both lye downe to rest and rise in peace Then if they strive they strive who should love best What though thou have not as the mighty ones Thy neck surcharg'd with chains ah chains indeed Nor eares weigh'd down with orientall stones Nor Robes whose worth may admiration breed So want'st thou that which we have ever had Sad mis-contentments jealousie and spite And though thy back be not with purple clad Thy thoughts are deck't with Innocencies white As birds whose cage of gold the sight deceives Do seeme to sing whil'st they but waile their state So with the mighty match'd made glorious slaves We happy seeme whil'st we but curse our fate That blisse whose shew in us vaine eyes doth please Makes thee indeed with pleasures spend thy breath Who liv'st while yong in mirth whil'st ag'd in ease And know'st not what it is to dye till death Ah! since I liv'd I alwayes did but dye When seeming happy then most wretched still Whil'st dazeling with vaine pompe each vulgar eye What strange mishaps did me with anguish fill The fates with fortune from my birth conspir'd To make my life a patterne of their might For both my parents from the world retir'd When I had scarcely look'd upon the light The world may judge how I was justly griev'd Whil'st angry Philip sought for my disgrace A thing which once I scarce could have beleev'd And unto Cleopatra gave my place Then though I long as desp'rate of reliefe For his offence afflicted had my minde Yet did his sudden death augment my griefe He was my husband though he was unkinde And when my Sonnes rare deeds which fame doth sound The world with wonder ravish'd me with joy Those as himselfe who would all his confound To compasse me did spite and power imploy Yet stood my courage when my Fortune fell And still I toil'd to persecute his foes That some might fall downe who too much did swell Their bloud in Marble registring my woes That which I purpos'd long so prosp'red too That some of them did try by torments strange All what a womans just disdaine could do Whil'st spurr'd by jealousie spite and revenge But this Arch-traitour Ruler of the rest Who thirsts to drinke the bloud of all our Race Even then with us when all succeeded best Did compasse me with ruine and disgrace Such was the tenor of my Fortune past Whose least mishap had made another burst First orphan'd widow'd and unchilded last A daughter wife and mother all accurst Heavens plague Cassander let that base wretch try That Iove his judgement but a while deferres And let his wife bewaile as well as I I murdred for my Sonne and she by hers Even as th' incestuous Thebans monstrous brood So may thy Sonnes contend with mutuall wounds And never let thy house be free from bloud Till banish'd quite from this usurped bounds Thus notwithstanding of my wonted pow'r To me save wishes nothing doth remaine But though condemn'd to dye yet at this houre Should I begin to curse and to complaine No no that custome best becomes poore soules Whose resolution cannot climbe more high But I whose courage that base course controuls Must triumph still what ever State I try Death is the port where all may refuge finde The end of labour entry unto rest Death hath the bounds of misery confin'd Whose Sanctuary shrowds affliction best To suffer oft with a couragious heart It doth deserve more praise then deeds most knowne For in our actions Fortune hath some part But in our suffrings all things are our owne Loe now I loath the world and worldly things Of which I both have prov'd the best and worst The apprehended death great comfort brings And hath no crosse but that it should be forc'd O heare me now deare Sonne if that thy Ghost May leave th' Elysian fields to look on me Of all things else this doth content me most That from this time I may remaine with thee And blush not now to see thy Mothers end My death in glory with thy life shall strive It as a captive Fortune shall attend That as thy fellow follow'd thee alive Chorus AH ah though man the image of great Iove And th' onely creature that gives Reason place With reverence due unto the powres above His heavenly progeny should seeke to prove By still resembling the Immortall kinde Yet makes the world our better part so blinde That we the clouds of vanity imbrace And from our first excellency decline This doth distinguish that celestiall grace Which should make soules to burne with Vertues love Whose fancies vice luxuriously now feasts Vice is the Circe that enchants the minde And doth transforme her followers all in Swine Whiâ—st poyson'd pleasures so corrupt our tastes That of halfe-gods we make our selves whole-beasts And yet of ruthlesse Pluto's raging host The vâ—ce which doth transport presumptuous hearts And makes men from the Gods to differ most Is cruelty that to the sufferers cost And actors both is often-times appeas'd The gods delight to give and to forgive By pardoning and not by plagueing pleas'd And why should men excogitate strange Arts To shew their tyranny as those who strive To feed on mischiefe though the Author smarts Oft for the deed of which himselfe did boast Whil'st whence the blow first came the griefe doth turne For that by which the minde at first was eas'd May it in th' end the greatest burden give Oft those whose cruelty makes many mourne Do by the fires which they first kindled burne Of other tyrants which oppresse the minde With pleasure some delight it in such sort That first the hony then the gall we finde And others though from Honors Court declin'd Somâ— comfort yeeld but base by hope of gaine And though some make us to be loath'd of one We by their meanes anothers love obtaine But cruelty with which none can comport Makes th'authors hated when the deed is done Oft even by those whom it did most support As that which altenates men from their kinde And as humanity the minde enchaunts So barbarous soules which from the same refraine More fierce than lavage beasts are lov'd of none Since with such beasts one with lesse danger haunts Then with the man whose minde all mercy wants Yet though the minde of man as strong and rude Be ravish'd oft with violent desire And must if fir'd with rage be quench'd with bloud How can this tender sexe whose glory stood In having hearts inclin'd to pity still It selfe delight in any barbarous deed For Nature seemes in this to use her skill In making womens mindes though weake entire That weaknesse might love and devotion breed To which their thoughts if pure might best aspire As aptest for th'impressions of all good But from the best to worst all things do weare Since cruelties from feeble mindes proceed In breasts where courage failes spite shame and feare Make envy hate and rigour rule to beare Our Queene Olympias who was once so
what prop can I repose my trust When of his state I first the greatnesse ponder Next how his Diademe drencht in the dust Was Fortunes Trophee and all Asia's wonder He whose imperious speech the world respected And as an Oracle had in regard He vanquish'd now and with contempt neglected Even as a supplicant can scarce be heard And yet I know this more doth grieve his soule Then all the harme which happned to his state His pow'r ov'r me that any can controull Who as his Idoll was ador'd of late Shall he pure quintessence of my best part Then onely testifie the love he beares No by mine eyes I will distill my heart And for his sake dissolve my selfe in teares Would God my breast might still transparant be That as through Crystall all might marke my minde And of my loyall thoughts the secrets see Whose great affection cannot be confin'd This prisons worst hath bounded but mine eyes And banish'd them the object of their joy My fiery heart well wing'd with fancies flyes And where thou go'st dost still thy steps convoy Deare whil'st thou dost enjoy this common ayre Those who me captive thinke do grosly erre For whil'st thou liv'st how can thy Queene despaire Whom thou to soule and Scepter dost preferre Yet flatter I my selfe who am accurst Of those mishaps which make my thoughts to stray The memory may serve to make me burst Ah ah I faint I feele my sprits decay Sis Help help alas alas the Empresse falls Stat. Vir. O day of darknesse what a world of woes Sis This heavy sight my panting heart appals Heaven earth and all are now become our foes Stat. Vir. No creature hath more cause to mone then I Whose Fathers Fortune oft afflicts mine eares Whil'st I my mothers misery must spie So that of both my breast the burden beares Stat. Reg. What inhumane humanity is this With such a cruell pitie to oppresse To bring pale ghosts back from the fields of blisse Yet to be plung'd in th' ocean of distresse O unkinde kindnesse that by saving slayes And would with lovelesse love my love controull Ah! of this braving Sunne the loathsome rayes Do cleare mine eyes but to confound my soule Sis Deare daughter strive your passions to restraine Lest that the torrent of your griefe grow such That both it carry you where horiours raigne And him o're-whelme for whom you mourn so much No doubt but he if we rest captives thus Disdaining those indignities of ours To venge himselfe in reobtaining us Will hazard all his orientall pow'rs But ah what comfort can a wretch afford Whose care-worne breast the worst of woe containes Yet though my heart would faine impugne my word I hopelesse speake of hope to ease her paines Stat. Reg. Plagu'd with what is what may be never pause Since we must hold our griefe our greatest good And do not feed false hopes for we have cause Even to sigh out our souls and weep our bloud Sis I waile my Sonne Stat. Reg. And I my husbands fall Stat. Vir. I waile my Father and in him us all Sis No woe like mine mine cannot be releev'd I waile his woe who should my woe asswage Who lives by me by whom I should have liv'd Sport of my youth and pillar of mine age Stat. Reg. No woe like mine who for my Mate mourne here For love ot whom I had all others left But what a Mate my selfe or one more deare Yet from my selfe my selfe by force am reft Stat. Vir. So woe like mine who born a Monarchs childe Hop'd by my birth of Fortunes best to boast Yet are my hopes even at the height beguil'd And what I hop'd in most hath harm'd me most Sis I mourne for him who in my wombe was form'd Stat. Reg. I mourn for him in whom love me transform'd Stat. Vir. I mourn for him who did give forme to me Sis Shall I no more in him my Image see Stat. Reg. Ah! shall I never in his joy rejoyce Stat. Vir. Ah! shall I never heare his chearfull voyce Sis Would God my ruine might his ransome be Stat. Reg. Would God my life my lifes life might set free Stat. Vir. Would God the life he gave him life might give Sis Must those gray haires my Sonnes greene youth furvive Stat. Reg. Lest twise made dye I 'le first prevent his fall Stat. Vir. Shall I live last to suffer for you all Sis But whil'st our wretched state we justly mone We may lament this Infant too a space Who in mishap inferiour were to none If he could apprehend his Tragicke case Stat. Reg. O then how can my heart but bursted be Whom Nature moves most to bemone his harmes I thinke the hosts of heaven I thund'ring see On me my husband and him in my armes Deare Image of my selfe in whom I live Thy shape not shames the greatnesse of thy Sire But of thy birth cleare evidence doth give Thy sowre-sweet sight addes coals to my desire Thou who should'st comfort most torment'st thou me Huge hosts of passions now my soule assembles O how I grieve and yet am glad to see Thee though not him whom thy sweet face resembles Go beare this Babe from hence a wound too deep Hath piere'd me with compassion of his part Yet let him stay I joy to heare him weep This mothers passion melts my bursting heart Of many woes this last is not the least That unbegun thy glory thus must end Thy Fortunes Sunne my Sonne set in the East Whil'st all the world thy rising did attend Ah! must this Innocent taste of mishap Whose tender age cannot discerne his state And thus be plagu'd yea in his Nurses lap Inherit woe by birth ah cruell fate If thou could'st hope what great hopes hast thou lost Who art defrauded of so high a Throne Ah! in thy cradle must I see thee crost Whom I design'd so great when we were gone Yet happie haplesse childe who can'st not know From whence the fountaine of our sorrow flows Nor what it is that men call high or low Nor on what thorne the rose of honour grows Yet hast thou felt the pricke before the smoll Is this the benefit thy birth-right brings A captive here in misery to dwell Then better not be borne nor come of Kings O! what a noise is this that thus affrights I thinke of teares the torrent to restraine Since soules when sad a just complaint delights They still would plague yet stop me to complaine Or is it one who doth lament our case And is a rare thing in affliction kinde Who would behold how we can death embrace Death soveraigne physicke for a troubled minde Sis By many signes we may our selves assure T' is Alexander whom we long'd not for Stat. Reg. What ah I die and must mine eyes endure That hatefull object which I most abhorre Sis Spare spare such speeches now lest all go wrong We are environ'd with outragious hosts Those who are weake must yeeld unto
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
