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
th' enemies that would yeeld And them to rents and dignities restord Then when th' Aegyptians so t' obtaine reliefe Brought to his sight pale Pompeys bloodlesse head He testified with teares his inward griefe And gracde his statues after he was dead Those his proceedings might appeare t' approue That he against his will maintain'd this warre And to his countrie beares a tender loue That could comport to reine his rage so farre Cic. Those counterfeited fauors which he shew According to ones custome that aspires Were spent on many as the world might view T' insinuate himselfe in their desires But where he thus spar'd some he spoild ' whole hosts And the Barbarians all to Rome not wrought Such harme as he that of his goodnes boasts Yet her best men hath to confusion brought The great man that of no mishap could pause But still preuaild whilst warring without right Armd for the common weale in a good cause With Caesar did vnfortunately fight From Lesbos fled with his afflicted wife Three base-born grooms can fortune change so soone Stoode to consult vpon great Pompeys life And did what thousands durst not once haue done Then he whose knees had oft beene kissd by kings Most highly happy had he dide in time By one of his owne slaues with abiect things Had his last funeralls framde O monstrous crime T' entombe Romes greatest captaine all alone The Roman that arriu'd with reason said The fatall glory was too great for one And to haue part of that last honour staid The teares bestowd by Caesar on his head Forth from a guiltie minde remorce had throwne Or else he wept to see his enemy dead By any others hands than by his owne Then constant Cato that euen death did scorne The rare arch-tipe of an accomplisht man That liu'd as not t 'himselfe but t' all men borne Moou'd by his tyranny to ruine ranne He iustly whilst more iust himselfe more strong Then Caesar thought that for no Iustice carde And since discouering what he cloakd so long Said right that Caesar and not he was snarde Thus Caesar conquerd all but Catoes minde That would not by a tyrants tollerance breathe But in such sort his famous course confinde Than Caesars life more glorious was his death Those great men thus brought to disastrous ends The authour of their death make me despise That whilst t' vsurpe th' authoritie he tendes By treading downe all good men striues to rise Now made most great by lessening all the great He prowdly doth triumph in Rome ouer Rome And we must seeme t' applaud the present state Whose doubtfull breath depends vpon his doome Yet had I not enlargde my griefes so long To you whom Caesar doth pretend to loue Wer 't nor I know touch'd with the common wrong A iust disdaine all generous mindes must moue Dec. Had Caesar willingly resignd his armes And rendred Rome her libertie at last When as from foes he feard no further harmes But had repaird his iust displeasures past More then for all the loue that 's shewd to me He should haue had an Altar in my breast As worthy for his vertuous decdes to be Feard by the bad and honourd by the best But since though conq'ring all the world by might He to himselfe a slaue would make Rome thrall His benefits are loathsome in my sight And I am grieu'd that he deserues to fall My fancies moue not in so lowe a spheare But I disdaine that one ouer Rome impires Yet it is best that with the time we beare And with our powre proportion our desires Though I dissembled first your minde to trie And tolde what Fame to Caesars praise relates Yet was I pleasde that moe were grieu'd than I All mis-contented men are glad of mates Cic. Since tyrannie all libertie exiles We must our selues no more our selues disguise Then learne to maske a mourning minde with smiles And seeme t' extoll that which we most despise Yet all our deedes not Caesars humor please That since mistrusted once esteemes vs still When dumbe disdaineful flatterers when we praise If plaine presumptuous and in all things ill Yea we whose freedome Caesar now restraines As his attenders all his steppes must trace And know yet not acknowledge his disdaines But still pretend t' haue interest in his grace Though all my thoughts detest him as a foe To honour him a thousand meanes I moue Yet But to saue my selfe and plague him so No hate more harmes than it that lookes like loue His pride that through prepostrous honour swels Hath by the better sort made him abhorrd The gods are iealous and men enuious els To see a mortall man so much adord Dec. Well Cicero let all meanes be entertaind That may imbarke vs in his bosomes depths Till either willingly or then constrain'd He iustly quite what he vniustly keepes Exeunt Chorus This life of ours is like a Rose Which whilst it beauties rare array Doth then enioy the least repose When virgin-like it blush we see Then is' t euery hand the prey And by each wind is blowne away Yea though from violence scap'd free Whilst time triumphs it leads all thralles Yet doth it languish and decay O Whilst the courage hottest boiles And that our life seemes best to be It is with dangers compast still Whilst it each little change appalles The body force without whiles foiles It th' owne distemprature whiles spoiles Of which though none it chance to kill As nature failes the bodie falles Of which saue death nought bounds the toyles What is this moouing tower in which we trust A little winde closd in a cloud of dust And yet some spirits though here being pent In this fraile prisons narrow bounds With what might suffice not content Do alwayes bend their thoughts too hie And aime at all the peopled grounds Then whilst their breasts ambition wounds Though feeding as bent straight to die They build as they might alwayes liue Being famishd for fames empie sounds Of such no end the trauels ends But a beginning giues whereby They may b' imbroild worse then before For whilst they still new hopes contriue Th' exspected good more anguish sends Then the possessde contentment lends Like beasts that taste not but deuoure They swallow much and for more striue Whilst still their hope new hap attends And how can sueh but still themselues annoy That know to conquere but not how t' enioy Since as a ship amidst the depthes Or as an Eagle through the aire Of which their way no impression keepes Most swift when seeming least to moue This breath of which we take such care Doth tosse the bodie euery where That it may hence with haste remoue Life slippes and sleepes alwayes away Then whence and as it came goes bare Whose steps behinde no trace doth leaue Why should heauen-banish'd soules thus loue The cause and bounds of their exile Where they as restlesse strangers stray And with such pain why should they reaue That which they haue
