die By which if I be barr'd t' encounter death Another meanes though farre more strange I le trie For after Brutus none shall see me breathe Brut. Thou for my cause abandon'd others else But now forsakst thy selfe t' adhere to me That of thy passions thus the powre repells And with thy minde discords with mine t' agree I le since by thee approou'd securely goe And vilipend the dangers of this life Heauens make my enterprise to prosper so That I prooue worthy of so worthy a wife But ah of all thy words those grieue me most That bost me with th' abridgement of thy dayes What though I in so good a cause were lost None flies th' appointed fate that for him staies Do not defraud the world of thy rare worth But of thy Brutus the remembrance loue And from so faire a prison breake not forth Till first the fates haue forcde thee to remoue Port. I feare the heauens haue our confusion sworne Since this illage can with no good accord Thou and my father ah should haue bin borne When Vertue was aduauncde and Vice abhorrd Then ere the light of vertue was declinde Your worth had reuerenâ—de bin not throwne away Where now ye both haue but in darkenes shinde As starres by night that had bin sunnes by day Brut. My treasure striue to pacisie thy breast Lest sorrowes but sinistrously presage That which thou would not wish and hope the best Though vertue now must act on Fortunes stage Exeunt Chorus THan libertie of earthly things What more delights a generous breast That doth receiue And can conceiue The matchlesse treasure that it brings It making men securely rest As all perceiue Doth none deceiue Whilst weigh'd with doubts none ballanc'd hings But feard for nought doth what seemes best Then men are men when they are all their owne Not but by others badges when made knowne Yet should we not mis-spending houres A freedome seeke as oft it falles With an intent But to content These vaine delights and appetites of ours For then but being made greater thralles We might repent Our not being pent In stricter bounds by others powres VVhilst feare licentious thoughts appalles Of all the tyrants that the world affords Ones owne affections are the fiercest Lords As Libertines those onely liue That from the bands of vice set free Vile thoughts cancell And seeke t' excell In all that doth true glorie giue From which when as no tyrants be Them to repell And to compell They deedes against their thoughts to striue They blestare in a high degree For such of same the scroules can hardly fill Whose wit is bounded by anothers will That Rome from Tarquins yoke redeemde Who first obtaind And then maintaind Their libertie so deerely lou'd They from all things that odious seemd Though not constraind Themselues restraind And willingly all good approu'd Bent to be much yet wel esteemd And how could such but aime at some great end Whom libertie did leade and glory attend They leading valorous legions foorth Though wanting kings triumph'd ouer kings And still aspird By Mars inspir'd To conquer all from South to North Then lending Fame their Eagles wings They all acquir'd That was requir'd To make them rare for rarest things The world being witnesse of their Worth Thus those great minds that domineer'd ouer all Did make themselues first free then others thrall But we that hold nought but their name From that to which they in times gone Did high ascend Must low discend And bound their glory with our shame Whilst on an abiect tyrants throne We basely attend And doe intend Vs for our fortune still to frame Not it for vs and all for one As libertie a courage doth impart So bondage doth disbend els breake the heart Yet O who knowes but Rome to grace Another Brutus may arise That may effect What we affect And Tarquins steppes make Caesar trace Though seeming dangers to dispise He doth suspect What we exspect Which from his breast hath banish'd peace Though fairely he his feares disguise Of tyrants th' iniurie reuenge affords All feare but theirs and they feare all mens swords ACT. IIII. SCENE I. Decius Brutus Albinus Marcus Brutus Caius Cassius DEare cosin Cassius did acquaint mine eares With a designe that toss'd my minde a space For when strange newes a strangers breath first beares Then should not trust t' each rash report giue place I would not then discouer what I thought Lest he t' entrap my tongue a snare had fram'd Till I with thee t' a conference first was brought Whom he for patron of his purpose namde One should beware to whom his minde he leaues In dangerous times when tales by walles are tolde Men make themselues most miserably slaues Of those to whom their secrets they vnfolde M. Bru. As Cassius tolde thee pittying Romes distresse That t' our disgrace in bondage doth remaine We straight intend what euer we professe With Caesars blood to wash away this staine Though for this end a few sufficient are To whom their vertue courage doth impart Yet were wee loath to wrong thy worth so farre As of such glorie to giue thee no part Since both this cause and that thy name thee binde In this aduentrous band to be comprisde There needes no rhetoricke to raise thy minde That t' execute which thou should haue deuisde D. Bru. I thoght no creature shuld my purpose know But he whose intrest promisde mutuall cares Of those to whom one would his secrets show No greater pledge of trust than to know theirs As when two meet being mask'd though whiles neare frends With them as strangers no respect takes place But when that friendship one of them pretends Then th' other likewise doth vncloude his face So as thou first I le now at last be bold My breast with the same birth long great hath gone Yet I t'another durst it not vnfolde Nor yet attempt to compasse it alone But since this course of which I long did pause On such great pillars now so strongly stands Whose countanaunce may giue credite t' any cause It hath my heart and it shall haue my hands C. Cass T' our enterprise propitious signes are sent So that the gods would giue vs courage thus For all that euer heard of our intent Would willingly engage themselues with vs Let other men discourse of vertuous rites Ours but by th' action only should be showne Bare speculation is but for such sprites As want of powre or courage keepes vnknowne In those that Vertue view when crown'd with deeds Whose beauties through the glasse of glory shinde Sh'a violent desire t' imbrace her breedes As th' adamant to th' yrne being to the minde What though a number now in darkenesse lies That are too weake for matters of such weight We that are eminent in all mens eies Let vs still hold the height of honour straight M. Br. Whilst that our faction might be strangthned thus I labord much to purchase all their powres Whom
