And thou to be iump with Alexander Anax. Let vs go for in contemning him wee shall better please him than in wondring at him Arist Plato what dost thou thinke of Diogenes Plato To be Socrates furious let vs go Exeunt Philosophi Actus secundus Schaena prima Diogenes Psyllus Manes Granichus Psyllus Behold Manes where thy maister is seeking either for bones for his dinner or pinnes for his sleeues I wil go salute him Manes Doe so but mum not a woord you sawe Manes Gran. Then stay thou behinde I will goe with Psyllus Psyllus All haile Diogenes to your proper person Diog. All hate to thy peeuish conditions Grani. O Dogge Psyllus What dost thou seeke for here Diog. For a man and a beast Grani. That is easie without thy light to be found bee not all these men Diog. Called men Grani. What beast is it thou lookest for Diog. The beast my man Manes Psyllus He is a beast indeede that will serue thee Diog. So is he that begat thee Grani. What wouldest thou do if thou shouldest find Manes Diog. Giue him leaue to doo as he hath done before Grani. What 's that Diog. To runne away Psyllus Why hast thou no neede of Manes Diog. It were a shame for Diogenes to haue neede of Manes for Manes to haue no need of Diogenes Grani. But put the case he were gone wouldest thou entertaine any of vs two Diog. Vpon condition Psyllus What Diog. That you should tell me wherefore any of you both were good Grani. Why I am a scholler and well seene in Phylosophy Psyllus And I a prentice and well seene in painting Diog. Well then Granichus bee thou a painter to amend thine yll face thou Psyllus a Phylosopher to correct thine euil manners But who is that Manes Manes I care not who I were so I were not Manes Gran. You are taken tardie Psyllus Let vs slip aside Granichus to see the salutation betweene Manes and his maister Diog. Manes thou knowest the last day I threw away my dish to drink in my hād because it was superfluous now I am determined to put away my man and serue my selfe Quia non egeo tui vel te Manes Maister you know a while a goe I ran awaye so doe I meane to do againe quia scio tibi non esse argentum Diog. I know I haue no mony neither will I haue euer a man for I was resolued longe sithence to put away both my slaues money and Manes Manes So was I determined to shake of both my dogs hunger and Diogenes Psyllus O sweete consent beetweene a crowde and a Iewes harp Grani. Come let vs reconcile them Psyllus It shall not neede for this is their vse nowe do they dine one vpon another Exit Diogenes Grani. How now Manes art thou gone from thy maister Manes Noe I didde but nowe bynde my selfe to him Psyllus Why you were at mortall iars Manes In faith no wee brake a bitter iest one vppon another Grani. Why thou art as dogged as he Psyllus My father knew them both litle whelpes Manes Well I will hie mee after my maister Grani. Why is it supper time with Diogenes Manes I with him at al times when he hath meate Psyllus Why then euery man to his home and lette vs steale out againe anone Grani Where shall we meete Psyllus Why at Ala vendibili suspensa haedera non est opus Manes O Psyllus habeo te loco parentis thou blessest me Exeunt Actus secundus Schaena secunda Alexander Hephestion Page Diogenes Apelles Alex. Stand aside sir boy till you be called Hephestion how doe yee like the sweete face of Campaspe Heph. I cannot but commend the stoute courage of Timoclea Alex. Without doubt Campaspe had some great man to her father Heph. You know Timoclea had Theagines to her brother Alex. Timoclea stil in thy mouth art thou not in loue Heph. Not I. Alex. Not with Timoclea you meane wherein you resemble the Lapwing who crieth most where her neast is not And so you lead me from espying your loue with Campaspe you cry Timoclea Heph. Could I aswell subdue kingdomes as I can my thoughtes or were I as farre from ambition as I am frō loue al the world wold account me as valiant in armes as I know my self moderate in affection Alex. Is loue a vice Heph. It is no vertue Alex. Well now shalt thou see what small difference I make betweene Alexander and Hephestion And sith thou haste beene alwayes partaker of my triumphes thou shalt be partaker of my tormētes I loue Hephestion I loue I loue Campaspe a thing farre Vnfit for a Macedonian for a king for Alexander Why hangest thou down thy head Hephestion blushing to heare that which I am not ashamed to tell Hephest. Might my wordes craue pardon and my counsel credite I woulde both discharge the duetie of a subiect for so I am the office of a friend for so I will Alex. Speake Hephestion for what soeuer is spoken Hephestion speaketh to Alexander Heph. I can not tel Alexander whether the reporte be more shameful to be heard or the cause sorowfull to be beleeued What is the sonne of Phillip king of Macedon become the subiect of Campaspe the captiue of Thebes Is that minde whose greatnes the world could not containe drawn within the compasse of an idle alluring eie Wil you handle the spindle with Hercules when you should shake the speare with Achilles Is the warlike soūd of drumme and trumpe turned to the soft noyse of lire and lute the neighing of barbed steeds whose loudnes filled the ayre with terrour and whose breathes dimmed the sunne with smoak conuerted to dilicate tunes and amorous glaunces O Alexander that soft and yeelding minde should not bee in him whose hard and vnconquered heart hath made so many yeelde But you loue ah griefe but whom Campaspe ah shame a maide forsooth vnknowne vnnoble who can tell whether immodest whose eies are framed by nature to inamour whose heart was made by nature to inchaunt I but she is bewtiful yea but not therefore chast I but she is comly in al parts of the body yea but she may be crooked in some part of the mind I but she is wise yea but she is a woman Bewty is like the black berry which seemeth red when it is not ripe resembling pretious stoēs that are polished with honny which the smother they look the sooner they breake It is thought wonderful among the sea men that Mugil of all fishes the swiftest is found in the belly of the Bret of al the slowest And shall it not seeme monstrous to wisemen that the hearte of the greatest conquerour of the worlde should be found in the handes of the weakest creature of nature of a woman of a captiue Hermyns haue faire skinnes but fowle liuers Sepulchres fresh colours but rottē bones women faire faces but false heartes Remember Alexander thou hast a campe to gouerne not a chamber
