That most abounds in worldlie things And soares too hie with Fortunes wings Which carrie vp aspiring mindes For to be beaten with all windes The course of such being rightlie scand Whilst men can not themselues command Transported with a pow'rles name Oft vnexpected ruine brings W' haue seene examples in this land How worldlie blisse the senses blindes And on a reed vnsurely hings He that presumes vpon the same Hid poyson in his pleasure findes And sailing rashlie with the windes of fame Doth oft times sinke into a sea of shame It 's to be fear'd our King at last Whilst he for nothing is affraid Be by prosperitie betraid For growing thus in greatnes still And hauing worldlie things at will He thinks though Time should all things wast Yet his estate shall euer last The wonder of th' inferiour round And in his owne conceit hath said No course of heau'n his state can cast Nor make his successe to be ill If Fortune once those thoughts t' obbraid Will haue our King to be vn-cround She may that mind with horrour fill And in an instant vtterly confound The state that stands vpon so slipprie ground When such a Monarchs mind is bent To follow most the most vnwise Who can their follie disaguise With sugred speaches poysonous baites The secret canker of great states From which at first few disassent The which at last all do repent While as repenting lust must go When Kings begin for to despise Of honest men the good intent Who to assure their Soueraignes seates Would faine in time some help deuise And would cut off all cause of wo Yet can not second their conceats These dreadfull Comets commonly forgo The Kings destruction that 's miscarried so Act. III. Scen. I. CROESVS ADRASTVS Croes WHat vncoth fancies do affright my soule And haue captiu'd it to a thousand feares Strange cares suggesting griefe my ioyes controule My mind some comming euill charactred beares And credulous suspition too too wise To fortifie my feares doth meanes inuent Whilst suddaine terrors do my sprite surprise An ominous presage of some bad euent I thinke the soule come of immortall brood As being partner of a diuine powre Hath a fore-knowledge both of euill and good Although she can not flie a fatall houre Though with this mortall vaile being made halfe blinde She can not soare outright with her owne wings Yet she communicates vnto the mind In cloudie dreames and misteries strange things Th' imagination wonderfull in force Of foiles the iudgement with confusion so That presupposing all things to be worse Then they fall foorth we double our owne wo. For as the shadow seemes more monstrous still Then doth the substance whence it hath the being So th' apprehension of approaching ill Seemes greater then it selfe whilst feares are lying This alteration too seemes more then strange Which at an instant hath ore-whelm'd my sences I see more then I thought all states may change Against the heauen th' earth can find no defences My soule her wonted pleasure else is loathing This hath indeede so deepe impression left A dreame a fantasie a shadow nothing Hath all my mirth euen in a moment reft Adras Whence mightie Soueraigne can this change proceede That doth obscure the rayes of princely grace Those that are schoold in wo may cleerely reede A mightie passion written in your face And if a stranger may presume so farre I would the copie of your passions borrow I else coniecture in what state you are Taught by a secret sympathie in sorrow Two strings in diuers Lutes set in accord Although th' one be but toucht together sound Euen so soules tun'd to griefe the like afford And other with a mutuall motion wound Croes No doubt but it disburdens much the mind A Secretarie in distresse to haue Who by his owne anothers griefe can finde Where glad minds scorne what they can not conceaue And I Adrastus would the cause declare With which I so torment my selfe in vaine O but I blush t' vnfold my foolish care It 's but th' illusion of a drowsie braine Adras According to the bodies constitution The soule by night with fancies is afflicted Or by these thoughts continuall reuolution To which by day the mind is most addicted Craes Now whilst the Sunne did peepe through Thetis bower And on the beauties of Aurora gaz'd Out of my body spoild of mouing power All faculties of life dull sleepe had raz'd While as the sprite more powerfull then euer Since least impeached with this earthlie part The veritie from lies could best disseuer Hid mysteries vnclouding to the hart I only haue two sonnes and th' one you see The signe of Natures indignation beares And from his birth day domme is dead to me Since he can powre no pleasure in my eares The other Atis all my life's delight In whom the treasures of my soule are kept I thought vaine be my thought in the twie-light I wot not whether yet I walkt or slept Whilst he was sporting voyd of worldlie cares Not in a lists belonging to his merites A pointed toole of iron fell vnawares And pearc'd his temples and expeld his spirites Whilst the pale carcase seem'd t' vpbraid mine eyes The horrour of the sight my sense recald Which when I thinke of yet my comfort dyes Such an exceeding feare my sprit appald This hath me mou'd it touch'd my state so neerelie To match my sonne in mariage at this time With beauteous Caelia whom he lou'd most deerelie That both might reape the pleasure of their prime And if the heauens his o'rethrow haue decreed By destinie that can not be reuoked So shall we haue behind some of his seed Ere in his blossome all our hopes be choaked Thus ere his soule lodge in the lightlesse shade T' haue of his race t will mitigate my mind I can not hold him altogether dead That leaues his Image in some one behind And for the time we do all that seemes best For to preuent those but surmiz'd annoyes Yet for all this my mind hath neuer rest Some secret terror still disturbs my ioyes Adras Ah Sir if but th' imagind euill of this Hath plung'd your soule in such a gulfe of griefe Vnhappie I who waile a thing that is And haue not meanes to hope for no reliefe If all these dreadfull fancies tooke effect Which heauie chance th' almightie Ioue withhold It could not be compar'd in no respect With those misfortunes that my state enfold For when your sonne fell by anothers hand You should but waile his death and not your crime The heauens of me my brothers blood demand His fate my fault mourne must I all my time Croes In what strange forme could this disaster fall That is th' occasion of so great distresse Tell on at length th' originall of all To heare of greater griefe t' will make mine lesse Adras I haue conceald my sorrowes still till now As too offensiue foode for daintie eares Yet since of such a subiect you allow
