against the truth you haue an easie foe For in the world all that are hers can neuer currant goe Vnder the next good shaddow your deform'd excesse Yet shall your masked arts and hornes your clouen feet expresse Wherby your beauties be so priz'd among your owne As they will blush for yours by name or nature to be knowne Againe take all the world if it one soule content Then freely let Mankinde beleeue you are omnipotent But if your Legions here doe in their glories raue Tormented while they liue on earth and much more in the graue If to be nothing be the best that could be fall Your subtile Orbes to reall beings then must needs be thrall And so proue to the good but like those showres of raine Which while they wet the husbandman yet multiply his gaine Actus quartus Scena prima King Celica KIng Celica thou only child whom I repent Not yet to haue begot thy worke is vaine Thou run'st against my Destinies intent Feare not my fall the steepe is fayrest plaine And error safest guide vnto his end Who nothing but mischance can haue to friend We parents are but Natures nursery When our succession springs then ripe to fall Priuation vnto age is naturall Age there is also in a Princes State Which is contempt growne of misgouernment Where loue of change begetteth Princes hate For hopes must wither or grow violent If fortune binde desires to one Estate Then marke Blinde as a Man Scorn'd as a King A Fathers kindnesse loath'd and desolate Life without ioy or light what can it bring But inward horrour vnto outward hate O safety thou art then a hatefull thing When childrens death assures the fathers State No Safe I am not though my sonne were slaine My frailty would beget such sonnes againe Besides if fatall be the heauens will Repining adds more force to destinie Whose iron wheeles stay not on fleshly wit But headlong runne downe steep Necessity And as in danger we doe catch at it That comes to helpe and vnaduisedly Oft doe our friends to our misfortune knit So with the harme of those who would vs good Is Destinie impossibly withstood Celica then cease importune me no more My sonne my age the state where things are now Require my death Who would consent to liue Where loue cannot reuenge nor truth forgiue Celica. Though feare see nothing but extremity Yet danger is no deep sea but a Ford Where they that yeeld can only drowned be In wrongs and wounds Sir you are to remisse To Thrones a passiue nature fatall is King Occasion to my sonne hath turn'd her face My inward wants all outward strengths betray And so make that impossible I may Celica. Yet liue Liue for the State King Whose ruines glasses are Wherin see errors of my selfe I must And hold my life of danger shame and care Celica. When feare propounds with losse men euer choose King Nothing is left me but my selfe to lose Celica. And is it nothing then to lose the State King Where chance is ripe there counsell comes too late Celica by all thou ow'st the Gods and me I doe coniure thee Leaue me to my chance What 's past was errors way the truth it is Wherein I wretch can only goe amisse If Nature saw no cause of suddaine ends She that but one way made to draw our breath Would not haue left so many doores to death Celica. Yet Sir if weaknesse be not such a sande As neither wrong nor counsell can manure Choose and resolue what death you will endure King This sword thy hands may offer vp my breath And plague my lifes remissenesse in my death Celica. Vnto that dutie if these hands be borne I must thinke God and Truth but names of scorne Againe this iustice were if life were lou'd Now meerly grace since death doth but forgiue A life to you which is a death to liue Paine must displease that satisfies offence King Chance hath left death no more to spoile but sense Celica. Then sword doe Iustice office thorough me I offer more than that he hates to thee King Ah! Stay thy hand My State no equall hath And much more matchlesse my strange vices be One kinde of death becomes not thee and me Kings plagues by chance or destinie should fall Headlong he perish must that ruines all Celica. No cliffe or rocke is so precipitate But downe it eyes can leade the blinde a way Without me liue or with me dye you may King Celica and wilt thou Alaham exceed His crueltie is death you torments vse He takes my Crowne you take my selfe from me A Prince of this falne Empire let me be Celica. Then be a King no Tyrant of thy selfe Be and be what you will what nature lent Is still in hers and not our gouernment King If disobedience and obedience both Still doe me hurt in what strange state am I But hold thy course It well becomes my blood To doe their parents mischiefe with their good Celica. Yet Sir harke to the poore oppressed teares The iust mens moane that suffer by your fall A Princes charge is to protect them all And shall it nothing be that I am yours The world without my heart within doth know I neuer had vnkinde vnreuerent powers If thus you yeeld to Alahams treacherie He ruines you 't is you Sir ruine me King Celica Call vp the dead awake the blinde Turne backe the time bid windes tell whence they come As vainly strength speakes to a broken minde Fly from me Celica hate all I doe Misfortunes haue in blood successions too Celica. Will you doe that which Alaham can not He hath no good you haue no ill but he This Marre-right yeelding's honors Tyranny King Haue I not done amisse Am I not ill That ruin'd haue a Kings authority And not one King alone since Princes all Feele part of those scornes wherby one doth fall Treason against me cannot treason be All lawes haue lost authority in me Celica. The lawes of power chain'd to mens humors be The good haue conscience the ill like instruments Are in the hands of wise authority Moued diuided vsed or layd downe Still with desire kept subiect to a Crowne Stirre vp all States all spirits hope and feare Wrong and reuenge are currant euery where King Put downe my sonne For that must be the way A fathers shame a Princes Tyrannie The Scepter euer shall misiudged be Celica. Let them feare rumor that doe worke amisse Blood torments death horrors of Cruelty Haue time and place Looke through these skinnes of feare Which still perswade the better side to beare And since thy sonne thus trayterously conspires Let him not prey on all thy race and thee Keepe ill example from posterity King Danger is come and must I now vnarme And let in hope to weaken resolution Passion be thou my Legacie and Will To thee I giue my life Crowne reputation My pompes to clouds and as forlorne with men My strength to women hoping this
and multiplies the spirits Care and desire doe vnder anguish cease Doubt curious is affecting piety Woe loues it selfe feare from it selfe would flie Doe not these trembling motions witnesse beare That all these protestations be of feare Celica. If ought be quicke in me moue it with scorne Nothing can come amisse to thoughts forlorne Alah. Confesse in time Reuenge is mercilesse Celica. Reward and paine feare and desire too Are vaine in things impossible to doe Alah. Tell yet where thou thy Father last didst see Celica. Euen where he by his losse of eyes hath wonne That he no more shall see his monstrous Sonne First in perpetuall night thou mad'st him goe His flesh the graue his life the stage where sense Playes all the Tragedies of paine and woe And wouldst thou trayterosly thy selfe exceed By seeking thus to make his Ghost to bleed Alah. Beare her away deuise adde to the racke Torments that both call death and turne it backe Celica. The flattering glasse of Power is others paine Perfect thy worke that heauen and hell may know To worse I cannot going from thee goe Eternall life that euer liu'st aboue If sense there be with thee of hate or loue Reuenge my King and Fathers ouerthrow O Father if that name reach vp so high And be more than a proper word of Art To teach respects in our humanity Accept these paines wherof you feele no smart Actus quartus Scena Quarta King Alaham KIng What sound is this of Celica's distresse Alaham wrong not a silly sisters faith 'T is plague enough that she is innocent My child thy sister borne by thee and me With shame and sinne to haue affinity Breake me I am the prison of thy thought Crownes deare enough with fathers blood are bought Alah. Now feele thou shalt thou ghost vnnaturall Those wounds which thou to my heart then didst giue When in despite of God this State and me Thou did'st from death mine elder brother free The smart of Kings oppression doth not die Time rusteth malice rust wounds cruelly King Flatter thy wickednesse adorne thy rage To weare a Crowne teare vp thy Fathers age Kill not thy sister It is lacke of wit To doe an ill that brings no good with it Alah. Goe lead them hence Prepare the funerall Hasten the sacrifice and pompe of woe Where she did hide him thither let them goe King O God! who mad'st those lawes which this Wretch breaks Let parents blood this curse vpon him bring That he who of a child breakes all respect May in his children finde the same neglect CHORVS QVARTVS of People LIke as strong windes doe worke vpon the Sea