conuince For still the states that flourish for the time By subiects should b'inuiolable thought And those no doubt commit a monstrous crime That lawfull soueraignty prophane in ought And we must thinke though now being brought to bow The Senate king a subiect Caesar is Th' authoritie that violating now The world must damne as hauing done amisse We will deare Cassius for our countries sake Our selues expose to danger or to death And let vs now aduise what course to take Whilst nought bur th' aire can beare away our breath Cass I thinke this matter needes not many wordes Since but one deede can bound the common shame In Caesars bodie we must sheathe our swordes And by his death our libertie reclame But since his fortune did confound them all That in the fields to match him did beginne Whilst he by thousands made their bands to fall With hoarie legions alwayes vsde to winne As Pompeys Scipioes and Petreius ghosts In lightlesse shades may by experience tell That after th' ouerthrow of their numbrous hosts All famous though infortunately fell And since prouided for the Parthian wrarre His armie in armes attends on his decree Where we sequestred from such forces farre Would if suspected strait preuented be With some few friends whom all things now t' assay A loue to vs or to their countrie bindes We to his wracke must walke another way Whilst ere our tongues our handes doe tell our mindes Now when most high and therefore hated most Th' assembled Senate seekes to make him king We must goe giue the blow before we boast And him to death Rome out of bondage bring Brut. In all this course I onely one thing blame That we should steale what we may iustly take By clothing honour with a cloake of shame Which may our cause thogh good more odious make O I could wish with honourable wounds T' affront Romes enemy in the battells dust No sweeter musicke than the Trumpets sounds When Right and Valour keepe a consort iust Then free if quicke else dead for nought being feard I alwayes once contented might remaine What tombe t' a man more glorious can be rear'd Than mountaines made of them that he hath slaine But how are my transported thoughts growne such That they disdaine a measure now t' admit As bent not what to doe but to do much I on the throne of Glorie striu'd to sit No to the state me from my selfe I giue Free from particular respects t' expose My life and all for it and whilst I liue So that it gaine I care not what I lose I le neuer rest till he for euer rest That giues my country such a cause of griefe And that t' effect no forme I will detest Nor for my fame endanger Romes reliefe But worthy Cassius ere we further doe Let vs the mindes of our familiars feele Of which I hope to haue assistance too Who will not hazard for his countries weale Cass Now whilst my soule rests rauisht in a traunce I thinke I see great Rome her courage raise Bent to beat th' aire with songs th' earth with a daunce And crowne thy vertues with deserued praise ACT. III. SCENE II. Marcus Brutus Portia MY dearest halfe my comfort my delight That onely seru'st to sweeten all my sowres Thou in my bosome vsde t' vncharge thy spright And in my presence sparde afflictions powres Still when domestike broiles disturbde thy rest Whilst by thy selfe thou labord for reliefe Thou with calme wordes disguisde a stormie breast Lest I had bin infected with thy griefe For such of me was thy respectiue care No cause of miscontentment was made knowne But with affections colors painted faire All that might make me glad was gladly showne What makes thee then thy courage thus to lose That thou can looke so sad and in my sight Lend me deere loue a portion of thy woes A burden being diuided doth grow light I see the Roses fading in thy face The Lillies languish Violets take their place Port. Thou hast deere Lord preuented my designe Which was to aske of thee what makes me pale It Phoebus had no light could Phoebe shine No with the cause of force th'effed must faile The mirrour but giues backe as it receiues A iust resemblance of th' obiected forme And such impression as th' engrauer leaues The wax retaines still to the stampe conforme O I 'm the mirrour that reflects thy minde According to the influence of thine eies I take the state in which thy state I finde Such is my colour as thy countnance dies Then how can I reioyce whilst thou art sad Whose breast of all thy crosses is the scroule I am still as thou art if grieu'd or glad Thy bodies shadow th' essence of thy soule On that great planet that diuides the yeares As th' increase of th' inferiour fields depends And as it doth euanish or appeares In th' earths cold bosome life beginnes or ends Sunne of my soule so I subsist by thee Whose course rests to thy secret motions thrall For when thou art from cloudie fortunes free I rise in ioyes but if thou faint I fall Bru. This countnance with my custome but accords That as you know yet neuer from my birth Light gestures vsde ioynd with lasciuious words Nor yet ridiculous fashions that mooue mirth My melancholious nature feedes on cares Whilst smotherd sorrow by a habite smokes A thoughtfull breast that 's burdend with affaires Doth make a silent mouth and speaking lookes As for my palenesse it imports but good Th' abasing of the bodie mounts the mind Where fatnesse com'd from food but serues for food In fattest bodies leanest sprites we finde Ah since I saw th' abhorr'd Thessalian bounds All drench'd with blood of Senators and kings As if my soule yet smarted in their wounds A secret sorrow oftentimes me stings But since thy famous father with strange blowes In the most hideous form affronted death To him my minde a sad remembrance owes Which sorrow shall exact still whilst I breath Yet am I grieu'd t' haue giuen thee cause of griefe That thought some new mis-hap did me dismay To such olde soares it 's worst to giue reliefe But time in end may weare my woes away Por. Why shouldst thou so from me thy thoghts conceale From thine owne soule that in thy bosome sleepes To whom though shewne thou dost them not reueale But in thy selfe more inwardly them keepst And thou canst hardly hide thy selfe from me That straight in thee each alteration spie I can comment on all that comes from thee True loue still lookes with a suspitious eye Rests not within our bosome euery thought Tun'd by a simpathy of mutuall loue Thou marrst the musicke if thou change in ought Which straight by my distemperature I proue Soule of my soule vnfold what is amisse My minde some great disaster doth diuine And euen excuse my couriousnesse in this Since it concernes thy state and therefore mine Brut. I wonder that thou dost thy frailtie
anguish that o're-whelms me so Though many Monarchs iealously despise The rising Sunne that their declining staines And hate the Heire who by their fall must rise As grieu'd to heare of death or others raignes My loue towards Atis otherwise appeard Whom whilst for him I did my cares engage I as a Father lou'd as King not feard The comfort not th' encombrance of mine age And hadst thou Sonne as reason would suruiu'd me Who glauncd and vanish'd like a lightning-flash Then death of life could neuer haue depriu'd me Whilst such a Phaenix had reuiu'd my ash San. Let not these woes ecclypse your Vertues light Croes Ah! rage and griefe must once be at a hight San. Striue of your sorrows for to stop the source Croes These salt eie-floods must flow haue their course San. That is not kingly Croes And yet it is kindly Where passions do domine they gouerne blindly San. Such wofull plaints cannot repaire your State Croes Th' infortunate at least may waile their Fate The meanest comfort can t' a wretch retourne Is in calamine t' haue leaue to mourne San. What graue-browd Stoick voyd of all affections With teare-lesse eyes could that Youths death behold Though greene in yeeres yet ripe in all perfections A hoarie iudgement vnder lockes of gold No no man liues but must lament to see The worlds chiefe hope euen in his blossome choaked But men cannot controll the Heau'ns decree And mischiefe done can neuer be reuoked Then let not this torment your mind no more This crosse with you alike your Countrie beares If wailing could your ruinde State restore Soules fraught with griefe should sayle in Seas of teares Lest all our comfort dash against one shelfe And his vntimely end occasion yours Haue pitie of your