He turnes to Seianus clyents Death I dare tell him so and all his spies You sir I would doe you looke and you SAB. Forbeare SATRIVS EVDEMVS SEIANVS HEere he will instant be Let 's walke a turne Yo' are in a muse EVDEMVS EVD. Not I sir I wonder he should marke me out so well IOVE and APOLLO forme it for the best SAT. Your fortune 's made vnto you now EVDEMVS If you can but lay hold vpon the meanes Doe but obserue his humour and beleeue it He 's the noblest Romane where he takes Here comes his lordship SEI. Now good SATRIVS SAT. This is the gentleman my lord SEI. Is this Giue me your hand we must be more acquainted Report sir hath spoke out your art and learning And I am glad I haue so needfull cause How euer in it selfe painefull and hard To make me knowne to so great vertue Looke Who 's that SATRIVS I haue a griefe sir That will desire your helpe Your name 's EVDEMVS EVD. Yes SEI. Sir EVD. It is my lord SEI. I heare you are Physitian to LIVIA the princesse EVD. I minister vnto her my good lord SEI. You minister to a royall lady then EVD. She is my lord and fayre SEI. That 's vnderstood Of all their sexe who are or would be so And those that would be physicke soone can make 'hem For those that are their beauties feare no collours EVD. Your lordship is conceited SEI. Sir you know it And can if need be read a learned lecture On this and other secrets Pray you tell me What more of ladies besides LIVIA Haue you your patients EVD. Many my good lord The great AVGVSTA VRGVLANIA MVTILIA PRISCA and PLANCINA diuers SEI. And all these tell you the particulars Of euery seuerall griefe how first it grew And then encreas'd what action caused that What passion that and answere to each point That you will put 'hem EVD. Else my lord we know not How to prescribe the remedies SEI. Goe to Yo' are a subtill nation you Physitians And growne the onely cabinets in court To ladies priuacies Faith which of these Is the most pleasant lady in her physicke Come you are modest now EVD. 'T is fit my lord SEI. Why sir I doe not aske you of their vrines Whose smel 's most violet or whose seige is best Or who makes hardest faces on her stoole Which lady sleepes with her owne face a nights Which puts her teeth off with her clothes in court Or which her hayre which her complexion And in which boxe she puts it These were questions That might perhaps haue put your grauity To some defence of blush But I enquir'd Which was the wittiest meriest wantonnest Harmelesse intergatories but conceipts Me thinks AVGVSTA should be most peruerse And froward in her fit EVD. She 's so my lord SEI. I knew it And MVTILIA the most iocund EVD. 'T is very true my lord SEI. And why would you Conceale this from me now Come what 's LIVIA I know she 's quick and quaintly spirited And will haue strange thoughts when she 's at leasure She tells 'hem all to you EVD. My noblest lord He breaths not in the empire or on earth Whom I would be ambitious to serue In any act that may preserue mine honour Before your lordship SEI. Sir you can loose no honor By trusting ought to me The coursest act Done to my seruice I can so requite As all the world shall stile it honorable Your idle vertuous definitions Keepe honor poore and are as scorn'd as vaine Those deeds breathe honor that do sucke in gaine EVD. But good my lord if I should thus betray The counsels of my patient and a ladies Of her high place and worth what might your lordship Who presently are to trust me with your owne Iudge of my faith SEI. Only the best I sweare Say now that I should vtter you my griefe And with it the true cause that it were loue And loue to LIVIA you should tell her this Should she suspect your faith I would you could Tell me as much from her see if my braine Could be turn'd iealous EVD. Happily my lord I could in time tell you as much and more So I might safely promise but the first To her from you SEI. As safely my EVDEMVS I now dare call thee so as I haue put The secret into thee EVD. My lord SEI. Protest not Thy lookes are vowes to me vse onely speed And but affect her with SEIANVS loue Thou art a man made to make Consuls Goe EVD. My lord I le promise you a priuate meeting This day together SEI. Canst thou EVD. Yes SEI. The place EVD. My gardens whither I shall fetch your lordship SEI. Let me adore my AESCVLAPIVS Why this indeed is physick and out-speakes The knowledge of cheape drugs or any vse Can be made out of it more comforting Then all your opiates iulebes apozemes Magistrall syrrupes or Be gone my friend Not barely stiled but created so Expect things greater then thy largest hopes To ouertake thee Fortune shall be taught To know how ill she hath deseru'd thus long To come behinde thy wishes Goe and speed Ambition makes more trusty slaues then need These fellowes by the fauour of their arte Haue still the meanes to tempt oft-times the power If LIVIA will be now corrupted then Thou hast the way SEIANVS to worke out His secrets who thou knowest endures thee not Her husband DRVSVS and to worke against them Prosper it PALLAS thou that betterst wit For VENVS hath the smallest share in it TIBERIVS SEIANVS DRVSVS WEe not endure these flatteries One kneeles to him let him stand Our empire ensignes axes roddes and state Take not away our humane nature from vs Looke vp on vs and fall before the gods SEI. How like a god speakes CAESAR ARR. There obserue He can indure that second that 's no flattery O what is it proud slime will not beleeue Of his owne worth to heare it equall prais'd Thus with the gods COR. He did not heare it sir ARR. He did not Tut he must not we thinke meanely 'T is your most courtly knowne confederacy To haue your priuate parasite redeeme What he in publique subtilty will lose To making him a name HAT. Right mighty lord TIB. We must make vp our eares 'gainst these assaults Of charming tongues we pray you vse no more These contumelies to vs stile not vs Or lord or mighty who professe our selfe The seruant of the Senate and are proud T' enioy them our good iust and fauouring lords COR. Rarely dissembled ARR. Prince-like to the life SAB. When power that may command so much descends Their bondage whom it stoupes to it intends TIB. Whence are these letters HAT. From the Senate TIB. So Whence these LA. From thence too TIB. Are they sitting now LAT. They stay thy answere CAESAR SIL. If this man Had but a minde allied vnto his words How blest a fate were it to vs and Rome We could not thinke that state for which