ouersyles And doth ecclipsie the cleerest iudgement whyles A thousand times ô happie he Who doth his passions so subdew That he may with cleere reasons eye Their imperfections fountaines view And as it were himselfe renew If that one might prescribe them lawes And set his soule from bondage free From reason neuer for to swerue And make his passions him to serue And be but moou'd as he had cause O greater were that monarch of the minde Then if he might command from Thule to Inde Act. II. Scen. I. CROESVS AESOPE SOLON Croe. WHo euer was so fauour'd by the Fates As could like vs of full contentment boast Lou'd of mine owne and feard of forraine states I know not what it is for to be crost No thwarting chance my good hap doth importune In all attempts my successe hath been such The darling of heauen the minion of fortune I wot not what to wish I haue so much Mine eyes did neuer yet dismay my hart With no delightlesse obiect that they saw My name applauded is in euery part My word an Oracle my will a Law My breast cannot contayne this flood of ioyes That with a mighty streame o'reflowes my mind Which neuer dream'd of sorrow or annoyes But did in all a satisfaction find My Soule then be content and take thy pleasure And be not vex't with feare of any ill My blisse abounds I cannot count my treasure And gold that conquers all doth what I will Aesop That Graecian Sir is at the Court arriu'd Whose wisdom Fame so prodigally prayse's Craes And haue you not t' extend my greatnes striu'd And entertain'd his eares with courteous phrases Aesop I thinke in all the parts where he hath been In forraine Countries or his natiue home He neuer hath such stately wonders seen As since vnto this princely Court he come When first he in the regall Pallace entred As one who borne amongst the craggie Mountaines That neuer for to view the plaines aduentred Acquainted but with dew and little Fountaines If he be forc'd for to frequent the Vailes And there the wanton water-Nimphs to see The rarenes of the sight so far preuailes Each strip appear's a flood each flood a Sea So all that he re'ncountred by the way Did to his mind a great amazement bring The gold-embroidred Gallants made him stay Each groome appear'd a Prince each squire a King And now he com's t' attaine your Graces sight Whom in his mind no doubt he doth adore He gazd on those who held of you their light Of force he must admire your selfe far more Now he will set your happy Empire forth And be eye-witnes of your glorious Raigne One wise mans testimony is more worth Then what a world of others would maintaine Sol. Disdaine not mighty Prince the louing zeale Which a meane man yet a good mind affords And who perchance as much affects your weale As those that paint their loue with fairer words Croes Thy loue sage Greeke is gratefull vnto vs Whom Fame long since enamour'd of thy deedes We of thy vertues haue heard her discusse Who in extolling of the same exceedes I wish that many such should here resort Whose vnstain'd life would teach vs what were best Whose graue aspect would grace so great a Court And like cleare Lamps giue light vnto the rest Sol. My Sou'raigne spare I merite no such praise I am but one that doth the world despise And would my thoughts to some perfection raise A Wisedom-louer that would faine be wise Yet with great toyle all that I can attaine By long experience and in learned schooles Is for to know my knowledge is but vaine And those that thinke them wise are greatest fooles Croes This is the nature of a worthie minde It rather would be good then be so thought As if it had no ayme but Fame to finde Such as the shadow not the substance sought Yet that pursues thee too which thon so fliest Still troupes applaude thy worth though thou not spie them Whilst thou wouldst presse it downe it mounts vp hiest For Fame and Honor follow those that flie them And now I thinke in all the world none liue's That better may vnfold what I would learne Then thou to whom franke Nature largely giues The grace to see the iudgement to discerne Sol. I l'e answer freely to what you propose If my small skill can comprehend the sence Croes Loe you haue seene in what I most repose My treasures huge my great magnificence Sol. This is the dreame of blisse that Fortune brings On which the wisest neuer haue presum'd I saw nought but a heape of sencelesse things A momentarie treasure soone consum'd This only serues the body to decore And for corruption fram'd cannot perseuer The minde immortall layes vp better store Of vnconsuming ioyes that last for euer Croes I wot not what you meane by such surmises And faind Ideaes of imagin'd blisse This portrait of Fancie but intices Sicke braines to dreame that which indeede they misse But I brooke more than their conceits can show Whose rich coniectures breede but poore effects And I beseeke you did you euer know A man more blest then I in all respects Sol. Yes I knew Tellus an Athenian borne Whom I holde happy in the first degree Who eu'n the haruest of Happinesse hath shorne He liu'd with fame and did with honour die For hauing long time liu'd lou'd and respected His country in a conflict had the worst He come and there falne courage re-erected And hauing wonne the field did die vnforst More happy now nor when he was aliue He dead doth reape the guerdon of his merite And in his childern doth againe reuiue Who all their fathers worthy partes inherite Croes Well since that to a priuate Cittizen You do ascribe the first most blest estate Now in the second ranke of happy men Whom would you number in your owne conceate Sol. ô Cleobis and Biton now I may No doubt prefer you next without reproach Their mother chanc'd on a festiuall day To want two horses for to draw her coach Them to supply the place Loue kindly raised Who drew her to that place of publike mirth And both of them exceedingly were praised They for their pietie she for her birth This charitable office being ended Both in the Church were found dead the next morrow I thinke the gods who this good worke commended Were loth to let them taste of farther sorrow For why our liues are fraile do what we can And like the brittle glasse are but a glance And oft the heauens t' abate the height of man Do entersour our sweets with some sad chance Croes Then from this Cathagorie am I secluded And is my state so vile vnto thine eies That as one of all happines denuded Thou thus do'st my felicitie despise Or think'st thou me of iudgement too remisse A miser that in miserie remaines The bastard child of Fortune barr'd from blisse Whom heauens do hate and all the world disdaines Are
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'