of your course A dangerous ambush by ambition planted There may come raging riuers from this source To drowne your state whilst fancies are vndanted I know these new-borne monsters of your mind Haue arm'd your rauish'd thoughts with faire conceates Yet may these wonders that you haue diuin'd Proue traiterous proiects painted for deceates And pardon Sir it is not good to be Too rashlie stout nor curiouslie wise Lest that you from that which is certaine flee And not attaine to that which you deuise Croes I grant indeed which very few shall know Though I designe but to relieue my friend My thoughts are aym'd this vnto you I le show And not without great cause t' a greater end You see how Fortune nought but change affects Some are reproach'd that others may be praisd And euery age brings forth some strange effects Some must be ruin'd others must be raisd I doubt not you haue heard who was the first Whom fame for warring with the world reuiues Who had of soueraigntie so great a thirst That it could not be quenchd with thousands liues T' was he who first obtain'd the name of Ioue Who was reputed for his glorious acts The most imperious of the powers aboue That vowes and offrings of the world exacts He all his time could nought but terrour breathe To make the world acquaint with warre and dearth The chiefest sergeants deputed by death That made th' Assirians soueraignes of the earth Yet since his course the worlds first plague was past His successours who many ages raign'd Made shipwrack of their Empire at the last And by the Medes were thral'd scorn'd and disdain'd This was the cause of that great kingdomes fall A King who could not iudge of kinglie treasures With losse of scepter honour life and all Did buy his base delights and seruile pleasures To that disastred Monarchies decay Th' aspiring Persians purpose to succeede But I intend to crosse them by the way And quaile their courage ere that they can speede The Persians once the Lidians force must proue And O who knowes but that it is ordain'd At the Tribunall of the States aboue That I should raigne where famous Ninus raign'd This all the host of heauen ofttimes foretells To this the gods of Greece my mind haue mou'd And he that in th' Arabian desart dwells By his response this enterprise approu'd San. Thus still in loue with what we mind to do What we affect we fairest still conceaue This feedes our humour whilst we labour to Seeme full of wit our selues for to deceaue You flatter so yourselfe you can not spye What secret danger this designe doth beare But whilst I looke with an indifferent eye On your intentions I find cause of feare You vnaduisdlie purpose to pursue A barbarous people that are foes to peace Who but by rapine to their greatnes grew And would for each light cause the warres imbrace No daintie silks of the Assirian dye Do deck their bodies to abase their mindes But cloath'd with wild beasts skinnes they do defye The force of Phoebus rayes and Eols windes They simplie feede and are not grieu'd each day With stomacks cloyd decocting diuers meates They fare not as they would but as they may Of iudgement sound not carried with conceates These vncorrupted customes that they hold Make all things easie that they feele no paine This cooles the Sommers heate kils Winters cold This makes the Riuers dry the Mountaines plaine Those whose ambition pouertie did bound Of the delights of Lidia if they taste Will haue in hatred straight their barren ground And insolentlie all our treasures waste To gouerne such although that you preuaile You shall but buy vexation with your blood And do your selfe and yours if fortune faile From a possessed Soueraigntie seclude Yea though this rash desire your iudgement leades I for my part must praise the gods for you The haue not put into the Persians heads To warre against the Lidians long ere now Croes These flames that burne my brest must once burst out Your counsaile for more quiet minds I leaue And be you still thought wise so I proue stout I le conquer more or lose the thing I haue Caelia YEt am I forc'd out of afflictions store To ease my mind a few sad words to straine And but vnlode it now to lode it more I emptie but mine eyes to fill againe My soule must sound euen as my passions strike Which now are tun'd to nothing but mischiefe My breast and eyes are both accurst alike The cabinet of care the cells of griefe O cruell heauen fierce starre vnhappie fate Too foule iniustice of the diuine powres Whose high disdaine t'wards me with partiall hate The comfort of the world sad world deuoures Curst be the day in which I first was borne When lying toungs affirm'd I come to light A monstrous blasphemie a mightie scorne Since t' was to darkenes and a ioy-set night O happie if I then had chanc'd to smother That the first houre had been the last to me Then from one graue t' haue gone vnto another I should haue dide to liue not liu'd to die What profited to me my parents ioyes That with such pomp did solemnize my birth When I must be the mirrour of annoyes And all my dayes taste but one dramme of mirth Which seru'd for nothing but to make me know The height of horrour that was to succeed I was but raisd vp high to be brought low That short-liu'd ioyes might endless anguish breed That nothing might for my confusion lack All my best actions but betray'd my state My vertues too were guiltie of my wrack And warr'd against me banded with my fate For whilst my Virgin-yeares with praise I past Which did ah that it did too much import My modest eye told that my mind was chast This gain'd the warrant of the worlds report And Maides must haue a great respect to fame No greater dowrie then an vnstain'd name Faire beauties Goddesse thou canst beare record My offring neuer made thine altar rich All such lasciuious fancies I abhord My free-borne thoughts no follie could bewitch Till happilie ah so it seem'd to some Ah but vnhappelie th' euent hath prou'd All this and more to Atis eares did come Who straightway likt and after liking lou'd Then to our eares his purpose did impart Not lip-sick-louer-like with words farre sought His toong was but the agent of his hart Yet could not tell the tenth part of his thought And lest his trauells should haue seem'd to tend To breach my honour worke my fames decay He brought his wishes to a lawfull end And by th' effect th' affection did bewray Their Iuno president of wedlockes vowe And Hymen with his saffron-colour'd cote Our loue with sacred customes did allow Whilst th' ominous Owles no crosses did denote The blessing that this marriage did procure It was too great to haue continu'd long A thing that 's vehement can not indure Our ioyes farre past th'
