one We by their meanes anothers loue obtaine But crueltie with which none can comport Makes th' author hated when the deede is gone Oft euen by those whom it did most support As that which alienates men from kinde And as humanitie the minde inchants So sauage soules that from the same resraine More fierce than fiercest beasts are lou'd of none With barbarous beasts one with lesse danger hants Than with the man whose mind all mercie wants Yet though the mind of man as strong and rude Be ranish'd whiles with violent desire And must if sir'd with rage be quench with blood How can this tender sex whose glorie stoode In hauing hearts iuclinde to pittie still Delight it selfe by any barbarous deede For Nature seemes in this t' haue vsde her skill In making womens mindes though weake entire That weakenesse might loue and deuotion breede To which their thoughts if pure might best aspire As aptest for th' impression of all good But from the best to worst all things do weare Since cruelties from feeble mindes proceed In breasts where courage failes spite shame and feare Make enuie hate and rigour rule to beare Our Queene Olimpias that was once so great And did such monstrous cruelties commit In plaging Philip and his Ladie of late Lo now being brought to taste the like estate Must take such entertainment as she gaue And it 's good reason that it should be so Such measure as we giue we must receiue Whilst on a throne she did superblie sit And with disdainefull eyes look'd on her foe As but being vanquish'd by her powre and wit Not mindefull of th' ineuitable fate O th' Imortalls that command aboue Of euery state in hand the rudder haue And as they lie can make vs stay or goe The griefe of others should vs greatly mooue As those that sometime may like fortune prooue But as experience with rare proofes hath showne Do looke on others we haue Linx his eyes Whilst we would haue their imperfections knowne Yet like blinde Moles can neuer marke our owne Such clouds of selfe-regarde doe dim our sight Why should we be puffde vp by a'cnemies fall Since what the day doth on another light The same the morrow may our state surprise Those that on this inconstant constant ball Do liue enuiron'd with th' all-circkling skies Haue many meanes whereby to be ore-throwne And why should dying wordlings swolne with wroth So tyrranize ouer an afflicted wight Since miseries are common vnto all Let none be prowd that drawes a doubtfull breath Good hap attends but few still till their death ACT. V. SCENE I. Aristotle Phocion LOng haue I now invr'd th' eyes of my minde On natures labors curiously to looke And of all creatures finding foorth the kinde Strange wonders read in th' vniuersall booke I marke the world hy contraries maintainde Whose harmonie doth most subsist by strife Whilst of all things within the same containde The death of one still giues another life But as all things are subiect vnto change That partners are of th' elementall powres So rould about with reuolutions strange The state of man rests constant but few howres For what doth fame more frequently report Then of our sodaine rising and our falls I thinke the world is but a tennis-court Where men are tossde by fortune as her balls Phoc. And neuer any age shewde more than this The wauering state of soule-ennobled wights That soare too high to seaze on th' ayrie blisse Whilst lowest falles attend the highest flights The matchlesse Monarch that was borne it seem'd To shew how high mortalitie attaines Hath not from death the adored flesh redeem'd But paine hath made an end of all his paines And these braue bands that furnisht fame with bâ—eath Whilst all the world their valorous deedes did spie Rest now confounded since their soueraignes death Like Poliphemus hauing lost his eye And they are like that teeth-ingendred brood That tooke their life out of a monster dead Whiles ech of them pursues for others blood Since the great Drag on s death that was their head Ari. So change all things that subiect are t' our sight Disorder order breeds and order it Next night comes darknes and next darknesse light This neuer changing change transcends our wit Thus pouertie and riches sickenesse health Both honour and dishonor life and death Do so depend on other that by stealth All goe and come as th' accidents of breath T'ech worldly state the heauens a height appoint Where when it once arriues it must descend And all perfections haue a fatall point At which excellencie it selfe must end But as all those that walke on th' earth are crossde With alterations happning oft and strange The greatest states with greatest stormes are tossde And sought of many must make many a change Nor speake I this by speculation now As gathring credit out of ancient scroules soules No I haue liu'd at court and I know how Ther 's nought on th' earth more vex'd then great mens soules Thral'd to the tirant honor whilst they mone Their plaints to subiects eares asham'd t' empart They must beare all the weight of woes alone Where others of their griefe lend friends a part Their rising vs aboue to such a height Which seems their best is worst whilst since being lords They neuer heare the truth that comes to light When franke societie speaks naked words Whilst sadnesse whiles seemes maiestie time tells How deere they buy their pompe with losse of rest Some faine three furies but in all the hells And ther 's three thousand in one great mans breast Phoc. I thinke all monarchies are like the Moone Which whiles eclipsd whiles vnder cloud whiles cleare Growes by degrees and is when full vndone Yet Aeson like renew'd doth re-appeare For so the first but smal begin to shine And when they once their spherick forme obtaine Do then begin to languish and decline Yet falne in other realmes doe rise againe Th' Assyrians once made many a nation bow Then next all powre was in the Persians hand And lo the Macedonians monarchs now Amongst themselues diuided cannot stand Arist A secret fate alternantly all things Doth in this circle circularly leade Still generation from corruption springs To th' end that some may liue some must be dead Each Element anothers strength deuours Th' ayre to the fire succumbes the fire to raine The water striues to drowne all th' earth with showres Which it by vapours vomites out againe Thus with a gordian knot together bound All things are made vn-made and made againe Whilst ruine founds perfection doth confound And norhing in one state doth long remaine But nought in th' earth more dangerously standes Than soueraigntie that 's rated at such worth Which like the stormie deities blustring bandes Doth flie from East to West from South to North. Ph. A long experience now makes this noght strange Though mightie states whose reines one onely leades Be whiles distracted and constrain'd to change As too
enough t' applaud our deede And sooth vs vp in all that we haue done Na. To haue the time and manner then praefixt Command the Bactrians all themselues to arme And to attend till we aduertise next Prompt for all perils at the first alarme Then through the Campe a rumour we will spread That hopelesse Darius hath dispairdlie gone With violence to dwell amongst the dead And seeme therefore excessiuelie to mone The Persians we with promises must feede So to disarme him of his natiue pow'rs Then we will apprehend himselfe with speede For while that he is free nothing is ours That we may seeme to vse him with respect As to the state of such a Prince pertaines We will not this last ornament neglect He shall be bound but bound with golden chaines To Alexander after we will send And offer Darius in his hands t' appease him Then craue his fauour that he will defend Vs as his friends who haue done all to please him If his good-will we cannot thus procure And he vs with extremitie pursue With Darius death we will our states assure Then raise fresh forces and the warres renue Bos Let vs henceforth for nothing be dismaide But striue our selues courageouslie to beare This dangerous action would not be delai'd Least time worke his assurance and our feare Exeunt CHORVS TYme through Ioues iudgement iust Huge alterations brings Those are but fooles that trust In transitory things Whose tailes beare mortall stings Which in the end will wound And let none thinke it strange Though all things earthly change In this inferiour rounde What is from ruine free The elements which be At variance as we see Eache other doe confound The earth and aire make warre The fire and water are Still wrestling at debate All those through colde and heate Through drouth and moisture iar No wonder though men change and fade Who of those changing elements are made How dare vaine worldlings vaunt Of fortunes goods not lasting Euils that our wittes enchaunt Expos'd to losse and wasting Loe we to death are hasting Whilst we these things discusse All things from their beginning Vnto an end are running Heauen hath ordain'd it thus We heare how heauen doth thunder We see th' earth burst asunder And yet we neuer ponder VVhat this imports to vs. Those fearfull signes doe proue That th' angrie pow'rs aboue Are mou'd to indignation Against this wretched nation VVhich they no longer loue What are we but a puffe of breath