With bowes of mortall Ewe A tree wherewith the mourners winde Theyr mourning heads Garlands make In this guise all arayde The sacred Priest doth enter in with trembling lims dismayde Than in the Sheepe and Oxen blacke by backwarde course are drawn And odoures sweete Frankencence on flaming fyres are thrown The beasts on burning Altars cast do quake with schorched lims And bloudy streames with fyre mixt about the Aultars swims Than on the darke internall Gods and him that rules them all With deadly shriking voyce aloude the Prophet gins to call And rouls the Magick verse in mouth and hidden Artes doth proue Which eyther power haue to appease or els the Gods to moue Thair bloudy streaming Lycours black with broyling heate doe boyle And all the Beasts consume and burn The Prophet than to toyle Begins And mixed wyne and Mylke vpon the Aultars throwes And all the Dongeon darke and wyde with streaming blood it flowes Than out with thundring voyce agayne the Prophet calles and cryes And straight as much with mumbling mouth he champs in secret wyse The trees do turne The Riuers stÄd The ground with roring shakes And all the world as seemes to mee with fearefull trembling quakes I am heard I am heard than out aloude the Priest began to cry Whan all the dampned soules by heapes abrode outrushing fly Then woods with rumbling noyse doe oft resounding make And Heauen and Earth together goe And bowes and trees do crake And ThuÌ„ders roore And Lightnings flash And waues aloft doe fly And ground retyres and Dogs doe bawl and Beastes are heard to cry And whyther long of Acheron that lothsom Flud that flowes All stinking streames or of the earth that out her Bowels throwes Free place to Sprights to geue or of that fierce infernall Hound That at such times doth bustling make with chayns railing sound The Earth al wide it open gapes And I did see on ground The Gods with colour pale and wan that those dark kingdoms keepe And very night I saw in deede and thousand shapes to creepe From out those filthy stinking Lakes and lothsom pits of Hell Where all the euils vnder Son in darksom shades doe dwell So quaking all for feare I stoode with minde right sore apalde Whilst on those Gods with trembling mouth the Priest full often calde Who all at once out of theyr dens did skip with griesly Face And Monsters grim and stinging Snakes seemd wander in that place And all the fowlest Feendes of Hell and Furies all were theare And all traÌ„sformed Ghosts sprights that euer Hell did beare With Cares ahd all Diseases vyle that mortall mynds doe crush All those and more I sawe out of those Dungeons deepe to rush And Age I sawe with riueled Face and Neede Feare and Death And Fyre and flames thousand ills out fro those Pits to breath Then I was gon and quight amazd The wenche in worser case And yet of olde acquaynted with her Fathers Artes she was The Priest himselfe vnmooued stoode and boldly cited owt Whole Armies of king Ditis men who clustring in a Rowt All flittring thin like Cloudes disperst abrode in Ayre doe fly And bearing sundry shapes and formes doe scud aboue in Sky A thousand woods I thinke haue not so many leaues on trees Ten thousand medowes fresh haue not so many flowers for bees Ten hundred thousand riuers not so many Foule can show Nor all the drops and streams and gulphes that in the Seas do flow If that they might be wayed can sure so great a number make As could those shapes and formes that flew from out of Limbo lake Both Tantalus and Zetus too and pale Amphions Ghost And A gaue and after her ten thousand Sprightes do post Than Pentheus and more and more in like estate ensue Til out at length comes Laius with foule and grisly hue Vncomly brest in wretched plight with fylth all ouergrowne All perst with wounds I loth to speake with bloud quight ouerflown A Miser ryght as seemd to me and most of Misers all Thus in this case at length he spake and thus began to call O Cadmus cruel Citty vyle that stil delightste in bloud O Cadmus thou which kinsmens death accountst as chiefest good Teare out the bloudy Bowels of your Children learne of me Do that and rather more then you would byde the day to see Like ills as late on mee are light Loe mothers loue alas Hath causd the greatest misery that ere in Theba was The Countrey with the wrath of Gods at this tyme is not tost Nor yearth nor ayre infect is not the cause that all bene lost No No A bloudy King is cause of all these mischiefes great A bloudy wretch A wretched child that sits in Fathers Seate And Mothers bed defyles O wretch and entreth in agayne In places whence he came from once and doubleth so her payne Whilst that hee fils the haples wombe wher in himselfe did lie With graceles seede and causeth her twise childbirthes pangues to try Vnhappy Sonne but Father worse and most vnhappy hee By whom the lawes of sacred shame so sore confounded bee For that that very bestes almost do all abhorre to do Euen of his mothers body he hath brothers gotten two O mischiefe great O dredful deede then Sphinx O moÌ„ster more Example vnto ages all of Gods foretold before But I thee thee that Scepter holdst thy Father wil pursue And wreacke my selfe on thee and thyne with plagues vengeance due All restles rage of spite and paine I will vppon thee blow And all the furies foule of hell vppon thee I will throw I wil subuert thy Houses cleane for this thy lothsome lust I wil do this thou wretch And thee and thyne consume to dust Wherfore dispatch at once I say into exile driue your King That ground that first of all he leaues with fresh grene grasse shall spring And sweete and pleasaunt Ayre and healthfull blasts shall ryse And all the euills vnder Sun that mortall men surprise The Pocks the Piles the Botch the blaine death with him shall fly And with him mischiefs all shall passe and Monsters vnder Sky And as for him I know hee would depart with willing mynde But I will clog his Feete and hands his way he shall not finde But groping with his aged staffe shall passe from place to place This shall he doe And none shall rue vpon his ruthfull case Rid you the Monster from the Earth for Heauen let mee alone No sooner sayd but straight away his dreadfull Ghost was gone And fast by thousands after him th' other Sprights in hyde Than Cold trembling feare began through all my bones to glyde OED. The thing I alwayes fearde I see vpon mee now is layde But slender props they are God wot whereby your Treason is stayde Meropa my Mother deare shall mee from this defend Polybius eke shall purge mee quight from Actions all that tend To murder or to incest vile they both