people spare your selfe If not to your owne vse yet vnto ours Croes When Sandanis I first thy faith did find Thou diu'd so deepely in my bosorn then That since thou kept the key still of my mind And knew what I conceald from other men Behold I go to open vp to you Deare Treasurer of all my secrets still A mightie enterprise I mind for now A Phisicke in some sort t' asswage my ill Which may vnto my soule yield some reliefe And make me to forgoe sad thoughts content Or els acquire copartners in my griefe If not for me yet with me to lament Sand. This benefite must bind me with the rest To loue your Maiestie and wish you well I 'le giue you my aduise and I protest That you take friendly what I freely tell Croes Since that it hath not pleasde the Diuine powres That of my of-spring I might comfort claime Yet lest the rauenous course of flying howres Should make a prey of my respected name I hope t' engender such a generous brood That the vnborne shall know how I haue liu'd And this no doubt would do my ghost great good To be by famous Victories reuiu'd I 'le Eagle-like so are with Fames immortall wings Vnlesse my hie-bent thoughts themselues deceaue That hauing acted admirable things I may scorne death and triumph o're the graue Yet haue I not so settled my conceate That all opinions are to be despisde Vnfold your iudgement touching my estate Take heed I 'le tell you what I haue deuisde Some Scithian Shepherd in a high disdaine As I haue heard rehearst by true discourses To plague some of the Medes with endlesse paine Did entertaine them with Thiestes courses And to content their more then Tigrish wishes They with the infants flesh the parents fed Who not suspecting such polluted dishes Did in their bowels burie whom they bred Then after this abhominable crime They come vnto my fathers famous court And working on th' aduantage of the time Did as they pleas'd of what was past report They shew'd what seru'd to help and hid the rest Whilst pittie pleaded for afflictions part He noble-minded fauouring the distrest Was woon to them by this Sinonick art San. Oft Kings of Iudges thence haue parties gone Where both their eares were patent but to one Croes Then Ciaxare Monarch of the Medes To prosecute those fugitiues to death In indignation of my fathers deedes Did boast them both with all the words of wrath My father thinking that his court should be A sanctuarie for all supplicants Did leuie men that all the world might see He helpt the weake and scorn'd the mighties vaunts Thus mortall warres on euery side proclaim'd With mutuall domage did continue long Till both the armies by Bellona tam'd Did irke t' auenge or to maintaine a wrong It chanc'd whilst peace was at the highest dearth That all their forces furiouslie did fight A suddaine darkenes courtain'd vp the earth And violentlie dispossest the light I thinke for Phaeton the Sunne lookt sad And that the bloodie obiects that he saw Did wound his memorie with griefe gone mad He from the world his wagon did withdraw Yet Ignorance the mother of confusion With wresting natures course found cause of feares Which well edg'd on by wiser mens illusion Was cause of concord and of truce from teares Then straight there was a perfect peace begunne And that it might more constantly indure Astiages the King of Medias sonne A mariage with my Sister did procure A deadlie rancour reconcil'd againe Must seal'd with consanguinitie remaine Croes He since his fathers age-worne course was ended Hath rulde his people free from blood or strife Till now a Viper of his loynes discended Would by his ruine make himselfe a life I meane by Cyrus base Cambises brood Who by a Bitch nurst with the countrey swaines Degener'd farre from any princely blood The doggish nature of his nurse retaines He come against his Grandfather to feeld And vnexpected with a mightie powre Ouerthrew his forces forc'd himselfe to yeeld Who captiue kept now waits for death each howre That you may see now what my interest is I made recitall of this ruthfull storie Those circumstances shew that shame of his Tends to the derogation of our glorie That any dare presume to trouble thus One whome our kingdomes fauour should defend In strict affinitie combind with vs Yet not respected for so great a friend My ioylesse soule with this will be reioyc'd Whilst I to warre against that rebell go I hope that both shall know how they haue choyc'd Th' one a kind friend and th' other a fearce fo San. Though Natures law you car'd not to transgresse And this your wrong'd allye would not repare Yet the regard t' a Monarch in distresse Should moue the mightie with a mutuall care These terrours to that thunder in your eare I thinke the Lidians will not well allow For when the Cedar falls the Oake may feare Th' Assirians ore-throw may astonish you And when we see our neighbours house afire Then we may iudge our owne to be in danger It 's better first with others to conspire Or we be forc'd our selues t' inuade that stranger Ah this is but the out-side
greedie of his substance boast Whilst th' excrements of th' earth his senses smother What hath he gayn'd but what another lost And why may not his losse enrich another But ah all loose who seeke to profite thus And found their confidence on things that fade We may be rob'd from them they rob'd from vs Al 's grieu'd for th' one as for the other glad Vaine foole that thinkes soliditie to finde In this fraile world where for a while we range Which like sea-waues depending on the winde Ebbes flows calms storms still moouing still in change Each surge we see doth driue the first away The fome is whitest where the Rocke is neare And as one growes another doth decay The greatest dangers oft do least appeare Their seeming blisse that trust in frothie showes In Fortunes danger burthen'd with the Fates First to a full then to confusion growes A secret Destinie doth guide great States But I scorne Fortune and was euer free From that dead wealth that wauers in her power I beare my treasure still about with mee Which neither Time nor Tyrants can deuour Light authour of euents and vaine aduenters Now do thy worst I know how to vndoe thee The way is stop't by which thy poison enters Thou can harme none but them that trust vnto thee And I haue learn'd to moderate my minde Contentment is the crowne of my desires My clothes are course my fare such as I finde He hath enough that to no more aspires What satisfaction doth ouer-flow my soule While as I weigh the world which few hold fast And in my memories vnblotted scroule Iudge of the present by the time that 's past The poore-rich heire of breath that boastes of smoake And come of dust yet of the drosse still thinkes Whilst baser passions doe his vertues choake The soule ouer-ballanc'd with the body sinkes Yet neede I not to loathe the world and liue As one whom stepdame she would never nourish I had a part of all that she could giue My race my house by fame and wealth did flourish And if that I would vaunt of mine owne deedes Faire Cittie where mine eies first suckt the light I challenge might what most thy glory breedes Whose labours both enlarg'd thy fame and might When Salamina vtterly was lost And by the rascall multitude neglected A counterfeited foole I went and crost All their desseignes whose courses were suspected And when I had by pollicie perswaded My country to embrace the warres againe I both by stratagems and strength inuaded That famous I le which vanquisht did remaine Then hauing compass'd that exployt with speede And turn'd in triumph deckt with strangers spoyles No perfect blisse belowe worse did succeede The peace that was abroade bred ciuill broyles What with more violence doth fury leade Then a rash multitude that wants a head The meaner sort could not their minds conforme T' abide at what their betters did commaund Then the weale-publike in a dangerous storme All ioyn'd to place the ruther in my hand I re-vnited that diuided state And manag'd matters with a good successe Which farther kindled had beene quench'd too late That Hidra-headed tumult to suppresse When I had both these glorious workes effected And troad the path of sou'raignty a space The minion of the people most respected None could be great saue such as I would grace Thus carried with the force of Fortunes streame I absolutely acted what I would For the Democratie was but a name My hand the