lab'rinth could not shunne Whence backe in vaine the straying Entrer seeks I lov'd O fatall love unlovely fate The vertuously faire yet fairest Dame That ever was enshrin'd in soules conceit Or ditties gave to grace the sounds of fame Straight were my fancies to her beauties ty'd None can paint passions but in feeling mindes I burn'd freez'd doubted hop'd despair'd liv'd dy'd With actions chang'd as oft as Autumnes windes Yet many conflicts past 'twixt hopes and feares To feast at least to nurce my starv'd desires She granted had a truce unto my teares And temper did with equall flames my fires For as she was the most esteemed Saint Whose image Love erected in my minde So when her cares had harbour'd once my plaint It pitie first and then did favour finde But ah triumphing in mine owne conceit As one whose love his Lady did preferre I was corrivall'd O disastrous fate By one who lov'd but was not lov'd by her He looking as I look'd faw what I saw Saw Natures wonder and the worlds delight And straight as that blinde god blinde guide did draw Still like a Lizard liv'd upon her sight Then labour'd he that Iewell straight to wonne Whose matchlesse worth he priz'd above his breath And loath'd all light which flow'd not from that Sunne As life without her had beene worse then death Yea Fortune seem'd to favour his desire And where to build high hopes did give him groundâ— The Nymph her parents daily did require That she might furnish physick for his wounds Of my distracted thoughts strange was the strife Who threatned thus with eminent mishap Was like to lose a thing more deare then life Whil'st others striv'd my treasure to entrap The man who sought my joyes to undermine I could not justly wish his state o're-throwne Nor blame the sprite that sympathiz'd with mine I envi'd not his lot but wail'd mine owne Now in my beast a mighty rage did raigne Which forc'd my soule with inward wounds to bleed Some fancies fear'd what once his love might gaine Since it was possible that he might speed Then others call'd her constancy to minde Which would not yeeld by such assaults though prov'd Yet forc'd to feare the frailty of her kinde A hearing woman may in time be mov'd Thus toss'd with doubts amidst a deep of woe Which with suspition did my joyes supplant I blam'd the thoughts that durst accuse her so As vertues patterne could one vertue want And â—or I hop'd his toils no further wrought Affliction oft affection doth enflame She of her sex who was the wonder thought Would thus not wrong the glory of her name Though in my absence they had oft assai'd That from her minde they might have me remov'd The Sunne burns hotest when his beames are stay'd The more they cross'd her love the more she lov'd For finding that delay no end affords And how faire Generals onely flow'd from Art She did upbraid him with disdainefull words To raze those hopes that had abus'd his heart Love is a joy which upon paine depends A drop of sweet drown'd in a sea of sowres What folly doth begin oft fury ends They hate for ever who have lov'd for houres When all his arguments prov'd of no force Straight with disdaine his soule in secret burn'd And what he thought was ill to make farre worse That Apostate to furie favour turn'd Through love preposterous procreating hate His thoughts amongst themselves could not agree Whil'st what was best he deeply did debate To see her dead or then enjoy'd by me What said he when he first had mus'd a space So hard it is to quench affections fires Shall I disfigure that Angelike face And cloud those beauties which the world admires Shall she by me be to confusion brought To whom I vows and prayers did impart To whom I sacrifiz'd each secret thought And on her beauties altar burn'd my heart Or shall I see her in anothers pow'r And in his bosome laid upbraid my losse Whil'st both with scornfull smiles then death more sowre To point me out for sport report my crosse That sight which sometime did me sweetly charme Should it become a cause of griefe to me No none who live shall glory in my harme Since she will not be mine she shall not be The hatefull love having vow'd her death Did with a cup of poyson drowne my joyes The fairest body from the sweetest breath Was parted thus O ocean of annoyes That Monster Fame whose many mouthes and eares Must know but not conceale a rare thing long And prodigall of ill most chiefly beares The worst news first inform'd me of this wrong For neighbouring neare the most unhappy part That had beene spoyl'd of such a noble guest As death had hers the furies seiz'd my heart Whose paine did spring from that which bred her rest How huge a weight did first confound my soule No tongue can tell it still my minde torments Rage did of griefe the outward signes controll When great windes blow the fire the smoak worst vents Whil'st generous furie did disguise my griefe I ranne transported with a mighty rage Bent by revenge or death to get relife A tragicke actor for a bloudy stage For I was come no sooner to the place Whereas I thought the Murtherer to have found But I did meet O ruine and disgrace Too deare a friend to catch and enemies wound Ah! passions dimn'd mine eyes wrath led my hand I was no more my selfe Griefe had me kill'd The first by Night who did before me stand As one whose breast with rage Alecto fill'd By chance encount'ring ere he spake a word I bath'd his bosome with a crimson floud And in his breast did drowne the cruell sword That in anothers body drank my bloud But when a Torch had partly rob'd the night Proud of suppos'd revenge ah bitter gaine I saw I knew black knowledge cruell sight My brother was the man whom I had slaine O bitter losse which nothing can repaire My soule with tow such monstrous deeds annoy'd Griefe rage spite shame amazement and despaire Gall'd toss'd burn'd dash'd astonish'd and destroy'd The thought of my offence doth grieve me most Yet am I sometime by loves verdict cleans'd And straight my brothers violated ghost By dreadfull dreames doth bragge to be reveng'd Croe. Now whil'st this great disaster did occurre What had the author of your anguish done Adrast He having heard this lamentable stirre Who self-accusing thoughts convicted soone Straight wounded by a wonderfull remorse Led by mad love or desp'rate feare to death He bent to follow her or dreading worse Stab'd by himselfe dy'd to defraud my wrath Croe. Those strange mishaps your enemies eyes must weet And force compassion from your greatest foe Since many monstrous circumstances meet To make a horrid harmony in woe But what doth touch ones selfe most force doth finde For ills when felt then heard griefe more abounds This extasie hath so o're-whelm'd my minde A melancholy huge all mirth confounds
