teares of men and Angels Shee O shee Of whom the Ancients prophesied when first They made all Vertues Females She that was The first and best faire Copie from whose lines The world might draw perfection She not worth The teares of all that 's liuing Dulnesse goe Packe from my sight for euer O 't was thou Thou that didst make me kill her hence auaunt By all that 's good or holy if from hence Thou ere presume to see me or come neere The place of my abiding 't is thy death As certaine as Fate spoke it Phe. O my Lord Her Away reply and I will kill thee Ant. Do not offend him further vanish Sir Exit Pheroas Enter Animis Ani. To Armes my Lord to Armes your Princely Sonnes Attended by the people stand betweene The Towne of Bethlem and Ierusalem Their Ensignes spread their Bowes bent and their Swords Wauing like wings of Eagles Sir they vow Reuenge for their Mothers death Her On whom On you the Citty but especially Vpon the Prince Antipater Her No more Th' are angry surges which with one poore blast I le make fall to the Center troubled thoughts Rest till this storme be ouer happy man I le make thee tread vpon them this day shall Be thy Coronation but their Funerall Exe. all but Ant. Ant. T was a braue Lesson that Egystus taught And Clitemnestra writ religiously Sinne safest way to sinne None or alone both excellent Yet Herod liues vnwrong'd and vnremou'd The Sonnes of Oedipus in life nor after death Agreed but once which was t' imprison Oedipus An act of no small wonder O but Boyes I le mount a world aboue you t' imprison is Still to haue danger neere me tut t is death Death that my aymes doe shoote at I le inuent What none shall alter fie t is nothing worth By Worth by Birth by Choyce by Chance to bee a King But so to climbe I choose as all may feare and wonder Feare to attempt the like and wonder how I wrought it Curst be he in this case that craues his Fathers blessing My Throane must be my Fathers Monument My Raigne built on his ruine but how how witlesse how Aske how and seeke a Crowne By Poyson no by Sword Sword no by Subtilty O Hell awake awake And once for all instruct me Dumbe Shew Musique and Enter Miscipsa Iugurth Adherball Hiempsall Miscipsa makes them ioyne hands and giues each a Crowne and departs then in mounting the tribunall Hiempsall and Adherball sit close to keepe out Iugurth he diuides them by force Hiempsall offers to draw and Iugurth stabs him Adherball flies and comes in againe with the Roman Senators they seeme to reconcile them and being departed Iugurth stabs Adherball and leaues at Antipaters feete a Scrowle O resolute Iugurth what afford'st thou me Non mordent mortui Dead men doe not bite True noble Bastard Iugurth in thy light Thy Brothers dwelt O Iugurth so doe mine Thou kild'st them Iugurth Iugurth so must I Thus sing we seuerall Descant on one plain-song Kill Foure parts in one the Meane excluded quite The Base sings deepely Kill the Counter-tenor Kill The Tenor Kill Kill the Treble Kill Kill Kill In Diapason Kill is the Vnison seaven times redoubled And so oft must I kill as first the King His Wife is past two Sonnes two Brethren and a Sister And thinke not but I can can nay but I will I am no puny in these Documents The Tyger tasting blood finds it to sweet to leaue it The Hauke once made to prey takes all delight in preying The Virgin once deflour'd thinks pleasure to grow cōmon And can I then stop in a middle way Cloze fountains riuers dry pluck vp the roots bowes perish Banish the Sunne the Moone and Starre doe vanish And were it to obscure the world and spoyle Both Man and Beast Nature and euery thing Yet would I doo 't and why I must and will be King Kingly Antipater Exit Iosephus Neuer grew Pride more high more desperate Nor euer could the Arrogance of man Finde out a Breast more large and spacious But Fate and he must wrestle Let mee now Intreat your worthy Patience to containe Much in Imagination and what Words Cannot haue time to vtter let your Eyes Out of this dumbe Shew tell your Memories Dumbe Shew Enter at one dore with Drums and Colours P. Alexander and Y. Aristobulus with their Army at another Herod and Antipater with their Army as they are ready to encounter Enter Augustus with his Romans betweene them they all cast downe their weapons at his feet and kneels he raises Herod and sets him in his Chayre makes Alexander and Aristobulus kisse his feet which done they offer to assaile Antipater Herod steps between Augustus reconciles them then whispering with Herod Augustus takes three Garlands and crownes the three Sonnes Herod placing Antipater in the midst and so all depart Antipater vsing ambitious countenances Iosephus The Sonnes of Marriam hauing met the King Are ready for Encounter but are staid By th' awe of great Augustus at whose feete They cast their Liues and Weapons hee with frownes Chides the two angry Princes yet commands The Father to forgiue them peace is made Onely against Antipater they bend The fury of their courage which the King Withstands and reconciles them all made sound Augustus giues them Garlands and installs Them equall Captaines ouer Palestine But yet Antipater by Herods meanes Gets the precedence and Priority How in that throng he iustles t is your Eyes And not my Tongue must censure this we hope Our Scale is still assending and you 'le finde Better and better and the Best behinde Exit Finis Actus secundae ACT. 3. Scoena 1. Enter Salumith and Lyme the Mason Sal. You must take my directions Lym. Any thing your Ladiship