Who liue assur'd of nothing but of death VVho was so happie yet As neuer had some crosse Though on a Throne he sit And is not vs'd with losse Yet fortune once will tosse Him when that least he would If one had all at ones Hydaspes pretious stones And yellow Tagus golde All th' Orient all treasure And euery earthly pleasure Euen in the greatest measure It should not make him bold For while he liues secure His state is most vnsure VVhen it doth least appeere Some heauie plague drawes neere Destruction to procure We may compare th' earths glory to a flowre That flourisheth and fadeth in an houre In what we most repose We finde our comfort light The thing we soonest lose That 's precious in our sight For honour riches might Our liues im paund we lay Yet all like flying shadowes Or flowers enambling medowes Euanish and decay Long time we toile to finde Those idols of the minde Which got we cannot binde T' abide with vs one day Then why should we presume On treasures that consume Difficile to obtaine Difficile to retaine A dreame a breath a fume Which vexe them most who them possesse Who starue with store and famish with excesse ACTVS QVARTVS Scen. I. DARIVS TIRIOTES Tir. AH must I poyson now my Princes eares with the worst newes that euer burthē'd fame Had I as many tongues as I haue teares All would not serue my sorrowes to proclame Dar. Great signes of greefe I in thy face discerne Spare not for to report this heauie crosse To one I feare whome it doth most concerne I st death disgrace distruction treason losse Tell on the summe of honour at the first With no ambiguous words my paine prolong 'T is comfort to a wretch to know the worst And I haue learn'd to be vnhappy long What least I speake and yet suspect too much I st some ludibrious message of my skorne Which must wound me but ah no torment such As this to them who that disgrace haue borne Tir. She was not wrong'd as you haue misconceiu'd The Gods haue had a care for to preserue her Such fauour of the victour she receiu'd As of her subiects that were bound to serue her But what a vollie doth my voice prepare Of woes to charge your eares woes full of dread Would God ere I the somme thereof declare That I might die in saying she is dead Curst caitiue was it not enough allas That I beheld her die and would haue died But that I must arm'd with sad tydings pas To wound all them that heare what I haue spied See how he fares shot with these words of mine As one become the pray of greefe and death Dar. Yet doth the Sunne on my affliction shine And sees the aire infected with my breath And can I liue and looke them in the face That haue my ignominious o're-throw seene And how I vanquish'd vanquish'd with disgrace Engag'd at once my kingdome and my Queene Heauen bruse me all to powder with thy thunder That I no more may in the world remaine The obiect of thy wrath and Fortunes wonder Spoil'd of all hope yet kept for greater paine Ah! art thou dead and doe I lieu behinde thee Thy faultie husband thinkst thou so to flie If it be thus then I know where to finde thee This onely greeues me that too late I die O Alexander what such hainous ill Haue I done thee that thou requit'st me thus Whom of thy friendes or kindred did I kill This crueltie comes vndeseru'd of vs. Think that thou hadst iust causes to make warre Yet vpon women should thy wrath be wroken This Tirrannie shall all thy Triumphe marre And euer shall to thy reproach be spoken Tir. Sir without cause you guiltie him esteeme I know her death did grieuouslie displease him A wondrous thing which few or none would deeme He tooke it so that nothing could appease him Euen as my Soueraigne now so then he smarted And when he came to ease your mothers griefe As if that his owne mother had departed He seem'd to need not for to giue reliefe Dar. If any sparkes of that respect remaine Which should with reason mooue thy minde to ruth I pray the Tiriotes now be plaine Or els strange torments shall exact the truth I loth to let this question scape my mouth Which both I blush to craue and long to know I st possible so insolent a youth Did neuer tempt the treasure which I owe Could this imperious Prince in flowre
not die desperately by mine owne hand I le die through others guilt not through mine owne None of you all haue falsified your troath But with me loyall still to th' end yee abide Now I you all disburthâ—n of your oath Leaue me alone and for your selues prouide Exeunt DARIVS O Wretched Monarchie vaine mortals choice The glorious stâ—p to a disgrace-full fall Our pow'r depends vpon the peoples voice And to seeme soueraigne needs we must serue all Yet blowne like blathers with ambitions winde On enuied scepters weaklie we relie And calling not our fraile estate to minde Not onlie earth but heauens themselues defie This hellish hag our restlesse minde doth tosse While carried with a popular applause T' enlarge our limites with our neighbours losse We of our owne confusions are the cause And when th' ecclipse comes of our glories light Then what auailes th' adoring of our name A meere illusion made to mock the sight Whose best was but the shaddow of a dreame Let greatnesse of her glascie scepters vaunt Not sceptours no but reeds soone brus'd soone brokeÌ„ And let this worldlie pompe our wits inchant All fades and scarcelie leaues behinde a token Those golden Pallaces those gorgeous halles With fourniture superfluouslie faire Those statelie Courts those sky-encountring walles Evanish all like vapours in the aire O what affliction iealous greatnesse beares That still must trauell to hold others downe Whil'st all our guardes not guard vs from our feares So greevous is the burthen of a Crowne Where are they all who at my feete did bowe While I was made the idole of so many What ioy had I not then what haue I nowe Then honoured of all now scarce of any Our painted pleasures but apparrell paine We spend our dayes in dread our liues in dangers Balles to the starres and thralles to Fortunes raigne Knowne vnto all yet to our selues but strangers A golden Crowne doth couer leaden cares The Scepter cannot lulle their thoughts a-sleepe Whose breasts are fraught with infinite dispaires Of which the vulgar wits sounds not the deepe The Bramble growes although it be obscure While mightie Cedars feele the blustering windes And milde Plebeian spirits may lieu secure While mightie tempests tosse imperiall mindes What are our daies but dreames our raignes but traÌ„ces Whil'st brain-sick reaving with our Fortunes feuer We still are vext with changes and mischances Till death vs both from life and scepter seuer The vanitie of greatnesse I haue proou'd And beene the wonder of each gazing eye Now that deceauing shaddow is remoou'd And I my wretched state too late espie Now bound with chaines which though they be of gold Diminish not my thraldome ought the more When this preposterous honour I beholde It but vpbraides me what I was before And what was I before though to each eye The forme of my affliction was not knowne But fettred in effect while I seem'd free And in a labyrinth of labours throwne Was I not bound to serue then all mens humour Or to be censur'd with some Critick storie Still clog'd with cares as slought for euery rumour O glorious bondage burthen-able glorie That dignitie which deified me late And made the world doe homage to my name Now cannot succour my accursed state But hath with my mis-fortune fethered same My best was but a momentarie blis Which leaues behinde this euerlasting sting That of all woe no woe is like to this To thinke I was and am not now a King No man with me in all accomplish'd ioyes That satisfie the soule could once compare No man may matche me now in sad annoyes And all the miseries that breede dispaire Thrise Fortune did my gallant troupes entrap And I to fall did desperately stand Yet could not be so happie in mishap As for t' haue died by some renowmed hand But for my greater griefe disgrace and scorne The mindes of men so apt are to deceaue They whome aloft my favours wings haue borne Ev'n they made me their maister thus a slaue Ah did not death in prison from me reaue The sacred soueraigne of my soules desires I wretch not being present to receaue The last cold kisse that might asswage my fires Yet ô thrise happie thou that hast not liu'd To beare a burthen of this great disgrace More then a thousand deaths this had thee grieu'd To know I died and died in such a cace Ah doe the pledges of our mutuall loue The onlie comfort that the fates haue left me Rest prison'd yet And may I not remooue My mother thence then is all blisse bereft me My paines are more then with my pleasures ev'n Since first I in authoritie did enter Was I exalted once vp to the heau'n To be cast head-long downe to mischiefes center My ample Empire and my Princelie birth My great magnificence and vaine excesse All cannot yeelde my minde one minutes mirth To ease me now in this extreame distresse Loe heere reduc'd vnto the worst of illes Past helpe past hope and only great in griefe I wait vpon two abiect vassals willes And dare not no not thinke vpon reliefe Death would I scorne my course must once haue ruÌ„ If I had first repair'd mine honours breach Whose wounds so thrill my