court of Perfection was to quicken mindes in the pursuit of honour Her deuice is a perpendicular Leuell vpon a Cube or Square The word SE SVO MODVLO Alluding to that true measure of ones selfe which as euerie one ought to make so is it most conspicuous in thy diuine example The second in greene is AGLAIA delectable and pleasant Conuersation whose propertie is to moue a kindly delight and sometime not without laughter Her office to entertaine assemblies and keepe societies together with faire familiaritie Her deuice within a Ring of clouds a Heart with shine about it The word CVRARVM NVEILA PELLO An allegorie of CYNTHIAES light which no lesse cleares the skie then her faire mirth the heart The third in the discolour'd mantle spangled all ouer is EVPHANTASTE a well conceited Wittinesse and imployd in honouring the court with the riches of her pure inuention Her deuice vpon a Petasus or Mercuriall hat a Crescent The word SIC LAVS INGENII Inferring that the praise and glorie of wit doth euer increase as doth thy growing moone The fourth in white is APHELEIA a Nymph as pure and simple as the soule or as an abrase table and is therefore called Simplicitie without folds without pleights without colour without counterfeit and to speake plainly Plainenesse it selfe Her deuice is no deuice The word vnder her siluer Shield OMNIS ABEST FVCVS Alluding to thy spotlesse selfe who art as farre from impuritie as from mortalitie My selfe celestiall Goddesse more fit for the court of CYNTHIA then the arbors of CYTHEREE am call'd ANTEROS or Loues enemie the more welcome therefore to thy court and the fitter to conduct this quaternion who as they are thy professed votaries and for that cause aduersaries to Loue yet thee perpetuall Virgin they both loue and vow to loue eternally Act V. Scene VIII. CYNTHIA ARETE CRITES NOt without wonder nor without delight Mine eyes haue view'd in contemplations depth This worke of wit diuine and excellent What shape what substance or what vnknowne power In virgins habite crown'd with lawrell leaues And oliue branches wouen in betweene On sea-girt rockes like to a Goddesse shines O front Ô face Ô all caelestiall sure And more then mortall ARETE behold Another CYNTHIA and another Queene Whose glorie like a lasting plenilune Seemes ignorant of what it is to wane Not vnder heauen an obiect could be found More fit to please Let CRITES make approch Bountie forbids to paule our thanks with stay Or to deferre our fauour after view The time of grace is when the cause is new ARE. Loe here the man celestiall DELIA Who like a circle bounded in it selfe Contaynes as much as man in fulnesse may Loe here the man who not of vsuall earth But of that nobler and more precious mould Which PHOEBVS selfe doth temper is compos'd And who though all were wanting to reward Yet to himselfe he would not wanting be Thy fauours gaine is his ambitions most And labours best who humble in his height Stands fixed silent in thy glorious sight CYN. With no lesse pleasure then we haue beheld This precious christall worke of rarest wit Our eye doth reade thee now enstil'd our CRITES Whom learning vertue and our fauour last Exempteth from the gloomy multitude With common eye the supreme should not see Henceforth be ours the more thy selfe to be CRI. Heau'ns purest light whose orbe may be eclips'd But not thy praise diuinest CYNTHIA How much too narrow for so high a grace Thine saue therein the most vnworthy CRITES Doth find himselfe for euer shine thy fame Thine honours euer as thy beauties doe In me they must my darke worlds chiefest lights By whose propitious beames my powers are rais'd To hope some part of those most loftie points Which blessed ARETE hath pleas'd to name As markes to which m' indeuours steps should bend Mine as begun at thee in thee must end Act V. Scene IX. The second Masque MERCVRIE as a PAGE SIster of PHOEBVS to whose bright orbe we owe that we not complaine of his absence These foure brethren for they are brethren and sonnes of EVTAXIA a lady knowne and highly belou'd of your resplendent deitie not able to be absent when CYNTHIA held a solemnitie officiously insinuate themselues into thy presence For as there are foure cardinall vertues vpon which the whole frame of the court doth moue so are these the foure cardinall properties without which the body of complement moueth not With these foure siluer iauelins which they beare in their hands they support in Princes courts the state of the presence as by office they are obliged which though here they may seeme superfluous yet for honors sake they thus presume to visite thee hauing also beene emploid in the palace of Queene Perfection And though to them that would make themselues gracious to a Goddesse sacrifices were fitter then presents or Impreses yet they both hope thy fauour and in place of either vse seuerall Symboles contayning the titles of thy imperiall dignitie First the hethermost in the changeable blew and greene robe is the commendably-fashioned gallant EVCOSMOS whose courtly habite is the grace of the presence and delight of the surueying