will haue me Sal. Thou shalt informe his Maiesty his Sons hired thee when his Highnes should approach to view the buildings by seeming chance to throw some stone vpon him which might crush him to pieces Do this and thou shalt gaine by 't Lym. A halter or some worse thing for Madam the least stone that is imployd about the Temple is 20. Cubits broad and 8. thicke and that 's able to break a mans necke without a halter Sal. No matter Lym. Nay and it be no matter for breaking a neck though it be an ill Ioynt to set I le venter a swearing for 't Sal. Doe and liue rich and happy hold there 's gold Lym. Nay if I can get my liuing by swearing and forswearing I le neuer vse other occupation Enter Handsaw Han. Neighbour Lyme newes newes newes Lym. What newes Neighbour Handsaw Han. Marry Sir Charity has got a new coate for I saw a Beadle iust now whipping on Statute-lace Sal. And what 's become of Liberality Han. Cry you mercy Lady faith she went like a Baud at a Carts taile roaring vp and downe but her purse was empty Sal. Th art deceiu'd her hand is euer open And
a rare Mercurian Pill An Anodine helps euery ill The Dissenterea and the Gout And cures the sniueling in the Snout The Sicke Or any Cricke Straight cures this Diaphoreticke Ios. I shall haue imployment for you Ach. The Iew is all your Creature and his skill Hee 'l willingly bestow vpon your goodnesse Ios. O Sir you shall not Dis Yes Sir my Maister will willingly giue you his skill Yet with this Memorandum you must pay for his good will Ios. I am no niggard Sir Dis. Besides my Lord there 's neuer a Pibble in Iordan but my Maister is able to make the Philosophers Stone of it Dur. O wonderfull as how I pray you Sir Dis. Why by extraction solution reuerberation coagulation fixation viuiuication mortification multa alia Ach. Peace knaue I say these pearls must not feed Porkets Han. How doe you make Swine of vs I tell you we are as arrand Iewes as your selfe Ios. No more y' are all for mine imployment you for stone You for Painting you for Timber-worke No man shall want his merit Goe away Apply your labours there 's a largesse for you All O braue Lord Ioseph Sings ACH. Come to me Gallants you whose need The common Surgeons cannot reede Heere is a Balme will cure all sores Got in Broyles or vnwholsome whores Come away For why the day Is past and heere I cannot stay Exe. all but Ioseph Enter Alexandra Marriam Antipater Salumith alofe Q. Alex. O cease my Marriam teares can doe no good This Murder 's past example to be drownd Drownd in a shallow murmure where the stones Chid the faint water for not couering them O 't was a plot beyond the Diuell sure Man could not haue that mallice Mar. Madam yes And 't was some great one too that had his fist Thrust in the blood of Aristobulus Q. Ale For which blood I le haue vengeance my tears Shall neuer drye till it bee perfited Ios. Madam forbeare complaining would this were The worst of Mischiefes iourney Mar. Know you worse Ios. I dare not speake my knowledge though my heart Leapes twixt my lips to vtter Mysteries Antip. Note you that Salumith Sal. Yes it hath pincht her on the petticoate Mar. Sir as y' are noble whatsoere you know Of these mishaps with freedome vtter it Q. Al. Vtter it For Heau'ns sake vtter it noble worthy Lord Ios. Madam I dare not Mar. As you loue vertue speake it let my teares Winne so much from thy goodnesse noble Sir Soule of thy Generation thou honestest 'mongst men O speake it speake it Ant. Note you this Courtship Sal. Yes t is Sorcery Q. Alex. Good Sweete vnlocke these counsels Mar. By all the bonds of Chastity and truth It shall proceede no further Ios. You haue laid Such strong Commandments on me I must yeeld Harke your eares Whispers Antip. Are they not kissing Madam Sal. Yes may poyson flow betweene them Q. Alex. Antipater he drowne him Ios. Nay be still you shall heare greater mischiefe Mar. Poyson me if he perish O you Gods What Treason lurkes in Greatnesse this hath made Wounds in my heart through which his loue and name Is fled from me for euer Ios. T is a fault Which asks your deepest wisedome come let 's in I le tell you stranger Stories Q. Alex. Yet I feare None that can draw more vengeance or despaire Exeunt Antip. Awaken Madam they are vanished Sal. Not from mine outrage that shall like a storme Follow them and confound them I will make The world in blood text downe my crueltie Ant. I cannot blame you t is strange impudence Sal. I le be reueng'd by all my hopes I will Highly and deeply shallow foole no more Still waters drowne the shallow doe but roare Exit Sal. Ant. I le not be farre behinde but helpe to send All vnto hell t is for a Crowne I stand And Crownes are oft the ruines of a Land Ex. Ant. Enter Augustus Decius Lucullus and Attendants Aug. Thus haue we queld Rebellion thus like smoke Vanishes hence the name of Anthony Only some Props remaine yet which I le rend Vp by the roots and scatter amongst which Vngratefull Herod is a Principall On whom I le shower my vengeance Enter Mutius Mut. Gracious Sir the King of Iuda like a Supplicant Desires accesse vnto your Maiestie Aug. Who Herod Mut. Sir the same Aug. T is a strange ouer-daring Luc. An attempt wisedome would hardly runne to Aug. Call him in Hee dares not come to braue vs Rome hath power To shake a stronger building and his feares Are glasses of his danger no man looke On Iuda but with hatred Enter Herod Her Mighty Sir to you as him of whom I first receiu'd The Crowne of Iuda humbly I returne it And thus