how he had their treason tri'de And seene the Bactrians to a tumult bent Then prai'd him for his safety to prouide In going with him to his trusty tent The King grow'n carelesse and his safety shunning Refus'd this offer on affection grounded Or with some pow'rfull fate his fall fore-running Was carried headlong thus to be confounded The Greeke past thence dispairing of his safety Who thus recur elesse helpe and health refus'd Then Bessus did begin with speeches craftie To purge himselfe and errours past excus'd The King then Artabazus did command T' approch and Patrons speech at length reported He then did doubt what danger was at hand And to go with the Greeke his Grace exhorted But when he found this resolution plac'd Within his brest no peril for to flie With mutuall teares each other they embrac'd Parting like two that liuing went to die Now silent night in pitchie vapours cled Had mustred mists and march'd vnto the West A shadowie horrour ou'r the earth was spread The Santinelles were set and all at rest When a strange terrour troubled all the hoste The multitudes did murmure in all parts They did resemble ships in stormes neere lost Whilst each to th' other cause of feares imparts Those who their King appointed were to guarde All shrunke away to corners none staid there And hauing to his danger no regarde His better-fortunes Minions fled else where The desolation then was wonderous great With a few Eunuches Darius left alone Did enter deepely to reuolue his state And thus be-spake them who did for him mone Depart in peace and for your selues prouide Least yee be likewise with my ruine caught I will the issue of my fate abide They hearing this as of their wits distraught Went howling through the host with dolorous cries This made the King as dead to be bewaild And in the armie did a rumour rise That he had kild himselfe when all hope fail'd The Persians greeu'd while these things did occurre Did first encourage all their countrie bands To helpe their Prince but yet they durst not sturre For feare of falling in the Bactrians hands Ev'n in the time when this confusion was The traitours to deferre the fact no more Did to their soueraignes owne Pavilion passe And rooke and bound him whome they seru'd before He who in golden coach superbelie rode Was cast in one for bassest carriage vs'd And who of late was honoured like a God By seruants as a bond slaue was abus'd Those royall hands to beare a scepter borne Were bouÌ„d with chains this also much did grieue him That fortune his aduersitie would scorne With golden bands that seru'd not to releeue him Then Alexander hauing heard in end That Darius came not forward to affront him To finde him out did all his forces bend Not doubting but he eftsoones would surmount him But being at the last at length inform'd How he was made a Captiue to his owne At this indignitie he highlie storm'd And swore he would avenge it by his crowne Out of his hoste he did select a fewe Who were best hors'd whose equipage was light With whom his foes he did so fast pursue That ere they could suspect he came in sight The traitours troubled with this he had done Came to the Cart wherein the King was carried And bad him mount on horse back and flee soone Least that his foe should take him if he tarried He look'd aloft and cry'd aloud this day Th' eternall Iusticer sees through the starres I will not with such periur'd rebelles stay And flie from him who moou's but honest warres Then those in whom impietie aboundes Throw'd darts at him whoÌ„ they should haue defended And hurte the horses with an hundreth woundes While they perform'd the Parricide intended Their hands were feeble as their harts vntrue For when their foes began them once to comber The traitours first then all the traiterous crue Fled them who were inferiour farre in number But to the confines of deathes kingdome brought The King retir'd out from the way aside More wounded with ingratitude then ought Did flie the world whose follies he had tri'de Scarce was the lasting last diuorcement made Twixt soule and body whilst that th' eyes grew dim When Alexander came and found him dead Who long had labour'd for t' haue ruin'd him Yet with the vesture which himselfe then wore He couered the dead corps and not eschew'd it But eu'n with teares his coffin did decore To the great wonder of all them that view'd it And hauing waild his death aboue all measure For t' haue his funerals made in Princely wise He bids you spare no coste but vse his treasure And them as best becommes to solemnise He hath his body hither sent by me That the last honours you to him may do He thinkes they so shall best accomplish'd be And who him bare shall see him buried to Cho. Behold how griefe hath her of sense berest And choak'd her breath with super-abounding grones No will or power to liue is to her left Since all her weale evanish'd is at ones Sis Ah shall I see no let me first be blinde That body breath-lesse which I brought to light Where would my soule a force sufficient finde T' endure the dolour of that deadly sight O flintie hardned hart that wilt not breake With the remembrance of so many woes Why part'st thou not faint sprit that whil'st I speake In opening of my lips mine eyes might close This heritage of death this withered stock Is but a receptacle of dispaires A torture to it selfe a stumbling block Whose aged furrowes fertile are in cares What helpes it now to haue bene made the mother Of one who to such dignitie did clim More miserable now then any other I liue to waile my death who di'd in him Aye me malitious Fates haue done me wrong Who came first to the world should first depart It not becommes the olde t' ou'r-liue the yong This dealing is praeposterous and ou'r-thwart Ah why should death so indiscreet be found To saue a caitiue and confound a Prince My halfe-dead body weigh'd downe to the ground Through griefe is grow'n ripe for the graue long since CHORVS WHat makes vaine worldlings so to swell with pride Who came of earth and to the earth returne So hellish furies with their fire brands burne Proude and ambitious men as they deuiâ—e Them from themselues and so turmoile their mindes That all their time they studie still How to content a bound-lesse will Which neuer yet a full contentment findes Who so this flame within his bosome smothers Doth many fantasies contriue And euen forgets himselfe a-liue To be remembred after death by others Thus while he is his paines are neuer ended That while he is not he may be commended What can this helpe the happinesse of Kings So to subdue their neighbours as they doe And make strange nations tributaries to The greater state the greater trouble brings Their pompes and triumphes stands them in