eye whom ladies vnderstand by the names of neate and elegant His symbole is DIVAE VIRGINI in which he would expresse thy deities principall glory which hath euer beene virginitie The second in the rich acoutrement and robe of purple empaled with gold is EVPATHES who entertaynes his mind with an harmelesse but not incurious varietie All the obiects of his senses are sumptuous himselfe a gallant that without excesse can make vse of superfluitie goe richly in imbroideries iewells and what not without vanitie and fare delicately without gluttonie and therefore not not without cause is vniuersally thought to be of fiue humour His Symbole is DIVAE OPTIMAE An attribute to expresse thy goodnesse in which thou so resemblest IOVE thy father The third in the blush-colour'd sute is EVTOLMOS as duely respecting others as neuer neglecting himselfe commonly knowne by the title of good audacitie to courts and courtly assemblies a guest most acceptable His Symbole is DIVAE VIRAGINI To expresse thy hardy courage in chase of sauage beasts which harbour in woods and wildernesse The fourth in watchet tinsell is the kind and truly benefique EVCOLOS Who imparteth not without respect but yet without difficultie and hath the happinesse to make euery kindnesse seeme double by the timely and freely bestowing thereof He is the chiefe of them who by the vulgar are said to be of good nature His Symbole is DIVAE MAXIMAE An adiunct to signifie thy greatnesse which in heauen earth and hell is formidable Act V. Scene X. CVPID The Maskes ioyne and dance MERCVRIE IS not that AMORPHVS the trauailer MER. As though it were not doe you not see how his legs are in trauaile with a measure CVP. HEDON thy master is next MER. What will CVPID turne nomenclator and cry them CVP. No faith but I haue
cause and such a chiefe Act V. Scene II. ASOTVS AMORPHVS NO more if you loue mee good master you are incompatible to liue withall Send mee for the ladies AMO. Nay but intend me ASO. Feare me not I warrant you sir AMO. Render not your selfe a refractarie on the sodaine I can allow well you should repute highly heartily and to the most of your own endowments it giues you forth to the world the more assur'd but with reseruation of an eye to be alwaies turn'd dutifully back vpon your teacher ASO. Nay good sir leaue it to mee Trust mee with trussing all the points of this action I pray S'lid I hope we shall find wit to performe the science as well as another AMO. I confesse you to be of an aped and docible humour Yet there are certaine puntilioes or as I may more nakedly insinuate them certaine intrinsecate strokes and wardes to which your actiuitie is not yet amounted As your gentile dor in colours For supposition your mistris appeares heere in prize ribbanded with greene and yellow now it is the part of euery obsequious seruant to be sure to haue daily about him copie and varietie of colours to be presently answerable to any hourely or half-hourely change in his mistris reuolution ASO. I know it sir AMO. Giue leaue I pray you which if your Antagonist or player-against-you shall ignorantly be without and your selfe can produce you giue him the dor ASO. I I sir AMO. Or if you can possesse your opposite that the greene your mistris weares is her reioycing or exultation in his seruice the yellow suspicion of his truth from her height of affection and that he greenly credulous shall withdraw thus in priuate and from the aboundance of his pocket to displace her jelous conceit steale into his hat the colour whose bluenesse doth expresse truenesse shee being nor so nor so affected you giue him the dor ASO. Doe not I know it sir AMO. Nay good swell not aboue your vnderstanding There is yet a third dor in colours ASO. I know it too I know it AMO. Doe you know it too what is it Make good your knowledge ASO. Why it is no matter for that AMO. Doe it on poene of the dor ASO. Why what is' t say you AMO. Loe you haue giuen your selfe the dor But I will remonstrate to you the third dor which is not as the two former dors indicatiue but deliberatiue As how As thus Your Riualis with a dutifull and serious care lying in his bed meditating how to obserue his mistris dispatcheth his lacquay to the chamber early to know what her colours are for the day with purpose to apply his weare that day accordingly You lay wait before preoccupie the chamber-maide corrupt her to returne false colours He followes the fallacie comes out accoutred to his beleeu'd instructions your mistresse smiles and you giue him the dor ASO. Why so I told you sir I knew it AMO. Tolde mee It is a strange outrecuidance your humour too much redoundeth ASO. Why sir what doe you thinke you know more AMO. I know that a cooke may as soone and properly be said to smel wel as you to be wise I know these are most cleere and cleane strokes But then you haue your passages and imbroccata's in courtship as the bitter Rob in wit the Reuerse in face or wry-mouth and these more subtle and secure offenders I will example vnto you Your opponent makes entrie as you are ingag'd with your mistresse You seeing him close in her eare with this whisper here comes your Babion disgrace him and withall stepping off fall on his bosome and turning to her politiquely aloud say ladie reguard this noble gentleman a man rarely parted second to none in this court and then stooping ouer his shoulder your hand on his brest your mouth on his back-side you giue him the Reuerse stroke with this Sanna or Storkes-bill which makes vp your wits Bob most bitter ASO. Nay for heauens sake teach me no more I know all as well S'lid if I did not why was I nominated why did you chuse mee why did the ladies pricke out mee I am sure there were other gallants But me of all the rest By that light and as I am a courtier would I