arise Know now the great'st 'mongst men T is not for Life I plead but Honesty For Vertue Valour Honour Prowesse Grace And all good mens acquaintance I confesse I ayded Anthony if for that I fall A true friends teares shall bee my Funerall Luc. T is a rare Gratulation Dec. I 'm affraid New feare will alter it Mut. Obserue the Emperour Her T is true great Sir your sacred hand was first Inuested mee in Iuda gaue mee that I can forsake with comfort keepe it still Who from a Crowne is rid is free from cares I prize the worth lesse then two flaxine teares Aug. This is a kinde of brauing Her Heare me forth And when y 'aue heard this for extremitie Since first the time I wore the sorrowfull Wreath For Crownes and Sorrowes are incorporate And hang like linkes one wreathed in another Since first the Crowne I wore you knew my grieues But nere relieu'd me by Person or by Deputy No not when Asia and the Affricke strands Ioyn'd both to ouer-throw me onely then The euer-prais'd now lost Marke Anthony Thrust forth his hand and staid me he kept firme My foote that then was sliding I for this Sent him not ayde but rent long purchased O gracious Sir view mine oblidgements well And you shall see vertue did gouerne me Why did his life yet lie within my hands Thus would I straddle ore him as I stand Mine armes disseuer'd like two Rhodian Props And ere I bent my Trunke should be the Base For his dread foes to build Ambition on This would I doe and if this bee a Crime It is so good an one I scorne my breath Who liues the liues the longest still must end in death And so must I Aug. Thou art thine owne Iudge Herod call a Slaue A desperate Slaue 'mongst all our Prisoners Exit Mut. Chuse him that hath least mercy you shall finde Your Friendship had a false grownd Enter Mut. a Slaue Her Caesar no Vertue was the foundation and you may Batter but not orethrow it Aug. Well I le try The vtmost of your fortitude arme that Slaue And Sirrah kill that Traytor t is a worke That brings you home your Freedome 1. Sla. Gracious Sir what is he
be a God And finde out Truth by Miracle Her No more Y. Arist. No more yes sure if euery word I speake Should naile me to destruction Mighty Sir Fauour your owne repentance doe not spill The innocent bloud vniustly for th' account Is heauy as damnation to your selfe And to your owne become a Daniel Her I le heare no more P. Alex. O sacred Sir you must Vpon my knees I begge compassion Compassion for my Mother Y. Arist. To this ground Wee le grow eternally till you vouchsafe To grant her mercy or to giue her Cause A larger course of tryall Her Once againe I charge you to forget her P. Alex. How forget The chast wombe which did beare vs or the paps Which gaue vs sucke Can there in Nature be A Lethargie so frozen Y. Arist. Nay what 's more Can we forget her holy Stocke deriu'd From all the blessed Patriarchs in whom You and our selues are glorious O dread Sir Haue mercy on her goodnesse P. Alex. Mercy Sir Her How am I vext with importunity Away to Execution if againe I doe command t is fatall Y. Arist. And if we Indure it let vs perish brother draw The Princes draw And let our good swords guard her Sir y 'aue broke A linke in Natures best chaine and her death Conuerts vs to your mortall enemies Her What am I brau'd by Traitors Villaines force Way to the Execution or you perish P. Alex. Mother hold life but one houre and wee 'l rescue you The Princes force through the guard Antipater drawes stands before Herod all the rest conuey away the Prisoners Alexandra wringing her hands Did euer Kings owne bowels thus become The Typhon of sedition or can 't be I could beget these Serpents I ft be so Vnder the Aetna of their damned pride I le smoother and consume them Ant. Sir I know Your wisedome such as can discerne what t is At once to feare to suffer and to dye By th' hand of sterne ambition which i th' end Makes still her habitation like the place Where poyson growes so naked and so bare That dust disdaines t' abide there Her Passing true But I le root out that vengeance yet againe When I awake my memory to looke Vpon her sweetnesse goodnesse and conceiue That no affaire no wisedome or fond zeale Which oft attainteth others could touch her O then me thinkes I might at least haue breath'd Before I had condemn'd her Iustice should i th darke of these confusions borne a Torch Before Truth and mine anger but alas Folly and Rashnesse led me and I 'ue lost All my delight at one throw Antipater Goe runne flye O stay the Execution Ant. Willingly Yet please you first to thinke Whether the act hurt not your Maiestie Kings in these waighty causes must not play At fast and loose their wordes are Oracles And iudgement should pursue them Her Good no more goe stay the Execution Ant. Not on earth is there a man more willing Yet when Kings condemne themselues of rashnesse Who can blame contempt to follow after Her Lord to see how time is lost with talking Antip. I am gone Offers to goe and returnes Yet Sir beleeu 't the Maiesty which strikes Against contempt shall nere recouer it Her Yet againe Ant, Sir I can vanish quickly yet behold Heere 's one can saue my labour Enter Pheroas Her Speake my Lord where is my Queene O where 's my Marriam Phe. Sir she is dead Her Dead Be the world dead with her for on earth There 's no life but her glory yet declare How dyed the wofull Lady Phe. Like a Saint Like did I say O Sir so farre beyond That neuer Saint came neere her president She did not goe as one that had beene led To take