shew All women are by nature curious still And yet till now thou neuer crau'd to know More then I pleasde t' impart of my free will Nought saue the wife a man within the walles Nor nought saue him without fits her t' embrace And it 's vnseemely though it sometime falles When any sexe vsurpes anothers place Deere their wounted course thy cares inure I may haue matters that import the state Whose opning vp might my disgrace procure Whose weight would for thy weaknesse be too great Port. I was not Brutus match'd with thee to bee A partner only of thy boorde and bed Each seruile whore in those might equall me That did her selfe to nought but pleasure wed No Portia spousde thee with a minde t' abide Thy fellow in all fortunes good or ill With chaines of mutuall loue together tyde As those that haue two breasts one heart two soules one will With sacred bands whom holy Hymen bindes They tweene them should communicate all things Yea both the bodies labors and the mindes Whence either pleasure or displeasure springs If thus thou seeke thy sorrowes to conceale Through a disdaine or a mistrust of me Then to the world what way can I reueale How great a matter I would doe for thee And though our sexe too talkatiue be deem'd As those whose tongues import our greatest powres For secrets still bad treasurers esteem'd Of others greedy prodigall of ours Good education may reforme defects And I this vantage haue t' a vertuous life Which other mindes do want and mine respects I 'm Catoes daughter and I 'm Brutus wife Yet would I not repose my trust in ought Still thinking that thy crosse was great to beare Till that my courage was t' a triall brought Which suffring for thy cause can nothing feare For first t' experience how I could comport With sterne afflictions spirit-enfeebling blowes Ere I would seeke t' assault thee in this sort To whom my soule a duteous reuerence owes Loe heere a wound which makes me not to smart Though by my selfe being made to make me knowne Since thy distresse strikes deeper in my heart Thy griefe lifes ioy makes me neglect mine owne Brut. Thou must deare loue that which thou sought receiue Thy heart so high a saile t' a tempest beares That thy great courage doth deserue to haue Our enterprise entrusted to thine eares Thy magnanimitie preuailes so farre That it my resolution must controule And of my bosome doth the depths vnbarre To lodge thee in the centre of my soule Thou seest in what a state the state now stands Of whose strong pillars Caesar spoil'd the best Whilst by his owne preuenting others handes Our famous father fell amongst the rest That insolent vsurper doth presume To re-erect detested Tarquines throne Thus the worlds mistresse all-commanding Rome Must entertaine no minion now but one Th' old blood of Mars that marks to what he tends Swells with disdaine their countryes scorne to see And I 'm one of the number that intends By his death or mine owne to be made free Port. And without me can thou resolue so soone T' assay the dangers of a doubtfull strife As if dispair'd and alwayes to b' vndone Being tyr'd of me yea tyr'd of thy life Yet since thou thus thy rash designe hath showne Leaue Portias portion venter not her part Endanger nought but that which is thine owne Go where thou lik'st I will hold still thy heart But lest by holding of thy best part backe That th' other perish t' aggrauate my grones That would be so thonght guiltie of thy wrack Take all thy treasure to the Seaes at once Like th' Asian Monarks wife that with short haires Sad signes of bondage past still where he past To weare away or beare away thy cares I le folow thee and of thy fortune taste These hands that were with my owne blood imbru'd To strike another may more strength afford At least when thou by th' enemie art pursu'de I le set my selfe betwixt thee and his sword But if too great a priuiledge I claime Whose actions all should be disposde by thee Ah pardon me deare Brutus do but blame These my excessiue sorrowes and not mee Brut. Thou ask'st what thou shouldst giue forgiue deare mate This ventrous course of mine which must haue place Though it make fortune tyrant of our state Whose fickle foot-steps vertue grieues to trace And wonder not though this towards thee I proue Since priuate passions now all powre haue left For I regard not glory profit loue Nor no respect that doth import me most So to the land of which I hold my life I may performe the worke that I intend Let me be call'd vnkind vnto my wife Yea worst of all ingrate vnto my friend But as th' instinct of nature makes vs know There are degrees of dutie to be past Of which the first we to th'immortalls owe The next t' our Countrey and t' our friends the last Prowd tyrants from his natiue bounds to driue Did th' author of my race with ardent zeale Make those to die whom he had made to liue And spoild himselfe to aduance the commonweale To raise the state which Caesar now ore-throwes That bred so many braue men whilst it stood He with the Tyrant interchanging blowes Most gloriously did offer vp his blood And did that man t' oppresse the common fo Then damne his sonnes to death and with drie eyes And is his successor degenerd so That he in abiect bondage basely lyes No his posteritie his name not staines That t' imitate his steps doth yet draw neere Yet of his spirit in vs some sparke remaines That more then life our libertie hold deare Port. Then prosecute thy course for I protest Though with some griefe my soule the same approues This resolution doth become thy breast Where in the spheare of honor vertue moues And doe this interprise no more deferre What thee contents to me contentment brings I to my life thy saftie doe preferre But hold thy honor deare aboue all things It would but let the world my weaknesse see If I sought my delights not thy desires Though it giue griefe and threaten death to me Goe follow forth that which thy fame requires Though nature sexe and education breed No power in me that 's with my purpose euen He lend assistance to th' intended deed If vowes and prayers may penetrate the heauen But difficulties huge my fancie findes Saue the successe nought can defray my feare Ah Fortune alwayes frownes on worthy mindes As hating all that trust in ought saue her Yet I dispaire not but thou may preuaile And by this course t' appease my present grones I this aduantage haue which cannot faile I le be a freemans wife or else be nones For if all prosper not as we pretend And that the heauens Romes bondage do decree Straight with thy libertie my life shall end Who haue no comfort but what comes from thee My father hath me taught what way to
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
