they want of all And wanting you they nothing theirs can call 30 Here haue you craggy rockes to take your part That neuer will betray their faith to you These trustie mountaines here will neuer start But stand t' obraid their shame that are vntrue Here maie you fence your safetie with small art Against the pride of that confused Crew If men will not these very cliffes will fight And be sufficient to defend your right 31 Then keepe you here and here shall you behold Within short space the sliding faith of those That cannot long their resolution hold Repent the course their idle rashnes chose For that same mercenarie faith they sold With least occasions discontented growes And insolent those voluntarie bands Presuming how by them he chieflie stands 32 And how can he those mightie troupes sustaine Long time where now he is or any where Besides what discipline can he retaine Where as he dares not keepe them vnder feare For feare to haue them to reuolt againe So that it selfe when greatnes cannot beare With her owne waight must needes confusdly fall Without the helpe of other force at all 33 And hither to approach h' will neuer dare Where deserts rockes and hils no succours giue Where desolation and no comforts are Where few can do no good manie not liue Besides we haue the Ocean to prepare Some other place if this should not relieue So shall you tire his force consume his strength And weary all his followers out at length 34 Doe but referre to time and to small time And infinite occasions you shall find To quaile the reble euen in the prime Of all his hopes beyond all thought of mind For manie with the curse what they design'd And bad sucesse obraiding their ill fact Drawes them that others draw from such an act 35 For if the least imagind ouerture But of conceiud reuolt men once espie Straight shrinke the weake the great wil not indure Th' impatient run the discontented flie The friend his friends example doth procure And altogither haste them presently Some to their home some hide others that stay To reconcile themselues the rest betray 36 What hope haue you that euer Bullingbrooke Will liue a subiect that hath tride his fate Or what good reconcilement can you looke Where he must alwaies feare and you must hate And neuer thinke that he this quarrell tooke To reobtaine thereby his priuate state T was greater hopes that hereto did him call And he will thrust for all or else loose all 37 Nor trust this suttle Agent nor his oth You know his faith you tride it before hand His fault is death and now to loose his troth To saue his life he will not greatly stand Nor trust your kinsmans proffer since you both Shew bloud in Princes is no stedfast band What though he hath no title he hath might That makes a title where there is no right 38 Thus he when that good Bishop thus replies Out of a mind that quiet did affect My Lord I must confesse as your case lies You haue great cause your subiects to suspect And counterplot against their subtelties You all good care and honestie neglect And feare the worst what insolence maie doe Or armed fury maie incense them to 39 But yet my Lord feare maie as well transport Your care beyond the truth of what is ment As other wife neglect maie fall too short In not examining of their intent But let vs weigh the thing which they exhort T is Peace submission and a parlament Which how expedient t is for either part T were good we iudged with an vnpartiall hart 40 And first for you my Lord in griefe we see The miserable case wherein you stand Void here of succour helpe or maiestie On this poore promontory of your land And where how long a time your grace may be Expecting what may fall into your hand We know not sinceth ' euent of things do lie Clos'd vp in darknes far from mortall eie 41 And how vnsit it were you should protract Long time in this so dangerous disgrace As though that you good spirit and courage lackt To issue out of this opprobrious place When euen the face of kings do oft exact Feare and remorse in faulty subiects base And longer stay a great presumption drawes That you were guilty or did doubt your cause 42 What subiects euer so inragd would dare To violate a Prince t' offend the bloud Of that renowmed race by which they are Exalted to the glorie of this good What if some things by chance misguided were Which they haue now rebelliously withstood They neuer will proceed with that despight To wracke the state and to confound the right 43 Nor doe I thinke that Bulling brooke can do So blind ambitious to affect the crowne Hauing himselfe no title and doth see Others if you should faile must keepe him downe Besides the Realme though mad will neuer gree To haue a right succession ouerthrowne To raise confusion vpon them and theirs By preiudicing true and lawfull beires 44 And now it may be fearing the successe Of his attempts or with remorse of mind Or else distrusting secret practises He would be glad his quarrell were resignd So that there were some orderly redresse In those disorders which the Realme did find And this I thinke he now fees were his best Since farther actions farther but vnrest 45 And for the impossibility of peace And reconcilement which my Lords obiects I thinke when doying iniury shall cease The cause pretended then surcease th' effects Time and some other Actions may increase As may diuert the thought of these respects Others law of forgetting iniuries Maie serue our turne in like calamities 46 And for his oath my Lord I thinke in conscience True honour would not so be found vntrue Nor spot his bloud with such a fowle offence Against his soule against his God and you Our Lord for bid that euer with th' expence Of heauen and heauenly ioies that shall insue Mortality should buy this litle breath T' indure the horror of eternall death 47 And therefore as I thinke you safely maie Accept this proffer that determine shall All doubtfull courses by a quiet waie Needfull for you fit for them good for all And here my sou'raigne to make longer stay T' attend for what you are vnsure will fall May slippe th' occasion and incense their will For feare that 's wiser then the truth doth ill 48 Thus he perswades euen of a zealous mind Supposing men had spoken as they ment And vnto this the king likewise inclinde As wholy vnto peace and quiet bent And yeelds himselfe to th' earle goes leaues behind Safety Scepter honor gouernment For gone all 's gone he is no more his owne And they rid quite offeare he of the crowne 49 A place there is where proudly raisd there stands A huge aspiring rocke neighbou'ring the skies Whose surly brow imperiously commands The sea his bounds that
THE POETICALL ESSAYES OF SAM DANYEL Newly corrected and augmented AEtas prima canat veneres postrema tumultus AT LONDON Printed by P. Short for Simon Waterson 1599. The Argumentes of these Essayes following THe ciuill wars betweene the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke Musophilus or a defence of learning The Epistle of Octauia to Antonius The Tragedy of Cleopatra corrected The complaint of Rosamond To the Right honorable Sir Charles Blunt Knight Lord Mountioy and Knight of the most Noble order of the Garter and his most worthy Lord. I Do not plant thy great respected name Here in this front to th' end thou shouldst protect These my endeuors from contempt or blame Which none but their own forces must effect Nor do I seeke to win thy more respect Most learned Lord by these Essaies of mine Since that cleere iudgement that did first elect To fauor me will alwaies keepe me thine Nor do I this more honor to assigne Vnto thy worth that is not more hereby Since th' offrings made vnto the powers deuine Enrich not them but shew mens pietie But this I do to th' end if destinie Shall any monument reserue of me Those times should see my loue how willing I That liu'd by thee would haue thee lius with me S. D. THE CIVIL WARS OF ENGLAND BEtween the two Houses of Lancaster and Yorke AEtas prima canat veneres postrema tumultus SAM DANIELL AT LONDON Printed by P. S. for Symon Waterson 1599. THE ARGVMENT OF THE FIRST BOOKE What times forgoe Richard the seconds raigne The fatall causes of this ciuile warre His Vnckles pride his greedte Minions gaine Glosters reuolt and death dcliuered are Herford accusd exild calld backe againe Pretends t' amend what others Rule did marre The King from Ireland hastes but did no good Whilst strange prodigious signes foretoken bloud 1 I Sing the ciuil warrs tumultuous broyles And bloudy factions of a mighty land VVhose people hauty proud with forain spoyles Vpon themselues turne back their conquering hand VVhilst Kin their Kin brother the brother foyles Like Ensignes all against like Ensignes band Bowes against bowes the Crowne against the crowne vvhil'st all pretending right all right throwen downe 2 What furie ô what madnes held you so Deare people to too prodigall of bloud To wast so much and warre without a foe Whilst France to see your spoyles at pleasure stood How much might you haue purchasd with lesse wo Thaue done you honor and your Nephewes good Yours might haue beene what euer lies betweene The Perenei and Alps Aquitayne and Rbeine 3 And yet ô God wee haue no cause to plaine Since hereby came the quiet calme we ioye The blisse of thee ELIZA happie gaine For all our losse for that no other waye The heauens could find then vnite againe The fatall seu'red families that they Might bring forth thee that in thy peace might grow That glory which no age could euer show 4 O sacred Goddesse I no muse but thee Invoke in this great worke I now entend Do thou inspire my thoughts infuse in mee A power to bring the same to happie end Raise vp a worke for latter times to see That may thy glorie and my paines commend Strengthen thy subiect strang thinges to rehearse And giue peace to my life life to my verse 5 And thou Charles Mountioy borne the worldes That hast receiu'd into thy quiet shore delight Me tempest-driuen fortune-tossed wight Tir'd with expecting and could hope no more And cheerest on my better yeares to write A sadder Subiect then I tooke before Receiue the worke I consecrate to thee Borne of that rest which thou dost giue to mee 6 And MEMORIE preseruresse of thinges done Come thou vnfold the wounds the wracke the wast Reucale to me how all the strife begunne Twixt Lancaster and Yorke in ages past How causes counsels and euents did runne So long as these vnhappie times did last Vnintermixt with fictions fantasies I versifie the troth not poetize 7 And to the end we maie with better ease Iudge the true progresse here bigin to showe What weare the times fore going nere to thease That these we maie with better profit knowe Tell how the world fell into this disease And how so great distemperature did growe So shall we see by what degrees it came How thinges grown full do sone grow out of frame 8 Ten kings had now raignd of the Norman race With variable fortune turning chaunce All in two hundreth sixtie one yeares space When Edward third of name and first of Fraunce Possest the crowne in fortunes highest grace And did to greatest state his state aduaunce When England might the largest limits see That euer any king attaind but hee 9 For most of all the rest toyld in vnrest What with wrong titles what with inward broyl Hardlie a true establishment possest Of what they sought with such exceeding toyle For why their power within it self opprest Scarce could breake forth to greatnes al that while Such wo the childhood of this state did passe Before it could attaine to what it wasse 10 For first the Norman conquering all by might By might was forst to keepe what hee had got Altring the lawes chaunging the forme of Right And placing barbarous Customes he had brought Maistring the mighty humbling the poorer wight With grieuous taxes tyranie had sought Scarce laide th' assured groundes to build vpon The chaunge so hatefull in such course begon 11 William his sonne tracing the selfesame wayes The great outworne with war or slaine in peace Onely vpon depressed weakenes prayes And treades down what was likeliest to increase Those that were left being left to wofull daies Had onely powre to wish for some release Whilst giuing beastes what did to men pertaine Tooke for a beast himselfe was after slaine 12 Henrie his brother raignes when he had donne Who Roberts title better to reiect The Norman Duke the Conquerours first sonne Lightens in shew rather then in effect Those greeuances his fatall race begunne Reformes the lawes which soone he did neglect Whose sons being drownd for whō he did prepare Leaues crowne strif to Maud his daughters care 13 Whom Stephen his Nephew falsifying his oath Preuents assailes the Realm obtaines the crown Raising such tumults as torment them both Whil'st both held nothing certainlie their owne Th' afflicted Realme deuided in their troth And partiall faith most miserable growne Endures the while till peace and Stephens death Conclude some hope of quiet to take breath 14 The sonne of Maud from Saxon bloud deriu'd By mothers line succeeds th'vnrightfull king Henrie the second in whose raigne reuiu'd Th' oppressed state and first began to spring And ô if he had not beene too long liu'd T' haue seene th'affliction that his age did bring By his vngodly sonnes then happie man For they against him warr'd for whom hewan 15 All Ireland Scotland th'Iles of Orcades Poytiers Guienna Brittany hee got And leades forth