Stirring and tossing waues to warre each other So Princes doe with Peoples humors play As if Confusion were the Scepters mother But Crownes take heed when humble things mount high The windes oft calme before those billowes lie When we are all wrong'd had we all one minde Whom could you punish what could you reserue Againe as hope and feare distract mankinde Knew Kings their strength our freedome were to serue But Fate doth to her selfe reserue both these With each to punish other when it please Grant that we be the stuffe for Princes art By and on it to build their Thrones aboue vs Yet if Kings be the head we be the heart And know we loue no soule that doth not loue vs Mens many passions iudge the worst at length And they that doe so easily know their strength With bruit and rumor as with hope and feare You lay vs low or lift vs from our earth You trie what nature what our States can beare By law you bind the liberties of birth Making the People bellowes vnto Fame Which vshers heauy doomes with euill name Kings gouerne People ouer-racke them not Fleece vs but doe not clippe vs to the quicke Thinke not with good and ill to write and blot The good doth vanish where the ill doth sticke Hope not with trifles to grow popular Wounds that are heal'd for euer leaue a scarre To offer People showes makes vs too great Princes descend not keep your selues aboue The Sunne drawes not our browes vp but our sweat Your safest racke to winde vs vp is Loue To maske your vice in pompes is vainly done Motes lie not hidden in beames of a Sunne The stampe of Soueraignty makes currant Home brasse to buy or sell as well as gold Yet marke the Peoples standard is the warrant What man ought not to doe and what he should Of words we are the Grammar and of deeds The haruest both is ours and eke the seeds We are the glasse of Power and doe reflect That Image backe which it to vs presents If Princes flatter straight we doe neglect If they be fine we see yet seeme content Nor can the Throne which Monarchs doe liue in Shaddow Kings faults or sanctifye their sinne Make not the Church to vs an instrument Of bondage to your selues of libertie Obedience there confirmes your Gouernment Our Soueraignes Gods Subalternes you be Else while Kings fashion God in humane light Men see and skorne what is not Infinite Make not the end of Iustice Checquer-gaine It is the Liberality of Kings Oppression and Extortion euer raigne When Lawes looke more on Scepters than on things Make crooked that line which you measure by And marre the fashion straight of Monarchie Why doe you then prophane your Royall line Which we hold sacred and dare not approach Their wounds and wrongs proue you are not diuine And we learne by example to encroch Your Fathers losse of eyes foretells his end By craft which lets downe Princes we ascend How shall the People hope how stay their feare When old foundations daily are made new Vncertaine is a heauy loade to beare What is not constant sure was neuer true Excesse in one makes all indefinite Where nothing is our owne there what delight Kings then take heed Men are the bookes of fate Wherein your vices deep engrauen lye To shew our God the griefe of euery State And though great bodies do not straightwaies die Yet know Your errors haue this proper doome Euen in our ruine to prepare your tombe Actus Quintus Scena Prima Alaham alone ALaham. Chance now congratulates This is indeed A Princely worke and fashions nature new To sacrifice the liuing to the dead And with reuenge be to a Kingdome led My father brother sister and my King All slaine for me Obedience Duty Loue Your followers to such height when do you bring Now Hala's Present this Triumphant Robe Shewes all Estates things reall humors lawes Yea Wiues themselues owe homage vnto might Iustice in Kings cannot be definite Hala who stroue by strength of wit and passion To change inforce deceiue or vndermine Me as a Man yet to a Princes place Humbles her pride and striues to purchase grace When I ordain'd this maske and first decreed A specious death for Prince and Parent too I felt once tendernesse that euill weed Which some call
iustice silence best contents Hala. Rumor must needs be borne of doing mindes Enuy is but the smoke of low estate Ascending still against the fortunate Alaham. I feare the cariage it hath many parts And Hazards courses may finde ouerthwarts Hala. My shame is equally engag'd with yours Intents ill carried are that men may know When things are done let rumor freely goe Alaham. Great works doe oft yeeld grieuous accidents Which stirre vp peoples rage beyond intents Hala. People are superstitious caught with showes To power why doe they else their freedome giue But that in others pompe these shadowes liue Alaham. O blessed yoke that vnder reason drawes The pleasant load of well-vnited loue Thy counsell as mine owne I doe approue Hala. Then send the Priest To me bequeath the rest For superstition hides ill meaning best Actus Tertius Scena Quarta Hala Nutrix HAla. And is he gone Rage then vnprisoned be I like thee well While Alaham was there Thou then didst vse thy violence on me Now prey abroad swell aboue all respect Feare nothing if notorious thou wilt raigne Thy glories shine when euery one complaine What now A child And do'st thou idly walke The beaten pathes of common cruelty A iudge and no reuenger then am I If thou no more than his offences be While Caine did liue thou thought'st of more than this Shall death desire hope fame and fortunes lost Such fading Trophies haue Can thankfulnesse abound And shall offense Not feele Reuenge hath her magnificence Rage now thou art aboue the Orbe of doubt Where danger dangerlesse appeares to thee Diuine I pray thee what shall fall to me Must I be slaine Nutrix Monstrous I know this womans nature is The worst she still her selfe she now exceeds That dares scarce trust her selfe with that she breeds Hala. Well! now I feele thee rise when I admire When hills haue clouds let all the vallies feare Scorn'st thou to make examples out of him Hast thou found out his children They are mine Proud horrour Do'st thou chuse the innocent False conqueror of nature do'st thou moue A womans spite to spoyle a mothers loue Rage shall we striue which shall giue other place Nutrix Hala suppresse you need not kindle Rage Hala. Well! On So that like ruine I may fall And ruine him take children me and all Nutrix Hala distract haue senses lost their vse Hala. Is there a third that traffiketh abuse Nutrix I bring you pietie dutie reason loue Water to quench these flames that passions moue Hala. Throw on enough No Sea can quench this flame And then what cannot quench doth but inflame Nutrix For whom doe you this sumptuous storme prepare Hala. For whom are wiues estates inioyn'd to care Nutrix Is malice currant where respect is due Hala. Power doth what likes in her inferiors moue As we are sess'd so pay we hate or loue Nutrix What fault in him mou'd these effects in you Hala. Thoughts are too strict much lesse can words containe The venome of his malice is too deepe For any power but Reuenge to keepe Nutrix Then Rage is lost For there is nought in man That equall paine with such offenses can Hala. Be that the gage Mans senses barren were If they could apprehend but what they feele Ills doe with place like Numbers multiply The liuing dead malice affection feare My wombe and I doe his affliction beare Nutrix Will you destroy your owne Hala. My owne are his Nutrix Infamous act Hala. Rage doth but now begin Nutrix Canst thou doe worse Hala. Else to my selfe I sinne Life is too short horrour exceeds not faith That cannot plague offences after death Nutrix Ah! Calme this storme these vgly torrents shunne Of Rage which drowne thy selfe and all besides Hala. Furies no more irregularly runne But arted Teach confusion to diuide Nutrix If kinde be disinherited in thee Yet haue compassion of this Orphane State Hala. That is the worke which men shall wonder at For while his ruin'd are yet mine shall raigne His heires but yet true issue vnto Caine Nutrix These works on Princes ruines must be built Hala. For my reuenge no baser blood is spilt Nutrix What force can Princes forces ouer-beare Hala. That force which makes their pride it cannot feare Nutrix How enters malice where there is mistrust Hala. With tribute into State to Kings with lust Nutrix What way to these Hala. Prosperity successe Nutrix These adde more power Hala. So much suspect the lesse Nutrix What can you adde Hala. Presents obedience praise They need not knocke to enter in that please Nutrix Flatteries are plaine Hala. To Kings that see their ill Nut. Kings iealous are Hala. Of truth not of their will Nutrix Vsurpers feare Hala. Worth not humilitie Kings errors are our Agents in their hearts Their priuate passions wound their publike States Time hath her arguments and place her Arts This day he doth consummate all his ioy Glory now at the Full is not suspitious And what addes to his pompe shall him destroy A Crowne and Mantle of most curious worke I haue prepar'd euen with Egyptian skill And poyson him in pleasing