we certaine see And not attaine to that which you devise Croe. I grant indeed this very few shall know Though I professe but to relieve my friend My thoughts conceive as successe best may show And not without great cause a greater end You see how fortune nought but change affects Some are reproach'd that others may be prais'd And every age brings forth some strange effects Some men must fall that others may be rais'd I doubt not you have heard who was the first For warring with the world whom fame revives Who had of soveraignty so great a thirst That it could not be quench'd with thousands lives Even he who first obtain'd the name of Iove And rests reputed for his glorious acts The most imperious of the pow'rs above Who vowes and offerings of the world exacts He all his time in state did terrour breath Borne to acquaint the world with warre and dearth Whil'st fertile still in misery and death Two fatall furies that afflict the earth Yet since his course the worlds first plague was past When his proud race had many ages raign'd That Empire too did perish at the last And what it lost by martiall Medes was gain'd This was the cause of that great kingdomes fall A Prince who could not judge of Princely parts With losse of Scepter honour life and all To buy base joyes sold all his Subjects hearts To that disastred Monarchies decay Th' aspiring Persians purpose to succeed But I intend their lofty course to stay And that in time ere that it throughly speed The Persians once the Lydians force must prove And O! who knowes but that it is ordain'd At the tribunall of the States above That I should raigne where famous Ninus raign'd This all the hoste of heaven oft-times foretels To this the Gods of Greece my minde have mov'd And he that in Arabia's desart dwels By his response this enterprise approv'd San. Thus still in love with what we minde to doe What we affect we fairest still conceive This feeds our humour whil'st selfe-flatterers loe To shew our wit we would our selves deceive Vaine hopes so maske all doubts you cannot spy What secret danger this designe doth beare But whil'st well view'd with an indifferent eye There want not grounds where fore-sight may find feare You unadvis'dly purpose to pursue A barbarous people opposite to peace Who but by robbery to their greatnesse grew And would for each light cause the warres embrace No dainty silkes dipt in Assyrian dye Doe decke their bodies to abase their mindes Skinnes reft from beasts them cloath who danger ply Not mov'd by flattering Sunnes nor bragging windes They simply feed and are not griev'd each day With stomackes clody decocting divers meates They fare not as they would but as they may Of judgement sound not carried with conceits Those ancient customes which they strictly hold Make all things easie that they feele no paine This cooles the summers heate kils winters cold This makes the Rivers dry the Mountaines plaine They whose ambition poverty did bound Of Lydia's dainties if they once doe taste Will have in hatred straight their barren ground And all our treasures insolently waste To governe such although that we prevaile You shall but buy vexation with your bloud And doe your selfe and yours if fortune faile From Soveraignty by time secur'd seclude Yea though this rash desire your judgement blindes I for my part must praise the Gods for you Who have not yet inspir'd the Persians mindes To waste with warre all Lydia long ere now Croe. Those flames which burn my brest must once burst out Your counsell for more quiet mindes I leave And be you still thought wise so I prove stout I 'le conquer more or lose the thing I have Coelia AH am I forc'd out of afflictions store For my mindes ease a few sad words to straine But yet unlode it now to lode it more I empty but mine eyes to fill againe My soule must sound even as my passions strike Whil'st sighes and teares would faine afford reliefe My brest and eyes are both accurst alike The Cabinet of care the Springs of griefe O cruell heaven fierce starre unhappy fate Too foule injustice of celestiall pow'rs Whose high disdaine to me with partiall hate The comfort of the world poore world devoures Curst be the day in which I first was borne When lying tongues affirm'd I came to light A monstroues blasphemy a mighty scorne Since where darke sorrow breeds an endlesse night Would God I then had chanc'd this life to leave The tombe straight taking what the wombe did give Then alwayes buried changing but the grave I had not liv'd to dye but dy'd to live What profited to me my Parents joyes VVho with such pompe did solemnize my birth Since stiâ—l my soule must flote amidst annoyes So to defray one dramme of tasted mirth And it did onely serve to make me know The height of horrour threatning to succeed I was but rais'd up high to be brought low That short liv'd joyes might endlesse anguish breed Whil'st nothing did for my confusion lacke All my best deeds did but betray my State My vertues too were guilty of my wracke And warr'd against me banded with my fate For whil'st my Virgin-yeares with praise I past Which did ah that it did too much import My modest eye told that my minde was chast Which gain'd the warrant of the worlds report And all should have a great respect to fame No greater dowry then a spotlesse name Faire beauties God desse thou can'st beare record My offring never made thine Altar rich Lascivious fancies highly I abhorr'd Whose free-borne thoughts no folly could bewitch Till happily ah so it seem'd to some O but unhappily the end hath prov'd All this and more to Atis eares did come Who straight did like and after liking lov'd He to our eares his purpose did impart Not lip-sicke-lover-like with words farre sought Whose tongue was but an agent for his heart Yet could not tell the tenth part that it thougth And lest his travels should have seem'd to tend My honours fame by fancies to betray He brought his wishes to a lawfull end And in effect affection did bewray There Iuno president of wedlockes vow And Hymen with his odoriferous cote With sacred customes did our love allow Whil'st th' ominous Owles no crosses did devote The blessing that this marriage did procure It was too great to have continued long A thing too vehement cannot endure Our joyes farre past the reach of any tongue We ever did full satisfaction finde Yet with satiety were never cloyd But seem'd two bodies manag'd by one minde Such was the happinesse that I enjoy'd He lov'd me dearely I obey'd his will Proud of my selfe because that I was his A harmony remain'd betwixt us still Who each in th' other plac'd their soules chiefe blisse This mov'd th'immortals to a high disdaine That thus two worldlings who of death were heires Should in a Paradise of