takes Of what had past in sleepe and silent night Yet hereof no important reck'ning makes But as a dreame that vanisht with the light The day designes and what he had in hand Left it to his diuerted thoughts vnskand 94 Doubtfull at first he warie doth proceed Seemes not t' affect that which he did effect Or els perhaps seemes as he ment indeed Sought but his owne and did no more expect Then fortune thou art guilty of his deed That didst his state aboue his hopes erect And thou must beare some blame of his great sin That left'st him worse then when he did begin 95 Thou didst conspire with pride and with the time To make so easie an assent to wrong That he that had no thought so hie to clime With fauoring comfort still allur'd along Was with occasion thrust into the crime Seeing others weakenes and his part so-strong And ô in such a case who is it will Do good and feare that maie liue free with ill 96 We will not say nor thinke O Lancaster But that thou then didst meane as thou didst swere Vpon th' Euangelists at Doncaster In th' eie of heauen and that assembly there That thou but as an vpright orderer Sought'st to reforme th' abused kingdome here And get thy right and what was thine before And this was all thou would'st attempt no more 97 Though we might say thinke that this pretence Was but a shadow to th' intended act Because th' euent doth argue the offence And plainely seemes to manifest the fact For that hereby thou mightst win confidence With those whom els thy course might hap distract And all suspition of thy drift remoue Since easily men credit whom they loue 98 But God forbid we should so nerely pry Into the low deepe buried sinnes long past T' examine and conferre iniquity Whereof faith would no memory should last That our times might not haue t' exemplifie With aged staines but with our owne shame cast Might thinke our blot the first not done before That new-made sins might make vs blush the more 99 And let vnwresting charity beleeue That then thy oth with thy intent agreed And others faith thy faith did first deceiue Thy after fortune forc'd thee to this deed And let no man this idle censure giue Because th' euent proues so t was so decreed For ô what counsels sort to other end Then that which frailty did at first intend 100 Whilst those that are but outward lookers on That cannot sound these misteries of state Deemes things were so contriu'd as they are done Holding that policie that was but fate Wondring how strange t was wrought how close begun And thinke all actions else did tend to that When ô how short they come or cast too fare Making the happy wiser then they are 101 But by degrees he venters now on blood And sacrifiz'd vnto the peoples loue The death of those that chiefe in enuy stood As th' Officers who first these dangers proue The treasorer and those that they thought good Bushy and Greene by death he must remoue These were the men the people thought did cause Those great exactions and abusd the lawes 102 This done his cause was preacht with learned skil And th' Archbishop of Canterbury shew'd A pardon sent from Rome to all that will Take part with him and quit the faith they ow'd To Richard as a Prince vnfit and ill On whom the crowne was fatally bestow'd And easie-yeelding zeale was quickly caught With what the mouth of grauity had taught 103 O that this powre from euerlasting giuen The great alliance made twixt God and vs Th' intelligence that earth doth hold with heauen Sacred religion ô that thou must thus Be made to smooth our waies vniust vneuen Brought from aboue earth-quarrels to discusse Must men beguile our soules to winne our wils And make our zeale the furtherer of ils 104 But the ambitious to aduance their might Dispence with heauen and what religion would The armed will finde right or else make right If this meanes wrought not yet another should And this and other now doe all incite To strength the faction that the Duke doth hold Who easily obtained what he sought His vertues and his loue so greatly wrought 105 The king still busied in this Irish warre Which by his valour there did well succeede Had newes how here his Lords reuolted are And how the Duke of Herford doth proceed In these affaires he feares are growne too farre Hastes his returne from thence with greatest speed But was by tempests windes and seas debarr'd As if they likewise had against him warr'd 106 But at the length though late in wales he landes Where thorowly inform'd of Henries force And well aduertisd how his owne case stands Which to his griefe he sees tendes to the worse He leauest ' Aumarle at Milford all those bands He brought from Ireland taking thence his course To Conwaie all disguisd with fourteene more Toth ' Earle of Salisburie thither sent before 107 Thinking the Earle had raisd some forces there Whom there he findes for saken all alone The people in those partes which leuied were B'ing closely shronke away dispersd and gone The king had stayed too long and they in feare Resolued euery man to shift for one At this amasd such fortune he laments Foresees his fall whereto each thing consents 108 In this disturb'd tumultuous broken state Whilst yet th' euent stood doubtfull what should be Whilst nought but headlong running to debate And glittering troupes and armor men might see Fury and feare compassion wrath and hate Confusd through all the land no Corner free The strong all mad to strife to ruine bent The weaker waild the aged they lament 109 And blame their many yeares that liue so long To see the horrour of these miseries Why had not we said they dyde with the strong In forraine fields in honourable wise In iust exploits and lawfull without wrong And by the valiant hand of enemies And not thus now reserued in our age To home confusion and disordered rage 110 Vnto the Temples flocke the weake deuout Sad wailing women there to vow and pray For husbands brothers or their sonnes gone out To bloudshed whom nor tears nor loue could stay Here graue religious fathers which much doubt The sad euents these broyles procure them may As Prophets warne exclaime disswade these crimes By the examples fresh of other times 111 And ô what doe you now prepare said they Another conquest by these fatall waies What must your own hands make your selues a pray To desolation which these tumults raise What Dane what Norman shall prepare his way To triumph on the spoile of your decaies That which nor France nor all the world could doe In vnion shall your discord bring you to 112 Conspire against vs neighbour nations all That enuy at the height whereto w' are growne Coniure the barbarous North and let them call Straunge fury from far distant shores
faire pretence Of Tilts and Turnements which they intend Prouide them horse and armour for defence And all things else conuenient for their end Besides they might hold sure intelligence Among themselues without suspect t' offend The king would think they sought but grace in court Withall their great preparing in this sort 34 A solemne oth religiously they make By intermutuall vowes protesting there This neuer to reueale nor to forsake So good a cause for daunger hope or feare The Sacrament the pledge of faith they take And euery man vppon his sword doth sweere By knighthood honor or what els should binde To assecure the more each others minde 35 And whenal this was done and thought welldone And euery one assures him good successe And easie seemes the thing to euery one That nought could crosse their plot or thē suppresse Yet one among the rest whole mind not wonne With th' ouerweening thought of hot excesse Nor headlong carried with the streame of will Nor by his owne election lead to ill 36 Sober milde Blunt whose learning valor wit Had taught true iudgement in the course of things Knew daungers as they were and th humerous fit Of ware-lesse discontent what end it brings Counsels their heat with calme graue words fit Words welfore thought that from experiēce springs And warnes a warier cariage in the thing Least blind presumption worke their ruining 37 My Lords saith he I know your wisedomes such As that of my aduise you haue no need I know you know how much the thing doth touch The maine of all your states your bloud your seed Yet since the same concernes my life as much As his whose hand is chiefest in this deed And that my foote must go as farre as his I thinke my tongue may speake what needfull is 38 The thing we enterprize I know doth beare Great possibility of good effect For that so many men of might there are That venter here this action to direct Which meaner wights of trust and credit bare Not so respected could not looke t' effect For none without great hopes will follow such Whose powre and honor doth not promise much 39 Besides this new and doubtfull gouernment The wauering faith of people vaine and light The secret hopes of many discontent The naturall affection to the right Our lawfull sou'raignes life in prison pent Whom men begin to pitty now not spight Our wel-laid plot and all I must confesse With our iust cause doth promise good successe 40 But this is yet the outward fairest side Of our disseigne within rests more of feare More dread of sad euent yet vndiscride Then ô most worthy Lords I would there were But yet I speake not this as to deuide Your thoughts from th' act or to dismay your cheere Onely to adde vnto your forward will A moderate feare to cast the worst of ill 41 Danger before and in and after th' act You needs must grant is great and to be waigh'd Before least while we doe the deed protract It be by any of our selues be wraid For many being priuy to the fact How hard it is to keepe it vnbetraid When the betrayer shall haue grace and life And rid himselfe of danger and of strife 42 For though some few contioue resolute Yet many shrinke which at the first would dare And be the formost men to execute If the act and motion at one instant were But intermission suffers