birth But alas affection is a fyre which kindleth as well in the bramble as in the oake catcheth hold where it first lighteth not where it may best burne Larkes that mount aloof in the ayre build their neastes below in the earth and women that cast their eies vpon kinges may place their hearts vpon vassals A needle will become thy fingers better then a Lute and a distaffe is fitter for thy hand then a Scepter Ants liue safely til they haue gotten wings Iuniper is not blowne vp till it hath gotten an hie top The meane estate is without care as long as it continueth without pride But here commeth Apelles in whom I woulde there were the like affection Apel. Gentlewoman the misfortune I had with your picture wil put you to some paines to sitte againe to be painted Camp It is smal paines for me to sit still but infinit for you to draw still Apel. No Madame to painte Venus was a pleasure but to shadowe the sweete face of Campaspe it is a heauen Camp If your tongue were made of the same flesh that your heart is your wordes would be as your thoughtes are but such a common thing it is amōgst you to commēd that oftentimes for fashion sake you cal thē beautifull whom you know black Apel. What might men doe to be beleeued Camp Whet their tongues on their heartes Apel. So they doe and speake as they thinke Camp I would they did Apel. I would they did not Camp Why would you haue them dissemble Apel. Not in loue but their loue But wil you giue me leaue to aske you a question without offence Camp So that you wil aunswere me an other without excuse Apel. Whom do you loue best in the world Camp He that made me last in the world Apel. That was a God Camp I had thought it had beene a man But whome do you honour most Apelles Apel. The thing that is lykest you Campaspe Camp My picture Apel. I dare not venture vpon your person But come let vs go in for Alexander will thinke it long till we returne Exeunt Actus quartus Schaena tertia Clytus Permenio Clytus We heare nothing of our Embassage a colour belike to bleare our eyes or ticle our eares or inflame our heartes But what doth Alexander in the meane season but vse for Tantara Sol. Fa. La. for his harde couch downe beddes for his handfull of water his standinge Cup of wine Parme. Clytus I mislike this new delicacie pleasing peace for what els do we se now then a kind of softnes in euery mans mind Bees do make their hiues in soldiers helmets our steedes furnished with foote clothes of gold in steede of saddles of steele More time to bee required to scoure the rust of our weapons thē there was woōt to be in subdewing the countries of our enemies Sithence Alexander fell from his harde armour to his softe robes beholde the face of his court youthes that were woont to carry deuises of victory in their shieldes engraue now posies of loue in their ringes They that were accustomed on trotting horses to charge the enimy with a launce now in easie coches ride vp downe to court Ladies in steede of sword and target to hazard their liues vse pen and paper to paint their loues Yea such a feare and faintnes is growne in courte that they wish rather to heare the blowing of a horne to hunt thē the sound of a trumpet to fight O Phillip wert thou aliue to see this alteration thy men turned to womē thy soldiers to louers gloues worne in veluet caps in steede of plumes in grauen helmets thou wouldest ether die among them for sorrow or confound them for anger Clitus Cease Permenio least in speaking what becommeth thee not thou feele what liketh thee not truth is neuer without a scratcht face whose tōgue although it cannot be cut out yet must it be tied vp Parme. It grieueth me not a little for Hephestion whoe thirsteth for honour not ease but such is his fortune neerenesse in friendship to Alexander that he must lay a pillowe vnder his head when he would put a targette in his hand But let vs draw in to see how well it becomes them to tread the measurs in a daunce that were wont to sette the order for a march Exeunt Actus quartus Schaena quarta Apelles Campaspe Apel. I haue now Campaspe almost made an ende Camp You tolde me Apelles you would neuer ende Apel. Neuer end my loue for it shall be eternal Camp That is neither to haue beginning nor ending Apel. You are disposed to mistake I hope you do not mistrust Camp What will you saye if Alexander perceiue your loue Apel. I will say it is no treason to loue Camp But how if he wil not suffer thee to see my person Apel. Then will I gase continually on thy picture Camp That will not feede thy heart Apel. Yet shall it fill mine eye besides the sweete thoughtes the sure hopes thy protested faith wil cause me to imbrace thy shadow continually in mine armes of the which by strong imagination I will make a substaunce Camp Wel I must be gon but this assure your self that I had rather bee in thy shop grinding colours then in Alexanders court following higher fortunes Campaspe alone Foolish wensh what hast thou done that alas which cannot be vndone and therefore I feare me vndone But content is such a lif I care not for aboundance O Apelles thy loue commeth from the heart but Alexanders from the mouth The loue of Kinges is like the blowinge of windes whiche whistle sometimes gentlye amonge the leaues and straight wayes turne the trees vp by the rootes or fire which warmeth a farre off and burneth neere hand or the sea which maketh men hoyse their seales in a flattering calme and to cut their mastes in a rough storme They place affection by times by pollicie by appointment if they frowne who dares cal them vnconstant if bewray secretes who wil tearme them vntrue if fall to other loues who trembles not if he call them vnfaithfull In kinges there can be no loue but to Queenes for as neere must they meete in maiestie as they doe in affection It is requisite to stande aloofe from kinges loue Ioue and lightening Exit Actus quartus Schena quinta Apelles Page Apel. Now Apelles gather thy wits together Campaspe is no lesse wise then fayre thy selfe must bee no lesse cunning then faithfull It is no small matter to be riuall with Alexander Page Apelles you must come away quicklye with the picture the king thinketh that now you haue painted it you play with it Apel. If I would play with pictures I haue ynough at home Page None parhaps you like so well Apel. It may be I haue painted none so well Page I haue knowne many fairer faces Apel. And I many better boyes Exeunt Actus quintus Schaena prima Diogenes Syluius Perim Milo Trico Manes Sylui. I