In spighte of al the drowned day I will remoue from thee The darknesse all in shade wherof do lurke thy miseryes And guest at such a banquet now to long he careles lyes With mery face now eate and drunke enough he hath at last T'ys best him selfe should know his ylls ye seruauntes all in hast Vndoe the temple dores and let the house bee open all Fayne would I see when loke vppon his childrens heads he shal What countenaunce he then would make or in what woordes break out Would first his griefe or how would quake his body round about With spright amased sore of all my worke the fruite were this I would him not a miser see but while so made he is Behold the temple opened now doth shyne with many a light In glitteryng gold and purple seate he sittes hymselfe vpright And staying vp his heauy head with wyne vppon his hand He belcheth out now chiefe of goddes in highest place I stand And king of kinges I haue my wish and more then I could thinke He filled is he now the wyne in siluer bolle doth drinke And spare it not there yet remaynes a worser draught for thee That sprong out of the bodyes late of sacrifyces three Which wine shall hyde let them withall the hoordes be taken vp The father mingled with the wyne his childrens bloud shall sup That would haue dronke of myne Behold he now beginnes to strayne His voyce and synges nor yet for ioy his mynde be may refrayne THE SECONDE SCEANE Thiestes alone O beaten bosomes dullde so longe with woe Laie down your cares at length your greues relēt Let sorowe passe and all your dread let goe And fellow eke of fearefull banishment Sad pouertye and ill in misery The shame of cares more whense thy fall thou haste Then whether skylles great hap to him from hye That falles it is in surety to be plast Beneath and great it is to him agayne That prest with storme or euylls feeles the smart Of kyngedome loste the payses to sustaine VVith necke vnbowde nor yet detect of heart Nor ouercome his heauy haps alwayes To beare vpright but now of carefull carkes Shake of the showres and of thy wretched dayes Away with all the myserable markes To ioyfull state returne thy chearefull face Put fro thy mynde the olde Thyestes hence It is the woont of wight in wofull case In state of ioy to haue no confidence Though better haps to them returned be Th afflicted yet to ioy it yrketh sore VVhy calst thou me abacke and hyndrest me This happy day to celebrate wherefore Bidst thou me sorrow wepe without a cause VVho doth me let with flowers so fresh and gay To decke my hayres it lets and me withdrawes Downe from my head the roses fall away My moysted haire with oyntment ouer all VVith sodayne mase standes vp in wondrous wyse From face that would not weepe the streames do fall And howling cryes amid my wordes aryse My sorrowe yet th accustomd teares doth loue And wretches stil delyght to weepe and crye Vnpleasant playntes it pleaseth them to moue And florisht fayre it likes with Tyrian die Their robes to rent to waile it likes them still For sorrow sendes in signe that woes draw nic The mind that wots before of after yll The sturdy stormes the shipmen ouer lye VVhen voyd of wynd th asswaged seas do rest VVhat tumult yet or countenaunce to see Makste thou mad man at length a trustful breast To brother gene what euer now it be Causeles or els to late thou art a dred I wretch would not so feare but yet me drawes A trembling terrour downe myne eyes do shed Their sodayne teares and yet I know no cause Is it a greefe or feare or els hath teares great ioy it selfe THE THIRDE SCEANE Atreus Thyestes LEtte vs this daye with one consente O brother celebrate This daye my sceptors my confyrme and stablish my estate And faythfull bonde of peace and loue betwene vs ratifye Thy. Enough with meate and eke with wyne now satisfyed am I But yet of all my ioyes it were a great encrease to mee If now about my syde I might my litle children see Atr. Beleeue that here euen in thyne armes thy children present be For here they are and shal be here no part of them fro thee Sal be withheld their loued lookes now geue to thee I wil And with the heape of all his babes the father fully fyll Thou shalt be glutted feare thou not they with my boyes as yet The ioyful sacrifyces make at borde where children sit They shal be cald the frendly cup now take of curtesy With wyne vpfylde Thy. of brothers feast I take ful willingly The fynal gyft shed some to gods of this our fathers lande Then let the rest be dronke what 's this in no wyse wil my hand Obeye the payse increaseth sore and downe myne arme doth sway And from my lippes the wafting wyne it selfe doth flye away And in deceiued mouth about my iawes it rūneth rounde The table to it selfe doth shake and leape from trembling ground Scant burnes the fyre the ayre it selfe with heauy chere to slght Forsooke of sonne amased is betweene the day and night What meaneth this yet more and more of backward beaten skye The compas falles and thicker myst the world doth ouerly Then blackest darkenes and the night in night it selfe doth hyde All starres be fled what so it bee my brother God prouyde And soones to spare the Gods so graunt that all this tempest fall On this vyle head but now restore to me my children all Atr. I wil and neuer day agayne shal them from thee withdraw Thy. What tumult tumbleth so my guttes and doth my bowels gnaw What quakes within with heauy payse I feele my selfe opprest And with an other voyce then myne bewayles my doleful brest Come nere my sonnes for you now doth th unhappy father call Come nere for you once seene this griefe would soone asswage fall Whence murmure they t.w fathers armes embrace them quickly now For here they are loe come to thee dost thou thy children know Th. I know my brother such a gylt yet canst thou suffer well O earth to beare nor yet from hence to Stygian lake of hell Dost thou both drowne thy selle and vs nor yet with broaken ground Dost thou these kingdomes and their king with Chaos rude confounde Nor yet vprenting from the soyle the bowres of wicked land Dost thou Micenas ouerturne with Tantalus to stand And aunciters of ours if there in hel be any one Now ought we both now from the frames on eyther syde anone Of ground all here and there rent vp out of thy bosome depe Thy dens and dungons set abrode and vs enclosed keepe In bottome low of Acheront aboue our heds aloft Let wander all the gylty ghostes with burning frete ful oft Let fyry Phlegethon that driues his sands both to and fro To our confusion ouer roon und vyolently flow O slothful soyle
fountaynes fayre To frame their seate then vnto thee in senseles sleepe repayre Shal wanton Fayries Nymphes of Frithes that on the Hilles do walke Which Dryade mountayne Goblins haunt that vse on hilles to stalke Or when from high Starbearing poale Diana downe did looke On thee that next old Arcades in heauen thy seate hast tooke Shee could not weilde her weltring wayne and yet no foggy cloude Eclipst her gleaming Globe but we with tincking Pans aloude Gan make a noyse agrised at her dead and glowing light We deemd hir charmd with Magicke verse of Thessant witches spright But thou didst cause hir busines and madest her in a maze Whyle at thy pleasant louely lookes the Goddesse stoode in gaze That rules the rayne of cloudy night she stopt her running race God graunt that seldome byting frost may pinch this comely face Let seldome scorching Sunny beams thy Cheekes with freckles die The Marble blue in quarry pittes of Parius that doth lie Beares not so braue a glimsyng glosse as pleasant seemes thy face Whose browes with manly maiesty support an awful grace And forehead fraught with grauity of Fathers countnaunce old His Iuory colourd necke although compare to Phoebe ye would His lockes that neuer lacking knew it selfe displaying wyde On shoulder poyntes doth set them out and also doth them hyde Thy curled forhead seemes thee well and eake thy notted hayre That crumpled lies vndight in thee a manly grace doth beare Thou Gods though fierce and valiant perforce dost chase and farre Dost ouermatch in length of limmes though yet but young thou arre Thou heares as big boystrous brawnes as Hercules thy breast Then Champion Mars more bourly bolstred out with broader chest On back of horntehoofed Steedes if vawting thou do ryde With Bridle in thyne arriue hand more handsome canst thou guyde The trampling Cyllar horse of Spart then Princely Castor