raines did of the Citty hold I might a Tyrant still haue gouern'd so But my pure soule could no such thought conceiue And that ouersight yet made me neuer woe If I may rule my selfe it 's all I craue Yet some that seem'd to be more subtile-witted Saide my base sprite could not aspire t' a crowne And foolish Solon had a fault committed Who would not doe the like in euery towne My minde in this a more contentment findes Then if a Diademe adorn'd my brow I chain d th' affections of vndaunted mindes And made them ciuil that were wilde till now I hardly could rich Citizens entise T' embrace the statutes that my Lawes contain'd What one approou'd another did despise Some lou'd some loath'd eu'n as they thought they gain'd At last at least in shew all rest content Eu'n those that hate me most lend their applause A worthy minde needes neuer to repent T' haue suffered crosses for an honest cause I trauell now with a contented thought The memorie of this my fancie feedes When all their Empires shall be turn'd to nought Time cannot make a prey of Vertues deedes Where seuen-mouth'd Nil from a concealed source Inunding or'e the fieldes no banckes can binde I saw their wonders heard their wise discourse Rare sights enrich'd mine eyes rare lights my minde And if it were but this yet this delites Behold how Croesus here the Lidian King To be his guest vs earnestly inuites The which to some would great contentment bring But I disdaine that world-bewitched man Who makes his gold his God the earth his heauen Yet I will try by all the meanes I can To make his iudgement with his fortune eauen CHORVS What can confine mans wandring thought Or satisfie his fancies all Is ought so great but it seemes small To that tos'd spirit which still af flought Doth dreame of things were neuer wrought And would gripe more then it can hold This sea-inuiron'd centerd ball Is not a bound vnto that minde That minde which big with monsters The right deliuerie neuer consters And seeking here a solide ease to finde Would but melt mountaines and imbrace the winde What wonder though the soule of man A sparke of heau'n that shines below Doth labour by all meanes it can It selfe like to it selfe to show This heau'nly essence heauen would know But married with this masse we see With payne they spend liues little span The better part would be aboue The earth from th' earth cannot remoue How can two contrair's well agree Thus as the best or worst part doth preuaile Man is of much or els of no auaile O from what source can this proceede T' haue humours of so many kindes Each brayne doth diuers fancies breede Al 's many men al 's many mindes And in the world a man scarce findes Another of his humour right There are not two so like indeede If we remarke their seuerall graces And lineaments of both their faces That can abide the proofe of sight If the outward formes then differ as they do Of force th' affections must be different to Ah! Passions spoile our better part The Soule is vext with their dissentions We make a God of our owne hart And worship all our vayne inuentions This brain-bred miste of apprehensions The mind doth with confusion fill Whilst reason in exile doth smart And few are free from this infection For all are slaues to some affection Which doth extorse the senses still These partiall tirants rage the sight
I le tell a tale that may moue stones to teares My Father of the Phrigian Princes come Had in my growing age a tender care That all my education might become One whom he might for mightie hopes prepare As yet foure lusters scarcely had begun For to discerne my sex with downie cheekes When I into that Labirinth was runne Whence back in vaine the straying entrer sheekes I lou'd O fatall loue vnlouely fate The vertuouslie faire yet fairest Dame That euer was enshrin'd in soules conceat Or gaue a dittie to the sounds of fame Straight were my fancies to her beauties tyed None can paint passions but in feeling mindes I burnd freezd hopd dispaird and liud and dyed My actions chang'd as oft as th' Autumnes windes Yet after many doubtfull hopes and feares That I attaind the height of my desires She had subscrib'd a truce vnto my teares And temperd with encountring flames my fires For as she was the most affected Saint Whose image was erected in my thought She had compassion too of my complaint And to acquit my firme affection sought Thus whilst I triumphd in mine owne conceat As one whose loue his Ladie did preferre I was corriuald O vnhappie fate By one who lou'd but was not lou'd by her He looking as I look'd saw what I saw Saw Natures wonder and the worlds delight And as a blind god blind guide did him draw Still like a lizard liu'd but by her sight Then strait he striues the Iewell for to wonne Whose vnstaind worth he rates aboue his breath He hates the light that comes not from my Sunne And thinks to liue without her worse then death And this affection fauour'd was by Fortune Which seem'd to ratifie his high rear'd hopes The Nymph her parents dayly did importune For to confine his flying fancies scopes Now iudge if that my miseries were rife Who threatned thus with eminent mishap Was like to lose a deerer thing then life Whilst others striu'd my treasure to entrap The man that sought my ioyes to vndermine I could not wish for this t' haue him ouerthrowne Nor blame the sprite that sympathiz'd with mine I enuied not his hap but wail'd mine owne Now in my breast a battell did begin Which forc'd my soule with inward wounds to bleede Some fancies fear'd to what his loue might winne And possibilitie for to come speede Then others call'd her constancie to mind Which would not yeeld although she were inuaded Yet forc'd to feare the frailtie of her kind A woman that hath eares may be perswaded Thus toss'd with doubts into a deepe of wo Which with suspition had my ioyes supplanted I blam'd the thoughts that durst accuse her so As vertues patterne had one vertue wanted As I concluded so it come to passe Th' affliction seru'd for fuell to affection For she who th' ornament of women was Would neuer wrong her worth with a defection When in my absence they had oft assay'd To haue me from her memorie remou'd The Sunne burn's hottest when his beames are stay'd The more that they would let the more she lou'd And finding that delay no ende affords And that faire generals are th' abusers Arte She did repell him with disdainfull words To raze all thought of her out of his harte Loue is a ioy that vpon paine depends A drop of sweet drown'd in a sea of sowres What Follie doth begin oft Furie ends They hate for euer that haue lou'd for howres When all his arguments prou'd of no force Strait with disdaine his soule in secret bur'nd And what he thought was euill to make farre worse He vnto furour all his fauour turn'd As he extreamely lou'd farre more he hated And musde of many meanes how to annoy her Which was the best a long time he debated To see her dead or to see me enioy her What saith he when he first had musde a space So hard it is to quench a great affection Shall I disfigure that angelike face And make the world ecclypsde of all perfection Shall she by me be to confusion brought To whom I vowes and prayers did impart To whom I sacrific'd my secret thought And on her beauties altar burn'd my hart Or shall I see her in anothers powre And in his bosome lie t' vpbraid my losse Whilst both with scornefull smiles then death more sowre To poynt me out for sport report my crosse That sight which sometime did me sweetly charme Should it become a cause of griefe to me No none that liue's shall glorie in my harme Since she will not be mine she shall not be Th' unlouing Louer hauing vow'd her death Did with a cup of poison drowne my ioyes The fairest body from the sweetest breath Was parted thus O Ocean of annoyes That Monster Fame whose many mouthes and eares Must know but not conceale a rare thing long And prodigall of ill most chiefly beares The worst newes first inform'd me of this wrong For neighbouring neere the most vnhappy part That had been spoild of such a beeauteous guest No sooner had death seazde on the chaste hart Then sorrow on my eares to rob my rest How the sadde newes first sounded in my soule I will not wearie you with long laments Rage did the outward signes of griefe controule When great windes blow the fire the smoke worst vents Whilst generous disdaine disguisde