eternity As apt to put in action as deuise Helpe me that haue to doe with Princes power To plucke downe King with Kings authority And make men slaues with show of liberty Free hope from euill lucke reuenge from feare Ruine and change adorne you euery where Actus Primus Scena secunda MAHOMET ALAHAM Mahomet MY Lord So oft alone pulls downe the heart To thoughts and courses far vnmeet for it Princes must show themselues in open sight Men ioy in them that doe in men delight Triumphs of common peace sacrifice thanks praise Prepared are To solemnize this vniuersall ioy Wherein your selfe the greatest part enioy Alaham. If change were currant in Eternity As here amongst vs in this mortall spheare Passion might hope for counterpassion there My brothers doome decreed was from aboue Truth varies not Gods pleasure constant is Time present shewes not all that is amisse Mahomet Ioy opens mindes and enuy shuts them in God by your brothers life adiournes our sinne Alah. When God speaks vnto men and they expound Truth easily scapes all threatned woes seeme light Misprision euer giues misfortune might For power is proud till it looke downe to feare Though only safe by euer looking there Besides if fates be past what meanes this starre Whose glorious taile threatens vnglorious dayes Feare vnto Kings and to the State a warre What meane these bloody showers These darkned rayes Of Sunne and Moone which still eclipsed are Are all signes chance For if the starres can worke These signes that threaten proue their bodies lurke What added is in honor to the Crowne Or what increase of Empire to the King That exiles are call'd home to put me downe Strange innouation some increase should bring Kings fondly else tempt God and trust to chance Where change and hazard nothing doe aduance Mahomet Your brothers fault was only Princes feare One ill example hurts to many were Alaham. Gods law it was wherby he was depriu'd My elder brothers right was but the law Change in Estates is like vnto a steepe Which but it selfe can nothing constant keepe Mahomet It is no chance to giue the elder place Alah. The wounds are new that present right deface Mah. The second borne are not borne to the Crowne Alah. Hope which our God sets vp dare man pull downe Mahomet Alaham Our Gods decree did not exile Thy brother It was heauenly mystery Which faction construed to impiety When I return'd I saw foundations layd In Princes faults for Basshas tyrannie Who keeping both the Princes heyres aliue The one exil'd the other enuious Would make each plague to other both to vs I wrought and ouercame the Princes hate Restor'd his sonne and in his sonne the State Alaham. And wast thou then call'd into grace by me To be the meane that I should ruin'd be No Mahomet That Labyrinth thy heart Artisan of craft great Empire of deceipt The plague of all inferiors and the bait In Princes frailty shall not drowne this State Sense and thy wrongs alike be generall A Princes power cannot protect them all When flattery giues scope to tyrannize Extremes then from extremities doe rise Mahomet The giddy head that sees with daz'led sight Imagines all the world to turne about And rage which to your selfe makes you seeme great Is lesse to me than if you did entreat Alaham. Who truth doe only but to hate it know They nothing feare but only to be good Vnthankfulnesse is euer valiant so Mahomet To them God thanklesse seemes not thanklesse is That sacrifice for leaue to doe amisse If wrongfully you had not banish'd me To whom could my returne thank-worthy be Alaham. Our gods seem'd wroth and fame spake strangely ill That sure my Wife did worse than dote of thee This was dishonor wrong and losse to me Yet I distract with good beleefe and feare Detest her could not loue forbade it me Loue her I did not for mistrust was there While I suspected her I hated thee At length 't is true I got thee banished If not reuenge at least security Till humorous Time that blots to print againe Shew'd me in Hala's thoughts Caine Bassha's name I call'd thee home and though I scorne still beare By fame who when she lies recanteth not Yet I forgaue the shame and pardoned feare Brought thee good lucke where good turnes are forgot And is it a returne of that you owe For you to worke your Patrones ouerthrow Mahomet Alaham Put off this fruitlesse peeuishnesse Of expectation lost in ill desires For you in witnesse of my thankfull heart The Gouernment of old Ormus I got And by possession mans hope loseth not Alaham Besides iudge both your thoughts and State Kings children are no Kings Authority Goes not by blood she sets another rate Vse is her kinne Grace her affinity Then looke not on desires earnestnesse Impossible is easie there wishes effect The future great the present euer lesse Comparison still carying vp the eye To make all that we haue but miserie Care bought with blood and feare with treacherie Danger with wrong and shame with venturing Vncertaine hopes and certaine misery The fortunes be of haste to be a King Alaham. O God! what 's this Mine inward spirits shake Senses doe leaue their worke thoughts are confus'd Horror and glory now possession take New visions to my darknesse are infus'd Like Delpho's mayd I find a mightie worke My heart with more than it selfe doth resolue What I thinke speake or doe is not mine owne I feele what made me wish my brothers fall And finde what mischiefe gets it goes withall His safety now I see my safety is And honor you that haue procured this Mahomet A blessed worke if it be wrought within Alaham. It is no worke it is a heauenly blisse Which perfect be as soone as they beginne Spite thou Impostume of aspiring hearts Whose nature is that if the bagge remaine The wicked humors straight will fill againe I will lay open thee and all thy arts It is no shame to say we were amisse Since man doth take his name of that