him I will Nutrix My spirits fayle Hala. Till Alahams ills doe tremble Horrour is faint Rage doth but Rage resemble Depart keep secret and be not dismayd Vnperfect works cannot their glories show This goodly World did from a Chaos grow Exit Nutrix Now Caine For whose reuenge I only liue Inspire thy ghost to multiply in me More sense to make my senses more enrag'd More loue to make loues losses more in thee Double my wit beyond my strength engag'd Open all lights of possibility Let griefe which yet keepes companie with death Breake forth and poyson all things with her breath Actus tertius Scena quinta Priest Hala PRiest Madame whom men obey and God doth heare What zeale remorse or charity doth moue Your heart The King leaues all things to your loue Hala. Caine who of late did liue to both vs deare 'T is true did fayle and for his fault is slaine Our hearts are eas'd as hauing lost their feare The rites of humane duties yet remaine A Kings belou'd he was sometimes our friend Which must appeare in honour of his end Such royall Piles as for the Princely race Are made a sacrifice vnto the skie In honor of that God which gaue them place Such sumptuous Piles make But more cost bestow Because both iust Reuenge and Loue they show Summon the Mufti and Soothsayers all The Persian Magi Christian Starre-Diuines The first to sing alike his faith and fall The last to tell how higher power inclines In short Reuenge and Loue shine in those fires Powre on all pompe that magnifies desires As if at once by crosse mortality The Prince and Princely line were dead in one Let mourning and deuotion to the skie Be offred vp in pompe and publike mone Magnificence is Princely mystery All great Estates by great expence are knowne Prepare
excesse Let no cost be forgot It makes men wonder though they honour not Musicke to fix the wandring spirits race And sweeten Enuies thoughts in vnity That sorrow and deuotion may haue place Remorse and pittie flow and multiply Lights of all kindes the light of day shut out For darknesse so enammeld is deuout Exit Priest Vnhappy state of Priesthood here below Who haue to doe with curious Atheisme With sinne in flesh and in the Church with schisme Our office is an holy mystery To teach Kings God and euery Subiect King How one obedience doth another bring But what boots truth to flesh or lawes to might Beleefe a wonder is Obedience woe And shall we Priests that vnder Princes liue Striue in our selues with vice abroad with might And like the hands which winnow rich mens gaine Grow poore in all but only woe and paine No No The eyes of Priests looke euer low To finde the key of power that is aboue When that is found all faults beneath we know But Maiesty hides faults as well as loue And though these rites of Princely funerall By lawes diuine should not prophaned be With lesse than with descents of Maiesty Yet Caine more Princely by thy Princes grace Shall be thy tombe than euer Princes was CHORVS TERTIVS A Dialogue of Good and Euill Spirits THe Good What is your scope vaine Ghosts would you o'rebuild the skie Were not mens Many tongues and minds their Babel-destinie Your beings discords are and what can they create But disproportion which is still the fairest marke of fate The Ill. Are you afrayd poore Soules Else why doe you descend To question or conferre with vs to whom you are no friends Who feare their owne Estates doe commonly first speake As they againe put goodnesse on who find their party weake We doe but what we did which is increase our might And as on earth so in the ayre cry downe your borrowed light The Good What can you winne of vs that must be as we were Whereas you exiles out of heauen can hope for nothing there The Ill. We that were as you are know well what you can be Where you that neuer were like vs what can you in vs see The Good That you haue first destroyed your selues and are ordain'd To scourge curse and corrupt that earth which you boast to haue gain'd The Ill. Why did not you defend that which was once your owne Betweene vs two the odds of worth by odds of power is knowne Besides Mappe clearly out your infinite extent Euen in the infancy of time when much was innocent Could this world then yeeld ought to enuie or desire Where pride of courage made men fall and basenesse rais'd them higher Where they that would be great to be so must be least And where to beare and suffer wrong was vertues natiue crest Mans skinne was then his silke the worlds wild fruit his food His wisdome poore simplicity his Trophies inward good No Maiesty for power nor glories for mans worth Nor any end but as the plants to bring each other forth Temples and vessells fit for outward sacrifice As they came in so go they out with that which you count Vice The Priesthood few and poore No Throne but open ayre For that which you call good allowes of nothing that is faire No Pyramis rais'd vp aboue the force of Thunder Nor Babel-walles by Greatnesse built for Littlenesse a wonder No Conquest testifying wit with courage mixt As wheeles whereon the world must runne and neuer can be fixt No Arts or Characters to read the great God in Nor stories of acts done for these all entred with the sinne A lasy calme wherein each foole a pilot is The glory of the skilfull shines where men may go amisse Till we came in there was no triall of your might And since we were in men your selues presume of little right Then cease to blast the earth with your abstracted dreames And striue no more to carry men against affections streames Nay rather tempt and proue if long life make them wise That must to haue their beauties seene put out all fleshly eyes Or when they be no more Eternall then to be Neglect the ioy and glorious vse of times felicity Cast out these thinne-weau'd lines and catch some little flyes The greater spirits which are ours feele not these nimble eyes In Alaham for instance plead your power or right Entise him from a mortall Crowne with your Crowne infinite Proue if he will forbeare vnnaturall Parricide To see who in the sea of humors shall the Scepter guide Trie if proud Hala will forget the death of Caine And reconcil'd in dutie with her owne Lord liue and raigne Moue Celica that spirit reputed for your owne To see if she to saue her life would haue her fame vnknowne Worke Zophi that poore soule though blinde to leaue his breath We only make things cheape or deare as Lords of life and death Lastly perswade the King to liue and saue his Crowne And all the world shall see we rayse and wee pull Princes downe So that your beings here are but a tincture cast Like crests vpon the Egypt Pharos to disguise not last Besides take from the world that which you reckon Sinne And she must be as at the first for euer to beginne A glorious spacious wombe fram'd to containe but one Since he that in it will be yours is sure to be alone Keepe therefore where you are descend not but ascend For vnderneath the Sun be sure no braue State is your friend The Good What haue you wonne by this but that curst vnder Sinne You make and marre throw downe and raise as euer to beginne Like Meteors in the ayre you blaze but to burne out And change your shapes like Phantom'd clouds to leaue weake eyes in doubt Not truth but truth-like grounds is that you worke vpon Varying in all but this that you can neuer long be one Then play here with your art false miracles deuise Deceiue and be deceiued still be foolish and seeme wise In peace erect your Thrones your delicacie spread The flowers of time corrupt soone spring and are as quickly dead Let warre which tempest-like all with it selfe o're-throwes Make of this diuerse world a stage for blood-enammeld showes Successiuely both these yet this fate follow will That all their glories be no more than change from ill to ill So as with peace or warre if you adorne one realme In both through other Climes againe you runne with barren streame Rest no where therefore but still wander as you doe And restlesse be they as you are that shall receiue you too Giue Alaham more scope to multiply his error With parents blood adorne his Throne more guilt still adds more terreur Let Hala's wicked heart for all ill births a wombe By violence of passion make for many vices roome Let ill example in to staine the Christian Nation The same excesse destroyes at last which first gaue reputation Conspire
