distrust What added she with a milder sweetness in her looke than before did you think I could renounce you for Coriolanus for Coriolanus I say who cannot boast more favours from Nature than your self and is far your inferiour in all those of fortune should I quit Marcellus a Roman Prince Son to the Sister of Caesar dear to the Emperor as his own child and design'd my Spouse from our infant years for the Son of Juba an Affrican whom fortune has despoiled of all but his Sword and at whom I could level no such aims that would not be criminal before the Emperor nay more who neither loves me nor was ever affected by me How replyed Marcellus did you never love Coriolanus why did you then display so many testimonies of it as were interpreted by a thousand persons at the same time when you treated me with so much coldness and contempt as nothing less than an entire blindness could have made me misconstrue your change Was it from Coriolanus mouth added Julia that you understood the particulars of this affection you lay to my charge Coriolanus reply'd Marcellus has too much Discretion and respect for persons of your Sex condition to divulge any language that might wound their repute but besides that he had little power to disavow what appeared so openly his confession was necessary to confirm that knowledge which was but too clearly shown me by a thousand proofs At this the subtil Julia put her hand before her face feigning to hide a blush that was newly mounted thither I am sorry said she you force me to discover my weakness but the design I had to hide it from you is much out-valued by the price of your quiet know then that allowing you as much affection or more than my reason told me was due or your own could justly desire I was willing to believe that it merited the entire gift of your heart when I perceived or at least I thought I perceiv'd that you shar'd your affections to Cleopatra the visits you render'd her frequent as those I receiv'd your regards discourse and all your actions on which 't is confessed my interest might pass an interpretation too criminal joyn'd to what I have heard you confess and the love you once bore to that beautiful Princess stir'd me up a Jealousie against you which a little observation might easily have made your discovery Indeed I avow that when I had once admitted the belief of your ingratitude and inconstancy I endeavoured with all my power to chase you from my thoughts and then it was you began to apprehend those cold distempers in my carriage the cause of which I was resolv'd to conceal all my life from your knowledge supposing if you were really changed that my Jealousie instead of reducing would but augment your insolence and expose me to your scorn by the knowledge of my immoderate passion but these marks of my anger and not as they were construed of my oblivion wrought not the effects upon you I desir'd and finding you as my suspition told me still more sedulous in the service of your Passion to Cleopatra then before I could bethink my self of no other way than to try if I could touch you with Jealousie and finding no fitter person to drive my design than Coriolanus I feigned to love him pretending by this Hypocrisie a revenge upon you and Cleopatra together endeavouring to possess you with a belief that I had chang'd you for the
with the functions of his charge which he would not abandon to engage with a young man in a particular Combat but my Lord I detain your attention too long and my Story has insensibly lead me to abuse your patience by drawing it out at length too tedious at the last sound of the Trumpet the Armies joyned and the Battel proved the bloodiest that had been seen in that part of the world within the memory of man my Master putting down the visour of his Casque before he rush'd upon the Enemy Cleopatra cryed he if this day my Sword does not purchase a pair of Crowns for thy Temples I will not survive it This said he darted himself into the Enemies ranks with a fury that where-ever he carried his Sword threw down all before it after the Combat had lasted an hour the Army of Volusius compos'd either of Romans or such other as had gotten an equal animosity from their Example press'd upon ours with so much resolution as the Courage of the Moors began to shrink and already their Battalians were so shaken as my Master who though in the heat of his personal gallantry still kept the Eye of a General upon all that pass'd began to dread the loss of the Battel that fear brought him back through a throng of his Enemies which he had cloven with a precipitate fury and running up to those he saw most stagger'd he presented himself at the head of them and galloped along the ranks without a Caesque that they might see his face wherein Choler had lighted up it self in a fiery blush My friends cry'd he if you judge me unworthy to Command you let me die by your hands or if your desire I should live do not dishonour the Royal present you have newly given me by a Cowardise unworthy of your selves and me too what will you quit a victory that our Enemies are now upon the point to abandon Ah no! my valiant friends let us either vanquish or die together there is neither safety for you nor me after the loss of this Battel while he brought forth these words his Souldiers thought they had seen rays of flames break away from his visage and to give their Courages a greater rowze the Prince perceiving Volusius in an eager pursuit of the victory which the valour of his men had already started ran up to him with a rage so impetuous that as well by the shock of his Horse as the mighty blow he let fall upon his head he tumbled him in a Trance at the feet of his men This action joyn'd with the words of Coriolanus gave fire to his Souldiers hearts with a resolution so vigorous as after they had firmly for a while kept their ground and sustain'd the shock of their Enemies they not only arrested the rapid stream of their Fortune but began to repulse the forwardest and by little so improved their advantage as at last they opened their Ranks broke their Order and after a very obstinate dispute inforced them to turn their backs and resign the Victory what shall I say more the glory of that day remained as entire to my Prince as his own wishes could contrive it and the Massacre of the Enemies was so great as Coriolanus by his orders could scarce stop the Execution at the end of the day more than 30000 men lost their lives upon the place a few saved themselves by flight and the rest whereof the greatest part covered with wounds were taken Prisoners and with them the General Volusius I presented him my self to my Master having lighted on the fortune to save him from the hands of some Moors who had infallibly killed him if I had not seasonably arrived to his rescue Coriolanus received him with honour bad him casheer all his fears and strive to sweeten the sense of his disgrace with very affable and obliging language he would needs have a wound that Volusius had raked to be searched by the same persons who had newly performed that office to himself in dressing three slight hurts he received in the Battel and maugre the Menace and words of contempt he sent him the day before he caused him to be served according to his former Dignity and forbad all his Servants to let fall any word within the reach of his ear that might displease him After this Victory for I shall not stay the current of my Story upon the less important particulars that succeeded it as the order of dividing the booty the Prisoners and interring the dead my Master so soon as the cure of his wounds would permit him having now no more Enemies to Combat marched with erected looks and expanded Ensigns to Iol the Capital City of that Kingdom ranging all the places of strength as he passed under his Dominion without a blow and having given safe Conduct to the rest of the Roman Garrisons that were willing to give up the Cities they yet held and retire to some place of security beyond his Dominions in less than two Months time those excepted that he held his Prisoners he had not one single Enemy left in all Africa At last he arrived at that proud City where the Palace-Royal of his Ancestors was seated where having received the Oath of the Massesians the Nigrites Bannurians Venusians with other people of his Monarchy that had not yet acknowledged him by a general assembly of States and an universal applause of his Subjects he was solemnly crowned King of both the Mauritania's under the name of Juba for his People Enemies to all that he held of Roman would never endure to call him by that of Coriolanus though he had ever preserved it as less barbarous than the other and an appellation under which he had rendred the greatest part of his services to Cleopatra if my relation has dwelt too long upon some particulars perhaps I have made your patience a bad requital in passing these too succinctly but I assure my self you learned at Rome all that we did of greatest consequence When my Master saw himself established in his monarchy he applyed his maturest thoughts to consider of a means to preserve it not doubting but Augustus would strive to trouble him in his new Conquest and puissantly rekindle the War loath to be tamely surprized he made grand provision of Souldiers Arms Ammunition of all sorts and caused a great number of Ships to be rigged and made ready for a mighty Army by Sea intending to anticipate his Enemies approaches In the mean time Volusius had ever been treated and served with as much respect as was due to the proper person of the King my Master whose Authority was necessary to defend him against the hatred of the Moors who doubtless would have fastened some revenge upon him to requite the Cruelties he had exercised in his Government if my Master had not protected him so soon as he had put on the Crown he grew desirous to restore him his liberty and to that purpose causing him to