could Thy Letherne loope amid thy dart with former fingers hould And driue thy launce with all thy pith the actiue men of Creete That with their pitched dartes afarre do learne the marke to bit They shall not hurle a slender Reede but after Parthian guyse To shoote an arrow if they list into the open Skies Vnsped without some Bird attaynt it shal not light on ground Vnbath'd with lukewarme bloud of guttes in gory smoking wound And from amid the lofty Cloudes downe shalt thou fetch thy pray Few men marke wel the tyme haue borne beauty vnplagude away God send thee better lucke and graunt thy noble personage May passe vnto the happy steps and stretch to dumpish age What mischiefe vnattempt escapes a Womans witlesse rage Most haynous crymes shee meanes to lay to guiltles youngmās charge And thinkes to make her matter good with hayre thus rent at large She towseth eake the pranking of her head with watred plantes Her slye deuyse no crafty kind of womans fetches wantes But who is this that in his face such princely port doth beare Whose lofty lookes with stately pace hie vauntst his head doth reare Lyke lusty young Pyrithous he looketh in the face But that a faynting fallow pale his bleakish Cheekes disgrace And filthy baggage hangeth on his hash hayre raysde vpright Lo Theseus it is agayne restoard to earthly light THE THIRDE ACTE Theseus Nutrix AT length I scapt the glowinge glades of grim eternall Night And eake the vnderpropping poale that each infernall Spright Doth muffie in shut vp in shades loe how my dazelled eyes Can scant abyde the long dessred light of Marble Skies Eleusis now fowre offringes of Triptolemus deuydes And counterpaysed Day with Night now foure tymes Libra hydes I earnest in my Parlous toyle in doubt what lucke to haue Twixt dread of gastly Death and hope my feeble life to saue Some sparke of life stil in my breahles limmes abyding was When as embarkt on erkesome Stix Alcides downe did passe To succour me in dire distresse who when the hellicke hound From Tartares griesly gates in Chaynes he dragd aboue the ground And also me he caryed vp into the World agayne My tyred limmes doth sappy pith of former strength restrayne My feble faltring legges do quake what lugging toyle it was From bottom deepe of Phlegethon to world aloofe to passe What dreary dole mourning noyse is this that beates myne eares Let some declare it vnto mee who blubbred so with teares Lamenting loud and languishing within our gates appeares This entertaynment sit is for a guest that comes from Hell Nu. A stubburne heart and obstinate in Phaedras breast doth dwell With despret mind to slay her selfe our teares she doth despyse And giuing vp the gasping Ghoast alas my Lady dyes Th. Why should she kill herselfe why die hir spouse being come againe Nu For this my Lord with hasty death she would her selfe haue slaine Th. These troblous wordes some perlous thing I wot not what to tell Speake plain what lumpe of glutting griefe her laded heart doth quei She doth complayne her case to none but pensiuely and sad She keepes it secrete to hir selfe determind thus shee had To beare aboute with her the bane wherewith she meanes to die Hie hie thee fast I pray thee now now haue wee neede to hye Our Pallace lockt with stately stoulpes set open by and by Theseus Phaedra O Madame Mate of Spousall bedde thus dost thou entertayne The comming of thy louing Spouse and welcom home agayne Thy long desyred Hosbandes face why takes thou not away My Sword out of my hand and dost not cheare my Sprites I saye Nor shewest me what doth the breath out of the body chase Ph. Alas my valiant Theseus euen for thy royall mace Wherwith thy Kingdome thou dost weild and by the noble raygne Of thy belo'ud posterity and comming home agayne And for the worship that is due vnto my fatall graue O let me die and suffer me deserued death to haue Th. What cause compelleth thee to die Ph. If I the cause of death Disclose then shall I not obtayne the loosyng of my breath Th. No worldly wight saue I my selfe alone the same shall heare Art thou affrayd to tel it in thy husbandes bashful eare Speake out thy secretes shrowd I shall within my faythful brest Ph. What thou would other to conceale kepe thou it first in rest Th. Thou shalt not suffred be to die Ph. From him that wisheth Death Death neuer can be seperate Th. The crime that losse of breath Ought to reuenge shew it to me Ph. Forsooth because I liue Th. Alas do not my trilling teares thy stony stomacke grieue Ph. It is the sweetest death when one doth lothsome life forsake Bereft of such as should for him most woful weeping make Th. Stil standes she mum the croked old ilfauord hoblinge Trotte Hir Nurse for stripes and clogging bandes shall vtter euery iotte That shee forbid her hath to tell in yron chaynes her bynd Let tawing whips wring out perforce the secrets of her mynd PH. Now I my selfe wil speak stay
top of Pelion layd Olymp wheron the Pynes theyr budding braunches braide Downe paised both drawe nere O Iuno noble dame Both spouse of mighty Ioue and sister to the same Thou that dost rule with him made ioynter of his mace Thy people we of Grece geue honor to thy grate Thou onely dost protect from per illes Aigos land That euer careful was to haue thyne honour stand Most supplient thereunto thou also with thy might Dost order ioyful peace and battails fearce of fyght Accept O conquering Queene these braunches of the bayes That Agamemnon here doth yeld vnto thy prayse The hollow boxen pype that doth with holes abound In synging vnto the doth geue a solemne sound To thee the Damsels eake that play vppon the stringes With conning harmony melodious musicke singes The matrons eke of Greece by ryper years more graue To thee the Taper pay that vowed oft they haue The Heyferd young and whyte companion of the Bull Vnskilful yet by proofe the paynful plow to pull VVhose neck was neuer worne nor gald with print of yoke Is in thy temple slaine receiuing deadly stroke O Lady Pallas thou of most renoumed hap Bred of the brayne of Ioue that smites with thunder clap Thou lofty Troian towres of craggy knotty flint Hast bet with battring blade and stroke with iaueling dint The elder matrones with the dames that yonger be Together in myngled heapes do honour due to thee VVhen thou approching nighe thy comming is espyde The priest vnbarres the gate and opes the Temple wide By clustring thronges the flocks thine altars haunt apace Bedeckte with twisted crownes so trim with comely grace The olde and auncient men well stept and grown in yeares VVhose feeble trembling age procureth hory hayres Obtayning their request crau de of thy grace deuine Do offer vp to thee their sacrify sed wyne O bright Dian whose blase sheds light three sondry waies VVe myndful are of thee and render thankefull prayse Delon thy natiue soyle thou diddest fyrmely bynde That to and fro was wont to wander with the wynde VVhich with foūdation sure mayn ground forbyds to passe For Nauies after which to swim it wonted was It is become a road defying force of wynd The mothers funeralles of Tantalus his kinde The daughters seuen by death thou victresse dost accompt VVhose mother Niobe abydes on Sipil mount A lamentable rocke and yet vnto this howre Her teares new gushing out the marble old doth powre The Godhead of the Twins in sumpteous solemne wyse Both man and wyfe adore with sauory sacrifyce But thee aboue the rest O father great and guide VVhose mighty force is by the burning lightning tryde Who when thou