a violent parting but as Fate Had in her owne hands thrust her Destiny Saying or liue or dye whilst she that knew The one and th' others goodnesse did agree Onely to dye as th' act most excellent Her Mothers bitter railings all the cries Of the amazed People mou'd not her No not one poore small twinckle of her eye But with a constancie that would outface The brazen front of terror she assends Vp to the fatall Scaffold and but once Lookt round about the people then lifts vp Her snow-white hands to Heauen Talkes to it as if she had beene in it then fals downe Vpon her humble knees which as they bent You might behold humility retire Downe to her heart and left within her eyes Nothing but sweetnesse flaming whilst vpon And round about her Maiestie did hang And cloath her as a garment to be briefe Shee tooke the stroke not as a punishment But a reward so Saint-like hence she went Her Enough too much th' ast slaine me Pheroas O I haue lost in her death more true ioyes Then Heauen can giue or earth is worthy of I am a Traitor to my selfe and loue To Nature Vertue Beauty Excellence I haue destroy'd the whole world for but her It had no Soule nor mouing no delight No triumph glory or continuance I cannot liue to lose her call her backe Or I shall dye complaining Ant. This is strange Can the dead be awaken'd Her Easily Sir My sighes shall breath life in her and my voyce Rouze her as doth a Trumpet nay more lou'd Then either winde or Thunder canst thou thinke That I can liue without her she to whom The whole world was a Theater where men Sate viewing her good actions she that had As much right vnto Paradise as Kings Haue to their Courts and Kingdomes shee that lent Mintage to others beauties for none are Or good or faire but such as lookt like her Shee in whose body sweetly was contain'd Th' Easterne Spicery the Westerne treasure And all the world holds happy may it be That I can liue and want her or could I With one sad breath destroy her she that had In her owne thoughts read all that ere was writ To better or instruct vs Shee that knew Heauen so well on Earth that being there Shee finds no more then she did thinke on heere And haue I kild her She whose very dreames Were more deuout then our Petitions Haue I prophan'd that Temple Fall O fall Downe to the ground and perish nere looke vp But when or Blastings Mildewes Lightenings Or poysonous Serenes strike thee Herod heere O heere digge vp thy graue with sorrow Ant. Fie t is vnfit Greatnesse should yeeld to passion Her Y' are a foole He that not mournes for her will neuer mourne But is worse then the Diuell Marriam O Marriam thou that through the Spheares As through so many golden Beads hast runne In one poore moment to felicity Looke downe vpon thy Vassall me thy Slaue And see how much I languish let thine eye Guild my complaints and cheere my misery Phe. O oyall Sir take better comfort There was nere on Earth a Creature worth your sorrow Her Sir you lie deadly and falsly for she doth deserue The
what your power hath conquer'd Her So I will Your owne lips are your Iudges and these hands Arm'd with these two Stillettoes at one blow Shall thus driue all feares from me but vnite Offers to stab le ts the poniard fal imbraces Ari. Alex. Two friends in mine imbraces happy ones Exceediug happy ones let not your feares Draw to your eyes false figures or make me Appeare that which I am not come I loue you Dearely I loue you all that I haue done Constraint and not my nature perfitted Be henceforth free for euer Aegypt nor The World shall safelier guard you as you stand Thus shall you still support me Holines Places Arist. on his right hand and Q. Alex. on his left Vpon my right hand Mother you shall sit Euer vpon my left hand both shall be Mine Armour Counsell and prosperity Omnes This grace is past example Herod's a God Her 'T is but their first step to felicity Antipater your eare Herod whispers with Antipater Antipater with Y. Alexander and Prince Aristobulus Y. Alex. Mother the King is gracious Q. Alex. Past beleefe Nor shall the memory lose me this not fain'd I le fixe my prayers vpon him Ios. You shall doe Wrong to your royall nature to suspect him E. Arist. Sir 't is true I hold his word a rocke to build vpon P. Arist. The sport is excellent the wager firme My person shall maintaine it Y. Alex. So shall mine Clap hands Antip. And if I shrinke make me a weather-cocke Her How soone a foule day 's cleered Now to make Your happinesse more constant Brother know The Temple of King Salomon which I The other day defaced and threw downe Low as the earth it stood on once againe I will erect with double excellence Ioseph my Brother to your noble charge I giue that holy building see it fram'd To th' height of Art and wonder spare no gold Iewels nor rich imbosture I haue mines And all shall be exhausted that the world May boast King Herod out-went Salomon Ios. Sir y'haue ingag'd me where my heart desir'd Doubt not my diligence Her T is knowne too well How now what newes Centurion How stands fate Betweene Augustus and Marke Anthony Enter Hillus Hill O royall Sir deadly vnfortunate For neuer was so sad a day before Antip. E. Arist. Y. Ari. P. Alex. whisper Seene to ore-couer Aegypt To be briefe Augustus hath the Conquest Anthony Lies buried in the blood his warlike hand Strucke from his royall bosome the sad Queene Oretakes him with like fury and now both Are turnd to dust and ashes Her Thou hast spoke Much sorrow in a few words Hill But hold still Farre greater