the Gods Their providence as partiall would condemne Who in such sorte doe exercise their rods He thus now kill'd with life to let me goe May breed reproch to all the pow'rs divine But ah they knew no death could grieve me soe As that which through his heart was aim'd at mine Now all the world those deities may despise Which strike the guiltlesse and the guilty spare Cease haplesse man to plague thy selfe thus wise I pardon thee and pittie thy despaire Adrast. O rigorous judgement O outragious fate Must I suruive the funeralls of my fame All things which I behold vpbraide my state Too many monuments of one mans shame All and none more then I my deeds detest Yet some waile want of friends and I of fâ—es To purge the world of such a dangerons pest Which still contagious must taint hearts with woes To wound this brest where all hells hosts do raigne Seiz'd with just feare none dare a hand forth stretch Else this base charge as odious doe disdaine To deale with Death in favour of a wretch Or must I yet till more detested stand And fill the world with horrour of my name What further mischiefe can require my hand Must it ingrave on others graves my shame Or would some bastard thought lifes cause debate Which in the blasted field of comfort gleanes No no in spite of Heaven I 'le force my fate One when resolv'd to die cannot want meanes Proud Tyrant Death and must thou make it strange To wrap my wearied soule in further strife Vnlesse my courage with my fortune change Though nothing else I can command my life But this ay me all hope of helpe devowres What gaines my soule by death in those sad times If potent still in all her wonted pow'rs Shee must remember of my odious crimes What though un-bodied she the world forsake Yet from her knowledge cannot be divorc'd This will but vexe her at the shadowie lake Till even to grone the God of Ghosts be forc'd But welcome death and would the Gods I had Lesse famous or more fortunately liv'd Then knowne if good and kept obscure if bad Of comfort quite I had not beene depriv'd Ah! have I liv'd unnaturall I to be My brothers murtherer who me dearely lov'd Ah! have I liv'd with my owne hands to kill A gallant Prince committed to my charge And doe I gaze on the dead bodie still And in his fathers sight my shame enlarge Ah! have I liv'd whilst men my deeds doe scan To be the obiect of contempt and hate Of all abhorr'd as a most monstrous man Since thought a Traitouror farre worse ingrate Yet with my blood I 'le wash away this staine Which griefe to you to me disgrace hath brought Would God my name from mindes â—ight â—aâ—'d remaine To make my life as an unacted thought Brave Atis now I come to pleade for grace Although thou frown'st on my affrighted Ghost And to revenge thy wrong this wound embrace Thus thus I toile to gaine the Stygian coast Cho. Loe how he wounds himselfe despising paine With leaden lights weake legs and head declin'd The bodie beates the ground as in disdaine That of her members one hath prov'd unkind The fainting hand falles trembling from the Sword With his selfe slaughtering blow for shame grown red Which straight the blood pursues with vengeance stor'd To drowne the same with the same floods it shed Who of those parties can the combat show Where both but one one both strooke and sustain'd Or who triumphs for this most strange o'rethrow Where as the victor lost the vanquish'd gain'd Croe Curs'd eyes what suddaine change hath drown'd your lights And made your mirthfull objects mournefull now Ye that were still inur'd to stately sights Since seated under an imperiall brow Ah! clouded now with vapours drawn from cares Are low throwne down amid'st a hell of griefe And have no prospect but my soules despaires Of all the furies which afflict me chiefe O dead Adrastus I absolve thy Ghost Whose hand I see some destiny did charme Thou hated by the heavens wast to thy cost A casuall actour not intending harme No doubt some angry God hath laid this snare And whilst thy purpose was the Boare to kill Did intercept thy shaft amidst the Aire And threw it at my Sonne against thy will Ah! Sonne must I be witnesse of thy death Who view thee thus by violence to bleede And yet want one on whom to poure my wrath To take just vengeance for so vile a deede This wretch whose guiltlesse minde hath clear'd his hand Loe for his errour griev'd unforc'd doth fall And not as one who did in danger stand For still he liv'd till I forgave him all Thus have I but the heavens on whom I may Blast forth the tempest of a troubled minde And in my soules distresse I grieve to say That greater favour I deserv'd to finde Act 4. Scene 1. Sandanis Croesus WHy spend you Sir with sighes that Princely breath Whence Soveraignty authority should take O weake revenge for one when wrong'd by death To yeeld him homage prostrated in blacke That Tyrant pale so hatefull unto us Whose fatall shaft so great a griefe hath bred Where he triumphs should you reare trophees thus And weare his livery as his captive led No though he might this outward blisse o'rethrow And you save you of all things else might spoile Yet whilst of one who yeelds no signe you show You are victorious and he gets the foile Those floods of sorrow which would drown your soule In brests more base might better be excus'd Since wanting sprite their passions to controule As from their birth still to subjection us'd But you in whom high thoughts by nature grow To this decay how is your vertue come I blush to see my Soveraigne brought so low And Majestie by misery o'recome Nor doe I thus to make you stupid strive As one unnaturall wanting sense to smart No none a Prince of kindnesse can deprive The honour'd badge of an Heroicke heart That pow'r supreme by which great States doe stand Affections order should but not undoe And I could wish you might your selfe command Which though you may not well yet seeme to doe Croe. I will not here rehearse enlarging woes On what just reasons now my griefe I ground But still will entertaine my comforts foes Whilst many a thousand thoughts my soule doe wound What pensive pensill ever limm'd aright The sad conceipts of soule-consuming griefe Ah! words are weake to shew the swelling height Of th' inward anguish desperate of reliefe Though many monarchs jealously despise The rising Sunne that their declining staines And hate the Heyre who by their fall must rise As griev'd to heare of death or others raignes My love to Atis otherwise appear'd Whome whilst for him I did my cares engage I as a Father lov'd as king not fear'd The comfort not th' encombrance of mine age And had he me as reason would surviv'd Who glanc'd and
Their matchlesse worth in armes large Asia findes Their feare is falne upon all Nations now But if you suffer them in such a sort To be made rich with plenteous Lydia's spoiles Not able then their conquest to support The vanquish't by their fall the victor foils Let not vain pleasures entertaine their sights Rest wealth wealth pride pride warre warre ruine breeds Whil'st faint through pleasures weakened with delights No thought of honour from base breasts proceeds Then Cyrus straight approving what he spake His souldiers were from pretious spoyls restrain'd Whil'st he the tenth part did pretend to take A fatall off'ring for the Gods ordain'd This is the summe of our disastrous state We must a Stranger serve as thrall'd long since With losse of all which he possest of late Our King bought breath a poore thing for a Prince Chor. O wretched people O unhappy King Our joyes are spoyl'd his happinesse expir'd And no new chance can any comfort bring Where destinies to ruine have conspir'd Go wofull messenger hold on thy course For to have heard too much it irks our eares And we shall note of this thy sad discourse With sighs each accent and each point with teares Croesus Loe I who late did thunder from a Throne Am now a wretch whom every one disdaines My treasure honour state and freedome gone No kinde of comfort no nor hope remaines And after me let none whom greatnesse shrouds Trust tumid titles nor ostentive shows Sailes swolne with windes whil'st emulating clouds That which puffes up oft at the last o're-throws O! had this pretious wit enrich'd my minde Which by experience I have dearly bought Whil'st fortune was within my Court confin'd And that I could not thinke a bitter thought Then satisfi'd with Soveraignty ear'st prov'd I had disdain'd new dangers to embrace And cloath'd with majestie admir'd and lov'd Had liv'd with pleasure and had dy'd in peace But what more wonderfull in any State Then power when courted that is free from pride But chiefly those who live securely great They oft may erre since Fortune is their guide What could the world afford or man affect Which did not smooth my soule whil'st I was such Whom now the changing world doth quite neglect By prospr'ing plagu'd starv'd onely with too much Long lull'd asleep with scornfull Fortunes lyes A slave to pleasure drown'd in base delights I made a covenant with my wandring eyes To entertaine them still with pleasant sights My heart enjoy'd all that was wish'd of late Whil'st it the height of happinesse did cloy Still serv'd with dainty but suspected meat My soule with pleasure sicke was faint for joy All which much care what might procure mine ease My will divin'd obsequiously devis'd And who my fancy any way could please As prais'd by me was by all others pris'd Save serving me none else could have deserv'd Of whom what ever came was held of weight My words and looks were carefully observ'd And whom I grac'd were had in honour straight For pompe and pow'r farre passing other Kings Whil'st too secure with drowsie thoughts I slumbred My coffers still were full of pretious things Of which as wealth least weigh'd gold scarce was numbred I rear'd rare buildings all embost with gold Made ponds for fishes forrests for wilde beasts And with vain thoughts which could not be controll'd Oft spent the day in sport the night in feasts I toss'd the Elements with power like Ioves Driv'd water up aire downe a pleasant change For stately fountains artificiall groves As common things were not accounted strange With me what more could any Monarch crave In all the parts of pompe none could compare My Minions gallant Counsellours were grave My guards were strong my Concubines were faire Yea whil'st light Fortune my defects supply'd I had all that could breed as now I finde In others wonder in the owner pride So puffing up the flesh to spoyle the minde Thus with delight long pressing pleasures grapes With Fortune I carrows'd what men deare hold But ah from misery none alwayes scapes One must be wretched once or yong or old Then weary to be well and tyr'd of rest To waken trouble I th' occasion sought And yet to cloake the passions of my brest Did with devotion long cloud what I thought Of all the Oracles I did enquire What was to come of this intended warre Who said as seem'd to second my desire That I a mightie Monarchie should marre Those doubtfull words I wresting to my will In hope to breake the hauty Persians pow'rs Did ruine quite whil'st all succeeded ill What many a age had gain'd even in few houres And this may be admir'd as more then strange I who disdain'd an equall of before What cannot Fortune do when bent to change Then servants lesse must dreame content no more What eye not bigge with scorne my state surveyes Whom all do pittie now or worse do blame And bound even to my foe for some few dayes Which borrowed are with th'intrest of my fame Though this sweet gale of life-bestowing windes Would seeme a favour so it seemes to some Who by the basenesse of their muddie mindes Shew from what vulgar stock their kinde doth come I scorne unlike my selfe thus to be seene Though to my comfort this appear'd to tend As if misfortunes past had onely beene A Tragick entry to a Comick end Of all that plague my State what greater pest Then servile life which faints from th' earth to part And hath in one united all the rest To make me dye each day yet live to smart Life in my brest no comfort can infuse An En'mies gift could never come for good It but gives time of misery to muse And bathe my sorrows in a bitter flood Ah! had my breath straight vanish'd with my blisse And clos'd the windows that gave light to life I had not borne to misery submisse The height of those mishaps which now are rife Whil'st with a thousand sighs I call to minde The death of Atis and mine owne disgrace In such an aâ—ony my soule I finde That life to death would willingly give place But since I see reserv'd for further spight I with sad thoughts must burâ—en yet my soule My memory to my distracted spright Of all my troubles shall present a scroule Of which while as th' accounts I go to cast When numbring my misfortunes all of late I will looke backe upon my pleasures past And by them ballance my now haplesse state Chorus IS' t not a wonder thus to see How by experience each man reeds In practis'd volumes penn'd by deeds How things below inconstant be Yet whil'st our selves continue free We ponder oft but not apply That pretious oyle which we might buy Best with the price of others paines Which as what not to us pertaines To use we will not condescend As if we might the fates defie Still whilst untouch'd our state reamines But soon the heavens a change may send No perfect blisse before