anguish that o're-whelms me so Though many Monarchs iealously despise The rising Sunne that their declining staines And hate the Heire who by their fall must rise As grieu'd to heare of death or others raignes My loue towards Atis otherwise appeard Whom whilst for him I did my cares engage I as a Father lou'd as King not feard The comfort not th' encombrance of mine age And hadst thou Sonne as reason would suruiu'd me Who glauncd and vanish'd like a lightning-flash Then death of life could neuer haue depriu'd me Whilst such a Phaenix had reuiu'd my ash San. Let not these woes ecclypse your Vertues light Croes Ah! rage and griefe must once be at a hight San. Striue of your sorrows for to stop the source Croes These salt eie-floods must flow haue their course San. That is not kingly Croes And yet it is kindly Where passions do domine they gouerne blindly San. Such wofull plaints cannot repaire your State Croes Th' infortunate at least may waile their Fate The meanest comfort can t' a wretch retourne Is in calamine t' haue leaue to mourne San. What graue-browd Stoick voyd of all affections With teare-lesse eyes could that Youths death behold Though greene in yeeres yet ripe in all perfections A hoarie iudgement vnder lockes of gold No no man liues but must lament to see The worlds chiefe hope euen in his blossome choaked But men cannot controll the Heau'ns decree And mischiefe done can neuer be reuoked Then let not this torment your mind no more This crosse with you alike your Countrie beares If wailing could your ruinde State restore Soules fraught with griefe should sayle in Seas of teares Lest all our comfort dash against one shelfe And his vntimely end occasion yours Haue pitie of your people spare your selfe If not to your owne vse yet vnto ours Croes When Sandanis I first thy faith did find Thou diu'd so deepely in my bosorn then That since thou kept the key still of my mind And knew what I conceald from other men Behold I go to open vp to you Deare Treasurer of all my secrets still A mightie enterprise I mind for now A Phisicke in some sort t' asswage my ill Which may vnto my soule yield some reliefe And make me to forgoe sad thoughts content Or els acquire copartners in my griefe If not for me yet with me to lament Sand. This benefite must bind me with the rest To loue your Maiestie and wish you well I 'le giue you my aduise and I protest That you take friendly what I freely tell Croes Since that it hath not pleasde the Diuine powres That of my of-spring I might comfort claime Yet lest the rauenous course of flying howres Should make a prey of my respected name I hope t' engender such a generous brood That the vnborne shall know how I haue liu'd And this no doubt would do my ghost great good To be by famous Victories reuiu'd I 'le Eagle-like so are with Fames immortall wings Vnlesse my hie-bent thoughts themselues deceaue That hauing acted admirable things I may scorne death and triumph o're the graue Yet haue I not so settled my conceate That all opinions are to be despisde Vnfold your iudgement touching my estate Take heed I 'le tell you what I haue deuisde Some Scithian Shepherd in a high disdaine As I haue heard rehearst by true discourses To plague some of the Medes with endlesse paine Did entertaine them with Thiestes courses And to content their more then Tigrish wishes They with the infants flesh the parents fed Who not suspecting such polluted dishes Did in their bowels burie whom they bred Then after this abhominable crime They come vnto my fathers famous court And working on th' aduantage of the time Did as they pleas'd of what was past report They shew'd what seru'd to help and hid the rest Whilst pittie pleaded for afflictions part He noble-minded fauouring the distrest Was woon to them by this Sinonick art San. Oft Kings of Iudges thence haue parties gone Where both their eares were patent but to one Croes Then Ciaxare Monarch of the Medes To prosecute those fugitiues to death In indignation of my fathers deedes Did boast them both with all the words of wrath My father thinking that his court should be A sanctuarie for all supplicants Did leuie men that all the world might see He helpt the weake and scorn'd the mighties vaunts Thus mortall warres on euery side proclaim'd With mutuall domage did continue long Till both the armies by Bellona tam'd Did irke t' auenge or to maintaine a wrong It chanc'd whilst peace was at the highest dearth That all their forces furiouslie did fight A suddaine darkenes courtain'd vp the earth And violentlie dispossest the light I thinke for Phaeton the Sunne lookt sad And that the bloodie obiects that he saw Did wound his memorie with griefe gone mad He from the world his wagon did withdraw Yet Ignorance the mother of confusion With wresting natures course found cause of feares Which well edg'd on by wiser mens illusion Was cause of concord and of truce from teares Then straight there was a perfect peace begunne And that it might more constantly indure Astiages the King of Medias sonne A mariage with my Sister did procure A deadlie rancour reconcil'd againe Must seal'd with consanguinitie remaine Croes He since his fathers age-worne course was ended Hath rulde his people free from blood or strife Till now a Viper of his loynes discended Would by his ruine make himselfe a life I meane by Cyrus base Cambises brood Who by a Bitch nurst with the countrey swaines Degener'd farre from any princely blood The doggish nature of his nurse retaines He come against his Grandfather to feeld And vnexpected with a mightie powre Ouerthrew his forces forc'd himselfe to yeeld Who captiue kept now waits for death each howre That you may see now what my interest is I made recitall of this ruthfull storie Those circumstances shew that shame of his Tends to the derogation of our glorie That any dare presume to trouble thus One whome our kingdomes fauour should defend In strict affinitie combind with vs Yet not respected for so great a friend My ioylesse soule with this will be reioyc'd Whilst I to warre against that rebell go I hope that both shall know how they haue choyc'd Th' one a kind friend and th' other a fearce fo San. Though Natures law you car'd not to transgresse And this your wrong'd allye would not repare Yet the regard t' a Monarch in distresse Should moue the mightie with a mutuall care These terrours to that thunder in your eare I thinke the Lidians will not well allow For when the Cedar falls the Oake may feare Th' Assirians ore-throw may astonish you And when we see our neighbours house afire Then we may iudge our owne to be in danger It 's better first with others to conspire Or we be forc'd our selues t' inuade that stranger Ah this is but the out-side