to vnburthen Soone as chance Had made Augustus happy and orethrowne Faire Cleopatra and her Anthony Hee viewes his spoyles and 'mongst them findes the aide Y 'ad sent to interpose him Now hee frownes Bends his inraged forehead and protests That Iuda and Ierusalem shall curse They euer heard the name of Anthony And this hee spake with such an Emphasis As shooke my heart within me yet gaue wings Vnto my faith to tell you Her Sir no more Th' ast split me with thy Thunder I haue made Rome and the world my mortall enemies Yet vertue did transport me but that guard Is no guard now Tell me Centurion Where did you leaue Augustus Hill Sir in Rhodes Her T is a faire easie Iourney I 'm resolu'd Nor shall perswasion change me hence I le goe And as a Hermite throw at Caesars feete My Crowne and person if hee pitty them My peace is made if otherwise My fault flies not beyond me Kip. O my Sonne This is a desperate hazard Sal. Nay t is more A tempting of your fortune Her Be content Mother and Sister nothing alters me Nor doe they loue me that would draw my will To any other compasse Ioseph to you I leaue the Realmes protection and the care Or building vp the Temple Nay no teares The women weepe They prophesie my death which doe but shew A low deiected countnance if I haue Power in your hearts this day I challenge you To giue them vnto pastime that the world May see we dread not fortune Antip. T is resolu'd And I le be first to shew obedience Sir 'twixt my Princely Brothers and my selfe I 'ue made a match of Swimming if you please But to allow the Contract Her How is 't made Antip. That I and th' high Priest Aristobulus Will swim more swift more comely and more wayes Then can my Princely Brothers Her Are all agreed Eld. Arist. All if your Maiesty consent thereto Her For those young men it skils not but Sir you I 'm curious of your danger Ant. There 's no feare P. Alex. T is a braue recreation Y. Arist. A fit skill For Princes to delight in Eld. Arist. Gracious Sir Let me consort my Brothers Her Be your will Your owne director I am satisfied All Why t is a match then Her Yet looke well to your safeties for my selfe Rhodes is mine obiect Dearest Loue farewell This kisse seale my remembrance Mothers let Your onely prayers assist me for the rest Despaire not till my downfall goe away Reply not if you loue me only Antipater Exe all but Herod and Antip. Stay and attend me further Princely youth Of all the hopes that doe attend my life Thy Greatnesse is my greatest nor would I Ioseph returnes and listens Imbarque me in this desperate vessell thus Wer 't not to raise thy fortunes But t is now No time for Courtship onely I must leaue Two sad commandments with thee Ant. Speak them Sir Without exception you cannot deuise What I le not execute Her T is nobly said Thou seest the high Priest Aristobulus And knowst how like a heauy waight he hangs Pressing our fortunes downeward if hee liue Our liues haue no assurance Ant. T is resolu'd Hee neuer sees to morrow soone at night When we doe swim our wager I le so teach His Holinesse to diue that on the earth He nere shall tread to hurt vs Her Thou hast hit The obiect that I lookt at Ios. But shot wide Of goodnes and all good thoughts Her This performd There yet remaines another thing to doe Which neerelier doth concerne me Ant. Speake it Sir Your pleasure is mine Armour Her Briefly thus If through my fortune or Augustus wrath I perish in this Iourney by that loue Which nature fauour or my best deserts Can kindle in thy bosome I coniure And binde thee on the first intelligence By poyson sword or any violent meanes To kill my Wife Marriam let no man But Herod tast her sweetnesse which perform'd My soule in death shall loue thee Ant. Thinke t is done By heauen the houre which tells me of your death Is th' oure of her destruction I haue sworne And there 's no fate can change me Her Be thy selfe Constant and vnremoued so farewell Ios. Two fiends like these were neuer spit from Hell Exeunt Herod and Ioseph
to desert shee s free behold else Han. This is more of Liberality as you call it then I haue found since I began first to build the Temple Lym. Or I either Sal. You shall haue more we poure it on in showers performe but my commandments Han. Madam by my Handsaw Compasse I will do any thing say speake sweare and forsweare any thing your Ladiship can inuent or purchase Sal. Hark your eares Whisper Han. Hum ha pretty pretty I le play my part to tittle Neighbour looke to yours nay and I le doe it presently for the King is now comming to the Temple and I came to call you Neighbour wee 'l doe it there Lym. What else a man may bee forsworne in any place Citty Court or Country has no difference Sal. About it then be constant wary and y' are fortunate Lym. Feare vs not if you want any more to be forsworne giue me your money I le presse a dozen Tradesmen shall doe it as well as any Scribe in all Ierusalem Han. I or Publican either Sal. Away then Exe. Lym. Han. Thus catch we hearts with gold thus Spiders can Poyson poore Flyes and kill the innocent man Enter Antipater with a Letter and Animis Ani. Be swift as Lightning for the cause requires it Such paper-plots are inuisible Goblins Pinching them most which doe least iniury Y are arm'd with full instructions Ani. Sir I am Ant. Your Letters are Chrysanders and not mine Ani. I know it well Ant. Away then outflye Eagles yet Sir harke Carry your Countnance wisely seeme to be A Saint in thy deliuery Ani. Sir your care Makes you too curious