TRAGEDY OF DARIVS Act 1. Darius WHat thund'ring pow'r grown jealous of my state Which having daunted th' earth perchance heaven fears Thus arm'd with lightning breathing flames of hate Big with disdaine high indignation beares Long smooth'd of all whilst I pale cares despis'd In fortunes lap asleep of greatnesse dream'd Even in that calme my state a storme surpris'd And ere I wak't my ruine was proclam'd Thus I whose onely name did terrour give As Idoll of the world ador'd over all With crosses compass'd such a wretch doe live That who admir'd my might admire my fall Ah then indeed I fell when gallants stood And Phoenix like renew'd their lives by death Who having seal'd their force and faith with bloud Would rather dye then draw a borrowed breath Yet I not I did view not venge though neare Those monstrous mountaines of my Subjects slaine Though even my enemies must my courage cleare Which flames of fury lightned forth in vaine Through greatest dangers death I did pursue Till heapes of slaughtred bodies barr'd my way And chang'd my Chariot to a scarlet hue Ere wounded honour could be drawne away O how I envy yet their happy Ghosts Who dy'd whilst hope of victory remain'd And in the presence of two famous hosts To praise their valour even their foes constrain'd Shall I survive that memorable shame Which Persia's glory with disgrace confin'd No rather let me dye and let my name As vaine quite vanish raz'd from every minde Starre-boasting Babylon all Asia's Queene Blush to behold thy King in such a state That by the gazing world he now is seene A scorned futer humbly to entreate But not turn'd vassall as by pow'r appall'd Though all my Empire to a period come Yet none shall vaunt that ever I was thrall'd Hearts holding courage are not quite o're-come Should I whose Soveraignty so oft was sworne Be seene submisse to scape a minutes paines No let them bow who but to bow were borne For Darius this indignity disdaines Since I was once judg'd worthy to command Shall I descend a Subjects state to try No whilst a sword yeelds homage to this hand I scorne to grant a greater man then I. Brave sprites who now possesse the pleasant bow'rs And glorious Gardens of th' Elysian Plaines For if deserts may move th' infernall pow'rs That happy shade your shadowes now containes Those fatall fields where I did leade you forth Your bodies bury but enlarge your fames Men shall adore the relickes of your worth And Trophees reare to your immortall names I 'le sacrifice as Incense to your soules His dying sighes and sorrowing Parents teares Who now whilst none his prospering pride controules Our conquer'd Ensignes in his triumph beares For it may ease your Ghosts to heare his grones Whilst burden'd earth rebounding backe doth send A wailing eccho rais'd from woods and stones With wounded words to shew that Armies end Why spend I speeches to disturbe your rest As but with words an idle speaker pleas'd A mighty fury hath enflam'd my brest And I will rage till by revenge appeas'd Did I that strong Cadusian first afront Who durst advance himselfe to brave our bands Then turn'd applauded and in high account Charg'd with his spoiles the honour of my hands What could I then all kinde of doubt remov'd Alone adventure to an Armies shame And should I now that ancient praise disprov'd With squadrons compass'd lose that glorious name Blinde fortune O! thy stratagems are strange Which spoile my pow'r and staine my honour too And having made my state the stage of change Hast acted all was in thy power to doe Loe I who late of swarming troups did boast Neere left alone have fortunes fraud disclos'd And those made captives whom I fancy most To vaunting Victors are by fates expos'd O torment but to thinke death to beleeve That any may my dearest part annoy And I wretch'd I not able to releeve Mine eyes chiefe jewell and my hearts chiefe joy Deare object of my thoughts my life my love Sweet Spring of my delights my one my all Bright image of th'excellencies above What do'st thou breath and com'st not when I call And can I be and not be where thou art Hath heaven the force me from thy face to barre Or are my hands growne traitours to my heart That they should shrinke from doing what it dare O! could my minde but distribute a space Those emulating thoughts which tosse my brest To pointlesse ciphers who but spend a place Then I alone might animate the rest Since in this great disgrace I chanc'd to fall Now nothing rests to raise my fame forlorne But by some desperate course to hazard all I 'le live with praise or by my death flye scorne Some prosp'rous issue afterward may purge This crime which fortune hath impos'd on me This crime that carryes with it selfe a scourge No greater torment then the want of thee But fortunes course what mortall can restraine Who Diadems through dust for sport doth roule A stranger now o're my delights doth raigne And may extort the treasures of my soule Now not till now I apprehend my harmes When I imagine how my best belov'd Must entertaine mine enemy in her armes And I so farre from offering ay de remov'd A host of furies in my brest I finde Which doe my soule with dreadfull horrours fill Whilst Melancholy musters in my minde Strange apprehensions that affright me still And this surmiz'd disgrace grown throughly strong Reades hourely in mine eares a hatefull scroule Of an imagin'd yet a helpelesse wrong Such poison'd thoughts like Serpents sting my soule Blinde love beguiles me not sharpe sighted feares With reason fed doe make suspition live Would God that I had neither eyes nor eares Which to the heart intelligence might give This aggravates the weight of my despaire When doubt objects to breake loves last defence How he is yong and fierce she yong and faire He to offend she subject to offence From wronging me both cannot long abstaine Her beauty is sufficient to allure His bravery is sufficient to obtaine Captaines will force and Captives must endure O Alexander tender my renowne Though thus thou travell to usurpe my throne I rage to have a rivall in my Crowne But in my love I can comport with none That boundlesse flame which in thy bosome boyles If quench'd with ought save bloud as base I blame My fortunes take but spare her honours spoiles Which not thy glory yet must breed our shame But pardon deare that which griev'd thoughts burst â—orth More bright thy fame that darkened is my state By many meanes men may approve their worth A woman onely with a wretched mate Chast mindes still pure doe then most firmely stand When fortifi'd with wedlockes sacred band Yet let me doubt or let me leave to love To feare the worst it is affections part I doubt not of thy truth yet it may prove Thy face betray thy faith thy hap thy heart But on thy
But Alexander having heard our cryes Sent one to learne the cause that mov'd our woe Who finding whence our errour did arise Gave full assurance that it was not so Then he himselfe did to our Tent resort And with the mildest words he could conceive Your Mother Wife and Children did exhort Such terrours vaine since but surmiz'd to leave And he protested that they should expect No harme of him their courage to appall Then all things did with great regard direct That no man might endammage them at all Thus when they were against all dangers arm'd I thinke for feare for who would not have fear'd Lest such rare graces might his minde have charm'd He never more before her face appear'd Else generous vertue jealous of each thing Which tempting reason senses might allure What rare restraint in a victorious King He fled what fault or scandall could procure He doth his fame above all things preferre And will not be where it may blemish finde Nor give his eyes commodity to erre Lest thoughts impure might strive to staine his minde He whil'st that she was sicke did loath delight And gravely griey'd all pompe and pleasure left Dar. O hatefull heaven that with such hellish spight The worlds chiefe treasure Natures glory reft Tir. When he beheld deaths triumph in that face Which had triumph'd o're such a Monarchs heart With witness'd woe even passionate a space The lookers on did much commend his part And when some time his dolour had o're-come Her funerall rites solemnly to decore He us'd such honour as might well become The Persian pompe in prosp'rous times before Dar. O pow'r supreame that of great states disposest And ratifi'st thy will with fearefull thunder Who as thou pleasest placest and deposest Vncertaine worldlings now above now under I pray thy Deitie in my soules distresse If that th' inhabitants of heaven can heare The plaints of them who this low point possesse Or that th' immortals can give mortals care This favour last I onely doe require Establish first the Scepter in my hand But if through my desert or thy desire The race of Cyrus must no more command Since angry heaven so high a hate contracts That I must needs my Diadem forgoe Let him succeed who proves in all his acts So milde a Victor and so just a foe Act 4. Scene 2. Darius Artabazus Nabarzanes Patron Bessus IF joyn'd by fates with men of dastard mindes Who to a noble death base life preferr'd I should not waste my words amongst the windes But labour would that time might be deferr'd Though still resolv'd your course confirmes me much Whom no disaster could divorce from me What man can doubt whom heavens doe backe by such When bragg'd with bondage fighting to be free My courage swels to see you marching forth Whose force and faith which all the world doth sing Oft clear'd by proofe though fortune envy worth Might serve to make farre more to keepe a King He gives our rebels Townes not mov'd by love Each Prince though using them all traitours hates But that their course to take this might you move His turne once serv'd so forfeiting your states Ye to my fortune have not had regard As of my peace so partners of my warres Which though that I might not Iove would reward And all the world extoll you to the starres How long shall I a vagabond remaine And flye a stranger who my right would reave Since by one battell we may re-obtaine All that we lost or lose all that we have Like some vile traitors whom I will arraigne To hold me up shall I goe cast me downe Must Darius onely by entreaty raigne No none hath pow'r to give or take my Crowne I shall not my authority survive Nor will I proffer a submissive breath My hand shall hold a Scepter while I live My hand shall beare a Diadem till death If those franke thoughts which doe possesse my soule Such flames of courage kindled have in you A Macedonian shall not us controule Nor with disdainefull smiles brag whil'st we bow My state may testifie fraile fortunes change May she not him o're-whelme as well as mee At least our hands beare death if not revenge Brave mindes when no more rests may still dye free Now call your valorous ancestors to minde Whom from the Grecians tribute still requir'd And of whose deeds rare monuments we finde Whose merits make their memories admir'd Shall of your deeds posterity be dumbe Which doth your fathers names though dead adore I am resolv'd my triumph or my tombe A Laurell or a Cypresse shall decore Art What doubtfull silence thus your thoughts detaines We need advise with nought but with our swords He who the Persians wonted worth retaines Will answer now with deeds and not with words Let us accompany our King in Armes Through bloudy squadrons to this fatall strife No profit can be had without some harmes By slaughter onely we must looke for life And when our host as I hope doth prevaile Our Country shall have peace we praise of right And if our fortune not our courage faile We dye with honour in our Soveraignes sight Let us if vanquish'd scorne base breath to buy A noble death may greater glory give Doe to o're-come and yet not feare to dye 'T is needfull that we fight not that we live Nar. My words will first your Majestie displease Yet duty makes me speake where silence spilles The best Physitian cures a sharpe disease With some sowre potion that corruption killes And skilfull Pilots when they feare a storme To save the ship will cast out pretious things You in some sort may imitate their forme For else a tempest totall ruine brings Since bent against the Gods how can we speed To all our actions fortune is oppos'd We must of force some other way proceed So have the heavens of our affaires dispos'd Give Sir the state at least your titles place On some more happy man not in effect But with your shadow cloath him for a space Till he your Realmes from ruine may protect This storme once calm'd that now disturbes your state And Asia free from any forraigne hoste He shall with haste resigne the Soveraigne seat These Kingdoms gain'd againe which you have lost All Bactria yet abides at your command The Indians loe would dye to doe you good Yea many thousand thousands armed stand Bent for your State to offer up their bloud What should we rush like beasts to needlesse strife Be well prepar'd and then your fortune try Brave mindes should death despise not loathing life For feare of danger cowards crave to dye But vertue first all hopes accounts doth cast And of each meane to helpe maturely thinkes Then when all else is done death is the last The which to meet true courage never shrinkes Now for the time let Bactria be our seate To Bessus for the forme your Crowne resigne Who when he once hath re-advanc'd your state Shâ—ll with your foes o'rethrow
