lab'rinth could not shunne Whence backe in vaine the straying Entrer seeks I lov'd O fatall love unlovely fate The vertuously faire yet fairest Dame That ever was enshrin'd in soules conceit Or ditties gave to grace the sounds of fame Straight were my fancies to her beauties ty'd None can paint passions but in feeling mindes I burn'd freez'd doubted hop'd despair'd liv'd dy'd With actions chang'd as oft as Autumnes windes Yet many conflicts past 'twixt hopes and feares To feast at least to nurce my starv'd desires She granted had a truce unto my teares And temper did with equall flames my fires For as she was the most esteemed Saint Whose image Love erected in my minde So when her cares had harbour'd once my plaint It pitie first and then did favour finde But ah triumphing in mine owne conceit As one whose love his Lady did preferre I was corrivall'd O disastrous fate By one who lov'd but was not lov'd by her He looking as I look'd faw what I saw Saw Natures wonder and the worlds delight And straight as that blinde god blinde guide did draw Still like a Lizard liv'd upon her sight Then labour'd he that Iewell straight to wonne Whose matchlesse worth he priz'd above his breath And loath'd all light which flow'd not from that Sunne As life without her had beene worse then death Yea Fortune seem'd to favour his desire And where to build high hopes did give him groundâ— The Nymph her parents daily did require That she might furnish physick for his wounds Of my distracted thoughts strange was the strife Who threatned thus with eminent mishap Was like to lose a thing more deare then life Whil'st others striv'd my treasure to entrap The man who sought my joyes to undermine I could not justly wish his state o're-throwne Nor blame the sprite that sympathiz'd with mine I envi'd not his lot but wail'd mine owne Now in my beast a mighty rage did raigne Which forc'd my soule with inward wounds to bleed Some fancies fear'd what once his love might gaine Since it was possible that he might speed Then others call'd her constancy to minde Which would not yeeld by such assaults though prov'd Yet forc'd to feare the frailty of her kinde A hearing woman may in time be mov'd Thus toss'd with doubts amidst a deep of woe Which with suspition did my joyes supplant I blam'd the thoughts that durst accuse her so As vertues patterne could one vertue want And â—or I hop'd his toils no further wrought Affliction oft affection doth enflame She of her sex who was the wonder thought Would thus not wrong the glory of her name Though in my absence they had oft assai'd That from her minde they might have me remov'd The Sunne burns hotest when his beames are stay'd The more they cross'd her love the more she lov'd For finding that delay no end affords And how faire Generals onely flow'd from Art She did upbraid him with disdainefull words To raze those hopes that had abus'd his heart Love is a joy which upon paine depends A drop of sweet drown'd in a sea of sowres What folly doth begin oft fury ends They hate for ever who have lov'd for houres When all his arguments prov'd of no force Straight with disdaine his soule in secret burn'd And what he thought was ill to make farre worse That Apostate to furie favour turn'd Through love preposterous procreating hate His thoughts amongst themselves could not agree Whil'st what was best he deeply did debate To see her dead or then enjoy'd by me What said he when he first had mus'd a space So hard it is to quench affections fires Shall I disfigure that Angelike face And cloud those beauties which the world admires Shall she by me be to confusion brought To whom I vows and prayers did impart To whom I sacrifiz'd each secret thought And on her beauties altar burn'd my heart Or shall I see her in anothers pow'r And in his bosome laid upbraid my losse Whil'st both with scornfull smiles then death more sowre To point 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 who live shall glory in my harme Since she will not be mine she shall not be The hatefull love having vow'd her death Did with a cup of poyson drowne my joyes 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 news first inform'd me of this wrong For neighbouring neare the most unhappy part That had beene spoyl'd of such a noble guest As death had hers the furies seiz'd my heart Whose paine did spring from that which bred her rest How huge a weight did first confound my soule No tongue can tell it still my minde torments Rage did of griefe the outward signes controll When great windes blow the fire the smoak worst vents Whil'st generous furie did disguise my griefe I ranne transported with a mighty rage Bent by revenge or death to get relife A tragicke actor for a bloudy stage For I was come no sooner to the place Whereas I thought the Murtherer to have found But I did meet O ruine and disgrace Too deare a friend to catch and enemies wound Ah! passions dimn'd mine eyes wrath led my hand I was no more my selfe Griefe had me kill'd The first by Night who did before me stand As one whose breast with rage Alecto fill'd By chance encount'ring ere he spake a word I bath'd his bosome with a crimson floud And in his breast did drowne the cruell sword That in anothers body drank my bloud But when a Torch had partly rob'd the night Proud of suppos'd revenge ah bitter gaine I saw I knew black knowledge cruell sight My brother was the man whom I had slaine O bitter losse which nothing can repaire My soule with tow such monstrous deeds annoy'd Griefe rage spite shame amazement and despaire Gall'd toss'd burn'd dash'd astonish'd and destroy'd The thought of my offence doth grieve me most Yet am I sometime by loves verdict cleans'd And straight my brothers violated ghost By dreadfull dreames doth bragge to be reveng'd Croe. Now whil'st this great disaster did occurre What had the author of your anguish done Adrast He having heard this lamentable stirre Who self-accusing thoughts convicted soone Straight wounded by a wonderfull remorse Led by mad love or desp'rate feare to death He bent to follow her or dreading worse Stab'd by himselfe dy'd to defraud my wrath Croe. Those strange mishaps your enemies eyes must weet And force compassion from your greatest foe Since many monstrous circumstances meet To make a horrid harmony in woe But what doth touch ones selfe most force doth finde For ills when felt then heard griefe more abounds This extasie hath so o're-whelm'd my minde A melancholy huge all mirth confounds
harme more fear'd I alwayes so contentment might attaine What tombe to men more glorious can be rear'd Then mountaines made of foes whom they have slaine But how are my transported thoughts growne such That they disdaine a measure to admit Whilst bent not what to doe but to doe much On Glories Throne Ambition strives to sit No to the State me from my selfe I give Free from particulars as who expose Fame life and all for it and whilst I live So Rome may gaine I care not what I lose I 'le never rest till he for ever rest Who gives my Country such a cause of griefe And that to doe no forme I will detest Nor for my fame endanger Romes reliefe But worthy Cassius ere we further doe Let our friends mindes first well be understood Of which I hope to have assistance too Who will not venture for his Countries good Cas Now whilst my soule rests ravish'd in a trance I thinke I see great Rome her courage raise Then beat the ayre with songs th' earth with a dance And crowne thy vertues with deserved praise Act. 3. Scene 2. Marcus Brutus Portia MY dearest halfe my comfort my delight Of whom one smyle may sweeten all my sow'rs Thou in my bosome us'd to powre thy spright And where I was didst spare afflictions pow'rs When broils domesticke did disturbe thy rest Then still till finding faining some reliefe Thou with calme words disguis'd a stormy brest Ioyes frankly sharing and engrossing griefe Still tend'ring me with a respective care What might offend was by no meanes made knowne But with loves colours all things painted faire What might have made me glad was gladly showne How com'st thou then thy courage thus to lose That thou canst look so sad and in my sight Lend me deare Love a portion of thy woes A burden when divided doth grow light I see the Roses fading in thy face The Lilies languish Violets take their place Port. Thou hast deare Lord prevented my designe Which was to aske of thee what makes me pale If Phoebus had no light could Phoebe shine No with the cause of force th' effects must faile The mirrour but gives backe as it receives By just resemblance the objected forme And what impression the ingraver leaves The waxe retains still to the stamp conforme I am the mirrour which reflects thy minde As forc'd from thoughts or flowing from thine eyes I take the state in which thy state I finde Such is my colour as thy count'nance dyes Then how can I rejoyce whil'st thou art sad Whose breast of all thy crosses is the scroule I am still as thou art if griev'd or glad Thy bodies shadow th' essence of thy soule On that great Planet which divides the yeares Of fields inferiour as the fruit depends And as it vanish doth or pleas'd appeares In th' earths cold bosome life begins or ends Sunne of my soule so I subsist by thee Whose shining vertue leades me as a thrall From care-bred clouds if that thy face be free I rise in joyes but if thou faint I fall Brut. With all my course this count'nance best accords Who as you know yet never from my birth Light gestures us'd nor did delight in words Whose pleasant straines were onely tun'd to mirth My melancholy Nature feeds on cares Whil'st smothred sorrow by a habite smokes A thought-full breast when burden'd with affaires Doth make a silent mouth and speaking looks As for my palenesse it imports but good The bodies humbling doth exalt the minde Where fatnesse come from food but serves for food In fattest bodies leanest sprits we finde Ah! since I saw th' abhorr'd Thessalia's bounds All drench'd with bloud of Senatours and Kings As if my soule yet smarted in their wounds A secret sorrow often-times me stings But since thy Father braving paine with blows In the most hideous forme affronted death To him my minde a sad remembrance owes Which sorrow shall exact whil'st I have breath Yet grieve I that I gave thee cause of griefe Who thoughtst some new mishap did me dismay To such old sores one worst can give reliefe But Time in end may weare my woes away Por. Why should'st thou so from me thy thoughts conceale From thine own soule between whose breasts thou sleep'st To whom though showne thou dost them not reveale But in thy selfe more inwardly them keep'st And thou canst hardly hide thy selfe from me Who soone in thee each alteration spie I can comment on all that comes from thee True love still looks with a suspitious eye Within our bosome rests not every thought Tun'd by a sympathie of mutuall love Thou marr'st the Musicke if thou change in ought Which when distemper'd I do quickly prove Soule of my soule unfold what is amisse Some great disaster all my thoughts divine Whose curiousnesse may be excus'd in this Since it concerns thy State and therefore mine Brut. I wonder that thou dost thy frailtie show By Nature women have beene curious still And yet till now thou never crav'd to know More then I pleas'd to speak of my free will Nought save the wife a man within the walls Nor ought save him without she should embrace And it not comely is but th' one enthralls When any sexe usurpes anothers place Deare to their wonted course thy cares inure I may have matters which import the State Whose op'ning up might my disgrace procure Whose weight for femall thoughts would be too great Port. I was not Brutus match'd with thee to be A partner onely of thy boord and bed Each servile whore in those might equall me Who but for pleasure or for wealth did wed No Portia spous'd thee minding to remaine Thy Fortunes partner whether good or ill By loves strict bonds whil'st mutuall duties chaine Two breasts must hold one heart two souls one will Those whom just Hymen voluntar'ly bindes Betwixt them should communicate all things But chiefly that which most doth move the mindes Whence either pleasure or displeasure springs If thus thou seek thy sorrows to conceale Through a disdaine or a mistrust of me Then to the world what way can I reveale How great a matter I would do for thee And though our sexe too talkative be deem'd As those whose tongues import our greatest pow'rs For secrets still bad Treasurers esteem'd Of others greedy prodigall of ours Good education may reforme defects And this may leade me to a vertuous life Whil'st such rare patterns generous worth respects I Cato's daughter am and Brutus wife Yet would I not repose my trust in ought Still thinking that thy crosse was great to beare Till I my courage to a tryall brought Which suffering for thy cause can nothing feare For first to try how that I could comport With sterne afflictions sprit-enfeebling blows Ere I would seek to vex thee in this sort To whom my soule a dutious reverence owes Loe here a wound which makes me not to smart No I rejoyce that thus my strength is knowne Since thy
oft times sinke downe in a Sea of shame It may be fear'd our King at last Whil'st he for nothing is afraid Be by prosperity betray'd For growing thus in greatnesse still And having worldly things at will He thinks though time should all things waste Yet his estate shall ever last The wonder of this peopled round And in his own conceit hath said No course of heaven his state can cast Nor make his fortune to be ill But if the gods a way have lay'd That he must come to be uncrown'd What sudden feares his minde may fill And in an instant utterly confound The state which stands upon so slippery ground When such a Monarchs minde is bent To follow most the most unwise Who can their folly well disguise With sugred speeches poisnous baits The secret canker of great States From which at first few disassent The which at last all do repent Then whil'st they must to ruine go When Kings begin thus to despise Of honest men the good intent Who to assure their Soveraignes seats Would faine in time some help devise And would cut off all cause of woe Yet cannot second their conceits These dreadfull Comets commonly fore-go A Kings destruction when miscarried so Act. 3. Scene 1. Croesus Adrastus WHat fancies strange with terrour strike my soule The tortur'd captive of distrustfull feares Huge cares suggesting harme my joyes controul Whose minde some comming crosse charactred beares And credulous suspition too too wise To fortifie my feares doth meanes invent Whil'st sudden trouble doth my sprite surprise A presage sad which boasts some bad event I thinke the soule since an immortall brood Hath by inheritance an heavenly power Which some fore-knowledge gives of ill and good But not the meanes to scape a fatall houre Though with this mortall vaile when made halfe blinde Not well fore-seeing what each time forth brings Yet it communicates unto the minde In cloudy dreames true though mysterious things Imagination wonderfull in force The judgement oft foiles with confusion so That then they prove things presupposed worse Ere time distress'd man multiplies his woe For as the shadow seemes more monstrous still Then doth the substance whence the shape it takes So the conjecture of a threatned ill More then it selfe some to be troubled makes This alteration too seemes more then strange Which suddenly so moved hath my minde I see more then I thought all states may change When heaven pursues th' earth no defence can finde My soule all pleasure is already loathing This hath indeed so deep impression left A dreame a fancy froth a shadow nothing Hath all my mirth even in a moment reft Adrast Whence mighty Soveraigne can this change proceed Which doth obscure the rayes of Princely grace Those who are school'd in woe may clearly reade A mighty passion written in your face And if a stranger may presume so farre What friend is false or who are fear'd as foes For I imagine in what state you are A secret sympathie imparting woes Two strings in divers Lutes set in accord Some say th' one onely touch'd both give a sound Even so souls tun'd to griefe the like afford Whose airie motions mutually do wound Croe. No doubt it must disburden much the minde A Secretary in distresse to have Who by his owne anothers griefe can finde Where glad mindes scorne what they cannot conceive And I Adrastus would the cause declare With which I so torment my soule in vaine But yet I blush to tell my foolish care The fond illusion of a drowsie braine Adrast As bodies temper'd are or souls inclin'd All dreames by â—ight th' imagination makes Or else th' impression thoughts worke in the minde By which when wakening one most travell takes Croe. By sleepe arrested as o're-come by death In Natures bosome I imbrac'd true rest And in that Masse where nothing mov'd but breath Lifes faculâ—ies sleep for a time supprest Then whil'st the sprite most pow'râ—ull did remaine Since least distress'd by this terrestriall part Adrast Souls at such times their strength so strongly straine That oft their burdens as astonish'd start Croe. To rarifie the aire from vapours pow'rs When first Aurora rose from Tithons bed Ere Phoebus blushing stole from Thetis bowres This apprehension in my braine was bred I onely have two sonnes and th' one you see The signe of Natures indignation beares And from his birth-day dumbe is dead to me Since he can give no comfort to mine eares The other Atis all my lifes delight In whom the treasures of my soule are kept I thought vaine be my thought in the twi-light I know not whether yet I wak't or slep't Whil'st he was sporting void of worldly cares And not in danger which could threaten death A pointed toole of iron fell unawares And from his body banish did his breath Whil'st the pale carkase did upbraid mine eyes The horrour of the sight my sense re-call'd Which when I thinke of yet my courage dyes Such an exceeding feare my sprite appall'd This touch'd my state so much it hath me mov'd To match my Sonne in marriage at this time With vertuous Coelia whom he dearely lov'd That both might reape the pleasure of their prime And if the heavens his o're throw have decreed By destiny which cannot be revok'd So may we have behinde some of his seed Ere in his blossome all our hopes be choak'd Thus ere his soule lodge in the lightlesse shade Some of his off-spring may content my minde I cannot hold him altogether dead Who leaves his Image in some one behinde And though we do what ever seemes the best To disappoint those but surmiz'd annoyes Yet for all this my minde hath never rest Some secret terrour doth disturbe my joyes Adrast Ah Sir if such a dreamed ill as this Hath plung'd your soule even in the depths of griefe Unhappie I who waile a thing that is Whil'st hope though rack'd dare promise no reliefe Though all those dreadfull fancies took effect Which heavy chance th' almighty Iove with-hold None can compare them no in no respect With those mis-fortunes which my state enfold For though your Sonne dye by anothers hand You shall but waile his death and not your crime The heavens of me my brothers bloud demand His fate my fault mourne must I all my time Croe. In what strange forme could this disaster fall From which there flow salt flouds of just distresse Tell on at length the fatall cause of all A greater griefe makes one forget the lesse Adrast My sorrows ground I smother'd still till now As too offensive food for dainty cares But since of such discourse you do allow I le tell a tale that may move stones to teares Of Phrygian Princes my great Father come Had in my growing age a tender care That all my education might become One whom he might for mighty hopes prepare As yet foure lustres scarcely had begun To grace my witness'd sex with blooming cheeks When I fond youth that