and then poore soules they kisse the colours with their lippes with which before they were loth to tainte theyr fingers Alex. I will finde it out Page go speedely for Apelles wil him to come hither and when you see vs earnestly in talke sodainly crie out Apelles shop is on fire Page It shall be done Alex. Forget not your lesson Heph. I maruaile what your deuise shal be Alex. The euent shall prooue Heph. I pitie the poore painter if he be in loue Alex. Pitie him not I pray thee that seuere grauity set aside what doe you think of loue Heph. As the Macedonians doe of their hearb Beet which looking yellow in the ground and black in the hand think it better seene than toucht Alex. But what doe you imagine it to be Heph. A word by supersticiō thought a God by vse turned to an humor by self-will made a flattering madnesse Alex. You are too hard harted to think so of loue Let vs go to Diogenes Diogenes thou maist think it somwhat that Alexander commeth to thee againe so soone Diog. If you come to learne you could not come soone enough if to laugh you be come too soone Heph. It would better become thee to bee more curteous and frame thy selfe to please Dio. And you better to be lesse if you durst displease Ale What dost thou think of the time we haue here Diog. That we haue little and lose much Alex. If one be sick what wouldst thou haue him do Dio. Be sure that he make not his phisition his heire Alex. If thou mightest haue thy will how much groūd would content thee Diog. As much as you in the end must bee contented withall Alex. What a world Diog. No the length of my bodie Alex. Hephestion shal I be a little plesant with him He. You may but he wil be very peruerse with you Alex. It skills not I cannot be angry with him Diogenes I pray thee what doest thou think of loue Diog. A little worser than I can of hate Alex. And why Diog. Because it is better to hate the things which make to loue than to loue the things which giue occasion of hate Alex. Why be not women the best creatures in the world Diog. Next men and Bees Alex. What doest thou dislike chiefly in a woman Diog. One thing Alex. What Diog. That she is a woman Alex. In mine opinion thou wert neuer born of a woman that thou thinkest so hardly of womē But now cōmeth Apelles who I am sure is as far frō thy thoughts as thou art frō his cūning Diogenes I wil haue thy cabin remoued nerer to my court because I wil be a philosopher Diog. And whē you haue done so I pray you remoue your court further from my cabin because I wil not be a courtier Alex. But here commeth Apelles Apelles what peece of worke haue you now in hand Apel. None in hand if it like your maiestie but I am deuising a platforme in my head Alex. I think your hand put it in your head Is it nothing about Venus Apel. No but some thing aboue Venus Page Apelles Apelles looke about you your shop is on fire Apel. Ay me if the picture of Campaspe be burnt I am vndone Ale Stay Apelles no haste it is your hart is on fire not your shop if Cam. hang there I would she were burnt But haue you the picture of Campaspe Belike you loue her wel that you care not thogh al be lost so she be safe Apel. Not loue her but your maiestie knowes that painter◠in their last works are said to excell themselues and in this I haue so much pleased my selfe that the shadow as much delighteth mee being an artificer as the substance doth others that are amorous Alex. You lay your colours grosly though I could not paint in your shop I cā spy into your excuse Be not ashamed Apelles it is a gentlemans sporte to be in loue Call hither Campaspe Me thinks I might haue bin made priuie to your affection though my counsell had not beene necessary yet my countenance might haue bin thought requisite But Apelles forsooth loueth vnder hand yea vnder Alexanders nose and but I say no more Apel. Apelles loueth not so but he liueth to doe as Alexander will Alex. Campas here is newes Apel. is in loue with you Camp It pleaseth your Maiestie to say so Alex. Hephestion I will trie her too Campaspe for the good qualities I know in Apelles and the vertue I see in you I am determined you shal enioy one another How say you Campaspe would you say I Cam. Your handmaid must obey if you command Alex. Thinke you not Hephestion that she woulde faine be commanded Hep. I am no thought catcher but I gesse vnhappily Alex. I will not enforce mariage where I cannot compell loue Cam. But your maiestie may moue a question where you be willing to haue a match Alex. Beleeue me Hephestion these parties are agreed they would haue me both priest and witnesse Apelles take Campaspe why moue ye not Campaspe take Apelles wil it not be If you be ashamed one of the other by my consent you shall neuer come together But dissemble not Campaspe do you loue Apelles Camp Pardon my Lord I loue Apelles Alex. Apelles it were a shame for you being loued so openly of so faire a virgin to say the contrary Doe you loue Campaspe Apel. Onely Campaspe Alex. Two louing wormes Hephestion I perceiue Alexander cannot subdue the affections of men though cōquer their coūtries Loue falleth like a dew aswel vpō the low grasse as vpon the high Caedar Sparkes haue their heat Antes their gall Flyes their splene Well enioy one another I giue her thee frāckly Apelles Thou shalt see that Alexander maketh but a toy of loue and leadeth affection in fetters vsing fācie as a foole to make him sport or a minsttell to make him merry It is not the amorous glaunce of an eye can settle an idle thought in the heart no no it is childrens game a life for seamesters and schollers the one pricking in cloutes haue nothing els to thinke on the other picking fancies out of bookes haue little else to maruaile at Go Apelles take with you your Campaspe Alexander is cloyed with looking on that which thou wondrest at Apel. Thanks to your maiestie on bended knee you haue honoured Apelles Camp Thanks withbowed heart you haue blessed Campaspe Exeunt Alex. Page go warne Clytus and Parmenio and the other Lords to be in a readines let the trumpet sounde strike vp the drumme and I will presently into Persia How now Hephestion is Alexander able to resist loue as he list Heph. The conquering of Thebes was not so honourable as the subduing of these thoughts Alex. It were a shame Alexander should desire to cōmand the world if he could not commaund himselfe But come let vs goe I wil trie whether I can better beare my hand with my hart than I could with mine eie And good Hephestion when al the world is wonne and euery countrey is thine and mine either finde me out another to subdue or of my word I will fall in loue Exeunt The Epilogue at the Black Friers VVHere the Rain-bow toucheth the tree no Caterpillers will hang on the leaues where the Gloworm creepeth in the night no Addar wil go in the day We hope in the eares where our trauailes be lodged no carping shall harbour in those tongues Our exercises must be as your iudgemēt is resembling water which is alwaies of the same colour into what it runneth In the Troyan horse lay couched souldiers with children and in heapes of many wordes we feare diuers vnsit among some allowable But as Demosthenes with often breathing vp the hill amend his stammering so wee hope with sundry labours against the haire to correct our studies If the tree be blasted that blossomes the fault is in the winde and not in the roote and if our pastimes be misliked that haue beene allowed you must impute it to the malice of others and not our endeuour