my griefe As one transported with a mighty rage I ranne vnto the Theater of mischiefe A tragicke Actor for a bloody stage For I was come no sooner to the place Whereas I thought the Murtherer to haue found But I re'ncountred O vnhappie case Too deare a friend to catch an enemies wound Ah passions dim'd mine eyes wrath led my hand I was no more my selfe sorrow had kild me The first t' was night that did before me stand I fiercely did pursue as Furor willd me And as it chanc'd ere one could speake a word I filld his bosome with a luke warme flood And in his kind breast drown'd the cruell sword That in anothers body dranke my blood When as a Torch had partly robde the night Prowd of supposde reuenge ah bitter gaine I saw I knew blacke knowledge cruell sight T' was mine owne brother that my selfe had slaine O bitter losse that nothing can repaire My soule at once with all woes armie wounded Griefe rage spite shame amazement and despaire Gauld tossd burnd dashd astonishd and confounded The thought of my offence torments me most Yet am I whiles by my Loues verdict cleansde And whiles my brothers violated ghost By dreadfull dreames doth boast to be reuengde Croes Now whilst this great disaster did occurre What came of him who was the cause of all Adra. He hauing heard this lamentable sturre Whom selfe-accusing thoughts did guiltie call Srait strucken with a wonderful remorse I wot not whether feare or pitie mou'd him If not t' ore-liue her death or dreading worse He killd himselfe his conscience so disproou'd him Croes I grant the manner of so rare
and lies contryuing This is the griefe that bursts an honest hart Lords fauour commes by chance not by desart Those Minions to whom Princes do extend Aboue their worth immoderate good-will To the disgrace of good men shew in end They onely in prosperity depend Not vpon them but on their Fortune still Which if it change they change thē though they fil Their hopes with honour and their chests with coine Yet if they fall or their affaires goe ill Those whom they rais'd will not with them descend But with th' ascending Sunne wil straight way ioyne And doe forget all that they gaue before For that of them they can expect no more The truth hereof in end now hath th' euent In Bessus and Narbazanes approoued On whom their Prince so prodigallie spent Affection honour titles treasure rent And all that might each honest mind haue mooued So bountifull a Prince for to haue loued Who so beningly tendred their estate Yet they to him vyle traitours now haue proued By them he is in-chain'd disgrac'd and shent So as he well may rue although too late That he such slie Camelions changing hew Prefer'd to seruants dutifull and trew But though a while those traitours speede No doubt the heau'ns once vengeance will exact The very horrour of this haynous deede Doth make the harts of honest men to bleede Yea euen the wicked hate this barbarous act The heauens no hier choller can contract Then for th' invasion of a sacred King Who as it were out of the starres extract Should feare and reuerence inferiours breede To whom from him both health and wealth doth spring But though on earth men should neglect this wrong Heauens will those traitors plague ere it be long ACTVS QVINTVS Scen. I. HEPHESTION ALEXANDER POLISTRATVS He. WHat story or what fable can recorde Of such a nombrous troupe so strangely lost I know they quak'd to know it was my Lord Whose name alone is worth anothers host It scarce seemes credible in many partes But traitors feare though al the world would backe thē They were but bodies destitute of harts Moe prisoners they were then men to take them Who would beleeue so few durst striue to finde So great an armie and the armie shrinkes What is impossible to a braue minde True valour dare attempt all that it thinkes Alex. In this encounter for t' haue had the best It would content more then a common thought But since we want the chiefe what of the rest I would be satisfied in all or nought Those traitours thought t' haue finish'd all the warre With giuing me their Lord whom they had bound But I distrust not mine owne force so farre As for to builde vpon so base a ground Although indeede that Darius did me wrong I will not suffer others to oppresse him I keepe him for my selfe he doth belong To me alone none other should distresse him Whilst he did onely in himselfe confide I labour'd by all meanes to make him bow But since his hard estate abates that pride Turn'd is my fury to compassion now Although he oft contemn'd me by his letter Yet I am greeu'd to see him so deceiu'd If he had but acknowledg'd me his better 'T was not his blood nor kingdome that I crau'd And if those traitours haue not kild him straight Yet his deliuerie shall my name renoune I would not loose a subiect of such waight By which my clemencie might be made knowne Po. Sir now your comming cannot doe him good Al. What al are fled none haue my force withstood Po. Yet Darius cannot be redeem'd againe Al. Why haue they set him free or is he slaine Po. Now hath he got a liberty at last With no lesse ransome then his dearest breath Al. Then is all Asias expectation past Tell on at length the maner of his death Po. The boyling ardour of th' ascending Sunne Had caus'd in me a moysture parching drouth Which made me from the way a little runne To finde some fountaine to refresh my mouth Their where a source her liquors softly scatters Which shaddow'd was from Titans parching beames I coold my thirst with the colde christall waters Which seem'd to murmur that I forc'd their streames When loe I sawe a lamentable sight Two wounded horses drawe a bloody coache All clad with skinnes in most vncomely plight Which narrowlie t' espy I did approach One was within who could not long escape The doubtfull passage of th' infernall gates Yet maiestie triumphing ou'r mishap He seem'd to threaten fortune and the Fates And as not to so basse a fortune borne While all his blood aboundantly deval'd Burst forth into these words in Fortunes scorne As one whose courage could not be appal'd You gaze to see and haue good cause wherefore A man no man a King no King what monster Now lesse then nought who once was both more Which few now by my present state would conster And yet amidst my euils I must reioyce That this last comfort doth fore-goe my end I speake to one that vnderstands my voice And not in vaine my dying-speeches spend I am but how in name but not in pow'r That wretched Darius which I should suppresse Once happy as you heard but at this houre The very patterne of extreame distresse Then a while pawsing after thus proceeded Tell Alexander these last wordes from me Although my hatred still t'wards him exceeded Yet I am forc'd far in his debt to die I thanke him highlie for his great good-will My mother wife and children so preseruing Pray him t' vse them that rest as gently still For his owne goodnesse sake not my deseruing They to his foe pertaine and yet he striues To haue them honour'd now as in times past But those who held of me both lands and liues Of land and life haue me depriu'd at last I pray you on my part entreat him thus Not to permit that vnreueng'd belowe My ghost do wander By his care of vs That men his Iustice and their fault may knowe Beside the honour which he shall acquire In plaguing them that haue betraide my trust Men shall his magnanimitie admire And feare t' offend him whome they finde so iust Loe all my pompe is past my time expir'd My wealth evanished like watrie bubbles Ou'r many a mightie people I impyr'd Yet hath my life beene but a stage of troubles And since my glasse is runne my glory gone And I dead to the world the world to me I wish that all parts of th' earths globe in one May condescend his subiects for to be Then drouping downe faint bloodles and halfe dead He prai'd to giue him water that stood by A small request by such a Monarcke made Which when that he had gote yet ere I die This crosse must come said he t' vndoe me quite Though most parts of the world once homage ought me I haue not now the power for to requite This little benefit that thou hast brought me But Alexander shall