They him to strike the strength he gave have bent Soe as he now may rue although too late That slie Camelions changing thus their hue To servants were preferr'd who still were true But though those Traitours for a space doe speed No doubt the Heavens once vengeance will exact The very horrour of this hainous deed Doth make the hearts of honest men to bleed Yea even the wicked hate this barbarous act The Heavens no higher choler can contract Then for the forcing of a sacred king Whose state if rage doe not their mindes distract Must feare and reverence in inferiours breed To whom from him all what is theirs doth spring But though on th' earth men should neglect this wrong Heavens will those Traitours plague ere it be long Act 5. Scene 1. Hephestion Alexander Polystratus WHAT Story or what fable can record Of such a numb'rous troupe so strangely lost I know they quak'd to know it was my lord Whose name alone is worth anothers hoste It scarse can trusted be in many parts But Traitours feare though all the world them backe They were but bodies destitute of hearts Moe prisoners they were then men to take Who would believe so few durst strive to meete So great an Army and the Army shrinkes But Glories flattery and fames sounds are sweet True valour dare attempt all that it thinkes Alex. In this encounter to have had the best It would content more then a common minde But since we want the chiefe what of the rest I must in all a satisfaction finde Those Traitours thought to finish thus the warre By giving me their Lord whom they have bound But I who march with confidence so farre Doe scorne to build upon so base a ground To venge my wrongs dare others then designe Since Darius was ordain'd my prey to be How durst they but have aim'd at ought of mine His o'rethrowes glory did belong to mee Whilst in himselfe he onely did confide I by all meanes did strive to make him bow But since his hard estate abates that pride My fury turn'd is to compassion now Though he contemn'd me oft and did me wrong Yet am I griev'd that he was thus deceav'd If but acknowledg'd once to be more strong I not his blood nor yet his kingdome crav'd And if those Traytours have not kill'd him straight Yet his delivery shall my name renowne I would not lose a Subject of such weight By which my clemency might be made knowne Po. Sir now your comming cannot doe him good Alex. What all are fled none have my force withstood Po. Yet can not Darius be redeem'd againe Alex. Why have they set him free or is he slaine Po. Now he enjoyes a libertie at last But ransom'd is by offering up his breath Alex. Then is all Asia's expectation past Tell on at length the manner of his death Po. The boiling ardor of the rising Sunne All moisture gone did breede so great a drouth That from the way I had a little runne To finde some fountaine to refresh my mouth There by the borders of a rysing brooke Which shadow'd was from Titans rysing beames From liquid crystalls I a tribute tooke Which seem'd to murmure that I forc'd their streames When loe I saw a lamentable sight Two wounded horses draw a bloody Coach Which clad with skinnes shew horrour at the height And it to spie when as I did approach One was within who could not long time scape The fatall passage of th' infernall gates Yet Majestie triumphing o're mishap Hee seem'd to bragge both fortune and the fates And to so base a state as first not borne Then whilst his bloode aboundantly did fall He bursted forth those words in fortunes scorne As one whose courage nothing could appall You gaze to see and have good cause wherefore A man no man a king no king what change Now lesse then nought who once was both and more This would seeme wond'rous but no state is strange And yet a midst my evils I must rejoyce That this last comfort doth forgoe my end I speake to one who can conceave my voice And not in vaine my dying speeches spend I am but how in name and not in pow'r That wretched Darius which I should suppresse Once happie as was thought but at this hower A lively patterne of extreame distresse Then having paus'd he said my griefe is great Tell Alexander as the world may spie That though of me he never had but hate Yet am I forc'd farre in his debt to die The favour past extended to my Queene And that poore remnant my surviving rest When weighing well what I to him have beene I wish continu'd but can scarse request They to his foe belong and yet he strives To have them honour'd now as in times past But those who held of me both states and lives Of state and life have me depriv'd at last Entreat him too that unreveng'd below I wander not as haplesse in all things Let men his justice and their treason know This as a common cause doth touch all kings Beside the honour which he shall acquire In plaguing them who have betrai'd my trust His magnanimity men shall admire And feare to grieve him whom they finde so just As watrie rounds which rise and reele in raine Do swell and flote yet when they breake though bright Last leave when fall'n no token save a stayne Pompe quickly thus both courts and scornes the sight And since my glasse is runne my glory gone I dead unto the world the world to me I wish save his that th' earth adore no throne For from his raigne what subject would be free Then drowping downe faint bloodlesse and halfe dead He prai'd me for some water that ranne by A small request by such a monarch made Which when that he had got yet eare I die This crosse must come said he to kill me quite Though Nations once to mee as Soveraigne sought I have not now the pow'r but to requite This little benefit that thou hast brought But Alexander shall reward thee well And him the Heavens still yeelding his desires Since that his foes though envie burst must tell That courtesie which all the world admires Now none hath pow'r his pleasure to controule But if he use them well whom he retaines It will procure contentment to my soule And make him famous whilst the world remaines When breath abandon'd hath this brittle clay Then cause some friend defray my funerall cost That churlish Charon force me not to stray Where darkenesse dwells an unregarded Ghost Last give my corpes to her who brought it forth Who may it with my Ancestours entombe And since she lov'd me much though little worth May waile this burden which once grac'd her wombe And to that Prince whose state I wish to stand In signe of love which all my thoughts doe send My soule gives him my heart it thee my hand Thus though I liv'd his foe I die his friend I had but held
his hand a little space When dying like a Torch whose waxe is spent In spite of payne even with a princely grace His hands still seem'd directing as he went Alex. Who could refraine from teares to heare declar'd The huge mishapps which all at once did light Have subiects slaine their Prince whom strangers spar'd Vs hath he fled that perish thus he might I for his fall am wonderfully sorry Whom first I forc'd but last would have maintain'd I envie death because it rob'd the glory Which I by giving him his life had gain'd Hep. Since death hath put a period to his woes That favour which to him you would extend Let it with furie flame against his foes For your designes can have no fairer end So shall you both the peoples love obtaine Whilst by your meanes reveng'd their Soveraigne rests And likewise may the more securely raigne The state well purg'd from such contagious pests If but one vertue did adorne a king It would be justice many great defects Are vail'd thereby whereas each vertuous thing In one who is not just the world suspects Alex. Though this your Counsell nor yet his request Had not the pow'r to penetrate my eare A generous stomach could not well digest So great a wrong which courage stormes to beare My sprite impatient of repose disdaines That they so long their infamie survive But I will punish with most grievous paines The monstrous Treason that they did contrive What doe they thinke though back'd with numbrous bands That Bactria is a bulwarke for mine Ire Flie where they list they cannot scape my hands My wrath shall follow like consuming fire Such damned soules the heaven cannot receave I le force Hells dungeons as Alcides did And they on th' earth no bounds but mine can have I 'le search them out though in the center hid And when as threatning now I once may strike Betwixt the bending boughs of some strong tree To Traitours terrours who intend the like They shall by violence dismembred be Poll. Sir may it please you to extend your care That some his funerall offices performe Alex. Goe presently and every thing prepare As best becomes the military forme Act 5. Scene 2. Sisigambis Nuntius Chorus THIS looke alas hath charg'd my soule with feares Speak for my life doth on thy lippes depend Thy count'nance ah a dolefull copie beares Of some sad summons to denounce my end Starve not my eares which famish for thy words Though they when swallow'd may but make me burst Nun. The message madame which my soule affords Must once be knowne and once knowne still accurst Sis. Be not a niggard of ill newes Nun. And why Sis. Fame will tell all the world Nun. But first to you Sis. Tell soone Nun. Your sonne is dead Sis. Then let me die Cho. Her joyes and pleasures all are perish'd now Sis. Why opens not the Earth straight to devoure A hopelesse caitive who all good hath lost The longer that I live my griefe growes more As but to mischiefe borne kept to be crost Would God this masse where miserie remaines A weight of Earth from sight of men might keepe Or that the Seas all raging through the plaines Would make my tombe amid'st their tumid deepe O Alexander hast thou rob'd his life Yet entertain'd me still in hope to finde him Why did'st thou not first kill this poore old wife Who was not worthie to have liv'd behind him That I should live till thou my Sonne had'st slaine Was all thy kindnesse for this cause imploi'd Nun. You wrong that Prince for he with hast in vaine Came him to helpe whom others had destroi'd Sis. What impious thoughts durst dreame so vile a deed A monarchs murther Asia's glories end Nun. Two whom he rais'd did his confusion breed He found his friend his foe his foe a friend Sis. Tell on thy message messenger of death And loade my minde with mountaines of distresse That tears may drowne my sight sighs choake my breath Whilst sorrow all my sences doth possesse Nun. When Alexander who at peace repin'd Did save submission hold all offers vaine Bent of sterne Mars to try the doubtfull minde A generall muster Darius did ordaine And in one battell bent to venture all He caus'd his will be publikely proclaim'd Whilst two vile Traitours did conspire his fall Who Bessus and Narbazanes were nam'd Those two in councell did discover first Some portion of the poison of their heart Which caus'd the king suspect but not the worst Yet with a sword he sought to make them smart But having scap'd what first was fear'd from rage They seem'd so much their errour to lament His indignation that they did asswage False hypocrits pretending to repent Whilst Artabazus as an honest man Who judg'd of others by his vpright minde No fraud conceav'd sought more to scape then scan What they with craft to compasse Crownes design'd Cho. A mind sincere is ever least suspitious These think all faultie who themselves are vitious Nun. They urg'd him with the king to interceed That in his favour he would give them place And did protest that by some valorous deed They labour would to gaine againe his grace Then Artabazus came and told the king That in the battell he might try their faith And both before his majestie did bring Who when submisse did quickly calme his wrath With hands stretch'd up to Heaven and humbled knees With teares like those which Crocodiles doe shed Woe in their face and pitie in their eyes Did for compassion though from rigour pleade The king of nature milde did them receave And them who thus but for the forme complain'd Not onely all relenting quite forgave But wept in earnest too whil'st they but fain'd When in his Coach from all suspition free With count'nance sad long following on behinde As still pretending supplicants to be They bow'd to him whom they were bent to binde The Grecian Captaine curiously neare When mark'd a suter crav'd what he requir'd By pregnant proofes did evidently cleare What treason was against his state conspir'd He told what way their purpose might be tri'd And how the Bactrians were for trouble bent Then for his safety pray'd him to provide By straight with him retyring to his Tent But in the King who did neglect his state No kinde of care this friendly offer bred So that it seem'd he by some pow'rfull fate Was head-long forward to confusion led The Greeke past thence despairing him to save Who thus all meanes to help himselfe refus'd With subtle words then Bessus there did crave To purge himselfe and errours past excus'd Old Artabazus happ'ning to approach The King to him did Patrons speech report Who then perceiv'd what danger did encroach And wish'd he would where Greeks were strong resort But in his breast this purpose firmly plac'd That from his Subjects he would never flie With mutuall teares they tenderly embrac'd And parted there like two who went to dye Now silent night in