Crowne A piece of policie which time will proue The barb'rous Persians borne with stubborne mindes Who but for pouertie first followd you Their matchlesse worth in armes all Asia findes Their feare is fall'n vpon all Nations now But if you suffer them in such a sort T' enrich themselues with plenteous Lidiaes spoile Not able then their Conquest to support The Victor of the vanquisht gets the foile For this will make them wealthie out of measure Wealth to confusion many a Countrie leades Whilst feebled with delights in-vilde with pleasure No thought of honour harbours in their heads Then Cyrus strait approuing what he spake His souldiers from their pillage were restraind Pretending first the tenth part for to take As a rich offring for the Gods ordaind Of our distresse this is the ruthfull storie A stranger is possest of this Prouince Our King hath with the losse of all his glorie Bought breath a while a poore thing for a Prince Chor. O wofull people O vnhappy King Our ioyes are spoyld his happinesse expyrde And no new chance can any comfort bring To either now whose fall the Fates conspyrde Goe wofull messenger hold on thy course For to haue heard too much it yrks our eares We euer must bewaile thy sad discourse Accented with sighs and poynted with teares Exeunt Croesus WHat needs me more of my mishap to pause Though I haue tasted of afflictions cup Yet it may be the gods for a good cause Haue cast me downe to raise a thousand vp And neuer let a Monarch after me Trust in betraying titles glorious bates Who with such borrow'd feathers rashlie flee Fall melted with the wrath of greater states O had this pretious wit enrich'd my mind Which by experience I haue dearely bought Whilst fortune was within my court confind And that I could not thinke a bitter thought Then satisfide with Soueraignties earst prou'd I had disdain'd new dangers to imbrace And cloath'd with maiestie admir'd and lou'd Had liu'd with pleasure and had dide in peace Yet it is wonderfull in any state To see a worldling prosper and not prowd But chieflie we whose fortunes grow so great It 's hard for vs to haue our high thoughts bowd What could the world afford or man affect Which did not glad my soule whilst I was such Who now am past the compasse of respect Plagu'd with prosperitie clog'd with too much Long luld asleep with scornefull fortunes lyes A slaue to pleasure drown'd in base delights I made a couenant with my wandring eyes T' haue entertain'd them still with pleasant sights I held not from my heart none of her wishes But wallowing in vaine-glorie this worlds toy Still seru'd with daintie but suspitious dishes My soule was sick with pleasure faint for ioy There wanted nothing that might help to ease me All did diuine my will ayme at my though And striue to do that which they trow'd would please me Which if I but allowd no more was sought What euer come of me was held of waight My words were ballanc'd and my lookes were marked Those whom I grac'd were had in honour straight All speeches in my praises were imbarked I in magnificence exceld all Kings Whilst drowsie in securitie I slumbred My coffers still were full of pretious things My treasure infinite could not be numbred I reard rare buildings all embost with gold Made ponds for fishes forrests for wild beasts And with transported fancies vncontrold Oft spent the day in sport the night in feasts I seem'd t' vsurp the powre that earst was Ioues And of the Elements the course would change For stately fountaines artificiall groues These were so common they were not thought strange With me what more could any Monarch craue In all the parts of pomp none could compare My minions gallant my counsellours graue My guards were strong my concubines were faire Yea ere my state was cast vpon this shelfe I wanted nought that could with seeming merites Breed wonder in the world pride in ones selfe For to puffe vp the flesh and spoile the spirits Thus pressing with delight the grapes of pleasure I quafft with Fortune still sense-pleasing vines Till drunke with wealth and riotous out of measure I card not to consume all Tmolus mines Then wearie to be well and tir'd of rest T' engender discord I th' occasion sought Yet for to cloake th' ambition of my brest Did with deuotion long disguise my thought I send of all the Oracles to inquire What was to come of this intended warre Who said as seem'd to second my desire That I a mightie Monarchie should marre Those doubtfull words I wresting to my will In hope t' expugne th' impertous Persians powres Did ruine quite whilst all succeeded ill What many a age had conquer'd in few howres And this most wondrous is because most strange I who disdain'd an equall of before What cannot Fortune do being bent to change Must a Superior now serue and adore What eye not fraught with scorne my state surueyes Whom Fates haue forc'd for to o're-liue my shame And in mine enemies danger for some dayes But borrowd with the intrest of my fame Though this sweet gale of life-bestowing windes Would seeme a fauour so it seemes to some Who by the basenesse of their muddie mindes Shew of th' ignoble multitude they come I scorne vnlike my selfe for to be seene Though to my comfort this appeard to tend As if that all misfortunes past had beene A Tragicke entrie to a Comicke end Of all that plague my state the greatest pest It is base life that faints from th' earth to seuer And hath in one vnited all the rest To make me die each day and yet die neuer Life in my breast no comfort can infuse An enemies gift could neuer come for good It but giues time of miserie to muse And bathe my sorrowes in a bitter flood Ah! had my breath euanish'd with my blisse And closde the windowes that giue light to life I had not apprehended as it is The height of my mishaps that now are rife Whilst with a thousand sighes I call to mind The death of Atis and mine owne decay My sprite in such perplexitie I find That to liues passage I would faine make way But since I see reseru'd for further spight I with sad thoughts must burden yet my soule My memorie t' a melancholious spright Of all my troubles shall present a scroule Of which while as th' account I go to cast Th' enormities still numbring of my fate I 'le whiles looke back vpon my pleasures part And by them ballance my now haplesse state CHORVS IS' t not a wonder for to see How by experience each man reedes In practiz'd volumes pen'd by deeds Th' inconstant courses that there bee Yet whilst our selues continue free We ponder oft but not apply That pretious oyle which we might buy Best with the price of others paines Which as what nought to vs pertaines To vse we will not condiscend As if we might
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
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