And so wee rest in good case if you rest well content The Epilogue at the Court. VVE cannot tell whether we are fallen among Diomedes birds or his horses the one receiued some men with sweet notes the other bitte al men with sharp teeth But as Homers Gods conueied them into cloudes whom they would haue kept from curses and as Venus least Advnis shold be pricked with the stings of Adders couered his face with the wings of Swans so wee hope being shielded with your highnes countenaunce wee shal though heare the neighing yet not feele the kicking of those iades and receiue though no praise which we cannot deserue yet a pardon which in all humilitie we desire As yet we cannot tell what we should tearme our labours yron or bullyon only it belongeth to your maiestie to make thē fit either for the forge or the mynt currant by the stamp or counterfeit by the anuill For as nothing is to be called white vnlesse it had bin named white by the first creature so can there bee nothing thought good in the opinion of others vnlesse it bee christened good by the iudgement of your selfe For our selues againe we are like these torches waxe of which being in your highnes hands you may make Doues or Vultures Roses or Nettles Laurell for a garland or Elder for a disgrace FINIS
fall not from the armour of Mars to the armes of Venus from the fiery assaults of war to the maidēly skirmishes of loue from displaying the Eagle in thine ensigne to set downe the sparow I sighe Alexander that where fortune could not conquer folly shuld ouercome But behold al the perfection that may be in Campaspe a hayre curling by nature not arte sweete alluring eies a faire face made in dispite of Venus and a stately porte in disdaine of Iuno a witte apt to conceiue and quick to answere a skin as soft as silk and as smooth as iet a longe white hand a fine litle foote to conclude all partes answerable to the best part what of this Though she haue heauenly giftes vertue and bewtie is she not of earthly mettal flesh and bloud You Alexander that would be a God shew your selfe in this worse then a man so soone to be both ouerseene and ouertaken in a womā whose false teares know their true times whose smooth words wound deeper then sharpe swordes There is no surfeit so dangerous as that of honney nor anye poyson so deadly as that of loue in the one phisicke cannot preuaile nor in the other counsell Alex. My case were light Hephestion and not worthy to be called loue if reason were a remedy or sentences could salue that sence cānot conceiue Litle do you know and therefore sleightly do you regarde the dead embers in a priuate persō or liue coles in a great prince whose passions and thoughts do as far exceede others in extremitie as their callings doe in Maiestie An Eclipse in the Sunne is more then the falling of a starre none can conceiue the torments of a king vnlesse hee be a king whose desires are not inferior to their dignities And then iudge Hephestion if the agonies of loue be dangerous in a subiect whether they be not more then deadly vnto Alexander whose deep and not to be conceiued sighes cleaue the hart in shiuers whose woūded thoughtes can neither be expressed nor endured Cease then Hephestion with arguments to seeke to refel that which with their deitie the Gods cannot resist let this suffice to aunswere thee that it is a king that loueth and Alexander whose affectiōs are not to be measured by reason being immortall nor I feare me to be borne being intollerable Hephe. I must needs yeeld when neither reason nor counsell can be heard Alex. Yeeld Hephestion for Alexander doth loue and therefore must obtaine Heph. Suppose she loues not you affection commeth not by appointmente or birth then as good hated as enforced Alex. I am a king and will commaund Hephe. You may to yeelde to luste by force but to consent to loue by feare you cannot Alex. Why what is that which Alexander may not conquer as he list Hephe. Why that which you say the Gods cannot resiste Loue. Alex. I am a conquerour she a captiue I as fortunate as she faire my greatnes may aunswere her wants and the giftes of my minde the modestie of hers Is it not likely then that she should loue Is it not reasonable Heph. You say that in loue there is no reason therfore there can be no likelyhood Alex. No more Hephestion in this case I wil vse mine owne counsell and in all other thine aduice thou maist be a good soldier but neuer good louer Cal my Page Sirha goe presently to Apelles and will him to come to me without either delay or excuse Page I goe Alex. In the meane season to recreate my spirits being so neare we will goe see Diogenes and see where his tub is Diogenes Diog. Who calleth Alex. Alexander How happened it that you woulde not come out of your tub to my palace Diog. Because it was as far from my tub to your pallace as from your palace to my tub Alex. Why thē doest thou ow no reuerēce to kings Diog. No. Alex. Why so Diog. Because they be no Gods Alex. They be Gods of the earth Diog. Yea Gods of earth Alex. Plato is not of thy mind Diog. I am glad of it Alex. Why Diog. Because I would haue none of Diogenes minde but Diogenes Alex. If Alexander haue any thing that may pleasure Diogenes let me know and take it Diog. Then take not from me that you cannot giue me the light of the world Alex. What doest thou want Diog. Nothing that you haue Alex. I haue the world at commaund Diog. And I in contempt Alex. Thou shalt liue no longer than I will Diog. But I will die whether you will or no. Alex. How should one learn to be content Diog. Vnlearn to couet Alex. Hephestion were I not Alexander I wolde wishe to be Diogenes Heph. He is dogged but discrete I cannot tel how sharpe with a kinde of sweetenes ful of wit yet too too wayward Alex. Diogenes whē I come this way again I will both see thee and confer with thee Diog. Doe Alex. But here commeth Apelles how now Apelles is Venus face yet finished Apel. Not yet Bewty is not so soone shadowed whose perfection commeth not within the compasse either of cunning or of colour Alex. Well let it rest vnperfect come you with me where I wil shewe you that finished by nature that you haue beene trifling about by art Actus tertius Schaena prima Apelles Campaspe Apel. Lady I doubt whether there bee any colour so fresh that may shadow a countenance so faire Camp Sir I had thought you had beene commaunded to paint with your hand not to glose with your tongue but as I haue heard it is the hardest thing in painting to set down a hard fauour which maketh you to dispair of my face and then shall you haue as great thanks to spare your labour as to discredit your arte Apel. Mistresse you neither differ from you selfe nor your sex for knowing your owne perfection you seeme to dispraise that which men most cōmend drawing thē by that meane into an admiration where feeding them selues they fall into an extasie your modestie being the cause of the one and of the other your affections Camp I am too young to vnderstande your speache thogh old enough to withstand your deuise you haue bin so long vsed to colours you cā do nothing but colour Apel. Indeed the colours I see I feare wil alter the colour I haue but come madam will you draw neere for Alexander will be here anon Psyllus stay you heere at the window if anye enquire for me aunswere Non lubet esse domi Exeunt Actus tertius Schaena secunda Psyllus Manes Psyllus It is alwayes my maisters fashion when any fair Gentlewoman is to be drawne within to make mee to stay without But if he shuld paint Iupiter like a Bul like a Swan like an Eagle then must Psyllus with one hand grind colours and with the other hold the candle But let him alone the better he shadowes her face the more will he burne his owne heart And now if a manne cold
