CALIGULA A TRAGEDY As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal BY His MAJESTY's Servants Written by Mr. Crowne LONDON Printed by J. Orme for R. Wellington at the Lute in St. Paul's Church-Yard and sold by Percivil Gilborne at the Harrow at the corner of Chancery-Lane and Bernard Lintott at the Cross-Keys in St. Martins-Lane near Long-Acre 1698. ADVERTISEMENTS ☞ There is lately published the History of Polybius the Megalopolitan containing an Account of the Affairs of the whole World Translated by Sir Henry Sheers and Mr. Dryden in three Volumes the third never before Printed Love in Ruins or the Fatal Discovery Imposture Defeated or a Trick to cheat the Devil Mrs. A. Behns three Plays will suddenly be printed viz. The Round-heads City Heiress or Sir Timothy Treat-all Young King or the Mistake An Italian Voyage or a Compleat Journey through Italy In two Parts With the Characters of the People and the Description of the chief Towns Churches Monasteries Tombs Libraries Pallaces Villa's Gardens Pictures Statues and Antiquities As also of the Interest Government Riches Force c. of all the Princes With Instructions concerning Travel By Richard Lassels Gent. the Second Edition Tho. Brown's New and Easie Method to understand the Roman History by way of Dialogue for the use of the Duke of Burgundy Done out of French with very large Additions To the Right Honourable HENRY Earl of RUMNEY Master-General of the Ordnance Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports Gentleman of His Majesty's Bed Chamber and one of the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy-Council c. My Lord AN address of this kind from a Man so idle and unusefull as I am is at all times unseasonable to a Person whom the Wisdom o' the King and the good Fortune o' the Kingdom employ in so many great Affairs as take up your Lordships hours But it can never be more out of time than now when your Lordship is in sorrow for the loss of your Brother the late great Earl of Leicester who mourns not that knew him All that knew him lov'd him if they lov'd mankind for a greater Example of humanity the World I believe has seldom found All honour'd him that knew him if they valued Truth and Wisdom so much good sence sell from him in his common Conversation that none convers'd with him but were both Entertain'd and Improv'd if they were capable of it And no doubt many great Men were the greater for his Acquaintance and thus tho' in a private Life he influenc'd the publick and the whole Kingdom was the better for him Some survive themselves and their Understandings die before ' em His mind retain'd its wonderfull vigor to the last He was pleasant to all when years and pains â—ad taken all pleasures from him but what he found in doing good of his bounty I have often shar'd and so have many more And I was always extreamly proud of any marks of favour from such an impartial and discerniâ—â— Judge I cou'd dwell on so pleasing a subject as the extraordinary Qualities of this great Nobleman but since Providence has taken him from the World to number up his deserts and vertues were but to set before your Lordship your losses and the misfortunes of the Kingdom Now I am entring on another copious subject what does this Kingdom owe your Lordship you have been in several Reigns one of the greatest Ornaments of England but you have of late been one of its fortunate preservers your Lordship was an eminent Instrument in this Revolution which has been so happy to England and the greatest part of Europe Had not this change been almost all Europe had been overrun by France England for certain had lost its Rights Liberties and Religion and perhaps been no more a Kingdom but a Province to France a Vassal to Vassals and for all its Wealth had nothing but a Wafer What cou'd have stop'd that inundation of power which was rolling on and swelling as it roll'd delug'd many parts of Europe and threatned all What cou'd a formidable Fleet and Army almost innumerable have ask'd of a few divided Counsellors at White-hall which they durst have deny'd And what a glorious figure does England now make in comparison of what it did some years ago It lay one Reign becalm'd in Luxury In another Fetter'd In this Reign it has not only freed it self but humbled France and protected Germany Spain and Holland