soule as vnbegun The life I wish that does my fame impeach This mortall vaile I willinglie resigne Since to an ende my dayes the destinies bring Nor will I so from Maiestie decline As to doe ought vn-worthie of a King Exit CHORVS SOme new disasier day lie doth for showe Our comming ruine We haue seene our best Now fortune bent vs vtterly t' ore-throw Throwes down our King from her wheels top so low As by no meanes his state can be redrest And since his foes by armes haue him opprest His friendes and seruants leaue him all alone Few haue compassion of his state distrest Yea false to him them selues doe many show So foes and fâ—ined friendes conspire in one Fraile Fortune and the fates with them agree With axes all runne on this falling tree This Prince in prosperous state hath florish'd long And neuer dream'd of any euill successe But was well follow'd while his state was strong Him flattering Syrens with a charming song Striu'd to exalt while-as he did possesse This earthly drosse that with a vaine excesse He might reward their mercenary loue But now when fortune driues him to distresse His fauorites whom he remain'd among With foes and fortune straight their faith remoue 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 no vtter ruine bring But made him proue a profitable thing Who of his traine did best deserue his grace Then could and would of those the best imbrace And flie such vultures as deuour him liuing That these whom he found faithful might have place O how this doth a generous stomacke sting To see some grac'd for craft
how he had their treason tri'de And seene the Bactrians to a tumult bent Then prai'd him for his safety to prouide In going with him to his trusty tent The King grow'n carelesse and his safety shunning Refus'd this offer on affection grounded Or with some pow'rfull fate his fall fore-running Was carried headlong thus to be confounded The Greeke past thence dispairing of his safety Who thus recur elesse helpe and health refus'd Then Bessus did begin with speeches craftie To purge himselfe and errours past excus'd The King then Artabazus did command T' approch and Patrons speech at length reported He then did doubt what danger was at hand And to go with the Greeke his Grace exhorted But when he found this resolution plac'd Within his brest no peril for to flie With mutuall teares each other they embrac'd Parting like two that liuing went to die Now silent night in pitchie vapours cled Had mustred mists and march'd vnto the West A shadowie horrour ou'r the earth was spread The Santinelles were set and all at rest When a strange terrour troubled all the hoste The multitudes did murmure in all parts They did resemble ships in stormes neere lost Whilst each to th' other cause of feares imparts Those who their King appointed were to guarde All shrunke away to corners none staid there And hauing to his danger no regarde His better-fortunes Minions fled else where The desolation then was wonderous great With a few Eunuches Darius left alone Did enter deepely to reuolue his state And thus be-spake them who did for him mone Depart in peace and for your selues prouide Least yee be likewise with my ruine caught I will the issue of my fate abide They hearing this as of their wits distraught Went howling through the host with dolorous cries This made the King as dead to be bewaild And in the armie did a rumour rise That he had kild himselfe when all hope fail'd The Persians greeu'd while these things did occurre Did first encourage all their countrie bands To helpe their Prince but yet they durst not sturre For feare of falling in the Bactrians hands Ev'n in the time when this confusion was The traitours to deferre the fact no more Did to their soueraignes owne Pavilion passe And rooke and bound him whome they seru'd before He who in golden coach superbelie rode Was cast in one for bassest carriage vs'd And who of late was honoured like a God By seruants as a bond slaue was abus'd Those royall hands to beare a scepter borne Were bouÌ„d with chains this also much did grieue him That fortune his aduersitie would scorne With golden bands that seru'd not to releeue him Then Alexander hauing heard in end That Darius came not forward to affront him To finde him out did all his forces bend Not doubting but he eftsoones would surmount him But being at the last at length inform'd How he was made a Captiue to his owne At this indignitie he highlie storm'd And swore he would avenge it by his crowne Out of his hoste he did select a fewe Who were best hors'd whose equipage was light With whom his foes he did so fast pursue That ere they could suspect he came in sight The traitours troubled with this he had done Came to the Cart wherein the King was carried And bad him mount on horse back and flee soone Least that his foe should take him if he tarried He look'd aloft and cry'd aloud this day Th' eternall Iusticer sees through the starres I will not with such periur'd rebelles stay And flie from him who moou's but honest warres Then those in whom impietie aboundes Throw'd darts at him whoÌ„ they should haue defended And hurte the horses with an hundreth woundes While they perform'd the Parricide intended Their hands were feeble as their harts vntrue For when their foes began them once to comber The traitours first then all the traiterous crue Fled them who were inferiour farre in number But to the confines of deathes kingdome brought The King retir'd out from the way aside More wounded with ingratitude then ought Did flie the world whose follies he had tri'de Scarce was the lasting last diuorcement made Twixt soule and body whilst that th' eyes grew dim When Alexander came and found him dead Who long had labour'd for t' haue ruin'd him Yet with the vesture which himselfe then wore He couered the dead corps and not eschew'd it But eu'n with teares his coffin did decore To the great wonder of all them that view'd it And hauing waild his death aboue all measure For t' haue his funerals made in Princely wise He bids you spare no coste but vse his treasure And them as best becommes to solemnise He hath his body hither sent by me That the last honours you to him may do He thinkes they so shall best accomplish'd be And who him bare shall see him buried to Cho. Behold how griefe hath her of sense berest And choak'd her breath with super-abounding grones No will or power to liue is to her left Since all her weale evanish'd is at ones Sis Ah shall I see no let me first be blinde That body breath-lesse which I brought to light Where would my soule a force sufficient finde T' endure the dolour of that deadly sight O flintie hardned hart that wilt not breake With the remembrance of so many woes Why part'st thou not faint sprit that whil'st I speake In opening of my lips mine eyes might close This heritage of death this withered stock Is but a receptacle of dispaires A torture to it selfe a stumbling block Whose aged furrowes fertile are in cares What helpes it now to haue bene made the mother Of one who to such dignitie did clim More miserable now then any other I liue to waile my death who di'd in him Aye me malitious Fates haue done me wrong Who came first to the world should first depart It not becommes the olde t' ou'r-liue the yong This dealing is praeposterous and ou'r-thwart Ah why should death so indiscreet be found To saue a caitiue and confound a Prince My halfe-dead body weigh'd downe to the ground Through griefe is grow'n ripe for the graue long since CHORVS WHat makes vaine worldlings so to swell with pride Who came of earth and to the earth returne So hellish furies with their fire brands burne Proude and ambitious men as they deuiâ—e Them from themselues and so turmoile their mindes That all their time they studie still How to content a bound-lesse will Which neuer yet a full contentment findes Who so this flame within his bosome smothers Doth many fantasies contriue And euen forgets himselfe a-liue To be remembred after death by others Thus while he is his paines are neuer ended That while he is not he may be commended What can this helpe the happinesse of Kings So to subdue their neighbours as they doe And make strange nations tributaries to The greater state the greater trouble brings Their pompes and triumphes stands them in