feare me not Exit Animis Ant. Within there Enter Hillus Hil. Did your Excellence call Ant. I did what is your Lesson got Hil. My Lord vnto a sillable my tongue Hath poison for your purpose and I am Confirm'd in euery circumstance Ant. The time at night the place the Bed-chamber The manner arm'd the instruments their Swords Hil. Tut this is needlesse Sir my Quality Needs not a twice instruction Ant. Nobly said hold there 's gold Hil. This is a good perswader right or wrong Treasure will make the dumbe man vse his tongue Ant. True t is the sicke mans Balme the Vsurers Pledge And indeed all mens Maisters goe away Exit Hillus The time 's ripe for thy purpose thus these Slaues Runne post to Hell for shadowes ha Salumith O my best Aunt and Mistris y' are well met Neuer were times so tickle nor I thinke Stood innocence in more danger would my life Were lost to thrust feares from you Sal. VVhy Princely Nephew I 'ue no cause to feare Ant. T is well you are so arm'd indeed a life So good as yours free and religious Thinkes not on feare or ill mens actions Yet Madam still your state is slippery Belieue it while these Princes doe suruiue And dreame how you accus'd the Mother-Queene They still will practise 'gainst you Sal. Yes and you The High-Priests death and Marriams Tragedy VVill be obiected 'gainst you Ant. T is confest VV' are both marks of their vengeance Sal. Yet so farre Beyond them I le not feare them heere 's my hand I 'ue markt them for destruction since our fates Haue equall danger t is no reason but They doe inioy like triumph once againe Belieue it they are sinking Ant. Nobly said Mirror of Women Angell Goddesse Saint Enter Tryphon the Barber with a Case of Instruments Sal. Peace no more heere comes mine Instrument Ant. What this the Kings Barber your doting Amorite Sal. The same obserue him Try O blessed Combe thou spotlesse Iuory With which my Mistris Salumith once daind To combe the curious felters of her hayre And lay each threed in comely equipage Sleepe heere in peace for euer let no hand But mine henceforth be euer so adacious Or daring as to touch thee Ant. Pittifull foole goe sleepe or thou lt runne mad els Try Sizers sweet Sizers sharpe but gentle ones That once did cut the Locks of Salumith Making them in humility hang downe On either side her cheekes as 't were to guard The Roses that there flourish O goe rest Rest in this peacefull Case and let no hand Of mortall race prophane you Ant. Sfoote the Slaue Will begger himselfe with buying new Instruments Sal. O t is a piece of strange Idolatry Try Tooth-pick deare Tooth-pick Eare-pick both of you Haue beene her sweet Companions with the one I 'ue seene her picke her white Teeth with the other Wriggle so finely worme-like in her Eare That I haue wisht with enuy pardon me I had beene made of your condition But t is too great a blessing Ant. What to be made a Tooth-picke Sal. Nay you le spoyle all if you interrupt him Try Salumith O Salumith When first I saw thy golden Lockes to shine I brake my glasse needing no Face but thine When at those corrall Lips I was a gazer Greedy of one sweet touch I broke my Razor When to thy Cheekes thou didst my poore Eyes call Away flew Sizers Bason Balls and all On y the Crisping-Irons I kept most deare To doe thee seruice heere and euery where Sal. Not euery where good Triphon some place still Must be reseru'd for other purposes Try Bright Go-o-o-desse Sal. Well proceede What at a stand has true loue got the power To strike dumbe such a nimble wit Ant. Cry hem pluck vp thy heart man what a polling shauing Squire and strucke dead with a woman Sal. Nothing so he does but mocke he loues not Salumith Try Not loue you Lady O strange blasphemy Ant. Faith what wouldst thou do now but for a kisse of her hand Try What would I do what not O any thing I le number all those Hayres my Sizers cut And dedicate those Numbers to her Shrine A Breath more loathsome then the Stench of Nile I le rectifie and for her sake make pleasant A Face more black then any Aethiope I le scoure as white as Siluer to attaine But one touch of her finger I 'de beget Things beyond wonder stab poyson kill Breake mine owne necke my friends or any mans Sal. Spoke like a daring seruant harke thine eare Doe this and haue thy wishes They whisper Try What but this Ant. No more beleeue it why t is nothing man Only it asks some seriousnes and Art By which to moue the King and gaine beleefe Try But shall I haue a kisse from that white hand Which gripes my heart within it Sal. Sir you shall t is there pay your deuotion Try. Then by this kisse I le do it honey kisse Kisses her hand There 's resolution in thee and I 'm fixt To doc it swiftly quickly from my lip Thy sweet taste shall not part till I haue spoke All that your wishes looke for boast of this Y 'aue bought two Princes liues with one poore kisse Exit Ant. Spoke like a noble Seruant Sal. Nephew true Let him and 's follies wrestle from their birth We will