and appears one of the greatest Powers in Christendom How much then is owing to your Lordship by whose Wisdom and Courage this Revolution was contriv'd and carry'd on in a Reign when the least opposition to unlimited power was judg'd an unpardonable Crime But I may quit this subject since what your Lordship has done will make a noble part of English History In this Play I set Tyranny before the Eyes of the World and the dreadfull Consequences of lawless and boundless power But some wou'd not have the World frightned with such a Figure nor an Image of a Government profan'd which they adore 'T is well for 'em that they worship an unknown God If their Dwellings and Estates if they have any lay in the reach of a mighty Prince whose Will is Law I believe they wou'd be glad if they were secur'd from Forreign Invasions by the English Seas and from boundless power at home by English Laws I have suffer'd severely and therefore may be allow'd to speak The Favour or rather Authority which a mighty Neighbouring Kingdom had in our Court some years ago got my Inheritance which tho' it lay in the Desarts of America would have enabled me if I cou'd have kept it to have liv'd at my ease in these beautifull parts o' the World the loss of it has made England a Desart to me No wonder then if I am pleased with the Successes of our Wise and Valiant King who was born to free and do justice to opprest mankind and I hope to my self And now I doubt not but your Lordship who has been so instrumental in preserving and establishing the Liberties of all Englishmen will also permit a Poet to enjoy Poetick Liberties I mean that leave which has been long granted of addressing to such great Men as your Lordship for your Favour and Protectionâ— I need Encouragement from others because I have none from my self No Man can have a meaner opinion of me than I have of my self I am opprest by my self I will not say by my modesty for modesty is a vertue and modesty and boasting are inconsistent my fortune has long languished under an unmanly spiritless temper of mind which makes me rather choose to suffer than give trouble to any nay than to seek the favour of those who take a pleasure in obliging A Poet may very well hope for Patronage from a Nobleman who is of the blood of Sir Philip Sidney And I have found your Lordship ready to assist me your Lordship addrest to the late Queen of ever-blessed Memory in my behalf
all the plagues Hell can devise By Heavens he whor'd her on the Bridal Night Nay which is more he whor'd her in my sight Val. A. She was his Sister I may safely swear No race besides affords so lewd a pair Enter Vitellius sad and drooping I pity this great Man in War he 's brave In Court he is a cautious fawning slave Cas Ch. He views the ground with a dejected eye Val. A. And with good reason he expects to die An. M. For what offence He has rul'd Syria well And humbled haughty Kings who durst rebel As Fame reports Val. A. Court deeps but few can sound Tyrants and Priests in mysteries abound Perhaps their Arts will not the light endure They strike most awe like Temples when obscure This sad and thoughtful Hero le ts approach Try if his painful wounds will bear the touch My Lord Vitellius you seem full o' care And out of Asia bring a cloudy air Which weighs your Eye-lids down what shou'd it mean You fortunes has been smiling and serene And yet you sigh as if your heart wou'd break Vit. My Lord I 'm bruis'd I have scarce strength to speak I 've had a fall which makes my Vitals bleed I fell from Heaven Val. That 's a high fall indeed Vit. From Caesar's favour He bows low Val. A. Why de' ye bend so low Vit. To Caesar's Image in my thoughts I bow He always bows when he names Caesar I honour my own thoughts when Caesar's there And when he 's nam'd I reverence the air And lowly towards the awful sound encline The air is then methinks a holy shrine Val. A. Your prudent courtly temper I commend But I had rather make proud Monarchs bend And with crown'd Victims my devotions pay So I wou'd worship Caesar ev'ry day And now bring Princes to adore his Throne Caesar's my Prince Vit. And God Val. A. Well that I own To Caesar I 'll not grudge a pompous word And how he pleases he shall be ador'd Shouts Vit. These shouts tell joyful news that Caesar's nigh Oh! I 've his glorious person in my eye His