Pure snows in Crimson dy'd imbrac'd her Lord Whil'st beauties blubbred Starres were waxing dim Then bent to fall when her they could not raise As scorning to survive their prosp'rous state In emulation of their Ladies praise The Eunuchs did precipitate their fate O sweet Panthea rich in rarest parts I must admire thy ghost though thou be gone Who might'st have made a Monarchy of hearts Yet loath'd unlawfull loves and lov'd but one O wond'rous wonders wonders wond'rous rare A woman constant such a beauty chast A minde so pure joyn'd with a face so faire With vertue beauty in one person plac't Both were well match'd as any could devise Whose death confirmes the union of their life He valorous she vertuous both wise She worthy such a Mate he such a wife And Harpagus lest that it should be thought That of brave mindes the memory may dye Cause build a stately Tombe with Statues wrought Where both their bodies with respect may lye Harp I 'le raise a Pyramide of Croesus spoils Where of their worth each part shall be compris'd But how to do in these tumultuous broils Now time requires that you were well advis'd Your adversary doth attend your will This hauty Towne for feare to fall doth bow And therefore pardon ransome quite or kill Do what you please none can controll us now Cry As for old Croesus I am else resolv'd He with some captives whom I keep in store Shall have their bodies by the fire dissolv'd As offerings to the Gods whom I adore My Souldiers paines this City shall defray Since by their meanes it hath beene gain'd for us I yeeld it unto them as their just prey Who taste the sweetnesse of their travels thus Of other things we shall so well dispose That our renowne through all the world shall shine Till Cyrus name give terror to all those Who dare against his Soveraignty repine Act. 5. Scene 2. Nuntius Chorus AH to what part shall I my steps addresse Of bondage base the burden to eschue Loe desolation ruine and distresse With horrour do my native home pursue And now poore Countrey take my last farewell Farewell all joy all comfort all delight Cho. What heavy tydings hast thou now to tell Who tear'st thy garments thus what forc'd thy flight Nunt. I tell the wracke of us and all who live Within the circuit of this wretched soile Cho. A hideous shout we heard the Citie give Have foes prevail'd do they her beauty spoile Nunt. They may it spoile Cho. And is our Soveraigne slaine Nunt. No but scarce scap't doth live in danger still Chor. Then let our mindes no more in doubt remaine And must we yeeld to that proud Strangers will Nunt. You know how Croesus at advantage lay Still seeking meanes to curbe the Persians pride And how th' Assyrians had assign'd a day When led by him they battell would abide But Cyrus having heard how that they would Against his State so great an armie bring Straight raising forces providently bold Prevents invades o're-comes and takes our King Cho. This shews a Captaine both expert and brave Who wisely doth advise performe with speed No circumstance friend unrelated leave Which with our Kings did our confusion breed Nunt. When Croesus saw that Cyrus came so soone He stood a while with a distracted minde Yet what time would permit left nought undone But made his musters march'd his foe to finde Our stately troups that for rich armes excell'd And with umbragious feathers fann'd the aire With insolency not with courage swell'd A triumph dream'd scarce how to fight took care The Lydian horse-men never stain'd but true And for their worth through all the world renown'd Them chiefly Cyrus labour'd to subdue And this device for that effect was found Untrussing all their baggage by the way Each of the Camels for his charge did beare A grim-fac'd Groome who did himselfe array With what in Persia horsemen use to weare To them th'infantery did follow next A solid squadron like a brasen wall But those in whom all confidence was fix'd The brave Cavallery came last of all Then Cyrüs by the raines his Courser tooke And bravely mounted holding out his hands With an assured and imperious look Went kindling courage through the flaming bands He them desir'd who at deaths game would strive To spare none of their foes in any forme But as for Croesus to take him alive And keep him captive for a greater storme Where famous Hellus doth to Hermus post To give another both his strength and name Our army ranne against a greater host To grace it likewise with our force and same Each troupe a time with equall valour stood Till giving place at length we took the chace While as the River ranne to hide our bloud But still his borders blush'd at our disgrace For when the Camels to the field were come Our horses all affrighted at their sight Ranne raging backe againe and of them some Disordering ranks put many to the flight Yet some who had beene us'd with martiall traines The stratagem though out of time perceiv'd And lighting downe red heights rais'd from green plains Did vengeance urge of those who them deceiv'd There whil'st the world prov'd prodigall