Campaspe Played beefore the Queenes Maiestie on newyeares day at night by her Maiesties Children and the Children of Paules ₠¶ Imprinted at London for Thomas Cadman 1584. The Prologue at the Court. VVEe are ashamed that our birde which fluttered by twilight seeming a swan should bee proued a Batte set against the sunne But as Iupiter placed Silenus Asse among the starres and Alcebiades couered his pictures beeing Owles and Apes with a courtaine embroidered with Lions and Eagles so are we enforced vpon a rough discource to drawe on a smooth excuse resembling Lapidaries who thinke to hide the crake in a stone by setting it deepe in golde The Gods supped once with poore Baucis the Persian kings sometimes shaued stickes our hope is your heighnesse wil at this time lend an eare to an idle pastime Appion raising Homere from hell demanded onely who was his father and we calling Alexander from his graue seeke onely who was his loue Whatsoeuer we present we wish it may be thought the daunsing of Agrippa his shadowes who in the moment they were seene were of any shape one woulde conceiue or Lynces who hauing a quicke sight to discerne haue a short memorie to forget With vs it is like to fare as with these torches which giuing light to others consume themselues and wee shewing delight to others shame our selues The Prologue at the Black fryers THey that feare the stinging of waspes make fannes of peacockes tailes whose spots are like eies And Lepidus which coulde not sleepe for the chatting of birdes set vp a beaste whose head was like a dragon and we which stande in awe of reporte are compelled to sette beefore our owle Pallas shield thinking by her vertue to couer the others deformitie It was a signe of famine to Aegypte when Nilus flowed lesse then twelue Cubites or more then eighteene and it may threaten dispaire vnto vs if we be lesse curious then you looke for or more combersome But as Theseus being promised to be brought to an Eagles neast and trauailing al the day found but a wrenne in a hedg yet said this is a bird so we hope if the shower of our swelling mountaine seeme to bring foorth some Eliphant perfourme but a mouse you will gently say this is a beast Basill softly touched yeeldeth a sweete sent but chafed in the hand a ranke sauour Wee feare euen so that our labours slylye glaunced on will breede some content but examined to the proofe small commendation The haste in performing shall bee our excuse There went two nightes to the begetting of Hercules Feathers appeare not on the Phoenix vnder seauen monethes and the mulbery is twelue in budding but our trauailes are like the Hares who at one time bringeth foorth nourisheth and engendreth againe or like the broode of Trochilus whose egges in the same moment that they are layd become birdes But howsoeuer we finish our worke we craue pardō if we offend in matter and patience if we transgresse in manners We haue mixed mirth with counsell and discipline with delight thinking it not amisse in the same garden to sowe pot-hearbes that we set flowers But we hope as Harts that cast their hornes Snakes their skinnes Eagles their bils become more fresh for any other labour so our charge being shaken of we shal be fitte for greater matters But least like the Mindyans we make our gates greater then our towne and that our play runnes out at the preface we here conclude wishing that although there bee in your precise iudgementes an vniuersall mislike yet wee maye enioy by your woonted courtisies a general silēce Actus primus Schaena prima Clytus Permenio Timoclea Campaspe Alexander Hephestion Clyt. PArmenio I cannot tel whether I should more commend in Alexanders victories courage or curtesie in the one being a resolution without feare in the other a liberality aboue custome Thebes is raysed the people not racked towers throwne down bodies not thrust aside a conquest without conflict and a cruell warre in a milde peace Parmenio Clytus it becommeth the sonne of Phillip to be none other then Alexander is therfore seeing in the father a ful perfection who could haue doubted in the son an excellencie For as the moone can borrow nothing els of the sunne but light so of a sire in whome nothing but vertue was what coulde the childe receiue but singular it is for Turkies to staine each other not for Diamondes in the one to bee made a difference in goodnes in the other no comparision Clytus You mistake mee Parmenio if whilest I commend Alexander you imagine I call Phillip into question vnlesse happely you coniecture which none of iudgment will conceiue that because I like the fruit therefore I heaue at the tree or coueting to kisse the child I therfore go about to poyson the teat Parme. I but Clytus I perceiue you are borne in the East and neuer laugh but at the sunne rising which argueth though a duetie where you ought yet no great deuotion where you might Clytus We will make no controuersie of that which there ought to be no question onely this shal be the opinion of vs both that none was worthy to be the father of Alexander but Phillip nor any meete to bee the sonne of Phillip but Alexander Parme. Soft Clytus behold the spoiles prisoners a pleasaunt sight to vs because profit is ioyned with honour not much paineful to them because their captiuitie is eased by mercy Timo. Fortune thou didst neuer yet deceiue vertue because vertue neuer yet did trust fortune Sworde and fire will neuer get spoyle where wisdome and fortitude beares sway O Thebes thy walles were raysed by the sweetnesse of the harpe but raced by the shrilnes of the trumpet Alexander had neuer come so neere the wals had Epaminondas walkt about the walles and yet might the Thebanes haue beene mery in there streetes if he had beene to watch their to wers But destinie is seldome foreseene neuer preuented We are here now captiues whose neckes are yoaked by force but whose harts can not yeelde by death Come Campaspe and the rest let vs not be ashamed to cast our eyes one him on whom wee feared not to cast our dartes Parme. Madame you neede not doubt it is Alexander that is the conquerour Timo. Alex. hath ouercome not conquered Parme. To bring al vnder his subiection is to cōquer Timo. He cannot subdue that which is diuine Parme Thebes was not Timo. Vertue is Clytus Alexander as he tendreth vertue so he Will you he drinketh not bloud but thirsteth after honor he is greedy of victory but neuer satified with mercy In fight terrible as becometh a captaine in conqueste milde as beseemeth a king In al things then which nothing can be greater he is Alexander Camp Then if it be such a thing to be Alexander I hope it shal be no miserable things to be a virgin For if he saue our honors it is more thē to restore our goods And rather doe