glitt'ring Chariot is of beaten Gold But in himself I Nature's pomp behold The bounteous Monarch as he rides along Rains silver show'rs on the admiring throng Val. A. Bribes to the Rabble that a Prince so proud Aside to An. M. Shou'd stoop to purchase flattery from the croud From all bold Foes but flatterers he flies Flattery is a part of his high Luxuries And none can be too fulsome for his taste Thus Wit and Gold and Blood we vainly waste An. M. Rome pours into the Court a dazling Croud With an illustrious stream 't is overflow'd I dare not shew my self in Caesar's sight My Lords farewel may Fortune do you right Ex. Enter Caligula Cesonia Attendants Guards Val. A. and Vit. retire at a distance Cass Ch. mingles with the Guard Ces Welcome to Rome once more my Mars my Jove Welcome from War to Luxury and Love Well I am pleas'd to find they 've taken care To fill the Palace with a fragrant air Cal. I have bestow'd more odours on these Rooms Than wou'd I think perfume a thousand Tombs Ces Sir why do you name Tombs Cal. Does it become A Heroin to startle at a Tomb Ces Nay I cou'd dwell with pleasure on the Graves Of Caesar's Foes or his rebellious Slaves I 've a nice Nostril with rich perfumes fed The least offensive vapour strikes me dead I can endure no sweets but what excel Yet of dead enemies I like the smell Cal. Well if dead enemies can entertain Thou hast been gratify'd this last Campagne Val. comes forwards and bows low What wou'd you have Valerius Val. A. What you please I am attending Sir on your decrees Vit. comes forward bows low then covers his head and face with his Robe turns round then prostrates himself on the ground Vit. Caesar Victorious Gracious Pious Wife The noblest pleasure of our thoughts and eyes Scourge of the proud relief of all the oppress'd Caesar of Gods the greatest and the best At Caesar's feet I humbly prostrate lie To live his Vassal or his Victim die But I wou'd live if that might be allow'd To pay those Off'rings I 've to Caesar vow'd Those Divine Honours are to Caesar due The only God that stoops to humane view Ces Sir in no Mortal all perfections dwell They 've both been faulty but they 've both done well That Lord in Germany has Battels won Pointing to Val. This made the Parthian King leave Babylon Pointing to Vit. Cross his Euphrates and his swelling pride To pay those Honours he till then deny'd Caesar's Divine protection to implore His Eagles and his Images adore Vit. Madam the glory wholly I disclaim To Caesar's Divine Genius be the fame Ces Let 'em once more in Caesar's favour rise For all that honour him I highly prize Cal. Thy Will is irresistible like Fate What makes me love thee at so mad a rate Live both in the Commands you had before Now is there any thing you wou'd have more Vit. rises and bows low Vit. To kiss your sacred feet we beg your leave Cal. offers his foot with scorn With humble thanks the bounty we receive Val. A. We must give thanks for such affronts as these And proudly humbling us below our knees Aside Both kiss the Emperor's Sandal Vit. Oh! how the World is with an Emp'ror blest May I presume to make one more request Cal. What is it speak Vit. The honour Sir to kiss Th' Empresses Sandal but 't is too much bliss Alas I am afraid I 've been too bold Cal Lucius your Lips are common I am told Oft to the Sandals of the fair you bend And to your joys from those low Stairs ascend Vit. Light Sir is common so is vital air And often kiss the Sandals of the fair Cal. Well Lucius I am in good humour now And the great honour you have begg'd bestow Let 'em adore you Madam at your feet Vit. Oh! bounteous Prince Oh! Empress heavenly sweet He kisses the Empresses Sandal so does Val. Cal. Come you wou'd try my bounty once again Speak boldly Man I 'm in the giving vein Vit. I 'd beg the shell of that delicious fruit A Sandal sweetned by that beauteous foot Cal. Go fetch him one with speed Ex. a Lady Vit. Transporting joy For such a gracious God who would not die The Lady enters and gives Vit. a Sandal Oh! 't will recal my youth perfume my breath Restore my health when I am sick to death Nay when I 'm dead make life in me return I shall to kiss it leap out of my Urn. Cal. I once look'd round me as I pass'd along And near me I observ'd a mutt'ring throng And in their looks saw discontent appear Which grudg'd my pomp as if it cost too dear Do not they know that Caesar cannot brook The least offence but in a word or look They who will live must not with Caesar strive