Mother till I was cured and by the continuance of her caresses and her well placed favours she so perfectly banished out of my mind all the remainders of the troubles she had raised there that I hardly remembred them and when I went abroad I visited her and served her in the same manner as I had formerly done before Drusus engaged himself in her service She was punctual enough in what she had promised concerning her quitting Drusus and by a revolution which I knew neither how to comprehend nor approve though it were to my advantage she treated that Prince in such sort that the people of Rome could hardly be of the opinion that she ever esteemed him in the least She never so much as sent to enquire how he did during the time his wound retained him in his bed after the day of our reconciliation and when he was cured and would have rendred her visits she received him with such coldness or disdain rather as quickly made him perceive that his pretensions to her were ruined To the first complaints he would have made to her of it she contented her self to say that she must be obedient to the Emperors commands who had enioyned her not to let him live in the hopes he had conceived of her but to give her affections entirely to Marcellus but when he would have pressed her farther alleadging to her that when she gave him the first testimonies of her good will she was not ignorant of the Emperors intentions which were always inclined to Marcellus and that since he had not been guilty of any action which might make her so suddenly change her inclinations Drusus said she would you have me confess the truth When I began to shew you countenance I was unsatisfied with Marcellus but I was not absolutely broken off from him I made use of you to reduce him to his duty and I had no better means to effect it than the jealousie which I raised in him by my well treating of you but now we are re-united according to the Emperors intention and that he is resolved shortly to joyn us together for ever I counsel you Drusus to dream of something else and to quit all the pretentions you have had to Julia since the will of her Father and her own proper inclinations design her for another Never possibly was a man surprized as Drusus was at a discourse in all appearance so little expected and he was so offended at it and did so highly resent it that all the respect he bare the Emperor and such a Princess as Julia was necessary to hinder him from being transported with anger Julia gave him no time to reply but retiring her self as soon as she had done speaking she left him at liberty to digest his adventure Drusus being possessed with a violent grief continued divers days in a strange irresolution not knowing what course to take in so cross a conjecture As he really loved Julia he could not dispose himself to lose the hopes he had conceived without very great violence and his first thoughts inclined him to call me to account for his misfortune and to end that which upon the same quarrel we had already begun The severe prohibitions which the Emperor had laid upon us were not able to avert him from it and being naturally endued with the height of courage he easily passed by all manner of difficulties and dangers which might impede his resolution but a little after having made a strong reflection upon the usage full of scorn and indignity which he had received from Julia and valuing himself according to his own worth he was not of opinion that for a person of that humour and by whom he had been so used he was obliged to attempt either the hazard of a combat or the danger of drawing Caesar's indignation upon him or to expose himself to the least pain or danger which might express any remainder of affection to her or any grief for her loss It was not without great struglings that Drusus gained this victory over his passion but joyning divers considerations to his resentment which might strengthen the designs wherewith his choler inspired him and rightly judging that though he might hope for a second change of Julia's mind yet he should hardly overcome Augustus his will which was wholly bent for me by the counsel of his friends his kindred and Livia her self who sympathized as much in his resentment as she had done in his good success he took a final resolution never to think more of Julia. So long as he continued irresolute he seldom appeared in publick but when he was confirmed in his designe he did not only shew himself to his friends with his former chearfulness he did not only let Julia know upon all occasions how little he was troubled at the loss of her affections but to make it finally appear how little he was interessed in the business and how little he envied me from the coldness which was between us he desired to pass to another kind of life with me and accosting me one day in such a manner as if there had never been any quarrel between us Marcellus said he to me I have formerly yielded Julia to you against my will but now I leave her to you with all my heart I am willing to believe that you will conserve her affections a long time and that spirit which you are better acquainted with than I will possibly stay it self upon a merit such as yours I will not any more dispute nor envy that fortune to a Prince who without doubt deserves a better but to comfort me for what you have taken from me which was more justly due to you than to me I desire the honour of your friendship whereof henceforward I will make greater account than of all the affections of Julia. This discourse of Drusus surprized me at the first and I knew not at the beginning how I ought to answer him if at the end he had not made me to understand his intention and by the gentleness of his proceeding had not obliged me to express the like freedom to him Drusus replyed I to him if the affection of Julia were more due to me than to you it was because I had bestowed the greatest part of my life in her service whereas you had hardly employed some months of yours therein I hope I shall fix her spirit better than I have done for the time past since you cease to dispute her with me and I shall little fear my other rivals since by my good fortune I am freed from the most formidable The obligation I have to you for it makes me willingly grant you the friendship you demand and I shall alwayes infinitely esteem yours for the knowledge I have of your vertue After these words we embraced each other and as I really had as good an opinion of Drusus as could be conceived of any man and that his person was very amiable