gauest a becke and didst thy head but shake At once th extremest poales of heauen and earth did quake O Iupiter the roote that of our lynage arte Accept these offered gifts and take them in good parte And thou O graundsire great to thy posteritie Haue some remorse that do not swarue in chyualrie But yonder lo with stiuing steps the souldier comes amayne In all post hast with token that good newes declareth plaine A Lawrell braunch that hangeth on his speare head he doth bringe Eurybates is come who hath ben trusty to the kynge THE THIRD ACTE Euribates Clytemnestra SOre tyred after many yeares with trauayle and wyth toyle Scant credityng my selfe the Gods of thys my natyue soyle The temple and the alters of the saincts that rule the skye In kumble sort wyth reuerence deuoutly worship I Now pay your vowes vnto the Gods returned is agayne Vnto his countrey court where wont he was to rule and reigne Prynce Agamemnon victor he of Grece the great renoume Cly. The tydings of a message good vnto mine eares is blowne Where stayes my spouse whō longing for ten yeres I haue out scand What doth he yet sayle on the seas or he is come a land Yet hath he fyxt and set his foote bauck stepping home agayne Vppon the sandy shore that longe he wished to attayne And doth he styll enioy his health enhauncte in glory great And painted out in pompe of prayes whose fame the sky doth beate Eu. Blesse we with burning sacrifice at length this lucky day Cli. And eke the Gods though gracious yet dealing long delay Declare if that my brothers wyfe enioy the vytall ayre And tel me to what kind of Coast my sister doth repayre Euri. God graunt geue vs better newes then this that thou dost craue The heauy hap of fyghting flouds forbiddes the truth to haue Our scattred fleete the swelling seas attemptes in such a plight That ship from ship was taken cleane out of each others sight Atrides in the waters wyde torwoyld and straying farre More vyolence by seas sustaynd then by the bloudy warre And as it were a conquerd man escaping home al weete Now bringeth in his company of such a mighty fleete A sort of brused broken barkes beshaken torne and rent Cli. Shew what vnlucky chaunce it is that hath our nauy spent What storme of seas dispersed hath our Captaynes hear and there Eury. Thou willest me to make report of heauy woful geare Thou biddest me most greeuous newes with tydinges good to part For vttring of this woeful hap my feeble mynd doth start And horribly appauled is with this so monstruous ill Cly, Speake out and vtter it himselfe with terrour he doth fill Whose hart his owne calamity and carke doth loath to know The hart whom doubted domage dulles with greater griefe doth glow Eu. When Troyan buildings blasing bright did burne away and broyle Enkindled first by Grekish brand they fall to part the spoyle Repayring fast vnto the seas agayne we come aboord And now the souldiers weary loynes were eased of his sword Their bucklers cast aside vppon the hatches lie aboue Their warlike handes in practise put and Oers learne to moue Ech litle hindraunce seemes to much to them in hasty plight When of recourse the Admirall gaue watchword by his light And trumpet blast beganne to cal our army from delay The paynted Pup with gilded snowt did first guyde on the way And cut the course which following on a thousand shippes did ryue Then first a wynd with pipling puffes our launcing ships did dryue Which glyded downe vpon our sayles the water beyng calme With breath of westerne wynd so myld scant moued any walme The shyning seas bespred about with shippes doth glister bright And also couerd with the same lay hid from Phoebus lyght It doth vs good to gase vppon the naked shore of Troy The desart Phrygian plots so bare to vew wee hop for ioye The yeuth each one besturres themselues and striking altogeather They tough their oers with their toyle they helpe the wynd weather They tug and chearely row by course the spiritng seas vp dash Agaynst the ratling ribs of ships the flapping floods do flash The hory froth of wrestling waues which ores aloft doth rayse Do draw and trace a furrow through the marblefaced
her desire fulfill Shee sometime subiect to hir slaue To death was put with souldiours blade VVhat shee that easly hope might haue Toth skies hir raigne to rise haue made Prynce Neroes lusty Parent great First tost with shipmans boysterous force Then torne with sword in Prynces heat Did shee not lye a senceles corse Oct. Loe mee the tyrant stern will send To yrcksome shades and hellish sprits Why wretch doe I the tyiue thus spend Draw mee to death you to whose myghts False Fortune hath bequeathed mee I witnesse now the heauenly powre What dost thou bedlame leaue to flee With prayer to Gods who on thee lowre I call to witnesse Tartar deepe And sprytes of Hell reuenging freakes Of haynous facts in Dungeon steepe And Syre whom death deserued wreakes I doe not now repyne to dye Deck vp your Ship and hoyse your Sayle On frothing seas to windes on hye Let him that guides the Helm not fayle To seeke the shore of Pharian Land Cho. O pippling puffe of western wynde Which sacrifice didst once with stand Of Iphigen to death assignde And close in Cloude congealed clad Did cary hir from smòking aares Which angry cruell Virgin had This Prynce also opprest with cares Saue from this paynefull punishment To Dians temple safely horne The harbarous Moores to rudenesse bent Then Prynces Courtes in Rome forlorne Haue farre more Cyuile curtesie For there doth straungers death appease The angry Gods in heauens on hie But Romayne bloude our Rome must please FINIS THE TENTH TRAGEDY OF L. ANNAE SENECA Entituled HERCVLES OETAEVS Translated out of Latin into Englishe by I. S. The Argument HERCVLES hauinge subdued the Sonnes of EVRITVS Kynge of OEchalia who contrary to theyr promise denied to geue their Sister IOLE vnto him hauing made conquest of the City and countrey thereabout meant to sacryfice vnto the Gods for his victory in that behalfe and successe in briging away perforce his beeloued IOLE For the solemne celebration whereof he sent LYCAS his seruaunt vnto DEIANEIRA his Wyfe to fetche his Robe which hee alwayes vsed when hee sacrifized DEIANEIRA dippinge and besprinckling the same Robe in the bloude of NESSVS the Centaure because she feared least her husband loued IOLE better then he did her for NESSVS being shot through and slayne by HERCVLES had perswaded aduised her that shee shoulde so doe whensoeuer shee doubted that her husbands loue were alienated from her to any other sent it vnto him Which Garment when HERCVLES had put on the poyson wherein it was dipped and washed enuenomed all his Vitall partes and droue him into most intollerable tormentes For remedy vvhereof hee sent to APOLLO his Oracle at Delphos from vvhence hee receiued aunswere that hee should bee caryed vnto Mounte OEtus and there that a greate fier shoulde bee made and as for all other things they should bee referred to the pleasure and direction of IVPITER The fier being there made and kindled by PHILOCTETES vnto vvhom HERCVLES bequeathed his Arrowes HERCVLES vvent vp into it was there burned Whose boanes being afterward sought for and not founde the standers by vvere fully perswaded that he vvas deified taken vp into Heauen When knowledge thereof vvas broughte vnto DEIANIRA shee thinking herselfe to bee the cause of her husbandes tormenting death strangled her selfe FINIS The Speakers names HERCVLES ALCMENA HYLLVS NVTRIX IOLE CHORVS PHILOCTETES