might neuer stirre but 't is strange Would to the lord the ladies would come once Act V. Scene III MORPHIDES AMORPHVS ASOTVS HEDON ANAIDES THE THRONG LADIES CITIZEN WIFE PAGES TAYLOR MERCER PERFVMER IEWELLER c. SIgnior the gallants and ladies are at hand Are you readie sir AMO. Instantly Goe accomplish your attire Cousin MORPHIDES assist me to make good the doore with your officious tyrannie CIT. By your leaue my masters there pray you let 's come by PAG. You by why should you come by more then we WIT. Why sir Because he is my brother that playes the prizes MOR. Your brother CIT. I her brother sir and we must come in TAY. Why what are you CIT. I am her husband sir TAY. Then thrust forward your head AMO. What tumult is there MOR. Who 's there beare backe there Stand from the doore AMO. Enter none but the ladies and their hang-bies welcome Beauties and your kind Shadowes HED. This countrie ladie my friend good signior AMORPHVS ANA. And my cockatrice heere AMO. She is welcome MOR. Knocke those same pages there and goodman Cockescombe the cittizen who would you speake withall AMO. With whom your brother MOR. Who is your brother AMO. Master ASOTVS Is hee your brother Hee is taken vp with great persons Hee is not to know you to night ASO. O IOVE master and there come ere a cittizen gentlewoman in my name let her haue entrance I pray you It is my sister WIT. Brother CIT. Brother master ASOTVS ASO. Who 's there WIT. 'T is I brother ASO. Gods me There she is good master intrude he MOR. Make place Beare backe there AMO. Knocke that simple fellow there WIT. Nay good sir It is my husband MOR. The simpler fellow hee Away backe with your head sir ASO. Brother you must pardon your non-entry Husbands are not allow'd here in truth I le come home soone with my sister pray you meet vs with a lanthorn brother Be merrie sister I shall make you laugh anon PHA. Your prizer is not readie AMORPHVS AMO. Apprehend your places hee shall be soone and at all points ANA. Is there any body come to answer him Shal we haue any sport AMO. Sport of importance howsoeuer giue me the gloues HED. Gloues why gloues Signior PHI. He distributes gloues What 's the ceremonie AMO. Besides their receiu'd fitnesse at all prizes they are here properly accommodate to the nuptials of my schollers hauiour to the ladie courtship Please you apparell your hands Madam PHANTASTE madam PHILAVTIA Guardian Signior HEDON Signior ANAIDES Gentlemen all Ladies ALL Thankes good AMORPHVS AMO. I will now call forth my prouost and present him ANA. Heart why should not we be masters aswell as he HED. That 's true and
For now we list Of strenuous venge-ance to clutch the fist Subscri CRIS. TVCC. I mary this was written like a HERCVLES in poetrie now CAES. Excellently well threatned VIRG. I and as strangely worded CAESAR CAES. We obserue it VIRG. The other now TVCC. This 's a fellow of a good prodigall tongue too this'll doe wel TIBV. Our Muse is in mind for th' vntrussing a poet I slip by his name for most men doe know it A critick that all the world bescumbers With satyricall humours and lyricall numbers TVCC. Art thou there boy And for the most part himselfe doth aduance With much selfe-loue and more arrogance TVCC. Good againe And but that I would not be thought a prater I could tell you he were a translater I know the authors from whence he ha's stole And could trace him too but that I vnderstand 'hem not full and whole TVCC. That line is broke loose from all his fellowes chaine him vp shorter doe The best note I can giue you to know him by Is that he keepes gallants company Whom I would wish in time should him feare Lest after they buy repentance too deare Subscri DEME. FAN TVCC. Well said This carries palme with it HORA. And why thou motly gull why should they feare When hast thou knowne vs wrong or taxe a friend I dare malice to betray it Speake Now thou curl'st vp thou poore and nasty snake And shrink'st thy poys'nous head into thy bosome Out viper thou that eat'st thy parents hence Rather such speckled creatures as thy selfe Should be eschew'd and shund such as will bite And gnaw their absent friends not cure their fame Catch at the loosest laughters and affect To be thought iesters such as can deuise Things neuer seene or heard t' impaire mens names And gratifie their credulous aduersaries Will carrie tales doe basest offices Cherish diuided fires and still increase New flames out of old embers will reueale Each secret that 's committed to their trust These be black slaues Romans take heed of these TVCC. Thou twang'st right little HORACE they be indeed A couple of chap-falne curres Come We of the bench Let 's rise to the vrne and condemne 'hem quickly VIRG. Before you goe together worthy Romans We are to tender our opinion And giue you those instructions that may adde Vnto your euen iudgement in the cause Which thus we doe commence First you must know That where there is a true and perfect merit There can bee no deiection and the scorne Of humble basenesse oftentimes so workes In a high soule vpon the grosser spirit That to his bleared and offended sense There seemes a hideous fault blaz'd in the obiect When only the disease in his eyes Here-hence it comes our HORACE now stands taxt Of impudence selfe-loue and arrogance By these who share no merit in themselues And therefore thinke his portion is as small For they from their owne guilt assure their soules If they should confidently praise their workes In them it would appeare inflation Which in a full and wel-digested man Cannot receiue that foule abusiue name But the faire title of erection And for his true vse of translating men It still hath bin a worke of as much palme In cleerest iudgements as t' inuent or make His sharpenesse that is most excusable As being forc't