But to th' Ambitious men that it abus'd Who had their pow'r like Caesars wanted bounds Would whil'st they rul'd have greater rigour us'd All parts we see bred people of all kindes And as advanc'd some bad men did abide In pow'r their equals and of better mindes Some alwayes vertuous were to curbe their pride But since that sacred liberty was lost The publike pow'r to private ends one turnes And as his lawlesse wayes did alwayes boast The Common-weale by violence o're-turnes Dec. Though what you burden Caesar with were true Necessity hath purg'd his part from crime Who was foes force to shunne forc'd to pursue And urg'd by danger to attempt in time To th' enemies envy more oblig'd he rests Then to his wit which no such courses scan'd For when quite barr'd from using of requests Th' occasion then invited to command His thoughts when calme to storm fond foes did tempt True worth disdaines to suffer open wrong A gallant courage kindled by contempt Burns with revenge whil'st fury makes one strong Cic. O Decius now a wrong account you cast The purpose not th' event declares the minde Tread backe the steps of all his actions past And what he compass'd had beene long design'd As by some sprite inspir'd proud Scilla said That there in Caesar many Marians were And Rome in tiâ—e was warn'd to be afraid Of that evill-girded youth with smooth-comb'd haire Then when as still to quietnesse a foe The memory of Marius he renew'd By re-erecting Tyrants statues so His thoughts all bent to tyranny were view'd That people-pleaser might have beene perceiv'd By courteous complements below his rank Who lavishing forth gifts the world deceiv'd And to gaine more then his of his prov'd franke Though nought at all indulgent to his wife By prostrated pudicity disgrac'd Yet did he save th' adultrous Clodius life To sooth the multitude whose steps he trac'd Dec. These be the meanes by which Ambition mounts Without most humble when within most high As if it fled from that things which it hunts Still wasting most when it for most doth plie Cic. Then he still tyranny bent to embrace Was thought conjoyn'd with Catiline to be And had wise Cato's counsell taken place Might with the rest have suffered death by me Yet having deeply div'd in some mens soules With factious followers being pined oft He got the Consul-ship which nought controuls And matching pride with pow'r did look aloft To flatter them who now must flatter him His pow'r to make unlawfull laws prevail'd And those to crosse who scorn'd he so should clime He furnish't was with force where reason fail'd But yet because he could not be assur'd To rule alone according to his will To governe France he craftily procur'd So to be strengthened with an Army still As Rome first warr'd at home till being strong She thought her power might forraine Realmes o're-co So Caesar warr'd against strange Nations long Till that he thought his Might might conquer Rome Then having all that force or fate assignes Of discontentment he did cause pretend So to dissemble fore-conceiv'd designes One soone may finde a fault that would offend But when he first in a prodigious dreame His mother seem'd incestuously to use It might have shown to his eternall shame How of his birth the bounds he did abuse Dec. And yet I thinke avoyding threatned harmes He by constraint imbark'd in civill broyles Did he not covenant to quite his Armes As not desirous of his Countries spoiles Cic. Durst he with those who had his charge confin'd Stand to capitulate as if their mare Where as his Soveraigne to obey their minde It was his duty and their due of late What what durst he whom bound to keep the law The people in authority did put The sword which they had given against them draw When it was sharpned â—â—â—st their throat to cut That had not come which all oâ—â— anguish breeds If he unforc'd when as his charge expir'd Till that the Senate censur'd had his deeds Had from his Province peaceably retir'd No he hath but betray'd his native Towne Those bands by which she did him first preferre T' enlarge her borders and his owne renowne Those hath he us'd to tyrannize o're her My passions ah transported as you see With an excessive love to my deare soile Of my hearts store have made my tongue too free By flaming forth what in my brest doth boile Dec. That Caesars part might justly be excus'd Loe with the cause alledg'd his course accords Of which that mildenesse which he since hath us'd A testimony to the world affords Though forc'd to fight he alwaies had great care To save our Citizens as each man knowes And will'd his Captaines Romans still to spare Barbarians bodies objects were for blowes Of th' adversaries after bloudy strife When oft he might have made some Captives smart Not onely was he liberall of their life But pardon'd them even to take Pompeys part At that infortunate Pharsalian field When he securely might have us'd the sword He both did spare all th' enemies that would yeeld And them to rents and dignities restor'd Then when th' Egyptians so to get reliefe Brought to his sight pale Pompey's bloud-lesse head He testifi'd with teares hâ—s inward griefe And grac'd his Statues after he was dead Those his proceedings plainely may approve That he against his will did make this warre And to his Country beares a tender love Who could comport to reyne his rage so farre Cic. Those favours fain'd by him bestow'd or due As is ones custome whose high heart aspires Were spent on many that who them did view Might love his course so kindling their desires But where he thus pleas'd some he spoil'd whole hosts And the Barbarians all to Rome not wrought Such harme as he who of his goodnesse boasts Yet her best men hath to confusion brought That great man whom earst fortune ne're did fayle Who still prevail'd though warring without right Now in a good cause for the common-weale With Caesar did infortunately fight Whilst fled from Lesbos with his wretched wife Three base-borne Groomes can fortune change so soone Stood to consult upon great Pompeys life And did what thousands durst not once have done Then he whose knees had oft been kiss'd by Kings Most highly happy had he dy'd in time By one of his owne slaves with abject things His funerals had perform'd what monstrous crime Romes greatest Captaine to entombe alone The Roman who arriv'd with reason said The fatall glory was too great for one And to have part of that last honour staid The teares bestow'd by Caesar on his head Forth from a guilty minde remorse had throwne Or else he wept to see his enemie dead By any others hands then by his owne That constant Cato who even death did scorne And for a coward once had Caesar brav'd Who liv'd as if to grace all mortals borne Would rather perish then by him be sav'd He justly whilst more
devoure That Lady of events though still she rave Scarce can her course to mocke my minde advance For if not trusted first none can deceive And I attend no certainty from chance Then I have learn'd to moderate my minde Still with contentment crowning my desires My garments course my food such as I finde He hath enough who to no more aspires VVhat satisfaction doth o're-flow my soule The world all weigh'd while high accounts I cast And in my memories unblotted scroule Doe match the present time with others past Those worldly mindes whose weaknesse wealth doth cloake Though others happy I them wretched thinke For whil'st that passions base all reason choake The bodies slaves their soules surcharg'd doe sinke Yet loath I not the world as loath'd by it Like those who when disdain'd pretend disdaine No no I had as Athens must admit What riches birth or reputation gaine And if that I would vaunt of mine own deeds Faire Citie where mine eyes first suck't the light I challenge might what most thy glory breeds For fame or power as due to me of right When Salamina had our yoke remov'd Witâ— follies garments wisedome to disguise What none durst else attempt I boldly mov'd And seem'd a foole to make the people wise Then having thus by policy prevail'd My Countries squadrons leading to the field Whil'st both by strength and stratagems assail'd I forc'd that I le though wall'd with waves to yeeld But when renown'd by that advent'rous deed And turn'd victorious charg'd with strangers spoiles No perfect blisse below