and lies contryuing This is the griefe that bursts an honest hart Lords fauour commes by chance not by desart Those Minions to whom Princes do extend Aboue their worth immoderate good-will To the disgrace of good men shew in end They onely in prosperity depend Not vpon them but on their Fortune still Which if it change they change thē though they fil Their hopes with honour and their chests with coine Yet if they fall or their affaires goe ill Those whom they rais'd will not with them descend But with th' ascending Sunne wil straight way ioyne And doe forget all that they gaue before For that of them they can expect no more The truth hereof in end now hath th' euent In Bessus and Narbazanes approoued On whom their Prince so prodigallie spent Affection honour titles treasure rent And all that might each honest mind haue mooued So bountifull a Prince for to haue loued Who so beningly tendred their estate Yet they to him vyle traitours now haue proued By them he is in-chain'd disgrac'd and shent So as he well may rue although too late That he such slie Camelions changing hew Prefer'd to seruants dutifull and trew But though a while those traitours speede No doubt the heau'ns once vengeance will exact The very horrour of this haynous deede Doth make the harts of honest men to bleede Yea euen the wicked hate this barbarous act The heauens no hier choller can contract Then for th' invasion of a sacred King Who as it were out of the starres extract Should feare and reuerence inferiours breede To whom from him both health and wealth doth spring But though on earth men should neglect this wrong Heauens will those traitors plague ere it be long ACTVS QVINTVS Scen. I. HEPHESTION ALEXANDER POLISTRATVS He. WHat story or what fable can recorde Of such a nombrous troupe so strangely lost I know they quak'd to know it was my Lord Whose name alone is worth anothers host It scarce seemes credible in many partes But traitors feare though al the world would backe thē They were but bodies destitute of harts Moe prisoners they were then men to take them Who would beleeue so few durst striue to finde So great an armie and the armie shrinkes What is impossible to a braue minde True valour dare attempt all that it thinkes Alex. In this encounter for t' haue had the best It would content more then a common thought But since we want the chiefe what of the rest I would be satisfied in all or nought Those traitours thought t' haue finish'd all the warre With giuing me their Lord whom they had bound But I distrust not mine owne force so farre As for to builde vpon so base a ground Although indeede that Darius did me wrong I will not suffer others to oppresse him I keepe him for my selfe he doth belong To me alone none other should distresse him Whilst he did onely in himselfe confide I labour'd by all meanes to make him bow But since his hard estate abates that pride Turn'd is my fury to compassion now Although he oft contemn'd me by his letter Yet I am greeu'd to see him so deceiu'd If he had but acknowledg'd me his better 'T was not his blood nor kingdome that I crau'd And if those traitours haue not kild him straight Yet his deliuerie shall my name renoune I would not loose a subiect of such waight By which my clemencie might be made knowne Po. Sir now your comming cannot doe him good Al. What al are fled none haue my force withstood Po. Yet Darius cannot be redeem'd againe Al. Why haue they set him free or is he slaine Po. Now hath he got a liberty at last With no lesse ransome then his dearest breath Al. Then is all Asias expectation past Tell on at length the maner of his death Po. The boyling ardour of th' ascending Sunne Had caus'd in me a moysture parching drouth Which made me from the way a little runne To finde some fountaine to refresh my mouth Their where a source her liquors softly scatters Which shaddow'd was from Titans parching beames I coold my thirst with the colde christall waters Which seem'd to murmur that I forc'd their streames When loe I sawe a lamentable sight Two wounded horses drawe a bloody coache All clad with skinnes in most vncomely plight Which narrowlie t' espy I did approach One was within who could not long escape The doubtfull passage of th' infernall gates Yet maiestie triumphing ou'r mishap He seem'd to threaten fortune and the Fates And as not to so basse a fortune borne While all his blood aboundantly deval'd Burst forth into these words in Fortunes scorne As one whose courage could not be appal'd You gaze to see and haue good cause wherefore A man no man a King no King what monster Now lesse then nought who once was both more Which few now by my present state would conster And yet amidst my euils I must reioyce That this last comfort doth fore-goe my end I speake to one that vnderstands my voice And not in vaine my dying-speeches spend I am but how in name but not in pow'r That wretched Darius which I should suppresse Once happy as you heard but at this houre The very patterne of extreame distresse Then a while pawsing after thus proceeded Tell Alexander these last wordes from me Although my hatred still t'wards him exceeded Yet I am forc'd far in his debt to die I thanke him highlie for his great good-will My mother wife and children so preseruing Pray him t' vse them that rest as gently still For his owne goodnesse sake not my deseruing They to his foe pertaine and yet he striues To haue them honour'd now as in times past But those who held of me both lands and liues Of land and life haue me depriu'd at last I pray you on my part entreat him thus Not to permit that vnreueng'd belowe My ghost do wander By his care of vs That men his Iustice and their fault may knowe Beside the honour which he shall acquire In plaguing them that haue betraide my trust Men shall his magnanimitie admire And feare t' offend him whome they finde so iust Loe all my pompe is past my time expir'd My wealth evanished like watrie bubbles Ou'r many a mightie people I impyr'd Yet hath my life beene but a stage of troubles And since my glasse is runne my glory gone And I dead to the world the world to me I wish that all parts of th' earths globe in one May condescend his subiects for to be Then drouping downe faint bloodles and halfe dead He prai'd to giue him water that stood by A small request by such a Monarcke made Which when that he had gote yet ere I die This crosse must come said he t' vndoe me quite Though most parts of the world once homage ought me I haue not now the power for to requite This little benefit that thou hast brought me But Alexander shall