meet with Manes who I dare say lookes as leane as if Diogenes dropped out of his nose Manes And here comes Manes whoe hath as muche meate in his maw as thou hast honestie in thy head Psyllus Then I hope thou art very hungry Manes They that know thee know that Psyllus But doest thou not remember that wee haue certaine licour to conferre withall Manes I but I haue busines I must go cry a thing Psyllus Why what hast thou lost Manes That which I neuer had my dinner Psyllus Foule lubber wilt thou crye for thy dinner Manes I meane I must cry not as one would saye cry but cry that is make a noyse Psyllus Why foole that is al one for if thou cry thou must needes make a noise Manes Boy thou art deceiued Cry hath diuerse significations and may bee alluded to manye things knaue but one and can be applyed but to thee Psyllus Profound Manes Manes Wee Cynickes are madde fellowes didste thou not finde I did quip thee Psyllus No verely why what is a quip Manes We great girders cal it a short saying of a sharp witte with a bitter sense in a sweete word Psyllus How canst thou thus diuine deuide define dispute and all on the suddaine Manes Wit wil haue his swing I am bewitcht inspird inflamed infected Psyllus Well then will not I tempt thy gybing spirite Manes Do not Psyllus for thy dull head will bee but a grindstone for my quick wit which if thou whet with ouerwhartes peristi actum est de te I haue drawne bloud at ones braines with a bitter bob Psyllus Let me crosse my selfe for I die if I crosse thee Manes Let me do my busines I my self am afraid least my wit should waxe warm and then must it needs consume some hard head with fine prety iests I am some times in such a vaine that for want of some dull pate to worke on I begin to gird my selfe Psyllus The Gods shield mee from such a fine fellowe whose words melt wits like waxe Manes Well then let vs to the matter In fayth my maister meaneth to morrow to fly Psyllus It is a iest Manes Is it a iest to flye shouldest thou flye so soone thou shouldest repent it in earnest Psyllus Well I will be the cryer Manes and Psyl one after an other O ys o ys o ys Al manner of men women or children that will come to morow into the market place between the houres of nine and ten shall see Diogenes the Cynick flye Psyllus I do not think he will flye Manes Tush say fly Psyllus Fly Manes Now let vs goe for I will not see him againe til midnight I haue a back way into his tub Psyllus Which way callest thou the backwaye when euery way is open Manes I meane to come in at his back Psyllus Well let vs goe away that wee may returne speedily Exeunt Actus tertius Schaena tertia Apelles Campaspe Apel. I shall neuer drawe your eies well because they blind mine Camp Why thē paint me without eies for I am blind Apel. Were you euer shadowed before of any Camp No. And would you could so now shadow me that I might not be perceiued of any Apel. It were pittie but that so absolute a face should furnish Venus temple amongst these pictures Camp What are these pictures Apel. This is Laeda whom loue deceiued in likenes of a swan Camp A faire woman but a foule deceit Apel. This is Alcmena Vnto whō Iupiter came in shape of Amphitriō her husband and begat Hercules Camp A famous sonne but an infamous fact Apel. He might do it because he was a God Camp Nay therefore it was euill done because he was a God Apel. This is Danae into whose prison Iupiter drisled a golden shewre and obtained his desire Camp What Gold can make one yeelde to desire Apel. This is Europa whom Iupiter rauished this Antiopa Camp Were al the Gods like this Iupiter Apel. There were many Gods in this like Iupiter Camp I thinke in those dayes loue was wel ratified among men on earth when lust was so ful authorised by the Gods in heauen Apel. Nay you may imagine there wer womē passing amiable when there were Gods exceeding amorous Camp Were women neuer so faire mē wold be false Apel. Were womē neuer so false men wold be fond Camp What counterfeit is this Appelles Apel. This is Venus the Goddesse of loue Camp What be there also louing Goddesses Apel. This is she that hath power to commaunde the very affections of the heart Camp How is she hired by praier by sacrifice or bribs Apel. By praier sacrifice and bribes Camp What praier Apel. Vowes irreuocable Camp What sacrifice Apel. Heartes euer sighing neuer dissembling Camp What bribes Apel. Roses and kisses but were you neuer in loue Camp No nor loue in me Apel. Then haue you iniuried many Camp How so Apel. Because you haue beene loued of many Camp Flattered parchance of some Apel. It is not possible that a face so faire a wit so sharpe both without comparison shuld not be apt to loue Camp If you begin to tip your tongue with cunning I pray you dip your pensil in colours and fall to that you must doe not that you would doe Actus tertius Schaena quarta Clytus Parmenio Alexander Hephestion Crisus Diogenes Apelles Campaspe Clytus Parmenio I cannot tel how it commeth to passe that in Alexander now a daies there groweth an vnpatiēt kinde of life in the morning he is melancholy at noone solomne at all times either more sower or seuere then he was accustomed Parme. In kinges causes I rather loue to doubt then coniecture and think it better to be ignoraunt then inquisitiue they haue long eares and stretched armes in whose heades suspition is a proofe and to be accused is to be condemned Clytus Yet betweene vs there canne be no danger to finde out the cause for that there is no malice to withstand it It may be an vnquenchable thirste of conquering maketh him vnquiet it is not vnlikly his long ease hath altred his humour that he should bee in loue it is not impossible Parme. In loue Clytus no no it is as farre from his thought as treason in ours he whose euer waking eye whose neuer tried heart whose body patient of labour whose mind vnsatiable of victory hath alwayes bin noted cannot so soone be melted into the weak conceites of loue Aristotle told him there were many worlds that he hath not conquered one that gapeth for al galleth Alexander But here he commeth Alex. Parmenio and Clitus I would haue you both redy to go into Persia about an ambassage no lesse profitable to me then to your selues honourable Clytus We are ready at all commaundes wishing nothing els but continually to be commaunded Alex. Well then withdraw your selues till I haue further considered of this matter Exeunt Clytus Parmenio Now we wil see how Apelles goeth forward I doubt me that nature