title to his body claim'd The sorrowing Souldiers swarm'd about his bed With looks once fierce then for compassion fram'd But he whom victory had still array'd With others past this battell bent to even Did look like one whom all the world obey'd And boasted shortly then to take the heaven Whil'st lightning comfort to afflicted bands He stretch'd them forth to kisse in severall parts By Sword then Scepter his more honour'd hands On which it seem'd they melted all their hearts Last unto them those gen'rous words he told Yet to my life my death doth bring no blot Thus to dye yong in yeares in glory old Of all our Family is still the lot And since no worlds are resting to o're-come Life serves for nought I did an Empire found Liv'd warr'd and raign'd all done for which I come Then goe great Ghost not griev'd below the ground No further Weighing what belong'd to life He with a count'nance constant even in death As too victorious in that fatall strife The ayre perfuming spent th' imperious breath But through the Campe when that it once was knowne That from the world that world of worth was gone What anguish was it cannot well be showne I had my part yet had not all alone O! let that day which makes my dayes all night Be registred amongst the dismall dayes Whose melancholy and portentuous light With some disaster still the world dismayes And Babylon curst be thy fatall towers Once seate of Monarchs Mistresse of the earth But from hence-forth a slave to forraine pow'rs Still burden'd be thy bounds with bloud and dearth Olym. You need not use those execrations more Though Babylon of breath that Prince depriv'd Yet as an Oracle had told before In Macedonie was his death contriv'd Antipater had heard how divers times The King against him had been mov'd to wrath And damn'd as guilty of opprobrious crimes His sonne in law Lincestes unto death Then he was told the King did strictly try How his Lievtenants had their places us'd Still making all as traitours straight to dye Who had the same in any sort abus'd Thus he who well did know his owne misdeeds Had learn'd by others what he might expect As whose ambitious brest in pride exceeds And alwayes did a Sovereignty affect But when Craterus was to have his place And he requir'd the Army to attend He thought that thus Time would some means embrace To plague his pride with a deserved end Then to prevent that which I thinke was still More fear'd by him then purpos'd by the King With guilty thoughts oft exercis'd in ill He sought what might to death his Soveraigne bring And this the traitour compass'd at the last As I alas have learn'd although too late When to my sonne his sonne Cassander past As to congratulate his prosp'rous state Then in his company he did retaine A poyson powerfull where it was employ'd Whose violence no metall could restraine But in a horsâ—s hoofe was still conveighâ—d He and his brother fit occasion watchâ—d And for their Prince a cup of poyson made Thus he who never could by force be match'd By treason loe O cruell fate lyes dead Rox. And could or durst those traitors be so bold The pillar of all worth to undermine But Madame ah Antipater of old Against your greatnesse alwaies did repine And I remember on a time he sent A messengâ—r of minde to make you bow Who to your Sonne a letter did present Full of invectives to discredit you The King whilst reading what it did comprise Did smile with scorne then to Hephestion say In writing of such things he is not wise Which straight one mothers teare will wipe away Olym. I oft inform'd my sonne strange waies devis'd How that disloyall man striv'd to be great But as a womans wit mine was despis'd And construed still unto the sense of hate Yet of my Sonne I thought the deeds were such That all men them admir'd none envy could And that none durst his sacred person touch Whom men ador'd and Iove as his did hold How oft have I those bitter throwes allow'd By which I brought that demi-god to light And well I might of such a birth be proud Which made me glorious in the peoples sight Though divers too as I have some time knowne To draw his love from me did wayes prepare Yet were their slights by dutious love o're-throwne And I respected with a reverend care His tender love to me was much extold Then when he sought to stablish a decree That with Immortals I might be enrold And as a Goddesse honours have to me Ah! how can I this tragicke time survive Who lost a sonne so great a sonne so kinder And all the meanes which make me now to live Is with revenge a hope to ease my minde Rox. His love to you it could not but abound By nature parents of their owne are lov'd Since those to whom he by no band was bound Of his humanity the fruits have prov'd His clemency did make his state more sure Then all the terrours rising from his name Which whilst he liv'd did publike love procure And after death a never dying fame Old Sisigambis lifting up her heart Of her owne sonnes the death who bad surviv'd To Alexander did that love impart Wâ—ich was to Darius due while as he liv'd But when these tidings wounded had her eares That heaven from th' earth had rob'd that praise of men Whilst all dissolv'd in flouds of bitter teares She hated life as never spoil'd till then Her widow'd nephew groning at her feet Who of Hephestion did the death bewaile In depths of woe she drown'd with teares did fleet Till that o're-whelm'd her strength began to faile Then barr'd from food she groveling did abide Till that lifes course then hastened fast was runne Thus she surviv'd her sonne yet with him dy'd In whom she found the kindnesse of a sonne Olym. If but when hearing this his tragicke end A stranger once his Captive dy'd for griefe Ah shall his mother yet on hope depend As such a losse might looke for some reliefe And yet I will for 't were a great disgrace To me the mother of that matchlesse man Like other women to give fortune place And faintly yeeld as vulgar wretches can Though griefe at first must mollifie me once Or as unnaturall I might be admir'd Yet will I not still burst my brest with grones Then that of me more courage is requir'd I 'le not degener from my generous kinde Faint-hearted Hindes brought never Lyon forth Nor yet a Mother of an abject minde Had never borne a Monarch of such worth And O! who knowes but once the time may come That I to venge my selfe a meanes may have Whilst those vile traitors ruin'd are by some Who with their bloud may bath their Soveraigns grave Now on Perdiccas I repose my trust Who with Eumenes would our wrongs red resse Their valour ventring in a cause so just By all appearance promise
As at the image of their antient Kings Or then some Goddesse all the Souldiers gaz'd But ah some forced by the tyrant striv'd To spoile unnaturall Natures fairest frame And twixth th' Alabaster Balles they driv'd Th' unwilling swords that straight grew red for shame Then she in worth who did all else excell Would neither word nor teare nor sigh forth send But spread her garments o're her whilst she fell As of her honour jealous to the end Cho. O strange barbarity most monstrous deed Could men a woman Subjects kill their Queene And could her fortune past no pitty breed Who ever gave the wound that not her seene The ugly Author of those odious evils Of punishment afraid must still be sad His brest a hell his thoughts all turn'd to divels Through horrour of himselfe must make him mad Nun. And yet the plague of these detested times Doth by more mischiefe aggravate our grones Cho. No end in sinne crimes are maintain'd by crimes Who fall in depths must touch the bottome once The path of honour hath but narrow bounds On which who step attentive must remaine Since rais'd so high above the vulgar grounds That who thence fall can never rise againe Nun. Thus now Cassander since he cannot winne True reputation but lives tainted still Imbark'd in mischiefe sailes the depths of sinne So if not lov'd as good yet fear'd as ill Though by his meanes his ruthlesse eyes have seene Fates as it were from fortunes bosome take His King by poyson by the sword his Queene Even yet himselfe more guilty still to make He prosp'ring in impiety grew proud And murdred both his Masters Sonne and Wife Thus he who all the world by birth-right ow'd Could have no part of it no not his life Yet could Roxanaes death not ease his minde Nor her yong sonne too soone made Platoes guesâ— But to undoe all Alexanders kinde That to revenge the rest there might none rest By treason he as all his deeds are done Cau's Hercules his brothers steppes to trace Who was great Alexanders bastard sonne And th' onely remnant of that great mans race Loe thus Cassander enemy to all good Whose soule so much for Macedonie longs Hath to the Scepter swim'd through Seas of bloud Yet O weake right since builded but on wrongs Cho. O how ambition doth abuse the great Who with enough not pleas'd still strive for more Loe how our Soveraigne seem'd to raise his state Yet made it but to fall whilst starv'd with store And since his Trophees rear'd in severall fields Both him and his have to confusion brought Then what is all the good that greatnesse yeelds Which makes it selfe seeme much to be made nought Thus though the mountaines make a mighty show They are but barren heapes borne up aloft Where Plains are pleasant still though they lye low And are most fertile too though trod on oft Greatnesse is like a cloud in thy'ayrie bounds Which some base vapours have congeal'd above It brawles with Vulcan thundring forth huge sounds Yet melts and falles there whence it first did move Phil. Since that worlds conqu'ror then whilst farre from feare By too much power press'd so soone was dead Why doe his Captaines strive who now should beare The Diadem that crush'd so strong a head O! when my minde is ravish'd through the starres To search the secret secrets of the fates What treasons murthers mutinies and warres Are threatning to o'rethrow usurped seates That false Cassander who betraid his Lord And spoil'd the princely race in mischiefe chiefe A traitour both of heaven and earth abhorr'd Shall live but with disgrace and dye with griefe His sonnes in wickednesse himselfe t' exceed Shall make the woman dye whom ade them live Then both when drunke with bloud to death shall bleed And none of theirs their funerals shall survive When rash ambition should be cool'd by age Lysimachus shall by Seleucus dye Nor shall Seleucus long enjoy the Stage But by like violence shall breathlesse lye And subtile Ptâ—lâ—mies degener'd race Long onely famous for infamous things Shall end and to the pride of foes give place Whilst a lascivious Queene confusion brings Amigonâ—â— shall be in battell kill'd His Sonne a captive perish with disgrace And after that it Greece with bloud hath fill'd In th' end destruction doth attend that race The last in pow'r though of their line not bred A niggard and a dastard beaten downe Shall through a strangers towne a Captive led Of Macedonie bound the old renowne Chorus VVHat damned furies thus tosse mortals mindes With such a violent desire to raigne That neither honour friendship duty bloud Nor yet no band so sacred is as bindes Ambitious thoughts which would a kingdome gaine But all is buried in blacke Lethes floud That may the course of Soveraignty restraine Which from the brest doth all respects repell And like a torrent cannot be gaine-stood Yea many would a Scepter to obtaine In spite of all the world and loves owne wrath March through the lowest dungerons of the hels And from a Diademe would breath with pow'r Though all deaths engines brag'd them every houre Yet though such restlesse mindes attaine in th' end The height to which their haughty hearts aspir'd They never can embrace that dreamed blisse Which their deluded thoughts did apprehend Though by the multitude they be admir'd That still to pow'r doth shew it selfe submisse Yet by the soule still further is requir'd Which should seale up th' accomplishment of joy Thus partiall judgements blindely â—yme amisse At things which stand without our reach retir'd Which whilst not ours as treasures we define But not the same whilst we the same enjoy Some things a farre doe like the Glow-worme shine Which look't too neere have of that light no signe No charge on th' earth more weighty to discharge Then that which of a kingdome doth dispose O! those who manage must the reynes of state Till their pale Ghost imbarke in Charons Barge They never need t' attend a true repose How hard is it to please each wans conceit When gaining one they must another lose Thus hardly Kings themselves can evenly beare Whom if severe as cruell subjects hate Contempt dare to the milde it selfe oppose Who spare in time as niggards are despis'd Men from too franke a minde exactions feare Though in all shapes as Proteus us'd disguis'd Kings by some scandall alwaies are surpris'd Yet one might well with every thing comport Which on opinion onely doth depend If further danger follow'd not by deeds But every Monarch Loe in many a sort Death laid in ambush alwaies doth attend Of some by mut'nous swords the life forth bleeds By unsuspected poyson others end Which whilst they alwaies labour to prevent A thousand deaths within their breasts life breeds Loe this is all for which the great contend Who whilst their pride themselves and others spoiles With their dominions doe their cares augment And O vaine man who toylâ—st to double toyles Though