in all respects in spight of the displeasures I had received from him I had no unwillingness to become his friend after he expressed a desire of it and requested it with so good a grace In â—ffect after this day we began to converse together not only as two persons which had no quarrel to each other but as two men which had a particular esteem of each other Drusus accosted Julia no more but only to render her that which was due to Caesar's daughter without any other interest and he never expressed either by discourse or action that any thing of his passion was yet remaining Livia being extraordinarily animated against Julia and losing the hope of being more closely allyed to Augustus confirmed her son in his resolution and counselled him to seek by other ways a fortune which could not escape his birth and good qualities At this time I lived in some repose with Julia receiving from her all manner of proofs of her good will and expecting from Caesar within a few dayes the conclusion which should finally remedy my passion The Princess Cleopatra of whom I am obliged to speak to you had likewise time to take breath after the persecutions under which she had so much suffered and though she were still exposed to the attempts of Tyberius she was no longer affraid of them seeing they were no longer upheld by a tyrannical authority and Caesar keeping himself exactly to the Oath which he had made permitted Tyberius only to act by his services without offering any violence to the inclinations of Cleopatra It was not but that he caused her to be sollicited in favour of his Wife's Son and offered her such advantageous conditions in espousing him as might content the highest ambition but it was always by ways of sweetness without employing his authority in it and by these means as well as by the former he wrought so little effect upon the spirit of this constant Princess that Tyberius despairing to conquer her resolved to quit Rome with an intention as it was reported to go seek out Coriolanus in Africa and call him to an account not only as an obstacle to his felicity as far off as he was but also for the wound he had given him by which he was reduced to the extremity of his life and for which he was engaged in honour to require satisfaction He was upon the point of departure and I in the condition and posture I told you of when the news came to Rome of the great Victories which Coriolanus had obtained in Africa 'T was known that after he had vanquished all Volusius his Lieutenants in divers Battels he had at length in the last totally defeated him and taken Volusius himself prisoner that the two Mauritania's had generally submitted to his arms and that nothing resisted him in his Fathers Dominions whereof he was then the peaceable possessor Whatsoever interest I took in the Emperor's affairs the amity I bare to Coriolanus was more strong and though I was obliged to conceal part of my thoughts that I might not totally incense the mind of Augustus against me I felt a joy for the good success of mv friend equal at least to what I could be sensible of for mine own I expressed it to Cleopatra continually and that generous Princess though for the conquest of a Crown she could not more esteem of a Prince whom she loved for the onely qualities of his person yet she rejoyced in the part she took in his glory and we entertained each other with our mutual satisfaction when we received the knowledge of the little cause we had to interess our selves in the good fortunes of that unfaithful Prince and that by the black treason which he committed against each of us he obliged us to change our former affections into great resentments and a violent hatred against him You are about to understand Tyridates the cause of this change which hath amazed you and as I pass to the last effects of the inconstancy of Julia I will likewise relate to you the black perfidiousness of this ungrateful friend whose defence you have undertaken without knowledge of him whom I cannot call to mind without afflicting my self with too just a grief HYMEN'S PRAELUDIA OR Love's Master-Piece PART V. LIB IV. ARGUMENT Marcellus heing about to continue his story is interrupted by the return of Arsanes from Judea who brings the sad news of Mariamne's death Tyridates is struck to the heart with it and commands Arsanes to give him the particulars He relates Salmoe's plots to abuse Herod's jealousie to Mariamne's ruine Mariamne inconsiderately reproaches Herod with the bloody orders he had left with Joseph and Sohemus to kill her if he miscarried This heightens Herod's jealousie which is blown into a flame by Salmone's malice He imprisons Mariamne and sends Judges to examine her She rejects him which puts him into a rage Philon and Sohemus are put to the torture who confess something concerning Tyridates Herod by Salome's instigation gives order to put Mariamne to death which is immediately executed Mariamne dyes with an unexampled constancy Arsanes having finished his story Tyridates expires and fulfills Thrasillus his prediction MArcellus would have gone on with this narration and Tyridates who out of the interest he took in the justification of Coriolanus had heard this passage with impatience disposed himself to great attention when he saw a man come into his chamber by the sight of whom all the curiosity he had to hear strange adventures was dissipated and at whose sight he appeared all amazed and astonished This was Arsanes that faithful Servant to whom he had such grand obligations whom a month before he had sent into Judea to learn news of the Queen Mariamne Tyridates no sooner knew him but the trouble of his soul discovered it felt by divers signs and by this powerful seizure almost forgetting the presence of Marcellus and raising himself up to Arsanes Ah! Arsanes cryed he what news do you bring me Arsanes who possibly upon the way was prepared to disguise to his Master the truth of the news he had heard being touched at his sight with an extraordinary tenderness had not constancy enough to hold the resolution he had taken and instead of making him the answer which he had premeditated to no purpose by a silence full of trouble and confusion and a visage full of the deepest characters of sorrow he made him comprehend that he had none but bad news to tell him yet he would have forced himself to dissemble some part of it and opened his mouth twice to speak against his thoughts but by the constraint which he would have laid upon himself his disorder was redoubled and not finding courage enough to perform what in vain he had attempted he let fall some tears from his eyes which he held fixed upon the ground and continued mute with the countenance of a Man forlorn This was speech enough to make himself be understood by
have less confidence in me than I would have in you Ovid having returned an Answer to these words with a great deal of respect and having told Agrippa that he would make no difficulty to confess all things to him that were worthy of his knowledge You must then said Agrippa not only confess to me that that Corinna so much celebrated in your Elegies is no other but the Princess Julia but besides you must freely and truly tell me all that is passed between that Princess and you and do not dissemble with a Friend from whom you need not fear any bad Office for having made this confession to him Ah Sir replied Ovid seeming quite amazed What opinion have you of me and since when do you believe that I have forgot the respect which is due to so great a Princess to Cesar and to Prince Marcellus Now you fail in your freedom towards me answered Agrippa and I will never receive the distrust you have of me for an effect of discretion I am a Servant of Cesar's as you know and a very faithful Friend to Marcellus but the interest which they have in Julia's affections shall never oblige me to do you a bad Office and besides you know very well that you possibly are not the only man whom Julia hath looked kindly upon nor is it for the love of you that she is reported not to have left her heart alwayes entire for Marcellus To these words Agrippa added others more pressing which Ovid not being any longer able to resist Seeing you injoin me said he I will acquaint you with the truth of some things of very small importance protesting to you for all that that as slight as they are no other command but yours nor any other consideration but that of obeying you should ever have drawn them out of my mouth Agrippa having again confirmed the promise he had made him not to make any ill use of the confession which he was about to make him he began his Discourse in this manner The History of Ovid Cipassis and Julia. THey which have reported that in some Elegies which I composed not long since under the Name of Corinna I meant the Princess Julia either they intended to do me an ill Office or else they were unacquainted with my thoughts I do not speak this Sir since you have laid your commands upon me that I desire to disguize any thing in the relation you desire of me but you will perceive by the real Discourse that I shall make you that I am not at those terms with that Princess as to take the boldness to describe such particular privacies as neither Ovid nor the greatest Prince in the world durst ever to have hoped for from the Princess Julia. 