Dutie others Natures Lawes Should I haue lost a Crowne for such applause No No Each State peculiar wisdomes hath The way of Princes is to hide their mindes For else each slaue will suddenly descrie Our inward passions which they trafficke by Remisnesse did in me no sooner moue And only by a pawse it selfe expresse But straightway they diuin'd remorse or loue And instantly drew arguments from both As if distraction to resolue were loth But like a Sultan mixing power with art When I made good my will and only said Sirs doe your charge This intermittent passion Is but the print of naturall affection The seat of Iustice is aboue compassion Straight as if Furies breath had fild these bladders With cruell hearts their charge they vndertooke And euer after made my will their booke Who gouerne men if they will stay aboue Must see and scorne the downfalls of selfe-loue Nay marke againe what glory Order yeelds Where euery spirit is fitted to his roome Did not distresse these weake Ghosts well become At which fine playes of Chance and intercession Did I relent Or had I any sense But in the glories of Omnipotence These Scepter-mysteries Kings must obserue Or not be Kings Are priuate vertues such Want great Estates no other strengths but those Which make them for good words good fortune lose As Dogges their kennels these their graues did frame 'T was crafty power that gaue such lawes to fame Away they went rich in selfe-pitties smoke No hope of praise but by their forme of death Nor of reuenge but in the Peoples breath While I ascending roame to looke about And in the strength of confidence and power Behold the vnprosperities of doubt But harke What mournfull harmonie is this In dole my Triumphs are What sounds are these Change is thy nature both to grieue and please Confused Echo's whither doe you flye Or whence proceed From grudge or from applause Except my will craues Mankinde any lawes Solemnity inferres the worke is ended Yet heare I noyse that showes vnquiet motion As from their ashes some new worke intended Now shall we know Behold I see one come Whose looks bring woe and horrour from that Tombe Actus quintus Scena secunda Nuntius Alaham NVntius Distract confus'd are all my inward spirits Griefe would complaine yet dares not speake for feare Horrour the place of wonder disinherits Caines next of kinne so willingly to die For pompe and honor to his funerall The flesh to couet that which flesh doth fly This wonder went I to the Pile to see As costly glories of the vanity In stead of these I saw the veyles of Power Practise and pompe specious hypocrisie Rent from her face euen while she did deuoure I saw those glorious stiles of Gouernment God Lawes Religion wherein Tyrants hide The wrongs they doe and all the woes we bide Wounded prophan'd destroy'd Power is vnwise That thinkes in pompe to maske her Tyrannies Looke where he stands a Monster growne within Still thirsty and yet full with Parents blood Both man and Tyrant dearly vnderstood Alaham. Hath meeke deuotion finished her worke Tell what their manner was and how they died That to the dead would thus be crucified Nuntius The fire though mercilesse yet sometimes iust Hath done his part deuoured but refin'd Perform'd thy will and yet deceiu'd thy trust Alaham. Speake plaine What threatning mysteries be these Nuntius Echos they be of murmurs which possesse The hearts of men against Powers wickednesse The first which burnt as Caine his next of kinne In blood your Brother and your Prince in State Drew wonder from mens hearts brought horror in This innocent this soule too-meeke for sinne Yet made for others to doe harme withall With his selfe-pitty teares drew teares from vs His blood compassion had his wrong stirr'd hate Deceipt is odious in a Kings Estate Repiningly he goes vnto his end Strange Visions rise strange Furies haunt the flame People crie out Echo repeats his name These words he spake euen breathing out his breath Vnhappy weaknesse neuer innocent If in a Crowne yet but an instrument People obserue this fact may make you see Excesse hath ruin'd what it selfe did build But ah the more opprest the more you yeeld The next was he whose age had reuerence His gesture something more than priuatenesse Guided by one whose stately grace did moue Compassion euen in hearts that could not loue As soone as these approched neare the flame The winde the steame or furies rays'd their vayles And in their lookes this image did appeare Each vnto other life to neither deare These words he spake Behold one that hath lost Himselfe within and so the world without A King that brings authority in doubt This is the fruit of Powers misgouernment People my fall is iust yet strange your fate That vnder worst will hope for better State Griefe roares alowd Your Sister yet remain'd Helping in death to him in whom she died Then going to her owne as if she gain'd These mild words spake with lookes to heauen bent O God! 'T is thou that suffrest here not we Wrong doth but like it selfe in working thus At thy will Lord Reuenge thy selfe not vs The fire straight vpward beares the soules in breath Visions of horror circle in the flame With shapes and figures like to that of death But lighter-tongu'd and nimbler-wing'd than fame Some to the Church some to the People fly A voyce cries out Reuenge and Liberty Princes Take heed Your glory is your care And Powers foundations Strengths not Vices are Alaham. What change is this that now I feele within Is it disease that workes this fall of spirits Or workes this fall of spirits my disease Things seeme not as they did horror appeares What sinne imbodied what strange sight is this Doth sense bring backe but what within me is Or doe I see those shapes which haunt the flame What summons vp remorse Shall Conscience rate Kings deeds to make them lesse than their Estate Ah silly ghost is 't you that swarme about Would'st thou that art not now a father be These body lawes doe with the life goe out What thoughts be these that doe my entrailes teare You wandring spirits frame in me your hell I feele my brother and my sister there Where is my wife There lacks no more but shee Let all my owne together dwell with me Actus quintus Scena tertia Hala Alaham HAla. Wife Is that name but stile of thy remorse Must I goe where thy silly parents be Thou yet but feel'st thy selfe thou shalt feele me A King And in a Throne built out of blood The ashes of your owne must giue you power Glutton Ambition now thy selfe deuoure Looke in thy Conscience that vnflattering glasse See there the wounds of Caine thy wrongs to me Death triumphs now And I doe giue it thee Caine here beginnes to liue whilst thou do'st feed Vpon the poyson that thy wife deuis'd Thy debter yet but stay I will exceed
Now warre thy selfe a King with Kings must warre We are too base for friends or enemies For lusts vse not for loue we women are All paines of death my selfe in Caine did feele And shall my rage aspire but to be iust What is but once be long in doing must Alaham. Infernall wombe receiue thy right Of old This body was thine owne before I was Obey my father brother sister me I gaue their ghosts they must giue mine to thee They call I come It was my sinne alone That gloried many wayes to tyrannize For all the doomes of ill let me suffice Hala. My Griefe doth yet but roame it selfe in sense Hala is more Rage multiplies with vse These doe but mourne I must reuenge abuse Euen through thy sense will I send in thine owne This child that by thee liu'd shall in thee die In this will Caine and I possesse thy Throne Alaham. Ah powerfull God! why do'st thou Thunders spend By chance or without vengeance on the plants Since it is Man not Trees that doth offend Sirs teare the roofe perfect the worke of Power I haue no being while she there doth sit Subiect in sexe but King in rage of wit Hala. Women Behold our sex I now improue Malice were vaine if Kings could it subdue This rage reuiues the dead restores my loue Alaham. Is this Ormus Or is Ormus my hell Where only Furies and not Men doe dwell The poyson works I feele my spirits faint I must beseech my Power is but complaint Yet Wit thou know'st what euery Power can doe Be Strength to me Can Mothers kill their owne Selfe-loue will spare them Why should I request Words doe inflame But ah it Hala is I must intreat Her malice keepes no fashion Though she haue all that all is but one Passion If I intreat doth sense show where to wound I owe it mine doth that giue malice Power Ah God! What shall I doe that both within and out Authority haue lost Vnused to request Yet must and will Yet euen in doing know Impossible addes but more scorne to woe Hala I doe with Nature begge for thine Harme me alone thy Husband and thy King Horror hath her degrees there is excesse In all Reuenge that may be done with lesse Hala. Beyond the rule of Law but not of Loue This child was borne this not in Loue but Law Before thy wrongs I had my passions free And in reuenge shall ought else limit me Alaham. Innocent thine owne too yong for hate or feare His death doth only execration beare Hala. In him thou art in him I plague my lust Where Sense and Law were traytors to affection Beare children only but to Caine I must Alaham. Disease or Griefe I know not which or both Languish my powers Hala some respite giue Spare him a while I haue not long to liue Hala. Hala make haste to multiply this wretch I must haue both his sense and iudgement free 'T is horror not disease that honors me All you superiour Powers which from aboue Behold this earth and earthly mischiefes rod Cast hence your eyes These works are but for two For him that suffers and for me that doe Hala then on that Alaham may enrage Enrage thou first New married now am I Remorse doth but for men in ambush lie She mistaking kills Caines childe Alaham. Earth Stand'st thou fast vnder this vglinesse