wil that once was held so deere When that great Monark march'd t' encounter death Whist all his captaines were assembled there And did demand whilst he might vse his breath Whom he himselfe adopted for his heire Then that such doubtfull questions should not need As louing valour more then his owne race He that t' a braue man braue men might succeed Said let the worthiest haue the worthiest place Nor did he speake this in a secret part With Sphinx his phrase a greater doubt t' haue moou'd As breathing thoughts in each ambitious hart To haue his worth in Vulcans furnace proou'd For whilst ye hedg'd the fatall bed about With an vnpartiall care distracted long Then he amongst you all did chuse one out That for so great a burthen seem'd most strong He to Perdiccas did present the ring That vs'd to seale the secrets of the state By which it seemd that he design'd him king Ad so would seize him of the highest seate Thus made this worthy man a worthy choice That no new troubles might the state deforme And all the world now iustly may reioyce That thus preuented was a'mpetuous storme For if this had not been his latest will Ye Mars his Minions should haue liu'd at iarre Whilst emulation amongst equals still Had made the trumpet sound t'intestine warres What huge disorders threatned to burst forth If that our soueraigne had no prince designd That oft hath been a witnesse of our worth And can weigh vertue in a vertuous mind I see consenting signes applaud my speach Rise do Perdicas that which they decree Whilst modestie doth maiestie impeach Though thou crau'st not this crowne this crowne craues thee Meleag. I wonder not though thus Perdicas shrinke T' accept so mighty a charge amidst th' alarmes The Sunne must make Nictimine to winke This Scepter weighes too much for so weake armes The Gods will neuer grant nor men agree That such a one should domineer ouer vs. Though vulgar minds might yeeld his thrales to be Those that his betters are scorne to how thus He prayes vs all Roxanaes birth t' attend Which though it came to passe as some expect He can exchange or cause be brought t'â—n end As bent t' allow all meanes when one effect Thus would he temporize though t' our great scorne Till time assist t' accomplish his designes No kings Perdicas likes but babes vnborne He labours well in vndiscouered mines I need not now insist to tell at large What braue men be amids this martiall band That better do deserue so great a charge Both for their skill and courage to command Yet are the best not worthy to succeede To that rare man that neuer can be match'd Whose memorie must make our mindes to bleed Whose aduersar's for this advantage watch'd But if that great man did consent so soone That our obedience should be thus abus'd Of all that euer he desird t' haue done I thinke this onely ought to be refusd Th' vndanted band whose worth the worlde oft prou'd Then whilst their glorie shin'd through siluer shields By all that monarches merits not being mou'd As conquer'd would haue left the conquer'd fields And if that they contemn'd a princes throne To whom his auncestors their scepter brought What reuerence would they beare to such a one That all this time was as their equall thought To those that ouer their equalles raise their state Aduancement enuie breeds and enuie hate If such with all would rest familiar still This in contempt th' authoritie it brings And if they second not their subiects will Men cannot beare with them as with borne kings Our loftie bands some lofty minde must tame Whose princely birth doth procreate regard Whose countrie may confound each sland'rous claime As one with whom none els can be compar'd Ther 's Alexanders brother Philips sonne That alwayes was a partner of our paine Can there be any else below the sunne Ouer Macedonians that deserues to raigne And I must wonder what so strange offence Hath forfeited his title maim'd his right That any now with a disguis'd pretence Dare wrong him thus euen in his peoples sight Ptol. None needs to wonder much thogh we negle One whose election might procure our shame His mothers basenes Iustice might obiect Whom bastardie secludes from such a claime But yet had nature purg'd the spot she made We with his birth the better might comport Whilst father-like in all affaires he had Giuen proofe of parts that might the state support He falsifies his race of wit so weake That all his inward wants are soone perceiud All of his iudgement in derision speake By which great things can hardly be conceiud And though his body might from paines be sparde Whose constitution is not very strong But with infirmities so farre impairde That it aline cannot continue long Yet since in state he neuer hath bin schoold His ignorance would racke him still with feares Whiles he that rulde still needing to be rulde Spake but with others tongues heard with their eares A inconstant king great confusion makes Whom all mistrust and most amidst a Campe Whilst soft like waxe he each impression takes And doth for friuolous things still change the stampe Ah should our liues depend vpon his breath That of himselfe cannot discerne a crime But doomes by informations men to death Then barren pittie yeilds when out of time Thus whilst some alwayes must his iudgement sway That still doth harbour in anothers head Of Sicophants this prince may be the prey That where they list thauthoritie will leade And being but base that they may be the best Such still will toyle that we may be ore-throwne And some-time may the credulous king suggest To taint our fame lest it obscure their owne What griefe were this tvs whilst such as those Might make their vantage of th all-powrefull breath And that our actions ballancd by our foes Were guerdond with disdaine or else with death Me. Since priuat hopes your iudgement do bewitch I le leaue this counsell where no good can please Come follow me all those that would be rich Few haue regarde poore souldiers of your ease Perd. That shall prooue best which first I went about Thogh some wold wrest my words from what I thought The malice of Meleager now bursts out Like flaming fires that burne themselues to nought Thus naughtie minds that neuer dreame but ill Do conster euery thing t' a crooked sence What I proposde t' aduance our countrey still He would interpret it as an offence And this vnreuerent parting hence of his Hath t'a1l his former wrongs yet added one By his seditious words incens'd ere this The souldiers arc to sacke the treasures gone Ant. Then let vs all of one accord conclude That Alexanders hop'd for race must raigne So shall w'establish still th' annointed blood Whose gouernement both glorie gaue and gaine And let vs now before we part appoynt Who gouerne shall till that the Babe be borne And circumspectly put