out of a suffering vertue Oppressed with the licence of the time And howsoeuer fooles or ierking pedants Players or such like buffon barking wits May with their beggerly and barren trash Tickle base vulgar eares in their despight This like IOVES thunder shall their pride controule The honest Satyre hath the happiest soule Now Romans you haue heard our thoughts With-draw when you please TIBV. Remoue the accused from the barre TVCC. Who holds the vrne to vs ha Feare nothing I 'le quit you mine honest pittifull stinkards I 'le do 't CRIS. Captaine you shall eternally girt me to you as I am generous TVCC. Goe to CAES. TIBVLLVS let there be a case of vizards priuately prouided we haue found a subiect to bestow them on TIBV. It shall be done CAESAR CAES. Here be wordes HORACE able to bastinado a mans eares HORA. I Please it great CAESAR I haue pills about me Mixt with the whitest kind of ellebore Would giue him a light vomit that should purge His braine and stomack of those tumorous heates Might I haue leaue to minister vnto him CAES. O! be his AESCVLAPIVS gentle HORACE You shall haue leaue and he shall be your patient VIRGIL vse your authoritie command him forth VIRG. CAESAR is carefull of your health CRISPINVS And hath himselfe chose a physitian To minister vnto you take his pills HORA. They are somewhat bitter sir but very wholsome Take yet another so Stand by they 'll worke anon TIBV. Romans returne to your seuerall seates Lictors bring forward the vrne and set the accused at the barre TVCC. Quickly you whorson egregious varlets Come forward What shall we sit all day vpon you you make no more haste now then a begger vpon pattins or a physitian to a patient that has no money you pilchers TIBV. RVFVS LABERIVS CRISPINVS and DEMETRIVS FANNIVS hold vp your hands You haue according to the Roman custome put your selues vpon triall to the vrne for diuers and sundrie calumnies whereof you haue before this time beene indited and are now presently arraigned Prepare your selues to harken to the verdict of your Tryers CAIVS CILNIVS MECOENAS pronounceth you by this hand-writing Guiltie CORNELIVS GALLVS Guiltie PANTILIVS TVCCA TVCC. Parcell-guiltie I DEME. He meanes himselfe for it was he indeed Suborn'd vs to the calumnie TVCC. I you whorson cantharides was 't I DEME. I appeale to your conscience Captaine TIBV. Then you confesse it now DEME. I doe and craue the mercy of the court TIBV. What saith CRISPINVS CRIS. O the Captaine the Captaine HORA. My physicke begins to worke with my patient I see VIRG. Captaine stand forth and answere TVCC. Hold thy peace Poet Praetor I appeale from thee to CAESAR I Doe me right royall CAESAR CAES. Mary and I will sir Lictors gag him doe And put a case of vizards o're his head That he may looke bi-fronted as he speakes TVCC. Gods and fiends CAESAR thou wilt not CAESAR wilt thou Away you whorson vultures away You thinke I am a dead corps now because CAESAR is dispos'd to iest with a man of marke or so Hold your hook't talons out of my flesh you inhumane Harpies Goe to do 't What will the royall AVGVSTVS cast away a gent'man of worship a Captaine and a Commander for a couple of condemn'd caitiue calumnious Cargo's CAES. Dispatch Lictors TVCC. CAESAR CAES. Forward TIBVLLVS VIRG. Demand what cause they had to maligne HORACE DEME. In troth no great cause not I I must confesse but that hee kept better company for the most part then I and that better men lou'd him then lou'd me and that his writings thriu'd better then mine and were better lik't and grac't nothing else
nobly then other And wins no lesse on mens affections Then doth his father lose Beleeue me I loue him And chiefly for opposing to SEIANVS SIL. And I for gracing his yong kinsmen so The sonnes of Prince GERMANICVS It shewes A gallant cleerenesse in him a streight minde That enuies not in them their fathers name ARR. His name was while he liu'd aboue all enuie And being dead without it O that man If there were seedes of the old vertue left They liu'd in him SIL. He had the fruits ARRVNTIVS More then the seedes SABINVS and my selfe Had meanes to know him within and can report him We were his followers he would call vs friends He was a man most like to vertue In all And euery action neerer to the gods Then men in nature of a body as faire As was his mind and no lesse reuerend In face then fame He could so vse his state Temp'ring his greatnesse with his grauitie As it auoyded all selfe-loue in him And spight in others What his funeralls lack'd In images and pompe they had supply'd With honourable sorrow souldiers sadnesse A kind of silent mourning such as men Who know no teares but from their captiues vse To shew in so great losses COR. I thought once Considering their formes age manner of deaths The neerenesse of the places where they fell T' haue paralell'd him with great ALEXANDER For both were of best feature of high race Yeer'd but to thirtie and in forraine lands By their owne people alike made away SAB. I know not for his death how you might wrest it But for his life it did as much disdaine Comparison with that voluptuous rash Giddy and drunken Macedon's as mine Doth with my bond-mans All the good in him His valour and his fortune he made his But he had other touches of late Romanes That more did speake him POMPEI'S dignitie The innocence of CATO CAESAR'S spirit Wise BRVTVS temp'rance and euery vertue Which parted vnto others gaue them name Flow'd mixt in him He was the soule of goodnesse And all our praises of him are like streames Drawne from a spring that still rise full and leaue The part remayning greatest ARR. I am sure He was too great for vs and that they knew Who did remoue him hence SAB. When men grow fast Honor'd and lou'd there is a tricke in state Which iealous princes neuer faile to vse How to decline that growth with faire pretext And honourable colours of employment Either by embassie the war or such To shift them forth into another aire Where they may purge and lessen so was he And had his secon'ds there sent by TIBERIVS And his more subtile damme to discontent him To breede and cherish mutinies detract His greatest actions giue audacious check To his commands and worke to put him out In open act of treason All which snares When his wise cares preuented a fine poyson Was thought on to mature their practices COR. Here comes SEIANVS SIL. Now obserue the stoupes The bendings and the falls ARR. Most creeping base SEIANVS SATRIVS TERENTIVS c. They passe ouer the stage I Note 'hem well No more Say you SAT. My lord There is a gentleman of Rome would buy SEI. How cal you him you talk'd with SAT. 