'T was only to divert my self that I have published some amorous follies which either I was never sensible of or if I did experiment any part of them 't was with persons far distant from the eminent degree of Cesar's Daughter whom I never looked upon but with that veneration which I ought to have for her and from which her humor though never so gallant and free from severity never ought to give me a dispensation I will ingenuously relate to you all that passed in all my trivial Affairs wherein she could have any interest without any mention of the loves I have had for a great many other Ladies part of which may possibly have made some noise and as for the rest I will make it your divertisement another time as far as modesty and decency will permit but what Design soever I have not to speak of the rest I am forced to speak of one without mentioning of whom I cannot come to the Relation you desire of me since of necessity she must have a good share in it I had long since broken Flavia's and Emilia's Chains and had so strugled with Sulpicia's that at last I regained my liberty when Fortune conducted to Rome the fair stranger Cipassis whose beauty is known to you and hath been eminent enough to make it self remarkable in Augustus's Court and in that City which is Mistriss of the Universe You know that she was born in Germany from whence she was brought by Tiberius when he reduced that Countrey to the obedience of the Empire and led to Rome with divers other Captives which followed the Chariot of the Conqueror and changed their free condition for servitude As for Cipassis you know that for her excellent beauty and livers other quallities that rendred her considerable Tiberius presented her to Caesar and the Emperor after he had expessed how highly he esteemed of her he gave her to the Princess his daughter She continued some dayes amongst the rest of Julia's Slaves among whom she supported the change of her condition within an admirable patience but a little after the Princess having observed in that Captive an uncommon beauty and extraordinary graces raised her above the pitch of other Slaves placed her near to her person made her one of her confidents and treated her with so much sweetness that the fair German applied her self to her Service more diligently out of inclination than she did upon the Account of Slavery You know that Julia hath admirable Charms and such obliging wayes of acting when she pleases and so attractive that it is impossible to defend ones self from them In fine she used them toward Cipassis with so much goodness that the illustrious Captive being obliged to her for her good usage and receiving every day greater proofs of her bounty discovered to her concerning her Birth and Affairs some things which till then were not known to any person at Rome and are not yet known but to a few Howsoever it was for this is not it which I am obliged to acquaint you withal in my Relation the Princess had so much regard to them that after she had expressed to that stranger how much she was displeased with her self for having left her so long in a servile condition and having employed her in Offices far below her she gave her liberty from that day forward and offered her all the assistances that she could desire of her friendship Cipassis received her liberty of Julia's liberality and was very joyful that she was no longer treated as a slave but for all that she would not retire from the Princesses Services nor return to her Friends from whom Fortune and the War had separated her but partly out of the affection which she had conceived for the Princess and partly it may be for other Reasons which made her not desire to return into her Countrey she made it her request that she might stay with her and did so strongly conjure her to retain her in her Family that the Princess loving her very well and having regard to the particular Reasons which Cipassis might alledge to her retained her near her as she desired treating her as she did divers young Ladies of illustrious Birth and of the
dispell their astonishment and this adventure seemed to be so great and so full of miracle that to be fully satisfied it was but necessary they had the assistance of Candace Elisa and Eteocles who very freely acquainted them with the secret of Caesario's life for as to the great actions he had done under the name of Cleomedon they were in some measure known to Alexander and absolutely to Cleopatra by the relation which Candace had made thereof to her When they were fully convinced of these truths their joy discovered it self by all the effects it could produce in moderate and affectionate dispositions as theirs were and it had not haply been greater though they had seen this very brother returning in that pomp and magnificence which he might have hoped from his former fortune when even in his infancy he had been proclaimed King of Kings by the commands of Anthony and Queen Cleopatra Then was it that Cleopatra notwithstanding all her reservedness and modesty could not forbear entertaining so great a brother with embraces fit to be envyed by all men and that Alexander expressed the agitations of his heart by the most earnest demonstrations that a sincere affection could produce in a noble soul as his was It was also during these pleasant intervalls that the fair daughter of Anthony giving thousands of kisses to the Queen of Ethiopia gave her infinite thanks with tears which the excess of joy affection drew from her fair eies for his preservation and for the present she made of her so great a brother and thence took occasion to celebrate her generosity and the extraordinary goodnesse she had expressed in bestowing her precious affections on a Prince whom fortune had not left any thing she could have taken away from him and rasing him up to a Crown whereby he might recover himself into the dignity of his Fathers What said Alexander is that invincible Cleomedon who gained so many battles in Nubia and whose reputation notwithstanding the interposition of so many Provinces eclipsed the glory of our most famous Captains no other then the same Caesario on whom in our in fancy we had bestowed so many tears and in that dead Brother do we recover again a Brother whose glory may darken that of his Father When the first demonstrations of this happy reacquaintance were over they all joyned together in a more moderate conversation so that Artaban taking occasion to expresse his concernments in the joy of Cleopatras children no lesse then if he had been of the same Bloud made them consider with a certain admiration that character of greatnesse which the gods had put upon him They thought it no ill course to moderate the discoveries of their joy out of a fear the cause might come to be known which if it should happen it could not be without bringing Caesario's life into imminent danger And considering withall that the night was in a manner quite spent and that such long sittings up might in time raise some suspicions the desire which the Princesse Cleopatra and Alexander had to enjoy yet for some longer time that happy re-acquaintance and that which Caesario had to understand the fortunes of Cleopatra whereof he had but an imperfect account were not so great but that though not without some violence done to themselves they appointed it to be the entertainment of the night following those that were concerned in the safety of Caesario thinking it not so safe to trust it to the day They parted therefore though with much unwillingnesse and Alexander and Cleopatra were extreamly troubled that the son of Caesar should take his retreat in a lone house not much frequented which Eteocles had provided for him in one of the most solitary skirts of Alexandria as conceiving there would be lesse notice taken of his going in and out there then in that of Tidaeus without the City where he had spent some dayes before But before they parted Artaban and Caesario confirmed the reconciliation they had made by words full of the greatest expressions of a real friendship and reciprocally promised one one another all the assistances which according to the posture of their fortunes they should be able to afford one the other The two Princesses they served were extreamly satisfied thereat and when they were alone the Daughter of Anthony passing to her own lodgings they went into their beds to crown the extraordinary accidents of that day with a pleasant rest The end of the Third Book HYMENS PRAELUDIA OR Loves Master-peice Part. X. LIB IV. ARGUMENT â—olusius coming in wounded into Alexandria is entertained by Cornelius and upon his entreaty brought to Marcellus and Cleopatra whom he entertains with his own History The noble deportment of Coriolanus towards him after his defeat his honourable dismission from Mauritania and his ungrateful resentments of such extraordinary civilities He is overtaken by Theocles a discontented Noble man of that country and with him enters into a conspiracy to do Coriolanus all the mischief they can Volusius not daring to come to Rome as having exasperated the Emperour against him by the losse of Mauritania makes friends to Tiberius who being an enemy to Coriolanus and