disdain'd t' attend their Emperours will Then by his sight being at an instant bow'd Did beg for licence but to tarry stil And yet what wonder though he wanne all harts That to his sacred presence did repaire With that accomplishment of vertuous parts As large in him as in all others rare Whiles when we come to meete as each man sees In this maim'd state bent t' entertaine some life Still hauing in contempt all our decrees The souldiers are not stai'd from ciuill strife And who can call that valorous Prince to minde That any reuerence vnto vertue beares But he must be constrain'd or prooue vnkinde To offer vp a tribute of some teares Lis His death of sorrow makes my soule the prey Though many thought that I for it had long'd For if by those that he rests bound t' obey One can be wrong'd then I indeede was wrong'd Sel. Fame to mine eares by diuers tongues did bring T' a danger huge how you were once exposde But specifide not each particular thing Which by your selfe I long to heare disclosde Lysim When sage Calistines for no request With superstitious customes could comport But with franke wordes all flatterie did detest He was abusde and in a barbarous sort So plaging him no doubt the king did ill Yet to prosperitie we must impute Those fatall faults that follow Fortune still As being of all great mindes a bastard fruit We should in kings as loth their states to tuch Speake sparingly of vice praise vertue much But I whose soule that wise man deerely lou'd Whilst spying his perfections thus iniur'd To tender passions by compassion mou'd Would his reliefe haue willingly procur'd But when my credite faild all hope being past That I could purchase grace in any sort I gaue him desp'rate physicke at the last That if his life was euill it might be short The king enrag'd that I had thus presumde To limite his reuenge by sodaine death That by a Lion I should be consumde Did throw my doome out of the depths of wrath But when with rolling eyes the Lion roard He by my strength as strengthlesse was orethrowne Which to the king whose mind did then remord My courage and my constancie made knowne So that incontinent I was set free By this rare proofeesteem'd amongst the strong And with a minde from inward rancor free As he his wrath so I forgot my wrong For whilst alone he through a forrest rang'd If it had bin but so to purchase fame Some by that meanes had former wrongs reueng'd Bent like Erostratus t' acquire a name Yet that which others did attempt in vaine And tirde by trauell of a surffet dide I did performe him bringing backe againe Whilâ—t I did runne as swift as he could ride And of that deede my sprite rests well apaide For since that time my soueraigne held me deere Which afterwards he to the world bewraid Whilst in this forme his fauour did appeare When vnawares he chanc'd my brow to wound To stay my blood that striu'd to die his launce My temples with his diademe he crownd A happy signe though comming but by chaunce And O! who knowes but once before I die That the successe may second the presage Seleue. What hinders vs our fortune now to trie And for a diademe our cares t' engage Those bended mindes that ayme at greatnesse still Growne popular by th' armie to be praisde Doe winde themselues in euery mans good-will And would seeme humble that they may be raisde What counterfeited friends seale trustlesse bands Whilst in the generall cause that each pretends Though neuer ioyning hearts all ioyne their hands And worke one way yet worke for diuerse ends Yea those whose thoughts intend t' attend the state Haue purchasde powres being purposde for the fields With iealous mindes their riualls bent t' abate Whilste â—â—lls all now none t'another yeelds Yet with suspended thoughts all doubtfull stand And their designes t' accomplish doe forbeare Lest all the rest ioyn'd by a generall band March him t' orethrow that first giues cause of feare But he may prosper best whom burning thirst Of gouernement enflames at first t' aduaunce Some to be second doubting to be first Will make their hopes depend vpon his chaunce And by a battell when that one preuailes There will â—ich hopes at a'easie rate be solde For of that faction first whose fortune failes Euen all will striue who shal be first to folde All this to me great cause of feare affordes I est that we two protract the tâ—me too long And wounded be before we draw our swords If those we not preuent that would vs wrong Lysi No chance of late hath brought me so to bow But I exspect a part of those great hopes Yet in my minde a iudgement most allow That ouer a dang'rous ditch aduis'dly leapes There are t' our charge some prouinces assign'd Whose peacefull states we manage must awhile Till all attempt that which they haue design'd Whilst from the world each th' other doth exile Then liuing but like those whose force is small From which the world no great thing can exspect We shall professe a fauour to them all And an indifferencie pretend t' affect Yet shall not then our thoughts haue leaue to sleepe But subtilties must circumspectly frame The mightie men at variance still to keepe So alwayes strengthning vs and weakning them And when th' occasion stricter dealing claimes We shall make warre with some ere it bâ—â—ong Like cunning Wrestlers at th' Olympicke games That exercise themselues to be more strong And when themselues haue thus prepar'd the way Whilst that their pomp doth beare a lower saile For at the last their force must much decay Since all must alwayes loose though one preuaile Then prompt t' atchiue that which we now contriue By ruining the remnant that remaines We may possesse the state for which they striue Thus they the toiles and we shall get the gaines Exeunt Chorus O happy was that guiltlesse age In which Astraea liu'd below And that Bellonaes barbarous rage Did not all order quite orethrow Then whilst all did themselues content With that thing which they did possesse And gloried in a little rent As wanting meanes to make excesse Those could no kinde of want bemone For crauing nought they had all things And since none sought th' emperious throne Whilst none were subiects all were kings O t' a true blisse their course was set That got to liue not liu'd to get Then Innocencie naked liu'd And had no neede nor thought of armes Whilst spightfull sprites no meanes contriu'd To plague th' vnprouident with harmes Then snaring lawes did not extend The bounds of reason as they doe Strife being begunne where it should end Clearing one doubt t' ingender two Then customes but by conscience stoode By which dark things were soone discern'd Whilst all behoou'd there to be good Whereas no euill was to be learn'd And how could any then proue naught Whilst vertue by example 's