SELEUCUS his greatest Captaines CASSANDER his greatest Captaines THE ALEXANDRAEAN TRAGEDIE Act 1. The Ghost of ALEXANDER the Great BAck from th' umbragious caves still rob'd of rest Must I returne where Phoebus guilds the fields A Ghost not worthy to be Pluto's Guest Since one to whom the world no buriall yeelds O what a great disgrace is this to me Whose Trophees Fame in many a kingdom keeps That I contemn'd cannot transported be A passenger for the Sulphurean deeps Dare churlish Charon though not us'd to bow The raging torrent of my wrath gain-stand Must I succumbe amidst hels dungeons now Though all the world accustom'd to command But it may be that this hath wrought me harme What bloud-lesse Ghosts do stray on Stygian banks Whose falls made famous by my fatall arme Gave terrour oft to many martiall ranks Yet for a prey expos'd to ravenous beasts Could never have the honour of a Tombe But though for such rude guests too pretious feasts Were basely buried in a brutish wombe Thus as it seemes the horrour of such deeds With like indignity attends my sprite What stormy breast this thirst of vengeance breeds To plague for that which valour did acquite Ah! might Alcmena's sonne as sonne of Iove Once force the driery forts of endlesse night To match sterne Dis in the Tartarian grove And draw forth foaming Cerberus to light Then leading Theseus through the dungeons darke A second rape aym'd for their ravish'd Queene Durst he hels terrour force the fatall Barke By squadrons pale an envi'd victor seene And in my rage may I not tosse this Round Till roaring Earth-quakes all the world affright Heaven stain'd hell clear'd earth torne all to confound Enlightning darknesse or else darkning light What though I from terrestriall Regions swerve Whom in this state it may be some mistake May not the voyce of Alexander serve To make th' earth tremble and the depths to shake Or straight return'd shall I my fortune trust And th' Earth dispeople slaughtring scatt'red hosts Then Pluto plague all charg'd with bloud and dust When men are kill'd to be a King of Ghosts O how I burst to thinke how some above Who for their glory did my steps attend My off-springs title proudly do disprove And to my Chaire by violence ascend Ingratitude doth grieve a generous sprite VVould God therefore that with a body stor'd I might returne these Traitors to acquite My back with Armes my hand charg'd with a sword As when I entred in a populous Towne To warre alone with thousands in my wrath Whil'st prizing honour dearer then my Crowne Each of my blows gave wounds each wound gave death Then thundring vengeance on rebellious bands I would make them redeeme my grace with grones Where now my Ghost empall'd with horror stands Lesse grac'd then those whom I commanded once And yet the glory by those Captaines had Whom first my Ensignes did acquaint with fame Doth make my soule whil'st hating them more sad Then all the suffrings that the hells can claime O now I see what all my Minions blindes To grace my funerals that they take no paine My state betraying me distracts their mindes Who have forgot all love save love to raigne But Ptolomie doth yet by time intend To Alexandria to transport me once Not mov'd by love no for another end In hope my Fortune will attend my bones And must I then so great a trouble have To whom the Earth did all belong before For some few foots of Earth to be a grave VVhich meane men get and great men get no more Though many thousand at my signe did bow Is this the end of all my Conquests then To be thus barr'd that little circuit now A benefit even common unto men But of those kingdomes which were thrall to me Lest that a little part my body bound Th' earth arch'd with heaven my fatall bed should be Still unconfin'd and even when dead yet crown'd O blinde ambition great mindes viprous brood The scourge of mankinde and the foe to rest Thou guilty art of many millions bloud And whil'st I raign'd didst raigne within my brest This to my soule but small contentment brings That I some Cities rear'd and others raz'd And made Kings captives captives to be Kings Then whil'st the wond'ring world did stand amaz'd All that doth now but torture after death Which rais'd my Fame on pillars more then rare O costly conquest of a little breath Whose flattring sounds both go and come with th' aire Can I be he who thought it a disgrace To be but weigh'd with other mortals even Who would be held of an immortall race The off-spring of great Iove the heire of heaven By many meanes I all mens mindes did move For Altars as a God with off'rings stor'd Till of his glory Iove did jealous prove All kings should reverenc'd be but not ador'd Ah! whil'st transported with a prosp'rous state I toil'd to raise my Throne above the Starres The thund'rer straight who still doth pride abate Did wound my fame with most infamous warres Made I not grave Calistenes to smart Who did disdaine a mortall to adore What knowne unknowing bent by foolish art Though but a man to be imagin'd more All fear'd the danger of my roaring wrath Like Lyons when asleep which none durst wake My fury was the Messenger of death Which when enflam'd made flaming squadrons quake Ambition did so farre my thoughts engage That I could not abide my Fathers praise But though my friend kill'd Clitus in a rage Who Philips Fami durst in my presence raise Thus though that I mine Enemies did abate I made my greatest friends become my foes Who did my insolence as barbarous hate And for the like afraid wail'd others woes Those tyrannies which thousands chanc'd to see As inhumane a multitude admir'd And my familiars strangers growne with me As from a Tyrant for distrust retyr'd Yea there were many too who did conspire By base ambushments to have snar'd my life Of all my labours loe this was the hire Those must have store of toils who toile for stâ—â—â—e And I remember that amid'st my joyes Even whil'st the chase of Armies was my sport There wanted not a number of annoyes To counter-poise my pleasures in some sort Of those on th' earth most happy that remaine As ag'd Experience constantly records The pleasures farre exceeded are by paine Life greater griefe then comfort still affords What griefe no rather rage did feaze my soule Whil'st bigge with hopes a battell bent to prove That sudden sicknesse did my course controull Which cold when kinde embracing flouds did move From the Physician then though deem'd for ill I took his potion gave him scandalous lines Then whil'st he red did drinke yet ey'd him still And by accusing looks sought guilty signes Not that suspitious feares could make me sad This was the ground whence did proceed my paine Lest death my victory prevented had For I was sure still where I fought to gaine
But when that I extended had my state From learned Athens to the barbarous Iâ—des Still my tumultuous troups my pride did hate As monstrous mutinies unmask'd their mindes I so my name more wonderfull to make Of Hercules and Bacchus past the bounds And whil'st that Memnons Sunne-burnt bands did quâ—ke Did write my worth in many a Monarchs wounds Kings were my Subjects and my servants Kings Yet my contentment further did require For I imagin'd still more mighty things And to a greater greatnesse did aspire The spatious carriere of the speedy Sunne All quickly thrall'd like lightning I o're-ran Yet wept and wish'd more worlds t' have been wonne As this had wanted roome to ease one man No wonder I was thought a God by some Since all my aymes though high as heaven prevail'd And what man save my selfe did still o're-come Of all my fancies never project fail'd This made me thought immortaliz'd to be Which in all mindes amazement yet contracts I led blinde Fortune and she courted me As glad to grace the greatnesse of my acts Yet I have found it a more easie thing To conquer all whereon the Sunne ere shin'd Then mine owne selfe and of my passions King To calme the tumults of a stormy minde What comfort justly could my soule receive Of all my Conquests past if that even then Whil'st I triumph'd to wrath and wine a slave I scap'd not scandall more then other men Ah! seazing without right on every state I but my selte too great a Monarch made Since all men gap'd to get the golden bait Which by my death seem'd easie to be had Whil'st from humanity too much divorc'd My deeds all hearts with feare and horrour fill'd I who by foes could never have beene forc'd By friends did fall yet not over-com'd but kill'd But now I see the troublous time draws neare When they shall keep my obsequies with blond No wonder too though such a warriours beere At last doth swimme amidst a scarlet floud For as my life did breed huge broils o're all My death must be the cause of monstrous cumbers And it doth best become a strong mans fall To be renown'd by ruining of numbers The Snake-tress'd Sisters now shall never need Their fatall fire-brands loathsome Pluto's pests Nor inspirations strange whose rage doth breed A thirst of murther in transported brests Ambitions flames may from my ashes shine To burne my Minions mindes with high desires Each of their sprits that hath a spark of mine To ruine all the world may furnish fires The Beauties of the Earth shall all look red Whil'st my Lievtenants through that pride of theirs With Armes unkinde huge streames of bloud do shed By murthering of my heires to be my heires Is this that Greatnesse which I did designe By being eminent to be o're-throwne To ruine first my selfe then root out mine As conquering others but to lose mine owne O happie I more happie farre my race If pleas'd with that which was our ancient rent I manag'd had th' Aemaethian pow'r in peace Which was made lawfull by a long discent Then farre sequestred from Bellona's rage I had the true delights of Nature tri'd And ag'd with honour honour'd in my age Had left my Sonne secure before I dy'd And he inheriting a quiet state Which then because lesse great had beene more sure Had free from envy not beene harm'd by hate Which of most States the ruine doth procure But since they will en-earth my earthly part Which now no badge of majestie retaines To roaring Phlegeton I must depart Farre from the lightsome bounds of th'aiery plainâ—â— And must I there who did the world surmount Arrested by the Monarch of the Ghosts To Rhadamanthus render an account Of all the deeds done by my ravenous hosts There whil'st with Minos Aeacus sits downe A rigorous Iudge in hels most horrid Court With me who passe his Nephew in renowne Though of his race he no way will comport O what pale Ghosts are here together brought Which were of bodies spoil'd by my Decree And first Parmenio without whom I nought But who did many great things without me At the tribunall of Tartarian pow'rs He aggravates ingratitude too great And whil'st the raging Tyrant foaming lowres All whom I wrong'd for vengeance do entreat Yet guilty thoughts torment me most of all No sprit can be by plaguing furies pin'd Though charg'd without with snakes within with gall As by the stings of a remording minde If it be true that drowsie Lethes streames In darke oblivion drowne all things at last There let me bury farre from Phoebus beames The loath'd remembrance of my labours past Exit Chorus VVHat strange adventures now Distract distressed mindes With such most monstrous formes When silence doth allow The peace that Nature findes And that tumultuous windes Do not disturbe with stormes An universall rest When Morpheus hath represt Th' impetuous waves of cares And with a soft sleepe bindes Those Tyrants of the brest Which would spread forth most dangerous snares To sink affliction in despaires Huge horrours then arise The Elements to marre With most disastrous signes Arm'd Squadrons in the skies With lances throwne from farre Do make a monstrous warre Whil'st furie nought confines The Dragons vomit fire And make the Starres retire Cut of their Orbes for feare To satisfie their ire Which heavens high buildings not forbear But seem the Crystall Towres to teare Amidst the ayre fierce blasts Doe boast with blustring sounds To crush this mighty frame Which whilst the tempest lasts Doth rent the stately rounds To signifie what wounds To all her off-springs shame Shall burst th' earths veynes with bloud And this all-circling floud As it the heavens would drowne Doth passe the bounding bounds And all the scalie brood Reare roaring Neptunes foamie Crowne Whilst th' earth for feare seems to sinke downe Those whom it hid with horrour Their ashy lodgings leave To re-enjoy the light Or else some Panicke terrour Our judgement doth bereave Whilst first we misconceive And so prejudge the sight Or in the bodies stead The genius of the dead Turnes backe from Styx againe Which Dis will not receive Till it a time engendring dread Plague whilst it doth on th' earth remaine All else with feare it selfe with paine These fearefull signes fore-show All nations to appall What plagues are to succeed Since death hath layd him low Who first had made us thrall We heard that straight his fall Our liberty would breed But this proves no reliefe For many O what griefe The place of one supply And we must suffer all Thus was our comfort briefe O! rarely doe usurpers dye But others will their fortune try Act 2. Scene 1. Perdiccas Meleager Ptolomie Antigonus Eumenes WHat eye not big with teares can view this host Which hath in one ah as the end doth prove A King a Captaine and a brother lost Crown'd follow'd try'd by right for worth in love I thinke amongst us all there is not one Whom divers
ground that never failes None can be throughly blest before the end I may compare our state to table-playes Whil'st Iudges that are blinde give onely light Their many doubt the earnest minde dismayes Which must have happy throwes then use them right So all our dayes in doubt what things may chance Time posts away our breath seems it to chace And when th' occasion comes us to advance It of a thousand one can scarce embrace When by a generous indignation mov'd Two fight with danger for a doubtfull praise Whil'st valour blindely but by chance is prov'd That ones disgrace anothers fame must raise O! what a foole his judgement will commit To grace the one with a not gain'd applause Where fortune is but to give sentence yet Whil'st bloudy agents plead a doubtfull cause This world a field is whereas each man fights And arm'd with reason resolutely goes To warre till death close up the bodies lights Both with externall and internall foes And how can he the Victors title gaine Who yet is busied with a doubtfull fight Or he be happy who doth still remaine In fortunes danger for a small delight The wind-wing'd course of man away fast weares Course that consists of houres houres of a day Day that gives place to night night full of feares Thus every thing doth change all things decay Those who doe stand in peace may fall in strife And have their fame by infamy supprest The evening crownes the day the death the life Many are fortunate but few are blest Croe. I see this Grecians sprite but base appeares Which cannot comprehend heroicke things The world of him more then he merits heares At least he knowes not what belongs to Kings Yet fame his name so gloriously array'd That long I long'd to have him in my house But all my expectations are betray'd I thinke a Mountaine hath brought forth a Mouse Act 2. Scene 2. Solon Aesope THis King hath put his trust in trustlesse toyes Whil'st courting onely temporary things And like a hooded Hawk gorg'd with vaine joye At randon flyes born forth on follys wings O how this makes my griefe exceeding great To see ones care who lives for dead things such Whil'st shew-transported mindes admire his state Which I not envy no but pitty much Thus wormes of th' earth whil'st low-plac'd thoughts prevaile Love melting things whose shew the body fits Where soule 's of clearer sight doe never faile To value most the treasure of good wits Those worldly things doe in this world decay Or at the least we leave them with our breath Where to eternity this leades the way So differ they as farre as life and death Aesope And yet what wonder though he wander thus Whom still by successe treacherous fortune blindes Though this indeed seem somewhat strange to us Who have with learning purifi'd our mindes Was he not borne heire of a mighty state And us'd with fortunes smiles not fear'd for frownes Doth measure all things by his owne conceit A great defect which fatall is to Crownes Then from his youth still trusting in a Throne With all that pride could crave or wealth could give Vs'd with entreaties and contrould by none He would the tongue of liberty deprive Though to his sight I dare not thus appeare Whose partiall judgement farre from reason parts I grieve to see your entertainment here So farre inferiour to your owne deserts That matchlesse wisedome which the world admires And ravish't with delight amazed heares Since not in consort with his vaine desires Did seeme impleasant to distemper'd eares Eares which can entry give to no discourse Save that which enters fraughted with his praise He can love none but them that love his course And thinkes all fooles who use no flattering phrase This with the great ones doth the gods displease Though spreading all her heavenly treasures forth They if not in their livery them to please Doe vertue vilifie as of no worth Solon I care not Aesope how the King conceiv'd Those my franke words which I must alwaies use I came not here till he my comming crav'd And now when come will not my name abuse Should I his poys'nous Sycophants resemble Whose silken words their Soveraigne doe o'rethrow I for his Diadem would not dissemble What hearts doe thinke the tongues were made to show And what if I his humour to content The worlds opinion lost by gaining ones He can but give me gifts which may be spent But nought can cleere my fame if darkned once That so he might my reputation raise If I sooth'd him it would procure my shame Whil'st those who vitious are our vertues praise This in effect is but a secret blame Though as a simple man he me despise Yet better simply good then doubly ill I not my worth by others praises prize Nor by opinions doc direct my will That praise contents me more which one imparts Of judgement sound though of a meane degree Then praise from Princes voyd of princely parts Who have more wealth but not more wit then he Aesope Who come to Court must with Kings faults comport Solon Who come to Court should truth to Kings report Aesope A wise man at their imperfections winkes Solon An honest man will tell them what he thinkes Aesope So should you lose your selfe and them not save Solon But for their folly I no blame would have Aesope By this you should their indignation finde Solon Yet have the warrant of a worthy minde Aesope It would be long ere you were thus preferr'd Solon Then it should be the King not I that err'd Aesope They guerdon as they love they love by guesse Solon Yet when I merit well I care the lesse Aesope It 's good to be still by the Prince approv'd Solon It 's better to be upright though not lov'd Aesope But by this meane all hope of honour failes Solon Yet honesty in end ever prevailes Aesope I thinke they should excell for vertue rare All men in wit who unto men give lawes Kings of their kingdomes as the centers are To which each weighty thing by nature drawes For as the mighty rivers little streames And all the liquid pow'rs which rise or fall Doe seeke in sundry parts by severall seames The Oceans bosome that receives them all It as a Steward of the tumid deeps Doth send them backe by many secret veynes And as the earth hath need of moisture keeps These humid treasures to refresh the Plaines Thus are Kings brests the depths where daily flow Cleare streames of knowledge with rare treasures charg'd So that continually their wisedomes grow By many helpes which others want enlarg'd For those who have intelligence ov'r all Doe commonly communicate to Kings All th' accidents of weight that chance to fall Which great advantage Greatnesse to them brings They jealously dispos'd comment on mindes And these who Arts or Natures gifts enhaunce Whose value no where else a Merchant findes Doe come to Kings as who may them advance No doubt