Servant to Cleopatra undertakes his readmission into Caesars favour with promises of readvancement Theocles is drawn in to personate an Embassy from Coriolanus to Augustus for the obtaining of Julia so to make a difference between Coriolanus and his friend Marcellus and Cleopatra which proves in some measure effectual Volusius slighted by Tiberius falls into contempt and sicknesse which having recovered he leaves Rome and some time after meets with Tiberius at Brundusium whom he puts in mind of his former promises and goes along with him and Theocles for Alexandria They conceiving some jealousie of him plot his death which is attempted by Theocles and his men but he is rescued by an unknown person who having killed Theocles and delivered him proves to be Coriolanus whom he acquaints with what he had done against him Marcellus and Cleopatra are extreamly glad and troubled at the relation of Volusius and Marcellus extreamly grieved for the injuries he had done Coriolanus goes to seek him out resolved not to return till he had found him THe fortunate meeting with a Brother such as Caesario was had raised in the Princesse Cleopatra such a satisfaction as since the imaginary infidelity of Coriolanus she had not been caÌ„pable of whence it came that she passed over that night with more delight and took more rest than the precedent Now as the best part of the night was spent ere she lay down so was it accordingly very late ere she awoke in the morning insomuch that those who knew not any thing of her long sitting up would not have little wondered she had slept so long had they not imagined that the trouble and hardship she had gone through for some daies before might require a more than ordinary repose 'T is a common observation that it is ordinarily
attend the company that brought him thither I returned into the Chamber with him and making no stay took my leave observing such a cloud of sadness in Tullia's countenance that I concluded it not fit for me while she continu'd in that humour to importune her with my visits About this time Cicero her Brother stood for the Dignity of Edile one of the most considerable places of trust among the Romans and imployed the interest and sollicitations of all his Friends to obtain it No question but his Rank might warrant his pretence thereto but besides that his person lay under some contempt by reason of certain imperfections of his understanding and that he was not generally belov'd there were Competitors that were more powerful than he as such as were more considerable at Rome for their worth and several other reasons so that it was commonly believed he could not desist the prosecution of that attempt without some dishonour to him I thought my self oblig'd to lay hold on that occasion to serve him though 't were meerly to do something that Tullia might take kindly at my hands so that resolv'd to take his part against all pretenders though at some other time I should have been more like to serve those that opposed him I sollicited all my Friends whereof upon that occasion I found a considerable number that stuck close to me and prosecuted the business so hard my self that I got the mediations of Drusus Marcellus nay of Agrippa himself to the Emperour and Senate and with their assistance things were carried on with such eagerness that notwithstanding the credit of our adversaries and all the rubs we met with in our Design it came to a glorious period and Cicero was created Edile contrary to the general opinion and to their confusion that opposed it This Honour bred a consideble quarrel between him and Metellus the most powerful of his Competitors who no doubt was of greater credit then he and would have carried the business by the number of Friends had I not over-power'd him with mine who in all the Briars of that difference were too hard for those of Metellus and forc'd him to an accommodation with Cicero who by that means got the better of the day both as to his pretention to the Edile-ship and the difference He was soon made sensible that all his good success was the effect of my appearance for him and though he was more inclin'd to pleasure than any thing that was noble yet was he not awanting in point of gratitude and omitted nothing whereby he might express his resentment of the good offices I had done him and which raised him to a more considerable Rank in Rome then he had been of before He was not ignorant of the affection I had for his Sister though I had never spoken to him of it and having observ'd without any dissatisfaction the first discoveries I had made thereof finding afterwards the advantage of my Alliance he after that obligation was very earnestly desirous of it would gladly have offer'd me if he durst what he knew I should have desir'd of him in relation to Tullia 'T is true she took kindly the service I had done her Brother and House as much as could be expected from a rational person as she was but it is as certain it was not without affliction that she thought her self oblig'd to a man she could not love and that she sighâ—d out of a regret that she could do so little for one to whom she imagin'd her self so much engaged In all the discourses we had upon that occasion she expressed abundance of gratitude and desires to acquit her self towards me by all the assurances of a high esteem she could give me but she confined her self to those terms insomuch that I had no great hopes ever to raise in her any other sentiments for me For some time I supported this unhappiness of my condition and opposed the malice of my fortune with all the courage I could command but at last I began to flag or at least grew so far unable to bear the weight of my Love that all the assistance He could afford me was not enough to secure me against the cruel attempts of my passion I fell into a sad melancholy humour and my Friends vainly expected in me that chearful liveliness which they had sometime affected me for and which made me one of the first in all divertisements suitable to persons of my age The companies I had been most taken with grew burthensome to me and now I was altogether for silence solitude and obscurity I was not to be seen at the Emperour as Octavia's nor at the Princess Julia's or any of those noble Assemblies whereto I was wont to run nay it was with some difficulty that I could afford a few minutes in the company of Crassus Servilius Albinus and Ptolomey my most intimate Friends They all bewail'd my misfortune which as to some part they were acquainted with and did all lay in their power to disengage me from that fatal passion wherein I had so lost my self The Emperour himself spoke to me of it and employed others to do the like several times and the Empress the Princess Julia and Octavia did all they could to disswade me from loving one whose cruelty had already wrought too too fatal effects There was yet a stronger reason then all these which they might have alledged to me but they knew it not and I did all I could to conceal it from the world In fine the body began to participate of the indisposition of the mind and my countenance suffered a change suitably to that of my humour It was a certain satisfaction to me to observe the paleness of it as conceiving it might have some operation on the inexorable Tullia But when I thought to make my advantage of that change in my face she made me observe as much in hers would perswade me by that sight and her discourses that I should not with such obstinacy prosecute an affection for her when she was upon the point to destroy all her Beauty and whatever she might have had that were amiable either in body or mind Her discourses and the sincerity I imagained to my self therein very much aggravated my affliction and many times the compassion I had for her misfortune made me suspend all sentiment of my own During these intervals I was several times ready to discover to her what I knew of her love to Ptolomey and considering the extremities I was reduced to I conceived there was not any reason could oblige me to dissemble it any longer but the fear I was in to displease her had in my soul the mastery and command of all other considerations And calling to mind that I had heard her say in the fatal conversation that passed in Lucullus's Garden that she would run upon her own death if she thought her passion were discoverd I had some ground to believe that