taught Then mortall mindes all most pure Free from corruption lasted long Whilst arm'd with innocencie sure When none did know how to doe wrong Then stingd with no suspitious thought Men mischiefe did from none exspect For that which in themselues was not In othâ—rs they would not suspect And though none did sterne lawes impart That might t' vse vertue men compell Each in the table of his hart Had grau'd a law of dooing well And all did wickednesse forbeare Through a free-will and not for feare The first that spoil'd the publike rest And did disturbe this quiet state T' was Auarice the greatest pest That euer past th' infernall gate A monster very hard to daunt Leane as dry'd vp with inward care Though full of wealth for feare of want Still at the borders of dispaire Scarse taking food t' haue nature eas'd Nor for the cold sufficient clothing She with her riches neuer pleas'd Thinkes all hath much she hath nothing This daughter of sterne Pluto still Her fathers dungeon striues to fill That monster-tamer most renown'd The great Alcides Thebes glory That for twelue seuerall labours crown'd Was famous made by many a story As one that all his time had toyl'd To purge the world of such like pests That robbers rob'd and spoilers spoyl'd Still humbling hautie tyrants crests He by this monster once or'e-throwne Did passe in Spaine his strength to try And there tooke more then was his owne What right had he to Gerions ky Thus auarice the world deceiues And makes the greatest conquerors slaues Ah when t' afflict the world with griefe This poore-rich monster once was borne Then weakenesse could finde no reliefe And subtiltie did conscience scorne Yet some that labor'd to recall The blisse that guilded th' ancient age Did punishment prepare for all That did their thoughts to vice engage And yet the more they Lawes did bring That to be good might men constraine The more they sought to do the things From which the lawes did them restraine So that by custome alterd quite The world in euill doth most delight Exeunt ACT. III. SCENE I. Perdiccas Eumenes NOw fortune smyle vpon my rising state And seemes to promise more then I require Loe by degrees my glory doth grow great And by their death that did my death conspire Proud Meleager that disdain'd to bow And my aduancement alwayes did mislike Hath with his blood seald my assurance now T' astonish those that would attempt the like Eum. Yet of his fall the forme my minde appalls At th' altar of the gods without regard We were too rash to violate those walles Which the most impious persons would haue spar'd Lasciuious Aiax by Mineruaes spight Earst for prophaning such a sacred place On the Capharian rockes did loose the light And all his nauie to his great disgrace We should not irritate celestiall powers Then all beginnings are considered most And by this sacrilegious act of ours I feare that we the hearts of some haue lost Per. Let others seeke t' obserue such points as those I 'am not so scrupulous for I protest Ouer all and by all meanes I le kill my foes And then there-after dispute of the rest They wrong the Gods that think their church should bee As a refuge for male-factors still For with their iustice this can not agree Who gard th' euill-doers guiltie are of ill Was he not stain'd with many a moonstrous crime And like the Salamander in the fire Did loue to liue in trouble all his time And alterations alwayes did require Eu. One humorous head that doth in braules delight May poison thousands with the gall of spight Perd. As still seditiously affecting strife He but abus'd the credit of his king And sent some of his slaues to take my life Such bitter enuie did his stomacke sting Eum. I saw how that aduanc'd before your band You first did checke then chase them in the end And with what mightie courage you did stand Our Soueraignes corps though dead bent to defend Perd. He but a dastard is t' a foe that yieldes And in no conflict hath his fortune tryed We if by time not ventring to the fields Like beasts being sacrific'd had simply dyed But when without we maisters did remaine Lest Babilon had straight bin barr'd from foode I those rebellious squadrons did constraine Euen t' our aduantage concord to conclude Th' agreement that gaue me a great reliefe Made my competetour his marke to misse For when I came though hee before was chiefe The shadow of my greatnesse darkned his Eum. Yet in this treatie all the world may see Th' opinion of the multitude preuail'd He whom they did elect our prince must be And our designe hath altogether fail'd But how comes this that euery captaine gets A certaine realme assign'd now to his charge And with a warlike armie forward sets The limits of his gouernment t' enlarge Perd. I by my meanes haue euery great man crown'd That from my greatnesse great things might proceed Yet to make my authoritie renown'd The doing likes me better than the deed I this diuision chiefly did procure To make the court from other great men free That so my credit might remaine more sure And they by such great gifts engag'd to me For him that hath them thus to honor brought They must be bound to hold in high account And I haue not aduanc'd them thus for nought They be the meanes by which I minde to mount Eum. O but your fancies may be much deceiu'd There is no bond that binds vngratefull mindes I feare th' aduancement that they thus receiu'd Haue shewne them wayes to saile by other windes So long of late as they had need of you To seeme your constant friends they kindly sought But since their greatnesse giues them freedom now They do disdaine what may abase them ought To those all great men frankest friends do proue Whom without cause they alwayes fauour still And can not be as t' were compell'd to loue Those whose deserts do challenge their good will This would preiudge the freedome of their state That any might claime interest in their hearts No kings can hold of none their kingly seat None must vpbraid them with so great deserts And in my iudgement you haue greatly errd Them thus t' exalt whose states you would surprise Their common custome is that are preferrd That they may stand not to let others rise Perd. I le make their brests such iealous thoughts imbrace That euery one shall seeke his mate t' ore-throw And then I purpose to supply their place When by such sleights the highest are brought low This subtill course rests by experienee try'd The strongst else is to confusion gone I long to learne how Leonatus dy'd Not that I minde his funeralls to bemone Eum. That prince magnanimous whom all admire Through his accustom'd clemencie proclaim'd That banishd Graecians might to Greece retire Saue onely such whom murder had defam'd At this some Grecian great men