reason would fulfill Their worke should serve their will Are we not heires of death In whom there is no trust Who toss'd with restlesse breath Are but a dramme of dust Yet fooles when as we erre And heavens doe wrath contract If they a space deferre Iust vengeance to exact Pride in our bosome creepes And misinformes us thus That Iove in pleasure sleepes Or take no care of us The eye of heaven beholdes What every heart enfoldes The Gods digest no crime Though they delaying long In the offenders time Seeme to neglect a wrong Till others of their Race Fill up the cup of wrath Whom Ruine and disgrace Long time attended hath And Gyges fault we feare To Croesus charge be lay'd Which Iove will not forbeare Though it be long delay'd For O! sometimes the Gods Must plague sinne with sharpe Rods. And loe how Croesus still Tormented in his minde Like to Reeds on a hill Doth quake at every winde Each step a terrour brings Dreames doe by Night afflict him And by day many things All his Thoughts doe convict him He his Starre would controule This makes ill not the worst Whilst he wounds his own soulâ— With apprehensions first Man may his fate foresee But not shunne heavens decree Act. 4. Scene I. Adrastus Croesus Chorus CAN Heaven behold one stand to staine these times Yet to the Stygian streames not headlong hurld And can th'arth beare one burden'd with such crimes As may provoke the wrath of all the world Why sends not Iove to have my course confin'd A death-denouncing flash of rumbling Thunder Else roaring terrour clouds of circling winde By violence to teare me all a sunder What corner yet unknowne from men remoov'd Both burn'd with rage and freezing in despayre Shall I goe now possesse to be approv'd Where none but monsters like my selfe repaire I 'le goe indeede whom all the world detests Who have no intrest in the fields of blisse And barbarize amongst the brutish beasts Where Tigers rage Toades spue and Serpents hisse But though in some vast Zone I finde a field Where melancholy might a monarch be Whilst silent deserts not one person yeeld To shrinke for horrour when beholding me Yet of my deeds which all the world doe tell This cannot raze the still proclaimed Scroule Since in my brest I beare about my hell And cannot scape the terrours of my soule Those fearfull Monsters of confus'd aspects Chimaera Gâ—rgon Hydra Pluto's Apes Which in the world wrought wonderfull effects And borrow'd from th' infernall shades their shapes Their devillish formes which did the world amaze Not halfe so monstrous as my selfe I finde When on mine owne deformities I gaze Amid'st blacke depths of a polluted minde No but my minde untainted still remaines My thoughts in this delict have had no part Which but by accident this foule fact staines My hands had no commission from my heart Yet whether it was fortune or my fate Or some Hel-hag that did direct my arme The Lydians plague I have undone this State And am the instrument of all their harme Then mountaines fall and bruise me by your rounds Your heights may hide me from the wrath of Heaven But this not needes since mee my fault confounds With my offence no torment can be eaven Ah! of what desert shall I now make choice To flie the count'nance of an angry King I know the venging sword of Croesus voice To wound my soule hostes of rebukes doth bring The patterne of distresse I 'le stand alone A memorable monster of mishap For though Pandora's plagues were all in one All were too few so vile a wretch to trap Cho. O how the king is mov'd at Atis death His face the portrait of a passion beares With bended eyes crost armes and quivering breath His Princely robe he desperately teares Loe with a silent pittie-pleading looke Which shewes with sorrow mixt a high disdaine He whilst his soule seemes to dissolve in smoke Straies twixt the corpes and him who hath it slaine Croe. Thou ruthlesse tyrant ruine of my blisse And didst thou so disguise thy devillish nature To recompence my curtesies with this Ah cruell wretch abominable creature Thy Tigrish mind what wit could well detect Inmortall brests so great barbarity What froward Sprite could but such spight suspect In hospitality hostility Did I revive thee when thy hopes were dead When as thy life thy parents had not spar'd And having heap'd such favours on thy head Is this Is this Chor. He would say the reward Adrast. I grant what you alledge and more is true I have unto the height of hatred runne A blood-stain'd wretch who merit not to view The rolling Circles nor the Rayie Sunne No kind of art I purpose now to use To colour this my crime which might seeme lesse Whilst painted with a pitifull excuse No it is worse then words can well expresse Nor goe I thus to aggravate my crime And damne my selfe to be absolv'd by others No no such Rhetoricke comes out of time I 'le not survive his death as earst my brothers O! had that high disaster kill'd me straight As then indeed I di'd from all delight I had not groan'd charg'd with this inward weight But slept with shadowes in eternall night Yet must I die at last though late growne wise This in my mind most discontentment breedes A thousand torturing deaths cannot suffice To plague condignely for so hay nous deeds If that revenge th' Elysian Guests delights The tombe of Atis shall exhaust my blood No fitter offering for infernall sprites Then one in whom they raign'd while as he stood The furies oft in me infus'd their Rage And in my bosome did their Serpents place Whose indignation laboring to asswage Huge hellish horrours spoil'd my thoughts of peace Croe. I find poore wretch when I have search'd and seene The fatall meanes which did inflict this wound That not thy malice but my fault hath beene Of that which grieves us both the reall ground Whilst barely with a superficiall wit Wee weigh the out-side of such strange events If but the mediate meanes our judgements hit We seeke not the first cause that much contents But when prodigious accidents fall out Though they amaze our mindes and so they must The cause of all comes from our selfe no doubt Ah! man hath err'd the Heavens are always Iust In judgement now whilst entring with my soule Those partiall thoughts which flatterd me declin'd Loe marking of past wrongs the burd'nous scroule Free from false colours which did mocke my minde O! then I see how heaven in plagues exceedes Whilst vengeance due save ruine nought can end Thus once the Gods must ballance worldlings deedes Both what we did and what we did intend Sonne Sonne my faults procured have thy fall For guilty of thy blood I gave the wound Which gave thee death and whose remembrance shall My life each day with many deaths confound Of Iove injust the Statutes I contemne And if I were confronted with
the Gods Their providence as partiall would condemne Who in such sorte doe exercise their rods He thus now kill'd with life to let me goe May breed reproch to all the pow'rs divine But ah they knew no death could grieve me soe As that which through his heart was aim'd at mine Now all the world those deities may despise Which strike the guiltlesse and the guilty spare Cease haplesse man to plague thy selfe thus wise I pardon thee and pittie thy despaire Adrast. O rigorous judgement O outragious fate Must I suruive the funeralls of my fame All things which I behold vpbraide my state Too many monuments of one mans shame All and none more then I my deeds detest Yet some waile want of friends and I of fâ—es To purge the world of such a dangerons pest Which still contagious must taint hearts with woes To wound this brest where all hells hosts do raigne Seiz'd with just feare none dare a hand forth stretch Else this base charge as odious doe disdaine To deale with Death in favour of a wretch Or must I yet till more detested stand And fill the world with horrour of my name What further mischiefe can require my hand Must it ingrave on others graves my shame Or would some bastard thought lifes cause debate Which in the blasted field of comfort gleanes No no in spite of Heaven I 'le force my fate One when resolv'd to die cannot want meanes Proud Tyrant Death and must thou make it strange To wrap my wearied soule in further strife Vnlesse my courage with my fortune change Though nothing else I can command my life But this ay me all hope of helpe devowres What gaines my soule by death in those sad times If potent still in all her wonted pow'rs Shee must remember of my odious crimes What though un-bodied she the world forsake Yet from her knowledge cannot be divorc'd This will but vexe her at the shadowie lake Till even to grone the God of Ghosts be forc'd But welcome death and would the Gods I had Lesse famous or more fortunately liv'd Then knowne if good and kept obscure if bad Of comfort quite I had not beene depriv'd Ah! have I liv'd unnaturall I to be My brothers murtherer who me dearely lov'd Ah! have I liv'd with my owne hands to kill A gallant Prince committed to my charge And doe I gaze on the dead bodie still And in his fathers sight my shame enlarge Ah! have I liv'd whilst men my deeds doe scan To be the obiect of contempt and hate Of all abhorr'd as a most monstrous man Since thought a Traitouror farre worse ingrate Yet with my blood I 'le wash away this staine Which griefe to you to me disgrace hath brought Would God my name from mindes â—ight â—aâ—'d remaine To make my life as an unacted thought Brave Atis now I come to pleade for grace Although thou frown'st on my affrighted Ghost And to revenge thy wrong this wound embrace Thus thus I toile to gaine the Stygian coast Cho. Loe how he wounds himselfe despising paine With leaden lights weake legs and head declin'd The bodie beates the ground as in disdaine That of her members one hath prov'd unkind The fainting hand falles trembling from the Sword With his selfe slaughtering blow for shame grown red Which straight the blood pursues with vengeance stor'd To drowne the same with the same floods it shed Who of those parties can the combat show Where both but one one both strooke and sustain'd Or who triumphs for this most strange o'rethrow Where as the victor lost the vanquish'd gain'd Croe Curs'd eyes what suddaine change hath drown'd your lights And made your mirthfull objects mournefull now Ye that were still inur'd to stately sights Since seated under an imperiall brow Ah! clouded now with vapours drawn from cares Are low throwne down amid'st a hell of griefe And have no prospect but my soules despaires Of all the furies which afflict me chiefe O dead Adrastus I absolve thy Ghost Whose hand I see some destiny did charme Thou hated by the heavens wast to thy cost A casuall actour not intending harme No doubt some angry God hath laid this snare And whilst thy purpose was the Boare to kill Did intercept thy shaft amidst the Aire And threw it at my Sonne against thy will Ah! Sonne must I be witnesse of thy death Who view thee thus by violence to bleede And yet want one on whom to poure my wrath To take just vengeance for so vile a deede This wretch whose guiltlesse minde hath clear'd his hand Loe for his errour griev'd unforc'd doth fall And not as one who did in danger stand For still he liv'd till I forgave him all Thus have I but the heavens on whom I may Blast forth the tempest of a troubled minde And in my soules distresse I grieve to say That greater favour I deserv'd to finde Act 4. Scene 1. Sandanis Croesus WHy spend you Sir with sighes that Princely breath Whence Soveraignty authority should take O weake revenge for one when wrong'd by death To yeeld him homage prostrated in blacke That Tyrant pale so hatefull unto us Whose fatall shaft so great a griefe hath bred Where he triumphs should you reare trophees thus And weare his livery as his captive led No though he might this outward blisse o'rethrow And you save you of all things else might spoile Yet whilst of one who yeelds no signe you show You are victorious and he gets the foile Those floods of sorrow which would drown your soule In brests more base might better be excus'd Since wanting sprite their passions to controule As from their birth still to subjection us'd But you in whom high thoughts by nature grow To this decay how is your vertue come I blush to see my Soveraigne brought so low And Majestie by misery o'recome Nor doe I thus to make you stupid strive As one unnaturall wanting sense to smart No none a Prince of kindnesse can deprive The honour'd badge of an Heroicke heart That pow'r supreme by which great States doe stand Affections order should but not undoe And I could wish you might your selfe command Which though you may not well yet seeme to doe Croe. I will not here rehearse enlarging woes On what just reasons now my griefe I ground But still will entertaine my comforts foes Whilst many a thousand thoughts my soule doe wound What pensive pensill ever limm'd aright The sad conceipts of soule-consuming griefe Ah! words are weake to shew the swelling height Of th' inward anguish desperate of reliefe Though many monarchs jealously despise The rising Sunne that their declining staines And hate the Heyre who by their fall must rise As griev'd to heare of death or others raignes My love to Atis otherwise appear'd Whome whilst for him I did my cares engage I as a Father lov'd as king not fear'd The comfort not th' encombrance of mine age And had he me as reason would surviv'd Who glanc'd and
Their matchlesse worth in armes large Asia findes Their feare is falne upon all Nations now But if you suffer them in such a sort To be made rich with plenteous Lydia's spoiles Not able then their conquest to support The vanquish't by their fall the victor foils Let not vain pleasures entertaine their sights Rest wealth wealth pride pride warre warre ruine breeds Whil'st faint through pleasures weakened with delights No thought of honour from base breasts proceeds Then Cyrus straight approving what he spake His souldiers were from pretious spoyls restrain'd Whil'st he the tenth part did pretend to take A fatall off'ring for the Gods ordain'd This is the summe of our disastrous state We must a Stranger serve as thrall'd long since With losse of all which he possest of late Our King bought breath a poore thing for a Prince Chor. O wretched people O unhappy King Our joyes are spoyl'd his happinesse expir'd And no new chance can any comfort bring Where destinies to ruine have conspir'd Go wofull messenger hold on thy course For to have heard too much it irks our eares And we shall note of this thy sad discourse With sighs each accent and each point with teares Croesus Loe I who late did thunder from a Throne Am now a wretch whom every one disdaines My treasure honour state and freedome gone No kinde of comfort no nor hope remaines And after me let none whom greatnesse shrouds Trust tumid titles nor ostentive shows Sailes swolne with windes whil'st emulating clouds That which puffes up oft at the last o're-throws O! had this pretious wit enrich'd my minde Which by experience I have dearly bought Whil'st fortune was within my Court confin'd And that I could not thinke a bitter thought Then satisfi'd with Soveraignty ear'st prov'd I had disdain'd new dangers to embrace And cloath'd with majestie admir'd and lov'd Had liv'd with pleasure and had dy'd in peace But what more wonderfull in any State Then power when courted that is free from pride But chiefly those who live securely great They oft may erre since Fortune is their guide What could the world afford or man affect Which did not smooth my soule whil'st I was such Whom now the changing world doth quite neglect By prospr'ing plagu'd starv'd onely with too much Long lull'd asleep with scornfull Fortunes lyes A slave to pleasure drown'd in base delights I made a covenant with my wandring eyes To entertaine them still with pleasant sights My heart enjoy'd all that was wish'd of late Whil'st it the height of happinesse did cloy Still serv'd with dainty but suspected meat My soule with pleasure sicke was faint for joy All which much care what might procure mine ease My will divin'd obsequiously devis'd And who my fancy any way could please As prais'd by me was by all others pris'd Save serving me none else could have deserv'd Of whom what ever came was held of weight My words and looks were carefully observ'd And whom I grac'd were had in honour straight For pompe and pow'r farre passing other Kings Whil'st too secure with drowsie thoughts I slumbred My coffers still were full of pretious things Of which as wealth least weigh'd gold scarce was numbred I rear'd rare buildings all embost with gold Made ponds for fishes forrests for wilde beasts And with vain thoughts which could not be controll'd Oft spent the day in sport the night in feasts I toss'd the Elements with power like Ioves Driv'd water up aire downe a pleasant change For stately fountains artificiall groves As common things were not accounted strange With me what more could any Monarch crave In all the parts of pompe none could compare My Minions gallant Counsellours were grave My guards were strong my Concubines were faire Yea whil'st light Fortune my defects supply'd I had all that could breed as now I finde In others wonder in the owner pride So puffing up the flesh to spoyle the minde Thus with delight long pressing pleasures grapes With Fortune I carrows'd what men deare hold But ah from misery none alwayes scapes One must be wretched once or yong or old Then weary to be well and tyr'd of rest To waken trouble I th' occasion sought And yet to cloake the passions of my brest Did with devotion long cloud what I thought Of all the Oracles I did enquire What was to come of this intended warre Who said as seem'd to second my desire That I a mightie Monarchie should marre Those doubtfull words I wresting to my will In hope to breake the hauty Persians pow'rs Did ruine quite whil'st all succeeded ill What many a age had gain'd even in few houres And this may be admir'd as more then strange I who disdain'd an equall of before What cannot Fortune do when bent to change Then servants lesse must dreame content no more What eye not bigge with scorne my state surveyes Whom all do pittie now or worse do blame And bound even to my foe for some few dayes Which borrowed are with th'intrest of my fame Though this sweet gale of life-bestowing windes Would seeme a favour so it seemes to some Who by the basenesse of their muddie mindes Shew from what vulgar stock their kinde doth come I scorne unlike my selfe thus to be seene Though to my comfort this appear'd to tend As if misfortunes past had onely beene A Tragick entry to a Comick end Of all that plague my State what greater pest Then servile life which faints from th' earth to part And hath in one united all the rest To make me dye each day yet live to smart Life in my brest no comfort can infuse An En'mies gift could never come for good It but gives time of misery to muse And bathe my sorrows in a bitter flood Ah! had my breath straight vanish'd with my blisse And clos'd the windows that gave light to life I had not borne to misery submisse The height of those mishaps which now are rife Whil'st with a thousand sighs I call to minde The death of Atis and mine owne disgrace In such an aâ—ony my soule I finde That life to death would willingly give place But since I see reserv'd for further spight I with sad thoughts must burâ—en yet my soule My memory to my distracted spright Of all my troubles shall present a scroule Of which while as th' accounts I go to cast When numbring my misfortunes all of late I will looke backe upon my pleasures past And by them ballance my now haplesse state Chorus IS' t not a wonder thus to see How by experience each man reeds In practis'd volumes penn'd by deeds How things below inconstant be Yet whil'st our selves continue free We ponder oft but not apply That pretious oyle which we might buy Best with the price of others paines Which as what not to us pertaines To use we will not condescend As if we might the fates defie Still whilst untouch'd our state reamines But soon the heavens a change may send No perfect blisse before