he is Thy life is sought Nay more thy death is sworne Mahomet By whom Alah. By them that hate because they loue And eithers kindnesse doe in mischiefe proue Mahomet What is my fault Alah. That thou of fault are free Mahomet What his reward Alah. Their loue that malice thee Mahomet Where lies my hope Alah. To kill or to be kill'd Mahomet A wicked choice where mischiefe is the best Is their delight in shedding guiltlesse blood Alaham. What moues the wicked else to hate the good Mahomet Who be the men Alah. I to my selfe am free But faith forbids to tell what others be Mahomet Disperse these clouds Secrecy is euils friend Neutrality hath neuer noble end Tell me their names that I my foes may know And you with honor from ill friendship goe Alaham. I witnesse take of these light-bearing starres Wherein the doomes are laid of mans desires No lacke of hope or power to conceale
wits Ruine lights not amisse where ere it hits My engines worke care is already past My hopes arise out of these Basshas blood If both my wish if either dye my good Hala Good fortunes are together linkt Thy faith stirres vp new light within my minde Behold the Throne descends to take me vp Antiquitie in her vnenuied wombe Now offers vs the fatall president Of sixteene Kings my Predecessors all Blinded and then depos'd by Basshas hand So tickely vnworthinesse doth stand Doth wit and courage only rest in slaues Hath hazard ought more horrible than scorne Haue I occasions sure and shall I stay To giue all but my miserie away No Hala No Thy dowrie shall be fame Thy stile a Crowne thy prospect reuerence The East shall doe thee honor in my name Out shall my fathers and my brothers eyes Authority is only for the wise But since these mighty workes haue many parts And I but one which one cannot doe all I le send thee Caine keepe firme vpon your strengths Beauty and honor natures Scepters be And haue on mens desires authority Exit Hala. Now Hala seeke thy sex lend scorn'e thy wit To worke new patterns of Reuenges in Let rage despise to feed on priuate blood Her honor lies aboue where danger is In Thrones of Kings in vniuersall woe Worke that which Alaham may enuie at And men wish theirs that Ill it selfe may tremble Monstrous incredible too great for words Keepe close and adde to furie with restraint Doe not breake forth vntill thou breakest all Is Wrong so proud Shall Man once dare to fashion A Womans ruine in a womans passion Husband most odious name scorne of subiection Is loue to women but your rage of thoughts Are your desires let blood by your enioying Ah fooles We see your lusts relent you see not ours And from that change aduantage hath her powers But on Still vse thy craft Thy strength lies there Ignorance that sometimes makes the hypocrite Wants neuer mischiefe though it oft want feare For while thou thinkst faith made to answer wit Obserue the iustice that doth follow it Caine Mahomet and me thou hat'st alike For vnlike cause and craftie wayes do'st take That each may ruin'd be for others sake Shall I for thee hazard Caines life I loue And weigh downe my affection with my hate Can highest thoughts haue any thing aboue Ah! but perchance my safety in the blood Of Mahomet doth rest the good of Caine Then were it losse to make occasion vaine And shall I looke but only to be safe Can Iniurie and Malice adde no more Ah coward sex faint shallow Passion Farre from me be A worke that no age dares Allow yet none conceale I must attempt Furie then spurre thy selfe embedlam wit Poyson my thoughts to make my reason see Pleasure in crueltie Glorie in spite Rage to exceed examples doth delight Thoughts doe you blush To Alaham what 's ill His death O barren wit and sandie rage No marble pillars no enamells rich Buried in silence worne away with age Are furies that no greater plagues deuise Horrors they be that haue eternities What saith my heart Grow millions out of one Doth passion leaue her infancie by vse And shall I by the death of Mahomet More skill at least more crueltie beget Then let him die But can I venture Caine And leaue misfortune power ouer loue Triumphs to Alaham if both be slaine Ah sleepy Sexe how slow is their progression That would exactly measure infinite By tender feares or minutes of delight Then Hala leaue this circle of selfe-loue Beginne goe on hate must stride ouer feare Who are secure And nothing venture all things must endure For Alaham that traytors ouerthrow My rage is yet too yong to worke vpon What to resolue of him I dare not thinke Till this great frame wherein our fortunes lie Be surer linkt vnto prosperitie Then shall occasion horrors strange deuise Fooles only lose their ends to tyrannize Actus secundus Scena Tertia Caine Basha Hala CAine Princesse of me I finde care in your face Woe smothered vp I came to know your will Nothing which you command me can be ill Hala. That which I least did feare is fall'n on me Wrong and mishap which needing others loue Makes them vnlouely that vnhappy be From Kings themselues when fortune turnes her face Then need they most yet least may vse their owne So dearly Mans unthankfulnesse is knowne Caine. What is the cause that makes you thus accuse The world of faults your selfe of inward feare Hala. The little faith which all the world doth vse The iniuries which strength of heart must beare Euui'd of all if it be set aboue If humble then too low for men to loue Caine. Doe not forsake your selfe For they that doe Offend and teach the world to leaue them too Mortall our God shall be the truth shall lie Darkenesse shall see her selfe fame lose her voyce Er'e I will leaue my loue or my loue you Afflictions wounds affection doe renew Hala. Perchance you loue both those I hate and me Affections then against affection be Perchance a vow good turnes and good beleefe Are mists betweene your loue and my releefe Caine. You know I