my friends Ant. Their blood whom I suspect'd should quench all strife Caes So might one doe that lik'd of nought but life An. Still life would be redeemde from dangers forth Caes Not with a ransome then it selfe more worth An. Than life to man what thing more deere succeeds Caes The great contentment that true glory breeds An. Men by all meanes this blast of breath prolong Caes Men should striue to liue well not to liue long And I would spend this momentarie breath To liue by fame for euer after death For I aspire in spight of fates to liue Ant. I feare that some too soone your death contriue Caes Who dare but lodge such thoughts within their mindes Ant. Those that the shadow of your greatnes blindes Caes The best are bound to me by gifts in store Ant. But to their countrey they are bound far more Caes Then loath they me as th' enemie of the state Ant. You as th' vsurper of the same they hate Caes I by huge battels haue enlarg'd their bounds An. By that they think your powre to much abounds Caes Yet I from doing wrong refraine my will Ant. They feare your powre because it may do ill Caes The present state still miscontentment brings To factious mindes affecting matters strange That burdens to themselues irke of all things And so they change regard not what they change In populous townes where many make repaire Whose confluence by conference all things touch They further than their bounds extend their care The idle that doe nothing must thinke much Lo Rome though wasted all with ciuill warres Whilst priuate grudge pretended publike good And that equalitie engendring iarres Did proue too prodigall of Roman blood Yet hauing through huge toyles attain'd to rest That it by yeelding t 'one may banish teares It if constrain'd disdaines t' imbrace the best This word necessitie so woundes the eares And th' insolent with vile seditious words That trembled whilst they heard the trumpets sound Stirre now their tongues as we did then our swords And what Mars sparde make Mercurie confound The people thus in time of peace agree T' abase the greatest still euen in that forme As in calme dayes they doe disbranch the tree That shrowded them of late against a storme But now I look'd for libertie to bost That once my deeds triumph'd had ouer enuie As all darke shadowes doe evanish most Then when the Sunne shines highest in the skie And though their hatred deepely they disguise Yet they conceale not so their soules desires But that their spight rest sparkling through their eies And bosts to burst out once in open fires Ant. Since first great Caesar I discernd thy worth On all thy actions I did still attend And therefore what some whisper I le speake foorth T' admonish freely it becomes a friend Since first men did suspect that you aspire T' a Monarchie the gouernement to change They in their soules your ruine do conspire And their affections farre from you estrange Since chaste Lucretia by prowd Tarquin stain'd Wash'd with her blood the violated bed Whilst by his power supreame Rome was constrain'd All things t' obey that his curst braine had bred This gouernment which some tyrranick call It sounds so odious in the peoples eares As Tyrants vild that they detest them all Whose greatnesse giues them any cause of feares Caes I not affect the title of a king For loue of glory or desire of gaine Nor for respect of any priuate thing But that the state may by my trauels gaine You know Sibillaes bookes that neuer faile In many mindes haue an opinion bred That ouer the Parthians Rome cannot preuaile Till by a soueraigne prince her bands be led For as confusion is the fruit we finde Of those affaires that diuers thoughts dispose So soueraigntie match'd with a gallant mind Breeds reuerence in ones owne feare in his foes And O it greeues me that these steps of ours Haue trod so oft on many a millions neckes Whilst yet the Parthian vilipends our powres And all our victories vnuanquish'd checkes Ah should a Generall of the Romane race Be by Barbarians killd and not reueng'd And should his ensignes signes of our disgrace Rest in the ranke of conquer'd relikes rang'd No no wretch'd Crassus now thy selfe content I le pacifie thy ghost with Parthians spoiles For still my boyling fancies haue bin bent T' ore-match th' vnmatch'd and daunt th' vndaunted soiles Ant. With victories being cloyd will you not then Your saftie once more then new warres respect Caes No though I haue surmounted other men My fancies yet do greater things affect In emulation of my selfe at last Euen enuiouslie I looke on mine owne deedes And bent to make the new surpasse things past Now to my mind old praise no pleasure breeds Ant. The world hath seene thee great man for Romes good In danger oft of many a dangerous shelfe Whilst for her glory thou engag'd thy blood Of others carefull carelesse of thy selfe Caes Though whilst in th' April of my blooming age I from the vulgar rate redeemd my name Some with my deeds did burden youths hot rage And an ambitious appetite of fame Yet since the coldnesse of declining yeares Bosts to congeale the blood that boild of late Whilst else my life the sunne of glory cleares That now of all the world remaine most great I cannot couet that thing which I haue I haue all honour that can be requirde And now as th' only wanted thing would craue To taste the pleasures of a life retyrde But onely now t' aduance the state I striue For O neglecting th' ecchoes of renowne I could content my selfe vnknowne to liue A priuate man with a Plebeian gowne Since Anthonie thus for the state I care And all delights that nature loues disdaine Go and in time the peoples mindes prepare That as the rest I may the title gaine Yet indirectly at the first assay To what their doubtfull mindes do most incline But as without my knowledge that they may All marke your minde and yet not thinke of mine Exeunt ACT. II. SCENE II. Cicero Decius Brutus DId I suruiue th'impetuo us Sillaes rage And in a torrent of destruction stood Whilst tyrants did make Rome a tragicke stage Through a voluptuous appetite of blood Scap'd I confusion in a time so bad Of libertie and honour once to taste That bondage now might make my soule more sad By the remembrance of my fortunes past What though I once when first by same made known From Catilines strange treason did preserue This town that 's still endangerd by her owne Since first the world from equitie did swarue A sparke of that conspiracie remaines Not yet extinguish'd t' haue our state imbroyld That now on Rome flames of confusion raines Thus one was sparde that we might all be spoild O worthy Cato in whose wondrous minde Three rarely matcht things Nature did reueale Wit honestie and courage which designde A cittizen for Platoes common-weale
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