the strong For Victors rage when as the vanquish'd bosts I will entreat him too not for my selfe Age bows my body to embrace pale death But that you yet may shunne this wrackfull shelfe Whose youth and beauty worthy are of breath Act. 3. Scene 2. Alexander Sisigambis Statira Regina Hephestion RIse Mother rise and calme those needlesse cares I come to cure not to procure your woe The duty which I owe those silver haires Doth grieve my minde to see you humbled so Sis Most gracious Prince forgive me if I err'd In taking him for you who stands you by Alex. I finde no fault to see my friend preferr'd Even to my selfe this is another I. Sis My sorrows so confounded have my minde That scarce I know my selfe another lesse My soule in such an agony I finde As words nor teares nor grones cannot expresse Alex. I pray you mother set those plaints apart They vex me more then sterne Bellona's broils Sis This tender name of Mother wounds my heart Whil'st nam'd by him who of that name me spoils I was woe that I was a Mother late Of two faire Sonnes faire Sunnes lights of my life But one is dead and in a worse estate The other lives involv'd in woe and strife Like to the trunke of some disbranched tree Which Aeolus hath to confusion brought Since spoil'd of those brave Impes which sprung from me Unprofitable stock I serve for nought Stat. Reg. I serve for nought since serving him no more Who onely may my blasted hopes revive Loe quite confounded farre from what before Who him of me me of my selfe deprive I live without my halfe without my whole Prodigious Monster whom the world admires I want the point the pilot and the pole Which drew addrest and bounded my desires Toss'd by sad sighs in flouds of bitter teares I save from ruine look for no reliefe By what I feele still plagu'd but worse with feares All comfort loath'd my glory is my griefe My soule feemes to presage disastrous chances And warring with it selfe hath never peace My heart surcharg'd doth faint in deadly trances My eyes must grace the ground of my disgrace Hell hath assembled all her horrours here Ah! in the dungeons of this desp'rate brest As in the dark Tartarian groves appeare A thousand shadows to bereave my rest Alex. Faire Princesse spare those passionate complaints Which may augment but not amend your harmes This voice which with your woe the world acquaints Doth move me more then all the Persians Armes Take courage Madam be afraid of none That you may hope what help I can afford I sweare by Ioves inviolable Throne And do protest by my Imperiall word Though for a while barr'd from your royall seat You compass'd here with troups of strangers stand Yet shall you still be us'd as fits your state And may as earst in your owne Court command Stat. Reg. Ah! how can I command whil'st I am thrall What can I have who wanting one want all Alex. Though brave it seeme in some proud victors sight To plague their captives and triumph in ill The larger grow the limits of my might The more I labour to rest raine my will What can be fear'd by them whom I defend Foes have not pow'r and who with me remaine They dare not wrong nor offer to offend The least in ranke who doth attend your traine If any would impugne what I appoint Or would in ambush for your honour lye Or discontent you but in any point As Alexander lives that wretch shall dye Stat. Reg. O what an host of evils where ere I go Are still encroaching to o're-throw my state Ah! must I be beholding to my foe And owe him love to whom my love owes hate Should he help me who still his ruine plyes Heavens curse my heart if stain'd with treason thus Let death in darknesse first entombe mine eyes Ere such a sight accepted be by us I Lord am thine and thine I will remaine Thy love was planted in a fertile field Which gratefull now thee to reward againe From flourish'd faith chast flames for fruits doth yeeld Yet doth misfortune this good fortune bring My constancy shall now be clearly knowne Another might have lov'd an happie King But I will love thee though thou be o're-throwne Alex. I labour much to comfort in some measure This grieved Queene that was a Monarch's choice Whose woe doth make my victory no pleasure For whil'st she mournes I cannot well rejoyce Sis Most mighty King thou dost deserve indeed That as for Darius we should pray for thee Who do'st so much in clemency exceed That thou bewail'st our losse no lesse then he Not onely thou surmount'st all other Kings In glory rising from thy labours gone And for those benefits which Fortune brings But in all vertues worthy of a Throne Thou do'st vouchsafe on me more then I crave The title of a Queene and Mother still But I confesse my selfe thy humble slave Whose life hath now no limits but thy will The dreamed good that Greatnesse gave forgot My count'nance shall be free from clouds of cares And I 'le allow of this my present lot As one who for my fate my force prepares Yea if this wofull woman here were free Who hath no heaven except her husbands face I could content my selfe great Prince to be The meanest hand-mayd that attends your Grace Alex. As if your Sonnes command all that is mine And I will seek to second your desire Sis Heavens recompense this courtesie of thine Which in all ages thousands shall admire Alex. Those captiv'd Princesses have pierc'd my soul Which even amid'st our heaven have found a hell Hep. His passions so what Stoick could controull Whom now to weep their teares would not compell What age could earst such stately beauties show Which of perfection hold the highest place And borne to bring though now they be brought low Do Beauty beautifie give Griefe a grace Sir such a victory hath not beene seene As you have gain'd since conquering as appeares The largest kingdome and the fairest Queene That Asia vaunted of these many yeares Durst Leda's or Agenors brood compare With that sweet Queene the honour of her kinde But as she is above all others faire As farre her daughters make her go behinde It seem'd at first that sorrow had beene sleeping Then whil'st those Virgins in their Grand-dames bosome With weeping beauty and with beauteous weeping Did with a haile of pearle blast Beauties blossome So large a pow'r no Prince on Earth can have As hath Loves Empire in their face confin'd Alex. What what Hephestion what doth thee deceive Dare folly seeke to bragge so brave a minde Dare Cupid enter in an armed Camp And them who Mars have match'd for sport appall Must his soft seale even through hard metall stamp And make who conquer men to women thrall Hep. We dare resist whil'st many a thousand dyes The steely tempests of a world of men But if from
But Alexander having heard our cryes Sent one to learne the cause that mov'd our woe Who finding whence our errour did arise Gave full assurance that it was not so Then he himselfe did to our Tent resort And with the mildest words he could conceive Your Mother Wife and Children did exhort Such terrours vaine since but surmiz'd to leave And he protested that they should expect No harme of him their courage to appall Then all things did with great regard direct That no man might endammage them at all Thus when they were against all dangers arm'd I thinke for feare for who would not have fear'd Lest such rare graces might his minde have charm'd He never more before her face appear'd Else generous vertue jealous of each thing Which tempting reason senses might allure What rare restraint in a victorious King He fled what fault or scandall could procure He doth his fame above all things preferre And will not be where it may blemish finde Nor give his eyes commodity to erre Lest thoughts impure might strive to staine his minde He whil'st that she was sicke did loath delight And gravely griey'd all pompe and pleasure left Dar. O hatefull heaven that with such hellish spight The worlds chiefe treasure Natures glory reft Tir. When he beheld deaths triumph in that face Which had triumph'd o're such a Monarchs heart With witness'd woe even passionate a space The lookers on did much commend his part And when some time his dolour had o're-come Her funerall rites solemnly to decore He us'd such honour as might well become The Persian pompe in prosp'rous times before Dar. O pow'r supreame that of great states disposest And ratifi'st thy will with fearefull thunder Who as thou pleasest placest and deposest Vncertaine worldlings now above now under I pray thy Deitie in my soules distresse If that th' inhabitants of heaven can heare The plaints of them who this low point possesse Or that th' immortals can give mortals care This favour last I onely doe require Establish first the Scepter in my hand But if through my desert or thy desire The race of Cyrus must no more command Since angry heaven so high a hate contracts That I must needs my Diadem forgoe Let him succeed who proves in all his acts So milde a Victor and so just a foe Act 4. Scene 2. Darius Artabazus Nabarzanes Patron Bessus IF joyn'd by fates with men of dastard mindes Who to a noble death base life preferr'd I should not waste my words amongst the windes But labour would that time might be deferr'd Though still resolv'd your course confirmes me much Whom no disaster could divorce from me What man can doubt whom heavens doe backe by such When bragg'd with bondage fighting to be free My courage swels to see you marching forth Whose force and faith which all the world doth sing Oft clear'd by proofe though fortune envy worth Might serve to make farre more to keepe a King He gives our rebels Townes not mov'd by love Each Prince though using them all traitours hates But that their course to take this might you move His turne once serv'd so forfeiting your states Ye to my fortune have not had regard As of my peace so partners of my warres Which though that I might not Iove would reward And all the world extoll you to the starres How long shall I a vagabond remaine And flye a stranger who my right would reave Since by one battell we may re-obtaine All that we lost or lose all that we have Like some vile traitors whom I will arraigne To hold me up shall I goe cast me downe Must Darius onely by entreaty raigne No none hath pow'r to give or take my Crowne I shall not my authority survive Nor will I proffer a submissive breath My hand shall hold a Scepter while I live My hand shall beare a Diadem till death If those franke thoughts which doe possesse my soule Such flames of courage kindled have in you A Macedonian shall not us controule Nor with disdainefull smiles brag whil'st we bow My state may testifie fraile fortunes change May she not him o're-whelme as well as mee At least our hands beare death if not revenge Brave mindes when no more rests may still dye free Now call your valorous ancestors to minde Whom from the Grecians tribute still requir'd And of whose deeds rare monuments we finde Whose merits make their memories admir'd Shall of your deeds posterity be dumbe Which doth your fathers names though dead adore I am resolv'd my triumph or my tombe A Laurell or a Cypresse shall decore Art What doubtfull silence thus your thoughts detaines We need advise with nought but with our swords He who the Persians wonted worth retaines Will answer now with deeds and not with words Let us accompany our King in Armes Through bloudy squadrons to this fatall strife No profit can be had without some harmes By slaughter onely we must looke for life And when our host as I hope doth prevaile Our Country shall have peace we praise of right And if our fortune not our courage faile We dye with honour in our Soveraignes sight Let us if vanquish'd scorne base breath to buy A noble death may greater glory give Doe to o're-come and yet not feare to dye 'T is needfull that we fight not that we live Nar. My words will first your Majestie displease Yet duty makes me speake where silence spilles The best Physitian cures a sharpe disease With some sowre potion that corruption killes And skilfull Pilots when they feare a storme To save the ship will cast out pretious things You in some sort may imitate their forme For else a tempest totall ruine brings Since bent against the Gods how can we speed To all our actions fortune is oppos'd We must of force some other way proceed So have the heavens of our affaires dispos'd Give Sir the state at least your titles place On some more happy man not in effect But with your shadow cloath him for a space Till he your Realmes from ruine may protect This storme once calm'd that now disturbes your state And Asia free from any forraigne hoste He shall with haste resigne the Soveraigne seat These Kingdoms gain'd againe which you have lost All Bactria yet abides at your command The Indians loe would dye to doe you good Yea many thousand thousands armed stand Bent for your State to offer up their bloud What should we rush like beasts to needlesse strife Be well prepar'd and then your fortune try Brave mindes should death despise not loathing life For feare of danger cowards crave to dye But vertue first all hopes accounts doth cast And of each meane to helpe maturely thinkes Then when all else is done death is the last The which to meet true courage never shrinkes Now for the time let Bactria be our seate To Bessus for the forme your Crowne resigne Who when he once hath re-advanc'd your state Shâ—ll with your foes o'rethrow
up break And let eye-flatt'ring shows our wits enchaunt All perish'd are ere of their pomp men speak Those golden palaces those gorgeous Halls With furniture superfluously faire Those stately Courts those skie-encountring walls Do vanish all like vapours in the ayre O! what affliction jealous greatnesse beares Which still must travell to hold others downe Whil'st all our guards not guard us from our fears Such toile attends the glory of a Crowne Where are they all who at my feet did bow Whil'st I was made the Idoll of so many What joy had I not then what have I now Of all once honour'd and now scarce of any Our painted pleasures but apparrell paine We spend our nights in feare our dayes in dangers Balls toss'd by Starres thrals bound to Fortunes raigne Though known to all yet to our selves but stranges A golden Crowne doth cover leaden cares The Scepter cannot lull their thoughts asleep Whose souls are drown'd with flouds of cold despaires Of which base vulgars cannot sound the deep The Bramble grows although it be obscure Whil'st loftie Cedars feele the blust'ring windes And milde Plebeian souls may live secure While mighty tempests tosse Imperiall mindes What are our dayes but dreames our raigne a glance Whil'st Fortunes feaver makes us rage and rave VVhich with strange fits doth to a height advance Till ere paine us we first our life must leave For glist'ring greatnesse by Ambition lov'd I was the wonder of all gazing eyes But free from shadows reall essence prov'd States just proportion ruine onely tryes Loe charg'd with chains which though they be of gold My states distresse diminish not the more When this prepost'rous honour I behold It but upbraids me what I was before And what was I before as now I see Though what afflicted was not clearly knowne But still in fetters whilst appearing free And in a labyrinth of labours throwne Was I not forc'd to serve a thousand humours To scape the censure of a Criticke storie Still clog'd with cares enrag'd with many rumours O glorious bondage and ô burd'nous glory That dignity which deifi'd me late And made the world doe homage to my name Doth not oppose that which pursues my state But by fall gives feathers unto fame My best was but a momentary blisse Which leaves behind this ever-lasting sting That of all woes no woe is like to this To thinke I was and am not now a king No man with me in all th'accomplish'd joyes That satisfie the soule could once compare No man may match me now in sad annoyes Or any crosse which can provoke despaire Thrice fortune did my gallant troups entrap And I to fall did desperately stand Yet could not be so happy in mishap As to have di'd by some renowned hand But for my greater griefe disgrace and scorne The mindes of men so apt are to deceave They whom aloft my favours wings had borne Evâ—â— they have made their Master thus a slave Ah! did nor death in prison from me reave The â—â—â—â—red Soveraigne of my soules desires And I wretch'd I not present to receave The 〈◊〉 â—olâ— kisse that should have quench'd my fires Yet o thrice happie thou who hast not liv'd To beare a burden of this great disgrace More then a thousand deaths this had thee grievd To know I di'd and di'd in such a case Ah! doe the pledges of our mutuall love The onely comfort that the fates have left Rest prison'd yet and may I not remove Mâ— mother thence as of all power quite reft My paines are more then with my pleasures even Since first my head was burden'd with a Crowne Was I exalted once up to the Heaven That