And fal'st not downe to that infernall deepe Which feares perchance worse than it selfe to keepe Eyes close your liddes There is no more to doe Yet know you haue seene that before you die Which no Age will beleeue One worse than I Hala. Ah curst Mortality So soone put out And haue I lost the glory of Reuenge If Fame find greater as she goes about This blood that bloody throte should haue deuour'd Rage lack'd in this Where is the place for scorne Since woes be dead in him as soone as borne Flesh is too brittle mould for braue excesse yet let these scraps giue nourishment to Fame Since Loue and Rage this modell may expresse She findes her error But what is this Wake I or doe I dreame If chang'd with whom or into whom am I Doth Horror dazell sense or multiply What world is this Where 's Alaham where my Sonne Caine rise and tell what Furies raised be Do'st Thou remaine aliue And art Thou dead Who did this deed None answers It was I Verses here doe lengthen And am I thus misted to lose Child Husband Fame Honor Reuenge my Caine my Harmes and Fury too And cannot harme my selfe that those harmes to me doe Must I forgiue thee Hala that none else forgiue Scarce trembling doth my heart conceiue this hatefull deed Doe eyes behold this worke and neither weepe nor bleed Shall I complaine of Heauen where fooles lay selfe-despaire Or Hell shall I inuoke which ill hath euery where Shall I remaine aliue and turne my rage to woe Shall I distinguish Guilt where Chance doth ouerthrow Is Caine no more Is it no more to loue Hath Hala's hate made many hearts to bleed Vpon the ruines of her loue to feed Furie art thou so long in getting vp Aboue the mists of poore selfe-pittie Teares Shall Rage be still a prisoner vnder feares Looke here is death Return'st thou me remorse Heere my belou'd Can sighs recall him backe Here him I loath Can scorne become his wracke My selfe yet liue Must Fury burne without These were in me May Nature liue in one What 's due to death Euen Rage that growes to doubt Come Infant Here is Empire Let vs liue This worke is mine Hell thankes and enuies me And loe her Spirits before I come I see Discord Sedition Rage you Furies all Possesse againe the State where you beganne The Woman you 'T is we deceiue the Man Enter vpon this large infernall wombe Repay your selues this mould did make you all Why doe you stay Leade me the way I come Flesh is too weake it hath satietie Lust intermittent here and Furie poore Rage hath respects Desires here weary be Leaue Man this meane Let vs liue in excesse Where power is more although the ioyes be lesse This Child is none of mine I had no part Beare him I did with loathing not desire My wombe perchance did yeeld but not my heart With Alaham his father he must dwell I will goe downe and change this Ghost with hell This Tragedy called Alaham may bee printed this 23. of Iune 1632 Henry Herbert THE SPEAKERS NAMES SOLIMAN MVSTAPHA ROSTEN ACHMAT ROSSA. ZANGER CAMENA BEGLARBY NVNTIVS PRIEST
plucke downe States to put vp priuate lawes Whom fame enobles while she would destroy Honor hath many wings Chance hath no bookes Who follow treade but where men trode before Who giue example still are something more Beare witnesse yet yee good and euill spirits Who in the ayre inuisibly do dwell That these strange pathes I walke of vglinesse Are forc'd by threatning gulfes of treacherie Nourisht by States and Times iniurious Nor is it sinne which men for safety choose Nor hath it shame which men are forc'd to vse Heli. What be these agonies indefinite These sudden changes secret violent Both argue euill lucke and ill intent Alah. That which I most did hate and least did feare Is fall'n Nature cares not for natiue blood I wickedly must doe or mischiefe beare I must no more be or no more be good Heli. How growes this change Reueale this secret work Both cures and wounds doe oft together lurcke Alah. Heli you know the time when this fraile King Languish'd and wanton'd in a powerfull throne Sent to the gods to learne what should befall Hauing but peace and wealth to doubt withall Their answer was My fathers eldest sonne Must be a sacrifice for this Estate And with his blood wash out the doome of fate The Basshas swoll'n by vse of ruling Kings Presume on God and what by Gods decree Was death by theirs must onely exile be And proud againe with this vniust successe A second error on the first they build And he that liues against the heauenly doome Must now not liue but raigne yet only raigne To put downe me they feare for him they scorne Is innocency to no other borne And must my right and Royall blood abide Traytors to be my Lords the dead my King Is honor to so many masters tied Shall I not liue except I scorned liue Well where the choice is left to kill or dye The best Estates doe but in hazard lie Heli. T' is rashnesse to commit our right to chance Alaham. T' is madnesse at the worst to feare mischance Heli. Vnfold this factious clowdie mysterie What cannot help yet will experience be Alaham. The dayes be fresh when all the world in hate With Mahomets supreme authority The Basshas idly liu'd no forme of State Obseru'd no Councells held no Maiesty Weake spirits did corrupt the strong did cast Worth withered vp craft only was in trust The Court a farme strange ominous ill signe When publike States to priuatenesse encline Such was my fathers frayle simplicity As wanting iudgment how to stand alone He passion-ledd could loue and trust but one The world saw all was nought yet I saw feare Would while it murmur'd mischiefs councells keepe So blind are men or with respects a sleep Enuy wrought more in me and made me know This passion in the King which did aduance Mahomet aboue the reach of ouerthrow Had counter-passions change inconstancy For wit and malice possibility I stir'd the King with enuies of his slaue For great Estates inlarge not little harts My charge suspitious which no answer haue Power still concluding all in euill part With Kings not strong in vertue nor in vice I knew truth was like pillars built on ice Factions besides I in the Basshas mou'd And in their diuers witts my malice cast Conspiracy with good successe I prou'd For Kings are easily ledd away with many That hearing all want strength to iudge of any Thus we exil'd him with pretence of State Whom it is true I for my selfe did hate But now when Mahomet was banisht hence His fellow Bässha's fond of Gouernment To rule their Prince with his name they intend And ruine heires yet seeme successions friends For while I by my brothers exile stood They hide their mindes to vndermine the more And much to me in pittie thinges they leaue That craft in good apparell might deceiue Heli. Their craft and power against you thus combui'd How could you shunne or worke the Basshas so As they might leaue to seeke your ouerthrow Alaham. I found their crafte and made my good of all Some I did winne the rest I did disgrace Euen binding them by what they gaue to me So great the scopes of braue ambition be Nor staid I here but as a man in doubt To trust this tickle art of men too farre Where many witts to one kept subIect are I forthwith sought on fewer heades to lay This wardshippe of the King effeminate A farre lesse seruile course for me that meant To steale in change into this Gouernment This made me thinke of Caine whose spirits I saw Officious were already entred grace Pleasant and fit to multiplie a place The scruple that diuided him and me Was feare he did too much possesse my wife With priuate scorne I waigh'd with publike ends And saw who will not see needs no amends For he to hide his fault straight puts on faith And care of me a badge of seruile lust Which euer iniure those it pleaseth must In him I did accept the sacrifice Of ruling him that rul'd this wauing masse Who cannot beare what can he bring to passe Now though by him the present state I gain'd Yet to my after-ends this gaue no ayde For their foundations only were by fame On peoples loues and wonders to be layd How little Princes fauors help the same They know that marke what feet men goe withall Who while they rise in grace in credit fall The people then it was that I must seeke A future not a present vse of power Not strength establish'd but a strength to change To all but onely those who worke it strange With this Caines place had no Affinity It presage being of a Kingdomes fall When Kings trust any one to gouerne all His nature lesse for it Monarchall was Sharpe narrow-humor'd only fit to rise By that which people hate Crowne-flatteries Since nature therefore cannot change her face To thinke one fit for all were foolishnesse To force an instrument experience feares Since wit may take of each the fruit it beares Of Mahomet I then bethought my selfe Whose absence pittie had And as in sects The present errors doe prepare a place For masked change to shew her pleasing face So did the hate of present Gouernment Forget his faults as they forget their wounds I saw that he alone did fit my ends Occasion mother is of truest friends My ends were not to broyle the present State Nor leaue obedience in my fathers dayes But after he was dead to dispossesse My brother whom the heauens did depresse Chance wrought me good lest it should worke me feare I meant to goe beyond the wayes of spite Both stay and winne the world with Mahomet For who can stirre are fittest meanes to let My father I did moue remou'd and sped Feare made him pittifull and folly kinde In passions Orbe most patient to be led Each argument begat another minde Doubt had no memory offence was dead Distresse seem'd safety likelinesse did binde For in these captiue