worse did succeed The peace that was abroad bred civill broyles What with more violence doth fury leade Then mut'nous commons when they want a head The meaner sort could not their mindes conforme Those things to doe which great men did command And whil'st distracted with a dangerous storme All joyn'd to place the Rudder in my hand I re-united that divided state And with good successe manag'd matters well Which further kindled had been quench'd too late That Hydra-headed tumult did so swell VVhen I my worth by those two works had prov'd And trod the path of power as Prince a space The peoples Minion by the Nobles lov'd None could be great save such as I would grace Thus carried with the force of fortunes streame I absolutely acted what I would For the democracy was but a name The Cities raines my hand in trust did hold I might a tyrant still have rul'd in state But my cleare minde could no such clouds conceive But gladly left what others urge of late If I may rule my selfe no more I crave Yet some whose thoughts but for fraile glory car'd Said that my sprite could not aspire to raigne And that my errour could not be repair'd Since so to erre meanes come not oft againe My soule in this a more contentment findes Then if a Diadem adorn'd my brow I chayn'd th' affections of undaunted mindes Though barbarous earst which did to order bow Yet hardly could rich Citizens advise To keep the statutes which my lawes contain'd Whil'st what one prais'd another did despise Some lov'd some loath'd ev'n as they thought they gain'd At last at least in shew all rest content Ev'n those who hate me most lend their applause A worthy minde needs never to repent The suffering crosses for an honest cause Whil'st travelling now with a contented minde The memory of this my fancy feeds Though to great states their periods are assign'd Time cannot make a prey of Vertues deeds Where seven-mouth'd Nile from a concealed source Inunding ov'r the fields no bankes 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 delights Behold how Craesus here the Lydian King To be his guest me earnestly invites The which to some would great contentment bring But I bemoane that world-bewitched man Who makes his gold his god the earth his heaven And I will try by all the meanes I can To make his judgement with his fortune eaven Chorus VVHat can mans wandring thoughts confine Or satisfie his fancies all For whil'st he wonders doth designe Even great things then doe seeme but small What terrour can his sprite appall Whil'st taking more then it can hold He to himselfe contentment doth assigne His minde which monsters breeds Imagination feeds And with high thoughts quite headlongs rold Whil'st seeking here a perfect ease to finde Would but melt mountains and embrace the winde What wonder though the soule of man A sparke of heaven that shines below Doth labour by all meanes it can Like to it selfe it selfe to show The heavenly essence heaven would know But from this masse where bound till free With paine both spend lifes little span The better part would be above And th' earth from th' earth cannot remove How can two contraries agree Thus as the best part or the worst doth move Man of much worth or of no worth doth prove O! from what fountaine doe proceed These humours of so many kindes Each braine doth divers fancies breed As many men as many mindes And in the world a man scarce findes Another of his humour right Nor are there two so like indeed If we remarke their severall graces And lineaments of both their faces That can abide the proofe of sight If th' outward formes then differ as they doe Of force th' affections must be different too Ah! passons spoile our better part The soule is vext with their dissentions We make a God of our owne heart And worship all our vaine inventions This braine-bred mist of apprehensions The minde doth with confusion fill Whil'st reason in exile doth smart And few are free from this infection For all are slaves to some affection Which doth oppresse the judgement still Those partiall tyrants not directed right Even of the clearest mindes eclipse the light A thousand times O happy he Who doth his passions so subdue That he may with cleare reasons eye Their imperfections fountaines view That so he may himselfe renew Who to his thoughts prescribing lawes Might set his soule from bondage free And never from bright reason swerve But making passions it to serve Would weigh each thing as there were cause O greater were that Monarch of the minde Then if he might command from Thule to Inde Act 2. Scene 1. Croesus Aesope Solon WHat Prince hath been so favour'd by the fates As could like me of full contentment boast Lov'd of mine own and fear'd of forrain states My foes have faln my friends were never crost For having that which thousands seek at will My happinesse in all things hath been such Heavens favorite and fortunes Minion still I know not what to wish I have so much Mine eyes no way did ever grieve my heart With any object that their sight did draw My name applauded is in every part My word an Oracle my will a law What brest can well confine this floud of joyes Whose swelling
oft times sinke downe in a Sea of shame It may be fear'd our King at last Whil'st he for nothing is afraid Be by prosperity betray'd For growing thus in greatnesse still And having worldly things at will He thinks though time should all things waste Yet his estate shall ever last The wonder of this peopled round And in his own conceit hath said No course of heaven his state can cast Nor make his fortune to be ill But if the gods a way have lay'd That he must come to be uncrown'd What sudden feares his minde may fill And in an instant utterly confound The state which stands upon so slippery ground When such a Monarchs minde is bent To follow most the most unwise Who can their folly well disguise With sugred speeches poisnous baits The secret canker of great States From which at first few disassent The which at last all do repent Then whil'st they must to ruine go When Kings begin thus to despise Of honest men the good intent Who to assure their Soveraignes seats Would faine in time some help devise And would cut off all cause of woe Yet cannot second their conceits These dreadfull Comets commonly fore-go A Kings destruction when miscarried so Act. 3. Scene 1. Croesus Adrastus WHat fancies strange with terrour strike my soule The tortur'd captive of distrustfull feares Huge cares suggesting harme my joyes controul Whose minde some comming crosse charactred beares And credulous suspition too too wise To fortifie my feares doth meanes invent Whil'st sudden trouble doth my sprite surprise A presage sad which boasts some bad event I thinke the soule since an immortall brood Hath by inheritance an heavenly power Which some fore-knowledge gives of ill and good But not the meanes to scape a fatall houre Though with this mortall vaile when made halfe blinde Not well fore-seeing what each time forth brings Yet it communicates unto the minde In cloudy dreames true though mysterious things Imagination wonderfull in force The judgement oft foiles with confusion so That then they prove things presupposed worse Ere time distress'd man multiplies his woe For as the shadow seemes more monstrous still Then doth the substance whence the shape it takes So the conjecture of a threatned ill More then it selfe some to be troubled makes This alteration too seemes more then strange Which suddenly so moved hath my minde I see more then I thought all