men dispute What dangers are and cast with farther care Cold doubt cauils with honor skorneth fame And in the end feare waighes down faith with shame 43 Then in the act what perils shall we finde If either place or time or other course Cause vs to alterth ' order now assign'd Or that then we expect things happen worse If either error or a fainting minde An indiserect amazement or remorse In any at that instant should be found How much it might the act and all confound 44 After the deed the daungers are no lesse Least that our forwardnes not seconded By our owne followers and accomplices Being kept backe or flow or hindered The hastie multitude rush on t' oppresse Confused weaknes there vnsuccored Or raise another head of that same race T' auenge his death and prosecute the case 45 All this my Lords must be considered The best and worst of that which maie succeed That valour mixt with feare boldnes with dread May march more circumspect with better heed And to preuent these mischiefes mentioned Is by our faith our secrefie and speed For euen already is the worke begun And we rest all vndone till all be done 46 And ô I could haue wisht another course In open field t' haue hazarded my bloud But some are heere whose loue is of that force To draw my life whom zeale hath not withstood But like you not of your disseigne the worse If the successe be good your course is good And ending well our honor then begins No hand of strife is pure but that which wins 47 This said a sad still silence hold their minds Vpon the fearefull proiect of their woe But that not long ere forward fury finds Incouraging perswasions on to go We must said they we will our honour bindes Our safety bids our faith must haue it so We know the worst can come t is thought vpon We cannot shift being in we must goe on 48 And on indeed they went but ô not sarre A fatall stop trauersd their headlong course Their drist comes knowne and they discouered are For some of many will be False of force Aumarle became the man that all did marre Whether through indisoretions chance or worse He makes his peace with offring others bloud And shewes the king how all the matter stood 49 Then lo dismaid confusion all possest Th' afflicted troupe hearing their plot discride Then runnes amazd distresse with sad vnrest To this to that to flie to stand to hide Distracted terror knew not what was best On what determination to abide At last despaire would yet stand to the sword To trie what friends would doe or fate afford 50 Then this then that mans ayd they craue implore Post here for helpe seeke there their followers Coniure the frendes they had labor for more Sollicite all reputed fauorers Who Richards cause seem'd to affect before And in his name write pray send messengers To try what faith was left if by this art Anie would step to take afflictions part 51 And some were found some againe draw backe Vncertaine power could not it selfe retaine Intreat they may autority they lacke And here and there they march but all in vaine With desp'rat course like those that see their wracke Euen on the Rockes of death and yet they straine That death maie not them idly find t' attend Their certaine last but worke to meet their end 52 And long they stand not ere the chiefe surprizd Conclude with their deare bloud their tragedie And all the rest disperst run some disguisd
they of so fatall a degree That they cannot discend from that and liue Vnlesse they still be kings can they not bee Nor maie they their authority surviue Will not my yeelded crowne redeeme my breath Still am I fear'd is there no way but death 72 Scarce this word death had sorrow vttered But in rusht one and tels him how a knight Is come from court his name deliuered What newes with him said he that traiterous wight What more remoues must we be farther lead Are we not sent inough yet out of sight Or hath this place not strength sufficient To guard vs in or haue they worse intent 73 By this the bloudy troope were at the dore When as a sodaine and a strange dismay Inforst them straine who should go in before One offers and in offring makes a stay Another forward sets and doth no more A third the like and none durst make the way So much the horror of so vile a deed In vilest mindes hinders them to proceed 74 At length as to some great assault the knight Cheeres vp his fainting men all that he can And valiantly their courage doth incite And all against one weake vnarmed man A great exployt worthy a man of might Much honour wretch therein thy valor wan Ah poore weake prince yet men that presence feare Which once they knew autoritie did beare 75 Then on thrustes one and he would formost be To shead anothers bloud but lost his owne For entring in as soone as he did see The face of maiestie to him well knowne Like Marius soldier at Minternum hee Stood still amazd his courage ouerthrowne The king seeing this startes vp from where he fate Out from his trembling hand his weapon gate 76 Thus euen his foes that came to bring him death Bring him a weapon that before had none That yet he might not idly loose his breath But diereuengd in action not alone And this good chaunce that this much fauoureth He slackes not for he presently speedes one And Lion-like vpon the rest he flies And here falles one and there another lies 77 And vp and downe he trauerses his ground Now wardes a felling blow now strikes againe Then nimbly shiftes a thrust then lendes a wound Now backe he giues then rushes on amaine His quicke and readie hand doth so confound These shamefull beastes that foure of them dies slain And all had perisht happily and well But for one act that ô I greiue to tell 78 This coward knight seeing with shame and feare His men thus slaine and doubting his owne end Leapes vp into a chaire that lo was there The whiles the king did all his courage bend Against those foure that now before him were Doubting not who behind him doth attend And plies his handes vndaunted vnaffeard And with good hart and life for life he stird 79 And whiles he this and that and each mans blow Doth eye desend and shift being laid to sore Backward he beates for more aduantage now Thinking the wall would safegard him the more When lo with impious hand o wicked thou That shamefull durst not come to strike before Behind him gau'st that wofull deadly wound That laid that most sweet Prince flat on the ground 08 Monster of men ô what hast thou here done Vnto an ouerpressed innocent Lab'ring against so many he but one And one poore soule with care with sorrow spent O could thy eies indure to looke vpon Thy hands disgrace or didst thou then relent But what thou didst I will not here deuine Nor straine my thoughts to enter into thine 81 But leue thee wretch vnto blacke infamie To darke eternall horror and disgrace The hatefull skorne to all posterity The out-cast of the world last of thy race Of whose curst seed nature did then deny To bring forth more her faire workes to deface And as asham'd to haue produc'd that past She staies her hand and makes this worst her last 82 There lies that comely body all imbrude With that pure bloud mixt with that fowle he shed O that those sacred streames with such vile rude Vnhallowed matter should be mingled O why was grossenes with such grace indude To be with that sweet mixture honoured Or seru'd it but as some vile graue ordaind Where an imbalmed corpes should be containd 83 Those faire distended limmes all trembling lay Whom yet nor life nor death their owne could call For life remou'd had not rid all away And death though entring seas'd not yet on all That short-tim'd motion that soone finish shall The mouer ceasing yet a while doth stay As th' organ sound a time suruiues the stop Before it doth the dying note giue vp 84 So holdes those organs of that goodly frame The weake remaines of life a little space But ah full soone cold death poffest the same Set are those sun-like eles bloudlesse that face And all that comely whole a lump became All that fair forme which death could scarce disgrace Lies perisht thus and thus vntimely fate Hath finisht his most miserable state 85 And thus one king most nere in bloud allide is made th' oblation for the others peace Now onely one both name and all beside Intirely hath plurality doth cease He that remaines remaines vnterrifide With others right this day doth all release And henceforth he is absolutely king No crownes but one this deed confirmes the thing 86 And yet new Hydraes lo new heades appeare T' afflict that peace reputed then so sure And gaue him much to do and much to feare And long and daungerous tumults did procure And those euen of his chiefest followers were Of whom he might presume him most secure Who whether not so grac'd or so preferd As they expected these new factions stird 87 The Percyes were the men men of great might Strong in alliance and in courage strong That thus conspire vnder pretence to right The crooked courses they had suffered long Whether their conscience vrgd them or despight Or that they saw the part they tooke was wrong Or that ambition hereto did them call Or others enuide grace or rather all 88 What cause soeuer were strong was their plot Their parties great meanes good th' occasion fit Their practise close their faith suspected not Their states far off and they of wary wit Who with large promises draw in the Scot To ayde their cause he likes and yeeldes to it Not for the Ioue of them or for their good But glad hereby of meanes to shed our bloud 89 Then ioyne they with the Welsh who fitly traind And all in armes vnder a mightie head Great Glendowr who long warr'd and much attaind Sharp conflicts made and many vanquished With whom was Edmond Earle of March retaind Being first his prisoner now confedered A man the king much fear'd and well he might Least he should looke whether his Crown stood right 90 For Richard for the quiet of the state Before he tooke those Irish warres in hand About succession