Or else some panicke terror Our iudgement doth bereaue Whilst first we misconceiue And so preiudge the sight Or in the bodies steade The genius of the dead Turnes backe from Stix againe Which Dis will not receaue Till it a while engendring dread Giue whilst it doth on th' earth remaine To others feare and to 't selfe paine These fearefull signes foreshow The doubtfull world t' appall What plagues are to succeede When death had layd him low That first had made vs thrall We heard that strait his fall Our libertie would breede But this prooues no reliefe For many O what griefe The place of one supplie And we must suffer all Thus was our comfort briefe For rarelie doth th' vsurper die But others will his fortune trie ACT. II. SCENE I. Perdiccas Meleager Ptolomie Antigonus Eumenes WHateie not big with teares can view this host Which hath in one ah as the end doth proue A King a Captaine and a Brother lost Crown'd follow'd tride by right for worth in loue I thinke amongst vs all there is not one Whom diuerse fauours do not iustly binde T' appease that Heroes ghost though from vs gone With all th' oblations of a thankfull minde Ah had the Fates beene subiect to my will Such clowdes of sorrow had not darkened life But we had had great Alexander still And he those kingdomes that procure this strife Yet heauens decrees can neuer be recalld And thoughts of harmes past help breede double paine Though being to griefe a space by passions thralld The liuing must embrace the world againe As one whose interest in his life was chiefe I of his death haue cause to curse th' effects But will not frustrate so the generall griefe To waile apart particular respects Though th' aire be plenish'd yet with plaintiue sounds Of widdow'd hopes that wedded haue despaires Yet Time must cicatrize our inward wounds And to the publike weale drawe priuate cares Let vs giue physicke to the sickened state That at this present in great danger stands Whilst grudging subiects that our greatnes hate Would enfranchize their violated lands Those that are thralld by force to be made free Praecipitate themselues in dangers still And this th' instinct of Nature seemes to bee What realme not scornes t' attend a strangers will From forc'd obedience nought but hate proceedes The moe we haue subdude the moe our foes A soueraigne head this states huge body needes That might make vs securely to repose And who more meete t' enioy that great mans place Wh'of those whose states he tooke receiu'd the hearts Then one descended from th' illustrous race Whose birth both worth and right to raigne impartes If heau'n enrich Roxana with a sonne That long'd-for birth a lawfull soueraigne brings And till that course of doubtfull hopes be done Let some appointed be to rule all things Eum. Though Macedonians tuned mindes not scorne That t' Alexander strangers should succeede Can men obey a babe a babe not borne What fancies strange would this confusion breed This could not well become our graue foresight A doubtfull birth t' attend so long in vaine That may b' abortiue and though brought to light Through Natures error made not apt to raigne But if affection carrie vs so farre That of that race we must be rul'd by some Though neither being practiz'd in peace nor warre As those that haue indeede by kinde o'recome Then haue we Hercules the eldest sonne That t' our great Prince was by Barsines borne Who foureteene yeares of age hath else begunne His princely birth by vertues rare t' adorne Ptol. Might not the Macedonians all b' asham'd If rendred vassalles thus t' a barbarous brood What should we beare the yoke that we haue framd To buy disgrace haue we bestowde our blood Our auncestours whose glory wee obscur'd Would get some vantage of their Nephues thus They warrd that peoples wracke to haue procurd And haue we ward to make them Lords o're vs Ah bury this as a'xecrable thing And let this purpose be no more pursude For though they were begotten by our king Yet were they borne of those that we subdude Obraue Leonides I like thy strife That with so few perforrnd so glorious things And death preferrd before th' infamous life That bondage still from a Barbarian brings Those loth'd t' accept a stranger for their Lord And with their blood gaue flame t'an vnknowne feild Yet we would honour them that they abhorrd And though being victors to the vanquish'd yeild For where-to tended that renownd attempt Which makes the Persians yet abase their brow But euen t' our countreys scorne in a contempt To take by force that which we offer now Was this the scope of all our conquersts then Of our owne captiues to be made the prey No let vs still command like valerous men And rule our Empire by some other way May we not vse this policie a space Till better wits some better meanes deuise Lest dangerous discords do disturbe our peace Still when we would of serious things aduice Let a maiesticke Senat gathered be And them amongst the Imperiall chare of state That of th' authoritie all signes may see Then whilst we compasse that respected seate There those that were in credite with the king Whose merits in mens minds haue reuerence bred Shall in their iudgements ballance euery thing How kingdomes should be ruld how Armies led And what the greatest part hath once approu'd To that the rest must oblig'd be t' incline All th' armie by this harmony being mou'd Will execute what euer we designe This concord would proue happy for vs all Since it each state in greatest suretie renders And by this meanes our Macedony shall In place of one haue many Alexanders Eum. Though silence I confesse becomes me best That am a stranger and the lesse beleeu'd Yet since a partner of your toyles I rest I must vnfold my mind a minde that 's greeeu'd And thinke you that a babe repaires our losse How are the deep est iudgements thus beguild This in all Countryes hath bin thought a crosse Wo to that soyle whose soueraigne is a child Nor would these great men as is thought agree They be too many bodies for one minde Ah pardon Ptolomie it can not be This vnion would all disunite I finde Thus would all th' armie from good order swarue When many might forgiue all would offend As thinking well though they did death deserue Ther 's none so bad but some man will defend And when so many kings were in one court One court would then haue many humors too Which fostring factions for each light report Would make them iarre as neighbouring princes doe No let this strange opinion be suppressd Whilst equals all all would vnequall be So that their mindes by iealousie possessd From pale suspition neuer could be free But ah what needs contention at this time T' obscure a matter that was made so cleere And doye now account it for no crime T' impugne his
wil that once was held so deere When that great Monark march'd t' encounter death Whist all his captaines were assembled there And did demand whilst he might vse his breath Whom he himselfe adopted for his heire Then that such doubtfull questions should not need As louing valour more then his owne race He that t' a braue man braue men might succeed Said let the worthiest haue the worthiest place Nor did he speake this in a secret part With Sphinx his phrase a greater doubt t' haue moou'd As breathing thoughts in each ambitious hart To haue his worth in Vulcans furnace proou'd For whilst ye hedg'd the fatall bed about With an vnpartiall care distracted long Then he amongst you all did chuse one out That for so great a burthen seem'd most strong He to Perdiccas did present the ring That vs'd to seale the secrets of the state By which it seemd that he design'd him king Ad so would seize him of the highest seate Thus made this worthy man a worthy choice That no new troubles might the state deforme And all the world now iustly may reioyce That thus preuented was a'mpetuous storme For if this had not been his latest will Ye Mars his Minions should haue liu'd at iarre Whilst emulation amongst equals still Had made the trumpet sound t'intestine warres What huge disorders threatned to burst forth If that our soueraigne had no prince designd That oft hath been a witnesse of our worth And can weigh vertue in a vertuous mind I see consenting signes applaud my speach Rise do Perdicas that which they decree Whilst modestie doth maiestie impeach Though thou crau'st not this crowne this crowne craues thee Meleag. I wonder not though thus Perdicas shrinke T' accept so mighty a charge amidst th' alarmes The Sunne must make Nictimine to winke This Scepter weighes too much for so weake armes The Gods will neuer grant nor men agree That such a one should domineer