I came to be so strangely blinded as not to have been more careful of my self after I had understood from Volusius that he was hereabouts and discovered not him self to any Whereupon after they had expressed a joy for the good fortune they had had their goodness was such as not to wish those Lovers whom they could not consider otherwise then as enemies a greater mischief then what had befallen them and without desiring they should meet with any greater they only wished themselves secure from their persecutions admiring not without much satisfaction how that the same fortune which had wrought a friendship between them had as it were twisted together their three Destinies and had almost made them all three equally unfortunate by one and the same Adventure This accident common to all three made the knot of their Friendship the more indissoluble and confirm'd Candace in the resolution she had taken to expect with Caesario what would be the fortune of her two Friends and to oblige them to accept the refuge she had proffer'd them in a Countrey whereof she had the absolute disposal This night passed away differently among so many illustrions persons whose fortunes were so different though those who thought themselves the most happy were so generous as to sympathize in some measure with the misfortunes of others The Emperour having rested very ill in the night it was far-days ere he awoke and consequently could be seen insomuch that several Princes ere they could be admitted to wait on him had the opportunity to make other visits Though Philadelp had disengag'd himself from having any hand in the interests of Tigranes as well out of a consideration of the injustice of his procedure as the great civilities his Arsinoe Ariobarzanes and himself had received from the generous Artaban yet had he still a Friendship for him greater then that of the Median towards him And though he blamed his engaging in such an enterprise as much as they who had most opposed it yet hearing he was brought wounded to Alexandria he would needs visit him and do him all the good offices he could without offending those Friends of whom their vertue obliged him to a greater esteem He found him in a sad condition though not very dangerously wounded and easily perceived that grief and shame did him as much hurt as his wounds Philadelph comforted him with much mildness and blamed him the less out of a consideration of the posture he was in but the King of Media was so ore-burthen'd with with affliction that he could not hear of any comfort nor indeed could well endure discourse The chiefest end of his visit was to induce him to a desire of his own recovery to entreat him so to contribute his own endeavours thereto as not to make those of others ineffectual through that excess of grief he seemed to be in He represented to him that many other enterprizes had proved as insuccessful as his and what he should most fear was the danger of his wounds and not the resentment of the Emperour which in all likelihood would go no further then it had done Tigranes hearkned to this discourse of Philadelph with much impatience and distraction as looking with no great confidence on a Prince who out of respect to Vertue disapaproved the unworthiness of his designs but calling to mind withal that it was through his assistance he had been re-seated in his Throne and that he had not forgotten the esteem he ought to have for him he in some measure smother'd his own sentiments to give him the less occasion to complain and pretended much compliance to his though in effect it was no more then pretence Philadelph desirous to know how he had been engag'd into that enterprize was told by him That ever since his arrival at Alexandria he had found Cornelius very much inclined to be his Friend and that that disposition had obliged him at first to make his complaints to him with much confidence and afterwards to discover himself more fully to him That Cornelius obliged by the freedome of his carriage towards him had by way of requital discovered to him the Love he had for Candace even befor he knew her to be Queen of Aethiopia and that that equallity of Fortune that is of loving without being loved again had made a certain union of their interests and obliged them to mutual proffers of services upon that occasion That however they would hardly have taken the resolution which they would have executed the day before if the very night of the Emperours's arrival and that after all were retired from the meeting had been at Julia's Lodgings Tiberius had not come unknown to Cornelius's who had been his ancient Friend and was obliged in some respects to Livia for the favours he had received from Caesar That Cornelius had been much surprized to see Tiberius in that condition and that having asked him the reason of it after he had by many expressions and Oaths assured him of his Friendship he with much confidence acquainted him with the design he had to carry away the Princess Cleopatra by force after he had ineffectually try'd all other ways to gain her seeing that the Emperour who in all things else treated him as his Son had neglected him in that affair or at least had resolved not to use his Authority to make him possessor of Cleopatra as he had sometime been willing to do and that he had a fair opportunity to carry her away at that time then he had had in his life before there being not any who knew of his coming to Alexandria but thought him very far from it That he had Men and a Vessel lying lieger at a place where it was not easie to discover them but that it would be hard for him to effect his purpose by reason of the like accident that had happened to the Princess not many days before which might oblige her to have a greater care of her self if he afforded him not his assistance and furnished him with those things which he easily might do without running the hazard of being discovered That he had added to this discourse thousands of proffers which he had made to Cornelius which yet had not at some other time made that impression in him which they did then that Cornelius otherwise very much a creature of Tiberius's but in other circumstances would not easily have been perswaded to engage in any thing whereby he might incense the Emperour finding in the present occasion a means to interess Tiberius in his fortunes by sacrificing himself to the furtherance of his designs had forgot all other considerations and made no difficulty to discover to him his affection to Candace and acquaint him that the King of Media who was in a condition not unlike theirs and who had gallant and faithful men about him would gladly joyn with them in such an enterprize and would afford them a retreat in his Countrey till that by the
she led him to the other end of the Chamber and there discourst away the Evening with him without so much as a single reflection upon the estate wherein she left the griev'd Marcellus That Prince was sensibly afflicted at her words but cruelly galled with what he observed in the Sequel of her carriage and though he was not yet poysoned with a suspicion of my Master yet this unkind usage stung him to the heart and distrusting his own strength to keep a Mask upon his grief after he had staid some time alone by the Princess bed side he went out of the Chamber without engaging in any further discourse After this Julia plaid him divers tricks of the same nature which shew'd Marcellus and my Master himself how to level their thoughts at the truth yet the suspicion was nothing so strong on my Princes side and whatever cause he had to think well of himself he knew not how to imagine she would abandon such a person as Marcellus for a man that loved her not nor could he easily admit this belief and it would long have been getting credit with him if Julia after she had a thousand times brought her thoughts into her actions had not shewed them naked in the following Discourse One Evening my Master having wasted a part of the night in her Chamber with Agrippa Mecenas and divers other persons of both Sexes after the Princess had bid goodnight to the company and all were gone Julia caus'd Coriolanus who was got as far as the Anti-Chamber to be called back again telling him she had forgot to acquaint him with an affair that deserv'd his notice Coriolanus received this command with a due respect and coming back into the Chamber Julia who was already retired to her beds side beckened him thither and caused him to sit down by her which when he had obeyed after she had darted some glances at my Master capable to enflame the most frozen heart I know very well said she I do now offer you violence and that all the moments are tedious to you that you wast iu my company when the Princess Cleopatra is not there I acknowledge reply'd my Master that my heart lies at that Princess feet where the power of love has placed and fasten'd it yet that entire prepossession of my soul cannot shut up my eyes upon what I owe to the Princess Julia and the most pressing and passionate thoughts shall suspend their violence while I have the honour to be near her person