of breath The headlesse tronks lay prostrated in heaps This field of funerals sacred unto death Did paint out horrour in most hideous shapes Whil'st men unhors'd horses unmastred stray'd Some call'd on those whom they most dearly lov'd Some rag'd some groan'd some sigh'd roar'd promis'd pray'd As blows falls faintnesse paine hope anguish mov'd Those who then scap'd like beasts unto a den A fortresse took where valour none renownes Walls are for women and the fields for men No Towne can keep a man but men keep Townes And we were scarcely entred at the Ports When straight the Enemies did the Towne enclose And quickly rear'd huge artificiall Forts Which did to the besieg'd more paine impose All martiall Engines were for battery found At like encounters which had ear'st prevail'd Whil'st both they us'd the vantage of the ground And borrow'd help from Art where Nature fail'd They alwayes compassing our Trench about Still where the walls were weake did make a breach Which straight repairing darts were hurled out To kill all those who came where we might reach There all the bolts of death edg'd by disdaine Which many curious wits enclin'd to ill Whil'st kindled by revenge or hope of gaine Had skill to make were put in practise still Yet as we see it oft-times hath occur'd That in Fames rolls our fall might be compris'd That side of Sardis farre from all regard Which doth next Tmolus lye thought most secure Through this presumption whil'st without a guard All Lydia's o'rethrow did with speed procure As one of ours unhappily it chanc'd To reach his helmet that had scap't his hand A longst that steepie part his steps advanc'd And was returning back unto his band He was well mark'd by one who had not spar'd To tempt
joyes remaine Which did exceed at least did equall theirs But chiefly Iuno did despight it most Who through a jealousie still jarres with Iove That body-prison'd soules of that could boast Which she although heavens Queen had not above Thus even for envy of our rare delights The fatall Sisters by the heavens suborn'd Of my soules treasure clos'd the lovely lights By which they thought the earth too much adorn'd O but he is not dead he lives in me Ah but I live not for I dy'd in him How can the one without the other be If death have set his eyes mine must looke dimme Since to my sight that Sunne no more appear'd From whom my beauties borrowed all their rayes A long eclipse that never shall be clear'd Hath darkened all the poynts of my sad dayes Aye me I live too long he dy'd too soone Thus still the worst remaine the best depart Of him who told how this curs'd deed was done The words like swords shall ever wound my heart Fierce tyrant death who in thy wrath did'st take One halfe of me and left one halfe behinde Take this to thee or give me th' other backe Be wholly cruell or be no way kinde But whil'st I live beleeve thou canst not dye O! even in spite of death yet still my choice Oft with the inward al-beholding eye I thinke I see thee and I heare thy voyce And to content my languishing desire To ease my minde each thing some helpe affords Thy fanci'd forme doth oft such faith acquire That in all sounds I apprehend thy words Then with such thoughts my memory to wound I call to minde thy lookes thy words thy grace Where thou didst haunt yet I adore the ground And where thou stept O sacred seemes that place My solitary walkes my widow'd bed My driry sighes my sheets oft bath'd with teares These shall record what life by me is led Since first sad newes breath'd death into mine eares Though for more paine yet spar'd a space by death Thee first I lov'd with thee all love I leave For my chast flames which quench'd were with thy breath Can kindle now no more but in thy grave By night I wish for day by day for night Yet wish farre more that none of both might be But most of all that banish'd from the light I were no more their constant change to see At night whil'st deeply musing of my State I goe to summe with sighes my wonted joyes An agony then in a sad conceit Doth blot the blubred count with new annoyes When Sleep the brother most resembling death Of darkenesse childe and father unto rest Doth bound though not restraine confused breath That it may vent but not with words exprest Then with my sprite thou dost begin to speake With sugred speeches to appease my griefe And my bruis'd heart which labour'd long to breake Doth in this comfort fain'd finde some reliefe Yea if our soules remain'd united so This late divorce would no way vexe my minde But when awaking it augments my woe Whil'st this a dreame and me a wretch I finde If never happy O thrise happy I But happy more had happinesse remain'd Yet then excessive joy had made me dye Since such delights what heart could have sustain'd Why waste I thus whil'st vainely I lament The pretious treasure of that swift past-time Ah pardon me deare love for I repent My lingring here my fate and not my crime Since first thy body did enrich the Tombe In this spoil'd world my eye no pleasure sees And Atis Atis Loe I come I come To be thy mate amongst the Myrtle trees Chorus Loe all our time even from our birth In misery almost exceeds For where we finde a moments mirth A month of mourning still succeeds Besides the evils that Nature breeds Whose paines doe us each day appall Infirmaties which frailty sends The losse of that which fortune lends And such disasters as oft fall Yet to farre worse our states are thrall Whil'st wretched man with man contends And every one his whole force bends How to procure anothers losses But this torments us most of all The minde of man which many a fancy tosses Doth forge unto it selfe a thousand crosses O how the soule with all her might Doth her celestiall forces straine That so she may attaine the light Of natures wonders which remaine Hid from our eyes we strive in vaine To seeke out things that are unsure