Of all my labours loe this was the hire Those must haue store of toiles that toyle for strife And I remember that amidst my ioyes Euen whilst the chase of armies was my sport There wanted not a portion of annoyes To counterpoise my pleasures in some sort Of those in th' earth most happy that remaine As ag'd experience constantly records The pleasures farre exceeded are by paine Life greater greife then comfort still affords What rage and sorrow seaz'd vpon my soule Whilst big with hopes a battell bent to proue That sudden sicknesse did my course controule Which Cidnus cold imbracings chanc'd to moue From the Phisition then though deem'd for ill I tooke his drinke and gaue th' inuectiue lines Then whilst he red did drinke yet eyd him stil And by accusing lookes search'd guilty signes Not that suspitious feares could make me sad This was the ground whence did proceed my paine Lest death that victorie preuented had Which I was sure if present once t' obtaine But when that I extended had my state From learned Athens to the barbarous Indes Still my tumultuous troupes my pride did hate As monstrous mutinies vnmask'd their mindes I so my name more wonderful to make Of Hercules and Bacchus past the bounds And whilst that Memnons sun burnt bands did quake Did write my worth in many a Monarchs wounds Kings were my subiects and my subiects kings Yet my contentment further did require For I imagind still more mighty things And to a greater greatnesle did aspire The compasse of the carriere of the sunne By many a famous victory I wan Yet wept that there were no more worlds to win As all had beene to little for one man Was I not honord as a God by some Whilst what I interprizd it still preuaild Whom I assaild I alwayes did ore-come No project of my fancies euer faild This made me thought immortalizd to be Which in all mindes amazement yet contracts For I led Fortune Fortune followed me As forc'd t' attend the greatnesse of my acts Yet I haue found it a more easie thing To conquer all the mansions of the winde Then mine owne selfe and of my passions king To order the disorders of my minde What comfort iustly could my soule receiue Of all my conquests past if that euen then Whilst I triumph'd to wrath and wine as slaue I scap'd not scandall more then other men Ah seazing without right on euery state I but my selfe too great a Monarch made Since all men gapt to get the golden bate Which by my death seemd easie to be had Whilst from humanitie too much deuorc'd My deeds all hearts with feare and horror fild I whom the force of foes yet neuer forc'd Was by my friends most fraudulently kill'd But now I see the troublous time drawes neere When they shall keepe my obsequies with blood No wonder too though such a warriours biere At last do swim amids a scarlet flood For as my life did breed huge broyles ouer all My death must be th' occasion of great cumbers And it doth best become a strong mans fall To be renown'd by ruining of numbers The snaky-tressed sisters shal not neede T' vse fatall firebrands lothsome Plutoes pestes Or poisonous inspirations so to bred A thirst of murder in transported brests Yet my ambitious ashes once may shine T' enflame my Minions minds with strange desires If of their spirits each keepe a sparke of mine To waste the world their brests may furnish fires The beauties once of th' earth shall all looke red Whilst my lieuetenants through that pride of theirs With vnkind armes huge streames of blood do shed By murthering of mine heires to be mine heires Is this the gaine of greatnesses did I pine To be made eminent to be ouerthrowne To ruine first my selfe then roote out mine As conquering others but to lose mine owne O happy I but happier far my race If with my fathers conquests still content I manag'd had th' Aemathian power in peace Which was made lawfull by a long discent Then farre sequestred from Bellonaes rage I had the true delites of nature tryed And ag'd with honor honor'd in my age Had left my scepter to my sonne and dyed And he succeeded had t' a quiet state Which then because lesse great had bin more sure And not exposd to enuy nor to hate That do against the greatest States coniure But since they minde t' enearth mine earthly part Which now no badge of maiestie reraines To roaring Phlegeton I must depart Farre from the lightsome bounds of th' ayrie Plaines And must I there that did the world surmount Arrested by the Monarke of the Ghosts To Radamanthus render an account Of all the deedes done by my rauenous hostes Ther whilst with Minos Aeacus sits downe A rigorous Iudge in Hells most horride court Though farre before his Nephew in renowne He will not with one of his race comport O what pale troops of ghosts are gathered heere That were of bodies spoild by my decree And first the wrong'd Parmenio doth compeere From whom I nought but who did much from me At the tribunall of Tartarian powres He aggrauates a ingratitude too great And whilst th' infernall tyrant foming lowres All whom I wrong'd for vengeance stand t' intreat Yet guiltie thoughts torment me most of all No sprite can be by plaging Furies pind Though charg'd without with snakes within with gall As by the slings of a remording minde If it be true that drowsie Laethes streams Drowne in obliuions deepes all things at last There let me burie farre from Phoebus beames The loath'd remembrance of my Labours past Exit Chorus What strange aduentures now Distract distressed mindes With such most monstrous stormes When silence seemes t' allow The peace that Nature findes And that tumultuous windes Doe not disturbe with stormes An vniuer sall rest When Morpheus hath represt Th' impetuous course of cares And with a soft skepe bâ—ndes Those tyrants of the breast That would spread foorth most dangerous snares T' inuo'ue th' afflicted in dispaires Huge horrours then arise Which th' elements doe marre With most disastrous signes Arm'd sqúadorns in the Skies With Launces throwne from farre Doe make a monstrous warre Whilst Furie nought confines The Dragons vomite fire And make the starres retire Out of their orbes for feare Some of those warriors are To satifie their ire That th' azure buildings not forbeare But seeme the cristall Towres to teare Amidst the aire fierce blasts Doe boast with blustring sounds T' vndoe this mightie frame Which whilst the tempest lasts Doth rent the stately roundes To signifie what woundes Strait t' all her of-springs shame Shall burst th' earths veines with blood And this all-circkling flood As t' were the heauens to drowne Doth passe th' appointed bounds And all the scalie broode Reare roaring Neptunes foamie crowne Whilst th' earth for feare seemes to sincke downe Those that th' earth chargde what horrour Theyr ashie lodgings leaue To re-enioy the light
Or else some panicke terror Our iudgement doth bereaue Whilst first we misconceiue And so preiudge the sight Or in the bodies steade The genius of the dead Turnes backe from Stix againe Which Dis will not receaue Till it a while engendring dread Giue whilst it doth on th' earth remaine To others feare and to 't selfe paine These fearefull signes foreshow The doubtfull world t' appall What plagues are to succeede When death had layd him low That first had made vs thrall We heard that strait his fall Our libertie would breede But this prooues no reliefe For many O what griefe The place of one supplie And we must suffer all Thus was our comfort briefe For rarelie doth th' vsurper die But others will his fortune trie ACT. II. SCENE I. Perdiccas Meleager Ptolomie Antigonus Eumenes WHateie not big with teares can view this host Which hath in one ah as the end doth proue A King a Captaine and a Brother lost Crown'd follow'd tride by right for worth in loue I thinke amongst vs all there is not one Whom diuerse fauours do not iustly binde T' appease that Heroes ghost though from vs gone With all th' oblations of a thankfull minde Ah had the Fates beene subiect to my will Such clowdes of sorrow had not darkened life But we had had great Alexander still And he those kingdomes that procure this strife Yet heauens decrees can neuer be recalld And thoughts of harmes past help breede double paine Though being to griefe a space by passions thralld The liuing must embrace the world againe As one whose interest in his life was chiefe I of his death haue cause to curse th' effects But will not frustrate so the generall griefe To waile apart particular respects Though th' aire be plenish'd yet with plaintiue sounds Of widdow'd hopes that wedded haue despaires Yet Time must cicatrize our inward wounds And to the publike weale drawe priuate cares Let vs giue physicke to the sickened state That at this present in great danger stands Whilst grudging subiects that our greatnes hate Would enfranchize their violated lands Those that are thralld by force to be made free Praecipitate themselues in dangers still And this th' instinct of Nature seemes to bee What realme not scornes t' attend a strangers will From forc'd obedience nought but hate proceedes The moe we haue subdude the moe our foes A soueraigne head this states huge body needes That might make vs securely to repose And who more meete t' enioy that great mans place Wh'of those whose states he tooke receiu'd the hearts Then one descended from th' illustrous race Whose birth both worth and right to raigne impartes If heau'n enrich Roxana with a sonne That long'd-for birth a lawfull soueraigne brings And till that course of doubtfull hopes be done Let some appointed be to rule all things Eum. Though Macedonians tuned mindes not scorne That t' Alexander strangers should succeede Can men obey a babe a babe not borne What fancies strange would this confusion breed This could not well become our graue foresight A doubtfull birth t' attend so long in vaine That may b' abortiue and though brought to light Through Natures error made not apt to raigne But if affection carrie vs so farre That of that race we must be rul'd by some Though neither being practiz'd in peace nor warre As those that haue indeede by kinde o'recome Then haue we Hercules the eldest sonne That t' our great Prince was by Barsines borne Who