to the Center Iove might throw me downe My ample Empire and my Princely birth My great magnificence and vaine excesse All cannot yeeld my minde one minutes mirth To ease me now in this my great distresse Loe here reduc'd vnto the worst of ills Past helpe past hope and onely great in griefe Two abject vassals make me waite their willes Not looking no nor wishing for reliefe If that my honour had beene first repair'd Then what though death had this fraild fortresse wonne I waile my life since for disgrace prepar'd Not that it ends but that it was begunne What fatall conflict can my count'nance marre Though me to bragge death all his horrours bring I never shall wrong Majestie so farre As ought to doe that not becomes a king Chorus SOme new disaster daylie doth fore-show Our comming ruine wee have seene our best For fortune bent as wholy to o'rethrow Throwes downe our king from her wheeles height so low That by no meanes his state can be redrest For since by armes his pow'r hath been represt Both friends and servants leave him all alone Few have compassion of his state distrest To him themselves a number false doth show So foes and faithlesse friends conspir'd in one Fraile fortune and the fates with them agree All runne with Hatchets on a falling tree This Prince in prosp'rous state hath flourish'd long And never dream'd of ill did thinke farre lesse But was well follow'd whilst his state was strong Him flattering Syrens with a charming song Striv'd to exalt then whilst he did possesse This earthly drosse that with a vaine excesse He might reward their mercenarie love But now when fortune drives him to distresse His favourites whom he remain'd among They straight with her as hers their faith remove And who for gaine to follow him were wont They after gaine by his destruction hunt O more then happie ten times were that king Who were vnhappie but a little space So that it did not utter ruine bring But made him prove a profitable thing Who of his traine did best deserve his grace Then could and would of those the best embrace Such vulturs fled as follow but for prey That faithfull Servants might possesse their place All gallant minds it must with anguish fling Whilst wanting meanes their vertue to display This is the griefe which bursts a generous heart When favour comes by chance not by desart Those minions oft to whom kings doe extend Above their worth immoderate good-will The buttes of common hate oft hit in end In prosp'rous times they onely doe depend Not upon them but on their fortune still Which if it change they change them though they fill Their hopes with honour and their chests with Coyne Yet if they fall or their affaires goe ill Those whom they rais'd will not with them descend But with the side most stronge all straight doe joyne And doe forget all what was given before When once of them they can expect no more The truth hereof in end this strange event In Bessus and Narbazenes hath prov'd On whom their Prince so prodigally spent Affection Honour Titles Treasure Rent And all that might an honest minde have mov'd So bountyfull a Prince still to have lov'd Who so benignely tendred had their state Yet Traitours vile all due respects remov'd
pitchie vapours cled Had must'red mysts and march'd out of the West Dayes beauties darkning shadowie horrours spread The Sentinels were set and all at rest When loe a terrour did distract the host Whose bands to murmure were dispers'd in parts With sounds resembling ships in stormes neare lost Whil'st each to other cause of feare imparts Those who their King appointed were to guard From what was due by fraud or feare did stray And to his danger having no regard His Fortunes Minions fled with heraway The desolation then growne wondrous great With some few Eunuchs Darius left alone No strength remaining nor no signe of state He thus them spake who for his fall did mone Go part in peace ere further harme be had Lest that my ruine likewise you surprise They hearing those sad words as men gone mad Went howling through the host with dolorous cryes So that all those who heard what plaints they made Thought that they had their Soveraignes death bewail'd And forcing trust some forg'd reports were spread That he had kill'd himselfe all hope quite fail'd The Persians griev'd whil'st these things did occurre Did first encourage all their Countrey bands To help their Prince but yet they durst not stirre For feare of falling in the Bactrians hands Even in the time when this confusion was The Traitors to deferre the fact no more Did to their Soveraignes Tent with Squadrons passe And took and bound him whom they serv'd before Who in a golden Coach once proudly rode Was throwne in one for common carriage us'd And who of late was honour'd like a God Two of his owne as if their slave abus'd Those royall hands to beare a Scepter borne Were basely bound and which the more him griev'd Thus misery can hardly scape from scorne With bands of gold which burden'd not reliev'd When Alexander great with courage spy'd Our Armies flie he who in hope them chac'd To follow us with diligence did ride Base seem'd the Conquest which no danger grac'd But when at last at length by some inform'd How he was made a captive to his owne At this indignity he highly storm'd As if by it his hopes had beene o're-throwne Out of his host he did select a few Who were best hors'd and fit for such a fight With whom his foes he did so fast pursue That e're they could suspect he came in sight The Traitors vex'd when spying him appeare Came to the Cart whereas the King did stay And call'd to horse in haste since foes were neare Lest that they else might finde him for a prey He look'd aloft and cry'd aloud I see That Nemesis is frowning from above Should I with Traitors as a captive be And flie from him who but brave warres doth move Then those in whom impiety abounds Throw'd Darts at him vile beasts to be abhorr'd And hurt the horses with an hundred wounds Then men more trusty dying for their Lord As false in hearts so feeble with their hands When Guilt and Danger doubled had despaires The Traitors first then all their trait'rous bands Fled from a number lesse by halfe then theirs But to the bounds of Deaths pale kingdome brought The King retyr'd where least by people spy'd More wounded with ingratitude then ought Did leave the world whose folly he had tri'd The last divorce which lasts was scarcely made Twixt soule and body whil'st the eyes grew dim When Alexander came and found him dead Who labour'd had so long to ruine him And whil'st his teares a generall mourning mov'd That stately vesture which himselfe array'd Much fear'd for valour more for vertue lov'd With his owne hand on Darius corps he layd Then wailing long as for a brother lost To have his funerals furnish'd like a Kings He bids you use his wealth and spare no cost For you shall want no necessary things He hath his body hither sent by me And sunerall rites solemnely bent to do He thinks that they may best accomplish'd be Whil'st who him bred doth see him buried too Cho. Behold how griese hath her of sense bereft Whil'st breath for passage strugling is with grones No will nor pow'r to live just griefe hath left Since what she value vanish'd is at once Sis Ah! shall I see no let me first be blinde That body breathlesse which I brought to light Where would my soule a force sufficient finde That could encounter with so sad a sight O flinty heart what hinders thee to breake Since crush'd with cares a stranger to repose Why part'st thou not poore soule that whil'st I speake In opening of my lips mine eyes may close This heritage of death this wither'd stocke Is but a place appointed for despaires A torture to it selfe a stumbling block Whose aged furrows fertile are in cares Once for good Fortunes now for bad design'd To state betray'd drawne forth from calme repose To have beene happie most afflicts my minde Who rais'd to fall got much the more to lose Ah me malitious fates have done me wrong Who first come to the world should first depart And ah why should the old o're-live the yong This Nature wrongs by a prepost'rous art Ah! why should Death so indiscreet be found To spare a caitive and to spoyle a Prince My halfe-dead body bending to the ground Through griefe is grown ripe for the grave long since Chorus WHat makes vaine worldlings so to swell with pride Who come of th' earth and soone to th' earth returne So hellish furies with their fire-brands burne Proud and ambitious men that they divide Them from themselves and so turmoyle their mindes That all their time they study still How to content a boundlesse will Which never yet a full contentment findes Who so this flame within his bosome smothers He many fancies doth contrive And even forgets himselfe alive To be remembred after death by others Thus while he is his paines are never ended That whil'st he is not he may be commended What can this help the happinesse of Kings So to subdue their Neighbours as they do And make strange Nations tributaries too The greater state the greater trouble brings Their pompes and triumphs stand them in no stead Their Arches Tombes Pyramides high And statues are but vanity They dye and yet would live in what is dead And while they live we see their glorious actions Oft wrested to the worst and all their life Is but a stage of endlesse toyle and strife Of tumults uproares mutinies and factions They rise with feare and lye with danger downe Huge are the cares which wait upon a Crowne And as Ambition Princes under-mynes So doth it those who under them rule all We see in how short time they rise and fall How oft their light ecclips'd but dimmely shines They long time labour by all meanes to move Their Prince to value much their parts And when advanc'd by subtle arts O what a danger is' t to be above For straight expos'd to hatred and despight With all their skill they
favours doe not justly binde To please that Heroes Ghost though from us gone With all the off'rings of a thankefull minde Ah had the fates beene subject to my will So great a losse should not have crost our life But we had kept great Alexander still And he those kingdomes which procure this strife Yet heavens decrees can never be recall'd And thoughts of harme past helpe breed double paine Though once to griefe a space by passions thrall'd The living must embrace the world againe As one whose intrest in that Prince was chiefe A sorrow singular my soule affects But I will not defraud the generall griefe To waile a-part particular respects Though all the ayre still Ecchoâ—s plaintive sounds Of widow'd hopes now wedded to despaires Yet time must cicatrize our inward wounds And to the publike good draw private cares Let us give physicke to the sickned state Which at this present in great danger stands VVhilst grudging Subjests that our greatnesse hate By bloud would venge their violated lands Those who by force are thrall'd to be made free Precipitate themselves in dangers still And this of Nature seemes a rule to be What Realme not scornes to serve a strangers will From forc'd obedience nought but hate proceeds The more we have subduâ—d the more our foes A soveraigne head this States huge body needs That might make us securely to repose And who more meet to have that great mans place Of those whose states he tooke who gain'd the hearts Then one descended from that Regall race Whose birth both worth and right to raigne imparts If heavens enrich Roxane with a Sonne That long'd-for birth a lawfull Soveraigne brings And â—ill that course of doubtfull hopes be runne Let some be nam'd who manage may all things Anti. The Macedonians swolne with wrath would scorne That to their King a stranger should succeed Can men obey a Babe a Babe not borne What fancies strange would this confusion breed This could not well become our grave fore-sight A doubtfull birth so long t'â—â—tend in vaine Which may abortive be and brought to light Through natures errour made not apt to raigne But if affection carry us so farre That of that race we must be rul'd by some Though neither train'd by time in peace nor warre As those who must indeed by kinde o're-come Then have we Hercules the eldest sonne To our great Prince by faire Barâ—ines borne Who fourteene yeares of age hath now begun His Princely birth by vertue to adorne Ptol. To thinke of this it makes my soule asham'd That we should serve a base Barbarians brood What should we beare the yoke that have fram'd To buy disgrace have we bestow'd our bloud Our ancestors whose glory we obscur'd Would get some vantage of their off-spring thus That peoples bondage they would have procur'd And have we warr'd to make them Lords o're us Ah bury this as a most odious thing Which may bring danger and must breed our scorne Though in effect descended from our King They come of Captives are 〈◊〉 basely borne O! brave Leonides I like thy strife Who with so few perform'd so glorious things And death preferrâ—d before th' infamous life Which bondage still from a Barbarian brings Those loath to take a stranger for their Lord Did with their bloud renowne a forraigne field And shall we honour them whom they abhorr'd And even though victors to the vanquish'd yeeld To what did tend that eminent attempt Which makes the Persians yet abase their brow But to our countries scorne in a contempt To take by force that which we offer now Was this the scope of all our conquests then Of abject Captives to be made the prey No let us still command like valorous men And rule our Empire by some other way May we not use this policy a space Till Time afford or we a course devise Least dangerous discord doe disturbe our peace Still when we would of serious things adviâ—e With Majestie let us assembled be A sacred Senate with a chayre of state That of the Soveraigne pow'r all signes may see Then whilst we compasse that respected seate There those who were in credit with the King Whose merits in mens mindes have reverence bred Shall weigh'd by judgement ballance every thing How kingdomes should be rul'd how armies led And what the greatest part hath once approv'd To that the rest will willingly incline By such a harmony the Army mov'd Will execute what ever we designe This concord would prove happy for us all Which each mans state free from all danger renders And by this meanes our Macedonie shall In place of one have many Alexanders Eum. Though silence I confesse becomes me best Who am a stranger and the lesse beleev'd Yet of your toyles since I a partner rest I must unfold my minde a minde much griev'd And thinke you that a Babe repaires our losse How can good wits so grosly be beguil'd This in all Countries hath been thought a crosse Woe to that soile whose Soveraigne is a childe Nor would these great men as is thought agree They be too many bodies for one minde Ah pardon Ptolomie it cannot be This union would disjoyne us all I finde Thus would the Army from good order swerve If many might forgive all would offend As thinking well though they did death deserve No man so bad but some will him befriend And when so many Kings were in one Court One Court would then have many humours too Which fostring factions for each light report Would make them jarre as neighbouring Princes doe No let this strange designe be quite supprest Whilst equall all all would unequall be So that their mindes by jealousie possest From pale suspition never could be free But ah what needs contention at this time To cloud a matter that was made so cleare And doe you now account it not a crime To damne his will who once was held so deare When that great Monarch march'd to match with death Whilst all his Captaines were assembled there And did demand whilst he dispos'd of breath Whom he himselfe adopted for his heire Then that none might such doubtfull questions breed As loving valour more then his owne race He that a brave man brave men might succeed Said let the worthiest have the worthiest place Nor did he speake this in a secret part With double words which might more doubt have mov'd As breathing thoughts in each ambitious heart To have his worth in Vulcans fornace prov'd For whil'st ye hedg'd the fatall bed about With an unpartiall care distracted long Then he amongst you all did chuse one out Who for so great a charge did seeme most strong He to Perdiccas did present the Ring That us'd to seale the secrets of the State By which it seem'd that he design'd him King And so would seaze him of the regall seat Thus made this worthy man a worthy choice That further strife might not the state deforme And all the world now justly may