againe Till staid with new-made hils of bodies slaine 110 There lo that new-appearing glorious starre Wonder of Armes the terror of the field Young Henrie laboring where the stoutest are And euen the stoutest forces backe to yeild There is that hand boldned to bloud and warre That must the sword in woundrous actions weild But better hadst thou learnd with others bloud A lesse expence to vs to thee more good 111 Hadst thou not there lent present speedy ayd To thy indaungerde father nerely tyrde Whom fierce incountring Dowglas ouerlaid That day had there his troublous life expirde Heroycall Couragious Blunt araid In habite like as was the king attirde And deemd for him excusd that fate with his For he had what his Lord did hardly misse 112 For thought a king he would not now disgrace The person then supposd but prince like shewes Glorious effects of worth that fit his place And fighting dyes and dying ouerthrowes Another of that forward name and race In that hotte worke his valiant life bestowes Who bare the standard of the king that day Whose colours ouerthrowne did much dismaie 113 And deare it cost and ô much bloud is shed To purchase thee this loosing victory O trauayld king yet hast thou conquered A doubtfull day a mightie enemy But ô what woundes what famous worthlyes dead That makes the winner looke with sorrowing eye Magnanimous Stafford lost that much had wrought And valiant Shorly who great glory gote 114 Such wracke of others bloud thou didst behold O furious Hotspur ere thou lost thine owne Which now once lost that heate in thine waxt cold And soone became thy Armie ouerthrowne And ô that this great spirit this courage bold Had in some good cause bene rightly showne So had not we thus violently then Haue termd that rage which valor should haue ben 115 But now the king retires him to his peace A peace much like a feeble sickemans sleepe Wherein his waking paines do neuer cease Though seeming rest his closed eyes doth keepe For ô no peace could euer so release His intricate turmoiles and sorrowes deepe But that his cares kept waking all his life Continue on till death conclude the strife 116 Whos 's harald sicknes being sent before With full commission to denounce his end And paine and griefe enforcing more and more Besiegd the hold that could not long defend And so consum'd all that imboldning store Of hote gaine-striuing bloud that did contend Wearing the wall so thin that now the mind Might well looke thorow and his frailty find 117 When lo as if the vapours vanisht were Which heate of boyling bloud health did breed To cloude the sence that nothing might appeare Vnto the thought that which it was indeed The lightned soule began to see more cleere How much it was abusd notes with heed The plaine discouered falsehood open laid Of ill perswading flesh that so betraid 118 And lying on his last afflicted bed Where death conscience both before him stand Th' one holding out a booke wherein he red In bloudie lines the deedes of his owne hand The other shewes a glasse which figured An ougly forme of fowle corrupted sand Both bringing horror in the hyest degree With what he was and what he straight should bee 119 Which seeing all confusd trembling with feare He lay a while as ouerthrowne in sprite At last commaunds some that attending were To fetch the crowne and set it in his sight On which with fixed eye and heauy cheere Casting a looke O God saith he what right I had to thee my soule doth now conceiue Thee which with bloud I gote with horror leaue 120 Wert thou the cause my climing care was such To passe those boundes nature and law ordaind Is this that good which promised so much And seemd so glorious ere it was attaind Wherein was neuer ioye but gaue a touch To checke my soule to thinke how thou wert gaind And now how do I leaue thee vnto mine Which it is dread to keepe death to resigne 121 With this the soule rapt wholy with the thought Of such distresse did so attentiue weigh Her present horror whilst as if forgote The dull consumed body senceles lay And now as breathles quite quite dead is thought When lo his sonne comes in and takes awaie The fatall crowne from thence and out he goes As if vnwilling longer time to lose 122 And whilst that sad confused soule doth cast Those great accounts of terror and distresse Vppon this counsell it doth light at last How she might make the charge of horror lesse And finding no way to acquit that 's past But onely this to vse some quicke redresse Of acted wrong with giuing vp againe The crowne to whom it seem'd to appertaine 123 Which found lightned with some small ioy shee hyes Rouses her seruaunts that dead sleeping lay The members of hir house to exercise One feeble dutie more during her stay And opening those darke windowes he espies The crowne for which he lookt was borne awaie And all-agrieu'd with the vnkind offence He causd him bring it backe that tooke it thence 124 To whom excusing his presumteous deed By the supposing him departed quite He said ô Sonne what needes thee make such speed Vnto that care where feare exceeds thy right And where his sinne whom thou shalt now succeed Shall still vpbraid thy ' inheritance of might And if thou canst liue and liue great from wo Without this carefull trauaile let it go 125 Nay father since your fortune did attaine So hye a stand I meane not to descend Replyes the Prince as if what you did gaine I were of spirit vnable to defend Time will appease them well that now complaine And ratefie our interest in the end What wrong hath not continuance quite outworne Yeares makes that right which neuer was so borne 126 If so God worke his pleasure said the king And ô do thou contend with all thy might Such euidence of vertuous deeds to bring That well may proue our wrong to be our right And let the goodnes of the managing Race out the blot of foule attayning quite That discontent may all aduauntage misse To wish it otherwise then now it is 127 And since my death my purpose doth preuent Touching this sacred warre I tooke in hand An action wherewithall my soule had ment T' appease my God and reconcile my land To thee is left to finish my intent Who to be safe must neuer idly stand But some great actions entertaine thou still To hold their mindes who else will practise ill 128 Thou hast not that aduantage by my raigne To riot it as they whom long descent Hath purchasd loue by custome but with payne Thou must contend to buy the worlds content What their birth gaue them thou hast yet to gaine By thine owne vertues and good gouernment And that vnles thy worth confirme the thing Thou canst not be the father to a king 129 Nor art thou
to any course obeies For euerie Prince seeing his daunger neere By anie meanes his quiet peace assaies And still the greatest wronges that euer were Haue then bin wrought when kings were put in fear 55 And long it was not ere he apprehendes The Duke who close to Calice was conuei'd And th' Earles of Arundell and Warwike sendes Both in close prisons strongly to be laid And soone the Duke his life vnquiet endes Strangled in secret ere it was bewraide And Arundell was put to publike death But Warwike by great meanes he banisheth 56 And for his person he procures a guard A thousand Archers daily to attend Which now vpon the act he had prepard As th' argument his actions to defend But yet the world had now conceiu'd so hard That all this nought auaild him in the end In vaine with terror is he fortified That is not guarded with firme loue beside 57 Now storme his vnckles albeit in vaine For that no remedy they could deuise They might their sorrowes inwardly complaine But outwardly they needs must temporise The king was great and they should nothing gaine T' attempt reuenge or offer once to rise This league with Fraunce had made him now so strong That they must needs as yet indure this wrong 58 For like a Lion that escapes his bounds Hauing bin long restraind his vse to straie Raunges the restles woods staies on no ground Riottes with bloudshed wantons on his praie Seckes not for need but in his pride to wound Glorying to see his strength and what he may So this vnbridled king freed of his feares In libertie himselfe thus wildly beares 59 For standing on himselfe he sees his might Out of the compasse of respectiue awe And now beginnes to violate all right While no restraining feare at hand he saw Now he exactes of all wasts in delight Riots in pleasure and neglects the law He thinkes his crowne is licensd to do ill That lesse should list that may do what it will 60 Thus b'ing transported in this sensuall course No frend to warne no counsell to withstand He still proceedeth on from bad to worse Sooth'd in all actions that he tooke in hand By such as all impiety did nurse Commending euer what he did commaund Vnhappy kings that neuer may be taught To know themselues or to discerne their fault 61 And whilst all sylent grieue at what is donne The Duke of Herford then of courage bold And worthily great Iohn of Gaunts first sonne Vtters the passion which he could not hold In sad discourse vpon this course begun Which he to Mowbray Duke of Norfolke told To th' end he being great about the king Might doe some good by better counselling 62 The faithles Duke that presentlie takes hold Of such aduantage to insinuate Hastes to the king peruerting what was told And what came of good minde he makes it hate The king that might not now be so controld Or censur'd in his course much frets thereat Sendes for the Duke who doth such wordes deny And craues the combate of his enemy 63 Which straight was granted and the daie assign'd When both in order of the field appeare To right each other as th' euent should find And now both euen at point of combate were When lo the king changd sodenly his mind Casts downe his warder and so staies them there As better now aduisd what waie to take Which might for his assured safety make 64 For now considering as it likely might The victorie should hap on Herfords side A man most valiant and of noble sprite Belou'd of all and euer worthy tride How much he might be grac'd in publique sight By such an act as might aduance his pride And so become more popular by this Which he feares too much he already is 65 And therefore he resolues to banish both Though th' one in chiefest fauour with him stood A man he dearely lou'd and might be loth To leaue him that had done him so much good Yet hauing cause to do as now he doth To mitigate the enuie of his bloud Thought best to loose a friend to rid a foe And such a one as now he doubted so 66 And therefore to perpetuall exile hee Mowbray condemnes Herford but for ten yeares Thinking for that the wrong of this decree Compard with greater rigour lesse appeares It might of all the better liked be But yet such murmuring of the fact he heares That he is faine foure of the ten forgiue And iudg'd him sixe yeares in exile to liue 67 At whose departure hence out of the land O how the open multitude reueale The wondrous loue they bare him vnderhand Which now in this hote passion of their zeale They plainely shewde that all might vnderstand How deare he was vnto the common weale They feard not to exclaime against the king As one that sought all good mens ruining 68 Vnto the shore with teares with sighes with mone They him conduct cursing the bounds that staie Their willing feete that would haue further gone Had not the fearefull Ocean stopt their way Why Neptune hast thou made vs stand alone Deuided from the world for this say they Hemd in to be a spoile to tyranny Leauing affliction hence no way to flie 69 Are we lockt vp poore soules here t' abide Within the watery prison of thy waues As in a fold where subiect to the pride And lust of rulers we remaine as slaues Here in the reach of might where none can hide From th' eie of wrath but onely in their graues Happy confiners you of other landes That shift your soile and oft scape tyrants hands 70 Ah must we leaue him here that here were fit We should retaine the pillar of our state Whose vertues well deserue to gouerne it And not this wanton young effeminate Why should not he in regall honour sit That best knowes how a realme to ordinate Yet one daie ô we hope thou shalt bring backe Deare Bullingbrooke the iustice that we lacke 71 Thus muttred lo the malecontented sort That loue kings best before they haue them still And neuer can the present state comport But would as oft change as they change their will For this good Duke had wonne them in this sort By suckring them and pittying of their ill That they supposed straight it was one thing To be both a good man and a good king 72 When as the grauer sort that saw the course And knew that Princes maie not be controlde Likt wel to suffer this for feare of worse Since many great one kingdome cannot hold For now they saw intestine strife of force The apt-deuided state intangle would If he should stay whom they would make their head By whom the vulgar body might be lead 73 They saw likewise that Princes oft are faine To buy their quiet with the price of wrong And better t were that now a few complaine Then all should morne aswell the weake as strong Seeing how little Realmes by change doe