Now you have Queens for your Domestick slaves And all delights that nature yields in call Were there more Emp'rors you wou'd love 'em all Ces No Sir of all Men Emp'rors wou'd I shun They are mysterious understood by none But this I know what are so much above All Kings on Earth 't is arrogance to love And to my sorrow I have found it vain For having all things all things they disdain Caesar is pleas'd with beauty whilst 't is new And the next hour thinks it not worth his view A while I 'm graceful in the Emp'rors thoughts And the next moment seem all over faults Now I 've all beauties then I 've all decays Now sudden starts of joy then sharp always Now I 'm in luxury and then in tears And always shaken with confounding fears Cal. Oh! my Cesonia prithee have a care Impose not on me more than I can bear This Neck is soft so is not Caesar's Heart This Head and Neck how easily can I part But though in Caesar thou hast no delight To thy fair self thou art a pleasing sight And by all Eyes thou art with wonder seen Oh! I am loath to stain so white a skin 'T is pity so much beauty shou'd be lost Thou wilt not be so lovely when a Ghost Ces I find I 'm pleasing still in Caesar's Eye And therefore now I 'm very loth to die No joys in the most sweet Elizian Grove Can equal the Remains of Caesar's love With pomp and power I am pleas'd I own But Caesar far outshines his glorious Throne Were Caesar but my equal were he lower Had but that graceful person and no more From all Mankind to Caesar's arms I 'd fly And think no Goddess is so blest as I. Cal. Oh! thou art made exactly to my mind Fair to perfection fond though l 'm unkind Faithful thou art as the severely chaste And yet as Venus wanton when embrac'd I have a thousand Venusses in thee Once more I love thee to a mad degree New beauties for a moment snatch my Eyes And entertain me whilst they 're novelties Ces Caesar will oft abandon me I know But one hours love will rich amends bestow I am luxurious freely I confess But Caesar Caesar is my Sovereign bliss From Caesar's Lips divine Ambrosia flows His breath in sweets excels the Syrian Rose And when I have his Arms I think I 'm dress'd The Queen of Heaven has not so rich a Vest In Caesar's Arms in extafies I lie Like a mad Prophetess entranc'd with joy Whilst a God fills me all my spirits fly Cal. No my Cesonia I must do thee right Thy spirit gives a life to my delight A livelier Beauty Caesar ne'r enjoy'd Thou hast more life than all thy Sex enjoy'd Ces Now I 'm compos'd and fit for great Affairs Your Glory must a while employ my Cares Enter Valerius Asiaticus Lucius Vitellius Oh! come my Lord tho' in this last Compagne You gave us too much reason to complain Your service for your faults make great amends And I rank you among the Emp'rors friends Cal. Th' art proud and therefore I think Caesar's friend Thy haughty heart can to an Emp'ror bend My pow'rs by Jove and Nature were bestow'd By serving me thou serv'st an Earthly God Senators oft are of ignoble blood And all their pow'rs the Off-spring of the Croud Can thy proud heart endure those Men shou'd reign Whom thou woud'st scarce admit into thy Train Will one so brave by Cowards be controul'd And one so rich let Bankrupts rule his Gold So Wise to Blockheads for Advice repair In all the great Affairs of Peace and War Depend on the result of empty prate And account Fools the Oracles of State Val. A. I wou'd not be a slave to slaves 't is true Our Senators are solemn slaves to you If I must serve on Caesar I 'd depend For as the Ladies who on Queens attend Are by the World Ladies of Honour stil'd Tho' of their Honour they have been beguil'd So Sir if Honour can to slaves be due They 're slaves of Honour who are slaves to you L. Vit. Spoke like a Nobleman and Man o' sence 'T is an illustrious thing to serve a Prince So great so glorious so renown'd so wise What Vassal wou'd not such a glory prize Val. A. When he has Caesar's favour in pursuit He 'll lick the dust beneath the Tyrant's feet Aside Caesar's a God and Caesar says I 'm proud A God knows all the secrets of our blood Therefore no doubt I 'm ostentatious vain The Characters he gives me I 'll