foureteene yeares of age hath else begunne His princely birth by vertues rare t' adorne Ptol. Might not the Macedonians all b' asham'd If rendred vassalles thus t' a barbarous brood What should we beare the yoke that we haue framd To buy disgrace haue we bestowde our blood Our auncestours whose glory wee obscur'd Would get some vantage of their Nephues thus They warrd that peoples wracke to haue procurd And haue we ward to make them Lords o're vs Ah bury this as a'xecrable thing And let this purpose be no more pursude For though they were begotten by our king Yet were they borne of those that we subdude Obraue Leonides I like thy strife That with so few perforrnd so glorious things And death preferrd before th' infamous life That bondage still from a Barbarian brings Those loth'd t' accept a stranger for their Lord And with their blood gaue flame t'an vnknowne feild Yet we would honour them that they abhorrd And though being victors to the vanquish'd yeild For where-to tended that renownd attempt Which makes the Persians yet abase their brow But euen t' our countreys scorne in a contempt To take by force that which we offer now Was this the scope of all our conquersts then Of our owne captiues to be made the prey No let vs still command like valerous men And rule our Empire by some other way May we not vse this policie a space Till better wits some better meanes deuise Lest dangerous discords do disturbe our peace Still when we would of serious things aduice Let a maiesticke Senat gathered be And them amongst the Imperiall chare of state That of th' authoritie all signes may see Then whilst we compasse that respected seate There those that were in credite with the king Whose merits in mens minds haue reuerence bred Shall in their iudgements ballance euery thing How kingdomes should be ruld how Armies led And what the greatest part hath once approu'd To that the rest must oblig'd be t' incline All th' armie by this harmony being mou'd Will execute what euer we designe This concord would proue happy for vs all Since it each state in greatest suretie renders And by this meanes our Macedony shall In place of one haue many Alexanders Eum. Though silence I confesse becomes me best That am a stranger and the lesse beleeu'd Yet since a partner of your toyles I rest I must vnfold my mind a minde that 's greeeu'd And thinke you that a babe repaires our losse How are the deep est iudgements thus beguild This in all Countryes hath bin thought a crosse Wo to that soyle whose soueraigne is a child Nor would these great men as is thought agree They be too many bodies for one minde Ah pardon Ptolomie it can not be This vnion would all disunite I finde Thus would all th' armie from good order swarue When many might forgiue all would offend As thinking well though they did death deserue Ther 's none so bad but some man will defend And when so many kings were in one court One court would then haue many humors too Which fostring factions for each light report Would make them iarre as neighbouring princes doe No let this strange opinion be suppressd Whilst equals all all would vnequall be So that their mindes by iealousie possessd From pale suspition neuer could be free But ah what needs contention at this time T' obscure a matter that was made so cleere And doye now account it for no crime T' impugne his
accord That there can be a greater man than I While as I haue a heart a hand a sword An. Loe when prosperitie too much preuailes Aboue the iudgement thus of vulgar mindes As little barges burdend with great sailes They leape aloft being swolne with fortunes windes And as aduersitie the sprite refines From out the drosse of pride and passions base That vertue in affliction cleerest shines And makes one all the waies of wit to trace So good successe doth make the iudgement die Then whilst the fortunate their ease doe take And lulld asleepe in Pleasures meadowes lie As fatted for the slaughter ripe to shake Yet this the nature is of gallant men To rest being in no state too much inuolu'd When prospring best most warie and humble then If crossd then more couragious and resolu'd What though your first attempts renowned are By which you in two fields victorious stoode And did orethrow two thunderbolts of warre That lost their liues amidst a scarlet flood Yet is that course of victorie controlde And you haue tride what force your force exceedes Then let not wither'd Laurels make you bolde As still reposing on your by-past deedes For by the same t'an indignation mou'd The Macedonians all abhorre your name That at that time so prowde a conquerour prou'd And with their great mens slaughter wing'd your fame Eum. No fortune past so puffes vp my conceit That it contempt of further danger brings Nor am I so deiected now of late But I intend to doe farre greater things He by prosperitie made neuer prowde That knowes the frailtie of this earthly frame Can hardly by aduersitie be bowd The Sunne although eclipsd remaines the same Thinke not that worth consists in the successe As th' essence did on th' accidents depend The fault of fortune makes it not the lesse On which oft-times the hardest happes attend For Fortune beares not still the badge of worth Nor miserie the signes of gallant mindes Which yet still like themselues are sparkeling forth In euery state some tokens of their kindes Now at this time o're-match'd by numbrous powres I kept my courage though I lost the field And vaunt no more of it for some few howres May once to me the like aduantage yeelde And it 's not long since that to Fortune deere The world had neuer me but victor spide Though I protest before th'immortalls heere Moou'd by Necessitie and not by Pride Prowd Neopolemus that traitor still Not worthy of a Macedonians name Bent to betray the hoste and me to kill Had labord long to his eternall shame But of Craterus I lament the fall Whom for his vertue I did deerely loue And was constrain'd I Ioue to witnes call For my defence that last refuge to proue Ant. How fortun'd you your forces to dispose So well t' auoyd that storme of threatned harmes For then you had to deale with mightie foes That were in warre growne hoarie vnder armes Eum. When faithlesse Neoptolemus did spie That all his treason was t' our knowledge brought To th' enemies camp he sodainely did flie A foolish traitor that was false for nought There he informde or mis-informde my foes That haughtie through my victories of late I in my tent did carelesly repose Though not by force yet to b' orecomd by fate And further then t' Antipater he told That if the Macedonians at that time The countnance of Craterus might beholde They willingly would yeelde themselues to him Now they had labord earnestly before That I abandon would Perdiccas part And did protest that they would giue me more Than yet I had or hop'd for in my hart But Loue borne free cannot be thrald nor bought More than a shamefull peace I likde iust strife To generous mindes more deere than honour nought And ere I leaue my faith I le lose my life Thus being despair'd that I would proue their friend They sought in time t' orethrow me as their foe Where loue could not beginne that hate might end And came in haste bent to surprise me so But I that knew Neoptolemus-his slight Did him against the Macedonians bend And to conceale Craterus from their sight T' encounter him causde troupes of strangers tend This policie which none could iustly blame I with my selfe in secret did conspire And had my shirt bin priuie to the same It should haue bin an offring to the fire When once that the first game of death was past I Neoptolemus did toile to finde And he me too which happned at the last Two will do much to meet being of one minde Then whilst we met for whom both th' armies warr'd Whose fortune then depended on our hands All was performd that force or furie dar'd Bent by reuenge t' abate each th 'others bands And yet the heauens would not betray my trust Foule treason neuer had a fairer end The gods smilde on my cause because t' was iust And did destruction to the traitor send For forcde by him whose force he did despise Though fighting fiercely long he lost his breath As one more strong than true more stowt than wise Whose greatest honour was his honest death But weakned with huge woundes almost I diu'd In seas of blood being quite from knowledge straide Yet by so great a victorie reuiu'd My courage grew more than my strength decaid I hauing finisht thus this fatall strife Came where Craterus nere his course had runne Euen in the confines placde twixt death and life Whilst th' one was gone and th' other not begunne He with great valour had resisted long As all Briareus hands had moou'd his sword And did his Maisters memorie no wrong Being with his courage not his fortune stor'd What life refusde t' obtaine by death he sought For life and death are but indifferent things And of themselues not to be shund nor sought But for the good or th' euill that either brings With endlesse glorie bent t' exchange his breath Of desprate valour all the powre was prou'd And for great Captaines no more glorious death Then to die fighting with a minde vnmou'd When this daies toiles were drawne vnto an end Whilst th' armies courage with their captaine fell That I might safely shew my selfe a friend I went where death his senses did cancell And whilst I told how both to be betraid By Neoptolemus were brought about My woe with teares I to the world bewraid Milde pittie and true kindnes must burst out Ah if the newes of this my good successe Had comd in time vnto Perdiccas eares He might haue liu'd their pride now to represse That by his fall were first deuorcde from feares Ant. The humour of that man was too well knowne Could he haue parted other men from pride That was becomd a slaue vnto his owne And for the same forcde by his followers dide Eu. The prowd must stil be plagu'd by prowder ones There must be had sharp steele to smoothe rough stones An. No vice than pride doth greater hate procure Which foes doe