her sonne yet with him dide In whom she found th' affections of a sonne Olimp. If but by hearing of his dolorous end A stranger once his captiue dide for griefe Ah shall his mother on new hopes depend As such a losse might looke for some reliefe And so I will for t were a great disgrace To me the mother of th'all conquering man Like other women to giue fortune place And yeeld to miserie as many can Though griefe at first must molifie me once Else as vnnaturall I might be admirde Yet will I not still burst my brest with grones Than that of me more courage is requirde I le not degener from my generous kinde Faint-hearted hindes brought neuer Lyon forth Nor yet a mother of an abiect minde Had neuer borne a monarch of such worth And O who knowes but once the time may come That I t' auenge my selfe a meanes may haue And may against these traytors yet mooue some That with their blood may bathe their sou'raignes graue Now on Perdiccas repose my trust That with Eumenes would our wrongs redresse Their valor ventring in a cause so iust Doth by appearance promise good successe Rox. Loe now of late deliuered of a sonne I to these captaines scarce dare make it knowne That else to part his kingdomes haue begunne And might by killing him make all their owne Ay me Madam this makes me most to pause That still th' ambition of those great men feare Lest by pretending but a publike cause They seeke themselues th' authoritie to beare Ah they of my yong babe as mou'd with ruth Would but be Tutors first and traytors then Voyd of obedience dutie loue or truth No deerer things then diadems to men Olimp. As those whose courage cannot be dismaide Let vs a faction studie now to finde And whilst that pittie doth procure for aide Go tune the peoples passions now t' our minde Vnlesse their loue haue perishde with his life Of Alexander in a high degree I thinke the sonne the mother and the wife Must of the Macedonians reuerenc'd be And this doth with disdaine my soule consume That Arideus amongst other wrongs And prowde Euridice his wife presume To vsurpe those honours that but t 'vs belongs O they shall finde my fortune not so changde But I am able yet t' abate their pride What what Olimpias must be reuengde That saue her selfe a Queene disdaynes t' abide Exeunt Chorus LOe how all good decayed And euills begin t' abound In this skie-compasst round There is no kinde of trust For mankind whilst it strayes In pleasure-paued wayes With floods of vice is drown'd And doth farre from refuge In endlesse shaddowes lodge Yet striues to rise no more No doubt as most vniust The world once perish must And worse now to restore Then that it was before When at the last deluge Men by Ducalion once Were made againe of stones And well this wicked race Bewrayes a stonie kinde That beares a stubborne minde Still hardned vnto sinne Lo now in euery place All vertuous motions cease And sacred faith we finde Now farre from th' earth is fled Whose flight huge euills hath bred And fills the world with warres Whilst impious breasts begin Still to let treason in Which common concord marres Whilst all men liue at iarres And nets of fraud do spred Th' vnwarie to surprise Too wittie but not wise Yet those that in deceit Their confidence repose A deerer thing do lose Then can by guile be gain'd Which being repented late Brings ruine to their state Whilst purer spirits disclose Wherewith their breasts are stord For though they would remord They get not trust againe But hauing honor stain'd And couenants prophain'd Are held in high disdaine And do in end remaine Of all the world abborr'd Not trustie when they should Not trusted when they would But ah our Nobles now Lo like Lisander still So that they get their will Regard not by what way And with a shamelesse brow Doe of th' effect allow Euen though the meanes were ill Which all the world may see Disgraces their degree That should not learne to lowre But throwe base sleights away What can braue mindes dismay Whose worth is as a towre Against all fortunes powre Still from all fraud being free These keepe their course vnknowne Whom it would shame if shewn VVho not from worth digresse T' vse sleights that feare imparts Doe shew heroicke hearts The which would rather farre An open hate professe Then secretly suppresse Honor scornes fearefull artes But those that doe vs leade As for dissembling made Euen though that they intend Amongst themselues t' haue warre Seeme in no sort to iarre But friendship do pretend Not like their Lord that 's dead That trusting to his worthy Still what hee meant spake forth The great men not for nought Do seeke the peoples loue And them their deeds t' approue Do labor still t' allure But Perdiccas it 's thought Too sparingly hath sought Our mindes towards him to moue As one that still conceits Hee may command the fates His pride so great is growne That none can it indure Yet stands his state vnsure Since odious to his owne He must b' at last ore-throwne Whose humour each man hates Pride doth her followers all Lead headlong to a fall ACT. IIII. SCENE I. Antigonus Eumenes TOugh stormie discord and tumultuous warres Doe fire the minds of men with flames of rage That hauing hautie thoughts as heauen hath starres Their indignation nothing can asswage Yet loe amongst the souldiers wauing bowres The Heraulds cryes whiles calmes the trumpets sounds And peace dare inter-pose her vnarm'd powres To limit for a time Bellonaes bounds And whilst of furie they suspend th' effects The seeming-friended foes haue conference whiles And each shewes th' other what his soule affects A shadow of the blisse that Mars exiles Thus men magnanimous amidst the field Dare to th' assurance of their enemies trust And loathing what disloyaltie doth yield Not violate their vowes nor proue vniust Though Loue be past yet Truth should still remaine I vertuous partes euen in my foes applaud A gallant mind doth greater glorie gaine To die with honor than to liue by fraude And why Eumenes as mistrusting me Else standing on your reputation long Did you disdaine to come as all men see T' a greater than yourselfe and t 'one more strong Eu. Thogh we not come to plead our birthright here Let him but warriors take not so their place In whom best signes of noblenesse appeere Be thought extracted of the noblest race Most noble he that still by vertue striues To leaue his name in minds of men engrau'd And to his of-spring greater glorie giues Than of his ancestors he hath receiu'd Erst we by birth in warre not marshalld stoode As at the table vpon Iuorie beds A souldiers worth consists not in his blood But in the blood of th' enemies that he sheds What euer others of my linage try I am Eumenes and I scorne t'