maintain I will be proudly faithful to my trust To all Mankind I will be proudly just All danger Sir I 'll haughtily despise To serve you boldly fight as boldly advise Your service to your pleasure I 'll prefer And boldly stop you if I think you err Cal. Stop me Val. A. By Councel tho' it cost my Head Even by your self I will not be misled Cal. Will I be judg'd and govern'd by my slaves Val. A. I 'll judge and if I can I 'll rule your Knaves I 'll offer and I 'll suffer no abuse Because I 'm proud pride is of mighty use The affectation of a pompous name Has oft set Wits and Heroes in a flame Volumes and Buildings and Dominions wide Are oft the noble Monuments of pride Cal. Then I'm your lofty Building Have a care This from no other Man on earth I 'd bear Thou rul'st thy Emperor I know not how More than thou dar'st demand I dare bestow Have all a Vassal can from pow'r derive Tho'th'art the boldest proudest Man alive Val. A. All this I durst not have presum'd to crave My thanks I 'll on your foes in wounds engrave Ces In serving Caesar rich rewards proceed From the meer conscience of the noble deed But yet is Caesar so Divinely good He over-pays his Warriors for their blood I 'm sure my Lord your recompence is great To Val. A. You 've Rubies for your blood and Pearls for sweat Y 'ave Provinces for all the Fields y 'ave won And Realms for all the Kings y 'ave undone L. Vit. Higher rewards than these my service meets This Province Madam He takes out of his bosom the Empresses Sandal 'T is all over sweets Here dwelt a foot a Wonder of its kind And left a thousand fragrancies behind Cal. How false are Men both in their Heads and Hearts And there is falshood in all Trades and Arts. Lawyers deceive their Clients by false Law Priests by false Gods keep all the World in awe By their false Tongues such flatt'ring Knaves are rais'd For their false wit Scriblers by fools are prais'd Whores by false beauty Venusses appear Hect'ring Faux braves o'r Cowards domineer Look round the World what shall we find sincere Ces The Senate Sir attend Cal. Well let 'em wait How dare you in my Ear name what I hate I 'll have no Guardians I 'm at Age to reign What my Birth gave
my Courage shall maintain I will endure no Partners in my Throne I ll govern as I please and rule alone Do not I trample Kings beneath my feet Will Caesar then let his own slaves be great Caesar shall be the only Soveraign Lord And Senate be a vain and useless word And therefore wholly laid aside ere long Amongst the Rubbish of the Roman Tongue Val. A. Then will the name of Emp'ror be low Sir your Throne stands on golden Columns now On Men who are by Birth and Fortune great Wou'd you be King of Beggars six you seat On a vile Dunghil on the dirty Croud This by your friends can never be allow'd Sir your mistakes are your most dang'rous foes And for your service I 'll your self oppose And in the face of any danger fly You have not a more faithful friend than I Compar'd with Caesar's service how I slight Danger and Death I 've often shew'd in fight Ces Cherish him Caesar Cal. Well let quarrels cease Th' ast a great Genius both in War and Peace But love not if th' art one of Caesar's friends A Senate for the very name offends But call 'em in for they shall quickly know I have a farther quarrel with 'em now Enter the Consuls and Senate When Caesar by a Triumph honour'd Rome How durst you tarry sullenly at home As if my Victories you proudly scorn'd Or thought 'em curses and in darkness mourn'd Val. A. Who dares reply for to this raving Prince What can be said that will not give offence Aside Con. The honour Sir we humbly did implore To fill your Triumphs to be triumph'd o'r To be led Captives but we beg in vain Our great devotion met your high disdain Cal. 