In Sciences to seeme profound We dive so deepe we finde no ground And the more knowledge we procure The more it doth our mindes allure Of mysteries the depth to sound Thus our desire we never bound Which by degrees thus drawn on still The memory may not endure But like the Tubs which Danaus daughters fill Doth drinke no oftner then constrain'd to spill Yet how comes this and O how can Cleare knowledge thus the soules chiefe treasure Because of such a crosse to man Which should afford him greatest pleasure This is because we cannot measure The limits that to it belong But bent to tempt forbidden things Doe soare too high with Natures wings Still weakest whil'st we thinke us strong The heavens which hold we do them wrong To try their grounds and what thence springs This crosse upon us justly brings With knowledge knowledge is confus'd And growes a griefe ere it be long That which a blessing is when rightly us'd Doth grow the greatest crosse when once abus'd Ah! what avaiels this unto us Who in this vaile of woes abide With endlesse toyles to study thus To learn the thing that heaven would hide And trusting to too blinde a guide To spy the Planets how they move And too transgressing common Barres The constellation of the starres And all that is decreed above Whereof as oft the end doth prove A secret sight our wel-fare marres And in our brests breeds endlesse warres Whil'st what our horoscopes foretell Our expectations doe disprove Those apprehended plagues prove such a hell That then we would unknow them till they fell This is the pest of great estates They by a thousand meanes devise How to fore-know their doubtfull fates And like new Gyants scale the skies Heavens secret store-house to surprise Which sacrilegious skill we see With what great paine they apprehend it And then how foolishly they spend it To learne the thing that once must be Why should we seeke our destiny If it be good we long attend it If it be ill none may amend it Such knowledge but torments the minde Let us attend the heavens decree For those whom this ambiguous Art doth blinde May what they seeke to flye the rather finde And loe of late what hath our King By his preposterous travels gain'd In searching out each threatned thing Which Atis horoscope contain'd For what the heavens had once ordain'd That by no meanes he could prevent And yet he labours to finde out Through all the Oracles about Of future things the hid event This doth his raging minde
But to th' Ambitious men that it abus'd Who had their pow'r like Caesars wanted bounds Would whil'st they rul'd have greater rigour us'd All parts we see bred people of all kindes And as advanc'd some bad men did abide In pow'r their equals and of better mindes Some alwayes vertuous were to curbe their pride But since that sacred liberty was lost The publike pow'r to private ends one turnes And as his lawlesse wayes did alwayes boast The Common-weale by violence o're-turnes Dec. Though what you burden Caesar with were true Necessity hath purg'd his part from crime Who was foes force to shunne forc'd to pursue And urg'd by danger to attempt in time To th' enemies envy more oblig'd he rests Then to his wit which no such courses scan'd For when quite barr'd from using of requests Th' occasion then invited to command His thoughts when calme to storm fond foes did tempt True worth disdaines to suffer open wrong A gallant courage kindled by contempt Burns with revenge whil'st fury makes one strong Cic. O Decius now a wrong account you cast The purpose not th' event declares the minde Tread backe the steps of all his actions past And what he compass'd had beene long design'd As by some sprite inspir'd proud Scilla said That there in Caesar many Marians were And Rome in tiâ—e was warn'd to be afraid Of that evill-girded youth with smooth-comb'd haire Then when as still to quietnesse a foe The memory of Marius he renew'd By re-erecting Tyrants statues so His thoughts all bent to tyranny were view'd That people-pleaser might have beene perceiv'd By courteous complements below his rank Who lavishing forth gifts the world deceiv'd And to gaine more then his of his prov'd franke Though nought at all indulgent to his wife By prostrated pudicity disgrac'd Yet did he save th' adultrous Clodius life To sooth the multitude whose steps he trac'd Dec. These be the meanes by which Ambition mounts Without most humble when within most high As if it fled from that things which it hunts Still wasting most when it for most doth plie Cic. Then he still tyranny bent to embrace Was thought conjoyn'd with Catiline to be And had wise Cato's counsell taken place Might with the rest have suffered death by me Yet having deeply div'd in some mens soules With factious followers being pined oft He got the Consul-ship which nought controuls And matching pride with pow'r did look aloft To flatter them who now must flatter him His pow'r to make unlawfull laws prevail'd And those to crosse who scorn'd he so should clime He furnish't was with force where reason fail'd But yet because he could not be assur'd To rule alone according to his will To governe France he craftily procur'd So to be strengthened with an Army still As Rome first warr'd at home till being strong She thought her power might forraine Realmes o're-co So Caesar warr'd against strange Nations long Till that he thought his Might might conquer Rome Then having all that force or fate assignes Of discontentment he did cause pretend So to dissemble fore-conceiv'd designes One soone may finde a fault that would offend But when he first in a prodigious dreame His mother seem'd incestuously to use It might have shown to his eternall shame How of his birth the bounds he did abuse Dec. And yet I thinke avoyding threatned harmes He by constraint imbark'd in civill broyles Did he not covenant to quite his Armes As not desirous of his Countries