states may change When heaven pursues th' earth no defence can finde My soule all pleasure is already loathing This hath indeed so deep impression left A dreame a fancy froth a shadow nothing Hath all my mirth even in a moment reft Adrast Whence mighty Soveraigne can this change proceed Which doth obscure the rayes of Princely grace Those who are school'd in woe may clearly reade A mighty passion written in your face And if a stranger may presume so farre What friend is false or who are fear'd as foes For I imagine in what state you are A secret sympathie imparting woes Two strings in divers Lutes set in accord Some say th' one onely touch'd both give a sound Even so souls tun'd to griefe the like afford Whose airie motions mutually do wound Croe. No doubt it must disburden much the minde A Secretary in distresse to have Who by his owne anothers griefe can finde Where glad mindes scorne what they cannot conceive And I Adrastus would the cause declare With which I so torment my soule in vaine But yet I blush to tell my foolish care The fond illusion of a drowsie braine Adrast As bodies temper'd are or souls inclin'd All dreames by â—ight th' imagination makes Or else th' impression thoughts worke in the minde By which when wakening one most travell takes Croe. By sleepe arrested as o're-come by death In Natures bosome I imbrac'd true rest And in that Masse where nothing mov'd but breath Lifes faculâ—ies sleep for a time supprest Then whil'st the sprite most pow'râ—ull did remaine Since least distress'd by this terrestriall part Adrast Souls at such times their strength so strongly straine That oft their burdens as astonish'd start Croe. To rarifie the aire from vapours pow'rs When first Aurora rose from Tithons bed Ere Phoebus blushing stole from Thetis bowres This apprehension in my braine was bred I onely have two sonnes and th' one you see The signe of Natures indignation beares And from his birth-day dumbe is dead to me Since he can give no comfort to mine eares The other Atis all my lifes delight In whom the treasures of my soule are kept I thought vaine be my thought in the twi-light I know not whether yet I wak't or slep't Whil'st he was sporting void of worldly cares And not in danger which could threaten death A pointed toole of iron fell unawares And from his body banish did his breath Whil'st the pale carkase did upbraid mine eyes The horrour of the sight my sense re-call'd Which when I thinke of yet my courage dyes Such an exceeding feare my sprite appall'd This touch'd my state so much it hath me mov'd To match my Sonne in marriage at this time With vertuous Coelia whom he dearely lov'd That both might reape the pleasure of their prime And if the heavens his o're throw have decreed By destiny which cannot be revok'd So may we have behinde some of his seed Ere in his blossome all our hopes be choak'd Thus ere his soule lodge in the lightlesse shade Some of his off-spring may content my minde I cannot hold him altogether dead Who leaves his Image in some one behinde And though we do what ever seemes the best To disappoint those but surmiz'd annoyes Yet for all this my minde hath never rest Some secret terrour doth disturbe my joyes Adrast Ah Sir if such a dreamed ill as this Hath plung'd your soule even in the depths of griefe Unhappie I who waile a thing that is Whil'st hope though rack'd dare promise no reliefe Though all those dreadfull fancies took effect Which heavy chance th' almighty Iove with-hold None can compare them no in no respect With those mis-fortunes which my state enfold For though your Sonne dye by anothers hand You shall but waile his death and not your crime The heavens of me my brothers bloud demand His fate my fault mourne must I all my time Croe. In what strange forme could this disaster fall From which there flow salt flouds of just distresse Tell on at length the fatall cause of all A greater griefe makes one forget the lesse Adrast My sorrows ground I smother'd still till now As too offensive food for dainty cares But since of such discourse you do allow I le tell a tale that may move stones to teares Of Phrygian Princes my great Father come Had in my growing age a tender care That all my education might become One whom he might for mighty hopes prepare As yet foure lustres scarcely had begun To grace my witness'd sex with blooming cheeks When I fond youth that
pitchie vapours cled Had must'red mysts and march'd out of the West Dayes beauties darkning shadowie horrours spread The Sentinels were set and all at rest When loe a terrour did distract the host Whose bands to murmure were dispers'd in parts With sounds resembling ships in stormes neare lost Whil'st each to other cause of feare imparts Those who their King appointed were to guard From what was due by fraud or feare did stray And to his danger having no regard His Fortunes Minions fled with heraway The desolation then growne wondrous great With some few Eunuchs Darius left alone No strength remaining nor no signe of state He thus them spake who for his fall did mone Go part in peace ere further harme be had Lest that my ruine likewise you surprise They hearing those sad words as men gone mad Went howling through the host with dolorous cryes So that all those who heard what plaints they made Thought that they had their Soveraignes death bewail'd And forcing trust some forg'd reports were spread That he had kill'd himselfe all hope quite fail'd The Persians griev'd whil'st these things did occurre Did first encourage all their Countrey bands To help their Prince but yet they durst not stirre For feare of falling in the Bactrians hands Even in the time when this confusion was The Traitors to deferre the fact no more Did to their Soveraignes Tent with Squadrons passe And took and bound him whom they serv'd before Who in a golden Coach once proudly rode Was throwne in one for common carriage us'd And who of late was honour'd like a God Two of his owne as if their slave abus'd Those royall hands to beare a Scepter borne Were basely bound and which the more him griev'd Thus misery can hardly scape from scorne With bands of gold which burden'd not reliev'd When Alexander great with courage spy'd Our Armies flie he who in hope them chac'd To follow us with diligence did ride Base seem'd the Conquest which no danger grac'd But when at last at length by some inform'd How he was made a captive to his owne At this indignity he highly storm'd As if by it his hopes had beene o're-throwne Out of his host he did select a few Who were best hors'd and fit for such a fight With whom his foes he did so fast pursue That e're they could suspect he came in sight The Traitors vex'd when spying him appeare Came to the Cart whereas the King did stay And call'd to horse in haste since foes were neare Lest that they else might finde him for a prey He look'd aloft and cry'd aloud I see That Nemesis is frowning from above Should I with Traitors as a captive be And flie from him who but brave warres doth move Then those in whom impiety abounds Throw'd Darts at him vile beasts to be abhorr'd And hurt the horses with an hundred wounds Then men more trusty dying for their Lord As false in hearts so feeble with their hands When Guilt and Danger doubled had despaires The Traitors first then all their trait'rous bands Fled from a number lesse by halfe then theirs But to the bounds of Deaths pale kingdome brought The King retyr'd where least by people spy'd More wounded with ingratitude then ought Did leave the world whose