ouer vs. Though vulgar minds might yeeld his thrales to be Those that his betters are scorne to how thus He prayes vs all Roxanaes birth t' attend Which though it came to passe as some expect He can exchange or cause be brought t'â—n end As bent t' allow all meanes when one effect Thus would he temporize though t' our great scorne Till time assist t' accomplish his designes No kings Perdicas likes but babes vnborne He labours well in vndiscouered mines I need not now insist to tell at large What braue men be amids this martiall band That better do deserue so great a charge Both for their skill and courage to command Yet are the best not worthy to succeede To that rare man that neuer can be match'd Whose memorie must make our mindes to bleed Whose aduersar's for this advantage watch'd But if that great man did consent so soone That our obedience should be thus abus'd Of all that euer he desird t' haue done I thinke this onely ought to be refusd Th' vndanted band whose worth the worlde oft prou'd Then whilst their glorie shin'd through siluer shields By all that monarches merits not being mou'd As conquer'd would haue left the conquer'd fields And if that they contemn'd a princes throne To whom his auncestors their scepter brought What reuerence would they beare to such a one That all this time was as their equall thought To those that ouer their equalles raise their state Aduancement enuie breeds and enuie hate If such with all would rest familiar still This in contempt th' authoritie it brings And if they second not their subiects will Men cannot beare with them as with borne kings Our loftie bands some lofty minde must tame Whose princely birth doth procreate regard Whose countrie may confound each sland'rous claime As one with whom none els can be compar'd Ther 's Alexanders brother Philips sonne That alwayes was a partner of our paine Can there be any else below the sunne Ouer Macedonians that deserues to raigne And I must wonder what so strange offence Hath forfeited his title maim'd his right That any now with a disguis'd pretence Dare wrong him thus euen in his peoples sight Ptol. None needs to wonder much thogh we negle One whose election might procure our shame His mothers basenes Iustice might obiect Whom bastardie secludes from such a claime But yet had nature purg'd the spot she made We with his birth the better might comport Whilst father-like in all affaires he had Giuen proofe of parts that might the state support He falsifies his race of wit so weake That all his inward wants are soone perceiud All of his iudgement in derision speake By which great things can hardly be conceiud And though his body might from paines be sparde Whose constitution is not very strong But with infirmities so farre impairde That it aline cannot continue long Yet since in state he neuer hath bin schoold His ignorance would racke him still with feares Whiles he that rulde still needing to be rulde Spake but with others tongues heard with their eares A inconstant king great confusion makes Whom all mistrust and most amidst a Campe Whilst soft like waxe he each impression takes And doth for friuolous things still change the stampe Ah should our liues depend vpon his breath That of himselfe cannot discerne a crime But doomes by informations men to death Then barren pittie yeilds when out of time Thus whilst some alwayes must his iudgement sway That still doth harbour in anothers head Of Sicophants this prince may be the prey That where they list thauthoritie will leade And being but base that they may be the best Such still will toyle that we may be ore-throwne And some-time may the credulous king suggest To taint our fame lest it obscure their owne What griefe were this tvs whilst such as those Might make their vantage of th all-powrefull breath And that our actions ballancd by our foes Were guerdond with disdaine or else with death Me. Since priuat hopes your iudgement do bewitch I le leaue this counsell where no good can please Come follow me all those that would be rich Few haue regarde poore souldiers of your ease Perd. That shall prooue best which first I went about Thogh some wold wrest my words from what I thought The malice of Meleager now bursts out Like flaming fires that burne themselues to nought Thus naughtie minds that neuer dreame but ill Do conster euery thing t' a crooked sence What I proposde t' aduance our countrey still He would interpret it as an offence And this vnreuerent parting hence of his Hath t'a1l his former wrongs yet added one By his seditious words incens'd ere this The souldiers arc to sacke the treasures gone Ant. Then let vs all of one accord conclude That Alexanders hop'd for race must raigne So shall w'establish still th' annointed blood Whose gouernement both glorie gaue and gaine And let vs now before we part appoynt Who gouerne shall till that the Babe be borne And circumspectly put
Whilst curteous Pompey did things as a friend Thou as a wiseman spake and still foretold To what all Caesars deedes would turne in th' end If that his pride were not in time controlde And had we him as wisely thou aduisde Giuen to the Germans whom he had iniur'd We had not now bin thus like slaues despisde To see Romes glorie and our owne obscur'd But yet I may disbending former cares A space comport with that prowd tyrants powres Age giues assurance by my witherd haires That death will seale my suretie in few howres Yet ye whose youth and sprite might haue attaind Those dignities that Caesar hath vndone O ye haue lost as much as he hath gaind Whose rising hopes must be retrench'd so soone Dec. Though innouations at the first seeme strange Yet oft experience approbation brings And if with vpright thoughts we weigh this change On it the safetie of our cittie hings As in the depths dasht with redoubling waues A ship by different mindes rests more imbroilde So was our cittie plag'd with diuerse lawes By th' all-confounding multitude turmoilde As whilst t 'one sickenesse diuerse drugges are vsde Whose powres repugnant in digestion iarre Th' impatient patients fancies rest confusde So did we long distressd with ciuill warre But now great Caesar from tempestuous windes Romes scattred ruines recollects of late A Pilote meete to calme tumultuous mindes A doctor fit for a distemperd state Ci. The state from storms secure by drowning proues Now whilst despaire doth doubtful feares appease He with the life th' infirmitie remoues Thus is the physicke worse than the disease This commonweale as whiles the world did spie Though some prowd sprites in ciuill warres inuolu'd Yet like blacke cloudes that would obscure the skie Their tumid humours sodainely dissolu'd And no disgrace t' our gouernement redounds But to th' ambitious that had it abusde Who had their powre like Caesars wanted bounds Had whilst they rulde a greater rigor vsde There in all partes are people of all kindes And as aduauncde some bad men did abide Of powre their equalls and of better mindes Some alwayes vertuous were to curbe their pride But since that sacred libertie was lost The publike powre t' a priuate vse one turnes And as his lawlesse wayes did alwayes bost The common weale by violence ore-turnes Dec. Though what you burden Caesar with were true Him of all crime Necessitie hath clear'd That was foes force t' eschew forcde to pursue Whilst by contempt t' attempt gret things being cheerd To th' enemies enuie more oblig'd he rests Then t' his owne wit that no such courses scand Till by being barrd from vsing of requests Not lookt for meanes were offred to command All to mount high his haughtie thoughts did tempt True worth disdaines to suffer open wrong And a great courage kindled by contempt Must by reuenge be quencht whilst rage makes strong Cic. O Decius now a wrong accompt you cast Th' intent and not th' euent defines the minde Treade backe the steppes of all his actions past And at the marke he hit all aym'd we finde As by some sprite inspirde prowd Scilla saide That there in Caesar many Marians were And Rome was warn'd in time to be afraide Of the euill-girded youth with smoothe-comb'd haire Then when as still to quietnesse a foe The memorie of Marius he renewd By re-erecting tyrants statues so His thoughts all bent to tyranny were viewd That people-pleaser might haue bin perceiu'd By curteous complements beneath his ranke That lauishing forth gifts the