spoiles Cic. Durst he with those who had his charge confin'd Stand to capitulate as if their mare Where as his Soveraigne to obey their minde It was his duty and their due of late What what durst he whom bound to keep the law The people in authority did put The sword which they had given against them draw When it was sharpned â—â—â—st their throat to cut That had not come which all oâ—â— anguish breeds If he unforc'd when as his charge expir'd Till that the Senate censur'd had his deeds Had from his Province peaceably retir'd No he hath but betray'd his native Towne Those bands by which she did him first preferre T' enlarge her borders and his owne renowne Those hath he us'd to tyrannize o're her My passions ah transported as you see With an excessive love to my deare soile Of my hearts store have made my tongue too free By flaming forth what in my brest doth boile Dec. That Caesars part might justly be excus'd Loe with the cause alledg'd his course accords Of which that mildenesse which he since hath us'd A testimony to the world affords Though forc'd to fight he alwaies had great care To save our Citizens as each man knowes And will'd his Captaines Romans still to spare Barbarians bodies objects were for blowes Of th' adversaries after bloudy strife When oft he might have made some Captives smart Not onely was he liberall of their life But pardon'd them even to take Pompeys part At that infortunate Pharsalian field When he securely might have us'd the sword He both did spare all th' enemies that would yeeld And them to rents and dignities restor'd Then when th' Egyptians so to get reliefe Brought to his sight pale Pompey's bloud-lesse head He testifi'd with teares hâ—s inward griefe And grac'd his Statues after he was dead Those his proceedings plainely may approve That he against his will did make this warre And to his Country beares a tender love Who could comport to reyne his rage so farre Cic. Those favours fain'd by him bestow'd or due As is ones custome whose high heart aspires Were spent on many that who them did view Might love his course so kindling their desires But where he thus pleas'd some he spoil'd whole hosts And the Barbarians all to Rome not wrought Such harme as he who of his goodnesse boasts Yet her best men hath to confusion brought That great man whom earst fortune ne're did fayle Who still prevail'd though warring without right Now in a good cause for the common-weale With Caesar did infortunately fight Whilst fled from Lesbos with his wretched wife Three base-borne Groomes can fortune change so soone Stood to consult upon great Pompeys life And did what thousands durst not once have done Then he whose knees had oft been kiss'd by Kings Most highly happy had he dy'd in time By one of his owne slaves with abject things His funerals had perform'd what monstrous crime Romes greatest Captaine to entombe alone The Roman who arriv'd with reason said The fatall glory was too great for one And to have part of that last honour staid The teares bestow'd by Caesar on his head Forth from a guilty minde remorse had throwne Or else he wept to see his enemie dead By any others hands then by his owne That constant Cato who even death did scorne And for a coward once had Caesar brav'd Who liv'd as if to grace all mortals borne Would rather perish then by him be sav'd He justly whilst more
imprecations execrable words And yet then this though voluntar'ly vow'd Free from all bonds save that which vertue bindes More constantly no course was ere allow'd Till that the end must manifest our mindes And since so many frankely keep their faith What first intended to accomplish bent No doubt in spight of sickle fortunes wrath A happy successe shall our soules content Might some few Thebans from the Spartans pride By divers tyrants deaths redeem their Towne And one Athenian who his vertue try'd By thirty tyrants ruine get renowne And to the Greekes are we inferiours growne That where they have so many tyrants spoil'd There cannot one be by us all o'rethrowne Whose state yet staggering may be soon imbroil'd I am resolv'd and with my thoughts decree VVhat ever chance to come or sweet or sowre I shall my soile from tyranny set free Or then my selfe free from the tyrants pow'r Dec. Brut. By Lepidus invited this last night VVhilst Caesar went to suppe and I with him Of all deaths shapes to talke we tooke delight So at the table to beguile the time And whilst our judgements all about were try'd Straight Caesar as transported to the rest With a most sudden exclamation cry'd O! of all deaths unlook'd for death is best It from our selves doth steale our selves so fast That even the minde no fearefull forme can see Then is the paine ere apprehended past Sowre things ere tasted would first swallowed be The threatned destiny thus he divin'd It would appeare divinely then inspir'd For now I hope that he shall shortly finde That forme of death which he himselfe desir'd Cai. Cas Whilst of our band the fury flames most hot And that their will to end this worke is such Lest Caesars absence disappoint the plot Which would of some abate the courage much It Decius were exceedingly well done That to his lodging you addrest your way Him by all meanes to further forward soone Lest him some sudden chance may move to stay Dec. Brut. There where the Senate minds this day to sit Stand all prepar'd not fearing danger more And for the Sacrifice when all is fit I 'le bring an offring hallowed of before Exeunt Act 4. Scene 2. Caesar Calphurnia Decius Brutus LOng-lookt-for Time that should the glory yeeld Which I through Neptunes trustlesse raign have sought And through the dust of many a bloudy field As by all dangers worthy to be bought Thy comming now those lowring shadowes cleares My hopes horizon which did long o're-cast This day defrayes the toyles of many yeares And brings the harvest of my labours