greedie of his substance boast Whilst th' excrements of th' earth his senses smother What hath he gayn'd but what another lost And why may not his losse enrich another But ah all loose who seeke to profite thus And found their confidence on things that fade We may be rob'd from them they rob'd from vs Al 's grieu'd for th' one as for the other glad Vaine foole that thinkes soliditie to finde In this fraile world where for a while we range Which like sea-waues depending on the winde Ebbes flows calms storms still moouing still in change Each surge we see doth driue the first away The fome is whitest where the Rocke is neare And as one growes another doth decay The greatest dangers oft do least appeare Their seeming blisse that trust in frothie showes In Fortunes danger burthen'd with the Fates First to a full then to confusion growes A secret Destinie doth guide great States But I scorne Fortune and was euer free From that dead wealth that wauers in her power I beare my treasure still about with mee Which neither Time nor Tyrants can deuour Light authour of euents and vaine aduenters Now do thy worst I know how to vndoe thee The way is stop't by which thy poison enters Thou can harme none but them that trust vnto thee And I haue learn'd to moderate my minde Contentment is the crowne of my desires My clothes are course my fare such as I finde He hath enough that to no more aspires What satisfaction doth ouer-flow my soule While as I weigh the world which few hold fast And in my memories vnblotted scroule Iudge of the present by the time that 's past The poore-rich heire of breath that boastes of smoake And come of dust yet of the drosse still thinkes Whilst baser passions doe his vertues choake The soule ouer-ballanc'd with the body sinkes Yet neede I not to loathe the world and liue As one whom stepdame she would never nourish I had a part of all that she could giue My race my house by fame and wealth did flourish And if that I would vaunt of mine owne deedes Faire Cittie where mine eies first suckt the light I challenge might what most thy glory breedes Whose labours both enlarg'd thy fame and might When Salamina vtterly was lost And by the rascall multitude neglected A counterfeited foole I went and crost All their desseignes whose courses were suspected And when I had by pollicie perswaded My country to embrace the warres againe I both by stratagems and strength inuaded That famous I le which vanquisht did remaine Then hauing compass'd that exployt with speede And turn'd in triumph deckt with strangers spoyles No perfect blisse belowe worse did succeede The peace that was abroade bred ciuill broyles What with more violence doth fury leade Then a rash multitude that wants a head The meaner sort could not their minds conforme T' abide at what their betters did commaund Then the weale-publike in a dangerous storme All ioyn'd to place the ruther in my hand I re-vnited that diuided state And manag'd matters with a good successe Which farther kindled had beene quench'd too late That Hidra-headed tumult to suppresse When I had both these glorious workes effected And troad the path of sou'raignty a space The minion of the people most respected None could be great saue such as I would grace Thus carried with the force of Fortunes streame I absolutely acted what I would For the Democratie was but a name My hand the raines did of the Citty hold I might a Tyrant still haue gouern'd so But my pure soule could no such thought conceiue And that ouersight yet made me neuer woe If I may rule my selfe it 's all I craue Yet some that seem'd to be more subtile-witted Saide my base sprite could not aspire t' a crowne And foolish Solon had a fault committed Who would not doe the like in euery towne My minde in this a more contentment findes Then if a Diademe adorn'd my brow I chain d th' affections of vndaunted mindes And made them ciuil that were wilde till now I hardly could rich Citizens entise T' embrace the statutes that my Lawes contain'd What one approou'd another did despise Some lou'd some loath'd eu'n as they thought they gain'd At last at least in shew all rest content Eu'n those that hate me most lend their applause A worthy minde needes neuer to repent T' haue suffered crosses for an honest cause I trauell now with a contented thought The memorie of this my fancie feedes When all their Empires shall be turn'd to nought Time cannot make a prey of Vertues deedes Where seuen-mouth'd Nil from a concealed source Inunding or'e the fieldes no banckes can binde I saw their wonders heard their wise discourse Rare sights enrich'd mine eyes rare lights my minde And if it were but this yet this delites Behold how Croesus here the Lidian King To be his guest vs earnestly inuites The which to some would great contentment bring But I disdaine that world-bewitched man Who makes his gold his God the earth his heauen Yet I will try by all the meanes I can To make his iudgement with his fortune eauen CHORVS What can confine mans wandring thought Or satisfie his fancies all Is ought so great but it seemes small To that tos'd spirit which still af flought Doth dreame of things were neuer wrought And would gripe more then it can hold This sea-inuiron'd centerd ball Is not a bound vnto that minde That minde which big with monsters The right deliuerie neuer consters And seeking here a solide ease to finde Would but melt mountaines and imbrace the winde What wonder though the soule of man A sparke of heau'n that shines below Doth labour by all meanes it can It selfe like to it selfe to show This heau'nly essence heauen would know But married with this masse we see With payne they spend liues little span The better part would be aboue The earth from th' earth cannot remoue How can two contrair's well agree Thus as the best or worst part doth preuaile Man is of much or els of no auaile O from what source can this proceede T' haue humours of so many kindes Each brayne doth diuers fancies breede Al 's many men al 's many mindes And in the world a man scarce findes Another of his humour right There are not two so like indeede If we remarke their seuerall graces And lineaments of both their faces That can abide the proofe of sight If the outward formes then differ as they do Of force th' affections must be different to Ah! Passions spoile our better part The Soule is vext with their dissentions We make a God of our owne hart And worship all our vayne inuentions This brain-bred miste of apprehensions The mind doth with confusion fill Whilst reason in exile doth smart And few are free from this infection For all are slaues to some affection Which doth extorse the senses still These partiall tirants rage the sight