loue speake plaine and doe not feare That reason other is than kindnesse there Hala. Then heare and if my iudgement you disproue You shall haue cause to thinke I trust and loue Mahomet the faultie is his faults be these Enuious of thee to my loue treacherous The King must lose his sight his Crowne his Sonne This wickednesse hath Mahomet begunne Caine. O hell and is thy seate in fleshly hearts Be mans ill thoughts his owne ill spirits become I well can thinke that Mahomet aspires For loue of greatnesse may with goodnesse goe But cannot thinke that he our death conspires Perchance he seekes to doe your brother Right Which makes our owne desires to doe vs spite Hala. Mischiefe that may be help'd is hard to know And danger going on still multiplies Caine. Let care as fast then adde vnto her eyes Hala. Where harme hath many wings care armes too late Caine. Hastie attempts make chance precipitate What shall I doe Hal. Goe forward in thy feare Danger doth giue thee choice to doe or beare Caine. My loue of him and truth doe make me loth To thinke them wrong'd And shall I wrong them both Hala. The good beleefe of mankinde is a sea Where honor drownes iniquitie goes free Whose thoughts like sailes for euery weather be Caine. With shaking thoughts no hands can draw aright True hearts to doe vnnobly haue no sp'rit Hala. The feare of some is guilt with honestie Others with loue thine with false noblenesse Yet thinke not Coward wit can hide the shame Of hearts which while they dare not strike for feare Would make it vertue in them to forbeare No Caine In men we women when we loue Aske faith and heart Our selues haue feare and wit In loue how can thy soule and mine agree
I seeke reuenge thou preachest pietie Caine. More easie motions gentle hearts receiue His fault was great yet you may haue redresse In State and honor without such excesse Hala. Excesse the reason is and meane of loue And in the same excesse is malice ioy'd I would be safe and yet haue him destroy'd Caine. If leaue or left the fate of kindnesse be By his example what becomes of me Hala. If blinde to all but to it selfe be loue Whence doe your vowes or whence this question moue Since the true state of true affection is Wonder at others worth Faith without hire Vnwearied Paine vnrecompens'd Desire Caine. Great hearts thus giuen away in prison are Their strength their bands and good beleefe their smart Loue neuer seuers reason from the heart Nala. My shame againe then unto me impart Restore my faith and I doe render thee Those faithlesse vowes which thou hast made to me For since I see the spungie hearts of men Their hollowes gladly fill with womens loue And nothing yeeld to them vncrusht againe What nature workes 't is folly to complaine Mahomet that wretch hath done me iniurie He left my loue and he my life hath sought Caine Line at ease fame is an idle breath My body is enough 'twixt thee and death Caine. Distract I am my reason like a cloud Before a winters storme rides here and there Like reedes my thoughts are straight and crooked too With diuers breaths which diuers passions blow Against the streame of truth must loue still goe Resolv'd I am that Mahomet shall die Hala. Shame spake this word danger appeares not yet Time like a med'cine will asswage this paine And feare perchance bring backe good will againe Caine. It is not I that liue in me but you Whose will hath fashion'd all my thoughts anew Hala. Then on When thoughts vnite all care is ceas'd The heart vnfetter'd and the hope increas'd Out of his death I see occasion borne To greater power than needs to couer scorne For he the Iustice rules you rule the Warre His death diuided powers will vnite And in a broken course where dangers be Only the Crowne can put off miserie Caine. Farre be it off our hopes should be so vaine Our secret loue already tempteth God To warre him more with infidelity Would hasten vengeance and make sharpe his rod Hala. God made strict lawes for vertues exercise An idle word a wish transgresseth them Yet in a Throne remorse hath glorious eyes Alaham doth vndermine the present State When he corrupted hath the peoples faith Thou hast the sword authority makes way Her hand is next when Crownes become a prey Caine. We God and man will first trie with the death Of Mahomet If that doe passe for good Hope easily makes occasion vnderstood Hala. The end agree'd the meane is yet in doubt Caine. By sword Hala. That will be easie to descrie Danger to misse and hard to doe without Caine. By poyson then wherof though doubts may grow What one alone may doe is hard to know Hala. It often failes For instruments are base Slaues haue too slauish hearts a Basshas name Is like a superstitious hallowed place Men must be forc'd or wise that force the same Caine. By these two hands that will not faile their heart It shall be wrought If poyson misse the sword shall compasse it When chances often scape at last they hit Hala. Fortune and Loue Both Gods of humane might You like aduenture see it rightly plac'd You liue in kindnesse see it not disgrac'd Exit Caine. What I haue vow'd both God and Nature hate My heart misgiues my soule doth prophecie That euill thoughts procure an euill fate But ah my loue I gaue and it gaue me The choice is past Thoughts now must thinke to doe Not what I freely am but forc'd vnto Actus secundus Scena quarta Mahomet Caine MAhomet Who euer haue obseru'd the worke of spirits May see how easily men slide downe to ill The world hath strange examples false delights Which make our senses nets to catch our will Who then with men for euery fault falls out Must hate himselfe and all the world about Behold the man I speake of doth appeare Retire aside stand close marke what succeeds His owne destruction or else mine he breeds Caine what is it that thus your minde distracts Counsells of honour alter not the face