imprecations execrable words And yet then this though voluntar'ly vow'd Free from all bonds save that which vertue bindes More constantly no course was ere allow'd Till that the end must manifest our mindes And since so many frankely keep their faith What first intended to accomplish bent No doubt in spight of sickle fortunes wrath A happy successe shall our soules content Might some few Thebans from the Spartans pride By divers tyrants deaths redeem their Towne And one Athenian who his vertue try'd By thirty tyrants ruine get renowne And to the Greekes are we inferiours growne That where they have so many tyrants spoil'd There cannot one be by us all o'rethrowne Whose state yet staggering may be soon imbroil'd I am resolv'd and with my thoughts decree VVhat ever chance to come or sweet or sowre I shall my soile from tyranny set free Or then my selfe free from the tyrants pow'r Dec. Brut. By Lepidus invited this last night VVhilst Caesar went to suppe and I with him Of all deaths shapes to talke we tooke delight So at the table to beguile the time And whilst our judgements all about were try'd Straight Caesar as transported to the rest With a most sudden exclamation cry'd O! of all deaths unlook'd for death is best It from our selves doth steale our selves so fast That even the minde no fearefull forme can see Then is the paine ere apprehended past Sowre things ere tasted would first swallowed be The threatned destiny thus he divin'd It would appeare divinely then inspir'd For now I hope that he shall shortly finde That forme of death which he himselfe desir'd Cai. Cas Whilst of our band the fury flames most hot And that their will to end this worke is such Lest Caesars absence disappoint the plot Which would of some abate the courage much It Decius were exceedingly well done That to his lodging you addrest your way Him by all meanes to further forward soone Lest him some sudden chance may move to stay Dec. Brut. There where the Senate minds this day to sit Stand all prepar'd not fearing danger more And for the Sacrifice when all is fit I 'le bring an offring hallowed of before Exeunt Act 4. Scene 2. Caesar Calphurnia Decius Brutus LOng-lookt-for Time that should the glory yeeld Which I through Neptunes trustlesse raign have sought And through the dust of many a bloudy field As by all dangers worthy to be bought Thy comming now those lowring shadowes cleares My hopes horizon which did long o're-cast This day defrayes the toyles of many yeares And brings the harvest of my labours past The Senators a Messenger have sent Most earnestly entreating me to come And heare my selfe discern'd by their consent To weare a Crowne o're all excepting Rome Thus they devise conditions at this houre For him of whom Mars hath made them the prey As Subjects limit could their Soveraignes pow'r Who must have minde of nought but to obey But having pacifi'd those present things I minde to leade my valorous legions forth To th' orientall Realmes adoring Kings Who can afford all that is due to worth Then swimme my thoughts in th' ocean of delight Whilst on the pillow of soft praise repos'd Those eyes to gaze upon my glories light Which Envy open'd Admiration clos'd Cal. Ah though your fancies great contentment finde Whilst thus the world your vertue doth advance Yet a prepost'rous terrour stings my minde And braggs me with I know not what mischance My wavering hopes o're-ballanc'd are with feares Which to my soule sinistrous signes impart And om'nous rumours so assault mine eates That they almost make breaches in my heart Caes What do foil'd Pompeys floting followers strive To recollect their ruines from the dust Dare they who onely by my tollerance live More to their strength then to my favour trust Or do'st thou feare his sonnes dejected state Who steales infamous flying through those flouds Which his great father Admirall of late Did plant with ships till all their waves seem'd woods Or makes his brothers death his hopes grow more Since by them straited in a bloudy strife I who in all the battel 's given before Did fight for victory then fought for life Or whilst to march to Parthia I prepare Doth a suspition thus afflict thy sprite By Crassus fortune mov'd who perish'd there The scorned prey of the Barbarians spight To those with Cassius who from thence retir'd Amongst my bands a place I will allow Whose foes shall finde bad fate at last expir'd Though the same sheep another sheep-heard now Doe not imagine matters to bemone For whilst there stands a world can Caesar fall Though thousand thousands were conjur'd in one I and my fortune might confound them all Cal. No none of those my minde doth miscontent Who undisguis'd still like themselves remaine Vnlook't-for harmes are hardest to prevent There is no guard against conceal'd disdaine But in whom further can your trust repose Whom danger now o're all by all attends Where private men but onely feare their foes Oft Kings have greatest cause to feare their friends For since most trusted fittest to betray Those unto whom ones favour force affords Most dangerous ambushes with ease may lay Whilst falsest hearts are hid with fairest words And some report though privately yet plaine That Dolabella and Antonius now By your destruction doe intend to gaine That which you keep by making all men bow Caes No corpulent sanguinians make me feare Who with more paine their beards then th'en'mies strike And doe themselves like th'Epicurians beare To Bacchus Mars and Venus borne alike Their hearts doe alwaies in their mouthes remaine As streames whose murmuring showes their course not deep Then still they love to sport though grosse and plaine And never dreame of ought but when they sleep But those high sprites who hold their bodies downe Whose visage leane their restlesse thoughts records Whilst they their cares depth in their bosomes drown I feare their silence more then th 'others words Thus Cassius now and Brutus seeme to hold Some great thing in their minde whose fire oft smoaks What Brutus would he vehemently would Thinke what they list I like not their pale lookes Yet with their worth this cannot well agree In whom bright vertue seemes so much to shine Can those who have receiv'd their lives from me Prove so ingrate that they doe thirst for mine Dare Cassius match'd with me new hopes conceive At th' Hellespont who fortune durst not try And like a dastard did his Gallies leave In all save courage though more strong then I Shall I suspect that Brutus seekes my bloud Whose safety still I tendred with such care Who when the heavens from mortals me seclude Is onely worthy to be Caesars heire Cal. The corners of the heart are hard to know Though of those two the world the best doth deeme Yet doe not trust too much to th' outward show For men may differ much from what they seeme None oft more fierce then those
who look most milde Impiety sometime appeares devout And that the world the more may be beguil'd Even vice can cloath it selfe with vertues cote Though it would seem all hatred now laid downe They on your favour onely should depend Yet no respect can counterpoise a Crowne Ambition hath no bounds nor Greed no end Mov'd by vindictive hate or emulous pride Since some your person some your place pursue All threatned dangers to prevent provide And use for safety what to State is due Caes No armour is that can hold treason out Cal. To fright your foes with bands be back'd about Caes So dastard tyrants strive themselves to beare Cal. It better is to give then to take feare Caes No guard more strong then is the peoples love Cal. But nought in th' earth doth more inconstant prove Caes Guards shewing feare to charge me men might tempt Cal. Guards would put them from hope you from contempt Caes My brest from terrour hath been alwaies cleare Cal. When one least feares oft danger lurks most neare Caes I rather dye then feare at last life goes Cal. Yet death must grieve when forc'd by vaunting foes Caes I will not crosse my present pleasures so By apprehending what may chance to come This world affords but too much cause for woe And sorrowes still must harbour'd be by some By joyes in time we must embrace reliefe That when they end we in some measure may By their remembrance mitigate the griefe Which still attends all those on th' earth that stay I thinke the Senate is assembled now And for my comming doth begin to gaze Let me condignely once adorne my brow And feast mine eares by drinking in due praise Cal. Stay stay deare Lord retire thy steps againe And spare a space to prorogate whole yeares Let not this ominous day begin thy raigne WHich fatall and unfortunate appeares An Astrologian through the world renown'd Thy horoscopes just calculation layes And doth affirme as he by signes hath found That Marches Ides doe bragge to bound thy dayes Walke not abroad where harmes may be receiv'd By great necessity since no way forc'd For though his judgement may be farre deceiv'd In things that touch thy life suspect the worst Caes Whilst I reform'd the Calendar by fits Which did confound the order of the yeare I waded through the depths of all their wits Who of the starres the mysteries would cleare Those pregnant sprites who walke betwixt the Poles And lodge at all the Zodiackes severall signes Doe reade strange wonders wrapt in th' azure scroules Of which our deeds are words our lives are lines By speculation of superiour pow'rs Some Natures secrets curious are to know As how celestiall bodies rule o're ours And what their influence doth worke below Yea they sometime may brave conjectures make Of those whose parts they by their birth doe prove Since naturally all inclination take From Planets then predominant above And yet no certainty can so be had Some vertuously against their Starres have striv'd As Socrates who grew though borne but bad The most accomplish'd man that ever liv'd But of the houre ordain'd to close our lights No earth-clog'd soule can to the knowledge come For O! the destinies farre from our sights In clouds of darknesse have involv'd our doome And some but onely guesse at great mens falls By bearded Comets and prodigious Starres Whose sight-distracting shape the world appalls As still denouncing terrour death or warres The time uncertaine is of certaine death And that fantasticke man farre past his bounds With doubt and reverence they should manage breath Who will divine upon conjectur'd grounds Cal. But this all day hath prey'd upon my heart And from the same of cares a tribute claim'd Doe not despise that which I must impart Though but a dreame and by a woman dream'd I thought alas the thought yet wounds my breast Then whilst we both as those whom Morpheus weds Lay softly buried with a pleasant rest I in thy bosome thou within the beds Then from my soule strange terrours did with-draw Th' expected peace by apprehended harmes For I imagin'd no no doubt I saw And did embrace thee bloudy in mine armes Thus whilst my soule by sorrowes was surcharg'd Of which huge weight it yet some burden beares I big with griefe two Elements enlarg'd Th' ayre with my sighes the water with my teares Caes That which I heard with thy report accords Whilst thou all seem'd dissolv'd in griefe at once A heavy murmuring made with mangled words Was interrupted oft by tragicke grones The memory but not the judgement frames Those raving fancies which disturbe the braine Whilst night dissolves all dayes designes in dreames The senses sleeping soules would stirre in vaine From superstitious feares this care proceeds Which still would watch o're that which thou dost love And in thy minde thus melancholy breeds Which doth those strange imaginations move Cal. Ah in so light account leave off to hold Those fatall warnings which our mindes should leade To search darke matters till we may unfold What dangers huge doe hang above thy head With sacred Garlands he who things divines By th' intrails of the consecrated beast Doth in the offring see sinistrous signes And I entreat thee doe not hence make haste Caes When I in Spaine against yong Pompey went Thus the diviner threatned me before Yet did I prosecute my first intent Which with new lawrels did my browes decore Cal. And yet you hardly there as I doe heare From danger farre engag'd redeemâ—d your life But tokens now more monstrous doe appeare And I suspect farre worse then open strife Caes Lest I too much seeme wedded to my will As others counsels scorning to allow With jealous eyes I 'le search about me still And even mistrust my selfe to trust thee now Yet if I stay the Senators deceiv'd May my beginning straight begin to hate So might I perish seeking to be sav'd By flying it some fall upon their fate But here one comes who can resolve me much With whom I use to weigh affaires of weight Whence com'st thou Decius that thy haste is such Is ought occurr'd that craves our knowledge straight Dec. I come to tell you how the Senate stayes Till that your presence blesse their longing fight And to conclude what is propos'd delayes Since your applause can onely make it right They your contentment to procure intend And all their thoughts seeme at one object bent Save that amongst themselves they doe contend Who you to please shall rarest wayes invent Caes Then that no treasure to my soule more deare Which to enjoy from hence I long to part But yet I know not what arrests me here And makes my feet rebellious to my heart From thee deare friend I never doe conceale The weightiest secrets that concerne me most And at this time I likewise must reveale How â—â—avens by signes me with destruction boast To superstition though not earst inclin'd My wife by dreames doth now