past The Senators a Messenger have sent Most earnestly entreating me to come And heare my selfe discern'd by their consent To weare a Crowne o're all excepting Rome Thus they devise conditions at this houre For him of whom Mars hath made them the prey As Subjects limit could their Soveraignes pow'r Who must have minde of nought but to obey But having pacifi'd those present things I minde to leade my valorous legions forth To th' orientall Realmes adoring Kings Who can afford all that is due to worth Then swimme my thoughts in th' ocean of delight Whilst on the pillow of soft praise repos'd Those eyes to gaze upon my glories light Which Envy open'd Admiration clos'd Cal. Ah though your fancies great contentment finde Whilst thus the world your vertue doth advance Yet a prepost'rous terrour stings my minde And braggs me with I know not what mischance My wavering hopes o're-ballanc'd are with feares Which to my soule sinistrous signes impart And om'nous rumours so assault mine eates That they almost make breaches in my heart Caes What do foil'd Pompeys floting followers strive To recollect their ruines from the dust Dare they who onely by my tollerance live More to their strength then to my favour trust Or do'st thou feare his sonnes dejected state Who steales infamous flying through those flouds Which his great father Admirall of late Did plant with ships till all their waves seem'd woods Or makes his brothers death his hopes grow more Since by them straited in a bloudy strife I who in all the battel 's given before Did fight for victory then fought for life Or whilst to march to Parthia I prepare Doth a suspition thus afflict thy sprite By Crassus fortune mov'd who perish'd there The scorned prey of the Barbarians spight To those with Cassius who from thence retir'd Amongst my bands a place I will allow Whose foes shall finde bad fate at last expir'd Though the same sheep another sheep-heard now Doe not imagine matters to bemone For whilst there stands a world can Caesar fall Though thousand thousands were conjur'd in one I and my fortune might confound them all Cal. No none of those my minde doth miscontent Who undisguis'd still like themselves remaine Vnlook't-for harmes are hardest to prevent There is no guard against conceal'd disdaine But in whom further can your trust repose Whom danger now o're all by all attends Where private men but onely feare their foes Oft Kings have greatest cause to feare their friends For since most trusted fittest to betray Those unto whom ones favour force affords Most dangerous ambushes with ease may lay Whilst falsest hearts are hid with fairest words And some report though privately yet plaine That Dolabella and Antonius now By your destruction doe intend to gaine That which you keep by making all men bow Caes No corpulent sanguinians make me feare Who with more paine their beards then th'en'mies strike And doe themselves like th'Epicurians beare To Bacchus Mars and Venus borne alike Their hearts doe alwaies in their mouthes remaine As streames whose murmuring showes their course not deep Then still they love to sport though grosse and plaine And never dreame of ought but when they sleep But those high sprites who hold their bodies downe Whose visage leane their restlesse thoughts records Whilst they their cares depth in their bosomes drown I feare their silence more then th 'others words Thus Cassius now and Brutus seeme to hold Some great thing in their minde whose fire oft smoaks What Brutus would he vehemently would Thinke what they list I like not their pale lookes Yet with their worth this cannot well agree In whom bright vertue seemes so much to shine Can those who have receiv'd their lives from me Prove so ingrate that they doe thirst for mine Dare Cassius match'd with me new hopes conceive At th' Hellespont who fortune durst not try And like a dastard did his Gallies leave In all save courage though more strong then I Shall I suspect that Brutus seekes my bloud Whose safety still I tendred with such care Who when the heavens from mortals me seclude Is onely worthy to be Caesars heire Cal. The corners of the heart are hard to know Though of those two the world the best doth deeme Yet doe not trust too much to th' outward show For men may differ much from what they seeme None oft more fierce then those
by others pow'rs Whil'st feare licentious thoughts appalls Of all the Tyrants that the world affords Ones owne affections are the fiercest Lords As Libertines those onely live Who from the bands of vice set free Vile thoughts cancell And would excell In all that doth true glory give From which when as no Tyrants be Them to repell And to compell Their deeds against their thoughts to strive They blest are in a high degree For such of fame the scrouls can hardly fill Whose wit is bounded by anothers will Our Ancestors of old such prov'd Who Rome from Tarquines yoke redeem'd They first obtain'd And then maintain'd Their liberty so dearly lov'd They from all things which odious seem'd Though not constrain'd Themselves restrain'd And willingly all good approv'd Bent to be much yet well esteem'd And how could such but ayme at some great end Whom liberty did leade Glory attend They leading valorous legions forth Though wanting Kings triumph'd o're Kings And still aspir'd By Mars inspir'd To conquer all from South to North Then lending fame their Eagles wings They all acquir'd That was requir'd To make them rare for rarest things The world made witnesse of their worth Thus those great mindes who domineer'd o're all Did make themselves first free then others thrall But we who hold nought but their name From that to which they in times gone Did high ascend Must low descend And bound their glory with our shame Whil'st on an object Tyrants Throne We base attend And do intend Vs for our fortune still to frame Not it for us and all for one As liberty