without appearance do procure The most respected place where greatnes stayes And some whose states seem'd once t' all eyes secure Thrown from their fortunes height lose glorious bayes My father lo t' attaine th' imperiall place March'd through impossibilities of late And greater then the greatest for a space Was Monarch of the Macedonian state But I his sonne that as some would suppose Might keep with ease that which he got with paine Can by no meanes my restles thoughts repose Such raging tyrants ouer my fancies raigne Lisim And yet I thinke you haue an easie part To whom your father did his state resigne For it may make you smile that made him smart Some presse the grape and others drinke the wine Cass I le not beleeue that euer any ill Was bred for me within my fathers breast Since children must suppose their parents will Though seeming bad still purposde for the best And yet my fathers ghost must pardon me Though when from vs he minded to remoue I thinke the tenor of his last decree Shew lacke of iudgement or at least of loue For what base course had euer bin begun To make me seeme vnworthy of his place That he preferr'd a stranger to his sonne And sought t' obscure the glory of his race Thus since in such a sort he did neglect The sonne that should his name from death exempt As dis-regarded for some great defect All other men may haue me in contempt But ere his age expirde th' expected date He saw my browes with Laurell boughes arrai'd And spi'd my skill in warre and wit in state Which grew as much as th' other mans decai'd Nor can my courage so be brought to bow But Polispercon shall experience soone That in my fathers wil1 I will allow Not what he did but what he should haue done And since by him high dignities were wonne I mind to prosecute what he began For such a fathers greatnesse from his sonne Takes the securitie of a priuate man Lo Polispercon by our powre repeld From Macedonie hath retirde dismaide And for the feare of vs hath bin compeld T' engage his glory for anothers ayde Let him not thinke the shaddow of the kings Can match my powre with these his borrow'd bands For his faint flight that 's fram'd with others wings Will neuer beare him from Cassanders hands And though Olimpias countnanc'd once his cause As from Epirus brought to ruine mee Now of her owne mishap she most must pause Since brought by vs of late t' a low degree Lisim And yet Olimpias had a good successe When first she touch'd the Macedonian bounds Whilst Polispercon prowdly did represse All those that durst resist with words or wounds Though Philip and Euridice his Queene T' encounter with their troupes in time arriu'de Yet when the Macedonians had her seene As their owne Queene to honor her they striu'de And haplesse Philip being constrainde to yield There for a kings did take a captiues state And his wretch'd mate though flying from the field Was follow'd by their forces and her fate Then thus her husband and her selfe gaue place Whose browes of late th' imperiall badge had borne But then throwne downe in th' Ocean of disgrace A prey t' a womans pride the butt of scorne Cass Those were the meanes that did them first entrap But haue you heard how after they were thrall To plague the world with honour and mis-hap Th' enragde Olimpias tyrranizde ouer all Lisi Some doubtfull rumours did frequent ech eare Such as rash fame confus'dly durst vnfould But yet conceald by fauor or for feare The certaintie to vs hath not bin tolde Cass When thus the famish'd tygresse did surprise Those miserable soules as in a dreame Her heart at first seemde scarse to trust her eyes She surfetted her sight so with their shame But when she sawe by reason of her powre That she might safely let her rage burst out She causde about them both to build a towre Within whose walles they scarce could turne about And in that dungeon as entomb'd they stood With high disgrace t' asswage more high disdaines Farre from all comfort whilst a litle foode Their life prolong'd but to prolong their paines But Pittie for th' vnfortunate contendes As Enuy still prosperitie controules The Macedonians doubtfull of their ends Would sometime murmure for those marterd soules The peoples grudge Olimpias did perceiue And to preuent what fury might effect She strait resolu'd lifes remnant to bereaue From weakned powres that did no lesse exspect And when some barbarous Thracians bent for blood As she appointed in th' excesse of spight Had murdred Philip and his Queene imbrude With purple streames that spoil'd her husbands spright She sent to her whose soule in griefe did sinke As messengers of death t' assault her breast A sword a cord and an empoison'd drinke A Tirants presents yet a wretches best Those when the Queene perceiu'd vnmou'd she spake As one that had imbrac'd some great reliefe Fit gifts for her to giue for me to take Since she exceeds in hate and I in griefe And tell the tirant that I gladly die That th' irritated gods t' auenge my death May thunder foorth that iudgement which I spie With blood must choke that bloodie womans breath Then looking on her Lord that there lay slaine Once partner or his ioy then of his woe Whilst that his roses did her lillies staine She kist his wounds as taking leaue to goe And lest her resolution were betraide Her snowie necke not vsde with such a chaine She binding with her belt di'd vndismaide And if she sighd she sighd but for disdaine Lisim This barbarous act my breast with griefe doth sting Can spight so much transport the meekest kinder And yet in th' earth ther 's no more cruell thing Then mallice raging in a womans minde Cass But yet this sacrifice could not asswage The boiling thoughts of her vnbounded will For entring thus she rioted in rage As dogges that once get blood would alwayes kill Ech light occasion kindling still her wrath The soueraigntie she shamefully abusde And put my brother Nicanor to death Though for no crime condemn'd no not accusde Yea more her hate extended toward the dead Whose crueltie no flood of blood confin'd The monument that t' Iolas was made She raz'd and rent his ashes with the wind To be Cassanders friend was such a crime As none could scape that euer fauour'd me Thus huge disorders did abound a time Where nothing lawfull is all things are free Then when I heard of this outragious pride That made my natiue soyle contemn'd to be I those indignities could not abide The shame whereof redounded most to me So that at last mou'd by my countries care As much as by particular respects I with great speed an armie did prepare To punish or preuent the like effects But when I was to Macedonie comd To fortifie a towne she did dissigne Which by my valour quickly was ore-comd Whilst famine
conuince For still the states that flourish for the time By subiects should b'inuiolable thought And those no doubt commit a monstrous crime That lawfull soueraignty prophane in ought And we must thinke though now being brought to bow The Senate king a subiect Caesar is Th' authoritie that violating now The world must damne as hauing done amisse We will deare Cassius for our countries sake Our selues expose to danger or to death And let vs now aduise what course to take Whilst nought bur th' aire can beare away our breath Cass I thinke this matter needes not many wordes Since but one deede can bound the common shame In Caesars bodie we must sheathe our swordes And by his death our libertie reclame But since his fortune did confound them all That in the fields to match him did beginne Whilst he by thousands made their bands to fall With hoarie legions alwayes vsde to winne As Pompeys Scipioes and Petreius ghosts In lightlesse shades may by experience tell That after th' ouerthrow of their numbrous hosts All famous though infortunately fell And since prouided for the Parthian wrarre His armie in armes attends on his decree Where we sequestred from such forces farre Would if suspected strait preuented be With some few friends whom all things now t' assay A loue to vs or to their countrie bindes We to his wracke must walke another way Whilst ere our tongues our handes doe tell our mindes Now when most high and therefore hated most Th' assembled Senate seekes to make him king We must goe giue the blow before we boast And him to death Rome out of bondage bring Brut. In all this course I onely one thing blame That we should steale what we may iustly take By clothing honour with a cloake of shame