'Please your lordship It is EVDEMVS the physitian To LIVIA DRVSV'S wife SEI. On with your sute Would buy you said SAT. A Tribune place my lord SEI. What will he giue SAT. Fiftie sestertia SEI. LIVIA'S physitian say you is that fellow SAT. It is my lord your lordships answere SEI. To what SAT. The place my lord 'T is for a gentleman Your lordship will well like off when you see him And one you may make yours by the grant SEI. Well let him bring his money and his name SAT. Thanke your lordship He shall my lord SEI. Come hither Know you this same EVDEMVS Is he learn'd SAT. Reputed so my lord and of deepe practice SEI. Bring him in to me in the gallerie And take you cause to leaue vs there togither I would confer with him about a griefe On ARR. So yet another yet Ô desperate state Of grou'ling honour Seest thou this Ô sunne And doe wee see thee after Me thinkes day Should lose his light when men doe lose their shames And for the emptie circumstance of life Betray their cause of liuing SIL. Nothing so SEIANVS can repaire if IOVE should ruine He is the now court-god And well applyed With sacrifice of knees of crookes and cringe He will doe more then all the house of heau'n Can for a thousand hecatombes 'T is he Makes vs our day or night Hell and Elysium Are in his looke We talke of RHADAMANTH Furies and fire-brands But 't is his frowne That is all these where on the aduerse part His smile is more then ere yet Poets fain'd Of blisse and shades nectar ARR. A seruing boy I knew him at CAIVS trencher when for hyre He prostituted his abused body To that great gourmond fat APICIVS And was the noted pathick of the time SAB. And now the second face of the whole world The partner of the empire hath his image Rear'd equall with TIBERIVS borne in ensignes Command's disposes euery dignitie Centurions Tribunes Heads of prouinces Praetors and Consuls all that heretofore Romes generall suffrage gaue is now his sale The gaine or rather spoile of all the earth One and his house receiues SIL. He hath of late Made him a strength too strangely by reducing All the Praetorian bands into one campe Which he command's pretending that the souldier By liuing loose and scattered fell to ryot And that if any sodaine enterprise Should be attempted their vnited strength Would be far more then seuer'd and their life More strict if from the citie more remou'd SAB. Where now he builds what kind of fort 's he please Is hard to court the souldier by his name Wooes feasts the chiefest men of action Whose wants not loues compell them to be his And though he ne're were liberall by kind Yet to his owne darke ends hee 's most profuse Lauish and letting flye he cares not what To his ambition ARR. Yet hath he ambition Is there that step in state can make him higher Or more or any thing he is but lesse SIL. Nothing but Emp'rour ARR. The name TIBERIVS I hope will keepe how ere he hath fore-gone The dignitie and power SIL. Sure while he liues ARR. And dead it comes to DRVSVS Should he fayle To the braue issue of GERMANICVS And they are three Too many ha for him To haue a plot vpon SAB. I doe not know The heart of his designes but sure their face Lookes farther then the present ARR. By the gods If I could gesse he had but such a thought My sword should cleaue him downe from head to heart But I would finde it out and with my hand I 'ld hurle his panting braine about the ayre In mites as small as atomi t o'vndoe The knotted bed SAB. You are obseru'd ARRVNTIVS ARR.
to change Although the ayme were our old liberty The ghosts of those that fell for that would grieue Their bodies liu'd not now againe to serue Men are deceiu'd who thinke there can be thrall Beneath a vertuous prince Wish'd liberty Ne're louelier lookes then vnder such a crowne But when his grace is meerely but lip-good And that no longer then he aires himselfe Abroad in publique there to seeme to shun The strokes and stripes of flatterers which within Are lechery vnto him and so feed His brutish sense with their afflicting sound As dead to vertue he permits himselfe Be carried like a pitcher by the eares To euery act of vice this is a case Deserues our feare and doth presage the nigh And close approach of bloud and tyranny Flattery is midwife vnto princes rage And nothing sooner doth helpe foorth a tyranne Then that and whisperers grace who haue the time The place the power to make all men offenders ARR. He should be told this and be bid dissemble With fooles and blinde men We that know the euill Should hunt the Palace-rattes or giue them bane Fright hence these worse then rauens that deuoure The quicke where they but prey vpon the dead He shall be told it SAB. Stay ARRVNTIVS We must abide our oportunity And practise what is fit as what is needfull It is not safe t' enforce a soueraigne 's eare Princes heare well if they at all will heare ARR. Ha Say you so well In the meane time IOVE Say not but I doe call vpon thee now Of all wilde beasts preserue me from a tyranne And of all tame a flatterer SIL. 