accord That there can be a greater man than I While as I haue a heart a hand a sword An. Loe when prosperitie too much preuailes Aboue the iudgement thus of vulgar mindes As little barges burdend with great sailes They leape aloft being swolne with fortunes windes And as aduersitie the sprite refines From out the drosse of pride and passions base That vertue in affliction cleerest shines And makes one all the waies of wit to trace So good successe doth make the iudgement die Then whilst the fortunate their ease doe take And lulld asleepe in Pleasures meadowes lie As fatted for the slaughter ripe to shake Yet this the nature is of gallant men To rest being in no state too much inuolu'd When prospring best most warie and humble then If crossd then more couragious and resolu'd What though your first attempts renowned are By which you in two fields victorious stoode And did orethrow two thunderbolts of warre That lost their liues amidst a scarlet flood Yet is that course of victorie controlde And you haue tride what force your force exceedes Then let not wither'd Laurels make you bolde As still reposing on your by-past deedes For by the same t'an indignation mou'd The Macedonians all abhorre your name That at that time so prowde a conquerour prou'd And with their great mens slaughter wing'd your fame Eum. No fortune past so puffes vp my conceit That it contempt of further danger brings Nor am I so deiected now of late But I intend to doe farre greater things He by prosperitie made neuer prowde That knowes the frailtie of this earthly frame Can hardly by aduersitie be bowd The Sunne although eclipsd remaines the same Thinke not that worth consists in the successe As th' essence did on th' accidents depend The fault of fortune makes it not the lesse On which oft-times the hardest happes attend For Fortune beares not still the badge of worth Nor miserie the signes of gallant mindes Which yet still like themselues are sparkeling forth In euery state some tokens of their kindes Now at this time o're-match'd by numbrous powres I kept my courage though I lost the field And vaunt no more of it for some few howres May once to me the like aduantage yeelde And it 's not long since that to Fortune deere The world had neuer me but victor spide Though I protest before th'immortalls heere Moou'd by Necessitie and not by Pride Prowd Neopolemus that traitor still Not worthy of a Macedonians name Bent to betray the hoste and me to kill Had labord long to his eternall shame But of Craterus I lament the fall Whom for his vertue I did deerely loue And was constrain'd I Ioue to witnes call For my defence that last refuge to proue Ant. How fortun'd you your forces to dispose So well t' auoyd that storme of threatned harmes For then you had to deale with mightie foes That were in warre growne hoarie vnder armes Eum. When faithlesse Neoptolemus did spie That all his treason was t' our knowledge brought To th' enemies camp he sodainely did flie A foolish traitor that was false for nought There he informde or mis-informde my foes That haughtie through my victories of late I in my tent did carelesly repose Though not by force yet to b' orecomd by fate And further then t' Antipater he told That if the Macedonians at that time The countnance of Craterus might beholde They willingly would yeelde themselues to him Now they had labord earnestly before That I abandon would Perdiccas part And did protest that they would giue me more Than yet I had or hop'd for in my hart But Loue borne free cannot be thrald nor bought More than a shamefull peace I likde iust strife To generous mindes more deere than honour nought And ere I leaue my faith I le lose my life Thus being despair'd that I would proue their friend They sought in time t' orethrow me as their foe Where loue could not beginne that hate might end And came in haste bent to surprise me so But I that knew Neoptolemus-his slight Did him against the Macedonians bend And to conceale Craterus from their sight T' encounter him causde troupes of strangers tend This policie which none could iustly blame I with my selfe in secret did conspire And had my shirt bin priuie to the same It should haue bin an offring to the fire When once that the first game of death was past I Neoptolemus did toile to finde And he me too which happned at the last Two will do much to meet being of one minde Then whilst we met for whom both th' armies warr'd Whose fortune then depended on our hands All was performd that force or furie dar'd Bent by reuenge t' abate each th 'others bands And yet the heauens would not betray my trust Foule treason neuer had a fairer end The gods smilde on my cause because t' was iust And did destruction to the traitor send For forcde by him whose force he did despise Though fighting fiercely long he lost his breath As one more strong than true more stowt than wise Whose greatest honour was his honest death But weakned with huge woundes almost I diu'd In seas of blood being quite from knowledge straide Yet by so great a victorie reuiu'd My courage grew more than my strength decaid I hauing finisht thus this fatall strife Came where Craterus nere his course had runne Euen in the confines placde twixt death and life Whilst th' one was gone and th' other not begunne He with great valour had resisted long As all Briareus hands had moou'd his sword And did his Maisters memorie no wrong Being with his courage not his fortune stor'd What life refusde t' obtaine by death he sought For life and death are but indifferent things And of themselues not to be shund nor sought But for the good or th' euill that either brings With endlesse glorie bent t' exchange his breath Of desprate valour all the powre was prou'd And for great Captaines no more glorious death Then to die fighting with a minde vnmou'd When this daies toiles were drawne vnto an end Whilst th' armies courage with their captaine fell That I might safely shew my selfe a friend I went where death his senses did cancell And whilst I told how both to be betraid By Neoptolemus were brought about My woe with teares I to the world bewraid Milde pittie and true kindnes must burst out Ah if the newes of this my good successe Had comd in time vnto Perdiccas eares He might haue liu'd their pride now to represse That by his fall were first deuorcde from feares Ant. The humour of that man was too well knowne Could he haue parted other men from pride That was becomd a slaue vnto his owne And for the same forcde by his followers dide Eu. The prowd must stil be plagu'd by prowder ones There must be had sharp steele to smoothe rough stones An. No vice than pride doth greater hate procure Which foes doe