Hearts only thinke with paine of doubtfull acts Caine. In care they liue that must for many care And such the best and greatest euer are Mah. They purchase care vnto themselues that know The weight of care and yet will it imbrace If care be grieuous why vsurpe you so Caine. I liue but to obey the Princes will Mahomet That is to cherish Prince in their ill For they must flatter good and euill too That vnder Princes all alone will doe Caine. As sweetest vapors couet to the skie So faith and dutie after Princes runne Ill nature neuer can indure a Sunne Mahomet Flatterie so like in all to dutie showes But finelier drest in diligence and care As Kings best plea'sd that most deceiued are Caine. Harsh spirit hates them that do not hate with it Miscensures all the world to seeme seuere Bindes honestie and truth to haue no wit These ill-fac'd vertues not of nature be But peeuishnesse true honors enemie Mahomet A iust seuere and vniuersall care Of people shorne by Princes fauorites To spies of Tyrannie vnpleasing is Which euer like ambitious Adamants So fast from people draw to Princes States As in the end they must draw vp their hares Caine then take heed of your selfe-seeking plot Engrossing offices aspiring all For it offends euen those it toucheth not Nor is it only this that hazards you Ill neuer goes alone if fame say true Caine. Is fame to censure vs that liue aboue And must sell iustice if we purchase loue Mahomet Fame is the peoples voyce to tell their griefe Appealing from inferiors to the chiefe If falsely you and Hala fame abuse Infamie for nothing men vnwisely chuse If fame speake truth which you would not haue knowne Grieue to deserue but not to beare your owne Caine. What doe I that the world can well reproue Mahomet Vniustly suffer or vniustly loue Caine. Suffer I doe for infamie is there Where either malice enuie is or feare Loue I confesse I doe And what is it But natures taxe layd vpon good intent For right and honor vnto excellent Mahomet Reason must iudge of loue not loue of it Else shall loue ground of euery mischiefe be For murther theft adultery and spite Are but loue of reuenge and others right Ah Caine my heart is rackt with inward griefe Iustice hath partie there and so hath loue They both haue wounds and yet they both haue life The one suppressing what the other moues I will speake plaine Hala thou do'st abuse And stayn'st the Princes line with seruile lust Wherin proud courage match'd with guiltinesse Adds wrong to wrong and
Maiestie Goodnesse gets not so soone a great Estate Mischiefe's foule way to Soueraignity This secret haste is sure all is imbound What shall I do Hold on the course I meant Why not The death of Mahomet will still content Thy will is done and Mahomet is slaine Alaham. My minde misgaue it selfe my thoughts did feare Yet knew I they of nothing guilty were By fate or malice is the Bassha slaine Caine. By fate I thinke for Iustice fatall is As Gods bequest to them that doe amisse Alaham. By suddaine death by thunder lightning fire Or by what other anger of the skie I pray thee shew how Mahomet did die Caine. By these hands that owe seruice to the State And by his blood haue made it fortunate Alaham. What execration did he dying vse Against this violence of broken faith Which wounds good soules more than the bodies death Caine. In falling downe these only words he spake Helpe people helpe My death your bondage brings Behold these wounds receiue I for your sake Reward of them that friend you vnder Kings Vile Caine that like the Axe do'st goe about To cut thy selfe an helue to weare thee out Alaham. Most wicked act Could neither faith nor law Reuerence of State remorse of doing ill The paines of iustice nor the hopes withdraw Thy raging hand And do'st thou thinke the world can suffer this That thou should'st glory to haue done amisse Caine. Is thy desire growne wanton in her ioy Or do'st thou seeme to say thy wishes nay More kindly in the end with them to play Alaham. By fires of hell which burne and haue no light By those foule spirits which ill men only see I sweare thy death shall Mahomets requite Caine. Vnto the world although I guilty be I did thy will let me be cleare to thee Alaham. In vaine I should command his death by sleights That placed am vpon the fathers seat Where power can easlier doe things than intreat Caine. The State of Kings is large yet lacks in this That easie each thing but not lawfull is Besides you then a second brother were Nor knew I when this plot we did deuise You should see clearer by your fathers eyes Alaham. Rumor complaints and scornfull thoughts of power Are wayes of priuate hearts that from below Misiudge those higher powers they doe not know But now borne vp into a Princes Throne Beneath I see that world of discontent Where error teacheth vse of punishment Away with him Entreatie is in vaine Thy death to him is due whom thou hast slaine Caine. Ah fearefull friendships with superior powers Whose two parts they themselues and their Estates Diuide or ioyne like nets and be the snare Where loue and feare to power entrapped are Alaham aduow thy deed To constant wickednesse men honour beare Where truth it selfe hath iniurie by feare Alaham. I say Let him be slaine His fault is this That Mahomet most trayterously he slew Caine. Stay Sir I say that he still liuing is And my confession of my selfe vntrue Alaham. Traytor vnto thy selfe and false to me What riddles of contempt and wickednesse Are these which of thy selfe confessed be If Mahomet be dead then shalt thou die For murther of thy friend deserues no lesse If Mahomet do liue yet shalt thou die For if no murther scorne thou do'st confesse Away with him Actus tertius Scena tertia Hala Alaham HAla. What tumult 's this my Lord Alah. The play of Chance Which without mischiefe nothing can aduance Hala. Yet good Sir tell me what