'T is well pray'd TIB. Returne the lords this voyce we are their creature And it is fit a good and honest prince Whom they out of their bounty haue instructed With so dilate and absolute a power Should owe the office of it to their seruice And good of all and euery citizen Nor shall it e're repent vs to haue wish'd The Senate iust and fau'ring lords vnto vs Since their free loues doe yeeld no lesse defence T' a princes state then his owne innocence Say then there can be nothing in their thought Shall want to please vs that hath pleased them Our suffrage rather shall preuent then stay Behind their wills 't is empire to obey Where such so great so graue so good determine Yet for the sute of Spaine t' erect a temple In honour of our mother and our selfe We must with pardon of the Senate not Assent thereto Their lordships may obiect Our not denying the same late request Vnto the Asian cities We desire That our defence for suffering that be knowne In these briefe reasons with our after purpose Since deified AVGVSTVS hindred not A temple to be built at Pergamum In honour of himselfe and sacred Rome We that haue all his deedes and wordes obseru'd Euer in place of lawes the rather follow'd That pleasing precedent because with ours The Senates reuerence also there was ioyn'd But as t'haue once receiu'd it may deserue The gaine of pardon so to be ador'd With the continew'd stile and note of gods Through all the prouinces were wild ambition And no lesse pride Yea eu'n AVGVSTVS name Would early vanish should it be prophan'd With such promiscuous flatteries For our part We here protest it and are couetous Posteritie should know it we are mortall And can but deedes of men 't were glory inough Could we be truely a prince And they shall adde Abounding grace vnto our memorie That shall report vs worthy our fore-fathers Carefull of your affaires constant in dangers And not afraid of any priuate frowne For publike good These things shall be to vs Temples and statues reared in your mindes The fairest and most during imag'rie For those of stone or brasse if they become Odious in iudgement of posteritie Are more contemn'd as dying sepulchres Then tane for liuing monuments We then Make here our suite alike to gods and men The one vntill the period of our race T' inspire vs with a free and quiet mind Discerning both diuine and humane lawes The other to vouchsafe vs after death An honourable mention and faire praise T' accompanie our actions and our name The rest of greatnesse princes may command And therefore may neglect only a long A lasting high and happy memorie They should without being satisfied pursue Contempt of fame begets contempt of vertue NAT. Rare SAT. Most diuine SEI. The Oracles are ceas'd That only CAESAR with their tongue might speake ARR. Let me be gone most felt and open this COR. Stay ARR. What to heare more cunning and fine wordes With their sound flatter'd ere their sense be meant TIB. Their choise of Antium thereto place the guift Vow'd to the goddesse for our mothers health Fortuna equestris We will the Senate know we fairely like As also of their grant to LEPIDVS For his repayring the Aemilian place And restauration of those monuments Their grace too in consining of SILANVS To th' other Is'le Cithera at the sute Of his religious sister much commends Their policie so temp'red with their mercy But for the honours which they haue decreed To our SEIANUS to aduance his statue In POMPEI'S theatre whose ruining fire His vigilance and labour kept restrain'd In that one losse they haue therein out-gone Their owne great wisedomes by their skilfull choise And placing of their bounties on a man Whose merit more adornes the dignitie Then that can him and giues a benefit In taking greater then it can receiue Blush not SEIANVS thou great aide of Rome Associate of our labours our chiefe helper Let vs not force thy simple modestie With offring at thy praise for more we cannot Since there 's no voice can take it No man here Receiue our speeches as hyperbole's For we are far from flatt'ring our friend Let enuy know as from the need to flatter Nor let them aske the causes of our praise Princes haue still their grounds rear'd with themselues Aboue the poore low flats of common men And who will search the reasons of their acts Must stand on equall bases Lead away Our loues vnto the Senate ARR. Caesar SAB. Peace COR. Great POMPEI'S theatre was neuer ruin'd Till now that proud SEIANVS hath a statue Rear'd on his ashes ARR. Place the shame of souldiers Aboue the best of generalls cracke the world And bruise the name of Romanes into dust Ere we behold it SIL. Checke your passion Lord DRVSVS tarries DRV. Is my father mad Wearie of life and rule lords thus to heaue An idoll vp with praise make him his mate His riuall in the empire ARR. O good prince DRV. Allow him statues titles honours such As he himselfe refuseth ARR. Braue braue DRVSVS DRV. The first ascents to soueraigntie are hard But entred once there neuer wants or meanes Or ministers to helpe th' aspirer on ARR. True gallant DRVSVS DRV. We must shortly pray To Modestie that he will rest contented ARR. I where he is and not