a courage doth impart So bondage doth disbend else breake the heart Yet O! who knows but Rome to grace Another Brutus may arise Who may effect What we affect And Tarquines steps make Caesar trace Though seeming dangers to despise He doth suspect What we expect Which from his breast hath banish'd peace Though fairely he his feares disguise Of Tyrants even the wrong revenge affords All feare but theirs and they feare all mens swords Act. 4. Scene 1. Decius Brutus Albinus Marcus Brutus Caius Cassius DEare Cosin Cassius did acquaint mine eares With a designe which toss'd my minde a space For when strange news a strangers breath first beares One should not straight to rash reports give place I would not then discover what I thought Lest he to trap my tongue a snare had fram'd Till first with thee I to conferre was brought Whom he for Patron of his purpose nam'd One should look well to whom his minde he leaves In dangerous times when tales by walls are told Men make themselves unnecessar'ly slaves Of those to whom their secrets they unfold Mar. Brut. As Cassius told thee griev'd for Romes distresse Which to our shame in bondage doth remaine We straight intend what ever we professe With Caesars bloud to wash away this staine Though for this end a few sufficient are To whom their vertue courage doth impart Yet were we loth to wrong thy wroth so farre As of such glory to give thee no part Since both this cause yea and thy name thee binde In this adventrous band to be compris'd There needs no Rhetoricke to raise thy minde To do the thing which thou shouldst have devis'd Dec. Brut. I thought no creature should my purpose know But he whose intrest promis'd mutuall cares Of those to whom one would his secret show No greater pledge of trust then to know theirs As when two meet whil'st mask'd though most deare friends With them as strangers no respect takes place But straight when friend-ship one of them pretends The other likewise doth un-cloud the face So as thou first I 'le now at last be bold My brest with the same birth long bigge hath gone But I to others durst it not unfold Nor yet attempt to compasse it alone But since this course at which I long did pause On such great pillars now so strongly stands Whose count'nance may give credit to a cause It hath my heart and it shall have my hands Ca. Cass To our designes propitious signes are sent So that the Gods would give us courage thus For all who ever heard of our intent Would willingly engage themselves with us Let other men discourse of vertuous rites Ours but by action onely should be showne Bare speculation is but for such sprits As want of pow'r or courage keeps unknowne In those who vertue view when crown'd with deeds Through Glories glasse whose beauties long have shin'd To be embrac'd an high desire she breeds As load-stones iron so ravishing the minde What though a number now in darknesse lyes Who are too weak for matters of such weight We who are eminent in all mens eyes Let us still hold the height of honour straight Mar. Brut. Earst that our faction might be strengthned thus I labour'd much to purchase all their pow'rs Whom hate to Caesar love to Rome or us Might make imbarke in those great hopes of ours By sicknesse then imprison'd in his bed Whil'st I Ligarius spy'd whom paines did pricke When I had said with words that anguish bred In what a time Ligarius art thou sick He answer'd straight as I had Physicke brought Or that he had imagin'd my designe If worthie of thy selfe thou would'st do ought Then Brutus I am whole and wholly thine Since he by Caesar was accus'd of late For taking Pompey's part yet at this houre He though absolv'd doth still the Tyrant hate Since once endanger'd by his lawlesse pow'r Thus of great sprits exasperating spites Heaven of our course the progresse doth direct One inspiration all our soules incites Who have advis'dly sworne for one effect Dec. Brut. So I with Cicero did conferre at length Who I perceive the present state detests And though old Age diminish'd hath his strength In him a will to free his Countrey rests Mar. Bru. That man whose love still to his countrey shin'd Would willingly the common-wealth restore Then he I know though he conceals his minde None Caesar more dislikes nor likes us more Yet to his custody I 'le not commit The secrets of our enterprise so soone Men may themselves be often-times not fit To do the things which they would wish were done He still was timorous and by age growne worse Might chance to lay our honour in the dust All Cowards must inconstant be of force With bold designes none fearfull breasts should trust Then some of ours would hold their hands still pure Who ere they be suspected for a space Amid'st the tumult may remaine secure And with the people mediate our peace But who then Tullius fitter for that turne Whose eloquence is us'd to charme their eares His banishment they in black Gownes did mourne Whom all do honour for his worth and yeares Cai. Cass Those studious wits which have through dangers gone Would still be out ere that they enter in Who muse of many things resolve of none And thinking of the end cannot begin The minde which looks