wits borne to be thrall Who sees one thought beyond them seeth all Mahomet returnes But whether deeply shrin'd Within the hollow abstracts of his heart His malice lay or that ambitious kinde Be easie for it selfe from all to part Respect to me and honour layd behinde Finding this King to be but humors art He takes his soule and miracles he showes Restores the lost th' establish'd ouerthrowes My elder brother whom the Gods fore-spake Lawes had depriu'd exil'd and men forgot He straight calls home and dares to vndertake That which audacity beleeueth not Ah! Error of good meaning apt to trust For want of ill enough I perish must And am I borne for duties sacrifice To watch for change of times or Gods reuenge Is patience scorne and hazard yet vnwise No No Confusion raignes despaire is it That now makes chance a God and danger wit Inflam'd distract confus'd put out of feare I am Visions I feele of better hopes arise Malice and rage whose heats had barrennesse Are with ambition of reuenge made wise Birth chance occasion right good fortunes be To some and wrong can all these be to me Heli. Alaham I grant these trialls be seuere But know temptation is misfortunes spie To worke in resolution change or feare Attend your fathers death still hold you there Before to vndermine a Monarchy Is hard Besides iudge you your own intent For such your brother is in this to you As you before vnto your brother were He hath his owne and you liue out of feare Alaham. Who measures hopes and losses by the truth Goes euer naked in this world of might Mine be the Crowne my brothers be the right Heli. Will you exceed his mischiefe whom you blame Alah. When euill striues the worst haue greatest name Heli. Goodnesse is only at the greatest best Alaham. Those mischiefes prosper that exceed the rest Heli. Thou art but one for all a sufferer be Alaham. That one is more than all the world to me Heli. Faults to the State all priuate faults exceed Alaham. My wounds then heale when all the earth doth bleed Heli. Let father moue thee Pittie thou the State Alaham. Father descending kindnesse signifies Our State is there where our well-being lies Heli. Fame euer liues and euer will defame The ruine of thy father and his Crowne Alaham. They euer prosper whom the world doth blame Shame sees not climing vp but falling downe Heli. Yet feare thy selfe if fame thou doest not feare Reuenge falls heauie when God doth forbeare Alaham. Men only giddie be that be aboue And will looke downe to doubts when they be there Shall name of King o'erthrow a Kings Estate Hath publike good no friend Shall priuate feare Of one weake man make all vnfortunate No No deare Heli I Gods Champion am And will my father for a while depose Lest he the Kingdome we the Church doe lose Heli. Alaham If hands you on your father lay For priuate ends and make the Church your stayres By which you clime your owne ambitious way Your glory will be short and full of feares Since nothing for the Church is done amisse And nothing well done that against her is Alaham. So be the God eternall my beleefe As I my father from his State depose Only for feare the Church should honor lose But Heli Iudge not things with common eyes The Church it is one linke of Gouernment Of noblest Kings the noblest instrument For while Kings sacred keepe her mysteries She keepes the world to Kings obedient Giuing the body to obey the spirit So carrying power vp to infinite But here with vs the discipline is stain'd Forme lost truth scandaliz'd with noueltie Louingnesse with craft and faith with Atheisme Honor and zeale with curiosity The worst best vs'd shame carrying honors face And Innouation king in euery place Downe must these ruines to be set vpright Misfortune peec'd growes more vnfortunate And parents Lawes must yeeld to Lawes of State Heli. Then see the means For though the end were good Yet for a priuate man to change a State With Monarchs sleights to alter Monarchie Seemes hard if not impossible to me Alaham. Impossible is but the faith of feare To make hope easie fetch beliefe elswhere Yet lest these sparkes rak'd vp in hollow hearts Should spread and burne before their fury show Keepe on the course which you haue vs'd to goe Preach you with firie tongue distinguish might Tyrants from Kings duties in question bring Twixt God and man where power infinite Compar'd makes finite power a scornfull thing Safely so craft may with the truth giue light To iudge of Crownes without enammelling And bring contempt vpon the Monarchs State Where straight unhallowed power hath peoples hate Glaunce at Prerogatiues indefinite Taxe customes warres and Lawes all gathering Censure Kings faults their spies and fauourites Holinesse hath a priuiledge to sting Men be not wise bitternesse from zeale of spirit Is hardly iudg'd the enuy of a King Makes people like reproofe of Maiesty Where God seemes great in Priests audacity Thus keep a good For be he true or no Mixt faith so workes on mans idolatrie That minds in bonds bodies delight in woe Religion carrying men aboue respect For what thing else can stand in selfe neglect And when mens mindes thus tun'd and tempted are To change with arguments 'gainst present times Then hope awakes and mans ambition climes Heli. What hope can blot the feare of Princes power Alaham. Taxes and scornes of Basshas gouernment Which vnder Kings make present times still sowre Hope leades the ill and they the innocent Heli. These hopes are poore For feare is with thē mixt Alaham. All feares are weake where any hope is fixt Heli. Dissolue t is true you may with enuy feare Craft treacherie contempt neglect Not build these sands will no foundation beare These engines are to ruine not erect Will you a father can you a King throw downe Alaham. Or suffer that the Christians weare his Crowne Heli. The Christians with what faith or policy Can you call in Such remedies are ill For what they conquer that enioy they will Besides the force lies in Caine Basshas hands In Mahomet wealth law and gouernment What way to them Alaham. My wife their mutuall trust These Basshas with themselues she shall betray Arts of reuenge are written downe in lust What cannot women doe with wit and play Heli. Who would bestow his wife in works of shame Alaham. They that thinke ought more deare than honest name Good fortune doth in humors market sit And those that buy must sell all else for it Heli. The shame is sure the good in hazard lies Alaham. Such staires they clime that vnto fortune rise Opinion raignes without and truth within Who others please against themselues must sin Exit Heli. You spirits then growne subtile by your age Not you that doe inhabite Paradise Whose constant ioyes most vnacquainted be With all affections that should make you wise No I inuoke that blacke
I seeke reuenge thou preachest pietie Caine. More easie motions gentle hearts receiue His fault was great yet you may haue redresse In State and honor without such excesse Hala. Excesse the reason is and meane of loue And in the same excesse is malice ioy'd I would be safe and yet haue him destroy'd Caine. If leaue or left the fate of kindnesse be By his example what becomes of me Hala. If blinde to all but to it selfe be loue Whence doe your vowes or whence this question moue Since the true state of true affection is Wonder at others worth Faith without hire Vnwearied Paine vnrecompens'd Desire Caine. Great hearts thus giuen away in prison are Their strength their bands and good beleefe their smart Loue neuer seuers reason from the heart Nala. My shame againe then unto me impart Restore my faith and I doe render thee Those faithlesse vowes which thou hast made to me For since I see the spungie hearts of men Their hollowes gladly fill with womens loue And nothing yeeld to them vncrusht againe What nature workes 't is folly to complaine Mahomet that wretch hath done me iniurie He left my loue and he my life hath sought Caine Line at ease fame is an idle breath My body is enough 'twixt thee and death Caine. Distract I am my reason like a cloud Before a winters storme rides here and there Like reedes my thoughts are straight and crooked too With diuers breaths which diuers passions blow Against the streame of truth must loue still goe Resolv'd I am that Mahomet shall die Hala. Shame spake this word danger appeares not yet Time like a med'cine will asswage this paine And feare perchance bring backe good will againe Caine. It is not I that liue in me but you Whose will hath fashion'd all my thoughts anew Hala. Then on When thoughts vnite all care is ceas'd The heart vnfetter'd