This is a flattery answer'd Julia that I cannot pardon and I only desire you would answer my question without Artifice Does Report speak truth that you are so enslaved to passion for Cleopatra as it has struck you blind to all other objects and considerations and Centered your thoughts in her so strongly as nothing else has power to remove them Whoever spread that rumour said Coriolanus spoke my thoughts as clearly as if he had been in my breast to Copy them for it is most certain the world has not a person so free that is more absolutely his own than I am the Princess Cleopatra's I expected this confession from you reply'd Julia since it is but the same you have publickly avowed and hitherto you have done it with reason but as I demand a little better share in your secrets than another so I expect you should tell me truly whether you be so strongly chained to Cleopatra as no consideration can untye or divert you I know well your condition is glorious in serving so fair a Princess but should the will of the Gods offer you a right to greater advantages would you so dote upon your former passion as not to open your eyes upon a fairer of Fortune I cannot tell how to frame belief replyd Coriolanus that there can be a nobler Fortune found than what results from the glory of serving Cleopatra and could others by the help of a greater blindness than mine acknowledge such a possibility I should never be drawn to own their thoughts nor hatch one single desire in my whole life for a more happy condition than to pass it entirely at the feet of my adorable Princess Imagine said Julia you were beloved by a Princess equal in beauty to Cleopatra and infinitely before her in all things else whose high birth might give her precedency of the whole Sex and restore you to the same estate which your Parents lost or perhaps raise you to another more sublime would you despise her for Cleopatra I should have little reason answer'd my Master to misprise such a person as you have represented nor could my insensibility or that favour be strained to a contempt but might she tempt me yet with fairer offers they could never make me halt in my fidelity to my Cleopatra What if Julia added the Princess vanquishing the shame that oppos'd the liberty of her language What if Julia her self should love you would you disdain her for Cleopatra These words at the same time almost wrought the same effect upon the Prince and Princess and if the confusion she took from her own words made Julia bend her looks downwards Coriolanus was so abash'd at a discourse which indeed he had little reason to expect from such a person as Julia as it was long before he durst raise his to her face In fine that he might not increase his confusion by his silence Madam said he there is no need of an answer to his Discourse no necessity of declaring my sentiments in a reply to Raillery But admit said Julia what you call Raillery should prove Reality how would you take it and what entertainment would your breast give to Caesar's Daughter had she a mind to banish Antony's from thence Coriolanus seeing himself press'd in that manner was resolved rather to take advice of his Conscience and Vertue than lean to a complacence which he could not approve and after he had taken some moments to contrive a fit answer Madam said he at last though I have little reason to explain my self or exchange my serious thoughts for mockery yet I must tell you since you have commanded me that should that Fortune befall me you mentioned I were the most unfortunate of all men since I am forbidden to enjoy it not only by the fidelity I ow Cleopatra but the amity I preserve for Marcellus who only merits the entire affection of the Princess Julia and from whom I would not take it though it were offered me in the pompous dress of all the grandeur and felicity the Gods can bestow Thus did my Master unlock his thoughts which touched Julia so sensibly as it was long before she could recover her speech but at last her anger forced a passage for words and regarding my Mr. with a scornful ayre You construed my Discourse aright said she when you apprehended it raillery it was so Coriolanus and believe it the affections of Julia shall never oblige you to crack your amity to
enter but they two and Sempronius all those that came along with them being stayed at the gate The Princess Cleopatra had past away that night in the same Chamber with Coriolanus and though Levinus had preffered her another yet would she not by any means accept of his courtesie out of a fear that if she once left Coriolanus she should not be permitted to see him any more Vainly had the Prince imbraced her by the knees with the most earnest intreaties he could possibly make to leave a place so unworthy of her and to return to Octavia nay he was so far from perswading her thereto that at last she grew angry with him and forbidding him with all the Authority she had over him to speak to her any more of it she was desirous to be informed what she yet knew not of his adventures and to understand what she had but confusedly heard concerning the artifices of Tiberius and Volusius and the particulars of his own sentiments and those of Marcellus It being about the time of the year when the nights are at shortest they had spent the whole night partly in contestation partly in discourse and though according to Caesars order Levinus had been with them most part of the time or in his absence such of the guard as he appointed for that purpose the Prince and Princess being reduced to that extremity as not to either fear or hope any thing from the discovery of their affairs entertained one another before those witnesses with as much freedom and indifference as if they had been alone The Princesses Women having also staid with Coriolanus had much ado to perswade him to take any thing of what Levinus had sent in but could not by any means oblige him to cast himself on a bed for ever so little time and though they doubted not but that as soon as it were day Octavia and the Princesses her Daughters and such other persons as Augustus should permit would come to get her thence yet had she several times professed to Coriolanus that nothing should prevail with her so far as to force her away without him and that she should find a way to be her own death upon the first offer of any violence to that purpose The Prince equally transported with grief and joy expressed both with much disorder when word was brought Levinus of the arrival of Marcellus and Drusus by the Emperours order whereupon going to the gate to receive them in he immediatly returns with them and conducts them into the chamber Cleopatra and Coriolanus had indeed conceived very great hopes from the generosity of Marcellus but imagined not to find him attended by a brother of Tiberius and were not a little astonished to find them together Coriolanus was of opinion that Augustus would not have permitted Marcellus to come unless it were with a person who to further the interest of his brother should oppose what Marcellus out of his friendship might attempt against his Rival but Cleopatra acquainted with the vertue of Drusus judged otherwise yet not satisfied what construction to make of it she patiently expected what would be the issue of that visit Coriolanus being the person that stood most in need of the assistances of his friends upon that occasion and whom the son of Octavia was particularly to satisfie for the injuries he had done him it was to him that he ran with open arms and a countenance all tears and the Prince having received him in a like posture those two Illustrious friends embraced one the other with all the demonstrations of a tender affection which could be expected upon the like occasion The first discoveries of their friendship which could not be expressed by words kept them a long time silent but at last Marcellus recovering himself Brother said he to him here comes that cruel or rather that unfortunate friend who hath been able to hate you and to endeavour the loss of a life which he should have valued above his own and since I can do no less then sacrifice my life to make satisfaction for such a crime I bring it to that purpose resolved to lose it with you if I cannot preserve yours Augustus would have me to advise nay to conjure you by all the friendship between us to save it by disclaiming all pretensions to Cleopatra but since I am satisfied of your courage your constancy and the value you set on the worth and affection of my Sister I can rather die then make any such proposition to you If Heaven therefore and their power whom fortune hath made our masters will not suffer you to live and enjoy Cleopatra and if I cannot obtain of Augustus the life of my Friend