Whilst curteous Pompey did things as a friend Thou as a wiseman spake and still foretold To what all Caesars deedes would turne in th' end If that his pride were not in time controlde And had we him as wisely thou aduisde Giuen to the Germans whom he had iniur'd We had not now bin thus like slaues despisde To see Romes glorie and our owne obscur'd But yet I may disbending former cares A space comport with that prowd tyrants powres Age giues assurance by my witherd haires That death will seale my suretie in few howres Yet ye whose youth and sprite might haue attaind Those dignities that Caesar hath vndone O ye haue lost as much as he hath gaind Whose rising hopes must be retrench'd so soone Dec. Though innouations at the first seeme strange Yet oft experience approbation brings And if with vpright thoughts we weigh this change On it the safetie of our cittie hings As in the depths dasht with redoubling waues A ship by different mindes rests more imbroilde So was our cittie plag'd with diuerse lawes By th' all-confounding multitude turmoilde As whilst t 'one sickenesse diuerse drugges are vsde Whose powres repugnant in digestion iarre Th' impatient patients fancies rest confusde So did we long distressd with ciuill warre But now great Caesar from tempestuous windes Romes scattred ruines recollects of late A Pilote meete to calme tumultuous mindes A doctor fit for a distemperd state Ci. The state from storms secure by drowning proues Now whilst despaire doth doubtful feares appease He with the life th' infirmitie remoues Thus is the physicke worse than the disease This commonweale as whiles the world did spie Though some prowd sprites in ciuill warres inuolu'd Yet like blacke cloudes that would obscure the skie Their tumid humours sodainely dissolu'd And no disgrace t' our gouernement redounds But to th' ambitious that had it abusde Who had their powre like Caesars wanted bounds Had whilst they rulde a greater rigor vsde There in all partes are people of all kindes And as aduauncde some bad men did abide Of powre their equalls and of better mindes Some alwayes vertuous were to curbe their pride But since that sacred libertie was lost The publike powre t' a priuate vse one turnes And as his lawlesse wayes did alwayes bost The common weale by violence ore-turnes Dec. Though what you burden Caesar with were true Him of all crime Necessitie hath clear'd That was foes force t' eschew forcde to pursue Whilst by contempt t' attempt gret things being cheerd To th' enemies enuie more oblig'd he rests Then t' his owne wit that no such courses scand Till by being barrd from vsing of requests Not lookt for meanes were offred to command All to mount high his haughtie thoughts did tempt True worth disdaines to suffer open wrong And a great courage kindled by contempt Must by reuenge be quencht whilst rage makes strong Cic. O Decius now a wrong accompt you cast Th' intent and not th' euent defines the minde Treade backe the steppes of all his actions past And at the marke he hit all aym'd we finde As by some sprite inspirde prowd Scilla saide That there in Caesar many Marians were And Rome was warn'd in time to be afraide Of the euill-girded youth with smoothe-comb'd haire Then when as still to quietnesse a foe The memorie of Marius he renewd By re-erecting tyrants statues so His thoughts all bent to tyranny were viewd That people-pleaser might haue bin perceiu'd By curteous complements beneath his ranke That lauishing forth gifts the world deceiu'd And to gaine more than his of his proou'd franke Though nought at all indulgent to his wife By prostrated pudicitie disgracde Yet did he saue th' adultrous Clodius life To soothe the multitude whose steppes he tracde Dec. These be the means by which ambition mounts Without most humble when most high within And as it fled from that thing which it hunts Still wasting most when most it mindes to winne Cic. And he that still striu'd tyrannie t' embrace Was thought conioynd with Catilin to bee And had wise Catoes counsell taken place Had with the rest receiu'd his death by me Yet hauing suncke himselfe in some mens soules He with his partiall faction suting oft Did get the consulship which nought controules And matching pride with powre did looke aloft To flatter them that now must flatter him His powre t' aduaunce vnlawfull lawes preuaild And those to crosse that scornd he so should clime He furnisht was with Force where Reason faild But yet because he could not well b' assur'd T' act all alone according to his will To gouerne Fraunce he craftily procurde So to be strengthned with an armie still As Rome first warr'd at home till being made strong She thought her selfe of powre the world t' orecome So Caesar warr'd against strange nations long Till that he thought his might might conquer Rome Then hauing all that force or fate assignes He cause of discontentment did pretend So to dissemble fore-conceiu'd designes One soone may finde a fault that seekes t' offend But when he first in a prodigious dreame His mother seemde incestuously to vse It might haue shewne to his eternall shame How he the bounds that bare him went t' abuse Dec. And yet I thinke auoyding threatned harmes He was constraind t' imbarke in ciuill broiles Did he not couenant to quit his armes As not desirous of his countries spoiles Cic. Durst he with those that had his charge confind Stand to prescribe conditions as their mate Where t' haue attended and obeyd their minde It was his duetie and their due of late What what durst he whom borne t' obey the law The people all did willingly promote The sword which they bad giuen against them draw When it was sharpned first to cut their throat That had not com'd which all our anguish breedes If he vnforcde when as his charge expirde Till that the Senate censurde had his deedes Had from his prouince peaceably retirde No he hath but betraid his natiue towne Those bands by which she did him first preferre T' extend her borders and his owne renowne Those hath he vsde to tyrannize ouer her My passions ah transported as you see With an excessiue loue to my deere soile Haue made my tongue of my hearts-store too free By flaming forth what in my breast doth boile Dec. That Ceasars part might iustly be excusde Loe with the cause alleadgd his course accords Of which th' humanitie that he hath vsde A testimonie to the world affords Though forcde to fight he alwayes had great care To saue our Cittizens as each man knowes And bade his captaines still all Romans spare But on Barbarians bodies spend their blowes Of th' aduersaries after bloudie strife When of the might haue made some captiues smart Not onelie was he liberall of their life But pardond them still to take Pompeys part Euen at th' infortunate Pharsalian field When he securely might haue vsde the sword He both did spare all
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