and the hope increas'd Out of his death I see occasion borne To greater power than needs to couer scorne For he the Iustice rules you rule the Warre His death diuided powers will vnite And in a broken course where dangers be Only the Crowne can put off miserie Caine. Farre be it off our hopes should be so vaine Our secret loue already tempteth God To warre him more with infidelity Would hasten vengeance and make sharpe his rod Hala. God made strict lawes for vertues exercise An idle word a wish transgresseth them Yet in a Throne remorse hath glorious eyes Alaham doth vndermine the present State When he corrupted hath the peoples faith Thou hast the sword authority makes way Her hand is next when Crownes become a prey Caine. We God and man will first trie with the death Of Mahomet If that doe passe for good Hope easily makes occasion vnderstood Hala. The end agree'd the meane is yet in doubt Caine. By sword Hala. That will be easie to descrie Danger to misse and hard to doe without Caine. By poyson then wherof though doubts may grow What one alone may doe is hard to know Hala. It often failes For instruments are base Slaues haue too slauish hearts a Basshas name Is like a superstitious hallowed place Men must be forc'd or wise that force the same Caine. By these two hands that will not faile their heart It shall be wrought If poyson misse the sword shall compasse it When chances often scape at last they hit Hala. Fortune and Loue Both Gods of humane might You like aduenture see it rightly plac'd You liue in kindnesse see it not disgrac'd Exit Caine. What I haue vow'd both God and Nature hate My heart misgiues my soule doth prophecie That euill thoughts procure an euill fate But ah my loue I gaue and it gaue me The choice is past Thoughts now must thinke to doe Not what I freely am but forc'd vnto Actus secundus Scena quarta Mahomet Caine MAhomet Who euer haue obseru'd the worke of spirits May see how easily men slide downe to ill The world hath strange examples false delights Which make our senses nets to catch our will Who then with men for euery fault falls out Must hate himselfe and all the world about Behold the man I speake of doth appeare Retire aside stand close marke what succeeds His owne destruction or else mine he breeds Caine what is it that thus your minde distracts Counsells of honour alter not the face Hearts only thinke with paine of doubtfull acts Caine. In care they liue that must for many care And such the best and greatest euer are Mah. They purchase care vnto themselues that know The weight of care and yet will it imbrace If care be grieuous why vsurpe you so Caine. I liue but to obey the Princes will Mahomet That is to cherish Prince in their ill For they must flatter good and euill too That vnder Princes all alone will doe Caine. As sweetest vapors couet to the skie So faith and dutie after Princes runne Ill nature neuer can indure a Sunne Mahomet Flatterie so like in all to dutie showes But finelier drest in diligence and care As Kings best plea'sd that most deceiued are Caine. Harsh spirit hates them that do not hate with it Miscensures all the world to seeme seuere Bindes honestie and truth to haue no wit These ill-fac'd vertues not of nature be But peeuishnesse true honors enemie Mahomet A iust seuere and vniuersall care Of people shorne by Princes fauorites To spies of Tyrannie vnpleasing is Which euer like ambitious Adamants So fast from people draw to Princes States As in the end they must draw vp their hares Caine then take heed of your selfe-seeking plot Engrossing offices aspiring all For it offends euen those it toucheth not Nor is it only this that hazards you Ill neuer goes alone if fame say true Caine. Is fame to censure vs that liue aboue And must sell iustice if we purchase loue Mahomet Fame is the peoples voyce to tell their griefe Appealing from inferiors to the chiefe If falsely you and Hala fame abuse Infamie for nothing men vnwisely chuse If fame speake truth which you would not haue knowne Grieue to deserue but not to beare your owne Caine. What doe I that the world can well reproue Mahomet Vniustly suffer or vniustly loue Caine. Suffer I doe for infamie is there Where either malice enuie is or feare Loue I confesse I doe And what is it But natures taxe layd vpon good intent For right and honor vnto excellent Mahomet Reason must iudge of loue not loue of it Else shall loue ground of euery mischiefe be For murther theft adultery and spite Are but loue of reuenge and others right Ah Caine my heart is rackt with inward griefe Iustice hath partie there and so hath loue They both haue wounds and yet they both haue life The one suppressing what the other moues I will speake plaine Hala thou do'st abuse And stayn'st the Princes line with seruile lust Wherin proud courage match'd with guiltinesse Adds wrong to wrong and
to or'e-build complaint Affects that greatnesse which makes faults seeme lesse Caine weigh thy course Ambitions gilded spheres Are like to painted hells which please the eyes Euen while they shew the heart where horror lies Her gilded Throne built on the ruine is Of Fame of true Religion and of Law The labor 's great that all the world must draw The second place which with this King you hold Yeelds feare vnfearfull greatnesse well secur'd Who stand or fall with Kings stand well assur'd Where men that wrongfully aspire a Crowne While they looke vpward euer tumble downe Besides thy bloudy plots discouer'd be To worke my death did not the Powers aboue Restraine both ill mens malice and their loue Caine. Let this beare witnesse No false prophets know The time or manner of their ouerthrow Mahomet Nay let thy life in his power thou wouldst kill Proue God giues seldome good successe to ill Behold Euen Natures iust accusing spies Now make thy face blush forth thy guiltinesse Remorse begets strange contrarieties Confusions warre of good and ill I see At once contending for the victorie But Caine hold fast these sparks they be of truth These smokes will passe and light appeare againe Shame past is honor Error is vertues booke Where knowledge doth aboue temptation looke Caine. What vgly musicke inward discords make Thoughts layd asleepe of long doe now appeare Euen halfe my power coniures me for his sake What 's this Me thinkes I feele my shame grow deare Hate of my selfe and desolation breed Where ioy and pleasure I was wont to feed Mahomet Who lose their euils lose their owne despaire Out of which losse new hopes of honor rise To show the world desire with better eyes Caine. What can I hope My fruit of better wit Is but to know I sayl'd for lacke of it Shame is in that I leaue and that I doe The fault is only mine and onely I A sacrifice vnto you all will die Mahomet Fauour thy selfe Passions are desperate And tempt with vncouth woe as well as ioy It euill is that glories to destroy Her and her counsells kill and I agree For she is foe alike to thee and me Caine. That is destroy my selfe and I consent For all any thoughts to thee were euill bent Mahomet Caine credit not those visions of the ill Faults are in flesh as motes be in the Sunne Where light doth shew each little thing amisse Presumption and despaire liue opposite As times false glasses wherein frailties see Their faults too great or else too little be But iudge the man from whom these motions grow Alaham ambitious is light violent His end but to surprise his fathers state Vnto which end no lets there are but we Who wonne remou'd or ruined must be He first tried me with riuall iealousie Shewing me hope and honour in the start Besides reuenge by thy death offering me Of our diuided powers an vnitie But I stood firme While he no whit dismay'd Tempts thee more strongly whom he hateth more Resolu'd who euer kills shall killed be So much the faithlesse ioy in cruelty Caine. Mischiefe o'reflowes my thoughts like a sea Deuoures the dewes the raine the snow the springs And all their sweetnesse to his saltnesse brings How should I ground a faith that faithlesse know My selfe to be Or why should he mistrust On whom the worst that can befall is iust Mahomet Who liue distrusting yet haue time to friend But who mistrusting die make haste to goe To that infernall Monarchie of feare Where worse things come to passe than doubted were Caine. Mahomet Thou hast o'recome I yeeld by thee To hold my life as sentence of my fall Thy worths example no life naturall Yet grant me thus-much more to keepe thee close Till I thy death to Alaham impart Conceit it selfe doth ease a broken heart Mahomet Grant me againe while secretly I liue You guard your selfe from Alahams treacherie Lest you haue harme he ioy I infamie Exit Caine. Behold my state bound to my enemies Of friends in doubt To me euen good and ill The one despayre the other cowardize Hala I loue O word beyond the right On which is built that false thought Libertie Which makes great hearts in greatest ills delight I sought her loue through all the arts of lust Where will is faith and honour Tyrannie Mischiefe affections proofe and shame her trust Hard backe from ill the way to goodnesse