folly he had tri'd The last divorce which lasts was scarcely made Twixt soule and body whil'st the eyes grew dim When Alexander came and found him dead Who labour'd had so long to ruine him And whil'st his teares a generall mourning mov'd That stately vesture which himselfe array'd Much fear'd for valour more for vertue lov'd With his owne hand on Darius corps he layd Then wailing long as for a brother lost To have his funerals furnish'd like a Kings He bids you use his wealth and spare no cost For you shall want no necessary things He hath his body hither sent by me And sunerall rites solemnely bent to do He thinks that they may best accomplish'd be Whil'st who him bred doth see him buried too Cho. Behold how griese hath her of sense bereft Whil'st breath for passage strugling is with grones No will nor pow'r to live just griefe hath left Since what she value vanish'd is at once Sis Ah! shall I see no let me first be blinde That body breathlesse which I brought to light Where would my soule a force sufficient finde That could encounter with so sad a sight O flinty heart what hinders thee to breake Since crush'd with cares a stranger to repose Why part'st thou not poore soule that whil'st I speake In opening of my lips mine eyes may close This heritage of death this wither'd stocke Is but a place appointed for despaires A torture to it selfe a stumbling block Whose aged furrows fertile are in cares Once for good Fortunes now for bad design'd To state betray'd drawne forth from calme repose To have beene happie most afflicts my minde Who rais'd to fall got much the more to lose Ah me malitious fates have done me wrong Who first come to the world should first depart And ah why should the old o're-live the yong This Nature wrongs by a prepost'rous art Ah! why should Death so indiscreet be found To spare a caitive and to spoyle a Prince My halfe-dead body bending to the ground Through griefe is grown ripe for the grave long since Chorus WHat makes vaine worldlings so to swell with pride Who come of th' earth and soone to th' earth returne So hellish furies with their fire-brands burne Proud and ambitious men that they divide Them from themselves and so turmoyle their mindes That all their time they study still How to content a boundlesse will Which never yet a full contentment findes Who so this flame within his bosome smothers He many fancies doth contrive And even forgets himselfe alive To be remembred after death by others Thus while he is his paines are never ended That whil'st he is not he may be commended What can this help the happinesse of Kings So to subdue their Neighbours as they do And make strange Nations tributaries too The greater state the greater trouble brings Their pompes and triumphs stand them in no stead Their Arches Tombes Pyramides high And statues are but vanity They dye and yet would live in what is dead And while they live we see their glorious actions Oft wrested to the worst and all their life Is but a stage of endlesse toyle and strife Of tumults uproares mutinies and factions They rise with feare and lye with danger downe Huge are the cares which wait upon a Crowne And as Ambition Princes under-mynes So doth it those who under them rule all We see in how short time they rise and fall How oft their light ecclips'd but dimmely shines They long time labour by all meanes to move Their Prince to value much their parts And when advanc'd by subtle arts O what a danger is' t to be above For straight expos'd to hatred and despight With all their skill they
rejoyce That who rais'd many did prevent this storme For if he had not thus declar'd his will Yee Mars his Minions should have liv'd at jarres Whil'st emulation amongst equals still Had made sterne Trumpets thunder civill warres What huge disorders threatned to burst forth If that our Soveraigne had no Prince design'd Who oft hath beene a witnesse of our worth And can weigh vertue in a vertuous minde I see consenting signes applaud my speech Rise doe Perdiccas that which they decree Whil'st modesty doth Majesty impeach Though thou crav'st not this Crowne this Crowne craves thee Meleag. I wonder not though thus Perdiccas shrinke To take this place still brag'd with new alarmes The Sunne must make nights ugly bird to winke This Scepter weighs too much for so weake armes The Gods will never grant nor men agree That such a one should tyrannize o're us Though vulgar mindes might yeeld his thralls to be His betters scorne to bow so basely thus He would have us Roxanes birth t' attend Which though it come to passe as some expect He can exchange or cause be brought to end As bent to like all meanes when one effect Thus would he temporize to our great scorne Till time might helpe to further his designes No Kings Perdiccas likes but babes unborne He labours well in undiscovered Mynes I need not now insist to tell at large What brave men are amid'st this martiall band Who better doe deserve so great a charge Both for their skill and courage to command Yet are the best not worthy to succeed That man admir'd who never can be match'd The thought of whom must make our mindes to bleed Whose adversaries this advantage watchâ—d But if that great man did consent so soone That our obedience should be thus abus'd Of all that ever yet he would have done I thinke this onely ought to be refus'd That valorous band whose worth the world oft prov'd Then whil'st their glory shinâ—d through silver shields By all that Monarchs deeds when no way movâ—d As conquer'd would have left the conquer'd fields And when despising such a Princes throne To whom his ancestors their Scepter brought What reverence would they beare to such a one Who all this time was as their equall thought To those who o're their equals raise their state Advancement envy breeds and envy hate If such with all would rest familiar still This in contempt the Soveraigne title brings And if they second not their Subjects will Men cannot beare with them as with borne Kings Our lofty bands some lofty minde must tame Whose Princely birth doth procreate regard Whose Country may confound each slandrous clayme As one with whom none else can be compar'd Loe Alexanders brother Philips sonne Who alwayes was a partner of our paine Can there be any else below the Sunne O're Macedonians who deserves to raigne And I must wonder what so strange offence Hath forfeited his title maymâ—d his right That any now with a disguis'd pretence Dare wrong him thus even in his peoples sight Ptol. None needs to wonder much though we neglect One whose election might procure our shame His mothers basenesse justice mâ—ght object Whom bastardy secludes from such a claime But yet had Nature purg'd the spot she made We with his birth the better might comport If like his Syre fierce squadrons fit to leade His parts were such as might the State import He falsifies his race of wit so weake That all his inward wants are soone perceivâ—d All of his judgement in derision speake By which great things can hardly be conceiv'd And though his body might from paines be spar'd Whose constitution is not very strong But with infirmities so farre impair'd That it alive cannot continue long Yet since in State he never hath beene school'd His ignorance would racke him still with feares Whilst he who rul'd still needing to be rul'd Spoke but wâ—th others tongues heard with their eares A K ng inconstant great conâ—usion makes Whâ—m â—ll mistrust and most amid'st a Campe Whilst soft like waxe he each impression takes A lâ—â—tle