Exeunt Act 2. Scene 2. Lysimachus Seleucus Loe here a great and more then sudden change All men for mirth were like to have gone mad So that of late it would have beene thought strange In all this Citie to have seene one sad Each wall resounded some melodious song To ravish curious eares with rare delight Strange Tapestries were stretch'd the streets along And stately objects made to charme the sight As if our King his conquests so would crowne Of all the world a Parliament to hold He plac'd with pompe in this imperiall towne Did of magnificence the height unfold Here glory in her richest robes array'd Should have shewne all that Greatnesse could expect Yet were our hopes even at the height betraid To death those Trophees fortune did erect A tragicke end this triumph quite confounds All our applauses vanish in complaints Our Musicke marr'd by melancholy sounds Loe by the Cypresse press'd the lawrell faints To funerall shrikes our shouts of joy we turne With gorgeous garments Griefe cannot comport We that so much rejoyc'd farre more must mourne Dayes spent with woe are long with pleasure short This breeds most anguish when that one compares The present time with others that are past Whilst wonted hopes are ballanc'd with despaires Which all heroicke mindes with woe doe waste Betwixt these two what difference finde we forth The rising Sunne and it that is declin'd Where is that Zodiacke lodging of all worth Whence valours beames still lightning courage shin'd Now desolation spreads it selfe o're all A solitary silence griefe allowes Ah as quite crâ—sh'd by that great Monarchs fall How many male-contents cast downe their browes A strange suspition hath possess'd the streets VVhilst every man his neighbours fall conspires Each one who unawares another meets As fearing treason with distrust retires Of rumours strange each eare is greedy growne VVhich though but doubtfull move the minde to rue And doting still on that which is their own VVhat they conjecture all affirme for true Sel. VVith eyes that flame for rage our deeds heaven viewes And mov'd for us a high disdaine doth beare Loe all mens heads are heavy for ill newes And though we know not what yet still we feare For since the widow'd world doth want a head Each member now doth labour to be chiefe VVhich whilst they divers wayes the body lead May give beginning to some endlesse griefe Some like the foole who thunder fayn'd like Iove VVould make their fame like Alexanders sound And all brought low to be themselves above VVould order all or else would all confound Then some vaine wits which onely would seeme wise By flatt'ring mirrours of their shape deceiv'd Doe every thing that is not theirs despise And perish would ere them another sav'd A number too whom all things doe content VVhat each one thinkes are still resolv'd to doe They make a choice then doe the choice repent And straight repent of that repentance too The publike good is spoil'd by private hope VVhilst many thus high dignities doe claime This discord gives to rash ambition scope For all would fish within a troubled streame See how dissention hath dissolv'd so soone All kinde of order and confusion brought Our Councell quite this variance hath undone VVhilst one would have done all all have done nought Although Perdiccas as it would have seem'd VVhilst for his masters race he onely stood Sought by that meanes more vertuous to be deem'd His Princes honour and his Countries good Yet his companions having in contempt He did by subtile meanes himselfe advance And so to shadow his disguis'd attempt Aym'd at the royall place as but by chance He toyles that the unborne none should beguile As by the heavens for th' Orphanes good reserv'd Yet wanting of a King nought but the stile He would not want that when th' occasion serv'd And Meleager partially dispos'd To hinder others doth pretend a love To bastard Philip by effect disclos'd Since he but seekes Perdiccas to disprove And if that foe whom he doth feare but faile He cares not much what Emperour they proclaime And his designe with many may prevaile A cloake of right apparels any claime They whose descent some title doth disclose As by their birth made capable to raigne Must be preferr'd by reason unto those Who of all right without the bounds remaine The furious foot-men insolently stout A title to maintaine did brave our band And indignation thundring threatnings out Would with our bloud have bath'd this barbarous land O! what indignity would this have been Whilst those whom we subdu'd with such great toiles Had in this sort their victors vanquish'd seen So of their spoilers purchasing the spoiles Thus darkening all that we had done before Our swords first stayn'd by ignominious wounds We of our conquests could have kept no more But burials base if those in th' enemies bounds O! what excellency consists in th' one Though oft not mark'd till miss'd cleare at this houre Some with a word or look doe more alone Then thousands joyn'd with policy and pow'r When squadrons arm'd with Ensignes full displaid As of their Prince all due regard quite lost His generous course would obstinate have staid By them abandon'd when endanger'd most Then of disorder yeelding bitter fruits They boldly march'd with bragges before his Tent And charg'd their Soveraigne with unlawfull suits To innovations violently bent Of duty then they by no band detain'd First grudg'd grew factious next last rebels plaine Like waters for a time by Art restrai'd Their bounds once pass'd which do all bounds disdain But from that patterne of accomplish'd worth Whom imitate none may all must admire Through just â—isdaine when fury spark'led forth These troupes astonish'd trembling did retire His stately count'nance calm'd tumultuous sounds And lightned Majesty through clouds of wrath That even as if his words had given them wounds They fell afraid of him though not of death Those lofty bands which were of late so proud That they disdain'd to wait their Emperours will Then by his looke all at an instant bow'd Did beg but leave that they might serve him still And yet what wonder though he gain'd all hearts Which to his presence happened to repaire With that perfection of all vertuous parts As large in him as in all others rare Loe when we meet to treat by peace or warres How all our conquests may be best secur'd The Souldiers doe burst out in publike jarres Even by their Captaines no respect procur'd And who can call that valorous Prince to minde That unto vertue any reverence beares But he must be constrain'd or prove unkinde To offer up a tribute of some teares Lysi His death doth make my soule faint sorrows prey Though many thought that I for it had long'd For if by any whom he should obey One can be wrong'd then I indeed was wrong'd Sel. Though fame abroad by divers tongues did bring To what huge danger you were once expos'd It did not paint out each
was best Did did in time before his fortune chang'd And for his favour which I oft did try Whom earnestly he labour'd to advance It grieves me that himselfe so soone did die And that his off-spring hath so hard a chance His Successors have set all Greece on fire Of which I feare to perish by some sparke For Polypercon doth my death conspire And who can scape when made a great mans marke Yet for my Countries cause I 'le give my blood Whilst safely prais'd all follow vertue can But when by danger bragg'd then to doe good O! that is worthie of a worthie man Nor doe I tender so this puffe of breath But I can yeeld that Nature it expell A minde that is resolv'd triumphes o're death He hath liv'd long enough who hath liv'd well Exeunt Act 5. Scene 2. Cassander Lysimachus Ptolomie Seleucus NO doubt great Heroes whom the Heavens have lov'd What ever count'nance duty doth pretend Your minds are glad since those by me remov'd Who might have made you end have made an end Loath not the meanes if pleas'd with the effect For though by this I have a realme obtain'd It yeelds you more whose course none can suspect I onely guilty am ye all have gain'd Yet to pursue my life they first began For my defence this refuge last I prov'd What then himselfe can be more neere to man When bragg'd by danger who would not be mov'd And if Olympias had not di'd in time By offring up her blood to worke my peace Then mine had beene the harme and hers the crime I but prevented her a little space And if her off-spring had surviv'd her death Whose rising could not but procure our fall Yee now who nought but soveraignty doe breath Had breath'd obedience or not breath'd at all Lysim You from a dangerous yaoke have us releev'd Which I suspect we should have tri'd too soone And why then should we labour to seeme griev'd At that thing done which we wish not unâ—one No no since all for soveraignty do strive And have once tasted what it is to raigne Each one of vs would rather die then live To beare a subjects servile yoke againe And though perchance with Alexander Sonne If heire to him in worth as of his state We might have most respected places wonne As speciall pillars of the Princes seate Though greater then the rest as of before It would have vex'd us lesse then one to fall The fall from first to second grieves one more Then from the second to the last of all Our envi'd glory had destruction brought And would have made us odious to remaine It dangerous is for subiects to be thought Such as desire or yet deserve to raigne When any Tempest threatned had his Throne He would have sought for surety at our cost When Iealousie mindes worme hath seaz'd on one The greatest vertues are suspected most Yea though we could to quite our state consent Us from suspition nought but death could purge Still greatnesse must turmoile or then torment If borne a burthen if layd downe a scourge Ptol. But when we have within our bosome weigh'd The ruine of all Alexanders race Whom without blushing we might have obey'd By right succeeding in our Soveraignes place How can our soules but highly be asham'd If one below them farre emboldned thus Doth seeke by wrong that which by right they claim'd And by their o'retâ—row would insult o're us Nor neede I more as in suspense remaine To maske my meaning with ambiguous wordes No no our words may as his deeds be plaine Which fame and that not whiâ—â—ring now records Ye heare how that Antigonus of lâ—te Whose thoughts wing'd with good succes soare too high Doth strive above the rest to raise his State And by all meanes doth fortune frankely ply Since to his hands Eumenes was betrai'd Loe quite transported by praepost'rous pride As if in nought adebted to our ayde To yeeld our due he cannot now abide Lysim Thus time let truth of all things doth proclame Man is a crafty Creature had to know Who can a face for every fortune frame No trust in mortalls no nor faith below As our particulars doe sometime move We what we wish for most seeme to mislike And oft of others doe the course disprove Whilst we want only meanes to doe the like Then whilst Perdiccas did attempt before To make the rest who were his equalls thrall Who then Antigonus detested more The foolish pride of one that would have all But since Perdiccas and his faction fell Whom he as Traitours of the State pursu'd He in his place succeeding to rebell Hath what he seem'd to end againe renew'd And yet I may times have mus'd of this How from the world he did Enmenes send Sel. How but by Treason as his custome is False at the first and cruell in the end Lysim I know that after many doubtfull fights He hath o'rethrowne Eumenes at the last But by what Stratagems or treach'rous slights I would be glad to heare how all hath past Sel. Antigonus was at the first afrai'd To match Eumenes by plaine force in fight And therefore all that feare affords assai'd For valour franke still using warie slight Amongst Eumenes troupes their mindes to prove He scattred letters with allurements stor'd By promis'd treasures and protested love Some to corrupt who might betray their Lord But he still wise his Troupes in time advis'd To cleare their vertue by their enemies vice And gave them thankes who would not be entis'd To sell their faith at such a bloodie price Then said that he himselfe those scroules procur'd That when they spy'd such practises againe They still might thinke them by this meanes allur'd Their Captaines triall not their Enemies traine Thus by the course which should have him entrap'd His adversarie did deluded stay Whilst both the from that present danger scap'd And to prevent the like prepar'd a way Then when he saw this policy had fail'd And that there had some doubtfull â—â—â—licts past Antigenus who had at one prevail'd As having had some vantage at the last Did with Eumenes straight procure to speake And as t 'one vanquish'd offred him good-will But he whose minde could not be brought to breake Would onely talke as to his equall still For when a band betweene them made did beare He to Antigonus should helpe impart That forme reform'd he first of all would sweare With Alexanders off-spring to take part Thus where they his submission did attend Imperiously conditions he impos'd So that thereafter to procure his end The other by all meanes his minde dispos'd And shortly of his bands a vaine debate For his confusion fit occasion brought Still as by concord small things doe grow great By discord great things are reduc'd to nought While-as Eumenes fortunately liv'd The Agâ—raspides to him gave place Till that for state two of their Captaines striv'd And his authoritie would not embrace Such as that spite of theirs to
gold which oft her Nymphs beguiles And am I she whose greatnesse is admir'd Whom Iove for wife whom thousands court for love Whom haughty Ixion to embrace desir'd Yet with a cloud deluded did remove And what made me a matter to submit Where my authority might have avail'd Whilst though I promis'd wealth and Pallas wit Yet with a yong man Venus most prevail'd But how durst he of one the glory raise Where two contemn'd would needs the wrong repaire It spites our sexe to heare anothers praise Of which each one would be thought onely faire To venge my selfe no kinde of paine I spar'd And made his greatest gaine his greatest losse As Venus gave him Helen for reward I gave him Helen for his greatest crosse Nor did he long with joy her love enjoy Whose fatall flames his Country did confound Whâ—â—st Armies arm'd for her did Troy destroy And Neptunes labours levell'd with the ground Whilst Simois seem'd to be a buriall field Whose streams as streets were with dead bodies pav'd All Zanthus Plaine as turn'd a Sea did yeeld A floud of bloud from Heroes wounds receiv'd Whilst braving thousands once though much esteem'd By dust and bloud deform'd of Hector slaine Not like Patroclus by the sword redeem'd The body basely was bought backe againe Then by the same mans sonne who kill'd his sonne Old Priamus surpriz'd sigh'd forth his breath And even most harm'd where he for helpe had runne The Altar taking taken was by death Though wrestling long to scape the heavens decree Bloud quenching lust last parted from the light He who lov'd Helen and was loath'd by me Did as a Sacrifice appease my spight Then having liv'd if wretches have a life Till in all hers ere dead oft buried spi'd Though once known both nor mother then nor wife The fertile Hecuba mad childelesse dy'd Thus by those meanes it would have seem'd to some That scorned beauty had beene well reveng'd But whilst they were o're-com'd they did o're-come Since they their states for better states have chang'd I in one part that people did confound But did enlarge their power in every place All war-like Nations through the world renown'd From Phrygian ruines strive to raise their race And yet two traitors who betray the rest O! that the heaven on treason sometime smiles Though having worst deserv'd did chance the best More I appy then at home in their exiles Did not Antenor stealing through his foes Neere to th' Euganian Mountaines build a Towne Of which soâ—e nurslings once shall seeke repose Amidst the waves and in the depths sit downe Their Citie spousing Neptune shall arise The rarest Common-wealth that ever was Whose peo e if as stout as rich and wise Might boast to bring miraculous things to passe Then false Aeneas though but borne t' obey Did of a fugitive become a King And some of his neere Tibers streames that stay Would all the world to their obedience bring Their ravenous Eagles soaring o're all lands By violence a mighty prey have wonne That bastard brood of Mars with martiall bands Have conquerâ—d both the Mansions of the Sunne Their course by mountaines could not be controld No Neptune could not keep his bosome free The parching heate nor yet the freezing cold Their Legions limits no way could decree Yet of that City there can come no good Whose rising walles with more then barbarous rage The builder first bath'd with his brothers bloud Which their prodigious conquests did presage Oft hath that Towne my soule with anguish fiâ—li'd Whose new-borne state did triumph o're my wrath Like my old foe who in his Cradle kill'd The Serpents which I sent to give him death By Sabins Albans Tuscans oft assail'd Even in her infancy I toss'd Romes state Yet still Laomedons false race prevail'd And angry Iuno could doe nought but hate Then when the gallant Gaules had vanquish'd Rome Who basely bought her liberty with gold A banish'd man Camillus chanc'd to come And her imballanc'd state redeem'd of old Great Hanniball our common cause pursu'd And made his bands within their bounds remaine With Consuls and with Pretors bloud imbru'd At Thrasimene and at Cannas slayne In Romans mindes strange thoughts did doubt infuse But whilst they fear'd the taking of their Towne He who could vanquish victory not use Was by their brasen fate when high thrown downe O what a torrent of Barbarian bands In inundations once their walles did boast Whilst Teutons huge and Cymbers from their Lands Like Gyants march'd a more then monstrous hoste But though from parts unknowne to ruine Rome I led those troupes which all the word admir'd Yet did fierce Marius me with them o're-come And I in vaine to venge old wrongs aspir'd By meanes more base I likewise sought her harmes Whilst Ianus Church imported never peace I rais'd up abject Spartacus in Armes Who neere eclips'd Romes glory with disgrace Though I who all the world for helpe have sought From Europe Africke and from Asia thus Gaules Carthaginians and the Cymbers brought Yet did the dammage still redound to us Of heaven and earth I all the pow'rs have prov'd And for their wracke have each advantage watch'd But they by forraine force cannot be mov'd By Romans Romans onely may be match'd And I at last have kindled civill warre That from their thoughts which now no reason bounds Not onely laws but Natures laws doth barre The Sonne the Syre the brother brother wounds Whil'st th' Eagles are oppos'd to th' Eagles so O what contentment doth my minde attaine No wound is wrong bestow'd each kills a foe What ever side doth lose I alwayes gaine But this my soule exceedingly annoyes That all at one time cannot be supprest The warre helps some as others it destroyes And those who hate me most still prosper best Whil'st with their bloud their glory thousands spend Ah! ones advancement aggravates my woe Who vaunts himselfe from Venus to descend As if he claim'd by kinde to be my foe I meane the man whose thoughts nought can appease Whil'st them too high a blinde ambition bends Whom as her minion Fortune bent to please Her rarest treasures prodigally spends Not onely hath he daunted by the Sword The Gauls the Germans and th' Aegyptians now But of all Lords pretends to be made Lord That who command the world to him may bow Thus dispossessing Princes of their Thrones Whil'st his Aâ—â—â—â—tion nothing can asswage That the subjected world in bondage grones The prey of pride the sacrifice to rage Men raile on Iove and sigh for Saturnes time And to the present Ages past preferre Then burden would the Gods with every crime And damne the heavens where onely th' earth doth erre Though Iove as stupid still with Cupid sports And not the humour of proud Caesar spies Who may if forcing thus the worlds chiefe Forts Then Titans earst more pow'rfull scale the skies Yet lest he thrall him too who none free leaves We from the bounds above him must repell To brawle with