states of the redeemed Earth Might thee admire and glorise thy birth 127 Thence might thy valor haue brought in despight Eternall Tropheis to Elizas name And laid downe at her sacred feete the right Of all thy deedes and glory of the same All that which by her powre and by thy might Thou hadst attaind to her immortall fame Had made thee wondred here admir'd a farre The Mercury of peace the Mars of warre 128 And thou my Lord the glorie of my muse Pure-spirited Mountiâ—â— th' ornament of men Hadst had a large and mighty field to vse Thy holie giftes and learned counsels then Whole landes and Prouinces should not excuse Thy trusty faith nor yet sufficient beene For those great vertues to haue ordered And in a calme obedience gouerned 129 Nor had I then at solitary brooke Sate framing bloudy accents of these times Nor told of woundes that grieued eies might looke Vpon the horror of their fathers crimes But rather a more glorious subiect tooke To register in euerlasting rimes The sacred glories of ELIZABETH T' haue kept the wonder of her worth from death 136 And like wise builded for your great designes O you two worthies bewties of our state Immortall tombes of vnconsuming lines To keepe your holic deedes inuiolate You in whose actions yet the image shines Of ancient honor neere worne out of date You that haue vertue into fashion brought In these neglected times respected nought 131 But whither am I carried with the thought Of what might haue beene had not this beene so O sacred Fury how was I thus brought To speake of glory that must tell of wo These acted mischiefes cannot be vnwrought Though men be pleasd to wish it were not so And therefore leaue sad Muse th' imagin'd good For we must now returne againe to bloud THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD BOOKE Henry the fourth the Crowne established The Lords that did to Glosters death consent Degraded doe rebell are vanquished King Richard vnto Promfret Castle sent Is murthered there The Percies making head Against the king receiue the punishment And in the end a tedious troublous raigne A grieuous death concludes with care and paine I Tow risen is that head by which did spring The birth of two strong heads two crownes two rights That monstrous shape that afterward did bring Deform'd confusion to distracted wights Now is attain'd that dearely purchased thing What fild the world with lamentable sights And now attain'd all care is how to frame Meanes to establish and to hold the same 2 Striuing at first to build a strong conceit Of his weake cause in apt-abused mindes He deckes his deed with colours of deceit And ornaments of right which now he findes Succession conquest and election straight Suggested are and prou'd in all three kindes More then inough he findes that findes his might Hath force ' to make all that he will haue right 3 All these he hath when one good would suffize The worlds applause and liking to procure But who his owne cause makes doth still deuise To make too much to haue it more then sure Feare casts too deepe and euer is too wise The doubtfull can no vsuall plots indure These selfe-accusing titles all he had Seeking to make one good of maine bad 4 Like foolish he that feares and saine would stop An inundation working on apace Runs to the breach heapes mighty matter vp Throwes indigested burthens on the place Loades with huge waights the outside and the top But leaues the inner parts in feeble case Thinking for that the outward forme seemes strong T is sure inough and may continue long 5 But when the vnder working waues come on Searching the secrets of vnsenced waies The full maine Ocean following hard vpon Beares downe that idle frame skorning such staies Prostrates that frustrate paines as if not done And proudly on his silly labors plaies Whilst he perceiues his error and doth finde His ill proceeding contrary to kind 6 So fares it with our indirect diffeignes And wrong-contriued labors at the last Whilst working time or Iustice vndermines The feeble ground-worke craft thought laid so fast Then when out-breaking vengeance vncombines The ill-ioynd plots so fairely ouercast Turnes vp those strong pretended heapes of showes And all these weake illusions ouerthrowes 7 But wel he thought his powre made al seem plain And now t' his coronation he proceedes Which in most sumptuous fort to intertaine The gazing vulgar whom this error feedes Is furnisht with a stately-glorious traine Wherein the former kings he far exceeds And all t' amuse the world and turne the thought Of what and how t was done to what is wrought 8 And that he might on many props repose He strengths his owne and who his part did take New officers new counsellours he chose His eldest sonne the Prince of Wales doth make His second Lord high Steward and to those Had hazarded their fortunes for his sake He giues them charge as merites their desart Seeking all meanes t' oppresse the aduerse part 9 All Counsellers vnto the former king All th' officers and iudges of the state He to disgrace or els to death did bring Lead by his owne or by the peoples hate Who euermore by nature mallicing Their might whom not their vertues but their fate Exalted hath who when kings do what 's naught Because t is in their powre t is thought their faut 10 And plac'd for these such as were popular Belou'd of him and in the peoples grace Learned graue Shirley he makes Chauncellor One of great spirit worthy his worthy race And Clifford he ordaines Lord Treasuror A man whose vertues well deseru'd that place Others to other roomes whom people hold So much more lou'd how much they loathd the old 17 Then against those he strictly doth proceed Who chiefe of Glosters death were guilty thought Not so much for the hatred of that deed But vnder this pretext the meanes he sought To ruine such whose might did much exceed His powre to wrong nor els could wel be wrought Law Iustice bloud the zeale vnto the dead Were on his side and his drist shadowed 12 Here maine of the greatest of the land Accusd were of the act strong proofes brought out Which strongly were refell'd the Lords all stand To cleere their cause most resolutely stoute The king perceiuing what he tooke in hand Was not with safety to be brought about Desistes to vrge their death in anie wise Respecting number strength friends and allies 13 Nor was it time now in his tender raigne And infant-young-beginning gouernment To striue with bloud when lenity must gaine The mighty wight and please the discontent New kings do feare when old courts farther straine Establisht states to all things will consent He must dispence with his will and their crime And seeke t' oppresse and weare them out with time 14 Yet not to seeme but to haue something done In what he could not as he would effect To satisfie the
born in those calme daies where rest Hath brought a sleepe sluggish securitie But in tumultuous times where mindes adrest To factions are inurd to mutinie A mischiefe not by force to be supprest Where rigor still begets more enmitie Hatred must be beguild with some new course Where states are strong princes doubt their force 130 This and much more affliction would haue said Out of th' experience of a troublous raigne For which his high desires had dearly paide Th' interest of an euer-toyling paine But that this all-subduing powre here staid His faultring tongue and paine r'inforc'd againe And cut off all the passages of breath To bring him quite vnder the state of death 113 In whose possession I must leaue him now And now into the Ocean of new toyles Into the stormie Maine where tempests grow Of greater ruines and of greater spoiles Set forth my course to hasten on my vow O're all the troublous deepe of these turmoiles And if I may but liue t' attaine the shore Of my desired end I wish no more 132 Help on ô sou'raigne Muse helpe on my course If these my toyles be gratefull in thy eyes Or but looke on to cheere my feeble force That I faint not in this'great enterprize And you ô worthy you that take remorse Of my estate and helpe my thoughts to rise Continue still your grace that I may giue End to the worke wherein your worth may liue THE ARGVMENT OF THE FOVVRTH BOOKE Henry the fifth cuts off his enemy The earle of Cambridge that conspir'd his death Henry the fixt maryed vnluckely His and his countryes glory ruineth Suffolke that made the match preferd too hie Going to exile a pirat murthereth What meanes the Duke of Yorke obserud to gaine The worlds goodwill seeking the crowne t' attaine 1 CLose smothered lay the low depressed fire Whose after-issuing flames confounded all Whilst thou victorious Henry didst conspire The wracke of Fraunce that at thy feete did fall Whilst ioyes of gotten spoiles and new desire Of greater gaine to greater deedes did call Thy conquering troupes that could no thoughts retaine But thoughts of glorie all that working raigne 2 What do I feele ô now in passing by These blessed times that I am forst to leaue What trembling sad remorse doth terrefie M' amazed thought with what I do conceiue What doth my pen commit impietie To passe those sacred tropheis without leaue And do I sin not to salute your ghostes Great worthies so renown'd in forraine coasts 3 Who do I see out of the darke appeare Couered almost with clowdes as with the night That here presents him with a martiall cheere Seeming of dreadfull and yet louely fight Whose eye giues courage whose brow hath feare Both representing terror and delight And staies my course and off my purpose breakes And in obraiding wordes thus fiersly speakes 4 Vngratefull times that impiously neglect That worth that neuer times againe shall shew What merites all our toile no more respect Or else standes idlenes asham'd to know Those wondrous Actions that do so obiect Blame to the wanton sin vnto the slow Can England see the best that shee can boast Ly thus vngrac'd vndeckt and almost loft 5 Why do you seeke for fained Palladins Out of the sinoke of idle vanitie That maie giue glorie to the true dissignes Of Bourchier Talbot Neuile Willoughby Why should not you striue to fill vp your lines With wonders of your owne with veritie T' inflame their ofspring with the loue of Good And glorious true examples of their bloud 6 O what eternall matter here is found Whence new immortall Fliads might proceed That those whose happie graces do abound In blessed accents here maie haue to feed Good thoughts on no imaginary ground Of hungrie shadowes which no profit breed Whence musicke like instant delight may grow But when men all do know they nothing know 7 And why dost thou in lamentable verse Nothing but bloudshed treasons sin and shame The worst of timos th' extreame of ils rehearse To raise old staines and to renew dead blame As if the minds of th'evill and peruerse Were not far sooner trained from the same By good example of faire vertuous acts Then by the shew of foule vngodly facts 8 O that our times had had some sacred wight Whose wordes as happie as our swordes had bin To haue prepard for vs Tropheis aright Of vndecaying frames t' haue rested in Triumphant Arkes of perdurable might O holy lines that such aduauntage win Vpon the Sieth of time in spight of yeares How blessed they that gaine what neuer weares 9 What is it ô to do if what we do Shall perish nere as soone as it is donne What is that glorie we attaine vnto With all our toile if lost as soone as wonne O small requitall for so great a doo Is this poore present breath a smoake soone gone Or these dombe stones erected for our sake Which formles heapes few stormie chaunges make 10 Tell great ELIZA since her daies are grac'd With those bright ornaments to vs denide That she repaire what darknes hath defac'd And get our ruyn'd deedes reediside Shee in whose all directing eye is plac'd A powre the highest powers of wit to guide She may commaund the worke and ouersee The holy frame that might eternall bee 11 O would she be content that time should make A rauenous pray vpon her glorious raigne That darknes and the night should ouertake So cleere a brightnes shining without staine Ah no she softens some no doubt that wake For her eternity with pleasing paine And if she for her selfe prepare this good O let her not neglect those of her bloud 12 This that great Monarch Henry seemd to craue When weighing what a holy motiue here Vertue proposd and fit for him to haue Whom all times ought of dutie hold most deare I sighd and wishd that some would take t'ingraue With curious hand so proud a worke to reare To grace the present and to blesse times past That might for euer to our glorie last 13 So should our well taught times haue learn'd alike How faire shind vertue and how soule vice stood When now my selfe haue driuen to mislike Those deedes of worth I dare not vow for good I cannot mone who lose nor praise who seeke By mightie Actions to aduaunce their bloud I must faie who wrought most least honor had How euer good the cause the deedes were bad 14 And onely tell the worst of euery raine And not the intermedled good report I leaue what glorye vertue did attaine At th'euermemorable Agincorte I leaue to tell what wit what powre did gaine Th'assieged Roan Caen Dreux or in what sort How maiestic with terror did aduaunce Her conquering foote on all subdued Fraunce 15 All this I passe and that magnanimous King Mirror of vertue miracle of worth Whose mightie Actions with wise managing Forst prouder bosting climes to serue the North The best of all the best the