hath ouercom arte her countenance his cunning Hephest You loue and therefore think any thing Alex But not so far in loue with Campaspe as with Bucephalus if occasion serue either of cōflicte or of conquest Hephest Ocasion cannot want if wil doe not Behold all Persia swelling in the pride of their owne power the Scithians carelesse what courage or fortune canne doe the Aegiptians dreaming in the southsayings of their Auguries and gaping ouer the smoak of their beasts intralles All these Alexander are to bee subdued if that world be not slipped out of your head which you haue sworne to conquere with that hand Alex I confesse the labours fit for Alexander and yet recreation necessary among so many assaults bloudye wounds intollerable troubles giue mee leaue a litle if not to sitte yet to breath And doubt not but Alexander can when he wil throw affections as farre from him as he can cowardise But behold Diogenes talking with one at his tub Crysus One penny Diogenes I am a Cynick Diog. He made thee a begger that first gaue thee any thing Crysus Why if thou wilt giue nothing no body will giue thee Diog. I want nothing till the springs dry the earth perish Crysus I gather for the Gods Diog. And I care not for those gods which want money Crysus Thou art a right Cynicke that will giue nothing Diog. Thou art not that will beg any thing Crysus Alexander king Alexāder giue a poore Cynick a groat Alex. It is not for a king to giue a groat Crysus Then giue me a talent Alex. It is not for a begger to aske a talent A waye Apelles Apel. Here. Alex. Now Gentlewomanne doeth not your beauty put the painter to his trump Camp Yes my Lorde seeing so disordered a countenaunce he feareth he shall shadow a deformed counterfeit Alex. Wold he could colour the life with the feature And me thinketh Apelles were you as cūning as report saith you are you may paint flowers aswell with sweete smels as fresh colours obseruing in your mixture such things as should draw neere to their sauours Apel. Your maiestie must know it is no lesse harde to paint sauours thē vertues colours can neither speake nor think Alex. Where do you first begin when you drawe any picture Apel. The proposition of the face in iust compasse as I can Alex. I would begin with the eie as a light to all the rest Apel. If you will paint as you are a king your Maiestie may beginne where you please but as you wold be a painter you must begin with the face Alex. Aurelius would in one houre colour four faces Apel. I meruaile in half an houre he did not foure Alex. Why is it so easie Apel. No but he doth it so homely Alex. When will you finish Campaspe Apel. Neuer finishe for alwayes in absolute bewtie there is somwhat aboue arte Alex. Why should not I by labour bee as cunning as Apelles Apel. God shield you should haue cause to be so cunning as Apelles Alex Me thinketh 4. colours are sufficiēt to shadow any countenance so it was in the time of Phyaias Apel. Thē had mē fewer fancies womē not so many fauors For now if the haire of her eie browes be black yet must the haire of her head be yellowe the attire of her head must be different from the habit of her body els must the picture seeme like the blason of auncient armorie not like the sweet delight of new found amiablenes For as in garden knottes diuersitie of odours make a more sweet sauor or as in musicke diuers strings cause a more delicate consent so in painting the more colours the better counterfeit obseruing blacke for a ground and the rest for grace Alex. Lend me thy pensil Apelles I will paint thou shalt iudge Apel. Here. Alex. The coale breakes Apel. You leane too hard Alex. Now it blackes not Apel. You leane too soft Alex. This is awry Apel. Your eie goeth not with your hand Alex. Now it is worse Apel. Your hand goeth not with your mind Alex. Nay if al be too hard or soft so many rules and regardes that ones hand ones eie ones minde must all draw together I had rather be setting of a battell then blotting of a bourd But how haue I done heere Apel. Like a king Alex. I think so but nothing more vnlike a Painter Wel Apelles Campaspe is finished as I wish dismisse her bring presently her counterfeit after me Apel. I will Alex. Now Hephestion doth not this matter cotton as I would Campaspe looketh pleasauntlye liberty wil encrease her bewty my loue shall aduaunce her honour Heph. I wil not contrary your maiestie for time must we are out that loue hath wrought and reason weane what appetite noursed Alex. How stately she passeth bye yet how so berly a sweet consent in her countenance with a chast disdaine desire mingled with coynesse and I cannot tell how to tearme it a curst yeelding modestie Heph. Let her passe Alex. So she shall for the fairest on the earth Exeunt Actus tertius Schaena quinta Psyllus Manes Apelles Psyllus I shal be hanged for tarying so long Manes I pray God my maister be not flowne before I come Psyl Away Manes my maister doth come Apel. Where haue you bin all this while Psyl No where but heere Apel. Who was here since my comming Psyl No body Apel. Vngratious wag I perceiue you haue beene a loytering was Alexander no body Psyl He was a king I meant no meane body Apel. I will cogell your body for it and then will I say it was no bodie because it was no honeste body Away in Exit Psyllus Vnfortunate Apelles and therfore vnfortunate beecause Apelles Hast thou by drawing her bewty broght to passe that thou canst scarse draw thine own breath And by so much the more hast thou encreased thy care by how much the more thou hast shewed thy cūning was it not sufficient to behold the fire and warme thee but with Satyrus thou must kisse the fire and burne thee O Campaspe Campaspe arte must yeeld to nature reason to appetite wisdom to affection Could Pigmalion entreate by prayer to haue his Iuory turned into flesh and cannot Apelles obtaine by plaints to haue the picture of his loue chaunged to life Is painting so farre inferiour to caruing or dost thou Venus more delight to be hewed with Chizels then shadowed with colours what Pigmalyon or what Pyrgoteles or what Lysppus is hee that euer made thy face so fayre or spread thy fame so farre as I vnlesse Venus in this thou enuiest mine arte that in colouring my sweete Campaspe I haue left no place by cunning to make thee so amiable But alas she is the paramour to a prince Alexander the monarch of the earth hath both her body and affection For what is it that kinges cannot obtaine by praiers threates and promises Wil not she think it better to sit vnder a cloth of estate