but upon terms more cruel then the death prepared for him let us die brother let us dye together examples of love and friendship and convince our enemies that neither artifice nor authority can break those knots which tyed by vertue are indissoluble If fortune will have us crushed by the power of a person she hath raised above us friendship makes us triumph over his cruelty and we shall be sufficiently revenged of him in that with one whom he hates as an enemy there dies another that he loved as his son While Marcellus was thus speaking Sempronius and Levinus hearkned to him with much astonishment and if the day before they had been amazed at the deportment of Cleopatra they were now much more at that of the Prince in whom they could not have imagined that friendship should produce so extraordinary an effect insomuch that Sempronius not able to dissemble it any longer nor expect what answer Coriolanus would make What my Lord said he to him is it thus you execute the Emperors Orders or have you forgotten you are his sisters son or rather his own the darling of his affections and hopes of the Romans Sempronius replies the Prince not permitting him to proceed any further you may tell Caesar that I disclaim all the hopes he hath put me into and all the assurances I might receive of his affection since he denies me the most considerable I could desire of him in denying me the life of a friend without whom he knows I cannot live that I derogate not from the respect and the acknowledgments I owe his affection since I express not my own towards my friend otherwise then in dying with him without any recourse to arms in his defence that against any but Caesar I should make use of all things either as to his relief or revenge but that it being not lawful for me to lift up my hand against my Soveraign Lord and Benefactor though for the safety of my friend there is no reason should divert me from dying with him You may also tell the Princess Julia that I dye constant to her service and that if I injure the love I have for her by sacrificing my life to friendship she may remember how I sacrificed friendship to love when a
cruel misapprehension armed me against my Friend and that the offences which love made me then commit against friendship are now to be satisfied for that she may yet employ the interest she hath in her Father on our behalf but withal be confident I will run the fate with Coriolanus Go Sempronius and give Caesar nay if you please all the world this account of me and be assured that nothing shall any way shake this resolution Stay Sempronius says the King of Mauritania and return not to Caesar to acquaint him but with one half of this adventure You have been a witness of the generosity of Marcellus and shall not be of the baseness of Coriolanus but know that death is not so terrible to him but that he can receive it alone without such a companion I am apt to believe this an effect of Augustus 's hatred who would consummate that by friendship which he hath begun by love since that after the Princess Cleopatra he sends Prince Marcellus to make death more insupportable to me by the design they have against their own lives But what ground soever I may have to quarrel at his cruelty you may tell him that Marcellus is much more dear to me then Caesar is odius that I am so far from giving my consent to the death of Marcellus because of the revenge I might imagine to my self upon him that for Marcellus his sake his person is sacred to me and I would hazard my life to serve him though my persecutor and enemy because he is loved by Marcellus Whereupon turning to the Prince Cruel Friend said he to him more cruel in the effects of your friendship then in those of your aversion why will you disturb my last hours by the affliction you cause me why will you not suffer me to entertain the joy I should conceive at the return of your friendship without adding thereto the grief I must needs be sensible of upon the design you discover I was but too too happy in the affection of my Princess and yours and sufficiently satisfied with the resentment which you might both with justice have conceived since it was not impossible you might be surprized by these artifices which deceived allthe world so that there needed not this cruel reparation Go then dearest brother go and resign your self to a man nay rather to a father to whom you are more obliged then you are to me go and resign your self to Julia to whom you owe your self wholly and believe I shall dye with much satisfaction when I shall be assured that you might live happily All things seem to favour you the whole Universe contributes to your assurance of a glorious life it is not therefore just that a wretch exposed from his birth to all manner of mis-fortunes should disturb the course of so hopeful a fortune Many vertuous men have lost friends that were dear to them and have found comfort after those losses in time and their own courage you may expect the same good office from both and will find occasion enough to afford my memory such assurances of your affection as I shall more value then those you offer me I shall continue with you in the person of Cleopatra and if possible put you in mind that you were ever her Brother and that you ought to endeavor the furtherance of her fortunes and enjoyments no less then if she were born of Octavia I cannot receive a greater consolation at my death then what I have in leaving her between your arms and I hope that by the kindnesses she shall recieve from your friendship her fortune may be happy when it shall be dis-ing aged from mine The passionate son of Julia would have said more if the Princess had not with much precipitation interrupted him Forbear said she to him forbear recommending Cleopatra to the friendship of Marcellus and only divert him from his unjust resolution without troubling thy thoughts at the destiny of Cleopatra Thou art not ignorant at least shouldst not be if thou knowest me well that after the Protestation I made to thee yesterday nothing shall be able to separate me from thee but death and I should have continued within those limits which modesty had prescribed me if there had been anything in the world which might have hindred us And thus much I had to say to Coriolanus but for you brother continued she turning to Marcellus I have but too great reasons to oppose the unjust resolution you have taken And I have such as are invincible says the Prince interrupting her to persist in it such as yours will ineffectually oppose and though I had no other then to see it is by his means whom of all the world I ought most to respect I lose the person I most affect and that to rescue my friends life I cannot attempt that of the enemy who destroys him there is no other mean to be taken then for a man to die with his friend and therefore assure your selves what ever you may alledge against it I will either save Coriolanus 's life or suffer death with him While these three generous persons outvyed one the other in this noble contestation and that Drusus not interrupting them with admiration heard what passed Sempronius addressing himself to him What shall we do in this misfortune said he to him and with what confidence can we give the Emperor an account of this strange adventure you may do as you think sit replies Drusits but for my part I am already resolved what to do and since you are to acquaint the Emperor with the resolution of Marcellus you may tell the Empress that my intentions are the same with those of Marcellus and that having by my tears and intreaties vaiuly endeaveured to divert him from his cruel resolution I have my self taken that which my love and my vertue inspired me with that she should not have countenanced me in my inclinations for Antonia if she were resolved to she 'd the blood of her relations and by her cruelty deprive me of a hope she had suffered me to conceive That she had brought two sons into the world of much different inclinations but that I will expiate what is odious in me upon the account of my birth by an action that may render me worthy the affection of Antonia and friendship of Marcellus that by delivering my self up to those whom it is her design to ruine I would give them an hostage for the punishment of her cruelty and in a word That I came not along with Marcellus but to run fortunes with him to the end to undergo the same destiny with Marcellus and Cleopatra This discourse of Drusus as it had been least expected so did it raise the greater astonishment insomuch that Marcellus turning to him with a certain precipitation What Drusus said he to him shall your destiny be the same with those for Marcellus and Cleopatra It shall Marcellus replies Drusus and I have so violent