DEIANIRA THE FIRST ACTE HERCVLES alone O Lorde of Ghostes whose fyrye flashe that forth thy hand doth shake Doth cause the trembling Lodges twayne of Phoebus Carre to quake Raygne reachlesse nowe in euery place thy peace procurde I haue Aloofe where Nereus lockes vp lande Empalde in winding Waue Thwack not about with thunder thumpes the rebell kinges bee downe The rauening tyrauntes Scepterlesse are pulled from their crowne By mee all daunted is whereon thy boults thou shouldst bestowe And yet O Father yet the Heauens are still withhelde mee froe At all assayes I serue as might an Impe of Ioue behoue And that thou ought to Father mee my stepdame well doth proue Why dost thou linger in delay is Heauen of vs afraide Seeme wee so awfull fell and fierce and wherefore are wee staide And cannot Atlas boysteous backe on stouping shoulder tough Vpholde the payse of Hercules and heauen well inough What is it sier what is it Ioue that thee so much detarres What may thee force keepe backe thy sonne from scaling of the Starres For death hath let me passe againe from dungeon darke to thee When mischiefes fell and monsters all destroyde and spoyled bee That eyther Lande or Seas or Ayre Or hell engender coulde Arcadian Lion none to raunge in saluage Nemea wolte The Stymphall Foule hath chased bin with Bowe and Brusell boulte No nimble heart of Menalus doth lye in hill nor houlte The Dragon daunting with his bloud hath goarde the goulden groue And Hydra hath his courage coolde and Diomedes droue Whose puffed paunches pampred were with stoare of straungers bloud That scoarde the Coaste and barren bankes of cruell Heber floud I slaughterd them and that the force of foe might well bee seene I prowlde away the boottes of the prowde Amazon Queene Of silent shades in glummy Goulphes the dreadfull doomes I saw On Cerber black the Tartar Tike the sonne did shine with awe And he with steaming Goggle eyes hath glyed vpon the soone Anteus yawnes and gapes no more whose gasping breath to doone A-front his alters Busir fell was knockt vnto the grounde By him whose hande gaue Gerion his deepe and deadly wounde And slew the mighty Bull that was to hundred heartes a dreade All noyous plagues I spoyled haue that euer Tellus bread And daunted by my hand they lye the Gods now neede not free The worlde to aunswere Iunoes yre no monsters now can get Now shew thy valiaunt sonne his sire or set him in the clowdes Thou shalt not neede to bee my guide my selfe will climbe the shrowdes Doe thou my passage but allow and I shall finde away But if thou dreade that monsters more the earth engender may Hast on eache monster hideous to shew it selfe in time Whyle Hercules hath his aboade beneath the heauenly Clyme For who encounter shall the fiendes who i st that Grecia hath That may be meete to bide the brunt of mighty Iunoes wrath My prayse burtes not my health my fame doth fly from land to land The ysy poale doth know mee where the northerne beare doth stand The easterlings encombred with the gleede of scorching sunne The south where Phoebe by crooked cleare of Tropick Crab doth rūne In euery coast O Titan where thou dost thy selfe reueale How I haue met thee face to face to thee I doe appeale Aloofe beyonde the compasse of thy light I set my foote And neuer coulde thy blaze so farre his glymsinge glory shoote As I haue forst the honour of my triumphes for to streatch The day it selfe hath had his stint within my trauells reatch Dame Nature faylde the worlde was shogd
vnfeareful arme loe ouerchargde with woe My breast lies bare vnto thy hand Stryke I thy gylt forgeue The fâ—endes infernall for their sinne thy soule shal neuer greeue What yerking noyse is this we heare what hagge here haue we fowndâ— That beares aboute her writhen lockes these vgly adders wound And one her yrksome temples twayne her blackysh â—innes do wagge Why chase ye mee with burning brandes Megera filthy hagge Alcides can but vengeance aske and that I wil him get But haue the iudges dyre of hell for yt in counsell set But of the dreadful dongeon dores I see th unfoulding leaues What auncient sier is he that on his tatred shoulder heaues Th' unweildy stone that borne toth top agayne doth downward reele Or what is â—e that spraules his lims vppon the whirling wheele Lo heare stood ougly Tisiphon with sterne and ghastly face And did demaunde with steaming eies the manner of the case O spare thy strypes Megera spare and with thy brandes away Th' offence I did was ment in loue but whether do I sway The grouÌ„d doth sinke the roofe doth cracke whether went this raging route Now al the world with gasing eyes stand staring me about On euery side the people grudge and call for their defence Be good to me O nations whither shall I get mee hence Death onely is my loade of rest there may my sorrowes byde I do protest the fiery wheeles that Phoebus charyot guide That heare I dye and leaue the worlde ther 's Hercles yet behynde Hi. Away she runnes agast aye me shee hath fullylde her mynd For purposed she was to dye and now remaynes my wil For to preuent her that by force her selfe she shall not kill O mise rable prety if I my mother saue I sin agaynst my father then but if vnto the graue I let her goe then toward her a trespas soule there lyes And tâ—hus alas on eyther syde great mischiefe doth aries And needes her purpose must be stayde I le hie and take in hand To stop her despret enterpryse and mischiefy to withstand Chorus FVll true the dytty is That holy ORPHEVS sang On Thracian harpe with sounde whereof the Rocks of Rodop rang That nothing is creat For euer to endure Dame Natures byrdes each on must stoupe when death throwes out the lure The head wyth Crispen lockes or goulden hayres full In time hath borne an hoary bush or bin a naked scull And that which tract of time doth bring out of the grayne Olde SATVRNE sharps his Syth at length to reape it downe agayne Though PHOEBVS ryse at morne with glistring rayes full proude Hee runnes his race and ducketh downe at length in foggy Clowde Toth Gaetans ORPHEVS sang such kinde of melody And how the gods themselues were bounde to lawes of destiny The God that doth the yeare By egall partes dispose Howe fatall webbe in euery clyme are dayly spunne he showes For all thinges made of moulde The grounde agayne will gape As Hercles preacheth playne by proofe that nothing can escape For shortly shall ensue Discarge of Natures Lawe And out of hande the gloming daye of doome shall onwarde drawe Then all that lies within The scorching Libicke clyme The poale antarticke of the South shall ouerwhelme in tyme Poale articke of the North Shall iumble all that lyes VVithin the Axeltree whereon drye BORES blasinge flyes The shiuerynge Sunne in Heauen Shall leese his fadyng lighte The Pallace of the frames of Heauens shall runne to ruin quight And all these blockish Gods Some kynd of Death shall quell And in confused CHAOS blynde they shall for euer dwell And after ruin made Of Goblin Hegge and Elfe Death shall bringe finall destenye at last vppon it selfe VVhere shall be then bestowde The world so huge a masse The beaten hye way vnto hell is like away to passe To leade vnto the Heauens That shall be layed flatt The space betwene the Heauen and earth inough thinke ye is that Or is it not to much For worldly miseryes VVher may such heaps of sinnes be lodgd what place aboue the skyes Remaynes but that the sea VVith Heauen and lowest Hell Three Kingdomes cast in one are like within one roofe to dwell But hark what