no further then the eye And more to Nature trusts then unto Art Such doubtfull fortunes fittest is to try A furious actor for a desp'rat part We have enow and of the best degree Whose hands unto their hearts hearts t' us are true And if that we seek moe I feare we be To hide too many if disclos'd too few Let us advise with an industrious care Now ere the Tyrant intercept our mindes The time the place the manner when and where We should en-trust our Treasure to the windes And since our states this doth in danger bring Let every point be circumspectly weigh'd A circumstance or an indifferent thing Doth oft marre all when not with care conveigh'd Mar. Brut. As for the time none could be wish'd more fit Then is the present to performe our vow Since all the people must allow of it By recent anguish mov'd extreamely now When represented in his triumph past Great Cato's mangled intrails made them weep And desp'rat Scipio whil'st he leap't at last To seek a Sanctuary amidst the deep Then all those great men whom in severall parts Bent for Romes freedome Caesar did o're-throw Did by their pictures pierce the peoples hearts And made a piteous though a pompous show How could they but conceive a just disdaine To be upbraided in so strange a sort Whil'st he who onely by their losse did gaine Of their calamitie did make a sport But yet his purpose grieves them most of all Since that he strives to be proclaim'd a King And not contents himselfe to make us thrall But would even all our heires to bondage bring Thus whil'st the people are with him displeas'd We best may do what to our part belongs For after this they may be best appeas'd If whil'st their wrath doth last we venge their wrongs And since we nought intend but what is right Whil'st from our Countrey we remove disgrace Let all be acted in the Senates sight A common cause and in a common place Let those whose guilty thoughts do damne their deeds In corners like Minerva's birds abide That which our Countrey good us glory breeds May by the lights of heaven and earth be try'd The Senatours by our example mov'd Pleas'd with this action which imports them too To have the yoke of tyranny remov'd May at the least confirme that which we do So all the Senatours were said of old King Romulus in peeces to have torne Who then to tyrannize was growne too bold And ere turn'd God humanitie did scorne Dec. Brut. Yea what though Caesar were immortall made As Romulus whose deitie him revives I rather as a God adore him dead Then as a King obey him whil'st he lives Cai. Cass That place indeed most for our glory makes A Theater worthy of so great an act Where in their sight from whom most pow'r he takes We of the Tyrant vengeance may exact But I must recommend unto your minde A course though strict of which we must allow Lest it o're-throw all that we have design'd Since past recovery if neglected now There is Antonius Caesars greatest friend A man whose Nature tyranny affects Whom all the Souldiers daily do attend As one who nought but to command respects I feare that he when we have Caesar slaine The grieved faction furnish with a head So when we end we must begin againe With one who lives worse then the other dead And in my judgement I would thinke it best VVhen sacrific'd the proud usurper lyes That this seditious enemy of rest Should fall with him with whom he first did rise Thus of our liberty we now may lay A solid ground which can be shak't by none Those of their purpose who a part delay Two labours have who might have had but one Mar. Brut. I cannot Cassius condescend to kill Thus from the path of justice to decline One faultlesse yet lest after he prove ill So to prevent his guiltinesse by mine No no that neither honest were nor just Which rigorous forme would but the world affright Men by this meane our meaning might mistrust And for a little wrong damne all that 's right If we do onely kill the common foe Our Countries zeale must then acquire due praise But if like Tyrants fiercely raging so We will be thought that which we raze to raise And where we but intend to aide the State Though by endangering what we hold most deare If slaying him as arm'd by private hate We to the world all partiall will appeare Ah ah we must but too much murder see Who without doing ill cannot do good And would the Gods that Rome could be made free Without the shedding of one drop of bloud Then there is hope that Anthonie in end Whil'st first our vertue doth direct the way Will leagu'd with us the liberty defend And when brought back will blush as once astray Ca. Cass Well Brutus I protest against my will From this black cloud what ever tempest fall That mercy but most cruelly doth kill Which thus saves one who once may plague us all Dec. Brut. When Caesar with the Senatours sits downe In this your judgements generally accord That for affecting wrongfully the Crowne He lawfully may perish by the Sword No greater harme can for our course be wrought Then by protracting the appointed time Lest that which acted would be vertue thought Be if prevented constru'd as a crime Can one thing long in many mindes be pent No purposes would never be delayd Which judg'd by th' issues Fortune doth comment If prosp'ring reason treason if betrai'd There may amongst our selves some man remaine Whom if afraid his pardon to procure Or if too greedy for the hope of gaine Time to disclose his consorts may allure Then for our recompence we ruine reape If ought our course thus made abortive marre For if discovered once we cannot scape As tyrants eares heare much their hands reach farre Ca. Cassius The brest in which so deep a secret dwels Would not be long charg'd with so weighty cares For I conjecture as their count'nance tels That many know our mindes though we not theirs Even but of late one Casca came to see Who curious was to have our purpose knowne And said to him that which thou had'st from me To me by Brutus hath at length been shown Then Laena once came to us in like sort And wish'd that our designe might prosper well But yet to haste did earnestly exhort Since others told what we refus'd to tell Whilst strangers rest familiar with our minde And ere we them doe all our purpose spy Make forward fast or we will come behinde Fame wing'd with breath doth violently flye Mar. Brut. Their words but burst from tales uncertaine forth For whilst considering of their bondage thus Of Caesars tyranny and of our worth They thinke this should be done and done by us Such conjurations to confirme of old Some drinking others blouds swore on their swords And cursing those who did their course unfold Vs'd