'T is true I scorn all honours you bestow And you resent th' affront ha is it so Con. That were presumptuous arrogance indeed Sir with united hearts we 've all decreed The highest honours Cal. How Dare you pretend To grant me Honours Honour must descend Con. We humbly beg Cal. You 'd beg me for a Fool Beg me to own you have the Sovereign rule By this Decree you sawcily invade Imperial Power Imperial Glory shade Affronts from his own slaves will Caesar bear Refuse or grant me Honours if you dare Con. My errors wrong the Senate I perceive To shew our love we humbly beg your leave Cal. Your love Mankind is envious vain and proud Love nothing that 's above 'em bad or good You hate a Prince unless he 'll tamely bear Partners in power let Senates have a share Where Laws and domineering Senates reign Princes are slaves in purple slaves in grain Sword bearers to a many-headed Lord I mean the Croud and weak upon Record For ev'ry Law made by the State implies That Princes are defective Senates wise Such demi-Demi-Kings have half your hearts no more While they have any share of Soveraign power But if a Prince entirely quits his Throne He 's lov'd by all because he 's fear'd by none The Votes of Senators tho' ne'r so great Shall but like Ecchoes my commands repeat So Forrests may advise and utter Law L. Vit. The wisest Monarch the Sun ever saw Cal. Fear me I care not how I am abhorr'd Your hearts I 'll have with my Imperial Sword I 'll rip 'em from your Breasts when I think good In short I 'll have your Duty or your Blood This you all know and therefore you 'll obey Fear is the Parent of all Sovereign sway Val. A. Sir with triumphant pomp to Court they 've brought Your Image wrought in gold is that a fault Cal. My Image may have faults the Gold has none 'T is th' only faultless thing below the Sun Ces No Caesar no if Art has done you right Th' Image is faultless bring it in my sight If Caesar's graces in the Image shine There is no gold on Earth so rich so fine This shining shadow I wou'd feign behold This constant shadow fix'd in solid gold Enter Priests in Procession singing carrying a golden Image of the Emperor attended by the Consuls and Senate The SONG Sung by the Priests HAIL Mighty Prince whose loud renown O'r ev'ry Region flies On whom with wonder Gods look down And gaze with envious eyes Whom more than Hell all Nations fear And more than Heav'n obey Who o'r-runs Kingdoms ev'ry year With Jove has equal sway Who ruins Realms enriches Graves Makes mighty Kings of humble Slaves And Slaves of mighty Kings His praise this great Assembly here With all devotion sings Our bloody Wars are ended The Sword is now But worn for shew And the stubborn bow unbended Our hours of ease and leisure We 'll give to pomp and pleasure And Songs in praise of Caesar Who War with glory ended The Sword is now But worn for shew And the stubborn Bow unbended Now Peace begins to heal our wounds And all our wants repair We 'll Plough the Seas and Plough our Grounds And Plough the tempting fair Our lofty Tow'rs shall scale the Sky Our Wealth unbounded like our joy Shall fly more free than air Our Wars are done And the World is won So now farewel to care Ex. om ACT III. The SCENE continues Enter Valerius Asiaticus Annius Minutianus An. M. CAESAR triumphs and is by Rome ador'd For Battels won by your victorious Sword Val. A. 'T is true to triumphs he has small pretence Put wou'd y 'ave me proudly out brave my Prince And boast I won those Fields he durst not see This wou'd be fatal saw ciness in me Soldiers in fight their courage shou'd display They have a triumph when they win the day Let them be brave against the bold and great But humble to all those beneath their feet An. M. A gen'rous thought Val. A. In most triumphal shews A conqu'ring Coxcomb o'r a beaten crows The fopp'ry in the Hero then appears The Lyon's couch'd the Ass pricks up his Ears Vain ostentation does too oft enslave The learn'd the wise the mighty and the brave The Man of Learning no content can reap From all his knowledge till he spreads the heap And great applause and admiration gains For that poor chaff how he will thrash his brains He is-in throws before but then he 's eas'd When he 's a publick fool he 's highly pleas'd For Fame vain Wits take all their soaring flights For Fame the ostentatious Hero fights For shew with wounds will be embroider'd o'r And deeply died in his own purple gore An. M. Vain ostentation deforms ev'ry grace 'T is like a blister in a beauteous face Val. A. 'T is hard to know whose brains have wider flaws They who sit ratling chains and pleating straws Or they who toyl only for vain renown To wear in History a paper Crown Whilst Caesar now for a design so vain Takes Poets and Historians in his Train How like a Lunatick this Prince appears Pleas'd because Bells hang jingling at his ears â—â—us he resolves oblivion to subdue 〈◊〉 and the graces of