this tumult is Alaham. The fall of him whose heart hath done amisse Hala. His name and crime sweet Lord I long to know Alaham. Report of mischiefe doth infect the heart And wisdome bids they should in silence goe For nature feeleth euery bodies smart Hala. Women belike are still in infancy That must not feare or prouocation see The glasse of horror is not fact but feare Opinion is a Tyrant euery where Alaham. If I shall tell you what you long to know What boots it If you thinke it is not so Hala. What leades your reason leades my reason too That all your words conceiue in kindnesse doe Alaham. The man that was and is not now is he That neuer was the man he seem'd to be Caine What need more to shew with him are dead His fault and our goodwills to him mislead Hala. What heare I now O false and weake estate Of good beleefe Wherin shall peace be found Since Gods be not and mankinde made to hate Caine dead Euen Caine whom now we loued best In instants both growne wicked and opprest Caine slaine by you Hath Caine deserued this O God! Like strange his crime and killing is Perchance not dead my Lord how was he slaine Alaham. By sword Hala. Wounds let forth spirits yet liue againe Alaham. Nay dead he is These eyes did see his breath Beare all his spirits into the world of death Hala. Necessity that from infernall night Fatally linked art vnto the skies Beare thee we cannot yet we beare thee must Now hopes appeare euen now my heart resolues Reuenge and silence is the way to it Did he confesse his fault What spake he last Alaham. Ah Mahomet whose hopes were on me plac'd Hala. Hasty beleefe my Lord hath hasty deeds And with their wounds oft truth and wisdome bleeds Alaham. When wickednesse is ripe a minute showes What chance the dice of Innocency throwes Hala. Pardon me Lord Good thoughts doe liue aboue In highest region of vnfeined loue Doubt and reuenge Nature hath plac'd below Meaning the space should make the passage slow Alaham. God meaning we should rule and you obey Gaue men cleare sight and women good affection In vs not in your selues lies your election Hala. My Lord 'T is true Our frayle and weake Estate Doth labor in excesse A womans heart Still in the feuer is of loue or hate Hardly the loue which I did be are to Caine Could thinke he err'd much lesse approue him slaine But now his falls approu'd by heauenly doome Our losse in him foretells our gaine to come Then Sir Take care his death be not in vaine Your sillie Sire is blinde if he were dead This reeling State by you might stand againe True ioy is onely hope put out of seare And honour hideth error euery where A forme the world expects in worldly things Caine was a man a Bassha and our friend Sepulture as a man honor to his estate Teares doe become a guilty friendships end Excesse of honour done to them that die Makes liuing men see our humanity Besides thought-feeding rumor forth will goe And occupie vnquiet peoples spirits While in this pile for Caine you may bestow Their blinded weaknesse which with-hold your right People doe power not persons apprehend Strength showes like truth Mankinde loues policie Defended Kings but not reuenged be Alaham. Enuy will rise and both wayes fall on vs Either as hauing slaine an innocent Or highly err'd by burying treason thus In penall
Remorse alone doth them and me reueale My wife hath compass'd Caine so cunningly As he hath sworne you by his hand shall dye Mahomet Vncredible it is to thinke men neuer change To thinke they alter easily is as strange Vpon what grounds should this strange malice moue Alaham. Vpon what grounds doe men beginne to loue Mahomet What moued Caine Alah. That which I may not see For they loue well that doe in hate agree Mah. Are truth and friendship but ambitious traps To feed desire with all that she can get Are words and good turnes but hearts counterfeit Alaham. When enemies bid enemies take heed They trust not them and yet they will beware For disaduantage growes of little care Resolue to die or else resolue to feare Mahomet Good Angells still protect the innocent Hell would haue all if harme were ill intent Alah. Mischiefe still hides her selfe from them she hits In hopes and feares of vnresoluing wits Mahomet I well know Caine his nature to excesse Of good or ill is forc'd by industrie In others spite lies his impietie Appease your wife for that must lie in you Alaham. Call vp the dead for that is lesse to doe A womans hate is euer dipt in blood And doth exile all counsells that be good Mahomet Reason and truth shall pleade to her for me Alaham. The eyes of rage it selfe doe only see And truth serues vnto rage but for a glasse To decke her selfe in and bring spite to passe Reason to rage is like hands to a sore Whose often stroking makes the anguish more Mahomet Impossible all counsell doth refuse Alaham. Let Caine be kill'd and then my wife accuse Mahomet My heart shall first take counsell with my fate If it foretell the worst it teacheth feate If it diuines no ill how can it hate If what shall fall it feeles not I must beare The time growes on The King I know makes haste To sacrifice to God For common ioyes Are made much dearer by the sorrowes past CHORVS PRIMVS Of good Spirits WE that are made to guard good men and binde the ill See both miscarried here below against our power and will As if the earth and hers were to the worst left free And we made subiect by their curse to deaths blacke Colonie Yet is our Maker strong and we his first Creation Wheras the state of that darke Quire is meerly our priuation Whence doth this ods then grow which seemes to master all Since we are more than nature is they much lesse by their fall Are we not diligent or is the good not wise Showes Truth lesse glorious in the earth than her ill picture Lies Then Audit vs in grosse at least we equall be And if in minutes men seeke out true