Or else some panicke terror Our iudgement doth bereaue Whilst first we misconceiue And so preiudge the sight Or in the bodies steade The genius of the dead Turnes backe from Stix againe Which Dis will not receaue Till it a while engendring dread Giue whilst it doth on th' earth remaine To others feare and to 't selfe paine These fearefull signes foreshow The doubtfull world t' appall What plagues are to succeede When death had layd him low That first had made vs thrall We heard that strait his fall Our libertie would breede But this prooues no reliefe For many O what griefe The place of one supplie And we must suffer all Thus was our comfort briefe For rarelie doth th' vsurper die But others will his fortune trie ACT. II. SCENE I. Perdiccas Meleager Ptolomie Antigonus Eumenes WHateie not big with teares can view this host Which hath in one ah as the end doth proue A King a Captaine and a Brother lost Crown'd follow'd tride by right for worth in loue I thinke amongst vs all there is not one Whom diuerse fauours do not iustly binde T' appease that Heroes ghost though from vs gone With all th' oblations of a thankfull minde Ah had the Fates beene subiect to my will Such clowdes of sorrow had not darkened life But we had had great Alexander still And he those kingdomes that procure this strife Yet heauens decrees can neuer be recalld And thoughts of harmes past help breede double paine Though being to griefe a space by passions thralld The liuing must embrace the world againe As one whose interest in his life was chiefe I of his death haue cause to curse th' effects But will not frustrate so the generall griefe To waile apart particular respects Though th' aire be plenish'd yet with plaintiue sounds Of widdow'd hopes that wedded haue despaires Yet Time must cicatrize our inward wounds And to the publike weale drawe priuate cares Let vs giue physicke to the sickened state That at this present in great danger stands Whilst grudging subiects that our greatnes hate Would enfranchize their violated lands Those that are thralld by force to be made free Praecipitate themselues in dangers still And this th' instinct of Nature seemes to bee What realme not scornes t' attend a strangers will From forc'd obedience nought but hate proceedes The moe we haue subdude the moe our foes A soueraigne head this states huge body needes That might make vs securely to repose And who more meete t' enioy that great mans place Wh'of those whose states he tooke receiu'd the hearts Then one descended from th' illustrous race Whose birth both worth and right to raigne impartes If heau'n enrich Roxana with a sonne That long'd-for birth a lawfull soueraigne brings And till that course of doubtfull hopes be done Let some appointed be to rule all things Eum. Though Macedonians tuned mindes not scorne That t' Alexander strangers should succeede Can men obey a babe a babe not borne What fancies strange would this confusion breed This could not well become our graue foresight A doubtfull birth t' attend so long in vaine That may b' abortiue and though brought to light Through Natures error made not apt to raigne But if affection carrie vs so farre That of that race we must be rul'd by some Though neither being practiz'd in peace nor warre As those that haue indeede by kinde o'recome Then haue we Hercules the eldest sonne That t' our great Prince was by Barsines borne Who foureteene yeares of age hath else begunne His princely birth by vertues rare t' adorne Ptol. Might not the Macedonians all b' asham'd If rendred vassalles thus t' a barbarous brood What should we beare the yoke that we haue framd To buy disgrace haue we bestowde our blood Our auncestours whose glory wee obscur'd Would get some vantage of their Nephues thus They warrd that peoples wracke to haue procurd And haue we ward to make them Lords o're vs Ah bury this as a'xecrable thing And let this purpose be no more pursude For though they were begotten by our king Yet were they borne of those that we subdude Obraue Leonides I like thy strife That with so few perforrnd so glorious things And death preferrd before th' infamous life That bondage still from a Barbarian brings Those loth'd t' accept a stranger for their Lord And with their blood gaue flame t'an vnknowne feild Yet we would honour them that they abhorrd And though being victors to the vanquish'd yeild For where-to tended that renownd attempt Which makes the Persians yet abase their brow But euen t' our countreys scorne in a contempt To take by force that which we offer now Was this the scope of all our conquersts then Of our owne captiues to be made the prey No let vs still command like valerous men And rule our Empire by some other way May we not vse this policie a space Till better wits some better meanes deuise Lest dangerous discords do disturbe our peace Still when we would of serious things aduice Let a maiesticke Senat gathered be And them amongst the Imperiall chare of state That of th' authoritie all signes may see Then whilst we compasse that respected seate There those that were in credite with the king Whose merits in mens minds haue reuerence bred Shall in their iudgements ballance euery thing How kingdomes should be ruld how Armies led And what the greatest part hath once approu'd To that the rest must oblig'd be t' incline All th' armie by this harmony being mou'd Will execute what euer we designe This concord would proue happy for vs all Since it each state in greatest suretie renders And by this meanes our Macedony shall In place of one haue many Alexanders Eum. Though silence I confesse becomes me best That am a stranger and the lesse beleeu'd Yet since a partner of your toyles I rest I must vnfold my mind a minde that 's greeeu'd And thinke you that a babe repaires our losse How are the deep est iudgements thus beguild This in all Countryes hath bin thought a crosse Wo to that soyle whose soueraigne is a child Nor would these great men as is thought agree They be too many bodies for one minde Ah pardon Ptolomie it can not be This vnion would all disunite I finde Thus would all th' armie from good order swarue When many might forgiue all would offend As thinking well though they did death deserue Ther 's none so bad but some man will defend And when so many kings were in one court One court would then haue many humors too Which fostring factions for each light report Would make them iarre as neighbouring princes doe No let this strange opinion be suppressd Whilst equals all all would vnequall be So that their mindes by iealousie possessd From pale suspition neuer could be free But ah what needs contention at this time T' obscure a matter that was made so cleere And doye now account it for no crime T' impugne his