labour changing still the stampe Ah shoulâ— our lives depend upon his breath Who of himselfe cannot discerne a crime But for each rash report damnes men to death Then yeelds a fruitlesse pitty out of time Thus whilst some alwaies must his judgement sway Which still doth harbour in anothers head Of Sycophants this Prince may be the prey Who where they list him as quite blinde will leade And since but base that they may be the best Such still will toyle that we may be o'rethrowne And to the credu ous King may meanes suggest To taint our fame lest it obscure their owne What griefe were this to us whilst such as those Might make their vantage of th' all-pow'rfull breath And that our actions ballanc'd by our foes Were guerdon'd with disdaine or else with death Me. Since private hopes your judgements doe bewitch I 'le leave this counsell where no good can please Come follow me all those who would be rich Few have regard poore souldiers to your ease Perd. That shall prove best which first I went about Though some would wrest my words from what I thought Loe Meleagers spite doth now burst out Like flaming fires which burne themselves to nought Thus naughty mindes which never dreame but ill Doe construe all things to a crooked sense What I propos'd reposing on your will He would interpret for a great offence And thus puff d up this parting hence of his To many former faults hath added one By his seditious words incens'd ere this The souldiers are to sacke the treasure gone Ant. With one consent then let us all conclude That Alexanders race when borne must raigne So shall we stablish still that sacred bloud Which rais'd our state and may it best maintaine And let us now before we part appoint Who shall command till that the babe be borne And circumspectly ponder every point That successe so our Councell may adorne Eum. I heare a tumult rais'd amongst the Tents And Arideus is proclaimed King To which the multitude soone chang'd consents As bent for all whose course a change may bring The foot-men are to indignation mov'd In this assembly that they want a seat Where our proceedings they might have approv'd As knowing all that did concerne the state They soone forget their Prince exspecting spoiles That dare revolt from what we all advis'd Thus too much liberty breeds many broiles And makes the giver still to be despis'd The want of discipline all things confounds Their deeds want order and their pride all bounds Perd. And dare they then against that fortresse rise Where Alexanders Ensignes are displaid Or violate the walles where as he lyes May not his shadow make them all afraid What how comes this and dare they then presume To bragge their Captaines and abuse their Armes Armes armes just wrath these Rebels must consume Our count'nance will them curbe sound sound th' alarmes
mov'd The Macedonians all abhorre your name Who at that time so proud a Conquerour provâ—d Thâ—ir great mens slaughter having wing'd your fame Eum. No fortune past so puffes up my conceit That it contempt of further danger brings Nor am I now dejected so of late But I intend to doe farre greator things He by prosperity made never proud Who knows the fâ—â—ilty of this â—arthly frame Can hardly by adversity be bow'd The Sunne although eclips'd remaines the same Worth should by th' events not be thrall'd to wit On th' accidents as th' essence did depend The fault of fortune cannot blemish it On which oft times disasters may attend Though fortune stumbling right concurre with worth Or yet if crosses bragge a gallant minde Both like themselves are alwaies sparkling forth In every state some tokens of their kinde Now at this time o're-match'd by num'rous pow'rs I kept my courage though I lost the field And vaunt no more of this for some few hour's May once to me the like advantage yeeld Nor is it long since that to fortune deare The world had never me but victor spy'd Though I protest by all th'Immortals here Press'd by necessity not mov'd by pride Proud Neoptolemus that traytour still Not worthy of a Macedonians name He to betray the hoste and me to kill Had labour'd long to his eternall shame But I of Craterus lament the fall Whom for his vertue I did dearely love And was constrain'd I Iove to witnesse call For my defence that refuge last to prove Anti. How fortun'd you your forces to dispose So well to scape that storme of threatned harmes For then you had to deale with mighty foes Who were in warre growne hoarie under armes Eum. When Neoptolemus did clearely spy That all his treason to the light was brought He where our foes were camp'd with haste did flye A foolish traitour who was false for nought There he inform'd or mis-inform'd my foes That by good successe growne secure of late I in my Tent did carelesly repose Though not by force to be o're-com'd by fate And to Antipater he further told That Macedonians if they at that time Of Craterus the count'nance did behold All willingly would yeeld themselves to him Now they had labour'd earnestly before That I abandon would Perdiccas part And did protest that they would give me more Then yet I had or hop'd for in my heart But love born free cannot be thrall d nor bought More then a shamefull peace I like just strife To generous mindes more deare then honour nought And ere I leave my faith I 'le lose my life Thus when despair'd that I would prove their friend They sought in time to plague me as a foe Where love could not begin that hate might end And came in haste to have surpris'd me so But Neoptolemus to crosse by slight The Macedonians I for him did bend And Craterus concealing from their sight To match with him caus'd troupes of strangers tend This policy which none could justly blame I with my selfe in secret did conspire And had my shirt beene privy to the same It should have beene an offring to the fire When deaths first game with danger playd was past I Neoptolemus did toile to finde And he me too which happ'ned at the last Two will doe much to meet when of one minde Then whilst we met for whom both th' armies warr'd Whose fortune did depend upon our hands All was perform'd that force or fury dar'd Whilst both were bent t' abate the others bands And yet the heavens would not betray my trust Foule treason never had a fairer end But smil'd upon my cause as which was just And did destruction to the traitour send For forc'd by him whose force he did despise Though fighting fiercely long he lost his breath As one more strong then true more stout then wise Whose greatest honour was his honest death But weakened with huge wounds almost I div'd In seas of bloud even quite from knowledge stray'd Yet by so great a victory reviv'd My courage grew more then my strength decay'd I having finish'd thus this fatall strife Did come where Craterus his course had runne Even in the confines plac'd 'twixt death and life The one neere gone the other not begun He with great valour had resisted long As all Briareus hands had mov'd his sword And did his Masters memory no wrong Whilst with his courage not his fortune stor'd What life refus'd to gaine by death he thought For life and death are but indifferent things And of themselves not to be shun'd nor sought But for the good or ill that either brings With endlesse glory bent to change his breath Of desp'rate valour all the pow'r was prov'd And for great Captaines no more glorious death Then to dy fighting with a minde unmov'd When it appear'd where victory did tend That armies courage with their Captaine fell And whilst I safely might be