roaring crye Thus beates my fearefull eare But lo it s Hercules that yelles t is Hercules I heare THE FOVRTH ACTE Hercules Chorus REtyre retyre thy breathing breastes O Titan blasing bright Vnfold thy mysty mantle blacke of dim and darkesome Night And dash this dreary day wherin I Hercules must die With blemish black of filthy fogge defyle the griesly skye Preâ—â— enâ— my stepdames naughty mynd Now should I haue resignde O Father my inheritaunce of Plutoes dungeon blynd Heauen frames should here there be brast eyther poale should crack Why sparest thou the starres and least thy Hercles go to wracke Now Ioue loke round aboute the heauens and if thou can espye On gyant heaue the Thessaill cliues agaynst th assalted skye Vnburdned be Enceladus of hugye Osir hill And hurled be on Hercules the mighty mountayne still Prowde Pluto shall vnbarre the gates of blacke and glummy caue Yet maugre all their might o Father Ioue I wil thee saue From fury of thy foes and set thee vp agayne in skyes Yet lo Ioue loe her that on earth thy thunderdint supplies And for to be liuetenaunt of thy boultes on earth was borne Is sent to burning Limbo lake in tormentes to be torne The sterne Enceladus agayne in ramping rage shal ryse And hurle the weighte that now doth croâ—de him downe against the skies Thus by my death they shal presume to conquer heauen all But ere that day vppon my corse compel the heauens to fall Breake downe breake downe the welkin that thou suffrest to decay Ch. O sonne of thunder thumping Ioue no shadowes do thee fray Now Ossa mount of Thessalie shal Pelion hill downe crush And Athos pilde on Pindus toppe his bushy hed shall push Among the starry skes therby aboue the craggy rockes Typhoëus vp shal clyme and thumpe with store of baâ—tryng knockes Iuarmen stone in Tyrren sea from thence eake shall he beat The smoaky forge of Aetna mount that glowes with stewing heate Enceladus not ouerthrowne yet with the thunder cracke Shal hew the mountayne syde in twayne and trusse it on his backe The signes of heauen shal follow thee and goe with thee to wracke Her I that returnde from dennes of death and Stigian streame defyed And ferryed ouer Lethes lake and dragd vp chaind and tyde The tryple headded mastiffe hownd when Tytans teeme did start So at the ougly sight that he fel almost from his cart Euen I whose pith the kingdomes three of Gods ful wel haue knowne Lo yet myne end I daunted am by death and ouerthrowne But yet no bloudy blade agaynst my riued rybbes doth crash It is no rock that vnto death my brused bones doth pash Nor as it were with O sir hill that clouen were in twayne Nor with the sway of all the
that hel may in this pickle playne Behold the man that conquerd yt no booty bringe I will Away with me why dost thou quake for feare of Hercles still Set on me death coragiously for now I may be kilde A. Now stint thy tender tears that down thy checkes so long haue trild And mayster this thy mallady compell thy sorrowes sloupe And shew that in these plunging panges Alcides did not droupe And as it hath bene caâ—st thy guyse force death and hel to shriâ—ke Her If ougly grested Cauâ—asue In chayne of yrone linke Should bynd me as agâ—oning pray the greedy grype to feede Yet from myne eyes it should not strayne a brokeÌ„ teare indeede If wandring Symplegads would me wish eyther rocke assaile To byde the brunt of double wracke my courage would not quayle Let Pindus tumbled be on me houge Aemus let me haue Or Athos rocke in Thracian seas that breakes the weltring waue And bode the boultes of thondring Ioue although th unweildy masse Of all the world should fal on mee and might be brought to passe That Phoebus flaming apeltree should burne vppon my graue No vncouth crye should force the mynd of Hercles thus to raue Let meete a thousand sauage beastes and rent me al at once Let Stymphal foules with houling hoarse lay strokes vppon my bones Or scrowling bul on thother syde strike on with head and horne Or els of other serpentes wilde let al my partes be torne With roring earthquakes hougy lumpes be puffed vppon me With griping greefe let all my limmes to nothing pyned bee Although I be to pouder crusht I wil with pacience peace In spite of beastes or brusing blowes my sighes and teares shal seace Alc. It is not sonne the womans bane that in thy bones doth boile But festring teares and broosing knockes of thy continual toyle The wrinches old with aking panges begin to smart anew HE. O where is death where is hee now of all that I do rew Can any witnes what it is let death now bend his bow A naked hand is stronge ynough to make mee stowpe ful low Let any wight in al the worlde attempt to set on mee I warrant him approch let him Ah wretched might I bee This wayward agony hath take his perfit wits away Haue hence his tooles and eake his shaftes for daunger hence coâ—uay His ruddy gills that glow like fier some mischiefe doe pretend To shrowde my selfe alas into what corner shall I wend This mallady a frensy is this onely is the meane To conquer Hercules why then doe I as doting queanâ— Thus fall to teares and seeke to shrynke may bee that hee will haue Alcmenas hand to giue the stroke to bring him to the graue But dye he in a Murreynes name ere I for cowarde will Such deadly penaunce bee enioynde that on my doings still His baynous hand may vaunt it selfe loe how the pangues full deepe With stuggling ceast doe hinde the purple vaynes with deadly sleepe And beating sore lift vp and downe his faynt and panting breast If I O Gods of this my noble Childe bee dispossest Be gracious yet and for the worlde some lusty champion saue Rid his annoy and let his limmes agayne theyr courage haue Hyllus Alcmena Hercules O Dismall day O anguishe O the heaper vp of ill Ioues Sonne is slayne his Daughter dyes his Nephew lyueth still First by the Stepdames treason is the Sonne to ruin brought The Daughter likewyse trapt in traynes and thereby come to nought What hoary head in chaunge of tunes or teanour of his age Hath seene that Fortunes frowning Face hath sturd such stormy rage One dolefull day bereaueth mee alas of parents twayne But least I speake to spite the Gods I will somewhat refrayne I lost a Father Hercules this onely I complayne AL. O noble Impe of Hercules alas my Nephew deare That dost of wretched Alcmens Sonne the liuely feature beare Refrayne my chylde thy wayling woordes this quiet sleepe perhap Will ouercome these plonging fits But loe loe in my lap Hee doth begin to striue agayne his fits begin a fresh Sleepe gieuing vp the feeble ghost to ranckle in the flesh HE. What meaneth Thrachin craggy crest to shew before myne eyes Or now forsaking man am I aduaunst aboue the skies Why do the heauens prouyde for me the father Ioue I see And eake my stepdame Iuno dire appeased now with me What heauenly harmony is this that soundeth in myne eare Dame Iuno calles me sonne in law I se the pallace cleare Of christal skies and beaten rakes of Phoebus flaming wheele I see the dumpish moary denne of glowming lady night Here he commaundeth darknes dim to shew it self in sight What meaneth this who is it that the heauens agaynst me sparres And am I thus O father myne brought downe againe from starres Euen now Appolloës sowltring car did fume about my face So nie I past the pinch of Death lo Thrachin top in place Who brought me backe to ground agayne beneath me earst it lay And al the world was vnder me thou smart wert worne away Thou forcest me confesse the same Ah mercy mercy now In