world deceiu'd And to gaine more than his of his proou'd franke Though nought at all indulgent to his wife By prostrated pudicitie disgracde Yet did he saue th' adultrous Clodius life To soothe the multitude whose steppes he tracde Dec. These be the means by which ambition mounts Without most humble when most high within And as it fled from that thing which it hunts Still wasting most when most it mindes to winne Cic. And he that still striu'd tyrannie t' embrace Was thought conioynd with Catilin to bee And had wise Catoes counsell taken place Had with the rest receiu'd his death by me Yet hauing suncke himselfe in some mens soules He with his partiall faction suting oft Did get the consulship which nought controules And matching pride with powre did looke aloft To flatter them that now must flatter him His powre t' aduaunce vnlawfull lawes preuaild And those to crosse that scornd he so should clime He furnisht was with Force where Reason faild But yet because he could not well b' assur'd T' act all alone according to his will To gouerne Fraunce he craftily procurde So to be strengthned with an armie still As Rome first warr'd at home till being made strong She thought her selfe of powre the world t' orecome So Caesar warr'd against strange nations long Till that he thought his might might conquer Rome Then hauing all that force or fate assignes He cause of discontentment did pretend So to dissemble fore-conceiu'd designes One soone may finde a fault that seekes t' offend But when he first in a prodigious dreame His mother seemde incestuously to vse It might haue shewne to his eternall shame How he the bounds that bare him went t' abuse Dec. And yet I thinke auoyding threatned harmes He was constraind t' imbarke in ciuill broiles Did he not couenant to quit his armes As not desirous of his countries spoiles Cic. Durst he with those that had his charge confind Stand to prescribe conditions as their mate Where t' haue attended and obeyd their minde It was his duetie and their due of late What what durst he whom borne t' obey the law The people all did willingly promote The sword which they bad giuen against them draw When it was sharpned first to cut their throat That had not com'd which all our anguish breedes If he vnforcde when as his charge expirde Till that the Senate censurde had his deedes Had from his prouince peaceably retirde No he hath but betraid his natiue towne Those bands by which she did him first preferre T' extend her borders and his owne renowne Those hath he vsde to tyrannize ouer her My passions ah transported as you see With an excessiue loue to my deere soile Haue made my tongue of my hearts-store too free By flaming forth what in my breast doth boile Dec. That Ceasars part might iustly be excusde Loe with the cause alleadgd his course accords Of which th' humanitie that he hath vsde A testimonie to the world affords Though forcde to fight he alwayes had great care To saue our Cittizens as each man knowes And bade his captaines still all Romans spare But on Barbarians bodies spend their blowes Of th' aduersaries after bloudie strife When of the might haue made some captiues smart Not onelie was he liberall of their life But pardond them still to take Pompeys part Euen at th' infortunate Pharsalian field When he securely might haue vsde the sword He both did spare all
And would to God that I might onely smart So that all others scap'd th' euill that succeeds Then neuer man himselfe from death did free With a more quiet and contented minde Then I would perish if I both could be To Caesar thankefull and t' our countrey kinde But though that great mans grace towards mee enlargde May challenge right in my affections store Yet must the greatest debt be first dischargde I ow him much but to my countrey more This in my breast hath great dissention bred I Caesar loue but yet Romes enemie hate And as Ioue liues I could be mou'd to shed My blood for Caesar Caesars for the state I for my fathers death loathde Pompey long Whilst iust disdaine did boyle within my breast Yet when he warr'd to venge the common wrong I ioynde with him because his cause was best A minde t' vsurpe if Caesar now reueale I will in time precipitate his end Thus being still bent t' aduance the Common-weale I help'd a foe and now must hurt a friend Cass Least of his fauour thou the poyson proue From swallowing of such baites deere friend beware No tyrant trust me can intirely loue Nor none that for himselfe doth only care He by such curtesies doth but intend T' imbase thy vertues vndermine thy minde And thy suspected courage to disbend Yea though with silken bonds he would thee binde This of all tyrants is the common tread To wreake all those in whom most worth he findes Or whilst that terrors tosse his iealous head T' vse subtilties t' amuse the greatest mindes As when we for the Pretorship did striue Then both were held in hope that so deceiu'd We others harmes might studie to contriue Through emulation and disdaine conceiu'd Thus subtill Caesar by such sleights hath toyld To sow dissention that we both may pause Of priuate wrongs and by such means imbroil'd Still courting him neglect the common cause But nought from others must our thoughts estrange That must in time the tyrants course restraine Let other men lament we must reuenge I scorne to beare a sword and to complaine Brut. Though Caesar now I must conspire thy fall My heart towards thee yet neuer harbor'd hate But pardon me who euer make it thrall From bondage Brutus must redeeme the state Of this my course what euer others iudge Heere I protest it is for good design'd My thoughts are guiltie of no priuate grudge For reason and not furie moues my minde Nor is' t ambition that inflames my breast With a prodigious appetite to raigne That when I haue made Caesar Plutoes guest I in his rowme a monarch may remaine No if that glorie did my fancies charme To which blind-folded tyrants doe aspire I needed not to do nor suffer harme But with lesse paine might compasse my desire For if I would but temporize a space Till Time or Death diminish Caesars might He thinkes that I deserue t' enioy his place And I could make my day succeede his night Yet doe I not endeere my selfe so much That I le seeke honor by my countries shame But O I would my zeale to it is such To saue it from reproch seeme worthy of blame Yea so that I may free with honourd wounds My soile than is my soule more deere to me I care not strait to be barr'd from the bounds That at so deere a rate I would set free Cass What man doth breath of Mars his martiall race But will with Brutus sacrifice his blood And chargde with armes ere tyranie take place Dare venture all things for his countries good Can any iudgement be deceiu'd so farre But that it else most cleerely may beholde How that this change Rome greatnes strait will marre And raze the trophees that she rear'd of olde Of olde in Rome all those that once had worne The peace-importing gowne or warrelike shield Of dignities as capable being borne Durst aime at all that libertie could yeeld Those in affaires to deale that would set forth Were not discourag'd by their birth though base And pouertie could not holde backe true worth From hauing honour both by warre and peace Then emulation violently driu'd All gallant mindes t' attempt great actions still That in the loue of venue riualls liu'd Whilst Glorie in their bosomes balme did still Fabricius first was from the plow aduauncde The rudder of the commonwealth to hold Yet by no meanes his priuate wealth enhauncde As rich in vertue still as poore in golde Rude Marius too to match red Mars in fame Forth from the vulgar drosse his race remou'd And loe of Cicero the ridiculous name As famous as the Fabians now hath prou'd Each abiect mind disdaind to be obscure When still preferrement followd loftie cares And that one might by dangers past procure Fame to himselfe and honour to his heires But since that state by Caesar is oreturn'd Whilst all our liues depend vpon ones lips Of breasts that once with loue of glorie burn'd From soaring thoughts this course the feathers clips Aduauncement now attends not on desert But on th' opinion of a flattred minde That to th' applauding hireling doth impart High honours that true worth can hardly finde To these all tyrants most addicted proue Whom without reason they haue raisde too hie As