seene a friend I went where death his Spirits did expell And whilst I told how both to be betrayd By Neoptolemus were brought about My woe with teares I to the world bewray'd Milde pitty and true kindenesse must burst out Ah if the newes of this that I expresse Had come in time unto Perdiccas eares He might have liv'd their pride now to represse Who by his fall were first divorc'd from feares Ant. The humour of that man was too well knowne Could he have parted other men from pride Whose soule was sold a slave unto his owne And for the same forc'd by his followers dy'd Eum. The proud must still be plagu'd by prouder ones There must be had sharp steel to smooth rough stones Ant. No vice then pride doth greater hate procure Which foes doe scorne and friends cannot endure Eum. Yet Majesty must not it selfe deject A lofty carriage doth procure respect Ant. A haughty gesture shewes a tyrants heart All love a courteous count'nance voyd of Art Eum. Yet manners too submisse as much condemn'd Doe make Kings scorn'd and Captains be contemn'd Ant. A humble port kinde looks words smooth and soft Are meanes by which great mindes may mount aloft Eum. Those are indeed for such as raise their flight They may doe more whose course is at the height Imperious formes an Empire must defend Ant. Thus hastned was Perdiccas to his end Eum. That worthy man had many faire designes But vertue still by envy is pursu'd Though as a Candle in the night best shines It in a vitious age may best be view'd There was a man who scorn'd secure delights As still despising paine attemptive bold A brave observer of the antient Rites Steele strictly grasping prodigall of gold He lov'd to have the Souldiers of his band Chus'd at the Musters not in markets bought And would not flatter where he might command More meet to have then seeke that which he sought But Souldiers now in this degener'd age Are fawn'd on by faint mindes brib'd in such sort That all the reynes
the tyrants course restraine Let other men lament we must revenge I scorne to beare a sword and to complaine Brut. Though Caesar now I must conspire thy fall My heart to thee yet never harbour'd hate But pardon me who ever make it thrall From bondage Brutus must redeeme the state Of this my course what ever others judge Here I protest it is for good design'd My thoughts are guilty of no private grudge For reason and not fury moves my minde Nor doth ambition now enflame my brest With a prodigious appetite to raigne That when I have made Caesar Pluto's guest I in his roome a Monarch may remaine No if that glory did my fancies charme To which blind-folded tyrants doe aspire I needed not to doe 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 deserve to have his place And I could make my day succeed his night Yet doe I not for glory seeke so much As to attaine it by my Countries shame But O! I would my zeale to it is such That it may scape incurre a kinde of blame Yea so that I may free with honour'd wounds My soile that 's dearer then my soule to me I could my selfe live banish'd from that bounds Which at so deare a rate I would set free Cas What man doth breath of Mars his martiall race But will with Brutus sacrifize his bloud And charg'd with Armes ere tyranny take place Dare venture all things for his Countries good Can any judgement be deceiv'd so farre But it already clearely may behold How that this change Romes greatnesse soon will marre And raze the Trophees which she rear'd of old Of old in Rome all those who once had worne The peace-importing gowne or war-like shield Of dignities as capable all borne Durst ayme at ought that liberty could yeeld Those in affaires to deale who would set forth Were not discourag'd by their birth though base And poverty could not hold backe true worth From having honour both by warre and peace Then emulation violently driv'd All gallant mindes to tempt great actions still In vertues love who friendly rivals liv'd Whilst in their bosomes Glory balme did still Fabricius first was from the Plow advanc'd The Rudder of the Common-weale to hold Yet by no meanes his private wealth enhanc'd As rich in vertue still as poore in gold Rude Marius too to match red Mars in fame Forth from the vulgar drosse his race remov'd And loe of Cicero the ridiculous name As famous as the Fabians now hath prov'd Each abject minde disdain'd to be obscure When still preferment follow'd lofty cares And that one might by dangers past procure Fame for himselfe and honour to his heires But since that state by Caesar is o're-turn'd Whilst all our lives upon ones lippes depend Of brests which once with love of glory burn'd The soaring thoughts this wholly doth disbend Advancement now doth not attend desert But flowes from fancies of a flatt'red minde Which to base hirelings honour doth impart Whilst envy'd worth no safe retreat can finde All proud usurpers most addicted prove To them whom without cause they raise too high As thinking those who stand but by their love To entertaine the same all meanes must try Where they whose vertue reapes a due reward Not building onely on the givers grace Doe by deserts not gaine so great regard VVhilst they maintaine as they obtaine their place And if a worthy man to worke great things VVing'd with a tyrants favour raise his flight The highest course to him most harme still brings VVho till he fall cannot have leave to light Those who by force would have th' affection mov'd When willingly men hold such gallants deare Doe rage that any should be freely lov'd Whose vertue makes their vice more vile appeare The man who now to be preferr'd aspires Must by base flattery in a servile forme So soothing Caesar seale all his desires And in some shadow lurke to scape a storme A number now of that proud Rebels foes Who grieve to see the ground whence growes their griefe Would in obscurity entombe their woes So waiting and not working for reliefe But we whose lofty mindes disdaine to lowre Like them who seeke but their owne safety thus When shall we use high indignations pow'r Which as brave Romans worthy is of us Brut Since no indignity you will endure I see our mindes doe sympathize in this Should we by suffring seek to live secure Whose action must amend what is amisse No no such abject thought must staine our brest Whose active thoughts reach further than discourse Whilst but like beasts affecting food and rest Where men by reason should direct their course Like those of other parts not rais'd by strife If Caesar had been born or chus'd our Prince Then those who durst attempt to take his life The world of treason justly might convince Let still the States which flourish for the time By subjects be inviolable thought And those no doubt commit a monstrous crime Who lawfull Soveraignty prophane in ought And we must thinke though now thus brought to bow The Senate King a subject Caesar is The Soveraignty whom violating now The world must damne as having done amisse We will deare Cassius for our Countries sake What ever follow give or suffer death And let us now advise what course to take Whilst nought but th' ayre can beare away our breath Cas I thinke this matter needs not many words Since but one deed can bound the common shame In Caesars body we must sheath our swords And by his death our liberty reclaime But since his fortune did confound them all Who in the fields to match him did begin VVhilst he by thousands made their bands to fall VVith hoary legions alwayes us'd to winne As Pompeys Scipio's and Petreius ghosts In lightlesse shades can by experience tell Who after fatall proofes of numâ—rous hoasts All famous though infortunately fell And since provided for the Parthian warre His Armie arm'd attends on his decree Where we sequestred from such forces farre Would if suspected soone prevented be With some few friends whom all things to assay A love to us or to their Country bindes We to his wreake must walke another way Whilst ere our tongues our hands doe tell our mindes Now when most high and therefore hated most The gathered Senate seeks to make him King We must goe give 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 justly take By cloathing honour with a cloake of shame Which may our cause though good more odious make O! I could wish with honourable wounds To match Romes enemy in the battels dust No sweeter Musicke then the Trumpets sounds When right and valour keepe a consort just Then free if quicke else dead no