the strong For Victors rage when as the vanquish'd bosts I will entreat him too not for my selfe Age bows my body to embrace pale death But that you yet may shunne this wrackfull shelfe Whose youth and beauty worthy are of breath Act. 3. Scene 2. Alexander Sisigambis Statira Regina Hephestion RIse Mother rise and calme those needlesse cares I come to cure not to procure your woe The duty which I owe those silver haires Doth grieve my minde to see you humbled so Sis Most gracious Prince forgive me if I err'd In taking him for you who stands you by Alex. I finde no fault to see my friend preferr'd Even to my selfe this is another I. Sis My sorrows so confounded have my minde That scarce I know my selfe another lesse My soule in such an agony I finde As words nor teares nor grones cannot expresse Alex. I pray you mother set those plaints apart They vex me more then sterne Bellona's broils Sis This tender name of Mother wounds my heart Whil'st nam'd by him who of that name me spoils I was woe that I was a Mother late Of two faire Sonnes faire Sunnes lights of my life But one is dead and in a worse estate The other lives involv'd in woe and strife Like to the trunke of some disbranched tree Which Aeolus hath to confusion brought Since spoil'd of those brave Impes which sprung from me Unprofitable stock I serve for nought Stat. Reg. I serve for nought since serving him no more Who onely may my blasted hopes revive Loe quite confounded farre from what before Who him of me me of my selfe deprive I live without my halfe without my whole Prodigious Monster whom the world admires I want the point the pilot and the pole Which drew addrest and bounded my desires Toss'd by sad sighs in flouds of bitter teares I save from ruine look for no reliefe By what I feele still plagu'd but worse with feares All comfort loath'd my glory is my griefe My soule feemes to presage disastrous chances And warring with it selfe hath never peace My heart surcharg'd doth faint in deadly trances My eyes must grace the ground of my disgrace Hell hath assembled all her horrours here Ah! in the dungeons of this desp'rate brest As in the dark Tartarian groves appeare A thousand shadows to bereave my rest Alex. Faire Princesse spare those passionate complaints Which may augment but not amend your harmes This voice which with your woe the world acquaints Doth move me more then all the Persians Armes Take courage Madam be afraid of none That you may hope what help I can afford I sweare by Ioves inviolable Throne And do protest by my Imperiall word Though for a while barr'd from your royall seat You compass'd here with troups of strangers stand Yet shall you still be us'd as fits your state And may as earst in your owne Court command Stat. Reg. Ah! how can I command whil'st I am thrall What can I have who wanting one want all Alex. Though brave it seeme in some proud victors sight To plague their captives and triumph in ill The larger grow the limits of my might The more I labour to rest raine my will What can be fear'd by them whom I defend Foes have not pow'r and who with me remaine They dare not wrong nor offer to offend The least in ranke who doth attend your traine If any would impugne what I appoint Or would in ambush for your honour lye Or discontent you but in any point As Alexander lives that wretch shall dye Stat. Reg. O what an host of evils where ere I go Are still encroaching to o're-throw my state Ah! must I be beholding to my foe And owe him love to whom my love owes hate Should he help me who still his ruine plyes Heavens curse my heart if stain'd with treason thus Let death in darknesse first entombe mine eyes Ere such a sight accepted be by us I Lord am thine and thine I will remaine Thy love was planted in a fertile field Which gratefull now thee to reward againe From flourish'd faith chast flames for fruits doth yeeld Yet doth misfortune this good fortune bring My constancy shall now be clearly knowne Another might have lov'd an happie King But I will love thee though thou be o're-throwne Alex. I labour much to comfort in some measure This grieved Queene that was a Monarch's choice Whose woe doth make my victory no pleasure For whil'st she mournes I cannot well rejoyce Sis Most mighty King thou dost deserve indeed That as for Darius we should pray for thee Who do'st so much in clemency exceed That thou bewail'st our losse no lesse then he Not onely thou surmount'st all other Kings In glory rising from thy labours gone And for those benefits which Fortune brings But in all vertues worthy of a Throne Thou do'st vouchsafe on me more then I crave The title of a Queene and Mother still But I confesse my selfe thy humble slave Whose life hath now no limits but thy will The dreamed good that Greatnesse gave forgot My count'nance shall be free from clouds of cares And I 'le allow of this my present lot As one who for my fate my force prepares Yea if this wofull woman here were free Who hath no heaven except her husbands face I could content my selfe great Prince to be The meanest hand-mayd that attends your Grace Alex. As if your Sonnes command all that is mine And I will seek to second your desire Sis Heavens recompense this courtesie of thine Which in all ages thousands shall admire Alex. Those captiv'd Princesses have pierc'd my soul Which even amid'st our heaven have found a hell Hep. His passions so what Stoick could controull Whom now to weep their teares would not compell What age could earst such stately beauties show Which of perfection hold the highest place And borne to bring though now they be brought low Do Beauty beautifie give Griefe a grace Sir such a victory hath not beene seene As you have gain'd since conquering as appeares The largest kingdome and the fairest Queene That Asia vaunted of these many yeares Durst Leda's or Agenors brood compare With that sweet Queene the honour of her kinde But as she is above all others faire As farre her daughters make her go behinde It seem'd at first that sorrow had beene sleeping Then whil'st those Virgins in their Grand-dames bosome With weeping beauty and with beauteous weeping Did with a haile of pearle blast Beauties blossome So large a pow'r no Prince on Earth can have As hath Loves Empire in their face confin'd Alex. What what Hephestion what doth thee deceive Dare folly seeke to bragge so brave a minde Dare Cupid enter in an armed Camp And them who Mars have match'd for sport appall Must his soft seale even through hard metall stamp And make who conquer men to women thrall Hep. We dare resist whil'st many a thousand dyes The steely tempests of a world of men But if from
yvorie orbes two Sunnie eyes Do charge the soule I know not how O then A secret pow'r compos'd of hopes and feares So charms the minde that it strange thoughts conceives And straight the heart quass'd drunke by th' eyes and th' eares Doth staggring reele and full of fancies raves Alex. But yet in my conceit I scorne all such And do disdaine to yeeld my selfe at all Yea in that sort to bow I loath so much Let rather Mars then Cupid make me fall Should I be bound with fraile affections chains As one oblivious of my former fame No no this purpose still my soule retaines To ballance nothing with a noble name O! what a great indignity is this To see a Conquerour to his lust a slave Who would the title of true worth were his Must vanquish vice and no base thoughts conceive The bravest Trophee ever man obtain'd Is that which ov'r himselfe himselfe hath gain'd Hep. I 'm glad my Soveraigne that as you excell Not onely men but Mars himselfe in armes That from your minde you likewise may repell The flatt'ring pow'r of loves alluring charmes That vertue rare whose rayes shine in your words With generous ardour doth enflame my soule And o're my selfe to me such pow'r affords That some brave deeds must straight this course controule Act 3. Scene 3 Bessus Narbazanes NArbazanes now ere the time be gone Let us accomplish that which we intend And joyne our wit our force and all in one Ere known begun that it may quickly end You see th' occasion if our course we keepe To raise rare fortunes points us out the way Yea blames our sluggishnesse that as a sleepe So great a purpose doe so long delay Loe angry Iove our Princes part disproves For Fortunes worst what ever he attempt From following him the peoples minde removes Distresse still is attended by contempt A ground for so great hopes who ere did see As heavens so happily breed in our mind For since our King confounded is to be We by his fall a meanes to rise may finde Nar. I will most willingly performe my part For I the same exceedingly allow Deare wealth and honour Idols of my heart If you I may enjoy I care not how Yet that this course may best be kept obscure Our care must seeme all for our Country bent When mask'd with zeale crimes are reputed pure A shew of good doth vulgar mindes content In dangerous plots where courage joynes with Art Let slow advice a quicke dispatch be us'd What can save successe justifie our part Who must command or come to be accus'd Bes To Alexander one was sent of late To speake of peace whose speech was spent in vaine So that thus toss'd most desp'rate is his state Who peace cannot obtaine nor warre maintaine To cleare his thoughts which many doubts doe sway He now craves each mans minde who squadrons leads This for our purpose must prepare the way Those who would compasse Kings need crafty heads And that to gaine which we so much esteeme We can upon no meanes more safe conclude Then crooked counsels that doe upright seeme To maske our selves and others to delude He must advis'd by some renounce a space The shew of pow'r and from affaires retire That for a fashion one may use his place Not as usurp'd but at his owne desire So may he try if others can bring backe That which his fortunes ebbe hath borne away Then he againe his Diadem shall take And as before the regall Scepter sway Nar. Well then amongst our selves to flye debate Which such great actions oft-times under-mines I yeeld that you possesse the highest seat And will my faction frame for our designes Bes All that is one which of us two receive it Since every thing doth equally belong us I 'le take it for the forme t is one who have it For we will part his kingdomes all among us But if he condescend to this we crave To judgements rash which would at first seeme good Let him not thinke us two such fooles to leave That which so many else have bought with bloud Who once advanc'd would willingly goe downe And prop'd with pow'r not love in state to stand This not the custome is to quite a Crowne When one hath knowne how sweet it 's to command This name of faith but to get credit fain'd Is weigh'd with kingdomes lighter then a Crowne And even in them whose thoughts are most restrain'd A Scepters weight would presse all goodnesse down Nar. Yet of my thoughts some doubt new counsell claimes And with huge honour aggravates disgrace The staine of treason still attends our names And with our errour burdens all our race Our purpose must accomplish'd be with paine And we though pompe a space appease our soules Shall finde afflictions to disturbe our raigne And be when dead defam'd by famous scroules The sacred title of a Soveraigne King Doth worke a terrour more then can be thought And Majestie to brave my minde doth bring Whose count'nance only strange effects hath wrought Bes To idle sounds and frivolous reports Give straight a pasport for they last not long And what thou do'st alledge not much imports A Crowne may cover any kinde of wrong What hainous thing so odious is by nature Which for a Kingdome not committed is To be a King let me be call'd a traitour Faith if for ought may broken be for this Those are but feeble braines which fancies loade With timorous dreams which bare surmising brings Who feare vaine shadowes must not walke abroad Too warie wits dare never worke great things If our brave project happily succeed As now I doubt not but it shall doe soone We straight will numbers finde to praise our deed And sooth us up in all that we have done Nar. Now that the time and manner may be sure The Bactrian bands shall all attend in Armes Yet faine a cause that he may live secure And be surpris'd not looking for alarmes Then through the campe a rumour must be spread That hopelesse Darius hath despair'dly gone By violence to dwell amongst the dead Which as much griev'd we must appeare to mone The Persians may promises be pleas'd So to disarme him of his native pow'rs Then taking him our thoughts may all be eas'd For whil'st he is his owne we are not ours Till strong with titles we with pow'r command His shadow shrouds while rights are forc'd or fain'd And his to daunt or strangers to gaine-stand To raise our state his shew must be maintain'd To Alexander after we will send And offer him his foe to bondage bought Then crave that us his favour may defend As those who all things for his good have wrought Then if we thus his grace cannot procure But that he us with rigour doe pursue With Darius death we will our states assure Then first our force and next the warres renue Bes Let us hence-forth for nothing be dismaid But strive our selves couragiously to beare This dangerous