And we must glorifie A mushrome one of yesterday a fine speaker 'Cause he has suck'd at Athens and aduance him To our owne losse No FVLVIA There are they Can speake greeke too if need were CAESAR and I Haue sate vpon him so hath CRASSVS too And others We haue all decreed his rest For rising farder GAL. Excellent rare lady FVL. SEMPRONIA you are beholden to my woman here Shee do's admire you SEM. O good GALLA how dost thou GAL. The better for your learned ladiship SEM. Is this grey poulder a good dentifrice FVL. You see I vse it SEM. I haue one is whiter FVL. It may be so SEM. Yet this smells well GAL. And clenses Very well madame and resists the crudities SEM. FVLVIA I pray thee who comes to thee now Which of our great Patricians FVL. Faith I keepe No catalogue of 'hem Sometimes I haue one Sometimes another as the toy takes their blouds SEM. Thou hast them all Faith when was QVINTVS CVRIVS Thy speciall seruant here FVL. My speciall seruant SEM. Yes thy idolater I call him FVL. He may be yours If you doe like him SEM. How FVL. He comes not here I haue forbid him hence SEM. VENVS forbid FVL. Why SEM. Your so constant louer FVL. So much the rather I would haue change So would you too I am sure And now you may haue him SEM. Hee 's fresh yet FVLVIA Beware how you doe tempt me FVL. Faith for me He is somewhat too fresh indeed The salt is gone That gaue him season His good gifts are done He do's not yeeld the crop that he was wont And for the act I can haue secret fellowes With backs worth ten of him and shall please me Now that the land is fled a myriade better SEM. And those one may command FVL. 'T is true these Lordings Your noble Faunes they are so imperious saucy Rude and as boistrous as Centaures leaping A lady at first sight SEM. And must be borne Both with and out they thinke FVL. Tut I le obserue None of 'hem all nor humour 'hem a iot Longer then they come laden in the hand And say here 's t 'one for th' tother SEM. Do's CAESAR giue well FVL. They shall all giue and pay well that come here If they will haue it and that iewells pearle Plate or round summes to buy these I 'am not taken With a cob-swan or a high-mounting bull As foolish LEDA and EVROPA were But the bright gold with DANAE For such price I would endure a rough harsh IVPITER Or ten such thundring gamsters and refraine To laugh at 'hem till they are gone with my much suffring SEM. Th' art a most happy wench that thus canst make Vse of thy youth and freshnesse in the season And hast it to make vse of FVL. Which is the happinesse SEM. I am now faine to giue to them and keepe Musique and a continuall table to inuite 'hem FVL. Yes and they study your kitchin more then you SEM. Eate my selfe out with vsury and my lord too And all my officers and friends beside To procure moneyes for the needfull charge I must be at to haue 'hem and yet scarce Can I atchieue 'hem so FVL. Why that 's because You affect yong faces onely and smooth chinnes SEMPRONIA If youl 'd loue beards and bristles One with another as others doe or wrinkles Who 's that Looke GALLA GAL. 'T is the party madame FVL. What party Has he no name GAL. 'T is QVINTVS CVRIVS FVL. Did I not bid 'hem say I kept my chamber GAL. Why so they doe SEM. I le leaue you FVLVIA FVL. Nay good SEMPRONIA stay SEM. In faith I will not FVL. By IVNO I would not see him SEM. I le not hinder you GAL. You know he will not be kept out madame SEM. No Nor shall not carefull GALLA by my meanes FVL. As I doe liue SEMPRONIA SEM. What needs this FVL. Goe say I am a-sleepe and ill at ease SEM. By CASTOR no I 'le tell him you are awake And very well Stay GALLA Farewell FVLVIA I know my manners Why doe you labour thus With action against purpose QVINTVS CVRIVS Shee is yfaith here and in disposition FVL. Spight with your courtesie How shall I be tortur'd CVRIVS FVLVIA GALLA Where are you faire one that conceale your selfe And keepe your beautie within locks and barres here Like a fooles treasure FVL. True shee was a foole When first shee shew'd it to a thiefe CVR. How pretty solennese So harsh and short FVL. The fooles artillery sir CVR. Then take my gowne off for th' encounter FVL. Stay sir I am not in the moode CVR. I 'le put you into 't FVL. Best put your selfe i' your case againe and keepe Your furious appetite warme against you haue place for 't CVR. What! doe you coy it FVL. No sir I 'am not proud CVR. I would you were You thinke this state becomes you By HERCVLES it do's not Looke i' your glasse now And see how sciruely that countenance shewes You would be loth to owne it FVL. I shall not change it CVR. Faith but you must and slack this bended brow And shoot lesse scorne There is a fortune comming Towards you Daintie that will take thee thus And set thee aloft to tread vpon the head Of her owne statue here in Rome FVL. I wonder Who let this promiser in Did you good diligence Giue him his bribe againe Or if you had none Pray you demand him why he is so ventrous To presse thus to my chamber being forbidden Both by my selfe and seruants CVR. How This 's handsome And somewhat a new straine FVL. 'T is not strain'd sir 'T is very naturall CVR. I have knowne it otherwise Betweene the parties though FVL. For your fore-knowledge Thanke that which made it It will not be so Hereafter I assure you CVR. No my mistris FVL. No though you bring the same materialls CVR. Heare me You ouer-act when you should vnder-doe A little call your selfe againe and thinke If you doe this to practice on me' or finde At what forc'd distacne you can hold your sueruant That it be an artificiall trick to enflame And fire me more fearing my loue may need it As heretofore you ha' done why proceede FVL. As I ha' done heretofore CVR. Yes when you 'ld faine Your husbands iealousie your seruants watches Speake softly and runne often to the dore Or to the windore forme strange feares that were not As if the pleasure were lesse acceptable That were secure FVL. You are an impudent fellow CVR. And when you might better haue done it at the gate To take me in at the casement FVL. I take you in CVR. Yes you my lady And then being a-bed with you To haue your well taught wayter here come running And cry her lord and hide me without cause Crush'd in a chest or thrust vp in a chimney When he tame crow was winking at his farme Or had he beene here and present would haue kept Both