Which may our cause thogh good more odious make O I could wish with honourable wounds T' affront Romes enemy in the battells dust No sweeter musicke than the Trumpets sounds When Right and Valour keepe a consort iust Then free if quicke else dead for nought being feard I alwayes once contented might remaine What tombe t' a man more glorious can be rear'd Than mountaines made of them that he hath slaine But how are my transported thoughts growne such That they disdaine a measure now t' admit As bent not what to doe but to do much I on the throne of Glorie striu'd to sit No to the state me from my selfe I giue Free from particular respects t' expose My life and all for it and whilst I liue So that it gaine I care not what I lose I le neuer rest till he for euer rest That giues my country such a cause of griefe And that t' effect no forme I will detest Nor for my fame endanger Romes reliefe But worthy Cassius ere we further doe Let vs the mindes of our familiars feele Of which I hope to haue assistance too Who will not hazard for his countries weale Cass Now whilst my soule rests rauisht in a traunce I thinke I see great Rome her courage raise Bent to beat th' aire with songs th' earth with a daunce And crowne thy vertues with deserued praise ACT. III. SCENE II. Marcus Brutus Portia MY dearest halfe my comfort my delight That onely seru'st to sweeten all my sowres Thou in my bosome vsde t' vncharge thy spright And in my presence sparde afflictions powres Still when domestike broiles disturbde thy rest Whilst by thy selfe thou labord for reliefe Thou with calme wordes disguisde a stormie breast Lest I had bin infected with thy griefe For such of me was thy respectiue care No cause of miscontentment was made knowne But with affections colors painted faire All that might make me glad was gladly showne What makes thee then thy courage thus to lose That thou can looke so sad and in my sight Lend me deere loue a portion of thy woes A burden being diuided doth grow light I see the Roses fading in thy face The Lillies languish Violets take their place Port. Thou hast deere Lord preuented my designe Which was to aske of thee what makes me pale It Phoebus had no light could Phoebe shine No with the cause of force th'effed must faile The mirrour but giues backe as it receiues A iust resemblance of th' obiected forme And such impression as th' engrauer leaues The wax retaines still to the stampe conforme O I 'm the mirrour that reflects thy minde According to the influence of thine eies I take the state in which thy state I finde Such is my colour as thy countnance dies Then how can I reioyce whilst thou art sad Whose breast of all thy crosses is the scroule I am still as thou art if grieu'd or glad Thy bodies shadow th' essence of thy soule On that great planet that diuides the yeares As th' increase of th' inferiour fields depends And as it doth euanish or appeares In th' earths cold bosome life beginnes or ends Sunne of my soule so I subsist by thee Whose course rests to thy secret motions thrall For when thou art from cloudie fortunes free I rise in ioyes but if thou faint I fall Bru. This countnance with my custome but accords That as you know yet neuer from my birth Light gestures vsde ioynd with lasciuious words Nor yet ridiculous fashions that mooue mirth My melancholious nature feedes on cares Whilst smotherd sorrow by a habite smokes A thoughtfull breast that 's burdend with affaires Doth make a silent mouth and speaking lookes As for my palenesse it imports but good Th' abasing of the bodie mounts the mind Where fatnesse com'd from food but serues for food In fattest bodies leanest sprites we finde Ah since I saw th' abhorr'd Thessalian bounds All drench'd with blood of Senators and kings As if my soule yet smarted in their wounds A secret sorrow oftentimes me stings But since thy famous father with strange blowes In the most hideous form affronted death To him my minde a sad remembrance owes Which sorrow shall exact still whilst I breath Yet am I grieu'd t' haue giuen thee cause of griefe That thought some new mis-hap did me dismay To such olde soares it 's worst to giue reliefe But time in end may weare my woes away Por. Why shouldst thou so from me thy thoghts conceale From thine owne soule that in thy bosome sleepes To whom though shewne thou dost them not reueale But in thy selfe more inwardly them keepst And thou canst hardly hide thy selfe from me That straight in thee each alteration spie I can comment on all that comes from thee True loue still lookes with a suspitious eye Rests not within our bosome euery thought Tun'd by a simpathy of mutuall loue Thou marrst the musicke if thou change in ought Which straight by my distemperature I proue Soule of my soule vnfold what is amisse My minde some great disaster doth diuine And euen excuse my couriousnesse in this Since it concernes thy state and therefore mine Brut. I wonder that thou dost thy frailtie
oft by tragicke grones The memory but not the iudgement makes Th' impression thus of passions in the braine For what the soule most suffers when it wakes With it asleepe it doth turmoyld remaine From superstitious feares this care proceedes Which stil would watch o're that which thou dost loue And in thy minde melancholy thus breedes Which doth those strange imaginations moue Cal. Ah in so light account leaue off to hold Those fatall warnings that the heauens haue made Which by all meanes most manifest vnfold What dangers huge do hing aboue thy head He with the sacred garlands that diuines By th' entrailes of the consecrated beast Sees in the sacrifice sinistrous signes And I intreate thee do not hence make haste Caes When I in Spaine against yong Pompey went Thus the diuiner threatned me before Yet did I prosecute my first intent Which with new laurells did my browes decore Cal. And yet you hardly there as whiles I heare From dangers farre engagde redeemd your life But now more monstrous tokens do appeare And I suspect farre worse than open strife Caes Lest I too much seeme wedded to my will As one that others counsels scornes t' alow With iealous eyes I le search about me still And euen mistrust my selfe to trust thee now Yet if I stay the Senators deceiu'd May my beginning straight begin to hate So might I perish seeking to be sau'd By flying many fall vpon their fate But heere one comes that can resolue me much With whom I vse t' aduise affaires of weight Whence comst thou Decius that thy haste is such Is ought occurr'd that craues our knowledge straight Decius I come to tell you how the Senate staies Till your exspected presence blesse their sight And the conclusion yet of all delayes Till that your approbation make it right T' accomplish your contentment they intend And all their thoughts seeme at one obiect bent Saue that they doe amongst themselues contend Who you to please shall strangest wayes inuent Caes Than that no treasure to my soule more deere Which straight t' enioy from hence I long to part But yet I know not what arrests me heere And makes my feet rebellious to my heart From thee deare friend I neuer do conceale The waightiest secrets that concerne me most And at this time I likewise will reueale How heauens by signes me with destruction bost To superstition though not being inclinde My wife by dreames doth now presage my fall It a Sooth-sayer likewise hath diuin'd The sacrifice prodigious seemes t 'vs all So that till this disastrous day be gone All companie I purpose to disuse And to the Senators I le send some one To paint my absence with a faire excuse D. Brut. Do not repose on superstitious signes You to suspect the people thus to bring Whilst soueraigne-like you limit their designes Seeme not a tyrant seeking to be king How can we satisfie the worlds conceit Whose tongues still in all eares your praise proclames O! shal we bid them leaue to deale in state Till that Calphurnia first haue better dreames If that this day you priuate would remayne The Senate to dissolue your selfe must goe And then incontinent come backe againe When you haue showne towards it some reuerence so Caes With thy aduise as powrefull I agree The Senators shall haue no cause to grudge A little space all part apart from mee And I le be shortly ready to dislodge Caesar alone WHence come this huge and admirable change That in my brest hath vncouth thoghts infus'd Doth th' earth then erst yield terrors now more strange Or but my minde lesse courage then it vsde What spitefull fate against my state contends That I must now t'vnlook'd for plagues giue place By foes not mou'd yet fear'd amongst my friends By warre secure endanger'd but by peace T' encounter me when strongest troups did come Then did my heart the highest hopes conceiue I warr'd with many many to ouercome The greatest battels greatest glory gaue As th' enemies number still my courage grew Oft haue I through the depths of dangers past Yet neuer did those boundlesse labors rue To haue none greater first none equall last When as the Gaules fear'd by their neighbours falles Had from the fields no from my furie fled And hid themselues with armes their armes with walles Whilst I my troupes t' inclose Alexia led Then though there swarm'd foorth from the