pretendant race t' haue laid full low If thou proceeded hadst with crueltie Not suffering anie fatall branch to grow But vnsuspicious magnanimitie Shames such effects of feare and force to show Busied in free and open Actions still Being great for being good hates to be ill 36 Which ô how much it were to be requir'd In all of might if all were like of mind But when that all depraued haue conspird To be vniust what saftie shall they find After the date of vertue is expird That do not practize in the selfe-same kind And countermine against deceite with guile But ô what mischiefe feeles the world the while 37 And yet such wronges are held meete to be don And often for the state thought requisite As when the publicke good depends thereon When most iniustice is esteemd most right But ô what good with doing ill is won Who hath of bloud made such a benefite As hath not fear'd more after then before And made his peace the lesse his plague the more 38 Far otherwise dealt this vndaunted king That cheerished the ofspring of his foes And his competitors to grace did bring And them his frendes for Armes and honors chose As if plaine courses were the safest thing Where vpright goodnes sure and stedfast goes Free from that subtile mask't impietie Which this depraued world calles policie 39 Yet how hath fate dispos'd of all this good What haue these vertues after times availd In what steed hath hy-raised valor stood When this continuing cause of greatnes faild Then when proud-growne the irritated bloud Enduring not it selfe it selfe assaild As though that Prowesse had but learnt to spill Much bloud abrode to cut her throte with skill 40 O doth th' Eternall in the course of thinges So mixe the causes both of good and ill That thus the one effects of th' other bringes As what seemes made to blisse is borne to spill What from the best of vertues glorie springes That which the world with miserie doth fill Is th' end of happines but wretchednesse Hath sin his plague and vertue no successe 41 Either that is not good the world holds good Or else is so confusd with ill that we Abused with th' appearing likelihood Run to offend whilst we thinke good to be Or else the heauens made man in furious bloud To torture man And that no course is free From mischiefe long And that faire daies do breed But storms to make more foule times that succeed 42 Who would haue thought but so great victories Such conquests riches land and kingdome gaind Could not but haue establish't in such wise This powreful state in state to haue remaind Who would haue thought that mischief could deuise A way so soone to loose what was attaind As greatnes were but shewd to grieue not grace And to reduce vs into far worse case 43 With what contagion France didst thou insect The land by thee made proud to disagree T'inrage them so their owne swords to direct Vpon themselues that were made sharpe in thee Why didst thou teach them here at home t' erect Trophees of their bloud which of thine should be Or was the date of thy affliction out And so was ours by course to come about 44 But that vntimely death of this Great King Whose nine yeares raign so mighty wōders wrought To thee thy hopes to vs despaire did bring Not long to keepe and gouerne what was gote For those that had th' affaires in managing Although their countries good they greatly sought Yet so ill accidents vnfitly fell That their desseignes could hardly prosper well 45 An infant king doth in the state succeed Skarse one yeare old left vnto others guide Whose carefull trust though such as shewd indeed They waighd their charge more then the world beside And did with dutie zeale and loue proceed Yet for all what their trauaile could prouide Could not woo fortune to remaine with vs When this her Minion was departed thus 46 But by degrees first this then that regaind The turning tide beares backe with flowing chaunce Vnto the Dolphin all we had attaind And fils the late low-running hopes of Fraunce When Bedford who our onely hold maintaind Death takes from vs their fortune to aduaunce And then home strife that on it selfe did fall Neglecting forraine care did soone loose all 47 Nere three score years are past since Bullinbrooke Did first attaine God knowes how iust the crowne And now his race for right possessors tooke Were held of all to hold nought but their owne When Richard Duke of Yorke begins to looke Into their right and makes his title knowne Wakening vp sleeping-wrong that lay as dead To witnes how his race was iniured 48 His fathers end in him no feare could moue T' attempt the like against the like of might Where long possession now of feare and loue Seem'd to prescribe euen an innated right So that to proue his state was to disproue Time law consent oth and allegeance quight And no way but the waie of bloud there was Through which with all confusion he must passe 49 O then yet how much better had it beene T' indure a wrong with peace then with such toyle T' obtaine a bloudie right since Right is sinne That is ill sought and purchased with spoile What madnes vnconstrained to begin To right his state to put the state in broyle Iustice her selfe maie euen do wrong in this No war be'ing right but that which needfull is 50 And yet that oportunity which led Him to attempt seemes likewise him t' excuse A feeble spirited king that gouerned Vnworthy of the Scepter he did vse His enemies that his worth maliced Who both the land and him did much abuse The poeples loue and his apparant right May seeme sufficient motiues to incite 51 Besides the now ripe wrath deferd till now Of that sure and vnfailing Justicer That neuer suffers wrong so long to grow And to incorporate with right so farre That it might come to seeme the same in show T' incourage those that euill minded are By such successe but that at last he will Confound the branch whose root was planted ill 52 Else might the ympious say with grudging spright Doth God permit the great to riot free And blesse the mighty though they doe vnright As if he did vnto their wrongs agree And only plague the weake and wretched wights For smallest faults euen in the highest degree When he but vsing them others to scourge Likewise of them at length the world doth purge 53 But could not ô for bloudshed satisfie The now well-ruling of th'ill-gotten crowne Must euen the good receiue the penaltie Of former sinnes that neuer were their owne And must a iust kings bloud with miserie Pay for a bad vniustly ouerthrowne Then ô I see due course must rightly goe And th' earth must trace it or else purchase woe 54 And sure this king that now the crowne possest Henry the sixt was one whose life was free From that
commaund of vice whereto the rest Of many mighty foueraignes subiectés be And numbred might haue beene among the best Of other men if not of that degree A right good man but yet an euill king Vnfit for what he had in managing 55 Mild meeke of spirit by nature patient No thought t' increase or scarse to keepe his owne Apter for pardoning then for punishment Seeking his bounty not his powre t' haue knowne Far from reuenge soone won soone made content As fitter for a cloyster then a crowne Whose holy minde so much addicted is On th' world to come that he neglecteth this 56 With such a weake good feeble godly king Hath Richard Duke of Yorke his cause to trie Who by th' experience of long managing The warres of Fraunce with supreame dignitie And by his owne great worth with furthering The common good against the enemie Had wrought that zeale and loue attend his might And made his spirit equall vnto his right 57 For now the Duke of Bedford beeing dead He is ordaind the Regent to succeed In Fraunce for fiue yeares where he trauailed Whith ready hand and with as carefull heed To seeke to turne backe fortune that now fled And hold vp falling power in time of need And gote and lost and reattaines againe That which againe was lost for all his paine 58 His time expird he should for fiue yeares more Haue had his charge prolong'd but Sommerset That still had enuide his commaund before That place and honor for himselfe did get Which ans that matter to th' alreadie store Of kindled hate which such a fire doth set Vnto the touch of that confounding flame As both their blouds could neuer quench the same 59 And now the weaknes of that feeble head That doth neglect all care but his soules care So easie meanes of practise ministred Vnto th' ambitious members to prepare Their owne desires to what their humors lead That all good Actions coldly followed are And seurall-tending hopes do wholy bend To other now then to the publique end 60 And to draw on more speedy misery The king vnto a fatall match is led With Rayners daughter king of Sicilie Whom with vnlucky starres he married For by the meanes of this affinitie Was lost all that his Father conquered Euen as if Fraunce had some Erynnis sent T' auenge their wrongs done by the insolent 61 This marriage was the Duke of Suffolks deed With great rewardes won to effect the same Which made him that he tooke so little heed Vnto his countries good or his owne shame Being a match could stand vs in no steed For strength for wealth for reputation fame But cunningly contriued for their gaine To cost vs more then Aniou Mauns and Maine 62 And yet as if he had accomplished Some mighty benefit vnto the land He gote his trauailes to be registred In Parliment for euermore to stand A witnes to approue all what he did To th' end that if hereafter it were scand Autoritie might yet be on his side As doing nought but what was ratifide 63 Imagining th' allowance of that place Would make that good the which he knew was naught And so would his negotiation grace As none would thinke it was his priuat faut Wherein though wit dealt wary in this case Yet in the end it selfe it ouer raught Striuing to hide he opened it the more His after care shewd craft had gone before 64 Deare didst thou buy ô king so faire a wife So rare a spirit so high a minde the while Whose portion was destruction dowry strife Whose bed was sorrow whose imbracing spoile Whose maintenance cost thee and thine