stead of farther vengeance do these humble wordes allow Lo Hillus lo thy mothers giftes such presentes shee preparde Ah might my trunchion punch her puddinges once as whilom farde The haughty Ladye Amazon wel trounsed for her pride On th edge of ysy Caucasus afront the mountayne syde O noble lady Megara were thou my wretched wyfe When rapt in rage of franticke fittes I rest thee of thy life Geue me my batt and bow in hand my wrestes I wil imbrew And force ye all your brages on me with blemish blacke to rue Thus let of Hercules exployts a woman be the last Hi. Forbeare O Syre thy hateful threates she hath it all is past The vengeance that ye seke on her already hath her spedd With wound receiued at your hand my mother lieth dead Her O blynded anguish dye she should of Hercles furious hand Thus Licas hath his marrow lost the heate of burning brest Wil haue me on the breathlesse coarse for to reuenge the rest Why doth shee not yet fele her force both let her want a graue And on her cursed flesh to feede let beastes her carkasse haue Hil. The silly woman was more woe then ye that bide the smart Ye wil release some part hereof for pitty in your hart For greefe of you with her owne hande alas her selfe she slew Thus more then ye do aske of her she doth her doyng rewe Yet is it not your Wyfes misdeede that brought you to this plight No nor my mothers traytrous hand hath wrought this deepe deceit This treason Nessus did contriue whom yee did pay his hire With arrow shot into his Ribs for rape of Deianire Thus father with the Centaures bloud your shyrt was sore embrewde At Nessus hand the vengeaunce of your deede thus haue yee rewde HE. Hee hath his will all is dispacht our Fates themselues display This is the
concerninge sondrye places augmented and some altered in this my translation First for asmuch as this worke seemed vnto mee in some places vnperfite whether left so of the Author or parte of it loste as tyme deuoureth all thinges I wot not I haue where I thought good with addition of myne owne Penne supplied the wante of some thynges as the firste Chorus after the first acte begynninge thus O ye to whom c. Also in the seconde Acte I haue added the speache of Achilles Spright rysyng from Hell to require the Sacrifyce of Polyxena begynning in this wyse Forsakinge now c. Agayne the three laste staues of the Chorus after the same Acte and as for the thyrde Chorus which in Seneca beginneth thus QVE VOCAT SEDES For asmuch as nothing is therein but a heaped number of farre and straunge Countries considerynge with my selfe that the names of so manye vnknowen Countreyes Mountaynes Desertes and VVoodes shoulde haue no grace in the Englishe tounge but bee a straunge and vnpleasant thinge to the Readers excepte I should expound the Historyes of each one which would be farre to tedious I haue in the place therof made another beginninge in this manner O Ioue that leadst c. VVhich alteration may be borne withall seynge that Chorus is no part of the substaunce of the matter In the rest I haue for my slender learninge endeuored to keepe touch with the Latten not worde for woorde or verse for verse as to expounde it but neglectynge the placinge of the wordes obserued their sence Take Gentle Reader this in good woorth with all his faultes fauour my first beginninges and amende rather with good will such things as herein are amisse then to depraue or discommende my labour and paynes for the faultes seyng that I haue herein but onelye made waye to other that canne farre better doe this or like desiryng them that as they can so they would Farewel gentle Reader and accept my good will The Argument THe ten yeares siege of Troy who list to heare And of th affayres that there befell in fight Reade ye the workes that long since written were Of all Th assaultes and of that latest night When Turrets toppes in Troy they blased bright Good Clerkes they were that haue it written well As for this worke no word therof doth tell But Dares Phrygian well can all report With Dictis eke of Crete in Greekish toung And Homer telles to Troye the Greekes resort In scanned verse and Maro hath it song Ech one in writ hath pend a stoary long Who doubtes of ought and casteth care to knowe These antique Authors shal the story showe The ruines twayne of Troy the cause of each The glittering helmes in fieldes the Banners spread Achilles yres and Hectors fightes they teach There may the iestes of many a Knight be read Patroclus Pyrrhus Aiax Diomed With Troylus Parys many other more That day by day there fought in field full sore And how the Grekes at end an engine made A hugie horse where many a warlike Knight Enclosed was the Troians to inuade With Sinons craft when Greekes had fayned flight While close they lay at Tenedos from sight Or hovv Eneas els as other say And false Antenor did the tovvne betray But as for me I naught therof endight Myne Author hath not all that story pend My pen his wordes in English must resight Of latest woes that fell on Troy at end What finall fates the cruell God could send And how the Greekes when Troy was burnt gan wreake Their ire on Troians therof shall I speake Not I with spere who pearced was in fielde Whose throate there cutte or head ycorued was Ne bloudshed blowes that rent both targe and shield Shal I resight all that I ouerpasse The worke I wryght more woeful is alas For I the mothers teares must here complayne And bloud of babes that giltles haue bene slayne And such as yet could neuer weapon wreast But on the lap are wont to dandled bee Ne yet forgotten had the mothers breast How Greekes them slew alas here shal ye see To make report therof ay woe is mee My song is mischife murder misery And hereof speakes this doleful tragedy Thou fury fel that from the deepest den Couldst cause this wrath of hell on Troy to light That worckest woe guyde thou my hand and pen In weeping verse of sobbes and sighes to wryght As doth myne author them bewayle aright Helpe woefull muse for mee besemeth wel Of others teares with weeping eye to tell When battered were to ground the towres of Troy In writ as auncient authors do resight And Greekes agayne repayrde to Seas with ioy Vp riseth here from hel Achilles Spright Vengeance he craues vvith bloud his death to quight Whom Paris had in Phoebus temple slayne With guile be trapt for loue of Polyxeine And wrath of hel there is none other pryce That may asswage but bloud of her alone Polyxena he craues for sacrifyce With threatninges on the Grecians many one Except they shed her bloud before they gone The Sprightes the hell and depest pittes beneath O Virgin dere alas do thrust thy death And Hectors sonne Astyanax alas Pore seely foole his Mothers onely ioy Is iudgd to die by sentence of Calchas Alas the whyle to death is led the boy And tumbled downe from Turrets tops in Troy What ruthful teares may serue to wayle the woe Of Hectors wyfe that doth her child forgoe Her pinching pange of hart who may expresse But such as of like woes haue borne a part Or who bewayle her ruthful heauines That neuer yet hath felt therof the smart Ful well they wot the woes of heauy hart What is to leese a babe from mothers breast They know that are in such a case distrest First how the Queene lamentes the fall of Troy As hath mine author done I shall it wryght Next how from Hectors wyfe they led the boy To die and her complayntes I shall resight The maydens death then I must last endight Now who that liste the Queenes complaint to here In following verse it shall forthwith appeare The Speakers names HECVBA Queene of Troy A company of women TALTHYBIVS a Grecian AGAMEMNON King of Greeks ASTYANAX NVNCIVS CALCHAS PYRRHVS CHORVS ANDROMACHA An old man TROIAN VLYSSES HELENA The Spright of Achilles THE FIRST ACTE Hecuba WHo so in pompe of prowde estate or Kingdome sets delight Or who that ioyes in Princes courte to beare the sway of might Ne dreads the fates which from aboue the wauering Gods downe flinges But fast affiance fixed hath in frayle and fickle thinges Let him in me both se the Face of Fortunes flattering ioy And eke respect the ruthful end of thee O ruinous Troy For neuer gaue shee playner proofe then this ye present see How frayle and britle is the state of pride and high degree The flowre of flowring Asia loe whose fame the heauens resound The Worthy worke of Gods aboue is batered downe to ground And whose