thinking those that stand but by their loue To entertaine the same all meanes must trie Where they whose vertue reapes a due reward Not building onely on th' aduauncers grace Doe by deserts not gaine so great regarde Whilst they maintaine as they obtaine their place And if a worthie man to worke great things Wing'd with th' vsurpers fauors raise his flight The highest course to him most harme still brings That till he fall can not haue leaue to light Those that by force would haue th' affection mou'd When willingly men hold such gallants deare They rage that any should be freely lou'd Whose vertue makes their vice more vile appeare The man that now to be preferrd aspires Must with effronted flatteries seruile forme Still soothing Caesar seale all his desires And in some shadow lurke t' auoyde a storme A number else of that prowd rebells foes Grieu'd to behold th' occasion of their griefe Striue in obscuritie t' entombe their woes So waiting and not working for reliefe But we whose lofty mindes disdaine to lowre As those that seeke but their owne safetie thus When shall we spend an indignations powre That 's worthy of true Romans and of vs Since no indignitie resolu'd t' indure I see our mindes doe simpathize in this Should we by suffering seeke to liue secure Whose action must amend what is amisse No no such abiect thought must staine our breast To cure calamitie but by discourse Whilst but like beasts affecting foode and rest Where men by reason should direct their course Like those of other parts secure from strife If Caesar had bin borne or chusde our Prince Then those that durst attempt to take his life The world of treason iustly might
die By which if I be barr'd t' encounter death Another meanes though farre more strange I le trie For after Brutus none shall see me breathe Brut. Thou for my cause abandon'd others else But now forsakst thy selfe t' adhere to me That of thy passions thus the powre repells And with thy minde discords with mine t' agree I le since by thee approou'd securely goe And vilipend the dangers of this life Heauens make my enterprise to prosper so That I prooue worthy of so worthy a wife But ah of all thy words those grieue me most That bost me with th' abridgement of thy dayes What though I in so good a cause were lost None flies th' appointed fate that for him staies Do not defraud the world of thy rare worth But of thy Brutus the remembrance loue And from so faire a prison breake not forth Till first the fates haue forcde thee to remoue Port. I feare the heauens haue our confusion sworne Since this illage can with no good accord Thou and my father ah should haue bin borne When Vertue was aduauncde and Vice abhorrd Then ere the light of vertue was declinde Your worth had reuerenâ—de bin not throwne away Where now ye both haue but in darkenes shinde As starres by night that had bin sunnes by day Brut. My treasure striue to pacisie thy breast Lest sorrowes but sinistrously presage That which thou would not wish and hope the best Though vertue now must act on Fortunes stage Exeunt Chorus THan libertie of earthly things What more delights a generous breast That doth receiue And can conceiue The matchlesse treasure that it brings It making men securely rest As all perceiue Doth none deceiue Whilst weigh'd with doubts none ballanc'd hings But feard for nought doth what seemes best Then men are men when they are all their owne Not but by others badges when made knowne Yet should we not mis-spending houres A freedome seeke as oft it falles With an intent But to content These vaine delights and appetites of ours For then but being made greater thralles We might repent Our not being pent In stricter bounds by others powres VVhilst feare licentious thoughts appalles Of all the tyrants that the world affords Ones owne affections are the fiercest Lords As Libertines those onely liue That from the bands of vice set free Vile thoughts cancell And seeke t' excell In all that doth true glorie giue From which when as no tyrants be Them to repell And to compell They deedes against their thoughts to striue They blestare in a high degree For such of same the scroules can hardly fill Whose wit is bounded by anothers will That Rome from Tarquins yoke redeemde Who first obtaind And then maintaind Their libertie so deerely lou'd They from all things that odious seemd Though not constraind Themselues restraind And willingly all good approu'd Bent to be much yet wel esteemd And how could such but aime at some great end Whom libertie did leade and glory attend They leading valorous legions foorth Though wanting kings triumph'd ouer kings And still aspird By Mars inspir'd To conquer all from South to North Then lending Fame their Eagles wings They all acquir'd That was requir'd To make them rare for rarest things The world being witnesse of their Worth Thus those great minds that domineer'd ouer all Did make themselues first free then others thrall But we that hold nought but their name From that to which they in times gone Did high ascend Must low discend And bound their glory with our shame Whilst on an abiect tyrants throne We basely attend And doe intend Vs for our fortune still to frame Not it for vs and all for one As libertie a courage doth impart So bondage doth disbend els breake the heart Yet O who knowes but Rome to grace Another Brutus may arise That may effect What we affect And Tarquins steppes make Caesar trace Though seeming dangers to dispise He doth suspect What we exspect Which from his breast hath banish'd peace Though fairely he his feares disguise Of tyrants th' iniurie reuenge affords All feare but theirs and they feare all mens swords ACT. IIII. SCENE I. Decius Brutus Albinus Marcus Brutus Caius Cassius DEare cosin Cassius did acquaint mine eares With a designe that toss'd my minde a space For when strange newes a strangers breath first beares Then should not trust t' each rash report giue place I would not then discouer what I thought Lest he t' entrap my tongue a snare had fram'd Till I with thee t' a conference first was brought Whom he for patron of his purpose namde One should beware to whom his minde he leaues In dangerous times when tales by walles are tolde Men make themselues most miserably slaues Of those to whom their secrets they vnfolde M. Bru. As Cassius tolde thee pittying Romes distresse That t' our disgrace in bondage doth remaine We straight intend what euer we professe With Caesars blood to wash away this staine Though for this end a few sufficient are To whom their vertue courage doth impart Yet were wee loath to wrong thy worth so farre As of such glorie to giue thee no part Since both this cause and that thy name thee binde In this aduentrous band to be comprisde There needes no rhetoricke to raise thy minde That t' execute which thou should haue deuisde D. Bru. I thoght no creature shuld my purpose know But he whose intrest promisde mutuall cares Of those to whom one would his secrets show No greater pledge of trust than to know theirs As when two meet being mask'd though whiles neare frends With them as strangers no respect takes place But when that friendship one of them pretends Then th' other likewise doth vncloude his face So as thou first I le now at last be bold My breast with the same birth long great hath gone Yet I t'another durst it not vnfolde Nor yet attempt to compasse it alone But since this course of which I long did pause On such great pillars now so strongly stands Whose countanaunce may giue credite t' any cause It hath my heart and it shall haue my hands C. Cass T' our enterprise propitious signes are sent So that the gods would giue vs courage thus For all that euer heard of our intent Would willingly engage themselues with vs Let other men discourse of vertuous rites Ours but by th' action only should be showne Bare speculation is but for such sprites As want of powre or courage keepes vnknowne In those that Vertue view when crown'd with deeds Whose beauties through the glasse of glory shinde Sh'a violent desire t' imbrace her breedes As th' adamant to th' yrne being to the minde What though a number now in darkenesse lies That are too weake for matters of such weight We that are eminent in all mens eies Let vs still hold the height of honour straight M. Br. Whilst that our faction might be strangthned thus I labord much to purchase all their powres Whom