oft by tragicke grones The memory but not the iudgement makes Th' impression thus of passions in the braine For what the soule most suffers when it wakes With it asleepe it doth turmoyld remaine From superstitious feares this care proceedes Which stil would watch o're that which thou dost loue And in thy minde melancholy thus breedes Which doth those strange imaginations moue Cal. Ah in so light account leaue off to hold Those fatall warnings that the heauens haue made Which by all meanes most manifest vnfold What dangers huge do hing aboue thy head He with the sacred garlands that diuines By th' entrailes of the consecrated beast Sees in the sacrifice sinistrous signes And I intreate thee do not hence make haste Caes When I in Spaine against yong Pompey went Thus the diuiner threatned me before Yet did I prosecute my first intent Which with new laurells did my browes decore Cal. And yet you hardly there as whiles I heare From dangers farre engagde redeemd your life But now more monstrous tokens do appeare And I suspect farre worse than open strife Caes Lest I too much seeme wedded to my will As one that others counsels scornes t' alow With iealous eyes I le search about me still And euen mistrust my selfe to trust thee now Yet if I stay the Senators deceiu'd May my beginning straight begin to hate So might I perish seeking to be sau'd By flying many fall vpon their fate But heere one comes that can resolue me much With whom I vse t' aduise affaires of weight Whence comst thou Decius that thy haste is such Is ought occurr'd that craues our knowledge straight Decius I come to tell you how the Senate staies Till your exspected presence blesse their sight And the conclusion yet of all delayes Till that your approbation make it right T' accomplish your contentment they intend And all their thoughts seeme at one obiect bent Saue that they doe amongst themselues contend Who you to please shall strangest wayes inuent Caes Than that no treasure to my soule more deere Which straight t' enioy from hence I long to part But yet I know not what arrests me heere And makes my feet rebellious to my heart From thee deare friend I neuer do conceale The waightiest secrets that concerne me most And at this time I likewise will reueale How heauens by signes me with destruction bost To superstition though not being inclinde My wife by dreames doth now presage my fall It a Sooth-sayer likewise hath diuin'd The sacrifice prodigious seemes t 'vs all So that till this disastrous day be gone All companie I purpose to disuse And to the Senators I le send some one To paint my absence with a faire excuse D. Brut. Do not repose on superstitious signes You to suspect the people thus to bring Whilst soueraigne-like you limit their designes Seeme not a tyrant seeking to be king How can we satisfie the worlds conceit Whose tongues still in all eares your praise proclames O! shal we bid them leaue to deale in state Till that Calphurnia first haue better dreames If that this day you priuate would remayne The Senate to dissolue your selfe must goe And then incontinent come backe againe When you haue showne towards it some reuerence so Caes With thy aduise as powrefull I agree The Senators shall haue no cause to grudge A little space all part apart from mee And I le be shortly ready to dislodge Caesar alone WHence come this huge and admirable change That in my brest hath vncouth thoghts infus'd Doth th' earth then erst yield terrors now more strange Or but my minde lesse courage then it vsde What spitefull fate against my state contends That I must now t'vnlook'd for plagues giue place By foes not mou'd yet fear'd amongst my friends By warre secure endanger'd but by peace T' encounter me when strongest troups did come Then did my heart the highest hopes conceiue I warr'd with many many to ouercome The greatest battels greatest glory gaue As th' enemies number still my courage grew Oft haue I through the depths of dangers past Yet neuer did those boundlesse labors rue To haue none greater first none equall last When as the Gaules fear'd by their neighbours falles Had from the fields no from my furie fled And hid themselues with armes their armes with walles Whilst I my troupes t' inclose Alexia led Then though there swarm'd foorth from the bounds about Huge hostes to compasse me enflam'd with wrath That the besieger being besieg'd about Seem'd drawne with danger in the nets of death Yet I that could not with the pride comport That those Barbarians by vaine bosts bewrayd Did reassault th' assaulters in such sort That words by wounds wounds were by death repayd Of those within the towne t' asswage their toyles Till being ore-com'd their comming was not knowne Who straight vpbrayded by the barbarous spoiles Did yeeld themselues with th 'others as ore-throwne Then whilst with liquid legions tumid bosts The trident-bearer striu'd my spoyles to beare Though threatned thrise amidst his humid hosts I alwayes scorn'd t' acquaint my selfe with feare I vsde those Pirats that had me surpriz'd Still as my seruants thundring threatnings forth And gaue them money more than they deuisde Greeu'd to be rated at too little worth Yet gathering ships I sign'd not long the shore But trac'd their printles steps through th' vnpau'd way And taking them as I had vow'd before By nought but death their ransome would defray Then when without th' aduise of others minds Iventred through the hoarie waues by night Whilst in a little barke against great winds That euen the Pilote look'd not for the 〈◊〉 The roaring waues themselues seem'd to diuide That in their grauell I might chuse a graue And in a christall arch aboue me bide That I of me a tombe might worthy haue Whilst dangers seem'd to merite Caesars death As Neptune raisde his head raisde my heart And shewing what I was with constant breath T'amazde Amiclas courage did impart Was I not once amidst large Nilus flot Whilst me to wound a wood of darts did flie Yet swim'd so carelesse of my enemies shot That in my hand I held some papers drie With open dangers thus in euery place I whilst being compass'd both by sea and land Did vndismaid looke horror in the face As borne for nought but onely to commaund But since a world of victories haue fill'd With Trophees Temples Theaters with my praise That bath'd with balme from th' oyle of glory still'd With friends in peace I look'd to spend my daies The chambers musicke now affrights me more Then once the trumpets sound amids the field And gownes though signes of peace worse then before The pompous splendour of a flaming shield Those thoughts of late that had disdain'd to doubt Though I alone had march'd amongst my foes Lo whilst amongst my friends I 'm back'd about Doe greater dangers now then th' eies disclose If ought t' assemble any number brings