But to th' Ambitious men that it abus'd Who had their pow'r like Caesars wanted bounds Would whil'st they rul'd have greater rigour us'd All parts we see bred people of all kindes And as advanc'd some bad men did abide In pow'r their equals and of better mindes Some alwayes vertuous were to curbe their pride But since that sacred liberty was lost The publike pow'r to private ends one turnes And as his lawlesse wayes did alwayes boast The Common-weale by violence o're-turnes Dec. Though what you burden Caesar with were true Necessity hath purg'd his part from crime Who was foes force to shunne forc'd to pursue And urg'd by danger to attempt in time To th' enemies envy more oblig'd he rests Then to his wit which no such courses scan'd For when quite barr'd from using of requests Th' occasion then invited to command His thoughts when calme to storm fond foes did tempt True worth disdaines to suffer open wrong A gallant courage kindled by contempt Burns with revenge whil'st fury makes one strong Cic. O Decius now a wrong account you cast The purpose not th' event declares the minde Tread backe the steps of all his actions past And what he compass'd had beene long design'd As by some sprite inspir'd proud Scilla said That there in Caesar many Marians were And Rome in tiâ—e was warn'd to be afraid Of that evill-girded youth with smooth-comb'd haire Then when as still to quietnesse a foe The memory of Marius he renew'd By re-erecting Tyrants statues so His thoughts all bent to tyranny were view'd That people-pleaser might have beene perceiv'd By courteous complements below his rank Who lavishing forth gifts the world deceiv'd And to gaine more then his of his prov'd franke Though nought at all indulgent to his wife By prostrated pudicity disgrac'd Yet did he save th' adultrous Clodius life To sooth the multitude whose steps he trac'd Dec. These be the meanes by which Ambition mounts Without most humble when within most high As if it fled from that things which it hunts Still wasting most when it for most doth plie Cic. Then he still tyranny bent to embrace Was thought conjoyn'd with Catiline to be And had wise Cato's counsell taken place Might with the rest have suffered death by me Yet having deeply div'd in some mens soules With factious followers being pined oft He got the Consul-ship which nought controuls And matching pride with pow'r did look aloft To flatter them who now must flatter him His pow'r to make unlawfull laws prevail'd And those to crosse who scorn'd he so should clime He furnish't was with force where reason fail'd But yet because he could not be assur'd To rule alone according to his will To governe France he craftily procur'd So to be strengthened with an Army still As Rome first warr'd at home till being strong She thought her power might forraine Realmes o're-co So Caesar warr'd against strange Nations long Till that he thought his Might might conquer Rome Then having all that force or fate assignes Of discontentment he did cause pretend So to dissemble fore-conceiv'd designes One soone may finde a fault that would offend But when he first in a prodigious dreame His mother seem'd incestuously to use It might have shown to his eternall shame How of his birth the bounds he did abuse Dec. And yet I thinke avoyding threatned harmes He by constraint imbark'd in civill broyles Did he not covenant to quite his Armes As not desirous of his Countries spoiles Cic. Durst he with those who had his charge confin'd Stand to capitulate as if their mare Where as his Soveraigne to obey their minde It was his duty and their due of late What what durst he whom bound to keep the law The people in authority did put The sword which they had given against them draw When it was sharpned â—â—â—st their throat to cut That had not come which all oâ—â— anguish breeds If he unforc'd when as his charge expir'd Till that the Senate censur'd had his deeds Had from his Province peaceably retir'd No he hath but betray'd his native Towne Those bands by which she did him first preferre T' enlarge her borders and his owne renowne Those hath he us'd to tyrannize o're her My passions ah transported as you see With an excessive love to my deare soile Of my hearts store have made my tongue too free By flaming forth what in my brest doth boile Dec. That Caesars part might justly be excus'd Loe with the cause alledg'd his course accords Of which that mildenesse which he since hath us'd A testimony to the world affords Though forc'd to fight he alwaies had great care To save our Citizens as each man knowes And will'd his Captaines Romans still to spare Barbarians bodies objects were for blowes Of th' adversaries after bloudy strife When oft he might have made some Captives smart Not onely was he liberall of their life But pardon'd them even to take Pompeys part At that infortunate Pharsalian field When he securely might have us'd the sword He both did spare all th' enemies that would yeeld And them to rents and dignities restor'd Then when th' Egyptians so to get reliefe Brought to his sight pale Pompey's bloud-lesse head He testifi'd with teares hâ—s inward griefe And grac'd his Statues after he was dead Those his proceedings plainely may approve That he against his will did make this warre And to his Country beares a tender love Who could comport to reyne his rage so farre Cic. Those favours fain'd by him bestow'd or due As is ones custome whose high heart aspires Were spent on many that who them did view Might love his course so kindling their desires But where he thus pleas'd some he spoil'd whole hosts And the Barbarians all to Rome not wrought Such harme as he who of his goodnesse boasts Yet her best men hath to confusion brought That great man whom earst fortune ne're did fayle Who still prevail'd though warring without right Now in a good cause for the common-weale With Caesar did infortunately fight Whilst fled from Lesbos with his wretched wife Three base-borne Groomes can fortune change so soone Stood to consult upon great Pompeys life And did what thousands durst not once have done Then he whose knees had oft been kiss'd by Kings Most highly happy had he dy'd in time By one of his owne slaves with abject things His funerals had perform'd what monstrous crime Romes greatest Captaine to entombe alone The Roman who arriv'd with reason said The fatall glory was too great for one And to have part of that last honour staid The teares bestow'd by Caesar on his head Forth from a guilty minde remorse had throwne Or else he wept to see his enemie dead By any others hands then by his owne That constant Cato who even death did scorne And for a coward once had Caesar brav'd Who liv'd as if to grace all mortals borne Would rather perish then by him be sav'd He justly whilst more
just himselfe more strong Then Caesar thought who for no justice car'd And since discovering what he cloak'd so long Said that the other and not he was snar'd Thus Caesar conquer'd all but Cato's minde Who to a tyrant would not owe his breath But in such sort his famous course confin'd Then Caesars life more glorious was his death Those great men thus brought to disastrous ends The author of their death make me despise Who to usurpe all pow'r while as he tends By treading good men downe doth strive to rise Now made most great by lessening all the great He proudly doth triumph in Rome o're Rome And we must seeme to like the present state Whose doubtfull breath depends upon his doome Yet had I not enlarg'd my griefes so long To you whom Caesar doth pretend to love Save that I know touch'd with the common wrong A just disdaine all generous mindes must move Dec. Had Caesar willingly resign'd his Armes And rendred Rome her liberty at last When as from fores he fear'd no further harmes But had repair'd his just displeasures past More then for all that could be done for me He should have had and Altar in my best As worthy for his vertuous deeds to be Fear'd by the bad and honour'd by the best But since though conqu'ring all the world by might He to himselfe a slave would make Rome thrall His benefits are loathsome in my sight And I am griev'd that he deserves to fall My fancies move not in so low a sphere But I disdaine that one Romes Crowne requires Yet it is best that with the time we beare And with our pow'r proportion our desires Though first dissembling so your minde to try I told what fame to Caesars praise relates Yet was I pleas'd that moe were griev'd then I All miscontented men are glad of Mates Cic. Since tyranny all liberty exiles We must our sleves no more our selves disguise Then learne to maske a mourning minde with smiles And seeme to like that which we most despise Yet all our deeds not Caesars humour please Who since mistrusting once esteemes us still When dumb disdainefull flatterers when we praise If plaine presumptuous and in all things ill Yea we whose freedome Caesar now restraines As his attenders all his steps must trace And know yet not acknowledge his disdaines But still pretend an interest in his grace Though all my thoughts detest him as a foe To honour him a thousand meanes I move Yet but to save my selfe and plague him so No hate more harmes then it that lookes like love His pride is by prepost'rous state growne such That by the better sort he is abhorr'd The gods are jealous and men envy much To see a mortall man so much ador'd Dec. Well Cicero let all meanes be entertain'd That may embarke us in his bosomes deepes Till either willingly or then constrain'd He justly quite what he unjustly keepes Exeunt Chorus THis life of ours is like a Rose Which whilst rare beauties it array Doth then enjoy the least repose When Virgin-like make blush we see Of every hand it is the prey And by each winde is blowne away Yea though from violence scap'd free Thus time triumphs and leades all thrals Yet doth it languish and decay O! whilst the courage hottest boiles And that our life seemes best to be It is with dangers compast still Whilst it each little change appalles The body force without oft foiles It th' owne distemp'rature oft spoiles And even though none it chance to kill As nature failes the body falles Of which save death nought bounds the ioyles What is this moving Towr in whith we trust A little winde clos'd in a cloud of dust And yet some sprites though being pent In this fraile prisons narrow bounds Whilst what might serve doth not content Doe alwaies bend their thoughts too high And ayme at all the peopled grounds Then whilst their brests Ambition wounds They feed as fearing straight to dye Yet build as if they still might live Whilst famish'd for fames empty sounds Of such no end the travell ends But a beginning gives whereby They may be vex'd worse then before For whilst they still new hopes contrive The hoped good more anguish sends Then the possess'd contentment lends As beasts not taste but doe devoure They swallow much and for more strive Whilst still their hope some change attends And how can such but still themselves annoy Who can acquire but know not how t' enjoy Since as a ship amidst the deepes Or as an Eagle through the ayre Of which no way th' impression keepes Most swift when seeming least to move This breath of which we take such care Doth tosse the body every where That it may hence with haste remove Life slips and sleepes alwayes away Then hence and as it came goes bare Whose steppes behinde no trace doe leave Why should heaven-banish'd soules thus love The cause and bounds of their exile As restlesse strangers where they stray And with such paine why should they reave That which they have no right to have Which with them in a little while As summers beauties must decay And can give nought except the grave Though all things doe to harme him what they can No greater enemie then himselfe to man Whilst oft environ'd with his foes Which threatned death on every side Great Caesar parted from repose As Atlas holding up the Starres Did of a world the weight abide But since a prey to foolish pride More then by all the former warres He now by it doth harm'd remaine And of his fortune doth diffide Made rich by many Nations wreake He breaking through the liquid barres In Neptunes armes his Minion forc'd Yet still pursu'd new hopes in vaine Would the ambitious looling backe Of their inferiours knowledge take They from huge cares might be divorc'd Whilst viewing few more pow'r attaine And many more then they to lacke The onely plague from men that rest doth reave Is that they weigh their wants not what they have Since thus the great themselves involve In such a labyrinth of cares Whence none to scape can well resolve But by degrees are forward led Through waves of hopes rockes of despaires Let us avoyd ambitions snares And farre from stormes by envy bred Still seeke though low a quiet rest With mindes where no proud thought repaires That in vaine shadowes doth delight Thus may our fancies still be fed With that which Nature freely gives Let us iniquity detest And hold but what we owe of right Th' eyes treasure is th' all-circling light Not that vaine pompe for which pride strives Whose glory but a poysnous pest To plague the soule delights the sight Ease comes with ease where all by paine buy paine Rest we in peace by warre let others raigne Act 3. Scene 1. Caius Cassius Marcus Brutus NOw Brutus now we need no more to doubt Nor with blinde hopes our judgement to suspend That flatt'rers credit loe is quite worne
the tyrants course restraine Let other men lament we must revenge I scorne to beare a sword and to complaine Brut. Though Caesar now I must conspire thy fall My heart to thee yet never harbour'd hate But pardon me who ever make it thrall From bondage Brutus must redeeme the state Of this my course what ever others judge Here I protest it is for good design'd My thoughts are guilty of no private grudge For reason and not fury moves my minde Nor doth ambition now enflame my brest With a prodigious appetite to raigne That when I have made Caesar Pluto's guest I in his roome a Monarch may remaine No if that glory did my fancies charme To which blind-folded tyrants doe aspire I needed not to doe 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 deserve to have his place And I could make my day succeed his night Yet doe I not for glory seeke so much As to attaine it by my Countries shame But O! I would my zeale to it is such That it may scape incurre a kinde of blame Yea so that I may free with honour'd wounds My soile that 's dearer then my soule to me I could my selfe live banish'd from that bounds Which at so deare a rate I would set free Cas What man doth breath of Mars his martiall race But will with Brutus sacrifize his bloud And charg'd with Armes ere tyranny take place Dare venture all things for his Countries good Can any judgement be deceiv'd so farre But it already clearely may behold How that this change Romes greatnesse soon will marre And raze the Trophees which she rear'd of old Of old in Rome all those who once had worne The peace-importing gowne or war-like shield Of dignities as capable all borne Durst ayme at ought that liberty could yeeld Those in affaires to deale who would set forth Were not discourag'd by their birth though base And poverty could not hold backe true worth From having honour both by warre and peace Then emulation violently driv'd All gallant mindes to tempt great actions still In vertues love who friendly rivals liv'd Whilst in their bosomes Glory balme did still Fabricius first was from the Plow advanc'd The Rudder of the Common-weale to hold Yet by no meanes his private wealth enhanc'd As rich in vertue still as poore in gold Rude Marius too to match red Mars in fame Forth from the vulgar drosse his race remov'd And loe of Cicero the ridiculous name As famous as the Fabians now hath prov'd Each abject minde disdain'd to be obscure When still preferment follow'd lofty cares And that one might by dangers past procure Fame for himselfe and honour to his heires But since that state by Caesar is o're-turn'd Whilst all our lives upon ones lippes depend Of brests which once with love of glory burn'd The soaring thoughts this wholly doth disbend Advancement now doth not attend desert But flowes from fancies of a flatt'red minde Which to base hirelings honour doth impart Whilst envy'd worth no safe retreat can finde All proud usurpers most addicted prove To them whom without cause they raise too high As thinking those who stand but by their love To entertaine the same all meanes must try Where they whose vertue reapes a due reward Not building onely on the givers grace Doe by deserts not gaine so great regard VVhilst they maintaine as they obtaine their place And if a worthy man to worke great things VVing'd with a tyrants favour raise his flight The highest course to him most harme still brings VVho till he fall cannot have leave to light Those who by force would have th' affection mov'd When willingly men hold such gallants deare Doe rage that any should be freely lov'd Whose vertue makes their vice more vile appeare The man who now to be preferr'd aspires Must by base flattery in a servile forme So soothing Caesar seale all his desires And in some shadow lurke to scape a storme A number now of that proud Rebels foes Who grieve to see the ground whence growes their griefe Would in obscurity entombe their woes So waiting and not working for reliefe But we whose lofty mindes disdaine to lowre Like them who seeke but their owne safety thus When shall we use high indignations pow'r Which as brave Romans worthy is of us Brut Since no indignity you will endure I see our mindes doe sympathize in this Should we by suffring seek to live secure Whose action must amend what is amisse No no such abject thought must staine our brest Whose active thoughts reach further than discourse Whilst but like beasts affecting food and rest Where men by reason should direct their course Like those of other parts not rais'd by strife If Caesar had been born or chus'd our Prince Then those who durst attempt to take his life The world of treason justly might convince Let still the States which flourish for the time By subjects be inviolable thought And those no doubt commit a monstrous crime Who lawfull Soveraignty prophane in ought And we must thinke though now thus brought to bow The Senate King a subject Caesar is The Soveraignty whom violating now The world must damne as having done amisse We will deare Cassius for our Countries sake What ever follow give or suffer death And let us now advise what course to take Whilst nought but th' ayre can beare away our breath Cas I thinke this matter needs not many words Since but one deed can bound the common shame In Caesars body we must sheath our swords And by his death our liberty reclaime But since his fortune did confound them all Who in the fields to match him did begin VVhilst he by thousands made their bands to fall VVith hoary legions alwayes us'd to winne As Pompeys Scipio's and Petreius ghosts In lightlesse shades can by experience tell Who after fatall proofes of numâ—rous hoasts All famous though infortunately fell And since provided for the Parthian warre His Armie arm'd attends on his decree Where we sequestred from such forces farre Would if suspected soone prevented be With some few friends whom all things to assay A love to us or to their Country bindes We to his wreake must walke another way Whilst ere our tongues our hands doe tell our mindes Now when most high and therefore hated most The gathered Senate seeks to make him King We must goe give 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 justly take By cloathing honour with a cloake of shame Which may our cause though good more odious make O! I could wish with honourable wounds To match Romes enemy in the battels dust No sweeter Musicke then the Trumpets sounds When right and valour keepe a consort just Then free if quicke else dead no