Pluto in th' umbragious Caves There since he will be first made first in hell What with that Tyrant I will straight be even And send his soule to the Tartarian grove Though Iove will not be jealous of his heaven Yet Iuno must be jealous of her Iove And though none in the heavens would do him ill I 'le raise up some in th' earth to haste his death Yea thoâ—â—â— both heaven and earth neglect my will Hâ—ll 〈◊〉 me Ministers of wrath I 'le croâ—◠〈◊〉 and the smoaking lakes To borrow â—â—encâ—â—â—y brothers damned bands The furies arm'd with fire-barands and with Snakes Shall plant their hell where Rome so stately stands Whil'st Furies furious by my fury made Do spare the dead to have the living pin'd O! with what joy will I that Army leade Nought then revenge more calmes a wronged minde I must make this a memorable age By this high vengeance which I have conceiv'd But what though thousands dye t' appease my rage ' So Caesar perish let no soule be sav'd Exeunt Chorus VVE should be loath to grieve the gods Who hold us in a ballance still And as they will May weigh us up or downe Those who by folly foster pride And do deride The terrour of the Thunderers rods In seas of sinne their soules do drowne And others them abhorre as most unjust Who want Religion do deserve no trust How dare fraile flesh presume to rise Whil'st it deserves heavens wrath to prove On th' earth to move Lest that it opening straight Give death and buriall both at once How dare such ones Look up unto the skies For feare to feele the Thunderers weight All th' Elements their Makers will attend As prompt to plague as men are to offend All must be plagu'd who God displease Then whil'st he Bacchus rites did scorne Was Pentheus torne The Delians high disdaine Made Niobe though turn'd a stone With teares still mone And Pallas to appease Arachne weaves loath'd webbes in vaine Heaven hath prepar'd ere ever they begin A fall for pride a punishment for sinne Loe Iuno yet doth still retaine That indignation once conceiv'd For wrong receiv'd From Paris as we finde And for his cause bent to disgrace The Trojan race Doth hold a high disdaine Long layd up in a loftie minde We should abstaine from irritating those Whose thoughts if wrong'd not till reveng'd repose Thus thus for Paris fond desire Who of his pleasures had no part For them must smart Such be the fruits of lust Can heavenly breasts so long time lodge A secret grudge Like Mortals thrall to yre Till justice sometime seemes unjust Of all the furies which afflict the soule Lust and revenge are hardest to controullâ— The Gods give them but rarely rest Who do against their will contend And plagues do spend That fortunate in nought Their sprits quite parted from repose May still expose The stormy troubled brest A prey to each tyrannicke thought All selfe-accusing soules no rest can finde What greater torment then a trouble minde Let us adore th' immortall powers On whose decree of all that ends The state depends That farre from barbarous broiles We of our life this little space May spend in peace Free from afflictions showres Or at the least from guilty toyles Let us of rest the treasure strive to gaine Whithout the which nought can be had but paine Act. 2. Scene 1. Iulius Caesar Marcus Antonius NOw have my hopes attain'd the long'd for heaven In spight of partiall Envies poysnous blasts My Fortune with my courage hath prov'd even No Monument of miscontentment lasts Those who corrival'd me by me o're-throwne Did by their falls give feathers to my flight I in some corner rather live unknowne Then shine in glory and not shine most bright What common is to two rests no more rare In all the world no Phoenix is save one That of my deeds none challenge might a share Would God that I had acted all alone And yet at last I need to mourne no more For envy of the Macedonians praise Since I have equall'd all that went before My deeds in number do exceed my dayes Some earst whose deeds rest registred by Fame Did from their Conquests glorious titles bring But Greatnesse to be great must have my name To be a Caesar is above a King Ant. Those warre-like Nations which did Nations spoile Are by thy Legions to our laws made thrall What can brave mindes not do by time and toyle True magnanimity triumphs o're all Caes Th'out-ragious Gauls who in most monstrous swarmes Went wasting Asia thundering downe all things And Macedony quaking at their Armes Did insolently make and un-make Kings Those Gauls who having the worlds Conquerours foil'd As if the world might not have match'd them then Would sacrilegiously have Delphos spoil'd And warr'd against the Gods contemning men Yea those whose Ancestors our City burn'd The onely people whom the Romanes fear'd By me Romes nursling match'd and o're-match'd mourn'd So what they first eclips'd againe they clear'd Then as to Subjects having given degrees The Gauls no more presuming of their might I wounding Neptunes bosome with wing'd trees Did with the world-divided Britains fight The Germans from their birth inur'd to warre Whose martiall mindes still haughtie thoughts have bred Whil'st neither men nor walls my course could barre Mask'd with my banners saw their Rhene runne red The Easterne Realmes when conqu'ring now of late My comming and o're-comming was but one With little paine ear'st Pompey was call'd great Who fought soft bands whose glorious dayes were gone But what though thousands set ones praises forth For fields which shadows and not swords obtain'd The rate too easie vilifies the worth Save by great paines no glory can be gain'd From dangers past my comfort now proceeds Since all who durst gaine-stand I did o're-come And in few words to comprehend my deeds Rome conquer'd all the world and Caesar Rome Ant. Loe those who striv'd your vertue to suppresse As whose great actions made them jealous still Whil'st labouring but too much to make you lesse Have made you to grow great against your will Great Pompeys pompe is past his glory gone And rigorous Cato by himselfe lyes kill'd Then dastard Cicero more youâ— honours none Thus all your foes are with confusion fill'd The Senatours who could not be asswag'd Long to your prejudice their pow'r abus'd Till at their great ingratitude enrag'd I swore our swords would grant what they refus'd When having scap'd endanger'd and despis'd Brave Curio and I did to your Camp resort In old bare gownes like some base slaves disguis'd All sigh'd to see us wrong'd in such a sort Caes The highest in the heaven who knows all hearts Do know my thoughts as pure as are their Starres And that constrain'd I came from forraine parts To seeme uncivill in the civill warres I mov'd that warre which all the world bemoanes Whil'st urg'd by force to free my selfe from feares Still when my hand gave wounds
my heart gave groanes No Romans bloud was shed but I shed teares But how could any elevated spright Who had for honour hazarded his blood Yeeld willingly by foes outragious spight To be defrauded of th' expected good When as a multitude of battels wonne Had made Romes Empires and my glory great And that the Gauls oft vanquish'd had begun To beare the yoke which they disdain'd of late Then glorious Pompey my proud sonne-in-law And Cato who still cross'd what I design'd From favouring me the people did with-draw And had a successour for spight assign'd Not that he should succeed in dangerous broils But even through envy as they had ordain'd That he might triumph so of all my toils And rob the glory which I dearly gain'd With such indignity who could comport When prizing honour dearer then the light No whil'st my soule rests soverainge of this fort None shall have powâ—r to rob me of my right And yet by Iove who all the world commands To use such violence I did mislike And would have oft abandon'd all my bands If that mine enemies would have done the like But yet the multitude which floting still As waves with windes are carried with conceits With nought but my disgrace would bound their will And I committed all unto the fates Yet when at Rubicon I stood perplex'd And weigh'd the horrour of my high attempt My stormy soule a thousand fancies vex'd Which resolution buried in contempt Ant. Nought in a Captaine more confounds his foes Then of a ventrous course the swift effects Since so quite crush'd ere they their thoughts dispose All good advice a care confus'd neglects Though when you march'd to Rome your pow'r was small The sudden news so thundred in each eare That as if heaven had falne upon them all If bred amazement and th' amazement feare Some secret destiny as then was seene Doth guide mens actions and their judgement bounds Those who by hosts could not have frighted beene A shadow or a rumour oft confounds All hastie dangers so surprise the minde That feare prevents the resolutions power Or else the fates make curious Reason blinde When heavens determin'd have a fatall houre Great Pompey loe who was growne ag'd in armes And had triumph'd o're all the worlds three parts Whil'st quite discourag'd by imagin'd harmes Fled Rome though without reach of th' enemies darts As to a torrent all gave place to you And whom they call'd a rebell made their Lord Your successour Domitius forc'd to bow Did trust your favour more then feare your sword When in th' Iberian bounds you did arrive There Adversaries who did vainly vaunt Had all th' advantage that the ground could give Of victuals plenty which with us were scant Yet the celerity that you had us'd Did so discourage their disordred band That as Iove in their breasts had feare infus'd They had no strength against our strokes to stand And when Romes Generall with brave legions stor'd Seem'd to possesse all that his soule requir'd Whil'st us to daunt both famine and the sword The Sea the Land and all in one conspir'd Then for your offices they did contend As those who of the victory were sure And where they might th' affaires of state attend In Rome for lodgings fondly did procure Yet memorable now that day remaines When all the world was in two Armies rang'd Whil'st Mars went raging through th' Aemathian plaines And to despaires high expectations chang'd When Pompeys partie had the battell lost As Lyons do their prey you did pursue The scattred remnant of that ruin'd host On which new heads still like a Hydra grew Though victory in Africke fatall seem'd To any Army that a Scipio led Yet you shew'd there for worth in warre esteem'd That Rome a better then a Scipio bred And all our Enemies were confounded thus Who us in number ever did surmount But Caesar and his fortune were with us Which we did more then many thousands count Caes The sweetest comfort which my conquests gave Was that I so might do to many good For every day some Romanes life I save Who in the field to fight against me stood Thus may my minde be judg'd by the event Who even when by my greatest foes assail'd To winne the battell never was more bent Then prompt to pardon when I had prevail'd Not covetous of bloud of spoyls nor harmes I even when victor did insult o're none But layd aside all hatred with my Armes A foe in fight a friend when it was gone Of clemency I like the praise more then Of force which mortals with affliction lodes Strength oft may prove the worst thing that 's in men And pity is the best thing in the Gods Sterne Cato still affecting to be free Who either death or life if given disdain'd Thy death I envy who didst envy me The glory that I saving thee had gain'd Yet I to Rents and dignities restore Even those who long my ruine had design'd And O! it doth delight my minde farre more By benefits then by constraint to binde Ant. I would have all my foes brought to their ends Caes I rather have my foes all made my friends Ant. Their bloud whom I suspect'd should quench all strife Caes So might one do who lik'd of nought but life Ant. Still life would be redeem'd from dangers forth Caes Not with a ransome then it selfe more worth Ant. Then life to man what thing more deare succeeds Caes The great contentment that true glory breeds Ant. Men by all meanes this blast of breath prolong Caes Men should strive to live well not to live long And I would spend this momentary breath To live by fame for ever after death For I aspire in spight of fates to live Ant. I feare that some too soone your death contrive Caes Who dare but lodge such thoughts within their mindes Ant. Those whom the shadow of your Greatnesse blindes Caes The best are bound to me by gifts in store Ant. But to their Countrey they are bound farre more Caes Then loath they me as th' Enemy of the state Ant. Who freedome love you as usurper hate Caes I by great battels have enlarg'd their bounds Caes By that they thinke your pow'r too muchy abounds Caes From doing wrong yet I refraine my will Ant. They feare your powe'r because it may do ill Caes The present state still miscontentment brings To factious mindes affecting matters strange Which burdens to themselves do loath all things And so they change regard not what they change In populous Townes where many do repaire Who at their meeting what they please do touch They further then their bounds extend their care The idle who do nothing must thinke much Loe Rome though wasted all with raging warres Whil'st private grudge pretended publike good Equality still rude engendring jarres Did prove too prodigall of Roman blood Though yet now at the last attaining rest Whil'st all obeying one may banish teares It if constrain'd even scorns as bad