on the smoake of pride Leaue certaine ease to seeke a dream'd delight Which when they haue by many dangers tride They neither can with safetie keepe nor quite The people that by force subdude remaine May pittie those by whome oppressd they rest They but one tyrant haue where as there raigne A thousand Tyrants in one tyrants breast What though that Caesar once commanded kings Whose only name whole nations did appall Yet now let no man trust in worldly things A little earth holdes him that held it all Calph. Ah had he but beleeu'd my faithfull cares That t' haue his state establish'd alwayes striu'd Then scaping this conspiracie of theirs He honorde still and I had happie liu'd Did I not spend of supplications store That he within his house this day would waste As I by dreames aduertis'd was before Which shew'd that was to come which now is past Whilst the sooth-sayers sacrifiz'd did finde A beast without a heart their altars staine By that presage my soule might haue diuin'd That I without my heart would soone remaine But all those terrors could not terrors giue To that great mind whose thoghts could not be tam'd But by his fortune confident did liue As him t' obey the heauens had all things fram'd Yet though he ended haue his fatall race T' insult for this let not his murdrers striue For O I hope to see within short space Him dead ador'd and them abhor'd aliue Though now his name the multitude respects Since murdering one that had held him so deare Whilst th' inward thoughts ech outward thing reflects Some monstrous shape to Brutus must appeare Iust Nemesis must plague prowde Cassius soone And make him kill himselfe from hopes estrang'd Once all the wrongs by foes to Caesar done May by themselues be on themselues reueng'd Chor. Some for th' earths soueraigne Fortune striue to proue As heauens their course confusdly did aduance Nought comes to men below but from aboue By prouidence not by a staggering chance Though to the cause that last foregoes the end Some attribute th' euent of euery thing That cause on other causes doth depend From heauen to earth that chaind together hing Of those decrees that heauens for vs appoint Who-euer them approues or yet disprooues No mortall man can dissappoint a point But as they please heere mooues or hence remooues We when once com'd the worlds vaine pomp to trie Led by the fates t' our iournies end must haste For when first borne we striaght begin to die Lifes first day is a steppe vnto the last And is there ought more swift than daies and yeares Which weare away this breath of ours so soone Whilst Lachesis to no request giues eares But spinnes the threedes of life till they be done Yet foolish worldelings following that which flies As if they had assurance still to breathe To fraile preferrement fondly striue to rise Which but a burden weighes them downe to death Nun. Ther 's none of vs but must remember still How that the gods by many a wondrous signe Did shew as 't were how that against their will The destinies would Caesars dayes confine A monstrous starre amidst the heauen hath beene Stil since they first against him did conspire The solitary birds at noone were seene And men to walke enuirond all with fire What woonder though the heauens at such a time Vpbraide the earth with apparitions strange Then whilst intending such a monstrous crime Vnnaturall men make natures course to change Cho. Thogh all such things seem wonderful to some They may by reason comprehended be Yet if ought more than common custome come It th' ignorant with wondring eies must see Those bastard starres not heritours of th' aire Are first conceiu'd below then borne aboue And when fore-knowing things sprites take most care And by illusions superstition moue Yet this no doubt a great regard should breed When Nature hath brought forth a monstrous birth Where men in secret characters may reade The wrath of heauen and wickednesse of earth The Naturalists and th' Astrologians skill May whiles r'encountring manifest like care Since th' one lookes backe and th' other forward still Th' one may tell what and th' other why things are Nu. Shall sorrow through the waues of woes to saile Haue still your teares for seas your sighs for windes T'affliction what do base complaints auaile A higher course becomes heroicke mindes None are orecom'd saue onely those that yeelde Though they from froward fortune blowes haue borne Let Vertue be t'Aduersitie a shield No greater griefe to griefe than th' enemies scorne This makes your foes but laugh to see you weepe At least these teares but for your selfe bestow And not for that great sprite whose spoils heauens keep For he no doubt rests deified ere now Calp. I onely waile my life and not his death That now amongst th'immortalls doth repose And shall so long as I haue blood or breath To furnish forth those elements of woes I care not who reioyce so I lament That do to darkenes dedicate my daies And since the light of my delight is spent Shall haue in horror all Apolloes raies I will retire my selfe to waile alone As do the trustie Turtles for their mates And my misfortune alwayes bent to mone Will spurne at pleasures as empoisond baites No second guest shall presse great Caesars bed Warmd by the flames to which he first gaue life I thinke there may be greater honour had Being Caesars widow than anothers wife This had afforded comfort for my harmes If I ere chancde abandond thus to be Had had a little Caesar in mine armes That represented had his sire to me Yet doth that idoll which my thoughts adore With me of late most strictly match remaine For where my armes but held him whiles before Now in my heart I shall him still retaine That though I haue no pretious things t' impart Thy deity may by me b' acknowledgde oft Still offring vp my thoughts vpon my hart My sacred flame shall alwayes mount aloft Exeunt Chorus WHat fooles are those that do repose their trust On what this masse of miserie affords And bragging but of th' excrements of dust Of lifelesse treasures labour to be lords Which like the Syrens songs or Circes charmes With shadows of delight hide certaine harmes Ah whilst they sport on pleasures icie ground Oft poisond by prosperitie with pride A sodaine fall doth floating ioyes confound Of those that stumble after th' eielesse guide That so inconstantly her selfe doth beare To hope th' vnhappy happy haue cause to feare The fortunate that bathe in flouds of ioyes To perish whiles amidst their pleasures chaunce And mirthlesse wretches wallowing in annoyes Oft by aduersitie themselues aduance Whilst fortune bent to mocke vain worldlings eares Doth change dispaires in hopes hopes in dispaires That gallant Graecian whose great wit so soone Th' innumerable army did orecome Were not he was vndone had bin vndone And if not banisht had not had a home