bounds about Huge hostes to compasse me enflam'd with wrath That the besieger being besieg'd about Seem'd drawne with danger in the nets of death Yet I that could not with the pride comport That those Barbarians by vaine bosts bewrayd Did reassault th' assaulters in such sort That words by wounds wounds were by death repayd Of those within the towne t' asswage their toyles Till being ore-com'd their comming was not knowne Who straight vpbrayded by the barbarous spoiles Did yeeld themselues with th 'others as ore-throwne Then whilst with liquid legions tumid bosts The trident-bearer striu'd my spoyles to beare Though threatned thrise amidst his humid hosts I alwayes scorn'd t' acquaint my selfe with feare I vsde those Pirats that had me surpriz'd Still as my seruants thundring threatnings forth And gaue them money more than they deuisde Greeu'd to be rated at too little worth Yet gathering ships I sign'd not long the shore But trac'd their printles steps through th' vnpau'd way And taking them as I had vow'd before By nought but death their ransome would defray Then when without th' aduise of others minds Iventred through the hoarie waues by night Whilst in a little barke against great winds That euen the Pilote look'd not for the 〈◊〉 The roaring waues themselues seem'd to diuide That in their grauell I might chuse a graue And in a christall arch aboue me bide That I of me a tombe might worthy haue Whilst dangers seem'd to merite Caesars death As Neptune raisde his head raisde my heart And shewing what I was with constant breath T'amazde Amiclas courage did impart Was I not once amidst large Nilus flot Whilst me to wound a wood of darts did flie Yet swim'd so carelesse of my enemies shot That in my hand I held some papers drie With open dangers thus in euery place I whilst being compass'd both by sea and land Did vndismaid looke horror in the face As borne for nought but onely to commaund But since a world of victories haue fill'd With Trophees Temples Theaters with my praise That bath'd with balme from th' oyle of glory still'd With friends in peace I look'd to spend my daies The chambers musicke now affrights me more Then once the trumpets sound amids the field And gownes though signes of peace worse then before The pompous splendour of a flaming shield Those thoughts of late that had disdain'd to doubt Though I alone had march'd amongst my foes Lo whilst amongst my friends I 'm back'd about Doe greater dangers now then th' eies disclose If ought t' assemble any number brings
To him feare corage gaue what wondrous change And many doubts a resolution strange He that tolde one that then was fortunes childe As if with horror to congeale his blood That Caius Marius being from Rome exilde Wretch'd on the ruines of great Carthage stood Thogh both being plag'd by griefe and by disgrace The consulship regain'd and di'd in peace And that great Pompey all the worlds delight Whom of his theater then th' applauses pleasd Whilst praise-transported eies endeerd his sight That by youths toiles should haue his age then easde He by one blow of fortune lost farre more Then many a battell conquerd had before Such sodaine changes so disturbe the soule That still the iudgement ballancde is by doubt But on around what wonder though things roule And since within a circle turne about Whilst heauen on earth strange alterations brings To scorne our confidence in worldly things And chancde there euer accidents more strange Than in this stormie bounds where we remaine A shepheardes Staffe did here t' a Scepter change The nurceling of a woolfe ouer men to raigne A little village grew a mightie towne Which whilst it had no king held many a crowne Then by how many sundry sortes of men Hath this great state bin rulde though now by none Which first obeyd but one then two then ten Then by degrees returnd to two and t 'one Of which three states their ruine did abide Two by twoes lusts and one by two mens pride What reuolutions huge haue hapned thus All by a secret violence being led Though seeming but by accident to vs Yet in the depths of heauenly breasts first bred As arguments demonstratiue to proue That weaknesse dwells below and powre aboue Lo Caesar though being burdend in short space Both with strange nations and his countries spoiles Euen when he seemd by warre t' haue purchasde peace And roses of sweete rest from thornes of toiles Then whilst his minde and fortune raise most hie Hath bin constraind the last distresse to trie What warnings large were in a time so short Of that darke course which by his death now shines It speechlesse wonders plainely did report It men reueald by words and gods by signes Yet by the chaines of destinies being bound He saw the sword but could not scape the wound O what a curtine ouer our knowledge hings Whiles closde whiles op'ned by th' aetheriall hoste Which makes vs sometime sharpe to see small things And yet quite blinde when as we should see most That curious braines may rest amazde at it Whose ignorance makes them presume of it Then let vs liue since all things change below When raisde most high as those that once may fall And hold when by disasters brought more lowe The minde still free what euer else be thrall Those Lordes of Fortune sweeten euery state That can command thēselues thogh not their fate FINIS Some verses written to his Maiestie by the Authour at the time of his Maiesties first entrie into England SStay tragick muse with those vntimely verses With raging accents and with dreadfull sounds To draw dead Monarkes out of ruin'd herses T' affright th' applauding world with bloudie wounds Raze all the monuments of horrours past T' aduance the publike mirth our treasures wast And pardon olde Heroes for O I finde I had no reason to admire your fates And with rare guiftes of body and of minde Th' vnbounded greatnesse of euill-conquerd states More glorious actes then were atchieu'd by you Do make your wonders thought no wonders now For yee the Potentates of former times Making your will a right your force a law Staining your conquest with a thousand crimes Still raign'd like tyrants but obey'd for awe And whilst your yoake none willingly would beare Dyed oft the sacrifice of wrath and feare But this age great with glorie hath brought forth A matchlesse Monarke whom peace highlie raises Who as th' vn'tainted Ocean of all worth As due to him hath swallow'd all your praises Whose cleere excellencies long knowne for such All men must praise and none can praise too much For that which others hardly could acquire With losse of thousands liues and endlesse paine Is heapt on him euen by their owne desire That thrist t' enioy the fruites of his blest raigne And neuer conquerour gain'd so great a thing As those wise subiects gaining such a King But what a mightie state is this I see A little world that all true worth inherites Strong without art entrench'd within the sea Abounding in braue men full of great spirits It seemes this I le would boast and so she may To be the soueraigne of the world some day O generous IAMES the glorie of thir parts In large dominions equall with the best But the most mightie Monarke of mens harts That euer yet a Diadem possest Long maist thou liue well lou'd free frō dangers The comfort of thine owne the terrour of strangers Some verses written shortly thereafter by reason of an Inundation of Douen a water neere vnto the Authors house wherevpon his Maiestie was sometimes wont to Hawke WHat wonder though my melancholious muse Whose generous coursesome lucklesse starre controules Her bold attempts to prosecute refuse And would faine burie my abortiue scroules To what perfection can my lines be raisd Whilst many a crosse would quench my kindling fires Lo for Parnassus by the Poets prais'd Some sauage mountaines shadow my retires No Helicon her treasure here vnlockes Of all the sacred band the chiefe refuge But dangerous Douen rumbling through the rockes Would scorne the raine-bowe with a new deluge As Tiber mindefull of his olde renowne Augments his floodes to waile the faire chang'd place And greeu'd to glide through that degener'd towne Toyles with his depthes to couer their disgrace So doth my Douen rage greeu'd in like sort While as his wonted honour comes to minde To that great Prince whilst he afforded sport To whom his Trident Neptune hath resign'd And as the want of waters and of swaines Had but begotten to his bankes neglect He striues t' encroch vpon the bordering plaines Againe by greatnesse to procure respect Thus all the creatures of this orphand boundes In their own kindes moou'd with the common crosse With many a monstrous forme all forme confoundes To make vs mourne more feelingly our losse We must our breastes to baser thoughts inure Since we want all that did aduance our name For in a corner of the world obscure We rest vngrac'd without the boundes of fame And since our Sunne shines in another part Liue like th' Antipodes depriu'd of light Whilst those to whom his beames he doth impart Begin their day whilst we begin our night This hath discourag'd my high-bended minde And still in doale my drouping Muse arrayes Which if my Phoebus once vpon me shin'd Might raise her flight to build amidst his rayes FINIS