their life And whose best comfort neuer was but toyle What Paris brought this booty of desire To set our mighty Ilium here on fire 65 I grieue that I am forst to say thus much To blame her that I yet must wonder at Whos 's so sweet beauty wit and worth were such As euerlasting admiration gat Yet doth my countries zeale so nerely touch That I am drawne to say I know not what And yet ô that my pen should euer giue Staine to that sex by whom her fame doth liue 66 For sure those vertues well deserud a crowne And had it not beene ours no doubt she might Haue matcht the worthiest that the world hath known And now sate faire with fame with glorie bright But comming in the way where sin was grown So foule and thicke it was her chance to light Amidst that grosse infection of those times And so came staind with blacke disgracefull crimes 67 And some the world must haue on whom to lay The heauie burthen of reproach and blame Against whose deedes th' afflicted may inuay As th' only Authors whence destruction came When yet perhaps t was not in them to stay The current of that streame nor helpe the same But liuing in the eie of Action so Not hindring it are thought to draw on wo. 68 So much vnhappie doth the mightie stand That stand on other then their owne defence When as distruction is so neare at hand That if by weakenes folly negligence They do not comming miserie withstand They shall be thought th'authors of the offence And to call in that which they kept not out And curst as those that brought those plagues about 69 And so remaine for euer registred In that eternall booke of infamie When ô how many other causes lead As well to that as their iniquitie The worst complots oftly close smothered And well ment deedes fall out vnluckily Whilst the aggrieued stand not t'waigh th' intent But euer iudge according to th' euent 70 I say not this t' excuse thy Sinne ô Queene Nor cleare their faults that mightie Actors are I cannot but affirme thy pride hath beene A speciall meanes this commonwealth to marre And that thy way ward will was plainly seene In vaine ambition to presume too farre And that by thee the onely way was wrought The Duke of Gloster to his death was brought 71 A man though seeming in thy thought to sit Betweene the light of thy desires and thee Yet did his taking thence plainly permit Others to looke to that they could not see During his life nor would aduenture it When his remoue quite made that passage free So by his fall thinking to stand alone Hardly could stand at all when he was gone 72 For this Duke as Protector many yeares Had rul'd the land during the kings young age And now the selfe same charge and title beares As if he still were in his pupillage With such disgrace vnto the Queene appeares That all incensd with an ambitious rage She doth conspire to haue him made awaie As who the course of her maine will doth staie 73 Thrust thereinto not onely with her pride But by her fathers counsell and consent That grieu'd likewise that any else beside Should haue the honor of the gouernment And therfore he such deepe aduise applide As forraine
From all disturbs to be so long kept free And with such glory to discharge that place And therefore if by such a power thou be Stopt of thy course reckon it no disgrace Sith shee alone being priuiledg'd from hie Hath thys large Patent of eternite 52 This charge the Goddesse gaue when ready straight The subtill messenger accompayned With all her crew of crafts that on her wayt Hastes to effect what shee was counsailed And out shee pours of her mimens conceit Vpon such searching spirits as trauailed In penetrating hidden secrecies Who soone these meanes of misery deuise 53 And boldly breaking with rebellious minde Into theyr mothers close-lockt Treasury They mineralls combustible doe finde Which in stopt concaues placed cunningly They fire and fire imprisoned against kind Teares out away thrusts out his enemy Barking with such a horror as if wroth With man that wrongs himselfe and nature both 54 And this beginning had this cursed frame Which Yorke hath now planted against his King Presuming by his power and by the same His purpose vnto good effect to bring When diuers of the grauest Counsell came Sent from the King to vnderstand what thing Had thrust him into these proceedings bad And what he sought and what intent he had 55 Who with words mildly-sharp gently-seuere Wrought on those wounds that must bee toucht with heed Applying rather salues of hope then feare Least corasiues should desperat mischiefes breed And what my Lord sayd they should moue you here In thys vnseemely manner to proceed Whose worth being such as all the Land admires Hath sayrer wayes then these to your desires 56 Will you whose meanes whose many friends whose grace Can work the world in peace vnto your wil Take such a course as shall your blood deface And make by handling bad a good cause ill How many harts hazard you in thys case That in all quiet plots would ayde you still Hauing in Court a Partie far more strong Then you conceiue prest to redresse your wrong 57 Fy fy forsake thys hatefull course my Lord Downe with these Armes that will but wound your cause What peace may do hazard not with the sword Fly from the force that from your force with-drawes And yeeld and we will mediat such accord As shall dispence with rigor and the lawes And interpose thys solemne fayth of our Betwixt your fault and the offended power 58 Which ingins of protests and proffers kinde Vrg'd out of seeming greese and shewes of loue So shooke the whole foundation of his minde As it dyd all his resolution moue And present seem'd vnto theyr course inclind So that the King would Sommerset remoue The man whose most intollerable pride Trode downe his worth and all good mens beside 59 Which they there vow'd should presently be done For what will not pence-louers willing grant Where dangerous euents depend thereon And men vnfurnisht and the state in want And if with words the conquest will be won The cost is small and who holds breath so scant As then to spare tho' against his dignity Better discend then end in maiestie 60 And here-vpon the Duke dissolues his force Submits him to the King on publique vow The rather to presuming on thys course For that his sonne the Earle of March was now With mightier powers abroad which would enforce His peace which els the King would not allow For seeing not all of him in him he hath His death would but gyue life to greater wrath 61 Yet comming to the King in former place Hys foe the Duke of Sommerset he finds Whom openly reproching to hys face Hee charg'd with treason in the highest kinds The Duke returnes lyke speeches of dysgrace And fiery words bewrayd theyr flaming minds But yet the tryall was for them deferd Till fitter tyme allow'd it to be heard 62 At Westminster a Counsell gathered Deliberats what course the cause should end Of th' apprehended Duke of Yorke whose head Doth now on others doubtfull breath depend Law fiercely vrgd his deed and found him dead Frends fayld to speake where they could not defend Onely the King himselfe for mercy stood As prodigall of lyse nyggard of blood 63 And as if angry with the Lawes of death And why should you sayd he vrge things so far You that invr'd with mercinary breath And hyred tongue so peremptory are Brauing on him whom sorrow prostrateth As if you dyd with poore affliction war And pray on frailty folly hath betrayd Bringing the lawes to wound neuer to ayd 64 Dispence sometyme with sterne seueritie Make not the lawes still traps to apprehend Win grace vpon the bad with clemencie Mercy may mend whom malice made offend Death giues no thanks but checks authority And lyfe doth onely maiestie commend Reuenge dyes not rigor begets new wrath And blood hath neuer glory mercy hath 65 And for my part and my part should be chiefe I am most willing to restore his state And rather had I win him with reliefe Then loose him with despight and get more hate Pitty drawes loue bloodshed as natures griefe Compassion followes the vnfortunate And loosing him in him I loose my power We rule who liue the dead are none of our 66 And should our rigor lessen then the same Which we with greater glory should retaine No let hym lyue his lyfe must giue vs fame The chyld of mercy newly borne againe As often burials is Phisitions shame So many deaths argues a Kings hard raigne Why should we say the law must haue her vigor The law kills him but quits not vs of rigor 67 You to get more preferment by your wit Others to gaine the spoyles of misery Labour with all your power to follow it Shewing vs feares to draw on cruelty You vrge th' offence not tell vs what is fit Abusing wrong-informed maiestic As if our power were onely but to slay And that to sane were a most dangerous way 68 Thus out of pitty spake that holy King Whom mylde affections led to hope the best When Sommerset began to vrge the thing With words of hotter temper thys exprest Deare soueraigne Lord the cause in managing Is more then yours t' imports the publique rest We all haue part it touches all our good And lyfe's ill spard that 's spar'd to cost more blood 69 Compassion here is cruolty my Lord Pitty will cut our throats for sauing so What benefit shall we haue by the sword If mischiefe shall escape to draw on mo Why should we gyue what Law cannot afford To ' be ' accessaries to our proper wo Wisdom must iudge twixt men apt to amend And minds incurable borne to offend 70 It is no priuat cause I doe protest That moues me thus to prosecute his deede Would God his blood and myne had well releast The dangers that his pryde is lyke to breed Although at me he seemes to haue addrest His spight t is not his end he hath decreed I am not he alone hee doth pursue But thorow me
The spoiled marks of their deuided right They wholy would deface to leaue no face Of reuerent distinction and degree As if they waigh'd no difference in this case Betwixt Religions age and infancie Where th' one must creepe th' other stand with grace Least turn'd to a child it ouerturned bee Though to pull backe th' on-running state of things Gathering corruption as it gathers daies Vnto the forme of their first orderings Is the best meanes that dissolution staies And to go forward backward right men brings T' obserue the line frō whence they tooke their waies Yet being once gone wide and the right way Not leuell to the times condition To alter course may bring men more astray And leauing what was knowne to light on none Since euery change the reuerence doth decay Of that which alway should continue one For this is that close kept Palladium Which once remou'd brings ruine euermore This stird makes men fore-setled to become Curious to know what was belieu'd before Whilst faith disputes that vsed to be dombe And more men striue to talke then to adore For neuer head-strong reformation will Rest till to th' extreame opposite it run And ouer-run the mean distrusted still As being too neere of kin to that men shun For good and bad and all must be one ill When once there is another truth begun So hard it is an euen hand to beare In tempering with such maladies as these Least that our forward passions launce to neare And make the cure proue worse then the disease For with the worst we will not spare the best Because it growes with that which doth displease And faults are easier lookt in then redrest Men running with such eager violence At the first view of errors fresh in quest As they to rid an inconuenience Sticke not to raise a mischiefe in the steed Which after mocks their weake improuidence And therefore ô make not your own sides bleed To pricke at others you that would amend By pulling down