inequality Compare words with the life Eternity with time Insulting pride with humble loue pure innocence with crime And if these in their natures equally be weigh'd The one liues euer building vp what others haue decay'd So that to make and marre is our true difference To marre expressing finite power to make omnipotence The obiect then it is from whence this oddes doth grow By which the ill o'reweighs the good in euery thing below And what is that but Man A crazed soule vnfix'd Made good yet fall'n not to extremes but to a meane betwixt Where like a cloud with windes he toss'd is here and there We kindling good hope in his flesh they quenching it with feare We with our abstract formes and substance bodilesse Image by glaunces into him our glories their distresse And in prospectiue Maps make ill farre off appeare Lest it should worke with too great power when it approacheth neare Beauties againe of Truth which those ill spirits conceale With Optike glasses we reflect on man to kindle zeale But whether idle man exceeding orders frame As out of heauen iustly cast must Vulcan-like goe lame Or that those euill spirits so dazle humane eyes As they thinke foule forbidden things more beautifull more wise Wee see though they want power to change our reall frame Yet in the world they striue to gaine by changing of our name Calling the Goodnesse weake Patience a lacke of sense Or seeming not to feele because it dares make no defence True Pietie in Man which vpward doth appeale They doe deride as argument of little strength much zeale And as the Painters art by deeping colors there Here sleighting o're and finely casting shadowes euery where Makes from a flat a face shew off as if imboss'd In which the forme not matter is the summe of all his cost So take these Fayries from or adde vnto our meane With arts fine casting shadows till they seeme to change vs cleane And make a picture which they couet should excell And which yet to be like must lose the life of doing well This image is their wit and so their Deitie Which though not keeping one shape long in all would worship'd be In precept doctrine rite and discipline agree'd That but prosperity on earth there is no liuing Creed Out of which fatall guide Alaham now vndertakes The ruine of his King and father for ambitions sake Against the lawes of Nations power and natiue blood As if the vttermost of ill a Scepter could make good But marke how Vice still makes example her owne fate For with like mischiefe Hala shakes both him and his Estate He in his fathers bowels seeks an earthly Throne Whence she supplants his heires againe with bastards of her owne He makes wrong triumph ouer right and innocence She makes her lust religions lord confusion her defence Thus as that Tyrant who cut off the Statues head Which bare the name of Iupiter Olympian christened Euen by this scornfull act to what was God in name Taught people to encroch vpon the sacred Monarch-frame So while the o'reswoll'n pride of this Mahumetan By wounding of his Princely race playes false with God and man He in it doth disperse those clouds of reuerence Which betweene man and Monarchs Seate keep sweet intelligence And while he would be lord of order nature right Brings in disorder that deuouring enemy of might Which with her many hands vnweaues what time had wrought And proues what power obtaines by wrong is euer dearly bought So that our griefe and ioy is in this Tragedy To see the ill amongst her owne act vnprosperity The corne fall to the ground the chaffe in siues remaine Which of the corne was once and yet cannot be corne againe But as their ancient mates the sudden-kindled Windes Broken out of the watry clouds wherein they were enshrin'd Afflict the sturdy Oke are heauy to the Reed And equally spend out thēselues with good or euill speed So of these windy spirits which wander in the ayre By their malignity to blast both what is foule and faire Whether they prosper doe or faile in their intent Their vglinesse disclosed is their violence is spent While we vphold the world and were we all but one By Legions of
iustice silence best contents Hala. Rumor must needs be borne of doing mindes Enuy is but the smoke of low estate Ascending still against the fortunate Alaham. I feare the cariage it hath many parts And Hazards courses may finde ouerthwarts Hala. My shame is equally engag'd with yours Intents ill carried are that men may know When things are done let rumor freely goe Alaham. Great works doe oft yeeld grieuous accidents Which stirre vp peoples rage beyond intents Hala. People are superstitious caught with showes To power why doe they else their freedome giue But that in others pompe these shadowes liue Alaham. O blessed yoke that vnder reason drawes The pleasant load of well-vnited loue Thy counsell as mine owne I doe approue Hala. Then send the Priest To me bequeath the rest For superstition hides ill meaning best Actus Tertius Scena Quarta Hala Nutrix HAla. And is he gone Rage then vnprisoned be I like thee well While Alaham was there Thou then didst vse thy violence on me Now prey abroad swell aboue all respect Feare nothing if notorious thou wilt raigne Thy glories shine when euery one complaine What now A child And do'st thou idly walke The beaten pathes of common cruelty A iudge and no reuenger then am I If thou no more than his offences be While Caine did liue thou thought'st of more than this Shall death desire hope fame and fortunes lost Such fading Trophies haue Can thankfulnesse abound And shall offense Not feele Reuenge hath her magnificence Rage now thou art aboue the Orbe of doubt Where danger dangerlesse appeares to thee Diuine I pray thee what shall fall to me Must I be slaine Nutrix Monstrous I know this womans nature is The worst she still her selfe she now exceeds That dares scarce trust her selfe with that she