is By scorne remorse patience and broken heart Impossible to them that doe amisse Then on walke in this path of death or shame Alaham is false or Mahomet or I Resolu'd I am that one of vs shall die CHORVS SECVNDVS Of Furies Malice Crafte Pride Corrupt reason Euill Spirit MAlice Whence growes this fatall stay of our progression Who haue no friends are deafe to intercession What can withstand our power Our ends are euill And so need feare no let from any Diuell Craft We diuerse are in works though not in ends And thereby euery Furie findes some friends Besides we ouer-act and therein foyle The ruine of Mankinde wherein we toyle Malice Giue me one instance wherein doe we fayle Craft In that we mankind vnto fame entayle Malice That breakes Religions bounds and makes him ours By forming his God out of his owne powers For if by Conscience he did leaue or take On that smooth face we could no wrinckle make Craft Yet fame keepes outward order and supports For shame and honour are strong humane forts Whereas Confusion is an engine fit For vs at once to swallow man with it Malice Nay Craft it is thy faint hypocrisie That mankinde is so long protected by Thy often changes many times appease Those Furies which would else destroy at ease Craft Fye Malice It is you that vs deceiue Who but with violence only can bereaue For which you finde not many natures fit And so adde little to our Throne by it Where I passe thorough all the orbes of vice And forme in each mould Natures preiudice The Christian Church from me is not exempt Lawes haue by me both honour and contempt By me the Warre vpholds her reputation And lust which leaues no certaine generation Enuy that hates all difference of degree And selfe-loue which hath no affinity Euen you without me cannot prosper well I am the mould and Maiesty of hell Pride Craft peace thou cuttest euery threed so thin As it destroyes thy works ere they beginne Thy cobwebs like th' Astrologers thinne line Fit for discourse for vse are ouer-fine Thy state is nothing else but change and feare Weeds that no fruit but fading blossomes beare Cloth'd with pied colours of hypocrisie Which like to all is yet can nothing be In you no soule findes stayres to rise withall Descent to craft change feare being naturall When I propound in grosse you minutes play Which is the cause our Tragicke works thus stay My wheeles goe on at once thine restlesse pause Of little works with much adoe the cause You euen
Maiestie Goodnesse gets not so soone a great Estate Mischiefe's foule way to Soueraignity This secret haste is sure all is imbound What shall I do Hold on the course I meant Why not The death of Mahomet will still content Thy will is done and Mahomet is slaine Alaham. My minde misgaue it selfe my thoughts did feare Yet knew I they of nothing guilty were By fate or malice is the Bassha slaine Caine. By fate I thinke for Iustice fatall is As Gods bequest to them that doe amisse Alaham. By suddaine death by thunder lightning fire Or by what other anger of the skie I pray thee shew how Mahomet did die Caine. By these hands that owe seruice to the State And by his blood haue made it fortunate Alaham. What execration did he dying vse Against this violence of broken faith Which wounds good soules more than the bodies death Caine. In falling downe these only words he spake Helpe people helpe My death your bondage brings Behold these wounds receiue I for your sake Reward of them that friend you vnder Kings Vile Caine that like the Axe do'st goe about To cut thy selfe an helue to weare thee out Alaham. Most wicked act Could neither faith nor law Reuerence of State remorse of doing ill The paines of iustice nor the hopes withdraw Thy raging hand And do'st thou thinke the world can suffer this That thou should'st glory to haue done amisse Caine. Is thy desire growne wanton in her ioy Or do'st thou seeme to say thy wishes nay More kindly in the end with them to play Alaham. By fires of hell which burne and haue no light By those foule spirits which ill men only see I sweare thy death shall Mahomets requite Caine. Vnto the world although I guilty be I did thy will let me be cleare to thee Alaham. In vaine I should command his death by sleights That placed am vpon the fathers seat Where power can easlier doe things than intreat Caine. The State of Kings is large yet lacks in this That easie each thing but not lawfull is Besides you then a second brother were Nor knew I when this plot we did deuise You should see clearer by your fathers eyes Alaham. Rumor complaints and scornfull thoughts of power Are wayes of priuate hearts that from below Misiudge those higher powers they doe not know But now borne vp into a Princes Throne Beneath I see that world of discontent Where error teacheth vse of punishment Away with him Entreatie is in vaine Thy death to him is due whom thou hast slaine Caine. Ah fearefull friendships with superior powers Whose two parts they themselues and their Estates Diuide or ioyne like nets and be the snare Where loue and feare to power entrapped are Alaham aduow thy deed To constant wickednesse men honour beare Where truth it selfe hath iniurie by feare Alaham. I say Let him be slaine His fault is this That Mahomet most trayterously he slew Caine. Stay Sir I say that he still liuing is And my confession of my selfe vntrue Alaham. Traytor vnto thy selfe and false to me What riddles of contempt and wickednesse Are these which of thy selfe confessed be If Mahomet be dead then shalt thou die For murther of thy friend deserues no lesse If Mahomet do liue yet shalt thou die For if no murther scorne thou do'st confesse Away with him Actus tertius Scena tertia Hala Alaham HAla. What tumult 's this my Lord Alah. The play of Chance Which without mischiefe nothing can aduance Hala. Yet good Sir tell me what this tumult is Alaham. The fall of him whose heart hath done amisse Hala. His name and crime sweet Lord I long to know Alaham. Report of mischiefe doth infect the heart And wisdome bids they should in silence goe For nature feeleth euery bodies smart Hala. Women belike are still in infancy That must not feare or prouocation see The glasse of horror is not fact but feare Opinion is a Tyrant euery where Alaham. If I shall tell you what you long to know What boots it If you thinke it is not so Hala. What leades your reason leades my reason too That all your words conceiue in kindnesse doe Alaham. The man that was and is not now is he That neuer was the man he seem'd to be Caine What need more to shew with him are dead His fault and our goodwills to him mislead Hala. What heare I now O false and weake estate Of good beleefe Wherin shall peace be found Since Gods be not and mankinde made to hate Caine dead Euen Caine whom now we loued best In instants both growne wicked and opprest Caine slaine by you Hath Caine deserued this O God! Like strange his crime and killing is Perchance not dead my Lord how was he slaine Alaham. By sword Hala. Wounds let forth spirits yet liue againe Alaham. Nay dead he is These eyes did see his breath Beare all his spirits into the world of death Hala. Necessity that from infernall night Fatally linked art vnto the skies Beare thee we cannot yet we beare thee must Now hopes appeare euen now my heart resolues Reuenge and silence is the way to it Did he confesse his fault What spake he last Alaham. Ah Mahomet whose hopes were on me plac'd Hala. Hasty beleefe my Lord hath hasty deeds And with their wounds oft truth and wisdome bleeds Alaham. When wickednesse is ripe a minute showes What chance the dice of Innocency throwes Hala. Pardon me Lord Good thoughts doe liue aboue In highest region of vnfeined loue Doubt and reuenge Nature hath plac'd below Meaning the space should make the passage slow Alaham. God meaning we should rule and you obey Gaue men cleare sight and women good affection In vs not in your selues lies your election Hala. My Lord 'T is true Our frayle and weake Estate Doth labor in excesse A womans heart Still in the feuer is of loue or hate Hardly the loue which I did be are to Caine Could thinke he err'd much lesse approue him slaine But now his falls approu'd by heauenly doome Our losse in him foretells our gaine to come Then Sir Take care his death be not in vaine Your sillie Sire is blinde if he were dead This reeling State by you might stand againe True ioy is onely hope put out of seare And honour hideth error euery where A forme the world expects in worldly things Caine was a man a Bassha and our friend Sepulture as a man honor to his estate Teares doe become a guilty friendships end Excesse of honour done to them that die Makes liuing men see our humanity Besides thought-feeding rumor forth will goe And occupie vnquiet peoples spirits While in this pile for Caine you may bestow Their blinded weaknesse which with-hold your right People doe power not persons apprehend Strength showes like truth Mankinde loues policie Defended Kings but not reuenged be Alaham. Enuy will rise and both wayes fall on vs Either as hauing slaine an innocent Or highly err'd by burying treason thus In penall