mou'd By Romans Romans onely may be matcht And I at last haue kindled ciuill warre That from their thoughts which now no reason bounds Not only lawes but Natures lawes doth barre The sonne the sire the brother brother wounds Whilst th'Eaglâ—s are opposde to th' Eagles so O what contentment doth my mind containe No wround is wrong bestow'd each killes a foe What euer side doth lose I alwayes gaine But this my soule exceedingly annoyes All are not subiect to the like mis-hap The warre helps some as others it destroyes And those that hate me most haue still best hap Whilst with their blood their glory thousands spend Ah ones aduauncement aggrauates my woe That vaunts himselfe from Venus to descend As if he claimd by kinde to be my foe I meane the man whose thoughts nought can appease Whilst them too high a blinde ambition bends Whom as her minion Fortune bent to please Her rarest treasures prodigally spends Not onely hath he daunted by the sword The Gaules the Germans and th' Aegyptians now But of all lordes pretends to be made lord That who commaund the world to him may bow Thus dispossessing princes of their thrones Whilst his ambition nothing can asswage That the subiected world in bondage grones The prey of pride the sacrifice of rage Men raile on Ioue and sigh for Saturnes time And to the present still th' Age past preferre Then burden would the gods with euery crime And damne the heauens where only th' earth doth erre Though Ioue as stupid still with Cupid sportes And not the humor of prowd Caesar spies That may if forcing thus the worlds chiefe forts More powrefull than the Titans scale the skies Yet lest hee thrall him too that none free leaues We from the bounds aboue must him repell To brawle with Pluto in th' vmbragious caues There since he will be first made first in hell What with that tyrant I will strait be euen And send his soule to the Tartarian groue For though Ione be not iealous of his heauen Yet Iuno must be iealous of her Ioue And though none in the heauem would do him ill He raise vp some in th' earth to haste his death Yea though both heauen and earth neglect my will Hell can afford me ministers of wrath I le crosse Cocytus and the smoaking lakes To borrow all my brothers damned bandes The Furies arm'd with firebrands and with snakes Shall plant their hell where Rome so stately stands Whilst by my furie Furies furious made Do spare the dead to haue the lilting pin'd O with what ioy will I that armie leade Nought than reuenge more sweet t' a wronged minde I le once make this a memorable age By this high vengeance that I haue conceiu'd But what though thousands die t' appease my rage So Caesar perish let no soule be sau'd Exit Chorus WE should be grieu'd t' offend the gods That holde vs in a ballance still And as they will May weigh vs vp or downe Those that by follie ingender pride And doe deride The terrour of th'eternalls roddes In seas of sinne their soules doe drowne And others but abhorre them as vniust Those that religion want deserue no trust How dare fraile flesh presume to rise Whilst it deserues heauens wrath to proue On th'carth to moue Lest that it op'ning straight Giue death and buriall both at once How dare such ones Looke vp vnto the skies For feare to feele the thunders weight All th' elements th'immortalls will attend And are as prompt to plague as men t' offend None scapes some plague that gods displease Then whilst he Bacchus rites did scorne Was Pentheus torne The Delians high disdaine Made Niobe though turnd t' a stone With teares still mone And Pallas spite t' appease Arrachne weaues loathd webbes in vaine Heauen hath preparde or euer they beginne A fall for pride a punishment for sinne Loe Iuno yet doth still retaine That indignation once conceiu'd For wrong receiu'd From Paris as we finde And for his cause bent to disgrace The Troyan race Doth hold a high disdaine Long laide vp in a loftie minde We should abstaine from irritating those Whose thoughts if wrongd not till reuengde repose Thus those for Paris fond desire That of his pleasures had no part For them must smart Such be the fruites of lust Can heauenly breasts so long time lodge A secret grudge Like mortalls thrall to ire Tilll Iustice whiles doth seeme vniust Of all the furies that afflict the soule Lust and reuenge are har dest to controule The gods giue them but rarely rest That do against their will contend And plagues doe spend That fortunate in nought Their sprites being parted from repose May still expose Th' vpbraiding troubled breast A prey to each tyrannicke thought All selfe-accusing soules no rest can finde VVhat greater torment than a troubled minde Let vs adore th' immortall powres On whose decree of euery thing The State doth hing That farre from barbarous broiles VVe of our life this little space May spend in peace Free from afflictions showres Or at the least from guiltie toiles Let vs of rest the treasure striue t' attaine VVithout the which nought can be had but paine ACT. II. SCENE I. Iulius Caesar Marcus Antonius NOw haue my hopes attain'd th' exspected hauen In spite of partiall enuies poisnous blasts My fortune with my courage hath proou'd euen No monument of miscontentment lasts Those that corriualld me by me orethrowne Did by their falles giue feathers to my flight I rather in some corner liue vnknowne Than shine in glorie and not shine most bright What common is to two rests no morerare No Phaenix is in all the world saue one Grieu'd of my deedes that any claimes a share Would God that I had acted all alone And yet at last I neede to mourne no more For enuie of the Macedonians praise Since I haue equalld all that went before My deedes in number doe exceede my dayes Some earst whose deedes rest registred by fame Did from their conquests glorious titles bring But greatnes to be great must haue my name It 's more to be a Caesar than a King Ant. Those warlike nations that did nations spoile Are by thy legions now t' our laws made thrall What can not vertue doe by time and toile True magnanimitie triumphs ouer all Caesar Th' outragious Gaules that in most monstrous swarmes Went wasting Asia thundring downe all things And marching ouer the Macedonians armes Did insolently make and vnmake kings Those Gaules that hauing the worlds conq'rors foild As if the world might not haue matcht them then Would sacrilegiously haue Delphos spoild And warrd against the gods contemning men Yea those whose auncestors our cittie burn'd The people that the Romans onely fear'd By me Romes nursling matcht and orematchtmurn'd So what they first eclipsd againe they clear'd Then as to subiects hauing giuen decrees I left the Gaules their rash attempts to rue And wounding Neptunes bosome with wing'd trees The world