which the heavens would point my danger forth The Gods from me with indignation gone In every thing charact'red have my death And must both heaven and earth conspire in one To quench a little sparke of smoaking breath My safety would that I should stay within Till this disastrous day give darkenesse place But daring honour would have me begin To reape the glory of my painefull race And I 'le advance in spight of threatned broyles For though the fates accomplish what we dreame When onely death hath triumph'd of my spoyles I then though breathlesse still shall breathe with fame Exit Chorus VVHat fury thus doth fill the brest With a prodigious rash desire Which banishing their soules from rest Doth make them live who high aspire Whilst it within their bosome boyles As Salamanders in the fire Or like to Serpents changing spoyles Their wither'd beauties to renew Like Vipers with unnaturall toyles Of such the thoughts themselves pursue Who for all lines their lives doe square Whilst like Camelions changing hue They onely feed on empty ayre To passe ambition greatest matters brings And save contentment can attaine all things This active passion doth disdaine To match with any vulgar minde As in base breasts where terrours raigne Too great a guest to be confin'd It doth but lofty thoughts frequent Where it a spatious field may finde It selfe with honour to content Where reverenc'd fame doth lowdest sound Those for great things by courage bent Farre lifted from this lumpish round Would in the sphere of Glory move Whilst lofty thoughts which nought can binde All rivals live in vertues love On abject preyes as th' Eagles never light Ambition poysons but the greatest sprite And of this restlesse Vultures brood If not become too great a flame A little sparke doth sometime good Which makes great mindes affecting fame To suffer still all kinde of paine Their fortune at the bloudy game Who hazard would for hope of gaine Vnlesse first burn'd by thirst of praise The learned to a higher straine Their wits by emulation raise As those who hold applauses deare And what great minde at which men gaze It selfe can of ambition cleare Which is when valu'd at the highest price A generous errour an heroicke vice But when this frenzie flaming bright Doth so the soules of some surprise That they can taste of no delight But what from Soveraignty doth rise Then huge affliction it affords Such must themselves so to disguise Prove prodigall of courteous words Give much to some and promise all Then humble seeme to be made Lords Yea being thus to many thrall Must words impart if not support To those who crush'd by fortune fall And grieve themselves to please each sort Are not those wretch'd who o're a dangerous snare Do hang by hopes whilst ballanc'd in the ayre Then when they have the Port attain'd Which was through Seas of dangers sought They loe at last but losse have gain'd And by great trouble trouble bought Their mindes are married still with feares to being forth many a jealous thought With searching eyes and watching eares To learne that which it grieves to know The brest that such a burden beares What huge afflictions doe o'rethrow Thus each Prince is as all perceive No more exalted then brought low Of many Lord of many slave That idoll greatnesse which th' earth doth adore Is gotten with great paine and kept with more He who to this imagin'd good Did through his countries bowels tend Neglecting friendship duty bloud And all on which trust can depend Or by which love could be conceiv'd Doth finde of what he did attend His expectations farre deceiv'd For since suspecting secret snares His soule hath still of rest beene reav'd Whilst squadrens of tumultuous cares Forth from his brest extort deep grones Thus Caesar now of life despaires VVhose lot his hope exceeded once And who can long well keep an ill wonne State Those perish must by some whom all men hate Act. 5. Scene 1. Marcus Brutus Chorus Antonius Caius Cassius Marcus Tullius Cicero ARe generous Romans so degener'd now That they from honour have estrang'd their hands And us'd with burdens do not blush to bow Yea even though broken shake not off their bands This glorious worke was worthy of your paine Which now ye may by others dangers have But what enchaunts you thus that ye abstaine That which ye should have taken to receive Where be those inundations of delight Which should burst out from thoughts o're-flow'd with joy Whil'st emulous Vertue may your mindes incite That which we give you bravely to enjoy Or quite conform'd unto your former state Do still your mindes of servitude allow As broken by adversitie of late Not capable of better fortune now Loe we who by the Tyrants favour stood And griev'd but at the yoke which you out-rag'd Have our advancement riches rest and bloud All liberally for liberty engag'd Chor. Thou like thy great Progenitour in this Hast glory to thy selfe t' us freedome brought Then liberty what greater treasure is Ought with it much without it much seemes nought But pardon us heroicke man though we To high perfection hardly can aspire Though every man cannot a Brutus bell What none can imitate all must admire At this strange course with too much light made blinde We our opinions must suspend a space When sudden chances do dismay the minde The Iudgement to the Passion first gives place Ant. What wonder now though this most barbarous deed Have with amazement clos'd your judgement in Which O I feare shall great confusion breed When Caesars toyls did end Romes did begin The most suspitious mindes had not beleev'd That Romans reverenc'd for their worth by us Would have presum'd to kill or to have griev'd An hallow'd body inhumanely thus Who would have once but dream'd of such despight What strange hostilitie in time of peace To kill though not accus'd against all right A sacred man and in a sacred place Cai. Cass If Caesar as a Citizen had liv'd And had by Law decided every strife Then I would grant those treason had contriv'd Who went without a Law to take his life But to pervert the Laws subvert the State If all his travels did directly tend Then I must say we did no wrong of late Why should not Tyrants make a Tragicke end Cho. Since destinies did Caesars soule enlarge What course can we for his recovery take Ah! th' unrelenting Charons restlesse Barge Stands to transport all o're but brings none back Of lifes fraile glasse when broken with vaine grones What earthly power the ruines can repaire Or who can gather up when scattred once Ones bloud from th' earth or yet his breath from th' ayre Let us of those who passe oblivions floud Oblivious be since hope of help is gone And spend our cares where cares may do most good Lest Rome waile many where she wailes but one Ant. Still concord for the Common-weale were best To reconcile divided thoughts againe
we certaine see And not attaine to that which you devise Croe. I grant indeed this very few shall know Though I professe but to relieve my friend My thoughts conceive as successe best may show And not without great cause a greater end You see how fortune nought but change affects Some are reproach'd that others may be prais'd And every age brings forth some strange effects Some men must fall that others may be rais'd I doubt not you have heard who was the first For warring with the world whom fame revives Who had of soveraignty so great a thirst That it could not be quench'd with thousands lives Even he who first obtain'd the name of Iove And rests reputed for his glorious acts The most imperious of the pow'rs above Who vowes and offerings of the world exacts He all his time in state did terrour breath Borne to acquaint the world with warre and dearth Whil'st fertile still in misery and death Two fatall furies that afflict the earth Yet since his course the worlds first plague was past When his proud race had many ages raign'd That Empire too did perish at the last And what it lost by martiall Medes was gain'd This was the cause of that great kingdomes fall A Prince who could not judge of Princely parts With losse of Scepter honour life and all To buy base joyes sold all his Subjects hearts To that disastred Monarchies decay Th' aspiring Persians purpose to succeed But I intend their lofty course to stay And that in time ere that it throughly speed The Persians once the Lydians force must prove And O! who knowes but that it is ordain'd At the tribunall of the States above That I should raigne where famous Ninus raign'd This all the hoste of heaven oft-times foretels To this the Gods of Greece my minde have mov'd And he that in Arabia's desart dwels By his response this enterprise approv'd San. Thus still in love with what we minde to doe What we affect we fairest still conceive This feeds our humour whil'st selfe-flatterers loe To shew our wit we would our selves deceive Vaine hopes so maske all doubts you cannot spy What secret danger this designe doth beare But whil'st well view'd with an indifferent eye There want not grounds where fore-sight may find feare You unadvis'dly purpose to pursue A barbarous people opposite to peace Who but by robbery to their greatnesse grew And would for each light cause the warres embrace No dainty silkes dipt in Assyrian dye Doe decke their bodies to abase their mindes Skinnes reft from beasts them cloath who danger ply Not mov'd by flattering Sunnes nor bragging windes They simply feed and are not griev'd each day With stomackes clody decocting divers meates They fare not as they would but as they may Of judgement sound not carried with conceits Those ancient customes which they strictly hold Make all things easie that they feele no paine This cooles the summers heate kils winters cold This makes the Rivers dry the Mountaines plaine They whose ambition poverty did bound Of Lydia's dainties if they once doe taste Will have in hatred straight their barren ground And all our treasures insolently waste To governe such although that we prevaile You shall but buy vexation with your bloud And doe your selfe and yours if fortune faile From Soveraignty by time secur'd seclude Yea though this rash desire your judgement blindes I for my part must praise the Gods for you Who have not yet inspir'd the Persians mindes To waste with warre all Lydia long ere now Croe. Those flames which burn my brest must once burst out Your counsell for more quiet mindes I leave And be you still thought wise so I prove stout I 'le conquer more or lose the thing I have Coelia AH am I forc'd out of afflictions store For my mindes ease a few sad words to straine But yet unlode it now to lode it more I empty but mine eyes to fill againe My soule must sound even as my passions strike Whil'st sighes and teares would faine afford reliefe My brest and eyes are both accurst alike The Cabinet of care the Springs of griefe O cruell heaven fierce starre unhappy fate Too foule injustice of celestiall pow'rs Whose high disdaine to me with partiall hate The comfort of the world poore world devoures Curst be the day in which I first was borne When lying tongues affirm'd I came to light A monstroues blasphemy a mighty scorne Since where darke sorrow breeds an endlesse night Would God I then had chanc'd this life to leave The tombe straight taking what the wombe did give Then alwayes buried changing but the grave I had not liv'd to dye but dy'd to live What profited to me my Parents joyes VVho with such pompe did solemnize my birth Since stiâ—l my soule must flote amidst annoyes So to defray one dramme of tasted mirth And it did onely serve to make me know The height of horrour threatning to succeed I was but rais'd up high to be brought low That short liv'd joyes might endlesse anguish breed Whil'st nothing did for my confusion lacke All my best deeds did but betray my State My vertues too were guilty of my wracke And warr'd against me banded with my fate For whil'st my Virgin-yeares with praise I past Which did ah that it did too much import My modest eye told that my minde was chast Which gain'd the warrant of the worlds report And all should have a great respect to fame No greater dowry then a spotlesse name Faire beauties God desse thou can'st beare record My offring never made thine Altar rich Lascivious fancies highly I abhorr'd Whose free-borne thoughts no folly could bewitch Till happily ah so it seem'd to some O but unhappily the end hath prov'd All this and more to Atis eares did come Who straight did like and after liking lov'd He to our eares his purpose did impart Not lip-sicke-lover-like with words farre sought Whose tongue was but an agent for his heart Yet could not tell the tenth part that it thougth And lest his travels should have seem'd to tend My honours fame by fancies to betray He brought his wishes to a lawfull end And in effect affection did bewray There Iuno president of wedlockes vow And Hymen with his odoriferous cote With sacred customes did our love allow Whil'st th' ominous Owles no crosses did devote The blessing that this marriage did procure It was too great to have continued long A thing too vehement cannot endure Our joyes farre past the reach of any tongue We ever did full satisfaction finde Yet with satiety were never cloyd But seem'd two bodies manag'd by one minde Such was the happinesse that I enjoy'd He lov'd me dearely I obey'd his will Proud of my selfe because that I was his A harmony remain'd betwixt us still Who each in th' other plac'd their soules chiefe blisse This mov'd th'immortals to a high disdaine That thus two worldlings who of death were heires Should in a Paradise of
joyes remaine Which did exceed at least did equall theirs But chiefly Iuno did despight it most Who through a jealousie still jarres with Iove That body-prison'd soules of that could boast Which she although heavens Queen had not above Thus even for envy of our rare delights The fatall Sisters by the heavens suborn'd Of my soules treasure clos'd the lovely lights By which they thought the earth too much adorn'd O but he is not dead he lives in me Ah but I live not for I dy'd in him How can the one without the other be If death have set his eyes mine must looke dimme Since to my sight that Sunne no more appear'd From whom my beauties borrowed all their rayes A long eclipse that never shall be clear'd Hath darkened all the poynts of my sad dayes Aye me I live too long he dy'd too soone Thus still the worst remaine the best depart Of him who told how this curs'd deed was done The words like swords shall ever wound my heart Fierce tyrant death who in thy wrath did'st take One halfe of me and left one halfe behinde Take this to thee or give me th' other backe Be wholly cruell or be no way kinde But whil'st I live beleeve thou canst not dye O! even in spite of death yet still my choice Oft with the inward al-beholding eye I thinke I see thee and I heare thy voyce And to content my languishing desire To ease my minde each thing some helpe affords Thy fanci'd forme doth oft such faith acquire That in all sounds I apprehend thy words Then with such thoughts my memory to wound I call to minde thy lookes thy words thy grace Where thou didst haunt yet I adore the ground And where thou stept O sacred seemes that place My solitary walkes my widow'd bed My driry sighes my sheets oft bath'd with teares These shall record what life by me is led Since first sad newes breath'd death into mine eares Though for more paine yet spar'd a space by death Thee first I lov'd with thee all love I leave For my chast flames which quench'd were with thy breath Can kindle now no more but in thy grave By night I wish for day by day for night Yet wish farre more that none of both might be But most of all that banish'd from the light I were no more their constant change to see At night whil'st deeply musing of my State I goe to summe with sighes my wonted joyes An agony then in a sad conceit Doth blot the blubred count with new annoyes When Sleep the brother most resembling death Of darkenesse childe and father unto rest Doth bound though not restraine confused breath That it may vent but not with words exprest Then with my sprite thou dost begin to speake With sugred speeches to appease my griefe And my bruis'd heart which labour'd long to breake Doth in this comfort fain'd finde some reliefe Yea if our soules remain'd united so This late divorce would no way vexe my minde But when awaking it augments my woe Whil'st this a dreame and me a wretch I finde If never happy O thrise happy I But happy more had happinesse remain'd Yet then excessive joy had made me dye Since such delights what heart could have sustain'd Why waste I thus whil'st vainely I lament The pretious treasure of that swift past-time Ah pardon me deare love for I repent My lingring here my fate and not my crime Since first thy body did enrich the Tombe In this spoil'd world my eye no pleasure sees And Atis Atis Loe I come I come To be thy mate amongst the Myrtle trees Chorus Loe all our time even from our birth In misery almost exceeds For where we finde a moments mirth A month of mourning still succeeds Besides the evils that Nature breeds Whose paines doe us each day appall Infirmaties which frailty sends The losse of that which fortune lends And such disasters as oft fall Yet to farre worse our states are thrall Whil'st wretched man with man contends And every one his whole force bends How to procure anothers losses But this torments us most of all The minde of man which many a fancy tosses Doth forge unto it selfe a thousand crosses O how the soule with all her might Doth her celestiall forces straine That so she may attaine the light Of natures wonders which remaine Hid from our eyes we strive in vaine To seeke out things that are unsure In Sciences to seeme profound We dive so deepe we finde no ground And the more knowledge we procure The more it doth our mindes allure Of mysteries the depth to sound Thus our desire we never bound Which by degrees thus drawn on still The memory may not endure But like the Tubs which Danaus daughters fill Doth drinke no oftner then constrain'd to spill Yet how comes this and O how can Cleare knowledge thus the soules chiefe treasure Because of such a crosse to man Which should afford him greatest pleasure This is because we cannot measure The limits that to it belong But bent to tempt forbidden things Doe soare too high with Natures wings Still weakest whil'st we thinke us strong The heavens which hold we do them wrong To try their grounds and what thence springs This crosse upon us justly brings With knowledge knowledge is confus'd And growes a griefe ere it be long That which a blessing is when rightly us'd Doth grow the greatest crosse when once abus'd Ah! what avaiels this unto us Who in this vaile of woes abide With endlesse toyles to study thus To learn the thing that heaven would hide And trusting to too blinde a guide To spy the Planets how they move And too transgressing common Barres The constellation of the starres And all that is decreed above Whereof as oft the end doth prove A secret sight our wel-fare marres And in our brests breeds endlesse warres Whil'st what our horoscopes foretell Our expectations doe disprove Those apprehended plagues prove such a hell That then we would unknow them till they fell This is the pest of great estates They by a thousand meanes devise How to fore-know their doubtfull fates And like new Gyants scale the skies Heavens secret store-house to surprise Which sacrilegious skill we see With what great paine they apprehend it And then how foolishly they spend it To learne the thing that once must be Why should we seeke our destiny If it be good we long attend it If it be ill none may amend it Such knowledge but torments the minde Let us attend the heavens decree For those whom this ambiguous Art doth blinde May what they seeke to flye the rather finde And loe of late what hath our King By his preposterous travels gain'd In searching out each threatned thing Which Atis horoscope contain'd For what the heavens had once ordain'd That by no meanes he could prevent And yet he labours to finde out Through all the Oracles about Of future things the hid event This doth his raging minde