bring out our safeties Villaines we know Are sometimes Stilts on which great men must goe Enter Herod with his sword drawne in his other hand a Letter driuing before him P. Alexander and Y. Aristobulus Animis Hillus Lime and Handsaw following Herod Antip. steps betweene Herod and the Princes P. Alex. Y. Arist. Sir as y' are royall heare vs Her Villaines Traytors Vipers Ant. In the name Of goodnesse and of good men what hand dare Be rais'd against his Soueraigne Gracious Sir Let not your rage abuse you there 's none heere That your word cannot slaughter Her Giue me way Shall my owne blood destroy me that I gaue I le sacrifice to Iustice P. Alex. Yet Sir hold Heare but our innocent answere Y. Arist. If we proue Guilty let tortures ceaze vs Sal. O my Lord T is a becomming Iustice heare them speake Her What Villaines that are arm'd against me Sal. T is not so Nephewes deare Nephewes Throw at his Highnes feete these ill becomming weapons In this case they doe not guard but hurt you P. Alex. We obey and with our weapons offer vp our liues To haue our cause but heard indifferently Y. Arist. Sir there 's no greater innocence on earth Iniur'd then our alleageance let but truth Accuse vs in a shadow spare vs not Her But truth accuse you O strange impudence Th' art not of Brasse but Adamant seest thou this This man you hir'd with stone to murder me This man with timber both you wrought to staine The sacred building with foule Paricide Is not this true Lym. Han. Most true my Lord wee will both bee forsworne vnto it P. Alex. Falshood th' art grown a mighty one when these These Slaues shall murder Princes Her No not these Your vilde acts doe destroy you Speake my Lord Did not you see these in the dead of night Arm'd with their weapons watch at my Chamber doore Intending to assault me Hil. T is most true And had I not with threats and some exclaimes Remou'd them you had perisht Ant. Wonderfull P. Alex. O truth for shame awaken this Slaue will Exile thee from all Mankinde Her What doth this Bristle your guilty spirits No I le come Neerer vnto your Treasons heer 's your hands Your own hands most vnnaturall Sister see See mine Antipater for I know you both Are perfect in their hands and Characters This Letter did they traitrously conuey Vnto Chrysander which commands our Powers And Conquests won in Greece inciting him To breake his firme alleageance and to ioyne His strength with theirs to worke our ouerthrow Speake our Centurion did not you receiue This Letter from Chrysander Ani. My Lord I did Her And that it is their owne hands witnesse you And you and all that know them Sal. I am strooke dumbe with wonder I should sweare This were your own hands Nephews Ant. By my hopes If it be false t is strangely counterfeit The Slaue that did it had a cunning hand And neere acquaintance with you but deare Sir It shall be gracious in you to conceiue The best of these misfortunes who that knowes The world knowes not her mischieues and how Slaues Are euer casting Mines vp for my part Though there 's no likelihood I will suppose This is and may be counterfeit Sal. And so will I Her But neuer I it is impossible P. Alex. Sir I beseech you howsoere you lose The force of Nature or the touch of blood Lose not the vse of Iustice that should liue When both the rest are rotten all these proofes Are false as Slander and the worke hew'd out Only by malice when w' are tane away T is you your selfe next followes why alasse We are your Armour he that would strike home And hit you soundly must vnbuckle vs Y. Arist. Besides Sir please you either send or call Chrysander home whom we haue euer held A noble free and worthy Gentleman And if he doe accuse vs we will throw Our liues to death with willingnesse nay more Plead guilty to their Slanders Ant. In my thoughts This is a noble motion heare them Sir Sal. It will renowne your patience Sacred Sir Let me begge for my Nephewes you haue said You tooke delight to heare me heare me now Ant. S'foote y' are too earnest and will spoyle vs all Begge with a scuruy cold Parenthesis Sir though I know in this case minutes are Irrecouerable losses yet you may If 't please you grant them their Petition Her I 'm resolu'd Enter Tryphon Chrysander shall be sent for ha how now Why star'st thou why art breathlesse Try O my Lord My gracious Lord heare me I must disclose A treason foule and odious these your Sonnes Your Princely Sonnes chiefly Prince Alexander By fearefull threats and golden promises Haue labour'd me that when I should be cald To trim your Highnesse beard or cut your hayre I then should lay my Razor to your throat And send you hence to Heauen Ant. Sal. O vnnaturall Her Villaine speake this againe P. Alex. Y. Arist. Villaine speak truth feare Iudgement Try Briefly Sir Prince Alexander and Aristobulus Offer'd me heapes of gold to cut your throat When I should trim or shaue you Her From which thus Mine owne hand shall secure me villaine die stabs Tryph. That knew'st a way to kill me and henceforth What Slaue soeuer dare to fill mine eare With tales of this foule nature thus shall perish I le not be tortur'd liuing where 's my Guard Handle those treacherous young men and with cordes Strangle them both immediately P. Alex. Sir O Sir Y. Arist. Heare vs but heare vs Her Neuer I am deafe Villaines that hatch such execrable thoughts Vnfit for noble spirits shall not breath Dispatch I say for vnto time I le raise Such Trophees of Seuerity that he Which reads your Story with a bloody thought Shall tremble and forsake it P. Alex. Yet that man Seeing your Rigor and our Innocence Shall turne his feare to pitty and condemne The malice of your rashnesse Sir to dye Thus as we doe not guilty is a death Of all most blest most glorious for it is To braue death not to feele it and this end Reuiues vs but not kils vs Y. Arist. Brother true Let me imbrace thy goodnesse for I know The last gaspe of a death thus innocent Hath no paine in it and w' are sure to finde Sweetnesse i th' shortnesse all content of minde Her Pull and dispatch them They strangle the Princes Ant. This was well contriu'd Sal. An act worth imitation Ant. O mighty Sir You haue done Iustice brauely on your head Depends so many heads and on your life The liues of such aboundance that beleeu 't Acts and Consents must not alone be fear'd But Words and Thoughts nay very Visions In this case must be punish't Ancient times For Princes safeties made our Dreames our Crimes Her T is true and I am resolute to run a Course T' affright the proud'st Attempter goe conuay Those bodies vnto Buriall Antipater Come