and thinke you can proceed By going backe vnto the farther end Let stand that little Couert left behind Where on your succours and respects depend And bring not down the prizes of the mind With vnder-rating of your selues so base You that the mighties doors do crooching find To sell your selues to buy a little grace Or waite whole months to out-bid Simonie For that which being got is not your place For if it were what needed you to buy What was your due your thursting shews your shift And little worth that seekes iniuriously A worthier from his lawfull roome to lift We cannot say that you were then preferr'd But that your mony was or some worse gift O scattring gath'rers that without regard Of times to come will to be made vndo As if you were the last of men prepar'd To burie in your graues all other to Dare you prophane that holie portion Which neuer sacreligious hands durst do Did forme-establishing deuotion To maintaine a respectiue reuerence Extend her bountifull prouision With such a charitable prouidence For your deforming handes to dissipate And make Gods due your impious expence No maruaile then though th'ouer pestred state Want roome for goodnes if our little hold Be lessned vnto such a narrow rate That reuerence cannot sit sit as it should And yet what need we thus for roomes complaine That shall not want void roome if this course hold And more then will be fill'd for who will straine To get an emptie title to betray His hopes and trauaile for an honour vaine And gaine a port without support or stay What need hath enuie to maligne their state That will themselues so kind giue it away This makes indeed our number passe the rate Of our prouisions which if dealt aright Would yeeld sufficient roome t'accommodate More then we haue in places requisite The ill disposing onely doth vs set In disaray and out of order quite Whiles other gifts then of the mind shall get Vnder our colours that which is our dues And to our trauailes neither benefite Nor grace nor honor nor respect accrewes This sicknes of the states soule Learning then The bodies great distemprature insues For if that learnings roomes to learned men Were as their heritage distributed All this disordred thrust would cease for when The sit were call'd th'vn worthy frustrated These would b' asham'd to seek those to b'vnsought And stay'ng their turn were sure they should be sped Then would our drooping Academies brought Againe in heart regaine that reuerend hand Oslost opinion and no more be thought Th'vnnecessarie furnish of the land Nor disincourag'd with their small esteeme Confus'd irresolute and wauering stand Caring not to become profound but seeme Contented with a superficiall skill Which for a sleight reward inough they deem When th' one succeedes as well as th' other will Seeing shorter wayes lead sooner to their end And others longer trauailes thriue so ill Then would they onely labour to extend Their now vnsearching spirits beyond these bounds Of others powres wherein they must be pend As if there were besides no other grounds And set their bold Plus vltra far without The pillers of those Axioms age propounds Discou'ring dayly more and more about In that immense and boundlesse Ocean Of Natures riches neuer yet found out Nor fore-clos'd with the wit of any man So far beyond the ordinarie course That other vnindustrious ages ran That these more curious times they might deuorce From the opinion they are linckt vnto Of our disable and vnactiue force To shew true knowledge can both speak and do Arm'd for the sharpe which in these dayes they finde With all prouisions that belong thereto That their experience may not come behind The times conceipt but leading in their place May make men see the weapons of the mind Are states best strengths and kingdoms chiefest grace And rooms of charge charg'd ful with worth praise Makes maiestie appeare with her full face Shining with all her beames with all her raies Vnscanted of her parts vnshadowed In any darkned point which still bewrayes The waine of powre when powr's vnfurnished And hath not all those entire complements Wherewith the state should for her state be sped And though the fortune of some age consents Vnto a thousand errors grossely wrought Which flourisht ouer with their faire euents Haue past for current and good courses thought The least whereof in other times againe Most dangerous inconueniences haue brought Whilst to the times not to mens wits pertaine The good successes of ill manag'd deeds Though th' ignorant deceiu'd with colours vaine Misse of the causes whence this lucke proceeds Forreine defects giuing home-faults the way Make euen that weakenes somtimes well succeeds I grant that some vnlettered practique may Leauing beyond the Alpes faith and respect To God and man with impious cunning sway The courses fore-begun with like effect And without stop maintaine the turning on And haue his errors deemd without defect But when
her away to Rome Whereof Dolabella a fauourite of Caesars and one that was growne into some good liking of her hauing certified her shee makes her humble petition to Caesar that hee would suffer her to sacrifice to the ghost of Antonius which beeing graunted her shee was brought vnto his Sepulcher where after her rytes perfourmed she returned to the Monument and there dined with great magnificence And in dinner time came there one in the habite of a Countrey-man with a Basket of Figges vnto her who vnsuspected was suffered to carrie them in And in that Basket among the Figges were conueyed the Aspicks wherewith she did herselfe to death Dinner beeing ended shee dispatched Letters to Caesar contayning great lamentations with an earnest supplication that she might bee intomb'd with Antonius Whereupon Caesar knowing what shee intended sent presentlie with all speede Messengers to haue preuented her death which not withstanding before they came was dispatched Caesario her sonne which she had by Iulius Caesar conuaied before vnto India out of the daunger of the warres was about the same time of her death murthered at Rhodes trayned thither by the falshoode of his Tutor corrupted by Caesar. And so hereby came the race of the Ptolomies to bee wholie extinct and the flourishing rich kingdome of Egypt vtterlie ouer-throwne and subdued The Scaene supposed Alexandria THE ACTORS Cleopatra Octauius Caesar. Proculeius Dolabella Titius seruant to Dolebella Arius Philosopher Philostratus Philosopher Seleucus secretarie to Cleopatra Rodon Tutor to Caesario Nuntius The Chorus all Egyptians THE TRAGEDIE OF CLEOPATRA ACTVS PRIMVS CLEOPATRA YET do I liue and yet doth breath extend My life beyond my life nor can my graue Shut vp my griefes to make my end my end Will yet confusion haue more then I haue Is th' honor wonder glory pompe and all Of Cleopatra dead and she not dead Haue I out-liu'd my selfe and seene the fall Of all vpon me and not ruined Can yet these eyes endure the gastly looke Of desolations darke and ougly face Wont but on fortunes fairest side to looke Where nought was but applause but smiles and grace Whiles on his shoulders all my rest relide On whom the burthen of m'ambition lay My Atlas and supporter of my pride That did the world of all my glory sway Who now thrown down disgrac'd confoūded lies Crusht with the weight of shame and infamie Following th' vnlucky party of my eies The traines of lust and imbecilitie Whereby my dissolution is become The graue of AEgypt and the wracke of all My vnforeseeing weakenesse must intoome My Countries fame and glory with my fall Now who would think that I were she who late With all the ornaments on earth inrich'd Enuiron'd with delights compast with state Glittering in pomp that harts and eies bewitch'd Should chus distrest cast down from of that heigth Leuell'd with low disgrac'd calamitie Vnder the waight of such affliction sigh Reduc'd vnto th' extreamest miserie Am I the woman whose inuentiue pride Adorn'd like Isis skornd mortalitie Is 't I would haue my frailty so belide That flattery could perswade I was notd Well now I see they but delude that praise vs Greatnesse is mockt prosperitie betraies vs. And we are but our selues although this clowd Of interposed smokes make vs seeme more These spreading parts of pompe wherof w' are prou'd Are not our parts but parts of others store Witnesse these gallant fortune-following traines These Summer Swallowes of felicitie Gone with the heate of all see what remaines This monument two maides and wretched I. And I t' adorne their triumphs am reseru'd A captiue kept to honor others spoiles Whom Caesar labors so to haue preseru'd And seekes to entertaine my life with wiles But Caesar it is more then thou canst do Promise flatter threaten extremitie Imploy thy wits and all thy force thereto I haue both hands and will and I can die Though thou of both my country and my crown Of powre of means al doost quite bereaue me Though thou hast wholy Egypt made thine own Yet hast thou left me that which will deceiue thee That courage with my bloud and birth innated Admir'd of all the earth as thou art now Can neuer be so abiectly abated To be thy Slaue that rull'd as good as thou Thinke Caesar I that liu'd and raign'd a Queene Doe skorne to buy my life at such a rate That I should vnder neath my selfe be seene Basely induring to suruiue my state That Rome should see my scepter-bearing hands Behind me bound and glory in my teares That I should passe whereas Octauia stands To view my misery that purchas'd hers No I disdaine that head which wore a crowne Should stoope to take vp that which others giue I must not be vnlesse I be mine owne T is sweet to die when we are forc'd to liue Nor had I staide behind my selfe this space Nor paid such intrest for this borrow'd breath But that hereby I seeke to purchase grace For my distressed seed after my death It 's that which doth my deerest bloud controule That 's it alas detaines me from my tombe VVhiles nature brings to contradict my soule The argument of mine vnhappy wombe You luckles issue of an wofull mother The wretched pledges of a wanton bed You Kings design'd must subiects liue to other Or else I feare scarse liue when I am dead It is for you I temporize with Caesar And staie this while to mediate your saftie For you I faine content and sooth his pleasure Calamity herein hath made me craftie But this is but to trie what may be done For come what will this stands I must die free And die my selfe vncaptiu'd and vnwon Bloud Children Nature all must pardon me My soule yeelds honor vp the victory And I must be a Queene forget a mother Though mother would I be were I not I And Queene would not be now could I be other But what know I if th' heauens haue de cred And that the sinnes of AEgypt haue deseru'd The Ptolomies should faile and none succeed And that my weakenes was thereto reseru'd That I should bring confusion to my state And fill the measure of iniquitie Luxuriousnesse in me should raise the rate Of loose and ill-dispensed libertie If it be so then what neede these delaies Since I was made the meanes of miserie Why shuld I striue but to make death my praise That had my life but for my infamie And let me write in letters of my bloud A fit memoriall for the times to come To be example to such Princes good As please themselues and care not what becom And Antony because the world takes note That my defects haue only ruin'd thee And my ambitious practises are thought The motiue and the cause of all to be Though God thou know'st how iust this staine is laid Vpon my soule whom ill successe makes ill Yet since condemn'd misfortune hath no ayd Against proud luck that argues what it will I haue no