And would to God that I might onely smart So that all others scap'd th' euill that succeeds Then neuer man himselfe from death did free With a more quiet and contented minde Then I would perish if I both could be To Caesar thankefull and t' our countrey kinde But though that great mans grace towards mee enlargde May challenge right in my affections store Yet must the greatest debt be first dischargde I ow him much but to my countrey more This in my breast hath great dissention bred I Caesar loue but yet Romes enemie hate And as Ioue liues I could be mou'd to shed My blood for Caesar Caesars for the state I for my fathers death loathde Pompey long Whilst iust disdaine did boyle within my breast Yet when he warr'd to venge the common wrong I ioynde with him because his cause was best A minde t' vsurpe if Caesar now reueale I will in time precipitate his end Thus being still bent t' aduance the Common-weale I help'd a foe and now must hurt a friend Cass Least of his fauour thou the poyson proue From swallowing of such baites deere friend beware No tyrant trust me can intirely loue Nor none that for himselfe doth only care He by such curtesies doth but intend T' imbase thy vertues vndermine thy minde And thy suspected courage to disbend Yea though with silken bonds he would thee binde This of all tyrants is the common tread To wreake all those in whom most worth he findes Or whilst that terrors tosse his iealous head T' vse subtilties t' amuse the greatest mindes As when we for the Pretorship did striue Then both were held in hope that so deceiu'd We others harmes might studie to contriue Through emulation and disdaine conceiu'd Thus subtill Caesar by such sleights hath toyld To sow dissention that we both may pause Of priuate wrongs and by such means imbroil'd Still courting him neglect the common cause But nought from others must our thoughts estrange That must in time the tyrants course restraine Let other men lament we must reuenge I scorne to beare a sword and to complaine Brut. Though Caesar now I must conspire thy fall My heart towards thee yet neuer harbor'd hate But pardon me who euer make it thrall From bondage Brutus must redeeme the state Of this my course what euer others iudge Heere I protest it is for good design'd My thoughts are guiltie of no priuate grudge For reason and not furie moues my minde Nor is' t ambition that inflames my breast With a prodigious appetite to raigne That when I haue made Caesar Plutoes guest I in his rowme a monarch may remaine No if that glorie did my fancies charme To which blind-folded tyrants doe aspire I needed not to do nor suffer harme But with lesse paine might compasse my desire For if I would but temporize a space Till Time or Death diminish Caesars might He thinkes that I deserue t' enioy his place And I could make my day succeede his night Yet doe I not endeere my selfe so much That I le seeke honor by my countries shame But O I would my zeale to it is such To saue it from reproch seeme worthy of blame Yea so that I may free with honourd wounds My soile than is my soule more deere to me I care not strait to be barr'd from the bounds That at so deere a rate I would set free Cass What man doth breath of Mars his martiall race But will with Brutus sacrifice his blood And chargde with armes ere tyranie take place Dare venture all things for his countries good Can any iudgement be deceiu'd so farre But that it else most cleerely may beholde How that this change Rome greatnes strait will marre And raze the trophees that she rear'd of olde Of olde in Rome all those that once had worne The peace-importing gowne or warrelike shield Of dignities as capable being borne Durst aime at all that libertie could yeeld Those in affaires to deale that would set forth Were not discourag'd by their birth though base And pouertie could not holde backe true worth From hauing honour both by warre and peace Then emulation violently driu'd All gallant mindes t' attempt great actions still That in the loue of venue riualls liu'd Whilst Glorie in their bosomes balme did still Fabricius first was from the plow aduauncde The rudder of the commonwealth to hold Yet by no meanes his priuate wealth enhauncde As rich in vertue still as poore in golde Rude Marius too to match red Mars in fame Forth from the vulgar drosse his race remou'd And loe of Cicero the ridiculous name As famous as the Fabians now hath prou'd Each abiect mind disdaind to be obscure When still preferrement followd loftie cares And that one might by dangers past procure Fame to himselfe and honour to his heires But since that state by Caesar is oreturn'd Whilst all our liues depend vpon ones lips Of breasts that once with loue of glorie burn'd From soaring thoughts this course the feathers clips Aduauncement now attends not on desert But on th' opinion of a flattred minde That to th' applauding hireling doth impart High honours that true worth can hardly finde To these all tyrants most addicted proue Whom without reason they haue raisde too hie As thinking those that stand but by their loue To entertaine the same all meanes must trie Where they whose vertue reapes a due reward Not building onely on th' aduauncers grace Doe by deserts not gaine so great regarde Whilst they maintaine as they obtaine their place And if a worthie man to worke great things Wing'd with th' vsurpers fauors raise his flight The highest course to him most harme still brings That till he fall can not haue leaue to light Those that by force would haue th' affection mou'd When willingly men hold such gallants deare They rage that any should be freely lou'd Whose vertue makes their vice more vile appeare The man that now to be preferrd aspires Must with effronted flatteries seruile forme Still soothing Caesar seale all his desires And in some shadow lurke t' auoyde a storme A number else of that prowd rebells foes Grieu'd to behold th' occasion of their griefe Striue in obscuritie t' entombe their woes So waiting and not working for reliefe But we whose lofty mindes disdaine to lowre As those that seeke but their owne safetie thus When shall we spend an indignations powre That 's worthy of true Romans and of vs Since no indignitie resolu'd t' indure I see our mindes doe simpathize in this Should we by suffering seeke to liue secure Whose action must amend what is amisse No no such abiect thought must staine our breast To cure calamitie but by discourse Whilst but like beasts affecting foode and rest Where men by reason should direct their course Like those of other parts secure from strife If Caesar had bin borne or chusde our Prince Then those that durst attempt to take his life The world of treason iustly might