breeds Hala. Well! now I feele thee rise when I admire When hills haue clouds let all the vallies feare Scorn'st thou to make examples out of him Hast thou found out his children They are mine Proud horrour Do'st thou chuse the innocent False conqueror of nature do'st thou moue A womans spite to spoyle a mothers loue Rage shall we striue which shall giue other place Nutrix Hala suppresse you need not kindle Rage Hala. Well! On So that like ruine I may fall And ruine him take children me and all Nutrix Hala distract haue senses lost their vse Hala. Is there a third that traffiketh abuse Nutrix I bring you pietie dutie reason loue Water to quench these flames that passions moue Hala. Throw on enough No Sea can quench this flame And then what cannot quench doth but inflame Nutrix For whom doe you this sumptuous storme prepare Hala. For whom are wiues estates inioyn'd to care Nutrix Is malice currant where respect is due Hala. Power doth what likes in her inferiors moue As we are sess'd so pay we hate or loue Nutrix What fault in him mou'd these effects in you Hala. Thoughts are too strict much lesse can words containe The venome of his malice is too deepe For any power but Reuenge to keepe Nutrix Then Rage is lost For there is nought in man That equall paine with such offenses can Hala. Be that the gage Mans senses barren were If they could apprehend but what they feele Ills doe with place like Numbers multiply The liuing dead malice affection feare My wombe and I doe his affliction beare Nutrix Will you destroy your owne Hala. My owne are his Nutrix Infamous act Hala. Rage doth but now begin Nutrix Canst thou doe worse Hala. Else to my selfe I sinne Life is too short horrour exceeds not faith That cannot plague offences after death Nutrix Ah! Calme this storme these vgly torrents shunne Of Rage which drowne thy selfe and all besides Hala. Furies no more irregularly runne But arted Teach confusion to diuide Nutrix If kinde be disinherited in thee Yet haue compassion of this Orphane State Hala. That is the worke which men shall wonder at For while his ruin'd are yet mine shall raigne His heires but yet true issue vnto Caine Nutrix These works on Princes ruines must be built Hala. For my reuenge no baser blood is spilt Nutrix What force can Princes forces ouer-beare Hala. That force which makes their pride it cannot feare Nutrix How enters malice where there is mistrust Hala. With tribute into State to Kings with lust Nutrix What way to these Hala. Prosperity successe Nutrix These adde more power Hala. So much suspect the lesse Nutrix What can you adde Hala. Presents obedience praise They need not knocke to enter in that please Nutrix Flatteries are plaine Hala. To Kings that see their ill Nut. Kings iealous are Hala. Of truth not of their will Nutrix Vsurpers feare Hala. Worth not humilitie Kings errors are our Agents in their hearts Their priuate passions wound their publike States Time hath her arguments and place her Arts This day he doth consummate all his ioy Glory now at the Full is not suspitious And what addes to his pompe shall him destroy A Crowne and Mantle of most curious worke I haue prepar'd euen with Egyptian skill And poyson him in pleasing him I will Nutrix My spirits fayle Hala. Till Alahams ills doe tremble Horrour is faint Rage doth but Rage resemble Depart keep secret and be not dismayd Vnperfect works cannot their glories show This goodly World did from a Chaos grow Exit Nutrix Now Caine For whose reuenge I only liue Inspire thy ghost to multiply in me More sense to make my senses more enrag'd More loue to make loues losses more in thee Double my wit beyond my strength engag'd Open all lights of possibility Let griefe which yet keepes companie with death Breake forth and poyson all things with her breath Actus tertius Scena quinta Priest Hala PRiest Madame whom men obey and God doth heare What zeale remorse or charity doth moue Your heart The King leaues all things to your loue Hala. Caine who of late did liue to both vs deare 'T is true did fayle and for his fault is slaine Our hearts are eas'd as hauing lost their feare The rites of humane duties yet remaine A Kings belou'd he was sometimes our friend Which must appeare in honour of his end Such royall Piles as for the Princely race Are made a sacrifice vnto the skie In honor of that God which gaue them place Such sumptuous Piles make But more cost bestow Because both iust Reuenge and Loue they show Summon the Mufti and Soothsayers all The Persian Magi Christian Starre-Diuines The first to sing alike his faith and fall The last to tell how higher power inclines In short Reuenge and Loue shine in those fires Powre on all pompe that magnifies desires As if at once by crosse mortality The Prince and Princely line were dead in one Let mourning and deuotion to the skie Be offred vp in pompe and publike mone Magnificence is Princely mystery All great Estates by great expence are knowne Prepare
Dutie others Natures Lawes Should I haue lost a Crowne for such applause No No Each State peculiar wisdomes hath The way of Princes is to hide their mindes For else each slaue will suddenly descrie Our inward passions which they trafficke by Remisnesse did in me no sooner moue And only by a pawse it selfe expresse But straightway they diuin'd remorse or loue And instantly drew arguments from both As if distraction to resolue were loth But like a Sultan mixing power with art When I made good my will and only said Sirs doe your charge This intermittent passion Is but the print of naturall affection The seat of Iustice is aboue compassion Straight as if Furies breath had fild these bladders With cruell hearts their charge they vndertooke And euer after made my will their booke Who gouerne men if they will stay aboue Must see and scorne the downfalls of self-selfe-loue Nay marke againe what