haue brought my sons Diogenes to be taught of thee Diog. What can thy sonnes doe Silui You shall see their qualities Daunce sirha Then Perim daunceth How like you this doth he well Diog. The better the worser Silui The Musicke very good Diog. The Musitions very badde who onelye study to haue their stringes in tune neuer framing their manners to order Silui Now shall you see the other Tumble sirha Milo tumbleth How like you this why do you laugh Diog. To see a wagge that was born to break his neck by distinie to practise it by arte Milo This dogge will bite me I will not be with him Diog. Feare not boy dogges eate no thistles Perim. I maruel what dog thou art if thou be a dog Diog. When I am hungry a mastyue and whē my belly is full a spaniell Sylui. Doest thou beleeue that there are any gods that thou art so dogged Diog. I must needs beleeue there are gods for I think thee an enimie to them Silui Why so Diog. Because thou hast taught one of thy sonnes to rule his legges and not to follow learning the other to bend his body euery way and his minde no way Perim. Thou doest nothing but snarle and barke like a dogge Diog. It is the next way to driue away a theefe Sylui. Now shall you heare the third who signes like a Nightingall Diog. I care not for I haue heard a Nightingall sing her selfe Syl. Sing sirha Trico singeth Syl. Loe Diogenes I am sure thou canst not doe so much Diog. But there is neuer a Thrush but can Sylui. What hast thou taught Manes thy man Diog. To be as vnlike as may be thy sonnes Manes He hath taught me to fast lye hard runne away Sylui. How sayest thou Perim wilte thou bee with him Perim. I so he will teache me first to run away Diog. Thou needest not be taught thy legges are so nimble Sylui. How sayest thou Milo Wilte thou bee with hym Diog. Nay holde your peace he shal not Sylui. Why Diog. There is not roome enough for him and mee both to tumble in one tub Sylui. Well Diogenes I perceaue my sonnes brooke not thy manners Diog. I thought no lesse when they knewe my vertues Sylui. Farewel Diogenes thou neededst not haue scraped rootes if thou wouldest haue followed Alexander Diog. Nor thou haue followed Alexāder if thou hadst scraped roots Exeunt Actus quintus Schaena secunda Apelles alone I feare me Apelles that thine eies haue blabbed that which thy tongue durst not What little regard hadst thou whilst Alexander viewed the conterfeite of Campaspe thou stoodest gazing on her countenaunce If he espie or but suspect thou must needes twice perish with his hate and thine owne loue Thy pale lookes when he blushed thy sadde countenaunce when hee smiled thy sighes when he questioned may breede in him a ielosie perchaunce a frenzye O loue I neuer before knewe what thou wert and nowe haste thou made mee that I know not what my selfe am Onely this I knowe that I must endure intollerable passions for vnknowne pleasures Dispute not the cause wretch but yeeld to it for better it is to melt with desire then wrastle with loue Cast thy selfe on thy carefull bedde be content to lyue vnknowne and die vnfounde O Campaspe I haue painted thee in my heart painted nay contrarye to myne arte imprinted and that in suche deepe Characters that nothing can rase it out vnlesse it rubbe thy heart out Exit Actus quintus Schaena tertia Milectus Phrigius Lays Diogenes Mil. It shal go hard but this peace shal bring vs some pleasure Phry. Downe with armes and vp with legges this is a world for the nonce Layis Sweet youths if you knew what it were to saue your sweete blood you would not so foolishly go about to spend it What delight can there be in gasshing to make foule scarres in faire faces crooked maimes in streight legges as though men being borne goodly by nature would of purpose become deformed by folly and all forsooth for a new found tearme called valiaunt a worde which breedeth more quarrells than the sense can commendation Mil. It is true Layis a featherbed hath no fellowe good drink makes good blood and shal pelting wordes spill it Phry. I meane to enioy the world and to draw out my life at the wiredrawers not to curtall it off at the cutlers Layis You may talke of warre speake bigge conquer worldes with great wordes but stay at home where in steede of Alarums you shall haue daunces for hot battailes with fierce men gentle skirmishes with fayre women These pewter coates can neuer sit so well as Satten dublets Beleeue mee you cannot conceiue the pleasure of peace vnlesse you despise the rudenes of warre Mil. It is so But see Diogenes prying ouer his tub Diogenes what sayest thou to such a morsell Diog. I say I would spit it out of my mouth because it should not poyson my stomacke Phry. Thou speakest as thou art it is no meate for dogges Diog. I am a dogge and Philosophy rates me from carion Layis Vnciuill wretch whose manners are answerable to thy calling the time was thou wouldest haue had my company had it not beene as thou saydst too deare Diog. I remember there was a thing that I repented me of and now thou haste tolde it indeede it was too deare of nothing and thou deare to no bodie Layis Downe villaine or I will haue thy head broken Mile Will you couch Phry. Auant curre Come sweet Lays let vs goe to some place and possesse peace But first let vs sing there is more pleasure in tuning of a voyce than in a volly of shotte Milec. Now let vs make haste least Alexander find vs here Exeunt Actus quintus Schaena quarta Alexander Hephestion Page Diogenes Apelles Campaspe Alex. Me thinketh Hephestion you are more melancholy than you were accustomed but I perceiue it is all for Alexander You can neither brooke this peace nor my pleasure be of good cheare though I winke I sleepe not Hephest Melancholy I am not nor well content for I know not how there is such a rust crept into my bones with this long ease that I feare I shall not scowre it out with infinite labours Alex. Yes yes if all the trauailes of conquering the world will set either thy bodie or mine in tune we will vndertake them But what think you of Apelles Did ye euer see any so perplexed Hee neither answered directly to any question nor looked stedfastly vppon any thing I holde my life the painter is in loue Heph. It may be for commonly we see it incident in artificers to be enamoured of their owne works as Archidamus of his wodden doue Pygmalion of his yuorie Image Arachne of his woddē swan especially painters who playing with their owne concesses now coueting to draw a glauncing eie then a roling now a wincking still mending it neuer ending it till they bee caught with it