be lost Thus against kinde and nature t is a sinne That teares my heart in pieces Aug. Say not so T is rather comfort well discouered But peace see th' are approaching Sound Trumpets Enter Antipater Niraleus Animis and the Guard Nir. Giue way stand backe roome for the King of Iuda Ant. No let them throng about me and behold Their glory and Redeemer Ha what 's this a Vision No a mortall Prodigie the King is liuing O I 'm lost Past hope and past imagination by his side The Emperour Augustus then I see There is no way but to destruction Her Yes to deserue destruction wretched thing Thou scorne of all are scorned see I liue Only to sound thy Iudgement thou that thought'st To build thy Throane vpon my Sepulchre See how th' art dasht in pieces Ant. Gracious Sir Aug. Labour not for excuses you haue runne A strange Cariere in Villany and thrust All goodnesse from you with such violence That Mercy dares not helpe you Ant. Yet my Lord Heare mine vnfaigned Answere Her In thy brest Was neuer thing lookt like Simplicity Thou hast made Goodnesse wretched and defam'd All vertuous things that grac'd Nobility Th' ast eate my blood vp made my loathed life Onely a Scale to reach Confusion Of these things I accuse thee this I proue Both by my Life my Death and Infamie And for this thou must perish One call forth The Minister of death and in my view Some minutes ere my dying let me see His head tane from his body Ant. Sir O Sir Thinke that you are a Father Aug. No a King And thence ordain'd for Iustice to put backe Ought of that heauenly Office were to throw Mountaines i th face of Iupiter know y' are lost Lost to all Mankinde and Mortality Therefore to make your last houre better seeme Then all that went before it what you know Of Treasons vnreuealed lay them forth The worke will well become you Ant. Is there no mercy Aug. Not vpon earth nor for Antipater Ant. Then farewell Hope for euer welcome Death I that haue made thee as mine Instrument Will make thee my Companion and I thus Ascend and come to meete thee Here I am A Monarch ouer all that looke on mee And doe despise what all you tremble at Sir it is true I meant your Tragedy Did quite roote out your Issue and if life Had held would haue wipte out your Memory This I confesse and to this had no helpe But mine ill thoughts and wicked Salumiths Aug. Was she assistant to you Ant. Sir shee was Aug. Produce her presently Ani. Sir t is too late The heart-strong Lady once imprisoned Forsooke all foode all comfort and with sighes Broke her poore heart in sunder Her And that word Hath brought mine vnto cracking strike O strike Dispatch the Execution or mine eyes Will not continue to behold the grace Of the reuenge I thrist for Ant. Feare me not I am as swift in my desire of death As you are in your longings Come thou friend To great mens Feares and poore mens Miseries Strike and strike home with boldnesse here 's a Life Thy steele may quench not conquer for the thought Exceeds all mortall Imitation Greatnesse grew in my Cradle with my Blood T was fed to mature ripenesse on my Graue It shall to all the Ages of the World Liue in eternall dreadfull Epitaphs This seruice men shall doe me and my name Remaine a Bug-beare to Ambition Come I am now prepar'd Exe. Sir will you please to kneele Ant. What to thy vildnes Slaue I le stand as high And strong as is a Mountaine strike or perish Exe. I cannot then Sir doe mine Office Enter Salumith betweene two Furies wauing a Torch Ant. Poxe of your forme in these extremities What art thou there poore tortur'd Wickednes And dost thou waft me to thee Then I come I stoope I fall I will doe any thing Thou art to me as Destiny O stay My quicke Soule shall oretake thee for but we Neuer two reacht the height of Villany Strike O strike Her O-o-o Here the Executioner strikes and Herod dies Aug. Whence came that deadly groane Nir. From the King the blow the Hangman gaue Antipater Tooke his life in the Instant Sir hee 's dead Aug. The Gods haue shewd their wonders some withdraw The Bodies and interre them that where none May pittie or lament him th' other so As all men may admire him for the Crowne Thus I bestow it on young Archelaus Rome makes thee King of Iuda and erects Thy Chayre and Throane within Ierusalem Sound Trumpets All Long liue Archelaus King of Ierusalem Arch. I will be Caesars seruant and my life I hope shall purge these woes from Israell Aug. T is a sweet royall Promise prosper in 't Make Vertue thy Companion for we see She builds their ruines spring from Tyrannie Exeunt omnes The EPILOGVE Y 'Aue heard a Tale which not a noble Eare But ha's drunke with deuotion and how ere It scant in phraze or action yet it may Ranke with some others and be held a Play Though not the best nor worst yet wee hope It keepes the middle passage that 's the scope Of our Ambition But of this w' are bold A truer Story nere was writ or told If Enuy hurt it t is our Fates and we Begge but your hands for the Recouerie FINIS