glory Order yeelds Where euery spirit is fitted to his roome Did not distresse these weake Ghosts well become At which fine playes of Chance and intercession Did I relent Or had I any sense But in the glories of Omnipotence These Scepter-mysteries Kings must obserue Or not be Kings Are priuate vertues such Want great Estates no other strengths but those Which make them for good words good fortune lose As Dogges their kennels these their graues did frame 'T was crafty power that gaue such lawes to fame Away they went rich in selfe-pitties smoke No hope of praise but by their forme of death Nor of reuenge but in the Peoples breath While I ascending roame to looke about And in the strength of confidence and power Behold the vnprosperities of doubt But harke What mournfull harmonie is this In dole my Triumphs are What sounds are these Change is thy nature both to grieue and please Confused Echo's whither doe you flye Or whence proceed From grudge or from applause Except my will craues Mankinde any lawes Solemnity inferres the worke is ended Yet heare I noyse that showes vnquiet motion As from their ashes some new worke intended Now shall we know Behold I see one come Whose looks bring woe and horrour from that Tombe Actus quintus Scena secunda Nuntius Alaham NVntius Distract confus'd are all my inward spirits Griefe would complaine yet dares not speake for feare Horrour the place of wonder disinherits Caines next of kinne so willingly to die For pompe and honor to his funerall The flesh to couet that which flesh doth fly This wonder went I to the Pile to see As costly glories of the vanity In stead of these I saw the veyles of Power Practise and pompe specious hypocrisie Rent from her face euen while she did deuoure I saw those glorious stiles of Gouernment God Lawes Religion wherein Tyrants hide The wrongs they doe and all the woes we bide Wounded prophan'd destroy'd Power is vnwise That thinkes in pompe to maske her Tyrannies Looke where he stands a Monster growne within Still thirsty and yet full with Parents blood Both man and Tyrant dearly vnderstood Alaham. Hath meeke deuotion finished her worke Tell what their manner was and how they died That to the dead would thus be crucified Nuntius The fire though mercilesse yet sometimes iust Hath done his part deuoured but refin'd Perform'd thy will and yet deceiu'd thy trust Alaham. Speake plaine What threatning mysteries be these Nuntius Echos they be of murmurs which possesse The hearts of men against Powers wickednesse The first which burnt as Caine his next of kinne In blood your Brother and your Prince in State Drew wonder from mens hearts brought horror in This innocent this soule too-meeke for sinne Yet made for others to doe harme withall With his selfe-pitty teares drew teares from vs His blood compassion had his wrong stirr'd hate Deceipt is odious in a Kings Estate Repiningly he goes vnto his end Strange Visions rise strange Furies haunt the flame People crie out Echo repeats his name These words he spake euen breathing out his breath Vnhappy weaknesse neuer innocent If in a Crowne yet but an instrument People obserue this fact may make you see Excesse hath ruin'd what it selfe did build But ah the more opprest the more you yeeld The next was he whose age had reuerence His gesture something more than priuatenesse Guided by one whose stately grace did moue Compassion euen in hearts that could not loue As soone as these approched neare the flame The winde the steame or furies rays'd their vayles And in their lookes this image did appeare Each vnto other life to neither deare These words he spake Behold one that hath lost Himselfe within and so the world without A King that brings authority in doubt This is the fruit of Powers misgouernment People my fall is iust yet strange your fate That vnder worst will hope for better State Griefe roares alowd Your Sister yet remain'd Helping in death to him in whom she died Then going to her owne as if she gain'd These mild words spake with lookes to heauen bent O God! 'T is thou that suffrest here not we Wrong doth but like it selfe in working thus At thy will Lord Reuenge thy selfe not vs The fire straight vpward beares the soules in breath Visions of horror circle in the flame With shapes and figures like to that of death But lighter-tongu'd and nimbler-wing'd than fame Some to the Church some to the People fly A voyce cries out Reuenge and Liberty Princes Take heed Your glory is your care And Powers foundations Strengths not Vices are Alaham. What change is this that now I feele within Is it disease that workes this fall of spirits Or workes this fall of spirits my disease Things seeme not as they did horror appeares What sinne imbodied what strange sight is this Doth sense bring backe but what within me is Or doe I see those shapes which haunt the flame What summons vp remorse Shall Conscience rate Kings deeds to make them lesse than their Estate Ah silly ghost is 't you that swarme about Would'st thou that art not now a father be These body lawes doe with the life goe out What thoughts be these that doe my entrailes teare You wandring spirits frame in me your hell I feele my brother and my sister there Where is my wife There lacks no more but shee Let all my owne together dwell with me Actus quintus Scena tertia Hala Alaham HAla. Wife Is that name but stile of thy remorse Must I goe where thy silly parents be Thou yet but feel'st thy selfe thou shalt feele me A King And in a Throne built out of blood The ashes of your owne must giue you power Glutton Ambition now thy selfe deuoure Looke in thy Conscience that vnflattering glasse See there the wounds of Caine thy wrongs to me Death triumphs now And I doe giue it thee Caine here beginnes to liue whilst thou do'st feed Vpon the poyson that thy wife deuis'd Thy debter yet but stay I will exceed