no further then the eye And more to Nature trusts then unto Art Such doubtfull fortunes fittest is to try A furious actor for a desp'rat part We have enow and of the best degree Whose hands unto their hearts hearts t' us are true And if that we seek moe I feare we be To hide too many if disclos'd too few Let us advise with an industrious care Now ere the Tyrant intercept our mindes The time the place the manner when and where We should en-trust our Treasure to the windes And since our states this doth in danger bring Let every point be circumspectly weigh'd A circumstance or an indifferent thing Doth oft marre all when not with care conveigh'd Mar. Brut. As for the time none could be wish'd more fit Then is the present to performe our vow Since all the people must allow of it By recent anguish mov'd extreamely now When represented in his triumph past Great Cato's mangled intrails made them weep And desp'rat Scipio whil'st he leap't at last To seek a Sanctuary amidst the deep Then all those great men whom in severall parts Bent for Romes freedome Caesar did o're-throw Did by their pictures pierce the peoples hearts And made a piteous though a pompous show How could they but conceive a just disdaine To be upbraided in so strange a sort Whil'st he who onely by their losse did gaine Of their calamitie did make a sport But yet his purpose grieves them most of all Since that he strives to be proclaim'd a King And not contents himselfe to make us thrall But would even all our heires to bondage bring Thus whil'st the people are with him displeas'd We best may do what to our part belongs For after this they may be best appeas'd If whil'st their wrath doth last we venge their wrongs And since we nought intend but what is right Whil'st from our Countrey we remove disgrace Let all be acted in the Senates sight A common cause and in a common place Let those whose guilty thoughts do damne their deeds In corners like Minerva's birds abide That which our Countrey good us glory breeds May by the lights of heaven and earth be try'd The Senatours by our example mov'd Pleas'd with this action which imports them too To have the yoke of tyranny remov'd May at the least confirme that which we do So all the Senatours were said of old King Romulus in peeces to have torne Who then to tyrannize was growne too bold And ere turn'd God humanitie did scorne Dec. Brut. Yea what though Caesar were immortall made As Romulus whose deitie him revives I rather as a God adore him dead Then as a King obey him whil'st he lives Cai. Cass That place indeed most for our glory makes A Theater worthy of so great an act Where in their sight from whom most pow'r he takes We of the Tyrant vengeance may exact But I must recommend unto your minde A course though strict of which we must allow Lest it o're-throw all that we have design'd Since past recovery if neglected now There is Antonius Caesars greatest friend A man whose Nature tyranny affects Whom all the Souldiers daily do attend As one who nought but to command respects I feare that he when we have Caesar slaine The grieved faction furnish with a head So when we end we must begin againe With one who lives worse then the other dead And in my judgement I would thinke it best VVhen sacrific'd the proud usurper lyes That this seditious enemy of rest Should fall with him with whom he first did rise Thus of our liberty we now may lay A solid ground which can be shak't by none Those of their purpose who a part delay Two labours have who might have had but one Mar. Brut. I cannot Cassius condescend to kill Thus from the path of justice to decline One faultlesse yet lest after he prove ill So to prevent his guiltinesse by mine No no that neither honest were nor just Which rigorous forme would but the world affright Men by this meane our meaning might mistrust And for a little wrong damne all that 's right If we do onely kill the common foe Our Countries zeale must then acquire due praise But if like Tyrants fiercely raging so We will be thought that which we raze to raise And where we but intend to aide the State Though by endangering what we hold most deare If slaying him as arm'd by private hate We to the world all partiall will appeare Ah ah we must but too much murder see Who without doing ill cannot do good And would the Gods that Rome could be made free Without the shedding of one drop of bloud Then there is hope that Anthonie in end Whil'st first our vertue doth direct the way Will leagu'd with us the liberty defend And when brought back will blush as once astray Ca. Cass Well Brutus I protest against my will From this black cloud what ever tempest fall That mercy but most cruelly doth kill Which thus saves one who once may plague us all Dec. Brut. When Caesar with the Senatours sits downe In this your judgements generally accord That for affecting wrongfully the Crowne He lawfully may perish by the Sword No greater harme can for our course be wrought Then by protracting the appointed time Lest that which acted would be vertue thought Be if prevented constru'd as a crime Can one thing long in many mindes be pent No purposes would never be delayd Which judg'd by th' issues Fortune doth comment If prosp'ring reason treason if betrai'd There may amongst our selves some man remaine Whom if afraid his pardon to procure Or if too greedy for the hope of gaine Time to disclose his consorts may allure Then for our recompence we ruine reape If ought our course thus made abortive marre For if discovered once we cannot scape As tyrants eares heare much their hands reach farre Ca. Cassius The brest in which so deep a secret dwels Would not be long charg'd with so weighty cares For I conjecture as their count'nance tels That many know our mindes though we not theirs Even but of late one Casca came to see Who curious was to have our purpose knowne And said to him that which thou had'st from me To me by Brutus hath at length been shown Then Laena once came to us in like sort And wish'd that our designe might prosper well But yet to haste did earnestly exhort Since others told what we refus'd to tell Whilst strangers rest familiar with our minde And ere we them doe all our purpose spy Make forward fast or we will come behinde Fame wing'd with breath doth violently flye Mar. Brut. Their words but burst from tales uncertaine forth For whilst considering of their bondage thus Of Caesars tyranny and of our worth They thinke this should be done and done by us Such conjurations to confirme of old Some drinking others blouds swore on their swords And cursing those who did their course unfold Vs'd