assaultes they sought afar from West with Banners spred Where Tanais cold her braunches seuen abroad the world doth shed With hugie host and from the East where springes the newest dea Where Luke warme Tygris channell runnes and meetes the ruddy sea And which frō wandring land of Scythe the band of widowes sought With fire and sworde thus battered be her Turrets downe to nought The walles but late of high renowne lo here their ruinous fall The buildinges burne and flashing flame swepes through the pallas al Thus euery house ful hie it smoakes of old Assarackes lande Ne yet the flames withholdes from spoyle the greedy Victors hand The surging smoake the asure saye and light hath hid away And as with cloude beset Troyes Ashes staynes the dusky day Through pearst with ire and greedy of hart the victor from a farre Doth view the long assaulted Troy the gaine of ten yeares warre And eke the miseryes therof abhorres to looke vppon And though he se it yet scant himselfe belieues might be wonne The spoyles thereof with greedy hand they snatch and beare awaye A thousand shippes would not receiue aboorde so huge a pray The yreful might I do protest of Gods aduerse to mee My countryes dust and Troyan King I call to witnes thee Whom Troy now hydes and vnderneath the stones art ouertrode With al the Gods that guides the Ghost and Troy that lately stoode And you also you flocking Ghostes of al my children dere Ye lesser Sprightes what euer ill hath hapned to vs here What euer Phoebus watrish face in fury hath foresayde At raging rise from seas when earst the monsters had him frayde In childbed bandes I saw it yore and wist it should be so And I in vayne before Cassandra told it long agoe Not false Vlysses kindled hath these fires nor none of his Nor yet deceyptful Sinons craft that hath bene cause of this My fyre it is wherwith ye burne and Parys is the brand That smoaketh in thy towres O Troy the flowre of Phrygian sand But ay alas vnhappy age why dost thou yet so sore Bewayle thy Countries fatall fall thou knewest it long before Behold thy last calamityes and them bewayle with wares Account as old Troys ouerturne and past by many yeares I saw the slaughter of the King and how he lost his life By Th' aulter side more mischiefe was with stroake of Pyrrhus knife When in his hand he wound his lockes and drew the King to ground And hid to hiltes his wicked sword in deepe and deadly wound Which when the gored King had tooke as willing to bee slaynt Out of the old mans throate he drew his bloudy blade agayne Not pitty of his yeares alas in mans extreamest age From slaughter might his hand withhold ne yet his yre asswage The Gods are witnes of the same and eake the sacrifyes That in his kingdome holden was that flat on ground now lies The father of so many Kings Pryam of auncient name Vntombed lieth and wants in blase of Troy his funerall flame Ne yet the Gods are wreakt but loe his Sonnes and daughters all Such Lordes they serue as doth by chance of lot to them befall Whom shall I follow now for pray or where shall I be led There is perhaps amonge the Greekes that Hectors wyfe wil wed Some man desyres Helenus spouse some would Antenors haue And in the Greekes their wantes not some that would Cassandra craue But I alas most woeful wight whom no man seekes to chuse I am the only refuge left and me they cleane refuse Ye careful captiue company why stints your woful crye Beate on your breastes and piteously complayne with voyce so hye As meete may be for Troyes estate let your complayntes rebound In toppes of Trees and cause the hills to ring with terible sounde THE SECOND SCENE The VVoman Hecuba NOt folke vnapt nor nevv to vveepe O Queene Thou vvilst to vvayle by practise are vvee taught For all these yeares in such case haue vve bene Since first the Troyan guest Amiclas soughte And saild the Seas that led him on his vvay With sacred ship to Cibell dedicate From vvhence he brought his vnrepyning pray The cause alas of all this dire debate Ten tymes novv hydde the hilles of Idey bee With snovve of Syluer hevv all ouer layd And bared is for Troyan rages each tree Ten tymes in field the haruest man afrayde The spikes of Corne hath reapt since neuer day His waylyng wantes new cause renewes our woe Lift vp thy hand O Queene crie well away We follow thee we are wel taught thereto HEC. ¶ Ye faythful fellowes of your casualty Vntie th at that on your heads ye weare And as behoueth state of misery Let fall aboute your woeful neckes your hayre In dust of Troy rub all your armes about In slacker weede and let your breastes be tyed Downe to your bellies let your limmes lye out For what wedlocke should you your bosomes hyde Your garmentes loose and haue in readines Your furious handes vppon your breast to knocke This habite well beseemeth our distresse It pleaseth me I know the Troyan flocke Renew agayne your longe accustomde cryes And more then earst lament your miseryes We bewayle Hector WO. ¶ Our hayre we haue vntide now euerychone All rent for sorrow of our cursed cace Our lockes out spreads the knottes we haue vndone And in these ashes stayned is our face HEC. ¶ Fill vp your handes and make therof no spare For this yet lawful is from Troy to take Let dovvne your garmentes from your shoulders bare And suffer not your clamour so to slake Your naked breastes wayte for your handes to smight Now dolor deepe now sorrow shevv thy might Make all the coastes that compas Troy about Witnes the sounde of all your careful crye Cause from the Caues the eccho to cast out Rebounding voyce of all your misery Not as she wontes the latter word to sound But all your woe from farre let it rebound Let al the Seas it heare and eke the land Spare not your breastes vvith heauy stroake to strike Beate ye your selues ech one vvith cruell hand For yet your vvonted crie doth me not like VVe bevvayle Hector VVO. Our naked armes thus here vve rent for thee And bloudy shoulders Hector thus vve teare Thus vvith our fistes our heades lo beaten bee And all for thee behold vve hale our heare Our dugges alas vvith mothers hands be torne And vvhere the flesh is vvounded round about VVhich for thy sake vve rent thy death to morne The flovving streames of bloud they spring thereout Thy countres shore and destinies delay And thou to vvearied Troians vvast an ayde A vvall thou vvast and on thy shoulders Troy Ten yeres it stode on thee alone it staide VVith thee it fell and fatall day alas Of Hector both and Troy but one there vvas HEC. Enough hath Hector turne your plaint and mone And shed your teares for Pryame euery chone VVO. Receiue our plaintes O lord of Phrigian