conuince For still the states that flourish for the time By subiects should b'inuiolable thought And those no doubt commit a monstrous crime That lawfull soueraignty prophane in ought And we must thinke though now being brought to bow The Senate king a subiect Caesar is Th' authoritie that violating now The world must damne as hauing done amisse We will deare Cassius for our countries sake Our selues expose to danger or to death And let vs now aduise what course to take Whilst nought bur th' aire can beare away our breath Cass I thinke this matter needes not many wordes Since but one deede can bound the common shame In Caesars bodie we must sheathe our swordes And by his death our libertie reclame But since his fortune did confound them all That in the fields to match him did beginne Whilst he by thousands made their bands to fall With hoarie legions alwayes vsde to winne As Pompeys Scipioes and Petreius ghosts In lightlesse shades may by experience tell That after th' ouerthrow of their numbrous hosts All famous though infortunately fell And since prouided for the Parthian wrarre His armie in armes attends on his decree Where we sequestred from such forces farre Would if suspected strait preuented be With some few friends whom all things now t' assay A loue to vs or to their countrie bindes We to his wracke must walke another way Whilst ere our tongues our handes doe tell our mindes Now when most high and therefore hated most Th' assembled Senate seekes to make him king We must goe giue the blow before we boast And him to death Rome out of bondage bring Brut. In all this course I onely one thing blame That we should steale what we may iustly take By clothing honour with a cloake of shame Which may our cause thogh good more odious make O I could wish with honourable wounds T' affront Romes enemy in the battells dust No sweeter musicke than the Trumpets sounds When Right and Valour keepe a consort iust Then free if quicke else dead for nought being feard I alwayes once contented might remaine What tombe t' a man more glorious can be rear'd Than mountaines made of them that he hath slaine But how are my transported thoughts growne such That they disdaine a measure now t' admit As bent not what to doe but to do much I on the throne of Glorie striu'd to sit No to the state me from my selfe I giue Free from particular respects t' expose My life and all for it and whilst I liue So that it gaine I care not what I lose I le neuer rest till he for euer rest That giues my country such a cause of griefe And that t' effect no forme I will detest Nor for my fame endanger Romes reliefe But worthy Cassius ere we further doe Let vs the mindes of our familiars feele Of which I hope to haue assistance too Who will not hazard for his countries weale Cass Now whilst my soule rests rauisht in a traunce I thinke I see great Rome her courage raise Bent to beat th' aire with songs th' earth with a daunce And crowne thy vertues with deserued praise ACT. III. SCENE II. Marcus Brutus Portia MY dearest halfe my comfort my delight That onely seru'st to sweeten all my sowres Thou in my bosome vsde t' vncharge thy spright And in my presence sparde afflictions powres Still when domestike broiles disturbde thy rest Whilst by thy selfe thou labord for reliefe Thou with calme wordes disguisde a stormie breast Lest I had bin infected with thy griefe For such of me was thy respectiue care No cause of miscontentment was made knowne But with affections colors painted faire All that might make me glad was gladly showne What makes thee then thy courage thus to lose That thou can looke so sad and in my sight Lend me deere loue a portion of thy woes A burden being diuided doth grow light I see the Roses fading in thy face The Lillies languish Violets take their place Port. Thou hast deere Lord preuented my designe Which was to aske of thee what makes me pale It Phoebus had no light could Phoebe shine No with the cause of force th'effed must faile The mirrour but giues backe as it receiues A iust resemblance of th' obiected forme And such impression as th' engrauer leaues The wax retaines still to the stampe conforme O I 'm the mirrour that reflects thy minde According to the influence of thine eies I take the state in which thy state I finde Such is my colour as thy countnance dies Then how can I reioyce whilst thou art sad Whose breast of all thy crosses is the scroule I am still as thou art if grieu'd or glad Thy bodies shadow th' essence of thy soule On that great planet that diuides the yeares As th' increase of th' inferiour fields depends And as it doth euanish or appeares In th' earths cold bosome life beginnes or ends Sunne of my soule so I subsist by thee Whose course rests to thy secret motions thrall For when thou art from cloudie fortunes free I rise in ioyes but if thou faint I fall Bru. This countnance with my custome but accords That as you know yet neuer from my birth Light gestures vsde ioynd with lasciuious words Nor yet ridiculous fashions that mooue mirth My melancholious nature feedes on cares Whilst smotherd sorrow by a habite smokes A thoughtfull breast that 's burdend with affaires Doth make a silent mouth and speaking lookes As for my palenesse it imports but good Th' abasing of the bodie mounts the mind Where fatnesse com'd from food but serues for food In fattest bodies leanest sprites we finde Ah since I saw th' abhorr'd Thessalian bounds All drench'd with blood of Senators and kings As if my soule yet smarted in their wounds A secret sorrow oftentimes me stings But since thy famous father with strange blowes In the most hideous form affronted death To him my minde a sad remembrance owes Which sorrow shall exact still whilst I breath Yet am I grieu'd t' haue giuen thee cause of griefe That thought some new mis-hap did me dismay To such olde soares it 's worst to giue reliefe But time in end may weare my woes away Por. Why shouldst thou so from me thy thoghts conceale From thine owne soule that in thy bosome sleepes To whom though shewne thou dost them not reueale But in thy selfe more inwardly them keepst And thou canst hardly hide thy selfe from me That straight in thee each alteration spie I can comment on all that comes from thee True loue still lookes with a suspitious eye Rests not within our bosome euery thought Tun'd by a simpathy of mutuall loue Thou marrst the musicke if thou change in ought Which straight by my distemperature I proue Soule of my soule vnfold what is amisse My minde some great disaster doth diuine And euen excuse my couriousnesse in this Since it concernes thy state and therefore mine Brut. I wonder that thou dost thy frailtie